cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Combination of Buprenorphine and Naltrexone Blocks Compulsive Cocaine Intake in Rodents Without Producing Dependence

Buprenorphine, a synthetic opioid that acts at both μ and κ opioid receptors, can decrease cocaine use in individuals with opioid addiction. However, the potent agonist action of buprenorphine at μ opioid receptors raises its potential for creating opioid dependence in non–opioid-dependent cocaine abusers. Here, we tested the hypothesis that a combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone (a potent μ opioid antagonist with weaker δ and κ antagonist properties) could block compulsive cocaine self-administration without producing opioid dependence. The effects of buprenorphine and various doses of naltrexone on cocaine self-administration were assessed in rats that self-administered cocaine under conditions of either short access (noncompulsive cocaine seeking) or extended access (compulsive cocaine seeking). Buprenorphine alone reproducibly decreased cocaine self-administration. Although this buprenorphine-alone effect was blocked in a dose-dependent manner by naltrexone in both the short-access and the extended-access groups, the combination of the lowest dose of naltrexone with buprenorphine blocked cocaine self-administration in the extended-access group but not in the short-access group. Rats given this low dose of naltrexone with buprenorphine did not exhibit the physical opioid withdrawal syndrome seen in rats treated with buprenorphine alone, and naltrexone at this dose did not block κ agonist–induced analgesia. The results suggest that the combination of buprenorphine and naltrexone at an appropriate dosage decreases compulsive cocaine self-administration with minimal liability to produce opioid dependence and may be useful as a treatment for cocaine addiction.
Influence of Open Alleys in Field Trials Assessing Yield Effects from Fungicides in Corn

Including open alleys at ends of plots is a common practice when field-testing foliar fungicides used in corn production. Open alleys facilitate movement of workers and equipment between plots during spray application. Open alleys affect crop yield estimates in small plots typically used in replicated, randomized experimental designs, because of reduced interplant competition. However, no published research has tested whether the alley effect interacts with fungicide to bias the assessment of the agronomic effects of the latter. We tested this hypothesis over 2 years by evaluating yield with and without application of Headline AMP (containing pyraclostrobin and metconazole) plus nonionic surfactant applied once at VT/R1 in 7.6-m plots separated on their ends by 1.5-m alleys free of aboveground vegetation. In each plot, data were collected from seven subplots, each measuring 1.09 m of row-length and running parallel to the long axis of the plot. Consistent with previous reports, yields of subplots were substantially higher toward plot ends than in the central areas of plots. Surprisingly, a significant (P < 0.10) fungicide × subplot interaction was observed in both experiments, indicating that the yield response from fungicide depended on subplot position within the plot. However, yield differences due to fungicide were trivial when comparing regression-based yield estimates from all seven subplot positions to those obtained from only the centermost three subplot positions. Our study does not lend support to the hypothesis that the open-alley design creates a meaningful bias in assessment of treatment effects due to foliar fungicides in corn. However, additional research on this question is warranted, given the complexities of comparing results in large-scale plots vs. small plots, the limitations of our study, and the widespread use of fungicides on field corn in the United States.
The Structures of Centralized Governmental Privacy Protection: Approaches, Models, and Analysis.

Abstract This article asserts that the United States federal government should adopt a centralized governmental structure for the privacy protection of personal information and data. There are a number of significant reasons, ranging from facilitation of the international dealings of United States corporations to the interactions of the United States government with other governments, for creating a centralized privacy protection structure for the United States federal government. This article examines the rise of centralized governmental privacy protection structures, identifies reasons for adopting such structures, and analyzes a selection of the structures used by various nations and states at present. From this analysis, the article presents a number of models of centralized governmental privacy protection structures. These models then form the basis of a discussion of what type of structural models of privacy protection would be most appropriate for the U.S. federal government.
The changing spectrum of drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia

Drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia (DIIHA) occurs rarely. To date, about 100 drugs have been implicated in causing DIIHA and/or a positive direct antiglobulin test (DAT). The most common drugs associated with DIIHA in the 1970s were methyldopa and penicillin; currently, they are cefotetan and ceftriaxone. Drug antibodies fall into two types: drug-independent ("autoantibodies") and drug-dependent ("penicillin type" or "immune complex type"); some patients have combinations of these antibodies. Some drugs cause nonimmunologic protein adsorption onto drug-treated red blood cells (RBCs). This is known to be the cause of positive indirect antiglobulin tests and is suspected to be a cause of positive DATs. This mechanism may be associated with hemolytic anemia. Twelve cephalosporins have been reported to cause DIIHA; five (primarily cefotetan and ceftriaxone) have been associated with fatalites. Patients with DIIHA due to cefotetan may only have received one dose of the drug prophylactically with surgery. Antibodies to cefotetan react to very high titers against drug-treated RBCs (and at lower titers against untreated RBCs without and/or with drug present). Patients with ceftriaxone-induced DIIHA have received the drug previously; reactions in children often occur minutes after ceftriaxone administration. Antibodies to ceftriaxone are only of the "immune complex type."
Mechanism(s) Controlling Sorption of Neutral Organic Contaminants by Surfactant-Derived and Natural Organic Matter

Layer silicate clays modified with cationic surfactants (organoclays) such as hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) are effective sorbents for neutral organic contaminants (NOCs) and may be useful for in-situ and ex-situ remediation of contaminated soils and waters. In this study, the sorptive characteristics of organoclays were compared in terms of magnitude and mechanism to those of natural soil organic matter. The data presented here support multiple mechanisms controlling the sorption of aqueous-phase NOCs on organoclays including solvation of the cationic ammonium centers, the alkyl chains of HDTMA, and the mineral surfaces and solute partitioning. In contrast, solute partitioning appears to be the singular mechanism for the sorption of aqueous-phase NOCs by natural soil organic matter. Organic contaminant sorption by the surfactant-derived organic matter of organoclays is substantially higher than by natural soil organic matter due to the existence of multiple sorptive mechanisms for organoclays and th...
Influence of stimulus and oral adaptation temperature on gustatory responses in central taste-sensitive neurons

The temperature of taste stimuli can modulate gustatory processing. Perceptual data indicate that the adapted temperature of oral epithelia also influences gustation, although little is known about the neural basis of this effect. Here, we electrophysiologically recorded orosensory responses (spikes) to 25°C (cool) and 35°C (warm) solutions of sucrose (0.1 and 0.3 M), NaCl (0.004, 0.1, and 0.3 M), and water from taste-sensitive neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract in mice under varied thermal adaptation of oral epithelia. Conditions included presentation of taste stimuli isothermal to adaptation temperatures of 25°C (constant cooling) and 35°C (constant warming), delivery of 25°C stimuli following 35°C adaptation (relative cooling), and presentation of 35°C stimuli following 25°C adaptation (relative warming). Responses to sucrose in sucrose-oriented cells (n = 15) were enhanced under the constant and relative warming conditions compared with constant cooling, where contiguous cooling across adaptation and stimulus periods induced the lowest and longest latency responses to sucrose. Yet compared with constant warming, cooling sucrose following warm adaptation (relative cooling) only marginally reduced activity to 0.1 M sucrose and did not alter responses to 0.3 M sucrose. Thus, warmth adaptation counteracted the attenuation in sucrose activity associated with stimulus cooling. Analysis of sodium-oriented (n = 25) neurons revealed adaptation to cool water, and cooling taste solutions enhanced unit firing to 0.004 M (perithreshold) NaCl, whereas warmth adaptation and stimulus warming could facilitate activity to 0.3 M NaCl. The concentration dependence of this thermal effect may reflect a dual effect of temperature on the sodium reception mechanism that drives sodium-oriented cells.
Modeling and integer programming techniques applied to propositional calculus

Abstract This paper discusses alternative methods for constructing a 0–1 integer programming problem from a propositional calculus problem and the use of the resulting mathematical program to solve the related logic problem. This paper also identifies some special structures associated with the constraint sets and discusses several fundamental results concerning methods of preprocessing the logical inferences into constraints.
Enumerating Software Failures to Build Dependable Distributed Applications

We are proposing a systematic approach to building reliable distributed applications. The main objective of this approach is to consider reliability from application inception to completion, adding reliability patterns along the lifecycle and in all architectural layers. We start by enumerating the possible failures of the application, considering every activity in the use cases of the application. The identified failures are then handled by applying reliability policies. We evaluate the benefits of this approach and compare our approach to others.
Multituberculate and other mammal hair recovered from Palaeogene excreta

Evidence of hair from several extinct mammals has been recovered from a rich accumulation of fossil excrement from the Late Palaeocene beds of Inner Mongolia, China. This highly unusual and previously undocumented depositional occurrence consists of hundreds of mammalian carnivore coprolites (fossil faeces) and a lesser number of probably raptorial bird regurgitalites1 (fossil pellets). The fossil hair occurs as impressions and natural casts in the extremely fine-grained, calcareous matrix that cements the skeletal remains within these faecal structures and preserves even the cuticular scale pattern on individual hair. Hair from at least four mammalian taxa, most notably the multituberculate Lambdopsalis bulla2, has been identified. This record constitutes the first tangible evidence that, along with monotremes and therian mammals, multituberculates were hirsuite, and lends support for the presence of this mammalian feature in the most recent common ancestor of these three groups.
Directional effects in asymmetric fully plastic crack growth

Abstract Asymmetrically cracked specimens fail with considerably less ductility than symmetrically cracked ones. Indeed, welds, shoulders or other asymmetries may eliminate one of the shear bands and thus result in crack propagation through predamaged material instead of the relatively unstrained region between two plastic shear zones of the symmetric case. An incremental approach is presented for predicting the direction of the growing crack and the crack growth conditions (far field displacement, strain, triaxiality). The formulation is based on strain increments following a power law relation and on the hole growth fracture criterion of McClintock, Kaplan and Berg [5]. At each step several sites are considered ahead of the crack and the damage due to crack initiation and prior growth is calculated. The crack is assumed to advance to the direction that requires the minimum far field displacement to reach critical damage. The predicted displacement to crack initiation is found to be of the order of the critical strain times the mean inclusion spacing. Results for two strain hardening exponents n = case1 3 and n = case1 13 and several initial crack-shear band angles are presented. In general the crack does not progress along the shear band but at an angle of 23°–32° giving a higher triaxiality. Strain hardening affects the rate of crack advance per unit displacement and the critical growth strain as well as the final crack orientation. The overall computer program provides a quick and direct approach that enables estimating the failure conditions of asymmetrically cracked structures from material data.
Survey autoradiography using Polaroid Land films.

A report by HSIEH, HUNGATE, and WILSON [1] has demonstrated the drastic reduction in exposure time to alpha particles which can be obtained in autoradiography by using Polaroid types 57 and 410 Land films in combination with a silver-activated ZnS intensifier. The present study was undertaken in order to determine the possibility of using the presently available Polaroid four- by five-inch Land photographic films as no-screen emulsions for contact autoradiography with specimens containing nuclides of various radiation characteristics.
Korean Buddhist Journeys to Lands Worldly and Otherworldly

This Presidential Address explores Korean Buddhist travel undertaken for religious training, missionary propagation, and devotional pilgrimage. By traveling to India and throughout East Asia, as well as to the mythic undersea bastion of the faith, Koreans demonstrated their associations with the wider world of Buddhist culture, whether it be terrestrial or cosmological. Simultaneous with continued travel overseas to the Chinese mainland and the Buddhist homeland of India, Koreans also brought those sacred sites home through a wholesale remapping of the domestic landscape. As local geography became universalized, there was less need for the long, dangerous journeys over-seas to Buddhist sacred sites: instead, the geography of Buddhism became implicit within the indigenous landscape, turning Korea into the Buddha-land itself. Once this "relocalization" of Buddhism had occurred, Korean Buddhists were able to travel through the sacred geography of Buddhism from the (relative) comfort of their own locale.
Did we miss some evidence of chaos in laboratory insect populations

The collection and documentation of the experimental evidence of chaos in biological populations have always been elusive. We were puzzled by the observation that the most frequently computed demographic parameter for laboratory insect populations, the population intrinsic rate of increase (r m), seems too small to induce chaotic dynamics. For example, when it is directly utilized as an approximation to the parameter (a) of the one-parameter discrete logistic model, the parameter seems well out of the chaotic range. In a recent reanalysis of our early laboratory demographic data of 1800 Russian wheat aphids (RWA), we discovered that a proper measure unit conversion should be performed to make the link between r m and the discrete logistic model. We think that this conversion issue may have been ignored historically in biological literature since we are not aware of any uses of the r m in the discussion of chaos. It should be noted that r m is different from the r in discrete logistic model (e.g., May in Nature 261:459–467, 1976). Since extensive demographic data purported to estimate r m have been accumulated in literature on population growth, the finding revealed with our RWA experiment data can easily be verified with the published data in literature. We near-arbitrarily surveyed 10 studies (containing 37 datasets of r m) published in the literature and archived in JSTOR or BioOne databases to test the conversion, and the results confirmed our finding. The finding should significantly expand the evidence base of chaos in laboratory populations of insects and possibly microorganisms, too.
Radiation Dose-Volume Effects in the Esophagus

Publications relating esophageal radiation toxicity to clinical variables and to quantitative dose and dose–volume measures derived from three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy for non–small-cell lung cancer are reviewed. A variety of clinical and dosimetric parameters have been associated with acute and late toxicity. Suggestions for future studies are presented.
Soleus and EDL muscle contractility across the lifespan of female C57BL/6 mice.

Abstract All previous aging research on the contractility of rodent skeletal muscle has been conducted on male rodents. Because males and females age differently, we undertook this study to determine if and when age-related decrements in skeletal muscle contractility occur in female mice. Soleus and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from female C57BL/6 mice aged ∼4, 8, 16, 24 and 28 mo were assessed in vitro for contractility and subsequently contractile protein content. EDL muscle was resistant to age-related changes in force generation but displayed characteristics of becoming more slow-twitch like. Maximal isometric tetanic force (Po) generated by soleus muscle declined with age. Soleus muscle size and contractile protein contents were not affected by age and thus could not explain the age-related force decrements. Soleus muscle specific Po declined with age being ∼26% lower in muscles of 16–28 mo-old mice indicating that a deterioration in soleus muscle quality of female mice occurred beginning around the age of ovarian failure. Thus this study provides essential, comprehensive baseline data for future studies on age-related muscle dysfunction in the female mouse.
Simplifying Smoktunowicz's Extraordinary Example

At the turn of the 21st century Agata Smoktunowicz constructed the first example of a nil algebra over a countable field such that the polynomial ring over the algebra is not nil. This answered an old question of Amitsur. We present a simplification of the example.
Political Communication and Agroterrorism

This article reports results of a survey on consumer perceptions about agroterrorism conducted in October and November of 2004. As part of a more general survey the authors asked respondents who the most likely perpetrator of an agroterrorist attack would be. Of American consumers, 47.52% believed that the most likely attack would come from a state-sponsored terrorist organization or government, 23.47% from a non-state–sponsored terrorist organization, and only 14.46% for domestic terrorism. The article argues that at the time of the survey these perceptions of risk were at odds, in terms of history and the conventional wisdom, which would place higher likelihoods first on domestic terrorism, then foreign non-state–sponsored terrorism, and then foreign state–sponsored terrorism. These results are explored in detail using a combination of cross tabulation and PROBIT analysis and find that a key variable (among others) in risk perception is political affiliation. The article then discusses the role of polit...
Bi-functional effects of ATP/P2 receptor activation on tumor necrosis factor-alpha release in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated astrocytes.

Neuroinflammation is associated with a variety of CNS pathologies. Levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), a major proinflammatory cytokine, as well as extracellular ATP, are increased following various CNS insults. Here we report on the relationship between ATP/P2 purinergic receptor activation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-α release from primary cultures of rat cortical astrocytes. Using ELISA, we confirmed that treatment with LPS stimulated the release of TNF-α in a concentration and time dependent manner. ATP treatment alone had no effect on TNF-α release. LPS-induced TNF-α release was attenuated by 1 mm ATP, a concentration known to activate P2X7 receptors. Consistent with this, 3′-O-(4-Benzoyl)benzoyl-ATP (BzATP), a P2X7 receptor agonist, also attenuated LPS-induced TNF-α release. This reduction in TNF-α release was not due to loss of cell viability. Adenosine and 2-chloroadenosine were ineffective, suggesting that attenuation of LPS-induced TNF-α release by ATP was not due to ATP breakdown and subsequent activation of adenosine/P1 receptors. Interestingly, treatment of astrocyte cultures with 10 µm or 100 µm ATP potentiated TNF-α release induced by a submaximal concentration of LPS. UTP and 2methylthioADP (2-MeSADP), P2Y receptor agonists, also enhanced this LPS-induced TNF-α release. Our observations demonstrate opposing effects of ATP/P2 receptor activation on TNF-α release, i.e. P2X receptor activation attenuates, whereas P2Y receptor activation potentiates TNF-α release in LPS-stimulated astrocytes. These observations suggest a mechanism whereby astrocytes can sense the severity of damage in the CNS via ATP release from damaged cells and can modulate the TNF-α mediated inflammatory response depending on the extracellular ATP concentration and corresponding type of astrocyte ATP/P2 receptor activated.
Radial force balance within Jupiter's dayside magnetosphere

A local field stress technique, developed previously in a study of the Saturnian magnetosphere, is introduced to the problem of determining the radial force balance characteristics of Jupiter's magnetosphere. The near-equatorial, radial magnetic force densities are estimated using the data obtained by Voyager 1 principally on the dayside (inbound) portion of its trajectory. Using the low-energy charged particle data (greater than about 30 keV) and other published data, ways in which the field forces might be balanced are explored. Inside 22 Jupiter radii, the magnetic radial forces match, in both magnitude and radial variation, the hot particle pressure gradient forces, assuming a mix of H(+) and O(n+) ions. Outside 22 Jupiter radii, a previously reported force balance problem is confirmed qualitatively, and two possible solutions are suggested.
Stability and Tick Transmission Phenotype of gfp-Transformed Anaplasma marginale through a Complete In Vivo Infection Cycle

We tested the stability and tick transmission phenotype of transformed Anaplasma marginale through a complete in vivo infection cycle. Similar to the wild type, the gfp-transformed A. marginale strain established infection in cattle, a natural reservoir host, and persisted in immune competent animals. The tick infection rates for the transformed A. marginale and the wild type were the same. However, there were significantly lower levels of the transformed A. marginale than of the wild type in the tick. Despite the lower levels of replication, ticks transmitted the transformant. Transformants can serve as valuable tools to dissect the molecular requirements of tick colonization and pathogen transmission.
Prerequisite conditions for self‐disclosing: A gender issue

Using a scheme previously developed by the authors to define conceptually self‐disclosure, this study focuses on one dimension found in that investigation— prerequisite for disclosure. The research examines gender differences in perceived importance placed on four conditions: setting, receiver, sender, and relationship characteristics judged to be needed before disclosing private information about oneself to others. The study also looks at the influence of topic on males’ and females’ use of conditions. Results suggest that women find sender and receiver characteristics more important as prerequisite conditions for self‐disclosure than do men. No significant effect of topic on the use of conditions was found for men or women.
A critique of the deconstructionist account of gender equity and education.

(1989). A critique of the deconstructionist account of gender equity and education. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 20-24.
A New CJASN Feature: Attending Rounds

“A Patient with Resistant Hypertension” by Dr. Ray Townsend is the debut article of a new CJASN regular feature titled “Attending Rounds,” in which expert clinicians will review a case in the format of bedside teaching rounds or a Grand Rounds presentation. In each “Attending Rounds,”
Efficient DFT-based model reduction for continuous systems

A method for online identification of reduced-order models (ROM) of stable continuous systems is presented. The method is unique because it utilizes the moving discrete Fourier transform (MDFT) to continuously monitor the frequency-domain profile of the plant input and output signals. These signals need not be sinusoidal, although they must be accurately represented by their DFTs. Also, the input must contain at least n frequency components (for an nth-order ROM). A computer simulation demonstrates the method. >
Detection of Airstream Fibers in Fibrous Glass Duct Board Systems

Previous studies to detect fibers emitted by fibrous glass air duct systems have indicated very low concentrations, on the order of 1 × 10−6 to 10 × 10−6 fibers per cubic centimeter. These levels are equivalent to background air. The test protocol and sample evaluation for these studies are expensive and labor-intensive. A new test protocol has been developed that utilizes lower-cost equipment and reduces sample construction and evaluation costs. This new procedure uses multiple tests to increase precision and establish confidence levels for the mean performance of the product. Easily fabricated test sections and statistically sampled collection filters are the primary methods used to reduce costs and shorten total testing time. Results to date agree well with previous studies and demonstrate that fibrous glass duct board does not contribute fibers to the atmosphere. This new protocol is used on a continuing basis to evaluate products and to ensure that there are no changes that affect airstream quality.
Spacing of exposure sessions in treatment of agoraphobia and simple phobia

The effects of massed versus spaced in vivo exposure sessions were compared in the treatment of 19 agoraphobic and 17 simple phobic outpatients. Subjects received ten 90-min sessions of therapist-assisted exposure and were assessed with self-report measures, a behavioral diary, and a behavioral avoidance test. There were no differences between the two methods of treatment at either posttest or 6-months follow-up with one exception—a frequency of significat findings which would be expected in light of the experimental wise error rate Contrary to assertions in the literature, massed subjects were no more likely to drop out of treatment or to relapse during the follow-up period. Subjects who entered the treatment program rated the two methods of delivery as equally stressful, but unsystematic observation indicated that massed treatment was less acceptable to some potential clients who refused treatment rather than accept random assignment.
Neurobiology and neurodevelopmental impact of childhood traumatic stress and prenatal alcohol exposure

Purpose Research reveals that prenatal alcohol exposure and child trauma (i.e., abuse, neglect, sexual abuse) can have deleterious effects on child development across multiple domains. This study a...
Murabaha - An Islamic Financial Tool and Challenges vis-a-vis the International Accounting Standards

Interest has been forbidden in Quran-the holy book of Islam whereas Murabaha is a particular kind of sale in Islamic Finance where the seller expressly mentions the cost he has incurred of a commodity to be sold and sells it to another person by adding some profit or mark-up thereon which is known to the buyer. In terms of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards-IFRS inventories are valued at the 'lower of cost and net realizable value.' This paper explores the murabaha and its degree of compliance with IFRS rules as far the profit share is concerned.
Reduced Coronary Artery and Abdominal Aortic Calcification in Hispanics With Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE —To compare lifestyle factors, cardiovascular risk factors, and coronary artery calcium (CAC) and abdominal aortic calcium (AAC) levels in Hispanic and non-Hispanic white (NHW) individuals with type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —We recently demonstrated in a small group of nonreferred, healthy, nondiabetic subjects that CAC was reduced in Hispanics compared with NHWs, despite a worse cardiovascular risk factor profile. In this study, we evaluated whether this ethnic disparity in vascular calcification was present in individuals with type 2 diabetes and in several different arterial beds. Hispanic and NHW subjects ( n = 245) with type 2 diabetes were evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors using questionnaires and assays of plasma biomarkers. CAC and AAC were measured by electron-beam computer-assisted tomography. RESULTS —Although Hispanics were slightly younger than NHWs, other standard risk factors and novel cardiovascular risk factors, including plasminogen activator-1 and fibrinogen levels, were similar between the groups. Despite the similar risk factor profile, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mean and median levels of CAC and AAC were lower in Hispanics. Furthermore, the distribution of these calcium scores differed from that of NHWs ( P CONCLUSIONS —Hispanics with type 2 diabetes have reduced CAC and AAC levels compared with NHW subjects, suggesting a reduction in the overall burden of vascular calcification and atherosclerosis. These data are consistent with the notion that Hispanics are protected against the development of CVD.
Development of a DNA Probe for the Structural Gene of the 2″-O-Adenyltransferase Aminoglycoside-Modifying Enzyme

Analysis of aminoglycoside-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolated from patients at the Seattle Veterans Administration Medical Center indicated that a single 68-kilobase R factor was responsible for the epidemic spread of low-level resistance to gentamicin, kanamycin, and tobramycin. An examination, by means of the phosphocellulose paper binding assay, of resistant strains carrying this R factor resulted in the identification of a 2"-O-adenyltransferase [ANT(2")]-modifying enzyme. This enzyme was later detected in strains containing 150-kilobase plasmids. For more convenient monitoring of the dissemination of the ANT(2") gene among clinical isolates at the medical center, a DNA probe was developed by cloning of the ANT(2") structural gene from the 68-kilobase R factor into pBR322. A 310-base pair Ava I restriction fragment isolated from the interior of the cloned ANT(2") gene was radiolabeled and used in Southern hybridization gels as a probe for plasmids isolated from aminoglycoside-resistant organisms. The probe proved to be highly specific and was more sensitive than enzymologic techniques for detection of the ANT(2") gene in clinical isolates with complex aminoglycoside resistance phenotypes.
Accurate Georegistration of Point Clouds Using Geographic Data

The Internet contains a wealth of rich geographic information about our world, including 3D models, street maps, and many other data sources. This information is potentially useful for computer vision applications, such as scene understanding for outdoor Internet photos. However, leveraging this data for vision applications requires precisely aligning input photographs, taken from the wild, within a geographic coordinate frame, by estimating the position, orientation, and focal length. To address this problem, we propose a system for aligning 3D structure-from-motion point clouds, produced from Internet imagery, to existing geographic information sources, including Google Street View photos and Google Earth 3D models. We show that our method can produce accurate alignments between these data sources, resulting in the ability to accurately project geographic data into images gathered from the Internet, by ``Googling'' a depth map for an image using sources such as Google Earth.
Transduction of hematopoietic stem cells in humans and in nonhuman primates

Primitive hematopoietic progenitor and stem cells have been pursued as highly desirable targets for genetic therapy. Retroviral vectors have been used for the majority of preclinical and clinical studies directed at these cells; however, both preclinical and early clinical studies indicate that the gene transfer efficiency of the current generation of vectors using known transduction conditions into primate and human repopulating stem cells is too low to be of clinical utility in most situations. In this presentation I will summarize the status of our completed and ongoing clinical genetic marking trials, and describe our efforts in the laboratory and use of primate transplantation models to improve on these results.
Colonisation and competition dynamics can explain incomplete sterilisation parasitism in ant–plant symbioses

Sterilisation of parasites prevents host reproduction, thereby diverting host resources to their own benefit. Previous theory predicts that parasites should evolve maximum virulence, yet hosts are often incompletely sterilised. Whereas prior attempts to resolve this paradox have sought evolu- tionary explanations, we present theory and experiments showing that incomplete sterilisation can arise from ecologically driven fluctuations in parasite load. The African ant-plant Acacia drepa- nolobium reproduced more when occupied by small colonies of the sterilising symbiont Crematog- aster nigriceps. In nature, small colonies result from interference competition between ant colonies; these territorial conflicts thus provide intermittent windows of opportunity for host reproduction. Our mean-field model shows that numerical insufficiency of parasites can produce partial sterilisation of host populations, creating the appearance of reduced virulence even if ants have evolved to sterilise completely. This general framework helps explain both the apparent ubiq- uity of partial sterilisation parasitism and the ability of these symbiotic associations to persist.
Plants and fall-out.

IT has been suggested that the gist of certain unpublished observations on the condition of certain plants in the area of the Marshall Islands affected by fall-out from the 1954 Bikini hydrogen bomb test should be made public in order to stimulate further investigation on the subject of cumulative effects of low-level radioactivity in plants. These observations have hitherto remained unpublished because of their preliminary and inconclusive nature.
One-and-a-half wavelength approach

In many cases single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) phasing leads to a successful structure solution, but it is impossible to predict beforehand if single-wavelength data with a certain amount of anomalous signal resulting will be sufficient. It is therefore safer to continue collecting data at different wavelengths according to a MAD protocol, but to simultaneously attempt to phase the first data set by the SAD method. If this is successful, then further data collection can be abandoned. This `1.5-wavelength' approach may save a substantial amount of time and effort and diminishes the effects of crystal radiation damage. The principles of SAD phasing are illustrated using vector diagrams in the Argand plane.
In vitro activity of fluoroquinolones against clinical isolates of Nocardia identified by partial 16S rRNA sequencing.

Fluoroquinolones have several properties that make them potentially attractive candidates for the treatment of Nocardia infections, but information regarding their in vitro activity is limited. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of five fluoroquinolones and other antimicrobials were determined by the reference broth dilution and E-test methods for 33 consecutive clinical isolates of Nocardia speciated by 16S rRNA gene sequences. The isolates included: Nocardia cyriacigeorgica (n = 6), N. nova (n = 8), N. farcinica (n = 8), N. brasiliensis (n = 3), N. asteroides (n = 4), and N. veterana (n = 4). MIC50/MIC90 results for ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin by broth dilution were 32/32, 2/4, 1/4, 32/32, and 2/2 μg/ml, respectively. The MICs by broth dilution and E-test were within a two-fold doubling dilution for 94%, 97%, 97%, 100%, and 100% of isolates for ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, gemifloxacin, levofloxacin, and moxifloxacin, respectively. For ciprofloxacin, the E-test results showed either complete categorical agreement or minor error compared to the reference broth dilution method for 97% (32/33) of the isolates. For other fluoroquinolones, using Streptococcus pneumoniae breakpoints, 94% (124/132) of MIC results by E-test showed either complete agreement or minor error compared to the reference broth dilution method. Fluoroquinolones show variable in vitro activity against clinical isolates of Nocardia spp., and MICs determined by the E-test show reasonable agreement with those determined by the reference broth dilution method.
Geologic Field Number and Size Assessments of Oil and Gas Plays: ABSTRACT

Assessments of undiscovered oil and gas potentials for a group of untested but geologically related prospects can be made from an estimate of the possible ranges in number and size of potential fields, assuming the play exists, coupled with an evaluation of geologic risks that it might not exist. Field size distributions can be constructed from known field reserves in geologically similar plays, from assessments of representative prospects in the play, or from simulations of distributions of the play's prospect areas, reservoir parameters and potential hydrocarbon fill. The field size distributions are truncated at both ends, at a practical minimum and at the largest size reasonable expected in the play. The possible range of number of potential fields is estimated from c unted and postulated numbers of untested prospects in conjunction with a success ratio, or from look-alike field densities. The chance that the play exists is the chance that there is at least 1 field of at least the minimum size assessed. The final assessment curves, developed by Monte Carlo simulation, portray exceedance probability vs. the range of possible recoverable hydrocarbon potential. End_of_Article - Last_Page 451------------
Channeling to Myocardin

Myriad signal transduction pathways instruct genomes to transcribe genes. Insight into the signaling molecules converging on gene expression was accelerated in the 1980s with the discovery of numerous immediate early genes. The prototypic immediate early gene is c-fos , whose transcriptional regulation has been examined in intricate detail. Studies from the laboratories of Treisman,1 Roeder,2 and Weinberg3 defined an upstream c-fos enhancer that was responsive to several stimuli, including serum. The binding element was named serum response element and its core sequence (CCW6GG) constitutes what we know as a CArG box. The laboratory of Treisman subsequently cloned the serum response factor (SRF) and 1 of the first signal>transcription factor>DNA binding element paradigms was established.4 To date, >60 SRF-dependent genes exist in mammalian genomes and, of these, nearly half are restricted to muscle.5 More than 100 hypothetical SRF-dependent genes await wet-laboratory validation (J.M.M., unpublished data, 2004). Among signaling molecules, calcium stands as 1 with connections to virtually every biological process in nature, including gene transcription. Early studies showed an important role for calcium in the activation of c-fos transcription in neuronal cell types. Although several calcium channels could be linked to this process, it was the L-type voltage-sensitive calcium channel that was shown to be associated with c-fos induction.6,7 Misra et al showed the c-fos CArG element was calcium responsive through enhanced SRF binding following phosphorylation of Ser103 on SRF.8 In vitro kinase assays verified SRF phosphorylation on Ser103 through calmodulin kinase IV, suggesting this calcium-dependent kinase was responsible for enhanced SRF binding to CArG and c-fos transcription.8 Later studies revealed that cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) recruits one of its coactivators, CBP (CREB-binding protein), following calmodulin kinase-dependent phosphorylation of CREB, leading to c-fos activation in hippocampal neurons.9 Calcium-induced CBP …
Out-of-hospital violence injury surveillance: quality of data collection.

Abstract Study objective: The recognized need to improve data collection for violence prevention may be met, in part, by using out-of-hospital data for injury surveillance. The purpose of the Prehospital Violence Injury Surveillance project was to examine the extent to which paramedics can adequately collect information about injuries, particularly intentional injuries, at emergency scenes. Methods: Paramedics in a large Midwestern metropolitan area were trained to assess violence-related events and collect relevant data using a modified ambulance run report form. Data collected from 8 violence-related training scenarios and from 13 ride-along observations were analyzed to estimate paramedic interrater reliability using the κ statistic. Data from 7,363 run report forms, filed during a 3-month study period, were abstracted and analyzed for completeness and quality. Results: Paramedics demonstrated fair to good, and sometimes excellent, interrater agreement when documenting the training scenarios. Paramedics revealed barriers to collecting violence-related out-of-hospital data. The paramedics and the observer disagreed in documenting 77% of the ride-along observations. Overall, 73% of abstracted run report forms showed documentation errors, with more than 99% of these reports containing errors of omission and 29% showing internal documentation inconsistencies. Despite the emphasis on violence-related data, documentation of domestic abuse screening was missing from more than 99% of run reports from female patients. Conclusion: Significant barriers to quality out-of-hospital data collection were identified during study implementation and in abstracted run reports. These barriers included the following: lack of organizational support; characteristics of the violence-related data elements; design of the ambulance run report form; and paramedic knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding data collection. [Boergerhoff LA, Gerberich SG, Anderson A, Kochevar L, Waller L: Out-of-hospital violence injury surveillance: Quality of data collection. Ann Emerg Med December 1999;34:745-750.]
Cephalexin: Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation in Infants and Children:

Cephalexin appears to be a highly effective antibiotic. It possesses the qualities of rapid oral absorption, production of high drug levels in the blood and urine, and near absence of side effects. It is effective against infections due to gram-positive cocci infections, with the exception of Enterococcus, and for most infections caused by E. coli and Klebsiella. It is useful in the treatment of a wide variety of infections in infants and children, and particularly valuable with susceptible infections in patients who do not require parenteral antimicrobial therapy.
General intelligence and reading performance in adults: is the genetic factor structure the same as for children?

Abstract Genetic and environmental influences on reading ability and disability in children are undergoing active exploration, but the same is not true for adults. This study made use of data from the Minnesota Study of Twins Reared Apart (N = 239, age range 18–79) to evaluate whether a basic model of genetic and environmental influences on general intelligence and reading performance in children ( Brooks, Fulker, & DeFries, 1990 ) appeared to fit adult data. In addition, we developed a related model of the phenotypic relationships that better fit our adult data. The key difference in our phenotypic model was that our measure of reading comprehension was linked with general intelligence rather than with reading performance. We believe that, though automaticity in reading performance is associated with improved reading comprehension in children, this may not be true in adults and may help to explain our result. In addition, we estimated somewhat higher heritabilities for reading measures than have typically been found for children (0.77 and 0.74 for two measures of word recognition, 0.51 for a measure of reading comprehension, and 0.76 for a measure of spelling), along with a genetic correlation between general intelligence and reading performance of 0.68.
What Predicts Egalitarian Attitudes Towards Marriage and Children: Evidence from the European Values Study

This paper explores the correlates of attitudes toward marriage and children in North Cyprus, South Cyprus, Turkey and Greece, using the most recent wave of the European Values Study (EVS) data. The results show the most support for the second demographic transition theory. The combined effects of education, religiosity, political ideology and gender ideology explain the most variance in family values among these four countries. Less religiosity and egalitarian gender ideology are correlated with egalitarian attitudes towards marriage and children throughout, but cross-country differences are also significant. The effects of parenthood, marital status, education, and political ideology are in the expected direction, yet the effects are not universal but country-specific.
A new RF architecture for cesium frequency standards

A novel RF chain is described which overcomes many of the limitations of previous RF chains. The new architecture greatly reduces the four main problems in existing RF chains: excessive spurious sidebands, temperature-induced phase instability, inadequate isolation of internal and external subsystems, and significant modulator distortion. The cesium standard realizes higher performance by utilizing amplitude modulation in addition to frequency modulation and controls the RF level with a servo loop based on atomic interactions. The RF chain described implements these techniques. It also has sufficient available drive power for the beam tube to allow considerably lower Ramsey cavity Q. >
Age at First Marriage in a Taiwanese Locality 1916-1945

The author examines age at first marriage in Taiwan. "Household and land registers from the Taiwanese village of Lungtu...suggest that during the period 1916-1945 age at first marriage declined for men but rose slightly for women and that women married earlier than other Taiwanese women but later than women elsewhere in south China. Variation in marriage age in Lungtu was related to mode of marriage wealth and productive capacity of the household while structural characteristics of the household exerted only an ambiguous influence on marriage age." (EXCERPT)