cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estradiol treatment promotes cardiac stem cell (CSC)-derived growth factors, thus improving CSC-mediated cardioprotection after acute ischemia/reperfusion

Introduction Studies from our group and others have indicated that paracrine function is one of major mechanisms underlying stem cell-mediated cardioprotection. To improve therapeutic efficacy of cardiac stem cells (CSCs), modification of CSCs to enhance their paracrine actions is of great interest. We have shown previously that stem cells from female sex produced greater levels of protective growth factors compared with male stem cells. In addition, 17β-estradiol (E2)-treated mesenchymal stem cells provided better protection in the ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-injured myocardium compared with untreated cells. In this study, therefore, we hypothesized that (1) treatment with E2 would improve CSC-mediated acute protection of cardiac function after global I/R; and (2) this greater protection in E2-treated CSCs would be attributable to the beneficial effect of E2 on paracrine actions of CSCs. Method CSCs were harvested from C57BL mouse hearts. Myocardial I/R was performed in isolated mouse hearts via a Langendorff model. A total of 0.1 × 106/mL of untreated CSCs or E2-treated CSCs was infused into mouse hearts before ischemia or during the initiation of reperfusion. Heart tissue was used for analysis of activation of caspase-3 and STAT3. Secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor and stromal cell-derived factor 1α by CSCs and E2-treated CSCs was determined. In addition, the conditioned medium from the cultivation of CSCs and E2-modified CSCs was used to treat cardiomyocytes during hypoxia. Results E2-treated CSCs produced greater levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and stromal cell-derived factor 1α compared with untreated CSCs. Preischemic infusion of CSCs and E2-treated CSCs improved myocardial function, increased activation of myocardial STAT3 (a prosurvival signaling), and reduced active caspase-3 after acute I/R compared with the vehicle group. The greater protection was observed in E2-treated CSC group than in CSC group. Additionally, infusion of E2-treated CSCs, but not untreated CSCs, during the initiation of reperfusion protected cardiac function after I/R, further indicating the beneficial effect of E2 on CSC protective function. Conclusion Treatment with E2 enhanced CSC-derived protective factor production and improved CSC-mediated protection of cardiac function and myocyte survival after acute I/R, suggesting that in vitro modification of CSCs may improve their therapeutic outcome.
What Happens Before Intimate Partner Violence? Distal and Proximal Antecedents

Although research on intimate partner violence (IPV) has emphasized the importance of building situational frameworks and event-based research, our knowledge of the contexts surrounding IPV is particularly limited for immigrants. The present study identifies the sequence of specific antecedents of IPV and their relationships with one another. This study is a content analysis of online postings on an anonymous internet forum for Korean married women living in the U.S. Ninety-five postings narrating IPV episodes from the direct experiences of the posters were selected. With a novel method named the “might-cause chain,” violence was extracted from the narratives and then traced back to prior actions. Results suggest that environmental settings of IPV can be expanded from immediate proximal situations (triggers), through contingent pathways, to distal context. The roles of verbal exchange, alcohol, in-laws, and self-control, and the patterns of demand interactions, IPV cycles or continuums, and dispute-related violence are discussed.
Benefits and costs of dominance and subordinance in white-crowned sparrows and the paradox of status signalling

Abstract Benefits and costs of dominance and subordinance in wintering white-crowned sparrows, Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii , attracted to a feeding site were assessed via focal animal sampling. Data were grouped by age-sex classes, which have plumage differences that serve as status signals. Win-loss records ranked the classes from dominant to subordinate as follows: adult males, adult females, immature males and immature females. Adult males initiated aggression at the highest rate and immature females almost never initiated aggression. Surprisingly, immature males initiated aggression as often as adult females although there were fewer individuals they could dominate. Nearly all results indicated that dominance is beneficial and subordinance costly. Only adult males won interactions more often than they lost. Immature females fed for shorter intervals than more dominant classes. Aggression was generally towards subordinate classes instead of in a like versus like pattern. Losses immature birds experienced to adults were less costly in terms of losers leaving the feeding area and/or being chased than were losses by immatures and adults to their own age classes. The results provide no strong evidence that subordinates would suffer increased costs if they cheated by mimicking the plumage of a dominant class. If social costs contribute to the evolutionary control of cheating, they probably do so only during the beginning of the winter season when flocks are forming but even here the evidence for social costs is tenuous.
Detection of Metal Ions in Stearic Acid Monolayers

THE effect of very low concentrations of metal ions in the aqueous subphase in monolayer deposition experiments has been known for some time1,2. Langmuir and Schaefer2, in particular, noted that monolayer properties are sometimes sensitive to metal ion concentrations as low as 10-8 M and pointed out that copper and zinc ions from the dissolution of a brass trough coated with paraffin could be found in the aqueous phase.
Exact SU(n) instantons with cylindrical symmetry

Abstract We construct SO(3) symmetric, irreducible instantons in an SU( n ) gauge theory. The solutions are symmetric with respect to J = −i r × ▿ + T , where T spans the maximal SO(3) subalgebra of SU( n ). Our ansatz as well as the resulting self dual equations are closely related to those for monopoles.
Older Adults’ Preferences for and Acceptance of Robot Assistance for Everyday Living Tasks

Many older adults value their independence and prefer to age in place. Robots can be designed to assist older people with performing everyday living tasks and maintaining their independence at home. Yet, there is a scarcity of knowledge regarding older adults' attitudes toward robots and their preferences for robot assistance. Twenty-one older adults (M = 80.25 years old, SD = 7.19) completed questionnaires and participated in structured group interviews investigating their openness to and preferences for assistance from a mobile manipulator robot. Although the older adults were generally open to robot assistance for performing home-based tasks, they were selective in their views. Older adults preferred robot assistance over human assistance for many instrumental (e.g., housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders) and enhanced activities of daily living (e.g., new learning, hobbies). However, older adults were less open to robot assistance for some activities of daily living (e.g., shaving, hair care). Results from this study provide insight into older adults' attitudes toward robot assistance with home-based everyday living tasks.
Changes in medication profile among patients with advanced cancer admitted to an acute palliative care unit

Purpose The decision-making process for medication use in the last weeks of life is complex because of patient frailty and poor prognosis. Limited literature is available on medication use in the palliative care setting, particularly in acute palliative care units (APCUs). We examined the changes in medication profile among hospitalized patients with advanced cancer before their palliative care inpatient consultation team referral, after palliative care consultation, at the time of APCU admission, and at APCU discharge or death.
Pharmacology and therapeutics of ezetimibe (SCH 58235), a cholesterol-absorption inhibitor.

Abstract Background: Ezetimibe is the first of a new class of antihyperlipidemic agents, the cholesterol-absorption inhibitors. It is indicated for monotherapy or in combination with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A-reductase inhibitors (statins) in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia, in combination with simvastatin or atorvastatin in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, and as monotherapy in patients with homozygous familial sitosterolemia. Objective: This article reviews available data on the clinical pharmacology, clinical efficacy, and tolerability of ezetimibe. Methods: A literature review was conducted using the search terms ezetimibe and SCH 58235 to identify articles and abstracts indexed in MEDLINE and the Iowa Drug Information Service from 1966 to February 2003. The reference lists of the identified articles were reviewed for additional publications. Results: In adults, ezetimibe 10 mg PO given once daily has been reported to reduce intestinal cholesterol absorption by 54% from baseline in association with a compensatory increase in endogenous cholesterol synthesis. Within 2 weeks of its initiation, ezetimibe monotherapy produced a 17% to 20% reduction from baseline in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C); in combination with statins, ezetimibe produced a reduction in LDL-C of up to 40% over the same period. Based on studies performed to date, ezetimibe appears to be well tolerated, with a safety profile similar to that of placebo. Because ezetimibe is eliminated primarily by glucuronidation and not by cytochrome P450 (CYP) oxidation, it is subject to minimal drug interactions involving the CYP enzyme system. Conclusions: Ezetimibe is an option for monotherapy in patients with mild hypercholesterolemia or in those requiring adjunctive drug therapy for reduction of LDL-C levels. It may be useful in patients at risk for adverse events (eg, liver toxicity, myopathy) from other hypocholesterolemic agents. Additive LDL-C-lowering effects of ezetimibe may allow use of lower doses of conventional agents (eg, statins, fibric acid derivatives, niacin) to achieve an equivalent effect, thereby reducing the potential for adverse events and drug interactions. However, because trials have lasted no longer than 12 weeks, the long-term effect of ezetimibe on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remains to be determined.
Determination of nitric oxide concentrations from eclipse variations of ion concentrations

Abstract It is shown how nitric oxide concentrations in the upper atmosphere may be derived from the observation of changes in the [NO + ] [O 2 + ] concentration ratio and electron concentration and temperature. Experimental data obtained during the 1970 eclipse at Wallops Island are analyzed to give nitric oxide concentration profiles above 130 km. A value of 2 × 107 cm-3is obtained for the concentration at 130 km.
Reversed cross-finger subcutaneous flap

The cross-finger subcutaneous flap has been successfully used to reconstruct the avulsed eponychial skin fold and cover large nail bed defects with exposed bone denuded of periosteum. Satisfactory new eponychial skin fold and nail growth were achieved.
Giving Back and Growing in Service: Investigating Spirituality, Religiosity, and Generativity in Young Adults

Generativity investigations have explored the manner by which adults derive meaning and fulfillment from their life activities (e.g., Erikson in Identity, youth, and crisis W.W. Norton & Company Inc.,NY, 1968; McAdams and Logan in American Psychological Association, 15–31, 2004). Faith and religious practice have often been central features of adult meaning making, yet the relationship between one’s spiritual identity and one’s generative concern or activities has received only limited investigation. Lesser still has been investigated examining the degree to which young adults demonstrate generative concern. The current study examined the relationship between aspects of faith (religiosity and spirituality) and generativity (concern and action). A sample of 94 undergraduates from a religiously affiliated college were recruited through door-to-door invitation and were surveyed using a new measure of religiosity (Steger and Frazier in Journal of Counseling Psychology 52(4):574–582, 2005) and two measures of generativity (Loyola Generativity Scale and Generative Behavior Checklist, McAdams et al. 1992). Support was found for a relationship between spirituality and generative concern. These findings are discussed in relation to recent demographic shifts and are compared with earlier work investigating secular spiritual trends on generativity (e.g., Dillon and Wink in The generative society American Psychological Association Press, Washington, DC, 153–174, 2004).
A study of a developing wave cyclone.

Abstract In the past most diagnostic studies of frontal cyclone development have been carried out through use of quasi-geostrophic models. In this paper we present the results of vertical motions obtained from a 5-level general balance model. Nongeostrophic effects such as deformation and beta term of the balance equations, divergence, vertical advection, and the twisting term of the complete vorticity equation are retained. Advection of thermal and vorticity fields by the divergent part of the wind are also included in this analysis. Diabatic effect through release of latent heat in regions of saturated dynamic ascent, frictional effects at the lower boundary, and sensible heat transfer from the lake waters to the atmosphere are additional features. The results are presented in a partitioned form. The main results of the calculation reveal that: in the initial difluent stage of the upper trough pronounced sinking motions behind the trough are associated with a strong field of convergence in the northwest...
On the Bit-Level Complexity of Bitonic Sorting Networks

Bitonic sorting networks can be implemented with a bit-level cost complexity of O(N log^2 N) using comparators with bit-level O(1) time and cost complexities. Items to be sorted are pipelined (worm-hole routed) bit-serially most-significant-bit first through the network. The cost complexity can be reduced to O(N log N) by recirculating items of length O(logN) through logN stages.
Posterior consistency for semi-parametric regression problems

We consider Bayesian inference in the linear regression problem with an unknown error distribution that is symmetric about zero. We show that if the prior for the error distribution assigns positive probabilities to a certain type of neighbourhood of the true distribution, then the posterior distribution is consistent in the weak topology. In particular, this implies that the posterior distribution of the regression parameters is consistent in the Euclidean metric. The result follows from our generalization of a celebrated result of Schwartz to the independent, non-identical case and the existence of exponentially consistent tests of the complement of the neighbourhoods shown here. We then specialize to two important prior distributions, the Polya tree and Dirichlet mixtures, and show that under appropriate conditions these priors satisfy the positivity requirement of the prior probabilities of the neighbourhoods of the true density. We consider the case of both non-stochastic and stochastic regressors. A similar problem of Bayesian inference in a generalized linear model for binary responses with an unknown link is also considered.
Why there was not a Younger Dryas-like event during the Penultimate Deglaciation

Abstract The Younger Dryas cold event is a relatively unique feature of the last deglaciation when compared to previous deglaciations, suggesting a unique trigger rather than the commonly held forcing mechanism of North American freshwater routing to the North Atlantic. Here, I compare the last (T-I) and penultimate (T-II) deglaciations and provide new support for the argument that the lack of a Younger Dryas-like event during T-II is due to the rapidity of Northern Hemisphere ice sheet retreat under greater boreal summer insolation forcing. Faster ice retreat suppressed Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) until near the end of T-II, while during T-I AMOC increased relatively early. During T-I, the eastward routing of freshwater that caused the Younger Dryas happened after AMOC resumption, whereas during T-II this routing occurred prior to the resumption of AMOC. Thus the increased flux of freshwater to the North Atlantic during T-II had little effect on AMOC, explaining the lack of a Younger Dryas-like climate oscillation during this deglaciation.
Usefulness of the Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment Scoring Model to Predict Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Recurrence in Patients Treated With Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Plus Interferon-α

Purpose: The Spanish Urological Club for Oncological Treatment recently developed a scoring model to stratify the recurrence risk in patients treated with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin using gender, age, grade, tumor status, T category, multiplicity and associated carcinoma in situ. We investigated the ability of this model to stratify the recurrence risk in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer undergoing combination bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus interferon α-2B therapy.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from a national multicenter phase II trial of bacillus Calmette-Guerin plus interferon α-2B in patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer to identify 718 with the data required to use the model. Recurrence was defined as visible tumor on cystoscopy unless histologically confirmed as benign, definitive positive cytology or biopsy proven disease even with negative cystoscopy. Time to recurrence was indexed to the first intravesical treatment date. Patients were a...
Selection game strategies for iceformation method preprocessing solutions of flow and thermal parameters

Abstract The iceformation method is a new technique for designing minimum energy dissipation surfaces. A theoretical model, based on Couette flow, portrayed local interface variation and design evolution [1]. Two design degrees of freedom are controlled by flow and thermal parameters. Two parameters are selected to provide closure; the theory has 10 parameters and 8 equations. However, certain parameter selections leave the problem underdeterminant. This document addresses the selection problem and presents different selection game strategies to determine a priori selection failures and appropriate solution algorithms. The selection game theory is useful for higher design degrees of freedom.
Validation of correlation-induction strategies for simulation experiments

This paper develops a three-stage procedure for validating the use of the Schruben-Margolin correlation Induction strategy together with the follow-up analysis of Nozarl, Arnold, and Pegden in a simulation experiment designed to estimate a general linear model for the simulation response. Each stage of the procedure tests a key assumption about the behavior of the response across all points in the design. The first stage tests for multivariate normality, the second stage tests for the induced covariance structure postulated by Schruben and Margolin, and the third stage tests for the adequacy of the proposed linear model. Because the test in each stage presupposes the properties tested in previous stages, these diagnostic checks on the experimental design and analysis must be performed in the indicated order.
The chilling effect of Sarbanes–Oxley: A discussion of Sarbanes–Oxley and corporate risk-taking

Abstract Bargeron, Lehn, and Zutter [2009. Sarbanes–Oxley and corporate risk-taking. Journal of Accounting and Economics, forthcoming] document that as compared with non-US firms, risk-taking by publicly traded companies in the US declined after the passage of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act in 2002 (SOX). They conclude that this decline is related to board structure, firm size, and research and development expenditures. In my view, Bargeron, Lehn, and Zutter tackle an important question and provide carefully conducted analyses. However, as my discussion highlights, the question is difficult to answer, and as in similar studies on SOX, the evidence needs to be interpreted with caution.
Gold and platinum microclusters and their anions: comparison of structural and electronic properties

Abstract We present a study of Au 2 to Au 5 and Pt 2 to Pt 5 clusters within density-functional theory in the neutral and anionic states. Results obtained using two exchange-correlation (xc) functionals, local spin density approximation and spin-polarized Becke–Lee–Yang–Parr (BLYP), are compared. The structural characteristics and relative stabilities of different isomers as well as electron affinities and vertical detachment energies are calculated. The latter compare generally well with experimental data, especially in the BLYP case. However, strong dependence of the vertical electron detachment energies on the isomer and on the xc-functional scheme indicates that special care must be taken for any comparison of theoretical results with experiment. Both for platinum and gold tetramers and pentamers, 3D geometries are unfavored. Triplet states are predicted to be more stable than singlets for platinum, for all sizes considered. The relative stability of different geometrical isomers is strongly affected by the addition of one electron. Marked differences emerge in the electronic structure between the clusters of these two metals.
Distance- and activity-dependent modulation of spike back-propagation in layer V pyramidal neurons of the medial entorhinal cortex.

Layer V principal neurons of the medial entorhinal cortex receive the main hippocampal output and relay processed information to the neocortex. Despite the fundamental role hypothesized for these neurons in memory replay and consolidation, their dendritic features are largely unknown. High-speed confocal and two-photon Ca2+ imaging coupled with somatic whole cell patch-clamp recordings were used to investigate spike back-propagation in these neurons. The Ca2+ transient associated with a single back-propagating action potential was considerably smaller at distal dendritic locations (>200 μm from the soma) compared with proximal ones. Perfusion of Ba2+ (150 μM) or 4-aminopyridine (2 mM) to block A-type K+ currents significantly increased the amplitude of the distal, but not proximal, Ca2+ transients, which is strong evidence for an increased density of these channels at distal dendritic locations. In addition, the Ca2+ transients decreased with each subsequent spike in a 20-Hz train; this activity-dependent decrease was also more prominent at more distal locations and was attenuated by the perfusion of the protein kinase C activator phorbol-di-acetate. These data are consistent with a phosphorylation-dependent control of back-propagation during trains of action potentials, attributable mainly to an increase in the time constant of recovery from voltage-dependent inactivation of dendritic Na+ channels. In summary, dendritic Na+ and A-type K+ channels control spike back-propagation in layer V entorhinal neurons. Because the activity of these channels is highly modulated, the extent of the dendritic Ca2+ influx is as well, with important functional implications for dendritic integration and associative synaptic plasticity.
Altered mRNA Splicing and Inhibition of Human E-selectin Expression by an Antisense Oligonucleotide in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells

We have characterized the mechanism of action of an antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO) targeting human endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule, E-selectin. ISIS 4730, a 20-base ASO designed to be complementary to a region in the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of human E-selectin, is a potent and specific inhibitor of both mRNA and protein expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Following treatment with ISIS 4730, a lower molecular weight mRNA (3300 bases) species was detected by Northern blot analysis with a corresponding decrease in the mature E-selectin transcript (3875 bases). The ASO-induced low molecular weight mRNA is stable and remains in the nucleus. We demonstrate that ISIS 4730 targets E-selectin pre-mRNA in the nucleus and promotes cleavage of the pre-mRNA at the hybridization site, resulting in prevention of splicing of the last intron. The change in molecular weight of the E-selectin transcript is the result of loss of the 3′-UTR due to ASO-mediated RNA cleavage and retention of the last intron. Cleavage of the E-selectin pre-mRNA appears to be due to endogenous RNase H or a related enzyme activity.
Status of Efforts to Improve the Transverse Properties of the Fermilab Booster

Recent changes in the injection beam line and the injection and extraction long straight sections of the Fermilab Booster have resulted in both larger apertures and simpler operation. These have facilitated further studies of the aperture limitations in the Booster. We will summarize our studies and results and indicate present aperture limitations. Operational benefits and transmission effects will be discussed.
Autophagy in Yeast: Mechanistic Insights and Physiological Function

Unicellular eukaryotic organisms must be capable of rapid adaptation to changing environments. While such changes do not normally occur in the tissues of multicellular organisms, developmental and pathological changes in the environment of cells often require adaptation mechanisms not dissimilar from those found in simpler cells. Autophagy is a catabolic membrane-trafficking phenomenon that occurs in response to dramatic changes in the nutrients available to yeast cells, for example during starvation or after challenge with rapamycin, a macrolide antibiotic whose effects mimic starvation. Autophagy also occurs in animal cells that are serum starved or challenged with specific hormonal stimuli. In macroautophagy, the form of autophagy commonly observed, cytoplasmic material is sequestered in double-membrane vesicles called autophagosomes and is then delivered to a lytic compartment such as the yeast vacuole or mammalian lysosome. In this fashion, autophagy allows the degradation and recycling of a wide spectrum of biological macromolecules. While autophagy is induced only under specific conditions, salient mechanistic aspects of autophagy are functional in a constitutive fashion. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, induction of autophagy subverts a constitutive membrane-trafficking mechanism called the cytoplasm-to-vacuole targeting pathway from a specific mode, in which it carries the resident vacuolar hydrolase, aminopeptidase I, to a nonspecific bulk mode in which significant amounts of cytoplasmic material are also sequestered and recycled in the vacuole. The general aim of this review is to focus on insights gained into the mechanism of autophagy in yeast and also to review our understanding of the physiological significance of autophagy in both yeast and higher organisms.
Design and real time testing of a trajectory linearization flight controller for the "Quanser UFO"

In this paper, the design and real-time testing of an attitude controller for a 3-DOF flight control experiment apparatus, the "Quanser UFO," is presented. The UFO is an educational and research test bed for multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) nonlinear tracking and decoupling control techniques. Changes in the roll, pitch and yaw attitude are affected by differential thrust and differential reactive torque using three propellers. The dynamics and control of the UFO are highly nonlinear and coupled. The controller presented here is designed by the trajectory linearization method. It consists of two components: a pseudo-inverse of the plant that computes the nominal control (open-loop control), and a linear time-varying feedback regulator that stabilizes and decouples the tracking error dynamics (closed-loop control). For regulating the attitude and the body rate tracking errors, inner and outer loop PI controllers are employed, which are designed by time-varying bandwidth PD-eigenstructure assignment. The controller was implemented and tuned in both SIMULINK and the real-time UFO simulator. The modeling and controller design procedures are outlined. Design, implementation, simulation and real-time testing results are presented.
Optical communications development for spacecraft applications: recent progress at JHU/APL

Free-space optical communication systems for deep space as well as near terrestrial space environments are now under development for deployment aboard spacecraft within the next few years. Ever-increasing requirements for high data-rate communications are driving significant investments by NASA and DoD in critical technology readiness for spaceflight. One of the key NASA requirements is science data retrieval at rates much higher than heretofore possible with RF systems, for missions as far out as interstellar space and as close as geosynchronous Earth orbit (GEO). Recent efforts at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) are summarized that are focused on these requirements and challenges. We are developing a spacecraft optical communications terminal architecture initially using commercial off-the-shelf components while accelerating the development of state-of-the-art replacement components, which minimize mass and prime power while maintaining or improving performance. Recent technology development efforts will be summarized that include pulse position (PPM) modulator/demodulator chip development, compact optical beamsteering technology, including micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), an ultra-lightweight deployable dual-band antenna concept, and a low-mass low-power optical downlink terminal design intended for deployment on a realistic interstellar explorer (RISE) mission
Progesterone signaling mechanisms in brain and behavior

Steroid hormone, progesterone, modulates neuroendocrine functions in the central nervous system resulting in alterations in physiology and behavior. These neuronal effects are mediated primarily by intracellular progestin receptors in the steroid-sensitive neurons, resulting in transcription-dependent genomic actions (classical mechanism). In addition to progesterone, intracellular progestin receptors can also be activated in a “ligand-independent” manner by neurotransmitters, peptide growth factors, cyclic nucleotides and neurosteroids. Recent studies indicate that rapid, non-classical progesterone actions involving cytoplasmic kinase signaling and/or extranuclear progestin receptors can result in both transcription-independent and transcription-dependent actions. Cross-talk between extranuclear and classical intracellular signaling pathways promotes progesterone-dependent behavior in mammals. This review focuses on the mechanisms by which progesterone-initiated signaling mechanisms converge with progestin receptors in the brain to modulate reproductive behavior in female rodents.
Theorising social transformation in occupational science: The American Civil Rights Movement and South African struggle against apartheid as 'Occupational Reconstructions

ABSTRACT This article introduces a new way to think about social transformation in occupational science. The theory of o ccupational reconstructions is presented through examples of collective action by disempowered communities to achieve racial justice. An ‘occupational reconstruction’ is defined as what people do to remake ordinary life in response to a problematic situation . Occupational reconstructions are characterised by: (1) problematic situations; (2) meaningful and purposeful action; (3) embodied practices; (4) narrative structure; (5) creative transformations; (6) voluntary engagement; and (7) hopeful experimentalism. We apply the theory of occupational reconstructions here to large-scale situations of political activism in the American Civil Rights movement and the South African struggle against apartheid. The authors suggest that occupational reconstructions offer a distinctive theory of social transformation that can help occupational science and occupational therapy engage in both mass movements and more local situations relating to human rights and social justice. Key words: Occupational reconstruction, social activism, civil rights, protest music The South African Journal of Occupational Therapy http://dx.doi.org/10.17159/2310-3833/2015/v45n1a3
Linkage Studies of Prostate Cancer Families to Identify Susceptibility Genes

Identification of cancer susceptibility genes through the study of site-specific cancer families has resulted in tremendous insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis in organs such as the breast, colon, and kidney. Although progress in this area for prostate cancer has been slow, extensive evidence exists to support an important genetic component of prostate cancer susceptibility. This chapter will review the progress and difficulties presented in the search for prostate cancer susceptibility alleles in prostate cancer families. Two genes identified in family studies, RNASEL and MSR1, although showing relatively weak associations with prostate cancer overall, implicate genetic variation in the inflammatory response as a possibly critical pathway in modifying risk for this common cancer. As with many other cancers, inherited defects in DNA repair pathways seem to result in some familial clustering of prostate cancer. Studies underway and planned that emphasize potentially more homogeneous subsets of prostate cancer, and that take advantage of methodological and technological advances to detect weaker genetic influences should prove valuable in accelerating the rate of progress in this area.
Uncertainty in source partitioning using stable isotopes

Stable isotope analyses are often used to quan- tify the contribution of multiple sources to a mixture, such as proportions of food sources in an animal's diet, or C3 and C4 plant inputs to soil organic carbon. Linear mixing models can be used to partition two sources with a single isotopic signature (e.g., δ13C) or three sources with a second isotopic signature (e.g., δ 15 N). Although variability of source and mixture signatures is often re- ported, confidence interval calculations for source pro- portions typically use only the mixture variability. We provide examples showing that omission of source vari- ability can lead to underestimation of the variability of source proportion estimates. For both two- and three- source mixing models, we present formulas for calculat- ing variances, standard errors (SE), and confidence inter- vals for source proportion estimates that account for the observed variability in the isotopic signatures for the sources as well as the mixture. We then performed sensi- tivity analyses to assess the relative importance of: (1) the isotopic signature difference between the sources, (2) isotopic signature standard deviations (SD) in the source and mixture populations, (3) sample size, (4) analytical SD, and (5) the evenness of the source proportions, for determining the variability (SE) of source proportion es- timates. The proportion SEs varied inversely with the signature difference between sources, so doubling the source difference from 2‰ to 4‰ reduced the SEs by half. Source and mixture signature SDs had a substantial linear effect on source proportion SEs. However, the population variability of the sources and the mixture are fixed and the sampling error component can be changed only by increasing sample size. Source proportion SEs varied inversely with the square root of sample size, so an increase from 1 to 4 samples per population cut the SE in half. Analytical SD had little effect over the range examined since it was generally substantially smaller than the population SDs. Proportion SEs were minimized when sources were evenly divided, but increased only slightly as the proportions varied. The variance formulas provided will enable quantification of the precision of source proportion estimates. Graphs are provided to al- low rapid assessment of possible combinations of source differences and source and mixture population SDs that will allow source proportion estimates with desired pre- cision. In addition, an Excel spreadsheet to perform the calculations for the source proportions and their varianc- es, SEs, and 95% confidence intervals for the two-source and three-source mixing models can be accessed at http://www.epa.gov/wed/pages/models.htm.
Investigating niche and lineage diversifi cation in widely distributed taxa: phylogeography and ecological niche modeling of the Peromyscus maniculatus species group

Th e relationship between lineage formation and variation in the ecological niche is a fundamental evolutionary question. Two prevailing hypotheses refl ect this relationship: niche conservatism and niche divergence. Niche conservatism predicts a pattern where sister taxa will occupy similar niche spaces; whereas niche divergence predicts that sister taxa will occupy diff erent niche spaces. Widely distributed species often show distinct phylogeographic structure, but little research has been conducted on how the environment may be related to these phylogenetic patterns. We investigated the relationship between lineage divergence and environmental space for the closely related species Peromyscus maniculatus and P. polionotus utilizing phylogenetic techniques and ecological niche modeling (ENM). We estimated the phylogenetic relationship among individuals based on complete cytochrome b sequences that represent individuals from a majority of the species ranges. Niche spaces that lineages occupy were estimated by using 12 environmental layers. Diff erences in niche space were tested using multivariate statistics based on location data, and ENMs were employed using maximum entropy algorithms. Two similarity indices estimated signifi cant divergence in environmental space based on the ENM. Six geographically structured lineages were identifi ed within P. maniculatus. Nested within P. maniculatus we found that P. polionotus recently diverged from a clade occupying central and western United States. We estimated that the majority of the genetic lineages occupy distinct environmental niches, which supports a pattern of niche divergence. Two sister taxa showed niche divergence and represent diff erent ecomorphs, suggesting morphological, genetic and ecological divergence between the two lineages. Two other sister taxa were observed in the same environmental space based on multivariate statistics, suggesting niche conservatism. Overall our results indicate that a widely distributed species may exhibit both niche conservatism and niche divergence, and that most lineages seem to occupy distinct environmental niches.
TEMPORAL PATTERNS IN DIET OF NESTLING WHITE-CROWNED PIGEONS: IMPLICATIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF FRUGIVOROUS COLUMBIDS

The timing and production of crop milk are important to the reproductive tactics of granivorous columbids, but little is known about crop-milk production in frugiv- orous columbids. We examined the diet of nestling White-crowned Pigeons (Columba leuco- cephala) and the relative contributions of crop milk and fruit during different stages of nestling development. The diet was dominated by five species of plants: Metopium toxiferum (poison- wood), Guapira discolor (blolly), Ficus citrifolia (shortleaf fig), F. aurea (strangler fig), and Erithalis fruticosa (black torch). Fruit of F. aurea and F. citrifolia dominated the diet during May and June. Fruit of M. toxiferum, which began to ripen in early July, dominated the diet through September. Guapira discolor was found in the diet throughout the nesting season and, overall, ranked as the second-most-important food. Erithalis fruticosa was found in small amounts in samples collected throughout the season. Crop milk remained an important component of the diet throughout the nestling period. As nestlings grew, fruit was added to the diet. At ages 0 to 2 days, the diet was entirely crop milk. The proportion of the diet composed of fruit increased from 10% on day 3 to 65% at day 15. These data suggest that the reproductive tactics of frugivorous pigeons may differ from those of granivorous pigeons. We speculate that frugivorous columbids may continue to supplement the diet of nestlings and fledglings with crop milk. Although this behavior may enhance growth rates and survival of individual young, it also may lengthen the interclutch interval. These findings emphasize the conser- vation importance of protecting large feeding areas to maintain populations of threatened and endangered frugivorous pigeons. Received 8 June 1992, accepted 15 March 1993. THE WHITE-CROWNED PIGEON (Columba leuco- cephala) nests throughout most of the Caribbe- an, in the Florida Keys, and along the Central American coast of the Caribbean (Arendt et al. 1979, AOU 1983, Strong et al. 1991). In Florida, White-crowned Pigeons nest from May through September on small mangrove islands in and around Florida Bay, but forage in the hardwood forests of the mainline Florida Keys (Strong et al. 1991), where they feed exclusively on fruits of hardwood trees (Wiley and Wiley 1979). These hardwood forests have been extensively cleared (Strong and Bancroft 1994a), thus threatening this pigeon species (Bancroft in press, Strong and Bancroft 1994b). The Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission has listed the White-crowned Pigeon as Threatened (Wood 1990). Understanding their food requirements
Analysis of CPU Utilisation and Stack Consumption of a Multimedia Embedded System

Due to the time characteristics of audio and video data, the processing of multimedia applications has to be done using real time mechanisms. Scheduling algorithms used in these systems should be chosen to meet system requirements and have the knowledge of the number of tasks and their criticality. In addition it is mandatory to ensure that embedded controllers never run out of the allocated stack space, in other words a safety against stack overflow. This paper deals with the analysis performed on an embedded system to understand the central processing unit (CPU) utilisation and optimisation of the system with respect to memory and time. Stack consumption of individual tasks are also monitored to get the dynamic behaviour of the system under different operating load conditions. The data obtained from our analysis will be extrapolated to work on solutions to improve the existing system response. The profiling of task execution times will help in identifying the areas of optimisation. The analysed data will also help us to gauge the performance of the real time operating system (RTOS).
Historical Land Use, Nitrogen, and Coastal Eutrophication: A Paleoecological Perspective

Organisms and chemicals preserved in sediment cores from the Chesapeake estuary in mid-Atlantic USA are consistent with a precolonial landscape covered with a diversity of forests and marshes, large and small. During the past 300 years, many of the wetlands have been drained, and the landscape was converted to agricultural fields and urban and suburban development. During this time, sources of nitrogen have diversified, and loadings have increased. Since precolonial time, the mesohaline estuary has become increasingly eutrophic and anoxic. Estuaries and coastal regions throughout the world have experienced similar conditions in their recent history. These changes are recorded in Chesapeake sediment cores by increases in ragweed pollen, dry taxa, sedimentation rates, nitrogen influxes, and a major change in estuarine autotrophs from benthic to planktonic. In many areas, attempts to reverse estuarine eutrophication and anoxia have centered on restoring streams and riparian areas and reducing fertilizer use on agricultural lands. However, data from soils and historical reports and the paleoecological record suggest that to reduce the effects of modern nitrogen inputs, it may be necessary to locate and enhance denitrifying areas throughout the watershed.
The relationships between the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale and lower extremity functional performance in persons with early-stage Parkinson's disease.

Background. The Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) is the “gold standard” assessment tool for characterizing impairments in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD); however, this scale’s ability to predict functional capabilities across different functional tasks has not been adequately assessed in persons with early-stage PD. Methods. Thirty persons with PD within 3 years of diagnosis and without motor fluctuation performed self-selected walking, fast walking, and sit-to-stand and stair-climbing tasks. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were used to calculate correlations with a standard UPDRS examination (P < .05). Simple linear regression models were used to fit each functional performance outcome measure with the UPDRS total predictor scores. Results. The correlations between the UPDRS motor (section III), UPDRS total scores, and all timed functional performance measures were fair to good (range, 0.45-0.57). Conversely, only greater self-selected time to walk 50 ft correlated with a higher...
Correlation between intrinsic firing patterns and thalamocortical synaptic responses of neurons in mouse barrel cortex

We used a thalamocortical slice preparation to record both spike trains and synaptically evoked responses from neurons of mouse barrel cortex. Cells were classified as regular spiking (RS), intrinsically bursting (IB), or fast spiking (FS) according to their temporal firing patterns when injected with current. RS cells were further separated into two subtypes, RS1 and RS2 cells, the latter encountered only in the infragranular layers. Synaptic responses were elicited by focal electrical stimuli in the ventrobasal nucleus of the thalamus (VB) while holding the cells at different membrane potentials. Postsynaptic potentials were classified as excitatory (EPSPs) or inhibitory (IPSPs), and their latencies were measured from the onset of the extracellularly recorded fiber volley in layer IV. EPSPs fell into three groups, according to latency. Those in the early cluster had latencies shorter than 1 msec and were coincident with the postsynaptic layer IV population response; they were considered monosynaptic. A second group, with latencies between 1.3 and 2.5 msec, were coincident with all IPSPs and were classified as disynaptic. The rest had latencies longer than 5 msec and were considered polysynaptic. The synaptic order of a cell was correlated with its laminar position and its electrophysiological class. Specifically, monosynaptic responses were restricted to infragranular RS cells and to FS cells, while disynaptic EPSPs were found in supragranular RS cells and in IB cells. Disynaptic IPSPs were found in both deep and superficial layers; in the deep layers they nearly always followed monosynaptic EPSPs, while in the superficial layers they were mostly found in isolation. We conclude that the intrinsic spiking characteristics of a neuron are an important determinant of its position in the cortical circuit and may have a substantial role in determining its response properties.
Cache modeling for real-time software: beyond direct mapped instruction caches

We present a method for determining a tight bound on the worst case execution time of a program when running on a given hardware system with cache memory. Caches are used to improve the average memory performance, however, their presence complicates the worst case timing analysis. Any pessimistic predictions on cache hits/misses will result in loose estimation. In our previous research in this area, we built an integer-linear-programming solution for this problem which included analysis of direct mapped instruction caches. In this paper we describe the complex extensions of this technique to deal with set associative instruction caches, data caches and unified caches. We believe that this research now provides a comprehensive solution to the problem of worst case performance analysis of software running on processors with caches. These techniques have been implemented in a design tool cinderella. Some experimental results are presented that demonstrate the practical applicability of this analysis.