cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Raman dye-labeled nanoparticle probes for proteins.

In this paper, we demonstrate how one can chemically design Raman dye-functionalized nanoparticle probes with specific protein-binding affinities and use these probes, coupled with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, to perform multiplexed screening of protein−small molecule interactions and protein−protein interactions in a protein microarray format.
Dispositional development as a form of continuous professional development: centre-based reflective practices with teachers of (very) young children

The nature of professional development in early childhood education has recently been reconceptualised, with accompanying changes in policy and practice. This paper draws from teacher education literature to define the components of continuing professional development practices in the context of early childhood education practice. By relating these components to one another, the authors describe a central concept for the growth of early childhood educators: dispositional development, the process by which teachers develop professional dispositions that are intertwined with their daily practices. Analysis, reflection and documentation of teacher work within the sociocultural context of children and families they work with shape these dispositions. The paper provides two detailed examples of the dispositional development practices the authors participated in as early childhood faculty within a university-centre partnership in the Midwestern US. The authors envisage that dispositional development responds to ...
Solitude and Prayer in the Late Lives of Elder Catholic Women Religious: Activity, Withdrawal, or Transcendence?

ABSTRACT Data from life review interviews with elder Catholic women religious show that through prayer they are able to experience solitude and to feel connected with others. Their experience is not completely explained by either the disengagement theory nor by the newer theory of gerotranscendence. Because prayer connects them to others, they do not experience complete social withdrawal; rather, prayer functions as a modified social activity connecting them to their past, to God, to the community in which they live, as well as to the wider world. They also do not develop a new transcendent meta-perspective, but deepen into cherished life beliefs and practices, accepting and becoming more fully who they are as individuals and as older women.
Economic assessment of irrigated and nonirrigated soybean cropping rotations on a clay soil

Abstract Experiments were conducted in Keiser, Arkansas on a Sharkey silty clay soil for three years to examine soybean, wheat, and grain sorghum rotations. Treatments also included selected variation of conventional versus no till and alternative wheat residue management. Both irrigated and nonirrigated strategies were investigated. Agronomic results show that irrigated soybean yields average about 1,344 kg ha‐1 (20 bu A‐1) higher than comparably treated nonirrigated soybean treatments. Economic analysis using enterprise budgets reveals three top rotations regardless of irrigation: continuous monocropped soybean, wheat fallow followed by monocropped soybean, and wheat‐soybean double‐cropped with burned wheat stubble. Statistical analysis demonstrates the profitability of irrigation and the dependence of the most economical crop rotation upon weather conditions.
Reversibility of Some Chordal SLE( κ; ρ) Traces

We prove that, for κ∈(0,4) and ρ≥(κ−4)/2, the chordal SLE(κ;ρ) trace started from (0;0+) or (0;0−) satisfies the reversibility property. And we obtain the equation for the reversal of the chordal SLE(κ;ρ) trace started from (0;b0), where b0>0.
Observations on the Mechanism of Action of Acetylphenyl‐hydrazine in Normal and Glucose‐6‐Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G‐6‐PD) Deficient Erythrocytes

Summary: Evidence is presented that two mechanisms of action account for the GSH instability of G6-PD-deficient erythrocytes following incubation with acetylphenylhydrazine. In Mechanism A, also manifested by the normal cell, acetylphenylhydrazine has the characteristics of an inhibitor which stoicheiometrically prevents the maintenance of an amount of GSH proportional to the dose of the drug. In Mechanism B the effect of acetylphenylhydrazine is proportional to the red cell concentration indicating an excess of the drug relative to its site of action. The loss of GSH by both mechanisms is related to the severity of the G-6-PD deficiency. Additional experiments show that mechanisms of action similar to those exhibited by the G6-PD-deficient erythrocyte exist in the normal red cell suspended in a galactose solution or in solutions containing low quantities of glucose.
Photoinduced Charge Separation of Pyrene in Chromium Containing Silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO-5) Microporous Materials at Room Temperature

The photoinduced charge separation of pyrene in chromium containing microporous SAPO-5 materials with ultraviolet irradiation at room temperature was examined. Photoionization of pyrene in Cr containing SAPO-5 results in the formation of pyrene cation radicals that are characterized by electron spin resonance (ESR) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). ESR studies indicate that Cr(V) acts as an electron acceptor. The photoyield and stability of the photoproduced pyrene cation radical were found to depend on the pore size of the microporous material, the concentration, and the oxidation state of chromium ions. The photoyield and stability of the photoproduced pyrene cation are found to be higher than in mesoporous materials investigated in our laboratory earlier. The study thus demonstrates the importance of Cr containing microporous SAPO-5 materials as potential candidates for photochemical conversion and storage devices.
Blood monoamine oxidases and CT scans in subgroups of chronic schizophrenics

An assay method for monoamine oxidase (MAO) employing whole blood samples is described. With this method, whole blood samples collected from three subgroups of chronic schizophrenic patients were assayed directly for MAOb activity without the need for prior isolation of platelets. Our results support previous findings from assays with platelets that chronic paranoid schizophrenics have decreased blood MAOb activity compared to chronic non-paranoid schizophrenics or normal controls. The level of MAOb activity in the blood of the non-paranoid schizophrenics was also linearly correlated with ventricular size (i.e. ventricular brain ratio, VBR) as determined by CT scan analysis. This correlation was not true for the paranoid group. The MAOb data in conjunction with the VBR data were sufficient to divide without overlap our schizophrenic patient population into two clinically defined subgroups.
Manners, Good and Bad

Avoid Boring People . Lessons from a Life in Science / And Other Lessons from a Life in Science. By James D. Watson . Knopf, New York, 2007. 365 pp. $26.95, C$34.95. ISBN 9780375412844. Oxford University Press, Oxford. £14.99. ISBN 9780192802736. Rather than providing a third installment of his life story, the author recounts his adventures from his birth through his leaving his Harvard position for Cold Spring Harbor and highlights lessons he learned along the way.
An Ecological Footprint Approach to External Debt Relief

Abstract This paper applies Martinez-Alier’s [Environ. Values 2 (1993) 97] “ecological debt” concept to the problem of debt relief, exploring the possibility of compensatory transfers from rich to poor countries based on existing ecological balances. I employ recent estimates on ecological footprints and ecosystem values to estimate the ecological debt to be distributed among eligible transfer recipients––all less-developed countries (LDCs). The results provide a policy criterion for transfers in the event that future circumstances make large-scale international debt relief compulsory. The study probably underestimates the appropriate transfer amounts because of conservative assumptions regarding the environmental values and the size of the north’s ecological debt in physical terms.
Net replacements in the Hughes-Kleinfeld semifield planes

The bilinear flocks of Cherowitzo are generalized to a large variety of bilinear flocks of the cone \({\mathcal{C}_q}\) . Using these ideas, net replacements of certain Hughes-Kleinfeld planes of order q4 are obtained that construct every Andre plane in PG(3, q).
Tis better to confer than to decide

Considerable discussion has taken place recently concerning the advantages of various forms of alternative dispute resolution. The context in which I have chosen to explore this subject in this brief column derives from my personal experience as an arbitrator of grievances brought under collective bargaining agreements. In a subset of the arbitration hearings that I have experienced (in the range of 30 to 40% of the cases), it is clear that some type of conference process would produce a much better outcome than the expected outcome of rendering quasi-judicial decisions on the grievances. The term "conference" captures several qualities of an alternative process -namely the fact that parties become directly involved in shaping the outcome, and there is even the possibility that the result will be accepted on all sides. This is in contrast to the now highly stylized normal procedure of an arbitration hearing. There, the two sides-management and labor (and, more to the point, their advocates)face each other in an adversarial operation, with the arbitrator in due course rendering a decision where, by and large, one side wins and the other loses. The challenge that I would like to discuss is how the arbitrator changes his or her role and helps facilitate the conference process. How does an arbitrator do this when the parties have hired the arbitrator to perform another, adjudicatory role? Yet, there is the strong possibility that a modification or addition to this role would leave everyone better served.l In many ways, the conference process and the modified role of the arbitrator can be thought of as generic mediation-what I refer to as small "m" in contrast to big "M" mediation. The latter is a well-known procedure: the parties have accepted a third party to perform this role, usually there is something approaching shuttle diplomacy, and the third party does not possess the authority of eventually being able to make a decision in the matter. The first step in changing the context for dispute resolution is for the arbitrator to test with the parties the acceptability of some type of conference process. The arbitrator has considerable authority and control. Thus, if the arbitrator suggests a caucus to confer with the opposing lawyers, they will usually agree. Indeed, some lawyers like such a move in its own right because it makes them look important in the eyes of their clients to be called aside by the arbitrator for special consultation.
DECISION FLEXIBILITY AND PERCEIVED INFORMATION VALUE

This paper reports the results of an experiment that examined the effects of information evaluators' perceptions of decision flexibility as a determinant of information value. This study suggests that subjects fall into relatively distinct groups that are differentiated by the group members' perceptions of the directionality as well as the magnitude of the effect of decision flexibility on information value. Moreover, subjects' misperceptions of information value reflect individualistic models of information evaluation.
Open Lung Biopsy: Its Effects on Therapy in the Pediatric Patient

The records of 35 pediatric patients who had open lung biopsies at Columbus Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, were analyzed to determine the results and the effects on therapy. Twenty-two (63 percent) of these patients were immunocompromised, and they are compared to the noncompromised group. A diagnosis was obtained in all cases. An infectious agent was identified in 13 (37 percent) of the patients. Ten of these were immunocompromised. In 43 percent (15 patients) of the total group and 55 percent (12 patients) of the immunocompromised group, the results of the biopsy effected a change in therapy. Five patients died, all of whom were immunosuppressed. None died as a direct result of the open lung biopsy. The total morbidity rate was 23 percent (eight patients). We concluded that open lung biopsy can be accomplished safely in the pediatric patient and that the results affect the therapeutic decision-making process a significant portion of the time.
Prevalence of left main coronary artery disease, of three- or four-vessel coronary artery disease, and of obstructive coronary artery disease in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease

Data from the present investigation showed that the prevalence of current cigarette smoking, current or ex-cigarette smoking, systemic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia was significantly higher in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) than in patients without PAD. The present report also showed that compared with patients without PAD undergoing coronary angiography for suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), patients with PAD undergoing coronary angiography for suspected CAD had a higher prevalence of left main CAD (18% vs <1%), a higher prevalence of 3- or 4-vessel CAD (63% vs 11%), and a higher prevalence of obstructive CAD (98% vs 81%).
Robust uniform persistence in discrete and continuous nonautonomous systems

Abstract This is an extension of the work in Salceanu (2011) [14] to nonautonomous systems of difference and differential equations on the positive cone of R m that exhibit a positively invariant boundary hyperplane X . It is shown that when a compact subset of X , which attracts all orbits in X , is a robust uniform weak repeller, robust uniform persistence for the complementary dynamics (i.e., the dynamics in R m ∖ X ) is obtained. Additional assumptions are made, to deal with the nonautonomous nature of the systems. Some particular cases that often occur in applications are discussed and then sufficient conditions for the robust uniform persistence of the disease in two epidemic models from the literature are given.
Bulk synthesis of crystalline and crystalline core/amorphous shell silicon nanowires and their application for energy storage.

Silicon nanowires (NWs) have stimulated significant interest and found numerous applications; however, many applications will require a bulk quantity of nanowires to be synthesized in a reliable way. In this paper, we report the bulk synthesis of silicon nanowires on millimeter scale Al2O3 spheres with a thermal chemical vapor deposition system (CVD) via the vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth mechanism. The spherical substrates enable the realization of Si nanowire synthesis on three-dimensional surfaces in comparison with the synthesis on a planar, two-dimensional wafer substrate. By modifying temperature in the recipe of synthesis, both single-crystalline and crystalline core/amorphous shell Si nanowires were obtained with this nanowire-on-spherical-support method. Conspicuous distinction in crystallinity of the nanowires was revealed by transmission electron microscopy characterization. The crystalline core/amorphous shell Si nanowires were utilized to form the anode of Li-ion battery half-cells with the ...
Single Mothers, Nonresident Fathers, and Preschoolers’ Socioemotional Development: Social Support, Psychological Well-Being, and Parenting Quality

ABSTRACT Using data from two waves of a short-term longitudinal study, the influences of mothers’ social support with respect to parenting from nonresident fathers and significant others on behavioral outcomes among poor and near-poor preschool-aged Black children were examined. The sample consisted of 99 single Black mothers—each with a preschool-aged child (ages 3 and 5 years old, respectively, at Time 1 and Time 2)—who were current and former welfare recipients. Results revealed protective effects of nonresident fathers’ presence in the context of mothers’ parenting stress and depressive symptoms at Time 1 that appeared to operate through decreases in the negative influences of these variables on the children's development of behavior problems 1.5 to 2 years later. Greater availability of instrumental support from significant others, including nonresident fathers, was associated with more adequate parenting at Time 1, and through the latter, with fewer child behavior problems at Time 2. Implications of...
Inhibition of oncogene-induced inflammatory chemokines using a farnesyltransferase inhibitor

Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTI) are small molecule agents originally formulated to inhibit the oncogenic functions of Ras. Although subsequent analysis of FTI activity revealed wider effects on other pathways, the drug has been demonstrated to reduce Ras signaling by direct measurements. The purpose of the current study was to determine if FTI could be used to inhibit the inflammatory activities of a known Ras-activating human oncoprotein, RET/PTC3. RET/PTC3 is a fusion oncoprotein expressed in the thyroid epithelium of patients afflicted with thyroid autoimmune disease and/or differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Previous studies have demonstrated that RET/PTC3 signals through Ras and can provoke nuclear translocation of NFκB and the downstream release of pro-inflammatory mediators from thyroid follicular cells in vitro and in vivo, making it an ideal target for studies using FTI. For the studies described here, an in vitro assay was developed to measure FTI inhibition of RET/PTC3 pro-inflammatory effects. Rat thyrocytes transfected with RET/PTC3 or vector control cDNA were co-cultured with FTI and examined for inhibition of chemokine expression and secretion measured by RT-PCR and ELISA. Immunoblot analysis was used to confirm the level at which FTI acts on RET/PTC3-expressing cells, and Annexin V/PI staining of cells was used to assess cell death in RET/PTC3-expressing cells co-cultured with FTI. These analyses revealed significant mRNA and protein inhibition of chemokines Ccl2 and Cxcl1 with nanomolar doses of FTI. Neither RET/PTC3 protein expression nor apoptosis were affected at any dose of FTI investigated. These data suggest that FTI may be applied as an effective inhibitor for RET/PTC3-oncogene induced pro-inflammatory mediators.
Anthraquinone pigments from the crinoid Comanthus bennetti

Abstract From the crinoid Comanthus bennetti we isolated and characterized five pigments. One is the known 3-(1′-hydroxypropyl)-1,6,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone (rhodoptilometrin). The remaining four had not previously been isolated from a natural source: 3-propyl-1,6,8-trihydroxy- 9,10-anthraquinone; 3-propionyl-1,6,8-trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone; 3(2′-hydroxypentyl)-1,6,8- trihydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone; and 2-(1′-hydroxypropyl)-1,4,5,7-tetrahydroxy-9,10-anthraquinone.
Ca2+ ENTRY PATHWAYS IN MOUSE SPINAL MOTOR NEURONS IN CULTURE FOLLOWING IN VITRO EXPOSURE TO METHYLMERCURY

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a widespread environmental toxicant with major actions on the central nervous system. Among the neurons reportedly affected in cases of Hg poisoning are motor neurons; however, the direct cellular effects of MeHg on motor neurons have not been reported. Ratiometric fluorescence imaging, using the Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorophore fura-2, was used to examine the effect of MeHg on Ca(2+) homeostasis in primary cultures of mouse spinal motor neurons. In vitro MeHg exposure at concentrations (0.1-2 μM) known to affect other neurons in culture differentially, induced a biphasic rise in fura-2 fluorescence ratio indicating an increase in [Ca(2+)](i). The time-to-onset of these fura-2 fluorescence ratio changes was inversely correlated with MeHg concentration. TPEN (20 μM), a non-Ca(2+), divalent cation chelator, reduced the amplitude of the increase in fura-2 fluorescence induced by MeHg in the first phase, indicating that both Ca(2+) and non-Ca(2+) divalent cations contribute to the MeHg-induced effect. When examining various Ca(2+) entry pathways as possible targets contributing to Ca(2+) influx, we found that excitatory amino acid receptor blockers MK-801 (15 μM), and AP-5 (100 μM)-both NMDA receptor-operated ion channel blockers, CNQX (20 μM), a non-NMDA receptor blocker, and the voltage-dependent Ca(2+) channel blockers nifedipine (1 μM) and ω-conotoxin-GVIA (1 μM) all significantly delayed the development of increased Ca(2+) caused by MeHg. The voltage-dependent Na(+) channel blocker tetrodotoxin (TTX, 1 μM) did not alter the MeHg-induced increases in fura-2 fluorescence ratio. Thus, MeHg alters Ca(2+) homeostasis in mouse spinal motor neurons through excitatory amino acid receptor-mediated pathways, and nifedipine and ω-conotoxin-GVIA-sensitive pathways. Spinal motor neurons are highly sensitive to this effect of acute exposure to MeHg.
Variable latency VLSI design based on timing analysis, delay ATPG, and completion prediction

The ever-increasing parametric variations in the latest nanometer technologies pose a severe reliability challenge for VLSI design. Specifically, technology scaling leads to an increasing performance variation even when the average performance improves. The traditional VLSI design methodology requires that all computation in a logic stage complete within one clock cycle. This has hindered further performance improvement. Alternatively, allowing computation in a logic stage to complete in a variable number of clock cycles leads to average performance improvement and enables further power reduction. In this paper, we present a generic variable-latency design methodology, which includes timing analysis, delay test input generation, design of a completion prediction unit for logic computation latency, and a clock gating scheme. Our experiments based on on the 45nm Nangate open cell library and the des MCNC benchmark circuit show that, for a clock gating occurrence probability 6.25%, our technique leads to maximum 8.29%, 9.96%, and 9.18% area reduction, and 27.54%, 28.08%, and 29.93% power reduction with a prediction unit of 4, 5, and 6 inputs, predicting the top 1, 2, and 4 timing-critical paths, respectively.
Comparative morphology and reproductive compatibility between populations of Euseius mesembrinus (Acari: Phytoseiidae) from Florida and Texas

Field specimens ofEuseius mesembrinus (Dean) from Florida and Texas were found to be morphologically similar regardless of differences in the lengths of dorsal shield setae or the St IV macroseta. Populations from both states were reproductively compatible. Taxonomic characters ofE. mesembrinus were illustrated using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Lengths of dorsal shield setae and the macroseta on the tarsus of leg IV of field-collected specimens from Florida and Texas, laboratory cultures, and their crosses (F1) showed inconsistent variance. Multivariate analysis of variance and canonical discriminate analysis revealed that the source of variance can be attributed to ecological factors. The results suggest that the two populations are the same species and support the possibility that the Florida population originated from Texas.
Media violence exposure in aggressive and control adolescents: differences in self- and parent-reported exposure to violence on television and in video games

The purpose of present study was to investigate differences in media violence exposure between groups of adolescents with and without Disruptive Behavior Disorders with Aggressive Features, using a case-controlled design and multimethod assessment. Samples of 27 adolescents aged 13-17 with Disruptive Behavior Disorder with Aggressive Features and 27 age-gender-IQ matched controls completed a semistructured interview about exposure to violence on television and video games; parents completed a corresponding questionnaire measure. Moderate intercorrelations were found between most self- and parent-report television and video game violence exposure measures. Compared to control adolescents, adolescents with Disruptive Behavior Disorder with Aggressive Features had higher aggregate media violence exposure, higher exposure to video game violence, and higher parent-reported exposure to television violence. Results show that adolescents and parents agree about the adolescent's level of media violence exposure, that exposure to violence on television tends to be accompanied by exposure to violence in video games, and that the association between media violence exposure and Disruptive Behavior Disorder with Aggressive Features is not due to a spurious effect of gender or IQ.
Diabetic eye examination report.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to revise a former American Optometric Association (AOA) Diabetic Eye Examination Report form and create a standard reporting form that could be implemented easily into clinical practice. Methods Ohio Optometric Association (OOA) members were recruited to complete the pilot Diabetic Eye Examination Report (DEER) on 5 consecutive diabetic patients. They were then instructed to send a copy of the completed form to the comanaging physician of the patient’s choice. The participating optometrists and comanaging physicians were surveyed regarding the content and format of the pilot DEER. Results The pilot DEER was revised based on the survey responses and comments from 51 participating optometrists and 75 comanaging physicians, existing diabetic retinopathy examination forms, and a literature review. In general, optometrists and comanaging physicians agreed on the importance of communication (100% in both groups, 51of 51 and 75 of 75). Eighty-eight percent (45 of 51) of optometrists and 95% (71 of 75) comanaging physicians found the form to be an adequate summary. Eighty-seven percent (65 of 75) of comanaging physicians expressed interest in receiving the pilot DEER as a standard communication form concerning their diabetic patients. Conclusion The new form is now available through the OOA at www.ooa.org as an initiative of Healthy People 2010. In an electronic format, it is possible for the optometrist to type information directly onto the form, making it more professional and legible. Printed forms are also available through the AOA purchasing department.
Ultrastructure of egg envelopes in self-sterile and self-fertile species of tunicates.

Unbefruchtete Eier der TunikatenAscidia nigra (selbstfertil) undCiona intestinalis (selbststeril) wurden elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Quantitative, nicht aber qualitative Unterschiede wurden in der Feinstruktur der Eizellen der beiden Arten gefunden.
White Light Diffraction Phase Microscopy (wDPM) for quantitative phase imaging

We present white-light diffraction phase microscopy (wDPM) as a fast and sensitive quantitative phase imaging method and a successive derivatives based phase reconstruction method. We illustrate the utility of wDPM with measurements on live cells.
Recurrent Modification of a Conserved Cis-Regulatory Element Underlies Fruit Fly Pigmentation Diversity

The development of morphological traits occurs through the collective action of networks of genes connected at the level of gene expression. As any node in a network may be a target of evolutionary change, the recurrent targeting of the same node would indicate that the path of evolution is biased for the relevant trait and network. Although examples of parallel evolution have implicated recurrent modification of the same gene and cis-regulatory element (CRE), little is known about the mutational and molecular paths of parallel CRE evolution. In Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies, the Bric-a-brac (Bab) transcription factors control the development of a suite of sexually dimorphic traits on the posterior abdomen. Female-specific Bab expression is regulated by the dimorphic element, a CRE that possesses direct inputs from body plan (ABD-B) and sex-determination (DSX) transcription factors. Here, we find that the recurrent evolutionary modification of this CRE underlies both intraspecific and interspecific variation in female pigmentation in the melanogaster species group. By reconstructing the sequence and regulatory activity of the ancestral Drosophila melanogaster dimorphic element, we demonstrate that a handful of mutations were sufficient to create independent CRE alleles with differing activities. Moreover, intraspecific and interspecific dimorphic element evolution proceeded with little to no alterations to the known body plan and sex-determination regulatory linkages. Collectively, our findings represent an example where the paths of evolution appear biased to a specific CRE, and drastic changes in function were accompanied by deep conservation of key regulatory linkages.
The effect of stimulus type on formal similarity between stimuli and their primary associations

The experiment investigated the effect of stimulus type on formal similarity (FS) between stimuli and Ss primary associations to them. Word (W) and nonsense (NS) stimuli were employed. FS was defined as percentages of letters appearing in the same ordinal positions in associations as in stimuli. Results indicated that FS between NS stimuli and their primaries consistently exceeded chance while that between W stimuli and their primaries exceeded chance in only one of six cases.
Risk Sensitivity in Foraging Jack Dempsey Cichlids (Cichlasoma octofasciatum)

Studies have documented that animals with positive energy budgets tend to prefer feeding sites offering constant amounts of food over those offering variable amounts of food. The present study tested whether Jack Dempsey cichlids (Cichlasoma octofasciatum) in a two-patch environment preferred the patch offering a constant amount of food over the one offering a variable amount of food. The study also examined (1) whether fish displayed shifts in risk sensitivity when they were allowed only one choice per trial (discrete-choice treatment), as opposed to when they could freely sample both alternatives (free-choice treatment), and (2) whether or not fish displayed shifts in risk sensitivity between the first trial of the day, when they were hungrier, and the final trial of the day, when they were more satiated. Two of six fish significantly preferred the constant alternative and one showed a numerical preference for the constant alternative that approached significance. The mean proportion of first choices to the constant side did not differ significantly between the discrete-choice treatment and the free-choice treatment. In the discrete-choice treatment, however, fish were significantly more risk averse in the first trial of daily sessions than in the final trial — a shift in risk sensitivity opposite to that seen in a number of other studies. This suggests that animals may pass through more than one threshold in risk sensitivity on different points along an energy budget continuum.
Adjunct strategies to enhance the efficacy of indwelling pleural catheters

Malignant pleural effusion remains a distressing and unfortunately common occurrence. Pleural palliation should be focused on relieving dyspnea with as few procedures as possible. The introduction of the indwelling tunneled pleural catheter has been shown to fulfill these goals; however, it is not without limitations. The ability to potentially combine the results of a long-term pleurodesis procedure without the need for a prolonged hospitalization remains an attractive option. While no large-scale trials have been completed nor is there widespread acceptance, the introduction of “rapid” or “accelerated” pleurodesis procedures, often using tunneled indwelling pleural catheters, have the potential to significantly change the current paradigm of malignant pleural effusion management. This article reviews the current data available for “rapid” and “accelerated” pleurodesis protocols and their outcomes.
Numerical Simulation of the Tip Vortex Off a Low-Aspect-Ratio Wing at Transonic Speed

The viscous transonic flow around a low aspect ratio wing was computed by an implicit, three dimensional, thin-layer Navier-Stokes solver. The grid around the geometry of interest is obtained numerically as a solution to a Dirichlet problem for the cube. A low aspect ratio wing with large sweep, twist, taper, and camber is the chosen geometry. The topology chosen to wrap the mesh around the wing with good tip resolution is a C-O type mesh. The flow around the wing was computed for a free stream Mach number of 0.82 at an angle of attack of 5 deg. At this Mach number, an oblique shock forms on the upper surface of the wing, and a tip vortex and three dimensional flow separation off the wind surface are observed. Particle path lines indicate that the three dimensional flow separation on the wing surface is part of the roots of the tip vortex formation. The lifting of the tip vortex before the wing trailing edge is observed by following the trajectory of particles release around the wing tip.
Hydraulic Conductivities and Effective Diffusion Coefficients of Geosynthetic Clay Liners with Organobentonite Amendments

Abstract Laboratory diffusion and hydraulic conductivity testing were performed on GCLs amended with two different types of organobentonites: benzyltriethylammonium-bentonite (BTEA-bentonite) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium-bentonite (HDTMA-bentonite) and compared to results for a GCL constructed with conventional sodium bentonite. Results from the hydraulic conductivity testing indicate the addition of both types of organobentonite results in an increase in hydraulic conductivity. Only a small increase in hydraulic conductivity was observed for both types of amended GCLs up to 20% organobentonite amendment. At higher organobentonite contents, measured hydraulic conductivity for both types of amended GCLs rose by as much as three orders of magnitude. The effective diffusion coefficient of [ 3 H]water measured for both the organobentonite-amended GCLs and a laboratory-constructed sodium bentonite GCL were similar and ranged from 3.6×10 −10 to 5.0×10 −10 m 2 /s. One-dimensional benzene solute transport simulations were performed to determine how the observed changes in hydraulic conductivity and diffusion coefficients would affect organic solute transport when coupled with the increased sorptive capacity of the organobentonite-amended GCLs. In general, GCLs modified with BTEA-bentonite resulted in a significant reduction in benzene flux through the GCL compared to the conventional GCL. However, modifying the GCL with HDTMA-bentonite resulted in an increase in solute transport when compared to the conventional GCL.
Transfusion and pneumonia in the trauma intensive care unit: an examination of the temporal relationship.

Background:Transfusion has been demonstrated to be associated with pneumonia in injured patients, and blood of older storage age may potentiate this morbidity. It remains unclear, however, whether this association is causal, as prior studies have not accounted for prepneumonia versus postpneumonia t
UNDERGROUND OIL SPILL INVESTIGATION AND CLEANUP1

ABSTRACT In April 1978, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region I office received an oil spill report which involved a sheen leaching from an industrial park into a river in Connecticut. Initial investigation revealed only two 10,000-gallon and one 11,000-gallon buried storage tanks as possible sources. All were located relatively close together about 200 feet from the river. The maintenance man reported that one of the 10,000-gallon tanks had spilled an estimated 500 gallons into the ground the previous year. EPA responded and initially worked with the property owner and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection in addressing the problem. Although the leaching seemed to be relatively minor at first, it gradually increased after July 1978. The property owner was unable to finance cleanup actions after the first few months. EPA assumed cleanup responsibility, using federal funds, and eventually took over all investigation and recovery efforts in 1980. The incident has involved ma...
Determination of sulfur forms on coal surfaces by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS or ESCA) was used to monitor changes in the amount of organic and pyritic sulfur, and inorganic sulfur present on coal surfaces following hydrochloric and nitric acid treatments. The results show that after treatment with HCl the oxidized sulfur was totally removed from the surface. Subsequent leaching with HNO 3 decreased the atomic abundance of sulfide forms on the coal surface.
Making Citizens: Brazilian Social Policy from Getúlio to Lula

This article compares and contrasts two important phases of social incorporation in Brazil: (i) an early punctuated period that integrated formal sector workers and civil servants under President Getulio Vargas (1930–1945) and (ii) a later more extended sequence that strived to include the informal sector poor, beginning with the military regime (1964–1985), gaining momentum with the 1988 Brazilian Constitution and the presidency of Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1995–2002), and continuing under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003–2010). It captures the shift from a welfare state based on corporatist principles to one that comes closer to basic universalism. Whereas Vargas’s incorporation project addressed workers as producers, later governments incurporated the informal poor as beneficiaries of public policy programs – including income support policies – in a more individualist and liberal fashion.
An Indecent Proposal: The Dual Functions of Indirect Speech

People often use indirect speech, for example, when trying to bribe a police officer by asking whether there might be “a way to take care of things without all the paperwork.” Recent game theoretic accounts suggest that a speaker uses indirect speech to reduce public accountability for socially risky behaviors. The present studies examine a secondary function of indirect speech use: increasing the perceived moral permissibility of an action. Participants report that indirect speech is associated with reduced accountability for unethical behavior, as well as increased moral permissibility and increased likelihood of unethical behavior. Importantly, moral permissibility was a stronger mediator of the effect of indirect speech on likelihood of action, for judgments of one’s own versus others’ unethical action. In sum, the motorist who bribes the police officer with winks and nudges may not only avoid public punishment but also maintain the sense that his actions are morally permissible.
Amino acid abundance and proteolytic potential in north American soils.

Studies of nitrogen (N) cycling have traditionally focused on N mineralization as the primary process limiting plant assimilation of N. Recent evidence has shown that plants may assimilate amino acids (AAs) directly, circumventing the mineralization pathway. However, the general abundance of soil AAs and their relative importance in plant N uptake remains unclear in most ecosystems. We compared the concentrations and potential production rates of AAs and NH4 +, as well as the edaphic factors that influence AA dynamics, in 84 soils across the United States. Across all sites, NH4 + and AA-N comprised similar proportions of the total bioavailable N pool (~20%), with NO3 − being the dominant form of extractable N everywhere but in tundra and boreal forest soils. Potential rates of AA production were at least comparable to those of NH4 + production in all ecosystems, particularly in semi-arid grasslands, where AA production rates were six times greater than for NH4 + (P < 0.01). Potential rates of proteolytic enzyme activity were greatest in bacteria-dominated soils with low NH4 + concentrations, including many grassland soils. Based on research performed under standardized laboratory conditions, our continental-scale analyses suggest that soil AA and NH4 + concentrations are similar in most soils and that AAs may contribute to plant and microbial N demand in most ecosystems, particularly in ecosystems with N-poor soils.
Influence of Cell Density on Desensitization of the Thyroid Cell Cyclic Adenosine 3',5'-Monophosphate Response to Thyrotropin Stimulation*

Stimulation of cultured thyroid cells with TSH produces an acute increase in cAMP content (15–30 min maximum) followed by a decrease over 24 h representing refractoriness to further TSH stimulation. With continued exposure of thyroid cell subcultures to TSH for greater than 4 days, escape from desensitization occurred in that cAMP levels returned to the initial maximum (15–30 min) values. This increase in cAMP levels was unrelated to an increase in cell number. In addition, subculture of thyroid cells for between 1 and 6 days in the absence of TSH followed by acute (30 min) TSH stimulation revealed a progressive decrease in the maximum cAMP levels attained (50% of day 1 values after 4 and 6 days of subculture). The cAMP response to a 24-h period of TSH stimulation was examined in groups of cells after different durations of subculture without TSH. With TSH stimulation on the first day of subculture, as expected, cAMP levels increased markedly after 30 min, declined by 6 h, and remained suppressed for up t...
Two-dimensional doping profile characterization of MOSFETs by inverse modeling using I-V characteristics in the subthreshold region

In this paper, we present a new technique for the characterization of two-dimensional (2-D) doping profiles in deep submicron MOSFETs using current-voltage (I-V) characteristics in the subthreshold region. The main advantages of the technique are as follows. (1) It is capable of extracting 2-D doping profile (including channel-length) of deep submicron devices because of its immunity to parasitic resistance, capacitance, noise, and fringing electric fields. (2) It does not require any special test structures since only subthreshold I-V data are used. (3) It is nondestructive. (4) It has very little dependence on mobility and mobility models. (5) It is easy to use since data collection and preparation are straightforward. (6) It can be extended to the accurate calibration of mobility and mobility models using I-V characteristics at high current levels, because errors associated with uncertainties in doping profiles are removed.
TESTICULAR INFARCTION ASSOCIATED WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE

To our knowledge testicular infarction as the initial presentation of sickle cell disease has not been previously reported. We report a case of segmental testicular infarction attributable to sickle cell disease and discuss etiologies of infarction. CASE REPORT A 57-year-old black man presented with a 2-week history of testicular swelling unresponsive to oral antibiotics. He had no prior symptoms related to sickle cell disease. Physical examination revealed a right solid testis mass suspicious for malignancy. Testicular ultrasound demonstrated a right hyperechoic intratesticular mass with an anechoic rim (see figure). Doppler ultrasound showed normal flow in the surrounding parenchyma. Tumor markers were negative. Radical orchiectomy revealed hemorrhagic infarction with sickled red blood cells. Hemoglobin electrophoresis demonstrated sickle cell disease. DISCUSSION Testicular infarction as a global process more commonly occurs secondary to torsion of the spermatic cord. Segmental hemorrhagic infarction of the testis occurs less frequently and approximately 15 cases have been reported in the literature.' Previously, testicular infarction has been described in a patient with sickle cell trait but not in a patient with sickle cell disease.' Antecedent symptoms include testicular pain and scrotal swelling usually without dysuria or discharge. Often scrotal color Doppler ultrasound indicates a well circumscribed hypoechoic area, indistinguishable from a malignant process, and significantly decreased intratesticular flow." Orchiectomy is often performed due to the inability to characterize the lesion as a benign process. Etiologies of the majority of hemorrhagic infarctions are unknown, although a number of predisposing factors are associated, including polycythemia, hypersensitivity angiitis, blunt trauma and rheumatological disorders.' The rare occurrence of segmental infarction may be a result of multiple testicular arterial supply. Testicular blood flow is dependent on the internal spermatic, cremasteric and deferential arteries. Obstruction of venous outflow may create venous thrombosis, testicular engorgement and subsequent hemorrhagic infarction. Rarely, a thrombus of the internal spermatic artery results in hemorrhagic infarction.' The pathophysiology of sickle cell disease is based on local factors that enhance the formation of deoxyhemoglobin.4 Acidosis, dehydration resulting in hypertonic plasma and increased erythrocyte 2, 3-biphosphoglycerate are all factors
Asymmetries in Chickens from Lines Selected and Relaxed for High or Low Antibody Titers to Sheep Red Blood Cells

Wattle length, width, and area were measured to classify bilateral asymmetries in four lines of chickens. The lines were the S26 generation of White Leghorns selected for high (HAS) or low (LAS) response to sheep red blood cells and sublines in which selection had been relaxed for three generations (high antibody relaxed [HAR] and low antibody relaxed [LAR]). Antibody titers (AB) were greater for HAS than for HAR with both greater than for LAS and LAR which while different for males did not differ for females. The low antibody lines were heavier and reached sexual maturity at younger age than the high antibody lines. In general, wattle length, width, and area were greater in the low than high antibody lines. In 24 comparisons for bilaterality 18 exhibited fluctuating asymmetry and 6 exhibited directional asymmetry with 5 of the 6 being for wattle length. There was not a clear pattern for changes in degree of asymmetry when selection was relaxed for 3 generations. For females, the relative asymmetry (RA) of wattle area was larger (p≤0.05) for HAR than for LAR and not different from the selected lines and relaxed lines. There were no differences among lines for RA of wattle length and width of females and wattle length, width, and area of males.
Genetic variation in populations of Culicoides variipennis complex in the six New England states, U.S.A.

We investigated the identity and distribution of members of the Culicoides variipennis complex in the six New England states of the U.S.A., a region where bluetongue transmission has not been detected. Analyses of seven polymorphic isozyme-encoding loci showed that only C.v.variipennis, not considered to be a vector of the bluetongue viruses, was present. The populations of C.v.variipennis were significantly more hetero-zygous than C.v.sonorensis and C.v.occidentalis populations from similar studies in the state of California. Estimates of genetic diversity among populations of C.v.variipennis in New England were similar to C.v.sonorensis in the state of Colorado, but were significantly more genetically divergent than California populations of C.v.occidentalis. The impact of these findings on the status of New England as a possible bluetongue-free region for the purpose of international trade in ruminant livestock and their germplasm is discussed.
DNA-bound Fos proteins activate transcription in yeast

Abstract We constructed genes encoding the DNA binding region of the bacterial LexA repressor fused to the v- fos and c- fos oncogene products. The resulting LexA-Fos fusion proteins activated transcription in yeast. Transcription activation by these proteins was as strong as transcription -activation by proteins native to yeast. LexA-Fos fusion proteins only activated transcription of genes when they were bound to LexA binding sites inserted upstream of those genes. Transcription was activated less strongly by similar proteins in which the DNA binding region of LexA was fused to vMyc and cMyc. Transcription was not activated by native LexA or by proteins containing the DNA binding domain of LexA fused to bacteriophage 434 repressor or yeast MATα2 protein. These results demonstrate that Fos proteins activate eukaryotic gene expression when they are bound to promoter DNA, and thus suggest that Fos proteins exert some of their effects because they stimulate transcription of cellular genes. Regulation of transcription by Fos and Myc proteins in yeast provides a phenotype that may facilitate genetic analysis of the function of these proteins in higher organisms.