cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of age on calcium uptake in isolated duodenum cells: role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3.

Uptake of Ca2+ in cells isolated from rat duodenum declined in the senescent rats. This age-related change was not due to an alteration in the rate of Ca2+ efflux or in the size of the cell. The decrease appeared specific, as α-methyl glucoside uptake was not altered. Cell population, as monitored by sucrase activity for villus cells, was not different between duodenal cells isolated from 6- and 24-month-old rats. Kinetic analysis shows the Vmax, the apparent maximum uptake capacity, decreased in the cells from senescent rats whereas the Km, the apparent affinity to Ca2+, was unchanged.' Serum levels of 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25- (OH)2D] were determined as a function of age; the levels of 25OHD were not significantly different in 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24- month-old rats. On the other hand, serum 1,25-(OH)2D decreased throughout the age range studied. Since duodenal Ca2+ uptake is closely regulated by 1,25-(OH)2D3, we tested the hypothesis that low serum 1,25-(OH)2D in the s...
The structure and properties of a sheathed, low reactivity silicon phthalocyanine and the potential for still more inert phthalocyanines

The structure of a silicon phthalocyanine having a sheath composed of eight 1,4-isobutoxy, four bidentate 2,3-dibenzobarreleno substituents, and two trans-heptacyclopentylpentacyclooctasiloxy ligands has been determined by X-ray crystallography. The macrocycle in this compound is nearly completely covered by its sheath, but there is a channel in it which is large enough to give small diatomic molecules easy access to the macrocycle. In solution, transient channels exist in the sheath because of molecular vibrations. The structure of the compound also has been determined by a PM6 semi-empirical calculation. Except for one understandable difference, the results from this calculation are in good agreement with the results from the crystal determination. The van der Waals volume of the molecule has been determined from both the crystal and PM6 data by a Monte Carlo method. The amount of steric hindrance present in analogs of the compound in which its isobutoxy substituents are replaced by other alkoxy groups has been examined through calculations based on van der Waals volumes. Possible analogs of this sheathed molecule are suggested in which the sheath may be impenetrable to even small molecules and thus that are highly resistant to attack.
A Separation Control CFD Validation Test Case Part 2. Zero Efflux Oscillatory Blowing

*† ‡ § The control of a separated flow over a wall-mounted hump, by means of two-dimensional zero efflux perturbations, was studied experimentally in order to generate a data set for a workshop aimed at validating CFD turbulence models. Part 1 of this paper considered details of the baseline (uncontrolled) case and a steady-suction control case. The data set for a specific zero efflux control case comprised static surface pressures together with phaseaveraged dynamic surface pressures and PIV flowfield measurements. Additional static and dynamic surface pressures were acquired for a variety of control amplitudes, control frequencies and Reynolds numbers. Due consideration was given to characterizing the flow in the vicinity of the control slot, with and without external flow, and to perturbation twodimensionality. Triple-decomposition of the fluctuating velocity and pressure fields was employed for presenting and analyzing the experimental data. This facilitated an assessment of the mechanism of separation control and the quantification of the coherent and turbulent surface pressures, Reynolds stresses and energy fluxes. Spanwise surface pressures and phase-averaged stereoscopic PIV data revealed an effectively two-dimensional flowfield despite highly three-dimensional instantaneous flow structures.
Minocycline inhibits glial proliferation in the H-Tx rat model of congenital hydrocephalus.

Reactive astrocytosis and microgliosis are important features of the pathophysiology of hydrocephalus, and persistent glial "scars" that form could exacerbate neuroinflammation, impair cerebral perfusion, impede neuronal regeneration, and alter biomechanical properties. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of minocycline, an antibiotic known for its anti-inflammatory properties, to reduce gliosis in the H-Tx rat model of congenital hydrocephalus. Minocycline (45 mg/kg/day i.p. in 5% sucrose at a concentration of 5-10 mg/ml) was administered to hydrocephalic H-Tx rats from postnatal day 15 to day 21, when ventriculomegaly had reached moderate to severe stages. Treated animals were compared to age-matched non-hydrocephalic and untreated hydrocephalic littermates. The cerebral cortex (both gray matter laminae and white matter) was processed for immunohistochemistry (glial fibrillary acidic protein, GFAP, for astrocytes and ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule, Iba-1, for microglia) and analyzed by qualitative and quantitative light microscopy. The mean number of GFAP-immunoreactive astrocytes was significantly higher in untreated hydrocephalic animals compared to both types of controls (p < 0.001). Minocycline treatment of hydrocephalic animals reduced the number of GFAP immunoreactive cells significantly (p < 0.001). Likewise, the mean number of Iba-1 immunoreactive microglia was significantly higher in untreated hydrocephalic animals compared to both types of controls (p < 0.001). Furthermore, no differences in the numbers of GFAP-positive astrocytes or Iba-1-positive microglia were noted between control animals receiving no minocycline and control animals receiving minocycline, suggesting that minocycline does not produce an effect under non-injury conditions. Additionally, in six out of nine regions sampled, hydrocephalic animals that received minocycline injections had significantly thicker cortices when compared to their untreated hydrocephalic littermates. Overall, these data suggest that minocycline treatment is effective in reducing the gliosis that accompanies hydrocephalus, and thus may provide an added benefit when used as a supplement to ventricular shunting.
Determining digital image origin using sensor imperfections

In this paper, we demonstrate that it is possible to use the sensor’s pattern noise for digital camera identification from images. The pattern noise is extracted from the images using a wavelet-based denoising filter. For each camera under investigation, we first determine its reference noise, which serves as a unique identification fingerprint. This could be done using the process of flat-fielding, if we have the camera in possession, or by averaging the noise obtained from multiple images, which is the option taken in this paper. To identify the camera from a given image, we consider the reference pattern noise as a high-frequency spread spectrum watermark, whose presence in the image is established using a correlation detector. Using this approach, we were able to identify the correct camera out of 9 cameras without a single misclassification for several hundred images. Furthermore, it is possible to perform reliable identification even from images that underwent subsequent JPEG compression and/or resizing. These claims are supported by experiments on 9 different cameras including two cameras of exactly same model (Olympus C765).
Models and modeling schemes for binary IV-VI glasses

In this paper, we present and thoroughly characterize several new models of amorphous binary IV-VI glasses. We apply both a quench from the melt simulation regime and a scheme based on decoration of tetrahedral amorphous networks. We show that for certain binary IV-VI glasses (especially silica), decoration of bond-centered column VI atoms on tetrahedral amorphous networks leads with appropriate re-scaling and relaxation to highly realistic models of the IV-VI glass. In particular, the problem of freezing in too much liquid-like character seems to be significantly ameliorated. We also carry out first-principles molecular dynamics simulations to study the structural, dynamical, and electronic properties of $\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{Se}}_{4}$ and $\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{Se}}_{9}$. Good agreement with experiment is obtained for the total neutron structure factor over the entire range of $k$-space and for the electronic density of states.
Microtubule-organizing centres: a re-evaluation

The number, length, distribution and polarity of microtubules are largely controlled by microtubule-organizing centres, which nucleate and anchor microtubule minus ends in a process that requires gamma-tubulin. Here we discuss recent evidence indicating that gamma-tubulin-dependent formation of new microtubules is not restricted to conventional microtubule-organizing centres. These findings suggest that the spatio-temporal control of microtubule nucleation is more complex than previously thought, leading us to a re-evaluation of the concept of the microtubule-organizing center.
A projected gradient algorithm for solving the maxcut SDP relaxation

In this paper, we present a projected gradient algorithm for solving the semidefinite programming (SDP) relaxation of the maximum cut (maxcut) problem. Coupled with a randomized method, this gives a very efficient approximation algorithm for the maxcut problem. We report computational results comparing our method with two earlier successful methods on problems with dimension up to 7,000.
A study of gas-phase mercury speciation using detailed chemical kinetics.

ABSTRACT Mercury speciation in combustion-generated flue gas was modeled using a detailed chemical mechanism consisting of 60 reactions and 21 species. This speciation model accounts for the chlorination and oxidation of key flue-gas components, including elemental mercury (Hg0). Results indicated that the performance of the model is very sensitive to temperature. Starting with pure HCl, for lower reactor temperatures (less than ~630 °C), the model produced only trace amounts of atomic and molecular chlorine (Cl and Cl2), leading to a drastic underprediction of Hg chlorination compared with experimental data. For higher reactor temperatures, model predictions were in good accord with experimental data. For conditions that produce an excess of Cl and Cl2 relative to Hg, chlorination of Hg is determined by the competing influences of the initiation step, Hg + Cl = HgCl, and the Cl recombination reaction, 2Cl = Cl2. If the Cl recombination reaction is faster, Hg chlorination will eventually be dictated by th...
Text, narration, and media

Text and performance are viewed, in this essay, as media‐dependent. Noting that the encoding features of a text can function as generative, rather than derived, social acts, a media perspective is outlined and employed to distinguish oral, literate, and electronic modes of communication. Narration is employed as the extended example to illustrate the ways in which the nature of a medium governs experiences with and understandings of communicative forms.
Convenient syntheses of biogenic aldehydes, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycolaldehyde.

The title compounds were prepared from a common precursor, a bis-THP-protected dihydroxyphenylacetic acid methyl ester. Key steps are the introduction of the α-hydroxyl group by Davis oxaziridine reagent and formation of the aldehydes by DIBALH ester reduction.
Prospective study of etiologic agents of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in child care centers.

Objective To investigate the etiology of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children attending childcare centers (CCCs) in North Carolina between October 2005 and March 2007. Study design In this prospective study of outbreaks of AGE in CCCs, stool specimens from symptomatic children and environmental surface swabs were tested for adenovirus group F, astrovirus, norovirus (NoV), rotavirus group A, and sapovirus using real-time and conventional reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction assays, and viruses were genotyped by sequencing. Results A total of 29 AGE outbreaks were evaluated, of which 13 (45%) were caused by a single virus, including rotavirus group A (17%), NoV (10%), astrovirus (10%), and sapovirus (7%). Multiple viruses were detected in 3 outbreaks (10%). Environmental swabs from 13 of 22 outbreaks (59%) tested positive for at least 1 virus and confirmed the findings of the same virus in the fecal specimens for 10 of the outbreaks (45%). Conclusions This study confirms that viruses are major causes of AGE outbreak in CCCs. Our finding of widespread environmental contamination during such outbreaks suggests the need to study the effectiveness of current surface disinfectants against multiple gastroenteritis viruses in CCCs.
The limited impact of percutaneous coronary artery angioplasty on bypass surgery

Although percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty has been used successfully now for 10 years, coronary bypass surgery volumes have not diminished greatly. This paper examines the anatomic limitations of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Using complete revascularization criteria, angioplasty could be used in only 38% of patients undergoing coronary bypass surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in 1981. The principal anatomic reason for rejecting patients for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty was chronic total occlusion in a vessel suitable for bypass surgery. Angioplasty could be used more frequently in one- and two-vessel bypass patients than in patients receiving more grafts. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty is currently limited more by its inability to more completely revascularize advanced coronary artery disease than it is from the technical aspects of crossing or dilating stenoses.
How will mental health outcomes data be used in private systems

A framework is presented for balancing stakeholder needs for mental health data in managed systems of care.
Connection between superelastic and inelastic electron-atom collisions involving polarized collision partners

It is shown how the results of a recent experiment by Jiang, Zuo, Vu\ifmmode \check{s}\else \v{s}\fi{}kovi\ifmmode \acute{c}\else \'{c}\fi{}, and Bederson [Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 915 (1992)], who investigated low-energy electron scattering from laser-excited polarized sodium atoms in the initial (3p) $^{2}$P${\mathrm{\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}}}_{3/2}$ (F=3, ${\mathit{M}}_{\mathit{F}}$=3) state, can be related to the inelastic 3S\ensuremath{\rightarrow}3P transition involving initially unpolarized electron and atom beams. Hence, this method can provide an independent check of the traditional electron-scattering experiment with unpolarized beams.
Restricted multidimensional scaling models

Abstract A class of multidimensional scaling models are developed wherein certain parameters may be fixed as known constants, or proportional to one another. Traditional multidimensional scaling can be obtained as a special case by fixing only the orientation and origin of a configuration. Methods of obtaining least-square estimates of the parameters via nonlinear programming are discussed, and an effective computer program is developed to implement application of the models to data. Several well-known data sets are reanalyzed under various restricted models, and the results demonstrate the possibility of achieving insight not attainable under the traditional approach. The potential distortion arising from inadequate model specification is discussed, and the importance of substantive theory to multidimensional scaling research is emphasized.
Vitamin C and cancer revisited

In this issue of PNAS, Chen et al. (1) show that i.p. injection of “pharmacologic doses” of vitamin C decreases the growth and weight of human, rat, and murine tumor xenografts in athymic, nude mice. This work follows a number of articles by the same group, led by Mark Levine at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, showing that millimolar concentrations of extracellular vitamin C kill cancer cells but not normal cells in a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-dependent manner (1⇓–3). Such millimolar concentrations of vitamin C can be achieved in humans by i.v. infusion but not by diet or supplements (4). Hence, vitamin C is postulated to exert local pro-oxidant effects in the interstitial fluid surrounding tumor cells, killing them or inhibiting their growth, while leaving normal cells intact (1⇓–3).
Hydrogen-Bond Acceptance of Bifunctional Ligands in an Alkyne−Metal π Complex

Experiment and theory have been used to study reactive alkyne π complexes, intermediates in anti-Markovnikov alkyne hydration by CpRu bis(phosphine) catalysts with heterocyclic substituents. Each heterocycle accepts a hydrogen bond from an acetylene C−H, as revealed by NMR coupling constants between alkyne 13C and 1H nuclei as well as between alkyne 13C and pyridine 15N (2hJCN). Moreover, further alkyne transformations occur at temperatures from 50 to 90 °C below what is needed to convert a control compound without the heterocycles.
Reduction of nickel and uranium toxicity and enhanced trichloroethylene degradation to Burkholderia vietnamiensis PR1301 with hydroxyapatite amendment.

The use of hydroxyapatite (HA) to sequester metals at mixed waste sites may reduce metal toxicity and facilitate microbial degradation of cocontaminant organics. The constitutive trichloroethylene (TCE) degrader, Burkholderia vietnamiensis PR1301, grew at 34.1 and 1.7 mM Ni at pH 5 and 7, respectively, with 0.01 g mL-1 HA compared to 17 and 0.85 mM Ni without HA. PR1 grew at 4.2 mM U at pH 5 and 7 with 0.01 g mL-1 HA compared to 1.1 mM U without HA. A similar decrease in the toxicity of Ni and U in combination was observed with HA. The ability of PR1 to degrade TCE at 0.85, 1.7, and 3.4 mM Ni and at 0.42 and 1.1 mM U was examined. The presence of TCE resulted in a decreased tolerance of PR1 to Ni and U; however, HA facilitated TCE degradation in the presence of Ni and U, effectively doubling the metal concentrations at which TCE degradation proceeded. These studies suggest that metal sequestration via HA amendments may offer a feasible approach to reducing metal toxicity to microorganisms at mixed waste s...
Estimation of choline and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase activities in rat liver mitochondria by three independent methods.

Abstract Two new independent methods of estimating the effective activities of rat liver mitochondrial choline dehydrogenase and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase are presented. The results obtained with these two methods are compared with those of an indirect method (6) previously used. All three assay procedures yield results which agree with one another within a few per cent. Advantages and disadvantages of each assay procedure are presented.
Multiplex real-time PCR for detection, identification and quantification of ‘Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum’ in potato plants with zebra chip

article i nfo The new Liberibacter species, 'Candidatus Liberibacter solanacearum' (Lso) recently associated with potato/ tomato psyllid-transmitted diseases in tomato and capsicum in New Zealand, was found to be consistently associated with a newly emerging potato zebra chip (ZC) disease in Texas and other southwestern states in the USA. A species-specific primer LsoF was developed for both quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and conventional PCR (cPCR) to detect and quantify Lso in infected samples. In multiplex qPCR, a plant cytochrome oxidase (COX)-based probe-primer set was used as a positive internal control for host plants, which could be used to reliably access the DNA extraction quality and to normalize qPCR data for accurate quantification of the bacterial populations in environment samples. Neither the qPCR nor the cPCR using the primer and/or probe sets with LsoF reacted with other Liberibacter species infecting citrus or other potato pathogens. The low detection limit of the multiplex qPCR was about 20 copies of the target 16S rDNA templates per reaction for field samples. Lso was readily detected and quantified in various tissues of ZC- affected potato plants collected from fields in Texas. A thorough but uneven colonization of Lso was revealed in various tissues of potato plants. The highest Lso populations were about 3×10 8 genomes/g tissue in the root, which were 3-order higher than those in the above-ground tissues of potato plants. The Lso bacterial populations were normally distributed across the ZC-affected potato plants collected from fields in Texas, with 60% of ZC-affected potato plants harboring an average Lso population from 10 5
Tele-Ergonomics: A Novel Approach to Computer Workstation Ergonomic Assessment and Modification:

U.S. healthcare reform demands that ergonomically trained health professionals reassess how they deliver their services. One innovative strategy to deliver ergonomic assessment and modification is ...
Body Composition and Anthropometric Correlates of Isokinetic Leg Extension Strength of Young Adult Males

Abstract The present study examined the relative importance of body size and composition as determinants of individual differences in isokinetic leg extensor strength in young adult males performing at slow, moderate, and fast speeds. The subjects were 31 males between the ages of 19 and 29 years, who were not participating in weight training programs. Low to moderate correlations were found between isokinetic strength and body size or body composition measurements. At each speed, similar proportions of the variance in peak torque values were accounted for by lean body weight (23-30%) and thigh volume (20-37%). However, body weight, often suggested as the best reference standard for equalizing strength scores, also accounted for only 13-24% of the variance in peak torque values at each of the speeds tested. The moderate correlations reported in this study do not support the use of body size and composition measurements as a means of adjusting strength values.
Crested Wheatgrass Establishment in Livestock Dung Deposited on Degraded Rangeland Vegetation Types in the Intermountain West, USA

Cattle and sheep were examined as seed disseminators for revegetating degraded rangelands in the Intermountain region of the western United States. “Hycrest” crested wheatgrass [Agropyron desertorum (Fisch, ex Link) Schult, x A. cristatum (L.) Gaert.] seed was fed to Holstein steers and Suffolk ewes. Dung was collected from each animal type and deposited on plots of high and low densities of an annual [cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.)] and perennial [squirreltail (Elymus elymoides (Raf.) Swezey)] grass species. The experiment evaluated the suppression of resident vegetation by dung, and the establishment of crested wheatgrass in dung. Sheep dung did not suppress resident vegetation nor did it provide crested wheat‐grass with a favorable microsite for germination and establishment. Cattle dung provided favorable conditions for germination of crested wheatgrass, but seedlings were unable to compete with either high or low densities of cheatgrass. Even though aboveground growth of cheatgrass was suppressed by...
Change in expression of the actin gene family during early sea urchin development

Abstract Expression of the actin gene family was studied during early sea urchin development using in vitro translation and nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Poly(A) + RNA from four-cell and gastrula-stage S. purpuratus embryos was translated in vitro and the translation products were monitored for the presence of actin. In addition, poly(A) + and total RNA were prepared from various stages of development, electrophoresed on agarose gels, transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, and then hybridized with a cloned actin cDNA probe. Results of these experiments indicate that there is a sharp increase in the level of RNA coding for actin during early development, and that there are two forms of actin specific RNA exhibiting different patterns of control.
Joint acceptance for cylinders

A theoretical analysis of the response of a thin cylindrical shell to a random loading is given, and equations defining the joint acceptance for a cylinder are derived. The governing equations of motion are taken to be the Reissner shallow shell equations, which are written as a single matrix equation. The solution gives the spectral density function of both the radial displacement and stress function in terms of the normal modes of the cylinder and the spectral‐density function of the external pressure field. The final equations involve an external‐pressure‐structural‐mode coupling term similar to the joint acceptance as defined by Powell, which then serves as the basis for defining the joint acceptance for a cylinder. Utilizing previous results obtained by the author, the equations derived in the text are applied to the case of a cylinder in a diffuse sound field. [This work was supported by National Aeronautics and Space Administration.]
The effect of processing on liver biopsy core size.

Objectives Liver biopsy is a valuable clinical tool, but for the interpretation to be meaningful a certain core size should be obtained. This study examines the changes the liver biopsy core undergoes during processing steps. Methods A total of 61 consecutive percutaneous liver biopsies were obtained between November 2004 and April 2005. The needle type utilized was the 16-gauge automatic tru-cut. A measurement was made while each liver biopsy core specimen resided in the cartridge, then a measurement was made with the core placed on the tray, and a final measurement was made after the pathologist received the formalin-fixed specimen. Results The mean size of the biopsy core in the cartridge measured 15 ± 2 mm, compared to a mean size on the tray of 19.6 ± 3.5 mm, and a mean size after fixation of 18.3 mm. All mean sizes were statistically different from one another. The compressive effect of the cartridge was 23%. The shrinkage effect of formalin fixation was 7%. Conclusions The liver biopsy core size changes significantly through the processing steps. It is imperative that the operator is aware of these changes so that appropriate decisions are made. As an example, if the operator underestimates the core size when measured in the cartridge, a second pass may be completed when in fact adequate tissue had been obtained on the first pass.
Use of complementary and alternative medicine among American women.

Introduction and background Although women are increasingly using complementary and alternative (CAM) therapies, a national profile characterizing women who use CAM has yet to be described. The purpose of this study is to provide prevalence estimates of recent CAM use among American women and to examine sociodemographic and other characteristics associated with use. Methods Data from the 1999 National Health Interview Survey are used for the analysis. Three operational definitions of recent CAM use are employed (any CAM, type-specific, and domain-specific use). All proportions and prevalence estimates are weighted and standard errors are adjusted to account for complex sample design; weighted logistic regression (with coefficient variance adjustment) is also used. Results Overall, 33.5% of American women used CAM in the past 12 months. Spiritual healing/prayer and herbal medicine are the most commonly used, and hypnosis, biofeedback, and energy healing are the least common. Multivariate results show that women who are older, have more education, poorer health, or live in the west or midwest (versus south) are more likely to use CAM. Compared to whites, blacks, Hispanics, and Asians are less likely to use CAM. Foreign-born women, those with lower income, or who live in the Northeast are also less likely to use CAM. Insurance status is not independently associated with CAM use. Conclusions and discussion This study provides one of the first comprehensive investigations of CAM use among American women. Future research examining the determinants of CAM use, incorporating attitudinal and health conditions, as well as clinical efficacy, effectiveness, and health outcome studies of specific CAM therapies are warranted.
Cancerous diseases in aquatic animals and their association with environmental pollutants: A critical literature review

Abstract This review of the literature on neoplastic or cancer-like disorders in fish and shellfish sets out to (1) summarize what is known of the occurrence of neoplastic diseases in indigenous populations of aquatic animals found in different geographic areas of the world; (2) critically evaluate existing reports so as to determine whether or not environmental pollutants are implicated as causal agents of the cellular disorders and (3) describe the current state of knowledge in the general areas of fish and shellfish metabolism and the use of aquatic animal models in studies of chemical carcinogenesis. Tumors and neoplasms have been described in fish and shellfish populations from many areas throughout the world. Although environmental pollutants have been suggested as the cause of neoplasms in at least some cases, the existing evidence does not permit a firm conclusion. For fish, the quality of the reports and data reviewed varied considerably. There are rather good experimental data to suggest that cancer-like conditions in fish from certain areas of Puget Sound (Washington), the Fox River (Illinois) and Japan are associated with chemical contaminants in the environment. The data purported to support a chemical etiology for highly publicized tumors in fish from the Buffalo River, Torch Lake and Black River are not of a high quality. Most of the studies from those areas are compromised by inadequate experimental designs, and further research will be necessary to achieve a more complete in relation to the existence of tumors in fish from those areas. There are also reports providing impressive evidence that chemical pollutants are not associated with neoplasms in fish, even in those inhibiting environments known to contain mutagenic substances. Large surveys conducted from highly polluted aquatic systems in Yugoslavia (Sava River), Germany (Rhine and Elbe Rivers) and Australia (Port Phillip Bay) all reported negative results. Many other studies and surveys have produced data that neither supported nor refuted a pollution-neoplasm association. In contrast to fish, there is little evidence that neoplasms of clams, oysters and mussels are associated in any significant way with environmental pollution. The most obvious conclusion, from reviewing the existing literature, is that much additional research is required before the relationship(s) between environmental pollution and neoplasms in indigenous aquatic species can be understood. There are severe constraints associated with conducting credible field studies in this area, given the incalculable number of variables in natural environments. In the future, it may be advisable to place more emphasis on laboratory studies employing state-of-the-art methods to provide fundamental information that can be used to understand the nature and causes of neoplasms in aquatic species.
Men are from toys: women are from tools

This poster compares the hypothesized reasons for why males choose computing versus why females choose computing. Preliminary results of the analysis validate research results from other gender studies.
Parelaphostrongylus tenuis in Maine moose and the possible influence of faulty Baermann procedures.

Efficacy of cleaning Baermann apparati was evaluated to determine if larvae are retained on glassware after evaluating white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) fecal samples containing Parelaphostrongylus tenuis. Residual P. tenuis larvae were recovered from 7 (11.7%) of 60 Baermann apparati cleaned with soap and tap water. Of 295 moose (Alces alces) fecal samples collected in central and northern Maine, only one contained protostrongylid larvae. Our data do not support the hypothesis that recent increases in Maine’s moose population can be attributed to moose becoming a suitable host to P. tenuis.
Part of the yellow dog: U.S. coal miners' opposition to the company doctor system, 1936-1946

By the mid-1930s, U.S. coal miners could no longer tolerate company doctors. They objected to the misuse of preemployment and periodic medical examinations and to many other facets of employer-controlled health benefit plans. The rank-and-file movement for reform received critical assistance from the Bureau of Cooperative Medicine, which conducted an extensive investigation of health services in 157 Appalachian communities. This study not only substantiated the workers' indictment of prevailing conditions but illuminated new deficiencies in the quality and availability of hospital and medical care as well. The miners' union curtailed the undemocratic, exploitative system of company doctors and proprietary hospitals by establishing the United Mine Workers of America Welfare and Retirement Fund in 1946.
Modeling the evolution of the MC2R and MC5R genes: Studies on the cartilaginous fish, Heterondotus francisci

Comparative studies support the hypothesis that the proliferation of melanocortin receptor genes (MCRs) in gnathostomes corresponds to the 2R hypothesis for the radiation of gene families in Phylum Chordata. This mini-review will initially focus on the distribution of MCRs in cartilaginous fish and the relationship between the shark MC5R gene and the proposed ancestral MC5R/2R gene. This section will be followed by the results of recent studies on the features of the ligand binding site common to all melanocortin receptors. These data will provide the background for a set of hypotheses to explain the unique ligand selectivity of the MC2 receptor in teleosts and tetrapods.
To condense is not to die

Comment on Krauss et al, page [2200][1] In this issue of Blood, Krauss and colleagues provide evidence that erythropoiesis is indeed a unique process of terminal differentiation that results in nuclear condensation and extrusion without caspase activation of apoptotic machinery. Most cells in the
School Mobility and Achievement: Longitudinal Findings from an Urban Cohort.

Abstract This study investigated the effects of school mobility on reading and math achievement for 1,087 low-income Black children in the Chicago Longitudinal Study. Between kindergarten and seventh grade, 73% of the students changed schools at least once during elementary school and 21% changed schools three or more times. The prospective longitudinal design of the Chicago Longitudinal Study allowed for controlled analyses of both the predictors and the consequences of school mobility. The significant predictors of the number of moves included prior achievement, the number of years of preschool participation in an education intervention program, and parent education. Although the students who changed schools frequently between kindergarten and seventh grade performed approximately one year behind their nonmobile peers on reading and mathematics achievement tests taken at the end of seventh grade, only one half of this difference appears attributable to frequent mobility. The remaining portion is due to the fact that the mobile students were lower achieving even before they started to change schools. The negative consequences of past school mobility are lower for students who moved into better quality schools such as magnets or academic academies. Findings indicate that it is frequent, rather than occasional, mobility that significantly increases the risk of underachievement.
Palaeotemperature and Cohesion in Globigerina Ooze Sediment Cores from the Caribbean Sea

OXYGEN isotope research has provided a means for measuring temperatures of ancient seas, substantially increasing understanding of the broad climatic trends over the past several million years of Earth history. Shear strength measurements of submarine sediments, over the past decade, have given the marine geologist and engineer a clearer understanding of some of the mass physical properties of these sedimentary deposits1–4.
First Report of Anthracnose on Peach Fruit Caused by Colletotrichum truncatum in South Carolina

In July 2013, two diseased peach fruit (Prunus persica (L.) Stokes) of the cv. Sweet Dream were collected from a commercial orchard in Ridge Springs, South Carolina. Affected peaches were at or near maturity and symptoms resembled anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum spp. with circular sunken tan to brown lesions that were firm in touch, and had wrinkled concentric rings. The center of the lesion was covered with black acervuli containing setae. To isolate the causal agent, the two symptomatic fruit were surface-sterilized in 10% bleach for 2 min and rinsed with sterile distilled water. Lesions were cut in half, and necrotic tissue from the inside of the fruit was placed on acidified potato dextrose agar (APDA). Flat colonies covered with olive-gray to iron-gray acervuli developed on APDA incubated at 22°C with a 12-h cycle of fluorescent light and darkness. Morphology of acervuli, setae (avg. 90 to 160 μm), conidiophores (up to 90 um long), and conidia (avg. 22 × 3.8 μm) of single spore isolates ...
Regulated Phosphorylation of 40S Ribosomal Protein S6 in Root Tips of Maize

Ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) is located in the mRNA binding site of the 40S subunit of cytosolic ribosomes. Two maize (Zea mays) rps6 genes were identified that encode polypeptides (30 kD, 11.4 pI) with strong primary amino acid sequence and predicted secondary structure similarity to RPS6 of other eukaryotes. Maize RPS6 was analyzed by the use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis systems, in vivo labeling with [(32)P]P(i) and immunological detection. Nine RPS6 isoforms were resolved in a two-dimensional basic-urea/sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry performed on trypsin-digested isoforms identified four serine (Ser) and one threonine (Thr) residue in the carboxy-terminal region as phosphorylation sites (RRS(238)KLS(241)AAAKAS(247)AAT(250)S(251)A-COOH). Heterogeneity in RPS6 phosphorylation was a consequence of the presence of zero to five phosphorylated residues. Phosphorylated isoforms fell into two groups characterized by (a) sequential phosphorylation of Ser-238 and Ser-241 and (b) the absence of phospho-Ser-238 and presence of phospho-Ser-241. The accumulation of hyper-phosphorylated isoforms with phospho-Ser-238 was reduced in response to oxygen deprivation and heat shock, whereas accumulation of these isoforms was elevated by cold stress. Salt and osmotic stress had no reproducible effect on RPS6 phosphorylation. The reduction in hyper-phosphorylated isoforms under oxygen deprivation was blocked by okadaic acid, a Ser/Thr phosphatase inhibitor. By contrast, the recovery of hyper-phosphorylated isoforms upon re-oxygenation was blocked by LY-294002, an inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases. Thus, differential activity of phosphatase(s) and kinase(s) determine complex heterogeneity in RPS6 phosphorylation.
TEAM: efficient two-locus epistasis tests in human genome-wide association study

As a promising tool for identifying genetic markers underlying phenotypic differences, genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been extensively investigated in recent years. In GWAS, detecting epistasis (or gene–gene interaction) is preferable over single locus study since many diseases are known to be complex traits. A brute force search is infeasible for epistasis detection in the genomewide scale because of the intensive computational burden. Existing epistasis detection algorithms are designed for dataset consisting of homozygous markers and small sample size. In human study, however, the genotype may be heterozygous, and number of individuals can be up to thousands. Thus, existing methods are not readily applicable to human datasets. In this article, we propose an efficient algorithm, TEAM, which significantly speeds up epistasis detection for human GWAS. Our algorithm is exhaustive, i.e. it does not ignore any epistatic interaction. Utilizing the minimum spanning tree structure, the algorithm incrementally updates the contingency tables for epistatic tests without scanning all individuals. Our algorithm has broader applicability and is more efficient than existing methods for large sample study. It supports any statistical test that is based on contingency tables, and enables both family-wise error rate and false discovery rate controlling. Extensive experiments show that our algorithm only needs to examine a small portion of the individuals to update the contingency tables, and it achieves at least an order of magnitude speed up over the brute force approach.
A simple algorithm that proves half-integrality of bidirected network programming

In a bidirected graph, each end of each edge is independently oriented. We show how to express any column of the incidence matrix as a half-integral linear combination of any column basis, through a simplification, based on an idea of Bolker, of a combinatorial algorithm of Appa and Kotnyek. Corollaries are that the inverse of each nonsingular square submatrix has entries 0, $\pm{1\over 2}$, and ±1, and that a bidirected integral linear program has half-integral solutions. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 48(1), 36–38 2006Mathematics Subject Classifications (2000): Primary 05C22; Secondary 05B35; 05C20; 90C10
Laterally Loaded Shaft Group Capacities and Deflections behind an MSE Wall

Design of laterally loaded cast-in-place shafts that pass through the reinforcement behind a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) wall often requires isolation of the shafts from the MSE mass and socketing of the shafts into the underlying stable foundation material, such as bedrock. Sizeable cost and time savings could be realized, while maintaining stability if the shaft could be supported by the MSE mass alone with no rock socket. Construction, instrumentation, and testing of multiple 0.9-m-diameter shafts solely supported by the geogrid-reinforced mass behind a 6-m-high MSE block wall were conducted for the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). This paper describes the design, construction, and instrumentation of the wall and shafts and the results from the lateral load tests of three shafts tested together as a group compared with shafts that were tested individually. This testing protocol was adopted to evaluate the shaft group effect and the effect of shaft distance from the back of the wall f...
Neutrophil function in a rat model of endotoxin-induced lung injury.

• Polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukocytes (PMNs) are known to cross the alveolar-capillary barrier and enter the alveolus in acute adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The pathogenic role of PMNs in both the acute lung injury and subsequent infectious susceptibility in ARDS is not clear. In the present study we investigated the functional status of various neutrophil populations using a chronic, endotoxemiainduced ARDS model. Rats infused withEscherichia coliendotoxin for three days develop an acute lung injury with a histologic picture closely resembling human ARDS. The PMNs recovered from the circulation and by bronchoalveolar lavage were compared with normal rat PMNs. In endotoxemic animals, superoxide production was markedly enhanced in circulating PMNs, indicating production of high levels of potentially cytotoxic oxygen intermediates, while myeloperoxidase activity was decreased in both circulating and lavage PMNs, indicating depressed myeloperoxidase-dependent antimicrobial activity. (Arch Surg1987;122:197-203)
Secondhand Goods, Firsthand Knowledge: An Organizational Structure Exercise At The Local Flea Market

We developed a unique and enjoyable field trip exercise to challenge students to identify various organizational structures and their properties and dimensions present in the local flea market. Drawing on students’ review of common organizational structures, i.e., simple, functional, multidivisional, and network, this exercise requires that individuals or small groups of students visit a local flea market to observe and analyze the numerous organizational structures apparent. Students then use a given report format to identify: the properties of organizations; distinct organizational structures on varying levels of analysis (the market as a whole, areas of specialization, and vendors); and the dimensions seen in organizations (specialization, span of control, formalization, and centralization). In-class discussion of the topic, using discussion questions provided, further clarifies the concepts that students viewed in practice at the flea market.
Exploiting TLS Parallelism at Multiple Loop-Nest Levels

As the number of cores integrated onto a single chip increases, architecture and compiler designers are challenged with the difficulty of utilizing these cores to improve the performance of a single application. Thread-level speculation (TLS) can potentially help by allowing possibly dependent threads to speculatively execute in parallel. Extracting speculative thread from sequential applications is key to efficient TLS execution. Previous work on thread extraction has focused on parallelizing iterations from a single loop-nest level or function continuation. However, the amount of parallelism available at a single loop-nest level is sometimes limited, and we are forced to look for parallelism across multiple loop-nest levels. In this paper we propose SpecOPTAL---a compiler algorithm that statically allocates cores to threads extracted from different levels of loop-nests. We show that, a subset of SPEC 2006 benchmarks are able to benefit from the proposed technique.
Anhydrobiosis in nematodes: Permeability during rehydration

1. Inorganic ions and primary amines are leaked from anhydrobiotic and quick-dried nematodes, Aphelenchus avenae, when they are plunged from dry air into water. 2. Anhydrobiotic nematodes leak about one-third as fast as quick-dried ones. 3. When the water content is increased above about 20% by exposing the animals to moist air before immersing them in water, the leakage rate in both anhydrobiotic and quick-dried worms is diminished. 4. The rate of leakage is inversely correlated with the glycerol contents of the worms at the time they are placed in water.
Detection of Replication-Competent Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1) in Cultures from Patients with Levels of HIV-1 RNA in Plasma Suppressed to Less Than 500 or 50 Copies Per Milliliter

Currently available combination antiretroviral regimens can suppress human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) viral load in plasma to below the limits of detection in a significant proportion of patients (8, 9, 15). Initial reports of the inability, with standard culture techniques, to culture HIV-1 from patients with viral load suppression raised the question of whether circulating peripheral reservoirs of replication-competent HIV-1 could be eradicated (13, 14, 16, 17). Subsequent studies demonstrated that HIV-1 could be cultured from HIV-infected patients with viral load suppression by using more sensitive, labor-intensive techniques that included CD8 cell depletion (2, 5, 13, 17). We performed real-time peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures using the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) consensus method in a subset of subjects enrolled in a phase III clinical trial of indinavir, zidovudine, and lamivudine. We found that this method, which does not utilize CD8 depletion, resulted in the isolation of HIV-1 in 38% of samples with plasma HIV-1 RNA levels that were <50 copies/ml. We have studied the impact of viral load on the yield of HIV-1 cultures and have explored the ability of a positive HIV culture to predict the subsequent viral load responses.
Nickel(II) 2‐Ethylhexanoate

[4454-16-4] C16H30NiO4 (MW 345.15) InChI = 1S/2C8H16O2.Ni/c2*1-3-5-6-7(4-2)8(9)10;/h2*7H,3-6H2,1-2H3,(H,9,10);/q;;+2/p-2 InChIKey = UVPKUTPZWFHAHY-UHFFFAOYSA-L (catalyst in conjunction with bromine for regioselective oxidation of diols and conversion of diols to lactones1, 2) Solubility: sol toluene, xylenes; slightly sol hexane. Form Supplied in: available as a viscous solution in mineral spirits containing 10–15 wt % Ni. Contains excess 2-ethylhexanoic acid. Analysis of Reagent Purity: elemental analysis of Ni (weight percent). Handling, Storage, and Precautions: not hygroscopic; nickel compounds are cancer suspect agents.