cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some behavioral effects of suppressing choline transport by cerebroventricular injection of hemicholinium-3.

Abstract Evidence supports the proposition that the high affinity Ch uptake system associated with cholinergic nerve terminals can be the rate limiting step in the synthesis of the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine. The present experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that variations of the system would be reflected selectively in changes of conditioned avoidance behavior. HC-3, which primarily affects the high affinity component of Ch transport thus reducing endogenous levels of ACh and the synthetic capacity of cholinergic nerve terminals, was administered cerebroventricularly at 5 doses ranging from 0.0 (saline control) to 10.0 μg. Whole brain ACh levels determined by GCMS analysis following microwave fixation ranged from 25.0 to 5.0 nmol/g −1 . Trend analysis demonstrate a precise dose dependent relation between neurochemical and behavioral variables: median trials to condition increased as ACh level decreased. More detailed analyses of the results lead to the interpretation that suppression of high affinity Ch transport in brain is associated with deficiencies in the use of information and not with sensory input and storage nor with motor output.
Clinical scale rapid expansion of lymphocytes for adoptive cell transfer therapy in the WAVE® bioreactor

To simplify clinical scale lymphocyte expansions, we investigated the use of the WAVE®, a closed system bioreactor that utilizes active perfusion to generate high cell numbers in minimal volumes. We have developed an optimized rapid expansion protocol for the WAVE bioreactor that produces clinically relevant numbers of cells for our adoptive cell transfer clinical protocols. TIL and genetically modified PBL were rapidly expanded to clinically relevant scales in both static bags and the WAVE bioreactor. Both bioreactors produced comparable numbers of cells; however the cultures generated in the WAVE bioreactor had a higher percentage of CD4+ cells and had a less activated phenotype. The WAVE bioreactor simplifies the process of rapidly expanding tumor reactive lymphocytes under GMP conditions, and provides an alternate approach to cell generation for ACT protocols.
Women Inventors in Context Disparities in Patenting across Academia and Industry

Explanations of productivity differences between men and women in science tend to focus on the academic sector and the individual level. This article examines how variation in organizational logic affects sex differences in scientists' commercial productivity, as measured by patenting. Using detailed data from a sample of academic and industrial life scientists working in the United States, the authors present multivariate regression models of scientific patenting. The data show that controlling for education- and career-history variables, women are less likely to patent than men. However, in biotechnology firms—industrial settings characterized by flatter, more flexible, network-based organizational structures— women scientists are more likely to become patent-holding inventors than in more hierarchically arranged organizational settings in industry or academia. The authors discuss how the organization of scientists'work settings may influence enduring disparities between men and women in science and the...
Science Exchange in an Era of Diminished Capacity: Recreation Management in the U.S.. Forest Service

Promotion of effective science exchange between government scientists and managers requires thoughtful arrangement and operation of research and management functions. The U.S. Forest Service was established at the peak of the Progressive Era, when science exchange was designed to occur between researchers and resource managers who worked in distinct arms of the agency, but shared similar goals of effective forest management. In this article, the authors explore the implications of diminished agency capacity for science exchange interactions between researchers and managers in recreation management. Managers and researchers identified their current interactions, their perceptions of ideal interactions, and barriers to achieving those ideals. Reductions in agency capacity for recreation management have resulted in the erosion of interactions between managers and researchers. However, effective science exchange does occur, but requires innovative and adaptive approaches.
Thermoelectric power of p-doped single-wall carbon nanotubes and the role of phonon drag

We measured thermoelectric power S of bulk single-wall carbon nanotube materials p doped with acids. In contrast to oxygen-exposed or degassed samples, S is very small at the lowest temperatures, increases superlinearly above a characteristic and sample-dependent T, and then levels off. We attribute this unusual behavior to 1D phonon drag, in which the depression of the Fermi energy cuts off electron-phonon scattering at temperatures below a characteristic T0. This idea is supported by a model calculation in which the low temperature behavior of phonon drag is specifically related to the one-dimensional character of the electronic spectrum.
Exploring identity in SLA: A dialogue about methodologies

A panel discussion presented at the Second Language Acquisition Graduate Student Symposium on 17 April 2010 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
CLIMATE CHANGE AND FORESTS OF THE FUTURE: MANAGING IN THE FACE OF UNCERTAINTY

We offer a conceptual framework for managing forested ecosystems under an assumption that future environments will be different from present but that we cannot be certain about the specifics of change. We encourage flexible approaches that promote reversible and incremental steps, and that favor ongoing learning and capacity to modify direction as situations change. We suggest that no single solution fits all future challenges, especially in the context of changing climates, and that the best strategy is to mix different approaches for different situations. Resources managers will be challenged to integrate adaptation strategies (actions that help ecosystems accommodate changes adaptively) and mitigation strategies (actions that enable ecosystems to reduce anthropogenic influences on global climate) into overall plans. Adaptive strategies include resistance options (forestall impacts and protect highly valued resources), resilience options (improve the capacity of ecosystems to return to desired conditions after disturbance), and response options (facilitate transition of ecosystems from current to new conditions). Mitigation strategies include options to sequester carbon and reduce overall greenhouse gas emissions. Priority-setting approaches (e.g., triage), appropriate for rapidly changing conditions and for situations where needs are greater than available capacity to respond, will become increasingly important in the future.
Habitat characteristics at bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lake

Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) primarily reproduce in spawning colonies. We assessed habitat characteristics at 15 bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lake. Nesting sites were visually identified and angling was used to verify the species of nesting fish. Habitat characteristics were measured at each nesting site and compared with those measured at 75 randomly selected sites. In Lake Cochrane, mean water depth of spawning colonies was 1.0 m. Of the 13 habitat characteristics measured, four (substrate type, substrate firmness, vegetation density and dissolved oxygen levels) were significantly different (P £ 0.05) between nesting and random sites. Every bluegill nest site contained gravel substrate, despite the availability of muck, sand and rock. Substrate firmness was indexed at 0-cm penetration and vegetation density was low at all nesting sites. Additionally, bluegills selected nesting locations with relatively moderate dissolved oxygen levels. Lake Cochrane bluegill nest sites consisted of shallow, gravel areas with short, low- density, live submergent Chara vegetation.
Osr1 acts downstream of and interacts synergistically with Six2 to maintain nephron progenitor cells during kidney organogenesis

Mammalian kidney organogenesis involves reciprocal epithelial-mesenchymal interactions that drive iterative cycles of nephron formation. Recent studies have demonstrated that the Six2 transcription factor acts cell autonomously to maintain nephron progenitor cells, whereas canonical Wnt signaling induces nephron differentiation. How Six2 maintains the nephron progenitor cells against Wnt-directed commitment is not well understood, however. We report here that Six2 is required to maintain expression of Osr1, a homolog of the Drosophila odd-skipped zinc-finger transcription factor, in the undifferentiated cap mesenchyme. Tissue-specific inactivation of Osr1 in the cap mesenchyme caused premature depletion of nephron progenitor cells and severe renal hypoplasia. We show that Osr1 and Six2 act synergistically to prevent premature differentiation of the cap mesenchyme. Furthermore, although both Six2 and Osr1 could form protein interaction complexes with TCF proteins, Osr1, but not Six2, enhances TCF interaction with the Groucho family transcriptional co-repressors. Moreover, we demonstrate that loss of Osr1 results in β-catenin/TCF-mediated ectopic activation of Wnt4 enhancer-driven reporter gene expression in the undifferentiated nephron progenitor cells in vivo. Together, these data indicate that Osr1 plays crucial roles in Six2-dependent maintenance of nephron progenitors during mammalian nephrogenesis by stabilizing TCF-Groucho transcriptional repressor complexes to antagonize Wnt-directed nephrogenic differentiation.
Factors affecting the vase life of fronds of maidenhair fern

Abstract Cut fronds of maidenhair fern ( Adiantum raddianum ), which last only 3 days in DI water, were used as a model system to study factors affecting the vase life of cut greens. Solutions containing 25 mg 1 −1 Ag + increased vase life 5-fold. Other biocides (8-hydroxyquinoline citrate, a quaternary ammonium compound, or 8-hydroxyquinoline citrate + NaOCl) had little effect on vase life, while inhibitors of ethylene (C 2 H 4 ) production (Co 2+ , aminooxyacetic acid) increased vase life. Wound C 2 H 4 production by the cut ends of the stipes declined during the first 2 h after cutting. The hypothesis that this C 2 H 4 is the cause of the brief vase life of maidenhair fern is discussed.
Image-guided radiotherapy using megavoltage cone-beam computed tomography for treatment of paraspinous tumors in the presence of orthopedic hardware

Purpose: This report describes a new image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) technique using megavoltage cone-beam computed tomography (MV-CBCT) to treat paraspinous tumors in the presence of orthopedic hardware. Methods and Materials: A patient with a resected paraspinous high-grade sarcoma was treated to 59.4 Gy with an IMRT plan. Daily MV-CBCT imaging was used to ensure accurate positioning. The displacement between MV-CBCT and planning CT images were determined daily and applied remotely to the treatment couch. The dose–volume histograms of the original and a hypothetical IMRT plan (shifted by the average daily setup errors) were compared to estimate the impact on dosimetry. Results: The mean setup corrections in the lateral, longitudinal, and vertical directions were 3.6 mm (95% CI, 2.6–4.6 mm), 4.1 mm (95% CI, 3.2–5.0 mm), and 1.0 mm (95% CI, 0.6–1.3 mm), respectively. Without corrected positioning, the dose to 0.1 cc of the spinal cord increased by 9.4 Gy, and the doses to 95% of clinical target volumes 1 and 2 were reduced by 4 Gy and 4.8 Gy, respectively. Conclusions: Megavoltage-CBCT provides a new alternative image-guided radiotherapy approach for treatment of paraspinous tumors in the presence of orthopedic hardware by providing 3D anatomic information in the treatment position, with clear imaging of metallic objects and without compromising soft-tissue information. © 2006 Elsevier Inc.
Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education: Lessons Learned from the GeroRich Projects

The Geriatric Enrichment in Social Work Education (GeroRich) initiative was a critical step in addressing the national shortage of social workers interested in gerontological practice. Sixty-seven social work programs participated in the 3-year GeroRich project designed to infuse gerontological content into the BSW and MSW curriculum. This study analyzed the lessons learned by participating institutions about the curriculum enrichment effort. Five themes emerged from the qualitative analysis of GeroRich final reports: (a) obtaining faculty buy-in and faculty development, (b) increasing student interest and engagement, (c) developing community partners, (d) developing interdisciplinary linkages, and (e) facilitating institutional commitment and sustainability. The findings from this study provide valuable information on the implementation of curricular enrichment efforts in gerontology that can benefit social work and other health care disciplines.
A transaction-level tool for predicting TCP performance and for network engineering

Traditional traffic engineering for communication networks assumes that the sources generate traffic with known statistics. Using simulation and/or analysis, one then studies the quality of service that the network offers to these traffic streams. However, most of the traffic in the Internet is TCP-based. TCP, the Transmission Control Protocol, regulates the delivery of packets to correct errors and avoid saturating the destination of the packets or routers inside the network. Accordingly, the traffic that a TCP source generates is not specified a priori. Instead, this traffic depends in an essential way on the QoS that the network provides. We propose a simple model and we use it to predict the QoS that a network provides to TCP connections. The tool can compute the probability that each connection gets at least some given throughput. Conversely, the tool can be used to design the network to ensure that every connection gets a given throughput with a specified probability. The tool incorporates uncertainties about the load on the network and about the model.
CNI Task Force Meeting: A Summary Report

Purpose – To provide an overview of the Coalition for Networked Information (CNI) Task Force Meeting, held in Portland, Oregon, December 2004.Design/methodology/approach – A descriptive review of the main points from the meeting.Findings – Participants were offered a rich and diverse set of presentations that advanced and reported on CNI’s programs, showcase projects and issues from Task Force member institutions, and highlighted key activities in the broader field of networked information.Originality/value – This paper is a useful summary of a conference of interest to library and information management professionals.
Zinc Deficiency Affects DNA Damage, Oxidative Stress, Antioxidant Defenses, and DNA Repair in Rats

Approximately 12% of Americans do not consume the Estimated Average Requirement for zinc and could be at risk for marginal zinc deficiency. Zinc is an essential component of numerous proteins involved in the defense against oxidative stress and DNA damage repair. Studies in vitro have shown that zinc depletion causes DNA damage. We hypothesized that zinc deficiency in vivo causes DNA damage through increases in oxidative stress and impairments in DNA repair. Sprague-Dawley rats were fed zinc-adequate (ZA; 30 mg Zn/kg) or severely zinc-deficient (ZD; <1 mg Zn/kg) diets or were pair-fed zinc-adequate diet to match the mean feed intake of ZD rats for 3 wk. After zinc depletion, rats were repleted with a ZA diet for 10 d. In addition, zinc-adequate (MZA 30 mg Zn/kg) or marginally zinc-deficient (MZD; 6 mg Zn/kg) diets were given to different groups of rats for 6 wk. Severe zinc depletion caused more DNA damage in peripheral blood cells than in the ZA group and this was normalized by zinc repletion. We also detected impairments in DNA repair, such as compromised p53 DNA binding and differential activation of the base excision repair proteins 8-oxoguanine glycosylase and poly ADP ribose polymerase. Importantly, MZD rats also had more DNA damage and higher plasma F(2)-isoprostane concentrations than MZA rats and had impairments in DNA repair functions. However, plasma antioxidant concentrations and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity were not affected by zinc depletion. These results suggest interactions among zinc deficiency, DNA integrity, oxidative stress, and DNA repair and suggested a role for zinc in maintaining DNA integrity.
Recent Change and the Periodization of American Family History

Periodization is a major element in historical interpretation. The remarkable changes in the American family since World War II are reviewed in conjunction with three principal frameworks—dichotomous, secular trend, and episodic schemes—for organizing the dimension of time in the historiography of the family. How these recent episodes relate to longer-run frameworks is explored. Metaphors or models of change in family history need to be used more consciously and explicitly.
Spectral methods for the calculation of risk measures for variable annuity guaranteed benefits

Spectral expansion techniques have been extensively exploited for the pricing of exotic options. In this paper, we present novel applications of spectral methods for the quantitative risk management of variable annuity guaranteed benefits such as guaranteed minimum maturity benefits and guaranteed minimum death benefits. The objective is to find efficient and accurate solution methods for the computation of risk measures, which is the key to determining risk-based capital according to regulatory requirements. Our example calculations show that two spectral methods used in this paper are highly efficient and numerically more stable than conventional known methods. Hence these approaches are more suitable for intensive calculations involving death benefits.
A general framework for large scale systems development

This paper presents a framework for the modeling, design, simulation and prototyping of large scale systems. It focuses on the specification language SHIFT and the simulation tools used by the framework. It presents the development of an automated highway system as an example.
Thirty-Day Morbidity After Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: Identification of Risk Factors and Emphasis on the Safety of Outpatient Procedures.

Background: Risk factors for complication after single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion remain poorly defined. The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and risk factors for complication from a large, prospectively collected database, with a separate emphasis on the safety of outpatient procedures. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program prospectively collects thirty-day morbidity and mortality data from more than 480 hospitals around the United States. We retrospectively queried this database to identify cases of single-level elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify risk factors for complication, and a propensity score model was used to create matched inpatient and outpatient cohorts. Results: Of 2914 cases identified, 597 (20.5%) received outpatient treatment and 2317 (79.5%) received inpatient treatment. The overall incidence of any systemic morbidity was 3.2%. There were five mortalities (0.2%), four in the inpatient cohort and one in the outpatient cohort. Patient age over sixty-five years, body mass index of >30 kg/m2, American Society of Anesthesiologists class of 3 or 4, current dialysis, current corticosteroid use, recent sepsis, and operative times longer than 120 minutes were each independent risk factors for complication in the multivariate analysis. After propensity score matching to control for comorbidities, there were no significant differences in complication rates between inpatients and outpatients, and outpatient treatment was not a risk factor for complication in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: Single-level elective anterior cervical discectomy and fusion had low complication rates, with no additional risk seen with outpatient as compared with inpatient procedures. It seems reasonable to consider inpatient admission for any patient with the risk factors identified here, particularly difficult airways. This information may be useful to surgeons performing informed consents for medical optimization and for selecting patients most appropriate for outpatient treatment. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
A Simulation Model Investigating the Impact of Tumor Volume Doubling Time and Mammographic Tumor Detectability on Screening Outcomes in Women Aged 40–49 Years

Background Compared with women aged 50–69 years, the lower sensitivity of mammographic screening in women aged 40–49 years is largely attributed to the lower mammographic tumor detectability and faster tumor growth in the younger women.
Ionizing radiation as a phytosanitary treatment against European corn borer (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) in ambient, low oxygen, and cold conditions.

ABSTRACT The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a quarantine pest for several fresh commodities, including corn-on-the-cob, bell peppers, and green beans. Methyl bromide fumigation is the usual phytosanitary treatment, but the fumigant is under increasing regulation as a stratospheric ozone-depleting substance. Ionizing radiation is a relatively new commercial alternative that is currently used in several countries. The present research explored radiation doses that would provide quarantine security for commodities at risk of being infested by O. nubilalis. Radiotolerance of late pupae (the most tolerant stage infesting commodities) as determined by hatch of F1 eggs was not affected by host (meridic diet versus ear corn) or temperature (1 versus 13°C) but was positively affected by low oxygen. Longevity was shorter for adults of irradiated than nonirradiated pupae. The minimum absorbed dose for phytosanitary irradiation against O. nubilalis could vary from 233 Gy...
Probability density update for a distributed system based on unnormalized local densities

A method for producing a normalized probability density for a global system state constructed from the unnormalized densities of the local models is given and proved. The local densities are required to be solutions to Kushner's equation, which is unsolvable in the general case. The formulation uses unnormalized local densities, which are solutions of the more tractable Zakai equation, and yet produces the same normalized density for the global system as the previous method. It is applicable to a much wider variety of problems for which the Zakai equation is solvable and Kushner's equation is not. >
Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Nucleocapsid Protein Nuclear Localization Mediates Early Viral mRNA Expression

An important aspect of the pathophysiology of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection is the ability of the virus to replicate in the host vigorously without a latent phase and to kill cells with a dynamic turnover of 1.8 x 10(9) cells/day and 10.3 x 10(9) virions/24 h. The transcription of HIV-1 RNA in acute infection occurs at two stages; the transcription of viral spliced mRNA occurs early, and the transcription of viral genomic RNA occurs later. The HIV-1 Tat protein is translated from the early spliced mRNA and is critical for HIV-1 genomic RNA expression. The cellular transcription factors are important for HIV-1 early spliced mRNA expression. In this study we show that virion nucleocapsid protein (NC) has a role in expression of HIV-1 early spliced mRNA. The HIV-1 NC migrates from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and accumulates in the nucleus at 18 h postinfection. Mutations on HIV-1 NC zinc fingers change the pattern of early viral spliced mRNA expression and result in a delayed expression of early viral mRNA in HIV-infected cells. This delayed HIV-1 early spliced mRNA expression occurs after proviral DNA has been integrated into the cellular genome, as shown by a quantitative integration assay. These results show that virion NC plays an important role in inducing HIV-1 early mRNA expression and contributes to the rapid viral replication that occurs during HIV-1 infection.
Fractal-based brain tumor detection in multimodal MRI

In this work, we investigate the effectiveness of fusing two novel texture features along with intensity in multimodal magnetic resonance (MR) images for pediatric brain tumor segmentation and classification. One of the two texture features involves our Piecewise-Triangular-Prism-Surface-Area (PTPSA) algorithm for fractal feature extraction. The other texture feature exploits our novel fractional Brownian motion (fBm) framework that combines both fractal and wavelet analyses for fractalwavelet feature extraction. We exploit three MR image modalities such as T1 (gadolinium-enhanced), T2 and FLuid-Attenuated Inversion-Recovery (FLAIR), respectively. The extracted features from these multimodality MR images are fused using Self-Organizing Map (SOM). For a total of 204 T1 contrast-enhanced, T2 and FLAIR MR images obtained from nine different pediatric patients, our successful tumor segmentation is 100%. Our experimental results suggest that the fusion of fractal, fractalwavelet and intensity features in multimodality MR images offers better tumor segmentation results when compared to that of just fractal and intensity features in single modality MR images. Next, we exploit a multi-layer feedforward neural network with automated Bayesian regularization to classify the tumor regions from non-tumor regions. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves are obtained to evaluate tumor classification performance. The ROC suggests that at a threshold value of 0.7, the True Positive Fraction (TPF) values range from 75% to 100% for different patients, with the average value of 90%.
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Cancer: Parallels Between Normal Development and Tumor Progression

From the earliest stages of embryonic development, cells of epithelial and mesenchymal origin contribute to the structure and function of developing organs. However, these phenotypes are not always permanent, and instead, under the appropriate conditions, epithelial and mesenchymal cells convert between these two phenotypes. These processes, termed Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), or the reverse Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transition (MET), are required for complex body patterning and morphogenesis. In addition, epithelial plasticity and the acquisition of invasive properties without the full commitment to a mesenchymal phenotype are critical in development, particularly during branching morphogenesis in the mammary gland. Recent work in cancer has identified an analogous plasticity of cellular phenotypes whereby epithelial cancer cells acquire mesenchymal features that permit escape from the primary tumor. Because local invasion is thought to be a necessary first step in metastatic dissemination, EMT and epithelial plasticity are hypothesized to contribute to tumor progression. Similarities between developmental and oncogenic EMT have led to the identification of common contributing pathways, suggesting that the reactivation of developmental pathways in breast and other cancers contributes to tumor progression. For example, developmental EMT regulators including Snail/Slug, Twist, Six1, and Cripto, along with developmental signaling pathways including TGF-β and Wnt/β-catenin, are misexpressed in breast cancer and correlate with poor clinical outcomes. This review focuses on the parallels between epithelial plasticity/EMT in the mammary gland and other organs during development, and on a selection of developmental EMT regulators that are misexpressed specifically during breast cancer.
A graph theoretic approach to optimal target tracking for mobile robot teams

In this paper, we present an optimization framework for target tracking with mobile robot teams. The target tracking problem is modeled as a generic semidefinite program (SDP). When paired with an appropriate objective function, the solution to the resulting problem instance yields an optimal robot configuration for target tracking at each time-step, while guaranteeing target coverage (each target is tracked by at least one robot) and maintaining network connectivity. Our methodology is based on the graph theoretic result where the second smallest eigenvalue of the interconnection graph Laplacian matrix is a measure for the connectivity of the graph. This formulation enables us to model agent-target coverage and inter-agent communication constraints as linear-matrix inequalities. We also show that when the communication constraints can be relaxed, the resulting problem can be reposed as a second-order cone program (SOCP) which can be solved significantly more efficiently than its SDP counterpart. Simulation results for a team of robots tracking multiple targets are presented.
Prediction of upper limb muscle activity from motor cortical discharge during reaching

Movement representation by the motor cortex (M1) has been a theoretical interest for many years, but in the past several years it has become a more practical question, with the advent of the brain–machine interface. An increasing number of groups have demonstrated the ability to predict a variety of kinematic signals on the basis of M1 recordings and to use these predictions to control the movement of a cursor or robotic limb. We, on the other hand, have undertaken the prediction of myoelectric (EMG) signals recorded from various muscles of the arm and hand during button pressing and prehension movements. We have shown that these signals can be predicted with accuracy that is similar to that of kinematic signals, despite their stochastic nature and greater bandwidth. The predictions were made using a subset of 12 or 16 neural signals selected in the order of each signal's unique, output-related information content. The accuracy of the resultant predictions remained stable through a typical experimental session. Accuracy remained above 80% of its initial level for most muscles even across periods as long as two weeks. We are exploring the use of these predictions as control signals for neuromuscular electrical stimulation in quadriplegic patients.
Efficacy of wax matrix bait stations for Mediterranean fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae).

Tests were conducted that evaluated efficacy of wax matrix bait stations for Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) adults in Guatemala. Bait stations were exposed to outdoor conditions to determine effect of weathering on longevity as indicated by bait station age. Results of laboratory tests found that bait stations with spinosad and ammonium acetate remained effective for at least 31 d compared with pesticide-free controls, although there was some loss of efficacy over time. Percentage mortality for bait station strips with 2% spinosad and 1% ammonium acetate decreased from 100 ± 0.0% on day 0 to 70 ± 7.1% after 31 d. Ammonia concentration had little effect on percentage mortality although there was some indication that ammonia concentration affected number of flies observed on the bait stations. Bait station strips (one per cage) were more effective than controls for 6–8 wk when tests were conducted in field cages (3 m diameter × 2 m), but only 2–3 wk when tests were conducted in large (2.5 m high and 6.0 m wide and 7.5 m long) field cages. Longevity was restored when multiple bait stations (3, 6, or 12) were deployed per cage. Bait stations containing methomyl were used for field tests of efficacy for wild flies. Dipped lure bait stations, which were made by coating two edges of commercial ammonium acetate and trimethylamine lures, killed six times more flies than corn cob bait stations dipped into a Nulure/malathion solution. They also killed more flies than pesticide-free controls for 8 wk.
Petrological significance of prograde homogenization of growth zoning in garnet: an example from the Llano Uplift

In the Llano Uplift of central Texas (USA), prograde homogenization of garnet growth zoning took place during moderate-to high-pressure dynamothermal metamorphism over a narrow temperature range near the transition from the amphibolite to the granulite facies. This subtle record of early dynamothermal metamorphism survived subsequent static metamorphism at low pressures in the middle-amphibolite facies, despite the destruction of most high-pressure mineral assemblages that originated in the early metamorphic episode. Geographically systematic variations in the degree of homogenization indicate that the uplift as a whole underwent high-pressure metamorphism, in accord with emerging tectonic models for the mid-Proterozoic evolution of the southern margin of the North American continent.
Project procurement and disposal decisions: An inventory management model

Abstract In this paper, we develop a two-stage mathematical model to examine an important inventory management problem within a large-scale project context. Specifically, we analyze the procurement and disposal of an important, expensive item (e.g. pipeline). There is uncertainty surrounding total requirements of this item during a project. Surplus stock on-hand at the conclusion of the project may be disposed for revenue. However, it may be retained to satisfy requirements during a subsequent project. The time between projects follows a discrete probability distribution. The key decision variables involve the procurement quantity in the initial project as well as the best disposal quantity (should a surplus exist) at the conclusion of the project.
Specification of temporal identity in the developing nervous system.

▪ Abstract The nervous system of higher organisms exhibits extraordinary cellular diversity owing to complex spatial and temporal patterning mechanisms. The role of spatial patterning in generating neuronal diversity is well known; here we discuss how neural progenitors change over time to contribute to cell diversity within the central nervous system (CNS). We focus on five model systems: the vertebrate retina, cortex, hindbrain, spinal cord, and Drosophila neuroblasts. For each, we address the following questions: Do multipotent progenitors generate different neuronal cell types in an invariant order? Do changes in progenitor-intrinsic factors or progenitor-extrinsic signals regulate temporal identity (i.e., the sequence of neuronal cell types produced)? What is the mechanism that regulates temporal identity transitions; i.e., what triggers the switch from one temporal identity to the next? By applying the same criteria to analyze each model system, we try to highlight common themes, point out unique at...
DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATION OF A SUPERSONIC NONEQUILIBRIUM MHD CHANNEL 1

The results of the present work demonstrate the Lorentz force effect on the supersonic boundary layer in M=3 flow of nitrogen ionized by a high-power transverse RF discharge (up to 1 kW) in the presence of a B=1.5 T magnetic field. Boundary layer density fluctuation spectra are measured using the Laser Differential Interferometry (LDI) diagnostics. In particular, decelerating Lorentz force applied to the flow produces a well reproduced increase of the density fluctuation intensity by up to 10-20% (1-2 dB), compared to the accelerating force of the same magnitude applied to the same flow. The effect is detected for two possible combinations of the magnetic field and current directions producing the same Lorentz force direction (both for accelerating and decelerating force). The effect is observed to increase with the flow conductivity. On the other hand, the effect of Joule heating on the fluctuation spectra appears insignificant. Experiments using transverse repetitively pulsed, short pulse duration, high voltage discharge sustained in M=4 flows of nitrogen and air at magnetic fields of up to B=1.75 T showed that it produces stable, diffuse, and uniform plasmas. The peak voltage and current in the pulsed discharge are 10-15 kV and 150-300 A, with the voltage pulse duration (FWHM) of approximately 20 ns. Magnetic field was found to considerably improve the load impedance matching of the pulse discharge, increasing the pulse power coupled to the flow from about 8 mJ at B=0 to 56 mJ at B=1.5 Tesla. Operation of a crossed discharge (pulser + DC sustainer) in supersonic flows of air and nitrogen at the pulse repetition rate of 40 kHz demonstrated that such discharge produces a stable plasma, with the lifetime of the order of the time between the high voltage pulses (both in nitrogen and dry air). The time-average DC current achieved in such discharges is up to at least 0.8 A in nitrogen (conductivity of σ=0.18 mho/m) and up to 0.4 A in air (σ=0.09 mho/m). These results demonstrate feasibility of the use of the repetitively pulsed discharge as an efficient and stable ionization source producing uniform high electrical conductivity in supersonic nonequilibrium MHD flows. 1
Foreign Aid and Soviet Postwar Recovery

This paper examines the economic consequences to the Soviet Union of not participating in proposed aid programs in the immediate postwar period. The cost of World War II to the Soviet Union is compared with the value of economic aid received in the postwar period and with aid potentially available. The traditional storyâ€”which suggests that had the USSR received some combination of the proposed aid prgorams, in lieu of reparations, the postwar impact would have been significantly reducedâ€”is rejected.
Solitary is not Asocial: Effects of Social Contact in Kangaroo Rats (Heteromyidae: Dipodomys heermanni)

Social interactions in solitary animals, such as Heermann’s kangaroo rat (Dipodomys heermanni), have been little studied. In three experiments, the effect of social housing on levels of aggression and maintenance of estrous cycling was studied as part of a captive breeding program for an endangered form of this species. Expt 1 demonstrated that mixed-sex pairs of rats that were neighbors in social housing were no friendlier during staged encounters than unfamiliar pairs also housed socially. In expt 2, rats that had been isolated for several months were transferred to social housing and paired at weekly intervals with an opposite-sex neighbor. Initial encounters were highly aggressive and socialized partners retreated from previously isolated rats more often than vice versa, regardless of sex. By the third week, encounters resembled pairings of fully socialized rats, as in expt 1. Thus, social exposure may produce a general socializing effect rather than promote familiarity between specific individuals. In expt 3, the clear, perforated barriers that separated rats in social housing were replaced with solid, opaque barriers for 6 wk. Estrous cycle length immediately doubled and cycles of most females were disrupted for months. Taken together, the results reveal the influential role of social contact in this solitary species and highlight the need for more such work both for developing comprehensive theories of sociality and for guiding captive propagation efforts.
Parry-Romberg syndrome: an unusual case of lagophthalmus and exposure keratopathy

Abstract Parry-Romberg syndrome (PRS) is a poorly understood degenerative disease characterized by atrophy affecting one side of the face. In this report, we describe a patient with PRS associated with exposure keratopathy and corneal ulceration as a result of lagophthalmos. The clinical findings and staged composite reconstruction are described.
Classroom Conversations About Race, Poverty and Social Status in the Aftermath of Katrina

This article addresses dialogue regarding issues of race, poverty and social inequalities in the wake of the New Orleans hurricane Katrina. Conversations were conducted in law school classrooms at Howard Law School and Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law regarding the intersection of law and race, class, and poverty. The objective was not to have an abstract dialogue, but to help students develop a personal understanding of each student’s connection or lack of connection to the issues of race, class and poverty and their own choices about becoming a lawyer as it might relate to those issues. The goal was to create pathways for each student to engage in deeper discussion throughout his or her legal training and practice of law, as well as to contribute to a more tolerant and sensitive school environment.
New series: Clinical decision-making at the crossroads

A new series, illuminating how physicians, faced with multiple good choices and issues of cost-effectiveness, make everyday diagnostic and treatment decisions.
Pelvic retroperitoneal mass in a 36-year-old man.

The mass identified by CT extended into the pelvis and displaced the bladder, rectosigmoid colon, and rectum. Hydronephrosis with marked parenchymal loss of the left kidney indicated chronic obstruction of the left distal ureter.
Determination of Trace Heavy Metal lead(Pb) in the Infusion sets for Single use by Graphite Furnace Atomizer

Objective to establish a method for the determination of trace heavy metal lead (Pb)in Infusion sets for single use. Method A graphite furnace atomizer were used to determine trace heavy metal lead (Pb)in Infusion sets for single use. Result The recovery of lead (Pb)were 96.36 % , RSD were 1.30% . Conclusion This method is simple , convenient and accurate.
Application of information management system on surveillance and assessment of occupational hazards at workplace

A database system for the management of the occupational hazards surveillance and assessment information was developed by the application of information network technology.Through this system,the report,transfer,organization,checking,print of report and statistical analysis of occupational hazards at workplace surveillance and assessment data were realized.The establishment of the information template decreased the difficulty of investigation on occupational health,made it convenient to the edit of testing scheme and report,unified the report format of the test and evaluation of occupational hazards at workplace,testing and report of occupational hazards were generated automatically in the meanwhile,which greatly improved the quality of occupational hazards test and evaluation.This database system had the features including simple operation,powerful function and perfect management.Which realized the rationalization,standardization and informationization for the management of the occupational hazard at workplace surveillance and assessment information,labor intensity would be decreased and working efficiency would be improved.It can meet the need for the occupational health check institution especially in primary level.
Pertussis infection in adults.

Background Pertussis is a potentially serious vaccine-preventable disease. Many clinicians are unaware that pertussis is common in adults, and that adults are a major reservoir of the disease in the United States. Methods A MEDLINE search was conducted of all English-language articles pertinent to pertussis infections in adults. Results of relevant articles were compiled into a narrative review. Results Studies have shown that sporadic cases of pertussis in adults are common in a variety of clinical settings. Patients typically present with a prolonged cough illness preceded by upper respiratory symptoms. Widespread outbreaks of pertussis occasionally occur in high schools, college campuses, and healthcare settings. The diagnosis and treatment of adults with pertussis are reviewed. Conclusions Pertussis infection, because of waning immunity, is common in adults. Routine booster immunization of adults with the newer acellular vaccine may lead to the elimination of the disease in both children and adults.
Red cell agins. I. Surface charge density and sialic acid content of density-fractionated human erythrocytes

It has been suggested that decreases in red cell surface-charge density accompany aging in vivo and reflect alterations in the cell surface which play a critical role in the recognition and elimination of effete erythrocytes by macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system. The bases for this suggestion are reports that the surface-charge density progressively decreases for red cell subpopulations sampled from regions of increasing density within the whole population where the least dense fractions are enriched in young erythrocytes and the most dense in old erythrocytes. We have attempted to reproduce these results and have examined the relationship between cell surface sialic acid and cell surface-charge density for the extreme density fractions of fresh human red cells. Contrary to the earlier reports, we observed no differences in net surface-charge density for the extreme 5% fractions based on the electrophoretic behavior of the cells. However, slightly lower levels of sialic acid were consistently observed in the densest red cell subpopulations. These observations and other cited evidence are consistent with the view that during its life span in vivo, portions of the red cell membrane are lost as the result of innumerable cell-cell and cell-vessel wall contacts during the passage of the cells through the circulatory system. Such losses would account for decreases in the level of membrane constituents per cell, such as sialic acid, but would not require that the concentration of those constituents be altered in the remaining membrane. Thus such features as surface-charge density could remain unchanged even though the total sialic acid content per cell was reduced.
GCAP1, Rab6, and HSP27: Novel Autoantibody Targets in Cancer-Associated Retinopathy and Autoimmune Retinopathy.

Purpose Autoantibodies (AAbs) with different retinal specificities were reported in cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) and autoimmune retinopathy (AR). The goal was to identify the small retinal proteins of apparent molecular mass of 23-kDa often recognized by patients' AAbs. Methods Sera specific for a 23-kDa retinal protein of 173 patients were investigated retrospectively by Western blotting and double immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. A proteomic analysis revealed new 23-kDa protein candidates, including guanylyl cyclase-activating proteins (GCAPs), heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), and Rab6A GTPase (Rab6A). Results Among the cohort of 173 patients, only 68 had anti-recoverin AAbs and the remaining 105 reacted with 4 unique proteins, which were identified as a Rab6A, HSP27, GCAP1, and GCAP2. Confocal images from a double labeling study confirmed the reactivity of AAbs with different types of cells in human retina, consistent with the target protein's respective cellular functions. Patients (62/173) had been diagnosed with various kinds of cancer, including 20% of patients who had anti-recoverin, 11% anti-Rab6A, and 5% anti-HSP27 AAbs. Only 50% of recoverin-seropositive patients had cancer and the individuals with anti-recoverin AAbs had a significantly higher likelihood to be diagnosed with cancer than patients with other anti-23-kDa AAbs. Conclusions The newly discovered retinal autoantigens may be involved in pathogenicity of CAR and AR. The recognition of AAbs against various retinal proteins associated with autoimmune retinal degeneration broadens the group of proteins related with these entities. Translational relevance Patients with anti-recoverin, anti-GCAP1, anti-Rab6A, and anti-HSP27 AAbs represented diverse clinical phenotypes, so the presence of disease-associated AAbs provides important information for molecular diagnosis.