cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stop, Listen, What's That Sound: Protecting Renewable Energy Infrastructure Whistleblowers

Renewable energy is a growing industry in the United States, currently supplying thirty percent of the nation’s energy. Among these plants are nuclear energy reactors, hydropower dams, wind farms, and solar arrays. As climate change requires a shift away from non-renewable sources of power, renewable energy will be a necessary investment to pick up the slack. Using these sources of power will help the nation adapt to the oncoming climate change, do less harm to the environment, and increase self-sufficiency. The current infrastructure protection system is based on risk mitigation and effectuated through information sharing. The Department of Homeland Security has prepared a National Infrastructure Protection Plan with a framework for communication among the federal, state, local, and private actors in critical infrastructure sectors. Within the sixteen sectors are three that oversee renewable energy; various councils coordinate an information sharing regime within these three sectors. Yet, the infrastructure protection plans do not address the role that private employees at the plant can play as infrastructure whistleblowers. Current whistleblower legislation leaves a gap in this field of private industry. Multiple statutes regulate whistleblowers within the government, enact broad Congressional mandates primarily enforced through whistleblowers, or incentivize whistleblowers in critical industries to report malfeasance. The lack of whistleblower protections in critical renewable energy infrastructure is a missed opportunity for risk mitigation that could help harden an industry ripe for future target by state and nonstate actors. Whistleblower retaliation and government prosecution deter potential whistleblowers. Three changes to existing legal structures could protect whistleblowers in renewable energy infrastructure. These changes would preserve the accountability of public utilities and help risk mitigation before an emergency develops.
Intraepidermal Nerve Fiber Density as Measured by Skin Punch Biopsy as a Marker for Small Fiber Neuropathy: Application in Patients with Fibromyalgia

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a type of peripheral neuropathy that occurs from damage to the small A-delta and C nerve fibers that results in the clinical condition known as SFN. This pathology may be the result of metabolic, toxic, immune-mediated, and/or genetic factors. Small fiber symptoms can be variable and inconsistent and therefore require an objective biomarker confirmation. Small fiber dysfunction is not typically captured by diagnostic tests for large-fiber neuropathy (nerve conduction and electromyographic study). Therefore, skin biopsies stained with PGP 9.5 are the universally recommended objective test for SFN, with quantitative sensory tests, autonomic function testing, and corneal confocal imaging as secondary or adjunctive choices. Fibromyalgia (FM) is a heterogenous syndrome that has many symptoms that overlap with those found in SFN. A growing body of research has shown approximately 40-60% of patients carrying a diagnosis of FM have evidence of SFN on skin punch biopsy. There is currently no clearly defined phenotype in FM at this time to suggest whom may or may not have SFN, though research suggests it may correlate with severe cases. The skin punch biopsy provides an objective tool for use in quantifying small fiber pathology in FM. Skin punch biopsy may also be repeated for surveillance of the disease as well as measuring response to treatments. Evaluation of SFN in FM allows for better classification of FM and guidance for patient care as well as validation for their symptoms, leading to better use of resources and outcomes.
Probiotic and Oxytocin Combination Therapy in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Trial.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a rapidly growing neurodevelopmental disorder. Both probiotics and oxytocin were reported to have therapeutic potential; however, the combination therapy has not yet been studied. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, 2-stage pilot trial in 35 individuals with ASD aged 3–20 years (median = 10.30 years). Subjects were randomly assigned to receive daily Lactobacillus plantarum PS128 probiotic (6 × 1010 CFUs) or a placebo for 28 weeks; starting on week 16, both groups received oxytocin. The primary outcomes measure socio-behavioral severity using the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). The secondary outcomes include measures of the Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale, fecal microbiome, blood serum inflammatory markers, and oxytocin. All outcomes were compared between the two groups at baseline, 16 weeks, and 28 weeks into treatment. We observed improvements in ABC and SRS scores and significant improvements in CGI-improvement between those receiving probiotics and oxytocin combination therapy compared to those receiving placebo (p < 0.05). A significant number of favorable gut microbiome network hubs were also identified after combination therapy (p < 0.05). The favorable social cognition response of the combination regimen is highly correlated with the abundance of the Eubacterium hallii group. Our findings suggest synergic effects between probiotics PS128 and oxytocin in ASD patients, although further investigation is warranted.
Socioeconomic Disparities in Foods/Beverages and Nutrients Consumed by U.S. Adolescents When Snacking: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018

Snacking contributes a significant portion of adolescents’ daily energy intake and is associated with poor overall diet and increased body mass index. Adolescents from low socioeconomic status (SES) households have poorer snacking behaviors than their higher-SES counterparts. However, it is unclear if the types of food/beverages and nutrients consumed during snacking differ by SES among adolescents. Therefore, this study examines SES disparities in the aforementioned snacking characteristics by analyzing the data of 7132 adolescents (12–19 years) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005–2018. Results reveal that adolescents from low-income households (poverty-to-income ratio (PIR) ≤ 1.3) have lower odds of consuming the food/beverage categories “Milk and Dairy” (aOR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.58-0.95; p = 0.007) and “Fruits” (aOR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.78; p = 0.001) as snacks and higher odds of consuming “Beverages” (aOR: 1.45; 95% CI: 1.19-1.76; p = 0.001) compared to those from high-income households (PIR > 3.5). Additionally, adolescents from low- and middle-income (PIR > 1.3–3.5) households consume more added sugar (7.98 and 7.78 g vs. 6.66 g; p = 0.012, p = 0.026) and less fiber (0.78 and 0.77 g vs. 0.84 g; p = 0.044, p = 0.019) from snacks compared to their high-income counterparts. Future research is necessary to understand factors that influence snacking among adolescents, and interventions are needed, especially for adolescents from low-SES communities.
Parent Perceptions in Choosing Treatment for Infants With Spinal Muscular Atrophy Diagnosed Through Newborn Screening.

Objective:To identify factors parents considered in treatment decision making for children diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy on newborn screening.Methods:Participants were recruited through th...
Decision Making Under Uncertainty in the Power Sector

This introductory chapter provides an overview of the main approaches available to address optimization problems under uncertainty, namely, stochastic programming and robust optimization.
The Use of Price Discrimination as a Demand Management Technique in the Service Sector: The Case of Tourism

Price discrimination represents a valuable, but often overlooked, pricing tool to the marketing manager. This is especially the case in the marketing of services. This paper briefly reviews the theoretical justification and legal implications of price discrimination. The results of an exploratory study on attitudes and behaviors regarding price discrimination in tourism are summarized. Suggestions are made for further research.
The analog of superradiant emission in thermal emitters

The superradiant spontaneous emission is caused by the collective interaction of quantum emitters. Such collective interaction also exists in nanoscale resonant thermal emitters, resulting in the analog of superradiance in thermal emission.
In search of the physical basis of life

The living cell is the basic unit of life. Toward understanding of the living phenomenon in general and toward the erection of a solid foundation for future biomedical research it is vital to know “What are the fundamental distinctions between a living cell and a dead one?”
Carbohydrate metabolism of citrus fruits. II. Oxidation of sugars by an aerodehydrogenase from young orange fruits

Enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of glucose and other sugars directly to the corresponding aldonic acids appear to be widely distributed in nature, since they have been found in bacteria (l-9)) fungi (10, II), algae (la), and animal tissue (13-15). In a preliminary communication (16), we have reported that the juice sacs of young oranges contain a system for the oxidation of sugars to aldonic acids. The present communication contains further information on the preparation and properties of this oxidase system. It has been shown to catalyze the oxidation of at least nine different sugars and thus appears to have a much wider range of specificity than enzymes previously investigated. Various tests suggest that the oxidation of most of these sugars may occur through the action of a single enzyme with a wide substrate specificity rather than by a family of enzymes, each with a high specificity for a single substrate.
Synchronous optical burst switching

We introduce a new protocol based on the optical-burst-switched (OBS) transport to support synchronous services such as SONET/SDH. We term this protocol synchronous optical burst switching (SOBS) and describe the problems and challenges of supporting both synchronous and asynchronous traffic with various bandwidth granularities. We discuss the problems of path signaling, periodic reservations, and burst framing. We also highlight the importance of burst-level grooming, develop related analytical formulations, and present results of various simulations.
Flow Properties in Expansion Tube with Helium, Argon, Air, and CO

Test flow velocities from 5 to 7 km/sec were generated in a 6-in. expansion tube using helium, argon, air, and CO2 test gases. Pitot pressure profiles across the flow at the test section are presented for the four test gases, and measured flow quantities are compared to computer predicted values. Comparison of predicted and measured flow quantities suggests the expansion to be near thermochemical equilibrium for all test gases and implies the existence of a totally reflected shock at the secondary diaphragm. Argon, air, and CO2 flows were observed to attenuate while traversing the acceleration section, whereas no attenuation was observed for helium.
Cerebral hemodynamic and metabolic alterations in stroke.

Major alterations in cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism occur in association with strokes. These include abnormalities in the control mechanisms regulating cerebral blood flow as well as disorders of cerebral metabolism.
Solution structure of ThiS and implications for the evolutionary roots of ubiquitin

ThiS is a sulfur carrier protein that plays a central role in thiamin biosynthesis in Escherichia coli. Here we report the solution NMR structure of ThiS, the first for this class of sulfur carrier proteins. Although ThiS shares only 14% sequence identity with ubiquitin, it possesses the ubiquitin fold. This structural homology, combined with established functional similarities involving sulfur chemistry, demonstrates that the eukaryotic ubiquitin and the prokaryotic ThiS evolved from a common ancestor. This illustrates how structure determination is essential in establishing evolutionary links between proteins in which structure and function have been conserved through eons of evolution despite loss of sequence identity. The ThiS structure reveals both hydrophobic and electrostatic surface features that are likely determinants for interactions with binding partners. Comparison with surface features of ubiquitin and ubiquitin homologs SUMO-1, RUB-1 and NEDD8 suggest how Nature has utilized this single fold to incorporate similar chemistry into a broad array of highly specific biological processes.
Addiction, Freedom, and Responsibility

In his article supporting an evolutionary perspective of free will, John Banja (2015) argues that addicts are responsible for their addictive behaviors because they could engage in practices that w...
Extension of the Kraus-Weber Test

Abstract This study extended the Kraus-Weber Tests of Minimum Muscular Fitness in order to provide more differentiating scores at all levels of ability. A pass or fail score, which could be determined from the continuous scoring system, was also obtained. Results indicate that strength and flexibility differ with age and sex and that the standards, even though considered minimal, should also vary with the different ages and sex groups.
Metabolically active microbial communities in uranium‐contaminated subsurface sediments

In order to develop effective bioremediation strategies for radionuclide contaminants, the composition and metabolic potential of microbial communities need to be better understood, especially in highly contaminated subsurface sediments for which little cultivation-independent information is available. In this study, we characterized metabolically active and total microbial communities associated with uranium-contaminated subsurface sediments along geochemical gradients. DNA and RNA were extracted and amplified from four sediment-depth intervals representing moderately acidic (pH 3.7) to near-neutral (pH 6.7) conditions. Phylotypes related to Proteobacteria (Alpha-, Beta-, Delta- and Gammaproteobacteria), Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria, Firmicutes and Planctomycetes were detected in DNA- and RNA-derived clone libraries. Diversity and numerical dominance of phylotypes were observed to correspond to changes in sediment geochemistry and rates of microbial activity, suggesting that geochemical conditions have selected for well-adapted taxa. Sequences closely related to nitrate-reducing bacteria represented 28% and 43% of clones from the total and metabolically active fractions of the microbial community, respectively. This study provides the first detailed analysis of total and metabolically active microbial communities in radionuclide-contaminated subsurface sediments. Our microbial community analysis, in conjunction with rates of microbial activity, points to several groups of nitrate-reducers that appear to be well adapted to environmental conditions common to radionuclide-contaminated sites.
Intravitreal amphotericin B toxicity.

The outcome of the occasional case of postsurgical, posttraumatic, or endogenous mycotic endophthalmitis is generally poor. In those cases in which the focus of infection is localized in the vitreous cavity, direct injec­ tion of an antimicrobial agent into the vitre­ ous may be a rational approach. The use of effective levels of amphotericin B against systemic mycosis has always been accom­ panied by side effects serious enough to place additional stress on the patients. In instances where the drug has been used in the eye, sufficient evidence indicates that some dam­ age was possibly due to the drug directly.' Today, amphotericin B is the single most efficacious antifungal agent employed in mycotic endophthalmitis. Limited studies have been performed on the effect of amphotericin B in the anterior chamber of the rabbit, but at the time we initiated our study, no infor­ mation was available concerning its toxicity after intravitreal injection. Our efforts have been to seek the concentration level which could be tolerated in the vitreous humor of the rabbit eye without permanent sequelae.
A high-flow Knudsen pump using a polymer membrane: Performance at and below atmospheric pressures

This paper describes a miniature gas (Knudsen) pump that utilizes thermomolecular flow through a nanoporous membrane. A temperature gradient along the length of a pore that supports free molecular gas flow at atmospheric pressure pumps gas molecules from the cold end to the hot end. In contrast with past work, the membrane material is mixed cellulose which provides superior uniformity in pore diameter and porosity. The final packaged volume of the Knudsen pump is 14x14×4.4 mm3. For an input power of 1.4 W, a single stage Knudsen pump based on these nanoporous polymer membrane has a temperature bias of 30 K across the thickness of the membrane, which provides 0.4 sccm flow against a 330 Pa pressure head. The load characteristics of the pump suggest that the pump can provide as much as 0.93 sccm gas flow in the absence of a load. Knudsen pump operation at sub-atmospheric pressures is also reported.
The effect of the wife's working status on familial dominance structure

This study examines the effect of the working wife on the distribution of control in the family for specific product decisions. Results lend general support for the proposition that whether a wife is working or not affects her position in the control decision structure in the family. However, the presence of children in the family and the reason for working had no effect on this distribution of control. A new methodological approach to assessing “power” in the family is utilized.
Operative Care of Obstetric Patients

Abstract The operative care of pregnant patients, whether for delivery of the neonate or for a nonobstetric surgical procedure, must take into consideration many variables. An awareness of maternal physiologic changes, fetal requirements, effects of anesthetic agents on both the mother and the fetus, and the potential for complications is essential for obstetric anesthetists. In addition, a comprehensive evaluation of the parturient, ample preparation of drugs and equipment in the operative suite, and cooperation with the obstetrician and the surgical team are of major importance in ensuring the safe and effective anesthetic care of this special patient population.
Performance of MRE-based Vibration Absorbers:

The purpose of this work is to use magnetorheological elastomers (MREs) as field-dependent springs within three vibration absorber configurations, and to determine their vibration absorption characteristics. Magnetorheological elastomers are fabricated from silicone gel and iron microparticles, and implemented as tunable springs in three vibration absorber configurations, which excited the MREs in shear, squeeze mode, and compression. Each vibration absorber configuration exploits different magneto-mechanical properties, achieving very different results. The MRE iron concentration is varied to find the largest natural frequency shift for the squeeze-mode absorber due to an applied magnetic field. Absorbers with MREs containing 35% iron by volume exhibits the largest natural frequency shift, 507%. MREs containing 35% iron are placed into shear and longitudinal mode vibration absorber devices, which exhibit 470% and 180% frequency increases, respectively.
CONTINUITY OF CARE AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS, DOCTORS, AND NURSES IN THE NICU. † 1329

CONTINUITY OF CARE AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN PARENTS, DOCTORS, AND NURSES IN THE NICU. † 1329
Observations on free erythrocyte protoporphyrin in sideroachrestic anemia.

Abstract The free protoporphyrin content in erythrocytes was studied in two patients with sideroachrestic anemia while receiving various hematinic agents to which they had become unresponsive. A marked rise in the free erythrocyte protoporphyrin during ineffective trials with pyridoxine, folic acid and ascorbic acid, and also with pyridoxine and liver extract were observed. The significance of this finding is discussed in relation to heme synthesis and the pathogenesis of sideroachrestic anemias.
“No One Ever Asked Me”: Urban African American Students' Perceptions of Educational Resilience

This qualitative study examined high-achieving urban African American high school graduates' (N = 5) retrospective appraisal of what K–12 students from high-risk urban areas need to succeed academically despite seemingly insurmountable social, financial, and educational barriers. Findings revealed 6 themes: shared responsibility for educational outcomes, being a part of the solution, parental involvement by any means, natural support systems, school counselors as change agents, and community collaboration to raise a scholar. Recommendations for school counselors are discussed. Este estudio cualitativo examino la opinion retrospectiva de un grupo de graduados Afroamericanos urbanos de alto nivel academico en educacion secundaria (N = 5) sobre lo que necesitan los estudiantes de K–12 en areas urbanas de alto riesgo para tener exito academico a pesar de las barreras sociales, economicas y educativas aparentemente infranqueables. Los hallazgos revelaron 6 temas: responsabilidad compartida por los resultados educativos, ser parte de la solucion, implicacion de los padres en cualquier modo posible, sistemas naturales de apoyo, consejeros escolares como agentes de cambio, y colaboracion comunitaria para educar a un individuo estudioso. Se discuten recomendaciones para los consejeros escolares.
Electroconvulsive therapy in the medically ill.

The use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) in the US continues to expand in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Electroconvulsive therapy remains the “gold standard” for the treatment of major depression and a variety of other psychiatric and neurologic disorders. Because of the effectiveness and resurgence of ECT, more patients are considered good candidates for this treatment option. Overall, these patients are medication refractory and elderly, and thus more sensitive to polypharmacy. Additionally, these patients tend to have more coexisting medical problems, and often require that a practitioner have solid clinical knowledge of the fields of medicine and psychiatry. This article will review some of the most common comorbid conditions found in patients referred for ECT.
Secretion of the newly synthesized cholesterol by rat hepatocytes in primary culture

Abstract We used monolayer cultured rat hepatocytes as an experimental model to study the secretion of the newly synthesized cholesterol by the liver. Cellular cholesterol was labeled by exposing cultured hepatocytes to [14C]acetate prior to the study of secretion. Secretion of the newly synthesized cholesterol was measured by extracting cholesterol in the culture medium and assaying for the radioactivity of [14C]cholesterol. We found that: 1. (a) cultured hepatocytes could secrete newly synthesized cholesterol in serum-free medium; 2. (b) secreted [14C]cholesterol was bound to macromolecule(s) and the secretion rate was not affected by cycloheximide for up to 5 h; 3. (c) serum added to the culture medium greatly enhanced hepatic cholesterol secretion; 4. (d) serum high-density lipoproteins were most effective, lipoprotein-deficient serum (d > 1.21) less effective in stimulating cholesterol secretion, whereas low-density and very-low-density lipoproteins had little effect; 5. (e) when the serum-free culture medium was fractionated by ultracentrifugation, a major portion of the secreted [14C]cholesterol was found in the high-density lipoprotein fraction; 6. (f) part of the medium [14C]cholesterol also turned up in the high-density lipoprotein fraction when lipoprotein-deficient serum was added as the acceptor; 7. (g) secreted [14C]cholesterol was found only in free form, although some of the cellular [ 14 C] cholesterol was found as esters.
Optimal Dimensioning of Miniaturized Machine Tools

Increasing demand for micro fabrication of parts and products in the electronics, computer, and biomedical industrial sectors has created the need to minimize conventional manufacturing systems and machine tools such as milling, turning, and grinding machines corresponding to their fabrication targets. Among existing micro-machining technologies, mechanical solid tool machining with miniaturized manufacturing systems is one of the important processing methods, and has a number of inherent advantages. These advantages include: significant reduction of required space and energy consumption for machine drive and atmosphere; the improvement of machine robustness against external error sources due to increasing thermal, static, and dynamic stabilities; increased accuracy due to decreased overall machine size; and a greater freedom in the selection of workpiece materials, the complexity of the product geometry, and the cost of investment. However, the miniaturization of manufacturing machines unavoidably reduces the available work volume, so there are limits to the possible reduction of machine size per each machine tool configuration. Therefore, optimizing the configuration and size selection is important in order to address competing issues at the functionality level of machine tools. In this research, an effective design strategy to ensure good microscale machine performance and to provide the proper dimensions of the miniaturized manufacturing systems without resorting to exhaustive prototyping was proposed. This systematic design strategy includes the formulation and optimization of machine form shape function in the context of positioning accuracy, machine thermal error, static error, dynamic error, and work volume for various configuration candidates. The sensitivity of the optimal machine size to the relative weighing of penalty function parameters is discussed in the context of a case study. The results of this work can quantitatively support the design, configuration, fabrication, and utilization of microscale manufacturing systems in achieving precision and work volume specifications.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Response consistency on a semantic memory task in persons with dementia of the Alzheimer type

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the test-retest response consistency rate on a semantic memory task in persons with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Ten mildly and 13 moderately impaired DAT subjects and 14 normal controls matched for age, years of education, and estimated IQ participated in this study. The Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test (PPVT) was administered twice to each subject with a 7-day intertest interval. The mild and moderate DAT subjects responded inconsistently to significantly more PPVT items than normal controls. When the effects of guessing were considered, moderate DAT subjects gave significantly more inconsistent PPVT responses than normal controls and mild DAT subjects showed a trend toward giving more inconsistent responses. These results substantiate the conclusion that the impairment of specific conceptual knowledge in DAT subjects cannot be reliably measured with a single administration of a semantic memory task such as the PPVT.
Conotruncal anomalies in the trisomy 16 mouse: an immunohistochemical analysis with emphasis on the involvement of the neural crest.

The trisomy 16 (Ts16) mouse is generally considered a model for human Down's syndrome (trisomy 21). However, many of the cardiac defects in the Ts16 mouse do not reflect the heart malformations seen in patients suffering from this chromosomal disorder. In this study we describe the conotruncal malformations in mice with trisomy 16. The development of the outflow tract was immunohistochemically studied in serially sectioned hearts from 34 normal and 26 Ts16 mouse embryos ranging from 8.5 to 14.5 embryonic days. Conotruncal malformations observed in the Ts 16 embryos included double outlet right ventricle, persistent truncus arteriosus, Tetralogy of Fallot, and right-sided aortic arch. This spectrum of malformations is remarkably similar to that seen in humans suffering from DiGeorge syndrome (DGS). As perturbation of neural crest development has been proposed in the pathogenesis of DGS we specifically focussed on the fate of neural crest derived cells during outflow tract development of the Ts16 mouse using an antibody that enabled us to trace these cells during development. Severe perturbation of the neural crest-derived cell population was observed in each trisomic specimen. The abnormalities pertained to: 1) the size of the columns of neural crest-derived cells (or prongs); 2) the spatial orientation of these prongs within the mesenchymal tissues of the outflow tract; and 3) the location in which the neural crest cells interact with the myocardium. The latter abnormality appeared to be responsible for ectopic myocardialization found in trisomic embryos. Our observations strongly suggest that abnormal neural crest cell behavior is involved in the pathogenesis of the conotruncal malformations in the Ts16 mouse.
Dynamics of Confined Carbon Disulfide from 165 to 310 K

Optical-heterodyne-detected Raman-induced Kerr effect spectroscopy is used to study the dynamics of CS2 confined to sol-gel glasses with 24-A pores, over the entire temperature range at which CS2 is a liquid. At all temperatures, the data are consistent with the existence of a layer of molecules at the pore surfaces that experiences a higher effective viscosity than that of the bulk liquid. Within this model, orientational correlation times and relative populations are extracted for the bulklike and surface molecules. The surface layer is found to be less than one molecule thick over the entire temperature range, with a modest increase in thickness as the temperature is lowered.
Bioavailability of lead in oysters fed to young Japanese quail

Abstract The presence of lead in atmospheric particulates, soil, and seawater reflects the input of both domestic and industrial wastes. Because bivalves can concentrate large quantities of heavy metals, particularly lead, consumption of their meat may be a potential risk. The relative bioavailability of lead physiologically incorporated into oyster meat was investigated. Day-old Japanese quail were fed purified diets with three levels of lead added as either lead acetate, freeze-dried lead-dosed oyster, or lead acetate plus freeze-dried control oyster for 2 weeks. Feeding lead from any source had little or no effect on body weight, hemoglobin, hematocrit, or percentage ash in the tibia. The concentration of lead in tibia at each level of dietary lead for each type of diet was different from those for all other levels of dietary lead. Slope—ratio analysis of the data showed that lead intrinsically incorporated into oyster meat was 69–75% as bioavailable as lead in lead acetate at levels between 25 and 100 ppm dietary lead. The combinations of (1) control oyster meat with lead acetate and (2) lead acetate with copper and zinc levels equal to those in oyster meat gave responses similar to those of the lead-dosed oyster groups. Although these data showed lower bioavailability of lead in oyster meat as compared with lead acetate, the intercept of the lines at 25 ppm dietary lead suggests that the relative bioavailability may be reversed at lower levels of lead intake.
Effect of processing on some chemical constituents of pistachio nuts.

. The effect of processing on changes in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids in pistaschio nuts during blanching, drying and roasting was monitored. Blanching in hot water led to some loss in fatty acids, sugars and amino acids. Roasting further decreased the availability of the constituents. The magnitude of loss of the constituents was in the following order: blanching > roasting > drying. The composition profile of each of the constituents was analyzed. There was variation in the distribution of fatty acids among the raw and processed nuts. Unsaturated fatty acids were more susceptible to changes during processing. The combined loss of oleic and linoleic acids amounted to 22.29% of that present in the raw nuts. Fructose, glucose, sucrose and raffinose were shown to be present in the nuts. The loss of sucrose was higher than the monosaccharides during processing. Glutamic acid, leucine, proline 56.50% of the amino acids present, and blanching, drying and roasting successively caused losses in the availability of these amino acids. The effect of processing on nutritional values has been a subject of concern to consumers and food processors. The present investigation reveals that the loss in various components in the nuts deserves more attention.
Behavioral and electrophysiological indices of voicing-cue discrimination: laterality patterns and development.

Voicing is an important phonetic dimension that distinguishes voiced (i.e., /b/) from voiceless-aspirated stop consonants (i.e.,/ph/) in English. Perception of discrete voicing categories is affected by a number of acoustic cues. The present paper reviews evidence from brain-damaged populations indicating that the perception of certain voicing cues is less dependent upon left hemisphere mechanisms than the ability to perceive place of articulation contrasts (e.g., /b/ vs./d/). In addition, electrophysiological and dichotic listening studies with neurologically normal individuals support the view that the right hemisphere may play a special role in the categorical processing of voicing. These findings are discussed in relation to current models of hemispheric specialization and laterality for language.
Histone H3 phosphorylation can promote TBP recruitment through distinct promoter-specific mechanisms

Histone phosphorylation influences transcription, chromosome condensation, DNA repair and apoptosis. Previously, we showed that histone H3 Ser10 phosphorylation (pSer10) by the yeast Snf1 kinase regulates INO1 gene activation in part via Gcn5/SAGA complex-mediated Lys14 acetylation (acLys14). How such chromatin modification patterns develop is largely unexplored. Here we examine the mechanisms surrounding pSer10 at INO1, and at GAL1, which herein is identified as a new regulatory target of Snf1/pSer10. Snf1 behaves as a classic coactivator in its recruitment by DNA-bound activators, and in its role in modifying histones and recruiting TATA-binding protein (TBP). However, one important difference in Snf1 function in vivo at these promoters is that SAGA recruitment at INO1 requires histone phosphorylation via Snf1, whereas at GAL1, SAGA recruitment is independent of histone phosphorylation. In addition, the GAL1 activator physically interacts with both Snf1 and SAGA, whereas the INO1 activator interacts only with Snf1. Thus, at INO1, pSer10's role in recruiting SAGA may substitute for recruitment by DNA-bound activator. Our results emphasize that histone modifications share general functions between promoters, but also acquire distinct roles tailored for promoter-specific requirements.
Cat spinoreticular neurons: Locations, responses and changes in responses during repetitive stimulation

Abstract Neurons in the lumbosacral spinal cord which project to the medial pontomedullary reticular formation were studied in the chloralose-anesthetized cat. Such neurons, identified by antidromic activation, were found predominantly in lamina VIII and medial lamina VII, and most were found to project to the contralateral reticular formation. Receptive fields for natural stimuli were generally complex, having various combinations of excitatory and inhibitory areas ipsi- and/or contralaterally. Adequate stimuli ranged from innocuous to noxious, with the stimuli required for decreasing a neuron's activity usually more intense than the stimulus required for increasing it. Electrical stimulation of hindlimb nerves indicated the presence of extensive convergence. Responses of spinoreticular neurons were found to decline during periods of repetitive stimulation. The response decrements were found to have many of the parametric features of behavioral habituation and were similar to response decrements previously observed in the medial pontomedullary reticular formation.
Implications of Status Exchange in Intermarriage for Hawaiians and Their Sovereignty Movement

Intermarriage, which is common in Hawai'i, has had a profound effect on Hawaiians. Ethnic Hawaiians have comparatively low socioeconomic status compared with other groups in Hawai'i, and status exchange in intergroup marriages often prompts high-status Hawaiians to marry out. This article examines marriage certificate data in the state of Hawai'i from 1983 to 1994 and focuses on status-based selective outmarriage of Hawaiians. Evidence suggests that Hawaiians with higher status are significantly more likely to marry into high-status groups while those who marry endogamously tend to have low status. Along with continued interethnic marriage, the process of status exchange is expected to have a negative impact on the social well-being of future generations of Hawaiians and on the Hawaiian sovereignty movement.
Hereditary Basis of Caries Resistance in Rats

Lines of rats susceptible and resistant to dental caries were produced through 25 and 19 generations of breeding, respectively. Differences in mean caries time between the two lines were found to be as great as more than 500 days in some late generations. Heritability estimates yielded values of 0.40 and 0.62.
The Candida albicans Kar2 protein is essential and functions during the translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum

Since the secretory pathway is essential for Candida albicans to transition from a commensal organism to a pathogen, an understanding of how this pathway functions may be beneficial for identifying novel drug targets to prevent candidiasis. We have cloned the C. albicans KAR2 gene, which performs many roles during the translocation of proteins into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) during the first committed step of the secretory pathway in many eukaryotes. Our results show that C. albicans KAR2 is essential, and that the encoded protein rescues a temperature-sensitive growth defect found in a Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain harboring a mutant form of the Kar2 protein. Additionally, S. cerevisiae containing CaKAR2 as the sole copy of this essential gene are viable, and ER microsomes prepared from this strain exhibit wild-type levels of post-translational translocation during in vitro translocation assays. Finally, ER microsomes isolated from a C. albicans strain expressing reduced amounts of KAR2 mRNA are defective for in vitro translocation of a secreted substrate protein, establishing a new method to study ER translocation in this organism. Together, these results suggest that C. albicans Kar2p functions during the translocation of proteins into the ER during the first step of the secretory pathway.
Con: Newly appreciated pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease in women mandates changes in perioperative management

Although the DNA sequence of the human X chromosome may explain observed gender differences in response to disease processes,1 it is questionable whether gender differences translate into significant outcome differences necessitating a paradigm shift for care of female cardiac surgical patients. The
High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Analysis of Molecular Species of Sphingolipid-Related Long Chain Bases and Long Chain Base Phosphates in Saccharomyces cerevisiae after Derivatization with 6-Aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl Carbamate

The molecular species of dihydrosphingosines and phytosphingosines and their 1-phosphates with carbon chain lengths from 16 to 20 have been tagged with the fluorescent amino group reagent, 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate. All these derivatives could be resolved by reversed phase HPLC on a C18 column. A convenient one-pot method is described whereby lipid extracts from strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae containing carbon chain length homologs of sphingolipid long chain bases and their phosphorylated derivatives were directly reacted with 6-aminoquinolyl-N-hydroxysuccinimidyl carbamate, ester lipids were deacylated, and the reaction mixtures were subjected to liquid chromatography. Five molecular species of both sphingolipid long chain bases and their phosphorylated derivatives are for the first time separated and analyzed. The procedure is quite sensitive, requiring only ∼108 wild-type cells.
Effects of Nanophase Materials (≤20 nm) on Biological Responses

Nanophase materials have enhanced properties (thermal, mechanical, electrical, surface reactivity, etc.) not found in bulk materials. Intuitively, the enhancement of material properties could occur when the materials encounter biological specimens. Previous investigations of biological interactions with nanometer-scale materials have been very limited. With the ability to manipulate atoms and molecules, we now can create predefined nanostructures with unprecedented precision. In parallel with this development, improved understanding of the biological effects of the nanophase materials, whatever those may be, should also deserve attention. In this study, we have applied precision aerosol technology to investigate cellular response to nanoparticles. We used synthetic nanoparticles generated by an electrospray technique to produce nanoparticles in the size range of 8-13 nm with practically monodispersed aerosol particles and approximately the same number concentration. We report here on the potency of nano-metal particles with single or binary chemical components in eliciting interleukin-8 (IL-8) production from epithelial cell lines. For single-component nanoparticles, we found that nano-Cu particles were more potent in IL-8 production than nano-Ni and nano-V particles. However, the kinetics of IL-8 production by these three nanoparticles was different, the nano-Ni being the highest among the three. When sulfuric acid was introduced to form acidified nano-Ni particles, we found that the potency of such binary-component nanoparticles in eliciting IL-8 production was increased markedly, by about six times. However, the acidified binary nano-Na and -Mg nanoparticles did not exhibit the same effects as binary nano-Ni particles did. Since Ni, a transition metal, could induce free radicals on cell surfaces, while Na and Mg could not, the acidity might have enhanced the oxidative stress caused by radicals to the cells, leading to markedly higher IL-8 production. This result indicates the complexity of biological responses to nanoparticles. We believe that the exposure methodology and aerosol technology employed in our research will provide an effective means to systematically investigate cellular responses to nanoparticles, structured or unstructured, in ongoing research projects. Different cell lines, chemicals, and particle morphology can also be investigated using such a methodology.
Effect of autonomic hyperreflexia on plasma benin

Four patients with paroxysmal hypertension related to spinal cord injury (autonomic hyperreflexia) were studied to determine if the plasma renin became elevated in relation to a sympathetic stimulus. Using bladder distention to produce the autonomic hyperreflexia, renin determinations were made during and after the hypertensive episode. None of the patients demonstrated elevation of the plasma renin after this event.
The function of pseudouridylic acid in transfer RNA. III. Inactivation of formylmethionine transfer RNA of E. coli by cyanoethylation with acrylonitrile

Abstract Cyanoethylation of formylmethionine tRNA at 60° resulted in a rapid pseudofirst order inactivation of acceptor activity ( T 1 2 , 28 min). Under the conditions chosen, only the Ψrd in the T-Ψ-C-G loop should have reacted. Absorbancy-temperature profiles of 94% inactivated tRNA revealed a marked decrease in ordered structure which is probably responsible for the loss of activity.
Hydroxyaldehyde products from hydroxyl radical reactions of Z-3-hexen-1-ol and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol quantified by SPME and API-MS.

Hydroxyaldehyde products of the OH radical-initiated reactions (in the presence of NO) of two volatile vegetative emissions, Z-3-hexen-1-ol and 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, were examined to assess the qualitative and quantitative potential of two analysis techniques (1) sampling by Solid-Phase MicroExtraction (SPME) with on-fiber derivatization followed by gas chromatographic analyses and (2) in situ analysis by negative ion mode atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS). The compounds were chosen because reaction mechanisms predict hydroxyaldehyde products, and reliable coproduct yield data are available. The API-MS analyses showed product ion peaks attributed to the NO2- adducts of 3-hydroxypropanal and dihydroxynitrates from Z-3-hexen-1-ol, and a formation yield of 3-hydroxypropanal of 44% was derived. Product ion peaks attributed to NO2- adducts of glycolaldehyde [HOCH2CHO], 2-hydroxy-2-methylpropanal [(CH3)2C(OH)CHO], and dihydroxynitrates were observed by API-MS from 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol...
Undistracted driving: a mobile phone that doesn't distract

Distracted driving is a major problem that leads to unnecessary accidents and human casualties everywhere in the world. The ubiquity of mobile phones is one cause of distracted driving. In United States alone, operating mobile phones while driving has been cited as a factor in crashes that have led to 995 deaths and 24,000 injuries in 2009. To mitigate the problem of distracted driving caused by mobile phones, we propose using context-awareness to implement burden-shifting, time-shifting, and activity-based sharing. Although the first two concepts have been introduced before in the research literature and the latter two are novel, none of these concepts have yet been explored in the context of mobile phones and driving. We present our initial interaction designs for these concepts on the Android platform.
Differential Expression of the Ly49GB6, but Not the Ly49GBALB, Receptor Isoform during Natural Killer Cell Reconstitution after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Inhibitory natural killer (NK) cell receptors specific for major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) molecules include Ly49 receptors in mice and killer immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) in humans. The "licensing" or "arming" models imply that engagement of these receptors to self MHC-I molecules during NK cell development educates NK cells to be more responsive to cancer and viral infection. We recently reported that hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) induced rapid and preferential expansion of functionally competent Ly49G(+), but not other Ly49 family, NK cells independent of NK cell licensing via Ly49-MHC-I interactions. We now extend these studies to evaluate expression of the two Ly49G receptor isoforms Ly49G(B6) and Ly49G(BALB), using mice with different MHC-I haplotypes that express one or both of the isoforms. NK cells from CB6F1 (H-2(bxd)) hybrid mice express two different alleles for Ly49G receptor, Ly49G(B6) and Ly49G(BALB). We found that CB6F1 mice had more Ly49G(B6+) NK cells than Ly49(BALB+) NK cells, and that only Ly49G(B6+) NK cells increased in relative numbers and in Ly49G mean fluorescence intensity values after HSCT similar to the B6 parental strain. We further observed that Ly49G(+) NK cells in BALB/c (H-2(d)) and BALB.B (H-2(b)) mice, which have the same background genes, recover slowly after HSCT, in contrast to Ly49G(+) NK cells in B6 (H-2(b)) recipients. The difference in expression of Ly49G(B6) relative to Ly49G(BALB) was linked to differences in the activity of the Pro1 promoter between the two alleles. Thus, we conclude that the Ly49G(B6) receptor dominates Ly49G expression on NK cells after HSCT in strains in which that allele is expressed. The data suggest that Ly49 allelic polymorphism within a particular Ly49 family member can differentially affect NK cell recovery after HSCT depending on the background genes of the recipient, not on the MHC-I haplotype.