cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients: safety of replacement and maintenance regimens.

Iron sucrose in hemodialysis patients: Safety of replacement and maintenance regimens. Background Parenteral iron replacement and maintenance are frequently required in hemodialysis patients. However, serious adverse events have been reported after single doses of some intravenous iron products. This multicenter phase IV clinical trial examined the safety of iron sucrose for the treatment of iron deficiency and for the maintenance of iron sufficiency in hemodialysis patients. Methods In this safety study, iron sucrose was given in two dosing regimens. Iron deficient patients were treated with intravenous iron sucrose, 100 mg, during 10 consecutive hemodialysis sessions (replacement regimen). Iron replete patients were given iron sucrose, 100 mg intravenous (iv) over 5 minutes, weekly for 10 weeks (maintenance regimen). At the end of each 10-dose cycle, iron status was reassessed, and dosing during the subsequent cycle was based on the adequacy of iron stores as per Dialysis Outcome Quality Initiative (K/DOQI) Guidelines. With each dosing regimen, adverse events, if any, were recorded and described. Results Six hundred and sixty-five hemodialysis patients, including 80 who had experienced previous intolerance to other parenteral iron preparations, received a total of 8583 doses of iron sucrose. One hundred eighty-eight patients received more than one iv iron cycle (replacement, maintenance, or both). There were no serious or life-threatening drug-related adverse events. Conclusion Iron sucrose is safe when given as treatment for iron deficiency or for maintenance of iron stores.
On the Ramsey-Turán numbers of graphs and hypergraphs

Let t be an integer, f(n) a function, and H a graph. Define the t-Ramsey-Turan number of H, RTt(n,H, f(n)), to be the maximum number of edges in an n-vertex, H-free graph G with αt(G) ≤ f(n), where αt(G) is the maximum number of vertices in a Kt-free induced subgraph of G. Erdős, Hajnal, Simonovits, Sos and Szemeredi [6] posed several open questions about RTt(n,Ks, o(n)), among them finding the minimum l such that RTt(n,Kt+l, o(n)) = Ω(n2), where it is easy to see that RTt(n,Kt+1, o(n)) = o(n2). In this paper, we answer this question by proving that RTt(n,Kt+2, o(n)) = Ω(n2); our constructions also imply several results on the Ramsey-Turan numbers of hypergraphs.
A fast multiscale framework for data in high-dimensions: Measure estimation, anomaly detection, and compressive measurements

Data sets are often modeled as samples from some probability distribution lying in a very high dimensional space. In practice, they tend to exhibit low intrinsic dimensionality, which enables both fast construction of efficient data representations and solving statistical tasks such as regression of functions on the data, or even estimation of the probability distribution from which the data is generated. In this paper we introduce a novel multiscale density estimator for high dimensional data and apply it to the problem of detecting changes in the distribution of dynamic data, or in a time series of data sets. We also show that our data representations, which are not standard sparse linear expansions, are amenable to compressed measurements. Finally, we test our algorithms on both synthetic data and a real data set consisting of a times series of hyperspectral images, and demonstrate their high accuracy in the detection of anomalies.
Why do people rate? Theory and evidence on online ratings☆

Abstract The rapid growth of online retail in the last decade has led to widespread use of consumer-generated ratings. This paper theoretically and experimentally identifies influences that drive consumers to rate products and examines how those factors can create distortions in product ratings. By manipulating payoffs and effectively “deactivating” either the buyer or seller side of an artificial laboratory market, raters' behavior is decomposed into buyer-centric and seller-centric components. The cost of providing a rating also plays a major role in influencing rating behavior, with high and low quality sellers being rated more often than those of moderate quality.
Gating of sensory information: joint computations of phase and amplitude data in the midbrain of the electric fish, Eigenmannia.

Eigenmannia is able to determine whether the electric organ discharge (EOD) of a neighbor is of higher or lower frequency than its own EOD. For small frequency differences, Df, the fish avoids jamming by shifting its frequency away from that of its neighbor. This jamming avoidance response (JAR), therefore, requires that the fish discriminate the sign of Df. The interference pattern of two EODs of similar frequency is characterized by local modulations of the instantaneous amplitude and the spatial difference of the instantaneous phase, or ‘differential phase’, of the mixed signal. When amplitude and differential phase are plotted in a two-dimensional state plane, circular graphs are obtained with a sense of rotation that reflects the sign of Df.
Importance and Use of Holding Links between Citation Databases and Online Catalogs.

Abstract This article describes a statistical study of three databases, conducted at Iowa State University, on holding links between citation databases and the online catalog. It provides insights into the construction and quality control of citation databases and online catalogs, and identifies a new issue of continued maintenance of ISBNs and ISSNs for catalogers.
Vulvar and vaginal melanoma: case series and review of current management options including neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract Objective We report our experience with vulvar (Vu) and vaginal (Va) melanoma, with review of surgical and adjuvant therapy guidelines and description of our use of neoadjuvant therapy in selected cases. Methods We reviewed patients seen at Mayo Clinic for management of Vu or Va melanoma, January 1993–February 2012. Surgical treatment, pathologic and outcome data were abstracted. Overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and compared between subgroups using the log-rank test. Results 50 patients underwent surgery for primary or recurrent melanoma (Vu=36, Va=14). The 5-year OS rate was 30.9%, with median OS of 3.3years. Adjuvant therapy was given to 30.6% of Vu cases with varying combinations of agents. Among Vu patients, after adjusting for node status and depth of invasion, adjuvant therapy was not associated with improved OS (p=0.39) or RFS (p=0.31). Preoperative chemotherapy was used in 2 Va cases. Despite temozolomide followed by exenteration for a 4cm multi-focal lesion, one patient died within 3months. The second patient, with a 2cm vaginal lesion, demonstrated a partial response to carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP). After local excision and lymphadenectomy she received additional CP with bevacizumab and remains disease free at 5years. CP with bevacizumab was also used in 1 Vu case with a solitary 5cm midline lesion. She underwent vulvectomy after a partial response, received additional CP and bevacizumab postoperatively, and remains without disease at 2years. Conclusion Preoperative chemotherapy with CP and bevacizumab may improve treatment outcomes, particularly for Va and large Vu lesions.
Lithium isotopic compositions of pore fluids and sediments in the Costa Rica subduction zone: implications for fluid processes and sediment contribution to the arc volcanoes

Abstract Pore fluid and sediment Li concentrations and isotopic ratios provide important insights on the hydrology, sediment contribution to the arc volcanoes and fluid–sediment reactions at the dominantly non-accretionary Costa Rica subduction zone. Ocean Drilling Program Site 1039 in the trench axis provides a reference section of 400 m of the incoming sediments, and Site 1040, situated arcward from the trench, consists of a deformed sedimentary wedge and apron sediments, the decollement, and the partially dewatered underthrust sediment section. At the reference site, pore fluids show important isotopic variations (δ6Li=−21.7 to −37.8‰), reflecting the interplay of in situ alteration of volcanic material and ion exchange with clay minerals. In the basal section, a reversal of Li concentration and δ6Li toward seawater values is observed, providing supporting evidence for a lateral seawater flow system in the upper oceanic basement underlying this sediment section. At Site 1040, pore fluid of the lower deformed wedge sediments and within the decollement is enriched in Li and the isotopic compositions are relatively light, suggesting infiltration of a deep-seated fluid. The δ6Li value of −22‰ of this Li-enriched fluid (261 μM), when compared with the δ6Li value of the subducted sediment section (−11‰), suggests that the deep source fluid originates from mineral fluid dehydration and transformation reactions at temperatures of 100 to 150°C, consistent with the temperature range of the up-dip seismogenic zone and of transformation of smectite to illite. The distribution of Li and its isotopes in the underthrust section are similar to those at the reference site, indicating near complete subduction of the incoming sediments and that early dewatering of the underthrust sediments occurs predominantly by lateral flow into the ocean. The hemipelagic clay-rich sediment section of the subducting plate carries most of the Li into this subduction zone, and the pelagic diatomaceous and nannofossil calcareous oozes contain little Li. The Li isotopes of both the clay-rich hemipelagic sediments and of the pelagic oozes are, however, similar, with δ6Li values of −9 to −12‰. The observations that (1) the δ6Li values of the underthrust sediments are distinctly lower than that of the mantle, and (2) the lavas of the Costa Rican volcanoes are enriched in Li and 7Li, provide an approximation of the contribution of the subducted sediments to the arc volcanoes. A first order mass balance calculation suggests that approximately half of the Li flux delivered by subducted sediments and altered oceanic crust into the Middle American Trench is recycled to the Costa Rican arc and at most a quarter of sedimentary Li is returned into the ocean through thrust faults, primarily the decollement thrust.
Happiness, positive psychology and the program of neoliberal governmentality

Positive psychology and the new discourse on happiness that it brings represents an influential development in the field of psychology which has, in the short duration of its existence, grown into a powerful presence in the therapeutic culture of our time. This article examines this phenomenon from the standpoint of the theory of neoliberal governmentality, uncovering subtle and implicit logics of government centered on the production of a distinctly neoliberal subjectivity. Two principal points are advanced in this discussion: first, the relevance of governmentality theory to the study of positive psychology is argued on the basis of the need to theoretically explore the productivity of this discourse in shaping new subjectivities. Second, happiness itself, as an empirical case for governmentality theory, is argued to possess value for the rethinking of certain theoretical biases within the governmentality approach, which tend to emphasize rationality at the expense of emotions. These points are presented through theoretical arguments and the analysis of positive psychology texts.
Phosphorylation of secreted forms of human β2-interferon/hepatocyte stimulating factor/interleukin-6

“ β 2 -Interferon/hepatocyte stimulating factor/interleukin-6” (IFN- β 2 ) has emerged as a major mediator of the plasma protein response to tissue injury (the acute phase response) in addition to its numerous effects on cells of the immune system. Human fibroblasts and monocytes induced with tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (endotoxin) or virus infection secrete multiple forms of differentially glycosylated IFN- β 2 polypeptides: at least a doublet of molecular mass approximately 25 kD and a triplet of mass approximately 30 kD. We report that immunoprecipitation analyses of medium from [ 32 P]orthophosphate- labeled cultures of induced fibroblasts carried out using a rabbit polyclonal antibody to recombinant E. coli -derived human IFN- β 2 reveal that the secreted gp23–25 and gp28–30 forms of IFN- β 2 are phosphorylated. IFN- β 2 gp23–25 secreted by induced monocytes is phosphorylated whereas the monocytic gp28–30 is poorly labeled with [ 32 P]orthophosphate suggesting tissue-specific differences in IFN- β 2 phosphorylation. Phosphoamino acid analyses indicate that all of the detected phosphate is in phosphoserine residues. Furthermore, IFN- β 2 can be completely dephosphorylated by alkaline phosphatase (E.C. No. 3.1.3.1); thus all of the phosphate label is in readily accesible sites. These observations suggest the possibility that differential phosphorylation of IFN- β 2 forms may be a mechanism to modulate its functions in a tissue-specific manner.
Torn Flesh: Julia Kristeva and the Givenness of the Stranger

The lived body—or the flesh —in phenomenological thought, has always served to locate the individual unity of personhood, or perceptual experience, or at least one’s objective unity in the lived world. It has been what makes me “who” I am, my individuating facticity. Jean-Luc Marion, in particular, describes the capacity of the flesh to exceed all forms of phenomenological manifestation as a saturated phenomenon. The aim of this essay is to question this status of the flesh by way of an investigation into the work of Julia Kristeva’s account of the foreigner and maternity. It is argued that the status of the flesh as an individuating process is rather a dividing process, which is mediated through my relation to the other. A new Kristevan ethic is sketched.
Spectroscopy of chromium centers inLiScGeO4andLiInGeO4single crystals

The detailed spectroscopy of $\mathrm{Cr}:\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{Sc}\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ and $\mathrm{Cr}:\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{In}\mathrm{Ge}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ is presented. Low temperature absorption, emission, and excitation spectroscopies reveal two types of optical centers: trivalent chromium in the distorted octahedral sites and tetravalent chromium in the tetrahedral sites. Energies of the transitions calculated from the exact atom positions using the angular overlap model are in a satisfactory agreement with the experimental data and describe the unusually low energy position of the ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ metastable level. The spin-forbidden $^{2}E$ and $^{2}T_{1}$ transitions of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ appear as a Fano antiresonance in the absorption and excitation spectra. The temperature quenching of ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ fluorescence is described in terms of the Struck and Fonger model. ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ions in highly distorted octahedral positions are active centers responsible for recently discovered ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ laser action in the near-infrared range in these crystals.
Asymmetric selection indices

In 1936, H. Fairfield Smith (A discriminant function for plant selection, Annalsof Eugenice (London) 7,240–260) suggested a linear selection index for selecting varieties with higher genotypic values. Since then, the idea has been extended in various directions such as restricted selection indices. In this paper, linear selection indices are considered when, unlike squared error, the loss function is asymmetric. In particular, a LINEX loss function is considered for this purpose. It is shown that under multivariate normality, this approach still leads to the usual selection indices. Certain computational aspects are indicated.
A Magnetoelectronic Self-Checkpointing Register File

We present a design for a register file in which each bit cell contains a bit of non-volatile memory that can be used to checkpoint the bit cell's contents to protect the register file against power supply interruptions. Our design is based on the hybrid Hall effect device, a magnetoelectronic circuit element that is relatively easy to integrate with CMOS circuitry. Because the area of the non-checkpointing register file is limited by wiring tracks, adding checkpointing to the register cell only increases its size by 6%. Similarly, the performance of the checkpointing register file is very close to that of the base design, with only a 10% increase in read/write times due to increased load on the bit lines and register cell.
Earnings Trend and Performance Relative to Benchmarks: How Consistency Influences Their Joint Use

Archival research shows that the market reacts to earnings trend as well as to earnings performance relative to analysts' forecasts (i.e., benchmark performance). We conduct four experiments to investigate how and why investors react to these two measures when both are available over multiple time periods. Our results show that investors rely on an earnings measure only when it is consistent over time. When both measures are consistent over time, investors use them in an additive fashion, suggesting that they view them as providing different information about the firm. Further tests show that investors believe that earnings trend and benchmark performance both provide information about a firm's future prospects and management's credibility. Although judged future prospects fully explain the effect of earnings trend on investor judgments, neither judged future prospects nor management credibility completely explains the effect of benchmark performance. Our study has implications for firm managers and researchers.
Analysis of glutathione: implication in redox and detoxification.

Background: Glutathione is a ubiquitous thiol-containing tripeptide, which plays a central role in cell biology. It is implicated in the cellular defence against xenobiotics and naturally occurring deleterious compounds, such as free radicals and hydroperoxides. Glutathione status is a highly sensitive indicator of cell functionality and viability. Its levels in human tissues normally range from 0.1 to 10 mM, being most concentrated in liver (up to 10 mM) and in the spleen, kidney, lens, erythrocytes and leukocytes. In humans, GSH depletion is linked to a number of disease states including cancer, neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases. The present review proposes an analysis of the current knowledge about the methodologies for measuring glutathione in human biological samples and their feasibility as routine methods in clinical chemistry. Furthermore, it elucidates the fundamental role of glutathione in pathophysiological conditions and its implication in redox and detoxification process. Tests available: Several methods have been optimised in order to identify and quantify glutathione forms in human biological samples. They include spectrophotometric, fluorometric and bioluminometric assays, often applied to HPLC analysis. Recently, a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique for glutathione determination has been developed that, however, suffers from the lack of total automation and the high cost of the equipment. Conclusion: Glutathione is a critical factor in protecting organisms against toxicity and disease. This review may turn useful for analysing the glutathione homeostasis, whose impairment represents an indicator of tissue oxidative status in human subjects.
Dissociation of multiple polyoma virus functions by ultraviolet irradiation.

SummaryUltraviolet irradiation of polyoma virus produced differential inactivation of individual viral functions. Infectivity, oncogenicity, and ability to induce HI antibody declined in parallel. The ability of polyoma virus to affect tumor-specific transplantation resistance persisted at a dose of ultraviolet irradiation which resulted in loss of the other viral functions.
Smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women to prevent low birth weight: what does the evidence show?

PURPOSE To review the epidemiology of smoking cessation and low birth weight (LBW), the use of meta-analysis and cost-benefit analysis in analyzing this problem, and the financial considerations of institutionalizing smoking cessation interventions. Recommendations for clinicians caring for smoking pregnant women and suggestions for implementing the recommended strategies for smoking cessation programs are included. DATA SOURCES Comprehensive review of smoking and low birth weight (LBW) outcomes, cost-effective-ness, and tobacco use and dependence literature; clinical practice guidelines, and a widely cited meta-analysis on smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS Research has shown that smoking is a significant factor in LBW outcomes and that cessation is especially critical for pregnant women. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Careful evaluation of the intervention research is required before designing local interventions to ensure the most effective measures are utilized.
Sexual fantasy and pornography: Two cases of girls brought up with pornography.

A normal part of late childhood and preadolescence for boys is exposure to pornography. The visual imagery of the forbidden acts in pornography are readily integrated with sexual fantasy in masturbation and in social sex. Money and Ehrhardt (1972) have attributed the fact that proportionately more women (36%) than men (11%) do not make any use of visual imagery during sexual acts to a greater biological readiness to respond to distal, visual images with arousal among men. While such a biological threshold hypothesis may well be correct, the ubiquity of practice with norm-violative behavior in the excited and approving context of the childhood male peer group could make an important contribution to the later uptake of pornographic imagery into fantasy. A full test of the Money and Ehrhardt hypothesis would be impossible, entailing a study of adolescent fantasy among a group of girls who grew up just like boys until adolescence. Two sisters close in age, now women in their 20s, grew up with pornography ad lib because of the family's business in pornographic publishing. They were interviewed for their sexual histories. One uses visual fantasy and has integrated some elements of the imagery of the pornography for a period into her sexual life; the other has not. Implications for the definition of the two gender curricula--what boys learn from other boys and girls from other girls--are discussed.
Students’ reflections on their learning experiences: lessons from a longitudinal study on the development of mathematical ideas and reasoning

Abstract This paper characterizes the views on mathematical learning of five high school students based on the students’ reflections on their mathematical experiences in a longitudinal study that focused on the development of mathematical ideas and reasoning in particular research conditions. The students’ views are presented according to five themes about learning which describe the students’ views on the nature of knowledge and what it means to know, source of knowledge, motivation to engage in learning, certainty in knowing, and how the students’ views vary with particular areas of mathematical activity. The study addresses the need for more research on epistemological beliefs of students below college age. In particular, the results provide evidence that challenge the existing assumption that, prior to college, students exhibit naive epistemological beliefs.
Medicare Legislation for Hospice Care: Implications of National Hospice Study Data

This DataWatch section contains three studies: Vincent Mor and Howard Birnbaum of Brown University discuss implications of National Hospice Study data for hospice care legislation; Gail Wilensky and Marc Berk of the National Center for Health Services Research provide data on the sick uninsured poor; and Randall Bovbjerg, Louis H. Diamond, Philip J. Held, and Mark V. Pauly present preliminary evidence in the debate on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
Localization of the site of urinary tract infections with the bladder washout test

The data from 100 bladder washout studies on pediatric patients have been analyzed to derive criteria for interpretation of this test and to define the limitations of this procedure in localization of the site of urinary tract infections. Using the bladder washout test, infection of the upper urinary tract is characterized by an abrupt increase in the concentration of bacteria in urinary specimens collected following urinary bladder sterilization. Infection limited to the lower urinary tract is characterized by scant if any bacterial growth in the specimens of urine collected following bladder sterilization. The site of infection may be incorrectly localized to the lower urinary tract or classified as not determined in patients with scant or intermittent renal bacteriuria.
View function in generalized curvilinear coordinates for specular reflection of radiation from a curved surface

and horizontal temperature gradient, Figs. 3 and 4, do not change significantly. Thus the effect of buoyancy is observed to be more pronounced on the secondary motion than on the rotation of the fluid. Likewise, the change in frictional resistance to the radial flow is larger than the change in heat transfer. The heat transfer due to ‘4 is into the disc in the case r, = T_,. But this is only a small fraction of the total heat transfer at large distances from the axis. The component ‘r2 is driven mainly by the radial conduction of heat due to r, when 7;, = T, This energy can only go into the wall. The profile of ‘r2. Fig. 5. gradually collapse\ as GKRP~ increase\ At Gr RP’ = 1. the velocities induc& by buoyant! arc (If the same order as those due to rotation. Hence. to get results further. the equations should be recast Into a form based on quantities Characterizing natural convection flow on the line5 followed by Rotem and C’loassen [4).
Addition of deoxynucleotides to an RNA primer by a DNA polymerase in human platelets.

Abstract DNA synthesis is supported by small particles from platelets of patients with myeloproliferative disorders. In vitro synthesis consists of the addition of a few deoxynucleotides to a low molecular weight RNA primer. Specific bases are preferred in the first 10 nucleotides and oligodeoxynucleotides of defined length are synthesized. A reverse transcription mechanism for this activity is suggested.
Guest loading, chromatographic purification and controlled release from kinetically trapped, hydrogen-bonded pyrogallol[4]arene capsules

Pyrogallol[4]arene and hydrocarbon guest molecules form kinetically trapped encapsulation complexes when assembled in the absence of solvent. While solvent encapsulation complexes are more stable, these pre-loaded capsules can be purified by gel permeation chromatography and guest release can be induced later, at a chosen time, by heating. This result is the first example of chromatographic purification and subsequent guest release from kinetically trapped, artificial, hydrogen-bonded molecular capsules.
Using linguistic, world, and contextual knowledge in a plan recognition model of dialogue

This paper presents a plan-based model of dialogue that combines world, linguistic, and contextual knowledge in order to recognize complex communicative actions such as expressing doubt. Linguistic knowledge suggests certain discourse acts, a speaker's beliefs, and the strength of those beliefs; contextual knowledge suggests the most coherent continuation of the dialogue; and world knowledge provides evidence that the applicability conditions hold for those discourse acts that capture the relationship of the current utterance to the discourse as a whole.
Liquid State Relaxation Processes of Electronically Excited Luminophors Detected by Time-Resolved Spectroscopy and Travelling Wave Dye Lasers

Abstract Experimental findings concerning liquid state relaxation processes of electronically excited molecules, coming from time-resolved spectroscopy and travelling wave dye lasers, offer a formidable basis for restructuring some of the theories dealing with relaxation processes. Comparison of the prime research literature with standard texts shows a severe time lag in the dissemination of essential concepts, while comparison of ‘traditional’ fluorescence with intra-cavity photon emission reveals basic differences involving relativistic effects and vector space construction, mitigating against the practice of directly incorporating laser based data into ordinary chemical dynamics.
Optimal estimation of operator-valued stochastic processes and applications to distributed parameter systems

The paper develops optimal estimation equations for operator-valued discrete-time wide-sense Markov processes. The signals are viewed as linear transformations of wide-sense martingale processes, a general representation which yields relatively simple estimates and error covariances. The infinite-dimensional results are applied to prediction, filtering and smoothing in distributed parameter systems.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PtpB Structure Reveals a Diverged Fold and a Buried Active Site

Summary Intracellular pathogenic bacteria manipulate host signal transduction pathways to facilitate infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) PtpA and PtpB are thought to be secreted into host cells and interfere with unidentified signals. To illuminate the mechanisms of regulation and substrate recognition, we determined the 1.7 A resolution crystal structure of PtpB in complex with the product phosphate. The protein adopts a simplified PTP fold, which combines features of the conventional PTPs and dual-specificity phosphatases. PtpB shows two unusual elaborations—a disordered, acidic loop and a flexible, two-helix lid that covers the active site—that are specific to mycobacterial orthologs. Biochemical studies suggest that substrate mimicry in the lid may protect the phosphatase from oxidative inactivation. The insertion and deletion of large structural elements in PtpB suggest that, outside the active site module, the PTP family is under unusual selective pressure that promotes changes in overall structure.
Cryopreservation of spermatozoa of the terrestrial Puerto Rican frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui

Abstract World-wide reports of amphibian population declines have led to increased interest in the reproductive biology of anurans. As a model system, here we present evidence for the effective cryoprotection of sperm from the Puerto Rican frog, Eleutherodactylus coqui , using mixtures of fetal bovine serum (FBS) and dimethylsulfoxide (Me 2 SO), glycerol or sucrose extenders. Using a fluorescent dye exclusion assay, we found that 53.9 and 50.4% of all sperm with intact membranes prior to freezing maintained membrane integrity after rapid freezing and thawing when protected with either a FBS/glycerol or FBS/sucrose solution, respectively. The methods reported here may be useful for similar work with many of the more than 700 other species in this genus.
Characterization of 16α-hydroxyprogesterone dehydroxylase in cell extracts of the intestinal anaerobic bacterium, Eubacterium sp. 144☆

Abstract Eubacterium sp. strain 144 is an intestinal anaerobic bacterium which catalyzes a two-step biotransformation of 16 α-hydroxy progesterone to 17-isoprogesterone. 16α-Hydroxyprogesterone dehydroxylase (16α-dehydroxylase) catalyzes the first reaction, yielding Δ16-progesterone. The present study examined properties of the 16α-dehydroxylase in cell extracts of strain 144. The enzyme exhibited a broad pH range (5.8–8.0) without a distinct pH optimum. 16α-Dehydroxylase was active at high (15–30% v/v) methanol concentrations and a distinct optimum occurred at 25% (v/v). The enzyme was less active with ethanol or short-chain glycols and was inhibited by propanol and butanol. Substrates included 16α-hydroxyprogesterone, 16α-hydroxypregnenolone and Δ16-progesterone; however, the specific activity with the latter steroid was only 15% of that obtained with the 16α-hydroxysteroids. The substrate saturation curve for 16α-hydroxyprogesterone was hyperbolic and a Lineweaver-Burk plot of the data was linear with an apparent Km of 0.56 ± 0.08 mM. 16α-Dehydroxylase was stable at 60°C for 10 min but was inactivated (70%) at 65°C. An Mr of 285 000 was estimated for 16α-dehydroxylase by gel permeation HPLC of strain 144 cell extract.
Dynamics of Gene Expression in Rat Hepatocytes under Stress

The response of cells to physical or biochemical stress involves concerted changes in the expression of a large number of genes encoding various functions. We have used a quantitative kinetic RT-PCR technique to follow the dynamics of changes in transcription factor and acute-phase mRNA levels in cultured rat hepatocytes subjected to either elevated temperature (40 degrees C) or exposure to the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6. The profiles of transcription factor gene expression displayed rapid and coordinate regulation, attainment of new steady-states, transitions in some instances from up-regulation to down-regulation (or vice versa), and, for elevated temperature, multiple spikes of up-regulation. Transcripts of acute-phase genes generally displayed relatively small changes during the first few hours followed by more significant changes over the course of tens of hours (elevated temperature) to days (IL-6 exposure). These observations are all consistent with the notion of genetic reprogramming due to a network of interacting transcription factor proteins and transcripts. We utilized a simple transcription/translation model incorporating autoregulation to describe the dynamics of transcription factor gene expression. This model successfully described key features of the transcription factor dynamics, most notably the multiple spikes observed after exposure to elevated temperature. The dynamics of gene expression are rich in information that, with considerably more study, may eventually be exploited to provide insights into the interplay of genetic networks in regulating a variety of cellular responses.
Effect of hospitalization on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in patients undergoing elective coronary angiography

Abstract The effects of time of sampling on plasma lipids and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were investigated in 88 patients undergoing elective coronary angiography. Patients with a myocardial infarction or major surgery within 6 weeks before catheterization were excluded. All subjects were sampled in the fasting state at the time of arteriotomy before systemic heparinization and at least 30 days after discharge from the hospital (mean 275 days) in the free living state. No statistically significant differences were noted in total cholesterol (220 ± 51 vs 226 ± 48 mg/dl), triglycerides (191 ± 77 vs 191 ± 113 mg/dl) and calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels (149 ± 46 vs 150 ± 43 mg/ dl). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol values were significantly lower (p
The law of mixtures applied to the plastic deformation of two- phase alloys of coarse microstructures

The theory of the mechanical law of mixtures is reviewed and applied to the partition of stress and of strain in two-phase alloys. It is shown that the modified law of mixtures, based on averagein situ stress and strain, is valid for small deformations and is compatible with strengthening theories based on continuum and dislocation mechanics. The plastic deformation behavior of two representative two-phase alloys,i.e., a spheroidized high carbon steel and a duplex stainless steel, was studied by taking into account the mutual interactions between phases. The law of mixtures and dispersion strengthening theory were used to evaluate the strength contribution of each phase.
A very broadband study of the 1994 Deep Bolivia Earthquake Sequence

We have examined the source process of the June 9, 1994 Bolivia earthquake in the period range of body waves to free oscillations. A series of moment tensor inversions were performed on various teleseismic wave types and frequency bands to infer the source parameters and to map the temporal character of the source process. Time independent moment tensor inversion of the body waves (P and SH) yields a source time function of 46 seconds duration with four major “pulses” of moment release, with moment release dominated by the third pulse. The focal mechanism is dominantly dip-slip on the sub-horizontal nodal plane (strike 287°, dip 8° and slip −74°). The best bodywave fit requires a non-double-couple component of approximately 7%; although this could be due to an isotropic component of the source, it is at the margin of resolution. Time dependent moment tensor inversion of the body waves, which yields independent time histories for each moment tensor element, shows that the source orientations (fault plane and slip direction) change very little throughout the rupture duration. Analysis at several frequencies shows that the seismic moment is very stable (3.0 × 1021 Nm ± 6%) at periods greater than 150 seconds and that the isotropic moment is negligible given the resolution. We also modeled the P-waves for the January 10, 1994 event, the strong aftershock of June 9, 1994 and the August 8, 1994 earthquake. Rotation of the P axes for events after the mainshock may suggest a possible stress adjustment.
Female-to-male transmasculine adult health: a mixed-methods community-based needs assessment.

BACKGROUND: There is a dearth of health research about transgender people. OBJECTIVES: This mixed-methods study sought to formatively investigate the health and perceived health needs of female-to-male transmasculine adults. DESIGN: A cross-sectional quantitative needs assessment (n = 73) and qualitative open-ended input (n = 19) were conducted in June 2011. A latent class analysis modeled six binary health indicators (depression, alcohol use, current smoking, asthma, physical inactivity, overweight status) to identify clusters of presenting health issues. RESULTS: Four clusters of health indicators emerged: (a) depression; (b) syndemic (all indicators); (c) alcohol use, overweight status; and (d) smoking, physical inactivity, overweight status. Transphobic discrimination in health care and avoiding care were each associated with membership in the syndemic class. Qualitative themes included personal health care needs, community needs, and resilience and protective factors. CONCLUSIONS: Findings fill an im...
Comparison of Iloprost, Cicaprost and prostacyclin effects on cyclic AMP metabolism in intact platelets

We have compared the effects of prostacyclin (PGI2) and its stable analogs, Iloprost and Cicaprost, on cyclic AMP metabolism in intact platelets. All three compounds show similar but not identical patterns of prostaglandin concentration-dependent cyclic AMP formation. All three compounds apparently stimulate and inhibit cyclic AMP formation with different concentration dependencies, indicating the presence of distinct stimulatory and inhibitory receptors. Differences in response can be accounted for by slight differences in affinity of stimulatory and inhibitory receptors for the prostaglandins, by the fact that Iloprost contains almost 50% of a relatively inactive isomer, and by the fact that PGI2 is labile in aqueous solution, with a half-life on the order of a few minutes. We conclude 1) stimulation and inhibition of adenylate cyclase is not due to separate effects of 16S- and 16R-stereoisomers of Iloprost because similar patterns were obtained with a single isomeric form of Cicaprost and with authentic PGI2; 2) prostaglandin induced inhibition of adenylate cyclase is readily reversible because inhibition disappears when PGI2 concentration decays below saturation of the inhibitory receptor; 3) the potency of prostaglandins in stimulating platelet adenylate cyclase must be viewed in terms of their effects on both stimulatory and inhibitory receptors.
Perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain: techniques and application in children

Perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (PWI) has been proposed as an attractive non-invasive tool for evaluating cerebral haemodynamics. Quantitative maps of cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), mean transit time (MTT), time to peak (TTP) and various other haemodynamic parameters can be obtained. Recent advances in hard- and software made PWI available for clinical routine. Although PWI became common in adult neuroradiology, it remains challenging in pediatric neuroradiology. In this article, the different PWI techniques that render haemodynamic maps of the brain are presented and discussed. The normal developmental changes of the cerebral haemodynamics in children as measured by PWI are presented as well as the application of PWI in cerebral ischaemia, primary and secondary cerebral vasculopathies and in cerebral tumours.
‘Women rule Hollywood’: ageing and freelance stardom in the studio system

This essay considers how ageism impacted the careers of freelance A-list Hollywood female stars working in the studio system during the 1930s–1940s, when the number of women working as free agents substantially outnumbered their male counterparts. Using studio contracts and internal studio correspondences as well as industry trades and press releases, I examine the economic and industrial ramifications for these key freelance female stars as they aged. Ruth Chatterton, Irene Dunne, Miriam Hopkins and Barbara Stanwyck all took a proactive role in shaping their careers through freelance labour practice when the studios manipulated stardom for their economic gain. The creative and economic independence of these women challenges the familiar patriarchal, ageist pattern of female celebrity thought to typify Hollywood, in which female stars can expect to find less work and receive less compensation as they age. Instead, as free agents, these women worked more independently and prolonged their careers beyond wha...
Potential for altering the natural history of congestive heart failure: Need for large clinical trials

Abstract Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major clinical and public health problem; moreover, its incidence is increasing. Once this syndrome is manifest, the mortality rate is very high. To date, none of the drugs available for its treatment has been shown to reduce mortality. It is theoretically possible that in patients with overt CHF, drug treatment may not alter prognosis. This hypothesis suggests that patients at high risk of heart failure should be treated before CHF becomes manifest. Alternatively, the trials of patients with manifest CHF may have been unpromising, simply because they were too small. These considerations indicate an urgent need for very large studies of both categories of patients—a “prevention” trial in those without overt CHF and a “treatment” trial in those with overt CHF.
Modeling and Validation of a Propellant Mixer for Controller Design

A mixing chamber used in rocket engine testing at the NASA Stennis Space Center is modelled by a system of two nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The mixer is used to condition the thermodynamic properties of cryogenic liquid propellant by controlled injection of the same substance in the gaseous phase. The three inputs of the mixer are the positions of the valves regulating the liquid and gas flows at the inlets, and the position of the exit valve regulating the flow of conditioned propellant. Mixer operation during a test requires the regulation of its internal pressure, exit mass flow, and exit temperature. A mathematical model is developed to facilitate subsequent controller designs. The model must be simple enough to lend itself to subsequent feedback controller design, yet its accuracy must be tested against real data. For this reason, the model includes function calls to thermodynamic property data. Some structural properties of the resulting model that pertain to controller design, such as uniqueness of the equilibrium point, feedback linearizability and local stability are shown to hold under conditions having direct physical interpretation. The existence of fixed valve positions that attain a desired operating condition is also shown. Validation of the model against real data is likewise provided.
Pitfalls in digital computation of the impulse response of vascular beds from indicator-dilution curves.

Many methods are available for digital computation of the impulse response from indicator-dilution measurements representing input and output signals. In all instances, the only criterion for validity of the computation is comparison of the reconvolution of the computed impulse response and the input with the actual output. In this paper, a model mathematical system was constructed with a known impulse response; noise and time variation could be introduced independently or simultaneously in the input and the output data. Six methods for digital computation of the impulse response were applied to data from this system and to actual dye-dilution data. Precision of reconvolution did not assure that the computed response would resemble the actual response of the system. Some numerical considerations also significantly affected the digital computation of a valid response.
A scalable approach for survivable virtual topology routing in optical WDM networks

The survivable virtual topology routing problem is to route a virtual topology graph on a optical fiber physical topology such that the virtual topology remains connected when failures occur in the physical topology. In this work we study the problem of survivable virtual topology routing under single node/SRLG (Shared Risk Link Group) failure model. We prove that the survivable virtual topology routing problem under node/SRLG failures is NP-complete. We present an improved integer linear programming (ILP) formulation for computing the survivable routing of a virtual topology graph. However, ILP is not scalable when the network size scales more than a few tens of nodes. In this work, we present sub-classes of graphs which more accurately model an actual network and for which a survivable routing can be easily computed solving an ILP. We successfully computed the survivable routing of virtual topologies belonging to these sub-classes against link/SRLG failures for topologies of size up to 24 nodes.
Neuromodulation in male chronic pelvic pain syndrome: rationale and practice.

This review explores the treatment of male chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) (i.e., chronic prostatitis) through the use of neuromodulation, which is the electrical stimulation of the nervous system. Neuromodulation has been used for the treatment of chronic pain for decades, and this review will examine the theory and use of neuromodulation and the various techniques available for the treatment of CPPS. Existing literature on the use of neuromodulation of the pelvic nerves for the treatment of chronic urogenital pelvic pain was reviewed. Because of limited published research, much of the data are not explicitly for male CPPS. Neuromodulation techniques used for chronic pelvic pain conditions include SNS, PTNS and pudendal nerve stimulation. Only SNS and PTNS are currently approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of urinary symptoms, and none of these methods are acknowledged as standard therapies for treating chronic pelvic pain syndromes. The improvement of urinary symptoms is more clearly defined than improvements in pain, but at least a subset of patients in most of the published studies and case series derive some benefit in the short term and limited evidence suggests that long-term improvement of symptoms is possible. However, explantation rates are high in all long-term series of patients receiving implantable neuromodulation devices. Neuromodulation appears to provide benefits for patients with CPPS. However, because of the paucity of data and the limitations of small studies, the conclusions of the existing literature must be carefully considered. Because we are still becoming familiar with the pathophysiology of the pain syndromes and the mechanism of neuromodulation on urinary and pain symptoms, we cannot yet predict a particular individual’s response to neuromodulation. To determine the long-term efficacy of this therapy, more clinical study is needed to explore the use of neuromodulation in the treatment of male CPPS.