cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abnormal Eye Position Signals in Interstitial Nucleus of Cajal in Monkeys With “A” Pattern Strabismus

Purpose Pattern strabismus is characterized by a cross-axis pattern of horizontal and vertical misalignments. In A-pattern strabismus, for example, a divergent change in the horizontal misalignment occurs on downgaze. Work with nonhuman primate models has provided evidence that this disorder is associated with abnormal cross-talk between brainstem pathways that normally encode horizontal and vertical eye position and velocity. Neurons in the interstitial nucleus of Cajal (INC) are normally sensitive to vertical eye position; in the present study, we test the hypothesis that, in monkeys with pattern strabismus, some INC neurons will show an abnormal sensitivity to horizontal eye position. Methods Monkeys were rewarded for fixating a visual target that stepped to various locations on a tangent screen. Single neurons were recorded from INC in one normal monkey, and two with A-pattern strabismus. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to estimate the preferred direction for each neuron. Results In the normal monkey, all INC neurons had preferred directions within 20° of pure vertical (either up or down). The preferred directions were significantly more variable in the monkeys with pattern strabismus, with a minority being more sensitive to horizontal eye position than vertical eye position. In addition, the vertical eye position sensitivity was significantly less in the monkeys with strabismus. Conclusions In pattern strabismus, neurons in INC show neurophysiological abnormalities consistent with a failure to develop normal tuning properties. Results were consistent with the hypothesis that, in pattern strabismus, INC receives an abnormally strong signal related to horizontal eye position.
Thermal Explosion Characteristics of a Gelled Hypergolic Droplet

When a sphere of one reactant is placed in the medium of another reactant with which it is hypergolic, a chemical reaction (modeled here as a zeroth-order one-step irreversible Arrhenius reaction) ...
Designing for medication safety

Abstract One of the most common interventions in health care is medication use. Although simple when contrasted against interventions such as surgery, the high incidence of adverse drug events highlights the complexity and risk inherent in the medication-use process. This process comprises multiple interconnected stages: prescribing, order processing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring. Not only is there considerable variation in how steps are executed across stages, but the interconnected nature of the stages may also mean that errors made in one stage often have a cascading effect on subsequent stages. This chapter offers guidelines for designing medication reconciliation technology and presents a mixed methods empirical study in medication reconciliation.
A review on fly ash from coal-fired power plants: chemical composition, regulations, and health evidence

Throughout the world, coal is responsible for generating approximately 38% of power. Coal ash, a waste product, generated from the combustion of coal, consists of fly ash, bottom ash, boiler slag, and flue gas desulfurization material. Fly ash, which is the main component of coal ash, is composed of spherical particulate matter with diameters that range from 0.1 μm to >100 μm. Fly ash is predominately composed of silica, aluminum, iron, calcium, and oxygen, but the particles may also contain heavy metals such as arsenic and lead at trace levels. Most nations throughout the world do not consider fly ash a hazardous waste and therefore regulations on its disposal and storage are lacking. Fly ash that is not beneficially reused in products such as concrete is stored in landfills and surface impoundments. Fugitive dust emissions and leaching of metals into groundwater from landfills and surface impoundments may put people at risk for exposure. There are limited epidemiological studies regarding the health effects of fly ash exposure. In this article, the authors provide an overview of fly ash, its chemical composition, the regulations from nations generating the greatest amount of fly ash, and epidemiological evidence regarding the health impacts associated with exposure to fly ash.
De facto power of elites and regional growth

Institutions are considered one of the fundamental elements of economic growth. We analyse the impact of the feudal landlordship institution on regional economic growth in nineteenth century Prussia in order to help draw implications for the modern roles of institutions. To measure landlord power, we use three measures of feudal landlordship: landowner concentration, servant population share, and household‐servant population share. These proxies, measured in 1816, are associated with both faster regional population growth and agricultural productivity growth, but no impact on industrialization in the early nineteenth century. However, in the latter nineteenth century, these same proxies are associated with delayed industrialization and no influence on regional population. Thus, stronger feudal landlordship was beneficial to regional growth when agriculture was the dominant industry but became detrimental to growth when manufacturing became dominant. Las instituciones se consideran uno de los elementos fundamentales del crecimiento economico. Se analizo el impacto de la institucion de los terratenientes feudales en el crecimiento economico regional de la Prusia del siglo XIX, a fin de contribuir a extraer consecuencias utiles para las funciones modernas de las instituciones. Para medir el poder de los terratenientes, se utilizaron tres medidas de la propiedad feudal: la concentracion de terratenientes, la proporcion de la poblacion de siervos y la proporcion de la poblacion de sirvientes domesticos. Estos indicadores indirectos, medidos en 1816, estan asociados tanto con un crecimiento mas rapido de la poblacion regional como con el aumento de la productividad agricola, pero no tuvieron ningun efecto en la industrializacion de principios del siglo XIX. Sin embargo, a finales del siglo XIX, estos mismos indicadores indirectos se asocian con una industrializacion tardia y no influyen en la poblacion regional. Asi pues, el fortalecimiento de la propiedad feudal fue beneficioso para el crecimiento regional cuando la agricultura era la industria dominante, pero se volvio un impedimento para el crecimiento cuando la industria manufacturera se volvio dominante. 制度は経済成長の基本的な要素の一つと考えられている。本稿では、19世紀プロイセンにおける地域の経済成長に対する封建的土地所有制度の影響を分析し、現代における制度の役割の意義を引き出す。封建的土地所有の3つの尺度(土地所有者の集中度、使用人の人口比率、家事使用人の人口比率)を使用して地主の権力を測定した。これらの代替指標は、1816年に測定されたもので、早い地域の人口増加と農業生産性の増加の両方と関連しているが、19世紀初頭の工業化に対する影響は認められない。しかし、19世紀後半には、これらの代替指標は工業化の遅れと関連しており、地域の人口に対する影響は認められない。以上のように、農業が支配的産業であった時代には、強固な封建的土地所有制度は地域の成長にとって有益であったが、製造業が支配的になると成長に対して不利益をもたらした。
Fault Detection in Flexible Beams Based on Output Only Measurements

Transmissibilities are mathematical models that describe the relationship between outputs of an underlying system. This paper uses transmissibilities for fault detection and localization in a class of flexible structures. We assume that the dynamics of the beam and the excitation signal acting on it are unknown. We consider an experimental setup consisting of a flexible cantilever beam with multiple accelerometers attached to it. The dynamics of the beam and the excitation signal that acts on it are assumed to be unknown. Transmissibility operators between the accelerometers are identified under healthy conditions of the beam, and then used for online fault detection and localization in the flexible beam. We consider a change-of-stiffness fault in the flexible beam to demonstrate the proposed algorithm. In order to test the algorithm under different faults that can be difficult to implement experimentally, we develop a bond graph model of the beam. A simulation of the bond graph model is used to obtain the acceleration measurements at different locations on the beam, and the proposed algorithm is tested under fatigue faults.
Developing Cultural Humility During Short-Term Study Abroad Immersion

Background: Cultural humility is an essential part of nursing education and practice today. We often teach cultural competence but do not take it further to develop the cultural humility needed for an understanding of being and becoming in today’s global environment. Method: This article describes a ten-day immersive study abroad experience to Mexico using strategies to develop cultural humility. Cultural immersion is a high impact practice and was used along with reflective writing and debriefing. Results: Cultural humility did emerge because of the trip to Mexico. Strategies used to develop this were reflective writings, discussions, debriefing and cultural immersion. These emerged as strong strategies to use in study abroad experiences. Conclusion: Nursing students can develop cultural humility during short-term immersion trips to Mexico. Further study of these strategies are needed to develop further knowledge of cultural humility and its impact on developing culturally congruent health care, reducing health disparities and promoting health equity.
Counterweight: Diversifying News Consumption

The bias of news articles can strongly affect the opinions and behaviors of readers, especially if they do not consume sets of articles that represent diverse political perspectives. To mitigate media bias and diversify news consumption, we developed Counterweight---a browser extension that presents different perspectives by recommending articles relevant to the current topic. We provide a platform to encourage a more diversified consumption of news and mitigate the negative effects of media bias.
Transition of Care for Adolescent and Young Adult Patients on Dietary Therapy for Epilepsy

Ketogenic diets are high-fat, low-carbohydrate diets designed to alter metabolism, induce nutritional ketosis, and reduce seizures in patients with epilepsy. In the past 15 to 20 years, the diets have been refined, gaining momentum in the treatment of resistant epilepsy. As ketogenic diets have gained popularity for treatment of pediatric epilepsies, an increasing number of adolescents treated with dietary therapy are approaching the age of transitioning their care to adult providers. Transition of care for this vulnerable population brings unique challenges posed by a paucity of adult providers who prescribe ketogenic diets, a lack of adult nutritionists trained in dietary therapy for epilepsy, and reluctance of pediatric patients to transition care. In this article, we will discuss the rationale for establishing transition protocols for young adult patients with epilepsy and present guidelines for transition of care for patients treated with dietary therapy for epilepsy.
How are culturally inclusive teaching practices integrated into business school’s curriculum? An analysis of syllabi from the United States

This study investigates the treatment of culturally inclusive teaching practices in schools of business. A content and quantitative analysis were performed on 392-course syllabi selected from manag...
The semi-complementizer shuō and non-referential CPs in Mandarin Chinese

The empirical focus of this paper is the syntactic status of the semi-complementizer shuō grammaticalized from verbs of saying, in Mandarin Chinese. Such elements have been shown to exhibit atypical patterns compared to that in English, which triggers discussions of whether shuō should be analyzed as a complementizer (Paul, 2014; Huang, 2018). This paper presents novel data surrounding the distributional patterns of shuō and argues that shuō is a C head that introduces a subtype of CPs called non-referential CPs, following de Cuba (2017).
Telepsychiatry: A Unique Opportunity for Learning the Psychiatric Interview

The COVID-19 crisis has forced mental health services to transition to a new era in digital communication. As a result, guidelines have rapidly expanded in order to improve access to care. This new...
Electronic musical instrument

An electronic stringed instrument which uses electrical resistance wires as strings to control the frequency of electrically generated sounds. By shorting a string at various points along its length a variable voltage output is obtained and converted into a known frequency. A fretted instrument provides a means to incrementally control the voltage output and a non-fretted type instrument with a conducting fingerboard can provide a means to variably control the voltage output. A separate current source may be provided for each string to faciliate chord playing and a control for the intensity and harmonic content of the signals is provided. An internal power supply and speaker may also be employed to make the instrument readily portable.
Modeling as a Tool for the Optimal Design of a Downdraft Gasifier Operating on Waste Feedstock

Small-scale gasification coupled with an internal combustion engine for CHP generation is a well-explored method of bioenergy production. Several commercially available systems can be found across Europe. However, this kind of technology is typically designed to operate optimally and produce minimal tar only when clean, ideal feedstocks with a narrow distribution of moisture, size, and heating value are used. In Canada, the ability to utilize the abundant source of residual biomasses for CHP production would improve the economic case for these units significantly. Therefore, an adaptation of this kind of CHP system is required to be able to utilize alternative, low-value residual feedstocks and achieve optimal efficiency without excessive tar production. This study will investigate the utilization of a simplified kinetic/transport model for the design of a downdraft gasifier operating on residual feedstocks. Experimental data utilizing construction and demolition waste, oriented strand board and chipped pallets are used to validate the developed model. The results show that the model has the ability to be used as a predictive design tool for gasifiers to achieve optimal carbon conversion and reduced tar production for various feedstocks that are relevant to Canada.
Multicolor in situ hybridization and linkage analysis order Charcot-Marie-Tooth type I (CMTIA) gene-region markers.

Abstract This study demonstrates a clear and current role for multicolor in situ hybridization in expediting positional cloning studies of unknown disease genes. Nine polymorphic DNA cosmids have been mapped to eight ordered locations spanning the Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1 (CMT1A) disease gene region in distal band 17p11.2, by multicolor in situ hybridization. When used with linkage analysis, these methods have generated a fine physical map and have firmly assigned the CMT1A gene to distal band 17p11.2. Linkage analysis with four CMT1A pedigrees mapped the CMT1A gene with respect to two flanking markers (8B10-5 cM[LOD 5.2]-CMT1A-3.5 cM[LOD 5.3]-10E4). Additional loci were physically mapped and ordered by in situ hybridization and analysis of phase-known recombinants in CMT1A pedigrees. The order determined by multicolor in situ hybridization was 17cen-LEW301-8B10-5H5/6A9-VAW409- 5G7-6G1-4A11-VAW412-10E4-pter. Two ordered probes, 4A11 and 6G1, reside on the same 440-kb partial SfiI restriction fragment. These data demonstrate the ability of in situ hybridization to resolve loci within 0.5 Mb on early-metaphase chromosomes. Multicolor in situ hybridization also excluded the possibility of pericentric inversions in two unrelated patients with CMT1 and neurofibromatosis type 1. When used with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multicolor in situ hybridization can establish physical location, order, and distance in closely spaced chromosome loci.
Examining the Life Script of African‐Americans: A Test of the Cultural Life Script

Summary Life scripts are expectations of the timings of important events in the normative life and are considered to represent an idealized lifecourse. However, whether they always represent an idealized lifecourse has not yet been tested in groups that may experience an increased prevalence of negative emotional events, such as historically unfairly treated minorities. In the present study, 255 African-American adults completed a test of the life script. To ascertain the existence of a unique, African-American life script, half nominated events likely to happen in the prospective life of a typical infant and half nominated those events for a prototypical infant of their race. Whereas some novel events specifically relevant to African-Americans were mentioned in the current study, and a larger proportion of infrequently mentioned events were present compared with previous studies, overall, the findings support the expectations of the life script, as described by Rubin and Berntsen. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
OAO-2 Observations of the Near Ultraviolet Extinction Feature

OAO-2 near UV spectral scans of 75 early-type stars have been examined for evidence of the UV extinction bump. The bump has been detected in 40 of these stars. The position of the maximum of the bump is within ± 40 A of 2175 A in all cases. A color excess between the wavelengths 2175 A and 3500 A was determined for all 40 stars. This color excess, which is a measure of the bump strength, correlates very well with E(B — V) except for stars associated with nebulosity.
HISTORY OF DISPERSANT DEVELOPMENT: A DISPERSANT TIMELINE

ABSTRACT Initial experiences with oil spill dispersants were less than positive somewhat due to the fact that dispersants began their evolution as chemical substances that were perhaps more toxic than the oil that they were intended to disperse. Through time, however, dispersants were formulated to become less toxic. Beginning with caution, testing and evaluation though the U.S. national science community, then through public workshops and hearings, the US began the process of integrating dispersant usage into its repertory of response technologies.
Statistical analysis of stratospheric ozone data for the detection of trends

Abstract Time series modelling of monthly total ozone data is considered for the detection of trend in ozone due to the possible effects of the release of chloroftuoromethanes (CFMs). Based on ozone data from a global network of 36 ground-based Dobson recording stations over the period 1958–1978. our findings show little evidence of any trend in global ozone occurring in the 1970s. Using a random effects model for the individual station trend estimates, the global change in total ozone during 1970–1978 has been estimated as (0.28 ± 1.35)%. These results differ considerably from the theoretical CFM chemical model predictions of (−1.5 ±1.1)% change.
Non-expansive Hénon maps

Abstract This note will show, as an immediate consequence of a theorem of Fried, that many Henon maps are not expansive.
The simple reaction time as an aid in determining the sign of a visual transient response

Abstract A visible transient response at frequencies above fusion is described. The polarity of the response, as subjectively determined, is found to depend upon the order in which two alternating but fused light trains of different frequency are presented. The results of a transient threshold test and a simple reaction time test confirm the subjective determination. The implications of these results for models of flicker-fusion frequency mechanisms are discussed.
More about NP-completeness in the frustration model of spin-glasses

Is is pointed out that a recent proof of the NP-completeness of determining the ground state of spin-glasses is missing an important step. We fill in the step omitted by the author and in the process find that a stronger theorem can be proved.
Compatibility of Three Entomogenous Nematodes (Rhabditida) in Aqueous Solutions of Pesticides Used in Turfgrass Maintenance

Aqueous solutions of nine pesticides used in turfgrass maintenance were tested for compatibility with entomogenous nematodes. A range of sensitivity among pesticidenematode combinations was observed. The fungicides chlorothalonil, benomyl, and pentachloronitrobenzene (PCNB) and the herbicide dicamba were nontoxic to Neoaplectana Carpocapsae Weiser (= Steinemema feltiae ) (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae), N. bibionis Bovien, and Heterorhabditis sp. “HP-88” (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae). The carbamate insecticides carbaryl and bendiocarb were highly toxic to Heterorhabditis sp. “HP-88” but were less toxic to N. carpocapsae. N. bibionis was more highly sensitive to chlorpyrifos than were the other nematode species. Diazinon was significantly toxic only to Heterorhabditis sp. “HP-88” (48 h exposure). The inorganic mercurial fungicide Calo-Clor was highly toxic to all species tested; Heterorhabditis sp. “HP-88” were particularly sensitive. Generally, entomogenous nematode applications appear to be compatible with most of the turfgrass pesticides tested, although previous applications of persistent inorganic fungicides may preclude the use of the nematodes.
Cloning of STRL22, a New Human Gene Encoding a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Related to Chemokine Receptors and Located on Chromosome 6q27

Abstract Using PCR with pools of primers based on conserved sequences in chemokine receptors, we have cloned a human member of the G-protein-coupled receptor gene family. The new gene, which we have named STRL22, is predicted to encode a receptor related to chemokine receptors, including IL8RA (CXCR1), IL8RB (CXCR2), and CXCR4/fusin, and to the orphan receptors EBI1 and BLR1. Consistent with a role in leukocyte biology, STRL22 is expressed in lymphocytes and in lymphoid tissue. We have mapped STRL22 to chromosome 6q27. STRL22 cDNAs reflect alternative (or incomplete) mRNA processing in the 5′-nontranslated region, a phenomenon found in analysis of other chemoattractant receptor genes. In contrast to most chemokine receptor genes, the STRL22 coding sequence is not limited to a single exon.
Allergic Aspects of Aspergillosis

Aspergillus species and principally A. fumigatus cause a spectrum of pulmonary diseases depending on underlying host genetic risk factors. These include invasive aspergillosis, hypersensitivity lung disease, allergic asthma, allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, and mycetomas. These disorders, pathogenesis and host risk factors will be discussed.
Factors that Influence the Efficacy of Topical Gentamicin Prophylaxis for Experimental Pseudomonas Keratitis

Abstract We evaluated the efficacy of topical gentamicin prophylaxis for experimental Pseudomonas keratitis in rabbits by applying gentamicin in concentrations of 0.3 and 4 mg/100 ml, in both solution and ointment vehicles, one or four hours after a superficial stromal scratch was infected topically with Pseudomonas organisms. Under these conditions the most effective prophylaxis was that given early, in solution, and in high concentration
Secondary pseudotumour cerebri in a patient undergoing sexual reassignment therapy.

EDITOR: I read with interest the case of an overweight trans‐gendered male and the authors' conclusion regarding the potential role of testosterone in contributing to a secondary pseudotumour cereb...
High-risk retrieval of adherent and chronically implanted IVC filters: techniques for removal and management of thrombotic complications.

Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of aggressive techniques for retrieving adherent and chronically implanted inferior vena cava (IVC) filters. Materials and Methods A single-center retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent attempted filter retrieval from October 2007 through October 2008. Patients were included in the study if they had an adherent filter, refractory to standard retrieval techniques, and underwent high-risk retrieval after procedural risks were deemed lower than risks of long-term filter implantation. Results Fourteen patients were diagnosed with an adherent filter, 13 (93%) of whom were candidates for high-risk retrieval. These patients included seven men and six women (mean age, 40 years; age range, 18–71 years). Nine of the 13 patients (69%) were referred from an outside hospital. Filter retrieval was performed for the following indications: to avoid the risk of long-term thrombotic complications in a young patient ( n = 6), to treat symptomatic filter-related IVC stenosis ( n = 5), to treat symptomatic filter penetration ( n = 1), and to avoid the need for lifelong anticoagulation ( n = 1). There were eight Gunther-Tulip filters (mean dwell time, 356 days; range 53–1,181 days), two Optease filters (mean dwell time, 62 days; range, 52–72 days), one G2 filter (dwell time, 420 days), and two Recovery filters (mean dwell time, 1,630 days; range, 1,429–1,830 days). Three IVC occlusions necessitated recanalization to facilitate retrieval. High-risk retrieval with use of various techniques with aggressive force was successful in all 13 patients (100%). Partial caval thrombosis occurred in the first four patients (31%) but did not occur after procedural modifications were implemented. There were no complications at clinical follow-up (mean, 221 days; range, 84–452 days). Conclusions Alternative techniques can be used to retrieve adherent IVC filters implanted for up to 3–5 years. Although caval thrombosis was an observed complication, protocol modifications appeared to reduce this risk.
Evaluation of Transparencies for Psychology Instruction

Two studies support the classroom use of transparencies for student acceptance and improvement on performance tests.
A Sentence-to-Sentence Clustering Procedure for Pattern Analysis

Cluster analysis for patterns represented by sentences is investigated. The similarity between patterns is expressed in terms of the distance between their corresponding sentences. A weighted distance between two strings is defined and its probabilistic interpretation given. The class membership of an input pattern (sentence) is determined according to the nearest neighbor or k-nearest neighbor rule. A clustering procedure on a sentence-to-sentence basis is proposed. A set of English characters is used to illustrate the proposed metric and clustering procedure.
Titan's atmosphere in Late Southern spring observed with adaptive optics on the W. M. Keck II 10-meter telescope

Abstract Using adaptive optics on the W. M. Keck II telescope, we imaged Titan several times during 1999 to 2001 in narrowband near-infrared filters selected to probe Titan's stratosphere and upper troposphere. We observed a bright feature around the south pole, possibly a collar of haze or clouds. Further, we find that solar phase angle explains most of the observed east–west brightness asymmetry of Titan's atmosphere, although the data do not preclude the presence of a “morning fog” effect at small solar phase angle.
A tight lower bound for the best-a algorithm

We consider the problem of nonpreemptive scheduling with release dates on one machine to minimize total completion time (1|rj|∑jCj). We define the class of SPRT-subsequence algorithms which includes an e/(e−1)-approximation algorithm called BEST-α proposed by Chekuri et al. (1997) (e/(e−1)≈1.58). Previously, it was not known whether this bound was tight. We show that no algorithm in this class has an approximation ratio better than e/(e−1).
Quantitative analysis of multiple-hit footprinting studies to characterize DNA conformational changes in protein-DNA complexes: application to DNA opening by Esigma70 RNA polymerase.

Formation of many site-specific protein-nucleic acid complexes involves sequential conformational changes subsequent to initial binding which create functionally active assemblies. Characterization of population distributions and structural characteristics of intermediate and product conformations is necessary to understand both the mechanisms and the thermodynamics of these processes. For these purposes, here we develop the quantitative method of multiple hit footprinting (MHF), where chemical or enzymatic probing is performed as a function of either concentrations of the footprinting agent and/or time of exposure to it, in the multiple hit regime where many of the population or subpopulation of reactive DNA molecules are modified at more than one site. Properly controlled MHF experiments yield both the population distribution of different conformers and reactivity rate constants of the footprinting agent at all reactive positions in each conformer, which may be interpreted in terms of the accessibility of the site or the local concentration of the reagent. MHF experiments are particularly well-suited for dissecting effects at sites where unbound DNA is non-reactive and bound DNA is reactive with base-specific probes (e.g. KMnO4, DMS). We suggest that this method will also be applicable to analysis of enhancements in reactivity of other footprinting agents (e.g. DNase I, HO.). To demonstrate the utility of the MHF analysis, we quantify fragment distributions and individual site reactivities from multiple-hit KMnO4 footprinting of the non-template strand of Esigma70 RNA polymerase-lambdaPR promoter DNA complexes populated at binding equilibrium at 37 degreesC and transiently populated at a fixed time after a temperature downshift from 37 degreesC to 0 degreesC. For this system, a MHF analysis directly addresses the following questions: (i) what fraction of the population of promoter DNA molecules is open in the vicinity of the transcription start site (RPo) both at 37 degreesC and (transiently) after a downshift to 0 degreesC; (ii) does opening of the start site region in RPo occur entirely in one mechanistic step at the lambdaPR promoter and (iii) does the structure of RPo vary with temperature? In addition, we use the MHF-determined population distribution of KMnO4-reactive (RPo) and non-reactive promoter DNA to normalize the biphasic kinetics of decay of RPo to free promoter DNA after a 37 degrees to 0 degreesC temperature downshift, and thereby characterize the kinetics of the conformational changes involved in forming RPo.
Biomechanical signals inhibit IKK activity to attenuate NF-κB transcription activity in inflamed chondrocytes

Objective While the effects of biomechanical signals in the form of joint movement and exercise are known to be beneficial to inflamed joints, limited information is available regarding the intracellular mechanisms of their actions. This study was undertaken to examine the intracellular mechanisms by which biomechanical signals suppress proinflammatory gene induction by the interleukin-1-β (IL-1β)–induced NF-κB signaling cascade in articular chondrocytes. Methods Primary rat articular chondrocytes were exposed to biomechanical signals in the form of cyclic tensile strain, and the effects on the NF-κB signaling cascade were examined by Western blot analysis, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunofluorescence. Results Cyclic tensile strain rapidly inhibited the IL-1β–induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB, but not its IL-1β–induced phosphorylation at serine 276 and serine 536, which are necessary for its transactivation and transcriptional efficacy, respectively. Examination of upstream events revealed that cyclic tensile strain also inhibited the cytoplasmic protein degradation of IκBβ and IκBα, as well as repressed their gene transcription. Additionally, cyclic tensile strain induced a rapid nuclear translocation of IκBα to potentially prevent NF-κB binding to DNA. Furthermore, the inhibition of IL-1β–induced degradation of IκB by cyclic tensile strain was mediated by down-regulation of IκB kinase activity. Conclusion These results indicate that the signals generated by cyclic tensile strain act at multiple sites within the NF-κB signaling cascade to inhibit IL-1β–induced proinflammatory gene induction. Taken together, these findings provide insight into how biomechanical signals regulate and reduce inflammation, and underscore their potential in enhancing the ability of chondrocytes to curb inflammation in diseased joints.
Colonizing and transforming the criminal tribesman: the Salvation Army in British India

Under colonial rule, the constitution of the notion of a criminal caste drew on prevailing discourses about crime, class, and work, as well as on British notions about the nature of Indian society. Transforming Indian communities into criminal castes involved the construction of a body of knowledge defining the nature, habits, and characteristics of criminal castes. Through the inculcation of habits of discipline, Salvation Army reformatories sought to reform criminal tribespeople into subjected and productive bodies. Processes of reform were linked to the spatiotemporal expansion of the British Empire and the constitution of new forms of productive relations.
Data-dependent systems methodology for noise-insensitive phase unwrapping in laser interferometric surface characterization

Phase unwrapping recovers the actual surface topography from a calculated phase map, which is often degraded by a combination of surface defects and measurement noise. Prevalent unwrapping techniques are unable to differentiate between the surface and noise-created discontinuities, resulting in an improper surface recovery. In our approach the stochastic nature of the phase map is used by the data-dependent systems (DDS) methodology to separate the surface from noisy measurements. The DDS methodology identifies an adequate autoregressive moving-average model representing the measured phase values. An adaptive thresholding scheme carries out the phase discontinuity removal from the model residuals, employing statistical outlier detection. We then recover the surface by using the model and clean residuals. The proposed technique is found useful for unwrapping especially noisy and degraded phase maps.
Clinical Outcomes of Ultrasound-Guided Aspiration and Lavage in Calcific Tendinosis of the Shoulder

Objective To determine the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided aspiration and lavage in the treatment of patients with calcific tendinosis of the shoulder.
The effects of the extraocular muscles on eye impact force–deflection and globe rupture response

Abstract There are over 1.9 million eye injuries per year in the United States, with blunt impacts the cause of approximately one-half of all civilian eye injuries. No previous experimental studies have investigated the effects of the extraocular muscles on the impact response of the eye. A spring-powered blunt impactor was used to determine the effects that the extraocular muscles have on the force–deflection and injury response of the eye to blunt trauma. A total of 10 dynamic impact tests were performed at 8.2±0.1 m/s on five human cadaver heads. With the extraocular muscles left intact, the average peak force was found to be 271±51 N at 7.5±0.9 mm posterior translation; with the muscles transected, the average peak force was 268±26 N at 7.6±1.3 mm of posterior translation. From the data available from this study, the peak impact force and overall amount of translation during the impact are not affected by the extraocular muscles. Additionally, from the data presented in this study, the eyes with the extraocular muscles left intact do not rupture with a different injury pattern or display an increased risk for rupture than the eyes with the extraocular muscles transected. Therefore, it is believed that the effect of the extraocular muscles is not sufficient to drastically alter the response of the eye under dynamic impact. This information is useful to characterize the boundary conditions that dictate the eye response from blunt impact and can be used to define the biofidelity requirements for the impact response of synthetic eyes.
Phase fraction, texture and strain evolution in superelastic NiTi and NiTi–TiC composites investigated by neutron diffraction

Samples of superelastic NiTi and superelastic NiTi reinforced with 10 vol.% TiC particles were deformed under uniaxial compression to 975 MPa while neutron diffraction spectra were simultaneously collected. Despite the presence of stiff TiC particles, a macroscopic strain of 3% was obtained in the composite on loading and was fully recovered on unloading. The diffraction spectra were analyzed by Rietveld refinement that included a spherical harmonic description of the texture and a lattice plane (hkl) dependent formulation of the elastic strain. The experiments provided bulk, phase-specific measurements of the evolution of phase fractions, texture and strains during the reversible stress-induced austenite to martensite transformation responsible for the large recoverable strains. For the composite, Eshelby elastic theory is used to predict the discrete phase strains measured by neutron diffraction. The observed behavior suggests that the martensite accommodates the mismatch with the transforming austenite (while they co-exist) and the TiC particles (in the case of the composite).
Effect of dopamine and baclofen on N-methyl-d-aspartate-induced burst firing in rat ventral tegmental neurons

Intracellular microelectrode recordings were made from dopamine-containing neurons of the ventral tegmental area or substantia nigra zona compacta in rat brain slices in vitro. The firing pattern of the neurons was switched from a tonic, single-spike pattern to a burst firing mode by adding N-methyl-D-aspartate (20 microM) to the superfusing solution; after adding tetrodotoxin the membrane potential underwent rhythmical oscillations of 20-40 mV at 0.5-2 Hz. Baclofen (1 microM) and dopamine (30 microM) hyperpolarized the neurons; when the potential was restored to its original level, the oscillations of potential and/or burst firing were not observed, but the tonic firing pattern was restored. These effects of baclofen and dopamine were prevented by barium (1 mM), which also prevented the membrane hyperpolarization. Oscillations of membrane current of a similar frequency were observed when the somatic membrane was voltage-clamped at -60 mV; these were also blocked by barium (1 mM). It is concluded that the oscillations in membrane potential observed with N-methyl-D-aspartate are generated predominantly at a dendritic location which is not voltage-clamped with an electrode at the soma. Baclofen and dopamine inhibit the oscillations by increasing the potassium conductance and hyperpolarizing the dendrites.
Sediment yield from the tectonically active semiarid Western Transverse Ranges of California

Sediment yields from the world's rivers are generally highest from steep drainage basins with weak lithology, active tectonics, or severe land-use impacts. Here, we evaluate sediment yields from the Western Transverse Ranges of California in an attempt to explain why they are two- to tenfold greater than the surrounding areas of California. We found that suspended-sediment yields across the gauged basins of the Western Transverse Range during 1969–1999 varied by approximately an order of magnitude (740–5300 t/km2/yr). Similarly, fine-sediment concentrations for normalized discharge rates varied by almost two orders of magnitude (e.g., 1.3–110 g/L for the mean annual flood) for 11 previously unmonitored drainages of the Santa Ynez Mountains. Areas with high sediment yields consistently have weakly consolidated bedrock (Quaternary-Pliocene marine formations) and are associated with the highest rates of tectonic uplift of the region (>5 mm/yr). These regions are important to the sediment discharge budgets, because ~50% of the total suspended-sediment discharge from the Western Transverse Range is estimated to be generated within these regions, even though they represent only ~10% of the total watershed area. Previous estimates of suspended-sediment discharge from the Ventura River have likely been underestimated by ~50% because the gauging station is located immediately upstream of a high sediment yield region. We also found a significant and positive correlation between sediment yield and the percentage of a watershed with grassland and agricultural land use. These results suggest that there is adequate variation within the lithology, tectonics, and land use of the broader Western Transverse Range geologic province to induce large variations in sediment yield at the local scale.
Environmental Education and Environmental Attitudes

(1976). Environmental Education and Environmental Attitudes. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 48-51.
Experimental Organic Chemistry: A Small-Scale Approach, Second Edition (Wilcox, Charles F.; Wilcox, Mary F.)

If the instructor's choice is to incorporate small scale into the organic chemistry laboratory curriculum, then this book would be a viable selection as a text.
Genetic variation for big-vein symptom expression and resistance to Mirafiori lettuce big-vein virus in Lactuca virosa L., a wild relative of cultivated lettuce

Lactuca virosa L. is a wild relative of lettuce that is potentially an important source of resistance to big-vein disease, an economically damaging disease of lettuce. Identification of L. virosa accessions with resistance to Mirafiori lettuce big-vein virus (MLBVV), the disease causing agent, may be useful for lettuce breeding. The objectives of this research were to determine the genetic variation for big-vein symptom expression and MLBVV accumulation in diverse L. virosa accessions. Greenhouse testing was conducted to characterize variation for symptom expression 90–100 days after planting (DAP) with 70 L. virosa accessions in unreplicated experiments in 2001 and 2003, and with 10 accessions in an experiment with 3 replications conducted in 2004. In 2005, six replications of seven accessions were evaluated for the percentage of symptomatic plants 120 DAP and 180 DAP in a growth chamber experiment. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or nucleic acid spot hybridization was used to determine MLBVV presence or absence at each reading date. Genetic variation for symptom expression was confirmed among the L. virosa accessions, although the majority of tested accessions did not express big-vein symptoms. Symptomless infections were discovered, although accumulation of MLBVV to detectable levels appeared to be a slow process in L. virosa. Genetic variation for the incidence of MLBVV positive plants was identified within symptomless accessions, and suggests that symptom expression and MLBVV resistance may be independent factors contributing to big-vein resistance. Regardless, symptomless accessions with low MLBVV incidence were identified, and should be useful for breeding new big-vein resistant cultivars.
Obtaining S values for rectangular-solid tumors inside rectangular-solid host organs.

A method is described for obtaining S values between a tumor and its host organ for use with the MIRD formalism. It applies the point‐source specific absorbed fractions for an infinite water medium, tabulated by Berger, to a rectangular solid of arbitrary dimensions which contains a rectangular tumor of arbitrary dimensions. Contributions from pairs of source and target volume elements are summed for the S values between the tumor and itself, between the remaining healthy host organ and itself, and between the tumor and the remaining healthy host organ, with the reciprocity theorem assumed for the last. This method labeled MTUMOR, is interfaced with the widely used MIRDOSE program which incorporates the MIRD formalism. An example is calculated.
Cytotoxic effects of glutathione synthesis inhibition by L-buthionine-(SR)-sulfoximine on human and murine tumor cells

The glutathione (GSH) synthesis inhibitor, buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) was tested for cytotoxicity and thiol depletion in murine and human tumor cells in vitro, and for its antitumor activity and toxicity in vivo. The cell lines used in these studies included murine L-1210 leukemia, human RPMI 8226 myeloma, MCF-7 breast cancer and WiDr colon carcinoma. Soft agar colony forming assays showed that BSO was most effective at reducing tumor colony formation when exposed continuously to cells in vitro. Drug concentrations which inhibited colony formation to 50% of control levels ranged from 2.0–6.2 mM (for 1 hour exposures), 2–100 mM for 24 hour exposures and 0.4–1.40 μM (for continuous BSO exposures). Human myeloma cells proved most sensitive to BSO. In vitro cytotoxicity correlated with depletion of intracellular nonprotein sulfhydryls to ≤ 10% of control values in both L-1210 and 8226 cells. This was routinely achieved with prolonged exposures to mM BSO concentrations for > 24 hours. Normal mice tolerated high BSO doses (up to 5.0 g/kg) without evidence of acute toxicity. BSO was not active against L-1210 leukemia-bearing DBA/2 mice. When tested in vivo against MOPC-315 plasmacytoma-bearing BALB/c mice, BSO was not active at doses up to 4.0 g/kg. In contrast, the bifunctional alkylating agent melphalan (L-PAM) was active against MOPC-315 and this activity was enhanced by a 24 hour pretreatment of mice with 50 mg/kg of L-BSO. This BSO dose was shown to significantly reduce sulfhydryl levels in the liver (50% of control) and kidney (20% of control) but not in the bone marrow (100% of control). The enhancement by BSO was most significant only for the lower doses of L-PAM tested. These results suggest that BSO may not have direct antitumor activity, but that it can enhance cytotoxicity from a classic alkylating agent in vivo. Due to its low toxicity, BSO should be tested in combination with either anticancer agents which are dependent on (GSH) for detoxification and potential drug resistance.
Effect of Freeze—Thaw Cycles on Resilient Properties of Fine-Grained Soils

Abstract Stress-deformation data for silt and clay subgrade soils were obtained from in-situ tests and laboratory tests, for use in mechanistic models for design of pavements that will experience freezing and thawing. Plate-bearing tests were run on in-service allbituminous-concrete (ABC) pavements constructed directly on silt subgrade, and on an experimental ABC pavement constructed on clay subgrade, applying repeated loads to the pavement surfaces while the subgrade was frozen, thawing, thawed, and fully recovered. The in-service pavement had experienced several seasons of natural cyclic freezing and thawing, while the experimental pavement was artificially frozen and thawed twice. Repeated-load laboratory triaxial compression tests were performed on the same soils in the frozen and thawed states. Analysis of deflection data from the in-situ tests showed resilient moduli of the subgrade soils up to more than 10 GPa when frozen, as low as 2 MPa during the thawing period, and up to more than 100 MPa when fully recovered. Analysis of the laboratory tests, which gave moduli comparable to the latter values, showed that resilient modulus and Poisson's ratio in the thawed and recovering conditions can be expressed as a function of the stress state, the moisture content, and the dry density.
Evolution in Fast Forward: a Potential Role for Mutators in Accelerating Staphylococcus aureus Pathoadaptation

Pathogen evolution and subsequent phenotypic heterogeneity during chronic infection are proposed to enhance Staphylococcus aureus survival during human infection. We tested this theory by genetically and phenotypically characterizing strains with mutations constructed in the mismatch repair (MMR) and oxidized guanine (GO) system, termed mutators, which exhibit increased spontaneous-mutation frequencies. Analysis of these mutators revealed not only strain-dependent increases in the spontaneous-mutation frequency but also shifts in mutational type and hot spots consistent with loss of GO or MMR functions. Although the GO and MMR systems are relied upon in some bacterial species to prevent reactive oxygen species-induced DNA damage, no deficit in hydrogen peroxide sensitivity was found when either of these DNA repair pathways was lost in S. aureus. To gain insight into the contribution of increased mutation supply to S. aureus pathoadaptation, we measured the rate of α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin inactivation during serial passage. Detection of increased rates of α-hemolysin and staphyloxanthin inactivation in GO and MMR mutants suggests that these strains are capable of modifying virulence phenotypes implicated in mediating infection. Accelerated derivation of altered virulence phenotypes, combined with the absence of increased ROS sensitivity, highlights the potential of mutators to drive pathoadaptation in the host and serve as catalysts for persistent infections.