cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The anti-inflammatory impact of omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty acids during the establishment of endometriosis-like lesions.

Problem The anti-inflammatory impact of three polyunsaturated fatty acids (3-PUFA) in endometriosis is incompletely understood. The effect of 3-PUFA on endometriosis-like lesions is evaluated as a potential anti-inflammatory treatment target. Method of Study Wild Type (WT) and transgenic Fat-1 mice (high levels of endogenous 3-PUFA) were utilized in a uterine tissue transplant endometriosis model. Experimental donor × host pairs included: WT × WT (WW), WT × Fat-1 (WF), and Fat-1 × Fat-1 (FF). Cytokine content (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17A, IFN-γ, TNF-γ, MCP-1 and RANTES) and immunocellular composition in lesions was determined. Results Intralesion IL-6 in WF hosts was 99-fold lower than WW hosts (P = 0.03). Compared to WW host lesions, Cox-2 levels were decreased in WF [1.5-fold (P = 0.02)] and FF [1.2-fold (P = 0.01)] host lesions, respectively, and intralesion VEGF expression was increased [1.8-fold; P = 0.02 (WF) and 1.5-fold; P = 0.01 (FF)]. Lesions in FF hosts demonstrated reduced phosphohistone 3 expression (70%; P = 0.03) compared to WW control hosts. Conclusions Systemic host 3-PUFA levels influence immune, angiogenic, and proliferative factors implicated in the early establishment of endometriosis.
Responses of some crop species to applied and residual levels of zinc

Abstract In a greenhouse experiment several wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars were grown to maturity under 4 levels of Zn (0, 1, 5, 25 μg/g) applied to a Zn deficient soil. None of these plants showed any serious growth disorder even when the DTPA‐extractable Zn in the soil was as low as 0.28 μg/g. Their responses to applied Zn were nil to very low. After harvesting these plants, the soils from each Zn treatment were aggregated, mixed, and repotted for another experiment. The resulting soils with 4 residual Zn levels, were further subdivided into 3 sets each. The 1st set was allowed to retain its residual‐Zn levels, the 2nd set received a further application of Zn at the uniform rate of 2.5 μg/g, and in the 3rd set, each previously‐applied Zn level was repeated. Thus there were 11 treatments (R0, R1, R5, R25, R0C2.5, R1C2.5, R5C2.5, R25C2.5, R1C1, R5C5, R25C25) representing purely residual (R) to residual plus applied (C) levels of Zn. The effects of these treatments o...
DIRECT DETERMINATION OF INORGANIC SOIL PHOSPHATE

Summary Many limitations of conventional methods for determining inorganic soil phosphate have been overcome by employing an isotopic dilution technique. Mobilization of soil inorganic phosphate fractions was achieved by using a solution buffered to pH 1·0 and containing orthophosphate labelled with phosphorus-32. The inorganic phosphate thus mobilized was determined after the attainment of equilibrium between the applied and soil phosphate. Good correlation was obtained between values determined as above and those by difference between total and organic soil phosphorus. Factors influencing equilibration rate were studied: temperature, soil particle size, and soil: solution ratio.
MO-D-304A-03: Noise Suppression in Scatter Correction for Cone-Beam CT

Purpose: Scatter correction is crucial to the quality of reconstructed images in X‐ray cone‐beam computed tomography(CBCT). Most of existing scatter correction methods assume smooth scatter distributions. The high‐frequency scatter noise remains in the projection images even after a perfect scatter correction. To circumvent the problem and truly gain from scatter correction, an effective scatter noise suppression method must be in place. Method and Materials: We analyze the noiseproperties in the projections after scatter correction, and propose to use a penalized weighted least‐squares (PWLS) algorithm to reduce the noise in the reconstructed images. The method aims to estimate the ideal linear integrals by minimizing a PWLS objective function which models the first and second moments of the projection data. Results: Experimental results on an evaluation phantom (Catphan@600) show that the proposed algorithm further reduces the reconstruction error in a scatter corrected image from 10.6% to 1.7%, and increases the CNR by a factor of 3.6. Significant image quality improvement is also shown in the results on an anthropomorphic phantom, in which the global noise level is reduced and the local streaking artifacts around bones are suppressed. Conclusion: In this paper, using a clinical CBCT system and a measurement‐based scatter correction, we show that a scatter correction alone does not provide satisfactory image quality and the loss of the contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR) of the scatter corrected image may overwrite the benefit of scatter removal. A statistics‐based PWLS is proposed to reduce the imagenoise after scatter correction and the algorithm performance is demonstrated using experiments.
2-D NMR Studies of Chain-End Structures in Poly(Hexafluoropropylene Oxide) Fluoropolymers

2-D NMR techniques were used to study the structures of poly (hexafluoropropylene oxide) (PHFPO) and its mechanism of polymerization. Model compounds K4, containing four hexafluorpropylene oxide repeat units, and E4 and E2, containing four and two ether oxygens respectively, were analyzed to interpret the resonance patterns in the NMR spectra from the polymers. Selective 19 F- 13 C gradient HSQC experiments provided information about the C-F attachments within monomer units of the backbone and chain ends. A series of 19 F- 19 F selective COSY 2-D NMR experiments were performed to determine the connections and arrangements of each hexafluoropropylene oxide unit. When selective experiments were combined with selective inversion pulses to remove most of the JFF couplings in the f1 dimension, greatly simplified 19 F- 19 F COSY 2-D NMR spectra were obtained. This made it possible to resolve signals from various stereo sequences and monomer inversions. Resonance chain-end structures detected in the polymer have...
Large orders and summability of eigenvalue perturbation theory: A mathematical overview

The study of large orders of perturbation theory in various problems is reviewed: the anharmonic oscillator, the Zeeman and Stark problems, double wells, and the like. Pade and Borel summability and path integral ideas are discussed. The rigorous results on the subject are summarized.
Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM): Feasible as Reoperation Following Heller Myotomy

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of performing peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) in the management of recurrent achalasia after failed myotomy. Eight patients presented to our institution between October 2010 and June 2013 with recurrent/persistent symptoms after prior laparoscopic Heller myotomy. Three patients underwent redo laparoscopic Heller myotomy, and five patients consented to redo myotomy with POEM. Demographics were similar between the groups with exception of age (POEM 69.5 vs. laparoscopic Heller myotomy (LHM) 34.5, p = 0.003). Preoperative Eckardt scores, motility, and prior interventions were not significantly different. Three patients who underwent POEM and two who underwent laparoscopic Heller myotomy had prior fundoplication. There was one perforation identified after laparoscopic Heller myotomy and one patient with persistent subcutaneous emphysema after POEM. Both POEM and laparoscopic Heller myotomy demonstrated significant improvement in symptoms and Eckardt scores at average follow-up of approximately 5 months (p < 0.05). POEM is a feasible option for patients after failed myotomy even in the presence of prior fundoplication. The procedure can be performed safely using a similar technique as for primary myotomy with the exception of creating the myotomy laterally along the right side of the esophagus and lesser curvature avoiding the previous anterior myotomy.
Preparation and properties of copolymers of maleic anhydride and 2,2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate

Preparation of copolymers by reaction of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate with maleic anhydride in an excess of the latter and the presence of water is described. The reaction products have been characterized by elemental analysis, by conductiometric titrations with acid and with base, and by specific viscosity determinations and light-scattering measurements in dilute solution. Although there is evidence that a 1:1 copolymer is formed, the results of the titrations and viscosity measurements indicate that this reaction product is a polyacid and not a polyampholyte. Light-scattering measurements indicate that aggregation occurs in aqueous solutions of this polymer. Attempts to prepare regularly alternating polyampholytes from other monomer combinations are described.
Model for temperature profiles in large diameter electrochromatography columns

Scale-up of electrochromatographic separations has been problematic due to electrically induced heating. A two-dimensional transient temperature model for electrochromatography was developed, which accounts for physical properties of the stationary and mobile phase, and the column wall. The model also accounts for both the temperature effect on the electrical conductivity and a nonuniform, radially variant current density. This model was compared to experimental data from two electrochromatography systems with different cylindrical-column dimensions, packing materials, and operating conditions. In all cases, the model predicts the temperature to within 3°C of the actual temperature, both for column heatup and cooldown. Separation of a mixture of model proteins on the 3.81-cm-ID scale was used as the basis for scale-up calculations. The model identifies equipment parameters that control heating characteristics and can be scaled up to process 75 mL of sample per run.
Stop the Tears of Drug and Alcohol Abuse.

Abstract Objectives: By participating in this Stop the Tears teaching strategy, students will be able to: (1) analyze how alcohol and drug abuse could affect their lives as well as the lives of their friends and family and, (2) create a media message, such as a poster, pamphlet, poem, or song, in which alcohol and drug prevention is advocated specific to how alcohol and drug abuse has affected students in their school. Target Audience: Students in grades 6-12 and lower-division college students.
Simulation of random telegraph noise with 2-stage equivalent circuit

With the continuous reduction of CMOS device dimension, the importance of Random Telegraph Noise (RTN) keeps growing. To determine its impact on circuit performance and optimize the design, it is essential to physically model RTN effect and embed it into the standard simulation environment. In this paper, a new simulation method of time domain RTN effect is proposed to benchmark important digital circuits: (1) A two-stage L-shaped circuit is proposed to generate RTN signal by integrating a white noise source. An L-shaped circuit is a RC filter connected with an ideal comparator, where RC values are calibrated with the physical property of RTN; (2) This sub-circuit is fully compatible with SPICE, enabling the time domain analysis in nanometer scale digital design; (3) The importance of discrete RTN is demonstrated on a 32nm SRAM design and a 22nm low power ring oscillator (RO), using the proposed method. As compared to traditional 1/f noise, the impact of RTN is more significant under low voltages, leading to tremendous differences in the prediction of V ccmin and failure probability in SRAM, as well as jitter noise in RO.
Role of Glycine and Glyoxylate Decarboxylation in Photorespiratory CO2 Release

Mechanically isolated soybean leaf cells metabolized added glycolate by two mechanisms, the direct oxidation of glyoxylate and the decarboxylation of glycine. The rate of glyoxylate oxidation was dependent on the cellular glyoxylate concentration and was linear between 0.58 and 2.66 micromoles glyoxylate per milligram chlorophyll. The rate extrapolated to zero at a concentration of zero. The concentration and, therefore, the rate of oxidation of glyoxylate could be decreased by adding glutamate or serine to the cells. These substrates were amino donors for the transamination of glyoxylate to glycine. In the presence of these amino acids more CO 2 was released from added glycolate via the glycine decarboxylation reaction and less by the direct oxidation of glyoxylate. Leaves from soybean plants of various ages grown under different nitrogen regimes had glyoxylate concentrations of about 80 to 100 nanomoles per milligram chlorophyll. Using the isolated cells as a model to determine the relationships between the glyoxylate concentration and rate of its decarboxylation indicated that about 2.5% of the photorespiratory CO 2 would arise from this reaction. This percentage would not be expected to vary greatly with growth conditions.
Plan B for Copenhagen.

In 11 days the curtain will rise in Bangkok for the penultimate round of negotiations before the climate change conference in Copenhagen. David Victor warns of the dangers of a rushed, stapled-together deal.
Evaluation of sampling and analytical methods for monitoring toxic organics in air

Abstract Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has recently evaluated several sampling devices for the collection of selected volatile and toxic organic compounds and have shown the stainless steel canister to be the best overall for whole-air sampling. The toxic organics collected in the canisters were analyzed using a automated cryogenic preconcentration followed by gas chromatography with a selective detector. Stability studies of selected organics in a passivated “SUMMA” stainless steel canister revealed that the compounds are stable over a 2-week period. The design of the sample collection system, collection and analysis procedures and stability data were described.
Phylogenomics Resolves Evolutionary Relationships among Ants, Bees, and Wasps

Eusocial behavior has arisen in few animal groups, most notably in the aculeate Hymenoptera, a clade comprising ants, bees, and stinging wasps [1-4]. Phylogeny is crucial to understanding the evolution of the salient features of these insects, including eusociality [5]. Yet the phylogenetic relationships among the major lineages of aculeate Hymenoptera remain contentious [6-12]. We address this problem here by generating and analyzing genomic data for a representative series of taxa. We obtain a single well-resolved and strongly supported tree, robust to multiple methods of phylogenetic inference. Apoidea (spheciform wasps and bees) and ants are sister groups, a novel finding that contradicts earlier views that ants are closer to ectoparasitoid wasps. Vespid wasps (paper wasps, yellow jackets, and relatives) are sister to all other aculeates except chrysidoids. Thus, all eusocial species of Hymenoptera are contained within two major groups, characterized by transport of larval provisions and nest construction, likely prerequisites for the evolution of eusociality. These two lineages are interpolated among three other clades of wasps whose species are predominantly ectoparasitoids on concealed hosts, the inferred ancestral condition for aculeates [2]. This phylogeny provides a new framework for exploring the evolution of nesting, feeding, and social behavior within the stinging Hymenoptera.
Early science results from the Hobby-Eberly telescope

We present science results from the first four months of early operations of the Hobby-Eberly Telescope (HET). During this period the HET was used for science approximately two weeks per month centered on new moon. We discuss the types of science program that are bets suited to the unique nature of the HET and give examples of survey and synoptic observations that are on-going. The Marcario Low Resolution Spectrograph is the only facility instrument currently in service, so the science result from this instrument are emphasized. Future facility instruments are briefly discussed, along with a description of current HET performance.
Social History Present and Future

This article reviews the reasons for a status report on social history, including an apparent pause in the "cultural turn" and an imminent shift in scholarly leadership. It reviews the current state of some of the classical issues in social history, such as the relationship to political history, periodization and the role in teaching and public presentation. Continued expansion of the topical range of social history includes growing collaboration with focused social science inquiry, in areas like crime or drinking, as the excitement of the field persists. Sociohistorical work in various areas of the world provides a springboard for new comparative and regional analysis, one of the clear challenges for the future.
Is What You See What You Really Get? Comparison of Scoring Techniques in the Assessment of Real-World Divergent Thinking

In recent years, the social sciences have seen a resurgence in the study of divergent thinking (DT) measures. However, many of these recent advances have focused on abstract, decontextualized DT tasks (e.g., list as many things as you can think of that have wheels). This study provides a new perspective by exploring the reliability and validity evidence for several methods for scoring real-world DT tasks (i.e., tasks situated within a real-world problem or situation). The results suggest a combination of objective and subjective scoring methods may be optimal for originality scoring for contextualized DT tasks, which stands in contrast to recent research suggesting the objective, percentage scoring technique may be optimal for scoring originality on abstract tasks.
1063 THE EFFECTS OF BODY BURDENS OF LEAD ON THE GROWING RAT KIDNEY

Lead induced chronic nephropathy is seen after prolonged occupational exposure to lead and has been produced in experimental animals. There is also suggestive clinical and experimental evidence that development of chronic lead nephropathy may be related to renal growth. Lead acetate was administered by three i.p. injections for a total dose of 125 mg/kg of body weight to 30 Sprague-Dawley rats during the fifth week of life. A control group received i.p. sodium acetate during the same period. One half of each group was studied after eight weeks and the remainder after 32 weeks. At 32 weeks there was a persistent elevation of blood lead concentrations (control 0.138±.04, exp. 0.367±.04 ug/gm; p < .05) and renal tissue lead concentrations (control 1.88±.19, exp. 8.2±.93 ug/gm; p < .05); however, body weight, kidney weight, and renal tissue RNA and DNA concentrations were not significantly different from the controls. Numerous renal tubular giant cells and intranuclear inclusions were found in the experimental group at 8 weeks but were reduced in number markedly by 32 weeks. There was no evidence of a generalized progressive nephropathy. These results indicate that after an acute exposure to lead in the growing rat progressive morphologic changes of the kidney are not seen despite persistent elevations of renal lead concentrations.
Impact of an emergency medicine clerkship on students' perceptions of emergency medicine.

Purpose To determine the impact of an emergency medicine (EM) clerkship on senior (4th year) medical students' perceptions of the EM specialty. Subjects and methods This was a pre/posttest observational study in a mandatory 4-week EM clerkship. Students were anonymously surveyed pre- and postclerkship regarding perceptions of EM. The survey used 24 statements grouped across four domains: 1) student EM clerkship expectations/experiences, 2) perceptions regarding EM physicians, 3) perceptions regarding patients in the emergency department (ED), and 4) EM as a desirable career. Data were analyzed using paired-sample t-tests, and comparisons made using McNemar's χ (2) test. Results A total of 385 of 407 students (94.6%) completed the pre- and postclerkship survey. There was no significant difference between mean ratings before and after related to perceptions regarding EM physicians (3.71 versus 3.71), ED patients (3.80 versus 3.76), or EM as a desirable career (3.88 versus 3.84). However, ratings regarding clerkship expectations/experiences decreased (3.88 versus 3.56, P=0.001). Of the 292 students that ranked their top three specialties in both pre- and postclerkship surveys, 46 (16%) included EM as a top choice preclerkship, with 31 of these maintaining this interest postclerkship. Conversely, 12 students (5%) became interested in EM postclerkship. Some survey-statement ratings were influenced and varied by urban versus community clerkship-rotation site. Conclusion A mandatory senior EM clerkship did not significantly change overall students' perceptions regarding EM. Students with an interest in EM rated domains higher than those not interested, though there may have been an overall decline in perceptions related to clerkship expectations and experiences. Larger, multisite studies may help identify aspects of the field or EM clerkship that influence a student's ultimate career choice.
Mild chronic hypoxia modifies the fetal sheep neural and cardiovascular responses to repeated umbilical cord occlusion.

Abstract We have shown that 5 days of mild hypoxia has significant effects on fetal ECoG activity, heart rate and blood pressure. We now studied if mild prolonged hypoxemia had an adverse effect on the fetal cardiovascular and neural responses to repeated cord occlusion and on the magnitude of neuronal damage. Fetal and maternal catheters were placed at 120 days' gestation and animals allocated at random to receive intratracheal maternal administration of nitrogen (n = 8) or compressed air in controls (n = 7). Five days after surgery, nitrogen infusion was adjusted to reduce fetal brachial artery pO2 by 25%. After 5 days of chronic hypoxemia, the umbilical cord was completely occluded for 5 min every 30 min for a total of four occlusions. Data are presented as mean ± SEM and were analyzed by two-way ANOVA or two-sample t-test. Nitrogen infusion decreased fetal pO2 by 26% (20.5 ± 1.7 vs. 14.3 ± 0.8 mm Hg) without changing fetal pCO2 or pH. Pre-existing hypoxia fetuses had a greater terminal fall in heart rate in occlusions II, III and IV, and also had a more severe terminal hypotension in the final occlusion. Pre-existing hypoxia was associated with a greater fall in spectral edge frequency during occlussions from 14.4 ± 0.9 Hz to 6.9 ± 0.4 Hz vs. 13.6 ± 1.64 Hz to 10.6 ± 0.77 Hz in controls, p
Embolism Repair and Xylem Tension: Do We Need a Miracle?

There is widespread agreement that negative hydrostatic pressure makes water transport in the xylem intrinsically vulnerable to cavitation ([Pickard, 1981][1]; [Zimmermann and Milburn, 1982][2]; [Tyree and Sperry, 1989][3]). Xylem hydraulic conductivity is often substantially reduced by cavitation
Domestic ‘zealotry’ and press discourse: Kevorkian's euthanasia incident

The manner in which press outlets cover the convergence of the explicitly sensational and the explicitly ideological holds political and social implications. Does a startling or shocking domestic incident that the US press labels as zealotry catalyze the nation's news outlets to explore a wide range of views about the issues involved and their public relevance? This article addresses this matter by examining print media coverage of a videotaped euthanasia that was broadcast by the popular news magazine program 60 Minutes. The findings raise questions about the ability of incidents such as these to push the mainstream press to look beyond zealotry to the social context surrounding it.
synthesis, characterization and some reactions of organometallic complexes containing bridging dithionite ligand.

Abstract A novel organometallic dithionite complex, [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 SO 2 ] 2 , in which the —S(O) 2 S(O) 2 —ligand bridges two iron atoms has been synthesized by four methods: treatment of Na[η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] with a large excess of SO 2 , insertion of SO 2 into [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 SO 2 , reaction of [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 Hg with SO 2 and irradiation of [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 in the presence of SO 2 . Of the four preparative routes, photolysis proved to be the most general one and also afforded the analogous complexes [M(CO) 5 SO 2 ] 2 (M = Mn or Re) from [M(CO) 5 ] 2 and SO 2 . However, irradiation of [η 5 -C 5 H 5 M(CO) 3 ] 2 (M = Mo or W) and SO 2 yielded [η 5 -C 5 H 5 M(O)S] 2 instead. The new dithionite complexes were characterized by elemental analysis and infranred and NMR spectroscopy. Photolysis of each of [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 SO 2 ] 2 and [Mn(CO) 5 SO 2 ] 2 resulted in loss of SO 2 to produce [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 SO 2 plus [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 ] 2 and [Mn(CO) 5 ] 2 , respectively. The complex [η 5 C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 SO 2 ] 2 reacted with alkyl iodides (RI) on heating to give η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 I and η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 [S(O) 2 R], and underwent alkylation by (C 2 H 5 ) 3 OPF 6 to yield η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 [S(O) 2 OC 2 H 5 ], among other products. However, no reductive cleavage of [η 5 -C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) 2 SO 2 ] 2 occured with KH.
Genetic diversity and divergence among freshwater mussel (Anodonta) populations in the Bonneville Basin of Utah

Populations of the freshwater mussel genus Anodonta appear to be in a state of rapid decline in western North America, following a trend that unfortunately seems to be prevalent among these animals (Mollusca: Unionoida). Here we describe the patterns of molecular divergence and diversity among Anodonta populations in the Bonneville Basin, a large sub-basin of the Great Basin in western North America. Using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, we found a striking lack of nuclear diversity within some of these populations, along with a high degree of structuring among populations (FST = 0.61), suggesting post-Pleistocene isolation, due either to a long-term loss of hydrologic connectivity among populations or to more recent fish introductions. We also found evidence of recent hybridization in one of these populations, possibly mediated by fish-stocking practices. Using mitochondrial sequence data, we compared the Bonneville Basin populations to Anodonta in several other drainages in western North America. We found a general lack of resolution in these phylogenetic reconstructions, although there was a tendency for the Bonneville Basin Anodonta (tentatively A. californiensis) to cluster with A. oregonensis from the adjacent Lahontan Basin in Nevada. We recommend further investigation of anthropogenic factors that may be contributing to the decline of western Anodonta and a broad-scale analysis and synthesis of genetic and morphological variation among Anodonta in western North America.
Role of Interferon Regulatory Factor 3-Mediated Apoptosis in the Establishment and Maintenance of Persistent Infection by Sendai Virus

Infection of cultured cells by paramyxoviruses causes cell death, mediated by a newly discovered apoptotic pathway activated by virus infection. The key proapoptotic protein in this pathway is interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3), which upon activation by virus infection binds BAX, translocates it to mitochondria, and triggers apoptosis. When IRF-3-knockdown cells were infected with Sendai virus (SeV), persistent infection (PI) was established. The PI cells produced infectious SeV continuously and constitutively expressed many innate immune genes. Interferon signaling was blocked in these cells. The elevated levels of IRF-3-driven genes in the PI cells indicated that the amount of residual IRF-3 activated by endogenous SeV was high enough to drive the transcriptional effects of IRF-3 but too low to trigger its apoptotic activity. We confirmed this IRF-3 threshold idea by generating a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible cell line for IRF-3 expression, which enabled us to express various levels of IRF-3. PI could be established in the Tet-off cell line, and as expected, when doxycycline was withdrawn, the cells underwent apoptosis. Finally, we tested for PI establishment in 12 mouse embryo fibroblasts by natural selection. Eleven lines became persistently infected; although seven out of them had low IRF-3 levels, four did not. When one of the latter four was further analyzed, we observed that it expressed a very low level of caspase 3, the final executor protease of the apoptotic pathway. These results demonstrated that SeV PI can arise from infection of normal wild-type cells, but only if they can find a way to impair the IRF-3-dependent apoptotic pathway.
Regulation of ATP/ADP in Pancreatic Islets

ATP and ADP levels are critical regulators of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. In many aerobic cell types, the phosphorylation potential (ATP/ADP/P(i)) is controlled by sensing mechanisms inherent in mitochondrial metabolism that feed back and induce compensatory changes in electron transport. To determine whether such regulation may contribute to stimulus-secretion coupling in islet cells, we used a recently developed flow culture system to continuously and noninvasively measure cytochrome c redox state and oxygen consumption as indexes of electron transport in perifused isolated rat islets. Increasing substrate availability by increasing glucose increased cytochrome c reduction and oxygen consumption, whereas increasing metabolic demand with glibenclamide increased oxygen consumption but not cytochrome c reduction. The data were analyzed using a kinetic model of the dual control of electron transport and oxygen consumption by substrate availability and energy demand, and ATP/ADP/P(i) was estimated as a function of time. ATP/ADP/P(i) increased in response to glucose and decreased in response to glibenclamide, consistent with what is known about the effects of these agents on energy state. Therefore, a simple model representing the hypothesized role of mitochondrial coupling in governing phosphorylation potential correctly predicted the directional changes in ATP/ADP/P(i). Thus, the data support the notion that mitochondrial-coupling mechanisms, by virtue of their role in establishing ATP and ADP levels, may play a role in mediating nutrient-stimulated insulin secretion. Our results also offer a new method for continuous noninvasive measures of islet cell phosphorylation potential, a critical metabolic variable that controls insulin secretion by ATP-sensitive K(+)-dependent and -independent mechanisms.
Correlates of motor unit size, recruitment threshold, and H-reflex jitter

The aim of this research was to study the neurophysiology of the anterior horn cell (AHC) using single-fiber EMG (SFEMG) study of the flexor carpi radialis (FCR) H-reflex. Twelve men and 7 women, ages 20-80 years, were studied. The mean H-jitter was 138 +/- 59 microseconds. H-jitter increased with age (while the M-jitter did not) and was greater in men than in women. There was a direct correlation between the H-jitter and H-latency which was used as an indirect measure of the AHC's size. Given that small AHCs have a higher input resistance than large ones, the H-jitter can be used as an indirect indicator of the AHC's input resistance and therefore its size. When subjects fell asleep, the H-jitter increased over tenfold the baseline value, raising the possibility of an alternative, oligosynaptic pathway. H-reflex jitter studies provide a useful clinical neurophysiological tool for the study of AHC physiology.
Oil and the American century

24 The Journal of American History June 2012 Understanding how oil fueled the “American century” is fundamental to understanding the sources, dynamics, and consequences of U.S. global dominance. Essential to both military power and the functioning of modern society, oil fueled American power and prosperity during the twentieth century. The United States was the world’s leading oil producer for the first three-quarters of the century, and five of the seven great oil corporations that dominated the international oil industry from the 1920s to the 1970s were American companies. Control of oil bolstered U.S. military and economic might and enabled the United States and its allies to win both world wars and the Cold War.1 The U.S. government worked closely with the oil industry to gain and maintain control of overseas oil reserves, reflecting a symbiosis of national security interests and the interests of the oil companies. Maintaining access to oil became a key priority of U.S. foreign policy and involved the United States in regional and local conflicts in Latin America, the Middle East, and other oil-producing areas in ways that distorted development in many countries. Most of the major doctrines of postwar U.S. foreign policy—the Truman, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Carter Doctrines—related, either directly or indirectly, to the Middle East and its oil.2 The availability of inexpensive oil encouraged the United States to adopt patterns of socioeconomic organization premised on high levels of oil use. Understandable when oil was inexpensive and access secure, this way of life has become less sustainable as economic, strategic, and environmental conditions have changed.
Genes and Gene Polymorphisms Associated with Periodontal Disease

The scientific literature during the last ten years has seen an exponential increase in the number of reports claiming links for genetic polymorphisms with a variety of medical diseases, particularly chronic immune and inflammatory conditions. Recently, periodontal research has contributed to this growth area. This new research has coincided with an increased understanding of the genome which, in turn, has permitted the functional interrelationships of gene products with each other and with environmental agents to be understood. As a result of this knowledge explosion, it is evident that there is a genetic basis for most diseases, including periodontitis. This realization has fostered the idea that if we can understand the genetic basis of diseases, genetic tests to assess disease risk and to develop etiology-based treatments will soon be reality. Consequently, there has been great interest in identifying allelic variants of genes that can be used to assess disease risk for periodontal diseases. Reports o...
Biphasic modulation of NMDA-induced responses in pyramidal cells of the medial prefrontal cortex by Y-931, a potential atypical antipsychotic drug.

Similar to the effects produced by the atypical antipsychotic drugs (APDs) clozapine and olanzapine, Y-931 {8-fluoro-12-(4-methylpiperazin-1-yl)-6H-[1]benzothieno[2,3-b][1,5]benzodiazepine maleate, a purported atypical APD} effectively facilitated N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced, but not (±)-α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA)-evoked, responses in pyramidal cells of the rat medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Similar to olanzapine and clozapine, the concentration–response curve of Y-931 in these experiments was biphasic. At present, the mechanisms behind the biphasic modulatory actions of Y-931 and olanzapine on NMDA-induced currents in the mPFC are not clear. In addition to augmenting NMDA responses, Y-931 prevented the phencyclidine (PCP)-induced block of the NMDA responses and increased the amplitudes and durations of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) evoked by electrical stimulation of the forceps minor. Overall, our findings suggest that APDs, particularly the atypical ones, share a common property in that they facilitate NMDA receptor-mediated transmission in the mPFC and perhaps other functionally related limbic structures as well, which could be the cellular basis for their ability to alleviate some schizophrenic negative symptoms and cognitive dysfunctions. Synapse 41:294–300, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Managing and Valuing Diversity Challenges to Public Managers in the 21st Century

This analysis explores some of the challenges facing public managers in managing and valuing diversity in the 21st century. It begins with a discussion of the underlying conceptual values on the need for diversity in organizations. This is followed by an examination of different approaches to managing and valuing diversity. As managing a diverse organization is a complex issue that requires a multifaceted approach, the analysis concludes that every diversity initiative must be in consonance with organizational missions to be successful. That is, it must become integrated into the agency's overall operating plans and strategies with the aim of creating an institutional environment where every person who is different, in terms of human characteristics, feels not only accepted but also respected and valued.
Modularity and the Causal Markov Condition: A Restatement

Nancy Cartwright's comments ([2002]) expose some gaps and difficulties in the argument for the causal Markov condition in our essay ‘Independence, Invariance and the Causal Markov Condition’ ([1999]), and we are grateful for the opportunity to reformulate our position. In particular, Cartwright disagrees vigorously with many of the theses we advance about the connection between causation and manipulation. Although we are not persuaded by some of her criticisms, we shall confine ourselves to showing how our central argument can be reconstructed and to casting doubt on Cartwright's claim that the causal Markov condition typically fails when there are indeterministic by-products.
Accurate and energy-efficient congestion level measurement in ad hoc networks

Congestion in ad hoc networks not only degrades throughput, but also wastes scarce energy due to a large number of retransmissions and packet drops. For efficient congestion control, an accurate and timely estimation of resource demands by measuring the network congestion level is necessary. Congestion level measurement in ad hoc networks is more difficult than in wired networks due to time-variant channel capacity, contention among neighboring nodes, and non-deterministic node scheduling. We propose a new congestion detection mechanism that quantifies the congestion level accurately and energy-efficiently at both a node-level (implemented at the MAC layer) and a flow-level (implemented at the routing layer) in ad hoc networks. For accurate congestion measurement, a set of metrics that decouple the measurement from various MAC protocol characteristics is defined. For energy-efficient congestion measurement, an asynchronous channel loading measurement scheme, called lazy measurement, which emulates synchronous measurement by using virtual channel sampling, is incorporated into the proposed scheme. Simulation results show that the proposed mechanism significantly cuts down the energy needed to measure congestion accurately, while maintaining the high level of accuracy needed for timely congestion control.
Social Insects Dominate Eastern US Temperate Hardwood Forest Macroinvertebrate Communities in Warmer Regions

Earthworms, termites, and ants are common macroinvertebrates in terrestrial environments, although for most ecosystems data on their abundance and biomass is sparse. Quantifying their areal abundance is a critical first step in understanding their functional importance. We intensively sampled dead wood, litter, and soil in eastern US temperate hardwood forests at four sites, which span much of the latitudinal range of this ecosystem, to estimate the abundance and biomass m 22 of individuals in macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrates, other than ants and termites, differed only slightly among sites in total abundance and biomass and they were similar in ordinal composition. Termites and ants were the most abundant macroinvertebrates in dead wood, and ants were the most abundant in litter and soil. Ant abundance and biomass m 22 in the southernmost site (Florida) were among the highest values recorded for ants in any ecosystem. Ant and termite biomass and abundance varied greatly across the range, from ,1% of the total macroinvertebrate abundance (in the northern sites) to .95% in the southern sites. Our data reveal a pronounced shift to eusocial insect dominance with decreasing latitude in a temperate ecosystem. The extraordinarily high social insect relative abundance outside of the tropics lends support to existing data suggesting that ants, along with termites, are globally the most abundant soil macroinvertebrates, and surpass the majority of other terrestrial animal (vertebrate and invertebrate) groups in biomass m 22 . Our results provide a foundation for improving our understanding of the functional role of social insects in regulating ecosystem processes in temperate forest.
Marginalized by race and place A multilevel analysis of occupational sex segregation in post-apartheid South Africa

Purpose – Given South Africa's apartheid history, studies have primarily focused on racial discrimination in employment outcomes, with lesser attention paid to gender and context. The purpose of this paper is to fill an important gap by examining the combined effect of macro- and micro-level factors on occupational sex segregation in post-apartheid South Africa. Intersections by race are also explored. Design/methodology/approach – A multilevel multinomial logistic regression is used to examine the influence of various supply and demand variables on women's placement in white- and blue-collar male-dominated occupations. Data from the 2001 Census and other published sources are used, with women nested in magisterial districts. Findings – Demand-side results indicate that service sector specialization augments differentiation by increasing women's opportunities in both white-collar male- and female-dominated occupations. Contrary to expectations, urban residence does not influence women's, particularly Afri...
Modified slab photonic crystal structure for delay time enhancement using capsule shaped holes

A slow group velocity photonic crystal slab waveguide is designed using capsule shaped air holes in hexagonal lattice. The presented design achieves nearly flat band waveguiding with group-index of 21–36 over the normalized bandwidth (Δω/ω) of 1.38%∼0.4%.
THE AAMD ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR SCALE-SCHOOL EDITION, PART TWO: TEST-RETEST RELIABILITY AND PARENT-TEACHER AGREEMENT IN A BEHAVIOR DISORDERED SAMPLE

Test-retest reliability and parent-teacher agreement were estimated for Part Two of the AAMD Adaptive Behavior Scale--School Edition. Test-retest reliability was based on a subgroup of 20 students selected randomly from the total sample of 66; these were 7 students classified as Behavior Disordered, 7 students referred for behavior problems but not classified, and 6 students not referred or classified. Parent-teacher agreement was investigated for a subgroup of 25 students classified as Behavior Disordered. Test-retest reliability of .83 was significant, while parent-teacher agreement coefficients were nonsignificant. Such results are consistent with previous research using similar instruments. The implications are discussed and suggestions for research are presented.
Forward-thinking teens: The effects of college costs on adolescent risky behavior

This paper analyzes the effect of college costs on teenagers' engagement in risky behaviors before they are old enough to attend college. Individuals with brighter prospects for future schooling attainment may engage in less drug and alcohol use and risky sexual activity because they have more to lose if such behaviors have harmful effects in their lives. If teens correctly predict that higher college costs make future college enrollment less likely, then adolescents facing different expected costs may choose different levels of risky behavior. I find that lower college costs in teenagers' states of residence raise their subjective expectations regarding college attendance and deter teenage substance use and sexual partnership. Specifically, a $1,000 reduction in tuition and fees at two-year colleges in a youth's state of residence (roughly a 50% difference at the mean) is associated with a decline in the number of sexual partners the youth had in the past year (by 26%), the number of days in the past month the youth smoked (by 14%), and the number of days in the past month the youth used marijuana (by 23%). These findings suggest that the often-studied correlation between schooling and health habits emerges in adolescence because teenagers with brighter college prospects curb their risky behavior in accordance with their expectations. The results also imply that policies that improve teenagers' educational prospects may be effective tools for reducing youthful involvement in such behaviors.
Preschoolers' Sex-Role Identity, Father-Role Perceptions, and Paternal Family Participation

AN exploratory study was conducted to investigate the relationships between three patterns of family role performance and (1) preschool-aged boys' sex-role preferences and (2) preschool-aged boys' and girls' perceptions of the father role. Three groups of 20 families were interviewed in their homes regarding division of labor and satisfaction with parent and work roles. These groups varied according to maternal employment status and extent of paternal responsibility for child care (either minimal or approximately equal to that of the mother). Children were tested for their intelligence, sex-role preferences, and perceptions of parent roles. Support was found for an inverse relationship between paternal participation in both child care and housework and children's functional stereotypes of the father role. In addition, paternal housework was found to be inversely related to sons' masculinity, whereas paternal influence in family decision making and sons' masculinity were unrelated. It was concluded that ac...
Non-contact wet mateable connector

Underwater connectors using inductive power transfer provide increased reliability and number of mate/de-mate cycles because no electrical contacts are physically utilized. While the general concept is not new, this paper presents a connector that uses resonant coupling to improve the power transfer efficiency. An additional feature of the connector is the use of optical windows for data transfer. The connector is designed for sensor interconnection, but is scalable to other applications.
Instrument transformer error compensation in Fourier based power metering

This paper deals with error compensation in power metering introduced by current and voltage transformers. The ratio correction factors, RCF, are determined for each harmonic level using either the equivalent circuit model or direct measurements. Fourier based metering is then utilized to compensate for the error at each harmonic level.
Stabilized Finite Element Methods for the Schrödinger Wave Equation

This paper presents two stabilized formulations for the Schrodinger wave equation. First formulation is based on the Galerkin/least-squares (GLS) method, and it sets the stage for exploring variational multiscale ideas for developing the second stabilized formulation. These formulations provide improved accuracy on cruder meshes as compared with the standard Galerkin formulation. Based on the proposed formulations a family of tetrahedral and hexahedral elements is developed. Numerical convergence studies are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and convergence properties of the two methods for a model electronic potential for which analytical results are available. DOI: 10.1115/1.3059564
New Frontiers in Pre-clinical Small Animal Radiation Research

Small laboratory animals are invaluable in pre-clinical studies. For radiation therapy, the significant technological disparity between methods used for human treatment and those for laboratory animal irradiation brings into question the effectiveness of the latter to represent the clinical environment. In an effort to bridge the gap, we have constructed a small animal radiation research platform (SARRP) with the capabilities of a modern human machine. The SARRP is equipped with on-board cone-beam CT (CBCT) to guide focal irradiation.