cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intestinal and Hepatic Uptake of Dietary Peroxidized Lipids and Their Decomposition Products, and Their Subsequent Effects on Apolipoprotein A1 and Paraoxonase1

Both pro- and antiatherosclerotic effects have been ascribed to dietary peroxidized lipids. Confusion on the role of peroxidized lipids in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is punctuated by a lack of understanding regarding the metabolic fate and potential physiological effects of dietary peroxidized lipids and their decomposition products. This study sought to determine the metabolic fate and physiological ramifications of 13-hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (13-HPODE) and 13-HODE (13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid) supplementation in intestinal and hepatic cell lines, as well as any effects resulting from 13-HPODE or 13-HODE degradation products. In the presence of Caco-2 cells, 13-HPODE was rapidly reduced to 13-HODE. Upon entering the cell, 13-HODE appears to undergo decomposition, followed by esterification. Moreover, 13-HPODE undergoes autodecomposition to produce aldehydes such as 9-oxononanoic acid (9-ONA). Results indicate that 9-ONA was oxidized to azelaic acid (AzA) rapidly in cell culture media, but AzA was poorly absorbed by intestinal cells and remained detectable in cell culture media for up to 18 h. An increased apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) secretion was observed in Caco-2 cells in the presence of 13-HPODE, 9-ONA, and AzA, whereas such induction was not observed in HepG2 cells. However, 13-HPODE treatments suppressed paraoxonase 1 (PON1) activity, suggesting the induction of ApoA1 secretion by 13-HPODE may not represent functional high-density lipoprotein (HDL) capable of reducing oxidative stress. Alternatively, AzA induced both ApoA1 secretion and PON1 activity while suppressing ApoB secretion in differentiated Caco-2 cells but not in HepG2. These results suggest oxidation of 9-ONA to AzA might be an important phenomenon, resulting in the accumulation of potentially beneficial dietary peroxidized lipid-derived aldehydes.
Drought influences biodiversity in a semi-arid shortgrass prairie in southeastern Colorado

Abstract Prairie dogs are a keystone species that provide ecosystem services in endangered grasslands in North America. They have been extirpated throughout their range due to sylvatic plague, habitat fragmentation, lethal control, and drought. There are competing drivers of biodiversity between herbivorous rodents and drought in semi-arid grasslands. Therefore, prairie dogs may be unable to provide the ecosystem services needed for grasslands during periods of drought. We sought to determine the impact of prairie dog herbivory on biodiversity in a semi-arid shortgrass prairie by using a paired design to compare active colonies with extirpated colonies. Abundance, richness, and diversity were measured in vegetation, arthropods, herptiles, birds, and small mammals during a drought year and the following year. We found that drought reduced vegetation and bird abundance, vegetation richness and diversity, and diversity in arthropods and birds. We did not find a difference between colonies and extirpated colonies. Our results indicate that the ecosystem services provided by prairie dogs, e.g., improving biodiversity, did not occur at detectable levels during periods of drought in semi-arid grasslands. Given the sharp decline of prairie dogs, the ecosystem services provided by prairie dogs will continue to plummet as climate change increases the frequency of droughts in the Front Range.
Development of an N-Terminal BRD4 Bromodomain-Targeted Degrader

Targeted protein degradation is a powerful induced-proximity tool to control cellular concentrations of native proteins using small molecules. However, the design of selectivity in protein degradation remains challenging. In the case of Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) family proteins, BRD4 has emerged as the primary therapeutic target over other family members BRD2, 3 and T, but strategies to selectively degrade BRD4 rely on the use of pan-BET inhibitors optimized for BRD4:E3 protein-ubiquitin ligase (E3) ternary complex formation. Here, we report a potent and selective inhibitor for the first bromodomain of BRD4, iBRD4-BD1 (IC50 = 12 nM, 23-6200-fold intra-BET selectivity). We further use this novel inhibitor to develop dBRD4-BD1 that induces selective degradation of BRD4 at a DC50 of 280 nM. The design of BRD4 selectivity up-front enables the study of BRD4 biology in the absence of wider BET-inhibition, simplifies design of future BRD4-selective degraders as new E3 recruiting ligands are discovered, and provides a tool to design additional heterobifunctional BRD4-selective probes.
Breeding Wheat for Quality

Publisher Summary Industrialization and centralization of the milling industry have resulted in the milling of wheat, originating over a wide geographic area and creating need for flour markets national and international scope. To maintain a consumer-acceptable level of flour standardization, it has become necessary to evaluate not only the flour, but the wheat shipments prior to milling. The chapter describes the development of the microquality tests applicable to bread, pastry, and durum flour evaluation, for which varietal differences have been demonstrated and which have been investigated and used by plant breeders as selection tools. These tests are based on loaf volume, recording dough mixers, wheat meal fermentation time, expansion, sedimentation, pearling index, viscosity, cookie baking, color, and alkaline water retention capacity. Breeding methods are dictated by the sample size needed for microquality tests. The prospects of hybrid wheat production will tremendously stimulate wheat research in all areas. Selection of the plant-breeding method adopted for quality improvement of wheat varieties or hybrid stocks will have to employ an effective selection unit based upon knowledge of the genetic divergence of the parents, correlation of associated characters, and environmental influence. Protein content serves as a good sample of the difficulties encountered in breeding for the desired level of a quality factor exhibiting limited genetic variation, and being extremely sensitive to environmental influences.
Early Events in Infection: Receptor Binding and Cell Entry

As knowledge of the early events in infection with enteroviruses is limited, this chapter focuses on studies with poliovirus but examines the emerging data on several other enteroviruses. The early events in virus infection, from virus binding to uncoating of the viral genome, are well characterized for a number of enveloped viruses. The poliovirus-receptor interaction is a particularly good model for studying virus entry because of the experimental manipulations that are possible given the known structure of the virus and our ability to mutagenize both the virus and its cellular receptor. Despite our increasing genetic and structural understanding of early events in poliovirus infection, many problems, such as the location of the uncoating event, remain unsolved. Perhaps imminent studies on the entry of echoviruses (ECVs) and coxsackieviruses, stimulated by the identification of their receptors, will provide clues. The roles of receptors in host range and pathogenesis have been extensively studied for poliovirus, but many questions, such as the basis of tissue tropism, remain. A study of the cell functions of virus receptors may provide information on their role in virus replication. It has been suggested that virus binding to cell receptors may lead to activation of cell events that lead to disease, and there is evidence that receptors may regulate virus-induced cytopathic effects. Studies of the interactions of cell receptors with their natural cell ligands may therefore provide clues about cell processes that are activated upon virus binding and govern the outcome of virus infections.
Joint Defense or Research Joint Venture? Reassessing the Patent-Challenge-Bloc's Antitrust Status

A patent challenger who defeats a patent wins spoils that it must share with the world, including all its competitors. This forced sharing undercuts an alleged infringer's incentive to stay in the fight to the finish - especially if the patent owner offers an attractive settlement. Too many settlements, and too few definitive patent challenges, are the result. I have argued previously that a litigation-stage bounty would help correct this tilt against patent challenges, for it would provide cash prizes to successful patent challengers that they alone would enjoy. Even the best-designed bounty, however, would likely fail to encourage patent validity challenges in all the cases where such encouragement would be salutary. Others have urged that, going forward, post-grant administrative review is a more promising approach to weeding out weak patents. A new post-grant review procedure, however, will do nothing to encourage worthy challenges to thousands of extant weak, overasserted patents.This article explores another litigation-stage approach to overcoming the free rider problem that undercuts patent validity challenges - namely, strong-form joint defense agreements among multiple accused infringers. Strong-form agreements, which go beyond light coordination and information sharing, have long been condemned as unlawful buyers' cartels. The seminal case remains Jones Knitting Corp. v. Morgan. But current doctrine’s condemnation trades on a category mistake rooted in a fatally simplistic view that patents are commodity property (rather than what they are, which is probabilistic exclusion rights). Contrary to conventional wisdom, a binding commitment among accused infringers jointly to fund a full challenge to patent infringement allegations is not, nor is it akin to, a buyers’ cartel for buying commodities. Rather, it is a research joint venture, the goal of which is to generate valuable - but otherwise inappropriable - information about the patent's true validity or scope.
Abstract P181: Processed food intake is adversely associated with multiple indicators of cardiometabolic health in US adults: Findings from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2005-2008)

Introduction: Reducing intake of ingredients characteristic of processed foods is vital to improving ideal cardiovascular dietary behaviors described in the American Heart Association 2020 Strategic Impact Goals. Hypothesis: We sought to develop an indicator of processed food intake and evaluate its hypothesized adverse relationships with biomarkers of cardiometabolic health in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Methods: Data from two 24 hour recalls were examined for US adults (>=18y) in NHANES (2005-2008). An index of processed food intake (PFI) was developed using the mean of the standardized (mean=0, standard deviation=1), energy-adjusted (per 1000 kcal) intakes of refined grains, processed meat, discretionary oils, discretionary solid fat, added sugar and sodium. We evaluated bivariate associations of PFI with demographics (sex, poverty-income ratio, education) and behavioral factors (smoking, nutritional supplement use). Multivariable linear regressions were used to examine association...
Adenosine triphosphate in liver after partial hepatectomy and acute stress.

Abstract Partial hepatectomy and acute stress (Celite) cause no changes in the levels in vivo of liver ATP or total adenine nucleotide in the nucleus or the whole cell of the rat. During a brief period of anoxia (about ½ min), however, both regenerating and stressed livers destroy more of their ATP than the normal organ, and the change is reflected in the nuclei as well as in the whole cells. That the greater ATP breakdown already occurs before oxygen is withheld is strongly suggested by the enhanced rate of incorporation of 32P-labeled orthophosphate into the liver ATP of the treated rats. The kinetics of the changes in ATP metabolism is different in partially hepatectomized and stressed rats, and only the changes in the stressed animals are dependent upon the adrenal glands. The possibility is considered that the stimuli for the altered metabolism of ATP are causally related to the changes in the synthesis of macromolecules that characteristically follow partial hepatectomy and acute stress.
Increasing Participation in Corporate Wellness Programs

ABSTRACT The implementation of corporate wellness programs has continued to increase as companies recognize benefits including improved employee morale and productivity along with a reduction in turnover. Employee perceptions of these programs have undergone a similar shift as such programs are now viewed by many as an essential part of the benefits package. In a tight labor market, gaining and retaining key personnel can be a critical competitive determinant. Often, however, differences among employees are not considered in the design and implementation of a corporate wellness program. This study examines the potential for a wellness program segmentation strategy to more effectively target employee groups. Use of such a differentiated approach can enhance the human resources management potential of wellness programs as well as contribute to an organization's morale, retention, and even competitiveness.
Viral infection in pregnancy: a review.

Abstract Current knowledge with respect to certain viral infections and their possible detrimental effects upon pregnancy outcome has been reviewed. The evidence indicates that maternal viral infection may be either directly or indirectly incriminated as a cause of fetal wastage. It is clear that maternal infection with rubella and cytomegalovirus may lead to transplacental infection of the fetus, and an increased incidence of congenital malformation. The evidence suggests that influenza virus has a similar but lesser effect; insufficient information is available, particularly of a precise virologic nature, to assess properly the effect of infection with this and other viral agents. Remarkably little information is available about the placenta, its effectiveness as a protective barrier and its role in transplacental infections. More definitive understanding must depend upon: (1) awareness by obstetricians that infections which lead to maternal viremia may result in transplacental infection, and early in pregnancy may lead to interference with normal patterns of development; and (2) controlled studies employing appropriate techniques to permit specific diagnosis of viral infection in mother and conceptus.
Poly(A) polymerase contains multiple functional domains

Poly(A) polymerase (PAP) contains regions of similarity with several known protein domains. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we provide evidence that PAP contains a functional ribonucleoprotein-type RNA binding domain (RBD) that is responsible for primer binding, making it the only known polymerase to contain such a domain. The RBD is adjacent to, and probably overlaps with, an apparent catalytic region responsible for polymerization. Despite the presence of sequence similarities, this catalytic domain appears to be distinct from the conserved polymerase module found in a large number of RNA-dependent polymerases. PAP contains two nuclear localization signals (NLSs) in its C terminus, each by itself similar to the consensus bipartite NLS found in many nuclear proteins. Mutagenesis experiments indicate that both signals, which are separated by nearly 140 residues, play important roles in directing PAP exclusively to the nucleus. Surprisingly, basic amino acids in the N-terminal-most NLS are also essential for AAUAAA-dependent polyadenylation but not for nonspecific poly(A) synthesis, suggesting that this region of PAP is involved in interactions both with nuclear targeting proteins and with nuclear polyadenylation factors. The serine/threonine-rich C terminus is multiply phosphorylated, including at sites affected by mutations in either NLS.
Estimation of Deleterious-Mutation Parameters in Natural Populations

The rate and average effects of spontaneous deleterious mutations are important determinants of the evolution of breeding systems and of the vulnerability of small populations to extinction. Nevertheless, few attempts have been made to estimate the properties of such mutations, and those studies that have been performed have been extremely labor intensive, relying on long-term, laboratory mutation-accumulation experiments. We present an alternative to the latter approach. For populations in which the genetic variance for fitness is a consequence of selection-mutation balance, the mean fitness and genetic variance of fitness in outbred and inbred generations can be expressed as simple functions of the genomic mutation rate, average homozygous effect and average dominance coefficient of new mutations. Using empirical estimates for the mean and genetic variance of fitness, these expressions can then be solved to obtain joint estimates of the deleterious-mutation parameters. We employ computer simulations to evaluate the degree of bias of the estimators and present some general recommendations on the application of the technique. Our procedures provide some hope for obtaining estimates of the properties of deleterious mutations from a wide phylogenetic range of species as well as a mechanism for testing the validity of alternative models for the maintenance of genetic variance for fitness.
Simulation and experimental studies on fuzzy vault fingerprint cryptography

Fuzzy vault cryptography relies on the error-correcting capabilities of the underlying error-correction code (typically, Reed-Solomon). Therefore, any application of such a system can tolerate only a limited number of errors associated with the true data points. For fingerprint vault systems, poor alignment can cause valid extracted minutiae (true data points) to be regarded as errors because they are outside the matching threshold. Attempting to overcome this problem by increasing the matching threshold may result in additional matching of false (chaff) points in the vault, depending on the density of points in the vault. A simulation study was conducted in order to determine acceptable parameters and thresholds for a fingerprint vault cryptographic system to function successfully. Simulation results show that the variation of repeatable minutiae points must be below the matching threshold of the system for acceptable performance and therefore improving the quality of fingerprint alignment is critical to a successful implementation of the method. An experimental study was also conducted to confirm that if fingerprint alignment is not carefully considered, the fuzzy vault system for fingerprints is prone to failure.
Establishing pricing schemes for FACTS devices in congestion management

Frequently occurred congestions have prevented the deregulated power market to achieve its objective, cheaper energy for consumers, because congestion cost has been added to consumers' locational marginal price (LMP) besides generation cost. Some measures are needed to solve this problem. Otherwise, benefits brought by deregulation will be incomplete. As an alternative to building new transmission lines, which is not preferred due to many factors, Flexible AC Transmission System (FACTS) was introduced to solve both the congestion problem G. Huang et al. (2002) and in turn reduce LMP S.C. Srivastava et al. (2000). However, a key issue is still missing, which is the pricing scheme for the utilization of FACTS devices and penalty for users to operate at their limits. Unless this issue is addressed, no proper incentives can be provided to market participants for new constructions. This paper proposes a pricing scheme for FACTS devices in congestion management, which addresses both the penalty and the utilization issues. Numerical examples are also used to demonstrate our ideas.
Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome due to sirolimus.

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) was first described in 15 patients by Hinchey et al. in 1996.1 The most common clinical symptoms and signs included headache, altered alertness and confusion, vomiting, seizures, and visual disturbance ranging from blurred vision to cortical blindness. Neuroimaging typically showed white matter edema in the posterior portions of the cerebral hemispheres, particularly in the parieto-occipital regions. The presumed etiologies for the 15 patients included hypertensive encephalopathy (n=4), preeclampsia (n=3), cyclosporine (n=4), tacrolimus (n=3), and interferon- (n=1). With control of blood pressure and withdrawal or reduction of the immunosuppressive agent, all of the patients had resolution of symptoms within 2 weeks and neuroimaging normalized. Since the initial description of PRES, there have been a number of reports of its incidence following allogeneic bone marrow transplant in patients receiving cyclosporine or tacrolimus for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis.2, 3, 4 Toxic levels of the immunosuppressive medications do not appear to be required for the development of PRES.5 In a previous report of a lung transplant recipient patient on sirolimus that developed a clinical syndrome similar to PRES, the neurotoxicity was attributed to dialysis disequilibrium syndrome.6 The patient improved with adjustment in the dialysis regimen and continued on sirolimus without recurrent neurological complaints. An association between treatment with sirolimus and PRES has otherwise never been reported. Here we present a case of PRES occurring in the setting of treatment with sirolimus for GVHD prophylaxis.
Novice heuristic evaluations of a complex interface

In this paper, we describe the ability of evaluators with limited experience to use Heuristic Evaluation (HE) in assessing a complex interface. We analyze our results in terms of the proportion of problems found by different sets of evaluators in different areas of the interface. Our results illustrate that the 5-10 evaluator size advocated by Nielsen and Molich [3] does not generalize to assessing complex interfaces. Evaluators tend to focus on certain sections of the interface and ignore others. Our results suggest that modification to HE is necessary to most efficiently produce a complete set of usability problems in an interface.
The Anti-apoptotic Function of Hsp70 in the Interferon-inducible Double-stranded RNA-dependent Protein Kinase-mediated Death Signaling Pathway Requires the Fanconi Anemia Protein, FANCC

Proteins encoded by five of the six known Fanconi anemia (FA) genes form a heteromeric complex that facilitates repair of DNA damage induced by cross-linking agents. A certain number of these proteins, notably FANCC, also function independently to modulate apoptotic signaling, at least in part, by suppressing ground state activation of the pro-apoptotic interferon-inducible double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). Because certain FANCC mutations interdict its anti-apoptotic function without interfering with the capacity of FANCC to participate functionally in the FA multimeric complex, we suspected that FANCC enhances cell survival independent of its participation in the complex. By investigating this function in both mammalian cells and in yeast, an organism with no FA orthologs, we show that FANCC inhibited the kinase activity of PKR both in vivo and in vitro, and this effect depended upon a physical interaction between FANCC and Hsp70 but not on interactions of FANCC with other Fanconi proteins. Hsp70, FANCC, and PKR form a ternary complex in lymphoblasts and in yeast expressing PKR. We conclude that Hsp70 requires the cooperation of FANCC to suppress PKR activity and support survival of hematopoietic cells and that FANCC does not require the multimeric FA complex to exert this function.
Opening "open" innovation

This investigation examines recent literature from management science, social computing and design to develop a framework for understanding the mechanisms that would enable open innovation platforms to more effectively address the most pressing areas of human need reported and reportable by such systems. The many challenges that must be overcome to solve the creative, ethical, and strategic focus problems implicit in existing open innovation systems are described. The paper concludes with specific recommendations for research on such systems, including how highly contextual end-user needs can be satisfied to encourage entrepreneurship and market success. This will only be possible if participants contributing to open innovation systems are enabled to leverage the power of the system for themselves, leading to increasingly open innovation environments.
Association of naphthalene with acute hemolytic anemia.

: Objectives: To describe the prevalence and severity of naphthalene-associated hemolysis (NAH) and infection-associated hemolysis (IAH) in children with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD) deficiency. To survey the rationale for naphthalene-containing moth repellent (mothball) use in the study population and to compare this with that of a more diverse population. Methods: A ten-year retrospective chart review of 160 patients with G-6-PD deficiency and/or anemia and an analysis of 24 hospitalized African-American children with an episode of acute hemolysis associated with G-6-PD deficiency were conducted. The parents of 330 children cared for in the pediatric emergency departments (EDs) of two tertiary care centers were questioned regarding domestic mothball (naphthalene) use. Results: Fourteen of 24 (58.3%) of the children identified with G-6-PD deficiency presented with hemolysis associated with exposure to naphthalene-containing moth repellents. The remaining ten had IAH. Seventy-nine percent of the NAH group required transfusion, compared with 60% of the IAH group. Mothballs were reportedly used by 27% of the families surveyed in one inner-city population with a 2-13% incidence of G-6-PD deficiency and by 15% in a more culturally diverse city. The main reported motivation for use was the fresh scent, not as a moth repellent. Conclusions: Mothballs are used for previously unrecognized reasons. Naphthalene-containing mothballs can pose a hematologic threat to vulnerable populations.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT RAPID MEDICAL ASSESSMENT: OVERALL EFFECT AND MECHANISTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Abstract Background Although the use of a physician and nurse team at triage has been shown to improve emergency department (ED) throughput, the mechanism(s) by which these improvements occur is less clear. Objectives 1) To describe the effect of a Rapid Medical Assessment (RMA) team on ED length of stay (LOS) and rate of left without being seen (LWBS); 2) To estimate the effect of RMA on different groups of patients. Methods For Objective 1, we compared LOS and LWBS on dates when we utilized RMA to comparable dates when we did not. For Objective 2, we utilized patient logs to divide patients into groups and estimated the effects of the RMA on each. Results Objective 1. LOS fell from 297.8 min pre-RMA to 261.7 min during RMA, an improvement of 36.1 (95% confidence interval 21.8–50.4) min; LWBS did not change significantly. Objective 2. Patients seen and dispositioned by the RMA had an estimated decrease in LOS of 117.8 min (estimated decrease in LOS of 45%), but patients seen by the RMA whose care was transitioned to the main ED had an estimated increase in LOS of 25.0 min (estimated increase in LOS of 8%). Conclusions On a system level, the addition of an RMA shift at a single facility was associated with an improvement in LOS, but not LWBS. On a mechanistic level, it seems that improvements occurred as a result of the rapid disposition component of the RMA rather than placing advanced orders at triage.
Coupling Model for 2x1 Photonic Crystal Vertical Cavity Laser Arrays

We derive a theory expressing the coherence properties of 2x1 photonic crystal vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser arrays. Using only the far-field interferogram, this theory predicts the frequency splitting between the lasers in agreement with spectral measurements.
Gallium nitride micromechanical resonators for IR detection

This paper reports on a novel technology for low-noise un-cooled detection of infrared (IR) radiation using a combination of piezoelectric, pyroelectric, electrostrictive, and resonant effects. The architecture consists of a parallel array of high-Q gallium nitride (GaN) micro-mechanical resonators coated with an IR absorbing nanocomposite. The nanocomposite absorber converts the IR energy into heat with high efficiency. The generated heat causes a shift in frequency characteristics of the GaN resonators because of pyroelectric effect. IR detection is achieved by sensing the shift in the resonance frequency and amplitude of the exposed GaN resonator as compared to a reference resonator that is included in the array. This architecture offers improved signal to noise ratio compared with conventional pyroelectric detectors as the resonant effect reduces the background noise and improves sensitivity, enabling IR detection with NEDTs below 5 mK at room temperature. GaN is chosen as the resonant material as it possesses high pyroelectric, electrostrictive, and piezoelectric coefficients and can be grown on silicon substrates for low-cost batch fabrication. Measured results of a GaN IR detector prototype and a thin-film nanocomposite IR absorber are presented in this paper.
The aging brain: morphomolecular senescence of cortical circuits

The human brain is uniquely powerful with respect to cognitive abilities, yet the hippocampal and neocortical circuits that mediate such complex functions are highly vulnerable to aging. Their selective vulnerability is profoundly manifested in Alzheimer's disease (AD), where degeneration of select neurons leads to a near complete loss of cognitive abilities. Most of us will avoid AD as we age. However, many will experience age-associated cognitive impairment - a decline in cognitive status presenting as deficits in memory and key capacities for strategic use of acquired information. Animal studies suggest that both AD and age-associated cognitive impairment reflect vulnerability of the same circuits. However, neuron death predominates in the former, whereas the latter is probably mediated by synaptic alterations in otherwise intact circuits. Fortunately, such age-related synaptic alterations could be reversible, as suggested by recent studies of hormone replacement.
A classification system for buried paleosols

Abstract Paleosols formed on prior surfaces of the geologic past and include buried, exhumed, and relict kinds. Exhumed and relict ones are subaerial and have been classified according to systems of classification for other soils at this interface. One of these systems, Soil Taxonomy, includes relict and exhumed paleosols with the subaerial (ground) soils, but would need extensive modification to include buried paleosols. Our approach to paleosol classification, like that of the recently published Mack-James-Monger system, uses some Soil Taxonomy orders. However, we use proxy criteria to incorporate plaeosols that have become lithified and add the prefix krypt (hidden or covered) to all order names. Enduring properties are used as proxy criteria. Because base saturation by the NH4OAc method and cementation of paleosols tends to increase with additions of salt, gypsum, and carbonate to buried paleosols, we chose as proxy criteria the weatherable mineral content of sands and silts, cation exchange capacity (NH4OAc method) to clay ratio, total analysis of the
Observation of the Rayleigh-plateau Instability in the Core of a Multi-material Optical Fiber during Tapering

We study experimentally and theoretically the limits on size reduction of features in a multi-material optical fiber. We find that the Rayleigh-Plateau instability sets the minimum transverse size of an axially continuous feature.
SPECIFIC AND NONSPECIFIC ALTERATIONS IN MEMBRANE MICROVISCOSITY INDUCED BY RETINOIDS IN EMBRYONAL CARCINOMA AND FIBROBLAST CELLS

Retinoids can induce structural changes in erythrocyte and lysosomal membranes.1,z These alterations may also effect lipid-protein interactions and the fluid state of the membrane. Membrane microviscosity can be monitored quantitatively by fluorescence polarization analysis3 with the aid of the fluorescent probe 1,6-diphenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH). In this study this technique was used to determine the effect of retinoids on the membrane microviscosity of some eukaryotic cells. FIGURE 1 shows the effect of various concentrations of retinoic acid (RA) on membrane microviscosity of 3T6 cells. RA up to lO-7M had no influence on microviscosity; at higher concentrations microviscosity dropped rapidly and leveled off at 5.10'6M. A decrease in microviscosity (increase in fluidity) could be observed even after short treatments (2 hr) with RA. Similar results had been obtained previously with red blood cells.4
Villages, Demography and Subsistence Intensification On the Southern Columbia Plateau

Semi-sedentary villages were established on the southern Columbia plateau by 4300 years before present. Demographic changes accompanying this event included a major shift in human population dispersion. While previous archaeological explanations have emphasized salmon productivity as the major variable in these changes, archaeological and ethnological evidence strongly supports the view that intensification of plant exploitation was the critical subsistence change. Subsistence intensification, sedentism and demographic change in this region are directly relevant to more general questions concerning sedentism among foragers.
What knowledge is and what it ought to be: Feminist values and normative epistemology

Much of contemporary analytic epistemology has been concerned with the semantics of claims to know: What are the truth conditions of claims of the form S knows that p? With some notable exceptions, feminist epistemologists have not taken up this project at least not in this form so for those who are engaged in mainstream epistemology it may seem tempting to think that what feminists are doing is not relevant to their concerns, and to ignore feminist work as addressing a different set of issues.2 Although I think it is right that a lot of feminist epistemology is addressing different issues, this response does not take into account that a significant amount of feminist writing explicitly undertakes to critique the mainstream epistemological questions; it is not simply that feminists are interested in something else, but that they have principled reasons for not engaging the issues as standardly framed. My interest in this paper, however, is not in evaluating the feminist challenges to the search for the truth conditions for knowledge claims. Although I am sympathetic with the complaint that there are many other epistemological topics that mainstream epistemology could and should consider, I am not convinced that this project itself is misconceived or irretrievably sexist or androcentric. I do think, however, that there are problems with the ways that philosophers have undertaken to provide an analysis of knowledge, and the problems suggest that an alternative approach informed by feminist concerns is desirable. My goal in this paper is to suggest a way of approaching the task of specifying the truth conditions for knowledge, that (hopefully) will make clear how a broad range of feminist work that is often deemed irrelevant to the philosophical inquiry into knowledge is in fact highly relevant.
Specialist discrimination of toxic exposure severity at a poison control center.

Background. Perceived severity has been shown to affect decision-making processes in telephone triage. However, the accuracy of specialists in poison information's (SPIs') perceptions of severity of poison exposures is unknown. Objective. The purpose of this study was to describe the ability of SPIs to predict severity of medical outcome on the basis of the information obtained during the initial poison control center's phone call. Methods. This study analyzed 22,576 cases of human poison exposure in one regional poison control center. At the time of the initial call, SPIs assigned a predicted severity rating. SPIs then assigned a medical outcome rating when closing each case. Animal exposures not coded, not followed, and confirmed nonexposures were excluded. Results. For overall SPI's discrimination of more severe versus less severe cases, Az = 0.94 with asymmetric 95% confidence intervals (0.87, 0.97), indicating excellent discrimination. The sensitivity of SPIs in discriminating a major effect from any...
Practices and actions: Boundary cases of other‐initiated repair

Working within a naturalistic paradigm for which the notion of “practices” is more apt than “processes,” I address the multiplicity of ties between practices of talk‐in‐interaction and the actions which they accomplish. After describing common procedures of data collection and preparation in this mode of inquiry and the “boundary cases” which these procedures may engender, I explore alternative actions which can be recognizably produced by practices of talking ordinarily associated with the action of “initiating repair.” Two practices in particular are examined: questioning terms (“huh?,” “who?,” etc.) and certain forms of repeats. As well, I show that in some contexts the action of initiating repair can be produced by a practice which does not ordinarily produce it. The moral of the article is that situated analysis must go hand‐in‐hand with more formal analysis in order to arrive at satisfactory accounts of discourse practices, and of discourse processes as well.
Pulsed X-ray induced transient absorption in LiNbO/sub 3/, TiO/sub 2/:LiNbO/sub 2/, and MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/ at 1061 nm

Characteristics of pulsed X-ray induced transient absorption at 1061 mm have been determined for LiNbO/sub 3/, TiO/sub 2/:LiNbO/sub 3/, and MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/. The addition of the dopants TiO/sub 2/ and MgO reduces the induced absorption significantly. The two materials, LiNbO/sub 3/ and TiO/sub 2/:LiNbO/sub 3/, decay with an approximate 1/t/sup 1/4/ time dependence for the time interval 0.01 to 8 ms. After 8 ms, the decay rate for LiNbO/sub 3/ is faster than 1/t/sup 1/4/, and the decay rate for TiO/sub 2/:LiNbO/sub 3/ is slower than that initial rate. A low-intensity absorption which lasts for about 20 /spl mu/s is observed for the MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/. Peak radiation induced absorption coefficients for LiNbO/sub 3/, TiO/sub 2/:LiNbO/sub 3/, and MgO:LiNbO/sub 3/ have been determined. >
Mars atmospheric opacity effects observed in the northern hemisphere by Viking Orbiter Imaging

Viking orbiter television camera observations of Mars contrasts show variations of atmospheric opacity in the Southern Hemisphere. The study is extended into the Northern Hemisphere, over a longer time period, and results in a detailed description of photometric changes at the lander sites, as seen from orbit. During the period of January 1977 to April 1978, a series of four storms at 202 deg, 264 deg, 40 deg and 86 deg latitudes have provided photometric changes and planetwide aerosol distributions for 18 months. It is found that the large, forward-scattering particles did not enter the atmosphere at the storm's onsets. A reduction of atmospheric transmission by over 20% at visual wavelengths remained for nearly one Martian year.
Polytypism, homochirality, interpenetration, and hydrogen-bonding in transition metal (Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II)) 5-hydroxyisophthalate coordination polymers containing 4,4′-bipyridyl

We report the synthesis of five coordination polymers of divalent transition metals combined with 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (HIP) and 4,4′-bipyridyl (bipy). Mn forms two polytypic two-dimensional coordination polymers, Mn(HIP)(bipy)·3H2O and Mn(HIP)(bipy)·¼bipy·2H2O (I and II, with ABAB and ABC stacking sequences, respectively); Ni forms a chiral hexagonal three-dimensional coordination polymer with two interpenetrating trigonal sublattices exhibiting the “dual quartz” topology, Ni(HIP)(bipy)(H2O) (III); Cu forms a one-dimensional coordination polymer containing arrays of infinite hydrogen-bonded molecular ribbons, Cu(HIP)2(bipy) (IV); and Zn forms a two-dimensional coordination polymer with a stair-stepped layered structure, Zn2(HIP)2(bipy)(H2O)2·H2O (V). The M–HIP–M connections are perpendicular to the M–bipy–M connections in all structures where they are present.
Genetics of childhood disorders: LIV. learning and memory, Part 7: maintenance of long-term potentiation.

Before moving on to the processes that contribute to the persistence of long-term potentiation (LTP), we need to address an apparently straightforward issue: which side of the synapse expresses LTP? We have seen that the main events of LTP induction occur in postsynaptic signaling pathways. Does this mean that the locus of LTP expression is also postsynaptic? At the CA3–CA1 synapse, the preponderance of electrophysiological evidence favors the postsynaptic side of the synapse, but this has been a contentious area of research and some data support the hypothesis of increased transmitter release in LTP. The problem of the site of LTP expression has been approached using several different strategies. One method is to determine the rate of glutamate release. The efflux of glutamate from a hippocampal slice can be directly measured, and early work showed an elevation during LTP. However, synaptic release represents only a fraction of total glutamate efflux, and metabolic changes could be largely responsible for the observed increases. A more sophisticated experimental approach exploits the active uptake of synaptic glutamate by glial cells, resulting in graded glial transporter currents that can be recorded. These currents are not increased during LTP, suggesting that the locus of the potentiation is postsynaptic. The hypothesis that LTP expression is restricted to the postsynaptic cell has been challenged by experiments in which vesicle recycling at the CA3–CA1 synapse was monitored using the presynaptic loading of a fluorescent dye. An increase in vesicle recycling would indicate that glutamate-containing vesicles were being turned over at a higher rate, presumably due to increased synaptic release. Such an effect occurred following LTP-inducing stimulation, supporting a presynaptic contribution to the expression of LTP. A second approach to identifying the locus of LTP exploits the voltage-dependent block of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors described in the previous column, a property that is not shared by (AMPA)-type receptors. This difference can be used to separate the synaptic response into AMPA and NMDA components because the contribution of the NMDA-mediated current will depend upon the postsynaptic membrane voltage. If an increase in glutamate release is responsible for LTP, then the AMPA and NMDA receptor-mediated responses should increase equally. But most studies show that only the AMPA component is potentiated during LTP, consistent with a postsynaptic change that is restricted to AMPA receptors.
Necessity of endocervical curettage in colposcopy

The use of endocervical curettage was evaluated in 200 patients undergoing colposcopy, biopsy, endocervical curettage, and conization. It is suggested that endocervical curettage be performed only in cases of satisfactory colposcopy, since patients with unsatisfactory colposcopy should undergo conization.
Electroluminescence and Photoluminescence from Nanostructured Diatom Frustules Containing Metabolically Inserted Germanium

Diatoms are single-celled algae that possess silica shells called "frustules" decorated with periodic structures ordered at the micro- and nanoscale. Diatom biosilica containing metabolically inserted germanium is used to fabricate an electroluminescent (EL) thin film device (see figure). The EL spectrum has a series of sharp UV line emissions at 340-380 nm and weaker bands in the blue and red range.
The Utilization of Calcium Soaps from Animal Fat by Laying Hens

Ground wheat was employed as a carrier to evaluate the utilization by laying hens of animal fat, calcium soaps of fatty acids from animal fat (CS), and animal fat in the presence of 3.8% added calcium. Birds trained to consume their daily feed in two 1-h periods were fed ground wheat with 0, 3, 6, and 9% animal fat, CS, or 10% ground limestone and animal fat to provide 11 experimental diets. Animal fat and preformed CS were highly available to laying hens with total fatty acid availabilities of 100.2 +/- 1.2 (SE) and 99.2 +/- 3.6%, respectively, estimated by the regression of added fat on determined fat retentions. However, 3.8% calcium reduced animal-fat fatty acid availability to 86.3 +/- .7%. The true metabolizable energy of animal fat, as determined by regression from bomb-calorimetry data, was 9.63 +/- .58 kcal per g; a value of 9.36 kcal per g was obtained from fat-retention data [100.2% of the gross energy (GE) of 9.34 +/- .78 kcal per g]. With added limestone, the respective TME values were 9.36 +/- 1.30 kcal per g (regression) and 8.06 kcal per g (retention). The TME of the CS fatty acids was 7.20 +/- 1.05 kcal per g, estimated by regression; and the value calculated from CS fat retentions was 8.14 kcal per g, representing 99.2% of the GE (8.20 +/- .58 kcal per g). Discrepancies between calorimetric and fat-retention TME estimates represented animal-fat effects on wheat starch, fat, and amino-acid retentions.
Top-loop correction to neutral-pseudo-Goldstone-boson couplings.

The existence of a heavy quark can affect the physics at a higher energy scale, which does not usually happen in the case of light quarks. A point in question is the heavy-top-quark loop enhancement of the gluon couplings to pseudo Goldstone bosons which arise from dynamically broken models. This changes some of the coupling strengths which ordinarily arise from the Wess-Zumino-Witten term.
Toward a strategy for information needs analysis

Abstract Information needs analysis is a prerequisite for design of an effective information system. However, the problems associated with such analysis have been largely neglected in the information systems literature. Two simultaneous general approaches are suggested which are expected to contribute to the solution of these problems. One is to use the information system analysis to guide research, or application of results from research, to solve management problems. The other is to follow a strategy in the analysis of information needs such that the steps in this analysis are closely related to the structure relating the decisions and actions in the organization. A gross classification scheme is proposed to aid in determining this strategy.
Electrochemical Tests of Corrosion of Magnetic Hard Disks With Overcoats of DLC

Two electrochemical techniques were used to investigate the corrosion of DLC coated magnetic hard disks: (1) potentiodynamic and potentiostatic anodic polarization and (2) electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The objective was to determine the ability of DC polarization and AC polarization to detect the presence of porosity in the DLC. The results indicate that anodic polarization at high potentials (≈ +1.0V vs SCE) to cause pitting corrosion of the metal layers underneath the DLC might provide a rapid and quantitative estimate of the amount of porosity in the DLC. Measurement of the low frequency electrochemical impedance at intermediate potentials (≈ +0.5V vs SCE) appears to indicate the presence of porosity but further work is required to establish a quantitative relationship between the amount of porosity and the value of the low frequency impedance.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The phenol-croton oil peel was originally investigated in the 1980s.

TO THE EDITOR I read with interest the excellent article by Drs. Larson, Karmo, and Hetter regarding the animal model for the phenol–croton oil peel ( Aesthet Surg J 2009;29:47–53). The article, however, …