cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of light, riboflavin, and carotene on the response of rats to the acute toxicity of aflatoxin and monocrotaline☆

Abstract Weanling male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed either a control diet or a diet marginal in lipotropes and dosed with either aflatoxin B 1 or monocrotaline. Some from each group were given an excess of either riboflavin or carotene prior to administration of the toxins and then exposed for 2 hr to artificial sunlight. The marginal lipotrope diet gave protection from the acute effects of both toxins. Exposure to light enhanced the toxicity of aflatoxin, and light plus riboflavin synergistically increased the toxicity. Carotene alone or with light protected against aflatoxin. Light protected the rats from the acute toxicity of monocrotaline, but riboflavin had no further significant effect. These studies indicate interactions between light, vitamins and hepatotoxins. The general implication is that environmental factors may influence the potency of drugs and chemicals.
Quality control during peptide synthesis. I. Quantitative monitoring of resin bound amines.

Abstract A fluorescent assay procedure, capable of determining 99.9% coupling (free amine remaining) during solid phase synthesis is described. The maximum free amine content of completely deblocked resin usually ranges from 1000 to 5000 nmoles 10 mg sample, and at 99.9% coupling, the resin would contain 1–5 nmoles of free amine. This assay procedure is able to quantitatively analyze 0.1 nmole of free amine.
An action spectrum for spatial-frequency adaptation.

Abstract The mechanism of spatial-frequency adaptation, and channel-bandwidth estimates derived from adaptation, were examined in a series of three experiments. The first two experiments measured adaptation as a function of both the frequency and modulation of the adapt stimulus. The threshold for producing adaptation at different adapt frequencies is considered to be an action spectrum whose half-amplitude bandwidth is found to lie between 1/3 and 2/3 octave. The third experiment employed a novel adaptation paradigm—varying the adapt contrast until the test grating was no longer perceptible —but the results supported those of the earlier experiments. It is concluded that adaptation is probably due to a fatigue-like mechanism, and that a sensitivity measure of adaptation (action spectrum) is probably a better representation of underlying channel tuning than is the more customary response measure.
G8 leaders must seize their chance to tackle undernutrition

The world continues to fail malnourished children and hence stalls any progress in achieving the United Nations’ millennium development goals to halve hunger and reduce child mortality by two thirds between 1990 and 2015. We know that between 3.5 million and five million children aged under 5 years die every year because of undernutrition and that low birth weight is responsible for 3.3% of overall child mortality.1 Initiation of breast feeding within one hour of birth, exclusive breast feeding for the first six months, and continued breast feeding for two years or beyond—together with age appropriate, nutritionally adequate complementary foods—have the potential to prevent 19% of all deaths of under 5s in the developing world. Providing vitamin A supplements twice a year to all children aged 6 months to 59 months can avert …
Palaeoceanography: Bloom without fertilizer

Iron has been shown to stimulate productivity in certain areas of the modern ocean. However, it was not the primary driver of carbon burial in the equatorial Pacific Ocean for the past 10 million years.
Ambient sulfates, photochemical oxidants, and acute adverse health effects: An epidemiological study

Abstract From July 6 to September 19, 1976, two groups of subjects in the New Haven, Connecticut area made daily reports on the presence of acute symptoms through the use of postcard diaries. One group was drawn from telephone company employees, while the other group of presumably more susceptible people was composed of patients from a university allergy and asthma clinic. Daily symptom rates were related to daily 8- and 24-hr meteorological and ambient air pollutant data. At any given pollutant level, smokers and people with asthma, chronic bronchitis, and/or hay fever reported more symptoms than did nonsmokers and those without such illnesses. For the 274 people studied, statistical analyses showed that 8- and 24-hr photochemical oxidant levels were associated with eye irritation and cough, particularly in heavy smokers and those with predisposing illnesses. Suspended sulfates were not associated significantly with acute adverse health effects. Levels of pH observed in 8-hr particulate samples were positively associated with eye, nose, and throat irritation.
The development of GDSS to support group decision making through the improvement of the participation of Thai graduate students

This research discusses the development of Group Decision Support System (GDSS) software with updated functionalities that may enhance group interaction in a face-to-face brainstorming mode. Some of the functionalities include multi-language simultaneous input capabilities, including Thai, and the utilization of generic keyboard connections via USB. The developed software aims to facilitate, enhance and improve the level and efficiency of participatory learning of mixed groups of Thai and foreign students. This enhanced GDSS may also be used in a business group decision-making environment. Furthermore, to overcome the shy nature of Thai people, the option of a non-identification of participant features is integrated into this GDSS. A pilot study has been conducted to exchange ideas, comments or solutions regarding assigned topics in an actual classroom setting / brainstorming session in order to investigate the learning effectiveness and the overall users' satisfaction with the software support. The enhanced software makes the designed GDSS more generic and suitable for not only graduate classroom environments but also for most types of group decision support approaches, such as consensus business decision making, strategic goal planning in particular with regards to multicultural and multilingual environments. The research outcomes may also lead to identifying preferred features required of a GDSS facilitator in the future.
Exploring agent-based simulations in political science using Aggregate Temporal Graphs

Agent-based simulation has become a key technique for modeling and simulating dynamic, complicated behaviors in social and behavioral sciences. As these simulations become more complex, they generate an increasingly large amount of data. Lacking the appropriate tools and support, it has become difficult for social scientists to interpret and analyze the results of these simulations. In this paper, we introduce the Aggregate Temporal Graph (ATG), a graph formulation that can be used to capture complex relationships between discrete simulation states in time. Using this formulation, we can assist social scientists in identifying critical simulation states by examining graph substructures. In particular, we define the concept of a Gateway and its inverse, a Terminal, which capture the relationships between pivotal states in the simulation and their inevitable outcomes. We propose two real-time computable algorithms to identify these relationships and provide a proof of correctness, complexity analysis, and empirical run-time analysis. We demonstrate the use of these algorithms on a large-scale social science simulation of political power and violence in present-day Thailand, and discuss broader applications of the ATG and associated algorithms in other domains such as analytic provenance.
Diverse pathways mediate chemotherapy-induced cell death in acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines.

Cancer cell resistance to chemotherapy may be mediated by defects in apoptotic pathways. A prior study showed that in vivo apoptosis of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) blasts in response to chemotherapy could occur through diverse pathways including both p53-dependent and -independent mechanisms. In this study we investigated the apoptotic response in more detail by using a panel of ALL cell lines that differed in respect to p53 status. Upon exposure to a uniform stimulus, expression of apoptotic proteins, including the effector caspase-3, varied among ALL cell lines partly depending on p53 transcriptional activity and caspase-8 activation. Although the expression and contribution to apoptosis differed among known members of the apoptotic pathway, apoptosis was universally mediated by mitochondrial depolarization. The NFκB pathway was activated in response to chemotherapy but NFκB inhibition appeared to not influence chemosensitivity. This study further documents the highly variable nature of cell death programs in ALL and provides the foundation for cell death pathway modulation to improve ALL cure rates without increasing chemotherapy-related toxicity.
Radionuclide imaging of the painful joint replacement: past, present and future

Differentiating aseptic loosening from infection as the cause of prosthetic joint failure is difficult because both entities are similar, clinically and histopathologically. Aseptic loosening frequently results from an immune reaction to the prosthesis. There is inflammation with an influx of histiocytes, giant cells, lymphocytes, and plasma cells. Proinflammatory cytokines and proteolytic enzymes are secreted, causing osteolysis and loosening. These same events occur in infection except that neutrophils, rarely present in aseptic loosening, are invariably present in infection. Clinical signs and symptoms, laboratory tests, x-rays and joint aspiration are insensitive, nonspecific or both. Artifacts produced by the metallic hardware hamper cross-sectional imaging modalities. Radionuclide imaging is not affected by the presence of metallic hardware and is very useful for evaluating the painful prosthesis. Bone scintigraphy, with an accuracy of 50%-70% is a useful screening test, since a normal study effectively excludes a prosthetic complication. Adding gallium-67, a nonspecific inflammation-imaging agent, improves the accuracy of bone scintigraphy to 70%-80%. The accuracy of combined leukocyte/marrow imaging, 90%, is the highest among available radionuclide studies. Its success is due to the fact that leukocyte imaging is most sensitive for detecting neutrophil mediated inflammations. Inflammatory conditions that are neutrophil-poor, even though large numbers of other leukocytes may be present, (such as the aseptically loosened joint prosthesis) go undetected. The success of leukocyte/marrow imaging is tempered by the limitations of in-vitro labeling. In-vivo labeling has been investigated and a murine monoclonal antigranulocyte antibody appears promising. Some investigations have focused on F-18 FDG imaging, although specificity is a concern with this agent.
Synchronization of Line-Start Permanent-Magnet AC Motors

The line-start PM (permanent magnet) motor is a very high efficiency synchronous motor designed to operate at fixed voltage and frequency from the same power supplies as induction motors. The excitation is provided partly by the magnets, which are mounted in the rotor, and partly by the line current. A squirrel cage is provided to accelerate the motor from standstill when started ``across the line.'' This paper describes the synchronizing process and the characteristics of PM motors that lead to an inherently higher starting capability than that of comparable reluctance motors. The starting performance is described with the aid of computed transient torque/speed and related trajectories. The results have been verified with reference to detailed tests on a 25-hp motor that has been described in earlier papers. Two basic configurations of PM motor are shown in Fig. 1. On the left is a four-pole arrangement with radially magnetized magnets, and on the right a six-pole arrangement with circumferentially magnetized magnets.
1994 CACREP Standards: Will We Make the Grade?.

This article presents a review of literature related to the process of accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, or CACREP, and identifies several areas of concern common to counseling programs seeking accreditation. A departmental case is then presented that describes how one program at a mid-size university addressed these concerns and completed a self-study.
Effect of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on mouse mammary tumor (GR) cells: Evidence for receptors, cellular uptake, inhibition of growth and alteration in morphology at physiologic concentrations of hormone

Mammary glands are target tissues for 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25(OH)2D3). We have examined a mouse mammary tumor cell line (GR) for receptors of 1,25(OH)2D3 and have examined alterations in the growth and morphology of these cells in response to 1,25(OH)2D3. GR cells contain a high affinity (Kd approximately 10(-11)), low-capacity receptor with a high specificity for 1,25(OH)2D3. The 1,25(OH)2D3 receptor in GR cells has a sedimentation coefficient of 3.5 and elutes from DEAE cellulose columns with approximately 0.15 M KCl. These properties of the receptor are similar to those reported for other 1,25(OH)2D3 receptors. 1,25(OH)2D3 is internalized by GR cells in situ and specifically bound 1,25(OH)2D3 is found predominantly, if not entirely, in the nucleus as determined by cell fractionation and autoradiographic techniques. The incubation of GR cells in culture for 7 days with 1,25(OH)2D3 markedly alters cell growth. Cell growth is retarded in a dose-dependent manner; physiologic concentrations (10(-10) M) of 1,25(OH)2D3 retard cell growth by approximately 50%. In addition, GR cells incubated with 10(-9) to 10(-8) M 1,25(OH)2D3 undergo marked morphological changes. The incubation of GR cells with other vitamin D metabolites such as 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) at a concentration of 10(-9) M does not significantly alter cell growth or morphology. The presence of high affinity receptors for 1,25(OH)2D3, the specific internalization of 1,25(OH)2D3 predominantly into the nuclei, and the significant effects of physiological concentrations of 1,25(OH)2D3 on cell growth suggest a direct, specific, nuclear effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on GR cells. The mouse mammary tumor model might be useful in examining the effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on tumor formation.
Multiplex PCR for detection of trait and virulence factors in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli serotypes.

A multiplex PCR assay was developed which allowed the simultaneous detection of five trait genes or virulence markers in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) serotypes. A primer pair, designed to detect a single base-pair mutation in the uidA gene, is specific only for the prototypic EHEC of O157:H7 serotype and its toxigenic, non-motile variants. In a similar way, primers to the eaeA gene of the gamma-intimin derivative specifically detects strains in the EHEC 1 clonal group, which consists mostly of O157:H7 and some O55:H7 serotypes. The other three primer pairs, specific for stx1, stx2 and both variants of ehxA genes, will detect the presence of these virulence genes in all EHEC serotypes. Analysis of 34 strains, including various serotypes of EHEC, Shiga toxin-producing E. coli and enteropathogenic E. coli, confirmed that the multiplex PCR assay detected the presence of these genes in a manner consistent with the known genotype of each respective strains.
The impact of machismo in promoting women in Central America

An expatriate general manager of Bocagrande, a production division in Central America, wonders whether or not he should appoint Angelica, a professional woman native to the country of Morazan, to an executive position in their almost exclusively male dominated production division in Bocagrande. It was the manager’s decision, but the environment was clearly “machista”, or one characterized by an extreme view of male supremacy common to Latin America and even more extreme in the remotely located production division he managed. Yet Angelica had proven her ability. Could she handle a job in the division, or would she be destroyed by machismo?
The Conservatives, the Market, and the Common Law

The common law—the law of contracts, torts, and property—is in the throes of a remarkable transformation. Many changes already have been adopted, and more are in process. The changes are radical and regressive, abandoning the progressive legal developments of the twentieth century, favoring the interests of big business, and animated by an ideology that is opposed to government acting in the public interest.
Isomorphism in NCAA Athletic Departments: The Use of Competing Theories and Advancement of Theory

In a study of managerial duties performed by Canadian intercollegiate athletic directors, Danylchuk and Chelladurai(1999) noted the presence of isomorphic tendencies, or the process that forces organisations within a population to resemble one another. The purpose of this study is to expand those findings and investigate the presence of isomorphism in National Collegiate Athletic Association athletic programs. To achieve this end, we incorporated competing theories (population ecology, institutionalism, and strategic choice) while analysing the perceptions of athletic directors and their assistants regarding the importance and delegation of managerial activities. Results of the study lent substantial support for the strategic choice perspective as structural variation was present between athletic departments of similar success, thus indicating that the environment in which athletic departments operate is not as deterministic as once thought. Implications of the findings and future directions are discussed.
Post-dispersal weed seed predation by invertebrates in conventional and low-external-input crop rotation systems

Invertebrate seed predator communities were compared between conventionally managed maize/soybean and low-input maize/soybean/ triticale–alfalfa/alfalfa crop rotation systems using pitfall traps from July to October 2003 and 2004. Predation of giant foxtail (Setaria faberi) seeds was investigated in conjunction with pitfall trap measurements during 2004. Crop identity, rather than management practices within a specific crop, had the greatest influence on the activity-density of invertebrate seed predators. Gryllus pennsylvanicus (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), the most abundant invertebrate seed predator, was trapped more often in maize than soybean and least often in triticale–alfalfa and alfalfa treatments. Predation of S. faberi seeds by invertebrates was higher in maize and soybean compared to triticale–alfalfa and alfalfa and there were higher predation rates in reduced input compared to conventionally managed soybean. Invertebrates consumed less than 30% of seeds in July, early August and early October, but as much as 80–90% of seeds in late August and September in maize and soybean. The percentage of S. faberi seeds consumed by invertebrates compared to all seed predators increased in late summer and was significantly higher in maize and soybean compared to triticale–alfalfa and alfalfa treatments. Regression analysis indicated that G. pennsylvanicus and Allonemobius allardi (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) activity-densities were significant predictors of S. faberi seed predation and explained 66% of the variation in seed removal. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Complications on the Heart Transplant Waiting List Is Common: Reducing Wait List Time for Sensitized Patients May Avoid Complications

Purpose Complications while on the heart transplant (Htx) waiting list continues to change due to use of the newer continuous flow VADs. Sensitized patients appear to wait longer on the Htx waiting list due to less compatible donors. Desensitization therapy is reported to shorten wait times and possibly avoid complications while waiting. Therefore, in our large single center, we reviewed our status I wait list patients to assess for complications while on the Htx waiting list inclusive of 6 months from the time of listing. Methods and Materials Between January 2007 and December 2010, we evaluated 145 status I patients on the Htx waiting list for complications including need for VAD (in patients without VADs at the time of listing), infections requiring intravenous antibiotics, systemic emboli, status 7 listing, death on the waitlist, or removal from the transplant waiting list. Results Of the 145 listed patients, 116 (80%) underwent Htx at a mean time of 27±32 days. Complications occurred in 70% of waitlist patients and included: Need for VAD (8%), infection requiring IV antibiotics (17%), systemic emboli (8%), status 7 listing (26%), death on the waitlist (8%), or removal from the waitlist (3%). These complications occurred within similar time periods to transplant (see table). Conclusions Complications while on the waiting list for heart transplant are common and seen in a majority of patients. Shortening of the waiting time may decrease the risk of complications particularly in sensitized patients undergoing desensitization therapy. Endpoints at 6 Months on the Waitlist N Status 1 Waitlist Patients Mean Days to Transplant, Days ±SD 116 27.0±31.6 Mean Days to Death, Days± SD 12 41.0±44.2 Mean Days to Removal for Deterioration, Days±SD 4 59.5±36.1 Mean Days to Status 7, Days± SD 38 30.7±43.7 Mean Days to New VAD Placement After Listing, Days±SD 8 41.4±53.1 Mean Days to Infection, Days±SD 24 37.7±24.8 Means Days Systemic Emboli, Days ± SD 12 60.8±49.3
Macroinvertebrate Assemblages in Iowa Prairie Pothole Wetlands and Relation to Environmental Features

Macroinvertebrate assemblage characteristics and other biophysical features were measured in the open-water zone of 17 semipermanent/permanent prairie pothole wetlands in Iowa. Relations among variables were used to identify likely determinants of invertebrate abundance and diversity, and useful indicators of wetland condition (i.e., health). Abundant invertebrates included physid and planorbid snails, oligochaetes, leeches, caenid mayflies, corixid bugs, chironomid midges, and amphipods. Abundant taxa were distributed across multiple functional feeding and habit groups. Invertebrate densities and taxonomic diversity were positively associated with plant/coarse particulate organic matter (plant/CPOM) abundance, and negatively related to turbidity, water-column concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus, and presence of large-bodied fishes. Results supported hypotheses that plant/CPOM was an important invertebrate resource, and that plant/CPOM abundance was reduced in turbid, hypereutrophic wetlands. Fish likely reduced invertebrate abundance and diversity through predation and/or cascading effects on plants, turbidity, and nutrients. Wetlands with high invertebrate abundance and diversity, abundant plant/CPOM, low turbidity and nutrient concentrations, presence of tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), and absence of large-bodied fishes appeared to be in the best condition. These features should be routinely measured to effectively assess condition of Iowa prairie pothole wetlands. Additionally, eliminating non-native fish populations may be critical to improving condition of these wetlands.
Conversion of Component-Based Point Definition to VSP Model and Higher Order Meshing

Vehicle Sketch Pad (VSP) has become a powerful conceptual and parametric geometry tool with numerous export capabilities for third-party analysis codes as well as robust surface meshing capabilities for computational uid dynamics (CFD) analysis. However, a capability gap currently exists for reconstructing a fully parametric VSP model of a geometry generated by third-party software. A computer code called GEO2VSP has been developed to close this gap and to allow the integration of VSP into a closed-loop geometry design process with other third-party design tools. Furthermore, the automated CFD surface meshing capability of VSP are demonstrated for component-based point denition geometries in a conceptual analysis and design framework.
Free lysine (l-lysine · HCl) is utilized for growth less efficiently than protein-bound lysine (soybean meal) in practical diets by young channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)

Abstract Two 10-week feeding experiments were conducted with channel catfish fingerlings in aquaria to compare the efficiency of utilization for growth of free versus protein bound lysine in practical diets. In experiment 1, a basal, 26% protein diet, deficient only in lysine, was formulated with a combination of peanut meal and corn gluten meal as the primary protein source. The diet was then supplemented with graded levels of lysine by either adding l —lysine · HCl or substituting soybean meal for the peanut meal—corn gluten meal combination to produce two series of diets with increasing concentrations of either free lysine or protein-bound lysine. In experiment 2, the basal diet contained sesame meal as the primary protein source and was supplemented with free or protein-bound lysine as in experiment 1. Slope ratio analysis of response data showed that the efficiency of utilization of protein-bound lysine in soybean meal relative to free lysine from lysine-HCl was 196 and 163% for experiments 1 and 2, respectively, based on weight gain. A subsequent feeding experiment was conducted in which the peanut meal-corn gluten meal basal diet was supplemented with lysine alone or with lysine plus histidine, isoleucine, threonine, and tryptophan to match the essential amino acid composition of the diet in which soybean meal provided the protein. Supplementation of the basal diet with the additional amino acids did not improve fish weight gain relative to that from supplementation with lysine alone. Overfortification of the basal diet with free lysine improved weight gain of fish to equal that obtained with the diet containing soybean meal. Loss of lysine due to leaching of diets in water was 12.7 and 2.0% of the original lysine concentration for free lysine and protein-bound lysine, respectively. When leaching losses are subtracted from the lysine concentrations in the test diets, the efficiency of utilization of protein-bound lysine is still higher than that of free lysine, 175 and 146%, based on weight gain, for experiments 1 and 2, respectively. These results indicate that protein-bound lysine is more efficiently utilized than free lysine in practical type diets for young channel catfish.
What if a Web Site can Talk? Exploring the Persuasive Effects of Web-Based Anthropomorphic Agents

This research examines the impact of Web-based anthropomorphic agents on consumers' attitudes toward the Web site and the brand, with particular focus on two mediating factors. An experiment found ...
Comparative Study of Pressure Reducers for Aerosol Sampling from High Purity Gases

A performance evaluation and comparative study has been conducted with six pressure-reducing devices suitable for particle sampling from high pressure gas systems. Pressure-reducing devices are used to reduce the gas pressure from that existing in the high-purity compressed gas system to ambient conditions for subsequent measurement of particulate contaminants by particle counters. Six pressure-reducing devices, including designs based on the orifice plate, orifice design with expansion cone, and capillary tube designs, have been evaluated experimentally to determine their particle penetration characteristics and contribution to background particle. Studies showed that particle loss in pressure reducers depended upon the pressure-reducing geometry, gas pressure and particle size. Particle penetration through orifice type devices was found to be superior to that found for capillary tube type devices. The 50% penetration through orifice type pressure reducers was found to be at a particle diameter of approx...
Nonvariant Antigens Limited to Bloodstream Forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense1

. The presence of nonvariant antigens (NVAs) limited to bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense was demonstrated for the first time by immunodiffusion and Immunoelectrophoresis. Noncloned and cloned populations were employed in preparation of polyclonal antisera in rabbits and of antigens to be used in the immunologic reactions. The NVAs could be shown best in systems in which hyperimmune rabbit sera (adsorbed with procyclic forms to eliminate antibodies against antigens common to bloodstream form and procyclic stages) were reacted with trypanosomes characterized by heterologous variant-specific antigens (VSAs). The NVAs demonstrated in this study are very likely different from the common parts of VSAs. As has been suggested by experiments with living trypanosomes, at least a part of the NVAs appears to be located on the surface of the bloodstream forms. In these experiments involving the quantitative indirect fluorescent antibody test, the amount of fluorescence recorded for the heterologous system, i.e. ETat 5 trypanosomes incubated with anti-AmTat 1.1 serum, equalled ∼3.0% of the fluorescence emitted by the AmTat 1.1 bloodstream forms treated with their homologous antiserum. Evidently, only small amounts of NVAs are present on the surfaces of T. brucei bloodstream forms. In addition to the NVAs, the electrophoresis results suggested the presence of antigenic differences between procyclic stages belonging to different T. brucei stocks.
Hypothermia and feeding induced simultaneously in rats by perfusion of neuropeptide Y in preoptic area.

Abstract Changes in the body temperature (Tbo) of the unrestrained rat as well as the hyperphagic-like ingestion of food were simultaneously determined during the sustained elevation of neuropeptide Y1–36 (NPY) within the anterior hypothalamic preoptic area (AH/POA). A single guide tube was implanted stereotaxically in each rat for repeated perfusions by means of push-pull cannulae of either the CSF solvent vehicle or PNY. Following postoperative recovery, each site in the AH/POA was perfused for 6.0 min at a rate of 20 μl/min over four successive intervals at a concentration of 100 ng/1.0 μl or 250 ng/1.0 μl, with an interval of 6.0 min intervening between perfusions. During repeated perfusions of NPY in the fully sated and normothermic rat, concentration-dependent eating, or a a hypothermia or both responses occured simultaneously. Mean cumulative intakes of food over 3.0 h were 12.1±1.4 and 21.5±2.7 g following the 100 and 250 ng concentrations of NPY, respectively. The mean maximal declines in Tbo were −0.92±0.21 and −1.1±0.28 °C, respectively after the lower and higher concentrations of the peptide. Push-pull perfusions of artificial CSF control vehicle at homologous anatomical sites in the AH/POA were without effect on feeding or the Tbo of the rats. These results demonstrate that repeated and sustained elevation of NPY in the AH/POA can cause a perturbation of the neuronal mechanisms underlying the normal “set-point” for body temperature as well as satiety. Further, as long as the level of NPY in the hypothalamus is chronically elevated over time, a shift in Tbo or persistent eating occurs either simultaneously or independently depending upon the population of neurons affected. It is thus envisaged that NPY plays an integrative role metabolically within neurons of the AH/POA in the control of energy metabolism coupled with caloric intake.
Rapid automated detection of roots in minirhizotron images

An approach for rapid, automatic detection of plant roots in minirhizotron images is presented. The problem is modeled as a Gibbs point process with a modified Candy model, in which the energy functional is minimized using a greedy algorithm whose parameters are determined in a data-driven manner. The speed of the algorithm is due in part to the selection of seed points, which discards more than 90% of the data from consideration in the first step. Root segments are formed by grouping seed points into piecewise linear structures, which are further combined and validated using geometric techniques. After root centerlines are found, root regions are detected using a recursively bottom-up region growing method. Experimental results from a collection of diverse root images demonstrate improved accuracy and faster performance compared with previous approaches.
Regge-pole description of γN→πN backward-scattering data

Abstract Baryon Regge-pole contributions to u-channel helicity amplitudes for the γN→πN processes are derived, with attention to kinematic singularities and threshold conditions. An Nα, Nγ and Δδ Regge-exchange model is proposed that describes the backward scattering data on γp→πop and γp→π+n at high energy. The Nα and Nγ trajectories are found to be nearly degenerate, with residues in the ratio β(Nγ)/β(Nα)≈0.6. Structure in the differential cross sections is explained as I u = 1 2 dominance at small u giving way to I u = 3 2 dominance at large u. An isoscaar-isovector admixture for the γ-coupling to N N is required by the fits. The solution extrapolates through the mean γp→πop 180o differential cross section at intermediate energies, as required by duality.
Treatment With a Growth Hormone Secretagogue in a Model of Developing Heart Failure Effects on Ventricular and Myocyte Function

{abs}Background—Exogenous administration of growth hormone (GH) and subsequently increased production of insulin-like growth factor-1 can influence left ventricular (LV) myocardial growth and geometry in the setting of congestive heart failure (CHF). This study determined the effects of an orally active GH secretagogue (GHS) treatment that causes a release of endogenous GH on LV function and myocyte contractility in a model of developing CHF. Methods and Results—Pigs were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: (1) chronic rapid pacing at 240 bpm for 3 weeks (n=11); (2) chronic rapid pacing and GHS (CP-424,391 at 10 mg·kg−1·d−1, n=9); and (3) sham controls (n=8). In the untreated pacing CHF group, LV fractional shortening was reduced (21±2% versus 47±2%) and peak wall stress increased (364±21 versus 141±5 g/cm2) from normal control values (P<0.05). In the GHS group, LV fractional shortening was higher (29±2%) and LV peak wall stress lower (187±126 g/cm2) than untreated CHF values (P<0.05). Wi...
Evaluating the Cultural Content of Foreign‐Language Texts

weird" in response to a statement about foreign customs or habits will probably agree that similar stereotypes are held even by students who have elected to study a foreign language. Empirical evidence to support this belief has been provided by Gardner and Lambert who report that ". .. American students who are engaged in the study of French have a generally negative set of stereotypes of French-speaking people. Typically, they see the European French speaker as being less thoughtful, less intelligent, less honest and dependable, less generous, less kind, less reliable, less stable, and as having less character than the same person speaking English."' The student begins his study of a foreign language not as a tabula rasa but as an individual with ideas about, and an attitude toward, the foreign culture. What he encounters in the language class may serve to correct his misconceptions, to increase his cultural understanding, or to confirm him in his prejudices. With the exception of the teacher, whose attitudes toward the foreign culture the students will lose no time in investigating, perhaps the single most influential "culture bearer" in the language classroom is the textbook. In it the student may find illustrations and reading selections which will reinforce his belief that all Mexicans are poor or that all French people are immoral. On the other hand, he may see a picture of a Mexican businessman carrying a briefcase or read a story about a devout Frenchman which will cause him
Scheduling a Parallel Sparse Direct Solver to Multiple GPUs

We present a sparse direct solver using multi-level task scheduling on a modern heterogeneous compute node consisting of a multi-core host processor and multiple GPU accelerators. Our direct solver is based on the multifrontal method, which is characterized by exploiting dense sub problems (fronts) related in an assembly tree. Critical to high performance of the solver is dynamic task allocation to account for the asymmetric performance of heterogeneous devices. Device-specific tasks are generated and adapted to different devices on the course of multifrontal factorization using multi-level matrix partitioning. Large blocks are used to provide coarse grain tasks for fast devices, and some of the blocks are recursively partitioned to supply fine-grained tasks for the next available (slower) devices. Experimental results are obtained from particular problems arising from a high order Finite Element Method.
Phosphorus response mode of the thermionic rubidium silicate detector

Abstract In the phosphorus mode, a thermionic rudidium silicate detector gave a response of 2·10 −3 C/g for azobenzene, revealing an unexpectedly high sensitivity toward a nitrogen-containing compound. Depending upon detector conditions, the detector could be made from 15 to 120 times more sensitive for malathion, a phosphorus-containing compound, than for azobenzene. The dependence of sensitivity upon carrier-gas flow was complex. Sharp maxima in sensitivity were exhibited at total detector gas flows of approximately 70 ml/min. For the insecticides dursban, diazinon and methyl parathion, each of which contained both phosphorus and nitrogen, the predominant contributor to the overall response appeared to be the phosphorus moiety.
Analysis of STS-39 Space Shuttle glow measurements

Measurements of Space Shuttle glow were conducted on STS-39. Cargo-bay infrared and visible sensors measured intensities and spectral distributions of shuttle glow as a function of attitude, gas releases, day/night, and mission elapsed time. One of these sensors, the Spacecraft Kinetic Infrared Test (SKIRT), was a cryogenic infrared spectrometer (0.6—5.4 /xm) which observed nitric oxide, ionized nitric oxide, and hydroxyl in the quiescent and thruster-enhanced Shuttle glow. A nitric oxide gas release significantly enhanced the glow and showed a fast gas-phase reaction and a slower surface-mediated reaction. The glow was also shown to be dependent on the orientation of the shuttle. The change in glow intensity from pointing the orbiter and sensor along the velocity vector, into ram, versus looking 90 deg from ram, showed a cos0 dependence. During nonglow quiescent times, when SKIRT was pointed away from ram toward deep space, there were no emissions down to the sensor noise level of 10 ~ W/cm sr im. These measurements provided the first infrared measurements with sufficient sensitivity and spectral resolution to identify molecular species associated with Space Shuttle glow. SKIRT demonstrated that very sensitive cryogenic infrared sensors can operate from the Space Shuttle cargo bay.
The economic cost of teen drinking: late graduation and lowered earnings

This paper analyzes the effect that binge drinking has on the probability of graduating on time from high school and on future earnings. The analysis is conducted on students in their senior year of high school using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979. Importantly, the usual instruments used to correct for the endogeneity of the drinking variable are found to be robust only for women. This paper finds that heavy drinking decreases the probability of graduating on time. Binge drinking does not have a direct impact on adults' labor earnings, but graduating late results in lower labor income. Because of a late graduation, young men who binge in high school will face an earnings penalty of 1.5-1.84 percentage points. Women also face a penalty, but this seems mostly due to the fact that women who graduate late work in industries and occupations that pay less. Language: en
Sepsis severity score: an internationally derived scoring system from the surviving sepsis campaign database*.

Objective:As the Surviving Sepsis Campaign was assessing patient-level data over multiple countries, we sought to evaluate the use of a pragmatic and parsimonious severity-of-illness scoring system for patients with sepsis in an attempt to provide appropriate comparisons with practical application.D
Characterization of functionally active immobilized carbonic anhydrase purified from sheep blood lysates

Abstract Carbonic anhydrase (CA) catalyzes the reversible reaction of hydration of CO 2 to bicarbonate and the dehydration of bicarbonate back to CO 2 . Sequestration of CO 2 from industrial processes or breathing air may require a large amount of highly active and stable CA. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were to purify large amounts of CA from a cheap and easily accessible source of the enzyme and to characterize the enzymatic and kinetic properties of soluble and immobilized enzyme. We recovered 80% of pure enzyme with a specific activity of 4870 EU/mg protein in a single step using sheep blood lysates from slaughter house waste products and CA specific inhibitor affinity chromatography. Since affinity pure CA showed both anhydrase and esterase activities, we measured the esterase activities for enzymology. The Michaelis–Menten constant, K M , pH optimum, activation energy, and thermal stability of soluble enzymes were 8 × 10 −2 M, 7.3 pH, 7.3 kcal/mol and 70 °C, respectively. The immobilization of the enzyme to Affigel-10 was very efficient and 83% of purified enzyme was immobilized. The immobilized enzyme showed a K M of 5 × 10 −2 M and activation energy of 8.9 kcal/mol, suggesting a better preference of substrate for immobilized enzyme in comparison to soluble enzyme. In contrast to soluble enzyme, immobilized enzyme showed relatively higher activity at pH 6–8. From these results, we concluded that a shift in pH profile toward acidic pH is due to modification of lysine residues involved in the immobilization process. The immobilized enzyme was stable at higher temperatures and showed highest activity at 80 °C. The activity of immobilized enzyme in a flow reactor at 0.5–2.2 ml/min flow rate was unaffected. Collectively, results from the present study suggested the application of blood lysate waste from animal slaughterhouses for purification of homogeneous enzyme for CO 2 capture in a flow reactor.
Early infection and spread of a conditionally replicating adenovirus under conditions of plaque formation.

Abstract Conditionally-replicating adenoviruses (CRAds) and other oncolytic viruses replicate selectively in tumor cells, presenting a potential cancer treatment approach. To optimize application of these viruses, understanding of early spread of these viruses in target cells is important. Here we used a recombinant adenovirus expressing enhanced jellyfish green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in place of the EIA and EIB genes (AdEGFPuci). Infection of susceptible cells (AD-293) under plaque formation conditions (MOI
Public Debt Markets in Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic

This paper-consisting of a regional study and seven country studies-reviews the state of domestic public debt markets in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama as at end-2005. Although they account for the lion's share of capital markets, regional public debt markets remain underdeveloped for a variety of reasons. The problems of small scale, dollarization, and weak public finances in many countries are compounded by poor structure and composition of debt (with sizeable nonstandard and non-tradable components), fragmentation of public debt between central banks and the sovereigns and across instruments, poor debt management practices, weaknesses in securities market, and small investor bases all of which result in high transaction costs and a lack of liquid benchmarks. The paper also briefly discusses efforts towards and impediments to regional integration of public debt markets. The authorities recognize these problems and the paper takes note of the regional efforts to harmonize debt standards and improve issuance practices. It offers several recommendations to improve strategic debt management, issuance mechanics, and secondary trading.
Fast online placement for reconfigurable computing systems

Advances in programmable hardware have lead to new architectures where the hardware can be dynamically adapted to the application to gain better performance. There are still many challenging problems to be solved before any practical general-purpose reconfigurable system is built. One fundamental issue is the placement of the modules on the reconfigurable functional unit (RFU). In this paper we present an online heuristic placement method with overall O(n log n) space complexity and O(log n) time complexity for each insertion/deletion of modules on the RFU chip, n being the number of modules currently on the RFU. Our proposed method is O(n) faster than an algorithm which considers all possible locations for placing a new module, but as experimental results show its quality is 7% worse.
Early Withdrawal from the Labor Force: A Response Only to Pension Pull or also to Labor Market Push?

Not-yet-old men whose health is not failing are retiring from the labor market at a time when they do not receive any pension income and the level of their nonwage income is very low. This study examines why such men stop working as early as they do, instead of continuing to work at least until they are old enough to claim social security benefits (to which they are entitled at age 62). It finds that labor market conditions that result in diminished employment opportunities cannot be ruled out as conducive to withdrawal from the labor market before age 62.
Molecular Cloning and Analysis of L(1)ogre, a Locus of Drosophila Melanogaster with Prominent Effects on the Postembryonic Development of the Central Nervous System

Previous genetic studies have shown that wild-type function of the l(1)ogre (lethal (1) optic ganglion reduced) locus is essential for the generation and/or maintenance of the postembryonic neuroblasts including those from which the optic lobe is descended. In the present study molecular isolation and characterization of the l(1)ogre locus was carried out to study the structure and expression of this gene in order to gain information about the nature of l(1)ogre function and its relevance to the development of the central nervous system. About 70 kilobases (kb) of genomic DNA were isolated that spanned the region where l(1)ogre was known to reside. Southern analysis of a l(1)ogre mutation and subsequent P element-mediated DNA transformation mapped the l(1)ogre+ function within a genomic fragment of 12.5 kb. Northern analyses showed that a 2.9-kb message transcribed from this 12.5-kb region represented l(1)ogre. A 2.15-kb portion of a corresponding cDNA clone was sequenced. An open reading frame (ORF) of 1,086 base paris was found, and a protein sequence of 362 amino acids with one highly hydrophobic segment was deduced from conceptual translation of this ORF.
Transcriptome of a Nitrosomonas europaea Mutant with a Disrupted Nitrite Reductase Gene (nirK)

Global gene expression was compared between the Nitrosomonas europaea wild type and a nitrite reductase-deficient mutant using a genomic microarray. Forty-one genes were differentially regulated between the wild type and the nirK mutant, including the nirK operon, genes for cytochrome c oxidase, and seven iron uptake genes. Relationships of differentially regulated genes to the nirK mutant phenotype are discussed.
Panel: Simulation - past, present and future

Accomplishments and current issues in various aspects of simulation will be presented. We first discuss that simulation as a problem solving method has and continues to be used in a wide variety of application domains and for solving various types of problems. Next, we note that the steps in the methodology of conducting a simulation study have remained the same since the early days; however, how each of these steps is performed has changed over time and continues to change. This panel examines the progress and promise of simulation in areas of education, research and software. The panelists bring the varied perspectives of modelers and researchers, industry, academia and government.