cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physicochemical characterization of silver nanoparticles synthesize using Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis)

Production of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using different biological methods is gaining recognition due to their multiple applications. Although, several physical and chemical methods have been used for the synthesis and stabilizing of AgNPs, yet, a green chemistry method is preferable because it is cost effective and environmentally friendly. The synthesis was done using Aloe Vera (AV) extract because it has chemical compounds such as “Antrokinon” that are known for its antibacterial, antivirus and anticancer properties. We hypothesize that AV extract can produce a stable nanoparticles within the 100 nm range and be biologically active. The biological compounds were extracted from AV skin with water and ethanol which was used as the reduction agent for the synthesis of nanoparticles. The biological extract and AgNO3 were blended and heated to synthesize AgNPs. The reaction process was monitored using UV-Visible spectroscopy. Fourier Transfer Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for the characterization of biological compounds and their substituent groups before and after the reaction process. Dynamic Light scattering (DLS) method was used to characterize particle size of AgNPs and their biomolecular stability. Results showed that biological compounds such as aliphatic amines, alkenes (=C-H), alkanes (C-H), alcohol (O-H) and unsaturated esters(C-O), which has an average particle size of 109 and 215.8 nm and polydispersity index of 0.451 and 0.375 for ethanol and water extract, respectively. According to TEM measurements the size of AgNPs are in the range 5-20 nm The results suggested that ethanol derived AgNPs contained higher yield of organic compounds, thus has better solubility power than water. Ag NPs can be used to control salmonella in poultry industry.
A liver-specific nitric oxide donor improves the intra-hepatic vascular response to both portal blood flow increase and methoxamine in cirrhotic rats

Abstract Background/Aims : A decreased intra-hepatic nitric oxide (NO) production participates on the pathogenesis of portal hypertension in cirrhosis. We tested the hemodynamic effects of a liver-specific NO donor (NCX-1000) derived from ursodeoxycholic acid in portal hypertensive cirrhotic rats. Methods : After a 14-day treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid or NCX-1000 by gavage, ascitic cirrhotic rats (CCl 4 -induced) were used in two studies: (1) in vivo mean arterial pressure (MAP), portal pressure (PP) and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) blood flow measurements before and during progressive blood volume expansion (blood infusion); and (2) in situ liver perfusion to obtain dose/response curves to methoxamine (alpha 1 -adrenergic agonist) and flow/pressure curves. Results : Basal heart rate, MAP, and PP were similar in both groups. During blood infusion, similar MAP and SMA flow increases were observed in both groups; however, PP increase observed in control rats was blunted in NCX-1000 treated rats ( P =0.015). In liver perfusions, flow/pressure curves were similar in both groups; however, NCX-1000-treated livers showed a lower response to methoxamine ( P =0.016). cGMP concentration in NCX-1000-treated livers was higher ( P =0.015) than in controls. Conclusions : Treatment with a liver-specific NO donor improves the portal system adaptability to portal blood flow increase and ameliorates the intra-hepatic response to methoxamine in cirrhotic rats.
The importance of the lexicon in tagging biological text

A part-of-speech tagger is a fundamental and indispensable tool in computational linguistics, typically employed at the critical early stages of processing. Although taggers are widely available that achieve high accuracy in very general domains, these do not perform nearly as well when applied to novel specialized domains, and this is especially true with biological text. We present a stochastic tagger that achieves over 97.44% accuracy on MEDLINE abstracts. A primary component of the tagger is its lexicon which enumerates the permitted parts-of-speech for the 10000 words most frequently occurring in MEDLINE. We present evidence for the conclusion that the lexicon is as vital to tagger accuracy as a training corpus, and more important than previously thought.
Public Sociology or Partisan Sociology? The Curious Case of Whiteness Studies

This paper identifies the common themes in 245-plus refereed articles on whiteness studies that were published in academic journals after 1992 in an attempt to assess the implications of whiteness studies for the discipline of sociology. Of special interest is the relationship between whiteness studies and Michael Burawoy’s call for public sociology. I argue that the emerging field of whiteness studies identifies itself as a public sociology that is infused by the moral vision of critical sociology. Nevertheless, the field does not accept professional sociology as Burawoy defined it. The ontological, epistemological, and soteriological foundations of whiteness studies encourage the field to pander to one segment of the public—the marginalized—and condemn another segment of the public—“privileged whites,” thus rendering impossible a democratic dialogue on one of the most basic social issues of our time. Conflating Western epistemology with whiteness encourages a misreading of American social scientific work on race relations, thus opening the door to a so-called hermeneutics of suspicion. The result is not an innocuous “pop” sociology, but a partisan sociology, whose implications should caution sociologists against an uncritical embracing of public sociology.
Using electric actuation and detection of oscillations in microcantilevers for pressure measurements

Abstract Response characteristics of a microcantilever, such as resonant frequency, amplitude, phase and quality factor, can be used for absolute pressure measurements in the range of 10−4 to 103 Torr. To this end, it would be very convenient to have the resonance of the microcantilever actuated and detected electrostatically. Herein, we report the nonlinear dynamics of microcantilevers under varying pressure and different gases using the harmonic detection of resonance (HDR) technique [J. Gaillard, M.J. Skove, R. Ciocan, A.M. Rao, Electrical detection of oscillations in 340 microcantilevers and nanocantilevers, Rev. Sci. Instrum. 77 (2006) 073907]. The HDR technique exploits nonlinearities in the cantilever-counter electrode system to allow electrostatic actuation and detection of the responses of the microcantilever to the pressure and gas composition. In particular, the 2nd and 3rd harmonics of the measured charge on the cantilever are investigated. The microcantilever demonstrates a quality factor of ∼10,000 at 10−3 Torr, and a usable response in the range from 10−3 to 103 Torr. The use of different harmonics can enable us to adjust the range of pressures over which the sensor has an efficacious response, enhancing its sensitivity to a particular environment. The experimental results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical calculations, despite the nonlinearities involved.
Alternative Dimensions for the Tracey–Rounds Interest Sphere

Abstract The Tracey and Rounds (this issue) proposals for extending Holland's hexagon have promise for advancing the field of vocational psychology far beyond the 25-year status quo exemplified by “The Holyhex” (Prediger & Vansickle, 1992b). This comment explains why Tracey and Rounds’ “interest” sphere reflects occupational attribute preference (job value) dimensions, a more encompassing structure than vocational interest dimensions. Their prestige dimension is reinterpreted as occupational aspiration level. Tracey and Rounds’ claim that the hexagon's dimensions are indeterminate and unimportant is addressed through a review of external research (12,000 occupations, 1,000 career groups, 100,000 persons) supporting the Data/Ideas and People/Things Work Task Dimensions on which they build their spherical model.
Efficient equity: Removing salary discrimination by meeting statistical legal constraints at least cost

Abstract Legal obligations embodied in statistical constraints on pay differentials represent an externally-imposed distortion on cost minimization. We argue that the competitive firm ought to meet such constraints at least cost. This argument is illustrated by reference to a major case of alleged gender discrimination in academic salaries. An alternative approach is presented that would have eliminated the discrimination finding in this case at a significant cost saving.
Occupational injuries among emergency responders

Background Emergency responders frequently incur injuries while providing medical, fire, and law enforcement services. National surveillance systems provide fragmented perspectives on responder injuries because they omit specific classes of workers (e.g., government or volunteers); they report only selected injuries; and employment information is incomplete. Methods We characterized injuries among emergency medical services (EMS), firefighting, and police occupations by using data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System—Occupational Supplement (NEISS-Work) for injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments in 2000–2001. Results Sprains and strains were the leading injury (33–41%) among EMS, firefighter, and police occupations. Police officers and career firefighters had the highest injury rates (8.5 and 7.4 injuries per 100 full-time equivalent workers, respectively). Conclusions The physical demands of emergency response are a leading cause of injuries that may benefit from similar interventions across the occupations. To assess risk, improved exposure data need to be acquired, particularly for volunteers. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:1–11, 2010. Published 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Predisposition of tobacco to oxidant air pollution injury by previous exposure to oxidants

Abstract Pre-exposure of tobacco, cv Bel W 3 , to ambient oxidant (primarily ozone) air pollution usually predisposed plants to foliar injury from subsequent exposure. Over eight seven-day periods, plants exposed for seven continuous days developed more than twice as much injury as the total injury on plants exposed for only one day each over the same period. The predisposition partly explains the lack of significant quantitative correlations between oxidant dose and plant injury. Thus we need to understand how this predisposition phenomenon and the plant environment interact to affect the amount of injury from a given oxidant dose. Once this is known we will be better able to make quantitative predictions of the effects of various oxidant doses on plants. Until then, the direct assessment of injury to sensitive plant species is the best indication of the incidence and severity of air pollution episodes.
Structure and dynamics of the solvated electron in alcohols from resonance Raman spectroscopy.

Resonance Raman (RR) spectroscopy is used to probe the structure and excited-state dynamics of the solvated electron in the primary liquid alcohols methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), n-propanol (n-PrOH), and n-butanol (n-BuOH). The strong resonance enhancements (≥104 relative to pure solvent) of the libration, CO stretch, COH bend, CH3 bend, CH2 bend, and OH stretch reveal significant Franck−Condon coupling of the intermolecular and intramolecular vibrational modes of the solvent to the electronic excitation of the solvated electron. All enhanced bands are fully accounted for by a model of the solvated electron that is comprised of several nearby solvent molecules that are only perturbed by the presence of the electron; no new molecular species are required to explain our data. The 340 cm-1 downshift observed for the OH stretch frequency of e-(MeOH), relative to pure solvent, strongly suggests that the methanol molecules in the first solvent shell have the hydroxyl group directed linearly toward the excess ...
Nanonetworks of Multifunctional Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane and Polypropylene Oxide

An investigation was carried out of the segmental and normal mode dynamics in multifunctional polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)/polypropylene oxide (PPO) nanonetworks. The reaction kinetics and thermal properties of POSS/PPO nanonetworks are studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Dynamic behavior is investigated by broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) and dynamic mechanical spectroscopy (DMS) over a wide range of frequency and temperature. Before the onset of reaction, POSS nanoparticles promote motions of PPO chains in nanocomposites. During the formation of nanonetworks, however, the presence of POSS nanoparticles causes gradual increase in the time scale of the segmental (α) and the normal mode (αN) process in POSS/PPO nanonetworks. Comparison of DRS and DMS results for the α process reveals identical trends with respect to POSS concentration and temperature. A detailed account of t...
A matched observational study of canine survival with primary intraocular melanocytic neoplasia

A retrospective histopathologic study was performed to evaluate the effect of primary intraocular melanocytic neoplasia on canine survival. Tumor size, location within the globe, extent of infiltration, and mitotic index were analyzed for their potential to predict survival. A total of 244 cases of dogs with melanocytic tumors submitted to the Comparative Ocular Pathology Laboratory of Wisconsin from 1988 to 1998 were evaluated. Histopathologic criteria (mitotic index, cytologic features of anaplasia) were used to differentiate 188 benign melanocytomas from 56 malignant melanomas. Signalment evaluation of age, sex, and breed revealed similarities in both tumor populations, with the majority of tumors discovered in 9-year-old, female/spayed, mixed-breed dogs. A greater percentage of left eyes (66%) vs. right eyes (47%) was found in the melanoma population, but an equal distribution was found in the melanocytoma population (48% and 52%, respectively). The majority of tumors arose from the anterior uveal tract (79% in the melanocytoma and 95% in the malignant melanoma populations). The German Shepherd breed was predisposed in the limbal distribution. At the time of enucleation, most tumors had invaded the sclera, but did not show extrascleral extension (51% in the melanocytoma and 61% in the malignant melanoma populations). Survival analysis showed a significant difference in survival between control and malignant melanoma populations (P = 0.0081) and was suggestive of a difference between the melanocytoma and melanoma populations (P = 0.031). Tumor extension, tumor size, and mitotic index were not found to be reliable predictors of survival.
Mesoscopic, Templated Self-Assembly at the Fluid-Fluid Interface

This paper demonstrates templated self-assemblybased on capillary forcesof millimeter-scale poly(dimethylsiloxane) plates suspended at the water−perfluorodecalin interface. The system described abs...
Effect of alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation on renal water excretion in man

Effect of alpha- and beta-adrenergic stimulation on renal water excretion in man. Intravenously administered isoproterenol (ISO) (0.04–0.06 µg/kg/min) was infused into four normal subjects and four patients with pituitary diabetes insipidus (DI) who were undergoing water diuresis. Each normal subject demonstrated an antidiuresis as mean urinary osmolality (Uosm) increased from 75±5 to 324 ± 84mOsm (P L'effet de la stimulation alpha et beta adrenergique sur l'excretion renale d'eau chez l'homme. Une perfusion intraveineuse (IV) d'isoproterenol (ISO) (0,04–0,06 µg/kg/min) a ete administree a quatre subjets normaux et a quatre malades atteints de diabete insipide hypophysaire (DI) soumis a une diurese aqueuse. Une situation d'antidiurese est apparuechez chacun des sujets normaux traduite par une elevation de l'osmolalite urinaire moyenne de 75 ± 5 a 324 ± 84 mOsm (P
Off the stage, on the page: on the relationship between advocacy and scholarship

When and how should scholars of religion draw a line between advocacy and research activities? In what ways does advocacy contribute to or cut against scholarly credibility? Addressing these questions from the intersection of the academic study of religion and Indigenous Studies, this article opens by asserting that both fields are frequently hampered by deferential treatments of their subject matter, a problem that is potentially exacerbated when scholars in these fields engage in forms of political advocacy. Problematizing this narrative, the author turns to his ethnographic experiences in Hawai'i with regard to burial-protection struggles in order to describe ways his theoretical commitments and advocacy activities stand in tension and how he has attempted to navigate these competing but sometimes complementary elements of his scholarly life. In this context, a heuristic definition of advocacy is advanced in order to sketch a spectrum of forms, ranging from direct advocacy (e.g., physical action, legal...
Immunobiology of Mouse Dendritic Epidermal T Cells: A Decade Later, Some Answers, But Still More Questions

Over the past decade, overwhelming evidence has accumulated in many species, most notably in mice, that epithelial sites such as skin, intestine, and reproductive tract are populated with relatively discrete subsets of -γδ cells. Such studies have identified several distinguishing and, in some cases, unique features of the dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) populating the skin of all normal mice: homogeneous V5-J1-Cγ1/V1-D2-J2-Cδ T-cell receptors devoid of junctional diversity, apparent tissue restriction in adult mice to the skin, an important role for active hair growth in their localization and/or proliferation in the skin, and a capacity to recognize an antigen expressed on stressed epidermal cells. These properties have led to the hypothesis that DETC play distinctive roles in cutaneous immune surveillance and/or immunoregulation via recognition of a common self-antigen expressed by adjacent cells under various potentially harmful circumstances. Despite substantive advances in our knowledge about γδ cells in general (e.g., recent evidence that their manner of antigen recognition may be fundamentally different from that used by conventional αβ T cells) and about epithelial-specific subsets such as murine DETC in particular, it is clear that, compared with our understanding of αβ cells, major gaps still exist in our understanding of these cells. Persisting questions about DETC include: precise identification of the ligands for their homogenous T-cell receptors, the cellular and molecular requirements for their activation, their full range of functional activities, the reason(s) for the absence in normal human skin of a precise morphologic and phenotypic homologue, and, perhaps most important, their biologically relevant role(s) in cutaneous physiology, immunity, and/or pathology. J Invest Dermatol 105:43S-49S, 1995
Isomorphisms between Psychological Processes and Neural Mechanisms: From Stimulus elements to genetic markers of activity

Traditional learning theory has developed models that can accurately predict and describe the course of learned behavior. These “psychological process” models rely on hypothetical constructs that are usually thought to be not directly measurable or manipulable. Recently, and mostly in parallel, the neural mechanisms underlying learning have been fairly well elucidated. The argument in this essay is that we can successfully uncover isomorphisms between process and mechanism and that this effort will help advance our theories about both processes and mechanisms. We start with a brief review of error-correction circuits as a successful example. Then we turn to the concept of stimulus elements, where the conditional stimulus is hypothesized to be constructed of a multitude of elements only some of which are sampled during any given experience. We discuss such elements with respect to how they explain acquisition of associative strength as an incremental process. Then we propose that for fear conditioning, stimulus elements and basolateral amygdala projection neurons are isomorphic and that the activational state of these “elements” can be monitored by the expression of the mRNA for activity-regulated cytoskeletal protein (ARC). Finally we apply these ideas to analyze recent data examining ARC expression during contextual fear conditioning and find that there are indeed many similarities between stimulus elements and amygdala neurons. The data also suggest some revisions in the conceptualization of how the population of stimulus elements is sampled from.
New data on eye and skin tests

Abstract Excised corneas of man and animals were compared with respect to their permeabilities to four different kinds of chemical agents. Significant differences between the corneal permeabilities of animals and man were found in some instances. While these limited studies fail to establish a consistent order of corneal permeability in the various species examined, we are continuing this work in the hope that it will result in a better understanding of the mechanism of production of eye irritation.
Theoretical Aspects of Impedance Spectroscopy at a Disk Electrode Embedded in an Insulating Plane: Reciprocity Relationships

An analytic solution for the impedance function of a disk electrode embedded in an insulating flat surface immersed in an electrolyte, in the absence of concentration variations, was obtained by applying an s-multiplied Laplace transform (with respect to the dimensionless time) to the solution for the potential step [J. Electrochem. Soc., 120, 1356 (1973)]. The results obtained were in excellent agreement with those reported earlier by Newman [J. Electrochem. Soc., 117, 198 (1970)], who used a much different approach. In addition, reciprocity relationships were invoked to show that solutions for either the impedance, admittance, or potential or current steps, can be found, using, as a starting point, the solution of any of the other three problems. Computational implementation of these relationships becomes particularly simple, as the time, in the step solutions reported by Nisancioglu and Newman [J. Electrochem. Soc., 120, 1339 (1973); J. Electrochem. Soc., 120, 1356 (1973)], appears as a linear function in the argument of exponential functions. In particular, calculations based on this tactic yielded accurate eigenvalues and coefficients for the potential-step solution, directly from the corresponding eigenvalues and coefficients for the current-step solution.
Synthesis and characterization of P3-type CoO2-δ

Metastable P3-type CoO2-δ oxides have been synthesized by chemically extracting lithium from the O3-type LiCoO2 with an oxidizer, NO2BF4, in acetonitrile medium. The oxygen content values determined by a redox titration indicate that the Li1-xCoO2-δ system loses oxygen during lithium extraction for 1 − x 2 days. The formation of the P3- and O1-type CoO2-δ with lower c-parameters from the initial O3-type LiCoO2 by a gliding of the (CoO2) sheets is attributed to the decreased charge on the oxide ions and the formation of oxygen vacancies. The P3-type CoO2-δ is metallic and reverts back to the...
Measurement of Low-Energy X-Ray Dose Enhancement in MOS Devices with Metal Silicide Gates

A photocurrent technique was used to accurately measure dose enhancement in the gate oxide of MOS devices with tungsten or titanium silicide over various thicknesses of poly-Si exposed to low-energy x-irradiation. The results show that the dose enhancement is strongly dependent on the type of metal/silicide used and the thickness of the poly-Si layer between the metal/silicide and the SiO2 gate insulator. A straightforward procedure for calculating the equal damage dose equivalence for metal/silicide over poly-Si gate MOS structures is also presented.
Solitary Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Leiomyoma

Introduction During the past three years a very general interest has arisen, especially in the United States, in tumors of the neuromyo-arterial glomus, which are small growths characterized clinically by severe pain, often of a paroxysmal nature. It has been very generally agreed that these must be one form of the painful subcutaneous tubercle first so designated by William Wood of Edinburgh in 1812, although previously described by Cheselden, Valsalva, Morgagni, Bisset, Pearson and others in the eighteenth century. But this is not the only lesion which may be called painful subcutaneous tubercle or tuberculum dolorosum as the continental writers named it. In 1854 Virchow first reported that a group of small tumors composed chiefly of smooth muscle and involving the skin of the thoracic wall in the neighborhood of the areola of a thirty-two-year-old man caused exactly the same type of paroxysmal pain as did tubercula dolorosa. Although Verneuil described a case of multiple cutaneous leiomyomas in a cadaver in 1858, and Duhring in 1873 and Kosinski in 1874, cases of undoubted multiple leiomyomas which they mistook for neuromas, the disease did not become well known until 1880, when Besnier published his comprehensive paper. After that, case reports multiplied so that now there are at least 132 cases of multiple dermatomyomas in the literature and the disease is well known in all parts of the world. During the years after Virchow9s paper, case reports of solitary superficial leiomyomas began to make their appearance. The earlier cases were all painless tumors—Forster9s, 1858, in the scrotum; Aufrecht9s, 1868, in a subcutaneous vein in the side of the foot; Klebs9, 1869, in the neck, Challand9s 1871, in the labium majus and in the scrotum; Sokolow9s, 1873, in the nipple. The first reported case of leiomyomatous tuberculum dolorosum occurred in the subcutaneous tissues of the poet Stranberg9s finger and was described in 1873 by Axel Key. In the year 1884 Malherbe was able to publish descriptions of five solitary painful leiomyomas which had come to his attention during the preceding nine years. Since these were the only cases of tuberculum dolorosum that he had ever seen, he supposed that the leiomyoma was its only form.
A Novel Feature Enhanced MMI Based Registration Algorithm for Automated Maps and Images

Registration of maps and airborne or satellite images is an important problem for tasks such as map updating and change detection. This is a difficult problem because map features such as roads and buildings may be mislocated and features extracted from images may not correspond to map features, which is the challenge for the traditional feature-based registration algorithm. Our algorithm obtains a general global registration of maps and images by applying statistical techniques to map and image features. Finer analysis can then be used to find changes and local mismatches. The Maximization of Mutual Information (MMI) technique has proven to be very robust in image-to-image registration. This paper extends the MMI technique to the map-to-image registration problem through a focus-of-attention mechanism that forces MMI to utilize correspondences that have a high probability of being information rich and evaluates the accuracy and robustness in series experiments. The advantages and limitations are discussed in detail. The experimental results demonstrate map and image registration.
Effect of plasma amino acid and hormone concentrations on renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate.

The effect of amino acid infusion on renal hemodynamics was examined in 13 healthy subjects. Seven subjects participated in the first experimental protocol: study 1 -amino acids were infused for 3 h t
Laser keyhole welding of stainless steel thin plate stack for applications in fuel cell manufacturing

An investigation based on both experimental and numerical approaches is presented in this paper on laser keyhole welding processes to join stacks consisting of multiple stainless steel plates. The welding parameters are shown to be decisive factors for weld penetration depth and welding productivity. The cooling rate varies with welding parameters and the location of solidification sites, and it directly determines the primary dendrite arm spacing for the columnar dendrites inside the weld zone. The joint fails in coach peel tests when the loading pressure is 93.4 MPa, and the fracture surface shows a mixed brittle and ductile mode. The corrosion resistance of the weld to the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell working environment is comparable to that of the substrate.
Evaluation of a gas chromatographic method calculating vapor pressures with organophosphorus pesticides

Abstract The vapor pressures of 20 organophosphorus pesticides varying widely instructure, polarity and volatility were calculated using a method based upon gas chromatographic (GC) retention data. For seven of the pesticides, vapor pressures were determined experimentally by a standard gas saturation method for comparison with the GC-calculated values. Several experimental variables, including the number of GC temperatures and spread between them, nature of the liquid phase in either packed or capillary columns, and nature of the reference compound, were studied for their influence on the GC method's error. The GC calculation, using a short SE-30 capillary column, single reference compound (methyl parathion), and melting point correction for those test compounds which are solids at room temperature, provided vapor pressures agreeing with an average factor of approximately 4 with experimental vapor pressures. The agreement improved when the comparison was with test compounds which are liquids at room temperature and when the polarity of the GC reference compound approximated that of the test compounds.
Multi-method assessment of feeding problems among children with autism spectrum disorders

Abstract Estimates suggest that atypical eating is pervasive among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD); however, much remains unknown regarding the nature and prevalence of feeding problems in this population due to methodological limitations, including lack of adequate assessment methods and empirical evaluation of existing measures. In the current study, a sample of 30 children ages 3–8 years completed a multi-method assessment battery involving a standardized mealtime observation, a food preference inventory, and the Brief Autism Mealtime Behavior Inventory (BAMBI), which represents the first attempt to assess the correspondence between direct observation and parent-report measures of feeding concerns and dietary intake in ASD. During the mealtime observation, fourteen participants either rejected (n = 8) or accepted (n = 6) all bites, while the remaining 16 participants demonstrated selective patterns of acceptance by type and/or texture. Among this subgroup, vegetables were the most frequently rejected food type during the behavioral observation. Vegetables were also the most frequently rejected food based on parent report for the sample. Increased food selectivity was positively correlated with problem behaviors during the observation, while ASD symptom severity and growth parameters were unrelated to feeding data. We discuss findings in relation to clinical and research activities and recommend strategies to achieve more systematic research in this area.
Thermal Analysis of High-Power InGaAs–InP Photodiodes

InGaAs-InP charge-compensated unitraveling-carrier photodiodes with thick depletion region are demonstrated. A 40-mum-diameter photodiode achieved 10-GHz bandwidth and 24.5dBm RF output power. A 100-mum-diameter photodiode achieved bandwidth of 2 GHz and 29 dBm RF output power. Simulation of the temperature distribution in devices is also presented
WR 2721 modification of type II cell and endothelial cell function in mouse lung after single doses of radiation.

The ability of WR 2721 to protect endothelial cells and Type II cells in mouse lung after single doses of X rays was studied using specific assays of cell function to assess damage. The whole thorax of mice was exposed to a range of single doses of X rays either alone or 30 minutes after an i.p. injection of 400 mg/kg of WR 2721. Endothelial cell function was assayed by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and Type II cell function by phosphatidylcholine and total protein present in lavage fluid 28 days after radiation. Similar protection factors (PFs) were found for the functional activity of both cell types, 1.2 and 1.24 for ACE and phosphatidylcholine respectively. These values were somewhat less than the PF of 1.37 for lethality from pneumonitis 7 to 9 months after irradiation for this mouse strain. The lack of a clear difference between the PFs for the functional activity of these two cell types suggests that neither the endothelial cell nor the Type II cell can be accepted or excluded as the target cell for radiation pneumonitis in lung.
Feeding by a “nonfeeding” larva: uptake of dissolved amino acids from seawater by lecithotrophic larvae of the gastropod Haliotis rufescens

Larvae of the red abalone (Haliotis rufescens Swainson) are functionally incapable of capturing particulate foods. The aim of this study was to determine whether these larvae could acquire energy from seawater in the form of dissolved organic material. Trochophore and veliger larvae were shown to acquire energy by transporting dissolved organic material from seawater. Both larval stages took up all classes of amino acids tested. The influx of radiolabeled alanine represented the net substrate flux, as determined by direct chemical measurement for both trochophore and veliger larvae. Although veliger larvae have a transport system to take up taurine from seawater, a net efflux was observed for this amino acid. The release of taurine occurred independently of the presence of either taurine or other amino acids in the medium. Transported alanine was used in both anabolic and catabolic pathways. The percent of 14C-alanine in the trichloroacetic acid-insoluble fraction (macromolecules) of veliger larvae ranged from 21 to 56% of the total radioactivity in the larvae. No lipid biosynthesis was detected from 14C-labeled alanine. Veliger larvae catabolized 15 to 19% of the total alanine taken up and released it as 14CO2. The metabolic rate (oxygen consumption) and the rate of amino acid uptake were both determined for the same group of veliger larvae. The percent contribution that the uptake of amino acids, from a total concentration of 1.6 μM, made to the metabolic demand of abalone larvae ranged from 39 to 70%. Thus, these lecithotrophic larvae are not energetically independent of their environment, a result which differs from the current view of energy allocation to “nonfeeding” larvae.
Granulomatous diseases of the CNS as demonstrated by computerized tomography

The CT findings in 32 patients with pathological conditions characterized by granulomatous disorders are reviewed. The characteristic CT finding in caseating granuloma due to tuberculous disease is a nodular enhancing lesion with a central hypodense region. The granulomas representing sarcoidosis show homogeneous enhancing nodular lesions. The granulomas due to cryptococcal fungal disease showed ring pattern with large central hypodense region which represented cyst formation. In certain vasculitides which affected the CNS and had pathological evidence of granuloma formation, CT showed nodular enhancing lesions. Based upon the CT findings, it was not possible to differentiate these nodular enhancing lesions which represented granulomatous disease from other intracranial diseases, i.e. abscesses, neoplasms, multiple sclerosis, gliosis.
Sequences of globin 6 gene alleles and linkage of globin 6 and 7B genes in the insect Chironomus thummi thummi

Abstract The purpose of this study was to isolate the stage-specifically expressed Chironomus thummi thummi globin-encoding gene ( Gb ) 6 ( ctt-6 ). The final product of this gene is hemoglobin (Hb) CTT-VI, a protein that is phylogenetically most closely related to Hb CTT-VIIB. In the absence of chromosomal rearrangement, genes of immediate common ancestry should be closely linked. This was shown for a genomic clone containing the Gb ctt -3 and ctt -4 genes (encoding Hb CTT-III and CTT-IV, respectively), and another clone containing the Gb ctt -2β and ctt -9a genes (encoding Hb CTT-IIβ and CTT-IXa, respectively). We report the isolation and sequence of two alleles of Gb ctt -6 found on independent genomic clones screened with a ctt -6 cDNA, and the predicted linkage of Gb ctt -6 and a ctt-7B gene. The latter, designated Gb ctt-7B9/5 , is unusual in being a chimera of two previously reported Gb ctt-7B genes. The result of a partial gene conversion or an unequal crossover between oppositely oriented genes, the chimeric ctt-7B9/5 represents either an additional ctt-7B locus or a 7B haplotype.
Objective assessment of functional ambulation in adults with hemiplegia using ankle foot orthotics after stroke

Objective To objectively evaluate the effect of ankle foot orthotics (AFOs) on functional ambulation in individuals with hemiplegia secondary to stroke using quantifiable outcome measures. Design With-without repeated measures design. Setting Rehabilitation research center. Participants Eighteen adults with stroke-related hemiplegia 6 months using a prescribed AFO. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measurements The distance (m) and velocity (m/s) during the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) and total time (s) and velocity (m/s) during the 25-ft walk (25ftW). Secondary analysis evaluated the 6MWT and 25ftW grouped by the time component of the Ambulatory Index (AI). Results Distance walked during the 6MWT was significantly greater with AFO (228.54 ± 103.93) than without AFO (197.49 ± 104.13), P = .002. Time to complete the 25ftW was significantly greater without AFO (21.22 ± 20.57) than with AFO (15.49 ± 14.65), P = .010. There was a significant difference in average velocity between the 25ftW and 6MWT during the with AFO condition, P = .010. Secondary analysis grouped by the AI time showed that as level of function decreases, brace effect on functional ambulation increases (Group 3: 25ftW with AFO, P = .040). Conclusions AFO usage in hemiplegic stroke patients improves functional ambulation, particularly in individuals with a slower gait velocity. The 25ftW, with and without AFO, may be useful to the patient and clinician when determining the importance of brace utilization. Speed modulation was improved when the AFO was added to the paretic limb, and AI grouping indicated that the AFO was more beneficial in people with a slower gait velocity (>20 seconds for the 25ftW). A more definitive study is needed to more completely address this issue. As an exploratory study, the feasibility of different walking assessments was determined so that future studies can validate which objective measures can be used and easily implemented in clinical settings.
Photothermal imaging of individual carbon nanofibers with optical microresonators

A new method is described for measuring the absorption of light by single non-emissive nanoparticles. Individual carbon nanofibers are imaged using a photonic transducer to quantify the heat dissipated after the electronic energy is thermalized. Leveraging the high sensitivity of ultrahigh-quality-factor optical microresonators as photothermal transducers provides high sensitivity. Polarization-resolved measurements indicate that the orientation of the absorption dipole of a nanofiber matches the long axis of the fiber. The per-atom absorption cross-section is determined to be (2.9 x 10 -18 cm 2 /carbon atom), in close agreement with the value for bulk graphite.
Diphtheria toxin induces leakage of acidic liposomes.

Abstract Diphtheria toxin (DT) induces the leakage of dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid (DPPA) membranes but not neutral dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membranes. Cholesterol incorporated into liposomes enhances the membrane leakage induced by DT in acidic DPPA membranes but not in neutral DPPC membranes. Membrane leakage was determined by assaying the release of TEMPOcholine, a cationic spin probe from the multilamellar vesicles by using electron spin resonance methods. The effect of DT on membrane leakage is noticeable at 3 μg/ml concentrations, and reaches a plateau of about 20% leakage at 20 μg/ml. This sauration phenomenon led to the postulation that DT binds to the first shell of DPPA membranes and induces the leakage of TEMPOcholine limited to this layer of DPPA multilamellar vesicles.
Correlation of Chemical Microstructure with Solderability of PCBs

A combination of analytical methods was used on printed circuit board coupons to conclude the following: (1) while steam ageing deteriorates solderability of tinned coupons, it does not increase the oxide thickness or tin‐lead ratio of the surface (top 50 Angstroms) of tinned coupons; (2) therefore, some other factor, probably oxidation of the copper or tin/copper intermetallic substrate, determines solderability of the coupons.
Immunoturbidimetric assay of transferrin: effect of iron and need for serum blanks.

The introduction of specific antisera has led to the replacement of total iron binding capacity assays with direct immunochemical measures of transferrin. However, some controversy exists over the effect of the degree of iron saturation on antigen—antibody interactions in these immunochemical assays. This study describes a simple automated immunoturbidimetric assay of transferrin, and includes a reference range and an evaluation of the effects of common potential inteferents, including iron, bilirubin, lipemia, and hemoglobin. The measured and the calculated TIBC are also compared for 78 healthy individuals and 51 patients with anemia.
Learning as a Function of Subliminal Reinforcements

Three studies were conducted to assess the effects of subliminal reinforcements on learning. In the first two, Ss were given a discrimination task in which five geometric forms, repeated over 100 t...
The League of American Wheelmen, Major Taylor and the 'color question' in the United States in the 1890s

(2003). The League of American Wheelmen, Major Taylor and the 'color question' in the United States in the 1890s. Culture, Sport, Society: Vol. 6, No. 2-3, pp. 13-43.
Transition metals in control of gene expression

Metalloproteins play structural and catalytic roles in gene expression. The metalloregulatory proteins are a subclass that exerts metal-responsive control of genes involved in respiration, metabolism, and metal-specific homeostasis or stress-response systems, such as iron uptake and storage, copper efflux, and mercury detoxification. Two allosteric mechanisms for control of gene expression were first discovered in metalloregulatory systems: an iron-responsive translational control mechanism for ferritin production and a mercury-responsive DNA-distortion mechanism for transcriptional control of detoxification genes. These otherwise unrelated mechanisms give rise to a rapid physiological response when metal ion concentrations exceed a dangerous threshold. Molecular recognition in these allosteric metal ion receptors is achieved through atypical coordination geometries, cluster formation, or complexes with prosthetic groups, such as sulfide and heme. Thus, many of the inorganic assemblies that otherwise buttress the structure of biopolymers or catalyze substrate transformation in active sites of enzymes have also been adapted to serve sensor functions in the metalloregulatory proteins. Mechanistic studies of these metal-sensor protein interactions are providing new insights into fundamental aspects of inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, and cellular physiology.
Interspecific Interactions Among Larval Trematode Parasites of Freshwater and Marine Snails

Freshwater and marine snails serve as intermediate hosts for numerous species of larval trematodes. Any particular population of snails may be infected by several species. It is commonly observed that mixed species infections are less frequent than expected by change in collections of host snails from natural populations. While several mechanisms might generate such negative associations, laboratory studies of freshwater snail-trematode associations have demonstrated the presence of strong antagonistic interactions between intramolluscan larval stages (rediae and sporocysts) of species that infect the same host individual. Both predatory and non-predatory antagonism has been observed, the former taking the form of predation by large, dominant redial forms on the sporocysts and rediae of subordinate species. These interactions are largely hierarchical, although in some systems priority effects have been observed, and in one case a sporocyst species replaced a redial species by strong non-predatory antagonism. Several instances of positive association between larval trematode species have also been observed. In such cases, interference with host defense mechanisms by the first parasite appears to enhance superinfection by the second. My own study of the larval trematode guild that infects the salt marsh snail, Cerithidea californica , has revealed patterns of association and interaction that are very similar to those demonstrated by laboratory studies of freshwater systems. Ultimately, the frequency of interactions among larval trematodes depends on the availability, relative to the numbers of susceptible snails, of infective eggs and miracidial larvae transmitted from definitive hosts.
Fetal alloimmune thrombocytopenia: consensus and controversy

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (AIT) is a serious disease that can affect subsequent siblings to an even greater degree than a first affected child. The devastating outcome of antenatal intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is not uncommon. Great strides have been made in the antenatal diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This article reviews our knowledge of the laboratory diagnosis of AIT during pregnancy, the pitfalls in this diagnosis, the natural history of AIT during pregnancy, and the collected series of the management of fetal AIT in both Europe and the United States. Discrepancies in outcome between European and American studies exist. Reasons for these discrepancies are highlighted, including differences in populations studied, differences in management, and differences in the definition of response to treatment. Intravenous immune globulin appears to be efficacious in increasing the fetal platelet count and decreasing the occurrence of ICH.
Management of Airline Arrival Performance Before and After September 11, 2001 in US Domestic Markets

Abstract While an important aspect of airline service quality is on-time arrival performance, increasing on-time reliability while maximizing revenue and minimizing cost is a difficult challenge. This study uses publicly available data to critique the efforts of the top five US airlines to manage domestic on-time performance after the tragic events of September 11, 2001. The central question posed in this paper is whether the substantial improvement in airline on-time arrival performance after these events was due to identifiable improvement in airline scheduling and operations or to a large decline in scheduled flights.
Est1p As a Cell Cycle-Regulated Activator of Telomere-Bound Telomerase

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the telomerase components Est2p, TLC1 RNA, Est1p, and Est3p are thought to form a complex that acts late during chromosome replication (S phase) upon recruitment by Cdc13p, a telomeric DNA binding protein. Consistent with this model, we show that Est1p, Est2p, and Cdc13p are telomere-associated at this time. However, Est2p, but not Est1p, also binds telomeres before late S phase. The cdc13-2 allele has been proposed to be defective in recruitment, yet Est1p and Est2p telomere association persists in cdc13-2 cells. These findings suggest a model in which Est1p binds telomeres late in S phase and interacts with Cdc13p to convert inactive, telomere-bound Est2p to an active form.