cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acute and chronic ethanol alter somatosensory-evoked potentials in conscious rats

Abstract This study examined the effects of acute and chronic ethanol on cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) of laboratory rats. Evoked potentials were recorded following stimulation of the left hindpaw before and after injection of either saline or ethanol. Animals were then chronically exposed to ethanol in vapor inhalation chambers for five weeks. Recording of SEPs before and after acute ethanol injection were then obtained 24 h and again seven days after withdrawal from ethanol exposure. The results indicate that acute ethanol produced a dose-dependent reduction in SEP amplitude, but did not alter peak latencies. Chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal resulted in a significant increase in preinjection baseline response amplitudes when measured at 24 h after withdrawal, but not at seven days, and this treatment did not alter response latency or the effects of acute ethanol administration.
The string-net analog of flexure of prismatic beams

Plots of the stress function (obtained graphically from enlarged photos of the string net), and of the shear-stress distribution over the normal section of beams in cantilever loading, for beams of rectangular, and of circular section, compare well with the exact mathematical solutions. Regions of increasing stress, leading to points of stress concentration are clearly shown.
High Hydrostatic Pressure Induces the Dissociation of cpn60 Tetradecamers and Reveals a Plasticity of the Monomers

Hydrostatic pressures up to 2 kbar have been used to form monomers from the 14-subunit oligomer of the chaperonin, Cpn60. The fluorescence of 1,1'-bi(4-anilino) naphthalene-5,5'-disulfonic acid (bisANS), followed at high pressure, demonstrated an increase in hydrophobic exposure on dissociation. Cpn60 dissociated with first order kinetics. The transition occurred between 1.3 and 2 kbar (P50 = 1.75 kbar), and it was facilitated by MgATP (P50 = 1.1 kbar). With MgATP, the fluorescence showed a rapid first order phase (t1/2 = 3.7 min) in addition to a phase that was similar to the single phase for Cpn60 alone (t1/2 = 11.4 min). The bisANS fluorescence decreased slowly after depressurization, and the relaxation was faster at 25 degrees C (t1/2 = 58 h) than at 4 degrees C (t1/2 = 86 h) and faster still if the sample at 4 degrees C contained MgATP when it was pressurized (t1/2 = 18 h). There was no significant effect if the MgATP was added after depressurization. Analytical ultracentrifugation, after depressurization, confirmed that metastable monomers were produced that slowly reassociated to form the oligomers (t1/2 = 150 h at 25 degrees C). Immediately after depressurization, the monomers (a) had all three sulfhydryl groups exposed for labeling with 6-iodoacetamidofluorescein, (b) showed a proteolytic susceptibility that was intermediate between native Cpn60 and Cpn60 in 2.5 M urea, and (c) were not able to capture a folding intermediate of the enzyme rhodanese. After incubation at atmospheric pressure, monomeric Cpn60 regained the ability to interact with rhodanese intermediates, and the sulfhydryl reactivity fell before significantly reassociating to 14-mers. The different rates of recovery of the native properties indicate that a complex series of conformational events occur following depressurization. Finally, the monomers resulting from pressure were different from those produced from Cpn60 by the action of 2.5 M urea. These results demonstrate that there is a fast, pressure-induced dissociation of the Cpn60 14-mer followed by a conformational drift of the dissociated monomers that can be influenced by the presence of MgATP.
Gene families encoding transcription factors expressed in early development of Strongylocentrotus purpuratus

All genes encoding transcription factors of the bHLH, Nuclear Receptor, Basic Leucine Zipper, T-box, Smad, Sox, and other smaller families were identified in the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus genome by means of a permissive blast search of the genome using a database of known transcription factors. Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the major families, permitting a comparison of the regulatory protein repertoire of the sea urchin and other species. QPCR and whole mount in situ hybridization experiments revealed the temporal and spatial expression patterns of these genes during early development. These regulatory genes are initially expressed at a broad range of time points, and the large majority of genes of all families are expressed within the first 48 h of development. The observations suggest assignment of many regulatory genes to specific developmental sub-networks, including endomesodermal, oral, aboral, and apical.
The effect of antecolic versus retrocolic reconstruction on delayed gastric emptying after classic non-pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Abstract Background Delayed gastric emptying (DGE) after pancreaticoduodenectomy increases length of hospital stay and costs, and may be influenced by surgical techniques. Methods We retrospectively compared 400 patients with antecolic gastrojejunostomy with 400 patients with retrocolic gastrojejunostomy for the occurrence of DGE. Results The prevalence of DGE was 15% in the antecolic group and 21% in the retrocolic group ( P = .021), and median length of stay was shorter for the former (8 vs 10 days, P = .001). The difference was statistically significant with grade A DGE (9% vs 14%, P = .038), but not B or C. In a multivariate analysis, DGE was influenced by retrocolic reconstruction, as well as older age, chronic pancreatitis, preoperative bilirubin level, a history of previous upper abdominal surgery, and postoperative pancreatic fistula. Conclusions An antecolic gastrojejunostomy for classic non–pylorus-preserving pancreaticoduodenectomy is associated with a lower incidence of mild DGE (grade A) and a shorter length of stay.
Distribution of an Endemic Larval Gypsy Moth Population Among Various Tree Species

Larvae in a sparse population of the gypsy moth are differentially distributed among red and white oak, red maple, gray birch, black cherry, white pine and hemlock. The greatest larval abundance was on red and white oak. Older instars appear first on red oak and may suggest that development was faster on red oak then on white oak. Larvae occurred in low numbers on all other species but increased on some species in the later stages of development. This may be a result of bark flap selection by late ins tars.
Quarternary multi-stage alkaline volcanism at Vesteris Seamount (Norwegian—Greenland Sea): evidence from laser step heating 40Ar/39Ar experiments

Abstract Vesteris Seamount is a high-latitude intraplate volcano located in the Norwegian—Greenland Sea (ca 73°30′N/9°W). Based on its tectonic setting as a single isolated seamount far from an active ridge regime, Vesteris differs from near-ridge seamounts, hotspot-generated seamounts associated with a seamount chain, or from seamounts thought to be genetically related to propagating fracture zones. During cruise ARK VII/1 with R.V. “Polarstern” volcanic rocks from Vesteris summit and flank regions were sampled in order to evaluate the volcanic history of this seamount and the development of intraplate volcanism within the Norwegian—Greenland Sea. Laser step heating 40 Ar/ 39 Ar measurements indicate a mugearitic eruption at 0.010–0.085 Ma (groundmass plateau ages) and earlier trachybasaltic and tephritic eruptions at 0.50–0.65 Ma (kaersutite and plagioclase phenocryst plateau ages). Based on geological models, the earliest volcanic phase is considered unlikely to be older than 7–13 Ma. Volcanic activity younger than the mugearitic eruption can not be ruled out. The 40 Ar/ 39 Ar measurements suggest multi-stage volcanism over geological periods of time for the isolated intraplate Vesteris seamount. From the age data it appears that Vesteris volcanism is neither genetically related to the hypothetical Jan Mayen hotspot nor to the mid-Atlantic ridge system. The laser heating 40 Ar/ 39 Ar method has proved to be suitable for dating very young (Mugearite: Upper Late Pleistocene) oceanic intraplate volcanic rocks.
Gender and sex-role attributes as predictors of utilization of natural support systems during personal stress events

This study was an empirical investigation of gender and sex-role attributes as they relate to the utilization of natural support systems during personal stress events. Compared to male subjects, female subjects reported significantly higher levels of requested assistance and perceived more help as being available from their natural support systems during the most stressful event encountered during the previous year. Subjects' scores on the femininity dimension of the Extended Personal Attributes Questionnaire were significantly correlated with amount of support asked for during stress events. Along with the variable of perceived level of stress, gender and femininity score accounted for 36% of the variance of natural support system utilization during a personal crisis. The results of the study are discussed in the context of current research on (a) the utilization of natural support systems and (b) the relationship between person variables and psychophysiological disease.
The Soviet Union, the Middle East, and the evolving world energy situation

Surveying and summarizing the basic issues confronting Soviet decisionmakers in the next ten years as reflected in energy and international political terms, this analysis treats the capacity and constraints mediating Soviet influence in the resolution of the future world energy balance. A scenario highlighting a “Soviet-Preferred Future World” is developed that focuses on three classes of likely energy outcomes: (1) a gradual erosion of the Western commercial position in Middle East oil, (2) repeated shortages in oil-consumer states leading to a diversion of attention away from international matters and increased preoccupation with “domestic” energy woes, and (3) a deterioration of the terms of trade for energy importers vis a vis Soviet and noncommunist trading partners. The discussion concludes with an assessment of several of the key choices confronting the major oil-importing nations and requiring resolution.
The web of topics: discovering the topology of topic evolution in a corpus

In this paper we study how to discover the evolution of topics over time in a time-stamped document collection. Our approach is uniquely designed to capture the rich topology of topic evolution inherent in the corpus. Instead of characterizing the evolving topics at fixed time points, we conceptually define a topic as a quantized unit of evolutionary change in content and discover topics with the time of their appearance in the corpus. Discovered topics are then connected to form a topic evolution graph using a measure derived from the underlying document network. Our approach allows inhomogeneous distribution of topics over time and does not impose any topological restriction in topic evolution graphs. We evaluate our algorithm on the ACM corpus.The topic evolution graphs obtained from the ACM corpus provide an effective and concrete summary of the corpus with remarkably rich topology that are congruent to our background knowledge. In a finer resolution, the graphs reveal concrete information about the corpus that were previously unknown to us, suggesting the utility of our approach as a navigational tool for the corpus.
PHOTODYNAMIC RESPONSE IN BACTERIA

The photodynamic lethal response of Gram negative bacteria was found to be a one event phenomenon as previously reported. However, the kinetics of the lethal response in Gram-positive microorganisms was found to be more complex. The survivor response of the latter was dividable into at least two distinct parts, each of which could be influenced by various environmental and genetic factors. Some correlation was found between sensitivity or resistance to x-ray and ultraviolet radiations and sensitivity or resistance to photodynamic action.
Differential Cellular Immune Responses to Wild-Type and Attenuated Edmonston Tag Measles Virus Strains Are Primarily Defined by the Viral Phosphoprotein Gene

The measles virus phosphoprotein (P) gene encodes the P, V, and C proteins, which have multiple functions including type I interferon (IFN) inhibition. With a focus on viral immune modulation, we conducted a study on healthy vaccinees (n = 179) to compare cytokine secretion patterns/cell frequencies and gene expression after in vitro encounter with a highly attenuated strain of measles virus (MVEdmtag), wild-type MV (MVwt) or recombinant MVEdmtag expressing the wild-type P gene (MVwtP). Cytokines were quantified by ELISA and Elispot. Gene expression profiling was performed using real-time PCR. We found differential MV-specific cytokine responses to all detected cytokines characterized by significantly higher cytokine levels (P < 0.001) and higher frequencies (P < 0.0001) of cytokine-producing cells after stimulation with the highly attenuated MVEdmtag strain in comparison with MVwt or MVwtP. Furthermore, gene expression profiling revealed significant cytokine suppression at the transcriptional level for viruses encoding the functional wt P gene, compared to attenuated MVEdmtag (P < 0.05). Using lentivirus-mediated stable expression of P gene-encoded proteins in human cell lines, we demonstrated that the expression of the functional wt V protein significantly down-modulated the induction of IFNs type I, II, and III in lymphocytes and monocytes. Taken together our results indicate that Th1, Th2, and innate/inflammatory cytokine responses in vaccinees are suppressed both at the protein and transcriptional level by viruses expressing the functional wt P gene products. The functional P gene-encoded viral proteins (particularly V proteins) emerge as crucial immune evasion factors for modulating and shaping the measles virus-specific cytokine responses in humans. J. Med. Virol. 82:1966–1975, 2010. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HEAT RESISTANCE OF NONPROTEOLYTIC Clostridium botulinum TYPE F IN PHOSPHATE BUFFER AND CRABMEAT

The heat resistance of proteolytic C. botulinum type F strains Langeland, PC and 4YRC was studied by the thermal death time tube method in phosphate buffer; 4Y,RC was also studied in crabmeat. Correction of exposure time for thermal lag and lethality during lag was made by the graphic method. Decimal reduction times in minutes (D) were calculated by Schmidt's probability method, using the Karber LD50. For these 3 strains, D curves in phosphate buffer traversed one log cycle in 18.1–25.3°F (z); extrapolated they gave 0.14–0.23 for D250. The z of the 4YRC crabmeat D curve was 23, extrapolating to 0.17–0.18 for D250. Proteolytic type F, therefore, resembles other proteolytic C. botulinurn types.
Nonlinear Optics: Theory and Applications

The field of nonlinear optics has become extremely important for ultrafast signal processing in modern fiber optic communication systems. For the light propagating in the optical fiber, nonlinear effects have both positive and negative side-effects. One positive effect is the formation of solitons due to the Kerr effect in the glass, however, the same nonlinearity also causes crosstalk between different communication channels. Similarly, Raman scattering is advantageous in that it can be used to generate new wavelengths and produce tunable fiber lasers, at the same time Raman scattering also produces crosstalk in a wavelength division multiplexed system. The conclusion from these two simple examples is that it is important to understand nonlinear effects to optimize the usage of an optical fiber.
LACTASE PERSISTENCE AND MILK CONSUMPTION AS DETERMINANTS OF OVARIAN CANCER RISK

Using published data, largely from the 1970s, the author compared ovarian cancer incidence, per capita milk consumption, and population estimates of lactase persistence (the ability to digest lactose after infancy) in 27 countries. Significant positive correlations were noted between ovarian cancer incidence, per capita milk consumption, and lactase persistence. Lactase persistence showed a stronger association than milk consumption or animal fat consumption in multiple regression models. The author speculates that toxicity from the lactose component of milk and, more specifically, galactose, the digestion of which is facilitated by lactase persistence, may provide a biologic basis for the correlation.
Not Just for Bureaucrats Anymore: Bureaucrat Bashing, Overhead Democracy, and Managed Care

Managed care is increasingly subject to political micromanagement and to attacks in the press. Managed care is undergoing the kind of bureaucrat bashing familiar to government employees, because ma...
Oncocytomas of the kidney

Fourteen cases of renal oncocytomas are presented. By definition these lesions are composed entirely of pink eosinophilic cells with abundant granular cytoplasm. No evidence of mitotic activity or necrosis was seen in any of the cases, although focal areas of nuclear pleomorphism were identified in two cases. Clinically the patients have remained asymptomatic and without evidence of metastatic or recurrent disease in a follow-up that ranges from 1-14 years. The clinical behavior of these tumors favors the benign nature of the lesion regardless of the tumor size.
Identification of succinic semialdehyde reductases from Geobacter: expression, purification, crystallization, preliminary functional, and crystallographic analysis

Succinic semialdehyde reductase (SSAR) is an important enzyme involved in γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) metabolism. By converting succinic semialdehyde (SSA) to γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), the SSAR facilitates an alternative pathway for GABA degradation. In this study, we identified SSARs from Geobacter sulfurreducens and Geobacter metallireducens (GsSSAR and GmSSAR, respectively). The enzymes were over-expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near homogeneity. Both GsSSAR and GmSSAR showed the activity of reducing SSA using nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate as a co-factor. The oligomeric sizes of GsSSAR and GmSSAR, as determined by analytical size exclusion chromatography, suggest that the enzymes presumably exist as tetramers in solution. The recombinant GsSSAR and GmSSAR crystallized in the presence of NADP(+), and the resulting crystals diffracted to 1.89 A (GsSSAR) and 2.25 A (GmSSAR) resolution. The GsSSAR and GmSSAR crystals belong to the space groups P2(1)22(1) (a= 99.61 A, b= 147.49 A, c= 182.47 A) and P1 (a= 75.97 A, b= 79.14 A, c= 95.47 A, α = 82.15°, β = 88.80°, γ = 87.66°), respectively. Preliminary crystallographic data analysis suggests the presence of eight protein monomers in the asymmetric units for both GsSSAR and GmSSAR.
Laramide alteration of proterozoic diabase: A likely contributor of copper to porphyry systems in the dripping spring mountains area, Southeastern Arizona

Proterozoic diabase of the Dripping Spring range occurs as sills in the Proterozoic Apache Group and the Troy Quartzite and as intrustive sheets in basement rocks. The aggregate thickness of the diabase sills and intrusive sheets averages about 450 m in the part of the range showing little mid-Tertiary extension. Laramide alteration is of two types, dominated by chlorite and actinolite, respectively, and formed mostly from clinopyroxene. Actinolite-dominated assemblages are higher in Na and Ca. Hydrothermal biotite is common in the central areas of both alteration types. Laramide alteration forms two distribution patterns: a subsequent pattern centered on Laramide intrusions and small porphyry deposits, characterized by actinolitic alteration, and a more extensive branching linear pattern that follows Laramide structures, centered on the larger Ray porphyry deposit, extending toward other Laramide districts and showing both alteration types. Alteration has apparently mobilized copper and other metals from diabase. The freshest diabase samples average about 120 ppm copper with little variation. In chloritic alteration, about 100 ppm of this copper is expelled in the most completely altered rocks. In actinolitic alteration, diabase may either gain or lose copper during alteration. Chloritic alteration constitutes roughly 70 percent of the diabase alteration in the study area, where alteration averages 41 percent complete. This implies liberation of about 9X10 6 tons (t) copper from diabase alteration, significantly less than the 16X10 6 t copper in Laramide mineral deposits of the superdistrict Ray, Superior. Chilito. Christmas. However, diabase alteration may have been a significant component of the supply of copper to the Laramide mineral districts of the area. Synmineral magmatic sources of copper are not documented in this area. The distribution of Proterozoic diabase coincides with the central part of the southeastern Arizona copper province, which may thus owe much copper availability to an unusual abundance of diabase. However, many unanswered questions remain about metal supply from altering diabase.
A generalized model for estimating the energy density of invertebrates

AbstractInvertebrate energy density (ED) values are traditionally measured using bomb calorimetry. However, many researchers rely on a few published literature sources to obtain ED values because of time and sampling constraints on measuring ED with bomb calorimetry. Literature values often do not account for spatial or temporal variability associated with invertebrate ED. Thus, these values can be unreliable for use in models and other ecological applications. We evaluated the generality of the relationship between invertebrate ED and proportion of dry-to-wet mass (pDM). We then developed and tested a regression model to predict ED from pDM based on a taxonomically, spatially, and temporally diverse sample of invertebrates representing 28 orders in aquatic (freshwater, estuarine, and marine) and terrestrial (temperate and arid) habitats from 4 continents and 2 oceans. Samples included invertebrates collected in all seasons over the last 19 y. Evaluation of these data revealed a significant relationship b...
A Singular Perturbation Analysis for the Transient Semiconductor Device Equations in One Space Dimension

Presentation d'une analyse de la perturbation pour resoudre les equations de base d'une jonction pn
Effect of sensor and actuator quality on robot swarm algorithm performance

The performance of a swarm of robots depends on the hardware quality of the robots in the swarm. A swarm of robots with high-quality sensors and actuators is expected to out-perform a swarm of robots with low-quality sensors and actuators. This paper directly investigates the relationship between hardware quality and swarm performance. We take three common components of swarm algorithms (trail following, swarm expansion, and shape formation) and measure how they are affected by two common types of hardware inaccuracy (communication bearing reception error, and movement error) both in simulation and with E-Puck robots. We find that large amounts of both types of hardware error are required before performance appreciably decreases.
PARAMETRIC STUDY OF FAN FLOW DEFLECTORS FOR JET NOISE SUPPRESSION

The paper provides an overview of a parametric study of fan flow deflectors (FFD) for jet noise suppression. Reductions in sideline and flyover noise at takeoff cycle point provide a total reduction in EPNL as high as 9.6 dB. Correlations of noise reduction versus the turning effort by the deflectors brings out some general trends and help identify promising configurations.
A Rhetoric of Rehabilitations Dorothea Dix's Prison Reform Arguments

This essay analyzes the humanitarian activist Dorothea Dix's writings on prisons in the 1840s to unpack her rhetoric of rehabilitation, a rhetorical strategy that underpinned the discourse and argu...
Who put you in charge? Private Entrepreneurial Authority in World Politics

This paper presents a new conceptual framework for the study of private authority. I introduce the concept of private entrepreneurial authority where private actors are able to induce deference from others, without ex-ante permission from states to do so. I argue that entrepreneurial authority expands the conceptual and empirical formulation of the role of private actors in world politics, and helps bridge the gap between legalistic approaches to authority that focus on delegation and sociological approaches that focus on legitimacy. This theoretical contribution is critical to understanding the range of variation of private authority. I also present a new longitudinal dataset in the area of environment to describe entrepreneurial authority. I operationalize the concept of entrepreneurial authority by looking specifically at environmental certification schemes, such as “dolphin-safe” tuna or “sustainably harvested” timber. There is a considerable body of literature arguing that private authority is on the rise, yet there is little, if any quantitative data to substantiate this claim. This new dataset, which covers five decades of privately-created environmental standards, is able to engage directly with these arguments using quantitative data rather than single cases. The paper presents findings from these data, and develops hypotheses based on cross-sectoral variation.
Mechanisms of TLR4-mediated impairment of murine and human HSCs (HEM2P.258)

Chronic exposure to toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligand drives murine hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) exhaustion and loss of lymphoid potential. This finding is significant because TLR4 is activated by plasma lipopolysaccharide (LPS) that is elevated in patients with chronic infection as well in obese individuals. For the first time, we show that human HSCs are severely compromised by TLR4 stimulation. Mice engrafted with human cord blood cells and then exposed to low-dose LPS have variably reduced human CD34+ HSCs with near complete ablation of downstream common lymphoid progenitor (CLP) and B cell precursor subsets in bone marrow. By contrast, myeloid precursors are grossly intact. Peripheral tissue subsets similarly exhibit myeloid>lymphoid skewing. We have shown that LPS-exhausted murine HSCs have reduced levels of the major transcription factor E47. Our newly published findings demonstrate a mechanistic link between E47 and the p21 cell cycle regulator. CD150+ HSCs from mice doubly haploinsufficient for E47 and p21 exhibit hyperproliferation, poor self-renewal, and selective myeloid bias. Finally, we show that murine CD150+ HSC and multipotent progenitors (MPP) express TLR4, and directly respond to LPS in a TLR4-dependent manner. Together, our findings suggest that chronic activation of TLR4 damages the functional integrity of not only murine HSC but also human HSC in vivo, via a mechanism linked to disruption of the E47-p21 pathway.
The Clean Air Act Is in No Shape to Be Celebrated

The Clean Air Act is 40 years old. On Sept. 14, 2010, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson led a day-long celebration of the anniversary. It is appropriate to celebrate past successes, but in truth the Clean Air Act cannot handle today's pollution problems, and not just those caused by greenhouse gases. EPA has found that traditional pollutants continue to harm public health, but the Clean Air Act, a statute passed in 1970 during the dawn of environmentalism, mandates an ineffective, inefficient response: a requirement that each state adopt its own plan to control emissions. Congress should replace the state plan requirement with federal market-based regulation.
Influence of Fröhlich polaron coupling on renormalized electron bands in polar semiconductors: Results for zinc-blende GaN

We develop a simple method to study the zero-point and thermally renormalized electron energy ${\ensuremath{\varepsilon}}_{\mathbf{k}n}(T)$ for $\mathbf{k}n$ the conduction band minimum or valence maximum in polar semiconductors. We use the adiabatic approximation, including an imaginary broadening parameter $i\ensuremath{\delta}$ to suppress noise in the density-functional integrations. The finite $\ensuremath{\delta}$ also eliminates the polar divergence which is an artifact of the adiabatic approximation. Nonadiabatic Fr\"ohlich polaron methods then provide analytic expressions for the missing part of the contribution of the problematic optical phonon mode. We use this to correct the renormalization obtained from the adiabatic approximation. Test calculations are done for zinc-blende GaN for an $18\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}18\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}18$ integration grid. The Fr\"ohlich correction is of order $\ensuremath{-}0.02$ eV for the zero-point energy shift of the conduction band minimum, and $+0.03$ eV for the valence band maximum; the correction to renormalization of the 3.28 eV gap is $\ensuremath{-}0.05$ eV, a significant fraction of the total zero point renormalization of $\ensuremath{-}0.15$ eV.
RESISTANT BODY FORMATION IN NEOCALLIMASTIX SP., AN ANAEROBIC FUNGUS FROM THE RUMEN OF A COW

Evidence of several kinds was sought to confirm that structures thought to be resistant sporangia (RS) in Neocallimastix sp. shared characteristics with RS of other zoosporic fungi. In liquid medium, Neocallimastix formed a chytrid-like thallus made up of a system of intramatrical anchoring rhizoids and an extramatrical sessile or stalked zoosporangium on fiber pieces. As the culture aged, there was a shift from the development of zoosporangia to the production of RS. RS were first observed 36 h after zoospores were inoculated into fresh basal anaerobic medium. Encysted zoospores often developed into elongate thalli that branched monopodially near the tip. During RS formation, the tip of each branch enlarged and the nuclei and cytoplasm migrated towards this enlarged region. A septum was then formed to delimit the developing RS which became pigmented as it matured. The mature RS were dark brown and the pigment in their walls was identified as melanin using histochemical tests. Zoospores had the 1C level of DNA with 1C and 2C levels being observed in developing zoosporangia. The DNA content in the mature RS (4C) was found to be twice the highest level of DNA in the zoosporangium (2C) which suggested that there was a diploidization during RS formation. Additional studies needed to characterize the RS are discussed.
The Role of Complement and Murine Monoclonal Antibodies in Binding and Ingestion of Haemophilus influenzae Type b by Murine Macrophages

Complement proteins C3b and C3bi are important opsonins for a variety of human pathogens. Recent work from our laboratory has demonstrated a role for C3 in mediating interactions of encapsulated Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) with macrophages [1]. We observed that <15% of organisms bound via C3 were ingested; however, when subopsonic concentrations of monoclonal antibody to Hib capsule were added, 537c of organisms bound to macrophages via C3 were ingested [1]. On the basis of these observations we proposed that C3 acts chiefly to bind H. influenzae to macrophages, and under certain conditions of low antibody concentration, complement is required for antibody-directed ingestion. To examine further how this C3mediated binding influences the opsonic effect of antibody, we measured the ability of six murine monoclonal antibodies to mediate binding and ingestion of Hib. Binding and ingestion of bacteria by resident peritoneal murine macrophages was measured as previously described [1]. This assay does not assess killing of bacteria by macrophages. Bacteria were added to macrophages adherent to glass coverslips and incubated for 60 min at 370C in 300 jliI of buffer containing 8% nonimmune serum, 20 ^1 of a 1:20 dilution of antibody, or 8% nonimmune serum and 20 /ul of a 1:20 dilution of antibody. Antibodies El 17-5, 5M1H9, PCP61-1, G56-5, and G102-5 were provided by D. Madore (Praxis Biologies, Rochester, NY). Antibody 7F3 was provided by T. Murphy (School of Medicine, State University of New York at Buffalo). Concentrations of antibodies in undiluted fluids were determined by radial immunodiffusion assay (ICN Biomedicals, Costa Mesa, CA). Bactericidal activity was assessed by methods previously used in our laboratory. These assays were done to demonstrate the ability of antibodies to recognize bacterial antigens and to fix complement. Recent work has suggested that these assays cannot be used to predict in vivo effects of antibody and complement [2]. Bacteriolysis was measured using both human agammaglobulinemic serum and nonimmune guinea pig serum as complement sources. Murine serum does not mediate bacteriolytic activity. Only monoclonal antibody El 17-5 was capable of mediating binding and ingestion in the absence of nonimmune murine serum (table 1). No binding or ingestion was seen with the five other monoclonals tested without serum, even when undiluted preparations were added to the system. Addition of serum to
Enhancement of contrast agent images using spectral fluorescence difference

Differences between the native tissue emission and the contrast agent dye emission were measured and used to select fingerprint wavelengths for imaging. The image quality of contrast-agent-dyed tissues was significantly enhanced using spectral fluorescence difference imaging method.
The chiral anomaly and thermopower of Weyl fermions in the half-Heusler GdPtBi.

The Dirac and Weyl semimetals are unusual materials in which the nodes of the bulk states are protected against gap formation by crystalline symmetry. The chiral anomaly, predicted to occur in both systems, was recently observed as a negative longitudinal magnetoresistance (LMR) in Na3Bi (ref. ) and in TaAs (ref. ). An important issue is whether Weyl physics appears in a broader class of materials. We report evidence for the chiral anomaly in the half-Heusler GdPtBi. In zero field, GdPtBi is a zero-gap semiconductor with quadratic bands. In a magnetic field, the Zeeman energy leads to Weyl nodes. We have observed a large negative LMR with the field-steering properties specific to the chiral anomaly. The chiral anomaly also induces strong suppression of the thermopower. We report a detailed study of the thermoelectric response function αxx of Weyl fermions. The scheme of creating Weyl nodes from quadratic bands suggests that the chiral anomaly may be observable in a broad class of semimetals.
Retting of Mitsumata Bast by Alkalophilic Bacillus in Papermaking

An alkalophilic bacterium isolated from soil and designated as strain GIR-277 was found to efficiently macerate bast fibers of mitsumata (Edgeworthia papyrifera Sieb. et Zucc). The organism identified as a Bacillus sp. was successfully applied to alkaline retting in papermaking. The optimum concentration of alkali (Na2CO3) for this process was 1.0 ~ 1.5%, which corresponded to an initial pH of 10.1 ~ 10.3. The retting was accomplished within a few days at 30°C. Substantial maceration was ascribed primarily to pectate lyase (EC 4.2.2.2) secreted by the bacterium, and to a lesser extent to the j5-eliminative splitting of pectic substances. The overall yield of pulp was about 70%. The strength of the unbeaten pulp resulting from bacterial retting was as higher than that by the conventional soda ash-cooking method. Paper sheets were quite uniform and very soft to touch. It is concluded that bacterial retting under alkaline conditions is a potentially useful process to produce pulp of excellent quality from no...
The Emergence of the Land Ethic: Aldo Leopold’s Idea of Ultimate Reality and Meaning

L'ethique environnementale d'Aldo Leopold est largement empirique. Pendant ses annees de formation, Aldo Leopold reste tres influence par l'esthetisme de la nature. Ce n'est qu'ensuite qu'il developpe une ethique de la nature qui pointe vers une education ecologique. D'une certaine maniere, il defend un type d'ecocentrisme en affirmant que les creatures possedent une fin qui leur est propre. Vers la fin de sa carriere, Aldo Leopold propose une ethique de la nature qui se situe a mi-chemin entre l'ecocentrisme et l'anthropocentisme. Il refuse l'exclusivite des deux notions afin de mieux saisir la realite et le sens ultimes
Valproate-Induced Encephalopathy

Two adults, aged 32 and 37, with focal epilepsy developed hyperammonemic encephalopathy when treated with a combination of valproate (VPA) and topiramate (TPM) at the University of Marburg, Germany.
Adolescent Depression: An Interactive Case-Based Session for Medical Students.

Abstract Introduction The session was designed as part of a yearlong elective within the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Education in Pediatrics Across the Continuum (EPAC) pilot at the U...
Merging active and passive microwave observations in soil moisture data assimilation.

Abstract This study assesses two approaches to combine observations from active and passive satellite microwave instruments in a soil moisture data assimilation system. In the first approach, labeled ‘joint retrieval assimilation’, a single soil moisture product is simultaneously retrieved from active and passive microwave observations, and then assimilated into the NASA Catchment land surface model. In the second approach, labeled ‘separate retrieval assimilation’, separate soil moisture products are retrieved from each of the active and passive microwave observations, before being simultaneously assimilated into the model. In both approaches, a Neural Network (NN) is used to retrieve soil moisture from passive microwave AMSR-E brightness temperatures and/or active microwave ASCAT backscatter observations. A spatially distributed (3D) ensemble Kalman filter is used for the assimilation over the contiguous United States from August 2007 until September 2011. The analysis skill of both assimilation approaches is evaluated against in situ observations from 60 SCAN stations and compared to the model open loop (no assimilation) skill. When averaged across the 60 sites, the skill obtained from both assimilation experiments is very similar. For surface soil moisture, the average correlation and anomaly correlation are 0.69 and 0.58, respectively. These metrics are slightly better than those of the open loop, by 0.05 for the correlation and by 0.03 for the anomaly correlation. The root zone soil moisture estimates from the assimilation were also slightly improved compared to the open loop (by 0.03 for the average correlation and by 0.01 for the average anomaly correlation). Locally, there are differences between the skill values of the two assimilation experiments. These are related to differences in the skill of the assimilated retrieval products and how well these differences are captured by the observation errors specified in the data assimilation.
Pediatric Small Bowel Transplantation

Small bowel transplantation is the only currently available option for children with permanent intestinal failure that can allow for full enteral nutrition. The aim of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the indications, surgical technique, allograft types, perioperative management, and outcomes of children who undergo intestinal transplantation. Advancements in the management of immunosuppression and associated complications have been the most recent contributor to improved patient outcomes following intestinal transplantation. Most centers have adopted protocols that consist of maintenance therapy with tacrolimus following induction with a steroid bolus and either an IL-2 antagonist, rabbit antithymocyte globulin, or alemtuzumab. Some will eventually convert patients from tacrolimus to sirolimus for long-term maintenance. Improved viral detection methods have allowed for early detection and management of EBV-associated complications including PTLD. Novel methods for early and less invasive detection of acute cellular rejection may allow for decreased morbidity from this complication in the future. While outcomes following intestinal transplantation have improved, they lag behind those for other solid organ transplants due to the high rate of immunologic complications found in this patient population. Future progress will depend on development of methods for earlier and more accurate detection of rejection, improvements in the detection and management of infection-related complications including PTLD, and on refinements in the management of chronic rejection.
Identification of Sensory Systems and Neuronal Systems

Abstract Current methods of system identification used in analysis of sensory and neuronal systems are presented. The developments of linear and nonlinear system techniques are discussed from an historical perspective. Application examples are summarized from neuronal and synaptic systems. Other uses in visual, mechanoreceptor, auditory, and vestibular sensory systems are presented and discussed. Control theory modeling of the vestibulo-ocular reflex is shown to have advanced with identification techniques, which helped reveal its adaptive control capability. An example of use in clinical diagnostic evaluations is presented
Nanoparticle-Mediated Recombinase Delivery into Maize

We describe a non-DNA-based system for delivering Cre recombinase protein into maize tissue using gold-plated mesoporous silica nanoparticle (Au-MSN). Cre protein is first loaded into the pores of Au-MSNs and then delivered using the biolistic method to immature embryos of a maize line (Lox-corn), which harbors loxP sites flanking a selection and a reporter gene. The release of the Cre recombinase protein inside the plant cell leads to recombination at the loxP sites, eliminating both genes. Visual screening is used to identify recombination events, which can be regenerated to mature and fertile plants. Using the experimental procedures and conditions described here, as high as 20% of bombarded embryos can produce regenerable recombinant callus events. This nanomaterial-mediated, DNA-free methodology has potential to become an effective tool for plant genome editing.
Quality of life comparison between smokers and non-smokers with chronic pancreatitis.

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of smoking on quality of life in patients with chronic pancreatitis. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of chronic pancreatitis patients followed at a single institution comparing smokers with non-smokers. The primary outcome was quality of life and secondary outcomes included demographics, drug and alcohol use, anxiety and depression, pain level, nutritional status, and metabolic factors. Results 48 smokers and 45 non-smokers participated in this study. Smokers had a worse overall quality of life and higher rates of opioid addiction and depression than non-smokers. Smokers also had less racial diversity, lower education levels, and higher amounts of narcotic use than non-smokers. Furthermore, smokers had a lower BMI and a higher proportional use of pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy. Smoking was found to be independently associated with worse quality of life on multivariable regression. Conclusions The worse overall quality of life and higher rates of depression and anxiety create cause for concern in chronic pancreatitis patients who smoke. Smoking cessation should be an important target in chronic pancreatitis patients. Multicenter, multiethnic studies are needed to further elucidate this relationship.
Anesthesiology Control Tower: Feasibility Assessment to Support Translation (ACT-FAST)—a feasibility study protocol

Major postoperative morbidity and mortality remain common despite efforts to improve patient outcomes. Health information technologies have the potential to actualize advances in perioperative patient care, but failure to evaluate the usability of these technologies may hinder their implementation and acceptance. This protocol describes the usability testing of an innovative telemedicine-based intra-operative clinical support system, the Anesthesiology Control Tower, in which a team led by an attending anesthesiologist will use a combination of established and novel information technologies to provide evidence-based support to their colleagues in the operating room. Two phases of mixed-methods usability testing will be conducted in an iterative manner and will evaluate both the individual components of the Anesthesiology Control Tower and their integration as a whole. Phase I testing will employ two separate “think-aloud” protocol analyses with the two groups of end users. Segments will be coded and analyzed for usability issues. Phase II will involve a qualitative and quantitative in situ usability and feasibility analysis. Results from each phase will inform the revision and improvement of the Control Tower prototype throughout our testing and analysis process. The final prototype will be evaluated in the form of a pragmatic randomized controlled clinical trial. The Anesthesiology Control Tower has the potential to revolutionize the standard of care for perioperative medicine. Through the thorough and iterative usability testing process described in this protocol, we will maximize the usefulness of this novel technology for our clinicians, thus improving our ability to implement this innovation into the model of care for perioperative medicine. The study that this protocol describes has been registered in clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02830126 .
Bowling with objects

This Nifty Assignment describes a project given to students in an object-oriented programming class to keep track of scores in bowling. Students were required to use object-oriented design, and various object-oriented concepts were introduced incrementally throughout the development process. Students were provided an in-class opportunity to test the program in the campus bowling alley. Details of the assignment and the object-oriented principles utilized are discussed, as are ideas for improvement.
Revisiting Hebrides English

This paper describes a study of phonetic variation in Hebrides English, a variety of English spoken in the Scottish Hebrides island chain. Study participants included 24 English-Scottish Gaelic bilinguals, ten male and 14 female, representing a range of ages and geographic origins within the Hebrides. Three features are considered: preaspiration, preglottalization, and T-glottalling. Preaspiration, once commonplace in some varieties of Hebridean English, is now found to be abundant only among older women, suggesting that the feature is obsolescent. By contrast, preglottalization and T-glottalling, already widespread in urban varieties of Scottish English, now appear to be making inroads in Hebrides English as well. The evidence therefore suggests that Hebridean English is undergoing significant changes, though the precise trajectory or outcome of these changes remain unclear.
Some Data for ATP

In what follows, the (restricted) predicate calculus with equality is assumed throughout. Let (U!u) Hu be short for (w) (u) ((Hw ∧ Hu) ⊃ w = u), (E!y) Hy be short for (Ey) Hy ∧ (U!y) Hy, Func H be short for (v) (U!u) Huv. The convention is to think of Huv as u=f(v), so that a one-many relation defines a function. The basic axioms of the extended Zermelo set theory, commonly referred to as ZF. are given as: A. Axiom of extensionality. (z)(z ∈ x ≡ z ∈ y) ⊃ x = y. B. Axioms of conditional existence. B1. The axiom of pairs. (Ey) (x) (x ∈ y ≡ (x = a ∧ x = b)). Briefly, (Ey) (y = {a, b{). B2. The sum set (union) axiom. (Ey) (u) (u ∈ y = (Ev) (u ∈ v ∧ v ∈ x)). Briefly, (Ey)(y = ⋃x). B3. The power set axiom. (Ey) (u)(u ∈ y ≡ u ⊆ x). Briefly, (Ey) (y = Px). B4. The axiom (schema) of replacement. Func G ⊃ (Ey) (u ∈ y = (Ev) (v ∈ x ∧ Guv)). Briefly, FuncG ⊃ (Ey) (y = G″x). C. Axiom of infinity (unconditional set existence). The other axioms (regularily and choice are generally regarded as more specialized)