cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The biology ofAzospirillum-sugarcane association II. Ultrastructure

Tissue cultures of sugarcane support abundant growth ofAzospirillum brasilense (SP 7). Visible after 1–2 weeks as a white or pink slime, this growth reaches 2×108 bacteria/mm2 on the surface of callus. Growth of the bacterium is strictly extracellular in viable callus, and instances of intracellular growth result from rupture of the cell wall during senescence of callus tissue. A significant proportion of the bacterial population on callus is pleomorphic. Varying the nitrogen source in the nutrient medium caused no obvious effect on callus cell structure. The presence of the bacterium caused structural alterations in callus cells which did not inhibit overall growth of the bacterium. Growth of callus as tight groups of cells lacking intercellular spaces may be important for the establishment of a long-term association withAzospirillum. The interface of bacteria and live callus tissue is at the surface of tight cell groups. Browning of the surface cell layers of these groups in the presence ofAzospirillum is not of the rapid nature known for hypersensitivity reactions. Rather, this production of phenolics appears to be due to the accumulation of extracellular bacterial metabolites. The ultrastructure of this and other callus reactions is described. As evidenced by organogenesis, the associated cultures have remained viable for at least 18–20 months.
Mapping lava flows from Nyamuragira volcano (1967–2011) with satellite data and automated classification methods

The volume, location and extent of historical lava flows are important when assessing volcanic hazards, as well as the productivity or longevity of a volcanic system. We use a Landsat/Hyperion/ALI dataset and automated classification methods to map lava flows at Nyamuragira volcano (1967–2011) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The humid tropical climate of Nyamuragira is advantageous because its lava flows are emplaced onto heavily forested flanks, resulting in strong contrast between lava and vegetation, which contributes to efficient flow mapping. With increasing age, there is an increase in Landsat band-4 reflectance, suggesting lava flow revegetation with time. This results in a distinct spectral contrast to delineate overlapping flows emplaced ∼5 years apart. Areal extents of the flows are combined with published lava flow thicknesses to derive volumes. The Landsat/Hyperion/ALI dataset is advantageous for mapping future flows quickly and inexpensively, particularly for volcano observatories wh...
Medical Management of Spasticity in Children with Spinal Cord Injury

Spasticity is common problem in children with spinal cord injury. The impact of spasticity on the child's function, care, comfort, and medical condition should be assessed prior to the initiation of any treatment. Treatment is indicated if the spasticity interferes with the performance of self-care tasks, gait, wheelchair positioning, or transfer activities; disrupts sleep; or causes pain, discomfort, or deformity. No medication is uniformly useful in the treatment but medications must be considered.
Electronic tunneling and exchange energy in the D-dimensional hydrogen-molecule ion

Dimensional scaling generates an effective potential for the electronic structure of atoms and molecules, but this potential may acquire multiple minima for certain ranges of nuclear charges or geometries that produce symmetry breaking. Tunneling among such minima is akin to resonance among valence bond structures. Here we treat the D‐dimensional H+2 molecule ion as a prototype test case. In spheroidal coordinates it offers a separable double‐minimum potential and tunneling occurs in only one coordinate; in cylindrical coordinates the potential is nonseparable and tunneling occurs in two coordinates. We determine for both cases the ground state energy splitting ΔED as a function of the internuclear distance R. By virtue of exact interdimensional degeneracies, this yields the exchange energy for all pairs of g, u states of the D=3 molecule that stem from separated atom states with m=l=n−1, for n=1→∞. We evaluate ΔED by two semiclassical techniques, the asymptotic and instanton methods, and obtain good agre...
Evidence for increased activity of mouse brain fatty acid cyclooxygenase following drug-induced convulsions

Abstract Enzymatic production of prostaglandins (PGs) from exogenous arachidonic acid was studied in brain microsomal fractions prepared from mice following pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced convulsions. Prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2 ) and prostaglandin F 2α (PGF 2α ) measured either by radioimmunoassay or after incubation with [1- 14C ]arachidonic acid (AA) was significantly increased in microsomes from the convulsed animals. Pretreatment of the mice with the anticonvulsant ethosuximide prevented the enhanced PG production. The increased PG synthesis could not be attributed to an increased substrate availability nor to an activated phospholipase nor to a direct effect of the convulsant on the fatty acid cyclooxygenase. Evidence that a modification of the cyclooxygenase had occured with seizure activity was obtained from kinetic analysis; the apparent K m for the AA was lowered from 30 ± 3 μM in the controls to 12 ± 1 μM in the PTZ-treated mice. Further evidence for a modification of the fatty acid cyclooxygenase was obtained from incubations of the microsomes with catalase to reduce peroxide formation. Limiting peroxide levels did not decrease the microsomal cyclooxygenase activity in the PTZ-treated mice to control levels. Seizure activity induced by picrotoxin and strychnine also increased the microsomal capacity of the convulsed animals to synthesize PGs. The increased brain fatty acid cyclooxygenase activity may result from a biochemical modification of the enzyme induced by seizure activity.
Behavioral effects of postnatal lead acetate exposure in developing laboratory rats

At 23 days of age, three groups of male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to lead at concentrations of 0, 25, or 50 ppm, provided ad lib, in the acetate form, for 35 days in the drinking water. When tested on the problems of the Hebb-Williams closed-field maze learning task, the subjects receiving both 50 ppm lead acetate and 25 ppm lead acetate displayed significantly impaired learning ability when compared to water-fed controls in the total number of error zones entered over the 12 test problems. The time taken to traverse the maze enclosure, however, was significantly reduced only in the group receiving 50 ppm lead acetate. None of the overt manifestations characteristic of lead poisoning were observed. Learning deficits can be produced in the weanling rat at levels of exposure similar to those which cause encephalopathy in the developing neonate.
A Theorem on Uniform Convergence of Stochastic Functions with Applications

In a variety of statistical problems one needs to manipulate a sequence of stochastic functions involving some unknown parameters. The asymptotic behavior of the estimated parameters often depends on the asymptotic properties of such functions. Especially, the consistency of the estimated parameters follows from the uniform convergence of the sequence of stochastic functions. A theorem on uniform convergence of a sequence of vector valued random functions is presented. The forms of these functions are very general and the assumptions are rather natural. If the sequence of random functions is generated by a sequence of random vectors, these random vectors are only required to be independently distributed and can be of different dimensions. As applications, we consider the consistency of the estimated regression parameters in logistic regression and in M-estimation in a linear model.
Women’s rank modifies the relationship between household and women’s food insecurity in complex households in northern Burkina Faso

Abstract This study examined the relationship between food insecurity at household and woman–children sub-unit levels and factors modifying this relationship in complex households in northern Burkina Faso. Data were collected from 126 households and 176 woman–children sub-units every 6 months from July 2001 to July 2003. Household food insecurity varied more between seasons than did woman–children sub-unit food insecurity. Woman–children sub-unit food insecurity increased when household food insecurity increased. Woman–children sub-units in monogamous households were less food insecure – and more at risk of becoming food insecure when the household became food insecure – than sub-units headed by women with first or second rank in polygamous households. Within polygamous households, woman–children sub-units headed by women with rank third or more were more likely to become food insecure when the household became food insecure than those with first or second rank. These results have implications for design, planning, and evaluation of programs and projects aiming to alleviate food insecurity in this and similar settings.
ISOLATION OF AN ARABIDOPSIS HOMOLOGUE OF THE MAIZE HOMEOBOX KNOTTED-1 GENE

The shoot apical meristem (SAM) is responsible for forming most of the above-ground portion of the plant. We sought to isolate regulatory genes expressed in the Arabidopsis SMA by screening a Brassica oleracea (cauliflower) meristem cDNA library with the homeobox fragment from the maize Knotted-1 (Kn1) gene. We isolated and characterized the corresponding clone, Merihb1, from Arabidopsis. Analysis shows that the predicted MERIHB1 protein exhibits strong homology to KN1 and RS1 from maize, SBH1 from soybean, and KNAT1 and KNAT2 from Arabidopsis. Merihb1 is highly expressed in mRNA from cauliflower meristems and also accumulates in stem and flower mRNA. Based on the similarity of the Merihb1 and Kn1 sequences, expression patterns, and in situ hybridizations, we suggest that Merihb1 represents an Arabidopsis homologue of the maize Kn1 gene.
Effect of compost addition and crop rotation point upon VAM fungi

Populations of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi and mycorrhiza formation were examined in a field experiment studying the agricultural application of composted animal manures. The replicate experiment allowed each crop of a Zea mays > vegetable > small grain rotation to be sampled each of 3 years. Chicken litter/leaf compost and dairy cow manure/leaf compost enhanced spore populations of two VAM fungus species type groups (Glomus etunicatum type and the general Glomus spp. group, including G. mosseae) relative to those found in plots treated with raw dairy cow manure and conventional fertilizer. Populations of other groups were not affected by amendment, due likely to the large amount of P added in composts and manure relative to the conventional fertilizer applied. Crop rotation point had consistent, significant effects, with both lower populations of spores and less mycorrhizal infectivity of soil in plots after the vegetable crop (Spinacea oleraceae and/or Capsicum annuum) relative to maize and small grain (Avena sativa or Triticum aestivum). This was due to the non-mycorrhizal status and very low mycorrhization (approximately 1% root length colonized) of S. oleraceae and C. annuum, respectively. Future agricultural applications of compost and manure to provide N for crops need to consider the effects upon VAM fungi of other nutrients in these amendments.
A Framework for Hurricane Risk Assessment of Offshore Wind Farms

We present a framework aimed at estimating the potential damage to an offshore wind farm from hurricanes. Our approach is related to assessing risks that are assumed to be fundamentally related to the estimation of wind speed exceedance probabilities at selected hub heights of wind turbines in the farm and of associated wind turbine loads. As part of this preliminary framework for risk assessment, synthetic storm tracks are first simulated over the ocean using available historical tropical storm data; then, a hurricane intensity evolution model based on thermodynamic and atmospheric environmental variables is developed for each of the tracks as they get to regions within the proximity of the chosen wind farm site. Based on this intensity model, a turbulent wind field can be simulated at locations of interest along the hurricane track. The simulated turbulent wind field may then be used to estimate wind speed exceedance probability distributions and, when combined with correlated waves, it can also be used in analysis of the response of individual turbines in a wind farm. The framework for the overall risk assessment is presented; the individual components that comprise such an assessment are described briefly in illustrative applications.© 2012 ASME
ED visits by older adults for ambulatory care-sensitive and supply-sensitive conditions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of advanced age on ED outcomes, including hospitalization for any reason, ambulatory care-sensitive hospitalizations (ACSHs), and supply-sensitive hospitalizations. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey was conducted. National estimates of patient visits were obtained using available sampling weights from National Hospital Ambulatory Care Survey, and population estimates were calculated using estimates published by the US Census Bureau. Results: Older adults made 48 million patient visits to ED between 2000 and 2002. Overall, 20.3% was for an ambulatory care-sensitive condition, yielding 5 million ACSH, whereas 62% was for a supply-sensitive condition, yielding 9.5 million supply-sensitive hospitalizations. Residents from nursing homes and patients aged 85 years or older were more likely to be hospitalized for any reason, for ACSH, and for supply-sensitive conditions. Conclusions: Further research is needed to understand how comorbidity contributes to increasing ED and hospital use among older adults.
The taphonomy of land plants in the orinoco delta: A model for the incorporation of plant parts in clastic sediments of late carboniferous age of euramerica

Abstract The Orinoco Delta in eastern Venezuela is an excellent modern analog for Upper Carboniferous depositional environments in terms of climate, physiography, sedimentology, and the presence of morphological analogs for Upper Carboniferous plants. Processes resulting in the incorporation of plant parts in sediment were studied to assess the effects of transport and deposition on plant parts preserved as compressions in clastic strata of Late Carboniferous age. Sub-environments of the delta (e.g. levee, point bar, clastic swamp, and distributary channel) were cored and the contained plant matter described in terms of its distribution in sediment, preservational state, and relationship to living vegetation. Several experiments were performed to assess the role of tidal and fluvial transport of plants parts. We reached the following conclusions from the study: (1) Aerial parts of plants are buried relatively close to their site of growth but rarely in the actual soils in which the plants lived. (2) Plant parts are preferentially preserved in areas with slightly higher rates of sedimentation. (3) Natural levees are dry for half a year and any aerial parts of plants buried in levee deposits during floodstage oxidize during that time. Bioturbation by roots also contributes to the destruction of plant matter. Thus, levee sediments are virtually devoid of aerial parts of plants. (4) Tidal processes are as significant as annual flooding in forming plant-bearing deposits in the lower delta plain. (5) No storm-generated deposits are known in the Orinoco Delta, indicating that non-storm deposition is important for the generation of clastic deposits which contain plant parts.
Trans-zeatin in culture filtrates of Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Abstract Cytokinin-active bases and nucleosides have been isolated from the culture filtrates of Agrobacterium tumefaciens by trace enrichment onto octadecyl-silica and have been identified by GLC-MS of their permethyl and trimethylsilyl derivatives. Besides the expected 6-(3-methylbut-2-enylamino) purine, the filtrate contained zeatin (85% trans, 15% cis), 2-methylthio-ribosylzeatin and smaller quantities of ribosylzeatin and other cytokinin-active nucleosides.
Electro-Mechanical Analysis of a Biased Dielectric EAP Actuator

Dielectric Electro-Active Polymers (DEAP’s) can achieve substantial deformation (>300% strain) while, compared to their ionic counterparts, sustaining large forces. This makes them attractive for various actuation and sensing applications such as light weight and energy efficient valve and pumping systems. This paper provides a systematic experimental investigation of the quasi-static and dynamic electro-mechanical properties of a commercially available dielectric EAP actuator. In order to completely characterize the fully coupled behavior force vs. displacement measurements at various constant voltages and force vs. voltage measurements at various fixed displacements are conducted. The experiments are conducted with a particular focus on the hysteretic and rate-dependent material behavior. These experiments provide insight into the viscoelastic and electrostatic behavior inherent in DEAP material. Typical operating conditions of the actuator require it to have a biased force, such as a spring. Experiments are conducted to observe the actuators performance under these conditions. The force and stroke capabilities are investigated while the actuator is loaded with different springs and at a variety of pre-stretch levels. The resulting behavior of the spring loaded actuator is then correlated to the viscoelastic effects observed during the electro-mechanical characterization.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Coupled and decoupled super absorbing metasurfaces depending on spacer thickness

We differentiate the spacer-dependent peak shift in coupled and decoupled super absorbing metasurfaces based on magnetic resonance and interference mechanism, respectively, which was experimentally validated by low-cost structures fabricated by lithography-free processes.
Susruta and Ancient Indian Neurosurgery

The Golden Age of surgery in ancient India rests largely on the shoulders of Susruta, who lived sometime between 700 and 600 B.C. Susruta practiced and propagated the art of surgery at the University of Benares in that ancient city, located on the banks of the holy Ganges. His monumental treatise on surgery, Susruta Samhita , glorified him as the Father of Indian Surgery. He was the first to systematize "surgery" into two distinct "fields," including, in essence, what we know today as the field of neurosurgery. The present article elucidates the contributions of this great surgeon from a neurosurgeon's perspective.
High-frequency modulation of heart rate variability during exercise in patients with COPD.

Study objectives: To evaluate cardiac autonomic modulation in patients with COPD during peak exercise. Methods: Fifty-three patients with COPD (mean FEV 1 , 35% predicted [SD, 11% predicted]; mean Pa o 2 , 68 mm Hg [SD, 11 mm Hg]; mean Pa co 2 , 40 mm Hg [SD, 7 mm Hg]; mean age, 61 years [SD, 10 years]; 26 women and 27 men) and 14 healthy control subjects aged 60 years (SD, 8 years) [seven women and seven men] were studied at rest and during ramped bicycle ergometry to their volitional peak. Patients were not receiving autonomic medications other than inhaled β-agonist agents and/or anticholinergic agents. Control subjects were not receiving any medications. Cardiac autonomic modulation was assessed via time-frequency analysis (Wigner-Ville) of ECG-derived heart rate variability as the power in the low-frequency (LF) band ( ie , 0.04 to 0.15 Hz) and the high-frequency (HF) band ( ie , > 0.15 to 0.4 Hz) averaged from > 3 min at rest and minutes 2 through 5 of their exercise period. Results: Patients with COPD had a significantly increased mean, ln-transformed HF band from rest to peak exercise (9.9 ms 2 [SD, 1.4 ms 2 ] vs 10.7 ms 2 [SD, 1.4 ms 2 ], respectively; p 2 [SD, 1.5 ms 2 ] vs 10.4 ms 2 [1.3 ms 2 ], respectively; difference not significant). The mean ln-transformed LF band was significantly increased from rest to peak exercise in patients with COPD (10.9 ms 2 [SD, 1.5 ms 2 ] vs 11.5 ms 2 [SD, 1.4 ms 2 ], respectively; p 2 [SD, 1.5 ms 2 ] vs 11.5 ms 2 [SD, 1.3 ms 2 ], respectively; p Conclusion: These data suggest that, in contrast to control subjects, the balance of sympathetic to parasympathetic cardiac modulation decreases in patients with COPD during maximal volitional exercise.
Human Immune Response to DNP-Modified Autologous Cells after Treatment with a DNP-Conjugated Melanoma Vaccine

Immunizing patients with metastatic melanoma by injection of autologous tumor cells modified by DNP induces inflammatory responses in metastatic masses, which is sometimes associated with tumor regression. To elucidate this phenomenon, we studied the immune response to DNP-modified cells in these patients. All developed DTH to DNP-modified autologous lymphocytes (mean +/- SE: 13.3 +/- 1.3 mm), but not to TNP-modified lymphocytes. Larger responses (21.9 +/- 3.6 mm) were elicited by DNP-modified autologous melanoma cells. In 8/11 patients tested, PBL proliferated in vitro when stimulated by autologous DNP-modified lymphocytes, and in 5 patients the stimulation resulted in production of interferon-gamma. DNP-modified autologous melanoma cells elicited lymphocyte responses as well. PBL from 1 patient were expanded by culture in IL2 and repeated restimulation with DNP-modified B lymphoblastoid cells. This T cell line proliferated and produced interferon-gamma but not IL4, when stimulated by autologous DNP-modified lymphocytes or melanoma cells. Both CD4+ and CD8+ subpopulations responded as determined by panning experiments and by testing of phenotypically homogeneous cultures obtained by limiting dilution. Studies of a stable CD8+ subline of the expanded T cells indicated that the response to DNP-modified cells was MHC-restricted, since it was blocked by antibody to class I determinants. Moreover, these T cells were able to respond to allogeneic DNP-modified stimulators that were matched at one or both HLA-A loci, but not to stimulators that were HLA-A mismatched. Finally, the CD8+ subline killed DNP-modified autologous melanoma cells, but not an HLA-A mismatched allogeneic melanoma, in a 6-hr 51Cr-release assay. These results may have significant implications for understanding the pathogenesis of drug-induced autoimmunity and for the development of new approaches to cancer immunotherapy.
Sensitization of immunoresistant prostate carcinoma cell lines to Fas/Fas ligand-mediated killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes: independence of de novo protein synthesis.

BACKGROUND We recently reported that drug-resistant prostate tumor cells (DU145, PC-3) are resistant to Fas-mediated killing by cytotoxic lymphocytes, and that this resistance can be overcome by treatment with subtoxic concentrations of chemotherapeutic drugs. Fas belongs to the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family of receptors. Since resistance to TNF-α-mediated killing has been shown to be due, in part, to the presence of protective factors and that inhibitors of protein synthesis can sensitize cells to TNF-α killing, we hypothesized that resistance to Fas-mediated killing may be due to similar mechanisms. Since sensitization is achieved with chemotherapeutic drugs, and some chemotherapeutic drugs can also inhibit protein synthesis, we tested whether sensitization of prostate tumor cells to Fas ligand (Fas-L) occurred through inhibition of protein synthesis in a manner analogous to that of TNF-α. METHODS The effect of chemotherapeutic drugs on protein synthesis in DU145 and PC-3 cells was characterized by 3H-leucine incorporation assays. We also determined the ability of inhibitors of protein synthesis and chemotherapeutic drugs to sensitize Fas and TNF-resistant DU145 cells to killing. The ability of RNA (actinomycin-D, Act-D) and protein synthesis inhibitors (cyclohexamide (CHX), emetine) to block drug-mediated sensitization to Fas-L killing was analyzed. Sensitivity to Fas-L killing was determined by the 51Cr-release assay using human lymphokine-activated killer cells (LAK) and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) effector cells and the murine Fas-L-expressing PMMI cells. RESULTS The drugs cis-diamminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP), adriamycin (ADR), and etoposide (VP-16) sensitized DU145 and PC-3 cells to Fas killing. CDDP and ADR, which sensitized DU145 and PC-3 cells to Fas-L- and TNF-mediated killing, inhibited de novo protein synthesis in both cell lines, while VP-16 only inhibited protein synthesis in DU145 cells. Further, neither CHX nor emetine sensitized DU145 or PC-3 cells to Fas-L-mediated killing, despite blocking >90% de novo protein synthesis. In contrast, CDDP, VP-16, and the protein synthesis inhibitors, Act-D and CHX sensitized DU145 cells to TNF-α killing. Finally, pretreating cells with protein synthesis inhibitors (CHX, emetine) did not abrogate drug-mediated sensitization to Fas-mediated killing. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate that downregulation of protective factors by protein synthesis inhibition may not be the primary mechanism of drug-mediated sensitization to Fas-L killing in prostate cell lines. These findings also suggest that drug-mediated sensitization to Fas-L killing may be due to modifications of preexisting gene products that participate in Fas-L-mediated apoptosis. Prostate 41:20–30, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Temperament ratings by parents of preterm and full-term infants

This study investigated temperament ratings among three groups of preterm infants, differing by degree of risk status, and a full-term group. Pairs of mothers and fathers completed the Rothbart Infant Behavior Questionnaire (IBQ) when their infants were 12 or 18 months of age. Findings concerning the internal consistencies across the three preterm (PT) groups demonstrated that both PT mothers and fathers found the IBQ temperament dimensions to be coherent constructs, regardless of initial severity and chronicity of their infants' illness. Preterm mothers and fathers showed some differences in their ratings: Median correlation of their scales was .46; and PT mothers rated their infants as more active (p < .002) and soothable (p < .06) than did PT fathers. Although there was only one significant difference between PT and FT mothers' ratings, within-group differences among the preterms emerged. The absence of stronger patterns of differences between PT and FT groups and between high-risk and low-risk preterm groups is discussed.
Circadian hormonal interactions among the mother, fetus, and amniotic fluid

Circadian rhythms and hormonal interactions among the maternal, fetal, and amniotic fluid compartments were studied in long-term catheterized rhesus macaque monkeys between days 127 and 138 of gestation (term = 167 days). Blood samples were collected at 3-hour intervals for 48 hours and analyzed by radioimmunoassay for estrone, estradiol, cortisol, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and prolactin. Distinct circadian rhythms were present for cortisol and progesterone in the maternal circulation and for progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in the fetal circulation (p less than 0.05). Although maternal and fetal estrogen levels were higher in AM samples than in PM samples, a statistically significant circadian rhythm was not present (p greater than 0.10). Fetal levels of progesterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and maternal levels of progesterone were highest between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM and lowest between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM. Maternal levels of cortisol were highest between 6:00 AM and 9:00 AM and lowest between 6:00 PM and 12 midnight. The circadian patterns of maternal cortisol and progesterone were inversely related to each other (r = -0.68; p less than 0.01). Amniotic fluid cortisol levels were highest between 9:00 AM and 12 noon and lowest between 6:00 PM and 3:00 AM (p less than 0.10). With the possible exception of cortisol, amniotic fluid steroid hormones did not demonstrate distinct diurnal fluctuations, nor did they correlate with steroid changes in maternal or fetal blood. Because the rhesus placenta is permeable to glucocorticoids it is likely that transplacental passage of maternal cortisol influences the activity of the fetal pituitary and adrenal so that the circadian rhythm in the fetal axis is 180 degrees out of phase with that of the maternal axis. The circadian rhythms in fetal dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and progesterone in late gestation parallel the biorhythm in uterine contraction frequency and amplitude, with peaks during periods of darkness between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM.
Absolute electron-impact ionization cross section measurements using a magneto-optical trap.

We present a new method for measuring absolute total electron-impact ionization cross sections. The technique measures fractional loss rates from a magneto-optical trap due to electron-impact ionization. The method requires only relative measurements of the number of target atoms and therefore eliminates a major source of difficulty in previous experiments. We report total ionization cross sections of Rb for electron energies from 50 to 500eV. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
A modified total pancreatic fistula.

SummaryThis report describes a surgical procedure for preparing a pancreatico-duodenal fistula and shows the daily volume of secretion for 2 dogs.
EFFECT OF DIETARY NUCLEOTIDES ON LYMPHOCYTE MATURATION: 175

We have shown previously that removal of purines and pyrimidines from the diet (nucleotide free diet-NFD) decreases immune responses both in vivo and in vitro. Allograft rejection and mixed lymphocyte responses and resistance to infectious organisms were all significantly influenced by NFD as compared to chow or NFD with RNA or isolated bases added. NFD affects T-helper cell number and functions as well as suppressor cell activity. In addition, NFD significantly decreases graft-versushost disease mortality in allogeneic bone marrow irradiation chimeras suggesting that NFD impairs the functional T-cell maturation. To determine if this immunologic depression in our various diet fed mice is due to impaired maturation of T-lymphocytes, we assessed lymphoid tissues for the presence of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TDT). This enzyme is a well characterized marker for immature T-lymphocytes. A statistically higher number of cells positive for TDT activity were found in the thymus and bone marrow of mice on NFD (p<0.02) as compared to cells from animals on chow or NFD with added RNA, uracil, or adenine. These results are consistent with a requirement for either a pyrimidine or purine or both for development of T-helper cell populations. These effects are likely due to a greater dependence of these cells on nucleotide salvage in Gl phase than other lymphocytes. (Supported by Grants 14030 and 35492 from the NCI.)
Strength of shoulder during one-handed pushing in constrained conditions

This study hypothesizes that, by isolating the influences of contact surface friction, back foot support, and forward-leaning body posture during pushing, the magnitude of recorded strength will be a closer estimate of physical capabilities of the shoulder. The shoulder strength of twelve participants during one-handed pushing in constrained conditions in the coronal (frontal) plane, in a range from 5 to 30 degrees, was correlated with the anthropometric measures and two anatomical parameters of the shoulder joint. The data indicated that the acceptable loads at the handle for all the participants were lower than the recommended standards. Right arm length had the highest correlation coefficient with shoulder strength among anthropometric data, and the radius of the humerus bone among anatomical parameters. The findings from this study of one-handed pushing will be used to help modify existing physical strength standards in an effort to reduce the high frequency of recorded shoulder injuries. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Undocumented College Students in the United States: In-State Tuition Not Enough to Ensure Four-Year Degree Completion

Abstract Using restricted-access data from one of the largest urban public university systems in the United States—where many undocumented students are eligible for in-state tuition—we review the literature on undocumented college students in the United States and provide a comparison of the performance of undocumented students to that of U.S. citizens and other legal migrants. Overall, undocumented students perform well in the short-term, earning higher grades and higher rates of course and associate degree completion than their U.S. citizen counterparts. But undocumented students are less likely to earn their bachelor's degrees within four years. This finding suggests that, despite their earlier college successes and their access to in-state tuition rates, at some point after enrollment, undocumented students experience higher costs to completing their bachelor's degrees than they had anticipated upon enrollment. We offer a number of policy considerations for university officials and policy makers who a...
Age-structured dengue epidemic model

This paper deals with a new age-structured epidemic model for dengue. The proposed model consists of an age-structured, coupled set of partial differential equations describing both the vector life cycle and the host life cycle. We provide a numerical discretization with stability arguments and show that the model emits reasonable solutions.
Orthodontically induced eruption of the permanent canine combined with alveolar cleft osteoplasty: a new procedure illustrated by a case with stereophotogrammetric reconstructions.

Summary A new technique is suggested which will allow secondary bone grafting to be carried out at approximately 10 years of age when some potential of active tooth eruption and maxillary alveolar growth remains. Surgery is followed during the healing phase by orthodontic traction of the unerupted canine through the bone graft. This allows the reconstruction of the dental arch, while the bone graft is maintained by the osteogenic influence of the canine root. The technique is detailed and illustrated and a case report presented. A stereophotogrammetric reconstruction demonstrates the improvement in integumental contour following the technique described.
Effect of pH, temperature and storage time on the stability of bovine myelin basic protein

Abstract Bovine central nervous system tissue (CNT) harboring highest levels of the infectious agent for prion diseases, has been banned from food and feed supplies. Effective detection of CNT in excessively processed meat and feedstuffs requires the assay based on a stable marker in CNT as the analyte. Myelin basic protein (MBP), the major central nervous system (CNS) myelin protein, was reported to be detectable up to 115 °C in the literature. This study further investigated the effects of pH, temperature and storage time on the stability of purified bovine MBP (18.5 kDa) in solutions. Purified MBP dissolved in 10 mM PBS was adjusted to pH 3.0, 7.2 and 10.5, respectively. Sample at each pH was subjected to three heat treatments, 100 °C, 121 °C, and 133 °C for 30 min. The unheated and 100 °C heated samples at pH 7.2 were stored at 4 °C for 19 days to study the storage stability of bovine MBP. The immunoreactivity of all samples was examined using indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting with an anti-MBP monoclonal antibody. The protein degradation was observed by analyzing samples using SDS-PAGE. Results show that bovine MBP was most stable at pH 7.2 while the protein was least stable at pH 10.5. MBP started to degrade after heating at 121 °C for 30 min at pH 7.2. Storage up to 19 days at 4 °C did not significantly affect the immunoreactivity of unheated and heated samples. However, unheated MBP samples started to show degradation from day 8 of storage; while no degradation was observed in 100 °C heated samples over the storage time. This study demonstrated that bovine MBP can be a suitable marker for the detection of bovine CNT in highly processed food and feed supplies.
Runoff losses of sediment and phosphorus from no-till and cultivated soils receiving dairy manure.

Managing manure in no-till systems is a water quality concern because surface application of manure can enrich runoff with dissolved phosphorus (P), and incorporation by tillage increases particulate P loss. This study compared runoff from well-drained and somewhat poorly drained soils under corn (Zea mays, L.) production that had been in no-till for more than 10 yr. Dairy cattle (Bos taurus L.) manure was broadcast into a fall planted cover crop before no-till corn planting or incorporated by chisel/disk tillage in the absence of a cover crop. Rainfall simulations (60 mm h -1 ) were performed after planting, mid-season, and post-harvest in 2007 and 2008. In both years and on both soils, no-till yielded significantly less sediment than did chisel/disking. Relative effects of tillage on runoff and P loss differed with soil. On the well-drained soil, runoff depths from no-till were much lower than with chisel/ disking, producing significantly lower total P loads (22-50% less). On the somewhat poorly drained soil, there was little to no reduction in runoff depth with no-till, and total P loads were significantly greater than with chisel/disking (40-47% greater). Particulate P losses outweighed dissolved P losses as the major concern on the well-drained soil, whereas dissolved P from surface applied manure was more important on the somewhat poorly drained soil. This study confirms the benefit of no-till to erosion and total P runoff control on well-drained soils but highlights trade-offs in no-till management on somewhat poorly drained soils where the absence of manure incorporation can exacerbate total P losses.
Effects of phenobarbital and phenytoin on cortical glial cells in culture.

Studies were undertaken to determine the effects of 7-day phenobarbital and Phenytoin exposure on 14-day-old glial cell cultures of fetal murine cortex. Biochemical markers monitored were Ro5-4684-displaceable 3 H-flunitrazepam binding, 3 H-β-alanine uptake, glutamine synthetase activity, and protein content Phenobarbital concentrations were 30, 60, and 120 μg/ml and Phenytoin concentrations 15, 30, 60 μg/ml. There were no discernible phase microscopic changes at any concentration of either drug. Phenobarbital produced no significant changes in the biochemical measures monitored. Exposure to phenytoin produced no biochemical changes at 15 μg/ml, but did produce significant changes at 30 and 60 μg/ml. There was an increase in Ro5-4684-displaceable 3 H-flunitrazepam binding signifying increased binding or an increase in the number of binding sites and perhaps an increased population of glial cells although, the unchanged protein content suggests that the number of glial cells was not increased. There was a decrease with 30 and 60 μg/ml phenytoin of 3 H-β-alanine uptake suggesting interference with normal membrane transport of this compound. The latter effect may well mirror changes in GABA uptake in glial cells in the presence of phenytoin.
Morphological characterization of microcellular carbon foams

Microcellular carbon foams have been prepared by the high-temperature carbonization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) foams in an inert atmosphere. The PAN precursor foams were first prepared by thermally induced phase separation of PAN solutions followed by gelation/extraction or freezing/freeze-drying processes. The resulting carbon foams have low densities and open-celled morphologies. We have developed two complementary techniques to characterize objectively carbon foam morphologies, BET surface area measurements and mercury porosimetry. These two measurement techniques, when used in conjunction with known stereological rules, allow us to calculate densities and average cell sizes or cell size distributions. As a bonus, values of the bulk modulus for low-density carbon foams also can be determined from mercury porosimetry. Unlike other techniques, our determinations do not require carefully prepared surfaces (such as for microscopy) or an assumed morphological model (required for most other techniques).
Spatial and color clustering on an FPGA-based computer system

We are mapping an image clustering algorithm onto an FPGA- based computer system. Our approach processes raw pixel data in the red, green, blue color space and generates an output image where all pixels are assigned to classes. A class is a group of pixels with similar color and location. These classes are then used as the basis of further processing to generate tags. The tags, in turn, are used to generate queries for searching libraries of digital images. We run our image tagging approach on an FPGA-based computing machine. The image clustering algorithm is run on an FPGA board, and only the classified image is communicated to the host PC. Further processing is run on the host. Our experimental system consists of an Annapolis Wildforce board with four Xilinx XC4000 chips and a PCI connection to a host PC. Our implementation allows the raw image data to stay local to the FPGAs, and only the class image is communicated to the host PC. The classified pixels are then used to generate tags which can be used for searching a digital library. This approach allows us to parallelize the image processing on the FPGA board, and to minimize the data handled by the PC. FPGA platforms are ideally suited for this sort of initial processing of images. The large amount of image data can be preprocessed by exploiting the inherent parallelism available in FPGA architectures, keeping unnecessary data off the host processor. The result of our algorithm is a reduction by up to a factor of six in the number of bits required to represent each pixel. The output data is passed to the host PC, thus reducing the processing and memory resources needed compared to handling the raw data on the PC. The process of generating tags of images is simplified by first classifying pixels on an FPGA-based system, and digital library search is accelerated.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Investigating the role of state permitting and agriculture agencies in addressing public health concerns related to industrial food animal production.

Objectives Industrial food animal production (IFAP) operations adversely impact environmental public health through air, water, and soil contamination. We sought to determine how state permitting and agriculture agencies respond to these public health concerns. Methods We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with staff at 12 state agencies in seven states, which were chosen based on high numbers or rapid increase of IFAP operations. The interviews served to gather information regarding agency involvement in regulating IFAP operations, the frequency and type of contacts received about public health concerns, how the agency responds to such contacts, and barriers to additional involvement. Results Permitting and agriculture agencies’ responses to health-based IFAP concerns are constrained by significant barriers including narrow regulations, a lack of public health expertise within the agencies, and limited resources. Conclusions State agencies with jurisdiction over IFAP operations are unable to adequately address relevant public health concerns due to multiple factors. Combining these results with previously published findings on barriers facing local and state health departments in the same states reveals significant gaps between these agencies regarding public health and IFAP. There is a clear need for regulations to protect public health and for public health professionals to provide complementary expertise to agencies responsible for regulating IFAP operations.
Managing the incubator system: Critical success factors to accelerate new company development

The new business incubator is an innovative system that provides a variety of support systems to entrepreneurs to accelerate new company development, speed the commercialization of technology, and contribute to economic growth. This article presents empirical data on the incubator as a system for entrepreneurship and describes its resources, organizational structure, and objectives. It details ten factors related to managing this system effectively. The factors emerged from data collected through a national survey, on-site review, case study analysis, and interviews with incubator directors and managers.
Delayed Pulse Generator Malfunction after D.C. Countershock

Immediate pacemaker malfunction following defibrillation or cardioversion has been reported. In this paper we report one patient whose pacemaker appeared to be functioning normally after D. C. countershock but malfunctioned 13 days later manifested by changing from an R-wave inhibited to an R-wave synchronous mode.
Conversion to mucoidy in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Chronic respiratory complications in cystic fibrosis, compounded by recurring infections with mucoid Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the associated inflammation, are the primary cause of high mortality in this inheritable disease. Since the conversion of P. aeruginosa into the exopolysaccharide alginate overproducing strains plays a critical role in the establishment of chronic infection, studies are directed towards understanding the processes underlying this phenomenon. The genes (algU, mucA, and mucB) and genetic alterations responsible for conversion to mucoidy have been recently characterized. The mutations leading to the emergence of mucoid strains are superimposed on a regulatory system with elements that resemble those controlling other aspects of bacterial developmental physiology.
Bw21 Partition and Crossreactivity of the Components

Available lymphocytotoxic antisera permitted the clear partition of the Bw21 antigen into two distinct components, Bw21.1 and Bw21.2. Bw21.1 is associated with W4 and is approximately twofold more frequent than the W6-associated Bw21.2. Cells of either Bw21 subtype were capable of absorbing specific anti-Bw21.1, anti-Bw21.2, and anti Bw21 (21.1 + 21.2) antibodies. Further, an F(ab')2 fragment prepared from an anti-Bw21.1 serum blocked cytotoxicity of anti-Bw21.1, anti-Bw21.2 and anti-Bw21 (21.1 + 21.2) sera. Based on the crossreactivity (by absorption) and blocking data, a model is proposed relating the Bw21 subtypes and the W4 and W6 antigens.
Keeping the Public in Public History

This issue of The Public Historian goes to press just as 2004 presidential election campaign, fortified by a new network of “527” funding, begins in earnest. Now, in the August lull between political conventions and their assorted rituals of consensus and conflict, Americans are keenly aware of history, in general, and of the United States’ own contested history. A watershed political year, the volatile domestic economy, and the tragedies of the Iraq war all have sharpened our awareness of time’s passage and of the contingencies of our lives, collective and individual. Candidates’ biographies and, in the shadow of the Iraqi conflict, military service records (or their lack) are the topics of campaign advertising. And the media spectacles of the conventions— admittedly less spectacular in the hour’s nightly coverage allotted by the commercial networks—afford glimpses of several prominent historians at work, comparing the present menu of candidates, party platforms, and speeches to those of the near and distant past. Moments like these remind us of the very public nature of the historian’s craft and of the ways that historical discourse may contribute to political participation. Attention to how and why historians engage with the various “publics” that make up local and national society are concerns that launched public history as a field and, in the quadrennial rituals of democratic governance, we are reminded, again, that these matters remain vital and unsettled. Such concerns have a privileged and sometimes vexed presence in the reflective writings,