cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Snapshot of cooling and drying before onset of Antarctic Glaciation

Abstract The late Eocene to Oligocene transition (EOT) witnessed a major ice advance on Antarctica. Because of the paucity of accessible outcrops and difficult drilling logistics, little is known about hydrological conditions in the Antarctic Peninsula during the late Eocene prior to the major ice advance. Here we study hydrological conditions with proxy evidence from marine sediment core NBP0602A-3C, adjacent to the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, with sediments dated to 35.9 ± 1.1 Ma providing a snapshot of conditions prior to the EOT. We reconstruct conditions during the latest Eocene based on plant leaf wax hydrogen isotopic evidence ( δ D wax ) paired with previously-published evidence from pollen assemblages, and compared to climate model experiments simulating conditions before, during and after the transition. The pollen from late Eocene sediments of NBP0602A-3C indicate a Nothofagidites (southern beech) dominated landscape. In the same sediments, δ D wax values average − 202 ± 7 ‰ (1σ, n = 22 ) for the C28 n-alkanoic acid. Uncertainty around the appropriate net fractionation between water and wax ( ϵ wax / w ) provides the largest degree of uncertainty in paleoprecipitation δ D reconstructions and we therefore use two reasonable fractionations −100 and − 60 ‰ to constrain the likely range of average precipitation δ D values to between −113 and − 151 ‰ . Model experiments confirm that isotopic compositions show low sensitivity to temperature changes at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, in comparison to much larger changes in the continental interior. Across the interval sampled, a decline in pollen abundance from 105 to 10 3 gdw − 1 represents cooling and drying towards more tundra-like conditions. The 30‰ trend in δ D wax values towards more positive values can best be explained by smaller fractionations as the vegetation shifted from forest to tundra, with greater water stress. Model results are broadly consistent with the data and quantify the cooling and drying across the full EOT from ca. 7 to 2 °C and 700 to 600 mm a − 1 with an isotopic shift in δ D of only about − 15 ‰ at the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. Pollen and leaf wax proxies reconstruct vegetation and hydrological conditions prior to the transition, and model experiments through the EOT provide proxy-groundtruthed quantification of terrestrial transformations.
A human lung xenograft mouse model of Nipah virus infection.

Nipah virus (NiV) is a member of the genus Henipavirus (family Paramyxoviridae) that causes severe and often lethal respiratory illness and encephalitis in humans with high mortality rates (up to 92%). NiV can cause Acute Lung Injury (ALI) in humans, and human-to-human transmission has been observed in recent outbreaks of NiV. While the exact route of transmission to humans is not known, we have previously shown that NiV can efficiently infect human respiratory epithelial cells. The molecular mechanisms of NiV-associated ALI in the human respiratory tract are unknown. Thus, there is an urgent need for models of henipavirus infection of the human respiratory tract to study the pathogenesis and understand the host responses. Here, we describe a novel human lung xenograft model in mice to study the pathogenesis of NiV. Following transplantation, human fetal lung xenografts rapidly graft and develop mature structures of adult lungs including cartilage, vascular vessels, ciliated pseudostratified columnar epithelium, and primitive “air” spaces filled with mucus and lined by cuboidal to flat epithelium. Following infection, NiV grows to high titers (107 TCID50/gram lung tissue) as early as 3 days post infection (pi). NiV targets both the endothelium as well as respiratory epithelium in the human lung tissues, and results in syncytia formation. NiV infection in the human lung results in the production of several cytokines and chemokines including IL-6, IP-10, eotaxin, G-CSF and GM-CSF on days 5 and 7 pi. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that NiV can replicate to high titers in a novel in vivo model of the human respiratory tract, resulting in a robust inflammatory response, which is known to be associated with ALI. This model will facilitate progress in the fundamental understanding of henipavirus pathogenesis and virus-host interactions; it will also provide biologically relevant models for other respiratory viruses.
The relationship of cell division to the acquisition of adrenergic characteristics by developing sympathetic ganglion cell precursors

Abstract The relationship of the acquisition of defining characteristics by precursor cells of sympathetic ganglia to the withdrawal of these cells from the cell cycle was investigated in the developing chick. The characteristics studied included the ability to synthesize catecholamines (CA), the development of characteristic subcellular storage granules, and the specific uptake of norepinephrine (NE). All were present in presumptive sympathicoblasts and adrenal medullary precursors, which also became labeled after the injection of tritiated thymidine and so retained the ability to divide. These dividing CA-containing cells were found in both primary ganglia and secondary preand paravertebral ganglia. The developing sympathetic neuronal population was found to be a heterogeneous one. Some sympathetic precursor cells appeared to become postmitotic (or to enter a pause in division) early in ontogeny, while others continued to divide throughout the time of hatching. As embryogenesis proceeded, the proportion of CA-containing cells or their precursors which were dividing decreased. However, those cells which did divide probably divided repeatedly. It is concluded that some of the definitive characteristics of mature neurons are expressed by dividing precursor cells. The specific characteristic that marks the transition from immature dividing cells to mature postmitotic neurons has not yet been determined.
Differential diagnosis of muscle tension dysphonia and spasmodic dysphonia.

Purpose of reviewMuscle tension dysphonia (MTD) can mimic the voice features of adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) leading to diagnostic confusion. Researchers have begun to compare characteristics of MTD and ADSD to determine whether there are markers which reliably distinguish the two disorders a
Automatic Generation of User Material Subroutines for Biomechanical Growth Analysis

The analysis of the biomechanics of growth and remodeling in soft tissues requires the formulation of specialized pseudoelastic constitutive relations. The nonlinear finite element analysis package ABAQUS allows the user to implement such specialized material responses through the coding of a user material subroutine called UMAT. However, hand coding UMAT subroutines is a challenge even for simple pseudoelastic materials and requires substantial time to debug and test the code. To resolve this issue, we develop an automatic UMAT code generation procedure for pseudoelastic materials using the symbolic mathematics package MATHEMATICA and extend the UMAT generator to include continuum growth. The performance of the automatically coded UMAT is tested by simulating the stress-stretch response of a material defined by a Fung-orthotropic strain energy function, subject to uniaxial stretching, equibiaxial stretching, and simple shear in ABAQUS. The MATHEMATICA UMAT generator is then extended to include continuum growth by adding a growth subroutine to the automatically generated UMAT. The MATHEMATICA UMAT generator correctly derives the variables required in the UMAT code, quickly providing a ready-to-use UMAT. In turn, the UMAT accurately simulates the pseudoelastic response. In order to test the growth UMAT, we simulate the growth-based bending of a bilayered bar with differing fiber directions in a nongrowing passive layer. The anisotropic passive layer, being topologically tied to the growing isotropic layer, causes the bending bar to twist laterally. The results of simulations demonstrate the validity of the automatically coded UMAT, used in both standardized tests of hyperelastic materials and for a biomechanical growth analysis.
CT-based assessment of regional pulmonary microvascular blood flow parameters

To determine regional pulmonary microvascular mean transit times (MTTs), we used electrocardiogram-gated X-ray computed tomographic imaging to follow bolus radiopaque contrast material through the ...
Music video as persuasive form: The case of the pseudo‐reflexive strategy

This essay examines music video as a media form designed to persuade television viewers to purchase musical recordings. By associating performers and their songs with strategically selected visual images, video makers hope to evoke impressions which might lead viewers to desire the recordings produced by the performers featured in video clips. One specific production strategy, “pseudo‐reflexivity,” involves employing imagery that demystifies some, but not all, of the aspects of the video making process in order to both draw audience attention away from the promotional motives underlying video production and enhance the anti‐commercial stance typically adopted by hard rock musicians.
Issues in Multivariate Cluster Analysis Some Simulation Results

Using a Monte Carlo simulation, the research in this article addresses two key questions about the accuracy of cluster analysis in reproducing a known true cluster model. First, how is the accuracy affected by different ways of measuring interunit similarity; in this case, different ways of using principal components analysis. Second, how is the accuracy affected by the quality of the characteristics data and by different procedures for handling missing information? The results indicate that using principal components analysis is superior to not using it and that the choice of how to utilize the principal components results may be critical. The results also indicate that the impact of data quality differences may be minimal, but that there are important differentials among the procedures for handling missing data.
An active puromycin analog derived from a non-nephrotoxic aminonucleoside

Abstract Replacement of the 5'-OH group of puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) with H resulted in the elimination of kidney toxicity associated with administration of PAN. Thus, 5'-deoxy-PAN was not nephrotoxic to rats under the usual criteria. The corresponding 5'-deoxypuromycin derived from 5'-deoxy-PAN was examined in a ribosomal peptidyl transferase assay and was found to be an excellent substrate for the transpeptidation reaction with bacterial ribosomes; the Km was 0.29 mM compared to the Km for puromycin of 0.20 mM. Thus, a puromycin analog has been prepared which retains puromycin-like activity at the ribosomal level, but which is capable of releasing only a non-nephrotoxic aminonucleoside by enzymatic hydrolysis of the p -methoxyphenylalanyl side-chain.
Subtypes of α1-adrenoceptors in DDT1 MF-2 and BC3H-1 clonal cell lines

We examined which subtype(s) of alpha 1-adrenoceptors are expressed in the widely used DDT1 MF-2 and BC3H-1 cell lines. Pretreatment with chloroethylclonidine (CEC) inactivated 76-85% of the specific [125I]BE 2254 binding sites in membrane preparations from both cell lines. Competition with subtype-selective competitive antagonists showed primarily the alpha 1B subtype in both cell lines. However, in BC3H-1 cells 5-methyl-urapidil showed complex behavior suggesting that about half of the binding sites had a lower affinity. Chloroethylclonidine pretreatment eliminated [3H]inositol phosphate responses to norepinephrine in both cell lines. Measurement of intracellular Ca2+ with fura-2 in DDT1 MF-2 cells showed that norepinephrine induced a complex response involving both transient and sustained components. Chloroethylclonidine pretreatment blocked both responses, while chelation of extracellular Ca2+ left the transient response intact but eliminated the sustained component. These results support previous work that these cell lines contain alpha 1B-adrenoceptors linked to inositol phosphate formation and mobilization of intracellular Ca2+. However, these results show that alpha 1B-adrenoceptors can be linked to Ca2+ influx as well as intracellular mobilization, and support the existence of pharmacologically distinct alpha 1B variants.
Behavioral and neural consequences of prenatal exposure to nicotine.

ABSTRACT Objective To review evidence for the neurodevelopmental effects of in utero exposure to nicotine. Concerns about long-term cognitive and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine arise from reports of increased rates of disruptive behavioral disorders in children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy. The relatively high rate of tobacco smoking among pregnant women (25% of all pregnancies in the U.S.) underlines the seriousness of these concerns. Method This review examines the largest and most recent epidemiological and clinical studies that investigated the association of prenatal nicotine exposure with health, behavioral, and cognitive problems. Because of the numerous potential confounding variables in human research, findings from animal studies, in which environmental factors are strictly controlled, are also discussed. Finally, neural and molecular mechanisms that are likely to underlie neurodevelopmental disruptions produced by prenatal nicotine exposure are outlined. Results A dose-response relationship between maternal smoking rates and low birth weight (potentially associated with lower cognitive ability) and spontaneous abortion is consistently found, whereas long-term developmental and behavioral effects in the offspring are still controversial, perhaps because of the difficulty of separating them from other genetic and environmental factors. Despite the wide variability of experimental paradigms used in animal studies, common physical and behavioral effects of prenatal exposure to nicotine have been observed, including low birth weight, enhanced locomotor activity, and cognitive impairment. Finally, disturbances in neuronal pathfinding, abnormalities in cell proliferation and differentiation, and disruptions in the development of the cholinergic and catecholaminergic systems all have been reported in molecular animal studies of in utero exposure to nicotine. Conclusions Prenatal exposure to nicotine may lead to dysregulation in neurodevelopment and can indicate higher risk for psychiatric problems, including substance abuse. Knowledge of prenatal exposure to nicotine should prompt child psychiatrists to closely monitor at-risk patients.
ON LEAD TIME DEMAND DISTRIBUTIONS

A key factor in establishing inventory policy for an item is the procurement lead time demand distribution (LTDD). Demand during lead time is a random variable if at least one of the components-length of lead time, order intensity, and order size-is a random variable. This paper discusses the problem of estimating the functional form of the LTDD for various combinations of the component random variables, using the method of generating functions. Since a normal approximation will often be used in practice, expressions are also given for the mean and variance of the LTDD for the various cases.
Detectability of a luminance increment: Effect of spatial uncertainty*

The theory of signal detectability (TSD) predicts that uncertainty of the spatial location of a luminance-increment stimulus should influence the detectability of the stimulus. If d′ is the detectability, E is the increment luminance, N2 is the variance of the noise that obscures the signal, and M is the number of equally likely non-overlapping stimuli, TSD predicts (d′)2 = loge{1–1/M + 1/M exp(E2/N2)}. TSD also predicts that the slope of the ROC curve on probability paper should decrease in the presence of stimulus-position uncertainty. Both predictions were confirmed in psychophysical tests of human observers for foveally viewed stimuli.
Effect of RU-486 and related compounds on the proliferation of cultured macrophages.

PROBLEM : Macrophages are implicated in the pathophysiology of endometriosis and are influenced by anti-inflammatory steroids as well as anti-oxidants. METHODS : We tested the effect of RU-486, an antiprogesterone, antiglucocorticoid and an antioxidant, on the proliferation of RAW macrophages. RESULTS : The incorporation of 3 H-thymidine was significantly inhibited by both progesterone and RU-486. Progesterone and RU-486, in combination, synergistically inhibited macrophage growth. In contrast, dexamethasone-stimulated growth was antagonized by RU-486 in a dose dependent manner. ZK 112,993 which is structurally related to RU-486 but lacks antioxidant properties, also inhibited thymidine incorporation. The synergistic effect of RU-486 and ZK 112,993 with progesterone implicate a mechanism of action separate from receptor bound antagonists. A cell permeable antioxidant, pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was very effective in inhibiting the incorporation of 3 H-thymidine into cells. CONCLUSIONS : These results suggest novel therapeutic modalities in the management of endometriosis via antiglucocorticoid as well as antioxidant mechanisms.
CAPTURE-ZONE TYPE CURVES: A TOOL FOR AQUIFER CLEANUP

Currently a common method of aquifer cleanup is to extract the polluted ground water and, after reducing the concentration of contaminants in the water below a certain level, the treated water is either injected back into the aquifer, or if it is environmentally and economically feasible, released to a surface-water body. The proper design of such an operation is very important, both economically and environmentally. In this paper a method is developed which can assist in the determination of the optimum number of pumping wells, their rates of discharge and locations, such that further degradation of the aquifer is avoided. The complex potential theory has been used to derive the equations for the streamlines separating the capture zone of one, two, or more pumping wells from the rest of the aquifer, A series of capture-zone type curves are presented which can be used as tools for the design of aquifer cleanup projects. The use of these type curves is shown by an hypothetical field case example.
A New Reflecting Spectrograph Camera

The camera which has been developed consists of a spherical mirror and a corrector lens with spherical surfaces. The equivalent focal length is about 900 mm and the relative aperture is f/4. The design is based on the theory by Argentieri and becomes a camera of the nonconcentric type. The useful range of the camera is from 2500 A to 12 000 A. Some details of the construction and results obtained are shown.
Children and Adults are Differentially Affected by Presentation Modality in the DRM Paradigm

Using the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) method for free recall, we examined mode of list presentation and association type in 8–9 year old children and adults. Participants verbally recalled lists of associates that were presented orally (Experiment 1) or visually (Experiment 2). Lists consisted of semantic associates (e.g. hound, puppy, etc.), phonological associates (e.g. log, dot, etc.) and both semantic and phonological associates (e.g. hound, dot, etc.) to a nonpresented lure word (e.g. dog). Interestingly, the ratio of false to true recall was higher in children than adults only when lists were presented orally. These results suggest that children rely more on sublexical information or item-specific information than adults when reading lists, and, thus, are less likely to activate the critical lure via lexical associations. Furthermore, these results suggest that information processing differences at encoding between children and adults need to be taken into account when interpreting free recall studies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Daytime alertness in Parkinson's disease: potentially dose-dependent, divergent effects by drug class.

Many patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease experience difficulties maintaining daytime alertness. Controversy exists regarding whether this reflects effects of antiparkinsonian medications, the disease itself, or other factors such as nocturnal sleep disturbances. In this study we examined the phenomenon by evaluating medicated and unmedicated Parkinson's patients with objective polysomnographic measurements of nocturnal sleep and daytime alertness. Patients (n = 63) underwent a 48-hour laboratory-based study incorporating 2 consecutive nights of overnight polysomnography and 2 days of Maintenance of Wakefulness Testing. We examined correlates of individual differences in alertness, including demographics, clinical features, nocturnal sleep variables, and class and dosage of anti-Parkinson's medications. Results indicated that, first, relative to unmediated patients, all classes of dopaminergic medications were associated with reduced daytime alertness, and this effect was not mediated by disease duration or disease severity. Second, the results showed that increasing dosages of dopamine agonists were associated with less daytime alertness, whereas higher levels of levodopa were associated with higher levels of alertness. Variables unrelated to the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test defined daytime alertness including age, sex, years with diagnosis, motor impairment score, and most nocturnal sleep variables. Deficits in objectively assessed daytime alertness in Parkinson's disease appear to be a function of both the disease and the medications and their doses used. The apparent divergent dose-dependent effects of drug class in Parkinson's disease are anticipated by basic science studies of the sleep/wake cycle under different pharmacological agents. © 2012 Movement Disorder Society. Language: en
Structurally Distinct Ca2+ Domains of Sperm Flagella Modulate Hyperactivated Motility

Mammalian sperm cells must swim long distances to fertilize the egg. The powerful burst of hyperactivated motility, which is necessary for successful fertilization, requires calcium influx via CatSper, sperm flagellar Ca2+ channel. We characterized ultrastructures of CatSper channels and Ca2+ signaling molecules in single flagella. We find that the CatSper channel, together with other signaling molecules, organizes four linear Ca2+ domains along the flagella. This unique structure focuses tyrosine phosphorylation in time and space during capacitation. We looked for motility-correlative molecular phenotypes in capacitation-induced heterogeneous sperm populations. Hyperactivated motility correlates with the intact CatSper domains, the presence of P-Tyr, and the efficient sperm migration in female reproductive tract. Our results offer a new view of spatiotemporal organization of signal transduction in flagella that augments the mechanistic insights of Ca2+ in motility regulation for mammalian spermatozoa.
Myths and Realities in Automating Special Education Information Management

As a result of state and federal education requirements, administrators must collect prodigious amounts of information on exceptional pupils and special education programs. Automated information management systems are thought to provide numerous advantages for administrators overloaded by paperwork. The lure of these benefits has caused many special educators to rush headlong to automate the information-management function. Technologically inexperienced administrators, however, have been surprised to find their overly optimistic expectations severely challenged by the realities of automated systems. This paper describes three real advantages and five common misconceptions brought to automating special education information management.
Neural Markers of Subordinate-Level Categorization in 6- to 7-Month-Old Infants.

Subordinate-level category-learning processes in infants were investigated with ERP and looking-time measures. ERPs were recorded while 6- to 7-month-olds were presented with Saint Bernard images during familiarization, followed by novel Saint Bernards interspersed with Beagles during test. In addition, infant looking times were measured during a paired-preference test (novel Saint Bernard vs. novel Beagle) conducted at the conclusion of ERP recording. Slow wave activity corresponded with learning a familiarized category at the subordinate and basic levels, whereas Negative central (Nc) and P400 components were linked with novel category preference. The results provide the first evidence identifying the neural markers of subordinate-level categorization observed in looking-time tasks conducted with infants. Moreover, when considered in conjunction with prior research investigating the neural markers of basic-level categorization in infants, the findings indicate that (1) slow wave and Nc components of infant ERP waveforms are general markers for processes of category learning on the one hand and novel category preference on the other, (2) novel category preference for a contrast category at the basic and subordinate levels have the Nc component in common, but novel category preference at the subordinate level is accompanied by an additional P400 component, a finding in keeping with the notion that subordinate-level categorization is governed by mechanisms supplementary to those underlying basic-level categorization, and (3) slow wave activity associated with subordinate-level learning followed that associated with basic-level learning by approximately 200 ms, a result in accord with a coarse-to-fine scheme for the emergence of category partitioning.
Discrete Scale Transformations and a Possible Lepton Mass Spectrum

A partial solution to the muon puzzle is offered. Discrete scale transformations are used to derive a mass spectrum for leptons which includes all the observed leptons. The difference between the electron and muonlike particles is demonstrated explicitly. Experimental tests of the theory are discussed including the detection of the predicted 22-GeV electron.
Role of education and industry towards more sustainable construction

With the increase in the environment legislation during the last three decades, awareness about sustainable construction is growing around the globe. This study benchmarks sustainable construction courses offered by accredited Construction Management Programmes in the USA. This study also identifies commonly used sustainable construction techniques used by the industry. Recognition through awards also helped to promote environmentally responsible construction techniques. Findings from the study indicate that the study of sustainable or 'green' construction needs to be added to the Construction Management curriculum in the context of estimating scheduling and building techniques to prepare Construction Management professionals for construction in the 21st century. Commonly used sustainable construction practices and project attribute have also been compiled for interested readers. The constructors have use Greg Cook various methods to deal with the sensitivity of the environment and surrounding area of the project. Few examples consist of sustainable construction, LEED certification, pollution prevention and addressing community concerns through community involvement during various stages of the project. Findings from the study indicate that the proactive role played bythe construction industry needs to be reciprocated by education providers, by offering sustainable construction courses to budding project managers who graduate from accredited Construction Management Programmes in the USA. Better preparedness of Construction Management workforce in sustainable design techniques and practices is expected in the 21st Century. The outcome of this study would benefit faculty belonging to Construction Management education programmes and general contractors interested in competing forawards prevalent in the construction industry.
Register window architecture for multitasking applications

The organization of large register banks into windows hasbeen shown to be effective in enhancing the performance of sequential programs. One drawback of such an organization, which is of of minor importance to sexsquential languages, is the overhead encountered when the register bank must be replaced during a task switch. With concurrent language paradigms, such as are found in Ada, Occam, and Modula-2, these switches will be more frequent. We introduce here a methodology, and an architecture, which greatly reduces this overhead while maintaining the inherent advantages of the register window approach. In addition, we present ways of implemnting traditional stacks and queues, as well as hierarchical storage structures using windows.
Content decision-making and the politics of education

This paper reviews the politics of education literature for relevance to research on how teachers make decisions about the content of instruction. It argues that such decisions are political in nature and, therefore, should be the subject of political research.
Increased activity of ornithine decarboxylase in goldfish following optic nerve crush

Abstract Ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity increased in goldfish retina, brain, and kidney several days following unilateral intraorbital optic nerve crush. Activity in both retinas followed a similar time course, an elevation being first detectable 3 days following crush, maximal on day 5 and returning to control levels by day 7. Increases were significantly higher in the retina on the lesioned side than in control retina. If one eye was surgically removed, a more prolonged elevation of ODC activity was seen in the remaining eye than was observed in control retinas following contralateral nerve crush. Sham operation or behavioral stress secondary to aversive electrical shock did not lead to significant increases in ODC activity in brain or retina. Explants of retinas whose optic nerve had been crushed 10–14 days prior to explanation, as well as those derived from the unlesioned side, showed increases in ODC activity following addition of β-NGF to the medium. The response was greater in post-crush retinas than in control retinas. These results taken together suggest an increased responsiveness of the regenerating retina to stimuli that lead to increased ODC activity. While the nature of the in vivo signal(s) may be complex, it is inferred that degenerative changes in the distal stump play a significant role.
Comparative LC-MS/MS analysis of optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound removal for the study of mammalian proteomes

Primary tissue samples are valuable resources for investigators interested in understanding disease. In order to maximize the information content that can be gained from these precious samples, proper storage, handling, and preparation are essential. Some tissue preservation techniques utilize the cryopreservation medium, optimal cutting temperature (OCT) compound. While this medium provides benefits for traditional molecular studies, certain components can interfere with mass spectrometric analyses. Mass spectrometry based proteomics is a growing field with many applications for disease research. Our goal is to determine a reliable method for separating the proteins from the contaminating species in OCT embedded samples, thus making these samples compatible with mass spectrometric analyses. The novel applications of ether-methanol precipitation, filter-aided sample preparation (FASP), and SDS-PAGE provide researchers with protocols for removing OCT contaminating species from valuable samples. The results presented in this study show that all three methods reproducibly remove OCT; however, precipitation and FASP outperform SDS-PAGE by common proteomic metrics.
Velocity control as a tool for optimal plume containment in the equus beds aquifer, Kansas

: A ground-water-management model was developed to investigate the best management options for the containment of an oil-field-brine plume in the Equus Beds aquifer in south-central Kansas. The main purpose of the management model was to find the optimal locations and minimum rates of pumpage of a set of plume-interception wells, to successfully reverse the velocity vectors at observation wells located along the plume front, and also to satisfy freshwater demands from supply wells. The effects of the calculated minimum withdrawals from the interception wells on the migration of contaminants throughout the ground-water system were evaluated utilizing a solute-transport model. This latter analysis was carried out to ensure the containment of the plume. Whereas application of the management model to the study area achieves the management objectives, the implementation of the results is believed to be impractical and expensive. This is because a considerable amount of water must be pumped out to reverse the velocity vectors in the vicinity of the plume. In general, the proposed technique of pollutant containment may be effective when applied to aquifers having low hydraulic gradients and/or to aquifers with hazardous plumes whose containment is not subject to economic constraints.
Ion transport across the normal and CF neonatal murine intestine.

Neonatal mice with cystic fibrosis (CF) exhibit a very high mortality due to intestinal obstruction localized primarily to the ileum and colon. It has been hypothesized that lack of Cl− secretion a...
Improving Timeliness of Nutrition Intervention Through a Collaborative Quality Improvement Program in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit

The monitoring of the quality of patient care in today's health care environment may be best accomplished through collaborative continuous quality improvement (CQI) programs using the efforts of physicians, nurses, dietitians, and other health care professionals. The CQI Committee of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a 10-bed combined medical and surgical unit, developed a collaborative CQI audit to monitor whether critically ill PICU patients should receive nutrition therapy (oral, enteral, or parenteral) in a timely manner. Timely nutrition support was defined as initiation of nutrition therapy within 72 hours of admission for previously well-nourished patients (category A) or within 48 hours of admission for patients with a history of chronic illness, malnutrition, or trauma (category B). Whether pediatric nutrition support team consultations on category B patients were completed within 72 hours of admission to the PICU also was monitored. An evaluation goal of 80% was set to meet the indicator criteria.
Cyclic AMP regulation of protein lysine acetylation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

In Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the activity of a protein lysine acetyltransferase (PAT) is allosterically regulated by cAMP binding to a domain fused to the catalytic domain. Now the crystal structures of the autoinhibited and cAMP-activated PAT, along with biochemical analysis, reveal how allosteric regulation between independent protein domains can evolve.
Influence of automated screening and confirmation of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing members of the Enterobacteriaceae on prescribing of antibiotics

This study investigated the clinician response to the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) confirmation report generated by an automated detection system, MicroScan Walkaway. The study compared two cohorts (pre- and post-automated detection) of patients with an ESBL-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella species non-urinary infection over the period October 2001-December 2006. Acceptance of the report, as defined by the initiation of carbapenem therapy, was observed in 69.2% of the post-automated detection cohort (n=78) versus 20% in the pre-automated detection period (n=15) (P<or=0.001). The utilization of a carbapenem increased progressively over the course of the study. Moreover, the time to initiation of carbapenem therapy was reduced from 15.7+/-4.9 to 0.1+/-2.0 days (P<or=0.001) after implementation of this automated detection system. Overall, clinicians responded positively to the ESBL automated detection report, as gauged by the increased utilization of a carbapenem and the earlier initiation of appropriate therapy; however, reductions in length of stay and mortality were not observed in this infected population.
Automatic registration of LIDAR and optical images of urban scenes

Fusion of 3D laser radar (LIDAR) imagery and aerial optical imagery is an efficient method for constructing 3D virtual reality models. One difficult aspect of creating such models is registering the optical image with the LIDAR point cloud, which is characterized as a camera pose estimation problem. We propose a novel application of mutual information registration methods, which exploits the statistical dependency in urban scenes of optical appearance with measured LIDAR elevation. We utilize the well known downhill simplex optimization to infer camera pose parameters. We discuss three methods for measuring mutual information between LIDAR imagery and optical imagery. Utilization of OpenGL and graphics hardware in the optimization process yields registration times dramatically lower than previous methods. Using an initial registration comparable to GPS/INS accuracy, we demonstrate the utility of our algorithm with a collection of urban images and present 3D models created with the fused imagery.
Suicide, Self-Mutilation and Delirium Tremens.

Last winter in the UK, a young man was found dead in a blood-soaked hotel bathroom. The inquest determined that he had died by his own hand. It emerged that, in a confused state, he had tried to alert staff where he was accommodated to his fears that he was unwell, but seems to have been disregarded as a drunk causing a nuisance. The inquest did not link the death to alcohol because there was no alcohol found in the body at post mortem. He was known by friends and family to drink alcohol but had never been diagnosed or treated for that. His lap-top computer showing messages and websites browsed in the last hours of his life, depicted a frightening sequence. He had sent this message: I had stupidly started on a drinking binge and never stopped until 3 days ago. I thought I was getting better today but now I have the shakes and am hallucinating whenever I close my eyes and can't sleep. I'm sorry if this appears scary because it is … I'm not here to …
Morphology, Density, and Spatial Patterning of Reproductive Bowers in an Established Alien Population of Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

In coastal Mississippi aquatic systems, Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) has been introduced via aquaculture practices and appears to have established breeding populations. However, little is known about characteristics of bowers in non-native environments or if reproductive activities vary with water temperature. Therefore, we examined bower morphology, sediment composition, density, spatial pattern, and the distribution of bowers and reproductive leks in relation to thermal gradients within a power plant cooling pond. We found that the Nile tilapia has the appropriate materials for building bowers, can establish active breeding leks, and distributes along thermal gradients. All of these attributes allow for successful invasion and establishment into non-native environments.
Stratiform Rain in the Tropics as Seen by the TRMM Precipitation Radar

Abstract Across the Tropics (20°N–20°S), the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) indicates that for reflectivities ≥17 dBZ, stratiform precipitation accounts for 73% of the area covered by rain and 40% of the total rain amount over a 3-yr period (1998–2000). The ratio of the convective rain rate to the stratiform rain rate is 4.1 on average at the horizontal resolution of the PR data. Convective rain rates remain constant or decrease as the stratiform contribution to total rain increases, implying that stratiform rain production is not very dependent on the strength of convection. This relationship is especially evident over the ocean, where there are weaker convective rain rates than over land but relatively larger stratiform rain amounts. The ocean environment appears more efficient in the production of stratiform precipitation through either the sustainability of convection by a warm, moist boundary layer with only a weak diurnal variation and/or by the near–moist adiaba...
Chemical Synthesis of Nanophase Materials

A short review of important methods for the chemical synthesis of nanoscale particles is presented: transition metal ion reduction by sodium borohydride in aqueous and nonaqueous solvents, nonaqueous reduction using alkali metals, precipitation of metal ions by hydroxide ion, aerogel synthesis, reverse micelle techniques, gas phase aerosol methods, and metal vapor deposition. Nucleation in cold matrices is discussed. Emphasis is placed on chemical reaction stoichiometries, reaction conditions, and isolation techniques. The uses of nanophase materials as novel chemical reagents is considered along with their unusual physical properties.
Weaker MSE criteria and tests for linear restrictions in regression models with non-spherical disturbances

Abstract This paper extend, in an asymptotic sense, the strong and the weaker mean square error criteria and corresponding tests to linear models with non-spherical disturbances where the error covariance matrix is unknown but a consistent estimator for it is available. The mean square error tests of Toro-Vizcorrondo and Wallace (1968) and Wallace (1972) test for the superiority of restricted over unrestricted linear estimators in a least squares context. This generalization of these tests makes them available for use with GLS, Zellner's SUR, 2SLS, 3SLS, tests of over identification, and so forth.
Medical director's review of urinary incontinence in long-term care.

Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine in sufficient amounts and with enough frequency to have negative health and social consequences. Identification of those with this symptom is not regularly accomplished because this is a problem that is underreported and underdiagnosed. Opportunities for early diagnosis and treatment are often missed owing to an individual’s reluctance to address incontinence with his or her clinician because of embarrassment or shame. Clinicians fail to ask about urinary incontinence more than 90% of the time during outpatient care visits. One can speculate that the same might be true for clinicians visiting residents in the long-term care facility. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of knowledge and understanding about urinary incontinence, its causes, and treatments. The prevalence of urinary incontinence in a community-dwelling population of elders is reported to be 30%. In long-term care, the prevalence is over 50%. Urinary incontinence is frequently cited as the second most common reason for long-term care placement.
Predicting Patient Follow-Through on Telephone Nursing Advice:

Although use of telephone advice nursing services continues to grow, little research has addressed factors that affect crucial call outcomes like follow-through on the advice given. This article describes aspects of the advice call process and examines predictors of caller follow-through, using a conceptual model derived from the literature and the authors' preliminary work. Calls to call centers and medical offices of a large health maintenance organization were taped, then content was coded and matched with caller questionnaire (CQ) data. Out of 1,863 participants, 1,489 reported following all the advice. In the final multivariate predictive model, statistically significant predictors of follow-through were patient health status, caller's rating of nurse helpfulness, and the extent to which caller expectations for collaboration were met and the caller understood the advice given. Results suggest that nurses should receive continuous training on effective communication techniques, and advice nurse perfor...
EFFECTS OF CAPTURE ON BIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN FREE-RANGING BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS): EVALUATION OF NORMAL, STRESSED AND MORTALITY OUTCOMES AND DOCUMENTATION OF POSTCAPTURE SURVIVAL

Blood samples and physiological data were collected from 634 bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis) captured by four different methods between 1980 and 1986 in the western United States. These parameters were evaluated for selected physiological, biochemical and hematological values. Postcapture biological parameters were compared among bighorn sheep according to four different outcomes; normal, stressed or compromised, capture myopathy (CM) mortality, and accidental mortality. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were noted between outcome groups relative to certain parameters: temperature, respiration, creatinine phosphokinase (CPK), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), glucose, white blood cell count (WBC) and plasma pH. Such differences between groups may help in evaluating the clinical status of bighorn sheep at capture, enabling one to predict those animals that might develop CM at a later date, indicate candidates for preventive medical treat...
Integrating Experiential Learning Into Business Courses: Using Learning Journals To Create Living Case Studies

Research demonstrates that the capacity to implement strategy and to execute plans drives business success (Hrebiniak, 2007) and that businesses’ inability to succeed by executing effectively arises from the ubiquitous incapacity of business professionals to overcome the gap between what they know and what they are actually able to do, whether personally or professionally (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2000). Research and experience also demonstrates that the capacity to execute is not primarily about operational or tactical skills. Rather, it is more a “discipline to learn” (Bossidy, Charan & Burck, 2002; i.e., the capacity to execute is primarily a discipline of continuously learning to acquire, to interpret, and especially to apply information (Garvin, 2000) in a never-ending spiral of improvement. Business professionals must possess this capacity in order to succeed over the long-term. The purpose of business education is to prepare professionals for successful performance in businesses. However, unlike the preparation of medical doctors and many other professionals, the education in most business schools remains more theoretical than experiential in the andragogy employed. Even the typical case study, like many instructional techniques used in business schools, is still relatively “theoretical” in that it is not a business experience in which the student is personally involved. This paper introduces an instructional method, the journal entry assignment, to help address the challenge of creating a more experiential education and preparation for business. This assignment enables students to “learn by doing” and, in effect, it creates a “living case study” experience for students.
Effect of pesticide residues on mortality of Aphytis melinus DeBach (Hym., Aphelinidae) in Munger cells and larger containers

An experimental study was designed to test the reliability of field-usable bioassays in determining the toxicity of previously treated foliage to natural enemies. Lemon trees were treated at commercial rates with carbaryl-oil, chlorpyrifos and methidathion. Residues on leaves and twigs were quantified weekly for 50 days after treatment. Bioassays of treated and control foliage to Aphytis melinus DeBach were conducted at similar intervals in Munger cells, 3.8 1 glass jars, and 2 1 paper cartons. Pesticide residues on twigs dissipated at approximately the same rates as residues on leaves. Bioassay mortality was high immediately following treatment. Subsequent mortality was reduced to near pre-treatment and control levels quickly (3–8 days) in the cells, less quickly in the cartons, and slowest in the jars (up to 10 weeks). The mortality in the jars did not appear closely related to pesticide residue levels, but was possibly due to other contributing factors.
LPS-induced liver injury in D-galactosamine-sensitized mice requires secreted TNF-alpha and the TNF-p55 receptor

Lipopolysaccharide andd-galactosamine induced lethality and apoptotic liver injury is dependent on endogenously produced tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The present study was undertaken to determine...