cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and Feed Utilization of Captive Wild Black Sea Bass Centropristis striata at Four Different Densities in a Recirculating Tank System

A study to determine the effects of four stocking densities on growth and feed utilization of wild-caught black sea bass Centropristis striata was conducted in a pilot-scale recirculating tank system. The outdoor system consisted of 12 insulated fiberglass tanks (dia. = 1.85 m; vol. = 2.17 m3) supported by biological filters, UV sterilizers, and heat pumps. Subadults (N= 525; ×± SD = 249 ± 16.8 g) were stocked at densities of 4.6 fish/m3 (1.18 kg/m3), 16 fish/ m3 (3.91 kg/m3), 25.3 fish/m3 (6.83 kg/m3), and 36 fish/m3 (7.95 kg1m3), with three replicate tanks per treatment. Fish were grown under 35 ppt salinity, 21-25 C, and under ambient photoperiod conditions. A commercial flounder diet containing 50% protein and 12% lipid was hand-fed twice daily to satiation for 201 d. Mean (range) total ammonia-nitrogen, 0.61 (0-2.1) mg/L, nitrite-nitrogen, 0.77 (0.04-3.6) mg/L, and nitrate-nitrogen 40.1 (0-306) mg/L were significantly higher (P 0.05) in growth (RGR = 196.8-243.1%; DWG = 2.55-2.83 g/d; and SGR = 0.55-0.61%/d), coefficient of variation of body weight (CwtV., = 0.24-0.25), condition factor (K = 2.2-2.4), feed consumption (FC = 1.45-1.65%/d), and feed conversion ratio (FCR = 1.45-1.52) among stocking densities. Final biomass densities on day 201 reached 3.48, 12.0, 21.1, and 27.2 kg/m3 at stocking densities of 4.6, 16, 25.3, and 36 fish/m3, respectively. Survival (83.8-99.1%) did not differ among treatments. Apparent net protein retention (ANPR) was significantly higher (P 0.05) in apparent net energy retention (ANER = 55.9-59.1 %) among stocking densities. Final whole body protein (15.3-16.3%) and lipid (23.1-26.4%) levels did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) among treatments. The results demonstrated that growth, survival, and feed utilization were not impaired under stocking densities ranging from 4.6-36 fish/m3 (3.48-27.2 kg/m3), despite a slight reduction in water quality at the higher densities. In addition, growth variation and final whole body protein and lipid levels were not influenced by these densities. The results suggest that black sea bass are tolerant of crowding and moderate variations in water quality during intensive culture in recirculating tank systems and that higher stocking densities are possible.
A perspective on trials comparing enoxaparin and unfractionated heparin in the treatment of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes.

Background Non–ST-elevation (NSTE) acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a serious, acute illness characterized by a high rate of death and morbid events, and antithrombin therapy is integral to its management. Contemporary guidelines from the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association call for use of low-molecular-weight heparin or unfractionated heparin (UFH). Methods A systematic overview of six randomized, controlled trials comparing enoxaparin to UFH in the treatment of NSTE ACS was performed using a random-effects empirical Bayes model. Efficacy end points included the incidence of death or the composite of death and myocardial infarction (MI) at 30 days. Safety end points included major bleeding and transfusion at 7 days. Results For the aggregate of 21,946 patients, the incidence of the composite of death and MI at 30 days was lower in enoxaparin-treated patients (10.1% vs 11.0% for UFH, OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83–0.99, number need to treat 107). For the 9,835 patients in these trials who received no prerandomization antithrombin therapy, the composite of death and MI at 30 days occurred in 8.0% and 9.4% of enoxaparin- and UFH-treated patients, respectively (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70–0.94, number need to treat 94). There was no significant difference in the incidence of death at 30 days in either population. A nonsignificant trend toward higher rates of major bleeding was seen at 7 days for enoxaparin-treated patients, in both the overall safety population and the population of patients who did not receive antithrombin treatment before randomization, but there was no difference in blood transfusions. Conclusion In a systematic overview of six randomized, controlled trials comparing enoxaparin to UFH in the treatment of NSTE ACS in approximately 22,000 patients, the use of enoxaparin rather than UFH was associated with a modest reduction in the incidence of the composite of death and MI at 30 days without a significant increase in the rate of major bleeding or transfusion at 7 days.
Temporal relationship between bone loss and increased bone turnover in ovariectomized rats

To characterize osteopenic changes in ovariectomized (OVX) rats as a function of time, female Sprague Dawley rats (240 g body weight, 90 days old) were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy or sham surgery and killed at various times from 14–180 days postovariectomy. The proximal tibial metaphysis was processed undecalcified for quantitative bone histomorphometry. Osteopenia and increased indices of bone resorption and formation were detected in OVX rats as early as 14 days. Longitudinal bone growth was also significantly increased by ovariectomy at 14 days, but returned to control levels at all later times. In OVX rats, osteopenia became progressively more pronounced with time up to 100 days postovariectomy, after which trabecular bone volume appeared to stabilize at the markedly reduced level of 5%. Changes in osteoclast surface, osteoblast surface, and fluoro-chrome-based indices of bone formation in OVX rats followed a similar time course. The maximal increase in these parameters occurred during the first several months postovariectomy followed by a gradual decline toward control levels. Our results indicate that the initial rapid phase of bone loss in OVX rats is coincident with the maximal increase in bone turnover. At later times postovariectomy, bone loss and bone turnover both subside. These findings emphasize the close temporal association between the development of osteopenia and increased bone turnover in OVX rats.
Signal- food contingency and signal frequency in a continuous trials auto-shaping paradigm

Five groups of pigeons were studied in an auto-shaping procedure which programmed two types of trials represented by hues on the response key. Each signal was separated by a brief intertriai interval. Three groups were studied with a positive correlation between one of the signals and food (contingent groups). They differed with respect to the frequency with which the positive signal appeared. Two noncontingent groups were studied in which the correlation between the signals and food was eliminated by programming food with the same probability following either signal. One noncontingent group had a high density of reinforcement produced by adding reinforcement in the other signal, at the same rate as programmed in the positive signal for the contingent groups. The other noncontingent group experienced the same number of reinforcements in the session as the contingent group with the least frequent positive trial, but these reinforcements were distributed with equal probability across the signals. Birds in the contingent groups with intermediate or infrequent positive signals all acquired reliable pecking, with acquisition most rapid for the infrequent signal. Maintained responding covaried with the speed of acquisition. No birds in the noncontingent groups showed reliable responding. Birds in the contingent group with a frequent positive signal (approximately 3/4 of the session), also showed no reliable pecking. This result suggests that more than one noncontingent group is informative for assessing the role of differential reinforcement probability in the acquisition of auto-shaped keypecking. In particular, a noncontingent group which controls for the frequency of reinforced trials is an appropriate reference group.
Side chain tuning of frontier orbitals in polymers of thieno[3,4-b]-pyrazine-based terthienyls

Abstract The tunability of the electronic and optical properties of thieno[3,4- b ]pyrazine-based terthienyls utilizing electron-donating and electron-withdrawing side chains and their corresponding polymers have been investigated. As previously shown for the thieno[3,4- b ]pyrazine monomers, the addition of electron-donating groups results in higher HOMO–LUMO energies in the oligomers and higher E g values in the resulting polymers. Correspondingly, the use of electron-withdrawing groups provides reduced HOMO–LUMO energies and lower E g values. The electronic effect of the side chains is diminished in comparison to the thieno[3,4- b ]pyrazine analogs. However, the application of electron-withdrawing functionalized thieno[3,4- b ]pyrazine-based terthienyls appears to be a promising approach for the production of low E g materials.
Regulated expression of intrinsic factor-cobalamin receptor by rat visceral yolk sac and placental membranes.

Abstract Intrinsic factor-cobalamin receptor (IFCR) activity in visceral yolk sac and placental membranes is regulated during pregnancy in rats. While the IFCR activity declined in the visceral yolk sac membranes by 15-fold, it rose nearly 20-fold in the placental membranes from fourteen to nineteen days of gestation. The visceral yolk sac membranes revealed a 230 kDa protein that co-migrated with pure rat renal IFCR. This 230 kDa band was also identified as IFCR in both the membranes by immunoblotting with anti-serum to rat renal IFCR. Immunoprecipitation of 35S labeled proteins obtained from in vitro translation using visceral yolk sac mRNA from 14-day pregnant rats, yielded on SDS-PAGE a single band of 220 kDa, while those obtained from 19-day pregnant rats did not. The binding of intrinsic factor-cyanol[57Co]cobalamin complex to the visceral yolk sac membranes was inhibited by princubation of these membranes with anti-serum to rat IFCR but not with anti-serum to rat asialoglycoprotein receptor or mannose or mannan or N-acetylglucosamine. Based on these results, we suggest that the IFCR activity, protein expression and mRNA levels in fetal membranes are regulated during pregnancy and may play an important role in the maternal-fetal transfer of cobalamin.
Abstract 4033: MiR-21 upregulation in breast cancer cells leads to PTEN loss and Herceptin resistance

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a class of small 22-nucleotides endogenous non-coding RNAs which serve as regulators of gene expression by targeting specific messenger RNAs (mRNA). Aberrant expression of certain microRNAs can lead to therapeutic drug resistance, such as Cisplatin resistance by miR-214 targeting PTEN. Our lab previously found that PTEN loss confers Herceptin resistance in ErbB2-overexpressing breast cancers. Other studies in hepatocellular carcinoma have shown that miR-21 targets the 3′UTR of PTEN mRNA leading to downregulation of PTEN protein levels. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that overexpression of miR-21 may confer Herceptin resistance in breast cancer patients by downregulation of PTEN. To test this hypothesis, mir-21 and/or control miRNA were transiently transfected and expressed in ErbB2-overexpressing AU565 and SKBr3 breast cancer cell lines, followed by Herceptin treatment. We found that cells with increased miR-21 had reduced PTEN expression and were significantly more resistant to Herceptin treatment versus control miRNA transfected cells. Conversely, when we knocked down miR-21 in high ErbB2 expressing BT474 cells, the cells showed increased PTEN expression and became more sensitive to Herceptin treatment versus control miRNA transfected cells. To determine the clinical relevance of our findings, we detected miR-21 level in patients’ breast cancers with ErbB2 expression that were treated with Herceptin and we found that high miR-21 level significantly correlated with patients’ poor response to Herceptin treatment and disease progression. We are currently identifying other targets of miR-21 to better understand the mechanisms of miR-21 mediated-Herceptin resistance, which may provide new insight on how to overcome Herceptin resistance. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4033.
Cotton genome mapping with new microsatellites from Acala ‘Maxxa’ BAC-ends

Fine mapping and positional cloning will eventually improve with the anchoring of additional markers derived from genomic clones such as BACs. From 2,603 new BAC-end genomic sequences from Gossypium hirsutum Acala 'Maxxa', 1,316 PCR primer pairs (designated as MUSB) were designed to flank microsatellite or simple sequence repeat motif sequences. Most (1164 or 88%) MUSB primer pairs successfully amplified DNA from three species of cotton with an average of three amplicons per marker and 365 markers (21%) were polymorphic between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. An interspecific RIL population developed from the above two entries was used to map 433 marker loci and 46 linkage groups with a genetic distance of 2,126.3 cM covering approximately 45% of the cotton genome and an average distance between two loci of 4.9 cM. Based on genome-specific chromosomes identified in G. hirsutum tetraploid (A and D), 56.9% of the coverage was located on the A subgenome while 39.7% was assigned to the D subgenome in the genetic map, suggesting that the A subgenome may be more polymorphic and recombinationally active than originally thought. The linkage groups were assigned to 23 of the 26 chromosomes. This is the first genetic map in which the linkage groups A01 and A02/D03 have been assigned to specific chromosomes. In addition the MUSB-derived markers from BAC-end sequences markers allows fine genetic and QTL mapping of important traits and for the first time provides reconciliation of the genetic and physical maps. Limited QTL analyses suggested that loci on chromosomes 2, 3, 12, 15 and 18 may affect variation in fiber quality traits. The original BAC clones containing the newly mapped MUSB that tag the QTLs provide critical DNA regions for the discovery of gene sequences involved in biological processes such as fiber development and pest resistance in cotton.
Sound velocity measurements in magnetic fluids

Abstract Sound velocity measurements were made in a kerosene-base magnetic fluid. Both pulse-echo and c.w. resonance techniques were used for frequencies from 2 to 45 MHz. The resulting value of velocity was 6 percent lower than that obtained for the kerosene.
The influence of training and avoidance performance on disulfiram-induced changes in brain catecholamines.

Abstract Norepinephrine and dopamine pools in the central nervous system were measured after the administration of disulfiram to rats trained on a discriminated avoidance schedule and the effects were compared with those produced by the treatment of naive (untrained) controls with disulfiram. Norepinephrine and dopamine levels before treatment with disulfiram were the same in trained and untrained rats. After disulfiram, norepinephrine was reduced to the same extent in control and trained animals; however, when the rats performed on the avoidance schedule before or after drug, a further reduction in norepinephrine was noted. Dopamine pools after the administration of disulfiram were decreased in naive rats, but increased in all trained rats whether performing or not. There was no decrease in performance after treatment with disulfiram despite a 60% reduction in norepinephrine. The difference in drug effect noted in the trained, performing rat emphasizes the importance of conducting biochemical measurements in this animal rather than attempting to extrapolate from data in untrained controls.
Teaching professional behaviors: Differences in the perceptions of faculty, students, and employers

A review of the literature indicates that faculty, students, and employers recognize the importance of professional behaviors for a successful career. These professional behaviors were defined by business school faculty to include honesty and ethical decision making, regular attendance and punctuality, professional dress and appearance, participation in professional organizations, and appropriate behavior during meetings. This paper presents the results of a survey administered to managers, faculty, and students about how business school professors can teach these professional behaviors. A hypothesis was tested that managers, professors, and students differ in their perceptions about what is appropriate professional behavior. Using a scale of strongly agree to strongly disagree to respond to critical incidents, one-way ANOVA indicated no group differences for items about cheating, plagiarism, and helping students to work projects on schedule. Group differences were found for ethics items (raising course grade for the purpose of tuition reimbursement, stopping excessive use of school printers, simplifying course work to accommodate weaker students), time management items (making accommodations for students unable to regularly attend class, refusing to admit late students), appearance items (requiring students to dress in suits for major presentations, counseling a student with facial piercing), and for items about required activities inside and outside of the classroom.
Leading North American Programs in Clinical Assessment Research: An Assessment of Productivity and Impact

To identify doctoral programs with strong concentrations in clinical assessment, I measured productivity and impact of faculty at North American institutions with American Psychological Association accredited clinical programs. Publications, citations, and h-indexes derived from 4 top assessment journals were calculated over a 10-year period (1999-2009). I identified a total of 42 leading programs that collectively accounted for more than half of the publications and citations in these journals. I found a moderate relationship between assessment productivity and both US News & World Report program rankings as well as general productivity rankings of clinical programs reported in an earlier study.
Diagnosis, complications, and treatment of dentoskeletal malocclusion☆

Abstract The frequency of correctable malocclusion makes it imperative that the condition be diagnosed and referred for appropriate treatment. A complete dentofacial examination, which assesses facial symmetry and the dentition in the transverse, sagittal, and centric relations, is appropriate. Early diagnosis is imperative because malocclusion leads to long-term complications such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunctions, periodontal disease, obstructive sleep apnea, psychological disorders, and articulation errors. A combination of orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery will correct the dentoskeletal malocclusion and prevent any long-term complications. The purpose of this case report is to describe a patient with severe dentoskeletal malocclusion who benefitted from appropriate orthodontic treatment and orthognathic surgery.
Race, the “New South,” and the Mississippi Flag Vote

On April 17, 2001, Mississippians went to the polls and voted by a margin of about two to one to retain a state flag that included a representation of the Confederate battle flag. In many ways, the controversy developed along lines consistent with perspectives on southern politics offered by political scientists in recent years. This study examines the Mississippi flag campaign and vote from the vantage point provided by the “New South-Old South” perspective on contemporary southern politics and finds that it fits well. Applying Ecological Inference to precinct-level data that combines Census data with flag referendum data, the essay concludes that black turnout was noticeably lighter than normal but that only about ten percent of Mississippi's African Americans who voted cast ballots in support of the old flag; it also finds that while white support for the new flag was generally low, it was about twice as high in counties with sizeable numbers of college graduates than in other counties. The inability of two major pre-referendum surveys to correctly estimate the low level of black support for the old flag is most likely due to a failure to identify adequately the relatively small numbers of likely voters from among the many persons interviewed.
The Coincident Diagnosis of Pelvic Inflammatory Disease and Pregnancy: Are They Compatible?

Abstract Objectives To determine the frequency of coincident diagnoses of pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) in adolescents seeking care at a large urban children's hospital. Design All inpatient medical records for the period from January 1, 1984 through December 31, 1993 were searched for dual diagnoses of pregnancy and PID (presumed secondary to endometritis, salpingitis, or both). During this period, there were 1205 patients admitted for PID, 67 of whom were also pregnant. Ten of these 67 admissions were eliminated from this study because of incomplete or missing records, errors in diagnosis, or lack of proper examinations. The charts of the remaining 57 subjects were reviewed for demographics, physical findings, and laboratory studies. Outcome Measures For the purposes of this study, a diagnosis of suspected PID was defined as lower abdominal tenderness, cervical motion tenderness, and adnexal tendemess (“major criteria”), as well as either a positive cervical specimen for Neisseria gonorrhoeae or Chlamydia trachomatis or adnexal fullness (“minor criteria”). Results The mean age of the 57 subjects was 16.8 years, and the mean gestational age was 6.7 weeks. Twenty-four (42.1%) of the subjects met the criteria for a concurrent diagnosis of PID and pregnancy; 13 had physical findings and a positive cervical specimen for either N. gonorrhoeae or C. trachomatis, and 11 subjects had the minor criteria of adnexal fullness. Twenty-six (45.6%) of the 57 subjects were primigravida, 35 (61.4%) had a history of a sexually transmitted disease, and 18 (31.6%) had been previously admitted to a hospital for PID. Conclusion This study found that PID and pregnancy can coexist in adolescents. Therefore, physicians who treat adolescents must consider the possibility of PID in pregnant adolescents presenting with abdominal pain.
Molecular cloning of DNA complementary to tobacco vein mottling virus RNA

Abstract RNA isolated from tobacco vein mottling virus (TVMV) was used as a template for avian myeloblastosis virus RNA-dependent DNA polymerase, primed with oligo(dT). The largest single-stranded cDNA synthesized was 10 kb, the same as the viral RNA. This material was converted to double-stranded cDNA with Esherichia coli DNA polymerase I and digested with restriction endonuclease Hind III. The cDNA fragments were ligated to Hind III-digested plasmid pBR322 and the product used to transform E. coli strain DG-75. Clones containing recombinant plasmids were selected by ampicillin resistance, and those containing TVMV RNA sequences were selected by colony hybridization with a single-stranded cDNA probe. Four different sizes of recombinant plasmid were reproducibly observed. The inserted DNA portion could be excised in each case with Hind III. The lengths of inserted DNA were 3.0, 1.85, 1.1, and 0.72 kb. A similar procedure was used with Pst I-digested cDNA and pBR322. A single type of recombinant plasmid, containing a DNA insertion of 1.85 kb, was reproducibly observed. Hybridization with TVMV RNA confirmed that the five inserted DNA segments were derived from the viral RNA. Hybridization of each recombinant plasmid with the others established that each of the cloned Hind III fragments was unique and that one of them overlapped the cloned Pst I fragment. The cloned cDNA fragments were ordered by establishing a restriction map of the cDNA. Together the cloned cDNA fragments account for over 80% of the viral genome.
Classification and Regression Tree Uncovered Hierarchy of Psychosocial Determinants Underlying Quality Of Life Response Shift in HIV/AIDS

Abstract Objectives Rapkin and Schwartz define response shift as otherwise unexplained, discrepant change in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) that is associated with change in cognitive appraisal. In this article, we demonstrate how a recursive partitioning (rpart) regression tree analytic approach may be used to explore cognitive changes to gain additional insight into response-shift phenomena. Study Design and Setting Data are from the “Choices in Care Study,” an evaluation of HIV+ Medicaid recipients' experiences and outcomes in care ( N = 394). Cognitive assessment was based on the QOL appraisal battery. HRQOL was measured by the SF-36 Health Survey, version 2 (SF-36v2). Results We used rpart to examine 6-month change in SF-36v2 mental composite score as a function of changes in appraisal, after controlling for patient characteristics, health changes, and intervening events. Rpart identified nine distinct patterns of cognitive change, including three associated with negative discrepancies, four with positive discrepancies, and two with no discrepancies. Conclusion Rpart classification provides a nuanced treatment of response shift. This methodology has implications for evaluating programs, guiding decisions, and targeting care.
Cord blood house dust mite allergen in newborns: relationship to maternal blood levels of allergen and allergen specific IgG and IgE.

Background House dust mite allergen has previously been detected in the cord blood of some newborns but not others. The factors that affect the presence and levels in cord blood of this and possibly other allergens are unknown. Objective To test the hypothesis that the levels of maternal allergen and allergen specific IgG affect the presence and levels of newborn allergen. Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure the levels of house dust mite allergen Der p 1 and Der p 1 specific IgG and IgE in paired blood samples from 98 mothers and full-term newborns. Results Der p 1 was detected in 27 mothers and 12 newborns. None of the 71 mothers who lacked Der p 1 had Der p 1–positive newborns. When present, cord blood Der p 1 levels correlated with and were approximately one third of Der p 1 levels in maternal blood. Cord blood Der p 1 levels also tended to correlate with maternal blood levels of Der p 1 specific IgG but showed little, if any, correlation with maternal blood levels of Der p 1 specific IgE. Conclusions When detectable, the levels of an allergen in the blood of newborns correlate with the levels of that allergen in the blood of their mothers and tend to be related to maternal levels of allergen specific IgG.
MEDIATING CUTBACKS IN HUMAN SERVICES: A CASE STUDY IN THE NEGOTIATED ORDER

The nexus between the social world of private nonprofit service organizations (NPOs) and their environment is examined through data from a national study of reductions in fiscal support and through focused interviews with a sample of chief personnel in agencies in Maricopa County, Arizona. As a study in how some organizations adjust to changes in their funding environment, these data provide a basis for assessing the relative impact of fiscal restraint on organizations, as well as accounting theoretically for the impact of structure through interpretive process, social order through social control, and the construction of a negotiated order. When faced with reductions in federal support, NPOs took different courses of action in order to avoid negative impacts. Interpreting the data from a negotiated order perspective suggests that agencies' adjustments were mediated by an awareness of the national and local contexts, the services they offered, the clients they served, and their general capacity to maximize their resource mobilization potential. In some instances this adjustment amounted essentially to redefining their relevant environment, which was accomplished by integrating the format, logic, and criteria of the external world of business. The agencies survived and in some instances prospered, but their distinctive symbolic structure was compromised.
Examination of the Adherence to the “5 a Day the Color Way” Campaign Among Parents and Their Preschool Children

Background. The evidence of health benefits associated with the consumption of a variety fruits and vegetables (FV) is well known. The “5 A Day Color Way” campaign is a national effort to translate the science with a message of increased colorful FV consumption for the public. The extent of the translation and adherence to these recommendations among families in a community setting is an important public health question.Methods. Parents enrolled in 8 rural Missouri county parent education programs answered surveys for their preschool children (n=1658) about FV consumption and barriers to purchasing them by color.Results. Of parents, 40% (n=668) and 26% (n=425) of children ate from all 5 colors some time the previous week. However, no parents and only 1 child attained perfect adherence to the guidelines (all 5 colors most days of the week). Disliking the taste and not in the habit of purchasing colorful FV were significant predictors for not meeting recommendations for red, yellow/orange, and green FV.Conclusions. Interventions targeting young children and their families (ie, child care settings, elementary schools) that establish preference for color specific FV may be ideal in rural communities to encourage movement toward adherence to the campaign.
The C′1Σ+-A′1Π (0, 0) and (1, 1) bands of CaO

Abstract A previously unknown 1Σ+ state of CaO is identified as the upper state of the C′1Σ+-A′1Π transition, which is one of many electronic transitions appearing in the congested calcium oxide orange bands. A combination of laser-induced fluorescence, resolved fluorescence, and optical-optical double resonance techniques was used to assign and analyze the C′1Σ+ ← A′1Π organe band transition. C′1Σ+ is the 1Σ+ (III) state and it belongs to the same Ca+O−Aππ−1 electronic configuration as the D, d1,3Δ, c3Σ+, e3Σ−, and E1Σ− states. The principal molecular constants (in cm−1) for the C′1Σ+ state, obtained here from the C′1Σ+-A′1Π (0, 0) and (1, 1) bands are (1 σ uncertainties in parentheses) T 0 24 636.339(44) B e 0.345 463(16) D 5.53×10 −7 (13) δG 1 2 544.738(12) α e 0.002 429(67) r e 2.066 55(A). The relevance of the C′1Σ+ state to a zero-order, atomic-ion-in-molecule, electronic structure model for CaO is briefly discussed.
Heparan-dependent endothelial antithrombin binding is increased by butyrate

Heparin biosynthesis involves a critical early step of N-deacetylation which is inhibited by the short chain fatty acid n-butyrate. Such inhibition causes mast cells to produce heparins with high affinity for antithrombin (AT). We have cultured endothelial cells in media supplemented with short chain fatty acids and have found that isobutyric, propionic and valeric acids cause significant increases in endothelial binding of AT measured by flow cytometry, but n-butyric acid was the most effective fatty acid to increase AT binding. Such binding was heparan sulfate-dependent, for it was decreased significantly by pre-treatment of the cells with heparinase. These findings suggest that inhibition of N-deacetylation in heparan biosynthesis affects sulfation and results in the distribution of negative charges and conformational changes within the heparan domain that binds AT to endothelial plasma membranes. These changes also were associated with up-regulation of the intercellular adhesion molecule-1, which is a marker of endothelial activation.
The Effect of Topical Fluoride Agents on Fluoride Uptake and Surface Morphology

Four topical fluoride agents were evaluated in vitro for their ability to form permanently bound fluoride. APF, NH4F, and Na2SnF6 formed soluble reaction products, while TiF4 did not. Surface coatings were present on those samples that showed higher levels of fluoride after washing.
How to avoid designing digital libraries: a scenario based approach

Digital libraries are a rapidly evolving and diverse technology. From the history of technology, we know that there are no guarantees that "best" solutions prevail, even in the long-term (e.g., Basalla, 1988). The indeterminacies of technology evolution are probably increased when the pace of evolution is rapid and its scope and trajectory are uncertain. In such circumstances, we should avoid clinging to traditional niche concepts (which are necessarily, but often subtly, anchored in prior technology). We should instead attempt to manage and define new technology by analyzing and designing core user activities.
A Means-End Analysis of Special Olympics Volunteers

Many non-profit recreation, parks and tourism organizations utilize volunteers. To attract and retain volunteers, these organizations must discover why volunteers donate time. This study used means-end theory to examine the attributes, consequences and values associated with volunteering for the San Luis Obispo (SLO) County Special Olympics as well as the volunteer demographics. Study participants included 55 volun­ teers who were asked demographic and open-ended questions during interviews at sporting and training events. Results showed most volunteers were parents of an ath­ lete in the program and either had been involved in the program for less than a year and donated less than 60 hours per year, or had been involved for more than 5 years and donated hundreds of hours per year. Many individuals volunteer so their child athlete will receive the benefits of sport, including increased social contact for their child, which leads them to believe their child will have warm relations with others and have a sense of belonging which leads to having increased self-confidence, leading to the ath­ lete enjoying their life more. Parents perceive that their child athlete receives these benefits of sport and this perception in turn generates a positive effect on the parent. Beaucoup d’organismes de loisirs a but non lucratif font appel a des benevoles. Pour attirer et conserver ces benevoles, ces organisations doivent deduire pourquoi les benevoles consacrent du temps a ces activites. Cette etude de la theorie des moyens uti­ lises pour fin a examiner les attributs, les consequences, les valeurs associes au benevolat, ainsi que les caracteristiques demographiques des benevoles associes aux Jeux olympiques speciaux dans le comte de San Luis Obispo (SLO). 55 benevoles par­ ticipants a l’etude ont ete poses des questions demographiques et des questions ouvertes reliees a des evenements sportifs. Les resultats demontrent que la plupart des benevoles sont des parents d’athlete implique dans les programmes, que ces benevoles sont impliques dans le programme depuis moins d’un an et contribue moins de 60 heu­ res par an. D’autres benevoles par contre, furent impliques pendant plus de cinq ans et contribue des centaines d’heures annuellement. Les avantages du benevolat selon ces individus sont les bienfaits du sport, notamment le contact social accru pour leurs enfants, le sens d’appartenance, et la confiance en soi. Les parents percoivent que leurs enfants athlete recoivent ces bienfaits du sport et cette perception a son tour, genere un effet positif sur les parents.
Diurnal rhythm of histamine in blood and oviduct of the domestic fowl

Abstract 1. This report shows the diurnal fluctuation of histamine content in blood and tissue of chickens exposed to 10 hours of darkness and 14 hours of light. 2. Histamine determinations made at various times reveal peak levels in blood and infundibulum of the female at the onset of light and a sharp decline in histamine content of both during oviposition.
The min-max composition rule and its superiority over the usual max-min composition rule

A close analysis of the Syllogism inference rule shows that if one uses Zadeh's notion of fuzzy if-then, then the proper way of combining the membership values of two fuzzy rules r1: “ifA, then B” and r2: “if B, then C”is not by the usual max-min composition rule, but by the following min-max rule; τij = min {max(μik, νkj): all j}, where τij = mA(χi) → mc(zj), μik = mA(χi) → mb(yk), and vkj = mB(yk) → mc(zj). The min-max value gives an upper bound on τik. The min-max rule results in a new notion of transitivity and a corresponding notion of a fuzzy equivalence relation. We demonstrate the superiority of the min-max rule in terms of the properties of this equivalence relation. In particular, we argue that the new form of transitivity is particularly suitable for studying non-logical (≠ “↔”) fuzzy equivalence relationships.
A fast neutron spectrometer for reactor flux measurements

Abstract A neutron spectrometer has been constructed which may be employed in a collimated beam geometry for neutrons with energies from about 0.5 to 5.0 MeV. The design is a modification of a recoil proton telescope which employs a silicon surface barrier diode as a detector. Difficulties with neutron induced reactions in the diodes themselves from neutrons above 5 or 6 MeV which affect the performance of “sandwich-type” silicon diode neutron spectrometers are eliminated. A measurement of the neutron spectrum in a collimated beam from the V.P.I. reactor has been made which shows that the instrument provides a very satisfactory means of determining the neutron energy distribution in a non-mono-energetic flux.
UV-C treatment of soymilk in coiled tube UV reactors for inactivation of Escherichia coli W1485 and Bacillus cereus endospores

Abstract Coiled tube UV reactors were used to investigate the influence of tube diameter (1.6 mm ID, and 3.2 mm ID) and Reynolds number (Re) to inactivate Escherichia coli W1485 and Bacillus cereus spores in raw soymilk (RSM). Four levels of Re (343, 686, 1029 and 1372) were tested in RSM inoculated separately with each bacterium and treated in the UV reactors at a constant residence time of 11.3 s with UV-C dose of 11.187 mJ/cm 2 at 253.7 nm. Inactivation efficiency of both microorganisms increased with Re. Maximum reductions of 5.6 log 10 CFU/ml of E. coli and 3.29 log 10 CFU/ml of B. cereus spores were achieved in the 1.6 mm ID UV reactor. Inactivation efficiency was higher in the 1.6 mm ID UV reactor than the 3.2 mm ID UV reactor for both the organisms. Effect of UV-C light on lipid oxidation of untreated RSM, measured as malondialdehyde and other reactive substances (MORS) content, was much higher (95 nmol/ml) than the UV-treated (58 nmol/ml) and thermally pasteurized (55 nmol/ml) RSM during the storage period of 7 days. The UV-C treatment can be effectively used for reducing E. coli cells and B. cereus spores in soymilk without compromising its quality.
Single versus multiple probe blocks of P300-based concealed information tests for self-referring versus incidentally obtained information

Abstract The aim of the present study was to compare two protocols and two information types on detection of concealed knowledge. Four independent groups of subjects were run. Two were tested on probe stimuli of a self-referring (AUTO) nature and two were tested on incidentally acquired details of a mock crime (MOCK). Each pair of groups was run either in a one-probe (1PB) or multiple probe (6PB) block. In the single probe block, which was repeated three times with a different probe on each block, one probe item was randomly repeated multiple times in a Bernoulli series with frequently presented, meaningless or irrelevant items. There was also a rare target item designed to force attention to the stimulus screen. All stimulus types were of the same category within each block. In contrast, in the multiple probe (and category) block, rare probes, rare targets and frequent irrelevant items were repeatedly presented in a Bernoulli series within one block. Major results: There was a difference in task demand as measured by reaction time between the two protocols (the multiple probe protocol was more demanding), and a difference trend in P300 detection sensitivity between protocols for both information types combined in favor of the 1PB (p
Oxidation of carbon monoxide on small iron clusters

Abstract The oxidation of carbon monoxide adsorbed on Fe n ( n =1–6) clusters is studied using density functional theory. Both neutral and anionic clusters are studied. The reactions of chemisorbed CO with O 2 are found to be highly exothermic for all of the iron clusters considered. Effects of higher coverages are estimated using the Fe 4 cluster with two adsorbates, namely Fe 4 (CO) 2 , Fe 4 C 2 , and Fe 4 O 2 clusters. Our results suggest that the iron clusters sustain a full catalytic cycle of carbon monoxide oxidation.
The impact of a school entry law on adolescent immunization rates.

Abstract Purpose Middle school entry laws increase coverage with recommended vaccines, but their effect on vaccines that are not required is unknown. We compared vaccination coverage for hepatitis B, tetanus and diphtheria (Td), and measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) in areas of states with discordant middle school, hepatitis B school entry laws, and evaluated the relationship between demographic characteristics and adolescent immunization rates. Methods Retrospective design with purposive school sampling, using location of residence to determine study group. In each school, immunization records from a random sample of up to 75 students in ninth grade (affected by a new hepatitis B law) and 12th grade (not affected by the law) from 11 schools in two areas discordant for the law were analyzed. All areas had long standing two-dose MMR and Td requirements. Results Ninth graders in schools with the law had hepatitis B rates higher (72.8%) than those without the law (18.6%) (U = 2.0, p Conclusions Middle school immunization laws are effective at raising adolescent hepatitis B, but in this study there wasn’t enough power to discern the effect on rates for other vaccines or the influence of demographic variables on rates. Results suggested that laws did not appear to completely overcome disparities. For school mandates to be more effective, additional efforts, presumably on enforcement, especially in areas with lower socioeconomic indicators, are needed.
In vivo mapping of cerebral acetylcholinesterase activity in aging and Alzheimer’s disease

Objective: To validate an in vivo method for mapping acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in human brain, preparatory to monitoring inhibitor therapy in AD. Background: AChE activity is decreased in postmortem AD brain. Lacking a reliable in vivo measure, little is known about central activity in early AD, when the disease is commonly targeted by AChE inhibitor drug therapy. Methods: Intravenous N -[ 11 C]methylpiperidin-4-yl propionate ([ 11 C]PMP) served as an in vivo AChE substrate. AChE activity was defined using cerebral PET for tracer kinetic estimates of the local rate of [ 11 C]PMP hydrolysis in 26 normal controls and 14 patients with AD. Eleven AD patients also had concomitant in vivo cerebral measures of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (cholinergic terminal) density and glucose metabolism. Results: Cerebral AChE activity measures 1) were independent of changes in tracer delivery to cerebral cortex; 2) agreed with reported postmortem data concerning normal relative cerebral distributions, absence of large age-effect in normal aging, and deficits in AD; 3) correlated in AD cerebral cortex with concomitant in vivo measures of cholinergic terminal deficits, but not with metabolic deficits; and 4) agreed quantitatively with predicted level of cerebral AChE inhibition induced by physostimine. Conclusions: This in vivo PET method provided valid measures of central AChE activity in normal subjects and AD patients. Applied in early AD, it should facilitate inhibitor treatment by confirming central inhibition, optimizing drug dosage, identifying likely responders, and testing surrogate markers of therapeutic response.
Female age and sperm competition: last-male precedence declines as female age increases

Until very recently, most studies of sperm competition have focused on variation in male competitive ability. However, we now know that a number of reproductive traits, including oviposition rate, use of stored sperm and receptivity to mating, vary with female condition. Because females can play an active part in the movement of sperm within their reproductive tract, sperm competition may be influenced by female condition. Existing studies of sperm competition in fruitflies ignore the effects of female condition, using females that are 3-4 days old and in their reproductive prime. But condition will decline as a female senesces. Here, we examine the effect of female age on the outcome of sperm competition in three strains of the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster. Previous studies have shown that female age influences preference for mates and male ejaculation strategies. In this study, we find that when males are mated to females that are older than 17 days, last-male sperm precedence decreases significantly. These results could lead to a greater understanding of the physiological mechanisms that regulate the outcome of sperm competition.
The development of nanocrystalline silicon for emerging microelectronic and nanoelectronic applications

Films consisting of nanometer-scale silicon crystals with narrow size distribution can be fabricated using a variety of techniques and are of technological interest for nonvolatile semiconductor memory applications. One fabrication technique based on the crystallization of thin amorphous silicon films also shows potential for large-scale production of single isolated nanocrystals for future single-electron transistor and memory applications. A review of the most promising nanocrystalline silicon fabrication techniques and a discussion of current research in the area of crystallized thin-film amorphous silicon are presented in this article.
New adatom model for Si(111) 7×7 and Si(111)-Ge 5×5 reconstructed surfaces

A new adatom structure with significantly less angular strain than the simple adatom geometry is proposed. The model involves a rebonding of \ensuremath{\backsimeq}⅛ of surface atoms to the substrate in a manner similar to that occurring in the $\ensuremath{\pi}$-bonded-chain structure for the Si(111) 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 surface. The interference between adatom and substrate reconstructions forces the smallest threefold-symmetric unit cells to be 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5 and 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7 in size. The proposed reconstructed-adatom model gives rise to structural features in good agreement with experiment. In particular, the inhomogeneous corrugation of the two halves of the 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7 unit cell seen in vacuum-tunneling microscopy and the apparent need for stacking fault sequences in ion-channeling experiments are accounted for. The results of surface energy and structure calculations on 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}2, 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}3, 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}5, and 7\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}7 adatom models are presented.
Effect of dietary fat on bile acid excretion by the isolated, perfused rat liver

Summary Purified diets containing either safflower or coconut oil (20%, w/w) were fed to rats used either as liver or perfusate donors for liver perfusion experiments. Experiments were designed to separate perfusate and liver effects. Bile was collected from the perfused livers and bile acids measured. In the first series of experiments, in which the perfusate was varied, more cholic acid was excreted by the safflower oil group. The difference did not attain statistical significance. In the second series, in which the liver was varied, nearly identical amounts of cholic, chenodeoxycholic and de-oxycholic acids were excreted by the two groups. Inclusion of Cholestyramine caused increased bile acid excretion, but did not unmask a differential oil effect. An acid with chromatographic mobility and color reaction of hyodeoxycholic acid, present at about 10% of total bile acids, was excreted in significantly greater amount in the coconut oil group. It was concluded that any existing differential effect of the fats on bile acid excretion was mediated through the perfusate. The differential excretion of the "hyodeoxycholic-like" acid may represent a metabolic effect on the intestinal flora of the liver donors.