cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thyroprotein-Feeding to 7-Year-Old Hens

Abstract IN 1942, groups of two-year-old White Leghorn hens were started upon an experiment to determine the long-time effect of the continuous feeding of synthetic thyroprotein. Progress reports of our observations have been made (Turner et al. 1945a, b; 1946a, b; 1947, and 1948). The present report concerns the egg production records of the surviving hens during the seventh laying year, and the fifth continuous year on thyroprotein for many of the hens. EXPERIMENTAL METHODS The reader is referred to the previous paper for details of the management and feeding of these chickens (Turner and Kempster, 1948). The experimental hens received the same battery ration as the controls except that 10 gm. thyroprotein ** was mixed into each 100 pounds of feed. The present experimental year started on October 17, 1947 and closed October 16, 1948. In the examination of Table 1, it should be pointed out that all of the hens during . . .
Ethanolamine oxidase from the blowfly, Phormia regina (Diptera: Insecta).

Abstract 1. 1. An ethanolamine oxidase which catalyzes the oxidative deamination of ethanolamine, yielding glycolaldehyde is reported from an insect, Phormia regina. 2. 2. The enzyme is cytoplasmic with an apparent Michaelis constant for the crude enzyme preperation of 1·66 x 10 −4 M , optimum pH 7·8 and optimum temperature 37δC. The activation energy (gDE) calculated for this enzyme is 12·280 cal/mole. 3. 3. The enzyme is unstable and most of its activity is lost by dialysis. Activity cannot be restored by addition of pyridoxal phosphate, FAD, DPN or TPN alone or in combination with divalent cations. Only Zn 2+ and Ca 2+ ions activate the dialyzed enzyme, regenerating about 50 per cent of the initial activity. 4. 4. The enzymeis inhibited by chelating agents, carbonly compounds and quinacrine. 5. 5. Changes in the titer of the enzyme during the life cycle of P. regina are reported. The enzyme is more active in larvae than adults while the activity in eggs and pupae is very low.
A Brief Review of the Ah Locus.

POLAND, A, and BRADFIELD, C. A Brief Review of the Ah Locus. Tohoku J. Exp. Med., 1992, 168 (2), 83-87 - The Ah locus, first described as a functional polymorphism among inbred strains of mice, encodes the Ah receptor-a ligand dependent transcriptional activator. This paper reviews the work on the Ah receptor and its importance in the expression of cytochrome P-450IA1 and the pleiotropic effects of halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons. - Ah locus; Ah receptor; cytochrome P-450IA1; halogeneted aromatic hydrocarbons
Volatile Constituents of Black Pepper. III. The Monoterpene Hydrocarbon Fraction

SUMMARY The monoterpene hydrocarbons of black pepper oil were isolated both by vacuum distillation and by thin-layer chromatography. The following compounds were separated by gas chromatography and identified by infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy: α-pinene, β-pinene, sabinene, β-carene, limonene, and p-cymene. There is evidence for the presence of a-thujene, α-phellandrene, myrcene, β-phellandrene, y-ter-pinene, and terpinolene. The monoterpenes isolated by thin-layer chromatography also contained small quantities of α-terpinene and greater quantities of γ-terpinene, p-cymene, and terpinolene.
Two-electron excitations in atomic calcium. III. High-lying resonances above the 4p threshold.

A theoretical prediction of the photoionization spectrum of atomic calcium from the 4p threshold up to nearly the 6s threshold is obtained by an eigenchannel R-matrix calculation of the final-state multichannel quantum-defect parameters in LS coupling. The calculation shows how strong interactions are distributed among a large number (10--16) of channels and predicts an intricate spectrum of overlapping Rydberg series. Further calculations show that the $^{1}\mathrm{P}^{0}$ Wannier-ridge states up to 11s11p obey a two-electron Rydberg formula, but that they are unusually difficult to excite directly from the ground state.
Enhancement of USM3D Unstructured Flow Solver for High-Speed High-Temperature Shear Flows

Large temperature and pressure fluctuations have a profound effect on turbulence development in transonic and supersonic jets. For high-speed, high-temperature jet flows, standard turbulence models lack the ability to predict the observed mixing rate of a shear layer. Several proposals to address this deficiency have been advanced in the literature to modify the turbulence transport equations in a variety of ways. In the present study, some of the most proven and simple modifications to two-equation turbulence models have been selected and implemented in NASA's USM3D tetrahedral Navier-Stokes flow solver. The modifications include the addition of compressibility correction and pressure dilatation terms in the turbulence transport equations for high-speed flows, and the addition of a simple modification to the Boussinesq's closure model coefficient for high-temperature jets. The efficacy of the extended models is demonstrated by comparison with experimental data for two supersonic axisymmetric jet test cases at design pressure ratio.
Manufacturing companies try to become ″special″ by using speciality advertising

Defines the nature and use of specialty advertising. Looks at the perceived value of specialty advertising to industrial company marketers and shows the trends as determined by a nation‐wide (US) survey in actual use in specific categories of sales promotion media. Concludes that manufacturers should actively seek ′the right item′ for each of its target markets.
Domain wall pinning in the hard permanent magnet Sm 2 Co 10 Cu 1.48 Fe 3.16 Zr 0.194

We have considered the ferromagnetic domain wall pinning caused by a planar type defect characterized by a change in the magnitude of the exchange constant and the uniaxial magnetic anisotropy and in the angular deviation of the magnetic anisotropy axis. Our model is appropriate for bulk material when the magnitude of the radius of curvature of the defect is not large compared to the width of the domain wall. Expressions are obtained and graphed for the coercive force due to such pinning. It is shown that the angular mismatch between the defect and the host material breaks the degeneracy between clockwise and counterclockwise rotating Bloch walls. Further, the results are applied to the Japanese commercial TDK material, Sm 2 Co 10 Cu 1.48 Fe 3.16 Zr 0.194 , which shows a fine cellular structure of approximately 500 A scale.
Linguistic differences and language design

A small number of discrete choices ('parameters') embedded within a system of otherwise universal principles create the extensive superficial differences between unrelated languages like English, Japanese, and Mohawk. Most current thinking about the evolution of language ignores or denies the existence of these parameters because it can see no rationale for them. That the human language faculty is organized in this way makes more sense if language is compared to a cipher or code. As such, it would have a purpose of concealing information from some at the same time as it communicates information to others.
The Piecewise-Linear Structure of Euclidean Space

It is known that, for n ≤3, ‘ought to have’ can truthfully be replaced by ‘has’ (see (4), and (5), Cor. 6·6). In this paper, this conjecture will be proved for n ≥ 5. The only unsolved case then will be in dimension four.
Female dominance in blue-eyed black lemurs(Eulemur macaco flavifrons).

Female dominance is unusual among mammals and has been described in detail for only a handful of species. Here we present data on the frequency and outcome of dominance interactions in seven semi-free ranging and captive groups of blue-eyed black lemurs (Eulemur macaco flavifrons) housed at the Duke University Primate Center. We collected over 260 hours of focal data during which all occurrences of dominant-subordinate interactions were recorded. We collected data outside the typical breeding and birthing seasons for this species, thus eliminating possible confounding factors and increased aggression associated with these periods. We found that females were dominant over males in all seven groups, with females winning 99% of all dominance interactions. E. m. flavifrons used aggressive dominance (e.g. chase, cuff, bite) in 81% of all interactions, with the remainder of interactions being decided using social dominance (e.g. deference in the form of supplants or cowers). Older females were dominant over younger females in two out of three multi-female groups (in each case, younger females were daughters), and younger males (sons of the dominant female) received less aggression from females than did older males (n = 2 groups). Caging and group size appear to play a minimal role in the expression of female dominance. While confirmation must await further observations on free-ranging groups of E. m. flavifrons, our data strongly suggest that this subspecies can be characterized as female dominant.
Write-Optimized STT-MRAM Bit-Cells Using Asymmetrically Doped Transistors

Spin-transfer torque MRAM (STT-MRAM) is a potential candidate for replacing SRAMs in last level on-chip caches. However, it comes with high write power and oxide reliability issues due to large current required to achieve high speed switching. In this letter, we propose a technique to mitigate the conflict between write-ability and write power of STT MRAM using an access transistor with asymmetric doping at the source/drain terminals. Our technique achieves 35% write power reduction at iso-write speed. In addition, the maximum voltage drop across the tunnel barrier in the Magnetic Tunnel Junction reduces by 23% which improves its reliability.
MONOTROPA UNIFLORA: ULTRASTRUCTURAL DETAILS OF ITS MYCORRHIZAL HABIT'

A microscopic survey of the achlorophylus plant Monotropa uniflora L. reveals an ectendotrophic mycorrhizal fungus with dolipore septa associated with the roots. Special transfer regions are found in the root cell wall ensheathing all but the ruptured tip of the fungal intrusion. MONO)TROPA HAS long fascinated biologists because its waxy white appearance indicates that it is unusual among flowering plants. Its absence of chlorophyll (less than 0.001 mg per gram fresh weight) and therefore its inability to produce metabolic materials by the photosynthetic fixation of CO2 has led many experimenters to investigate the mysteries of its rather novel existence. The historical details as well as the descriptive and physiological literature has been admirably re
Genome size variation in guayule and mariola: Fundamental descriptors for polyploid plant taxa

Abstract Guayule (Parthenium argentatum A. Gray) has tremendous potential as a domestic source of natural rubber production in the southwestern United States. However, genetic improvement of guayule has been slowed by its complex mode of reproduction, natural ploidy series, and lack of genetic and genomic resources. The interspecific hybridization of guayule with its closest sister taxon mariola (P. incanum Kunth) offers an opportunity to access novel genetic variation for guayule breeding programs, but mariola accessions available from the U.S. National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) have never been evaluated for natural variation in ploidy level. In addition, the nuclear genome sizes for guayule and mariola at any ploidy level are unknown. To that end, we examined the ploidy of 10 mariola accessions, which revealed a natural polyploid series ranging from triploid (2n = 3x = 54) to pentaploid (2n = 5x = 90). In contrast, a ploidy analysis of five guayule accessions uncovered a natural polyploid series that ranged from diploid (2n = 2x = 36) to hexaploid (2n = 6x = 108). More than one ploidy level among individual plants (mixed ploidy) and instances of aneuploid plants were observed for accessions of both guayule and mariola. The nuclear genome sizes of guayule and mariola were similar at identical ploidy levels, and the genome size of diploid guayule (1624 Mb) was almost twofold smaller than the genomes of sunflower (H. annuus L. 2n = 2x = 34) and lettuce (L. sativa L.; 2n = 2x = 18), two other Compositae (Asteraceae) species that are being genome-sequenced. The results from this study will serve as a foundation for interspecific breeding and genome sequencing of guayule and mariola.
The stark effect in condensed aromatic hydrocarbons

Abstract The changes in the static electric polarizability upon transition to excited singlet states are measured by perturbing the absorption spectrum with an intense (10 6 V/cm) electric field. Observations of the Stark effect in a polystyrene matrix are reported for a series of substituted anthracenes, a group of condensed aromatic hydrocarbons and a substituted hexatriene.
Microfluidic systems: High radial acceleration in microvortices

Microfluidic systems can conveniently be used for rapid analysis of biological samples1,2,3,4,5. Here we describe a single re-circulating flow, or microvortex, that can generate a maximum fluid rotational velocity of up to 12 m s−1 and a corresponding radial acceleration in excess of 106g. Such microvortices may be exploited in centrifugal microdevices to investigate the effects of high radial acceleration on biological and chemical processes.
Management of the Ventricular Septal Defect During Double Switch Operation for Atrioventricular Discordant Connections

Management of the ventricular septal defect at the time of the double switch operation can be challenging and deserves careful attention to the anatomic details of ventricular septal defect location, alignment with the appropriate subtended ventricles and their respective atrioventricular valves, and the disposition of the specialized conduction tissue. These anatomic details can differ considerably from hearts with concordant atrioventricular alignments, and further variations of right-left geometry and septal alignment can be exhibited. A case is described that underscores some of the particular challenges associated with management of the ventricular septal defect during double switch operation for hearts with discordant atrioventricular connections and either transposition of the great arteries or double outlet right ventricle.
Characterization of transient error tolerance for a class of mobile embedded applications

We study the inherent resilience (to transient errors) of a class of embedded applications that are currently under study in the DARPA-sponsored program called PERFECT. The experimental setup used in this research uses a fast fault-injection methodology, that takes advantage of native execution speeds on actual system hardware. The reported resilience characterization data are interpreted in the context of measured workload metrics like dynamic instruction frequency mix.
Switching mode generation and optimal estimation with application to skid-steering

Skid-steered vehicles, by design, must skid in order to maneuver. The skidding causes the vehicle to behave discontinuously during a maneuver as well as introduces complications to the observation of the vehicle's state, both of which affect a controller's performance. This paper addresses estimation of contact state by applying switched system optimization to estimate skidding properties of the skid-steered vehicle.In order to treat the skid-steered vehicle as a switched system, the vehicle's ground interaction is modeled using Coulomb friction, thereby partitioning the system dynamics into four distinct modes, one for each combination of the forward and back wheel pairs sticking or skidding. Thus, as the vehicle maneuvers, the system propagates over some mode sequence, transitioning between modes over some set of switching times. This paper presents second-order optimization algorithms for estimating these switching times. We emphasize the importance of the second-order algorithm because it exhibits quadratic convergence and because even for relatively simple examples, first-order methods fail to converge on time scales compatible with real-time operation. Furthermore, the paper presents a technique for estimating the mode sequence by optimizing a relaxation of the switched system.
High-angular tolerance receiver for atmospheric optical links

An application of optical tapers to receivers for atmospheric optical links is presented. The work is concerned with a simple optical receiver which has a high tolerance to angular misalignments, while supporting a high bit rate by using a photodiode with a small active area. Both the theoretical and the experimental parts of the work are described.
The future of geriatric medicine

Abstract The old adults of today have benefited during their lifetime from tremendous public health successes, including the control of communicable diseases as well as outstanding progress in acute medicine, leading to a rise in chronic and disabled diseases. These important paradigm changes will be reinforced in future generations of elders by the introduction of informatics, biological innovations, high technology, DNA sequencing, nanotechnology, advances in cognitive sciences and artificial intelligence. Today, natural ageing with all its social inequities and insecure surroundings (war, natural catastrophes and climatic changes) constitutes an enormous challenge for the world countries. These widely varying conditions will be further exacerbated by the possible access to more sophisticated prosthetic devices and medical technology for the richest compared to the poorest countries. “Modified” ageing already exist but will benefit more of high technology, which will leads to “improved” and perhaps “immortal” humans. Radical changes in society will deeply influence the practice of medicine. Undoubtedly, the practice of tomorrow's medicine will be wireless, from home to the hospitals and institutions. Miniature epidermal captures or “electronic skin” will transmit all the recorded health information to your mobile phone and your exhaustive and constantly updated medical chart will be sent to a “cloud computer”. Whatever all of these discoveries and their applications in daily life it is impossible to imagine the individual ageing process without considering the affective surroundings of the person. This “informal network of care” will be increasingly important in the context and will not be replaced soon by “companion” robots.
Clinical aspects of defects in the determination of laterality

Of individuals in the human population, 99.99% have developed identical thoracoabdominal asymmetry with the cardiac apex, a bilobed lung, the stomach, and the spleen on the left side of the midline, and the vena cavae, a trilobed lung, the appendix, and the larger liver lobe on the right. This arrangement of organs is situs solitus. Occasionally, individuals have a complete, mirror-image reversal of this asymmetry called situs inversus, and 20-25% of those individuals have an autosomal recessive condition, Kartagener syndrome, with ciliary dyskinesia, bronchiectasis, sinusitis, and infertility. Between these extremes of situs solitus and situs inversus lies the spectrum of situs ambiguus, characterized by isomerism, heterotaxy, and multiple malformations in one or more thoracic or abdominal organs. Although most abnormal situs in humans occurs sporadically, growing evidence suggests that interference with normal genetic mechanisms and pathways may be responsible for most cases. Familial cases suggest major effects of both autosomal and X-linked genes with both dominant and recessive expression. Situs inversus and situs ambiguus (SI/SA) occurring in probands who have close relatives with "isolated," nonsyndromic birth defects suggests that some of the pathways important in situs determination may also be involved in causing sporadic malformations not obviously associated with a defect in laterality determination. Human phenotypes of interest include the association of SI/SA with short rib-polydactyly syndromes and renal-hepatic-pancreatic dysplasia, and with agnathia and holoprosencephaly. Further elucidation of the developmental pathways involved in left-right axis determination should shed light on the causes of and relationships among these human phenotypes.
Mechanism of Rat UDP-Glucuronosyltransferase 1A6 Induction by Oltipraz: Evidence for a Contribution of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Pathway

The utility of oltipraz as a cancer chemopreventive agent is thought to depend on the induction of enzymes involved in phase 2 xenobiotic detoxification. Although studies of some enzymes induced by oltipraz implicate a novel transcriptional activating pathway involving Nrf2 and antioxidant-response elements (AREs), the mechanism of phenol UGT induction has remained unclear. Previous work showed that UGT1A6 is transcribed from two promoters, P1 and P2, that are both induced by oltipraz in rat liver. The effect also occurs in rat hepatocytes treated with oltipraz (concentrations >3 microM). To investigate the mechanism, luciferase reporter plasmids under the control of P1 [p(-1078/+27)1A6P1-luc] or P2 [p(-1354/+65)1A6P2-luc] were transfected into rat hepatocytes and tested for inducibility. P1, but not P2, showed responsiveness to oltipraz (2- to 5-fold increase) and 3-methylcholanthrene (10- to 30-fold increase). Because P1 contained no visible AREs, the role of a xenobiotic response element (XRE) centered between bases -134 and -129 was evaluated. Mutation of the XRE core reduced the effects of both oltipraz and 3-methylcholanthrene on the P1 reporter. The 1A6 XRE conferred oltipraz responsiveness on the simian virus 40 promoter of pGL3-Promoter. Comparative effects of oltipraz and 3-methylcholanthrene on transfected cytochrome P4501A1 reporters support the general but relatively weak XRE-stimulating activity of oltipraz. The involvement of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) and aryl hydrocarbon nuclear translocator (ARNT) in mediating the effects of oltipraz on the XRE is supported by electrophoretic mobility supershift data and AHR/ARNT overexpression studies. These data raise questions about the contribution of AHR and other secondary induction pathways in the mechanism of oltipraz.
Experimental evidence for magnetic ordering in a literally two-dimensional magnet

Abstract The electron spin resonances of literally two-dimensional magnetic structures, formed of manganese stearate by the Langmuir-Blodgett technique, have been measured down to 1.3K. In one such structure the resonance field decreased abruptly at 2.0 K by more than 1000 Oe, and was highly anisotropic below this temperature. These, and other observations can be explained by the hypothesis of weak-ferromagnetic ordering.
Wind-Driven Coastal Sea Level Variability in the Northeast Pacific

AbstractThe rate of coastal sea level change in the northeast Pacific (NEP) has decreased in recent decades. The relative contributions to the decreased rate from remote equatorial wind stress, local longshore wind stress, and local windstress curl are examined. Regressions of sea level onto wind stress time series and comparisons between NEP and Fremantle sea levels suggest that the decreased rate in the NEP is primarily due to oceanic adjustment to strengthened trade winds along the equatorial and coastal waveguides. When taking care to account for correlations between the various wind stress time series, the roles of longshore wind stress and local windstress curl are found to be of minor importance in comparison to equatorial forcing. The predictability of decadal sea level change rates along the NEP coastline is therefore largely determined by tropical variability. In addition, the importance of accounting for regional, wind-driven sea level variations when attempting to calculate accelerations in th...
Strategies for Managing Timbre and Interaction in Automatic Improvisation Systems

Earlier interactive improvisation systems have mostly worked with note-level musical events such as pitch, loudness and duration. Timbre is an integral component of the musical language of many improvisers; some recent systems use timbral information in a variety of ways to enhance interactivity. This article describes the timbre-aware ARHS improvisation system, designed in collaboration with saxophonist John Butcher, in the context of recent improvisation systems that incorporate timbral information. Common practices in audio feature extraction, performance state characterization and management, response synthesis and control of improvising agents are summarized and compared.
The Napoleon Complex: why smaller males pick fights

Does it ever pay for smaller animals to initiate fights even when they are likely to lose? Asymmetry in payoffs between opponents or a suboptimal strategy resulting from likely losers misperceiving themselves as likely winners have both been proposed as possible explanations for the aggressive behavior of smaller males. The model presented here suggests that in some cases, even without a payoff asymmetry and allowing for only a small error in perception, likely losers are expected to attack first. If the value of the resource exceeds the cost of losing a fight, the cost of displaying is sufficiently small, and assessment of resource holding power is reasonably accurate but not perfect, the evolutionarily stable strategy (ESS) prompts those contestants who perceive themselves as the likely losers to initiate fights, while it prompts those contestants who perceive themselves as the likely winners to wait for the adversary to attack or retreat.
Isolation and molecular characterization of Rem2 isoforms in the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss): Tissue and central nervous system expression

REM2 is a member of the REM, RAD, and GEM/KIR (RGK) subfamily of RAS superfamily proteins and plays an important role in brain development and function. In this study, two Rem2 isoforms were isolated from the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). The two genes, designated O. mykiss rem2a and rem2b, both encode 304 amino acid proteins with 61% and 62% identities to zebrafish (Danio rerio) Rem2, respectively, and each with 43% identity to mammalian (human) REM2. To our knowledge, this is the first incidence of Rem2 isoforms in a species that are the result of gene duplication. Both isoforms possessed similar tissue expression profiles with the highest levels in the brain. The rem2a gene has significantly higher expression levels than rem2b in all tissues assayed except the brain and head kidney. In the central nervous system, both isoforms showed similar expression levels with the highest levels occurring in the olfactory bulb, cerebrum, and midbrain, though rem2a expression is significantly higher in the spinal cord. Based on known functional roles of Rem2 in synapse development and stem cell proliferation, the characterization of Rem2 in rainbow trout could shed light on its role in adult vertebrate neurogenesis and brain regeneration.
Stability and supersymmetry: General formalism and explicit two-loop applications

Abstract A complete account of a perturbative investigation of ground state instability is presented for a massless theory involving scalar, pseudoscalar, and Majorana spinor fields. The effective potential, dimensional regularization, and renormalization group formalisms are briefly reviewed and then applied in detail to show the semiclassical vacuum of the model is unstable due to radiative corrections when the (pseudo)scalar self-interaction strength, f, is less than the fermion-(pseudo)scalar coupling, g2. Models with stable ground states are found when f ⩽ g2, and when f = g2 a supersymmetric theory is obtained. The supersymmetric case is thus encountered as a boundary between stable and unstable models. This results is discussed and is conjectured to be a general feature of supersymmetric theories. All perturbative calculations in the analysis are methodically carried out to the level of two-loop Feynman diagrams, and to this level, a variety of renormalization prescriptions are considered. The correlation of the various ultraviolet divergences for the supersymmetric model is explicitly demonstrated and shown not to hold in the general theory.
Implementing a Service Learning Model for Teaching Research Methods and Program Evaluation

In an effort to teach students the basic knowledge of research methods and the realities of conducting research in the context of agencies in the community, faculty developed and implemented a service learning model for teaching research and program evaluation to foundation-year MSW students. A year-long foundation course was designed in which one instructor taught a research methods course (scientific methods in social work) and an evaluation course (evaluation in social work) consecutively with the same group of students. The primary focus of these courses was on student group research projects with agencies in the community. This design was developed to deepen students' learning of research by (1) promoting continuity in instruction, (2) removing redundancies in content between two research courses, and (3) extending the time needed for rigorous program evaluation projects with community agencies. The strengths and challenges in implementation are discussed.
Exact calculation of the multiloop stability margin

A mapping theorem by L.A. Zadeh and C.A. Desoer (1963) serves as the basis for an algorithm that computes the stability margin k/sub m/ of diagonally perturbed multivariable feedback systems without conservatism. The stability margin determination not only verifies system stability but also quantifies how much further the plan uncertainties can be extended before instability occurs. The essence of the computational approach is the realization that the true image of a given domain can be approximated with arbitrary accuracy by first subdividing the domain into the requisite number of subdomains and then forming the union of the convex hulls of their images. The technique is illustrated in an example with a plant model having three uncertainties. In general, the method is applicable to either SISO or MIMO LTI systems whose uncertainties can be modeled with noninteracting coefficients in the open-loop transfer function representations. >
Antibiotic-induced endotoxin release is organism-dependent in experimental Gram-negative sepsis:

The majority of in vitro and animal experiments that have been performed to assess antibiotic-induced endotoxin release (AIER) have employed a single test isolate, usually Escherichia coli. To dete...
Recidivism among a White-collar Sample: Does Personality Matter?

With the exception of correctional research, the role of personality has been understudied in criminology in general and in the study of white-collar crime in particular. The usefulness of personality has typically been restricted to use as a diagnostic tool in differentiating among offenders for correctional classification purposes. The current research focuses on a sample of white-collar offenders who were convicted in federal courts to explain what role personality plays in explaining their rates of recidivism. Using the Jesness Inventory as a measure of personality, findings reveal that personality type is a significant predictor of offender recidivism with neurotic personality type significantly predicting probability of rearrest.
Reliability of Dynamic Systems Under Limited Information

A method is developed for reliability analysis of dynamic systems under limited information. The available information includes one or more samples of the system output; any known information on features of the output can be used if available. The method is based on the theory of non-Gaussian translation processes and is shown to be particularly suitable for problems of practical interest. For illustration, we apply the proposed method to a series of relevant examples and compare with results given by traditional statistical estimators. It is demonstrated that the method delivers accurate results for the case of linear and nonlinear dynamic systems, and can be applied to analyze experimental data and/or mathematical model outputs.
Cardiovascular disease, periodontitis, and the monocyte relationship.

To the Editor One investigative approach to linking periodontal disease to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disorders is demonstrating a shared risk factor with the potential for actually mediating cardiovascular disease. In this regard, the Buhlin et al.,1 report comparing cardiovascular risk factors between patients with severe periodontal disease (without known history of cardiovascular disorders) and healthy individuals suggests discovery of an important relationship. Their meticulous and innovative investigation discloses that a unique haematological index, the peripheral blood monocyte count, associates strongly with severe periodontal disease. Yet the investigators dismiss any potential for clinical relevance of this finding on the …
Characterization of the Mechanical Strength, Resorption Properties, and Histologic Characteristics of a Fully Absorbable Material (Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate—PHASIX Mesh) in a Porcine Model of Hernia Repair

Purpose. Poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) is a naturally derived, absorbable polymer. P4HB has been manufactured into PHASIX Mesh and P4HB Plug designs for soft tissue repair. The objective of this study was to evaluate mechanical strength, resorption properties, and histologic characteristics in a porcine model. Methods. Bilateral defects were created in the abdominal wall of n = 20 Yucatan minipigs and repaired in a bridged fashion with PHASIX Mesh or P4HB Plug fixated with SorbaFix or permanent suture, respectively. Mechanical strength, resorption properties, and histologic characteristics were evaluated at 6, 12, 26, and 52 weeks (n = 5 each). Results. PHASIX Mesh and P4HB Plug repairs exhibited similar burst strength, stiffness, and molecular weight at all time points, with no significant differences detected between the two devices (P > 0.05). PHASIX Mesh and P4HB Plug repairs also demonstrated significantly greater burst strength and stiffness than native abdominal wall at all time points (P < 0.05), and material resorption increased significantly over time (P < 0.001). Inflammatory infiltrates were mononuclear, and both devices exhibited mild to moderate granulation tissue/vascularization. Conclusions. PHASIX Mesh and P4HB Plug demonstrated significant mechanical strength compared to native abdominal wall, despite significant material resorption over time. Histological assessment revealed a comparable mild inflammatory response and mild to moderate granulation tissue/vascularization.
Healthy Amistad: improving the health of people with severe mental illness.

Here, we report evaluation results of implementing a health promotion program for individuals with serious mental illnesses. Healthy Amistad aimed to address four behaviors: physical inactivity, nutrition choices, smoking, and seeking access to health care. The evaluation employed a mixed-method study design to assess changes in the health of individuals in the program. Process measures assessed the implementation of the program. A pre-post examination was used to compare data associated with behaviors. Data sources included the 2008 and 2009 annual surveys, clinical data, interviews for staff, interviews with members, and an on-site observation. Participants were staff and members of Amistad. Those involved with the Peer Patient Navigator lost weight; new physically active activities were being offered. A new salad bar and healthier menu was offered in the Amistad cafeteria. Interviews revealed that 11 members lost a total of 150 pounds. The percentage reporting visits to an emergency room more than once...
Induction of activator protein-1 through reactive oxygen species by crystalline silica in JB6 cells.

We reported previously that freshly fractured silica (FFSi) induces activator protein-1 (AP-1) activation through extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERKs) and p38 kinase pathways. In the present study, the biologic activities of FFSi and aged silica (ASi) were compared by measuring their effects on the AP-1 activation and phosphorylation of ERKs and p38 kinase. The roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this silica-induced AP-1 activation were also investigated. We found that FFSi-induced AP-1 activation was four times higher than that of ASi in JB6 cells. FFSi also caused greater phosphorylation of ERKs and p38 kinase than ASi. FFSi generated more ROS than ASi when incubated with the cells as measured by electron spin resonance (ESR). Studies using ROS-sensitive dyes and oxygen consumption support the conclusion that ROS are generated by silica-treated cells. N-Acetylcysteine (an antioxidant) and polyvinyl pyridine-N-oxide (an agent that binds to Si-OH groups on silica surfaces) decreased AP-1 activation and phosphorylation of ERKs and p38 kinase. Catalase inhibited phosphorylation of ERKs and p38 kinase, as well as AP-1 activation induced by FFSi, suggesting the involvement of H2O2 in the mechanism of silica-induced AP-1 activation. Sodium formate (an ⋅OH scavenger) had no influence on silica-induced MAPKs or AP-1 activation. Superoxide dismutase enhanced both AP-1 and MAPKs activation, indicating that H2O2, but not O⨪2, may play a critical role in silica-induced AP-1 activation. These studies indicate that freshly ground silica is more biologically active than aged silica and that ROS, in particular H2O2, play a significant role in silica-induced AP-1 activation.
Chemistry and Biology of Two Proteins, S-100 and 14-3-2, Specific to the Nervous System

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the method used in laboratory in the search for brain-specific, species-nonspecific proteins. Protein maps are prepared by fractionating the proteins of aqueous extracts of brain and other organs, such as liver. Presumptively nervous-system-specific proteins are purified from brain by a sequence of steps, such as ammonium sulfate fractionation. Antiserum to the pure protein is prepared by immunizing rabbits and the antiserum is tested for monospecificity by agar diffusion against the pure protein and against brain extract. The antiserum is then used in an immunological assay for the protein—complement fixation. Immunoassays, especially complement fixation, are highly specific and sensitive assays for antigens, being able to detect single amino acid substitutions and to measure the antigens down to the picogram range. The immunoassay can also be used to measure the protein in areas of brain, down to a single cell level, during development, degeneration, and under different functional conditions to localize and determine its function. Preparation of nervous system proteins is explained in the chapter.
Phosphorus-32 therapy for cystic craniopharyngiomas.

Abstract Background and purpose To examine control rates for predominantly cystic craniopharyngiomas treated with intracavitary phosphorus-32 (P-32). Material and methods 22 patients with predominantly cystic craniopharyngiomas were treated at Indiana University between October 1997 and December 2006. Nineteen patients with follow-up of at least 6 months were evaluated. The median patient age was 11 years, median cyst volume was 9 ml, a median dose of 300 Gy was prescribed to the cyst wall, and median follow-up was 62 months. Results Overall cyst control rate after the initial P-32 treatment was 67%. Complete tumor control after P-32 was 42%. Kaplan–Meier 1-, 3-, and 5-year initial freedom-from-progression rates were 68%, 49%, and 31%, respectively. Following salvage therapy, the Kaplan–Meier 1-, 3-, and 5-year ultimate freedom-from-progression rates were 95%, 95%, and 86%, respectively. All patients were alive at the last follow-up. Visual function was stable or improved in 81% when compared prior to P-32 therapy. Pituitary function remained stable in 74% of patients following P-32 therapy. Conclusions Intracystic P-32 can be an effective and tolerable treatment for controlling cystic components of craniopharyngiomas as a primary treatment or after prior therapies, but frequently allows for progression of solid tumor components. Disease progression in the form of solid tumor progression, re-accumulation of cystic fluid, or development of new cysts may require further radiotherapy or surgical intervention for optimal long-term disease control.
Nutritional Factors Required for Alcoholic Liver Disease in Rats

Decades ago it was suggested that nutritional factors are important in the development of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). However, several models of experimental alcoholism considered that the diets fed to animals were nutritionally adequate, complete and balanced. Therefore, a concept prevailed that the effects observed were due to alcohol per se and that they occurred despite a nutritionally adequate status in the animal. Examination of various models revealed that animals were malnourished because they ingested reduced levels of macro- and micronutrients. Furthermore, they consumed only small amounts of carbohydrate and a high level of unsaturated fat for long periods during the development of ALD. Alcoholic rats show many effects of inadequate nutritional status, such as a slow growth, depressed levels of liver glycogen and pancreatic amylase, enhanced protein degradation and circulating levels of branched-chain amino acids, and increased levels of enzymes involved in gluconeogenesis and alterations in the activities of enzymes related to the metabolism of carbohydrate as compared with controls. Chronic consumption of alcohol did not result in fatty liver, high blood alcohol concentration (BAC) or other observed effects when intake of energy, carbohydrate and other nutrients was increased. Furthermore, pre-existing effects of alcohol consumption, such as fatty liver, BAC and delayed gastric emptying, were reversed in rats receiving increased energy and carbohydrate intakes while continuing alcohol ingestion. Thus, nutritional status of the animal determines the production or prevention of ALD or other effects that were considered to be due to alcohol alone.
Two Examples of Physically Realizable Processes Whose Spectral Density Is Not “Physically Realizable”

In this paper we present two examples of physically realizable processes whose spectral density is not “physically realizable.”
A practical method for measuring integrated solar radiation reaching streambeds using photodegrading dyes

AbstractIncoming solar radiation is an important driver of aquatic ecosystem processes, such as gross primary production and photodegradation of organic matter. Rates of incoming solar radiation can be estimated in several ways, but their utility is limited for collecting a large number of replicate samples needed to quantify variation in light availability within and among streams. We evaluated the utility of 2 photodegrading organic dyes (rhodamine WT [RWT] and fluorescein) for measuring light exposure, especially at the level of the stream bed. We attached vials with known concentrations of the RWT or fluorescein to the stream bed and used regressions of concentration vs accumulated light to estimate photodegradation rates. Initial concentrations of RWT (20–100 µg/L) did not affect rate of photodegradation, but RWT decay rates were 93% slower in the dark than in the light. We also tested fluorescein, which degrades faster than RWT when exposed to light and is stable when kept in the dark. On average, R...
Principals' and Teachers' Perceptions of Teacher Empowerment

Executive Summary This study inquired into whether there was a difference in principals' and teachers' perceptions of teacher empowerment by analyzing the data collected from public school principa...
The Transnational Law Market, Regulatory Competition, and Transnational Corporations

In many regions of the world and across various fields, law has become a product. Individuals and companies seek attractive legal regulations, and countries advertise their legal wares globally as they compete for customers. Transnational corporations in particular are prominent actors in the emerging transnational law market. This article investigates the causes of this development and discusses these changes with respect to company law, contract law, the law of dispute resolution, and insolvency law. It assesses the market for legal rules and its practical consequences, and it provides legal policy recommendations for an efficient framework of the transnational law market. The emphasis is on transnational corporations as market actors and on specifics of the European regulatory framework.
Functional contribution of a conserved, mobile loop histidine of phosphoribulokinase

In the Rhodobacter sphaeroides phosphoribulokinase (PRK) structure, there are several disordered regions, including a loop containing invariant residues Y98 and H100. The functional importance of these residues has been unclear. PRK is inactivated by diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) and protected by the substrates ATP and Ru5P, as well as by the competitive inhibitor, 6-phosphogluconate, suggesting active site histidine residue(s). PRK contains only three invariant histidines: H45, H100, and H134. Previous mutagenesis studies discount significant function for H134, but implicate H45 in Ru5P binding. PRK mutant H45N is inactivated by DEPC, implicating a second active site histidine. To evaluate the function of H100, as well as another invariant loop residue Y98, PRK mutants Y98L, H100A, H100N, and H100Q were characterized. Mutant PRK binding stoichiometries for the fluorescent alternative substrate, trinitrophenyl-ATP, as well as the allosteric activator, NADH, are comparable to wild-type PRK values, suggesting intact effector and substrate binding sites. The K(mRu5P) for the H100 mutants shows modest eight- to 14-fold inflation effects, whereas Y98L exhibits a 40-fold inflation for K(mRu5P). However, Y98L's K(i) for the competitive inhibitor 6-phosphogluconate is close to that of wild-type PRK. These observations suggest that Y98 and H100 are not essential Ru5P binding determinants. The Vm of Y98L is diminished 27-fold compared with wild-type PRK. In contrast, H100A, H100N, and H100Q exhibit significant decreases in Vm of 2600-, 2300-, and 735-fold, respectively. Results suggest that the mobile region containing Y98 and H100 must contribute to PRK's active site. Moreover, H100's imidazole significantly influences catalytic efficiency.
Designing for Disaster: Social Software Use in Times of Crisis

Using the London Bombings of 7 July 2005 as a case study, this paper illustrates the need for sociotechnical interventions in systems design. By employing Actor Network Theory the author makes visible the active participants and technologies within the ecosystems of social software. Such visibility provides insight to the designer seeking to optimize communication systems in the wake of disaster. Guidelines for improving systems and user interfaces based on disaster scenarios are described.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae Mutants Altered in Toxicity to Human Fallopian Tubes and Molecular Characterization of the Genetic Locus Involved

In an effort to identify potential cytotoxins expressed by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we have identified a locus that, when mutated in the gonococcus, results in a significant increase in toxicity of the strain to human fallopian tube organ cultures (HFTOC). This locus, gly1, contains two open reading frames (ORFs) which are likely cotranscribed. ORF1 encodes a polypeptide of 17.8 kDa with a signal sequence that is recognized and processed in Escherichia coli and N. gonorrhoeae. The 15.6-kDa processed polypeptide has been observed in membrane fractions and filtered spent media from cultures of E. coli expressing gly1 and in outer membrane preparations of wild-type N. gonorrhoeae. The gly1 locus is not essential for bacterial survival, and it does not play a detectable role in epithelial cell adhesion, invasion, or intracellular survival. However, a gly1 null mutant causes much more damage to fallopian tube tissues than its isogenic wild-type parent. A strain complemented in trans for the gly1 mutation showed a level of toxicity to HFTOC similar to the level elicited by the wild-type parent. Taken together, these results indicate an involvement of the gly1 locus in the toxicity of N. gonorrhoeae to human fallopian tubes.