cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of cooling and vitrification of embryos from mares treated with equine follicle-stimulating hormone on pregnancy rates after nonsurgical transfer

Abstract Equine embryos can remain viable for 12 to 24 hours when cooled and stored at 5°C. 1 Cryopreservation of embryos would allow for long-term preservation of genetic material and more efficient management of embryo recipients. This study compared pregnancy rates after transfer of equine embryos vitrified within 1 hour of collection or cooled for 12 to 19 hours before vitrification. Mares (N = 40) were superovulated using equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH). Embryos were recovered 6.5 days after ovulation or 8 days after human chorionic gonadotropin. Forty morulae or early blastocysts with a grade of 1 to 2 and .05) in embryo diameter, grade, or morphology score between treatment groups before vitrification. Pregnancy rates (day 16) were not different (P > .05) between embryos vitrified immediately after collection (15 of 20; 75%) and embryos cooled for 12 to 19 hours before vitrification (13 of 20; 65%). Based on these results, small equine embryos (
Discovering hidden sectors with monophoton Z ′ searches

In many theories of physics beyond the standard model, from extra dimensions to Hidden Valleys and models of dark matter, ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ bosons mediate between standard model particles and hidden sector states. We study the feasibility of observing such hidden states through an invisibly decaying ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ at the LHC. We focus on the process $pp\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\gamma}X{X}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}}$, where $X$ is any neutral, (quasi-) stable particle, whether a standard model neutrino or a new state. This complements a previous study using $pp\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Z{Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\ell}}^{\ensuremath{-}}X{X}^{\ifmmode\dagger\else\textdagger\fi{}}$. Only the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ mass and two effective charges are needed to describe this process. If the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ decays invisibly only to standard model neutrinos, then these charges are predicted by observation of the ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ through the Drell-Yan process, allowing discrimination between ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ decays to standard model $\ensuremath{\nu}$'s and invisible decays to new states. We carefully discuss all backgrounds and systematic errors that affect this search. We find that hidden sector decays of a 1 TeV ${Z}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ can be observed at $5\ensuremath{\sigma}$ significance with $50\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{fb}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at the LHC. Observation of a 1.5 TeV state requires super-LHC statistics of $1\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{ab}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Control of the systematic errors, in particular, the parton distribution function uncertainty of the dominant $Z\ensuremath{\gamma}$ background, is crucial to maximize the LHC search reach.
THE VAGARIES AND VULGARITIES OF "SCIENTIFIC" JURY SELECTION A Methodological Evaluation

Beginning with such famous cases as the Harrisburg conspiracy trial, the use of "scientific" jury selection has gained wide publicity and numerous advocates. Both profit and nonprofit organizations are increasingly offering such services for "good" causes and/or hard cash. Yet no rigorous evaluation of scientific jury selection has ever been undertaken, and impressionistic data on its effectiveness are at best equivocal. In an effort to present a more balanced assessment, this paper undertakes a consciously skeptical examination of the kinds of survey data routinely used to inform the juror- selection process.
Reconsidering the Ballistic Imaging of Crime Bullets in Gun Law Enforcement Operations

Abstract Automated ballistics imaging and analysis systems, such as the integrated ballistic identification system (IBIS), have advanced gun law enforcement operations by allowing images of gun crime evidence to be rapidly compared to a large inventory of evidence collected from other crime scenes. After firearm examiners confirm candidate matches, detectives can use the information generated by the links among gun crimes to help solve their cases. Links between recovered cartridge casings represent the vast majority of ballistic matches made through IBIS. Unfortunately, the two-dimensional grayscale digital photography used by the original IBIS equipment was often not refined enough to suggest potential matches between often highly damaged bullets from separate crime scenes. Through the acquisition of three-dimensional measurements, the BulletTrax-3-D image acquisition technology was specifically designed to improve the ability of law enforcement agencies to make bullet matches through automated ballisti...
Comparing the quality of draft environmental impact statements by agencies in the United States since 1998 to 2004

Abstract Since the creation of the National Environmental Policy Act in 1970, the United States has required the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to rate draft environmental statements (DEISs) for both information adequacy and the impact of the preferred alternative on the environment. In a previous study by Tzoumis and Finegold (2000), these ratings were found to be declining from 1970 to 1997. This current study investigates if that trend continued from 1998 to 2004. In addition, the top producing agencies (the Forest Service, the Federal Highway Administration, Army Corp of Engineers, and the Bureau of Land Management) are compared for the achievement of DEIS ratings. The results show that when the ratings are disaggregated for these agencies, the results indicate that there continues to be weak performance. The DEISs continue to have insufficient and sometimes inadequate information. Agencies continue to propose projects that have environmental concerns and sometimes objections. The agencies have some similarities in not being able to achieve the highest ratings on a consistent basis over time. However, more disturbing is the profile of agencies that have episodic peaks of achieving the lowest ratings. Conclusions and recommendations are focused on the agencies who submit that DEISs and EPA. One major conclusion is to better track the ratings and make them collectively available for the public. Agencies are encouraged to develop a best management practice in preparing DEISs to promote agency learning.
Airport Terminal Signs: Use of Advance Guide Signs to Speed Search Times

Airports are becoming increasingly busy. Congestion along the roadways to and from airports is increasing correspondingly. In this context, airport ground signage plays an especially critical role in driver satisfaction and safety. Perhaps most essential is the signage that tells drivers the terminal at which their airline either departs or arrives. Airlines leaving from a given terminal are typically listed as a group on a single terminal sign. In the not-so-distant past, the number of airlines was relatively small. Drivers could easily scan the list of airlines on a terminal sign in a few seconds. However, the number of airlines leaving from many airports has dramatically increased in the last 25 years. Thus, the number of airlines listed on a given terminal sign has had to increase as well. At some airports, there can be as many as 20 airline names on a terminal sign. This makes searching for a particular airline difficult without multiple, short glances. In some cases, drivers simply do not have enoug...
Particle track record of the Luna missions.

Measurements are reported of particle-track densities in 100 to 200-micron crystalline grains taken from one level of the soil column returned from the lunar highlands between Mare Fecunditatis and Mare Crisium by Luna 20 and from two levels in the soil column from Mare Fecunditatis by Luna 16. Ninety-three percent of the grains from Luna 16 have very high densities, greater than 10 to the 8th power per cu cm and the lower-track density grains are all in the deeper soil level. In contrast, most Luna 20 grains show densities less than 10 to the 8th power per cu cm. Track density gradients and exposure times have been measured for six Luna 16 grains with a wide spread in absolute track densities. The more extensive track counts in crystals strengthens an earlier conclusion that the Luna 16 soil has received long irradiations very close to the surface. Two possible histories are that the highly irradiated soil blanket at the Luna 16 site is either well mixed and thin, or else has accumulated by transport from surrounding higher regions.
Assessing the practical importance of weed evolution: a research agenda

Summary If food production is to become more sustainable, weed management systems will become subject to many internal and external constraints; these may sharply limit the available range of weed control methods. If so, it will be imperative to preserve efficacy of acceptable weed control methods by defending these against weed adaptation. Moreover, rapid and ongoing weed adaptation may explain the persistent nature of yield losses to weeds despite technological advances. Research is needed to assess the practical importance of ongoing weed evolution. The first step is to determine the risk of rapid weed adaptation to diverse control measures. Experimentally, this risk can be evaluated by determining heritabilities of traits conferring resistance to control measures, and then using ecological genetic methods to measure the actual magnitude of selection for such trails. Models of multivariate trait evolution can be used to determine the net effect of evolutionary forces bearing on weed adaptation to an integrated weed management system (IWMS). It may also be possible to take a preventive approach by designing agricultural systems so that their large-scale structure impedes weed adaptation to IWMS.
Inherited predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia.

Germline testing for familial predisposition to myeloid malignancies is becoming more common with the recognition of multiple familial syndromes. Currently, Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments–approved testing exists for the following: familial platelet disorder with propensity to acute myeloid leukemia, caused by mutations in RUNX1; familial myelodysplastic syndrome/acute myeloid leukemia with mutated GATA2; familial acute myeloid leukemia with mutated CEBPA ; and the inherited bone marrow failure syndromes, including dyskeratosis congenita, a disease of abnormal telomere maintenance. With the recognition of additional families with a genetic component to their myeloid diseases, new predisposition alleles are likely to be identified. Awareness of the existence of these syndromes will facilitate proper genetic counseling, appropriate testing, and clinical management of these cases.
A resilient transparent custom maxillofacial surgical dressing

A new modality in postsurgical wound care to improve the quality of life in the extraoral maxillofacial surgical oncology patient has been described. This approach to protecting wounds of the face has the potential of being used for almost any external part of the body. The dressing has the advantages of sterility, durability, transparency, versatility, conformability, resiliency, comfort, protection, and economy. Maxillofacial surgeons can utilize the many positive advantages of this new type of dressing which is available through the maxillofacial prosthodontist.
Studies of protein adsorption on polystyrene latex surfaces

Abstract Adsorption isotherms of bovine serum albumin and y-globulin on polystyrene latices are reported. Under certain conditions, for each protein, the isotherms exhibit bimodal adsorption characteristics in confirmation of earlier reports. The maximal adsorbance values are near expectation for a close-packed monolayer. It is noted that the ratio of the lower to upper plateau adsorbance values are 0.40 for the γ-globulin case and 0.56 for the serum albumin examples. The hydrodynamic thickness of the adsorbed layer as a function of the amount of adsorbed protein has been characterized by photon correlation spectroscopy analysis. No evidence for multilayer adsorption at higher coverages or conformational “flattening” of the adsorbed protein in the lower plateau regime could be established. Based on this information, we propose a mechanism for bimodal adsorption which does not require major conformational changes, and which postulates the existence of a critical supersaturation ratio for homogeneous nucleation of a close-packed two-dimensional surface “crystal” of protein. Below this concentration, the development of the ordered structure is kinetically limited by the finite configurational relaxation time of the protein at the surface. In this regime, a less dense partially organized “glassy” monolayer is found. The lower plateau regime involves random independent adsorption of isolated molecules.
Convergence properties of backpropagation algorithm

Summary form only given, as follows. The author presents results regarding the convergence properties of the backpropagation algorithm for XOR circuits. Specifically, the behavior has been investigated in the presence of noise. As a performance metric, the author has determined the solution density as several parameters are varied. Some issues relating to asynchronous implementation as well as behavior in the presence of ambiguity are also briefly explored. >
Conversion of ketones having δ, ϵ-π-functions to cyclopentanols by zinc-trimethylchlorosilane

Abstract A new method for five-membered ring annulation is described which involves free radical generation from ketones by zinc-trimethylchlorosilane followed by internal addition to a π-bond.
The effective number density of galaxies for weak lensing measurements in the LSST project

Future weak lensing surveys potentially hold the highest statistical power for constraining cosmological parameters compared to other cosmological probes. The statistical power of a weak lensing survey is determined by the sky coverage, the inverse of the noise in shear measurements, and the galaxy number density. The combination of the latter two factors is often expressed in terms of $n_{\rm eff}$ -- the "effective number density of galaxies used for weak lensing measurements". In this work, we estimate $n_{\rm eff}$ for the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope (LSST) project, the most powerful ground-based lensing survey planned for the next two decades. We investigate how the following factors affect the resulting $n_{\rm eff}$ of the survey with detailed simulations: (1) survey time, (2) shear measurement algorithm, (3) algorithm for combining multiple exposures, (4) inclusion of data from multiple filter bands, (5) redshift distribution of the galaxies, and (6) masking and blending. For the first time, we quantify in a general weak lensing analysis pipeline the sensitivity of $n_{\rm eff}$ to the above factors. We find that with current weak lensing algorithms, expected distributions of observing parameters, and all lensing data ($r$- and $i$-band, covering 18,000 degree$^{2}$ of sky) for LSST, $n_{\rm eff} \approx37$ arcmin$^{-2}$ before considering blending and masking, $n_{\rm eff} \approx31$ arcmin$^{-2}$ when rejecting seriously blended galaxies and $n_{\rm eff} \approx26$ arcmin$^{-2}$ when considering an additional 15% loss of galaxies due to masking. With future improvements in weak lensing algorithms, these values could be expected to increase by up to 20%. Throughout the paper, we also stress the ways in which $n_{\rm eff}$ depends on our ability to understand and control systematic effects in the measurements.
Connective tissue activation. XXXV. Detection of connective tissue activating peptide-III isoforms in synovium from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients: patterns of interaction with other synovial cytokines in cell culture.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether extracts of unincubated osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) synovial tissue contain connective tissue activating peptide-III (CTAP-III) isoforms and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and whether such extracts have growth-promoting activity, and to determine whether binary combinations of CTAP-III with other cytokines reported to be present in synovial tissue lead to synergistic, additive, or inhibitory effects on growth. METHODS: Acid-ethanol extracts of human synovium were examined for growth-promoting activity by measuring formation of 14C-glycosaminoglycan (14C-GAG) and 3H-DNA in synovial cell cultures; PGE2 was measured by enzyme immunoassay, and CTAP-III isoforms were identified by Western blotting of extracted proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Growth-promoting activity of CTAP-III and other cytokines was tested in synovial cultures treated with the agonists singly and in binary combination, by measuring changes in synthesis of 14C-GAG and 3H-DNA. RESULTS: Platelet-derived CTAP-III and a cleavage isoform with the electrophoretic mobility of CTAP-III-des 1-15/neutrophil-activating peptide-2 (NAP-2) and PGE2 were found in biologically active extracts of synovial samples from patients with RA and OA. Five growth factors (recombinant epidermal growth factor [rEGF], recombinant interleukin-1 beta [rIL-1 beta], basic fibroblast growth factor [bFGF], PGE1, and PGE2) in binary combination with CTAP-III showed synergism in stimulating GAG synthesis; two (recombinant platelet-derived growth factor type BB [rPDGE-BB] and recombinant transforming growth factor beta [rTGF beta]) had an additive effect. In combination with CTAP-III, rEGF and rPDGF-BB had a synergistic effect in promoting DNA synthesis, rTGF beta and rbFGF had an additive effect, and rIL-1 beta, PGE1, and PGE2 were antagonistic. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that, in addition to endogenous factors, CTAP-III and other platelet-derived cytokines may play roles in regulating synovial cell metabolism in RA and OA, and that combinations of growth factors may be more significant than single agents in amplification or suppression of important cell functions.
Postnatal Changes in the Developing Rat Extraocular Muscles

Purpose. To examine the distribution and timing of expression of nonmuscle myosin IIB (nmMyH IIB) and the extraocular muscle (EOM)-specific myosin (EO-MyHC) during postnatal development of the rat extraocular muscles.
Concentration in banking in Ohio during the postwar period

THIS STUDY OF concentration in commercial banking in Ohio from 1945 through 1959 includes (1) a determination and evaluation of changes in the Ohio banking structure; (2) a measure of the concentration of banking resources in Ohio during the postwar period; (3) a survey of the nature and extent of competition among commercial banks and non-bank financial institutions in Ohio; (4) a review of the pattern and causes of the growth in branch and group banking; (5) a consideration of the impact of bank mergers on the competitive nature of commercial banking in Ohio; and (6) an analysis, based on a group of case studies, of the principal causes of postwar bank mergers and their effect on both local and regional banking markets. Despite the decline in the number of banks and growth in branchbanking facilities, the proportion of banking resources controlled by the 20 major banks in Ohio did not increase during the 14-year period. Although these metropolitan banks continued to control more than half the total bank assets in Ohio, the proportion under their control declined from approximately 60 per cent in 1945 to 58 per cent in 1959. The study found evidence of vigorous competition within commercial banking in Ohio. In addition, the sustained growth of nonbank financial institutions contributed to the intensification of competition for personal savings, consumer loans, and real estate loans. The study revealed, however, that competition is centered primarily in the number and quality of services that the financial institutions provide rather than the price charged for bank credit and services. The rapid increase in branch banking in Ohio reflected the continued movement of both people and business firms to the suburbs and the accompanying emphasis on the development of retail banking, which required the establishment of banking offices at locations designed to attract individual deposits and service credit demands. The influence of these forces is evidenced in the fact that the ma-
Digest of questions about unity

THE AIEE has proposed the Functional Plan as a step to develop sound organization for the engineering profession.
Combining nonlinear multiresolution system and vector quantization for still image compression

It is popular to use multiresolution systems for image coding and compression. However, general-purpose techniques such as filter banks and wavelets are linear. While these systems are rigorous, nonlinear features in the signals cannot be utilized in a single entity for compression. Linear filters are known to blur the edges. Thus, the low-resolution images are typically blurred, carrying little information. We propose and demonstrate that edge- preserving filters such as median filters can be used in generating a multiresolution system using the Laplacian pyramid. The signals in the detail images are small and localized in the edge areas. Principal component vector quantization (PCVQ) is used to encode the detail images. PCVQ is a tree-structured VQ which allows fast codebook design and encoding/decoding. In encoding, the quantization error at each level is fed back through the pyramid to the previous level so that ultimately all the error is confined to the first level. With simple coding methods, we demonstrate that images with PSNR 33 dB can be obtained at 0.66 bpp without the use of entropy coding. When the rate is decreased to 0.25 bpp, the PSNR of 30 dB can still be achieved. Combined with an earlier result, our work demonstrate that nonlinear filters can be used for multiresolution systems and image coding.
APRIL showers cause CLL and myeloma to flower

Comment on Moreaux et al, page [1021][1], and Nishio et al, page [1012][2] There is growing evidence that tumor cell growth and survival are intimately associated with signals derived from the microenvironment and, as such, these signals represent therapeutic targets. Two studies in this issue
Rhetoric, Rationality, and Judicial Activism: The Case of Hillary Goodridge v. Department of Public Health

This article considers the relationship between rhetoric and judicial activism. A term first coined by Arthur Schlesinger Jr. in 1947, the charge of judicial activism has become ubiquitous in modern political and legal discourse, frequently leveled at judicial opinions with which one disagrees. Despite focused attention from legal scholars in recent years, the term continues to defy easy definition. After surveying the relevant legal scholarship on judicial activism, this article considers a widely decried example of activism in action. Taking the 2003 case of Hillary Goodridge v. Department of Public Health as a case study, the authors examine the five judicial opinions, paying particular attention to how each justice justifies his or her decision with recourse to one of three rhetorical forms (legal analysis, the discourse of science, and public consensus). We conclude that the legitimacy of judicial activism is a function of particular rhetorical forms (and not others).
Evolving spatio-spectral feature extraction algorithms for hyperspectral imagery

Hyperspectral imagery data sets present an interesting challenge to feature extraction algorithm developers. Beyond the immediate problem of dealing with the sheer amount of spectral information per pixel in a hyperspectral image, the remote sensing scientist must explore a complex algorithm space in which both spatial and spectral signatures may be required to identify a feature of interest. Rather than carry out this algorithm exploration by hand, we are interested in developing learning systems that can evolve these algorithms. We describe a genetic programming/supervised classifier software system, called GENIE, which evolves image processing tools for remotely sensed imagery. Our primary application has been land-cover classification from satellite imagery. GENIE was developed to evolve classification algorithms for multispectral imagery, and the extension to hyperspectral imagery presents a chance to test a genetic programming system by greatly increasing the complexity of the data under analysis, as well as a chance to find interesting spatio-spectral algorithms for hyperspectral imagery. We demonstrate our system on publicly available imagery from the new Hyperion imaging spectrometer onboard the NASA Earth Observing-1 (EO-1) satellite.
Disaster Preparedness of Poison Control Centers in the USA: A 15-year Follow-up Study

There is limited published literature on the extent to which United States (US) Poison Control Centers (PCCs) are prepared for responding to disasters. We describe PCCs' disaster preparedness activities and compare and contrast these results to those previously reported in the medical literature. We also describe the extent to which PCCs are engaged in disaster and terrorism preparedness planning and other public health roles such as surveillance. An electronic questionnaire was sent via email to the managing directors of the 57 member PCCs of the American Association of Poison Control Centers. Collected data included the population served and number of calls received, extent of disaster preparedness including the presence of a written disaster plan and elements included in that plan, the presence and nature of regular disaster drills, experience with disaster including periods of inability to operate, involvement in terrorism and disaster preparedness/response policy development, and public health surveillance of US PCCs. Descriptive statistics were performed on collected data. Comparisons with the results from a previously published survey were performed. A response was obtained from 40/57 (70 %) PCCs. Each PCC serves a larger population (p < 0.0001) and receives more calls per year (p = 0.0009) than the previous descriptions of PCC preparedness. More centers report the presence of a written disaster plan (p < 0.0001), backup by another center (p < 0.0001), regular disaster drills (p < 0.0001), and comfort with ability to operate in a disaster (p < 0.0001) than previously described. PCCs are involved in disaster (34/40, 85 %) and terrorism (29/40, 73 %) preparedness at the local, state, or federal levels. PCCs (36/40, 90 %) are also involved in public health functions (illness surveillance or answering “after hours” public health calls). Despite an increase in calls received and population served per center as compared to previous descriptions, more PCCs report the presence of a written disaster plan, backup by another center, regular disaster drills, and comfort in ability to operate in a disaster. PCCs are actively involved in terrorism and disaster preparedness and response planning and traditional public health responsibilities such as surveillance.
Motivational factors related to differences in self-schemas

This research attempts to integrate self-determination theory with the construct of self-schema. Forty-nine schematic subjects (i.e., extreme on a personality dimension) received counterschematic feedback in either an ego-involving or non-ego-involving condition. Subjects’ autonomy versus control orientations were assessed. Results indicated that subjects with higher autonomy orientations changed less in response to counterschematic feedback than those with lower autonomy orientations. As well, subjects in the ego-involving condition changed more in the direction of the counterschematic feedback than those in the non-ego-involving condition. Findings suggest that both dispositional and situational factors account for differences in the degree to which individuals display consistency and self-awareness in processing information about themselves. Results are interpreted as support for the notion that greater autonomy is associated with a higher degree of self-knowledge and self-concept stability.
Analysis of major gene effects using recombinant inbred strains and related congenic lines.

Methods are presented for the detection of major gene effects on continuous phenotypes, using recombinant inbred strains of mice and related congenic lines. Considerations of analysis and limitations on the utility of these genetic resources are discussed.
Stray light design and analysis of the Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) telescope

The Sounding of the Atmosphere using Broadband Emission Radiometry (SABER) instrument is a 10-channel earth limb- viewing sensor that is to measure atmospheric emissions in the spectral range of 1.27 micrometer to 16.9 micrometer. Presented in this paper is the stray light design and analysis of SABER. Unwanted radiation from the earth and atmosphere are suppressed by the use of stray light features that are critical to mission success. These include the use of an intermediate field stop, an inner and outer Lyot stop, and super-polished mirrors. The point source normalized irradiance transmission (PSNIT) curve, which characterizes the sensor's off-axis response, was computed using the stray light analysis program APART. An initial calculation of the non-rejected radiance (NRR) due to emissions and scatter from the earth and atmosphere was made using the PSNIT data. The results indicate that stray light will not impede the mission objectives.
Role of innate and adaptive immunity in the pathogenesis of keratitis

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common organism associated with bacterial keratitis primarily resulting from contact lens usage. Advances in our understanding of host innate and adaptive immune responses to experimental infection have been achieved using animal models, including inbred mouse models that are classed as resistant (cornea heals) vs. susceptible (cornea perforates). Evidence has shown that sustained IL-12-driven IFN-gamma production in dominant Th1 responder strains such as C57BL/6 (B6) contributes to corneal destruction and perforation. In contrast, in Th2-responder BALB/c mice, IL-18-driven IFN-gamma production regulates bacterial killing with less corneal destruction. IL-1 and chemotactic cytokines (e.g., MIP-2) recruit PMN to the cornea. The critical role of these cells in the innate immune response and their regulation after bacterial infection has been established. The studies provide a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms that operate in the cornea after P. aeruginosa challenge, determining susceptibility vs. resistance to disease, and are consistent with long-term goals of providing targets for better treatment of disease.
Migratory patterns of mountain lions : Implications for social regulation and conservation

We studied movements of mountain lions ( Puma concolor ) in the southern Sierra Nevada of California from 1992–1997. We observed two distinct patterns, which likely represent strategies of mountain lions for coping with variability in abundance of their primary prey, mule deer ( Odocoileus hemionus ). Some mountain lions migrated together, often slowly, following movements of mule deer from winter range toward the summer range of their prey. Those mountain lions remained together on the eastern scarp of the Sierra Nevada and overlapped in distribution throughout the year. Other mountain lions exhibited rapid movements to disjunct summer ranges, on the western side of the Sierra Nevada, shared with mountain lions that did not occur on their winter range. Mountain lions that moved more slowly and overlapped in distribution had large annual home ranges (95% adaptive kernel; X = 817 km2), whereas mountain lions with distinct summer ( X = 425 km2) and winter ( X = 476 km2) distributions had smaller home ranges. Such disparate patterns of movement may lead to difficulties in sampling population size for mountains lions. Moreover, maintaining corridors that would allow for both patterns of movement may be critical for the conservation of these large felids. Finally, extensive overlap in the distribution of mountain lions, especially the association of one group of individuals on winter range and another on summer range for mountain lions with disjunct distributions, indicates a more flexible social system than previously described.
The monothioacetal group, a new cleavable center for cross-linking reagents

Abstract A protein cross-linking reagent which contains a monothioacetal moiety is described. Cross-links generated using this reagent may be specifically cleaved by dilute mercuric ion at neutral pH.
165 REPAIR OF TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT ARTERIES WITH INTACT SEPTUM: RESULTS OF MUSTARD AND SENNING OPERATION

To compare the results of the Mustard (M) and Senning (S) operations, we reviewed 125 consecutive patients (pts) that had repair of d-transposition of the great arteries with intact septum. From 12/72 to 2/78 69 pts had M repair; age at operation (op) was 3 days (d) to 12 years (y), median 11 months (m), and median wt 7.3 kg. Mean follow up was 41 m and 57 (82%) had postoperative (postop) catheterization (cath). From 3/78 to 10/80 56 had S repair, age 7 d to 3 y, median 6 m, and wt 6.9 kg. Mean follow up was 10 m and 29 (52%) had postop oath. Within 30 d of op 8 (12%) of M pts died and 6 (9%) died later. Three (5%) S pts died early, 1 (2%) died late. Systemic venous obstruction (SVOB) occurred in 36 (52%) of M pts, reoperation (reop) required in 12. SVOB occurred in 4 (7%) S pts, three required reop. Pulmonary venous obstruction (PVOB) developed in 3 (4%) M pts, all required reop. Six (11%) of S pts had PVOB, 5 had reop. In late follow up of 59 M pts,29 had sinus rhythn(SR),15 junctional rhythm (JR), 10 sick sinus syndrome (SSS), 3 ectopic atrial rhythm (EAR) and 2 atrial flutter. In 51 S pts, 43 had SR, 6 JR, 1 EAR,1 SSS. When compared to the Mustard operation, the Senning has a higher incidence of PVOB. However, the lower incidence of mortality, SVOB, and arrhythmias, favors continued use of the Senning repair at our institution.
Some applications of thermal analysis to fullerenes

Thermal analysis is a convenient means of characterizing the soot used as a source of the carbon clusters, the extracted mixture of fullerenes, and the individual clusters themselves. TG in an inert atmosphere will rapidly assay the volatile fractions, presumably the lower molecular weight clusters. TG in oxygen indicates — a slight weight gain for the soots and clusters prior to their combustion. DSC in oxygen is used to determine the heat of combustion for the separated C60 and C70 materials. The combustion occurs around 300°C for the clusters. There is a small exothermic peak before this which is attributed to the oxidation associated with the slight weight gain. The heats of combustion measured are −18.7 and −21.0 kJ·mol−1 for the C60 and C70 respectively. MS-EGA indicates the loss of small amounts of water and argon at temperatures around 250°C in vacuum and of solvent at about 350°C prior to sublimation.
Radioimmunoassay for octapeptide analogs of somatostatin: Measurement of serum levels after administration of long-acting microcapsule formulations

Abstract The development of a long-acting delivery system for D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2 (RC-160), an octapeptide analog of somatostatin, required the establishment of a method for determining the concentration of this analog in serum during treatment. A sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) for RC-160 was developed and used for following the rate of liberation of this peptide from microcapsules of poly(DL-lactide-coglycolide). Antibodies were generated in a rabbit against RC-160 conjugated to bovine serum albumin with glutaraldehyde. At an antiserum dilution of 1:100,000, the antibodies bound approximately 25% of added radiolabeled RC-160. Somatostatin octapeptide analogs that had a disulfide bridge showed crossreactivity with the antiserum, but analogs without the disulfide bridge and other peptides tested did not crossreact. The minimum detectable dose of RC-160 was 10 pg. Intra- and interassay coefficients of variation ranged from 9.1% to 12.8% and from 14% to 30%, respectively. The RIA was suitable for direct determination of RC-160 in serum. Eleven prototype batches of microcapsules were tested in rats, and the rate of release of the analog from the microcapsules was followed. An improved batch of microcapsules made from RC-160 pamoate maintained high serum levels of RC-160 for more than 30 days after intramuscular injection. The RIA should be of value for monitoring levels of this analog in serum during long-term therapy.
Contrasting mechanisms of fluid flow through adjacent stratigraphic units during regional metamorphism, south-central Maine, USA

The flow pattern of reactive metamorphic fluid through six outcrops of micaceous, carbonate-bearing sandstones from the Vassalboro Formation was determined by calculating and mapping fluid-rock ratios for numerous samples within each outcrop. The ratio of maximum to minimum measured fluid/rock varied by factors of only 1.3-22.9 in each outcrop. Fluid flow was pervasive at metamorphic grades ranging from the biotite through the sillimanite zones. Average fluid-rock ratio for the outcrops increases with increasing grade of metamorphism from ∼0.4 in the biotite zone to ∼ 1.4 in the sillimanite zone. The flow pattern of reactive fluid through impure sandstones of the Vassalboro Formation was different at low and medium grades from fluid flow through the limestone member of the adjacent Waterville Formation. In the biotite and garnet zones, fluid flow through the Waterville Formation was channelized with channelways corresponding to individual lithologic layers that acted as metamorphic aquifers. Fluid-rock ratios recorded by the aquifers are greater than those recorded by the intervening beds by factors of up to 50–60. At the highest grades of metamorphism (sillimanite zone), however, flow through the Waterville Formation was as pervasive as through the Vassalboro Formation. The Waterville and Vassalboro Formations experienced the same metamorphic event. The difference in pattern of fluid flow through the two formations therefore reflects the important control that lithology exerts on the permeability of rocks during metamorphism. Micaceous, carbonate-bearing sandstones evidently were more permeable than argillaceous carbonate rocks. The greater permeability of the sandstones may result from a greater concentration of grain boundaries between unlike minerals in the rocks.
Rapid sensitive method for determining H3-water in body fluids by liquid scintillation spectrometry.

An accurate and convenient method for determination of tritium water in body fluids by liquid scintillation spectrometry is described. The method is based on distillation of body fluids with benzene to provide an almost pure sample of H/sup 3/-water, and use of an effective solvent (dioxanenaphthalene) to transfer the excitation energy of tritium to the phosphors, 2,5-diphenyloxazole and 1,4-bis-2 (5-phenyloxazolyl)-benzene. When applied to determination of tritium water in urine and plasma, the method gave recoveries ranging from 98 to 104%. By the new method, metabolism of intravenously administered H/sup 3/- beta -sitosterol to H/sup 3/-water was demonstrated in the guinea pig. (auth)
Fate in sewage of a recombinant Escherichia coli K-12 strain used in the commercial production of bovine somatotropin.

The fate of a derivative ofEscherichia coli strain W3110G [pBGH1], a strain used for production of bovine somatotropin, was examined in semi-continuous activated sludge (SCAS) units. A nalidixic acid-resistant derivative of W3110G [pBGH1], strain LBB270 [pBGH1], was used to facilitate tracking. SCAS units (300 ml) containing municipal mixed liquor were operated on a daily cycle of 23 h aeration and 1 h settling followed by decanting of clear supernatant (175 ml) and refilling with fresh primary effluent. SCAS units were inoculated with two concentrations ofE. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] and operated for 200 h. Viable levels ofE. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] were measured daily in aerated mixed liquor and decanted supernatant. Viable counts in the mixed liquor decreased from 10000- to 100000-fold in less than 200 h. Losses ofE. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] in decanted supernatants accounted for less than 2-fold of the total losses observed in the SCAS units. TheE. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] was not evenly distributed in the mixed liquor, but became preferentially associated with the settleable floc. These results show thatE. coli LBB270 [pBGH1] was unable to survive in municipal sludge even when inoculated at concentrations greater than, or comparable to, levels of indigenous microorganisms.
Surface structure of epitaxial Nisi2 grown on Si(001) determined by low energy ion scattering techniques

Epitaxial NiSi 2 films about 90 A thick have been grown on the (001) surface of Si and the atomic structure of the resulting silicide surface has been examined using low energy electron diffraction, low energy ion backscattered angular distributions, and impact collision ion scattering spectroscopy. The ion scattering results were quantitatively analyzed by comparing them to the results of computer simulations for various structural models. This study supports a model in which the NiSi 2 (001) surface consists of a bulk-like Si termination of the fluorite structure with a 0.3±0.05 A inward relaxation and a 25–30% concentration of vacancies in the Si terminated plane.
Gender Effects of Trade Openness in Sub-Saharan Africa

ABSTRACTMore than thirty years into the modern era of globalization, scholars are now in a position to evaluate the distributive effects of the policy shifts that have led to greater economic integration. One region of the world for which little robust empirical evidence exists on gendered employment effects is Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). To identify whether there is an impact of economic and trade structure on women's relative access to work, this contribution empirically explores these issues for thirty-eight SSA countries, and for two subgroups. Panel data for the period 1991–2010 is examined using fixed effects, random effects and two-stage least-squares estimation techniques. Findings suggest that trade liberalization has gendered employment effects, with the direction depending on the structure of the economy. However, the more robust finding is that a country's infrastructure has played a determining role in gendered labor market outcomes in SSA since the early 1990s.
Using Concept Maps in Perioperative Education

Critical thinking and clinical decision making are essential components of the knowledge and skills acquired in the perioperative education process. Although traditional didactic teaching methods remain predominant teaching strategies in perioperative nursing education, programs should include a variety of methods and tools to enhance learning of a considerable amount of complex material. Concept mapping is an active teaching strategy that can be used in nursing education to facilitate the development of critical thinking and decision-making skills. A concept map is a tool consisting of a main idea, subconcepts, and cross-links that organizes knowledge by showing relationships between concepts. Different types of maps can be used to present different types of learning material, depending on the focus of the lesson. Complex knowledge (eg, perioperative technology) can be better learned and retained when the brain works to organize information in a hierarchical framework and the information is built up with interacting concepts.
A mild methylation of alcohols with diazomethane catalyzed by silica gel

Abstract Alcohols including prostaglandins, geraniol, and carbohydrate, can easily be methylated with diazomethane in the presence of silica gel.
Synthesis and characterizations of spherical Eu:La2O3 and related core/shell nanoparticles

Abstract By identifying a suitable concentration ratio of salt/citric-acid/urea, we demonstrate that homogeneous precipitation in the presence of a citric acid capping agent can be used to synthesize spherical Eu:La2O3 precursor (p-Eu:La2O3) nanoparticles with a (375 ± 60) nm diameter. Subsequent calcination of the precursor yields crystalline Eu:La2O3. We use the same synthesis technique to prepare various core/shell nanostructures such as p-Eu:La2O3/p-Tb:Y2O3, SiO2/p-Eu:La2O3, and p-Tb:Y2CO3/p-Eu:La2O3. In the absence of citric acid, we obtain one- or two-dimensional nanostructures.
The relationship of cocaine to headache in polysubstance abusers.

In a questionnaire survey of inpatient polysubstance abusers it was found that cocaine relieved migraine-type headaches much more often in chronic headache sufferers than in those with only occasional headaches (p less than .05). However, cocaine could also bring on headaches after several hours, both in chronic headache sufferers and in those not subject to headaches. The facts that cocaine may relieve headache immediately, and also may precipitate headaches several hours after use, suggests that the well-known vasoconstrictive actions of cocaine may be responsible. Migraineurs seem more susceptible to some of these effects of cocaine than are people without chronic headaches.
Razonamiento Pedagógico Específico sobre el Contenido (RPEC)

The concept of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) has had a major influence on research on scienceteacher knowledge and thinking in the past 25 years. However, PCK has shown to be a difficultconcept to characterize and thus it has been the subject of diverse interpretations. In this paper Ipresent a personal reflection about both the nature of PCK and its usefulness in the characterizationof teacher thinking. In particular, I discuss the need for shifting our efforts from cataloguing teacherknowledge about teaching a particular subject to characterizing teachers’ specific pedagogical contentreasoning (SPCR) as they face specific pedagogical tasks in diverse contexts.
Immunology as it pertains to drugs of abuse, AIDS and the neuroimmune axis: mediators and traffic.

The interactions between the immune and nervous systems are very complex, and yet our understanding of these interactions is still relatively limited. The neuroinflammatory reaction that can accompany HIV infection occurs because of a cascade of events that appears to require the migration of HIV-infected cells across the blood–brain barrier. In susceptible individuals, this leads to inflammatory processes which can include substantial changes in neuronal function. It is possible to consider the inflammatory events to be composed of two essential processes. The first process is cellular traffic, and the second, is the expression and recognition of the various pro-inflammatory and/or toxic mediators. The added complication of drug abuse adds complexity to the traffic and mediator release events, and depending on the specific drug being abused, the disease can be exacerbated in these individuals. An understanding of the fine details of these mediator and traffic processes should provide useful targets for therapeutic intervention to attenuate disease associated with HIV infection.
Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of the dimerization of aqueous glyoxal

Equilibria and rates of interconversion between monomeric and dimeric glyoxal were measured in aqueous solution. The equilibrium constant [G2]/[G1]2 was 0.56 M−1 at 25°C, and was hardly affected by changes of ionic strength and pH but increased rapidly with increase of temperature. The rate of depolymerization was first-order in dimer, with the pseudo first-order rate coefficient in the pH range 1.3–7.8being of the form b1[H3O+] + b2 + b3[OH−]/(1 + b4[OH−]) + b5[OH−]. Coefficients b1 and b2 were more strongly affected by changes of temperature, though [OH−] was much the more effective catalyst. This rate form has not previously been observed for monomer-dimer inter-conversion of α-hydroxycarbonyls and α-dicarbonyls or for related reactions such as mutarotations and hydrations. Equivalent rate forms arisefrom reactions where an intermediate at steady state and low concentration is produced.