cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is it worth making sense of Marx

This essay explores Elster's analysis of Marx's theory of historical evolution. The meaning of the terras ‘productive forces’ and the ‘relations of production’ are examined both as specified by Marx and interpreted by Elster. The essay then goes on to demonstrate how the modern literature on transaction costs can provide a more precise and useful framework within which to explore the ongoing tension between productive forces and relations of production.
Distributed Detection Performance Under Dependent Observations and Nonideal Channels

In this paper, we explore the impact of wireless channel capacity on asymptotic detection performance for distributed detection in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). As a key performance metric for large-scale WSNs, the asymptotic detection performance is characterized by the error exponents of detection error probabilities. In particular, we consider error exponents under dependent observations and nonideal channels. We derive a sufficient condition under which the detection system will result in zero error exponents under both orthogonal channels and multiple-access channels. We show that if the channel capacity is zero, the corresponding error exponents become zero as well. In addition, a special case of dependent observations where sensor measurements are independently identically distributed given a hidden variable or vector is studied. Under this model, we further derive the necessary and sufficient condition for having zero error exponents. Numerical examples are also presented to validate the results and demonstrate the relationship among the asymptotic detection performance and system parameters.
Dual-pulse LIBS: why are two lasers better than one?

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is a very attractive form of elemental analysis which holds much promise as a remote technique. LIBS, however, has problems with sensitivity and reproducibility compared to alternate forms of analysis. One way in which our laboratory is addressing these problems is through the use of dual-laser pulses which have been shown to produce enhanced LIBS signals. Our studies include a systematic approach to the factors affecting the dual-pulse LIBS signals and the mechanisms behind the enhancements observed. For optimizing emission signals, we have found that the laser beam geometry plays a large role. This paper focuses on results solely from a perpendicular beam orientation where a pre-spark is formed above the sample surface by a laser pulse before any material ablation occurs from a second laser pulse. Using this pre-ablation spark, enhancements in copper and lead signal to background ratios are found to be as high as 2 to 6 fold for copper and lead, respectively. The reason for this increase in sensitivity is still unclear but is related to an increase in the extent of sample ablation that occurs. Factors contributing to the LIBS signal are also being investigated by acquiring time-resolved plasma images of the dual-pulsed plasmas. These experiments show changes in the overall size and shape of the plume when using a pre-ablation spark. In addition, the enhancements in lead signal to background ratios appear to be highly region specific.
Red Bell Pepper Chromoplasts Exhibit in Vitro Import Competency and Membrane Targeting of Passenger Proteins from the Thylakoidal Sec and ΔpH Pathways but Not the Chloroplast Signal Recognition Particle Pathway

Chloroplast to chromoplast development involves new synthesis and plastid localization of nuclear-encoded proteins, as well as changes in the organization of internal plastid membrane compartments. We have demonstrated that isolated red bell pepper ( Capsicum annuum ) chromoplasts contain the 75-kD component of the chloroplast outer envelope translocon (Toc75) and are capable of importing chloroplast precursors in an ATP-dependent fashion, indicating a functional general import apparatus. The isolated chromoplasts were able to further localize the 33- and 17-kD subunits of the photosystem II O 2 -evolution complex (OE33 and OE17, respectively), lumen-targeted precursors that utilize the thylakoidal Sec and ΔpH pathways, respectively, to the lumen of an internal membrane compartment. Chromoplasts contained the thylakoid Sec component protein, cpSecA, at levels comparable to chloroplasts. Routing of OE17 to the lumen was abolished by ionophores, suggesting that routing is dependent on a transmembrane ΔpH. The chloroplast signal recognition particle pathway precursor major photosystem II light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b protein failed to associate with chromoplast membranes and instead accumulated in the stroma following import. The Pftf (plastidfusion/translocation factor), a chromoplast protein, integrated into the internal membranes of chromoplasts during in vitro assays, and immunoblot analysis indicated that endogenous plastid fusion/translocation factor was also an integral membrane protein of chromoplasts. These data demonstrate that the internal membranes of chromoplasts are functional with respect to protein translocation on the thylakoid Sec and ΔpH pathways.
Order-specific 16S rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes for (hyper)thermophilic archaea and bacteria

New oligonucleotide probes were designed and evaluated for application in fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies on (hyper)thermophilic microbial communities—Arglo32, Tcoc164, and Aqui1197 target the 16S rRNA of Archaeoglobales, Thermococcales, and Aquificales, respectively. Both sequence information and experimental evaluation showed high coverage and specificity of all three probes. The signal intensity of Aqui1197 was improved by addition of a newly designed, unlabeled “helper” oligonucleotide, hAqui1045. It was shown that in addition to its function as a probe for Aquificales, Aqui1197 is suitable as a supplementary probe to extend the coverage of the domain-specific bacterial probe EUB338. In sediments from two hydrothermal seeps on Vulcano Island, Italy, the microbial community structure was analyzed by FISH with both established and the new oligonucleotide probes, showing the applicability of Arglo32, Tcoc164, and Aqui1197/hAqui1045 to natural samples. At both sites, all major groups of (hyper)thermophiles, except for methanogens, were detected: Crenarchaeota (19%, 16%), Thermococcales (14%, 22%), Archaeoglobales (14%, 12%), Aquificales (5%, 8%), Thermotoga/Thermosipho spp. (12%, 9%), Thermus sp. (12%, none), and thermophilic Bacillus sp. (12%, 8%).
An Unexpected Wait Before Testifying Increases Nervousness in Witnesses: A Jury Simulation

During a high anxiety, performance centered activity. such as a legal trial, does the need to wait to testify affect how a witness' presentation is perceived by others? What effect does waiting have when there is little ability to control the length of wait and there is little distraction during the waiting? In a trial, might the witness who is forced to wait an exiended time before testifying react nervously and the adversely affect the initial impression he or she makes upon juror? This study examined through simulation some of the possible outcomes of waiting on a witness' perceived behavior. Two experiments were performed to study the effects of waiting conditions on a witness in relation to the degree of honesty, attractiveness, intelligence and credibility as perceived by those who watched videotapes of the subjects who waited. It was expected that those in the waiting conditions would be more nervous and anxious and also be perceived as less attractive, intelligent and honest and therefore less cre...
Spontaneous breaking of de Sitter symmetry by radiative effects

Abstract We show that the one-loop effective action of quantum matter in a de Sitter background induces spontaneous breaking of the O(4,1) symmetry group of the classical spacetime. The resulting instability of de Sitter space is studied by both euclidean and real time methods. By the former, all thermodynamic functions of the matter field are calculated in closed form and the instability shown to be equivalent to the generalized second law of of thermodynamics for de Sitter space. By the latter (FRW real time) analysis, the time scale for the instability to develop is found to be the same as the expansion rate itself. We discuss the consequences for inflation and the cosmological constant problem.
The "Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale" (PAWSS): Systematic literature review and pilot study of a new scale for the prediction of complicated alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Background: To date, no screening tools for alcohol withdrawal syndromes (AWS) have been validated in the medically ill. Although several tools quantify the severity of AWS (e.g., Clinical Institute Withdrawal Assessment for Alcohol [CIWA]), none identify subjects at risk of AWS, thus missing the opportunity for timely prophylaxis. Moreover, there are no validated tools for the prediction of complicated (i.e., moderate to severe) AWS in the medically ill. Objectives: Our goals were (1) to conduct a systematic review of the published literature on AWS to identify clinical factors associated with the development of AWS, (2) to use the identified factors to develop a tool for the prediction of alcohol withdrawal among patients at risk, and (3) to conduct a pilot study to assess the validity of the tool. Methods: For the creation of the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale (PAWSS), we conducted a systematic literature search using PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and metaanalyses) guidelines for clinical factors associated with the development of AWS, using PubMed, PsychInfo, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Databases. Eligibility criteria included: (i) manuscripts dealing with human subjects, age 18 years or older, (ii) manuscripts directly addressing descriptions of AWS or its predisposing factors, including case reports, naturalistic case descriptions, and all types of clinical trials (e.g., randomized, single-blind, or open label studies), (iii) manuscripts describing characteristics of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and (iv) manuscripts dealing with animal data (which were considered only if they directly dealt with variables described in humans). Obtained data were used to develop the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale, in order to assist in the identification of patients at risk for complicated AWS. A pilot study was conducted to assess the new tool’s psychometric qualities on patients admitted to a general inpatient medicine unit over a 2-week period, who agreed to participate in the study. Blind to PAWSS results, a separate group of researchers retrospectively examined the medical records for evidence of AWS. Results: The search produced 2802 articles describing factors potentially associated with increased risk for AWS, increased severity of withdrawal symptoms, and potential characteristics differentiating subjects with various forms of AWS. Of these, 446 articles met inclusion criteria and underwent further scrutiny, yielding a total of 233 unique articles describing factors predictive of AWS. A total of 10 items were identified as correlated with complicated AWS (i.e., withdrawal hallucinosis, withdrawal-related seizures, and delirium tremens) and used to construct the PAWSS. During the pilot study, a total of 68
An insight into the sialome of the oriental rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis (Rots).

The salivary glands of hematophagous animals contain a complex cocktail that interferes with the host hemostasis and inflammation pathways, thus increasing feeding success. Fleas represent a relatively recent group of insects that evolved hematophagy independently of other insect orders. Analysis of the salivary transcriptome of the flea Xenopsylla cheopis, the vector of human plague, indicates that gene duplication events have led to a large expansion of a family of acidic phosphatases that are probably inactive, and to the expansion of the FS family of peptides that are unique to fleas. Several other unique polypeptides were also uncovered. Additionally, an apyrase-coding transcript of the CD39 family appears as the candidate for the salivary nucleotide hydrolysing activity in X.cheopis, the first time this family of proteins is found in any arthropod salivary transcriptome. Analysis of the salivary transcriptome of the flea X. cheopis revealed the unique pathways taken in the evolution of the salivary cocktail of fleas. Gene duplication events appear as an important driving force in the creation of salivary cocktails of blood feeding arthropods, as was observed with ticks and mosquitoes. Only five other flea salivary sequences exist at this time at NCBI, all from the cat flea C. felis. This work accordingly represents the only relatively extensive sialome description of any flea species. Sialotranscriptomes of additional flea genera will reveal the extent that these novel polypeptide families are common throughout the Siphonaptera.
Time dependence of X-ray yield for two crystal X-ray generators

Abstract X-ray crystal generators have been developed as practical devices at Binghamton. Here we report on X-ray intensity decay-time studies of two different units. The first is a sealed, flashlight-battery powered, portable device. The second more versatile generator consists of a 6.5×3.1×2 mm LiTaO3 crystal, whose temperature can be cycled between 120°C and 3°C. A thin target of Fe evaporated on to an Al foil is located directly in front of an Si(Li) detector in the chamber vacuum. The detector and target can be moved toward or away from the crystal. The chamber can be pumped on so that effects of gas pressure and composition as well as geometry can be studied. The X-ray intensity increases as the crystal is heated and becomes almost zero when the crystal temperature is no longer increasing. As the crystal is cooled the X-ray intensity increases rapidly and then decreases slowly.
Inhibition of the startle reflex in the rat by prior tactile stimulation

In Experiment 1, three groups of rats received a tactile prepulse 0.5, 1, or 2 mA electric shock (to feet) .25, .5, 1, 5, 10, or 20 sec prior to an acoustic startle stimulus. The startle response was, maximally inhibited at the .25-sec interval and gradually recovered thereafter. Inhibition was larger with the intense stimuli, and for the .5-mA stimulus occurred reliably only in animals which responded to the prestimulus. In Experiment 2, the intensity of the prepulse was varied within subjects at intervals of .5, 1, and 2 sec. Inhibition was directly related to prestimulus intensity and was greatest at .5 sec. In Experiment 3, an EMG measure of startle reactivity allowed the use of shorter intervals. The maximal inhibitory interval between the prestimulus and startle stimulus was 40 msec compared with either a shorter 10-msec or a longer 250-msec separation.
Independent Prognostic Significance of Ischemic ST-Segment Response Limited to Recovery From Treadmill Exercise in Asymptomatic Subjects

Background—Although exercise-induced ST depression is an independent predictor of future coronary events in asymptomatic populations, the predictive value of ST depression beginning after exercise cessation is unknown. Methods and Results—We analyzed the treadmill exercise tests of 825 healthy volunteers who were 22 to 89 years of age from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging. All subjects were free from coronary heart disease by history, physical examination, and resting ECG. From 825 participants, 611 (group 0) had no ischemic ST-segment changes during or after treadmill exercise, while 214 subjects developed ≥1-mm flat or downsloping ST depression: 151 (group 1) had ST changes starting during exercise, and 63 (group 2) had changes limited to recovery. Groups 1 and 2 were similar in age, sex, smoking status, hypertension prevalence, fasting plasma glucose, and serum cholesterol (CHOL). However, both groups were older and had higher CHOL and prevalence of hypertension than group 0. Treadmill exercis...
Models for the A- and B-Receptor-Bound Conformations of CCK-8

Abstract Energy calculations were performed for CCK-8 (Asp 26 -Tyr(SO 3 ) 27 -Met 28 -Gly 29 -Trp 30 -Met 31 -Asp 32 -Phe 33 -NH 2 , I ) and [desaminoTyr(SO 3 ) 27 , Nle 28,31 ]CCK-7 ( II ), which are nonselective ligands of CCK receptors, and for the CCK-A selective analog [desaminoTyr(SO 3 ) 27 , Nle 28,31 , N-Me-Asp 32 ]CCK-7 ( III ) and the CCK-B selective analog [desaminoTyr(SO 3 ) 27 , Nle 28 , N-Me-Leu 31 ]CCK-7 ( IV ). The geometrical shapes of the obtained low energy backbone conformers were then compared with each other, searching for similar spatial arrangements of specific atomic centers. The comparisons were performed separately for peptides with high affinity towards CCK receptors of the A type (compounds I , II and III ) and for peptides with high affinity towards CCK receptors of the B type (compounds I , II and IV ). Possible models for CCK "A"- and "B"-receptor-bound conformations were then developed. The proposed CCK "B-conformation" has a distorted β-III turn at the C-terminal Gly-Trp-Met-Asp fragment, the Phe 33 residue and the C-terminal amide being directed outward from the turn. The CCK "A-conformation" has two reversals of the peptide chain so that the C α -atoms of the C-terminal pentapeptide appear at the corners of a nearly regular pentagon, and a distinct β-II turn is centered at the N-terminal Tyr-Met-Gly-Trp fragment, the planes of the turn and the pentagon being almost perpendicular. The proposed models are consistent with the results of biological testing for CCK related peptides including cyclic analogs and CCK-A selective tetrapeptides.
Representation and Process in Learning Environments for Mathematics: A Commentary on Three Systems

Three computer‐based systems for teaching arithmetic and algebra are discussed. The systems embody several pedagogical tactics: To provide students with augmented repre‐sentations that reveal the s...
Ocular immune privilege in the year 2010: ocular immune privilege and uveitis.

The phrase “immune privilege” was coined by Peter Medawar to describe the absence of an immune response to allografts placed into the anterior chamber of the eye or brain. We now understand that immune privilege is more than a passive microenvironment with a distinctive anatomical structure that holds back immunity. The ocular microenvironment actively engages the immune system with immunosuppressive biochemical mechanisms. The unique characteristics of ocular immune privilege appear designed to protect the eye from damage while preserving foveal vision, thus providing the host with a definite survival advantage. However, the protection is not always sufficient and the eye becomes susceptible to uveitis. Uveitis is an intraocular inflammatory disorder that encompasses a wide range of underlying etiologies. It may be idiopathic or associated with systemic disease or infection. Understanding the biochemistry of immune privilege has the potential to identify its weaknesses that allow for immunity to break th...
Composition of engineering web services with distributed data-flows and computations

This paper describes an experimental Flow-based Infrastructure for Composing Autonomous Services (FICAS), which supports a service-composition paradigm that integrates loosely coupled software components. For traditional software service composition frameworks, the data-flows and control-flows are centrally coordinated, and the composed service operates as the hub for all data communications. FICAS, on the other hand, employs a distributed data-flow approach that supports direct data exchanges among web services. The distributed data-flows can avoid many performance bottlenecks attending centralized processing. The performance and flexibility of FICAS are further improved by adopting active mediation, which distributes computations within the service framework, and reduces the amount of data traffic significantly by moving computations closer to the data. A system has been prototyped to integrate several project management and scheduling software applications. The prototype implementation demonstrates that distributed data-flow, combining with active mediation, is effective and more efficient than centralized processing when integrating large engineering software services.
On deflecting wrinkles and the Dryopithecus pattern in human mandibular molars

The utility of the traditional Dryopithecus pattern observations on mandibular molars in hominid dental analysis has been challenged recently from several points of view. Both fossil and contemporary evidence suggest the independence of cusp number and groove pattern on mandibular molars and the quality of dentitions which are normally available for study make it difficult to determine both aspects of pattern (cusp number, groove pattern) equally. Now this paper shows that one of the polymorphisms on the occlusal surface of mandibular molars, the “deflecting wrinkle,” may be responsible for the spurious appearance of a Y molar pattern. It presence serves to insure a “2–3 contact” and hence the identification of the Y molar pattern. While seldom reported in traditional dental data, the wrinkle varies in frequency from 7% in South African white first permanent molars to 78.5% in Bushmen. Elsewhere, Hanihara has proposed that it be considered part of the “Mongoloid dental complex”.
Analysis of macro-model composites with Fabry-Perot fiber-optic sensors

Fabry-Perot fiber optic sensors embedded within composite macromodels are shown to be useful in measuring strain concentrations introduced by damage events. Fiber sensors effectively detect the signature of the fracture as well as provide accurate information about the state of the host material. We show that the results obtained from fiber sensors and electrical strain gauges validate newly developed micromechanical theories. Fiber sensors with gauge lengths of 4 mm are shown to be capable of resolving strains on the order of 1 micro-epsilon. The composite macromodel is described in detail and future issues are addressed.
In Principle and in Practice: Learning Political Tolerance in Eastern and Western Europe

Political tolerance is a key democratic value believed to undergird successful and healthy democracies. In nascent democracies especially, citizens must tolerate the views and participation of opposing groups in order to ensure methodical transfers of power with successive elections. Yet, despite its importance, little research considers tolerance outside established democracies. In this paper, we compare political tolerance across eight Eastern European countries and six Western countries. We demonstrate that mean levels of tolerance are lower in the newly democratized countries of Eastern Europe and then examine whether they are a function of East Europeans’ limited experience with democracy. We also test whether established individual-level theories of tolerance replicate across this wide range of new and old democracies. We find some support for theories of democratic learning and also show that models of tolerance operate differently across the range of countries in our sample.
Vertically aligned silicon/carbon nanotube (VASCNT) arrays: Hierarchical anodes for lithium-ion battery

Abstract Vertically aligned silicon/carbon nanotube arrays are directly synthesized on Inconel metal current collector as lithium-ion battery anode. The hierarchical anode eliminates the traditional preparation of electrodes obviating the use of polymer binder facilitating the desired lithium ion and electron kinetics in the electrode. The simple approach demonstrates a facile non-template way to prepare integrated anode architectures. The as synthesized anode demonstrates stable capacity ~ 2000 mAhg−1 with only 6% irreversible loss observed in the first cycle.
Using Qualitative Research Methods to Ascertain Elementary Students' Understandings of Food Safety

Researchers and edu- cators call for educational pro- grams that teach youth about food safety. In this study, researchers used qualitative research methods (interviews and concept mapping) to ascertain elementary students' understandings of food spoilage and preservation benchmarks based on national science educa- tion standards. Constructivist learning theory and its attendant
Applications of the Gordan–Stiemke Theorem in Combinatorial Matrix Theory

By use of the Gordan–Stiemke Theorem of the alternative we demonstrate the similarity of four theorems in combinatorial matrix theory. Each theorem contains five equivalent conditions, one of which is the existence in a given pattern of a line-sum-symmetric or constant-line-sum matrix which is semi-positive or strictly positive for the pattern. A generalization of the Gordan–Stiemke Theorem is stated in terms of complementary faces of the positive orthant and combinatorial applications are given. Many of our results are classical, but some may be new.
Artemisia supplementation differentially affects the mucosal and luminal ileal microbiota of diet-induced obese mice

Abstract Objective The gut microbiome has been implicated in obesity and metabolic syndrome; however, most studies have focused on fecal or colonic samples. Several species of Artemisia have been reported to ameliorate insulin signaling both in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to characterize the mucosal and luminal bacterial populations in the terminal ileum with or without supplementation with Artemisia extracts. Methods Following 4 wk of supplementation with different Artemisia extracts (PMI 5011, Santa or Scopa), diet-induced obese mice were sacrificed and luminal and mucosal samples of terminal ileum were used to evaluate microbial community composition by pyrosequencing of 16 S rDNA hypervariable regions. Results Significant differences in community structure and membership were observed between luminal and mucosal samples, irrespective of diet group. All Artemisia extracts increased the Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes ratio in mucosal samples. This effect was not observed in the luminal compartment. There was high interindividual variability in the phylogenetic assessments of the ileal microbiota, limiting the statistical power of this pilot investigation. Conclusions Marked differences in bacterial communities exist depending on the biogeographic compartment in the terminal ileum. Future studies testing the effects of Artemisia or other botanical supplements require larger sample sizes for adequate statistical power.
Vaginally administered PGF2α for cervical dilatation in nulliparas prior to suction curettage

Abstract Because of the need for an atraumatic method to dilate the cervix when performing artificial abortion by suction curettage, the cervical dilatation following vaginally administered PGF 2α was studied. A 50 mg PGF 2α vaginal suppository was administered to 40 (treated group) first trimester nulliparas three hours prior to progressive cervical dilatation from a #19 (circumference in mm) Pratt dilator to a #35 Pratt dilator. The smallest sized dilator that met resistance was interpreted as being the amount of clinically significant cervical dilatation. The results were compared to 20 (control group) first trimester nulliparas who received no PGF 2α studied in an identical manner. Independent of gestational age, treated patients were dilated significantly more than the control patients. When subjects of similar gestational age were compared, PGF 2α treated subjects were more often dilated sufficiently to perform abortion (55%) by suction curettage than control group subjects (5%). Those PGF 2α subjects needing further dilatation to accept an appropriate sized cannula for their gestational age needed less dilatation than did those subjects of similar gestational age in the control group. No serious complications of PGF 2α per se were observed and the most frequent side effects, vomiting and diarrhea, did not appear severe enough to limit the clinical practicability of the method.
Multiple alignment of membrane proteins for measuring residual dipolar couplings using lanthanide ions bound to a small metal chelator.

NMR structure determination of helical integral membrane proteins is one of the most challenging undertakings in modern structural biology. The solubilizing detergent micelle or phospholipid bicelle adds significantly to the overall size of the system, often requiring perdeuteration to obtain useable spectra. However, perdeuteration prevents structure determination using traditional NOE analysis. Residual dipolar coupling constraints are an attractive complement to NOE distance constraints, but alignment methods are limited to strained polyacrylamide gels due to the incompatibility of the solubilizing detergent or lipid with alignment media such as bicelles or phage particles. We demonstrate the use of lanthanide ions bound to the protein through a small thiol-linked metal chelator as a robust method for partial alignment of membrane proteins. This method provides multiple alignment orientations depending on the ion bound and permits RDC measurement of multiple bond vectors. We demonstrate that using this...
Selective grazing by the mud snail Ilyanassa obsoleta

Mud snails (Ilyanassa obsoleta) starved for 48 h were allowed to feed on sediments in laboratory microcosms. Sediment cores sliced at 2 mm intervals were compared to snail stomach contents for per cent carbon and nitrogen, plant pigment contents and species composition of benthic diatoms. Concentrations of carbon, nitrogen, phaeopigments, phycocyanin and chlorophyll were enriched in the top 2 mm of the sediments compared to 7-10 mm depth by a factor of 2-10. In turn, these materials were 20-40 times more concentrated in snail guts than in the surface sediments. Snail feces were enriched for carbon and nitrogen by 5-7 times over the surface sediments. Bacterial chlorophyll peaked at about 3-4 mm in the sediments and was not detectable in the snail stomach contents. The C/N ratio of the snail stomach contents was only 6 compared to a ratio of 8.5 for their feces and 12 for the surface sediments.The percentage of migratory diatoms (e.g. Nitzschia and Navicula) decreased with depth where non-migratory species, such as Fragilaria pinnata, dominated. These migratory species were more common in the snails than in the sediments on which they were feeding.A comparison of daily ingestion rates to the animal's energy budget shows that this selective ingestion is sufficient to meet Ilyanassa's energy needs.
StressDB: A Locally Installable Web-Based Relational Microarray Database Designed for Small User Communities

We have built a microarray database, StressDB, for management of microarray data from our studies on stress-modulated genes in Arabidopsis. StressDB provides small user groups with a locally installable web-based relational microarray database. It has a simple and intuitive architecture and has been designed for cDNA microarray technology users. StressDB uses Windows™ 2000 as the centralized database server with Oracle™ 8i as the relational database management system. It allows users to manage microarray data and data-related biological information over the Internet using a web browser. The source-code is currently available on request from the authors and will soon be made freely available for downloading from our website athttp://arastressdb.cac.psu.edu.
Judicial Selection Systems and Nomination Outcomes Does the Process Make a Difference

This article examines the importance of formal judicial selection systems for understanding the outcomes of judicial recruitment. Data collected concerning appointments of the Carter administration...
Electron-spin resonance studies of lipid-modified microsomes from Friend erythroleukemia cells.

Abstract The fatty acid composition of cultured Friend erythroleukemia cells was modified by supplementation of the medium with oleic or linoleic acid. There was a 30% reduction in saturated and a 35% reduction in polyunsaturated fatty acids in microsomal phospholipids when the cells were grown in media supplemented with oleic acid, and a 3-fold increase in polyunsaturated fatty acids when the cells were grown in linoleic acid-supplemented media. Electron-spin resonance studies with the 5-nitroxystearate probe demonstrated that there was no appreciable change in microsomal lipid mobility as measured by the order parameters. In contrast, changes in lipid mobility were detected with the spin-label probe when microsomes were first isolated from Friend erythroleukemia cells and subsequently modified by incubation with liposomes composed of either dioleoyl- or dilinoleoylphosphatidylcholine plus bovine liver phospholipid-exchange protein. The fatty acid compositional changes produced in these microsomes were similar to those obtained when the intact cells were grown in media containing supplemental fatty acids. These findings indicate that the lipid mobility of Friend cell microsomes can be altered by phospholipid replacements in vitro, but that this does not occur when similar microsomal fatty acid modifications are produced during culture of the intact cell.
Histological classification and stage of newly diagnosed bladder cancer in a population-based study from the Northeastern United States

Objective. There are limited data on the distribution of bladder cancers in the general population, classified by World Health Organization (WHO)/International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) criteria. This study evaluated the classification and stage of bladder cancers as part of a population-based epidemiological study of bladder cancer in the Northeastern United States. Material and methods. All New Hampshire residents with bladder cancer newly diagnosed from 1998 to 2000 were identified through the state cancer registry. All slides were reviewed by a single pathologist. Tumors were classified by two sets of standard criteria. Results. The retrieval rate for cases was over 90%. Of 342 cases reviewed, 15 were excluded for technical reasons or because malignancy was not definitively diagnosed. According to WHO/ISUP criteria, 25.7% of tumors were papillary urothelial neoplasms of low malignant potential (PUNLMP), 34.3% low-grade papillary carcinomas, 22.6% high-grade papillary carcinomas, 10.1% non...
Observation and analysis of defect cluster production and interactions with dislocations

Abstract The current understanding of defect production fundamentals in neutron-irradiated face centered cubic (FCC) and body centered cubic (BCC) metals is briefly reviewed, based primarily on transmission electron microscope observations. Experimental procedures developed by Michio Kiritani and colleagues have been applied to quantify defect cluster size, density, and nature. Differences in defect accumulation behavior of irradiated BCC and FCC metals are discussed. Depending on the defect cluster obstacle strength, either the dispersed barrier hardening model or the Friedel–Kroupa–Hirsch weak barrier model can be used to describe major aspects of radiation hardening. Irradiation at low temperature can cause a change in deformation mode from dislocation cell formation at low doses to twinning or dislocation channeling at higher doses. The detailed interaction between dislocations and defect clusters helps determine the dominant deformation mode. Recent observations of the microstructure created by plastic deformation of quenched and irradiated metals are summarized, including in situ deformation results. Examples of annihilation of stacking fault tetrahedra by gliding dislocations and subsequent formation of mobile superjogs are shown.
The ultraviolet absorption spectrum of HCNO in the gas phase

Abstract A gas-phase absorption spectrum of fulminic acid (HCNO and DCNO) has been observed between 2440 and 2850 A. The spectrum consists of a single progression of headless bands separated by about 345 cm −1 . Although no discrete rotational structure could be detected, the spectrum is interpreted in terms of a transition from the linear (or nearly linear) ground state to a nonlinear excited state.
Glargine did not reduce CV events more than standard care in patients with dysglycemia

Source Citation ORIGIN Trial Investigators, Gerstein HC, Bosch J, et al. Basal insulin and cardiovascular and other outcomes in dysglycemia. N Engl J Med. 2012;367:319-28. 22686416
Peripheral Chemoreflex and Baroreflex Interactions in Cardiovascular Regulation in Humans

We tested the hypothesis that activation of peripheral chemoreceptors with acute isocapnic hypoxia resets arterial baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic vasoconstrictor outflow to higher pressures, resulting in increased heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity without changes in baroreflex sensitivity. We further hypothesized that this resetting would not occur during isocapnic hyperpnoea at the same breathing rate and depth as during isocapnic hypoxia. In 12 healthy, non-smoking, normotensive subjects (6 women, 6 men, 19-36 years), we assessed baroreflex control of heart rate and muscle sympathetic nerve activity using the modified Oxford technique during normoxia, isocapnic hyperpnoea, and isocapnic hypoxia (85 % arterial O2 saturation). While isocapnic hyperpnoea did not alter heart rate, arterial pressure, or sympathetic outflow, hypoxia increased heart rate from 61.9 ± 1.8 to 74.7 ± 2.7 beats min−1 (P < 0.05), increased mean arterial pressure from 97.4 ± 2.0 to 103.9 ± 3.3 mmHg (P < 0.05), and increased sympathetic activity 22 ± 13 % relative to normoxia and 72 ± 21 % (P < 0.05) relative to hyperpnoea alone. The sensitivity for baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic activity was not altered by either hypoxia or hyperpnoea. Thus, it appears that acute activation of peripheral chemoreceptors with isocapnic hypoxia resets baroreflex control of both heart rate and sympathetic activity to higher pressures without changes in baroreflex sensitivity. Furthermore, these effects appear largely independent of breathing rate and tidal volume.
Properties of Eu-Yb-Y magnetic garnet films grown by liquid phase epitaxy

Abstract Epitaxial films of EuyYbzY3−y−zFe5−xGaxO12 have been deposited from PbO-B2O3 solution on (111) Gd3Ga5O12 substrates. Saturation magnetization, characteristic length, coercivity, anisotropy and domain wall mobility are discussed in relation to film composition. The films exhibit reasonable mobilities, satisfactory quality factors and good temperature stability. The system appears to be a promising candidate for bubble device application.
Translation Attenuation through eIF2α Phosphorylation Prevents Oxidative Stress and Maintains the Differentiated State in β Cells

Accumulation of unfolded protein within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) attenuates mRNA translation through PERK-mediated phosphorylation of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 on Ser51 of the alpha subunit (eIF2alpha). To elucidate the role of eIF2alpha phosphorylation, we engineered mice for conditional expression of homozygous Ser51Ala mutant eIF2alpha. The absence of eIF2alpha phosphorylation in beta cells caused a severe diabetic phenotype due to heightened and unregulated proinsulin translation; defective intracellular trafficking of ER cargo proteins; increased oxidative damage; reduced expression of stress response and beta-cell-specific genes; and apoptosis. However, glucose intolerance and beta cell death in these mice were attenuated by a diet containing antioxidant. We conclude that phosphorylation of eIF2alpha coordinately attenuates mRNA translation, prevents oxidative stress, and optimizes ER protein folding to support insulin production. The finding that increased proinsulin synthesis causes oxidative damage in beta cells may reflect events in the beta cell failure associated with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.
Ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in BXD recombinant inbred mice.

Genetic differences in sensitivity to ethanol's aversive effects may play an important role in the development of alcohol-seeking behavior and alcoholism. The present study examined the development of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion in 20 BXD/Ty recombinant inbred strains of mice and their progenitor inbred strains, C57BL/6J (B6) and DBA/2J (D2). Adult male mice were given 1-hr access to a saccharin-flavored solution every 48 hr for 12 days. After all but the first and last saccharin access periods, they received ethanol injections (0, 2, or 4 g/kg, i.p.). Separate groups of unpaired control mice received 4 g/kg of ethanol 1 hr after water access. Saline control mice were also used for examining preference across a wide range of saccharin concentrations (0.019 to 4.864% w/v). As expected, saccharin consumption during taste conditioning declined over conditioning trials in a dose-dependent manner, indicating development of ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Correlational analyses using strain means from recently published papers indicated no significant genetic correlation between taste conditioning and two phenotypes thought to reflect ethanol reinforcement or reward (ethanol drinking, conditioned place preference). However, there were significant genetic correlations between taste conditioning at the high dose and sensitivity to ethanol-induced hypothermia, rotarod ataxia, and acute withdrawal. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses of strain means indicated that taste aversion was associated (p < 0.01) with genetic markers on nine chromosomes (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11, and 17). These QTLs were located near several candidate genes, including genes encoding several different acetylcholine receptor subunits, the delta opioid receptor, and two serotonin receptors (1B and 1D). QTLs for saccharin preference were located on several of the same chromosomes (2, 3, 4, 6, and 11). Two of these saccharin QTLs overlap candidate genes influencing sensitivity to sweet or bitter taste stimuli. In general, these findings support the conclusion that multiple genes influence ethanol-induced conditioned taste aversion. Some of these genes appear to influence taste sensitivity, whereas others appear to mediate sensitivity to aversive pharmacological effects of ethanol.
Synthesis and association of poly(N,N‐dimethylacrylamide) copolymers with perfluorocarbon pendent groups connected through polyethylene‐glycol tethers

The synthesis is reported of copolymers of N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA) and methacrylates containing 2,2′-dihydroperfluorodecanoyl (RF) groups separated from the methacrylate by long polyethylene glycol (PEG) tether groups (between 1000 and 14,000 Da). At concentrations of between 1 and 8 wt % the copolymers with macromonomer contents of 1 mol % or less give gels in organic solvents such as dioxane, THF, or methanol, as well as in water. Given the low molecular weights, this indicates very efficient association of very low numbers of RF groups. Association and gel formation is enormously enhanced in the presence of longer PEG tethers. This is consistent with smaller poly(N,N,-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMA) intermolecular excluded volume effects that are mediated by the longer PEG tethers and possibly by the incompatibility of PEG and PDMA that may lead to the formation of PEG microdomains. This increases the local concentrations of the RF groups in the PEO domains that are not diluted by the PDMA chains, as would be the case in the absence of PEG tethers. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 42: 360–373, 2004
Introduction to Response to Intervention

Response to intervention (RTI) has dominated the discourse in the fields of general education, special education, and school psychology since the reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilitie...
An Evaluation of a Unit-Dose Compacting Sample Thief and a Discussion of Content Uniformity Testing and Blending Validation Issues

AbstractThe ability of the unit-dose compacting sample thief to provide quantitative, precise, and reproducible sampling of powder blends has been demonstrated in Jive cases. The thief enables the pharmaceutical researcher to comply with Food and Drug Administration guidelines for unit-dose sampling of powders and granulations. Some issues regarding blending validation and content uniformity testing have been addressed.
Ganglioside GM1 alters neuronal morphology by modulating the association of MAP2 with microtubules and actin filaments

Abstract In previous studies, we demonstrated that the exogenous ganglioside GM1 increased the complexity of the microtubular network and level of tubulin, selectively changed the distribution of microtubule associated protein-2 (MAP2) immunoreactivity from the perikarya to distal neuritic processes and increased immunogold label of MAP2 in the subplasmalemmal cytoplasm, neuritic filopodia and growth cones of Neuro-2a neuroblastoma cells. Since these areas are rich in actin filaments, our data suggested that MAP2 may be associated with microfilaments in the early stages of ganglioside-induced neuritogenesis. To determine if GM1 alters neuronal morphology by facilitating the interaction of actin and MAP2, we examined the immunolocalization of these two proteins with confocal and electron microscopy. We found that along with the redistribution of MAP2 from perikaryal to neuritic regions, there was a parallel redistribution of actin. The uniform subplasmalemmal actin meshwork was disrupted in areas of processes and filopodia with a redistribution of actin to these areas in close association with MAP2. Our present results suggest that gangliosides enhance neuritogenesis by redistributing actin as well as MAP2 to processes and filopodia thereby facilitating their interaction. The association of MAP2 with actin filaments is likely to be an early step in ganglioside-mediated filopodia formation.
Maintenance Therapy in Lymphoma

As treatment regimens have emerged that increase the proportion of patients with lymphoma achieving responses to therapy, maintenance regimens have followed to provide means for improving progression-free survival and overall survival for responders. An ideal maintenance regimen would have limited toxicity, be easy to administer, and demonstrate a survival benefit over administration of the same agent in the relapsed disease setting. Numerous phase II and randomized trials are now maturing that examine the benefits of maintenance therapies for indolent and aggressive lymphomas. We provide a comprehensive review of existing data describing the shortcomings and benefits of interferon maintenance and rituximab maintenance therapies for patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Notably, rituximab maintenance has demonstrated benefits for patients with follicular lymphoma after CVP (cyclophosphamide/vincristine/prednisone) induction therapy and after rituximab-containing chemotherapy combinations at relapse. Benefits have also been demonstrated in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma after CHOP (cyclophosphamide/doxorubicin/vincristine/prednisone) induction but not after R-CHOP (rituximab plus CHOP) induction. Randomized trials in patients with mantle cell lymphoma demonstrate a benefit for rituximab maintenance after R-FCM (fludarabine/cyclophosphamide/mitoxantrone plus rituximab) chemoimmunotherapy but not after single-agent rituximab. Further studies are needed to characterize the benefits of other agents in maintenance therapy and other strategies for maintaining remissions for patients with NHL.