cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Premigration Harm and Depression: Findings from the New Immigrant Survey, 2003

Studies examining refugees from conflict areas have found that persecution in the place of origin is a risk factor for depression. No studies have looked at this association between mental health and the experience of premigration harm due to race, gender or religion in the general population of United States immigrants. The New Immigrant Survey baseline questionnaire was administered to a random sample of adults receiving legal permanent residency in the U.S. in 2003 (n = 8,573), including refugees, asylees and other immigrants. In multivariate analysis controlling for visa type, premigration harm was a predictor of general depression of borderline statistical significance [odds ratio (OR), 1.33; 95 % CI 0.98-1.80, p = 0.068] and a significant predictor of major depression with dysphoria (OR, 2.24; 95 % CI 1.48-3.38, p = 0.0001). These findings suggest that premigration harm is a risk factor for depression in the general immigrant population and not just among refugees.
Four Histidines Account for the Inhibitory Effect of Protons on the Cardiac Na+-Ca2+ Exchanger

Myocardial ischemia and associated cardiogenic shock are leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developed countries. The detrimental effects of ischemia are in large part due to the accompanying cellular acidosis, which markedly diminishes cardiac performance. At the myocyte level, an increase in H+ causes aberrations in intracellular calcium (Ca2+) handling, thereby affecting contractility. Among the proteins regulated by cytoplasmic H+ is the cardiac Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX). NCX is a plasma membrane transporter which maintains cellular Ca2+ balance by regulating its extrusion on a beat to beat basis. Inhibition of NCX by cytoplasmic H+ could lead to contractile dysfunction. Remarkably there is little information about the modulatory mechanisms of H+ on NCX activity. To test the hypothesis that NCX histidines are fundamental to proton inhibition of NCX activity we combined mutagenesis and electrophysiology. Our data reveal that among the 18 histidines found in NCX, four play an important role in its regulation by protons. Replacement of these residues with alanine abolished proton inhibition of NCX. Moreover we extended these findings by demonstrating that the two Ca2+ binding domains (CBD1, CBD2) play little role in pH sensitivity: NCX mutants incapable of binding Ca2+ were still sensitive to pH. These findings suggest that NCX possesses a true, structurally distinct pH sensor which does not involve the Ca2+ binding sites.
SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF PULMONARY TUBERCULOSIS: GUEST EDITORIAL

REPORT to the Council on Drugs of the American Medical Association summarizing recent developments in the treatment of tuberculosis, as revealed at the 16th Conference on Chemotherapy of Tuberculosis, appears elsewhere in this issue ofThe Journal(see page 921). This conference was sponsored by the Veterans Administration and the armed forces and for the last several years has had active support from the National Tuberculosis Association through its medical arm, the American Trudeau Society. Originally initiated in 1946 by the VA, Army, and Navy as a Streptomycin Conference, this cooperative study has now expanded to include both surgical and medical aspects of the disease. The importance of this meeting can hardly be overestimated. In St. Louis last February, more than 420 physicians gathered for three and a half days to participate in and listen to 65 formal papers, informal discussions, and 5 committee reports concerning past accomplishments and future
Oral Pharmacotherapy to Manage Erectile Dysfunction in Spinal Cord-Injured Men

Background: Until recently, approved available treatments for neurogenic sexual disorders related to spinal cord injury (SCI) included intracavernosal injection or intraurethral delivery of vasoactive agents such as PGE1, alprostadil, vacuum constriction devices, and surgical implantation of penile prosthetic devices. Improved understanding of penile physiology led to the development of sildenafil as the first oral pharmacotherapeutic agent available to successfully treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with SCI. Materials and Method: We reviewed the current English literature related to oral pharmacotherapy to treat ED in men with SCI including emerging oral agents that have yet to be tested in the SCI population. Results: Sildenafil is the most extensively studied oral agent to treat ED in spinal cord-injured patients. The results are invariably favorable, and the drug is safe in men with SCI T5 and above. Emerging agents, including sublingual apomorphine and vardenafil, have yet to be adequately studi...
Inappropriate fosphenytoin use in the ED

The objective of the study was to evaluate how often intravenous (IV) fosphenytoin is used when oral phenytoin loading is possible. The methods included a retrospective chart review of all patients receiving IV fosphenytoin in the emergency department. We prospectively derived criteria that identify patients with seizures who could receive oral phosphenytoin loading (awake on arrival, alert, no emesis, and lack of endotracheal intubation, repeated seizures, or status epilepticus after arrival). The setting of the study was at an urban, university hospital emergency department with an annual census of 55,000 patients. The outcomes included the number of patients receiving IV fosphenytoin who could have received oral phenytoin loading. From February 1997 to June 1999, 55 patients received IV fosphenytoin. Thirty of these patients (55%, 95% confidence interval 41%-68%) were felt to have received fosphenytoin appropriately. The remaining 25 (45%, 95% confidence interval 32%-59%) patients could have been loaded orally with phenytoin. In a single institution, fosphenytoin administration is inappropriate almost half the time. Oral phenytoin loading is less expensive and safe.
Analytical gradient for geometry optimizations of (H2O)n- clusters as described by the PM1 polarizable model

Abstract Expressions for the analytical gradients of the PM1 polarization model for describing the interaction of excess electrons with water clusters are reported. For the ( H 2 O ) 45 - cluster, evaluation of the gradient by use of the analytical expressions lead to a factor of five speedup over numerical evaluation of the gradient.
Noninvasive Prediction of Pulmonary Artery Pressure in Patients with Isolated Ventricular Septal Defect

Management of patients with isolated ventricular septal defect (VSD) requires information regarding pulmonary artery pressure (PAP). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the individual predictive value of noninvasive methods for assessment of PAP and to determine if any combination of techniques significantly improved their predictive power. We reviewed the clinical history, electrocardiogram, and echocardiogram of 31 patients (age 1.9 ± 1.73 years) who underwent catheterization for isolated VSD. Noninvasive data were compared for patients with mean PAP <20 mmHg (group 1) and those with mean PAP ≥20 (group 2) at catheterization. Fourteen (45%) patients were in group 1 and 17 (55%) in group 2. Doppler estimation of VSD gradient, right ventricular hypertrophy by echocardiogram, interventricular septal orientation, and VSD size had predictive value for elevated mean PAP (p < 0.01). All patients (n= 6) with normal findings in all four variables had normal PAP. All patients (n= 12) with at least three of four abnormal findings had elevated PAP. Six patients in group 1 had at least one variable that incorrectly predicted high PAP, whereas 3 patients with normal findings on three of the four variables nevertheless had elevated PAP. No single noninvasive variable accurately predicted PAP in all cases. However, normal findings for all four significant variables did predict normal PAP and suggest that cardiac catheterization is unnecessary in that setting. However, any other combination of normal and abnormal findings for the four significant variables did not reliably predict PAP and such patients may require catheterization to directly measure PAP.
A Study of Subseasonal Predictability

Abstract The predictability of weekly averaged circulation anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere, and diabatic heating anomalies in the Tropics, is investigated in a linear inverse model (LIM) derived from their observed simultaneous and time-lag correlation statistics. In both winter and summer, the model's forecast skill at week 2 (days 8–14) and week 3 (days 15–21) is comparable to that of a comprehensive global medium-range forecast (MRF) model developed at the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Its skill at week 3 is actually higher on average, partly due to its better ability to forecast tropical heating variations and their influence on the extratropical circulation. The geographical and temporal variations of forecast skill are also similar in the two models. This makes the much simpler LIM an attractive tool for assessing and diagnosing atmospheric predictability at these forecast ranges. The LIM assumes that the dynamics of weekly averages are linear, asymptotically stable, and...
Perceptual training for visual search

People are better at visual search than the best fully automated methods. Despite this, visual search remains a difficult perceptual task. The goal of this investigation was to experimentally test the ways in which visual search performance could be improved through two categories of training interventions: perceptual training and conceptual training. To determine the effects of each training on a later performance task, the two types of trainings were manipulated using a between-subjects design (conceptual vs. perceptual × training present vs. training absent). Perceptual training led to speed and accuracy improvements in visual search. Issues with the design and administration of the conceptual training limited conclusions on its effectiveness but provided useful lessons for conceptual training design. The results suggest that when the visual search task involves detecting heterogeneous or otherwise unpredictable stimuli, perceptual training can improve visual search performance. Similarly, careful cons...
Opportunities for U.S. Industry in the ITER project

The author discusses the role of industry in the ITER project. In particular, emphasis is placed on preparing US industry to play a role in this program, and to prepare it to bid on construction contracts for either ITER systems, or parts of other development efforts which result from the engineering design study phase of the ITER project which is just about to commence. Fusion is on the verge of moving from the research lab into the commercial sector, and US business has to be brought into the project now in order to be prepared to bid on eventual construction projects. The objective is to involve industry in the design of the ITER reactor. The opportunity for industry to participate in identifying the requirements of the site for the ITER facility exists. In the area of technology development, industry must have a leading role in the design, construction, and testing of hardware prototypes. The objective is to prepare US industry to bid successfully on the construction of ITER or any other large fusion facilities to be built anywhere in the world.
Turning Dynamics: Part 2 — Stability at High Speed

A comprehensive 3D lathe cutting model is validated by comparing numerical simulations to the experimental data obtained in Part 1 using instantaneous frequency. Comparison of chatter-free cutting demonstrates that the model effectively captures the work-piece natural frequency, tool natural frequency, a nonlinear mode, and the spindle speed, which are main components of the underlying dynamics observed experimentally. The model accurately simulates chatter vibrations characterized as increased vibration amplitude and the appearance of coupled tool – work-piece vibrations at a chatter frequency. The stability diagram constructed by running the model at various spindle speeds and depth-of-cuts demonstrates a general increase in the chatter-free critical depth-of-cut as the spindle speed increased. This chatter-free limit begins to exponentially level out as the spindle speed exceeds 1500RPM. At high spindle speeds the work-piece motions dominate the cutting dynamics, resulting in cases of excessive work-piece vibration amplitude and highly nonlinear frequencies which affect the efficiency of the process. The excessive work-piece amplitude cases create a second stability limit to be considered as a result of imbalance and configuration of the work-piece. Thus, work-piece dynamics should not be neglected in mathematical and experimental analyses for the design of machine tools and robust cutting control law.© 2012 ASME
O2-S2.03 Feasibility of giving HSV serological test results by mail and phone

Background Accurate serological tests for the herpes simplex virus have been commercially available since 1999. Despite this availability, they are offered infrequently. Concerns about the resources required for testing including time spent on counselling and follow-up are among the barriers to testing. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of using letters and phone calls to give HSV-1 and HSV-2 serological test results and to document the resources used to deliver results and respond to subjects9 concerns. Methods Subjects were recruited from an urban STD clinic and tested for HSV-1 and HSV-2 as part of a multi-site study of HSV serological test performance (N=612). Subjects were offered the option of having an investigator mail or call with test results. Result letters included a one page hand-out on HSV-1 and HSV-2 and the phone number of an investigator who could address concerns. Number of phone calls received, time spent on the phone, level of subject distress, and request for referrals were documented. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all variables and data was examined for bivariate relationships using SPSS. Results Sixty-seven per cent of the subjects requested that their results be mailed (n=410) and 33% requested that their results be given by phone (n=202). Approximately 6% of the subjects who received letters called for additional information. Seventy-one per cent of the calls took less than 5 min and only 2% required more than 10 min. A total of approximately 6.4 h were spent on the phone to give results and respond to questions. Conclusions Delivery of HSV serological test results by phone or mail is feasible and requires minimum time on the part of providers.
Comparing two models that reduce the number of nephrology fellowship positions in the United States.

There has been a steady decline in the number of applications to nephrology training programs. One solution is to decrease the number of available fellowship positions. Proponents believe that training programs have grown too big but the method for reduction has not been established. This investigation analyzes two models that decrease the number of available training positions and compares them head-to-head to identify the least burdensome method by which this reduction should occur. In the survival of the fittest model (SotFM) fellowship positions are eliminated if they were unfilled in the National Residency Match Program’s (NRMP) 2013 Specialty Match. In the equal proportions model (EPM) a formula is used to calculate a priority score using ESRD prevalence data from the 2013 USRDS Report and the geometric mean between a given jurisdiction’s current apportionment (n) and its next position (n + 1). The least burdensome model is that which results in the (1) least number of jurisdictions losing fellow positions and (2) lowest percent reduction for any single jurisdiction. There were 416 nephrology positions offered and 47 unfilled in 2013. In the SotFM, 23 jurisdictions would sacrifice these 47 positions. In the EPM, 369 positions were apportioned (=416–47); only 9 jurisdictions would experience a reduction. The largest single-jurisdiction reduction in fellow positions was 67% (SotFM) and 50% (EPM). The EPM results in a less burdensome reduction of fellow positions nationwide. The EPM is a time-tested model that injects fairness into the painful process of reducing the total number of fellow positions across America.
A second forelimb motor area exists in rat frontal cortex

Intracortical microstimulation of 40--50 points in the frontal cortex of ketamine-anesthetized rats using perpendicular penetrations has demonstrated a second forelimb area located rostrally near the frontal pole as well as confirming the existence of a more caudally located forelimb area just anterior to bregma. Cortex where neck and/or vibrissae movements were evoked separated the two forelimb areas. The rostral and caudal forelimb areas defined by microstimulation correspond with patches of corticospinal neurons labeled with HRP following injections of this tracer into the cervical enlargement. Digit movements were commonly evoked from the rostral forelimb area but were rarely elicited from the caudal forelimb area. The question of whether the rostral forelimb region is part of primary or supplementary motor cortex is not yet able to be answered.
Computerized Clinical Practice: Promises and Shortcomings

Technology is inundating every aspect of modern society, and clinical practice is no exception. Computer programs are currently available that conduct intake interviews, monitor treatment plans, ad...
Panel 1: Discussion of report of the Aneutronic Fusion Committee of the National Academy of Science's Air Force Studies Board

Abstract This panel discusses the National Academy of Science — Air Force Studies Board preliminary report entitled Advanced Fusion Power .
210Pb method for estimating the rate of carbonate sand sedimentation

The plot of210Pb activity against depth in carbonate sands on the Virgin Island Bank is a negative asymmetric hyperbolic curve. As depth increases, an initial rapid decrease in210Pb activity caused by the decay of unsupported210Pb and226Ra is followed by increasing activity as a result of210Pb achieving equilibrium with ingrowing230Th. As this curve is time dependent, an estimate of the relative ages in carbonate sequences and the rates of net carbonate accumulation can be made. The ease of210Pb activity determinations makes this procedure an attractive method in obtaining carbonate sand accumulation rates.
Exploiting identifiability and intergene correlation for improved detection of differential expression

Accurate differential analysis of microarray data strongly depends on effective treatment of intergene correlation. Such dependence is ordinarily accounted for in terms of its effect on significance cutoffs. In this paper, it is shown that correlation can, in fact, be exploited to share information across tests and reorder expression differentials for increased statistical power, regardless of the threshold. Significantly improved differential analysis is the result of two simple measures: (i) adjusting test statistics to exploit information from identifiable genes (the large subset of genes represented on a microarray that can be classified a priori as nondifferential with very high confidence], but (ii) doing so in a way that accounts for linear dependencies among identifiable and nonidentifiable genes. A method is developed that builds upon the widely used two-sample t-statistic approach and uses analysis in Hilbert space to decompose the nonidentified gene vector into two components that are correlated and uncorrelated with the identified set. In the application to data derived from a widely studied prostate cancer database, the proposed method outperforms some of the most highly regarded approaches published to date. Algorithms in MATLAB and in R are available for public download.
On the shape of atomic fluorescence analytical curves with a laser excitation source

Abstract The effect of high irradiance levels (approaching saturation) upon the shape of atomic fluorescence analytical curves is considered theoretically for both line and continuum sources. The linear range of the analytical curve may be greatly extended over that obtained with normal (low irradiance) sources, as is experimentally verified using a pulsed dye laser as an excitation source.
Efficient shared memory with minimal hardware support

Shared memory is widely regarded as a more intuitive model than message passing for the development of parallel programs. A shared memory model can be provided by hardware, software, or some combination of both. One of the most important problems to be solved in shared memory environments is that of cache coherence. Experience indicates, unsurprisingly, that hardware-coherent multiprocessors greatly outperform distributed shared-memory (DSM) emulations on message-passing hardware. Intermediate options, however, have received considerably less attention. We argue in this position paper that one such option---a multiprocessor or network that provides a global physical address space in which processors can make non-coherent accesses to remote memory without trapping into the kernel or interrupting remote processors---can provide most of the performance of hardware cache coherence at little more monetary or design cost than traditional DSM systems. To support this claim we have developed the Cashmere family of software coherence protocols for NCC-NUMA (Non-Cache-Coherent, Non-Uniform-Memory Access) systems, and have used execution-driven simulation to compare the performance of these protocols to that of full hardware coherence and distributed shared memory emulation. We have found that for a large class of applications the performance of NCC-NUMA multiprocessors rivals that of fully hardware-coherent designs, and significantly surpasses the performance realized on more traditional DSM systems.
PHYSICOCHEMICAL DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FRAGMENTS OF PLASMA MEMBRANE AND ENDOPLASMIC RETICULUM

Specific turbidities, densities, and refractive indices of fragments of plasma membrane (PM) and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) from Ehrlich ascites carcinoma have been measured. A spherical shell model of specified dimensions and refractive index was established for PM fragments. The ionic composition of the dispersion medium was varied systematically. Increases in Γ/2 caused increases in the turbidity of both PM and ER suspensions, the greatest effects being observed with Ca2+ and Mg2+. In the case of PM this effect is attributable mainly to aggregation, whereas "structural" changes account for most of the turbidity increase with ER. The pH was also varied systematically to obtain pH- density and turbidity profiles and to establish the isoelectric pH of the two membrane types (PM—3.6; ER—4.35). Turbidity was maximum at "isoelectric" pH, which corresponds in each case to the region of minimum charge on the particle surfaces. Both PM and ER show large increases of density at the "isoelectric" pH, but only ER shows substantial structurally based turbidity increase under these conditions. Both PM and ER show operation of electrostatic attractions near "isoelectric" pH. PM has been shown to have ionically distinctive inner and outer surfaces while ER shows no such dissymmetry. The necessary theoretical background for interpretation of turbidity and density measurements is included, as well as a discussion of the limitations of our conclusions and the biological importance of our results.
The potential role of the X chromosome in the emergence of male-killing from mutualistic endosymbionts.

Endosymbionts infect most arthropods and cause a wide variety of phenotypes in their hosts, ranging from obligate mutualists to reproductive parasites. One of the most dramatic forms of reproductive parasitism is male-killing which involves the endosymbiont killing all of the sons of infected females. A phenotype with such a dramatic effect on host fitness is expected to provide strong selection for suppressors of male-killing, yet in many well-studied male-killer/arthropod systems, no suppressors have been found. Plausible explanations for a lack of resistance exist and include cryptic cytoplasmic incompatibility (males that survive male-killing are therefore infected and matings with uninfected females are incompatible) and deleterious pleiotropic effects of altering early embryonic development—the precise time when male-killing often occurs. Here I describe another possible scenario that sidesteps the problem: male killing may arise through an epistatic interaction between an endosymbiont and a paternally acting locus on the X chromosome. Since paternal X chromosomes never find themselves in sons, they never suffer from male-killing and instead enjoy any benefits (decreased sibling competition, inbreeding avoidance) caused by killing males. This scenario allows for the possibility that male-killing arose recently, even if there is no evidence for evolution in the endosymbiont genotype.
Stem cell therapy for the treatment of heart failure.

Purpose of reviewCongestive heart failure is a complex clinical syndrome resulting from myocardial dysfunction that impairs the cardiovascular system's function. Medical and surgical therapy both still result in a large number of patients with very few options and persistent ventricular dysfunction.
The fokker-planck equation in the excluded-volume problem of linear polymer chains

Abstract A very simple derivation of a Fokker-Planck equation for the distribution function of the end-to-end distance of polymer chain is proposed. In contrast to well known methods of obtaining this equation the derivation also makes it possible to obtain the correct expression for the self-consistent field.
Amplified water vapour feedback at high altitudes during winter

During the last five decades, the Tibetan Plateau has experienced a warming trend of 0.4 °C/decade in winter, which is at least twice that of any other season. Some studies have suggested that this anomalous winter warming is caused, in part, by the observed increases in near-surface water vapour and its amplifying effect on the surface longwave downward radiation (LDR). This study uses observations of surface-specific humidity (q) and temperature as input to a one-dimensional radiative transfer model to assess the influence of lower atmospheric increases in water vapour on surface LDR, and the sensitivity of this process to different elevations and seasons on the Tibetan Plateau. The results from three idealized experiments are examined based on realistic atmospheric column profiles of temperature and moisture. They show that when an equal mass of water vapour is added into the atmospheric boundary layer during winter, a substantially greater increase (8×) in LDR is found at the high-elevation site relative to the low-elevation site. During summer, the LDR increases are much smaller as are the differences between the two sites. Experiments, where both q and temperature are increased, suggest that the influence of temperature changes on LDR is much greater than those caused by changes in q in all cases, except for the high-elevation-winter case when the opposite is true. These results provide further evidence for the possibility of a strong modulation of surface LDR caused by increases in atmospheric water vapour in high altitude regions (>3000 m) during the cold season. Copyright © 2012 Royal Meteorological Society
What artificial experts can and cannot do

One's model of skill determines what one expects from neural network modelling and how one proposes to go about enhancing expertise. We view skill acquisition as a progression from acting on the basis of a rough theory of a domain in terms of facts and rules to being able to respond appropriately to the current situation on the basis of neuron connections changed by the results of responses to the relevant aspects of many past situations. Viewing skill acquisition in this ways suggests how one can avoid the problem currently facing AI of how to train a network to make human-like generalizations. In training a network one must progress, as the human learner does, from rules and facts to wholistic responses. As to future work, from our perspective one should not try to enhance expertise as in traditional AI by attempting to construct improved theories of a domain, but rather by improving the learner's access to the relevant aspects of a domain so as to facilitate learning from experience.
Enhanced Piezoelectricity and Stretchability in Energy Harvesting Devices Fabricated from Buckled PZT Ribbons

The development of a method for integrating highly efficient energy conversion materials onto soft, biocompatible substrates could yield breakthroughs in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. Of particular interest are devices which can conform to irregular, curved surfaces, and operate in vital environments that may involve both flexing and stretching modes. Previous studies have shown significant advances in the integration of highly efficient piezoelectric nanocrystals on flexible and bendable substrates. Yet, such inorganic nanomaterials are mechanically incompatible with the extreme elasticity of elastomeric substrates. Here, we present a novel strategy for overcoming these limitations, by generating wavy piezoelectric ribbons on silicone rubber. Our results show that the amplitudes in the waves accommodate order-of-magnitude increases in maximum tensile strain without fracture. Further, local probing of the buckled ribbons reveals an enhancement in the piezoelectric effect of up to 70%, thus representing the highest reported piezoelectric response on a stretchable medium. These results allow for the integration of energy conversion devices which operate in stretching mode via reversible deformations in the wavy/buckled ribbons.
Processes of verbal memory failure in alzheimer-type dementia

Multiple aspects of verbal learning and memory performance in mild as compared to moderate Alzheimer-type dementia (ATD) were studied with the Buschke selective reminding paradigm. Results show that (1) both groups of ATD subjects depend less on long-term memory (LTM) and more on short-term memory (STM) relative to elderly control subjects, (2) mild ATD subjects show less LTM encoding than moderate ATD subjects, (3) moderate ATD subjects retrieve a smaller portion of the items presumed to be encoded into LTM than do mild ATD subjects, and (4) high-imagery words increase LTM encoding and retrieval as compared to low-imagery words for moderate ATD subjects only. These results are explained by the inability of ATD subjects to attend to more than one component of the list-learning task, in conjunction with differences in the deployment of attention between mild and moderate ATD subjects.
In vitro Reconstitution of the Active T. castaneum Telomerase

Efforts to isolate the catalytic subunit of telomerase, TERT, in sufficient quantities for structural studies, have been met with limited success for more than a decade. Here, we present methods for the isolation of the recombinant Tribolium castaneum TERT (TcTERT) and the reconstitution of the active T. castaneum telomerase ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex in vitro. Telomerase is a specialized reverse transcriptase1 that adds short DNA repeats, called telomeres, to the 3' end of linear chromosomes2 that serve to protect them from end-to-end fusion and degradation. Following DNA replication, a short segment is lost at the end of the chromosome3 and without telomerase, cells continue dividing until eventually reaching their Hayflick Limit4. Additionally, telomerase is dormant in most somatic cells5 in adults, but is active in cancer cells6 where it promotes cell immortality7. The minimal telomerase enzyme consists of two core components: the protein subunit (TERT), which comprises the catalytic subunit of the enzyme and an integral RNA component (TER), which contains the template TERT uses to synthesize telomeres8,9. Prior to 2008, only structures for individual telomerase domains had been solved10,11. A major breakthrough in this field came from the determination of the crystal structure of the active12, catalytic subunit of T. castaneum telomerase, TcTERT1. Here, we present methods for producing large quantities of the active, soluble TcTERT for structural and biochemical studies, and the reconstitution of the telomerase RNP complex in vitro for telomerase activity assays. An overview of the experimental methods used is shown in Figure 1.
Integrating Theory and Research on the Institutional Determinants of Fertility

This article links recent conceptual theories regarding the determinants of fertility with research designs appropriate for testing those theories. The most important causal factors in these theories—typically social or cultural institutions, occasionally emergent properties of the collective behavior of individuals—are properly conceptualized at the macro level. Research designs must therefore feature variation at this level and are at a minimum comparative. Noncomparative micro-level research designs will be misspecified from the standpoint of theory. A case is also made for continuing to incorporate the observation of individual-level behavior into any comprehensive research design. A focus on macro determinants of fertility does not imply that fertility outcomes are determined at the institutional level. Instead, there remains some process whereby systemic properties are translated into individual behaviors. Recommendations for comparative community-level studies are discussed. The multilevel analysis framework is reviewed as a paradigm for the conceptual features of cross-contextual analysis.
A Study of cu-zn massive α precipitate growth within the α + β phase field

The growth of previously nucleated Cu-38 at. pct Zn massive α precipitates within the equilibrium a+β phase field was studied using a pulse-heating technique. Care was taken to assure that preferential heating of the precipitates (produced because of differences in their electrical resistivity and heat capacity from those of the matrix) did not influence the initiation of new massive growth. In contrast to some earlier work, massive growth of some precipitates occurred without any incubation period at least 60 K down into the α+ β phase field.
Optical gain control of EDFAs using time-dependent feedback loop

A novel method is proposed for mitigating the relaxation oscillations caused by channel add/drops for optically gain-controlled amplifiers. The method uses a time-dependent element in an optical feedback loop. Experiments are performed on a single coil amplifier that demonstrates the elimination of power fluctuations from relaxation oscillations.
Gay Men's Friendships : Invincible Communities

Based on surveys and interviews of two hundred gay men, this study presents an examination of contemporary urban gay men's friendships. Weaving historical and sociological research on friendship with firsthand information, Nardi argues that friendship is the central organizing element of gay men's lives. Through friendship, gay identities and communities are created, transformed, maintained and reproduced. Nardi explores the meaning of friends to some gay men, how friends often become a surrogate family, how sexual behaviour and attraction affects these friendships, and how, for many, friends mean more and last longer than romantic relationships. While looking at the psychological joys and sorrows of friendship, he also considers the cultural constraints limiting gay men in contemporary urban America - especially those that deal with dominant images of masculinity and heterosexuality - and how they relate to friendship. By listening to gay men talk about their interactions, Nardi offers a glimpse into the mechanisms of gay life. We learn how gay men meet their friends, what they typically do and talk about, and how these strong relationships contain the roots of larger cultural forces such as social movements and gay identities and neighbourhoods. Nardi also points out the political and social consequences when friendships fail to provide support against oppression.
Crystal packing of alcohol amines formed by the reaction of primary amines with 1,2-epoxy-3-phenoxypropane

For the purposes of characterizing a novel class of inorganic–organic hybrid epoxy resin materials, a series of amines were reacted with a monoepoxide (1,2-epoxy-3-phenoxypropane) under base catalyzed conditions to produce racemic mixtures of compounds with the general formula PhOCH2CH(OH)CH2N(H)R, where R = nPr (1), iPr (2), or tBu (3). The crystal structures of these compounds were determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 forms infinite sheets of centrosymmetric dimers. In contrast, as a result of intermolecular hydrogen-bonding, compounds 2 and 3 arrange as tetrameric units in non-centrosymmetric space groups. Through a review of crystal structures found in the Cambridge Crystallographic Database, compounds of the general type X–CH(OH)CH2N(H)R were investigated and a rationalization for the packing of racemic mixtures in non-centrosymmetric space groups is discussed.
Empty categories in sentence processing

Abstract An empty category is an inaudible/invisible constituent of a sentence, postulated by linguists to account for certain regularities of sentence structure. To identify an empty category and associate it with an antecedent that will determine its interpretation, a sentence processing device must apply considerable linguistic knowledge, both universal and language-particular. Experiments show that human processing of empty category constructions is efficient and linguistically informed. Different linguistic theories postulate different empty categories. Recent and ongoing experiments by several researchers attempt to determine which kinds of empty categories are recognised by the human processor. Assuming a transparent relationship between the parser and the grammar, the results of these studies could contribute to the evaluation of competing linguistic theories.
Cobordism Span of a manifold and elliptic genera

In this paper we study the problem of finding the maximum number of linearly independent tangent vector fields on a manifold. There are the obvious obstructions (the Euler characteristic and the Stiefel-Whitney classes). By a theorem of Frank and Mayer [-4, 8] the divisibility of the signature also obstructs the existence of vector fields. In [-1], Atiyah gave a beautiful proof of a slightly weaker version of the Frank-Mayer theorem. Atiyah's proof easily generalizes to the twisted signature defined below. Using results on the structure of elliptic genera, [6], we can compute the twisted signature in some interesting cases to obtain obstruction to vector fields which are independent of the signature. Since the signature is a cobordism invariant, we make the following definition. M is a compact, smooth, oriented manifold of dimension n = 4 k.
A three-phase model of HMX combustion

The solid rocket propellant ingredient RDX has received a lot of research attention in recent years by both experimentalists and modelers. There has been fairly good agreement between predictions by models and experimental data. In this paper, the three-phase, one-dimensional RDX model is extended to a similar ingredient, HMX. All model inputs were determined independent of the model except for the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of HMXliquid for which no experimental data was found. Reasonable correlation with experimentally determined burn rate, surface temperature, adiabatic flame conditions, melt layer thickness, and some gas-phase species concentration profiles was made using this model. Sensitivity analysis indicates that the adiabatic flame conditions are controlled by the specification of the thermodynamic properties of the solid and liquid phases. The surface temperature is controlled by the vapor pressure correlation, and the burn rate is largely controlled by the heat feed back from the gas-phase flame, or in other words, the gas-phase mechanism. Sensitivity analysis indicates that differences noted in combustion characteristics of HMX and RDX are likely caused by differences in vapor pressure and melting temperature, while the similarity of burn rate data is attributed to the similarity of the gas-phase flames. The sensitivity analysis also indicates which model inputs require further study.
Activation of mammalian lymphocytes by a partially purified fraction of scorpion hemolymph

Agglutinins have been used to demonstrate apparent changes in cell surface properties in a variety of systems, opening vast possibilities for the study of cell surfaces and membranes. In a previous study we showed that scorpion ( Androctonus australis ) hemolymph contained natural heteroagglutinins specific for various mammalian erythrocytes and that the titers were not significantly altered following immunization of the scorpions. In this study we demonstrate the in vitro mitogenic stimulation of human, rabbit and mouse lymphocytes by native scorpion hemolymph (SH) and by a partially purified fraction. We also show the binding inhibition of SH-mediated lymphocyte and erythrocyte agglutination by a variety of sugar and sugar derivatives. Our studies point out once again the importance and utility of analyzing components, particularly agglutinins, from the hemolymph of invertebrates in studies with clinical relevance.
Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty: its role in the management of patients with aortic stenosis requiring major noncardiac surgery.

Seven patients with severe aortic stenosis underwent percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty in preparation for major noncardiac surgery. There were four men and three women (mean age 82 ± 1.3 years, range 78 to 88). A significant reduction in the transaortic pressure gradient from 77 ± 7.8 to 31 ± 6.2 mm Hg (p = 0.002) and increase in calculated aortic valve area from 0.5 ± 0.1 to 1.0 ± 0.3 cm2 (p = 0.05) was noted. Three of the seven procedures were performed anterograde with use of transseptal puncture: two of the three because of abdominal aortic aneurysm and one because of peripheral vascular disease. All seven patients underwent uncomplicated noncardiac surgery under general anesthesia 10 ± 4.3 days (range 0 to 29) after aortic valvuloplasty. One patient had exploratory laparotomy, one underwent stabilization of a hip fracture and two underwent resection of an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Of the three other patients who underwent colectomy, one had repeat aortic valvuloplasty and repair of a hip fracture 7 months later and one required exploratory laparotomy without repeat valvuloplasty 7 weeks later. Percutaneous aortic balloon valvuloplasty is an effective and safe procedure that may reduce the risk of general anesthesia and major noncardiac surgery in elderly patients with aortic stenosis.
Chondroblastoma of the rib. A case report and review of the literature

Chondroblastoma, a rare bone tumor usually found in the epiphyseal region of long bones, appeared in the rib of a 49-year-old man. Review of the literature reveals that the most common locations for this tumor are the knee and proximal humerus. The most common age group is the second decade. Eighteen cases of chondroblastoma of the rib have been reported in the literature; the patients were older than typical patients with epiphyseal chondroblastoma and had an excellent prognosis after resection of the tumor.
No effect of cancer-associated SNP rs6983267 in the 8q24 region on co-expression of MYC and TCF7L2 in normal colon tissue.

A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs6983267, located within the 8q24 region, is strongly associated with risk of colorectal and prostate cancer. It has been suggested that the mechanism of this association is related to differential interaction of TCF7L2 protein (previously known as TCF-4) with alleles of rs6983267, influencing the expression of a well-known oncogene, MYC, located 335 Kb telomeric. Here, we tested the correlation between mRNA expression of MYC and several alternatively spliced forms of TCF7L2 in 117 non-cancer colon samples. We observed a strong correlation (r = 0.60, p < 10-6) between expression of MYC and a unique splicing form of TCF7L2. The level of MYC expression in these samples was associated with expression of some TCF7L2 splicing forms but not with genotypes of rs6983267, or interaction of rs6983267 with TCF7L2 expression. These findings suggest that some splicing forms of TCF7L2 may be functionally important for regulation of MYC expression in colon tissue but this regulation is not directly dependent on rs6983267.
Plutarch in Germany: The Stefan GeorgeKreis

Plutarch’s place in the classical tradition is usually considered as a Renaissance or Early Modern phenomenon, seldom as one extending into the twentieth century. Germany illustrates this perception as exemplified in the celebrated works of Schiller, Holderlin, and Goethe. Yet Plutarch also influenced later generations in Germany as elsewhere. This is seen in the case of the poet Stefan George and his circle, the so-calledGeorgekreis. Familiar with the Plutarchan legacy, George impressed the style and technique of Plutarch upon his circle. The biographies of Friedrich Gundolf (Caesar) and Ernst Kantorowicz (Kaiser Friedrich der Zweite) demonstrate Plutarch’s continuing impact. Complementing these modern lives are the ideas of George himself as well as other modern thinkers, particularly Friedrich Nietzsche.
Evidence of Toxicity, Oxidative Stress, and Neuronal Insult in Autism

According to the Autism Society of America, autism is now considered to be an epidemic. The increase in the rate of autism revealed by epidemiological studies and government reports implicates the importance of external or environmental factors that may be changing. This article discusses the evidence for the case that some children with autism may become autistic from neuronal cell death or brain damage sometime after birth as result of insult; and addresses the hypotheses that toxicity and oxidative stress may be a cause of neuronal insult in autism. The article first describes the Purkinje cell loss found in autism, Purkinje cell physiology and vulnerability, and the evidence for postnatal cell loss. Second, the article describes the increased brain volume in autism and how it may be related to the Purkinje cell loss. Third, the evidence for toxicity and oxidative stress is covered and the possible involvement of glutathione is discussed. Finally, the article discusses what may be happening over the co...
Variability in affective change among aging men: Longitudinal findings from the VA Normative Aging Study

Abstract We examined change in both positive and negative affect over ages 45 to 97 among 1534 men (mean age = 69 years). Positive affect demonstrated a linear decline with age, while negative affect declined until approximately 70 years, and thereafter showed a gradual increase. Results indicated significant individual differences in rates of change for both positive and negative affect. We then examined whether personality, health, and work status might account for individual differences in levels and rates of change in affect. Higher extraversion was associated with higher levels of positive affect, but not with rate of change. Higher neuroticism predicted higher levels of negative affect, as well as an attenuated decline in middle-adulthood, and a steeper increase in later adulthood. Better health was associated with higher levels of positive affect and lower levels of negative, but was also found to predict less decline in negative affect. Work predicted lower levels of positive affect and higher levels of negative affect, as well as greater declines in positive affect. These findings indicate that individuals differ in the manner in which they change in affect over time.