cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Growth and gas production of a novel obligatory heterofermentative Cheddar cheese nonstarter lactobacilli species on ribose and galactose

An obligatory heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium, Lactobacillus wasatchii sp. nov., isolated from gassy Cheddar cheese was studied for growth, gas formation, salt tolerance, and survival against pasteurization treatments at 63°C and 72°C. Initially, Lb. wasatchii was thought to use only ribose as a sugar source and we were interested in whether it could also utilize galactose. We conducted experiments to determine the rate and extent of growth and gas production in carbohydrate-restricted (CR) de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe (MRS) medium under anaerobic conditions with various combinations of ribose and galactose at 12, 23, and 37°C, with 23°C being the optimum growth temperature of Lb. wasatchii among the 3 temperatures studied. When Lb. wasatchii was grown on ribose (0.1, 0.5, and 1%), maximum specific growth rates (µmax) within each temperature were similar. When galactose was the only sugar, compared with ribose, µmax was 2 to 4 times lower. At all temperatures, the highest final cell densities (optical density at 640 nm) of Lb. wasatchii were achieved in CR-MRS plus 1% ribose, 0.5% ribose and 0.5% galactose, or 1% ribose and 1% galactose. Similar µmax values and final cell densities were achieved when 50% of the ribose in CR-MRS was substituted with galactose. Such enhanced utilization of galactose in the presence of ribose to support bacterial growth has not previously been reported. It appears that Lb. wasatchii co-metabolizes ribose and galactose, utilizing ribose for energy and galactose for other functions such as cell wall biosynthesis. Co-utilization of both sugars could be an adaptation mechanism of Lb. wasatchii to the cheese environment to efficiently ferment available sugars for maximizing metabolism and growth. As expected, gas formation by the heterofermenter was observed only when galactose was present in the medium. Growth experiments with MRS plus 1.5% ribose at pH 5.2 or 6.5 with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5% NaCl revealed that Lb. wasatchii is able to grow under salt and pH conditions typical of Cheddar cheese (4 to 5% salt-in-moisture, pH ~5.2). Finally, we found that Lb. wasatchii cannot survive low-temperature, long-time pasteurization but survives high-temperature, short-time (HTST) laboratory pasteurization, under which a 4.5 log reduction occurred. The ability of Lb. wasatchii to survive HTST pasteurization and grow under cheese ripening conditions implies that the presence of this nonstarter lactic acid bacterium can be a serious contributor to gas formation and textural defects in Cheddar cheese.
A reexamination of the crop water stress index

Hand-held infrared radiometers, developed during the past decade, have extended the measurement of plant canopy temperatures from individual leaves to entire plant canopies. Canopy temperatures are determined by the water status of the plants and by ambient meteorological conditions. The crop water stress index (CWSI) combines these factors and yields a measure of plant water stress. Two forms of the index have been proposed, an empirical approach as reported by Idso et al. (1981), and a theoretical approach reported by Jackson et al. (1981). Because it is simple and requires only three variables to be measured, the empirical approach has received much attention in the literature. It has, however received some criticism concerning its inability to account for temperature changes due to radiation and windspeed. The theoretical method is more complicated in that it requires these two additional variables to be measured, and the evaluation of an aerodynamic resistance, but it will account for differences in radiation and windspeed. This report reexamines the theoretical approach and proposes a method for estimating an aerodynamic resistance applicable to a plant canopy. A brief history of plant temperature measurements is given and the theoretical basis for the CWSI reviewed.
Social Support, Stress, and Psychological Distress among Older Black and White Adults

This analysis examines the relationship among sources of stress, sources of support, and psychological distress among black and white elderly living in the community. The data are drawn from an epi...
Can Traditions Emerge from the Interaction of Stimulus Enhancement and Reinforcement Learning? An Experimental Model

The study of social learning in captivity and behavioral traditions in the wild are two burgeoning areas of research, but few empirical studies have tested how learning mechanisms produce emergent patterns of tradition. Studies have examined how social learning mechanisms that are cognitively complex and possessed by few species, such as imitation, result in traditional patterns, yet traditional patterns are also exhibited by species that may not possess such mechanisms. We propose an explicit model of how stimulus enhancement and reinforcement learning could interact to produce traditions. We tested the model experimentally with tufted capuchin monkeys (Cebus apella), which exhibit traditions in the wild but have rarely demonstrated imitative abilities in captive experiments. Monkeys showed both stimulus enhancement learning and a habitual bias to perform whichever behavior first obtained them a reward. These results support our model that simple social learning mechanisms combined with reinforcement can result in traditional patterns of behavior.
Some asymptotics for triangular matrices over finite fields

Abstract This paper compares the asymptotic behavior of certain probabilities for n × n upper triangular matrices over F q to the asymptotic behavior of the corresponding probabilities for arbitraty n × n matrices over F q. Specifically, the asymptotic behavior of probabilities for a given rank, for a given corank, and for diagonalizability are considered.
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) as a tool for discriminating Salmonella typhimurium contaminated beef

Detection of beef contamination from harmful pathogens will be helpful in protecting the consumer safety and controlling the outbreaks. In this paper, the potential of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was investigated to discriminate the Salmonella contaminated packed beef. A suitable headspace sampling system was designed and used to collect the headspace volatiles from the packed meat to the FTIR gas cell. Spectral signatures of headspace volatiles of meat packages were used to classify the packed meat samples as contaminated or not. FTIR spectrum was divided into several regions in order to reduce the dimensionality as well as to select the regions based on the absorbance properties of various volatiles present in headspace of meat package. Principal component analysis was performed on the entire spectrum (4000–500 cm−1) as well as on the selected sub-regions of entire spectrum. Two statistical classification techniques (linear and quadratic discriminate analysis) were used to develop classification models. The statistical models were validated using bootstrap cross validation technique. The total average classification accuracies were evaluated in terms of coefficient of variance (% CV). Based on the mean of total average classification accuracies and its % CV calculated from five similarly conducted experiments, it was found that the statistical models developed on a part of the spectra (500–850 cm−1) and full spectra (4000–500 cm−1) can be used as potential classification models for non-destructive discrimination of Salmonella contaminated packed beef samples from uncontaminated ones. These results need to be further validated on dataset with larger sample size.
Impact of thickness on CO2 concentration profiles within polymer films swollen near the critical pressure

Abstract The isothermal swelling of polymer thin films by a supercritical fluid does not increase monotonically with increasing chemical potential (pressure), but rather a maximum in swelling is generally observed near the critical pressure. A reactive templating approach utilizing the condensation of silica within hydrophilic domains of a swollen amphiphilic polymer film enables visualization of the qualitative concentration profile of CO2 by the changes in the size of hydrophobic domains (pores) with cross sectional TEM microscopy; specifically, isothermal swelling of poly(ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide) films by CO2 at 60 °C is examined. Films that contain thickness gradients are used to avoid any uncertainties in the impact of thickness due to variations in the temperature or pressure during the silica modification. A uniform pore size (local swelling) is observed for all film thicknesses when the pressure is outside of the anomalous maximum in the film swelling, except for a small increase at the buried interface due to preferential adsorption of CO2 to the native silicon oxide surface of the substrate. However at this swelling maximum, a gradient in the pore size is observed at both interfaces. These swelling gradients at interfaces appear to be responsible for the anomalous maximum in thin films. As the film thickness increases beyond 350 nm, there is a decrease in the maximum swelling at the free interface.
Reactions of excited triplet states of metal-substituted myoglobins

The small-molecule (i.e. oxygen) penetrability into proteins carries important implications for both the structural character and dynamic properties of proteins. We investigated aspects of protein dynamics by studying triplet-state quenching of Zn and Pd derivatives of myoglobin by oxygen. These two derivatives make an interesting comparison because the Zn derivative of myoglobin is five coordinated and is out-of-plane (as is deoxy myoglobin), whereas Pd porphyrin is planar (as is oxy myoglobin). Therefore relaxation of the polypeptide chain in the excited state analogues of the two functional conformations of myoglobin can be studied. In case of Znmyoglobin, the spectra did not exhibit an isosbestic point and the decay kinetics to the ground state dependtd upon the wavelength of measurement. The decay profiles could be fit by a double exponential function with a good correlation. In the case of Pd-myoglobin an isosbestic point was observed in the emission and the decay profile could be fit with a single exponential function. The comparison of the quenching constants for the two metal substituted derivatives suggests that there is no significant difference between the oxygen penetrability of the Zn and the Pd substituted myoglobins.
A local dynamic correlation function from inelastic neutron scattering

Information about local and dynamic atomic correlations can be obtained from inelastic neutron scattering measurements by Fourier transform of the Q-dependent intensity oscillations at a particular frequency. A local dynamic structure function, S(r,{omega}), is defined from the dynamic scattering function, S(Q,{omega}), such that the elastic and frequency-integrated limits correspond to the average and instantaneous pair-distribution functions, respectively. As an example, S(r,{omega}) is calculated for polycrystalline aluminum in a model where atomic motions are entirely due to harmonic phonons.
The near-infrared emission of Cr:Mn2SiO4 and Cr:MgCaSiO4

We report on the near-infrared (NIR) emission of Cr:Mn2SiO4 (tephroite) and Cr:MgCaSiO4 (monticellite). Both systems are related to Cr:Mg2SiO4 (forsterite) which shows laser action in the NIR region. For both tephroite and monticellite the emission is shifted to longer wavelength compared with forsterite. Whilst the low-temperature zero-phonon lines in forsterite are at 1093 nm, they are located at 1141 and at 1226 nm in monticellite and tephroite, respectively. The room-temperature lifetime of Cr:monticellite is 5 μs, around twice as long as the Cr:forsterite lifetime. The emission of Cr:tephroite, on the other hand, is strongly quenched at room temperature.
Dendritic growth with interfacial energy anisotropy

Abstract A theory for dendritic growth of needle shaped crystals growing in supercooled pure melts and dilute alloys is proposed. This theory predicts the growth velocity and tip radii as functions of supercooling and alloy concentrations without introduction of additional conditions such as marginal stability. A key ingredient of the theory is introducing the effect of the interfacial energy anisotropy. Deviation of the shape of the dendrite from a paraboloid of revolution is permitted, consistent with a small interfacial energy anisotropy. The radius of curvature and the growth rate as functions of melt supercooling and alloy concentrations are determined in terms of the anisotropy, and are compared with experimental results. The predictions are in agreement with the experimental results, especially at large supercoolings. The deviation at lower supercoolings can be attributed to the neglect of natural convection in the present theory.
Developing computer simulations for staff nurse education

Computer-assisted instruction holds promise for individualizing continuing education programs. This article describes how staff nurse educators are taught how to use the principles of instructional design to write clinical nursing simulations. At the conclusion of a 15-hour workshop participants have written, programmed, and begun the process of field testing their simulation.
“Breast Is Best”: Modern Meanings

Things are seldom what they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream. — W.S. Gilbert (1878): H.M.S. Pinafore. For decades, the slogan "Breast Is Best" has been in use as a pious medical incantation. It...
Receptor field characteristics of single cells in the rat spinal trigeminal complex.

A limited region of the spinal trigeminal complex of barbiturized rats was explored with microelectrodes in order to study the field characteristics of cells located principally in the complex's nucleus interpolaris. Responses evoked in the cells by light mechanical stimulation of the face revealed small receptive fields, typically ≤25 mm2, and a well-defined somatotopic organization, similar to that described for the cat. Units in the dorsal third of the nucleus ordinarily had the smallest fields, most often consisting of perioral regions which were ≤3 mm3 in area. More ventrally, a disproportionately large number of cells received intricate projections from combinations of vibrissae. These cells were notable in exhibiting a particularly intricate innervation which reflected the exceptional functional and structural complexity of the rat facial whisker.
The curious case of human-robot morality

This conceptual paper draws upon moral philosophy to broach the question: Are robots moral agents?
A Game Theoretic Framework of SLA-based Resource Allocation for Competitive Cloud Service Providers

Cloud computing is an emerging paradigm that allows the on-demand delivering of software, hardware, and data as services. It has attracted a lot of attention recently due to the increasing demand for high performance computing and storage. Resource allocation is one of the most important challenges in the cloud computing system, especially when the clients have some Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and the total profit depends on how the system can meet these SLAs. A set of multiple cloud service providers (CSPs) in the cloud, such as Google or Amazon, may support the similar type of application, and therefore, service requests generated from the network edges are free to be dispatched to any CSP in the set. This paper considers the problem of SLA-based resource provisioning and management among different CSPs. Each CSP owns a set of potentially heterogeneous servers supporting a common application type, and each performs resource allocation in these servers for request processing. In the cloud, a central request dispatcher allocates service requests to different servers (belonging to potentially different CSPs) based on the amounts of allocated resources in those servers. Each CSP optimizes its own profit, which is the total revenue obtained from servicing the clients subtracted by the total energy cost. The total revenue depends on the average service request response time as specified in the SLAs. The resource allocation problem among multiple CSPs forms a competitive normal-form game, since the payoff (profit) of each CSP depends not only on its own resource allocation results but also on the actions of the other CSPs. The existence and uniqueness of Nash equilibrium in this game are proved. Each CSP will find its optimal strategy at the Nash equilibrium point using the convex optimization technique. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the game theoretic resource provisioning framework for the CSPs.
Biogeography, land snails and incomplete data sets: the case of three island groups in the Aegean Sea

This research aimed to study the land snails of three island groups (Skyros, Astypalaia, Kalymnos) in the Aegean Sea and the biogeographical patterns arising, with reference to the other Aegean islands. A total of 91 species was found on the 37 islands surveyed, with 89 being extant. For the majority of the islands the malacofauna is reported for the first time. Similarity indices, chorotypes and nestedness were studied for each of the island groups. The islands belonging to the same island group were clustered together, exhibiting a quite delimited malacofauna. The Mediterranean and Palaearctic elements dominate, with the Aegean element increasing in the Astypalaia group. The three island groups, despite their different geological histories and the different level of the present‐day geographical isolation, have been formed quite recently in geological time. This “recent” formation of the groups results in islands, especially the small ones, which still behave as parts of a continuous land mass. In the co...
The Zener relaxation and vacancy-controlled atomic mobility in AgZn solid solutions—II The kinetics of vacancy annealing

Abstract AgZn alloys containing 24–33 at.% Zn have been down-quenched from temperatures of 200°C or below to aging temperatures of 90°C or above, to produce initial quenched-in vacancy concentrations in the range 5 × 10−9 − 10−11 mole fraction. The subsequent decay of the vacancy supersaturation has been determined from analysis of Zener relaxation data obtained by a delayed creep method. In high purity well-annealed specimens, the vacancy decay occurs inhomogeneously and with kinetics that correspond well to the simple migration of vacancies to fixed sinks. In such samples the mean vacancy lifetime is as large as 2 × 1010 jumps. A small amount of plastic deformation or a less thorough preparatory anneal reduces the lifetime by 2 decades. Vacancy trapping effects due to oxygen and tin were looked for but not found. On the other hand, bismuth at a concentration of 10−4 was discovered to modify the annealing behavior in a manner indicating strong vacancy trapping. The vacancy-trap binding energy is estimated to be 0.3 eV. It is thought that the traps may consist of bismuth pairs, rather than single bismuth atoms.
Wheelchair exercise: a review.

Not much is known concerning the physiological performance capabilities of wheelchair confined populations. Further, the instrumentation to collect physiological data has not been available until recently. It is in the area of work capacity measurement of the handicapped that the arm ergometer is of greatest interest (particularly for those who have a functional loss of one or both legs). In recent years, there has been an attempt to develop instrumentation and investigate some of the physiological issues surrounding quantified exercise in wheelchair confined populations. The intent of this review is to provide the reader with an overview of the state of the art in wheelchair and wheelchair ergometric cardiorespiratory performance.
Emerging roles of PAR-1 and PAFR in melanoma metastasis.

Melanoma growth, angiogenesis and metastatic progression are strongly promoted by the inflammatory tumor microenvironment due to high levels of cytokine and chemokine secretion by the recruited inflammatory and stromal cells. In addition, platelets and molecular components of procoagulant pathways have been recently emerging as critical players of tumor growth and metastasis. In particular, thrombin, through the activity of its receptor protease-activated receptor-1 (PAR-1), regulates tumor cell adhesion to platelets and endothelial cells, stimulates tumor angiogenesis, and promotes tumor growth and metastasis. Notably, in many tumor types including melanoma, PAR-1 expression directly correlates with their metastatic phenotype and is directly responsible for the expression of interleukin-8, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor, platelet-derived growth factor, and integrins. Another proinflammatory receptor–ligand pair, platelet-activating factor (PAF) and its receptor (PAFR), have been shown to act as important modulators of tumor cell adhesion to endothelial cells, angiogenesis, tumor growth and metastasis. PAF is a bioactive lipid produced by a variety of cells from membrane glycerophospholipids in the same reaction that releases arachidonic acid, and can be secreted by platelets, inflammatory cells, keratinocytes and endothelial cells. We have demonstrated that in metastatic melanoma cells, PAF stimulates the phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element-binding protein (CREB) and activating transcription factor 1 (ATF-1), which results in overexpression of MMP-2 and membrane type 1-MMP (membrane type 1-MMP). Since only metastatic melanoma cells overexpress CREB/ATF-1, we propose that metastatic melanoma cells are better equipped than their non-metastatic counterparts to respond to PAF within the tumor microenvironment. The evidence supporting the hypothesis that the two G-protein coupled receptors, PAR-1 and PAFR, contribute to the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype of melanoma is presented and discussed.
The Development of a Parent-Tutor Assessment Scale

A new measure of parent-tutoring support for elementary-age children, the Parent-Tutor Assessment (PTA), is described. The PTA assesses parents' tutoring behaviors, their competency and motivation to tutor, and parent-child communication. The PTA total score was related to students ' academic, social, and behavioral adjustment in school. The PTA total score discriminated between samples of high- and low-support parents. Students who received greater parent-tutoring support tended to achieve significantly higher grades in reading, spelling, and mathematics than did less supported children.
Butyrate inhibits cytokine-induced VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in cultured endothelial cells: the role of NF-κB and PPARα

Abstract Adhesion and migration of leukocytes into the surrounding tissues is a crucial step in inflammation, immunity, and atherogenesis. Expression of cell adhesion molecules by endothelial cells plays a leading role in this process. Butyrate, a natural short-chain fatty acid produced by bacterial fermentation of dietary fiber, has been attributed with anti-inflammatory activity in inflammatory bowel disease. Butyrate in vitro is active in colonocytes and several other cell types. We have studied the effect of butyrate on expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules by cytokine-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Pretreatment of HUVEC with butyrate–inhibited tumor necrosis factor–α (TNFα)–induced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intracellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in a time and concentration-dependent manner. Butyrate at 10 mmol/L inhibited interleukin-1 (IL-1)–stimulated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression. The effect of butyrate on cytokine-stimulated VCAM-1 expression was more pronounced than in the case of ICAM-1. Butyrate decreased TNFα-induced expression of mRNA for VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Suppressed expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 was associated with reduced adherence of monocytes and lymphocytes to cytokine-stimulated HUVEC. Butyrate inhibited TNFα-induced activation of nuclear factor–κB (NF-κB) in HUVEC. Finally, butyrate enhanced peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor–α (PPARα) expression in HUVEC. These results demonstrate that butyrate may have anti-inflammatory properties not only in colonocytes but also in endothelial cells. The anti-inflammatory and (perhaps) antiatherogenic properties of butyrate may partly be attributed to an effect on activation of NF-κB and PPARα and to the associated expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. The present findings support further investigations on the therapeutic benefits of butyrate in several pathological events involving leukocyte recruitment.
TRANSITIONS TO DEMOCRACY: UNPREDICTABLE ELITE NEGOTIATION OR PREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ACHIEVE CLASS COMPROMISE?

Can democratic transitions be predicted? The elite-nego- tiation literature claims that the process is so complicated and contingent that the timing and process is unpredictable. The class-compromiseframe- work, however, identifies structural conditions that make stabilization unlikely, specifying who will oppose the authoritarian regime and why. A "triggering" event-a collapse in export demand-also is identified that intensifies and extends opposition, making a transition likely within 1-3 years. To demonstrate the usefulness of the class-compromiseframework, two very different authoritarian regimes are compared. In the Brazilian regime (1964-1985), the military ruled as an institution and pursued state-led development; the Chilean regime (1973-1989) was dominated by one general and was radically neo-liberal. Despite these differences, struc- tural conditions pushed both regimes toward export-led growth and wage constraint, hurting workers and capitalists producingfor the local market. When exports collapsed in the early 1980s, opposition spread and forced democratic transitions.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Injuries to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in National Collegiate Athletic Association Football Data From the 2004-2005 Through 2008-2009 National Collegiate Athletic Association Injury Surveillance System

Background: Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are common in athletic populations, particularly in athletes participating in football, soccer, and skiing.Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System (ISS) men’s football ACL injury database from the playing seasons of 2004-2005 through 2008-2009 to determine the incidence and epidemiology of complete injury to the ACL in NCAA football athletes.Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.Methods: The NCAA ISS men’s football database was reviewed from the 2004-2005 through 2008-2009 seasons using the specific injury code, “Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) complete tear.” The injury rate was computed for competition and practice exposures. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals (CIs) for the incident rates were calculated using assumptions of a Poisson distribution. Pairwise, 2-sample tests of equality of proportions with a continuity correction were used to e...
Solar cycle variability of Mars dayside exospheric temperatures: Model evaluation of underlying thermal balances

[1] The response of the Mars dayside exospheric temperatures to short and long term solar flux changes was recently established. Characterization of the relative importance of various thermospheric heating and cooling mechanisms for maintaining these Mars exospheric temperatures requires the systematic application of modern global dynamical models that capture both lower and upper atmosphere thermal and dynamical processes. Coupled Mars General Circulation Model (MGCM) plus Mars Thermospheric General Circulation Model (MTGCM) simulations are utilized for this study, closely matching conditions during Mars Global Surveyor drag measurements. Simulations confirm the major balance of EUV heating and thermal heat conduction at dayside exospheric altitudes. However, the influence of variable Martian global winds is significant and must be carefully considered when investigating the global regulation of Mars exospheric temperatures over the solar cycle and Martian seasons. Finally, the present MGCM-MTGCM heating and cooling processes suggests that an EUV-UV heating efficiency of 19% yields net heating in accord with MGS exospheric temperatures.
Structure of the F Center in NaF

The electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) method is applied to the study of the structure of the $F$ center in NaF. Hyperfine interactions between the $F$-center electron and a number of the surrounding nuclear shells are presented and compared with the results of earlier experiments and with theory. It is found that the resolved hyperfine structure is not due to the predominance of the first-shell interaction, as has been thought, but it arises from the fortuitous equality of the first- and second-shell isotropic hyperfine interactions. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) absorption measurements of the resolved structure confirms an expected 31-line resolved pattern. The exceptional resolution found in the ENDOR spectrum permits the identification of interactions with nuclei well beyond the eighth shell. Although the samples also contained large numbers of $M$ centers, no evidence for a paramagnetic $M$ center was found in either the EPR or ENDOR spectra.
Neuronal pathways mediating head turning behavior in Aplysia

Seaweed applied to the head of Aplysia elicits a head turning response in the direction of the stimulus. The major motor neurons involved in head turning appear to be located largely in the pedal ganglion. Using an autoradiographic technique, we obtained evidence that there are afferents in the skin of the head that project directly to the pedal ganglion by way of the cerebral-pleural connectives. Bilateral lesioning of the cerebral-pleural connectives, however, did not interfere with head turning, and unilateral lesions of either a cerebral-pedal or cerebral-pleural connective did not differentially affect turns evoked by stimuli applied ipsilaterally or contralaterally to the lesion. However, a combined unilateral lesion of a cerebral-pedal and cerebral-pleural connective resulted in elimination or significant reduction of ipsilateral turns. The data suggest that head turns elicited by food, are mediated by the combined information travelling in both the pedal and pleural connectives.
Actin-crosslinking protein regulation of filament movement in motility assays: a theoretical model

The interaction of single actin filaments on a myosin-coated coverslip has been modeled by several authors. One model adds a component of "frictional drag" by myosin heads that oppose movement of the actin filaments. We have extended this concept by including the resistive drag from actin crosslinking proteins to understand better the relationship among crosslinking number, actin-myosin force generation, and motility. The validity of this model is supported by agreement with the experimental results from a previous study in which crosslinking proteins were added with myosin molecules under otherwise standard motility assay conditions. The theoretical relationship provides a means to determine many physical parameters that characterize the interaction between a single actin filament and a single actin-crosslinking molecule (various types). In particular, the force constant of a single filamin molecule is calculated as 1.105 pN, approximately 3 times less than a driving myosin head (3.4 pN). Knowledge of this parameter and others derived from this model allows a better understanding of the interaction between myosin and the actin/actin-binding protein cytoskeleton and the role of actin-binding proteins in the regulation and modulation of motility.
Comparison of second-generation hand-assisted laparoscopic devices for surgeon pain and arm circulation

Abstract Objectives To compare two second-generation hand-assist devices (HADs) for surgeon pain and manual blood flow over time in an in vitro model. Methods Nineteen participants placed their nondominant hand through both the LapDisc and GelPort into a pneumoperitoneum chamber with an insufflation pressure of 15 mm Hg for a 2-hour test period. Pain, on a 10-point visual analog scale, and manual blood flow to the index finger using a laser Doppler skin probe were measured at 10 points during the 2 hours. Participants completed a questionnaire regarding hand comfort and the physical effects of the HAD. Results At 30, 45, and 60 minutes after hand insertion, the pain scores were significantly greater for the GelPort than for the LapDisc ( P = 0.04, P = 0.01, and P = 0.03, respectively). The GelPort caused an immediate reduction in manual blood flow, and the LapDisc caused a small initial increase in manual blood flow ( P = 0.03) and, thereafter, a decrease in blood flow. Three participants voluntarily removed their hand at 30, 45, and 60 minutes owing to the pain from GelPort use. No participant withdrew from the LapDisc because of pain. Conclusions Both HADs resulted in surgeon discomfort in our in vitro model. The GelPort resulted in more subjective pain compared with the LapDisc. Both HADs caused a reduction in manual blood flow. However, compared with the LapDisc, the GelPort caused significantly more reduction in manual blood flow. Surgeon comfort is only one parameter to consider when choosing a HAD.
Warfarin Resistance After Total Gastrectomy and Roux‐en‐Y Esophagojejunostomy

Nutritional deficiencies due to malabsorption occur after major gastric resection, and drugs that are primarily absorbed in the stomach or duodenum also are likely to exhibit decreased absorption. However, we performed a MEDLINE search (1960-2007) and found no evidence in the literature regarding the specific effects of warfarin absorption after total gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. We describe a 71-year-old woman receiving warfarin therapy for chronic atrial fibrillation who underwent a completion gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y esophagojejunostomy for an invasive adenocarcinoma of her gastric remnant. Before surgery, her international normalized ratio (INR) had been stable in her target range of 2-3 with warfarin 5-6 mg/day. At the time of her admission for the surgery, however, her INR was subtherapeutic at 1.73; warfarin was discontinued, and heparin and, subsequently, enoxaparin were used throughout her admission. After the surgery, the patient was discharged to a skilled nursing facility to continue bridge therapy with enoxaparin while warfarin was restarted and adjusted to a therapeutic INR of 2-3. Three months after discharge, the patient was hospitalized again for shortness of breath and was found to have an INR of 1.30 on admission, despite good compliance with her drugs. During this admission, the patient demonstrated resistance to warfarin therapy, requiring doses up to 20 mg/day to reach a therapeutic INR. To our knowledge, this is the first case report to demonstrate that patients undergoing a complete gastric resection followed by a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure may display warfarin resistance. Close monitoring and dosage adjustment may be necessary to maintain therapeutic anticoagulation in these patients.
Fetal Response to Live and Recorded Maternal Speech

The purpose of this study was to compare the fetal response to live and recorded maternal speech following a lengthy history of exposure to a passage spoken by the mother. Participants comprised a ...
Activated Sludge: Latest Developments and a Look Into the Future (Abridged)

This paper examines and discusses (a) the innovations of the activated-sludge process which have been developed in recent years - particularly biological nutrient-removal processes, (b) modifications to minimize the construction costs of activated-sludge systems while simultaneously incorporating biological nutrient-removal techniques, (c) innovative computer-interfaced control methodologies, and (d) proposed methods of improving the biochemical versatility of activated sludge. The paper also presents potential methods of utilizing activated-sludge processes to produce valuable by-products from wastewaters.
Sec1p Binds to SNARE Complexes and Concentrates at Sites of Secretion

Proteins of the Sec1 family have been shown to interact with target-membrane t-SNAREs that are homologous to the neuronal protein syntaxin. We demonstrate that yeast Sec1p coprecipitates not only the syntaxin homologue Ssop, but also the other two exocytic SNAREs (Sec9p and Sncp) in amounts and in proportions characteristic of SNARE complexes in yeast lysates. The interaction between Sec1p and Ssop is limited by the abundance of SNARE complexes present in sec mutants that are defective in either SNARE complex assembly or disassembly. Furthermore, the localization of green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Sec1p coincides with sites of vesicle docking and fusion where SNARE complexes are believed to assemble and function. The proposal that SNARE complexes act as receptors for Sec1p is supported by the mislocalization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant defective for SNARE complex assembly and by the robust localization of GFP-Sec1p in a mutant that fails to disassemble SNARE complexes. The results presented here place yeast Sec1p at the core of the exocytic fusion machinery, bound to SNARE complexes and localized to sites of secretion.
Sensory Descriptive Analysis of cv. Cresthaven Peaches-Maturity, Ripening and Storage Effects

Peaches (cv. Cresthaven), at three maturity grades (IM-immature, TM-threshold mature, and MA-mature), were evaluated by a trained descriptive analysis panel before and after ripening at 20°C and 85% relative humidity (RH) and after storage at 0°C, followed by ripening. Variable Cluster Analysis indicated 4 clusters (CL) of attributes that explained > 70% of the variation in the data. CL-I (green, hardness, fracturability) distinguished IM and TM fruit at harvest. CL-II (peachy, sweet, fruity, juiciness) showed that IM ripened fruit did not attain a comparable intensity of these notes as did ripened TM or MA fruit. Intensity of flavor changes due to ripening and storage depended on maturity of fruit when it was harvested.
The construction of a global profession : The transnationalization of economics

This article relies on an analysis of the institutionalization of economics worldwide during the 20th century to argue that the logic of professional development in this particular field has come to be increasingly defined in global terms. Connections to (mainly) U.S.‐based standards of work and professional practice are routinely used in the local competition whereby different professional segments and groups seek to assert their authority on particular jurisdictions (scientific, corporate, or political). In this process of professional construction (or reconstruction), economies are being transformed through complex transnational mechanisms which, ultimately, feed back into the identity and jurisdictional claims of the economics profession itself, both in the “core” and in the “periphery.”
Low dimensional worm-holes

Abstract A simple three dimensional physical model is proposed to qualitatively address a particular type of dynamics evolving on toroidal structures. In the phase space this dynamics creates appearance of a worm-hole through which a chaotic, quasiperiodic and periodic behaviors are formed. An intriguing topological property of such a system is that it possesses no steady state solutions. As such, it opens some interesting questions in the bifurcation theory. The model also offers a novel qualitative tool for explaining some recently reported experimental and simulation results observed in physics, chemistry and biology.
Pulmonary Embolism: A Precipitating Factor of Acute Coronary Insufficiency

A clinical and pathological study of 40 necropsied cases of massive pulmonary embolism indicates that acute coronary insufficiency plays as large a part as does cor pulmonale in the cardiac sequellae of embolism. Electrocardiographic changes attributable to coronary insufficiency occurred more often than the classical cor pulmonale pattern. They were more common in older patients with antecedent coronary sclerosis and cardiac enlargement whereas the classical cor pulmonale pattern occurred most often in patients with normal coronary arteries and heart size. Focal subendocardial infarction of the left ventricle, in the absence of acute coronary occlusion, was found postmortem in nine cases. This resulted from coronary insufficiency precipitated by the pulmonary embolism, in patients with antecedent coronary disease and cardiac hypertrophy who had sustained recurrent emboli. The various precipitating factors of coronary insufficiency following pulmonary embolism were evaluated. These were anoxemia, shock, right ventricular strain, and reflex coronary vasoconstriction. Of these, shock associated with diminished cardiac output and coronary blood flow was considered the most important. It can be concluded that acute coronary insufficiency may be the predominant factor underlying the electrocardiographic changes and myocardial involvement in pulmonary embolism, even when right ventricular strain exists.
A ROLE FOR EXTRACELLULAR COPPER IN MODULATING PROSTACLANDIN E2(PCE2) ACTION: FACILITATION OF PCE2 STIMULATION OF THE RELEASE OF CONADOTROPIN-RELEASINC HORMONE (LHRH) FROM MEDIAN EMINENCE EXPLANTS

Copper is present in high concentrations in axonal terminals of hypothalamic neurons (1). We have previously postulated that copper is released from axonal terminals of hypothalamic neurons (2). In this study, we addressed the question: Does extracellular copper facilitate PGE2 action, specifically, the stimulation of LHRH release? The median eminence area (MEA) of male rats was incubated under in vitro conditions, and LHRH release into the medium was quantified by RIA. When MEA were incubated for 5 min with 100 uM copper and then for 15 min with 50 μM PGE2 (Cu/PGE2, Cu/PGE2-stimulated release of LHRH was significantly (P<0.001) greater (2 times) than the sum of copper- and PGE2-stimulated release. When MEA were first incubated for 15 min with PGE- and then for 5 min with copper (PGE2/Cu), PGE2/Cu-stimulated release equalled the sum of PGE2 and copper-stimulated release of LHRH. Thus, copper Tacilitates PGE2 stimulation of LHRH release from ihe MEA, and the characteristics of this facilitation are consist...
Comparing Recreation Benefits from On-Site versus Household Surveys in Count Data Travel Cost Demand Models with Overdispersion:

On-site surveys of tourists often lead to overestimates of annual tourism because tourists who are frequent repeat visitors are more likely to be sampled. This unrepresentative sample leads to statistical problems known as ‘truncation’ and ‘endogenous stratification’ in widely used travel cost demand models. Further, wide variation in the number of on-site visits among tourists can lead to overdispersion in the dependent variable of count data travel cost models. The authors present the first real-world data correction for all three problems and compare the corrected estimates with the ideal household survey. Correcting for truncation and endogenous stratification in a count data specification allowing for overdispersion (negative binomial specification) lowers the demand and benefit estimate to a mean value not significantly different from the household estimate. If tourism researchers wish to develop visitor use estimates from on-site surveys consistent with household level surveys, the authors' improve...
An economic view of South Central Los Angeles

Abstract While South Central is widely depicted as one more inner-city in economic collapse, this essay provides a look at life in South Central that suggests a community on the economic rise with resurgent community associations and churches helping to bring back businesses to neglected neighborhoods. Instead of growing poverty and hopelessness, data reveal neighborhoods are experiencing moderate poverty rates amid growing investment. Instead of job flight, there are numerous jobs for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Observational dispersion relations

Pulse propagation in plasmas has been widely studied in relation to instabilities and their classification as convective or absolute. Such analyses emphasize the importance of considering the summation of a spectrum of modes, rather than simply making deductions from Brillouin dispersion relations plotted either for real frequency and complex wavenumber, or for complex frequency and real wavenumber. In particular, erroneous conclusions may be drawn about the magnitude and direction of propagation of a transient pulse. In this paper, the point of view is taken that an observer remote from the source would measure an 'observational dispersion relation'. The nature of this dispersion relation is examined for absorbing or convectively unstable plasmas by asymptotic analysis, and for different source waveforms. Illustrative results are presented for propagation in cold plasmas and for beam-plasma interaction.
Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Organic-Inorganic Nancomposite Coatings

In this paper, we report the synthesis and characterization of three novel water-based nanocomposite coatings. Throughout the paper, these coatings will be referred to as coatings 1, 2 and 3. The coatings are silica-based and are sol-gel derived using surfactant assemblies, with aluminum perchlorate as a catalyst. After synthesis, curing causes cross-link polymerization of silica, forming Si-O-Si network. The formation of this 3-Dimensional network can be verified using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles gives the material unique properties.
Catalytic enantioselective synthesis of a key intermediate for the synthesis of prostanoids

Abstract A route has been demonstrated for the enantioselective synthesis of prostanoids from achiral starting materials by the use of chiral catalysts of the molecular robot class.
An Indoor Pathloss Model at 60 GHz Based on Transport Theory

New analytical shadow loss model is presented that takes into account absorption and scattering of incident waves by obstacles. The input parameters for the model are the obstacle occupational density, obstacle number density, and mean geometric cross section of the obstacles. The model yields a closed-form expression for the mean excess loss in a typical office environment. Comparison with measured excess loss in non-line-of-sight (NLOS) situations is shown to demonstrate the utility of the model. The model is expected to be valid when the density of obstacles is sufficiently large.