cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dis3- and exosome subunit-responsive 3' mRNA instability elements.

Eukaryotic RNA turnover is regulated in part by the exosome, a nuclear and cytoplasmic complex of ribonucleases (RNases) and RNA-binding proteins. The major RNase of the complex is thought to be Dis3, a multi-functional 3’ to 5’ exoribonuclease and endoribonuclease. Although it is known that Dis3 and core exosome subunits are recruited to transcriptionally active genes and to messenger RNA (mRNA) substrates, this recruitment is thought to occur indirectly. We sought to discover cis-acting elements that recruit Dis3 or other exosome subunits. Using a bioinformatic tool called RNA SCOPE 2 to screen the 3’ untranslated regions of up-regulated transcripts from our published Dis3 depletion-derived transcriptomic data set, we identified several motifs as candidate instability elements. Secondary screening using a luciferase reporter system revealed that one cassette—harboring four elements—destabilized the reporter transcript. RNAi-based depletion of Dis3, Rrp6, Rrp4, Rrp40, or Rrp46 diminished the efficacy of cassette-mediated destabilization. Truncation analysis of the cassette showed that two exosome subunit-sensitive elements (ESSEs) destabilized the reporter. Point-directed mutagenesis of ESSE abrogated the destabilization effect. An examination of the transcriptomic data from exosome subunit depletion-based microarrays revealed that mRNAs with ESSEs are found in every up-regulated mRNA data set but are underrepresented or missing from the down-regulated data sets. Taken together, our findings imply a potentially novel mechanism of mRNA turnover that involves direct Dis3 and other exosome subunit recruitment to and/or regulation on mRNA substrates.
General formulation and analysis of hyperbolic heat conduction in composite media

Abstract Some recent experimental results show the existence of reflections of thermal waves at the interface of dissimilar materials in superfluid helium. In light of these results, a theoretical investigation of thermal waves in composite is provided to give a theoretical foundation to the observed phenomenon. A general one-dimensional temperature and heat flux formulation for hyperbolic heat conduction in a composite medium is presented. Also, the general solution, based on the flux formulation, is developed for the standard three orthogonal coordinate systems. Unlike classical parabolic heat conduction, heat conduction based on the modified Fourier's law produces non-separable field equations for both the temperature and flux and therefore standard analytical techniques cannot be applied in these situations. In order to alleviate this difficulty, a generalized finite integral transform technique is proposed in the flux domain and a general solution is developed for the standard three orthogonal coordinate systems. The general solution is applied to the case of a two-region slab with a pulsed volumetric source and insulated exterior surfaces which displays the unusual and controversial nature associated with heat conduction based on the modified Fourier's law in composite regions.
Severe Obesity and Comorbid Condition Impact on the Weight-Related Quality of Life of the Adolescent Patient

Objectives To assess links between comorbid health status, severe excess weight, and weight-related quality of life (WRQOL) in adolescents with severe obesity and undergoing weight-loss surgery (WLS) to inform clinical care. Study design Baseline (preoperative) data from Teen Longitudinal Assessment of Bariatric Surgery, a prospective multicenter observational study of 242 adolescents with severe obesity ( Median BMI = 50.5 kg/m 2 ; Mean age = 17.1; 75.6% female; 71.9% white) undergoing WLS, were used to examine the impact of demographics, body mass index (BMI), presence/absence of 16 comorbid conditions, and a cumulative comorbidity load (CLoad) index on WRQOL scores (Impact of Weight on Quality of Life-Kids). Results WRQOL was significantly lower than reference samples of healthy weight, overweight, and obese samples. Of 16 comorbid conditions, the most prevalent were dyslipidemia (74.4%), chronic pain (58.3%), and obstructive sleep apnea (56.6%). Male subjects had a greater CLoad ( P = .01) and BMI ( P = .01), yet less impairment in total WRQOL ( P Conclusions WRQOL impairment is substantial for adolescents with severe obesity undergoing WLS, with predictors varying by sex. These patient-data highlight targets for education, support, and adjunctive care referrals before WLS. Furthermore, they provide a comprehensive empirical base for understanding heterogeneity in adolescent WRQOL outcomes after WLS, as weight and comorbidity profiles change over time.
Equifinality in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy: Different Strokes for Different Folks

Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) is an interpersonal behavior therapy that relies on a therapist’s ability to contingently respond to in-session client behavior. Valued behavior change in clients results from the therapist shaping more effective client interpersonal behaviors by providing effective social reinforcement when these behaviors occur in or between sessions. One crucial discrimination for therapists to make is the distinction between the topography or physical form of their behavior versus how well or poorly it actually functions to shape client behavior. We notice that there are times when some therapists may focus too sharply on how similar their behavior is to that of a supervisor or prototypical therapist rather than focusing on how effectively their behavior functions as reinforcement. A review of some traditional psychotherapy adherence and competence literature suggests that therapists and supervisors may overly attend to the topography of behavior in assessing treatment fidelity. This paper will suggest strategies to minimize an over-reliance on topography, including shifting the focus from technique to principle.
Thirty Five Years of Computer Cartograms

The notion of a cartogram is reviewed. Then, based on a presentation from the 1960s, a direct and simple introduction is given to the design of a computer algorithm for the construction of contiguous value-by-area cartograms. As an example, a table of latitude/longitude to rectangular plane coordinates is included for a cartogram of the United States, along with Tissot's measures for this map projection. This is followed by a short review of the subsequent history of the subject and includes citation of algorithms proposed by others. In contrast to the usual geographic map, the most common use of cartograms is solely for the display and emphasis of a geographic distribution. A second use is in analysis, as a nomograph or problem-solving device similar in use to Mercator's projection, or in the transform-solve-invert paradigm. Recent innovations by computer scientists modify the objective and suggest variation similar to Airy's (1861) “balance of errors” idea for map projections.
Comparison of effects of tap water and slurry water on gypsum casts.

E xcept for restorations made directly, one or more prerequisite stone casts generally are required for diagnosis, treatment planning, and fabrication. Therefore, the cast is a direct link between the clinical phase of treatment by the dentist and the technical phase in the laboratory. It is axiomatic that the cast should accurately reproduce the desired oral structures for the treatment to be a success. However, cast accuracy often is compromised by the solvent action of water. A dimensional change can occur when the cast is rinsed or soaked in tap water prior to the addition of stone for the base, as in 2 stage cast pouring techniques. The cast surface must be wet before it is placed on a model trimmer to prevent the slurry being spattered from sticking to the cast and to facilitate trimming and cleaning. Casts also are wetted prior to mounting on an articulator and at the time they are duplicated. Gypsum casts are soluble in water,ly 2 and their dissolution is increased if a stream of water is directed against the cast, as when it is placed under a faucet. Any dimensional change caused by the solvent action of water should be avoided if the cast is to be acceptable. One method of reducing the likelihood of damage is to saturate the water with calcium sulfate before rinsing or soaking a cast .I, 3l 4 The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects
Diagnosis of mediastinal masses in pediatric patients using mediastinoscopy and the Chamberlain procedure.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Mediastinal masses commonly are referred to the pediatric surgeon and can be difficult diagnostic problems. Various techniques have been used to perform biopsy in the mediastinum, but there are few reports of mediastinoscopy or Chamberlain procedure in children in the literature. The authors reviwed their experience with these techniques in a pediatric oncology population. Methods: The medical records of all patients on the pediatric surgical service between 1987 and 1997, inclusive, who underwent mediastinoscopy or Chamberlain procedure were reviewed. Demographic data, diagnostic accuracy, complications, operating time, and blood loss were recorded. Results: Sixteen consecutive patients underwent 13 Chamberlain procedures and six mediastinoscopies over the above period. Diagnostic accuracy was found to be 95% overall (100% for Chamberlain procedure, 83% for mediastinoscopy). Five complications occurred in the Chamberlain group and none in the mediastinoscopy group. No complication required thoracotomy or sternotomy. Among patients whose sole reason for admission was diagnosis of a mediastinal mass, the mean hospital stay was 1.7 +- 0.8 days (n=7) for those who underwent Chamberlain procedure and 1.4±0.9 days (n=4) for those who underwent mediastinoscopy. One mediastinoscopy was performed as an ambulatory procedure. Conclusion: Mediastinoscopy and the Chamberlain procedure are effective and safe techniques for biopsy of mediastinal masses in this age group.
Gender Differences in Cognitive Function with Age: The Rancho Bernardo Study

BACKGROUND: Estrogen deficiency has been proposed as a cause of memory loss in postmenopausal women. If true, men should have less memory loss with age than women. The present study is designed to examine the postulated effect of estrogen on memory by studying the effect of gender on the age-related decline in cognitive function. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 800 women and 551 men aged 65 to 95 years, members of the community-based Rancho Bernardo Study (begun in 1972 and 1974) who completed the Beck Depression Inventory in 1984–1987 and 12 standardized tests of cognitive function in 1988–1991. All participants were white, middle to upper-middle class, relatively well educated, and ambulatory. At all visits, use of estrogen therapy was ascertained and validated. RESULTS: Test performance worsened with age in both sexes, with similar patterns in men compared with women who were current, past, or never users of estrogen. Betweengender comparisons of the slope for age on each cognitive function test after adjustment for education, depressed mood, and estrogen use (in women) indicated that men had a significantly steeper decrement with age than women on the Buschke total recall and long-term memory tests (P <.001), on the immediate and delayed recall tasks of the visual reproduction tests (P < .01 and .05, respectively), and on category fluency (P < .05). Similar results were obtained when gender comparisons included only women who had never used estrogen. CONCLUSION: These weak or absent gender differences in decline in cognitive function with age do not support the thesis that estrogen deficiency is associated with a decline in cognitive function in postmenopausal women. J Am Geriatr Soc 47:159–164, 1999.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in patients older than 50 years. A survey of primary care physicians' beliefs, practices, and knowledge.

To assess primary care physicians' attitudes, knowledge, and practices with respect to the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in older patients, a prospective survey of a representative cohort of primary care physicians was conducted in Dallas County, Texas, a large metropolitan area. Three hundred thirty primary care physicians participated in the survey. Questions were asked regarding physician demographics, practice characteristics, and knowledge and practices with respect to HIV and the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in patients older than 50 years. The responses of the following groups were compared: family practitioners vs internists, physicians younger than 40 years vs those aged 40 years and older, those who saw 5 or less vs more than 5 patients with HIV or AIDS per year, and those in private vs nonprivate practice. Most respondents (85.5%) reported having seen 10 or fewer patients with HIV or AIDS in the previous year. Most physicians (69.7%) reported that patients older than 50 years rarely or never asked questions concerning HIV or AIDS. Most physicians rarely or never discussed HIV or AIDS with patients older than 50 years (60.8%) and rarely or never discussed risk factor reduction (67.5%). Physicians were more likely to rarely or never ask patients older than 50 years compared with those younger than 30 years about HIV risk factors (40.0% vs 6.8%, P < .001). Physicians incorrectly rank ordered the most prevalent risk factors in patients older than 50 years. The correct order is (1) male-male sex, (2) intravenous drug use, (3) blood transfusion, and (4) heterosexual sex. Physicians aged 40 years and older were more likely to correctly identify the most prevalent risk factor (P = .03). Family practitioners were more likely to rarely or never ask older patients about risk factors for HIV (54.9% vs 28.9%, P = .007). Primary care physicians have inadequate knowledge concerning HIV and AIDS risk factors in older patients and insufficiently discuss HIV and AIDS with older patients. Physicians should counsel patients of all ages about HIV and AIDS.
Morphology, ontogeny, and heterochrony in lower and middle Cambrian Gogiids (Eocrinoidea, Echinodermata) from Guizhou Province, China

Gogiid eocrinoids from the Lower Cambrian (Balang Formation — Guizhoueocrinus) and basal Middle Cambrian (Kaili Formation — Sinoeocrinus, Globoeocrinus) in Guizhou Province, China are found in great numbers and are extremely well preserved as high fidelity molds in shale/mud sized siliciclastics. Because of their numbers, complete ontogenetic growth sequences have been observed. Significant differences in growth patterns (heterochrony) are present between Lower and Middle Cambrian genera: thecal plates tend to be paedomorphic in development, while the sutural pores developed between them are peramorphic in their development. Because of the large surface area of theca and brachioles relative to the size of the attachment area, considerable drag in ambient currents would necessitate a strong attachment medium. Anchoring by “biogluing”, possibly by collagen, directly to the substrate or to biodetritus is proposed as the method of attachment.
Model-Based Engineering for Certification of Complex Adaptive Network Systems

Certifying a network system S involves the assessment of how good $S$ meets its intended QoS objectives in a backdrop of uncontrolled external environment conditions incident on S. For complex network systems where a reasonably accurate and tractable computational model of S may not be known, hierarchical approaches based on "cyber-physical systems" (CPS) principles are attractive. Here, a piece-wise linearized simple model of S allows a controller to drive S with test inputs and evaluate the output behavior of S over a limited operating region. With model plug-in and controller algorithm switching, a management entity reasons about the behavior of S under different environment conditions and test inputs, to certify S with high confidence. The paper presents a case study of multi-source video congestion control over a bandwidth-limited network path to illustrate our CPS-based certification method.
Using Advanced Inspection Technologies to Support Investments in Maintenance and Repair of Transportation Infrastructure Facilities

We present a statistically rigorous and computationally efficient framework that can exploit the extensive capabilities of advanced inspection technologies to support investment decisions in maintenance and repair of transportation infrastructure facilities. The framework consists of two components: a state-estimation problem that involves processing arrays of condition data and using them to develop condition forecasts; and an optimization problem whose solution yields maintenance and repair policies. Through a computational study, we illustrate how the framework can be used to quantify the effect of uncertainties both in the deterioration process and in the data collection process on the optimal life-cycle costs of managing infrastructure facilities. We also show how the framework can be used to quantify the benefits associated with combining inspection technologies to monitor infrastructure facilities, and therefore can serve as a tool to develop deployment strategies for these technologies.
Whole-body distribution of plutonium in rats for different routes of exposure

AbstractPurpose: To compare data on the whole-body distribution of plutonium-239 (239Pu4+) in rats following a single administration by intravenous injection (IV), inhalation, and wound (intramuscular injection [IM]).Material and methods: For each route of administration there were eight experimental groups, determined by the time of sacrifice following 239Pu4+ administration. The groups consisted of three male and three female F344 rats. Rats were placed in metabolism cages where urine and feces were collected daily. At sacrifice, rats underwent necropsy with tissues collected for radioactivity measurement.Results: Skeleton had the largest fraction of 239Pu4+; for IV, 50% by 1 hour (h) post exposure, and for wound 40% by 6 days (d) post exposure; both routes followed the same retention pattern; however, for inhalation 0.4% of the activity was observed at the early time-points which slowly increased with time and by 28 d, 1% remained. Liver retained the second highest content. Following IV, 20% was observ...
A space–time-ensemble parallel nudged elastic band algorithm for molecular kinetics simulation

Abstract A scalable parallel algorithm has been designed to study long-time dynamics of many-atom systems based on the nudged elastic band method, which performs mutually constrained molecular dynamics simulations for a sequence of atomic configurations (or states) to obtain a minimum energy path between initial and final local minimum-energy states. A directionally heated nudged elastic band method is introduced to search for thermally activated events without the knowledge of final states, which is then applied to an ensemble of bands in a path ensemble method for long-time simulation in the framework of the transition state theory. The resulting molecular kinetics (MK) simulation method is parallelized with a space–time-ensemble parallel nudged elastic band (STEP-NEB) algorithm, which employs spatial decomposition within each state, while temporal parallelism across the states within each band and band-ensemble parallelism are implemented using a hierarchy of communicator constructs in the Message Passing Interface library. The STEP-NEB algorithm exhibits good scalability with respect to spatial, temporal and ensemble decompositions on massively parallel computers. The MK simulation method is used to study low strain-rate deformation of amorphous silica.
Using asymmetric cores to reduce power consumption for interactive devices with bi-stable displays

Low power "helper" cores have been increasingly included on application processors to accomplish low intensity tasks such as music playing and motion sensing with minimum energy consumption. Recently, Guimbretiere et al. [1] demonstrated that such helper cores can also be used to execute simple user interface tasks. We revisit this approach by implementing a similar system on an off-the-shelf application processor (TI OMAP4). Our study shows that in the case of high event rate interactions (pen inking and virtual keyboard), significant battery life gains (×1.7 and ×2.3 respectively) can be achieved with the helper core executing the interface. Having the helper core only dis-patch input events incurs a 18% penalty relative to the maximum savings rate, but allows for simplified deployment since it merely requires a change in toolkit infrastructure.
Attention prediction on social media brand pages

In this paper, we deal with the problem of predicting how much attention a newly submitted post would receive from fellow community members of closed communities in social networking sites. Though the concept of attention is subjective, the number of comments received by a post serves as a very good indicator of the same. Unlike previous work which primarily made use of either content features or the network features (friendship links on the network), we exploit both the content features and community level features (for instance, what time of the day is the community more active) for tackling this problem. Further, we focus on dedicated pages of corporate brands on social media websites and accordingly extract important features from the content and community activity of such brand pages. The attention prediction task finds direct application in the listening, monitoring and engaging activities of the businesses that have such brand-pages. In this paper, we formulate the problem of attention prediction on social media brand pages.We further propose Attention Prediction (AP) framework which integrates the various features that influence the attention received by a post using classification and regression based approaches. Experimental results on real world data extracted from some highly active brand pages on Facebook demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed framework.
Cognitive style, locus of control, and school achievement in learning disabled females

Compared interrelationships of cognitive style, locus of control, achievement, and perceptual measures with intelligence in learning disable females (N = 47). Cognitive style affected certain Ss albeit only in minor ways when the effects of intelligence were partially out. Locus of control had substantial overlap with intelligence, but not with achievement. Principal component analysis and analysis of covariance on performance levels suggests that cognitive and locus of control do not make an appreciable addition to the prediction by IQ scores alone of achievement in second-and third-grade learning disabled females.
Prototype NGH Subsynchronous Resonance Damping Scheme Part II - Switching and Short Circuit Tests

This paper reports on the switching and sort-circuit field tests which have been performed on a 500-kV prototype subsynchronous resonance (SSR) damping scheme. This SSR damping scheme was developed by SCE, EPRI, and seven other southwest utilities in response to solving a subsynchronous resonance problem, or the Mohave Generating Station and others in the southwest. The details of this damping scheme are covered in Part I of this paper. The basic scheme consists of a low-ohmic resistor in parallel with the series capacitor element. The resistor is switched by thyristor switches controlled by the control system. The device is designated as the NGH scheme after its inventor, N. G. Hingorani of EPRI. The NGH scheme was installed on one segment of a 500-kV series capacitor for tests and field evaluation purposes. The capacitor bank is rated 282, 500 kvar, 3-phase, and 36.7 ohms/phase, 1600 amperes, 58.7 kV per phase. Each phase consists of four segments, one of which is permanently bypassed to prevent any hazardous subsynchronous resonance torques on the two 790-MW units at Mohave Generating Station. Each capacitor segment is rated 9.18 ohms. The NGH scheme is installed across the series capacitor segment No. 4 and forms a parallel circuit to the existing series capacitor protection.
NUCLEAR FUSION IN THE YEAST SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE

Karyogamy, or nuclear fusion, is the process during mating by which two haploid yeast nuclei fuse to produce a single diploid nucleus. Karyogamy occurs in two major steps: microtubule-dependent nuclear congression followed by fusion of the nuclear envelope membranes. Many of the proteins required for karyogamy have been discovered to act in related processes during mitotic growth. Accordingly, yeast karyogamy has become an important model system to investigate critical functions of the cytoplasmic microtubules and the microtubule organizing center, the nuclear envelope, and the endoplasmic reticulum.
RAPID METHOD OF CHEESE PROCESSING FOR MICROFLORA AND MICROSTRUCTURAL STUDIES BY ELECTRON MICROSCOPY 1

Previous methods for cheese sample processing for electron microscopy involves several days. Our objective was to identify a suitable yet rapid method. The rapid method involved an initial fixation of cheese in a solution of 2% glutaraldehyde and 1% OsO4 in 0.05M cacodylate buffer for 10 min. This was followed by a second fixation in 2 % glutaraldehyde and 2 % OsO4 in 0.05M buffer for an additional 20 min. Sample fixation by the rapid method was attained in a total of 30 min compared to 17 h in the control, i.e., the previous method, which required 15 h (overnight) fixation in 1% glutaraldehyde and 2 h fixation in 1 % OsO4. After fixation, en block staining with aqueous uranyl acetate was conducted for 30 min. This was followed by ethanol dehydration and infiltration in resin. Additionally, the rapid method was conducted with LR White resin compared to Spurr's epoxy resin in the control. The culture bacteria, protein matrix and dispersed fat globules were clearly visible and were unaltered by the rapid method.
Efficient Keyword-Based Search for Top-K Cells in Text Cube

Previous studies on supporting free-form keyword queries over RDBMSs provide users with linked structures (e.g., a set of joined tuples) that are relevant to a given keyword query. Most of them focus on ranking individual tuples from one table or joins of multiple tables containing a set of keywords. In this paper, we study the problem of keyword search in a data cube with text-rich dimension(s) (so-called text cube). The text cube is built on a multidimensional text database, where each row is associated with some text data (a document) and other structural dimensions (attributes). A cell in the text cube aggregates a set of documents with matching attribute values in a subset of dimensions. We define a keyword-based query language and an IR-style relevance model for scoring/ranking cells in the text cube. Given a keyword query, our goal is to find the top-k most relevant cells. We propose four approaches: inverted-index one-scan, document sorted-scan, bottom-up dynamic programming, and search-space ordering. The search-space ordering algorithm explores only a small portion of the text cube for finding the top-k answers, and enables early termination. Extensive experimental studies are conducted to verify the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed approaches.
Nephrotoxic effects of water-soluble B-vitamin therapy in diabetic nephropathy?—How true can this be?

We read with amazement and astonishment, the recent report by House et al .1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) suggesting that water-soluble B-vitamin supplementation with folic acid (2.5 mg/day), vitamin B(6) (25 mg/day) and vitamin B(12) (1 mg/day), versus matching placebo, accelerated diabetic nephropathy. Interestingly, it took the authors, recruiting from five different medical centers, as many as 6 long years to recruit only 238 participants, raising concerns about consistency of follow-up of the various participants scattered out among the five recruiting centers. Second, it is unclear whether a particular center contributed a preponderance of the participants thereby raising concerns about a single-center effect.2 Such details are now preferred to be available in reports of parallel-group randomized …
Compliance control and unstructured modeling of cooperating robots

The control strategy of two cooperating robots is described. A two-fingered hand is an example of such a system. A control architecture is proposed that guarantees: (1) each robot end-point follows its position input command vector 'closely' when the robots are not in contact with each other, and (2) when the two robots come in contact with each other, one robot controls the position of the contact point, while the other controls the contact force. The controller does not need any hardware or software switch for the transition between unconstrained and constrained maneuvering of each robot. >
Subcellular Localization of a Small Sporulation Protein in Bacillus subtilis

SpoVM is an unusually small (26-residue-long) protein that is produced in the mother cell chamber of the sporangium during the process of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis. We investigated the subcellular localization of SpoVM, which is believed to be an amphipathic alpha-helix, by using a fusion of the sporulation protein to the green fluorescence protein (GFP). We found that SpoVM-GFP is recruited to the polar septum shortly after the sporangium undergoes asymmetric division and that the fusion protein localizes to the mother cell membrane that surrounds the forespore during the subsequent process of engulfment. We identified a patch of three residues near the N terminus of the proposed alpha-helix that is needed both for proper subcellular localization and for SpoVM function. We also identified a patch of residues on the opposite face of the helix and residues near both ends of the protein that are needed for SpoVM function but not for subcellular localization. Subcellular localization of SpoVM-GFP was found to require an unknown gene(s) under the control of the mother cell transcription factor sigmaE. We propose that the N-terminal patch binds to an unknown anchoring protein that is produced under the control of sigmaE and that other residues important in SpoVM function to recruit an unknown sporulation protein(s) to the mother cell membrane that surrounds the forespore. Our results provide evidence that SpoVM function depends on proper subcellular localization.
Individual Adjustment, Parental Functioning, and Perceived Social Support in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Mothers and Fathers of Children With Spina Bifida

Objective To compare Hispanic and non-Hispanic White mothers and fathers of children with spina bifida on measures of individual adjustment, parental functioning, and perceived social support. Method Mothers (29 Hispanic, 79 non-Hispanic white) and fathers (26 Hispanic, 68 non-Hispanic white) completed questionnaires regarding psychological distress, parental functioning, and perceived social support. Results Mothers and fathers reported similar individual adjustment across groups. Hispanic mothers reported lower levels of parenting satisfaction, competence as a parent, and social support, as well as higher perceptions of child vulnerability. Hispanic fathers reported lower levels of parenting satisfaction and higher perceptions of child vulnerability. Effect sizes were reduced when socioeconomic status was included as a covariate. Conclusions Hispanic parents, particularly mothers, are at risk for lower feelings of satisfaction and competence as parents. More research is needed to understand cultural factors related to these differences.
Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA in the Neurons of the Tuberoinfundibular Region and Zona Incerta Examined after Gonadal Steroid Hormone Treatment

The dopamine-producing neurons of the tuberoinfundibular region are known targets of estrogen and progesterone, and are of considerable neuroendocrine importance. To determine the anatomical distribution, and number of cells that contain tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) mRNA in the tuberoinfundibular region and other regions of the brain we carried out in situ hybridization on sections prepared from ovariectomized female rats given either oil vehicle, or estrogen, or estrogen plus progesterone. The intensity of label per cell was assessed to compare the relative amount of mRNA found per cell among TH-mRNA containing cells. [3H]cRNA probes to the rat TH sequence were used. Autoradiograms demonstrated the presence of TH-mRNA in the cytoplasm of cells in the arcuate and periventricular nuclei, zona incerta, substantia nigra, and the adrenal medulla. The number and anatomical distribution of cells that contained TH-mRNA was identical to the number and distribution of cells previously demonstrated by others to contain TH immunoreactivity. In the arcuate and periventricular nuclei, compared to treatment with estrogen alone, estrogen plus progesterone did lead to a statistically significant decrease in the number of TH mRNA-containing cells we could detect. No alteration in the mean number of grains per cell, among cells detected as containing TH-mRNA was found in any group. In contrast, these same hormone treatments had no effect on the number TH-mRNa producing cells we could detect in the zona incerta. Most of the cells in the zona incerta are found within the same tissue sections as arcuate/periventricular cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Distributed logging for transaction processing

Increased interest in using workstations and small processors for distributed transaction processing raises the question of how to implement the logs needed for transaction recovery. Although logs can be implemented with data written to duplexed disks on each processing node, this paper argues there are advantages if log data is written to multiple log server nodes. A simple analysis of expected logging loads leads to the conclusion that a high performance, microprocessor based processing node can support a log server if it uses efficient communication protocols and low latency, non volatile storage to buffer log data. The buffer is needed to reduce the processing time per log record and to increase throughput to the logging disk. An interface to the log servers using simple, robust, and efficient protocols is presented. Also described are the disk data structures that the log servers use. This paper concludes with a brief discussion of remaining design issues, the status of a prototype implementation, and plans for its completion.
Matrix metalloproteinase 9–mediated intracerebral hemorrhage induced by cerebral amyloid angiopathy

Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), the deposition of amyloid-β in cerebrovascular walls, is the most common cause of lobar hemorrhagic stroke. Previous studies show that cerebrovascular amyloid-β induces expression and activation of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in cerebral vessels of amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice. Here, we extended these findings and evaluated MMP-9 expression in postmortem brain tissues of human CAA cases. MMP-9 colocalized with CAA, correlated with the severity of the vascular pathology, and was detected in proximity to microbleeds. We characterized a novel assay using longitudinal multiphoton microscopy and a novel tracer to visualize and quantify the magnitude and kinetics of hemorrhages in three dimensions in living mouse brains. We demonstrated that topical application of recombinant MMP-9 resulted in a time- and dose-dependent cerebral hemorrhage. Amyloid precursor protein mice with significant CAA developed more extensive hemorrhages which also appeared sooner after exposure to MMP-9. Our data suggest an important role for MMP-9 in development of hemorrhages in the setting of CAA. Inhibition of MMP-9 may present a preventive strategy for CAA-associated hemorrhage.
A sensitive and reproducible assay for the quantitation of erythrophagocytosis and its correlation with reduction in tritiated thymidine uptake in a tumor target cell system modified by immunoenhancing or immunosuppressive agents.

A new and sensitive assay procedure for studying erythro-phagocytosis is described. The assay technique permits quantitation of the in vivo and in vitro effects of chemicals, hormones, and cell, or Gobrial products, on the level of phagocytic activation of glass-adherent cells. The effect of intraperitoneal injection of BCG, Zymosan, Vitamin A, B. pertussis cortisone, estrone, and thioglycollate on phagocytic activation of peritoneal exudate cells harvested from two days up to 28 days following drug injection was examined by this assay. Erythrophagocytosis was compared to the effect of “activated” spleen cells on tritiated thymidine uptake of a tumor target cell suspension.
Doing Well by Doing Better: Entrepreneurs and Sustainability

We examine how entrepreneurial ventures can employ sustainability to do well (create a competitive advantage) by doing better (creating more social good than is created by Corporate Social Responsibility). We compare and constrast CSR and sustainability and examine factors influencing the competitive strategies of large, established firms versus entrepreneurial firms. We conclude that established firms are likely to focus on CSR while entrepreneurial ventures are more likely to pursue sustainability as a strategy for creating private and social value and durable competitive advantage. Established firms will do well by doing good, while entrepreneurial ventures will do well by doing better.
Force and contractile characteristics after stretch overload in quail anterior latissimus dorsi muscle

Stretch overload has been shown to increase muscle mass by increasing fiber size and fiber number in the anterior latissimus dorsi (ALD) of adult Japanese quail. However, the functional significance of these changes is not known. The purpose of this study was to determine if stretch-induced hypertrophy alters function of the ALD. A tube weight corresponding to 12% of the bird's body mass was added to one wing of 12 Japanese quail for 30 days. This increased muscle mass corrected for the increase in non-muscle tissue by 121 +/- 3%. In vitro contractile measures were made at 25 degrees C by direct stimulation of the ALD. Fiber hypertrophy accounted for only 60% of the 95% increase in maximal force in stretched muscles. Specific tension was similar in control (11.1 +/- 0.2 mN/mm2) and experimental muscles (9.2 +/- 0.3 mN/mm2). Stretch-enlarged muscles had significantly greater twitch half-relaxation time (161.9 +/- 7.4 vs. 187.7 +/- 9.7 ms) relative to control muscles. The maximal velocity of loaded shortening decreased from 2.6 +/- 0.4 muscle lengths/s in control muscles to 1.1 +/- 0.1 muscle lengths/s in stretched muscles. The maximal velocity of unloaded shortening decreased from 4.2 +/- 0.6 to 2.6 muscle lengths/s in stretched muscles. These data indicate that 1) twitch duration and shortening velocity are slowed in stretch hypertrophied muscle and 2) new fibers contribute to force production after 30 days of stretch overload.
A Novel In Vivo Protocol for Molecular Study of Radiation-Induced Fibrosis in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

Objectives:Radiation-induced fibrosis is a common complication for patients following head and neck cancer treatment. This study presents a novel minimally invasive protocol for molecular study of fibrosis in the stromal tissues.Methods:Subjects with radiation-induced fibrosis in the head and neck who were at least 6 months post treatment received submental core needle biopsies, followed by molecular processing and quantification of gene expression for 14 select pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic genes. Control biopsies from the upper arm were obtained from the same subjects. Patients were followed up at 1 and 2 weeks to monitor for safety and adverse outcomes.Results:Six subjects were enrolled and completed the study. No subjects experienced adverse outcomes or complication. An 18 gauge core biopsy needle with a 10 mm notch inserted for up to 60 seconds was needed. Subcutaneous tissue yielded 3 ng of RNA, amplified to 6 µg of cDNA, allowing for adequately sensitive quantitative polymerase chain reaction (...
The Seasonal and Nocturnal Attraction of Proarna and Pacarina Cicadas to Lights in the Caribbean Floodplain of Costa Rica and in French Guiana (Hemiptera: Cicadidae)

Abstract Adults of two species of cicadas, Proarna sallei Stal, 1864 and Pacarina championi (Distant, 1881) (Hemiptera: Cicadidae), were observed and counted at a cluster of three electric lights on the wall of a cacao storage building at La Lola. La Lola is an experimental cocoa farm, near Matina, Costa Rica, Central America. Observations were taken intermittently from 1980 to 1986. All individuals at the lights for both species were females. Of the total 19 individuals of Pa. championi counted, 94.7% occurred during the wetter periods. Eighty-eight percent of the 25 Pr. sallei individuals occurred during the wetter periods. Although not as biased as the Costa Rican site, females made up 70% of the total 530 specimens of Pr. insignis Distant, 1881 collected at various types of light traps in the Department of French Guiana, South America. Similar female bias is also reported for Pr. grisea (Fabricius, 1775) and Pr. guttulosa (Walker, 1858) also collected in South America. Previous studies show the sex ra...
A Fall in the Workplace Leads to a Diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease:

A 62 year old male worker sustained a head contusion from a fall in the workplace. When assessing the mechanism of the fall, it was noted that the worker stated that his feet became "stuck" and would not move. He also stated that he could not move fast enough to break his fall. Upon physical examination, a resting tremor was noted as well as upper and lower body rigidity, and a festinating gait. The worker was evaluated by a neurologist and diagnosed with early Parkinson's disease.
Serologic differences among strains of the Coxsackie group of viruses.

SummaryAmong 13 virus strains which have been isolated from fecal specimens of patients with a tentative diagnosis of poliomyelitis, and which induce muscle injury in suckling mice, 3 serologic types have been encountered.
IL NATUTALE E L'UMANO. LA POESIA DI GIAMPIERO NERI:

Da Teatro naturale a Armi e mestieri, la poesia di Neri e caratterizzata da una preponderanza di contenuti che premono su una scrittura volta all'essenziale, in cui il discorso poetico e connotato da un tono rarefatto e sapienziale. La struttura del verso e finalizzata a chiarire il piu possibile l'impianto tematico del testo, mentre la sintassi si fa piu funzionale alla comunicazione che alla ricerca formale, evidente, peraltro, proprio in questo inflessibile processo di sottrazione. In apparenza rarefatta ed esteticamente gradevole, si tratta in realta di una poesia che compie una funzione di avvertimento nei confronti della presenza aggressiva del male. I temi dominanti della poesia neriana ruotano intorno a un universo filosofico i cui protagonisti (uomini, animali e piante) agiscono secondo uno schema dettato nel contempo dall'aggressivita e dalla necessita del mimetismo. Con minimi accenni, Neri evoca situazioni in cui la violenza e il confitto sono costanti. Questa visione del mondo si manifesta at...
The pacification of Ronald Reagan

The administration started out tough but softened as reality intervened. The world and the Soviet Union had begun changing long before 1980.
Slice-by-Slice Pressure-Volume Loop Analysis Demonstrates Native Differences in Regional Cardiac Contractility and Response to Inotropic Agents

Background Regional changes in diastolic and systolic properties after myocardial infarction contribute to adverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling. Regional function is currently assessed using load-dependent measures such as slice ejection fraction (sEF), wall motion abnormalities, or strain imaging. However, load-independent measures of cardiac function may be useful in the study of the infarction-induced remodeling. Methods In this study, we used a recently validated 2-dimensional (2D) real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique to evaluate regional variations in load-independent slice-by-slice measures of systolic and diastolic function and compared the values to a load-dependent measure in 11 sheep at rest and during inotropic agent infusion. Results Slice-derived ejection fraction (sEF) was greater in the apex relative to the midventricular and basal regions, and inotropic infusion increased sEF in the base more than in the apex and midventricle. Slice-derived ESPVR (sESPVR) in the apex was significantly lower than in the midventricle and the base, and inotropic infusion increased sESPVR in the apical slices more than in the midventricle. Similarly, slice-derived volume-axis intercept V 0 (sV 0 ) was higher in the base relative to the midventricle and apex. sEDPVR did not demonstrate significant regional variations, but inotropic infusion resulted in a small increase in the apex. Conclusions In conclusion, acquisition of slice-derived load-independent measures demonstrated variations that contradict those observed with load-dependent sEF. The approach may provide advanced slice-based measures of function during the LV remodeling process and aid in the development of therapies.
Theory Study about Inhibition of Flavonoids in Lotus Leaf

With Density Functional Theory(DFT) B3LYP method,at 3-21G and 6-311G level,the molecular structure and electronic structure of the flavonoids in lotus leaf were studied and active sites with the Fukui index were analyzed.The general results showed that Quercetin 3-OD-xylopyranosyl(1→2)-β-D-pyran-galactosidase,isorhamnetin,quercetin-3-propyl astragalin,Kaempferol and isorhamnetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside had geater adsorption capacity with metal.Fukui index analysis showed that the molecular nucleophilic attack and electrophilic attack point were main on the carbonyl oxygen atom and the independent hydroxyl oxygen atom which connected with the benzene ring.
Statistical Assessment of Neighborhood Socioeconomic Deprivation Environment in Spatial Epidemiologic Studies

Neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation has been associated with health behaviors and outcomes. However, neighborhood socioeconomic status has been measured inconsistently across studies. It remains unclear whether appropriate socioeconomic indicators vary over geographic areas and geographic levels. The aim of this study is to compare the composite socioeconomic index to six socioeconomic indicators reflecting different aspects of socioeconomic environment by both geographic areas and levels. Using 2000 U.S. Census data, we performed a multivariate common factor analysis to identify significant socioeconomic resources and constructed 12 composite indexes at the county, the census tract, and the block group levels across the nation and for three states, respectively. We assessed the agreement between composite indexes and single socioeconomic variables. The component of the composite index varied across geographic areas. At a specific geographic region, the component of the composite index was similar at the levels of census tracts and block groups but different from that at the county level. The percentage of population below federal poverty line was a significant contributor to the composite index, regardless of geographic areas and levels. Compared with non-component socioeconomic indicators, component variables were more agreeable to the composite index. Based on these findings, we conclude that a composite index is better as a measure of neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation than a single indicator, and it should be constructed on an area- and unit-specific basis to accurately identify and quantify small-area socioeconomic inequalities over a specific study region.