cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma metabolite indices are robust to extrinsic variation and useful indicators of foraging habitat quality in Lesser Scaup

Energy acquisition and storage are important for survival and fecundity of birds during resource-limited periods such as spring migration. Plasma-lipid metabolites (i.e. triglyceride [TRIG], β-hydroxybutyrate [BOHB]) have been used to index changes in lipid stores and, thus, have utility for assessing foraging habitat quality during migration. However, such an index may be affected by energetic maintenance costs, diet, and other factors, and further validation under experimental conditions is needed to understand potential sources of variation and verify existing indices. We evaluated a plasma-lipid metabolite index using 30 female and 28 male wild Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis; hereafter scaup) held in short-term captivity (∼24 hr) during spring migration. Similar to previous observational studies, BOHB was negatively associated and TRIG was positively associated with mass change (R2 = 0.68). BOHB estimates were nearly identical to those published on free-living scaup, but TRIG estimates differed from free-living scaup and varied by sex, with females having a greater rate of predicted mass change than captive and free-living males. Our results suggest TRIG may be a better measure of energy income than deposition because lipid deposition likely varies with energetic maintenance costs, stress, and underlying physiological processes while TRIG relates primarily to energy income. In contrast, BOHB was a reliable predictor of negative mass change across sexes. The sex-based differences in apparent lipid deposition rates warrant further research before a generalizable model is advisable for comparing mass change predictions across studies. However, if predictions are standardized, this technique is generally robust to variations in energy income vs. lipid deposition across sexes. Accordingly, our evaluation provides verification for the utility of plasma-lipid metabolites as an indicator of foraging habitat quality during migration.LAY SUMMARYThe past several decades have seen a growing body of literature on the utility of plasma-lipid metabolites to assess habitat quality for a multitude of migratory bird species.Research in this area is often focused on 2 key metabolites, β-hydroxybutyrate and triglyceride and their associated relationships with mass change.Triglyceride has a positive relationship with mass change and is often referred to as an indicator of lipid deposition or fattening rates. However, energetic maintenance costs may confound the relationship of triglycerides and lipid deposition.To the best of our knowledge, no studies have attempted to control for potential variation in energy expenditure in conjunction with metabolite sampling during migration.Thus, we believe our paper will be a useful addition to the scientific literature on these metabolites and will be of interest to a broad audience of national and international wildlife managers and avian researchers.
Easing the Financial Burden of Diabetes Management: A Guide for Patients and Primary Care Clinicians

More than one in 10 Americans today are living with diabetes (1). To prevent acute and chronic complications of diabetes, including death, patients with diabetes often require multiple medications and medication management supplies to enable effective, safe, and evidence-based control of hyperglycemia. These include insulin and noninsulin medications, technologies for glucose monitoring, and equipment for administration of injectable medications (both insulin and noninsulin injectables). Management of hyperglycemia is increasingly expensive for patients and the health care system, having increased 240% from the period 2005–2007 to 2015–2017, from $16.9 billion to $57.6 billion annually (2). Although the majority of these costs are borne by public and private payers (2), patients and caregivers increasingly report cost-related distress, nonadherence, and adverse health outcomes stemming from the costs of managing their disease (3–5). It is therefore vital for primary care clinicians, who care for the majority of people with diabetes (6), to be cognizant of the financial impact of diabetes management on their patients and to reduce it as much as possible. Insulin is just one component of comprehensive diabetes care, but it is the most critical for people who require it to live (i.e., people with type 1 diabetes and some with longstanding type 2 diabetes). In 2018, 18.6% of U.S. adults with diabetes were treated with insulin alone, and an additional 15.1% were treated with insulin and noninsulin glucose-lowering medications (7). The average list price of insulin in the United States rose by 15–17% each year between 2012 and 2016 (8). The greatest increase in insulin-related costs stems from greater use, and higher per-unit costs, of analog insulins (2). New insulin products such as ultra-long-acting or ultra-rapid-acting insulins offer important clinical and safety advantages to certain patients; however, these formulations are among the most expensive to obtain. Between the …
Imaging spectrum of extracranial arterial vascular pathology: pearls for the radiologist

Non-invasive imaging plays an increasingly important role in assessing the extracranial vasculature. The applications of computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) continue to expand with growing demand for stroke imaging and anatomical assessment preceding vascular intervention. Imaging of the neck is performed for a variety of clinical indications with different imaging protocols. Even on non-dedicated vascular imaging, such as soft-tissue studies, the neck vessels and the proximal aortic arch are readily evaluable, providing an opportunity to promptly identify critical vascular abnormalities with significant therapeutic implications. Vascular abnormalities can have non-specific clinical signs and symptoms resulting in delays in both diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the common locations and appearances of vascular pathologies will help the radiologist to develop a systematic search strategy for evaluating neck imaging. Not only is identifying the pathology of paramount importance but also understanding how imaging further prognosticates and determines treatment options. As imaging techniques advance, further vascular radiological features are recognised with therapeutic implications, particularly for stroke. Such features include plaque morphology and vulnerability with imaging helping to identify those at high risk of stroke and recurrent strokes. Using clinical cases from a quaternary care academic medical centre a spectrum of clinically relevant arterial pathologies and associated features that could add further benefit to the radiology report are illustrated. A suggested systematic approach to evaluating the vasculature on neck imaging is also presented.
Particle size and surface area effects on explosibility using a 20-L chamber

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) specification for rock dust used in underground coal mines, as defined by 30 CFR 75.2, requires 70% of the material to pass through a 200 mesh sieve (<75 µm). However, in a collection of rock dusts, 47% were found to not meet the criteria. Upon further investigation, it was determined that some of the samples did meet the specification, but were inadequate to render pulverized Pittsburgh coal inert in the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Office of Mine Safety and Health Research (OMSHR) 20-L chamber. This paper will examine the particle size distributions, specific surface areas (SSA), and the explosion suppression effectiveness of these rock dusts. It will also discuss related findings from other studies, including full-scale results from work performed at the Lake Lynn Experimental Mine. Further, a minimum SSA for effective rock dust will be suggested.
Queer in STEM: Workplace Experiences Reported in a National Survey of LGBTQA Individuals in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Careers

ABSTRACTA survey of individuals working in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, queer, or asexual (LGTBQA) was administered online in 2013. Participants completed a 58-item questionnaire to report their professional areas of expertise, levels of education, geographic location, and gender and sexual identities and rated their work and social communities as welcoming or hostile to queer identities. An analysis of 1,427 responses to this survey provided the first broad portrait of this population, and it revealed trends related to workplace practices that can inform efforts to improve queer inclusivity in STEM workplaces.
Role of Campylobacter jejuni flagella as colonization factors for three-day-old chicks: analysis with flagellar mutants.

Campylobacter jejuni, an important cause of human gastrointestinal infection, is a major food-borne pathogen in the United States and worldwide. Since poultry becomes colonized and/or contaminated during the early stages of production and is a major food-borne source for this organism, we studied the role of C. jejuni flagella on the ability of the bacterium to colonize the chicken gastrointestinal tract. Three-day-old chicks were orally challenged with a motile wild-type strain of C. jejuni IN9 or with flagellar mutants created from IN9 by disrupting the flagellin genes with a kanamycin resistance cassette by using shuttle mutagenesis (A. Labigne-Roussel, P. Courcoux, and L. Tompkins, J. Bacteriol. 170:1704-1708, 1988). One mutant, IN9-N3, lacked flagella and was nonmotile. The other, IN9-N7, produced a truncated flagellum and was partially motile. Three-day-old chicks were orally challenged with different doses of the wild-type strain and the two mutants. At challenge doses ranging from 3.0 x 10(4) to 6.6 x 10(8) CFU per chick, only the fully motile, wild-type strain colonized the chick ceca. Our results show that intact and motile flagella are important colonization factors for C. jejuni in chicks. Images
Water-Processable Conducting Polymers

Until recently, most organic conducting polymers suffered from the lack of processability which is a prerequisite for their use in most technological applications. Furthermore, processability is of importance for the study of the polymers’ intrinsic properties. Because of the rigid nature of their backbones, processing of most of the initial undoped systems was unsuccessful. For doped polymers, the difficulties were even greater because doping causes further aggregation due to inc-reased interchain interaction and certain local geometry changes of the chains. Therefore, we have utilized various methods to achieve processability, directly or indirectly. The discussion is limited to the use of small or polymeric surfactant molecules grafted or physically adsorbed onto the conducting polymer chain or particle. Both, solutions and colloidal dispersions are the subject of this brief discussion.
The Upper Mississippi River floodscape: spatial patterns of flood inundation and associated plant community distributions

Questions How is the distribution of different plant communities associated with patterns of flood inundation across a large floodplain landscape? Location Thirty-eight thousand nine hundred and seventy hectare of floodplain, spanning 320 km of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Methods High-resolution elevation data (Lidar) and 30 yr of daily river stage data were integrated to produce a ‘floodscape’ map of growing season flood inundation duration. The distributions of 16 different remotely sensed plant communities were quantified along the gradient of flood duration. Results Models fitted to the cumulative frequency of occurrence of different vegetation types as a function of flood duration showed that most types exist along a continuum of flood-related occurrence. The diversity of community types was greatest at high elevations (0–10 d of flooding), where both upland and lowland community types were found, as well as at very low elevations (70–180 d of flooding), where a variety of lowland herbaceous communities were found. Intermediate elevations (20–60 d of flooding) tended to be dominated by floodplain forest and had the lowest diversity of community types. Conclusions Although variation in flood inundation is often considered to be the main driver of spatial patterns in floodplain plant communities, few studies have quantified flood–vegetation relationships at broad scales. Our results can be used to identify targets for restoration of historical hydrological regimes or better anticipate hydro-ecological effects of climate change at broad scales.
Dental amalgam: reactor response.

Dental amalgam continues to be an important restorative material; both fundamental and applied research should be encouraged. The criteria for replacement of amalgam restorations should be re-examined to determine if the integrity of the margins should continue to receive the dominant research interest.In the studies of mechanical properties, first attempts have been made to apply fracture mechanics analysis to dental amalgam. The heterogeneous structure and time-dependent strain of dental amalgam will have to be considered in future studies. More attention should be given to the effects of zinc, which has been shown to improve resistance to marginal fracture.The corrosion properties have been studied in depth, but there are some important unanswered questions. The pathways of corrosion attack in high-copper amalgams and the kinetics of attack in amalgams of different composition should be examined. Biocompatibility of dental amalgam has recently received renewed interest and will have to be examined in m...
Grazing Activities/Behavior

This chapter discusses grazing as a complex activity that involves searching for and selecting suitable forage, prehending (grasping) and defoliating the forage from the plant. The forage is taken into the mouth, chewed and mixed with saliva. It is manipulated and formed into a bolus, swallowed, and ejected with some force into the anterior part of the rumen. The anatomy of the jaw, teeth, and other mouth parts results in differences between animal species in how the herbage is grasped and severed from the plant and, in part, what plants they eat. Grazing has been considered to have both an exploration phase and a subsequent daily routine phase. Cattle are taller and have a clearer field of view than sheep, and this is reflected in their exploration and search behavior. Foraging behavior has two components—the feedings and the moving intervals between feedings. Livestock grazing uniform, seeded swards use different strategies for ingesting forage than those grazing diverse, indigenous ecosystems, which unlike them, spend more time and energy seeking feeding stations and searching within the feeding station. Grazing behavior of animals of the same species is affected by a conflict in choice between group and individual activities.
Adding zinc to prenatal iron and folate supplements improves maternal and neonatal zinc status in a Peruvian population

Background: Maternal zinc deficiency during pregnancy may be widespread among women in developing countries, but few data are available on whether prenatal zinc supplementation improves maternal and neonatal zinc status. Objective: We studied whether maternal zinc supplementation improved the zinc status of mothers and neonates participating in a supplementation trial in a shantytown in Lima, Peru. Design: Beginning at gestation week 10-24, 1295 mothers were randomly assigned to receive prenatal supplements containing 60 mg Fe and 250 μg folate, with or without 15 mg Zn. Venous blood and urine samples were collected at enrollment, at gestation week 28-30, and at gestation week 37-38. At birth, a sample of cord vein blood was collected. We measured serum zinc concentrations in 538 women, urinary zinc concentrations in 521 women, and cord zinc concentrations in 252 neonates. Results: At 28-30 and 37-38 wk, mothers receiving zinc supplements had higher serum zinc concentrations than mothers who did not receive zinc (8.8 ± 1.9 compared with 8.4 ± 1.5 μmol/L and 8.6 ± 1.5 compared with 8.3 ± 1.4 μmol/L, respectively). Urinary zinc concentrations were also higher in mothers who received supplemental zinc (P < 0.05). After adjustment for covariates and confounding factors, neonates of mothers receiving zinc supplements had higher cord zinc concentrations than neonates of mothers who did not receive zinc (12.7 ± 2.3 compared with 12.1 ± 2. 1 μmol/L). Despite supplementation, maternal and neonatal zinc concentrations remained lower than values reported for well-nourished populations. Conclusion: Adding zinc to prenatal iron and folate tablets improved maternal and neonatal zinc status, but higher doses of zinc are likely needed to further improve maternal and neonatal zinc status in this population.
Using Instructional Logs to Study Teachers' Adaptation to Curricular Reform.

In this study, the characteristics of teachers that motivate their implementation of reform curriculum, and the factors that influence the teachers' success in implementing the curriculum are investigated. In particular, teachers' internal struggles, frustrations, collegiality, and classroom successes during the implementation of the reform curriculum are considered. From data gathered from elementary school teachers through electronic instructional logs, a classification emerges that suggests that teachers fall into three broad categories based on their characteristics. Implications and future research directions are suggested.
The Collective Artistry of Activism: A Review of Making Trouble: Life and Politics

Lynne Segal's autobiography upholds the feminist tradition of writing about women's marginalized experiences but she does so without creating the traditional unitary isolated subject. Consciously or not, she has written an autobiography that is psychosocial, often focusing on the social in favor of the psyche. This review discusses this unique book, which writes a life always within a rich cultural context. We are taken from her childhood life in Australia to her days as a single mother in the political and cultural maelstrom of 1960s London. Here her book becomes not just autobiography but also a cultural history of radical movements and the change they created. Written clearly with personal stories from other women, Segal's book is a timely reminder of how simply complicated social activism can be.
A test of independence based on a generalized correlation function

In this paper, we propose a novel test of independence based on the concept of correntropy. We explore correntropy from a statistical perspective and discuss its properties in the context of testing independence. We introduce the novel concept of parametric correntropy and design a test of independence based on it. We further discuss how the proposed test relaxes the assumption of Gaussianity. Finally, we discuss some computational issues related to the proposed method and compare it with state-of-the-art techniques.
Innate and adaptive immunity interact to quench microbiome flagellar motility in the gut

Gut mucosal barrier breakdown and inflammation have been associated with high levels of flagellin, the principal bacterial flagellar protein. Although several gut commensals can produce flagella, flagellin levels are low in the healthy gut, suggesting the existence of control mechanisms. We find that mice lacking the flagellin receptor Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) exhibit a profound loss of flagellin-specific immunoglobulins (Igs) despite higher total Ig levels in the gut. Ribotyping of IgA-coated cecal microbiota showed Proteobacteria evading antibody coating in the TLR5(-/-) gut. A diversity of microbiome members overexpressed flagellar genes in the TLR5(-/-) host. Proteobacteria and Firmicutes penetrated small intestinal villi, and flagellated bacteria breached the colonic mucosal barrier. In vitro, flagellin-specific Ig inhibited bacterial motility and downregulated flagellar gene expression. Thus, innate-immunity-directed development of flagellin-specific adaptive immune responses can modulate the microbiome's production of flagella in a three-way interaction that helps to maintain mucosal barrier integrity and homeostasis.
Facile synthesis, assembly, and immobilization of ordered arrays of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles on silicon substrates

This paper outlines the preparation of monodisperse MnFe2O4nanoparticles modified with ω-alkenyl moieties in a one-pot reaction, requiring no ligand-exchange step, followed by deposition of the resulting surfactant-coated nanoparticles onto a hydrogen-terminated silicon (111) wafer and covalent anchoring to the surface via UV-initiated bonding, creating a stable two-dimensional array of monodisperse magnetic nanoparticles.
AFM-Based Nanomachining for Nano-Fabrication Processes: MD Simulation and AFM Experimental Verification

Recent developments in science and engineering have advanced the fabrication techniques for micro/nanodevices. Among them, the atomic force microscope (AFM) has already been used for nanomachining and nanofabrication such as nanolithography, nanowriting and nanopatterning. This paper describes the development and validation of computational models for AFM-based nanomachining (nanoindentation and nanoscratching). The Molecular Dynamics (MD) technique is used to model and simulate mechanical indentation and scratching at the nanoscale for the case of gold. The simulation allows for the prediction of indentation forces and the friction force at the interface between an indenter and a substrate. The effect of scratching speeds on indentation force and friction coefficient is investigated. The material deformation and indentation geometry are extracted based on the final locations of the atoms, which have been displaced by the rigid tool. In addition to the modeling, an AFM was used to conduct actual indentation at the nanoscale, and provide measurements to which the MD simulation predictions can be compared. The AFM provides resolution on the nanometer (lateral) and angstrom (vertical) scales. A three-sided pyramid indenter (with a radius of curvature ∼ 25 nm) is raster scanned on top of the surface and in contact with it. It can be observed from the MD simulation results that the indentation force increases as the depth of indentation increases, but decreases as the scratching speed increases. Moreover, the friction coefficient is found to be independent of scratching speed.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Antihuman growth hormone (GH) antibodies cross-react with the GH-like factor from plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra mansonoides.

A factor produced by the plerocercoid stage of S. mansonoides mimics some, but not all, of the actions reported for hGH. The biological actions of plerocercoid growth factor (PGF) suggest structural similarity to human GH (hGH). Plerocercoid membranes were solubilized, and PGF was purified more than 1000-fold by hGH receptor affinity chromotography. The ability of purified PGF to displace [125I]hGH from monoclonal antibodies specific for four distinct nonoverlapping antigenic determinants of hGH and from an anti-hGH polyclonal antibody was tested in liquid phase RIA. All of the hGH antibodies crossreacted with PGF, with potencies ranging from more than 60% to less than 1% that of the hGH standard. Of the four major epitopes of hGH defined by the monoclonal antibodies used in this study, only one is not represented to a significant extent in PGF. The epitope of hGH that is only marginally present in PGF is highly conformationally dependent, and a minor difference in the structure of PGF (compared to hGH) c...
Comparison of Lecture- and Problem-Based Learning Styles in an Engineering Laboratory

Today's practicing engineers are required to use sophisticated sensing equipment and perform nondestructive testing (NDT). These technologies and skills, however, are infrequently incorporated at the undergraduate level, with a resulting gap between scholastic and real-world knowledge. Moreover, in traditional undergraduate laboratories, experiments are outlined in cookbook fashion, with step-by-step instructions. Students are not challenged to formulate different arguments, design experimental approaches, or critically interpret results. In response to this, the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Rhode Island made major changes to its undergraduate structural engineering laboratory course during the fall 2008 semester. The traditional course included solving textbook-type problems as well as using structural analysis software to analyze structures. The new, revised course now introduces NDT methods and sensor technologies using the problem-based learning (PBL) process. PB...
Dual-task interference as a function of cognitive processing load

Abstract Sixteen subjects from the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory participated in a dual-task study designed to measure processing requirements of a choice reaction time (RT) task. Two levels of choice RT stimulus-response (S-R)compatibility were tested with each of two tracking tasks to provide different levels of dual-task loading. In one tracking task, the target's temporal-spatial pattern was fixed; in the other, the target's path was a function of the subject's performance. In the choice RT task, compatibility was treated as a between-subjects factor, while the number of alternatives (set size) within a sequence was a within-subjects variable. Choice RT results indicated that compatibility and set size interacted; the increase in response latency as a function of set size was much greater when compatibility was low. An increase in choice RT response latency occurred when the secondary tracking task was added. Within a given compatibility level, this dual-task decrement was constant for all levels of set size; however, the magnitude of the dual-task decrement varied as a function of S-R compatibility, being greater when compatibility was low than when it was high. For these data, a model like Sternberg's (1969) stages model is seen to have more explanatory value than a pooled processing capacity model (e.g., Norman and Bobrow 1975).
The effects of self-perception and perceptual contrast upon compliance with socially undesirable requests

The relative effects of self-perception and perceptual contrast upon rate of compliance with a counter-normative request were studied in a 5 by 2 by 2 design that combined five sizes of the initial request, two levels of authority, and sex. Increased compliance was obtained only when the initial requests were either moderately small or excessively large, but not when they were either very small or moderately large.
Approximate iterations in Bregman-function-based proximal algorithms

This paper establishes convergence of generalized Bregman-function-based proximal point algorithms when the iterates are computed only approximately. The problem being solved is modeled as a general maximal monotone operator, and need not reduce to minimization of a function. The accuracy conditions on the iterates resemble those required for the classical “linear” proximal point algorithm, but are slightly stronger; they should be easier to verify or enforce in practice than conditions given in earlier analyses of approximate generalized proximal methods. Subjects to these practically enforceable accuracy restrictions, convergence is obtained under the same conditions currently established for exact Bregman-function-based proximal methods.
The Timing of Presidential Cinema

Objective. Researchers have examined the social meaning of political cinema; however, little research places film into its contemporary political and economic context. Therefore, I examine the timing of the production and release of presidential cinema. Methods. The data are comprised of major motion picture releases from the years 1953–2004 that include a U.S. president as a character. Regression analysis is used to determine how the temporal release of movies featuring a president corresponds to social realities. Results. I find that the release of presidential cinema is correlated with the party that controls the actual White House and with the number of consecutive terms that the same party has been in the White House. More films with presidents are released during Democratic administrations than during Republican administrations and more films with presidents are released during first rather than second terms. This appears more acute during presidential election years. The state of the national economy affects the release of presidential cinema as well. Strong economies lead to the release of more films with presidents. Conclusions. This suggests that popular film content is affected not only by filmmaker whim and creativity, but also by measurable contemporary political and economic conditions. Future studies investigating film content should account for how national trends affect popular entertainment.
Somatic cell nuclear transfer in zebrafish

Technical modifications of existing methods lead to a somatic cell nuclear transfer method in the zebrafish, which yields adult cloned fish with healthy offspring that carry donor traits. We developed a method for somatic cell nuclear transfer in zebrafish using laser-ablated metaphase II eggs as recipients, the micropyle for transfer of the nucleus and an egg activation protocol after nuclear reconstruction. We produced clones from cells of both embryonic and adult origins, although the latter did not give rise to live adult clones.
NLA Task Force on Statin Safety--2014 update.

1933-2874/$ see front matter 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2014.03 Statins are the most widely prescribed class of medications in the United States and their benefits for lowering lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reducing the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) are well documented. Statins have been the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for the management of high blood cholesterol levels virtually since their development. The American Heart Association /American College of Cardiology 2013 guidelines recently expanded the number of individuals eligible for statin therapy by recommending it for those with: (1) clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), (2) LDL-C $190 mg/dL, (3) type 2 diabetes and age between 40 and 75 years with LDL-C 70 to 189 mg/dL, and (4) an estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD $7.5% and age 40 to 75 years. Considering only those who qualify according to their estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD, it has been reported that of the 101 million people in the United States age 40 to 79 years who do not have cardiovascular disease, 33 million have an estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD $7.5%, and another 13 million have a risk between 5% and 7.4%. Using crude global estimates, 920 million people worldwide would be expected to be
Ischemic injury to rat forebrain mitochondria and cellular calcium homeostasis

The three-vessel occlusion model of Kameyama et al. (Kameyama, M., Suzuki, J., Shirane, R. and Ogawa, A. (1985) Stroke 16, 489-493) was adapted with modifications to induce complete reversible rat forebrain ischemia. A fast and simple procedure for the isolation and purification of rat brain mitochondria, which provides high yield, is described. Mitochondria isolated from ischemic brain (12-30 min ischemia) exhibited decreases in State 3 respiratory rates of approx. 70% with NAD-linked respiratory substrates. Less effect was observed with succinate and rotenone. The State 4 respiratory activity remained near control levels except at 15 min of ischemia (25% increase) with NAD-linked substrates. Similarly, with succinate and rotenone, an approx. 30% increase in State 4 activity was observed at 20 min of ischemia. Consequently, the respiratory control indices (RCIs) were decreased. Both the respiratory rates and RCIs could be restored to near control levels upon the addition of EGTA(EDTA) or ruthenium red to the assay mixture. Analysis employing fura-2 as a Ca2+ probe, indicated a great decrease in the first order rate constant for Ca2+ uptake of ischemic mitochondria and a significant increase in Ca2+ homeostasis with an increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration which results in excessive association of Ca2+ on the mitochondrial membrane and an inhibition of the respiratory chain-linked oxidative phosphorylation and Ca(2+)-transport activity of forebrain mitochondria. These deficits are proportional to the duration of ischemia.
Preliminary toxicity and prostate-specific antigen response of a Phase I/II trial of neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, 103Pd brachytherapy, and three-dimensional conformal external beam irradiation in the treatment of locally advanced prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose: Standard therapies for locally advanced prostate cancer have resulted in suboptimal disease control rates. A Phase I/II trial was designed for patients with positive seminal vesicle biopsies, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >15 ng/ml, Gleason score ⩾8, or clinical classification T2c–T3 to improve local control and to test the tolerance of the prostate to high-dose radiation by using neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, 103Pd brachytherapy, and conformal three-dimensional external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). This article outlines treatment-related morbidity and PSA response to this regimen and analyzes the effect of escalating doses of brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: Forth-three patients with T1c–T3 prostate cancer were enrolled in a Phase I/II trial from March 1994 through September 1997. Follow-up ranged from 12 to 64 months (median, 32 months). Pretreatment PSA ranged from 2.1 to 202 ng/ml (median, 16 ng/ml). Seventy-seven percent (33 of 43) of patients had high-grade tumors (score ⩾7). Seventy-four percent (32 of 43) had stage ⩾T2c. A total of 21 (49%) patients had positive seminal vesicle biopsies. Treatment consisted of hormonal therapy for 3 months with leuprolide and flutamide followed by a 103Pd implant and, 2 months later, 59.4 Gy of three-dimensional EBRT. Hormonal therapy was continued for 9 months. The planned 103Pd dose was escalated from 57 Gy (13 patients) to 77 Gy (13 patients) to 86 Gy (17 patients). Results: The actuarial freedom from PSA failure (PSA > 0.5 ng/ml) at 4 years was 74%. There were no significant differences found when analyzing patients by presenting PSA or seminal vesicle status. There was a trend toward improved outcome with higher doses delivered to the prostate via the implant. Patients receiving doses ⩾65 Gy (31 patients) had a freedom from PSA failure rate at 4 years of 89.5%, compared with 52.5% for those receiving doses 0.1–0.2 ng/ml in 5 (14%), and >0.2–0.5 ng/ml in 6 (17%). The actuarial freedom from developing Grade 2 proctitis was 75% at 4 years. There was a trend toward increased proctitis with increasing prostate implant doses. Patients with doses ⩽70 Gy (n = 12) had a 92% freedom from Grade 2 proctitis compared with 67.5% for those with doses delivered to 90% of the gland from a dose–volume histogram of >70 Gy (n = 29) (p = 0.15). There were no cases of Grade 3 or 4 proctitis. The 3-year actuarial preservation of sexual potency rate was 43%. Conclusions: The preliminary results from this regimen show an improvement in PSA control for this group of locally advanced prostate cancer patients over more standard therapies. To maximize control while minimizing toxicity, doses of 65–70 Gy of 103Pd should be used when 59.4 Gy of three-dimensional EBRT is delivered. Longer follow-up will be needed to further substantiate these findings.
Ion-beam-assisted deposition of molybdenum nitride films

A series of molybdenum nitride films was synthesized by electron beam evaporative deposition of molybdenum, with simultaneous bombardment by nitrogen ions from a Kaufman ion source. The nitrogen ions were accelerated to 500 or 1000eV. The film compositions and structures were determined using Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and X-ray diffraction respectively. Effective reflection and sputtering coefficients for nitrogen incident on the molybdenum nitride surfaces were extracted from the data. These coefficients were used to calibrate the deposition system and allowed the deposition of molybdenum nitride films with control of the nitrogen atom concentration to ±2.3 at.%. In general, the films were polycrystalline with a high degree of texturing. The phases found in order of increasing measured nitrogen content were as follows: ‘1-Mo2N(f.c.c.), /3-Mo16N7(b.c.t.), Bi-MoN (f.c.c.) then 8-MoN (h.c.p.).
Cyclo (leucylglcine) inhibits the development of morphine induced analgesic tolerance and dopamine receptor supersensitivity in rats

Abstract Intraperitoneal administration of cyclo (leucylglycine) (2 and 4 mg/kg of body weight) prior to and during chronic morphinization in male Sprague-Dawley rats inhibited the development of tolerance to the analgesic effect of morphine. Rats were rendered tolerant to morphine by subcutaneous implantation of four morphine pellets, each containing 75 mg of morphine free base, over a 3-day period. The development of tolerance was evidenced by decreased response to morphine and inhibition of tolerance by the greater analgesic response. Cyclo (leucylglycine) also antagonized the decrease in motor activity (sedation) during morphine withdrawal. Dopamine receptor sensitivity was enhanced in morphine tolerant rats as measured by apomorphine (2 mg/kg) induced increases in spontaneous motor activity. Cyclo (leucylglycine) administration also blocked dopamine receptor supersensitivity induced by chronic morphinization. It is concluded that development of tolerance to opiates may be associated with enhanced dopamine receptor sensitivity since both the phenomena were blocked by cyclo (leucylglycine).
The relationship of sex-role norms to couple and parental demographics

Four underlying, common sex role factors were identified via separate factor analyses on husbands' and wives' responses to a battery of Likert items tapping sex role norms. Canonical correlation analyses showed that sex role norms were significantly related to couple and parental demographics. Modern sex role norms were positively related to wife's education, occupational status and income, to wife's mother's occupation and work experience, and to husband's education, but negatively related to presence of young children.
Foam stability: The effect of surface rheological properties on the lamella rupture

The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of surface rheological properties in the stabilization of thin liquid surfactant films. A direct relationship is established between the lamella rupture time and the trends in surface viscosity and elasticity. A procedure was employed in preparing sodium lauryl sulfate-lauryl alcohol solutions. Surface tension, surface viscosity, and surface elasticity were measured. No preferred direction for the lamella rupture was found, but the spacing of the lamella depended on the gas flow rate, the surfactant system, and concentration of surfactant.
Optical Neural Network Using A High Resolution Video Monitor

In this paper, we present a hybrid optical neural network using a high resolution video monitor as a programmable associative memory. The superior resolution and the number of gray levels of the video monitor lead to the implementation of a larger number of neurons and a larger dynamic range. The system operates in a high speed asynchronous mode due to the parallel feedback loop. The programmability of the system permits the use of the Orthogonal Projection(OP) and the Multilevel Recognition (MR) algorithms to improve the error correction ability of the network. Using current integrated optics and electronic technology this optical neural system attains high learning and operational speed.
Response of Pines irradiated with Lethal and Sublethal Doses of γ-Radiation

WE have previously reported on the early recovery behaviour of Pinus thunbergii trees which were exposed to 715 rads of acute γ-radiation1,2. This communication is a report on the later recovery behaviour of the same trees during the first and second growing seasons after irradiation, and on similar trees subjected to 1,000 rads.
Luteolin 7-glucoside, the flavonoid pigment of Heliotropium tenellum

Abstract The flavonoid pigment of Heliotropium tenellum has been isolated and shown to be luteolin 7-β-glucoside.
Phorid Flies, Pseudacteon spp. (Diptera: Phoridae), Affect Forager Size Ratios of Red Imported Fire Ants Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Texas

Multiple species of Pseudacteon phorid flies (Diptera: Phoridae) are currently being released throughout the southern United States to aid biological control of red imported fire ants, Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). It is anticipated that these flies will interfere with S. invicta foraging, allowing native ant assemblages to outcompete S. invicta for available resources. Numerous studies have shown a decrease in S. invicta foraging intensity when exposed to phorids. This study documents a behavioral change in phorid-exposed S. invicta colonies at a phorid release site in central Texas. Significant differences in forager size ratios were detected between phorid-exposed and phorid-absent colonies. A similar phenomenon was recently documented in the native range of these insects in South America as well. Experimental manipulation of ratios of S. invicta worker sizes has been shown to have important effects on colony success. This newly documented phorid-mediated S. invicta colony-level effect represents a significant shift in S. invicta foraging dynamics and may provide an additional mechanism by which phorids can influence S. invicta populations in their United States range.
Experimental observation of aerosol deposition in turbulent flow

The deposition rate of aerosol particles in turbulent flow has been measured in vertical pipes for nominal Reynolds numbers of 10,000 and 50,000 and for particle dia. of 1·4–21 μm using monodisperse aerosols generated by the vibrating orifice monodisperse aerosol generator. The experiments covered a τ+ range of 0·21–774, where τ+ is the dimensionless particle relaxation time. For small τ+ values, the deposition velocity was found to increase rapidly with increasing particle size, reaching a peak at τ+ = 30. Beyond τ+ = 30, the dimensionless deposition velocity, V+, showed only a moderate dependence on τ+, decreasing slightly at higher τ+ values. Below τ+ = 10. V+ was found to increase as the second power of particle relaxation time and as the fourth power of particle size. The experimental results are in good agreement with several of the existing theories in the region below τ+ = 30. However, the theories are inadequate to explain the results beyond τ+ = 30.
Automated measurement of pediatric cranial bone thickness and density from clinical computed tomography

Skull thickness and density measures of normal pediatric crania would inform multiple disciplines including neurosurgery, optical and magnetoelectrophysiological imaging, and biomechanical modeling of head trauma. We report on a new method for automated extraction of in vivo skull thickness and density measures of pediatric crania based on x-ray computed tomography scans (CT). Data were obtained from a clinical image repository for pediatric populations in whom no pathology was noted. Skull thickness and density measures were systematically obtained across the calvarium. We find a set of measures that correlated with physiological age that are likely to prove useful in multiple disciplines.
Urban Renewal Policy and Community Change

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s federal, state, and local governments worked together to implement policies that expanded the nation's highway systems, encouraged suburban expansion, and funded wholesale clearance projects in so-called slum and depressed inner city areas. These policies created programs that directly affected African Americans in cities all over the United States by targeting older neighborhoods, eliminating affordable (though substandard) housing, dislocating families and extended networks, and replacing what existed with highway overpasses, widened city streets, massive sewer projects, parks, and public housing. The residents of the affected neighborhoods were not involved in the planning, much of which took place years before the programs were implemented, and their voices were not well represented at public hearings. Absentee land owners, who leased properties to African Americans, capitalized on Urban Renewal opportunities, selling their holdings or allowing them to be claimed by cond...
Travel-associated dengue infections in the United States, 1996 to 2005. Letter 1.

We found the recent paper by Mohammed and colleagues 1a useful report for clinicians who are evaluating persons prior to travel—as well as those caring for ill‐returned travelers. The authors appropriately describe the …
TREATMENT OF RETICULOENDOTHELIOSIS WITH VINBLASTINE SULFATE: PRELIMINARY REPORT.

Three patients with proved reticuloendotheliosis (Letterer-Siwe syndrome) were treated with vinblastine sulfate in doses of 0.2 to 0.3 mg. per kilogram weekly for 8 to 15 weeks. The response in all three patients was so gratifying as to encourage further trials with this agent.
Biochemical Basis of Oxidative Protein Folding in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) supports disulfide bond formation by a poorly understood mechanism requiring protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) and ERO1. In yeast, Ero1p-mediated oxidative folding was shown to depend on cellular flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) levels but not on ubiquinone or heme, and Ero1p was shown to be a FAD-binding protein. We reconstituted efficient oxidative folding in vitro using FAD, PDI, and Ero1p. Disulfide formation proceeded by direct delivery of oxidizing equivalents from Ero1p to folding substrates via PDI. This kinetic shuttling of oxidizing equivalents could allow the ER to support rapid disulfide formation while maintaining the ability to reduce and rearrange incorrect disulfide bonds.
The Patterns of Change in Higher Education Institutions: The context of the changing quality assurance mechanisms in England, Japan, and New York State

The purpose of the study is to identify the patterns of change in higher education institutions. It examines the contexts of the changing quality assurance mechanisms used by the different types of higher education institutions in England, Japan, and New York State between 2001 and 2007. The paper argues that there were no clear patterns of institutional change in terms of speed, intensity, extensiveness, momentum, trajectory, and consequence between centralized and decentralized institutions and public and private institutions. The study suggests three points for explanation why institutional types do not shape certain patterns of institutional change. The first point is that institutional change heavily relies on agents’ interactions. The second point is that the ideas of centralized or decentralized and private or public per se are becoming ambiguous in the market or market-like systems. The third point is that the relationship between the central authorities and the institutions is far more significant than the types of institutions in the formation of particular patterns of institutional change.