cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blepharoptosis Repair by Modified Fasanella-Servat Operation

A simple operation for mild ptosis was re­ ported by Fasanella and Servat in 1961.* I have performed over 50 of these procedures and have supervised an undetermined num­ ber of them which I would estimate to be about 30. From this experience, certain indi­ cations and contraindications for the use of the operation have been established, and it has been very slightly modified. I am con­ vinced that it is the simplest, most certain, and best procedure presently available for certain types and degrees of ptosis, and that it will be ineffective in other types of ptosis. In discussing ptosis with many people in many areas, I have found that few ophthal-
Are Biologic Treatments a Potential Approach to Wear- and Corrosion-related Problems?

Where Are We Now? Biological treatments, defined as any nonsurgical intervention whose primary mechanism of action is reducing the host response to wear and/or corrosion products, have long been postulated as solutions for osteolysis and aseptic loosening of total joint arthroplasties. Despite extensive research on drugs that target the inflammatory, osteoclastic, and osteogenic responses to wear debris, no biological treatment has emerged as an approved therapy. We review the extensive preclinical research and modest clinical research to date, which has led to the central conclusion that the osteoclast is the primary target. We also allude to the significant changes in health care, unabated safety concerns about chronic immunosuppressive/antiinflammatory therapies, industry’s complete lack of interest in developing an intervention for this condition, and the practical issues that have narrowly focused the possibilities for a biologic treatment for wear debris-induced osteolysis.
Interaction of epoxy resins with water: the depression of glass transition temperature

Abstract The depression of T g in a number of epoxy-water systems has been investigated calorimetrically. Except where an unbalanced reaction stoichiometry was used, experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical predictions based on equations developed for the composition dependent T g in polymer diluent-systems. Thermal analysis also demonstrates a complex thermal behaviour on rescanning of samples, attributed to diluent diffusing out of the sample. The importance of this behaviour in the context of solvent-induced physical ageing of epoxy resin composites is discussed.
Postprandial alterations in cardiovascular hemodynamics in autonomic dysfunctional states

Abstract The effect of food ingestion on supine blood pressure was assessed during 25 studies in 10 subjects with autonomic dysfunction. Profound decreases in both systolic and diastolic pressure occurred. The mean (± standard error of the mean) maximal reduction in systolic blood pressure for the entire group was 49 ± 6 mm Hg (range 22 to 98). The response also occurred in a hypertensive subject after surgical sympathectomy and during alpha adrenergic blockade and hence appears to be a general phenomenon when sympathetic vasoconstrictor function is impaired. The depressor effect of food ingestion was enhanced by propranolol, attenuated by indomethacin and unaffected by diphenhydramine and cimetidine. The phenomenon is thus not explained by histamine release, and can only partly be accounted for by release of arachidonic acid metabolites. Evidence that insulin may play a role in the phenomenon is discussed. Manipulation of diet may prove to be an important adjunct in the management of patients with autonomic dysfunction.
Using a Healing Touch Intervention in Older Adults With Persistent Pain A Feasibility Study

The purposes of this pilot study were to determine the feasibility of using a Healing Touch (HT) intervention with noncommunity-dwelling older adults experiencing persistent pain and to determine an HT protocol. Data were collected at multiple time points from 20 noncommunity-dwelling older adults experiencing pain. Residents were assigned to the HT group that included techniques specific for pain or a Presence Care group. Outcome variables included measures for pain, activities of daily living, and quality of life. The pain measures showed decreases that were not statistically significant for both groups. The measure for activities of daily living showed a non–statistically significant improvement over time for the HT group. Quality of life decreased for the HT group and improved for the Presence Care group although not significantly. The practitioners were able to complete all seven of the 30- minute HT sessions. The findings indicated that both groups showed some improvement in their pain scores with o...
The Wrong Place at the Wrong Time: Geographic Disparities in Young People's HIV Risk

Adolescence is a period of multiple transitions; unfortunately, physical maturation often occurs before cognitive maturity, leading to sexual exploration and risk-taking behavior. However, what once could lead to a shot of penicillin or an unwanted pregnancy, could now result in a chronic disease. In this issue of Journal of Adolescent Health, Pettifor et al compare the reported sexual risk behavior of two large population-based surveys of youth aged 18–24 years in the United States and in South Africa, with cross-sectional HIV prevalences of <1% versus 10%, respectively (20.8% in South African females) [1]. Surprisingly, the South African youth reported later sexual debut, fewer sexual partners, and safer sex than their American counterparts. The only reported behavior that could account for the vast differences in HIV prevalence was the larger age gaps between South African females and their male partners.
Removable Biofiltration System for Use in Hatchery Troughs

Abstract Construction of a biofiltration system for hatchery troughs is described. Plates of corrugated plastic are used as the substrate for the biolfilter. The design of the system allows for easy removal when the trough is needed for use as a conventional flow-through system.
A quantitative study of aromatic amine permeation through protective gloves using amine adsorptive pads.

A quantitative study of aromatic amine permeation through a glove material using Permea-Tec aromatic amine pads, used for the detection of chemical breakthrough of protective clothing, was performed for aniline following the microwave extraction process and gas chromatographic analysis. Aniline exhibited >99% adsorption on the pads at a spiking level of 1.94 mg (1.9 µL). Aniline showed recoveries from 65 to 89% (RSD ≤5.6%) over the range 1.1–1.9 µL (1.12–1.94 mg) of aniline applied to pads. The modified ASTM F739 and direct permeability testing procedures were used to determine breakthrough times for five protective glove materials using aniline as a challenge chemical. Breakthrough times for six protective gloves were determined, ranging from 182 sec to 82 min. The quantitative concentration of aniline on the pads following permeation through the gloves also was determined, ranging from 0.53 to 0.55 mg/cm2 (1.79–1.88 mg/pad).
Extraction of Radioactive Estrogens and Metabolites from Small Amounts of Human or Animal Tissues Excised Following Intravenous Administration of 6,7-3H-17β-Estradiol

ABSTRACT 1. A method is described, based on successive solvent extractions, for the essentially quantitative separation of estrogens from small amounts of tissue. The procedure is simple and rapid, and successfully removes the large amount of triglycerides present in fatty tissues. 2. Good recovery (mean, 98%) of added estradiol in the estrogen fractions was experienced during recovery studies. When the method was applied to tissues from subjects injected pre-operatively with 6,7-3H-17β-estradiol, good recovery (mean, 94.5%) of total tissue tritium was obtained; while most (mean, 83.2%) of this recovered radioactivity was found in the estrogen fraction, a significant proportion (mean, 12.3%) was often present as water-soluble metabolites, possibly estrogen conjugates.
Strand ontogeny in Phymatotrichum omnivorum

Strand formation in Phymatotrichum omnivorum occurred from injured hyphal cells of sclerotia and strands. A wide (6–12 μm diam) hypha was initiated within 2–12 h of injury, followed by growth of narrower (4–6 μm diam) hyphae that wrapped around the larger hypha to form 2–4 tightly woven layers. Two to four additional layers of hyphae wrapped around the strand, resulting in a cylindrical structure in which hyphal diameters decreased towards the periphery. During strand formation, acicular hyphae with cruciform branching oriented perpendicular to the strand surface. As strands developed and matured, the innermost hyphae enlarged and underwent wall thickening. Strand formation was completed within 10–15 days. Hyphae originating from separate sclerotia underwent anastomosis and a single strand connecting adjacent sclerotia subsequently developed. Sclerotia placed in the rhizosphere of cotton germinated from broken strand fragments attached to the sclerotia rather than from the sclerotial bodies.
Electrophysiological evidence against negative neuronal feedback from the forebrain controlling midbrain raphe unit activity.

Abstract The hypothesis that the activity of serotonin (5-HT)-containing neurons of the midbrain raphe is subject to negative neuronal feedback regulation was examined. This hypothesis is based primarily on the observation that the administration of drugs which increase the synaptic availability of 5-HT depress midbrain raphe neuron discharge. Since the preponderance of midbrain raphe efferents are ascending, transections which interrupt both the main efferent outflow, as well as all inputs from anterior levels, ought to disrupt the functional integrity of a neuronal feedback loop. The effect of complete transections of the neuraxis placed just rostral to the midbrain raphe nuclei on the efficacy of two drugs which elevate synaptic serotonin, chlorimipramine and p -chloroamphetamine, was investigated in the chloral hydrate anesthetized cat. Such transections neither blocked nor attenuated the depressive effect of intravenously administered chlorimipramine (0.33 or 0.15 mg/kg) or p -chloroamphetamine (1.25 mg/kg) on midbrain raphe unit discharge. These results suggest that neuronal feedback involving the forebrain does not mediate the depressive effect of drugs which elevate synaptic serotonin on midbrain raphe neuronal activity. An action at serotonergic synapses intrinsic to the midbrain raphe is suggested as an explanation for the persistence of drug effects in transected animals.
Thermal Stability of Tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydridoboratorhenium(V)(oxo)- (1,2-dithiolate) and -(1,2-monothiodiolate) Complexes and DFT Studies of C−S Bond Cleavage

Rhenium(V) complexes are prepared by reductive cyclocondensation of alkane-1,2-dithiols or alkane-1-thio-1,2-diols with Tp‘ReO3 (Tp‘ = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)hydridoborate) and PPh3. One complex, Tp‘Re(O)(SCH2CH2S), was characterized by X-ray crystallography. Unlike the corresponding 1,2-diolato compounds, these sulfur analogues are thermally stable in hydrocarbon solvents for more than one week at 120 °C. To evaluate whether the barrier to cycloreversion was thermodynamic or kinetic in origin, DFT calculations were performed at the B3LYP/LACVP** level. Comparison of calculated reaction energies reveals that substitution of each sulfur raises the predicted ΔErxn for alkene cycloreversion by about 10 kcal/mol.
On the shape of stress corrosion cracks in sensitized Type 304 SS in Boiling Water Reactor primary coolant piping at 288 °C

Abstract Evolution of the shape of surface cracks in sensitized Type 304 SS in Boiling Water Reactor primary coolant circuit piping at the reactor operating temperature of 288 °C is explored as a function of various environmental variables, such as electrochemical potential (ECP), solution conductivity, flow velocity, and multiplier for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) standard exchange current density (SECD), using the coupled environment fracture model (CEFM). For this work, the CEFM was upgraded by incorporating Shoji’s model for calculating the crack tip strain rate and more advanced expressions were used for estimating the stress intensity factor for semi-elliptical surface cracks. This revised CEFM accurately predicts the dependence of the crack growth rate on stress intensity factor and offers an alternative explanation for the development of semi-elliptical cracks than that provided by fracture mechanics alone. The evolution of surface crack semi-elliptical shape depends strongly upon various environmental variables identified above, and the CEFM predicts that the minor axis of the ellipse should be oriented perpendicular to the surface, in agreement with observation. The development of the observed semi-elliptical cracks with the minor axis perpendicular to the surface is therefore attributed to the dependence of the crack growth rate on the electrochemical crack length.
Advanced technology and future earth-orbit transportation systems

The paper is concerned with the identification and evaluation of technology developments which offer potential for high return on investment when applied to advanced transportation systems. These procedures are applied in a study of winged single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) vehicles, which are considered feasible by the 1990s. Advanced technology is considered a key element in achieving improved economics, and near term investment in selected technology areas is recommended.
Rescue of dying neurons by (R)-deprenyl in the MPTP-mouse model of Parkinson's disease does not include restoration of neostriatal dopamine.

: Chronic (8- to 10-week) administration of the selective, potent, and irreversible monoamine oxidase B inhibitor (R)-deprenyl has been shown to increase the tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity in the substantia nigra of mice that had been treated three days earlier with a neurotoxic dose of the parkinsonian-inducing agent 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). This reported rescuing of lesioned nigrostriatal cell bodies by (R)-deprenyl prompted us to investigate if this (R)-deprenyl treatment also could restore neostriatal dopamine levels that are depleted by MPTP. The results of these experiments show that long term (8 or 10 weeks) treatment with (R)-deprenyl beginning three days post MPTP administration did not result in restoration of depleted neostriatal dopamine levels in C57BL/6 mice. We conclude that, although (R)-deprenyl may rescue MPTP-injured nigrostriatal neurons, it does not lead to functional recovery of these neurons as measured by the restoration of neostriatal dopamine levels.
Bounded-Diameter Minimum-Cost Graph Problems

We present approximation algorithms for two closely related bicriteria problems. Given a graph with two weight functions on the edges, length and cost, we consider the Bounded-Diameter Minimum-Cost Steiner Tree (BDMST) problem and the Bounded-Diameter Minimum-Cardinality Edge Addition (BDMC) problem. We present a parameterized approximation algorithm for the BDMST problem with a bicriteria approximation ratio of (O(p log s/log p),O(log s/log p)) where the first factor gives the relaxation on the diameter bound, the second factor is the cost-approximation factor, s is the number of required nodes and p, 1 ≤ p < s, is an input parameter. The parameter p allows a trade-off between the two approximation factors. This is the first improvement of the cost-approximation factor since the scheme proposed by Marathe et al. [9]. For example, p can be set to sα to obtain an (O(sα),O(1)) approximation for a constant α. The algorithm is very simple and is suitable for distributed implementations. We also present the first algorithm for Bounded-Hops Minimum-Cost Steiner Tree for complete graphs with triangle inequality. This model includes graphs defined by points in a Euclidean space of any dimension. The algorithm guarantees an approximation ratio of (O(logds),O(logds)) where d is the bound on the diameter. This is an improvement over the general-case approximation when d is comparable with s. For example, the ratio is (O(1),O(1)) for any d = sα where α is a constant between 0 and 1. For the case where the number of terminals is a constant and all edge lengths are unit, we have a polynomial-time algorithm. This can be extended to any length function providing a (1 + e) in the approximation with e showing up in the time complexity of the algorithm. For another special case, where the cost of any edge is either 1 or 0 and the length of each edge is positive, an algorithm with approximation ratio of (O(log(c log s)), O(log(c log s))) is presented, where c is the cost of the optimal solution. This approximation is a significant improvement over (O(log s),O(log s)) when the cost of the solution c is much smaller than the number of terminals s. This is useful when an existing multicast network is to be modified to accommodate new terminals with the addition of as few new edges as possible. We also propose an approximation algorithm for the Bounded-Diameter Minimum-Cardinality Edge Addition problem, which achieves an O(log n) approximation while relaxing the diameter bound by 2. While this ratio is the same as the one claimed in [3], this algorithm is simple and combinatorial rather than based on the Linear Program solution and can be readily modified for a distributed implementation.
Fish oil supplementation maintains adequate plasma arachidonate in cats, but similar amounts of vegetable oils lead to dietary arachidonate deficiency from nutrient dilution

Because fatty acid (FA) metabolism of cats is unique, effects of dietary fish and vegetable oil supplementation on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, lecithin/cholesterol acyl transferase activities, and plasma phospholipid and esterified cholesterol (EC) FAs were investigated. Cats were fed a commercial diet supplemented with 8 g oil/100 g diet for 4 weeks using either high-oleic-acid sunflower oil (diet H), Menhaden fish oil (diet M), or safflower oil (diet S). When supplemented, diet M contained sufficient arachidonate (AA), but diets H and S were deficient. We hypothesized that diet M would modify plasma lipid metabolism, increase FA long-chain n-3 (LCn-3) FA content but not deplete AA levels. Also, diet S would show linoleic acid (LA) accumulation without conversion to AA, and both vegetable oil supplements would dilute dietary AA content when fed to meet cats' energy needs. Plasma samples on weeks 0, 2, and 4 showed no alterations in total cholesterol or nonesterified FA concentrations. Unesterified cholesterol decreased and EC increased in all groups, whereas lecithin/cholesterol acyl transferase activities were unchanged. Diet M showed significant triacylglycerol lowering and decreased pre-β-lipoprotein cholesterol. Plasma phospholipid FA profiles revealed significant enrichment of 18:1n-9 with diet H, LA and 20:2n-6 with diet S, and FA LCn-3FA with diet M. Depletion of AA was observed with diets H and S but not with diet M. Diet M EC FA profiles revealed specificities for LA and 20:5n-3 but not 22:5n-3 or 22:6n-3. Oversupplementation of some commercial diets with vegetable oils causes AA depletion in young cats due to dietary dilution. Findings are consistent with the current recommendations for at least 0.2 g AA/kg diet and that fish oil supplements provide both preformed LCn-3 polyunsaturated FA and AA.
Relationships involving particle mass and sulfur content at sites in and around St. Louis, Missouri

Abstract A number of relationships can be obtained from the measurements made of fine-mode and coarse-mode particle mass and particle sulfur concentrations at ten sites in and around St. Louis in 1975 through 1977. Fine-mode and coarse-mode particle mass occur at about equal concentration levels, but with significant variations with quarter of the year and between urban and rural sites. These variations are associated with those of fine-mode sulfur which as ammonium sulfate is the single largest contributor to fine-mode mass. Ammonium sulfate can constitute up to seven-tenths of the fine-mode mass at non-urban sites during the 3rd quarter of the year. The gradient of the several components of the mass between urban and rural sites vary from just over 1:1 for fine-mode sulfur to over 2:1 for coarse-mode sulfur. The gradients for fine-mode and coarse-mode mass between urban and rural sites ranged near 1.5–1. The variations in fine-mode sulfur appear to be determined by regional rather than local urban influences. The other mass parameters considered show moderate urban influences. The fine-mode mass minus ammonium sulfate shows different variations with season of the year and site than does ammonium sulfate. The other components of both fine-mode and coarse-mode mass are considered and their contributions to the mass estimated.
The impact of risk information exposure on women's beliefs about direct-to-consumer genetic testing for BRCA mutations

Despite an increase in direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing, little is known about how variations in website content might alter consumer behavior. We evaluated the impact of risk information provision on women's attitudes about DTC BRCA testing. We conducted a randomized experiment; women viewed a 'mock' BRCA testing website without [control group (CG)] or with information on the potential risks of DTC testing [RG; framed two ways: unattributed risk (UR) information and risk information presented by experts (ER)]. Seven hundred and sixty-seven women participated; mean age was 37 years, mean education was 15 years, and 79% of subjects were white. Women in the RG had less positive beliefs about DTC testing (mean RG = 23.8, CG = 25.2; p = 0.001), lower intentions to get tested (RG = 2.8, CG = 3.1; p = 0.03), were more likely to prefer clinic-based testing (RG = 5.1, CG = 4.8; p = 0.03) and to report that they had seen enough risk information (RG = 5.3, CG = 4.7; p < 0.001). UR and ER exposure produced similar effects. Effects did not differ for women with or without a personal/family history of breast/ovarian cancer. Exposing women to the potential risks of DTC BRCA testing altered their beliefs, preferences, and intentions. Risk messages appear to be salient to women irrespective of their chance of having a BRCA mutation.
Atrazine Exposure Impacts Behavior and Survivorship of Neonatal Turtles

Abstract: Atrazine (2-chloro-4-ethythlamino-6-isopropylamine-1,3,5-tiazine) is a widely used preemergent herbicide for controlling broadleaf plants. Because atrazine (a known endocrine-disrupting chemical) is applied in the late spring and early summer, its incidental effects on species exposed to runoff from terrestrial sources in this time period are of special interest. To examine the possible secondary impact of atrazine, we obtained eggs from 10 nests of two map turtle species, Graptemys ouachitensis and G. pseudogeographica, that nest on riverine sandbars. We incubated two eggs from each nest in sand containing one of four initial concentrations of atrazine (control and 0.1, 10, and 100 µg/L) based on levels measured in the river at the site where eggs were collected. We recorded hatching success, incubation time, external morphological abnormalities, gonadal sex, three measures of body size, righting time, and swimming time for all turtles. We reared a subset of the original neonates individually ...
Happiness unpacked: positive emotions increase life satisfaction by building resilience.

Happiness—a composite of life satisfaction, coping resources, and positive emotions—predicts desirable life outcomes in many domains. The broaden-and-build theory suggests that this is because positive emotions help people build lasting resources. To test this hypothesis, the authors measured emotions daily for 1 month in a sample of students (N 86) and assessed life satisfaction and trait resilience at the beginning and end of the month. Positive emotions predicted increases in both resilience and life satisfaction. Negative emotions had weak or null effects and did not interfere with the benefits of positive emotions. Positive emotions also mediated the relation between baseline and final resilience, but life satisfaction did not. This suggests that it is in-the-moment positive emotions, and not more general positive evaluations of one’s life, that form the link between happiness and desirable life outcomes. Change in resilience mediated the relation between positive emotions and increased life satisfaction, suggesting that happy people become more satisfied not simply because they feel better but because they develop resources for living well.
Deficient expression of a B cell cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase in human X-linked agammaglobulinemia

We describe a novel cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, termed BPK (B cell progenitor kinase), which is expressed in all stages of the B lineage and in myeloid cells. BPK has classic SH1, SH2, and SH3 domains, but lacks myristylation signals and a regulatory phosphorylation site corresponding to tyrosine 527 of c-src. BPK has a long, basic amino-terminal region upstream of the SH3 domain. BPK was evaluated as a candidate for human X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by a severe deficit of B and plasma cells and profound hypogammaglobulinemia. BPK mapped to within 100 kb of a probe defining the polymorphism most closely linked to XLA at DXS178. Reduction in or the absence of BPK mRNA, protein expression, and kinase activity was observed in XLA pre-B and B cell lines. BPK is likely the XLA gene and functions in pathways critical to B cell expansion.
Musculature of the primitive gastrotrich Neodasys (Chaetonotida): functional adaptations to the interstitial environment and phylogenetic significance

Gastrotrichs are acoelomate micrometazoans common to marine interstitial environments of sublittoral sediments and exposed sandy beaches. The genus Neodasys (Chaetonotida) contains three marine species known from oceans and seas worldwide, and figures prominently in discussions of gastrotrich origins. To gain insight into the phylogenetic position of Neodasys and to understand the adaptive significance of muscle anatomy in marine interstitial gastrotrichs, a fluorescent phalloidin-linked marker was used to view the organization of muscles in two species from North America and Australia. Muscular topography of Neodasys cirritus from Florida, USA, and Neodasys cf. uchidai from Queensland, Australia, was found to be similar between species and to basal species of Macrodasyida; muscles were present in circular, longitudinal and helicoidal patterns. Musculature of the midgut region was partially reduced relative to basal macrodasyidan gastrotrichs, but well developed relative to most other chaetonotidan gastrotrichs. In general, muscle patterns in species of Neodasys closely correspond with those of other gastrotrichs of similar size and body type, and may therefore reflect a common adaptive solution to the physical demands of the interstitial environment. Results also suggest that reductions in midgut musculature may be functionally related to oviposition and, as such, are probably not homologous with similar reductions of circular muscles in other species of Chaetonotida.
Anthropology and Education: What's the “and” Mean?

A number of terms have been used to describe the area of interest around which this journal revolves. The terms anthropology and education, the anthropology of education, and educational anthropology are used more or less interchangeably. They imply by their order and structure a primary focus on anthropology and hence a particular set of concerns and research questions. Two other terms, education and anthropology and educational perspective on anthropology, are not often used. These terms imply an emphasis on education and hence a different set of concerns and research questions. It is not surprising that these two terms are less often used; an educational perspective is not well understood and, often, is not valued. We would like to argue that it ought to be.
Robotic-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native ureteroureterostomy in a pediatric patient.

Abstract Objective Management of late-occurring or long (>3 cm) post-transplant ureteral strictures usually requires open surgery, which includes ureteroureterostomy (UU) as an option. Recently, robotic-assisted laparoscopic UU for ectopic ureters in a duplicated system has been described. We report a case of a robotic-assisted laparoscopic transplant-to-native side-to-side UU in a 14-year-old girl with a stricture of nearly two-thirds of her transplant ureter 5 years after a cadaveric renal transplant. Results Robotic-assisted laparoscopic native-to-transplant UU was performed with resultant durable improvement in the patient's hydronephrosis and kidney function. Conclusion Based on our case and review of the literature, robotic-assisted laparoscopic UU should be part of the armamentarium for long or late-occurring transplant ureteral strictures.
A CII-responsive promoter within the Q gene of bacteriophage lambda.

Abstract A site within the phage λ Q gene shares homology with the CII-activated promoters,pE and pI, and is oriented in the direction opposite to that of Q gene transcription. A DNA fragment containing this site can serve as a template for CII-activated transcription in vitro. To ask if this presumptive CII control site functions as a CII-activated promoter in vivo, a restriction fragment containing this promoter has been cloned on a plasmid so that synthesis of β-galactosidase will be under its control. When CII protein is supplied in trans from a compatible plasmid, this promoter, designated paQ is activated to produce β-galactosidase. A promoter positioned within the Q gene which can be activated by CII protein to initiate transcription in an anti-sense direction should result in an interference with Q gene expression, enhancing CII regulation of late functions, and adding to the list of known CII controls on the lysogenic response.
Reconciling Consumer Confidence and Permanent Income Consumption

The forecasting power of consumer confidence indexes for consumption spending runs counter to the predictions of the permanent income hypothesis (PIH). This paper resolves this discrepancy by developing a “confidence augmented” permanent income hypothesis (CAPIH). While it does not radically alter the estimated extent of permanent income consumption, the CAPIH model predicts a significantly smaller intertemporal elasticity of substitution than a standard PIH model. In addition, the results are largely invariant to the measure of consumer confidence used and the choice of instrumental variables.
Comparing Shear-Wave Velocity Profiles From Inversion of Surface-Wave Phase Velocities with Downhole Measurements: Systematic Differences Between the CXW Method and Downhole Measurements at Six USC Strong-Motion Sites

INTRODUCTION Shear-wave velocity profiles are used in a variety of engineering and seismological applications, and several methods are available to determine the velocities, including borehole and surface-wave methods (Woods and Stokoe, 1985; Stokoe et al. , 1988; Stokoe etal. , 1994; Poran et al. , 1994; Poran et al. , 1996). Surface-wave methods offer the advantage of being non-invasive and less costly than boreholes, but their reliability needs to be established by comparison with more direct methods. The best way to do this is a “blind” test in which the velocities determined independently from surface-wave and borehole measurements at the same site are compared. By “blind” we mean that the determination of the shear-wave velocity profile by the two methods were done independently of one another. It is surprisingly difficult to find situations in which the velocity determinations are truly independent of one another. We report on one such case in this paper. In...
Functional analysis and comparative genomics of expressed sequence tags from the lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii

Background The lycophyte Selaginella moellendorffii is a member of one of the oldest lineages of vascular plants on Earth. Fossil records show that the lycophyte clade arose 400 million years ago, 150–200 million years earlier than angiosperms, a group of plants that includes the well-studied flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana. S. moellendorffii has a genome size of approximately 100 Mbp, as small or smaller than that of A. thaliana. S. moellendorffii has the potential to provide significant comparative information to better understand the evolution of vascular plants.
DISTAL HYPOSPADIAS REPAIR BY THE MODIFIED THIERSCH-DUPLAY TECHNIQUE WITH OR WITHOUT HINGING THE URETHRAL PLATE: A NEAR IDEAL WAY TO CORRECT DISTAL HYPOSPADIAS

AbstractPurpose: Various techniques have been described to correct distal hypospadias but many are best suited to patients with subtle specific nuances of meatal and/or glanular configuration. We describe a simplified approach to these defects using the modified Thiersch-Duplay technique with or without hinging the urethral plate (the Snodgrass maneuver).Materials and Methods: Between 1990 and 1997 we performed the modified Thiersch-Duplay repair as the primary procedure for repairing hypospadias in 197 boys. We initially performed urethral plate hinging (the Snodgrass maneuver) in 1994. By 1997, 82% of our patients were undergoing repair using the hinge technique. Urethroplasty coverage was provided by a second layer of adjacent local tissue or by a pedicle of subcutaneous tissue.Results: Reoperation was required in 5 boys (2.5%) with fistula and 1 (0.50%) with urinary extravasation. A fistula developed in 4 of the 63 cases (6.4%) in which adjacent local tissue was used to cover the urethroplasty and in ...
Promoter hypermethylation is associated with current smoking, age, gender and survival in bladder cancer

Hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is central to the pathogenesis of human malignancy, yet this alteration's etiology remains unclear, and its clinical impact has not yet been studied using an approach that can yield directly generalizable results. Therefore, we sought to examine both of these issues in bladder cancer, seeking to understand the characteristics of epidemiologically well-defined patient tumors with differing levels of methylation silencing. We analyzed epigenetic silencing of 16 genes in a population-based incident case series of 331 bladder transitional cell carcinomas. We utilized a novel item response theory (IRT) model, to examine, in an unbiased fashion, the relationship of patient characteristics, carcinogen exposure history and tumor characteristics with the underlying propensity for gene hypermethylation. Age, male gender and current cigarette smoking were significantly positively associated with the methylation latent trait. Promoter hypermethylation as a latent trait significantly predicted both non-invasive/high-grade and invasive stage disease and was also significantly associated with survival, with each unit increase in the latent trait resulting in a 30% increase in the risk of death. This work, studying all stages and grades of incident bladder cancer, provides definitive evidence that carcinogen exposures play a critical role in selecting these alterations in tumorous clones and that epigenetic silencing is a strong and significant predictor of tumor stage and overall patient survival. Finally, our novel approach provides insight into the etiology of promoter hypermethylation, suggesting that selected, carcinogen-exposed individuals have a greater propensity for hypermethylation that is associated with more aggressive, fatal disease.
Making the Case for Skeletal Myopathy as the Major Limitation of Exercise Capacity in Heart Failure

In chronic heart failure (HF) from systolic cardiac dysfunction, the degree of exercise intolerance is not directly related to the degree of cardiac weakness.1–5 Somewhat surprisingly symptoms that typify HF, including shortness of breath and fatigue, are often directly related to the abnormalities of the skeletal musculature in HF. Our understanding of the features of skeletal myopathy is evolving as therapy for HF is changing and improving. Understanding the skeletal myopathy of HF is important for 2 reasons: (1) therapies, including heart transplantation, only directed at improving cardiac function, will not immediately and may never improve exercise capacity in HF, and (2) with greater understanding of the mechanisms underlying the skeletal myopathy of HF, specific therapies targeting these abnormalities can be developed. I will review the features of the skeletal myopathy of HF, as currently understood, based on state-of-the-art research in humans and animal models. I will then examine the mechanisms underlying the skeletal myopathy, which appears not to be unique to HF but are shared by other chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) and chronic renal disease.3 Specifically, the role of “coordinated adaptation,” an energy-conserving strategy to maximize efficiency in a damaged system, will be examined in the development of the skeletal myopathy in all of these chronic diseases.6 Further, I will present evidence supporting the concept that sympathetic nerve activation (SNA) initiates and maintains this systemic, coordinated adaptation. Finally, the impact of current and future pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies will be related to the above pathophysiology of the skeletal myopathy of HF. There are several features of the skeletal myopathy that have been described and confirmed by many different investigative groups. Patients with chronic HF on stable medical therapy have decreased muscle bulk compared with healthy humans.7,8 The …
Inhibition of interleukin 2 signaling and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5 activation during T cell receptor-mediated feedback inhibition of T cell expansion.

Limitation of clonal expansion of activated T cells is necessary for immune homeostasis, and is achieved by growth arrest and apoptosis. Growth arrest and apoptosis can occur passively secondary to cytokine withdrawal, or can be actively induced by religation of the T cell receptor (TCR) in previously activated proliferating T cells. TCR-induced apoptosis appears to require prior growth arrest, and is mediated by death receptors such as Fas. We tested whether TCR religation affects T cell responses to interleukin (IL)-2, a major T cell growth and survival factor. TCR ligation in activated primary human T cells blocked IL-2 induction of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)5 DNA binding, phosphorylation of STAT5, Janus kinase (Jak)1, Jak3, and Akt, and kinase activity of Jak1 and Jak3. Inhibition was mediated by the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK)–extracellular stimulus–regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway, similar to the mechanism of inhibition of IL-6 signaling we have described previously. TCR ligation blocked IL-2 activation of genes and cell cycle regulatory proteins, and suppressed cell proliferation and expansion. These results identify TCR-induced inhibition of IL-2 signaling as a novel mechanism that underlies antigen-mediated feedback limitation of T cell expansion, and suggest that modulation of cytokine activity by antigen receptor signals plays an important role in the regulation of lymphocyte function.
EXTINCTION AND NATICID PREDATION OF THE BIVALVE CHIONE VON MÜHLFELD IN THE LATE NEOGENE OF FLORIDA

A morphometric discontinuity between species of the bivalve Chione during a PlioPleistocene extinction in Florida suggests that the Pliocene species C. erosa was replaced by the immigrant C. cancellata. Here we show that immigration of C. cancellata into the Florida ecosystem changed the dynamics of naticid predation on Chione. Chione cancellata, upon its first appearance in Florida, exhibited no greater degree of escalation than its predecessor C. erosa. The relative size of prey selected by naticid predators, however, declined significantly. Selected prey size subsequently increased during the Pleistocene and into the Recent, but C. cancellata has responded by significantly increasing relative shell thickness. These patterns of interaction provide direct evidence for the disruption of predator-prey systems by mass extinctions, and the microevolutionary escalation of anti-predatory traits.
Distributed representations of semantic knowledge in the brain.

Category-specific language impairments have been postulated to require the existence of an explicit category organization within semantic memory. However, it may be possible to demonstrate analytically that this is not necessary. We hypothesize that category-specific organization can emerge from perceptual, functional, and associative feature information about objects that is maintained in order to process language. In this paper, we conduct several experiments to test the computational validity of this hypothesis. Physical objects were encoded in terms of semantic features, based on basic perceptual and motor modalities and higher level knowledge of function, for use in artificial neural networks. Mathematical methods were used to analyse the encodings and the neural networks. The results demonstrate the emergence of semantic categories in the networks. although such information was not preprogrammed. We conclude that category-specific language organization can emerge from the inherent nature of semantic features themselves, and does not require special internal categorical organization of semantic memory.
Coreference-inspired Coherence Modeling

Research on coreference resolution and summarization has modeled the way entities are realized as concrete phrases in discourse. In particular there exist models of the noun phrase syntax used for discourse-new versus discourse-old referents, and models describing the likely distance between a pronoun and its antecedent. However, models of discourse coherence, as applied to information ordering tasks, have ignored these kinds of information. We apply a discourse-new classifier and pronoun coreference algorithm to the information ordering task, and show significant improvements in performance over the entity grid, a popular model of local coherence.
Theory of convex projection and its application to image restoration

The method of projections onto convex sets (POCS), also known as the method of convex projections, is a powerful image restoration/reconstruction algorithm that uses prior information as well as current data. The author discusses the method and shows some applications. It is concluded that the great value in recognizing that an algorithm is of the convex projection type is that one can make definite statements regarding its convergence as well as using prior information in a consistent fashion. >
Diffusional boundary‐layer resistance for membranes with low porosity

Diffusional mass transfer across membranes with uniform but low pore densities was studied experimentally as a function of stirring rate and pore area fraction. The results were analyzed in terms of a stagnant film boundary-layer model specially formulated for a heterogeneous membrane containing discrete pores. The overall membrane diffusional resistance is linearly related to the inverse of the pore area fraction of the membranes for a constant stirring rate. An equivalent boundary-layer thickness can be defined which is independent of membrane properties but a unique function of stirrer speed. These experimental boundary-layer thicknesses are greater by a factor of 3 than those predicted by a published Sherwood number correlation determined for homogeneous surfaces, but the stirring rate dependence is in excellent agreement with this same correlation.
Milk intake is not associated with ischaemic heart disease in observational or Mendelian randomization analyses in 98 529 Danish adults

Background Observationally, reports on the association between milk intake and risk of ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and myocardial infarction (MI) have produced conflicting results; and no previous large-scale study using the lactase persistent/non-persistent LCT-13910 C/T genotype as a largely unconfounded proxy for milk intake free of reverse causation has been conducted. We tested the hypothesis that milk intake observationally and genetically through the LCT-13910 C/T genotype is associated with risk of IHD and MI in a Mendelian randomization design. Methods We included 98,529 White individuals of Danish descent, aged 20-100 years, from three studies of the general population. Information on IHD (N = 10,372) and MI (N = 4188) were obtained from national Danish registries. First, we investigated observational associations between milk intake and incident IHD and MI. Second, we confirmed the association between the rs4988235 genetic variant LCT-13910 C/T, associated with lactase persistence/non-persistence, and milk intake. Finally, we tested whether LCT-13910 C/T genotype was associated with risk of IHD and MI as well as with cardiovascular risk factors. Results During a mean follow-up time of 5.4 years, the observational hazard ratio for a 1 glass/week higher milk intake was 1.00 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.00,1.01] for both IHD and MI. Median milk intake was 3 glasses/week (interquartile range: 0-7) in lactase CC non-persistent individuals compared with 5 glasses/week (0-10) in lactase TC/TT persistent individuals (P = 3*10(-60)). In the dominant genetic model comparing lactase TC/TT persistent individuals with lactase CC non-persistent individuals, the odds ratio was 1.00 (0.92,1.09) for IHD and 0.96 (0.84,1.09) for MI. Finally, in the dominant genetic model genotype was not associated convincingly with plasma levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides or glucose, nor with blood pressure. Conclusion Milk intake was not associated with risk of IHD or MI, observationally or genetically.
Metal-Organic Frameworks as Platforms for the Controlled Nanostructuring of Single-Molecule Magnets.

The prototypical single-molecule magnet (SMM) molecule [Mn12O12(O2CCH3)16(OH2)4] was incorporated under mild conditions into a highly porous metal–organic framework (MOF) matrix as a proof of principle for controlled nanostructuring of SMMs. Four independent experiments revealed that the SMM clusters were successfully loaded in the MOF pores, namely synchrotron-based powder diffraction, physisorption analysis, and in-depth magnetic and thermal analyses. The results provide incontrovertible evidence that the magnetic composite, SMM@MOF, combines key SMM properties with the functional properties of MOFs. Most importantly, the incorporated SMMs exhibit a significantly enhanced thermal stability with SMM loading advantageously occurring at the periphery of the bulk MOF crystals with only a single SMM molecule isolated in the transverse direction of the pores.