cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An ergonomic evaluation of a manual metal pouring operation

Abstract Manual material handling is one of the major causes of severe industrial injury. Foundries are an industry where manual material handling is performed routinely. This paper presents a study conducted using a simulated metal pouring operation commonly found in small foundries based on activities. Two laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate two objectives: (1) to study the effects of different mold heights and carrying distances on physiological responses, and (2) to determine maximum acceptable task frequencies (MAF) for metal pouring. Both objective and subjective measures were used in the study. The objective measures included oxygen uptake, heart rate, and blood pressure while subjective measures included ratings of perceived exertion. Ten healthy males served as participants for these experiments. Results indicated that carrying distance had a significant effect on both heart rate and oxygen consumption. Results also indicated that the participants selected a MAF which was as much as 25% lower than the expectations present at the foundry on which this experiment was modeled. Recommendations for reducing the risk on injury are also discussed in the paper. Relevance to industry Small and medium-sized foundries often have limited resources to deal with occupational safety and health issues. Hence, the results presented in this paper coupled with the engineering and administrative changes, could be used as guidelines for setting good work practices.
Three essential features of a workshop to improve resident teaching skills

Background: In recognition of the significant influence of resident teaching on student learning, a growing number of residency programs now offer residents training workshops in how to teach. Description: We reviewed the literature and determined 3 essential features of the resident teaching skills workshops that have been found to satisfy participants and lead to improved resident teaching performance. Evaluation: Successful workshops are time limited, they model the teaching skills under discussion, and they are integrated into a larger effort to improve resident teaching. Conclusions: We describe how these 3 features were implemented in a workshop we developed that is part of the Resident Teaching Skills Program for medical residents at the University of Virginia.
FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS AND TREATMENT OF PROBLEM BEHAVIOR OF ELDERLY ADULTS IN LONG-TERM CARE

Functional analyses were conducted for the problem behavior of 3 older adults in a long-term care setting. Two of the problem behaviors were maintained by attention, and a third was maintained by escape from demands. Function-based interventions were implemented that resulted in decreases in problem behavior in each case. Implications for the use of functional analysis and function-based interventions in the field of gerontology are discussed.
Thermal conductivity of oxygen in the critical region

The thermal conductivity of oxygen has been measured in a broad region around the critical point by means of Rayleigh light scattering. Measurements were made on two isochores and on the saturation boundary. The results are compared with current methods of predicting the anomalous thermal conductivity in the critical region.
Nicotinic Acid and Serum Metabolite Concentrations of Lactating Dairy Cows Fed Supplemental Niacin

Abstract The effect of supplemental niacin on production and metabolite changes associated with early lactation were measured. Differences of milk production between treatments were not apparent, but serum nicotinic acid concentrations remained higher for those cows fed niacin (12g/day). Changes of serum metabolites did occur when cows received a single oral dose of 12 or 120g niacin. Significant alterations of nicotinic acid, free fatty acids, ( β -hydroxybutyrate, blood urea nitrogen, serum glutamic-oxalacetic-transaminase, sodium, and chloride occurred within 24h after initiation of treatment. These metabolites returned to basal concentrations within 60h after administration.
The diagnostic criteria of myocarditis by endomyocardial biopsy.

The difficulties in diagnosing acute idiopathic myocarditis have been highlighted. Only about 30% of clinically suspected cases show morphologic evidence of an inflammatory infiltrate. Difficulties experienced in obtaining positive results include timing of the biosy in relation to the acute symptoms of the patient, sampling error, and quantitative criteria. In addition, pressure from the referring physician may influence the pathologic interpretation, i.e., in making a morphologic diagnosis on slender evidence. Caution is also necessary in the interpretation of end-stage disease of dilated cardiomyopathy and “chronic myocarditis.” This is important as it influences therapy with immunosuppressive agents. The importance of obtaining a detailed history of drugs to which the patient might have been exposed and can result in myocarditis is also stressed. Only if an accurate and unbiased pathologic evaluation can be made will a prospective, randomized multicenter trial yield useful information. The Dallas Myocarditis Panel has set forth useful criteria and guidelines in an attempt to classify the morphologic diagnosis of myocarditis. Semantic and diagnostic criteria for myocarditis can still be challenged, but the Dallas criteria for evaluation does allow an accurate assessment by all pathologists, in spite of individual variation.
Lower brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels associated with worsening fatigue in prostate cancer patients during repeated stress from radiation therapy

Objectives. Fatigue during cancer treatment is associated with depression. Neurotrophic factors play a major role in depression and stress and might provide insight into mechanisms of fatigue. This study investigated the association between plasma concentrations of three neurotrophic factors (BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; GDNF, glial-derived neurotrophic factor; and SNAPIN, soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion attachment receptor-associated protein) and initial fatigue intensification during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in euthymic non-metastatic prostate cancer men. Methods. Fatigue, as measured by the 13-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and plasma neurotrophic factors were collected at baseline (prior to EBRT) and mid-EBRT. Subjects were categorized into fatigue and no fatigue groups using a > 3-point change in FACT-F scores between the two time points. Multiple linear regressions analysed the associations between fatigue and neurotrophic factors. ...
Initial Mortality and Retention Associated with Using Passive Integrated Transponders in Black Crappies

Abstract We assessed initial retention and mortality associated with using passive integrated transponders (PITs) for marking black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus by conducting 48-h net-pen trials (N = 4 trials) in April–May 2007 and one 14-d trial in October 2007. Black crappies (N = 175; total length (TL) range = 175–328 mm; mean TL = 265 mm; SE = 2.1 mm) were captured from a Minnesota lake by boat electrofishing or angling. Before being placed in the net-pen, each fish received one of four treatments: (1) a 12-mm PIT, (2) a left pectoral fin clip, (3) a PIT and a fin clip, and (4) no fin clip or PIT (i.e., reference fish). We injected PITs posterior to the pelvic girdle using a 12-gauge hypodermic needle. Average water temperature during trials ranged from 10.5°C to 16°C. No fish died and no PITs were shed during the 48-h trials. All PITs were retained during the 14-d trial in October, but 5 of the 42 black crappies died between days 12 and 14. None of the dead fish belonged to the PIT-only treatment....
Analysis of chromatin-state plasticity identifies cell-type–specific regulators of H3K27me3 patterns

Chromatin states are highly cell-type–specific, but the underlying mechanisms for the establishment and maintenance of their genome-wide patterns remain poorly understood. Here we present a computational approach for investigation of chromatin-state plasticity. We applied this approach to investigate an ENCODE ChIP-seq dataset profiling the genome-wide distributions of the H3K27me3 mark in 19 human cell lines. We found that the high plasticity regions (HPRs) can be divided into two functionally and mechanistically distinct subsets, which correspond to CpG island (CGI) proximal or distal regions, respectively. Although the CGI proximal HPRs are typically associated with continuous variation across different cell-types, the distal HPRs are associated with binary-like variations. We developed a computational approach to predict putative cell-type–specific modulators of H3K27me3 patterns and validated the predictions by comparing with public ChIP-seq data. Furthermore, we applied this approach to investigate mechanisms for poised enhancer establishment in primary human erythroid precursors. Importantly, we predicted and experimentally validated that the principal hematopoietic regulator T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia-1 (TAL1) is involved in regulating H3K27me3 variations in collaboration with the transcription factor growth factor independent 1B (GFI1B), providing fresh insights into the context-specific role of TAL1 in erythropoiesis. Our approach is generally applicable to investigate the regulatory mechanisms of epigenetic pathways in establishing cellular identity.
Effect of Temperature and Prey Type on Nutrient Regeneration by an Antarctic Bacterivorous Protist

Experimental studies were carried out on an Antarctic isolate of the heterotrophic nanoflagellate Paraphysomonas imperforata to examine the efficiency of incorporation and remineralization of nitrogen and phosphorus from bacterial prey. Experiments were carried out over a temperature range from ambient Antarctic temperature (0 °C) to 10 °C. Temperature had a marked effect on the maximal growth rate of the phagotrophic nanoflagellate. Growth rate in the presence of high prey abundance ranged from 0.6 day−1 at 0 °C to 2.6 day−1 at 10 °C. In contrast, temperature had no discernable effect on the efficiencies of incorporation and remineralization of major nutrients by P. imperforata. The efficiencies of phosphorus and nitrogen incorporation from prey biomass averaged over the temperature range examined were 58 and 39%, respectively, for the two elements. Ammonium and phosphate were the dominant forms of dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus appearing in the culture medium during the grazing phase of the experiments. Overall, dissolved organic nitrogen and phosphorus constituted minor components of these elements released by the grazing activities of the protist. The results of this study indicated that incorporation/remineralization of nitrogen and phosphorus contained in prey was relatively unaffected by culture temperature in this heterotrophic nanoflagellate, although low temperature significantly depressed its growth rate. This finding has important implications for energy utilization and elemental cycling in perennially cold ecosystems and is at odds with conclusions that have been reached in some previous studies regarding the growth efficiency of phagotrophic Antarctic protists.
Abstract C110: Abstract B: Hedgehog pathway inhibition in young mice results in severe bone defects

Current treatment for the most common pediatric brain tumor, medulloblastoma (MB) compromises neurological and endocrine development, particularly in younger patients. Mutations in Patched (PTCH1), the receptor for Hedgehog (Hh) proteins, cause MB in approximately 30% of patients. Loss of PTCH1 leads to constitutive activation of Smoothened (SMO) and increased expression of downstream target genes such as GLI1. Previously, we investigated the use of the SMO inhibitor, HhAntag, in a mouse model of MB. Treatment of Ptch1 +/− p53 −/− mice with HhAntag completely eliminates spontaneous and transplanted tumors. However, treatment of young mice with HhAntag results in permanent defects in bone structure. Histological analyses of long bones from these mice showed a significant reduction in proliferating chondrocytes and an increase in the number of hypertrophic chondrocytes. In our current study, we have further characterized the bone toxicities caused by HhAntag treatment and are testing potential molecules that might lessen the severity of these toxicities. We treated P10‐old mice for 4 or 6 days and analyzed their limbs at 0, 2, or 4 days after HhAntag treatment. We found that the severity of bone defects increases with the length of time the mice are treated with HhAntag. MicroCT and MRI analysis showed that exposure to HhAntag for as little as 4 days caused premature growth plate fusion and an increase in bone mineral density. In an effort to protect proliferating chondrocytes from the toxicities caused by HhAntag, we have identified several candidate molecules that have been shown to alter developing bone. One candidate, Parathyroid Hormone‐Related Protein (PTHrP), is a downstream effector of the Hh pathway. Hh signaling activates the expression of PTHrP, which then signals to proliferating chondrocytes, preventing them from differentiating. Previous studies show that overexpression of PTHrP in developing bones delays chondrocyte hypertrophy. Therefore, exogenous PTHrP may offset the premature differentiation evident in HhAntag treated animals. We have identified a physiologically relevant dose of PTHrP that is sufficient to mediate a change in bone morphology. We are currently treating mice simultaneously with PTHrP and HhAntag, in an effort to reduce the HhAntag associated bone toxicities. Another candidate is the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. Bortezomib has been shown to alter Hh pathway activity and therefore may also reduce the toxicities associated with HhAntag treatment. We are currently establishing the proper dosing strategy appropriate for bortezomib treatment of young mice. We have shown that treatment of young mice with HhAntag leads to severe bone defects and are currently employing a multi‐drug approach to lessen the severity of these defects. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C110.
Total Reversal of Weight Loss from Adjustable Gastric Banding Surgery Associated with Excessive Intake of Energy Dense Liquid and Solid Foods: A Case Report

Summary We report excessive binging and total reversal of weight loss in a patient after adjustable gastric banding surgery (AGBS). A 42-year-old female who underwent AGBS 4 years earlier was randomized to a diet group in a study on exercise training. The patient was on therapy for pre-diabetes and depression. She weighed 115 kg pre-surgery, lost 27.3 kg post-surgery, and weighed 117.3 kg at the start of the study. Her energy intake, assessed by 3-day food record, was 14,096 kcal/d at the beginning of the study of which 3086 kcal/d was from liquid and 7273 kcal/d from solid energy dense foods. The patient reported that the liquid foods facilitated binging on solid foods despite gastric band adjustments. Following intensive dietary counseling for 5 weeks, her reported energy intake decreased to
The molecular adsorption of NO2 and the formation of N2O3 on Au(111)

Abstract The adsorption of NO 2 on Au(111) has been investigated using temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). At 100 K, NO 2 is adsorbed molecularly to form a Au(111) O,O'-nitrito surface chelate with C 2v symmetry. The saturation coverage of chemisorbed NO 2 is about 0.4 monolayers. The adsorption is reversible and NO 2 desorbs with first-order kinetics and an activation energy of 14 kcal/mol. When the chemisorbed state is saturated, an N 2 O 4 multilayer can be formed at 100 K with greater NO 2 exposures. Also, when the chemisorbed NO 2 surface chelate is exposed to NO at 100 K, N 2 O 3 is formed on the surface in an upright configuration. While it is not clear whether NO 2 chemisorbs on Au(111) as a radical, its reactivity towards gas-phase NO to produce adsorbed N 2 O 3 shows that it is capable of undergoing radical-radical types of reactions. The reaction can be reversed by warming to 175 K implying that the N-N bond energy is approximately 10 kcal/mol. NO and N 2 O do not adsorb on Au(111) at 95 K. in ultrahigh vacuum.
Update on Specifically Targeted Antiviral Therapy for Hepatitis C Infection: Progress and Pitfalls on the Road to Viral Eradication

The global prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection exceeds that of HIV but only has a 40% response rate to the currently available standard of care. In contrast to HIV infection, eradication of HCV is possible, with cure rather than viral suppression the goal of treatment. Specifically targeted antiviral therapy against hepatitis C (STAT-C) hopes to improve this low rate of response using small molecules designed to inhibit key viral processes. Protease and polymerase inhibitors are the most studied of the STAT-C small molecules with protease inhibitors being the closest to commercial availability. The most promising of these new approaches to therapy rely on a persistent need for pegylated interferon and ribavirin and may be limited by the development of viral resistance.
Backward stochastic partial differential equations related to utility maximization and hedging

We study the utility maximization problem, the problem of minimization of the hedging error and the corresponding dual problems using dynamic programming approach. We consider an incomplete financial market model, where the dynamics of asset prices are described by an ℝd-valued continuous semimartingale. Under some regularity assumptions, we derive the backward stochastic PDEs for the value functions related to these problems, and for the primal problem, we show that the strategy is optimal if and only if the corresponding wealth process satisfies a certain forward SDE. As examples we consider the mean-variance hedging problem and the cases of power, exponential, logarithmic utilities, and corresponding dual problems.
Standardized curcuminoid extract (Curcuma longa l.) decreases gene expression related to inflammation and interacts with associated microRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC)

The anti-inflammatory effects of curcuminoids have been extensively investigated. However, few studies investigate the mechanistic involvement of microRNAs (miRNAs) in their activity. The objective of this study was to examine the protective effects of standardized curcuminoid extract (SCE) in vascular inflammation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the potential involvement of miRNA-126 and miRNA-146a. Escherichia coli lipopolysacharides (LPS) were used to induce inflammation. LPS-challenge increased gene-expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) and downstream genes IL-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK-1) and tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF-6) up to 2.58-, 2.39-, and 3.73-fold, respectively, relative to DMSO-treated controls that were not challenged with LPS. LPS up-regulated TLR-4, IRAK-1, and TRAF-6 in SCE pretreated cells (5 mg L(-1)), only up to 0.69-, 1.28-, and 1.15-fold, respectively. miRNA-146a can be up-regulated by transcription nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and acts as a negative feedback loop regulator involving IRAK-1 and TRAF-6 downregulation. In this study, the down-regulation of NF-κB was accompanied by reduced miRNA-146a expression. LPS-challenge induced mRNA levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) up to 5.65- and 10.65-fold, respectively. SCE prevented this effect and increases of up to only 2.92- and 5.26-fold of DMSO-treated controls not challenged with LPS were observed. miRNA-126 regulates endothelial expression of VCAM-1, but was not inversely correlated to the expression of its target gene VCAM-1 upon SCE treatment; therefore, miRNA-126 does not appear to be involved in the down-regulation of VCAM-1. Overall, curcuminoids are confirmed to have anti-inflammatory properties in HUVEC; however, neither miRNA-146a nor miRNA-126 seem to be involved in the SCE-induced down-regulation of the NF-κB-target genes IRAK-1, TRAF-6, and VCAM-1.
VARIATION IN THE ANTIPREDATOR RESPONSES OF THREE SYMPATRIC PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS TO PREDATOR-DIET CUES

Organisms may reduce the risk of predation by responding to chemical cues from predators. Recent research shows that many species vary their antipredator response depending on the diet of the predator. We examined the responses of three plethodontid species of salamander (Plethodoncinereus,Eurycea bislineata, and Desmognathus ochrophaeus) to chemical cues from a shared snake predator (Thamnophis sirtalis). At the time of the study, Eurycea bislineata showed overlap in habitat with Plethodon cinereus and Desmognathus ochrophaeus, but Plethodon cinereus and Desmognathus ochrophaeus showed no overlap with one another. Each salamander species was presented with chemical cues from snakes fed Desmognathus ochrophaeus (TSDo), Eurycea bislineata (TSEb), and Plethodon cinereus (TSPc). Plethodon cinereus avoided both TSPc and TSEb, whereas Eurycea bislineata avoided only TSEb. Conversely, Desmognathus ochrophaeus did not avoid any cues from the predator, regardless of the diet of the snake. When we analyzed activity data, we discovered that Plethodon cinereus showed higher activity levels when exposed to TSPc than to the other cues. Individual Eurycea bislineata did not vary their activity to the three treatments. Lastly, Desmognathus ochrophaeus, which did not avoid any of the cues from the predator, were more active in response to TSDo and TSEb than to TSPc. These results show that phylogenetically related prey species may employ a variety of antipredator behaviors and suggest that discrimination of predator diet-cues may be linked to the degree of microhabitat overlap among the different prey species at the time of our study. Our study also highlights the importance of using multiple response variables when examining antipredator behavior.
Pharmacologic management of constipation in the critically ill patient.

Study Objective. To compare the effectiveness of common laxatives in producing a bowel movement in patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit (MICU). Design. Retrospective medical record review. Setting. MICU of an academic medical center. Patients. Ninety-five patients admitted to the MICU from July 1–October 31, 2004. Measurements and Main Results. Fifty patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Patient-specific data such as age, weight, sex, length of MICU stay, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, dietary intake, opioid intake, laxative intake, and bowel movements were recorded during the first 96 hours of admission. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare patients who did and did not have a bowel movement. Of the 50 patients, 25 did not have a bowel movement during the first 96 hours of MICU admission. Patients given a stimulant laxative (senna, bisacodyl) and/or an osmotic laxative (lactulose, milk of magnesia) were more likely to have a bowel movement (odds ratio [OR] 26.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.2–221, p=0.002). Opioid intake, expressed as logarithmic morphine equivalents, was negatively associated with occurrence of a bowel movement (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59–0.97, p=0.027). Disease severity, as determined by APACHE II score, was also negatively associated with a bowel movement (OR 0.84, 95% CI 0.7–0.99, p=0.04). Conclusion. Critically ill patients have a high frequency of constipation, and opioid therapy is a significant risk factor. Routine administration of stimulant or osmotic laxatives should be considered for this patient population.
RADIOGRAPHIC MEASUREMENT OF CARDIAC SIZE IN NORMAL FERRETS

Right lateral, left lateral and ventrodorsal radiographs were obtained in 20 normal ferrets (11 male). Three independent observers recorded measurements of the cardiac silhouette and results for each parameter were averaged. Long axis (length), short axis (width) and total of length plus width (L+W) were recorded in each view. Comparative measurements were calculated, including the ratio of L+W/length of thoracic vertebrae 5–8, and a modified vertebral heart score (VHS) method, measuring the heart in vertebral units. Measurements made in ventrodorsal views were usually larger than corresponding measurements in lateral views. Weight and most absolute measurements differed significanlty between male and female ferret (P < 0.05), but the differences in absolute measurements were not apparent when related to measures of body size (Ratio and modified VHS methods). Given the variability in body weight and size in ferrets, measurements of the cardiac silhouette normalized for body size may be more universally applicable than absolute measurements.
The Coulter Principle: Foundation of an Industry:

Introduced in the mid-1950s, the Coulter Principle became the foundation of an industry responding to the need for automated cell-counting instruments. The industry developed in three acts, as Wallace H. Coulter and his brother Joseph R. Coulter, Jr., developed the simple idea of passing cells through a sensing aperture. In Act I, Wallace’s desire to automate the routine erythrocyte count led to a simple idea, the definition of the Coulter Principle, its patenting, its acceptance by the National Institutes of Health, and its description at a national conference. In Act II, the Coulter brothers addressed the practicalities of a commercial instrument and of a business organization to support its manufacture and sale. In Act III, a broad research effort developed regarding volumetric errors originating in functional characteristics of the sensing aperture, and the brothers’ growing organization found solutions permitting introduction of increasingly automated hematology analyzers. Today the industry thrives, with several participants.
The global conformation of an active hammerhead RNA during the process of self-cleavage

Abstract The RNA “hammerhead” domain is a small element of secondary structure found in the genomes of certain plant pathogens. It possesses a core of conserved sequence at the conjunction of three helix stems, and is capable of undergoing self-cleavage in the presence of divalent cations. Both crystallographic and solution studies suggest that the domain is highly structured, with the three stems assuming a Y-shaped global conformation; however, such studies have employed either RNA analogues that were catalytically inactive, or conditions of temperature and pH for which rates of self-cleavage are slow. Thus, it was unknown whether such species represented the principal conformers during the cleavage process itself. In order to address this issue, a series of time- resolved, transient electric birefringence measurements was conducted in an effort to define the global conformation of an RNA hammerhead in real time throughout the process of self-cleavage. The current study demonstrates that the angular relationship between the two helices that flank the cleavage center is essentially unchanged between the pre-cleavage and post-cleavage forms. Moreover, despite the fact that at least one kinetic intermediate is formed during the self-cleavage reaction, there is no evidence for the existence of a significant population of intermediates with altered global conformation during cleavage. Thus, any conformational isomerism that may occur is likely to be relatively localized to the active center. Finally, it was observed that sequence elements lying outside of the conserved region, at the base of stem I, influence interhelix geometry. The current results are consistent with a structural model in which the active center possesses similar conformations pre-cleavage and post-cleavage. Such a model would help to explain the significant rate of reversal of the cleavage reaction (self-ligation).
Incorporating temperature into the constitutive equation for plastic deformation in asphalt binders

Abstract Predicting the permanent deformation in asphalt binders under service load is an important step towards selecting the most appropriate asphalt binder for a flexible pavement. A model to predict the permanent strain in asphalt binders as a function of load duration and stress level at a constant temperature was developed in previous studies. In this approach, total strain was predicted as the summation of permanent and recoverable strain. This paper investigates the effect of temperature as an additional factor in this model. Considering the Arrhenius equation as the governing physicochemical rate process equation of many materials, it was hypothesized that temperature can be considered as an independent correction factor for permanent strain. This was verified by conducting a full factorial design and obtaining the interaction between temperature and other main factors. The significance of the factors was also computed to determine which factors should be incorporated in the prediction model. Analysis of the creep test results at different temperatures showed that the total strain under step loading follows the time–temperature superposition. Therefore, the recoverable strain in asphalt binders under a step loading at any given temperature can be predicted using the time–temperature superposition and Arrhenius equation. The model for prediction of the asphalt binder response was extended to include temperature as an additional factor. The extended model was verified under different loading conditions. This model will help engineers to better understand the rheology of asphalt binder and choose an appropriate asphalt binder based on traffic and environmental conditions.
Activation of BK and SK channels by efferent synapses on outer hair cells in high-frequency regions of the rodent cochlea

Cholinergic neurons of the brainstem olivary complex project to and inhibit outer hair cells (OHCs), refining acoustic sensitivity of the mammalian cochlea. In all vertebrate hair cells studied to date, cholinergic inhibition results from the combined action of ionotropic acetylcholine receptors and associated calcium-activated potassium channels. Although inhibition was thought to involve exclusively small conductance (SK potassium channels), recent findings have shown that BK channels also contribute to inhibition in basal, high-frequency OHCs after the onset of hearing. Here we show that the waveform of randomly timed IPSCs (evoked by high extracellular potassium) in high-frequency OHCs is altered by blockade of either SK or BK channels, with BK channels supporting faster synaptic waveforms and SK channels supporting slower synaptic waveforms. Consistent with these findings, IPSCs recorded from high-frequency OHCs that express BK channels are briefer than IPSCs recorded from low-frequency (apical) OHCs that do not express BK channels and from immature high-frequency OHCs before the developmental onset of BK channel expression. Likewise, OHCs of BKα−/− mice lacking the pore-forming α-subunit of BK channels have longer IPSCs than do the OHCs of BKα+/+ littermates. Furthermore, serial reconstruction of electron micrographs showed that postsynaptic cisterns of BKα−/− OHCs were smaller than those of BKα+/+ OHCs, and immunofluorescent quantification showed that efferent presynaptic terminals of BKα−/− OHCs were smaller than those of BKα+/+ OHCs. Together, these findings indicate that BK channels contribute to postsynaptic function, and influence the structural maturation of efferent-OHC synapses.
Multicomponent ion-exchange chromatography for separating amino acid mixtures

Abstract A methodology is proposed for the design and optimization of column processes for separating multicomponent amino acid mixtures. Separation factors of the amino acids proline, lysine, and phenylalanine on a strong-acid cation exchanger in sodium citrate buffers have been obtained from batch equilibrium experiments. The observed separation factors relative to Na + depend strongly on the buffer pH. Our data indicate that the NH 3 + CHRCOOH form of an amino acid has an affinity about two orders of magnitude higher than the NH 3 + CHRCOO - form. When the pH approaches the p K a of the α-COOH group, the fractions of these two forms change significantly with a small change in the pH and result in a large change in the apparent separation factor. The apparent separation factors have been used in computer stimulations of column dynamics. The simulations were based on the Interference Theory first developed by Helfferich and Klein (1970). The simulations are used to optimize key design parameters, which are the buffer pH, column loading, and the choice of eluent. When the total amino acid composition in the feed is 10% or less, the buffer can maintain constant pH in the column, and the simulated effluent histories are in close agreement with the experimental results. For more concentrated feeds, however, small amounts of H + participate in the ion exchange and the buffer fails to maintain constant pH. The local pH fluctuations change the apparent affinities of the amino acids. The Interference Theory does not predict well the pH fluctuations in concentrated systems. If the pH histories are measured and the apparent separation factors of amino acids are adjusted for the pH changes, the predicted effluent histories of amino acids and eluent salt agree with the experimental results. To optimize overall throughput for bulk separations, one should choose the buffer pH such that the affinity of the most preferred solute approaches that of the eluent. When the affinity of one solute is much higher than those of the eluent and other solutes, one can multiple feed pulses to increase the throughput.
Pattern formation during animal development

At the beginning of this century, embryologists defined the central problems of developmental biology that remain today. These questions include how differentiated cells arise and form tissues and organs and how pattern is generated. In short, how does an egg give rise to an adult? In recent years, the application of molecular biology to embryological problems has led to significant advances and recast old problems in molecular and cellular terms. Although not necessarily comprehensive, this idiosyncratic review is intended to highlight selected findings and indicate where there are important gaps in our knowledge for those less than familiar with developmental biology.
Special Education Placement Decisions as a Function of Professional Role and Handicapping Condition.

The restrictiveness of special education placements was examined by profession (administrators, school psychologists, and special education teacters) and by type of handicapping condition (mental retardation [MR], emotional disturbance [ED], and learning disability [LD]). A total of 66 professionals (22 in each profession) assigned placement scores, using the Rucker-Gable Educational Placement Scale, on the basis of three psychological reports (one MR, ED, and LD case per professional). Results indicated that the average placement scores for the three cases combined did not differ significantly by profession. However, a significant interaction occurred, with administrators assigning the MR and ED cases to more restrictive placements than both the school psychologists and special educators, only to shift to a relatively less restrictive approach with the LD case. Implications of these findings are discussed, including a discussion of the multidisciplinary approach to clinical decision making.
Electroencephalogram in the septuagenarian: studies in a normal geriatric population.

Electroencephalograms (EEGs) of a cohort of 52 septuagenarians rigorously selected for neuropsychiatric “normalcy” were examined, with attention to alpha frequency and focal or diffuse slowing. Contrary to the widely accepted notion of diminution in these EEG signs in patients of this age group, the findings of this study revealed alpha frequencies approximating 10 Hz and no focal or diffuse slowing. These results are discussed in relation to clinical EEG interpretation as well as to the aging process.
A computer simulation of medical decision stategy performance

This study demonstrates a computer model which can be used to compare the effects of errors in probability and utility estimation on the performance of Bayesian and alternative medical decision strategies. The model task requires choosing one of three treatments for a patient with one of three diseases based on the patient's state with respect to five binary cues and estimates of the prior probabilities of disease, the conditional probabilities of the cues and the utilities of the treatments. A classic decision analytic strategy uses Bayes' formula to calculate posterior probabilities of disease and chooses treatments based on maximization of expected value. Alternative strategies use likelihood ratios to calculate disease scores for each patient state and choose the treatment with highest payoff for the disease with the highest score. Two strategies with different cutoffs for the ratios are compared with a random strategy and a classic decision analytic strategy. The simulation results show that the payoffs for all strategies except the random strategy decline with increasing estimation error. The decision analytic strategy has the highest mean payoff at all levels of error. The differences between this optical strategy and the alternatives, however, decrease as estimation error increases, and the frequency with which the strategies based on simple diagnostic scoring rules outperform the formal Bayesian strategy increases.
Clinical evaluation of protein C: A comparative review of antigenic and functional assays

Thromboembolic disease is a major complication of protein C (PC) deficiency, which is among the increasing number of recognized causes of hereditary thrombotic disease. The laboratory evaluation of PC is of the utmost importance in the accurate diagnosis of this deficiency. In this review, we describe the various types of clinical antigenic and activity assays of PC. The attributes of each type of assay are discussed, as well as the value of each assay in diagnosing the various acquired and hereditary deficiencies of PC. This basic review is intended for laboratories planning to institute PC assays.
Spiritual Activism: Grounding Ourselves in the Spirit

This final article highlights the twin perils of burnout and polarization that often occur during traditional approaches to social activism, and calls attention to an alternative approach that is emerging in the field—variously referred to as “engaged spirituality,” “sacred activism,” or “spiritual activism.” Seven key themes of this new paradigm for social change are presented: spiritual motivation for justice work, recognition of interdependence, the means matter, acceptance of not knowing, openness to suffering, outer change requires inner work, and commitment to spiritual practices. The article concludes by identifying ways the articles in this special edition reflect these seven themes and specifying possible areas for future research.
Confessions of a working group junkie

For years I have attended ITiCSE in exotic locales, only to be willingly sequestered in unremarkable rooms for days, trying to hammer out optimal wording for papers under strict time constraints. Why do I do this to myself? Is it the twinges of guilt I feel for attending ACM's ICPC (International Collegiate Programming Contest) all these years, where I get to relax while watching my teams struggle against the clock with blockbuster programming problems? My answer is a resounding NO!
Fear of failure: An exemplar for social development research in sport

Professionals in kinesiology and sport psychology have a wonderful opportunity to foster children's social development because of the importance of sport as an achievement domain for children. Fear of failure (FF) represents one achievement-related conshuct associated with a number of negative outcomes both in and out of the physical activity arena. The present article has three purposes. First, the literature on fear of failure over the past half century is reviewed; a multidimensional model of FF appraisals is recommended for future consideration. Second, research on the development of FF is reviewed with an emphasis on three interpersonal paths of influence: (a) family shucture and climate, (b) parental demands for independence and mastery, and (c) parent-child communications. Research findings are integrated with existing theory to synthesize an attachment-based interpretation of FE. Finally, specific directions for future science-practice efforts loward FF prevention and treatment are discussed.
Ascorbic Acid Fortification Reduces Anthocyanins in Extruded Blueberry‐Corn Cereals

: Corn meal was mixed with ascorbic acid (0%, 0.1%, and 1%, wt/wt) and sucrose (15%) or lowbush blueberry concentrate (17%), and twin-screw extruded to produce ready-to-eat breakfast cereals. Consumers evaluated selected samples using just-right scales. Extrusion decreased anthocyanins in blueberry cereals; ascorbic acid was retained better in cereals containing blueberry concentrate than in the sweetened corn cereals. Blueberry concentrate decreased expansion ratio and increased bulk density. Based on sensory scores, blueberry extrudates with 0.1% ascorbic acid could be acceptable if sweetness is increased.
Retroperitoneal teratoma. Review of the literature and presentation of an unusual case.

A review of the literature reveals that 29 cases have been published since the reviews of Arnheim* and Palumbo.* These cases substantiate the preponderance in early life and the similarity of symptoms, site of origin, and low rate of malignancy; however, the previously reported sex difference is not substantiated and a marked improvement in operative mortality is noted. The case presented is of interest because of the radiographic abnormalities which it demonstrates, which led to the preoperative diagnosis of teratoma.
Milk production and composition from cows fed high oil or conventional corn at two forage concentrations.

Abstract Twelve multiparous Holstein cows (63±24 d in milk) were used in a replicated 4×4 Latin square with 28-d periods to evaluate conventional and high oil corn grains when fed at two different forage-to-concentrate ratios. Dietary treatments consisted of conventional or high oil corn supplementing a diet with a 25:25:50 mixture of corn silage: alfalfa: concentrate mix, or a high forage diet with a 30:30:40 mixture of corn silage: alfalfa: concentrate mix. Dry matter intake (28.1, 28.7, 26.9, and 26.2kg/d for normal diets with conventional and high oil corn, and high forage diets with conventional and high oil corn, respectively) and milk yields (36.8, 37.2, 35.5, and 35.2, kg/d) were similar for conventional and high oil corn diets and were lower with the high forage diet, regardless of corn source. Milk fat concentrations were greater when cows were fed diets containing 60% forage (4.03 vs. 3.88%, for the 60 and 50% forages, respectively), but milk protein concentrations were not affected by forage content. Corn source did not affect milk fat or protein concentrations. Long-chain fatty acid concentrations, unsaturated fatty acid concentrations, and total 18:1 fatty acid concentrations were greater when cows were fed high oil corn but were unaffected by forage content of the diet. Concentrations of transvaccenic acid (0.58, 0.81, 0.62, and 0.69g/100g of fatty acids) and cis -9, trans -11 conjugated linoleic acid (0.28, 0.39, 0.32, and 0.33g/100g of fatty acids) were greater when cows were fed high oil compared with conventional corn when fed 50% forage but were similar for both corn sources at 60% forage. Total n-3 fatty acids were not affected by corn source or forage content. High forage diets decreased milk production and increased milk fat concentration. Feeding high oil corn increased concentrations of long-chain, unsaturated, transvaccenic, and conjugated linoleic fatty acids in milk; however, production of transvaccenic and conjugated linoleic acids were attenuated by high forage diet.
Interdisciplinary approaches for addressing marine contamination issues

Diverse chemical and biological processes in the oceans and atmosphere, the planet's most global domains, determine the fate and effects of marine contaminants and outbreaks of marine nuisance species. Understanding these problems requires the identification of environmental variables that influence ecological and human effects, the ability to predict spatial and temporal occurrences, and development of integrative interdisciplinary and mechanistic models for predicting their occurrences and severity. These endeavours require collaborative efforts of physical, chemical, biological and biomedical scientists working in interdisciplinary teams. There are numerous examples of interdisciplinary research conducted in marine systems on marine contaminants, including those contaminants released from the Earth's crust by human activities, those that are almost exclusively man-made in origin, and those that are biological contaminants often exacerbated by human activities. While interdisciplinary teams of researchers have greatly advanced the study of marine systems in some of these areas, there are still many barriers to interdisciplinary approaches in marine science, including disciplinary biases and institutional structures. A number of mechanisms are recommended that could support and enhance the ability of researchers to conduct interdisciplinary research in marine science, including the establishment of core facilities that can be used to support different teams of collaborating scientists, establishment of appropriate organizational structures, and promotion of seminars and symposia that emphasize interdisciplinary approaches.
The influence of spawn type and strain on yield, size and mushroom solids content of Agaricus bisporus produced on non-composted and spent mushroom compost

Two crops of Agaricus bisporus (J. Lange) Imbach were grown on mixtures of non-composted substrate (NCS)/spent mushroom compost (SMC) or pasteurized Phase II compost (control). NCS consisted of oak sawdust (28% oven dry wt), millet (29%), rye (8%), peat (8%), ground alfalfa (4%), ground soybean (4%), wheat bran (9%), and CaCO3 (10%). Substrates included 25/75 NCS/SMC, 50/50 NCS/SMC, and 75/25 NCS/SMC, NCS and Phase II compost. Spawn types and strains were evaluated for their effects on yield, biological efficiency (BE), size and mushroom solids content. Spawn types included millet, casing inoculum (CI), 50/50 CI/millet, or NCS while mushroom strains were of the brown or hybrid off-white variety (U1 type). Mushroom yields and BEs on substrate mixtures of NCS and SMC were comparable to non-supplemented Phase II compost. The highest yield (12.8 kg/m2) and BE (70.9%) were produced on a substrate mixture of 50/50 NCS/SMC and spawn type NCS. Mushroom solids content (7.1%) was highest from the brown strain produced on a 50/50 mixture of NCS/SMC.
Dihydroxypyrimidine-4-carboxamides as novel potent and selective HIV integrase inhibitors.

Human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) integrase, one of the three constitutive viral enzymes required for replication, is a rational target for chemotherapeutic intervention in the treatment of AIDS that has also recently been confirmed in the clinical setting. We report here on the design and synthesis of N-benzyl-5,6-dihydroxypyrimidine-4-carboxamides as a class of agents which exhibits potent inhibition of the HIV-integrase-catalyzed strand transfer process. In the current study, structural modifications on these molecules were made in order to examine effects on HIV-integrase inhibitory potencies. One of the most interesting compounds for this series is 2-[1-(dimethylamino)-1-methylethyl]-N-(4-fluorobenzyl)-5,6-dihydroxypyrimidine-4-carboxamide 38, with a CIC95 of 78 nM in the cell-based assay in the presence of serum proteins. The compound has favorable pharmacokinetic properties in preclinical species (rats, dogs, and monkeys) and shows no liabilities in several counterscreening assays, highli...