cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
When bias is implicit, how might we think about repairing harm?

A recent Supreme Court decision — Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs v. Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. — creates an opening to consider models for repairing the effects of unintended harm. We mention some results from the science of unconscious bias, consider the nature of n-to-n harm, cite recent philosophical arguments about responsibility for carrying implicit bias, and note the legal status of intent versus impact in civil rights law. Based on the opportunity presented by Inclusive Communities , we present three options for repairing unintended harm, placing emphasis on litigation-minimizing solutions, especially insurance.
Jejunal Intussusception: A Rare Presentation of Carcinoid Tumor

A 55-year-old male presented to the emergency department with sudden onset of diffuse abdominal pain for one day. Physical examination was remarkable for tenderness in the umbilical region. A CT scan of the abdomen showed intussusception involving the jejunum without any mass. The patient then underwent an exploratory laparotomy. During surgery, the distal jejunum was intussuscepted with mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Liver showed nodular deposits in both lobes of the liver. The involved small bowel segment was resected with primary anastomosis and liver was biopsied. Pathological examination showed multifocal deposits of well-differentiated carcinoids in the jejunum. The liver and mesenteric deposits were positive for metastatic carcinoid. Patient recovered well without any complications.
Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

Heart failure is a clinical syndrome initiated by abnormal function of the heart. Until recently our understanding of this condition has centered on various pathological insults to the heart that lead to abnormal function, usually in the form of contractile dysfunction. One of the earliest terms used to describe heart failure syndrome was “hydrops,” which has its origins in the observation that salt and water retention was a common feature of the condition. Despite this obvious systemic manifestation, heart failure was still considered primarily a disease of the heart. In recent years advances have been made in our understanding of the pathophysiology of heart failure; key to these has been the realization that heart failure is a multisystem disorder in which abnormalities of the heart, vasculature, skeletal muscle, and kidneys all combine with various neurohormonal derangements to produce the heart failure syndrome. Of particular importance has been the emerging concept that many of the compensatory mechanisms designed to overcome the initial insult to the heart are the very same processes that paradoxically set in motion a variety of detrimental consequences for cardiac function, gradually worsening the heart failure syndrome further. Our increasing understanding of these concepts has resulted in a rapid advancement in drug development and many new therapeutic targets continue to emerge. In this chapter we summarize the pathophysiology of heart failure, beginning with the specific insults that initiate heart failure and continuing with a discussion of the body’s responses to such insults, and how compensatory mechanisms ultimately cause further deterioration in cardiac function.
Development of a Radiographic Union Score for Determining Osteotomy Union Rates in Long Bones of the Foot.

Determining the status of bone healing after osteotomy can be challenging and has implications ranging from clinical decision-making to standardization of research outcomes without the use of computed tomography. To date, no method has been validated for determining osseous healing of an osteotomy site of the long bones of the foot. The purpose of the present study was to develop a radiographic union scoring system that would enhance the diagnostic healing assessment. We adapted existing orthopedic scales that had been validated for healing in the leg for application in the long bones of the foot. One hundred cases were evaluated by 6 blinded assessors to test the inter- and intrarater reliability of the subjective healing assessment compared with the proposed scoring system. The radiographs were classified by postoperative period: ≤4, 5 to 12, and >12 weeks. The proposed scale had a high interrater reliability but was burdensome. Using a priori item reduction protocols, the scale was limited to the 5 items with the best internal consistency, which significantly reduced the burden. The result was excellent interrater reliability (α = 0.87) among all assessors compared with acceptable reliability (α = 0.66) for the subjective osteotomy healing assessment. The intrarater reliability during the subsequent retest phase demonstrated similar relationships, with low agreement (r = 0.38) for subjective healing. Each of the items included in the final scoring scale had moderate to good agreement across all assessors (r = 0.51 to 0.63). The reliability of this system appeared superior to the subjective assessment of osseous healing alone, even in the absence of clinical correlates after an osteotomy in the foot.
Brain Tumor Masquerading as Stroke

Discriminating brain tumor from stroke in patients presenting with acute focal neurologic signs and symptoms is crucial to avoid improper treatment, or delay correct treatment of the brain tumor patient. Data from the era before computed tomography (CT) suggests that 3% of patients with brain tumors are initially thought to have had a stroke. Our goal was to see if this has improved in the CT era. We reviewed hospital charts of all patients admitted to the Johns Hopkins Hospital with a brain tumor during a one year period. Eleven (4.9%) of the 224 patients discharged with a diagnosis of brain tumor were initially thought to have had a stroke. Seven had primary brain tumors and 4 had metastatic tumors. Patients who were originally misdiagnosed were significantly older (p = 0.01) and more likely to have a Glioblastoma Multiforme (p = 0.04) than those correctly diagnosed. Eighty-two percent of those misdiagnosed had no prior history of cancer compared to 59% of patients correctly diagnosed. Distinguishing the acute presentation of brain tumor and stroke remains an important diagnostic consideration. Physicians should recognize that while CT is frequently employed for acute neurologic deficits to exclude intracranial hemorrhage, CT may not be sufficient to exclude brain tumor. A prospective study is needed to confirm these findings.
Generalization of Word Retrieval Following Semantic Feature Treatment

The purpose of this research was to analyze generalization effects following semantic feature treatment (SFT) for aphasia. The effectiveness of SFT at improving accuracy and speed of word retrieval, generalization to untreated words and discourse tasks and the influence of shared features was examined. The three participants improved in retrieval accuracy of treated words. Accuracy of untreated words improved for two participants; retrieval accuracy for words with shared features improved slightly more than for words with no-shared features. Two participants showed variable generalization to discourse tasks and improved speed of accurate responses. Clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Real-Time 2d/3d deformable registration using metric learning

We present a novel 2D/3D deformable registration method, called Registration Efficiency and Accuracy through Learning Metric on Shape (REALMS), that can support real-time Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT). The method consists of two stages: planning-time learning and registration. In the planning-time learning, it firstly models the patient's 3D deformation space from the patient's time-varying 3D planning images using a low-dimensional parametrization. Secondly, it samples deformation parameters within the deformation space and generates corresponding simulated projection images from the deformed 3D image. Finally, it learns a Riemannian metric in the projection space for each deformation parameter. The learned distance metric forms a Gaussian kernel of a kernel regression that minimizes the leave-one-out regression residual of the corresponding deformation parameter. In the registration, REALMS interpolates the patient's 3D deformation parameters using the kernel regression with the learned distance metrics. Our test results showed that REALMS can localize the tumor in 10.89 ms (91.82 fps) with 2.56±1.11 mm errors using a single projection image. These promising results show REALMS's high potential to support real-time, accurate, and low-dose IGRT.
Tests of stepping as indicators of mobility, balance, and fall risk in balance-impaired older adults.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationships between two tests of stepping ability (the maximal step length (MSL) and rapid step test (RST)) and standard tests of standing balance, gait, mobility, and functional impairment in a group of at-risk older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SETTING: University-based laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred sixty-seven mildly balance-impaired older adults recruited for a balance-training and fall-reduction program (mean age 78, range 65–90). MEASUREMENTS: Measures of stepping maximally (MSL, the ability to maximally step out and return to the initial position) and rapidly (RST, the time taken to step out and return in multiple directions as fast as possible); standard measures of balance, gait, and mobility including timed tandem stance (TS), tandem walk (TW, both timing and errors), timed unipedal stance (US), timed up and go (TUG), performance oriented mobility assessment (POMA), and 6-minute walk (SMW); measures of leg strength (peak knee and ankle torque and power at slow and fast speeds); self-report measures of frequent falls (42 per 12 months), disability (Established Population for Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly (EPESE) physical function), and confidence to avoid falls (Activity-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale). Spearman and Pearson correlation, intraclass correlation coefficient, logistic regression, and linear regression were used for data analysis. RESULTS: MSL consistently predicted a number of selfreport and performance measures at least as well as other standard balance measures. MSL correlations with EPESE physical function, ABC, TUG, and POMA scores; SMW; and peak maximum knee and ankle torque and power were at least as high as those correlations seen with TS, TW, or US. MSL score was associated with the risk of being a frequent faller. In addition, the six MSL directions were highly correlated (up to 0.96), and any one of the leg directions yielded similar relationships with functional measures and a history of falls. Relationships between RST and these measures were relatively modest. CONCLUSION: MSL is as good a predictor of mobility performance, frequent falls, self-reported function, and balance confidence as standard stance tests such as US. MSL simplified to one direction may be a useful clinical indicator of mobility, balance, and fall risk in older adults. JA m Geriatr Soc 52:1168–1173, 2004.
The Role of Adipose Tissue and Obesity in Causing Treatment Resistance of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Obesity is responsible for ~90,000 cancer deaths/year, increasing cancer incidence and impairing its treatment. Obesity has also been shown to impact hematological malignancies, through as yet unknown mechanisms. Adipocytes are present in bone marrow and the microenvironments of many types of cancer, and have been found to promote cancer cell survival. In this review, we explore several ways in which obesity might cause leukemia treatment resistance. Obese patients may be at a treatment disadvantage due to altered pharmacokinetics of chemotherapy and dosage "capping" based on ideal body weight. The adipose tissue provides fuel to cancer cells in the form of amino acids and free fatty acids. Adipocytes have been shown to cause cancer cells to resist chemotherapy-induced apoptosis. In addition, obese adipose tissue is phenotypically altered, producing a milieu of pro-inflammatory adipokines and cytokines, some of which have been linked to cancer progression. Given the prevalence of obesity, understanding its role and adipose tissue in acute lymphoblastic leukemia treatment is necessary for evaluating current treatment regimen and revealing new therapeutic targets.
New compounds: preparation and hydrogenation of azomethines derived from 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl benzyl ketones.

Reaction of 2, 4-dihydroxyphenyl benzyl ketones with primary amines and subsequent catalytic hydrogenation with platinum catalyst has afforded a series of polyphenolic amines derived from resorcinol.
Comparison of multiple chemical sanitizers for reducing Salmonella and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaves

Abstract Effectiveness of multiple chemical sanitizers on the reduction of Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157:H7 on spinach was compared. Fresh spinach (Spinacia oleracea) was inoculated with a bacterial suspension containing multiple strains of rifampin-resistant Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7. Inoculated spinach leaves were treated with a water wash or water wash followed by 2% L -lactic acid at 55 °C, peroxyacetic acid (80 mg/L), calcium hypochlorite (200 mg/L), ozonated water (mg/L) or ClO2 gas (1.2 or 2.1 mg/L). The l -lactic acid produced a 2.7 log CFU/g reduction for E. coli O157:H7 and a 2.3 log CFU/g reduction for Salmonella, statistically significant compared to water wash alone (P l -lactic acid at 55 °C may be an effective treatment for reducing pathogens on spinach leaves.
S1-nuclease enhancement of the ethidium bromide binding assay of drug-induced DNA interstrand crosslinking in human brain tumor cells☆

A modification, using S1-nuclease, of a simple and sensitive fluorometric assay with ethidium bromide was developed for the measurement of cellular DNA interstrand crosslinking induced by bifunctional alkylators. Cells are lysed and treated with proteinase K and sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by extensive dialysis to yield intact high-molecular-weight DNA, free of contaminating proteins, on which the crosslink assay is then performed. The assay depends on the differential binding of ethidium bromide to single- and double-stranded DNA. Because of the higher ethidium bromide binding capacity of double-stranded DNA, the fluorescence retained after a heating/cooling cycle is directly proportional to the drug-induced cellular DNA interstrand crosslinking. We demonstrate that the sensitivity of this assay can be increased up to fourfold by including an S1-nuclease digestion step. This modified technique is simple and suited to the quantitation of low levels of DNA-interstrand crosslinking in cells.
A dormant nucleolus organizer in the guinea pig, Cavia cobaya.

1. 1. The largest elements in the karyotype of the guinea pig, Cavia cobaya, are a pair of acrocentric autosomes which can be easily distinguished at any stage of mitosis or meiosis. 2. 2. At diploid metaphase, only one member of this pair demonstrates a secondary constriction on its second arm. The second arm of the other member remains positively heteropycnotic. 3. 3. At diploid prophase as well as meiotic prophase, only one member of the pair participates in the organization of the nucleolus. 4. 4. This behavior difference of the largest pair was consistently observed on all somatic and germ cells of all individuals studied. 5. 5. It is possible that in mammals, many homologous regions of chromosome pairs within the same diploid nucleus do not function synchronously.
Effects of juvenile hormone on the rates of protein synthesis in Oncopeltus fasciatus

Abstract Fifth-instar milkweed bugs were injected with juvenile hormone and tritiated leucine at different times during the instar. Studies on haemolymph and tissue proteins showed that juvenile hormone increases the rate of protein synthesis in tissue proteins after 20 per cent of the instar and in haemolymph proteins after 6 per cent of the instar. The increased rate of synthesis is followed by a decrease in concentration of protein. There is an inverse relationship between the proteins released into the haemolymph for storage or transport and the proteins retained or taken up by the tissues.
The Effects of Watershed Disturbance on Dissolved Organic Carbon Dynamics of a Stream

The response of a stream ecosystem to disturbance in its watershed was investigated by comparing mass balances of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) for a stream draining an undisturbed watershed with a stream draining a watershed that was clear-cut 2 yr before the study began. These second-order streams are in the Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, North Carolina. Both streams had similar, elevated DOC concentrations (from <1 to 5 mg/L) during storms. Rising and falling limbs of the hydrograph also had similar DOC concentrations. During the growing season DOC concentration increased from headwater seep to the weir in the undisturbed stream under baseflow conditions. No significant longitudinal change was observed in the stream draining the clear-cut watershed. Hence concentration was consistently lower in baseflow samples during the growing season in the stream draining the clear-cut watershed. As a result annual DOC export from the clear-cut watershed was less (9.8-11.5 kg/ha) than from the reference watershed (14.6-15.1 kg/ha). The lower DOC export was partly due to reduced DOC inputs from throughfall and leaching of fresh litter, but most impor- tantly to lower DOC inputs in subsurface water and probably also less in-stream generation of DOC. The rate of recovery of this stream from disturbance is therefore dependent on the rate at which the terrestrial system recovers.
The influence of oxides on the performance of advanced gas turbines

Zirconia and alumina have been successfully incorporated into turbines used for propulsion and power generation. They exert a crucial influence on the fuel efficiency. The roles of these oxides within the overall system are described, relative to those for the other constituents, and their most important properties are outlined. The mechanisms that govern their properties are presented and approaches for adjusting them in desirable directions are discussed. Opportunities for new materials with potential for superior performance are assessed.
Emulsifying properties of lactose-amines in oil-in-water emulsions

Lactose-amines were synthesized with hexadecyl-amide and lactose via the Maillard reaction and their emulsion stabilization properties were investigated. Lactose-amines were synthesized using two different constant heating (4 and 8 h) and two different heating/cooling cycles (12 and 24 h). Each lactose-amine sample was used as an emulsifier in 20:80 ratio oil-in-water emulsions at four different concentrations (0.01%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 1%). Emulsion stability was monitored by measuring the oil droplet sizes and the extent of destabilization via clarification over 5 days. At 1% concentrations, emulsions prepared with lactose-amines synthesized for 4, 12, and 24 h were as stable as the whey protein positive control emulsion. The 8 h lactose-amine sample resulted in a less stable emulsion. We assume the difference is related to the amount of heat this sample was exposed to during synthesis, with extensive heat leading to advanced Maillard products, which possessed reduced emulsification properties.
New technique for superior hypogastric plexus block.

Abstract Background and Objectives. The classical technique for blocking the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) described by Plancarte sometimes renders the desired needle placement difficult. This article describes an alternative approach for blocking the SHP. Methods. Three patients with pelvic pain from endometriosis underwent an anterior approach to block the SHP with fluoroscopic guidance. The ages of the patients ranged from 21 to 34 years, pain duration ranged from 2 to 4 years, and pain score on a visual analog scale of 0–10 ranged from 7 to 8. Results. All patients had significant pain relief immediately after the block. The pain scores postblock ranged from 0 to 4 10 . The duration of pain relief varied from 1 to 14 days. The contrast material localized at the L5 vertebral body in the posteroanterior and lateral views. Conclusion. We present a new approach to block the SHP with fluoroscopic guidance in patients with chronic benign pelvic pain.
GELATION OF POLY(ETHYLENE OXIDE) SOLUTIONS BY GAMMA RADIATION: EFFECTS OF MOLECULAR WEIGHT AND IRRADIATION CONDITIONS.

Reticulation of a dilute aqueous solution of poly(ethylene oxide) in a 60Co gammaradiation field yields a weak gel which is characterized by its damped sinusoidal oscillation in a free-swinging torsion pendulum. A storage and a loss modulus are calculated from the log decrement and frequency of oscillation, and the crosslink density is obtained from the storage modulus using the kinetic equation of rubber elasticity. The number of crosslinks added to the polymer per 100 eV of energy absorbed in the polymer above and below the gel point and the fraction of gamma energy absorbed directly by the polymer were determined from the dose-to-gel and modulus data. The effect of oxygen on the crosslinking reaction and the temperature on the gel's mechanical properties were experimentally observed.
On optimal service capacity allocation policy in an advance selling environment in continuous time

Abstract Based on some general reasonable assumptions, this paper employs the techniques of calculus of variations and optimal control theory to derive 10 main propositions associated with a service provider who aims at maximizing the present value of revenues/profits over a planning horizon in continuous time. Employing an aggregate pricing-response function that is dependent on excess capacity and a convex service cost formulation, the results show that (i) for a zero discount rate and unanticipated competitive entry, units of service capacity are allocated evenly over time, (ii) for a zero discount rate and anticipated competitive entry, units of allocated service capacity are increasing over time, (iii) for a positive discount rate and unanticipated competitive entry, units of allocated service capacity are decreasing over time, and (iv) for a positive discount rate and anticipated competitive entry, units of allocated service capacity are increasing over time, or are decreasing at first then increasing later. In addition, the questions of how deep a service firm should advance sell, whether advance selling is optimal in continuous time, and whether excess capacity could be an optimal strategy have been addressed. Furthermore, related sensitivity analyses are performed and endpoint constraints together with alternative shapes of the service-cost function are discussed. The managerial implications of the study’s results have been demonstrated.
Which state is Yoda

Abstract As Yoda famously said “ Size matters not,…. Look at me. Judge me by size, do you ”. If indeed we do judge by size then Pennsylvania appears to be the Yoda of solar deployment.
Brown-Midrib Corn Silage for Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract Brown midrib-3 mutant (low lignin) corn silage and its normal genetic counterpart were fed to more cows longer than in most trials. Twenty lactating Holstein cows (10 per ration group) were group fed corn silage (brown midrib-3 or normal) ad libitum, 2.25kg alfalfa hay/head and grain at 1 kg/3kg milk produced daily through 12 wk. Cows averaged 6 wk postpartum at the start of the trial. Chemical composition was similar for the two silages. Silage and total intakes of dry matter were similar, although intakes tended to be larger for cows fed the mutant corn silage. Milk production and its composition were similar (25.0 and 25.5kg milk/day, 3.79 and 3.88% fat, 2.99 and 3.03% protein, and 12.44 and 12.42% total solids for cows fed brown midrib-3 and normal silages). Cows fed the ration of mutant corn gained more weight than those fed the normal corn silage ration. Apparent digestibilities of nutrient constituents were 1 to 10 percentage units higher for the brown midrib-3 ration. Utilization of nitrogen from the two rations was similar. Concentrations of total volatile fatty acids and butyrate were greater in rumen contents of cows fed the normal ration. Rumen pH and ammonia were similar. Glucose and urea nitrogen concentrations in serum did not differ between treatments. The slightly greater consumption and digestibility of silage made from the brown midrib-3 mutant of corn were reflected in increased weight gains rather than in increased milk production.
Meiotic sex chromosome inactivation in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica.

In eutherian mammals, the X and Y chromosomes undergo meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI) during spermatogenesis in males. However, following fertilization, both the paternally (Xp) and maternally (Xm) inherited X chromosomes are active in the inner cell mass of the female blastocyst, and then random inactivation of one X chromosome occurs in each cell, leading to a mosaic pattern of X-chromosome activity in adult female tissues. In contrast, marsupial females show a nonrandom pattern of X chromosome activity, with repression of the Xp in all somatic tissues. Here, we show that MSCI also occurs during spermatogenesis in marsupials in a manner similar to, but more stable than that in eutherians. These findings support the suggestion that MSCI may have provided the basis for an early dosage compensation mechanism in mammals based solely on gametogenic events, and that random X-chromosome inactivation during embryogenesis may have evolved subsequently in eutherian mammals. genesis 45:696–708, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Relational dominance and mate-selection criteria: Evidence that males attend to female dominance

Abstract The present study argues that pressures associated with the threat of paternal uncertainty shaped a male mate-preference for relatively subordinate partners in the context of long- (high investment) but not short-term (low investment) relationships. Using a hypothetical scenario depicting a workplace setting, 120 male and 208 female undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of six experimental conditions in which they were asked to judge a male or female target, described as either their supervisor (higher dominance), coworker (equal dominance), or their assistant (lower dominance). Participants exposed to an opposite-sex target rated their attraction to the target for varying types of investment (e.g., desire for a one-night stand, desire to affiliate, or desire for a long-term relationship), and participants exposed to a same-sex target rated their desire to affiliate with the target. Results supported predictions and indicated that males preferred the subordinate over the dominant target for affiliation and high-investment items, and females were unaffected by the target's dominance status. The results of same-sex ratings indicated that dominance status did not influence females' ratings of the female target, and that dominance did not influence males' ratings of the male target. These results are discussed in terms of the role of relational dominance in shaping male mate-preferences.
Taylor-Görtler disturbances in thin film flow: a perturbation method

The theory of Gortler-like instability of Eagles (Phys. Fluids 31 (1988) 1386) is extended to the next order of approximation in δ1/2, where δ is a measure of the thickness of the film compared to the radius of curvature of the bed, which varies slowly on the scale 1/δ. A convenient way of calculating the modified growth rate is described and applied to eight examples with modified neutral curves being obtained. In some cases the effects are strongly stabilizing and in other cases they are strongly destabilizing.
Redox and pH microenvironments within Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilms reveal an electron transfer mechanism.

The goal of this research was to quantify the variations in redox potential and pH in Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 biofilms respiring on electrodes. We grew S. oneidensis MR-1 on a graphite electrode, which was used to accept electrons for microbial respiration. We modified well-known redox and pH microelectrodes with a built-in reference electrode so that they could operate near polarized surfaces and quantified the redox potential and pH profiles in these biofilms. In addition, we used a ferri-/ferrocyanide redox system in which electrons were only transferred by mediated electron transfer to explain the observed redox potential profiles in biofilms. We found that regardless of the polarization potential of the biofilm electrode, the redox potential decreased toward the bottom of the biofilm. In a fully redox-mediated control system (ferri-/ferrocyanide redox system), the redox potential increased toward the bottom when the electrode was the electron acceptor. The opposite behavior of redox profiles in bi...
Different mechanisms decrease hepatic collagen and albumin production in fasted rats

Weight loss is correlated with a specific decrease in collagen synthesis in extrahepatic tissues, mainly through modulation of mRNA levels. Here, we investigated the response to weight loss in the rat liver. Male rats were either fed ad libitum or fasted for 92 hr; fasted animals lost approximately 20% of their initial body weight. Following i.p. injection of [5-3H]proline, hepatic collagen was extracted and de novo collagen production was measured. There was a decrease in the specific radioactivities of purified hepatic collagen (-75%) and albumin (-70%) relative to total hepatic protein, indicating that production of both of these proteins was specifically decreased. In fasted animals, the absolute hepatic collagen production was markedly decreased (-60%), while changes in absolute hepatic protein production were small (-15%). Using hybridization with specific DNA probes, we found that fasting causes about a 70% decrease in albumin mRNA, but the quantities of hepatic procollagen alpha 1(I) and alpha 2(I) mRNAs were unchanged. These results are consistent with regulation of albumin production during fasting by modulation of mRNA levels. The inhibition of hepatic collagen production in fasted animals, however, appears to be modulated at a posttranscriptional level or may result from increased degradation. This response differs from the pretranslational regulation of collagen synthesis in extrahepatic tissues during fasting. Furthermore, our results suggest that decreased body weight could be a potentially complicating variable in studies of collagen metabolism and fibrogenesis in the liver.
Synthetic and Mycobacterial Trehalose Glycolipids Confer Dehydration Resistance to Supported Phospholipid Monolayers

We have recently demonstrated that the glycolipid trehalose dimycolate (TDM), a major outer membrane component of dehydration resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTb), can impart significant dehydration resistance to supported phospholipid membranes. We now report studies of other, related glycolipids both natural and synthetic that exhibit behavior similar to TDM, conferring protection from desiccation to membranes of which they are constituents. We examined solid-supported lipid monolayers, characterizing membrane integrity and two-dimensional fluidity before and after de- and re-hydration with fluorescence imaging and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP). As with TDM, the degree of protection is dependent on the fraction of synthetic lipid in the monolayer and there is a distinct minimum fraction needed for protection by each glycolipid. We can control the synthetic lipid fluidity and minimum protecting fraction by designing and synthesizing lipids with particular hydrophobic chain lengths, saturation, and branching, thereby illuminating the role of molecular structure in biophysical function. The advent of these synthetic, protective glycolipids opens the door to the creation of lipid bilayers and liposomes since the relevant hydrophobic and hydrophilic domain sizes can be controlled. These new structures allow investigations of the physical origins of well-known mycobacaterial properties beyond dehydration resistance in controlled experimental contexts, such as the inhibition of membrane fusion.
Identification of sources of Escherichia coli in South Carolina estuaries using antibiotic resistance analysis

Fecal pollution from nonhuman (pets, livestock or wildlife) and human sources is often one of the major factors associated with urbanization that contribute to the degradation of water quality. Methods to differentiate animal from human sources of fecal coliform contamination could assist resource managers in developing strategies to protect shellfish harvesting areas and recreational waters. In this study, surface water samples were collected from both a developed and an undeveloped watershed in coastal South Carolina. Influent and effluent samples from several wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the same area were also collected. Most Probable Numbers (MPNs) of fecal coliforms were determined for all samples. Escherichia coli isolates were analyzed for antibiotic resistance (AR) to 10 antibiotics. Then, AR indices (no. of resistant/total no. of antibiotics tested), were calculated for each isolate and site. Results indicated that MPNs from the WWTP samples were significantly higher than those from the developed watershed which were significantly higher than those from the undeveloped watershed (p<0.0001). The AR analyses suggested that there was a trend toward increased antibiotic resistance in samples for the urbanized Broad Creek (BC) watershed. In the Okatee River (OR), E. coli isolates from three sites (20%) showed resistance to a single antibiotic (penicillin) but in BC, isolates from seven sites (47%) were resistant to multiple antibiotics, and the predominant resistance pattern was chlortetracycline–oxytetracycline–tetracycline. Raw sewage isolates from most WWTPs contained E. coli that exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics. Cluster analysis indicated that all resistant OR sites had antibiotic resistant isolates that matched AR patterns found in isolates from WWTPs. Similarly, six of the seven sites in BC had AR patterns that matched with resistance patterns in WWTPs. These results suggest that AR testing may be a useful tool for differentiating E. coli from human and wildlife sources. Further testing of bacterial isolates from known animal sources is necessary to better assess the utility of this approach.
A method of forecasting petroleum occurrences

In determining and substantiating petroleum prospects, estimates are both qualitative and quantitative. The qualitative stage is based on regional and detailed geological and geophysical investigations and exploration-research and serves as the basis for the quantitative assessment. The latter is achieved by using a number of methods of calculation: on the averaged structure, the densities of the reserves, volume-genetic methods, etc. 2 figures.
Spatial-frequency characteristics of letter identification in central and peripheral vision

Spatial-frequency characteristics of letter identification are much better understood in the fovea than in the periphery. The purpose of this study was to compare the spatial-frequency characteristics of letter identification in central and peripheral vision. We measured contrast thresholds for identifying single, Times-Roman lower-case letters that were spatially band-pass filtered. Each of the 26 letters was digitally filtered with a set of nine cosine log filters, with peak object spatial frequencies ranging from 0.63 to 10 c/letter, in half-octave steps. Bandwidth of the filters was 1 octave. Three observers with normal vision were each tested monocularly at the fovea, and at 5 degrees and 10 degrees in the inferior visual field. Letter sizes were 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 log units larger than high contrast, unfiltered acuity letters. Plots of contrast sensitivity for letter identification vs. frequency of the band-pass filters exhibit spatial tuning. In general, the spatial-frequency characteristics of letter identification are fundamentally identical between central and peripheral vision. These characteristics include the scaling of the peak frequency of the spatial-tuning functions with letter size and the bandwidth of the tuning functions. The only difference between the fovea and the periphery is that for the same physical letter size, peak sensitivity of the spatial-tuning functions occurs at a higher retinal frequency at the fovea than in the periphery. To test whether or not the contrast sensitivity function (CSF) can account for the differences in the spatial-frequency characteristics of letter identification between central and peripheral vision, we incorporated a human CSF into an ideal-observer model, and tested the performance of this ideal-observer on the same letter identification task used with the human observers. Data from this CSF-ideal-observer resemble closely those of human observers, suggesting that the spatial-frequency characteristics of human letter identification can be accounted for by the CSF and the letter-identity information, without invoking selection among narrow-band spatial-frequency channels.
Fmit-The Fusion Materials Irradiation Test Facility

One of the major problems facing future fusion reactor designers will be the choice of materials with which to build the containment vessel. Although hundreds of millions of dollars are being invested in fusion research around the world, and optimism exists that fusion power will become available by the end of the century, we cannot today build a practical power plant because we cannot positively specify a material that will withstand the irradiation of high flux, 14-MeV neutrons for adequate lengths of time. High rates of helium and hydrogen production, transmutation, and extensive irradiation damage all result when materials are subjected to 14-MeV neutrons. It is essential now that we build a machine that can produce these neutrons by means other than fusion and at flux levels sufficiently high so that material assessments can be made in time periods substantially shorter than projected end-of-life spans under normal operating conditions. Such a machine can be used to support all facets of the fusion energy program, whether it be magnetic or inertial confinement that eventually proves to be most effective. This machine must be put into operation by the mid-1980's so that preliminary materials data can be made available by 1990 to confirm reference material choices and provide a basis for development of advanced materials.
Glottal characteristics of female speakers: Acoustic correlates

The aim of the research reported in this paper is to formulate a set of acoustic parameters of the voicing source that reflect individual differences in the voice qualities of female speakers. Theoretical analysis and observations of experimental data suggest that a more open glottal configuration results in a glottal volume-velocity waveform with relatively greater low-frequency and weaker high-frequency components, compared to a waveform produced with a more adducted glottal configuration. The more open glottal configuration also leads to a greater source of aspiration noise and larger bandwidths of the natural frequencies of the vocal tract, particularly the first formant. These different attributes of the glottal waveform can be measured directly from the speech spectrum or waveform. A set of acoustic parameters that are likely to indicate glottal characteristics is described. These parameters are measured in the speech of a group of female speakers, and the glottal configurations of the speakers are hypothesized. This research contributes to the description of normal variations of voicing characteristics across speakers and to a continuing effort to improve the analysis and synthesis of female speech. It may also have applications in clinical settings.
Directed, intramolecular electron and energy transfer in mixed-valence dimers

Laser flash photolysis on a series of unsymmetrical ruthenium dimers has provided evidence for directed, intramolecular excitation energy transfer by a one-electron pathway for mixed-valence, RuII-RuIII, dimers and by simple energy transfer for RuII-RuII dimers.
Magnetic susceptibility of cerium pnictides

Abstract The magnetic susceptibility of microgram quantities of 248 CmP and 248 CmSb has been determined with the use of a SQUID micromagnetic susceptometer over the temperature range 4.2–340 K and in the applied magnetic field range of 0.45–1600 G. The fcc (NaCl-type) samples yield magnetic transitions at 73 K and 162 K for the phosphide and antimonide, respectively. Together, with published magnetic data for CmN and CmAs, these results indicate spatially extended exchange interactions between the relatively localized 5f electrons of the metallic actinide atoms.
Experiences and observations in introducing students to design and manufacturing globalization

During the spring of 2004, a new graduate course was offered at Brigham Young University with the objective of introducing engineering students to design and manufacturing issues associated with global product realization. Learning activities in the course included a study of relevant literature, case studies on globalization issues, team projects, and exercises. The course culminated with three weeks of visits to design and manufacturing enterprises involved in globalization in the United States, Japan, and China. This course was again offered during the spring of 2005. This paper presents some of the motivation for developing the course and the experiences and observations in conducting the course.
GAIP and RGS4 Are GTPase-Activating Proteins for the Gi Subfamily of G Protein α Subunits

A novel class of regulators of G protein signaling (RGS) proteins has been identified recently. Genetic evidence suggests that RGS proteins inhibit G protein-mediated signaling at the level of the receptor-G protein interaction or the G protein alpha subunit itself. We have found that two RGS family members, GAIP and RGS4, are GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), accelerating the rate of GTP hydrolysis by Gi alpha 1 at least 40-fold. All Gi subfamily members assayed were substrates for these GAPs; Gs alpha was not. RGS4 activates the GTPase activity of certain Gi alpha 1 mutants (e.g., R178C), but not others (e.g., Q204L). The GAP activity of RGS proteins is consistent with their proposed role as negative regulators of G protein-mediated signaling.
Randomized, controlled study of low-dose 5-fluorouracil in primary trabeculectomy.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a randomized clinical trial of postoperative subconjunctival injections of low-dose 5-fluorouracil in patients undergoing primary trabeculectomy. METHODS: In a prospective, randomized clinical trial, 40 eyes of 40 patients were randomized to the low-dose 5-fluorouracil group and received three subconjunctival injections of 5 mg each over 11 postoperative days, and 40 eyes of 40 patients were randomized to trabeculectomy without 5-fluorouracil. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) preoperative and 1-year postoperative intraocular pressures in the 5-fluorouracil group were 26.9 (±9.5) and 15.3 (±5.8) mm Hg, respectively. In the control group these were 25.9 (±8.1) mm Hg, and 15.8 (±5.1) mm Hg, respectively. The patients who received 5-fluorouracil had a mean reduction in intraocular pressure of 11.5 (±9.1) mm Hg at a median follow-up of 52.3 weeks. The control group had a mean reduction in intraocular pressure of 10.2 (±8.7) mm Hg at a median follow-up of 52.6 weeks. These differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Three postoperative subconjunctival 5-fluorouracil injections of 5 mg each after trabeculectomy in eyes at low risk for failure had no statistically or clinically significant effect on reduction of intraocular pressure with 1-year follow-up. Enhancement of success in this group of patients may require a larger total dose of 5-fluorouracil.
Emergency ultrasound of the gall bladder: comparison of a concentrated elective experience vs. longitudinal exposure during residency.

Abstract Background It is unknown how an intensive emergency ultrasound (EUS) experience compares with comparable exposure done over the course of residency training. Objective Our objective was to compare the accuracy of EUS of the gall bladder done by physicians after a 2-week EUS elective with similarly numbered examinations done by physicians longitudinally over several years of residency training. Methods This was a secondary analysis of a previously reported prospective study of EUS for biliary disease. The 21 st −40 th examinations were compared between those who participated in an EUS elective and those who did not. The gold standard was ultrasound done by the Department of Radiology. Results Mean time to complete 40 EUS examinations for biliary disease was 14 months for those participating in an EUS elective compared with 29 months for those who did not. One hundred and ninety-one examinations (49%) were done by 19 operators who did not participate in an EUS elective and 202 examinations (51%) were done by 23 operators who completed an EUS elective. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to detecting the presence of gall stones, gall bladder wall thickening, pericholecystic free fluid, ductal dilation, or sludge. Conclusions Physicians who participated in a 2-week, semi-structured EUS elective demonstrated EUS accuracy for biliary disease that was comparable with those who performed the same number of examinations over a longer period of time.
Growth and decay of disturbances in stratified shear flow in a rotating frame

The stability of stratified plane Couette flow in a rotating frame is investigated for a case in which the gravitational force is parallel to the rotation vector. Partial differential equations describing the behavior of disturbances in the linear regime are derived. Unstratified flow is stable as long as the angular momentum gradient is positive. If the gradient is negative, nonaxisymmetric disturbances grow as a power law in time, if the gradient is sufficiently steep. In flow which is unstable to convection, all perturbations asymptotically grow at the rate given by the Brunt-Vaisala frequency. If heat diffusion is included, all nonaxisymmetric perturbations now eventually decay as t exp -2, even if the flow is unstable to convection. If heat diffusion and viscosity are weak, nonaxisymmetric disturbances in convectively unstable flow will undergo a large transient growth before their eventual decay.
Specific depletion reveals a novel role for neutrophil-mediated protection in the liver during Listeria monocytogenes infection

Previous studies have suggested that neutrophils are required for resistance during infection with multiple pathogenic microorganisms. However, the depleting antibody used in those studies binds to both Ly6G and Ly6C (anti-Gr-1; clone RB6-8C5). This antibody has been shown to not only deplete neutrophils, but also monocytes, and a subset of CD8 T cells. Recently, an antibody against Ly6G has been characterized which specifically depletes neutrophils. In the present study, neutrophils are depleted using the antibody against Ly6G during infection with the intracellular bacterium, Listeria monocytogenes (LM). Our data show that neutrophil depleted mice are much less susceptible to infection than mice depleted with anti-Gr-1. Although neutrophils are required for clearance of LM, their importance is more pronounced in the liver and during a high-dose bacterial challenge. Furthermore, we demonstrate that protection mediated by neutrophils is due to production of TNF-α, but not IFN-γ. Additionally, neutrophils are not required for the recruitment of monocytes or the generation of adaptive T cell responses during LM infection. These studies highlight the importance of neutrophils during LM infection, and also indicate that depletion of neutrophils is less detrimental to the host than depletion of all Gr-1 expressing cell populations.