cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social Media, Digital Scholarship, and Academic Promotion in US Medical Schools.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Academic promotion is critical in academic medicine. Traditionally, peer-reviewed journal articles have been at the core of advancement deliberations. With the increasing prominence digital content and social media, an increasing number of academics have begun linking their scholarly value with their online activities. It is unclear whether and how US academic medical institutions have updated their promotion criteria to reflect the changing environment and digital practices of faculty members. METHODS We reviewed publicly available advancement and promotion policies and faculty handbooks of 148 allopathic medical schools in the United States (April 2018 through September 2018), to see if social media was explicitly included in their scholarship criteria. RESULTS Of the 148 allopathic institutions only 12 (8.1%) stated that digital and social media products would be factored into the scholarship and/or other domains of the promotion application. There were no associations between acceptability of social media in the tenure process and schools' characteristics. CONCLUSIONS Digital media use has the potential to distribute scholarship widely. Including digital scholarship in promotion would help destigmatize the use of digital platforms and promote science dissemination to the public. Medical institutions should embrace new models of digital scholarship and lead the way in defining and ensuring quality.
The Beard Belittler

Is it discrimination for a grocer to prohibit employees from growing beards? To fire them from their jobs if they disobey this order? Yes, would say most men of good-will; they would undoubtedly urge the government to order the supermarket to reinstate all bearded employees who have been dismissed from their jobs.
Assessing selection bias in regression coefficients estimated from nonprobability samples with applications to genetics and demographic surveys

Selection bias is a serious potential problem for inference about relationships of scientific interest based on samples without well-defined probability sampling mechanisms. Motivated by the potential for selection bias in: (a) estimated relationships of polygenic scores (PGSs) with phenotypes in genetic studies of volunteers and (b) estimated differences in subgroup means in surveys of smartphone users, we derive novel measures of selection bias for estimates of the coefficients in linear and probit regression models fitted to nonprobability samples, when aggregate-level auxiliary data are available for the selected sample and the target population. The measures arise from normal pattern-mixture models that allow analysts to examine the sensitivity of their inferences to assumptions about nonignorable selection in these samples. We examine the effectiveness of the proposed measures in a simulation study and then use them to quantify the selection bias in: (a) estimated PGS-phenotype relationships in a large study of volunteers recruited via Facebook and (b) estimated subgroup differences in mean past-year employment duration in a nonprobability sample of low-educated smartphone users. We evaluate the performance of the measures in these applications using benchmark estimates from large probability samples.
From Sustainable Transportation to Sustainable Accessibility: Can We Avoid a New Tragedy of the Commons?

Accessibility is the geographic definition of opportunity. The opportunity individuals have to participate in necessary or desired activities, or to explore new ones, is contingent upon their ability to reach the right places at the appropriate times and with reasonable expenditure of resources and effort. Up until recently the history of the increase in accessibility at local, regional, and global scales has largely been the history of improvements in transportation. With the advent, spread, and now merging of telecommunications and digital information technologies there exist for the first time viable and often preferable alternatives to physical movement for accessing and engaging in economic, social, or cultural activities. These developments combine with advances in the design and management of physical transportation to create substantially altered forms of accessibility landscapes reflecting profound changes in the meaning of that term itself and its implications for urban and regional structure and function.
Overexpression rescues the mutant phenotype of L176F mutation causing beta-glucuronidase deficiency mucopolysaccharidosis in two Mennonite siblings.

Abstract Two beta-glucuronidase-deficient Mennonite siblings were found to be homozygous for a mutation in exon 3 of the beta-glucuronidase gene that produces a Leu-->Phe substitution (L176F). The siblings also have the previously described benign polymorphism, P649L. Although their cultured fibroblasts contained 1.5-2.2% of normal beta-glucuronidase activity, transient expression of the L176F/P649L cDNA in COS cells produced nearly as much enzyme activity as the wild-type control cDNA. The L176F/P649L enzyme was as stable as wild-type enzyme following endocytosis by fibroblasts and delivery to lysosomes, but was more labile to heat inactivation at 65 degrees C. To study the mutant enzyme at lower levels of expression, we stably transfected mouse mucopolysaccharidosis type VII cells with the L176F/P649L cDNA and selected single-copy cell lines. Metabolic labeling with [35S]methionine revealed that cell lines expressing the mutant enzyme activity at low levels (7-10% of the wild type) actually produced the same amount of enzyme protein as the cell lines expressing the more active wild-type enzyme. However, the cell lines expressing four times this much mutant enzyme protein produced 150-200% as much enzyme activity as the cell line expressing the single-copy wild-type cDNA. These data suggest that overexpression can drive the folding reaction or the self-association of mutant monomers to form active tetramers and, at least partially, correct the beta-glucuronidase deficiency seen at low levels of expression with certain missense mutations.
Chronic Morphine Induces Downregulation of Spinal Glutamate Transporters: Implications in Morphine Tolerance and Abnormal Pain Sensitivity

Tolerance to the analgesic effects of an opioid occurs after its chronic administration, a pharmacological phenomenon that has been associated with the development of abnormal pain sensitivity such as hyperalgesia. In the present study, we examined the role of spinal glutamate transporters (GTs) in the development of both morphine tolerance and associated thermal hyperalgesia. Chronic morphine administered through either intrathecal boluses or continuous infusion induced a dose-dependent downregulation of GTs (EAAC1 and GLAST) in the rat's superficial spinal cord dorsal horn. This GT downregulation was mediated through opioid receptors because naloxone blocked such GT changes. Morphine-induced GT downregulation reduced the ability to maintain in vivo glutamate homeostasis at the spinal level, because the hyperalgesic response to exogenous glutamate was enhanced, including an increased magnitude and a prolonged time course, in morphine-treated rats with reduced spinal GTs. Moreover, the downregulation of spinal GTs exhibited a temporal correlation with the development of morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia. Consistently, the GT inhibitor l-trans-pyrrolidine-2-4-dicarboxylate (PDC) potentiated, whereas the positive GT regulator riluzole reduced, the development of both morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia. The effects from regulating spinal GT activity by PDC were at least in part mediated through activation of the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), because the noncompetitive NMDAR antagonist MK-801 blocked both morphine tolerance and thermal hyperalgesia that were potentiated by PDC. These results indicate that spinal GTs may contribute to the neural mechanisms of morphine tolerance and associated abnormal pain sensitivity by means of regulating regional glutamate homeostasis.
Noise Limitations of FET‐Based Biochemical Sensors

The gate surface of an FET can be painted with antibodies for certain biological agents, causing it to change its surface potential by δ V G and therefore also the channel resistance by δ R Ch = κδ m when agents of mass δ m are adsorbed. Here κ is the effectivity of the antibody paint. The resulting channel current change competes with quantum 1/f noise generated in the channel. This competition determines the sensitivity. By choosing the right chemical activation deposit on the gate surface, a chemical sensor is obtained. In the present paper for the first time a complete, reliable, analytical formula is provided for the flicker floor of the FET‐based biological and chemical sensors, allowing for their simpler optimization.
A New Mode Declaration for Tabled Predicates

A tabled logic programming (TLP) system can be thought of as an engine for efficiently computing fixed points. In a TLP system, a global data structure table is introduced to memorize the answers of any subgoals to tabled predicates, whose purpose is to never do the same computation twice. Consider the tabled predicate reach/2 defined as follows for the reachability relation. Given a query reach(a,X), a TLP system returns answers X=b, X=c and X=a, albeit the predicate is defined left-recursively.
Full-band ballistic quantum transport in nanostructures using empirical pseudopotentials

Empirical pseudopotentials are employed to study ballistic electron transport in nanoscale open systems. The boundary conditions are treated using the complex band structure and Schrodinger equation is solved self-consistently with Poisson equation employing parallel computing technique and a sparse-matrix solver. The example of a Si NanoWire is considered.
AN EXAMINATION OF RELATIVE PERMEABILITY RELATIONS FOR TWO-PHASE FLOW IN POROUS MEDIA

A key parameter in modeling two-phase flow phenomena is relative permeability. It is important to understand which variables influence relative permeability, especially since so few measurements of relative permeability, especially since so few measurements of relative permeability have been made for typical contaminants at hazardous waste sites. This paper focuses on the effect of five variables on relative permeability: intrinsic permeability, pore-size distribution, viscosity ratio, interfacial tension, and wettability, by critically reviewing previously published relative permeability experiments. The wide variability in the functional relationship between relative permeability and saturation should be considered in attempts to model two-phase flow.
IdeaKeeper notepads: scaffolding digital library information analysis in online inquiry

Online inquiry activities are important for K-12 learners to explore substantive driving questions in different areas, especially science. However, the inquiry process is complex for learners who need extensive support to mindfully engage in these activities. We are addressing this with the Digital IdeaKeeper, a scaffolded work environment for online inquiry. While online inquiry includes many different activities (e.g., planning, information seeking, synthesis), this paper focuses on supporting learners with information analysis so they can effectively read and make sense of articles they find in digital libraries. Here we spotlight scaffolded notepads, which connect to articles learners are reading in a browser. Notepads support learners by connecting their goals to their reading, guiding reflection and articulation, and implementing a framework by which learners' notes and articles are linked, saved and viewed together to aid with more seamless information management.
Hedgehog Signal Transduction in the Posterior Compartment of the Drosophila Wing Imaginal Disc

Drosophila Hedgehog (Hh) is secreted by Posterior (P) compartment cells and induces Anterior (A) cells to create a developmental organizer at the AP compartment border. Hh signaling converts Fused (Fu) to a hyperphosphorylated form, Fu*. We show that A border cells of wing imaginal discs contain Fu*. Unexpectedly, P cells also produce Fu*, in a Hh-dependent and Ptc-independent manner. Increasing Ptc, the putative Hh receptor expressed specifically by A cells, reduced Fu*. These results are consistent with proposals that Ptc downregulates Hh signaling and suggest that a receptor other than Ptc mediates Hh signaling in P cells of imaginal discs. We conclude that Hh signals in these P cells and that the outputs of the pathway are blocked by transcriptional repression.
Linking exposure to strain with anger: an investigation of deviant adaptations

Abstract Recent developments in strain theory have moved toward a broad conceptualization of strain. In a series of papers, Agnew 1992 has developed General Strain Theory (GST), which attempts to address past criticisms of more traditional theories of strain. There have, however, been few empirical tests of GST, and the critical role of anger has not been widely examined. In the present analysis, a partial empirical test of GST is presented that examines the mediating effects of anger as well as the possible instrumental, escapist, and violent adaptations to strain. The results reveal partial support for GST, but only for models predicting intentions to fight. In addition, the mediating effects of anger were not observed in models predicting intentions to drive drunk, shoplift, and fight. Implications of the results and future directions for GST are discussed.
Epitaxial Electrodeposition of Zinc Oxide Nanopillars on Single-Crystal Gold

ZnO nanopillars have been electrodeposited epitaxially onto Au(111), Au(110) and Au(100) single-crystal substrates. The nanopillars grow with the same [0001] out-of-plane orientation on all three substrates. The in-plane orientation was probed by X-ray pole figure analysis. The pole figures had six peaks on Au(111) and twelve peaks on Au(110) and Au(100). Scanning electron microscopy revealed aligned hexagonal nanopillars of ZnO with an average grain size of 85 nm on Au(111). There were two sets of hexagonal grains with an average size of 85 nm on Au(110) and 95 nm on Au(100) that were rotated 90° with respect to each other. Rocking curve analysis showed that the ZnO on Au(100) had the smallest mosaic spread.
Response of hair types in mice to higher doses of x-rays†

Doses of x-rays exceeding 1,000 r delivered to resting hair follicles of mice cause a variable greying response ranging from 60 to 100%. The purpose of this study was to study this phenomenon with specific reference to the response of zigzags and overhairs to irradiation. Accordingly, mice were exposed to 1,200 r and 1,300 r of x-rays and the response of hairs from a known area was compared with that of unirradiated controls and mice given 600 r, 800 r and 1,000 r, of radiation. It was found that at the higher doses, variations in total greying response were paralleled by variations in the response of both zigzags and overhairs, that there is relatively greater epilation of overhairs, and that zigzags contribute most heavily to both the white and the totally pigmented fractions. The results of this study therefore do not support the previous suggestion that the variable greying response is a function of a relative increase of pigmented overhairs in conjunction with selective damage of zigzags.
Contrasting Interpersonal Correlates of Mutual Eye-Contact Reports by Self and others

-Four small interpersonal groups' 32 participants estimated each pair's mutual eye contact (MEC) in seconds for 90-min. sessions culminating Hours 6, 22M, 28%, and 45. Individuals also inclusively rated each person's within-group behavior for acceptance of self and of others near Hours 22 and 44. Aggregated to augment reliability, peers' mean estimates of each individual's mu,ual eye contact showed greater interoccasion consistency and correlated more srrongly with each acceptance index than did MEC selfreports. Substantial positive correlations (.47 to . 5 5 ) between peer-rated self-acceptance and peer-based eye contact consistently exceeded other-acceprance's parallel linkages. In contrast, self-based estimates of mutual eye-contact correlated more positively with acceptance of others than with self-acceptance in all eight separate instances.
Photographic methods to detect colourants in archaeological textiles

Protocols for photography of archaeological textiles to detect components of differing chemistry that are indicative of colourants were developed. Parameters of light source, camera distance, filter type, film type, film speed, and aperture size were evaluated for visible, UV-reflectance, UV-fluorescence, and infrared photography. Using these techniques facilitates selective sampling for further analysis that maximizes critical data acquisition while minimizing destruction of the artefact. Hence, forensic photography of archaeological perishable materials should be regarded as a precursor to destructive analytical methods.
Improving delivery of clinical preventive services: a multi-year journey.

Background Adults in the United States typically do not receive all recommended clinical preventive services (CPS) for which they are eligible, missing opportunities for prevention and/or early detection. A multi-year quality improvement initiative targeting CPS delivery in a fee-for-service ambulatory care network is described. Methods Since 1999, HealthTexas Provider Network (HTPN) has implemented multiple initiatives to increase CPS delivery, including a flowsheet, a physician champion model, physician- and practice-level audit and feedback, and rapid-cycle quality improvement training. Results From 2000 to 2006, “recommended or done” CPS delivery increased from 68% to 92%, and “done” from 70% to 86% (2001 to 2006). “Perfect care” composite performance increased from 0.19 to 0.51 (2001 to 2006). Conclusions Long-term, multistrategy approaches can achieve substantial sustained improvement in CPS delivery throughout a large ambulatory care provider network.
Neutralizing antibody responses and evolution of antigenic variants in monozygotic twin lambs infected with phenotypically distinct ovine lentiviruses.

Abstract Ovine lentivirus (OvLV) isolates 85/34 (OvLV 34) and 84/28 (OvLV 28) were initially characterized as phenotypically distinct “rapid/high” and “slow/low” strains based on replication kinetics, syncytiogenesis, and cell lysis in vitro. In the present study, sera from OvLV-34- or OvLV-28-infected monozygotic twin lambs defined these virus strains as distinct neutralization serotypes. We also show that immune recognition of at least one OvLV neutralization epitope is influenced by genetic differences between lambs. Additional studies determined the neutralization phenotype of virus isolates from alveolar macrophages of OvLV-34- or OvLV-28-infected lambs, evaluated the role of neutralizing antibodies in selection and persistence of antigenic variants, and related the severity of OvLV-induced lymphoid interstitial pneumonia (LIP) to the evolution of neutralization variants. These studies demonstrate that (i) macrophage-associated OvLV neutralization variants can arise in the presence or the absence of neutralizing antibodies directed to inoculum viruses, (ii) OvLV variants persist in macrophages in the presence of serum neutralizing antibodies, and (iii) the emergence of OvLV variants is apparently unrelated to the severity of LIP.
Geometry optimization for quality factor enhancement in SiC-based lateral overmoded bulk acoustic resonators

This paper reports on experimentally verified methods to enhance the quality factor (Q) for SiC-based lateral overmoded bulk acoustic-wave resonators (LOBAR) by acting on their geometry. A prototype LOBAR device [1] was previously demonstrated and showed great potentials for enabling very high Q resonators for applications such as low phase noise oscillators and narrowband channellizers by taking advantage of the intrinsic low damping of SiC. However, the demonstrated performances were far from ultimate and the SiC LOBAR design space has not been fully explored. Therefore, an analytical model has been developed to further understand the LOBAR operation and provide guidelines for Q optimization in this work. The designed experiments focus on LOBAR optimization by exploring the effect of structural dimension variations such as the piezoelectric film thickness (250 and 500 nm) used for transducing the SiC into vibration, coverage ratio (ratio of AlN area to SiC ranging 0.5–2.5%), and aspect ratio (SiC length to width ratio ranging 6–10) of the resonant cavity on the device Q. Consequently, more than 20% increase in Q (from 4250 to 5378) has been achieved at 1.5 GHz, and over 100% increase in Q (from 1900 to 4296) at 2.3 GHz. Additional experimental data also further confirms validity of the analytical model used to describe the device behavior.
The aromaticity/antiaromaticity continuum. 1. Comparison of the aromaticity of the dianion and the antiaromaticity of the dication of tetrabenzo[5.5]fulvalene via magnetic measures.

The aromaticity of the dianion (2) and the antiaromaticity of the dication (3) of tetrabenzo[5.5]fulvalene have been evaluated through magnetic criteria, 1H NMR shifts, nucleus-independent chemical shifts, NICS, and magnetic susceptibility exaltation, Λ. The sum of the NICS values, using the GIAO (gauge-independent atomic orbital) method, for 2 is −35.2; that of 3 is +38.2, indicating the aromaticity of 2 and the antiaromaticity of 3. Calculation of magnetic susceptibility exaltation using the CSGT (continuous set of gauge transformations) method gives a similar result, with Λ of −81.8 ppm cgs for 2 and 95.8 ppm cgs for 3. The general validity of these values is suppoorted by excellent agreement between the NMR shifts calculated by the GIAO and CSGT methods with experimental shifts. Comparison of 1H NMR shifts with those of model compounds allows evaluation of the magnitude of the diatropic shift in 2 and paratropic shift in 3 and supports their assignment as aromatic/antiaromatic, respectively. The agree...
Brown recluse spider bite to the eyelid.

Abstract Purpose To present a photographically documented case of a known brown recluse spider bite to the eyelid. Design Interventional case report. Methods The wound was photographed daily during an 11-day hospitalization and at 1 month and 6 months after the injury. Treatment included canthotomy and cantholysis; administration of dapsone, antibiotics, and steroids; and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Main outcome measures Clinical presentation and course of a known brown recluse spider bite. Results Complete recovery with cicatrization at the site of the bite. Conclusions We present a case of a brown recluse spider bite to the left lower eyelid with a discussion of management and outcome of this rarely reported injury.
On spectral properties of periodic polyharmonic matrix operators

We consider a matrix operatorH = (-Δ)l +V inRn, wheren ≥ 2,l ≥ 1, 4l > n + 1, andV is the operator of multiplication by a periodic inx matrixV(x). We study spectral properties ofH in the high energy region. Asymptotic formulae for Bloch eigenvalues and the corresponding spectral projections are constructed. The Bethe-Sommerfeld conjecture, stating that the spectrum ofH can have only a finite number of gaps, is proved.
Effect of thiopyrimidine ribonucleosides on DNA and RNA synthesis in synchronized mammalian cell cultures

Abstract The uptake of 3H-uridine into RNA and of 3H-thymidine into DNA was investigated in synchronized Chinese hamster cells which had been exposed to thiopyrimidine ribonucleosides. The cells were synchronized at metaphase by reversal of colcemid inhibition; these cells were then labeled with either 3H-thymidine or 3H-uridine at selected times, and analyzed in autoradiographs. Incorporation of 3H-thymidine into DNA was not inhibited by administration to the cells of 2-thiouridine or 4-thiouridine (4 × 10−3 M). Exposure of the cells to the anti-metabolites for over 15 h significantly reduced the incorporation of 3H-uridine into nuclear RNA and completely blocked the labeling of cytoplasmic RNA. This finding is interpreted as an indication that RNA synthesis was inhibited in cells which continued to synthesize DNA. The inhibition of RNA synthesis hindered cell division and decreased cell viability. This lethal effect is similar to the “unbalanced growth” induced by inhibitors of DNA synthesis. The thiopyrimidine ribonucleosides, however, killed mammalian cells without inhibiting DNA synthesis.
Phase II evaluation of paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin in advanced head and neck carcinoma

BACKGROUND. Two-thirds of patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN) at diagnosis have advanced disease with projected 5-year survival rates of 30%. In those patients with distant metastatic or previously treated recurrent disease, response rate to the standard regimen of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil is approximately 30%. The authors investigated the use of paclitaxel and carboplatin in a limited Phase II study in recurrent or metastatic SCCHN to evaluate tumor response, time to progression, survival, and toxicities of this regimen. METHODS. Patients with recurrent or metastatic SCCHN not amenable to further surgical or radiation therapy were treated with 200 mg/m 2 by 3-hour infusion of paclitaxel followed by carboplatin at an area under the concentration time curve of 6 mg/mL/minute via a 20 ‐30-minute infusion every 3 weeks. RESULTS. Thirty-seven patients were enrolled. Ninety-five percent of patients had received prior surgery and postoperative radiotherapy. The overall response rate was 27% (95% confidence interval, 13‐ 41%) with 1 complete and 9 PRs. Median survival of all patients was 4.9 months, and 1-year survival rate was 16%. There was a 43% response rate and 15.7-month median survival rate in patients with only distant metastatic disease and 38% response rate and a 4.5-month median survival in patients with locoregional and metastatic disease. The response rate for patients with only locoregional recurrence was 7% with a median survival of 4.8 months. Grade 3‐ 4 myelotoxicity occurred in 24% of cycles administered. There were two treatment-related deaths due to neutropenic fever and one additional death on study may have been caused by treatment-induced thrombocytopenia. CONCLUSIONS. The combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin is significantly myelotoxic and ineffective in patients with previously treated locoregionally recurrent SCCHN, whereas it deserves further evaluation in those patients with distant metastatic disease alone. In those patients with locoregional disease, other more innovative treatments are needed. Cancer 2001;92:2334 ‐ 40. © 2001 American Cancer Society.
Place making and place breaking: Migration and the development cycle of community in colonial Mexico

Although scholars increasingly recognize that community survival depends on ongoing processes of renovation and innovation, and not simply on the persistence of past identities into the present, the historical processes of community formation and fragmentation in colonial situations is seldom documented. In this article, I examine both the tactical engagement of indigenous peasant migrants with the colonial Mexican state over spatial rights and the migrants' emergent sense of place in a newly settled locale. I suggest that place making involves place breaking, and I seek to add a diachronic dimension to understanding of indigenous societies and identity politics.
Adolescent Pregnancy Rates in Three European Countries: Lessons to Be Learned?

Adolescent pregnancy and abortion rates in the Netherlands, France, and Germany are lower than rates in the United States and the mean age of sexual debut is later. Contributing factors include philosophical differences about the rights and responsibilities of adolescents, access to contraceptives, sexuality education, and mass media campaigns. The data used in this article were gathered from meetings with health care providers in the three European countries studied and from published reports. While it is not possible to impose practices from one society upon another, nurses in North America may want to consider implementing some of these ideas in their practices.
Inflation, Inflation Uncertainty, and Relative Price Variability

This paper tests three models that predict a relationship between the variability of relative price changes (RPV) and aspects of inflation such as expected inflation, unexpected inflation, and inflation uncertainty. These are, respectively, the menu-costs model, the Lucas–Barro signal-extraction model, and the Hercowitz–Cukierman extension of the Lucas–Barro model that allows for different price elasticities of supply across markets. The results imply rejection of the hypothesis that any one of the models entirely explains the relationship between inflation and RPV and also imply rejection of the hypothesis that the three models together jointly explain the relationship.
Effect of β‐Carotene on Hepatic Cytochrome P‐450 in Ethanol‐Fed Rats

BACKGROUND Hepatotoxicity of ethanol is increased by beta-carotene in both rodents and nonhuman primates. Furthermore, in smokers who are also drinkers, beta-carotene increases the incidence of pulmonary cancer. The hepatotoxicity was associated with proliferation of the membranes of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum, suggesting the involvement of cytochromes P-450. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of beta-carotene and ethanol treatment on rodent hepatic cytochromes P-450. METHODS AND RESULTS Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were pair-fed beta-carotene (56.5 mg/l of diet) for 8 weeks, with and without ethanol (Lieber-DeCarli, 1994 liquid diet). As expected, ethanol increased CYP2E1 (measured by Western blots) from 67 +/- 8 to 317 +/- 27 densitometric units (p < 0.001). Furthermore, beta-carotene potentiated the ethanol induction to 442 +/- 38 densitometric units (p < 0.01) with a significant interaction (p = 0.012). The rise was confirmed by a corresponding increase in the hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol, a specific substrate for CYP2E1, and by the inhibition with diethyl dithiocarbamate (50 microM). Beta-carotene alone also significantly induced CYP4A1 protein (328 +/- 49 vs. 158 +/- 17 densitometric units, p < 0.05). The corresponding CYP4A1 mRNA (measured by Northern blots) was also increased (p < 0.05) and there was a significant interaction of the two treatments (p = 0.015). The combination of ethanol and beta-carotene had no significant effect on either total cytochrome P-450 or CYP1A1/2, CYP2B, CYP3A, and CYP4A2/3 contents. CONCLUSIONS Beta-carotene potentiates the CYP2E1 induction by ethanol in rat liver and also increases CYP4A1, which may, at least in part, explain the associated hepatotoxicity.
Characterization of voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene coding sequences from insecticide-susceptible and knockdown-resistant house fly strains.

The kdr insecticide resistance trait of the house fly (Musca domestica L.), which confers reduced neuronal sensitivity to DDT and pyrethroid insecticides, was previously shown to exhibit tight genetic linkage to restriction fragment length polymorphism markers lying within a voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene that is homologous to the para gene of Drosophila melanogaster. In the present study, the 6315 nucleotide coding sequences of this voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene from insecticide-susceptible (NAIDM strain) and kdr (538ge strain) house flies were determined by automated direct DNA sequencing of PCR fragments obtained by amplification on first strand cDNA from adult heads. The deduced 2105-residue amino acid sequence from each strain exhibited overall structure and organization typical of sodium channel α subunit genes and was 90.0% identical to that of the D. melanogaster para gene product. We did not detect any splice variants among voltage-sensitive sodium channel cDNAs obtained from adult house fly head preparations. Comparison of the coding sequence of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel gene of the kdr house fly strain to that of the NAIDM strain revealed 12 amino acid differences in the 538ge strain. The significance of these polymorphisms as candidate resistance-conferring mutations is discussed.
On the Probability of Extreme Rainfall Events.

In recent years, the terms, “once-in-a-century” and 100-year, have been attached to various rare and catastrophic events; recent examples are the rains associated with Hurricane Agnes and the 1972 Rapid City storm. The background for the use of these terms is examined from the points of view of both the professional and nonprofessional user. A brief review is presented of the methods of analysis of extreme values with applications to rainfalls. The main unsolved problem in rainfall frequency analysis is the lack of a satisfactory procedure for determining the frequency of various rainfall patterns over a fixed geographical area.
Development of dispositional tolerance to phencyclidine by osmotic minipump in the mouse

Abstract Development of tolerance to phencyclidine (PCP) was assessed in male ICR mice, using motor incoordination as a parameter. The implantation of a PCP (1–3 mg/ day/mouse for 1–5 days)-containing osmotic minipump, induced tolerance, as evidenced by a gradual reduction of the duration of motor incoordination. The degree of tolerance exhibited dose and time dependency. Even after the removal of the PCP pump (1 mg/day/mouse for 5 days), the tolerance remained to the same degree for at least 4 days. The hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450, cytochrome b 5 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphatase (NADPH)-cyctochrome c reductase activities were found to be elevated in tolerant mice (2 mg/ day/mouse for 5 days). The half-life of PCP in the brains of tolerant mice was likewise decreased. These data indicate a dispositional tolerance for PCP. It appears that the administration of PCP by the osmotic minipump offers a convenient method for inducing PCP tolerance.
Isotopic exchange measurements of the rates of adsorption/desorption and interconversion of CO and CO2 over chromia-promoted magnetite: implications for water-gas shift

Abstract Isotopic exchange measurements were used to investigate the adsorption/desorption and inter-conversion of CO and CO 2 on chromia-promoted magnetite at 565 and 627 K. The interconversion between CO and CO 2 was shown to take place through surface adsorbed species. Furthermore, the rate of interconversion was limited by the rates of adsorption/desorption, indicating either that adsorbed CO and CO 2 are in equilibrium on the surface or that the adsorption of CO and CO 2 leads to the same surface species, e.g., a surface carbonate species. A kinetic model for the water-gas shift over magnetite is proposed, and the results of the isotopic exchange measurements and volumetric adsorption data are used to estimate the rate and equilibrium constants for this model.
SHIGA-LIKE TOXIN (SLT) ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA AND HEMOLYTIC UREMIC SYNDROME (HUS) IN ARGENTINA

We conducted a prospective study to determine the frequency of SLT-related HUS and SLT-related diarrhea in Argentinian children. Fecal toxin measured in a (3H) Hela cell system was detected in 10/31 (32%) HUS patients, in 7/31 (22.6%) age - season matched children with diarrhea (CD) and in 0/19 (0%) healthy children (p<0.025). Neutralization with specific antisera showed that in 5 HUS patients and in 4 CD only SLT-I was present and in 5 HUS and 3 CD SLT-I and SLT-II were found. DNA hybridization was used to screen 555 E. coli strains isolated from these patients for SLT-I and SLT-II. Three HUS and 3 CD were DNA probe positive for SLT-II and 1 HUS case was DNA probe positive for both toxins. E. coli 0157:H7 were detected in 2 CD and in 1 HUS patient. Fifty-one percent (21/41) HUS patients, 21% (10/47) CD and 5% (1/19) healthy children had serum neutralizing titers of ≥ 1:4 to shigatoxin (p<0.0005). These date show that HUS is associated with SLT-producing E. coli and suggest that the high frequency of HUS in Argentina is related to the common occurrence of SLT-associated diarrhea.
Glyphosate-Tolerant Cotton: The Composition of the Cottonseed Is Equivalent to That of Conventional Cottonseed

An important aspect of the safety assessment of genetically modified crops to be used for human food and animal feed is the product composition, including nutrients and antinutrients. Cotton lines have been developed that are tolerant to glyphosate, the active ingredient in the herbicide Roundup. The glyphosate-tolerant lines were generated by the stable insertion of a glyphosate tolerance gene in a common variety of cotton. The glyphosate tolerance gene encodes for 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) from Agrobacterium sp. strain CP4 (CP4 EPSPS). The composition of the cottonseed and oil from two glyphosate-tolerant lines (GTCot), 1445 and 1698, was compared to that of the parental variety Coker 312 and to published values for other commercial cotton varieties. The nutrients measured in the cottonseed were protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrate, calories, moisture, ash, amino acids, and fatty acids. The antinutrients measured in the cottonseed included gossypol, cyclopropenoid fatty acids, and...
Expression of growth factor mRNA in rabbit PVR model systems.

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) involves the formation of intravitreal fibrocellular membranes which may lead to traction retinal detachment and blindness. The cellular component of epiretinal membranes originates from the proliferation and migration of cells within the eye. Several growth factors and other cytokines are plausible candidates for directing the processes leading to membrane formation. A reproducible animal model is needed for experimental studies of cytokine expression during PVR induction or treatment.We found that intravitreal injection of > 106 mixed mononuclear leukocytes or adherent monocytes along with a trans-scleral incision through the pars plana leads to the development of PVR-like disease in rabbit eyes. The severity of the disease was related to the number of monocytes injected. Typically, organized membranes extending from the incision toward the optic nerve formed within one week. Progression to extensive traction retinal detachment required 1 to 4 weeks. Injection of up...
A critical assessment of the research conducted at the hydraulics and erosion control laboratory – a focus on rolled erosion control systems applied to hillslopes

Abstract oncern over erosion and pollution potential of human modified hillslopes has caused a rapid expansion in the erosion control industry. One technology that has seen the most significant growth has been rolled erosion control systems (RECSs). Numerous systems have recently been marketed to take advantage of this growth industry. Unfortunately the performance specifications for many of these systems is limited. The result is a specifiers or land managers nightmare, because they are inundated with a variety of product claims, but limited formal testing to make an informed decision. To address this knowledge gap the Hydraulics and Erosion Control Laboratory (HECL) was established at Texas A and M University. One goal of this facility was to fairly assess, on an annual basis, the erosion and vegetation growth performance of a variety of RECSs. Thresholds for soil erosion and vegetation cover were formulated and if a system did not meet both criteria it was not placed on the Approved Product List for the Texas Department of Transportation. Additionally, several other state departments of transportation have started to consider using the results from HECL to fashion their own approval lists. Despite the many advances made at the HECL, a number of potential problems exist with their statistical framework and their research protocols. A detailed examination of the HECL data (1991–1996) is provided, and it is apparent that some modifications are justified to provide further insights into the fundamental operation of RECSs. Modifications in rainfall simulation protocol, data collection protocol, and incorporation of process observations are necessary to identify reasons why some RECSs are more effective than others in reducing erosion and enhancing growth of vegetation. Additionally, a new statistical technique is applied to the HECL soil erosion data to define thresholds to replace the arbitrarily set limits. The constructive criticisms and suggestions of this critique are presented in the hope that they lead to better characterization of the performance of RECSs and focus increased attention on their cardinal properties. It is argued that a process orientation in future work conducted at HECL will greatly advance the technology of RECSs and the erosion control industry.
Laryngopharyngeal reflux: trends in diagnostic interpretation criteria.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is becoming recognized as a clinical entity with a variety of presentations distinct from those of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, much uncertainty remains as to what is considered pathologic versus physiologic reflux. The aim of the study was to determine the normal range of pharyngeal reflux (PR) occurring in healthy adults based on pH-monitoring parameters utilized in the DeMeester scoring system for GERD. We have reviewed the current pool of prospective literature examining ambulatory dual-channel pH-monitoring study data derived from hypopharyngeal proximal probes in normal adults. From our review we have identified trends in several monitoring parameters based on the DeMeester scoring system for GERD. Our discussion recognizes and accepts the limitations imposed by small sample sizes and the number of healthy individuals that would be required to determine the general adult physiologic range of PR. We also explore the possible need for separate normal PR reference intervals based on age or gender disparities. Additional discussion and the summary address future directions for LPR research notably, (1) identification of the most appropriate research paradigm for LPR (i.e., pH 4 vs. 5), (2) establishing reproducibility for the appropriate LPR research paradigm, and (3) complementary modalities to ambulatory dual-channel pH monitoring for the study of acid and nonacid bolus movement within the esophagus
Rapamycin: personal algorithms for use based on 250 treated renal allograft recipients ☆

RAPA represents a likely candidate for addition to the maintenance immunosuppressive regimen, for it seems to potentiate markedly the efficacy fo CyA-based therapy. RAPA reduces the incidence of acute rejection episodes; indeed, it may even be useful to disrupt ongoing steroid- and antibody-resistant cellular and humoral acute rejection reactions. Some data in model systems, both in vitro and in vivo, suggest that RAPA may afford prophylaxis against chronic rejection. The enhanced immunosuppression is likely to permit reduction in CyA doses/concentration, thereby mitigating its nephrotoxic effects, and to permit withdrawal of corticosteroids, providing relief from their osteopenic, myopathic, and metabolic effects. As with other potent immunosuppressives, RAPA causes a range of adverse side effects, most importantly myelosuppression and hyperlipidemia. Hypothesis-testing investigations are already underway to elucidate the mechanisms of the adverse effects so as to design strategies to minimize their impact on posttransplant morbidity.
Activity-stress gastric lesions in the chipmunk (Tamias striatus)

Chipmunks were allowed access to a running wheel and fed 1½ h each day. After 13 days of restricted feeding, all activity animals had died and postmortem pathology revealed extensive lesions of the glandular stomach. Food-yoked control animals, not allowed to exercise, very rarely died and showed minimal signs of stomach pathology when autopsied. Circadian running patterns of activity animals indicated a marked increase in diurnal running during restricted feeding. Results indicate that the activity-stress procedure is capable of producing stomach ulcers in a wild animal species.
Notes on the mass media as an economic institution

As perceptions of an elephant by blind men differed in the Sufi legend, the media of mass communication have been variously described by social scientists. Sociologists, psychologists and political scientists have defined a number of functions fulfilled by the media, including socializing and enculturating, guiding voter choice, and helping to shape individual personality and self-image. Among the social sciences, only economics has been silent concerning the impact of these important institutions.1 Reasons for silence are easy to find. Several long-standing conventional elements of mainstream neoclassical economic analysis have conditioned expectations among economists as to whether a topic may be interesting, and have affected standards within the profession regarding the proper formulation of specific questions in topic areas that are seen to be potentially interesting. Those same conventions have imposed standards regarding the validity of approaches taken in answering those questions, and have shaped the professional judgment of the economist regarding the value of analysis. Important among those conventional elements are (1) the focus on individual rational choice as first premise of the analysis (2) the assignment of a central role to the market as allocative mechanism, and as provider of sufficient price-signal information to decision makers and (3) the treatment of preferences and technology as exogenous. In particular, there are three salient aspects of technology that usually are not examined as a part of the working of the economic system: methods of production exist ab initio or develop according to their own laws; the markets through which goods are allocated and exchange takes place are seen to work well, regardless of events in the economy; and information about exchange opportunities is transmitted truthfully and cheaply, as a byproduct or consequence of the working of markets. One important function of the media is to convey information, and until recently, economic analysis has viewed information as not scarce. More recently, in analysis which has acknowledged limitations on information,
On the incidence of profit sharing

Abstract We examine the impact of industry demand conditions on workers' propensity to free ride under profit sharing. Allowing the firm to respond to worker behavior and the market to adjust to worker and firm behavior, we find that workers tend to restrict output by shirking where industry demand is inelastic, in which case the firm will avoid profit sharing. Only where demand is elastic will workers have the incentive to avoid free riding and the firm the incentive to employ a sharing scheme. The analysis is generally consistent with empirical research and provides several novel predictions.
Mercury vapor and other volatile components in the air as guides to ore deposits

Abstract Several gaseous elements and compounds have been found to occur in anomalous concentrations in soil gas or air over mineral deposits. These gases or vapors include mercury, sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Ore deposits buried by as much as several hundred meters of barren or postmineral overburden have been detected, and buried faults, fractures, and zones of tectonic disturbance have been mapped by use of gas anomalies. Some gases are measured directly with sensitive instrumental methods while others are concentrated and analyzed by traditional analytical methods. Temperature, barometric pressure, and other meteorological parameters influence gas anomalies, although their effects are incompletely understood. Gas anomalies extend the usefulness of geochemical exploration in the search for buried ore deposits.