cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
O25 The Impact of Nudges and Healthy Eating Information on Consumer Vegetable Consumption and Food Waste

Background Improving Americans’ selection and consumption of vegetables without increasing food waste is 1 approach to help meet global health and environmental targets outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Objective To test nudges and educational messaging on consumer vegetable consumption and food waste. Study Design, Setting, and Participants A randomized experiment was conducted among Louisiana State University students, faculty, and staff (N = 485). Participants were provided an initial monetary balance and offered a lunch with main course variations at different prices (12 sets of 3 options) including beef meat balls, rice, and broccoli. Meal choices varied by proportion of meat and vegetables (broccoli randomly 25%, 50%, or 62.5% of plate), plate size/type (results not shown), and prominence of vegetable offerings on the menu. Each participant was served a preferred lunch option and kept any remaining balance. One of 2 × 2 information treatments was randomly assigned, including information about food waste versus screen time and information about healthy eating versus financial literacy. Measurable Outcome/Analysis Food consumption was calculated as the difference between the weighted amount of served and discarded food. Participants willingness to pay (WTP) was estimated using a mixed logit model based on discrete meal choices among the 12 choice sets. Results WTP for a meal decreased as the proportion of broccoli increased. Preference for plates with 50% broccoli increased with random assignment of information about vegetable consumption and improved health; no similar impact occurred for meals with 62.5% broccoli. WTP did not translate to higher broccoli consumption. Only those expressing a higher WTP for a plate with 62.5% broccoli consumed more broccoli. Information about food waste significantly increased broccoli consumption, likely due to plate cleaning tendencies. Conclusion Findings indicate food waste information may be more impactful than healthy eating messages to improve consumer vegetable consumption after menu selection. Funding 2020-2021 Louisiana Board of Regents Support Fund, Louisiana State University Agricultural Center; USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Hatch project 1024670. Houghtaling B and Qi D share first authorship equally.
Dissemination, Situated Fact-checking, and Social Effects of Misinformation among Rural Bangladeshi Villagers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper investigates the dissemination, situated fact-checking processes, and social effects of COVID-19 related online and offline misinformation in rural Bangladeshi life. A six-month-long ethnographic study in three villages found villagers perceived a lack of knowledge and experience among local medical professionals and often fell for flashy promotions of unreliable and unconfirmed cures. Villagers built on their local beliefs and myths, religious faiths, and social justice sensibilities while fact-checking suspicious information. They often reported being misled by misinformation that caters to these values, and they further spread this information through conversations with friends and family. Based on our findings, we argue that CSCW and HCI researchers should study misinformation and situated fact-checking together as a communal practice to design appropriate wellbeing technologies and social media for given communities.
Vestibulocerebellar input in the frog: anatomy.

Publisher Summary The central projection of the VIII nerve in amphibians is described by Ariens Kappers, Huber, and Crosby as consisting of two roots that arise from separate anterior and posterior ganglia on the VIII nerve. In the frog, the posterior root enters the medulla dorsally and the anterior root ventrally, after which they divide to ascend rostrally and descend caudally in the medulla. The dorsal portion is believed to go primarily to the nucleus dorsomagnocellularis while the ventral fiber bundles enter the ventral nucleus of the VIII nerve, which has been suggested to be homologous to Deiters' nucleus. The projection of the primary fibers in the VIII nerve has been studied in the frog with the Fink and Heimer technique. It was found that the primary fibers project to three main regions of the brain: (1) the auditory-vestibular complex; (2) the deep cerebellar nuclei; and (3) the cerebellum. The cyto- and myeloarchitectonics of the auditory-vestibular complex and the deep cerebellar nuclei shows distinct cell groupings within these projection sites.
Patterns and trends in primate pair bonds

Pair-bonding may be a significant feature of the social repertoire of some primate species. However, discerning inter- and intraspecific pair bonds is problematic. I present an overview of the general behavior and ecology of species reported to occur in two-adult, pair-bonded groups. There is no two-adult grouped nonhuman primate species in Africa and only two types in Asia. Behavioral and ecological data suggest that the two-adult group or pair-bonding or both may have evolved separately 4–7 times. I propose that two pair-bond components—social pair bond and sexual pair bond—occur and can be defined and described in such a manner that facilitates comparative analysis across primate taxa. The evolution of grouping patterns in many two-adult grouped primates may be best modeled via evolutionary scenarios relying on direct dietary/energetic constraints, predation, and possibly mate-guarding. There is little support for the infanticide prevention and bodyguard hypotheses of female-choice models.
The Political Economy of the Welfare State in Latin America: Globalization, Democracy, and Development

1. Introduction 2. The historical evolution of welfare systems in Latin America: qualitative comparative analysis 3. Theoretical framework and main hypotheses 4. Determinants of social spending in Latin America: a time-series cross-section analysis, 1973-2003 5. Chile: a classic Latin America welfare state under authoritarian stress (1973-89) and democratic revolution (1990-2000) 6. Costa Rica: globalization, gradual reform, and the politics of compensation, 1973-2002 7. Peru: political instability, regime change and late economic reform in a (non-)welfare state, 1973-2002 8. Conclusion: summary and final reflections on the sustainability and effectiveness of Latin American welfare systems.
Identifiability of the nonlinearity in a quasilinear parabolic system (heat conduction)

One-dimensional unsteady-state heat conduction is governed by a second-order quasilinear parabolic equation. The nonlinearity arises from the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity and/or specific heat. The author shows that measurement of temperature and heat flux at only one boundary point can uniquely determine the thermal conductivity as a function of temperature when the specific heat is known or the specific heat as a function of temperature when the thermal conductivity is known. >
Teaching Non-Business Majors How to Decipher Accounting Discourse

This paper is a plea to the accounting educators to think seriously about the importance of teaching non-business students how to make sense of accounting vocabulary and reports that serve as the necessary foundation of the modern civil societies. The economic resources and how they are shared help make civil society possible; and financial discourse allows one to communicate about how economic resources are being deployed. Besides being a plea to the accounting educators about the need to develop such a course, this paper reports on an experimental course at a northeastern university being developed to teach non-business majors how to make sense of the financial discourse. The paper urges the accounting educators to think about how to teach accounting literacy to millions of individuals who have no such awareness and illustrates how such accounting literacy can be taught using tools and techniques familiar to non-business majors.
Optimal battery chemistry, capacity selection, charge/discharge schedule, and lifetime of energy storage under time-of-use pricing

Energy storage units (ESU) can reduce the cost of purchased electricity under time-of-use (TOU) pricing. To maximize the cost reduction, the chemistries, capacities, and charge/discharge schedules of the batteries used in the ESU must be selected appropriately. The batteries must have sufficient capacities to supply the energy demanded by the charge/discharge profiles and to meet the project lifetime. The ESU responds to a TOU price structure. The ESU output power is limited by the rating of the power electronic interface. The cost of the ESU is assumed to increase linearly with battery capacity. A method using linear optimization is developed that determines the battery chemistries, capacities, and charge/discharge schedules simultaneously. The method shows that the Li-Ion battery chemistry is the most cost effective technology due to its high efficiency and that an 11-year project lifetime is most profitable.
Effects of SFO lesions on salt appetite during multiple sodium depletions

Abstract A depletion of sodium may increase sodium intake by increasing the synthesis of angiotensin (ANG) II in the blood and by stimulating ANG II receptors in the subfornical organ (SFO) of the rat. Lesions of SFO reportedly reduce these intakes. The present experiments tested the effects of SFO lesions on salt appetite after three successive depletions. After a furosemide-induced natriuresis, Long–Evans rats had free access to water- and sodium-deficient diet for 22 h. Water and 0.3 M NaCl were given for 2 h, and then the rats received regular chow, water, and 0.3 M NaCl until the next injection 5 or 7 days later. SFO lesions reduced water intake 1–2 h after each furosemide injection but not during the overnight periods. The lesions did not affect salt appetite the next day, 24–26 h after furosemide, but they did prevent the expected increase in the chronic daily 0.3 M NaCl intake after repeated depletions. The second experiment was similar to the first except that three subcutaneous injections of 100 mg/kg captopril were given at 1, 18, and 20 h after furosemide for the second depletion only. After the first depletion, the results were similar to those of the same condition of the first experiment. After the second depletion, captopril greatly reduced water intake and salt appetite in all rats including those with SFO lesions. Thus, we found that the lesion reduced chronic intake, but we did not replicate results showing large effects of SFO lesions on acute salt appetite. This residual acute appetite after SFO lesion remains dependent on the synthesis of ANG II.
Effect of Lesions of the Corticomedial Amygdala on the Nocturnal Prolactin Surge

It has been reported that the corticomedial amygdala (CMA) is involved in regulating various hypothalamic and neuroendocrine events. This study examined the role of the CMA in the regulation of the no
Ocular devices for the controlled systemic delivery of insulin: in vitro and in vivo dissolution.

Both in vitro flow-through and in vivo device removal methods were utilized to determine the dissolution rate of insulin from a Gelfoam(R) based eye device. The dissolution profiles generated by these two methods are comparable. The in vivo data suggests that there is a direct relationship between blood glucose lowering and the rate of release of insulin from the device. The in vitro dissolution results indicate that the release of insulin from the device is flow-rate dependent. The prolonged activity of the insulin is due to the gradual release of insulin from the device which results from the lachrymal system's slow and constant tear production.
A grid spacing control technique for algebraic grid generation methods

A technique which controls the spacing of grid points in algebraically defined coordinate transformations is described. The technique is based on the generation of control functions which map a uniformly distributed computational grid onto parametric variables defining the physical grid. The control functions are smoothed cubic splines. Sets of control points are input for each coordinate directions to outline the control functions. Smoothed cubic spline functions are then generated to approximate the input data. The technique works best in an interactive graphics environment where control inputs and grid displays are nearly instantaneous. The technique is illustrated with the two-boundary grid generation algorithm.
Strong duality for a special class of integer programs

A pair of primal-dual integer programs is constructed for a class of problems motivated by a generalization of the concept of greatest common divisor. The primal-dual formulation is based on a number-theoretic, rather than a Lagrangian, duality property; consequently, it avoids the dualitygap common to Lagrangian duals in integer programming.
Congenital duodenal atresia with 'apple-peel configuration' of the small intestines and absent superior mesenteric artery: A case report and review of literature

Abstract Embryo logically, congenital duodenal atresia is a primary malformation that results from errors in recanalization of the duodenum in early gestation. This is in contrast to other intestinal atresias which result from vascular accidents. We report an unusual and rare case of congenital duodenal atresia, loss of the third and fourth parts of the duodenum with apple-peel configuration of remaining small bowel and absent superior mesenteric artery in a preterm child. The possibility of Stromme syndrome must also be kept in mind. The literature on the subject is also reviewed.
Quality and Safety as the Spark for Employee Engagement

INTRODUCTION In 1987, when PaulO’Neill became chief executive officer of Alcoa, the company’s plants reported at least one worker sustaining an injury per week. Although the safety record of the company was on par with industry competitors’ and considered acceptable given the inherent risk of working with molten metal, O’Neill found this injury rate appalling. On his first visit to the company’s Tennesseebased aluminum smelter, he met with management at the plant and said, “From now on we are not going to budget for safety. If someone identifies anything that could hurt someone, I want you to fix it, and I will figure out a way to pay for it” [1]. Over the following years, O’Neill used the idea of safety to transform Alcoa’s entire culture, encouraging workers at every level to identify potential safety problems and work to prevent them from causing injuries. As Charles Duhigg [2] described in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, he used the concept of “safety” to engage his employees in the process of improving Alcoa, harnessing previously untapped technical expertise and personal ingenuity and establishing the habit of excellence. Engaged employees transformed Alcoa by making the workplace safer; reducing waste; increasing productivity; improving recruitment, retention, and morale; and improving customer service. By 1999, when O’Neill retired, the injury rate had declined from the 1987 figure of 1.86 lost days per
Superfluid helium in fully saturated porous media.

The flow of superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ through spongelike media at full saturation is modeled by the flow of current through an Ohmic network with random resistors. Solving Kirchhoff's equations leads to the conclusion that the superfluid critical point is a percolation threshold, with critical exponent 1.7. The fractal dimension of the percolating cluster is 2.6. These lead to a specific-heat exponent \ensuremath{\alpha}=-5.4, by the Josephson hyperscaling relation. Existing experiments apparently do not cover the critical region. Instead, they measure ``mean-field'' exponents, whose values for Vycor, aerogel, and xerogel can all be reproduced by choosing appropriate distribution functions for the resistors.
Ethylene signaling in Arabidopsis: Events from the membrane to the nucleus

Abstract Ethylene is a plant hormone that regulates a diverse set of developmental and physiological processes including seed germination, abscission, and senescence. Molecular genetic analysis of ethylene signaling in Arabidopsis thaliana , has led to the identification of a number of genetic loci that are required for normal ethylene responses. Cloning of several of the mutant loci has provided significant insight into the nature of the ethylene signaling pathway. The Raf kinase homolog CTR1 is predicted to negatively regulate the ethylene response pathway through a MAP kinase cascade. ETR1 has been demonstrated to bind ethylene, and a family of homologous genes encode products that may function in a receptor complex. EIN3 and three homologous gene products contain several protein motifs that are reminiscent of transcription factors, and transduce the ethylene signal downstream. Additional loci are defined by the ein2, ein5/ain1, ein6 , and ein7 mutations, and a number of mutations defining tissue-specific mediators of ethylene responses have also been identified. In this review, the different ethylene-related mutations and their gene products are considered in detail, and possible models of the manner in which the pathway functions are proposed.
Somatic mutation, DNA damage and cytotoxicity induced by benzo[a]pyrenedione/benzo[a]pyrenediol redox couples in cultured mammalian cells.

Abstract BP-3,6-dione was found to be mutagenic, cytotoxic and to induce DNA damage in a transformed line of Syrian hamster fibroblasts at low concentrations, 2 μg/ml and less. Inhibition of sulfate and glucuronic acid conjugating enzymes with salicylamide potentiated the above effects of BP-3,6-dione. Diminishing cellular capacity to scavenge superoxide anion radicals also potentiated the mutagenic and cytotoxic action of the dione. The presence of dicumarol, a specific inhibitor of the two-electron reduction of quinones by DT-diaphorase, afforded some protection against cytotoxicity. The results indicate that BP-3,6-dione undergoes two-electron reduction to an unstable hydroquinone, BP-3,6-diol, or one-electron reduction to a semiquinone radical intermediate and that both of these reduced forms undergo rapid univalent oxidation to generate active reduced oxygen species. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that active oxygen species generated by BP-dione/BP-diol redox cycling are responsible, at least in part, for the mutagenic and cytotoxic effects observed with BP-3,6-dione.
Introductory FORTRAN textbooks: An overview for humanists

In suggesting FORTRAN as a computer language for humanists, I am certainly aware that many knowledgeable individuals consider it unsuitable. They point out its general lack of convenient, explicit facilities for handling the alphabetical information that interests humanists, as contrasted with the numerical information that interests humanists, as contrasted with the numerical information that interests scientists. They might observe that the very name stands for FORmula TRANslation, and the mathematical bias implicit in its name and some of its notational features should alone be enough to warn off humanists. While this attitude was certainly valid for the earliest versions of FORTRAN, it is much less true today both of the official standard of the language, ANSI FORTRAN, and the different versions the computer manufacturers make available. After all, FORTRAN was conceived in 1954 to perform the tasks possible on early computers. Today's thirdand fourth-generation computers have capabilities far beyond what was possible then, and FORTRAN as implemented on these machines is a much richer language than it was in 1954.' For example, UNIVAC'S FORTRAN V contains a feature not found in ANSI FORTRAN,jits FLD function,which makes processing alphabetical information very simple. Or again, IBM'S FORTRAN IV level H allows LOGICAL*1 type declarations and certain logical operations which also simplify such processing. In other FORTRANS, ENCODE and DECODE statements serve the same purpose. There is, then a rich diversity among FORTRANs which humanists can exploit for their own purposes. The real problem with FORTRAN is not so much that it will not allow humanists to do what they want but that the way in which they do it will work only on their own or very similar computers. A FORTRAN V program using the FLD function will not work on a CDC or IBM machine while a straightforward numerical program will. In moving such a program from one computer to another, there would undoubtedly be real, though solvable, problems. But those who are skeptical about FORTRAN'S usefulness to humanists ought to keep in mind that Michael Barnett's programming language SNAP, which is so rightly praised for its natural, English-like structure, is actually a disguised version of FORTRAN. The SNAP processor, the program that translates SNAP sentences into instructions the computer can carry out, is written in FORTRAN. Anyone working in SNAP is, as far as the computer is concerned, working in FORTRAN. Nevertheless, though SNAP is excellent as a pedagogical tool, it simply does not have the flexibility and widespread availability of languages like PL/I, FORTRAN, or SNOBOL which make
Human beta-defensin-2: a natural antimicrobial peptide present in amniotic fluid participates in the host response to microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity.

Objective. Human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) is a potent antimicrobial peptide that is part of the innate immune response. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HBD-2 is present in amniotic fluid and if its concentration changes with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC) and labor.Study design. Amniotic fluid was retrieved by amniocentesis from 318 patients in the following groups: (1) mid-trimester (n = 75); (2) term not in labor (n = 28) and in labor (n = 51); (3) preterm labor and intact membranes without MIAC who delivered at term (n = 36), who delivered preterm without MIAC (n = 52), and preterm labor with MIAC who delivered preterm (n = 25); and (4) preterm premature rupture of membranes (preterm PROM) with (n = 25) and without MIAC (n = 26). MIAC was defined as a positive amniotic fluid culture for microorganisms. Amniotic fluid HBD-2 concentrations were determined using a sensitive and specific ELISA. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis.Results. (1) HBD-2 was detected...
Ophryocystis elektroscirrha sp. n., a Neogregarine Pathogen of the Monarch Butterfly Danaus plexippus (L.) and the Florida Queen Butterfly D. gilippus berenice Cramer1

SYNOPSIS. Naturally occurring populations of the monarch butterfly, Danaus plexippus (L.) and the Florida queen butterfly D. gilippus berenice Cramer were found infected with Ophryocystis elektroscirrha sp. n. This neogregarine pathogen infects the hypodermal tissue, remains in micronclear schizogony until after pupation of the host, and then rapidly completes morphogenesis in the tissue that becomes the scales of the adult butterfly. The adult thus carries the spores externally; no internal infection was detected. The pathogen is unique in the genus Ophryocystis because: other species have all been reported from the Malphigian tubules of Coleoptera; no pseudopodial attachments of schizonts to host tissue were seen; the merozoites were motile; the cystic membrane surrounding the zygote was tenuous, and the sporont developed with no apparent membrane other than the spore wall: and the spore wall appeared amber in transmitted light when morphogenesis was completed.
A Yersinia pestis YscN ATPase mutant functions as a live attenuated vaccine against bubonic plague in mice

Yersinia pestis is the causative agent responsible for bubonic and pneumonic plague. The bacterium uses the pLcr plasmid-encoded type III secretion system to deliver virulence factors into host cells. Delivery requires ATP hydrolysis by the YscN ATPase encoded by the yscN gene also on pLcr. A yscN mutant was constructed in the fully virulent CO92 strain containing a nonpolar, in-frame internal deletion within the gene. We demonstrate that CO92 with a yscN mutation was not able to secrete the LcrV protein (V-Antigen) and attenuated in a subcutaneous model of plague demonstrating that the YscN ATPase was essential for virulence. However, if the yscN mutant was complemented with a functional yscN gene in trans, virulence was restored. To evaluate the mutant as a live vaccine, Swiss-Webster mice were vaccinated twice with the ΔyscN mutant at varying doses and were protected against bubonic plague in a dose-dependent manner. Antibodies to F1 capsule but not to LcrV were detected in sera from the vaccinated mice. These preliminary results suggest a proof-of-concept for an attenuated, genetically engineered, live vaccine effective against bubonic plague.
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH IN BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS: HISTORICAL TRADITIONS AND IMPERATIVE FOR THE FUTURE

“Pure basic” science can become detached from the natural world that it is supposed to explain. “Pure applied” work can become detached from fundamental processes that shape the world it is supposed to improve. Neither demands the intellectual support of a broad scholarly community or the material support of society. Translational research can do better by seeking innovation in theory or practice through the synthesis of basic and applied questions, literatures, and methods. Although translational thinking has always occurred in behavior analysis, progress often has been constrained by a functional separation of basic and applied communities. A review of translational traditions in behavior analysis suggests that innovation is most likely when individuals with basic and applied expertise collaborate. Such innovation may have to accelerate for behavior analysis to be taken seriously as a general-purpose science of behavior. We discuss the need for better coordination between the basic and applied sectors, and argue that such coordination compromises neither while benefiting both.
MATERNAL BEHAVIOR DURING INTERACTION WITH PREMATURE INFANTS

A trend from infant oriented to non-infant oriented maternal behaviors has been described during the breast feeding (bf) of term infants over the first month of life. The present study describes maternal contact behavior in 10 mother-premature infant (m BW 1078gm) pairs during early bf and play interaction. Play sessions were begun when each infant was medically stable and continued weekly until discharge (with 1 follow-up visit). Bf was begun at a mean of 1300gm (mean age = 33 days) and observed weekly to discharge. 11 separate maternal behaviors were scored by a time sampling technique from 10 min videotape recordings of the sessions. Preliminary results (from 6 dyads) suggest (1) the total number of maternal behaviors during play and bf remain constant over time for each mother; but (2) the types of maternal behavior changes, shifting from infant oriented to non-infant oriented. For example, in examinations of play interactions at three points in time (1st play, last-in-hospital, follow-up), the percentage of time spent in en-face holding decreases over time (Friedman (2 df) = 6.58; p<.05), while maternal looking away behaviors increase (Fr (2) = 6.33; p<.05). Four in-hospital breastfeeding sessions were also compared: over time, maternal looking away behaviors increase (Fr (3) = 12.20; p<.01). Results indicate that the developmental sequence of interaction between premature infants and mothers is similar to that which occurs with term baby-mother dyads.
Preconditioning thermal therapy: Flipping the switch on IL-6 for anti-tumour immunity

Cancer immunotherapy aims to generate long-lived, tumour-specific adaptive immunity to limit dysregulated tumour progression and metastasis. Tumour vasculature has emerged as a critical checkpoint controlling the efficacy of immunotherapy since it is the main access point for cytotoxic T cells to reach tumour cell targets. Therapeutic success has been particularly challenging to achieve because of the local, cytokine-rich inflammatory milieu that drives a pro-tumourigenic programme supporting the growth and survival of malignant cells. Here, we focus on recent evidence that systemic thermal therapy can switch the activities of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6), to a predominantly anti-tumourigenic function that promotes anti-tumour immunity by mobilising T cell trafficking in the recalcitrant tumour microenvironment.
Housing Tenure Status and Housing Satisfaction

Increased knowledge concerning the determinants of perceived consumer satisfaction with housing would permit a more sensitive response to demand in private markets and in the design of government programs to improve the supply of housing. In this study the probability of reporting satisfaction with housing was examined for those who live in single-family homes, duplexes, apartments and mobile homes and for renters and owners. Findings include: (1) housing characteristics were more important determinants of housing satisfaction than the demographic characteristics of housing occupants, (2) mobile-home dwellers were the least likely to be satisfied with their homes, and (3) apartment and duplex dwellers had similar preferences for housing characteristics.
Molecular mechanisms of diketone neurotoxicity

Summary The important industrial and commercial solvents n-hexane and methyl n-butyl ketone undergo metabolic conversion in experimental animals and man to the neurotoxic γ-diketone 2,5-hexanedione. Several molecular mechanisms of action have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of 7-diketone neuropathy. Such a mechanism must account for the target organ specificity, neurofilament accumulation, structure/activity relationships, in vivo covalent binding, and apparent direct axonal toxicity encountered in this syndrome. It has been proposed that the γ-diketones exert their effects by reaction with sulfhydryl moieties of energy-producing axonal glycolytic enzymes, with resultant disruption of axoplasmic transport. Others have suggested that reaction instead occurs with lysine moieties of axonal cytoskeletal proteins to form alkyl pyrrole adducts, leading to damaging physicochemical changes in these proteins. Additional hypotheses involve inhibition of axonal sterologenesis, alterations in nerve membrane properties, and reduced neurofilament proteolysis within the nerve terminal. Although a comprehensive mechanism of action for the γ-diketones remains to be demonstrated, much progress has been made toward this goal. Ultimate success awaits elucidation of the interactions of the neurotoxic diketones with axonal components at the molecular level. Previous reviews have addressed the historical, pharmacokinetic, and neuropathological aspects of this neuropathy. The present critique will examine proposed molecular mechanisms for the γ-diketones with regard to theoretical considerations and experimental evidence.
Frontal zone mixing and Antarctic Bottom water formation in the southern Weddell Sea

Abstract Hydrographic section with closely spaced stations, occupied in the southern Weddell Sea during the International Weddell Sea Oceanographic Expedition aboard the USCGC Glacier in austral summer 1973, were used to investigate the mixing in the frontal zone near the shelf break. The Warm Deep Water is modified by mixing with Winter Water before it intrudes on the shelf. This Modified Warm Deep Water then mixes with highly saline Western Shelf Water to form cold Weddell Sea Bottom Water. Formation of bottom water probably takes place on the southern shelf of the Weddell Sea west of somewhere between 29 and 40°W. The classically defined Antarctic Bottom Water forms when the Weddell Sea Bottom Water mixes with the Warm Deep Water above as it flows out of the sea to the east.
Independence of symmetry breaking on Bem1-mediated autocatalytic activation of Cdc42

The ability to break symmetry and polarize through self-organization is a fundamental feature of cellular systems. A prevailing theory in yeast posits that symmetry breaking occurs via a positive feedback loop, wherein the adaptor protein Bem1 promotes local activation and accumulation of Cdc42 by directly tethering Cdc42GTP with its guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) Cdc24. In this paper, we find that neither Bem1 nor the ability of Bem1 to bind Cdc42GTP is required for cell polarization. Instead, Bem1 functions primarily by boosting GEF activity, a role critical for polarization without actin filaments. In the absence of actin-based transport, polarization of Cdc42 is accomplished through Rdi1, the Cdc42 guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor. A mathematical model is constructed describing cell polarization as a product of distinct pathways controlling Cdc42 activation and protein localization. The model predicts a nonmonotonic dependence of cell polarization on the concentration of Rdi1 relative to that of Cdc42.
Crisis communication in higher education: The use of “negotiation” as a strategy to manage crisis

Abstract This case study examined the crisis response strategies of Louisiana State University after its women's head basketball coach resigned amid charges of inappropriate conduct with former basketball players. This case study draws on relationship management and negotiation as the theoretical lens to examine the efforts of the University in managing relationships and restoring its image. Data for this study was collected through opened-ended questionnaires from students, faculty, and staff at the University. The findings from this study indicate that the good reputation of the University was responsible for the positive evaluation of the crisis management. In addition, results from this study suggest that “negotiation” can play an important role in managing a crisis when the conflicting parties are not willing to participate in a dialogue.
Genetic and cellular basis of multistep carcinogenesis

Abstract Experimental evidence indicates that cancer development is a multistep process, and that multiple genetic changes are required before a normal cell becomes fully neoplastic. These genetic changes involve oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, and possibly senescence genes. From studies in vivo using several different animal models, the stages are broadly defined as initiation, promotion and progression, and clearly involve both genetic and epigenetic events. Studies in vitro using cell culture systems have allowed the multistep process to be dissected in greater detail at both the cellular and molecular genetic level. In the Syrian hamster embryo cell culture model, neoplastic progression requires four heritable changes, involving activation of two oncogenes and loss of two tumor suppressor genes. Like the experimental systems, a limited number of studies of human tumors suggest that the multistep paradigm is also applicable, and that similar genetic events are involved in the development of cancer in humans.
Comparative Plaque Acidogenesis of Caries-resistant vs. Caries-susceptible Adults

The authors conducted a comparative study of plaque acids in three-day fasting or resting plaque samples from ten pairs of caries-resistant (CR) and caries-susceptible (CS) subjects chewing a sucrose gum for a period of 45 min. The study disclosed two important differences: 1) The amount and rate of production of lactic acid were lower in the CR group, especially at ten min; and 2) in contrast to lactic acid levels, the level of acetic acid was significantly higher in the CR group at zero time (before chewing), and after 20 and 45 min of chewing the sucrose gum. Both the lower levels of lactic acid and the higher levels of acetic acid are (paradoxically) consistent with the higher plaque pH values reported for CR when compared to CS subjects. High pK' acids (such as acetic, as well as propionic and butyric) can provide a buffering system (acetate-acetic acid) capable of countering the pH decrement generated by the low pK' acids (lactic, formic and pyruvic).
Two years of free-electron laser applications research in biological physics

The Vanderbilt free-electron laser has been operational for several years. This extended collaboration has been investigating outstanding problems in biological physics and medical physics with several research goals in mind. Our most fundamental goal is to improve the understanding of intermolecular and intramolecular vibrational energy transfer mechanisms in biopolymers. Our approach is to pursue both experimental and theoretical research addressing vibrational energy transfer in biological physics. The remaining goals can be summarized as the application of our fundamental advancements in polymer physics to molecular biology and to clinical and surgical medicine.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
N-independent leftward transcription in coliphage lambda: deletions, insertions and new promoters bypassing termination functions.

Lambda mutants capable of N-independent red-gam gene expression were isolated by selecting Fec+ plaque-forming derivatives of λN+nutL- (Fec-) strains. In addition to true nutL+ reversions, three classes of second-site mutations were identified: (1) ninL deletions that remove a region containing either tL1 or both tL1 and tL2 termination signals, or only a small region (defining the rut site) just upstream from tL1, (2) new constitutive promoters that map just upstream from the tL2 termination site and which are created either by point mutations (hip) or by short insertion sequences (isp), (3) small internal deletions in gene cro. The positions and individual effects of these mutations, some of which only partially abolish termination function, provide evidence for a complex multipartite structure of the termination signals.
Effect of lipoproteins and growth factors on the proliferation of BHK-21 cells in serum free culture.

Abstract Baby hamster kidney-derived cells (BHK-21 cell line), seeded at low density on gelatin coated dishes and exposed to a 1:1 (v/v) mixture of Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium and Ham's F-12 medium, proliferate actively when exposed to high density lipoproteins (HDL), transferrin, and basic or acidic fibroblast growth factor (FGF). This serum free medium combination supported cell multiplication at a rate equal to that of serum supplemented medium, and at low cell input (10 3 cells/35-mm dish). Epidermal growth factor (EGF), although mitogenic for BHK-21 cells, was less efficient than either basic or acidic FGF in supporting cell growth. When the potency of basic and acidic FGF were compared, acidic FGF was 10-fold less potent than basic FGF. The requirement of BHK-21 cells for transferrin appears to be minimal since cells exposed to HDL and basic FGF could be serially transferred for at least 50 cumulative population doublings in the absence of transferrin.
Confinement as a determinant of macromolecular structure and reactivity. II. Effects of weakly attractive interactions between confined macrosolutes and confining structures

The effect of weak, nonspecific interaction between molecules confined within restricted elements of volume ("pores") and the boundary surfaces of the pore, upon the reactivity and physical state of the confined molecules, is explored by means of simple models. A confined molecule is represented by a rectangular parallelopiped having one of six orientations aligned with the cartesian coordinate axes, and the confining volume element is represented by a pair of parallel surfaces (planar pore), a tube of square cross section (square pore), or a cubical box (cubical pore). Weak interactions are modeled by square-well potentials having a defined range and well depth. Partition coefficients for distribution of molecules between the bulk and confined phase are calculated using an extension of the statistical-thermodynamic theory of Giddings et al. (1968). It is calculated that surface attraction with a potential of only a few kcal/mol monomer may result in large increases in the extent of self- or heteroassociation of confined molecules (as much as several orders of magnitude in favorable cases) linked to adsorption of the oligomeric species onto boundary surfaces. Calculations are also presented suggesting that surface attraction can lead to deformation of the native structure of adsorbed macromolecules. It is suggested that these findings are relevant to an understanding of the structure of eukaryotic cytoplasm.
Highly Branched Poly(ether ester)s via Cyclization-Free Melt Condensation of A2 Oligomers and B3 Monomers

This paper reports the first synthesis of A2 + B3 highly branched polyesters with the minimal formation of cyclics in the absence of a polymerization solvent. Highly branched poly(ether ester)s were synthesized in the melt phase using an oligomeric A2 + B3 polymerization strategy. Condensation of poly(propylene glycol) (Mn ∼1060 g/mol) and trimethyl 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylate in the presence of titanium tetraisopropoxide generated highly branched structures with high molar mass when the reaction was stopped immediately prior to the gel point. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to monitor molar mass as a function of monomer conversion and to determine the gel point. Monomer conversions at both the theoretical and experimental gel points for an A2:B3 = 1:1 molar ratio agreed well. Thus, cyclization reactions, which are common in A2 + B3 polymerization in solution, were negligible in the melt phase. The degree of branching (DB) increased with an increase in monomer convers...
Film dosimetry analyses on the effect of gold shielding for iodine-125 eye plaque therapy for choroidal melanoma.

One of the methods currently being used to treat choroidal melanoma employs an episcleral plaque containing I-125 radioactive seeds. However, comprehensive dosimetry studies on the plaque are scarce and controversial. For this work, we use film to study the dosimetry outside the lip of the gold shield of the eye plaque. This lip around the gold shield was made to protect the critical structures behind and adjacent to the lesion. Since the changes of energy spectrum of I-125 in tissue are negligible, film dosimetry seems to be a logical choice because of high spatial resolution required around the lip of the gold plaque. For this study, we first established an H and D curve with dose expressed in a unit of specific dose rate constant. This avoids absolute dose measurements. All film density measurements are made with a 1-mm aperture scan, normalized to the density at the prescription point for tumor of 3--5-mm apical height, i.e., 5 mm from the interior surface of sclera, and converted to percentage isodose curves. With a gold shield, it is found that when the plaque is placed against the optical nerve, the optical disk and macula, located at 2 mm outside the lip, onmore » the exterior surface of sclera, may receive 85% of the prescription dose for a 12-mm plaque and 58% for a 16-mm plaque. For tumors of 8-mm apical height, the optical nerve would receive more than the prescription dose.« less
International Space Station life extension

The Aerospace Corporation (Aerospace) was commissioned by the Review of Human Spaceflight Plans Committee to identify and explore technical issues associated with extending the life of the International Space Station (ISS) beyond the end of CY2015. 12The ISS life extension issues identified and discussed in this paper include: ISS international agreements, recertification of aging hardware, repair and replacement of critical hardware items, the availability of spare parts, transportation for provisioning, and resources available to conduct science. Comments on operations and provisioning costs, and a top level timeline for ISS extension are also discussed.
The National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) Sibling Pairs Genome-Wide Data

Here we provide a detailed description of the genome-wide information available on the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) sibling pair subsample (Harris et al. in Twin Res Hum Genet 16:391-398, 2013). A total of 2,020 samples were genotyped (including duplicates) arising from 1946 Add Health individuals from the sibling pairs subsample. After various steps for quality control (QC) and quality assurance (QA), we have high quality genome-wide data available on 1,888 individuals. In this report, we first highlight the QC and QA steps that were taken to prune the data of poorly performing samples and genetic markers. We further estimate the pairwise biological relationships using genome-wide data and compare those estimates to the assumed relationships in Add Health. Additionally, using genome-wide data from known regional reference populations from Europe, West Africa, North and South America, Japan and China, we estimate the relative genetic ancestry of the respondents. Finally, rather than conducting a traditional cross-sectional genome-wide association study (GWAS) of body mass index (BMI), we opted to utilize the extensive publicly available genome-wide information to conduct a weighted GWAS of longitudinal BMI while accounting for both family and ethnic variation.
Electrical characterization of organic solar cell contact degradation resulting from ambient exposure

Abstract The electrical and photocurrent characteristics resulting from low light ambient degradation of organic bulk heterojunction solar cells are reported. The degradation is associated with the contacts and the active layer shows no evidence of any change in properties. Ambient exposure induces an exponential current–voltage characteristic in the contact region. An empirical model for the cell current–voltage characteristics shows how the cell properties may be corrected to recover the characteristics of the active layer. Modeling compares the effects of ohmic and exponential contact resistance on the solar cell response of a typical cell.
Effects of acute pentobarbital administration on GABAA receptor-regulated chloride uptake in rat brain synaptoneurosomes.

Effects of acute pentobarbital administration on GABAA receptor-regulated muscimol-stimulated, pentobarbital-stimulated, or flunitrazepam-enhanced, muscimol-stimulated chloride uptake were studied in the brains of Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals received sodium pentobarbital, 60 mg/kg IP and cerebral cortical and cerebellar Synaptoneurosomes were isolated at 10 min, l h and when animals had awakened. The basal uptake of chloride was not changed in either cerebral cortex or cerebellum at different time periods after pentobarbital administration. Ten minutes after sodium pentobarbital administration, muscimol-stimulated chloride uptake was significantly reduced in cerebellum when the muscimol concentration was 2.5, 5, or 20 μM and in cerebral cortex when the concentration of muscimol was 5 or 10 μM (p < 0.05, Duncan multiple-range test). One hour after pentobarbital administration or after animals had awakened, chloride uptake in brains from pentobarbital-treated animals was less at low concentration of muscimol (2.5 μM). No significant difference was found in either cerebral cortex or cerebellum in pentobarbital-(125-1,000 μM) stimulated or flunitrazepam-(2.5–20 μM) enhanced, muscimol-(3 μM) stimulated chloride uptake at different time periods after pentobarbital administration. Saline treatment had no effects on the basal or muscimol-stimulated chloride uptake in cerebellar Synaptoneurosomes when compared with naive animals. The results demonstrate that GABAA receptor-regulated chloride uptake is decreased after acute pentobarbital administration, an effect that is reversible.
Vertical profiles of carbon dioxide concentration in stable stratification

Abstract Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration ([CO2]) and gradients (ΔCO2) as well as profiles of wind speed and air temperature were measured from 0.5 to 16 m above ground at Mead, Nebraska. Initial observations indicate that under stable stratified conditions [CO2] and ΔCO2 are, to a first approximation, closely related to the concurrent Richardson number. Under near neutral conditions the vertical profiles of [CO2] are approximately logarithmic. For stable conditions, the plots of [CO2] against logarithm of height are curvilinear. The profile departure from linearity increases with increasing stability.