cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immigration opposition among U.S. whites: General ethnocentrism or media priming of attitudes about latinos?

General ethnocentrism seems to be a powerful antecedent of immigration opinion, typically displaying larger effects than economic concerns. News about immigration, however, may focus attention on a particular group in a given historical moment. We predict group-specific affect, not general ethnocentrism, should most powerfully shape immigration policy opinion in the contemporary United States. We test this expectation with content analyses of news coverage, survey data from 1992 to 2008, a survey experiment, and official statistics. First, we find that mentions of Latinos in news coverage of immigration outpace mentions of other groups beginning in 1994, the year when Proposition 187, a proposal in California to end most social welfare and educational assistance to illegal immigrants, garnered significant national attention. Second, while ethnocentrism dominates economic concerns in explanations of Whites' immigration policy opinions, attitudes toward Latinos in particular account for nearly all of the impact of ethnocentrism since 1994. Finally, journalistic attention to Latino immigration roughly parallels actual rates of immigration from Latin America, suggesting the media shaping of policy opinion around this group may be driven by real-world demographic patterns.
How dense does parton matter get in Pb + Pb collisions at the CERN SPS?

We examine the qualitative features of parton production through materialization in heavy-ion collisions within perturbative QCD, and estimate the magnitude of the resulting parton density created during the early stage of the collisions. The implications for “anomalous”J/ϕ suppression observed in Pb+Pb collisions at the CERN SPS are discussed. We argue that theA-dependence of absorption ofJ/ϕ by (partonic) comovers is steeper than assumed in most phenomenological models, because the absorption process is dominated by quasi-perturbative QCD interactions. Our argument is supported by results recently obtained in the framework of the parton cascade model. We predict significant “anomalous” suppression for Pb+Pb collisions at the CERN-SPS, but not for S+U collisions.
A comparison of absorption of glycerol tristearate and glycerol trioleate by rat small intestine.

Generally, fats rich in saturated fatty acids raise serum cholesterol, whereas fats rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids lower it. There appear to be exceptions; e.g., stearic acid (18:0)-rich fats have little or no effect on serum cholesterol concentrations. This apparent lack of cholesterolemic effect of stearic acid-rich fat could be because intestinal absorption of fat is poor or subsequent plasma and/or tissue metabolism of fat is different. To investigate mechanisms involved, we compared intestinal digestion, uptake, and lymphatic transport of glycerol tristearate (TS) and glycerol trioleate (TO, 18:1). Two groups of rats bearing intestinal lymph fistulas were used. TO rats were fed intraduodenally for 8 h at a constant rate a lipid emulsion of 25 mumols/h of TO (labeled with glycerol tri[9,10 (n)-3H]oleate), 7.8 mumols of egg phosphatidylcholine, and 57 mumols of sodium taurocholate in 3 ml of phosphate-buffered saline. TS rats were fed the same lipid emulsion except that TS replaced TO and the emulsion was labeled with glyceryl [1,3-14C]tristearate. The lymph triglyceride and radioactivity were determined. After infusion, the luminal and mucosal radioactive lipid content was analyzed. The results showed that there was significantly less lipid transported in the lymph of TS rats compared with TO rats. The results also showed a significant decrease in the absorption of TS as compared with TO. This was due in part to poor lipolysis. In addition, the lipid absorbed by the intestine of the TS rats was transported into lymph less efficiently than in TO rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
An improved model for SOI enhancement and depletion JFETs with nonuniform channel parameters for low/high-speed applications

The dynamic operation of various n-channel silicon-on-insulator (SOI) junction field effect transistors (JETs) is presented. A previously developed program, based on an accurate model of the SOI JFET I-V characteristics, taking into account the effect of SOI structure on the charge carrier mobility, is modified to include the calculations of the device parameters and high-speed figures of merit. The authors present the DC, AC, and transient response analysis of inverters with n-channel E-JFET drivers and depletion-type loads. (E/D inverters). Results are simulated for different device parameters and supply voltages for VLSI circuit applications. A fifteen-stage ring oscillator is used to rate the performance of the SOI E/D JFET inverters for future digital logic applications. SOI E/D inverter performance compared favorably with typical GaAs inverter structures. >
The fuzzy intersection rule in variational analysis with applications

The fuzzy intersection rule for Frechet normal cones in Asplund spaces was established by Mordukhovich and the author using the extremal principle, which appears more convenient to apply in some applications. In this paper, we present a complete discussion of this rule in various aspects. We show that the fuzzy intersection rule is another characterization of the Asplund property of the space. Various applications are considered as well. In particular, a complete set of fuzzy calculus rules for general lower semicontinuous functions are established.
Cholera transmission: the host, pathogen and bacteriophage dynamic

Zimbabwe offers the most recent example of the tragedy that befalls a country and its people when cholera strikes. The 2008–2009 outbreak rapidly spread across every province and brought rates of mortality similar to those witnessed as a consequence of cholera infections a hundred years ago. In this Review we highlight the advances that will help to unravel how interactions between the host, the bacterial pathogen and the lytic bacteriophage might propel and quench cholera outbreaks in endemic settings and in emergent epidemic regions such as Zimbabwe.
A Lightweight and Cooperative Multifactor Considered File Replication Method in Structured P2P Systems

File replication is widely used in structured P2P systems to avoid hot spots in servers and enhance file availability. The number of replicas and replication distance affect the file replication cost. These two elements and the replica update frequency determined in the file replication stage also affect the cost of subsequent consistency maintenance. However, most existing file replication protocols focus on improving file lookup efficiency without considering its cost and its subsequent influence on consistency maintenance. This paper studies the problem about how a server chooses files to replicate and where to replicate files to achieve low cost in both file replication and consistency maintenance stages without compromising the effectiveness of file replication. This paper presents a lightweight and Cooperative multifactOr considered file Replication Protocol (CORP) to achieve this goal. CORP simultaneously takes into account multiple factors including file popularity, update rate, node available capacity, file load, and node locality, aiming to minimize the number of replicas, update frequency, and replication distance. CORP also dynamically adjusts the number of replicas based on ever-changing file popularity and visit pattern. Extensive experimental results from simulation and PlanetLab real-world testbed demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of CORP in comparison with other file replication protocols. It dramatically reduces the overhead of both file replication and consistency maintenance. In addition, it exhibits high adaptiveness to skewed lookups and yields significant improvement in reducing overloaded nodes. Specifically, compared to the other replication protocols, CORP can reduce more than 71 percent of file replicas, 84 percent of overloaded nodes, 94 percent of consistency maintenance cost, and 72 percent of file replication and consistency maintenance latency.
Applying a Consistency Coefficient Methodology to General and Specific Attitudes Towards Automated Devices

The current study addresses two main goals: a) to present a new methodological approach that features within-participants consistency coefficients as a means to analyse data; and b) to show how this new methodology can generate findings otherwise impossible to detect. There have been very few studies that have looked at attitudes towards automation, and none that we know of that have looked at the consistency of attitudes towards automation. Participants rated their attitudes towards 15 different common household automated devices across two identical blocks in order to generate a consistency coefficient. They then rated their attitudes towards automation in general. The results showed that general and specific attitudes were moderately high, the consistency of attitudes towards specific types of automated devices was moderate at best, and that there was a correlation between the consistency of the specific attitudes and general attitudes. This correlation was stronger for female participants compared to ...
Extended operating range of the 30-cm ion thruster with simplified power processor requirements

A two grid 30 cm diameter mercury ion thruster was operated with only six power supplies over the baseline J series thruster power throttle range with negligible impact on thruster performance. An analysis of the functional model power processor showed that the component mass and parts count could be reduced considerably and the electrical efficiency increased slightly by only replacing power supplies with relays. The input power, output thrust, and specific impulse of the thruster were then extended, still using six supplies, from 2660 watts, 0.13 newtons, and 2980 seconds to 9130 watts, 0.37 newtons, and 3820 seconds, respectively. Increases in thrust and power density enable reductions in the number of thrusters and power processors required for most missions. Preliminary assessments of the impact of thruster operation at increased thrust and power density on the discharge characteristics, performance, and lifetime of the thruster were also made.
The Brownlow Committee, Regulation, and the Presidency: Seventy Years Later

Analyzing Robert E. Cushman’s study within the context of the Brownlow Report substantiates the argument that the immediate failure of the committee’s recommendations—and their influence in the longer term—is best explained within the conceptual framework of changing political orders in American political development. Seventy years later, the field has the historical perspective to see that the committee’s work was buffeted by tensions between competing political orders. Today, far from being just an interesting episode in American public administration, we see that the Brownlow Committee’s work on regulation, as much as work on executive organization, heralded and enabled a new era of presidential administration.
Resection of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in the United States. It has a well-recognized tendency to metastasize to the lungs, and under certain circumstances, these metastases are resectable. Data accumulated over the last 40 years support a survival benefit from resection of these lesions and have given a better understanding of the indications that should be adhered to in performing metastasectomy for colorectal cancer.
Biostatistics and clinical trials: a view

Abstract The statistical method is an integral part of clinical trials, because clinical trials are scientific experiments involving human subjects and are to produce objective inferences as to the benefit of intervention – including more narrowly defined medical regiment – under evaluation. Many interventions with reputed anecdotal evidence of plausible benefit turn out to be not so useful if not outright harmful. Furthermore, a treatment good for one group of patients may not be necessarily good for another group of patients receiving a placebo. Clinical trial data are complex and rarely complete. Recently, behavior modifications such as smoking cessation and diet are being evaluated by clinical trial methods. People believed beta-carotene and vitamin C would prevent cancer, but clinical trials have shown no benefit. This points out that the medical plausibility should not be accepted blindly. I will explain the role of statisticians in planning, designing and analyzing clinical trials mainly from my experience.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF THE STIMULATORY EFFECT OF LETHALLY IRRADIATED CELLS ON TUMOR INOCULA.

SummaryAddition of lethally irradiated cells or “nuclei” prepared from them to tumor inocula increased the frequency of tumor takes and decreased latency and host survival. In previous studies, sonication of either cells or “nuclei” abolished this effect. It was postulated that the stimulatory effect is due to the transfer of nutrients from the membrane-bound structures in the lethally irradiated preparations to living tumor cells prior to the establishment of a vascular supply. In the current studies it was found that sonication of 75Se-methionine-labeled lethally irradiated cells or “nuclei” resulted in a more rapid disappearance of radioactivity from the site of injection and reduced the uptake of the label into simultaneously injected viable tumor cells. Similarly, tumors developing from inocula containing sonicated 125IUdR-labeled irradiated cells retained less radioactivity than tumors which developed from inocula containing unsonicated lethally irradiated cells.
Molecular connectivity VII: specific treatment of heteroatoms.

The molecular connectivity index, X, initially designed for hydrocarbons, has been formally extended to molecules containing heteroatoms. The δ value of the heteroatom is modified to take account of its number of attached hydrogen atoms, δiv = Zv – hi. These values were successfully tested on boiling points and molar refractions. A table of δv values is presented for nitrogen, oxygen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine in various bonding situations.
Luminescence Yield in Roentgenography with High-Energy X-Rays

A universal energy transfer function is derived that applies to absorption of X-rays or gamma rays in all thin luminescent screens over a wide range of incident energies. This function is evaluated for monoenergetic incident radiation and for bremsstrahlung originating in gold targets. A scaled universal luminescence yield is given, in terms of the energy transfer function minus an energy escape function which accounts for the energy loss by electron escape from the phosphor. Under conditions where the energy escape is small, the dominant dependence of the luminescence yield on the phosphor appears only as a multiplicative material characteristic constant.
Impact of preoperative risk factors on outcomes after Norwood palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Background Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) are susceptible to pre-Norwood comorbidities (PCs) and complications. This study aimed to describe the effect of PCs on timing and survival of Norwood palliation (NP). Methods A single-center, retrospective review of infants with HLHS who underwent initial NP between 2003 and 2010 was performed. PCs included intact atrial septum, ≥ moderate atrioventricular regurgitation (AVVR), no antenatal diagnosis, mitral stenosis/aortic atresia subtype, genetic abnormality, and prematurity. Complications included pre-NP mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, infection, arrhythmia, and end-organ injury. The primary outcome measure was survival after NP. Results 113 patients were included with 78 (69%) patients having at least one PC and 61 (78%) of those patients having at least one complication. Patients with PCs underwent NP later than those without PCs (7 vs 6 days, P = .036) as well as when associated with a complication (8 vs 5 days, P P = .116) except when the PC occurred in conjunction with a complication (28 vs 21 days; P = .015). In-hospital mortality post-NP was 10% and interstage mortality was 15%. On multivariable analysis, ≥ moderate AVVR was associated with increased overall mortality (OR 2.8, 95% CI 1.3-6.2). Age at NP was not associated with mortality ( P = .638). Conclusions Although PCs are common in infants with HLHS, only ≥ moderate AVVR was associated with increased mortality in this single-center experience. Older age at NP was not a significant risk factor for interstage mortality.
Comparative effects of adriamycin and DNA-non-binding analogues on DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis in vitro.

Drug-DNA binding is claimed to be the basis by which the antitumor antibiotic adriamycin (doxorubicin) inhibits DNA and RNA synthesis in vitro. However, in preliminary studies the DNA-non-binding adriamycin analogue N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin-14-valerate (AD 32) showed somewhat greater inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis than adriamycin under identical conditions. The kinetics of macromolecule synthesis inhibition induced by adriamycin and AD 32, and the two principal DNA-nonbinding metabolites of AD 32, N-trifluoroacetyladriamycin (AD 41) and N-trifluoroacetyladriamycinol (AD 92), have now been subjected to comparative study in cultured CEM (human leukemic lymphoblastic) cells. At equimolar concentrations (10 μM), or at concentrations related to their 50% growth-inhibitory values vs CEM cells, AD 32 was consistently found to be more inhibitory than adriamycin of DNA and RNA synthesis, as measured by the incorporation of tritiated thymidine and uridine, respectively, into acid-precipitable fractions relative to untreated controls. Marked inhibitory actibity was apparent with 10 μM AD 32 even at the earliest sampling time (15 min); with adriamycin at the same concentration the maximal effect was not achieved until 3 h. AD 32 at 4.8 μM concentration continued to show strong inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis, whereas adriamycin at 1.0 μM was essentially inactive. Like AD 32, AD 41 and AD 92 showed greater inhibition than adriamycin of DNA and RNA synthesis at the early sampling times, although in all instances the effects of AD 32 were more profound. AD 32 at 10 μM concentration produced a moderate but significant inhibition of the incorporation of tritiated methionine into protein compared with adriamycin, which at this concentration was not active. Parallel HPLC analytical studies with simillar drug-treated cultures indicated that, while small amounts of adriamycin were found in cells treated with 10 μM AD 32, the amount of adriamycin present at 15 min was only a small fraction (<5%) of the amount of adriamycin achieved at 3 h in cultures treated with 1.0 μM adriamycin, a concentration already shown to be only slightly inhibitory of nucleic acid synthesis under the culture conditions. The present study thus confirms the marked DNA and RNA synthesis-inhibitory effects of AD 32, and establishes that this inhibitory activity is not due to conversion of AD 32 into adriamycin. These findings accordingly call into question the validity of the drug-DNA binding mechanism as the explanation for the nucleic acid synthesis inhibitory effects seen with ADR.
Indonesian politics in 2012: coalitions, accountability and the future of democracy

Indonesia is a successful but flawed democracy: while the electoral process has worked well, the quality of democratic governance is less encouraging. Missing from the equation between elections and democracy is political accountability. Parties’ obsession with coalition building as a route to political power has made it difficult for voters to attribute success or failure to elected officials. Coalition government allows politicians to send contradictory messages, and in 2012 religious minorities – which are neither banned nor protected – have paid a heavy price for the lack of accountability and leadership. In Jakarta an outsider, Joko Widodo, won the gubernatorial election despite facing an incumbent backed by a broad coalition. His victory illustrates that coalition building does not guarantee success, and that the electorate is mature enough not to be swayed by appeals to religious and ethnic sentiment. This gives heart to those hoping to strengthen democracy and democratic values in Indonesia.
Changes in tumor hypoxia induced by mild temperature hyperthermia as assessed by dual-tracer immunohistochemistry

Purpose To study the changes in hypoxia resulting from mild temperature hyperthermia (MTH) in a subcutaneous xenograft model using dual-tracer immunohistochemical techniques.
Critical Leaf Potassium Concentrations for Yield and Seed Quality of Conservation-Till Soybean

Leaf K concentrations needed for optimum soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production under conservation tillage systems may be different from those in conventional tillage (moldboard plow) because soil properties (such as soil-test K distribution) and soybean root distribution within the soil profile under conservation tillage systems differ from those in conventional tillage. Little information is available about adequate leaf K concentrations for soybean on conservation-tilled soils with significant vertical soil-test K stratification. This study was conducted at three locations in Ontario, Canada from 1998 through 2000 to estimate the critical leaf K concentrations for conservation-till soybean on K-stratified soils with low to very high soil-test K levels and a 5- to 7-yr history of no-till management. Three K fertilizer placement methods (band placement, surface broadcast, and zero K), two conservation tillage systems (no-till and fall tandem disk), and two soybean row widths (19 and 38 cm) were used to create a wide spectrum of production environments. For maximum seed yield, the critical leaf K concentration at the initial flowering stage (R 1 ) of development was 24.3 g kg -1 . This concentration is greater than the traditional critical leaf K values for soybean that are being used in Ontario and in many U.S. Corn Belt states. Critical leaf K values for the maximum concentrations of K, oil, and isoflavone in seed were 23.3, 24.1, and 23.5 g kg -1 , respectively. The extent of vertical soil-test K stratification seems to be one of the factors contributing to apparently higher critical leaf K concentrations for conservation-till soybean.
Associations between teacher-child relationships and children's writing in kindergarten and first grade

Abstract When children experience conflict in relationships with their teachers during early education, they perform more poorly on measures of language development and overall academic competence. Whereas children who have close relationships with teachers, often perform better on these measures. A close teacher–child relationship may be important for children learning to write, given the complex and personal nature of writing. Yet, scholars have not examined associations between teacher–child relationship quality and children's early success in writing. The current study examined associations between quality of the teacher–child relationship (defined as teachers’ perceptions of closeness and conflict and children's feelings about teachers) and children's writing quality in kindergarten and first grade. Children's receptive language was also investigated as a moderator of these associations. Results indicated teacher–child conflict was significantly associated with children's writing quality, after accounting for grade level, initial reading status, and type of instruction. Findings of the study have important implications for future research and practice. Attention to the importance of conflict in teacher–child relationships and its’ influence on children's literacy learning and development should be included in future research studies.
Extracephalic yawning pain

The aim of this study was to report on two patients with recurrent, paroxysmal, extracephalic pain triggered by yawning. Pain with yawning may occur in several conditions (secondary yawning pain) or develop in the absence of precipitating lesions (primary yawning pain). Primary yawning pain is normally of cephalic location. Methods used were clinical neurological examinations, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, computerized head tomography, electroencephalogram, blink reflex studies and Panorex X-ray views of the skull. The first patient had intense right shoulder pain and brief apnea for 2 years triggered by yawning. The second patient had yawning pain referred to an area of the neck where a thyroid tumour (Hurthle cell carcinoma) was later found. Neither of the two patients could precipitate their pain with imitation of yawning and neither had evidence of Eagle syndrome. Only the second patient had a history of migraine. Yawning pain may have an extratrigeminal and extracephalic distribution. It rarely serves to identify a lesion underlying the area where the pain is perceived.
Ontogeny and ultrastructure of spontaneous nodules in alfalfa ( Medicago sativa )

The development of spontaneous nodules, formed in the absence ofRhizobium and combined nitrogen, on alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. cv. Vernal) was investigated at the light and electron microscopic level and compared to that ofRhizobium-induced normal nodules. Spontaneous nodules were initiated from cortical cell divisions in the inner cortex next to the endodermis, i.e., the site of normal nodule development. These nodules, on uninoculated roots, were white multilobed structures, histologically composed of nodule meristems, cortex, endodermis, central zone and vascular strands. Nodules were devoid of intercellular or intracellular bacteria confirming microbiological tests. Early development of spontaneous nodules was initiated by series of anticlinal followed by periclinal divisions of dedifferentiated cells in the inner cortex of the root. These cells formed the nodular meristem from which the nodule developed. The cells in the nodule meristems divided unequally and differentiated into two distinct cell types, one larger type being filled with numerous membrane-bound starch grains, and the other smaller type with very few starch grains. There were no infection threads or bacteria in the spontaneous nodules at any stage of development. This size differentiation is suggestive of the different cell sizes seen inRhizobium-induced nodules, where the larger cell type harbours the invading bacteria and the smaller type is essential in supportive metabolic roles. The ontogenic studies further support the claim that these structures are nodules rather than aberrant lateral roots, and that plant possess all the genetic information needed to develop a nodule with distinct cell types. Our results suggest that bacteria and therefore theirnod genes are not necessarily involved in the ontogeny and morphogenesis of spontaneous and normal nodules in alfalfa.
The acute effects of gabapentin in combination with alcohol in heavy drinkers

Abstract Background Alcohol effects in humans involve gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) neurotransmission. It has been proposed that GABAergic medications may be effective in the treatment of alcohol dependence. This study evaluated the acute effects of gabapentin, an anticonvulsant that increases extracellular GABA, on the subjective, physiological, and performance effects of alcohol in heavy (mean 34 drinks per week) alcohol drinkers. Methods Seventeen volunteers without alcohol dependence were tested using a double-blind design with three 3-day long inpatient phases, each separated by at least a 1-week wash-out period. Each phase, gabapentin (0, 1000, or 2000 mg) was administered 4 h before alcohol (0.75 g/kg), which was given in four divided doses every 20 min. Results Gabapentin impaired the ability to balance without producing changes in subjective, physiological or other performance measures. Pretreatment with gabapentin did not significantly alter subjective and performance effects of alcohol and did not alter alcohol craving. Gabapentin, dose-dependently enhanced alcohol-induced tachycardia. Conclusions Acute gabapentin administration was well tolerated in combination with alcohol, but did not alter the effects of alcohol.
Combining corneal hysteresis with central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure for glaucoma risk assessment

To determine whether adjusting corneal hysteresis (CH) values for central corneal thickness (CCT) and intraocular pressure (IOP) improves its capability to differentiate primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) from ocular hypertension (OH). This prospective, observational, cross-sectional study included 169 eyes of 169 subjects with a diagnosis of POAG (n=81) or OH (n=88). We utilized the Ocular Response Analyzer (ORA), Pascal Dynamic Contour Tonometer (DCT), Goldmann applanation tonometer (GAT), and ORA ultrasound pachymeter to obtain CH, IOP, and CCT values. Correlational, regression, and t-test analyses were conducted before and after the sample was divided into low, intermediate, and thick CCT subgroups. In the full sample, CH and CCT were moderately correlated (r=0.44, P<0.001). Although both were related to diagnosis in univariate regression analysis, only CH was independently related to glaucoma diagnosis in multivariate analysis. After the sample was divided into CCT tertiles, CH was significantly lower in POAG vs OH eyes within all three CCT subgroups, and CH was the only multivariate variable that differentiated POAG from OH in each CCT subgroup. Moreover, the relationship between CH and diagnosis was more robust within the CCT subgroups compared with the full sample, suggesting that integrating CCT into CH interpretation is beneficial. Adjusting CH for IOP did not aid diagnostic precision in this study. Our findings suggest that combining CH and CCT for glaucoma risk assessment improves diagnostic capability compared to using either factor alone. Conversely, adjusting CH for IOP provided no clear clinical benefit in this study.
Preferential formation of 8-epi-prostaglandin f2α via the corresponding endoperoxide by a biomimetic cyclization

Abstract Homolytic demercuration of the 1,2-dioxolanes 14a and 14b in the presence of oxygen leads preferentially to endoperoxidee 17 (both epimers at C*) which upon reduction affords 8- epi -prostaglandin F2α and the C(15)-epimer, a result in accord with a previous mechanistic proposal.
Potential odorous volatile organic compound emissions from feces and urine from cattle fed corn-based diets with wet distillers grains and solubles

Abstract Odor and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions are a concern at animal feeding operations (AFOs). The issue has become more prevalent as human residences move into areas once occupied only by agriculture. Odors near AFOs are generally caused by odorous VOCs emitted from manure, the mixture of feces and urine. Wet distillers grains with solubles (WDGS) are a by-product of the ethanol industry, and WDGS have become a staple in many beef cattle finishing diets. The objective of this research was to determine specific VOC emissions from frozen feces and urine of cattle fed steam-flaked corn (SFC)-based diets containing 0, 15, 30, or 45% WDGS. No differences in flux were detected across dietary treatments for phenol, indole, skatole, or 4-methylphenol (P > 0.23). Dimethyl disulfide and dimethyl trisulfide flux in feces were not different across treatments (P > 0.35) and the flux of volatile fatty acids (VFA) such as acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, isovaleric, and valeric were not different across treatments (P > 0.25). There was a tendency for dimethyl disulfide flux from urine to be greater for cattle consuming an SFC-based diet with 15% WDGS than the other diets (P = 0.10). Furthermore, flux of acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric, and isovaleric acid from the urine were not different (P > 0.61) across dietary treatment. There were no significant differences in odor activity value (OAV) across treatments for feces, and only a tendency for dimethyl disulfide in the feces (P = 0.09). Thus, there was no obvious indication that feeding WDGS in conjunction with SFC affects flux of odor or odorous VOC from beef manure. The summed OAV was three times higher in the urine than feces, and a single odorous compound (4-methylphenol) accounted for 97.6%and 67.3% of the OAV in urine and feces, respectively. Therefore, engineering or dietary strategies to reduce odor from beef cattle manure should focus on controlling or reducing 4-methylphenol concentrations in the urine and feces.
The foaming of mixtures of albumin and hordein protein hydrolysates in model systems

Although hydrolysed albumin and hydrolysed hordein derived from barley are independently capable of stabilising foams in model beer solutions, when both are present together, the net foam stability is less than anticipated. In particular, it seems that hordein, even in an unhydrolysed state, interferes with the ability of albumin-derived polypeptides to stabilise foam. It appears, therefore, that the observed foam stability of a product such as beer is not only dependent on the absolute level of individual foam-stabilising polypeptides but also on the relative proportions of polypeptides derived from the albumin and hordein protein subsets. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry
Prevalence and demographic characteristics of vulvodynia in a population-based sample

Objective The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of vulvodynia among women in southeast Michigan. Study design A population-based study of adult women was conducted, using telephone recruitment and completion of a self-administered survey. Weighted estimates of vulvodynia prevalence and characteristics were determined. Results Over a year, 2542 women were recruited and 2269 (89.3%) completed the self-administered survey. The weighted prevalence of vulvodynia was 8.3% (95% confidence interval, 7.0–9.8) or approximately 101,000 women in the targeted population. Prevalence remained stable through age 70 years and declined thereafter. Among sexually active women, the prevalence was similar at all ages. Of 208 women meeting vulvodynia criteria, 101 (48.6%) had sought treatment, and only 3 (1.4%) had been diagnosed with vulvodynia (unweighted values). Previous vulvodynia symptoms had resolved in 384 women (16.9%) after a mean duration of 12.5 years. Conclusion Vulvodynia is common, although rarely diagnosed. Prevalence remains high among sexually active women of any age.
A natural language discourse model to explain linear programming models and solutions

Abstract This paper presents a natural language (i.e., English) discourse model to explain a linear programming model and, possibly, its computed solution (which need not be optimal). Drawing from earlier syntactic translations, a semantic model is presented, based on economic input-output relations commonly found in large-scale linear programs. These are then shown how to form rule-driven explanations, which comprises a fundamental component of an intelligent mathematical programming system.
Effect of ventricular function on the exercise hemodynamics of variable rate pacing

Abstract To determine the effect of ventricular function on the exercise hemodynamics of variable rate pacing, 16 selected patients underwent paired, double-blind, randomized exercise tests in single rate demand (VVI) or variable rate (VVIR) pacing modes. Ejection fraction and cardiac index were determined by two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography at baseline and during peak exercise. Baseline ejection fraction ranged from 14 to 73% and was Therefore, in selected patients, VVIR pacing during exercise results in an increase in heart rate, duration of exercise and cardiac index that is unrelated to the degree of baseline left ventricular dysfunction. These data have clinical implications for the use of variable rate pacemakers in patients with abnormalities of ventricular function.
Pulay-type formula for surface stress in a local-density-functional, linear combination of atomic orbitals, electronic-structure calculation

A formula for surface stress is derived, for self-consistent linear combination of atomic orbitals calculations of surface electronic structure. The formula yields the exact strain derivative of the energy for any choice of localized-orbital basis.
Redescription of Coccidiascus legeri chatton, 1913 (Nematosporaceae: Hemiascomycetidae), an intracellular parasitic yeastlike fungus from the intestinal epithelium of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Utilizing light and electron microscopy, development of Coccidiascus legeri is described. The fungus develops within vacuoles in the intestinal epithelium of Drosophila melanogaster . The initial stages are round to ovoid vegetative cells which reproduce by budding in a typical yeastlike manner. Later, elongate cells form asci which, when mature, contain two ascospores while still within host tissues. During ascosporogenesis lomasomelike vesicles fuse with the cytomembrane, releasing their contents and producing a dense bilayered ascus wall. Mature asci measure 15 μm in length (range 13–18 μm) and contain ascospores without cytoplasmic appendages. Attempts to cultivate the fungus on artificial media were unsuccessful. Conjugation was not observed. The taxonomic position of C. legeri with relation to other members of the Nematosporaceae (Hemiascomycetidae) is at present undetermined.
262 ISOBUTYLMETHYLXANTHINE REVERSIBLY SUPPRESSES SPONTANEOUS AND EQUINE CHORIONIC GONADOTROPIN/EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR-STIMULATED MEIOSIS IN FELINE OOCYTES

Recent studies have shown that short-term exposure to phosphodiesterase inhibitors (decreased cAMP degradation) or adenylate cyclase stimulators (increased cAMP synthesis) inhibits spontaneous oocyte maturation and improves the developmental competence of oocytes after gonadotropin-induced maturation. A similar approach may improve the developmental competence of in vitro matured feline oocytes. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine if a nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor [isobutylmethylxanthine (IBMX); 100 μM] or an adenylate cyclase stimulator (forskolin; 100 μM) would suppress spontaneous or eCG (1 IU mL–1)/epidermal growth factor (EGF; 25 ng mL–1)-induced maturation of feline oocytes in vitro; 2) evaluate the reversibility of chemically induced meiotic arrest; and 3) assess the developmental competence of meiotically arrested oocytes. Cumulus–oocyte complexes were cultured in modified feline optimized culture medium [6 mM glucose, 0.1 mM cysteamine, 0.6 mM cysteine, 0.5× minimal essential medium (MEM) essential amino acids, 1× MEM vitamins, and 1× insulin-transferrin-selenium; Herrick et al. 2010 Biol. Reprod. 82, 552–562] supplemented with (+) or without (–) IBMX, forskolin, or eCG/EGF (eE). The IBMX decreased (P 0.05) to the proportion of MII oocytes (78.3%) that had been cultured continuously for 36 h –IBMX +eE. Finally, oocytes were cultured for 0 h or 12 h +IBMX –eE followed by 24 h of culture –IBMX +eE, coincubated with frozen–thawed spermatozoa (5 × 105 sperm mL–1, 22 h), and the resulting embryos cultured (6% CO2, 5% O2) until day 7 post-insemination (Herrick et al. 2007 Biol. Reprod. 76, 858–870). The proportion of oocytes cleaving (83.0 v. 79.9%) and the proportions of oocytes (20.8 v. 18.7%) or embryos (25.2 v. 23.6%) developing to the blastocyst stage were not affected (P > 0.05) by 12 h of IBMX exposure during oocyte maturation. These results demonstrate that IBMX reversibly inhibits both spontaneous and eCG/EGF-induced meiosis in feline oocytes without compromising the oocyte’s developmental competence. This work was supported by the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Companion Animal Memorial Fund at the University of Illinois.
p21 controls patterning but not homologous recombination in RPE development

p21/WAF1/CIP1/MDA6 is a key cell cycle regulator. Cell cycle regulation is an important part of development, differentiation, DNA repair and apoptosis. Following DNA damage, p53 dependent expression of p21 results in a rapid cell cycle arrest. p21 also appears to be important for the development of melanocytes, promoting their differentiation and melanogenesis. Here, we examine the effect of p21 deficiency on the development of another pigmented tissue, the retinal pigment epithelium. The murine mutation pink-eyed unstable (pun) spontaneously reverts to a wild-type allele by homologous recombination. In a retinal pigment epithelium cell this results in pigmentation, which can be observed in the adult eye. The clonal expansion of such cells during development has provided insight into the pattern of retinal pigment epithelium development. In contrast to previous results with Atm, p53 and Gadd45, pun reversion events in p21 deficient mice did not show any significant change. These results suggest that p21 does not play any role in maintaining overall genomic stability by regulating homologous recombination frequencies during development. However, the absence of p21 caused a distinct change in the positions of the reversion events within the retinal pigment epithelium. Those events that would normally arrest to produce single cell events continued to proliferate uncovering a cell cycle dysregulation phenotype. It is likely that p21 is involved in controlling the developmental pattern of the retinal pigment. We also found a C57BL/6J specific p21 dependent ocular defect in retinal folding, similar to those reported in the absence of p53.
Projected sea level rise in Florida

Future sea level rise will lead to salt water intrusion, beach/dune recession, and many other coastal problems. This paper addresses a data based forecasting approach to provide relative sea level rise estimates at locations in Florida where historical water level data exist. Many past estimates of sea level rise have treated the rise as a linear straight line trend over the historical data set. The present paper has allowed for acceleration (or deceleration) in sea level rise to account for the possibility of anthropogenic global warming and consequent higher (than linear straight line) future sea levels similar to values noted by global climatic modelers. Results of the present analysis show sea level rise for Florida being higher than past straight line trend results.
Switching dynamics in a thin film recording head

The switching dynamics in a thin-film head for both the writing and reading modes are studied. To minimize magnetostatic energy, the film head is split up into multidomains subsequent to saturation writing in the hard (or track) direction. The domain structure is composed of elongated domains in the easy direction and closure domains at the edges. The results of our calculation show that domain wall motion contributes increasingly to the effective head permeability as the track width is decreased. In the readback process, it was found that the switching time for wall motion τ w (∼170 ns) in the edge domains is some two orders of magnitude larger that τ r for rotation (∼1 ns) in the main domains. Since these motions are coupled due to the requirement of continuity of the perpendicular component of \overrightarrow{M_{s}} at a 90° wall, the switching dynamics is dominated by wall motion. A finite distribution of wall motion threshold field H o can give rise to different time delays in the head response, leading to distortions in the readback signal, including the presence of wiggles at the trailing edge.
Bioartificial liver support

Orthotopic liver transplantation is the only definitive therapy for patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). However, due to shortage of organs, a large number of patients die before a liver can be procured for transplantation. In FHF the need for a liver is particularly urgent because of rapid deterioration in the patients' condition with the onset of cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension leading to irreversible brain damage. It is thus necessary to develop an extracorporeal liver support system to help maintain patients alive and neurologically intact until an organ becomes available for transplantation. Multiple attempts have been made, ranging from the use of plasma exchange to utilization of charcoal columns and extracorporeal devices loaded with liver tissue to develop liver support systems for treating patients with acute severe liver failure. None of these systems has achieved wide clinical use, and FHF due to multiple causes continues to be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this paper, the authors review the history of extracorporeal liver support for acute liver failure and discuss their experience with a hollow fiber bioartificial liver support system utilizing porcine hepatocytes in the treatment of patients with acute liver failure.
Energetic neutral atoms from Jupiter measured with the Cassini magnetospheric imaging instrument: Time dependence and composition

[1] During the Cassini spacecraft flyby of Jupiter in late 2000/early 2001, the Ion and Neutral Camera (INCA, one of three sensors that make up the Cassini Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument (MIMI)) obtained the first ever images of Jupiter's magnetosphere in energetic neutral atom (ENA) flux. These emissions are dominated by hydrogen atoms in the energy range from a few to 100 keV, emitted from the planet's exosphere and neutral gas tori near the inner Galilean satellites. Heavier ions (likely a mixture of oxygen and sulfur) comprise a significant fraction of the ENA flux, as well. Neutral atom energy spectra escaping the magnetosphere are computed from measurements made at about 145 RJ from the planet. From these spectra we show that there is significant emission of oxygen and/or sulfur atoms from the Jovian magnetosphere in the 0.1–1.0 MeV total energy range. We also show that ENA flux falls off approximately with the square of radial distance from Jupiter. In three separate energy channels, we find that during a period of about 80 days (mostly before closest approach), FR2 is constant to lowest order but do observe variations close to the statistical limit of our measurement. We estimate a source rate of ∼1026/s H in the 10–100 keV range and ∼5 × 1025/s O in the 100–1000 keV energy range.
Comparison of free tryptophan, bound tryptophan and tyrosine in plasma, and tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tyrosine, dopamine and norepinephrine in brain parts of rat and pigeon

Abstract 1. 1. The concentration of free tryptophan, bound tryptophan and tyrosine was compared in the plasma of the rat and the pigeon. 2. 2. The content of tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan, serotonin, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid, tyrosine, dopamine and norepinephrine was determined concurrently, and the distribution of these compounds was compared in four major brain areas of the two species. 3. 3. The plasma levels of free tryptophan and tyrosine were higher in the pigeon than in the rat. 4. 4. The content of tryptophan, 5-hydroxytryptophan and tyrosine was higher in brain parts of the pigeon than the rat. 5. 5. The content of serotonin was higher in the telencephalon of the pigeon, while the content of norepinephrine was higher in the telencephalon of the rat. 6. 6. The content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was higher in brain parts of the rat than the pigeon.
Circulation of H+ and K+ across the plasma membrane is not obligatory for bacterial growth

Streptococcus faecalis grows normally in the presence of gramicidin and other ionophores under conditions such that there is no gradient of pH or of electrical potential across the plasma membrane and that currents of H+, K+, and Na+ are short-circuited. Growth requires a rich medium, a slightly alkaline pH, and a high concentration of external K+. The proton circulation maintains the cytoplasmic pH and pools of ions and other metabolites but is not obligatory for biosynthetic functions including DNA replication, cell division, or assembly of the structural framework of the cell.