cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of the sex difference in glandular kallikrein and prolactin levels in the anterior pituitary of the rat.

Glandular kallikrein is a major estrogen-induced and dopamine-repressed protein of the rat anterior pituitary that appears to originate from lactotrophs. This study examined the development of glandular kallikrein levels in the anterior pituitary in both female and male rats and compared it to anterior pituitary prolactin. In addition, the development of glandular kallikrein levels in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary and the kidney were also examined. During puberty, a dramatic surge in glandular kallikrein occurred in female anterior pituitaries (16- to 20-fold increase) and levels remained elevated thereafter. The dynamics of the increase were biphasic-glandular kallik rein increased between Day 30 and 45, plateaued between Days 45 and 55, and then increased again between Days 55 and 65. Female anterior pituitary prolactin increased 7- to 8-fold during puberty. The rise during puberty was biphasic and was generally synchronized with increases in glandular kallikrein. However, the initial rise was proportionately less than that of glandular kallikrein, and the secondary surge was more dramatic. In contrast to females, anterior pituitary glandular kallik rein remained at low levels in male rats; prolactin levels also remained unchanged through puberty and increased moderately thereafter. Glandular kallikrein in the female neuro intermediate lobe remained unchanged througb Day 55, almost doubled on Day 60, and returned to prepubertal levels by Day 65; males did not exhibit the transient surge in neurointermediate lobe levels. Starting at age 60 days, renal glandular kallikrein was found to be slightly higher (15-20%) in females than in males. The results document a sex- and tissue-specific surge in anterior pituitary glandular kallikrein during puberty. The developmental profile of anterior pituitary glandular kallikrein suggests a role in female reproductive processes initiated at puberty and maintained throughout life that are dependent upon an estrogen-pituitary interaction and involve prolactin.
Anticholinergic drugs, blood-brain-barrier and tonic immobility in chickens

A series of three experiments examined the effects of atropine, scopolamine, and their methyl analogs on tonic immobility in chickens. The first experiment demonstrated significant attenuation of immobility duration by atropine and scopolamine. Methyl atropine and methyl scopolamine attenuated immobility duration but did so significantly less than equivalent amounts of atropine and scopolamine. Experiments 2 and 3 examined effects of atropine, methyl atropine, scopolamine, and methyl scopolamine on immobility duration as a function of posthatch age. In these experiments atropine and scopolamine attenuated TI duration at each test age examined. The methyl analogs attenuated TI duration only at the youngest age (7-days posthatch) and failed to do so at 14-days posthatch or older. These age-dependent differences between the tertiary and quaternary compounds were attributed to blood-brain-barrier development. In Experiments 2 and 3 immobility duration increased with increased posthatch age. Scopolamine prevented the age-related increase but atropine did not. This difference is discussed in terms of fear arousal.
A nuclear magnetic resonance investigation of the energetics of basepair opening pathways in DNA

The opening of basepairs plays a key role in DNA replication and transcription, and in the action of DNA repair and modification enzymes. In this article, we have used proton exchange to define the energetics of the pathways for basepair opening in two DNA 17-mer duplexes. The rates of exchange of imino protons with solvent protons were measured by NMR spectroscopy for each DNA duplex, as a function of the concentration of exchange catalyst and of temperature. The measurements provided the rates and the equilibrium constants of the opening reactions for individual basepairs at different temperatures. These temperature dependences were used to calculate the enthalpies and the free energies of the barrier to opening and of the open state for each basepair. The results reveal the existence of three distinct patterns of enthalpy changes in the opening reactions. The patterns differ from each other in the location of the kinetic opening barrier relative to the open state. Neighboring bases, which are one or more positions removed from the opening basepair, influence the enthalpic pattern of the opening pathway. The free energies of the opening barriers are found to be linearly related to the free energies of the open state. This correlation is analyzed in terms of rate-equilibrium free energy relationships previously observed in other systems, and suggests that the transition state in the opening reaction is closer to the native closed state of the basepair than to its open state.
Distinguishing screening from diagnostic mammograms using Medicare claims data.

Background Medicare claims data may be a fruitful data source for research or quality measurement in mammography. However, it is uncertain whether claims data can accurately distinguish screening from diagnostic mammograms, particularly when claims are not linked with cancer registry data.
Acquired purpura fulminans.

It is the purpose of this review to discuss the pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of acquired purpura fulminans, within the context of recent advances in our understanding of the regulation of coagulation, the physiology of vascular endothelial cells, and the host response to immunologic challenge
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothes? How Welfare Reform May Threaten Domestic Violence Services

The 1996 welfare reform law threatens the independence and integrity of domestic violence agencies for two reasons: (a) The “work-first” approach may distort their primary mission, especially because victims of domestic violence are at great risk in the workplace, and (b) these agencies can be considered feminist organizations. To protect the agencies' organizational integrity and quality of services, administrators, advocates, and researchers need to work toward three goals: to legislate the primacy of the safety goal, reevaluate available funding streams, and minimize competition and maximize collaboration and participation.
Abstract 3308: Endothelin 3/endothelin receptor B signaling pathway blockade depletes radio-chemoresistant glioblastoma stem cells

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) despite being treated with gross total resection and post-operative temozolomide (TMZ) plus radiation therapy (RT), will almost always develop tumor recurrence. Hypothesis and objective: We hypothesize GBM stem cells (GSC) are responsible for post-treatment tumor recurrence and blockade of endothelin-3 (EDN3)/endothelin receptor B(EDNRB) signaling, a signaling pathway for neural crest development that hyperactivated in GSC, will enhance TMZ/RT treatment efficacy for GSC. Materials and Methods: Patient tumor-derived GSC were seeded at clonal density and subjected to radiochemotherapy at dose and schedule comparable to patient treatment. Treatment efficacy and synergy of EDNRB antagonist (BQ788) plus TMZ/RT were evaluated by the clonogenic efficiency, cell proliferation, and cell apoptosis of GSCs. Results: GSC are resistant to TMZ treatment alone (10μM), while treatment with BQ788 (75μM) alone can restrict cell migration, decrease clonogenic efficiency, and induce cell apoptosis. The RT displays the highest treatment efficacy on GSC when compared to TMZ or BQ788 alone and addition of TMZ to RT is slightly synergistic. Although only few small tumor spheres were detected when treated with RT or RT/TMZ, the survival clones regain proliferative activity and possess enhanced clonogenicity and anti-apoptotic ability when compared to untreated GSC. Treatment efficacy was greatly improved when GSC treated with BQ788 combined with RT/TMZ and no cells with self- renewal capacity were detected or recovered from the treatment. Conclusion: Subsets of GSC clones are resistance to standard RT/TMZ treatment and possess enhanced tumor sphere-forming capacity. Incorporate EDN3/EDNRB antagonist to a standard radiochemotherapy provide a significant treatment synergy in depletion of functional GSC and thus highlights a novel therapeutic strategy for the prevention of GSC-mediated tumor occurrence and recurrence. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3308. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3308
A code generation approach to optimizing high-performance distributed data stream processing

We present a code-generation-based optimization approach to bringing performance and scalability to distributed stream processing applications. We express stream processing applications using an operator-based, stream-centric language called SPADE, which supports composing distributed data flow graphs out of toolkits of type-generic operators. A major challenge in building such applications is to find an effective and flexible way of mapping the logical graph of operators into a physical one that can be deployed on a set of distributed nodes. This involves finding how best operators map to processes and how best processes map to computing nodes. In this paper, we take a two-stage optimization approach, where an instrumented version of the application is first generated by the SPADE compiler to profile and collect statistics about the processing and communication characteristics of the operators within the application. In the second stage, the profiling information is fed to an optimizer to come up with a physical data flow graph that is deployable across nodes in a computing cluster. This approach not only creates highly optimized applications that are tailored to the underlying computing and networking infrastructure, but also makes it possible to re-target the application to a different hardware setup by simply repeating the optimization step and re-compiling the application to match the physical flow graph produced by the optimizer. Using real-world applications, from diverse domains such as finance and radio-astronomy, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on System S -- a large-scale, distributed stream processing platform.
Dilute Povidone-Iodine Solutions Inhibit Human Skin Fibroblast Growth

background. Povidone-iodine solutions are widely used and highly effective antiseptics. Although commonly used at full strength, this concentration appears to be toxic to the cells involved in wound healing. Few systematic studies of povidone-iodine toxicity have been reported. The effects of various dilutions of 10% povidone-iodine solution on the growth of human diploid fibroblasts were assessed using in vitro cell culture. objective. The purpose of this study was to systematically evaluate the toxicity of povidone-iodine on living cells using an in vitro model. methods. Adult skin fibroblasts and fetal lung fibroblasts were subcultivated at various seeding densities of 3000–10,000 cells/cm2 and grown in polystyrene tissue culture flasks under an atmosphere containing 5% O2, 5% CO2, and 90% N2. Cells were grown in a medium containing various concentrations of povidone-iodine (1%, 0.1%, 0.025%, 0.01%, and 0%). Cell attachment was reduced by 0.1% and 1% povidone-iodine in our initial studies; subsequent experiments were performed by changing the medium to contain the povidone-iodine 24 hours after seeding. Growth curves were performed by counting triplicate cultures every 48 hours for 250–300 hours. results. Fibroblast growth was progressively retarded at 0.01% and 0.025%, and totally inhibited by 0.1% and 1% povidone-iodine solutions. Partial recovery of cell growth after limited exposure of cultures to dilute solutions of povidone-iodine was noted. conclusion. This study shows that even dilute solutions of povidone-iodine are toxic to human fibroblasts. The results indicate that caution should be used when povidone-iodine is placed on an open wound, and that prolonged contact with viable uncontaminated tissue should be avoided.
A new instrument for the measurement of very small electrophoretic mobilities using phase analysis light scattering (PALS)

Abstract A new instrument based on the principles of phase analysis light scattering (PALS) applied to the measurement of electrophoretic mobilities has been produced. Such measurements are particularly useful in the study of dispersions in non-polar media since for a given zeta potential, the mobility is proportional to the dielectric constant. It is also potentially useful where mobilities are low and the use of high electric fields (a traditional remedy) is inappropriate. This is the case when the ionic concentration and hence conductivity of the medium is high. The PALS configuration has been shown to be able to measure mobilities at least two orders of magnitudes lower than conventional LDE. The device is based on developments reported elsewhere (J. Miller et al., J. Colloid Interface Sci. 143 (2) (1991) [1] ), but has a number of new features. In particular, all the signal processing is digital and the optical system a reference beam configuration.
Superstructure control in the crystal growth and ordering of urea inclusion compounds

A template-directed mechanism of crystal growth is demonstrated for urea inclusion compounds (UICs). For UICs containing n-alkanone or α+1,ω−1-alkanedione guests, x-ray diffraction revealed superstructure relations between host and guest repeats along the channel axis for guests containing 8 to 14 carbons. For a favorable structural match between host and guest, UICs typically grow as flat hexagonal plates, and atomic force microscopy of {001} surfaces revealed molecularly smooth terraces differing in height by multiples of the guest repeat. If the match is poor, protrusion of guests from the {001} surfaces nucleates growth along the channel axis to form hexagonal needles.
Suppression of amplified spontaneous emission in a subpicosecond KrF amplifier laser system using acridine dye

Abstract Performance of a two-stage KrF ultrashort-pulse amplifier system using acridine dye as an interstage saturable absorber is studied. Compared to a system employing a spatial filter, the amplified spontaneous emission included within the same solid angle subtended by the output pulse can be reduced by almost an order of magnitude, but at the expense of a 35% reduction in the short-pulse output energy. A criterion is established for the advantageous use of a saturable absorber whose performance is nevertheless degraded by nonsaturable loss.
The deterministic EOQ and EPQ with partial backordering at a rate that is linearly dependent on the time to delivery

Abstract Our original models for the EOQ and EPQ with partial backordering assumed that the backordering rate, β, is a constant. In this paper we extend those models to allow β to increase linearly as the time until delivery decreases. We show how those previous models can be adapted to find the optimal decision variable values for this new assumption and develop, for each model type, a condition that the initial value of β must meet for partial backordering to be optimal.
Lymphadenectomy in the staging and treatment of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A population-based study using the National Cancer Institute SEER database

Objectives Although lymphatic spread is common in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), lymphadenectomy is not widely performed as part of operative resection in this disease. The objectives of this study were to assess national trends for lymphadenectomy and its impact on survival in patients with ICC.
Bone anabolic effects of separate and combined therapy with growth hormone and parathyroid hormone on femoral neck in aged ovariectomized osteopenic rats.

Previous studies have demonstrated that growth hormone (GH) has a marked anabolic effect on cortical bone and parathyroid hormone (PTH) has been shown to increase cancellous bone and cortical bone markedly in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Most previous combination therapies used the bone anabolic agent (PTH) and the anti-resorptive agents. In this study, two bone anabolic hormones, GH and PTH, were used in rebuilding bone following loss due to ovariectomy in the femoral neck, which contains both cortical and cancellous bones. Twelve-month-old female F344 rats were divided into five groups: Sham+solvent vehicle, OVX+solvent vehicle, OVX+GH (2.5 mg/kg/day), OVX+PTH (80 μg/kg/day), and OVX+GH (2.5 mg/kg/day)+PTH (80 μg/kg/day). Following surgery, the animals were left for 4 months to become osteopenic before the beginning of hormone therapies. Hormone administrations were given 5 days per week for 2 months and the animals sacrificed. The right femurs were removed and the femoral necks were examined by pQCT densitometry and by histomorphometry. There was a 12.3% decrease in total bone mineral content (BMC) (P<0.01), a 6.2% decrease in total bone mineral density (BMD) (P<0.01), a 12.8% decrease in cortical BMC (P<0.05), a 25.9% decrease in cancellous BMC (P<0.0001), a 20.4% decrease in cancellous BMD (P<0.01), and a 34.2% decrease in cancellous bone volume (BV/TV) (P<0.0001) in vehicle-treated OVX rats. Growth hormone, PTH and GH+PTH treatment increased total BMC of the OVX rats by 14.4% (P<0.01), 23.5% (P<0.0001) and 30.6% (P<0.0001), respectively; increased total BMD by 7.0% (P<0.01), 9% (P<0.001) and 14.8% (P<0.0001), respectively; increased cortical BMC by 15.9% (P<0.05), 25.5% (P<0.001) and 29% (P<0.001), respectively; increased cancellous BMC by 40.9% (P<0.0001), 61.9% (P<0.0001) and 86.8% (P<0.0001), respectively; increased cancellous BMD by 31% (P<0.001), 41.8% (P<0.0001) and 61.8% (P<0.0001), respectively; increased cancellous BV/TV by 30.6% (P<0.05), 76.3% (P<0.0001) and 94.9% (P<0.0001), respectively; and increased trabecular thickness by 26.4% (P<0.05), 41.5% (P<0.001) and 43.2% (P<0.001), respectively, compared to the age-matched vehicle-treated OVX controls. In conclusion, both GH and PTH increased cortical and cancellous bone mass at the osteopenic femoral neck. Using two techniques, it was observed that the effects of PTH were mostly more marked than those of GH. Combined therapy with GH+PTH was more effective in rebuilding cortical bone and cancellous bone than either therapy alone in the aged ovariectomized osteopenic rats, which is in line with our hypothesis.
1,25–Dihydroxyvitamin D and 25–hydroxyvitamin D—mediated regulation of TRPV6 (a putative epithelial calcium channel) mRNA expression in Caco–2 cells

Background TRPV6 is a member of the vanilloid subfamily of transient receptor potential (TRP) proteins and likely functions as an epithelial calcium channel in calcium–transporting organs, such as the intestine, kidney, and placenta. TRPV6 mRNA expression is strongly regulated by 1,25–dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25VD), the active hormonal form of vitamin D, in intestine and in Caco–2 cells, a human colon cancer cell line.
A Note on Decision Theoretic Coefficients for Tests.

Recently it was suggested that the Bayes risk might be used to characterize tests. To conform to common practices about indexes, a rescaling of the Bayes risk was proposed. The motivation for this new coefficient, d, was to provide an index that has a large value when the Bayes risk is small and that has a value in the closed interval [0, 1]. However, since d might have a value outside this range, a modification of d is described which yields an index that always has a value between zero and one.
Metal-ferroelectric-semiconductor characteristics of bismuth titanate films on silicon

Bismuth titanate (Bi4Ti3OI2) is one of the well known ferroelectrics which exhibits switchable spontaneous polarization in all directions.l,2 Because of its high Curie temperature of 675 °C and high breakdown strength, it has high potential for device applications. Some attempts have been reported regarding the integration of bismuth titanate into silicon MOSFETS for the implementation of non-volatile memories with limited success.3,4 In addition to this, bismuth titanate has a relatively high dielectric constant.5 Recently, there is tremendous interest in using these high dielectric constant materials for storage capacitors in dynamic random access memory applications (DRAM), and as gate insulators to increase the transconductance of MOSFETS.6-8 Therefore, in this paper we are presenting the results of metal—bismuth titanate- p—Si capacitors for device applications as a high dielectric constant material.
Equilibrating dynamic [2]rotaxanes.

Upon mixing and dehydration, 2,6-diformylpyridine and 2,2‘-oxybis(ethylamine) form a dynamic combinatorial library of at least nine members. Through hydrogen bonding and other intermolecular interactions, templating dumbbell molecules select one macrocyclic member of the library, at the expense of all the others, to create [2]rotaxanes. These rotaxanes, however, retain the dynamic character of the library, since a diformylpyridine analogue can exchange with the macrocyclic component in solution. In addition, crystallization of the mixture surprisingly furnishes only the [24]crown-8-like macrocycle on its ownevidence of a kinetic selection process occurring between phase transitions.
Information essential for cell-cycle-dependent secretion of the 591-residue Caulobacter hook protein is confined to a 21-amino-acid sequence near the N-terminus.

Summary Recent findings suggest that axial flagellar proteins and virulence proteins of Gram-negative bacteria are exported from the cytoplasm via conserved trans-location systems. To identify residues essential for secretion of flagellar axial proteins we examined the 591-residue Caulobacter crescentus flagellar hook protein. Western blot assays of the culture media of strains producing mutant hook proteins show that only residues 38–58 are essential for its secretion to the cell surface. We discuss the observation that this unprocessed 21-residue sequence is not conserved in other axial proteins and does not correspond to the SGL-, ANN LAN- and heptad repeat motifs that are located Just upstream of the essential secretion information in the hook protein and are conserved near the N-termini of other axial proteins. These motifs, for which an essential role in export or assembly has been proposed, are required for motility. However, we also demonstrate that hook protein can only be secreted when the flagellar basal body is present in the cell envelope. The cell-cycle regulation of hook protein secretion confirms the specificity of the assay used in these studies and suggests that the basal body itself may serve as a secretion channel for the hook protein.
Discriminating adult normals, patients, and claimants with a pediatric test: A brief report

Abstract The Hand Movements subtest from the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children was administered to adult patients as part of a full neuropsychological assessment. Two current assessment groups included patients who were medical referrals with radiographically verified brain lesions but without a legal or worker's compensation claim (n = 25), and a second group referred for evaluation as part of a lawsuit or worker's compensation claim (n = 21), but generally without known brain damage. Data for adult normals on the measure was taken from an earlier study (Barry & Riley, 1987). Demographic data between groups was not significant. Results of Hand Movements scores yielded significant differences between groups, with litigation-compensation subjects much more impaired as compared to patients and normals. The excellent normative data and utility of this measure is discussed.
Offset cancellation for zero crossing based circuits

This work introduces a simple, background offset cancellation scheme for zero-crossing based circuits (ZCBC). The ZCBC architecture has been proposed as an alternative to op-amp based analog to digital converts (ADC) because it does not suffer from the gain, stability, and settling time trade off. However, offset remains as a challenge. This work demonstrates an input offset cancellation scheme that employs a replica circuit to measure and then subtract the offset. The cancellation method has been applied to an 8bit, 250 MHz pipelined ADC in 90nm.
Incentive value and number of food units

Both during pretraining as well as training in a short runway, albino rats on a 22-hr. food deprivation schedule rewarded with five.1 gm food pellets had shorter eating times, but not eating latencies, than Ss which received one.5 gm pellet. Runway latencies, but not running times, were shorter for the.5 gm group than the five.1 gm group. These data are in accord with the consummatory activity hypothesis. It was also noted that the time spent eating was greater during the training than the pretraining period.
Nutritional support of the dysphagic patient: methods, risks, and complications of therapy

The indications, methods, and complications of nutritional support of 90 patients admitted with a primary complaint of dysphagia were reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups based on etiology of dysphagia (central neurologic vs local mechanical dysfunction). All patients on admission exhibited marked malnutrition with an average weight loss of 12 +/- 9.8% body weight, serum transferrin 165 +/- 60.1 mg/dl, and albumin 3.2 +/- 0.85 mg/dl. All patients were placed on either enteral (63%) or parenteral (37%) nutrition. Twenty-seven percent of all patients suffered a complication of nutritional therapy. Patients with nasoenteric tubes had a 10% complication incidence (aspiration or endotracheal placement of tube) resulting in a 30% mortality rate; significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than seen with other modalities. Any form of upper enteric feeding (nasoenteric or gastrostomy) was associated with significantly increased (p less than 0.01) risk of aspiration pneumonia. It is concluded that patients admitted to hospital with dysphagia as the major complaint suffer from severe malnutrition, and that upper gastrointestinal intubation should not be employed for feeding until the dysphagia has resolved.
The ontogeny of avoidance behaviour in some precocial birds

Chicks of five species of gallinaceous birds and three species of waterfowl were tested in small enclosures for the appearance and development of avoidance behaviour through the first ten days of post-hatching life. Avoidance responses usually appeared in all species and breeds studied before the age of 10 hours and then gradually increased in intensity to the age of 100 to 140 hours. The shape of the curve of response increase and the ultimate level attained varied between species and breeds being highest in wild as compared with domesticated forms. Rates of increase lagged behind visual and motor development and are thought to reflect the maturation of a condition of negative responsiveness. Birds which had a continuous view of the laboratory through a window developed comparably to visually restricted birds but dropped to a lower level at about 100 hours of age. Such visually experienced birds developed to and maintained a higher response level when raised in pairs than when raised as isolates. Use of experimental birds for several tests with different objects at widely spaced intervals led to a drop in response intensity classified as habituation with generalization. The intensity of response was not appreciably affected by the colour, size or form of the test object. Living test objects induced slightly higher responses than non-living objects in older chicks. The property of strangeness in an object is thought to be the essential factor which elicited avoidance behaviour in our young chicks. It is proposed that objects which become familiar to a chick through repeated or continuing exposure before the development of avoidance responsiveness do not subsequently induce avoidance; objects which are encountered after that stage of development tend to induce avoidance until repeated exposure under favourable conditions reduces strangeness to familiarity through habituation.
Inhibition of spleen tyrosine kinase for rheumatoid arthritis.

Introduction: Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is an important mediator of immunoreceptor signaling in macrophages, neutrophils, mast cells, and B cells. It is found on the synovium of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, suggesting a role for Syk inhibition in the treatment of RA. In an earlier study, the Syk inhibitor R788 was administered for 12 weeks to a refractory RA population not responsive to methotrexate (MTX). Significant reductions in arthritis and serum levels of interleukin-6 were observed in those who received R788 as compared with placebo [1].
Calculus problem source

ABSTRACT We cite a resource for a set of technology-based problems in calculus from science and engineering.
Decay of unstable states: Examination of the scaling theory

Abstract The behavior of the solution for an exactly solvable bistable model is analyzed. The decay processes of unstable states are discussed. The results of the scaling theory are tested. It is concluded that the scaling theory is not valid for the model even when the potential barrier is very high.
Formative evaluation of home visitors' role in addressing poor mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse among low-income pregnant and parenting women.

Objectives: This research assessed home visitor effectiveness in communicating about and responding to poor mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse among pregnant and parenting women home visited as part of a comprehensive family support strategy in seven urban communities. Methods: Cross-sectional studies were conducted with mothers (n = 189) actively engaged in home visitation programs and home visitors (n = 45). Maternal interviews assessed need for and receipt of mental health, domestic violence, and substance abuse services, and home visitor discussion of these risk areas. Home visitor surveys assessed perceived adequacy of training and personal effectiveness in addressing these risk areas. Results: Over half of mothers needed mental health, domestic violence, or substance abuse services; however, only 27% of mothers in need of service received services. Most mothers reported having communicated with their home visitor about the three risk areas, but there were no differences in communication frequency based on whether services were needed. Most home visitors perceived themselves as effective in communicating about and responding to these risk factors but rated the training they had received in these areas as less than adequate. Conclusions: Home visitors could benefit from more intensive training in the formal assessment of risks and the protocols for communication about those risks with their clients. Home visitors could also receive support from and work in collaboration with professionals in addressing client risks. Further research on home visit content is needed to determine which strategies facilitate home visitors' ability to effectively communicate about and address client risks.
More on the Free Black Population of the Southern Appalachian Mountains: Speculations on the North African Connection

In March 1993, the Journal of Black Studies published an article by Robert P. Stuckert about pre-Civil War free Blacks. Acloser look at the population profiled in Stuckert's article is attempted here to advance longstanding speculations about some in that group having Carthaginian/Phoenician origins. States included in the Stuckert study were Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. His examination compared economic data of free Blacks from a survey of census records in 158 counties. The current study selects one free Black family group, with the name Mize (in various spellings), and its community group, the Melungeons, from the region of the junction of the same four southern Appalachian states. From this particular population sample, theories from etymology of proper names are introduced to reveal "Mize" as a possible derivation of an ancient cryptogram for "Egyptian" and "Melungeons" as a possible international reference to North and East African and Phoenician merchants.
A system of partial differential equations arising in electrophotography

Abstract We consider the process which takes place in the photocopy machine as soon as the document to be photocopied is exposed to light. This process is modeled by a coupled system of one elliptic equation for the voltage V and one parabolic equation for the charge density p with small diffusion e. The leading coefficient in the equation for V has some discontinuities with jump whose size is a nonlinear functional (with memory) of p and V. We prove that there exists a unique global solution and then study the vector field ▽V and the charge density p as ee → 0.
Ultrasonic measurements for the prediction of mechanical strength

Abstract Results are presented on the scattering of ultrasonic waves from defects embedded in metals and on the influence of these defects on the mechanical properties. A simple correlation has been discovered between an empirical expression for the ductility of a sample containing a single void and the back-scattered ultrasonic power derived from scattering theory. An expression is derived which relates the ductility (reduction in cross-sectional area at tensile fracture) with the high-frequency (15 MHz) back-scattered ultrasonic signal in an approximately linear fashion. The data obtained on diffusion bonded Ti-alloy samples are in good agreement with the predictions. These results open the door to the prediction of ductility from ultrasonic measurements.
Thiol Esters and Ethers of Cysteine

Thiol esters of L-cysteine have been prepared from either N-carbobenzyloxy-L-cysteine or N-formyl-L-cysteine by using two-phase reaction mixtures. The carbobenzyloxy groups were removed by nonhydrolytic cleavage with hydrogen bromide. Thio ethers of L-cysteine base were obtained by alkylation in a two-phase reaction and were obtained uncontaminated with N-alkyl products. One compound, the car-boxymethyl thio ether, showed slight antiviral activity.
DIFFERENTIAL ROCK WEATHERING IN THE ‘VALLEY OF THE BOULDERS', KÄRKEVAGGE, SWEDISH LAPLAND

. Karkevagge is an alpine valley in the low arctic of Swedish Lapland. It is named after, and famous for, its large deposit of immense (c. 10–15 m) boulders that almost fill the lower valley. Above the boulder deposit, on the flanks of the valley, are more recent and generally much smaller (c. 1–3 m) individual boulders that have fallen from the valley-wall cliff face, presumably from post-glacial valley-side unloading. Some of these smaller boulders are seemingly fresh and unweathered while others have been reduced to no more than mounds in the tundra. These boulders must be younger than the larger, lower giant boulder deposit, but are not particularly recent rockfalls as they are partially buried in colluvium. Comparisons of mineralogy and chemistry indicate that the possibility exists that the incompetent, ‘rotten’ rocks, if not considerably older than their competent neighbors, are inherently self-destructive. They have evidence of increased sulfur content, which is a proxy for pyrite, a known weathering accelerant in Karkevagge.
Phenoloxidases in Portabella Mushrooms

Tyrosinase, laccase, and peroxidase activities were detected in crude extracts from commercial Portabella mushrooms. Tyrosinase was present in larger amounts than either laccase or peroxidase. Catechol showed the greatest activity as a substrate for tyrosinase while diaminobenzidine was found to be a good substrate for estimating laccase and peroxidase activity. Two tyrosinase and three laccase isoforms were detected after native electrophoresis. At least 10 tyrosinase isoforms were observed after isoelectric focusing. The distribution of these forms varied in different tissues. Browning reactions in Portabella mushrooms are a result of tyrosinase rather than laccase or peroxidase.
Community response to homelessness: Social change and constraint in local intervention

This report describes an action-research project which contributed to mobilizing a community to respond to homelessness in a large Southern California city. The project involved collaboration among a city-sponsored Task Force, a grass-roots coalition, and a university. The project core was a needs assessment which served as a basis for advocacy by the Task Force and a coalition of service providers and citizens. Empirical findings are reported along with political impacts including the ultimate fate of recommendations adopted by city government. An analysis of factors constraining policies relating to homelessness at the level of mid-size municipalities suggests that advocacy strategies must link local efforts with regional, state, and/or national levels to be effective. This conclusion, if valid and general, has significant implications for the theory and practice of community psychology.
Determination of 5′ and 3′ DNA Triplex Interference Boundaries Reveals the Core DNA Binding Sequence for Topoisomerase II

Previous studies have shown that formation of intermolecular DNA triplexes at sequences that overlap protein binding sites inhibits DNA binding by these proteins. We show that DNA cleavage by eukaryotic topoisomerase II is blocked by triplex formation at sites overlapping and adjacent to the triple binding site. To map precisely the boundaries of triplex interference, we constructed a vector containing enzyme binding sites of different lengths and flanked both 5′ and 3′ by DNA triplexes. We call this method Triplex Interference Mapping by Binding Element Replacement (TIMBER). Triplex regions within 3 bases 5′ or 7 bases 3′ of cleavage sites blocked DNA cleavage; triplex formation outside of this region had no effect upon cleavage activity. We conclude that topoisomerase II binding requires unhindered access to the major groove of a duplex DNA binding site in this 10-base region. In addition, the inclusion of topoisomerase II inhibitors yielded the same results for the triplex interference assays despite alterations in DNA cleavage site selection. The statistical analyses of over 500 topoisomerase II cleavage sites (in the presence or absence of inhibitors) suggest a model consistent with the region spanning −3 to +7 (relative to the cleavage site) containing most of the base-specific contacts for topoisomerase II. This triplex interference assay may prove valuable in the characterization of DNA binding sites for other proteins as well, particularly in conjunction with deletion analysis.
Distinguishing B and T lymphocytes by scanning electron microscopy.

This work demonstrates differences between B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes as seen in the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Slides of routinely prepared benign and malignant lymphoid tissues were viewed in the SEM. The location of prominent populations of T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes was verified by immunocytochemical staining respectively with CD3 and CD20 antisera. Benign tissues, including infant thymus and adult hyperplastic lymph node, were compared with malignant lymphomas of T-cell and B-cell types. The SEM appearance of benign B and T lymphocytes is compared utilizing the backscattered electron (BSE) mode and secondary electron (SE) mode in adult hyperplastic lymph node and infant thymus, respectively. The BSE and SE modes reveal that the sectioned T-lymphocyte nucleus has a more complex configuration than that of the B lymphocyte. T lymphocytes appear more discrete and separated one from another, while B lymphocytes exhibit close cellular association to form a syncytial array. These features are noted also in malignant lymphomas of B-lymphocyte and T-lymphocyte types, respectively. The SEM can distinguish between B and T lymphocytes by studying the differences in nuclear and chiefly the cell to cell appearances. The syncytial configuration of B lymphocytes may reflect prominent expression of cell adhesion molecules, e.g., ICAM-1, as noted in the literature.
Behavioral Research Contributions and Needs in Cancer Prevention and Control: Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation

Following a brief review of the etiology and prevalence of tobacco use and data on the effectiveness of prevention and cessation interventions, recommendations for a research agenda are outlined. It is suggested that research on youth tobacco initiation and cessation be given highest priority because of rising prevalence rates, fundamental social importance, and the widespread support for such efforts. Policy and community approaches to deterring youth tobacco use deserve particular attention. Adult intervention research should focus on health care settings and include factors that both help and hinder adoption and routine implementation of tobacco interventions by clinicians. Developing and evaluating practical ways of using nicotine replacement therapies or other pharmacological therapies in primary care are also of importance. Media interventions that segment the smoking population by age, ethnicity, and developmental milestones should be encouraged. Three approaches could profit from working conferences of investigators and other interested parties to review the data and suggest research directions: worksite interventions, interventions with ethnic populations, and matching or tailoring interventions to specified characteristics of smokers. The importance of devoting considerable resources to investigator-initiated contrasted with sponsor-directed research is discussed.
Separation Analysis Methodology for Designing Area Navigation Arrival Procedures

The full benefits of Area Navigation arrival procedures are achieved when they are performed without interruption. However, current separation minima or miles-in-trail restrictions at terminal area boundaries are not sufficiently large in many instances to ensure uninterrupted execution of Area Navigation arrivals, and air traffic controllers have to frequently vector aircraft off the Area Navigation procedure to maintain separation. We present a theoretical framework, a separation analysis methodology, and a Monte Carlo Tool for the Analysis of Separation and Throughput (TASAT), which may be used to determine the target spacing at a selected intermediate metering point such that there is a desired probability that the procedure can be completed without controller intervention. TASAT includes stochastic models of various uncertainty factors such as pilot actions, aircraft weight, and winds. Numeric simulation and separation analyses were performed for a hypothetical Area Navigation arrival procedure to demonstrate the applicability of the methodology, and to investigate the relationship between target spacing, probability of uninterrupted procedure execution, and traffic throughput. Sensitivity analyses were also performed on the location of the metering point and different winds.
BIOCHEMICAL IMPLICATIONS OF INSECT MYCOPHAGY

CONTENTS I. Intmduction . . . . . . . . . 11. Arthropod-fungal associations . . . . . . . (I) Arthropods associated with sporophores . . . . (2) Arthropods in habitats which include fungal mycelium . (3) Insects involved symbiotically with fungi . . . . 111. Nutritive characteristics of fungal tissue . . . . . (I) Caloric value . . . . . . . . (2) Elemental composition . . . . . . . (3) The macronutrients of fungi . . . . . . (4) The micronutrients of fungi . . . . . . (5) summary. . . . . . . . . . IV. Digestive and metabolic requirements imposed on mycophagous species by the special characteristics of fungal tissue. . . . . . . . (I) Fungal polysaccharides . . . . . . . . . . (2) Fungal sterols . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) Urea and ammonia . . . . . . . . . . . (4) Secondary metabolites . . . . . . . . . . (5) Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . V. Acquired digestive enzymes: a windfall of mycophagy . . . . . (I) Enzymes active against plant cell-wall polysaccharides . . . . (2) Enzymes active against fungal constituents. . . . . . . (3) Enzymes active against phenolic substances . . . . . . (4) Requirements imposed by the exploitation of acquired digestive enzymes . (5) Acquired digestive enzymes: a closing comment . . . . . VI. summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . VII. Acknowledgement . . . . . . . . . . . . VIII. References . . . . . . . . . . . . . i
Urocortin II increases spontaneous parental behavior in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster)

Stress and anxiety play a role in many psychological processes including social behavior. The present study examines the effects of urocortin II (UCN II) on spontaneous parental behavior in adult prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster). UCN II was found to increase passive parental behavior in voles while not affecting any stress-related measures. Delineating the mechanism of this change will aid in our understanding of the regulation of parenting.
Prolonged androgen receptor loading onto chromatin and the efficient recruitment of p160 coactivators contribute to androgen-independent growth of prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND Growth of most ablation-resistant prostate cancers (CaPs) is dependent on androgen receptor (AR) activity in chromatin, but cancer cells in these tumors have acquired altered AR activation. It is unclear how the aberrantly activated AR loads onto regulatory regions of AR-targeted genes. The purpose of this study was to assess the AR chromatin loading in an androgen-depleted environment. METHODS The expression of PSA in androgen-resistant CaP cells was determined using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In order to investigate the binding of the AR to the PSA gene regulatory regions, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) was performed in the androgen-independent cds2 cell line in the presence or absence of androgens. In addition, we examined the involvement of p160 coactivators in the chromatin loading of the AR. RESULTS It was found that constitutive activation of PSA expression was the result of sustained occupancy by the AR at the regulatory region of this gene. This stable AR loading was not blocked by the AR antagonist bicalutamide. Furthermore, androgen-resistant CaP cells highly expressed both AR and the p160 coactivators and the AR was able to recruit TIF2. Downregulation of TIF2 using short hairpin RNA disrupted the AR loading to the PSA enhancer and subsequently inhibited AR activity. CONCLUSION Prolonged AR localization to the regulatory regions of AR targeted genes and the recruitment of p160 coactivators are a potential mechanism leading to androgen-independent activation of the AR. Disruption of AR chromatin loading could therefore become an important therapeutic target for this disease. Prostate © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.