cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How durable is sustainable enterprise? Ecological sustainability meets the reality of tough economic times

Abstract Today's business leaders are pressed to achieve ecological (eco) sustainable enterprise, but must do so with fewer resources. Given a protracted global recession, our concern is that the motivation for eco-sustainability may not be as strong as hoped for, nor as swift or durable as expected. To create a more explicit discourse on eco-sustainability activities during a recession, we set forth a framework to help business leaders examine their strategic perspective based on their organization's identity. We describe how this may influence how leaders broach change within their organizations, taking a surface or deep approach to achieve eco-sustainability. The intent is to highlight the importance of honestly assessing the firm's purpose and to work toward a more relational orientation in the new economy. To establish eco-sustainability during this recessionary period, we believe a middle path is needed, adopting a blended perspective. To this end, we offer three practical steps to begin this effort: reflection on the firm's values, development of relationships, and cultivation of different forms of change.
Cavitation Damage to Centrifugal Pump Impellers During Operation With Liquid Metals and Molten Salt at 1050–1400 F

Three centrifugal pump impellers fabricated of Inconel were subjected to endurance testing under cavitating conditions with sodium and with molten salt (fused fluorides) at temperatures of 1050 to 1400 deg F. The tests were run (one with sodium and two with molten salt) at or near pump design head and flow conditions to establish the extent of impeller damage sustained during long periods of operation and to observe the effects upon performance. Descriptions are provided for the test impellers and volutes, of the experimental apparatus, and of the test operations. The cavitation damage is described by the effects on hydraulic performance and with photomicrographs and metallurgical analyses. Damage was manifested by the formation of pits in excess of 1/4 in. in depth. No change in performance was detected. (auth)
FUNCTIONAL ROLE OF THE N-TERMINAL REGION OF THE LON PROTEASE FROM MYCOBACTERIUM SMEGMATIS

Lon protease homologues contain a poorly conserved N-terminal region of variable length. To better understand the role of the N-terminal region of Lon in the complicated reaction cycle of ATP-dependent protein degradation, we expressed and characterized mutants of the Lon protease from Mycobacterium smegmatis (Ms-Lon) lacking 90, 225, and 277 N-terminal residues (N-G91, N-E226, and N-I278, respectively). N-I278 displayed neither peptidase nor ATPase activity despite the fact that it was stable and soluble in vivo, had a near-wild-type CD spectrum, and the deleted residues included neither the catalytic nucleophile for peptide bond hydrolysis (S675) nor the ATP binding regions. N-G91 and N-E226 retained peptidase activities against small unstructured peptides that were stimulated, to near-wild-type levels, by the Ms-Lon substrate protein alpha-casein. By contrast, N-G91 and N-E226 retained basal ATPase activities, but these activities were only stimulated weakly by alpha-casein. Ms-Lon, N-E226, and N-G91 all exhibited low-level peptidase activity in assays containing nonhydrolyzed nucleotide analogues. However, these peptidase activities were stimulated strongly by alpha-casein in the case of Ms-Lon but weakly by alpha-casein in the cases of N-G91 and N-E226. Strikingly, despite the near-wild-type peptidase activities of N-G91 and N-E226, both were severely impaired in their degradation of the Ms-Lon protein substrates alpha-casein in vitro and RcsA in vivo. Overall, N-G91 and N-E226 displayed catalytic properties similar to Escherichia coli Lon (Ec-Lon) in the presence of the PinA inhibitor, suggesting that PinA inhibits Ec-Lon protease by inhibiting the function of Ec-Lon's N-terminal region. In vivo protease assays further revealed that, in contrast to the inactive Ms-Lon point mutant S675A, N-G91 and N-E226 did not reduce the cellular activity of RcsA. This same defect was observed previously for Ms-Lons with multiple mutations in their peptidase active sites. We conclude that proteolytically inactive mutants of Ms-Lon retain the ability to reduce the cellular activity of RcsA but that both the N-terminal region and the peptidase active site region of Ms-Lon are required for this activity of wild-type Ms-Lon. The inabilities of N-G91 and N-E226 to degrade larger protein substrates and to reduce the cellular activity of RcsA were not the result of drastic alterations in their quaternary structures. Gel filtration profiles of N-G91 and N-E226 revealed that each was primarily tetrameric, with an increased percentage of dimeric species and a decreased percentage of trimeric species relative to Ms-Lon. The observed shifts in the dimer/trimer ratios of the N-terminal truncation mutants suggest that the Ms-Lon tetramer contains two types of subunit-subunit interactions.
Imaging pitfalls in the postoperative head and neck.

Abstract It may well be that imaging of the post-treatment head and neck is among the most difficult tasks faced by the radiologist. Pitfalls are everywhere, and opportunities for error endless. In this manuscript, an attempt is made to categorize many of the various types of pitfalls that exist in imaging the operated head and neck patients. The radiologist can avoid error by remembering certain common postoperative appearances and not misinterpreting them as abnormal, by having available baseline postoperative studies, and by gaining experience in this very challenging aspect of head and neck radiology.
Serial anticipation and pattern extrapolation in rats as a function of element discriminability

In Experiment 1, three groups of rats were trained on one of three serial patterns consisting of different numbers of .045-g food pellets, either the simple strong monotonie pattern 14-7-3-1-0 (Group SM) or one of two complex weak monotonie patterns, 14-5-5-1-0 (Group 5-5) or 14-9-1-1-0 (Group 1-1). Learning to anticipate the terminal 0-pellet element occurred faster in Group 1-1 than in Group SM, which in turn learned faster than Group 5-5. In Experiment 2, Groups SM, 5-5, and 1-1 were trained on the first four elements of the patterns experienced by their Experiment 1 counterparts and then were tested for their ability to extrapolate the series to include the addition of a 0-pellet element in the fifth position. Extrapolation behavior was better in Group 1-1 than in Group SM, which in turn performed better than Group 5-5. The results were shown to be consistent with a memory-discrimination model of serial learning and inconsistent with a rule-learning model based on pattern complexity.
Clinical utility of dorsal sural nerve conduction studies.

A technique of testing sensory nerve conduction of the dorsal sural nerve in the foot was used in 38 normal subjects and 70 patients with peripheral neuropathies. The normal dorsal sural sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) had a mean amplitude of 8.9 microV (range 5-15 microV), mean latency to negative peak of 4.0 ms (range 3.2-4.7 ms), and mean conduction velocity of 34.8 m/s (range 30-44 m/s). Optimal placement of the recording electrodes to obtain a maximal nerve action potential was proximal to digits 4 and 5. Cooling to below 25 degrees C prolonged the latency but did not decrease the SNAP amplitude. Among the patients with peripheral neuropathy, dorsal sural SNAP was absent in 68 (97%), whereas only 54 (77%) showed abnormalities of sural sensory conduction. The diagnostic sensitivity of sensory nerve conduction studies in peripheral neuropathies may be significantly improved by the use of this technique for evaluating the action potential of the dorsal sural nerve.
Comparative tumor-initiating ability of 7H-dibenzo(c,g)carbazole and dibenz(a,j)acridine in mouse skin.

Abstract N -heterocyclic aromatics are environmentally important carcinogenic pollutants produced by incomplete combustion of organic material. 7 H -Dibenzo-( c , g ,)carbazole (DBC), is a potent skin and systemic carcinogen, whereas dibenz( a , j )acridine (DBA), is a carcinogen with local effects. Therefore, the overall objective of these studies was to determine the initiating ability of DBC and DBA in mouse skin using an initiation-promotion protocol. Acetone-, TPA- or BaP-treated animas were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. DBC, DBA or BaP (200 nmol) dissolved in acetone was applied once to the backs of thirty shaved Hsd:(ICR)Br female mice, followed 2 weeks later with 2 μg of TPA in 50 μl of acetone applied twice a week for up to 24 weeks. Skin tumors developed in 26, 17 and 27 animals, respectively. DBC plus TPA produced a significant influx of dermal macrophages similar to that seen for BaP. Initiation with BaP, DBC or DBA moderated the effect of TPA on most other dermal parameters, particularly neutrophils. These data indicate that, DBC, with apparently different activation pathways than BaP shows similar tumor initiating ability and morphological changes as BaP.
Influence of restricted space on manual materials handling.

Restricted space affects performance on any task requiring movement. Three ranges of available space are denned as a first step to determining workspace requirements. In the first range, the task is physically impossible due to anthropometric restrictions. In the second range, performance increases as space increases. In the third range, further increases in space produce no increase in performance. It is suggested that the ‘ performance boundary’ between the second and third ranges be used to define workspace requirements. Examples from entry/ exit and from manual pushing of wheeled vehicles are used to demonstrate these concepts. It is suggested that there may be other effects of restricted space on operator stress when performing manual lifting tasks
Resolving the Challenge of E-Books

The authors identify the major issues associated with e-books and their expanding role in libraries, especially in patron-driven acquisitions. E-book access began when NetLibrary entered the patron-driven acquisitions arena in the late 1990s with a business model that raised concerns for some libraries and their patrons. Since then, other models and variations abound. Today the library community would prefer far greater uniformity across e-book publishers in areas such as simultaneous publishing, printing ability, access models, resource sharing use, and compatibility with handheld reading devices, among others. Libraries would acquire even more e-books, providing even more revenue for publishers, if these issues could be resolved.
Increased expression of growth differentiation factor-15 in systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background Growth differentiation factor (GDF)-15 is a secreted member of the transforming growth factor-β cytokine superfamily. GDF-15 levels are elevated in the serum of patients with cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that GDF-15 levels would also be increased in the plasma and lung tissue of patients with systemic sclerosis-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SSc-PAH). Methods GDF-15 levels were measured in plasma in subjects with SSc-PAH (n = 30) and compared with subjects with systemic sclerosis (SSc) without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) (n = 24). Patients with idiopathic PAH (IPAH) (n = 44) and normal individuals (n = 13) served as control subjects. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence assay identified GDF-15 protein in lung tissue from patients with SSc-PAH and IPAH. Results Patients with SSc-PAH had significantly higher mean circulating levels of GDF-15 in plasma compared with patients with SSc without PAH (422.3 ± 369.5 pg/mL vs 108.1 ± 192.8 pg/mL, P = .004). GDF-15 levels correlated positively with estimated right ventricular systolic pressure on echocardiogram and plasma levels of the amino terminal propeptide form of brain natriuretic peptide. There was an inverse correlation between circulating GDF-15 and diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (Dlco) and a positive correlation with the FVC to Dlco ratio on pulmonary function test. GDF-15 levels > 125 pg/mL were associated with reduced survival. GDF-15 protein expression was increased in lung tissue from patients with SSc-PAH. Conclusions GDF-15 may be a useful biomarker in PAH associated with SSc. Its presence in lung tissue may suggest a role in the pathology of the disease.
Local action of adrenocortical preparations on secondary sexual organs.

SummaryUnder conditions of these experiments adrenocortical steroids failed to suppress the growth-stimulating action of sex hormones on secondary reproductive organs as revealed by hyperplasia and cornification of the vaginal epithelium which resulted from direct application of ACE, by failure of locally applied cortisone to suppress estrogenic stimulation of the vagina and of androgenic stimulation of the chick's comb.
A Multilevel Examination of Interpartner Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Aggression Reporting Concordance

Low concordance of reports across partners has consistently been observed when partners report the frequency of intimate partner violence (IPV) and psychological aggression (PA) in their relationship. Researchers have been unsuccessful in the quest to discover systematic biases across reporters, perhaps due to examining constructs that are not the source of bias (e.g., gender, victim/perpetrator status) or examining potentially fruitful constructs using underpowered statistics or erroneous conceptualizations (e.g., examining variables at a dyadic, rather than an individual, level). We used multilevel modeling with two samples (Ns = 88 and 164 couples) to examine husbands' and wives' relationship satisfaction as individual-level correlates of husband- and wife-perpetrated IPV and PA reporting concordance. Consistent with prior literature, low to moderate levels of agreement were observed, and gender and victim/perpetrator status were not consistently associated with reporting concordance. In contrast, for both husbands and wives, relationship satisfaction was associated with reporting concordance such that high relationship satisfaction was related to reporting less of one's partner's PA than the partner reported, whereas low relationship satisfaction was related to reporting more of one's partner's PA than the partner reported. A similar pattern of results emerged for the reporting of IPV, but results did not cross validate between samples. These findings suggest that relationship satisfaction may lead to either reluctance, or increased willingness, to attribute negative relationship events to partner behavior, potentially due to partner blame and relationship schemas. In addition, the influence of individual-level factors may be occluded when aggregated across partners to examine correlates of interpartner reporting concordance.
THE EFFECT OF PROTEIN BLENDING ON CHEMICAL AND FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES OF SOY GELS

A blending model for improving the protein quality of soy isolate gels has been investigated. The results indicate that the calculated PER (C-PER) of soy gels was improved from 0.9 to above 2.0 after blending with blood plasma protein isolate, wheat protein concentrate, partially delactosed whey and/or casein with the soy isolate. All gels containing protein blends were self-supporting and possessed slightly darker colors than did the control gels which contained only soy isolate. However, the colors the protein blended gels were improved by the incorporation of partially delactosed whey or casein into the blend.
Implementation of a C1 triangular element based on the P-version of the finite element method

Abstract The implementation of a computer code CONE (for C1 continuity) based on the p-version of the finite element method is described. A hierarchic family of triangular finite elements of degree p ≥ 5 is used. This family enforces C1-continuity across inter-element boundaries, and the code is applicable to fourth order partial differential equations in two independent variables, in particular to the biharmonic equation. Applications to several benchmark problems in plate bending are presented. Sample results are examined and compared both with theoretical predictions and with the computations of other programs. Significant improvements are shown for the results obtained using CONE.
Mouse retina has oligonucleotide-induced gene repair activity.

PURPOSE. To test the ability of murine retinal nuclear extracts to support in vitro oligonucleotide-mediated gene repair (OMGR)-a prerequisite to repairing endogenous gene lesions underlying inherited diseases of the neurosensory retina. METHODS. An in vitro reaction assayed whether retinal extract and oligonucleotides could correct a mutation in an antibiotic (tetracycline) resistance gene in a plasmid. The in vitro gene repair reaction combined plasmid, repair oligonucleotide, and nuclear extract. Site-specific repair of the tetracycline gene point mutation was revealed in a bacterial readout system in which plasmid from the in vitro reaction was recovered and electroporated into Escherichia coli. Colony growth on tetracycline indicated repair of the point mutation. To confirm site-specific nucleotide repair, plasmids were sequenced or subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. RESULTS. To quantify repair incidence, tetracycline-resistant colonies were normalized to ampicillin-resistant colonies. A repair oligonucleotide composed of RNA and DNA that contains one mismatched base relative to the target DNA induced an estimated 1 in 10 4 plasmids to be converted to wild type. If the extract was eliminated or boiled before reaction, no tetracycline-resistant colonies grew. Repair incidence increased with the concentration of retinal nuclear extract and oligonucleotide. Creating single-strand breaks in the plasmid caused a twofold increase in repair incidence. CONCLUSIONS. These in vitro assay data suggest that murine retina nuclei contain all the DNA repair factors necessary for OMGR, a finding that is prerequisite to attempting endogenous gene repair in mouse retina.
The 1988 snowbird report: a discipline matures

With the severe crisis in computing behind us, the field is beginning to shed its preoccupation with its internal affairs. The representation of computing research to the public and to policy makers, was a major issue at Snowbird 88. Since no single entity fills this role, the Computing Research Board plans to fill it.
Long-term desipramine treatment attenuates clonidine-induced suppression of ventral tegmental self-stimulation.

Abstract Long-term administration of the tricyclic antidepressant desipramine did not change the rate of self-stimulation responding in the A10 (ventral tegmental) area but significantly attenuated the suppressive effect of the selective α2-adrenergic agonist clonidine on this behavior. These findings demonstrate an involvement of noradrenergic mechanisms in the regulation of ventral tegmental self-stimulation and further suggest that adaptive changes in inhibitory presynaptic noradrenergic receptors may be involved in desipramine's antidepressant effects.
Diffusion of solutes through channels produced by phage lambda receptor protein of Escherichiacoli: Inhibition by higher oligosaccharides of maltose series

Summary Phage lambda receptor protein produces transmembrane diffusion channel, with some specificity toward oligosaccharides of the maltose series (Luckey and Nikaido, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. , in press). When the purified protein was inserted into the phospholipid bilayers of liposomes, and the rates of influx of glucose and maltose through these channels were followed in the presence of maltopentaose, -hexaose, and -heptaose, low concentrations of the large oligosaccharides were found to inhibit strongly the flux of smaller sugars. These results are consistent with the notion that a configurationally specific binding site(s) exists within the channel.
Anomalous phase behavior of long chain saturated lecithin bilayers

X-ray scattering has been performed on fully hydrated unoriented multilamellar vesicles of lecithins with even chain lengths n from 16 to 24 as a function of temperature in chain ordered phases. The longer chain lengths, n > or = 20, show anomalous behavior compared to the shorter chain lengths, n < 20. This report concentrates on n = 24. Although the history and time dependence shows that equilibrium was not always achieved, it appears that there is a second gel-like phase G2 below 40 degrees C. The G2 phase has a small tilt angle and opposite hexagonal symmetry breaking from the usual G1 gel phase. Also, as T is raised above 45 degrees C, the wide-angle data suggest the appearance of a phase with hexagonal chain packing and small chain tilt angle.
Epidemiology and Management of Acne in Adult Women

Adult acne is becoming recognized as a unique form of acne including either early (adolescent) acne that remains persistent or late onset acne. Women are predominantly affected in adult acne and will be focus of this review. The epidemiology and the characteristics of adult acne are discussed including clinical differences between adolescent and adult acne. We review topical therapies such as antibiotics, retinoids, dapsone, azelaic acid and combination-based therapies. We also review systemic therapeutic considerations, including antibiotics, isotretinoin, oral contraceptives, and hormonal modulators. We discuss the use of light-based therapies such as visible light and photodynamic therapy. Alternative therapies such as the use of botanical and phytochemical therapies are reviewed as well. Finally, we discuss the clinical and laboratory screening for considering polycystic ovarian syndrome when evaluating adult women with acne.
The induction period of a thermal explosion in a gas between infinite parallel plates

A study is made of the initiation of gas dynamical processes during the induction period of a high activation energy supercritical thermal explosion in a reactive gas confined between two infinite parallel plates. Solutions are assumed to vary spatially only in the direction perpendicular to the plates. The detailed development of the density, velocity, temperature, and fuel mass fraction fields during the induction period is separated into three phases. During the first phase, occurring on the acoustic time scale of the vessel, conduction-dominated boundary layers generate an acoustic field in a nondissipative interior core region. The second phase, occuring on the conduction time scale of the vessel, is characterized by a pointwise competition between reaction-generated heat release, conduction, and compression. The Frank-Kamenetskii criteria dividing super- and subcritical systems is found to be the same as that for rigid explosive materials. In a supercritical system, δ >δcrit, the third phase, of extremely limited duration, is dominated by the development of a tiny self-focusing hot spot embedded within a nearly invariant conduction-dominated field filling most of the vessel. The rapid gas expansion in the hot spot is the source of further, more dramatic gas dynamical processes. The thermal runaway time for the gas system is found to be reduced by about 25% from that for an analogous rigid explosive over a wide range of values of the Frank-Kamenetskii parameter δ.
Selenium compounds in the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas)--II. Quantitative approach to gastrointestinal absorption, routes of elimination and influence of dietary pretreatment.

1. 1. Following administration by gavage [75Se]selenate and 75Se]selenite were absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract of fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) at 94 and 80% efficiency, respectively. 2. 2. Approximately 12% of the [75Se]selenate administered by i.p. injection was eliminated via the urine, and across the gill within 2 hr. 3. 3. The urine was the primary route of elimination followed by the gill. 4. 4. The bile contained significantly lower amounts of 75Se than that eliminated either across the gill or in the urine. 5. 5. The mucus is capable of binding significant amounts of 75Se. 6. 6. Dietary pretreatment with selenite reduced the retention of a subsequent [75Se]selenite dose administered by gavage.
A rapid assay for Escherichia coli 4-thiouridine-tRNA sulfurtransferase.

Abstract A simple filter paper assay for the measurement of Escherichia coli 4-thiouridine-tRNA sulfurtransferase activity is described. The assay includes the following procedures: (a) incubation of enzyme with appropriate substrates including unfractionated yeast tRNA and [35S]cysteine, (b) reisolation of tRNA, and (c) binding of tRNA to ion exchange filter papers. The assay can be routinely performed with relatively small sample volumes (0.1 ml) and completed within 14 h. Proof of the validity of the assay is based in part on two experimental observations: (1) tRNA is the predominant 35S-labeled species remaining bound to the filter after extensive washing, and (2) 4-thiouracyl is the predominant thiolated base formed during the assay.
How to Build Transcriptional Network Models of Mammalian Pattern Formation

Background Genetic regulatory networks of sequence specific transcription factors underlie pattern formation in multicellular organisms. Deciphering and representing the mammalian networks is a central problem in development, neurobiology, and regenerative medicine. Transcriptional networks specify intermingled embryonic cell populations during pattern formation in the vertebrate neural tube. Each embryonic population gives rise to a distinct type of adult neuron. The homeodomain transcription factor Lbx1 is expressed in five such populations and loss of Lbx1 leads to distinct respecifications in each of the five populations. Methodology/Principal Findings We have purified normal and respecified pools of these five populations from embryos bearing one or two copies of the null Lbx1GFP allele, respectively. Microarrays were used to show that expression levels of 8% of all transcription factor genes were altered in the respecified pool. These transcription factor genes constitute 20–30% of the active nodes of the transcriptional network that governs neural tube patterning. Half of the 141 regulated nodes were located in the top 150 clusters of ultraconserved non-coding regions. Generally, Lbx1 repressed genes that have expression patterns outside of the Lbx1-expressing domain and activated genes that have expression patterns inside the Lbx1-expressing domain. Conclusions/Significance Constraining epistasis analysis of Lbx1 to only those cells that normally express Lbx1 allowed unprecedented sensitivity in identifying Lbx1 network interactions and allowed the interactions to be assigned to a specific set of cell populations. We call this method ANCEA, or active node constrained epistasis analysis, and think that it will be generally useful in discovering and assigning network interactions to specific populations. We discuss how ANCEA, coupled with population partitioning analysis, can greatly facilitate the systematic dissection of transcriptional networks that underlie mammalian patterning.
Biological action of nitric oxide donor compounds on platelets from patients with sickle cell disease

Several lines of evidence point to the potential role of nitric oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology, as well as in the therapy, of sickle cell disease (SCD). In this study, we compared the effects of NO on platelets from normal individuals and from patients with SCD. Three NO donors were used to deliver NO to platelets: sodium 2-(N, N-diethylamino)-diazenolate-2-oxide (DEANO), S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) and sodium trioxdintrate (OXINO or Angeli's salt). ADP-induced platelet aggregation, CD62P expression, PAC-1 binding and calcium elevation were evaluated in paired studies of normal and SCD subjects. DEANO significantly reduced aggregation in SCD platelets compared with normal platelets. DEANO similarly reduced the extent of CD62P expression in SCD platelets. All NO donors reduced PAC-1 binding, but there were no significant differences between platelets from normal or SCD subjects. Calcium elevation, as induced by ADP, was not altered by the presence of NO donors. However, when platelets were stimulated with thrombin, there was an increased initial response of SCD platelets compared with normal platelets. Taken together, these data suggest that the mode of NO delivery to platelets may produce various physiological responses and the optimization of NO delivery may contribute to reducing platelet aggregation in sickle cell disease.
RETURN PERIODS AND ENCOUNTER PROBABILITIES

A procedure has been developed to determine the probability of a ship encountering a severe storm. The encounter probability has been formulated in terms of the return period of the storm as well as the operation profile of the ship and the wave statistics along its route. The procedure has been applied to four ship routes, two in the Atlantic and two in the Pacific Ocean. The results showed that the ship's route has a large impact on the encounter probability. The effect of changes in the degree of correlation between wave conditions in the different zones of a route was found to be relatively unimportant. The procedure is equally applicable to offshore structures. It is believed that the encounter probability offers a much better basis to derive storm design criteria than the usually used return periods of a storm.
Optimizing techniques to capture and extract environmental DNA for detection and quantification of fish

Few studies have examined capture and extraction methods for environmental DNA (eDNA) to identify techniques optimal for detection and quantification. In this study, precipitation, centrifugation and filtration eDNA capture methods and six commercially available DNA extraction kits were evaluated for their ability to detect and quantify common carp (Cyprinus carpio) mitochondrial DNA using quantitative PCR in a series of laboratory experiments. Filtration methods yielded the most carp eDNA, and a glass fibre (GF) filter performed better than a similar pore size polycarbonate (PC) filter. Smaller pore sized filters had higher regression slopes of biomass to eDNA, indicating that they were potentially more sensitive to changes in biomass. Comparison of DNA extraction kits showed that the MP Biomedicals FastDNA SPIN Kit yielded the most carp eDNA and was the most sensitive for detection purposes, despite minor inhibition. The MoBio PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit had the lowest coefficient of variation in extraction efficiency between lake and well water and had no detectable inhibition, making it most suitable for comparisons across aquatic environments. Of the methods tested, we recommend using a 1.5 μm GF filter, followed by extraction with the MP Biomedicals FastDNA SPIN Kit for detection. For quantification of eDNA, filtration through a 0.2-0.6 μm pore size PC filter, followed by extraction with MoBio PowerSoil DNA Isolation Kit was optimal. These results are broadly applicable for laboratory studies on carps and potentially other cyprinids. The recommendations can also be used to inform choice of methodology for field studies.
A longitudinal study of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in dairy cows from birth to 2 years of age

Fecal specimens were collected from 30 calves from birth to 24 months of age at a dairy farm in Maryland to determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in cattle of different ages. Fecal samples were subjected to density gradient centrifugation to remove debris and concentrate cysts. Specimens were analyzed by immunofluorescence microscopy and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All PCR positive specimens were sequenced using the SSU-rRNA gene of Giardia. All 30 calves shed G. duodenalis cysts at some time during the study. Of 990 specimens, 312 were positive for G. duodenalis (31.5%). The highest prevalence of infection occurred at weeks 4 and 5 of age with 25 out of 30 calves shedding cysts at those sampling times. Overall, pre-weaned calves (<8 weeks of age) exhibited the highest prevalence (60.8%), followed by post-weaned calves (3-12 months of age) (32.1%) and heifers (12-24 months of age) (11.4%). Sequence analysis of the 312 PCR-positive samples revealed the presence of both Assemblages A and E, G. duodenalis, with cumulative prevalences of 70% and 100%, respectively. Assemblage A was not detected in pre-weaned calves, but was detected in 6.9% and 4.7% of post-weaned calves and heifers, respectively. These data indicate not only that calves are infected with both Assemblages A and E simultaneously, but also that infections with zoonotic Assemblage A, G. duodenalis are more common than previously reported. Thus, calves appear to be a more significant reservoir of human infectious G. duodenalis than previous data have suggested.
Tumors of the Endolymphatic Sac in von Hippel–Lindau Disease

This Brief Report describes three patients with von Hippel–Lindau disease who had hearing loss due to a microscopic tumor of the endolymphatic sac. In two patients, the tumor cells contained a muta...
Applying Chimera Virtual Data Concepts to Cluster Finding in the Sloan Sky Survey

In many scientific disciplines -- especially long running, data-intensive collaborations -- it is important to track all aspects of data capture, production, transformation, and analysis. In principle, one can then audit, validate, reproduce, and/or re-run with corrections various data transformations. We have recently proposed and prototyped the Chimera virtual data system, a new database-driven approach to this problem. We present here a major application study in which we apply Chimera to a challenging data analysis problem: the identification of galaxy clusters within the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. We describe the problem, its computational procedures, and the use of Chimera to plan and orchestrate the workflow of thousands of tasks on a data grid comprising hundreds of computers. This experience suggests that a general set of tools can indeed enhance the accuracy and productivity of scientific data reduction and that further development and application of this paradigm will offer great value.
Transport properties of charge-mosaic membranes III. Piezodialysis

Abstract A nonequilibrium thermodynamic analysis of piezodialysis is presented. The expressions derived in Part I for the flows as linear functions of the global forces are used to predict the fractional recovery and rate of production of potable water in desalination by piezodialysis. An illustrative calculation is performed for a cylindrical tube (or hollow fiber) made from a hypothetical mosaic membrane whose properties have been calculated from those of Zeo-karb 315 cation exchange membrane. Perfect radial mixing and the absence of concentration polarization are assumed in order to focus attention on the role played by the membrane elements and circulating currents. For a 1 mm thick membrane under an applied pressure difference of 100 atmospheres, the calculation shows an 81% recovery of potable water of 350 ppm from a brackish water feed of 1500 ppm, the rate of production being 23 gpd/ft 2 . A thinner mosaic with a correspondingly reduced pattern size would give a proportionately higher production rate with no loss in recovery, provided that significant polarization could be prevented. This calculation sets upper limits on the performance of a given membrane by assuming that its properties, rather than the hydrodynamic conditions, are rate controlling. The analysis suggests ways of changing membrane properties to improve performance.
High Throughput Non-Dispersive Hard X-Ray Spectrograph with Angular Resolution for Cosmic Bursts, Transients, and Sources

A concept for a high throughput spectrometer for the 35-150 keV band is described. The energy resolution is only a factor of 2 to 4 inferior to germanium detectors, while the effective area is much larger. An effective area of 103 cm2 per unit should be easily attainable and 104 cm2 does not seem to be unreasonable. Minimal shielding, no cooling, and no external guard counters are needed, making the instrument rather light weight for its effective area. The sensitivity of this spectrometer should be larger than any other type in balloon observations of hard X-ray cyclotron lines and putative Ti44 nucleosynthesis lines in young supernova remnants. The detector is based upon a position sensitive proportional counter, and it may be used in conjunction with a very wide field coded aperture mask to provide both spectra and precise celestial locations for unidentified sources, transients, and gamma ray bursts. By means of a Monte Carlo calculation, the performance of the spectrometer in a number of balloon experiments has been simulated. Results are very encouraging and suggest considerable improvement over previous measurements.
Experimental toxicity of sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate.

Abstract Some aspects of the toxicity of the anionic surfactant sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate (Tergitol® anionic 08 2 ) were determined in rats, mice, rabbits, and dogs. The most toxic commercial samples found during 12 years had rat LD50 values of 5.61 ml/kg orally, 4.73 ml/kg sc, and 0.32 ml/kg ip. In the diet of rats for 90 days 1.25% of the commercial sample resulted in diffuse cloudy swelling of convoluted kidney tubules and central parts of the hepatic cords, while 0.25% was without effect. The highest dietary concentration (0.64%) studied for two years in rats and dogs was without effect.
Recurrent Syncope Following Radiation Therapy

This case report describes a 51-year-old man who presented with syncope. His electrocardiogram showed an abnormally long pause and the electrophysiology study revealed a prolonged H-V interval. This was attributed to the radiation therapy he received to the chest. He was successfully treated with implantation of a permanent pacemaker. This case highlights this rare complication of radiation-induced conduction system disease and management of this potentially life-threatening condition.
Extracellular matrix control of mammary gland morphogenesis and tumorigenesis: insights from imaging

The extracellular matrix (ECM), once thought to solely provide physical support to a tissue, is a key component of a cell’s microenvironment responsible for directing cell fate and maintaining tissue specificity. It stands to reason, then, that changes in the ECM itself or in how signals from the ECM are presented to or interpreted by cells can disrupt tissue organization; the latter is a necessary step for malignant progression. In this review, we elaborate on this concept using the mammary gland as an example. We describe how the ECM directs mammary gland formation and function, and discuss how a cell’s inability to interpret these signals—whether as a result of genetic insults or physicochemical alterations in the ECM—disorganizes the gland and promotes malignancy. By restoring context and forcing cells to properly interpret these native signals, aberrant behavior can be quelled and organization re-established. Traditional imaging approaches have been a key complement to the standard biochemical, molecular, and cell biology approaches used in these studies. Utilizing imaging modalities with enhanced spatial resolution in live tissues may uncover additional means by which the ECM regulates tissue structure, on different length scales, through its pericellular organization (short-scale) and by biasing morphogenic and morphostatic gradients (long-scale).
Seeking Help from Clergy Among Black Caribbeans in the United States

This study examined use of clergy for serious personal problems within a representative sample of US black Caribbean adults from the National Survey of American Life. Logistic regression analysis was used and confirmed the importance of problem type, church involvement, and nativity as correlates of clergy use. Findings for black Caribbeans indicate similarities, as well as important departures from prior research on the correlates of clergy assistance among African Americans. These and other findings confirm the position of black Caribbeans as a distinctive ethnic subgroup within the general black population in the United States.
Nucleus Accumbens Mediates Relative Motivation for Rewards in the Absence of Choice

To dissociate a choice from its antecedent neural states, motivation associated with the expected outcome must be captured in the absence of choice. Yet, the neural mechanisms that mediate behavioral idiosyncrasies in motivation, particularly with regard to complex economic preferences, are rarely examined in situations without overt decisions. We employed functional magnetic resonance imaging in a large sample of participants while they anticipated earning rewards from two different modalities: monetary and candy rewards. An index for relative motivation toward different reward types was constructed using reaction times to the target for earning rewards. Activation in the nucleus accumbens (NAcc) and anterior insula (aINS) predicted individual variation in relative motivation between our reward modalities. NAcc activation, however, mediated the effects of aINS, indicating the NAcc is the likely source of this relative weighting. These results demonstrate that neural idiosyncrasies in reward efficacy exist even in the absence of explicit choices, and extend the role of NAcc as a critical brain region for such choice-free motivation.
β-blockade and growth hormone after burn

Objective To determine whether propranolol and growth hormone (GH) have additive effects to combat burn-induced catabolism. Background Data Both GH and propranolol have been attributed anabolic properties after severe trauma and burn. It is conceivable that the two in combination would have additive effects. Methods Fifty-six children with more than 40% TBSA burns were randomized to one of four anabolic regimens: untreated control, GH treatment, propranolol treatment, or combination GH plus propranolol therapy. Clinical treatment was identical for all groups. Resting energy expenditure was determined by indirect calorimetry and skeletal muscle protein kinetics were measured using stable amino acid isotope infusions before and after each anabolic regimen. Results There were no differences in age, sex, or burn size between groups. Tachycardia and energy expenditure were decreased during propranolol treatment (P <.05). The net balance of muscle protein synthesis and breakdown was improved during proprandol and GH plus propranolol treatment (P <.05). There was no significant benefit of GH alone. No additive effect of combination therapy was seen. Conclusions Propranolol is a strongly anabolic drug during the early, hypercatabolic period after burn. No synergistic effect between propranolol and GH was identified.
Mixed venous blood temperature response to exercise in heart failure patients treated with short-term vasodilators.

Deep-body or core temperature decreases during exercise in patients with heart failure, primarily due to the circulatory inadequacies associated with the pathophysiology of this condition. Vasodilators are commonly used to treat patients suffering from heart failure because these drugs improve total cardiac output and blood-flow to the regional circulations. In heart failure patients, the core temperature response to exercise should also be affected if the circulation is improved by vasodilators. Patients with severe heart failure were studied at rest and during upright bicycle exercise before, and after, short-term treatment with vasodilators (2-minoxidil, 3-hydralazine, 5-captopril). Their heart rate increased significantly (P less than 0.05) from rest to exercise before (87 +/- 15 109 +/- 14 beats/min), and after 89 +/- 13- 112 +/- 15 beats/min) vasodilators, but there was no drug-related affect on these changes. Mean arterial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were significantly (P less than 0.05) decreased at rest and after the administration of vasodilators (mean arterial pressure 88 +/- 7 mmHg before; 77 +/- 8 mmHg after; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 25 +/- 8 mmHg before, 19 +/- 9 mmHg after). During exercise, the increases in mean arterial and pulmonary capillary wedge pressures were not significantly different from the before vasodilator values (mean arterial pressure 92 +/- 14 mmHg before, 87 +/- 14 mmHg after; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 31 +/- 11 mmHg before, 29 +/- 11 mmHg after). Vasodilators increased cardiac output significantly (P less than 0.05) at rest (3.1 +/- 0.6 litre/min to 4.1 +/- 1.1 litre/m) and during exercise (4.8 +/- .2 litre/min-5.6 +/- 1.7 litre/min). The core temperature (mixed venous blood temperature) decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) during exercise from 37.04 +/- 0.62 degrees C to 36.65 +/- 0.65 degrees C, before treatment with vasodilators. After administration of vasodilators, resting core temperature was not significantly different (36.95 +/- 0.54 degrees C) and still decreased significantly (P less than 0.05) during exercise to 36.73 +/- 0.53 degrees C. This decrease was significantly (P less than 0.05) different from the core temperature response before the administration of vasodilators. We conclude that heart failure patients, treated with short-term vasodilators, have an attenuation of the core temperature response that typically occurs during exercise. This change in the core temperature response is the result of the vasodilator-induced improvement in circulation.
Issues and Strategies for Studying Latino Student Dropout at the Local Level.

Latino student dropout is a national concern that must also be addressed strategically in local communities. Although national studies are important for pointing out areas of concern, local studies can provide more specific information for local policy development and implementation. This paper presents an example of local community-initiated needs assessment that addresses issues of Latino access to education. Focus groups and interviews were held with Latino students, parents, and community leaders as well as teachers and administrators. Issues and strategies of the needs assessment process are presented, which include involving key stakeholders, engaging community members as research partners, and engaging school personnel. General findings are presented and linked to accomplishments of the needs assessment process, such as increasing community awareness of issues and building commitment to implement strategies identified to reduce Latino student dropout.
Effective presentations: tips for success

Presentations are given in a variety of environments, and effective strategies can be used to improve a speaker's presenting skills.
Microtubules continuously dictate distribution of actin filaments and positioning of cell cleavage in grasshopper spermatocytes.

We systematically examined the impact of microtubules on distribution of actin filaments and positioning of cell cleavage using micromanipulation to progressively alter the symmetric distribution of spindle microtubules in grasshopper spermatocytes. The initial microtubule asymmetry was induced by placing a single chromosome at one spindle pole using a microneedle, which facilitates regional assembly of spindle microtubules. We augmented chromosome-induced microtubule asymmetry by further removing the aster from the achromosomal pole, producing unichromosome-bearing monopolar spindles. We created the highest spindle asymmetry by cutting early anaphase cells in two, each containing a full set of segregating chromosomes in a half-spindle. We demonstrate that the location of the spindle midzone, distribution of actin filaments, and position of cell cleavage depend on the amount of microtubule asymmetry generated, shifting up to 48.6±3.8% away from the spindle equator in cut cells. The positional shift is dynamic, changing incessantly as spindle microtubules reorganize during cytokinesis. These results suggest that microtubules continuously dictate the distribution of actin filaments and positioning of cell cleavage in grasshopper spermatocytes.
A Guide And Behavioral Analysis to Commencing Publication of a Periodical

A number of steps that must be accomplished to initiate publication of a periodical are presented. The reinforcers and costs of each are discussed. Application and development of these steps in production of a newsletter, Behavior Analysis Digest , are articulated.