cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
R-prime site-directed transposon Tn7 mutagenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata.

Abstract Site-directed mutagenesis of the photosynthetic apparatus (PSA) genes in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata is presented utilizing a transposon Tn7 mutagenized R-prime. The R-prime, pRPS404, bears most of the genes necessary for the differentiation of the photosynthetic apparatus. Mutagenesis of the R-prime with Tn7 in Escherichia coli , conjugation into R. capsulata , and homologous recombination with the wild-type alleles efficiently generates photosynthetic apparatus lesions. Wild-type alleles are lost spontaneously and the Tn7-induced lesions are revealed by subsequent intramolecular recombination between IS21 insertion elements that bracket the prime sequences in direct repeat. The molecular nature of the intermediates involved in the transposition, recombination and deletion have been investigated by Southern hybridization analysis. The spontaneous loss of wild-type alleles after homologous recombination with the chromosome may be of general use to other prokaryotic site-directed transposon mutagenesis schemes. The IS21-mediated deletion of the prime DNA is dependent on the RecA protein in E. coli , generating the parental R-factor bearing one IS21 element. A genetic-physical map exists for a portion of the prime photosynthetic apparatus DNA. When Tn7 is inserted into a bacteriochlorophyll gene in the Rprime and then crossed into R. capsulata , mutants are produced that accumulate a bacteriochlorophyll precursor, which is in excellent agreement with the existing genetic-physical map. This corroborates our mutagenesis scheme. Mutants arising from Tn7 insertions outside of the genetic map have been isolated. Light harvesting II mutations have been isolated; one mutant lacks only the 14,000 M r , polypeptide.
THEORETICAL CONCEPTS IN PSYCHOLOGY

A more comprehensive scheme for classifying theoretical concepts is needed to clarify the issues involved in choosing concepts for psychology. The scheme here proposed concentrates on distinctions of observational and ontological status which seem basic to such issues. Psychology can best advance as a science through a more liberal acceptance of various types of concepts whose use is at present too often rejected, notably concepts embodying existential hypotheses, or designating so-called ‘private’ phenomena of consciousness.
Conservative management of selected patients with carcinoma of the rectum.

In a ten-year period 252 selected patients with carcinoma of the rectum for whom conservative treatment was advocated were studied. Of 211 patients who were treated conservatively and whose condition was followed eight to 18 years, the procedure was successful in 96.2 per cent of cases; it was a failure or a partial failure in 3.8 per cent of cases.
Biological treatment of landfill leachates

Surface water and groundwater pollution by leachate from sanitary and industrial landfills and chemical dumps have begun to draw considerable attention. Much research is being devoted to treatment and management schemes for such leachate streams. In many cases, biological treatment has been found to eliminate hazardous organic compounds via biotransformation, by mineralization to carbon dioxide and water, or by anaerobic decomposition to carbon dioxide and methane. This paper reviews the nature and diversity of liquid residuals from sanitary and industrial landfills and dumps that have been classified and documented. Elemental inorganic and categorical organic compositions, and implications for environmental quality are discussed. Numerous studies have been conducted with organic compounds found commonly in leachate in conjunction with pure and mixed microbial cultures. The microbial metabolism of commonly occurring hazardous species is discussed within the context of these studies. Studies of mixed subst...
Comparison of the Growth Stimulating Properties of Vigofac and Streptomycin in Broiler Diets with and Without Fish Meal

Abstract DUE TO the scarcity and relatively high cost of fish products for broiler diets, there has been considerable interest in the use of various fermentation products as sources of unidentified nutritive factors (UNF). One such product, Vigofac, has been demonstrated to have some UNF activity (Summers et al., 1959). This product is composed of purified extractions from streptomyces fermentations and corn germ meal (wet milled). As a result, it contains a relatively high level of streptomycin activity. The purpose of the trials reported herein was to determine the response of broiler chicks to Vigofac supplementation of diets with and without fish meal; and to determine if such a response could be attributed to the streptomycin content of the Vigofac. MATERIALS AND METHODS The composition of the basal diets is indicated in Table 1. The two diets differed primarily in that one diet contained 4 percent fish meal. Synthetic amino acids …
Apneustic respiration normalized by an atypical cholinergic drug action in cats.

Abstract Cats were anesthesized with a mixture of pentobarbital and barbital given intraperitoneally and vagotomized. All animals were pretreated with atropine i.v. which blocked conventional muscarinic receptors and at the same time revealed atropine-insensitive sites whose stimulation by the cholinergic drug, bethanechol, was earlier found to produce respiratory analepsis. Respiration was recorded by pneumotachograph and intrapleural cannula. Apneustic breathing was produced by placing electrolytic lesions in the pneumotaxic area or by injecting a local anesthetic agent into the cerebrospinal fluid. Experiment were performed under isocapnic conditions. Bethanechol, administered intracerebroventricularly, restored regular breathing and increased the tidal volume in a dose-related manner within minutes of its injection. In cats with lesions, the expiratory pause generally decreased first and was followed by shortening of the inspiratory plateau. In cat made apneustic by intracerebroventricular injection of procaine, bethanechol acted competitively to normalize the distorted waveshape. The central excitant drug pentylenetetrazol was given intravenously for comparison with bethanechol. Apneustic breathing was partially corrected by pentylenetetrazol through a facilitatory influence on the brain stem interpreted to be independent of its convulsant action. These experiments demonstrate correction of pathological breathing by two chemically unrelated agents which share the ability to increase central excitatory state.
A Critical Overview of the Use of Full‐Cost Data for Planning and Pricing

Surveys show that many firms use full cost to set prices. However, principles of relevant costing imply that product prices should be independent of how a firm allocates fixed manufacturing cost to products. Recent research tries to resolve this conflict between theory and practice by expanding the scope of the problem; pricing is only one part of the larger problem of determining which products to keep and which products to drop, how much capacity to install, and how to allocate available capacity among the products. An emerging view is that we must jointly consider the capacity‐planning and product‐pricing problems to clarify the role of full costing in these decisions. In this article we provide a critical overview of the results from this research, highlight how a combination of analytic and numerical methods have contributed to our understanding, and suggest directions for future research.
Courting the Swing Voter: “Real Time” Insights Into the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Presidential Debates

This essay reports the results of an analysis of undecided swing state voters during the six presidential debates of the 2008 and 2012 elections. Combining Real Time Response with a pretest-posttest design, the researchers identify the overall impact of the debates on undecided voters, both successful and unsuccessful message strategies, and changes in the overall perception of the candidates.
Gunshot injuries in the elderly: patterns and outcomes. A national trauma databank analysis.

Background Trauma in the elderly (≥55 years) accounts for a significant proportion of admissions to trauma centers. Our understanding of the epidemiology and outcomes associated with penetrating injury in this age segment of the population, however, is severely limited. The aim of the present study therefore was to investigate the incidence and type of injuries sustained by elderly patients from firearms and the impact of age on outcomes.
New materials for diode laser pumping of solid-state lasers

The authors review recent progress in the development of new materials for III-V semiconductor diode lasers useful for pumping solid-state lasers. All of the diode lasers discussed are grown on GaAs substrates. Particular emphasis is placed on the performance and reliability of high-CW-power strained-layer InGaAs-AlGaAs diode lasers emitting in the wavelength range between 0.87 and 1.1 mu m, improved resistance to degradation of 0.78 to 0.87 mu m diode lasers afforded by the strained-layer AlInGaAs-AlGaAs and lattice-matched GaInAsP-GaInP materials systems, and improved performance of visible diode lasers utilizing the materials system GaInP-AlGaInP. >
Equilibrium denaturation studies of the Escherichia coli factor for inversion stimulation: implications for in vivo function.

The Factor for Inversion Stimulation (FIS) is a dimeric DNA binding protein found in enteric bacteria that is involved in various cellular processes, including stimulation of certain specialized DNA recombination events and transcription regulation of a large number of genes. The intracellular FIS concentration, when cells are grown in rich media, varies dramatically during the early logarithmic growth phase. Its broad range of concentrations could potentially affect the nature of its quaternary structure, which in turn, could affect its ability to function in vivo. Thus, we examined the stability of FIS homodimers under a wide range of concentrations relevant to in vivo expression levels. Its urea-induced equilibrium denaturation was monitored by far- and near-UV circular dichroism (CD), tyrosine fluorescence, and tyrosine fluorescence anisotropy. The denaturation transitions obtained were concentration-dependent and showed similar midpoints (Cm) and m values, suggesting a two-state denaturation process involving the native dimer and unfolded monomers (N2 ↔ 2U). The GH2O for the unfolding of FIS determined from global and individual curve fitting was 14.2 kcal/mole. At concentrations <9 M, the FIS dimer began to dissociate, as noted by the change in CD signal and size-exclusion high-pressure liquid chromatography retention times and peak width. The estimated dimer dissociation constant based on the CD and size-exclusion chromatography data is in the micromolar range, resulting in a GH2O of at least 5 kcal/mole less than that calculated from the urea denaturation data. This discrepancy suggests a deviation from a two-state denaturation model, perhaps due to a marginally stable monomeric intermediate. These observations have implications for the stability and function of FIS in vivo.
Systems Theory and Skeptical Humanism in French Ecological Thought

In systems theory, nature appears as an intricate interweaving of homeostatic processes–processes that mankind disrupts at its own peril. For many non-French ecologists, only respecting nature's “intrinsic value” will avert catastrophe. Such reasoning is rare in France. In its place, theorists like Edgar Morin and Michel Serres promote a systems-inspired ecologism that skirts the problematic dualism of nature and humanity by questioning skeptically how we understand both the world and ourselves.
Fall and recovery of the Cuban economy in the 1990s : mirage or reality?

The collapse of the Cuban economy following the cessation of Soviet assistance gave way to a strong recovery in 1994-96. There are three possible explanations for this recovery: (i) that it never took place; (ii) that it reflected a surge in productivity resulting from stabilization and liberalization in 1993-94; or (iii) that it resulted from a favorable aggregate demand shock. The second explanation-the most persuasive-suggests that a strong and durable expansion will probably not be achieved on the basis of present policies, but that the benefits of a full liberalization of the economy are likely to be considerable.
Health care disparities in the acute management of venous thromboembolism based on insurance status in the U.S.

Acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common, costly, and potentially lethal. Therapeutic anticoagulation requires timely, closely monitored medical follow-up. If ineffective, clinical outcomes worsen and resource utilization increases. This risk may be magnified in uninsured patients. This study examined VTE care in hospital patients and investigated differences based on insurance status. We performed a retrospective chart review on medical VTE patients at an academic teaching hospital between December 1, 2007 and April 30, 2009. We reviewed medical records for demographics, insurance, admission status, length of stay (LOS), and 30-day Emergency Department (ED) recidivism and hospital readmission. Measured outcomes were analyzed based on payer source. We identified 234 medical VTE patients; 67 patients were uninsured (28.6%). 106 patients (45.3%) presented with deep vein thrombosis only. Most VTE patients were admitted to the hospital (171; 73.1%), including all 128 pulmonary embolism patients. Admitted uninsured patients averaged a LOS of 5.5 versus 3.7 days for insured (P = 0.03), with ED recidivism rates of 26.1 versus 11.3%, respectively (P = 0.02). Average cost for all VTE care in uninsured patients was $12,297 versus $7,758 for insured patients (P = 0.04). This study identified disparities in medical care and resource utilization for medical VTE patients based on insurance. Uninsured VTE patients were hospitalized nearly two additional days and were more than two times as likely to return to the ED within 30 days compared to insured patients. Additional research is needed to explain these disparities, and to explore system improvements for the uninsured VTE patient.
Levels of strategic decision success

This article posits a paradigm of levels of success for strategic decision outcomes. A high level of strategic decision success is normally preceded by a positive strategic gap in which the strengths of the organization clearly outweigh its weaknesses. Three comprehensive cases are set forth as practical applications to illustrate and confirm the paradigm of levels of strategic decision success. Philip Morris’s decision in 1984 to diversify into the food processing industry is proffered as the epitome of a highly successful strategic choice. General Motors’ decision in 1978 to reinvent the corporation is advanced as a hallmark of a marginally successful strategic outcome. And Walt Disney’s decision in 1996 to acquire Capital Cities/ABC is cited as an example of a strategic choice with an indeterminately successful outcome. The conclusions in all three cases are supported by current research findings.
The effects of cytochalasin D and abciximab on hemostasis in canine whole blood assessed by thromboelastography and the PFA-100® platelet function analyzer system:

The selective inhibition of platelet function in whole blood coagulation testing may allow insights into the nature of hypercoagulability in dogs with critical illness. To determine the effects of cytochalasin D and abciximab on hemostatic parameters in canine citrated whole blood, an in-vitro study was designed using thromboelastography (TEG) and a platelet function analyzer (PFA-100®). 8 clinically healthy mixed breed dogs donated blood that was anticoagulated with 3.2% sodium citrate in a 9:1 blood-to-citrate ratio. Addition of cytochalasin D to citrated whole blood from 6 dogs at concentrations ranging from 0 µg/ml to 10 µg/ml caused a maximal reduction of TEG maximum amplitude (MA) at a concentration of 7.5 µg/ml (52.7 ± 4.3 to 14.3 ± 7.8 mm). Addition of abciximab to canine citrated whole blood at concentrations of either 20 µg/ml or 40 µg/ml did not affect the TEG tracing; however, addition of abciximab to citrated canine whole blood at concentrations of 10 µg/ml and 20 µg/ml significantly prolonged PFA-100 closure times (72.5 ± 15 to 149.2 ± 91 sec and 275.6 ± 54 sec, respectively, P < 0.04). Inhibition of canine platelet function by cytochalasin D is demonstrated by TEG, but abciximab did not change TEG tracings. Abciximab does, however, inhibit platelet aggregation under shear stress as measured by the PFA-100. Inhibition of canine platelet function with cytochalasin D may allow further TEG studies in dogs with clinical disease.
Effects of temperature on the induced spawning of channel catfish and the production of channel × blue catfish hybrid fry

Abstract Hybrid catfish (channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus, female × blue catfish, I. furcatus, male) can be obtained by induced spawning and artificial fertilization but with variable results. Temperature of the surrounding environment affects the rates of physiological processes in fish including time to ovulation following hormone injection and time post-ovulation when quality eggs can be obtained. Brood females were held at 24, 26, and 28 °C in 100 L aquaria and injected with LH-RHa at 20 μg/kg followed 12 h later with 100 μg/kg. Fish were monitored hourly recording the time of the first egg deposit. Some females were manually stripped soon after the first eggs were observed, and the remaining females were stripped 4–6 h after the first eggs were observed. Eggs were artificially fertilized with blue catfish sperm and incubated. The percent of females that ovulated were 52.9%, 82.4% and 95.5% at 24, 26, and 28 °C (P = 0.001) respectively. The majority of females that ovulated did so between 58 to 64 h at 24 °C, 48 to 52 h at 26 °C and 24 to 40 h at 28 °C for a degree hour response time of 1405 ± 117, 1141 ± 238 and 951 ± 261 respectively (P
Developmental ontogeny of NAD+ kinase in the rat conceptus

The ubiquitous NAD+ kinase (NADK) is the only known enzyme to catalyze formation of NADP+ from NAD+. The capacity to maintain an adequate supply of NADP(H) has important implications for development because of its requirement as a cofactor and electron donor in biosynthesis and detoxication reactions. Modulation of NADK may directly influence NADP(H) concentrations and cell sensitivity to embryotoxicants. Measurable activities of NADK were not detected in gestational day (GD) 10 rat conceptuses. By GD 11, specific activities of 1.8 and 7.0 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein were measured in embryos and visceral yolk sacs (VYSs), respectively. The VYS specific activities decreased thereafter to 0.5 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein by GD 18. Specific activities of NADK in placenta increased from 1.3 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 11 to 32.7 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 15. Specific activities in the liver increased from 1.7 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 15 to 51.1 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 21. NADK specific activities were also determined in other developmentally relevant tissues such as the heart and the brain. In the heart, NADK activity was at its lowest just before birth while in the brain it peaked at 5.4 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein just prior to birth. In the lung, activity increased from 0.9 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 17 to 5.9 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 21. However, activities dropped in the kidney from 2.0 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 17 to 1.1 pmol NADP+/min/microg protein on GD 21. These results demonstrate dramatic temporal and spatial variations in NADK activity. Tissue variations in NADK activities may reflect alterations in functional needs for cofactors during differentiation and a cooperation between tissues to optimize detoxification capacity. This is particularly important when chemical exposure during pregnancy disrupts pyridine nucleotide redox status and the conceptus must rely on NADK to provide additional NADP(H).
ANALYSIS OF A AND B WAVE INTERACTION IN THE RABBIT RETINA.

WORKING with modified versions of Ames's1,2 technique for maintaining a functioning but isolated rabbit retina, we have presented evidence which strongly supports the hypothesis that the prominent negative wave exhibited by this preparation is equivalent to the A wave of the ordinary electroretinogram3. In addition, we have been able to analyse this response into photopic and scotopic functions which probably correspond to the A1 and A2 waves identified by Heck and Rendahl4 and others using intact animals. On occasion, the isolated retinal preparation will exhibit what appear to be both the A and B waves. (The conditions under which the B wave occurs are now under investigation. However, at this time we do not have enough results to offer in the form of a communication. Furthermore, at present we must rely on the spurious occurrence of the potential and this accounts for the-embarrassing 60-cycle artefact.)
Hydrophobic ionic liquids incorporating N-alkylisoquinolinium cations and their utilization in liquid–liquid separations

The first examples of Room Temperature Ionic Liquids (RTIL) containing fused polycyclic N-alkylisoquinolinium cations ([Cnisoq]+) in combination with the bis(perfluoroethylsulfonyl)imide anion ([BETI]−) have been synthesized, characterized, and utilized in liquid–liquid partitioning from water; these salts have unexpectedly low melting points and give high distribution ratios for aromatic solutes, especially chlorobenzenes, between the RTIL and water.
On continuously monitoring the top-k moving objects with relational group and score functions

With the wide usage of location tracking system, continuously mining relationships among moving objects over their location changes is possible and also important to many real applications. This paper shows a novel continuous location-based query, called continuous relational top-k query, or CRTQ, which continuously monitors the k moving objects with the most significant relations with other objects by user-defined relational group and score functions. Although this kind of query can be implemented as a special case of the top-k join query using SQL, this straight-forward way is too expensive to be applicable widely. This paper also discusses the properties of this novel query, which leads to the flexibility of the query and also the difficulty for a generalized solution. An efficient algorithm is proposed for a special type of CRTQ over spatial data set with closeness grouping function and monotone increasing score function. Finally the main contributions of this showcase and also our future research plans are discussed.
Effect of Flurazole and Other Safeners for Chloroacetanilide Herbicides on Cysteine Synthase in Sorghum Shoots

Abstract The effects of selected herbicide safeners on shoot growth inhibition and on cysteine synthase [CS; EC 4.2.99.8] activity of sorghum were examined. Seed treatment (1.25 g/kg seed) of flurazole [phenylmethyl 2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-5-thiazolecarboxylate] protected seedlings from growth inhibition by alachlor [2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)-N-(methoxymethyl)acetamide]. Flurazole seed treatment (1.25 g/kg) increased the specific activity (μmol/min/mg protein) and total activity (μmol/min/g fresh weight) of CS from 1.13- to 1.41-fold and from 1.40- to 1.75-fold at 48 and 72 h after planting, respectively. CS activity at 48 h after planting increased as the dosage of flurazole increased from 0.01 to 2.5 g/kg seed. Protection from growth inhibition by alachlor (100 μM) also increased as the flurazole dosage increased from 0.01 to 0.625 g/kg seed. Flurazole had little inhibitory effect on CS activity between 3 and 30 μM in the in vitro enzyme assay, suggesting that increased CS activity by this safener was not due to the activation of constitutive CS. Protection from growth inhibition by alachlor was also observed for the seed treatments of fluxofenim [O-(1,3-dioxolan-2-yl)-2,2,2-trifluoro-4′-chloroacetophenone-oxime; 0.1–0.4 g/kg seed], naphthalic anhydride [1H, 3H-naphtho(1,8-cd)-pyran-1,3-dione; 0.625–2.5 g/kg seed], benoxacor [4-(dichloroacetyl)-3,4-dihydro-3-methyl-2H-1,4-benzoxazine; 0.625–2.5 g/kg seed], and dichlormid [2,2-dichloro-N-N′-di-2-propenylacetamide; 0.625–2.5 g/kg seed]. The safening efficacy of dichlormid was the lowest for the compounds tested. Fluxofenim (0.4 g/kg seed), naphthalic anhydride (2.5 g/kg seed), benoxacor (2.5 g/kg seed), and dichlormid (2.5 g/kg seed) increased CS activity (μmol/min/g fresh weight) by 36, 38, 61, and 22%, respectively at 48 h after planting. However, the safening efficacy by these compounds and the increase in CS activity were not clearly correlated. These results suggest that safener treatments increase the extractable CS activity in sorghum shoots.
An Analytical Method of Identifying Biased Test Items.

When using an ANOVA procedure to examine a test for biased items, a follow-up technique is needed to identify the items contributing to the items-by-groups interaction. The method described in this paper includes distribution theory for assessing level of significance and is equally sensitive to items at all difficulty levels. In addition, any number of groups can be considered and the methodology is generalizable to any ANOVA design. The technique is powerful yet controls experiment-wise error rate to a.
Treatment of refractory status epilepticus with propofol: Clinical and pharmacokinetic findings

Summary: Purpose: We compared propofol with high-dose barbiturates in the treatment of refractory status epilepticus (RSE) and propose a protocol for the administration of propofol in RSE in adults, correlating propofol's effect with plasma levels. Methods: Sixteen patients with RSE were included; 8 were treated primarily with high-dose barbiturates and 8 were treated primarily with propofol. Results: Both groups of patients had multiple medical problems and a subsequent high mortality. A smaller but not statistically significant fraction of patients had their seizures controlled with propofol (63%) than with high-dose barbiturate therapy (82%). The time from initiation of high-dose barbiturate therapy to attainment of control of RSE was longer (123 min) than the time to attainment of seizure control in the group receiving propofol (2.6 min, p = 0.002). Plasma concentrations of propofol associated with control of SE were 14 μM ± 4 (2.5 μg/ml). Recurrent seizures were common when propofol infusions were suddenly discontinued but not when the infusions were gradually tapered. Conclusions: If used appropriately, propofol infusions can effectively and quickly terminate many but not all episodes of RSE. Propofol is a promising agent for use in treating RSE, but more studies are required to determine its true value in comparison with other agents.
Conformational Changes that Opens TrkH Ion Channel

All living cells must accumulate a high intracellular concentration of K+ to maintain essential physiological functions. While in animals, K+ uptake is mediated by the well-studied Na+/K+ transporters, bacteria, yeast and plants accumulate K+ with a superfamily of K+ transporters known as the SKT proteins. TrkH is a member of the SKT family that assembles with a cytosolic domain, TrkA. Previously, we have shown that TrkH is an ion channel regulated by binding of ATP or ADP to the TrkA protein: ATP activates the channel while ADP inhibits it (1). We have also solved the crystal structures of TrkH and TrkH in complex with TrkA (1, 2). The structure of TrkH shows that it forms a homodimer and that each protomer has an ion conduction pore with an architecture similar to that of a K+ channel. The structure also revealed a feature not observed in K+ channels: a loop within the transmembrane region that blocks the ion permeation pathway. Further structural and functional analyses showed that the position of this loop is likely controlled by conformational changes on TrkA, which is in turn controlled by binding of ATP or ADP. We have applied single-particle cryo-electron microscopy to visualize conformational changes associated with channel gating. Preliminary data show that the TrkH-TrkA complex likely assumes a different conformation than that observed in the crystal structure.1. Cao, Y. et al. 2013. Gating of the TrkH ion channel by its associated RCK protein TrkA. Nature 496:317-322.2. Cao, Y. et al. 2011. Crystal structure of a potassium ion transporter, TrkH. Nature 471:336-340.
Upper Airway Complications in Children After Bone Marrow Transplantation

Objective To describe the upper and lower airway complications in children during bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Study Design Review of medical records of patients requiring airway intervention during BMT over a 4-year period. Results During the 4-year period, 832 pediatric BMTs were performed. Of these, 87 patients (10.5%) required mechanical ventilation. Patients had intubation for a mean of 79 days (range, −7–638 d) after BMT. Patients received mechanical ventilation for a mean of 12 days (range, 1–85 d). Duration of ventilation was significantly longer in patients with difficult intubation; in these 54 patients there were 64 intubations. Of these intubations, 19 (30%) were difficult. These difficult intubations occurred in 16 (30%) patients. Patients with Hurler syndrome and congenital immunodeficiencies had significantly more difficult intubations than children with leukemia. The incidence of complications causing difficult intubation were difficulty visualizing cords, because of the presence of blood (63%); difficulty visualizing cords, because of edema (19%); anatomically narrowed airway (13%); limited neck extension (13%); and limited jaw opening (6%). The resulting mortality rate was 82% in children requiring intubation. Survivors were significantly younger than nonsurvivors. Conclusions Pediatric BMT has become increasingly more common. Airway management is rarely required during the engraftment phase, but when intervention is required, it is often difficult, particularly in the nonleukemic child, and may require the skills of an otolaryngologist. Representative cases are presented, and management is discussed.
Organic thin film transistors-electronics anywhere

Organic thin film transistor (OTFT) device performance now rivals or exceeds that of amorphous silicon devices, and low OTFT process temperatures allow fabrication on a range of surfaces including cloth, paper, or polymeric substrates. Potential applications for organic TFTs include pixel access devices in active matrix displays, and low cost electronics for smart cards or merchandise tags. OTFTs have been demonstrated using a variety of organic semiconductors, including both polymers and small molecule materials. To date, OTFTs fabricated using pentacene as the active layer material have shown the best performance. Pentacene OTFTs on rigid substrates have demonstrated carrier field-effect mobility greater than 3 cm/sup 2//V-s, subthreshold slope less than 0.4 V/decade, near-zero threshold voltage, and on/off current ratio larger than 10/sup 8/.
Diet, residential origin, and pathology at Machu Picchu, Peru.

Pathological conditions in human skeletal remains provide a wealth of information about archaeological populations, but many are limited in their interpretive significance by their nonspecific etiologies. This study analyzes three common pathological conditions known to manifest in infancy and childhood in the skeletal population from Machu Picchu, Peru (N = 74) with published carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, strontium, and lead isotopic data (Turner et al.: J Archaeol Sci 36 (2009) 317–332; Turner et al.: Chungara: Revista de Antropologia Chilena 42 (2010) 515–524) to distinguish early-life diet from residential origins as significantly associated with pathologies among the site's inhabitants. Analyses of variance indicate highly significant variation between enamel δ18O values, which serve as a rough proxy of local environment, and both cribra orbitalia (CO) and porotic hyperostosis (PH), generally understood to be markers of anemia. Results tentatively suggest that individuals manifesting these lesions may have lived closer to the arid coasts; however, no significant variation was found in parameters of diet (enamel δ13Ccarbonate, dentin δ13Ccollagen, dentin δ15N) by either CO or PH, suggesting that the primary factors causing anemia may have been more significantly related to residential origin rather than diet. Linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH) frequency significantly varied by both dietary and residential parameters, supporting models of LEH formation from a synergy of dietary and environmental factors. These results support previous research on the etiology of PH in the Andes; they also represent a useful approach to refining site-specific interpretations of pathological conditions in archaeological populations, and exploring etiological variation between populations. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The effect of novelty on amphetamine self-administration in rats classified as high and low responders

Rats categorized as high responders (HR) based on their activity in an inescapable novel environment self-administer more amphetamine than low responder (LR) rats. Previous research has also demonstrated that novel stimuli presented during the amphetamine self-administration session decreases the number of infusions earned. This study determined whether individual differences in response to inescapable or free-choice novelty differentially predict the ability of novel stimuli to decrease amphetamine self-administration. Further, this study determined whether novel stimuli maintained the ability to reduce self-administration with repeated presentations, and whether the effect of novel stimuli varied as a function of the unit dose of amphetamine tested. Male rats were screened for their response in inescapable and free-choice novelty tests. Following initial training using a high unit dose of amphetamine (0.1 mg/kg per infusion), the dose was reduced (0.03 mg/kg per infusion), and novel stimuli were presented in the operant conditioning chamber on four separate sessions. In experiment 2, novel stimuli were presented during several sessions at a variety of amphetamine doses (0.003, 0.01, 0.03, and 0.056 mg/kg per infusion). Four repeated presentations of novel stimuli reduced amphetamine self-administration with no significant loss in the effect of novel stimuli across repeated presentations. In experiment 2, novel stimuli reduced amphetamine self-administration at low unit doses (0.003 mg/kg and 0.01 mg/kg per infusion), and rats classified as HR based on their activity in inescapable novel stimuli were more disrupted by novel stimuli than LR rats. These results suggest that repeated presentation of novel stimuli can reduce amphetamine self-administration at low unit doses and that HR rats are more sensitive than LR rats to non-drug stimuli that compete with responding for amphetamine.
Interaction of Shiga Toxins with Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Cytokines as Sensitizing Agents

Neurologic abnormalities are among the most serious extraintestinal complications of infection with Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing bacteria. Histopathologic examination of tissues from patients with extraintestinal sequelae suggested that Stxs damage endothelial cells. It is shown here that human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs) are relatively resistant to purified Stxs (50% cytotoxic doses [CD50s] >/=10 microgram/mL). Pretreatment of HBMECs with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, n-butyric acid, or a cAMP analogue resulted in a 103- to 104-fold decrease in CD50 values and a 2- to 4-fold increase in fluoresceinated Stx binding to HBMECs. Treatment of HBMECs with lipopolysaccharides did not significantly alter cytotoxicity or toxin binding. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta treatment was associated with the increased HBMEC expression of the toxin-binding glycolipid globotriaosylceramide. HBMECs did not produce IL-1beta and produced only trace amounts of TNF-alpha when stimulated with purified Stx1 in vitro.
Lead-free BNT-BKT-BT thin films by pulsed laser deposition process

We have studied the effect of deposition parameters on the microstructure and ferroelectric properties of pulsed laser deposited 0.88(Bi 0.5 Na 0.5 )TiO 3 -0.08(Bi 0.5 K 0.5 )TiO 3 -0.04BaTiO 3 thin films on SrRuO 3 coated SrTiO 3 substrates. The films were deposited at different repletion rates, substrate temperatures, and laser energies. It has been demonstrated that the film made at 800 °C, 10 Hz, 400 mtorr and 1.2 J.cm−2 shows the best ferroelectric properties among the investigated films. The remnant polarization for this film was measured to be about 30 µC.cm−2. We have also discussed the electrical conduction mechanisms in the temperature range of 200–350 K. At low electric fields, the leakage mechanism is governed by the ohmic conduction. With increasing the applied filed, an abrupt increase in the leakage current was observed. This was attributed to a trap-filling process by the injected carries. At sufficiently high electric fields, the leakage current obeyed the Child's trap-free square law suggesting the space charge limited current was the dominant mechanism.
Response of two oak species to extensive defoliation: Tree growth and vigor, phytochemistry, and herbivore suitability

This study was developed to experimentally determine whether the differential mortality of white oak versus black oak observed following defoliation events in the oak-dominated forests of the central hardwoods region of the eastern USA may be due to differences in carbon allocation between the two species. Black oak and white oak growing in a common garden were artificially defoliated (90%) using scissors in two consecutive years. Concurrent with the second defoliation event, herbivore performance and phytochemical characteristics were measured, followed immediately by measures of tree growth. In the dormant season following the second defoliation event, roots were sampled to assess tree vigor. Species-specific differences in foliar chemistry and herbivory were evident, regardless of defoliation. Defoliation-induced changes in above-ground biomass were evident in white oak, but not black oak. Defoliation-induced changes in foliar chemistry were more evident in black oak; these were reflected in greater differences in herbivore suitability. Herbivore consumption was correlated with depressed foliar C:N ratios and elevated foliar nitrogen. White oak root starch concentrations were markedly lower in defoliated trees, suggesting that white oak vigor is especially sensitive to resource limitations in the form of photosynthate loss. The implications of these results with respect to defoliation events and white oak mortality, as well as potential phylogenetic differences in response to severe defoliation between the red and white oak groups, are discussed.
People, places, and questions : An investigation of the everyday life information-seeking behaviors of urban young adults

This article presents preliminary findings from a research grant on the everyday life informationseeking (ELIS) behaviors of urban young adults. Twenty-seven teens aged 14 through 17 participated in the study. Qualitative data were gathered using written activity logs and semi-structured group interviews. A typology of urban teens’ preferred ELIS sources, media types, and query topics is presented. The typology shows friends and family as preferred ELIS sources, cell phones as the preferred method of mediated communication, and schoolwork, time-related queries, and social life as the most common and most significant areas of ELIS. The results indicate a heavy preference for people as information sources and that urban teens hold generally unfavorable views of libraries and librarians. The conclusion lists questions that information practitioners should consider when designing programs and services for urban teens and calls for researchers to consider this oftenignored segment of the population as potential study participants.
D-glucose uptake by a rat liver plasma membrane preparation.

Summary 1. Plasma membranes isolated from rat liver according to a modification of the method of Neville, D.M. ((1960) J. Biophys. Biochem. Cytol. 8, 413–422) were used as a model to test current hypotheses on the mode of glucose uptake into the liver cell. Glucose uptake studies were performed by a filtration technique using labeled glucose analogues. 2. d -Glucose uptake by rat liver plasma membranes is characterized by features of simple diffusion, i.e. linearity of uptake, lack of stereospecificity, and by facilitated diffusion, i.e. temperature dependence, counterflow phenomenon and inhibition by phloretin. These findings confirm earlier studies on liver slices and perfused liver. 3. Binding studies on sonicated membranes provide evidence for a specific binding site or protein for d -glucose at the plasma membrane by isolating Tris-soluble membrane proteins which reveal a higher binding capacity than the unsonicated membrane. 4. These findings are interpreted as showing the presence of a “carrier”-mediated transport system for d -glucose superimposed by free diffusion due to artificial disruption of the plasma membranes.
The impact of glucuronidation on the bioactivation and DNA adduction of the cooked-food carcinogen 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine in vivo

UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) catalyze the glucuronidation of many different chemicals. Glucuronidation is especially important for detoxifying reactive intermediates from metabolic reactions, which otherwise can be biotransformed into highly reactive cytotoxic or carcinogenic species. Detoxification of certain food-borne-carcinogenic heterocyclic amines (HAs) is highly dependent on UGT1A-mediated glucuronidation. 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), the most mass abundant carcinogenic HA found in well-done cooked meat, is extensively glucuronidated by UGT1A proteins. In humans, CYP1A2 catalyzed N-hydroxylation and subsequent UGT1A-mediated glucuronidation is a dominant pathway in the metabolism of PhIP. Therefore, changes in glucuronidation rates could significantly alter PhIP metabolism. To determine the importance of UGT1A-mediated glucuronidation in the biotransformation of PhIP, hepatic UGT1A deficient Gunn and UGT1A proficient Wistar rats were exposed to a 100 microg/kg oral dose of [(14)C]PhIP. Urine was collected over 24 h and the PhIP urinary metabolite profiles were compared between the two strains. After the 24 h exposure, livers and colons were removed and analyzed for DNA adduct formation by accelerator mass spectrometry. Wistar rats produced several PhIP and N-hydroxy-PhIP glucuronides that accounted for approximately 25% of the total amount of recovered urinary metabolites. In the Gunn rats, PhIP and N-hydroxy-PhIP glucuronides were reduced by 68-92%, compared with the Wistar rats. PhIP-DNA adduct analysis from the Gunn rats revealed a correlation between reduced urinary PhIP and N-hydroxy-PhIP glucuronide levels and increased hepatic DNA adducts, compared with the Wistar rats. In the colon, DNA adduct levels were lower in the Gunn rats compared with the Wistar rats, suggesting deficient hepatic UGT1A activity provides protection against DNA adduct formation in peripheral tissue. Due to differences in PhIP metabolism between humans and rodents, extrapolation of these results to the human situation must be done with caution. These results indicate that UGT1A-mediated glucuronidation of PhIP and N-hydroxy-PhIP is an important pathway for PhIP detoxification, and demonstrate the importance of tissue-specific metabolism. Tissues with reduced UGT1A activity can have a higher rate of PhIP activation and be more inclined to form DNA adducts compared with tissues with normal UGT1A activity.
Material hardship alters the diurnal rhythm of salivary cortisol

BACKGROUND In the quest for biological mechanisms underlying socioeconomic differences in health outcomes, attention has turned to the role of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. As there is some evidence that both acute and chronic stress raise cortisol levels, and material hardship is a stressor, we examined the relationship of chronic material hardship with salivary cortisol levels over the day. METHODS The data are from a survey of a sample of poor women aged 18-54. Up to four repeated measures of salivary cortisol levels were obtained from 188 women in this sample and modelled as a diurnal profile. Self-reports of a variety of sources of material hardship over the preceding year were combined into a single scale. Specific dimensions of the subjects' cortisol profiles were compared across levels of material hardship. RESULTS Salivary cortisol varied over the day, and by level of reported material hardship. Upon awakening, salivary cortisol levels were comparable across hardship levels. But soon after waking, women at low levels of hardship experienced both a significantly sharper morning surge and subsequently a sharper decline in salivary cortisol (16.0 and 29.5 nmol/l/h) than women with high hardship levels (5.9 and 24.3 nmol/l/h). These differences in cortisol diurnal pattern tended to be related in a dose-response way to levels of material hardship. CONCLUSIONS Material hardship among poor women is associated with changes in the diurnal rhythms of cortisol, particularly in the waking response, which is blunted in women with high levels of hardship.
Gallo's Body Decoration and Damnation in the Life of a Chicano Gang Member

Permanent body marking both reinforces and challenges existing social divisions. Looking at the life of a Chicano tattoo artist, this article presents an analysis of tattoo as self-damnation. For gang members and prisoners, layers of tattoos evince personal experience and social history alike. While they are tools of empowerment, individuality, and livelihood, tattoos also represent oppression and exclusion from the larger social world. Inescapable outside judgment rests in the inked articulations of barrio or prison histories, miring people permanently in lives they may later wish to leave behind. The irony that confronts many who are tattooed is that their material strategies for survival in one realm of life all but guarantee their failure in another.
An event based fuzzy temporal logic

A temporal logic is developed to deal with events that are uncertain with regard to their occurrence in a given interval of time. Events are represented as fuzzy sets with the membership function giving the possibility of occurrence of the event in a given interval of time. An axiomatization of the fuzzy event calculus is presented, and several of its properties are proved. The logic is simple but powerful; it can determine effectively the various temporal relations between uncertain events or their combinations. >
Orthogonal Decomposition of the Axisymmetric Jet Mixing Layer Including Azimuthal Dependence

In 1967 LUMLEY [4] proposed an approach to the objective determination of coherent structures. The method uses an orthogonal decomposition to extract eigenvectors from two point velocity measurements, the lowest order eigenvector representing the largest structure. If the flow is homogenous, stationary or periodic the orthogonal decomposition reduces to a harmonic decomposition. These directions therefore are fit with the harmonic eigenfunctions before applying Lumley’s orthogonal decomposition to the inhomogeneous directions.