cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Qualitative differences in 45Ca efflux from membrane sites in vascular smooth muscle when washout conditions are varied

Abstract 1. 1. Rabbit aortic media-intimal strips were incubated with 45 Ca and washed out in solutions containing 1.5 mM Ca 2+ , no added Ca 2+ plus 0.05 mM EDTA, 1.5 mM Ca 2+ at 0.5°C, and isosmotic (80.8 mM) La 3+ at 0.5°C. 2. 2. Scatchard coordinate plotting of Ca 2+ remaining in the muscles after varied washout intervals in differing solutions indicates that dissimilar portions of La 3+ -accessible or La 3+ -inaccessible high or low affinity Ca 2+ components are altered. 3. 3. Knowledge of how washout variations affect different components can be critical for selection of appropriate experimental conditions for analysis of actions of drugs and ions on 45 Ca fluxes.
Identification of a severe bleeding disorder in humans caused by a mutation in CalDAG-GEFI

![Figure][1] Insight from William Muller In this issue, [Canault et al.][2] report for the first time a point mutation in the RAS guanyl-releasing protein 2 ( RASGRP2 ) gene that results in a severe bleeding defect in humans. The study of inherited platelet disorders has shed light on the
Beta-pyridylcarbinol (RonicolR) releases a prostacyclin-like substance into arterial blood of patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans

Beta-pyridylcarbinol (RonicolR) when injected (1,2–1,4 mg/kg i.v.) into four patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans caused a release of an unstable disaggregatory substance into arterial blood of those patients. This release was not observed in other two patients who had been pretreated with aspirin (1,8 g p.o.daily). It is postulated that some of pharmacological properties of nicotinic acid derivatives are mediated through the release of endogenous PGI2-like substance.
Probing energy barriers and quantum confined states of buried semiconductor heterostructures with ballistic carrier injection: An experimental study

A three-terminal spectroscopy that probes both subsurface energy barriers and interband optical transitions in a semiconductor heterostructure is demonstrated. A metal-base transistor with a unipolar $p$-type semiconductor collector embedding $\mathrm{In}\mathrm{As}∕\mathrm{Ga}\mathrm{As}$ quantum dots (QDs) is studied. Using minority- or majority-carrier injection, ballistic electron emission spectroscopy and its related hot-carrier scattering spectroscopy measure barrier heights of a buried ${\mathrm{Al}}_{x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}\mathrm{As}$ layer in conduction band and valence band, respectively; the band gap of ${\mathrm{Al}}_{0.4}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{0.6}\mathrm{As}$ is therefore determined as $2.037\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.009\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ at $9\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. Under forward collector bias, interband electroluminescence is induced by the injection of minority carriers with sub-band-gap kinetic energies. Three emission peaks from InAs QDs, InAs wetting layer, and GaAs are observed in concert with minority-carrier injection.
Evidence that appetitive responses for dehydration and food-deprivation are learned

Rats do not seek water when cellularly dehydrated until they are about 4 weeks of age. This lack of appetitive 'seeking' behavior in young rats differs from their precocious ingestive responses such as an increased intake of solutions infused into their mouths when they are dehydrated as young as 2 days of age. Using video analysis of appetitive behavior in a structured environment, we document this early absence of appetitive responding and the subsequent acquisition of dehydration-elicited appetitive behavior. Weaning age pups were separated into four conditions: (i) experienced, dehydrated; (ii) experienced, nondehydrated; (iii) inexperienced, dehydrated; and (iv) inexperienced, nondehydrated. 'Experienced' rats received a dehydration and drinking experience prior to the test, and 'dehydrated' rats were dehydrated (by injection of a salt load) at the time of test. At the test, all water and food was removed from the test cages, eliminating the confounding of appetitive and consummatory measures. Despite the fact that pups in all conditions had experience with water and had previously drunk, only the 'experienced' pups differentially sought water when dehydrated. Parallel experiments with food deprivation produced similar results. Pups did not exhibit food-seeking behavior when food-deprived unless they had previous experience with food deprivation and eating. The appetitive 'seeking' behavior for feeding also appears to be learned. Directed appetitive behavior in general may thus be acquired.
HIV Research and Access to Treatment

The Policy Forum “promote chemoprophylaxis research, don't prevent it” (R. M. Grant et al. , 30 Sept. 2005, p. [2170][1]) provides a strong rationale for continuing, and even increasing, field research on the applicability of using antiviral drugs to prevent HIV infection in high-risk
Sequential Molecular and Cellular Events during Neoplastic Progression: A Mouse Syngeneic Ovarian Cancer Model

Studies performed to identify early events of ovarian cancer and to establish molecular markers to support early detection and development of chemopreventive regimens have been hindered by a lack of adequate cell models. Taking advantage of the spontaneous transformation of mouse ovarian surface epithelial (MOSE) cells in culture, we isolated and characterized distinct transitional stages of ovarian cancer as the cells progressed from a premalignant nontumorigenic phenotype to a highly aggressive malignant phenotype. Transitional stages were concurrent with progressive increases in proliferation, anchorage-independent growth capacity, in vivo tumor formation, and aneuploidy. During neoplastic progression, our ovarian cancer model underwent distinct remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesion complexes, concomitant with downregulation and/or aberrant subcellular localization of two tumor-suppressor proteins E-cadherin and connexin-43. In addition, we demonstrate that epigenetic silencing of E-cadherin through promoter methylation is associated with neoplastic progression of our ovarian cancer model. These results establish critical interactions between cellular cytoskeletal remodeling and epigenetic silencing events in the progression of ovarian cancer. Thus, our MOSE model provides an excellent tool to identify both cellular and molecular changes in the early and late stages of ovarian cancer, to evaluate their regulation, and to determine their significance in an immunocompetent in vivo environment.
Control of aldosterone production by angiotensin II is mediated by two guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins

The involvement of guanine nucleotide regulatory proteins in the steroidogenic response of the adrenal glomerulosa to angiotensin II (AII) was investigated by analyzing the effects of Bordetella pertussis toxin (PT) on several aspects of AII action. These included receptor binding, stimulation of aldosterone production and GTPase activity, inhibition of cAMP production, and attenuation of the aldosterone response at high angiotensin concentrations. Pretreatment of glomerulosa cells with PT abolished the inhibitory effects of both AII and somatostatin (SRIF) on ACTH-stimulated cAMP production. Under the same incubation conditions, the stimulation of aldosterone secretion by submaximal and maximal steroidogenic concentrations of AII was completely unaffected by the toxin. However, the attenuation of steroid responses seen with supramaximal concentrations of AII was abolished. In addition, the ability of SRIF to inhibit AII-stimulated steroid production was markedly reduced by PT treatment. The binding of [125I]AII to high affinity sites in intact cells and particulate fractions, and modulation of the binding by guanine nucleotides, were unaffected by toxin pretreatment, even under conditions where a 40-41K protein was completely ADP ribosylated. In contrast, the toxin substantially diminished the binding of [125I]Tyr0-SRIF to SRIF receptors in glomerulosa cells (by 50% after 5 h and by 90% after 20 h). These results indicate that Ni or a similar protein probably mediates the inhibition of cAMP formation by AII and the attenuation of the steroid response by high concentrations of AII as well as the inhibitory actions of SRIF in the adrenal glomerulosa cell. Furthermore, the lack of effect of PT on AII binding and stimulation of GTPase activity suggests the existence of an additional pertussis-insensitive guanine nucleotide-regulatory protein that is activated by lower concentrations of AII and mediates the stimulation of aldosterone production.
An identification procedure for discrete multivariable systems

A new procedure is presented for the identification of discrete linear multivariable systems. Using Lyapunov's direct method the asymptotic stability of the overall system is established when the inputs are sufficiently general. It is shown that the procedure may also be extended for the identification of a certain class of nonlinear systems.
The measurement of meat pigments by fibre-optic reflectance spectrophotometry using the Kubelka-Munk equation.

Abstract A reflectance spectrophotometry system with an adhesive pad type fibreoptic probe was developed to measure a wide range of absorbance. The performance of the instrument was evaluated by undertaking in vitro measurements of the reflectance spectra of metmyoglobin solution and meat pastes containing known amounts of oxy-, deoxy- and metmyoglobin. The absorbance of metmyoglobin solution in the range of 0–4 mg/dl as successfully distinguised, but at the upper range of 4 mg/ml the reflectance results were not in proportion to the concentration. All absorbances at 525 nm for meat pastes were also not in proportion to the concentration. These non-linearities were considered to be a result of back-scattering. Therefore, the K/S value of the Kubelka-Munk equation was applied in an effort the refine the fibre optic reflectance method. Positive correlations between the myoglobin concentration and the K/S values obtained from spectra of meat pastes were found.
Paradoxes of professionalism and error in complex systems

Professionalism is at the heart of risk management in complex, dangerous work such as medicine, aviation, and military operations. Professionalism is closely connected to expertise and is therefore closely connected to the ability to prevent and mitigate errors. But there are two paradoxes in this connection. First, professionalism can increase, rather than reduce, the risk of errors and accidents by promoting practitioners' tendency to break procedural rules. This is because professional expertise tends to favor adaptation to local circumstances over standardized approaches to problem-solving. Second, professionalism can create blind spots within organizations, blocking the flow of critical information about unsafe conditions. This is because professional groups develop unique subcultures, specialized language, and communication habits that tend to separate them from other professional groups, even when those groups work within the same organization. I illustrate these paradoxes using case studies from several different professional domains. I then outline some methodological challenges for research on safety and professionalism. Finally, I argue that the kind of professionalism that can prevent errors is rooted in organizational practices that reduce the social separation between professional groups and promote the maintenance of adequate margins of safety. This requires the acceptance of safety as a central value that is at least as important as productivity.
Magneto-optic effects in ferromagnetic films: Implications for spin devices

Abstract We present results on the magneto-optic properties of ferromagnetic films deposited on GaAs and SiO 2 substrates. Using left- and right-circularly polarized light, we have measured the polarization-dependent photoresponse and reflectivity of Co/GaAs, Fe/GaAs and NiFe/GaAs Schottky diodes and the polarization-dependent reflection and transmission of NiFe/SiO 2 and Co/SiO 2 structures as a function of ferromagnetic film thickness, reported here in the range of 7.5–15 nm. Films were prepared by sputtering and molecular-beam epitaxy. Measurements were made in the presence of magnetic fields ranging from −1.2 to +1.2 T both parallel and perpendicular to the sample surface. We find maximum polarization-dependent transmission and photoresponse effects (with respect to left- versus right-circularly polarized light) of 2–4% in magnitude. Taken together the work suggests that magneto-optic effects intrinsic to the films, rather than spin injection across the ferromagnetic/semiconductor interface, are responsible for the observed phenomenology. The work has direct implications for the interpretation of results in ferromagnetic/semiconductor spintronic systems.
Identification of glycine-extended CCK peptides in endocrine cells and modulation of CCK amide and CCK gly content and secretion from endocrine tumor cells by an inhibitor of amidation

Immunoreactive glycine-extended CCK peptides are found in normal mouse cerebral cortex and are very abundant in some CCK expressing endocrine tumor cells in culture. The glycine-extended forms in mouse cortex and in cell lines mirror their respective amidated forms. Mouse cerebral cortex, mouse AtT20 and rat WE cells produce mainly CCK 8 amide and CCK 8 Gly. In contrast, mouse intestinal STC-1 cells produce CCK 22 and CCK 8 amide along with forms of CCK Gly which are slightly larger than their respective amidated forms. The CCK 8 Gly-like peptide from AtT20 cells, after desulfation, co-eluted on HPLC with unsulfated CCK 8 Gly. Addition of copper and ascorbate to culture medium of WE cells caused a small increase in secretion of amidated CCK, without changing cellular levels of this peptide. Treatment with the amidation inhibitor diethyldithiocarbamate greatly decreased cellular content and secretion of CCK amide while it increased cellular content and secretion of CCK Gly. These results provide further evidence that glycine-extended CCK peptides are the immediate precursors of amidated CCK peptides.
Depuration of twelve trace metals in tissues of the oysters Crassostrea gigas and C. virginica

The depuration of 12 trace metals in the mantle, gill, digestive gland, and kidney of Crassostrea gigas and C. virginica was investigated under natural field conditions; oysters from a relatively contaminated environment (Redwood Creek in south San Francisco Bay) were transplanted to a relatively clean environment (Tomales Bay). In the transplanted oysters, the digestive gland and kidney depurated Cd, Cu, Hg, Ag, and Zn more readily than the mantle and gill. Other trace metals As, Fe, Mn, Ni and Se showed varying depuration patterns. The results for Cr and Pb were inconclusive, since initial concentrations were too low to follow any losses. Interspecific differences in trace metal depuration were observed. Biological half-lives for most trace metals were on the order of 23 to 60 d for C. gigas and on the order of 70 to 180 d for C. virginica.
Communication route selection based on packet delay measurements in a hierarchical mobile IPv6 network

Hierarchical Mobile IPv6 (HMIPv6) offers a Home Agent (HA) route and a route that allows direction communication between the mobile node (MN) and the correspondent node (CN). However, such a direction route is not necessarily desirable because of the possible leakage of the location information relating to the mobile node (MN) and the possible high occurrence of handovers. Therefore, a method of route selection based on the communication conditions of the network is required. This paper proposes a route selection method suitable for the HMIPv6 architecture, in which a route is selected on the basis of a measurement of the packet delay in each possible route. The packet delay used is the round trip time (RTT). This is measured using ping, which is independent of route attributes. This paper also proposes a packet delay estimation algorithm that considers both user movements within the Mobility Anchor Point (MAP) area and those to outside the MAP area. The effectiveness of the algorithm was confirmed through simple experiments with respect to the measurement parts, and mathematical analysis of the processing load of packet delay measurement on the HA.
Petroleum mass removal from low permeability sediment using air sparging/soil vapor extraction: impact of continuous or pulsed operation

Abstract Air sparging and soil vapor extraction (AS/SVE) are innovative remediation techniques that utilize volatilization and microbial degradation to remediate petroleum spills from soils and groundwater. This in situ study investigated the use of AS/SVE to remediate a gasoline spill from a leaking underground storage tank (UST) in the low permeability, clayey soil of the Appalachian Piedmont. The objectives of this study were to evaluate AS/SVE in low permeability soils by quantifying petroleum mass removal rates, monitoring vadose zone contaminant levels, and comparing the mass extraction rates of continuous AS/SVE to 8 and 24 h pulsed operation. The objectives were met by collecting AS/SVE exhaust gas samples and vadose zone air from multi-depth soil vapor probes. Samples were analyzed for O2, CO2, BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylene), and total combustible hydrocarbon (TCH) concentrations using portable hand meters and gas chromatography. Continuous AS/SVE was effective in removing 608 kg of petroleum hydrocarbons from low permeability soil in 44 days (14.3 kg day−1). Mass removal rates ranged from 2.6 times higher to 5.1 times lower than other AS/SVE studies performed in sandy sediments. BTEX levels in the vadose zone were reduced from about 5 ppm to 1 ppm. Ten pulsed AS/SVE tests removed 78 kg in 23 days and the mean mass removal rate (17.6 kg day−1) was significantly higher than the last 15 days of continuous extraction. Pulsed operation may be preferable to continuous operation because of increased mass removal and decreased energy consumption.
A dynamic technique for measuring surface tension at high temperatures in a microgravity environment

The feasibility of a dynamic technique for measuring surface tension of liquid metals at high temperatures in a microgravity environment is considered. The basic method involves heating a tubular specimen resistively from ambient temperature through its melting point in about l s by passing an electrical current pulse through it, while simultaneously recording the pertinent experimental quantities. Static equilibrium for the molten specimen may be achieved (at least for a short time) in a microgravity environment by splitting the current after it passes through the specimen tube and returning a fraction along the tube axis and the remaining fraction outside the specimen. Adjustments to the current split enable a balance between the magnetic and surface tension forces acting on the specimen. Values for surface tension are determined from measurements of the equilibrium dimensions of the molten specimen tube, and the magnitudes of the currents. Preliminary rapid melting experiments, performed during microgravity simulations with NASA's KC-135 aircraft, yield a value for the surface tension of copper at its melting point which is in reasonable agreement with literature data.
Temperature dependence of photoreflectance in GaAs-AlGaAs multiple quantum wells

Abstract The temperature dependence of the photoreflectance spectra of multiple quantum wells has been measured. The low-temperature spectra show structure beyond what would be expected from a finite-well model. Not only are allowed and forbidden transitions observed, but also features which may be due to additional critical points introduced by complexities in the valence band. The temperature dependence of the linewidth of the 11H exciton is reported.
Predation effect of three fish species and a shrimp on macrobenthos and meiobenthos in microcosms

The responses of macrofaunal and meiofaunal benthic communities to predation by three fish species and a penaeid shrimp were examined to evaluate the potential for epibenthic predators to reduce abundance of benthos. Experiments conducted in 1987 analysed only the macrofaunal community and indicated capitellid polychaete abundance was significantly reduced in the presence of white shrimp [ Penaeus setiferus (Linneaus)], while mummichogs [ Fundulus heteroclitus (Linneaus)] had no significant effect on any macrobenthic taxon. Experiments in 1988 using mullet ( Mugil cephalus Linneaus) as predators resulted in significantly decreased abundances of total meiofauna and the copepod Enhydrosoma propinquum (Brady), while abundances of macrofaunal prey were not significantly reduced. Abundances of the polychaete Streblospio benedicti Webster, total macrofauna and total copepods were significantly reduced by spot ( Leiostomus xanthurus Lacepede) predation. While these experiments were designed with sufficient power to demonstrate that epibenthic predators are possibly capable of causing significant reductions in the populations of macrofaunal and meiofaunal prey, a general paucity of significant impacts indicates that these predators may be but one of many factors influencing benthic abundance in the field. The microcosm experiment approach must incorporate multifactorial designs in the future.
The Return of the State: Globalization, State Theory, and the New Imperialism *

The interest in state theory that swept academic circles following the Miliband–Poulantzas debate waned considerably in the late 1980s and 1990s so that much of the last decade was notable for the impoverishment of state theory. Indeed, during this time, there was a never ending litany of books and articles on the crisis of the nation-state, the eclipse of the state, the retreat of the state, and even the end of the nation-state. The central theme in these eulogies was that nation-states had lost control of their national economies, currencies, territorial boundaries, and even their cultures and languages and that macroscopic forms of power were shifting from the nation-state to the global market, transnational corporations, and globalized channels of communication. However, this article reexamines the relationship between globalization theory and state theory to argue that nation-states are the principal agents of globalization as well as the guarantors of the political and material conditions necessary ...
Predicting whole-program locality through reuse distance analysis

Profiling can accurately analyze program behavior for select data inputs. We show that profiling can also predict program locality for inputs other than profiled ones. Here locality is defined by the distance of data reuse. Studying whole-program data reuse may reveal global patterns not apparent in short-distance reuses or local control flow. However, the analysis must meet two requirements to be useful. The first is efficiency. It needs to analyze all accesses to all data elements in full-size benchmarks and to measure distance of any length and in any required precision. The second is predication. Based on a few training runs, it needs to classify patterns as regular and irregular and, for regular ones, it should predict their (changing) behavior for other inputs. In this paper, we show that these goals are attainable through three techniques: approximate analysis of reuse distance (originally called LRU stack distance), pattern recognition, and distance-based sampling. When tested on 15 integer and floating-point programs from SPEC and other benchmark suites, our techniques predict with on average 94% accuracy for data inputs up to hundreds times larger than the training inputs. Based on these results, the paper discusses possible uses of this analysis.
Comparison of symptomatic cerebral spinal fluid leak between patients undergoing minimally invasive versus open lumbar foraminotomy, discectomy, or laminectomy.

Objective Minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) techniques have similar long-term outcomes compared to open surgery for patients undergoing 1- or 2-level discectomy, foraminotomy, or laminectomy. However, the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks with both techniques has not been well established in the literature. This study sought to compare the rate and clinical impact of CSF leak in open lumbar foraminotomy, discectomy, or laminectomy with comparable MISS approaches. Methods A total of 863 patients undergoing 1- or 2-level discectomy, foraminotomy, or laminectomy by either MISS an open technique were evaluated for CSF leaks. Variables assessed included operative time, blood loss, CSF leaks, hospital stay, days with lumbar drain, days of postoperative flat bed rest, and postoperative intervention. Statistical analyses include univariate analysis (Student t test, analysis of variance, odds ratio, χ 2 ) and bivariate analysis (logistic regression). Results In the MISS group there were 15 CSF leaks (4.7%), and 49 CSF leaks (9.0%) in the open group. Eight patients in the open group required lumbar drainage, compared to zero patients in the MISS group. Twelve patients required reoperation for persistent CSF leak in the open group, compared to zero patients in the MISS group. Patients undergoing open spine surgery were 2 times more likely to have a CSF leak (odds ratio = 2.3, 95% confidence interval = 1.2 to 3.7, P = .01). Patients undergoing MISS had significantly lower reoperation rates for CSF leak repairs (open = 25% of open CSF leak cases, MISS = 0%, P Conclusions In this study, there was a statistically significant decreased rate of CSF leak between an MISS approach and an open surgical approach. Furthermore, CSF leaks in open surgery have a higher probability of requiring lumbar drainage or reoperation to repair the durotomy.
Yield and regrowth characteristics of alfalfa grazed by steers during spring and summer

(...) Three grazing and one nongrazed treatments were imposed during 1986 and 1987 on Groseclose silt loam. Treatments included : spring grazing started when alfalfa height was approximately 10 cm, followed by three hay harvest; hay harvested twice, followed by summer grazing that started when alfalfa height was approximately 15 cm, followed by one hay harvest; both spring and summer grazing as described above with hay harvested after the second and fourth growth cycles; and non-grazed with hay harvested four times. No grazing was imposed during 1988 when hay was harvested four times to measure the influence of previous grazing (...)
Selective regulation of cytoskeletal tension and cell–matrix adhesion by RhoA and Src

The crosstalk between cells and their microenvironment enables cellular adaptation to external mechanical cues through the remodeling of cytoskeletal structures and cell-matrix adhesions to ensure normal cell function. This study investigates the relationship between the cytoskeletal tension and integrin α5β1 adhesion strength to the matrix (i.e. fibronectin) in the context of RhoA-Src crosstalk. Integration of atomic force microscopy (AFM) with total internal reflection fluorescence and spinning-disk confocal microscopy enabled acquisition of complementary structural and functional measurements on live vascular smooth muscle cells expressing RhoA and c-Src variants (wild-type, dominant negative, constitutively active). Single ligand-receptor interaction measurements performed with AFM probes functionalized with fibronectin showed that RhoA and c-Src activation have different effects on cytoskeletal tension development, inducing two distinct force-stiffness functional regimes for α5β1-integrin binding to fibronectin. Moreover, fluorescence measurements showed that c-Src activation had a modest effect on actin morphology, while RhoA significantly modulated stress fiber formation. In addition, c-Src was associated with regulation of myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, suggesting a c-Src-dependent modulation of RhoA pathway through activation of downstream effectors. Therefore, c-Src may be a possible component of cytoskeletal tension regulation through MLC activation. Our findings suggest that Src and RhoA coordinate a regulatory network that determines cytoskeletal tension through activation of actomyosin contractility. In turn, the cytoskeletal tension state modulates integrin α5β1-fibronectin adhesion force.
The role of the response-punishment contingency in the suppression of a positively-reinforced operant ☆

Abstract Two experiments tested the prediction from current theories of punishment that a response-contingent procedure is superior to a comparable noncontingent procedure for the administration of punishment. Results demonstrated that the two procedures produced comparable contiguity effects and did not contain artifacts present in previous research. Three different measures of suppression corroborated the findings that more response suppression occurred in the contingent procedure. Results were shown to be stable across eight days of shock administration (Experiment 1), and three levels of shock intensity (Experiment 2). In both experiments, response suppression occurred during contingent shocks associated with shock at offset, as well as after conditioned stimulus (CS) offset. The contingent procedure was associated with more suppression during both of these periods and also longer runs of CSs with complete suppression. The relevance of the present findings to current theories of punishment was discussed.
Lactic acid resistance of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli and multidrug-resistant and susceptible Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Newport in meat homogenate.

Abstract This study compared lactic acid resistance of individual strains of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant non-O157 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and of susceptible and multidrug-resistant (MDR) and/or MDR with acquired ampC gene (MDR-AmpC) Salmonella against E. coli O157:H7. After inoculation of sterile 10% beef homogenate, lactic acid was added to a target concentration of 5%. Before acid addition (control), after acid addition (within 2 s, i.e. time-0), and 2, 4, 6 and 8 min after addition of acid, aliquots were removed, neutralized, and analyzed for survivors. Of wild-type and of rifampicin-resistant non-O157 STEC strains, irrespective of serogroup, 85.7% (30 out of 35 strains) and 82.9% (29 out of 35 strains), respectively, reached the detection limit within 0–6 min. Of Salmonella strains, 87.9% (29 out of 33 isolates) reached the detection limit within 0–4 min, irrespective of antibiotic resistance phenotype. Analysis of non-log-linear microbial survivor curves indicated that non-O157 STEC serogroups and MDR and susceptible Salmonella strains required less time for 4D-reduction compared to E. coli O157:H7. Overall, for nearly all strains and time intervals, individual strains of wild-type and rifampicin-resistant non-O157 STEC and Salmonella were less (P
Lung function in type 2 diabetes: the Normative Aging Study

Summary Background Cross-sectional studies have noted that subjects with diabetes have lower lung function than non-diabetic subjects. We conducted this analysis to determine whether diabetic subjects have different rates of lung function change compared with non-diabetic subjects. Methods We conducted a nested case-control analysis in 352 men who developed diabetes and 352 non-diabetic subjects in a longitudinal observational study of aging in men. We assessed lung function among cases and controls at three time points: Time0, prior to meeting the definition of diabetes; Time1, the point when the definition of diabetes was met; and Time2, the most recent follow-up exam. Results Cases had lower forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV 1 ) and forced vital capacity (FVC) at all time points, even with adjustment for age, height, weight, and smoking. In multiple linear regression models adjusting for relevant covariates, there were no differences in rates of FEV 1 or FVC change over time between cases and controls. Conclusions Men who are predisposed to develop diabetes have decreased lung function many years prior to the diagnosis, compared with men who do not develop diabetes. This decrement in lung function remains after the development of diabetes. We postulate that mechanisms involved in the insulin resistant state contribute to the diminished lung function observed in our subjects.
Interleukin-4 can be a key positive regulator of inflammatory arthritis.

Objective Development of arthritis in the K/BxN mouse model depends on the induction of high titers of antibodies against the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate isomerase (GPI), promoted by CD4+ T cells expressing a GPI-specific transgenic T cell receptor (TCR). This study was undertaken to determine whether this strong autoantibody response depends on T cell differentiation to the Th1 or Th2 phenotype. Methods The roles of Th cell–biasing cytokines were investigated by introducing the interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-12–specific subunit p35 (IL-12p35)–knockout mutations into the K/BxN model and evaluating the impact of these deficiencies on disease. The IL-4–expressing cell types in K/BxN mice were revealed by crossing in a knockin alteration, which resulted in green fluorescent protein expression controlled by endogenous IL-4 gene–regulatory elements. Transfer experiments permitted the identification of the IL-4–producing cell type required for arthritis, and quantitative reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction allowed for determination of the cytokine profile of K/BxN T cells. Results While IL-12p35 appeared dispensable for the development of arthritis, IL-4 was crucial for full development of disease. The GPI-reactive TCR of standard K/BxN mice induced the transcriptional activation of the IL-4 locus in CD4+ T cells and eosinophils, and CD4+ T cells were the obligatory source of IL-4 for disease. However, the cytokine profile of K/BxN T cells revealed that K/BxN arthritis is not a “pure” Th2 disease. Conclusion The K/BxN model, although not a classic Th2 disease, depends critically on IL-4. The potential of IL-4 to promote inflammatory arthritis should be considered when proposing therapies for rheumatoid arthritis aimed at biasing T cells toward IL-4 production.
Cruisin' To Exclusion: Commodity Chains, the Cruise Industry, and Development in the Caribbean

Cruise ship tourism has become one of the fastest growing segments of the global tourism industry and is a central facet of the industry in various regions. This is particularly the case in the Caribbean where at any given time as many as 70 cruise ships may be operating. This article utilizes a global commodity chains (GCC) approach to investigate the political economy of the cruise ship industry and consider the development consequences for the Caribbean. It shows that a small number of global cruise lines use a combination of producer-driven and buyer-driven strategies to maximize on-board revenues and capture a very high proportion of economic surplus. The implications for developing country destinations are disturbingly clear. A Chinese version of this article's abstract is available online at: www.informaworld.com/rglo
Mechanical properties of hydrated cortical bone.

Abstract The elastic modulus and the viscous modulus of hydrated and airdried cortical bone were determined. All testing was done on highly organized specimens from the human femur with the same specimen loaded alternately in axial tension and compression. Sinusoidal strain rates in the physiologic range were employed. Specimens at 0. 30 and 45 to the long axis of femur were tested to demonstrate directional changes in the moduli. Both moduli showed no change of value in tensile and compressive loading modes.
Affirmative action for a face only a mother could love

Physical attractiveness is highly valued in our society and impacts a variety of decisions made by organizations. Generally speaking, research findings suggest that the more attractive the person, the greater the likelihood of favorable employment-related decisions. It follows then, that those considered physically unattractive will suffer adversely in some employment-related decisional contexts — decisions that may prevent them from achieving the good life. Until recently, discrimination against unattractive people has been considered nothing more than a moral or ethical issue. However, with the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, attractiveness as an employment-related criteria may become a legal issue. In this essay, we propose that the history of social and legal trends, coupled with uncertainties and ambiguities within the ADA, represents a possible expansion of protection for physically unattractive people.
Is Titan wet or dry

Titan's dense and cold nitrogen atmosphere contains a small amount of methane under conditions at least approaching those at which one or both constituents would condense. The possibility of methane and nitrogen rain clouds and global methane oceans has been discussed widely. From specific features of radio occultation and other Voyager results, however, it is concluded that nitrogen does not condense on Titan and that Titan has neither global methane oceans nor a global cloud of liquid methane droplets. Certain results indirectly support the conjecture that methane does not condense at any location. However, other considerations favor a methane ice haze high in the troposphere, and liquid and solid methane might exist on the surface and as low clouds at polar latitudes.
Sexual orientation and fluctuating asymmetry in men and women.

Previous research suggests that individuals’ sexual orientation may be affected by developmental instability (DI) induced by exposure to prenatal stresses. We tested this relationship using fluctuating asymmetry (FA), the small random deviations from symmetry that arise in otherwise bilaterally symmetrical traits as a consequence of developmental noise and developmental instability. Differences among individuals reflect variation in their exposure to and ability to accommodate for stresses experienced during development as well as to developmental noise that arises due to cellular stocasticity. FA measurements for 156 heterosexual and 132 homosexual men and women participants provided strong support for the developmental instability hypothesis: FA was significantly higher in both male and female homosexuals (men: four of seven bilateral traits and composite FA values (cFA); women: five of seven bilateral traits and composite FA values). Although finger-length ratios (FLRs), an indirect marker for prenatal hormones, were sex-atypical (e.g., feminized) for homosexual men, we failed to detect any relationship between FA levels and 2D:4D finger-length ratios (FLRs). Hence, although elevated levels of developmental stress appear to be linked to shifts in sexual orientation, the underlying mechanism does not seem to be connected to sex-atypical prenatal hormones. Additional analyses with sex atypical individuals are needed to confirm this.
Evaluation and Treatment of Spinal Injuries in the Obese Patient

Given the increasing incidence and severity of obesity in the adult population, orthopaedic surgeons are evaluating and treating more acutely injured obese patients. Management of obese patients is complicated given their body habitus and associated medical comorbidities. Although evaluation and treatment are almost the same as for nonobese patients, some special considerations are necessary to prevent errors in diagnosis and treatment of obese trauma patients. This article focuses on spine injuries in obese patients. Predisposition to spinal injury, effective evaluation and early management, principles of treatment planning, operative technical pearls, and postoperative management are discussed.
Ranked Set Sampling Based on Binary Water Quality Data With Covariates

A ranked set sample (RSS) is composed of independent order statistics, formed by collecting and ordering independent subsamples, then measuring only one item from each subsample. If the cost of sampling is dominated by data measurement rather than collection or ranking, the RSS technique is known to be superior to ordinary sampling. Experiments based on binary data are not designed to exploit the advantages of ranked set sampling because categorical data typical are as easily measured as ranked, making RSS methods impractical. However, in some environmental and biological studies, the success probability of a bivariate outcome is related to one or more covariates. If the covariate information is not easily quantified, but can be objectively ordered with respect to this success probability, the RSS method can be used to improve the analysis of binary data. This article considers the case in which the covariate information is modeled in terms of a mixing distribution for the success probability, and the expected success probability is of primary interest. The inference technique is demonstrated with water-quality data from the Rappahannock river in Virginia. In a general setting, the RSS estimator is shown to be superior, including cases in which error in judgment ranking is present.
Neoadjuvant bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin in adult neuroblastoma arising from the broad ligament of the uterus.

Abstract Background A case of primary neuroblastoma arising from the broad ligament with excellent response to neoadjuvant bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) is reported. Case A 48-year-old woman, G0, who presented with acute renal failure, an enlarged pelvic mass, and abdominal pain was diagnosed with adult neuroblastoma arising from the broad ligament of the uterus. She received three cycles of neoadjuvant therapy consisting of bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (BEP) given every 3 weeks and had an excellent initial response. She then underwent total abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, omentectomy, and appendectomy, with pathologic analysis revealing small residual disease on the broad ligament of the uterus and omentum. The patient died of recurrent disease 20 months after her initial diagnosis. Conclusions The clinical management of cancer in the broad ligament of the uterus must be tailored to the pathologic diagnosis. Although our patient had an excellent initial response to BEP, further study is needed to identify a treatment that can reduce recurrences and improve clinical outcomes.
A comparison of cervical histopathology variability using whole slide digitized images versus glass slides: Experience with a statewide registry

Summary Whole slide imaging is increasingly used for primary and consultative diagnoses, teaching, telepathology, slide sharing, and archiving. We compared pathologist evaluations of glass slides and corresponding digitized images within the context of a statewide surveillance effort. Cervical specimens collected by the New Mexico HPV Pap Registry research program targeted cases diagnosed between 2006 and 2010. Two samples of 250 slides each were digitized with the ScanScope XT (Aperio, Vista, CA) microscope and reviewed with Aperio ImageScope reader. (1) A "random set" had a distribution of community diagnoses: 70% from cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 or higher, 20% from cases of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 and 10% from negative cases. (2) A "discrepant set" was represented by difficult cases where 2 study pathologists initially disagreed. Within the regular workflow of the New Mexico HPV Pap Registry, 3 pathologists read the slides 2 to 3 times each without knowledge of clinical history, previous readings or sampling scheme. Pathologists also read each corresponding image twice. For within- and between-reader comparisons we calculated unweighted κ statistics and asymmetry χ 2 tests. Across all comparisons, slides and images yielded similar results. For the random set, almost all within-reader and between-reader Kappa values ranged between 0.7 and 0.8 and 0.6 and 0.7, respectively. For the discrepant set, most within- and between-reader κ values were 0.4 to 0.6. As cervical intraepithelial neoplasia diagnostic terminology changes, pathologists may need to re-read histopathology slides to compare disease trends over time, eg, before/after introduction of human papillomavirus vaccination. Diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia differed little between slides and corresponding digitized images.
Strength of Polysilicon for MEMS Devices

The safe, secure and reliable application of Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) devices requires knowledge about the distribution in material and mechanical properties of the small-scale structures. A new testing program at Sandia is quantifying the strength distribution using polysilicon samples that reflect the dimensions of critical MEMS components. The strength of polysilicon fabricated at Sandia's Microelectronic Development Laboratory was successfully measured using samples 2.5 microns thick, 1.7 microns wide with lengths between 15 and 25 microns. These tensile specimens have a freely moving hub on one end that anchors the sample to the silicon die and allows free rotation. Each sample is loaded in uniaxial tension by pulling laterally with a flat tipped diamond in a computer-controlled Nanoindenter. The stress-strain curve is calculated using the specimen cross section and gage length dimensions verified by measuring against a standard in the SEM.
Combinatorial discovery of metal co-catalysts for the carbonylation of phenol

Abstract The palladium-catalyzed carbonylation of phenol to form diphenyl carbonate (DPC) requires the presence of a metal co-catalyst to catalyze the reoxidation of palladium from Pd 0 to Pd 2+ in the presence of oxygen. In this study, we utilize a high throughput screening (HTS) methodology to rapidly study the nature of the co-catalyst with an emphasis on combinations of metal co-catalysts that appear to work in a synergistic manner to increase palladium usage. Critical new developments were made in using a small-scale reactor in diffusion controlled systems. The HTS system is described along with the optimized catalyst packages that were determined. Additionally, the results from HTS were used to better elucidate the mechanism of this potentially important commercial reaction.
Intracisternally applied angiotensin II does not excite reticulospinal vasomotor neurons in anesthetized rats

Abstract We examined whether vasomotor neurons in the rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus of the medulla oblongata might be responsible for an acute increase in arterial pressure, elicited by application of angiotensin II in the central nervous system, as suggested by others. In urethane-pentobarbital-anesthetized and ventilated rats, intracisternal administration of angiotensin II (1–30 nmol, infused over a period of 30 s) produced a dose-dependent pressor response, which was abolished by intracisternal application of [Sar 1 ,Thr 8 ]angiotensin II (100 nmol), an angiotensin II receptor antagonist. The pressor response, however, was neither preceded by nor associated with increased discharges of vasomotor neurons with slow- and fast-conduction axons in the rostroventrolateral reticular nucleus and of lumbar sympathetic chain and renal sympathetic nerves. Intravenous injections of [β-mercapto-β,β-cyclopentamethylenepropinyl 1 ,- O -Et-Tyr 2 ,Val 4 ,Arg 8 ]vasopressin, a vasopressin receptor antagonist, largely abolished the central angiotensin II-induced pressor response, while a blockade of ganglionic transmission with hexamethonium and disruption of descending sympathoexcitatory output were ineffective. We conclude that central administration of angiotensin II, under the experimental conditions and at the doses, evokes an acute pressor response largely through the release of vasopressin, not by exciting vasomotor and sympathetic neurons.