cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gene mapping on maize pachytene chromosomes by in situ hybridization

A sensitive in situ hybridization technique which was effective for mapping genes of low copy number on human metaphase chromosomes was used for gene mapping on maize pachytene chromosomes. A cloned genomic EcoR1 fragment of 10.8 kb, containing most or all of the sequence encoding the Waxy locus mRNA, was used as the probe. Southern DNA blotting analyses performed by Shure et al. (1983) indicated that the Waxy locus was a single copy sequence. In our in situ hybridization experiment, the probe hybridized to a specific site on chromosome 9. Labeling at this site was detected in 48.6% of 154 randomly selected copies of chromosome 9. To test the sensitivity of the method, subclones of the fragment with insert sizes of 6.6, 4.7, 3.5, 2.3, 1.9 and 0.8 kb were used for in situ hybridizations. Labeling efficiency for each probe was determined. The data showed that a single copy probe of 1.9 kb could be detected at the correct position in 18% of 183 randomly selected number 9 chromosomes.
Pediatric hernia repair: 1-stop shopping.

Abstract Purpose Multiple visits for the evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of straightforward surgical problems are inconvenient, can result in lost work for the parents, and missed school for the child. We hypothesized that with proper previsit screening, patients with select diagnoses can be evaluated in an outpatient clinic setting and undergo operation the same day. Methods Criteria were developed to identify straightforward referrals to our surgical practice for umbilical, epigastric, or inguinal hernias. Scripting was created to offer families the option of consultation and, if indicated, surgical treatment on the same day. Data collected included number of patients, cases performed, insurance status, and consultation reimbursement and surgical fees. Families were surveyed postoperatively. Results Sixty-one patient candidates participated. The diagnosis and indication for surgery were confirmed in 56 (92%), of which 50 underwent repair the day of their consultation. Seventy-two percent of patients had commercial insurance, whereas 28% had Medicaid. The preoperative consultation fee was reimbursed in 39 (78%) of 50 encounters (57% Medicaid, 86% commercial). All surgical cases were reimbursed. Patient and family satisfaction was high. Conclusions We conclude that it is feasible to provide same-day evaluation and service for straightforward pediatric hernias with acceptable financial reimbursement and high parent satisfaction.
Institutional surgical practices for nonveterinarians.

The federal law through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Code of Federal Regulations (9 CFR) confers program authority on the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee (IACUC). Part of that program authority is the decision about who is sufficiently qualified to perform experimental surgery using animals. At this time there is no clear standard reference for minimum criteria or minimum credentials. Thus each IACUC must establish its own standards for surgical privilege.
Determination of serum and plasma concentrations of retinol using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract An isocratic high-performance liquid chromatographic method specifically developed to allow simple and rapid determination of retinol concentrations in serum and plasma is reported. Retinol and retinol acetate (the internal standard) are extracted into butanol—ethyl acetate, with no subsequent evaporation step. Separation is achieved on a reversed-phase C-18 column, with a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile—1% ammonium acetate (89:11), and UV detection at 313 nm. Recoveries of both retinol and the internal standard were 100%, and both compounds were stable in the extraction solvent for at least 2.5 h. Three anticoagulants (oxalate, citrate, EDTA) and perchloric acid (used in some methods to denature protein) all caused losses of retinol. Each run required 9 min; same-day coefficient of variation (C.V.) for identical samples averaged 2.5%; between-day C.V. was 6.4%; sensitivity was better than 10 ng/ml, while clinical concentrations were 400–1200 ng/ml. This method permits simple, rapid, sensitive, precise, and accurate determination of retinol using 0.5 ml serum or heparinized plasma.
Isolation and characterization of the Schizosaccharomyces pombe gene encoding transcript elongation factor TFIIS

A gene designated tfs1 has been isolated from Schizosaccharomyces pombe based on its similarity to genes encoding transcription elongation factor TFIIS. The nucleotide sequence of the tfs1 gene predicts a polypeptide with similarity to mammalian, Drosophila and Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIIS. A haploid Sz. pombe strain with tfs1 deleted from the genome is viable. Thus, tfs1 is not essential for viability. However, deletion of tfs1 results in slow growth and increased sensitivity to the drug 6-azauracil, a phenotype similar to that of a S. cerevisiae strain deleted for the gene encoding TFIIS. The DNA sequence of tfs1 has been deposited in GenBank under Accession Number U20526.
Performance Technologist Preparation: The Role of Leadership Theory Originally published in 1995, PIQ 8.4

This article explores the unique positioning of leadership theory and literature as a unifying and informing discipline for the preparation of performance technologists. Although the role of leadership could be emphasized in any of the settings in which performance technologists become skilled, university departments of educational leadership seem especially suited for programs with this emphasis. A sample course activity is shared and linked to the building of leadership skills. The purpose of this article is to describe the importance of leadership as an informing and unifying discipline for the preparation of performance technologists and to explore the impact of this orientation on performance technologist preparation.
Assaying macrophage activity in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease using fluorine-19 MRI

Macrophages have an important role in the pathogenesis of most chronic inflammatory diseases. A means of non-invasively quantifying macrophage migration would contribute significantly towards our understanding of chronic inflammatory processes and aid the evaluation of novel therapeutic strategies. We describe the use of a perfluorocarbon tracer reagent and in vivo 19F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to quantify macrophage burden longitudinally. We apply these methods to evaluate the severity and three-dimensional distribution of macrophages in a murine model of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). MRI results were validated by histological analysis, immunofluorescence and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Selective depletion of macrophages in vivo was also performed, further validating that macrophage accumulation of perfluorocarbon tracers was the basis of 19F MRI signals observed in the bowel. We tested the effects of two common clinical drugs, dexamethasone and cyclosporine A, on IBD progression. Whereas cyclosporine A provided mild therapeutic effect, unexpectedly dexamethasone enhanced colon inflammation, especially in the descending colon. Overall, 19F MRI can be used to evaluate early-stage inflammation in IBD and is suitable for evaluating putative therapeutics. Due to its high macrophage specificity and quantitative ability, we envisage 19F MRI having an important role in evaluating a wide range of chronic inflammatory conditions mediated by macrophages.
U.S. Oil Companies, the Nigerian Civil War, and the Origins of Opacity in the Nigerian Oil Industry

June 2012 The Journal of American History 155 Present-day oil producers in Africa suffer from the “oil curse” or the “natural resource curse.” Despite massive influxes of oil revenues, these nations experience stagnating economies, declining standards of living, and increasingly authoritarian and corrupt forms of government. Nigeria provides a classic example. Ranked fifth globally in oil production, this nation has earned more than $340 billion in oil and gas revenues since the 1970s. Still, 70 percent of its population currently lives on less than one dollar per day, 43 percent have no access to clean water, and rebel insurgents in the oil-producing Niger delta threaten the stability of the Nigerian state. Corruption is rampant. In a recent study, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation received a ranking of zero for its level of transparency; the average ranking for the forty-four oil companies evaluated was sixty-five.1 International financial institutions and Western governments have advocated increased transparency to cure the oil curse—focusing on public disclosure of oil-related financial dealings to discourage the misappropriation of revenues and to hold governments accountable. The current emphasis on corruption as the cause of the natural resource curse represents the latest in a long history of economists’ and political scientists’ attempts to explain the phenomenon, labeled resource curse theory. Because those fields privilege the creation of universalist explanations, resource curse theory has become deterministic, failing to take into account specific historical eras, cultures, and locales. This article provides a corrective, utilizing historical methods to delineate the convergence of events, actors, and policies that set the Nigerian oil industry on its path toward becoming the most opaque on the globe today.2 U.S. Oil Companies, the Nigerian Civil War, and the Origins of Opacity in the Nigerian Oil Industry
1H,15N,13C-triple resonance NMR of very large systems at 900 MHz.

Abstract We provide quantitative signal to noise data and feasibility study at 900 MHz for 1 H– 15 N– 13 C triple resonance backbone assignment pulse sequences obtained from a medium sized 2 H, 13 C, 15 N labeled protein slowed down in glycerol–water solution to mimic relaxation and spectroscopic properties of a much larger protein system with macromolecular tumbling correlation time of 52 and 80 ns, respectively, at 296 and 283 K (corresponding to molecular weights of 130 and 250 kDa). Comparisons of several different schemes for transferring magnetization from proton to nitrogen and back to proton confirms Yang and Kay’s 1999 prediction that avoiding the unfavorable relaxation properties of 1 H– 15 N multiple quantum coherence in the TROSY phase cycle of the final 15 N– 1 H transfer before acquisition is crucial for maximal sensitivity from these very large molecular weight systems. We also show results which confirm some predictions regarding the superiority of TROSY at 900 MHz vs. 800 MHz especially as the molecular weights become very large.
Bovine physiological responses to toxic fescue and related conditions for application in a bioassay.

Abstract Physiological responses were observed in 85 male Holstein calves in mostly paired comparisons for the ultimate development of a suitable bioassay technique for fescue toxicity. The effects of environmental temperature, level of feed intake, ergotamine tartrate, and extracts of both toxic fescue and nontoxic orchardgrass on skin temperature of the distal portion of the tail were recorded. The 80% ethanol extract from toxic fescue caused a significant decrease in tail temperature, whereas nontoxic orchardgrass did not. Some differences in heart and respiration rates occurred. Multiple correlation and regression analysis indicated that room temperature and level of feed intake explained 57% of the variation in daily mean skin temperature of the tails of the animals in a room with continuous air movement. Complete removal of feed from the animals for two meals before obtaining measurements also caused reduced tail temperature, heart rate, and respiration rate. The most consistent response differences between presumably toxic and nontoxic extracts were obtained the day of treatment for intraperitoneal administration and the day following treatment for oral administration. The assay procedure described employing skin temperature appears to be the most discriminating for detecting reduced blood flow resulting from the administration of extracts of toxic fescue.
Laboratory evaluation of extenders for the noninclusion virus of the citrus red mite

Abstract Since the noninclusion virus of Panonychus citri rapidly becomes inactivated after aqueous application to fruits or foliage, aqueous suspensions were prepared with a variety of extenders and tested in the laboratory. Materials high in carbohydrates extended activity beyond the normal 2–6 hr and extracted body fluids of larvae and pupae of Trichoplusia ni extended it as much as 144 hr.
Glial fibrillary acidic protein synthesized in vitro using messenger RNA from a human glioma cell line.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) extracted from a continuous human glioma cell line grown in culture or as a solid tumor was translated in an mRNA-dependent reticulocyte lysate system. Translation products labeled with [35S]methionine were immunoprecipitated with antiserum specific for glial fibrillary acidic (GFA) protein, separated by one- and two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analyzed fluorographically. Immunoprecipitates from both cell culture and tumor mRNA translations had a molecular weight of 49,000 daltons, consistent with GFA protein extracted from human tissue. In two dimensions, the 49,000-dalton band resolved into two to three spots at pH 5.7–5.9, the isoelectric point of GFA protein. Minor lower molecular weight products were detected in fluorographs of heavily overloaded gels or in film exposed for extended periods of time. These data indicate that the GFA protein produced by this glioma cell line is chemically and immunologically similar to normal human GFA protein, which suggests that the primary phenotypic expression of GFA protein in this tumor cell line is not altered by the neoplastic process.
MicroRNA maintenance of cone outer segments.

The function of cone photoreceptors depends upon the formation and maintenance of outer segments, which are lost in degenerative diseases. Busskamp et al. (2014) reveal a critical role for microRNAs, specifically miR-182 and miR-183, in the maintenance of these specialized structures.
Proof of Large Positive Zero-Field Splitting in a Ru25+ Paddlewheel

We present the synthesis, as well as the structural and magnetic characterization, of [Ru2(D(3,5-Cl2Ph)F)4Cl(0.5H2O)].C6H14 (D(3,5-Cl2Ph)F = N,N'-di(3,5-dichlorophenyl)formamidinate), a Ru2(5+) compound having a 4B(2u) ground state derived from a sigma2pi4delta2pi2delta electron configuration. The persistence of this configuration from 27 to 300 K is shown by the invariance of the Ru-Ru distance. Orientation-dependent magnetic susceptibility (chiT) and magnetization (M(H)) data are in accord with a spin quartet ground state with large magnetocrystalline anisotropy associated with a large axial zero-field splitting (D) parameter. Theoretical fits to chiT and M(H) plots yielded D/kB = +114 K, implying an S = +/-1/2 Kramers doublet ground state at low temperature. Single-crystal and powder EPR data are consistent with this result, as the only observed transition is between the M(s) = +/1/2 Zeeman levels. The g values are g(perpendicular) = 2.182, g(parallel) = 1.970, and D = 79.8 cm(-1). The totality of the results demands D >> 0.
Feed processing. VII. Effect of an expansion-processed mixture of grain and urea (starea) on rumen metabolism in cattle and on urea toxicity.

Abstract Starea was compared with several other feed processing treatments for utilization of urea. It is an expansion-processed mixture of gelatinized grain starch and urea. All rations contained about 5% urea, and the grain was sorghum. In a first experiment 2 pairs of identical twin cattle were fed rations of urea and grain that had been a) cracked, b) finely ground and pelleted, c) expanded or d) made into Starea. The rations were changed each week, consequently after 4 weeks the individual animal had been fed all 4 rations. The sequence was repeated once. Finely ground pelleted grain, expanded grain and Starea were not different from one another in their effect on rumen ammonia concentration. However, all 3 rations compared with cracked grain lowered rumen ammonia concentration (P In a second experiment, Starea and the cracked grain plus urea ration (control) were fed to the 2 pairs of identical twin cattle. The total quantity and concentration of bacterial and protozoal nitrogen were significantly greater in the rumen contents of the Starea-fed animals than in those of the controls. The rumen ammonia concentration of the Starea-fed animals was lower than that of the controls. These differences approached statistical significance (P
Nephrotoxicity in Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Treated with Calcium Disodium Edetate (CaNa2EDTA) † 618

Nephrotoxicity in Children with Elevated Blood Lead Levels Treated with Calcium Disodium Edetate (CaNa2EDTA) † 618
Methitural sodium (neraval sodium), an intravenous anesthetic for oral surgery procedures.

Abstract Methitural sodium, a new short-acting thiobarbiturate anesthetic favorable for use in the oral surgery office as an intravenous anesthetic, demonstrates some noticeable advantages in that it shows a lessened recovery time with more complete mental alertness upon recovery. Side effects observed in this short study of only seventy-five cases are not conclusive in view of the fact that such complications as laryngospasms may be produced irrespective of the type of anesthetic used. Since it is our opinion that all short-acting thiobarbiturates being used today can be direct myocardial and respiratory depressants, 2 methitural sodium (Neraval sodium) offers among its advantages a slower induction, which is desirable in view of these facts, and the patient awakes faster, which is an advantage in resuscitating the depressed patient. Since the advent and employment of muscle relaxants, surgery is performed in very light planes of anesthesia. In the dental office the routine use of muscle relaxants as an anesthetic adjunct is not practical due to the fact that controlled respiration is somewhat disadvantageous to the operator. Because of the high fat-solubility ratio of methitural sodium, the continuous administration of methitural sodium enables the operator to maintain a light plane of anesthesia with less chance of rapidly overdosing the patient. Methitural sodium seems to be a safe anesthetic agent for dental procedures when administered by qualified and experienced anesthetists. As experience is gained over the years, we will become more familiar with all the advantages and disadvantages of the short-acting thiobarbiturates. As no one antibiotic is sufficient for all infections, no one anesthetic agent will be the panacea for all anesthesia needs.
Measurable dynamics of maps on profinite groups

Abstract We study the measurable dynamics of transformations on profinite groups, in particular of those which factor through sufficiently many of the projection maps; these maps generalize the 1-Lipschitz maps on ℤp.
Testicular cancer: a narrative review of the role of socioeconomic position from risk to survivorship.

Abstract Background Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most curable cancers. Given survival rates of close to 100% with appropriate therapy, ensuring proper treatment is essential. We reviewed and summarized the literature on the association of socioeconomic position (SEP) along the cancer control spectrum from risk factors to survivorship. Methods We searched PubMed from 1966 to 2011 using the following terms: testicular cancer, testicular neoplasm, poverty, and socioeconomic factors, retrieving 119 papers. After excluding papers for the non-English (10) language and non-relevance (46), we reviewed 63 papers. We abstracted information on socioeconomic position (SEP), including occupation, education, income, and combinations of the 3. Five areas were examined: risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, survival, and survivorship. Results Most studies examined area-based measures, not individual measures of SEP. The majority of studies found an increased risk of developing TC with high SEP though recent papers have indicated increased risk in low-income populations. Regarding diagnosis, recent papers have indicated that lower levels of education and SEP are risk factors for later-stage TC diagnosis and hence higher TC mortality. For treatment, 1 study that examined the use of radiation therapy (RT) in stage I seminoma reported that living in a county with lower educational attainment led to lower use of RT. For survival (mortality), several studies found that men living in lower SEP geographic areas experience lower survival and higher mortality. Conclusion The strongest evidence for SEP impact on testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) was found for the risk of developing cancer as well as survival. The association of SEP with TGCT risk appears to have changed over the last decade. Given the highly curable nature of TGCT, more research is needed to understand how SEP impacts diagnosis and treatment for TGCT and to design interventions to address disparities in TGCT outcomes and SEP.
Effects of Direct Current Electrofishing on the Mottled Sculpin

Abstract We examined the effects of electrofishing on the survival of mottled sculpin Cottus bairdi in two experiments. Three tanks each were filled with mottled sculpin collected by electrofishing (treatment) and by kick-seining (control). We maintained these tanks for at least 30 d and recorded all deaths. Patterns of survival were not significantly different among tanks in either of the experiments. In addition, there were no significant differences between pooled data sets (all control tanks versus all treatment tanks) within each experiment. Failure to demonstrate a treatment effect in either experiment suggests that electrofishing does not adversely affect the short-term survival of mottled sculpin. Although sample sizes were insufficient for statistical analysis, a similar result was obtained for several other species of stream fishes. To test the effects of multiple electrofishing exposures, we conducted another experiment in four artificial stream sections. Treatment mottled sculpin were shocked,...
Exercise for managing the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

This excerpt was created in the absence of an abstract . highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness and appropriateness of interventions—medications, surgery, education, nutrition, exercise—and the evidence for and against the use of diagnostic tests for specific conditions. Cochrane reviews are designed to facilitate the decisions of clinicians, patients, and others in health care by providing a careful review and interpretation of research studies published in the scientific literature.1 Each article in this PTJ series summarizes a Cochrane review or other scientific evidence resource on a single topic and presents clinical scenarios based on real patients to illustrate how the results of the review can be used to directly inform clinical decisions. This article focuses on an ambulatory patient with multiple sclerosis and mild to moderate impairments. Can exercise improve the quality of life for individuals like this patient with multiple sclerosis?
On the Shape of the Probability Weighting Function

Empirical studies have shown that decision makers do not usually treat probabilities linearly. Instead, people tend to overweight small probabilities and underweight large probabilities. One way to model such distortions in decision making under risk is through a probability weighting function. We present a nonparametric estimation procedure for assessing the probability weighting function and value function at the level of the individual subject. The evidence in the domain of gains supports a two-parameter weighting function, where each parameter is given a psychological interpretation: one parameter measures how the decision maker discriminates probabilities, and the other parameter measures how attractive the decision maker views gambling. These findings are consistent with a growing body of empirical and theoretical work attempting to establish a psychological rationale for the probability weighting function.
Via electromigration performance of Ti/W/Al-Cu(2%) multilayered metallization

Via electromigration (EM) performance of Ti/W/Al-Cu(2%) metallization is reported for 1.2- mu m vias defined in 1.0 mu m of interlevel oxide. Using a Kelvin-contact stressing structure, the via resistance was monitored independently of the EM-induced damage which occurs in the metal leads servicing the via. Even for EM-induced resistance rises of up to 270% in the metal leads, the vias remained stable with via resistance rises of less than 20%. This indicates that the metal stripes exhibit electromigration wearout well before the vias fail. These results were independent of the direction of current flow in the via. >
Spatial Variation in Species Diversity and Composition of Forest Lepidoptera in Eastern Deciduous Forests of North America

The primary emphasis of conservation biology has moved away from attempting to manage single species within a given habitat to the preservation of entire communities within ecoregions, requiring that greater attention be paid to how biodiversity and species composition vary across spatial scales. Using a nested sampling design, we examined spatial variation in the biodiversity of forest Lepidoptera across three hierarchical levels: 20 forest stands, five sites, and three ecoregions. We used blacklight traps to sample the moth communities of each forest stand every week in June and August of 2000. Lepidopteran community composition was most significantly influenced by ecoregional differences, whereas patterns ofanddiver- sity across scales differed depending on how diversity was measured. Diversity partitioning models demon- strated that turnover in species richness occurred equally across all spatial scales because numerically rare species were continually encountered. In contrast, within-stand effects disproportionately influenced Simpson and Shannon diversity (relative to outcomes from randomization tests), suggesting that local factors deter- mined species dominance. Because most Lepidoptera in forests appear to be rare ( � 50%), it will be impossi- ble for conservation biologists to design management plans to account for every species. We suggest that a more meaningful strategy would be to identify species that attain a reasonable abundance within a commu- nity (5-10% of all the individuals in a sample) and that are unique to particular spatial levels. This strategy should produce two desirable outcomes: the conservation of species that render ecoregions distinct and the maintenance of functionally dominant species within forests.
Distributed Distortion Optimization for Correlated Sources with Network Coding

We consider lossy data compression in capacity-constrained networks with correlated sources. We derive, using dual decomposition, a distributed algorithm that maximizes an aggregate utility measure defined in terms of the distortion levels of the sources. No coordination among sources is required; each source adjusts its distortion level according to distortion prices fed back by the sinks. The algorithm is developed for the case of squared error distortion and high resolution coding where the rate-distortion region is known, and can be easily extended to consider achievable regions that can be expressed in a related form. Our distributed optimization framework applies to unicast and multicast with and without network coding. Numerical examples show relatively fast convergence, allowing the algorithm to be used in time-varying networks.
Correcting erroneous inferences in memory: The role of source credibility

Abstract People often continue to rely on erroneous information about people and events, even in the face of subsequent counter information. The current study examined whether this information could be effectively corrected by a credible source. We examined two aspects of credibility: trustworthiness and expertise. Experiment 1 showed that receiving a correction from a source high in trustworthiness and expertise reduced participants’ use of original information when making inferences. Experiment 2 showed that source expertise alone was not sufficient to reduce participants’ reliance on the original information. The results from Experiment 3 showed that source trustworthiness alone significantly decreased participants’ use of the original information when making inferences. The results suggest that people may be able to reduce their use of original information if they receive a correction from a person who is deemed to be highly trustworthy. These findings have implications for decision making in politics and other applied areas.
The Role of Simulation in Software Engineering Experimentation

Software engineering experimentation should develop beyond statistical analysis of data and analytic models. We must become more active in developing a viable discipline of simulation to aid experimental software engineering. This will require developing standard modeling components, connections, tools, and a body of knowledge to interpret modeled phenomena.
Understanding Career Context as a Key to Best Serving Adult Students.

Professional development plays a key role in motivating many adult learners. Understanding these students' career contexts allows for more effective program development and better student services. This article presents five broad categories of career context and provides a brief framework which educators can use to more effectively anticipate the needs of different types of adult learners. The categories presented include those in nonprofessional positions, career changers, displaced workers, those in fear of displacement, and those who are upwardly mobile within stable organizations. Each of these groups has different sets of needs that should be considered by practitioners. The categories presented are intended to help educators better understand each individual, and do not purport to create fixed, inflexible, or compressive groupings of adult learners. Understandings of career context should be integrated with other aspects of adult learner theory to optimize praxis. The observations and reflections in this article are informed by work in adult career advising at a major metropolitan university.
Batch Processing Items in a High-Density Shelving Facility

In 2006, staff at the Johns Hopkins Libraries’ off-site shelving facility began processing incoming items in batches by using an item group editing function in its library management system. Prior to that, items had been processed individually, which is the norm at most shelving facilities. Batch processing has cut processing time by more than half and has virtually eliminated processing errors. It has also facilitated several collection management projects (including deduplication, weeding, and digitization), which had previously been considered too time-consuming or expensive to pursue.
Cytokinesis-Blocked Micronucleus Assay as a Novel Biomarker for Lung Cancer Risk

In this case-control study, we modified the cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay, an established biomarker for genomic instability, to evaluate susceptibility to the nicotine-derived nitrosamine 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) by measuring the frequency of NNK-induced chromosomal damage endpoints (micronuclei, nucleoplasmic bridges, and nuclear buds) per 1,000 binucleated lymphocytes. Spontaneous and NNK-induced chromosomal damage were significantly higher in lung cancer patients compared with controls. Forty-seven percent of cases (versus 12% of controls) had ≥4 spontaneous micronuclei, 66% of cases (and no controls) had ≥4 spontaneous nucleoplasmic bridges, and 25% of cases (versus 5% of controls) had ≥1 spontaneous nuclear bud (P
Identification of a novel gene isolated from a fracture callus

We have previously hypothesized that a vast number of genes are expressed during the fracture repair. Past work in our laboratory identified many of these genes, involved specifically during fracture healing, some being functionally unknown (identified as ESTs (Expressed Sequence Tags) or as completely novel). One such EST was selected for further studies based on its expression pattern (from microarray experiments), its highest level of mRNA expression on post-fracture (PF) day 10 and 14. Since a partial sequence is known, a "contig" approach was utilized to construct the full-length gene. A final contig of 1686 by was constructed. Primers were designed to amplify 1121 by of the contig using RT-PCR. However, no band was obtained. Simultaneously, primers were designed for the amplification of the original EST which was obtained. This fragment was subcloned, sequenced, and its identity verified. Further, northern analysis was performed using RNA isolated from intact bone as well as PF day 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 callus. Results indicate this gene was differentially expressed, with high levels on PF days 7-21, and its mRNA size was /spl sim/6500 bp. The task remains to obtain the full-length gene and characterize its structure and function.
Performing Craft for Heritage Tourists in Southwest France

RECENT HERITAGE TOURISM initiatives have affected the gendered division of labor in craft confectionery businesses in southwest France. These initiatives blur the traditional boundary between the public space of the confectionery boutique controlled by artisanal wives and the private space of the adjoining workshop controlled by their craftsmen husbands. Tasks once performed by women such as the cultivation of a craft mystique and the education of consumers in the proper purchase and consumption etiquette of confectionery goods, are now increasingly performed by craftsmen themselves. The privileged arena of the boutique is being replaced by the workshop and the gentrified historic district as the new urban frontstages aimed at a tourist audience. [Artisanship, tourism, gender, family, France]
Modeling US Adult Obesity Trends: A System Dynamics Model for Estimating Energy Imbalance Gap

Objectives. We present a system dynamics model that quantifies the energy imbalance gap responsible for the US adult obesity epidemic among gender and racial subpopulations.Methods. We divided the adult population into gender–race/ethnicity subpopulations and body mass index (BMI) classes. We defined transition rates between classes as a function of metabolic dynamics of individuals within each class. We estimated energy intake in each BMI class within the past 4 decades as a multiplication of the equilibrium energy intake of individuals in that class. Through calibration, we estimated the energy gap multiplier for each gender–race–BMI group by matching simulated BMI distributions for each subpopulation against national data with maximum likelihood estimation.Results. No subpopulation showed a negative or zero energy gap, suggesting that the obesity epidemic continues to worsen, albeit at a slower rate. In the past decade the epidemic has slowed for non-Hispanic Whites, is starting to slow for non-Hispani...
Role of Zinc in Plasma Membrane Function

The concentration of plasma zinc is the generally accepted index of zinc status. Although low plasma zinc is an essential criterion of deficiency, alone it is inadequate. To supplement this index, we sought to determine the first limiting biochemical defect in animals fed zinc-deficient diets and concluded that the limiting function is associated with a posttranslational change in plasma membrane proteins. Among the signs of zinc deficiency in rats is a bleeding tendency associated with failure of platelet aggregation, a phenomenon that correlates with impaired uptake of Ca(2+) when stimulated. Zinc-deficient guinea pigs exhibit signs of peripheral neuropathy, and their brain synaptic vesicles exhibit impaired Ca(2+) uptake when they are stimulated with glutamate. Red cells from zinc-deficient rats show increased osmotic fragility associated with decreased plasma membrane sulfhydryl concentration. Both phenomena are readily reversed (2 d) by dietary zinc repletion. Volume recovery is dependent on Ca-dependent K channels and the sulfhydryl redox state. Both the impaired aggregation and calcium uptake of zinc-deficient platelets are corrected by in vitro incubation of blood with glutathione. Considering the fact that plasma membranes from several cell types show impaired function that is associated with a decreased rate of calcium uptake, it is postulated that a defect in calcium channels is the first limiting biochemical defect in zinc deficiency. The calcium uptake defect and consequent impaired second-messenger function likely results from an abnormal sulfhydryl redox state in the membrane channel protein.
Evasion of killing by human antibody and complement through multiple variations in the surface oligosaccharide of Haemophilus influenzae

Summary The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of H. influenzae is highly variable. Much of the structural diversity is derived from phase variation, or high frequency on-off switching, of molecules attached during LPS biosynthesis. In this study, we examined the dynamics of LPS phase variation following exposure to human serum as a source of antibody and complement in multiple H. influenzae isolates. We show that lic2A, lgtC and lex2A switch from phase-off to phase-on following serial passage in human serum. These genes, which control attachment of a galα1–4gal di-galactoside structure (lic2A and lgtC phase-on) or an alternative glucose extension (lex2A phase-on) from the same hexose moiety, reduce binding of bactericidal antibody to conserved inner core LPS structures. The effects of the di-galactoside and alternative glucose extension were also examined in the context of the additional LPS phase variable structures phosphorylcholine (ChoP) and sialic acid. We found that di-galactoside, the alternative glucose extension, ChoP, and sialic acid each contribute independently to bacterial survival in the presence of human complement, and have an additive effect in combination. We propose that LPS phase variable extensions serve to shield conserved inner core structures from recognition by host immune components encountered during infection.
Current Perceptions of Resident Training in Laparoscopic Nephrectomy

Objectives To determine the perceived degree of training of residents in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Laparoscopic nephrectomy is well established in the field of urology and has seen increasing penetrance in urologic practice. The degree to which this recent technical shift has been integrated into urologic training at the residency level has not been characterized. Methods An electronic survey was sent to 518 urology residents and recent graduates and to 85 laparoscopic specialists at academic medical centers. Both residents and practicing urologists were queried regarding the level of resident participation for each step of laparoscopic nephrectomy and opinions on the necessity of fellowship training. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon rank-sum and χ2 tests. Results Attending surgeons perceived a significantly greater level of resident involvement in performing all aspects of laparoscopic nephrectomy, with the exception of hilar dissection and port closure. To perform laparoscopic nephrectomy, 12.5% of attending physicians and 5% of residents reported that a fellowship is necessary. Conclusions Significant disagreement exists between attending surgeons and residents on the perceived degree of resident involvement in most aspects of laparoscopic nephrectomy. This could have significant implications on resident education for a procedure that is arguably the standard of care for treatment of uncomplicated renal masses. Most attending physicians and residents were in agreement that fellowship is not necessary to perform this procedure. These results raise questions regarding the future of laparoscopic training and bring to light the need for better regulation of laparoscopic training.
Supporting Affordability-Based Design Decisions in the Presence of Demand Variability

In the years since the Cold War, the aerospace industry has seen a shift towards affordability-based design from the primarily performance-based designs of the past era. While many techniques, such as IPPD and PLM, have been implemented in support of this shift, recent developments in the industry have led to major cost overruns and production delays. The increased prevalence of demand variability in the aerospace industry and the difficulty to rapidly adapt production plans are a primary cause of these issues. Furthermore, traditional aircraft designers perform detailed manufacturing cost analysis late in the design process when the majority of the program costs are already committed. With the recent shift to more composite aerostructures, historical regressions and cost estimating relationships used to predict cost and manufacturability are no longer accurate, so postponing more detailed cost analyses to later design phases can lead to high costs due to sub-optimal early design decisions. The methodology presented in this paper addresses these problems by providing the ability to conduct multi-disciplinary trades in the early stages of design, when a large amount of design freedom and cost savings opportunities exist.To enable these multi-disciplinary trades, this paper describes how aircraft performance considerations are integrated with production rate, manufacturing cost, and financial planning metrics into a parametric, visual trade-off environment. The environment, combined with a multi-objective optimization routine, facilitate effective affordability-based trades during the early stages of design. An F-86 Sabre redesigned wingbox using 3 separate manufacturing concepts is used as a proof-of-concept for this research.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
CLIMATOLOGY OF STATEWIDE EXTREME TEMPERATURES DURING WINTER MONTHS IN THE COTERMINOUS UNITED STATES

A 20-year (1961-1980) record of statewide extreme maximum and minimum temperatures for the winter season is examined for the coterminous United States. Extreme maxima exhibit a zonal pattern, modified somewhat by terrain features in the west. Extreme minima are more dramatically skewed from a zonal orientation, because of the effects of elevation and proximity to oceans. Interannual variability in the record of extreme temperatures appears to be dictated by proximity to air-mass source regions (e.g., low variability of minima in the Upper Midwest, low variability of maxima in the Deep South) and sensitivity to the position and amplitude of mid-tropospheric circulation and snowpack dynamics (e.g., high variability of minima in the Ohio Valley). Strong, spatially coherent patterns of correlation between statewide extremes and amplitude of midtropospheric flow are evident (negative correlation with enhanced troughing in the east; positive correlation with enhanced ridging in the west). Lag correlations with ...
Biosynthesis of phosphatidyl glycerophosphate in Escherichia coli.

An enzyme ( l -glycerol 3-phosphate: CMP phosphatidyltransferase) catalyzing the synthesis of phosphatidyl glycerophosphate from CDP-diglyceride and l -glycerol 3-phosphate has been rendered soluble by treatment of the particulate, membrane-containing fraction of E. coli with Triton X-100 and has been partially purified. The enzyme, devoid of phosphatidyl glycerophosphatase activity, is specific for l -glycerol 3-phosphate and is completely dependent upon added Mg++ or Mn++ for activity. It has high affinity for CDP-diglyceride and can be used for the assay of this nucleotide. Other properties of the enzyme are also described.
Health Professions Education A National Survey of Community College Leaders

Community colleges have long been recognized as essential collaborators in the training of frontline health care professionals. More recently, growing policy and programmatic interest has led to an...
LM2500 Marine Gas Turbine Sealift Program Uprate

This paper traces the evolution of the GE LM2500 gas turbine engine in the US Navy from its initial introductory 21,500 hp (16,033 kW) rating in DD-963 class destroyers to its current US Navy Sealift Program rating of 32,000 hp (23,863 kW). Improvements to the engine and required qualification testing to establish the ratings are discussed with particular emphasis on the recent 32,000 hp (23,863 kW) Sealift Program uprate.Copyright © 1994 by ASME
Decontamination of Malathion from Ladino Clover Seed Screenings

Abstract THE serious problems that arise in either animals or animal products that are potential sources of human food which have resulted from the consumption of pesticide contaminated feeds has been discussed (Archer and Crosby, 1967; Archer, 1968a; Crosby et al., 1967; Laben et al., 1965, 1966) as well as certain procedures investigated for the removal of the contaminants from the animal feeds (Archer and Crosby, 1968; Archer, 1968b). Raun (1956) reported that no malathion residues were found in the skin, fat or meat of chickens as a result of spraying populated houses with a 1.0 percent malathion spray or dusting with a 4.0 percent dust. Harding and Quigley (1956) reported no residues of malathion in eggs after treating litter or nesting material, or application of dust directly to the egg. There is a tolerance of 4 p.p.m. for malathion residue in poultry meat but no tolerance in eggs. Residues from…
CARVING NATURE AT ITS JOINTS AND CARVING JOINTS INTO NATURE: HOW LABELS AUGMENT CATEGORY REPRESENTATIONS

Using words to label categories is a true human universal. In addition to their public function in communication, labels may also serve private functions in shaping how concepts are represented. The present work explored the effects of assigning category labels on perceptual representations. A connectionist simulation is presented that examines the effects of labels on learning different types of categories. It is found that labels can augment perceptual information, and play an especially important role in shaping representations of entities whose perceptual features alone are insufficient for reliable classification.
Racial disparities in uterine clear cell carcinoma: a multi-institution study.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of race on the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of white and African-American patients with uterine clear cell carcinoma (UCCC). Methods A retrospective review was conducted of all primary UCCC cases treated at 1 of 4 major gynecologic cancer centers between 1982 and 2012. Patients and tumor characteristics were retrieved from the cancer databases of the respective institutions and based on a retrospective review of the medical records. Differences in the OS and PFS between African-American and white women were compared using the Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test for univariate analysis. Cox regression models for the multivariate analyses were built to evaluate the relative impact of the various prognostic factors. Results One hundred seventy women with UCCC were included in the study, including 118 white and 52 African-American women. Both groups were comparable with respect to age (P = 0.9), stage at diagnosis (P = 0.34), angiolymphatic invasion (P = 0.3), and depth of myometrial invasion (P = 0.84). In the multivariate analyses for known prognostic factors, OS and PFS were significantly different between white and African-American patients in the early-stage disease (hazard ratio [HR], 5.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2–23.2; P = 0.023 and HR, 3.5; 95% CI, 1.60–7.77; P = 0.0016, respectively) but not in the advanced-stage disease (HR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.40–1.67; P = 0.61 and HR, 1.5; 95% CI, 0.84–2.78; P = 0.15, respectively). Conclusions In the current study, African-American patients have a prognosis worse than that of white patients in early-stage UCCC. We could not prove the same difference in advanced-stage disease.
Ambiguities with the relativistic δ-function potential

By explicit calculation on the one-dimensional Dirac equation, we exhibit an ambiguity in defining the relativistic $\ensuremath{\delta}$-function potential.