cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stock Plant and Tree Production: Irrigation and Fertilization

Citrus tree production in nurseries can be divided into three stages: production of rootstock liners, transplant of rootstocks into larger containers, and bud grafting. The objectives of this new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Horticultural Sciences Department are to provide general information on irrigation and fertilization for production of citrus nursery trees in seedbeds, nurseries and budwood multiplication blocks. This article, written by Rhuanito Soranz Ferrarezi, is chapter 8b of the forthcoming Citrus Nursery Production Guide. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hs1333
BASELINE CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FOR PATIENTS WITH RECENT MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION PRESCRIBED A PROPROTEIN CONVERTASE SUBTILISIN/KEXIN TYPE 9 INHIBITOR

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitor (PCSK9i) antibodies significantly reduce low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients uncontrolled with statins and/or ezetimibe. Here we characterize the baseline cardiovascular risk profile in a subset of patients with recent
Chapter 67 – DDT

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane (DDT). DDT is one of several typical chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides discovered in the early 1940s known for their persistent insecticidal activities, their lipophilic attributes, and their stable chemical properties. Dichloro-diphenyl-ethylene (DDE), one of the residues derived from DDT which is most frequently found in the environment, is produced mainly by metabolic activities in biological systems and is particularly prevalent in insects and in some mammalian species. Although both p,p' -DDE and o,p' -DDE are found in the environment, the former is more abundant and more frequently encountered. The main action mechanism by which p, p' -DDT causes the death of insects is the destabilization of the sodium channel, the main vehicle that propagates excitation signals on the surface of neurons, so that affected neurons become easily excitable. Insects poisoned by DDT show typical hyperexcitation symptoms that lead to exhaustion and death. Although p,p' -DDT is really the only component of DDT-R potent enough to be an insecticidal ingredient, all the DDT-related compounds are presumed to be potentially toxic.
John Connelly's Long March through East European History

John Connelly, a member of the history faculty at the University of California, Berkeley, for the last quarter century, has produced what will surely stand as a landmark among grand syntheses on the modern history of Eastern Europe. The book title uses the geographical designation favored during the Cold War, but the subject is more precisely East Central Europe, a term that Connelly uses interchangeably with Eastern Europe to designate the lands lying between Germany and Austria in the west and the former components of the Soviet Union to the east.
Spatiotemporal monitoring of changes in oxy/deoxy-hemoglobin concentration and blood pulsation on human skin using smartphone-enabled remote multispectral photoplethysmography.

We propose a smartphone-enabled remote multispectral photoplethysmography (SP-rmPPG) system and method to realize spatiotemporal monitoring of perfusion changes and pulsations of the oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) and deoxyhemoglobin (Hb) information of the effective blood volume within light interrogated skin tissue beds. The system is implemented on an unmodified smartphone utilizing its built-in camera and flashlight to acquire videos of the skin reflectance. The SP-rmPPG method converts the RGB video into multispectral cubes, upon which to decouple the dynamic changes in HbO2 and Hb information using a modified Beer-Lambert law and the selective wavelength bands of 500 nm and 650 nm. Blood pulsation amplitudes are then obtained by applying a window-based lock-in amplification on the derived spatiotemporal changes in HbO2 or Hb signals. To demonstrate the feasibility of proposed method, we conduct two experiments on the skin tissue beds that are conditioned by occlusive maneuver of supplying arteries: one using the popular blood cuff pressure maneuver on the upper arm, and another artificially inducing a transient ischemic condition on the facial skin tissue beds by finger pressing on the supplying external carotid artery. The cuff experiment shows that the measured dynamic information of HbO2 and Hb in the downstream agrees well with the parallel measurements of oxygenation saturation given by the standard pulse oximeter. We also observe the expected imbalance of spatiotemporal changes in the HbO2 and Hb between the right and left cheeks when the transient ischemic condition is induced in the one side of facial skin tissue beds. The results from the two experiments sufficiently demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method to monitor the spatiotemporal changes in the skin hemodynamics, including blood oxygenation and pulsation amplitudes. Considering the ever-growing accessibility and affordability of the smartphone to the general public, the proposed strategy promises the early screening of vascular diseases and improving general public health particularly in rural areas with low resource settings.
Outcomes from a pilot genetic counseling intervention using motivational interviewing and the extended parallel process model to increase cascade cholesterol screening.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited condition resulting in increased risk of premature cardiovascular disease. This risk can be reduced with early diagnosis and treatment, but it can be challenging to identify individuals with FH. Cascade screening, the most efficient and cost-effective identification method, requires FH patients to communicate with their at-risk family and encourage them to pursue screening. Beyond FH, patients with conditions increasing disease risk to family members report barriers to the communication process such as insufficient knowledge of the condition and discomfort informing relatives. We conducted a pilot study of a genetic counseling intervention incorporating behavior-change principles from motivational interviewing (MI) and the extended parallel process model (EPPM) to help parents of children with FH overcome these barriers and improve cascade screening rates for FH. Of the 13 participants who completed the intervention and post-intervention surveys, 6 reported contacting and/or screening additional relatives. A large effect size in increasing communication and screening was observed (η2 = 0.20), with the mean percent of at-risk relatives contacted rising from 33% to 45%, and the mean percent screened rising from 32% to 42%. On average, 2.23 new relatives were contacted and 2.46 were screened, per participant, by the end of the study. Direct content analysis revealed that despite the open-ended nature of the goal-setting process, participant goals fell into two categories including those who set goals focused on communicating with and screening family members (n = 9) and those who set goals only focused on managing FH (n = 4). Overall, the communication and screening rates reported after the intervention were higher than previous observations in adult FH populations. These results suggest this EPPM/MI genetic counseling intervention could be a useful tool for increasing communication and cascade screening for FH. With further research on goal-setting techniques, the intervention could be refined and replicated to identify more individuals affected by FH or modified for use with other actionable genetic conditions.
How Providers in Child Neurology Transitioned to Telehealth During COVID-19 Pandemic

To understand child neurology care practices in telehealth (TH), we conducted an online survey interested in identifying which patients should be triaged for in-person evaluations in lieu of telehealth management. We also sought to identify provider and patient/parent limitations of the TH experience. One hundred fourteen clinicians completed the online survey. The majority of child neurologists transitioned within 3 weeks of the pandemic onset and found it inappropriate to evaluate a child under 1 year of age via TH. We identified specific disorders considered inappropriate for initial evaluation via TH, including neuromuscular disease, neuropathy, weakness, autoimmune disease and autism spectrum disorders. Patient and parent technical and economic issues are significant limitations of TH. We suggest quality improvement measures to provide additional training, focusing on particular disorders and increased access for those patients currently excluded from or limited in using or accessing TH.
Advances in measurement: A scoping review of prior human trafficking prevalence studies and recommendations for future research

Human trafficking victimization is harmful to individuals, families, institutions, communities, and nations. It is commonly understood that human trafficking is a widespread problem, yet the variat...
Validation of an emotional stop-signal task to probe individual differences in emotional response inhibition: Relationships with positive and negative urgency.

Performance on an emotional stop-signal task designed to assess emotional response inhibition has been associated with Negative Urgency and psychopathology, particularly self-injurious behaviors. Indeed, difficulty inhibiting prepotent negative responses to aversive stimuli on the emotional stop-signal task (i.e. poor negative emotional response inhibition) partially explains the association between Negative Urgency and non-suicidal self-injury. Here, we combine existing data sets from clinical (hospitalised psychiatric inpatients) and non-clinical (community/student participants) samples aged 18-65 years (N = 450) to examine the psychometric properties of this behavioural task and evaluate hypotheses that emotional stop-signal task metrics relate to distinct impulsive traits among participants who also completed the UPPS-P (n = 223). We specifically predicted associations between worse negative emotional response inhibition (i.e. commission errors during stop-signal trials representing negative reactions to unpleasant images) and Negative Urgency, whereas commission errors to positive stimuli - reflecting worse positive emotional response inhibition - would relate to Positive Urgency. Results support the emotional stop-signal task's convergent and discriminant validity: as hypothesised, poor negative emotional response inhibition was specifically associated with Negative Urgency and no other impulsive traits on the UPPS-P. However, we did not find the hypothesised association between positive emotional response inhibition and Positive Urgency. Correlations between emotional stop-signal task performance and self-report measures were the modest, similar to other behavioural tasks. Participants who completed the emotional stop-signal task twice (n = 61) additionally provide preliminary evidence for test-retest reliability. Together, findings suggest adequate reliability and validity of the emotional stop-signal task to derive candidate behavioural markers of neurocognitive functioning associated with Negative Urgency and psychopathology.
AN ANALYSIS OF DRIVING PERFORMANCE MEASURES USED TO ASSESS THE EFFECTS OF MEDICATIONS ON DROWSINESS, SEDATION, AND DRIVING IMPAIRMENT

The objective of this paper was to discuss driving scenarios and associated driving performance measures on their ability to demonstrate drowsiness, sedation, and driving impairment. The basis of this paper was a study that utilized a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, four-treatment, four-period crossover trial in the Iowa Driving Simulator (IDS). Participants were 40 licensed drivers with seasonal allergic rhinitis who were 25 to 44 years of age. Treatments were Fexofenadine, diphenhydramine, alcohol, or placebo, given at weekly intervals before participants drove for 1 hour in the IDS. Measures examined included coherence, amplitude, phase angle, RMS error, following distance and behavior, lane keeping, response to unexpected vehicle intrusion and drowsiness. Study results show that sedating antihistamines impair driving performance as seriously as alcohol. Statistically significant but small correlations were found between subjective drowsiness and minimum following distance, steering instability, and left-lane excursions but no correlation was greater than 0.21. Drowsiness was a weak predictor of driving impairment. This paper discusses these and other findings with an emphasis on the adequacy of driving scenarios and the sensitivity of driving performance measures analyzed. For the covering abstract see ITRD E113119.
Pentadienyl-metal-phosphine chemistry: XXI. Synthesis and characterization of electron-rich (pentadienyl)iron[1,2-bis(diethylphosphino)ethane] complexes

Abstract Treatment of (Cl)2Fe(depe)2 (depe = Et2PCH2CH2PEt2) with two equivalents of potassium pentadienide produces (η3-pentadienyl)2Fe(depe) (1). Compound 1 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn (No. 60) with a = 11.347(1), b = 0.718(2), c = 19.938(3) A, V = 2198.6(6) A3, and Z = 4. In the solid state structure of 1, both η3-pentadienyl ligands are syn and W-shaped; however, in solution the major “syn,syn” isomer exists in equilibrium with a minor “syn,anti” isomer. Treatment of compound 1 with one equivalent of protonated depe (Hdepe+ BF−4) leads to loss of trans-1,3-pentadiene and production of (η3-pentadienyl)Fe(depe)+2 BF−4 (2). Compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 (No. 1) with a = 10.070(2), b = 10.756(1), c = 8.3622(1) A, α = 112.04(2), β = 94.93(1), γ = 68.05(1)°, V = 777.1(3) A3, and Z = 1. In the solid state structure of 2, the η3-pentadienyl ligand has a syn geometry and is W-shaped. In solution, the syn-η3-pentadienyl complex exists in equilibrium with its anti-η3-pentadienyl isomer.
The Effects of Regulation Fair Disclosure on Information Leakage

Reg FD was motivated by a desire to eliminate the (legal) trading advantage some investors had through selective disclosure practices. If this had been pervasive practice prior to Reg FD, then there should have been information leakage through price run-up before official earnings announcements. I analyzed the average cumulative abnormal returns for three samples: the NYSE and the largest and smallest capitalization firms of the NYSE/Amex/Nasdaq pool. The results suggest that Reg FD affected large firms more than small ones and negative information releases more than positive ones. There is also evidence that information leakage was already subsiding before Reg FD became effective, possibly because of voluntary compliance or the demands of the increasing number of individual investors.
Effect of solder voids on thermal performance of a high power electronic module

A high-power automotive electronic module is evaluated thermally for assessing the impact of solder voids on the temperature of the silicon die during transient operations. Voids are present in the solder between the silicon die and the copper heat spreader due to out-gassing during solder reflow process. The solder voids are modeled explicitly to resolve spatial temperature gradients. The computational model without solder voids is first compared with the experimental data and then extended to account for solder voids. It is shown that there can be profound impact of solder voids on the temperature of the silicon die depending on the size and void fraction of the solder voids, but the effect of void distribution is not very significant. Hence, it is imperative to ensure that the package is free from the solder voids for high power transient applications
One-sided transform basins and "inverted curtains": Implications for releasing bends along strike-slip faults

[1] Some basins associated with bends along strike‐slip faults grow only on one side of the fault. We ascribe this asymmetry to a characteristic 3D geometry. The strike‐slip fault is planar and vertical, except at the “inverted curtain” where the fault has a sinusoidal bend that decreases linearly downward and vanishes below a prescribed depth. We model numerically the deformation around inverted curtains with different dips. We consider a crustal block traversed by a fault with lower cohesion than the surrounding rock and subject it to strike‐slip motion, first with purely elastic models and then with Mohr‐Coulomb elasto‐plastic ones. We found that when a curtain is vertical, both sides of the bend subside forming a symmetrical basin. In contrast, basins are formed only on the hanging wall side of a releasing bend of a non‐vertical curtain, in agreement with field examples. For the same curtain geometries, the basins are broader and shallower in an elastic crust than in an elastic‐plastic one. While releasing bends are stable over a range of dips, restraining bends are “shunted” by new straight faults except in shallow‐dipping curtains. These model results show that bends on transcurrent faults with inverted curtain geometries lead to asymmetric ridges and basins. Conversely, such a characteristically asymmetric basin (ridge) is symptomatic of a transform bend with oblique slip that attenuates with depth and is rooted below the subsided (uplifted) area. One implication is that master transcurrent faults may remain primarily or solely responsible for earthquake hazard along segments with anomalous vertical deformation.
Children in War and Disaster

Every year, millions of young people are exposed to the dangers and trauma of disasters, war, terror, and political conflict. This chapter highlights findings from research on children and youth who endure these experiences, examined from a risk and resilience framework and grounded in relational developmental systems theory. Findings from the 21st century are emphasized, although historically important studies are also considered. Variations in response to these mass-trauma experiences are discussed in relation to dose-response gradients, developmental cascades and pathways, and moderators of risk at the individual, family, and sociocultural levels. New directions of research are examined, including efforts to integrate knowledge on neurobiological, behavioral, and cultural processes. Implications are delineated for future research as well as efforts to promote resilience through intervention and preparedness. Given the scope of the threats to global child development posed by war and disaster, there is remarkably little empirical research on the interventions that protect children or promote their recovery. Research is needed to elucidate the processes of risk and resilience in the context of mass trauma. In the meantime, general guidelines are provided for policy and practice, gleaned from the extant literature. Experiences of war and disaster test the limits of human capacity for change and recovery, and they may illuminate processes of adaptation that enrich and challenge developmental theory. Keywords: developmental cascades; disaster; intervention; prevention; resilience; war
Current techniques for enhancing the efficiency of ultra linear power amplifiers

This paper established a performance baseline for the relatively inefficient class A power amplifier most commonly used today in linear applications and then discusses possible performance enhancements derived from more sophisticated techniques, such as: class B amplifiers, Dougherty PA's, feed forward amplifiers, digital baseband pre-distortion, LINC (linear amplification using nonlinear components), envelope elimination and restoration (EER), and practical combinations of all these techniques. The design providing requisite broadband performance is emphasized.
Analysis of Positron Collection in the Linear Collider

In the Linear Collider, the positron capture system includes a positron production target, an adiabatic matching device (AMD), and a linac to accelerate positrons up to the injection energy of the positron damping ring (see Fig. 1). Efficiency of the positron collector is defined by the number of positrons accepted into the damping ring. Analysis of the positron collection system is performed using a conventional scheme, where positrons are produced by a high-energy electron beam hitting the high-Z target. The collection system has been optimized to insure high positron capture into the 6-dimensional acceptance of the damping ring. Various parameters affecting the positron capture are analyzed.
The appearance of NPY and VIP in sympathetic neuroblasts and subsequent alterations in their expression

Mature sympathetic neurons contain one or more neuropeptides in addition to a classical neurotransmitter. We compared the development of two peptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), in rat superior cervical (SCG) and stellate ganglia. NPY immunoreactivity (-IR) was first detected at embryonic day (E) 12.5. It was of similar immunofluorescence intensity in almost all tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-IR cells. In contrast, VIP-IR, of variable fluorescence intensity, appeared at E14.5 in a subset of TH-IR cells in the stellate ganglion but not in SCG. Both peptides were present in bromodeoxyuridine-labeled neuronal precursors as well as neurons. The intensity of NPY immunofluorescence increased until E16.5. Subsequently, while it continued to increase in some neurons, the intensity decreased in others so that at birth approximately 55% of SCG and stellate neurons were NPY-IR. Developmental changes in NPY concentration, determined by radioimmunoassay, were similar in both ganglia, increasing between E14.5 and E16.5 and then decreasing 60% between E16.5 and birth. VIP expression differed from that of NPY. The proportion of VIP-IR cells began to decrease the day after VIP-IR was first detected. Although VIP-IR was present in one-third of E14.5 TH-IR stellate cells, at birth only 2% were VIP-IR. VIP-IR, measured by radioimmunoassay, was uniformly severalfold more concentrated in the stellate than SCG, and its concentration decreased throughout embryonic development, 40% between E14.5 and E16.5 and 95% by birth. In situ hybridization revealed detectable mRNA for both NPY and VIP at E14.5 in stellate ganglion and mRNA for NPY, but not VIP, in SCG. Initially, ganglionic neuropeptide mRNA appeared uniformly distributed but became heterogeneous. Our data indicate that features of the diverse peptidergic phenotypes expressed by sympathetic neurons are present when peptides are first detected while others arise subsequently. The final acquisition of peptidergic phenotypic diversity is complex, entailing both early induction in many cells and subsequent restriction to specific subpopulations.
Colorimetric Measurement of Serum Bromide with a Bromate-Rosaniline Method

A procedure is presented for measuring bromide in serum filtrates, after protein has been precipitated with a HCl—tungstate reagent. The bromide in the filtrate is oxidized to bromate with hypochlorite. The resulting bromate reacts with added bromide to release bromine. Bromine reacts with rosaniline to form bromorosaniline, which is measured colorimetrically. The method is specific, sensitive, and reproducible. Bilirubin and hemoglobin do not interfere appreciably with the procedure, and iodine interference is negligible if less than 80 mg is present per 100 ml. Various factors affecting the sensitivity of the method have been studied. Preliminary data on the estimation of bromide in urine are also presented.
Transhiatal versus transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a 2005-2011 NSQIP comparison of modern multicenter results.

Background The surgical approach to esophageal cancer continues to be controversial. A transthoracic approach is often advocated for better oncologic staging and improved survival. A transhiatal approach is often preferred due to a perceived decreased operative morbidity and mortality. Methods Using the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Project (ACS-NSQIP) participant-use file, patients were identified who underwent either a transhiatal or transthoracic esophagectomy for cancer at participating hospitals from 2005 to 2011. Demographic, clinical, intra-operative variables, and 30-day morbidity and mortality were collected. Results Of the 1,428 patients that had esophagectomy, 750 (52.5%) had a transhiatal (TH) resection and 678 (47.5%) had a transthoracic (TT) resection. The transhiatal group was older (66 vs. 63 years, P = 0.003) with a lower ASA class (2.84 vs. 2.91, P = 0.025). Operative time was greater in the TT group (364 vs. 298 min, P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in 30 day overall mortality (TH = 2.9%, TT = 4.7%, P = 0.095) however a trend favored the TH group. Serious morbidity remains clinically significant in both groups (TH = 39.6%, TT = 43.5%, P = 0.146). The TH group had a significantly higher superficial wound infection rate (11.6% vs. 6.2%, P < 0.001) while the TT group required more perioperative blood transfusions (12.5% vs. 8.9%, P = 0.032) and returns to operating room (14.5% vs. 10.9%, P = 0.046). Conclusion Serious morbidity continues to be high for both types of esophagectomy. There needs to be continued efforts to diminish these complications. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 110:298–301. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Late night activity regarding stroke codes: LuNAR strokes.

Background There is diurnal variation for cardiac arrest and sudden cardiac death. Stroke may show a similar pattern. We assessed whether strokes presenting during a particular time of day or night are more likely of vascular etiology. Aim To compare emergency department stroke codes arriving between 22:00 and 8:00 hours (LuNAR strokes) vs. others (n-LuNAR strokes). The purpose was to determine if late night strokes are more likely to be true strokes or warrant acute tissue plasminogen activator evaluations. Methods We reviewed prospectively collected cases in the University of California, San Diego Stroke Team database gathered over a four-year period. Stroke codes at six emergency departments were classified based on arrival time. Those arriving between 22:00 and 8:00 hours were classified as LuNAR stroke codes, the remainder were classified as ‘n-LuNAR’. Patients were further classified as intracerebral hemorrhage, acute ischemic stroke not receiving tissue plasminogen activator, acute ischemic stroke receiving tissue plasminogen activator, transient ischemic attack, and nonstroke. Categorical outcomes were compared using Fisher's Exact test. Continuous outcomes were compared using Wilcoxon's Rank-sum test. Results A total of 1607 patients were included in our study, of which, 299 (19%) were LuNAR code strokes. The overall median NIHSS was five, higher in the LuNAR group (n-LuNAR 5, LuNAR 7; P=0·022). There was no overall differences in patient diagnoses between LuNAR and n-LuNAR strokes (P=0·169) or diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke receiving tissue plasminogen activator (n-LuNAR 191 (14·6%), LuNAR 42 (14·0%); P=0·86). Mean arrival to computed tomography scan time was longer during LuNAR hours (n-LuNAR 54·9±76·3 min, LuNAR 62·5±87·7 min; P=0·027). There was no significant difference in 90-day mortality (n-LuNAR 15·0%, LuNAR 13·2%; P=0·45). Conclusions Our stroke center experience showed no difference in diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke between day and night stroke codes. This similarity was further supported in similar rates of tissue plasminogen activator administration. Late night strokes may warrant a more rapid stroke specialist evaluation due to the longer time elapsed from symptom onset and the longer time to computed tomography scan.
Model Climatology of the Mexican Monsoon

Abstract The Mexican monsoon is a significant feature in the climate of the southwestern United States and Mexico during the summer months. Rainfall in northwestern Mexico during the months of July through September accounts for 60% to 80% of the total annual rainfall, while rainfall in Arizona for these same months accounts for over 40% of the total annual rainfall. Deep convection during the monsoon season produces frequent damaging surface winds, flash flooding, and hail and is a difficult forecast problem. Past numerical simulations frequently have been unable to reproduce the widespread, heavy rains over Mexico and the southwestern United States associated with the monsoon. The Pennsylvania State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model is used to simulate 32 successive 24-h periods during the monsoon season. Mean fields produced by the model simulations are compared against observations to validate the ability of the model to reproduce many of the observed features, includ...
Differential patterns of peroxynitrite mediated apoptosis in proximal tubular epithelial cells following ATP depletion recovery

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is characterized by ATP depletion in the ischemic phase, followed by a rapid increase in reactive oxygen species, including peroxynitrite in the reperfusion phase. In this study, we examined the role of peroxynitrite on cytotoxicity and apoptosis in an in vitro model of ATP depletion-recovery. Porcine proximal tubular epithelial (LLC-PK1) cells were ATP depleted for either 2 h (2/2) or 4 h (4/2) followed by recovery in serum free medium for 2 h. A subset of cells was treated with 100 μM of the peroxynitrite scavenger, iron (III) tetrakis (N-methyl-4′pyridyl) porphyrin pentachloride (FeTMPyP) 30 min prior to and during treatment/recovery. Treatment with FeTMPyP reduced cytotoxicity and superoxide levels at both the 2/2 and 4/2 time points, however FeTMPyP decreased nitric oxide only at the 2/2 time point. FeTMPyP also partially blocked caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation at both 2/2 and 4/2 time points. At the 4/2 time point, FeTMPyP also partially inhibited the ATP depletion mediated increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and decreased Bax and FasL gene expression. These data show that peroxynitrite induces apoptosis by activation of multiple pathways depending on length and severity of insult following ATP depletion-recovery.
Characterization of the XRN1 gene encoding a 5'-->3' exoribonuclease: sequence data and analysis of disparate protein and mRNA levels of gene-disrupted yeast cells.

Abstract Sequencing of the XRN1 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, cloned in this laboratory as a gene encoding a 160-kDa 5' → 3' exoribonuclease (XRN1), shows that it is identical to a gene (DST2 or SEP1) encoding a DNA strand transferase and to genes involved in nuclear fusion, KEM1, and plasmid stability, RAR5. To better understand the various phenotypes associated with loss of XRN1 and the enzymatic activities associated with the protein, certain characteristics of our yeast cells lacking an active gene (xrnl) have been examined. Cells are larger (average volume is × 1.5–1.8) and have an increased doubling time (× 1.9–2.1). The protein synthesis rate per cell is 80–90% that of wild-type (wt) cells, and the resultant cellular protein levels are higher. The rate of the 25S and 18S rRNA synthesis is approximately 45% that of wt cells and its cellular level is about 90% that of wt cells. Levels of protein bands resolved by one-dimensional PAGE show substantial differences. Synthesis rates observed for the same protein bands, as well as measurements of several specific mRNA levels by Northern analysis, suggest disparities in mRNA levels. Results show two to four times longer half-lives of specific short-lived mRNAs. The variations in levels of protein and RNA species found in the xrn1 cells may be the cause of some of the phenotypes found associated with gene loss.
The hydrolysis of biologically active peptides by bovine lung tissue factor (thromboplastin).

SummaryTissue factor apoprotein and relipidated tissue factor preparations extensively hydrolyze bradykinin, Lys-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, substance P, [Asp1,Ile5-angiotensin II, [Asp1, Ile5]-angiotensin I, and human fibrinopeptide A while acting more slowly on [Sar1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, [Me2Gly1, Ile5]-angiotensin II, bradykinin potentiating pentapeptide from B. jararaca, luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone, melanocyte stimulating hormone-release-inhibiting factor (Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2), and oxytocin. No hydrolysis of thyro-tropin-releasing factor or bradykinin potentiating nonapeptide from B. jararaca is observed. Relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor act at identical rates under the conditions of the assay. Dansylation and chromatography of tissue factor-peptide incubation mixtures further indicate that relipidated and apoprotein tissue factor also hydrolyze peptides by identical mechanisms. No fewer than six bonds are hydrolyzed in bradykinin while the angiotensins and substance P are degraded...
Synthesis and evaluation of stimulatory properties of Sphingomonadaceae glycolipids

Glycosphingolipids (GSLs) from the Sphingomonadaceae family of bacteria have been reported to be potent stimulators of natural killer T cells. These glycolipids include mono-, tri- and tetraglycosylceramides. Here we have prepared the GSL-1 to GSL-4 series of glycolipids and tested their abilities to stimulate natural killer T cells. Among these glycolipids, only GSL-1 (1) is a potent stimulator. Using a series of synthetic diglycosylceramides, we show that oligoglycosylceramides from Sphingomonadaceae are not effectively truncated to GSL-1 in lysosomes in antigen-presenting cells, possibly because the higher-order GSLs are poor substrates for lysosomal acyltransfer enzymes.
Lidar inversion technique using total attenuation and the lidar system constant

It is desirable to determine the internal structure of clouds during smoke tests. One method for doing this involves using lidar returns from a cloud and inversion of the lidar equation. Conventionally, the latter requires a knowledge of the attenuation at the end of the path of interest. This is seldom known or measurable with sufficient accuracy. In this presentation, a new iterative inversion algorithm is described. The new algorithm uses the total attenuation through the desired path length as input, rather than the attenuation of the last range cell. The total attenuation is easy to determine accurately. For example it may he measured using the lidar and a backstop of known reflectivity placed at the end of the desired path.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Provision of elective abortion among recently graduated obstetrician–gynecologists: does training matter?

Objective: The declining number of abortion providers in the United States has been attributed to a decrease in abortion training in obstetrics and gynecology (ob-gyn) residency programs. We conducted a survey to determine whether abortion training predicts abortion provision and what factors play a role in the decision to provide abortion. Methods: We surveyed 262 recently graduated ob-gyns from five programs with different types of abortion training. They were asked questions about demographics, career status, residency abortion training, and whether they provide elective abortions. They were then asked to rank various factors according to the effect on their decision to provide or not provide abortions. Results: One hundred sixty-one surveys (61%) were returned. One hundred four respondents (66%) stated that their residency program had routine training. Overall, 74 (46%) currently provide abortions, and 95 (76%) provided them at some time since residency. Of those trained at programs with routine training, 51% currently are providing abortions. Religious affiliation and having children are significantly correlated in a negative way with current provision (P<0.05). Participation in residency training was correlated with abortion provision (P <0.001), and training at a program with no abortion training was negatively correlated with provision (P <0.05). The physicians who currently provide elective abortions cite patient need, adequate training, and their personal beliefs as the strongest factors in their decisions to provide. The physicians who do not provide abortion cite discomfort among office staff, practice group restrictions, their personal moral beliefs, and provision by others in their offices as the strongest factors. Conclusion: The majority of the physicians interviewed had been trained to provide elective abortions, and the majority had provided abortions at some point since their residencies. Residency training and religious beliefs affect the likelihood that obstetrician–gynecologists will provide abortions, but situational factors also are important.
Targeting HIV-1 DNA integration by swapping tethers

Retroviruses replicate by integrating a DNA copy of their genome into cellular DNA (1). The integrated DNA is replicated along with cellular DNA during each cell-division cycle and is the template for transcription of RNAs required for production of progeny virus. DNA integration is mediated by the virally encoded integrase enzyme and occurs at essentially any location in the host DNA, but each group of retroviruses exhibits distinct regional preferences (2). For example, HIV-1 and closely related retroviruses called lentiviruses preferentially integrate in active transcription units. The mechanistic basis of the target-site preference of HIV-1 DNA integration is not well understood, but studies suggest that a cellular protein called lens epithelium-derived growth factor (LEDGF) plays a key role (3). LEDGF binds to both HIV-1 integrase and chromatin, and in a popular model, it tethers the viral integration machinery to chromatin (4). In this issue of PNAS, Ferris et al. (5) provide strong support for this model and show that the targeting preference of HIV-1 can be changed simply by swapping the chromatin-binding domain (CBD) of LEDGF.
Neuronal abnormalities in microtubule-associated protein 1B mutant mice.

Abstract Microtubules play an important role in establishing cellular architecture. Neuronal microtubules are considered to have a role in dendrite and axon formation. Different portions of the developing and adult brain microtubules are associated with different microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). The roles of each of the different MAPs are not well understood. One of these proteins, MAP1B, is expressed in different portions of the brain and has been postulated to have a role in neuronal plasticity and brain development. To ascertain the role of MAP1B, we generated mice which carry an insertion in the gene by gene-targeting methods. Mice which are homozygous for the modification die during embryogenesis. The heterozygotes exhibit a spectrum of phenotypes including slower growth rates, lack of visual acuity in one or both eyes, and motor system abnormalities. Histochemical analysis of the severely affected mice revealed that their Purkinje cell dendritic processes are abnormal, do not react with MAP1B antibodies, and show reduced staining with MAP1A antibodies. Similar histological and immunochemical changes were observed in the olfactory bulb, hippocampus, and retina, providing a basis for the observed phenotypes.
Pneumocystis carinii: immunoblotting and immunofluorescent analyses of serum antibodies during experimental rat infection and recovery.

Abstract Serum antibodies to Pneumocystis carinii were measured in rats by the indirect fluorescent antibody and immunoblotting techniques. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies developed with environmental exposure to P. carinii , were low or absent during immunosuppression to induce P. carinii pneumonia, and rose when immunosuppression was withdrawn. The IgG and IgM antibodies formed at the same time, but the titers of each antibody varied in individual rats. Serum IgG antibodies by immunoblotting recognized bands of 45, 50, and 116 kDa as the major reactive moieties of P. carinii . The bands were detected with sera from all rat groups in a temporal pattern which closely paralleled antibody formation by indirect immunofluo-rescence. The pattern of immunoblotting reactivity varied among individual rats, particularly with immunosuppression. Additional bands were detected with prolonged exposure to P. carinii . Thus, the rat makes both IgG and IgM antibodies to P. carinii , and specific P. carinii antigens identified in this immune response might be targeted for future serologic studies.
Why Rhodium in Automotive Three-Way Catalysts?

Abstract The catalytic treatment of motor vehicle exhaust gas has been a feature of all passenger cars in the USA since the 1975 model year. It has since been adopted in all the developed countries as the principal means of con-trolling the emissions from vehicles powered by Otto-cycle internal com-bustion engines. These include passenger cars, light trucks, and heavy-duty trucks. Catalysts have been developed for motorcycles and even smaller power plants. The so-called three-way catalyst (TWC) has been in use since the 1979 model year. The name reflects the simultaneous treatment by this catalyst of the two reducing pollutants, carbon monoxide and uncombusted hydrocarbons, and the oxidizing pollutant, oxides of nitrogen.
Noise control of a high Reynolds number high speed heated jet using plasma actuators

Localized arc filament plasma actuators (LAFPAs) have been used in high Reynolds number, high-speed unheated jets to explore their potential for noise mitigation and mixing enhancement. These previous experiments, conducted at the Gas Dynamics and Turbulence Laboratory (GDTL) of the Ohio State University, included both subsonic and supersonic jets. Therefore, the next stage is to examine these actuators’ effectiveness in high speed jets over a wide range of temperatures. Recently, a study of the temperature effect was conducted at GDTL for a subsonic jet. The facility consists of an axisymmetric jet of exit diameter 2.54 cm with different nozzle blocks and variable jet temperature in an anechoic chamber. The focus of this paper is on a supersonic (Mj = 1.3) jet. The previous work with a Mach 0.9 jet has shown significant increases in mixing enhancement effectiveness with increasing temperature. A number of combinations of forcing azimuthal mode and forcing frequency at two temperature ratios are utilized to examine LAFPAs effectiveness for mixing enhancement in a heated supersonic jet. The preliminary results indicate that forcing effectiveness continues in this supersonic heated case, but the increase in effectiveness in higher temperature is not observed. It is concluded that data at additional temperatures is needed to fully describe the trends in forcing effectiveness.
A Word to the Wise: How Managers and Policy-Makers Can Encourage Employees to Report Wrongdoing

When successful and ethical managers are alerted to possible organizational wrongdoing, they take corrective action before the problems become crises. However, recent research [e.g., Rynes et al. (2007, Academy of Management Journal50(5), 987–1008)] indicates that many organizations fail to implement evidence-based practices (i.e., practices that are consistent with research findings), in many aspects of human resource management. In this paper, we draw from years of research on whistle-blowing by social scientists and legal scholars and offer concrete suggestions to managers who are interested in encouraging internal reporting of problems requiring attention, and to observers of questionable activity who are considering reporting it. We also identify ways that research suggests policy-makers can have a more positive influence. We hope that these suggestions will help foster evidence-based practice regarding whistle-blowing.
Characterization of enzymatically isolated myocytes from the turtle, Chrysemys picta

Abstract Application of an enzymatic cell isolation technique to a turtle heart yielded mononuclear spindle-shaped myocytes. Turtle myocyte morphology revealed a long, thin, tapered cell with an average length of 221± 9.6 μm and an average width of 9.55 ± 0.87 μm. Cell volume was calculated to be 16,248 ± 24,776 μm3 and mean sarcomere length was 2.24 ± 0.09 μm. The Ca+2-tolerant myocytes shortened to a degree of 13 ± 6.1% when stimulated in an electric field. Both spontaneous and induced contractions resembled a twitch. Myocyte volume did not vary significantly with the body mass of the turtle.
On the Acceleration of Cosmic Rays

The intensive acceleration of energetic charged particles in perpendicular shock waves which has been known to take place in the interplanetary medium has been utilized in this work in order to account for the energization of cosmic rays. It is proposed that cosmic rays can be accelerated up to 1014–1015 eV in successive perpendicular shock waves which appear inside supernova shells in our Galaxy.
Late Jurassic Depositional Environments, Louisiana and Arkansas: GEOLOGICAL NOTES

The Upper Jurassic Cotton Valley Group is a sedimentary wedge, pinching northward, under the Gulf Coastal Plain from Texas to Alabama. In northern Louisiana, formations in this group are, in descending order, the Knowles Limestone, the Hico Shale which grades southward into the regressive, massive Terryville Sandstone, and the southward-thickening wedge of shale and limestone comprising the Bossier Formation. These formations grade northward into terrestrial red beds of the Schuler Formation, in Arkansas. Across northern Louisiana, a west-trending, longshore barrier island of (Terryville) sandstone supplied by a delta to the ancestral Mississippi river separated a coastal lagoon (Hico shale) from the open gulf (marine Bossier Formation).
Microstructure of metal coatings deposited using ion-beam processes

Ion beam deposition processes were used to influence the microstructure and scattering characteristics of gold and platinum coatings. These metallic coatings were deposited onto super-polished fused silica and Zerodur substrates. They were deposited using thermal evaporation, ion assisted deposition, sputtering, and ion assisted sputtering. The microstructure of these films was characterized using an optical scatterometer, an optical profilometer, a stylus profilometer, scanning tunneling microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. We found that these metallic coatings deposited using ion beam deposition produced lower optical scattering and related surface microroughness.
Normal fluctuation of physiologic cardiovascular variables during anesthesia and the phenomenon of "smoothing".

With the advent of automated anesthesia record keeping devices, concern has arisen that “abnormal” values will appear in the record and possibly lead to medicolegal compromise. A retrospective review of automated records from a series of anesthesia cases was undertaken to determine if abnormal values do occur, how frequent they are, and whether they cause problems. A total of 14,826 (4,942 each) noninvasive heart rate, systolic, and diastolic blood pressure readings from 118 case printouts generated by a Diatek Arkive Patient Information Management System (63 cases) or a Data-scope Datatrac record keeper (55 cases) were recorded. The study sample covered a broad range of surgical operations, anesthetic procedures, and patient ages and medical histories. During these 118 anesthetics, the majority of readings of all three variables fell within normal ranges (defined for this study as 80 to 180 and 50 to 110 mm Hg for systolic and diastolic blood pressures, respectively, and 60 to 140 beats/min for heart rate). During the anesthetics, 3.6% of the systolic pressure readings, 13.25% of the diastolic readings, and 4.25% of the heart rate readings were recorded outside these ranges. No serious intraoperative or postoperative anesthesia complications were associated with these out-of-range readings, nor would they be expected in a sample of this size, since serious anesthetic complications are rare. This preliminary observation of one person's experience may help address the concern associated with allowing high and low blood pressure and heart rate readings to be automatically recorded “unsmoothed.” In medicolegal situations, it should also begin to demonstrate that such fluctuations are neither uncommon nor abnormal, and that a true record of these readings should be neither a cause for concern nor an opportunity for medicolegal exploitation.