cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association Between Age at Palatoplasty and Speech and Language Outcomes in Children With Cleft Palate: An Observational Chart Review Study.

Objective:To determine whether timing of palatoplasty (early, standard, or late) is associated with speech and language outcomes in children with cleft palate.Design:Retrospective case series.Setti...
Isolation and characterization of Caco-2 subclones expressing high levels of multidrug resistance protein efflux transporter.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to isolate Caco-2 subclones that express high levels of multidrug resistance protein (MDR1) and to characterize their kinetics and affinity parameters for MDR1 substrate/inhibitors. Methods. The subclones were selected by a dilution cloning technique. The polarized efflux of [3H]-vinblastine across subclone cell monolayers was quantified by measuring the apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) of [3H]-vinblastine in the basolateral (BL)-to-apical (AP) direction and in the AP-to-BL direction (Papp BL-to-AP/Papp AP-to-BL) across the cell monolayers. The expression of MDR1 in the Caco-2 subclones compared with the parental Caco-2 cells was confirmed by Western blotting analysis. The kinetics parameters (K m, V max) of [3H]-vinblastine and the inhibitory constants (K I) of several known MDR1 substrates/inhibitors on the transport of [3H]-digoxin determined in the parental Caco-2 cells and Caco-2 subclones were also compared. Results. Three subclones (#1, #20, #21) were selected based on their polarized efflux of [3H]-vinblastine. The Papp BL-to-AP/Papp AP-to-BL ratios for #1, #20, and #21 were 110, 140, and 112, respectively, and were about 6-fold higher than the ratio observed for the parental Caco-2 cells. In the presence of GF-120918 (2 μM), a known MDR1-specific inhibitor, the Papp BL-to-AP/Papp AP-to-BL ratios were significantly decreased, suggesting that these cells were overexpressing MDR1. The K m values observed for vinblastine in the Caco-2 subclones were nearly identical to the value observed in the parental Caco-2 cells. In contrast, the V max values observed in the subclones were approximate 26-69% higher. The K I values observed for various known MDR1 substrates/inhibitors on [3H]-digoxin transport were nearly identical to those in the parental Caco-2 cells and Caco-2 subclones. The high functional efflux activities of these subclones were stable up to 6 months. Conclusions. Subclones #1, #20, #21 express high levels of MDR1. These Caco-2 subclones may be useful models for profiling drugs for their MDR1 substrate activity and for establishing structure-transport relationships for this efflux transporter.
Improving Weapons Acquisition

The procurement of weapons for our armed forces has traditionally been an issue left to "the experts." However, as the build-up in defense expenditures approaches the trillion-dollar level the largest in peacetime history more and more questions have begun to be raised about whether taxpayers are getting their money's worth. Issues range from whether we are buying the right systems highlighted by the controversy surrounding radios that did not allow the Army to talk to the Navy during the Grenada conflict to the glaring newspaper "horror stories" about weapons that don't work and grossly over-priced spare parts, coffee pots, and hammers. With the deficit rising dramatically and the perception of chaos and corruption in defense procurement increasing, defense expenditures have begun leveling off1 and congressional and executive branch attacks on the defense industry, fueled by the press, have risen in intensity. Meanwhile, efforts have been made by the Pentagon to shift public attention away from government management issues and to questionable actions said to have been taken by suppliers; these have given many the impression that acquisition management has become primarily an issue for auditors and lawyers. Congress has attempted to address the situation by issuing hundreds of new procurement reforms aimed at correcting the apparent abuses. Many claim that this legislative whirlwind has reached the level of absurdity. For example, under Senate Bill 1958, introduced on December 17, 1985, "no funds appropriated to or for the use of the Department of Defense (DoD) may be obligated or expended for the procurement of any plastic toilet cover shrouds, identified as
Mexico’s illicit drug networks and the state reaction: by Nathan P. Jones, Washington, DC, Georgetown University Press, 2016

The explosion of the drug trade has sent analysts scurrying for reliable sources. Given the prominence of Mexico in, particularly, the distribution chain, the assessment of Nathan P. Jones bears a ...
High behavioral sensitivity to carbon dioxide associates with enhanced fear memory and altered forebrain neuronal activation

There is considerable interest in pre-trauma individual differences that may contribute to increased risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Identification of underlying vulnerability factors that predict differential responses to traumatic experiences is important. Recently, the relevance of homeostatic perturbations in shaping long-term behavior has been recognized. Sensitivity to CO2 inhalation, a homeostatic threat to survival, was shown to associate with the later development of PTSD symptoms in veterans. Here, we investigated whether behavioral sensitivity to CO2 associates with PTSD-relevant behaviors and alters forebrain fear circuitry in mice. Mice were exposed to 5% CO2 or air inhalation and tested one week later on acoustic startle and footshock contextual fear conditioning, extinction and reinstatement. CO2 inhalation evoked heterogenous freezing behaviors (high freezing CO2-H and low freezing CO2-L) that significantly associated with fear conditioning and extinction behaviors. CO2-H mice elicited potentiated conditioned fear and delayed extinction while behavioral responses in CO2-L mice were similar to the air group. Persistent neuronal activation marker ΔFosB immunostaining revealed altered regional neuronal activation within the hippocampus, amygdala and medial pre-frontal cortex that correlated with conditioned fear and extinction. Inter-regional co-activation mapping revealed disruptions in the coordinated activity of hippocampal dentate-amygdala-infralimbic regions and infralimbic-prelimbic associations in CO2-H mice that may explain their enhanced fear phenotype. In conclusion, our data support an association of behavioral sensitivity to interoceptive threats such as CO2 with altered fear responding to exteroceptive threats and suggest that "CO2-sensitive" individuals may be susceptible to developing PTSD.
SocialDrone: An Integrated Social Media and Drone Sensing System for Reliable Disaster Response

Social media sensing has emerged as a new disaster response application paradigm to collect real-time observations from online social media users about the disaster status. Due to the noisy nature of social media data, the task of identifying trustworthy information (referred to as "truth discovery") has been a crucial task in social media sensing. However, existing truth discovery solutions often fall short of providing accurate results in disaster response applications due to the spread of misinformation and difficulty of an efficient verification in such scenarios. In this paper, we present SocialDrone, a novel closed-loop social-physical active sensing framework that integrates social media and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for reliable disaster response applications. In SocialDrone, signals emitted from the social media are distilled to drive the drones to target areas to verify the emergency events. The verification results are then taken back to improve the sensing and distillation process on social media. The SocialDrone framework introduces several unique challenges: i) how to drive the drones using the unreliable social media signals? ii) How to ensure the system is adaptive to the high dynamics from both the physical world and social media? iii) How to incorporate real-world constraints (e.g., the deadlines of events, limited number of drones) into the framework? The SocialDrone addresses these challenges by building a novel integrated social-physical sensing system that leverages techniques from game theory, constrained optimization, and reinforcement learning. The evaluation results on a real-world disaster response application show that SocialDrone significantly outperforms state-of-the-art truth discovery schemes and drone-only solutions by providing more effective disaster response.
Outcomes in primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type.

Primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL, LT) is a rare, aggressive lymphoma characterized by skin involvement predominantly in the lower extremities. Immunochemotherapy with or without involved-site radiation therapy (ISRT) is considered standard front-line therapy. Over-expression of PD-L1/PD-L2 is seen in a high proportion of PCDLBCL, LT cases, but efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in relapsed/refractory, PCDLBCL, LT has not been thoroughly studied. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients diagnosed with PCDLBCL, LT seen at Mayo Clinic from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2020. Using the Kaplan-Meier method, we calculated progression-free survival, duration of response, and overall survival in patients who received front-line rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) with and without ISRT, and salvage ICI therapy for relapsed/refractory disease. A total of 28 patients with PCDLBCL, LT were identified. The median PFS in patients treated with R-CHOP plus ISRT was 58 months (95% CI: 18-112) compared to 14 months (95% CI: 5-not reached; p = 0.04) in those treated with R-CHOP without ISRT. The median PFS from salvage ICI therapy was 10 months (95% CI: 4-not reached), and median DOR from salvage ICI therapy was 23 months [95% CI: 4-26]. R-CHOP with ISRT had a significantly longer median PFS compared to R-CHOP without ISRT as front-line therapy for PCDLBCL, LT. ICIs may have a role in treating relapsed/refractory disease as reasonable activity in heavily pre-treated patients was observed in this study.
Physical and functional interactions between herpes simplex virus immediate-early proteins ICP4 and ICP27

The ordered expression of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) genes, during the course of a productive infection, requires the action of the virus immediate-early regulatory proteins. Using a protein interaction assay, we demonstrate specific in vitro protein-protein interactions between ICP4 and ICP27, two immediate-early proteins of HSV-1 that are essential for virus replication. We map multiple points of contact between these proteins. Furthermore, by coimmunoprecipitation experiments, we demonstrate the following. (i) ICP4-ICP27 complexes are present in extracts from HSV-1 infected cells. (ii) ICP27 binds preferentially to less modified forms of ICP4, a protein that is extensively modified posttranslationally. We also demonstrate, by performing electrophoretic mobility shift assays and supershifts with monoclonal antibodies to ICP4 or ICP27, that both proteins are present in a DNA-protein complex with a noncanonical ICP4 binding site present in the HSV thymidine kinase (TK) gene. ICP4, in extracts from cells infected with ICP27-deficient viruses, is impaired in its ability to form complexes with the TK site but not with the canonical site from the alpha4 gene. However, ICP4 is able to form complexes with the TK probe, in the absence of ICP27, when overproduced in mammalian cells or expressed in bacteria. These data suggest that the inability of ICP4 from infected cell extracts to bind the TK probe in the absence of ICP27 does not reflect a requirement for the physical presence of ICP27 in the complex. Rather, they imply that ICP27 is likely to modulate the DNA binding activity of ICP4 by affecting its posttranslational modification status. Therefore, we propose that ICP27, in addition to its established role as a posttranscriptional regulator of virus gene expression, may also modulate transcription either through direct or indirect interactions with HSV regulatory regions, or through its ability to modulate the DNA binding activity of ICP4.
Nitrite Formation from Hydroxylamine and Oximes by Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Nitrite was formed from hydroxylamine and several oximes by intact cells and extracts of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The activity was induced by the presence of oximes in the culture medium. Nitroalkanes were not intermediates in the conversion of acetaldoxime, acetone oxime, or butanone oxime to nitrite, since nitromethane inhibited the formation of nitrite from the nitro compounds but not from the corresponding oximes. The oxime apparently functions as a constant source of hydroxylamine during growth of the bacterium. Hydroxylamine at low concentration was converted stoichiometrically to nitrite by extracts of the bacterium; high concentrations were inhibitory. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, oxygen, and other unidentified cofactors were necessary for the reaction. Actively nitrifying extracts possessed no hydroxylamine-cytochrome c reductase activity. Hyponitrite, nitrous oxide, and nitric oxide were not metabolized.
Long-Distance Agreement And Topic In Tsez

This paper presents and analyzes a unique pattern of long-distance agreement (LDA) in the Nakh-Daghestanian language Tsez, spoken in the Caucasus. The phenomenon, in which a verb may agree with a constituent inside its clausalcomplement, poses a serious challenge to theories of agreement locality. In anumber of formal syntactic theories, agreement between a head and an argumentreflects some very local clause-mate configuration, often specifier-head. Wedemonstrate that this is inadequate for a satisfactory analysis of LDA and wepropose an alternative that appeals to a less local configuration resemblinghead government. Crucial to our analysis of LDA is the generalization that LDAis triggered by a constituent which must be a topic. We argue that the agreementtrigger moves covertly to an A' topic position within its own clause where it is in a local agreement configuration with the verb. Independent evidence forcovert movement and the existence of configurations which block LDA support theanalysis. The primary conclusion is that syntactic agreement cannot be reducedto a specifier-head configuration in all cases. The theory must allow a lesslocal configuration in which the target simply governs the agreement trigger.
Mouse Epididymal Sperm Contain Active P450 Aromatase Which Decreases as Sperm Traverse the Epididymis

Recently we reported that mouse germ cells in the testis contain active P450 aromatase (P450arom), the enzyme that converts androgens to estrogens. This finding suggested that germ cells have the ability to produce estrogen. Further studies have shown that germ cells in the testis of several species contain P450arom. The goal of this study was to determine if epididymal sperm contain P450arom and if P450arom activity in sperm changes during traversion of the epididymis in the adult mouse. P450arom was localized in sperm present in the efferent ductules and epididymis by immunocytochemistry using an antiserum generated against purified human placental cytochrome P450arom. P450arom immunostaining in sperm was most prominent in sperm located in the proximal caput epididymis, decreased as sperm traversed the corpus epididymis, and was only slightly apparent in sperm in the cauda epididymis. The immunolocalization of P450arom in epididymal sperm was supported by the measurement of P450arom activity in sperm by the 3 H 2 O assay. We found that P450arom activity in sperm significantly decreases as sperm traverse the epididymis. Based upon these observations, we conclude that sperm can synthesize estrogen and that the synthesis of estrogen by sperm present in the efferent ductules and caput epididymis could be important in the process of sperm maturation.
Thermodynamics of Extraction of Nitric Acid by Tri- n -Butyl Phosphate-Hydrocarbon Diluent Solutions: I. Distribution Studies with TBP in Amsco 125-82 at Intermediate and Low Acidities

The distribution of 0–8 M HNO3 between aqueous and 5–100 vol % solutions of TBP in Amsco 125–82 has been measured and used to obtain a quantitative description of this extraction process. Up to ~5 ...
What to do when the teaching lab instruments are too sophisticated for the students

The paper identifies a fundamental problem of educational prosperity: it is nowadays easy to find teaching laboratories whose near-research-grade instrumentation is too sophisticated for the students. This is illustrated by the specific case of an introductory course in electricity, electronics, and electromechanics aimed at non-electrical undergraduate engineering students. The complexity of the instrumentation leaves little alternative, in the conventional laboratory exercise model, to handing the student a recipe for pushing the fight buttons in the right order. This paper proposes an alternative that is the complement of typical virtual instrumentation applications. In the usual sort of application the virtual instruments are software interface artifacts that turn simple measurement modules into sophisticated data acquisition and control systems. In the proposed application, the identical interface, communication, and control software technology makes complex data acquisition and control systems appear, to the student, to be instances of simple, comprehensible, signal source and measurement components. A graded approach is described whereby the apparent sophistication of the underlying measurement hardware grows in step with the student's growing comprehension and comfort.
Standing-wave microsensor for adaptive analysis of spectral coherence

We present an integrated microsensor for time-domain analysis of spectral coherence, with a tunable coherence detection range. The 0.2 cm/sup 3/ device includes a partially transmitting GaAs/AlGaAs photodiode and a large-displacement scanning Si MEMS mirror.
Spatial frequency multiplication techniques towards half-pitch 10nm patterning

Novel patterning approaches are explored to enable either more cost-effective manufacturing solutions or a potential paradigm shift in patterning technology. First, a simplified self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) process is developed to extend 193nm immersion lithography to half-pitch 10nm patterning. A detailed comparison with other SAQP schemes is made, and we find the simplified SAQP process can significantly reduce process complexity and costs. On the other hand, the topographic effect on the spacer width causes difficulty in obtaining lines with equal CD, thus a CVD/etch solution must be searched to meet the CDU requirement. Moreover, a motion-induced frequency multiplication (MIFEM) concept is proposed; and specifically, we develop a stress-induced frequency multiplication (SIFEM) technique to produce half-pitch 9nm lines/spaces with no need of ebeam, imprint, or self-assembly technology. It allows us to apply standard semiconductor fabrication processes and equipment to drive down the half pitch of a spatially periodic pattern below 10nm. The resolution of this patterning technique is dependent on the CD of spacers and their gaps regardless of optical resolution of the lithographic tool. The final space CD is mainly related with the material property of the fluid used in SIFEM process. The main issues of SIFEM process include: adjusting the fluid property to tune the gap CD, designing the anchor structures and line route to control the strength and direction of film stress, and overlay methodology development, etc.
HACCP as an International Trade Standard

The widening international use of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) approaches by regulators and industry should facilitate trade of food products as countries and companies adopt roughly similar food safety assurance systems. First and foremost, however, adoption of HACCP principles is motivated by a desire to improve food safety, particularly by the control of food-borne pathogens, in a manner that passes benefit-cost or market tests. For regulators, trade facilitation is an important but often clearly secondary goal of HACCP adoption. That it is part of the goal set is due in part to recent trade agreements that seek to limit nontariff barriers to trade arising from food safety (sanitary and phytosanitary') regulations. The pressure to reduce these barriers has led to a focus on HACCP adoption as a vehicle for reconciling regulations across countries through various means of regulatory rapprochement. This goal hierarchy, with improved safety first and trade facilitation second, is useful in explaining the likely operation of HACCP as an international trade standard in the next decade.2
Nonlinear filtering of backpropagated fields

As a result of interest in imaging strongly scattering targets, the Air Force Research Laboratory is making available to the community sets of data from various targets. We describe a nonlinear filtering technique, namely, homomorphic filtering, which we have applied to recover an image of the target from the backpropagated field calculated from the scattering data. We show new results for targets that other methods, especially linearized methods, are unable to image. While we obtain good images with real data, convolutional effects arising from limited data can sometimes degrade performance.
Standing in the shadow of greatness

Mentors are everywhere. Whether we realize it or not, interacting with those around us can have a major impact on our experiences in life. This has definitely been the case so far in my pharmacy career, especially during my externship with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP).
Allosteric regulation of Argonaute proteins by miRNAs

Argonaute family members are key effectors of small RNA function. Predicted structural analogies to allosterically-regulated bacterial ligand-binding proteins, followed by biochemical analysis of the binding properties of Argonautes, now indicate functional allostery between two distinct binding sites that would promote a functional outcome when both a miRNA and capped mRNA are present.
An analysis of standardised patient checklist errors and their effect on student scores.

Background The frequency and nature of standardised patient (SP) recording errors during clinical performance examinations (CPX) have an effect on case scores and ultimately on pass/fail decisions. Purpose To determine the effect of SP recording errors on case scores. Methods Standardised patients completed checklists immediately after each encounter. To determine checklist accuracy, multiple reviewers developed a checklist key for each student encounter studied. The total errors, the net errors, the errors of commission and omission and error rates by competency skill were analysed. Results The frequency of errors in history taking was greater than in physical examination, and the majority of errors were made in the students' favour. Summing the errors of commission and omission decreased the effect of total errors on student scores. Conclusions High levels of SP recording accuracy are achievable. When errors occur, the net effect is usually in the students' favour.
Getting Buzzed In the Library: The Use of Restaurant-Style Pagers for Reserves Checkout in an Academic Library

In 2004, the Social Sciences and Humanities Library at the University of California–San Diego implemented restaurant-style pagers to notify waiting patrons that the reserve collection materials they needed were available. The authors describe the university libraries’ process for implementing the pagers and the success staff has had with pagers over the past four years, list other libraries that use pagers, suggest other library uses for pagers, and offer guidance to institutions that might consider this service enhancement.
Smart drugs: Implications of student use.

The use of Smart Drugs to enhance intelligence, improve memory and maximize cognitive functioning in healthy individuals has attracted the attention of the popular press. This paper discusses the implication of the nonmedical college student use of “nootropic” Smart Drugs, a class of pharmaceuticals legally available in other countries to treat diseases associated with mental decline or dysfunction. Nootropic drug use is compared to steroid use in a student population. In a survey of college students, 5% of the males reported casual use of a drug to increase their intelligence, enhance their memory and make them smarter: 2.5% of these students probably used a nootropic drug.
The Effects of Full-day Versus Half-day Kindergarten on the Achievement of Students With Low/Moderate Income Status

Abstract This portion of a larger comparative study of full-day kindergarten (FDK) versus half-day kindergarten (HDK) classrooms highlights the effects of FDK versus HDK on the achievement of students with low/moderate income status. Authors collected statistical and semi-structured interview data from one large and two other school corporations in the midwestern United States. The results of this study did not corroborate with published accounts of FDK students scoring better on certain language arts/reading criteria and mathematics criteria, nor did it indicate a benefit for students from low SES backgrounds. The results of this study indicated that no significant difference exists when the authors directly compared the scores from students recorded as free meal code and students enrolled in Title I schools in either the full-day or half-day kindergarten.
The development and mature structure of dentine in the pike, Esox lucius, analyzed by bright field, phase and polarization microscopy

Abstract Examination of the development and adult structure of the tissues of the teeth of the Great Northern Pike (Esox lucius) using thin (0·5-2 μ) sections of plastic-embedded material and bright field, phase, and polarization microscopes showed the following: Phase microscopic preparations demonstrated clearly that the primary fabric of the mature teeth consisted of coarse collagen fibre bundles (α fibres). Thin fibres in the pallial dentine coursed toward and joined in the pulp to form the cores of very large trabecular fibre bundles. A finer textured fibrous matrix (β matrix) was interspersed between the odontoblast processes and the coarse α fibres in the pallial dentine. Development of alpha matrix preceded β matrix and consisted of birefringent trabecular α fibres, longitudinally arranged in the dental papilla which are formed in association with pulpal cells. Odontoblasts then differentiated from papillary ectomesenchymal, neural crest cells and were located between the α fibres. The odontoblasts produced β fibre matrix which filled in the spaces between the odontoblast processes and the coarse α fibres. The odontoblasts retreated from the appositionally forming β matrix, leaving cytoplasmic processes behind in dentinal canals. The coarse α pulp fibres increased in diameter and length probably by activity of the pulp mesenchyme. Fusion of odontoblast processes occurred and the perikarya accumulated in crypts at the pallial-trabecular junction. Matrix formation continued on the surface of the pulp trabeculae. Spaces between the trabeculae were interconnected and contained central blood vessels. Flattened fibroblastic-like cells covered the surface of the trabeculae. A general hypothesis is proposed relating α and β fibre matrix content and distribution to the various forms of dentine found in vertebrates.
Accessing the Hidden Majority of Marine Natural Products through Metagenomics

Tiny marine animals represent an untapped reservoir for undiscovered, bioactive natural products. However, their small size and extreme chemical variability preclude traditional chemical approaches to discovering new bioactive compounds. Here, we use a metagenomic method to directly discover and rapidly access cyanobactin class natural products from these variable samples, providing proof-of-concept for genome based discovery and supply of marine natural products. We also address practical optimization of complex, multistep ribosomal peptide pathways in heterologous hosts, which is still very challenging. The resulting methods and concepts will be applicable to ribosomal peptide and other biosynthetic pathways.
Kinetics of trans-Cinnamic Anhydride Reactions Catalyzed by Pyridine, 4-Dimethylaminopyridine, and N-Methylimidazole

The kinetics of hydrolysis of trans-cinnamic anhydride and of its reactions with hydroxy compounds were studied in the presence of pyridine, 4-dimethylaminopyridine, and N-methylimidazole as catalysts. The absolute rates of the catalyzed hydrolysis decreased with increasing acetonitrile content (decreasing solvent polarity), but the catalytic efficiency of N-methylimidazole and 4-dimethylaminopyridine relative to pyridine increased as the solvent polarity decreased. The relative catalytic rates for the cinnamoylation of n-propanol in acetonitrile were 1:259:16,000 for pyridine, N-methylimidazole, and 4-dimethySeminopyridine, respectively.
Citizens' Images of Nuclear War: Content and Consequences

An exploratory study was conducted to examine the contents of ordinary citizens' conceptions of nuclear war and the possible consequences of those mental conceptions or images for political activity. Previous data suggested the feasibility of measuring cognitive images and their emotional concomitants in surveys of the general public. Existing survey research also suggested that cognitive images of nuclear war and their affective concomitants might precipitate political action. Existing laboratory data suggested specifically that the images' concreteness and their availability to memory might precipitate action. The content of nuclear war images was mainly abstract and secondarily concrete. Both abstract and concrete content included primarily physical destruction, as well as death, disease, and injury. References in a 1954 survey to the quality of life after an attack have been replaced in the current survey with comments about sheer survival. Antinuclear activity indeed was significantly related to the concreteness of people's nuclear war images, beyond the effects of antinuclear attitudes and general levels of political activity. The emotionality and availability of images did not predict antinuclear activity. Both image contents and their behavioral consequences cut across demographic lines, such as sex, race, social class, and political ideology; only age and education bore modest relation to images and action. Images of nuclear war appear to be highly consensual. When they are especially concrete, they can motivate antinuclear activity.
Splenic abscess associated with Streptococcus bovis septicemia and neoplastic lesions of the colon.

Streptococcus bovis bacteremia is known to be associated with gastrointestinal disease, especially colon lesions. Two patients are presented with a previously unreported syndrome:S. bovis bacteremia, endocarditis, colon neoplasms, and splenic abscess. In one case, the colonic lesion was occult and required colonoscopy for identification (normal barium enema).S. bovis bacteremia is an important marker for occult gastrointestinal neoplasia.
Influence Of Chorionic Gonadotropin On HUMAN OVARIAN HILUS CELLS (LEYDIGLIKE CELLS)

THE effects of stimulation of testicular Leydig cells by chorionic gonadotropin are well known. Since the ovarian hilus cells are morphologically identical with and probably functionally related to Leydig cells, they might also be expected to respond to chorionic gonadotropin. Morphologic changes in response to such hormonal stimulation would suggest that the cells are functionally active, and not merely embryologic rudiments. Furthermore, the character of the cytologic response might xeamrm the kinship of the ovarian cells to testicular Leydig cells.
Comparative study of thylakoids from higher plants for solar energy conversion and herbicide detection

Abstract Thylakoid membranes were isolated from seven plant species. The isolated thylakoids were immobilized onto carbon paper electrodes and the photocurrent was measured. Spinach thylakoids showed the largest photocurrent, 80 ± 10 μA per mg protein and 430 ± 60 μA per mg chlorophyll. The electrodes were also tested in a bio-solar cell configuration. Open circuit voltages were the same regardless of the thylakoid source, and spinach thylakoid bio-solar cells had the largest currents. Exposure of the electrodes to diuron, a commonly used herbicide, showed that sensitivity varied by thylakoid source, with spinach having the highest sensitivity and green chard and beet greens having the lowest.
Differential Functions of Galanin Cell Groups in the Regulation of Eating and Body Weight a

: Evidence suggests that hypothalamic galanin (GAL) has a variety of functions related to energy and nutrient balance, reproduction, water balance, and neuroendocrine regulation. The focus of this chapter is the role of GAL in eating and body weight regulation. Findings described herein demonstrate that GAL, in a cell group of the anterior region of the paraventricular nucleus (aPVN) that projects to the median eminence, has a role in the control of fat intake, fat metabolism, and body fat. This function of aPVN GAL neurons is carried out in close relation to circulating insulin and glucose. Galanin-expressing perikarya in the medial preoptic area (MPOA) have a similar function, although GAL here operates in association with the female steroids estrogen and progesterone. These GAL cell groups of the aPVN and MPOA contrast with those in the arcuate nucleus as well as the magnocellular vasopressin-containing neurons of the PVN and supraoptic nucleus, which show no relation to fat balance. This evidence reveals differential functions for the distinct GAL neuronal cell groups of the hypothalamus.
Conversion of sagebrush shrublands to exotic annual grasslands negatively impacts small mammal communities.

Aim The exotic annual cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) is fast replacing sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) communities throughout the Great Basin Desert and nearby regions in the Western United States, impacting native plant communities and altering fire regimes, which contributes to the long-term persistence of this weedy species. The effect of this conversion on native faunal communities remains largely unexamined. We assess the impact of conversion from native perennial to exotic annual plant communities on desert rodent communities. Location Wyoming big sagebrush shrublands and nearby sites previously converted to cheatgrass-dominated annual grasslands in the Great Basin Desert, Utah, USA. Methods At two sites in Tooele County, Utah, USA, we investigated with Sherman live trapping whether intact sagebrush vegetation and nearby converted Bromus tectorum-dominated vegetation differed in rodent abundance, diversity and community composition. Results Rodent abundance and species richness were considerably greater in sagebrush plots than in cheatgrass-dominated plots. Nine species were captured in sagebrush plots; five of these were also trapped in cheatgrass plots, all at lower abundances than in the sagebrush. In contrast, cheatgrass-dominated plots had no species that were not found in sagebrush. In addition, the site that had been converted to cheatgrass longer had lower abundances of rodents than the site more recently converted to cheatgrass-dominated plots. Despite large differences in abundances and species richness, Simpson’s D diversity and Shannon-Wiener diversity and Brillouin evenness indices did not differ between sagebrush and cheatgrass-dominated plots. Main conclusions This survey of rodent communities in native sagebrush and in converted cheatgrass-dominated vegetation suggests that the abundances and community composition of rodents may be shifting, potentially at the larger spatial scale of the entire Great Basin, where cheatgrass continues to invade and dominate more landscape at a rapid rate.
Inactivation of Escherichia coli elongation factor Tu by the arginine-specific reagent butanedione☆

Abstract The ability of elongation factor Tu(EF-Tu) to participate in protein synthesis is rapidly inactivated by the arginine-specific reagent 2,3-butanedione in borate buffer. This inactivation was observed with the free, uncomplexed protein or when it was complexed with GDP, GTP, or EF-Ts. Formation of the ternary complex, EF-Tu·GTP·aminoacyl-tRNA, however, protected the protein from this inactivation. Butanedione was also shown to inactivate ternary complex formation and this inactivation was prevented by prior binding of both GTP and aminoacyl-tRNA but not GTP alone. These results suggest that EF-Tu has one or more essential arginine residues in its aminoacyl-tRNA binding site that are reactive to butanedione and that no additional arginine residues are required for its interactions with the ribosome. Consistent with a butanedione-reactive arginine(s), protein modified to less than 10% activity regained complete activity upon removal of butanedione and borate ion. This reactivation did not occur in the presence of millimolar borate ion. Kinetic studies showed that unprotected EF-Tu lost protein synthetic activity in a pseudo-first-order manner with a reaction order for butanedione uptake of 1.1 ± 0.1 mol reagent/mol of EF-Tu. Amino acid analysis of partially inactivated EF-Tu indicated the loss of 5.2 ± 0.4 arginine residues/molecule of EF-Tu when extrapolated to 100% loss of activity. Although all EF-Tu activities were lost slowly and irreversibly upon incubation with butanedione/borate, the evidence suggested that a reactive arginine residue(s) is not essential to or protected by the binding of GDP, GTP, or EF-Ts. Thus, we conclude that EF-Tu contains 5 reactive arginine residues at least one of which is important to and protected by aminoacyl-tRNA binding to EF-Tu whereas none are specifically required for its interaction with guanine nucleotides, EF-Ts, or the ribosome.
Spatial and diel availability of flying insects as potential duckling food in prairie wetlands

We examined spatial and diel availability of flying insects that are a critical food resource to young ducklings. We sampled insects in three native prairie wetlands on the Woodworth Study Area of south-central North Dakota. Insects were sampled with floating sticky traps within emergent macrophyte, edge, and open water microhabitat zones. Sampling took place from 12 June to 4 July 1995, a period that coincided with peak dabbling duck (Anas spp.) hatching in this region. Our sticky trans collected 28,527 insects and spiders totaling at least 32 families and 150 species. Chironomidae (Diptera) was the most abundant group, constituting 60% of the total insect count and 32.9% of the biomass (mg dry weight). Mixed-model ANOVA showed that a population of similar undisturbed wetlands may show differences in insect availability when considering both time and space, primarily due to differences in community structure among sites. In spite of these significant random effects, interactions between or among the fixed date, zone, and trap-height effects significantly influenced insect availability. Insects stratified near the water surface in open water areas on all dates except during cool, rainy weather (28 June); on this date, insects were virtually absent from open water. Vertical stratification of insects was less prevalent within and at the edge of stands of emergent vegetation, although most insects were present in the emergent zone near the water surface during inclement weather. ANOVA models from our diel study showed that a significant diel pattern in insect availability existed among zones, but this interaction also depended upon trap-height (chironomid biomass) or date (chironomid counts and biomass). Generally, more insect numbers and biomass were captured in and along stands of emergent macrophytes during the day but chiefly in open water near the surface at night. This diel-zone effect was especially apparent for large chironomids, which were essentially absent during daylight but abundant in open water and edge zones during night. Daytime chironomids were small and predominantly trapped in stands of emergent vegetation. Our results are consistent with previously documented brood foraging behavior and may indicate a trade-off between low energy foraging in the open at night and potentially safer but less productive foraging in stands of emergent vegetation during the day.
Array aperture design using irregular polyomino subarrays

This paper presents data and a procedure for the use of irregular subarrays in planar wideband arrays. Using element-level phase shifters and time delay at subarray ports, the procedure substitutes polyomino subarrays in place of conventional rectangular subarrays to eliminate quantization lobes. The paper focuses on the following details of the design: the choice of subarray size for specified bandwidth, the selection of subarray type, and the tradeoff between bandwidth and peak sidelobe level. These items of the design procedure are detailed for arrays with 4- and 8-element subarrays.
When Disasters and Age Collide: Reviewing Vulnerability of the Elderly

Natural disasters are a growing threat to human populations, particularly to vulnerable groups such as the elderly. A review of the literature on how the elderly respond in disasters indicates there are patterns of vulnerability in the social, psychological, and physiological dimensions. Research studies from sociology, psychology, and medicine, examining disaster loss and harm as it relates to age, form the basis for the differential vulnerability reviewed within this paper. Differential vulnerability between elderly and nonelderly disaster victims is summarized and discussed in the following areas: actual loss versus relative need, the perception of loss, service stigma and threats to independence, psychological vulnerability, and morbidity and mortality. Minimizing the disaster vulnerability of the elderly requires a solid understanding of the specific needs and traits of the elderly population, and identification of the risk factors that lead to their vulnerability. Effective disaster policies and pro...
Transient coupled electro-magnetic thermal analysis of a permanent magnet brushless DC motor

Permanent magnet brushless DC motors used in aerospace generally have numerous qualities such as light weight, small size, and high efficiency. This means that the thermal design of those motors is very serious. In order to obtain an accurate thermal field simulation of a permanent magnet brushless DC motor, both electromagnetic and thermal fields have to be calculated in a coupled simulation. In this paper, the computation is based on finite element method which applied to a four-pole 3-phase 30kW permanent magnet brushless DC motor. The coupling of the fields is performed via a detailed loss calculation and the temperature dependence of the permanent magnets and conductive materials. The simulation results are presented and the results are compared with experimental data to validate the model.
Phonon-Electron Interactions in Piezoelectric Semiconductor Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators

This work presents the first comprehensive investigation of phonon-electron interactions in bulk acoustic standing wave (BAW) resonators made from piezoelectric semiconductor (PS) materials. We show that these interactions constitute a significant energy loss mechanism and can set practical loss limits lower than anharmonic phonon scattering limits or thermoelastic damping limits. Secondly, we theoretically and experimentally demonstrate that phonon-electron interactions, under appropriate conditions, can result in a significant acoustic gain manifested as an improved quality factor (Q). Measurements on GaN resonators are consistent with the presented interaction model and demonstrate up to 35% dynamic improvement in Q. The strong dependencies of electron-mediated acoustic loss/gain on resonance frequency and material properties are investigated. Piezoelectric semiconductors are an extremely important class of electromechanical materials, and this work provides crucial insights for material choice, material properties, and device design to achieve low-loss PS-BAW resonators along with the unprecedented ability to dynamically tune resonator Q.
Construction and insect larval expression of recombinant vesicular stomatitis nucleocapsid protein and its use in competitive ELISA

Abstract The gene encoding the nucleocapsid (N) protein of Indiana 1 serotype vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV-IN 1 ) was transferred into the genome of Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus (baculovirus) as a full-length non-fusion construct under the control of the polyhedrin gene promoter. Recombinant N protein was obtained from Trichoplusia ni insect larvae inoculated 72–96 h previously with the recombinant baculovirus. Polyclonal antibody (PAB) against VSV-IN 1 was produced in mice using VSV-IN, whole virus antigen concentrated from virus-infected cell culture fluids. The N protein and the PAB were used without further purification in a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (C-ELISA) for detection of bovine, porcine, and equine origin serum antibodies against VSV-IN,. A limited number of field origin, experimental, and reference VSV antisera were evaluated using the C-ELISA and with a standard serum neutralization (SN) procedure. Sensitivity of the C-ELISA was comparable to the serotypically homologous SN procedure. Subject to further validation, similar C-ELISA tests for the other VSV serotypes, used in conjunction with the test described here, may offer the best combination of rapidity, sensitivity, simplicity, economy, and laboratory biosafety of any of the methods yet developed for VSV serodiagnosis.
Embryo collection and transfer in small ruminants

Abstract Recent studies of embryo transfer in small ruminants have yielded laparoscopic and nonsurgical procedures for both embryo collection and transfer. These relatively atraumatic methods for embryo collection produce results that are competitive with surgical methods for collecting uterine stage embryos. Embryos have been collected nonsurgically from sheep, goats, deer, suni antelope and the yellow-backed duiker. Laparoscopic embryo transfer is both rapid and effective when compared with surgical transfer. Although nonsurgical transfers have been achieved in goats, more data are required before this approach can be recommended for widespread application to small ruminants.
Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of exchangeable protons. II. The solvent exchange rate of the indole nitrogen proton of tryptophan derivatives

The exchange rate of the indole nitrogen proton with solvent water protons was measured as a function of pH and temperature for tryptophan, N-methyl tryptophan, glycyl tryptophan, tryptophanamide, tryptophylglycine, and tryptophylglycyl glycine. The nmr observation was by long-pulse Fourier transform methods, and kinetics were inferred from saturation recovery, H2O transfer of saturation, and linewidth. There are observable differences between the rates of these compounds, but all are describable within a factor of two by specific acid and base-catalyzed rates kH = 100 and kOH = 108 1/mol-sec at 27°C. It is concluded that this behaviour is representative of this proton on the indole side chain in a random-chain peptide exposed to water.