cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Androgen receptor ( AR ) gene CAG trinucleotide repeat length associated with body composition measures in non-syndromic obese, non-obese and Prader-Willi syndrome individuals

Purpose Total body mass impacts reproductive health and infertility which has increased in the United States with rising rates of obesity. Overlapping genetic and environmental factors contribute to obesity and infertility including the androgen receptor (AR), a steroid hormone-activated transcription factor that is key in regulating androgen activity and sensitivity to sex hormones, weight and body composition in both males and females. The AR gene which is X-linked contains a polymorphic CAG trinucleotide repeat which varies in length and inversely correlated with gene expression.
Lateral organ boundaries 1 is a disease susceptibility gene for citrus bacterial canker disease

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) disease occurs worldwide and incurs considerable costs both from control measures and yield losses. Bacteria that cause CBC require one of six known type III transcription activator-like (TAL) effector genes for the characteristic pustule formation at the site of infection. Here, we show that Xanthomonas citri subspecies citri strain Xcc306, with the type III TAL effector gene pthA4 or with the distinct yet biologically equivalent gene pthAw from strain XccAw, induces two host genes, CsLOB1 and CsSWEET1, in a TAL effector-dependent manner. CsLOB1 is a member of the Lateral Organ Boundaries (LOB) gene family of transcription factors, and CsSWEET1 is a homolog of the SWEET sugar transporter and rice disease susceptibility gene. Both TAL effectors drive expression of CsLOB1 and CsSWEET1 promoter reporter gene fusions when coexpressed in citrus or Nicotiana benthamiana. Artificially designed TAL effectors directed to sequences in the CsLOB1 promoter region, but not the CsSWEET1 promoter, promoted pustule formation and higher bacterial leaf populations. Three additional distinct TAL effector genes, pthA*, pthB, and pthC, also direct pustule formation and expression of CsLOB1. Unlike pthA4 and pthAw, pthB and pthC do not promote the expression of CsSWEET1. CsLOB1 expression was associated with the expression of genes associated with cell expansion. The results indicate that CBC-inciting species of Xanthomonas exploit a single host disease susceptibility gene by altering the expression of an otherwise developmentally regulated gene using any one of a diverse set of TAL effector genes in the pathogen populations.
Efficacy of concentrated autologous platelet-derived growth factors in chronic lower-extremity wounds.

The efficacy of concentrated autologous platelet-derived growth factors in the healing and closure of chronic lower-extremity wounds was evaluated in 24 patients with 33 lower-extremity wounds treated previously for at least 6 months using traditional methods. Surgical wound debridement was performed to convert chronic ulcers into acute wounds. Concentrated autologous platelet-derived growth factors and thrombin were applied to the wound bases and protected with a nonadhering compression dressing that remained intact for 7 days. Wounds were evaluated and the concentrate was reapplied every 2 weeks. Wound closure and complete epithelialization was achieved in 20 wounds. Seventy-five percent or greater wound closure was obtained in three wounds, 50% to 74% closure in three wounds, and 25% to 49% closure in two wounds. Five wounds displayed no improvement. Mean time to complete closure was 11.15 weeks. The application of concentrated autologous platelet-derived growth factors and thrombin resulted in substan...
Extinction ratio of stripe-geometry DH AlGaAs lasers with "soft" turn-on

The effect of high spontaneous emission on the extinction ratio of modulated laser-diode signals is discussed. A calculation based on the spectra taken from oxide-defined narrow-stripe lasers at "on" and "off" levels shows that high spontaneous emission at the "on" level can degrade the apparent extinction ratio of the source, due to material dispersion in optical fibers, and affect transmission bandwidth and useful device lifetime.
Context-based features enhance protein secondary structure prediction accuracy.

We report a new approach of using statistical context-based scores as encoded features to train neural networks to achieve secondary structure prediction accuracy improvement. The context-based scores are pseudo-potentials derived by evaluating statistical, high-order inter-residue interactions, which estimate the favorability of a residue adopting certain secondary structure conformation within its amino acid environment. Encoding these context-based scores as important training and prediction features provides a way to address a long-standing difficulty in neural network-based secondary structure predictions of taking interdependency among secondary structures of neighboring residues into account. Our computational results have shown that the context-based scores are effective features to enhance the prediction accuracy of secondary structure predictions. An overall 7-fold cross-validated Q3 accuracy of 82.74% and Segment Overlap Accuracy (SOV) accuracy of 86.25% are achieved on a set of more than 7987 ...
Beyond Co-Existence to Mutual Influence: An Interdisciplinary Method for Psychoanalysis and Religion

As the disciplines of psychoanalysis and religion find themselves in a heightened cross-disciplinary context, issues of methodology remain at the forefront. This article constructs an interdisciplinary method based on the image of psychoanalysis and religion as neighbors who border along an “intimate edge”—a space of simultaneously overlapping, yet distinct concern. Using what is termed a “hermeneutic of mischievousness,” this method maintains an interpretive location for that which preserves, transgresses, and transcends the disciplinary boundaries. The article concludes with a brief application of the method to the relationship between the “analytic third” and Christian trinitarian theology.
The ER in 3D: a multifunctional dynamic membrane network

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a large, singular, membrane-bound organelle that has an elaborate 3D structure with a diversity of structural domains. It contains regions that are flat and cisternal, ones that are highly curved and tubular, and others adapted to form contacts with nearly every other organelle and with the plasma membrane. The 3D structure of the ER is determined by both integral ER membrane proteins and by interactions with the cytoskeleton. In this review, we describe some of the factors that are known to regulate ER structure and discuss how this structural organization and the dynamic nature of the ER membrane network allow it to perform its many different functions.
Staying put in the Closet: Examining Clinical Practice and Countertransference Issues in Work with Gay Men Married to Heterosexual Women

Gay men married to heterosexual women seek psychotherapy for numerous reasons, not only to find a way out of their marriages. Therapists must identify their countertransference reactions to avoid pushing the patient either to commit to his marriage or leave it. The patient’s underlying problems should be addressed before the patient can explore the fate of his marriage. Therapists also need to be understanding of the patient’s attachment to his wife. In addition, therapists must be aware of the societal implications of homophobia on gay patients. This article discusses motivations for heterosexual marriage among gay men, examines two clinical cases, and addresses practice and countertransference issues.
Evidence for the preferential binding of the catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) to DNA containing the lac promoter

Abstract The catabolite gene activator protein (CAP) is required for activation of the lac operon as well as a large number of other genes in Escherichia coli which encode catabolic enzymes. CAP-induced gene transcription occurs in the presence of cAMP; it has been shown that cAMP binds to CAP and that a tertiary complex can be formed with DNA. The cAMP-stimulated binding of CAP to DNA occurs for all DNAs thus far examined and therefore does not appear to require a specific sequence of bases on the DNA. Despite this lack of absolute specificity it has been possible to show that CAP binds with considerably greater intensity to DNA restriction fragments containing the lac operon promoter.
Glass formation and transition temperatures in sodium and lithium borate and aluminoborate melts up to 72 mol.% alkali

Abstract We report continuous glass formation and glass transition temperatures T g for the pseudo-binary systems x M 2 O (1 − x ) (0.87B 2 O 3 0.13Al 2 O 3 ) to x = 0.675 for M = Na and 0.575 for M = Li. A dependence of both T g and glass-forming range on starting materials is found at high alkali contents, and attributed to retained CO 2 . Maxima in T g for both binary and pseudo-binary systems are quantitatively described in terms of two effects: (i) creation of 4-coordinated borons (increasing T g ), and (ii) creation of non-bridging [BO 3 ] oxygens (decreasing T g . To first approximation we find the latter imparting a stronger effect on T g .
QueryMarket demonstration: pricing for online data markets

Increasingly data is being bought and sold online. To facilitate such transactions, online data market-places have emerged to provide a service for sellers to price views on their data, and buyers to buy such views. These marketplaces neither support the sale of ad-hoc queries (that are not one of the specified views), nor do they support queries that join datasets. We present QueryMarket, a prototype data marketplace that automatically extrapolates prices to ad-hoc queries, including those with joins, from the manually priced views. We call this capability "query-based pricing" and describe how it is superior to existing pricing methods, and how it provides more flexible pricing for the sellers. We then show how QueryMarket implements query-based pricing and how it generates explanations for the prices it computes.
Viewpoint Discrimination in the Military's Filmmaker Assistance Program and the First Amendment

The U.S. military provides assistance to filmmakers in the form of use of military sites, equipment and personnel, which can provide significant cost savings to filmmakers. The military, however, routinely denies this assistance to filmmakers whose productions portray the military in a way it considers objectionable, actions that constitute viewpoint discrimination by the government. While this may seem to be an unconstitutional violation of First Amendment rights, application of forum law and the unconstitutional conditions doctrine lead to the conclusion that the military's viewpoint discrimination is permissible and does not violate the First Amendment.
THE FILE DRAWER EFFECT AND PUBLICATION RATES IN MENSTRUAL CYCLE RESEARCH

The file drawer problem refers to a publication bias for positive results, leading to studies which support the null hypothesis being relegated to the file drawer. The assumption is that researchers are unable to publish studies with nonsignificant findings. A survey of investigators studying the menstrual cycle showed this assumption to be unwarranted. Much of the research did not lend itself to a hypothesis-testing model. A more important contribution to the likelihood of publication was research productivity, and researchers whose first study was published were more likely to have continued their work.
Evaluating Memory Wallets in Conversations With Persons With Dementia

The use of memory wallets to self-prompt factual information during prompted conversations with familiar partners was evaluated for 9 subjects with dementia. Memory wallets contained 30 pictures an...
Reconstructed summer degree days in central Alaska and northwestern Canada since 1524

Abstract Three time series based on precisely dated annual tree-ring widths have been used to reconstruct June plus July degree days for the central Alaska and northwestern Canada region. The time series are the longest recently developed chronologies for the area and represent 57 core samples from 27 trees. The degree-day reconstruction, extending back to A.D. 1524, exhibits much year-to-year variation and extended warming and cooling trends including a general warming trend from about 1840 to 1960. The reconstruction is in agreement with some subaretic glacial information and with data of percentage melting from arctic ice cores. This and similar reconstructions can provide quantitative information to compare with general circulation and energy budget models for longer time periods than are available in recorded meteorological data.
A parallel/distributed architecture for hierarchically heterogeneous web-based cooperative applications

Abstract A new class of applications is described which requires cooperation among diverse users in multiple data and problem instance domains. The hierarchy of parallelism includes heterogeneity within a single instance of the problem, homogeneity among subsets of users within a problem domain, and multiple problem domains which share computational resources. The particular problem of genetic linkage analysis is used to illustrate and implement the architecture. GenoMap, the first implementation of this system is being deployed for several groups of cooperating users at multiple institutions in a study to isolate the genomic locus of the controlling gene(s) in several diseases including autism.
Ronald Reagan on Lebanon and Grenada: Flexibility and interpretation in the application of Kenneth Burke's pentad

The pentad is most useful when critics take a flexible approach to the five terms, preserving the inherent ambiguity of act, agent, agency, scene, and purpose. Experimentation with different pentadic root terms will produce different readings of any given text. In most cases, such experimentation will result in the identification of a single term that coordinates a critic's understanding of a text. A pentadic analysis of Ronald Reagan's address of October 27, 1983, on Lebanon and Grenada, demonstrates the critical value of employing multiple pentadic frames. Reagan's speech reveals a formulation of American character incompatible with a thorough multinationalism.
Complementary Perspectives as a Means of Understanding Regional Change: Frontier Settlement in the Ecuador Amazon

Illustrated in this paper is a research protocol wherein regional change in the Ecuador Amazon, measured in terms of changing settlement patterns, is explored from three distinct but complementary vantage points—idiographic, context-dependent generalizations, and universally applicable frameworks. All analyses are anchored to the study area itself; the region's ground-level reality plays a prominent role throughout; and the Amazon as a place is the object of study. The more universal the explanation, the less information it provides about the Ecuador Amazon per se; but each conceptualization illuminates a distinct aspect of the Amazon experience. A comprehensive understanding is the end result. The research protocol is situated within current concerns over place, the new regional geography, and related research strategies.
Molecular etching: a novel methodology for the generation of complex micropatterned growth surfaces for human cellular assays.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the non-cellular component of all tissues consisting of many different bioactive macromolecules including proteins, proteoglycans, glycoproteins and gradients of growth factors. It is a highly complex and dynamic structure that is subject to constant remodeling in vivo. The ECM not only provides essential structural support for tissues and cell layers but also modulates molecular and biomechanical signaling cues.[1-4] ECM composition is tightly regulated during normal development and hemostasis and varies with tissue type as well as developmental stage. Hearts of different developmental stages have significant differences in ECM composition and elasticity.[5, 6] Dysregulation of the ECM has also been shown to result in human aortic and connective tissue diseases.[7] In addition, ECM has been shown to control cell behavior and function through its elasticity, topography, and dimensionality. In vitro, culture surface stiffness has been shown to directly control the lineage commitment of mesenchymal stem cells.[8, 9]
A Lower Bound in the abc Conjecture

Abstract We show that there exists an infinite sequence of sums P: a+b=c of rational integers with large height compared to the radical: h(P)⩾r(P)+4Kl h ( P ) /log h(P) with Kl=2l/2 2 π / e >1.517 for l=0.5990. This improves the result of Stewart and Tijdeman [9]. The value of l comes from an asymptotic bound for the packing density of spheres. We formulate our result such that improved knowledge of l immediately improves the value of Kl.
A value-oriented framework for education and the behavioral sciences

The valuing process characterizes man's conscious or unconscious striving in both personal and institutional contexts. Education helps learners to clarify, analyze, and modify their valuing processes. Therapy unifies value thinking with expressions of feeling in the therapist-client relationship.
Recent Longitudinal Spin Asymmetry Measurements for Inclusive Jet Production at STAR

We present measurements of the longitudinal spin asymmetry, ALL, for the inclusive jet signal at STAR. The data presented here are mid-rapidity jets in the transverse momentum range of 5 < pT < 35 GeV/c and come from polarized proton-proton collisions at center of mass energies of s=200GeV. We compare our measured ALL values to predictions derived from various parameterizations of the polarized gluon distribution function. The results are shown to provide significant constraints for allowable gluon parameterizations within the measurement's kinematic Bjorken-x range of 0.03 < x < 0.3.
Carbonaceous meteorites as a source of sugar-related organic compounds for the early Earth

The much-studied Murchison meteorite is generally used as the standard reference for organic compounds in extraterrestrial material. Amino acids and other organic compounds important in contemporary biochemistry are thought to have been delivered to the early Earth by asteroids and comets, where they may have played a role in the origin of life. Polyhydroxylated compounds (polyols) such as sugars, sugar alcohols and sugar acids are vital to all known lifeforms-they are components of nucleic acids (RNA, DNA), cell membranes and also act as energy sources. But there has hitherto been no conclusive evidence for the existence of polyols in meteorites, leaving a gap in our understanding of the origins of biologically important organic compounds on Earth. Here we report that a variety of polyols are present in, and indigenous to, the Murchison and Murray meteorites in amounts comparable to amino acids. Analyses of water extracts indicate that extraterrestrial processes including photolysis and formaldehyde chemistry could account for the observed compounds. We conclude from this that polyols were present on the early Earth and therefore at least available for incorporation into the first forms of life.
Documenting Improvement in College Writing A Longitudinal Approach

This investigation sought normative longitudinal change in student writing during college. It used a random sample of students (N=64), each of whom had produced essays at two points in their undergraduate careers, matriculation and junior year. Measures were writing features showing undergraduate change toward competent, working-world performance. From a principal-components factoring of variables used in a previous study, nine measures were selected as good representatives of nine factors—factors of independent and bound ideas, idea elaboration and substantiation, local cohesion, establishment of logical boundaries, free modification, fluency, and vocabulary. When applied to the 1st-year and junior-year writing, eight of the nine measures, including a holistic rating, recorded statistically significant change, all in the direction of workplace performance. Directions for further research are discussed.
Dietary management of the metabolic syndrome.

The term “metabolic syndrome” (MetS) describes a cluster of risk factors that, in combination, increase the risk for cardiovascular disease two- to threefold and that for type 2 diabetes mellitus three- to fivefold, independent of the presence of obesity.1,2,3,4 Diet is a major determinant of MetS and should be targeted for prevention and treatment of the condition.5,6,7,8 This report reviews the role of individual nutrients, foods/food groups, and dietary patterns in the etiology and management of MetS. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2011) 90 1, 184–187. doi:10.1038/clpt.2011.92
Dispersive optical bistability in a dielectric sphere

Dispersive optical bistability in a dielectric sphere is modeled. The analysis is applicable to cases in which the incident frequency is near a morphology-dependent resonance of the sphere. The refractive index of the sphere is assumed to vary as m(r) = m0 + m2I(r), where I(r) is the internal intensity at position r. In general I(r) contains all the modes of the sphere. However, we first obtain a simplified analytical expression for bistability in which we assume that I(r) consists of a single near-resonant mode. We also analyze the bistability problem; in the analysis we include all the modes of the sphere in computing I(r). The agreement between the all-mode and the single-mode results is good when the incident frequency is within a few linewidths of ahigh-Q (>104) mode. We compare bistability in a dielectric sphere with that in a Fabry–Perot cavity. We use a quasi-steady-state approximation to calculate the time-dependent backscattering from a CS2 sphere near a resonance. The computed backscattered intensity has bistable characteristics.
Functional Connection between Rad51 and PML in Homology-Directed Repair

The promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is a tumor suppressor critical for formation of nuclear bodies (NBs) performing important functions in transcription, apoptosis, DNA repair and antiviral responses. Earlier studies demonstrated that simian virus 40 (SV40) initiates replication near PML NBs. Here we show that PML knockdown inhibits viral replication in vivo, thus indicating a positive role of PML early in infection. SV40 large T antigen (LT) induces DNA damage and, consequently, nuclear foci of the key homologous recombination repair protein Rad51 that colocalize with PML. PML depletion abrogates LT-induced Rad51 foci. LT may target PML NBs to gain access to DNA repair factors like Rad51 that are required for viral replication. We have used the SV40 model to gain insight to DNA repair events involving PML. Strikingly, even in normal cells devoid of viral oncoproteins, PML is found to be instrumental for foci of Rad51, Mre11 and BRCA1, as well as homology-directed repair after double-strand break (DSB) induction. Following LT expression or external DNA damage, PML associates with Rad51. PML depletion also causes a loss of RPA foci following γ-irradiation, suggesting that PML is required for processing of DSBs. Immunofluorescent detection of incorporated BrdU without prior denaturation indicates a failure to generate ssDNA foci in PML knockdown cells upon γ-irradiation. Consistent with the lack of RPA and BrdU foci, γ-irradiation fails to induce Chk1 activation, when PML is depleted. Taken together, we have discovered a novel functional connection between PML and the homologous recombination-mediated repair machinery, which might contribute to PML tumor suppressor activity.
Modeling of the seismic behavior of shear-critical reinforced concrete columns

Abstract Inelastic failure of reinforced concrete (RC) structures under seismic loadings can be due either to loss of flexural, shear, or bond capacity. This paper describes the formulation of an inelastic nonlinear beam element with axial, bending, and shear force interaction. The element considers shear deformation and is based on the section discretization into fibers with hysteretic models for the constituent materials. The steel material constitutive law follows the Menegotto–Pinto model. The concrete model is based on a smeared approach of cracked continuous orthotropic concrete with the inclusion of Poisson effect. The concrete model accounts for the biaxial state of stress in the directions of orthotropy in accordance with the Softened Membrane Model, in addition to degradation under reversed cyclic loading. The shear mechanism along the beam is modeled using a Timoshenko beam approach. Transverse strains are internal variables determined by imposing equilibrium between concrete and transverse reinforcements. Element forces are obtained by performing equilibrium based numerical integration on section axial, flexural and shear behaviors along the length of the element. Dynamic behavior was accounted for by adopting the well-known Newmark approach. Rayleigh damping was assumed to simulate the damped behavior under seismic excitations. In order to establish the validity of the proposed model correlation studies were conducted between analytical results and experimental data of RC columns tested under the shake table.
Effects of three cytochrome P450 inhibitors, ketoconazole, fluconazole, and paroxetine, on the pharmacokinetics of lasofoxifene

Aims Two studies were conduced to assess the effects of ketoconazole, a CYP3A4/5 inhibitor; fluconazole, a CYP2C9 inhibitor; and paroxetine, a CYP2D6 inhibitor, on lasofoxifene pharmacokinetics. Methods The first parallel group study was conducted in 45 healthy postmenopausal women (15 per group) to compare the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of lasofoxifene (0.25 mg) administered alone and in combination with ketoconazole (400 mg daily × 20 days) or fluconazole (400 mg daily × 20 days). Lasofoxifene was administered on day 2 and blood samples were collected serially for up to 456 h postdose (20 days). The second study enrolled 20 healthy postmenopausal women (10 per group) to compare the pharmacokinetics of a single dose of lasofoxifene (0.25 mg) alone and in combination with paroxetine (30 mg qd × 21 days). Lasofoxifene was given on day 8 of paroxetine treatment and blood samples were collected serially for up to 336 h postdose. Results All subjects completed the study and the treatments were well tolerated. Lasofoxifene Cmax and AUC ratios [90% confidence interval (CI)] with/without ketoconazole were 111% (98.4, 127) and 120% (105, 136), respectively, and were 91.3% (80.3, 104) and 104% (91.4, 118), respectively, with/without fluconazole. Lasofoxifene Cmax and AUC ratios (90% CI) with/without paroxetine were 118% (95.4, 146) and 135% (120, 152), respectively. Conclusions Coadministration of potent inhibitors of CYP3A4/5 and CYP2D6, but not CYP2C9, resulted in a moderate increase in lasofoxifene exposure. No dosage adjustment should be required when lasofoxifene is coadministered with ketoconazole, fluconazole, paroxetine or other agents that inhibit these CYP enzymes.
Human Papillomavirus Load Measured by Linear Array Correlates with Quantitative PCR in Cervical Cytology Specimens

ABSTRACT Carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are necessary causes of most anogenital cancers. Viral load has been proposed as a marker for progression to cancer precursors but has been confirmed only for HPV16. Challenges in studying viral load are related to the lack of validated assays for a large number of genotypes. We compared viral load measured by Linear Array (LA) HPV genotyping with the gold standard, quantitative PCR (Q-PCR). LA genotyping and Q-PCR were performed in 143 cytology specimens from women referred to colposcopy. LA signal strength was measured by densitometry. Correlation coefficients and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were used to evaluate analytical and clinical performance. We observed a moderate to strong correlation between the two quantitative viral load measurements, ranging from an R value of 0.61 for HPV31 to an R value of 0.86 for HPV52. We also observed agreement between visual LA signal strength evaluation and Q-PCR. Both quantifications agreed on the disease stages with highest viral load, which varied by type (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 2 [CIN2] for HPV52, CIN3 for HPV16 and HPV33, and cancer for HPV18 and HPV31). The area under the curve (AUC) for HPV16 Q-PCR at the CIN3 cutoff was 0.72 ( P = 0.004), and the AUC for HPV18 LA at the CIN2 cutoff was 0.78 ( P = 0.04). Quantification of LA signals correlates with the current gold standard for viral load, Q-PCR. Analyses of viral load need to address multiple infections and type attribution to evaluate whether viral load has clinical value beyond the established HPV16 finding. Our findings support conducting comprehensive studies of viral load and cervical cancer precursors using quantitative LA genotyping data.
Effects of nitrogen on the response of loblolly pine to water stress I. Photosynthesis and stomatal conductance

summary Photosynthetic and stomatal response of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) to water stress were determined for seedlings grown under 4 different nitrogen levels. Photosynthetic rate of well–watered seedlings was linearly related to foliar N. There was no observed N effect on the relative reduction of photosynthesis due to water stress. N did not influence stomatal conductance before or during the water stress period. Therefore, instantaneous water use efficiency of well–watered seedlings was significantly increased with increased N. Significantly reduced internal CO2 concentration (Ci) associated with increased N in well–watered seedlings may be indicative of greater relative stomatal contribution to overall limitation of photosynthesis. Water stress caused an increase in Ci, the slope of the increase being related to N treatment. Stomatal conductance and photosynthesis correlated strongly within each N treatment, and increased N caused an increase in initial slope of the function. Therefore, stomatal control was uncoupled from photosynthetic capacity by N treatment in loblolly pine. These data fail to support the proposition that improved stomatal response to water stress can explain reported gains in water status of nitrogen–fertilized conifers in the field.
Potential Mechanisms for Racial and Ethnic Differences in Antimüllerian Hormone and Ovarian Reserve

Accumulating evidence suggests that reproductive potential and function may be different across racial and ethnic groups. Racial differences have been demonstrated in pubertal timing, infertility, outcomes after assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment, and reproductive aging. Recently, racial differences have also been described in serum antimullerian hormone (AMH), a sensitive biomarker of ovarian reserve, supporting the notion that ovarian reserve differs between racial/ethnic groups. The existence of such racial/ethnic differences in ovarian reserve, as reflected by AMH, may have important clinical implications for reproductive endocrinologists. However, the mechanisms which may underlie such racial differences in ovarian reserve are unclear. Various genetic factors and environmental factors such as obesity, smoking, and vitamin D deficiency which have been shown to correlate with serum AMH levels and also display significant racial/ethnic variations are discussed in this review. Improving our understanding of racial differences in ovarian reserve and their underlying causes may be essential for infertility treatment in minority women and lead to better reproductive planning, improved treatment outcomes, and timely interventions which may prolong reproductive lifespan in these women.
The addition of glucose-1-phosphate to the cytoplasmic glycoprotein phosphoglucomutase is modulated by intracellular calcium in PC12 cells and rat cortical synaptosomes

In a number of different cell types, phosphorylation of a 63-kDa protein has been shown to increase rapidly in response to stimuli that lead to an increase in intracellular calcium. Here, a stimulus-sensitive protein at this molecular weight is identified in PC12 cells and rat cortical synaptosomes as phosphoglucomutase. In addition, the added phosphate is shown to be in an oligosaccharide terminating in phosphodiester-linked glucose. In synaptosomes, incorporated radioactivity, following incubation with [14C]glucose or the [beta-35S]phosphorothioate analogue of UDP-glucose, was found to increase within 5 s of stimulation and return to baseline within 25 s. Despite the many pathways utilizing glucose, this was the only detectable protein glycosylation observed in synaptosomes. These results indicate that cytoplasmic glycosylation is reversible and rapidly regulated, and suggest that phosphoglucomutase undergoes an alteration in function and/or topography in response to increases in intracellular calcium.
RURAL-URBAN ECONOMIC LINKAGES FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING IN THE MONROE, LOUISIANA, FUNCTIONAL ECONOMIC AREA

for in the An interregional input-output model of the Monroe, Louisiana, Functional Economic Area constructed with IMPLAN is used to assess economic linkages between a small urban core and a surrounding rural periphery. The contribution of agriculture, especially in the rural periphery, to the urban core (Ouachita Parish) economy is demonstrated, Also assessed is the possibility of using the core’s food processing sector to facilitate periphery economic growth. While results demonstrated stronger rural-urban linkages than have been found in other regions, growth in the urban food processing industry, as currently structured,did not imply rapid growth in the periphery.
Hydration and dehydration of Zeolitic Tuff from Yucca Mountain, Nevada

Naturally occurring zeolites expand and contract when hydrated or dehydrated. In tuffaceous rock composed largely of such zeolites, the entire rock may swell or contract significantly as the rock becomes saturated or dries out. If such rock is constrained, significant stresses may develop as a result of hydration or dehydration. We present experimental results that substantiate this. In a zeolitized, non-welded tuff from Yucca Mountain, NV, rock permeability governs the swelling rate since the major constituent, clinoptilolite, hydrates as fast as it can be exposed to water. At Yucca Mountain, where a nuclear waste repository is proposed, strata of welded, devitrified tuff overlie non-welded, zeolitic tuff. Should the hydration state of the units change significantly over the repository lifetime, additional stresses on the same order of magnitude as now exist may develop.
Statistical methods and graphical displays for analyzing how the association between two qualitative variables differs among countries, among groups, or over time: Part II: Some exploratory techniques, simple models, and simple examples

We introduce some simple models that can be viewed as special cases of the general model and general approach to analyzing the association in multiway tables that we first presented in 1998. We use two empirical examples to demonstrate the flexibility and utility of the simple models introduced here and of our general approach.
HAWAIIAN BIRDS: LESSONS FROM A REDISCOVERED AVIFAUNA

IN THE INTRODUCTION to Hawaiian Birdlife, Andrew Berger (1972) wrote with frustration and dismay about his futile search for several species of endemic Hawaiian birds that had been described by collectors in the 1890s, but apparently were extinct by the mid-20th century. He bemoaned the fact that the ecology and behavior of those birds could never be studied. In fact, the loss of diversity and the gaps in our knowledge of the ecology and evolution of Hawaii's birds both are far greater than Berger could have imagined. During the past three decades, paleontological efforts spearheaded by Storrs Olson and Helen James have unearthed an unsuspected number and diversity of extinct birds. Bones collected from sand dunes, lava tubes, sinkholes, and former lakebeds have approximately doubled the number of endemic Hawaiian species. Among the fossil taxa collected and described by Olson and James are at least 15 new species in the spectacular honeycreeper radiation (tribe Drepanidini); several species of raptors unknown in the historical avifauna, including an eagle, a harrier, and a radiation of bird-eating owls; and many flightless birds, including rails, ibises, ducks, and geese (Olson and James 1982a, b, 1991; James and Olson 1991). Olson and James have demonstrated that the historically recorded Hawaiian avifauna, although spectacular, is a meager and biased sample of the fauna that existed prehistorically (i.e. before 1778, the year of the arrival of James Cook in the Hawaiian Islands). Radiocarbon dating of bones of extinct birds and presence of extinct birds in some archaeological sites have shown that extinctions on Hawaii occurred after humans colonized the archipelago, -1,600 years ago (Olson and James 1982a, b; James et al. 1987, Burney et al. 2001). That pattern of massive, rapid extinction of endemic birds following human colonization has been found on oceanic islands throughout the
A tracheoscopic technique for obtaining uncontaminated lower airway secretions for bacterial culture in the horse

Summary Transtracheal aspirate (TTA) aerobic microbiology culture results from 30 ponies were compared to protected catheter brush (PCB) culture results obtained from the same ponies. The PCB procedure resulted in significantly fewer (P<0.05) isolates than those obtained by the TTA procedure and the PCB procedure resulted in significantly more samples with no bacteria growth than the TTA procedure. To address the possibility that the volume of tracheobronchial secretion obtained by PCB was insufficient as a microbiological sample, a sterile, double-sheathed, protected aspiration catheter (PAC) was developed. Comparisons were made between TTA and PAC aerobic microbiology culture results from 18 pneumonic foals and weanlings. There were no significant differences between the PAC and TTA procedures with respect to the number of bacteria isolates. It was concluded that the PAC technique may be used as an alternative to TTA for isolation of equine pulmonary bacteria and may be the preferred procedure because of the reduced risk of complications associated with the TTA.
Surface states and topological invariants in three-dimensional topological insulators: Application to Bi 1 − x Sb x

We study the electronic surface states of the semiconducting alloy bismuth antimony $({\text{Bi}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Sb}}_{x})$. Using a phenomenological tight-binding model, we show that the Fermi surface for the 111 surface states encloses an odd number of time-reversal-invariant momenta (TRIM) in the surface Brillouin zone. This confirms that the alloy is a strong topological insulator in the (1;111) ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ topological class. We go on to develop general arguments which show that spatial symmetries lead to additional topological structure of the bulk energy bands, and impose further constraints on the surface band structure. Inversion-symmetric band structures are characterized by eight ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ ``parity invariants,'' which include the four ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ invariants defined by time-reversal symmetry. The extra invariants determine the ``surface fermion parity,'' which specifies which surface TRIM are enclosed by an odd number of electron or hole pockets. We provide a simple proof of this result, which provides a direct link between the surface-state structure and the parity eigenvalues characterizing the bulk. Using this result, we make specific predictions for the surface-state structure for several faces of ${\text{Bi}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Sb}}_{x}$. We next show that mirror-invariant band structures are characterized by an integer ``mirror Chern number'' ${n}_{\mathcal{M}}$, which further constrains the surface states. We show that the sign of ${n}_{\mathcal{M}}$ in the topological insulator phase of ${\text{Bi}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\text{Sb}}_{x}$ is related to a previously unexplored ${\mathbb{Z}}_{2}$ parameter in the $L$ point $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ theory of pure bismuth, which we refer to as the ``mirror chirality'' $\ensuremath{\eta}$. The value of $\ensuremath{\eta}$ predicted by the tight-binding model for bismuth disagrees with the value predicted by a more fundamental pseudopotential calculation. This explains a subtle disagreement between our tight-binding surface-state calculation and previous first-principles calculations of the surface states of bismuth. This suggests that the tight-binding parameters in the Liu-Allen model of bismuth need to be reconsidered. Implications for existing and future angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments and spin-polarized ARPES experiments will be discussed.
Calculating Depreciation on a Like-Kind Exchange or an Involuntary Conversion

This article looks at temporary regulations that have modified the rules for computing depreciation on exchanged or converted property. The focus of the article is on the use of the optional tables for like-kind exchanges and involuntary conversions. The article identifies a potential tax trap in the new regulations and offers tax planning suggestions in light of the new regulation.
Does the gender of parent or child matter in child maltreatment in China

Child maltreatment is a public health problem worldwide, and China is no exception. However, the pattern of child maltreatment remains unknown, including whether the gender of children and their parents has an impact on the occurrence of maltreatment. This study aims at examining the rates and frequency of child maltreatment, including physical abuse, psychological abuse and neglect perpetrated by mothers and fathers. We also test whether the interaction between parents' gender and their child's gender affects the occurrence of child maltreatment in China. 997 children from the China Jintan Child Cohort Study participated in the present study and reported their maltreatment experience perpetrated by their mothers and fathers using the questionnaire, Parent-Child Conflict Tactics Scale (CTSPC_CA). Generalized linear model analyses show that boys were more likely than girls to report physical abuse, and, in particular, boys were more likely than girls to be physically abused by their fathers. On the other hand, mothers were more likely than fathers to exhibit psychological aggression and use corporal punishment for both boys and girls. There was no difference based on the child's or parent's gender in the occurrence of neglect. The findings present empirical evidence that enhances the understanding of the pattern of child maltreatment in China, provide implications for social workers and health professionals to identify children at risk of child maltreatment, and shed light on future research studies.
An Approach to Quantitative Image Analysis for Cement Pastes

Cement paste microstructure as revealed in backscatter SEM presents a number of inherent difficulties that interfere with implementing quantitative image analysis. An approach to overcoming these difficulties is presented, involving gray scale segmentation coupled with application of a hole filling algorithm. Using this approach it is possible to isolate the unhydrated and hydrated portions of phenograins separately, and to combine them for analysis of combined phenograins. Pores and coarse calcium hydroxide masses may also be isolated for feature analysis. Results are reported on mature cement pastes prepared at two water:cement ratios (w:c 0.45 and w:c 0.30) and with and without superplasticizer. It was found that superplasticizer greatly reduced the content and the average size of “visible pores” and increased the content and the average size of coarse CH particles compared to corresponding plain pastes. The area per hydrated phenograin was much smaller in the lower w:c ratio pastes and higher in superplasticized pastes. Among the solid features measured, unhydrated cement particles had the smallest circularity values (at about 2.7) and were the most circular features; Hydrated phenograins had the largest circularity values (at 3.5) and were the most elongated features.
Developmental Study of Subjective Uncertainty

Over the years research has shown uncertainty to be an effective predicror of several behaviors defined as measures of specific exploration ( 2 ) . Within this paradigm. an assessment of specific exploration is achieved in response to either an experirnenterdefined measure of objective uncertainty or an examinee-related subjective measure produced by evocative stimuli. In examining the latter, it is important to determine trends which may occur in the development of subjective uncerrainty. Given the paucity of empirical efforts, the present study was designed. It was predicted ( 3 ) that as children get older they increasingly develop ability to organize the environment and consequently develop an improved ability to detect complexity. This leads to greater subjective uncertainty with increasing age. Ninety-three children were randomly selected from rhe first, third, and fifth grades of an urban middle-class public elementary school. Each subject viewed tachistoscopically incomplete line drawings at four levels of uncertainty as defined by expert judges. The subject was then asked for each drawing to rate the certainty of his identification of the object portrayed in the drawing. Ratings required the subject to identify whether he was very sure, pretty sure, not too sure, or not sure at all. A factorial analysis of ratings evidenced a nonsignificant effect for grade level (Faloo = 1.74) and the interaction of grade level X judged uncertainty (Fafi~ = .24), which suggests no developmental trend during these critical ages from Grades 1 to 5. As e-cpecred, the main effect for judged uncertainty was significant (I;,,au = 5.47, p < ,005) .
Evaluation of a training program: a usda perspective.

Is your institution's animal care training program up to par? The author lists questions you'll need to answer.
Nutrition and Immunodeficiency Syndromes

Nutrition and metabolic concerns continue to challenge health professionals, medical scientists, and individuals infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, even in the setting of advanced HIV treatment, complications of infection continue. In countries where there is limited access to medicine, the mortality and infection rate has grown substantially, contributing to abbreviated life expectancy. Weight loss and other nutritional factors continue to be problems for HIV-infected patients. Malnutrition is a common complication of HIV infection and is an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality. Compromised nutritional status continues to exist as well as a newly described metabolic syndrome called lipodystrophy or fat redistribution syndrome. This chapter summarizes the available data on nutrition and AIDS including the wasting syndrome, HIV-related weight loss, and the lipodystrophy syndrome. This chapter is devoted to addressing the clinical importance of assessment as well as relevant data on intervention strategies for HIV-related weight loss. Because the metabolic abnormalities and associated body shape changes are often clinically disturbing to the patient and also the providers, the chapter discusses the role of assessment and possible intervention strategies for this syndrome.
A Short History of Impact

The Platonic revival spread across Europe and across a variety of ‘interest groups’ for the next 300 years. Indirectly its influence is ongoing, as we still meet Ficino through those he inspired or influenced. It did not bring about the great, immediate ‘change’ that Ficino may have desired, but impact was for a longer term and more widespread than he could have foreseen. The places and people who took on Ficino’s Plato could have been predicted, however, given that the revival was consciously fashioned for those ‘golden wits’ of court and the intelligentsia. Individuals and groups who would revive spaces outside of the university classroom through the ‘academy space’, whether wandering the gardens outside the castle, or debating in a special pastoral place or simply creating an alternative learning environment to explore new ideas.