cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Caloric restriction does not alter effects of aging in cardiac side population cells

The aged heart displays a loss of cardiomyocyte number and function, possibly due to the senescence and decreased regenerative potential that has been observed in some cardiac progenitor cells. An important cardiac progenitor that has not been studied in the context of aging is the cardiac side population (CSP) cell. To address this, flow cytometry-assisted cell sorting was used to isolate CSP cells from adult (6–10 months old) and aged (24–32 months old) C57Bl/6 mice that were fed either a control diet or an anti-aging diet (caloric restriction, CR). Aging caused a 2.3-fold increase in the total number of CSP cells and a 3.2-fold increase in the cardiomyogenic sca1+/CD31− subpopulation. Aging did not affect markers of proliferation or senescence, including telomerase activity and expression of cell cycle genes, in sca1+/CD31− CSP cells. In contrast, the aged cells had reduced expression of genes associated with differentiation, including smooth muscle actin and cardiac muscle actin (5.1- and 3.2-fold, respectively). None of these age effects were altered by CR diet. Therefore, it appears that the manner in which CSP cells age is distinct from the aging of post-mitotic tissue (and perhaps other progenitor cells) that can often be attenuated by CR.
Corrected Article: Measure of the impact of future dark energy experiments based on discriminating power among quintessence models [Phys. Rev. D 78, 043528 (2008)]

We evaluate the ability of future data sets to discriminate among different quintessence dark energy models. This approach gives an alternative (and complementary) measure for assessing the impact of future experiments, as compared with the large body of literature that compares experiments in abstract parameter spaces (such as the well-known w{sub 0}-w{sub a} parameters) and more recent work that evaluates the constraining power of experiments on individual parameter spaces of specific quintessence models. We use the Dark Energy Task Force (DETF) models of future data sets and compare the discriminative power of experiments designated by the DETF as stages 2, 3, and 4 (denoting increasing capabilities). Our work reveals a minimal increase in discriminating power when comparing stage 3 to stage 2, but a very striking increase in discriminating power when going to stage 4 (including the possibility of completely eliminating some quintessence models). We also see evidence that even modest improvements over DETF stage 4 (which many believe are realistic) could result in even more dramatic discriminating power among quintessence dark energy models. We develop and demonstrate the technique of using the independently measured modes of the equation of state (derived from principle component analysis) as a common parametermore » space in which to compare the different quintessence models, and we argue that this technique is a powerful one. We use the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone boson, exponential, Albrecht-Skordis, and inverse tracker (or inverse power law) quintessence models for this work. One of our main results is that the goal of discriminating among these models sets a concrete measure on the capabilities of future dark energy experiments. Experiments have to be somewhat better than DETF stage 4 simulated experiments to fully meet this goal.« less
Use of plasmolytic agents and antiseptics in soil enzyme assays

The use of plasmolytic agents and antiseptics permits the assay of soil enzymes in situ without interference from microbial growth or active transport. The effectiveness of toluene, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), ethanol and Triton X-100 were evaluated in relation to their: (i) inhibition of specific enzyme reactions; (ii) plasmolytic character; and (iii) biostatic qualities, to assess the intracellular and extracellular contribution of soil enzyme activities. Toluene, ethanol and Triton X-100 each effectively prevented microbial proliferation during the assay of soil amidase. Although ethanol inhibited several purified enzymes, it was better suited than toluene for the assay of acid and alkaline phosphatases and catalase in soil since this agent had little effect on these purified enzyme reactions and prevented microbial interferences. DMSO is an effective plasmolytic agent used for the assay of yeast enzymes, but was of little value in soil enzyme, assays because it severely inhibited many of the purified enzyme reactions. Triton X-100 had essentially no effect on the activities of purified enzymes and showed antiseptic qualities, but gave low activities when soils were assayed. Toluene is a plasmolytic agent as well as an antiseptic and had little effect or only slightly inhibited purified preparations of acid and alkaline phosphatases, α-glucosidase and invertase. Toluene severely inhibited catalase and dehydrogenase activities. The soil enzymes, arylsulfatase and urease, were enhanced (1.30- to 1.34-fold) in the presence of toluene suggesting that its plasmolytic character was affecting the intracellular enzyme contribution of the measured activities in soil.
Simulation Assessment of Synthetic Vision Concepts for UAV Operations

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Human Effectiveness Directorate supports research addressing human factors associated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operator control stations. One research thrust explores the value of combining synthetic vision data with live camera video presented on a UAV control station display. Information is constructed from databases (e.g., terrain, etc.), as well as numerous information updates via networked communication with other sources. This information is overlaid conformal, in real time, onto the dynamic camera video image display presented to operators. Synthetic vision overlay technology is expected to improve operator situation awareness by highlighting elements of interest within the video image. Secondly, it can assist the operator in maintaining situation awareness of an environment if the video datalink is temporarily degraded. Synthetic vision overlays can also serve to facilitate intuitive communications of spatial information between geographically separated users. This paper discusses results from a high-fidelity UAV simulation evaluation of synthetic symbology overlaid on a (simulated) live camera display. Specifically, the effects of different telemetry data update rates for synthetic visual data were examined for a representative sensor operator task. Participants controlled the zoom and orientation of the camera to find and designate targets. The results from both performance and subjective data demonstrated the potential benefit of an overlay of synthetic symbology for improving situation awareness, reducing workload, and decreasing time required to designate points of interest. Implications of symbology update rate are discussed, as well as other human factors issues.
Motivations for Urban-Rural Migration

(1975). Motivations for Urban-Rural Migration. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 96, No. 2, pp. 303-304.
Mathematical aspects of the 3 × n job‐shop sequencing problem

The paper discusses mathematical properties of the well-known Bellman-Johnson 3 × n sequencing problem. Optimal rules for some special cases are developed. For the case min Bi ≥ maxAj we find an optimal sequence of the 2 × n problem for machines B and C and move one item to the front of the sequence to minimize (7); when min Bi ≥ max Cj we solve a 2 × n problem for machines A and B and move one item to the end of the optimal sequence so as to minimize (9). There is also given a sufficient optimality condition for a solution obtained by Johnson's approximate method. This explains why this method so often produces an optimal solution.
Assembly of the outer retina in the absence of GABA synthesis in horizontal cells

The inhibitory neurotransmitter gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA) not only modulates excitability in the mature nervous system but also regulates neuronal differentiation and circuit development. Horizontal cells, a subset of interneurons in the outer retina, are transiently GABAergic during the period of cone photoreceptor synaptogenesis. In rodents, both horizontal cells and cone axonal terminals express GABAA receptors. To explore the possibility that transient GABA expression in mouse neonatal horizontal cells influences the structural development of synaptic connectivity in the outer retina, we examined a mutant in which expression of GAD67, the major synthesizing enzyme for GABA, is selectively knocked out in the retina. Immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy revealed that the assembly of triad synapses involving cone axonal pedicles and the dendrites of horizontal and bipolar cells is unaffected in the mutant retina. Moreover, loss of GABA synthesis in the outer retina did not perturb the spatial distributions and cell densities of cones and horizontal cells. However, there were some structural alterations at the cellular level: the average size of horizontal cell dendritic clusters was larger in the mutant, and there was also a small but significant increase in cone photoreceptor pedicle area. Moreover, metabotropic glutamate receptor 6 (mGluR6) receptors on the dendrites of ON bipolar cells occupied a slightly larger proportion of the cone pedicle in the mutant. Together, our analysis shows that transient GABA synthesis in horizontal cells is not critical for synapse assembly and axonal and dendritic lamination in the outer retina. However, pre- and postsynaptic structures are somewhat enlarged in the absence of GABA in the developing outer retina, providing for a modest increase in potential contact area between cone photoreceptors and their targets. These findings differ from previous results in which pharmacological blockade of GABAA receptors in the neonatal rabbit retina caused a reduction in cone numbers and led to a grossly disorganized outer retina.
Magma transport at Hawaii: Inferences based on igneous thermobarometry

Pyroxene + liquid equilibrium in Hawaiian lavas occurs at a range of pressures for each volcano. Ranges are systematic and may be related to the stage of development of the magma conduit system. Kilauea, which is in its shield-building phase, yields relatively shallow storage estimates. Loihi and Mauna Kea, which are in the early and late stages of volcano growth, re- spectively, yield deeper storage estimates. Shallowest depth estimates at Loihi and Mauna Kea are similar to estimates of elastic plate thickness, suggesting that the mechanical behavior of the lithosphere, rather than density contrasts at the Moho, regulates magma delivery. Appar- ently, a large increase in fracture energy below the brittle-ductile transition inhibits transport at depth, whereas magma transport by fracture propagation is rapid through the brittle lithosphere. Some shallow depth estimates at Kilauea support the hypothesis that the strength of the unbuttressed southeast flank influences magma storage. Kilauea transport depths cor- relate with an eruption sequence, which illustrates a top-to-bottom emptying of the conduit system. Successively deeper reservoirs at Kilauea were tapped within 300 days, indicating that magma is stored at a range of depths, including in the mantle, rather than at a single level within the lithosphere.
Developmental gene regulation during tomato fruit ripening and in-vitro sepal morphogenesis.

Red ripe tomatoes are the result of numerous physiological changes controlled by hormonal and developmental signals, causing maturation or differentiation of various fruit tissues simultaneously. These physiological changes affect visual, textural, flavor, and aroma characteristics, making the fruit more appealing to potential consumers for seed dispersal. Developmental regulation of tomato fruit ripening has, until recently, been lacking in rigorous investigation. We previously indicated the presence of up-regulated transcription factors in ripening tomato fruit by data mining in TIGR Tomato Gene Index. In our in-vitro system, green tomato sepals cultured at 16 to 22°C turn red and swell like ripening tomato fruit while those at 28°C remain green. Here, we have further examined regulation of putative developmental genes possibly involved in tomato fruit ripening and development. Using molecular biological methods, we have determined the relative abundance of various transcripts of genes during in vitro sepal ripening and in tomato fruit pericarp at three stages of development. A number of transcripts show similar expression in fruits to RIN and PSY1, ripening-associated genes, and others show quite different expression. Our investigation has resulted in confirmation of some of our previous database mining results and has revealed differences in gene expression that may be important for tomato cultivar variation. We present new and intriguing information on genes that should now be studied in a more focused fashion.
Fast secure processor for inhibiting software piracy and tampering

Due to the widespread software piracy and virus attacks, significant efforts have been made to improve security for computer systems. For stand-alone computers, a key observation is that other than the processor, any component is vulnerable to security attacks. Recently, an execution only memory (XOM) architecture has been proposed to support copy and tamper resistant software by D. Lie et al. (2000), D. Lie et al. (2003) and T. Gilmont et al. (1999). In this design, the program and data are stored in encrypted format outside the CPU boundary. The decryption is carried after they are fetched from memory, and before they are used by the CPU. As a result, the lengthened critical path causes a serious performance degradation. In this paper, we present an innovative technique in which the cryptography computation is shifted off from the memory access critical path. We propose to use a different encryption scheme, namely "one-time pad" encryption, to produce the instructions and data ciphertext. With some additional on-chip storage, cryptography computations are carried in parallel with memory accesses, minimizing performance penalty. We performed experiments to study the trade-off between storage size and performance penalty. Our technique improves the execution speed of the XOM architecture by 34% at maximum.
Toward a cure for type 1 diabetes mellitus: diabetes-suppressive dendritic cells and beyond

Insulin has been the gold standard therapy for diabetes since its discovery and commercial availability. It remains the only pharmacologic therapy for type 1 diabetes (T1D), an autoimmune disease in which autoreactive T cells specifically kill the insulin-producing beta cells. Nevertheless, not even molecularly produced insulin administered four or five times per day can provide a physiologic regulation able to prevent the complications that account for the morbidity and mortality of diabetic patients. Also, insulin does not eliminate the T1D hallmark: beta-cell- specific autoimmunity. In other words, insulin is not a cure'. A successful cure must meet the following criteria: (i) it must either replace or maintain the functional integrity of the natural, insulin-producing tissue, the endocrine islets of Langerhans' and, more specifically, the insulin- producing beta cells; (ii) it must, at least, control the autoimmunity or eliminate it altogether; and (iii) it must be easy to apply to a large number of patients. Criterion 1 has been partially realized by allogeneic islet transplantation. Criterion 2 has been partially realized using monoclonal antibodies specific for T-cell surface proteins. Criterion 3 has yet to be realized, given that most of the novel therapies are currently quasi- patient-specific. Herein, we outline the current status of non-insulin-based therapies for T1D, with a focus on cell-based immunomodulation which we propose can achieve all three criteria illustrated above.
Coordination Variables, Coordination Functions, and Cooperative-Timing Missions

A solution strategy for achieving cooperative timing among teams of vehicles is presented. Based on the notion of coordination variables and coordination functions, the strategy facilitates cooperative timing by making efficient use of communication and computation resources. The application of the coordination variable/function approach to trajectory-planning problems for teams of unmanned air vehicles with timing constraints is described. Three types of timing constraints are considered: simultaneous arrival, tight sequencing, and loose sequencing. Simulation results demonstrating the viability of the approach are presented.
Time-frequency kernel design via point and derivative constraints

Point and derivative constraints are used to provide a wide class of kernels suitable for time-frequency representation of signals. The kernel design is viewed as a solution of linearly constrained minimization problem in which the desired t-f linear constraints constitute a constraint matrix and the time-frequency kernel is one dimensional. This formulation permits a closed form solution; similar to that encountered in beamforming, where the Quiescent pattern corresponds to the Born-Jordan kernel. The constraint matrix can be augmented by derivative constraints which extend the solution space to include kernels with various characteristics. >
Interteaching versus Traditional Methods of Instruction: A Preliminary Analysis

Interteaching is a new pedagogical method based on behavior-analytic principles; it includes elements of Keller's (1968) Personalized System of Instruction, reciprocal peer tutoring, and cooperative learning. We examined the effectiveness of interteaching relative to more traditional methods of instruction in a controlled laboratory setting. We randomly assigned participants to 1 of 4 conditions: interteaching, lecture, reading, or control. Participants in the interteaching group performed significantly better on a short multiple-choice quiz than participants in the other groups. Our results suggest that interteaching may be an effective alternative to other methods of classroom instruction.
The Resource-Based View of the Firm in Two Environments: The Hollywood Film Studios From 1936 to 1965

This article continues to operationally define and test the resource-based view of the firm in a study of the major U.S. film studios from 1936 to 1965. We found that property-based resources in th...
Somesthetic Sensitivity in Young and Elderly Humans

Absolute thresholds were measured on 27 young (ages 19 to 31) and 21 elderly (ages 55 to 84) humans to six modes of cutaneous stimulation (single ramp-and-hold skin indentations--tactile, vibration at 40 and 250 Hz, temperature increases and decreases, and noxious heat) at two sites, the thenar eminence and the plantar foot. Comparisons of the elderly and young groups showed that elderly persons were significantly, p less than or equal to .001, less sensitive than young individuals to mechanical stimuli (tactile and vibration) at both sites. No significant differences were found in thresholds to thermal stimuli (warm-, cold-, and heat-pain) at either site except elderly feet were significantly, p less than or equal to .001, less sensitive than young feet to warm stimuli. Thresholds of elderly individuals were compared with the young group thresholds for deficits in sensitivity. All elderly participants showed deficits to one or more of the stimulus modes at one or the other site. There were significantly, p less than or equal to 0.01, more deficits to mechanical than to thermal stimuli. There was no increase in the frequency of deficits with increasing age.
Probability That a Fossil Absent from a Sample Is Also Absent from the Paleolandscape

A procedure to calculate probability limits for the inference that the absence of a taxon from a woodrat (Neotoma) midden implies absence from the paleolandscape uses paired samples of modern vegetation communities and paired samples of paleocommunities. Assumptions are: (1) each member of a sample pair is an independent measure of the same vegetation assemblage; (2) behavioral patterns of woodrats are the same as each midden in a paired sample is constructed; and (3) the probability of fossilization is zero when a taxon is absent from the vegetation. The procedure provides a logical test of data consistency: the upper probability limit of making a false inference should be greater than the lower limit. Averaged over 140 plant taxa, the upper and lower probability limits for a false inference were 11 and 7%, respectively. More than 70% of taxa passed the logical test, indicating a reliable procedure. For many taxa that failed the logical test, four potential explanations account for this failure, two of which can be solved by simply increasing sample sizes. Using analogous assumptions, the procedures are applicable to other types of stratigraphic sampling such as macrofossils from sediment cores or fossils from biostratigraphic units.
International transport of animals: problems relating to disease, welfare and stress

The author examines reports received by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE) from OIE Member Countries, and presents details and analysis of some of the regulations which currently govern international transport of animals. An examination follows of two of the more comprehensive reports on the subject, prepared on the initiative of the European Commission. The conclusions drawn from the above sources highlight the need to ensure the following: a) only healthy animals are transported, b) precautions are taken to prevent the spread of disease during transport, c) satisfactory environments, feed, watering and rest are provided to animals before, during and after transport, d) only qualified attendants, handlers and drivers are used.
Electron beam damage in oxides: a review

This review summarizes a variety of beam damage phenomena relating to oxides in (scanning) transmission electron microscopes, and underlines the shortcomings of currently popular mechanisms. These phenomena include mass loss, valence state reduction, phase decomposition, precipitation, gas bubble formation, phase transformation, amorphization and crystallization. Moreover, beam damage is also dependent on specimen thickness, specimen orientation, beam voltage, beam current density and beam size. This article incorporates all of these damage phenomena and experimental dependences into a general description, interpreted by a unified mechanism of damage by induced electric field. The induced electric field is produced by positive charges, which are generated from excitation and ionization. The distribution of the induced electric fields inside a specimen is beam-illumination- and specimen-shape- dependent, and associated with the experimental dependence of beam damage. Broadly speaking, the mechanism operates differently in two types of material. In type I, damage increases the resistivity of the irradiated materials, and is thus divergent, resulting in phase separation. In type II, damage reduces the resistivity of the irradiated materials, and is thus convergent, resulting in phase transformation. Damage by this mechanism is dependent on electron-beam current density. The two experimental thresholds are current density and irradiation time. The mechanism comes into effect when these thresholds are exceeded, below which the conventional mechanisms of knock-on and radiolysis still dominate.
Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective

M. R. Gannon, A. Kurta, A. Rodriquez-Duran, M. R. Willig. 2005. Bats of Puerto Rico: An Island Focus and a Caribbean Perspective. Texas Tech Press, Lubbock,239 pages. ISBN 13-978-0-89672-551-5 (paper), $25. Designed to be a field guide, reference for the general public, and scientifically provocative for researchers, Bats of Puerto Rico: an island focus and a Caribbean perspective holds its own in all these categories. Three main sections make up two-thirds of the book and include descriptions of Puerto Rican ecosystems, a “primer” on the biology of bats, and detailed descriptions of 13 species of bats on Puerto Rico. The last one-third of the book comprises useful appendices that include keys to adult bats of Puerto Rico, a list of plants used as food by bats, average body measurements of bats, cranial measurements, ectoparasites of bats from Puerto Rico, chromosomal characters, technical and common names of plants and animals mentioned in the text, and a gazetteer with maps. Together with these appendices are a glossary, an index, and an extensive list of literature cited. All 4 authors are extremely qualified and well-prepared to put such a guide together. Michael Gannon has been working on the island …
Extending the service life of steel bridges through field instrumentation

Publisher Summary Damage assessment requires an accurate knowledge of live-load-stress cycles so that reasonable estimates of remaining safe life can be made. This chapter presents a paper that examines the behavior of a plate-girder bridge in which web-gap cracking has developed. Retrofits were introduced to limit crack extension and prevent undesirable fractures. In many structures, field instrumentation offers necessary insight into in-situ behavior and live-load stresses. Preemptive retrofits provide attractive solutions to assure continued performance and reliability of existing structures. Together, these methods offer economical solutions to extend the service life of our aging infrastructure. To perform a rational damage assessment, an accurate knowledge of the live-load stress cycles produced in service is essential so that reasonable estimates of remaining safe life can be made. It has repeatedly been demonstrated that field instrumentation and in-service monitoring is a useful tool in estimating the remaining fatigue life in a bridge. These efforts help ensure that the likelihood of unexpected fractures are minimized.
Does antiparasite behavior improve with experience? An experimental test of the priming hypothesis

Behavior is usually the first line of defense against parasites. Antiparasite behaviors, such as grooming, or outright avoidance, have been shown to reduce the risk of parasitism in a wide variety of host–parasite systems. However, despite the central importance of antiparasite behavior, little is known about the extent to which prior exposure to parasites improves effectiveness. Here, we report the results of a 2-year study designed to test whether exposure to parasites can "prime" behavior, loosely analogous to priming of the immune system. We tested whether preening improves with experience by infesting captive-bred rock pigeons (Columba livia) with 2 common species of rock pigeon feather lice. We infested "primed" birds in Years 1 and 2 of the study and "nonprimed" birds only in Year 2. Birds with lice preened about a third more, on average, than birds without lice. Birds subsequently cleared of lice resumed preening at the same rate as birds that never had lice. Thus, our results confirm that preening is an inducible, reversible defense that is partly triggered by the presence of lice. Surprisingly, primed birds did not differ significantly from nonprimed birds in the overall rate or the efficacy of preening. Primed and nonprimed birds preened at similar rates and had similar numbers of lice at the end of the study. Our results therefore provide little evidence that antiparasite behavior improves with experience, at least in the case of preening as a defense against feather lice.
GIS-based nitrogen removal model for assessing Florida’s surficial aquifer vulnerability

Florida’s aquifer system exhibits spatially variable hydrogeological characteristics including shallow depth to aquifer and karst features. These characteristics contribute to groundwater vulnerability to nitrogen contamination and thus warranting vulnerability studies that allow zonation of areas into different levels of susceptibility to contamination from land use practices. A geographic information system (GIS)-based nitrogen fate and transport model (GIS-N model) was developed to assess aquifer vulnerability to contamination by examining the fate and transport of ammonium and nitrate from onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS). The GIS-N model analyzes fate and transport of nitrogen through the unsaturated zone using a simplified advection–dispersion equation. Operational inputs considered in this model include wastewater effluent ammonium or nitrate concentration, hydraulic loading rates, and OWTS locations. The GIS-N model considers two different modeling approaches: single step and two step. The single-step model considers a denitrification process assuming all the ammonium is converted to nitrate before land application, while the two-step model uses ammonium as an input and considers nitrification followed by denitrification. The resulting maps were classified into vulnerability zones based on the Jenks’s natural breaks in the data histogram. It was revealed that groundwater vulnerability from OWTS is sensitive to the depth to water table, first-order reaction rates, and parameters controlling the time and amount of conversion. Nitrate concentration is highest in areas with shallow water table depth. The vulnerability maps produced in this study will facilitate planners in making informed decisions on placement of OWTS and on groundwater protection and management.
γγ→ℓ+ℓ− and γp→ϒp→ℓ+ℓ−p at CMS

Exclusive dilepton events are characterized by the presence of two back-to-back leptons, and no other detector activity above threshold. In pp collisions in the CMS experiment, this signature can result from two-photon interactions ( γ γ → l + l − ) or ϒ photoproduction ( γ p → ϒ p → l + l − p ). In the early data from the LHC, these events will provide a calibration sample for luminosity and lepton reconstruction studies, and allow studies of diffraction and QCD.
Psychotherapy with elderly patients.

The elderly in our society receive very little intermediate or ambulatory psychiatric care; however, with some modifications in technique, psychiatric care for the elderly can be effective. The special psychologic needs of the elderly require greater activity on the part of the therapist, symbolic giving within the therapeutic relationship, limited goals in therapy, increased awareness of transference and countertransference phenomena, and empathic understanding of elderly patients.
Community-base Out reach: a Case Study on Injection Drug Users (IDU) in Guangzhou City

While outreach as a method of reaching hidden popu lations has been carried out in the West for over half a century, it remains rel atively uncommon in the People's Republic of China. This article will summarize the outreach strategies undertaken to locate, identify, gain access and intervie w injection drug users (IDUs) in China's Guangdong Province. Undertaken as part of a National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded study of syringe sharing among Chi nese injection drug users, one of the study's goals is to test the feasibility o f using street outreach to recruit urban IDUs in China. Our outreach efforts in Guangzhou City will be described, and the unique challenges of engaging in outre ach among Guangdong IDUs will be analyzed. In particular, we will compare the m ultiple factors (i.e. unique Chinese cultural context; residence status; social network characteristics; researchers' identity and ethical stance perceived by I DUs; availability of social medical services; stigmatism related to HIV and inje ction drug use, etc) affecting outreach in southern China. Recommendations for f uture recruitment strategies in reaching and studying hidden Chinese IDUs will b e made.
Toxicological Assessment and Preliminary Study on the Antioxidative Function of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr Pigment

Objective To assess the toxicological safety and to explore the antioxidative function of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr pigment. Method Acute toxicity,formation of micronucleus in born marrow cells and abnormality of sperm in mice, Ames test and 90-day feeding test in rats were used to assess the toxicological safety of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr pigment. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px and the content of MDA in serum and hepatic tissue were determined by the end of the 90-day feeding test in rats. Results The oral LD50 of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr pigment in mice was more than 30 000 mg /kg BW,which indicated that it belongs actually to a non-toxicity substance. The results of Ames test,micronucleus test and sperm shape abnormality test in mice were negative. No obvious adverse effect was observed in the 90-day feeding test in rats. The activities of SOD and GSH-Px in serum and hepatic tissue for all dosage groups in rats were significantly higher than those in the control group (P 0. 05). There was no significant difference on MDA levels between test groups and the control group ( P 0. 05 ). Conclusion Nitraria tangutorum Bobr pigment was not toxic tested by acute toxicity, subchronic toxicity and genotoxicity. There may be an anti-oxidative function of Nitraria tangutorum Bobr pigment and further evaluation is deserved.
'Choose a Game': Creation and Evaluation of a Prototype Tool to Support Therapists in Brain Injury Rehabilitation

Brain injury (BI) is recognized as a major health issue. It is common for therapists to include commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) games in their therapies to help motivate patients who have had a BI engage in rehabilitation tasks. In this paper, we present a prototype 'Choose a Game' tool that focuses on helping therapists select appropriate games that match their therapeutic goals and patient attributes. The tool leveraged a knowledge-base that we created about COTS games use in BI therapy. We evaluated the prototype through user studies with 29 therapists at two rehabilitation hospitals. While further improvements are needed, the tool enabled therapists to use games from a wider range of selections and therapists were generally satisfied with the game recommendations and the tool's user experience. This project is also a demonstration of a novel research model for investigating domains where technologies are rapidly proliferating for users with wide-ranging attributes such as the domain of therapeutic gaming for BI rehabilitation.
Insulin resistance improves in hyperandrogenic women treated with Lupron

Objective To examine if changes in insulin sensitivity and glucose effectiveness in women with polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) occurred after ovarian androgen suppression with a GnRH agonist, leuprolide acetate (LA, Lupron; TAP Pharmaceuticals, Deerfield, IL) using the minimal model method. Design Twelve patients with PCOD were tested in the untreated state (baseline) and after 6 weeks of LA treatment. Subjects were divided into two groups based on the degree of impairment of their baseline insulin sensitivity index (S I ; (min –1 )( μ U/mL –1 ): mild insulin resistance (S I > 1) or severe insulin resistance (S I Results In all patients, serum T was significantly decreased from elevated baseline levels to normal female concentrations after 6 weeks of LA therapy. Insulin sensitivity in PCOD patients with mild insulin resistance significantly improved from baseline after 6 weeks of LA therapy, whereas no change in S I on LA therapy was seen in PCOD women with severe insulin resistance. Glucose utilization independent of increased insulin secretion did not change as a function of LA treatment in either group. Conclusion These findings indicate a significant improvement in S I in mildly insulin-resistant women with PCOD after suppression of ovarian function with LA treatment.
Adjuvant Cancer Therapy: Rationale for Its Use

The integration of primary treatment and various adjuvant modalities, such as chemotherapy, hormonal manipulation, radiation, and immunotherapy, is currently under investigation for many common solid tumors. Much remains to be learned about the selection of patients for such therapy, the effect of one modality upon another, the timing of these agents, and their immediate and long-term toxicities.
Malocclusion in the Deciduous Dentition in White, Black, and Apache Indian Children

Abstract No Abstract Available. The nutrition survey was supported by contract MC-R-390050-06-0 from Maternal and Child Health Services, Department of Health, Education and Welfare.
The Disintegration of Cs 130

The disintegration of ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{130}$ (30 min) has been studied with the help of a magnetic lens spectrometer and a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer. ${\mathrm{Cs}}^{130}$ decays to both ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{130}$ by positron emission and $K$ electron capture and to ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{130}$ by negatron emission. The end-point energy of the positrons is 1.97 Mev and of the negatrons 0.442 Mev. Since no gamma-rays other than annihilation radiation were observed, it is assumed that the disintegration leads to the ground state of both ${\mathrm{Xe}}^{130}$ and ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{130}$.
Using short helically wrapped single-mode fibers as illuminated fiducials

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is a Stage IV ground-based dark energy experiment to map the large-scale structure of the universe and to probe the nature of dark energy. DESI is a massively multiplexed fiber-fed spectrograph, using a 5000-ffber-positioner focal plane assembly to image millions of galaxies. Since these fiber positioners must be positioned to 10-um accuracy, the focal plane must be mapped to micron level precision. We intend to use illuminated fiducials as point sources to accurately calibrate the focal plane surface. In this study we explored using short single-mode fibers as illuminated fiducials. However, despite the advantages of using single-mode fibers, as a near point source, optical fibers have length-dependence behavior: as shorter tend to guide core light into the cladding, which is not ideal for fiducial centroid-measurements. In this paper, we demonstrate that adding tight helical bends to the fibers eliminates unwanted flux in the cladding, improving centroid measurements by more than 50%. This technique has proven with fibers as short as 2-inches, obtaining centroid with at least 0.5-micron precision. This experiment eliminates fiber-length dependence, thus proving the viability of using short single-mode fibers as illuminated fiducials or similar applications
Density Matrix Formalism for NMR Studies of Liquid Crystals

From an NMR spectroscopist’s point of view liquid crystals are interesting because they exhibit the full range of spin interactions normally encountered in solids, while retaining many of the experimentally convenient features of liquids. In particular, the quenching of intermolecular interactions by virtue of rapid translational motion implies that the spin response to a complex pulse sequence involves only a small number of spins, and can therefore be calculated by essentially exact quantum mechanical procedures. Application of such pulse sequences to liquid crystals yields information which is, in many cases, difficult to obtain by traditional spectral techniques. By combining a quantum mechanical calculation of the pulse response with a statistical mechanical calculation of spin relaxation between pulses, one obtains a powerful new source of dynamical information about liquid crystals.
When technical achievements aren't enough: Lessons learned from efforts to catalyze policy action on supply chain in Senegal.

Before 2013, Senegal public health supply system was pull-based and fully public-run. Lengthy and recurrent stockouts of essential health products (incl. contraceptives) were the rule, not the exception as they used to strike more than 80% of public service delivery points (SDPs). Following a successful pilot in two districts in 2012, the Senegalese Ministry of Health and Social Action (MSAS) implemented the Informed Push Model (IPM) Project (2013–2016). In its first two years, IPM bridged key gaps and expanded the distribution of contraceptives by private third party logistics operators to all public SDPs in Senegal and nearly eliminated stockouts. However, the MSAS was slow to take ownership of the project. Understanding the roots of this reluctance, executing a range of targeted communication and advocacy efforts and preparing a strong transition plan are succeeding to push Government toward full ownership to enable the National Supply Pharmacy to distribute all health products going to SDPs, including vaccines, consistently with their Strategic Plan 2014–2018.
Effects of size, caudal autotomy, and predator kairomones on the foraging behavior of Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus)

Prey must balance the conflicting demands of foraging and defensive behavior. Foraging under the threat of predation may be further complicated among species that engage in caudal autotomy, the loss of a portion of the tail at preformed breakage planes, because the tail may serve as an important energy storage organ and contribute to motility, culminating in a trade-off between foraging and predator avoidance. As a result of the advantages conferred by the presence of a tail, individuals that have recently undergone autotomy may be more motivated to forage despite elevated levels of threat indicated by predator kairomones. We used a full factorial design to evaluate the combined effects of body size, exposure to predator kairomones, and experience with autotomy on the latency to strike at Drosophila prey, number of strikes, and prey captured per strike by Allegheny Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus). In our study, caudal autotomy was the only significant main effect and influenced both the latency to attack prey and the number of strikes attempted. In terms of latency to attack prey, there was a significant interaction between body size and autotomy such that “small” salamanders (≤3.2 cm SVL) without tails delayed their foraging behavior. In terms of the number of strikes toward prey, there was a significant interaction between autotomy and exposure to predator kairomones such that individuals with intact tails exhibited a greater number of strikes, with the exception of the “large” (>3.2 cm SVL) salamanders, which performed fewer strikes when exposed to the snake kairomones. There was no significant effect on foraging efficiency, although the trend in the data suggests that autotomized individuals forage more efficiently. This study was designed to evaluate the confluence of factors related to size, caudal autotomy, and exposure to stimuli from predators and hints at the magnitude of caudal autotomy on antipredator decision-making. Our data suggest that despite the importance of tail tissue for energy storage, locomotion, and mating, salamanders without tails are cautious when foraging under elevated risk.
Working with influenza-like illness: Presenteeism among US health care personnel during the 2014-2015 influenza season.

Background Health care personnel (HCP) working while experiencing influenza-like illness (ILI) contribute to influenza transmission in health care settings. Studies focused on certain HCP occupations or work settings have demonstrated that some HCP often continue to work while ill. Methods Using a national nonprobability Internet panel survey of 1,914 HCP during the 2014-2015 influenza season, we calculated the frequency of working with self-reported ILI (ie, fever and cough or sore throat) and examined reasons for working with ILI by occupation and work setting. Results Overall, 414 (21.6%) HCP reported ILI, and 183 (41.4%) reported working with ILI (median, 3 days; range, 0-30 days). Pharmacists (67.2%) and physicians (63.2%) had the highest frequency of working with ILI. By work setting, hospital-based HCP had the highest frequency of working with ILI (49.3%). The most common reasons for working while ill included still being able to perform job duties and not feeling bad enough to miss work. Among HCP at long-term care facilities, the most common reason was inability to afford lost pay. Conclusions More than 40% of HCP with ILI work while ill. To reduce HCP-associated influenza transmission, potential interventions could target HCP misconceptions about working while ill and paid sick leave policies.
Late Pliocene environmental change during the transition from Australopithecus to Homo.

It has long been hypothesized that the transition from Australopithecus to Homo in eastern Africa was linked to the spread of open and arid environments near the Plio−Pleistocene boundary, but data for the latest Pliocene are scarce. Here we present new stable carbon isotope data from the late Pliocene mammalian fauna from Ledi-Geraru, in the lower Awash Valley (LAV), Ethiopia, and mammalian community analyses from the LAV and Turkana Basin. These data, combined with pedogenic carbonate stable isotopes, indicate that the two regions were largely similar through the Plio−Pleistocene, but that important environmental differences existed during the emergence of Homo around 2.8 million years ago. The mid-Pliocene to late Pliocene interval in the LAV was characterized by increasingly C4-dominated, arid and seasonal environments. The early Homo mandible LD 350-1 has a carbon isotope value similar to that of earlier Australopithecus from the LAV, possibly indicating that the emergence of Homo from Australopithecus did not involve a dietary shift. Late Pliocene LAV environments contrast with contemporaneous environments in the Turkana Basin, which were more woody and mesic. These findings have important implications for the environmental conditions surrounding the emergence of Homo, as well as recent hypotheses regarding Plio−Pleistocene environmental change in eastern Africa. Stable isotope and community faunal analysis of early hominid environments in the lower Awash Valley (Ethiopia) and Turkana Basin (Kenya/Ethiopia) reveal environmental change and divergence coincident with the emergence of the genus Homo (approx. 2.8 Ma).
Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects of Allometry

Huxley (1932) consolidated the study of allometry by providing a theoretical formulation of allometric growth and by analyzing many examples of allometric relationships, including the static allometry of adults within a population and the evolutionary allometry between populations and species. Unaided by an explicit theory connecting the different levels of allometry, Huxley (1932, pp. 212–224), Gould (1975, pp. 277–280), and others have attempted to suggest possible relationships between levels of allometry, usually by a simple extrapolation from one level to another.
Modern dental pain control.

Local anesthetics, on the other hand, deposited near a nerve between the surgical site and the brain, set up a chemical roadblock that prevents the pain impulse from ever reaching the brain (Figure 1). The patient’s level of consciousness remains unaffected when local anesthetics are administered, unlike the CNS depressants used in general anesthesia. The safety of local anesthetics may be garnered from the following statement attributed to Dr. Leonard Monheim, an icon in the history of dental anesthesiology, “Nobody ever died in the conscious state.” A number of local anesthetics are available for administration in dentistry in the United States. The major difference between these formulations is their expected duration of clinical anesthesia. Drugs are categorized as “short-acting,” “intermediate-acting,” and “long-acting.” Table 1 presents the current local anesthetic formulations available in the United States. According to the 2002 American Dental Association’s Survey of Dental Practice, the typical treatment period for a patient in a general dentistry office is approximately 47 minutes. “Plain” local anesthetics (LAs) provide neither the depth nor duration of anesthesia required for anything more than short, shallow procedures. In order to provide Modern dental pain control