cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Showcasing Cancer Incidence and Mortality in Rural ZCTAs Using Risk Probabilities via Spatio-Temporal Bayesian Disease Mapping

Health departments are seeking new ways to determine when and where limited resources should be allocated to achieve maximum benefit for the population. In this work, we demonstrate how one state health department worked to create relative risk measures of cancer incidence, late-stage cancer incidence and mortality incidence displayed in an easy to read map using spatio-temporal statistical tools. The data included age, sex, cancer type and stage, and ZIP Code Tabulation Area (ZCTA) for every incidence and death from 2004 to 2015. Eight types of cancer were selected for analysis: breast, cervical, colorectal, liver, lung, non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), prostate, and melanoma. The risk maps were designed to illustrate areas of the state where risk for developing or dying from certain cancers was higher than the state average, and to show how trends are evolving over time. A hierarchical Bayesian log-normal Poisson regression model, with effects for ZCTA, time period, and a space-time interaction was implemented. The spatial effects accounted for spatial correlation using an intrinsic conditional auto-regressive model, and the time effects used an autoregressive model. Through the model, we were able to achieve reliable estimates of relative risk per ZCTA and time period, even for small population ZCTAs with few, if any, cases during the time period. Furthermore, we calculated a measure of risk probability for each ZCTA, relative to the state average. Results from two cancers are discussed in this manuscript, but all 24 results are available on the project website.
Bistatic SAR: Forecasting Spatial Resolution

This paper derives closed-form expressions for bistatic synthetic aperture radar (SAR) spatial resolution of a generalized system from the $k$ -space or the wavenumber domain. These spatial resolution equations have not previously appeared in the literature. From these equations, significant resolution is found in range and cross range, forecasting a forward-scatter bistatic SAR image when the elevation angles of each bistatic platform are significantly different. Simulation and laboratory tests demonstrated the forward-scatter resolution.
Seedling Growth of Atlantic White-Cedar as Influenced by Photoperiod and Day/Night Temperature

Abstract Seedlings of Atlantic white-cedar [Chamaecyparis thyoides (L.) B. S. P.] were grown in controlled-environment chambers for 12 weeks under short-or long-day conditions with 9-hr days at 18,...
Diversification through ‘fun in the farm’: analyzing structural factors affecting agritourism in Tennessee

With recent development, agritourism – visiting a working agricultural setting such as farm and ranch for leisure, recreation, or educational purposes – is gaining popularity in the US. Agritourism...
Indirect Impedance for Corrosion Detection of External Post-tensioned Tendons: 2. Multiple Steel Strands

Abstract The use of indirect impedance measurements to detect corrosion is extended to systems in which many steel strands are encased within a plastic duct. Indirect impedance measurements were applied to an extracted external tendon section from a segmentally-constructed bridge. The results, supported by numerical finite-element simulations, showed that indirect impedance measurements are sensitive to localized corrosion in field applications only if the measurements are made very near to the corroding strands.
Structural Performance of HDPE and WPC Lumber Components Used in Aquacultural Geodesic Spherical Cages.

Based on previous research, a novel wood–plastic composite (WPC) lumber has shown potential to replace high-density polyethylene (HDPE) lumber in the construction of aquacultural geodesic spherical cage structures. Six HDPE and six WPC assemblies, which are representative of typical full-size cage dimensions, were fabricated by bolting pairs of triangular panel components made with connected struts. Half of the panel assemblies had a plastic-coated steel wire mesh to simulate the actual restraint in field applications of the cages. The objective of the research was to characterize the structural performance of the panel assemblies under compressive loading. To determine the critical buckling load for the panel assemblies made from WPC and HDPE struts with and without wire mesh, Southwell’s method was implemented. A two-dimensional (2D) linear finite element analysis model was developed to determine axial forces in the struts of the panel assembly for the applied load and boundary conditions. This model was used to determine strut compressive forces corresponding to the Southwell’s method buckling load and the experimental failure load. It was found that the wire mesh increased the load capacity of both HDPE and WPC panel assemblies by a factor of two. The typical failure mode of the panels made from HDPE lumber struts, with and without wire mesh, was buckling of the struts, whereas the failure mode of the WPC panels, with and without wire mesh, was fracture at the notched section corresponding to the location of the bolts. The load capacity of the panel assemblies made from WPC lumber struts was three times and 2.5 times higher than the load capacity of the panel assemblies made from HDPE lumber struts with and without wire mesh, respectively.
Modelling vegetation succession in post-industrial ecosystems using vegetation classification in aerial photographs, Buffalo, New York

Abstract Post-industrial ecosystems (PIEs) occur where organisms unintentionally establish communities, and are common in regions that contain former industrial areas. There is less published research on PIEs than other ecosystems such as old-fields (i.e. abandoned agriculture lands). Old-fields have been well studied and provided a body of research with which to compare succession in PIEs. We examined the patterns and rates of succession in PIEs using a novel combination of aerial photo interpretations of 3 to 12 year time series of photos within a 45 year chronosequence from 20 PIE sites in and around Buffalo, New York. From these data, we constructed an age-dependent state-transition model of PIE succession. The general successional pattern of vegetation structure in the projected state matrices from this model was a decrease in bare ground associated with a rapid increase in herbaceous vegetation cover followed by a steady increase in woody plant cover. Within this general pattern, there was variability in percent cover of vegetation structural classes between PIE sites of similar age. There was also an overall slowing in the rate of successional change in PIEs. The pattern of succession in vegetation structure from bare ground to herbaceous cover to woody cover, the rapid establishment of vegetation following abandonment and a slowing in the rate vegetation change over time all agree with results reported in the old-field literature. These results provide a better understanding of these little-studied ecosystems and this new methodology can be applied for management of PIEs.
Using electronic visits (E-visits) to achieve goal serum urate levels in patients with gout in a rheumatology practice: A pilot study.

Abstract Objective Achieving goal serum urate levels in patients with gout remains difficult in primary care and rheumatology practices. This study measured the ability of an asynchronous electronic visit (E-visit) program to facilitate achieving a goal serum urate (SU) of less than 6.0 mg/dL. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study in a large academic medical center rheumatology practice between April 1, 2017 and May 31, 2018. Patients with gout and SU levels over 6.0 mg/dL were enrolled in an E-visit program and were compared with historical controls who received usual care, matched 1:1 for age and sex. The primary outcome of interest was the proportion of patients achieving SU target of less than 6.0 mg/dL at six months. Results Sixty-two patients were enrolled by their rheumatologist in the gout asynchronous E-visit program and were compared to 62 historical controls who were seen within one year prior to E-visit program initiation. Baseline characteristics including age, sex, body mass index, renal function, and initial SU were similar among patients enrolled in the E-visit program and controls. At six months, a significantly higher proportion of patients in the E-visit program achieved goal SU of less than 6.0 mg/dL compared to controls (63.8% vs 33.9%, respectively, p Conclusion A physician-initiated E-visit program led to a substantial improvement in the rate of achieving goal SU among patients with gout within an academic rheumatology practice.
Cancer prevention by tea polyphenols

The cancer preventive activities of tea (Camellia Sinensis Theaceae) have been investigated extensively in laboratory and human studies. Green tea polyphenols, mainly catechins, have shown inhibitory activities against tumorigenesis in different animal models, including those for cancers of the lung, oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, bladder, liver, pancreas, skin, prostate and mammary glands. Similar activities have also been reported in some human studies. This chapter reviews the nature of these inhibitory actions and discusses possible mechanisms involved. These inhibitory activities are attributed to catechins, especially the most abundant (−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). The antioxidant or pro-oxidant activities of catechins and their binding to molecular targets would affect signal transduction and metabolic pathways that enhance apoptosis, suppress cell proliferation, and inhibit angiogenesis, resulting in the inhibition of carcinogenesis and cancer cell growth. Tea is considered a healthy beverage. However, the effect of tea consumption on the prevention of cancer in humans still needs to be further investigated. This chapter discusses some future directions in this area of research and concerns about possible toxicity, especially with high doses of tea polyphenols in tablet form.
Transport of the Neonate with a Difficult/Critical Airway

Transport of the neonate with a critical airway is amongst the most challenging scenarios in the field of Transport Medicine. This chapter will review the national models of transport systems, as well as discuss best practices. It will also discuss the rules and regulations which govern interfacility transport, such as the Federal EMTALA laws. Pre-transport decision-making of the neonate with a critical airway will be carefully explored, including decisions about appropriate team compositions and modes of transport. The clinical aspects will be dissected from the time of the initial call, to the arrival of the transport team at the referring institution, to the loading of the patient for the return trip, to the actual ride back to the accepting institution. Nuances unique to rotor-wing and fixed-wing travel will be carefully explored, with special attention to altitude physiology. After reading this chapter, the reader will understand both the pre-transport factors crucial to transport planning, as well as have a firm grasp on the clinical management of the transport of a neonate with a critical airway.
Ophthalmic Emergency Department Visits: Factors Associated With Loss to Follow-up

Purpose To describe follow-up rates for patients referred for outpatient ophthalmic care after emergency department (ED) discharge and identify patient and visit characteristics associated with loss to follow-up (LTFU). Design Single-institution retrospective cohort study. Methods We analyzed the medical records of 2,206 patients seen in the ED for an eye-related issue who were subsequently scheduled for ophthalmology follow-up between 2013 and 2019 at a single tertiary health system. The main outcome measures were the frequency of and risk factors for LTFU and ED revisits. Results In total, 1,649 (74.8%) patients completed follow-up within 2 months of an index ED visit. In multivariable analysis, younger age (P 5 days after the ED visit (P Conclusions A quarter of patients referred for ophthalmic care after an ED presentation were LTFU. We identified numerous factors associated with LTFU that could be used to develop interventions to enhance follow-up. In addition, patients who were LTFU were more likely to revisit the ED for the same ophthalmic condition.
Implementing Section 115 through the SIP revision process

This chapter explores some of the key issues pertaining to the implementation of Section 115 through the state implementation plan (SIP) revision process. It discusses how diverse federal, state, and local programs aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions could be effectively integrated into a Section 115 SIP revision, and how the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could develop a framework to streamline the Section 115 planning process and promote national uniformity across state plans. Two possible planning approaches are considered: a “uniform trading approach,” wherein states would adopt mass-based cap-and-trade programs based on a standardized template developed by EPA, and a “state-led approach,” wherein states that opt out of the uniform trading approach would develop alternate plans for compliance. This chapter also discusses how EPA and the states could coordinate and possibly integrate the planning processes for Section 115 and rules promulgated under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act (CAA), such as the emission standards issued for new and existing power plants. One option would be to establish Section 115 emission reduction targets that encompass emissions from sources regulated under Section 111 while retaining the Section 111 standards as distinct requirements. A second option would be a “nesting” approach whereby the Section 115 targets would encompass emissions from sources regulated under Section 111, but states that are in compliance with Section 115 would not be required to demonstrate separate compliance with the Section 111 standards. A third option would be to establish Section 115 targets that only encompass emissions from sources that are not regulated under Section 111. Three key findings from this analysis are: (1) Section 115 provides a pathway for coordinating existing GHG reduction programs and promoting greater uniformity and cohesiveness in state responses to climate change; (2) the implementation of Section 115 can be streamlined and supported by federal guidance in a fashion that would significantly mitigate the administrative burden on states during the SIP revision process, particularly where states opt into a uniform trading program; and (3) using a “nesting” approach to integrate Section 111 standards under the broader framework of Section 115 would be the best way to introduce a comprehensive emission reduction program that also meets goals related to flexibility, regulatory efficiency, uniformity, and cohesiveness.
Preoperative Factors Associated with Remote Postoperative Pain Resolution and Opioid Cessation in a Mixed Surgical Cohort: Post Hoc Analysis of a Perioperative Gabapentin Trial.

Background Preoperative patient-specific risk factors may elucidate the mechanisms leading to the persistence of pain and opioid use after surgery. This study aimed to determine whether similar or discordant preoperative factors were associated with the duration of postoperative pain and opioid use. Methods In this post hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of perioperative gabapentin vs active placebo, 410 patients aged 18–75 years, undergoing diverse operations underwent preoperative assessments of pain, opioid use, substance use, and psychosocial variables. After surgery, a modified Brief Pain Inventory was administered over the phone daily up to 3 months, weekly up to 6 months, and monthly up to 2 years after surgery. Pain and opioid cessation were defined as the first of 5 consecutive days of 0 out of 10 pain or no opioid use, respectively. Results Overall, 36.1%, 19.8%, and 9.5% of patients continued to report pain, and 9.5%, 2.4%, and 1.7% reported continued opioid use at 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Preoperative pain at the future surgical site (every 1-point increase in the Numeric Pain Rating Scale; HR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87–1.00; P=0.034), trait anxiety (every 10-point increase in the Trait Anxiety Inventory; HR 0.79; 95% CI 0.68–0.92; P=0.002), and a history of delayed recovery after injury (HR 0.62; 95% CI 0.40–0.96; P=0.034) were associated with delayed pain cessation. Preoperative opioid use (HR 0.60; 95% CI 0.39–0.92; P=0.020), elevated depressive symptoms (every 5-point increase in the Beck Depression Inventory-II score; HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.80–0.98; P=0.017), and preoperative pain outside of the surgical site (HR 0.94; 95% CI 0.89–1.00; P=0.046) were associated with delayed opioid cessation, while perioperative gabapentin promoted opioid cessation (HR 1.37; 95% CI 1.06–1.77; P=0.016). Conclusion Separate risk factors for prolonged post-surgical pain and opioid use indicate that preoperative risk stratification for each outcome may identify patients needing personalized care to augment universal protocols for perioperative pain management and conservative opioid prescribing to improve long-term outcomes.
Evolution of the Data Quality Monitoring and Prompt Processing System in the proto DUNE-SP experiment

The DUNE Collaboration currently operates an experimental program based at CERN which includes a beam test and an extended cosmic ray run of two large-scale prototypes of the massive Liquid Argon Time Projection Chamber (LArTPC) for the DUNE Far Detector. The volume of data collected by the single-phase prototype (protoDUNE-SP) amounts to 3PB and the sustained rate of data sent to mass storage is O (100) MB/s. Data Quality Monitoring was implemented by directing a fraction of the data stream to the protoDUNE prompt processing system (p3s) which is optimized for continuous low-latency calculation of the vital detector metrics and various graphics including event displays. It served a crucial role throughout the life cycle of the experiment. We present our experience in leveraging the CERN computing environment and operating the system over an extended period of time, while adapting to evolving requirements and computing platform.
Occupational and Geographic Choices of Working Mexican-American Immigrants

The economic and social significance of Mexico-US labor migration is difficult to overstate, and its truly unique circumstances – the physical contiguity of the world’s largest economy and the massive and mobile labor force of a substantially less developed country chief among them – provide compelling motivation for analysis of the issue. The implications of millions of foreign-born workers entering the US economy are both enormous and nebulous. This paper examines the geographic and occupational destinations of Mexican immigrants using a multinomial logit model of migrant choice. Our analysis of EMIF Norte Border Survey data empirically confirms several key anecdotal observations: that this particular immigrant population is highly reliant on informal social networks to mitigate occupational downgrading upon entry to the US market, that those networks also largely determine the geographic choices of immigrants, and that both sectoral and spatial dispersion over time have added to the list of traditional immigrant “gateway” locations. These results are of particular relevance to the sustainability of rapid urban development in metropolitan fueled in part by migrant labor supply shocks. Efficient and sustainable outcomes for immigrant workers and the communities that receive them will depend on the responsiveness and foresight of local socioeconomic policy.
Mitochondrial structural protein. II. Determination of the molecular weight of structural proteins by sedimentation analysis.

Abstract The molecular weight of structural protein isolated from beef heart or beef liver mitochondria was determined. Samples of these proteins were purified to the point of electrophoretic homogeneity. The proteins were depolymerized by several different procedures. The molecular weight was determined by the methods of synthetic boundary sedimentation velocity, analytical zone sedimentation velocity and sedimentation equilibrium. The values for the molecular weight of structural protein clustered in the range of 55,000–70,000.
The Mayekawa Lecture: The Way Back to Stability and Growth in the Global Economy

This paper was presented at the 2008 International Conference, gFrontiers in Monetary Theory and Policy, h held by the Institute for Monetary and Economic Studies, Bank of Japan, in Tokyo on May 28-29, 2008.
Liquid Water on a Planet over Cosmic Periods

From the equation that determines the average temperature of a planet, it is readily seen that even small changes in the distance, albedo and greenhouse effect of the planet, if not properly compensated, can elliminate liquid water from the surface of the planet either through runaway glaciation or through a runaway greenhouse effect. Since active life, at least as we know it, requires the presence of liquid water, and since its evolution to higher intelligence seems to require billions of years, it follows that the ability of planets to maintain liquid water over cosmic periods is probably the critical factor that determines the abundance of advanced civilizations in the Cosmos.
The β-galactosidase system of Neurospora crassa

Abstract Extracts of Neurospora crassa contain a β-galactosidase with a pH optimum of 7.5 and a β-galactosidase with a pH optimum of 4.2. The pH 4.2 enzyme was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and cation-exchange chromatography. The physical properties of the purified enzyme were similar to those of the nonpurified enzyme as reported previously, but arginine was absent from the former.
A Connectionist/Control Architecture for Working Memory

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the architecture of working memory. The term “architecture” is used in computer science as a systematic approach to the configuration of computational components to accomplish some information-processing tasks. The architecture described in the chapter illustrates both the limitations and capacities of human information processing. The chapter also discusses human phenomena that identify the qualitative features of human information processing and exhibit the qualitative features of the architecture of working memory. The connectionist/control architecture assumes processing that occurs in a set of modules organized into levels and regions. The regions communicate with each other on an inner loop of connections. This loop allows information to be transferred among input, output, and other regions. A new feature of this architecture is a proposed context-storage module that associates the content of messages in the inner loop with the temporal context. The context storage system can reload modules after short-term information decays or is displaced. In addition, it provides a means of achieving stable, robust processing under conditions of high workload.
Preparation and characterization of a hormone-responsive renal plasma membrane fraction.

Abstract A renal plasma membrane fraction has been prepared by homogenization and differential centrifugation in an isotonic sucrose solution in 10 mm Tris, pH 7.5, and 1 mm ethylenediaminetetraacetate. Sedimentation in a continuous sucrose density gradient yielded a fraction that showed a striking decrease in specific activity of marker enzymes for endoplasmic reticulum and brush border, but a 2.7-fold increase in the specific activity of Na-K-ATPase. The specific activity of the mitochondrial marker, succinic cytochrome c reductase, was similar to that in the crude homogenate. The purified membrane fraction contained adenylate cyclase activity sensitive to parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, vasopressin, and isoproterenol. Only the isoproterenol-sensitive adenylate cyclase activity was inhibited by propranolol (10-5 m). Each of the three peptide-sensitive adenylate cyclase activities could be characterized by a specific anatomic distribution. The adenylate cyclase responses to the three peptide hormones showed partial additivity. The purified plasma membranes bound 125I-calcitonin (salmon), and this binding was blocked by unlabeled salmon calcitonin but not by adrenocorticotropic hormone or growth hormone. The membranes degraded 125I-salmon calcitonin to forms that were not precipitable with trichloroacetic acid and did not bind to fresh membranes.
CNTF II, I presume?

Elson and colleagues report the identification of a new, secreted ligand for the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor, which is likely to be important during development.
Communication by the total experimental situation: Why it is important, how it is evaluated, and its significance for the ecological validity of findings.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the communication by the total experimental situation. The knowledge of a message permits a meaningful analysis of communication. The chapter presents an analysis of communication in the psychological experiment. It is of interest for two reasons: first, as a substantive example of a situation in which the communication as intended and perceived by the investigator may be different from the communication as perceived by the subject and second, because the knowledge about psychology in general and communication in particular derives from experimental data, distortions in understanding of such data becomes meaningful. The experimental setting is conceptualized as a standard situation that permits a systematic study of the subject's response to the independent variables under controlled conditions. The chapter suggests that the manner in which the experimental situation is conceptualized may be responsible for errors in communication and for errors in interpretation; it is essential for the investigator to understand how a particular experimental situation is perceived by the subject to draw sensible inference from the subject's responses. The chapter discusses some of the means for accomplishing this goal; it further discusses the implications of an alternative conception of the psychological experiment for the interpretation of research findings in general and especially for an understanding of attempted replications.
In vitro association between the Jun protein family and the general transcription factors, TBP and TFIIB

Transcriptional activator proteins interact with the general transcription factors TATA-binding protein (TBP), TFIIB and/or other TBP-associated factors (TAFs). Using affinity chromatography we demonstrate that members of the Jun family of transcriptional activators interact with both TBP and TFIIB in vitro. TBP binds to both the N-terminal activation domain and C-terminal bZIP regions of c-Jun, whereas TFIIB binds to only the c-Jun bZIP domain. This interaction requires the dimerization of the Jun protein. The ability of the N-terminal activation domains of c-Jun, JunB, JunD and v-Jun to interact with TBP in vitro correlates with their transcriptional activity in vivo. Domain mapping experiments indicate that c-Jun interacts with the conserved C-terminus of TBP. Studies using a set of TFIIB inframe deletion mutants demonstrate that C-terminal amino acids 178-201 and 238-316 play an important role in modulating the interaction between TFIIB and c-Jun. Although phosphorylation of the c-Jun N-terminal activation domain stimulates c-Jun transcriptional activity in vivo, it has no effect on the ability of c-Jun to interact with either TBP or TFIIB in vitro. These data suggest that the Jun family of activator proteins may activate transcription by interacting with the general transcription factors TBP and TFIIB.
The likelihood encoder with applications to lossy compression and secrecy

A likelihood encoder is studied in the context of lossy source compression. The analysis of the likelihood encoder is based on a soft-covering lemma. It is demonstrated that the use of a likelihood encoder together with the soft-covering lemma recovers the point-to-point rate-distortion function, the rate-distortion function with side information at the decoder, and several other important inner bounds for multi-user lossy compression. The likelihood encoder also provides a way for analyzing rate-distortion based secrecy systems. Coupled with hybrid coding, new achievability results are obtained for a joint source-channel secrecy model that outperform an operationally separate source-channel coding scheme.
Meta-analyses of experimental data in the animal sciences

In certain areas of animal research, such as nutrition, quantitative summarizations of literature data are periodically needed. In such instances, statistical methods dealing with the analysis of summary data (generally from the literature) must be used. These methods are known as meta-analyses. The implementation of a meta-analysis is done in several phases. The first phase defines the study objectives and identifies the criteria for selecting prior publications to be used in the construction of the database. Publications must be scrupulously evaluated for their quality before being entered into the database. During this phase, it is important to carefully encode each record with pertinent descriptive attributes (experiments, treatments, etc.) to serve as important reference points later on. Statistically, databases from literature data are inherently unbalanced, leading to considerable analytical and interpretation difficulties. Missing data are frequent, and data are not the outcomes of a classical experimental system. A graphical examination of the data is useful in getting a global view of the system as well as to hypothesize specific relationships to be investigated. This phase is followed by a statistical study of the meta-system using the database previously assembled. The statistical model used must follow the data structure. Variance decomposition must account for inter-and intra-study sources; dependent and independent variables must be identified either as discrete (qualitative) or continuous (quantitative). Effects must be defined as either fixed or random. Often observations must be weighed to account for differences in the precision of the reported means. Once model parameters are estimated, extensive analyses of residual variations must be performed. The roles of the different treatments and studies in the results obtained must be identified. Often, this requires returning to an earlier step in the process. Thus, meta-analyses have inherent heuristic qualities that can guide in the design of future experiments as well as aggregating prior knowledge into a quantitative prediction system.
Baclofen induces catatonia in rats

Baclofen (10 and 20 mg/kg, i.p.) induced catatonia in rats within 10 min of its administration and the effect lasted for 3 hr. Muscimol (100 ng i.c.v. or 1 mg/kg, i.p.) as well as GABA (5 micrograms i.c.v.) potentiated the effect without producing any effect per se. Bicuculline, bromocriptine and scopolamine failed to modify the catatonia induced by baclofen, thereby ruling out the involvement of GABAA receptors, dopaminergic and cholinergic mechanisms. However, GABAB receptor antagonists, such as homotaurine and delta-amino-n-valeric acid, reversed the catatonia induced by baclofen in rats. Since baclofen is known to bind to a subpopulation of GABA receptors (bicuculline-insensitive) and baclofen-induced catatonia was susceptible to reversal by homotaurine and delta-amino-n-valeric acid, it is suggested that this effect could be mediated through GABAB receptors.
Effect of FKBP12 in the Conformational Dynamics of RyR1

The ryanodine receptor (RyR) is an intracellular ion channel with an important role in depolarization-induced Ca2+ release in excitable cells. For the skeletal muscle isoform RyR1, the open and closed conformations were determined at 10 A resolution by cryoEM, and their structural analysis suggest that RyR1, with four inner helices forming a helical bundle, has a similar gating mechanism to that of K+ channels. Upon gating, RyR1's large cytoplasmic domain also undergoes conformational changes, underlying a long-range communication pathway between the ion gate and effectors bound more than 130 A away. One of such effectors is the FK506-binding protein of 12 kDa (FKBP12), which we localized at the interface of the “handle” and the “clamp” domains of RyR1. At the functional level, and under activating [Ca2+] concentrations, single channel experiments with purified RyR1 show that FKBP12 increased RyR1's Po and redistributed its subconductance states towards higher conductance levels. At the structural level, we found that under sub-activating [Ca2+] concentrations and in the absence of FKBP12, RyR1's cytoplasmic domain appears to be a structural intermediate of the well-defined open- and closed-state RyR1-FKBP12 conformations, whereas the inner helices remain in the closed conformation. Overall, our studies suggest that while [Ca2+] exerts a dominant effect in RyR1's gating, FKBP12 changes the energy landscape of RyR1's structural transitions.
Two Dicranaceae Species from the Beartooth Plateau, New to Wyoming

Abstract. Two arctic-alpine species, Campylopus schimperi and Dicranum elongatum (Dicranaceae), are reported new for Wyoming from the Beartooth Plateau, Central Rocky Mountains.
Molecular dynamics study of adsorption and spreading of a polymer chain onto a flat surface

Abstract We present results from a series of molecular dynamics simulations for adsorption and spreading of polymer chains onto a flat surface. We consider both homopolymer chains and “protein-like” copolymer chains in the simulations. For homopolymer chains, we have considered both good and poor solvent conditions, and for copolymer chains, we have considered several conformations of the non-adsorbing monomers. Our results indicate that when the adsorption strength is strong enough, a scaling description of the adsorption kinetics works well for homopolymers in both good and poor solvent conditions. When the adsorption strength is not strong enough, the chains adsorb partially, and one needs to consider effects of this partial adsorption in the scaling description. For each of the three primary structures of the copolymers considered in this study, the polymer chain does get adsorbed to the surface but the kinetics of the adsorption process depends on the specific structures of the copolymer chains.
Combustion resistant nanocomposites from water/AOT/MMA reverse microemulsions

Summary A reverse microemulsion domain in the ternary water, AOT, and MMA (methyl methacrylate) system is reported at 2251°C and compositions in this domain are polymerized at 70°C to produce nanocomposites of surfactant and water in PMMA. While limited microphase separation occurs during polymerization the resulting solids are translucent and no macroscopic phase separation occurs. Optical and thermal analysis indicates that the water is distributed uniformly throughout the nanocomposite and is mostly tightly bound to the surfactant headgroup and cannot freeze. The small amount of incorporated water that is freezable resides in pores or droplets about 12 nm or less in diameter. The translucency can be assigned to some sort of very limited microphase separation of the surfactant that occurs during polymerization. Ignition and TGA analyses indicate that the combustion resistance is mostly due to the incorporated AOT.
Dried Whole Plant Artemisia annua as an Antimalarial Therapy

Drugs are primary weapons for reducing malaria in human populations. However emergence of resistant parasites has repeatedly curtailed the lifespan of each drug that is developed and deployed. Currently the most effective anti-malarial is artemisinin, which is extracted from the leaves of Artemisia annua. Due to poor pharmacokinetic properties and prudent efforts to curtail resistance to monotherapies, artemisinin is prescribed only in combination with other anti-malarials composing an Artemisinin Combination Therapy (ACT). Low yield in the plant, and the added cost of secondary anti-malarials in the ACT, make artemisinin costly for the developing world. As an alternative, we compared the efficacy of oral delivery of the dried leaves of whole plant (WP) A. annua to a comparable dose of pure artemisinin in a rodent malaria model (Plasmodium chabaudi). We found that a single dose of WP (containing 24 mg/kg artemisinin) reduces parasitemia more effectively than a comparable dose of purified drug. This increased efficacy may result from a documented 40-fold increase in the bioavailability of artemisinin in the blood of mice fed the whole plant, in comparison to those administered synthetic drug. Synergistic benefits may derive from the presence of other anti-malarial compounds in A. annua. If shown to be clinically efficacious, well-tolerated, and compatible with the public health imperative of forestalling evolution of drug resistance, inexpensive, locally grown and processed A. annua might prove to be an effective addition to the global effort to reduce malaria morbidity and mortality.
Media constructions of risk and safety: differential framings of hazard events

The media play an important role in the social construction of risk and safety. In this article, we analyze how reports in a New Orleans newspaper defined the risk and safety associated with a series of four events during the summer of 1988: a drought, low water levels in the Mississippi River, a saltwater intrusion, and toxic pollution in local bodies of water. The newspaper reports defined some of the events as hazards by assessing their negative consequences and, in turn, defined them as specific kinds of hazards by identifying their causes. Specifically, we found that the reports defined the nonlocal consequences of an event as more varied and severe than its local consequences. Further, the reports consistently defined each of the events as natural events rather than attributing their causes to social or technological events or conditions. Our results suggest the importance of news sources, economic and political power, and a preference for monocausal frames in the social construction of news. Our results also suggest the importance of local cultural world views in defining hazards and risks. We use the findings to suggest avenues for future research and theory.
Embolectomy for Chronic Pulmonary Embolism and Hypertension Case Report and Review of the Problem

The case of a 31-year-old Negro who had had two admissions to the hospital at which pulmonary emboli were diagnosed is reported. On his third admission with chest pain, hemoptysis, and dyspnea, che...
Physical Analysis of High-Intensity Focusing X-ray Optics: Doubly Curved Crystals vs. Highly Focusing Polycapillaries

Choosing the best performing x-ray optic for a specific x-ray fluorescence application is tricky since x-ray fluorescence requirements can vary from extremely small x-ray beams for spatially resolved measurements to intense, highly monochromatic beams for locating trace amounts of impurities in samples. Additionally, due to the wide variety of commercially available x-ray optics to choose from, each providing different outputs, one has to decide which optic suits one's application requirements best. Two such optics, a doubly curved crystal (DCC) optic and a monolithic polycapillary focusing optic, were examined for use in micro-beam x-ray fluorescence and low level impurity detection. In these two measurements, intense output beams are needed. With the two optics examined, the average CuKa x-ray intensities were 6 x 107 photons/sec-μm2 for the polycapillary optic and 8 x 105 photons/sec-μm2 for the DCC optic from a 20W sealed-tube, 120μm diameter Cu source. Thus, with an extremely low power source, the polycapillary output intensity was almost 100 times more than from the DCC optic. Because the spot sizes from the two optics were different, a better intensity comparison is insertion gain, which showed the polycapillary optic had an 8 times higher insertion gain than the DCC optic. In addition to intensity, lowering the minimum detectable limit (MDL) in x-ray fluorescence measurements requires highly monochromatic x-ray beams. Of the two optics examined, the DCC optic (with a 0.37mm Ni filter) produced an x-ray beam that would detect about a 20% lower impurity concentration than the polycapillary optic (with a 0.44mm Ni filter). In addition, the DCC optic's MDL can be improved, since this optic produces a highly monochromatic beam by diffraction, eliminating the need for a filter. On the other hand, the polycapillary optic transmits polychromatic x rays, requiring a filter to create a monochromatic beam from the polycapillary output, thereby reducing the characteristic line intensity. Thus we found the© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Microbial Transglutaminase and ε‐(γ‐Glutamyl)lysine Crosslink Effects on Elastic Properties of Kamaboko Gels

Kamaboko gels from Alaska pollock surimi (SA and 2nd grades) were prepared by setting at 10 or 45 o C with microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) and its effect on gel properties was investigated. At 10 and 45 o C, gels from 2nd grade surimi paste showed increases in breaking strength, without decline in deformation. Gel from SA graded surimi paste showed an increase in breaking strength with no changes in deformation in 45 o C setting, up to 0.03% MTGase. Crosslinking of myosin heavy chains through e-(γ-glutamyl)lysine bonds was observed and a possible correlation was shown between e-(γ-glutamyl)lysine content and gel strength (breaking strength X strain). e-(γ-Glutamyl)lysine content up to 3 μmol/100g or MTGase 0.03% or higher improved gel properties
Sensory nerves and neuropeptides in uterine cervical ripening

At the time of parturition (fetal delivery) the uterine cervix must "ripen," becoming soft, pliable, and dilated to accommodate the fetus' delivery. The fundamental processes underlying cervical ripening remain poorly understood. Knowledge that abundant autonomic and sensory nerves supply the uterine cervix, that transection of afferent nerves supplying the cervix blocks parturition, and that some of the changes in the cervix resemble those seen in inflammatory reactions suggests nerves may have a role in the cervical ripening changes. The present study utilized immunohistochemistry, plasma extravasation, and solution hybridization-nuclease protection assay to elucidate the complement of primary afferent nerves and some receptors in the rat cervix during pregnancy, and to determine if they may have roles in the ripening process at term. This study revealed an abundance of nerves associated with the cervical vasculature and myometrial smooth muscle containing immunoreactivity for substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, secretoneurin, and nitric oxide synthase throughout pregnancy. Many of these are small unmyelinated capsaicin-sensitive C-fibers. Substance P- (NK1-) and calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors were apparent on uterine cervix vasculature from pregnant, parturient, and postpartum rats. NK1 receptor mRNA was maximal at 20 days of pregnancy. Plasma extravasation of i.v. administered Evans Blue or Monastral Blue was most pronounced at parturition (shortly after NK1 mRNA is maximal); this was similar to plasma extravasation evoked by i.v. administration of substance P or capsaicin-treatment. This study revealed new data about the nervous system of the rat uterine cervix and that these nerves and their transmitters could very well be part of a neurogenic inflammatory process involved in cervical ripening.
The emergence of nonverbal joint attention and requesting skills in young children with autism.

Abstract Joint attention (JA) skills are deficient in children with autism; however, children with autism seem to vary in the degree to which they display joint attention. Joint attention skills refer to verbal and nonverbal skills used to share experiences with others. They include gestures such as pointing, coordinated looks between objects and people, and showing. Some nonverbal gestures are used to request rather than merely to share. These requesting gestures include reaching, pointing to request, and giving to gain assistance. Although these skills also relate to expressive language development, we know little about when they emerge and how they change as language develops in children with autism. Several studies report the emergence of nonverbal requests in children with autism to be similar to that of typically developing children, but other studies report impairments in such skills. This study investigates the emergence of nonverbal JA and requesting skills in typically developing children and in children with autism with expressive language ages between 12 and 60 months, using both a both cross-sectional and a longitudinal design. Results suggest that the sequence of JA skill emergence in autism differs from a normative model, while the sequence of requesting skills emerges in accord with typical development. Furthermore, several joint attention skills appeared to emerge later than in typical children. With regards to intervention it appears that a curriculum based on a normative developmental model for the emergence of requesting skills is mostly appropriate for use with children with autism. However, since children with autism acquired nonverbal joint attention skills in a sequence that differed from a normative model, it might be that a non-normative autism-specific joint attention curriculum would be more likely to benefit children with autism. Learning outcomes: The reader will (1) identify 3 specific initiating gestures used to communicate for the purpose of joint attention, (2) identify 2 specific nonverbal responsive joint attention skills, (3) be able to state that children with autism appear to develop specific nonverbal requesting gestures in a similar sequence to typically developing children, (4) be able to state that children with autism appear to develop specific nonverbal joint attention gestures in a different sequence than that of typically developing children, and (5) be able to identify 2 specific nonverbal joint attention skills that appear significantly impaired in children with autism relative to typically developing children.
The lysosomal permability test modified for toxicity testing with cultured heart endothelioid cells

A modified lysosomal fragility test is described which is suitable for use with cultured cells. The permeability (fragility) of the lysosomal membranes of the cells to the substrate β-glycerophosphate is measured by assessing the degree of particulate lysosomal staining seen after exposing the cells to the Gomori acid phosphatase staining reaction under carefully controlled conditions. Monolayer cultures of endothelioid cells from the hearts of neonatal rats have been used in all experiments. The time-course of lysosomal staining for cells exposed to various treatments (normal saline, isotonic sucrose, 0.25 M sucrose, distilled water, acetate buffer pH 5.0, cold acetone, neutral formalin, acetic-ethanol, Triton X-100, hydrocortisone, chloroquine and vitamin A) was compared with that of control cells stained under identical conditions. Statistical differences in staining between the test and control cells were determined by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and also by regression analysis following a transformation designed to allow for the saturation character of the reaction. The success of the modified technique depends upon meticulous methodology. It is capable of demonstrating both lysosomal membrane labilization and stabilization, second- and third-stage lysosomal activation, and apparent lysosomal enzyme loss or destructionin situ. The technique also allows the degree of reversible or first-stage lysosomal activation to be subdivided on an almost continuous basis and is suitable for investigating the effects of drugs and other agents on the integrity of the lysosomein situ.
Health literacy and the role of the speech-language pathologist.

Purpose This article reviews concepts of health literacy and discusses the role of speech-language pathologists in improving the health literacy of individuals with and without communication disord...