cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo Cerebral Incorporation of Radiolabeled Fatty Acids after Acute Unilateral Orbital Enucleation in Adult Hooded Long-Evans Rats

We examined effects of acute unilateral enucleation on incorporation from blood of intravenously injected unsaturated [1-{sup 14}C]arachidonic acid ([{sup 14}C]AA) and [1-{sup 14}C]docosahexaenoic acid ([{sup 14}C]DHA), and of saturated [9,10-{sup 3}H]palmitic acid ([{sup 3}H]PA), into visual and nonvisual brain areas of awake adult Long-Evans hooded rats. Regional cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (rCMR{sub glc}) values also were assessed with 2-deoxy-D-[1-{sup 14}C]glucose ([{sup 14}C]DG). One day after unilateral enucleation, an awake rat was placed in a brightly lit visual stimulation box with black and white striped walls, and a radiolabeled fatty acid was infused for 5 min or [{sup 14}C]DG was injected as a bolus. [{sup 14}C]DG also was injected in a group of rats kept in the dark for 4 h. Fifteen minutes after starting an infusion of a radiolabeled fatty acid, or 45 min after injecting [{sup 14}C]DG, the rat was killed and the brain was prepared for quantitative autoradiography. Incorporation coefficients k* of fatty acids, or rCMR{sub glc} values, were calculated in homologous brain regions contralateral and ipsilateral to enucleation. As compared with ipsilateral regions, rCMR{sub glc} was reduced significantly (by as much as -39%) in contralateral visual areas, including the superior colliculus, lateral geniculate body, and layersmore » I, IV, and V of the primary (striate) and secondary (association, extrastriate) visual cortices. These results indicate that enucleation acutely reduces neuronal activity in contralateral visual areas of the awake rat and that the reductions are coupled to reduced incorporation of unsaturated fatty acids into sn-2 regions of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol, and phosphatidylethanolamine. Reduced fatty acid incorporation likely reflects reduced activity of phospholipases A{sub 2} and/or phospholipase C. 65 refs., 5 figs., 5 tabs.« less
Observation of interface band structure by ballistic-electron-emission microscopy.

The paper reports an advanced ballistic electron spectroscopy technique that was used to directly measure semiconductor band structure properties at a subsurface interface. Two interface systems having contrasting band structures were investigated by this method: Au-Si and Au-GaAs. It is concluded that the proposed method, based on scanning tunneling microscopy, enables the spatially resolved carrier-transport spectroscopy of interfaces.
International Perspectives on Technology Assessment

Technology assessment (TA) has attracted worldwide attention, but at present TA means different things to different countries. In industrialized market economy countries, TA consists of policy studies that deal with the side effects of technology. In centrally planned economy countries, TA is considered another tool for social management of technology. For developing countries, TA is expected to help in selecting appropriate technologies for development. These different perspectives have significant implications not only in how TA is done differently in different countries, but also in how international and global TA can be done effectively.
Galactose prevents proton excretion but not IAA-induced growth in segments of azuki bean epicotyls

We investigated the effect of galactose on IAA-induced elongation and proton excretion in azuki bean (Vigna angularis Ohwi et Ohashi) segments in order to confirm whether or not protons were involved in auxin-induced growth. Galactose inhibited the IAA-induced decrease in the solution pH but had no inhibitory effect on IAA-induced growth in segments of azuki bean epicotyls. On the other hand, galactose inhibited both IAA-induced growth and proton excretion in oat (Avena sativa L.) coleoptile segments. From these results it is unlikely that IAA-induced growth is mediated by proton excretion at least in azuki bean epicotyls.
Growth of InAs on Si substrates at low temperatures using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy

Abstract The growth behavior of InAs on Si using metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) was studied. The large lattice mismatch of InAs to Si, ∼12%, results in island formation under typical MOVPE growth conditions, which prevents the development of the thin coherent films of InAs needed for high-speed device applications. The growth of InAs at low temperature is expected to lead to rapid nucleation and low surface mobility, resulting in the formation of a coherent film at low thicknesses. This study explored the growth behavior of InAs on Si at low temperatures, i.e. 3 . Small islands ranging from 15 to 30 nm form on the samples at growth temperatures
Connectivity, graph minors, and subgraph multiplicity

Author(s): Eppstein, David | Abstract: It is well known that any planar graph contains at most O(n) complete subgraphs. We extend this to an exact characterization: G occurs O(n) times as a subgraph of any planar graph, if and only if G is three-connected. Even more generally, G occurs O(n) times as a subgraph of the K_b,c free graphs, b g/= c, if and only if G is c-connected; G occurs O(n) times as a subgraph of the K_a-free graphs if and only if G is (a - 1)-connected. Our results use a simple Ramsey-theoretic lemma that may be of independent interest.
Inhibition of glutamate decarboxylase in extracts of the slime mold physarum polycephalum

Abstract Ammonium sulfate fractions of supernatants from Physarum polycephalum browned rapidly at room temp. This browning was accompanied by complete inactivation of glutamate decarboxylase. Fractions exhibiting low activity and poor yields were obtained by decreasing plasmodium-buffer ratios of homogenates. Total activity of these fractions was increased by gel-filtration with Sephadex G-150. Samples of a crude slime mold pigment preparation inhibited supernatant activity by 42%. Since the enzyme was being inactivated either by phenols or their oxidation products, EDTA, cysteine, and Polyclar AT were added to extracting media to increase enzyme recovery. With their aid the enzyme was purified more than 15-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation and gel-filtration with Sephadex G-200.
Obstruction of the duodenum by the superior mesenteric artery — Does it exist in children?

Abstract Though well described by rokitansky in 1861, the symptoms and treatment of duodenal compression by the superior mesenteric artery have not been clearly defined in children. As a result, diagnosis and therapy may be unduly delayed. This report is of personal experience with superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome in 20 children. Seven of these cases have been discussed previously.
A fluorescence investigation of the nucleotide binding sites of the Ca ATPase.

Competitive binding and fluorescence energy transfer experiments were used to examine the binding of 2′[3′]-0-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) adenosines'-diphosphate (TNP-ADP) to the catalytic site of Ca ATPase. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), which is known to covalently bind near the catalytic site (13), was shown to exclude all TNP-ADP binding. TNP-ADP, in turn, will protect against FITC labeling of the Ca ATPase in its native state and in both phosphoenzyme forms. The competitive nature of these probes indicates that TNP-ADP binds to the catalytic site exclusively. Fluorescence energy transfer studies using TNP-ADP as an energy acceptor and 1, N6-ethenoadenosine-5′-diphosphate (e-ADP) as an energy donor were used to estimate the distance between nucleotide binding sites in the enzyme complex. A lower limit for the distance measured was 44 A. This is interpreted to be the distance between catalytic sites on adjacent monomers of a dimer unit. The results of this work are consistent with a single nucleotide si...
Factors influencing phospholipid adsorption on silica from soybean oil miscella.

Phospholipids can be removed from crude soybean oil miscellas by adsorption on silica. The adsorption is not complete even though the silica has not been saturated. Micelle formation and calcium salts of phospholipids were ruled out as causes for the incomplete adsorption pattern, and competition for adsorption sites by triglyceride was judged to be the likely cause.
Use of aluminum in air-brazing aluminum oxide

A commercial aluminum foil was used to braze alumina plates in air. Although the outer surface of the aluminum oxidizes in air, the majority of the aluminum underneath remains unoxidized during brazing, allowing the ceramic pieces to be joined together with adequate strength. Joint strength testing and subsequent examination of the fracture surfaces of the joints indicate that the joints are inherently ductile, even after long-term, high-temperature air exposure.
Novel adaptive methods for narrowband interference cancellation in CDMA multi-user detection

When overlaying spread spectrum (SS) transmission over a narrowband system, the performance is significantly degraded by the narrowband signal. The paper presents an adaptive predictor approach for narrowband interference suppression in SS code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems. Two adaptive methods are derived; one uses a linear predictor and the other a nonlinear predictor. They both use a predictor to estimate the interference which is then subtracted from the received signal to improve performance. The proposed adaptive methods are blind in the sense that they do not require training data. The proposed methods not only provide faster convergence speed than the case without using a predictor, but also give better BER performance. At a BER of 10/sup -4/ and SINR = -20 dB, the proposed methods yield 1.4 dB and 2.4 dB improvement in SNR (E/sub b//N/sub 0/) respectively.
Persistent association of Mycobacterium ulcerans with West African predaceous insects of the family belostomatidae.

A number of studies have suggested that Mycobacterium ulcerans, the etiological agent of Buruli ulcer, may be transmitted to humans by insect bites. M. ulcerans has been isolated from a predaceous aquatic insect, and PCR detection of M. ulcerans DNA in aquatic environments suggests that the organism is widely distributed within many invertebrate taxa and functional feeding groups. Thus, M. ulcerans may be concentrated through different trophic links. However, the specific environmental niche of M. ulcerans and route of transmission to humans remain a mystery. In this study, a biologically relevant infection model in which M. ulcerans-infected mosquito larvae were fed to a species of predaceous hemiptera (African Belostomatidae) was used to demonstrate the persistent colonization of M. ulcerans and subsequent transmission of bacteria to naive prey. The association of M. ulcerans with specific anatomical compartments showed that M. ulcerans accumulates preferentially on the exoskeleton. In contrast, few organisms were found in dissected guts or salivary glands. No difference was found between the ability of wild-type M. ulcerans and an M. ulcerans isogenic mycolactone-negative mutant to colonize belostomatids. These data show that African belostomatids can successfully be colonized by M. ulcerans and support the trophic transfer of M. ulcerans within the environment.
Physical Layer Error Correction Based Cipher

In conventional communication systems, error correction is carried out at the physical layer while data security is performed performed at an upper layer. As a result, these steps are done as separate steps. As opposed to this conventional system, we present a scheme that combines error correction and data security as one unit so that both encryption and encoding could be carried out at the physical layer. Hence, in this paper, we present an Error Correction Based Cipher (ECBC) that combines error correction and encryption/decryption in a single step. Encrypting and encoding or decoding and decrypting in a single step will lead to a faster and more efficient implementation. One of the challenges of using previous joint schemes in a communications channel is that there is a tradeoff between data reliability and security. However in ECBC, there is no trade off between reliability and security. Errors introduced at the transmitter for randomization are removed at the receiver. Hence ECBC can utilize its full capacity to correct channel errors. We show the result of randomization test on ECBC and its security against conventional attacks. We also present the result of the FPGA implementation of the ECBC encryption.
Familial correlations for serial measurements of recumbent length and stature

SummaryFamilial correlation coefficients were calculated for recumbent length or stature measured serially on participants in the Fels Longitudinal Growth Study and for short-term serial or cross-sectional measurements on relatives of participants. Pairs of relatives are compared at the same chronological ages from 1 to 18 years in 1-year increments and again in adulthood. First-degree relatives are more similar than second- or third-degree relatives at all ages. Sibling correlations are consistently higher than parent-offspring correlations, except after age 15, when they become very similar. For the most part, these results agree with those of cross-sectional studies finding higher sibling than parent-offspring correlations. Familial correlations tend to decrease during adolescence, perhaps due to differences among relatives in timing of growth spurts. Trends observed in bivariate plots of correlations over age are confirmed by multivariate analysis of correlations for different types of relatives at di...
VALVE MORPHOLOGY OF SYNEDRA GOULARDI (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Specimens of Synedra goulardi Breb. from samples taken in Costa Rica were acid cleaned and examined by light and scanning electron microscopy. This linear-lanceolate diatom displays an unusual pattern of markings in its central area which have been mistaken as striae but are actually internal costae. As is typical for members of its genus and that of many other genera in the Fragilariaceae, S. goulardi possesses non-stalked labiate processes, apical pore fields and a lack of marginal spines. There is a great deal of variability in the striae of the genus, ranging from single rows of puncta to areolate striae. Synedra goulardi has double punctate striae. The presence of fossil forms (Neogene) with single punctate striae suggest this may be a primitive condition in the genus.
Bit-Loaded PAPR Reduction for High-Data-Rate Through-Metal Control Network Applications

Data transmission through metallic structures is commonly required in industrial control applications. In a number of these applications, mechanically penetrating the structure to pass cables and establish a wired communication link is either impossible or undesirable. Examples of such structures include metal bulkheads, pressure vessels, or pipelines. Ultrasonic signaling has been proposed as a solution for through-metal data transfer without penetrating the structure. The reverberant nature of the through-metal channel, however, can lead to significant intersymbol interference, limiting the data rate achievable by conventional single-carrier communication techniques. In this paper, we describe a through-metal communication technique that exploits the slow-varying nature of the ultrasonic channel to implement an orthogonal-frequency-division-multiplexing-based rate-adaptive peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) reduction algorithm. Measurements of the proposed adaptive algorithm have demonstrated transmitted throughput rates of up to 14 Mbps while reducing PAPR by up to 3 dB and maintaining a bit error rate of 10- 5 at average transmit powers of roughly 6 dBm. This enhancement provides the required throughput and error rate to support high-rate network applications in otherwise data-limited environments.
Spatial Stratification of Soil Bacterial Populations in Aggregates of Diverse Soils

Most soil microbial community studies to date have focused on homogenized bulk soil samples. However, it is likely that many important microbial processes occur in spatially segregated microenvironments in the soil leading to a microscale biogeography. This study attempts to localize specific microbial populations to different fractions or compartments within the soil matrix. Microbial populations associated with macroaggregates and inner- versus total-microaggregates of three diverse soils were characterized using culture-independent, molecular methods. Despite their relative paucity in most surveys of soil diversity, representatives of Gemmatimonadetes and Actinobacteria subdivision Rubrobacteridae were found to be highly abundant in inner-microaggregates of most soils analyzed. By contrast, clones affiliated with Acidobacteria were found to be relatively enriched in libraries derived from macroaggregate fractions of nearly all soils, but poorly represented in innermicroaggregate fractions. Based upon analysis of 16S rRNA, active community members within microaggregates of a Georgian Ultisol were comprised largely of Gemmatimonadetes and Rubrobacteridae, while within microaggregates of a Nebraska Mollisol, Rubrobacteridae and Alphaproteobacteria were the predominant active bacterial lineages. This work suggests that microaggregates represent a unique microenvironment that selects for specific microbial lineages across disparate soils.
Physics operations with the DIII-D plasma control system

The DIII-D device began operation in 1986, and a fully digital plasma control system (PCS [J.L. Luxon, Nucl. Fusion 42, 614 (2002).]) was implemented in 1993. Over time, the success of the PCS to exploit the inherent versatility of the DIII-D device led to a philosophy of using the PCS to control all available plasma system actuators. This made the PCS a very powerful physics tool that is at the core of Physics Operations at DIII-D. The complexity of the DIII-D device and all the systems the PCS must control makes proper setup of the PCS for new experiments a daunting task. A cadre of physicists specially trained in PCS operation forms the Physics Operations staff at DIII-D. They are the interface between experimental plans and successful execution and, as such, are a critical component of each experiment. Physics Operations is also a set of tools and procedures. We will briefly examine some of those tools, such as the TokSys control design and modeling environment, and the ‘smart’ PCS setup checklist, that greatly reduces human error in reconfiguring the PCS for a new experiment. We will examine the procedures that allow efficient use of those tools and some of the human factors that can affect productivity.
One- and Two-Dimensional Coherently Coupled Implant-Defined Vertical-Cavity Laser Arrays

Loss between elements of coherently coupled vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) arrays typically causes out-of-phase operation with on-axis intensity nulls in the far-field. We show that in-phase evanescently coupled VCSEL arrays may be defined by proton implantation. An advantage for implanted in-phase coherently coupled VCSEL arrays is that this approach employs a simple and reliable fabrication process where the absence of loss between elements leads to in-phase coupling. We present data for 2, 3, and 4 element in-phase implant-defined coherently coupled VCSEL arrays.
Reinforcing effect of coverlayers on the fatigue life of copper-Kapton flex cables

Flex cables constructed of copper sandwiched between Kapton (polyimide) fail under repeated bending due to the formation and propagation of fatigue cracks in the copper. It is observed that fatigue life of rolled-annealed copper cables with a coverlayer of Kapton is significantly higher than cables without a coverlayer. This result is explained using a fracture mechanics analysis where the Kapton layers bridge across cracks in the copper, shielding the crack from the full stresses. This retards crack growth, hence increasing fatigue life of the cables. >
Behavior of Aberrant Chromosome Configurations in Drosophila melanogaster Female Meiosis I

One essential role of the first meiotic division is to reduce chromosome number by half. Although this is normally accomplished by segregating homologous chromosomes from each other, it is possible for a genome to have one or more chromosomes that lack a homolog (such as compound chromosomes), or have chromosomes with multiple potential homologs (such as in XXY females). These configurations complete meiosis but engage in unusual segregation patterns. In Drosophila melanogaster females carrying two compound chromosomes, the compounds can accurately segregate from each other, a process known as heterologous segregation. Similarly, in XXY females, when the X chromosomes fail to cross over, they often undergo secondary nondisjunction, where both Xs segregate away from the Y. Although both of these processes have been known for decades, the orientation mechanisms involved are poorly understood. Taking advantage of the recent discovery of chromosome congression in female meiosis I, we have examined a number of different aberrant chromosome configurations. We show that these genotypes complete congression normally, with their chromosomes bioriented at metaphase I arrest at the same rates that they segregate, indicating that orientation must be established during prometaphase I before congression. We also show that monovalent chromosomes can move out on the prometaphase I spindle, but the dot 4 chromosomes appear required for this movement. Finally, we show that, similar to achiasmate chromosomes, heterologous chromosomes can be connected by chromatin threads, suggesting a mechanism for how heterochromatic homology establishes these unusual biorientation patterns.
James' regularization theorem for double covers of symmetric groups ✩

Abstract This paper is concerned with the modular representation theory of Schur's double covers of symmetric groups. We establish an analogue of James' regularization theorem, which describes leading terms for branching multiplicities and decomposition numbers with respect to the usual dominance ordering.
Gene expression profile of metastatic colon cancer cells resistant to cisplatin-induced apoptosis

The current chemotherapeutic modalities for advanced colorectal cancer are limited. DNA-platinating drugs such as cisplatin have poor efficacy against this malignancy. The aim of this study was to identify genes that render survival advantage after cisplatin treatment in metastatic colon cancer. Cell lines SW480 (primary colon cancer) and SW620 (metastatic lesion from the same patient) were obtained from ATCC. Apoptosis was measured by FACS analysis of cisplatin-treated (0.01-10 µg/ml) and untreated cells. Simultaneous analysis of ~1200 cDNAs was performed by microarray technique on untreated and treated cells from lines. Microarray results were confirmed by RT-PCR. The SW620 cell line was more resistant to apoptosis induced by cisplatin. Western blot analysis revealed equal expression of pro-caspases 3, 8, and 9 in both cell lines. Microarray analysis identified 15 genes and 9 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) significantly altered both by cell type (metastatic vs. non- metastatic) and treatment vs. non-treatment. Several of these transcripts are well-characterized genes including MCT, GAD67, P19, GSTM3, Cyclin D1, ATM, and CO-029 that have been implicated in various malignancies. In the present study, we have identified a set of genes responsible for apoptosis resistance following treatment with cisplatin in the late stages of carcinogenesis. Targeting these genes may increase chemotherapy effectiveness in advanced colon cancer and reduce toxicity in normal tissue.
Cost and error characteristics of three cost accounting system types : full costing, marginal costing, and activity based costing

(1994). Cost and Error Characteristics of Three Cost Accounting System Types: Full Costing, Marginal Costing, and Activity Based Costing. The Journal of Cost Analysis: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 135-215.
MULTISCALE INTENSITY ESTIMATION FOR MULTI-PHOTON MICROSCOPY

Multi-photon laser scanning microscopy is a cutting-edge tool for high-resolution imaging of living tissue and organisms used to study biological processes such as cellular dynamics. The result of this powerful technique is a series of photons emissions resulting from fluorescence events occurring at each raster scan location. Each observed photon is detected along with auxiliary information such as its characteristic emission spectrum. The small number of photons collected, however, can limit the quality of the reconstructions. This paper proposes a novel reconstruction method which effectively uses the auxiliary information available in multi-photon microscopy to improve the overall reconstruction quality. The multiscale analysis framework underlying the proposed estimator results in reconstructions with accurate estimates of intensities without smoothed edges or boundaries. Unlike conventional multi-dimensional estimators based on tensor products of one-dimensional basis functions, the proposed method explicitly acknowledges differences in signal behaviors for different dimensions
Myeloradiculopathy associated with chikungunya virus infection (P6.301)

OBJECTIVE: To describe neurologic sequelae of chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection. BACKGROUND: CHIKV is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that is endemic to parts of Africa, Southeast Asia, and more recently the Caribbean. Although patients typically present with fevers and joint pain, neurologic symptoms such as encephalitis can occur. Myeloradiculopathy has rarely been reported. DESIGN/METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 47-year-old woman experienced fevers, rash, and diarrhea while traveling in the Dominican Republic and was diagnosed with CHIKV disease clinically by a local physician. Ten days later she developed left leg weakness and decreased sensation below the umbilicus. She subsequently developed left hip flexion, knee extension, and knee flexion weakness, with minimal movement against gravity. Sensation was decreased in all modalities up to the T12 level. Reflexes were preserved. MRI demonstrated intramedullary enhancement dorsally from T12 to L1 spinal levels. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies showed 22 WBCs (90[percnt] lymphocytes), 2 RBCs, and elevated protein to 68 mg/dL. Serum CHIKV IgG and IgM were detected at 1:1280. Other causes of infectious, metabolic, malignant, and immune-mediated myelitis were ruled out. She was treated with a five-day course of intravenous methylprednisolone and improved, regaining her ability to walk short distances, but with residual lower extremity weakness and impaired sensation. She returned six weeks later with new right-sided lower extremity pain. MRI showed cauda equina enhancement and persistence of the thoracic lesion. CSF revealed 9 WBCs (97[percnt] lymphocytes), no RBCs, and protein of 91 mg/dL. She was treated with two days of intravenous methylprednisolone with minimal improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Given the time lapse between the acute infection and the neurologic sequelae, an immune-mediated phenomenon secondary to CHIKV is expected. Optimal treatment and prognosis have not been well described, but the progression after corticosteroid administration suggests that alternative immunomodulatory therapies may be warranted at initial clinical onset. Disclosure: Dr. Bank has nothing to disclose. Dr. Batra has nothing to disclose. Dr. Colorado has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lyons has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity for Current Infectious Disease Reports.
Laser Raman inelastic light scattering investigations of hyaluronic acid primary and secondary structure

The solvent-subtracted Raman spectrum of hyaluronic acid is reported. The spectrum is unchanged by (i) variations in the pH of the solution 6.0–8.5, when buffered at constant ionic strength 0.1, and (ii) changes in temperature 10–50°C. As rheological, flow birefringence, and linear dichroism studies of hyaluronate solutions indicate a large and abrupt structural transition across the physiological pH range 7.0–7.5, the negative finding reported here is of considerable interest in contrast with those previous studies. When considering the polysaccharides in general, as precise rheological, flow birefringence and linear dichroism data are only available for hyaluronic acid, the present finding is of interest for hyaluronic acid considered as a model polysaccharide system exhibiting elasticity. The result reported here is discussed within the context of, on the one hand, the possible limitations of the Raman technique which is a probe of g-state vibrational modes and, on the other hand, the possible extension of the Raman technique to probing oriented (stressed) samples. As a previous study demonstrated a small limiting birefringence but a large limiting extinction angle with minimum change in monomer anisotropy for these solutions, the suggestion is favored that the abrupt structural transition across the physiological pH range previously reported is due to long-range Van der Waals interactions.
Variability Pattern in Conflict Management Strategies among School Administrators of Secondary Schools in Nigeria

The present study examined current management strategies adopted by school administrators for resolving conflict, with a view to determining the extent to which these actors agree on conflict management procedures. Adopting a stratified random sampling technique, to ensure adequate national representation, 2400 administrators from rural and urban school districts were surveyed. Key stakeholders in the education enterprise, such as teachers, principals, proprietors of schools as well as members of the school board were, in addition interviewed. Clear disparity appear to exist between sampled groups, in a majority of the tested variables of avoidance, forcing, and bribing, but a clustering pattern, indicating group consonance, was observed in the application of bargaining method. The result highlights administrators' preference in the use of bargaining as a conflict management tool in school districts. This research has identified the preferred conflict management strategy among school administrators. In addition it has thrown light on areas of dissonance, in conflict management strategy, among education managers.
Reversal of cerebral glucose hypometabolism on positron emission tomography with electroconvulsive therapy in an elderly patient with a psychotic episode

AB, a 74-year-old Caucasian woman, was admitted for acute onset of psychosis, anxiety, and cognitive impairment. Pharmacotherapy was unsuccessful and the patient was referred for electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Pre-ECT, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography showed extensive frontal, parietal, and temporal cortical hypometabolism suggestive of a neurodegenerative disease. After eight ECT sessions, the psychotic and anxiety symptoms as well as the cognitive impairment resolved. The rapid improvement in symptoms was more suggestive of a psychotic episode rather than dementia. Two days after the ECT course, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography showed improvements in cerebral cortical hypometabolism, especially in the left parietal cortex, left temporal/occipital cortex. and bifrontal regions. At a follow-up visit 2 months after the ECT course, the psychotic episode was still in remission, and 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose-PET/computed tomography continued to show improved cerebral cortical hypometabolism in these areas. This case illustrated the effect of ECT in reversing cerebral glucose hypometabolism on PET. The improvement in cerebral glucose hypometabolism may represent the neurophysiological mechanism of ECT in the treatment of a psychotic episode. Improved cerebral glucose hypometabolism was present 2 months post-ECT, which suggests that ECT caused sustained functional neural changes.
Anxiety-related Attentional Biases in Childhood

Research indicates that highly anxious adults show an attentional bias favouring emotionally threatening over emotionally neutral stimuli. In contrast, low-anxious adults show a bias favouring neutral over threatening stimuli. Such attentional biases may play important roles in the regulation and dysregulation of anxiety. Therefore, they have substantial potential to foster or protect against the development, maintenance, or intensification of anxiety disorders. Evidence from several recent studies suggests that such biases also occur among children. This paper reviews these studies, placing particular emphasis on methodological issues that must be considered when applying methods from studies of adults to children of varying ages.
Comparison of Three Methods for Recovery of Campylobacter spp. from Broiler Carcasses

We compared three enrichment methods, with different sampling times (mid-and endpoint incubation) and various dilutions of enrichment culture for productivity in the isolation of Campylobacter spp. from 50 retail-level chicken carcasses. We subcultured the enrichment cultures onto three Campylobacter spp.-selective media (Campy-BAP, CCDA, Campy-Cefex) to compare yields of the organism. The highest yield (43/50) of Campylobacter spp. from these carcasses was derived by using the 24-h enrichment culture of Hunt & Radle diluted 1:100 before plating onto any of the three selective plating media. When all carcass analyses were combined, Campylobacter spp. was recovered from 49 of 50 broilers. This study indicates the optimum approaches for the recovery of Campylobacter spp., as well as the high incidence of the organism among the broiler carcasses tested.
Dating Zarathustra: Oriental Texts and the Problem of Persian Prehistory, 1700–1900

Establishing the identity, and the chronology, of the Persian religious reformer Zarathustra has been of great interest to western scholars since antiquity—but became an urgent question in the early modern era. Scholars trained chiefly in biblical exegesis particularly wished to know if Zarathustra had preached a monotheistic or a dualistic faith. The complexity of the source material, however, made it difficult to decide this question, and impossible to securely place Zarathustra in time. Even after the deciphering of Old Avestan, the question of Zarathustra’s dates has remained enormously fraught, and dependent on inferences from classical or biblical texts. The ongoing quest to date Zarathustra shows us that ‘orientalism’ as a scholarly enterprise exhibits many continuities across the centuries and that chronology continues even today to be a crucial and controversial subject.
Investigation of seven metallic elements reference values in healthy adult blood of Licang Dirstrict

Objective:To describe the concentration of the zinc,iron,copper,manganese,molybdenum,selenium,calcium and their distribution features.To build the normal reference ranges of zinc,iron,copper,manganese,molybdenum,selenium,calcium;Method:Trace elements in whole blood degested by microwave were detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and the statistical calculation was performed using the SPSS software v.11.5;Conclusion:The total range of trace elements in healthy adult blood of Dirstric Licang is Ca(41.4～64.7 mg/L),Fe(369.1～567.4 mg/L),Zn(3.23～6.62 mg/L),Cu(0.602～1.068 mg/L),Mn(5.5～46.3 μg/L),Mo(0.22～3.54 μg/L),Se(62.2～143.1 μg/L).In whole blood,Fe,Zn and Cu are found to approach a normal distribution,while Ca,Se,Mn and Mo are skew distribution.The normal reference ranges of trace elements in whole blood is Ca(46.9～61.1 mg/L),Se(63.3～134.5 μg/L),Zn(4.33～6.41 mg/L),Fe(386.1～546.5 mg/L),Cu(0.614～0.970 mg/L) for men;Ca(43.1～64.5 mg/L),Se(65.6～135.8 μg/L),Zn(3.52～5.52 mg/L),Fe(386.6～492.5 mg/L),Cu(0.694～1.030 mg/L) for women;Mn(6.08～28.34 μg/L),Mo(0.22～1.54 μg/L) for men and women.
Pediatrie aspects of essential hypertension

Severe hypertension is rarely seen in children, but there is increasing evidence that childhood may be an appropriate time to consider measures for the prevention of hypertension later in life. The normal range for blood pressure in children and the significance of an "elevated" blood pressure are discussed. Evidence is reviewed which indicates that heredity obesity, and sodium intake are important determinants of blood pressure. There is a role for the nutritionist in the management and the possible prevention of essential hypertension.
The methyl donor S-adenosylmethionine prevents liver hypoxia and dysregulation of mitochondrial bioenergetic function in a rat model of alcohol-induced fatty liver disease.

Background Mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic stress play an important role in the etiology of alcoholic liver disease. Previous studies from our laboratory show that the primary methyl donor S-Adenosylmethionine (SAM) minimizes alcohol-induced disruptions in several mitochondrial functions in the liver. Herein, we expand on these earlier observations to determine whether the beneficial actions of SAM against alcohol toxicity extend to changes in the responsiveness of mitochondrial respiration to inhibition by nitric oxide (NO), induction of the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pore, and the hypoxic state of the liver.
In your own words: Investigating voice, intertextuality, and credibility of Rachel Jeantel in the George Zimmerman trial

In February 2012, Trayvon Martin was killed by George Zimmerman, who, after a month of highly-publicized trial, was acquitted of second-degree murder. In this paper, I examine the testimony of Martinâ€™s childhood friend and witness for the prosecution, Rachel Jeantel. I investigate the ways in which the intertextual strategy of voicing another, that is the representation of not only their words, but also the characteristics of their language variety, may effectively eliminate the witnessâ€™s credibility. This work is motivated by the literature on the interaction between intertextual strategies (Bakhtin 1981, Becker 1994, Tannen 2007[1989]) and language ideologies (Matoesian 1999, Tannen 2010), especially as they relate to institutional discourse of courtroom interactions (Conley and Oâ€™Barr 1990, Conley et al. 1978, Magenau 2003, Cotterill 2003). My analysis shows that the prosecuting attorney standardizes Jeantelâ€™s African American English (AAE) and excuses the supposed lack of clarity of her testimony as due to her upbringing in a non-native English-speaking household. The defense attorney voices Jeantel in a much more adversarial manner and reflects her AAE as itself evidence for her testimony to be considered non-credible. And finally, the ways in which the court reporter, the â€œneutralâ€ language authority of the court, requests clarification of Jeantelâ€™s testimony may actually be effectively discrediting the witness as it further highlights Jeantelâ€™s variety as non-standard and marked for the courtroom.
Umbilicoplasty with Vertical Incision in Abdominoplasty

The umbilicus occupies the central locus of the abdomen and is one of the most influential determinants of aesthetic outcome of abdominoplasty. The surgeon should diligently and meticulously address the issue of umbilicus reconstruction as an integral part of abdominoplasty. The author discusses anatomy, characterization of a beautiful umbilicus, the operative technique, and postoperative care. Possible complications are described.
KIT Suppresses BRAFV600E-Mutant Melanoma by Attenuating Oncogenic RAS/MAPK Signaling

The receptor tyrosine kinase KIT promotes survival and migration of melanocytes during development, and excessive KIT activity hyperactivates the RAS/MAPK pathway and can drive formation of melanomas, most notably of rare melanomas that occur on volar and mucosal surfaces of the skin. The much larger fraction of melanomas that occur on sun-exposed skin is driven primarily by BRAF- or NRAS-activating mutations, but these melanomas exhibit a surprising loss of KIT expression, which raises the question of whether loss of KIT in these tumors facilitates tumorigenesis. To address this question, we introduced a kit(lf) mutation into a strain of Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E); p53(lf) melanoma-prone zebrafish. Melanoma onset was accelerated in kit(lf); Tg(mitfa:BRAFV600E); p53(lf) fish. Tumors from kit(lf) animals were more invasive and had higher RAS/MAPK pathway activation. KIT knockdown also increased RAS/MAPK pathway activation in a BRAFV600E-mutant human melanoma cell line. We found that pathway stimulation upstream of BRAFV600E could paradoxically reduce signaling downstream of BRAFV600E, and wild-type BRAF was necessary for this effect, suggesting that its activation can dampen oncogenic BRAFV600E signaling. In vivo, expression of wild-type BRAF delayed melanoma onset, but only in a kit-dependent manner. Together, these results suggest that KIT can activate signaling through wild-type RAF proteins, thus interfering with oncogenic BRAFV600E-driven melanoma formation. Cancer Res; 77(21); 5820-30. ©2017 AACR.
New Mouse Model of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Put Out to Expand.

Human abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is typically defined as an enlargement of the luminal diameter of the abdominal aorta by >50% or to a diameter >3 cm.1,2 Virtually, all AAA are clinically silent and are detected either during radiological investigation of unrelated signs and symptoms or by surveillance programs aimed at high-risk populations (eg, older male smokers or all men aged ≥65 years).3 Once an AAA is discovered, management is dictated by the size and anatomy of the AAA, with consideration also given to individual patient comorbidities. In general, AAA <5.5 cm diameter are followed with serial imaging; whereas, AAA ≥5.5 cm are treated by either open surgery or endovascular repair.4,5 Treatment is aimed at preventing AAA rupture, which typically results in sudden death.1 However, both open and endovascular AAA repair are themselves associated with significant morbidity and mortality.1 See accompanying article on page 2171 AAA is not a rare disease. The prevalence of AAA is estimated at 5% to 8% in men between 65 and 80 years of age, with an annual incidence of 0.4% to 0.7%.1 Although most individuals with smaller AAA will die of other causes, AAA rupture is responsible for ≈7000 male deaths/year in the United States.1 Female deaths from AAA rupture are increasing, with women now accounting for ≈30% of all AAA ruptures.1 Risk factors for AAA include age, male sex, smoking (current or former), family history, central obesity, and high level of alcohol consumption.1 A common human genetic polymorphism also seems to confer increased risk for AAA, and variants at other loci may also contribute to risk.6,7 Because aggressive screening programs could identify the vast majority of AAA before they either rupture or enlarge to ≥5.5 cm, and …
Amplified octave-spanning supercontinuum from chalcogenide waveguides for second-harmonic generation

Octave-spanning supercontinuum is generated in chalcogenide, Ge 23 Sb 7 S 70 , waveguides pumped at 1550 nm. The 2μm side is subsequently amplified in a Thulium-doped fiber amplifier and utilized for second-harmonic generation (SHG). The generated signal has 55 dB of signal-to-noise ratio.
Equivariant biharmonic maps between manifolds with metrics of signature

We obtain the reduction theorem of equivariant biharmonic maps between warped product manifolds, and apply it to punctured Euclidean spaces, spheres and hyperboloids. We also investigate equivariant biharmonic maps from equivariant manifolds with metrics $$(p, \, q)$$ -signature into equivariant manifolds with $$(p', \, q')$$ -signature, prove the reduction theorem, and provide a few examples.
British intelligence in Russia, January–March 1919

ABSTRACTThis article assesses the effect of intelligence on the British government’s policy towards Russia from January to March 1919. The intelligence picture created primarily by agent reports wi...
The Archaeoastronomy of Modern Civilization

The desire to align buildings and recreate the cosmic order in the works of humans is not confined to the past. The desire is universal across the Earth and can be seen within our current societies. It is possible to analyze our present-day civilization much as we have considered earlier civilizations. We find that our civilization, like others before us, responds strongly to the power of the stars, with structures and cities aligned with the Sun and stars. The surprising survival of astrology, and other astronomical symbols within Our twenty-first century civilization aslo, makes archaeoastronomy (ancient astronomy) something we can study in the present day. In this chapter, we examine the ways in which our modern civilization practices ancient astronomy even in the twenty-first century.
Spontaneous and genetically engineered animal models: use in preclinical cancer drug development

The preclinical development of anticancer drugs has been based primarily on the transplantation of murine or human cancers into mice. Alternatives to these transplantation models are animals that naturally develop cancers with features relevant to the human disease. The first group of these models arises in mice that are genetically engineered to develop cancer. The second group includes pet dogs and cats that naturally develop cancer. This review will discuss the use and integration of these spontaneous cancer models into a comprehensive and comparative approach to preclinical drug development. Examples of their successful use and an outline of their relative strengths and weaknesses will be provided.
Abstract PR12: Hedgehog pathway drives fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma initiated from nonmyogenic endothelial progenitors

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. Despite aggressive chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery, clinical outcomes for RMS have not improved for three decades, emphasizing the need to uncover the molecular underpinnings of the disease. RMS has been presumed to originate from derailed muscle progenitors based on the histologic appearance and gene expression pattern of the tumors. However, an origin restricted to skeletal muscle does not explain RMS occurring in tissues devoid of skeletal muscle, such as the prostate, bladder, salivary gland, biliary tree, and the omentum. Previously, we described that activation of Sonic Hedgehog signaling through expression of a conditional, constitutively active Smoothened allele, SmoM2, under control of an adipocyte-restricted adipose protein 2 (aP2)-Cre recombinase transgene in mice gives rise to aggressive skeletal muscle tumors that display the histologic and molecular characteristics of human embryonal RMS (ERMS). With the short latency and anatomic restricted tumor location in the neck, we sought to leverage this model to explore the cell of origin of ERMS. Lineage tracing experiments identified aP2-Cre labeled cells are distinctly nonmyogenic and were identified as endothelial cells found in the interstitium between muscle fibers. We illustrate that aP2-Cre is not expressed in the quiescent or activated muscle stem cells or satellite cells. Expression of oncogenic SmoM2 with aP2-Cre results in proliferation and expansion of the aP2-Cre labeled muscle interstitial cells and myogenic transdifferentiation resulting in ERMS. Activation of the Hedgehog pathway in aP2-Cre labeled endothelial progenitors results in Tbx1 expression, which is a skeletal muscle specification factor in the head and neck. We illustrate that endothelium and skeletal muscle within the head and neck arise from Kdr (Vegfr2) expressing progenitors. Hedgehog pathway activation in committed KDR+ endothelial progenitors results in Tbx1 expression and subsequent Myod1 expression driving a partially myogenic program characteristic of ERMS. Our work identifies reprogramming cell fate as a mechanism of transformation in pediatric sarcoma. Citation Format: Catherine J. Drummond, Jason A. Hanna, Matthew R. Garcia, Daniel J. Devine, Alana J. Heyrana, David Finkelstein, Jerold E. Rehg, Mark E. Hatley. Hedgehog pathway drives fusion-negative rhabdomyosarcoma initiated from nonmyogenic endothelial progenitors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Pediatric Cancer Research: From Basic Science to the Clinic; 2017 Dec 3-6; Atlanta, Georgia. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(19 Suppl):Abstract nr PR12.