cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-comparison of DDT and alternative insecticides for malaria control

In anti-malaria operations the use of DDT for indoor residual spraying has declined substantially over the past 30years, but this insecticide is still considered valuable for malaria control, mainly because of its low cost relative to alternative insecticides. Despite the development of resistance to DDT in some populations of malaria vector Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), DDT remains generally effective when used for house-spraying against most species of Anopheles, due to excitorepellency as well as insecticidal effects. A 1990 cost comparison by the World Health Organization (WHO) found DDT to be considerably less expensive than other insecticides, which cost 2 to 23 times more on the basis of cost per house per 6 months of control. To determine whether such a cost advantage still prevails for DDT, this paper compares recent price quotes from manufacturers and WHO suppliers for DDT and appropriate formulations of nine other insecticides (two carbamates, two organophosphates and five pyrethroids) commonly used for residual house-spraying in malaria control programmes. Based on these 'global' price quotes, detailed calculations show that DDT is still the least expensive insecticide on a cost per house basis, although the price appears to be rising as DDT production declines. At the same time, the prices of pyrethroids are declining, making some only slightly more expensive than DDT at low application dosages. Other costs, including operations (labour), transportation and human safety may also increase the price advantages of DDT and some pyrethroids vs. organophosphates and carbamates, although possible environmental impacts from DDT remain a concern. However, a global cost comparison may not realistically reflect local costs or effective application dosages at the country level. Recent data on insecticide prices paid by the health ministries of individual countries showed that prices of particular insecticides can vary substantially in the open market. Therefore, the most cost-effective insecticide in any given country or region must be determined on a case-by-case basis. Regional coordination of procurement of public health insecticides could improve access to affordable products.
Coordination synthesis on metal centers IV reaction of n-butyl- and p-tolylchromium systems with acetylenes☆

Abstract The interaction of the n-butylchromium system with 2-butyne, in the presence and absence of 1-decene, and with 4-octyne has been studied. The acetylene and olefin compete in their reaction with the alkylchromium system; either the acetylene is oligomerized or the olefin is isomerized. No evidence for acetylene isomerization was found. Tris- p -tolylchromium reacts with 2-butyne to give exclusively 1,2,3,4,6-pentamethylnaphthalene and hexamethylbenzene.
Measurement of in vivo tendon function.

Chronic tendon pathologies (eg, rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendon ruptures) are common, painful, debilitating, and a significant source of medical expense. Treatment strategies for managing tendon pathologies vary widely in invasiveness and cost, with little scientific basis on which to base treatment selection. Conventional techniques for assessing the outcomes of physical therapy or surgical repair typically rely on patient-based assessments of pain and function, physical measures (eg, strength, range of motion, or stability), and qualitative assessments using magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasound. Unfortunately, these conventional techniques provide only an indirect assessment of tendon function. The inability to make a direct quantitative assessment of the tendon's mechanical capabilities may help to explain the relatively high rate of failed tendon repairs and has led to an interest in the development of tools for directly assessing in vivo tendon function. The purpose of this article is to review methods for assessing tendon function (ie, mechanical properties and capabilities) during in vivo activities. This review will describe the general principles behind the experimental techniques and provide examples of previous applications of these techniques. In addition, this review will characterize the advantages and limitations of each technique, along with its potential clinical utility. Future efforts should focus on developing broadly translatable technologies for quantitatively assessing in vivo tendon function. The ability to accurately characterize the in vivo mechanical properties of tendons would improve patient care by allowing for the systematic development and assessment of new techniques for treating tendon pathologies.
Militarism and Islamism in Algeria

This article focuses on the combined consequences for women of militarization and pan-Islamism—a particular manifestation of Islam that has spread using some of the mechanisms of globalization, especially global trade and global communications. The empirical data are drawn from the civil conflict of the 1990s in Algeria, where an Islamist movement led by the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS) and several armed Islamist groups (notably the GIA, the Armed Islamic Group) terrorized the population and killed tens of thousands of people in an attempt to seize control of the state. External support from pan-Islamists accounts, in part, for the ability of the FIS and the GIA to gain a foothold in Algeria. The pan-Islamist movement has cells in Europe and the Middle East, some of which were in contact with Algerian Islamists. Armed Islamist groups from Algeria received training from Al Qaeda, combat experience in Afghanistan and Bosnia, and financial support from Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Iran.
(111) InAs/GaSb type-II strained layer superlattice material for high operating temperature detection

We report on the detailed radiometric characterization of the mid-wave infrared InAs/GaSb type-II strained layer superlattice detectors grown on GaSb (111) substrate. A red shift of 1.7 μm (at 295 K) was observed with respect to a similar detector grown on GaSb (100) substrate. We have measured, at 295 K and λ100% cut-off = 5.6 μm, a dark current density of 0.53 A/cm2 (at -50 mV) and a Johnson noise limited D* of 8.5 x 109Jones, which are superior values to state-of-the-art T2SL detectors with the same (pin) design grown on conventional GaSb (100) substrates and operating in a similar wavelength range. (© 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Evaluation of dipolar nuclear magnetic resonance shifts in low-spin hemin systems: ferricytochrome c and metmyoglobin cyanide.

Abstract A general method is presented for the evaluation of the principal magnetic susceptibilities and NMR dipolar shifts in d 5 , low-spin hemin systems. Experimental g values and the directions of the magnetic axes are necessary input. The method is applied to ferricytochrome c and metmyoglobin cyanide. The results demonstrate the importance of including the second order Zeeman effect and in-plane anisotropy when evaluating NMR dipolar shifts.
Genetic variation for root-shoot relationships among cotton germplasm

Twenty-five cotton (Gossypium spp.) genotypes were used to evaluate the genetic variability in partitioning of biomass into roots and shoots when plants were grown under conditions of declining soil water and different atmospheric evaporative demands. The entries ranged from primitive race stocks to modern cultivars and were selected on field observations of growth under water stress conditions in the field. Seeds of each genotype were planted in soil (56 kg) in large containers in the greenhouse. Water was added to the soil to bring the water content to field capacity and the plants were allowed to grow with no additional water until they reached the permanent wilting point. Large fans were utilized in the second experiment to reduce the leaf boundary layer resistance and increase the evaporative demand. When the plants of each entry had reached the permanent wilting point, the plants were harvested, the roots washed free of the soil, and the dry weights of both roots and shoots were determined. Information on total water used and days to permanent wilting were also collected for each genotype. Differences were observed in partitioning of total biomass between roots and shoots between experiments and genotypes. There was no significant interaction, however, between entries and experiments. Root-shoot ratios increased in plants grown in the more stressful environment resulting from a significant increase in root dry weights with little change in shoot dry weights. The distribution for root-shoot ratios coincided in general with the distribution for root weights.among the entries, with a 59% decrease from the highest to lowest value. The exotic strains also in general had higher root-shoot ratios than the commercial varieties, the herbaceum species and the experimental strain (Lubbock dwarf). There was no direct relationship between shoot weights and root weights among the genotypes for either environment. Those plants that grew large tops did not necessarily grow correspondingly large root systems (e.g. T141 has a large root system with a very small shoot compared to the herbaceum species, which has a relative large shoot and a small root system). The lack of a correlation between shoot and root growth along with genotypic differences in changes in root-shoot ratios in response to environmental demand may provide an opportunity to exploit the observed variability to improve production for a wide range of growth conditions by altering the root development and function independent of shoot development.
Improved purification procedure for the extracellular d-glucosyltransferase from streptococcus mutans 6715

The exocellular D-glucosyltransferase from Streptococcus mutans 6715 has been highly purified with minimal loss of enzymic activity. The organisms were cultured in trypticase soy-broth that had been treated with invertase and filtered through an ultrafilter fitted with a membrane having a cut-off molecular weight at 10,000. To the growth medium was added Tween 80, which prevented the enzyme from aggregating. The final step in the purification employed insoluble, streptococcal dextran as an affinity support. Two D-glucosyltransferase activities were detected, viz., one that did not adsorb to the insoluble dextran and one that did. The enzymic fraction that had adsorbed to the insoluble dextran in the affinity column was strongly inhibited by added insoluble dextran.
Self-Organization, Layered Structure, and Aggregation Enhance Persistence of a Synthetic Biofilm Consortium

Microbial consortia constitute a majority of the earth's biomass, but little is known about how these cooperating communities persist despite competition among community members. Theory suggests that non-random spatial structures contribute to the persistence of mixed communities; when particular structures form, they may provide associated community members with a growth advantage over unassociated members. If true, this has implications for the rise and persistence of multi-cellular organisms. However, this theory is difficult to study because we rarely observe initial instances of non-random physical structure in natural populations. Using two engineered strains of Escherichia coli that constitute a synthetic symbiotic microbial consortium, we fortuitously observed such spatial self-organization. This consortium forms a biofilm and, after several days, adopts a defined layered structure that is associated with two unexpected, measurable growth advantages. First, the consortium cannot successfully colonize a new, downstream environment until it self-organizes in the initial environment; in other words, the structure enhances the ability of the consortium to survive environmental disruptions. Second, when the layered structure forms in downstream environments the consortium accumulates significantly more biomass than it did in the initial environment; in other words, the structure enhances the global productivity of the consortium. We also observed that the layered structure only assembles in downstream environments that are colonized by aggregates from a previous, structured community. These results demonstrate roles for self-organization and aggregation in persistence of multi-cellular communities, and also illustrate a role for the techniques of synthetic biology in elucidating fundamental biological principles.
Developing a Holistic Modeling Approach for Search-based System Architecting☆

Abstract This paper proposes a holistic modeling approach that combines the capabilities of Object Process Methodology (OPM), Colored Petri Net (CPN), and feature model. The resultant holistic model not only can capture the structural, behavioral, and dynamic aspects of a system, allowing simulation and strong analysis methods to be applied, it can also specify the architectural design space. This modeling approach is developed to facilitate the implementation of search-based system architecting where search algorithms are used to explore design trade space for good architecture alternatives. Such architecting approach integrates certain model construction, alternative generation, simulation, and assessment processes into a coherent and automated framework. Both the proposed holistic modeling approach and the search-based architecting framework are generic. They are targeted at systems that can be specified by conceptual models using object-oriented or process-oriented paradigms. The broad applicability of the proposed approach is demonstrated with the configuration of reconfigurable manufacturing systems (RMSs) under multi- objective optimization as an example. The test results showed that the proposed modeling approach could cover a huge number of architecture alternatives and supported the assessment of several performance measures. A set of quality results was obtained after running the optimization algorithm following the proposed search-based architecting framework.
Absolute measurements of 235U and 239Pu fission cross-sections with photoneutron sources

Abstract the fission cross-sections of 235 U and 239 Pu for NaBe, LaBe, NaD and GaD photoneutrons have been measured absolutely. The neutron source strength was measured using a manganese bath to compare the photoneutron yield from the sources with the standard source NBS-II. Fission counts were accumulated with the source positioned symmetrically between two identical fission foils in an experiment package suspended in a low-albedo laboratory. Fission fragments passing through limited solid angle apertures were recorded on polyester track-etch films. The masses of the foil deposits were determined by microbalance weighings and confirmed by thermal neutron fission and alpha counting. After making a correction for the calculated energy distribution of the source neutrons, values of 1.471 ± 0.029, 1.274 ± 0.026, 1.162 ± 0.025 and 1.195 ± 0.026 barns were obtained for the 235 U fission cross-section at the source median energies of 140, 265, 770 and 964 keV, respectively. Corresponding values of 1.469 ± 0.045, 1.515 ± 0.038, 1.670 ± 0.039 and 1.643 ± 0.038 barns were determined for 239 Pu.
RATIONAL BASIS FUNCTIONS FOR CURVED ELEMENTS

Abstract In this paper, construction of rational basis functions for curved elements is reviewed, some of the notation is described, and some applications to isoparametrics are developed.
Speaking up and talking out: Barriers and obstacles to nurse-midwifery practice

There are internal as well as external barriers to nurse-midwifery practice. We have let others define us. It is time to articulate a new vision for nurse-midwifery that speaks to what midwifery does better than obstetrics. We need to claim our “partnership” model and argue for its integration into health policy for all childbearing women.
Process dissociation models in racial bias research: Updating the analytic method and integrating with signal detection approaches

Process dissociation models are an increasingly important methodology for studying the influence of race on rapid judgments and decisions. While the process dissociation method has contributed many insights into the processes underlying such judgments, there remain several unresolved analytic issues, including which process model best accounts for observed behavior, how best to account for individual differences in process estimates, and how to connect process dissociation estimates to related research stemming from the signal detection tradition. This paper reviews these issues in depth before presenting a simulation study, which allows for a comprehensive examination of the performance of different analytic approaches. Using the information gleaned from this simulation study, I present an updated approach to modeling process dissociation data that will better allow researchers to address questions of interest. Of primary importance, this approach uses a mixed-model framework, which allows for much better handling of individual differences.
Pathogenesis of colonic polyps in multiple juvenile polyposis: Report of a case associated with gastric polyps and carcinoma of the rectum

The pathogenesis of juvenile polyps of the colon was studied in a patient with multiple juvenile polyposis who underwent proctocolectomy for rectal carcinoma and antrectomy for associated polyps of the stomach. Numerous polyps up to 3 cm in diameter were present predominantly in the cecum and rectum, and in addition there was an adenocarcinoma in the rectum. Microscopically there were five categories of lesions: 1) Hyperplastic epithelial foci and small hyperplastic polyps; 2) Typical Juvenile polyps; 3) Juvenile polyps with focal adenomatous epithelium; 4) Adenomas; and 5) and adenocarcinoma. The five categories could represent a pathogenetic sequence, beginning with epithelial hyperplasia, leading to small hyperplastic polyps which become inflamed and enlarge, forming juvenile polyps. Focal adenomatous areas which develop in some juvenile polyps might give rise to adenomas and in turn lead to carcinoma. Although juvenile polyps are generally not considered to be premalignant lesions, this case demonstrates that neoplastic changes may occur in juvenile polyps in certain individuals, and raises the possibility that these may on occasion give rise to carcinoma.
Comparison between analytical and Monte Carlo hyperspectral reflectance models for coastal remote sensing

This paper describes an analytical 2 flow equations solution and compares it to a Monte Caro model of the photon flux in water. Both models are designed to generate synthetic water surface reflectance signatures as well as the vertical profiles of light in a homogeneous or non-homogeneous water column of specified depth and bottom reflectance. In this paper we compare and contrast the results of the models and develop a theoretically based attenuation function of both models. The results from the Monte Carlo model are used to compare a form of a 2nd order attenuation term (Psi) , resulting from a solution of the 2-flow equation, to 3 downwelling irradiance dependent terms. The results show that (Psi) differs from the three terms by 1 to 14 percent depending on the scattering to absorption ratio and volume scattering function. The result also show that (Psi) is dependent on the shape factor.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
DNA base excision repair potentiates the protective effect of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 within macrophages.

Reactive oxidants are a primary weapon of the macrophage antibacterial arsenal. The ability of virulent Salmonella to repair oxidative DNA lesions via the base-excision repair system (BER) enables its survival and replication within the macrophage, but is not required for extracellular growth. Salmonella also inhibits the targeting of oxidant generators to the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV) via Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 2 (SPI2). Accordingly, the relative contributions of these two discrete systems to Salmonella resistance to both oxidative mutagenesis and lethality within RAW 264.7 macrophages were investigated. A mutant unable to initiate BER was constructed by deleting all three BER bifunctional glycosylases (Δfpg/nth/nei), and was significantly impaired for early intramacrophage survival. Mutations in various SPI2 effector (sifA and sseEFG) and structural (ssaV) genes were then analysed in the BER mutant background. Loss of SPI2 function alone appeared to increase macrophage-induced mutation. Statistical analyses of the reduced intramacrophage survival of SPI2 mutants and the corresponding SPI2/BER mutants indicated a synergistic interaction between BER and SPI2, suggesting that SPI2 promotes intramacrophage survival by protecting Salmonella DNA from exposure to macrophage oxidants. Furthermore, this protection may involve the SseF and SseG effectors. In contrast, the SifA effector did not seem to play a major role in oxidant protection. It is speculated that Salmonella initially stalls oxidative killing by preserving its genomic integrity through the function of BER, until it can upregulate SPI2 to limit its exposure to macrophage oxidants.
Workaholism, work stress, work‐life imbalance: exploring gender's role

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine potential differences between male and female workaholics in relation to work stress and work‐life imbalance; also to test for gender as a moderator in the relation between workaholism with work stress and work‐life imbalance.Design/methodology/approach – An exploratory approach was used to examine employees on workaholism, work stress, and work‐life imbalance. A separate variances t‐test tested gender differences in the study variables. Hierarchical regression analyses tested the potential moderator effect of gender on the work stress‐workaholism and work‐life imbalance‐workaholism relations.Findings – It was found that work stress and work‐life imbalance correlated with workaholism, regardless of gender. Gender did not moderate the relations between workaholism with work stress and work‐life imbalance.Research limitations/implications – Limited generalizability between cultures was a limitation; future research should collect data from diverse races. Rel...
Doubts About Autonomy

Most of us are more or less dissatisfied with some aspect of our present self and want to change it to a better future self. This makes us divided beings. The beliefs, emotions, and motives of our present self prompt us to act in one way and our desired future and better self often prompts us to act in another way. This makes us ambivalent. One of the shibboleths of the present age is that the key to overcoming our ambivalence is to cultivate autonomy. This Kantian ideal is defended, developed, and somewhat revised by Christine Korsgaard, who constructs an ideal theory of self-constitution. This theory is untenable. Its very nature makes it incapable of addressing the concrete problems ambivalence presents to us in our very different individual circumstances. It unreasonably claims that either we meet arbitrary, unrealistic, and mind-bogglingly complex requirements, or disqualify ourselves from being rational and moral agents. And it optimistically assumes that by becoming more autonomous, we become more rational and moral, rather than merely continue to act in the ways we have been acting before. The failure of this latest ideal theory does not show that there is something wrong with autonomy. It shows that the extravagant claims Korsgaard makes for autonomy are groundless. The way to cope with our ambivalence is not to follow a theory, but to think better and harder about what we – individuals in individual circumstances – are, and want to be.
Behavioral assessment of impulsivity in pathological gamblers with and without substance use disorder histories versus healthy controls

Pathological gamblers (PGs) may have high levels of impulsivity, and a correlation between substance use disorders (SUDs) and impulsivity is well established. However, only a handful of studies have attempted to assess impulsivity and other impulse-spectrum traits (e.g., sensation seeking) using a variety of behavioral and self-report measures in PGs and few examined the independent impact of SUDs. We compared 30 PGs without SUD histories, 31 PGs with SUD histories and 40 control participants on self-reported impulsivity, delayed discounting, attention/memory, response inhibition, risk taking, sensation seeking and distress tolerance measures. PGs, regardless of SUD history, discounted delayed rewards at greater rates than controls. PGs also reported acting on the spur of the moment, experienced trouble planning and thinking carefully, and noted greater attention difficulties than controls. PGs with SUD took greater risks on a risk-taking task than did PGs without SUD histories, but the two groups did not differ on any other measures of impulsivity. We conclude that PGs are more impulsive than non-problem gamblers in fairly specific ways, but PGs with and without SUD histories differ on few measures. More research should focus on specific ways in which PGs exhibit impulsivity to better address impulsive behaviors in treatment.
Kaposi's sarcoma‐associated herpesvirus sequences in benign lymphoid proliferations not associated with human immunodeficiency virus

BACKGROUND Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) DNA sequences have been identified in approximately 95% of Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) lesions and primary effusion lymphomas (PELs), suggesting a pathogenetic role for this virus in these lesions. However, KSHV has also been identified in a variety of specimens, including lymph nodes, peripheral blood B cells, semen, and prostate tissue, with varying frequencies. This suggests that KSHV, like Epstein-Barr virus, may be ubiquitously distributed. To evaluate further the clinical spectrum of KSHV infection and define better the prevalence of this virus in lymphoid tissues in the general population, the authors examined a wide spectrum of benign lymphoid proliferations occurring in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative individuals. METHODS One hundred eight lymphoid lesions were examined for the presence of KSHV by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using primers to open reading frame (ORF) 26. Positive cases were confirmed by Southern blot hybridization using an internal oligonucleotide probe and by PCR amplification using primers to ORF 74 and ORF 75 of the virus. RESULTS Only 4 (4%) of 108 specimens were KSHV positive. Three positive lymph node specimens were taken from patients with multicentric Castleman's disease (3 of 11 total cases of Castleman's disease; 3 of 5 total cases of multicentric Castleman's disease). The remaining case was a lymph node showing paracortical hyperplasia, taken from a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus. CONCLUSIONS KSHV is not detectable by PCR technology in a wide range of lymphoid proliferations occurring outside of HIV infection. These studies further support the contention that KSHV is preferentially associated with KS, PEL, and some cases of multicentric Castleman's disease. Cancer 1997; 80:788-97. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Ethics and the use of competitive information acquisition strategies

Several business trends have forced accelerated efforts to acquire competitive intelligence. While coverage of business ethics in classroom instruction has accelerated, concerns over unethical competitive information acquisition strategies persist. The frequency of use by individuals, their companies, and their competitors is assessed, and the findings reveal the extent of this ethics gap.
A Raman study of cyclopentane-d9 pseudorotation dynamics as a function of pressuer

Abstract We have measured isotropic Raman CH stretching spectra of a cyclopentane- d 9 /CO 2 gaseous mixture at various pressures up to 48.2 bar (700 psi). With increasing pressure the spectra broaden and exhibit partial motional narrowing due, in part, to changes in the pseudorotation dynamics. The shape of the experimental spectrum at each pressure can be closely reproduced by a calculation based on a Langevin equation for pseudorotation which incorporates the effect of the of the solvent in a friction parameter. Over the pressure range examined here, the solvent friction is found to scale linearly with the CO 2 number density.
Bright-Field HER2 Dual In Situ Hybridization (DISH) Assay vs Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH) Focused Study of Immunohistochemical 2+ Cases

Objectives: To compare the INFORM HER2 bright-field dual in situ hybridization (DISH) DNA probe cocktail assay with the PathVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay on 103 invasive breast carcinomas with a 2+ score on immunohistochemistry (IHC). Methods: The cases were categorized as positive, equivocal, or negative for HER2 gene amplification using the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) HER2:CEP17 ratio criteria and also based on mean HER2 gene copies/cell. The third criterion used a HER2:CEP17 ratio of 2 to categorize cases as positive or negative. Results: The agreement between FISH and DISH was 85% using the 2007 ASCO/CAP ratio criterion, 79% using the mean HER2 gene copies/cell criterion, and 92% using the 2.0 cutoff HER2:CEP17 ratio criterion. In addition, 20 known IHC 3+ breast carcinomas analyzed by DISH showed clusters of the HER2 gene consistent with unequivocal amplification. Conclusions: Despite some technical and interpretational issues associated with DISH, it compares favorably with FISH in this group of challenging breast cancer cases.
Corrosion Behavior of Alloys 625 and 718 in Supercritical Water

Abstract The corrosion behavior of two commercial, nickel-based Inconel alloys, 625 (UNS N06625) and 718 (UNS N07718), has been evaluated after exposure to supercritical water (SCW) at 500°C and 600°C for periods of up to 1,026 h. The 500°C tests were performed in deaerated and 2 ppm dissolved oxygen SCW, while the 600°C tests were performed only in deaerated SCW. Evaluation of corrosion has been performed using weight-change measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS), x-ray diffraction (XRD), Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), and a surface profilometer. Surface oxidation and pitting were the principal corrosion mechanisms for both alloys at 500°C; however, intergranular corrosion was also observed in the Alloy 625 sample exposed to deaerated oxygen SCW at 600°C for prolonged durations. Oxidation was more dominant compared to pitting for the samples exposed to higher oxygen content or higher temperature SCW. The oxide thickness was lower for the higher ch...
EEL CULTURE IN THE PHILIPPINES

In 1973, a project to evaluate the feasibility of culturing native anguillid eels as an export product was undertaken by the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries. Species identification, distribution and relative abundance of elvers, and culture feasibility were studied. Three species of anguillid eels were identified in streams throughout the north coastal region of Luzon Island: Anguilla marmorata, A. celebesensis, and A. bicolor pacifica. Elvers of all three species migrated simultaneously. Only A. bicolor pacifica appears suitable for commercial culture at present. Commercial quantities of elvers were found only in the Cagayan River. During 1973–74, 2.2 metric tons of elvers were collected from this river. In culture experiments, elvers grew well on a ration of ground fish with vitamin additives and showed a 6:1 feed conversion. A pelleted feed appeared desirable for fingerling and larger eels (>3g). Elvers succumbed to oxygen concentrations less than 2ppm; fingerling and larger eels were more tolerant of low dissolved oxygen. Mean water temperature of 25.3 C appeared suitable for year-round culture. Commercial culture operations were toured at the conclusion of the Bureau of Fisheries Project. Initial developments, problems and potentials were evaluated.
Linking patient outcome to high throughput protein expression data identifies novel regulators of colorectal adenocarcinoma aggressiveness

A key question in cancer systems biology is how to use molecular data to predict the biological behavior of tumors from individual patients. While genomics data have been heavily used, protein signaling data are more directly connected to biological phenotype and might predict cancer phenotypes such as invasion, metastasis, and patient survival. In this study, we mined publicly available data for colorectal adenocarcinoma from the Cancer Genome Atlas and identified protein expression and signaling changes that are statistically associated with patient outcome. Our analysis identified a number of known and potentially new regulators of colorectal cancer. High levels of insulin growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP2) were associated with both recurrence and death, and this was validated by immunohistochemical staining of a tissue microarray for a secondary patient dataset. Interestingly, GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3) was the protein most frequently associated with death in our analysis, and GATA3 expression was significantly decreased in tumor samples from stage I-II deceased patients. Experimental studies using engineered colon cancer cell lines show that exogenous expression of GATA3 decreases three-dimensional colony growth and invasiveness of colon cancer cells but does not affect two-dimensional proliferation. These findings suggest that protein data are useful for biomarker discovery and identify GATA3 as a regulator of colorectal cancer aggressiveness.
Correlation, Regression Lines, and Moments of Inertia

Abstract A student of engineering or physics discussing a random variable X with mean μ and variance σ2 might refer to μ as the center of gravity of the (probability) mass distribution of X, and to σ2 as the moment of inertia of X about μ. Is there a similar “physical” interpretation of ρ, Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient for pairs of random variables? We answer this question affirmatively by showing that ρ is equal to the ratio of a difference and sum of two moments of inertia about certain lines in the plane. From this observation it is easy to derive familiar important properties of ρ. Similar results hold for the population version of the nonparametric correlation coefficient Spearman's rho. These ideas are readily accessible by students in an undergraduate mathematical statistics course.
Mantel‐haenszel statistics and direct standardization

This paper demonstrates that the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistic may be employed to test the equality of two directly standardized rates. For certain epidemiological applications, this eliminates the need for special computer programs to contrast two directly standardized rates. Furthermore, since the weights are determined entirely by the data there is the advantage of avoiding the selection of an external standard population. Data analysts who compare two groups of rates with the Mantel-Haenszel chi-square statistic may view this statistic as a comparative measure of two directly adjusted rates.
Synthesis and characterization of protonated zirconium trisilicate and its exchange phases with strontium.

A partially protonated form of the mineral umbite has been prepared by ion exchange of K2ZrSi3O9·H2O with acetic acid. The protonated phase, compound 1, is assigned the formula H1.45K0.55ZrSi3O9·2H2O and crystallizes in the space group P21/c with unit cell dimensions of a = 7.1002(2), b = 10.1163(3), c = 13.1742(5), and β = 91.181(1)°. The characteristic building blocks of the acid phase are almost identical to those of the parent compound. The framework is composed of polymeric chains of trisilicate groups linked by zirconium atoms, resulting in zeolite-type channels. When viewed down the a axis, two unique ion-exchange channels can be seen. Site 1 is marked by a 12-membered ring and contains 2 cations. Site 2, a 16-membered ring, contains 4 water molecules. Compound 2, consists of a mixed Sr2+ and K+ phase synthesized from 1 by ion exchange with Sr(NO3)2. Compound 2 has the formula K0.34Sr0.83ZrSi3O9·1.8H2O and crystallizes in the same space group P21/c. It has cell dimensions of a = 7.1386(3), b = 10.2...
Bacterial Leaf Stripe Caused by Xanthomonas translucens pv. cerealis on Intermediate Wheatgrass in Idaho.

Intermediate wheatgrass (Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth & D.R. Dewey) (synonyms: Agropyron intermedium [Host] Beauv.; Elytrigia intermedia [Host] Nevski) is widely grown as a forage crop a...
An evolutionary perspective on morality

Abstract Moral behavior and concern for others are sometimes argued to set humans apart from other species. However, there is some evidence that humans are not the only animal species to possess these characteristics. Work from behavioral biology and neuroscience has indicated that some of these traits are present in other species, including other primates. Studying these behaviors in other species can inform us about the evolutionary trajectory of morality, helping us to understand how the behaviors evolved and which environmental characteristics were critical for their emergence. A brief historical look indicates that, while this evolutionary approach to human behavior is not always well received, this line of inquiry is not new. For instance Adam Smith, better known for his economics than his natural history, was clearly sympathetic with the view that moral behaviors are present in species other than humans. This paper focuses on how individuals respond to inequity, which is related to moral behavior. Recent evidence shows that non-human primates distinguish between inequitable and equitable outcomes. However, this is primarily in situations in which inequity hurts the self (e.g. disadvantageous inequity) rather than another (e.g. advantageous inequity). Studying such responses can help us understand the evolutionary basis of moral behavior, which increases our understanding of how our own morality emerged.
Ultrastructure of Keratoconus by Healed Hydrops

The corneas of three patients with keratoconus were examined by light and electron microscopy within approximately four months after onset of severe hydrops. The rupture and detachment of Descemet's membrane resulted in formation of extensive ledges. New endothelium completely resurfaced the exposed posterior stroma and the corresponding anterior aspect of the ledges. The endothelium also regenerated considerable basement membrane. In one case, clustered endothelium near the free end of the ledge appeared to have undergone fibrous metaplasia with secretion of extensive fibrillar and basement membrane material.
Tyrosine phosphorylation regulates nuclear translocation of PKCδ

PKCdelta is essential for apoptosis, but regulation of the proapoptotic function of this ubiquitous kinase is not well understood. Nuclear translocation of PKCdelta is necessary and sufficient to induce apoptosis and is mediated via a C-terminal bipartite nuclear localization sequence. However, PKCdelta is found predominantly in the cytoplasm of nonapoptotic cells, and the apoptotic signal that activates its nuclear translocation is not known. We show that in salivary epithelial cells, phosphorylation at specific tyrosine residues in the N-terminal regulatory domain directs PKCdelta to the nucleus where it induces apoptosis. Analysis of each tyrosine residue in PKCdelta by site-directed mutagenesis identified two residues, Y64 and Y155, as essential for nuclear translocation. Suppression of apoptosis correlated with suppressed nuclear localization of the Y --> F mutant proteins. Moreover, a phosphomimetic PKCdelta Y64D/Y155D mutant accumulated in the nucleus in the absence of an apoptotic signal. Forced nuclear accumulation of PKCdelta-Y64F and Y155F mutant proteins, by attachment of an SV40 nuclear localization sequence, fully reconstituted their ability to induce apoptosis, indicating that tyrosine phosphorylation per se is not required for apoptosis, but for targeting PKCdelta to the nucleus. We propose that phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of PKCdelta in the regulatory domain functions as a switch to promote cell survival or cell death.
Insights into the inhibitory mechanisms of the regulatory protein IIAGlc on melibiose permease activity.

The phosphotransfer protein IIAGlc of the bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate:carbohydrate phosphotransferase system plays a key role in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism. Melibiose permease (MelB) is one among several permeases subject to IIAGlc regulation. The regulatory mechanisms are poorly understood; in addition, thermodynamic features of IIAGlc binding to other proteins are also unknown. Applying isothermal titration calorimetry and amine-specific cross-linking, we show that IIAGlc directly binds to MelB of Salmonella typhimurium (MelBSt) and Escherichia coli MelB (MelBEc) at a stoichiometry of unity in the absence or presence of melibiose. The dissociation constant values are 3–10 μm for MelBSt and 25 μm for MelBEc. All of the binding is solely driven by favorable enthalpy forces. IIAGlc binding to MelBSt in the absence or presence of melibiose yields a large negative heat capacity change; in addition, the conformational entropy is constrained upon the binding. We further found that the IIAGlc-bound MelBSt exhibits a decreased binding affinity for melibiose or nitrophenyl-α-galactoside. It is believed that sugar binding to the permease is involved in an induced fit mechanism, and the transport process requires conformational cycling between different states. Thus, the thermodynamic data are consistent with the interpretation that IIAGlc inhibits the induced fit process and restricts the conformational dynamics of MelBSt.
Loss of rat ventricular α1-adrenergic receptors during aging

Ventricular alpha 1-adrenergic receptor concentration, measured by specific binding of [3H]-prazosin, decreases by 33% as rats age from 3 to 24 months. No age changes occur in binding affinity for [3H]-prazosin or potency of various alpha-adrenergic agonists and antagonists to displace [3H]-prazosin. The ratio of membrane protein to ventricular wet weight also does not change significantly with age. These results suggest a possible mechanism for loss of cardiovascular alpha-adrenergic responsiveness during aging.
Angiotensin-(1-7) synergizes with colony-stimulating factors in hematopoietic recovery.

Angiotensin (1–7) [A(1–7)] is a bioactive peptide of the renin angiotensin system that stimulates the number of bone marrow progenitors and hematopoietic recovery after myelosuppression. We evaluated the combination of A(1–7) with colony-stimulating factors, Neupogen and Epogen, on bone marrow progenitors and the recovery of circulating formed elements following chemotherapy. Mice were injected with gemcitabine followed 2 days later with A(1–7). Circulating blood cells and bone marrow progenitors were measured over time. Combination of A(1–7) with Neupogen (the latter given only 3 days starting at the white blood cell nadir) decreased the amount of Neupogen needed for optimal recovery by 10-fold. The progenitors measured include CFU-GEMM, CFU-GM, CFU-Meg and BFU-E. A(1–7) increased recovery of all progenitors when given alone or in combination with Neupogen above that with Neupogen alone. Combination of A(1–7) with Epogen slightly increased (not significantly) red blood cell concentrations above those achieved by Epogen alone. However, in this model, A(1–7) or A(1–7) in combination with Epogen increased all erythroid progenitors with the largest effect on early erythroid progenitors (immature BFU-E). Neupogen and Epogen acted synergistically with A(1–7) to increase the concentration of myeloid, megakaryocytic and erythroid progenitor cells in the bone marrow following chemotherapy suggesting that A(1–7)’s multilineage effect on early progenitors in the marrow facilitates proliferation in response to lineage-specific growth factors.
Retail recovery from natural disasters: New Orleans versus eight other United States disaster sites

This study seeks to determine retail recovery patterns after a natural disaster and to provide useful information for areas recovering from a major disaster. The New Orleans metropolitan area serves as the primary area studied in this research due to Hurricane Katrina's status as the most costly natural disaster in the history of the United States. Eight additional cities that were impacted by natural disaster were also investigated in order to compare and contrast the retail recovery rate ofthese cities to New Orleans across 10 retail categories. The Yellow Pages telephone book and the United States Census of Retail Trade were utilized to determine recovery rates and the existence of possible patterns of recovery in each of the 10 retail categories. The analysis also includes a provision for population shifts due to the respective disasters. The results, which demonstrate both consistencies and inconsistencies across the disaster recovery areas, are discussed and future direction for retail recovery rese...
Depth Distribution of Lithium in Oxidized Binary Al-Li Alloys Determined by Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and Neutron Depth Profiling

Abstract Oxidation of binary Al-Li alloys during short exposures at 530°C and long exposures at 200°C was studied with regard to the Li distribution. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) and neut...
Fluoropyrimidines as radiation sensitizers

The fluorop'yTimidines 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine (FdUrd) are the most widely used radiation sensitizers in clinical practice. As is rex4ewed elsewhere in this issue, a large number of retrospective and prospective studies have suggested that the combination of 5-FU and radiation is efficacious in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers. More recently, randomized trials have demonstrated that, compared with the use of radiation therapy (RT) alone, a combination of radiation and 5-FU-based chemotherapy significantly improves the survival of patients with both pancreatic I and rectaF ,3 cancers. Furthermore, the discovery that modulators of fluoropyrimidine action, such as leucovorin, can increase the response rate of colorectal cancer to 5-FU above that obtained with 5-FU alone has led radiation oncologists to combine these modulators with 5-FU and radiation. 4 In addition to these applications of 5-FU and its potential biomodulators, a related nucleoside, FdUrd, has been used in combination with radiation. FdUrd is actively metabolized by the liver, so that intraarterial hepatic administration produces high regional drug concentrations with minimal systemic toxicity) FdUrd has been used in combination with low-dose whole-liver irradiation a,7 and with high-dose partial-liver radiation s in the treatment of patients with intrahepatic malignancies.
An unusual case of postpartum stroke.

Intracranial hemorrhage is a rare peripartum complication. We report a 28-year-old woman, 24 h postpartum, with acute onset of aphasia, right lower facial paresis, and spastic right hemiplegia secondary to hemorrhage into a previously undiagnosed large left parasagittal meningioma. Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention led to an excellent outcome. Intrameningiomal hemorrhage as a treatable cause of peripartum stroke is discussed.
Non-intrusive dynamic application profiling for multitasked applications

Application profiling -- the process of monitoring an application to determine the frequency of execution within specific regions -- is an essential step within the design process for many software and hardware systems. Profiling is often a critical step within hardware/software partitioning utilized to determine the critical kernels of an application. In this paper, we present a non-intrusive dynamic application profiler (DAProf) capable of profiling an executing application by monitoring the application's short backwards branches, function calls, function returns, as well as efficiently detecting context switches to provide accurate characterization of the frequently executed loops within multitasked applications. DAProf can accurately profile multiple tasks within a software application with 98.5% accuracy using as little as 10% additional area compared to an ARM9 processor.