cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rates of Sediment Resuspension and Erosion Following Green Turtle Grazing in a Shallow Caribbean Thalassia testudinum Meadow

Seagrass meadows buffer sediments against resuspension and erosion by reducing water velocity and attenuating wave energy, thereby promoting accumulation of sediment and associated carbon. Grazing by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) can significantly reduce the aboveground canopy in meadows. Increasing green turtle population sizes will return more seagrass areas to a naturally grazed state; however, it is not well understood how green turtle grazing will affect sediment processes in seagrass meadows. To evaluate effects of grazing, we measured sediment erosion following a clipping experiment in a shallow Caribbean Thalassia testudinum seagrass meadow and rates of sediment resuspension in an area naturally grazed by turtles. Following removal of the seagrass canopy, erosion of surface sediments did not increase compared to unclipped reference plots during the clipping experiment. We provide the first estimates of particle deposition and resuspension rates from a seagrass meadow grazed by green turtles. Rates did not differ between areas naturally grazed for at least one year and ungrazed areas. On average, 51% of the total sediment flux was comprised of resuspended sediments in the area grazed by turtles, and 52% in the ungrazed area of the meadow. Green turtle grazing also did not affect the carbon content of sediment particles or the downward carbon flux in the meadow. Our results demonstrate that grazing did not increase the vulnerability of surface sediments to loss in this system, and as green turtles recover, their natural grazing regime may not directly affect sediment processes contributing to carbon accumulation in shallow, coastal meadows.
The Epstein-Barr Virus and The Immune System

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on both on the effects of Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) on human B cells and on the immune response to viral infection. The chapter also presents how this information helps understanding the diverse aspects of virus–-host interaction. Epstein–Barr virus is a ubiquitous and potentially oncogenic pathogen for man. Once infected with the virus, the B cell acquires the potential to grow indefinitely. Tumor development, however, rarely occurs in the EBV-infected individual because strict controls assure that the virus reaches a state of equilibrium with its host. Some of these controls are immunologic, and they act at several levels to suppress the growth of virally infected cells. Part of the uniqueness of the interaction between EBV and the immune system arises from the fact that the target for infection is the immune system itself. This imposes certain controls on the infected cells that derive from the multitude of regulatory pathways involving the B cell as a central element of the immune system. The interactions among cells of the immune system help unraveling the defense mechanisms against EBV. During primary infection, nonspecific suppressor and cytotoxic T cells that become activated in vivo regulate and destroy EBV-infected B cells. After primary infection, a few B cells continue to harbor EBV in a latent form, and, as a consequence, are capable of unlimited proliferation. At this time, in conjunction with nonspecific functions, virus-specific suppressor and cytotoxic T cells that become activated continuously act to limit the expansion of EBV-infected cells.
Survival after radiotherapy vs. radical prostatectomy for unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

Abstract Background The optimal treatment for unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer is unknown. Given the lack of randomized evidence, large comparative studies may be useful in guiding clinical decision-making. Methods We queried the National Cancer Database for patients with unfavorable intermediate-risk prostate cancer, as defined by the National Comprehensive Cancer Network. We compared overall survival between patients treated with radical prostatectomy (RP), external beam radiation therapy (EBRT), brachytherapy, and EBRT plus brachytherapy (EBRT+BT) using Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score matching. Results A total of 10,439 patients were analyzed. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival between RP and EBRT+BT (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.58–2.65). RP was associated with higher survival when compared to EBRT (HR = 2.30, 95% CI 1.70–3.20) and brachytherapy (HR = 2.90, 95% CI 1.40–6.20). When accounting for androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), there was no statistically significant difference in survival between RP and brachytherapy with ADT (HR = 3.08; 95% CI 0.62–15.27) or EBRT to a dose of ≥7920 cGy with ADT (HR = 2.6, 95% CI 0.50–13.20). Conclusion We found no statistically significant difference in survival between RP and EBRT+BT. EBRT and brachytherapy had higher mortality, respectively, compared to RP. When including only radiotherapy patients who received ADT and, in the case of EBRT, a total dose ≥ 7920 cGy, there was no statistically significant difference in survival when comparing RP to EBRT or brachytherapy. These findings should be prospectively studied.
Economic Stress and International Cooperation: Evidence from International Rivalries

Do economic downturns generate pressure for diversionary conflict? Or might downturns encourage austerity and economizing behavior in foreign policy? This paper provides new evidence that economic stress is associated with conciliatory policies between strategic rivals. For states that view each other as military threats, the biggest step possible toward bilateral cooperation is to terminate the rivalry by taking political steps to manage the competition. Drawing on data from 109 distinct rival dyads since 1950, 67 of which terminated, the evidence suggests rivalries were approximately twice as likely to terminate during economic downturns than they were during periods of economic normalcy. This is true controlling for all of the main alternative explanations for peaceful relations between foes (democratic status, nuclear weapons possession, capability imbalance, common enemies, and international systemic changes), as well as many other possible confounding variables. This research questions existing theories claiming that economic downturns are associated with diversionary war, and instead argues that in certain circumstances peace may result from economic troubles.
Remedial Mathematics Program Considerations.

With the ever increasing emphasis on competency testing, a commensurate emphasis is being placed on developing remedial programs. What makes one remedial program succeed and another one fail? Is there a best method or material? What are the basic considerations to be reviewed? During the last thirteen to fourteen years, various types of programs have been tried in New York State some successfully, others unsuccessfully. To come up with a list of checkpoints that guarantees success is impossible, but our experience has shown some things that should be considered in order to
Comments on the Lithic Technology and Geochronology of the Goodson Rock Shelter

ABSTRACTIn a recent article published in PaleoAmerica, authors Metin I. Eren, David J. Meltzer, and Brian M. Andrews describe a set of Clovis-like artifacts recovered from an Archaic context at Goo...
Knot My Shirts: Women’s Wear Dress from Post-consumer Men’s Wear

This dress was part of a collection developed for an upcycle guidebook. The purpose of the guidebook was to develop upcycled garments with a consistent construction process to allow for production runs in a limited run production setting. Men's dress shirts are constructed in a fairly similar way regardless of the brand and price point making consistency when upcycling duplicates easier. The upcycled dress is made out of two men's dress shirts, one size large and one size medium. Both shirts had vertical stripes of similar colors which allowed for a cohesive look within the dress. Details from the men's shirt are clearly visible in the cuffs, collar stands, button-placket, and pockets but the garment has been refashioned in a way that creates a very playful and feminine look. This design is a marketable piece for women's contemporary wear that can be duplicated by production teams or local makers.
Towards the Development of Brain Penetrant, GAT-1 Selective Radioligands

1027 Objectives: PET imaging of the GABA transporter type 1 (GAT-1) is not yet possible due to a lack of appropriate radiotracers. Our previous efforts to synthesize GAT-1 selective PET radioligands were based on previously reported lipophilic nipecotic acid derivatives,1 and the presence of a free carboxylic acid group on these derivatives interfered with BBB permeability. Bioisosteres of carboxylic acids have long been used in CNS drug development. We will report the use of carboxylic acid bioisosteres to preserve selectivity while increasing BBB permeability in the development of a GAT-1 selective PET probe. Methods: Recent efforts have been focused on the radiolabeling and in vivo evaluation of both [18F]-labeled lipophilic nipecotic acid derivatives (1a,1b), and 11C-N-methylated nipecotic acid (2a) and its ethyl ester (2b). The lipophilic nipecotic acid derivatives were labeled as previously described and evaluated in both Sprague Dawley rats and non-human primates. Nipecotic acid ethyl ester was N-[11C]-methylated using [11C]-methyl triflate in DMF.2 The free N-[11C]methyl-nipecotic acid was formed by saponification of the ester with LiOH (0.5 mL, 100 °C, 5 min). Identities of radiotracers were confirmed by HPLC. The radiolabeled carboxylic acid and ethyl ester were evaluated by microPET imaging in Sprague Dawley rats. Concurrently, a tetrazole was found as the most promising in a preliminary in vitro study of commercially available bioisosteres. Following this lead, a 3-tetrazole piperidine (3) has been synthesized using published methods.3 Results: [18F]Fluorination and [11C]methylation reactions were performed manually or using an automated synthesis module. The lipophilic nipecotic acid derivative 1a was prepared in 13% radiochemical conversion (RCC) from the chloro precursor, while 2 was prepared in 24% (acid form) and 53% (ester form). MicroPET imaging showed that for each set, brain uptakes of free acids (1a,2a) were very low; whereas, measureable levels of the corresponding esters could be observed for both esters (1b,2b). Conclusions: The comparison of the simple nipecotic acid (2a) and ester (2b) with the larger lipophilic GAT-1 ligands (1a,1b) supports a conclusion that it is predominantly the free carboxylic acid function that limits BBB permeability. Theseresults demonstrate the need for the development of carboxylic acid bioisosteres for use in these GAT-1 radioligands. Syntheses of analogs of 1a and 2a but with a tetrazole replacing the carboxylic acid (as in 3) are in progress. These syntheses will be discussed, as well as initial in vivo evaluation of new radio tracers. Acknowledgements: Research was supported by NIH grant R21NS086758. 1. G. Quandt, G. Hofner and K. T. Wanner, Bioorg Med Chem, 2013, 21, 3363-3378. 2. T. Nguyen, S.E. Snyder, and M.R. Kilbourn, Nucl Med Biol, 1998, 25, 761-768. 3. S. Harusawa, H. Yoneyama, Y. Usami and S. Komeda, Synthesis, 2013, 45, 1051-1059.
Thermal inactivation of Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and a surrogate (Pediococcus acidilactici) on raisins, apricot halves, and macadamia nuts using vacuum-steam pasteurization

Abstract Salmonella, Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), and Listeria monocytogenes have been isolated from low water activity foods (LWAF), where they may survive for extended periods. The ready-to-eat nature of many LWAF, such as dried fruits and nuts, warrants effective post-harvest thermal treatment for the reduction of pathogens such as low-temperature, saturated steam, also known as vacuum-assisted steam pasteurization. The objective of this study was to determine reductions of Salmonella, STEC, L. monocytogenes, and a possible surrogate (Pediococcus acidilactici) on dried apricot halves, whole macadamia nuts, and raisins after treatment with vacuum-assisted steam at three temperatures (62 °C, 72 °C, or 82 °C) and multiple time intervals. Bacterial inactivation was variable between commodities, with higher temperatures and longer times necessary to achieve comparable reductions of pathogens on apricot halves and macadamia nuts compared to raisins. Reductions of the tested pathogens were comparable; therefore, one species was not more resistant than the others. Pathogens were reduced by 5-log CFU/g on apricot halves after 20 min at 72 °C and after 5 min at 82 °C. Longer treatment times were necessary to achieve reductions of each pathogen on macadamia nuts. Pathogens were reduced by nearly 5 log CFU/g on macadamia nuts after 38 min at 72 °C (4.6–6.5 log CFU/g) and after 12 min at 82 °C (4.9–5.7 log CFU/g). Reductions of pathogens on raisins were achieved at lower temperatures than necessary for the other foods. A 5-log reduction for each of the pathogens (CFU/g) on raisins occurred after 20 min at 62 °C and after 5 min at 72 °C. Overall, the reductions of the pathogens exceeded those of P. acidilactici on both the dried fruits and macadamia nuts. Statistically significant differences, indicating greater confidence as a conservative surrogate, were observed at lower treatment temperatures. Inactivation kinetics were modeled for each pathogen on each food type and temperature. Bacterial survival was best described by the Weibull model for raisins and macadamia nuts, while the Gompertz model best described reductions on apricot halves according to Akaike information criterion (AIC) and root-mean-square error (RMSE) evaluations. Water activity and moisture content were increased due to the treatments, which could be addressed through implementation of drying steps. Thermal inactivation kinetic models and 5-log reduction parameters can help food processors design and evaluate similar vacuum-assisted steam interventions to comply with FSMA regulations and preventive control plans. However, results or model predictions should not be extrapolated to assume the safety of other types of foods.
A New Paradigm of Developing Therapeutics to Infectious Diseases by Combining Insights from Nature and Engineering

Broad host-spectrum antibiotics not only kill pathogens, but also beneficial commensal bacteria of the host microbiome that play crucial roles for health. In Nature, bacteria kill other bacteria much more selectively than antibiotics do. Because there is metabolic cost involved in producing molecules to inhibit others, evolution endowed bacteria with bacteriocins to kill those who are similar enough to compete for the same niche, while leaving more distantly related bacteria, intact. The presence of such narrow host-spectrum antibacterial molecules suggests that by engineering and reprogramming what is found in nature, it may be possible to develop highly effective yet selective therapeutics to infectious diseases, either as purified drugs, or as live bacterial therapeutics. Here, I propose a new paradigm of developing highly selective therapeutics by combining insights from Nature and engineering and applied this against foodborne pathogens, one of the most common causes of bacterial infections for humans.
MRI in interstitial lung disease (M-ILD): a momentum to innovate lung diagnostic

The prevalence of interstitial lung disease (ILD) is high and progressively increasing.1 Mortality and morbidity vary according to ILD subtype, but overall median survival is poor, ranging from 5 to 14 years.2 Irrespective of classification and cause of lung fibrosis, several patients present with progressive-fibrosing ILD (PF-ILD), characterised by a rapid decline in lung function.3 A recent landmark study demonstrated a reduction in PF-ILD disease progression using costly antifibrotic drugs.4 However, half of patients with ILD do not benefit from these expensive antifibrotic drugs but could be better treated with anti-inflammatory or combined treatment. Hence, there is an unmet need for a monitoring tool to phenotype patients with ILD by assessing the amount of pulmonary fibrosis and inflammation to guide treatment choices and monitor response.3 Current monitoring, namely, high-resolution CT (HRCT) and pulmonary function …
Demographic and Transition Service Predictors of Employment Outcomes for Youth Receiving Supplemental Security Income

Racially and ethnically diverse youth with disabilities receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits were randomly assigned to usual services, including available school and vocational reh...
From old school to open science: The implications of new research norms for educational psychology and beyond.

Recently, scholars have noted how several “old-school” practices—a host of long-standing scientific norms—in combination, sometimes compromise the credibility of research. In response, other schola...
UNIT 3.22 Isolation of Murine Natural Killer Cells

This unit describes the isolation of natural killer (NK) cells from mouse spleen. The basic protocol describes a method for preparing a highly purified NK cell population from mouse spleen by depletion of contaminating cells with selected monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and magnetic separation. There are several advantages to this negative selection process. One of these is that the NK cells are not coated with antibody and, therefore, are not at risk of functional perturbation by antibody cross-linking. Additionally, negative selection provides a way to isolate diverse subpopulations of NK cells without selectively purifying a specific subpopulation. Following enrichment, NK cell purity can be assessed by cell surface phenotype using flow cytometry. Curr. Protoc. Immunol.. 105:3.22.1-3.22.9. © 2014 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Keywords: immunology; innate immunity; cell isolation; magnetic separation
Reducing retraction forces with tactile feedback during robotic total mesorectal excision in a porcine model

Excessive tissue–instrument interaction forces during robotic surgery have the potential for causing iatrogenic tissue damages. The current in vivo study seeks to assess whether tactile feedback could reduce intraoperative tissue–instrument interaction forces during robotic-assisted total mesorectal excision. Five subjects, including three experts and two novices, used the da Vinci robot to perform total mesorectum excision in four pigs. The grip force in the left arm, used for retraction, and the pushing force in the right arm, used for blunt pelvic dissection around the rectum, were recorded. Tissue–instrument interaction forces were compared between trials done with and without tactile feedback. The mean force exerted on the tissue was consistently higher in the retracting arm than the dissecting arm (3.72 ± 1.19 vs 0.32 ± 0.36 N, p < 0.01). Tactile feedback brought about significant reductions in average retraction forces (3.69 ± 1.08 N vs 4.16 ± 1.12 N, p = 0.02), but dissection forces appeared unaffected (0.43 ± 0.42 vs 0.37 ± 0.28 N, p = 0.71). No significant differences were found between retraction and dissection forces exerted by novice and expert robotic surgeons. This in vivo animal study demonstrated the efficacy of tactile feedback in reducing retraction forces during total mesorectal excision. Further research is required to quantify the clinical impact of such force reduction.
Steel sliding-controlled coupled beam modules: Development and seismic behavior for a moment resisting frame

Abstract This paper presents a steel sliding-controlled coupled beam (SC-CB) module that employs relative sliding mechanism combined with contributions of built-in-unit post-tensioning (PT) steel and supplemental energy-dissipating devices. Member internal bending moment, axial and shear forces, total PT force, and SC-CB-to-column connection moment of an SC-CB module were developed and compared with nonlinear analysis results. A prototype building was designed, and static pushover and dynamic time history analyses were performed to study the limit states and seismic response under design basis earthquakes and maximum considered earthquakes. Analysis results showed that developed equations are adequate for calculating module response as subjected to lateral loads. Time history analysis statistic results indicated SC-CB modules offer steel moment frame building systems with the potential of: (1) superior damage-free moment resistance and eliminating residual drifts; (2) resolving deformation incompatibility concerns with secondary structures of self-centering steel moment frames due to large story drifts and beam–column-connection rocking mechanism; (3) cost-effectively advanced damage-inhibition seismic response.
The U.S. Supreme Court, the Constitutional Background of Jury Selection, and Racial Representation

The “liberation” of slaves by President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation in the course of the Civil War laid a new foundation for the legal rights of blacks that then had to be vindicated by political, military, and legal steps. As Union troops advanced into the South, the Proclamation brought freedom to slaves in all conquered regions not specifically exempted from it (Trefousse, 1987). When the dust of war settled and southern blacks were once more being controlled by reestablished, majority-dominant legislatures and the narrow economic structures of share-cropping and company towns, the courts became the only avenue for securing the most nominal human or civil rights case-by-case.
Proteolytic regulation of β-catenin by calpain and potential role in cancer

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 45, 2004 1442 Mutations in the regulatory domain of β-catenin have been implicated in cancer. These mutations cause stabilization of β-catenin and increased TCF-dependent transcriptional activity. The cysteine protease calpain has been implicated in human tumorigenesis and is a potential target for therapy. We found that β-catenin is proteolytically cleaved by calpain, resulting in the removal of the N-terminal regulatory domain. Treatment of MCF-7 cells with ionomycin activated calpain and resulted in the generation of a 75-kDa β-catenin fragment. Calpain activation was confirmed by Western analysis of spectrin, a known substrate of calpain. Pre-treatment of cells with calpain inhibitors blocked β-catenin cleavage, implicating calpain in this process. The β-catenin75 fragment was also generated by calpain in vitro . β-catenin cleavage resulted in an increase in TCF-dependent transcriptional activity, and this activity was blocked by pre-treatment of cells with calpain inhibitors. β-catenin75 accumulated in the nucleus, supporting a role for β-catenin75 in enhanced TCF-dependent transcriptional activity. Expression analysis of m-calpain cDNA levels in a prostate cancer microarray demonstrated increased m-calpain levels in 49 localized and 19 metastatic prostate cancer samples compared to 26 normal prostate samples. These data demonstrate that calpain can proteolytically cleave β-catenin resulting in a stable and transcriptionally active 75-kDa fragment. Given the low frequency of β-catenin mutation in some cancers, β-catenin cleavage by calpain might represent a novel mechanism by which β-catenin is activated during tumorigenesis.
Cyberspace: The Final Frontier?

The science fiction series of the '70's, Star Trek, began all its telecastings with the announcement "Space: The Final Frontier." Star Trek chronicled the voyage of a crew navigating their way through space. For the travelers, space seemed like the last unknown entity that needed to be investigated. As they journeyed, they learned of the boundless nature of space. Each episode portrayed a group of folks encountering new situations, attempting to solve another problem, or strategizing how to overcome an obstacle.
Lipiodol in roentgenographic interpretation; report of a case.

Abstract 1. 1. Lipiodol, 40 per cent iodine, is a nonirritating contrast medium valuable in roentgenographic interpretation. 2. 2. A case is presented in which an infected radicular cyst had forced the floor of the maxillary sinus upward. In this case the contents of the cystic cavity were of such consistency that the oil did not penetrate to the full extent of the cyst. 3. 3. In order that the roentgenograms may have the highest interpretative value, meticulous care must be exercised in the injection of Lipiodol, so that as much of the oil is introduced as can possibly be held within the cavity.
Understanding government contexts in geocollaborative crisis management

This panel presentation serves as a forum for sharing perspectives, methodologies, experiences, and lessons on how geocollaborative crisis management (GCCM) is facilitated and supported by advanced information technologies in a variety of government contexts. The goal is to generate intellectual synergy towards understanding the scientific and practical issues for effective facilitation of GCCM.
The ethics of deception in cyberspace

This paper appeared in the Handbook of Research on Technoethics, ed. R. Luppicini, Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference, 2008.
What Tension Between Fidelity and Cultural Adaptation? A Reaction to Marsiglia and Booth:

This paper is a reaction to Marsiglia and Booths’ paper, Cultural Adaptation of Interventions in Real Practice Settings. In their paper, Marsiglia and Booth present the difficulty of implementing and replicating evidence-supported treatments, such as randomized clinical trials, among culturally diverse clients. Practitioners working in communities of diversity may spontaneously, rather than systematically, adapt interventions. Sampson and Torres concur that systematic cultural adaptation is a solution for effective interventions with minorities. Conversely, the authors challenge some key points of Marsiglia and Booth’s paper by outlining ways that systematic adaptation is often unrealistic for practitioners and may result in overlooking important other forms of evidence such as community-defined evidence, program evaluation, intervention research studies, and community expert opinion. Sampson and Torres support the argument that interventions should be culturally adapted and offer strategies for when to a...
United Nations general assembly resolution: International decade for action, water for life, 2005-2015 : A water forum contribution

Abstract Of the voluminous resolutions issued by United Nations General Assembly, the Millennium Declaration, adopted in 2000, is one of the most significant. It specifies eight development goals and sets the year 2015 as the target date for achieving such goals. Although water is not explicitly mentioned as one of those eight principal goals, it is specified as a subset under one of those goals. Three years later, the United Nations General Assembly paid special attention to water by issuing a separate resolution declaring the period 2005 to 2015 as the “International Decade for Action, Water for Life.” This article reviews and discusses the Resolution and analyzes its added value.
BLAZING A NEW TRAIL FOR SCIENCE-AND-RELIGION

. Science-and-religion must be cognizant of the future on several fronts. A challenge that remains central to our endeavor is the issue of diversity—not topical diversity, but participant diversity. As a way of initially addressing this problematic, I suggest a threefold tactic. First, there needs to be a refocus of primary attention toward the realm of public/ethical issues. Second, with this shift comes the need to avoid extreme positions by finding a middle ground. Third, a highly promising path worth pursuing toward this end is paved by the once-again burgeoning theory of emergence.
Early physical health conditions and school readiness skills in a prospective birth cohort of U.S. children.

Abstract Rationale Extant research identifies associations between early physical health disparities and impaired functioning in adulthood, but limited research examines the emergence of these associations in the early years of children's lives. Objective This study draws on data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort (ECLS-B; N = 5900) to assess whether a host of early health indicators measured from birth to age five are associated with children's cognitive and behavioral skills at age five. Results After adjusting for child and family characteristics, results revealed that children's neonatal risks (prematurity or low birth weight) and reports of poor health and hospitalizations were associated with lower cognitive skills, and neonatal risks and poor health predicted lower behavioral functioning at age five. Some of the association between neonatal risks and school readiness skills were indirect, functioning through children's poor health and hospitalization. Analyses further found that associations between early physical health and children's school readiness skills were consistent across subgroups defined by family income and child race/ethnicity, suggesting generalizability of results. Conclusions Findings emphasize the need for more interdisciplinary research, practice, and policy related to optimizing child well-being across domains of physical health and development in the early years of life.
The Effects of Chronic Ethanol Self-Administration on Hippocampal 5-HT1A Receptors in Monkeys

Abstract Background Chronic alcohol consumption reduces brain serotonin and alters the synaptic mechanisms involved in memory formation. Hippocampal 5-HT 1A receptors modulate these mechanisms, but the neuroadaptive response of 5HT 1A receptors to chronic alcohol self-administration is not well understood. Methods Hippocampal tissue from monkeys that voluntarily self-administered ethanol for 12 months ( n = 9) and accompanying controls ( n = 8) were prepared for in vitro receptor autoradiography and laser capture microdissection. The 5-HT 1A receptor antagonist, [ 3 H]MPPF, and the agonist, [ 3 H]8-OH-DPAT, were used to measure total and G-protein coupled 5-HT 1A receptors respectively. The expression of the genes encoding the 5-HT 1A receptor and its trafficking protein Yif1B was measured in microdissected dentate gyrus (DG) granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons. Results An increase in G-protein coupled, but not total, receptors was observed in the posterior pyramidal cell layer of CA1 in ethanol drinkers compared to controls. Chronic ethanol self-administration was also associated with an up-regulation of total and G-protein coupled 5-HT 1A receptors in the posterior DG polymorphic layer. Changes in receptor binding were not associated with concomitant changes in 5-HT 1A receptor mRNA expression. Chronic ethanol self-administration was associated with a significant increase in Yif1B gene expression in posterior CA1 pyramidal neurons. Conclusions Chronic, ethanol self-administration up-regulates hippocampal 5-HT 1A receptor density in a region-specific manner that does not appear to be due to alterations at the level of transcription but instead may be due to increased receptor trafficking. Further exploration of the mechanisms mediating chronic ethanol-induced 5-HT 1A receptor up-regulation and how hippocampal neurotransmission is altered is warranted.
Monte-Carlo simulations of PAMAM dendrimer–DNA interactions

We use Monte Carlo simulations to determine the influence of poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimer size and charge on its interactions with double-stranded DNA conformation and interaction strength. To achieve a compromise between simulation speed and molecular detail, we combine the coarse-grained DNA model of de Pablo et al. which resolves each DNA base using three beads – and thereby retains the double-helix structure – with a dendrimer model with resolution similar to that of the DNA. The resulting predictions of the effects of dendrimer generation, dendrimer surface charge density, and salt concentration on dendrimer–DNA complexes are in agreement with both experiments and all-atom MD simulations. The model predicts that DNA wraps a fully charged G5 or G6 dendrimer at low salt concentration (10 mM) similarly to a histone octamer, and for the G5 dendrimer, DNA super helices with both handednesses occur. At salt concentrations above 50 mM, or when a high fraction of dendrimer surface charges are neutralized by acetylation, DNA adheres but does not compactly wrap the dendrimer, in agreement with experimental findings. We are also able to simulate pairs of dendrimers binding to the same DNA strand. Thus, our mesoscale simulation not only elucidates dendrimer–DNA interactions, but also provides a methodology for efficiently simulating chromatin formation and other cationic macroion–DNA complexes.
Intersection-free tetrahedral meshing from volumetric images

High-fidelity meshes are essential in many visualisation and simulation applications. In this study, we develop an automatic approach to generate intersection-free meshes from volumetric images. Due to the properties of octree-based dual contouring, the generated elements may intersect with each other. We need a robust method to generate quality intersection-free tetrahedral meshes with no topology ambiguity. In our algorithm, we first analyse each sign-change edge or interior edge to define an envelope, and then check whether self-intersections will appear. In the end, we choose appropriate meshing technique to create intersection-free meshes. Our main contribution lies in intersection-free tetrahedral meshing for single-material and multiple-material domains, with topology ambiguities resolved by handling hybrid grids. We have applied our method to two biomedical and one microstructure data-sets and obtained good results based on our quality metrics.
Newsmaking criminology: Reflections of the media, intellectuals, and crime

Although academicians in criminology and criminal justice have come to appreciate the importance of the media in constructing ideological images of crime and punishment, apparently they have not considered how to use mass communications for the purposes of informing, interpreting, and altering those images to reflect more realistically the social, political, and economic conditions of crime and social control. Beginning with an analysis of the relationships among the developing political economy of the mass media, intellectuals, and conceptions of crime and justice, this essay introduces a criminological practice that can take advantage of the available opportunities in the production of crime news. I call this practice “newsmaking criminology.” It refers to the conscious efforts of criminologists and others to participate in the presentation of “newsworthy” items about crime and justice.
Effects of low environmental pH on blood pH and sodium balance of brook trout

Brook trout (Salvelinus fontinales) exposed to a low environmental pH (3.0-3.3) showed a drop in mean blood pH from 7.39 to 6.97. Trout at an environmental pH of 3.5 lost 50% of their total body sodium. Control sodium influx (72.5 micromols/100 g hours) decreased to zero between pH 3.0 and 4.9 as Na efflux increased markedly over control levels. There was no significant difference in body Na content of wild trout from three streams ranging in pH from 6.05 to 7.10. Trout survived 13.1 to 14.7 hours in a 150 mm Na solution of pH 3.5 as compared to 2.5 to 4.9 hours at 100 micrometer Na and the same pH. The inability of brook trout to live in waters of pH less than about five, seems to be related to a drop in blood pH caused by the high hydrogen ion concentration of the medium. The loss of body Na appears to be of secondary importance as a cause of death.
Particle-in-cell simulation of a radioactive probe in wind

A two-dimensional particle simulation model was developed to investigate wind effects on charge density measurements under HVDC lines, using a radioactive probe. The particle simulation technique was successful in macroscopically describing the motion of charged particles under the influence of wind, electric field, and diffusion. The simulation results were in good agreement with wind tunnel experiments. The simulation revealed that at higher wind speeds, the charged particles in the ionization region were convected away faster than at lower wind speeds. This reduced the recombination rate at the probe and thereby resulted in a more negative floating potential. At constant wind speed, the floating potential was less negative when the probe emitting surface was in the wake because wind velocity in the wake was much smaller (assumed zero in the simulation.). >
Jefferson's and Madison's legacy: The death of the national news council

The history of the National News Council's creation and demise demonstrates that there are well‐grounded rationales in social vision between those who supported the concept of the NNC and those who believe its etablishment was ill‐founded. This article suggests that the root of the NNC controversy lies in the differences between Madison and Jefferson's perspectives on the place of information in society. Madison and Jefferson's view on press freedom and responsibility may be as important to the debate about the NNC's status as the more frequently cited pragmatic considerations such as the Council's infrastructure or management. The philosophic issues raised here are ethical at base, and should be considered by critics contemplating vehicles for media accountability.
Action potential prolongation: an effect of physostigmine (eserine) upon Retzius cells in the leech C.N.S.

Abstract 1. Physostigmine (PHY; eserine) prolongs the action potentials in the Retzius cells within leech ganglia to about 800 ms. The effect was reversible and occurred at concentrations of 1–10 mM which are several orders of magnitude greater than those required to inhibit cholinesterase. 2. The prolonged action potentials showed an early, spike-like depolarization followed by a plateau. The initial depolarization exhibited a strong dependence on external Na + while the amplitude of the plateau had somewhat less Na + dependence: 52 and 24 mV/decade, respectively. 3. The duration of the plateau was increased by elevating Na + and decreased by elevating Ca 2+ . Increasing the action potential frequency, by intracellular stimulation, decreased both the duration and amplitude of the plateau. 4. Neostigmine, di-isopropylphosphofluoridate, and acetylcholine did not prolong RZ action potentials. Thus, the membrane effects of physostigmine appear to be independent of any inhibition of cholinesterase or accumulation of acetylcholine.
Measurement of thermal conductivity in proton irradiated silicon

Abstract We investigate the influence of proton irradiation on thermal conductivity in single crystal silicon. We apply a laser based modulated thermoreflectance technique to measure the change in conductivity of the thin layer damaged by proton irradiation. Unlike time domain thermoreflectance techniques that require application of a metal film, we perform our spatial domain measurement on uncoated samples. This provides greater sensitivity to the change in conductivity of the thin damaged layer. Using sample temperature as a parameter provides a means to deduce the primary defect structures that limit thermal transport. We find that under high temperature irradiation the degradation of thermal conductivity is caused primarily by extended defects.
Nut consumption and risk of coronary heart disease: a review of epidemiologic evidence.

Traditionally nuts have been perceived as an unhealthy food because of their high fat content. However, recent accumulative evidence suggests that frequent consumption of nuts may be protective against coronary heart disease (CHD). So far, five large prospective cohort studies (the Adventist Health Study, the Iowa Women Health Study, the Nurses’ Health Study, the Physicians’ Health Study, and the CARE Study) have examined the relation between nut consumption and the risk of CHD and all have found an inverse association. In addition, several clinical studies have observed beneficial effects of diets high in nuts (including walnuts, peanuts, almonds, and other nuts) on blood lipids. The beneficial effects of nut consumption observed in clinical and epidemiologic studies underscore the importance of distinguishing different types of fat. Most fats in nuts are mono- and polyunsaturated fats that lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level. Based on the data from the Nurses’ Health Study, we estimated that substitution of the fat from 1 ounce of nuts for equivalent energy from carbohydrate in an average diet was associated with a 30% reduction in CHD risk and the substitution of nut fat for saturated fat was associated with 45% reduction in risk. Given the strong scientific evidence for the beneficial effects of nuts, it seems justifiable to move nuts to a more prominent place in the United States Department of Agriculture Food Guide Pyramid. Regular nut consumption can be recommended in the context of a healthy and balanced diet.
Drug cost implications for antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures

Objective To determine the potential economic impact from the practice of antibiotic prophylaxis for dental procedures. Study Design We estimated the prevalence of patients in the United States with 15 medical conditions and devices. We multiplied the prevalence for each patient population by the percentage of specialists recommending prophylaxis, then by the estimated number of dental office visits per year, and then by an average pharmacy cost to arrive at a total estimated range of annual cost for this practice. Results The 15 medical conditions and devices included in the present study involve upward of 20 million people and an estimated annual cost between $19,880,279 and $143,685,823. The actual cost may be far greater because of an underestimation of these prevalence figures and the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for additional patient populations. Conclusions Our data suggest a significant cost for antibiotic prophylaxis in the dental practice setting and the need for evidence-based recommendations concerning this practice.
Deconstructing homegardens: food security and sovereignty in northern Nicaragua

Development scholars and practitioners are promoting food security, food sovereignty, and the localization of food systems to prepare for the projected negative impacts of climate change. The implementation of biodiverse homegardens is often seen as a way not only to localize food production but also as a strategy in alignment with a food sovereignty agenda. While much scholarship has characterized and critiqued food security and sovereignty conceptualizations, relatively little research has examined people’s lived experiences in order to test how such theoretical visions play out on the ground in farming communities. Based on a case study of four coffee cooperatives in northern Nicaragua, we examine a non-governmental organization (NGO)-supported project promoting food security and sovereignty through development of homegardens. We ask: To what extent are homegardens an effective strategy to reach food sovereignty? And, why may farmers be resistant to changing their food production and consumption strategies to embrace biodiverse homegardens when they improve food security? We discuss characteristics of agroecological homegardens, the distinctions between food security, food sovereignty and dominant discourses of development, the history of food sovereignty in Nicaragua, and farmer perspectives on homegarden implementation. Despite historic critiques, NGOs are poised to facilitate the transformation of food and agricultural development by employing counter development strategies, a necessary step if homegardens are to be successful in the long term. To conclude, we propose some strategies NGOs and communities might pursue to move forward with homegardens as a food sovereignty strategy. This research suggests that a food sovereignty approach still rooted in mainstream development models faces significant obstacles to moving beyond food security and into a farmer-led food sovereignty agenda.
First Use of Intravenous Chemotherapy Cancer Treatment: Rectifying the Record

w t T m t s d i w w A number of previous accounts describe the first use of ntravenous chemotherapy in 1942 to treat cancer, based in art on recollections and interviews of physicians at Yale. Absent was a review of the long lost medical record of JD, the 47-year-old cancer patient who was chemotherapy’s first recipient. That record has now been discovered, and here we present the facts of the patient’s management, the physicians and researchers who were involved, and the events that led to the use of nitrogen mustard for cancer treatment. Scattered throughout this report will be clarifications and revisions of previously recorded errant information. In addition, novel data are presented, including the patient’s social and personal history and how the decision to use chemotherapy emerged. In one patient with advanced malignant disease treated by a team of pharmacologic researchers and a surgeon, proof of concept of chemotherapeutic efficacy was demonstrated as well as chemoresistance and chemotoxicity. The two world wars of the last century had a significant impact on research at Yale, and ultimately, on the use of an intravenous chemotherapeutic agent. The use of chemical warfare during World War I was a devastating tactic, leaving those afflicted by mustard gas with serious and often fatal outcomes. With the onset of World War II, the War Department considered it probable that Germany would reintroduce poisonous agents, and a secret program was initiated to find an antidote and develop retaliatory countermeasures. The War Department prohibited the use of any terms that might be confused with “mustard gas” in the interest of maintaining secrecy. Shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States Office of Scientific Research and Development sought academic medical institutions to investigate chemical agents for allied counter use. Dr Milton C Winternitz, Dean, Yale School of Medicine, signed a contract with the Office of Scientific Research and Development to explore antidotes to potential chemical warfare agents. This study
Nanoscale mechanical properties of concrete containing blast furnace slag and fly ash before and after thermal damage

Abstract Portland cement blended with waste products such as blast furnace slag and fly ash are frequently used to create more sustainable concrete, but their nanoscale mechanical behavior, particularly after thermal damage, has not been well-studied. Here, nanoindentation experiments confirm that concrete produced with blended cements contains hydration products with nearly identical nanoscale mechanical properties to the hydration products found in concretes produced with ordinary Portland cement. The volume fractions of the hydration products, particularly calcium-silicate-hydrate (C-S-H) phases, are formed in different proportions with the addition of fly ash and blast furnace slag. After exposure to fire damage, the nanoscale behavior of concretes produced with fly ash and slag also matches the nanoscale behavior of conventional concretes. This suggests that any macroscopic differences between fire damage behavior of blended cement concrete and ordinary Portland cement concrete must have origins in a larger length scale.
Effect of substituents on the distribution coefficients of alkyl-substituted β-diketones and their copper and iron chelates

Abstract A series of alkyl-substituted β-diketones consisting of acetylacetone, dipro-pionylmethane, diisobutyrylmethane, dipivaloylmethane, di- n -butyrylmethane, di- n - valerylmethane, di- n -caproylmethane and diisovalerylmethane has been studied, in order to establish the effect of substituents on the extraction constants and the acid dissociation constants. The logarithm of the distribution coefficients of the β-diketones and of their copper(II) and iron(III) chelates was a linear function of the number of carbon atoms in the molecule. It was found that the distribution coefficient increased by a factor of 4 for each additional carbon atom.