cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical Trial of the Potassium Channel Activator Diazoxide for Major Depressive Disorder Halted Due to Intolerability.

Background Some glutamatergic modulators have demonstrated rapid and relatively sustained antidepressant properties in patients with major depressive disorder. Because the potassium channel activator diazoxide increases glutamate uptake via potassium channel activation, we hypothesized that it might exert antidepressant effects by increasing the removal of glutamate from the synaptic cleft, thereby reducing excessive glutamate transmission. Methods This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover, single-site inpatient clinical study was conducted at the National Institute of Mental Health to assess the efficacy and safety of a 3-week course of diazoxide (200-400 mg daily, twice a day) versus a 3-week course of placebo in 6 participants with treatment-refractory major depressive disorder. The primary clinical outcome measure was change in Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale score from baseline to posttreatment. Quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, as well as concomitant imaging measures (electroencephalography, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy, magnetoencephalography), were used as potential surrogate markers of target (KATP channel) engagement. Results The study was halted due to severe adverse effects. Given the small sample size, statistical evaluation of the effect of diazoxide on Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores or the imaging measures was not pursued. Visual inspection of the quantitative insulin sensitivity check index test revealed no evidence of target engagement. Conclusions Although the results are negative, they are an important addition to the literature in this rapidly changing field.
MIND Diet Associated with Reduced Incidence and Delayed Progression of ParkinsonismA in Old Age.

In old age, motor impairments including parkinsonian signs are common, but treatment is lacking for many older adults. In this study, we examined the association of a diet specifically developed to promote brain health, called MIND (Mediterranean-DASH Diet Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay), to the incidence and progression of parkinsonism in older adults. A total of 706 Memory and Aging Project participants aged 59–97 years and without parkinsonism at baseline were assessed annually for the presence of four parkinsonian signs using a 26-item modified version of the United Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale. Incident parkinsonism was defined as the first occurrence over 4.6 years of follow-up of two or more parkinsonian signs. The progression of parkinsonism was assessed by change in a global parkinsonian score (range: 0-100). MIND, Mediterranean, and DASH diet pattern scores were computed based on a validated food frequency questionnaire including 144 food items. We employed Cox-Proportional Hazard models and linear mixed models, to examine the associations of baseline diet scores with incident parkinsonism and the annual rate of change in global parkinsonian score, respectively. In models adjusted for age, sex, smoking, total energy intake, BMI and depressive symptoms, higher MIND diet scores were associated with a decreased risk of parkinsonism [(HR=0.89, 95% CI 0.83-0.96)]; and a slower rate of parkinsonism progression [(β= -0.008; SE=0.0037; p=0.04)]. The Mediterranean diet was marginally associated with reduced parkinsonism progression (β= -0.002; SE=0.0014; p=0.06). The DASH diet, by contrast, was not associated with either outcome. The MIND diet created for brain health may be a associated with decreased risk and slower progression of parkinsonism in older adults.
QSARs to predict adsorption affinity of organic micropollutants for activated carbon and β-cyclodextrin polymer adsorbents.

Abstract The removal of organic micropollutants (MPs) from water by means of adsorption is determined by the physicochemical properties of the adsorbent and the MPs. It is challenging to predict the removal of MPs by specific adsorbents due to the extreme diversity in physicochemical properties among MPs of interest. In this research, we established Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationships (QSARs) between the physicochemical properties of a diverse set of MPs and their distribution coefficients (KD) measured on coconut shell activated carbon (CCAC) and porous β-cyclodextrin polymer (P-CDP) adsorbents. We conducted batch experiments with a mixture of 200 MPs and used the data to calculate KD values for each MP on each adsorbent under conditions of infinite dilution (i.e., low adsorbate concentrations). We used computational software to calculate 3656 molecular descriptors for each MP. We then developed and applied a model-selection workflow to identify the most significant molecular descriptors for each adsorbent. The functional stability and predictive power of the resulting QSARs were confirmed with internal cross validation and external validation. The applicability domain of the QSARs was defined based on the most significant molecular descriptors selected into each QSAR. The QSARs are predictive tools for evaluating adsorption-based water treatment processes and provide new insights into CCAC and P-CDP adsorption mechanisms.
Effect of harvest method and ammoniation of baled corn residue on intake and digestibility in lambs.

To determine the effect of harvest method and ammoniation on both in vivo and in vitro digestibility of corn residue, six corn residue treatments consisting of three different harvest methods either with or without anhydrous ammonia chemical treatment (5.5% of dry matter [DM]) were evaluated. The harvest methods included conventional rake-and-bale (CONV) and New Holland Cornrower with eight rows (8ROW) or two rows (2ROW) of corn stalks chopped into the windrow containing the tailings (leaf, husk, and upper stem) from eight rows of harvested corn (ammoniated bales of each harvest method resulted in treatments COVAM, 8RAM, and 2RAM). Nine crossbred wether lambs (49.2 ± 0.5 kg BW) were fed 64.2% corn residue, 29.8% wet corn gluten feed, 3.3% smooth-bromegrass hay, and 2.8% mineral mix (DM basis) in a 9 × 6 Latin rectangle metabolism study with a 3 × 2 factorial treatment to measure total tract disappearance. Six 21-d periods consisted of 14-d adaptation and 7-d total fecal collection, and lambs were fed ad libitum (110% of the previous day's DM intake [DMI]) during days 1 to 12 and reduced to 95% of ad libitum intake for days 13 to 21. There was a harvest method by ammoniation interaction (P 0.34) between harvest method and ammoniation for any total tract or in vitro digestibility estimate. Harvest method affected (P < 0.04) DM, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibility, where 2ROW was greater than both CONV and 8ROW, which did not differ. The organic matter (OM) digestibility (P = 0.12) and digestible energy (DE; P = 0.30) followed the same numerical trend. Both in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro OM digestibility (IVOMD) of the residue were affected (P < 0.01) by harvest method, with 2ROW being greater (P < 0.01) than both CONV and 8ROW. For IVDMD, 8ROW was not (P = 0.77) different from CONV, but 8ROW IVOMD was lower (P = 0.03) than CONV. Ammoniation improved (P < 0.01) DM, OM, NDF, and ADF digestibility of all harvest methods, resulting in a 26% increase (P < 0.01) in DE due to ammoniation. Similar digestibility improvements were observed in vitro with ammoniation improving IVDMD and IVOMD by 23% and 20%, respectively. Both selective harvest methods and ammoniation can improve the feeding value of baled corn residue.
Cooking Curries for change: four desi food blogs in the UK, cyberactivism, & the transnational public sphere

ABSTRACTThis paper focuses on four popular UK based, desi food blogs by Anjali Pathak, Hari Ghotra, Mallika Basu, and Chintal Kakaya, who are ambassadors of the global justice charity Find Your Fee...
Towards an integrative sociological theory of empathy

Sociological theories of morality have grown in prevalence over the last decade and a half. These theories often focus on developing single concepts such as identity, reputation or emotion, or they...
Altering salivary protein profile can decrease aversive oromotor responding to quinine in rats.

Bitter taste is often associated with toxins, but accepting some bitter foods, such as green vegetables, can be an important part of maintaining a healthy diet. It has previously been shown that animals exposed to quinine upregulate a set of salivary proteins (SPs), and those with upregulated SPs have increased rates of feeding on a quinine diet as well as increased brief-access licking to and higher detection thresholds for quinine. These studies suggest that SPs alter orosensory feedback; however, they rely on SPs upregulated by diet exposure and cannot control for the role of learning. Here, we use taste reactivity to determine if SPs can alter bitter taste in animals with no previous bitter diet experience. First, saliva with proteins stimulated by injections of isoproterenol and pilocarpine was collected from anesthetized rats; this "donor saliva" was analyzed for protein concentration and profile. Bitter-naive rats were implanted with oral catheters and infused with taste stimuli dissolved in saliva that contained all of the SPs from the donors, saliva that was filtered of SPs, water, or artificial saliva. Their orofacial movements were recorded and quantified. We found that presence of quinine increased movements associated with aversive stimuli, but adding SPs to the infusion was sufficient to reduce aversive oromotor responding to quinine. The effect was dependent on the total protein concentration of the saliva, as protein concentration increased aversive responses decreased. Additionally, infusions of whole saliva altered aversive responding to quinine, but not other stimuli (citric acid, NaCl, sucrose). Our work suggests that effect of these SPs is specific and the presence of SPs is sufficient to decrease aversive orosensory feedback to bitter stimuli.
The Prognostic Value of Quantitative EEG in Patients Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy for Acute Ischemic Stroke.

PURPOSE Previous work has shown that quantitative EEG measures correlate with the severity of ischemic stroke. This has not been systematically validated in patients with acute ischemic stroke who have undergone mechanical thrombectomy. METHODS Data were collected from 73 patients who underwent mechanical thrombectomy and had a standard head set EEG performed during their hospital admission. For each patient, the global delta-alpha ratio (DAR) and its difference between the two hemispheres were calculated. Associations between the global and interhemispheric DAR difference with the patients' National Institutes of Health Stroke and Modified Rankin Scale scores at discharge and 3 months after thrombectomy were assessed. RESULTS The interhemispheric DAR difference correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke scores at discharge (Spearman R = 0.41, P = 0.0008), National Institutes of Health Stroke scores at 3 months (Spearman R = 0.60, P = 0.02) and Modified Rankin Scale scores at 3 months (Spearman R = 0.27, P = 0.01). In contrast, the global DAR did not correlate significantly with any of these clinical outcomes when evaluated as continuous variables. In a multivariate logistic regression model, both the interhemispheric DAR difference (β = 0.25, P = 0.03) and the infarct volume (β = 0.02, P = 0.03) were independently predictive of good versus poor functional outcome (Modified Rankin Scale score ≤2 vs. >2) at 3 months. CONCLUSIONS The quantitative EEG measure of interhemispheric slow relative to fast frequencies power asymmetry correlated with the discharge and 3-month National Institutes of Health Stroke and Modified Rankin Scale scores and provided added value to infarct volume in predicting functional outcome at 3 months. These data support the prognostic value of quantitative EEG in ischemic stroke patients who have undergone mechanical thrombectomy.
On the Determination of Device Noise Parameters Versus Size

This article establishes the limitations of an existing procedure that determines the noise parameters of a scalable microwave two-port network by changing its size. The existing procedure, applied to active devices, relies on a well-accepted noise model based on two uncorrelated equivalent temperatures to replicate the device’s noise performance over frequency. A logical extension of the existing procedure is to make it model-agnostic: use the device size to remove the noise model requirement and determine its four noise parameters directly from measurement data. This article provides the theoretical reason as to why this straightforward extension fails. Both simulation and measured data are offered to confirm the unexpected result. A deep understanding of noise parameters’ characterization is the unique contribution of this article because the limitations of the size based approach are exposed and clarified. How to overcome those limitations and determine the four noise parameters will be the subject of further publications.
Measuring the contribution of Lp(a) cholesterol towards LDL-C interpretation

Abstract Background Lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] is a pro-atherogenic and pro-thrombotic LDL-like particle recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). The cholesterol within Lp(a) (Lp(a)-C) contributes to the reported LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration by nearly all available methods. Accurate LDL-C measurements are critical for identification of genetic dyslipidemias such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). FH diagnostic criteria, such as the Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) criteria, utilize LDL-C concentration cut-offs to assess the likelihood of FH. Therefore, failure to adjust for Lp(a)-C can impact accurate FH diagnosis and classification, appropriate follow-up testing and treatments, and interpretation of cholesterol-lowering treatment efficacy. Objective In this study, we use direct Lp(a)-C measurements to assess the potential misclassification of FH from contributions of Lp(a)-C to reported LDL-C in patient samples submitted for advanced lipoprotein profiling. Methods A total of 31,215 samples submitted for lipoprotein profiling were included. LDL-C was measured by beta quantification or calculated by one of three equations. Lp(a)-C was measured by quantitative lipoprotein electrophoresis. DLCN LDL-C cut-offs were applied to LDL-C results before and after accounting for Lp(a)-C contribution. Results Lp(a)-C was detected in 8665 (28%) samples. A total of 940 subjects were reclassified to a lower DLCN LDL-C categories; this represents 3% of the total patient series or 11% of subjects with measurable Lp(a)-C. Conclusion Lp(a)-C is present in a significant portion of samples submitted for advanced lipid testing and could cause patient misclassification when using FH diagnostic criteria. These misclassifications could trigger inappropriate follow-up, treatment, and cascade testing for suspected FH.
Multimodal Performance and Interaction in Focus Groups

Focus group interviews have seen explosive growth in recent years. They provide evaluations of social science, educational, and marketing projects by soliciting opinions from a number of participants on a given topic. However, there is more to the focus group than soliciting mere opinions. Moving beyond a narrow preoccupation with topic talk, Gilbert and Matoesian take a novel direction to focus group analysis. They address how multimodal resources – the integration of speech, gesture, gaze, and posture – orchestrate communal relations and professional identities, linking macro orders of space-time to microcosmic action in a focus group evaluation of community policing training. They conceptualize assessment as an evaluation ritual, a sociocultural reaffirmation of collective identity and symbolic maintenance of professional boundary enacted in aesthetically patterned oratory. In the wake of social unrest and citizen disillusionment with policing practice, Gilbert and Matoesian argue that processes of multimodal interaction provide a critical direction for focus group evaluation of police reforms. Their book will be of interest to researchers who study focus group interviews, gesture, language and culture, and policing reform.
Infections Following Interventional Spine Procedures: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND Interventional spine procedures, such as discography, epidural steroid injections (ESIs), facet joint procedures, and intradiscal therapies, are commonly used to treat pain and improve function in patients with spine conditions. Although infections are known to occur following these procedures, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on this topic in recent years. OBJECTIVES To assess and characterize infections following interventional spine procedures. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review. METHODS Studies that were published from January 2010 to January 2020 and provided information on infections or infection rates following discography, ESIs, facet joint procedures, and intradiscal therapies were included. PubMed (Medline), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases were searched, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Infection data were extracted from included studies, and infection rates were calculated for each procedure type. Case reports and infection-only articles were not included in infection rate calculations. RESULTS Seventy-two studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review. The overall incidence of infection across all studies was 0.12% (231/200,588). The majority of studies (n = 51) were linked to ESIs. Infections related to ESIs were more common than those related to discography or facet joint procedures (0.13% [219/174,431] vs. 0% [0/269] or 0.04% [9/25,697], respectively). Intradiscal therapies had the highest calculated rate of infections (1.05%; 2/191). Quality assessments of the included studies ranged widely. LIMITATIONS There was an abundance of case reports in comparison to other study designs; to minimize skewing of the analysis, case reports and infection-only articles were not included in the infection rate. Studies that reported combined infection data for multiple procedures could not be included. Many cohort studies and case series were of lower quality because of their retrospective nature. Additionally, the true incidence of infections related to these procedures is unknown because the majority of these infections often go unreported, and information on regions of the spine and procedure details are often lacking. CONCLUSIONS Based on our systematic review, the risk of infections following interventional spine procedures appears to be low overall. More studies focusing on infectious complications with larger sample sizes are needed, particularly for intradiscal therapies, in which the microbiome may be an underlying cause of disc infection. To achieve a true incidence of the risk of infections with these procedures, large prospective registries that collect complication rates are necessary.
Eculizumab in the Treatment of Seronegative Refractory Generalized Myasthenia Gravis (1691)

Objective: To assess the efficacy of Eculizumab in seronegative, refractory generalized MG Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an antibody-mediated disorder that targets the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), resulting in fatigable weakness that affects ocular, bulbar, respiratory and limb muscles. Considerable improvement has been made in the treatment of patients with MG; however, options depend on seropositivity for anti-acetylcholine receptor (anti-AchR) and/or anti-muscle specific kinase (anti-MuSK) antibodies. Eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody that inhibits the complement component C5 and prevents activation of the membrane attack complex (MAC), is approved for treatment of generalized, AChR-positive MG. Design/Methods: Six patients (6 F, 50.8 ± 10.1 yr) with seronegative refractory generalized MG were treated with Eculizumab and followed for 6 months. Myasthenia Gravis – Activities of Daily Living (MG-ADL) scores, frequency of exacerbations and need for other medications were recorded. All patients had been treated with pyridostigmine in the past 6 months and five had also been received prednisone. Other treatments received in the past 6 months were azathioprine, mycophenolate, IVIG and PLEX. Results: MG-ADL scores six months following treatment decreased in all patients treated with Eculizumab. Mean MG-ADL scores at 1 and 6 months following treatment were 11. 33 ± 1.03 and 8.17 ± 0.41, respectively. Additionally, all patients had a reduction in the number of exacerbations following treatment – from an average of 3 exacerbations in the year before treatment to 0.33 in the six months after. Four out of six patients saw a reduction in their prednisone dose in the six months following treatment, with three out of six patients coming off of intravenous immunoglobulin after treatment. Conclusions: This small analysis provided preliminary evidence for the efficacy of Eculizumab in the treatment of refractory generalized MG. Larger, more robust studies are warranted to evaluate this further. Disclosure: Dr. Singh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Singh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Datta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Govindarajan has nothing to disclose.
Crop water and nitrogen productivity in response to long-term diversified crop rotations and management systems

Abstract Diversified crop rotation and management strategies may affect crop water and N productivity. We studied the effect of tillage, crop rotation, and management system on pre-plant and postharvest soil water storage, annualized crop yield, water use, and water and N productivity from 2005 to 2010 in the northern Great Plains, USA. Tillage were conventional tillage and no-tillage; crop rotations were continuous spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) (CW), spring wheat-pea (Pisum sativum L.) (WP), spring wheat-forage barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)-pea (WBP), and spring wheat-forage barley-corn (Zea mays L.)-pea (WBCP). Managements were traditional (a combination of recommended seeding rate, broadcast N fertilization, early planting, and short stubble height) and alternate (a combination of increased seeding rate, banded N fertilization, late planting, and tall stubble height) systems. Aboveground biomass was 16–85%, preplant soil water 23–118%, postharvest soil water 38–246%, and water productivity 28–61% greater with WBCP than CW in 3 out of 6 yr. Crop water use and biomass N accumulation varied with tillage, crop rotations, and management systems in various years. Grain yield was 26–41% and grain water productivity 25–32% lower with WBP than other crop rotations. Grain N accumulation was 20–52%, grain N productivity 23–60%, and grain and biomass N removal indices 18–153% greater with WP than CW and WBCP, but biomass N productivity was 98–110% lower with CW than other crop rotations. Diversified crop rotation with longer rotation length increased crop yield, soil water storage, and water productivity, but shorter rotation with legume increased grain and biomass N productivity and N removal.
Generation of A New High Resolution Ddm Data Product from Cygnss Raw If Measurements

A new CYclone Global Navigation Satellite System (CYGNSS) data product is generated using all the available raw Intermediate Frequency (IF) tracks. In so doing, calibrated Delay Doppler Maps (DDMs) are produced using the CYGNSS raw IF processor, and the CYGNSS End-to-End Simulator (E2ES) to generate Look-Up- Tables (LUTs) to bin-by-bin correct the whole DDMs. Such calibrated DDMs are delivered with shorter incoherent integration time $(\boldsymbol{N}_{\mathbf{inc}})$ , finer delay and Doppler resolution, and a wider range of delay and Doppler values as compared to the L1b CYGNSS data product, currently available in the Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PODAAC). This work aims to foster the use of this new data product, so as to improve the performance of CYGNSS for a wide range of scientific applications over land and ocean.
In Situ TEM Tensile Testing of Bicrystals with Tailored Misorientation Angles

Abstract Grain boundaries have complex structural features that influence strength, ductility and fracture in metals and alloys. Grain boundary misorientation angle has been identified as a key parameter that controls their mechanical behavior, but the effect of misorientation angle has been challenging to isolate in polycrystalline materials. Here, we describe the use of bicrystal Au thin films made using a rapid melt growth process to study deformation at a single grain boundary. Tensile testing is performed on bicrystals with different misorientation angles using in situ TEM, as well as on a single crystalline sample. Plastic deformation is initiated through dislocation nucleation from free surfaces. Grain boundary sliding is not observed, and failure occurs away from the grain boundary through plastic collapse in all cases. The failure behavior in these nanoscale bicrystals does not appear to depend on the misorientation angle or grain boundary energy but instead has a more complex dependence on sample surface structure and dislocation activity.
Optimized Design of Modular VLSI Chips Using Genetic Algorithms

This article introduces the application of genetic algorithms as a means to developing automated design tools for fabrication of modular VLSI design chips. Existing market realities require that product development be fast and predictable. As a result, design flexibility and automation are becoming increasingly important design features. Organizational schemes and automated tools that help engineers deliver a product faster are now needed more than ever before. Modular designs offer a promising solution, as they allow for easy integration of desired features and reconfiguration with a minimum effort. Modules can be swapped in and out of the system because of the precise interface definitions that a modular design imposes. The development of such modular designs has gone hand in hand with that of automated design techniques. Automated design can relieve engineers from the burden of redesign, but can only be effective when it produces optimized solutions. This article proposes the use of genetic algorithms for the construction of an automated design tool for area and speed optimization of modular VLSI chips. Our motivation for the use of genetic algorithms stems from their ability to perform generalized and extensive searches over spaces. The design of modular associative memories, or content-addressable memories CAMs, is used as a testbed. Given a library of CAM modules, the desired functionality and a set of speed and area constraints, this optimization technique produces a suitable CAM design. The proposed technique is implemented and its performance measures are determined and analyzed.
Comparison of Streptococcus zooepidemicus and influenza virus pathogenicity in mice by three pulmonary exposure routes.

Pulmonary infections may be induced in experimental animals by using several exposure routes. Inhalation of microbial aerosols is often viewed as the most relevant exposure route, although the comparability of either intranasal (i.n.) or intratracheal (i.t.) inoculation to aerosol inhalation is unclear. In these studies, the infection of mice with either Streptococcus zooepidemicus or influenza virus was compared following i.n., i.t., or aerosol challenge. The 50% lethal dose was determined by each exposure route for both microbes, and the organ clearance of a 50% lethal dose was determined. Mice were as or more sensitive to bacterial or viral infection following i.n. or i.t. instillation as compared with aerosol challenge. Organ clearance patterns of virus or bacteria varied slightly with exposure route.
Composing Functional Unit Blocks for Efficient Interpretation of MIMD Code Sequences on SIMD Processors

The branching regions of data-parallel programs can lead to serial execution on a SIMD processor. However, recent investigations show that these branching regions can be compiled into instruction sequences that are placed in the Processing Element (PE) memories for interpretation. Thus, when the branching region is reached, the control unit of the SIMD processor executes an instruction interpreter that causes the concurrent execution (through interpretation) of the branching code at each PE. Interpretation incurs some overhead and therefore, it is necessary to carefully design the instruction set to be interpreted. In this paper, we present a software architecture called Compose with 9 functional units and show that these functional units can be composed together to realize (at least) 42 distinct useful instructions. Thus, each iteration of the interpreter loop pays only the overhead of broadcasting execution orders for a few operations and yet manages to interpret (in parallel) a much larger set of operations.
The substance view: a critique.

According to the theory of intrinsic value and moral standing called the ‘substance view,’ what makes it prima facie seriously wrong to kill adult human beings, human infants, and even human fetuses is the possession of the essential property of the basic capacity for rational moral agency – a capacity for rational moral agency in root form and thereby not remotely exercisable. In this critique, I cover three distinct reductio charges directed at the substance view’s conclusion that human fetuses have the same intrinsic value and moral standing as adult human beings. After giving consideration to defenders of the substance view’s replies to these charges, I then critique each of them, ultimately concluding that none is successful. Of course, in order to understand all of these things – the reductio charges, defenders of the substance view’s replies to them, and my criticisms of their replies – one must have a better understanding of the substance view (in particular, its understanding of rational moral agency) as well as its defense. Accordingly, I address the substance view’s understanding of rational moral agency as well as present its defense.
Identification of the proton source for the microbial reductive dechlorination of 2,3,4,5,6-pentachlorobiphenyl

Microbially mediated reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in anaerobic sediments has been observed during laboratory experiments. Reductive dechlorination is a two-electron transfer reaction which involves the release of chlorine as a chloride ion and its replacement on the aromatic ring by hydrogen. The exact mechanism of the electron transfer for PCBs is unknown; however, this work shows that the source of the hydrogen atom is the proton (H+) from water.
Intermittent Diaphragmatic Hernia of Bochdalek: Report of a Case and Literature Review

Congenital diaphragmatic hernias appearing in late infancy or childhood are entities distinct from the more common newborn disorder. "Delayed" diaphragmatic hernias are associated with prior normal chest roentgenograms. Symptomatic intermittent herniation of abdominal viscera through a congenital posterolateral defect has not been previously reported in 17 cases of late-onset diaphragmatic herniation and may explain the latency period seen in older children.
Preparing Professionals for Partnerships with Parents of Students with Disabilities: Textbook Considerations regarding Cultural Diversity

Strong bonds of family-school collaboration are critical to the academic and social development of students with disabilities, especially when parents and teachers differ in ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds. These linkages necessitate preparing educators to address the needs of diverse students and family members. We evaluated 10 textbooks, related to working with families of students with disabilities, that may be used in special education teacher preparation programs. The textbooks were appraised regarding cultural diversity content, vignettes and examples of diverse groups, and inclusion of cultural issues. We also assessed the textbooks qualitatively to identify the relationship of cultural diversity content to parental involvement. Results indicated variability concerning representation of diverse populations, cultural content, and discussion of diversity issues.
Health Benefit Satisfaction in the Public and Private Sectors: The Role of Distributive and Procedural Justice

One of the most compelling problems outstanding in the field of employee benefits today is trying to control spiraling health care expenditures. Furthermore, as a result of the cost containment str...
The Impact of Culinary Skills Training on the Dietary Attitudes and Behaviors of Children and Parents

Background: Summer camps can serve as a modality for dietary interventions. However, camp-based strategies that improve dietary behaviors of children are unclear. Poor diet disproportionately affects low-income and minority children, making the examination of camp-based dietary interventions an important focus. Purpose: To assess the impact of a camp's culinary skills sessions on perceptions of child involvement in meal preparation and changes in attitudes and self-efficacy related to cooking. Methods: A mixed-methods design with quantitative pre–post assessments and interviews. Results: Parents positively received the program, especially lessons on kitchen safety. Participants and parents highlighted the camp's focus on healthy eating as important. They also noted increases in participants' enjoyment of cooking, willingness to try new foods, and culinary abilities. Quantitative data showed increases in participants' frequency of involvement in home meal preparation and self-efficacy for culinary skills. ...
Vertical-Plane Dynamics of Power-Augmented-Ram Vehicle

Power-augmented-ram vehicles represent novel air-assisted marine craft that can be used for high-speed amphibious transportation of heavy cargo. These vehicles rely on combined hydrodynamic and aerodynamic support that is also augmented by front air-based propulsors. Dynamic models for these craft in the presence of wind gusts and surface waves are needed for confident design of these vehicles, including motion control systems. This study addresses 3-DOF vertical-plane dynamics. The models for unsteady forces are based on the aerodynamic extreme-ground-effect theory and hydrodynamic added-mass strip theory. Modeling of the vehicle motions are carried out for cases of head and following wind gusts and waves of low and high amplitudes. Simulation results can be used for determining amplitudes of the vehicle responses, peak accelerations, and forward speed degradation.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Streptococcus pyogenes subdural empyema not detected by computed tomography

Summary A previously healthy 5-year-old boy presented with a non-specific febrile illness and seizures. Streptococcus pyogenes was identified in his blood culture. The spinal fluid revealed minimal pleocytosis and an axial computed tomography (CT) scan of the head was normal. Ongoing symptoms prompted a magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed a subdural empyema. Our patient diverges from the few previously reported S. pyogenes intracranial infections in that there was neither an adjacent infection nor a bacterial meningitis. In addition, we discuss the few studies addressing the sensitivity of CT for the diagnosis of bacterial intracranial infections.
Beyond Aesthetics: Art and the Technologies of Enchantment

Beyond Aesthetics: Art and the Technologies of Enchantment. Christopher Pinney and Nicholas Thomas (eds.). Berg: Oxford and New York. 2001.
Taking Standpoints beyond Modernity

Sciences from Below: Feminisms, Postcolonialities, and Modernities, by Sandra Harding, Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2008, 283 pp., $23.95 (paperback), $84.95 (cloth), ISBN: 978-0-8223-4282-3....
Rapid Methods and Automation in Dairy Microbiology

The importance of microbiology to the dairy industry has been demonstrated by recent outbreaks of foodborne illness associated with consumption of milk and dairy products that had been contaminated with pathogenic organisms or toxins. Undesirable microorganisms constitute the primary hazard to safety, quality, and wholesomeness of milk and dairy foods. Consequently, increased emphasis has been placed on the microbiological analysis of milk and dairy products designed to evaluate quality and to ensure safety and regulatory compliance. The focus of dairy microbiology, however, remains largely on conventional methods: plate counts, most probable numbers, and dye reduction tests. These methods are slow, tedious, intensive in their requirements for material and labor, and often not suitable for assessing the quality and shelf-life of perishable dairy foods. With the exception of coliforms, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus, isolation and characterization of various organisms occurring in milk and milk products are seldom a part of the routine microbiological analysis in the dairy industry. Recent emphasis on the programs based on HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) for total quality management in the dairy industry and increased demand for microbiological surveillance of products, process, and environment have led to increased interest in rapid methods and automation in microbiology. Several methods for rapid detection, isolation, enumeration, and characterization of microorganisms are being adapted by the dairy industry. This presentation reviews rapid methods and automation in microbiology for microbiological analysis of milk and dairy products.
Improved Encapsulation of DNA in pH-Sensitive Liposomes for Transfection

AbstractA simple method has been developed to prepare liposomes containing large amounts of DNA. The procedure consisted of three cycles of freeze-thawing a mixture of sonicated liposomes and DNA. The encapsulation efficiency depended on the size of DNA. For a small plasmid (2.7 kb), approximately 40% of input DNA was entrapped with an efficiency of 16 μgDNA/μmol lipid. For larger plasmids, the encapsulation efficiency decreased considerably. Transfection of cultured mouse L929 cells mediated by the DNA-containing liposomes was assayed with a plasmid containing the E. coli chloramphenicol acetyl transferase gene. The transfection activity of the liposome was primarily determined by its pH sensitivity. Acid-sensitive liposomes transfected cells efficiently, whereas pH-insensitive liposomes were much less active. The level of the expression of the exogenous gene in the treated cells could be further modulated by protein kinase C (PKC) activators that were incorporated into the liposomal membrane as a minor ...
Print journalism as political communication: The Iran hostage crisis 1

Abstract Studies of political communication and persuasion typically focus on deliberately persuasive communications of political actors. Contemporary rhetorical theories suggest the importance of rhetorical examinations of a range of communications not normally considered rhetorical/persuasive, including media news reports. Bormann's fantasy‐theme analysis is a rhetorical‐critical method that allows critics to discover the rhetorically created social realities of groups of people through detailed examination of their communication behavior. The method is particularly suited to discovering the motives of social actors who share social realities or “rhetorical visions.” Applied to U.S. print media coverage of the Iran hostage crisis, fantasy‐theme analysis reveals the motives that urged journalists to give the episode massive coverage, that urged Americans to become preoccupied with the episode, and that urged Americans to vote out an incumbent president. Thus, the study reveals the tremendous persuasive i...
Polynomial Time Computations in Models of ET

Abstract This paper investigates formal notions of computation in nonstandard models of the weak arithmetic theory ET—the theory of exponential time. It is shown that ET is sufficiently weak that many of the natural notions of computation are not preserved. A slightly richer theory ET(Elem) is introduced and it is shown that all sets that have infinitely many easily decidable initial segments are easily decidable in certain nonstandard models of this theory.
(−)-(S,S)-12-hydroxy-13-octadec-cis-9-enolide, a 14-membered lactone from Crepis conyzaefolia seed oil

Abstract Crepis conyzaefolia (Gouan) Dalle Torre seed oil contains about 3% of (−)-( S , S )-12-hydroxy-13-octadec- cis -9-enolide ( 1 ), a lactone of (−)- threo -12,13-dihydroxyoleic acid. The absolute configuration of the acid has been established as D-12, L-13 (12- S , 13- S ) and the lactone has the same absolute configuration.
Academic publishing as a social media paradigm

This work seeks to bridge areas of academic institutional research, social network analysis, and content analysis through the application of a social media paradigm to the academic research publishing environment. The concept is built upon the analysis of similarities and differences that exist in the structural and functional building blocks of academic publishing and social media. The potential impact in the form of new research directions that arise from this application are presented.
A survey of household products for volatile organic compounds

Abstract A total of 1159 common household products were analysed for 31 volatile organic compounds as potential sources of indoor air pollution. The products were distributed among 65 product categories within 8 category classes: automotive products (14.4% of the products); household cleaners/polishes (9.6%); paint-related products (39.9%); fabric and leather treatments (7.9%); cleaners for electronic equipment (6.0%); oils, greases and lubricants (9.6%); adhesive-related products (6.6%); and miscellaneous products (6.1%). The study was conducted in two parts. In the first part, or the original study, the products were reanalysed for methylene chloride and five other chlorocarbons using purge-and-trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS), and a data base containing the analytical results was developed. Because full mass spectra were taken, the original set of GC/MS data also contained information regarding other volatile chemicals in the products. However, this additional data was not reported at that time. In the second part of the study, the GC/MS data were reanalysed to determine the presence and concentrations of an additional 25 volatile chemicals. The 31 chemicals included in both parts of this study were: carbon tetrachloride; methylene chloride; tetrachloroethylene; 1,1,1-trichloroethane; trichlorethylene; 1,1,2-tricholorotrifluoroethane; acetone; benzene; 2-butanone; chlorobenzene; chloroform; cyclohexane; 1,2-dichloroethane; 1,4-dioxane; ethylbenzene; n -hexane; d -limonene; methylcyclohexane; methylcyclopentane; methyl isobutyl ketone; n -nonane; n -octane; α-pinene; propylene oxide; styrene; 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane; tetrahydrofuran; toluene; m -mxylene; o -xylene; and p -xylene. Of the 31 chemicals, toluene, the xylenes and methylene chloride were found to occur most frequently—in over 40% of the products tested. Chemicals that were typically found in relatively high concentrations in the samples (i.e. greater than 20% w/w) included acetone, 2-butanone, hexane, methylene chloride, tetrachloroethylene, toluene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, trichloroethylene, 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane and the xylenes. Chlorobenzene, d -limonene, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane, n -nonane and styrene were not found in any of the products at or above the 0.1% level. In all, 935 of the products contained one or more of the target solvents at levels greater than 0.1%. The resulting data base contains information regarding the 1159 products, such as origin, cost, container type, lot number, etc., as well as quantitative information for each of the 31 chemicals. The frequency of occurrence and average concentrations for the target chemicals are summarized for each of the product classes.
Further heterogeneity within lethal neonatal short-limbed dwarfism: the platyspondylic types.

Twelve infants, initially considered to have thanatophoric dysplasia, were studied by a combined radiographic-histochemical-biochemical approach. Three distinct forms of platyspondylic lethal neonatal short-limbed dwarfism could be distinguished: (1) Thanatophoric type, (2) Torrance type, and (3) San Diego type. The latter two disorders had similar radiographic abnormalities that were clearly different from those of typical thanatophoric dysplasia. All three disorders had clearly different chondroosseous histopathologic abnormalities. Preliminary biochemical studies have revealed different electrophorectic abnormalities in solubilized type II collagen chains of cartilage in each of these three disorders.
Functional relationships reveal keystone effects of the gopher tortoise on vertebrate diversity in a longleaf pine savanna

Keystone species are important drivers of diversity patterns in many ecosystems. Their effects on ecological processes are fundamental to understanding community dynamics, making them attractive conservation targets for ecosystem management. However, many studies assume keystone effects are constant. By developing functional relationships of species’ effects and assessing how they vary with context, we can design more efficient conservation strategies to maintain keystone impacts. The threatened gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is presumed to be a keystone species promoting biodiversity in endangered longleaf pine ecosystems of the Southeastern Coastal Plain, USA. Although many commensals use tortoise burrows, their putative keystone influence on emergent diversity patterns lacks critical evaluation. We quantified the functional relationship between tortoise burrow density and non-volant vertebrate diversity in a longleaf pine savanna, located in central Florida. Tortoise burrow density had a positive effect on vertebrate diversity and evenness but did not affect species richness. This relationship was robust across fire disturbance regimes and was the primary factor explaining diversity at the local scale. Our results demonstrate keystone effects of the gopher tortoise through an ecosystem engineering mechanism. Continued gopher tortoise population declines will have large, negative impacts on vertebrate diversity in this biodiversity hotspot. Therefore, maintaining gopher tortoise populations is critical to effectively conserve dependent species and the function of endangered longleaf pine ecosystems. We show that developing a functional understanding of keystone relationships (not a binomial categorization) can lead to important insights into community processes.
The biological basis of impulsiveness: the significance of timing and rhythm disorders

Abstract High-impulsive subjects often do say things on the spur of the moment and/or make up their minds quickly. The description of impulsivity as a personality trait involves a number of basic research questions including: 1. 1. From a psychometric viewpoint, how inclusive or broad is impulsivity as a personality trait? 2. 2. How does impulsivity relate to other personality traits? 3. 3. Is there a pattern of biological correlates of impulsivity that is distinct from other personality traits? 4. 4. What is the relationship between cognitive and behavioral impulsivity? This paper addresses those four questions. Psychometric analysis of issues in impulsivity indicates the need for a distinction between broad and narrow impulsivity traits and further redefinition of the latter in terms of cognitive and motor components. This research has also shown that impulsiveness has an orthogonal relationship with measures of anxiety. In perceptual-motor tasks, high-impulsive subjects perform less efficiently and with greater variability on a wide range of these tasks, and in particular when the task involves responding to two or more sequential stimuli. High-impulsive subjects underproduce time intervals in time-judgment tasks; this and other findings suggest that high-impulsive subjects have a faster cognitive tempo than low-impulsive subjects. The interaction of impulsivity and anxiety in the performance of perceptual-motor tasks is also reflected in psychophysiological measures; differences in impulsivity are more evident with electrocortical measures and differences in anxiety are reflected in ANS measures while performing the tasks.