cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presbycusis and its management

Age-related hearing loss, or presbycusis, is becoming a public health issue. With the large number of ageing baby boomers, primary care providers can expect to see an increase in older adults suffering from chronic health problems such as presbycusis. It is the primary care provider's responsibility to perform prompt auditory screenings and to recognize the early clinical signs and symptoms of hearing loss. Early interventions, such as hearing aids or surgery, could help to improve the client's quality of life. Primary care providers should also teach older adults proper auditory hygiene, and provide information regarding support groups to the family and the caregiver as needed.
The terminal nerve and its relation with extrabulbar “olfactory” projections: Lessons from lampreys and lungfishes

The definition of the terminal nerve has led to considerable confusion and controversy. This review analyzes the current state of knowledge as well as diverging opinions about the existence, components, and definition of terminal nerves or their components, with emphasis on lampreys and lungfishes. I will argue that the historical terminology regarding this cranial nerve embraces a definition of a terminal nerve that is compatible with its existence in all vertebrate species. This review further summarizes classical and more recent anatomical, developmental, neurochemical, and molecular evidence suggesting that a multitude of terminalis cell types, not only those expressing gonadotropin-releasing hormone, migrate various distances into the forebrain. This results in numerous morphological and neurochemically distinct phenotypes of neurons, with a continuum spanning from olfactory receptor-like neurons in the olfactory epithelium to typical large ganglion cells that accompany the classical olfactory projections. These cell bodies may lose their peripheral connections with the olfactory epithelium, and their central projections or cell bodies may enter the forebrain at several locations. Since "olfactory" marker proteins can be expressed in bona fide nervus terminalis cells, so-called extrabulbar "olfactory" projections may be a collection of disguised nervus terminalis components. If we do not allow this pleiomorphic collection of nerves to be considered within a terminal nerve framework, then the only alternative is to invent a highly species- and stage-specific, and, ultimately, thoroughly confusing nomenclature for neurons and nerve fibers that associate with the olfactory nerve and forebrain.
Cloning and Subcellular Localization of Human Mitochondrial hsp70

We report the cloning, nucleotide sequence, and localization of mitochondrial hsp70, a member of the human hsp70 multi-gene family. The human mthsp75 gene was cloned by screening an expression library with monoclonal antibody 3A3 that recognizes three members of the human hsp70 family (hsp70, hsc70, and a 75-kDa protein with characteristics identical to that previously established for mitochondrial hsp70). The identity of the 75-kDa protein was confirmed by subcellular fractionation of HeLa cells and the demonstration that the 3A3-reactive 75-kDa protein co-fractionates with mitochondrial localized proteins. The nucleotide sequence of the respective cDNA clone revealed an open reading frame of 679 amino acids with extensive sequence identity with members of the human hsp70 family. The derived amino-terminal pre-sequence shares features common to other mitochondrial targeting sequences. The identity of the cDNA was unequivocally established by introduction of an epitope-tag at the carboxyl terminus of the cloned gene, transfection and analysis by immunofluorescence. The tagged 75-kDa protein localizes to mitochondria, thus providing conclusive evidence that it corresponds to the human mitochondrial hsp70, referred to here as mthsp75.
Situated citizenship: understanding Sikh citizenship through women's exclusion

Democratization scholars point to institutional indicators to argue that Indian democracy is consolidated and Indian women are full citizens. I point to another set of data to demonstrate that Indian democracy is at risk because of the gendered nature of citizenship. I argue that institutional indicators tell a very limited story, because they often render women and gender invisible. I analyze situated citizenship through semi-structured, in-depth interview data. I find that respondents naturalize gendered citizenship, which results in a demarcation of home and marriage as the natural space of Sikh women. I find a situation of exclusionary inclusion, where women are an essential part of formal institutional democracy, but are unable to acquire full, substantive citizenship because they are understood as restricted to home and marriage. These results suggest that Indian democracy is weaker than democratization literature would suggest because women experience democracy differentially; women do not have the...
Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Disorders and Quality of Life Measures in Postoperative Patients With Endometrial Cancer

Abstract Background The primary goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic floor symptoms in postoperative patients with endometrial cancer. The secondary goal was to assess the impact of these issues on patient quality of life. Methods This cross-sectional study looked at women (N = 25) returning for postoperative care at least 6 months after total abdominal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Severity of pelvic floor symptoms was assessed using the short-form version of the Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20). The impact of these symptoms on quality of life was assessed using the short-form version of the Pelvic Floor Impact Questionnaire (PFIQ-7). Demographic data and PFDI-20 and PFIQ-7 scores were summarized using descriptive statistics. Results Pelvic symptoms were reported at a much higher rate than seen in the general public. Symptom prevalence was reported by 21/25 (84%) patients on the PFDI-20 questionnaire, with a mean score of 52.5 ± 64.8. Patients reported prevalence of symptoms in the following order: urinary symptoms (19/25 [76%]) > colorectal-anal symptoms (17/25 [68%]) > pelvic organ prolapse symptoms (11/25 [44%]). Slightly fewer than half (11/24) of the study participants reported quality of life issues associated with their pelvic symptoms, with a mean score in the mild range: 26.4 ± 64.5. The reported prevalence of the effect of pelvic symptoms on quality of life was urinary (10/25 [40%]) > colorectal-anal (8/24 [33%]) > pelvic organ prolapse (4/24 [17%]). Conclusion This study has shown that there was a high prevalence of symptoms of PFDs in our population after abdominal hysterectomy for endometrial cancer.
Transparent program transformations in the presence of opaque code

User-level indirection is the automatic rewriting of an application to interpose code that gets executed upon program actions such as object field access, method call, object construction, etc. The approach is constrained by the presence of opaque (native) code that cannot be indirected and can invalidate the assumptions of any indirection transformation. In this paper, we demonstrate the problem of employing user-level indirection in the presence of native code. We then suggest reasonable assumptions on the behavior of native code and a simple analysis to compute the constraints they entail. We show that the type information at the native code interface is often a surprisingly sufficient approximation of native behavior for heuristically estimating when user-level indirection can be applied safely. Furthermore, we introduce a new user-level indirection approach that minimizes the constraints imposed by interactions with native code.
The quantification of protein bioactivity, Phage T4 lysozymes substituted at residue 86

Data taken from the literature for the activity of mutant Phage T4 lysozymes substituted at residue 86 were correlated with the intermolecular force (IMF) equation with very good results. The activity determined was the relative amount of enzyme required to give a cleared area with a radius of 7.00 mm in the lysoplate assay of Becktel and Baase
Matrix-based gene delivery for tissue repair.

Scaffolds for tissue repair must provide structural and biochemical cues to initiate the complex cascade of events that lead to proper tissue formation. Incorporating genes into these scaffolds is an attractive alternative to protein delivery since gene delivery can be tunable to any DNA sequence and genes utilize the cells’ machinery to continuously produce therapeutic proteins, leading to longer lasting transgene expression and activation of autocrine and paracrine signaling that are not activated with bulk protein delivery. In this review, we discuss the importance of scaffold design and the impact of its design parameters (e.g. material, architecture, vector incorporation, biochemical cue presentation) on transgene expression and tissue repair.
Maternal and neonatal outcomes of repeat cesarean delivery in women with a prior classical versus low transverse uterine incision

We compared maternal and neonatal outcomes following repeat cesarean delivery (CD) of women with a prior classical CD with those with a prior low transverse CD. The Maternal Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) Network Cesarean Delivery Registry was used to identify women with one previous CD who underwent an elective repeat CD prior to the onset of labor ≥36 weeks. Outcomes were compared between women with a previous classical CD to those with a prior low transverse CD. Of the 7,936 women who met study criteria, 122 had a prior classical CD. Women with a prior classical CD had a higher rate of classical uterine incision at repeat CD (12.73% versus 0.59%; p < 0.001), had longer total operative time and hospital stay, and had higher intensive care unit admission. Uterine dehiscence was more frequent in women with a prior classical CD (2.46% versus 0.27%, OR 9.35, 95% CI 1.76-31.93). After adjusting for confounding factors, there were no statistical differences in major maternal or neonatal morbidities between groups. Uterine dehiscence was present at repeat CD in 2.46% of women with a prior classical CD. However, major maternal morbidities were similar to those with a prior low transverse CD.
The Role of Cost-Effectiveness in U.S. Vaccination Policy

One of the factors driving vaccination policy is societal value, one measure of which is cost-effectiveness. Unlike most U.S. public health institutions, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices explicitly considers cost-effectiveness in making recommendations.
Considerations on the manner of accounting for fast fracture risk in the design of PWR vessels

The French approach to the prevention of fast fracture in PWR vessels is to consider it as a whole and to choose the most convenient way to meet this general goal from an economic and technical point of view. According to this approach, there are no specific limits imposed on such factors as end of life RTNDT or neutron fluence, which are taken as criteria in other countries. The RCCM design and construction code specifications on chemical content and RTNDT for beltline and non-irradiated parts establish a sound basis for safety. However, for the most critical parts, the existence of large margins with respect to fast fracture is demonstrated by analysis for all second, third and fourth category design transients. To this aim, the RCCM code needs to demonstrate specified safety margins, depending on the transient category, for reference defects defined in kind and size, in order to bound realistically any defects which have a chance of occurring in the part during manufacture. This approach, which enables the disclosure of the influence of all significant design factors on fracture risk, ensures the most consistent way to improve design safety.
A Cross-Cultural Assessment of Familial Factors in the Development of Female Homosexuality

Nonclinical samples of 224 heterosexual and 205 homosexual females were interviewed with regard to their recalled childhood experiences in Brazil, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States. Twelve items were used to examine differences between heterosexual and homosexual females. These are: "normal" family, absent motherlfather, wanner parent, stronger parent, hostile father, hostile mother, detached/distant father, detached/distant mother, seductive mother, seductive father, father's attitude toward sex, mother's attitude toward sex. Seven items produced no significant differences between homosexuals and heterosexuals in any of the four societies. Another five items resulted in some signif~cant differences between these groups; however, these differences were inconsistent in all four societies. Combining the data for all four societies resulted in only one item-the detacheddistant mother-exhibiting signif~cant differences between homosexual and heterosexual groups. It is not clear whether the detached...
The structure of erythromycin enol ether as a model for its activity as a motilide

Erythromycin enol ether is a potent mimic of the peptide hormone motilin. To understand its biological activity, its three-dimensional structure in CD(2)Cl(2) was determined from constrained molecular mechanics using constraints derived from NMR spectra. The structure of the enol ether is well defined by 10 structures that minimize the energy and satisfy the NMR data. We infer the molecular basis for its activity as a motilide from a comparison of its structure with that of motilin. The macrolide ring of the enol ether is a beta-turn mimic of the peptide. Furthermore, a superposition of the structures of the enol ether and motilin shows a striking overlap of the sugar rings attached to the macrolide ring with essential aromatic side chains in the peptide.
Letter by Kurth Regarding Article, “Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs, Acetaminophen, and the Risk of Cardiovascular Events”

To the Editor: The study by Chan and colleagues1 evaluated the association between use of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen and the risk of major cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy women. Their study showed a statistically significant increased risk among women who used NSAIDs or acetaminophen ≥22 days per month. In their discussion, the authors cited a secondary analysis from the Physicians’ Health Study that regular NSAID use (use of NSAIDS ≥60 days per year) was associated with a nearly 3-fold higher risk of …
A new variety of coreopsis mutica (Compositae) from Mexico

Coreopsis mutica var.simplicifolia is described from the state of Guanajuato in Mexico. The new variety is distinguishable by its simple lanceolate to linear-lanceolate leaves. In addition, var.simplicifolia is al lopatric with other C.mutica and has a distinctive leaf flavonoid chemistry. The chromosome number of the variety is 2n = 56.
Towards self-repairing replication-based storage systems using untrusted clouds

Distributed storage systems store data redundantly at multiple servers which are geographically spread throughout the world. This basic approach would be sufficient in handling server failure due to natural faults, because when one server fails, data from healthy servers can be used to restore the desired redundancy level. However, in a setting where servers are untrusted and can behave maliciously, data redundancy must be used in tandem with Remote Data Checking (RDC) to ensure that the redundancy level of the storage systems is maintained over time.All previous RDC schemes for distributed systems impose a heavy burden on the data owner (client) during data maintenance: To repair data at a faulty server, the data owner needs to first download a large amount of data, re-generate the data to be stored at a new server, and then upload this data at a new healthy server. We propose RDC -- SR, a novel RDC scheme for replication-based distributed storage systems. RDC -- SR enables Server-side Repair (thus taking advantage of the premium connections available between a CSP's data centers) and places a minimal load on the data owner who only has to act as a repair coordinator. The main insight behind RDC -- SR is that the replicas are differentiated based on a controllable amount of masking, which offers RDC -- SR flexibility in handling different adversarial strengths. Also, replica generation must be time consuming in order to avoid certain colluding attacks from malicious servers. Our prototype for RDC -- SR built on Amazon AWS validates the practicality of this new approach.
Sign and magnitudes of the off-resonant nonlinearities of polydiacetylene crystal measured by z-scan

THE SIGN AND MAGNITUDES OF THE OFF-RESONANT NONLINEARITIESOF POLYDIACETYLENE CRYSTAL MEASURED BY 2-SCANM. Thakur and R. Quintero—TorresAuburn University, AL 36849ABSTRACTWe have used the z—scan technique to determine the sign andmagnitude of the off-resonant n2 and two photon absorptioncoefficient of PTS—polydiacetylene. The sign of n2 is negativeand the magnitudes of nonlinearities are consistent with ourprevious reports on waveguide measurements.All-optical phase modulation in single crystal waveguidesof a polydiacetylene (poly(bis-(p-toluene sulphonate) of 2,4-
SIRIUS-USA: A guide to restructuring schools

Piecemeal approaches to reform have impeded past attempts to restructure schools. Meaningful change will only occur when change is systemic. That is, when all interdependent parts of the educational system, including the classroom, the administration, and the community, are willing to adapt. The SIRIUS-A report provides valuable insight and advice for others considering educational reform
Regulation of glucose 6-phosphatase in hepatic microsomes by thyroid and corticosteroid hormones

The regulation of glucose 6-phosphatase in hepatic microsomes by thyroid and corticosteroid hormones has been studied following the administration of 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine and/or triamcinolone to hypophysectomized rats. The apparent Km for glucose-6-P in isolated ("intact") microsomes increased following administration of either hormone; there was little or no difference in the apparent Km when microsomes were treated with sodium deoxycholate ("disrupted"). In intact microsomes, triiodothyronine caused a 2.3-fold increase in the Vmax of glucose 6-phosphatase; triamcinolone, a 4-fold increase; and both hormones together, a 4.4-fold increase. Corresponding values for disrupted microsomes were: triiodothyronine, 3.7-fold; triamcinolone, 1.8-fold; both hormones, 3.3-fold. After triiodothyronine treatment, disruption of microsomes caused an over 5-fold increase in Vmax; after triamcinolone treatment, the increase was only 1.5-fold. This difference could not be explained by a change in the energy of activation of glucose 6-phosphatase in either intact or disrupted microsomes following hormone treatment. Glucose 6-phosphatase was localized by a cytochemical procedure; the reaction product was associated with 90% of the profiles in all microsomal preparations, except for those from triiodothyronine-treated rats, where less than 50% contained lead precipitate. Vesicles free of lead phosphate were isolated from sucrose gradients and accounted for less than 10% of the protein and glucose 6-phosphatase in all preparations, again except for those from triiodothyronine-treated rats, where they represented 40% of both the protein and glucose 6-phosphatase. The results are consistent with a model for glucose 6-phosphatase in which the substrate is transported across the microsomal membrane by a specific carrier before hydrolysis within the cisternae by a phosphohydrolase. It is suggested that the effect of triiodothyronine is mainly on the activity of the phosphohydrolase, and triamcinolone, on that of the carrier.
The Efficacy of Controlled Trials of Alcohol Misuse Treatments in Maintaining Abstinence: A Meta-Analysis

Meta-analysis was used to establish the efficacy of various controlled alcohol misuse treatments in maintaining abstinence over short-term, 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. Effect sizes were measured by odds ratio. Aggregate effect size differences between experimental and control groups were negligible. Only three of 15 studies found a clinically significant difference between treatment abstinence outcomes.
Antibiotic Resistance, Gene Transfer, and Water Quality Patterns Observed in Waterways near CAFO Farms and Wastewater Treatment Facilities

We examined water quality indicators (pH, temperature, turbidity, total phosphorus, and fecal coliform density) and bacterial antibiotic resistance (prevalence, conjugative transfer, and genetic linkage of resistance elements) at locations impacted by confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) and compared them to nearby reference sites. Sites located upstream and downstream of two wastewater treatment facilities were also compared. Sites near CAFO farms had poor water quality (elevated total phosphorus and turbidity), while water quality remained relatively good downstream of wastewater treatment plants. High proportions of antibiotic-resistant bacteria were observed at all study sites, and frequent conjugative transfer of resistance was observed in laboratory assays. Out of a total of 830 environmental bacterial isolates, 77.1% were resistant to only ampicillin, while 21.2% were resistant to combinations of antibiotics including ampicillin (A), kanamycin (K), chlorotetracycline (C), oxytetracycline (O), and streptomycin (S). Multi-drug-resistant bacteria were significantly more common at sites impacted by CAFO farms. In conjugation assays, 83.3% of the environmental isolates transferred one or more antibiotic resistance genes to a laboratory strain of Salmonella typhimurium. A subset of multi-drug-resistant (A, C, and O) isolates was screened for specific tetracycline resistance genes and class I and II integrons. None of the screened isolates (n = 22) were positive for integrons, while 13 isolates contained resistance genes for tet (B) and tet (C). Our results indicate that CAFO farms not only impair traditional measures of water quality but may also increase the prevalence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria in natural waters.
A Workshop in Programmed Instruction and Programming

Although the role of the mechanical device in programmed learning is controversial, almost all workers in this field agree that progress in programmed instruction can come only wich the production of adequate programs. For this purpose trained programmers are required. However, there are very few persons with the special combination of skills and training that seem germane to program construction. In fact, the requisite skills have never been clearly delineated. Furthermore, there are few, if any, well established techniques for training programmers or for selecting suitable candidates for training. Discussions about selection usually raise several questions. Should programmers be drawn from the ranks of teachers or from subject matter experts? Should psychologists have the primary responsibility for programming? There has been very little systematic discussion about the best methods of training, but we should not be surprised to see many questions about training procedures raised in the near future. While the problem of training and selection is still in a primitive stage, any information based on experience should be useful to potential training groups and to investigators interested in the basic skills of programming. With this in mind, the following report of a two-week training workshop in programming is presented. The purpose of the workshop was to establish an interest in programming and to shape programming skills. Our goals were to assist subject matter experts who were also teachers: (1) to acquire the verbal behavior dealing wich the fundamental principles underlying the programmed instruction movement; and ( 2 ) to evoke and reinforce the behavior of frame writing and program construction. Our goals were couched in behavioral terms and our ultimate criteria were the written programs produced by the participants. In very specific terms, it was our purpose to have each participant construct, test, and rewrite a unit of approximately 100 frames. The criteria are significant since they reaffirm the emphasis placed on actual program const~ct ioa . A substantial amount of time was spent in exposing the workshop participants to the facts and suppositions of reinforcement theory, but this orientation in the psychology of learning was always closely related to program writing. In dealing with learning, we referred often to the proposition that the animal laboratory can provide a basic model for a tech-
On aggregate Farrell efficiencies

In this paper we establish the fact that an industry maximal revenue is the sum of its firms’ maximal revenues. This fact enables us to discover conditions for aggregation of Farrell efficiencies.
Transactive control with real-time prices and a double-auction feeder market

This presentation summarizes the key motivations and design considerations behind the development of a real-time pricing tariff approved by Ohio's public utility commission for AEP's gridSmart™ demonstration program. The means of designing a revenue neutral rate that reflects locational marginal prices from the wholesale market is described. The superposition of a congestion market at the distribution feeder level that can be used to simultaneously and seamlessly managing peak loads at both the feeder and system levels is also described. Key issues surrounding equity and providing credits and incentives for congested periods are described. Finally, estimates of impacts on customer bills that have been developed are presented.
Optimization of Roundtrip, Time-Constrained, Finite Burn Trajectories via an Indirect Method

An indirect trajectory optimization method is used to compute optimal, time-constrained, roundtrip, finite burn trajectories between any two orbits around a common central body. This method involves solving the optimal control problem as a multipoint boundary value problem with two discontinuities in the controls corresponding to the arrival at and the departure from the target. Solutions are provided that minimize the propellant, given either an initial or final mass, while constraining the stay time at the target to be greater than or equal to a specified minimum value and while constraining the total roundtrip time to be less than or equal to a specified maximum value. The results are applied to human-crewed, one-year Earth-Mars roundtrip missions with a minimum two-month stay at Mars and four year Earth-Jupiter missions with a minimum one-year Jovian stay. These missions utilize high-power, nuclear electric propulsion with either a constant or variable specific impulse engine. This theoretical formulation was used to find quick, efficient, converged solutions that are shown to be at least as optimal or slightly more so compared to another optimization method that is hybrid in nature but still uses continuous control where the thrust is along the primer vector.
Selective removal of dielectric layers using picosecond UV pulses

To reduce the cost of energy obtained from photovoltaic cells, advanced cell design and processes are required for solar cell manufacturing. Many of these designs and processes are enabled by laser processing. As the availability of higher power and high beam quality pulsed solid state lasers increases, lasers are expected to find increased application in solar cell manufacturing. Solar cell processing will benefit further as production worthy lasers with picosecond pulse width become available. Picosecond lasers are well suited for selective removal of dielectrics for front and back metallization applications due to reduced thermal effect on the underlying substrate. We present results on silicon nitride and silicon oxide ablation that may find applications in advanced cell architecture.
WattsWorth: Monitor electric power anywhere

Energy monitoring and control strategies can be asymmetrical, chasing pennies of hoped-for savings with dollars of installation and monitoring expense. Modern sensors can be used to accurately measure voltage and current without the requirement for a permeable magnetic core or the need to surround the conductor, e.g., with a Rogowski coil. These sensors can be used to find currents and voltages without the need to invasively separate existing conductors. These sensors could greatly lower installation and monitoring expense, and provide quickly installed access for acquiring actionable energy consumption information and power quality assessment.
The use of two angle elastic and Raman scattering to obtain molecular density and aerosol scattering profiles

The method of dual angle, multiple wavelength lidar interrogation to effect a radiative separation of the scattering produced by aerosols and molecules is extended. A given wavelength is transmitted, and the Raman shifted return from nitrogen as well as the elastically scattered transmitted wavelength are both interrogated. This procedure is carried out in the backscatter mode at the zenith and one other slant path at some angle from the zenith. The methodology is developed for obtaining molecular density, temperature, pressure, and aerosol scattering profiles.
The Validity of the Beery Test of Visual-Motor Integration in Predicting Achievement in Kindergarten, First, and Second Grades

The ability of the Visual-Motor Integration Test (VMI) to predict academic achievement was assessed by using three samples of pre-kindergarten pupils from three successive years in a large midwest ...
Specific binding of monomeric bacteriophage T3 and T7 RNA polymerases to their respective cognate promoters requires the initiating ribonucleoside triphosphate (GTP).

Abstract Bacteriophage T3 and T7 RNA polymerases are monomeric proteins of Mr of about 100,000. Each polymerase has stringent specificity for its own promoters that is present only on the homologous phage DNA template. Neither enzyme recognizes the heterologous phage promoters or Escherichia coli RNA polymerase promoters. In the present study, the interaction of T3 and T7 RNA polymerases with their respective cognate promoters was studied by DNase I footprinting techniques. These studies revealed an absolute requirement for the initiating nucleotide (GTP) for each phage RNA polymerase to bind specifically to and protect its cognate promoter from DNase I digestion. In the absence of the initiating nucleotide, both enzymes randomly bind DNA with lower affinity. No other nucleotide can substitute for GTP; however, the addition of GTP + ATP, which causes the synthesis of a hexamer RNA (pppGpGpGpApGpA), makes the DNA-RNA-protein complex highly stable. Nitrocellulose filter binding studies confirmed these observations. On the basis of these results we propose that the binding of the initiating nucleotide (in this case, GTP) drives the phage RNA polymerase into an “initiation conformation” in which the random DNA-binding property of the enzyme is converted to a promoter-specific recognition, and the polymerase is primed to initiate transcription.
Visual Form Discrimination after Removal of the Visual Cortex in Cats

Adult cats were trained to discriminate between erect and inverted triangles after simultaneous ablation of cortical areas 17, 18, and most of 19 of both hemispheres. Postoperative training proceeded through a graded series of similar triangle pairs in which the members of each pair were equated for luminous flux.
Prolonged post-tetanic depolarization of frog dorsal root fibers

Abstract In the isolated frog spinal cord, tetanic stimulation of a dorsal root resulted in a sustained negative potential recorded from that root. This negative potential was followed by a large (5–12 mV) and slow (5–60 s) negative after-potential which persisted after the train of impulses and which was succeeded by a long-lasting positive potential. The negative after-potential was postulated to be largely a consequence of excess extracellular K + accumulated during the tetanus, because the negative after-potential and the extracellular [K + ] measured with K + -sensitive microelectrodes were a function of the stimulating current, the stimulation frequency and the duration of the tetanus. Both measures were augmented by procedures which interfered with the clearance of K + from the extracellular space (addition of dinitrophenol or ouabain, partial substitution of Li + for Na + , elimination of K + from the superfusate and cooling). The negative after-potential and the liberation of much of the excess extracellular K + were reduced by increasing the superfusing divalent ion concentration with 4mM Ca 2+ or 50–100 μM Mn 2+ . Both measures were augmented in low Ca 2+ -containing Ringer's solution. The results with low concentrations of Ca 2+ , Na + and K + and with high concentrations of Ca 2+ indicate that the negative after-potential was not caused by a conductance increase for these cations. Reduction of extracellular [Cl − ] did not change the negative after-potential making it unlikely that this anion is a factor in its production. The negative after-potential was not mediated by γ-aminobutyrate because its amplitude and duration were increased by the γ-aminobutyrate antagonist picrotoxin, and were reduced by pentobarbital which enhances the actions of γ-aminobutyrate. Application of the excitatory amino acid antagonists dl -α-aminoadipic acid and glutamic acid diethylester eliminated the negative after-potential and markedly reduced the amount of K + liberated by a tetanus. These results suggest that the K + release that produces the negative after-potential may result from the action of an excitatory amino acid such as l -glutamate or l -aspartate either synaptically released or released from nonsynaptic regions of afferent fibers.
PAF-Induced Furin and MT1-MMP Expression Is Independent of MMP-2 Activation in Corneal Myofibroblasts

PURPOSE Corneal stromal myofibroblasts express the platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor, but its role is unclear. In the present study, the effect of PAF on induction of metalloproteinases (MMPs) was investigated. METHODS Rabbit corneal myofibroblasts were identified by immunodetection of alpha-smooth muscle (alpha-SM)-actin. MT1-MMP, MMP-2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 were detected by immunofluorescence. Cells were treated with 100 nM cPAF, with or without the PAF antagonist BN 50730 or the furin inhibitor nona-D-arg-NH(2). Gene-expression levels for furin, urokinase plasminogen activator, MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP, and TIMP-2 were determined by real-time PCR. Protein expression was assessed by Western blot. MMP-2 and -9 activity was determined by gelatin zymography. Active MT1-MMP levels were measured by ELISA. RESULTS cPAF triggered significantly increased MT1-MMP, MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-2 mRNA expression, followed by increased active MT1-MMP protein expression at 12 hours, whereas TIMP-2 protein increased at 24 hours. PAF also induced furin gene expression, followed by increased protein expression. Nona-D-arg-NH(2) blocked cPAF induction of MT1-MMP activity. PAF-treated myofibroblasts showed increased active MMP-9 protein, but unchanged MMP-2 activity. Pretreatment with BN 50730 blocked PAF-induced transcription and translation of these proteins. CONCLUSIONS PAF, through a receptor-mediated mechanism, induces a specific pattern of furin, MMP, and TIMP-2 expression in corneal myofibroblasts. MMP-2 activity was unchanged by PAF treatment. These results suggest that in response to the inflammatory mediator PAF, induction of MT1-MMP is independent of MMP-2 activity in corneal myofibroblasts. Thus, PAF-mediated changes in extracellular matrix composition surrounding the myofibroblasts could be important in regulating the corneal scarring process. Moreover, PAF antagonists could be useful in maintaining corneal transparency.
Nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy and ‘visual field defects’ following vitrectomy: could they be related?

Background Visual field defects after uncomplicated vitrectomy have been reported but poorly explained. We describe two cases of nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) observed following vitrectomy. We also reviewed the literature for cases of post-vitrectomy visual field defects for evidence of optic nerve damage.
The 1088 A feature toward reddened stars

An analysis of the interstellar feature near 1088 A in spectra obtained with the Copernicus satellite suggests that neutral chlorine is the absorber. The mean wavelength, as determined from 15 lines of sight, of 1088.052 + or - 0.023 A compares favorably with the chlorine line at 1088.062 A. A strong correlation with Cl I 1347 A indicates an oscillator strength for 1088 A of 0.04. Above a threshold at N(H2) of roughly 10 to the 19th/sq cm, the equivalent width of 1088 A varies approximately with N(H2). The variation with H2 is similar to the variation of Na I and C I with H2.
Speckle imaging signal-to-noise ratio performance as a function of frame integration time

In the past 10 years astronomical image reconstruction based on a variety of speckle techniques has become a popular means of enhancing and improving the resolution of turbulence-degraded images. These techniques are based on the Fourier processing of a large number of turbulence-degraded snapshots or frames of the irradiance in the system’s image plane. The number of snapshots needed is largely a function of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the Fourier components of a single snapshot. Estimating these Fourier components is hampered by the inherent noise induced by the photon detection process and the random effect of the turbulent atmosphere. In most cases the SNR is much less than unity, and many frames are averaged to improve the overall SNR. It is well established that if the frames are uncorrelated then the SNR improves in comparison with the single-frame SNR by a factor of m, where m is the number of frames averaged. This fact implies that the smallest exposure time possible is desirable in order for m to be maximized for a given observation time. On the other hand, because of finite photon flux levels and read noise effects it can be shown that the exposure time should be increased at the cost of reducing m. Results from a detailed SNR analysis of estimating the modulus of an object’s Fourier spectrum from turbulence-distorted images are described. Unlike previous analyses, this work takes into account the proper temporal correlation properties of the atmosphere and the spatial frequency being estimated as well as the interframe correlations that degrade the SNR improvement factor from the ideal case of m.
Optimal Information Disclosure

A sender randomly draws a “prospect” characterized by its profitability to the sender and its relevance to a receiver. The receiver observes only a signal provided by the sender and accepts the prospect if his Bayesian inference about the prospect’s relevance exceeds his opportunity cost. The sender’s profits are typically maximized by partial information disclosure, whereby the receiver is induced to accept less relevant but more profitable prospects (“switches”) by pooling them with more relevant but less profitable ones (“baits”). Extensions include maximizing a weighted sum of sender profits and receiver surplus and allowing the sender to use monetary incentives.
Covariance of Complementary rRNA Loop Nucleotides Does Not Necessarily Represent Functional Pseudoknot Formation In Vivo

We examined mutationally a two-hairpin structure (nucleotides 57 to 70 and 76 to 110) in a region of domain I of Escherichia coli 23S rRNA that has been implicated in specific functions in protein synthesis by other studies. On the basis of the observed covariance of several nucleotides in each loop in Bacteria, Archaea, and chloroplasts, the two hairpins have been proposed to form a pseudoknot. Here, appropriate loop changes were introduced in vitro by site-directed mutagenesis to eliminate any possibility of base pairing between the loops. The bacterial cells containing each cloned mutant rRNA operon were then examined for cell growth, termination codon readthrough, and assembly of the mutant rRNAs into functional ribosomes. The results show that, under the conditions examined, the two hairpins do not form a pseudoknot structure that is required for the functioning of the ribosome in vivo and therefore that sequence covariance does not necessarily indicate the formation of a functional pseudoknot.
A Model for Metal Adsorption on Montmorillonite

Abstract A consistent thermodynamic model is developed for metal sorption on expanding 2:1 layer clays such as montmorillonite. The particle of clay, including lamellae and interlayers, is represented as a porous solid bearing a permanent negative charge (resulting from isomorphic substitution) with an infinite plane interface (i.e., edges) with the solution. Cation exchange occurs inside the clay particle as the result of the negative potential of the clay. Surface complexation reactions take place at the interface whose surface charge and potential are pH dependent. The potential in the bulk of the clay and near the interface, as well as the surface potential–surface charge density relation, are calculated taking into account the effect of the permanent negative charge. The results are discussed and compared with the classic Gouy–Chapman theory. A subroutine (Clayeql) with the new potential–charge relationships is implemented in the thermodynamic equilibrium program Mineql +3.0 and is used to fit an extensive published experimental data set on adsorption of transition metals on montmorillonite. The model is shown not only to fit satisfactorily all the data, but also to explain specific features of adsorption on clays compared to oxides. In particular, the increase in the surface concentration of protons with decreasing ionic strength is successfully reproduced and the weaker dependence of metal sorption on pH compared to oxides is correctly fitted.
Impact of position and orientation accuracy on targeting in see through head-mounted displays for soldier information systems

A first-order statistical model was developed to estimate the impact of position and orientation error (e.g., due to inaccurate GPS/compass information) on the ability to accurately place markers on objects in see through head-mounted displays for soldier information systems. In addition, the impact of such errors on the exchange of marker information between soldier nodes was also studied. A closed-form analytical solution was derived and compared to numerical (Monte Carlo) solutions. To compensate for the identified limitations of current systems, dynamically sized target markers and proximity warnings are proposed.
A Perfect Storm: Care Transitions for Vulnerable Older Adults Discharged Home From the Emergency Department Without a Hospital Admission

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the study w as to describe, from the perspectives of emergency department (ED) providers, factors that influence quality and safety of transitions home from the ED for vulnerable older adults. Design and Methods: A grounded theory approac h was used to analyze data from 9 focus groups conducted with ED staff that included representatives from nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, and respiratory therapy. Results: F rom the perspectives of these care providers, 5 antecedent concepts contribute to the perceived quality and safety of transitions from the ED to home. These 5 concepts include the nature of geriatric presentations, provider knowledge, consumer knowledge, the ED resource base, and health care system fractures. Co-occurrence and interaction among the 5 identified antecedents set up conditions for what one focus group participant described as a perfect storm. Implications: Older adults disc harged home from the ED without a hospital admission are an increasingly important but understudied group within the transitional care literature. Although they share some similarities with those undergoing different health transitions, their unique needs and the specific characteristics of ED care require a novel approach. The model that emerged in this study provides direction for understanding the complex and interrelated aspects of their transitional care needs.
Continuous wave operation of 640-660 nm selectively oxidised AlGaInP vertical-cavity lasers

The performance of AlGaInP visible vertical-cavity laser diodes fabricated using selective oxidation is reported. At room temperature the lasers exhibit continuous wave operation from 678 to 642 nm, with 642 nm being the shortest wavelength attained to date. In addition, these lasers possess the lowest threshold currents (660 mu A) and voltages (150 mV above photon energy) reported for visible vertical-cavity lasers.
Doppler ultrasound systems designed for tumor blood flow imaging

There is a great need for adaptable instrumentation for imaging the volume and dynamics of flowing blood in cancerous lesions. Applications include basic biological research and clinical diagnosis. Commercial instruments are not currently optimized for such applications and system modification for research is difficult if at all possible. This paper describes a laboratory instrument for developing tumor imaging techniques. It compares common and improved estimators through a detailed error analysis of simulated and experimental echo data. Broadband power-Doppler imaging with contrast media is found to be ideal for visualizing the volume of moving blood. The two-dimensional autocorrelator in color-flow imaging for time-resolved velocity estimation provides unbiased estimates and is reasonably efficient for broadband echoes. Ultrasonic blood flow imaging can be sensitive for tumor imaging if the instrumentation and algorithms are optimized specifically for the experimental conditions.
Reassessing Conditional Cash Transfer Programs

During the past decade, the use of conditional cash transfer programs to increase investment in human capital has generated considerable excitement in both research and policy forums. This article surveys the existing literature, which suggests that most conditional cash transfer programs are used for essentially one of two purposes: restoring efficiency when externalities exist or improving equity by targeting resources to poor households. The programs often meet their stated objectives, but in some instances there is tension between the efficiency and equity objectives. The overall impact of a program depends on the gains and losses associated with each objective.
Race/ethnicity, and Americans’ perceptions and experiences of over- and under-use of care: a cross-sectional study

Despite widespread documentation of racial/ethnic disparities in care (predominantly under-use of needed care), differences in population-wide attitudes or experiences about under- or overuse (care where harms may outweigh potential benefits) of care are not well understood. We examined whether race/ethnicity is associated with perceptions or experiences of overuse or underuse. We conducted secondary analysis of a cross-sectional national telephone survey of nationally representative sample of 1238 American adults; 57.9 % female, 75.4 % Non-Hispanic White, 11.8 % Non-Hispanic Black, 10.1 % Hispanic. The main outcome measures are general perceptions and personal experiences of overuse and underuse, including cost-related dimensions of each. Bivariate results indicated that respondents of minority race/ethnicity generally viewed both overuse and underuse as bigger problems than did Whites, and reported more personal experiences of each. After adjustment, Hispanics were less likely than Whites to report personal experiences of overuse (odds ratio [OR] [95 % CI], 0.44 [0.23 to 0.86]), while Blacks and Others were more likely to report cost-related overuse (ORs [95 % CIs], 4.16 [2.30 to 7.51]; 3.55 [1.52 to 8.28], respectively). Non-Hispanic Others more often reported doctors’ protection from overuse (OR [95 % CI], 3.69 [1.75 to 7.78]). General concerns with underuse were more frequent among Blacks and Hispanics (ORs [95 % CIs], 3.07 [1.72 to 5.54]; 2.12 [1.24 to 3.61] respectively), while Others reported significantly fewer concerns (OR [95 % CI], 0.43 [0.23 to 0.80]). Over- and underuse of medical care are important problems for many Americans, and experiences vary by race/ethnicity. Clinician communication and educational campaigns about appropriateness of care may need tailoring for varying population groups.