cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MANPOWER NEEDS IN UROLOGY IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY

Much of this article comes from material developed at the Strategic Planning Committee Workshop in San Diego, California, in 1995. Some comes from the AUA Workforce Committee evaluation. Special thanks are due to Drs. Logan Holtgrewe and Rod Taylor, as well as to many others who have supplied ideas and information for this manuscript. This is not a scientific paper; rather, it is more a compilation of my own impressions about the topic as listed.
Chemistry and pharmacology of skin toxins from the frog Atelopus zeteki (atelopidtoxin: zetekitoxin).

Abstract Chemistry and pharmacology of skin toxins from the frog Atelopus zeteki (atelopidtoxin; zetekitoxin). Toxicon 15, 115–128, 1977.—Zetekitoxins were obtained in purified form from skins of the Panamanian frog Atelopus zeteki by a series of steps which used preparative free-flowing electrophoresis in the last stages. The minor, less toxic component (zetekitoxin C) had an ld 50 of 80 μg per kg (i.p., mouse), and the major, more toxic component (zetekitoxin AB) had an ld 50 of 11 μg per kg. These toxins are water-soluble, low molecular weight, non-polypeptide, non-steroid and non-carbohydrate in nature. The zetekitoxins are clearly different from tetrodotoxin and chiriquitoxin. Atelopus zeteki were resistant to toxin obtained from their own skins. Zetekitoxin AB (1·5–3 μg per kg) produced sustained hypotension in anesthetized dogs and cats, during which time the pressor response to epinephrine and norepinephrine was unchanged, but that to carotid occlusion was reduced. The toxin at a concentration of 0·5 μg per 1 blocked vasoconstriction caused by electrical stimulation of perfused rabbit ear arteries, and this effect was antagonized by dextroamphetamine. It did not reduce contraction of the nicitating membrane or block α-adrenergic receptors (vas deferens). It partially blocked β-adrenergic receptors (guinea pig atria) only in high concentrations above 10 μg per 1.
The Use of a Cellular Strain Injury Criterion and Diffusion Tensor Imaging in a Computational Model of Traumatic Brain Injury

With the increase in the number of soldiers sustaining traumatic brain injury from military incidents and the recent attention on sports related traumatic brain injury, there has been a focused effort to develop preventative and treatment methods for traumatic brain injury (TBI). Traumatic brain injury is caused by mechanical loading to the head, such as from impacts, sudden accelerations, or blast loading, and the pathology can range from focal damage in the brain to widespread diffuse injury [1]. In this study, we investigate the injury mechanisms of diffuse axonal injury (DAI), which accounts for the second largest percentage of deaths due to brain trauma [2]. DAI is caused by sudden inertial loads to the head, and it is characterized by damage to neural axons. Despite the extensive research on DAI, the coupling between the mechanical loading to the head and the damage at the cellular level is still poorly understood. Unlike previous computational models that use macroscopic stress and strain measures to determine injury, a cellular injury criterion is used in this work as numerous studies have shown that cellular strain can be related to the functional damage of neurons. The effectiveness of using this cellular injury criterion to predict damage in a finite element model of DAI is investigated.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Methods for the treatment and prevention of bacterial biofilms

Attachment of bacterial cells to host tissue is usually a prerequisite to colonisation and pathogenesis. Surface-associated bacteria often form tightly-packed, exopolysaccharide-encased colonies known as biofilms. Biofilms play a role in the pathogenesis of dental caries, periodontitis, infective endocarditis, cystic fibrosis pneumonia, prostatitis, osteomyelitis, otitis media, infectious kidney stones and other chronic infections. In addition, biofilms that form on indwelling catheters are responsible for a majority of hospital-acquired bloodstream, eye, ear, nose, throat and urinary tract infections; and biofilms that form on permanently implanted medical devices, such as artificial heart valves and prosthetic joints, are a major cause of device failure. Biofilms are notorious for their resistance to conventional antimicrobial agents. The role played by biofilms in human disease, combined with the importance of biofilms in industry, agriculture and biotechnology, has led to an exponential growth in the ...
Equilibrium dimer concentrations in gases and gas mixtures

Abstract It is shown that dimer formation in gases is controlled by direct two-body contact collisions within a certain restricted range of energies, due to dimer-bond vibration to translation and to rotation energy conversions. This is in contrast to prior dimer theories which hold that three-body collisions are necessary. Association and dissociation transitions are found to proceed through the highest vibrational quantum level just below the dissociation limit of the intermolecular bond. Assuming Lennard-Jones or Morse interaction potentials, and anharmonic-oscillator vibrational energy levels for molecules captured in the intermolecular potential well, a simple formula is derived to calculate equilibrium dimer concentrations as a function of temperature. As inputs, two intermolecular potential parameters (well depth D α and stretch vibration ν α ) are required, besides molecular masses and mixing fractions. A correction is provided for dimers of molecules with low-energy wagging vibrations like UF 6 , which absorb excess kinetic energy in a collision. Calculated dimer concentrations and trends agree much better with experiment than earlier formulations.
The effects of household management practices on the global warming potential of urban lawns.

Urban residential lawns comprise the majority of intensely managed turfgrass systems, covering 1.9% of land in the continental United States (Milesi et al., 2005) and increasing at an annual rate of 800,000 ha (U.S. Depart. of Housing and Urban Development, 2000). Typical lawn maintenance involves mowing, management of lawn clippings, fertilization, irrigation, etc. Maintaining an aesthetically appealing lawn is a common driver for lawn irrigation and fertilization (Nielson and Smith, 2005). Currently, turfgrass is the most irrigated crop in the U.S. (Milesi et al., 2005) and fertilization rates are close to agronomic row crops and golf courses (Barthe, 1995). Between 50 and 70% of homeowners throughout the U.S. fertilize their lawns regularly, but only a few homeowners base their application rates on soil test recommendations (Barthe, 1995;Fissore et al., 2011; Law et al., 2004; Robbins et al., 2001).
Pulled fronts and the reproductive individual

In War and Peace, Leo Tolstoy expressed his opinions about the importance of “great men” in determining the outcome of historical processes. He said that particular individuals are relatively unimportant in comparison to the overall “forces of history”, comprising the actions, ideas, and emotions of the masses of human beings. Amusingly enough, the relative importance of the individual and the mass has become an interesting and important distinction in the development of theories related to front propagation in condensed matter systems. Several pieces of recent work focus upon situations in which the individual may count for a lot, and then give surprising results about the consequences of this individual importance Focus upon a system with two phases separated by a front. If one phase is more stable than the other, we can see a motion in which the stable phase propagates into the region previously occupied by the less stable one. One example arises in the theory of population dynamics. In one case, a more robust population moves into territory that was occupied by a less “fit” population. This description can fit a problem which might equally be catch the attention of a biologist, historian, physicist, or mathematician. There are two possibilities for the propagation of a one-dimensional front: Either the motion is “pulled” by the growing bits of stable phase extending far into the unstable region or alternatively it is “pushed” by the growth which occurs within the bulk of the boundary region. (13) If the propagating phase were a population of humans we would say the growth was pulled by the individuals at the very edge of the frontier or, conversely, that it was pushed by population pressure in the bulk. As pointed out in detail in an extensive recent review by Wim van Saarloos, (13) the distinction between the two cases corresponds to a difference in behavior. The pulled case is much more delicate, subject to fluctuations, and responsive to
Packet aggregation in multi-rate wireless LANs

In CSMA networks, there is significant overhead associated with packet transmission, including header and contention overhead. For applications where packets are small, such as Voice over IP (VoIP), these overheads mean that a majority of the transmission time is wasted. Packet aggregation is a technique to amortize the per-transmission overhead over multiple aggregated packets. However, existing heuristics are limited, often not considering multi-rate wireless MAC, or operation in a Wireless LAN (WLAN) environment. In this paper we formulate the problem of optimal aggregation for a multi-rate CSMA MAC protocol and show that it is NP-hard. We then propose two heuristics that solve the aggregation problem for multi-rate WLANs. The first, which we call Data Rate based Aggregation protocol (DRA), divides packets in the MAC queue into groups based on their data rate. DRA then aggregates packets in the same group and broadcasts the aggregated frame at the data rate of that group. DRA substantially increases throughput compared to state of the art aggregation protocols; in certain cases achieving up to a 200% increase in the number of VoIP calls supported by a single 802.11g AP. The second heuristic, which we call Data Rate based Aggregation with Selective Demotion (DRA-SD), enables cross data rate aggregation. Through preliminary evaluation, we show that selectively demoting packets can further improve performance.
Two-photon transitions in atomic inner shells: Relativistic self-consistent-field calculation for Xe.

The first relativistic self-consistent-field calculation of two-photon transition rates in atomic inner shells is described. Results agree very well with recent measurements of Xe $\mathrm{ns}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1s$ and $\mathrm{nd}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1s$ ($n=2,3,4$) transitions, except for $2s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1s$ where an unexplained discrepancy by a factor of \ensuremath{\sim}3 occurs.
Oxide-on-graphene field effect bio-ready sensors

Electrical detection schemes using nanoscale devices offer fast and label-free alternatives to biosensing techniques based on chemical and optical interactions. Here we report on the design, fabrication, and operation of oxide-on-graphene ion-sensitive field effect sensor arrays using large-area graphene sheets synthesized by chemical vapor deposition. In this scheme, HfO2 and SiO2 thin films are deposited atop the graphene sheet and play the dual role of the sensing interface, as well as the passivation layer protecting the channel and electrodes underneath from direct contact with the electrolyte. We further demonstrate the functionalization of the SiO2 surface with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). The oxide-on-graphene sensors operate in solution with high stability and a high average mobility of 5,000 cm2/(V·s). As a proof of principle, we demonstrate pH sensing using the bare or the APTMS-functionalized SiO2 as the sensing surface. The measured sensitivities, 46 mV/pH and 43 mV/pH, respectively, agree well with existing studies. We further show that by applying the solution gate voltage in pulse, the hysteresis in the transfer curve of the graphene transducer can be eliminated, greatly improving the ionic potential resolution of the sensor. These experiments demonstrate the potential of oxide-on-graphene ion-sensitive field effect sensors in on-chip, label-free and real-time biosensing applications.
Quantitative Forecasting Methods

Forecasting, An Introductory Discussion Forecasting Series with no Trend Forecasting Series with Trend Using Regression in Forecasting Forecasting Seasonal Series Forecasting Cyclical Series The Box-Jenkins Approach to Forecasting Monitoring Forecasts.
Sediment problems and lake restoration in Wisconsin

Abstract Twelve dredging projects are underway or will soon begin in Wisconsin. These include both natural and man-made lakes, with lake size and sediment removal up to 205 ha and 1,720,250 m 3 , respectively. Solids content of the sediments ranges from 70%–80% to 1%–5%. The projects were designed using a mixture of on-site data collection, predictive models, and professional judgement. Sediment disposal has limited project implementation, with arsenic being a special problem. Theoretically, sediment concentrations below 4 μg/g could still produce unacceptable contamination of groundwater at the disposal site. One project is being held up, pending completion of laboratory testing. Organic sediments from Lilly Lake were deposited in an active gravel pit and within diked areas on agricultural land. Passage through a spray irrigation system proved impractical. Rapid infiltration of water into the bottom and sides of the settling basins was short-lived due to the self-sealing characteristics of these sediments. Studies are now underway to determine the effect of lake sediment application to upland soils on corn production.
14C2H4: Its Incorporation and Oxidation to 14CO2 by Cut Carnations

Cut carnations ( Dianthus caryophyllus L. cv. `Improved White Sim9) were exposed to ultra high purity 14 C 2 H 4 (20 μl/1) during flower opening and senescence to study its incorporation and metabolism. During treatment precautions were taken to exclude inhibitory volatiles from rubber serum stoppers which were identified as CS 2 and COS. As with the pea seedling (Nature 1975, 255:144-147), cut carnations incorporated 14 C 2 H 4 into ethanol-soluble tissue metabolites and oxidized the hormone to 14 CO 2 . Oxidation increased from 0.5 to 3 dpm · mg dry wt −1 ·6 hr −1 during the period of flower opening and early petal wilt. As severe petal wilt set in, and the ovary increased in size and dry weight, oxidation increased to a peak of nearly 29 dpm · mg dry wt −1 ·6 hr −1 . Concomitant with this peak was a similar rise in the rate of 14 C 2 H 4 incorporation into the petals, peduncle, bracts, and sepals. Much higher rates of incorporation were found for the reproductive and receptacle tissues. Incorporation into these tissues steadily increased during flower opening reaching a peak of over 160 dpm · mg dry wt −1 · 6 hr −1 just before full bloom. This peak preceded a peak of endogenous ethylene production while the 14 C 2 H 4 oxidation peak followed it.
Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Precipitation Behavior and Texture Evolution in a Warm-Rolled P-Containing Interstitial-Free High Strength Steel

By using transmission electron microscopy and electron back-scattered diffraction, the effect of annealing temperature on the precipitation behavior and texture evolution in a warm-rolled interstitial-free high strength steel was studied. The results indicated that fine FeTiP could precipitate at 650 °C, and the number of those precipitates increased greatly with the increasing annealing temperature until 800 °C. Furthermore, the nucleation of FeTiP was influenced by the precipitation of TiC and (Ti, Nb) C. The near absence of FeTiP and a large volume fraction of TiC and (Ti, Nb) C in matrix are envisaged to be primarily responsible for the sharp γ-fiber texture. As the boundary pinning effect caused by FeTiP is weak and there are less interstitial C atoms in matrix. Thus, annealing at 800 °C leads to the highest intensity of γ-fiber texture.
A test for systematic errors in 40Ar/39Ar geochronology through comparison with U/Pb analysis of a 1.1-Ga rhyolite

Important sources of systematic error in 40Ar/39Ar dating arise from uncertainties in the 40K decay constants and K/Ar isotopic data for neutron fluence monitors (standards). The activity data underlying the decay constants used in geochronology since 1977 are more dispersed than acknowledged by previous geochronologically oriented summaries, and compilations of essentially the same data in nuclear physics and chemistry literature since 1973 have consistently produced lower estimates (and larger assigned uncertainties) of the constants for 40K → 40Ar and 40K → 40Ca decay. Considering also uncertainties in 40K/K, and the questionable existence of a γ-less electron capture 40K → 40Ar decay direct to ground state, the total 40K decay constant is known to no better than ±2% at the 2σ level.40Ar∗/40K ratios for individual standards are known to better than ±2% in some cases, but interlaboratory discrepancies of more than 2% in the 40Ar/39Ar ages of secondary standards like the Fish Canyon sanidine (FCs) suggest larger uncertainties. The very precisely determined decay constants for 238U and 235U, and the existence of quantitative internal U/Pb reliability criteria, offer an alternative basis for evaluation of both the 40K decay constants and the ages of 40Ar/39Ar standards. High precision U/Pb (zircon) and 40Ar/39Ar (alkali feldspar) data from the 1.1-Ga Palisade Rhyolite provide a highly sensitive basis for comparison. Ten U/Pb analyses on abraded single zircons as well as one analysis of six fragmented and HF leached crystals yield a 207Pb/206Pb age of 1097.6 +5.2/−5.4 Ma (95% confidence, including decay constant errors). 40Ar/39Ar incremental CO2 laser heating of single alkali feldspar grains yields nine undisturbed age spectra with error-weighted plateau ages (based on conventional decay constants and an age of 28.02 Ma for FCs) from 1086.5 ± 4.8 Ma (RFCsF239 = 52.7740 ± 0.3062) to 1090.4 ± 4.3 Ma (RFCsF239 = 53.0281 ± 0.2746) (2σ, including analytical errors only), with MSWD = 0.95. The weighted mean RFCsF239 value of these plateau steps (52.9011 ± 0.2324), including irradiation-related errors, is inferred to reflect the eruption-age RFCsF239 value of the Palisade Rhyolite alkali feldspar. Reconciliation of the 40Ar/39Ar and U/Pb results suggests that either the age of the 40Ar/39Ar standard is older, or the 40K total decay constant is smaller, than values in current use by geochronologists. Comparison with constraints from an historic eruption indicates a total 40K decay constant of 5.37 × 10−10/yr and an age of 28.05 Ma for FCs. Further applications of this approach will provide more robust solutions and allow estimation of uncertainties.
Natural regeneration and growth ofTaxodium distichum (L.) Rich. in Lake Chicot, Louisiana after 44 years of flooding

Lake Chicot, in south central Louisiana, USA, was created in 1943 by the impoundment of Chicot Bayou. Extensive establishment of woody seedlings occurred in the lake during a 1.5 year period, including the growing seasons of both 1986 and 1987, when the reservoir was drained for repair work on the dam. Study plots were established in September 1986 to document woody vegetation establishment and to provide a baseline by which to monitor survival and growth after flooding resumed.Taxodium distichum seedlings were the dominant species after one growing season, with a maximum density of 50 seedlings/m2, an average of about 2/m2, and an average height of 75 cm. The lake was reflooded at the end of 1987, bringing water depths at the study plots up to about 1.4 m. Temporary drawdowns were again conducted during the fall of 1992 and 1996. In December 1992, the site was revisited, new plots established, and saplings counted and measured. There was an average of 2.1T. distichum stems/m2, and the average height was 315 cm. After the 1996 growing season, there was still an average of about 1.9 stems/m2, and the average height had increased to 476 cm. Preservation ofT. distichum forests in relatively shallow but continuously flooded areas such as Lake Chicot may be a simple matter of draining the lake after a good seed crop and maintaining the drawdown long enough for the seedlings to grow taller than the typical growing season water level. In the case of Lake Chicot, this period was two growing seasons. This action will mimic natural, drought-related drawdowns of the lake and will allow the seedlings to establish themselves and grow tall enough to survive normal lake water levels.
Albedo of a Forest Modeled as a Plane with Dense Protrusions

An analytical model for the absorption of solar radiation by surfaces such as a pine forest or a wheat field is presented. Objectives include understanding the parameters affecting the absorption of the solar irradiance in a complex structure, and determining the influence of the direction of illumination on light trapping. The surface is treated as a Lambertian reflectivity soil-plane; thin, vertical cylinders are regarded as Lambertian reflectors. Using a dimensionless protrusion parameter based on the height and diameter of the vertical plant elements, optical characteristics (e.g., the dependence of the albedo on the solar zenith angle) of a complex structure are well quantified.
Defending plasma T3 is a biological priority

Triiodothyronine (T3), the active form of thyroid hormone is produced predominantly outside the thyroid parenchyma secondary to peripheral tissue deiodination of thyroxine (T4), with <20% being secreted directly from the thyroid. In healthy individuals, plasma T3 is regulated by the negative feedback loop of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis and by homoeostatic changes in deiodinase expression. Therefore, with the exception of a minimal circadian rhythmicity, serum T3 levels are stable over long periods of time. Studies in rodents indicate that different levels of genetic disruption of the feedback mechanism and deiodinase system are met with increase in serum T4 and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) levels, while serum T3 levels remain stable. These findings have focused attention on serum T3 levels in patients with thyroid disease, with important clinical implications affecting therapeutic goals and choice of therapy for patients with hypothyroidism. Although monotherapy with levothyroxine is the standard of care for hypothyroidism, not all patients normalize serum T3 levels with many advocating for combination therapy with levothyroxine and liothyronine. The latter could be relevant for a significant number of patients that remain symptomatic on monotherapy with levothyroxine, despite normalization of serum TSH levels.
Consensus Problem-Solving Increases Perceived Communication Openness in Organizations

Members of three established teams in different organizations participated in problem-solving sessions using a structured consensus model. Participants perceived a significant increase in communication openness during these sessions as compared to their previous problem-solving sessions. The increase in communication openness suggests an improved openness to the flow of information among team members. The results of this study provide early indicators of successful applications for this consensus model, including improving the participation of team members during strategic planning and enhancing the upward flow of information to senior decision-makers for purposes of organizational change and development.
Running a little late: chloroplast Fe status and the circadian clock

In plants, the circadian clock is known to regulate a wide variety of processes and it is clear that the clock‐conferred ability of plants to anticipate daily changes in environmental conditions confers significant fitness advantages. Two new studies highlight complex reciprocal interactions between the clock and chloroplast iron status and provide significant new insight into the role of iron in control of circadian period length. Iron (Fe) uptake and homeostasis are essential for plant growth and survival. These processes are carefully regulated to ensure adequate supplies of Fe to maintain metabolism while avoiding the negative effects of Fe over‐accumulation. Indeed, it is clear that Fe uptake, efflux, long‐distance transport and storage are controlled via transcriptional and post‐transcriptional regulatory mechanisms and in recent years, a number of new components of the Fe‐deficiency signalling cascade have been identified (Walker and Connolly, 2008; Palmer and Guerinot, 2009). In plants, the chloroplast represents a major sink for Fe; approximately 90% of the Fe found in leaves is contained within plastids, where it is associated with the photosystems, haem and chlorophyll. In addition, significant amounts of Fe are stored in chloroplasts in the form of ferritin‐Fe. Chloroplast Fe homeostasis poses significant challenges owing, in part, to the fact that while Fe is essential for chloroplast function, excess Fe participates in the generation of hydroxyl radicals, which may exacerbate oxidative stress associated with normal functioning of photosynthetic electron transport reactions. It is not yet known how plants sense Fe but it is assumed that photosynthetic organisms possess a mechanism to gauge chloroplast Fe status. Circadian rhythms are endogenous, ∼24 h rhythms that are generated by the circadian clock. The clock controls expression of ∼30% of …
Formation, growth and precipitation of fractal molecular aggregates in porous media

Abstract Analysis of small-angle scattering data, as well as novel precipitation measurements, are used to delineate the structure of the molecular aggregates that are formed when a fluid is injected into a porous medium to displace the in-place fluid. Our analysis suggests conclusively that these aggregates are fractal formed by diffusion-limited processes. The implications for the molecular weight distribution of the aggregates and modelling their flow and precipitation in a porous medium are discussed.
A spin label study of E. coli membrane vesicles.

Abstract The phase transition in E. coli membrane vesicles has been investigated by the spin labeling technique. N-oxyl-4′,4′-dimethyloxazolidine derivatives of stearic acid were incorporated into the vesicles. The results suggest that there are two phase transitions in these bacterial membrane vesicles (one at ≈20°C and the other at ≈30°C). These two phase transitions may be related to some of the functional properties of the membranes.
A rapid, simple method for isolating pinocytotic vesicles and plasma membrane of lung.

Abstract We have found means of isolating pinocytotic vesicles and attached plasma membrane from the low speed (200 × g ) supernatant of homogenates of lung. In lung, 5′-nucleotidase is restricted to pinocytotic vesicles and areas of incipient vesicle formation along the plasma membrane. In our method, P i released from AMP is precipitated as lead phosphate at the subcellular site of 5′-nucleotidase. The resulting increase in density allows collection of pinocytotic vesicles and attached plasma membrane as a pellet after centrifugation through sucrose ( d = 1.18) at 250 × g . The final pellet contains long strands of plasma membrane, and the vesicles retain their characteristic morphology including the delicate diaphragm covering their stomata. The entire procedure can be performed in less than 90 min.
Stability of artificial and natural satellites

A quantitative measure of stability based on Hill's definition is evaluated for direct and retrograde satellite orbits. These orbits are known as Poincare's first kind in the restricted problem of three bodies. Onsets of possible instabilities and captures are established. A critical (maximum) value of the satellites orbital radius is found for stability as a remarkably simple function of the mass-parameter. The results are applied to the natural satellites of the solar system.
Detection of bovine herpesvirus-1 in bovine semen by a nested PCR assay

A nested PCR assay targeting a portion of the glycoprotein IV gene has been developed for the detection of Bovine Herpesvirus-1 (BHV-1). Rapid and sensitive detection of the PCR products was achieved using a nonisotopic reverse dot-blot format with a visible color readout. Cross-reactivity of this PCR assay was not observed with the closely related BHV-3. The sensitivity of this assay when tested on a supernatant from a BHV-1 cell culture was approximately 4.5 TCID50 (50% tissue culture infectious dose). A procedure using the chelating resin Chelex 100 was used to prepare viral DNA from artificially inoculated samples of extended and raw semen for use in the PCR assay. In combination with nested PCR and reverse dot blot, this method allowed the detection of 5 x 10(3) TCID per 0.5 ml of semen, which is comparable to the detection in the Cornell Semen Test. The whole procedure can be completed in approximately 8 h. This assay has therefore the potential of replacing the currently available yet time consuming and costly detection methods for BHV-1 in bovine semen.
Public health and environmental benefits of adopting lead-free solders

After more than 7,000 years of wide-spread use, lead is figuratively sinking in contemporary industrial ecology and global societal commerce. But, despite the long research history of documenting the detrimental impacts of lead use, and of legislative initiatives to phase lead out of various products and processes, the United States currently has no federal mandate comparable to the European Union’s “restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment” banning the sale of new electrical and electronic equipment containing specified levels of six major toxic materials, including lead. Without a strong environmental agenda leaning toward preventive strategies, concerns about demonstrated public health effects often prove to be strong motivators of U.S. materials use policy. This article assesses various ways in which universal adoption of lead-free solders, coupled with additional material restrictions, may have tangible benefits for public health and the environment, and how these benefits may help secure true innovation in material selection and product design for the environment.
Mechanisms and clinical implications of post-exercise hypotension in humans.

HALLIWILL, J.R. Mechanisms and clinical implications of post-exercise hypotension in humans. Exerc. Sports Sci. Rev., Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 65-70, 2001. Post-exercise hypotension is common after moderate-intensity dynamic exercise. It results from persistent reductions in vascular resistance mediated
Central European Agrarian Reforms in a Historical Perspective

As the countries of central Europe go through the transition from plan to market, it is tempting to look to history for lessons that can be applied to the current situation. The challenges facing the central European economies are formidable: institutions of the Communist era have proven inadequate and a new set of institutions needs to be introduced. These include banking and credit, wholesale market development and rules governing contracts between buyers and sellers, price stabilization policies, land markets, new forms of cooperatives, new trading arrangements, and new information systems. There are a multitude of Western advisors in the countries
Determinants of parenting attitudes in mothers with severe psychopathology.

Determinants of individual differences in the sensitivity of parenting attitudes were investigated in mothers with schizophrenic or major mood disorders. Constructs from the major domains of the mother's childhood relational experiences, personality, social context, and child characteristics were evaluated in a developmental model to predict differences in parenting attitudes. Two pathways were identified. An index of the severity and chronicity of the mother's disorder was shown to predict less-adaptive parenting attitudes. A second pathway revealed that emotional support from network members influenced self-esteem, which predicted more adaptive parenting attitudes. However, perceptions of childhood relational experiences, particularly maternal uninvolvement, predicted parenting attitudes as well as accounted for relationships among emotional support, self-esteem, and parenting. The results were discussed from an attachment theory perspective. The implications of individual differences in maternal functioning for both the mother and the child's adaptation were discussed, and treatment issues were addressed.
Effects of industrial agriculture on climate change and the mitigation potential of small-scale agro-ecological farms

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), agriculture is responsible for 10–12% of total global anthropogenic emissions and almost a quarter of the continuing increase of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Not all forms of agriculture, however, have equivalent impacts on global warming. Industrial agriculture contributes significantly to global warming, representing a large majority of total agriculture-related GHG emissions. Alternatively, ecologically based methods for agricultural production, predominantly used on small-scale farms, are far less energy-consumptive and release fewer GHGs than industrial agricultural production. Besides generating fewer direct emissions, agro-ecological management techniques have the potential to sequester more GHGs than industrial agriculture. Here, we review the literature on the contributions of agriculture to climate change and show the extent of GHG contributions from the industrial agricultural system and the potential of agro-ecological smallholder agriculture to help reduce GHG emissions. These reductions are achieved in three broad areas when compared with the industrial agricultural system: (1) a decrease in materials used and fluxes involved in the release of GHGs based on agricultural crop management choices; (2) a decrease in fluxes involved in livestock production and pasture management; and (3) a reduction in the transportation of agricultural inputs, outputs and products through an increased emphasis on local food systems. Although there are a number of barriers and challenges towards adopting small-scale agroecological methods on the large scale, appropriate incentives can lead to incremental steps towards agro-ecological management that may be able to reduce and mitigate GHG emissions from the agricultural sector.
Nonconsensual withdrawal of nutrition and hydration in prolonged disorders of consciousness: authoritarianism and trustworthiness in medicine

The Royal College of Physicians of London published the 2013 national clinical guidelines on prolonged disorders of consciousness (PDOC) in vegetative and minimally conscious states. The guidelines acknowledge the rapidly advancing neuroscientific research and evolving therapeutic modalities in PDOC. However, the guidelines state that end-of-life decisions should be made for patients who do not improve with neurorehabilitation within a finite period, and they recommend withdrawal of clinically assisted nutrition and hydration (CANH). This withdrawal is deemed necessary because patients in PDOC can survive for years with continuation of CANH, even when a ceiling on medical care has been imposed, i.e., withholding new treatment such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation for acute life-threatening illness. The end-of-life care pathway is centered on a staged escalation of medications, including sedatives, opioids, barbiturates, and general anesthesia, concurrent with withdrawal of CANH. Agitation and distress may last from several days to weeks because of the slow dying process from starvation and dehydration. The potential problems of this end-of-life care pathway are similar to those of the Liverpool Care Pathway. After an independent review in 2013, the Department of Health discontinued the Liverpool Care pathway in England. The guidelines assert that clinicians, supported by court decisions, have become the final authority in nonconsensual withdrawal of CANH on the basis of “best interests” rationale. We posit that these guidelines lack high-quality evidence supporting: 1) treatment futility of CANH, 2) reliability of distress assessment from starvation and dehydration, 3) efficacy of pharmacologic control of this distress, and 4) proximate causation of death. Finally, we express concerns about the utilitarian-based assessment of what constitutes a person’s best interests. We are disturbed by the level and the role of medical authoritarianism institutionalized by these national guidelines when deciding on the worthiness of life in PDOC. We conclude that these guidelines are not only harmful to patients and families, but they represent the means of nonconsensual euthanasia. The latter would constitute a gross violation of the public’s trust in the integrity of the medical profession.
A Novel Protein Glycan Biomarker and Future Cardiovascular Disease Events

Background Glycosylated proteins partake in multiple cellular processes including inflammation. We hypothesized that GlycA, a novel biomarker of protein glycan N -acetyl groups, is related to incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), and we compared it with high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). Methods and Results In 27 491 initially healthy women, baseline GlycA was quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and hsCRP by an immunoturbidimetric assay. During median follow-up of 17.2 years, 1648 incident CVD events occurred (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, and CVD death). GlycA and hsCRP were moderately correlated (Spearman r =0.61, P <0.0001). In Cox regression models that included age, ethnicity, smoking, blood pressure, medications, menopausal status, body mass index, and diabetes, hazard ratios for CVD across quartiles 1 to 4 of GlycA were 1.00, 1.10 (95% CI, 0.92 to 1.30), 1.34 (95% CI, 1.13 to 1.58), and 1.64 (95% CI, 1.39 to 1.93), similar to hsCRP, for which hazard ratios were 1.00, 1.18 (95% CI, 0.99 to 1.41), 1.35 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.61), and 1.75 (95% CI, 1.47 to 2.09) (both P trend<0.0001). Associations were attenuated after additionally adjusting for lipids: the hazard ratio of quartile 4 versus 1 for GlycA was 1.23 (95% CI, 1.04 to 1.46; P trend=0.002) and for hsCRP was 1.44 (95% CI, 1.20 to 1.72; P trend<0.0001). Further adjustment for the other biomarker resulted in a hazard ratio of quartile 4 versus 1 for GlycA of 1.03 (95% CI, 0.85 to 1.24; P trend=0.41) and for hsCRP of 1.29 (95% CI, 1.06 to 1.56; P trend=0.001). Conclusions In this prospective study of initially healthy women, baseline GlycA was associated with incident CVD, consistent with a possible role for protein glycans in inflammation and CVD. Clinical Trial Registration URL: http//clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier [NCT00000479][1]. [1]: /lookup/external-ref?link_type=CLINTRIALGOV&access_num=NCT00000479&atom=%2Fahaoa%2F3%2F5%2Fe001221.atom
Reflections on the story of the double helix

Synopsis Modern science is a way of observing and explaining nature that has been developed largely by university-educated sons of the middle- and upper-classes in Europe and, more recently, the United States. Women and non-white, working-class and poor men have largely been outside the process of science-making. Though we have been described by scientists, by and large we have not been the describers and definers of scientific reality. We have not formulated the questions scientists ask, nor have we answered them. This undoubtedly has affected the content of science; but it has also affected the social context and the ambience in which science is done. The story of the formulation of the double helical model for the structure of DNA illustrates this fact. As women and feminists, we must know who Rosalind Franklin was and the contributions she made to the model. We must also understand why it was so easy for her contributions to be incorporated in the work of her male ‘colleagues≐ and to go unacknowledged by them and by scientific history. I shall depart from the usual academic style and begin with a brief excursion into autobiography, because I would like to convey some of the many ways in which I think and feel about the subject. Objectivization and the resulting reification of feelings and relationships is a severe limitation of the scientific method and of the way in which its results are formulated and communicated as science. And I firmly believe that we need to come up with an analytic approach that does not reject the tools of science, but that is sensitive to the role of our subjective participation in the science we construct. For the ‘data≐ and ‘facts≐ of science, as of all knowledge, lie in our sense experiences (and in their technological extensions through machines). Therefore they depend on where we seek, what we attend to, and how we organize it in our minds. Hence the admission and description of our personal involvement with our subject must be part of the picture.
Plasmodium vivax Duffy binding protein: understanding targets of protective immunity

Plasmodium vivax merozoite invasion of reticulocytes is a rapid process that involves a series of specific, sequential interactions. These interactions are crucial for invasion and continued blood-stage infection, thus representing attractive targets for vaccine development. The Duffy binding protein (DBP) is a vital microneme protein associated with the decisive, irreversible step of junction formation during the later stages of the invasion process. The ligand domain of DBP, known as region II (DBPII), binds the Duffy Antigen Receptor for Chemokines (DARC) by dimerization of two DBP and two DARC molecules forming a heterotetrameric structure. Naturally acquired antibodies to DBPII are prevalent in residents of areas where vivax malaria is endemic. These antibodies can inhibit DBPII binding and merozoite invasion of human reticulocytes; however, they tend to be poorly inhibitory, strain-specific, and short-lived. Remarkably, strain-specific serologic activity can be altered by even single amino acid substitutions found in allelic variants of DBPII. While strain-transcending, broadly neutralizing antibodies are less prevalent, there is a significant correlation of their antibody reactivity to certain epitopes and inhibition of DBPII-receptor function. Our data indicate epitopes at or near the dimer interface of DBPII represent the primary targets of naturally occurring protective anti-DBPII antibodies that can inhibit merozoite invasion of host erythrocytes. However, these epitopes also contain most of the prevalent variable residues resulting from DBP allelic diversity. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that DBP variation is an immune evasion mechanism responsible for strain-specific immunity and stable, broadly neutralizing immunity is achieved when antibodies target functionally-conserved epitopes, thereby blocking DBP dimerization and inhibiting invasion. To overcome the natural tendency for eliciting a strain-specific response, synthetic DBPII alleles were evaluated for their ability to broaden efficacy of strain-transcending inhibition against diverse DBPII alleles. In an effort to identify potential conserved, protective epitopes we have prepared and evaluated a panel of anti-DBPII murine monoclonal antibodies. Inhibitory activities of these monoclonal antibodies were characterized with in vitro functional assays for DBPII and their respective minimal epitopes were mapped using phage display. These targets of putative strain-transcending inhibition identify epitopes that may be targeted for vaccine-induced anti-DBPII inhibitory antibodies.
CT cholangiography in potential liver donors: effect of premedication with intravenous morphine on biliary caliber and visualization.

Purpose: To retrospectively determine whether premedication with intravenously administered morphine improves bile duct caliber and visualization in potential liver donors undergoing computed tomographic (CT) cholangiography. Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective single institution study approved by the institutional review board and compliant with requirements of the HIPAA. Multidetector CT cholangiography was performed after slow infusion of 20 mL of iodipamide meglumine 52% diluted in 80 mL of normal saline in 143 consecutive potential liver donors (81 men and 62 women; mean age, 37 years); 43 received premedication with intravenous morphine sulfate (0.04 mg per kilogram of body weight) and 100 did not. Two independent readers recorded common bile duct diameter and area on axial CT images. Readers also scored bile duct visualization, including all second-order biliary branches, on a four-point scale (0, not seen; 3, excellent visualization). Results: For scans obtained without and those obtai...
Determination of equilibrium electron temperature and times using an electron swarm model with BOLSIG+ calculated collision frequencies and rate coefficients

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) events produce low-energy conduction electrons from Compton electron or photoelectron ionizations with air. It is important to understand how conduction electrons interact with air in order to accurately predict EMP evolution and propagation. An electron swarm model can be used to monitor the time evolution of conduction electrons in an environment characterized by electric field and pressure. Here a swarm model is developed that is based on the coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) described by Higgins et al. (1973), hereinafter HLO. The ODEs characterize the swarm electric field, electron temperature, electron number density, and drift velocity. Important swarm parameters, the momentum transfer collision frequency, energy transfer collision frequency, and ionization rate, are calculated and compared to the previously reported fitted functions given in HLO. These swarm parameters are found using BOLSIG+, a two term Boltzmann solver developed by Hagelaar and Pitchford (2005), which utilizes updated cross sections from the LXcat website created by Pancheshnyi et al. (2012). We validate the swarm model by comparing to experimental effective ionization coefficient data in Dutton (1975) and drift velocity data in Ruiz-Vargas et al. (2010). In addition, we report on electron equilibrium temperatures and times for a uniform electric fieldmore » of 1 StatV/cm for atmospheric heights from 0 to 40 km. We show that the equilibrium temperature and time are sensitive to the modifications in the collision frequencies and ionization rate based on the updated electron interaction cross sections.« less