cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Phenotypes and Animal Knockout Models of Genetic Autonomic Disorders

Norepinephrine (NE) is a crucial neurotransmitter involved in autonomic regulation of blood pressure. Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DBH), the norepinephrine transporter (NET), and the vesicular monoamine transporter subtype 2 catalyze intracellular NE biosynthesis, NE reuptake from the synapse, and vesicular transport, respectively. Genetic disorders in humans have been identified that render DBH, and the NET dysfunctional and result in cardiovascular and neurological abnormalities. Vesicular monoamine transporter subtype 2 (VMAT2) activity protects against neurotoxins, and reduced VMAT2 expression is implicated in drug addiction. Further investigation of the consequences of these genetic abnormalities has been achieved by the construction of mice strains deficient in the genes encoding DBH, NET, and VMAT2.
Pancreatic β Cell-specific Transcription of thepdx-1 Gene THE ROLE OF CONSERVED UPSTREAM CONTROL REGIONS AND THEIR HEPATIC NUCLEAR FACTOR 3β SITES

Abstract To identify potential transactivators ofpdx-1, we sequenced approximately 4.5 kilobases of the 5′ promoter region of the human and chicken homologs, assuming that sequences conserved with the mouse gene would contain criticalcis-regulatory elements. The sequences associated with hypersensitive site 1 (HSS1) represented the principal area of homology within which three conserved subdomains were apparent: area I (−2694 to −2561 base pairs (bp)), area II (−2139 to −1958 bp), and area III (−1879 to −1799 bp). The identities between the mouse and chicken/human genes are very high, ranging from 78 to 89%, although only areas I and III are present within this region in chicken. Pancreatic β cell-selective expression was shown to be controlled by mouse and human area I or area II, but not area III, from an analysis of pdx-1-driven reporter activity in transfected β- and non-β cells. Mutational and functional analyses of conserved hepatic nuclear factor 3 (HNF3)-like sites located within area I and area II demonstrated that activation by these regions was mediated by HNF3β. To determine if a similar regulatory relationship might exist within the context of the endogenous gene, pdx-1 expression was measured in embryonic stem cells in which one or both alleles of HNF3β were inactivated. pdx-1 mRNA levels induced upon differentiation to embryoid bodies were down-regulated in homozygous null HNF3β cells. Together, these results suggest that the conserved sequences represented by areas I and II define the binding sites for factors such as HNF3β, which control islet β cell-selective expression of the pdx-1 gene.
Hyperbaric Oxygen for Cerebral Vasospasm and Brain Injury Following Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

The impact of acute brain injury and delayed neurological deficits due to cerebral vasospasm (CVS) are major determinants of outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Although hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) had been used to treat patients with SAH, the supporting evidence and underlying mechanisms have not been systematically reviewed. In the present paper, the overview of studies of HBO for cerebral vasospasm is followed by a discussion of HBO molecular mechanisms involved in the protection against SAH-induced brain injury and even, as hypothesized, in attenuating vascular spasm alone. Faced with the paucity of information as to what degree HBO is capable of antagonizing vasospasm after SAH, the authors postulate that the major beneficial effects of HBO in SAH include a reduction of acute brain injury and combating brain damage caused by CVS. Consequently, authors reviewed the effects of HBO on SAH-induced hypoxic signaling and other mechanisms of neurovascular injury. Moreover, authors hypothesize that HBO administered after SAH may “precondition” the brain against the detrimental sequelae of vasospasm. In conclusion, the existing evidence speaks in favor of administering HBO in both acute and delayed phase after SAH; however, further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms and to establish the optimal regimen of treatment.
Future costs and the future of cost-effectiveness analysis

In the past decade, the use of cost-effectiveness (CE) analysis to guide resource allocation in health care has grown in the United Kingdom and in continental Europe. Its use in the United States has been far more limited. The political resistance to explicit consideration of costs in the Medicare’s coverage decision making has all but buried efforts to make coverage decisions based on cost-effectiveness criteria, and explicit use of cost-effectiveness analysis is unusual among private U.S. health insurers. Nevertheless, this technique is attracting greater interest among policymakers and private health plans even in the United States, and its adoption elsewhere confirms that it is now seen as an essential tool to increase the efficiency of health expenditures. If it is really to be used, we should make sure that we get it right, and that its guidance will improve well-being. Our previous article (Garber and Phelps, 1997) was motivated by two simple questions: does a cost-effectiveness criterion lead to potential Pareto improvement, as is known to be the case when a cost-benefit criterion (positive net benefit) is applied, and if so, under what conditions? By this means, we hoped both to establish whether cost-effectiveness analysis provided a reasonable alternative to cost-benefit analysis as a guide to health expenditures, and to resolve methodological controversies—particularly whether unrelated future costs of care should be excluded from CE analysis or included. We proposed that the correct criterion for the use of CE analysis was to determine whether the allocations that resulted from application of the technique were optimal, in the sense that they represented a potential Pareto improvement, just as costbenefit criteria could do. We argued that if the future costs were truly unrelated, it did not matter whether such costs were included or excluded, as long as the cutoff CE ratio, above which the costs of the health expenditure would exceed the value of the resulting benefits, were properly adjusted. In an article published in the same issue of JHE, Meltzer (1997) argued that the future unrelated costs – not only of health care, but of consumption more generally – must be included in the cost-effectiveness calculation in order to rank alternatives for optimal resource allocation.
Antagonism of the Lethal Effects of Paraoxon by Carrier Erythrocytes Containing Phosphotriesterase

Annealed murine erythrocytes were employed as a carrier model to antagonize the toxic effects of organophosphorus agents. These resealed cells containing a recombinant phosphotriesterase provided striking protection against the lethal effect of paraoxon, an active metabolite of an agricultural pesticide, parathion. Phosphotriesterase hydrolyzes paraoxon to the less-toxic 4-nitrophenol and diethylphosphate. This enzyme was encapsulated into carrier erythrocytes by hypotonic dialysis with subsequent resealing and annealing. These carrier cells were administered to mice either alone or in combination with pralidoxime (2-PAM) and/or atropine. The recipient animals were subsequently challenged with paraoxon and a marked protection was noted. Protection of free enzyme and encapsulated enzyme was compared and the encapsulated enzyme was found to persist longer and possess much greater efficacy. Less serum cholinesterase inhibition also was observed with this enhanced protection. These results indicate that the erythrocyte carrier alone is quite effective in the antagonism of organophosphorus intoxication. Moreover, when these carrier cells were administered in combination with 2-PAM and/or atropine, a marked synergism was observed.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic and x-ray diffractometric characterization of alkylimidazole films on copper oxide and alkylimidazolato copper(II) complexes

Abstract The molecular structures of 2-undecylimidazole films on copper and copper oxide are studied using XPS with the reference of synthesized 2-undecylimidazolato copper(II). X-ray diffractograms of synthesized understand the molecular structure of alkylimidazole complexes. The difference in molecular structure between the synthesized complexes and the films on copper is discussed. The XPS spectra in the Cu 2p region indicate Cu(II) complex regardless of the oxidation state of the copper substrates. The O 1s peaks appeared at a binding energy higher than corresponding to oxide indicating the presence of water or peroxide between the copper ions. A linear relationship between the d(200) spacing of 2-alkylimidazole complexes and the number of carbons of alkylimidazole complexes indicates the same flat orientation of alkylimidazoles around the copper ions. The difference between the infrared spectra of imidazole films on copper and synthesized complex is due to the amorphous structure of the film.
A study of a biodegradable Mg-3Sc-3Y alloy and the effect of self-passivation on the in vitro degradation.

Abstract Magnesium and its alloys have been investigated for their potential application as biodegradable implant materials. Although properties of magnesium such as biocompatibility and susceptibility to dissolution are desirable for biodegradable implant applications, its high degradation rate and low strength pose a significant challenge. A potential way to reduce the initial degradation rate is to form a self-passivating protective layer on the surface of the alloy. Oxides with a low enthalpy of formation result in a strong thermodynamic driving force to produce oxide surfaces that are more stable than the native oxide (MgO), and possibly reduce the initial degradation rate in these alloys. In the present study a ternary Mg–3 wt.% Sc–3 wt.% Y alloy was investigated and its oxidation behavior studied. The effect of surface passivation on the in vitro degradation rate was studied and the degradation products identified. The results show that the oxide provided an initial degradation barrier and 24 h oxidation resulted in a negligible degradation rate for up to 23 days. Furthermore, the degradation products of the alloy showed no significant toxicity to osteoblastic cells, and cell proliferation studies confirmed cell attachment and proliferation on the surface of the oxidized alloy.
Primary Acquired Hypogammaglobulinemia and Regional Enteritis

We had a patient with primary acquired hypogammaglobulinemia (PAH), nodular lymphoid hyperplasia, giardiasis, and the subsequent development of regional enteritis (RE). The case is of interest because the development of regional enteritis in a patient with PAH has not been previously reported, to our knowledge. The interaction of hypogammaglobulinemia and RE is discussed from an immunologic point of view. The report adds RE to the many known bowel diseases associated with PAH. (Arch Intern Med137:1252-1254, 1977)
Transseptal catheterization update 1992.

Resurgence of the transseptal procedure in the last decade has occurred coincident with the advent of therapeutic catheterizations and in particular mitral balloon valvuloplasty. As larger numbers of these procedures have been performed, experience shows that the position of intended septal puncture varies for each anticipated procedure and need not lie at the fossa ovalis, which is frequently displaced or inaccessible. Recognizing the dynamic alterations in septal and atrial anatomy that accompany the various combinations of valvular heart disease, the experienced interventionalist will use precatheterization echo and radiological techniques to enable precise and localized transseptal puncture. Using these techniques in 597 patients for valvular heart disease, we have had no deaths and a morbidity of 1.8% with the transseptal puncture. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Isolation and characterisation of polymorphic microsatellite loci for Noisy Miners Manorina melanocephala, with successful cross-amplification in Bell Miners M. melanophrys

We characterized 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci identified from a Noisy Miner (Manorina melanocephala) blood sample using 454 whole genome shotgun sequencing. Levels of polymorphism were assessed using 15 Noisy Miners. The average number of alleles per locus was 5.1. These loci were then cross-amplified to assess their suitability in a single population of Bell Miners (M. melanophrys). Given the landscape level impact that these species are having on the health of vegetation and biodiversity of a range of vertebrates throughout much of south-eastern Australia, these primers will help identify colony dispersal patterns and thus aid in modeling predictions of miner presence and tenure length in threatened ecosystems.
Utility-based collaboration among autonomous agents for resource allocation in data centers

Autonomic computing, a proposed solution to the looming complexity crisis in IT, is a realm in which software agents and multi-agent systems can play a critically important role. Conversely, given its importance to a multi-billion dollar industry, it is fair to say that autonomic computing is a killer app for agents. Two years ago, we introduced Unity, an agent-based autonomic data center prototype that demonstrated the virtues of agency in autonomic computing applications. We discuss the road to commercialization of Unity, which entails infusing agent concepts into well-established lines of software and middleware, and discuss experiments that establish the commercial viability of utility-based resource allocation. Furthermore we examine the practicality of framing resource allocation in data centers as a collaboration between two agents, each of which is based on a commercially available product.
High-resolution stable isotope records from the Upper Cretaceous rocks of Italy and Spain: Glacial episodes in a greenhouse planet?

High-resolution δ13C and δ18O records from upper Albian to lower Santonian pelagic carbonates of the Contessa Quarry section in Italy exhibit large positive oxygen isotopic excursions of ∼1‰ in the lower Cenomanian and upper Turonian–Coniacian strata. Within the uncertainties of biostratigraphic correlation, these positive excursions appear to correspond to times of large sea-level regressions in global sequence stratigraphic sea-level curves. Several lines of evidence suggest that the major δ18O excursions in Contessa reflect episodes of global cooling and not differential diagenesis. Numerical models of oxygen isotope exchange during diagenesis show that a high contrast in the degree of alteration would be required to produce these signals as artifacts of diagenesis, and lithological data provide no evidence for such large contrasts in the degree of alteration. Furthermore, although precise correlation with a section in the south of Spain is hampered by stratigraphic complexities, the general sequence of major positive δ18O excursions is reproduced. It is unlikely that differential diagenesis would produce similar artifacts in multiple sites. One explanation for the link between episodes of global cooling and sea-level falls is that global cooling events led to polar ice-sheet accumulation, lowering sea level. Although ice-free conditions have been inferred from evidence for a much warmer climate in Late Cretaceous time, our results suggest that the relationship between continental high-latitude ice sheets and overall climatic warmth warrants further examination.
Sex differences in the prevalence of human birth defects: A population‐based study

Background Sex differences in the prevalence of several human birth defects have often been reported in the literature, but the extent of sex differences for most birth defects is unknown. To determine the full extent of sex differences in birth defects in a population, we examined population-based data from the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program (MACDP). Methods MACDP records were analyzed for 1968 through 1995. We determined the sex-specific prevalence of all major birth defects, using the total number of live births by sex during these years as the denominator. For each specific defect, we calculated a relative risk with regard to sex on the basis of the ratio of prevalence among males to prevalence among females. Male–female relative risks were also determined for total major birth defects and for several broad categories of defects. Results The overall prevalence of major defects at birth was 3.9% among males and 2.8% among females. All but two of the major categories of birth defects (nervous system defects and endocrine system defects) had a higher prevalence among males. Defects of the sex organs were eight and one-half times more prevalent among males and accounted for about half of the increased risk of birth defects among males relative to females. Urinary tract defects were 62% more prevalent among males, and gastrointestinal tract defects were 55% more prevalent among males. Among specific defect types, twofold or greater differences in prevalence by sex were common. Conclusions Our data indicate that sex differences in the prevalence of specific human birth defects are common, and male infants are at greater risk for birth defects than female infants. Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for these differences. Teratology 64:237–251, 2001. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A 23-Year-Old Pregnant Woman with Left-Foot and Left-Ankle Ulceration

A 23-year old Latino woman from northern Mexico in her 34th week of pregnancy presented to a clinic in a rural area in south Texas for initial prenatal care. She complained of pain involving the left foot and ankle caused by sores. She stated that she had been experiencing the sores for 2 months and that they had been getting worse, making it difficult to ambulate. Figure 2. Diffuse, oval, hypopigmented, nonpruritic macules on the back of a 23-year-old pregnant woman.
Inferential Checking for Mutants Modifying Database States

Several recent research projects have developed new testing techniques targeted to database application programs, a widely used class of programs with some unique characteristics. Mutation testing, focused on interactions between an application and a database, presents a promising approach to evaluating test adequacy and to evaluating the effectiveness of other test generation and test adequacy criteria. Prior work on database application mutation techniques has focused exclusively on SELECT statements, which extract data without modifying the database state. Extending the techniques to updating statements, INSERT, DELETE, and UPDATE, is challenging because it's necessary to compare the behavior of mutants when executed against the same database state, but each mutant execution changes the database state. This paper presents inferential checking, a new technique for determining whether mutants of an updating statement are killed, without actually executing the mutants. Queries are automatically derived from updating statements and their mutants, characterizing the state change that would occur if the statement were executed. Results of these queries are compared to determine which mutants are killed. The paper presents the technique, its implementation for Java/JDBC applications, and empirical evaluation demonstrating that it is efficient, precise, and useful
The role of dietary fat in alcohol's prenatal effects

Pregnant rats were fed a control diet or high saturated fat diet (lard) for 6 weeks prior to breeding and continued to consume these diets during pregnancy. Beginning on gestation day 8, rats in each diet group were intubated with 5.5 or 0 g/kg alcohol. Rats in the 0 g/kg group were pair-fed to those in their respective 5.5 g/kg groups. Offspring were weighed at birth. On postnatal days 18 and 20, they were tested for passive avoidance learning and locomotor activity, respectively. Animals prenatally exposed to alcohol weighed less at birth and at weaning time (21 days of age) and required more trials to reach criterion in the passive avoidance test but did not differ in activity. Diet did not affect any of these measures significantly nor were there any significant interactions. We conclude that high saturated fat from lard does not influence alcohol's prenatal effects.
Globalized migration and transnational epidemiology

During the latter part of the 1800s the union of migration and epidemiology first surfaced. In that era the changing shipping patterns that put more people from cholera endemic areas into London as well as the isolated occurrence of two cholera cases among recent immigrants from Germany to London bolstered John Snows belief that cholera was transmitted from person to person. Other studies in more recent times that have focused on migrants from Japan first to Hawaii and then to mainland US provided evidence for lifestyle theories (including migration) for risk in relation to chronic diseases. These and other exceptional studies in the history of epidemiology have focused on migrants and have important insights into the causation of disease in two very different but equally significant ways - through the isolation of migrant communities and through their assimilation to group behaviours in the area to which they migrated. Today in the 21st century travel by millions of travellers (migrants and others) is far easier than in the 1800s. In the case of migrants the widespread accessibility to means of travel and the availability of new technologies for staying connected to home and community of origin has resulted in transnational communities. Although members of these communities may be physically present in only one they often live in two places. Connections via communication technologies also are reinforced in some cases through the rapid transport of food from home to the new community. (excerpt)
Multipoint genetic mapping of quantitative trait loci using a variable number of sibs per family.

Summary We present a multipoint algorithm to map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) using families from outbred populations with a variable number of sibs. The algorithm uses information from all markers on a chromosome simultaneously to extract information of QTL segregation. A previous multipoint method (Kruglyak & Lander (1995) American Journal of Human Genetics 57, 439‐454) extracts information using a hidden Markov model. However, this method is restricted to small families (! 10 sibs). We present an approximate hidden Markov model approach that can handle large sibships while retaining similar eciency to the previous method. Computer simulations support the notion that data sampled from a small number of large families provide more power than data obtained from a large number of small families, under the constraint that the total number of individuals for the two schemes is the same. This is further reflected in simulations with variable family sizes, where variance in family size improves the statistical power of QTL detection relative to a constant size control.
Hybrid reflection–transmission surface light-scattering instrument with reduced sensitivity to surface sloshing

A hybrid reflection‐transmission surface light-scattering instrumental design is presented, examined theoretically, and tested experimentally. The purpose of the design is to reduce the sensitivity of the instrument to vibration in general and surface sloshing in particular while sacrificing little performance. Traditional optical arrangements and two new optical configurations with varying trade-offs between slosh resistance and instrumental simplicity and accuracy are examined by use of Fourier optics methods. The most promising design was constructed and tested with acetone, ethanol, and water as subject fluids. The test involved backcalculation of the wave number of the capillary wave examined with the known physical parameters for the test fluids. The agreement of the computed wave number was 61.4%. © 1997 Optical Society of America
Of mice and men: phylogenetic footprinting aids the discovery of regulatory elements

Phylogenetic footprinting is an approach to finding functionally important sequences in the genome that relies on detecting their high degrees of conservation across different species. A new study shows how much it improves the prediction of gene-regulatory elements in the human genome.
The Contributions of Theodore Lowi to Political Analysis and Democratic Theory

Lowi, like Gaul, can be divided into three parts: (1) the policy analysis (arenas of power) scheme; (2) democratic theory (juridical democracy, the critique of pluralism, rule of law); and (3) constitutional advocacy centering on designs for parliamentary government. It is in the second category, I believe, that he has made the most significant and lasting contribution.The first and earliest segment, the policy analysis scheme, was developed in articles, in and after the seminal 1964 book review in World Politics (Lowi 1964, 1972, 1976). Lowi's students have directly employed the policy typology in work on national institutions and policy development (Spitzer 1983; Sanders 1981). However, Lowi himself has not fully developed the implications of the typology in such a way that it could generate an integrated set of testable hypotheses and has failed to clear up essential definitions. The words used to label the four cells of the typology (distributive, regulatory, redistributive, and constituent) have fallen into common currency, but are used in a muddle of ways not consistent with the meanings I believe (as an alumna of Lowi's graduate public policy workshop) that he wants to attach to them. Much of this confusion, and the failure of this set of tantalizing ideas to bear much theoretical fruit, must be laid at the creator's doorstep for neglecting to draw out at length and in detail the typology's implications.
Effect of matrix cracking in cross-ply ceramic matrix composite beams on their mechanical properties and natural frequencies

The present paper illustrates the effect of matrix cracks in longitudinal and transverse layers of cross-ply ceramic matrix composite (CMC) beams on their mechanical properties and vibration frequencies. Even in a geometrically linear problem considered in the paper, the physical non-linearity is introduced by matrix cracks and interfacial fiber-matrix friction in longitudinal layers. A closed-form solution for mechanical properties of a cross-ply CMC beam with matrix cracks is developed in the paper. The frequency of free vibrations of a simply supported beam is derived as a function of the amplitude, accounting for the effect of matrix cracks. As shown in the paper, the prediction of the natural frequencies of cross-ply CMC beams with matrix cracks in both longitudinal and transverse layers is possible using simple, yet accurate, approximate equations.
Compensatory Increased Enteral Feeding Goal Rates: A Way to Achieve Optimal Nutrition

Background: Traditionally, enteral nutrition (EN) goal rates have been calculated based on an intended continuous 24-hour infusion rate. Many factors in the care of critically ill patients result in interruption of EN infusions, often for several hours daily, which may lead to significant underfeeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the difference of daily EN volume deficits between a traditionally calculated infusion rate and a compensatory, higher calculated infusion rate in which the 24-hour volume was delivered over a 20-hour infusion period. Methods: Data collection consisted of daily EN volume deficit (intended volume – actual volume infused), based on intensive care unit nursing flow sheets. The primary outcome was daily EN volume deficit from a standard 24-hour calculated goal rate, compared with volume deficit from delivery of the same volume over 20 hours. For the 20-hour group, the calculated daily requirement of EN was divided by 20 rather than 24 for the higher hourly rate but st...
Manganese intoxication and parenteral nutrition.

Since the introduction of long-term parenteral nutrition for patients with intestinal failure, morbidity due to inadequate replacement of micronutrients has been well described. More recently, recognition of hypermanganesemia and its associated complications has become an issue in the patient receiving long-term parenteral nutrition. The intent of this report is to provide a brief overview of manganese in parenteral nutrition and offer some practical suggestions to avoid manganese intoxication. A normal 70-kg person contains about 12 to 20 mg of manganese, which is widely distributed in tissues as the two manganesecontaining metalloenzymes, pyruvate carboxylase and superoxide dismutase, both of which are located in the mitochondria.1,2
Novel Organometallic Fullerene Complexes for Vehicular Hydrogen Storage

Experimental wet chemical approaches have been demonstrated in the synthesis of a new chainlike (C60-Fe-C60-Fe)n complex. This structure has been proposed based on 13C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, electron paramagnetic resonance, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, this structure has been shown to have unique binding sites for dihydrogen molecules with the technique of temperature-programmed desorption. The new adsorption sites have binding energies that are stronger than that observed for hydrogen physisorbed on planar graphite, but significantly weaker than a chemical C-H bond. Volumetric measurements at 77 K and 2 bar show a hydrogen adsorption capacity of 0.5 wt%. Interestingly, the BET surface area is ∼31 m2/g after degassing, which is approximately an order of magnitude less than expected given the measured experimental hydrogen capacity. Nitrogen and hydrogen isotherms performed at 75 K also show a marked selectivity for hydrogen over nitrogen for this complex, indicating hidden surface area for hydrogen adsorption.
A possible water calorimeter based on radiation-induced conductivity

A calorimeter is proposed that measures the delivered dosage of radiation by the induced electrical conductivity in water through the production of long-lived ions. The device is being developed for use in providing real-time measurements of beam losses in particle accelerators. It promises to be a simple, reliable, and accurate device with a linear response from a fraction of a gray up to a megagray, with potential application in industry and medical clinics. A theoretical model of the physical processes that produce the long-lived ions based on delta rays is presented in this paper and compared with the existing data.
Cellular Regulation of the Metabolism of Androgens in Rat Oral Mucosa. III. Activation of Δ4-3-ketosteroid-5α-A Ring Reductase Enzyme System by 5,5-Diphenylhydantoin

Systemic pretreatment of rats with diphenylhydantoin (DPH) or its addition into an in vitro assay increases 5α-reduction of testosterone by the oral mucosa. Enzyme kinetic studies showed that DPH binds to the enzyme and probably activates it by an allosteric mechanism.
Scanning Raman lidar to measure atmospheric water vapor and aerosols

Raman lidar is an effective tool for measuring the vertical and temporal evolution of atmospheric water vapor and aerosols. The NASA/GSFC Scanning Raman Lidar (SRL) has participated in several coordinated field campaigns since its first operation in 1991. The measurement capabilities of the SRC are discussed and representative data are presented. This lidar is based on a XeF excimer laser with an output wavelength of 351 nm. The pulsed laser beam is directed into the atmosphere using laser-hardened dichroic mirrors. The signals backscattered from the atmosphere are gathered by a 0.76 m diameter telescope and detected using photomultiplier tubes. A photon counting data acquisition system operating at 100 MHz records the return signals. Four return signals are measured: the backscatter at the laser wavelength due to Rayleigh and Mie scattering from molecules and particles and the Raman shifted returns due to molecular water vapor, nitrogen and oxygen. The system includes a large 1.1 m/spl times/0.8 m scan mirror which allows the full aperture of the telescope to be scanned from horizon to horizon in a single scan plane.
Promoting Life Skills and Preventing Tobacco Use among Low-Income Mumbai Youth: Effects of Salaam Bombay Foundation Intervention

Background: In response to India’s growing tobacco epidemic, strategies are needed to decrease tobacco use among Indian youth, particularly among those who are economically disadvantaged. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a school-based life-skills tobacco control program for youth of low socio-economic status in Mumbai and the surrounding state of Maharashtra. We hypothesized that compared to youth in control schools, youth exposed to the program would have greater knowledge of effects of tobacco use; be more likely to take action to prevent others from using tobacco; demonstrate more positive life skills and attitudes; and be less likely to report tobacco use. Methods/Findings: Using a quasi-experimental design, we assessed program effectiveness by comparing 8 th and 9 th grade students in intervention schools to 8 th grade students in comparable schools that did not receive the program. Across all schools, 1851 students completed a survey that assessed core program components in early 2010. The program consisted of activities focused on building awareness about the hazards of tobacco, developing life skills, and advocacy development. The primary outcome measure was self-reported tobacco use in the last 30 days. Findings indicate that 4.1% of 8 th grade intervention students (OR=0.51) and 3.6% of 9 th grade intervention students (OR=0.33) reported using tobacco at least once in the last 30 days, compared to 8.7% of students in the control schools. Intervention group students were also significantly more knowledgeable about tobacco and related legislation, reported more efforts to prevent tobacco use among others, and reported stronger life skills and self-efficacy than students in control schools. Limitations to the study include schools not being randomly assigned to condition and tobacco use being measured by self-report. Conclusions: This program represents an effective model of school-based tobacco use prevention that low-income schools in India and other low- and middle-income countries can replicate.
A test for stationarity for irregularly spaced spatial data

Summary The analysis of spatial data is based on a set of assumptions, which in practice need to be checked. A commonly used assumption is that the spatial random field is second-order stationary. In the paper, a test for spatial stationarity for irregularly sampled data is proposed. The test is based on a transformation of the data (a type of Fourier transform), where the correlations between the transformed data are close to 0 if the random field is second-order stationary. However, if the random field were second-order non-stationary, this property does not hold. Using this property a test for second-order stationarity is constructed. The test statistic is based on measuring the degree of correlation in the transformed data. The asymptotic sampling properties of the test statistic are derived under both stationarity and non-stationarity of the random field. These results motivate a graphical tool which allows a visual representation of the non-stationary features. The method is illustrated with simulations and a real data example.
« Au-delà du syndrome de la ‘‘citation payante’’ » : les archives vivantes et la recherche réciproque en histoire orale

Les organismes subventionnaires nord-americains et europeens se sont engages a promouvoir une culture de partage des donnees qualitatives et ce changement de perspective a suscite des controverses dans certaines disciplines, en particulier dans les cas ou la propriete intellectuelle et l’identite disciplinaire reposent sur le travail de terrain plutot que sur une reutilisation ou une analyse secondaire des donnees recoltees par d’autres chercheurs. Cet article vise principalement la valeur interpretative et creative des bases de donnees numeriques d’histoire orale, ou archives vivantes, ainsi que leur valeur publique ou politique. Les archives d’histoire orale doivent etre des sites de circulation de donnees et de conservation numerique ainsi que des depots dynamiques visant la preservation a long terme.
Analysis of B6 vitamers by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with laser-excited fluorescence detection.

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECC) involves the application of a high voltage (10 to 40 kV) across a capillary column (25 to 75 microns i.d.) that is filled with a solution containing micelles. The mobile phase in this work consists of sodium dodecyl sulfate in an aqueous phosphate/borate buffer system. Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and five of its metabolites are separated, with efficiencies as high as 60,000 theoretical plates/meter. Pyridoxic acid, a metabolite of B6, is separated and quantitated in human urine using laser-excited fluorescence detection. Limits of detection are less than a picogram injected.
Condyloma Acuminatum of the Scrotum

Abstract Two cases are described of condyloma acuminatum of the scrotum, without evidence of condyloma on other parts of the genitalia. The clinical presentation, treatment and prognosis are discussed.
African kingdoms and empires

While Western scholars have often dismissed African political history as inconsequential, the range of scale and complexity of African state formations is actually quite varied. While most Africans did indeed live in states that were small by European or Asian standards, some lived in vast empires such as Sokoto that encompassed millions of people. Even the so-called “stateless” societies (now referred to by most scholars as polycephalous) had politics at the village or multi-village level that were quite intricate and complicated. Between these two extremes existed a wide range of city-states, small monarchies, and medium-sized empires. For better or for worse, Africans have been adept at building empires when the material and social conditions permitted it. Keywords: Africa; government, politics and law; imperial history; imperialism and conquest; monarchy; political history
A phenomenological study of the experience of being a mother of a child with cerebral palsy.

Purpose The purpose of this study is to describe the lived experience of being the mother of a child with cerebral palsy. Method A convenience sample of 15 mothers whose children with spastic cerebral palsy receiving care at the high-risk and neurology clinics of a medical center in a southern state participated in two audiotaped interviews. The mothers described how being the mother of a child from 1 to 5 years of age with cerebral palsy affects her life. Labov's (1982) transcription and Colaizzi's (1978) phenomenological methods were used to analyze transcripts of the interviews. An exhaustive description of the experience was written, and subsequently, in a second interview, was validated by the mothers. Findings Four clustered themes emerged from the interviews: caregiver burden, family/social support, women's/mothers' roles, and socioeconomics. Conclusion Mothers reported the following: (a) strong family relationships are counted on during difficult times; (b) caregiving stressors and day-to-day caregiving is difficult; (c) a positive caregiver role and interest in learning about cerebral palsy improve children's quality of life; (d) therapy and social services assist them with their children; (e) multiple roles and alterations in activities affect daily living; and (f) families financial status is affected.
Horticultural and Economic Impact of Rootstocks on Fresh-market ‘Marsh’ Grapefruit

A rootstock trial with a 'Marsh' grapefruit (Citrus paradisi Macf.) scion was established in the flatwoods of the Florida east coast Indian River region in 1990. The trees were planted in an Alfisol of the Pineda series. The trial consisted of trees on 16 rootstocks, primarily citranges (C. sinensis (L.) Osb. · Poncirus trifoliata (L.) Raf.), citrumelos (C. paradisi · P. trifoliata), mandarins (C. reticulata Blanco) and various hybrids, in three or six replicates of three-tree plots in a randomized complete block design. Tree growth and survival, yield, and juice quality were measured annually or periodically for 10 years. In three seasons, whole-tree crops were sized in the field. Using the fruit size distribution data, crop value or income/tree was estimated. Tree height after 10 years ranged from 1.7 to 4.1 m and survival was greater than 90% with a few exceptions. Mean cumulative yield was 1202 kg/tree and ranged from 649 (Hamlin + Flying Dragon trifoliate orange) to 1615 kg/tree for a hybrid of trifoliate orange · Milam. At tree age 9 years, mean soluble solids production was 3594 kgha L1 with a 240% difference between the lowest and highest value. There were differences in the distribution of four commercial-sized categories based on analysis of individual sizes and using PROC FREQ to examine and compare whole-tree distributions. When the yield and fruit size data were combined for 3 years and converted to income/tree using commercial Florida Freight On Board prices in November and March, the trees on a trifoliate orange · Milam hybrid (1584) had the highest estimated income ($354 U.S., March data) followed by Calamandarin ($321) and Norton citrange ($292). The lowest income/tree was $112 (Hamlin + Flying Dragon trifoliate orange). When all data were considered, the best matches to current grower interest in smaller sized trees, and high yield and fruit quality, were the hybrid 1584 and C-35 citrange rootstocks.
Rhino 3D to Abaqus: A T-Spline Based Isogeometric Analysis Software Framework

This chapter presents a novel software framework for T-spline based isogeometric analysis (IGA), interfacing between computer aided design (CAD) and finite element analysis environment for “design-through-analysis” concept. The framework is built on Rhinoceros 3D (Rhino) and SIMULIA Abaqus (Abaqus). This framework has three primary steps: creating CAD surface in Rhino with T-spline Plugin, converting surface T-spline representations into volumetric T-spline, and performing analysis with T-spline models in Abaqus through its user element subroutine. Both 2D and 3D examples are provided in the end to demonstrate our T-spline based IGA software framework.
Toward Stationary Concentrator Photovoltaic Panels

The GaAs/GaSb interface misfit design can achieve comparable efficiency to conventional inverted metamorphic multijunction cells at up to 30% cost reduction. In this preliminary work, GaSb single junctions were grown via molecular beam epitaxy on both GaSb and GaAs substrates to compare and fine tune the interfacial misfit growth process. Current vs voltage results show that the best homo-epitaxial cell achieved 5.2% under 35-sun concentration. TEM did not reveal any threading dislocations in the hetero-epitaxial cells, however, device results indicated higher non-radiative recombination than expected, likely due to unpassivated surface states. Improvements to cell processing will be explored and more characterization is planned to determine the cause of degraded hetero-epitaxial cell performance.
NS1 Protein Amino Acid Changes D189N and V194I Affect Interferon Responses, Thermosensitivity, and Virulence of Circulating H3N2 Human Influenza A Viruses

Influenza virus NS1 protein is a nonstructural, multifunctional protein that counteracts host innate immune responses, modulating virus pathogenesis. NS1 protein variability in subjects infected with H3N2 influenza A viruses (IAVs) during the 2010/2011 season was analyzed, and amino acid changes in residues 86, 189, and 194 were found. The consequences of these mutations for the NS1-mediated inhibition of IFN responses and the pathogenesis of the virus were evaluated, showing that NS1 mutations D189N and V194I impaired the ability of the NS1 protein to inhibit general gene expression, most probably because these mutations decreased the binding of NS1 to the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor 30 (CPSF30). A recombinant A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) H1N1 virus encoding the H3N2 NS1-D189N protein was slightly attenuated, whereas the virus encoding the H3N2 NS1-V194I protein was further attenuated in mice. The higher attenuation of this virus could not be explained by differences in the ability of the two NS1 proteins to counteract host innate immune responses, indicating that another factor must be responsible. In fact, we showed that the virus encoding the H3N2 NS1-V194I protein demonstrated a temperature-sensitive (ts) phenotype, providing a most likely explanation for the stronger attenuation observed. As far as we know, this is the first description of a mutation in NS1 residue 194 conferring a ts phenotype. These studies are relevant in order to identify new residues important for NS1 functions and in human influenza virus surveillance to assess mutations affecting the pathogenicity of circulating viruses.IMPORTANCE Influenza viral infections represent a serious public health problem, with influenza virus causing a contagious respiratory disease that is most effectively prevented through vaccination. The multifunctional nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) is the main viral factor counteracting the host antiviral response. Therefore, influenza virus surveillance to identify new mutations in the NS1 protein affecting the pathogenicity of the circulating viruses is highly important. In this work, we evaluated amino acid variability in the NS1 proteins from H3N2 human seasonal viruses and the effect of the mutations on innate immune responses and virus pathogenesis. NS1 mutations D189N and V194I impaired the ability of the NS1 protein to inhibit general gene expression, and recombinant viruses harboring these mutations were attenuated in a mouse model of influenza infection. Interestingly, a virus encoding the H3N2 NS1-V194I protein demonstrated a temperature-sensitive phenotype, further attenuating the virus in vivo.
Long-term sexual health outcomes in men with classic bladder exstrophy

Objectives To identify the long-term sexual health outcomes and relationships in men born with classic bladder exstrophy (CBE). Materials and Methods A prospectively maintained institutional database comprising 1248 patients with exstrophy-epispadias was used. Men aged ≥18 years with CBE were included in the study. A 42-question survey was designed using a combination of demographic information and previously validated questionnaires. Results A total of 215 men met the inclusion criteria, of whom 113 (53%) completed the questionnaire. The mean age of the respondents was 32 years. Ninety-six (85%) of the respondents had been sexually active in their lifetime, and 66 of these (58%) were moderately to very satisfied with their sex life. The average Sexual Health Inventory for Men score was 19.8. All aspects of assessment using the Penile Perception Score questionnaire were on average between ‘very dissatisfied’ and ‘satisfied’. Thirty-two respondents (28%) had attempted to conceive with their partner. Twenty-three (20%) were successful in conceiving, while 31 (27%) reported a confirmed fertility problem. A total of 31 respondents (27%) reported undergoing a semen analysis or post-ejaculatory urine analysis. Of these, only four respondents reported azoospermia. Conclusion Patients with CBE have many of the same sexual and relationship successes and concerns as the general population. This is invaluable information to give to both the parents of boys with CBE, and to the boys themselves as they transition to adulthood.