cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feasibility and Utility of Screening Adolescent Mothers for Chlamydia at their Children’s Health Care Visits

Assess the feasibility of offering and barriers to accepting urine-based screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) among asymptomatic adolescent mothers during their children’s health care visits. Providers were automatically cued to offer CT-screening to 13 through 21 year old mothers when they opened the child’s medical record. Recording the mothers’ screening decisions removed the flag for 6 months. Providers were also prompted to assess the perceived importance of CT prevention, likelihood of having CT, and the worst aspect of having CT. Mothers usually brought their children to the clinic. Hence, providers could act on 97% of the 318 flags they saw. They responded appropriately 75% of the time. Only 96 (42%) of the 229 mothers who were asked agreed to screening. The primary reasons for declining were “monogamous” and “tested within 6 months”. Almost everyone said CT was a top preventive health priority, but that they would be surprised if they were infected. Mothers who agreed to screening were less likely to have a child less than 6 months of age (26.0% vs. 57.1%; P < 0.0001). They were also more likely to rate knowledge of partner infidelity (39.4% vs. 13.6%; P = 0.03) and less likely to rate medical problems (15.2% vs. 40.9%; P = 0.01) the worst aspect of having CT. None of the 21 urine samples obtained within 6 months of delivery were positive for CT. Thereafter, 5 (9.1%) of the 55 urines were positive. It is feasible and useful to screen adolescent mothers for CT at their children’s health care visits. The best way to increase the efficacy and strengthen the impact of urine-based CT-screening in this setting is to initiate testing after the 6th postpartum month and heighten awareness of STD-risk among adolescent mothers.
Effects of progestin antagonists, glucocorticoids and estrogen on progesterone-induced protein secreted by rabbit endometrial stromal cells in culture.

Abstract Progesterone enhances the synthesis of a 42 kDa protein secreted by rabbit endometrial stromal cells in primary culture. The duration of that response, the effects of estrogen and the inhibitory ability of antiprogestin steroid analogs, RU486, ZK98.299 and ZK98.734, were tested. Although there was a progressive decrease in the amount of the 42 kDa protein synthesized during a 6-day culture period, progesterone stimulated its rate of synthesis >2-fold throughout that period. The addition of estrogen did not prevent the progressive decrease in the amount of the protein synthesized, nor did it enhance the progesterone effect when the culture medium contained phenol red. Estrogen alone did slightly induce 42 kDa protein synthesis by cells grown in phenol red-free medium, and the progesterone response was accentuated to the same degree. When present in a concentration that was 100-fold that of the progesterone, RU486, ZK98.299 and ZK98.734 each abolished stimulation. This antagonistic effect was overcome by addition of an equimolar concentration of progesterone. Deoxycorticosterone (DOC) also stimulated 42 kDa protein synthesis. The antiprogestins blocked this stimulatory effect, even when both steroids were in equimolar concentrations. There was no difference in the ability of ZK98.299 or ZK98.734 to block DOC stimulation, even though ZK98.734 exhibits no antiglucocorticoid activity [ J. Steroid Biochem. 25 (1986) 835]. Therefore, it is likely that the DOC effect is mediated by the progesterone receptor system. These studies indicate that enhanced synthesis of the 42 kDa protein represents a progesterone receptor mediated event and that the cell culture system described can be used as a bioassay for determination of antiprogestin activity.
Stratigraphic Record of Transgressing Seas in Light of Sedimentation on Atlantic Coast of New Jersey

The presently transgressing sea has a marginal low and intermediate energy zone of tidal marshes and lagoons, protected from the wave energy of the open ocean by barrier beaches. Peats and muds are being deposited in the tidal marshes, sands and muds in the lagoons. The sands are largely derived from the ocean, and are deposited as tidal deltas, which start at gaps in the barrier beaches, and grow across the lagoon toward the mainland. The lagoons have biotas of variable character, depending on bottoms and salinity, but distinct from those of the open sea. With the rise in sea-level, the lagoons transgress over the land, and the barrier beaches follow behind them, transgressing over older lagoonal deposits. The waves breaking at the face of the barrier are cutting into older lagoonal sediments, and are reworking "fossil" lagoonal shells into the sands of the open-shore and near-shore bottoms. The aragonitic members of the lagoonal fauna have been diagenetically eliminated, but distinctive calcitic lagoonal shells are thus being mixed into the open-sea assemblage. It is not known how much, if any, of the lagoonal sedimentary record escapes this erosion by the advancing surf zone. Transgressive seas of the past, advancing over a lowland surface, are likely to have had a marginal belt of brackish or saline lagoons. The sediments which come first to be deposited on the former land surface are low-energy sediments of non-marine or semi-marine character. Insofar as these primary deposits of the transgression are not entirely removed by the surf zone advancing behind them, their remnants come to be disconformably overlain by the higher-energy, offshore deposits of the main seaway. Thus transgressive sequences are likely to contain a marked intra-sequential disconformity. Transgressive sequences of this sort, and matching regressive sequences, which are longer and lack the disconformity, are found in the Cherokee (Pennsylvanian) cyclothems of southeastern Kansas and adjacent parts of Oklahoma and Missouri. The classical Pennsylvanian cyclothems of the Illinois basin can also be interpreted in a parallel manner. Here the middle and upper shales are considered as the sediments of transgressive and regressive lagoons respectively--lagoons in an extended sense, namely, more or less brackish seas occupying the whole of the Illinois basin, and barred in part tectonically, in part by limestone deposits (calcarenites and algal banks).
Determinants of judgment performance in accounting settings: Ability, knowledge, motivation, and environment☆

Abstract The goal of this paper is to trace the development of our conceptions of the roles of ability, knowledge, motivation, and environment as determinants of decision performance in accounting settings, and provide a synthesis of the basic constructs, conceptual relations, and methodological guidelines that can be inferred from this diverse literature. We first outline the key characteristics of accounting settings and research principles appropriate for examining the characteristics. The primary emphasis is on identifying interactions between determinants of performance, specifying underlying cognitive processes, and abstraction based on theory and task analysis. We then demonstrate how selected studies which follow these basic principles have greatly enhanced our understanding of accounting-related decisions. Finally, suggestions for future research are presented.
Optimizing head/media electrical characterization in the presence of skew at high track density

Abstract The skew angle causes a discrepancy in determining the reader-to-writer offset (RWO) when using different periodical patterns in track profile tests. It also separates the peak overwrite (OW) from the peak high frequency amplitude HFA, (1 T periodical pattern) on corresponding track profiles. Furthermore, higher track density and larger skew angle exacerbate the skew effect and induce more RWO error, thus impacting the parametric performance optimization. Simulation studies are used to interpret the skew effect on the RWO determination and OW cross-track characteristics. Based on experimental investigations and simulation analyses, using the HFA, track profile for deriving the optimal RWO is proposed for spin-stand tests. Actual parametric characterization has proven that the optimal RWO minimized the skew effect and the RWO error, thus improving the parametric performance and reducing the test variation. The method is beneficial and necessary for the high track density characterization.
Reminiscing: Educating Faculty of the Future

Between 1992 and 2009 faculty in Georgia Tech’s Systems Realization Laboratory (SRL) mentored many students who are now pursuing successful careers in academia. In this paper the authors reminisce about the creation of the Systems Realization Laboratory at the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech and the mentoring of their former mentees (1992 through 2009) who are pursuing careers in academia. The author’s reminisces are augmented with reminisces of some of their former mentees. We hope that some of these ideas will be valuable to those who are setting up their own laboratories.
A method of distinguishing between diffusion creep and harper-dorn creep at low stress levels

When polycrystalline pure metals and solid solution alloys are tested under creep conditions at elevated temperatures, the steady-state creep rate, {dot {epsilon}}, varies with the applied stress, {sigma}, raised to a power, n, which is typically in the range of {approximately}3--6 at high stresses but with a transition to Newtonian viscous flow with n = 1 at very loss stresses. Two distinct creep mechanisms have been proposed to account for creep at low stresses when n = 1: (1) diffusion creep where a permanent strain arises from vacancy flow either through the lattice (Nabarro-Herring diffusion creep) or along the grain boundaries (Coble diffusion creep) and (2) Harper-Dorn creep where strain is achieved through an intragranular dislocation process. There is considerable current debate concerning the relative significance of these two deformation processes. The present paper presents a solution to this apparent dichotomy. It is demonstrated in the following section that the processes of Harper-Dorn creep and diffusion creep will lead to significant differences in the appearance of marker lines which impinge on the grain boundaries at the specimen surface, thereby giving the potential for a measurable variation in the magnitudes of the estimated strains arising from grain boundary sliding during Harper-Dornmore » and diffusion creep. Furthermore, as demonstrated in the subsequent section, these anticipated differences are fully supported by measurements, already available in the published literature, taken under conditions of Harper-Dorn creep and diffusion creep, respectively. It is therefore concluded that both Harper-Dorn creep and diffusion creep are firmly established as potential deformation mechanisms in high temperature creep, and both processes should be taken into consideration in any detailed analysis of creep data at low stress levels.« less
Oxygen Radicals in Focal Cerebral Ischemia

Oxygen free radicals have been widely implicated in the pathogenesis of brain injury due to ischemia followed by reperfusion. The success of making transgenic animals overexpressing human CuZn-super-oxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) in brain cells allows researchers to discern the specific role of superoxide radicals in reperfusion injury after focal ischemia. It has been shown that increased brain levels of CuZn-SOD in transgenic mice protect neurons from ischemia / reperfusion injury. However, overexpression of CuZn-SOD does not provide neuronal protection in permanent focal ischemia in mice, when compared with non-transgenic mouse littermates. It is proposed that molecular genetic approaches of modifying antioxidant levels in the brain offer a unique tool for studying oxidative mechanisms in focal cerebral ischemia.
Mutations in the E2 glycoprotein of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus confer heparan sulfate interaction, low morbidity, and rapid clearance from blood of mice.

The arbovirus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), causes disease in humans and equines during periodic outbreaks. A murine model, which closely mimics the encephalitic form of the disease, was used to study mechanisms of attenuation. Molecularly cloned VEE viruses were used: a virulent, epizootic, parental virus and eight site-specific glycoprotein mutants derived from the parental virus. Four of these mutants were selected in vitro for rapid binding and penetration, resulting in positive charge changes in the E2 glycoprotein from glutamic acid or threonine to lysine (N. L. Davis, N. Powell, G. F. Greenwald, L. V. Willis, B. J. Johnson, J. F. Smith, and R. E. Johnston, Virology 183, 20-31, 1991). Tissue culture adaptation also selected for the ability to bind heparan sulfate as evidenced by inhibition of plaque formation by heparin, decreased infectivity for CHO cells deficient for heparan sulfate, and tight binding to heparin-agarose beads. In contrast, the parental virus and three other mutants did not use heparan sulfate as a receptor. All eight mutants were partially or completely attenuated with respect to mortality in adult mice after a subcutaneous inoculation, and the five mutants that interacted with heparan sulfate in vitro had low morbidity (0-50%). These same five mutants were cleared rapidly from the blood after an intravenous inoculation. In contrast, the parental virus and the other three mutants were cleared very slowly. In summary, the five VEE viruses that contain tissue-culture-selected mutations interacted with cell surface heparan sulfate, and this interaction correlated with low morbidity and rapid clearance from the blood. We propose that one mechanism of attenuation is rapid viral clearance in vivo due to binding of the virus to ubiquitous heparan sulfate.
Simple cannula for repeated intracerebral drug administration in rats

Abstract A simply constructed cannulation system for chronic implantation in rats is described. The guide cannula, stylet and injection cannula are all made from stainless steel tubing, require little time to construct, and are designed for minimum brain damage and atraumatic infusion into unanesthetized rats.
On the study of shelter effect with sheltered (screened) meteorological sensors

Abstract Temperature and humidity measured by means of sensors placed in a Stevenson-type screen were compared with similar measurements made with sensors placed in the open, in wind-sheltered, and exposed plots of irrigated dry beans. The Stevenson-type screen introduced errors into the measurement of air temperatures and humidities. The errors were such as to underestimate the influence of wind shelters. Temperature in the screens was higher than in the open in either plot during the average day. Nocturnal temperatures were nearly identical in screened and open air in the exposed plot. In the wind-sheltered screen, however, nocturnal temperatures were lower than in the open. Vapor pressure was always greater throughout the day and night in the screens in either plot. “Apparent” shelter-effect (difference between screened sensors) and “real” shelter effect (difference between open sensors) were evaluated. Normally the daytime elevation of temperature in the wind-sheltered plot was underestimated by screened sensors. The nocturnal depression of temperatures in the wind-sheltered plot was exaggerated by the screens. “Apparent” shelter effect on vapor pressure and relative humidity was smaller than the “real” effect at all times. On calm days the screens may cause shelter effect on temperature to be underestimated and have little effect on humidity shelter effect. On windy days temperature shelter effect may be exaggerated slightly while humidity shelter effect is considerably underestimated by the screened sensors.
EDITORIAL NOTE On the Colombo, Hutto, Myin exchange

The following response by Hutto and Myin to Colombo’s original paper, “Explaining social norm compliance. A plea for neural representations,” contains some inaccurate quotations attributed to Colombo. These inaccuracies are not the fault of the authors, but are due to editorial mistakes and to problems involved in publishing electronic versions online first. Hutto and Myin worked from and were quoting from an earlier draft of Colombo’s paper (dated 2012), which is different from the revised version that was first published online in January 2013. Because the inaccuracies were discovered only after Hutto and Myin’s response was published online, corrections were not possible. Also, the fact that page numbers are assigned only when hard copy publication occurs, and do not appear in the Online First publication made it impossible for Hutto and Myin, or for Colombo in his response, to provide pagination for quotations. The editors take responsibility and apologize to the authors for failing to check the accuracy of the quotations. The following is a list of the discrepancies between the published statements in Colombo (2013) and the quoted material in Hutto and Myin (H&M). H&M: “Colombo (2012) tells us that in order for a footballer to comply, on the fly, with the relevant social norms the individual must be ‘sensitive to abstract, relational properties such as the values ‘fair play’, ‘reciprocity’ or ‘cheating””. Colombo (2013) states: “One condition for the player to comply with this norm is that he is sensitive to abstract, relational properties such as “fair play,” “reciprocity,” and “cheating””. H&M: “the special relationship between neural activations and the sources with which such activations correlate ‘seems to constitute a code’ (Colombo 2012).” Colombo (2013): “Neural activations and the sources, or variables, with which they correlate, can be said to constitute a code, viz. a mapping from some source alphabet to some target alphabet.” H&M: “The code in question is said to specify the relevant ‘functional relationships’ (Colombo 2012, p. 9). This leads him to conclude that we are licensed to ‘say that neural representations are the constituents of the neural code’ (Colombo 2012, p. 9).” Phenom Cogn Sci (2014) 13:239–240 DOI 10.1007/s11097-014-9370-2
Models for systems analysis of potato integrated pest management

Abstract Mathematical models are reviewed for their suitability for systems analysis of integrated pest management in potato production. Based on a preliminary systems analysis, four types of models are identified. Available models appear to be adequate for plant growth, water pollution and decision making. Pest models capable of predicting effects on plant defoliation and hence tuber yield are not available for two of the major pests: Colorado potato beetle and early blight. Assessment of modelling needs and availability are important in any systems analysis. Such assessments are most useful if they are in the context of a preliminary systems analysis which considers problem objectives, system identification and management alternatives.
Gravity-driven countercurrent two-phase flow during filling of an unvented vessel

Abstract Countercurrent two-phase flow associated with filling of sealed vessels via gravity-driven liquid injection through inclined channels was experimentally studied and analytically modeled. Experiments were performed using transparent tubular test sections connected at one end to the bottom of a large, open water tank, and at the other end to an unvented tank. The test section parameters (including the channel diameter (1.27–2.54cm), length (30.5–122 cm), angle of inclination with respect to horizontal plane (0–30°), and the empty volume in the sealed vessel) were systematically varied. Flow regimes in the test section were recorded and transient flow rates were measured during the experiments. Oscillatory, and intermittent stratified slug, were dominant flow regimes in most tests. The quasi-steady liquid superficial velocity in the test section was sensitive to the test section dimensions, and varied in the range 0.04–0.95 m s−1. These flow regimes were mechanisally modeled. The models are shown to satisfactory predict the measured hydrodynamic parameters.
Insertion of methylphenylsilyene into cyclic siloxanes, effect of ring size on siloxane reactivity

Abstract Insertion reaction of methylphenylsilylene into SiO single bonds of cyclic siloxanes have been studied. Methylphenylsilylene is less reactive than dimethylsilylene. 1,1,3,3-Tetramethyl-2-oxo-1,3-disilacyclopentane is a more reactive silylene trapping reagent than hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane.
Pseudopolymorphism in the p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene—n-butylamine system: directing the structural motifs

p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene forms three compounds with n-butylamine, two weakly interacting guest–host compounds of 1∶1 and 1∶2 stoichiometry, as well as a hydrogen-bonded 3∶1 compound containing some n-butylamine molecules not coordinated to the host.
38. Evaluation of exosomal microRNA expression following exposure to acute stress

Exosomes, biologically active nanoparticles released by most cells in the body, express a variety of proteins and contain small, non-coding RNA known as microRNA (miRNA). Exosomal miRNA are transferred to recipient cells where they regulate target genes and modulate translation of messenger RNA. We have previously reported that exposure to an acute, intense stressor (tailshock) modifies plasma exosome-associated heat shock protein expression. It remains unknown, however, if stressor exposure also modulates miRNA exosome expression. We hypothesize that exposure to an acute stressor induces miRNA modifications in plasma exosomes and that these modifications are a critical component of the stress response. Male Fisher 344 rats (3/group) were subjected to tail shock stress or no stress, and exosome isolation from plasma was verified by size (Nanosight) and common exosome markers (CD63, Rab5b, A33). Stress response was verified by spleen weight, blood glucose, and exosome expression of heat shock protein 72. We report that exposure to an acute stressor significantly down-regulates exosome expression of miR-142-5p (−17%), miR-203-3p (−8%), and miR-155 (−8%) in plasma exosomes compared to no stress controls. Suppression of these miRNA could decrease TLR expression, IgG expression, and apoptosis. Additionally, reduction of miR-142 could promote activation of CD4+ T cells. These findings suggest that exposure to stress modifies miRNA on circulating exosomes, potentially impacting apoptosis and immunity during stress. Supported by NSF IOS 1022451.
Reaction of CH4 with substitutional Fe/Ni(111)

Abstract The reaction of CH4 with a substitutional Fe/Ni(111) surface is treated using a many-electron embedding theory, modelling the lattice as a 41-atom, three layer cluster. Ab initio valence orbital configuration interaction (multiple parent) calculations carried out on a local surface region permit an accurate description of bonding at the surface. The 3d orbitals are explicitly used for the Fe atom and six nearest neighbor Ni atoms in the local surface region. The calculated activation energy for CH4 dissociation at an atop Fe site to produce CH3 and H coadsorbed on the surface is 5.7 kcal/mol, compared with 16.7 kcal/mol on Ni(111). The reaction of CH4 → CH3(ads) + H(ads) is predicted to be 4 kcal/mol exothermic on the Fe/Ni(111) surface and the immediate dissociation products are CH3 and H coadsorbed at across atom three-fold sites. Across bond dissociation is energetically very unfavorable. The bonding properties of coadsorbed CH3 and H on the Fe/Ni(111) surface are similar to those on the Ni(111) surface. Compared to the clean Ni(111), the substitutional Fe/Ni(111) surface is very effective in activating CH4.
Effects of Short-Term Measures to Curb Air Pollution: Evidence from Santiago, Chile

It is well established that exposure to high levels of air pollution in the short term leads to negative health outcomes; yet there exist very few policies intended to address short run spikes in air pollution. In this article we examine a policy implemented by the Government of Chile that uses temporary measures to reduce the severity and negative health impacts of poor air quality in the short run. This policy involves the announcement of “Environmental Episodes” on days forecast to have particularly poor air quality. Such Episode announcements trigger a number of government protocols and public notices intended to both improve regional air quality and encourage avoidance behaviors among the populace. By comparing days on which Episodes were announced to observationally similar days before the policy was fully implemented, we demonstrate that the announcement of an Environmental Episode reduces ambient concentrations of particulate matter in the Santiago Metropolitan Region by approximately 20% on the day of implementation, with effects persisting into subsequent days. We also find that the temporary restrictions, government actions, and informational campaigns that make up an Episode reduce mortality among the elderly on the day‐of and days‐after Episode implementation. Our findings suggest that the Environmental Episode program effectively addresses poor air quality in the short term and could serve as a valuable model for policymakers seeking to augment long‐term air quality strategies with a means of addressing temporary spikes in local or regional air pollution levels.
What Do Students with Learning Disabilities Think When Their General Education Teachers Make Adaptations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of mainstreamed students with learning disabilities (LD) regarding adaptations (e.g., altering tests, homework, assignments, instruction) made by general education teachers. Furthermore, their responses were compared with those of low achieving (LA) and average/high achieving (A/HA) classmates. One hundred seventy-nine students participated in this study: 60 mainstreamed students with LD, 59 low achieving students, and 60 average/high achieving students. Students were selected from 60 teachers' classrooms (20 elementary, 20 middle school, and 20 high school). Results from the elementary level indicate that students with LD differ from their LA and A/HA classmates in that the former indicate a stronger preference for opportunities to work in groups with different students, and prefer the teacher to make adaptations when they have difficulty learning. High school and middle school students from both the LA and A/HA groups, but not the LD group, preferred the teacher who made no adaptations in homework and textbooks. Discussion focuses on the role of students' perceptions in teacher decision making.
The design of a visual language compiler

The author presents design considerations for the Visual Language Compiler being developed at the Univ. of Pittsburgh. The Visual Language Compiler uses precedence analysis for both spatial parsing and semantic analysis. It also uses a knowledge base to store all kinds of semantic information. Applications of the Visual Language Compiler are discussed. >
The Impact of Audition on the Development of Visual Attention

Interactions between audition and vision were investigated in two experiments In the first experiment, school-age hearing children, deaf children with cochlear implants, and deaf children without implants participated in a task in which they were to respond to some visual signals and not others This task did not involve sound at all Deaf children without implants performed much more poorly than hearing children Deaf children with cochlear implants performed considerably better than deaf children without implants The second experiment employed a longitudinal design and showed that the rate of development in visual selective attention was faster for deaf children with cochlear implants than deaf children without implants Moreover, the gains were rapid—occurring within 2 years post-implant surgery The results suggest that a history of experience with sounds matters in the development of visual attention The results are discussed in terms of multimodal developmental processes
Nanotwins in nanocrystalline Mg–Al alloys: an insight from high-resolution TEM and molecular dynamics simulation

Twinning in hexagonal close-packed Mg alloys has been reported to be unfavorable when the grain size is reduced below a couple of microns and suppressed at the nanoscale. Using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, we present evidence of nanotwins (<1 nm) in nanocrystalline Mg–Al alloys processed by cryomilling. The commonly observed twinning modes for coarse-grained Mg are identified and supported with atomistic molecular dynamics simulations. The specific thermomechanical conditions offered by cryomilling facilitate the generation of deformation twins that are not observed with conventional deformation processing methods.
Experiments on Decoding LDPC Codes Using Trees and Random Forests

This paper explores two alternatives to the standard message passing approach to decoding LDPC codes: regression trees and random forests. Regression trees are capable of approximating complicated functions. This paper reports on the performance of a tree-based low-density parity-check code (LDPC) decoder in which a regression tree is trained to approximate the message passing update function. This approach offers potential advantages over the message passing decoder. Single trees as well as groups of trees (i.e. forests) produce their outputs using only threshold comparisons. Therefore, the proposed decoders are arithmetic free.
Respiration of Benthopelagic Fishes: In situ Measurements at 1230 Meters

The respiration rate in situ of two common benthopelagic fishes, Coryphaenoides acrolepis and Eptatretus deani , was monitored at 1230 meters in the San Diego Trough. The respiration rate of C. acrolepis was two orders of magnitude lower and that of E. deani was significantly lower (P
Police Use of Discretion: A Participant Observation Study of Game Wardens

This study extends inquiry on police discretion by examining the situational and organizational factors influencing game wardens' arrest/summons decisions. Data were collected by participant observation and interviews. Situational and organizational factors seldom, if at all, evident from previous studies were discovered to influence wardens discretion, example, officers' demeanor, professional courtesy, judges, plea bargains, regional directives, and department policy. Danger, authority, and efficiency are important elements of an occupational ideology that may be shared by police and wardens. Theoretically, “police culture” writ large, may be an important source of the patterns of discretion across police organizations.
Acute β-blockade prevents myocardial β-adrenergic receptor desensitization and preserves early ventricular function after brain death

Objective β-Adrenergic receptor desensitization through activation of the G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 is an important mechanism of early cardiac dysfunction after brain death. We hypothesized that acute β-blockade can prevent myocardial β-adrenergic receptor desensitization after brain death through attenuation of G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 activity, resulting in improved cardiac function. Methods Adult pigs underwent either sham operation, induction of brain death, or treatment with esmolol (β-blockade) for 30 minutes before and 45 minutes after brain death (n = 8 per group). Cardiac function was assessed at baseline and for 6 hours after the operation. Myocardial β-adrenergic receptor signaling was assessed 6 hours after operation by measuring sarcolemmal membrane adenylate cyclase activity, β-adrenergic receptor density, and G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 expression and activity. Results Baseline left ventricular preload recruitable stroke work was similar among sham, brain death, and β-blockade groups. Preload recruitable stroke work was significantly decreased 6 hours after brain death versus sham, and β-blockade resulted in maintenance of baseline preload recruitable stroke work relative to brain death and not different from sham. Basal and isoproterenol-stimulated adenylate cyclase activities were preserved in the β-blockade group relative to the brain death group and were not different from the sham group. Left ventricular G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 expression and activity in the β-blockade group were markedly decreased relative to the brain death group and similar to the sham group. β-Adrenergic receptor density was not different among groups. Conclusion Acute β-blockade before brain death attenuates β-adrenergic receptor desensitization mediated by G protein–coupled receptor kinase 2 and preserves early cardiac function after brain death. These data support the hypothesis that acute β-adrenergic receptor desensitization is an important mechanism in early ventricular dysfunction after brain death. Future studies with β-blocker therapy immediately after brain death appear warranted.
Cystic Fibrosis Pulmonary Guidelines: Airway Clearance Therapies

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease characterized by dehydration of airway surface liquid and impaired mucociliary clearance. As a result, there is difficulty clearing pathogens from the lung, and patients experience chronic pulmonary infections and inflammation. Clearance of airway secretions has been a primary therapy for those with CF, and a variety of airway clearance therapies (ACTs) have been developed. Because ACTs are intrusive and require considerable time and effort, it is important that appropriate techniques are recommended on the basis of available evidence of efficacy and safety. Therefore, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation established a committee to examine the clinical evidence for each therapy and provide guidance for their use. A systematic review was commissioned, which identified 7 unique reviews and 13 additional controlled trials that addressed one or more of the comparisons of interest and were deemed eligible for inclusion. Recommendations for use of the ACTs were made, balancing the quality of evidence and the potential harms and benefits. The committee determined that, although there is a paucity of controlled trials that assess the long-term effects of ACTs, the evidence quality overall for their use in CF is fair and the benefit is moderate. The committee recommends airway clearance be performed on a regular basis in all patients. There are no ACTs demonstrated to be superior to others, so the prescription of ACTs should be individualized. Aerobic exercise is recommended as an adjunctive therapy for airway clearance and for its additional benefits to overall health.
Annelid Endocrine Disruptors and a Survey of Invertebrate FMRFamide-Related Peptides

There is a growing body of literature describing the actions of endocrine disruptors on annelids. These pollutants cause decreases in growth and reproductive output, delay sexual maturation, and inhibit the immune system in annelids. More studies are needed to determine the mechanisms that underlie these responses. Most invertebrate endocrine disruptor research focuses on steroids. In recent years many new invertebrate peptide hormones including those related to the molluscan peptide FMRFamide have been identified. Since the storage of these peptides can be inhibited by steroids during insect metamorphosis, they may be affected by endocrine disruptors. Therefore, it is worthwhile to give a brief overview of this peptide family to those studying endocrine disruption in invertebrates with the hope that they may begin to consider these peptides in their future research. In 1977 Price and Greenberg isolated FMRFamide from the cerebral ganglia of the clam, Macrocallista nimbosa. Since then researchers have used bioassays and immunoassays to identify a large number of FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) from many invertebrate phyla. Even more peptides are predicted by the FaRP genes that have been sequenced. FaRPs have a variety of functions and act as neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, or neurohormones. Each function is species and tissue specific. Most FaRP receptors are linked to a second messenger system. However, at least one is a ligand gated sodium channel. On going studies are examining FaRPs from the molecular to organismal level.
Maximum Ratio Diversity Combining Receiver Using Single Radio Frequency Chain and Single Matched Filter

We present a new maximum ratio combining (MRC) technique that performs the maximum ratio combining at the radio frequency (RF) level, thereby requiring only one RF chain and one matched filter. We show that it can achieve the same performance as the conventional MRC technique that performs the combining at the baseband (post-detection), which requires multiple RF chains and multiple matched filters. The proposed approach can be extended to multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) system and significantly reduce the hardware complexity.
Roles of the calcineurin and CaMK signaling pathways in fast-to-slow fiber type transformation of cultured adult mouse skeletal muscle fibers

Two Ca2+-dependent signaling pathways, mediated by the Ca2+-activated phosphatase calcineurin and by the Ca2+-activated kinase Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK), are both believed to function...
Tax policy can change the production path: A model of optimal oil extraction in Alaska

We model the economically optimal dynamic oil production decisions for seven production units (fields) on Alaska's North Slope. We use adjustment cost and discount rate to calibrate the model against historical production data, and use the calibrated model to simulate the impact of tax policy on production rate. We construct field-specific cost functions from average cost data and an estimated inverse production function, which incorporates engineering aspects of oil production into our economic modeling. Producers appear to have approximated dynamic optimality. Consistent with prior research, we find that changing the tax rate alone does not change the economically optimal oil production path, except for marginal fields that may cease production. Contrary to prior research, we find that the structure of tax policy can be designed to affect the economically optimal production path, but at a cost in net social benefit.
Human Papillomaviruses Modulate Expression of MicroRNA 203 upon Epithelial Differentiation to Control Levels of p63 Proteins

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) link their life cycles to epithelial differentiation and induce productive replication of viral DNA in suprabasal cells. Viral-DNA amplification requires cells to remain active in the cell cycle upon differentiation. This is in contrast to normal cells, which lose proliferative capability upon differentiation. One factor that negatively regulates proliferative capability upon differentiation is microRNA 203 (miR-203), which is expressed primarily in suprabasal epithelial cells. Although HPVs do not encode their own microRNAs (miRNAs), they modulate expression of cellular miRNAs to regulate the activities of cellular proteins. We show that the HPV E7 protein downregulates miR-203 expression upon differentiation, which may occur through the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. One target of miR-203 is the p63 family of transcription factors, and we demonstrate that HPV-positive cells maintain significantly higher levels of these factors upon differentiation than do normal keratinocytes. Several downstream targets of p63, CARM-1, p21, and Bax, were also increased in E7-expressing cells, and their levels were inversely correlated with amounts of miR-203. Introduction of expression vectors for miR-203 into keratinocytes that stably maintain HPV episomes resulted in short-term elevation of HPV genome copy numbers, but these were rapidly lost upon subsequent passage. When HPV-positive cells expressing high levels of miR-203 were induced to differentiate in methylcellulose, impaired genome amplification was observed. We conclude that high levels of miR-203 are inhibitory to HPV amplification and that HPV proteins act to suppress expression of this microRNA to allow productive replication in differentiating cells.
Cofactor induced synthesis of D-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase in the uterus.

The synthesis of D-glucose-6- phosphate: NADP oxidoreductase (G6PD) in the uterus of the ovariectomized rat has been shown to be controlled by the intracellular concentrations of NADP. A nonsurgical method was used to apply 5.0 μmoles of NADP directly into the lumen of the uterus. This treatment increased the total uterine G6PD activity to the same extent as a single injection (iv) of 5.0 μg of estradiol-17β over a 12 hr period. A dose response curve indicated linear increases in uterine G6PD activity up to the dose of 5.0 μmoles of NADP/ animal. The kinetics of the response to NADP show a 2 hr lag phase followed by increased G6PD activity through the 24th hr. NADPH was equally as effective as NADP in the induction of G6PD synthesis. NAD and NADH promoted increased G6PD activity to a much lesser degree than NADP, and intraluminal application of phenazine methosulfate, histamine and glucose was without effect. A dose responsecurve of the ability of actinomycin D and cycloheximide, applied intraluminally, t...
Adaptive Immune Responses and HER2/neu Positive Breast Cancer

Oncogenic signaling, such as HER2/neu signaling, has been shown to play major role for tumorigenesis in a subset of breast cancer patients. The use of anti-HER2/neu antibody has not only revealed the mechanisms for HER2/neu signaling but also shown a therapeutic advantage of its blockade. Indeed, the use of trastuzumab has greatly improved the treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. Although this therapy has been used in the clinic for over twenty years, recent data is still uncovering new mechanisms by which this antibody exerts its anti-tumor activity. In addition to an improved understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which this therapy inhibits growth of tumor cells, the discovery that anti-HE2/neu therapy initiates and requires the adaptive immune system is one of these new mechanisms. The presence of anti-HER2/neu initiated adaptive immunity gives credence to efforts targeted at stimulating the immune system in treating HER2 positive breast cancer. This review focuses on the role of the inflammatory response in HER2 positive breast cancer with particular emphasis on trastuzumab therapy.
Meaning Making in the Life Story, and Not Coherence or Vividness, Predicts Well-Being up to 3 Years Later: Evidence From High Point and Low Point Stories

This study investigated emotionally intense, identity-salient memories—high and low points from the life story—for vividness, meaning, and coherence. Three approaches of perennial interest to memory researchers were operationalized in terms of these memory characteristics: meaning centered, coherence focused, and valenced processing. The study tested which approach best accounted for concurrent and future subjective well-being (SWB), including development differences. Life story episodes were collected and analyzed from an emerging adult sample and a late-midlife sample, as were self-reports of SWB over a 3-year period. The meaning-centered approach received support in both samples, concurrently and longitudinally. Notably, the coherence and vividness codes did not relate to SWB. Developmental differences were found: negative meaning predicted SWB among emerging adults whereas positive meaning predicted SWB among late-midlife adults. These relationships held when controlling for neuroticism and extraversion.
Pseudocryptand-type complexes of heterocyclic derivatives of bis(meta-phenylene)-32-crown-10 with diquat

The readily prepared dipicolinate, diquinaldate, and dinaphthyridate ester derivatives 1c–1e of bis(m-phenylene)-32-crown-10 (BMP32C10) diol 1b demonstrated improved association constants with diquat (3) compared with BMP32C10 itself (1a). Importantly, the association constant of dinaphthyridyl BMP32C10 (1e) with diquat is even higher than some BMP32C10-based cryptands, which are synthetically difficult to obtain. An unusual pseudocryptand-type alternating poly[2]pseudorotaxane was formed between 1e and diquat in the solid state.
Culturally Grounded Social Work: Diversity, Oppression, and Change, by F. F. Marsiglia and S. Kulis

In this publication, the authors present the reader with an understanding of the importance of difference in shaping cultural diversity. They analytically consider how the structure and values of t...
Pathogenesis of neurotropic arbovirus infections.

Ever since arbovirus infections became known and their relative importance assessed, experiments were designed to elucidate the mode of transmission and the most important natural hosts responsible for perpetuating the infection in nature. Human infections and the disease in wild rodents, birds, and domestic animals were studied in relation to viremia and distribution of the infectious agent in the organism.
The gar is a fish... is a bird... is a mammal

Teleosts have emerged as important model organisms, yet their ancestrally duplicated genomes sometimes complicate developmental genetic analyses and comparisons to humans. A new genome sequence of spotted gar, a fish related to teleosts but lacking a duplicated genome, now helps to bridge human and teleost biology.
Resistance in Sweetpotatoes to Coleoptera Increased by Recurrent Selection

Four cycles of recurrent selection in a random crossing population of sweet potato. Ipomoen batatas (L..) Lam., increased incidence of resistance to root damage by the grub of Plectris aliena Chapin and the incidence and leavels of resistance to larvae of the southern potato wire-worm, Conoderus falli Lane; the banded cucumber beetle, Diabrotica balteata LeConte; the spotted cucumber beetle, D. undecimpunctata howardi Barber; the clongate flea beetle, Systena elongate (F.); and S. frontalis (F.). No appreciable improvement in resistance to the sweet-potato flea beetle, Chaetocnema confinis Crotch, was detected, but resistance to this insect was relatively high in the original population.
Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Studies of a Donor-Appended Bis(2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) Cu(I) Dye Paired with a Cobalt-Based Mediator

Bisphenanthroline complexes of Cu(I) have a number of photophysical similarities with trisbipyridineruthenium(II), including a strong MLCT absorption in the visible, a relatively long excited-state lifetime, and a thermally equilibrated MLCT state that is a potent reductant. All three of these qualities are desirable for a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) dye. There are also significant differences that present challenges when considering these chromophores in DSC applications. Among these are the lability of the Cu(I) complexes in solution and their long-term incompatibility with the most common mediator system, I–/I3–. We have prepared a series of [Cu(DMP)2]+-based dyes (where DMP = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline) for study in DSCs paired with [CoL3]2+/3+ mediators (where L = a 2,2′-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline). In particular, we have prepared a dye having a covalently attached electron donor, the intended purpose of which is to rapidly reduce the Cu(II) generated by photoinjection. We compare the...