cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Environmental and Genetic Contributors to Salivary Testosterone Levels in Infants

Transient activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in early infancy plays an important role in male genital development and sexual differentiation of the brain, but factors contributing to individual variation in testosterone levels during this period are poorly understood. We measured salivary testosterone levels in 222 infants (119 males, 103 females, 108 singletons, 114 twins) between 2.70 and 4.80 months of age. We tested 16 major demographic and medical history variables for effects on inter-individual variation in salivary testosterone. Using the subset of twins, we estimated genetic and environmental contributions to salivary testosterone levels. Finally, we tested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within ± 5kb of genes involved in testosterone synthesis, transport, signaling, and metabolism for associations with salivary testosterone using univariate tests and random forest (RF) analysis. We report an association between 5 minute APGAR scores and salivary testosterone levels in males. Twin modelling indicated that individual variability in testosterone levels was primarily explained by environmental factors. Regarding genetic variation, univariate tests did not reveal any variants significantly associated with salivary testosterone after adjusting for false discovery rate. The top hit in males was rs10923844, a SNP of unknown function located downstream of HSD3B1 and HSD3B2. The top hits in females were two SNPs located upstream of ESR1 (rs3407085 and rs2295190). RF analysis, which reflects joint and conditional effects of multiple variants, indicated that genes involved in regulation of reproductive function, particularly LHCGR, are related to salivary testosterone levels in male infants, as are genes involved in cholesterol production, transport, and removal, while genes involved in estrogen signaling are related to salivary testosterone levels in female infants.
Changes in Muscadine Grape Juice Quality During Cold Stabilization and Storage of Bottled Juice

Muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia, Michx.) of two cultivars (Noble and Carlos) were washed and extracted. The resulting juice was cold stabilized for 0, 7 and 60 days at 2°C, then treated, bottled, pasteurized and stored at 2°C and 24°C for 0, 4, 8, and 12 months. Carlos juice was lower in phenols and pH and higher in acidity than Noble. The high total anthocyanins and phenols in the Noble juice caused a significant loss in pigment during cold stabilization. Dilution of juice with 40% water and adjustment of the sugars was beneficial to flavor and color of Carlos, yet 40% dilution was too high for Noble juice. Treatment of either juice with CaCO3 increased pH and decreased acidity. During 12 months storage, the Carlos juice became darker due to browning, while the Noble juice became lighter by losing pigment, especially at 24°C.
Acupuncture for rheumatoid arthritis: an analysis of the literature

Abstract Despite the claims that acupuncture is beneficial in the treatment of stages I and II rheumatoid arthritis (RA). few satisfactory double-blind controlled studies exist. A review of the world literature showed eight studies examining the efficacy of acupuncture in RA. Five studies claim that acupuncture treatments give significant pain relief. Two studies claim that there is no significant difference between real and placebo acupuncture in RA. One study claims that acupuncture has antiinflammatory effects. Analysis of problems related to study design demonstrates that methodological flaws invalidate in varying degrees the broad spectrum of conclusions. The need for a more effective therapeutic armamentarium in the treatment of RA makes it imperative that satisfactory trials of acupuncture for RA be conducted in the future.
Clinical importance of cytomegalovirus antigenemia for intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection.

Background: Little is known about the clinical importance of cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigenemia for intrauterine-CMV-infected newborns. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of CMV antigenemia during the neonatal period and its association with clinical manifestations. Methods: CMV antigenemia was analyzed using neonatal blood from 25 patients suspected of having intrauterine infection because of abnormal clinical manifestations in the mother, fetus, and newborn. Neonatal urine samples were collected for diagnosis of intrauterine infection. The diagnostic accuracy of the antigenemia analysis was evaluated by comparing it with the results of urinary CMV analyses. The clinical manifestations of antigenemia-positive and -negative infected newborns were compared in the infected newborns. Results: Fifteen newborns were congenitally infected and 10 were uninfected as diagnosed on virus isolation from neonatal urine. Six of 15 infected newborns were positive for CMV antigenemia. CMV antigenemia had a positive predictive value of 100%, a negative predictive value of 52.6%, a sensitivity of 40%, and a specificity of 100%. CMV retinitis and pneumonitis were more prevalent among antigenemia-positive newborns (4/6) than antigenemia-negative newborns (0/9; P < 0.05). Conclusions: Antigenemia was significantly associated with retinitis and pneumonia, but it was not sensitive enough to diagnose intrauterine CMV infection.
WE‐G‐110‐07: Hybridmantis: A Novel Method for Faster Monte Carlo Simulation of X‐Ray Imaging Detectors

PURPOSE: We describe a novel hybrid approach for Monte Carlo simulations that maximizes utilization of CPUs and GPUs within modern workstations. We apply the method to the simulation of indirect radiation detectors using a modified version of the code mantis. METHODS: We modified penelope to output coordinates and energy deposited during x‐ray and electron interactions occurring within the scintillator which are then used as source for optical showers using detect2. The main program dynamically allocates optical transport showers to the GPU and CPU cores using the detect2 routines in mantis. In this paper, we describe a GPU implementation of the basic physics models in detect2 (we call this gpu‐ detect2) and a serial CPU version of the same code. The hybrid approach allows the main program to farm optical showers to computing cores as they become available. RESULTS: Our preliminary results suggest that a speedup factor of up to 26 between GPU and CPU versions of the new gpu‐ detect2 code, and up to three orders of magnitude compared to the optical transport routines in mantis can be achieved. Further validation is needed and additional optimizations are possible. CONCLUSION: The rationale of this novel method relies on three aspects, the last two being unique to this type of simulation. First, current workstations typically have computing power available both in CPU and GPU cores. Second, not all Monte Carlo simulation packages are easily ported into a GPU implementation. Lastly, optical transport has been shown to be the major computational bottleneck in the Monte Carlo modeling of indirect x‐ray imaging detectors. We introduce a hybrid approach for the Monte Carlo modeling of indirect x‐ray imaging devices that promises to significantly speed up simulations.
Eye-gaze-contingent control of the computer interface: Methodology and example for zoom detection

Discrimination of user intent at the computer interface solely from eye gaze can provide a powerful tool, benefiting many applications. An exploratory methodology for discriminating zoom-in, zoom-out, and no-zoom intent was developed for such applications as telerobotics, disability aids, weapons systems, and process control interfaces. Using an eye-tracking system, real-time eye-gaze locations on a display are collected. Using off-line procedures, these data are clustered, using minimum spanning tree representations, and then characterized. The cluster characteristics are fed into a multiple linear discriminant analysis, which attempts to discriminate the zoom-in, zoom-out, and no-zoom conditions. The methodologies, algorithms, and experimental data collection procedure are described, followed by example output from the analysis programs. Although developed specifically for the discrimination of zoom conditions, the methodology has broader potential for discrimination of user intent in other interface operations.
Gender Differences in the Relationship between Daily Computer Usage and Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Undergraduate Students

We conducted a repeated measures pilot field study on 27 undergraduate students (14 males and 13 females) to investigate the relationship between daily computer usage time and musculoskeletal symptoms. For three one-week periods during a single semester, students reported symptoms (outcome) 3-5 times daily while computer usage time (exposure) was objectively measured by a usage monitor software installed onto participants' own computer. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) regression models tested the relationship between outcome and exposure. In males, each additional hour of daily computer usage was associated with an increased odds ratio of reporting symptoms to 1.18 (1.05–1.34). In females, the corresponding increased odd ratio for each additional hour of daily usage was 1.02 (0.96 to 1.08). The results also suggested a potential dose-response relationship between daily computer usage time and musculoskeletal symptoms; however, the significance of relationship was different between genders.
Oral contraceptives, norethynodrel and mestranol: effects of glucose tolerance, tissue uptake of glucose-U- 14 C and insulin sensitivity.

The study was undertaken to determine which of the 2 steroidal agents commonly used in oral contraceptives - norethynodrel or mestranol - is responsible for changes in glucose tolerance and to investigate possible roles of liver depot fat and diaphragm muscle. 11-week-old female rats were used. Experimental diets were enriched with either mestranol norethynodrel or both steroids. 1 group was fed a control (non-supplemented) diet. In the experimental groups the daily intake of steroids was about .1 mg norethynodrel and/or 1.5 mg mestranol/kg body weight. No significant differences in glucose tolerance curves appeared among the 4 groups after 2 weeks of steroid treatment. After an additional 2 weeks higher glucose levels were seen in the steroid-treat ed rats than in the control rats. Analysis of variance showed norethynodrel responsible for the overall increase in levels in the steroid-treated rats. Though mestranol alone caused no significant departure from the control pattern the addition of this compound appeared to partially reverse the effect of norethynodrel. In the combi nation and mestranol groups the rates of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal absorption of an oral glucose load were significantly lower than in the norethynodrel and control groups. Mestranol appeared to be the main factor causing the difference. No significant differences were seen in the uptake of radioactivity from glucose-U-carbon-14 by liver or diaphragm muscle between control and experimental rats. Adipose tissue however took up significantly less radioactivity in the combination and norethnodrel groups than in the control and mestranol groups norethynodrel having been the major causat ive agent. Syntheses of fatty acids and nonsaponifiable lipid were found to be significantly lower in the steroid-treated tissues. The conversion of glucose to CO2 and glycogen was significantly increased by insulin in the control and treated groups; the control tissues were more sensitive in this respect. The lower rates of gastric emptying and gastrointestinal absorption in rats treated with mestranol or its combination with norethynodrel though significant statistically apparently are too similar to the normal rates to have appreciable aeffects on blood glucose levels or rates of glucose metabolism in various tissues.
Factors affecting the conversion of cross‐reinnervated skeletal muscles

Greatly enhanced conversion of cross-reinnervated muscles was obtained when the preexisting muscle fibers were injured causing dedifferentiation and redifferentiation in the presence of a “foreign” nerve.
Assessing human health risks from exposure to di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) and related phthalates: scientific issues.

(1989). Assessing Human Health Risks from Exposure to Di(2-Ethylhexyl). Phthalate (DEHP) and Related Phthalates: Scientific Issues. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 21, No. 1, pp. 111-120.
Chronic cardiac compression (chronic constrictive pericarditis); a critical study of sixty-one operated cases with follow-up.

Sixty-one patients with chronic cardiac compression were studied critically, the largest series in the literature. All patients had pericardiectomy performed. The operative mortality was 18 per cent. Satisfactory result was obtained 72.1 per cent of the patients operated. Tuberculosis was the cause in 28.2 per cent. In most of the remaining cases the etiology was obscure. The symptoms, physical signs, and laboratory examinations are reported. The physiologic studies after operation demonstrate improved cardiac filling and emptying. The importance of diagnosis and the desirability of pericardiectomy are stressed. With antibiotic therapy there is less risk in operating patients with active infection and the compression syndrome.
Pursuing the curative blueprint for early myeloma

Treatment philosophies in multiple myeloma (MM) debate the relative merits of achieving the deepest possible remissions (“curative” doctrine) vs sequential delivery of antimyeloma agents (“control” doctrine). In this paper, we highlight the relevant strengths of each doctrine in the context of modern patient selection strategies, fresh biological insights on MM pathogenesis, agents with improved safety profiles, and emerging molecular and imaging tools. Paramount fundamental questions remain unanswered that require an intense research focus as we pursue a cure for this devastating disease.
Clinical applications of microarray technology: creatine kinase B is an up-regulated gene in epithelial ovarian cancer and shows promise as a serum marker

Abstract Objective. (1) To identify and (2) validate genes that are up-regulated in ovarian cancer, and (3) to investigate whether the activity of a candidate gene, creatine kinase B (CKB) is elevated in pre-operative sera from ovarian cancer patients compared to patients with benign pelvic masses and normal controls. Methods. MICROMAX cDNA microarray system and RNA derived from pooled ovarian cancer cell lines and normal ovary surface epithelial cells (HOSE) were used to identify differentially expressed genes. Using RNA from both cell lines and from tissue obtained through laser capture microdissection (LCM), we performed quantitative PCR in order to validate up-regulation of one of these genes, creatine kinase B (CKB). Using a commercially available enzyme assay, CKB activity was measured in pre-operative serum samples obtained from 45 ovarian cancer patients, 49 patients with a benign pelvic mass, as well as 37 normal controls. Statistical analysis was preformed using an unpaired Student's t test. Results. Microarray technology revealed that CKB gene expression had a cancer to HOSE ratio of 18. RNA levels of CKB, measured by real-time PCR, were elevated a mean (and standard error) of 36-fold (8.4) in cancer cell lines compared with HOSE cells and 22.75-fold (10.45) in microdissected ovarian cancer epithelial cells compared with normal ovarian epithelial cells. In serum, the mean (±standard error) of CKB enzyme activity in cancer cases was 24.7 U/L units (±5.1) compared to 9.6 U/L (±1.6) for benign mass cases ( P = 0.0088) and to 8.5 U/L (1.7) for normal controls ( P = 0.0096). Conclusions. Microarray technology offers a method to identify tumor biomarkers with potential clinical usefulness. Our data indicated that CKB gene expression is up-regulated in ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and that CKB enzyme activity is significantly elevated in sera from ovarian cancer patients, including those with stage I disease. These findings suggest a potential role for CKB as a marker for early diagnosis.
Nanocomposite reverse electrodialysis (RED) ion-exchange membranes for salinity gradient power generation

Abstract Despite the important role of ion-exchange membranes (IEMs) in reverse electrodialysis (RED) systems, the current absence of proper ion-exchange membranes delays the sustainable development of the RED process for salinity gradient power generation. This research presents the preparation of a new type of organic–inorganic nanocomposite cation exchange membrane and its performance characteristics. The combination of functionalized iron (III) oxide ( Fe 2 O 3 - SO 4 2 − ) as an inorganic filler with the sulfonated poly (2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxide) (sPPO) polymer matrix proved to have great potential for power generation by RED. The results showed that an optimal amount of Fe 2 O 3 - SO 4 2 − (0.5–0.7 wt%) enhanced the key electrochemical properties of the ion-exchange membranes including a permselectivity up to 87.65% and an area resistance of 0.87 Ω cm2. The nanocomposite membrane containing 0.7 wt% ( Fe 2 O 3 - SO 4 2 − ) achieved a maximum power density (amount of power per unit membrane area) of 1.3 W m−2, which is relatively higher than that of the commercially available CSO (SelemionTM, Japan) membranes. The goal of the present work is to maximize the salinity gradient power generation by developing RED-specific nanocomposite IEMs. The results show the potential of the new design of the nanocomposite IEMs for viable energy generation by RED.
Comparative study of protein pattern of epididymal plasma of mouse, rat, rabbit and sheep.

Abstract 1. 1. The protein pattern of epididymal plasma like fluid (EPLF) of mouse, rat, rabbit and sheep was revealed by acrylamide disc gel electrophoresis. 2. 2. Based on the electrophoretic mobility of proteins in EPLF and proteins in blood serum, it is suggested that blood serum is the main source of most of the EPLF protein. 3. 3. There are many epididymal plasma unique proteins appearing in the protein picture of each species. 4. 4. The number of epididymal plasma unique proteins is mouse, 3 and 2; rat, 5 and 2; rabbit, 5 and 5; and sheep, 5 and 5, for basic and acidic pH, respectively.
Physical Models That Provide Guidance in Visualization Deconstruction in an Inorganic Context

Three physical model systems have been developed to help students deconstruct the visualization needed when learning symmetry and group theory. The systems provide students with physical and visual frames of reference to facilitate the complex visualization involved in symmetry concepts. The permanent reflection plane demonstration presents an explicit example of a reflection plane and provides visual indicators that students use to support or invalidate the presence of a reflection plane. The 3-D coordinate axis system provides an environment that allows students to envision symmetry operations beyond the basic geometry of bonds in a relevant molecular context while the proper rotation axis system is designed to provide a physical frame of reference to showcase multiple symmetry elements that students must identify in a molecular model. The 3-D coordinate axis and the proper rotation axis systems allow students to incorporate their own molecular modeling kits. All three model systems have corresponding w...
Effects of electrolytes on epinephrine stimulated lipolysis in adipose tissue in vitro.

1. 1. Stimulation of glycerol release from free fat cells by epinephrine was diminished slightly by omission of Ca2+ or Mg2+from Krebs-Ringer phosphate medium, and to a greater extent by omission of both divalent cations. Omission of K+ or addition of ouabain, 0.5 mM, decreased glycerol release in the presence of epinephrine to a greater degree in the absence of Ca2+ and Mg2+ than it did in their presence. Lipolysis in fat pads incubated with epinephrine was not diminished in medium without K+ until after 1 h of incubation during which time about 9 μequiv K+ per g tissue had been released into the medium. The effect of epinephrine was not altered by substitution of Rb+ for K+, and NH4+, Cs+ or Li+ were partially effective in replacing K+. In the presence of K+, increasing the concentration of phosphate in the medium from 9 to 28 mM markedly inhibited epinephrine-stimulated lipolysis. 2. 2. Stimulation of lipolysis by theophylline or by dibutyryl-cyclic-3',5'-AMP was little affected by the presence or absence of Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ or ouabain in the medium. The lipolytic effect of cyclic 3',5'-AMP, on the other hand, was enhanced by omission from Krebs-Ringer phosphate medium of Ca2+ and Mg2+ and was further augmented by the omission of K+ or the addition of ouabain in medium without the divalent cations. 3. 3. The results of the experiments with cyclic 3',5'-AMP are difficult to interpret within the framework of current hypotheses. They are not, however, incompatible with the suggestion based on the other findings reported here that Ca2+, Mg2+, K+ and ouabain modify the lipolytic action of epinephrine by influencing some early step in hormone action that occurs in or on the cell membrane.
Effects of caloric manipulations on food intake in baboons.

Abstract Food intake of seven adult male baboons ( Papio cynocephalus anubis ) was monitored during daily 22-h experimental sessions. Food was available under a two-component operant schedule. Following completion of the first “procurement component” response requirement, access to food, i.e. a meal, became available under the second “consumption component,” during which each response produced a 1-g food pellet. After a 10-min interval in which no response occurred, the consumption component was terminated. The effects of carloric preloads on food intake were determined by giving each baboon a meal of preferred foods 45–60 min prior to the start of the daily session. Caloric preloads decreased food intake during the first 8 h of the session, but had no effect on intake during the entire session. The effects of acute deprivation on food intake were determined by terminating sessions after a baboon had consumed 20–80% of baseline intake, and by starting a session 4–12 h late. Deprivation did not increase subsequent food intake. The effects of the availability of an alternative source of calories on total daily intake were determined by providing access to a dextrose solution. Baboons decreased intake of solid food in accordance with the caloric intake from the dextrose solutions by decreasing the number of meals. Finally, the effects of providing a diet of higher caloric density on food intake were determined. Two of the four baboons tested in this procedure maintained baseline levels of daily caloric intake, while the other two baboons increased daily caloric intake. In summary, free-feeding baboons were relatively insensitive to acute changes in feeding conditions, but were sensitive to long-term changes in the caloric content of available foods.
The number of sites sensitive to 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea,3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and 2-chloro-4-(2-propylamino)-6-ethylamino-s-triazine in isolated chloroplasts.

Abstract The absorption of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea and Atrazine by isolated spinach chloroplasts involves at least three simultaneous processes: (a) An irreversible binding or destruction accounting for about one molecule of inhibitor for every 1000 chlorophyll molecules. This process is not associated with inhibition. (b) A partitioning between the biological and aqueous solvent phases which is independent of inhibitor concentration over the inhibitory range. (c) An absorption which corresponds closely to the degree of inhibition. This process probably represents the formation of the enzyme-inhibitor complex. Estimates of the number of inhibitor-sensitive sites based on the analysis of the partitioning phenomena and estimates based on the Straus-Goldstein analysis of the inhibition kinetics agree. Regardless of which of the three inhibitors is used the number of sites of inhibition seems to be one for every 2500 chlorophyll molecules. The nature of the “photosynthetic unit” is discussed and the question of the minimum size of chloroplast fragments capable of oxygen production is reconsidered in the light of these observations.
Expert focus-pushing the envelope: space telerobotics at Carnegie Mellon University

Three space-oriented projects at CMU's Robotics Institute are described: the Ambler planetary rover, the self-mobile space manipulator and the Hubble space telescope scheduling system. The Ambler planetary rover project is a comprehensive research program to design and build an intelligent machine that will explore and sample extraterrestrial planetary surfaces. The self-mobile space manipulator robot is part of an effort to develop technologies that will enable mobile robots to be used on the space station and other space structures. The Hubble space telescope scheduling (HSTS) Project is developing a software architecture to formulate and solve complex planning and scheduling problems. >
High-Flexion Total Knee Replacement: Functional Outcome at One Year

Implants designed for enhanced flexion offer the prospect of improved function after total knee replacement (TKR). Whereas most studies evaluating these implants have focused on the range of knee flexion achieved, this study investigated the quality of function in deep knee flexion. The influences of residual pain and maximum flexion angle on function in deep knee flexion were also examined. Eighty-three patients (100 knees) were prospectively followed for 1 year after TKR with a rotating-platform posterior-stabilized high-flexion prosthesis. Range of motion was measured and Knee Society scores were calculated. A questionnaire evaluated residual knee pain and function in high-flexion activities. Mean Knee Society score was 95, and mean knee flexion was 125°, yet 20% of patients could neither kneel, nor squat, nor sit on their heels. Fifty-seven percent were able to kneel without significant difficulty; 69% were able to squat without significant difficulty; and 46% were able to sit on their heels without significant difficulty. Function in deep flexion correlated with pain scores but did not correlate with knee flexion angles or Knee Society scores. Results 1 year after TKR with a rotating-platform posterior-stabilized high-flexion prosthesis are encouraging, but one in five patients remain significantly limited in high-flexion activities.
Reactions of a Laboratory Behavioral Scientist to a "Thinktank" on Metacontingencies and Cultural Analysis

For a scientist who spends most of his time in a research laboratory studying behavior of non-human animals, participating in a “think tank” about issues such as cultural evolution and cultural change was challenging, interesting, and educational. My main focus at the “tank” was in attempting to determine what sorts of experiments are needed and are possible in attempts to understand how behavior of aggregates of individuals is established, modified, and maintained. Several participants presented excellent examples of programs that have produced impressive and societally useful changes in aggregate behavior of substantial numbers of individuals. The think tank group generally found it useful to organize what is going on in those kinds of interventions in terms of two major concepts, macrocontingencies and metacontingencies. Macrocontingencies are individual contingencies applied directly to a large number of people. Ordinary laws and religious proscriptions are examples. Thus, the concept of macrocontingency requires conventional analyses to understand how it works. Macrocontingency simply refers to situations in which the same contingency is applied to many people. Macrocontingencies, therefore, can influence the behavior a large numbers of individuals, depending on how many of them can be subjected to the contingency. In contrast, the concept of metacontingency contains many more subtleties. A metacontingency (See Glenn, 1988) refers to what are called an “interlocking” set of contingencies for a group of individuals, such that particular individuals are not exposed to the same contingencies, but to different ones. The behavior established and maintained by contingencies for one person dictate contingencies for other persons. The result of the interdependent contingencies that participate in a metacontingency is a particular outcome that serves to keep the interlocking contingencies interconnected. A small-scale example of a metacontingency can be found in a corporation in which people play different interdependent roles, the common outcome of which is the product the company produces. The success of the
Accounting Irregularities and Failure to Deliver: An Examination of the Relationship between Naked Short Sales and Restatements

This article examines the relationship between naked short selling and accounting irregularities that cause a firm to issue a restatement. Using the level of fails to deliver as a proxy for naked short selling, we find evidence of increased naked short selling in anticipation, as well as in response to these announcements. Traders who engage in naked short selling are more likely to target larger firms, which is counter to the argument that naked short selling is the result of an inability to borrow the securities. Further, we find that more transparent announcements result in greater levels of naked short selling. The level of abnormal fails to deliver is positively related to both the volatility of the stock’s return after the restatement announcement and the level of institutional ownership before the announcement.
Renewables on Main Street

Photovoltaics (PV), a technology capable of generating electricity directly from sunlight, is commonly viewed as a rural technology that is best suited to supplying power for small villages and remote farms. Most people are surprised to learn that one of the fastest growing markets for PV is in urban areas. Energy generated by PV can be a powerful, cost-effective tool in the hands of municipal planners for lowpower, mobile applications when power from the local utility is neither available nor cost-effective to extend. It is quiet, reliable, safe, and environmentally benign. It blends unobtrusively into parks, bus stops, rail stations, and other urban landscapes or streetscapes. In many cases, it is the least expensive option.
Biology of endothelin receptors in the collecting duct

The collecting duct endothelin (ET) system, involving ET-1 and its two receptors, is involved in the physiologic regulation of renal sodium (Na), water, and acid excretion. Based on in vitro studies and experiments using genetically engineered rodents, the physiology of this system in the collecting duct is being elucidated. Activation of endothelin B (ETB) receptors on principal cells causes inhibition of Na transport through signaling pathways involving src kinase, MAPK1/2, nitric oxide, and possibly prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Principal-cell ETB receptors also cause inhibition of water transport through protein kinase C–mediated inhibition of AVP-dependent cAMP accumulation. ETB receptors expressed on intercalated cells augment acid secretion, possibly through nitric oxide–dependent mechanisms. The role of endothelin A (ETA) receptors in the collecting duct remains unclear; however, recent evidence suggests that these receptors can exert natriuretic and diuretic effects. Further complexity is lent to this system by studies indicating that ETA and ETB receptors can homo- and hetero-dimerize, with possible functional consequences. This brief review will describe our current state of knowledge about this complex regulatory system in the collecting duct, and will identify clinically relevant issues that need addressing.
Information literacy, a worldwide priority for the twenty‐first century

Concentrates on information literacy, by way of attendance at an international symposium, which was a common theme by the speakers. Records that information literacy is a worldwide phenomenon and not just a movement in the USA. Concludes it is important that students build on a strong foundation of information literacy skills and abilities using the faculty‐librarian partnerships fully to do this.
Mutation analysis of CBL-C and SPRED3 on 19q in human glioblastoma.

Allelic loss of 19q13 is one of the common molecular abnormalities in malignant gliomas such as glioblastoma. However, extensive mapping efforts and mutation screening of candidate genes at 19q13 have failed to identify a putative tumor suppressor gene in this region [1]. Alterations of receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling are also common in human glioblastoma. Amplification and overexpression of the EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) gene, encoding an RTK with known oncogenic function, is found in about one-third of glioblastomas, but it remains possible that activation of the EGFR signaling pathway occurs by other mechanisms in those glioblastomas that lack gene amplification. RTK signaling is partially controlled by negative regulators; these negative regulators are involved in cellular homeostasis and their deregulation occurs in human oncogenesis [2]. Two RTK negative regulatory genes map to 19q13: CBL-C [3] and SPRED3 [4]. CBL-C is a member of the CBL family, which regulates EGFR activation by internalization and degradation via ubiquitination, thereby inhibiting EGF-stimulated MAPK activation. An alternative spliced form of CBL-C, which deletes a critical region of the phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain, abolishes interaction with and inhibition of EGFR [3]. RING finger mutation of CBL-A is also associated with EGFR activation [5]. SPRED, on the other hand, inhibits the EGFR-mediated RAS-MAPK pathway via an interaction with RAS-RAF [6]. SPRED3 contains an Ena/ Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) homology-1 (EVH1) domain and Sprouty-related cysteine-rich region (SPR domain), but lacks a functional c-Kit-binding domain (KBD) [4]. Interestingly, SPRED3 is expressed exclusively in the brain [4]. We hypothesized that genetic alteration of these genes could activate the EGFR signaling pathway in an alternative manner to EGFR amplification. To address this possibility, we performed single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the crucial, conserved domains of each candidate using the primers listed in Table 1. We screened the 8 exons of the PTB and RING domains of CBL-C and the 3 exons encoding the EVH1 and SPR domains of SPRED3 in 30 glioblastomas (8 with EGFR amplification and 22 with normal EGFR copy number). One aberrant shift was detected in exon 8 of CBL-C, but this was also present in corresponding blood DNA. No somatic mutation was detected in either gene. We conclude that neither CBL-C nor SPRED3 is likely to be the 19q13 glioblastoma gene. Nonetheless, alterations of negative RTK regulatory molecules may play a role in human malignancies, including glioblastoma, and further study of these genes may be of interest.
Strength of Discourse Context as a Determinant of the Subordinate Bias Effect

Two experiments examined the influence of strength of discourse bias on lexical ambiguity resolution. Short passages were constructed to bias polarized ambiguous words (homonyms) strongly or weakly toward the dominant or subordinate meanings. Using a self-paced reading task in Experiment 1, it was demonstrated that in strongly biased discourse, reading times for homonyms in dominant discourse did not differ from those in subordinate discourse. However, when the discourse was weakly biased, homonyms were read faster in dominant discourse than in subordinate discourse. Experiment 2 combined the reading paradigm with a naming task in order to provide an assessment of specific word-meaning activation. Reading times on ambiguous words replicated the results of Experiment 1. In addition, naming latencies for probe words revealed that only the contextually appropriate sense of a homonym was activated in strongly biased discourse. In contrast, both contextually appropriate and inappropriate senses were activated ...
Social innovation and citizen movements

Abstract Citizen movements, now global as well as national and local, are key drivers in changing societies. They constitute an evolving form of democratic governance, sometimes rivalling the influence of heads of state, generals, scientists, inventors and multinational corporate executives. The powers of the latter flow from existing and historic social structures, while the power that citizen movements wield is informal, unpredictable, and often unnoticed by elites until it emerges as a critical mass. Thus the conceptual tools of non-linear systems dynamics, chaos, and complexity modelling are appropriate for studying such movements. Their relevance for futures studies and their role in social innovation stems from their ability to arise at the interstices in social structures, often providing corrective feedback and creative approaches to social evolution. Such movements generally constitute ‘social early warning systems’ signalling dysfunction, and can often become destructive if their energy and ideas are not accommodated in appropriate ways.
Release from Multiple Maskers in Elderly Persons

Masked thresholds for spondees were measured in 27 binaural conditions covering homophasic, antiphasic, parallel time-delayed, and opposed time-delayed listening in the presence of one to three com...
Prior stress attenuates the analgesic response but sensitizes the corticosterone and cortical dopamine responses to stress 10 days later.

This study demonstrates that pre-exposure to stress influences subsequent effects of stress on pain sensitivity (stress-induced analgesia) and on plasma corticosterone and brain catecholamine activity. Animals exposed to a 30 min shock session (S1=8, 5.0 s shocks) 10 days earlier showed a significant attenuation of shock-induced analgesia, as measured by increased latency of tail withdrawal from a hot water bath immediately after a 40 s, 1.6 mA footshock (S2). Animals exposed to shock 10 days before testing also exhibited a higher plasma corticosterone response to testing than did all other groups. Norepinephrine (NE) levels in the frontal cortex and dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in the frontal cortex and nucleus accumbens were not altered in any group. However, the DOPAC/DA ratio in the frontal cortex was increased by analgesia testing, and this increase was enhanced only by the combination of shock 10 days before testing and shock immediately before the test (S1+S2). These results are consistent with previous reports from this laboratory which indicate that an animal's acute response to stress is strongly influenced by its past history of stress.
Estimating Mid-Frequency Effects of Aperture Diffraction on Reverberant-Energy Decay in Coupled-Room Auditoria

Effects of aperture diffraction on reverberant energy decay in coupled-room auditoria are estimated at mid frequencies, defined as frequencies above the Schroeder frequencies of subrooms, but having wavelengths of the order of the characteristic dimensions of apertures. Hybrid models are developed that account for wave effects at apertures but treat sound fields in subrooms using high-frequency models. The models give more accurate estimates of the randomincidence power transmission coefficient. These estimates agree well with independent measurements of circular apertures in thin, hard screens. When used to predict the effects of diffraction in a schematic representation of typical coupled-room auditoria, new mid-frequency models suggest that effects of diffraction on decay curves, while smaller than variations due to input-parameter uncertainty, are large enough to be audible.
An Ecological Systems Comparison Between Homeless Sexual Minority Youths and Homeless Heterosexual Youths

This study examined risk and protective outcomes by comparing homeless sexual minority youths to heterosexual homeless youths regarding family, peer behaviors, school, mental health (suicide risk and depression), stigma, discrimination, substance use, and sexual risk behaviors. Structured interviews (N = 147) were conducted with individuals ages 16-24 at three drop-in programs serving homeless youths in Toronto. Bivariate analyses indicated statistically significant differences between homeless sexual minorities (n=66) and their heterosexual counterparts (n=81) regarding all variables: family, peer behaviors, stigma, discrimination, mental health, substance use and sexual risk behaviors with the exception of school belonging. Specifically, homeless sexual minority youths fared more poorly (e.g. lower satisfaction with family communication, experienced more stigma, used more drugs and alcohol) than their heterosexual counterparts. Improving family communication may be a worthwhile intervention if the youths are still in contact with their families. Future research should focus on victimization in the context of multiple systems.
The antiphospholipid-protein syndrome

The pathogenesis of the antiphospholipid syndrome remains uncertain. Antibodies that react with phospholipids may not be directly responsible for cellular injury, but may be part of the immune network through which autoantibodies with pathogenic potential are generated. The latter may recognize proteins such asβ2-glycoprotein I that form complexes with phospholipids, proteins whose functions depend upon interaction with phospholipids such as protein C and its cofactors, altered lipoproteins such as oxidized low-density lipoproteins, or other molecules that share only antigenic similarity. Thus, a spectrum of autoantibodies that recognize different lipid-protein complexes may develop in these patients and contribute to the observed clinical heterogeneity of the syndrome. Current techniques do not permit identification of the subset of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies at risk for thrombosis or abortion and there are no prospective, controlled trials addressing the prophylaxis or treatment of affected individuals. Identification of the cellular targets of antibodies to lipid-protein moieties is needed to identify patients at risk for these complications and as a means to monitor therapy.
Contingency management with community reinforcement approach or twelve-step facilitation drug counseling for cocaine dependent pregnant women or women with young children.

Abstract Background Cocaine abuse among women of child-bearing years is a significant public health problem. This study evaluated the efficacy of contingency management (CM), the community reinforcement approach (CRA), and twelve-step facilitation (TSF) for cocaine-dependent pregnant women or women with young children. Methods Using a 2 × 2 study design, 145 cocaine dependent women were randomized to 24 weeks of CRA or TSF and to monetary vouchers provided contingent on cocaine-negative urine tests (CM) or non-contingently but yoked in value (voucher control, VC). Primary outcome measures included the longest consecutive period of documented abstinence, proportion of cocaine-negative urine tests (obtained twice-weekly), and percent days using cocaine (PDC) during treatment. Documented cocaine abstinence at baseline and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months following randomization was a secondary outcome. Findings CM was associated with significantly greater duration of cocaine abstinence ( p p p p values ≥0.75). PDC decreased significantly from baseline during treatment in all four groups ( p p = 0.10) or between TSF and CRA ( p = 0.23). Interpretation The study findings support the efficacy of CM for cocaine dependent pregnant women and women with young children but do not support greater efficacy of CRA compared to TSF or differential efficacy of CM when paired with either CRA or TSF.
Flow studies of certain dental impression materials

Abstract A study has been made of the degree of flow exhibited by 15 different impression materials commonly used in prosthetic dentistry and the amount of flow which might be expected from these materials at various time intervals following the beginning of spatulation. The research substantiates previous work where it has been found that the degree of flow varies from thin materials which exhibited almost unlimited flow, to those which were comparatively stiff. Some materials demonstrated a critical decrease in flow at room temperature, thus giving a limited amount of working time, while in other materials the flow remained high. Two of the seven zinc oxide-eugenol pastes, the alginates and the plaster-containing materials demonstrated this marked decrease in flow at certain time intervals. It is apparent then that if a specific flow is desirable, the time between mixing and insertion of the tray is critical for certain materials. The rubber base materials were not markedly influenced. This marked reduction in flow, as exhibited by some of the materials, might be advantageous in reducing the possibility of distortion while the materials are setting in the mouth. Although some materials showed a definite correlation between the flow and setting time, the reduction in flow could not always be predicted by examination of the setting time.
Divergence in the neural control of oviposition in Drosophila

Abstract Of several species of Drosophila tested, only D. melanogaster was capable of ovipositing after decapitation. Two other species (D. tripunctata and D. pseudoobscura) were also capable of reflex oviposition during the operation but D. virilis and D. palustris were not. This divergence of neural control mechanisms suggests the existence of at least two alternate circuits for the control of insect oviposition.
Port service chains and port performance evaluation

This paper provides a novel and unique methodology for evaluating the effectiveness performance of a port’s individual services by utilizing the concept of a port service chain – a service network utilized by a port’s service providers in the provision of the port’s services that accounts for the quality-of-service relationships among the services. If such relationships are ignored, the resource allocations by the port’s service providers to improve the quality of their port services will either over- or underestimate the amount of resources needed. A cooperative port service chain will always (under certain conditions) be more effective than a non-cooperative port service chain.
Corn and kidney bean root endoplasmic reticulum vesicles reduce a fungal iron chelate, ferrirhodotorulic acid, in vitro

Endoplasmic reticulum vesicles from both corn and kidney bean roots are capable of reducing ferrirhodotorulic acid, a fungal iron chelator, in vitro, using NADH as the reductant. In magnesium containing linear 15–45% sucrose density gradients, the activity was in a wide, high density band. The activity shifted in density to 1.07–1.08 when EDTA was included instead of magnesium. No plasma membrane reducing activity was found, even with iron deficient plants, using both NADH and NADPH as electron donors. It is speculated that the Eo′ value for ferrirhodotorulic acid, −0.36 V, may be too low for this chelate to be reduced by the iron deficiency induced iron chelate reductase found in the plasma membrane of nonpoaceous plants. Most of the activity was in the microsomal fraction rather than the soluble fraction.