cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of USDA feeder grade and time-on-feed on carcass characteristics and cooked beef palatability

Yearling feeder steers (n = 128), selected to vary in frame size and muscle thickness, were fed for 100, 130 or 160 days and then slaughtered. USDA grade data were collected and cooked rib steaks were evaluated for palatability attributes. Frame size was positively related to carcass weight and longissimus muscle area and negatively related to all fatness measures and to USDA yield grade. Steaks from large-framed steers received the lowest sensory panel ratings for juiciness and overall palatability. Muscle thickness of feeder steers was positively related to all measures of carcass muscling. Steaks from thinly muscled (No. 3) steers received higher ratings for juiciness and overall palatability than did steaks from thickly muscled (No. 1) steers. Large-framed or thickly muscled (No. 1) steers produced the lowest percentages of carcasses with at least Choice quality. Although some statistically significant differences were observed when the data were sorted by frame size or muscle thickness, few real trends were evident that would be of value to cattle feeders.
Cold fusion - a theoretical framework for cold fusion mechanism

Reprinted from the EPRI Journal, July/August 1989. Nuclear fusion would appear to be an ideal source of energy for many reasons. Fuel costs are likely to be low, since one of the potential fuels, deuterium, occurs in vast amounts in the oceans. In addition, there is relatively little radioactivity associated with fusion compared with nuclear fission as an energy source. Because of the large conversion of mass to energy, fusion can produce a million times more energy per atom than a chemical reaction. Much work has been done for over three decades on high-temperature, plasma-controlled fusion, but the achievement of sustained, controlled fusion reactions in high-temperature plasmas still seems remote.
Variation in recruitment does not drive the cline in diversity along an estuarine gradient

Spatial pattern and intensity of recruitment have substantial effects on adult community structure in some but not all marine systems. Such ‘supply-side’ effects have been relatively poorly studied in soft-sediment habitats because of the difficulty of sampling very small infaunal recruits. I investigated whether spatial patterns of infaunal recruitment along an estuarine gradient could account for the observed cline in adult diversity. On 9 occasions spread over 13 mo, cores of sterile sediment from 2 different sources were embedded in beaches along the estuarine axis of Puget Sound, Washington, and sampled 6 wk later for new recruits. Identities and abundances of recruits (mostly polychaetes and bivalves) varied among seasons, but differed little between sediments from different sources. Contrary to expectations, neither recruit richness nor abundance was lower at the southern (more estuarine) end of the gradient, where adult taxonomic diversity is low. For a number of taxa and time periods, recruitment was actually stronger at the southern beaches. Multivariate differences between assemblages of recruits and adults were much greater at the southern sites, indicating that post-recruitment processes at these sites modify diversity and abundance patterns initially established by recruitment. These processes could include predation on juveniles, adult–juvenile competition, or physiologically stressful abiotic conditions.
In vivo and in vitro effect of chelating agents on drug metabolizing enzymes of the rat.

Rats given calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (CaNa2EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), dimercaprol, p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), or d-penicillamine (penicillamine) i.p. for 7 successive days showed a significant decrease in the activity of hepatic microsomal benzphetamine N-demethylase. There was no appreciable change in the microsomal cytochrome P-450 concentration. In vitro incubation of the chelating drugs with liver microsomes isolated from rats pre-treated with phenobarbital caused no significant loss of the hemoprotein. The decreased rate of benzphetamine metabolism in microsomal preparations from rats, pretreated with the chelating drugs, may be attributed partly to hepatic depletion of essential trace elements by the chelating drugs.
Farmers' market research 1940–2000: An inventory and review

The number of retail farmers' markets in the USA increased dramatically in the twentieth century, with a burst of growth experienced after the passage of Public Law 94-463 (PL 94-463), the Farmer-to-Consumer Direct Marketing Act of 1976. This article inventories the literature since the Second World War on retail farmers' markets and direct marketing in North America. The inventory includes some lesser known studies from 1970 to 1985. The reports are grouped into four categories by topical area: consumers and vendors, economic impact, social impact and farmers' markets as research sites. Overall, the literature on farmers' markets is found to be scant, leaving ample room for new and exciting explorations of this venerable institution.
Contribution of Lysine 60f to S1‘ Specificity of Thrombin†

Lys60f has been proposed to limit the S1‘ substrate binding site specificity of thrombin to small polar P1‘ residues by occluding the S1‘ binding pocket, based on the X-ray crystal structure of thrombin. To test this proposal, we prepared a Lys → Ala (K60fA) mutant of recombinant thrombin and determined whether this mutation enhanced the reactivity of thrombin with a variant inhibitor [antithrombin (AT)-Denver] and a substrate (protein C) containing poorly recognized P1‘ Leu residues. AT-Denver in the presence of heparin inhibited K60fA thrombin with a second-order association rate constant [k = (4.2 ± 0.1) × 105 M-1 s-1] that was 3.2-fold faster than thrombin [k = (1.3 ± 0.1) × 105 M-1 s-1]. Wild-type AT (P1‘ Ser) under the same conditions inhibited K60fA thrombin with a 2.5-fold slower rate constant [k = (1.1 ± 0.1) × 107 M-1 s-1] than thrombin [k = (2.8 ± 0.1) × 107 M-1 s-1]. These results indicate an overall 8.3-fold improvement in the recognition of the P1‘ Leu of AT-Denver by K60fA thrombin over tha...
Building Intrusion-Tolerant Secure Software

In this work, we develop a secret sharing based compiler solution to achieve confidentiality, integrity and availability (intrusion tolerance) of critical data together, rather than tackling them one by one as in previous approaches. Under our scheme, some critical data values are automatically identified by the compiler, whereas some others are specified by the user. The compiler generates code for scattering/assembling and verifying of those critical data values using secret sharing scheme. In this way, we achieve data confidentiality and integrity. We also provide mechanisms to gracefully recover upon data tampering, achieving intrusion tolerance. The implementation of our secret sharing scheme is carefully crafted to achieve low overhead. We further propose several compiler optimizations such as secret-sharing-aware register allocation, rematerialization etc. to reduce the cost of secret sharing further, making our scheme a practical solution in a high performance system.
Glucose-mediated spatial interactions of voltage dependent calcium channels and calcium sensing receptor in insulin producing β-cells.

Abstract Aims The voltage dependent calcium channel (VDCC) e.g., L-type VDCC plays critical roles in the spatio-temporal regulation of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and insulin secretion by β-cell. This study describes the involvement of 2.5 to 15 mM glucose-induced spatial interactions between a calcium sensing receptor (CaR) and L-type VDCC in controlling Ca2+ channel activity and insulin secretion in β-cells in association with the nuclear translocation of a transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Main methods The insulin producing β-cells were exposed to 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, and 15 mM glucose for 24 h at 37 °C. The confocal fluorescence imaging data was obtained by using antibodies against CaR and L-type VDCC. The nuclear translocation of NF-κB was measured by confocal fluorescence imaging using antibody against NF-κB. The insulin release was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Key findings The confocal imaging data showed 6 to 12-fold enhancement in the colocalization correlation coefficient between CaR and VDCC in β-cells exposed to glucose thereby indicating increased membrane delimited spatial interactions between these two membrane proteins. The confocal fluorescence imaging data showed that addition of glucose to β-cells led to 1.8 to 2.7-fold increase in the nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The insulin ELISA data showed a significant increase in the 1st phase of glucose-induced insulin secretion in β-cells exposed to increasing concentrations of glucose. Significance The results described in the present study further strengthen that VDCC and CaR can interact spatially to allow control over calcium channel activity and therefore glucose-induced insulin secretion by β-cells.
Breast cancer risk management.

Abstract Breast cancer is a devastating illness that affects tens of thousands of American women each year. Although no one can predict who will actually develop breast cancer, a number of risk factors have been found that allow clinicians to identify the women at highest risk. Recent research has focused on exploring options, such as chemoprevention, to prevent high-risk women from developing breast cancer. The selective estrogen receptor (ER) modulators (SERMs) were a logical choice for chemoprevention because of their well-known estrogen antagonist effects in the breast. Tamoxifen is the best studied of these agents and has been shown to reduce the incidence of all breast cancers by 38% and ER-positive tumors by 48%. 1 However, despite this large potential risk reduction, risk management with chemopreventive agents is still not routine. The primary deterrents are believed to be the significant adverse events associated with tamoxifen as well as a perceived decline in quality of life (QOL). 2–4 These concerns led researchers to consider other possible agents that would still be effective but would have fewer or more acceptable side effects than tamoxifen. Raloxifene was proposed as an alternative to tamoxifen based on its estrogen antagonist effects in the breast and its relative safety as an osteoporosis agent. In this article, we will review the trials that led to the emergence of both tamoxifen and raloxifene as chemopreventive agents and will then offer a management strategy for breast cancer prevention in the primary care setting.
Structure of the sodium channel gene SCN11A: evidence for intron-to-exon conversion model and implications for gene evolution.

Exon/intron boundaries in the regions encoding the trans-membrane segments of voltagegated Na channel genes are conserved, supporting their proposed evolution from a single domain channel, while the exons encoding the cytoplasmic loops are less conserved with their evolutionary heritage being less defined. SCN11A encodes the tetrodotoxin-resistant (TTX-R) sodium channel Nav 1.9a/NaN, which is preferentially expressed in nociceptive primary sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and trigeminal ganglia. SCN11A is localized to human chromosome 3 (3p21-24) close to the other TTX-R sodium channel genes SCN5A and SCN10A. An alternative transcript, Nav1.9b, has been detected in rat DRG and trigeminal ganglion. Nav1.9b is predicted to produce a truncated protein due to a frame-shift, which is introduced by the new sequence of exon 23c (E23c). In human and mouse SCN11A, divergent splicing signals prevent utilization of E23c. Unlike exons 5A/N in genes encoding TTX-sensitive sodium channels, which appear to have resulted from exon duplication, E23c might have evolved from the conversion of an intronic sequence. Although a functional role for Nav1.9b has yet to be established, intron-to-exon conversion may represent a mechanism for ion channels to acquire novel features.
A structural model of supply chain performance in an emerging economy

Drawing on a knowledge-based view and strategic choice theory, this study develops and empirically tests a conceptual framework to assess the effect of knowledge sharing on the development of supply chain capabilities and the effects of such capabilities on supply chain performance. Employing path analysis, it is shown that strong associations exist between the sharing of both explicit and tacit knowledge and the development of supply chain capabilities, including cost efficiency and innovation capabilities. The results also indicate significant moderating effects of cost and innovation orientations on supply chain capabilities, which in turn exert effects on the improvement of supply chain performance. Managerial and theoretical implications are discussed, and future research directions are also suggested.
Theoretical study of sensor-actuator schemes for rotating stall control

A theoretical study has been conducted to determine the influence of actuator and sensor choice on active control of rotating stall in axial-flow compressors. The sensors are used to detect small amplitude traveling waves that have been observed at the inception of rotating stall in several different compressors. Control is achieved by feeding the sensed quantity back to the actuator with a suitable gain and spatial phase shift relative to the measured wave. Actuators using circumferential arrays of jets, intake ports, and movable inlet guide vanes upstream of the compressor, and valves downstream of the compressor were considered. The effect of axial velocity, static pressure, or total pressure measurement on control effectiveness was investigated. In addition, the influence of the actuator bandwidth on the performance of the controlled system was determined. The results of the study indicate that the potential for active control of rotating stall is greater than that achieved thus far with movable inlet guide vanes. Furthermore, axial velocity sensing was most effective. Actuator bandwidth affected the performance of the controlled compressors significantly, but certain actuators were affected less severely than others.
Validity and generalizability of the Withdrawal Assessment Tool-1 (WAT-1) for monitoring iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome in pediatric patients

Critically ill pediatric patients frequently receive prolonged analgesia and sedation to provide pain relief and facilitate intensive care therapies. Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome occurs when these drugs are stopped abruptly or weaned too rapidly. We investigated the validity and generalizability of the Withdrawal Assessment Tool-1 (WAT-1) in children during weaning of analgesics and sedatives. Of 308 children initially supported on mechanical ventilation for acute respiratory failure, 126 (41%) from 21 centers (median age 1.6 years; interquartile range 0.6-7.7 years) were exposed to 5 or more days of opioids. Subjects were assessed for withdrawal symptoms with the WAT-1, an 11-item (12-point) scale, from the first day of weaning from analgesia/sedation until 72 h after the last opioid dose. A total of 836 daily WAT-1 assessments were completed, with a median (interquartile range) WAT-1 score of 2 (0-4) over 6 (3-9) days per subject. There were no significant differences in WAT-1 scores as a function of age. Factor analyses confirmed that motor-related symptoms and behavioral state accounted for the most variance in WAT-1 scores. Supporting construct validity, cumulative opioid exposures were greater [40.2 (19.7-83.4) vs 17.6 (14.6-39.7) mg/kg, P=.004], length of opioid treatment before weaning was longer [7 (6-11) vs 5 (5-8)days, P=.004], and length of weaning from opioids was longer [10 (6-14) vs 6 (3-9)days, P=.008] in subjects with WAT-1 scores of ≥ 3 compared to subjects with WAT-1 scores of <3. The WAT-1 shows good psychometric performance and generalizability when used to assess clinically important withdrawal symptoms in pediatric intensive care and general ward settings.
The surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis in childhood — a study of 38 cases

Abstract Ulcerative colitis in childhood has a prognosis even more serious than that in the adult and in recent years has been increasing in frequency. There may be a remarkable retardation of physical and sexual development with ulcerative colitis in childhood. Of 38 children operated on for ulcerative colitis at 16 years or younger, 22 were boys and 16 were girls. Fifteen were operated upon prior to the introduction of steroids and 23 after steroids were introduced. Steroids have not increased the interval between disease onset and surgery, but have changed the indications for surgery. Surgery for chronic invalidism is now a more common indication than acute exacerbation. Ileostomy and subtotal colectomy has been the most common operation. In the past 10 years there have been no deaths following subtotal colectomy or proctocolectomy.
The lattice of minimal realizations of response maps over rings

A lattice characterization is given for the class of minimal-rank realizations of a linear response map defined over a (commutative) Noetherian integral domain. As a corollary, it is proved that there are only finitely many nonisomorphic minimal-rank realizations of a response map over the integers, while for delay-differential systems these are classified by a lattice of subspaces of a finite-dimensional real vector space.
The Use of Fiction as a Source of Information About Interpersonal Communication: A Critical View

In several recent articles, communication scholars have used fictional accounts of human behavior as data in studies examining how individuals behave. This essay examines potential problems with such an approach to interpersonal communication. While fiction can provide useful information concerning interpersonal behavior, there are limitations to its usefulness. Fiction has only a limited relationship to natural communicative behavior. While fiction may influence behavior, the nature of this influence is not clear enough to conclude that most works of fiction will reflect actual communicative behavior.
Location of Starch Granule-associated Proteins Revealed by Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy

Abstract Distinct locations of starch granule-associated proteins were revealed using a protein-specific dye with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The dye, 3-(4-carboxybenzoyl) quinoline-2-carboxaldehyde, fluoresces only after it reacts with primary amines in proteins, thereby removing background interference from residual dye. CLSM has the capability to discern fluorescence-labelled protein distribution in an optical slice of an intact starch granule while it is still in an intact state. With these techniques, starch granule proteins were revealed to be concentrated in internal concentric spheres in potato, maize, and wheat starches. Spheres were more distinct in potato starch than in other starches. Amylose-free potato and waxy maize starches showed no protein spheres, indicating that the internal protein spheres are composed of granule-bound starch synthase (GBSS). Identification of GBSS suggests the location of biosynthesis of amylose in starch granules, as well as spatial and temporal aspects of biosynthesis.
Failure of budesonide in a pilot study of treatment-dependent autoimmune hepatitis.

Abstract Background & Aims: Budesonide has a high hepatic first-pass clearance and metabolites virtually devoid of glucocorticoid activity. Our goals were to assess budesonide in patients with treatment-dependent autoimmune hepatitis and to determine if efficacy and safety justified a controlled trial. Methods: Ten patients who were dependent on continuous treatment to prevent exacerbation of their disease were treated with budesonide, 3 mg thrice daily. Results: Laboratory indices did not improve significantly during 5 ± 1 months of therapy (range, 2–12 months). Three patients entered clinical and biochemical remission; 2 of them achieved histologic remission. Seven patients either deteriorated during therapy or became drug intolerant. Withdrawal symptoms complicated conversion from prednisone to budesonide treatment, and every patient developed at least 1 side effect. Lumbar spine density decreased in 2 patients, and femur density decreased in 2 patients, including 1 with lumbar spine changes. However, mean bone densities actually increased slightly in the entire group. Conclusions: Budesonide therapy was associated with a low frequency of remission and high occurrence of treatment failure and side effects in treatment-dependent autoimmune hepatitis. Findings did not support the need for a controlled treatment trial in this select population. GASTROENTEROLOGY 2000;119:1312-1316
Focal adhesion kinase: in command and control of cell motility

A central question in cell biology is how membrane-spanning receptors transmit extracellular signals inside cells to modulate cell adhesion and motility. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a crucial signalling component that is activated by numerous stimuli and functions as a biosensor or integrator to control cell motility. Through multifaceted and diverse molecular connections, FAK can influence the cytoskeleton, structures of cell adhesion sites and membrane protrusions to regulate cell movement.
Analysis of individual leucocyte behavior during chemotaxis

Abstract The movements of individual human polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMN) during chemotaxis to Staphylococcus albus cells were recorded by time-lapse cinemicrography and analysed. Virtually all PMN showed chemotactic behavior. Movement was characterized by wide variations in average speed among cells and by frequent changes in speed in individual cells. Chemotaxis did not involve changes in speed but was caused solely by the directional movement of the PMN. There was no refinement in the directionality of the cell paths as the cells approached the attractant. Using a micromanipulator, it was possible to show that individual cells could repeatedly respond within a short time to moving the attractant to another location. This technique allowed observation of a PMN at the beginning of a chemotactic response. A rapid method for assay of substances for chemotactic activity based on this analysis was also presented.
Parental income, assets, borrowing constraints and children's post-secondary education.

Abstract This study is a test of two theoretical models linking parental economic resources to children's post-secondary education, short-term borrowing constraints, and long-term family background. A series of structural equation models (SEM) is tested using data from a sample of young adults ( N = 650) in the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID). To further understand the role of parental resources in children's education, analyses are conducted for both income and assets, with assets measured by liquid assets and net worth. Findings indicate that both income and assets have consistent long-term associations with children's college entry. When measures of household wealth are incorporated in the analysis, the hypothesis of short-term borrowing constraints is also supported. Implications for research and policy are considered.
A high-throughput method for the quantitative analysis of auxins

Auxin measurements in plants are critical to understanding both auxin signaling and metabolic homeostasis. The most abundant natural auxin is indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). This protocol is for the precise, high-throughput determination of free IAA in plant tissue by isotope dilution analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The steps described are as follows: harvesting of plant material; amino and polymethylmethacrylate solid-phase purification followed by derivatization with diazomethane (either manual or robotic); GC-MS analysis; and data analysis. [¹³C₆]IAA is the standard used. The amount of tissue required is relatively small (25 mg of fresh weight) and one can process more than 500 samples per week using an automated system. To extract eight samples, this procedure takes ∼3 h, whether performed manually or robotically. For processing more than eight samples, robotic extraction becomes substantially more time efficient, saving at least 0.5 h per additional batch of eight samples.
Measurement of the Thermal Boundary Resistance between Solid He 3 and Cerium Magnesium Nitrate

The thermal boundary resistance between powdered cerium magnesium nitrate and solid $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ was measured in the temperature range between 45 and 250 mK. The phonon bottleneck as well as the phonon-dependent boundary resistance was observed. At low temperatures we observed a magnetic Kapitza resistance in parallel with that due to the phonons. The magnetic Kapitza resistance is proportional to ${T}^{2}$ in agreement with theoretical predictions.
Structure of a swirl-stabilized spray flame relevant to gas turbine and furnaces

To investigate the structure of a hollow-cone spray flame similar to those occurring in the primary zone of gas-turbine combustors or within furnaces, a swirl-stabilized combustor was used. A kerosene spray was produced by a simplex atomizer with a nominal included-cone-angle of 30 deg. Swirling air had a calculated swirl number of 0.36 and was produced by a swirl plate having an exit air velocity vector of 30 deg with respect to the chamber axis. A phase Doppler particle analyzer was used to measure drop size; mean and root mean square (rms) values of axial, radial, and tangential components; and drop velocity and size probability distribution functions (PDFs) at five different axial positions from the nozzle. A mean spray flame structure and terminology are proposed. It is found that a large portion of the drop flowfield within this spray flame is dominated by radial and axial components of the velocity vector. It appears that sufficiently away from the nozzle the direction of the mean droplet velocity vector is primarily established by the design of the swirl plate. Based on the bimodal behavior of drop axial velocity PDF, pulsation of the central recirculation zone is proposed and the extent of its effect on the droplet field is investigated. The rms of droplet flowfield is not isotropic in this spray flame. At each axial position, axial rms has the highest value among the three components and occurs near the maximum temperature point. Moving away from the nozzle near and along the locus of maximum mean temperature, strong preferential evaporation and/or burning of small drops drastically affect the shape of the size PDFs by progressively shifting its profile into larger size ranges.
Magnetic behavior of new CePdSn ternary compounds

Abstract We have prepared and measured the magnetic susceptibility of several new ternary compounds in the CePdSn system: CePd0.5Sn2, Ce8Pd24Sn, “Ce4Pd7Sn4” and the solid solution based on Ce2Pd2Sn. In CePd0.5Sn2, an effective magnetic moment of 2.60(3)μB is observed but no ordering is apparent above 4.2 K. Complete nickel substitution for Pd in Ce(Pd1−xNix)0.5Sn2 results in the known lower limit to the CeNi1−xSn2 solid solution. We have determined the extent of the solid solution based on Ce2Pd2Sn to have the form Ce4Pd4+2xSn2−x−y in a roughly triangular region with limits of x = 0, y = 0; x = 0, y ≈ 2 3 and x ≈ 2 3 , y = 0. Magnetic behavior consistent with trivalent cerium moments is observed at these limits with ferromagnetic ordering present for x = 0, y = 2 3 . Cubic Ce8Pd24Sn has an effective high temperature moment of 2.49(4)μB and antiferromagnetic ordering at 7.5 K. A hexagonal phase dominates the composition “Ce4Pd7Sn4”, but a structural solution has remained elusive. An effective cerium moment of 2.53(4)μB is observed in “Ce4Pd7Sn4” with a Weiss constant of −23 K, suggesting antiferromagnetic interactions, but no ordering is observed above 4.2 K.
Behavioral differences between two populations of wild rats: implications for domestication research.

Two experiments demonstrating behavioral differences between two different populations of wild rats are reported. In Exp 1, the animals were habituated to a familiar food prior to being offered a choice between a familiar and a novel food. There was a significant difference between the two strains in their neophobic avoidance of the novel food. In Exp 2, animals from two wild strains and two domestic strains were tested in a poison-elicited pica paradigm. Following toxicosis, there were significant differences among all of the groups except between one of the wild and one of the laboratory groups. The finding of significant behavioral differences between representatives of the two wild strains in both experiments indicates that different populations of wild rats show behavioral variation. The differences between the wild and laboratory animals in Exp 2 are compared to similar behavioral differences reported by others, and the implications for domestication research are discussed.
Flowfield characteristics of an axisymmetric 180-degree turnaround duct

In an attempt to provide an experimental database for computational fluid dynamics turbulence code evaluation and development, an experiment was conducted using an annular axisymmetric 180-deg turnaround passage through which air flows at close to ambient conditions. Measurements made at a nominal gap Reynolds number of 100,000 are presented; these are the static and fluctuating wall pressure distributions and the one- and two-component velocity profiles at various stations upstream, through, and downstream of the bend. Because of the large favorable pressure gradients on the inner wall up to 51 degrees, the flow experiences a large acceleration close to the wall; enhanced mixing occurs close to the outer wall. Downstream of this location, the flow close to the inner wall experiences an adverse pressure gradient before separating at about 150 degrees.
Lack of theoretical basis for predicting rate and pathways of recovery

An inadequate basis for precisely predicting the outcome of lotic ecosystem recovery, whether due to unaided natural processes or management techniques or both, exists because: (1) the field of ecology has not yet matured as a rigorous predictive science; (2) the precise sequence of events, including climatic occurrences, affecting the recovery process may be unique events and thus rarely or never repeated; and (3) even when attempts are made to control the recolonization process through introduction of species, etc., the interaction of these species may not follow deterministic models. Although this symposium focuses on lotic ecosystems, such systems are influenced strongly by exports from the surrounding land mass and, under certain circumstances, this may be the overriding influence on the recovery process; therefore, unless the boundary conditions are determined realistically, the recovery process may not follow desirable pathways. Despite the lack of a robust theoretical support base for lotic ecosystem recovery, some remarkable and rapid recoveries have occurred to either a close approximation of the original condition or to a condition ecologically superior to the damaged condition. In some cases, the recovery was due entirely to natural processes and, in others, often followed relatively straightforward management practices. There is evidence indicating that lotic ecosystem restoration is both cost effective and likely to produce satisfying results relatively rapidly. It is both fortunate that this is the case, since society is likely to support such efforts when the results have been extraordinarily successful, and unfortunate since restoration ecology needs a predictive capability.
POLICY ARENA: The Economics and Politics of Government Ownership

Based in part on a new data set, this article finds that, despite an increase in privatization, state-owned enterprises (SOEs) shares in GDP and employment had not declined in developing countries, and SOE deficits and inefficiencies were a drag on growth. In a sample of 12 reforming countries, those which improved SOE performance the most followed a comprehensive strategy of divestiture, competition, hard budgets, financial sector reform and changes in the institutional relationship between SOEs and governments. These successful reformers met three necessary political conditions: reform was politically desirable, politically feasible and credible. The article presents a decision tree suggesting how to meet the three political conditions and privatize and reform SOEs. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Flight of Male California Red Scale

In field tests at Riverside, California, more males of Aonidiella aurantii (Maskell) (Homoptera: Diaspididae), were collected on traps baited with the sex pheromone produced by virgin California red scale females than were collected on unbaited traps. More males were collected on traps placed in the middle and upper parts of citrus trees than on the traps placed lower. California red scale males had a distinct pattern of flight: during colder fall and spring months, maximum flight occurred just before sunset; during summer months, flight peaked between sunset and dark. Males were collected in the field at light intensities ranging from 800 to 0.1 foot-candles, at between 16 and 30˚C, and at between 20 and 65% RH. In the laboratory, the optium temperature for male flight was 26.7˚C at humidities of 10–75%. Flight-dispersal studies of California red scale males tagged and released in a mature citrus grove indicated that males were capable of moving at least 189 meters downwind and 92 meters upwind and still respond to pheromone produced by female scales. In the laboratory, males were unable to fly upwind when air velocities exceeded 1 mile per hour.
Pressure groups and public investment decisions: A note

No model of public investment is complete without introducing the effects of the interaction between pressure groups and agency officials. The contention that public managers attempt to extend control over resources is a convenient starting point for the analysis. The logrolling models that describe the trading among pressure groups describe the end point of the process. Somehow the gap in between must be filled by an analysis of the role of pressure groups in the design and promotion of public projects and programs. Only then can analysts pretend to have a reasonably complete model of public investment decisions. This note is presented as a possible beginning in the quest for such a model.
Tensile properties of graphite fibers from several acrylic yarns

Abstract Graphite fibers have been made from acrylic yarns with chemically different compositions and with a wide range of tenacities and orientation. Fibers with moduli of elasticity above 60 million psi and tensile strengths above 250,000 psi could be formed from most of the yarns. The moduli of the graphite fibers from one of the yarns are shown to be substantially affected by graphitisation tensions and temperatures.
Adding an “Active Learning” Component to a Large Lecture Course

Abstract Traditional lectures generally force students to play a passive role in the classroom. In an effort to promote active learning, we added discussion sections to a large lecture hall course. Field trips, student journals, and group-based assignments, in particular, enhanced the learning experience. To ensure the success of the new format, course planners must enlist the sustained cooperation of key faculty and administrators on campus, as well as teaching assistants assigned to the new sections. The new discussion sections allowed students to acknowledge the environmental impact their actions have on campus and to recognize that environmental problems occur at multiple scales.
A comparative study of bisantrene given by two dose schedules in patients with metastatic breast cancer

Schedule dependency of bisantrene was evaluated in refractory metastatic breast cancer. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either a single (S) bolus injection of 300 mg/m2 (37 patients) or an injection of 80 mg/m2 daily for 5 days (Dx5) (35 patients) every 3–4 weeks after stratification by performance status, dominant disease site, and response to prior doxorubicin therapy. All but one patient had received prior doxorubicin. Partial remission (PR) was achieved by 5 of 35 patients (14%) in the S arm and 7 of 35 patients (20%) in the Dx5 arm (P=NS). There were 4 patients who had primary refractoriness to doxorubicin but responded to bisantrene. The median number of courses was two for both arms. The median time to progression was 5 months for the responders in each arm and 3 and 4 months, respectively, for patients who showed no change in the S and Dx5 arms. Myelosuppression was dose-limiting and greater for the Dx5 arm. Drug fever (34% versus 21% of courses; P=0.02) and myalgia (22% versus 10% of courses; P=0.02) were reported more often in the Dx5 arm; malaise was greater in the S arm. Grade 2–3 nausea and vomiting occurred more often in the S arm (40% versus 10% of courses; P<0.01). Significant hypotension that was not symptomatic occurred in 1 patient in the Dx5 arm. Phlebitis occurred in 3 patients without a central line. One patient who had previously received doxorubicin and mitomycin C developed heart failure, which was controlled with medication. Bisantrene is an effective drug for metastatic breast cancer that has incomplete cross resistance to doxorubicin, and there was no schedule dependency in this study.
Macropartisanship: An Empirical Reassessment

To evaluate the comparability of the Gallup and Michigan Survey Research Center measures for studying levels of partisanship among the U.S. electorate we compare the overtime distribution of partisanship and the correlates of partisanship using the results of Gallup surveys, the National Election Studies, and the General Social Surveys. Compared with the Gallup results, both the other two surveys reveal less short-term variation and also less total variation. Compared with the Gallup results, the National Election Studies partisanship results are less related to short-term electoral outcomes and do not appear to be strongly driven by short-term economic and political evaluations. Our analyses suggest that scholars should be cautious about using Gallup results to revise conclusions based upon analyses that employ the Michigan Survey Research Center party identification measure.
Using unannounced standardized patients to assess the HIV preventive practices of family nurse practitioners and family physicians.

ABSTRACTMeasuring health risk assessment and conselling recommendations can be challenging. In this study, unannounced standardized patients (lay individuals trained to replicate a clinical encounter consistently) were used to evaluate HIV preventive performance of 22 family nurse practitioners (NPs
Novel Genes Involved in Endosomal Traffic in Yeast Revealed by Suppression of a Targeting-defective Plasma Membrane ATPase Mutant

A novel genetic selection was used to identify genes regulating traffic in the yeast endosomal system. We took advantage of a temperature-sensitive mutant in PMA1, encoding the plasma membrane ATPase, in which newly synthesized Pma1 is mislocalized to the vacuole via the endosome. Diversion of mutant Pma1 from vacuolar delivery and rerouting to the plasma membrane is a major mechanism of suppression of pma1(ts). 16 independent suppressor of pma1 (sop) mutants were isolated. Identification of the corresponding genes reveals eight that are identical with VPS genes required for delivery of newly synthesized vacuolar proteins. A second group of SOP genes participates in vacuolar delivery of mutant Pma1 but is not essential for delivery of the vacuolar protease carboxypeptidase Y. Because the biosynthetic pathway to the vacuole intersects with the endocytic pathway, internalization of a bulk membrane endocytic marker FM 4-64 was assayed in the sop mutants. By this means, defective endosome-to-vacuole trafficking was revealed in a subset of sop mutants. Another subset of sop mutants displays perturbed trafficking between endosome and Golgi: impaired pro-alpha factor processing in these strains was found to be due to defective recycling of the trans-Golgi protease Kex2. One of these strains defective in Kex2 trafficking carries a mutation in SOP2, encoding a homologue of mammalian synaptojanin (implicated in synaptic vesicle endocytosis and recycling). Thus, cell surface delivery of mutant Pma1 can occur as a consequence of disturbances at several different sites in the endosomal system.
Bowen ratio/energy balance technique for estimating crop net CO2 assimilation, and comparison with a canopy chamber

This paper describes a Bowen ratio/energy balance (BREB) system which, in conjunction with an infra-red gas analyzer (IRGA), is referred to as BREB+ and is used to estimate evapotranspiration (ET) and net CO2 flux (NCF) over crop canopies. The system is composed of a net radiometer, soil heat flux plates, two psychrometers based on platinum resistance thermometers (PRT), bridge circuits to measure resistances, an IRGA, air pumps and switching valves, and a data logger. The psychrometers are triple shielded and aspirated, and with aspiration also between the two inner shields. High resistance (1 000 ohm) PRT's are used for dry and wet bulbs to minimize errors due to wiring and connector resistances. A high (55 K ohm) fixed resistance serves as one arm of the resistance bridge to ensure linearity in output signals. To minimize gaps in data, to allow measurements at short (e.g., 5 min) intervals, and to simplify operation, the psychrometers were fixed at their upper and lower position over the crop and not alternated. Instead, the PRT's, connected to the bridge circuit and the data logger, were carefully calibrated together. Field tests using a common air source showed appartent effects of the local environment around each psychrometer on the temperatures measured. ET rates estimated with the BREB system were compared to those measured with large lysimeters. Daily totals agreed within 5%. There was a tendency, however, for the lysimeter measurements to lag behind the BREB measurements. Daily patterns ofNCF estimated with the BREB+ system are consistent with expectations from theories and data in the literature. Side-by-side comparisons with a stirred Mylar canopy chamber showed similarNCF patterns. On the other hand, discrepancies between the results of the two methods were quite marked in the morning or afternoon on certain dates. Part of the discrepancies may be attributed to inaccuracies in the psychrometric temperature measurements. Other possible causes include the highly artificial air turbulence in the canopy chamber and possible associated stomatal response. More work is necessary to identify conclusively the causes. In spite of these uncertainties, the BREB+ technique appears well suited for the automated and simultaneous tracking of photosynthetic performance and water economy of crops in their virtually undisturbed natural environment.
Getting started in academic cardiothoracic surgery.

Abstract Preparing to begin a career in academic cardiothoracic surgery requires forethought and desire. Success mandates honesty, discipline, opportunity, and support. This article will attempt to review some fundamental concepts important in starting such an academic career. The thoughts are somewhat personal and not meant to be inclusive. The article will briefly discuss the following issues: choosing the first job, transitions, effective time management, developing clinical confidence, the continued need for mentorship, developing educational value, developing a philosophy of academic growth, intellectual and emotional honesty, myths, mental and physical health, and keys to success. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2000;119:S1-10.)
Carbon monoxide mixing ratios over Oklahoma between 2002 and 2009 retrieved from Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer spectra

Abstract. CO mixing ratios for the lowermost 2-km atmospheric layer were retrieved from downwelling infrared (IR) radiance spectra of the clear sky measured between 2002 and 2009 by a zenith-viewing Atmospheric Emitted Radiance Interferometer (AERI) deployed at the Southern Great Plains (SGP) observatory of the Atmospheric Radiation Measurements (ARM) Program near Lamont, Oklahoma. A version of a published earlier retrieval algorithm was improved and validated. Archived temperature and water vapor profiles retrieved from the same AERI spectra through automated ARM processing were used as input data for the CO retrievals. We found the archived water vapor profiles required additional constraint using SGP Microwave Radiometer retrievals of total precipitable water vapor. A correction for scattered solar light was developed as well. The retrieved CO was validated using simultaneous independently measured CO profiles from an aircraft. These tropospheric CO profiles were measured from the surface to altitudes of 4572 m a.s.l. once or twice a week between March 2006 and December 2008. The aircraft measurements were supplemented with ground-based CO measurements using a non-dispersive infrared gas correlation instrument at the SGP and retrievals from the Atmospheric IR Sounder (AIRS) above 5 km to create full tropospheric CO profiles. Comparison of the profiles convolved with averaging kernels to the AERI CO retrievals found a squared correlation coefficient of 0.57, a standard deviation of ±11.7 ppbv, a bias of -16 ppbv, and a slope of 0.92. Averaged seasonal and diurnal cycles measured by the AERI are compared with those measured continuously in situ at the SGP in the boundary layer. Monthly mean CO values measured by the AERI between 2002 and 2009 are compared with those measured by the AIRS over North America, the Northern Hemisphere mid-latitudes, and over the tropics.
Increased Tumor Necrosis Factor-α Production by Peripheral Blood Leukocytes from TCDD-Exposed Rhesus Monkeys

Previous work has shown that exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is associated with a dose-dependent increase in the incidence and severity of endometriosis in the rhesus monkey. Studies also suggest that immune mechanisms participate in TCDD-mediated toxicity and the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Thirteen years after TCDD treatment was terminated, we characterized the phenotypic distribution of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from TCDD-exposed and -unexposed rhesus monkeys and determined the ability of these cells to produce cytokines and exert cytolytic activity against NK and T-cell-sensitive cell lines. We also determined whether elevated serum levels of TCDD, dioxin-like PHAH congeners, and triglycerides correlated with changes in PBMC phenotype or function. For all animals, TCDD exposure correlated with increased PBMC tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion in response to stimulation by T-cell mitogen and decreased cytolytic activity against NK-sensitive target cells. Furthermore, increased production of this cytokine by PHA-stimulated leukocytes was associated with elevated serum triglyceride levels. Leukocyte TNF-alpha secretion in response to viral antigen and PBMC production of interferon gamma (IFNgamma), IL-6, and IL-10 following exposure to mitogen or antigen were unaffected by previous TCDD treatment. Although TCDD exposure was not associated with changes in PBMC surface antigen expression, elevated serum concentrations of TCDD, 1,2,3,6,7,8-hexachlorodibenzofuran and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl correlated with increased numbers of CD3+/CD25- and CD3-/CD25+ leukocytes and enhanced secretion of TNF-alpha by mitogen-stimulated PBMC. These findings indicate that TCDD-exposed rhesus monkeys with endometriosis exhibit long-term alterations in systemic immunity associated with elevated serum levels of specific PHAH congeners.