cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of salinity and temperature on the bioenergetics of adult stages of the grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis) from the North Inlet Estuary, South Carolina

The influence of temperature, salinity, body size, and sex on the bioenergetics and life-history parameters of grass shrimp (Palaemonetes pugio Holthuis) was determined under laboratory conditions. Sex and/or size show a highly significant effect only on energy allocation for metabolism. Temperature, salinity and their interaction are the main effects on most energetic parameters, with temperature showing the strongest influence on both life-history parameters and energetics. The adult grass shrimp's energy budget is different from that of larval or juvenile stages, in that most of the energy ingested by adults is allocated to reproduction. Under optimal conditions (25°C and 28‰), allocation of ingested energy in the adult grass shrimp is 51.7% for reproduction, 25.4% for respiration, 14.1% for somatic growth, 4.8% for exoskeletons, and 1.8% for excretion.
Assessing the efficacy of registered underground baiting products for mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) control

Abstract The mountain beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is a fossorial rodent species endemic to the Pacific Northwest and portions of California. This herbivore inflicts millions of dollars of damage annually to forest seedling plantations. Currently, extensive trapping prior to planting is the most reliable method for reducing damage. With increasing restrictions placed on trapping, forest resource managers need alternative tools to minimize forest damage. This study assessed the potential of four toxicants registered for underground use to control mountain beaver; zinc phosphide, diphacinone, chlorophacinone, and strychnine. Zinc phosphide and strychnine are acute toxicants, whereas diphacinone and chlorophacinone are anticoagulants. Anticoagulants prevent the recycling of vitamin K in the body, which inhibits the production of clotting factors. Efficacy varied among treatments. Zinc phosphide and strychnine were avoided by mountain beaver. Pre-baiting marginally increased acceptance of strychnine, but did not alter mountain beaver acceptance of zinc phosphide. Diphacinone and chlorophacinone were both readily consumed, but only chlorophacinone was 100% effective after a 14-day baiting regime. Subsequently, we tested the effects of diet on the efficacy of diphacinone by varying the availability of food containing vitamin K, the anticoagulant antidote. Restricting access to potential sources of vitamin K appeared to increase efficacy. We conclude that anticoagulants hold some promise as additional tools for managers to reduce mountain beaver populations with chlorophacinone showing the most promise. However, limitations to anticoagulant baits include the necessity of long-term baiting (greater than 10 days), a possible decrease in toxicity if baits contact moisture, and potential primary hazards.
Statistical applications of linear assignment

A comprehensive statistical framework is presented which encompasses a wide range of existing nonparametric methods. The basic strategy, referred to as linear assignment (LA), depends on a simple index of correspondence defined between two object sets that have been matched in somea priori manner. In this broad sense, LA can be interpreted as a general correlational technique. A variety of extensions are discussed along with the attendant problems of significance testing and the construction of normalized descriptive indices.
Postnatal rat neurons form apparent presynaptic elements on polylysine-coated beads in vivo.

Polylysine-coated sepharose beads implanted in the cerebellum of 3–4-day-old rats resulted in the formation of neuronal swellings on the surface of the beads. These neuronal swellings resembled presynaptic elements and contained numerous 40 nm vesicles that accumulated at the site of contact with the bead. Uncoated beads did not show apparent presynaptic elements on the surface of the beads. The in vivo finding of apparent presynaptic elements on polylysine-coated beads suggest that polybasic surfaces may be involved in recognition leading to the formation of presynaptic elements. This system offers an excellent model to test developing or regenerating axons to determine their ability to form presynaptic elements.
Children's objective and subjective sleep disruptions: links with afternoon cortisol levels.

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine possible relations between the quality and amount of children's sleep and cortisol in healthy children. Design Children's sleep was monitored with actigraphs for 7 nights. Children came to the laboratory to provide saliva samples, which were used to assess cortisol. Children reported on their sleepiness and sleep/wake problems. Sixty-four healthy children participated (M = 8.75 years; SD = .55). Main outcome measures Self-reported sleepiness and sleep/wake problems, actigraphy-measured total sleep minutes, sleep efficiency, minutes awake after sleep onset, and sleep activity, and afternoon cortisol levels. Results After controlling for demographic variables and child characteristics, higher levels of cortisol were related to increased subjective sleep problems and objective measures of shorter sleep duration and poorer sleep quality. Conclusion These findings are of importance for understanding critical facets of children's health and well-being, and are noteworthy given the high prevalence of sleep disruptions in otherwise normally developing children in the United States.
Influence of endophyte-infected tall fescue on cyclicity, pregnancy rate and early embryonic loss in the mare.

The effects of grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue on luteal function, pregnancy rates, and embryonic loss rates were compared between treated mares (n=18) and untreated controls (endophyte-free, n=12). Mares grazing endophyte-infected fescue demonstrated significantly (P<0.01) prolonged luteal function (22.9 vs 15.8 d) than those grazing endophyte-free fescue. Continuous grazing of endophyte-infected fescue resulted in a decreased (P=0.30) per cycle 14-d viable pregnancy rate (1431, 45.2%) compared with that of endophyte-free grazing (1216, 75.0%). Early embryonic death rates were higher (P=0.20) in the endophyte-infected group (620, 30.0%) than the endophyte-free group (113, 7.7%). Cumulative pregnancy rates after a 60-d breeding period did not differ between the 2 groups. Embryonic development based on mean vesicle height at 14-d was not significantly different between treatment groups for embryos that maintained viability. Embryos that underwent early embryonic death were smaller (P<0.10) at Day-14 than embryos that maintained viability. Mean plasma progesterone concentrations were significantly (P< 0.01) greater at Day-21 postovulation in endophyte-infected mares in which the embryo remained viable (15.8 ng/ml) than in endophyte-free mares that experienced early embryonic death (9.8 ng/ml) or that demonstrated prolongation of luteal function (11.2 ng/ml). The results of this study suggest that grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue can have a detrimental effect on reproductive efficiency in the mare due to an increase in cycles bred per pregnancy rate, increased early embryonic death rate and prolongation of luteal function.
The Interdependency of vocational and liberal aims in higher education

It is not educators' role to dissuade students from seeing college as a path to a career. It is our role to help students see the larger purpose in the work they choose.
The Use Of Direct Percutaneous Endoscopic Jejunostomies

Abstract Direct percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomies (DPEJ) were evaluated to determine feasibility of technique, nutrition related outcomes and length of tube use in a cancer population. DPEJ is a technique using a tube placed directly into a proximal jejunual loop, pulling anteriorly with the endoscope and discreetly transluminating the jejunum. Patients were followed for duration of tube use. Results for the period of 1991–1995 follow: In 127 patients, (103 inpatients, 24 outpatients), in whom the technique was attempted, DPEJ's were successfully placed in 122 (96%), while 5 (4%) could not be placed for technical reasons. Of the successful placements 115 were used for feeding and 7 for drainage. Indications for the procedure were: gastric outlet obstruction (37%), recurrent or potential aspiration (35%), anorexia (12%), small bowel obstruction (9%), gastroesophageal anastomotic leak (4%), and gastroparesis (3%). There were 4 severe complications (abdominal bleeding, abdominal abscess, jejunal perforation, and colonic perforation), but no deaths occurred as a result of the procedure. Eighty-two males and 45 females, with a mean age of 64 ± 12 years were given DPEJ's. At the time of procedure mean weight loss was 15% of usual body weight and mean po intake was approximately 370 Kcal. In the 92 patients for which follow-up data was available, the mean period of DPEJ utilization was 114 ± 169 days: reasons for ending tube utilization were death (78%) or adequate po intake (22%). Method of feeding delivery was predominantly by pump (97%), with (3%) using gravity. Mean formula caloric intake at follow-up was 89% of the caloric goal determined by 30–40 Kcal/kg of baseline weight. An increase of 2% mean body weight and 33% mean po intake occurred in this DPEJ population. These results suggest that DPEJ can be placed safely and may be a viable procedure for achieving nutritional goals in patients where jejunal feedings are indicated.
Perceived Availability, Risks, and Benefits of Gambling among College Students

The current study was an exploration of gambling-related perceptions and their relation to gambling behavior among young adult college students. Three hundred and two ethnically diverse undergraduates at a large urban public university completed a survey to assess their perceptions of the availability, risks, and benefits of gambling, and the South Oaks Gambling Screen (SOGS) to assess gambling behavior and problems. Participants generally rated gambling as more available than alcohol or marijuana, and less risky than alcohol or cigarettes. The most common perceived benefits of gambling were social enhancement, financial gain, and positive changes in affect. Perceived benefits were a significant predictor of gambling problems. Perceived availability, perceived risk, and perceived benefits were found to be significant predictors of regular gambling. These results provide valuable information about the ways that college students perceive gambling and demonstrate that perceptions can be important predictors of gambling behavior.
Systemic chemotherapy combined with local adoptive immunotherapy cures rats bearing 9L gliosarcoma.

Survival of Fischer rats bearing 9L gliosarcoma in the brain was measured to determine the efficacy of 1) systemically administered chemotherapy with local adoptive immunotherapy (chemo-adoptive immunotherapy) or 2) systemically administered chemo-immunotherapy. Winn assays, where tumor instillation coincided with the start of treatment, and one-week established tumor assays were conducted. Survival of chemo-adoptive immunotherapy treated groups given intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide and intracranial lymphokine activated killer cells and recombinant Interleukin-2 was significantly extended when compared to sham treated control groups, to groups given chemotherapy with intraperitoneal cyclophosphamide, and to groups treated by local adoptive immunotherapy with intracranial lymphokine activated killer cells and Interleukin-2. The killer cells were generated from spleens of donor rats that either had or had not been given cyclophosphamide 24 h earlier. Long-term survivors (9/39), sacrificed at day 70, were obtained only in the chemo-adoptive immunotherapy treated groups; 7/39 had no histologic evidence of tumor and had focal sterile abscesses at the site of killer cell instillation. Average group weight plotted over time showed that there was acceptable toxicity with chemo-adoptive immunotherapy; the toxicity was identical to that obtained with systemic cyclophosphamide treatment. In contrast, survival of chemo-immunotherapy treated groups given systemic cyclophosphamide and Interleukin-2 was not significantly extended from groups which were sham treated or treated only with systemic Interleukin-2. Rapid decline of average group weight plotted over time and early deaths following chemo-immunotherapy treatment indicated that the regimen was toxic. The effect of cyclophosphamide administration on the splenocytes of donor rats and the LAK cells generated from them was determined byin vitro studies analyzing cell number, viability, phenotypic expression and cytotoxicity against 9L tumor. In the treatment of this intracranial neoplasm, the beneficial effects of cyclophosphamide were determined to occurin situ in the tumor-bearing host. No benefit resulted from cyclophosphamide treatment of donor rats that supplied splenocytes for LAK cell production.
Magnetorheological finishing for imprinting continuous-phase plate structures onto optical surfaces

Magnetorheological finishing (MRF) techniques have been developed to manufacture continuous phase plates (CPPs) and custom phase corrective structures on polished fused silica surfaces. These phase structures are important for laser applications requiring precise manipulation and control of beam-shape, energy distribution, and wavefront profile. The MRF’s unique deterministic-sub-aperture polishing characteristics make it possible to imprint complex topographical information onto optical surfaces at spatial scale-lengths approaching 1 mm. In this study, we present the results of experiments and model calculations that explore imprinting two-dimensional sinusoidal structures. Results show how the MRF removal function impacts and limits imprint fidelity and what must be done to arrive at a high quality surface. We also present several examples of this imprinting technology for fabrication of phase correction plates and CPPs for use at high fluences.
A broad spectrum anticancer nucleoside with selective toxicity against human colon cells in vitro

Abstract 2′,3′-Bis- O - tert -butyldimethylsilyl-5′-deoxy-5′-[ N -(methylcarbamoyl)amino]- N 6 -( N -phenylcarbamoyl)adenosine, a new member of the N 6 ,5′-bis-ureidoadenosine class of anticancer nucleosides, is found to exhibit broad spectrum antiproliferative activity. A majority of the cell lines in the NCI-60 are inhibited with an average GI 50 = 3.13 μM. Selective toxicity against human colon cancer cell lines (COLO 205, HCC-2998, HCT-116, HT29, KM12) was also exhibited (LC 50 ’s = 6–10 μM).
A new species of Coreopsis section Pseudoagarista (Asteraceae) from Mexico

Coreopsis queretarensis, a new species from northeastern Mexico belonging to sectionPseudoagarista, is described and illustrated. It is closely related toC. mevaughii of Nueva Galicia but is readily distinguished by leaf shape, involucral bracts, and details of corolla.
Ultrastructural immunocytochemical localization of neurophysin and vasopressin in the median eminence and posterior pituitary of the guinea pig.

With the use of tissue prepared by freeze-substitution and the unlabelled antibody enzyme technique, neurophysin and vasopressin were localized at the ultrastructural level in the posterior pituitary and median eminence of the guinea pig. In the posterior pituitary neurophysin was found in the large neurosecretory granules (1300–1500 A) of axons, Herring bodies, and nerve terminals. In some of these axons immunoreactive neurophysin was found outside of granules in the axoplasm. By light microscopy neurophysin was found in both the zona interna and zona externa of the median eminence; this was confirmed by electron microscopy. In the zona interna as in the posterior pituitary, neurophysin was localized both inside and outside the large neurosecretory granules. In the zona externa, immunoreactive deposit was primarily located in granules with a diameter of 900–1100 A in nerve terminals abutting on the primary portal plexus. The distribution of vasopressin paralleled that of neurophysin except that the hormone was rarely extragranular. These results demonstrate for the first time that both neurophysin and vasopressin are present in granules of axons that are in contact with the hypophysial portal vasculature.
Opioid inhibition of synaptic transmission in the guinea-pig myenteric plexus.

Intracellular recordings were made from neurones in the myenteric plexus of the guinea-pig ileum. Presynaptic nerves were excited by a focal stimulating electrode on an interganglionic strand. Fast excitatory postsynaptic potentials (e.p.s.ps) were depressed in amplitude by morphine and [Met5]enkephalin in the concentration range of 1 nM-1 microM. Nicotinic depolarizations evoked by exogenously applied acetylcholine (ACh) were not affected by these opioids. Hyperpolarization of the presynaptic fibres probably contributed to the depression of the fast e.p.s.p. because fast e.p.s.ps evoked by low stimulus voltages were more depressed than those evoked by high stimulus voltages and fast e.p.s.ps resulting from activation of a single presynaptic fibre were blocked in a non-graded manner. Opioids depressed the slow e.p.s.p. in those neurones in which they did not change the resting membrane potential. The slow e.p.s.p. was increased in amplitude in those neurones hyperpolarized by opioids. Depolarizations resulting from application of barium, substance P or ACh were also enhanced by opioids. Equivalent circuit models in which opioids increase, and substance P or ACh decrease, the same potassium conductance could account for this enhancement. The actions of opioids were prevented or reversed by naloxone (1 nM-1 microM). It is concluded that morphine and enkephalin inhibit the release of ACh and a non-cholinergic transmitter from fibres of the myenteric plexus, and that this may involve a hyperpolarization of presynaptic fibres. Additionally, opioids can interact postsynaptically with other substances which affect membrane potassium conductances.
Modulation of liver intracellular C3 in mice by 2,3,7,8‐tetrachlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxin

Earlier studies from this laboratory have shown that the complement system, especially the component C3, in female B6C3F1 mice is suppressed following TCDD exposure in vivo. However, the direct exposure of TCDD in vitro does not affect the C3‐producing capacity of two types of hepatoma cells, as well as mouse primary hepatocytes. To investigate the effect of TCDD on C3 production by the liver following in vivo exposure, liver intracellular C3 levels and pro‐C3, the precursor of the secreted C3, were examined in the present study. The results demonstrated that there was a dose‐dependent increase of liver intracellular C3 levels (from 138% to 175% of control) immediately following TCDD (from 10 to 40 μg/kg) exposure. This increase was rapid (4 h after exposure), but transient (less than 2 h), and was not accompanied by an alteration of serum C3 levels. Studies using sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS‐PACE) analysis showed that the increase in liver intracellular C3 levels resulte...
The Sylvester equation and approximate balanced reduction

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problem of iterative computation of approximately balanced reduced order systems. The resulting approach is completely automatic once an error tolerance is specified and also yields an error bound. This is to be contrasted with existing projection methods, namely Pade via Lanczos (PVL) and rational Krylov, which do not satisfy these properties. Our approach is based on the computation and approximation of the cross gramian of the system. The cross gramian is the solution of a Sylvester equation and therefore some effort is dedicated to the study of this equation leading to some new insights. Our method produces a low rank approximation to this gramian in factored form and thus directly provides a reduced order model and a reduced basis for the original system. It is well suited to large scale problems because there are no matrix factorizations of the large (sparse) system matrix. Only matrix–vector products are required.
Capacity for substrate utilization in oxidative metabolism by neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes from developing brain in primary culture

Neuron, astrocyte, and oligodendrocyte cultures which were established from developing rat brain were examined for their utilization of glucose, ketone bodies, and free fatty acids by oxidative processes. 14CO2 production was measured in these cells from [1-14C] or [6-14C]glucose; [1-14C]octanoate and [1-14C], [6-14C], or [16-14C]palmitate; and [3-14C]acetoacetate and D(-)-3-hydroxy[3-14C]butyrate. Pyruvate dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.4.1.) and 3-oxoacid-CoA transferase (EC 2.8.3.5) activities were found at high levels in each of the cell populations. Astrocytes and oligodendrocytes produced much more 14CO2 from [1-14C]glucose than from [6-14C]glucose, indicating substantial hexose monophosphate shunt activity. This process was not as active in neurons. All three cell populations readily utilized the ketone bodies for oxidative metabolism at rates 7-9 times greater than they utilized glucose. Only astrocytes were able to utilize fatty acids for 14CO2 production, and the rate of utilization was greater than that of the ketone bodies. We found that the metabolic patterns of these brain cells which were derived from the developing brain complement the nature of the diet of the suckling animal which is rich in fat and low in carbohydrate. They readily utilized the ketone bodies or fatty acids and spared glucose for processes that metabolites of fat cannot fulfill.
Endogenous Opioids Participate in the Regulation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Luteinizing Hormone Axis and Testosterone's Negative Feedback Control of Luteinizing Hormone

Two narcotic antagonists, naloxone and naltrexone, significantly elevated serum LH levels in male rats within minutes after their sc injection. The peak increase in serum LH occurred 20 min after the injection. Naloxone increased LH levels up to a dose of 1 mg/kg, after which no further increases were found. A dose of 0.35 mg/kg produced a half-maximal response. The exogenous opioid morphine blocked the increase in LH produced by naloxone in a dose-dependent fashion, suggesting that the specific receptor-blocking effects of the antagonist could account for its enhancement of serum LH levels. The locus of action of naloxone within the hypothalamic-pituitary-LH axis appeared to be at the level of the hypothalamus since the drug had no effect on LHRH-stimulated release of LH by the anterior pituitary and did not block dihydrotestosterone's suppression of pituitary LH release in vitro. Naloxone also prevented testosterone's negative feedback inhibition of serum LH in the castrated male rat. The results of the...
Single-shot measurement of temporal phase shifts by frequency-domain holography.

Frequency-domain holography is used to measure ultrafast phase shifts induced either by the nonlinear susceptibility ?(3) of fused silica or by ionization fronts in air over a temporal region of 1 ps with 70-fs resolution in a single shot. The use of an imaging spectrometer adds one-dimensional spatial resolution to the single-shot temporal measurements.
One- vs. two-electron oxidations of tetraarylethylenes in aprotic solvents

Abstract The oxidation of dimethylaminophenyl substituted ethylenes and tetra-p-anisyl ethylene at a platinum electrode in methylene chloride and acetonitrile solutions was investigated by cyclic and rotating disk electrode voltammetry, potential step chronocoulometry, controlled potential coulometry and e.s.r. spectroscopy. The results show that the oxidations occur by either two one-electron steps or by a single two-electron step depending upon the structure of the molecule. Factors influencing the reaction path are discussed.
Copper-catalyzed coupling of grignard reagents and akyl halides in tetrahydrofuran solutions

Abstract The stoichiometry and the kinetics of tho reaction between various Grignard reagents and alkyl halides with a copper catalyst have been examined in tetrahydrofuran solutions. The catalytically active species is an organocopper(I) complex produced by the rapid motathesis between copper(I) and -(II) halides and Grignard reagents. Primary alkyl bromides react with various Grignard reagents under these conditions to produce cross-coupled dimers exclusively. A mechanism is proposed in which coupling occurs between the alkyl halide and the alkylcopper(I) intermediate by displacement of the halide. On the other hand, only disproportionation products are produced from secondary and tertiary alkyl halides due to the unfavorable displacement process. The rate and the mechanism of the thermal decomposition of alkylcopper(I) species under the reaction conditions as well as sidereactions involved in the coupling reaction are described.
Characterization of a swine chromosome-specific centromeric higher-order repeat

The centromeric region of swine chromosomes is comprised of tandemly repeated, divergent DNA monomer units. Here we report that these divergent DNA monomer sequences are organized into higher-order repeats, analogous to the hierarchical organization of α-satellite monomers in human centromeres. In this study, a centromeric cosmid clone was shown to be comprised entirely of a 3.3-kb higher-order repeat, with independent copies of this higher-order repeat more than 99% identical to each other. This higher-order repeat is composed of ten divergent monomer units of approximately 340 bp. The ten monomers are on average 79% identical, and all ten monomers are arranged in the same 5′ to 3′ orientation. In FISH analysis, a cloned 3.3-kb higher-order repeat hybridized to the centromere of Chromosome (Chr) 9 in metaphase spreads and detected two discrete foci in interphase nuclei, demonstrating that this swine higher-order repeat is chromosome-specific. The Chr 9 centromeric array spanned approximately 2.2 Mb as determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Moreover, the swine Chr 9 centromere is highly polymorphic, because an EcoRI restriction site polymorphism was detected. Thus, the assembly of divergent satellite sequences into chromosome-specific higher-order repeats appears to be a common organizational feature of both the human and swine centromere and suggests that the evolutionary mechanism(s) that create and maintain higher-order repeats is conserved between their genomes.
Prompt neutrons from fission

Abstract An absolute measurement of ν , the average number of neutrons emitted per fission, has been made for the spontaneous fission of Cf252. This number is 3.771 ± 0.031 prompt neutrons per fission. Measurements of ν for the spontaneous fission of Pu240 and for neutron induced fission of U233, U235 and Pu239 have been made relative to the spontaneous fission ν of Cf252. Several incident neutron energies between zero and 14.5 MeV were used. A universal ν versus incident neutron energy curve for U233, U235 and P239 was constructed byadding a constant energy to the incident neutron energy for each nucleide. The constants for U233, U235 and Pu239 were 0.46 MeV, 0 MeV and 3.3 MeV, respectively. The data can be fitted with two straight lines of slopes 0.085 neutrons per MeV up to about 1.6 MeV and 0.16 neutrons per MeV above 1.6 MeV. At thermal energy the ν value is 2.412 prompt neutrons per fission.
The Shuttle Puzzle: A Lesson in Problem Solving.

SUCCESSFULLY SOLVING PROBLEMS requires higher level thinking skills. Knowledge, comprehension, analysis, application, synthesis and evaluation are key cognitive elements in this process (Bloom, et al., 1956; Dufresne, 1989). When teaching problem solving in an introductory Computer Science setting, we often turn to puzzles (e.g., Tower of Hanoi, 8-Queens, Knights Tour). Puzzles offer a rich set of challenging vehicles (Simon & Reed, 1976; Kotovsky & Simon, 1990; Agostini, 1986). This paper uses a less known puzzle, the Shuttle Puzzle, as a means to elucidate the process of analyzing a problem and synthesizing observations into an algorithm that, in turn, can be used to generate a programming solution. The step-by-step process used to solve the problem is reflective of the process an expert goes through when solving the problem. While not directly presented as such, the material discussed could be easily adapted to allow for small-group cooperative learning (Davidson, 1990).
A comparison of three models to explain shop‐bot use on the web

An ongoing requirement in the 21st century is that marketers must understand the impact of the network economy on buyer behavior. Although new models will certainly be developed, it seems reasonable that existing models of buyer behavior will still apply. This study uses structural-equations modeling to test if three popular models of behavioral intent—the theory of reasoned action, the theory of planned behavior, and the technology acceptance model—work in a network context. It recommends the technology-acceptance model as superior to the others in the current network context, and also shows how to check and account for the presence of common method bias in a single source instrument. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Biological Activity of Vitamin K Materials Following Storage and Pelleting

Abstract Water-soluble analogues of vitamin K were evaluated for their stability when subjected to storage and pelleting. One commercially available and two experimental sources of menadione sodium bisulfite (M.S.B.) were compared with three commercially available sources of menadione sodium bisulfite complex (M.S.B.S.). Menadione dimethylpyridinol sodium bisulfite (M.P.B.) (a new commercially available vitamin K source) was used as the standard. The stability of M.P.B. to heat, moisture and pressure must be attributed to a difference in basic molecular structure. Since the primary structural difference rests in the manner in which menadione is combined with the dimethylpyrimidinol moiety, this would seem to be a major contributing factor to stability. Under the conditions of these studies M.P.B. exhibited a significantly higher stability to the stress of pelleting. M.S.B. (vitamin K3 water soluble) sources of vitamin K activity appeared to be the least stable. Sources of M.S.B.C. were intermediate in these stability tests.
The epitaxy of Poly-L-alanine on L-quartz and a glass-ceramic

The effect of surface contamination on the morphology and orientation of poly-L-alanine on a glass-ceramic and the (1010) and (1011) crystal faces of L-quart is dealt with both microscopically and graphically. “Cleaning” with an r. f. plasma cleaner and contamination with pure nitrogen results in a change in the number of active sites with a corresponding change in the relative orientation of the polymer and the strength of bonding.
The Comparative Effects of Spinal and Peripheral Thrust Manipulation and Exercise on Pain Sensitivity and the Relation to Clinical Outcome: A Mechanistic Trial Using a Shoulder Pain Model

Study Design Single-blind randomized trial. Objectives To compare the effects of cervical and shoulder thrust manipulation (TM) and exercise on pain sensitivity, and to explore associations with clinical outcomes in patients with shoulder pain. Background Experimental studies indicate that spinal TM has an influence on central pain processes, supporting its application for treatment of extremity conditions. Direct comparison of spinal and peripheral TM on pain sensitivity has not been widely examined. Methods Seventy-eight participants with shoulder pain (36 female; mean ± SD age, 39.0 ± 14.5 years) were randomized to receive 3 treatments of cervical TM (n = 26), shoulder TM (n = 27), or shoulder exercise (n = 25) over 2 weeks. Twenty-five healthy participants (13 female; mean ± SD age, 35.2 ± 11.1 years) were assessed to compare pain sensitivity with that in clinical participants at baseline. Primary outcomes were changes in local (eg, shoulder) and remote (eg, tibialis anterior) pressure pain threshold ...
Novel technique for management of distal ureter and en block resection of bladder cuff during hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy.

Abstract Objectives To report our experience with a novel flexible cystoscopic approach to excise the en block bladder cuff and juxtavesical ureter during hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy. The optimal technique for excising the distal ureter and bladder cuff during nephroureterectomy continues to evolve. Methods Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephroureterectomy was performed in 6 patients. A hand-assist device and two 5 to 12-mm ports were placed in the mid and upper abdomen. Two 10-mm clips were placed on the proximal ureter to occlude it, and the kidney was resected in the usual fashion. An additional 5 to 12-mm port was placed in the midline between the umbilicus and symphysis pubis. The ureter was dissected down into the pelvis to the level of the bladder. Without repositioning the patient, a flexible cystoscope was inserted into the bladder and a 2-cm bladder cuff excised using a 5F electrode on cutting current, with coagulating current used as needed. The specimen was removed intact through the hand port. Results The mean time to resect the distal bladder cuff was 30 minutes (range 22 to 35). The mean estimated blood loss was 254 mL. The mean operating room time was 264 minutes, mean hospital stay 6.3 days, and mean time to a general diet 2.6 days. All patients underwent cystography at 7 to 10 days postoperatively, with no extravasation or diverticula. Cystoscopic and computed tomography follow-up demonstrated no evidence of recurrence. Conclusions This technique allows for complete resection of the kidney, distal ureter, and a cuff of bladder, avoiding repositioning.
Susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum and Inoculum Production Potential of Some Common Eastern Forest Understory Plant Species

Tooley, P. W., and Browning, M. 2009. Susceptibility to Phytophthora ramorum and inoculum production potential of some common Eastern forest understory plant species. Plant Dis. 93:249256. Twenty-five plant species (21 genera, 14 families), which comprise a portion of the understory in forests of the Eastern United States, were evaluated for susceptibility to infection by Phytophthora ramorum. The degree to which P. ramorum is able to form sporangia and chlamydospores was also assessed on these hosts. Seedlings were spray-inoculated with a mixture (4,000 sporangia/ml) of four P. ramorum isolates followed by incubation in a dew chamber at 20°C in darkness for 5 days. Percent infection on individual leaves/leaflets was assessed visually. Mean percent leaf area infected ranged from 0.7% for Smilax rotundifolia to 93.8% for Kalmia latifolia. Eight plant species tested developed significantly larger lesion areas than those found on susceptible control Rhododendron ‘Cunningham’s White’. Fourteen species in addition to the susceptible control exhibited infection of over 90% of their leaves. Sporangia production by P. ramorum varied considerably among plant species, ranging from 36 per cm 2 lesion area on Myrica pennsylvannica to 2,001 per cm2 lesion area on Robinia pseudoacacia. Numbers of chlamydospores produced per 6-mm-diameter leaf disk incubated in a P. ramorum sporangia suspension ranged from 25 on Ilex verticillata to 493 on Rhus typhina. The results indicate that many common understory species in Eastern U.S. forests are susceptible to P. ramorum and capable of providing ample sources of inoculum (sporangia and chlamydospores) for forest epidemics should the pathogen be introduced and should temperature and moisture conditions exist that are conducive to disease development.
Some evidence against the existence of the liquid-liquid transition. I. Transitions or dispersions: A quantitative explanation of one torsional braid log decrement peak

Some of the history of the proposed liquid-liquid transitions Tll and T′ll that have been reported to exist above the glass transition temperature Tg and the role played by the torsional braid analyzer are outlined. Confusion has been created by the failure to clearly distinguish such kinetic phenomena as viscoelastic and dielectric loss processes from thermodynamic transitions. It is shown quantitatively how the log decrement of an oscillating system can exhibit one more peak than is found in the loss tangent–temperature curve of a viscoelastic liquid.
Which Opioid Receptor Mechanism Modulates Feeding

There is substantial evidence for the role of endogenous opioid peptides in the regulation of appetite. This communication examines the possible opioid peptide mechanism(s) which are involved in appetite regulation. In the rat, activation of both the dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor and the beta-endorphin-epsilon opioid receptor appear to enhance feeding, most probably acting in different areas of the central nervous system. It also appears that rats may have a mu anorectic system. Too few studies have been undertaken to define whether the delta or sigma receptor systems are also involved in feeding responses. It is becoming apparent that a great deal of species diversity exists in the feeding responses to opiates, making it difficult to extrapolate the results obtained in rats to other species. In humans, studies with naloxone suggest an opioid sensitive feeding system which possibly is specifically involved in the regulation of carbohydrate uptake. In addition, we report here preliminary data suggesting the presence of a mu anorectic system in humans. Thus, analogous to the findings for the role of opioid receptors in analgesia, it appears that multiple opioid receptors may be involved in appetite regulation, each receptor relating to a different aspect of feeding.
Recognizing Trauma in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Educators

Certain at-risk behavior patterns are often associated with traumatic childhood experiences. With the role of schools evolving to shape children's developmental needs in today's world, educators across the globe bear an increasingly greater responsibility to identify and address these symptoms associated with childhood trauma. Given the differences in school infrastructure in various nations of the world, however, the services available to children through schools vary drastically. Nonetheless, the educators' position in respect to schooling and in shaping a society's future through education emphasizes their role as advocates for children experiencing trauma. In the article “Recognizing Trauma in the Classroom: A Practical Guide for Educators,” Hope Bell, Dodie Limberg, and Edward “Mike” Robinson III address childhood trauma in the context of schools in the United States. Despite cross-national differences in educational settings and frameworks, teachers around the world may wish to consider these strate...
The stability of mRNA influences the temporal order of the induction of genes encoding inflammatory molecules

The inflammatory response plays out over time in a reproducible and organized way after an initiating stimulus. Here we show that genes activated in cultured mouse fibroblasts in response to the cytokine tumor necrosis factor could be categorized into roughly three groups, each with different induction kinetics. Although differences in transcription were important in determining the grouping of these genes, differences in mRNA stability also exerted a strong influence on the temporal order of gene expression, in some cases overriding that of transcriptional control elements. Transcripts of mRNA expressed early had abundant AU-rich elements in their 3' untranslated regions, whereas those expressed later had fewer. Thus, mRNA stability and transcriptional control, two intrinsic characteristics of genes, control the kinetics of gene expression induced by proinflammatory cytokines.
Molecular-clinical correlations in children and adults with fragile X syndrome

• Introduction. —Fragile X syndrome is the most commonly known inherited form of mental retardation. The intellectual abilities range from a normal IQ with learning disabilities to severe mental retardation. In males, there is a tendency for IQ decline in childhood. The purpose of this study was to correlate variations of the molecular cytosine guanine guanine (CGG) amplification in the fragile X mental retardation-1 (FMR-1) gene with the clinical findings, including IQ and physical features. Methods. —Full-scale IQ and cytogenetic results in 116 individuals with the FMR-1 mutation were studied. The IQ testing was performed with age-appropriate standardized tests. Physical features were summarized in a physical index score for each patient. The FMR-1 results were determined with the OX1.9 probe and the following system was used: P1 indicates premutation; P2, large premutation to small full mutation; P3, full mutation; and P4, mosaic. Results/Conclusions. —The findings showed that those females with a small insert in the P1 range had a significantly higher IQ than other heterozygotes (P2, P3, and P4 categories). P4 males had a significantly higher IQ than P2 or P3 males. In cross-sectional age comparisons, the slope of the IQ decline was greater in P2 males than in P4 or P3 males. ( AJDC . 1993;147:723-726)
Information Retrieval Architecture for Heterogeneous Big Data on Situation Awareness

The paper proposes the model of the data integrations systems with which the buyer/user searches and aggregates organizational entity from multiple heterogeneous data sources in order to have a contract with the proper entity for the new project. The requirement for the systems is to retrieve and integrate heterogeneous data which is non- or semi-structured. And, the systems need to be alerted when the data is changed. The proposed model supports services to retrieve and integrate an entity(s) and it also alerts the update of the entities to the user. Besides, the systems store and compute Big Data using Hadoop platform.
Sleep abnormalities during abstinence in alcohol-dependent patients. Aetiology and management.

Virtually every type of sleep problem occurs in alcohol-dependent patients. Typically, these individuals take a longer time to fall asleep and show decreased sleep efficiency, shorter sleep duration and reduced amounts of slow wave sleep when compared with healthy controls. Their sleep patterns are fragmented, and the typical time course of electroencephalogram (EEG) delta wave activity is severely disrupted. The amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep may be reduced or increased. Sleep changes can persist during months or years of abstinence, and recent studies indicate that certain alterations in sleep architecture, as well as subjective sleep complaints, predict relapse to alcoholism. The mechanisms of action of short and long term alcohol administration on sleep are incompletely understood. They may arise from an interaction with γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT), adenosine or other neurotransmitter systems. While only a few pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies to improve or normalise disturbed sleep in individuals who have recovered from alcoholism have been studied, the use of benzodiazepines, other hypnosedatives or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors is not recommended. Therapies include sleep hygiene, bright light therapy, meditation, relaxation methods, and other nonpharmacological approaches. Further studies are needed to clarify the relationship between sleep, sleep abnormalities and alcoholism, and to establish new approaches to improve sleep in alcohol-dependent patients and to prevent withdrawal reactions that affect sleep during abstinence.
Neighborhood Disparities in Incident Hospitalized Myocardial Infarction in Four U.S. Communities: The ARIC Surveillance Study

Purpose Hospital-based surveillance of myocardial infarction (MI) in the United States (U.S.) typically includes age, gender, and race, but not socioeconomic status (SES). We examined the association between neighborhood median household income (nINC) and incident hospitalized MI in four U.S. communities (1993–2002). Methods Average annual indirect age-standardized MI rates were calculated using community-specific and community-wide nINC tertiles. Poisson generalized linear mixed models were used to calculate MI incidence rate ratios by tertile of census tract nINC (high nINC group referent). Results Within community, and among all race-gender groups, those living in low nINC neighborhoods had an increased risk of MI compared to those living in high nINC neighborhoods. This association was present when both community-specific and community-wide nINC cut points were used. Blacks and, to a lesser extent, women, were disproportionately represented in low nINC neighborhoods, resulting in a higher absolute burden of MI in blacks and women living in low compared with high nINC neighborhoods. Conclusions These findings suggest a need for the joint consideration of racial, gender, and social disparities in interventions aimed at preventing coronary heart disease.
Interactions of wild‐type and mutant AmpR of Citrobacter freundii with target DNA

The AmpR transcriptional activator for the chromosomal ampC beta-lactamase gene of Citrobacter freundii was found to interact with an operator sequence located in the 5' half of the 38 bp region protected by AmpR in DNase I footprinting experiments. AmpR binding was associated with significant DNA bending of target DNA. A glycine to glutamic acid alteration at position 102 in AmpR converts AmpR into a transcriptional activator even in the absence of beta-lactam inducer. AmpRG102E interacted with the operator binding sequence and induced DNA bending. A glycine to lysine alteration at residue 102 completely abolished the ability of AmpR to transcriptionally affect the ampC promoter, i.e. to repress in the absence of beta-lactam inducer and induce in the presence of beta-lactam. Nevertheless, AmpRG102K could repress the oppositely orientated ampR promoter. AmpRG102K could also specifically interact with the operator but the resulting complex migrated faster in gel retardation experiments and no significant DNA bending was observed.
Calculated vibrational properties of pigments in protein binding sites

FTIR difference spectroscopy is widely used to probe molecular bonding interactions of protein-bound electron transfer cofactors. The technique is particularly attractive because it provides information on both neutral and radical cofactor states. Such dual information is not easily obtainable using other techniques. Although FTIR difference spectroscopy has been used to study cofactors in biological protein complexes, in nearly all cases interpretation of the spectra has been purely qualitative. Virtually no computational work has been undertaken in an attempt to model the spectra. To address this problem we have developed the use of ONIOM (our own N-layered integrated molecular Orbital + Molecular mechanics package) (quantum mechanical:molecular mechanics) methods to calculate FTIR difference spectra associated with protein-bound cofactors. As a specific example showing the utility of the approach we have calculated isotope edited FTIR difference spectra associated with unlabeled and labeled ubiquinones in the QA binding site in Rhodobacter sphaeroides photosynthetic reaction centers. The calculated spectra are in remarkable agreement with experiment. Such agreement cannot be obtained by considering ubiquinone molecules in the gas phase or in solution. A calculation including the protein environment is required. The ONIOM calculated spectra agree well with experiment but indicate a very different interpretation of the experimental data compared to that proposed previously. In particular the calculations do not predict that one of the carbonyl groups of QA is very strongly hydrogen bonded. We show that a computational-based interpretation of FTIR difference spectra associated with protein-bound cofactors is now possible. This approach will be applicable to FTIR studies of many cofactor-containing proteins.