cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol differentially suppresses emesis versus enhanced locomotor activity produced by chemically diverse dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonists in the least shrew (Cryptotis parva)

Abstract The principal psychoactive component of marijuana, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ9-THC), suppresses nausea and vomiting in cancer patients caused by chemotherapeutics such as cisplatin. Cisplatin induces vomiting via a number of emetic stimuli, including dopamine. Currently, there is controversy as to whether Δ9-THC can prevent emesis produced by dopaminergic agonists such as apomorphine. The present investigation utilizes the least shrew to evaluate the antiemetic potential and the cannabinoid receptor by which Δ9-THC may prevent emesis produced by four dopamine receptor agonists with differing selectivity for D2 and D3 receptors, i.e., a nonselective dopamine receptor agonist (apomorphine), a D2-preferring receptor agonist (quinpirole), and two D3-preferring receptor agonists (quinelorane and 7-OH DPAT). In addition, relative to its antiemetic doses, the motor suppressive doses of Δ9-THC in dopamine D2/D3-receptor-agonist-treated shrews were also evaluated. Thus, different groups of shrews were injected with either vehicle (V) or varying doses of Δ9-THC [0.5, 1, 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal (i.p.)] 10 min prior to administration of a 2 mg/kg dose of one of the four cited D2/D3 agonists. Immediately after the last injection, the frequency of vomiting for each shrew was recorded for the next 30 min. To investigate which cannabinoid receptor is involved in the antiemetic action of Δ9-THC, various doses of the CB1 receptor antagonist SR 141716A [0, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg, subcutaneous (s.c.)] were administered to shrews 10 min prior to an injection of a fully effective antiemetic dose of Δ9-THC (5 mg/kg, i.p.). Ten minutes later, each treated shrew was administered with a 2 mg/kg dose of apomorphine. The emesis frequency was recorded for the next 30 min. For locomotor studies, different groups of shrews received either vehicle or various doses of Δ9-THC (0, 5, 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg) 10 min prior to an injection of vehicle or a 2 mg/kg dose of one of the four D2/D3 receptor agonists. The triad of motor behaviors (spontaneous locomotor activity, total duration of movement, and rearing frequency) were recorded for the next 30 min by a computerized video tracking system. Δ9-THC dose-dependently attenuated the frequency of emesis as well as fully protecting shrews from vomiting produced by each one of the four cited dopamine D2/D3 receptor agonists with ID50s ranging from 1 to 4 mg/kg. SR 141716A reversed the antiemetic activity of Δ9-THC against apomorphine-induced emesis. Δ9-THC also differentially suppressed the triad of motor activities in dopamine D2/D3-receptor-agonist-treated shrews with ID50s ranging from 7 to 21 mg/kg. The results suggest that Δ9-THC prevents emesis via cannabinoid CB1 receptors in a potent and dose-dependent manner in D2/D3-receptor-agonist-treated shrews at doses well below those which cause significant motor depression.
Disaggregated space system conceptual design optimization - Stochastic analysis methods

A methodology for the optimization of disaggregated space systems dubbed Disaggregated Integral System Concept Optimization (DISCO) has previously been proposed. The DISCO methodology was applied to multi-orbit and multi-function/multi-orbit disaggregation problems. The performance and resilience of these architectures is dependent upon stochastic variables such as environmental variations, satellite failure rates, and launch vehicle failure rates. This paper introduces techniques for assessing the impacts of these stochastic parameters on optimized space system conceptual designs, and their associated lifecycle costs. Previous analysis was performed identifying cost effective Disaggregated Weather System Follow-on (DWSF) conceptual architectures. The analysis techniques introduced in this paper are also applied to DWSF. This application demonstrates that the identified minimum cost solution is also the minimum cost risk solution for empirically derived satellite and launch vehicle failure rates. Initial results also indicate that the identified DWSF solution is very robust to significant reductions in satellite and launch vehicle reliability parameters. Conceptual design considerations gleamed from the applied stochastic analysis techniques are then discussed along with the broader implications on small satellite constellation designs and small satellite access to space.
Algorithms for the analysis and synthesis of a bio-inspired swarm robotic system

We present a methodology for characterizing, analyzing, and synthesizing swarm behaviors using both a macroscopic continuous model that represents a swarm as a continuum and a macroscopic discrete model that enumerates individual agents. Our methodology is applied to a dynamical model of ant house hunting, a decentralized process in which a colony attempts to emigrate to the best site among several alternatives. The model is hybrid because the colony switches between different sets of behaviors, or modes, during this process. Using the model in [1], we investigate the relation of site population growth to initial system state with an algorithm called Multi-Affine Reachability analysis using Conical Overapproximations (Marco) [2]. We then derive a microscopic hybrid dynamical model of an agent that respects the specifications of the global behavior at the continuous level. Our multi-level simulations demonstrate that we have produced a rigorously correct microscopic model from the macroscopic descriptions.
RELATIVISTIC EFFECTS FOR NEAR-EARTH SATELLITE ORBIT DETERMINATION

The relativistic formulations for the equations which describe the motion of a near-Earth satellite are compared for two commonly used coordinate reference systems (RS). The discussion describes the transformation between the solar system barycentric RS and both the non-inertial and inertial geocentric RSs. A relativistic correction for the Earth's geopotential expressed in the solar system barycentric RS and the effect of geodesic precession on the satellite orbit in the geocentric RS are derived in detail. The effect of the definition of coordinate time on scale is also examined. A long-arc solution using 3 years of laser range measurements of the motion of the Lageos satellite is used to demonstrate that the effects of relativity formulated in the geocentric RS and in the solar system barycentric RS are equivalent to a high degree of accuracy.
Marketing or sales: the executive decision

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore and analyze the differences in organizations that choose to have a sales executive versus a marketing executive on the leadership team. Design/methodology/approach – Our study examined 315 marketing and sales executives across 246 US firms taken from the S & P 1500. Findings – Our findings suggest that the company choice of marketing or sales executive positions is driven by its customer base, branding strategy, investment in product development, and industry. The choice of executive is also associated with its firm valuation and cash flow performance. Research limitations/implications – Further research might want to examine companies that include both a sales and marketing executive as part of the leadership team and explore industry characteristics and customer base surrounding that decision. Originality/value – Research has looked at the relationship between the marketing and sales functions but has rarely taken into account the performance of companie...
Kura Clover (Trifolium ambiguum M.B.) Breeding, Culture, and Utilization

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum M.B.) breeding culture and utilization. The chapter shows that T. ambiguum has the potential to become major forage crop in the temperate forage-producing areas of the world. It produces well, even under intensive utilization, and the forage is of excellent quality. It has the ability to respond to fertilizer applications after periods of disuse or misuse. The origin and distribution of T. ambiguum is described. The strongest attribute of T. ambiguum is its longevity. Although T. ambiguum has many desirable attributes, it has some serious shortcomings, and most breeding efforts have been designed to take these into consideration. These include seed and forage yield, drought resistance, seedling vigor, early flowering, second crop flowering, and symbiotic performance in association with Rhizobium strains.
Impact of urinary incontinence in morbidly obese women versus women seeking urogynecologic care.

OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of urinary incontinence (UI) on quality of life in morbidly obese women seeking bariatric surgery compared with women seeking urogynecologic care. METHODS Women undergoing consultation for weight loss surgery completed questionnaires assessing the presence and severity of UI using the Medical, Epidemiological, and Social Aspects of Aging questionnaire and the impact of their UI using the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 and Urogenital Distress Inventory-6. The charts of the women with UI seen in a urogynecology center were reviewed. For these two samples, pairs were matched for UI severity using the total Medical, Epidemiological, and Social Aspects of Aging scores, and the women within pairs were compared concerning the impact of UI. RESULTS A total of 93 pairs were matched. Morbidly obese women had lower scores on the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7 (mean 20.1 versus 42.0, P <0.0001) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory-6 (mean 30.4 versus 54.4, P <0.0001) compared with the urogynecology clinic patients. CONCLUSIONS The results of our study have shown that the impact of UI is lower in morbidly obese women than in women seeking urogynecologic care.
Governmental Controls and the Theory of International Trade and Finance

Degrees of governmental interference in international trade and finance, 90.— Effect of rigid governmental control on the basic principles of international trade and finance, 93.— Generalizations derived from the principle of the balance of payments, 97.— The case of less extreme control, 103.— Segmentation of prices, 104.
Persistent tracking of static scene features using geometry

Despite many alternatives to feature tracking problem, iterative least squares solution solving the optical flow constraint has been the most popular approach used by many in the field. This paper attempts to leverage the former efforts to enhance feature tracking methods by introducing a view geometric constraint to the tracking problem. In contrast to alternative geometry based methods, the proposed approach provides a closed form solution to optical flow estimation from image appearance and view geometry constraints. We particularly use invariants in the projective coordinates generated from tracked features that results in a new optical flow equation. This treatment provides persistent tracking of features even when they are occluded. At the end of each tracking loop the quality of the tracked features is judged using both appearance similarity and geometric consistency. Our experiments demonstrate robust tracking performance even when the features are occluded or they undergo appearance changes due to projective deformation of the template.
Comparing theory-based condom interventions: health belief model versus theory of planned behavior

Objective This study sought to experimentally manipulate the core constructs of the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) in order to compare the success of interventions to increase preparatory condom use behavior (i.e., purchasing condoms, talking to a boyfriend or girlfriend about using condoms, and carrying condoms) based on these theories. Method A total of 258 participants were randomly assigned to one of three computer-based interventions (HBM, TPB, or information-only control). A total of 204 (79.1%) completed follow-up assessments 1 month later. Results Regression analyses were conducted to determine which set of theoretical constructs accounted for the most variance in behavior at baseline. A series of structural equation models were estimated to determine which constructs were the "active ingredients" of change. The TPB accounted for 32.8% of the variance in risky sexual behavior at baseline, while the HBM only explained 1.6% of the variance. Mediational analyses revealed differential intervention effects on perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, and attitudes toward condom use. However, it was attitudes toward condom use and condom use self-efficacy that were associated with intentions, which then predicted preparatory condom use behavior at follow-up. Conclusion Except for attitudes, the mediators that were successfully manipulated by the interventions (i.e., perceived susceptibility, perceived severity, and attitudes) were not the same constructs that predicted intentions (i.e., attitudes and condom use self-efficacy), and subsequently predicted behavior. This suggests that the constructs that explain behavior are not the same as those that produce behavior change.
Third generation seesaw mixing with new vectorlike weak-doublet quarks

We present a class of models with a third generation seesaw mixing with new vector-like weak-doublet quarks. We analyze a low-energy phenomenology and present several strong dynamics, high-energy realizations of these models. In the Topcolor type scenario, named Top-Bottom Color, we obtain an effective, composite two Higgs doublet model where the third generation isospin splitting is introduced via tilting interactions related to the broken non-abelian gauge groups (i.e. without strong, triviality-sensitive U(1) groups). In addition, we discuss tt production at the Next Linear Collider (NLC) and suggest how one can experimentally observe and distinguish between the weak-doublet and the weak-singlet types of seesaw mixing.
Plant growth and ectomycorrhiza formation by transplants on deglaciated land near Exit Glacier, Alaska

Ectomycorrhiza (EM) formation on plant roots in successional communities may vary with plant species, plant age, and age of vegetation after disturbance. To evaluate differences in mycorrhizal fungus communities on roots of same-aged seedlings across a deglaciated chronosequence, indoor-grown bioassay plants of four dominant species Epilobium latifolium L. (dwarf fireweed), Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (Torr.&Gray) Hult. (black cottonwood), Alnus sinuata (Regel) Rydb. (Sitka alder), and Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. (Sitka spruce) were transplanted into five successional stages (Barren, Isolated Plant, Patchy, Alder, and Cottonwood) following deglaciation near Exit Glacier, Alaska. The species were selected for their successional status and mycorrhiza formation potential [EM or arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) or both]. Seedlings were transplanted in June 1992, and half were harvested at the ends of the two subsequent growing seasons. The EM communities on P. balsamifera differed across the chronosequence while those of the other species did not. Morphotype B dominated the EM on P. balsamifera after the Barren stage, and the greatest EM colonization was in the Isolated Plant and Patchy stages. No AM were found. The EM observed on even-aged seedlings in this study were a subset of the EM found on naturally occurring plants (seedlings to mature trees) in a prior study, and some were common to multiple plant species. Most plant growth responses were not significant across stages or were inconsistent among plant species.
Biomolecular architectures and systems for nanoscience engineering

Despite the great potential of nanomaterials in electronic and photonic applications, their incorporation into functional devices will require the combination of top-down lithographic large-area patterning with the high resolution and chemical precision afforded by bottom-up self-assembly. Despite the wealth of existing lithography techniques, there remain significant hurdles to addressing below the 20nm regime. In light of these challenges, there have been significant efforts to use "bottom-up" or self-assembly approaches for patterning. One key, "manufacturable" approach has been to merge self-assembling systems with substrates patterned using conventional lithographic techniques. This paper will show our recent efforts in directing the placement of single stranded DNA and DNA templates on several different substrates that have been patterned by lithography. A variety of substrates have been generated by optical and e-beam lithography and these have been used to produce highly parallel arrays of mesoscale DNA scaffolds and DNA oligonucleotides in a single step. Furthermore, these DNA templates encode multiple nanometer recognition sites that can be further used to generate hierarchical assemblies of both organic and inorganic nanoscale materials. Because a significant challenge of future nanotechnology is the ability to address sub-20nm features, these self-assembled DNA arrays are being explored as potential templates for the assembly and wiring of nanoscale materials for both logic and memory.
Customer profitability analysis: Measurement, concentration, and research directions

Abstract As marketing activities become more precisely targeted to consumers through direct and interactive forms of communication, customer profitability takes on a central role in the development of marketing strategies. This paper provides a conceptual and methodological foundation for measuring customer profitability by generalizing approaches to measuring customer lifetime value in direct marketing for broader target marketing applications. Particular emphasis is placed on the precise specification of the inputs into a profitability analysis and the measures of the degree of concentration of profits among customers. An empirical analysis involving the profitability of customers in a business-to-business marketing context is described, along with research propositions for future work on the determinants of customer profitability.
Teacher ratings of Hispanic, black, and Anglo students' classroom behavior

Teachers rated the behavior of Hispanic (N = 56), black (N = 56), and Anglo (N = 56) elementary students with the Teacher Checklist of School Behavior. The behavior of Hispanic students was rated less favorably than that of either of the other two groups. The Hispanic students were perceived to avoid peer and teacher interaction to a greater extent than Anglo and black students and to exhibit more physical reaction (absenteeism, physical complaints, clinic requests, etc.)
Authoritarianism and its Adversaries in the Arab World

Kevin Dwyer. Arab Voices: The Human Rights Debate in the Middle East. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1991, 245 pp. Raymond A. Hinnebusch. Authoritarian Power and State Formation in Ba'thist Syria: Army, Party, and Peasant. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1990, 350 pp. Samir al-Khalil. The Republic of Fear: The Politics of Modern Iraq. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989, 310 pp. Fred H. Lawson. Bahrain: The Modernization of Autocracy. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1989, 142 pp. Ann Elizabeth Mayer. Islam and Human Rights: Tradition and Politics. Boulder, Colo.: Westview Press, 1991, 243 pp. Khaldoun al-Naqeeb. Society and State in the Gulf and Arab Peninsula: A Different Perspective. London: Routledge, 1990, 206 pp.
Implications of Workplace Accommodations for Persons With Disabilities

Demand-side and supply-side factors are explored related to workplace accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Employers who had sought and received consultation from the Job Accommodation Network were later contacted for a follow-up interview. The data from these 1,293 interviews include effectiveness of customized employment, direct benefits to employers, and indirect benefits to employers. The primary demand-side benefits of effective accommodation implementation identified by these employers were (a) retained a qualified employee, (b) increased the overall company's productivity as well as employee's productivity, (c) eliminated cost of having a new employee, (d) increased overall company morale, and (e) increased the accommodated employee's attendance.
Californium-252 Neutron Sources for Medical Applications

Californium-252 neutron sources are being prepared to investigate the value of this radio-nuclide in diagnosing and treating diseases. A gram of 252Cf emits 2.34 × 1012 neutrons per sec through spontaneous fission. A source resembling a cell-loaded radium needle was developed for neutron therapy. Four micrograms of 252Cf were electrodeposited on a platinum-iridium wire, 0·51 mm in dia. and 20 mm in length, and the wire was doubly encapsulated. Since therapy needles are normally implanted in the body, very conservative design criteria were established to prevent leakage of radioactive material. A more intense source, containing 100 μg of 252Cf was prepared for neutron radiography experiments. This source is pelletized 252Cf oxide in a platinum metal matrix doubly encapsulated in stainless steel. The active source volume was approximately 6 mm3. Methods are being developed to prepare very intense californium sources that could be used eventually for neutron radiography and for diagnosis by activation analysis.
Factors Associated with Weight Control in Older Adults

Dieting behaviors in a sample of 183 overweight older adults were studied to assess how they were influenced by six cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and social variables. Membership in a weight control program was also evaluated to assess whether it affected these relationships. Responses indicated that reports of high quality dieting behaviors were associated with higher levels of depression and less effective coping skills. Dieting behaviors among subjects who were participants in weight loss programs were not as strongly associated with less effective coping skills, but were associated with external health locus-of-control. The degree of social support had a limited impact on dieting behaviors, while measures of optimism and health status were unrelated to dieting behaviors. We concluded that older adults, especially those who diet independently, are likely to experience significant stress associated with weight loss efforts. Weight loss programs for older adults might produce better outcomes if they focus on reducing depression and stress associated with dieting.
A new class of single event hard errors [DRAM cells]

Experimental results reported here indicate that heavy ions can cause hard errors in conventional one-transistor dynamic memory cells in addition to, as previously reported, four-transistor static cells. Analysis of this data reveals that the hard errors fail into two classes, one that is consistent with the expected single-ion dose mechanism and another that is clearly inconsistent. In particular, the new class of hard errors is separable from the dosed cells based on irradiation conditions and the data-loss time scale and direction. Further, this damage is not additive between ion hits, does not follow "effective" LET, and is quite resistant to annealing. As a result these hard errors would accumulate over long missions and assuming the damaged element is the access transistor, can be expected in other types of storage elements with similar transistors, e.g., static RAMs and microprocessor registers. Additionally, it was found that scaling increases the susceptibility for a given ion and lowers the ion threshold, although lowered bias mitigates the damage. >
Gel Mechanics: A Thermo-mechanically Coupled Theory for Fluid Permeation in Elastomeric Materials

Abstract An elastomeric gel is a cross-linked polymer network swollen with a solvent, and certain gels can undergo large reversible volume changes as they are cycled about a critical temperature. We have developed a continuum-level theory to describe the coupled mechanical deformation, fluid permeation, and heat transfer of such thermally-responsive gels. In discussing special constitutive equations we limit our attention to isotropic materials, and consider a model based on a Flory-Huggins model for the free energy change due to mixing of the fluid with the polymer network, coupled with a non-Gaussian statistical-mechanical model for the change in configurational entropy — a model which accounts for the limited extensibility of polymer chains. We have numerically implemented our theory in a finite element program. We have shown that our theory is capable of simulating swelling, squeezing of fluid by applied mechanical forces, and thermally-responsive swelling/deswelling of such materials.
New species in begonia section gireoudia begoniaceae from central america

Begonia buseyi, B. croatii, B. dressleri andB. morii from Panama andB. louis-williamsii from Guatemala are described as new, illustrated and discussed.
Provider perspectives on rehabilitation of patients with polytrauma.

Abstract Friedemann-Sanchez G, Sayer NA, Pickett T. Provider perspectives on rehabilitation of patients with polytrauma. Objectives To describe, from the perspective of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) polytrauma rehabilitation providers, (1) patients with combat-related polytrauma and their rehabilitation, (2) polytrauma patient family member involvement in rehabilitation, and (3) the impact on providers of providing polytrauma rehabilitation. Design Qualitative study based on rapid assessment process methodology, which included semistructured interviews, observation, and use of a field liaison. Setting The 4 VA polytrauma rehabilitation centers (PRCs). Participants Fifty-six purposefully selected PRC providers and providers from consulting services. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcomes Measures Provider self-report of polytrauma patient characteristics, polytrauma patient family member involvement in rehabilitation, and the impact of polytrauma rehabilitation on providers themselves. Results According to PRC providers, polytrauma patients are younger than VA rehabilitation patients. Strong military identities affect rehabilitation needs and reactions to severe injury. The public and the media have particular interest in war-injured patients. Patients with blast-related polytrauma have unique constellations of visible (including amputations, craniectomies, and burns) and invisible (including traumatic brain injury, pain, and posttraumatic stress disorder) injuries. Providers have adjusted treatment strategies and involved services outside of rehabilitation because of this clinical complexity. Family members are intensely involved in rehabilitation and have service needs that may surpass those of families of rehabilitation patients without polytrauma. Sources of provider stress include new responsibilities, media attention, increased oversight, and emotional costs associated with treating severely injured young patients and their families. Providers also described the work as deeply rewarding. Conclusions The VA should prioritize the identification or development and implementation of strategies to address family member needs and to monitor and ensure that PRC providers have access to appropriate resources. Future research should determine whether findings generalize to patients injured in other wars and to people who sustain polytraumatic injuries outside of a war zone, including victims of terrorist attacks.
Bypassing shear band nucleation and ductilization of an amorphous–crystalline nanolaminate in tension

Abstract Based on a recent nucleation model, the critical shear band nucleus size has been estimated to be about 20 nm; we, therefore, predict that if the characteristic dimension of an amorphous phase is
Noninvasive testing of cerebral perfusion reserve prior to coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Cerebral perfusion reserve testing using fluorine-18-fluoromethane and positron emission tomographic brain scanning to define cerebral blood flow abnormalities was performed in 5 patients being considered for combined coronary and carotid reconstructive surgery. Blood flow testing during normocapnia and following hypercapnia was utilized in these patients to determine the hemodynamic significance of known extracranial carotid artery occlusive lesions. Reserve diminution in 2 of these patients prompted combined surgery, whereas normal reserve values in the other 3 prompted coronary surgery alone. Results obtained in this preliminary series show how preoperative noninvasive testing of cerebral perfusion reserve adds to the diagnostic evaluation of patients with widespread vascular disease.
Comment on “geminate electron-ion recombination probability in highly anisotropic media”

Abstract Several deficiencies in the title paper are noted and discussed. The most important inconsistency is the assumption of an anisotropic diffusion tensor together with an isotropic dielectric constant.
Photometry of rough planetary surfaces: The role of multiple scattering

Topographic features affect the scattering properties of planetary surfaces by casting shadows and altering the local incidence and emission angles. Measurements of this phenomenon were obtained on the Cornell goniometer for both high and low albedo surfaces. For the low albedo surface, the decrease in reflected radiation due to topography increases sharply with increasing phase angle, whereas for the high albedo sample the effects are approximately constant between phase angles of 30 and 70 deg. The observations are in good agreement with a theoretical model in the case of the dark surface. However, for the high albedo surface the model overestimates the effects by a factor of 2, since it does not include the partial illumination of shadows by multiple scattering. For both high and low albedo surfaces, the effects of topography do not become significant until a phase angle of 30-40 deg.
Confucianism and the Art of Chinese Management

China has become a driving force in the world economy, yet East‐West cultural differences remain a problem area for many managers. This paper examines the importance of Confucianism in shaping societal values in China and how these values have affected the Chinese style of management. Confucian principles are extracted from the extant literature and used to explain the cultural underpinnings of Chinese leadership patterns, interpersonal behaviors and individual values. The longevity of Confucian influences throughout Chinese culture is a major factor in China’s resistance to Western management practices. There is also evidence that mainstream Confucian principles emphasizing teamwork, relationships and strong corporate cultures are gaining traction in the West. Future Western researchers should pay increased attention to East Asian philosophies and Asian‐based religions in their attempts to understand non‐Christian lifestyles and management methods.
Risk and Protective Factors for Depressive Symptoms in Urban African American Adolescents.

There is limited understanding of risk and protective factors associated with depression among African American adolescents living in impoverished, urban settings. A cross-sectional study was conducted to identify a range of risk and protective factors associated with depressive symptoms among low-income urban African American adolescents. The sample (n = 467) comprised African American adolescents from three high-poverty urban neighborhoods in Baltimore, Maryland. A self-administered read aloud survey completed by adolescents assessed depressive symptoms as well as various individual- and environmental-level risk and protective factors. Multivariate analyses indicated that female gender, living with an adult with a substance abuse problem, greater exposure to physical violence, and greater peer delinquency were associated with higher depressive symptoms. Greater home assets and self-awareness were associated with lower depressive symptoms. Future interventions to prevent and treat depression among urban African American adolescents should focus on minimizing their risk factors while enhancing those factors found to be protective.
Characteristics and motives of adolescent volunteers in wildlife education.

The characteristics and motives of 63 suburban adolescents (20 boys, 43 girls) who are concerned with learning how to care for and make significant contributions to wildlife and the environment were assessed by telephone interviews. The data confirm studies of adults in that significantly more girls than boys became volunteers, significantly more volunteers' families than average families experienced caring interactions with animal life through pet ownership, and significantly more volunteers reported that concern for wildlife arose during early childhood rather than later. The data also indicate that early childhood experiences with pets, with adults acting as role models and providing social approval, and having instruction in wildlife care with peers all contributed to their positive attitudes toward wildlife and the pursuit of their volunteer work. Over-all, the results suggest that adolescents, wildlife, and the environment might benefit if wildlife care programs could be established for other youth ...
Dietary retinol and alpha-tocopherol and erythrocyte structure in rats.

The red blood cells of rats deficient in vitamin A become deformed when vitamin E is added to the diet, but are normal in control rats fed vitamin A
Crosslinked Cationic and Anionic Starches: Preparation and Use in Heavy Metal Removal

Crosslinked starch was reacted with epichlorohydrin to give the 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl ether. The chloro group of this starch product was treated with various amines to yield water insoluble starches containing a high degree of substitution of anionic, cationic or chelating groups. These products were evaluated and conditions determined for the most effective binding of copper and cadmium.
The persistence of pollutants downwind of a point source following termination of the emission

Experimental studies have shown that tracers injected over short time intervals can often be measured downwind near the ground for a much longer time than would be expected considering the duration of the release and the wind speed. A two-dimensional advection-diffusion model was used in a numerical study to investigate this effect. The results from the numerical study showed that the rate of decrease in concentrations downwind at a receptor after a source has stopped emitting was more sensitive to magnitude of the wind speed and alongwind mixing coefficient than the rate of increase in concentrations when the source first starts emitting. The lower the wind speed or the greater the mixing, the more slowly the concentration decreased as the region upwind of the receptor continued to contribute tracer until it was depleted by advection and vertical diffusion. These atmospheric processes are able, qualitatively, to account for the slowly decreasing air concentrations.
A Precision Gamma-Ray Absorption Meter

A system which measures the absorption of the gamma radiations of Cobalt-60 in various materials is described. A thickness measurement device has been included in the system so that density (or specific gravity) of the sample materials may be automatically calculated. Accuracies of ± 0.03 per cent for the specific gravity measurement are obtained.
Blood Loss Minimization and Blood Salvage Techniques for Complex Spinal Surgery

Several techniques to limit blood loss and salvage lost blood are available to surgeons, physicians, and personnel who treat complex spinal disorders. These techniques include red blood cell augmentation, intraoperative antifibrinolytic administration, use of topical hemostatic agents, and intraoperative blood salvage and postoperative blood salvage. A substantial amount of research has been directed toward reducing perioperative blood loss in spinal surgery. More efforts need to be directed toward effective perioperative blood management in complex spinal surgery.
Are laboratory animals stressed by their housing environment and are investigators aware that this stress can affect physiological data

Abstract Although stress can affect the behavior and physiology of laboratory animals, there has been little investigation into how the quality of animal research is affected if the animals are stressed. Even minor perturbations (i.e., environmental noise) can produce a stress response. A pilot survey was designed (29/49 responded) to determine the prevalence of noise in animal facilities and whether researchers are aware that noise can affect animal physiology. Most respondents agreed that environmental factors are stressful to laboratory animals (97%) and minor pain/stress causes physiological changes (62%). Of 19/29 respondents who believed their facility was quiet, 8 identified at least 3–5 pronounced noise sources. We hypothesize that the level of extraneous noise considered acceptable by an investigator depends on their degree of awareness that environment can affect an animal’s physiology, and their perception of the existence of ‘mind–body’ interactions in an animal.
Liquid-filled e.h.d. high-voltage generator

The paper describes initial experiments on an unconventional electrostatic high-voltage generator in which charge is carried to the output terminal by a stream of insulating liquid moving at a few metres per second. Approximately 500kV on open circuit and 30?A on short circuit have been obtained from the model generator tested; a much larger machine is under construction.
Resolvins RvE1 and RvD1 attenuate inflammatory pain via central and peripheral actions

Inflammatory pain, such as arthritis pain, is a growing health problem. Inflammatory pain is generally treated with opioids and cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors, but both are limited by side effects. Recently, resolvins, a unique family of lipid mediators, including RvE1 and RvD1 derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, have shown marked potency in treating disease conditions associated with inflammation. Here we report that peripheral (intraplantar) or spinal (intrathecal) administration of RvE1 or RvD1 in mice potently reduces inflammatory pain behaviors induced by intraplantar injection of formalin, carrageenan or complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), without affecting basal pain perception. Intrathecal RvE1 injection also inhibits spontaneous pain and heat and mechanical hypersensitivity evoked by intrathecal capsaicin and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). RvE1 has anti-inflammatory activity by reducing neutrophil infiltration, paw edema and proinflammatory cytokine expression. RvE1 also abolishes transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype-1 (TRPV1)- and TNF-alpha-induced excitatory postsynaptic current increases and TNF-alpha-evoked N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor hyperactivity in spinal dorsal horn neurons via inhibition of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway. Thus, we show a previously unknown role for resolvins in normalizing the spinal synaptic plasticity that has been implicated in generating pain hypersensitivity. Given the potency of resolvins and the well-known side effects of opioids and COX inhibitors, resolvins may represent new analgesics for treating inflammatory pain.
Cooperative hairpin dimers for recognition of DNA by pyrrole-imidazole polyamides

A doubling of the length of binding site for the same size of ligand is achieved by the title compound by formation of a cooperative hairpin dimer on binding to DNA (depicted schematically below). The binding affinity and selectivity are unaffected by this new binding pattern. Circles represent heterocyclic rings, and diamonds and curved lines represent β-alanine and (R)-2,4-diaminobutyric acid residues, respectively.
Differential metabolism and leakage of protein in an inherited cataract and a normal lens cultured with ouabain

Ocular lenses in Nakano mice showed marked changes in synthesis, degradation and leakage of protein during cataractogenesis. The cataract-associated changes included the differential lowering of crystallin synthesis, the cleavage of crystallin polypeptides to lower molecular weight forms and the leakage of crystallins from cultured lenses. Ouabain treatment of normal lenses induced these alterations, suggesting that changes in the intracellular levels of Na+ and K+ affect the anabolism and catabolism of protein during cataract formation.
Single-Molecule Fluorescence Imaging of Reco Localization and Dynamics in Bacillus Subtilis

In all organisms, the high fidelity of DNA replication is essential for maintenance of chromosome integrity. DNA damage can be caused by polymerase errors or by external factors (e.g., X-rays or mutagenic chemicals). Thus, the cell has evolved a number of repair mechanisms to respond to different types of damage. In B. subtilis, repair of double-strand breaks (DSBs) in the DNA occurs through RecA-mediated homologous recombination. The mechanism by which RecA finds DSBs in vivo is not well described, but is believed to involve the proteins RecF, RecO, and RecR. This role for RecO in DSB repair in B. subtilis is distinct from its role in E. coli but analogous to that of Rad52 in eukaryotes, making B. subtilis an excellent model system for studying cellular response to DNA damage. Previously, bulk fluorescence studies have shown that RecO forms foci after the induction of double-strand breaks. However, RecO in undamaged cells can only be visualized when overexpressed, leaving questions about its true localization at wild type expression levels. Here, we have created cells in which PAmCherry-RecO is natively expressed from the RecO promoter as the only RecO source. We use single-molecule fluorescence microscopy in live B. subtilis to show that RecO rapidly forms foci following treatment with the DNA damaging agent phleomycin, but is diffuse throughout the cell under non-damaging conditions. This result suggests that, unlike several other proteins involved in DNA repair, RecO is not associated with the replisome prior to DSB recognition. Future work will examine the previously reported role of single-strand binding protein (SSB) in recruitment of RecO to DSBs.
Associational resistance mediated by natural enemies

Abstract. 1. Associational resistance theory suggests that the association of herbivore-susceptible plant species with herbivore-resistant plant species can reduce herbivore density on the susceptible plant species. Several casual mechanisms are possible but none has so far invoked natural enemies. Associational resistance mediated by natural enemies was tested for by examining densities of a gall fly, Asphondylia borrichiae (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), and levels of parasitism on two closely related seaside plants, Borrichia frutescens and Iva frutescens, when alone and when co-occurring. 2. Both Borrichia and Iva grow alone or together on small offshore islands in Florida. Each host plant species has its own associated race of fly, but both races of fly are attacked by the same four species of parasitoids. Borrichia normally has a higher density of galls than Iva, and galls are larger on Borrichia than on Iva. 3. Gall size, gall abundance, parasitism levels, and parasitoid community composition were quantified on both Borrichia and Iva on islands where each species grew alone or together. Some islands were then manipulated by adding Borrichia to islands supporting only Iva, and by adding Iva to islands supporting only Borrichia. Subsequent gall densities and gall parasitism levels on the original native species were then examined. 4. On both natural and experimentally manipulated islands, gall densities on Iva were significantly lowered by the presence of Borrichia. This is because bigger parasitoid species that were common on Borrichia galls, which are bigger, spilled over and attacked the smaller Iva galls. Thus, parasitism rates on Iva were higher on islands where Borrichia co-occurred than on islands where Borrichia were absent. Most parasitoids from Iva were too small to successfully attack the large Borrichia galls and so gall density on Borrichia was unaffected by the presence of Iva.
Evolution of an advanced topics course

Three Rivers Community College offers a two year associate degree program in Photonics Engineering Technology, developed in 1997 with the assistance of an industry advisory committee. In Spring 2000, the advisory committee suggested the college offer an advanced topics course to build on the foundation of basic optics, electronics, laser and fiber optics courses and to provide students with information on current devices and practices. The course, Advanced Laser Topics, has been taught four times since 2001, with varying degrees of success. In this paper we discuss the four different approaches used in teaching the course, what techniques worked well with our community college students, and what we would never try again.
Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Cholestasis Related to Parental Care

Parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis (PNAC) is a complication not uncommon in the pediatric population. In severe cases, patients require a liver transplant. To our knowledge, we report the only case of PNAC with end-stage liver failure in a child with short bowel syndrome that resolved with a change in caretaker. Until his care was transferred from his abusive parents, he was frequently admitted for infection and sepsis. His liver function vastly improved from aspartate aminotransferase (AST) 3139 units/L, conjugated bilirubin 25.9 mg/dL to AST 47 units/L, direct bilirubin 0.3 mg/dL under the care of his attentive foster mother, and a liver transplant was no longer necessary. Bacterial infection and sepsis are risk factors correlated with patients with PNAC requiring liver transplant. Prevention of infection by a good caregiver may be a means to reduce the incidence of PNAC.
A CCD Search for Lagrangian Asteroids of the Earth–Sun System

Abstract The L4 and L5 points of the Earth–Sun system were imaged using the University of Hawaii 2.24-m telescope on 1994 May 5–7 and July 6–8 UT. We used a thinned Tektronix 2048 × 2048 CCD, subtending a field 7.5 arcmin on a side. Our objective in this search was to locate sub-kilometer-sized asteroids orbiting near the libration point or, failing this, to set a rough upper limit on the number density of objects contained in such a population. Previous searches of these areas have used various less sensitive photographic techniques, but no asteroids have ever been discovered at the L4 or L5 points of the Earth–Sun system. The limiting sensitivity of this search was R ∼ 22.8, corresponding to C-type asteroids ∼350 m in diameter or S-type asteroids ∼175 m in diameter. No objects were discovered in the approximately 0.35 square degrees covered, leading to our crude estimate that the upper limit for the number density of objects at or above our detection threshold is approximately 3 objects per square degree. In this paper, we discuss the various considerations governing our search strategy. We also discuss the relevence of this search technique in looking for near-Earth asteroids in general. Finally, in this paper we point out areas of future theoretical work that can yield important information on Earth's libration regions, and we discuss the outlook for using large mosaic arrays in future asteroid searches of this nature.
Absorption Rate Studies of Orally Administered Cardiac Glycosides in Cats

Abstract Digitoxin, acetyl digoxin, digoxin, and lanatoside C were administered orally to unanesthetized cats in single fatal doses. Physical state of subdivision and lipoid solubility appeared to modify rate of absorption. Digitoxin, acetyl digoxin, and digoxin were rather uniformly and nearly completely absorbed within a few hours, provided they were dissolved in aqueous alcohol or aqueous “Tween 80” solutions. Lanatoside C was slowly absorbed in alcoholic solution. Digoxin and lanatoside C tablets were absorbed very slowly. Lanatoside C is much less lipoid‐soluble than the others. It is postulated that high lipoid solubility of digitoxin and acetyl digoxin assures absorption of solid and dissolved states, whereas low lipoid solubility retards absorption of digoxin tablets and lanatoside C in solid or in solution. Acetyl digoxin deserves clinical trial as a substitute for digitoxin. Digoxin in alcohol or “Tween 80” solution should be as potent as digitoxin in solution.