cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecosystem Responses of a Tidal Freshwater Marsh Experiencing Saltwater Intrusion and Altered Hydrology

Tidal freshwater marshes exist in a dynamic environment where plant productivity, subsurface biogeochemical processes, and soil elevation respond to hydrological fluctuations over tidal to multi-decadal time scales. The objective of this study was to determine ecosystem responses to elevated salinity and increased water inputs, which are likely as sea level rise accelerates and saltwater intrudes into freshwater habitats. Since June 2008, in situ manipulations in a Zizaniopsis miliacea (giant cutgrass)-dominated tidal freshwater marsh in South Carolina have raised porewater salinities from freshwater to oligohaline levels and/or subtly increased the amount of water flowing through the system. Ecosystem-level fluxes of CO2 and CH4 have been measured to quantify rates of production and respiration. During the first 20 months of the experiment, the major impact of elevated salinity was a depression of plant productivity, whereas increasing freshwater inputs had a greater effect on rates of ecosystem CO2 emissions, primarily due to changes in soil processes. Net ecosystem production, the balance between gross ecosystem production and ecosystem respiration, decreased by 55% due to elevated salinity, increased by 75% when freshwater inputs were increased, and did not change when salinity and hydrology were both manipulated. These changes in net ecosystem production may impact the ability of marshes to keep up with rising sea levels since the accumulation of organic matter is critical in allowing tidal freshwater marshes to build soil volume. Thus, it is necessary to have regional-scale predictions of saltwater intrusion and water level changes relative to the marsh surface in order to accurately forecast the long-term sustainability of tidal freshwater marshes to future environmental change.
The inverted multilayer perceptron as a consistency measuring device in neuroanatomical image analysis.

Abstract This protocol describes the use of optical imaging and artificial neural networks to analyze the complex patterns of transsynaptic transfer of WGA-HRP from olfactory bulbar axon terminals to olfactory tubercle projection neurons. This constitutes a unique application of neural networks to pattern recognition in a neuroanatomical tract-tracing study. Furthermore, the type of neural network used in this study, i.e., the inverted multilayer perceptron, possesses a novel construction that suits it for measuring consistency in data clusters. In the experiment described, the perceptron functioned as a consistency measuring device that revealed nonlinear relationships between the site of bulbar injection and the degree of regional labeling in the olfactory tubercle. Nonparametric statistical tests were used concurrently to validate the results of this previously untested form of the multilayer perceptron. Themes: Sensor systems Topics: Olfactory senses
SUPPORT OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY CONTENT IN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATION: RESULTS FROM NATIONAL SURVEYS OF U.S. AND ANGLOPHONE CANADIAN FACULTY

This article presents findings from the first national surveys of United States and English- speaking Canadian MSW social work faculty examining their support of curriculum content on sexual orientation and gender identity. Faculty in either country are generally supportive of including LGBT content but report significantly more support for content on LGBT populations as compared to the types of oppression experienced. Significant predictors of support for LGBT content include being female, younger, non-White/non-European, having positive LGBT social attitudes, and the availability of resources on transgenderrelated issues. The findings suggest that faculty development should address the social attitudes among faculty as well as integrate gender identity into diversity discourse in social work education.
CEREAL PROTOPLAST RECALCITRANCE

Cereal leaf protoplasts are extremely difficult to culture (recalcitrant) in vitro. There have been few reports of division and the protoplasts typically exhibit excessive enlargement and vacuolization with reduced cell wall deposition. Inasmuch as leaf base explants are capable of callus formation in vitro, protoplasts derived from this tissue must have lost the ability to divide as a consequence of changes induced by the wall-digestion process. We review evidence suggesting that the inhibition of mitosis in these protoplasts is a consequence of a cascade of events initiated at the plasma membrane. The enzyme treatment necessary for wall removal triggers membrane depolarization and other changes that can lead to the initiation of lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress. Mitotically inactive cereal leaf protoplasts are unable to mount a protective response to these degradative processes. Consequently, the resulting membrane perturbations and permeabilization give rise to secondary effects on the cytoskeleton and the cell wall. These effects include reduced or absent microtubules as well as reduced and uneven wall deposition. Such abnormalities are observed in cereal leaf protoplasts and are sufficient to account for recalcitrance because the occurrence of mitosis is strongly dependent on a normal cell wall and cytoskeleton.
Efficient gene delivery into Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed human B cells mediated by replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1): A gene therapy model for EBV-related B cell malignancy

Abstract Subgroups of the B cell malignancies are known to be associated with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection, especially in immunocompromised patients. These are fatal and refractory to conventional antineoplastic therapy. B cells are usually post-mitotic cells and even mitogen activated or transformed B cells have shown relative resistance against viral mediated gene transfer. To address this issue, we employed a replication-defective herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) to mediate gene transfer into EBV-transformed B cells. The virus expresses the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV- TK ) and the E. coli lacZ reporter genes and is designated T0Z.1. We used the lymphoblastoid cell line SWEIG as a model for human EBV-related B cell malignancy. This cell line was established by in vitro EBV infection of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. When SWEIG cells were infected with T0Z.1, X-gal staining revealed lacZ expression in more than 20% cells even at multiplicity of infection (MOI) as low as 1 and the expression persisted for at least one week. Ganciclovir (GCV) administration after T0Z.1 infection effectively decreased the number of the infected tumor cells in a dose-responsive manner. Viral toxicity was analyzed by cell proliferation assay (MTS assay) and found to be little even at 10 MOI infection. Three MOI of the virus yielded maximum antineoplastic effect and more than 50% tumor cells were killed by HSV- TK /GCV. These results suggest the potential utility of replication-defective HSV-1 for the treatment of EBV-related B cell malignancies.
Management of the Organ Donor

Advances in immunosuppressive therapy have led to increased use of organ transplantation to treat end- organ failure. This has led to a consistent shortage of transplantable organs, with many patients dying while awaiting heart, liver, or lung transplantation. Traditional donor criteria are expanding and increase the pool of available donor organs. The organ procurement process often begins with the diagnosis of brain death, which must be made by clinical criteria and is usually con firmed by clinical testing. Because brain-dead patients suffer a variety of hemodynamic, cardiac, endocrine, respiratory, and hematologic abnormalities, manage ment in the intensive care unit demands meticulous attention and expertise. Living and, occasionally, non- heart-beating donors are also a source of donor organs. Management of the various types of donors in the operating room requires specific skills and knowledge. The persistent need for donor organs requires that poten tial organ donors be recognized and appropriatel...
Polymerization of Protecting-Group-Free Peptides via ROMP.

A study was conducted to survey the tolerance of ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) with respect to amino acid (a.a.) identity of pentapeptide-modified norbornene-based monomers. A library of norbornyl-pentapeptides was prepared with the general structure, norbornyl-GX2PLX5, where residue ‘X’ was changed at each of the two positions (2 or 5) alternately to consist of the natural amino acids F, A, V, R, S, K, N, T, M, Q, H, W, C, Y, E, Q, and D. Each peptide monomer, free of protecting groups, was mixed in turn under a standard set of polymerization conditions with the ROMP initiator (IMesH2)(C5H5N)2(Cl)2RuCHPh. Two sets of polymerization reactions were performed, one with monomer : initiator (M : I) ratio of 20 : 1, and another with M : I of 200 : 1. For the nucleophilic amino acids cysteine and lysine, polymerization reactions were quantitatively compared to those of their protected analogues. Furthermore, we describe polymerization of macromonomers containing up to 30 a.a. to test for tolerance of ROMP to peptide molecular weight. These reactions were studied via SEC-MALS and NMR. Finally, with knowledge of sequence scope in hand, we prepared a set of enzyme–substrate containing brush polymers and studied them with respect to their bioactivity.
Alterations in c-Myc phenotypes resulting from dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fission

The c-Myc (Myc) oncoprotein regulates numerous phenotypes pertaining to cell mass, survival and metabolism. Glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and mitochondrial biogenesis are positively controlled by Myc, with myc−/− rat fibroblasts displaying atrophic mitochondria, structural and functional defects in electron transport chain (ETC) components, compromised OXPHOS and ATP depletion. However, while Myc influences mitochondrial structure and function, it is not clear to what extent the reverse is true. To test this, we induced a state of mitochondrial hyper-fission in rat fibroblasts by de-regulating Drp1, a dynamin-like GTPase that participates in the terminal fission process. The mitochondria from these cells showed reduced mass and interconnectivity, a paucity of cristae, a marked reduction in OXPHOS and structural and functional defects in ETC Complexes I and V. High rates of abortive mitochondrial fusion were observed, likely reflecting ongoing, but ultimately futile, attempts to normalize mitochondrial mass. Cellular consequences included reduction of cell volume, ATP depletion and activation of AMP-dependent protein kinase. In response to Myc deregulation, apoptosis was significantly impaired both in the absence and presence of serum, although this could be reversed by increasing ATP levels by pharmacologic means. The current work demonstrates that enforced mitochondrial fission closely recapitulates a state of Myc deficiency and that mitochondrial integrity and function can affect Myc-regulated cellular behaviors. The low intracellular ATP levels that are frequently seen in some tumors as a result of inadequate vascular perfusion could favor tumor survival by countering the pro-apoptotic tendencies of Myc overexpression.
Web based listing of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma.

Summary Background Work-related asthma is common and yet remains a challenge to diagnose. Access to a listing of agents associated with work-related asthma has been suggested as useful in assisting in the diagnosis. Methods The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) developed criteria that were used to review the peer-reviewed medical literature published in English. Based on this review, substances were designated either as a sensitizing agent or an irritant. The reviews were conducted by a board certified internist/pulmonologist/occupational medicine specialist from 2002 to 2007 and a board certified internist/occupational medicine physician from 2008- date. All reviews were then reviewed by the nine member AOEC board of directors. Results The original list of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma was derived from the tables of a text book on work-related asthma. After 13 years of review, there are 327 substances designated as asthma agents on the AOEC list; 173 (52.9%) coded as sensitizers, 35 (10.7%) as generally recognized as an asthma causing agent, four (1.2%) as irritants, two (0.6%) as both a sensitizer and an irritant and 113(34.6%) agents that still need to be reviewed. Conclusions The AOEC has developed a readily available web based listing of agents associated with new onset work-related asthma in adults. The listing is based on peer-reviewed criteria. The listing is updated twice a year. Regular review of the peer-reviewed medical literature is conducted to determine whether new substances should be added to the list. Clinicians should find the list useful when considering the diagnosis of work-related asthma.
Increasing hippocampal acetylcholine levels enhance behavioral performance in an animal model of diencephalic amnesia.

Abstract Pyrithiamine-induced thiamine deficiency (PTD) was used to produce a rodent model of Wernicke–Korsakoff syndrome that results in acute neurological disturbances, thalamic lesions, and learning and memory impairments. There is also cholinergic septohippocampal dysfunction in the PTD model. Systemic (Experiment 1) and intrahippocampal (Experiment 2) injections of the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine were administered to determine if increasing acetylcholine levels would eliminate the behavioral impairment produced by PTD. Prior to spontaneous alternation testing, rats received injections of either physostigmine (systemic = 0.075 mg/kg; intrahippocampal = 20, 40 ng/μL) or saline. In Experiment 2, intrahippocampal injections of physostigmine significantly enhanced alternation rates in the PTD-treated rats. In addition, although intrahippocampal infusions of 40 ng of physostigmine increased the available amount of ACh in both pair-fed (PF) and PTD rats, it did so to a greater extent in PF rats. The increase in ACh levels induced by the direct hippocampal application of physostigmine in the PTD model likely increased activation of the extended limbic system, which was dysfunctional, and therefore led to recovery of function on the spontaneous alternation task. In contrast, the lack of behavioral improvement by intrahippocampal physostigmine infusion in the PF rats, despite a greater rise in hippocampal ACh levels, supports the theory that there is an optimal range of cholinergic tone for optimal behavioral and hippocampal function.
Acute effects of hydrocortisone on gluconeogenesis from 14C- and 3H- labeled substrates in intact rats.

At short time intervals (2 and 4 hr) after a single intraperitoneal injection of hydrocortisone (20 mg/rat), gluconeogenesis was studied by intraperitoneal injection in trace amount of one of the following pairs of compounds: DL-lactate-2-14C, DL-lactate-2-3H; DL-malate- 3-14C, DL-malate-2-3H; succinate-2,2′-14C, succinate-2,2′-3H; or glycerol-l,3-14C, glycerol- 2-3H. Conversion of radioactivity to CO2, blood glucose and liver glycogen was measured. With all 14C-labeled substrates there was no marked change of 14CO2 after hydrocortisone. Incorporation of both 14C and 3H from lactate and malate into glucose and glycogen was increased slightly at 2 hr and increased significantly at 4 hr after hydrocortisone. There was no change in incorporation of 14C or 3H from succinate or glycerol. Transfer of 3H from lactate and malate to glucose was somewhat more stimulated than was that of 14C. The observed changes in gluconeogenesis from certain of the labeled substrates are qualitatively similar, but less extensive,...
Capacity Constraints, Inflation and the Transmission Mechanism: Forward-Looking Versus Myopic Policy Rules

This paper develops a small model of the output-inflation process in the United States in order to examine the implications of alternative monetary policy rules. In particular, two types of policy rules are considered; a myopic rule where interest rates respond contemporaneously to output and inflation and a forward-looking policy rule that exploits information about the nature of transmission mechanism in the setting of interest rates. The model has two key features. First, there are significant lags between interest rates and aggregate demand conditions. Second, the model is based on an asymmetric model of inflation where positive deviations of aggregate demand from potential are more inflationary than negative deviations are disinflationary. As a consequence of this asymmetry, a policymaker that follows a myopic policy rule and allows the economy to overheat periodically will be forced to impose large recessions on the economy to keep inflation under control. The paper shows that the estimated degree of asymmetry implies that myopic policies can result in significant permanent losses in output. By contrast, policymakers that follow a forward-looking policy rule that avoids overheating will not only reduce the variance of output but also raise the mean level of output.
Endoscopic Stent Therapy in Advanced Chronic Pancreatitis: Relationships Between Ductal Changes, Clinical Response, and Stent Patency

Endoscopic Stent Therapy in Advanced Chronic Pancreatitis: Relationships Between Ductal Changes, Clinical Response, and Stent Patency
Inhibition of Clostridium botulinum Growth from Spore Inocula in Media Containing Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate and Potassium Sorbate with or without added Sodium Chloride

The effects of sodium acid pyrophosphate (SAPP), sodium chloride (NaCl) and/or potassium sorbate (PS) on the growth from heat-activated spores of three individual strains or a mixture of ten strains of Clostridium botulinum in peptone-yeast extract-glucose broth at pH 5.55 or 5.85 were measured spectrophotometricalty at A630nm. Growth ratios (GR = treatment/control) based on time to reach A630= 0.35 or 0.04 were calculated and used to compare effects of additives on strains. SAPP, NaCl, PS, and pH exhibited independent significant main effects (p≦0.01) on delaying growth in most C. botulinum strains tested. Combinations of additives without NaCl consistently caused an increase in the GR and an increase in organism sensitivity to additives in the medium. Treatments containing SAPP (0.2 or 0.4%) and PS (0.13 or 0.26%) were more effective for delaying growth than other formulations tested.
From FORTRAN 77 to locality-aware high productivity languages for peta-scale computing

When the first specification of the FORTRAN language was released in 1956, the goal was to provide an "automatic programming system" that would enhance the economy of programming by replacing assembly language with a notation closer to the domain of scientific programming. A key issue in this context, explicitly recognized by the authors of the language, was the requirement to produce efficient object programs that could compete with their hand-coded counterparts. More than 50 years later, a similar situation exists with respect to finding the right programming paradigm for high performance computing systems. FORTRAN, as the traditional language for scientific programming, has played a major role in the quest for high-productivity programming languages that satisfy very strict performance constraints. This paper focuses on high-level support for locality awareness, one of the most important requirements in this context. The discussion centers on the High Performance Fortran (HPF) family of languages, and their influence on current language developments for peta-scale computing. HPF is a data-parallel language that was designed to provide the user with a high-level interface for programming scientific applications, while delegating to the compiler the task of generating an explicitly parallel message-passing program. We outline developments that led to HPF, explain its major features, identify a set of weaknesses, and discuss subsequent languages that address these problems. The final part of the paper deals with Chapel, a modern object-oriented language developed in the High Productivity Computing Systems (HPCS) program sponsored by DARPA. A salient property of Chapel is its general framework for the support of user-defined distributions, which is related in many ways to ideas first described in Vienna Fortran. This framework is general enough to allow a concise specification of sparse data distributions. The paper concludes with an outlook to future research in this area.
Very low bit rate video coding using object-based mesh design and tracking

This paper presents an object-based, object-scalable mesh design and tracking algorithm for very low bitrate video coding, which consists of three stages: object segmentation, object boundary coding, and 2D mesh design and tracking within each object. Here, we use pre- segmented test sequences; hence, object/motion segmentation is not treated. The boundary of each individual object is approximated by a polygon. Next, a node point selection algorithm followed by constrained Delauney triangulation is employed, where line segments representing the boundary of the object polygons from the constraints.
Mechanism of the Water Gas Shift Reaction on Pt: First Principles, Experiments, and Microkinetic Modeling

We present a microkinetic model as well as experimental data for the low-temperature water gas shift (WGS) reaction catalyzed by Pt at temperatures from 523 to 573 K and for various gas compositions at a pressure of 1 atm. Thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for the model are derived from periodic, self-consistent density functional theory (DFT-GGA) calculations on Pt(111). The destabilizing effect of high CO surface coverage on the binding energies of surface species is quantified through DFT calculations and accounted for in the microkinetic model. Deviations of specific fitted model parameters from DFT calculated parameters on Pt(111) point to the possible role of steps/defects in this reaction. Our model predicts reaction rates and reaction orders in good agreement with our experiments. The calculated and experimental apparent activation energies are 67.8 kJ/mol and 71.4 kJ/mol, respectively. The model shows that the most significant reaction channel proceeds via a carboxyl (COOH) intermediate. Forma...
Distribution-free multiple comparisons between successive treatments

Distribution-free methods are proposed for one- and two-sided comparison of adjacent pairs of r≧3 ordered treatments in the one-way layout. A table of exact probability points isgiven for use with Mann Whitney statistics in the equal sample size case for one-sided inference with r = 3 or 4 and for two-sided inference with r = 3. Approximations are investigated for use with larger r. Asymptotic probability points are found for use with all Chernoff-Savage statistics. Asymptotically optimal designs for these methods use approximately equal numbers of observations for even r and approximately ((r+l)/(r-1))1/2 times as many observations from each even numbered treatment as from each odd numbered treatment when r is odd. The asymptotic relative efficiency oftwo proceduresis identical to that of their two-sample counterparts
How to get to work: Trade in your passive study techniques, including the yellow Magic Marker

“I really studied for this test, and I thought I knew the material. Of course, I reviewed it the night before class, then I studied each chapter as we reviewed it in class. What's more, I used a yellow underliner, but …”
Effects of Precursor Composition on Pore Morphology for Thermally Polymerized Acrylic Acid/Methyl Methacrylate-Based Microemulsions

Thermal polymerization has not been extensively studied as a technique for the polymerization of bicontinuous microemulsions. Other more rapid techniques have been employed such as visible- and UV-initiated polymerization. However, the industrial preparation of porous solids would be facilitated by the use of the cheaper and simpler thermal polymerization. The effects of changing composition of the precursor on the resulting matrix morphology for thermally polymerized microemulsions were studied. The factors examined were the surfactant loading of the aqueous phase, the aqueous to organic phase ratio, the monomer ratio of the organic phase, and the cross-linker content of the organic phase. SEM, drying rate studies, and freezing point depression measurements were used to determine matrix morphology. The surfactant loading of the aqueous phase and the cross-linker content of the organic phase were found to have no significant effect on the morphology while the phase ratio and monomer ratio were found to ha...
The effects of segregated impurities on intergranular fracture energy

Abstract The segregation of metalloid impurities to grain boundaries of steel can result in reductions of fracture toughness of the order of 95%. It is shown that this can be caused by reductions in the work of ideally brittle fracture (i.e. the cohesive energy) of the order of 10%. This is based on the exponential dependence of the plastic work on the local stress field ahead of a brittle crack, which in turn can be related to the force-displacement curve for intergranular separation.
ON THE MEASUREMENT OF CARBON DIOXIDE UPTAKE WITH A GLASS ELECTRODE

1. It has been shown that the glass electrode method as previously described by the author for measurements of transient rates in photosynthesis is free of systematic errors. 2. Justification has been given for the use of the steady state-gas flow method for measuring rates of assimilation under conditions in which the solution is known not to be seriously depleted of CO(2). 3. The decline of photosynthetic rates under light saturation at CO(2) pressures less than several tenths per cent of an atmosphere has been shown to be a real phenomenon. It has been suggested that there may be a real discrepancy between this finding and those of some other investigators due to a difference in the previous history of the algal suspensions.
Pre-Regulation Research: The Triumph of Policy Analysis

Washington has a way of taking simple, even elegant truths and transmuting them into intellectual mush. In their moment of triumph, ideas are quickly sucked into the maw of the executive branch and never heard from again. When I saw the title of this paper in the conference brochure, I knew two things: first, policy analysis had finally triumphed in domestic agencies; second, its transformation into "pre-regulation research" indicated that analysis was about to be turned into an endangered species. I want to talk today partly about the triumph of analysis in regulation, but mostly about the danger signals that could threaten its existence-signals that are more serious than unfortunate terminology. I want to do this against a brief historical backdrop of analysis that may help you understand the urgency with which I deliver my message. Policy analysis is the reincarnation, in my view, of the old discipline of political economy. It attempts to amalgamate political science, economics and other disciplines to make the whole more than the sum of the parts. In doing this, it represents the best of the Enlightenment tradition that commands us to take hold of our futures and mould them by our reason. It is not clear, however, that analysis is in an equilibrium situation. The drive for specialization and the conflict of world views that caused the initial split of economics and politics still exists. Americans are also rightly skeptical of the "best and the brightest" that brought them, among other things, the kill ratios of the Vietnamese war. Politicians, also, are likely to be wary of analysis, inasmuch as the rational-analytical man forswears the bargaining inherent in a political system. While it may currently be good politics to boost "impact analysis" in regulation as a means to reduce the absolute amount of
Flexible Production, Rigid Jobs: Lessons from the Clothing Industry

Contextualized in the debate on the nature of post-Fordism, this study looks at changes in work organization that accompany firm attempts to increase their competitive position. It argues that changes in the technical and social relations of production in a labor intensive industry simply amount to labor intensification. Firms achieve productivity and quality improvements plus manufacturing flexibility by using new technology to deskill or replace skilled workers and by reconfiguring work to maximize work effort by semiskilled workers. These technological changes and work reorganization permit manufacturing flexibility but in ways that resemble modifications of Fordism rather than a new production paradigm.
Enhanced combined eye gaze direction classification and head flexion detection system

In the past years, the detection and tracking of eye-gaze has been considered an active research field due to the convenience it adds to a variety of applications. In addition, head movement detection has received similar attention. Both of these technologies can be used as alternative methods for interfacing devices. Several approaches have been presented in the literature and used in the implementation of many algorithms for these technologies. An enhancement to an eye gaze direction classification system is presented in this paper. Viola-Jones face detector is used in the eye gaze direction classification system for face detection and to define the eye region. However, Viola-Jones face detector has a limitation when detecting rotated faces. In the proposed approach, the Circular Hough Transform is used for locating the eye iris. Low level features are then computed and support vector machine (SVM), which was found to achieve the highest accuracy in the system, is used to classify the eye gaze direction. The proposed enhancement suggests calculating the head flexion angle using flex sensors and a microcontroller. The calculated flexion angle can then be used to rotate the face back to 0° angle. This overcomes Viola-Jones limitation regarding detecting rotated faces. It also increases the system accuracy when used with rotated face images. In addition to increasing system effectiveness in classifying eye gaze direction, determining the head direction is useful to be used as a control method. This combination of eye gaze direction classification and head direction detection provides various control signals that can be used in many applications such as assistive technology.
Stooling and manometric findings after primary pull-throughs in Hirschsprung's disease: Perineal versus abdominal approaches

Abstract Background/Purpose: Primary pull-through via a perineal approach (PA) has recently been reported for Hirschsprung's disease. One criticism of this approach is that it requires a large amount of retraction on the anal sphincters. Additionally, because the procedure is new, most patients undergoing a PA are too young to assess long-term continence rates. This study examined early stooling patterns, anal sphincteric pressures, and number of enterocolitic episodes in infants who underwent a PA. Results were compared with a conventional combined transabdominal and perineal approach (TA). Methods: Over 2 years, 26 pull-through procedures were performed. Nine of those were PA, and 17 were TA. Twelve of the 26 patients had formal manometric studies postoperatively. Results are expressed as mean ± SD; unpaired t test and X 2 were used for statistical analysis. Results: Mean follow-up post–pull-through was 23 ± 2.3 months for the TA and 14 ± 1.9 months for the PA. Manometric resting sphincter pressure in the TA group averaged 79 ± 17 mm Hg compared with 76 ± 21 mm Hg in the PA group ( P =.78). Number of stools per day was 3.3 ± 0.6 in the TA group compared with 2.2 ± 0.3 in the PA group ( P =.17). Post–pull-through enterocolitis was experienced by 53% of the TA group (mean, 1.5 ± 0.6 episodes) and 56% of the PA group (mean 0.9 ± 0.4 episodes) for a P =.08 by X 2 analysis. Conclusions: Manometric sphincter pressure and enterocolitic episodes after a PA for Hirschsprung's disease appear to be similar to results obtained with a conventional TA. Evaluation of early stooling frequency shows a comparable frequency after a PA. This suggests that both methods are safe, and the PA does not appear to compromise sphincter integrity. J Pediatr Surg 37:1321-1325. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
An in vitro transversion by a mutationally altered T4-induced DNA polymerase☆

Abstract In a reaction in which poly dC serves as template, highly purified T4 DNA polymerase has been shown to incorporate dTTP into poly dG, at a level ( T G ) of 10−5 to 10−6. The polymerase from a temperature-sensitive mutagenic strain of T4 with a mutation in the structural gene for DNA polymerase, substitutes T for G at a frequency about fourfold higher than the wild-type enzyme. The error frequency for both enzymes depends on dTTP and dGTP concentrations and can be increased about 5- to 20-fold by the substitution of manganese for magnesium in the reaction.
Raymond williams: Culture, politics, and democracy

(1993). Raymond williams: Culture, politics, and democracy. New Political Science: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 17-29.
Crack tip damage analysis in fatigue fracture of epoxy resin

The application of the crack layer theory to fatigue crack propagation (FCP) in epoxy is discussed. A crack tip damage evolution coefficient μ is introduced to assess the extent of damage as a fraction of the damage associated with critical crack propagation. The results can be expressed in the form where dl/dN is the rate of FCP, G1 is the energy release rate whose critical value is G1c, and β is a phenomenological constant. Although no damage was detected from microscopic analyses, μ increases fivefold during stable crack propagation. Fractal analysis of fracture surface profiles provides a quantitative measure of the roughness associated with crack advance. The fractural measure d is found to evolve in a similar fashion as μ, suggesting the applicability of d to quantify crack tip damage evolution.
Time to give the first medication during resuscitation in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

Summary Objective There is no evidence showing an impact from any advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) medications on patient survival following cardiac arrest. One potential reason for a lack of such benefit may be medication timing. We formed the hypothesis that medications are given late after rescuer arrival, limiting any benefit. We performed a meta-analysis to determine the time from emergency medical services (EMS) dispatch to first medication administration, regardless of route, during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA). Then, the mean time and ranges of reported study medication delivery in clinical trials where medication was the experimental intervention was determined. Methods We conducted a comprehensive literature review between January 1990 and August 2005 in MEDLINE using the following MeSH headings: cardiopulmonary resuscitation, cardiac arrest, heart arrest, EMS, EMT, ambulance, and the names of all ACLS medications. We reviewed the abstracts of 632 studies and full manuscripts of 248 published papers. We eliminated the following articles from further analysis: non-peer reviewed; all without human primary data (includes review articles, guidelines or consensus manuscripts, editorials, or simulation studies); animal data; case reports. We used no language restriction. From this search, our independent reviewers found 17 papers that contained information on time to medication administration. Results We analyzed reporting of drug delivery time to 7617 patients in 32 different emergency medical services systems. Time to first medication delivery by any route was a mean of 17.7 min (range 10.0–25.0; 95% CI around mean 10.6, 24.8). Time to intravenous experimental medication administration was a mean of 19.4 min (range 13.3–25.0; 95% CI around mean 12.8, 25.9). Conclusions Medications are given late during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, even in cohorts where drug delivery is a key study intervention.
Characterization of a rabbit gene encoding a clofibrate-inducible fatty acid ω-hydroxylase: CYP4A6

CYP4A6 mRNAs are induced in the rabbit liver and kidney following treatment with the antihyperlipidemic drug clofibrate. As a first step toward the elucidation of the mechanism controlling the induction of this and other CYP4A genes by clofibrate and other peroxisome proliferators, we have cloned and characterized the CYP4A6 gene. Genomic DNA containing the first 12 exons encoding CYP4A6 was isolated as three recombinant lambda phage, two of which were overlapping. The sequence of more than 1000 bp of the 5' upstream region as well as of the first 12 exons has been determined. These 12 exons encode all but approximately 80 bp at the 3' terminus of CYP4A6. Intron/exon junctions within the coding region of the gene are conserved relative to the rat CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes. Primer extension analysis indicates that transcription is initiated 33 bp upstream of the start codon. The CYP4A6 promoter region, like that of the rat CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes, does not contain a consensus TATA box. However, a consensus Sp1 recognition element is apparent at -46 bp upstream of the transcription start site. In addition, a sequence related to one of two regulatory elements that control the induction of the rat acyl-CoA oxidase gene by ciprofibrate is present upstream of the CYP4A6 promoter.
PROBING EXOTIC HIGGS SECTORS IN ℓ-ℓ- COLLISIONS

I review extended Higgs sectors and constraints thereon arising from ρ=1, gauge-coupling unification and b→sγ. The couplings and decays of the Higgs boson eigen-states are outlined for triplet representations. Direct experimental probes of exotic Higgs bosons are reviewed with a focus on the important role that would be played by an e-e- or μ-μ- collider.
Rheology of concentrated biomass

Economic processing of lignocellulosic biomass requires handling the biomass at high solids concentration. This creates challenges because concentrated biomass behaves as a Bingham-like material with large yield stresses. Here we employ torque rheometry to measure the rheological properties of concentrated lignocellulosic biomass (corn stover). Yield stresses obtained using torque rheometry agree with those obtained using other rheometric methods, but torque rheometry can be used at much larger solids concentration (weight fractions of insoluble solids greater than 0.2). Yield stresses decrease with severity of hydrolysis, decrease when water-soluble polymers are added (for nonhydrolyzed biomass), and increase with particle length. Experimental results are qualitatively consistent with those obtained from particle-level simulations.
Electromagnetic pulse from supernovae

Upper and lower limits to the radiated electromagnetic pulse from a supernova are calculated assuming that the mass fraction of the matter expanding inside the dipole magnetic field shares energy and maintains the pressure balance in the process. A supernova model is described in which the explosion occurs in old low-mass stars containing less than 10% hydrogen in their ejecta and a remnant neutron star is produced. The analysis indicates that although the surface layer of a star of 1 g/cu thickness may be shock-accelerated to an energy factor of about 100 and may expand into the vacuum with an energy factor approaching 10,000, the equatorial magnetic field will retard this expansion so that the inner, more massive ejecta layers will effectively accelerate the presumed canonical dipole magnetic field to greater velocities than would the surface layer alone. A pulse of 10 to the 46th power ergs in a width of about 150 cm will result which will not be affected by circumstellar matter or electron self-radiation effects. It is shown that interstellar matter will attenuate the pulse, but that charge separation may reduce the attenuation and allow a larger pulse to escape.
Evaluating Health Communication Programs to Enhance Health Care and Health Promotion

Health communication programs are essential and ubiquitous tools in the delivery of care and promotion of health. Yet, health promotion experts are not always well informed about the influences communication programs have on the audiences they are designed to help. Too often health communication programs evoke unintended, and even negative, responses from diverse audiences. It is critically important to conduct regular, rigorous, ongoing, and strategic evaluation of health communication programs to assess their effectiveness. Evaluation data should guide program refinements and strategic planning. This article outlines key strategies for conducting meaningful evaluation research for guiding the development, implementation, refinement, and institutionalization of effective health communication programs.
Hepatic HMG CoA reductase and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities in normal and hyperlipidemic-restricted ovulator atherosclerosis-prone chickens before and after the commencement of egg laying

Abstract Hepatic HMG CoA reductase and cholesterol 7a-hydroxylase activities were determined in cyclically fed normal and restricted ovulator chickens at two times: 8 a.m., the end of the 16-h fasting period, and again at 2 p.m., 6 h after the start of the 8-h feeding period. Liver biopsies were taken from 4 male and 17 female chickens at 18 weeks of age, prior to the onset of oviposition. Thirteen of the females were later found to be normal ovulating hens while the remaining 4 proved to be restricted ovulator chickens. Neither the sex nor egglaying potential appeared to affect the activities of either rate-controlling enzyme in the 18-week-old birds, but diurnal rhythms of both enzyme activities were demonstrated in the normal ovulators. After egg laying had commenced, when birds were sacrificed at 26 weeks of age, the 8 a.m. activities of HMG CoA reductase in normal ovulators had more than doubled, probably in response to increased demands for cholesterol for yolk synthesis. In contrast, in mature restricted ovulators, the activities of HMG CoA reductase were only 1 4 to 1 8 of those in the younger birds. We suggest that this decrease is a “feedback” response to the level of circulating endogenous serum cholesterol which was 5 times higher in 26-week-old restricted ovulators than in their egg laying siblings of the same age (662 mg/dl vs 126 mg/dl). Cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase activities decreased after maturation in all groups, but the changes were most apparent in restricted ovulators, probably a result of decreased availability of cholesterol substrate pools for bile acid synthesis.
Perceptions and Credibility: Understanding the Nuances of Eyewitness Testimony

Of the first 225 exonerations of wrongfully convicted individuals in the United States by the Innocence Project, 77% were based on mistaken eyewitness identifications. Given the mounting evidence on reliability issues surrounding eyewitness testimony, coupled with the fact that forensic evidence is neither infallible nor always available, it becomes important to better understand how jurors use these different types of evidence in their decision making. The current research seeks to fill a void in the literature by evaluating the influence of eyewitness testimony on case outcomes while accounting for other types of evidence (e.g., DNA). Although the results underscore the value of forensic DNA evidence, they also highlight the importance of eyewitness testimony in juror decision making. In fact, both pretrial perceptions of the reliability of eyewitness evidence and the credibility of an eyewitness during trial significantly impact the desired verdict for jurors above and beyond other types of evidence. I...
Testing the Significance of Difference in Average Rates of Change in Controlled Longitudinal Studies With High Dropout Rates

This article concerns methodology for testing the significance of differences in mean rates of change in controlled repeated measurements designs with limited sample sizes, autoregressive error structures, nonlinear patterns of underlying true mean change, dropout rates exceeding 50%, plus other missing data. Each of these is problematic for ordinary repeated measures analysis of variance, and a complex generalized linear mixed model formulation popularly advocated for the ability to deal with autoregressive error structures and missing data is shown to perform poorly in such circumstances. Monte Carlo simulation methods confirm that simple two-stage analyses of dropout-weighted linear slope coefficients provide conservative Type 1 error protection, although adequate power requires the presence of large treatment effects in studies with the limited sample sizes and high proportions of missing data. No other analysis has been documented to provide both conservative Type 1 error protection and competitive p...
PHOTOLYSIS OF MELANIN PRECURSORS: FORMATION OF SEMIQUINONE RADICALS AND THEIR COMPLEXATION WITH DIAMAGNETIC METAL IONS

— Semiquinone free radicals have been generated by the UV photolysis of aqueous solutions of melanin precursors (catechols and catecholamines) and characterized by electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. Hyperfine parameters of the semiquinones are sensitive to the nature of the substituents on the aromatic ring, reflecting (i) the ionization state of the substituent; (ii) restricted rotation of methylene protons; and (iii) the presence of a chiral carbon center. In the presence of complexing metal ions (Zn2+, Cd2+) the semiquinones form chelate complexes whose ESR spectra differ from those of the uncomplexed radicals. Satellite peaks demonstrating hyperfine coupling to metal isotopes (67Zn, 111Cd and 113Cd) present in natural abundance were detected in several instances. Concentrations of metal complexes are much higher than those of the uncomplexed radicals, suggesting that diamagnetic metal ions may be useful in identifying the presence of semiquinone radicals of this kind in various systems.
Rapid, high-temperature formation of large-scale rheomorphic structures in the 2.06 Ma Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, Idaho, USA

In the Teton River Canyon, eastern Idaho, the ca. 2.06 Ma, 130-m-thick Huckleberry Ridge Tuff exhibits large-scale rheomorphic fold geometries defined by eutaxitic fabrics parallel to both the primary internal zonation and the basal contact with older strata. Paleomagnetic data from a large-amplitude (>150 m), northwest-trending, overturned fold near the failed Teton Dam indicate folding above maximum magnetization unblocking temperatures (>580 °C). The in situ characteristic remanent magnetization (ChRM) direction is indistinguishable from previous studies of undeformed Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, and a fold test is negative ( k minimized at 100% unfolding). Anisotropy of magnetic susceptibility data reveal magnetic foliation planes that dip northeast, roughly parallel to the axial surface of the fold. Because deformed and undeformed Huckleberry Ridge Tuff exposures preserve the same anomalous ChRM direction, large-scale rheomorphic structures in the tuff must have formed rapidly at high temperatures shortly after development of compaction fabrics. Post-welding, high-temperature deformation is consistent with field evidence indicating rapid, plastic secondary deformation of much of the tuff prior to devitrification.