cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of sicklepod control on several insect pests and their arthropod natural enemies in Florunner peanuts

Abstract The impact of pesticides applied for sicklepod ( Cassia obtusifolia L.) control on peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L.) insect pests and predacious arthropods in Florunner peanut fields was investigated in 1982 and 1983. Pesticides examined included post-emergence applications of toxaphene and dinoseb. Weed-free periods of 2, 6, and 14 weeks were also included to determine the effects of weediness on insect abundance. A randomized complete design with four replicates was used, than untreated plots. Corn earworm ( Heliothisi zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) populations were greater with eight-row (91 cm each) by 9 m plots. Plots treated with toxaphene yielded more peanuts (α=0·05) than untreated plots. Corn earworm ( Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)) populations were greater and threecornered alfalfa hopper ( Spissistilus festinus (Homoptera: Membracidae)) populations were lower (α=0·05) in toxaphene-treated plots on some sample days. Predator populations were depressed initially by toxaphene applications but recovered to levels higher than those in untreated populations. Some sicklepod was beneficial in increasing predacious arthropod populations in peanuts. Very weedy plots yielded significantly less peanuts than plots with good weed control, indicating the importance of proper sicklepod management.
Culturally specific adaptation of a prevention intervention: An international collaborative research project

This study adapted a U.S. drug use prevention program for use with Russian at-risk adolescents, and explored directions for further development of programs addressing prevention of substance abuse and other health risk behaviors including risk of HIV infection. The adaptation process was conducted in phases, initially carried out in Seattle with 23 bilingual (English-Russian) youth and then further adapted in two Moscow schools with 44 "typical" youth. In the final phase, program adaptation for the Russian at-risk adolescents was achieved by conducting a pilot test of the adapted program lessons with Moscow at-risk adolescents (n=10), who met criteria of poor school performance and/or truancy. Observations and experience were used throughout to adapt and refine the program for at-risk youth. Modifications were made to represent more accurately colloquial Russian and to capture teen experiences common to Russian culture. Both U.S. and Russian youth characterized the lessons as engaging and valuable. They also expressed a need to learn about sexuality, drug use, and health; peer and romantic relationships; and problem-solving strategies.
The mass class and teaching assistants: A case for discussion exercises

Sociology courses, particularly introductory courses, with 200 or more students are increasingly being offered in U.S. colleges and universities. Within the “mass class” structure, teaching assistants are often utilized to instruct students in smaller discussion sessions. This creates unique conditions of instruction for both professors and teaching assistants. For instance, professors are faced with coordinating teaching assistants’ activities, while teaching assistants need to develop skills relating to provoking discussion. Both must deal with effects of a hierarchy of instruction. After discussing these conditions we present structured classroom exercises that focus on sociological concepts typically presented in introductory courses to help teaching assistants create an engaging learning experience, attain teaching skills, and facilitate the professor’s coordination of instruction.
A High Intensity Source of Polarized X-Rays for Fluorescent Excitation Analysis (FEA)

FEA is being used in medicine to substitute radiotracers and chemical analysis of stable tracers. Excitation with polarized x-rays reduces tracer working levels: Since they scatter at preferential angles they reduce the number of photons reaching the detector, thus decreasing system dead time and background. The use of a 160KV 19mA x-ray tube for FEA of iodine (and neighboring elements) realizes count-rates of 2.5 cts/sec/ppmI and background reductions from 11.5 ppmI (when using Am-241 excitation) to 5.7 ppmI. These early results indicate that counting time to realize constant quantitation accuracy can be reduced by 90%. Since the use of the x-ray tube results in a 50% increase in the cost of the source-excited automated system, the ten-fold reduction in analysis time makes this a practical approach.
Surviving and Thriving after Trauma and Loss.

Abstract Individuals and their communities experience trauma and loss during times of natural disaster. Using Hurricane Katrina as a context, the authors provide an overview of the phases of disaster coping and discuss the ambiguous losses that can occur during these traumatic and life-changing times. The use of rituals as a creative intervention is introduced to help individuals and families facilitate their grief processes.
Auditing care with a problem-oriented record system

The trend toward formal evaluation of medical care prompted the examination of the quality and economy of care in the emergency department of Beth Israel Medical Center. Two sources were used to obtain the information for the evaluation. The first was the Emergency Department Utilization Review Committee which meets every other week to review emergency department charts. The second was a study to determine the speed of audit and time to fatigue in auditing emergency department charts. The results showed that auditors could review problem-oriented charts in less time and in greater numbers with less fatigue than traditional charts.
Automated Wafer Flatness Characterization System

As VLSI technology pushes toward micrometer range geometries, wafer flatness becomes critical to direct step on wafer projection printing. This paper describes a system that utilizes the automatic focusing capability of a wafer stepper to achieve in situ measurement of wafer flatness. A depth gauge attached to the lens column conveys to the system a voltage analog of column height during exposure of each die. The system then computes locations of isoplanar contour lines on the wafer and plots a topographic map on an X-Y recorder. Any vertical interval between contour lines can be specified between 0.5 and 2 micrometers. A close correlation has been found between interferometric images of wafer flatness and topographic maps produced by the system while attached to a wafer stepper. The chief advantage of the wafer topographic map over the interferometric image is its ability to capture flatness measurements during actual exposure. Also beneficial are tick marks on all contour lines which indicate direction of increasing wafer height. Application of the system will enhance prediction of photolithographic yield, identification of process steps causing wafer deformation and effectiveness of process quality control.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative Bond Study of Stainless and High-Chromium Reinforcing Bars in Concrete

Concrete bridge decks in corrosive environments have used several methods to prevent corrosion of the reinforcing steel including the use of alternative steels as reinforcement. While research has been conducted on corrosion resistance, very little information is available about the bond strength of alternative metallic reinforcement such as solid stainless steels and high-strength, high-chromium (HSHC) alloys. Therefore, the tensile bond strengths of three alternative metallic steel reinforcements in concrete are compared with conventional A615 Grade 60 steel reinforcement. Two types of stainless steel were considered, 316LN and 2205 duplex. An HSHC microcomposite bar was also considered. A total of 250 bond tests were performed with beam-end specimens similar to the ASTM A944 specimen. Bonded lengths of 4 to 12 in. were used for No. 4 and No. 6 reinforcing bars. Concrete clear cover for all tests was 1 1/2 in. to produce cracking bond failure. No transverse reinforcement was present. The normal strength...
Reduced glutathione recovers the impairment of the proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes from vitamin E-deficient rats.

Abstract The effect of reduced glutathione (GSH) on the Con A induce proliferative response of splenic lymphocytes from rats fed a normal or vitamin E-deficient diet has been investigated. The animals were killed when they were 12 months old and after 11 months of dietary treatment. As was expected, a decreased response, measured in terms of blast transformation or [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation, was observed in vitamin E-deficient animals when compared with the control group. This pattern can be accounted for by the large number of dead cells found in deficient animals. GSH addition into the culture medium resulted in a strong increase of the response in both groups and it eliminated the difference caused by the different dietary regimens. Taking into account that, during proliferation, an increase of respiration occurs which increases the risk of free radical production, present data suggest that GSH may substitute vitamin E in protecting the cells.
The Avoidable Excess Burden of Broad-Based U.S. Taxes

The excess burden of taxes can be reduced by shifting taxes from labor and capital onto land and by replacing progressive taxes with proportional taxes. This article uses a dynamic general equilibrium model to develop estimates of the magnitudes of reduction in excess burden that can be achieved in the United States by (1) incrementally shifting revenue from five broad-based taxes to land, (2) replacing the current progressive income tax with a flat tax, and (3) shifting as much taxation as possible to land.
Mandibular movement patterns relative to food types in common tree shrews (Tupaia glis)

Although common tree shrews have long been considered a model system for early eutherian mastication, little information on mandibular movement patterns relative to specific food types has been reported. Detailed analysis of mandibular movement patterns when related to resulting attrition facets may permit more accurate extrapolations regarding the dietary habits of primitive mammals. Marker beads were sewn to chins of five animals that were placed in a restraint system and filmed while they fully masticated mealworm larvae and standardized pieces of banana, almond, and commercial cat chow. These sequences were divided into early, middle, and late thirds of food reduction. Mandibular positions from both frontal and lateral perspectives were digitized frame by frame to yield plots of orbits in three dimensions as well as graphic display of displacements, velocities, and accelerations. Plot coordinates were averaged to generate composite orbital shapes. Significant (p < 0.01) findings included: (1) shortest orbital durations and greatest peak closing velocities and accelerations in early third of reduction; (2) smallest maximum gape, smallest maximum lateral excursion from midline, and longest duration of powerstroke relative to orbital duration in late third of reduction; (3) shortest orbital durations and smallest maximum gape during mastication of chow; (4) greatest maximum lateral excursion during mastication of mealworm larvae; and (5) smallest peak closing accelerations during mastication of banana. Significant differences were also found among subjects for all parameters examined. Capacity for complex jaw movement may have been critical for allowing primitive molars to be used for trituration of a variety of food types, and may have preceded evolution of more specialized molar forms.
A simplified model for understanding natural convection driven biomass cooking stoves—Part 1: Setup and baseline validation

It is estimated that half the world's population cooks over an open biomass fire; improved biomass cooking stove programs have the potential to impact indoor air quality, deforestation, climate change, and quality of life on a global scale. The majority of these cooking stoves operate in a natural convection mode (being driven by chimney effect buoyant fluid forces). Simplified theories for understanding the behavior of this unexpectedly complex combustion system, along with practical engineering tools to inform its design, are markedly lacking. A simplified model of the fundamental stove physics is developed for predicting bulk flow rate, temperature, and excess air ratio based on stove geometry (chimney height, chimney area, viscous and heat release losses) and the firepower (as established by the stove operator). These parameters are intended to be fundamental inputs for future work understanding and improving biomass cook stove emissions and heat transfer. Experimental validation is performed and the simplified model is shown to be accurate and applicable to typical stove operation. Carbon monoxide and particulate matter emissions data have been recorded in conjunction with the validation data. The initial results are presented and indicate that the excess air ratio is a promising tool for reducing carbon monoxide emissions.
Learning Styles of ESL Students in Community Colleges

This study investigated the learning styles of adult English as a second language (ESL) students in Northwest Arkansas. Learning style differences by age, gender, and country of origin were explored. A total of 69 northwest Arkansas adult ESL students attending 7 adult-education centers were administered the VARK Learning Styles Questionnaire. Most participants came from Mexico and El Salvador, their ages ranged from 23 to 45, and females were an average of 10 years older than males. Note taking was chosen by 1/3 of participants as their favorite learning style, 20% favored aural modes, 15% favored kinesthetic, 4% favored visual, and 15% chose combinations of learning styles. Females chose auditory and multimodal learning styles, while males favored note taking. Students differed by level of English proficiency, beginning-intermediate favoring aural learning styles more than advanced students. ANOVA results indicated that participants were significantly less visual and more read-write than either aural or...
Doing Mathematics with Aftermath of Pandemic Influenza 2009

The influenza A/H1N1 pandemic in 2009–2010 brought a hug impact to both scientists and public health authorities in public health sector in Korea. The Korean scientists traced the pathogenesis and chronological localization of influenza A/H1N1 [1], and also checked antiviral resistance in Korea [2]. Surveillance data on influenza-like illness (ILI) utilized to model to estimate the influenza patents in Korea [3]. Mathematical modelers evaluated the parameters of the existing preparedness plan in Korea [4]. Many pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical measures are implemented during an epidemic to delay the peak and reduce the casualties [5]. Some study has demonstrated the effectiveness of non-pharmaceutical measures under certain situation [6], but the timely intervention with pharmaceutical measures with vaccines and antiviral treatment is known to effectively contain or mitigate the impact of an outbreak [7–9]. Public health experts have paid remarkable attention on the preventive strategies implemented for recurrent or future epidemics. Recently, many more realistic, tailored mathematical transmission models have been evolved to answer specific public health questions on an epidemic and tested for the empirical validity [8,9]. In the current issue of Osong Public Health and Research Perspective, the authors investigated how the onset time and the levels of control measures were associated with the effectiveness of intensive vaccination and antiviral treatment [10]. In this study, results from models with full control measures and models with partial control measures were compared, highlighting the significant differences in model outcomes. The intensive vaccination was the single most critical factor to prevent the severe outbreak. The authors estimated the half vaccination resulted in the total infected proportion six times larger or more. This study has shown a unique approach to evaluate the effectiveness of mass vaccination in Korea. This evaluation would provide a valuable insight for public health officials and scientists to prepare for the next possible pandemic in Korea.
Fire fallout of metals off California

Abstract Distinct increases were measured in dry aerial deposition rates of nine trace metals along the section of the southern California coast covered by a forest fire smoke plume. However, with the exception of iron, manganese, and lead, estimated inputs of metals to the coastal marine ecosystem via this route during both fire and non-fire periods were one to two orders of magnitude below those from the submarine discharge of municipal wastewater.
Effects of MK-801 and NBQX on Acute Recovery of Piglet Cerebral Metabolism after Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest:

Brain protection during open heart surgery in the neonate and infant remains inadequate. Effects of the excitatory neurotransmitter antagonists MK-801 and NBQX on recovery of brain cellular energy state and metabolic rates were evaluated in 34 4-week-old piglets (10 MK-801, 10 NBQX, 14 controls) undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass and hypothermic circulatory arrest at 15°C nasopharyngeal temperature for 1 h, as is used clinically for repair of congenital heart defects. MK-801 (dizocilpine) (0.75 mg/kg) or NBQX [2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline] (25 mg/kg) was given intravenously before cardiopulmonary bypass. Equivalent doses were placed in the cardiopulmonary bypass prime plus continuous infusions after reperfusion (0.15 mg kg−1h−1 and 5 mg kg−1h−1). Changes in high-energy phosphate concentrations and pH were analyzed by magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 17 animals until 225 min after reperfusion. Cerebral blood flow determined by radioactive microspheres as well as cerebral oxygen an...
Energy balance and pulsatile LH secretion in early postpartum dairy cattle.

The relationships between energy balance (EB), pulsatile LH secretion and circulating levels of insulin and various energy metabolites were assessed in ten lactating Holstein cows. Cows were blood sampled every 12 min via indwelling jugular catheters for 8 hr twice weekly beginning in the first week postpartum (PP) through first ovulation (1stOV). Days to negative EB nadir and days to 1stOV were highly correlated (P less than .02). LH pulse frequency (P less than .01), LH baseline (P less than .05) and mean LH (P less than .1) increased, while LH pulse amplitude tended to decrease when comparing the frequent sampling series immediately before and after the negative EB nadir. Plasma levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA, r = -.40, P less than .01), insulin (r = .38, P less than .01), glucose (r = .31, P less than .01) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (r = .19, P less than .06) were correlated with EB. For within animal comparisons, NEFA was significantly correlated (r = -.44 to -.89, P less than .05) with EB in 8 of 10 cows, but no other correlations were significant. Additionally, none of the metabolites nor insulin were significant in multiple regression models for 1stOV. Therefore, it appears that pulsatile LH secretion is suppressed until the negative EB nadir is reached, at which time LH pulse frequency increases stimulating 1stOV. Since NEFA and EB are directly related, NEFA may serve as a peripheral signal of EB to the central nervous system.
A new technique for the analysis of histidine, tyrosine, methionine and arginine in protein hydrolysates.

Abstract A technique for the analysis of certain amino acids in protein hydrolyzates is proposed which consists in one-dimensional paper chromatography followed by elution of the proper areas and colorimetric analysis by selective methods. Results are reported for the histidine, tyrosine, methionine, and arginine contents of a few crystalline protein. This method has been applied to the differentiation of some known and unknown strains of TMV. Application to DNP-derivatives of chymotrypsin and DFP-inhibited chymotrypsin has not yielded any evidence concerning the mechanism of the inhibition by the alkyl phosphates.
Opiate binding sites in the interpeduncular nucleus of the rat: normal distribution and the effects of fasciculus retroflexus lesions.

Abstract Opiate receptors have been localized autoradiographically to many regions of the rat central nervous system. The interpeduncular nucleus has an especially high concentration of these receptors. We used [ 3 H]naloxone and [ 125 I] [ d -Ala 2 , MePhe 4 , Glyol 5 ]enkephalm as ligands to map the distribution of opiate receptors among the subnuclei of the interpeduncular nucleus. The rostral subnucleus contains label that is densest dorsally. More caudally, high densities of opiate binding sites are found in the lateral, rostral, and central subnuclei. The dorsal subnucleus contains a moderate density of binding sites and the intermediate subnuclei contain almost none. Opiate receptors have also been localized to the medial habenulae and the fasciculi retroflexi, which provide a major afferent input to the interpeduncular nucleus. Lesions of the fasciculi retroflexi decreased the density of opiate binding sites in the rostral and lateral subnuclei of the interpeduncular nucleus. There were no changes seen in the dorsal, intermediate or central subnuclei. These results suggest that a minority of opiate receptors in the interpeduncular nucleus are located presynaptically on fasciculi retroflexi axons. Immunocytochemical studies have demonstrated that the rat interpeduncular nucleus contains substance P, serotonin and enkephalin, and each has a distinct subnuclear distribution. Although the opiate binding sites have a wider distribution than substance P, serotonin, or enkephalin individually, the pattern of opiate binding most closely parallels substance P distribution. The combined distribution of substance P, serotonin, and enkephalin is equivalent to that of the opiate binding sites.
IMMUNOCHEMICAL STUDIES ON BLOOD GROUPS VII. CHEMICAL CHANGES ASSOCIATED WITH DESTRUCTION OF BLOOD GROUP ACTIVITY AND ENHANCEMENT OF THE TYPE XIV CROSS-REACTIVITY BY PARTIAL HYDROLYSIS OF HOG AND HUMAN BLOOD GROUP A, B, AND O SUBSTANCES

1. The effect of heating at varying pH on the cross-reactivity of hog blood group A and 0 substances with Type XIV antibody has been investigated. The hydrolysis of blood group A, B, and O substances from hog and human sources at pH 1.5-1.8 resulted in destruction of blood group activity and a marked increase in cross-reactivity with Type XIV antipneumococcus horse serum. 2. Analysis revealed the liberation of reducing sugar, most of which was dialyzable. It was further shown that the major part of the reducing sugar was fucose with small amounts of free and polymerized galactose and glucosamine. Non-glucosamine nitrogen, probably amino acids, also was found in the dialysate. 3. Paper chromatographic separation of the concentrated dialysate confirmed the presence of fucose and showed that the majority of the galactose and glucosamine occurred in polymeric form. 4. Quantitative analysis of the substances isolated from the paper showed good recovery of the various components, indicating that practically all of the material in the dialysate could be accounted for. 5. The methylpentose of human blood group A substance was identified as fucose. 6. The structure of the blood group substances is interpreted in terms of these results.
Impact of short period, non-tidal, temporal mass variability on GRACE gravity estimates

[1] Using orbital simulations of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) spacecraft, we examined the effects on gravity recovery due to short period, non-tidal temporal mass variability in the atmosphere, ocean, and continental hydrology. We found that the magnitude of the aliasing error was strongly correlated with the power of the high-frequency variability of the models. Degree error relative to measurement error increased by a factor of ∼20 due to atmospheric aliasing (corresponding to geoid anomalies of approximately 1 mm at 500 km wavelengths), by a factor of ∼10 due to the ocean model, and by a factor of ∼3 due to the continental hydrology model. De-aliasing done with approximate models gave the greatest reduction in aliasing error for the mid-degrees and higher. For the atmosphere, the residual error was ∼1/5 times that of the aliasing error. A barotropic ocean model reduced the aliasing error due to a baroclinic model to nearly the level of measurement noise.
Ethyl alcohol toxicity in the bat (Myotis lucifugus).

Abstract The toxicity of ethanol to unanesthetized bats was studied because the preparation allows subsequent quantitative studies of arteriole and venule responses to ethanol and to alcohol-drug interactions. The toxicity of ethanol was calculated in the bat ( Myotis lucifugus ) as an LD50, which was found to be 4.3 g/kg. Thus, ethanol appears to be more toxic to the bat than to other species, such as the mouse, rat, and guinea pig. This is a somewhat unexpected finding, since the rate of disappearance of ethanol is higher for the bat than for most other species. Our data indicate that the rate of disappearance of ethanol from the blood of a bat is 55–70 mg/100 ml/hour.
From The Summit: The President's Budget for 1989

The president's budget is a political document, a prediction and an institution. As a political document, its version of the past and vision of the future are open to criticism. As a prediction, its projections arguable in the light of experience and professional judgment. As an institution, its contribution to the general capacity of government is subject to debate.
Screening for Thyroid Disease: An Update

Purpose: To review information on the benefits of screening with a sensitive thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test for thyroid dysfunction in asymptomatic patients seeking primary care for other r...
A General High-Performance Liquid Chromatography- Based Assay for the Hydrolysis of N-Acyl Glutamates

A rapid and simple HPLC assay has been developed to separate and quantify N-acyl glutamates and the corresponding carboxylic acids of the acyl moiety. This method was specifically developed to assay hydrolytic activity for glutamate carboxypeptidases. Although established assays for specific substrates of such enzymes exist, they may not be amenable for examining the hydrolytic activity of new substrate probes. This assay was developed to accommodate such probes.
Patient perceptions of female surgeons: how surgeon demeanor and type of surgery affect patient preference.

Abstract Background As more women become surgeons, knowledge of patient perceptions is necessary to educate this new pool of surgeons on how to maximize patient trust and foster the optimal surgeon–patient relationship. Materials and methods Patients in a general medicine clinic in San Francisco were surveyed. Study respondents read one of the eight short scenarios that differed by surgeon gender, surgery type (lung cancer versus breast cancer), and surgeon demeanor (more masculine—agentic versus more feminine—communal). In all scenarios, the surgeon was described as accomplished and well trained. After reading the short description, respondents rated five items from 0–5, which were averaged to create a measure of preference. Results Based on the 476 completed surveys, respondents did not have a significant preference for either female or male surgeons (P = 0.76). We found a significant interaction in respondent choice between the surgeon demeanor and the type of surgery (P Conclusions Our respondents did not overtly prefer a surgeon based on gender, which suggests that patients may not contribute to the traditional gender biases reported by female surgeons. Further work needs to be done to determine if our results can be replicated in different geographic regions and if there is gender stereotyping within the field of surgery.
A proposed role for ascorbate in the transport of amino acids and ions in the cornea

Abstract Evidence is presented that the cornea actively transports neutral amino acids from the endothelial surface by several carrier mechanisms. One of these mechanisms, responsible for leucine uptake, is markedly stimulated by lactate and to a lesser extent by ascorbate. We are postulating that leucine transport is coupled to an electron transport system that utilizes lactate and ascorbate as substrate or electron donors. We also found a similar acceleration in the SCC and P.D. when ascorbate was added to the medium bathing the cornea and suggest that an electron transport system also supplies energy for the transport of ions by the cornea.
The equatorial helium ion trough and the geomagnetic anomaly

The latitudinal characteristics of He+ in the equatorial region are compared with those of O+ and H+. These ions, in different altitude regions, exhibit certain features which are characteristics of the ionospheric geomagnetic anomaly. It is shown that the latitudinal distributions of these ions are related to their vertical distribution at the equator via their respective scale heights and the geomagnetic dipole geometry. To a first order, the positions of the latitudinal maxima of a given ion may be related to its peak altitude at the equator by a proposed expression.
Studies in the neurophysiology of learning: IX. Conditioning of evoked potentials due to cerebral stimulation.

Summary The hypothesis to be tested was that if characteristic undulatory evoked potentials could be produced by electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus, sensory stimuli originally neutral should evoke such potentials, if only of smaller amplitude. The results of experiments on four albino rats are reported. Stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus by electrical current at 200 biphasic rectangular pulses per second results in 7–12 cycles-per-second undulations persisting for about .5 second and derivable from several regions of the cerebrum. By means of the Pavlovian paradigm, it was possible to condition these to an auditory and to a visual stimulus. The conditioned undulations had smaller amplitudes, did not persist as long to CS as to US, and were characterized by considerable lability. From 100 to 300 CS-US pairings were required.
Regularity and Coexistence Problems for Strongly Coupled Elliptic Systems

Boundedness and H¨ older regularity of solutions to a class of strongly coupled elliptic systems are investigated. The H¨ older estimates for the gradients of solutions are also established. Finally, the fixed point theory is applied to prove existence of pos- itive solution(s) for general cross diVusion elliptic systems.
In vitro detection of functional humoral immunocompetence in juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) using flow cytometry

Abstract A flow cytometric (FCM) assay for detection of immunomodulatory effects of environmental factors on the humoral response of chinook salmon ( Oncorhynchus tshawytscha ) is described and validated. This technique combines exposure of whole animals or leucocyte cultures to immunomodulatory agents/conditions with in vitro mitogenic activation of B-lymphocytes. The proportion of leucocytes undergoing blastogenesis following in vitro stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is quantified by FCM analysis of forward and side scatter properties. In addition, binding of a fluorescein isothiocyanate labelled anti-rainbow trout immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibody (anti-RBT SIgM-FITC), quantified by FCM analysis, is used to determine the ability of the lymphoblasts to express surface immunoglobulin M (SIgM). Through a series of calibration steps, it was confirmed that anti-RBT IgM-FITC was specific for B-lymphocyte SIgM in chinook salmon. Binding of anti-RBT IgM-FITC to chinook salmon SIgM positive leucocytes was effectively blocked with salmon serum and an isotype control was established. B-lymphocytes were partially removed from a population of leucocytes through adherence to a nylon wool column, which then demonstrated a consequent reduction in anti-RBT IgM-FITC binding. Using anti-RBT IgM-FITC as a marker, the distribution of resting lymphocytes expressing SIgM in lymphoid tissues of juvenile chinook salmon was described. The mean percentage of SIgM positive cells in spleen, pronephros and blood were found to be 62.1 (±2.82), 34.8 (±1.86) and 56.7% (±4.7) of all viable leucocytes, respectively. In a time-course experiment for optimal in vitro activation of leucocytes for this assay, blastogenesis and up-regulation of SIgM expression of splenic leucocytes were observed through FCM by 4 days post in vitro stimulation with LPS, continued through 7 days, but was no longer visible by 10 days post stimulation. Using this assay, reduced expression of SIgM in splenic and pronephric B-lymphocytes was detected following in vitro exposure to physiologically relevant stress concentrations of cortisol in conjunction with mitogenic stimulation. This technique will be a useful addition to the assays already available in the rapidly growing field of fish immunology.
Epidermal conductance as a component of dehydration avoidance in Digitaria californica and Eragrostis lehmanniana, two perennial desert grasses

Abstract Epidermal conductance ( g min ) is water lost through the cuticle and stomata of plants when stomatal conductance is minimal. Low g min may affect survival of perennial grasses by maintaining tissue hydration during drought. If true, populations from environments where drought is severe may exhibit reduced g min compared to those from less arid environments. Success of invasive grasses may also be associated with reduced g min compared to non-invasive competitors. Using plants grown in a single environment, we measured g min of leaves from populations of Digitaria californica from environments with similar annual precipitation but differing in average drought severity (southern Arizona and western Texas, USA), and a population of the exotic species Eragrostis lehmanniana that has invaded sites occupied by D. californica in Arizona. Epidermal conductance was lower in the D. californica population from the more arid environment (Texas). Likewise, g min was lower in E. lehmanniana than in the Arizona D. californica population. Shoot biomass production as a fraction of g min was higher in E. lehmanniana than in the D. californica populations and was higher in the Texas D. californica population than in the Arizona population. This suggests that low g min may be a component of drought avoidance in these grasses.
Suicide attempts and associated factors in older adults with schizophrenia.

Background Although there have been numerous studies of suicidality in younger populations with schizophrenia, there have been no studies focused on community-dwelling older adults with schizophrenia. This study provides data on the prevalence of suicidality and factors associated with previous suicide attempts among a mixed racial sample of older persons with schizophrenia living in New York City.
Circulating rat cells in lethally irradiated mice protected with rat bone marrow.

Summary1. Mice receiving 950 r can be protected from the 30-day irradiation death by injecting rat bone marrow and caging them individually. 2. Transplantation of rat erythrocytopoietic and granulocytopoietic cells has been demonstrated by the appearance of rat RBC and granulocytes in the circulation. On the 65th day, 100% rat RBC was present in the circulation of all the surviving heterologously protected mice. 3. Rat serum proteins could not be detected in these mice by the serum-agar method.
A Further Analysis of the Lead–Lag Relationship Between the Cash Market and Stock Index Futures Market

The intraday lead-lag relation between returns of the Major Market cash index and returns of the Major Market Index futures and S&P 500 futures is investigated. Empirical results show strong evidence that the futures leads the cash index and weak evidence that the cash index leads the futures. The asymmetric lead-lag relation holds between the futures and all component stocks, including those that trade in almost every five-minute interval. Evidence indicates that when more stocks move together (market-wide information) the futures leads the cash index to a greater degree. This suggests that the futures market is the main source of market-wide information. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Transverse bayonet dislocation of the distal interphalangeal joint-A case report

Transverse bayonet dislocation of an interphalangeal joint is an unstable injury caused by the disruption of both collateral ligaments. This injury pattern in proximal interphalangeal joint was first described by Patel et al. (Clin Orthop Rel Res. 1978;133:219), who coined the term "bayonet dislocation" to describe this particular type of injury. The case of a distal interphalangeal transverse dislocation is presented. This dislocation was successfully treated by closed reduction and immobilization with an aluminum splint and buddy taping to the adjacent finger.
Clothing Problems As Perceived By Mexican American Migrant Women

Perceived types of clothing problems of 101 Mexican American migrant women in relation to their demographic characteristics were investigated for educational purposes. Two steps were utilized in the construction of the instrument: (1) developing a universe of clothing problems of low-income families, and (2) establishing content validity of the items. Personal interviews were conducted throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. The study revealed that scores on types of clothing problems showed significant relationships on one or more of five characteristics of the sample: age, education, ability to speak English, classes in textiles and clothing, and years in agriculture. The results also indicated that migrant women seldom perceived themselves to have encountered the clothing problems.
Managing adolescent acne: a guide for pediatricians.

1. Daniel P. Krowchuk, MD* 1. *Departments of Pediatrics and Dermatology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Brenner Children’s Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Review the epidemiology and causes of adolescent acne. 2. Recognize the types of acne lesions and assess the severity of acne. 3. Design an appropriate treatment plan for adolescents who have acne. 4. Discuss the indications for use and adverse effects of topical and systemic agents employed in acne therapy. Acne vulgaris, known simply as “acne,” is a chronic condition that may last for years and cause emotional distress and permanent scarring. Although acne has no cure, medications can control the disease and limit or prevent scar formation. Acne is the skin disease most commonly treated by physicians. It is estimated that 17 million Americans have acne, including 85% of adolescents ages 15 to 17 years. In 2000, the most recent year for which data are available, there were an estimated 14.5 million visits to physicians made by adolescents for acne treatment. Adolescent acne correlates best with pubertal stage, although lesions may become evident before secondary sexual characteristics appear. Early in puberty, blackheads and whiteheads predominate, and the midface (midforehead, nose, and chin) typically is involved. Later, inflammatory lesions become more prevalent, and the lateral cheeks, lower jaw, back, and chest are affected. Acne is a disorder of the pilosebaceous unit, comprised of a follicle or pore, sebaceous gland, and rudimentary or vellus hair. These specialized follicles are concentrated on the face, chest, and back, which explains why acne occurs in these areas. Although the pathogenesis of acne has not been defined, clearly multiple factors contribute (Fig. 1). Designing appropriate treatment requires an understanding of these factors. Figure 1. Pathogenesis of acne. ### Hormones and Sebum Production Androgens play an integral role in causing acne. At age 8 or 9 years, prior to the appearance of secondary sexual characteristics, adrenarche results in increased adrenal production of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). Rising levels …
Precise enforcement of progress-sensitive security

Program progress (or termination) is a covert channel that may leak sensitive information. To control information leakage on this channel, semantic definitions of security should be progress sensitive and enforcement mechanisms should restrict the channel's capacity. However, most state-of-the-art language-based information-flow mechanisms are progress insensitive---allowing arbitrary information leakage through this channel---and current progress-sensitive enforcement techniques are overly restrictive.We propose a type system and instrumented semantics that together enforce progress-sensitive security more precisely than existing approaches. Our system is permissive in that it is able to accept programs in which the termination behavior depends only on low-security (e.g., public or trusted) information. Our system is parameterized on a termination oracle, and controls the progress channel precisely, modulo the ability of the oracle to determine the termination behavior of a program based on low-security information. We have instantiated the oracle for a simple imperative language with a logical abstract interpretation that uses an SMT solver to synthesize linear rank functions.In addition, we extend the system to permit controlled leakage through the progress channel, with the leakage bound by an explicit budget. We empirically analyze progress channels in existing Jif code. Our evaluation suggests that security-critical programs appear to satisfy progress-sensitive security.
Study of electromagnetic scattering from material object doped randomly with thin metallic wires using finite element method

A new numerical simulation method using the finite element methodology (FEM) is presented to study electromagnetic scattering due to an arbitrarily shaped material body doped randomly with thin and short metallic wires. The FEM approach described in many standard text books (JL Volakis, et al., 1998 and J Jin, 1840) is appropriately modified to account for the presence of thin and short metallic wires distributed randomly inside an arbitrarily shaped material body. Using this modified FEM approach, the electromagnetic scattering due to cylindrical, spherical material body doped randomly with thin metallic wires is studied.
Smoking in Pregnancy and Parenting Stress: Maternal Psychological Symptoms and Socioeconomic Status as Potential Mediating Variables

Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of smoking in pregnancy on parenting stress. Maternal psychological symptoms and socioeconomic status (SES) were evaluated as potential mediating factors between prenatal cigarette use and later parenting stress. Method The sample included 218 mothers who were recruited at the hospital after birth and completed a 6-month visit with their infants at a university laboratory. Based on the mothers' responses to interviews at the hospital on tobacco use during pregnancy, the sample included 77 nonsmokers and 141 smokers. Information on sociodemographic variables, prenatal care, and other substance use during pregnancy was collected at the hospital interview. At the 6-month visit, the mothers completed measures of parenting stress and psychological symptoms. Cotinine levels were assessed at both timepoints. Results Regression analysis showed that maternal smoking during pregnancy predicted parenting stress in infancy. Maternal symptoms of psychological distress and SES were evaluated simultaneously to determine whether they functioned as mediating variables between smoking in pregnancy and parenting stress. A multiple mediation analysis (Preacher & Hayes, 2008a) showed that maternal psychological symptoms functioned as a mediating variable but that SES did not. Conclusions Results suggest that mothers who smoke in pregnancy are likely to experience higher levels of psychological symptoms, which, in turn, predict higher levels of parenting stress. Smoking in pregnancy may be a marker for symptoms of psychological distress in mothers.
DSigDB: drug signatures database for gene set analysis

Summary: We report the creation of Drug Signatures Database (DSigDB), a new gene set resource that relates drugs/compounds and their target genes, for gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). DSigDB currently holds 22 527 gene sets, consists of 17 389 unique compounds covering 19 531 genes. We also developed an online DSigDB resource that allows users to search, view and download drugs/compounds and gene sets. DSigDB gene sets provide seamless integration to GSEA software for linking gene expressions with drugs/compounds for drug repurposing and translational research. Availability and implementation: DSigDB is freely available for non-commercial use at http://tanlab.ucdenver.edu/DSigDB. Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. Contact: ude.revnedcu@nat.noohckia
Spectral integration in A1 of awake primates: neurons with single- and multipeaked tuning characteristics.

We investigated modulations by stimulus components placed outside of the classical receptive field in the primary auditory cortex (A1) of awake marmosets. Two classes of neurons were identified usi...
Space borne GPM dual-frequency radar simulation from high resolution ground radar observations

The global precipitation measurement (GPM) mission is dedicated to improving the understanding of the global water cycle by measuring and mapping precipitation throughout the globe. The core GPM satellite will incorporate two separate precipitation radars: one operating at Ku-band (13.6 GHz) and the other at Ka band (35.6 GHz). Each radar beam will be steered such that they both point to the same location in the atmosphere. The main purpose of the dual-frequency radar system is to resolve the DSD in precipitation as well as discriminate between rain and ice. With the two beams collocated on the same precipitation volume, new algorithms are being developed to reliably estimate attenuation and rain rate. Any algorithm is based on models of precipitation. In addition, the GPM system assumes collocated beams and matched resolution volumes. Electromagnetic and microphysical models have been developed based on ground-based dual-frequency radar data at S-band to simulate Ku- and Ka-band results for comparison with the new GPM algorithms. This paper evaluates the dual-frequency inversion algorithm with synthesized S-band and known perfect data and presents results. Results show the expected performance of the new dual-precipitation radar algorithms with the potential for guiding algorithm and system improvements.
Current Practices in Pediatric Cochlear Implantation

Abstract Technological advances, specifically cochlear implants, have significantly impacted the treatment of children with severe to profound hearing loss. There are, however, very few professional guidelines or resources providing direction for hearing healthcare providers who are serving children with cochlear implants. The following article discusses a comprehensive management protocol for interdisciplinary teams providing cochlear implant services for children.