cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterization of the lipids of six strains of Bacteroides ruminicola.

Abstract The lipids of six strains of Bacteroides ruminicola were characterized. The nonpolar lipid accounted for 6 to 24% of the total lipid and was composed of diglycerides, triglycerides, and free fatty acids. The phospholipid fraction contained phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphosphingolipids, and trace quantities of phosphatidic acid. In three strains the phosphosphingolipid fraction made up more than half of the total lipid. The fatty acids in the nonpolar, acyl- and phosphosphingolipid consisted of a homologous series of branched and normal chains from 12 to 19 carbons. The long-chain base isolated from the phosphosphingolipids consisted of a homologous series of branched and normal chains from 14 to 24 carbons.
Games: contemporâneo, subjetividade e utopia

Em meio a este grande turbilhao tecnologico no qual vivemos hoje, um grande ambiente de propagacao de tecnologias da informacao e comunicacao, presenciamos as praticas sociais e culturais transformarem-se de maneira significativa. Varios estudos tem sido realizados nos ultimos anos a respeito da tecnologia e as implicacoes com o sujeito historico, mas poucos a respeito de um territorio no minimo novo e instigante, os videos games. Assim este texto busca compor uma cartografia a respeito dos games como intercessores da Psicologia, desdobrando sentidos e novas formas inventivas de existencia, para dessa maneira entendermos essas producoes tecnologicas como uma potente ferramenta de vida e criacao, em um territorio multiplo e paradoxal. Palavras–Chave: Cartografia, Games, Contemporâneo, Utopia.
In Situ Cancer Vaccination: An IL-12 Defective Vector/Replication-Competent Herpes Simplex Virus Combination Induces Local and Systemic Antitumor Activity

Intratumoral inoculation of replication-competent, attenuated herpes simplex virus (HSV) mutants inhibits tumor growth by direct cytotoxic viral replication and induction of a tumor-specific immune response. To boost the antitumor response, we describe a defective HSV vector encoding IL-12 as an adjuvant to in situ vaccination by the replication-competent HSV helper virus. The defective HSV vector system consists of defective particles containing tandem repeats of the cytokine genes (p40 and p35) in combination with a HSV helper virus. Heterodimeric IL-12 was expressed and secreted after IL-12 defective vector infection of tumor cells. In a syngeneic, bilateral established tumor model with CT26 murine colon carcinoma, unilateral intratumoral inoculation with an IL-12 defective/replication-competent HSV vector combination significantly reduced tumor growth of the inoculated and noninoculated contralateral tumors. This antitumor effect was significantly greater than with a lacZ-defective/replication-competent HSV vector combination, which itself was significantly greater than the mock inoculation. Efficacy is associated with enhancement of tumor-specific CTL activity, including specificity against the CT26 immunodominant MHC class I restricted Ag AH1, and IFN-gamma production. There was no significant tumor growth inhibition after intratumoral inoculation of s.c. CT26 tumors in athymic mice. We conclude that this defective HSV vector system is an effective method for cytokine gene delivery to tumors in situ and IL-12 expression in tumors synergizes the antitumor activity mediated by the replication-competent HSV helper virus.
GLT-1 glutamate transporter levels are unchanged in mice expressing G93A human mutant SOD1

A decrease in expression of the glutamate transporter GLT-1 is thought to be responsible for the increase in extracellular glutamate observed in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in a transgenic mouse model of ALS. We examined protein levels of the glutamate transporters GLT-1, GLAST and EAAC1 in the G93A (SOD1) transgenic mouse model of ALS. GLT-1 was detected in two bands (72 and 150 kD). Semi-quantitative analysis of Western blots showed that GLT-1 levels in sensorimotor cortex, brain stem, and cervical and lumbar spinal cord of G93A mice did not differ significantly from controls, either at end stage or at 60- or 90-days old. Nevertheless, other differences were found in GLT-1 at end stage. The percentage of total GLT-1 in the 150 kD band increased significantly (p<0.05) in the spinal cord and was elevated in the brain stem and cortex. Furthermore, brain stem and spinal cord GLT-1 from G93A mice showed retarded mobility on gels compared to controls (M(r) approximately equal to 77.3+/-2.3 and 164.3+/-3.1 vs. 72.2+/-2.4 and 153.6+/-4.7, respectively). GLAST and EAAC1 were unchanged in both amount and mobility. These results show that a loss of GLT-1 protein is not necessary for ALS-like neurodegeneration in G93A mice. However, the changes in GLT-1 mobility and distribution indicate that GLT-1 is altered in mice with the SOD1 mutation.
Oxidative renal cell injury induced by calcium oxalate crystal and renoprotection with antioxidants: a possible role of oxidative stress in nephrolithiasis.

Abstract Purpose: Calcium oxalate (CaOx) is one of the key elements for kidney stone formation, but the exact mechanism needs to be defined. CaOx has been shown to cause renal cell injury through oxidative stress, leading to potential crystal deposition in the kidneys. We thus investigated if CaOx crystal would induce such renal cell injury in vitro and also explored how it would be carried out. Materials and Methods: Renal tubular epithelial LLC-PK1 cells were employed, and CaOx monohydrate (COM) was used as CaOx crystal in this study. Cytotoxic effects of COM were assessed on cell viability and biochemical parameters, while protective effect of antioxidants against COM was also examined. Results: COM demonstrated its cytotoxicity on LLC-PK1 cells, exhibiting a ∼35% cell viability reduction with 500 μg/mL COM in 6 hours. This was presumably attributed to oxidative stress, indicated by lipid peroxidation assay, and N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a potent antioxidant, indeed neutralized such COM cytotoxicity. Alt...
miRNA-132: a dynamic regulator of cognitive capacity

Within the central nervous system, microRNAs have emerged as important effectors of an array of developmental, physiological, and cognitive processes. Along these lines, the CREB-regulated microRNA miR-132 has been shown to influence neuronal maturation via its effects on dendritic arborization and spinogenesis. In the mature nervous system, dysregulation of miR-132 has been suggested to play a role in a number of neurocognitive disorders characterized by aberrant synaptogenesis. However, little is known about the inducible expression and function of miR-132 under normal physiological conditions in vivo. Here, we begin to explore this question within the context of learning and memory. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the presentation of a spatial memory task induced a significant ~1.5-fold increase in miR-132 expression within the CA1, CA3, and GCL excitatory cell layers of the hippocampus. To examine the role of miR-132 in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory, we employ a doxycycline-regulated miR-132 transgenic mouse strain to drive varying levels of transgenic miR-132 expression. These studies revealed that relatively low levels of transgenic miR-132 expression, paralleling the level of expression in the hippocampus following a spatial memory task, significantly enhanced cognitive capacity. In contrast, higher (supra-physiological) levels of miR-132 (>3-fold) inhibited learning. Interestingly, both the impaired cognition and elevated levels of dendritic spines resulting from supra-physiological levels of transgenic miR-132 were reversed by doxycycline suppression of transgene expression. Together, these data indicate that miR-132 functions as a key activity-dependent regulator of cognition, and that miR-132 expression must be maintained within a limited range to ensure normal learning and memory formation.
Cross-sectional multiplane transesophageal echocardiographic measurements: comparison with standard transthoracic values obtained in the same setting.

Background Several algorithms developed for cost-effective use of transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) propose elimination of "screening" transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) studies. Cross-sectional measurements obtained by TTE (left atrial diameter [LAD], left ventricular internal dimensions in diastole and systole [LVIDd, LVIDs], septal and posterior wall thickness in diastole [VSTd, PWTd], LV end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes [LVEDV and LVESV], and LV ejection fraction [LVEF]) have not been standardized for TEE. Methods Forty-six patients (age 27 to 85 years, 60 +/- 13 years, 25 [54%] women) underwent TEE and TTE studies. TTE was performed while the TEE probe was in place and the patient was still sedated. Standard TTE measurements were compared with corresponding TEE values obtained from mid-esophageal and transgastric views. Results Standard TTE measurements compared favorably with those obtained by TEE at the mid-esophageal three-chamber view for LAD (3.9 +/- 0.6 cm vs 4.0 +/- 0.7 cm, P = NS) and at the transgastric long-axis view for LVIDd (4.6 +/- 0.8 cm vs 4.7 +/- 0.8 cm, P = NS), LVIDs (3.1 +/- 0.9 cm vs 3.1 +/- 0.9 cm, P = NS), and VSTd (0.95 +/- 0.18 cm vs 0.98 +/- 0.19 cm, P = NS). Biplane TTE and TEE measurements of LVEDV (106 +/- 35 ml vs 112 +/- 38 ml, P = NS), LVESV (37 +/- 23 ml vs 37 +/- 25 ml, P = NS), and LVEF (67 +/- 14% vs 69 +/- 14%, P = NS) also correlated closely. The negative predictive values of TEE measurements for excluding abnormal LAD, LVIDd, VSTd, PWTd, and LVEF as defined by TTE were 83%, 94%, 95%, 97%, and 97%, respectively. Conclusion Cross-sectional TEE measurements as obtained in this study are equivalent to standard TTE dimensions and provide reliable information that may facilitate interpretation of TEE studies in the absence of TTE information.
Improving the efficiency of portable software for linear algebra

In algorithms for linear algebraic computations there are a fairly small number of basic operations which are generally responsible for a significant percentage of the total execution time. We mention particularly the dot product operation, ω := xTy, the elementary vector operation, y :=αx+y, and the euclidean vector norm, η = (xTx)1/2.
De facto disentitlement in an information economy: enrollment issues in Medicaid managed care.

This article discusses enrollment issues in New Mexico's Medicaid managed care (MMC) system and seeks to illuminate reasons for persistent problems reported by workers and clients. It argues that between 1997 and 2000, the MMC and welfare reforms raised enrollment barriers by complicating and dehumanizing the system, thus “technically disenfranchising” workers and clients. Specifically, the new system increased the need for professional, in-person enrollment assistance precisely when the state decreased its provision of it. Some aspects of the State Child Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) reforms indirectly aggravated those same problems, and though they also significantly lowered barriers in some areas, overall the new system was plagued with preexisting barriers as well as new, unmet needs that produced “de facto disentitlement” to health services.
Stress development in drying coatings

As a solvent-cast polymeric coating dries, each part reaches a concentration at which it solidifies and develops elastic modulus. Thereafter, as further solvent departs, that part shrinks out-of-plane, but not in-plane, if the coating adheres to its substrate. Hence, it develops in-plane elastic stress. If the stress grows large enough, the stress-free state may yield, which reduces the final stress level. A theoretical model of diffusion and mass transfer, large shrinkage-induced deformation, and elastic stress, together with yielding and postyielding viscous deformation, was developed to predict stress evolution in one-dimensional drying of polymer coatings. Concentration varies only perpendicularly to the substrate, the coating shrinks only in that direction, and the stress varies only in that direction but is in-plane isotropic. The predictions are compared with measurements of evolving stress in various solvent-cast polymer coatings and aqueous gelatin coatings by a cantilever-deflection method. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1000–1013, 2001
Oxidative damage to DNA constituents by iron-mediated fenton reactions. The deoxyguanosine family.

Damage by iron-mediated Fenton reactions under aerobic or anaerobic conditions to deoxycytidine, deoxycytidine-5′-monophosphate, d-CpC, d-CpCpC, and dCMP residues in DNA resulted in at least 26 distinguishable products. Of these, 24 were identified by high performance liquid chromatography retention times, radiolabeling, UV absorption spectra, chemical synthesis, fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, high resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, and/or NMR. The nature of the products was qualitatively similar for each substrate except for d-CpC (and possibly d-CpCpC) under anaerobic conditions for which 5-hydroxy-deoxycytidine was uniquely present and 1-carbamoyl-1-carboxy-4-(2-deoxy-β—erythropentofuranosyl)glycinamide was uniquely absent. Damage to dC, d-CpC, and d-CpCpC but not to dCMP or DNA was largely quenched by ethanol, indicating that iron is strongly associated only with dCMP and DNA. The presence of oxygen had little effect with dC or dCMP but had quantitative and qualitative effects with d-CpC and a significantly quantitative but not a qualitative effect with DNA. NADH could drive the Fenton reaction to cause damage to the dC family in vitro, consistent with a previous proposal that NADH was the reducing agent for the Fenton reaction in vivo (Imlay, J.A., and Linn, S. (1988) Science 240, 1302-1309). Finally, the damage spectrum of the dC family by the Fenton reaction is compared with that by ionizing radiation and chemical mechanisms leading to the formation of the 24 identified products are proposed.
Curses! Foiled again!!

One of the more endearing Saturday morning cartoon shows of my generation was The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show in which a segment was devoted to a short film starring Dudley Do-Right of the Canadian Mounties. Dudley was forever coming to the rescue of his girlfriend, Nell, who would be abducted and tied to the railroad tracks by the sinister arch villain Snidely K Whiplash, whose handlebar moustache and black top hat and cape marked him as a bad guy. Snidely’s frustration at being out-foxed by the inept and clueless Dudley came at the end of each segment as he shook his fist and uttered the bad guy regret: Curses! Foiled again!! Well, Snidely K Whiplash (AKA Mitt Romney and the Republican Party) was foiled again in last year’s elections and the president was neither inept nor clueless. One clear analysis of the election is that the Obama motto ‘Forward’ (which happens, ironically, to be the State motto of Wisconsin which, for a change moved forward by electing our first woman senator, who …
Expression of the melanin‐concentrating hormone (MCH) receptor mRNA in the rat brain

The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system is thought to be an important regulator of food intake. Recently the orphan G protein-coupled receptor SLC-1 was identified as the MCH receptor (MCHR). Preliminary analyses of MCHR mRNA distribution have supported a role for the MCH system in nutritional homeostasis. We report here a complete anatomical distribution of the MCHR mRNA. We have found high levels of expression of MCHR mRNA in most anatomical areas implicated in control of olfaction, with the exception of the main olfactory bulb. Dense labeling was also detected in the hippocampal formation, subiculum, and basolateral amygdala, all of which are important in learning and memory, and in the shell of the nucleus accumbens, a substrate for motivated behavior and feeding. Within the hypothalamus, MCHR mRNA was moderately expressed in the ventromedial nucleus, arcuate nucleus, and zona incerta, all of which serve key roles in the neuronal circuitry of feeding. In the brainstem, strong expression was observed in the locus coeruleus, which is implicated in arousal, as well as in nuclei that contribute to orofacial function and mastication, including the facial, hypoglossal, motor trigeminal, and dorsal motor vagus nuclei. In most regions there was a good correspondence between MCHR mRNA distribution and that of MCH-immunoreactive fibers. Taken together, these data suggest that MCH may act at various levels of the brain to integrate various aspects of feeding behavior. However, the extensive MCHR distribution throughout the brain suggests that this receptor may play a role in other functions, most notably reinforcement, arousal, sensorimotor integration, and autonomic control. J. Comp. Neurol. 435:26–40, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reanalysis of The “Pseudo A-A-V” Response to Ventricular Entrainment of Supraventricular Tachycardia: Importance of His-Bundle Timing

"Pseudo AAV" Response to Ventricular Pacing. Background: The sequence of atrial and ventricular electrograms following termination of ventricular pacing during supraventricular tachycardia has been shown to reliably differentiate atrial tachycardia from atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) and atrioventricular reentrant tachycardia (AVRT). However in patients with long HV intervals, this may be misleading due to a pseudo "A-A-V" response. The aim of the present study is to see if inclusion of the timing of the His-bundle in the electrogram response (ER) following ventricular pacing would reliably identify the mechanism of tachycardia in patients with long HV intervals. Methods: Eight patients (7 men) with AVNRT and underlying bundle branch block and long HV (>55 msec) intervals underwent ventricular pacing at 10-40 msec shorter than the tachycardia cycle length during SVT. The ER was classified as "A-A-H" or "A-H" depending on the number of atrial electrograms (A) prior to His deflection following VEP. Results: The ER following ventricular pacing was classified as A-H in all 8 patients. However, using conventional classification the response was A-A-V in 5 of 8 patients due to delayed ventricular activation secondary to long HV intervals and would erroneously suggest atrial tachycardia. The ER was A-V in only 1 of 8 patients. In the remaining 2 patients the A and V electrograms were simultaneous. Conclusions: Incorporating the His-bundle in the ER following ventricular pacing would eliminate the pseudo "A-A-V" response in patients with AVNRT and long HV intervals. Labeling the response to ventricular pacing as "A-H" or "A-A-H" is simple and more accurate.
Application of a wheat seedling assay for detecting aneuploidy induced by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide

Abstract N -Ethyl- N -nitrosourea (ENU) and 4-nitroquinoline-1-oxide (4NQO) were evaluated in the allohexapolyploid wheat seedling assay developed by Redei and Sandhu (1988), for its ability to induce aneuploidy and/or small chromosome deletions. The wheat strain used (Neatby's virescent) is homozygous for a pair of recessive alleles ( ν 1 ) present on chromosome 3B and produces virescent seedlings grown at temperatures below 26°C. When the developing embryos are treated with a test chemical, loss of chromosome 3B or its segment bearing the ν 1 allele in a progenitor cell produces a green sector in the leaf, whereas a gain of this chromosome induces a white sector. ENU and 4NQO induced dose-dependent increases in the frequency of leaf sectors at concentrations ranging from 0.128 to 1.280 mM and 0.052 to 0.263 mM, respectively. The assay is very simple and can be employed for evaluating the genetic potential of chemicals in a laboratory as well as for in situ hazards assessment under natural environmental conditions.
Glucometer Use and Glycemic Control Among Hispanic Patients With Diabetes in Southern Florida

Abstract Background Self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) has been deemed a critical component of diabetes care in the United States. To be effective, patients must have some diabetes knowledge, glucometer proficiency, and an ability to take appropriate actions when certain readings are obtained. However, most patients take no action in response to out-of-range glucometer readings, and in many populations, SMBG practices are not associated with improved glycemic control. Thus, SMBG utilization is being reconsidered in other countries. Nonetheless, SMBG behaviors are increasingly recommended in the United States, where the Hispanic population represents the fastest-growing minority group and is disproportionately affected by suboptimal diabetes outcomes. Because a growing number of interventions aim to reduce diabetes disparities by improving glycemic control among minorities, it is essential to determine whether efforts should focus on SMBG practices. We present data on SMBG behaviors and glycemic control among participants from the Miami Healthy Heart Initiative (MHHI), a National Institutes of Health/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute–sponsored trial assessing a community health worker (CHW) intervention among Hispanic patients with poorly controlled diabetes. Objective This study examined the effects of a CHW intervention on SMBG practices, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1c ), and knowledge of appropriate responses to glucometer readings among Hispanic patients with diabetes. Methods This study was an ancillary investigation within MHHI, a randomized, controlled trial in 300 Hispanic patients. Participants were intervention-group members who received 12 months of CHW support. Assessments were administered at baseline and poststudy to determine potential barriers to optimal health. Items from validated instruments were used to determine knowledge of appropriate responses to different glucose readings. These data were linked to HbA 1c values. Means and frequencies were used to describe population characteristics and glucometer proficiency. Paired-sample t tests examined potential differences in HbA 1c outcomes and SMBG practices. Qualitative data were collected from the CHWs who worked with study participants. Results Our population was diverse, representing several countries. Mean HbA 1c improved significantly, from 10% to 8.8% ( P ≤ 0.001). SMBG practices did not change. At baseline, 96% of patients reported owning a glucometer and 94% reported knowing how to use it. However, quantitative assessments and qualitative data suggested that participants had suboptimal knowledge regarding actions that could cause an out-of-range reading or how to respond to certain readings. Conclusions SMBG behaviors were not associated with glycemic control in our sample. We conclude that a CHW intervention may improve glycemic control without improving SMBG practices. Future interventions may reconsider whether efforts should be directed toward improving SMBG behaviors.
Formal Architecture and Settlement Organization in Ancient West Mexico

Classic-period settlement in the Teuchitlan region of West Mexico is characterized by the presence of unique, formal circular structures surrounded by residential areas. Previous research in the area has suggested the presence of a four-tiered settlement hierarchy based on the size of these structures, although, to date, this judgment has been made on a largely impressionistic basis. Our research further examines Weigand's Teuchitlan settlement data. We present a theoretical perspective for understanding the role of sites with formal architecture and evaluate the presence of a site-size hierarchy through volumetric estimations. Scenarios for site interaction are suggested by our use of a gravity model. Our primary goal is to propose models of Teuchitlan settlement organization, which can be tested by ongoing fieldwork in the region.
Magnetic resonance imaging of mesenrhombencephalitis

Mesenrhombencephalitis is a rare inflammatory process involving the midbrain, pons, and medulla. The diagnosis is difficult as clinical and laboratory findings may be nonspecific. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging demonstrates abnormal T2 signal in the brainstem, which can suggest the diagnosis. The clinical, laboratory and MR imaging findings are described in five patients with this serious, life-threatening disease. MR imaging can be of value in the early diagnosis of this rare disorder.
Re-evaluating the efficacy of β-adrenergic agonists and antagonists in long QT-3 syndrome through computational modelling

Aims Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a heterogeneous collection of inherited cardiac ion channelopathies characterized by a prolonged electrocardiogram QT interval and increased risk of sudden cardiac death. β-Adrenergic blockers are the mainstay of treatment for LQTS. While their efficacy has been demonstrated in LQTS patients harbouring potassium channel mutations, studies of β-blockers in subtype 3 (LQT3), which is caused by sodium channel mutations, have produced ambiguous results. In this modelling study, we explore the effects of β-adrenergic drugs on the LQT3 phenotype. Methods and results In order to investigate the effects of β-adrenergic activity and to identify sources of ambiguity in earlier studies, we developed a computational model incorporating the effects of β-agonists and β-blockers into an LQT3 mutant guinea pig ventricular myocyte model. β-Activation suppressed two arrhythmogenic phenomena, transmural dispersion of repolarization and early after depolarizations, in a dose-dependent manner. However, the ability of β-activation to prevent cardiac conduction block was pacing-rate-dependent. Low-dose β-blockade by propranolol reversed the beneficial effects of β-activation, while high dose (which has off-target sodium channel effects) decreased arrhythmia susceptibility. Conclusion These results demonstrate that β-activation may be protective in LQT3 and help to reconcile seemingly conflicting results from different experimental models. They also highlight the need for well-controlled clinical investigations re-evaluating the use of β-blockers in LQT3 patients.
Vitamin D Receptor-Mediated Suppression of RelB in Antigen Presenting Cells: A Paradigm for Ligand-Augmented Negative Transcriptional Regulation

The immunological effects of vitamin D receptor (VDR) ligands include inhibition of dendritic cell (DC) maturation, suppression of T-helper type 1 (Th1) T-cell responses and facilitation of antigen-specific immune tolerance in vivo. While studying the molecular profile of DCs cultured in the presence of 1alpha,25(OH)D3 or synthetic D3 analogs we observed that expression of the NF-kappaB family member RelB, which plays an essential role in DC differentiation and maturation, is selectively suppressed by VDR ligands. Further in vitro and in vivo studies of VDR-mediated RelB suppression indicated that the mechanism for this effect involves direct binding of VDR/RXR alpha to a defined region of the relB promoter and assembly of a negative regulatory complex containing HDAC3, HDAC1, SMRT and, most likely, other factors. Interestingly, promoter engagement by VDR and HDAC3, but not the other identified components, is enhanced by addition of a VDR ligand and inhibited by a pro-maturational stimulus (LPS) that results in RelB upregulation. Promoter assays in a panel of cell lines suggest that the VDR ligand-dependent component of relB suppression may occur selectively in antigen presenting cells. Cell type-specific, ligand-enhanced negative transcriptional regulation represents a potentially novel paradigm for VDR-controlled genes. In this report we review the experimental data to support such a mechanism for relB regulation in DCs and present a model for the process.
Field assessment of Trichogramma brassicae (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) and Bacillus thuringiensis for control of Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in sweet corn

Field studies conducted in 1992 and 1993 tested the efficacy of using commercially available Trichogramma brassicae Bezdenko and Bacillus thuringiensis to control Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) in sweet corn. Shipped T. brassicae displayed good biotic fitness (emergence rates, sex ratios, longevity, and fecundity) in 1992 and 1993, but release rates and emergence profiles of the parasitoids differed in the 2 yr. In 1992, a total of 429,120 female parasitoids per hectare was released over 10 release dates. In 1993, a total of 163,680 female parasitoids per hectare was released over 10 release dates. Parasitoids dramatically affected the fate of O. nubilalis egg masses in both 1992 and 1993. O. nubilalis egg mass survival decreased by at least 45% in T. brassicae plots in both years. When all insect damage was considered, field releases of T. brassicae significantly improved ear quality in 1993 and in plots augmented with O. nubilalis egg masses in 1992. When an effect caused by T. brassicae was observed, the increase in percentage clear ears ranged from 9 to 17%. There was no significant interaction between B. thuringiensis and T. brassicae treatments in 1992 and 1993. B. thuringiensis treatments alone had a significant impact on ear quality only when high O. nubilalis populations were present in 1992. The integration of B. thuringiensis and T. brassicae did not result in additional insect control.
Optical emissions induced by spacecraft‐atmosphere interactions

Photometric examinations of glow emissions surrounding various spacecraft and rockets are discussed, with a focus on the Atmosphere/Explorer C and the Shuttle. Observations of the Explorer C in the bands 3371-7320 A revealed large intensities which could not be correlated with known phenomena. A similar induced contamination has been detected during the STS-3 and STS-4 flights. All the observations increased in intensity at redder wavelengths. It was noted that the Explorer sightings were in an atmospheric region comprising mostly N, O, NO, N2, and O2, and energies of 4.6-10.5 eV would be necessary for emission. Collisions involving the spacecraft and the molecules would have furnished sufficient energy. A series of experiments were performed by different researchers to characterize the emissions, and induced emissions were produced using NO combinations. Spectroscopic glow effects observations of the ram effect are planned for the Spacelab 1 and 2 payloads.
Gutzwiller density functional theory for correlated electron systems

We develop a density functional theory (DFT) and formalism for correlated electron systems by taking as reference an interacting electron system that has a ground state wave function which exactly obeys the Gutzwiller approximation for all one-particle operators. The solution of the many-electron problem is mapped onto the self-consistent solution of a set of single-particle Schr\"odinger equations, analogously to standard DFT-local density approximation calculations.
Analytical formula for output phase of symmetrically excited one-to-N multimode interference coupler

We derive analytical formulations for the output phase profile of symmetrically excited one-to-N multimode interference couplers. We show that the output phase increases quadratically from the middle of the MMI waveguide, which needs to be taken into account for phase-dependent applications such as optical phased arrays.
Experimental characteristics of a high-gain free-electron laser amplifier operating at 8-mm and 2-mm wavelengths

The Electron Laser Facility (ELF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) uses a high-current induction linac (3.5 MeV, 1000 A), in conjunction with a pulsed electromagnetic wiggler (4.0 M, 4000 G), to operate a free electron laser (FEL) that produces intense radiation in the microwave regime (2 to 8 mm). ELF is a high-gain, single-pass amplifier, using a commercial microwave source as an oscillator input (200 W-50 kW). Previous experiments at 35 GHz produced exponential gains of 40 dB/m, peak powers exceeding 1 GW, and beam-to-rf conversion efficiencies of 34%. Recent experiments at 140 GHz have demonstrated exponential gains of 22 dB/m, peak powers exceeding 50 MW, and total gains of 65 dB. In this paper, we describe the experimental results at these two frequencies and compare then with the predictions of simulation codes.
Absorption barriers in the rat intestinal mucosa: 1. application of an in situ perfusion model to simultaneously assess drug permeation and metabolism

Modulation of intestinal drug absorption barriers can have a profound impact on the bioavailability of orally administered compounds. With its commonality of use as an absorption model, it is valuable to assess the role of such barriers in the rat intestinal mucosa. In the present study, atenolol and verapamil were concomitantly delivered in the in situ perfused rat intestine in the presence or absence of inhibitors to simultaneously assess the function and modulation of passive diffusion barriers, cytochrome P450 (CYP)3A metabolism and P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux. A high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method measured atenolol, verapamil and the CYP3A-mediated metabolite, norverapamil, with linearity (r2 > 0.99), precision (CV ≤7.5%) and accuracy (±17%). Absorption of parent drug was independent of verapamil concentration; however the formation and disposition of norverapamil were concentration-dependent and saturable. Norverapamil formation decreased (up to 80%) in the presence of CYP3A inhibitors and the fraction of norverapamil observed in the plasma was increased (4.5- to 7.2-fold) in the presence of P-gp inhibitors. These results suggest that in this model of the rat intestinal mucosa, atenolol serves as a marker for diffusion barriers whereas norverapamil formation and disposition are markers of CYP3A and P-gp, respectively. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 99:982–998, 2010
Trends in education gradients of 'preventable' mortality: a test of fundamental cause theory.

Abstract Fundamental cause theory explains persisting associations between socioeconomic status and mortality in terms of personal resources such as knowledge, money, power, prestige, and social connections, as well as disparate social contexts related to these resources. We review evidence concerning fundamental cause theory and test three central claims using the National Health Interview Survey Linked Mortality Files 1986–2004. We then examine cohort-based variation in the associations between a fundamental social cause of disease, educational attainment, and mortality rates from heart disease, other “preventable” causes of death, and less preventable causes of death. We further explore race/ethnic and gender variation in these associations. Overall, findings are consistent with nearly all features of fundamental cause theory. Results show, first, larger education gradients in mortality risk for causes of death that are under greater human control than for less preventable causes of death, and, second, that these gradients grew more rapidly across successive cohorts than gradients for less preventable causes. Results also show that relative sizes and cohort-based changes in the education gradients vary substantially by race/ethnicity and gender.
Human Allocentric Heading Orientation and Ability

Since the discovery of head-direction cells in nonhuman mammals, we have learned a great deal about how an internal compass-like system functions in the mammalian brain. In contrast, we know very little about how this system operates in humans—or, for that matter, whether humans even have an internal compass for computing body heading. This article reviews a recent line of inquiry that uses animal models of head-direction-system functioning to motivate behavioral research on human sense of direction.
South Africa's Poor Whites and Whiteness Studies: Afrikaner Ethnicity, Scientific Racism, and White Misery

This article introduces a new way to evaluate the political and theoretical significance of the Carnegie Commission Poor White Study conducted from 1927 to 1932 in South Africa. Building on the recent literature on whiteness and the older literature on scientific racism, I argue that the scientific language about biology and physiognomy that is usually linked to scientific racism must be brought back into conversation with the literary, historical, legal, and cultural analysis of critical whiteness studies to be a more effective scholarly rejoinder to white supremacy. Critical whiteness studies must track the institutional and professional investments in the creation of white supremacy and white nationalism through various colonial relations across geographical and territorial space. In a productive turn toward the specificity of South African history, this essay also makes claims about the nature of whiteness vis-a-vis Afrikaner and British identity that provide powerful antidotes to the historiographica...
Adapting science to a warming world

Climate change is complicating the variables that Alaskans consider when planning for the future. Communities, agencies and other entities have begun to grapple with both the information that they need to adapt to a changing climate and how the processes and practices of science should change to make science more useful. We reviewed sixty-three documents that expressed practical research needs related to climate change in Alaska. Documents nearly unanimously expressed that science, as it is currently practiced, is inadequate to meet the challenges of climate change. They call for processes that are more transparent, collaborative, and accessible. They recommend changed practices including maintaining accessible data-sharing archives, building networks for knowledge sharing, and creating place-based long-term partnerships with communities. They advocate integrating local knowledge, but infrequently address the complexities of how this is best accomplished. They also suggest the need for improved training in interdisciplinary research and changes in the incentive structure of research institutions. This review complements the climate-change literature by providing concrete suggestions about how to increase the utility of science from a region that is experiencing some of the most dramatic climatic change on the planet.
A research framework to achieve sustainable use of rangeland

Abstract This paper presents a structured research design to achieve an economically viable and ecologically sustainable land use. It includes the major elements required to achieve a predictive capability at ranch, watershed and regional scales. A management protocol is proposed, incorporating client feedback to aid in producing relevant technology and information in a useable format. Sustainable land use depends on: (1) accounting for environmental effects, (2) decreasing reliance on depletable and polluting non-renewable resources, and (3) maintaining ecosystem resilience.
METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES IN CHARACTERIZING TREATMENT RESPONSE IN DEMENTED PATIENTS WITH BEHAVIORAL DISTURBANCES

Despite the proliferation of instruments developed to rate behavioral disturbances associated with dementia, systematic studies of how ratings on these instruments should be analyzed to measure change in disruptive behaviors or distressing symptoms (ie treatment response) are noticeably absent. Using one of these scales, we compared three methods to characterize treatment response in 52 elderly demented inpatients who participated in a standardized neuroleptic trial. While all three analyses identified a statistically significant improvement, they conveyed differently the clinical improvement experienced by the patients. Categorical outcomes communicated the clinical meaning of improvement better than changes in total score; changes in factor scores best revealed the differential impact of treatment on specific behavioral and symptomatic domains. Given the heterogeneity of the problematic behaviors and symptoms exhibited by demented patients included in treatment trials, regardless of the intervention being tested or of the instrument being used to rate behaviors, a focused approach to characterizing treatment response is needed.
Catalytic reduction of 3β‐hydroxyandrost‐4‐ene‐17‐one with tritium. I. The distribution and configuration of label in 3β‐hydroxy‐5α‐androstane‐17‐one (1)

Catalytic reduction of 3β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-17one (1) with tritium gas gave a mixture of 3 β-hydroxy-5 β-androstane-17-one (II) and 3β-hydroxy-5α-androsiane-17-one (III). Oxidation of compound II followed by alkaline equilibration resulted in 29% loss of label. A 29% loss of tritium was observed after bromination of compound II. Dehydrobromination of 4β-bromo-5β-androstane-3,17-dione to androst-4-ene-3,17-dione resulted in 54% loss of tritium. Chloranil dehydrogenation and alkaline equilibration experiments have shown that the remaining radioactivity was at C-6. Thus the distribution and configuration of label was found to be 29% 4β, 54% 5β, 4.7% 6β and 13% 6α.
COMPUTER SIMULATION OF PHOSPHORANE STRUCTURES

Abstract Parametrization of a molecular mechanics program to include terms specific for five-coordinate phosphorus compounds results in computer simulated structures of phosphoranes which compare favorably with structures obtained by x-ray diffraction. The principal new feature peculiar to five coordination is a term which measures the effect of electron pair repulsion modified by the ligand electronegativity for the two sets of bonds around phosphorus and takes into account the trigonal bipyramid and square pyramid as structural possibilities. The structures treated are HPF4, (CH3) n PF5–n (n = 0, 1, 2, 3), the catechol derivative, (C6H4O2)2PCH3, the dioxaphospholane [(CF3)2CO]2P[C(CH3)2CH2C(CH3)2]C6H4Br, the ephedrine derivative, (OCHPhCH(CH3)NCH3)2PH, and (PhO)5P. The good agreement between geometries obtained by computer simulation and x-ray diffraction suggests that application to phosphorus reaction mechanisms should result in a quantitative structuring of reaction intermediates and transition states.
Significance of transient ST-T segment changes during dobutamine testing in Q wave myocardial infarction

Objective. We evaluated dobutamine stress electrocardiography for detecting potentially reversible contractile dysfunction or residual ischemia in the infarct-related area. Background. ST-T segment changes in pathologic Q wave leads during stress testing may reflect contractile reserve, inducible ischemia or passive mechanical stretching. Dobutamine echocardiography allows detection of contractile reserve at low doses and inducible ischemia at high doses. Methods. We used low (5 to 10 μg/kg body weight per min) and high doses (20 to 40 μg/kg per min) of dobutamine in 49 patients with a previous Q wave myocardial infarction and analyzed the relation between ST-T segment changes in pathologic Q wave leads and regional contraction. Results. At low dose dobutamine, regional contraction improved in the infarct-related area in 23 patients. New or further ST segment elevation and pseudonormalization of negative T waves developed at low doses more frequently in patients with than without contractile reserve (both p < 0.001), giving a sensitivity of 43.5% and 60.9% and a specificity of 100% and 96.2%, respectively. At high dose dobutamine (43 patients), new or further ST segment elevation and pseudonormalization of negative T waves, occurring beyond those observed at low doses, lead a low predictive accuracy for contractile reserve (sensitivity of 9.5% and 14.3% and specificity of 68.2% and 81.8%, respectively). Pseudonormalization of negative T waves at high dose dobutamine was 100% specific (but only 25% sensitive) for homozonal ischemia. Conclusions. ST segment elevation or pseudonormalization of negative T waves, or both, is indicative of contractile reserve in the infarct-related area when either develops at low dose dobutamine, but may be associated with worsening or no change in contractile function at high doses.
Production-location problems

The joint problems of determining the optimal plant location and optimal input mix and plant size are addressed. The interrelationship between input substitutability and plant location is stressed. Conditions under which the location problem can be separated from the determination of the optimal input mix are developed for a number of problem variations. The stability of the optimal location in the face of changes in problem parameters is also discussed. It is demonstrated that consideration of input substitutability often makes the resulting problem no more difficult to solve than problem formulations in which the inherent input substitutability is ignored.
Principal-quantum-number dependence of coherence and correlation parameters for excitation of helium by electrons

Electron-photon coherence and correlation parameters for electron-impact excitation of the n-italic /sup 1/P (n = 2--8) states of helium at 80 eV are predicted to be essentially independent of the principal quantum number (n-italic), and the available experimental data for n-italic = 2 and 3 show (semiquantitatively) the same behavior. The n-italic independence of these parameters predicted by first-order many-body theory can be explained using basic concepts associated with quantum-defect theory and, if verified by further experimental results, has important consequences for understanding the physics of the electron-atom scattering process.
Emergency Guide Wire Pacing: New Methods for Rapid Conversion of a Cardiac Catheter into a Pacemaker

We developed a new electrode to convert rapidly a previously inserted pulmonary artery or left ventricular catheter into a pacemaker. One method of doing this is by withdrawal of the pulmonary artery catheter from the pulmonary artery to the right ventricle by pressure control, and a Teflon-coated guide wire, stripped of 5 mm of insulation at its tip, is advanced through the catheter to contact the endocardium. In the second method, the pacing electrode is advanced through the distal lumen of the catheter while it is positioned within the pulmonary artery and withdrawn into the right ventricle while pacing. Finally, a third method involves advancement of the guide wire electrode into the left ventricle through a pigtail catheter. To pace, the guide wire electrode is connected to the cathode of a pacemaker referenced to a skin electrode. We paced 10 of 10 right heart cardiac catheterization, intra- and postoperative surgery patients by methods 1 and 2, and 4 of 4 left heart catheterization patients by method 3. Thresholds (mean +/- SEM) for guide wire pacing were: right ventricle 1.52 +/- 0.4 mA; left ventricle 1.33 +/- 0.1 mA. Guide wire pacing is rapid, reliable, and requires little operator skill. Our indications for guide wire pacing are: 1) emergency right ventricular pacing in operative or intensive care unit patients with unexpected bradyarrhythmias who have an indwelling pulmonary artery catheter; and 2) emergency left ventricular pacing in left heart cardiac catheterization patients with contrast-induced bradyarrhythmias.