cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assimilating VLF Transmitter Observations With an LETKF for Spatial Estimates of the ${D}$ -Region Ionosphere

The ${D}$ -region ionosphere plays an important role in coupling the neutral atmosphere to denser ionospheric plasma above. Practically, it impacts long-range radio communications between extremely low frequencies (ELFs), where communications are enabled by the layer, and high frequencies (HFs), which are attenuated by the layer. A combination of its altitude and extremely low electron density means that it is difficult to make measurements of the region using typical ionospheric remote sensing techniques, and our knowledge of the ${D}$ -region is limited as a result. This article presents the development of an ensemble Kalman filter method to spatially map ${D}$ -region electron density profiles over the continental United States using an array of very low frequency (VLF) radio transmitters and receivers. Data assimilation has previously been used to estimate higher altitude regions of the ionosphere, but its application to VLF radio measurements and the ${D}$ -region is new. The technique has several favorable features, including statistical confidence measures with every estimate, the ability to localize the influence of measurements, inclusion of physically realistic spatial correlations, relatively fast convergence, and the ability to add observations to the estimate as they become available. We describe the filter and present results for day, night, and terminator ionospheres using simulated data. We also present a study on the robustness of the filter when initialized with a prior that is far from the true ionosphere. The method shows promise for application to real data in the near future, especially for estimating the characteristics of large-scale features in the ${D}$ -region.
Advances in Understanding the Human Urinary Microbiome and Its Potential Role in Urinary Tract Infection

Recent advances in the analysis of microbial communities colonizing the human body have identified a resident microbial community in the human urinary tract (UT). Compared to many other microbial niches, the human UT harbors a relatively low biomass. Studies have identified many genera and species that may constitute a core urinary microbiome. However, the contribution of the UT microbiome to urinary tract infection (UTI) and recurrent UTI (rUTI) pathobiology is not yet clearly understood. Evidence suggests that commensal species within the UT and urogenital tract (UGT) microbiomes, such as Lactobacillus crispatus, may act to protect against colonization with uropathogens. However, the mechanisms and fundamental biology of the urinary microbiome-host relationship are not understood. The ability to measure and characterize the urinary microbiome has been enabled through the development of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic platforms that allow for the unbiased detection of resident microbial DNA. Translating technological advances into clinical insight will require further study of the microbial and genomic ecology of the urinary microbiome in both health and disease. Future diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic options for the management of UTI may soon incorporate efforts to measure, restore, and/or preserve the native, healthy ecology of the urinary microbiomes.
Capital Structure Following Chapter 11 Reorganizations

Using a sample of 352 completed Chapter 11 reorganizations, we find that shortly before they file Chapter 11, the reorganized firms have higher debt ratios, especially short-term debt ratios, than their industry peers. While short-term debt decreases substantially during the reorganizations, long-term debt ratios remain comparatively high immediately after emergence. Cross-sectional regressions suggest that debt ratios are more in line with the predictions of the static-tradeoff theory after Chapter 11 reorganizations, but they also reveal that pre-reorganization debt ratios affect post-reorganization debt ratios. Collectively, the evidence supports the notion that Chapter 11 allows for significant capital structure adjustments, yet the resulting capital structures do not appear to be set completely from scratch. We also find that firms with the most short-term debt upon filing are the ones that emerge the fastest, suggesting that it is quicker to remedy financial distress than economic distress.
Balancing Conscience: A Response to Fernandes & Ecret

There are many lessons that bioethics can learn from the Holocaust. Forefront are the lessons from the Nuremberg trials and the formation of research ethics. An often-overlooked lesson is how the Nazi regime was able to construct a hierarchy in such a way that influenced people to act in horrendous ways. Fernandes & Ecret, writing in Conatus – Journal of Philosophy 4, no. 2 (2019), highlight the influence of hierarchy on the moral silence of nurses and physicians within the Nazi regime. While we greatly enjoyed the paper, and think it is an important contribution, we find several misrepresentations of current bioethical discourse. There is not a global acceptance of euthanasia or medical aid in dying, the contemporary position in bioethics does not favor removal of conscience-based protections, and the lack of personal conscience-based protections was not the main factor in the analysis of Nazi medical hierarchy. The authors’ overall conclusion that their analysis suggests the importance of strengthening personal conscience-based objections to prevent medical hierarchy from influencing immoral behavior misses the more significant issue of institutional behavior. Instead, we argue, that the lessons from the analysis of Nazi nurses and physicians speak to the importance of protecting patients from institutional conscience-based objections that violate patient rights of access to legal medical services. This paper will respond to the misrepresentations. We highlight the growing threats to health care access from religious affiliated institutions, the threats to professional ethics and physician and nurse scope of practice. We conclude that the analysis by Fernandes & Ecret does point out an important lesson, but rather than showing the importance of individual conscience protections, it speaks to the importance of protecting patient rights.
Formation of Stable Interphase of Polymer-in-Salt Electrolyte in All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

The integration of solid-polymer electrolytes into all-solid-state lithium batteries is highly desirable to overcome the limitations of current battery configurations that have a low energy density and severe safety concerns. Polyacrylonitrile is an appealing matrix for solid-polymer electrolytes; however, the practical utilization of such polymer electrolytes in all-solid-state cells is impeded by inferior ionic conductivity and instability against a lithium-metal anode. In this work, we show that a polymer-in-salt electrolyte based on polyacrylonitrile with a lithium salt as the major component exhibits a wide electrochemically stable window, a high ionic conductivity, and an increased lithium-ion transference number. The growth of dendrites from the lithium-metal anode was suppressed effectively by the polymer-in-salt electrolyte to increase the safety features of the batteries. In addition, we found that a stable interphase was formed between the lithium-metal anode and the polymer-in-salt electrolyte to restrain the uncontrolled parasitic reactions, and we demonstrated an all-solid-state battery configuration with a LiFePO4 cathode and the polymer-in-salt electrolyte, which exhibited a superior cycling stability and rate capability.
Urban Greenspace is for the Bluebirds: Nest-Box Selection across a Noise Gradient on an Urbanizing University Campus

We assessed features characterizing the most attractive nest sites for Sialia sialis (Eastern Bluebird) in an urban setting, hypothesizing that noise and availability of open grass would significantly influence nest-box occupancy. In 2019, we monitored 72 nest boxes on the University of Florida campus and compared features of occupied and unoccupied boxes. Predictor variables included ambient noise, box orientation, percent grass (within 150 m), human activity, visibility from box, and distances to nearest high perch, road, occupied building, and grassy area (larger than 1 ha). The occupancy was significantly higher for boxes located where percent grass within 150 m was greatest and also where noise was lower. We conclude that conservation of viable populations of Eastern Bluebirds is compatible with integrated urban-greenspace planning. Further work is needed, however, to mitigate negative effects of noise on reproductive output.
Paclitaxel, ifosfamide & cisplatin (TIP) as second-line therapy for germ cell tumors (GCT):Long-term follow-up and expansion cohort.

386Background: TIP was established as an effective second-line regimen in a phase II study of 46 patients (pts) with relapsed GCT and favorable risk factors (Kondagunta, JCO 2005). Here, we report ...
A 3D Path Following Control Scheme for Robot Manipulators

Abstract We describe a novel path following control scheme for robot manipulators where constant tool velocity of travel on a surface is desirable. The path following scheme is applicable to general situations where the surface geometry is typically given in terms of measured data from a sensor. Considering the measured data points as control points, we utilize a cubic spline interpolation to generate a closed-form geometric description for the 3D path. Since joint velocity control is quite common in many industrial robots and most surface finishing tasks require travel with constant velocity along the path, we consider a 3D kinematic model for the end-effector with control inputs as rate of change of orientation and translational velocity that is locally tangent to the surface along the path. By utilizing a path variable and the tangent vector along the path, we formulate a converging path as the path that is traversed from a given robot end-effector position to the desired path and subsequent travel on the desired path on the surface. To evaluate the performance of the scheme, we have conducted a number of real-time experiments on a six degree-of-freedom industrial robot for several paths which can be employed for sanding of structures or deburring of large industrial cast parts and gears.
Lower Extremity Amputation and Mortality Rates in the Reconstructed Diabetic Charcot Foot and Ankle With External Fixation Data Analysis of 116 Patients

The aim of this study was to determine the lower extremity amputation and mortality rates of a group of patients who underwent reconstructive surgery using circular external fixation for treatment ...
Identification of a Nuclear Export Sequence in the MHC CIITA

Initiation of an immune response through expression of MHC class II and related genes is under the control of the CIITA. Normally found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, CIITA is tightly controlled by a variety of posttranslational modifications as well as interactions with other nuclear and cytoplasmic factors, whereas disruption of this dual subcellular localization impairs CIITA functioning and expression of target genes. Although CIITA has well-defined domains necessary for its nuclear import, the region responsible for the translocation of CIITA from the nucleus has not been characterized. In this study, we identify a leucine-rich motif at residues 717-724 that bears strong homology to known nuclear export sequence (NES) domains. Mutation of this region renders CIITA insensitive to treatment with leptomycin B, an inhibitor of nuclear export, whereas fusion of this domain to a heterologous GFP is sufficient to induce its export to the cytoplasm or cause its retention in the nucleus following leptomycin B treatment. Point mutations of specific leucine residues within the NES disrupt the normal subcellular distribution of the full-length CIITA, impair its ability to interact with the nuclear export factor CRM1, and enhance CIITA-induced gene expression from an MHC class II gene promoter. IFN-γ stimulation of class II genes is further enhanced by inhibiting the nuclear export of endogenous CIITA. Collectively, these data demonstrate the first identification of a specific NES within CIITA and place it among the other protein domains that contribute to the posttranslational regulation of CIITA activity.
Getting started with digital simulation

Outlines a sequence of steps that will enable you to very quickly develop useful skill levels in schematic capture CAD tools and digital board simulation. Our experience is that, if given a little tutorial help and a partially drawn schematic for the microcomputer design, a person who is familiar with basic operating system commands can work through these steps in 8-12 hours, depending on how many side roads he or she takes. Let's say it takes you two or three days to work though a sequence such as this so that you can simulate a new design you are working on. This is indeed a very small investment for the potential return of saving several design spins and getting your product to market months earlier.
Inhibition of selenite-induced cataract by caffeine.

. Purpose: The objective of the investigation was to study possible inhibition of oxidative stress and cataract formation by caffeine in vivo. Methods: Oxidative stress and consequent cataract formation was induced by intraperitoneal administration of a single dose of sodium selenite (1.16 μmol) to Sprague–Dawley rat pups on day 9 postnatally. In experiments designed to inhibit such cataract formation, the pups were pretreated intraperitoneally with caffeine (5.15 μmol), starting 2 days prior to the administration of selenite and continuing such treatment till day 21, when the experiments were terminated. The extent of tissue damage caused by the selenite was assessed biochemically by measurements of the levels of GSH and ATP in the isolated lenses. Cataract formation and its prevention were monitored by examining the eye with pen light illumination and subsequent photography of the isolated lenses. Results: Injection of selenite led to a significant loss of lens clarity because of cataract formation. In the group treated with caffeine, the formation of cataract was significantly prevented. In the caffeine-untreated group, the levels of lens GSH and ATP were substantially lower than in the caffeine-treated group. The levels of GSH decreased from a value of ∼ 8.2 μmol to ∼ 2 μmol/g wet weight of the lens. The content of ATP decreased from ∼ 2.5 μmol to about ∼ 1 μmol. In the case of caffeine-treated group, these decreases were significantly prevented from taking place, the corresponding values of GSH and ATP being ∼ 5.8 and ∼ 1.6 μmol/g, respectively. Conclusion: Over all, the results suggest that caffeine can exert a significant preventive effect against cataract formation induced by agents generating reactive oxygen species such as sodium selenite.
Magnetically tunable colloidal micromirrors

Herein we demonstrate a method for decorating highly reflective 2D gold microplates with magnetic nanoparticles to produce an optical colloid that can be actuated using an applied magnetic field. These magnetic micromirrors can be rapidly rotated and exhibit a strong contrast in reflectance between the “on” and “off” states.
Recombination and the progression of meiosis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Recombination is an essential part of meiosis; in almost all organisms, including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, proper chromosome segregation and the viability of meiotic products is dependent upon normal levels of recombination. In this article we examine the kinetics of the meiotic divisions in four mutants defective in the initiation of recombination. We find that mutations in any of three Early Exchange genes (REC104, REC114 or REC102) confer a phenotype in which the reductional division occurs earlier than in an isogenic wild-type diploid. We also present data confirming previous reports that strains with a mutation in the Early Exchange gene MEI4 undergo the first division at about the same time as wild-type cells. The rec104 mutation is epistatic to the mei4 mutation for the timing of the first division. These observations suggest a possible relationship between the initiation of recombination and the timing of the reductional division. These data also allow these four Early Exchange genes examined to be distinguished in terms of their role in coordinating recombination with the reductional division.
Activation of the neutrophil and loss of plasma glutathione during Mg-deficiency--modulation by nitric oxide synthase inhibition.

Sprague-Dawley rats (200 g) were fed either a Mg-deficient or Mg-sufficient diet for 3 weeks. An enriched neutrophil fraction (>85%) was isolated from the blood by sodium metrizoate/dextran gradient centrifugation. Using the Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction assay, the basal activity of neutrophils isolated from the Mg-deficient rats were found elevated 5 fold after two weeks, and up to ~7 fold after three weeks on the diet. Upon challenge by phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), unlike the Mg-sufficient cells, the Mg-deficient cells exhibited no significant activation. Treatment of the Mg-deficient rats with the nitric oxide (NO)-synthase inhibitor, NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in the drinking water, significantly attenuated the basal Superoxide producing activity of the neutrophils and partially restored its response to PMA challenge. In association with the neutrophil activation. Mg-deficiency resulted in 70% decrease in plasma glutathione and 220% increase in Fe-promoted, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) levels; both changes were significantly attenuated by L-NAME treatment. The results suggest that neutrophils from Mg-deficient rats are activated endogenously to generate oxy-radicals which might directly mediate the in vivo peroxidative indices during Mg-deficiency. Furthermore, the neutrophil activity was lowered by NO-synthase inhibition suggesting that NO overproduction during Mg-deficiency participates in the neutrophil activation process. (Mol Cell Biochem 176: 35–39, 1997)
Sodium-Potassium ATPase Inhibitors as Inhibitors of ATXN2 Expression (P1.046)

OBJECTIVE: We conducted a screen for compounds that lower ATXN2 expression to identify leads that could be used for developing a therapy for spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). BACKGROUND: SCA2 is an autosomal dominant inherited disorder caused by CAG repeat expansion in the ATXN2 gene. The ATXN2 gene protein product ataxin-2 is characterized by gains of function upon ATXN2 mutation, caused by expansion of the CAG-encoded polyglutamine tract in ataxin-2. We hypothesize that lowering ATXN2 expression would be therapeutic for SCA2. This hypothesis is supported by the lack of neurodegeneration in ATXN2 knockout mice, and inducible reversibility of polyQ disease mouse phenotypes of HD and SCA1. DESIGN/METHODS: We evaluated 400,000 compounds in seven doses in a quantitative high-throughput screen (qHTS) for lowering expression of ATXN2-promoter-luciferase with integrated cell viability assay. Compounds targeting luciferase were eliminated. Effects on ATXN2 were studied in greater detail for selected compounds, including determining how ATXN2 expression was altered by overexpression of protein targeted by compounds. RESULTS: 2,145 lead compounds passed initial potency and toxicity criteria. Multiple cardiac glycosides appeared among the leads, including digoxin, digitoxigenin, strophanthidin, and proscillaridin-A. 0.1 nM proscillaridin-A inhibited ATXN2-luciferase in HEK293 cells by 60% after 48 hrs but had no effect on cell viability. 0.1 nM proscillaridin-A also lowered endogenous ATXN2 expression in SH-SY5Y cells by 50% after 48 hrs, by qPCR. Overexpression of the Na,K-ATPase gene ATP1A2 in SH-SY5Y cells resulted in a 2-fold increase of stably transfected ATXN2-luciferase expression. CONCLUSIONS: A qHTS screen identified several compounds belonging to a class of drugs inhibiting Na,K-ATPase that downregulated ATXN2 at doses not effecting cell viability. This link, which may act via intracellular calcium was confirmed by overexpressing Na,K-ATPase resulting in increased ATXN2 expression. Low levels of cardiac glycoside may be able to ameliorate neurodegeneration in SCA2. Support: This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants RC4NS073009, R01NS033123, R21NS081182, and U54MH084681. Disclosure: Dr. Scoles has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pflieger has nothing to disclose. Dr. Dexheimer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Maloney has nothing to disclose. Dr. Simeonov has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jadhav has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pulst has received personal compensation for activities with Athena Diagnostics. Dr. Pulst has received license or royalty payments from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Wireless capsule endoscopy

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE, also referred to in this issue as video capsule endoscopy and capsule endoscopy), using the M2A Capsule Endoscope, (Given Imaging Ltd., Yoqneam, Israel), closes the endoscopic gap between push enteroscopy and ileal intubation at colonoscopy and enables physicians to directly view the entire small intestine. WCE is performed most often in patients with obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Other indications include chronic diarrhea, unexplained abdominal pain, weight loss, and iron deficiency anemia; it is also used to determine the extent of Crohn’s and celiac diseases. I welcomed the opportunity to edit this issue of the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Clinics of North America. It was not only an exciting labor of love but also a unique opportunity to review the experiences of the esteemed authors with the M2A Capsule Endoscope. This is the initial comprehensive source of this new technology. WCE signals the beginning of a new endoscopic era that is filled with adventures as well as trepidation as we expand our knowledge base. Technological advances have resulted in improvement of our diagnostic armamentarium and, as expected, improved our diagnostic yield. New manifestations of old diseases as well as new diseases are being recognized; we are also seeing earlier stages of diseases. This raises the challenge of diagnosis and the therapeutic questions of which cases to treat and how to treat them. In addition, the natural history of these previously undescribed early lesions is unclear. We are sharpening our interpretative skills, and although the impulse is to run blindly ahead, we are straddled by caution.
Synergistic tumor regressive activity observed following treatment of line-10 hepatocellular carcinomas with deproteinized BCG cell walls and mutant Salmonella typhimurium glycolipid

Synergistic tumor-regressive activity was observed when the water-soluble portion of a phenol-water extract from mutant Salmonella typhimurium whole cells was combined with deproteinized cell walls from Mycobacterium bovis strain BCG. As little as 50 μg deproteinized cell walls combined with 50 μg water-soluble extract from the mutant salmonella produced 89–100% cures of line-10 dermal tumors in treated strain 2 guinea-pigs. However, none of the animals was cured following treatment with 50 μg of deproteinized cell walls alone. Only 17% of treated animals were cured following treatment with 50 μg of the water-soluble extract from the mutant salmonella. The deproteinized cell walls and water-soluble extract were suspended in oil-in-water emulsions and injected directly into 10 mm tumors. The deproteinized cell walls were prepared by treating BCG cell walls with proteolytic enzymes and denaturing agents (KCl, urea, Triton X-100, and guanidine hydrochloride). Urea or a combination of denaturing agents reduced the protein content of protease-treated cell walls from approximately 2% (w/w) protein to 0.7% protein. The antigenicity of the effectively deproteinized cell walls, as measured by skin testing in presensitized guinea-pigs, was reduced approximately ten-fold compared with untreated cell walls. Injection to mice of 500 μg deproteinized cell walls in combination with 500 μg water-soluble extract from the mutant salmonella produced transient, clinical signs of toxicity (malaise, conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and rough hair coats) lasting approximately 5 days. However, no deaths were observed. The synergistic antitumor effect of combining deproteinized BCG cell walls with the water-soluble extract from mutant salmonella may be useful for treatment of certain cases of spontaneous neoplastic disease.
Antecedents and Consequences of Psychiatric Disorders in African-American Adolescents

This study included three waves of data, collected from approximately 890 African-American children and their families. Antecedents and consequences of psychiatric disorders among this population were examined. Children’s temperament, pubertal timing, and experience of stressful life events were tested as antecedents of psychiatric disorders. Several aspects of school functioning were then tested as consequences of psychiatric disorders. In addition, children with a single psychiatric disorder and those with comorbid disorders were statistically compared. Results showed that (1) children with at least one disorder, compared to those with no disorder, exhibited significantly more difficult temperament, experienced puberty earlier, and underwent greater numbers of stressful life events; (2) those with at least one disorder had significantly poorer school outcomes than those with no disorder; (3) children with comorbid disorders, compared with those who had only one disorder, displayed lower educational aspirations and poorer school commitment.
Gene expression in central cholinergic neurons in response to axotomy and deafferentation.

Although the molecular and cellular responses to injury in the central nervous system (CNS) have been widely investigated, few studies have examined the potential variations between direct and indirect neuronal injury. To differentiate between the response to axotomy and deafferentation, two central cholinergic populations were analyzed: the horizontal limb of the diagonal band of Broca (HLDB) and the interneurons in the corpus striatum (CS). At time points from one hour to eight weeks postinjury the levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA and protein were assessed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. Also examined was the expression of the immediate early gene product, c-fos. One week post axotomy, neurons in the HLDB exhibited an increase in the levels of ChAT mRNA without a concomitant increase in ChAT protein, followed by a steady decrease reaching a nadir in both parameters at eight weeks. In contrast, a transient increase occurred at one week postdeafferentation in the levels of both ChAT mRNA and protein in the interneurons of the CS. Axotomized neurons in the HLDB did not exhibit either c-fos mRNA or protein expression, while robust fos induction occurred after one hour in deafferented neurons in the CS. These data demonstrate that the molecular and cellular responses differ following direct and indirect neufenal injury. Furthermore, they suggest that in these central cholinergic populations deafferentation may result in cellular hyperactivity and cell survival while axotomy, results in decreased cellular activity and subsequent cellular regression. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Radical cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder: an analysis of perioperative and survival outcome

OBJECTIVE To review the outcomes in a large group of patients treated with radical cystectomy (RC) for urothelial cancer (UC) of the bladder, by one surgical team. PATIENTS AND METHODS In all, 504 patients had RC for UC of the bladder between 1992 and 2007; 432 met the inclusion criteria and were analysed for survival and disease recurrence. RESULTS Of the 432 patients, (mean age 69 years; mean follow-up 38 months, range 1-172), 240 (56%) and 179 (41%) had an ileal conduit and orthotopic neobladder for urinary diversion, respectively. The mortality rate within 30 days of RC was 2%; 105 (24%) patients developed local and/or distant recurrence with a mean interval of 13.6 months. The overall survival, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) at 5 years was 58%, 64% and 74%, respectively, and 43%, 62% and 68% at 10 years. The 5-year RFS and DSS for those with organ-confined, node-negative tumours was 81% and 91%, compared to 46% and 56% in those with extravesical extension and lymph node-negative tumours. The RFS and DSS of patients with lymph node metastasis at 5 years was 29% and 40%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study reaffirms that RC with bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection offers a reasonable possibility of disease control at 5 years, with a DSS of 74%. However, there is a need for an earlier diagnosis and effective systemic therapy if additional gains in survival are to be delivered.
Carbon dioxide within Venus and the Earth

The maximum inventories of CO2 and H2O in the terrestrial and Venus mantles are calculated on the basis of shock wave data for magnesite and dunite to be approximately 1,000 times the observed atmospheric inventories. The CO2 fugacity determined for the buffered reaction MgCO3 plus SiO2 going to MgSiO3 plus CO2 yields values which increase from 0.0001 to 1.0 times the lithostatic pressure, going from 35 to 800 km depths in the earth. The major uncertainties in the fugacity calculations arise from lack of knowledge of effective activities. The calculated fugacity of CO2 and water brought to the surface from hypothetical mantle reservoirs on earth and Venus indicate that, in the case of the earth, the cool and dry atmosphere is strongly depleted in both CO2 and H2O compared to the low velocity zone. In contrast to the earth, on Venus, the 750 K surface temperature and 90 bar CO2 surface pressure are in equilibrium and probably in communication with an assumed upper mantle CO2 reservoir.
A proposed causal model of vocational teacher stress

Abstract This study investigated the impact of three latent variables comprised of 18 indicator variables or stressors on vocational teacher stress. A causal model was constructed using the literature on teacher stress as a conceptual framework. The causal model examined the linkages that exist among school systems (role ambiguity, role conflict, school stress, task stress, supervisory support, non-participation, peer support, role overload and management style) and vocational teacher stress. It examined the linkages among teacher internal characteristics (role preparation, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, illness symptoms, locus of control and self-esteem) and vocational teacher stress. It examined the linkages among students (class size, student learning and student behaviour) and vocational teacher stress. Linear Structural Relations Analysis (LISREL) was used to evaluate the effects of the identified stressors on vocational teacher stress. The proposed causal model was found to be successful in ex...
Axonal sprouting of GABAergic interneurons in temporal lobe epilepsy

Temporal lobe epilepsy is one of the most common forms of epilepsy. Numerous contributing factors and compensatory mechanisms have been associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. One feature found in both humans and animal models is sprouting of hippocampal principal cell axons, which suggests that axonal sprouting may be a general phenomenon associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. This article highlights the evidence showing that hippocampal GABAergic interneurons also undergo axonal sprouting in temporal lobe epilepsy. The caveats and unanswered questions associated with the current data and the potential physiological consequences of reorganizations in GABAergic circuits are discussed.
Treatment of equine back pain

ABSTRACT:In a previous article (VNJ 27: 288–292, August 2012) I described how to investigate potential back pain in horses and discussed the difficulties of diagnosis and managing client expectations. In this complementary article, I explain my practical approach to the most commonly treatable conditions, with special reference to imaging, anaesthesia and nursing considerations.
Cosmic strings and ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays.

We calculate the flux of ultrahigh-energy protons due to the process of ``cusp evaporation'' from cosmic-string loops. For the ``standard'' value of the dimensionless cosmic-string parameter \ensuremath{\epsilon}==G\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\approxeq}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}6}$, the flux is several orders of magnitude below the observed cosmic-ray flux of ultrahigh-energy protons. However, the flux at any energy initially increases as the value of \ensuremath{\epsilon} is decreased. This at first suggests that there may be a lower limit on the value of \ensuremath{\epsilon}, which would imply a lower limit on the temperature of a cosmic-string-forming phase transition in the early Universe. However, our calculation shows that this is not the case---the particle flux at any energy reaches its highest value at \ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\approxeq}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$ and it then decreases for further decrease of the value of \ensuremath{\epsilon}. This is due to the fact that for too small values of \ensuremath{\epsilon} (${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$) the energy loss of the loops through the cusp evaporation process itself (rather than gravitational energy loss of the loops) becomes the dominant factor that controls the behavior of the number density of the loops at the relevant times of emission of the particles. The highest flux at any energy remains at least 4 orders of magnitude below the observed flux. There is thus no lower limit on \ensuremath{\epsilon}.
European Distribution of Tetrastichus incertus, a Parasite of the Alfalfa Weevil

Tetrastichus incertus (Ratzeburg) is a multibrooded, gregarious endoparasite of larvae of the alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica (Gyllenhal), which was introduced successfully into the United States from France in 1960 (Coles and Puttler 1963). The taxonomic confusion surrounding the name T. incertus was discussed recently by Burks (1971). The parasite was studied in Europe by Chamberlin (1925) in the 1920's, and he considered it an excellent biological control agent. However, it apparently was not released in North America until the late 1930's, when several unsuccessful attempts were made to establish the species in Oregon and Utah (Streams and Fuester 1967). The present paper reports the known European distribution of T. incertus with additional notes on its biology.
Sources of error in the mercury(I) titration of low concentrations of hexacyanoferrate(III) in alkaline iodide medium

Abstract Although submillimolar concentrations of hexacyanoferrate(III) in acid thiocyanate medium can be accurately titrated amperometrically with mercury(I) perchlorate, the titration is unsatisfactory when carried out in alkaline iodide medium. The decay of hexacyanoferrate(III) current in alkaline iodide medium and the effect of cyanide ion on the titration have been examined. The results provide an explanation for positive and negative titration errors that are encountered when hexacyanoferrate(III) is titrated in this medium.
Experiences and beliefs of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant

Abstract Objective To explore the beliefs and experiences of Malawian women who have delivered with a traditional birth attendant (TBA). Methods In a qualitative study, 20 face-to-face in-depth interviews and three focus group discussions were conducted between February and May 2013. Women aged 18 years or older and who had a history of delivery with a TBA were recruited from three health centers in Lilongwe District. Their responses were independently coded, and content analysis was used to develop themes and subthemes. Results A total of 46 women participated. Most participants cited difficulties relating to transport and/or unsupportive or unavailable husbands as factors that prohibited their delivery at a health facility. Most had not had a specific delivery plan. The participant responses indicated a discordance between knowledge and practices for safe delivery. Conclusion Strategies to decrease deliveries with TBAs should focus on helping women to develop delivery plans to cope with the potential social or situational obstacles of getting to a facility. Women desire health facilities that provide quality care, emotional support, and personalized care during labor and delivery.
Effects of prednisone on vitamin D metabolism in man.

ABSTRACT Vitamin D3-3H metabolism was studied in 4 normal adult subjects before and during periods of prednisone administration. The biological activity of plasma vitamin D3 and its metabolites was assayed by in vitro measurements of 45Ca accumulation by duodenal slices. In each instance prednisone induced a decrease in the plasma half-time of vitamin D3-3H, a decrease in the accumulation of a biologically active vitamin D3 metabolite and the rapid appearance of chloroform-soluble biologically inactive metabolites without concomitant alterations in water-soluble vitamin D3 metabolites. These experiments support the conclusion that the observed antagonism of glucocorticoids to the action of vitamin D in man is related to the rapid turnover of vitamin D3, a diminished production of a biologically active vitamin D metabolite and the subsequent decrease in the intestinal absorption of calcium.
Earcons and icons: their structure and common design principles

In this article we examine earcons, which are audio messages used in the user-computer interface to provide information and feedback to the user about computer entities. (Earcons include messages and functions, as well as states and labels.) We identify some design principles that are common to both visual symbols and auditory messages, and discuss the use of representational and abstract icons and earcons. We give some examples of audio patterns that may be used to design modules for earcons, which then may be assembled into larger groupings called families. The modules are single pitches or rhythmicized sequences of pitches called motives. The families are constructed about related motives that serve to identify a family of related messages. Issues concerned with learning and remembering earcons are discussed.
Management practice effects on surface soil total carbon: Differences along a textural gradient

Lack of information about the spatial variability of soil C in different management systems limits accurate extrapolation of C sequestration findings to large scales. The objectives of this study were to: (i) describe and quantify variability of total C in three management systems, chisel-plow (CT) and no-till (NT) with conventional chemical inputs and a chisel-plow organic management practice with cover crops (CT-cover) 15 yr after conversion from conventional management; (ii) assess the strengths of spatial correlation in the three studied systems; and (iii) evaluate contributions of topography and texture to the overall total C variability and its spatial components. The data were collected at 12 60 by 60 m plots at the Long Term Ecological Research site, Kellogg Biological Station, MI. The data consisted of elevation measurements taken on a 2 by 5 m grid and a total of 1160 measurements of total C, sand, silt, and clay contents taken from the 0- to 5-cm depth. Overall variability of total C in NT was more than four times greater than in CT, and in CT-cover the variability was more than two times greater than CT. Spatial correlation of total C was the strongest in NT, followed by CT-cover, and then by CT. Stronger spatial structures in NT and CT-cover were found to form in response to topographical and texture gradients. Effects of texture were largely associated with topographical effects; however, even when topography was controlled for, texture still substantially contributed to explaining total C variability.
Time from diagnosis of type 2 diabetes to initiation of insulin therapy is related to carotid artery intima-media thickness

To investigate the association between time from diagnosis of type 2 diabetes to initiation of insulin therapy (pre-exogenous insulin period) and intima-media thickness (IMT) of the common carotid artery (CCA), a cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 98 males and 193 females (90% Hispanic) with type 2 diabetes, aged 30-70 years old. The association between the pre-exogenous insulin period and the primary outcome was examined in men and women using analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with adjustment for current age, duration of insulin therapy, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, systolic blood pressure and hemoglobin A1c. The pre-exogenous insulin period was significantly and linearly associated with mean IMT of the CCA in men. In women, the linear trend was not significant while a significant quadratic trend was noted across three categories of the pre-exogenous insulin period (0-5, 6-10, 11-24 years). Longitudinal data are needed to determine the effect of early initiation of insulin therapy on the progression of subclinical atherosclerosis among persons with diabetes.
Sequential priming in visual search: Contributions of stimulus-driven facilitation and learned expectancies

Sequential priming refers to speeded visual search when target identity or location is repeated within a trial sequence. In two experiments with pigeons, we addressed the relative contributions of stimulus-driven factors and learned expectancies to this effect. Pigeons pecked at targets during trialwise presentations of visual-search displays. Random-sequence conditions minimized the role of expectancy by introducing same-target or same-location trial sequences unpredictably. Blocked-sequence conditions added predictability by regular repetition of target and/or location over trials. Intertrial interval varied from 0.5 to 3 sec. The findings revealed significant reductions in reaction time during predictable target or location sequences compared with unpredictable repetitions within random contexts. Stimulus-driven factors do not seem to have an important role in many instances of sequential priming. Expectancy-based priming of target and location followed similar patterns.
Excystation and development in the chick and on the chick chorioallantois of the metacercaria of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda)

Abstract Fried B. and Huffman J. E. 1982. Excystation and development in the chick and on the chick chorioallantois of the metacercaria of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda). International Journal for Parasitology 12: 427–431. Encysted metacercariae of Sphaeridiotrema globulus were obtained from naturally infected Goniobasis virginica snails in Morris County, New Jersey, U.S.A. These metacercariae were successfully excysted within l h in an alkaline bile salts trypsin medium maintained at 41°C in the absence of acid pepsin pretreatment. Encysted metacercariae treated in 3% sodium bicarbonate produced successful infections in day-old domestic chicks and worms became ovigerous in the lower ileum by day 4. Excysted metacercariae transferred to the chorioallantois of 6–10-day-old chick embryos maintained at 41°C developed into ovigerous adults by day 4.
Effects of prostaglandin inhibition on renal function in deoxycorticosterone-acetate hypertensive Yucatan miniature swine.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of prostaglandin (PG) on renal function in normal and deoxycorticosterone-acetate (DOCA) hypertensive Yucatan miniature swine. Eight animals were implanted with DOCA impregnated silicone strips. MAP increased in the conscious DOCA animals from a normal pressure of 110–115 mmHg, to 148 ± 4 mmHg.After 3–4 weeks, the DOCA hypertensive and eight normal (sham or non-implanted) animals were anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital which reduced MAP in the DOCA pigs to normotensive levels. Under anesthesia, PG inhibition (indomethacin or meclofenamate, 2 mg/kg i.v.) increased MAP only in the normal group (P
Volume estimation of multi-density nodules with thoracic CT

The purpose of this work was to quantify the effect of surrounding density on the volumetric assessment of lung nodules in a phantom CT study. Eight synthetic multidensity nodules were manufactured by enclosing spherical cores in larger spheres of double the diameter and with a different uniform density. Different combinations of outer/inner diameters (20/10mm, 10/5mm) and densities (100HU/-630HU, 10HU/- 630HU, -630HU/100HU, -630HU/-10HU) were created. The nodules were placed within an anthropomorphic phantom and scanned with a 16-detector row CT scanner. Ten repeat scans were acquired using exposures of 20, 100, and 200mAs, slice collimations of 16x0.75mm and 16x1.5mm, and pitch of 1.2, and were reconstructed with varying slice thicknesses (three for each collimation) using two reconstruction filters (medium and standard). The volumes of the inner nodule cores were estimated from the reconstructed CT data using a matched-filter approach with templates modeling the characteristics of the multi-density objects. Volume estimation of the inner nodule was assessed using percent bias (PB) and the standard deviation of percent error (SPE). The true volumes of the inner nodules were measured using micro CT imaging. Results show PB values ranging from -12.4 to 2.3% and SPE values ranging from 1.8 to 12.8%. This study indicates that the volume of multi-density nodules can be measured with relatively small percent bias (on the order of ±12% or less) when accounting for the properties of surrounding densities. These findings can provide valuable information for understanding bias and variability in clinical measurements of nodules that also include local biological changes such as inflammation and necrosis.
Getting under the Skin of Alternative Splicing: Identification of Epithelial-Specific Splicing Factors

Alternative splicing patterns are regulated by factors that direct the activity of the spliceosome. In a recent issue of Molecular Cell, Warzecha et al. (2009) identify two new splicing regulators whose epithelial-specific expression induces several tissue-specific splicing events.
The Future of Conscription: Some Comparative Reflections

JAMES J. SHEEHAN, a Fellow of the American Academy since 1992, is the Dickason Professor in the Humanities and Professor of Modern European History, Emeritus, at Stanford University. His publications include Where Have All the Soldiers Gone?: The Transformation of Modern Europe (2008), Museums in the German Art World from the End of the Old Regime to the Rise of Modernism (2000), and German History, 1770–1886 (1989). [Conscription] is always a signi1⁄2cant index of the society where it is found; to view it solely as a method of conducting war is to see very little of it. –Victor Kiernan1
Self-sorted nanotube networks on polymer dielectrics for low-voltage thin-film transistors.

Recent exploitations of the superior mechanical and electronic properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have led to exciting opportunities in low-cost, high performance, carbon-based electronics. In this report, low-voltage thin-film transistors with aligned, semiconducting CNT networks are fabricated on a chemically modified polymer gate dielectric using both rigid and flexible substrates. The multifunctional polymer serves as a thin, flexible gate dielectric film, affords low operating voltages, and provides a platform for chemical functionalization. The introduction of amine functionality to the dielectric surface leads to the adsorption of a network enriched with semiconducting CNTs with tunable density from spin coating a bulk solution of unsorted CNTs. The composition of the deposited CNT networks is verified with Raman spectroscopy and electrical characterization. For transistors at operating biases below 1 V, we observe an effective device mobility as high as 13.4 cm2/Vs, a subthreshold swing as low ...