cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of precisely-timed inhibition of gustatory cortex on taste behavior depends on single-trial ensemble dynamics

Abstract The purpose of perception is the driving of action. During tasting, for instance, every stimulus must be either swallowed or rejected (the latter via a behavior known as “gaping”). Taste responses in the rodent gustatory cortex (GC) span this sensorimotor divide, progressing through a series of firing-rate epochs that culminate in action-related firing. Population analyses reveal this emergence to be a sudden, coherent ensemble transition that, despite varying in latency between trials, reliably precedes gaping onset by 0.2-0.3s. Here, we tested whether this transition drives gaping, by delivering 0.5s GC perturbations at various time-points in tasting trials. Perturbations significantly delayed gaping, but only when they preceded the variably-timed action-related transition - thus, the same perturbation might have an impact or not, depending on the transition latency in that particular trial. Our results suggest a distributed attractor network model of taste processing, and a dynamical role for cortex in driving motor behavior.
Transition state analogue inhibitors of Methylthioadenosine Phosphorylase (MTAP), polyamine biosynthesis, and prostate cancer

4283 Combinations of chemopreventive agents that differ in their mode of action may increase the efficacy of individual compounds via additive and/or synergistic effects by modulating multiple molecular targets, e.g., genes and proteins that are involved in prostate cancer development. There are studies that have yielded insight into genes altered by chemopreventive agents, but knowledge of effects at the protein level remains minimal. The scope of proteomics has broadened the study of posttranslational modifications that are modulated by chemopreventive agents. Using 2-D PAGE and immobilized pH gradient IPG strips, we separated soluble proteins from MNU/testosterone-induced rat prostate cancer cells that had been treated with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a n-3 PUFA and/or celecoxib, individually (5μg/ml) and in combination (2.5+2.5 μg/ml) for 48 h. Proteins were identified with mass-spectrometry and peptide analysis. Real-time PCR was used to measure the transcription of the genes encoding for these proteins at the mRNA level. Profiling of proteins in cells treated with DHA or celecoxib individually or with their combination identified significant differences in the levels of proteins compared with control cultures as follows. A total number of 88 ± 8.50 (mean ± SD; n = 4 experiments) proteins spots were identified differentially expressed with DHA treatment, 92 ± 5.51 spots with celecoxib treatment, and 112 ± 6.02 spots with the combined treatment of DHA and celecoxib. Twelve proteins were differentially altered by the combination treatment as compared to individual effects with DHA or celecoxib. On the basis of 90% peptide matching from the mass-spectrometry analysis of 2D gel spots from each set of experiments we identified several proteins. Proteins upregulated by DHA includes heat-shock protein hsp70kD (HSP70), glucose-regulated protein precursor, and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI). Adenosine 5’-phosphosulfate reductase, and a BAG domain containing proteins were downregulated by DHA. Proteins upregulated by celecoxib included protein disulphide isomerase (PDI), and iodothyronine 5’-monodeiodinase. The thyroxine deiodinase, and methyl-coenzyme M reductase were downregulated by celecoxib. The combination of DHA and celecoxib upregulated HSP70 and PDI. Interestingly, the combination altered several proteins not altered by the individual agents, including zinc binding alcohol dehydrogenase, prohibitin, human titin, and polyketide synthase. Several of the HSP and PDI family of proteins are involved in apoptosis and differentiation processes.
Lung Protective Ventilation in Brain-Injured Patients: Low Tidal Volumes or Airway Pressure Release Ventilation?

The optimal mode of mechanical ventilation for lung protection is unknown in brain-injured patients as this population is excluded from large studies of lung protective mechanical ventilation. Survey results suggest that low tidal volume (LTV) ventilation is the favored mode likely due to the success of LTV in other patient populations. Airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) is an alternative mode of mechanical ventilation that may offer several benefits over LTV in this patient population. APRV is an inverse-ratio, pressure-controlled mode of mechanical ventilation that utilizes a higher mean airway pressure compared with LTV. This narrative review compares both modes of mechanical ventilation and their consequences in brain-injured patients. Fears that APRV may raise intracranial pressure by virtue of a higher mean airway pressure are not substantiated by the available evidence. Primarily by virtue of spontaneous breathing, APRV often results in improvement in systemic hemodynamics and thereby improvement in cerebral perfusion pressure. Compared with LTV, sedation requirements are lessened by APRV allowing for more accurate neuromonitoring. APRV also uses an open loop system supporting clearance of secretions throughout the respiratory cycle. Additionally, APRV avoids hypercapnic acidosis and oxygen toxicity that may be especially deleterious to the injured brain. Although high-level evidence is lacking that one mode of mechanical ventilation is superior to another in brain-injured patients, several aspects of APRV make it an appealing mode for select brain-injured patients.
Twice-Daily Huddles Improves Collaborative Problem Solving in the Respiratory Care Department

BACKGROUND: Lean Six Sigma processes are used in health care systems to increase safety and efficiency. Daily huddles, one tool of the Lean Six Sigma process, have been used to increase patient safety, facilitate efficiency in problem solving, promote optimal patient outcomes, and reduce poor communication. Huddle utilization by respiratory care departments has not been previously reported. We describe our process of implementing daily huddles and the impact on departmental problem solving. METHOD: A descriptive study of a quality improvement intervention and a retrospective study of prospectively collected data were performed. The respiratory care department was trained in the utilization of a daily huddle process to resolve issues and identify process improvement opportunities. Huddles were performed at the beginning of each shift. Process improvement opportunities were raised by the respiratory therapy staff using the following categories: Safety/Service, Methods, Equipment, Supplies, and Associates. Opportunities were placed within 3 categories; quick hits (resolution in 1–3 d), complex problems (resolution in 3–7 d), and projects (resolution in > 7 d). All opportunities included a problem statement, an immediate countermeasure, a problem leader, and a due date. Items requiring interdisciplinary support were escalated to the organizational patient care services huddle. We evaluated the number and nature of process improvement opportunities raised in huddles from January 1 through December 31, 2018, to better understand the impact of daily huddles. RESULTS: A total of 366 process improvement opportunities were raised during huddles. Of those, 245 (67%) were quick hits, 77 (21%) were complex, and 44 (12%) were projects. Resolution of 174 (47.5%) opportunities was completed using only the resources of the respiratory care department, and 157 (43%) were resolved with additional interdisciplinary involvement. A small portion 35 (9.5%) of opportunities required escalation to the organizational multidisciplinary huddle for resolution. All process improvement opportunities were resolved at the end of the study period (mean ± SD of 30.5 ± 7.7 per month). CONCLUSIONS: Twice-daily huddles implemented by our respiratory care department allowed for identification and timely resolution of process improvement opportunities.
O14.3 High incidence of antimicrobial use and overuse in cisgender men who have sex with men at risk of bacterial STIs

Introduction Antimicrobial use may be driving antimicrobial resistance in bacterial STIs. We determined individual level incidence of antibiotic receipt and empiric antibiotic therapy in cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM) attending a sexual health clinic. Methods We included all visits by cisgender MSM to the Public Health Seattle-King County Sexual Health Clinic between 2011–2018, using the number of MSM with ≥1 clinic visit annually as the denominator for incidence calculations. We enumerated the number of visits at which azithromycin, doxycycline, a penicillin drug, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, or any other systemic antibiotic was prescribed. We calculated the incidence of visits at which ≥1 antibiotic was prescribed and incidence of total distinct antibiotics prescribed; we also examined incidence of empiric therapy for exposure to Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and/or Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) exposure and the incidence of overtreatment episodes, defined as empiric therapy in those later confirmed to not have either infection. Results Here were 38,483 clinic visits by MSM, 14,577 (37.9%) of which resulted in ≥1 antibiotic prescribed (incidence rate [IR] 60.8/100 person-years) for a total of 21,472 distinct antibiotics prescribed (IR 89.6/100 person-years). Individual patients received an average of 0.90 distinct antibiotics annually; 8% received 3+ distinct antibiotics. Azithromycin was the most prescribed antibiotic (IR 42.7/100 person-years), followed by cephalosporins (IR 27.0/100 person-years). Empiric therapy for CT/NG was common (IR 13.4/100 person-years), most of which was overtreatment (IR 8.7/100 person-years). Of 12,675 CT/NG treatment episodes, 3,221 (25.4%) were empiric therapy in asymptomatic contacts, of which 2,076 (64.4%) were later confirmed to be negative for both infections. Conclusions Antibiotic use and overtreatment are high in a population at elevated risk for antibiotic resistant infections; these results should prompt reexamination of indications for empiric antibiotic treatment, particularly among contacts to bacterial STIs, and the effects of empiric STI treatment on antimicrobial resistance.
Hydrological analysis in watersheds with a variable-resolution global climate model (VR-CESM)

Author(s): Xu, Z; Di Vittorio, A | Abstract: Taditionally, watershed-scale hydrology is simulated by distributed hydrological models with offline meteorological forcing data, or by regional regional climate models that link atmospheric and land hydrology interactions. Global climate model (GCMs) are rarely used to study watershed-scale hydrology due to the relatively coarse grid resolution, computationally expensive downscaling, and simplified physical processes. Recently, however, watershed-scale hydrology analysis has become possible in GCMs due to the development of variable-resolution GCMs that dynamically couple the hydrological processes between atmospheric and land systems at fine resolutions in selected regions and coarse resolution elsewhere. In this study, we used the variable-resolution Community Earth System Model (VR-CESM) with refined-resolution (14 km) in the western U.S. and eastern China to evaluate smaller watershed-scale hydrology. We compared the historical VR-CESM outputs with gauge measurements and other hydrological models (e.g., National Water Model in the U.S.) and calibrated the subsurface runoff capacities in four mountainous watersheds. An RCP8.5 projection from 2007 to 2050 is used to estimate the impact of changing precipitation and snow climatology on watershed hydrology. We also analyzed the long-term runoff variability and the possibility of extreme runoff events as simulated by the VR-CESM. Although calibration is not possible in larger-scale watersheds, VR-CESM simulates the long-term annual variability of watersheds and provides insights on climate change impacts on hydrology. We conclude that refined-resolution VR-CESM can be used for watershed-scale hydrology analysis to understand water resources and water balance, in addition to traditional watershed-scale hydrological models. It enables hydrological analysis at multiple watersheds in one simulation and can help understand the two-way dynamics between land surface hydrology and atmospheric processes, and is especially practical for projecting climate change impacts. However, it is challenging to apply VR-CESM for hydrologic analysis in regulated watersheds as human factors (e.g., pumping, irrigation, water diversion) have not been fully addressed in VR-CESM.
Forward contract - minimize the exchange risk

How can a Czech export (import) company hedge exchange risk? Some of the possibilities are these: 1/ use only CZK for foreign contracts; 2/ matching payments in the same or a parallel currency; 3/ use the products of the money markets; 4/ use the products of the forward market - FORWARD CONTRACT The forward market offers a forward contract to buy or sell a fixed amount of currency at a fixed price on a specific date in the future. The settlement of the contract is in more than two days. The export and import companies can then use the forward rate in this financial estimate (budged). The advantage of the forward contract for an exporter: The exporter is expecting cash flow (receipt) in DEM in 3 months that he wants to convert to CZK. The actual spot rate DEM/CZK is 19,00. The forward rate, which is due to be paid out in three months, is 19.617. The bank ensures to buy DEM from the exporter in three months aside from the spot rate in 3 months. The exporter use the forward contract for the hedging the risk of depreciation of the foreign currency against CZK.
Saving Constitutional Rights from Judicial Scrutiny: The Savings Clause in the Law of the Commonwealth Caribbean

states were first adopted in the 1960s, courts have been confounded by the savings clauses in these instruments. These clauses place a "no go" sign over the fundamental rights grants of the charters by grandfathering pre-existing law into the constitutional regime. Meant initially as a shortcut method of marrying common law rights and constitutional protections, the clauses have presented particularly vexing problems of construction as appellate tribunals have attempted to reconcile international human rights norms with municipal law.1 In July 2004, the Judicial Department of the Privy Council ("Board"), the court of last resort on death penalty cases in the large majority of the Commonwealth Caribbean states, decided three cases challenging the constitutionality of the mandatory death penalty. In the cases of Boyce,2 Matthew,3 and Watson,4 the court dealt with the general savings clause in three territories and, in deeply divided judgments, rendered three different outcomes. As the Caribbean states proceed with the establishment of a regional constitutional court to replace the Privy Council, the savings clause will present a challenging obstacle to the construction of a coherent jurisprudence. This Article analyzes the 2004 Privy Council trilogy against the backdrop of the genesis of the savings clause in Caribbean death penalty jurisprudence. First, I discuss the theoretical and practical problems the savings clause creates. Second, I discuss
Micro-Time-Scale Network Measurements and Harmonic Effects

As network transmission speeds increase, packet streams increasingly uncover fine details of the interior behavior of router hardware and software. This behavior reveals itself as a set of harmonic effects, as interior clocks periodically interrupt packet forwarding, and interior queues periodically empty and fill. We examine this behavior with a Linux-based router employing a variety of gigabit Ethernet interfaces, with a view toward two goals: the creation of harmonic models of router forwarding performance which are accurate and yet mathematically simple and fast; and the analysis of the potential for an undesirable succession of positively reinforcing router “reverberations.”
Fractional Josephson effect in number-conserving systems

We study the fractional Josephson effect in a particle-number-conserving system consisting of a quasi-one-dimensional superconductor coupled to a nanowire or an edge carrying $e/m$ fractional charge excitations with $m$ being an odd integer. We show that, due to the topological ground-state degeneracy in the system, the periodicity of the supercurrent on magnetic flux through the superconducting loop is nontrivial, which provides a possibility to detect topological phases of matter by the dc supercurrent measurement. Using a microscopic model for the nanowire and quasi-one-dimensional superconductor, we derived an effective low-energy theory for the system which takes into account effects of quantum phase fluctuations. We discuss the stability of the fractional Josephson effect with respect to the quantum phase slips in a mesoscopic superconducting ring with a finite charging energy.
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure (HF) is a clinical syndrome resulting from structural or functional disorders that impair the heart’s ability to fill with or eject blood. The pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to HF are complex and encompass hemodynamic alterations and neurohormonal changes that contribute to the chronic, progressive nature of the disease. This chapter reviews the pathophysiologic mechanisms that underlie the clinical manifestations of the HF syndrome, primarily focusing on HF due to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Cardiac compensatory mechanisms, hemodynamic adjustments, neurohormonal activation, ventricular remodeling, and arrhythmogenesis will be reviewed.
Design of Very Lightweight Agents for reactive embedded systems

Large-scale real-time high-performance data acquisition computing systems often require to be fault-tolerant and adaptive to changes. We consider a multi-agent system based approach to achieve these goals. This research is a part of ongoing research efforts to build a triggering and data acquisition system (known as BTeV) for particle-accelerator-based high energy physics experiments at Fermi National Laboratory. The envisioned hardware consists of pixel detectors and readout sensors embedded in the accelerator, which are connected to specialized FPGAs (field-programmable gate arrays). The FPGAs are connected to approximately 2,500 digital signal processors (DSPs). After initial filtering and processing of data by the DSPs, a farm of approximately 2,500 Linux computers are responsible for post-processing a large amount of high speed data input. To support the adaptive fault-tolerance feature, we introduce the notion of very lightweight agents (VLAs), which are designed to be adaptive but small in footprint and extremely efficient. Each digital signal processor will run a very lightweight agent along with a physics application program that collects and processes input data from the corresponding FPGA. Since VLAs can be proactive or reactive, Brooks' subsumption architecture is a good basis for the design. In this paper we present several necessary changes in the original subsumption architecture to better serve the BTeV architecture.
Physiological geroscience: targeting function to increase healthspan and achieve optimal longevity

Most nations of the world are undergoing rapid and dramatic population ageing, which presents great socio-economic challenges, as well as opportunities, for individuals, families, governments and societies. The prevailing biomedical strategy for reducing the healthcare impact of population ageing has been 'compression of morbidity' and, more recently, to increase healthspan, both of which seek to extend the healthy period of life and delay the development of chronic diseases and disability until a brief period at the end of life. Indeed, a recently established field within biological ageing research, 'geroscience', is focused on healthspan extension. Superimposed on this background are new attitudes and demand for 'optimal longevity' - living long, but with good health and quality of life. A key obstacle to achieving optimal longevity is the progressive decline in physiological function that occurs with ageing, which causes functional limitations (e.g. reduced mobility) and increases the risk of chronic diseases, disability and mortality. Current efforts to increase healthspan centre on slowing the fundamental biological processes of ageing such as inflammation/oxidative stress, increased senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired proteostasis and reduced stress resistance. We propose that optimization of physiological function throughout the lifespan should be a major emphasis of any contemporary biomedical policy addressing global ageing. Effective strategies should delay, reduce in magnitude or abolish reductions in function with ageing (primary prevention) and/or improve function or slow further declines in older adults with already impaired function (secondary prevention). Healthy lifestyle practices featuring regular physical activity and ideal energy intake/diet composition represent first-line function-preserving strategies, with pharmacological agents, including existing and new pharmaceuticals and novel 'nutraceutical' compounds, serving as potential complementary approaches. Future research efforts should focus on defining the temporal patterns of functional declines with ageing, identifying the underlying mechanisms and modulatory factors involved, and establishing the most effective lifestyle practices and pharmacological options for maintaining function. Continuing development of effective behavioural approaches for enhancing adherence to healthy ageing practices in diverse populations, and ongoing analysis of the socio-economic costs and benefits of healthspan extension will be important supporting goals. To meet the demands created by rapid population ageing, a new emphasis in physiological geroscience is needed, which will require the collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts of investigators working throughout the translational research continuum from basic science to public health.
The Force-Frequency Effect in Doubly Rotated Quartz Resonators

Precision frequency control requirements for digital communication and position location systems currently undergoing development make it imperative that crystal resonator performance be improved in a number of aspects. Accordingly, the potential of doubly rotated quartz cuts has begun to be explored (EerNisse, 1975, 1976; Ballato and Iafrate, 1976). For cuts on the upper zero temperature coefficient locus in general (theta approximately equal to +34/sup 0/), and in the neighborhood of the SC-cut in particular (phi approximately equal to 21.9/sup 0/, theta approximately equal to +33.9/sup 0/), a variety of effects having their bases in nonlinear elasticity have been shown, or are predicted, to be reduced below the corresponding AT-cut values. In addition, the static frequency-temperature behavior shows some improvement. The force-frequency effect which has thus far not been investigated in any detail for doubly rotated quartz plate vibrators is studied. This effect relates the initial stress produced by the mounting supports to resonance frequency changes; it contributes to long-term aging and is also related to the frequency excursions produced by accelerations encountered in shock and vibration environments. Results are reported.
Ricento, T. (ed): Language Policy and Political Economy: English in a Global Context

Edited by Thomas Ricento, Language Policy and Political Economy: English in a Global Context has at least three main aims: (a) to interrogate language policy and discourses that have an often injurious impact on people where English is taught as an additional language; (b) to make the case that political economy represents an advantageous perspective for such an interrogation; and (c) to reflect critically on whether English serves as a bona fide lingua franca and what that means for nationstates, as well as people trying to survive in a global economy. Through the 12 chapters that constitute this collection, the book achieves these aims and represents a critical contribution to the field, especially relevant for scholars, educators, and policymakers. Part 1, ‘‘Political Theory and Political Economy in Language Policy Research on English as a Global Language,’’ makes the case for the power of political economy analysis to clarify how conceptions of the state operate within classical liberal theory to shape language policies. In the opening chapter, ‘‘Political Economy and English as a ‘Global’ Language,’’ Ricento criticizes scholarship that underestimates the importance of neoliberal economics, which profit only a rich, mobile, elite few. Next, in clarifying how political economy differs from other analytical lenses, Jeff Bale in ‘‘Language Policy and Global Political Economy’’ makes the case for a global political economy (GPE) framework and urges the rejection of positions that see English as all oppressive and threatening, or that sentimentalize individual language rights as a cure-all. In ‘‘Global English and the Limits of Liberalism: Confronting Global Capitalism and Challenges to the Nation-State,’’ Peter Ives agrees that language scholars should draw from political theory, but urges that
Share Your Passion for Nephrology: Ten Tips to Invigorate Attending Rounds and Precepting Sessions

Although there have been mounting concerns over the decline in applicants to nephrology training programs, strategies to entice students and trainees to pursue a career in nephrology are lacking. Furthermore, the complex factors that contribute to career decisions and the lag between a positive interaction and a decision to pursue nephrology make such strategies difficult to assess. Nevertheless, it is still important to continue efforts to mentor and inspire. This article offers 10 strategies to help nephrologists share passion for nephrology in the clinical arena. These include the excitement of the dialysis unit, ethical dilemmas, pearls for the bedside, and questions "on the fly."
Multiple intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantations in the dalmatian dog.

Abstract Background: Hepatocyte transplantation is an attractive potential treatment for liver-based inborn errors of metabolism and for fulminant hepatic failure. Dalmatian dogs have a metabolic error that results in hyperuricosuria. This report focuses on the effect of multiple, sequential intrasplenic transplants of fresh and cryopreserved hepatocytes in dalmatians. Methods: Dalmatians underwent intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation with hepatocytes taken from healthy mongrels. Dalmatian urinary uric acid excretion was measured preoperatively, and this served as the control value. Three hepatocyte transplantations were performed at 30-day intervals—the first with freshly isolated cells,and both the second and the third with cryopreserved hepatocytes from the same donor. Urinary uric acid excretion was measured postoperatively twice per week. Results: The urinary uric acid excretion decreased an average of 54% after the first hepatocyte transplantation. The effect was transient and lasted an average of 22 days (range, 19-50 days). Subsequent intrasplenic hepatocyte transplantation with cryopreserved hepatocytes resulted in similar decreases in urinary uric acid excretion. Each transplant resulted in a significant decrease in urinary uric acid excretion when compared with baseline values (P =
ICSBP/IRF-8 inhibits mitogenic activity of p210 Bcr/Abl in differentiating myeloid progenitor cells

Interferon consensus sequence binding protein/interferon regulatory factor 8 (ICSBP/IRF-8) is a transcription factor that controls myeloid cell development. ICSBP-/- mice develop a chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)-like syndrome. Several observations on patients and mouse models have implicated ICSBP in the pathogenesis of CML. In this paper, we investigated whether ICSBP modulates the growth-promoting activity of Bcr/Abl, the causal oncoprotein for CML. When transformed with p210 Bcr/Abl, ICSBP-/- myeloid progenitor cells lost growth factor dependence and grew in the absence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor. When ICSBP was ectopically expressed, Bcr/Abl-transformed cells underwent complete growth arrest and differentiated into mature, functional macrophages without inhibiting the kinase activity of Bcr/Abl. Providing a mechanistic basis for the growth arrest, ICSBP markedly repressed c-Myc messenger RNA (mRNA)-expression, a downstream target of Bcr/Abl. A further analysis with the ICSBP/estrogen receptor chimera showed that ICSBP repression of c-Myc is indirect and is mediated by another gene(s). We identified Blimp-1 and METS/PE1, potent c-Myc repressors, as direct targets of ICSBP activated in these cells. Consistent with this, ectopic Blimp-1 repressed c-Myc expression and inhibited cell growth. These results indicate that ICSBP inhibits growth of Bcr/Abl-transformed myeloid progenitor cells by activating several genes that interfere with the c-Myc pathway.
Implementation of a new automatic stratification method using geospatial cropland data layers in NASS area frame construction

A new automatic stratification method utilizing USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) geospatial Cropland Data Layers (CDLs) was recently implemented in NASS operations. Recent research findings indicated that using the CDL stratification method rather than visual interpretation of satellite imagery and aerial photography (traditional method) to define percent cultivation of land areas resulted in Area Sampling Frames (ASF) constructed with improved accuracy, objectivity and efficiency at reduced cost [3]. This paper describes an operational ASF construction process that integrates the automated CDL stratification results with traditional editing/review procedures, a hybrid approach. New 2013/2014 ASFs for South Dakota and Oklahoma were successfully built using the new operational process and illustrated significant improvements in frame accuracy, operational efficiency, and cost.
Occurrence of Bythotrephes Cederstroemi in Lake Ontario Offshore Waters

The Cladocera Bythotrephes cederstroemi appeared first in the nearshore waters of Lake Ontario in 1985 and had established itself in the offshore by 1987. Maximum offshore abundance in Lake Ontario in 1987 was 1,321 m-2 (102 m-3). During the autumn, the period of highest abundance, Bythotrephes accounted for 2% of the zooplankton biomass. The appearance of Bythotrephes in the offshore waters of Lake Ontario in 1987 is coincidental with a 65% decline in adult alewife abundance. In 1988, alewife abundance increased 50% and Bythotrephes was not present in zooplankton tows.
Distribution of caesium-137 in British coastal waters

Abstract The safe discharge of wastes into the sea depends upon achieving adequate dilution of the effluent, otherwise inshore biological reserves may be damaged. Water in the north-east Irish Sea can be identified because of its content of radioactive caesium emanating from the Windscale nuclear fuel processing plant. A survey shows how closely this water hugs the coasts as it travels across the Irish Sea and along the west and north coasts of Scotland. Inshore waters receive almost all our effluents and this report suggests that the dilution capacity of the sea may be far less than is supposed.
GROWTH OF ANANAS COMOSUS (L.) MERR. AT DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MINERAL NUTRITION UNDER GREENHOUSE AND FIELD CONDITIONS. I. PLANT AND FRUIT WEIGHTS AND ABSORPTION OF NITRATE AND POTASSIUM AT DIFFERENT GROWTH INTERVALS.

Pineapple plants, fertilized under field conditions with ammonium sulphate, may absorb from the soil ammonium or nitrate or both simultaneously due to the oxidation and conversion of the former to the latter by micro-biological activity. Following absorption by the roots, ammonium is converted to amide, amino, or protein compounds, but nitrate is translocated per se via the stem to the leaves, where in the chlorophyllous but not in the non-chloroplryllous tissues it is assimilated by conversion to proteins and other related compounds (12). Available data (12) indicate that ammonium is absorbed by pineapple roots at much greater rates than nitrate. However, because of the conversion of NH* to NO? in the soil within a few weeks after the time of application under favorable conditions, the absorption of nitrogen by the roots as nitrate may be greater than as ammonium, due to longer periods of contact of the former with the roots. The assimilation of nitrate in the chlorophyllous but not in the non-chlorophyilous basal sections of the leaves makes possible chemical determinations of the nitrate concentrations in the latter sections which may be made the basis, as to amounts and time, for future applications of nitrogenous fertilizers. The results reported below furnish information, at different growth intervals, on the weights of the plants, leaves, stems, peduncle and fruit, and concentrations of nitrate in the same organs of cultures grown in nutrient solutions in the greenhouse and in the soil in the field, with different amounts of nitrogen, potassium and calcium.
Cognitive balance and assertiveness : testing the construct validity of the states of mind categories

The states of mind (SOM) model, an information-processing model incorporating positive and negative cognition, postulates five categories that result from the relative balance of positive and negative cognitions. Particular consequences are presumably associated with these differing categories of cognitive balance. In the present study the construct validity of the SOM model was tested by assessing the association between SOM categories and qualitative differences in assertive behavior. Female undergraduates delivered role-play assertive responses to five videotaped situations. Following their last response in each situation, subjects completed a thought-listing protocol. Preliminary analyses showed that responses to the five situations were independent. Contingency table analyses between SOM categories and levels of assertiveness (e.g., refusal vs. qualified refusal) were significant for all five situations. These analyses indicated that a number of the SOM categories were associated with expected qualitative differences in assertive behavior (e.g., internal dialogue of conflict with qualified refusal response). Contrary to Schwartz and Garamoni (1986), the results suggest that positive monologue may not be a dysfunctional cognitive state and show that positive monologue, in contrast to positive dialogue, is more frequently associated with refusal responses.
Nucleolar antigen specific for antinucleolar antibody in the sera of patients with systemic rheumatic disease.

Phenol extractable nucleolar 7S RNA produced precipitin reactions in gel with sera containing high titers of antinucleolar antibodies (ANoA) and strongly adsorbed serum ANoA activity. Similar extracts from nuclei or cytoplasm lacked this ability. Extracted and single-stranded DNA also precipitated with ANoA but was only slightly able to absorb serum ANoA activity. Precipitating ANoA was usually found in patients with systemic sclerosis or Raynaud's phenomenon but was also found in one-third of patients with other rheumatic diseases.
Consummatory responses as sources of reinforcement in electrically induced behaviors.

Abstract Rats in which electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus induced wood gnawing were trained to bar press for 3 sec bursts of stimulation in the presence or absence of wooden blocks. The results indicated that the bar press rate was significantly higher when goal objects were present in the chamber. Interpretations of the data supported the notion that in addition to hypothalamic reward the performance of the consummatory response is an important source of positive reinforcement in electrically induced behaviors.
2,4-D sorption in iron oxide-rich soils: Role of soil phosphate and exchangeable Al

This study examined herbicide retention in iron oxide-rich variable charge soils (Ultisols) under no cultivation (forest), agriculture (farm), and turf maintenance (golf course) to explore the following hypothesis: inorganic phosphate accumulation from soil fertilization and liming to decrease exchangeable aluminum (Al) content will influence carboxylic acid herbicide sorption onto soils and leaching into groundwater. A suite of soil properties, including mineralogy (particularly soil iron and aluminum oxide content), exchangeable Al content, and soil phosphate content, influenced sorption of the anionic, 2,4-D. In general, 2,4-D sorption was lower in the presence of phosphate, possibly due to competition between phosphate and 2,4-D for surface sites or increase in surface negative charge resulting from phosphate sorption. Additionally, 2,4-D sorption was greater in the presence of exchangeable Al. It appears that 2,4-D may form surface complexes with or be electrostatically attracted to exchangeable alu...
Comment on the paper by Suffoletto et al. entitled: Text-message-based assessments and brief intervention for young adults discharged from the emergency department.

BACKGROUND: This commentary discusses the importance of the recent article by Suffoletto and colleagues (in press), from the perspective of the developing role that technology such as text-messaging is serving as a means of increasing the reach of brief interventions for harmful alcohol use. RESULTS: This study is important as it offers evidence from a well-designed study that text-messaging can be used to survey young adults about their alcohol use shows promising results for the potential efficacy of this technology to reduce alcohol use, including risky heavy episodic use. There are ethical and clinical considerations around text-messaging that need to be examined. CONCLUSIONS: Future adequately powered randomized studies are needed to show the comparative effect of new technologies, such as text-messaging, in comparison with more traditional methods of providing interventions in reducing harmful alcohol use. Language: en
The Disclosure Decisions of Parents Who Conceive Children Using Donor Eggs

Study Objective To identify variables that influence the disclosure decisions of parents who conceive children using donor eggs and to compare such variables among disclosing, nondisclosing, and undecided families. Design Exploratory, comparative, descriptive. Setting A university hospital–assisted reproductive technology program in the Midwest. Participants Thirty-one couples with children conceived with anonymously donated eggs. Methods Audiotaped telephone interviews, measures of social support and family environment, and a demographic survey. Main Outcome Measures Content analysis of interview transcripts and comparison of recurring themes among groups. Results The majority of parents intended disclosure. Dominant themes among disclosing parents included the belief that a child has a right to know and concerns about the harmful effects of family secrets. Among nondisclosing parents, common themes were knowing of no compelling reason to tell and perceiving potential harm in telling. Undecided parents reported concerns about how and when to tell and the child's possible reaction. Parents in all groups expressed concern about their disclosure decisions. Conclusions Dominant decisional influences were beliefs and values and concerns about possible harm. Longitudinal study is needed to determine the impact of disclosure decisions on children, families, and society.
College Student Receptiveness to Various Alcohol Treatment Options

Objective: Heavy episodic drinking remains a significant problem on college campuses. Although most interventions for college students are behavioral, pharmacological treatments, such as naltrexone, could provide additional options. Participants: The authors evaluated receptivity to various alcohol treatment options in a general population of college student drinkers (N = 2,084), assessed in 2005. Methods: The authors asked participants to indicate which of 8 treatment options (ie, self-help book, self-help computer program, self-help group, group therapy, individual therapy, monthly injection, targeted oral medication, or daily oral medication) they would be willing to consider if they were going to cut down on or stop drinking. Results: Over 50% of drinkers expressed receptiveness to self-help options or psychotherapy options, and over 25% of drinkers expressed receptiveness to medication options. Conclusions: Increasing treatment options for students interested in reducing or stopping drinking by offer...
Protease Accessibility Laddering: A Proteomic Tool for Probing Protein Structure

Summary Limited proteolysis is widely used in biochemical and crystallographic studies to determine domain organization, folding properties, and ligand binding activities of proteins. The method has limitations, however, due to the difficulties in obtaining sufficient amounts of correctly folded proteins and in interpreting the results of the proteolysis. A new limited proteolysis method, named protease accessibility laddering (PAL), avoids these complications. In PAL, tagged proteins are purified on magnetic beads in their natively folded state. While attached to the beads, proteins are probed with proteases. Proteolytic fragments are eluted and detected by immunoblotting with antibodies against the tag (e.g., Protein A, GFP, and 6×His). PAL readily detects domain boundaries and flexible loops within proteins. A combination of PAL and comparative protein structure modeling allows characterization of previously unknown structures (e.g., Sec31, a component of the COPII coated vesicle). PAL's high throughput should greatly facilitate structural genomic and proteomic studies.
Distribution of Meningeal Worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in South Dakota

Heads of hunter-harvested deer (Odocoileus sp.) and elk (Cervus elaphus) were collected from meat processing plants throughout South Dakota (USA) from 1997 through 1999 to determine distribution of meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis) in eastern and western South Dakota. A total of 2,848 white-tailed deer (WTD) were examined for P. tenuis, of which 578 (20.3%) were infected with the parasite. Of 578 deer infected, 570 (98.6%) were harvested east of the Missouri River. Our results indicate that P. tenuis is widely distributed throughout eastern South Dakota and limited to the southcentral region of western South Dakota. Infected WTD were documented in 37 of 44 counties in eastern South Dakota and three of 22 counties in western South Dakota. No meningeal worms were found on the meninges or cranial surfaces of 215 mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) or 344 elk examined. These findings further define the distribution of the parasite throughout the state. We suggest that the Missouri River acts, in part, a...
Accumulation of d-Glucose from Pentoses by Metabolically Engineered Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli that is unable to metabolize d-glucose (with knockouts in ptsG, manZ, and glk) accumulates a small amount of d-glucose (yield of about 0.01 g/g) during growth on the pentoses d-xylose or l-arabinose as a sole carbon source. Additional knockouts in the zwf and pfkA genes, encoding, respectively, d-glucose-6-phosphate 1-dehydrogenase and 6-phosphofructokinase I (E. coli MEC143), increased accumulation to greater than 1 g/liter d-glucose and 100 mg/liter d-mannose from 5 g/liter d-xylose or l-arabinose. Knockouts of other genes associated with interconversions of d-glucose-phosphates demonstrate that d-glucose is formed primarily by the dephosphorylation of d-glucose-6-phosphate. Under controlled batch conditions with 20 g/liter d-xylose, MEC143 generated 4.4 g/liter d-glucose and 0.6 g/liter d-mannose. The results establish a direct link between pentoses and hexoses and provide a novel strategy to increase carbon backbone length from five to six carbons by directing flux through the pentose phosphate pathway.
Age-dependent modulation of NF-κB expression in rat adrenal gland

Abstract The current studies were initiated to examine the expression and regulation of an oxidative stress-responsive transcription factor, NF-κB, in rat adrenals during aging. NF-κB DNA-binding activity and expression of constituent proteins (Rel family of proteins and IκBs) was measured in adrenal nuclear and cytoplasmic extracts from young mature (5 month) and old (24 month) Sprague–Dawley rats before and after treatment with LPS; the latter was used to further invoke oxidative stress. Administration of LPS to either young or old rats induced a dramatic activation of NF-κB DNA binding activity as assayed by EMSA. NF-κB hetero-dimers, RelA/NF-κB1 (p65/p50) accounted for the majority of proteins that bound to consensus NF-κB sequences in LPS-treated young and old animals. The intensity of DNA binding complexes was significantly reduced in old animals. The age-related decline in the activation of NF-κB could not be attributed to an alteration in the composition of constituent subunits or degradation of NF-κB inhibitory proteins (IκBα and IκBβ) but rather was due to selective down-regulation of RelA/p65 and NF-κB2/p52 proteins. No age-related or LPS-induced changes in the constitutively active transcription factors SP-1 and OCT-1 were detected. These data suggest that aberrancies in the activation of NF-κB DNA-binding activity may contribute to the excessive oxidative damage observed in adrenal tissue with aging and may adversely affect cellular processes crucial for intracellular cholesterol transport and steroid hormone production.
Investigation of mastitis problems on farms

The production of high-quality milk is a high-priority issue for dairy farmers and milk processors. The investigation of mastitis problems on dairy farms is an area of increasing demand and is an ideal way for veterinary practitioners to increase involvement in production medicine programs. Goals for the amount of clinical and subclinical mastitis should be predefined on dairy farms, and a herd investigation initiated when needed. The use of a structured approach to mastitis problems can identify risk factors for infection, result in rapid resolution of mastitis problems, and hasten the application of appropriate preventive practices.
A Modified Optimal Interpolation Technique for Vector Retrieval for Coherent Doppler LIDAR

Several modifications to the optimal interpolation (OI) technique for light-detection-and-ranging vector retrieval are proposed and shown to result in significant improvement in velocity retrieval accuracy. These modifications include changes to innovation covariance portioning, covariance binning, and analysis increment calculation. A validation of the modified OI technique is presented, comparing the retrievals with the original technique in each case. The modified technique is able to perform retrievals with better accuracy, preserves local information better, and compares well with tower measurements.