cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting the shock sensitivity of cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine

We studied the surface and thermal properties of seven different varieties of cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX) crystalline explosives from five manufacturers using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The specific varieties of the RDX studied were acquired from the previous Reduced Sensitivity RDX Round Robin program. They were chosen because intensive characterization of the materials already existed including shock sensitivity and cyclotetramethylene-tetranitramine (HMX) impurity levels. AFM scans revealed a diversity of surface defects. To quantify the surface defects on the crystalline surface of the RDX particles, surface roughness measurements were acquired. Statistical analysis was undertaken to correlate the observed surface, HMX impurity levels, and DSC thermal curve properties with the known shock sensitivities of the material. It was determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between surface roughness and the shock sensitivity of the material while no relationship was observed between the DSC thermal properties and either surface roughness or shock sensitivity. The HMX content greatly affected the thermal properties of RDX but was uncorrelated with the shock sensitivity.
Renin release from the ischaemic kidney

1. We have confirmed that spinal section, and also pithing, inhibits the pressor response associated with the release of renin that follows re-establishment of circulation to the ischaemic rat kidney. Brain transections at bulbar and midthalamic levels did not modify the blood pressure elevation.2. Several pharmacological antagonists of the sympathetic nervous system did not modify the blood pressure response. These observations are not consistent with the view that a neural element is necessary for renin release.3. Constant flow perfusion of the ischaemic kidney in the intact and spinal sectioned rat was performed to evaluate haemodynamic factors involved in renin release. The pressor response was present in spinal sectioned animals under these conditions.4. These results suggest that the nervous system is necessary to maintain adequate blood flow for renin ;washout' into the systemic circulation rather than to release renin from juxtaglomerular cells.
Solid tumour growth analysis of necrotic core formation

This paper deals with the analysis of simple model of an avascular solid tumour growth dynamics with a necrotic core. The analysis is focused to the conditions which guarantee existence and stability of a stationary solution to the model. The second part of the paper deals with the analysis of effects of an external source of nutrient on the process of necrotic core formation. This influence is visualised by numerical simulations.
Mergers between Competing Hospitals: Lessons from Retrospective Analyses

Abstract In April 2002, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the Hospital Merger Retrospective Project to study consummated hospital mergers. This project was precipitated by a long string of unsuccessful hospital merger challenges by the FTC, the US Department of Justice, and the state of California. Accordingly, a principal goal of the retrospective study included “studying consummated hospital mergers to determine whether particular hospital mergers have led to higher prices”. The studies presented here represent the output of this project. Collectively, these studies provide important empirical insights into a variety of issues relevant to hospital antitrust analysis, including the scope of relevant geographic markets in hospital merger analysis, the relevance of not‐for‐profit status on post‐merger pricing behavior, and the impact of hospital mergers on clinical quality.
Perspective as a determinant of attitude change

Abstract It was hypothesized that the relationship between one's attitudinal beliefs (content) and the way one labels those beliefs (rating) on an evaluative dimension is mediated by perspective, or the range of a ternatives taken into consideration when the individual is making the evaluative judgment. Two experiments were conducted to test this hypothesis. The first experiment showed that the evaluative label the subject assigned to his attitude content was strongly affected by a manipulation of perspective. When matched for length of prison sentence advocated for a convicted criminal, subjects in one perspective condition viewed their recommended punishment as “slightly lenient” whereas those in the other perspective condition rated themselves as “extremely stern”. The second experiment showed that people will change their attitudinal content to remain consistent with their initial self-evaluation under conditions of a manipulated perspective. Subjects were induced, holding initial self-rating constant, to advocate as much as twice as long a prison sentence in one perspective condition than in the other.
The absence of a measurable hall effect in the superionic conductor RbAg4I5

Abstract Thin film samples of RbAg4I5 have been prepared by evaporation and several of their electrical properties have been determined. The behavior of the conductivity of these films is identical to that found in bulk RbAg4I5. An attempt to reproduce the Hall effect results of Kaneda and Mizuki was unsuccessful, and we conclude that the Hall mobility of silver ions in this material is less than 2 × 10-3 cm2/V·sec.
Configurational Reassignment and Improved Preparation of the Competitive IL-6 Receptor Antagonist 20R,21R-Epoxyresibufogenin-3-formate

20R,21R-Epoxyresibufogenin-3-formate (1) and 20S,21S-epoxyresibufogenin-3-formate (2) were synthesized from commercial resibufogenin (3) using known procedures. The major product (1) was dextrorotatory, as was the major product from the reported synthesis of epoxyresibufogenin-3-formate; however, the literature (+)-compound was assigned the 20S,21S-configuration on the basis of NMR data. We have now unequivocally determined, using single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of the major and minor products of the synthesis and of their derivatives, that the major product from the synthesis was (+)-20R,21R-epoxyresibufogenin-3-formate (1). Our minor synthetic product was determined to have the (-)-20S,21S-configuration (2). The (+)-20R,21R-compound 1 has been found to have high affinity for the IL-6 receptor and to act as an IL-6 antagonist. A greatly improved synthesis of 1 was achieved through oxidation of preformed resibufogenin-3-formate. This has enabled us to prepare, from the very expensive commercial resibufogenin, considerably larger quantities of 1, the only known nonpeptide small-molecule IL-6 antagonist.
Lymphatic vessels in the thyroid gland of children

Summary For the first time, to our knowledge, we report a peculiar histological finding in the thyroid glands of children, namely the presence of empty, elongated, tortuous, retraction-like spaces apparently dissecting the interstitial tissue. The availability of D2-40, an immunohistochemical marker for lymphatic endothelial cells, allowed us to identify these spaces as intraparenchymatous lymphatic capillaries. This phenomenon was evident at the periphery where they blended with marginal lymphatic vessels.
Influence of Dryer Infeed Matrices on the Retention of Volatile Flavor Compounds During Spray Drying

The retention of volatile flavor compounds (octane, 2-octanone, octanal, methyl-2-octenoate, oct-1-en-3-ol, octanol, thiophene, 2-ethylthiophene, thiazole, 2,5dimethylpyrazine, benzaldehyde, 5-methylfurfural) in model food systems during spray drying was studied. The flavor compounds were added to different model food systems (including malto dextrins DE 10 to 36.5, soy, casein and whey protein based systems and protein/fat systems) at 1 ppm and then spray dried using a Niro Utility Dryer employing centrifugal atomization. Flavor retention was found to be inversely related to DE of the maltrin carrier. Inclusion of protein in the infeed material resulted in better flavor retention than pure maltrin infeeds. Soy protein based model systems were most effective in retaining flavors followed by casein and whey protein based systems. Relative volatility of flavor compounds in different model systems was found to be an important factor pertaining to flavor retention during drying in different infeed materials.
Relationships among rotational and conventional grazing systems, stream channels, and macroinvertebrates

Cattle grazing in riparian areas can reduce water quality, alter stream channel characteristics, and alter fish and macroinvertebrate assemblage structure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Services has recommended Rotational Grazing (RG) as an alternative management method on livestock and dairy operations to protect riparian areas and water quality. We evaluated 13 stream channel characteristics, benthic macroinvertebrate larvae (BML), and chironomid pupal exuviae (CPE) from 18 sites in the Upper Midwest of the United States in relation to RG and conventional grazing (CG). A Biotic Composite Score comprised of several macroinvertebrate metrics was developed for both the BML assemblage and the CPE assemblage. Multi-Response Permutation Procedures (MRPP) indicated a significant difference in stream channel characteristics between RG and CG. Nonmetric Multidimensional Scaling indicated that RG sites were associated with more stable stream banks, higher quality aquatic habitat, lower soil compaction, and larger particles in the streambed. However, neither MRPP nor Mann–Whitney U tests demonstrated a difference in Biotic Composite Scores for BML or CPE along RG and CG sites. The BML and CPE metrics were significantly correlated, indicating that they were likely responding to similar variables among the study sites. Although stream channel characteristics appeared to respond to grazing management, BML and CPE may have responded to land use throughout the watershed, as well as local land use.
Four uses of a disposable implant mount

The high cost of precision-fitting, machine-milled implant components is a major concern, and the dentist with a busy implant practice must stock numerous components at considerable expense. In this article, the use of a disposable implant mount is described as an adjunct for a positional index during stage-I surgery, immediate provisional restoration at stage-II surgery, verification jig, and implant-supported record base. By reusing the precision-fitting implant mount that is supplied free of charge by the manufacturer, the dentist can reduce the overhead costs required to provide implant prosthodontic treatment.
Stress distribution near lake Jocassee, South Carolina

Seven months of seismic monitoring near Jocassee reservoir (impounded 1974) resulted in the detection of four clusters of earthquake activity. Composite fault plane solutions (CFPS) for each cluster indicate strike slip faulting for shallow earthquakes (< 1.0 km) on the shores of the reservoir and normal faulting for deeper events (1–3 km) in the middle of the reservoir. The directions of the axes of maximum and minimum compression inferred from the CFPS were found to be NW and NE respectively and contrast with the NE and NW directions obtained by hydrofracture in a shallow well (230 m) at Bad Creek, about 10 km from the epicentral region.
The length of newly diagnosed Barrett’s esophagus and prior use of acid suppressive therapy

The length of newly diagnosed Barrett's esophagus and prior use of acid suppressive therapy
Chemical bonding in carborane/aromatic co-polymers: a first-principles analysis of experimental photoemission spectra

First-principles density functional theory calculations have been used to study the relative stability and analyse the chemical bonding of novel cross-linked carborane polymers. Atomic charges with several population analysis methods based on fully relaxed structures were calculated to interpret the chemical binding energy shifts of XPS spectra of these boron carbide polymers. The results indicate that a base structure with one aromatic linking unit with carborane is energetically favoured. The linear relationship between experimental core-level photoemission binding energies and computational partial atomic charges from four population analysis methods (Mulliken, Hirshfeld, atoms-in-molecules (AIM) and natural bond order (NBO)) were analysed and the results indicate that cross-linking occurs at icosahedral B sites non-adjacent to icosahedral carbon sites, in agreement with recently reported experimental results. The role of basis set size in determining partial atomic charges was found to vary with popul...
Expression of catecholaminergic mRNAs in the hyperactive mouse mutant coloboma.

Abstract The SNAP-25 deficient mouse mutant coloboma ( Cm /+) is an animal model for investigating the biochemical basis of locomotor hyperactivity. The spontaneous hyperactivity exhibited by coloboma is three times greater than control mice and is a direct result of the SNAP-25 deletion. SNAP-25 is a presynaptic protein that regulates exocytotic neurotransmitter release; coloboma mice express only 50% of normal protein concentrations. Previous research has determined that there is an increase in the concentration of norepinephrine but a decrease in dopamine utilization in the striatum and nucleus accumbens of coloboma mice. In situ hybridization analysis revealed that there were corresponding increases in tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA expression in noradrenergic cell bodies of the locus coeruleus of Cm /+ mice. In contrast, TH mRNA expression in substantia nigra appeared normal in the mutant mouse. α 2 -Adrenergic receptors are important modulators of central noradrenergic function and dopamine release. In situ hybridization data revealed that α 2A -adrenergic receptor mRNA expression is upregulated in Cm /+ mice. These results suggest an underlying abnormality in noradrenergic regulation in this hyperactive mouse mutant.
Endogenous secretion and reabsorption of 65zinc in ruminants as affected by zinc deficiency and feeding of ethylenediaminetetraacetate or cadmium

Abstract Using chromic oxide as a nonabsorbed marker, endogenous secretion and reabsorption of 65 Zn in various segments of the gastrointestinal tract were studied in seven zinc-deficient and six normal calves and in eight deficient and eight normal goats. All were fed a highly digestible low zinc purified diet. The animals were euthanatized 14 days following a single oral dose of 65 Zn, at which time all the gastrointestinal 65 Zn was assumed to be of endogenous origin, though the amount present would be reduced by reabsorption. Dry matter digestibility, 65 Zn, and chromic oxide were determined in each section. Dry matter was absorbed in the rumen of both species with large amounts of secretion into the upper small intestine and reabsorption in the lower small intestine. Zinc-65 was secreted into the rumen and reticulum followed by variable amounts of reabsorption in the abomasum. Large amounts of 65 Zn were secreted into the anterior section of the small intestine with nearly all of it reabsorbed farther down the small intestine. The feeding of EDTA and cadmium did not have a clear-cut effect on 65 Zn or dry matter secretion or reabsorption in most sections. Likewise, a zinc-deficiency did not have a marked and consistent influence in most sections. There were appreciable differences in apparent dry matter and 65 Zn secretion into the upper small intestine between calves which fasted overnight and goats fed three hours prior to sacrifice. It is believed that this effect was due primarily to difference in the length of time since feeding the low residue diet.
Taxonomic comments on the genus Grandiella Lombardini, 1939 (Acari: Canestriniidae)

Abstract The genus name Grandiella Lombardini, 1939, is restored, and the replacement name Grandiellina Fain, 1989, is placed as a junior objective synonym because the supposed senior homonym, Grandiella Williams, 1928, is shown to be a nomen nudum. The following new combinations are proposed: Grandiella longini, G. marinae, G. rogeri, G. soniae, and G. tacjannae (all from Grandiellina), and Canestriniella batocerae (from Grandiella).
Tumor size does not limit radiation-inducible gene therapy in a human xenograft model

Tumor size has been reported to be a limiting factor in both radiotherapy (RT) and gene therapy. Therefore, we assessed the effects of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene therapy and radiation in relatively large tumors in a human xenograft system. We linked DNA sequences from the promoter region of the radiation-inducible gene Egr-1 to the cDNA sequence that encodes human TNF-α, a radiosensitizing cytokine. The Egr-TNF construct was transfected into the human hematopoietic cell line HL525. Stable transfectants, exhibiting radiation inducibility of TNF-α in vitro (clone 2 cells), were directly injected into xenografts of a radioresistant human squamous cell carcinoma cell line, SQ-20B. In a previous study, 100 mm3 tumors treated with radiation and clone 2 cells demonstrated significant tumor control (P < 0.0001) when compared with tumors treated with clone 2 alone or radiation alone. In the present study, 450 mm3 xenografts treated with clone 2 cells and radiation were significantly smaller (P < 0.01) at the nadir of regression than tumors treated with radiation alone. Because the radiation dose was held constant (40 Gy) in both 100 and 450 mm3 xenografts, only one cure was noted in the larger tumors. These data support an interactive anti-tumor effect in vivo between radiation and TNF-α gene therapy which is equal in both small and large human tumor xenograft models. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Rate of ubiquinone oxidation in electron transport particles reduced by succinate

Abstract The half-time for oxidation of reduced ubiquinone in electron transport particles (ETP) made anaerobic with succinate is 3–6 msec and is comparable to that for cytochrome c which lies between 2 and 3 msec in these particles. The half-time for oxidation of reduced cytochrome b is much greater, being in the range of 60–100 msec. These results imply that ubiquinone and cytochrome b form two branches of electron transport between succinate and cytochrome c , but that most of the electron transport occurs through ubiquinone. Previous work had showed that ubiquinone is peripheral to the NADH oxidase pathway in these particles (4). Comparison of these rates in ETP with rates of electron transport through cytochrome b and ubiquinone in intact mitochondria (15) and in submitochondrial particles derived by sonication (16) indicates that increasing disruption of mitochondrial structure decreases the rate of electron flux through cytochrome b and increases the rate through ubiquinone. Assignment to ubiquinone of a central function in electron transport, based on experiments involving disruption and fractionation of the electron transport chain. would appear to be unjustified.
Continuous versus intermittent cardioplegia in the presence of a coronary occlusion.

Abstract Coronary artery occlusions can alter the distribution of cardioplegia and result in ischemic damage. This study was undertaken to determine whether continuous antegrade cardioplegia delivery would result in colder temperature and provide better washout of acid metabolites than is possible with intermittent antegrade cardioplegia when coronary occlusions are present. Twenty pigs were placed on cardiopulmonary bypass and underwent 2 hours of ischemic arrest with occlusion of the middle left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 1 hour of reperfusion without occlusion of that artery. Ten pigs received intermittent (every 20 minutes) antegrade potassium crystalloid cardioplegia (4 °C), and 10 others had the same solution given continuously (30 mL/min). Cardioplegia distribution was assessed by continuous monitoring of myocardial pH (Khuri pH probe) and temperature in the region beyond the occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Both cardioplegic techniques resulted in tissue acidosis (continuous group, 6.69 ± 0.08, versus intermittent group, 6.73 ± 0.07; not significant). Average temperature in the left anterior descending coronary artery during arrest was also similar in both groups (continuous group, 18.3 ° ± 0.5 °C, versus intermittent group, 18.2 ° ± 0.5 °C). Because of these metabolic changes, both cardioplegic techniques resulted in abnormal wall motion in the anteroseptal region using two-dimensional echocardiography, but the scores were not significantly different (continuous group, 1.5 ± 0.3, versus intermittent group, 1.6 ± 0.4; 4=normal to 0=dyskinesia). We conclude that continuous antegrade cardioplegia delivery fails to enhance the washout of acid metabolites or lower myocardial temperature in the presence of a coronary occlusion and results in no better myocardial protection than can be obtained with an intermittent cardioplegic technique.
II. The Division Chief as a Teacher of Adults

The division director occupies both a pivotal and a privileged position in the scheme of medical education; pivotal, in that he or she has direct, often one-to-one, contact with students, residents, and fellows. Modeling is strong and privileged in that the division director has a unique and specific body of knowledge and a clear mandate to transmit it to all students. Do we give our students full measure? They are intellectually top-quality members of our society. They give us major segments of their life. Do we give them enough in return? In 1931, Alfred North Whitehead 1 pointed out that "Education is the process of transmitting what is known only when the life span of major knowledge is greater than the life span of individuals. In that situation, what students learn in their youth remains valid and useful for the rest of their lives." North also observed that we in
Data envelopment analysis: A clarification

Abstract This note is in response to Professor Goldstein's critique of data envelopment analysis and conclusion that the use of this technique would not produce information relevant to educational policy analysis (Goldstein, 1990). It is suggested here that the recommendation that DEA not be used is premature particularly since the criticisms are based on (1) a misinterpretation of a claim about the technique, and on (2) problems with the use of aggregate data which are independent of the technique being used.
Genetics of psychiatric disorders: Methods: Molecular approaches

The practice of psychiatry has long suffered from the limited information available on the biological basis of mental disorders. This limitation is now coming to an end. Advances in DNA analysis technologies and in our understanding of the human genome, together with our new knowledge of the properties of the genome and significant efforts toward generating large patient and control sample collections, have paved the way for successful genome-wide association studies. As a result, reports now appear in the literature every week identifying new genes for complex disorders. Next-generation sequencing methods, combined with the results of association and perhaps linkage studies, will help us uncover missing heritability factors, achieve a better understanding of the genetic aspects of psychiatric disease, and devise the best strategies for incorporating genetics in the service of patients.
The CMS Value-Based Purchasing Program: Making Sense of the Regulations and Implications for Health System Pharmacy:

The Director's Forum series is designed to guide pharmacy leaders in establishing patient-centered services in hospitals and health systems. This article focuses on the Center for Medicare & Medica...
Dubbing and Cropping Day-Old Leghorn Pullets

Abstract Schalm (1936) developed a surgical procedure for the amputation of the comb and wattles of mature chickens to prevent injury to these appendages. A more desirable procedure for dubbing (comb removal), at an early age, was reported by Bice (1942) by removing the comb of day-old chicks with small cuticle type scissors. There are, to the authors’ knowledge, no reports in published literature on cropping or removal of the wattles of day-old chicks. It was thought that if some method could be developed for this operation, then both dubbing and cropping could be done at one day of age. The research reported herein was initiated in the 1960–61 fiscal year to determine the effects of dubbing and cropping of day-old pullet chicks on mortality to twenty weeks of age and laying house performance. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Strain cross White Leghorn pullets were used in this research. Treatment consisted of dubbing…
HELIX--RANDOM COIL TRANSITIONS IN DNA HOMOPOLYMER PAIRS.

Conditions have been found where simple helix-random coil transitions occur for each of the DNA homopolymer pairs dGdC, † dIdC and d I d B C ¯ and it is shown that these correspond to the melting of dG : dC, dI : dC and dI : d B C ¯ base pairs. The complementary strands of the homopolymer pairs can be separated and identified by density-gradient centrifugation in Cs2SO4 at alkaline pH. Although this technique demonstrates complete separation for homopolymer pairs, incomplete separation results when dAT : d A B U ¯ copolymer hybrids are studied in the same way. The isolated homopolymer strands have been used to re-form dIdC and d I d B C ¯ ; mixing experiments show maximum interaction for a purine: pyrimidine mole ratio of 1, as expected for dI : dC and dI : d B C ¯ base pairs. The changes in absorbancy and in viscosity which accompany the thermal transition are qualitatively like those of natural DNA's. However, there are some interesting quantitative differences. The width of the melting zone is independent of salt concentration over at least a 20-fold range. This contrasts with the behavior of natural DNA's whose melting curves broaden in low salt concentrations, and also contrasts with the dAT copolymer which shows a sharp transition in low-salt but a broad transition in high salt concentrations. The thermal stability (Tm) of each homopolymer pair has been determined over a wide range of ionic strength. After melting, the homopolymer pairs re-form on cooling below Tm. The kinetics are second-order for most of the reaction and the initial rate increases with Tm–T but decreases as the salt concentration is reduced, much like the results of Ross & Sturtevant (1960) for rA : rU. In contrast, re-formation of dAT : dAT is rapid even at low ionic strength, presumably because the double helix re-forms from a single strand. The alkaline transition for each homopolymer pair has also been investigated. At constant ionic strength and temperature, pHm is determined by the base pair stability and by the pKa′ of the base titrated during the transition; thus there is a relation between pHm–pKa′ and Tm. On cooling through the transition zone, the viscosity rises as the homopolymer pair re-forms. However, the viscosity continues to increase gradually on further cooling down to 0°C; this probably is due to end-to-end aggregation of helical units.
Speaking Spanish at Work

A conceptual model explicates the expected precursors and consequences of using Spanish in the workplace. Using data from employees at a retail store located in the southwest U.S. (N = 190), the us...
Dose-volumetric parameters predicting radiation-induced hepatic toxicity in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy.

Purpose: To identify the dose–volumetric parameters associated with the risk of radiation-induced hepatic toxicity (RIHT) in hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. Methods and Materials: A total of 105 hepatocellular carcinoma patients underwent three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (total dose range, 44–58.5 Gy; median, 54). RIHT was scored within 4 months of completing three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy. The dose–volume parameters analyzed were the gross tumor volume; normal liver volume; total liver volume; radiation dose; mean dose to the normal liver; percentage of the normal liver volume receiving ≥20, ≥25, ≥30, ≥35, and ≥40 Gy; percentage of the total liver volume receiving ≥20, ≥25, ≥30, ≥35, and ≥40 Gy; and the normal tissue complication probability. Results: Of the 105 patients, Grade 1 RIHT was observed in 21 (20.0%), Grade 2 in 7 (6.7%), Grade 3 in 5 (4.8%), and Grade 4 in 1 (1.0%) patient. No fatal Grade 5 RIHT developed. On multivariate analysis for predicting Grade 2 or worse RIHT, the total liver volume receiving ≥30 Gy was the only significant parameter ( p 60% ( p Conclusion: The total liver volume receiving ≥30 Gy appears to be a useful dose–volumetric parameter for predicting the risk of RIHT. This volume should be limited to ≤60% whenever possible to minimize the risk of Grade 2 or worse RIHT.
Appalachian Trail Hiking Motivations and Means-end Theory: Theory, Management, and Practice

The current study examined benefits associated with hiking the Appalachian Trail (AT) and analyzed the use of means-end theory in understanding motivations for participation in outdoor pursuits. The results may provide information critical in better programming, evaluating, promoting, and justifying funding for hiking. Data collected from AT hikers via an internet-based survey revealed a relationship existing between attributes (ATTRIB), consequences (CONSEQ) and values (VAL), thus, supporting the means-end theory constructs. Internal and external validity analyses and reliability analyses showed the Benefits of Hiking Scale (BHS) to be an accurate and consistent measure of the constructs and dimensions of means-end. No statistically significant differences were found among hiker types with respect to any dimension of the means-end theory (i.e., ATTRIB, CONSEQ and VAL).
CD38-deficient mice have reduced airway hyperresponsiveness following IL-13 challenge.

The transmembrane glycoprotein CD38 in airway smooth muscle is the source of cyclic-ADP ribose, an intracellular calcium-releasing molecule, and is subject to regulatory effects of cytokines such a...
Post-ischemic administration of HU-211, a novel non-competitive NMDA antagonist, protects against blood-brain barrier disruption in photochemical cortical infarction in rats: a quantitative study.

Abstract We examined the effect of HU-211, a synthetic non-psychotropic cannabinoid with non-competitive N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) antagonist properties, on blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity after photochemically induced cortical infarction. Evans blue dye was used as a BBB permeability indicator after unilateral thrombotic cortical infarction was produced photochemically by 560 nm light irradiation of the cortex in male Wistar rats receiving rose bengal intravenously. HU-211 was injected in a dose of 4 mg/kg i.v. 30 min after stroke. Fluorometric measurement of Evans blue was performed 24 h later in six brain regions. Treatment with HU-211 significantly decreased extravasation of dye into the area of infarct (406 ± 19 vs. 539 ± 33 μg/g, mean ± S.E.M.) as well as other sites of the affected hemisphere (866 ± 68 vs. 1096 ± 68 μg/g compared to the vehicle group. These data indicate that HU-211 is an effective drug in protecting against the effects of focal ischemia-induced BBB disruption in the rat and suggest that the drug may be an effective treatment against the ischemic cell death and BBB disruption that can occur clinically following a stroke or cardiac arrest.
From Radio with Love: An Overview of the Role of Radio Observations in Understanding High-Energy Emission from Active Galaxies

The gamma-ray satellite Fermi and the ground based TeV facilities MAGIC, VERITAS and HESS have ushered in a new era in the observation of high-energy emission from active galaxies. The energy budgets of these objects have a major contribution from gamma-rays and it is simply not possible to understand their physics without high-energy observations. Though the exact mechanisms for high-energy production in galaxies remains an open question, gamma-rays typically result from interactions between high-energy particles. Via different interactions these same particles can produce radio emission. Thus the non-thermal nature of gamma-ray emission practically guarantees that high-energy emitters are also radio loud. Aside from their obvious role as a component of multiwavelength analysis, radio observations provide two crucial elements essential to understanding the source structure and physical processes of high-energy emitters: very high timing resolution and very high spatial resolution. A brief overview of the unique role played by radio observations in unraveling the mysteries of the high energy Universe as presented here.
Two small protein families, DYNAMIN‐RELATED PROTEIN3 and FISSION1, are required for peroxisome fission in Arabidopsis

Peroxisomes are multi-functional organelles that differ in size and abundance depending on the species, cell type, developmental stage, and metabolic and environmental conditions. The PEROXIN11 protein family and the DYNAMIN-RELATED PROTEIN3A (DRP3A) protein have been shown previously to play key roles in peroxisome division in Arabidopsis. To establish a mechanistic model of peroxisome division in plants, we employed forward and reverse genetic approaches to identify more proteins involved in this process. In this study, we identified three new components of the Arabidopsis peroxisome division apparatus: DRP3B, a homolog of DRP3A, and FISSION1A and 1B (FIS1A and 1B), two homologs of the yeast and mammalian FIS1 proteins that mediate the fission of peroxisomes and mitochondria by tethering the DRP proteins to the membrane. DRP3B is partially targeted to peroxisomes and causes defects in peroxisome fission when the gene function is disrupted. drp3A drp3B double mutants display stronger deficiencies than each single mutant parent with respect to peroxisome abundance, seedling establishment and plant growth, suggesting partial functional redundancy between DRP3A and DRP3B. In addition, FIS1A and FIS1B are each dual-targeted to peroxisomes and mitochondria; their mutants show growth inhibition and contain peroxisomes and mitochondria with incomplete fission, enlarged size and reduced number. Our results demonstrate that both DRP3 and FIS1 protein families contribute to peroxisome fission in Arabidopsis, and support the view that DRP and FIS1 orthologs are common components of the peroxisomal and mitochondrial division machineries in diverse eukaryotic species.
Serologic reactions of bovine procarboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase A

Abstract Serologic reactions of bovine procarboxypeptidase A and carboxypeptidase A (peptidyl- L -amino-acid hydrolase, EC 3.4.2.1) are compared through immunological reactions in agar and studies of the inhibition of enzymic reactions by antibody. 1. 1. Rabbits immunized with carboxypeptidase A α or procarboxypeptidase A-S 6 form antibodies with physical and immunological properties of 7-S γ-globulin. A procedure for the isolation of 7-S γ-globulin from the serum of immunized rabbits is described and utilized for the evaluation of the serologic reactions of the antigens and related proteins in a system relatively free of non-specific protein. 2. 2. Some of the antigenic relationships between carboxypeptidase A α , procarboxypeptidase A-S 6 , procarboxypeptidase A-S 5 and Fraction II of procarboxypeptidase A are demonstrated by immunologic reactions in agar. The effect of homologous and heterologous antibody on the enzymic activity of carboxypeptidase A and partially activated procarboxypeptidase A-S 6 are compared.
A wide-range linear beat-by-beat cardiotachometer.

A heart ratemeter operating over a range of 30–900 beats per minute has been designed. The device is triggered from any measured cardiac variable to produce a linear d.c. beat-by-beat readout. The cardiac frequency is found by a true reciprocal computing process provided by a variable-slope ramp generator operating on the period between beats. This computer, and other circuitry within the ratemeter, uses low-cost operational amplifiers to simplify the design and construction.
Refining the oak-fire hypothesis for management of oak-dominated forests of the eastern United States

Prescribed fires are increasingly implemented throughout eastern deciduous forests to accomplish various management objectives, including maintenance of oak-dominated (Quercus spp.) forests. Despite a regional research-based understanding of prehistoric and historic fire regimes, a parallel understanding of contemporary fire use to preserve oak forests is only emerging, and with somewhat inconsistent results. For prescribed fires to be effective, they must positively influence oak regeneration at one or more critical life stages: pollination, flowering, seed set, germination, establishment, seedling development, and release into the canopy. We posit that a simplistic view of the relationship between fire and oak forests has led to a departure from an ecologically based management approach with prescribed fire. Here, we call for a refinement in our thinking to improve the match between management tools and objectives and provide some guidelines for thinking more ecologically about when and where to apply fire on the landscape to sustain oak-dominated forests.
Functionality of gum arabic. Fractionation, characterization and evaluation of gum fractions in citrus oil emulsions and model beverages

Abstract Gum arabic, the exudate from Acacia Senegal, has been fractionated by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and by hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC). Five SEC fractions and two HIC fractions have been evaluated in orange oil emulsions and also in model beverages. Comparisons were made on an equal nitrogen and/or equal weight basis to controls. Amino acid and other analyses of the whole gum and its fractions have also been performed. While the higher protein, higher mol. wt fractions make the best emulsions, all fractions, except the lowest mol. wt fraction (~5% of the whole gum), make reasonably good emulsions and perform well in model beverage. Although the protein content of this last SEC fraction (lowest mol. wt) is comparable to that of the whole gum, the fraction made a very poor emulsion. Since the zeta potential of the droplets in all these emulsions is the same, the differences in emulsion stability can be attributed to non-electrostatic factors. The data support a picture of gum arabic as a very complex, polydisperse glycoprotein, polydisperse in mol. wt and particularly in protein composition. Gum arabic, an excellent emulsifier, is endowed with a particularly good combination of many molecular species differing in size and composition.
Fish mercury distribution in Massachusetts, USA lakes

The sediment, water, and three species of fish from 24 of Massachusetts' (relatively) least-impacted water bodies were sampled to determine the patterns of variation in edible tissue mercury concentrations and the relationships of these patterns to characteristics of the water, sediment, and water bodies (lake, wetland, and watershed areas). Sampling was apportioned among three different ecological subregions and among lakes of differing trophic status. We sought to partition the variance to discover if these broadly defined concepts are suitable predictors of mercury levels in fish. Average muscle mercury concentrations were 0.15 mg/kg wet weight in the bottom-feeding brown bullheads (Ameiurus nebulosus) (range = 0.01–0.79 mg/kg); 0.31 mg/kg in the omnivorous yellow perch (Perca flavescens) (range = 0.01–0.75 mg/kg); and 0.39 mg/kg in the predaceous largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) (range = 0.05–1.1 mg/kg). Statistically significant differences in fish mercury concentrations between ecological subregions in Massachusetts, USA, existed only in yellow perch. The productivity level of the lakes (as deduced from Carlson's Trophic Status Index) was not a strong predictor of tissue mercury concentrations in any species. pH was a highly (inversely) correlated environmental variable with yellow perch and brown bullhead tissue mercury. Largemouth bass tissue mercury concentrations were most highly correlated with the weight of the fish (+), lake size (+), and source area sizes (+). Properties of individual lakes appear more important for determining fish tissue mercury concentrations than do small-scale ecoregional differences. Species that show major mercury variation with size or trophic level may not be good choices for use in evaluating the importance of environmental variables.
Unpacking internalized racism: teachers of color striving for racially just classrooms

Within racial inequitable educational conditions, students of color in US schools are susceptible to internalizing racism. If these students go on to be teachers, the consequences can be particularly detrimental if internalized racism influences their teaching. Framed in Critical Race Theory, this article investigates the process pre-service teachers of color took in unpacking their internalized racism as they strive for racially just classrooms. In-depth interviews and focus groups were conducted with black (four) Latina (four) and Asian American (four) women enrolled in a social justice-oriented urban teacher education program in California. Data revealed that participants in this study: (1) had experienced racism and internalized racism in their K-12 education; (2) had done self-work prior to enrolling in their teacher education program to begin the process of unpacking internalized racism; and (3) felt that critical dialogues about internalized racism within teacher preparation was essential to develo...
Morphological adaptation and inhibition of cell division during stationary phase in Caulobacter crescentus

During exponential growth, each cell cycle of the alpha-purple bacterium Caulobacter crescentus gives rise to two different cell types: a motile swarmer cell and a sessile stalked cell. When cultures of C. crescentus are grown for extended periods in complex (PYE) medium, cells undergo dramatic morphological changes and display increased resistance to stress. After cultures enter stationary phase, most cells are arrested at the predivisional stage. For the first 6-8 days after inoculation, the colony-forming units (cfu) steadily decrease from 10(9) cfu ml(-1) to a minimum of 3x10(7) cfu ml(-1) after which cells gradually adopt an elongated helical morphology. For days 9-12, the cfu of the culture increase and stabilize around 2 x 10(8) cfu ml(-1). The viable cells have an elongated helical morphology with no constrictions and an average length of 20 microm, which is 15-20 times longer than exponentially growing cells. The level of the cell division initiation protein FtsZ decreases during the first week in stationary phase and remains at a low constant level consistent with the lack of cell division. When resuspended in fresh medium, the elongated cells return to normal size and morphology within 12 h. Cells that have returned from stationary phase proceed through the same developmental changes when they are again grown for an extended period and have not acquired a heritable growth advantage in stationary phase (GASP) compared with overnight cultures. We conclude that the changes observed in prolonged cultures are the result of entry into a new developmental pathway and are not due to mutation.
Immunologic Diagnosis and Prognosis of Human Digestive-Tract Cancer: Carcinoembryonic Antigens

MALIGNANT tumors form antigens thought to be "specific" — i.e., not present in nonmalignant tissues or present in lesser or inconsequential amounts. Immunochemical methods detect minute amounts of ...
Shining Light on “Dark Winter”

On 22--23 June 2001, the Johns Hopkins Center for Civilian Biodefense Strategies, in collaboration with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Analytic Services Institute for Homeland Security, and the Oklahoma National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, held a senior-level exercise entitled "Dark Winter" that simulated a covert smallpox attack on the United States. The first such exercise of its kind, Dark Winter was constructed to examine the challenges that senior-level policy makers would face if confronted with a bioterrorist attack that initiated outbreaks of highly contagious disease. The exercise was intended to increase awareness of the scope and character of the threat posed by biological weapons among senior national security experts and to bring about actions that would improve prevention and response strategies.
A View of a Viewpoint: Nutritional Considerations

Nutritional research must be predicated on the fact that present knowledge defines approximately 50 nutrients required by the human body in ratios prescribed by the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Obviously each food cannot contain all the nutrients in the exact balance required, necessitating a definition of a "nutritious diet" rather than a "nutritious food." This means that in order to discuss nutrition, a basic knowledge of food composition is required as well as a recognition of the RDA's. Armed with such sound principles, research on nutrition and behaviour may begin. To do otherwise only adds confusion rather than knowledge.
Animated exploration of dynamic graphs with radial layout

We describe a new animation technique for supporting interactive exploration of a graph. We use the well-known radial tree layout method, in which the view is determined by the selection of a focus node. Our main contribution is a method for animating the transition to a new layout when a new focus node is selected. In order to keep the transition easy to follow, the animation linearly interpolates the polar coordinates of the nodes, while enforcing ordering and orientation constraints. We apply this technique to visualizations of social networks and of the Gnutella file-sharing network, and discuss the results from our informal usability tests.
Inheritance of the naked gene and associations with postweaning performance and thermotolerance characters in fryer rabbits from an F2 generation.

In 1999, a breeding experiment was initiated with matings of a rare, genetically naked, Mini-Lop buck to New Zealand White does to test the hypothesis that the naked trait was due to a single, autosomal recessive gene. The F1 generation all had normal fur coats. Parental F1 X F1 inter se matings were made, which yielded 260 F2 progeny, 206 furred and 54 naked (79.2 and 20.8%, respectively), supporting the single recessive gene hypothesis (c2=2.26; df=1; P>0.05). Although the F2 generation was possibly the subject of linkage disequilibrium, another objective was to quantify potential favourable effects of the naked gene on postweaning and thermotolerance characters in fryers over three years (2002-2004) when exposed to hot summers in south Texas (30-35oC). Weaned fryers (n=143) from 36 litters were randomly assigned to growing cages containing either two or three furred or naked non-littermates. Models consisted of fixed genetic type (naked and furred classes), year-batch, gender, interactions, and initial age of fryer (linear covariate), and random cage (nested within genetic type), fraternal-litter, and residual variation. Results showed that naked compared to furred fryers had higher ADG (26.7 vs. 23.8 g/d; P 0.05). Furred compared to naked fryers had a higher free water-to-feed intake ratio (2.00 and 1.64 ml/g; P<0.001). At 1400 hour, naked fryers had lower rectal temperatures (38.9 and 39.5oC) and lower respiratory rates (124 and 162 breaths/minute) compared to furred rabbits, respectively (P<0.001). Because of possible effects of linkage disequilibrium, these results are preliminary and need to be confirmed in later generations. Nonetheless, the potential exists to develop a new, niche breed of naked rabbits for arid and tropical environments.
A direct way to stabilize continuous-time and discrete-time linear time-varying systems

We derive, in a parallel fashion, state-feedback control laws for continuous-time and discrete-time linear time-varying systems; these laws assure that the zero solution of the closed-loop system is (globally) uniformly exponentially stable at a prescribed rate.