cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fetal lung lesions: can we start to breathe easier?

Objective The purpose of this study was to develop a simple and accurate approach for risk stratification of fetal lung lesions that are associated with respiratory compromise at birth. Study Design We conducted a retrospective review of 64 prenatal lung lesions that were managed at a single fetal care referral center (2001-2011). Sonographic data were analyzed and correlated with perinatal outcomes. Results Hydrops occurred in only 4 cases (6.3%). Among fetuses without hydrops, the congenital pulmonary airway malformation volume ratio (CVR) was the only variable that was associated significantly with respiratory compromise and the need for lung resection at birth ( P 1.0, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value for respiratory morbidity were 90%, 93%, 75%, and 98%, respectively. Conclusion Nonhydropic fetuses with a maximum CVR >1.0 are a subgroup of patients who are at increased risk for respiratory morbidity and the need for surgical intervention. These patients should be delivered at a tertiary care center with pediatric surgery expertise to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.
Paul's Thinking about Resurrection in its Jewish Context*

Paul describes his discipleship and mission, in short his apostolate, in terms of his vision of the resurrection of the exalted Christ. The glorious body of Christ and the spiritual body are similar in substance because one is transformed into the other, a conclusion based on his own experience of visions of the risen Christ in a body but not a physical body in normal sight. This notion of Christ's risen activity contrasts strongly with the later gospel description of the risen Christ. It comes out of Jewish apocalypticism, revalued to express his new Christian vision of the end.
Neutrophil chemotaxis in response to surface-bound C5a ☆

Abstract Many biological functions of neutrophils can be initiated by surface-bound stimuli. This report describes experiments examining the role of surface-bound C5a on neutrophil chemotaxis. Cellulose-nitrate filters were preincubated with various concentrations of highly purified human C5a. After washing the filters, incubating for an additional hour and washing again, the filters were used in a standard two-filter chemotaxis assay with human neutrophils and no additional stimulus. The bound C5a induced an effective directional migration of the neutrophils. Establishment of a chemotactic gradient within the filters was suggested by the absence of directional migration when the pretreated C5a filters were inverted before the chemotactic assay. The presence of the chemotactic gradient was further shown by use of autoradiography and 125 I-C5a. These studies suggest that interaction of neutrophils with surface-bound C5a can promote the movement of the neutrophil in the direction of increased concentrations of the bound ligand.
Tropomyosin-Kappa Alters Cardiac Dynamics in a Mouse Heart Model

Tropomyosin-kappa (TPM1κ), a novel TM isoform, is exclusively expressed in the human heart. Alternative splicing of the α-TM gene generates TPM1κ, in which the skeletal muscle exon 2b is replaced by the smooth muscle exon 2a. We previously reported that TPM1κ expression was increased in the hearts of patients with chronic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). To understand how the TPM1κ isoform affects cardiac dynamics, we generated transgenic (TG) mice expressing TPM1κ in the myocardium. Most of the native TM (90%) is replaced by TPM1κ. In situ cardiac dynamics were determined by echocardiographic analysis. Results demonstrated that the TG hearts exhibited a diastolic dysfunction associated with a dilation of the left ventricle compared with the non transgenic (NTG) controls. We also compared force-pCa relations in detergent extracted (skinned) fiber bundles isolated from NTG and TG-TPM1κ hearts at sarcomere lengths (SL) 1.9 μm and 2.3µm. Our data demonstrated a significant decrease in the Ca2+ sensitivity of the myofilaments from TG hearts at both SL compared to NTG ones. There was an equal leftward shift of the force-pCa curves from both NTG and TG hearts when SL was increased to 2.3 µm. In addition, NEM-S1, a mimic of strongly bound, rigor cross-bridges, was not able to induce activation of TG myofilaments to the same extent as in the NTG controls. To determine whether isoform switching affects sarcomeric protein phosphorylation, we performed two-dimensional difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) and Western blots using TM, TPM1κ, and Serine-283P specific antibodies. We observed an increase in the total phosphorylation of TPM1κ compared with that of α-TM. MLC2, TnI, and TnT phosphorylation was not significantly affected. Our results demonstrate that the increased cardiac expression of TPM1κ alters cardiac dynamics in a similar way to DCM-linked point mutations of TM.
CO2 sensing mechanisms of an electrocatalytic sensor based on a tungsten-stabilized bismuth oxide solid electrolyte and cyclic voltammetry measurement techniques

The CO2 sensing mechanisms of an active, thick-film electrochemical sensor based on a tungsten-stabilized bismuth oxide solid electrolyte are investigated. CO2 electroactive response appears to be directly related to the tungsten dopant within the solid electrolyte layer and is dependant on electrolyte porosity.
Differences in the Lipid Composition of Fresh Water Prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) and Marine Shrimp

Total lipid content of fresh water prawn (FWP, Macrobrachium rosenbergii) was found to be greater than that of marine shrimp (3.18 vs 1.33%). This was due to the much higher levels of triglycerides in FWP as compared to marine shrimp. The ω6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) predominated in FWP lipids, whereas the w3 PUFA predominated in marine shrimp, primarily due to the greater concentration of linoleic acid in FWP lipids (16.3 vs 2.9%). The triglycerides of both species contained considerable amounts of PUFA and FWP has a high triglyceride content. This may contribute, in part, to the shorter shelf-life of Macrobrachium as compared to marine shrimp.
Films on Demand

Films on Demand provides streaming digital videos, specifically geared for serving educational needs. While not solely clinical based, they offer titles in a wide range of disciplines, including a wealth of resources in Health and Medicine. Other interdisciplinary categories are available that would be useful resources to health and medical professionals. Convenient access and the ability to embed videos in other web environments, including course management systems like Blackboard, make this a favorable product. This article will review the contents, navigation, and customizations available to users of Films on Demand, and discuss why an audiovisual e-resource is a beneficial acquisition in today's educational environment.
Mechanism of Collapse of Tall Steel Moment-Frame Buildings under Earthquake Excitation

The mechanism of collapse of tall steel moment-frame buildings is explored through three-dimensional nonlinear analyses of two 18-story steel moment-frame buildings under earthquake excitation. Both fracture-susceptible and perfect-connection conditions are investigated. Classical energy-balance analysis shows that only long-period excitation imparts energy to tall buildings large enough to cause collapse. Under such long-period motion, the shear-beam analogy alludes to the existence of a characteristic mechanism of collapse or a few preferred mechanisms of collapse for these buildings. Numerical evidence from parametric analyses of the buildings under a suite of idealized sawtooth-like ground-motion time histories, with varying period (T), amplitude (peak ground velocity, PGV), and duration (number of cycles, N), is presented to support this hypothesis. Damage localizes to form a quasi-shear band over a few stories. When the band is destabilized, sidesway collapse is initiated, and gravity takes over. Only one to five collapse mechanisms occur out of a possible 153 mechanisms in either principal direction of the buildings considered. Where two or more preferred mechanisms do exist, they have significant story-overlap, typically separated by just 1 story. It is shown that a simple work-energy relation applied to all possible quasi-shear bands combined with plastic analysis principles can systematically identify all the preferred collapse mechanisms.
Ubiquitin-proteasome inhibition enhances apoptosis of human pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract Background: Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α)–induced apoptosis is limited by coactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kb)–dependent antiapoptotic genes. Nuclear translocation of NF-kB requires degradation of ubiquitinated phospho-IkB-a by the 26S proteasome. We examined whether inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway enhances TNF-α–induced apoptosis in BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Serum-starved BxPC-3 cells (12 hours) were pretreated or not for 50 minutes with PSI (30 μmol/L), a peptide aldehyde known to inhibit specifically the chymotrypsin-like activity of the 26S proteasome. Cells were subsequently stimulated with recombinant human TNF-α (400 units/mL). Western blots were performed using antibodies to IκB-α and phospho-IκB-α. Level of apoptosis was determined by two methods: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay detection of interhistone DNA fragments and flow cytometry with propidium iodide staining. Results: TNF-α–induced degradation of IκB-α was inhibited by PSI. Phospho-IκB-α accumulation was observed 20 minutes after TNF-α stimulation. Apoptosis relative to constitutive levels was significantly increased after PSI pretreatment, as measured by DNA fragmentation (P ≤ .05 by Student t test). Percent apoptosis by flow cytometry confirmed marked increases in apoptotic cell fractions from 5.9% (untreated) to 6.8% (TNF-α alone), 16.4% (PSI alone), and 18.9% (PSI and TNF-α). Conclusions: PSI enhances both constitutive and TNF-α–induced apoptosis through inhibition of IκB-α degradation in BxPC-3 human pancreatic cancer cells. (Surgery 1999;371-7.)
Molecular mechanics of mussel adhesion proteins

Abstract Mussel foot protein (mfp), a natural glue produced by marine mussel, is an intriguing material because of its superior ability for adhesion in various environments. For example, a very small amount of this material is sufficient to affix a mussel to a substrate in water, providing structural support under extreme forces caused by the dynamic effects of waves. Towards a more complete understanding of its strength and underwater workability, it is necessary to understand the microscropic mechanisms by which the protein structure interacts with various substrates. However, none of the mussel proteins’ structure is known, preventing us from directly using atomistic modeling to probe their structural and mechanical properties. Here we use an advanced molecular sampling technique to identify the molecular structures of two mussel foot proteins (mfp-3 and mfp-5) and use those structures to study their mechanics of adhesion, which is then incorporated into a continuum model. We calculate the adhesion energy of the mussel foot protein on a silica substrate, compute the adhesion strength based on results obtained from molecular modeling, and compare with experimental data. Our results show good agreement with experimental measurements, which validates the multiscale model. We find that the molecular structure of the folded mussel foot protein (ultimately defined by its genetic sequence) favors strong adhesion to substrates, where L -3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (or DOPA) protein subunits work in a cooperative manner to enhance adhesion. Our experimental data suggests a peak attachment force of 0.4±0.1 N, which compares favorably with the prediction from the multiscale model of F c = 0.21–0.33 N. The principles learnt from those results could guide the fabrication of new interfacial materials (e.g. composites) to integrate organic with inorganic surfaces in an effective manner.
Investigating the Potential of Community College Developmental Summer Bridge Programs in Facilitating Student Adjustment to Four-Year Institutions

This study examines whether community college developmental summer bridge programs (DSBPs) can help students acquire the academic and college knowledge needed to attend and succeed at a four-year higher education institution. In-depth interviews with 14 participants at nine four-year institutions in Texas were conducted two years after their random assignment into one of four four-week long community college DSBPs. The interviews reinforced the value of such programs in affording key validating and socializing experiences as well as illuminate program limitations in managing student expectations and providing institution-specific college knowledge for students who will matriculate at a four-year institution subsequent to program participation.
Mechanical behavior and design database of packed beds for blanket designs

Abstract The mechanical behavior and properties of particle beds relevant to fusion ceramic breeder blanket designs are addressed through a combination of experimental and analytical studies. A series of uniaxial compression tests are performed in a INSTRON hydraulic-press test facility in which compressive loads are applied to Li 2 ZrO 3 and aluminum packed beds. The experimental data shows that the mechanical properties such as the bed effective modulus are stress dependent and consistent with the analytical model predictions. Nevertheless, the experimental data shows that the bed effective modulus is approximately two orders of magnitude lower than that of the solid material.
A Case Of Cartographic Aggression

(1981). A Case Of Cartographic Aggression. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 251-251.
Variation in the crystallinity of carbons deposited in fluidized beds

Abstract A variety of carbons deposited in fluidized beds have been studied, using X-ray scattering techniques to determine the concentration of amorphous carbon and misaligned single layers in each. It was found that small amounts of amorphous carbon can be present in carbons deposited at 1400°C and that the amount present increases with the deposition rate. The concentration of misaligned single layers in these carbons varied from 23% in the low density carbon deposited from 5% methane to less than 2% in the high density anisotropic carbon deposited from 40% methane. This decrease in the concentration of single layers with methane concentration occurred regardless of a concomitant increase in deposition rate. The carbons deposited at 1650°C and above had no detectable amorphous carbon in their structures. The low density, isotropic carbon deposited at a very high rate at 1650°C was found to contain about 10% single misaligned layers compared with 1% to 2% in the carbons deposited at 1900° and 2000°C. Possible models of carbon deposition that are consistent with the observed variations in structure with deposition conditions are presented.
Conductivity imaging by the method of characteristics in the 1-Laplacian

We consider the problem of reconstruction of a sufficiently smooth planar conductivity from the knowledge of the magnitude |J| of one current density field inside the domain, and the corresponding voltage and current on a part of the boundary. Mathematically, we are led to the Cauchy problem for the the 1-Laplacian with partial data. Different from existing works, we show that the equipotential lines are characteristics in a first order quasilinear partial differential equation. The conductivity can be recovered in the region flown by the characteristics originating at parts of the boundary where the data are available. Numerical experiments show the feasibility of this alternative method.
Hydrodynamic Studies on the Quaternary Structure of Recombinant Mouse Purβ

Abstract Purβ is a gene regulatory factor belonging to a family of highly conserved nucleic acid-binding proteins related by their ability to preferentially bind single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences rich in purine nucleotides. In conjunction with Purα, Purβ has been implicated in transcriptional and translational repression of genes encoding contractile proteins found in the heart and vasculature. Although several models of sequence-specific DNA recognition, strand separation, and activator inhibition by oligomeric Purα and Purβ have been proposed, it is currently unclear whether protein-protein interaction is a prerequisite to, or a consequence of nucleic acid binding. In this study, a recombinant protein purification scheme was devised to yield homogenous mouse Purβ devoid of nucleic acid. Recombinant Purβ was then subjected to light scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation analyses to assess the size, shape, and oligomeric state of the purified protein in solution. Results of laser light scattering and sedimentation velocity experiments indicated that Purβ reversibly self-associates in the absence of nucleic acid. Both approaches independently showed that the hydrodynamic shape of the Purβ homodimer is markedly asymmetric and non-spherical. Sedimentation velocity analyses indicated that dimeric Purβ has a sedimentation coefficient of 3.96 Svedberg, a frictional coefficient ratio (f/f0) of 1.60, and a hydrodynamic radius of 4.43 nm. These values were consistent with those determined by independent dynamic light scattering studies. Sedimentation equilibrium analyses confirmed that Purβ self-associates in a reversible monomer-dimer equilibrium characterized by a Kd = 1.13 ± 0.27 μm.
Role of Hydrogen Bonds in the Reaction Mechanism of Chalcone Isomerase

In flavonoid, isoflavonoid, and anthocyanin biosynthesis, chalcone isomerase (CHI) catalyzes the intramolecular cyclization of chalcones into (S)-flavanones with a second-order rate constant that approaches the diffusion-controlled limit. The three-dimensional structures of alfalfa CHI complexed with different flavanones indicate that two sets of hydrogen bonds may possess critical roles in catalysis. The first set of interactions includes two conserved amino acids (Thr48 and Tyr106) that mediate a hydrogen bond network with two active site water molecules. The second set of hydrogen bonds occurs between the flavanone 7-hydroxyl group and two active site residues (Asn113 and Thr190). Comparison of the steady-state kinetic parameters of wild-type and mutant CHIs demonstrates that efficient cyclization of various chalcones into their respective flavanones requires both sets of contacts. For example, the T48A, T48S, Y106F, N113A, and T190A mutants exhibit 1550-, 3-, 30-, 7-, and 6-fold reductions in kcat and...
Use of Endoluminal Antireflux Therapies for Obese Patients with GERD

Obese patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) refractory to medical therapy are a challenging patient population as obesity is a preoperative predictor of failure after antireflux surgery. We therefore sought to evaluate outcomes using one of two commercially available endoluminal therapies in this population. Consecutive obese patients (body mass index (BMI) > 30) with GERD (DeMeester >14.5) undergoing either Plicator (NDO) or Stretta (Curon) were identified in our single-institution prospective database. Outcomes assessed were: (1) failure rate (absolutely no symptomatic improvement after procedure and/or need for subsequent antireflux surgery), (2) postoperative vs. preoperative symptom (heartburn, chest pain, regurgitation, dysphagia, cough, hoarseness, and asthma) scores, and (3) proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medication use. Twenty-two patients each underwent an endoluminal therapy (ten Plicator patients and 12 Stretta patients) with mean follow-up of 1.5 years. There were no treatment-associated complications. Mean BMI was not different between Plicator and Stretta groups (39.6 vs. 38.6, respectively, p = 0.33). The failure rate for the entire cohort was 28% (10% Plicator vs. 42% Stretta, p = 0.11). The proportion of patients reporting moderate/severe symptoms postop was significantly less than preop: chest pain 9% vs. 13% (p = 0.04), cough 22% vs. 36% preop (p = 0.025), voice changes 9% vs. 36% preop (p = 0.012), and dysphagia 9% vs. 32% preop (p = 0.04). The proportion of patients on PPI medications postop was also less than preop (45% vs. 81%, p = 0.1) Endoluminal treatment can provide a safe means of improving GERD symptoms for some obese patients, though many will continue to require medication therapy also. Further work aimed at understanding optimal candidates for endoluminal therapy in this patient population is warranted.
Analysis of nautical X-band radar images for the generation of bathymetric map by the NSP method

This work presents the experimental validation of a novel data processing approach to estimate the local depth in a shallow coastal area starting from X-band radar data. The approach is based on the maximization of the Normalized Scalar Product (NSP) between the measured and the theoretical wave dispersion relations, which embed the dependence on the searched for parameters (current vector and depth). The use of NSP approach allows obtaining a high resolution spatial map of the investigated area and a thorough statistical analysis of this approach is carried out by comparison with the ground truth data collected by a multibeam echo-sounder. Finally, the accuracy of the NSP approach is compared with the one achieved by other methods and prove to provide better results.
Spatial Heterogeneity in Fasting and Insulin-Stimulated 18F-2-Deoxyglucose Uptake in Pigs With Hibernating Myocardium

Background—Previous studies of hibernating myocardium in the fasting state have shown regionally increased 18F-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake with a marked transmural gradient. We hypothesized that this adaptation to chronic ischemia might be associated with altered maximal FDG uptake. Methods and Results—Pigs were instrumented with a 1.5-mm proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) stenosis. Studies were conducted 106±4 days later on anesthetized animals with complete LAD occlusion and anteroapical dysfunction. In fasting animals (n=9), FDG uptake in dysfunctional LAD regions was 2-fold higher than in normally perfused myocardium (7.9±1.2 versus 4.0±0.5μmol · min−1 · 100 g−1, P<0.05), with a pronounced transmural gradient (endocardial/epicardial ratio 2.56±0.19 versus 1.25±0.03, P<0.05). Euglycemic, hyperinsulinemic clamp (insulin clamp, n=8) produced a 5- to 9-fold increase in FDG uptake, but there was no longer a regional difference in accumulation (LAD, 37.8±4.2 versus normal, 36.4±5.1 μmol · min−1 ...
An orthogonal oligonucleotide protecting group strategy that enables assembly of repetitive or highly structured DNAs.

A general problem that exists in the assembly of large and organized DNA structures from smaller fragments is secondary structure that blocks or prevents it. For example, it is common to assemble longer synthetic DNA and RNA fragments by ligation of smaller synthesized units, but blocking secondary structure can prevent the formation of the intended complex before enzymatic ligation can occur. In addition, there is a general need for protecting groups that would block reactivity of some DNA bases in a sequence, leaving others free to react or hybridize. Here we describe such a strategy. The approach involves the protecting group dimethylacetamidine (Dma), which we show to remain intact on exocyclic amines of adenine bases while other bases carrying commercially available ‘ultra mild deprotection’ protecting groups are removed by potassium carbonate in methanol. The intact Dma groups prevent unwanted hybridization at undesired sites, thus encouraging it to occur where intended, and allowing for successful ligations. The Dma group is then deprotected by treatment with ammonia in methanol. Other common amine protecting groups such as benzoyl and allyloxycarbonyl were not successful in such a strategy, at least in part because they did not prevent hybridization. We demonstrate the method in the synthesis of a circular 54mer oligonucleotide composed of nine human telomere repeats, which was not possible to assemble by conventional methods.
Platypnea-Orthodeoxia, An Uncommon Presentation of Patent Foramen Ovale

The platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome is a rare clinical presentation. The differential diagnosis is short and includes cardiac, hepatic, and pulmonary causes, with right-to-left intracardiac shunt being the most common. A secondary process is usually present in conjunction with an intracardiac shunt in order for platypnea and orthodeoxia to develop. We present a 63-year-old man in whom the platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome was associated with a patent foramen ovale and symptoms were manifested by the subacute development of pulmonary arterial hypertension mediated by pulmonary tumor emboli. On postmortem examination, the patient had an underlying poorly differentiated lung adenocarcinoma. This case provides a concise review of the platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome and pulmonary tumor emboli and stresses the importance of looking for a secondary process in conjunction with an intracardiac shunt in establishing the underlying diagnosis.
The azimuthal variation of teleseismic P-residuals in southern California: Implications for upper-mantle structure

The azimuthal variation of teleseismic P-delays has been investigated for stations of the USGS-Caltech Southern California Seismographic Network. Normalized residuals show azimuthal variations as large as 1.2 s, and must be explained in terms of upper mantle structure. The observed azimuthal dependence implies the presence of a region of depressed velocity beneath the Imperial Valley, and regions of increased velocity below the Sierra Nevada, southwest Arizona, and much of the Transverse Ranges. The last is a major high velocity ridge-like structure, extending from a depth of ~40 km to over 100 km, which crosses, but is not offset by, the San Andreas Fault. This suggests that the plate boundary at depth may diverge from its surface expression. The horizontal shear resulting from the divergence of crust and mantle plate boundaries may be accommodated by a zone of decoupling associated with the regionally observed 7.8 km/s (P_n) layer.
Performance analysis of real-time traffic in Wi-Fi networks: A Markov chain-based approach

In this paper we introduce a simple model to analyze the performance of Wi-Fi networks carrying real-time video traffic. In particular, we estimate the throughput, capacity and bandwidth utilization using two-dimensional Markov model. We demonstrate that there exists a correlation between the queue size of client nodes and the capacity of the network. We also compute bandwidth utilization for variable packet arrival rates. The two-dimensional approach is shown to be simpler and more efficient than some of the existing models because it reduces the total number of Markov states in the system. Moreover, the proposed model is generic in the sense that some of the existing approaches become special cases of our model based on the queue size. Experimental results generated by Qualnet simulator validate our analytical results.
The Early Development of Children's Communication about Nested Spatial Relations

This investigation examined how the nature of the spatial relation influences young children's ability to remember and communicate about nested landmarks. Of particular interest was whether young children are more likely to use a supporting than a proximal landmark to disambiguate identical landmarks (e.g., “it's in the basket on the table” vs. “it's in the basket next to the table”). 3- and 4-year-olds hid objects in a dollhouse and described their locations. Children had to disambiguate the target primary landmark by relating it to a supporting or proximal secondary landmark. Both age groups almost always provided the primary landmark, but 4-year-olds were more likely to provide the secondary landmark than were 3-year-olds. Moreover, children were more successful at providing supporting than proximal secondary landmarks. These results suggest that both referential communication skills and biases in coding location influence children's communication about nested landmarks.
Life History: Mother-Specific Proteins that Promote Aging

A yeast mother cell progressively ages with each cell division and yet produces daughter cells that are largely rejuvenated, suggesting that mothers accumulate aging factors. Two current studies address this issue by identifying mother-specific long-lived proteins and, in the case of Pma1, evidence that asymmetric distribution drives mother cell aging.
Converting Asset Holdings into Livelihood: An Empirical Study on the Role of Household Agency in South Africa

Summary This paper analyzes the complexities of converting assets into livelihood and the role that agency constraints play. Drawing inspiration from the capabilities approach and using household data from South Africa, linkages between assets and agency are identified by decomposing asset endowments’ impact on future livelihood. By employing a method of path analysis akin to early heritability of traits studies, theoretical asset-based studies of chronic poverty are bridged with capabilities literatures. The interaction between assets and agency is shown to be as important as asset-to-asset complementarities. The results have wide ranging policy implications.
Low oral doses of bisphenol A increase volume of the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area in male, but not female, rats at postnatal day 21.

Abstract Perinatal treatment with relatively high doses of bisphenol A (BPA) appears to have little effect on volume of the rodent sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN-POA). However, doses more relevant to human exposures have not been examined. Here, effects of pre- and post-natal treatment with low BPA doses on SDN-POA volume of postnatal day (PND) 21 Sprague–Dawley rats were evaluated. Pregnant rats were orally gavaged with vehicle, 2.5 or 25.0 μg/kg BPA, or 5.0 or 10.0 μg/kg ethinyl estradiol (EE 2 ) on gestational days 6–21. Beginning on the day after birth, offspring were orally treated with the same dose their dam had received. On PND 21, offspring (n = 10–15/sex/group; 1/sex/litter) were perfused and volume evaluation was conducted blind to treatment. SDN-POA outline was delineated using calbindin D28K immunoreactivity. Pairwise comparisons of the significant treatment by sex interaction indicated that neither BPA dose affected female volume. However, females treated with 5.0 or 10.0 μg/kg EE 2 exhibited volumes that were larger than same-sex controls, respectively (p 2 had larger volumes than same-sex controls (p 2 -induced increase in female volume. These treatment effects might lead to organizational changes within sexually dimorphic neuroendocrine pathways which, if persistent, could theoretically alter adult reproductive physiology and socio-sexual behavior in rats.
Effects of direct electric fields, noise, sex and age on maze learning in rats

Equal numbers of male and female rats of the King-Holtzman hybrid breed, divided into two age groups (group A1: 21–30 days old and group A2: 90–100 days old), were exposed to two levels of noise: N0 = 30 db and N1 = 90 db, (ref. 0.002µbar), and three levels of direct electric field intensities: E0 = electric field strength of zero; E1 = 1,600 v/m; and E2 = 16,000 v/m. Time and error scores of 240 rats running a modified Lashley left-right maze with an escape-from-water motive served as criteria. A randomized complete blocks design with replications (2 × 3 × 2 × 2 × 10) was selected for treatment by analysis of variance. The results indicate that (a) adult rats pre-exposed to electric fields showed significantly lower error scores than young rats, regardless of sex or the noise condition; (b) after exposure to electric fields all rats swam faster than their controls; (c) after exposure to noise females showed significantly higher time scores than males under the same conditions, regardless of age; and (d) when subjected to the combined effect of electric fields and noise males showed significantly lower time scores than females under the same conditions, regardless of age.
Electoral System and Gender Representation in Sub-National Legislatures: Is there a National—Sub-National Gender Gap?:

Although there have been many studies which have looked at the impact of gender representation at the national level, there are relatively few which explore the sub-national level. In this article we provide an exploration of the patterns of representation of women within democratic countries, both developed and transitional that have elected regional, state, cantonal, or provincial legislatures which occupy the middle ground between the central government and local or municipal administration. We provide a systematic comparative analysis of women’s access to and representation in such bodies. The focus is on a cross-national comparison of gender representation at the meso level and the gap in representation between meso and national legislatures. The impact of electoral system type, party magnitude, economic development, constitutional structure, and institutionalization of democratic structures are examined. The data on which this analysis is based are drawn from 536 meso legislative bodies in 29 countr...
Occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 in vegetable salads

Abstract The occurrence of Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli and E. coli O157:H7 in 63 vegetable salads served at 31 food service facilities (four supermarkets, 14 fast food chain restaurants, and 13 family restaurants) was examined. Homogenized salad samples were incubated in half-strength TSB for 6 h, then in specific selective enrichment media for each bacterial species. After cultures were streaked onto sets of selective agar plates, bacterial colonies with characteristic features were confirmed biochemically and immunologically. Escherichia coli was detected in eight salad samples and L. monocytogenes in one sample. The contaminated salads were purchased from one supermarket, two fast food chain restaurants and two family restaurants tested. Vegetable salads served in the other 26 food service facilities contained none of the four pathogens. Therefore, the production and maintenance of safe, quality vegetable salads in supermarkets, family restaurants and fast food chain restaurants is achievable.
PET scanning and the solitary pulmonary nodule

The finding of a solitary pulmonary nodule on a chest radiograph is a common problem in pulmonary medicine and is seen in about 1 in 500 chest radiographs. Of the benign lesions, 80% are infectious granulomas, 10% are hamartomas, and the remaining 10% are caused by a variety of rarer disorders including noninfectious granulomas and other benign tumors. The prevalence of malignancy ranges from 10% to 68% in the literature. Because of the high prevalence of malignancy and the poor survival for lung cancer, early detection, characterization, and directed treatment are important. Positron emission tomography with 18-Fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG-PET) can play an important role in the evaluation and management of solitary pulmonary nodules. This includes improved characterization of solitary pulmonary nodules with very high negative predictive value and improved staging information when performed in association with CT, especially for nodal staging and identification of unsuspected stage IV disease. PET also provides additional information for management of solitary pulmonary nodules by esitimating the probability of malignancy. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Quark sea and quantum chromodynamics

Employing a quantum-chromodynamic framework, we study the existence of quark-antiquark pairs, in addition to the usual valence quarks, within the rest frame of baryons. The structure of such a quark sea is discussed and an estimate of its strength is made using the MIT bag model. A significant amount of sea is found, and its effect on calculated properties of hadrons is 20-30%.
Effects of early in ovo administration of ethanol on expression of the GABAergic neuronal phenotype in the chick embryo.

Abstract In order to study the influence of ethanol on GABAergic neuronal expression in the chick embryonic brain, activity of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD; a GABAergic neuronal marker) was examined in whole brain derived from embryonic chick following the in ovo administration of ethanol. GAD activity was already detectable by 3 days of embryogenesis and exhibited a logarithmic increase up to embryonic day 16 (E16). By E18, GAD activity began to plateau. Administration of ethanol (10 mg/50 μl/day) to embryos in ovo on days E1–E3, resulted in increased GAD activity in whole brain when embryos were sacrificed at E8. However, when embryos were administered ethanol on days E4–E7, activity of GAD was unchanged as compared with controls. Similarly, when embryos were administered ethanol chronically from E1–E7 no significant effect was observed in GAD activity. The increase observed in GAD activity after exposure to ethanol during a period of active neuronal proliferation (E1–E3) supports our view that E1–E3 is the critical period of sensitivity to ethanol with respect to the development of neuronal phenotypes during embryogenesis. Furthermore, the absence of any significant effect of ethanol administered from E1 to E7 on GAD activity suggests the existence of a compensatory response to ethanol insult.
Influences of microbubble diameter and ultrasonic parameters on in vitro sonothrombolysis efficacy.

Abstract Purpose To quantify the effects of microbubble (MB) size, elasticity, and pulsed ultrasonic parameters on in vitro sonothrombolysis (ultrasound [US]-mediated thrombolysis) efficacy. Materials and Methods Monodispersive MBs with diameters of 1 μm or 3 μm were exposed to pulsed US (1 MHz or 3 MHz) to lyse rabbit blood clots. Sonothrombolysis efficacy (clot mass loss) was measured as functions of MB size and concentration, ultrasonic frequency and intensity, pulse duration (PD), pulse repeat frequency (PRF), and duty factor. Results Sonothrombolysis at 1 MHz was more effective using 3-μm MBs and at 3 MHz using 1-μm MBs. Sonothrombolysis was more effective at 1 MHz when≥75% of MBs remained intact, especially for 3-μm MBs; improving sonothrombolysis by increasing PRF from 100 Hz to 400 Hz at 3 MHz was associated with increasing 3-μm MB survival. However, 60% of 1-μm MBs were destroyed during maximal sonothrombolysis at 3 MHz, indicating that considerable MB collapse may be required for sonothrombolysis under these conditions. Conclusions The ability to control MB size and elasticity permits using a wide range of US parameters (eg, frequency, intensity) to produce desired levels of sonothrombolysis. Comparable, maximal sonothrombolysis efficacy was achieved at 20-fold lower intensity with 3-μm MBs (0.1W/cm 2 ) than with 1-μm MBs (2.0W/cm 2 ), a potential safety issue for in vivo sonothrombolysis. US parameters that maximized MB survival yielded maximal sonothrombolysis efficacy except with 1-μm MBs at 3MHz where most MBs were destroyed.
Analysis of intracellular recordings from salamander olfactory epithelium.

Summary Intracellular recordings have been obtained from provisionally identified olfactory receptor and sustentacular cells in the salamander olfactory epithelium. Two categories of membrane potential transients were recorded intracellularly in response to odor stimulation. The first category of responses, presumably recorded from receptor cell somas, were monophasic positive spikes 10–50 mV in amplitude which were superimposed on a depolarizing slow potential which ranged from 4 to 8 mV in amplitude. Graded and differential responses were recorded in response to odor stimulation. The second category of responses were depolarizing and hyperpolarizing slow membrane potential transients presumably recorded from sustentacular cells. Spiking was not observed in response to odor stimulation. Physiological criteria and Procion dye marking in several instances have provided evidence that responses in the first category were recorded from olfactory receptors and that certain of the other responses were recorded from sustentacular cells.
Intracellular electrophysiological study of suprachiasmatic nucleus neurons in rodents: inhibitory synaptic mechanisms.

1. The mechanisms responsible for evoked and spontaneous fast inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs) in the hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) were studied with intracellular recording. SCN neurons, primarily ones identified as receiving excitatory optic nerve input, were recorded in rat and guinea-pig brain slice preparations maintained in vitro. 2. In normal medium, electrical stimulation of a site dorsocaudal to the SCN evoked IPSPs from thirty-three of thirty-six neurons. The evoked IPSPs rose to the peak quickly (8.7 +/- 0.9 ms, mean +/- S.E.M.; n = 15 neurons) and decayed gradually with a time constant of 25 +/- 3 ms. Spontaneous IPSPs were present in each of the thirty-six neurons. These IPSPs had a rise-to-peak time of 7.2 +/- 1.0 ms (n = 6 neurons) and a decay time constant of 14 +/- 5 ms. 3. When recorded with potassium acetate-filled electrodes, the evoked and spontaneous IPSPs were hyperpolarizing at resting membrane potential (less negative than -70 mV) and had a reversal potential of around -75 mV. On the other hand, when recorded with potassium chloride-filled electrodes, the IPSPs were depolarizing at membrane potentials more negative than -50 mV and had an estimated reversal potential less negative than spike threshold. 4. Bath application of bicuculline (10-50 microM), a gamma-aminobutyric acidA (GABAA) receptor antagonist, resulted in a complete blockade of both the evoked (n = 16) and spontaneous (n = 13) IPSPs. The bicuculline effects were reversible, and were not associated with any significant and consistent change in baseline membrane potential or input resistance. The neurons impaled in bicuculline-containing medium (n = 11) exhibited neither spontaneous IPSPs nor evoked IPSPs. 5. In some neurons bicuculline-resistant hyperpolarizing potentials, which were similar to the fast IPSPs in time course, occurred spontaneously or were evoked by electrical stimulation of the optic nerve or the dorsocaudal site. A fast prepotential always preceded the hyperpolarizing potential, and hyperpolarizing currents blocked these events, indicating that they were not synaptic in origin. No slow IPSPs were detected. 6. The results suggest that fast IPSPs from non-retinal afferents exist in virtually all SCN neurons receiving excitatory retinal input, and that GABAA receptors associated with Cl- channels mediate the fast IPSPs.
Methodological Issues Concerning Screen Size Recovery Rates and Their Effects on Archaeofaunal Interpretations

Abstract Inferences of subsistence patterns and palaeoenvironments derived from archaeofaunal remains ultimately depend upon the methodology used to collect the samples. An entire spectrum of small- and medium-sized animals is often under-represented or not recovered with the use of 1 4 in. mesh, yet this screen size has become the “industry standard” in North American archaeology, especially the South-west. Comparisons are presented for archaeofaunal remains recovered using several screen sizes and flotation samples from the Maricopa Road Site and Pueblo Grande, two Hohokam sites ( ad 700 to 1450) in southern Arizona. Results indicate that (1) if control units are excavated with 1 8 in. screens, correction values might be applied in some cases to faunal samples recovered with 1 4 in.; (2) the Lagomorph Index is biased against cottontails when 1 4 in. screens are employed; (3) 90% of fish remains at sites may be lost through 1 4 in.; and (4) bones collected from flotation samples are of limited value in most archaeofaunal studies from a quantitative standpoint because the data are incompatible with other faunal recovery techniques.
Extensionality in natural language quantification: the case of many and few

This paper presents an extensional account of manyand few that explains data that have previously motivated intensional analyses of these quantifiers (cf. Fernando and Kamp, Proceedings of semantics and linguistic theory, 1996; Lappin, Linguist Philos, 23(6):599–620, 2000). The key insight is that their semantic arguments are themselves set intersections: the restrictor is the intersection of the predicates denoted by the N’ or the V’ and the restricted universe, U, and the scope is the intersection of the N’ and V’. Following Cohen (J Semant, 16:43–65, 1999 ; Nat Lang Semant, 9:41–67, 2001), I assume that the universe consists of the union of alternatives to the nominal and verbal predicates, where an alternative to a property ψ is one that shares a pragmatic presupposition with ψ, and a pragmatic presupposition is one that is selected by context from a set of potential presuppositions associated with the sentence. A many/few-quantified sentence is then true iff the proportion of the scope to the restrictor is greater/less than some threshold, n. In addition to explaining various problematic cases from the literature, the analysis shows how the readings of a many/few-quantified sentence (proportional, reverse, focus-affected, and cardinal) can be derived from the same syntactico-semantic structure, it being unnecessary to claim lexical or structural ambiguity. The analysis also provides strong support for the idea that natural language quantification is always purely extensional.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative strategies for palliation of distal biliary obstruction after a failed cannulation attempt.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of alternative strategies for palliation of distal biliary obstruction after a failed cannulation attempt
Harvard's “Constructed Utopia” and the Culture of Deception: The Expansion toward the Charles River, 1902–1932

Between 1902 and 1932, Harvard University embarked on an unprecedented expansion program. The Harvard Riverside Associates and President Abbott Lawrence Lowell used proxy real estate agents to obtain the necessary land for undergraduate houses, a tactic that brought the ire of local residents, property owners, and state officials.
A new measure of US residential broadband availability

The only comprehensive published indicator of residential broadband availability in the US is number of providers in each ZIP code, as reported by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This measure has been widely used in academic and policy research to assess availability and to identify under-served areas, but it is acknowledged to be flawed and is often misinterpreted. This paper develops an alternative measure of residential broadband availability. Using the December 2005 FCC data and individual broadband adoption data from Forrester Research, the paper estimates a relationship between the number of providers in a ZIP code and the level of residential broadband availability in the ZIP code. Broadband is estimated to be available to 53% of households in ZIP codes with 1-3 providers, rising to 100% in ZIP codes with 14 or more providers. Aggregating these estimates at the national level implies that broadband was available to 85% of households in December 2005. Availability was highest in southern and western metropolitan areas like Miami and San Jose. Using these estimates of availability, population density and average income both have positive and highly statistically significant effects on broadband supply. The results provide a user-friendly tool to help policymakers assess broadband availability. The estimates are also useful for future research about the effects of broadband availability.