cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From evidence based bioethics to evidence based social policies.

Dear Editor, The comment ‘‘From evidence based bioethics to evidence based social policies’’ [1], published in the August 2007 issue, deals with an essential aspect for of interventions in public health: the effectiveness, the utility of the result, the benefit. The approach ‘‘evidence based’’ has raised an increasing interest in clinical medicine from the early nineties [2], and is often mentioned also in bioethics [3]. The author of the comment refers to an ‘‘evidence based’’ approach in bioethics and seems to suggest that useful results can justify, in an ethical perspective, any intervention. The comment is inspired by an article published in the same issue [4]: the article is, indeed, an interesting example of useful results obtained from existing information. In the case described in the paper it is easy to agree: excesses in the personal data protection could prevent from the achievement of important results in public health. In this case benefits undoubtedly exceed the uncertain advantages resulting from personal data protection. Nevertheless, this approach, if applied in other contexts and accepted as general criterion, could lead to a ‘‘utilitarianism’s tyranny’’, which does not admit a deep analysis of good and evil in themselves: the utilitarianism emphasizes only the evaluation of the consequences, profits or harmful, of our behaviours. On the contrary, a sound moral judgment must not be reduced to a calculation of the consequences or to the summation of individual good. There are human actions whose morality comes before any consequence. Apart from theoretical bases, and measuring consequentialism with the pragmatic criteria proposed by the consequentialism itself, the utilitarian/consequential approach is impracticable for at least two reasons: (a) it requires the knowledge of the future; (b) it assigns a responsibility for every consequences of our actions. Consequentialists could reply to these two points narrowing the moral responsibility to foreseeable consequences. However, from the point of view of the same consequentialism, this restriction lacks of foundation: restriction would be justifiable only if and only after having calculated that it will produce a good result; moreover each consequence potentially produces other consequences in an endless chain.
Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced dopamine cell loss in culture: roles of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and nitric oxide

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine (DA) neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Although the exact mechanisms responsible for this cell loss are unclear, emerging evidence suggests the involvement of inflammatory events. In the present study, we characterized the effects of the proinflammatory bacteriotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the number of tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive (THir) cells (used as an index for DA neurons) in primary mesencephalic cultures. LPS (10-80 microg/ml) selectively decreased THir cells and increased culture media levels of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as nitrite (an index of nitric oxide (NO) production). Cultures exposed to both LPS and neutralizing antibodies to IL-1beta or TNF-alpha showed an attenuation of the LPS-induced THir cell loss by at least 50% in both cases. Inhibition of the inducible form of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by L-NIL did not affect LPS toxicity, but increased the LPS-induced levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. These findings suggest that neuroinflammatory stimuli which lead to elevations in cytokines may induce DA neuron cell loss in a NO-independent manner and contribute to PD pathogenesis.
Systemic Appearance of Nutrients Placed into the Peritoneal Cavity

The use of the peritoneal cavity as a route for delivery of nutrients in patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis as well as patients not in renal failure has been proposed. In earlier studies we found dogs could be maintained for 30 days through continuous peritoneal infusion of a solution of amino acids, glucose, and lipids. We then conducted experiments to observe the rate of absorption of nutrients from the gut compared to the peritoneal cavity, the relative rate absorption of amino acids, sugars, and fats, and the absorption of of glucose polymers from the peritoneal cavity. These latter experiments are the subject of this report. In a dog model we observed D-xylose was more rapidly absorbed through the peritoneal cavity than through the gut, but amino acids were absorbed at the same rate. Glucose and amino acid are absorbed at the same rate through the peritoneal cavity, but lipids do not appear in the system circulation for 2 1/2 hr. Intraperitoneal glucose polymer produces an increase in serum glucose concentration that is lower and more sustained than what occurs after giving an equal amount of plain glucose. It is concluded that the peritoneal cavity rapidly transports glucose, amino acids, and glucose polymers and slowly transports lipids into the systemic circulation. Consideration of this route for delivery of nutritional support seems reasonable, but further studies of appropriate concentrations and rates of delivery will be required.
A Decomposition Method for the Simultaneous Planning and Scheduling of Single-Stage Continuous Multiproduct Plants

In this paper, we address the problem of simultaneously integrating the planning and scheduling of continuous multiproduct plants that consist of a single processing unit. We present a multiperiod mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) optimization model that is based on a continuous time representation, which becomes computationally very expensive to solve as the length of the planning horizon increases. To circumvent this problem, a rigorous bilevel decomposition algorithm is proposed to reduce the computational cost of the problem. The original simultaneous model is decomposed into an upper level planning problem and a lower level planning and scheduling problem. The upper level determines the potential products to be processed, their production levels, and inventories. The lower level is solved in the reduced space of binary variables and determines production levels, product inventories, and the detailed sequence of products and their corresponding processing times. Integer cuts and logic cuts are p...
Metallurgical properties and electrical characteristics of palladium silicide-silicon contacts

Abstract The fabrication, metallurgical properties, and electrical characteristics of palladium silicide (Pd 2 Si) contacts to n -type Si have been investigated. Pd 2 Si/Si contacts are similar in electrical and metallurgical behavior to PtSi/Si contacts, but can be fabricated at much lower temperatures. Pd was found to react readily with Si at 200°C to form a silicide phase which was identified as Pd 2 Si from X-ray diffraction analysis. The electrical resistivity of the silicide is 40 × 10 −6 Ω cm as determined from sheet resistivity measurements. The barrier height at the Pd 2 Si/Si interface was determined from differential capacitance measurements to be 0.745±0.015 V. Current-voltage measurements and activation energy analysis gave barrier heights within this same range. Contact resistance measurements were made on contacts to Si surfaces with phosphorus doping levels of 2×10 20 /cm 3 . Resistance values obtained are comparable to both theoretical predictions and measurements reported on PtSi and Al contacts to Si.
Obesity-related health status changes and weight-loss treatment utilization.

Background Behavioral weight-loss treatment can improve health, yet it is underutilized. Factors leading to initiation of weight-loss treatment are not well characterized. In particular, it is unknown whether changes in obesity-related health status contribute to weight-loss treatment initiation. Purpose To determine if recent weight change or diagnosis of an obesity-related comorbidity was associated with utilization of a behavioral weight-loss program in an integrated healthcare setting. Methods In a retrospective cohort study of 45,272 Veterans Affairs (VA) patients with BMI >30, logistic regression was used to examine whether recent weight change or obesity-related comorbidities newly diagnosed in the past 6 months were associated with initiation of a VA behavioral weight management program (called MOVE!) in 2010 or sustained MOVE! use (eight or more sessions). Weight change in prior year was categorized as >3% weight loss; weight stable ( Results Patients were 91% male, 68% white, and had a mean age of 58 years. Patients were more likely to initiate treatment if they had ≥3% weight gain (3%–4.9%: OR=1.64, 95% CI=1.52, 1.77; 5%–9.9%: OR=1.99, 95% CI=1.84, 2.16; ≥10%: OR=2.68, 95% CI=2.32, 3.10) or were newly diagnosed with any obesity-related comorbidity (ORs: 2.14–3.59). Weight change and new comorbidity diagnoses were not associated, however, with sustained MOVE! use. Conclusions Adverse obesity-related health events were associated with initiation of behavioral weight-loss treatment offered in an integrated healthcare setting.
Antigen recognition by T lymphocytes

Many questions remain about the mechanisms of antigen recognition by T cells. Is antigen processing an absolute requirement for recognition by helper T cells? Does processing affect those areas of the antigen which associate with class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules (la antigens) or those which associate with T cell receptors or both? Where in the antigen-presenting cell (APC) does processing occur, and where does processed antigen associate with la? These questions were posed and discussed at a recent meeting on the immunology of proteins and peptides.
How Interaction of Perfringolysin O with Membranes Is Controlled by Sterol Structure, Lipid Structure, and Physiological Low pH INSIGHTS INTO THE ORIGIN OF PERFRINGOLYSIN O-LIPID RAFT INTERACTION

Perfringolysin O (PFO) is a sterol-dependent, pore-forming cytolysin. To understand the molecular basis of PFO membrane interaction, we studied its dependence upon sterol and lipid structure and aqueous environment. PFO interacted with diverse sterols, although binding was affected by double bond location in the sterol rings, sterol side chain structure, and sterol polar group structure. Importantly, a sterol structure promoting formation of ordered membrane domains (lipid rafts) was not critical for interaction. PFO membrane interaction was also affected by phospholipid acyl chain structure, being inversely related to tight acyl chain packing with cholesterol. Experiments using the pre-pore Y181A mutant demonstrated that sterol binding strength and specificity was not affected by whether PFO forms a transmembrane β-barrel. Combined, these observations are consistent with a model in which the strength and specificity of sterol interaction arises from both sterol interactions with domain 4 and sterol chemical activity within membranes. The lipid raft-binding portions of sterol bound to PFO may remain largely exposed to the lipid bilayer. These results place important constraints upon the origin of PFO raft affinity. Additional experiments demonstrated that the structure of membrane-inserted PFO at low and neutral pH was similar as judged by the effect of phospholipid and sterol structure upon PFO properties and membrane interaction. However, low pH enhanced PFO membrane binding, oligomerization, and pore formation. In lipid vesicles mimicking the exofacial (outer) membrane leaflet, PFO-membrane binding was maximal at pH 5.5–6. This is consistent with the hypothesis that PFO function involves acidic vacuoles.
Spatial, temporal, and physical characteristics of livestock depredations by large carnivores along a Kenyan reserve border

ARTICLE INFOArticle history:Received 4 June 2005Received in revised form7 October 2005Accepted 14 October 2005Available online 28 November 2005Keywords:Livestock depredationHuman–carnivore conﬂictRainfallSpotted hyenaLeopardABSTRACTMost large mammalian carnivores are in global decline, largely due to their involvement inlivestock depredation. Research that advances our understanding of predator–livestockinteractions is crucial to conﬂict mitigation and carnivore conservation. Here we investi-gated the inﬂuence of environmental and socio-ecological factors on livestock depredationby carnivores in pastoral villages adjacent to the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya dur-ing a 14-month period. We attempted to identify factors associated with temporal and spa-tial variation in depredation rates, incorporating data on a closely monitored spotted hyena(Crocuta crocuta) population known to be involved in depredation events. Spotted hyenas,leopards (Panthera pardus) and lions (Panthera leo) were responsible for 53%, 32%, and 15%of attacks on livestock, respectively. Monthly depredation frequency was correlated posi-tively with rainfall and negatively with natural prey abundance. Radio-telemetry revealedthat hyenas defending a group territory within the Reserve spent more time outside theReserve during months when hyena attacks on livestock were most frequent. Results oflogistic regression models, which indicated spotted hyenas were most likely to attack largevillages, were supported by behavioral observations of hyenas near villages. Leopards how-ever, selected villages that were spatially isolated from other villages. Hyenas were morelikely to attack livestock enclosures constructed of local bush material than those of moresturdy ‘‘pole’’ timber, but use of pole material more than doubled the probability of leopardattack. Selection of fence type should therefore depend on the size and relative isolation ofvillages. Overall, improved fences, more watch dogs, and high levels of human activitywere not associated with lower livestock losses to predators. 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Effects of prenatal administration of testosterone and cortisone on the reproductive system of the female rat

Testosterone propionate, cortisone, or sesame oil vehicle were given to rats during the last week of pregnancy so that effects of the hormones on anogenital distance, breeding capacity and vaginal opening of the female progeny could be contrasted. Testosterone significantly increased anogenital distance and delayed vaginal opening of progeny. When females that had been exposed to testosterone in utero were tested for breeding capacity, a significantly smaller number mated than in the control group. Female rats that had been exposed to cortisone in utero exhibited premature vaginal opening but did not differ from controls in anogenital distance, and, unlike the testosterone-exposed rats, mated. Cortisone-exposed rats carried litters to term and the litters did not differ from those of controls in numbers of pups or numbers of living pups at birth. The pups born to cortisone-exposed rats had greater birth weights and a higher survival rate to 20 days of age than pups of controls. Results indicate that testosterone administration to rats during pregnancy is far more detrimental to the development and subsequent function of the reproductive system of female progeny than cortisone and suggest that similar changes which occur in response to maternal stress or to administration of ACTH during pregnancy are more likely to result from increases in testosterone than from increases in glucocorticoid secretion.
An Evaluation of the Predictive Validity and Reliability of Ventilatory Threshold

Purpose To identify a valid and reliable method to determine 40-km time trial (40K) performance in a laboratory setting. Methods Part 1: Ventilatory threshold (VT) and 40K performance were determined on two occasions (February/September) using two subsets of cyclists (N = 15 each; VO(2max) 67.6 +/- 4.2/71.5 +/- 3.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) to determine the predictive validity of VT assessments. Variables of interest were power output at VT, peak power output (MaxVT(w)), and average power output during 40K (40K(avgwatts)). For VT determination we used: breakpoint of VE/VO2; breakpoint of VE/VCO2; V-slope; RER = 1; and RER = 0.95. In part 2, test-retest reliability of VT and MaxVT(w) were examined in 20 subjects (VO(2max) 64.8 +/- 8.0 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) on two occasions, separated by 48 h. Results Regression analyses between power outputs at VTs and 40K(avgwatts) showed significant predictive validity for (February/September): V-slope (r = 0.79/0.84; SEE 155/13.3W), VE/VO2 (r = 0.80/0.81; SEE 15.2/14.2W), RER0.95 (r = 0.73/0.58; SEE 17.4/21.2W), RER1 (r = 0.75/0.74; SEE 16.8/16.7W), and MaxVT(w) (r = 0.81/0.73; SEE 15.0/17.1W). Paired t-tests between power outputs at VTs and the 40K(avgwatts) indicated that mean power outputs at VE/O2 (261 +/- 29W; P = 0.33) and RER0.95 (274 +/- 55W; P = 0.93) in February and VE/VO2 (274 +/- 37W; P = 0.79) in September were not significantly different from the respective 40K(avgwatts) (277 +/- 30W/281 +/- 30W). Test-retest reliability analysis yielded the following intraclass correlation and relative test-retest errors: V-slope: 0.98, 2.6%; VE/VO2: 0.95, 5.3%; RER0.95: 0.87, 9.8%; RER1: 0.94, 5.7%; VE/VCO2: 0.87, 12.1%; MaxVT(w): 0.98, 2.6%. Conclusion The high test-retest reliability and consistent ability to accurately predict athletes' 40K(avgwatts) across a competitive season indicated that VE/VO2 was superior to the other evaluated methods.
Inhibition of various gram-positive and gram- negative bacteria growth on selenium nanoparticle coated paper towels

There are wide spread bacterial contamination issues on various paper products, such as paper towels hanging in sink splash zones or those used to clean surfaces, filter papers used in water and air purifying systems, and wrappings used in the food industry; such contamination may lead to the potential spread of bacteria and consequent severe health concerns. In this study, selenium nanoparticles were coated on normal paper towel surfaces through a quick precipitation method, introducing antibacterial properties to the paper towels in a healthy way. Their effectiveness at preventing biofilm formation was tested in bacterial assays involving Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The results showed significant and continuous bacteria inhibition with about a 90% reduction from 24 to 72 hours for gram-positive bacteria including S. aureus and S. epidermidis. The selenium coated paper towels also showed significant inhibition of gram-negative bacteria like P. aeruginosa and E. coli growth at about 57% and 84%, respectively, after 72 hours of treatment. Therefore, this study established a promising selenium-based antibacterial strategy to prevent bacterial growth on paper products, which may lead to the avoidance of bacteria spreading and consequent severe health concerns.
Technical information, technical assistance, and technology transfer—the need for a synthesis*

In the literature and often in practice, technical assistance, technical information, and technology transfer are treated as three separate activities. This paper discusses the relationship between them. Illustrations are given of the inability of overspecialized systems to effectively serve a broad range of needs. Some suggestions are made for research that is needed in this area. to help improve the design of systems and institutions and the training of people to carry out these functions. Some experimental ideas are presented which can help to resolve some of the policy and design problems in this area.
Benefits of cache-affinity scheduling in shared-memory multiprocessors: a summary

An interesting and common class of workloads for shared-memory multiprocessors is multiprogrammed workloads. Because these workloads generally contain more processes than there are processors in the machine, there are two factors that increase the number of cache misses. First, several processes are forced to time-share the same cache, resulting in one process displacing the cache state previously built up by a second one. Consequently, when the second process runs again, it generates a stream of misses as it rebuilds ita cache state. Second since an idle processor simply selects the highest priority runnable process, a given process often moves from one CPU to another. This frequent migration results in the process having to continuously reload its state into new caches, producing streams of cache misses. To reduce the number of misses in these workloads, processes should reuse their cached state more. One way to encourage this is to schedule each process based on its affinity to individual caches, that is, based on the amount of state that the process has accumulated in an individual cache. This technique is called cache affinity scheduling.
Euparinoid constituents of Encelia californica

Abstract Encelia californica Nutt. (Compositae, tribe Heliantheae) contains euparin and two new compounds of related constitution. No sesquiterpene lactones were found.
Ethanol and voltage- or receptor-mediated increases in cytosolic Ca2+ in brain cells

Abstract Dissociated brain cells were isolated from newborn rat pups and loaded with fura-2. Different mechanisms for stimulating increased free intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations ([Ca 2+ ] i ) were examined in the absence and presence of ethanol. KCl, carbachol, and kainate concentration-dependently increased [Ca 2+ ] i . Quisqualate also elevated [Ca 2+ ] i but did not produce clear concentration-dependent increases. KCl, carbachol, and quisqualate responses reached peak levels within 10–30 s and then desensitized within 90 s. However, kainate-stimulated increases in [Ca 2+ ] i plateaued and did not decline after 90 s. Of these different [Ca 2+ ] i -mediated processes, only 60 mM KCl stimulation was significantly inhibited by 100 mM ethanol, while lower KCl concentrations were not affected. Carbachol-induced release of intracellular Ca 2+ and activation of non-NMDA (i.e., kainate, quisqualate) excitatory amino acid receptor-operated cation channels were also not significantly inhibited by 100 mM ethanol. Thus, in acutely dissociated brain cells from newborn rats, only Ca 2+ influx via voltage- and, as reported previously, NMDA-operated Ca 2+ channels were sensitive to ethanol inhibition.
Atypical Presentation of Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome: Involvement of the Anterior Tibial Artery

Popliteal artery entrapment syndrome (PAES) is a rare condition that should be suspected in a young patient with exertional lower extremity pain. We report the case of an 18-year-old female volleyball player with bilateral exertional lower extremity pain who had been previously diagnosed with tendinitis and periostitis. Diagnostic studies showed entrapment of the left popliteal artery and the left anterior tibial artery. To our knowledge, there has only been 1 previous report of anterior tibial artery involvement in PAES.
The use of sphere gaps at radio frequencies

FOR many years the sphere gap has been used for measuring high voltage at power frequencies1,2 and it is also used for impulse testing. However, at present the sphere gap is not an accepted standard for the measurement of radio-frequency voltages. This is largely attributable to the lack of complete data on the spark-over values of sphere gaps in air, at radio frequencies. Some results have been published3?6 but they are not altogether consistent and the spectrum of frequencies covered is far from complete.
Relation between knee motion and ligament length patterns.

Fifteen knee specimens were tested in a 6°-of-freedom test machine using quadriceps force to drive continuous flexion-extension motion. Ten of the knees were again tested following isolated transaction of the anterior cruciate ligament. From transducer outputs, three-dimensional motion was determined. Using biplanar radiography and bone sectioning, ligament insertion coordinates and joint surface geometry were determined and used to calculate ligament length ratios as a function of knee flexion. Consistent motion patterns were seen in all knees. The prominent aspects of motion were a 15° internal rotation and an 8.6 mm anterior displacement of the tibia with flexion from 0 to 120°. Anterior cruciate transaction resulted in abnormal and excessive anterior-posterior displacement in early flexion, but a return to normal in late flexion. The results indicated that under our test conditions the boundaries of anterior-posterior motion were determined primarily by the cruciate ligaments, but tibial rotation was not guided by the cruciate ligaments.
Influence of DC bias field, excitation and detection frequencies on magnetic Barkhausen noise analysis

The micromagnetic Barkhausen emissions, widely known as Barkhausen noise, are quite dependent on excitation and detection frequencies. The input variables to generate these emissions are amplitude, wave form and frequency of magnetic excitation field. When DC bias field is coupled with an AC magnetic field, this complex excitation give rises to distortion of the magnetic hysteresis loop. Recent work showed the frequency dependence of hysteresis curves in ferromagnetic materials. Since there is strong correlation between the location on the B/spl Pi/ loop and Barkhausen noise, comprehending the magnetization mechanisms at each location is essential. The current investigation indicated significant changes in voltage waveforms, pulse height spectra, frequency spectra and RMS voltages of magnetic Barkhausen noise in magnetic materials with different DC bias fields, detection and excitation frequencies. >
dc conductivity of arsenic-doped silicon near the metal-insulator transition.

dc conductivity measurements have been made on uncompensated Si:As in the concentration range 6.85\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$32.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1${0}^{18}$R ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ for 0.5T77 K, although three samples were studied in a dilution refrigerator. Insulating samples exhibited variable-range hopping (VRH) behavior of the form \ensuremath{\sigma}(T)=${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}$(1/T${)}^{s}$ exp[-(${T}_{0}$/T${)}^{p}$] for 0.86${N}_{c}$0.99${N}_{c}$ for T8 K. The most satisfactory overall fit to the data is p\ensuremath{\sim}(1/4 and s\ensuremath{\sim}0, namely Mott VRH. A new criterion is given to decide the temperature regimes where Mott or Efros-Shklovskii VRH (p=(1/2) should be observed. The characteristic Mott temperature ${T}_{0}$\ensuremath{\propto}(1-N/${N}_{c}$${)}^{3\ensuremath{\nu}}$ yielded 0.77\ensuremath{\nu}0.97. Strong deviations from VRH behavior were observed for N0.84${N}_{c}$. Metallic samples showed a \ensuremath{\sigma}(n,T)=\ensuremath{\sigma}(n,0)+m(n)${T}^{1/2}$ dependence at sufficiently low temperatures. The results yield \ensuremath{\sigma}(n,0)=${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}$(n/${n}_{c}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1)}^{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ with ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{0}$=376 S/cm, 8.55${n}_{c}$8.60\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{18}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$, and \ensuremath{\mu}=0.60\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05. The coefficient m(n) shows behavior similar to that for Si:P, but shows a second sign crossing for n/${n}_{c}$\ensuremath{\sim}2.4. The m(n) results seem to confirm the dominance of the Hartree interaction for the many-valley case.
Complexity metrics for mixed model manufacturing systems based on information entropy

Mixed model manufacturing systems are increasingly used to meet global competition by providing a broad variety of products to customers. The increase of product variety adds more complexity to production processes, thus, leading to a negative effect on the performance of production processes. Therefore, it is of great interest to effectively measure such complexity and to quantify its effect on manufacturing system performance. In this paper, a set of complexity metrics are proposed for measuring the complexity of different elements in a manufacturing system. These metrics were defined by constructing a linkage with the communication system's framework. Different from those existing complexity measures defined in the literature, this paper considers production quality into the measure of the process capability on handling the complexity induced by the input demand variety. Examples are given in the paper to discuss different properties of the defined metrics and their potential applications.
Japanese beetle: chemosterilization by fumigation.

Fumigation of Popillia japonica Newman at atmospheric pressure with tepa or thiotepa produced sterility in both sexes. Calculated 90% egg sterility levels for males and females with thiotepa (the more effective sterilant) were 103 and 2726 min, respectively. Split periods of fumigation sterilized males more effectively than single periods of equal length. Fumigation of males at 35°C resulted in a 97% level of egg sterility after crossing with untreated females, whereas fumigation at 18.3°C only resulted in 65%.
A rapid histological technic for staining latex in roots of Taraxacum kok-sag-hyz.

The freezing technic described in this paper provides permanent slides of sections of the root of Taraxacum kok-saghyz with latex preserved in place. The following schedule is used: (1) Prefreeze the piece to be sectioned before removal from the root. (2) Mount in ice and section with chilled microtome knife. (3) Plunge frozen sections into the combination coagulant and stain prepared from Calco oil blue N. A., acetic acid and ethyl alcohol. (4) Wash in water. Aspirate if necessary. (5) Mount on a slide using Karo.This technic is rapid and simple. The sections are well adapted to making counts and measurements of latex tubes since there has been a minimum of latex loss. Latex is retained in place by keeping tissues frozen until introduced into the coagulant.
Deadweight Loss and the American Civil War: The Political Economy of Slavery, Secession, and Emancipation

Two broad positions have dominated the history of economic thought with respect to chattel slavery. The view of the classical economists, dating back as far as Adam Smith and including a good many abolitionists, was that slavery was inefficient and therefore unprofitable. The contrasting position of the new economic historians, most closely identified with Robert Fogel and Stanley Engerman, is that slavery was profitable and therefore efficient. Both positions are partly wrong (as well as partly right). Southern slavery was indeed profitable but nevertheless inefficient; it operated like other obvious practices — from piracy through monopoly to government subsidies — where individual gains do not translate into social benefits. In the terminology of economics, it was a system that imposed significant “deadweight loss” on the Southern economy, despite being lucrative for slaveholders. The paper presents both theoretical arguments and empirical evidence for the peculiar institution’s inefficiency. In the process it throws into fresh perspective many historical controversies about the antebellum South. A recognition of slavery’s deadweight loss has major implications for the origins of the Civil War. Slavery’s survival required extensive subsidies from government at all levels. A federal Fugitive Slave Law was among the most crucial ways that the national government socialized the system’s enforcement. That is why runaway slaves were such an important ingredient in sectional strife. A comparative investigation of slavery not just within the United States but elsewhere demonstrates that, wherever slaves could easily run away, the entire system was compromised.
Proteolytic activity by strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus casei.

Abstract Growth, acid production, and hydrolysis of milk proteins in sterile skim milk at 37°C were determined for seven strains of Lactobacillus plantarum , two of Lactobacillus casei , and one of L. casei ssp. pseudoplantarum . Hydrolysis of milk protein was monitored by SDS-PAGE. Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-4004 was the most proteolytic and began to hydrolyze β-casein after 125h; hydrolysis was complete after 215h. All strains of L. plantarum preferentially degraded β-casein of milk, whereas α s1 -casein was partially hydrolyzed by some strains. Lactobacillus casei NRRL B-1922 and L. casei NRRL-B 441 did not hydrolyze β-casein even after 265h. Lactobacillus casei ssp. pseudoplantarum ATCC 25598 partially hydrolyzed β-casein after 215h. The pH of milk at the end of proteolysis was above 4.0 with L. plantarum , 3.7 to 3.8 with L. casei , and 4.1 with L. casei ssp. pseudoplantarum ATCC 25598. Four strains of L. plantarum had maximum viable cell populations ranging from 1.2 × 10 6 to 2.0 × 10 6 cfu/ml. Two strains of L. plantarum exhibited minimal growth, whereas the viable cell population of the two strains of L. casei varied markedly. The viable cell population of L. casei ssp. pseudoplantarum at the end of proteolysis was similar to that of L. plantarum at 2.0 × 10 6 cfu/ml.
A novel posttranscriptional mechanism for dietary cholesterol-mediated suppression of liver LDL receptor expression.

It is well-established that over-accumulation of dietary cholesterol in the liver inhibits sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-mediated LDL receptor (LDLR) gene transcription leading to a reduced hepatic LDLR mRNA level in hypercholesterolemic animals. However, it is unknown whether elevated cholesterol levels can elicit a cellular response to increase LDLR mRNA turnover to further repress LDLR expression in liver tissue. In the current study, we examined the effect of a high cholesterol diet on the hepatic expression of LDLR mRNA binding proteins in three different animal models and in cultured hepatic cells. Our results demonstrate that high cholesterol feeding specifically elevates the hepatic expression of LDLR mRNA decay promoting factor heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (HNRNP)D without affecting expressions of other LDLR mRNA binding proteins in vivo and in vitro. Employing the approach of adenovirus-mediated gene knockdown, we further show that depletion of HNRNPD in the liver results in a marked reduction of serum LDL-cholesterol and a substantial increase in liver LDLR expression in hyperlipidemic mice. Additional studies of gene knockdown in albumin-luciferase-untranslated region (UTR) transgenic mice provide strong evidence supporting the essential role of 3′UTR in HNRNPD-mediated LDLR mRNA degradation in liver tissue. Altogether, this work identifies a novel posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism by which dietary cholesterol inhibits liver LDLR expression via inducing HNRNPD to accelerate LDLR mRNA degradation.
Global stabilization of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation via distributed output feedback control

Abstract This work addresses the problem of global exponential stabilization of the Kuramoto–Sivashinsky equation (KSE) subject to periodic boundary conditions via distributed static output feedback control. Under the assumption that the number of measurements is equal to the total number of unstable and critically stable eigenvalues of the KSE and a necessary and sufficient stability condition is satisfied, linear static output feedback controllers are designed that globally exponentially stabilize the zero solution of the KSE. The controllers are designed on the basis of finite-dimensional approximations of the KSE which are obtained through Galerkin's method. The theoretical results are confirmed by computer simulations of the closed-loop system.
Integrated Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography May Render Bone Scintigraphy Unnecessary to Investigate Suspected Metastatic Breast Cancer

Purpose Although the accurate detection of osseous metastases in the evaluation of patients with suspected metastatic breast cancer (MBC) has significant prognostic and therapeutic implications, the ideal diagnostic approach is uncertain. In this retrospective, single-institution study, we compare the diagnostic performance of integrated positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) and bone scintigraphy (BSc) in women with suspected MBC. Patients and Methods Women with suspected MBC evaluated with PET/CT and BSc (within 30 days) between January 1, 2003 and June 30, 2008, were identified through institutional databases. Electronic medical records were reviewed, and radiology reports were classified as positive/negative/equivocal for osseous metastases. A nuclear medicine radiologist (blinded to correlative and clinical end points) reviewed all equivocal PET/CT and BSc images and reclassified some reports. Final PET/CT and BSc classifications were compared. Baseline patient/tumor characteristic...
Von der OP bis zur Immuntherapie

Werden Hautmalignome fruhzeitig entdeckt, konnen sie chirurgisch entfernt und damit geheilt werden. In spateren Stadien, wenn der Tumor bereits metastasiert hat (Abb. 1), stehen mittlerweile neue und bessere Therapiemoglichkeiten zur Verfugung. Der nachfolgende Beitrag bringt Sie auf den aktuellen Stand.
Responsible Accounting for Stakeholders

Through a critique of existing financial theory underlying current accounting practices, and reapplication of this theory to a broad group of stakeholders, this paper lays a normative foundation for a revised perspective on the responsibility of the public accounting profession. Specifically, we argue that the profession should embrace the development of standards for reporting information important to a broader group of stakeholders than just investors and creditors. The FASB has recently moved in the opposite direction. Nonetheless, an institution around accounting for stakeholders continues to grow, backed by a groundswell of support from many sources. Based on institutional theory, we predict that this institution and the forces supporting it will cause changes in the public accounting profession, even if through coercion. We also provide examples of stakeholder accounting, building from the premise that a primary responsibility of accounting is to provide information to address the risk management needs of stakeholders.
Design and Implementation of an Efficient and Power-Aware Architecture for Skin Segmentation in Color Video Stream

In this paper, an efficient design for the high performance, power-aware architecture to extract skinlike regions in the video stream is presented. Skin segmentation is an important step in many image processing and computer vision applications such as face detection and hand gesture recognition. The design utilizes the high correlation and similarity of neighboring pixels in video streams to reduce switching activity (hence reducing dynamic power dissipation) in the arithmetic unit. The proposed design is implemented and fitted in the Altera's Cyclone II FPGA which is available in the DE2 development and educational board. The pipelined system is capable of performing the skin segmentation procedure in real-time with a processing rate of 654 frames per second for video frames with standard size of 640*480. It is observed that the proposed design helps to reduce operations and switching activities in the processing unit up to 42 percent which results in lower dynamic power dissipation with low hardware overhead.
A Symposium on the Future of Dentistry Report: Implications for the Public Sector: Does Dentistry as We Know It Have a Future?

The American Dental Association's Strategic Plan for the Future of Dentistry is primarily a self-serving document in that it attempts to protect the dentist regardless of the changing oral health needs of the population. Marketing, even if initially successful, will not increase the absolute demand for dental services, because persons on maintenance care require less care per year than sporadic users. Higher use will be balanced by less need. Excess supply creates incentive to overtreat. Today's dentist, as the dominant provider, does not have major motivation toward prevention, either by training or economic self-interest. The paper proposes that a modified hygienist, with more diagnostic training, should become the primary dental provider, with a better trained dentist as a secondary provider, combining problem solving and "surgical" skills. These changes would function best under a system combining group practice with a national health service.
Relative persistence of AAV serotype 1 vector genomes in dystrophic muscle

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior of pseudotyped recombinant adeno-associated virus type 1 (rAAV2/1) vector genomes in dystrophic skeletal muscle. A comparison was made between a therapeutic vector and a reporter vector by injecting the hindlimb in a mouse model of Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2D (LGMD-2D) prior to disease onset. We hypothesized that the therapeutic vector would establish long-term persistence through prevention of myofiber turnover. In contrast, the reporter vector genome copy number would diminish over time due to disease-associated muscle degradation.
Prevalence and patterns of cooking dinner at home in the USA: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007-2008

Objective: To measure the prevalence of cooking dinner at home in the USA and test whether home dinner preparation habits are associated with socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, country of birth and family structure. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. The primary outcome, self-reported frequency of cooking dinner at home, was divided into three categories: 0–1 dinners cooked per week (‘never’), 2–5 (‘sometimes’) and 6–7 (‘always’). We used bivariable and multivariable regression analyses to test for associations between frequency of cooking dinner at home and factors of interest. Setting: The 2007–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Subjects: The sample consisted of 10 149 participants. Results: Americans reported cooking an average of five dinners per week; 8 % never, 43 % sometimes and 49 % always cooked dinner at home. Lower household wealth and educational attainment were associated with a higher likelihood of either always or never cooking dinner at home, whereas wealthier, more educated households were more likely to sometimes cook dinner at home (P , 0?05). Black households cooked the fewest dinners at home (mean 5 4?4, 95 % CI 4?2, 4?6). Households with foreign-born reference persons cooked more dinners at home (mean 5 5?8, 95 % CI 5?7, 6?0) than households with US-born reference persons (mean 5 4?9, 95 % CI 4?7, 5?1). Households with dependants cooked more dinners at home (mean 5 5?2, 95 % CI 5?1, 5?4) than households without dependants (mean 5 4?6, 95 % CI 4?3, 5?0). Conclusions: Home dinner preparation habits varied substantially with socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity, associations that likely will have implications for designing and appropriately tailoring interventions to improve home food preparation practices and promote healthy eating.
Developmental changes in the activity and cellular localization of hepatic casein kinase II in the rat

Abstract The activity and cellular localization of hepatic casein kinase II(CKII) was examined during late fetal development in the rat. Cultured fetal hepatocytes displayed constitutive CKII activity which was not further activated by growth factor exposure. Similarly, fetal liver CKII showed approximately fivefold greater activity than adult liver. The fetal hepatic activity was, to a large degree, localized to a nuclear fraction. Postnuclear cytosol preparations from fetal and adult liver showed similar CKII activity. In all cases, FPLC ion exchange chromatography followed by Western immunoblotting showed that immunoreactive CKII coincided with kinase activity. However, Parallel determinations of CKII activity and immunoreactive CKII levels showed a higher(five-to sixfold) CKII specific activity in nuclear extracts compared to cytosol. In summary, fetal hepatic CKII demonstrates coincident nuclear localization and activation. We hypothesize that the regulation of hepatic CKII is relevant to the mitogen-independent proliferation displayed by fetal rat hepatocytes. © Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Rest of the Iceberg. Legume Diversity and Evolution in a Phylogenetic Context

Most readers of a special issue of Plant Physiology on legumes will be familiar with only a handful of species, primarily pea ( Pisum sativum ) and the various economically important “beans” such as soybean ( Glycine max ), and of course, the model legumes Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus
Matched coupled microstrip transistor amplifier methodology

In this paper, we present a generalized methodology for synthesizing narrowband amplifiers in coupled microstrip systems and detail a novel narrowband amplifier in a three-coupled microstrip topology utilizing chip capacitors for matching networks. The purpose of such a configuration is to validate the synthesis of microwave amplifiers in coupled microstrip technology (the ground plane being common to many fabrication technologies) where the planarity inherent to coplanar designs alleviates the need for vias, thereby reducing fabrication cost.
A Survey of Size-Fractionated Dust Levels in the U.S. Wood Processing Industry

A survey of size-fractionated dust exposure was carried out in 10 wood processing plants across the United States as part of a 5-year longitudinal respiratory health study. The facilities included a sawmill, plywood assembly plants, secondary wood milling operations, and factories producing finished wood products such as wood furniture and cabinets. Size-fractionated dust exposures were determined using the RespiCon Personal Particle Sampler. There were 2430 valid sets of respirable, thoracic, and inhalable dust samples collected. Overall, geometric mean (geometric standard deviation) exposure levels were found to be 1.44 (2.67), 0.35 (2.65), and 0.18 (2.54) mg/m, for the inhalable, thoracic, and respirable fractions, respectively. Averaged across all samples, the respirable fraction accounted for 16.7% of the inhalable dust mass, whereas the corresponding figure for thoracic fraction as a percentage of the inhalable fraction was 28.7%. Exposures in the furniture manufacturing plants were significantly hi...
Emerging Adults’ Text Message Use and Sleep Characteristics: A Multimethod, Naturalistic Study

Emerging adults use text messaging as a principal form of social communication, day and night, and this may compromise their sleep. In this study, a hypothetical model was tested linking daytime and nighttime text message use with multiple sleep characteristics. Subjective and objective measures of texting and sleep were utilized to assess 83 college students over a seven-day period during an academic term. Greater number of daily texts, awareness of nighttime cell phone notifications, and compulsion to check nighttime notifications were significantly associated with poorer subjective sleep quality. Awareness of nighttime notifications was significantly associated with higher self-reported global sleep problems and more sleep disruptions. Results suggest potential benefits of targeting nighttime texting habits in health promotion efforts for emerging adults.