cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conservation of nutrients in larval tissue by cannibalizing honey bees

. 14C-phenylalanine appeared in royal jelly secreted by worker honey bees (Apis mellifera, L.) directly after eating 14-phenyl-alanine labelled larvae. The amount of labelled phenylalanine in royal jelly was associated directly with the volume of jelly produced. Loss of radio-label from the workers, in the form of O214C, increased when royal jelly secretion ended. These patterns show that conservation of nutrients in cannibalized tissue is enhanced when the cannibal bees are producing royal jelly. Specific activity of radiolabel in worker bee hypopharyngeal glands was higher than in thoracic muscle, showing selective movement within the bees of a nutrient acquired by cannibalism.
P1-S5.39 Triple jeopardy? Sexual networks of syphilis & HIV infection among heterosexuals, MSM, and bisexual men in North Carolina

Background The velocity of STI spread depends in part on the formation of sexual partnerships and the structure of sexual networks. Dual outbreaks of HIV and syphilis have persisted in NC since 2001 among young black men who have sex with men (MSM). During 2007–2009, the incidence rate of early stage syphilis increased 600% in County X from 9/100 000 to 57/100 000; the outbreak involved MSM, bisexual men (MSMW), heterosexual men (MSW), and women. We sought to determine if bisexual men bridged MSMs and heterosexuals to facilitate syphilis and HIV spread in both populations. Methods We abstracted public health department charts in County “X” for early stage syphilis cases and HIV for black men ages 15–30 during 2006–2009. We documented each sexual and social tie, permitting sociometric analysis. Results Of the 532 cases with syphilis, HIV, or both infections, 69% were male. The per cent of males declined with age from 24% to 18% to 13% for ages 21–25, 26–30, and 31–35 respectively, whereas women in each age group were equally distributed between 16% and 18%. Women, MSW, and MSM, accounted for 31%, 32% and 30% respectively of cases; 7% were bisexual men. Though most heterosexuals had only syphilis, 16% were HIV+ and 38% of them were coinfected. Among 196 bisexual and MSM, 73% were HIV+; of these, half were coinfected. On the basis of timing of HIV and syphilis diagnoses and syphilis stage, an estimated 33% of HIV+ men may have serosorted. Unlike other MSM populations, these cases did not use methamphetamine; 35% reported marijuana use. Crack cocaine use was reported for 16% of MSW and 33% of women. A total of 2099 individuals (cases, uninfected contacts, and anonymous partners) made up the network divided into 293 components. The largest component of 261 people (Abstract P1-S5.39 figure 1) was predominantly MSM including 10 of the 36 MSMW. None of MSMWs9 female partners had other partners, suggesting that onward transmission did not occur. Heterosexuals, engaging in transactional sex, comprised the second largest component involving at least 135 individuals; all cases were syphilis-infected. Conclusions Contemporaneous syphilis and HIV epidemics persist among MSM; neither serosorting nor methamphetamine use fuels spread. Heterosexuals experienced a syphilis outbreak driven in part by transactional sex and crack cocaine use. Bisexual men did not bridge the populations. Frequent dual screening among MSM is critical to impede further transmission of both STIs.
Vertebral and rib anatomy in Caperea marginata: Implications for evolutionary patterning of the mammalian vertebral column

The pygmy right whale, Caperea marginata, is a rare mysticete cetacean with an unusual suite of axial skeletal characters. Distally expanded first ribs, a long thorax with broadly overlapping vertebral transverse processes, plate-like posterior ribs, and a short tail contrast with other cetaceans and suggest unique developmental patterning. Twenty-four individuals of diverse ontogenetic age were available for analysis. Multiple, variable examples of incomplete rib fusion in dependent calves indicate that the first rib of adults is an ontogenetic fusion product of ribs 1 and 2. The composite rib articulates by way of its anterior (Rib1) component to the sternum and by way of its posterior (Rib2) component with thoracic vertebra 2. Thoracic vertebra 1 lacks rib articulations. When rib fusion is taken into account, the most frequent column formulas are C7T18L1Cd16―17 = 42―43 and C7T17L1Cd16― 18 = 41-43. Thoracic and lumbar series are not reciprocal in count, arguing against their developmental linkage. Instead, parallel reduction in both lumbar and caudal counts supports the existence of neocete patterning in Caperea, as in all other living cetaceans. Ontogenetic vertebral column elongation is most marked in the posterior thorax, lumbos, and anterior tail. Vertebrae in these column regions are excellent predictors of total body length.
Rising trend in obesity in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites: is it due to cigarette smoking cessation?

Rising trend in obesity in Mexican Americans and non-Hispanic whites: is it due to cigarette smoking cessation?
Testing dark energy paradigms with weak gravitational lensing

Any theory invoked to explain cosmic acceleration predicts consistency relations between the expansion history, structure growth, and all related observables. Currently there exist high-quality measurements of the expansion history from type Ia supernovae, the cosmic microwave background temperature and polarization spectra, and baryon acoustic oscillations. We can use constraints from these data sets to predict what future probes of structure growth should observe. We apply this method to predict what range of cosmic shear power spectra would be expected if we lived in a $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ universe, with or without spatial curvature, and what results would be inconsistent and therefore falsify the model. Though predictions are relaxed if one allows for an arbitrary quintessence equation of state $\ensuremath{-}1\ensuremath{\le}w(z)\ensuremath{\le}1$, we find that any observation that rules out $\ensuremath{\Lambda}\mathrm{CDM}$ due to excess lensing will also rule out all quintessence models, with or without early dark energy. We further explore how uncertainties in the nonlinear matter power spectrum, e.g. from approximate fitting formulas such as Halofit, warm dark matter, or baryons, impact these limits.
Effects of calcium and soluble cytoplasmic activator protein (calmodulin) on various states of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase activity in isolated membranes of human red cells.

Abstract (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase activity of red cells and their isolated membranes was investigated in the presence of various Ca 2+ concentrations and cytoplasmic activator protein. Red cell ATPase activity was high at low Ca 2+ concentrations, and low at moderate and high concentrations of Ca 2+ . In the case of isolated membranes, both low and moderate Ca 2+ concentrations produced higher (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase activity than high Ca 2+ concentration. Membrane-free hemolysate containing soluble activator of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase produced a significant increase in (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase activity only at low Ca 2+ concentration. Regardless of Ca 2+ and activator concentrations, the enzyme activity in the membrane was lower than lysed red cells. The low level of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase activity seen at high Ca 2+ concentration can be augmented by lowering the Ca 2+ concentration with EGTA in the assay medium. However, once the membrane was exposed to a high Ca 2+ concentration, the activator could no longer exert its maximum stimulation at the low Ca 2+ concentration brought about by addition of EGTA. This loss of activation was not attributable to the Ca 2+ -induced denaturation of activator protein but rather related to the alteration of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase states in the membrane. On the basis of these data, it is suggested that only a small portion of (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase activity of isolated membranes can be stimulated by the soluble activator and that (Ca 2+ + Mg 2+ )-ATPase most likely exists in various states depending upon Ca 2+ concentration and the presence of activator. The enzyme state exhibiting the high degree of stimulation by activator may undergo irreversible damage in the presence of high Ca 2+ concentrations.
Purification and characterization of cholesterol esterase from porcine pancreas

A protein catalyzing the hydrolysis of cholesterol esters and p-nitrophenyl acetate has been purified 200-fold from porcine pancreas. The enzyme is homogenous as judged by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and exhibits a molecular weight of 80 000 as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate electrophoresis and gel filtration. Activity toward p-nitrophenylacetate exhibits a broad pH optimum and is influenced by a group with a pKa of 5.5--6.0. The enzyme is completely inhibited by diisopropylfluorophosphate at concentrations as low as 10(-5) M, suggesting that it is a serine esterase. Partial inhibition was observed with p-chloromercuribenzoate.
Benchtop fabrication of microfluidic systems based on curable polymers with improved solvent compatibility

This paper describes a general scheme to fabricate microchannels from curable polymers on a laboratory benchtop. Using the scheme described here, benchtop fabrication of SU-8 microfluidic systems was demonstrated for the first time, and their compatibility with organic solvents was demonstrated. The fabrication process has three major stages: 1) transferring patterns of microchannels to polymer films by molding, 2) releasing the patterned film and creating inlets and outlets for fluids, and 3) sealing two films together to create a closed channel system. Addition of a PDMS slab supporting the polymer film provided structural integrity during and after fabrication, allowing manipulation of the polymer films without fracturing or deformation. SU-8 channels fabricated according to this scheme exhibited solvent compatibility against continuous exposure to acetone and ethylacetate, which are incompatible with native PDMS. Using the SU-8 channels, continuous generation of droplets of ethylacetate, and templated synthesis of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles, both with stable size, were demonstrated continuously over 24 h, and at intervals over 75 days.
Autoradiographic localization of inhibitory and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter receptors in human normal and olivopontocerebellar atrophy cerebellar cortex.

Abstract We used standard techniques of receptor autoradiography to study the distribution of inhibitory and excitatory amino acid neurotransmitter receptors in human normal cerebellar cortex. Benzodiazepine (BDZ) receptor density was relatively high in both granule cell and molecular layers. GABAA receptor density was highest in granule cell layer with lower receptor density in molecular layer. There was a lower density of GABAB receptors than GABAA receptors in both molecular and granule cell layers with a relatively higher density of GABAB receptors in molecular layer than in granule cell layer. In granule cell layer, the density of theN-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) subtype of excitatory amino acid receptors was greatest whereas in molecular layer the quisqualate (QA) receptor subtype density was greatest. With[3H]N-(1-[2-thienyl]cyclohexyl)3–4-piperidine as a ligand, there was no specific binding to the phencyclidine receptor. Molecular layer was also characterized by relatively high density of a non-NMDA/non-QA displaceable glutamate binding site. We studied also the cerebellar cortex of 4 cases of olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA), a syndrome in which Purkinje and granule cells degenerate. In these specimens, there was significant decrement of BDZ and GABAA receptors in both molecular and granule cell layers, with loss of GABAB receptors in molecular layer. NMDA receptors were depleted in granule cell layer while QA receptors and the non-NMDA/non-QA glutamate binding site were significantly depleted in molecular layer. Our normal human and OPCA data are largely consistent with animal data about the cellular localization of cerebellar cortical amino acid neurotransmitter receptors.
Thymic Cyst Extending into the Pericardium: A Case Report and Review of Thymic Cysts

Abstract The cases of 8 patients with cyst of the thymus are reviewed. The patients were all asymptomatic. Pathological features are described that emphasize the spectrum of findings depending on the degree of cyst degeneration. A case of pericardial extension of a thymic cyst, thought to represent rupture of an anterior mediastinal thymic cyst into the pericardium, is described.
Calcium current homeostasis and synaptic deficits in hippocampal neurons from Kelch-like 1 knockout mice

Kelch-like 1 (KLHL1) is a neuronal actin-binding protein that modulates voltage-gated CaV2.1 (P/Q-type) and CaV3.2 (α1H T-type) calcium channels; KLHL1 knockdown experiments (KD) cause down-regulation of both channel types and altered synaptic properties in cultured rat hippocampal neurons (Perissinotti et al., 2014). Here, we studied the effect of ablation of KLHL1 on calcium channel function and synaptic properties in cultured hippocampal neurons from KLHL1 knockout (KO) mice. Western blot data showed the P/Q-type channel α1A subunit was less abundant in KO hippocampus compared to wildtype (WT); and P/Q-type calcium currents were smaller in KO neurons than WT during early days in vitro, although this decrease was compensated for at late stages by increases in L-type calcium current. In contrast, T-type currents did not change in culture. However, biophysical properties and western blot analysis revealed a differential contribution of T-type channel isoforms in the KO, with CaV3.2 α1H subunit being down-regulated and CaV3.1 α1G up-regulated. Synapsin I levels were also reduced in the KO hippocampus and cultured neurons displayed a concomitant reduction in synapsin I puncta and decreased miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) frequency. In summary, genetic ablation of the calcium channel modulator resulted in compensatory mechanisms to maintain calcium current homeostasis in hippocampal KO neurons; however, synaptic alterations resulted in a reduction of excitatory synapse number, causing an imbalance of the excitatory-inhibitory synaptic input ratio favoring inhibition.
Changes in protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent kinase in lymphocytes after treatment with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate or concanavalin A: quantitation of activities with an in situ gel assay.

Primary lymphocytes can be stimulated to proliferate by mitogenic lectins such as concanavalin A (Con A). While the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) alone is not mitogenic for these cells, it can enhance the response to Con A. Previously, protein kinases and phosphorylation have been reported to be important in lymphocyte proliferation. More recently TPA has been found to bind and activate protein kinase C. Therefore, we examined kinase activity in lymphocytes stimulated with the complete mitogen Con A and the comitogen TPA. In order to monitor more than one kinase we used an in situ gel assay and developed the system to compare both protein kinase C and cAMP-dependent kinases. When total cell extracts were assayed in the presence of histone five major bands of activity were detected by autoradiography of the gel. The bands corresponding to protein kinase C and to cAMP-dependent kinases were identified by partial purification of the enzymes, by binding of [20-3H(N)]7-phorbol-12, 13-dibutyrate (3H-PDBU), and by photoaffinity labelling with 8-azidoadenosine-3′:5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-N3-[32P]cAMP). Differential extraction of cell lysate allowed comparison of soluble and particulate kinases. We found that when the preparations from either TPA- or Con A-treated lymphocytes were assayed, protein kinase C activity increased three- to four-fold in the particulate fraction within 5 min after treatment. A concurrent decrease of 30–50% occurred in the cytosol. In contrast, cytosolic cAMP-dependent protein kinase II increased 1.4-fold in the same period with Con A. PKI and PKII showed the most significant changes after 24 h of stimulation by Con A when the activity of the holoenzyme decreased to half that of the unstimulated cells. Therefore, although TPA and Con A separately can affect protein kinase C this alone is not sufficient for proliferation to occur.
Bringing theory to research on computer-mediated comforting communication

Abstract The current paper sought to advance the literature on computer-mediated emotional support by outlining a candidate theory of online comforting communication. We present a model that explicates the discursive, cognitive, and affective processes that function to reduce emotional distress and help improve one’s psychosocial well-being. We identify unique attributes of online social interaction, as compared to face-to-face (FtF) interaction, that may be especially useful for facilitating empathic and adaptive comforting communication. Additionally, we explain how unique features of computer-mediated comforting communication may work to facilitate the cognitive and affective processes that result in alleviation of emotional distress. Final sections of the paper advance research questions and hypotheses to guide future empirical research examining the efficacy of online emotional support.
Iron and manganese incorporation into calcite: Effects of growth kinetics, temperature and solution chemistry

The effects of growth kinetics, temperature and solution composition on Mn2+ and Fe2+ incorporation into calcite were investigated. Mn- or Fe-bearing overgrowths on calcite seeds were precipitated at 10°, 25° and 50°C from solutions with various metalCa2+ molar ratios over a range of precipitation rates using a “chemo-stat” technique. Homogeneous distribution coefficients for Fe2+ (DFe2+) and Mn2+ (DMn2+) incorporation increase with decreasing precipitation rate or increasing temperature. Although previous work suggested a decrease in DMn2+ with increasing temperature, this likely is attributable to concurrent increases in precipitation rate. At the temperatures investigated, DMn2+ is greater than DFe2+ and the ratio DMn2+DFe2+ increases with decreasing precipitation rate. DMn2+ varied from 3.8 to 16 over a range of precipitation rates of 450 to 45,000 μmol m−2 hr.−1 at 25°C. Mn-calcite compositions ranged from 0.5 to 40 mol% MnCO3 over all of the solution Mn2+Ca2+ ratios investigated and a small decrease (∼20%) in DMn2+ was observed in solutions with the highest Mn2+Ca2+ ratio. The dependence of DMn2+ on precipitation rate was unaffected by an order of magnitude change in PCO2, but a small difference was observed with an order of magnitude change in CaCl2 concentration. DMn2+ varied from 3 to 11 at 10°C and from 8 to 22 at 50°C over a similar range of precipitation rates. DFe2+ varied from 1.9 to 3.7 for precipitation rates from 800 to 50,000 μmol m−2 hr.−1 at 25°C and the Fe-calcites contained <0.4 mol% FeCO3. DFe2+ exhibited a more pronounced, but still relatively small, decrease with increasing Fe2+ concentration. DFe2+ varied from 1.5 to 2.3 at 10°C and from 2.8 to 7.7 at 50°C. Application of these results to the interpretation of Fe and Mn content in diagenetic calcites is discussed. Effects of precipitation rate and temperature on DMn2+ and DFe2+ could produce compositional variations in calcite cements causing cathodoluminescent zoning, but are unlikely to be responsible for the major variations commonly observed in natural cements.
Effects of formula composition on hepatic and intestinal drug metabolism during enteral nutrition.

Significant compositional differences in protein and lipid content are present in currently available enteral nutrition preparations. Since variations in dietary protein and/or lipid have previously been shown to produce alterations in liver and gut drug metabolism, effects of five commonly used enteral nutrition regimens on several drug metabolic parameters were assessed in rats. Study formulations included: 1) Vivonex: low protein -no lipid; 2) High Protein Vivonex: normal protein -no lipid; 3) Vital: normal protein -normal lipid; 4) Sustacal: high protein -high lipid; 5) Isocal: normal protein -high lipid. Hepatic and intestinal microsomes were prepared after a continuous 7-day intragastric infusion of one of the formulations, and measurements of cytochrome P-450 content and assays of drug metabolizing activity were performed. No differences in intestinal microsomal cytochrome P-450 content or meperidine demethylase activity were seen among the various alimentation groups. However, significantly decrea...
Buffer Requirements for Maintenance of pH during Fermentation of Individual Feeds in Continuous Cultures

Abstract Continuous culture fermentations were conducted to determine the base requirement of eight individual grains and five forages. Feeds varied widely in the amounts of base required, from —.64 to 3.12 eq base/kg dry matter, to maintain pH at 6.5 during fermentation. Base requirements of four mixtures of feeds were 1.28, 1.27, 1.72, and 1.30 eq/kg for a corn silage + grain mix, hay crop silage + grain mix, corn + soybean meal mix, and alfalfa + corn mix. Base requirements predicted for these mixes from weighted base requirements of each component agreed fairly well with actual requirements. Base requirements of individual feeds then were related to feed analyses by stepwise regressions. Crude protein and acid detergent fiber contents of feeds were most closely correlated with base requirements and predictions from the regression equation were 1.14, 1.20, 1.76, and 1.33 for the four mixes. Prediction of base requirements was not improved by including fermentation data. Crude protein and acid detergent fiber may be useful for predicting buffer requirements of forage-grain diets; however, the relationship between these in vitro results and in vivo response requires further evaluation.
Change in distribution and composition of vegetated habitats on Horn Island, Mississippi, northern Gulf of Mexico, in the initial five years following Hurricane Katrina

Abstract In the northern Gulf of Mexico, sudden alterations to barrier islands occur relatively often as a result of hurricanes. Barrier island vegetation is affected by storm impacts, such as burial under sand overwash and direct removal by erosion, and also by wind-driven salt spray and flooding by saltwater tidal surge. This study utilized field surveys in conjunction with remotely-sensed data to evaluate changes in the composition and distribution of vegetation on Horn Island, Mississippi, U.S.A., in the initial five years after Hurricane Katrina. The majority of habitat change occurred closer to the shoreline and in areas of overwash. Habitat change was most often associated with an adjustment to higher-elevation plant communities at the expense of wetlands. In addition, substantial tree and shrub mortality as a result of wind, storm surge, salt-spray, and saltwater flooding reduced maritime forest and stable dune habitat, decreasing habitat stability and ecosystem maturity. The lag time in vegetation establishment and foredune development following the storm allowed for sediment transport into back-barrier habitats. Thus, postponing restoration efforts, such as dune plantings or fencing, until at least one full growing season has elapsed following a hurricane may provide back-barrier habitats with the sediment deposition needed to offset sea-level rise and subsidence.
Infectious threats from exotic pets: dermatological implications.

Zoonoses are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. More than 250 distinct zoonoses have been described in the literature. It is estimated that 56% of United States households contain at least one pet, and although considerable research has been performed regarding the more common household animals including dogs, cats, small birds, and rodents, surprisingly little is known about the zoonotic hazards of owning the more exotic pets. According to the 1997 USPHS/IDSA Report on the Prevention of Opportunistic Infections in Persons Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus, the immunocompromised patient should avoid contact with feces-laden soil, litter boxes, reptiles, most pet birds, and any animal less than 6 months old . It has also been documented that because of their inquisitive nature, children are at even higher risk for infection from animals than adolescents or immunocompetent adults. In this article the authors have reviewed the available data regarding hazards associated with the hedgehog, flying squirrel, iguana, chinchilla, and cockatoo. With the growing popularity of such exotic pets, further observation and research is warranted. Physicians need to be aware of the possibility of zoonotic disease related to exotic pet ownership, and they should address this issue when obtaining a history and formulating a differential diagnosis of cutaneous lesions suggestive of such illnesses.
The French revolution in Lenin's mind: The case of the “false consciousness”

One of the characteristics of Russian history is the dichotomy between the nature of Russian political tradition and the perception of it by the majority of the Russian intellectuals. While Russia is a country with no tradition of democratic institution, most of the Russian intellectuals saw Russia as following in the footsteps of the West. The image of the revolution is also incorporated in this context, i.e., the intellectuals viewed the revolution as being essentially humane and leading Russia to a democratic society. Lenin's vision of the future Bolshevik Revolution could be judged by his vision of the French Revolution. In most cases, Lenin discarded the French Revolution's terror, making exception only for the emperor, possibly his family, and a few reactionary bureaucrats. This vision of the Revolution as essentially humane and leading Russia along the way of democracy was nothing but an illusion, “false consciousness,” and the present‐day Russian evolution along nationalistic and authoritarian lin...
Development of a bioenergetics model for humpback chub and evaluation of water temperature changes in the grand Canyon, Colorado River

Abstract The construction of Glen Canyon Dam above the Grand Canyon (Arizona) has reduced the water temperature in the Colorado River and altered the growth rate and feeding patterns of the federally endangered humpback chub Gila cypha. A bioenergetics model for humpback chub was developed and used to examine how warmer water temperatures in the lower Colorado River (achieved through a temperature control device [TCD] at Glen Canyon Dam) might influence their growth rate and food requirements. Parameter values for humpback chub were developed by Monte Carlo filtering and fitting to laboratory growth. Parameter bounds were established from the literature for Gila species, random parameter sets were selected within these bounds, and the growth of modeled humpback chub was compared with criteria from a laboratory growth experiment at 24°C. This method of parameter estimation could be applied to other imperiled fishes where physiological studies are impractical. Final parameter values were corroborated by com...
Understanding mail survey response rates among female reserve component veterans serving during the Persian Gulf War.

In this study of current and former female reservists and National Guard members from the state of Ohio, veterans who were older, who had more years of military service, who had participated in the Gulf War, who were Euro-Americans, who were or had been married, and who were higher in rank tended to have more valid addresses and higher response rates, thus biasing sample outcomes in those directions. Educational attainment, branch of service, component of service, and residential stability appeared to be less important, although some significant findings were noted. Implications for further research on Desert Storm are discussed. In general, those veterans who might have been expected to have a greater investment in U.S. society were more likely to respond to a survey concerning Desert Storm era military service and its aftermath.
Location, Location, Location: Urban and Suburban Crime on Local TV News

Even though crime has fallen in the United States in the past six years, public opinion polls indicate that crime and public safety are the over-riding concerns of citizens in communities. These polls tell us that a significant majority of our citizens get most of their information from local television news and, in general, they believe what they are being shown and told. In short, these newscasts play a pre-eminent role in the social construction of reality and, by extension, in forming the cognitive maps that citizens use to understand their communities. This article examines how the press, particularly local television news, portrays the urban–suburban dimensions of crime in two major television markets in the US. Findings show that local newscasts in the markets differed significantly along the urban–suburban dimension of crime coverage. But they were consistent in the message that the city was a dangerous place. This article suggests how this type of message in turn influences the shape of public policy responses.
An opioid-like system regulating feeding behavior in C. elegans

When and how much an animal eats is controlled by a complex web of signals that are produced by the animal's body and brain. Molecules called opioid neuropeptides are among these signals, and act to control eating in mammals by binding to receptors in the brain and body. These receptors can also bind to similar molecules called opiates (such as morphine); opiates are amongst the oldest drugs used by humans and have diverse effects ranging from pain relief to addiction. While the activities of opiates and opioid neuropeptides have been studied in mammals, relatively little is known about opioid signaling in simpler animals. The mechanisms behind many biological processes have been investigated using a worm called C. elegans as a model system because it has a simple body plan and its genes can be altered easily. The feeding behavior of C. elegans is no exception. This worm feeds by contracting and relaxing its pharyngeal muscle to move food into its gut. When the worms sense that food is available, this ‘pharyngeal pumping’ is regulated by one type of nerve cell. Slow pharyngeal pumping also continues in starved worms when food is not available, possibly to encourage them to eat new potential sources of food. However, this slow pumping does not require the same type of nerve cell. Cheong et al. hypothesized that the slow pumping in starved worms might depend on neuropeptide signaling instead, and have now tested this idea using engineered worms that made lower levels of a number of these molecules. The experiments uncovered a molecule called NLP-24 that promotes the slow pharyngeal pumping. This molecule is similar to opioid neuropeptides found in mammals. Worms that made less NLP-24 than normal grew more slowly; this suggests that they had problems feeding. Moreover, the levels of NLP-24 were found to increase in normal worms soon after they were deprived of food. Further experiments revealed the identity of the receptor for this molecule, which is also similar to mammalian opioid receptors. The discovery that opioid signaling is involved in C. elegans' feeding behavior may well, in future, also help to identify new molecular players involved in opioid signaling. Further studies might also help the search for ways to reduce the problematic side-effects that limit the usefulness of opiate drugs as medicines.
Amniotic membrane transplantation in corneal melting after anterior lamellar keratoplasty assisted by femtosecond laser in children

PURPOSE To evaluate the efficacy of amniotic membrane transplantation in lamella melting after anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK) assisted by femtosecond laser in a pediatric patient. METHODS An 11-year-old girl with progressive keratoconus underwent ALK assisted by femtosecond laser on the right eye. The surgical procedure was performed under general anesthesia. The 60-KHz IntraLase femtosecond laser (Abbott Medical Optics) created both the donor (thickness 350 µm; diameter 8.1 mm; side cut 70°) and recipient (thickness 260 µm; diameter 8.0 mm; side cut 70°) lamellae. The recipient lamella was then gently removed and donor was fitted into place and sutured using 4 interrupted sutures added to a running suture in nylon 10-0. The surgery was uneventful. Two months after surgery, a lamella melting was observed. One month after topical steroid treatment, amniotic membrane transplantation was performed. RESULTS When lamella melting was observed, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 0.1 and 0.5 with foramen and no inflammatory reaction in the anterior chamber was reported. Eleven months after amniotic membrane transplantation, BCVA was 0.9 and no visual acuity increase was recorded with foramen. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show that amniotic membrane transplantation could be considered in lamella melting after ALK assisted by femtosecond laser in children.
FPGA implementation of a license plate recognition SoC using automatically generated streaming accelerators

Modern FPGA platforms provide the hardware and software infrastructure for building a bus-based system on chip (SoC) that meet the applications requirements. The designer can customize the hardware by selecting from a large number of pre-defined peripherals and fixed IP functions and by providing new hardware, typically expressed using RTL. Hardware accelerators that provide application-specific extensions to the computational capabilities of a system is an efficient mechanism to enhance the performance and reduce the power dissipation. What is missing is an integrated approach to identify the computationally critical parts of the application and to create accelerators starting from a high level representation with a minimal design effort. In this paper, we present an automation methodology and a tool that generates accelerators. We apply the methodology on an FPGA-based license plate recognition (LPR) system used in law enforcement. The accelerators process streaming data and support a programming model which can naturally express a large number of embedded applications resulting in efficient hardware implementations. We show that we can achieve an overall LPR application speed up from 1.2/spl times/ to 2.6/spl times/, thus enabling real-time functionality under realistic road scenes.
Sensitivity of the folding/unfolding transition state ensemble of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 to changes in temperature and solvent

To better characterize the transition state for folding/unfolding and its sensitivity to environmental changes, we have run multiple molecular dynamics simulations of chymotrypsin inhibitor 2 (CI2) under varying solvent conditions and temperature. The transition state structures agree well with experiment, and are similar under all of the conditions investigated here. Increasing the temperature leads to some movement in the position of the transition state along several reaction coordinates, as measured by changes in properties of the transition state structures. These structural changes are in the direction of a more native-like transition state as denaturation conditions become more severe, as expected for a Hammond effect. These structural changes are not, however, reflected in the global structure as measured by the total number of contacts or the average S-values. These results suggest that the small changes in average Φ-values with temperature seen by experiment may be due to an increase in the sensitivity of the transition state to mutation rather than a change in the average structure of the transition state. A simple analysis of the rates of unfolding indicates that the free energy barrier to unfolding decreases with increasing temperature, but even in our very high temperature simulations there is a small free energy barrier.
Persistent Sexual Abusers in the Catholic Church: An Examination of Characteristics and Offense Patterns

This study aims to enhance understanding of clergy offending patterns through a comparison of low-rate and high-rate clergy offenders. Data for these re-analyses are derived from 3,674 cases from the Nature and Scope of Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church. This article compares those clerics who had just one allegation with those who had a moderate (2 to 3), high (4 to 9), or exceptionally high (10-plus) number of allegations of sexual abuse. Findings reveal that the 3.7% ( n =137) who had 10 or more victims accounted for a disproportionate 24.8% of the abuse. Priests with the most victims began perpetrating offenses at an earlier age and were more likely to have male victims than those who abused fewer victims. The importance of research addressing the causes and situational correlates of sexual offending by priests, as well as the need for more refined management strategies, are discussed.
Low Temperature Reordering of Implanted Amorphous Si with Al Surface Layers

Ion backscattering and channeling techniques, transmission and scanning electron microscopy, and secondary ion mass spectroscopy were used to investigate the reordering characteristics of implanted amorphous Si in the presence of an Al surface layer. It was found that reordering takes place at the temperature of about 400°C and is associated with an interfacial migration between Al and Si. The regrowth behavior appears to be a function of the initial annealing temperature and annealing sequence. High density of twin faults and substantial concentration of Al are observed in the regrown layers. We believe that the low temperature reordering is due to processes analogous to solid epitaxial growth with transport media.
Effect of soybean protein on novel cardiovascular disease risk factors: a randomized controlled trial.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States and the world. Clinical trials have suggested that soybean protein lowers lipids and blood pressure. The effect of soybean protein on novel CVD risk factors has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of soybean protein on biomarkers of inflammation, endothelial dysfunction and adipocytokines. The effect of 8 weeks of 40 g of soybean protein supplement (89.3 mg isoflavones), 40 g of milk protein supplement and 40 g of complex carbohydrate placebo was examined in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, three-phase crossover trial among adults in New Orleans, Louisiana and Jackson, Mississippi. Plasma levels of inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α), endothelial dysfunction biomarkers (E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, thrombomodulin) and adipocytokines (high-molecular weight adiponectin, leptin, resistin) were measured at baseline and at the end of each intervention using immunoturbidimetric and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Soy protein supplementation resulted in a significant mean net change (95% confidence interval) in plasma E-selectin of −3.93 ng/ml (−7.05 to −0.81 ng/ml; P=0.014) compared with milk protein, and in plasma leptin of −2089.8 pg/ml (−3689.3 to −490.3 pg/ml; P=0.011) compared with carbohydrate. There were no significant changes in any other risk factors. Soy protein supplementation may reduce levels of E-selectin and leptin. Further research is warranted to investigate the mechanisms through which protein may confer protective effects on novel CVD risk factors.
Connective tissue activation. XXXVI. The origin, variety, distribution, and biologic fate of connective tissue activating peptide-III isoforms: characteristics in patients with rheumatic, renal, and arterial disease.

Objective. To determine the origin, distribution, and biologic fate of platelet-derived connective tissue activating peptid+III (CTAP-111), to define the relative amounts of the antigen forms (CTAP-111, betathromboglobulin [@-TG], neutrophil activating peptide-2 [NAP-21) in plasma of normal persons and those with rheumatic or end-stage renal disease, and to define the isoforms of CTAP-I11 in platelets, plasma, transudates, and tissue deposits. Methods. CTAP-111 in plasma was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and growth promoting activity of CTAP-III isoforms was tested in synovial and peritoneal cell cultures by measuring increased synthesis of ''C-glycosaminoglycan (14C-GAG) and 3HDNA. Isolated CTAP-111 was characterized by Western blotting, microsequencing, and mass spectrometry. Results. CTAP-I11 was the primary isoform of this antigen family in normal platelets and platelet-rich plasma; @-TG and NAP-2 accounted for 4% of CTAPI11 isoforms. Previously undescribed isoforms, i.e., CTAP-I11 des 1, des 1-2, des 1-3, and a phosphate adduct of CTAP-111, were observed in varying amounts. Elevated plasma levels of CTAP-I11 antigen were found in a substantial fraction of rheumatic disease patieats: 24% of those with rheumatoid arthritis, 36% of those with systemic sclerosis, and 15% of those with systemic lupus erythematosus. All 10 patients with end-stage kidney disease had marked elevations of plasma CTAPI11 levels, which stimulated DNA and GAG synthesis by peritoneal cells in culture. Only large isoforms (such as CTAP-111) were detected in venous plasma of normal subjects, rheumatic disease patients, and patients receiving long-term dialysis. Normal human spleen and kidney contained substantial (pg/gm) amounts of CTAP-I11 and traces of an isoform with the electrophoretic mobility of CTAP-I11 des 1-151NAP-2. Liver, lung, and urine contained lesser (ng/gm) amounts of Conclusion. These data show that, among the 10 known isoforms, intact CTAP-111 itself was the major circulating isoform (>90%), and @-TG was the most rare (O-l%). Deposition of CTAP-I11 in tissues, such as synovium, spleen, and kidney, is associated with partial processing to NAP-%like isoforms and the potential to induce neutrophil and fibroblast activation in patients with rheumatic or end-stage renal disease. CTAP-111.
VEGF-A expression by HSV-1–infected cells drives corneal lymphangiogenesis

Inflammatory lymphangiogenesis plays a crucial role in the development of inflammation and transplant rejection. The mechanisms of inflammatory lymphangiogenesis during bacterial infection, toll-like receptor ligand administration, and wound healing are well characterized and depend on ligands for the vascular endothelial grow factor receptor (VEGFR) 3 that are produced by infiltrating macrophages. But inflammatory lymphangiogenesis in nonlymphoid tissues during chronic viral infection is unstudied. Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection of the cornea is a leading cause of blindness and depends on aberrant host immune responses to antigen within the normally immunologically privileged cornea. We report that corneal HSV-1 infection drives lymphangiogenesis and that corneal lymphatics persist past the resolution of infection. The mechanism of HSV-1–induced lymphangiogenesis was distinct from the described mechanisms of inflammatory lymphangiogenesis. HSV-1–elicited lymphangiogenesis was strictly dependent on VEGF-A/VEGFR-2 signaling but not on VEGFR-3 ligands. Macrophages played no role in the induction of lymphangiogenesis and were not a detectable source of VEGF-A. Rather, using VEGF-A reporter transgenic mice, we have identified infected epithelial cells as the primary source of VEGF-A during HSV-1 infection. Our results indicate that HSV-1 directly induces vascularization of the cornea through up-regulation of VEGF-A expression.
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS AND MAGNETS: Investigational Treatment for Musculoskeletal Disorders

Certain pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) affect the growth of bone and cartilage in vitro, with potential application as an arthritis treatment. PEMF stimulation is already a proven remedy for delayed fractures, with potential clinical application for osteoarthritis, osteonecrosis of bone, osteoporosis, and wound healing. Static magnets may provide temporary pain relief under certain circumstances. In both cases, the available data is limited. The mechanisms underlying the use of PEMF and magnets are discussed.
Management Styles And Cultural Differences: Bridging The Productivity Gap In The Implementation Of Information Technology

This research project reports on a study of cultural values (work values) of different nationalities around the world as it relates to the implementation of Information Technology. It is an on-going study of workers from several nations and what cultural/work values they bring to the work environment. For multinational corporations with worldwide information systems, this study provides them with realizations of what approaches to take in dealing with different nationals. At the same time, it is an attempt to develop and test a model for classifying nationalities based upon their cultural orientations and the type of orientation that they feel most comfortable working in: formal or informal.
From The Ground Up: Six Principles for Building the New Logic Corporation

The article reviews the book “From the Ground Up: Six Principles for Building the New Logic Corporation,” by Edward E. Lawler.
Ploughshares into swords: Appendix: Richmond households in 1784 and 1810

The records available for household reconstruction in early Richmond, while rich in some regards, are far from perfect. The two most complete censuses were carried out by the city in 1782 and 1784. Each includes a listing of each free person, occupation, age, and the location of the household in which each lived. The censuses also include the names and ages of enslaved residents and the households in which each lived. These censuses were taken on the orders of the Richmond city government – the Common Hall Council – and were recorded in the Common Hall's Minute Book. Although the council continued to order that censuses be taken, for some reason the results were no longer recorded in the Minute Books, and I have not located later lists. While a comparison of the two lists reveals some interesting things about early Richmond – especially the transience of those who lived there – the structure of households remained quite similar in the two censuses, so I have summarized some of the most important data from 1784 in Tables 1 to 3. Tables 1, 2, and 3 are compiled from a census taken in 1784 under the order of the Richmond City Common Hall and recorded in the Richmond City Common Hall Minute Book (microfilm, VSL). Michael Lee Nicholls kindly furnished me with a computer printout that he compiled from the 1784 census. The film of the census is sometimes barely legible, and I have substituted my reading of the film for that of Nicholls in a couple of instances.
Myeloid sarcoma of the orbit without systemic recurrence of disease in an adult: A clinicopathological case report

Myeloid sarcoma (MS), also known as granulocytic sarcoma (GS) or chloroma (named for the greenish hue attributed to the pigment of myeloperoxidase [MPO]), is a rare solid tumor with a predilection for the orbit. MS usually occurs in conjunction with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), or myeloproliferative disorder (MPS) and may be the harbinger of disease. Therefore, prompt diagnosis is essential for patient survival. We present a rare case of a 61 year old with an isolated orbital MS without active leukemia.