cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Perils of Lifetime Employment Systems: Productivity Advance in the Indian and Japanese Textile Industries, 1920–1938

In the interwar period, Japanese textile firms were able to greatly increase labor efficiency and become the world's main exporter of cotton textiles. Meanwhile, the Indian industry stagnated and was forced to retreat behind tariff walls. This paper argues that the flexibility of the Japanese work force stemmed from its high turnover; the Indian laborers were collectively inflexible in defending lifetime careers against technical changes that reduced labor demand. As the industry requires only a few easily acquired skills, a committed work force was actually a disadvantage to Indian management.
Natural history of tunneled dialysis catheters placed for hemodialysis initiation.

Abstract Purpose More than 80% of hemodialysis recipients in the United States initiate hemodialysis with a tunneled dialysis catheter (TDC). Published data on TDC outcomes are based on a case mix of prevalent and incident TDCs. The present study analyzes factors affecting patency and complications of first TDCs placed in a large cohort of incident hemodialysis recipients. Materials and Methods A prospective, computerized vascular access database was retrospectively queried to identify 472 patients receiving a first-ever TDC. Multiple-variable survival analysis was used to identify clinical parameters affecting TDC patency (from placement to nonelective removal) and infection (from placement to first episode of catheter-related bacteremia [CRB]). Results The median patency of all TDCs was 202 days. Left-sided placement of TDCs was the only variable associated with inferior TDC patency (hazard ratio, 1.98; 95% confidence interval, 1.39–2.81; P Conclusions TDCs are plagued by high rates of infection. RIJV TDCs should be used preferentially to maximize catheter patency.
Yield, Petiole Nitrate, and Node Development Responses of Cotton to Early Season Nitrogen Fertilization

Abstract Nitrogen (N) fertilization continues to be of primary importance in the economically successful production of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Profit margins of producers might be expanded by increasing the uptake efficiency of applied N. Recently, N fertilization of crops grown in the Mississippi River Delta has been suspected to impact water quality in the Gulf of Mexico. Improving efficiency of N uptake could alleviate some environmental concerns by increasing the retention of N at the site of application. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of replacing preplant N applications with postemergent N applications on the growth and yield characteristics of cotton. Delayed applications of the recommended rate of N fertilizer (112 kg N ha−1) were tested for four years under irrigated and dry land production conditions. The N rate was applied either preplant, after crop emergence, or at first square. Further, 112 kg N ha−1 was split applied evenly at preplant + first square, and af...
Role of TLR4 in the host response to Vibrio vulnificus, an emerging pathogen.

The incidence of infection with Vibrio vulnificus is increasing due to changing ecologic and demographic factors. Most fatal cases are caused by septic shock that results from dysregulation of proinflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), presumably due to interaction of V. vulnificus components with Toll-like receptors (TLRs). The goal of this study was to investigate the role of TLR4 in the host response to V. vulnificus. Results obtained using V. vulnificus type strain ATCC 27562 showed that (1) TLR4 signaling is myeloid differentiation factor 88 dependent and plays a key role in TNFα production by mouse blood and splenocytes stimulated ex vivo with inactivated V. vulnificus cells, (2) TLR4 signaling is deleterious in a mouse model of V. vulnificus infection, (3) signaling by TLR(s), exclusive of TLR4, is needed to eradicate infection, and (4) the TLR-mediated TNFα response plays a critical role in determining the outcome of infection. These results suggest that blockade of the harmful TLR4-mediated inflammatory response could be a useful adjunct to antibiotics for treatment of severe V. vulnificus infection.
Repetition alone facilitates accurate articulation in drill-based treatments for apraxia of speech (AOS)

Wambaugh, J. L., Nessler, C., Cameron, R., & Mauszycki, S. C. (2012). Acquired apraxia of speech: The effects of repeated practice and rate/rhythm control treatments on sound production accuracy. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 21, S5–S27. Source of funding and disclosure of interest: Research was supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Rehabilitation Research and Development; the original authors of this research report no conflicts of interest.
Synthesis of 14C-labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract Methods are described for the preparation of all-cis polyunsaturated fatty acids labelled with 14C in position one or three. The polyunsaturated moieties of the fatty acids are synthesized according to established procedures. Their methyl esters are reduced to the corresponding alcohols and the latter are converted to the methanesulfonates. These compounds are reacted with K14CN to yield the nitriles, which after treatment with HCI/methanol/H2O give the methyl esters of the 1-14C-labelled fatty acids. The preparation of 3-14C-eicosa-8,11,14-trienoic acid from 1-14C-octadeca-6,9,12-trienyl methanesulfonate and the sodium salt of diethyl malonate is also described.
Transcatheter occlusion of an azygous vein aneurysm.

We describe the use of multiple Amplatzer vascular plugs which were intentionally placed so as to isolate a large azygous vein aneurysm with intraluminal thrombosis, which had resulted in a previous pulmonary embolus. This technique avoided the need for an invasive thoracotomy and aneurysm resection or attempting to directly fill the large aneurysm with numerous and various embolization devices. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Sand fly fever: what have we learned in one hundred years?

ABSTRACT Sand fly fever has severely impacted military missions in southern Europe and the Middle East for hundreds of years. After a brief respite following the malaria eradication programs of World War II, it has returned as a significant disease among residents in and travelers to the Mediterranean rim. It is a more severe disease now, with potential vectors in the United States. Sand fly fever is discussed in terms of its viruses, vectors, disease, control, and potential domestic impact.
Research on Load Bearing Structure of the Hydraulic Climbing Device of Caliper Type

According to the characteristics of hydraulic climbing system of caliper type, the load bearing structure of hydraulic climbing system of caliper type is optimized. A precise finite element method formulation is used in calculating stability of load bearing structure taking both axial force and axial displacement into consideration. An example is given to show the calculation results of the precise finite element method formulation is matched with the calculation results of classic Euler Equation. Finally some useful suggestions are given.
Fluid-dynamic limit for the Ruijgrok–Wu model of the Boltzmann equation

Abstract In this paper we consider the fluid-dynamic limit for the Ruijgrok–Wu model derived from the Boltzmann equation. We use new technique developed in [S. Hwang, A.E. Tzavaras, Kinetic decomposition of approximate solutions to conservation laws: Applications to relaxation and diffusion-dispersion approximations, Comm. Partial Differential Equations 27 (2002) 1229–1254] in order to get the convergence. First, we obtain the approximate transport equation for the given kinetic model. Then using the averaging lemma, we obtain the convergence. This paper shows how to relate the given kinetic model with the averaging lemma to get the convergence.
Labeling of immune cells for in vivo imaging using magnetofluorescent nanoparticles

Observation of immune and stem cells in their native microenvironments requires the development of imaging agents to allow their in vivo tracking. We describe here the synthesis of magnetofluorescent nanoparticles for cell labeling in vitro and for multimodality imaging of administered cells in vivo. MION-47, a prototype monocrystalline iron oxide nanoparticle, was first converted to an intermediate bearing a fluorochrome and amine groups, then reacted with either HIV-Tat peptide or protamine to yield a nanoparticle with membrane-translocating properties. We describe how to assess optimal cell labeling with tests of cell phenotype and function. Synthesis of magnetofluorescent nanoparticles and cell-labeling optimization can be realized in 48 h, whereas nanoparticle uptakes and retention studies may generally take up to 120 h. Labeled cells can be detected by magnetic resonance imaging, fluorescence reflectance imaging, fluorescence-mediated tomography, confocal microscopy and flow cytometry, and can be purified based on their fluorescent or magnetic properties. The present protocol focuses on T-cell labeling but can be used for labeling a variety of circulating cells.
Pyruvate blocks expression of sensitivity to antimycin A and chloramphenicol

Selectivity in Chinese hamster cells with antimycin A and chloramphenicol depends on a metabolic balance which can be modulated by varying the level of exogenous pyruvate. The effects of both inhibitors are most clearly seen in pyruvate-free nutrients. Addition of 1 mM pyruvate in plating assays shifts dose-response curves for antimycin A or chloramphenicol to higher concentration levels and reduces the differential in response between sensitive and resistant cells. In mass populations, growth inhibition by antimycin A is reduced by adding pyruvate, and growth curves for sensitive and resistant cells tend to converge. These observations show that responses to antimitochondrial drugs can be conditioned by extrinsic factors and indicate the need for further definition of selective systems.
On the generality of the relationship among contact stiffness, contact area, and elastic modulus during indentation

Results of Sneddon's analysis for the elastic contact between a rigid, axisymmetric punch and an elastic half space are used to show that a simple relationship exists between the contact stiffness, the contact area, and the elastic modulus that is not dependent on the geometry of the punch. The generality of the relationship has important implications for the measurement of mechanical properties using load and depth sensing indentation techniques and in the measurement of small contact areas such as those encountered in atomic force microscopy.
Sigisvult the Patrician, Maximinus the Arian, and political strategems in the Western Roman Empire c. 425-40

This study investigates the roles played by the barbarian general Sigisvult and the Arian bishop Maximinus in western imperial politics during the reign of Valentinian III. In c. 426/7 Sigisvult was sent to North Africa to subdue the rebel Count Boniface. He was accompanied by Maximinus, who, in the course of the campaign, engaged in a celebrated debate with Augustine. Maximinus helped achieve a non-violent settlement that returned Boniface and his German troops to the imperial fold. Sigisvult then returned to Italy and was appointed Patrician and Master of Soldiers after the assassination of Felix in 430. In 435, however, this position was transferred to Fl. Aetius, who spent most of his time campaigning in Gaul. In 440, the Vandals attacked Sicily, and Sigisvult was placed in charge of the defence of the Italian coast. At the same time, an Arian bishop Maximinus, apparently the one who had debated with Augustine, was in contact with the Vandals. He may have planted disinformation that Sebastianus, the son of the now-deceased Boniface, was about to invade Africa. This resulted in a Vandal withdrawal, and both Italy and Sicily were saved. Sigisvult last appears in the mid-440s, and his subsequent demise, perhaps in the early 450s, may have resulted in the breakdown of a precarious balance of power and the murders of Aetius and Valentinian in 454 and 455, which hastened the demise of the Western Roman Empire. In an appendix it is suggested that although Boniface called in Vandal auxiliaries in 427, he was not responsible for the Vandal crossing in 429.
Quantum spin transport in very dilute 3He-4He mixtures.

Transverse spin dynamics have been measured for a very dilute $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}^{4}$He mixture (${\mathit{x}}_{3}$=1.82\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$) polarized by an 8-T magnetic field. The sample was confined to a small spherical resonator, resulting in well-defined spin-wave modes for temperatures below 50 mK. Results are presented for the spin-rotation parameter ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathrm{int}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$ and spin-wave dispersion ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$/${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathrm{int}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$. It is found that ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Omega}}}_{\mathrm{int}}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\tau}}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\perp}}}$ increases monotonically as the temperature is decreased below the degeneracy temperature ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{F}}$, in apparent disagreement with an earlier experiment.
Modeling MEMS resonators with rod-like components accounting for anisotropy, temperature, and strain dependencies

Numerous systems can be described using masses and rods in transverse vibration. Motivated by the desire to model the effects of axial strain and temperature on systems of this type, we develop a procedure to determine the frequencies of transverse vibration of devices composed of rods and rigid masses as functions of these effects. Our models allow for the rods to be composed of anisotropic materials with material symmetry contained in the cubic system. The goal of the present paper is to demonstrate the modeling procedure using the example of a double-ended tuning fork (DETF). Following this, the results of a slightly more complicated model are compared with the experimental results found for a prototype MEMS DETF sensor composed of polycrystalline silicon.
Engineering out motion: introduction of a de novo disulfide bond and a salt bridge designed to close a dynamic cleft on the surface of cytochrome b5.

A previous molecular dynamics (MD) simulation of cytochrome b5 (cyt b5) at 25 °C displayed localized dynamics on the surface of the protein giving rise to the periodic formation of a cleft that provides access to the heme through a protected hydrophobic channel [Storch and Daggett (1995) Biochemistry 34, 9682]. Here we describe the production and testing of mutants designed to prevent the cleft from opening using a combination of experimental and theoretical techniques. Two mutants have been designed to close the surface cleft: S18D to introduce a salt bridge and S18C:R47C to incorporate a disulfide bond. The putative cleft forms between two separate cores of the protein: one is structural in nature and can be monitored through the fluorescence of Trp 22, and the other binds the heme prosthetic group and can be tracked via heme absorbance. An increase in motion localized to the cleft region was observed for each protein, except for the disulfide-containing variant, in MD simulations at 50 °C compared to...
Association Between a Sequence Variant in the IL-4 Gene Promoter and FEV1 in Asthma

Recent family-based studies have revealed evidence for linkage of human chromosome 5q31 to the diagnosis of asthma, elevated serum IgE levels, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Among the candidate genes in this region is the gene encoding for human interleukin-4 (IL-4). We reasoned that this gene could also serve as a candidate gene with respect to asthma severity as indicated by the FEV1 measured when bronchodilator treatment was withheld. To test this hypothesis, we examined a large population of patients with asthma (ascertained without respect to genetic characteristics), for associations between a genetic variant in the IL-4 promoter region (C-589T) and asthma severity, as indicated by FEV1. We used amplification by the polymerase chain reaction followed by BsmF1 restriction digestion to assign genotypes at the IL-4 promoter C-589T locus. We compared genotypes at this locus in 772 Caucasian and African American patients with asthma of varying severity, and we used multiple regression analysis to rel...
Enhanced acid resistance of oral streptococci at lethal pH values associated with acid-tolerant catabolism and with ATP synthase activity

Caries-causing oral bacteria such as Streptococcus mutans are protected by the actions of F-ATPases against acid damage in dental plaque acidified by glycolytic acid production or ingestion of acids foods and beverages. Catabolites such as glucose and sucrose were found to enhance the protection of S. mutans and also other oral lactic-acid bacteria against acid killing at lethal pH values as low as 2.5. Protection involved glycolysis with the production of lactate and ATP, which is a substrate for F-ATPases. ATP could also be produced by starved cells apparently through synthase activity of the F-ATPase associated with acid decline. Fluoride and the organic weak-acid indomethacin acted to diminish this protection, as did F-ATPase inhibitors such as dicyclohexylcarbodi-imide. Protection against acid killing involving catabolism and synthase activity is likely to be important for plaque cariogenicity.
Effect of genetic architecture on the power of human linkage studies to resolve the contribution of quantitative trait loci.

The effect of genetic architecture (linkage relationships, dominance and two forms of non-allelic interaction) on the power of marker studies to detect, locate and analyse the contributions of specific quantitative trait loci (QTLs) to continuous human traits is considered for randomly mating populations in linkage equilibrium under a two-locus model. The expected regression of the within-sibling-pair mean-square on number of alleles identical by descent (IBD) at two marker loci is explored for every possible pair of markers over a region of the genome containing two QTLs linked loosely (50 CM) or more tightly (20 CM). For the cases examined, it is shown that epistasis between the pair of QTLs reduces considerably the total amount of information available for the location and analysis of the QTL effects. The overall effects of epistasis are more marked when there are duplicate gene interactions (i.e. genes operate in parallel) than when there are complementary interactions (i.e. genes operate in series). However, when there are complementary interactions, the regression approach is almost certain to fail to detect any evidence of epistasis. The numerical analysis suggests that methods of QTL analysis based on IBD in humans are unlikely to offer the resolving power that is desirable if QTLs are to be located precisely unless inheritance is very simple or prohibitively large numbers of highly selected individuals are available.
On the Possibility of Electromagnetic Surface Waves

The question of electromagnetic surface waves propagating along a plane of discontinuity between two different media was the subject of some diversity of opinion. It is related to the equally unsettled question about the merits of the conflicting solutions given by A. Sommerfeld (1) and H. Weyl (2) for the field of an electric dipole oscillating at the surface of a plane earth. A few remarks about this relation will be made in section 5, but its complete discussion will be postponed until a later date, and the present paper will be devoted to the analysis of the independent surface wave. It will be well, therefore, to define what is meant by this term. It is a matter of common knowledge that an ordinary plane wave, falling under an angle on a surface of discontinuity and suffering total reflection in the process, produces in the second medium an inhomogeneous wave with propagation parallel to the surface of discontinuity. But this may be called a dependent surface wave because it is only an adjunct of the space waves in the first medium and would not exist without them. On the other hand, an independent surface wave is one which consists of two inhomogeneous waves-one in each medium-running along the dividing surface. Its intensity is appreciable only in a thin layer along the surface of discontinuity and decreases exponentially to both sides.
Autophosphorylation of Threonine 485 in the Activation Loop Is Essential for Attaining eIF2α Kinase Activity of HRI

In heme deficiency, protein synthesis is inhibited by the activation of the heme-regulated eIF2α kinase (HRI) through its multiple autophosphorylation. Autophosphorylation sites in HRI were identified in order to investigate their functions. We found that there were eight major tryptic phosphopeptides of HRI activated in heme deficiency. In this report we focused on the role of autophosphorylation at Thr483 and Thr485 in the activation loop of HRI. Disruption of the autophosphorylation of Thr485, but not Thr483, resulted in a lower autokinase activity and locked Thr485Ala HRI in a hypophosphorylated state. Most importantly, autophosphorylation of Thr485, but not Thr483, was essential for attaining eIF2α kinase activity of HRI. In addition, autophosphorylation of Thr485 was necessary for arsenite-induced activation of the eIF2α kinase activity of HRI, while autophosphorylation at Thr483 was not required for activation by arsenite. The function of Thr490, another conserved Thr residue in the activation loop...
Age related alterations in the response of the pial arterioles to adenosine in the rat

To evaluate the effects of aging on vasoreactivity of pial arterioles to adenosine and barium chloride, an hydraulically intact cranial window preparation was developed in the rat. The microvasculature of anesthetized 3- and 24-month-old Fischer-344 rats was studied during superfusion with artificial cerebrospinal fluid with and without test agents and results determined by videomicroscopy techniques. In both cohorts, the response of pial arterioles to adenosine was both dose and vessel size dependent: arteriolar dilation increased with increasing concentrations of adenosine and at any given concentration the percent increase in diameter was greater in the smaller vessels. During adenosine superfusion the absolute changes and percent increase in vessel caliber were greater in the young rats. Arteriolar vasoconstriction due to barium chloride was vessel size dependent but there were no significant differences in response between young and aged rats. The results indicated an attenuated cerebrovascular response in aged rats to adenosine, but not to barium chloride. This may be due to a difference in the mode of action in these two compounds. Venules did not respond to adenosine at any concentration.
Effect of protons on the inward current evoked by capsaicin in isolated dorsal root ganglion cells

Capsaicin excites a subset of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons by inducing an inward current. We have examined this inward current in response to high concentrations of protons in the external medium. The experiments were done in freshly dissociated DRG cells under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. The amplitude of the current evoked by capsaicin (200-300 nM) was increased with increasing concentrations of protons (pH 6.9-6.3). Increasing the acidification of the external medium from a physiological pH of 7.3 to 6.3 enhanced 7-fold the current induced by capsaicin (300 nM). Cells unresponsive to capsaicin in a physiological pH were also unresponsive to capsaicin in an acidic solution. There was a progressive decrease in the amplitude of the capsaicin-evoked current when the drug was repeatedly applied either at a physiological pH or an acidic pH of 6.3. Exposure of the cell to acidic solutions of capsaicin did not subsequently increase an evoked inward current when capsaicin was applied at a physiological pH nor did it lead to an inward current evoked by proton ions where there had been none. Our results suggest that increased proton concentrations in the extracellular medium could play an important modulatory role in the function of chemosensitive sensory neurons.
Spring and conduit sediments as storage reservoirs for heavy metals in karst aquifers

Sediment samples were collected from six springs draining the karst aquifer at Fort Campbell, Kentucky/Tennessee. These were analyzed by ICP-MS following an extraction procedure that separates the metals into exchangeable, carbonate, oxide, organic and residual fractions. Aluminum and iron are primarily present in the residual fraction while manganese may be dominantly in either the oxide or carbonate fraction. The redox-sensitive metals (Fe and Mn) have the greatest fractional distribution in the spring with the thickest sediments. Trace metals detected include Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the range of a few to 200 mg/kg. In Beaver Spring, nickel is distributed between the exchangeable, carbonate and organic fractions, while in Gordon Spring, nickel is largely residual. Chromium is almost entirely associated with the organic fraction in Beaver Spring while it is largely residual in Gordon Spring.
Is smooth muscle myosin a substrate for the cAMP-dependent protein kinase?

The most popular theory to account for the regulation by Ca*+ of smooth muscle actomyosin is based on the phosphorylation-dephosphorylation of the myosin molecule [l-3]. In the presence of Ca*+ the Mr 20 000 light chains of myosin are phosphorylated by a calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase [4] and this event is thought to be a prerequisite for contraction. At lower Ca*+ levels the light chains are dephosphorylated by one or more phosphatases [S], the actomyosin complex ceases to hydrolyze ATP and relaxation follows. This basic hypothesis was subsequently modified and it was suggested that CAMP is also involved in the regulatory process via phosphorylation of the myosin light chain kinase by the CAMPdependent protein kinase [6]. The phosphorylated form of the myosin light chain kinase was found to have a reduced affinity for calmodulin [7]. Thus at limiting concentrations of calmodulin the myosin light chain kinase activity correspondingly would be inhibited. In support of this theory it was shown that a process related to the CAMP-dependent protein kinase caused an inhibition of the Mg’+-ATPase activity of smooth muscle actomyosin [8,9] and a reduction of tension development in functionally skinned smooth muscle fibers [IO]. In [ 1 l] it was reported that the CAMP-dependent protein kinase also phosphorylated the isolated light chains of chicken gizzard myosin. This raised the obvious possibility that myosin itself might be a sub-
Turbine-generator controls and protections

THE SUBJECTS OF control, protection, and accessories, as related to steam turbine-generator sets, are discussed. These subjects are usually treated on a piecemeal basis of describing either turbine or generator controls alone.
Timing as an intrinsic property of neural networks: evidence from in vivo and in vitro experiments

The discrimination and production of temporal patterns on the scale of hundreds of milliseconds are critical to sensory and motor processing. Indeed, most complex behaviours, such as speech comprehension and production, would be impossible in the absence of sophisticated timing mechanisms. Despite the importance of timing to human learning and cognition, little is known about the underlying mechanisms, in particular whether timing relies on specialized dedicated circuits and mechanisms or on general and intrinsic properties of neurons and neural circuits. Here, we review experimental data describing timing and interval-selective neurons in vivo and in vitro. We also review theoretical models of timing, focusing primarily on the state-dependent network model, which proposes that timing in the subsecond range relies on the inherent time-dependent properties of neurons and the active neural dynamics within recurrent circuits. Within this framework, time is naturally encoded in populations of neurons whose pattern of activity is dynamically changing in time. Together, we argue that current experimental and theoretical studies provide sufficient evidence to conclude that at least some forms of temporal processing reflect intrinsic computations based on local neural network dynamics.
Histologic Evaluation of Tissue Response to Hydroxylapatite Implanted on Human Mandibles

The tissue response to hydroxylapatite implants was examined histologically in samples taken from four patients three to six months after the material had been used to augment deficient mandibular alveolar ridges. Minimal inflammation was found, but the implants had not induced new hone formation and were instead surrounded by a fibrous connective tissue scar.
Protectiveness of species sensitivity distribution hazard concentrations for acute toxicity used in endangered species risk assessment

A primary objective of threatened and endangered species conservation is to ensure that chemical contaminants and other stressors do not adversely affect listed species. Assessments of the ecological risks of chemical exposures to listed species often rely on the use of surrogate species, safety factors, and species sensitivity distributions (SSDs) of chemical toxicity; however, the protectiveness of these approaches can be uncertain. We comprehensively evaluated the protectiveness of SSD first and fifth percentile hazard concentrations (HC1, HC5) relative to the application of safety factors using 68 SSDs generated from 1,482 acute (lethal concentration of 50%, or LC50) toxicity records for 291 species, including 24 endangered species (20 fish, four mussels). The SSD HC5s and HC1s were lower than 97 and 99.5% of all endangered species mean acute LC50s, respectively. The HC5s were significantly less than the concentrations derived from applying safety factors of 5 and 10 to rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) toxicity data, and the HC1s were generally lower than the concentrations derived from a safety factor of 100 applied to rainbow trout toxicity values. Comparison of relative sensitivity (SSD percentiles) of broad taxonomic groups showed that crustaceans were generally the most sensitive taxa and taxa sensitivity was related to chemical mechanism of action. Comparison of relative sensitivity of narrow fish taxonomic groups showed that standard test fish species were generally less sensitive than salmonids and listed fish. We recommend the use of SSDs as a distribution-based risk assessment approach that is generally protective of listed species.
Rapid separation of developing Arabidopsis seeds from siliques for RNA or metabolite analysis

Background: Protein, starch and oil produced in plant seeds are major renewable sources of food, chemicals and biofuels. Developing Arabidopsis thaliana seeds are commonly utilized as a model for seed crop research. However, due to the very small size of Arabidopsis seeds efficient collection of large amounts of tissue for gene expression or metabolite analysis is very difficult and time consuming. Results/conclusions: Here we describe a method that allows very rapid separation and collection of large amounts of developing Arabidopsis seeds from their encapsulating silique tissue after flash freezing whole siliques in liquid nitrogen. The efficient popping open of the frozen siliques on dry ice and filtering the seeds away from the silique tissue with liquid nitrogen cooled funnels and sieves allows large amounts of developing seeds to be quickly isolated while remaining frozen. This method increases the speed of developing seed collection approximately 10 fold over methods which dissect individual siliques one at a time.
Implementing multiplexed genotyping of non-small-cell lung cancers into routine clinical practice

Background: Personalizing non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) therapy toward oncogene addicted pathway inhibition is effective. Hence, the ability to determine a more comprehensive genotype for each case is becoming essential to optimal cancer care. Methods: We developed a multiplexed PCR-based assay (SNaPshot) to simultaneously identify >50 mutations in several key NSCLC genes. SNaPshot and FISH for ALK translocations were integrated into routine practice as Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments-certified tests. Here, we present analyses of the first 589 patients referred for genotyping. Results: Pathologic prescreening identified 552 (95%) tumors with sufficient tissue for SNaPshot; 51% had ≥1 mutation identified, most commonly in KRAS (24%), EGFR (13%), PIK3CA (4%) and translocations involving ALK (5%). Unanticipated mutations were observed at lower frequencies in IDH and β-catenin. We observed several associations between genotypes and clinical characteristics, including increased PIK3CA mutations in squamous cell cancers. Genotyping distinguished multiple primary cancers from metastatic disease and steered 78 (22%) of the 353 patients with advanced disease toward a genotype-directed targeted therapy. Conclusions: Broad genotyping can be efficiently incorporated into an NSCLC clinic and has great utility in influencing treatment decisions and directing patients toward relevant clinical trials. As more targeted therapies are developed, such multiplexed molecular testing will become a standard part of practice.
The Spread of Literacy in a Latin American Peasant Society: Oaxaca, Mexico, 1890 to 1980

The object of this essay has been to help examine spatiotemporal variation in literacy. The research reported here centered on the Valley of Oaxaca, an agricultural region in southern Mexico, during the period from 1890 to 1980. The data consist of a systematic compilation of tax and voting lists from the nineteenth century, census responses from 1890 to 1980, community ethnographies, published histories and biographies, and government reports. Attending to both the spatial and the temporal scales of events and causes was methodologically important for this research.
Contractually Stable Alliances

We analyze how dierent rules for exiting an alliance (simple majority, unanimity or unanimity with side payments) will aect the formation of strategic alliances. We find that no alliance structure is contractually stable under the simple majority rule. Once unanimous consent is required, asymmetric alliance structures consisting of two alliances are contractually stable. In addition, the grand alliance which is the ecient structure is stable. Allowing for side payments to compensate former partners improves eciency. Finally, we show that dierent rules of exit may coexist in dierent alliances in the long run.
Improving wireless simulation through noise modeling

We propose modeling environmental noise in order to efficiently and accurately simulate wireless packet delivery. We measure noise traces in many different environments and propose three algorithms to simulate noise from these traces. We evaluate applying these algorithms to signal-to-noise curves in comparison to existing simulation approaches used in EmStar, TOSSIM, and ns2. We measure simulation accuracy using the Kantorovich-Wasserstein distance on conditional packet delivery functions. We demonstrate that using a closest-fit pattern matching (CPM) noise model can capture complex temporal dynamics which existing approaches do not, increasing packet simulation fidelity by a factor of 2 for good links, a factor of 1.5 for bad links, and a factor of 5 for intermediate links. As our models are derived from real-world traces, they can be generated for many different environments.
Oxygen-related chemoreceptor drive to breathe during H2S infusion

Abstract This study addresses the following question: Could the acute depression in breathing produced by hyperoxia, a reflection of the tonic drive to breathe from the arterial chemoreceptors, be accounted for by a background level of endogenous H2S? To address this question, we produced a stable but moderate increase in breathing (24 ± 11%) via continuous infusion of low levels of H2S, in 10 spontaneously breathing urethane-sedated rats. We found that acute exposure to 100% O2 (20 tests) decreased minute ventilation ( V ˙ I ) from 301 ± 51 to 210 ± 43 ml/min within 15 s in control conditions, but no additional significant drop in V ˙ I was observed during H2S induced hyperpnea. In addition, no decrease in the estimated concentrations of gaseous H2S in the arterial blood was observed during the hyperoxic tests. It is concluded that the ventilatory depression induced by high O2 appears to be limited to the tonic background peripheral chemosensory drive to breathe, but has little or no impact on the CB stimulation produced by low levels of H2S.
A prospective study of non-surgical primary rhinoplasty using a polymethylmethacrylate injectable implant.

BACKGROUNDNonsurgical rhinoplasty involves the use of injectable fillers to improve the contours of the nose. It has become a widely practiced procedure since this author first popularized it in 2003. The use of permanent fillers in nonsurgical rhinoplasty has not been well documented, especially in
Pharmacology: Policy Implications Of New Psychiatric Drugs

Four background issues are important in understanding the policy debate surrounding new drugs for psychiatric care. These are the impact of scientific progress, society’s nonrational attitudes toward drugs and toward health and disease, and the “stigma” of psychiatric treatment. After touching on these issues, we then assess pharmacological treatment advances and their consequences for future policy considerations.
The Evolution and Implications of the U.S. Food Security Act of 1985

Abstract The Food Security Act of 1985 sets the United States (U.S.) policy course for the five years, 1986–1990, in the areas of farm product prices and farmer incomes, agricultural production, food aid, and trade in agricultural products. It is clearly an evolution of past policy, deeply rooted in the institutional processes of participatory policymaking. The Act will have important implications for not only domestic producers, consumers, agribusinesses, and taxpayers, but also product agricultural exporters and importers around the world. Just as it was substantially affected by the current loss of export markets and the economic crisis in the U.S. agricultural sector, its implementation and impacts will be affected in the future by the unpredictable weather, macroeconomic conditions around the world, and international trading policies. This article examines the development of the policy embodied in the Act and analyzes its primary economic implications. Although most provisions of the U.S. agricultural price and income policy that had evolved over the past half century were continued, important changes were made. The resulting policy closely mirrored the preferences revealed from research concerning farmers and leaders of national agricultural and food interest groups. Primary changes from the previous 1981 Act were: lengthening the duration to five years; substantial lowering of the minimum price support levels; permitting a gradual decline in the minimum target prices; providing for a whole dairy herd buyout program; establishing export enhancement initiatives through credit, promotion, and export payment-in-kind (PIK); and initiating major efforts to increase farmland conservation and withdrawal of fragile lands from production. Likely implications of the new Act include: (1) lower product prices for agricultural producers around the world, and also farmer incomes if there is no income protection from national policies; (2) a similar but a less proportionate impact on consumers; (3) a substantial burden on the U.S. Treasury, and possibly those of the other nations as well, depending upon the type of policies followed; and (4) likely intensification in the immediate future of the economic conflicts and negotiations between major agricultural trading nations of the world. Research played a vital role in the development of the U.S. 1985 Act. Given the turbulent, uncertain, and important nature of the agricultural and food sector in the world, research is challenged to provide more and better knowledge for future policymaking.
Aneuploid Chromosomes Are Highly Unstable during DNA Transformation of Candida albicans

Candida albicans strains tolerate aneuploidy, historically detected as karyotype alterations by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and more recently revealed by array comparative genome hybridization, which provides a comprehensive and detailed description of gene copy number. Here, we first retrospectively analyzed 411 expression array experiments to predict the frequency of aneuploidy in different strains. As expected, significant levels of aneuploidy were seen in strains exposed to stress conditions, including UV light and/or sorbose treatment, as well as in strains that are resistant to antifungal drugs. More surprisingly, strains that underwent transformation with DNA displayed the highest frequency of chromosome copy number changes, with strains that were initially aneuploid exhibiting 3-fold more copy number changes than strains that were initially diploid. We then prospectively analyzed the effect of lithium acetate (LiOAc) transformation protocols on the stability of trisomic chromosomes. Consistent with the retrospective analysis, the proportion of karyotype changes was highly elevated in strains carrying aneuploid chromosomes. We then tested the hypothesis that stresses conferred by heat and/or LiOAc exposure promote chromosome number changes during DNA transformation procedures. Indeed, a short pulse of very high temperature caused frequent gains and losses of multiple chromosomes or chromosome segments. Furthermore, milder heat exposure over longer periods caused increased levels of loss of heterozygosity. Nonetheless, aneuploid chromosomes were also unstable when strains were transformed by electroporation, which does not include a heat shock step. Thus, aneuploid strains are particularly prone to undergo changes in chromosome number during the stresses of DNA transformation protocols.
Neurogenic inflammation and asthma.

The release of neurotransmitters may exacerbate the inflammatory response. Such neurogenic inflammation has been documented in a number of inflammatory diseases. Neurogenic inflammation due to release of neuropeptides from sensory nerves has been demonstrated in airways of several species, particularly rodents, and may contribute to the inflammatory response in asthmatic airways. Tachykinins (substance P and neurokinin A) released from airway sensory nerves may cause bronchoconstriction, vasodilatation, plasma exudation, and mucus secretion, whereas another sensory neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide, may contribute to hyperemia of inflammation. Airway epithelial damage in asthma exposes sensory nerves which may become sensitized by inflammatory products (including prostaglandins and cytokines) so that neuropeptides are released via a local reflex trigger such as bradykinin, resulting in exaggerated inflammation. The effects of tachykinins may be amplified further by loss of the major degrading ...
A minor arginine tRNA mutant limits translation preferentially of a protein dependent on the cognate codon.

The Escherichia coli argU gene encodes a rare arginine tRNA (anticodon UCU) that translates the similarly rare AGA codon. The argU10(Ts) mutation is a transition that changes the first nucleotide of the mature tRNA from G to A, presumably destabilizing the acceptor stem. This mutation, when present in haploid condition in the chromosome, reduces the growth rate at 30 degrees C and results in cessation of growth after 60 to 90 min at 43 degrees C. The mutation also preferentially limits (compared with total protein synthesis) translation of an induced gene that depends on five AGA codons, i.e., the lambda cI repressor gene. Translation of another inducible protein, beta-galactosidase, which does not involve AGA codons, was inhibited to a much lesser extent. The chromosomal argU(Ts) mutation also confers the Pin phenotype, that is, loss of ability of the host, as a P2 lysogen, to inhibit growth of bacteriophage lambda, probably the result of reduced translation of the P2 old gene, which contains five AGA codons (E. Haggard-Ljungquist, V. Barreiro, R. Calendar, D. M. Kurnit, and H. Cheng, Gene 85:25-33, 1989).
Radiation-Induced Reactions of Potassium Bromide with Air

When a pressed potassium bromide disc was irradiated in ordinary laboratory air, new bands appeared in the infrared absorption spectrum, with maxima at 1260, 1260, 830, phere of dry oxygen produced, in addition to the peak at 1440 K, an infrared absorption band with a maximum at 790 K. The possibility of the presence of potassium nitrate, potassium nitrite, potassium bromate, and carbon dioxide arising from the radiolysis of organic impurities is discussed.
LES of Contrails With Ice Habit Treatment Using the Fickian-Distribution Model

This study uses a Fickian-Distribution parameterization [Chen & Lamb, 1994] to model the effects of ice habits on contrail formation within a large eddy simulation (LES). Box model cases were first performed at various ambient temperatures and relative humidities over ice (RHi) and results compared with available laboratory data of ice crystal growth and habit distribution [Bailey & Hallett, 2004]. The model was then used in a full 3-D LES of contrails and results were compared with in-situ observations [Febvre et. al., 2009]. Comparisons are also made with results from simulations that used a probabilistic ice habit model [Inamdar et. al., 2013].Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A mixed-method evaluation of the feasibility and acceptability of a telehealth-based parent-mediated intervention for children with autism spectrum disorder:

Research within the autism spectrum disorder field has called for the use of service delivery models that are able to more efficiently disseminate evidence-based practices into community settings. This study employed telehealth methods in order to deliver an Internet-based, parent training intervention for autism spectrum disorder, ImPACT Online. This study used mixed-methods analysis to create a more thorough understanding of parent experiences likely to influence the adoption and implementation of the program in community settings. Specific research questions included (1) What are parents' perceptions of the online program? (2) How does ImPACT Online compare to other services that parents are accessing for their children? And (3) Do parents' experience in, and perceptions of, the program differ based on whether they received a therapist-assisted version of the program? Results from 28 parents of a child with autism spectrum disorder indicate that parents saw improvements in their child's social communication skills and their own competence during the course of the program, regardless of whether they received therapist assistance. However, qualitative interviews indicate that parents who received therapist assistance were more likely endorse the acceptability and observability of the program. These findings support the potential for Internet-based service delivery to more efficiently disseminate evidence-based parent training interventions for autism spectrum disorder.
Social Security's Financial Outlook and Reforms: An Independent Evaluation

Social Security is often described as a "foundational" element of the nation's social safety net. Almost all Americans are directly affected by the program and many millions primarily depend on its benefits for supporting themselves during retirement. But the program's financial condition has worsened considerably since the last recession, which began in 2007. In that year, the Social Security trustees estimated that the program's trust fund would be exhausted by 2042. The trustees' annual report for 2011 brings the trust fund exhaustion date forward to 2038. Indeed, the programs revenues fell short of its benefit expenditures in 2010 and it appears unlikely that significant surpluses will emerge again under the program's current rules. If the program's finances continue to worsen at this rate, it won’t be long before the debate on reforming the program assumes an urgency and intensity similar to that during 1982-83, when imminent insolvency forced lawmakers to implement payroll tax increases and scale back its benefits.