cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Interval estimation of the difference in proportions under m-to-one matching.

When the number of potential controls is large relative to the number of available cases, or when little effort needs to be expended in collecting the relevant information on the controls, we often apply multiple matching to attain the validity or increase the efficiency of our inference in epidemiological studies. In this paper, we focus interval estimation on the difference in proportions for m-to-one matching. We consider four asymptotic interval estimators, including the estimator directly using the Mantel–Haenszel (MH) point estimator, the estimator using the tanh−1(x) transformation, the estimator derived from the Cochran–Mantel–Haenszel (CMH) test statistic, and the estimator derived from the quadratic inequality developed in this paper. To evaluate and compare the performance of these estimators, we employ Monte Carlo simulation. We find that the estimator directly using the MH estimator can have the coverage probability less than the desired confidence level when the number of matched sets is small. We note that the estimator derived from the quadratic inequality can perform well when the underlying difference is close to 0 even for a small number of matched sets. However, this estimator tends to have the coverage probability less than the desired confidence level as well when the underlying difference in proportions is large. By contrast, the estimator using the CMH statistic tends to have the coverage probability larger than the desired confidence level when the underlying difference is small. We also find that the estimator using the tanh−1(x) transformation consistently outperforms the interval estimator directly using the MH estimator. We use the data regarding the association between induced abortions and ectopic pregnancy to illustrate the use of these estimators. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The role of androgen in the development of sexual differences in pituitary responsiveness to gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana.

Abstract Sexual differences in pituitary responsiveness to acute injection of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist, as measured by increments in plasma FSH and LH, were examined throughout development in the bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana . Untreated tadpoles, in various stages of metamorphosis, were unresponsive to GnRH agonist. Postmetamorphic males showed a progressive increase in the magnitude of pituitary response with age, whereas females remained relatively insensitive until after sexual maturation; males were always more responsive than females. Chronic (1–2.5 week) Silastic implants containing 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) significantly augmented the pituitary response (for both gonadotropins) in intact postmetamorphic females at all ages; a similar, though less pronounced, action of testosterone in subadult females may have been due to its conversion to DHT. (Silastic implants of comparable size always produced higher circulating levels of DHT in females than in males as was observed in previous studies with gonadectomized frogs.) DHT enhanced the responsiveness of intact tadpoles (sexes undetermined); only the treated tadpoles responded to the GnRH agonist. Supplemental DHT did not enhance pituitary response in intact males; in fact, it attentuated the response in FSH. GnRH responsiveness paralleled changes in pituitary gonadotropin content; pituitary content of FSH and LH was higher in males than females; it showed a marked increase with age from tadpole to adult; and it was increased by DHT treatment. The potentiating effect of DHT on GnRH responsiveness and the significantly higher levels of DHT observed in males of all ages suggest that the nonaromatizable androgen DHT may be responsible for the early establishment and maintenance of sexual dimorphism in pituitary GnRH responsiveness in the bullfrog.
Immunity of swine to Ascaris suum

Swine were hyperimmunized to Ascaris suum by giving multiple oral inoculations of embryonated eggs. Sera and lymphocyte lysate from these pigs were administered parenterally to 4-week-old pigs. The latter animals were no more resistant to larval migration than control pigs receiving sera or lymphocyte lysate from non-immunized pigs. Other pigs were infected with transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus, allowed to recover and challenged with embryonated ascarid eggs. They likewise were no more resistant to ascarid larval migration than control pigs.
Prenatal and Perinatal Factors Related to Autism, IQ, and Adaptive Functioning.

ABSTRACTThis study focused on prenatal and perinatal factors related to autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The authors hypothesized that mothers who exposed their infants to intrauterine toxicity or who had complications with labor or delivery would be more likely to give birth to individuals with lower IQ scores, higher scores on a measure of ASD, and lower scores on a measure of adaptive functioning. This clinical sample consisted of 33 children who presented for neuropsychological assessment with symptoms of ASD. Results indicated that individuals with a history of intrauterine toxicity had lower IQ scores than individuals who did not have a history of intrauterine toxicity. However, no significant effects were found for intrauterine toxicity and ASD or adaptive functioning. Results indicated that individuals with a history of complications during labor and delivery had lower IQ scores, higher scores on a measure of ASD, and lower scores on a measure of adaptive functioning. Findings may lend support to t...
The 12.5T Modulated Sine-Squared Pulse for NTSC

In 1965 P. Wolf of the Institute fur Rundfunktechnik, Munich, Germany, made a significant contribution to the measurement of encoded color television signals with his introduction of the 20T modulated sine-squared pulse. It possesses the ability to measure relative chrominance gain and delay, or color misregistry. This signal enjoys widespread operational use abroad. Interest in a modulated sine-squared test signal for NTSC is at present quite significant. A properly scaled test signal for NTSC is presented. The proposed signal is properly called 12.5T modulated sine-squared pulse. Compared to a 20 T, it offers: 1) an increased sensitivity to relative chroma delay, and 2) a simple scale factor for 12.5T; ?= 10d, and for 20T; ?=15.9d. Nomographs are provided for both the 20T and 12.5T modulated sine-squared pulses for NTSC. Mathematical derivation for the waveform distortion as a function of delay distortion is given in terms of the significant pulse parameter.
Inflammatory bowel disease-associated colorectal cancer: proctocolectomy and mucosectomy do not necessarily eliminate pouch-related cancer incidences

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC), the most lethal long-term complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), is the culmination of a complex sequence of molecular and histologic derangements of the colon epithelium that are initiated and at least partially sustained by prolonged chronic inflammation. Dysplasia, the earliest histologic manifestation of this process, plays an important role in cancer prevention by providing the first clinical alert that this sequence is under way and by serving as an endpoint in colonoscopic surveillance of patients at high risk for CRC. Restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) is indicated for patients with IBD, specifically for ulcerative colitis that is refractory to medical treatment, emergency conditions, and/or in case of neoplastic transformation. Even after RPC with mucosectomy, pouch-related carcinomas have recently been reported with increasing frequency since the first report in 1984. We review IBD-associated CRC and pouch-related neoplasia prevalence, adverse events, risk factors, and surveillances.
Does knowledge of human immunodeficiency virus infection decrease the frequency of occupational exposure to blood

Implementation of universal precautions is advocated to prevent exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other bloodborne pathogens. Critics of this approach argue that additional benefit can be derived by identifying and labeling patients known to be infected. Knowledge of HIV infection status could result in a reduced exposure rate by two mechanisms: (a) by motivating improved compliance with universal precautions, or (b) by allowing changes in procedure or technique not feasible for all patients. Compliance with universal precautions may reduce the frequency of some types of exposure but has not been associated with a reduction in the frequency of needlestick exposures in several studies. Despite the perception by some health care workers that awareness of HIV status will result in improved safety, no objective data have demonstrated a direct benefit from testing or identifying infected patients. Health care workers who recognize the presence of occupational HIV risk are apt to be motivated to practice universal infection control precautions and experience little additional benefit from testing individual patients. Health care workers in low prevalence areas may experience less incentive to comply routinely with universal precautions and selectively may be motivated when HIV infection is diagnosed in individual patients. However, routine testing in areas of low HIV prevalence is not likely to be cost effective. Until further research clarifies the efficacy and costs of universal precautions or HIV testing, infection control standards should maximize local autonomy in developing rational policies consistent with institutional needs.
Role of defect sites and Ga polarization in the magnetism of Mn-doped GaN.

We report a study of the Mn local structure, magnetism, and Ga moments in molecular beam epitaxy grown Mn-doped GaN films. Using x-ray absorption spectroscopy and magnetic circular dichroism, we find two distinct Mn sites and a Ga moment antiparallel to Mn. First-principles calculations reproduce this phenomenology and indicate that Mn preferentially populates Ga sites neighboring N split interstitial defects. These results show that defects may strongly affect the Mn ordering and magnetism, and that the GaN valence band is polarized, providing a long-range ferromagnetic ordering mechanism for ${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Mn}}_{x}\mathrm{N}$.
Ion microprobe analysis of oxygen isotopes in garnets of complex chemistry

Abstract Accurate ion microprobe analysis of oxygen isotope ratios in garnet is possible if appropriate standards are employed to correct for instrumental bias, a component of which depends on the cation chemistry of the analyzed mineral. In this study, 26 garnet standards (including 14 new standards) that span the compositional range of pyrope, almandine, grossular, spessartine, and andradite were analyzed repeatedly by ion microprobe to develop a new method of correcting for instrumental bias in garnets. All analyses were normalized to a single master garnet standard (UWG-2) before bias from cation composition was considered. Bias due to cation composition in garnet was found to correlate with grossular content in pyralspite garnets and with andradite in ugrandite garnets. Bias is correlated with molar volume in garnets of all compositions in this study. Although this correlation is suitable as a correction scheme for bias, a more accurate correction scheme based on the grossular and andradite compositions of garnet is proposed. This method reproduces the bias of all but one standard to within a range of 0.4‰, an accuracy that is on the same order as the reproducibility (± 0.3‰, 2 S.D.) of the master garnet standard UWG-2, but that remains an independent source of error. The new correction scheme is used to successfully reproduce laser fluorination analyses along a traverse of a polymetamorphic, zoned skarn garnet from the Adirondack Mountains. While previous analyses were at the mm-scale, the new data resolve a gradient of δ18O of 2.1‰ over 16 µm. If experimentally derived diffusion coefficients are correct, these new results show that granulite-facies metamorphism was significantly faster than previously assumed and the thermal peak was less than 5 Myr.
Language attitudes and language use in Morocco: effects of attitudes on ‘Berber1 language policy’

The aim of this article is to explore the dynamics of language attitudes towards the main languages used in Morocco, especially towards the Berber language, and the effects that these attitudes are likely to have on the implementation of the language policy that requires all Moroccan children to learn Berber, regardless of their linguistic or ethnic backgrounds. The article investigates the views of a large and representative sampling of Moroccans regarding the inclusion of Berber in the educational fabric of Morocco. The findings are based on information collected through interviews, participant observations, and a survey of 531 individuals who were asked to answer a 14-question questionnaire. The results of the survey are later on discussed and analysed in order to determine how the attitudes of the respondents might shed some light on the general attitudes of Moroccans towards the different languages used in Morocco, and in particular how these attitudes might eventually affect the state's attempt at i...
Economic Linkages to Changing Landscapes

Many economic processes are intertwined with landscape change. A large number of individual economic decisions shape the landscape, and in turn the changes in the landscape shape economic decisions. This article describes key research questions about the economics of landscape change and reviews the state of research knowledge. The rich and varied economic–landscape interactions are an active area of research by economists, geographers, and others. Because the interactions are numerous and complex, disentangling the causal relationships in any given landscape system is a formidable research challenge. Limited data with mismatched temporal and spatial scales present further obstacles. Nevertheless, the growing body of economic research on these topics is advancing and shares fundamental challenges, as well as data and methods, with work in other disciplines.
Laser interferometry for ear ossicular motion detection

The emphasis of this project has been to initially detect the displacements of the eardrum by using a laser interferometer. A small cobalt-samarium magnet (typically weighing less than 4 mg) was placed on human cadaver eardrums and positioned inside a solenoid coil. An ac modulated signal, having a frequency range of 500 - 2500 Hz, was passed through the coil. This signal created an ac magnetic field inside the coil that caused the magnet to vibrate at the modulation frequency. A commercial (TSI) laser interferometer as well as a laboratory-based fiber-optic interferometer, both operating at 632 nm, were used to examine the displacements initially. For measurements made with the fiber-optic interferometer at a frequency of 1500 Hz, the displacement of the eardrum was approximately 68 nm. The response decreased linearly at a rate of 0.02 nm/Hz for frequencies greater than 1500 Hz. This paper reports on the experimental apparatus as well as the experimental results. Details on the design of the driving circuit and the interferometers also are presented.
Structured programming in Fortran

The basic spirit of structured programming is to write programs that are easy to read and debug. Students who are taught programming should be encouraged to use structured programming principles. Ingredients of structured programming include:
Abstract 3272: Chromosome engineered mouse model for human 8q24 amplicon observed in breast cancer patients

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Chromosomal abnormalities like deletion, amplification and translocation are hallmarks of almost all the cancers. Amplification of human 8q24, a locus that contains the proto-oncogene C-MYC has been implicated in many human cancers, particularly in solid tumors. Importantly, this amplification is often associated with poor progonosis of breast cancer. Mouse models for studying the effects of c-Myc overexpression have been helpful in elucidating its in neoplastic transformation. However, the mammary tumors arising in these transgenic animals are focal and form with variable latency, strongly suggesting the need for additional genetic lesion to mirror the highly penetrant and aggressive tumors associated with C-MYC amplification. Moreover, in many cancers, C-MYC is co-amplified with the neighboring genetic elements which have also been implicated in tumorigenesis in multiple studies. We argue that overexpression of C-MYC alone is not sufficient to result in the poor prognosis seen in the breast cancer patients with 8q24 amplification and hypothesize that additional genes in the 8q24 amplicon contribute substantially to the mammary tumor initiation and/or aggressive progression of neoplasia. To test this hypothesis, we are modeling this genetic lesion in mice by using chromosome engineering to generate an altered allele containing a 4.5 Mb amplification in mouse chromosome 15 syntenic to Hu 8q24. The tumor susceptibility of these mice are compared with the ones that harbor an amplification of c-myc gene alone. Also, human breast tumors arising from BRCA1 mutations have been reported to have higher incidence of 8q24 amplifications (53%) than are usually found in sporadic breast cancers (10-15%). We hypothesize that a 4.5 Mb amplification of 8q24 has deleterious effects on BRCA1 linked breast cancer, resulting in poor outcome in these patients. To test this hypothesis, we will cross the mice carrying amplification of the 4.5 Mb c-myc locus with brca1 mutant mice. The effects of these amplifications on mammary tumorigenesis will be assessed by scoring the latency of mammary tumors arising in these mice. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3272.
Treatment of Frontotemporal Dementia

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) encompasses a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases with heterogeneous clinical presentations and two predominant types of underlying neuropathology. FTD typically comprises three distinct clinical syndromes: behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), and nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA). FTD also frequently overlaps both clinically and neuropathologically with three other neurodegenerative syndromes: corticobasal syndrome (CBS), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Each syndrome can be associated with one or more underlying neuropathological diagnoses and are referred to as frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Although the various FTD syndromes can substantially differ in terms of clinical symptoms and underlying pathology, the symptoms can be broadly categorized into behavioral, cognitive and motor domains. Currently there are no Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved therapies for the above syndromes except riluzole for ALS. FTD treatment strategies generally rely on off-label use of medications for symptomatic management, and most therapies lack quality evidence from randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials. For behavioral symptoms, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors may be effective, while case reports hint at possible efficacy with antipsychotics or anti-epileptics, but use of these latter agents is limited due to concerns regarding side effects. There are no effective therapies for cognitive complaints in FTD, which frequently involve executive function, memory, and language. Motor difficulties associated with FTD may present with parkinsonian symptoms or motor neuron disease, for which riluzole is indicated as therapy. Compared to idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, FTD-related atypical parkinsonism is generally not responsive to dopamine replacement therapies, but a small percentage of patients may experience improvement with a trial of carbidopa-levodopa. Physical and occupational therapy remain an important corner stone of motor symptom management in FTD. Speech therapy may also help patients manage symptoms associated with aphasia, apraxia, and dysarthria. Recent advances in the understanding of FTLD pathophysiology and genetics have led to development of potentially disease-modifying therapies as well as symptomatic therapies aimed at ameliorating social and behavioral deficits.
Proposed mechanisms for binding of apo[a] kringle type 9 to apo B-100 in human lipoprotein[a].

The protein component of human lipoprotein[a] consists primarily of two apolipoproteins, apo[a] and apo B-100, linked through a cystine disulfide(s). In the amino acid sequence of apo bd, Cys4057 located within a plasminogen kringle 4-like repeat sequence (3991–4068) is believed to form a disulfide bond with a specific cysteine residue in apo B-100. Our fluorescence-labeling experiments and molecular modeling studies have provided evidence for possible interactions between this apo[a] kringle type and apo B-100. The fluorescent probe, fluorescein-5-maleimide, was used in parallel experiments to label free sulfhydryl moieties in lipoprotein[a] and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In apo B-100 of LDL, Cys3734 was labeled with the probe, but this site was not labeled in autologous lipoprotein[a]. The result strongly implicates Cys3734 of apo B-100 as the residue forming the disulfide linkage with Cys4057 of apo[a]. To explore possible noncovalent interactions between apo B-100 and apo[a], the crystallographic coordinates for plasminogen kringle 4 were used to generate molecular models of the apo[a] kringle-repeat sequence (3991–4068, LPaK9), the only plasminogen kringle 4 type repeat in apo[a] having an extra cysteine residue not involved in an intramolecular disulfide bond. The Cys4057 residue (henceforth designated as Cys67 in the LPaK9 sequence) is believed to form an intermolecular disulfide bond with a cysteine of apo B-100. In computer graphics molecular models of LPaK9, Cys67 is located on the surface of the kringle near the lysine ligand binding site. Selected segments of the LDL apo B-100 sequence that contain free sulfhydryl cysteines were subjected to energy minimization and docking with the ligand binding site and adjacent regions of the LPaK9 model. In the docking experiments, apo B-100 segment 3732–3745 (PSCKLDFREIQIYK) displayed the best fit and the largest number of van der Waals contacts with models of LPaK9. Other apo B-100 peptides with sulfhydryl cysteine were found to be less compatible when minimized with this kringle. These results support and extend previously suggested mechanisms for a complex interaction between apo[a] and apo B-100 that involve more than a simple covalent disulfide bond.
NMR structural characterization of substrates bound to N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V.

Abstract N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V) is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of asparagine-linked oligosaccharides. It is responsible for the transfer of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) from the nucleotide sugar donor, uridine 5’-diphospho-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP–GlcNAc), to the 6 position of the α-1-6 linked Man residue in N-linked oligosaccharide core structures. GnT-V up-regulation has been linked to increased cancer invasiveness and metastasis and, appropriately, targeted for drug development. However, drug design is impeded by the lack of structural information on the protein and the way in which substrates are bound. Even though the catalytic domain of this type II membrane protein can be expressed in mammalian cell culture, obtaining structural information has proved challenging due to the size of the catalytic domain (95 kDa) and its required glycosylation. Here, we present an experimental approach to obtaining information on structural characteristics of the active site of GnT-V through the investigation of the bound conformation and relative placement of its ligands, UDP–GlcNAc and β- d -GlcpNAc-(1→2)-α- d -Manp-(1→6)-β- d -GlcpOOctyl. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy experiments, inducing transferred nuclear Overhauser effect (trNOE) and saturation transfer difference (STD) experiments, were used to characterize the ligand conformation and ligand–protein contact surfaces. In addition, a novel paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiment using a spin-labeled ligand analogue, 5’-diphospho-4-O–2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine 1-oxyl (UDP–TEMPO), was used to characterize the relative orientation of the two bound ligands. The structural information obtained for the substrates in the active site of GnT-V can be useful in the design of inhibitors for GnT-V.
Low-risk differentiated thyroid cancer: the need for selective treatment.

Background: The well recognized prognostic factors in differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid are age, grade, extracapsular extension, distant metastasis, and size of the tumor. Based on these prognostic factors, we have divided patients into low-, intermediate-, and high-risk categories. Clearly, there are significant differences in these three groups. This article analyzes in depth our data on low-risk thyroid cancer patients. Methods: A retrospective review of 1,038 patients with differentiated carcinoma of the thyroid was undertaken. Various prognostic factors and risk groups were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed, and the survival curves were plotted by the Kaplan-Meier method. The inclusion criteria for the low-risk group were age younger than 45 years, tumors <4 cm in size, low-grade histology, absence of distant metastasis, and absence of extrathyroidal extension. There were 465 patients in the low-risk group. Four hundred three patients had papillary and 62 patients had follicular thyroid cancer. There were 120 male and 354 female patients. Two hundred seventy-eight patients (60%) presented with clinically apparent lymph node metastasis. Results: With a median follow-up of 20 years, the 10- and 20-year survival in this select group was 99%. The local, regional, and distant recurrence rates were 5, 9, and 2% in this series. The analysis of the data showed statistical difference in local recurrence rate between partial lobectomy and total lobectomy (27 vs. 4%; p=0.005). There was no statistical difference in local recurrence rate between total lobectomy compared with total thyroidectomy (4 vs. 1%; p=0.10). The overall failure rate between partial lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (27 vs. 8%) was statistically significant (p=0.04). There was no statistical difference in the overall failure rate between total lobectomy and total thyroidectomy (13 vs. 8%; p=0.06). There was no survival difference between various histologies or nodal status. Conclusions: Patients with low-risk tumors have excellent long-term survival. Nodulectomy or partial lobectomy should be avoided. The intraoperative decisions regarding the extent of thyroidectomy should be based on gross clinical findings and risk group analysis.
A Novel Element Upstream of the Vγ2 Gene in the Murine T Cell Receptor γ Locus Cooperates with the 3′ Enhancer to Act as a Locus Control Region

Transgenic expression constructs were employed to identify a cis-acting transcription element in the T cell receptor (TCR)-γ locus, called HsA, between the Vγ5 and Vγ2 genes. In constructs lacking the previously defined enhancer (3′ECγ1), HsA supports transcription in mature but not immature T cells in a largely position-independent fashion. 3′ECγ1, without HsA, supports transcription in immature and mature T cells but is subject to severe position effects. Together, the two elements support expression in immature and mature T cells in a copy number–dependent, position-independent fashion. Furthermore, HsA was necessary for consistent rearrangement of transgenic recombination substrates. These data suggest that HsA provides chromatin-opening activity and, together with 3′ECγ1, constitutes a T cell–specific locus control region for the TCR-γ locus.
Provision of Local Assisted Access to Selected Internet Information Resources by ARL Academic Libraries.

There is a critical need to provide academic library clients more efficient and effective access to Internet information resources that have value for higher education. This study examines local systems that Association of Research Libraries (ARL) academic libraries have developed over the last several years in response to this need.
Cervidellus sonorensis n. sp. (Nematoda: Cephalobidae) from the desert of Anza-Borrego, CA, USA

Cervidellus sonorensis n. sp. is described from sand near the roots of creosote bush ( Larrea tridentata ) from Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, CA, USA. It is distinguished from others in the genus by the combination of a greatly distended, guitar-shaped corpus and the morphology of the lips and labial probolae. Distinctive features include a large pharyngeal metacorpus with a double swelling, a knob-like ledge at the base of each labial probola and lips with five filamentous tines, the most apical of which are those closest to the primary axil. One male individual was discovered in this parthenogenetic species. Characters used to diagnose C. sonorensis n. sp. are not definitive with respect to other genera and are probably plesiomorphic or convergent in light of DNA-based phylogenetic hypotheses. The position of C. sonorensis n. sp. and morphologically close congeners in relation to species of Nothacrobeles and Paracrobeles is discussed.
VCP Is Essential for Mitochondrial Quality Control by PINK1/Parkin and this Function Is Impaired by VCP Mutations

Summary Mutations in VCP cause multisystem degeneration impacting the nervous system, muscle, and/or bone. Patients may present with ALS, Parkinsonism, frontotemporal dementia, myopathy, Paget's disease, or a combination of these. The disease mechanism is unknown. We developed a Drosophila model of VCP mutation-dependent degeneration. The phenotype is reminiscent of PINK1 and parkin mutants, including a pronounced mitochondrial defect. Indeed, VCP interacts genetically with the PINK1/parkin pathway in vivo. Paradoxically, VCP complements PINK1 deficiency but not parkin deficiency. The basis of this paradox is resolved by mechanistic studies in vitro showing that VCP recruitment to damaged mitochondria requires Parkin-mediated ubiquitination of mitochondrial targets. VCP recruitment coincides temporally with mitochondrial fission, and VCP is required for proteasome-dependent degradation of Mitofusins in vitro and in vivo. Further, VCP and its adaptor Npl4/Ufd1 are required for clearance of damaged mitochondria via the PINK1/Parkin pathway, and this is impaired by pathogenic mutations in VCP.
A note on a linear time algorithm for constructing adjacency graphs of 3D FEA data

In this paper, we present an algorithm for constructing adjacency graphs of 3D finite element analysis (FEA) data. Adjacency graphs are created to represent the connectivities of FEA data cells. They are used in most visualization methods for FEA data. We stress that in many engineering applications FEA data sets do not contain the adjacency information. This is opposite to computer-aided geometric design where, e.g., the winged edge geometrical representation is usually generated and utilized. By establishing intermediate data structures and using bin-sorting, we developed an efficient algorithm for constructing such graphs. The total time complexity of the algorithm is linear in the number of data cells.
Hydroxylation and dealkylation of methyl-n-butylnitrosamine and role of certain cytochrome P-450 isozymes in these reactions.

Abstract We studied the metabolism of methyl- n -butylnitrosamine (MBN), a carcinogen for the rat esophagus and liver. The 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxy derivatives were identified as new metabolites of MBN. In studies on tissue slices freshly removed from MRC-Wistar rats, MBN metabolism resembled that of the previously studied methylamylnitrosamine in the esophagus catalyzed 2- and 3- hydroxylation; liver, ω-1 hydroxylation; and lung, ω-hydroxylation of both nitrosamines. Liver microsomes from Sprague-Dawley rats catalyzed 2-, 3- and 4-hydroxylation of MBN, as well as the previously studied activating reactions of demethylation and debutylation. Phenobarbital induced all five reactions of MBN by rat liver microsomes, especially debutylation; 3-methylholanthrene induced 3-hydroxylation and debutylation and isoniazed induced demethylation and debutylation. Monoclonal antibodies that inhibit specific cytochrome P -450 isozymes were used to identify the isozymes involved in each reaction. Antibody 4-7-1 appeared more specific than the previously used antibody 2-66-3 for inhibiting P -450 2B1 and/or 2B2. For the metabolism of both MBN and methylamylnitrosamine by rat liver microsomes, the antibody results indicated that P -450 2C11 mainly catalyzed demethylation and ω-1 hydroxylation, P -450 1A1 or 1A2 catalyzed 3-hydroxylation and debutylation or depentylation, P -450 2E1 produced demethylation and P -450 2B1 or 2B2 produced ω-1 hydroxylation, demethylation and debutylation or depentylation.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender-Identified School Psychologists: a Qualitative Study of Their Professional Experiences

Despite recent socially positive progression in the view and treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals in the USA, the LGBT population continues to face complicated circumstances and significant hindrances in many societal institutions. One of the most challenging and complex arena is the educational system (Biegel 2010). The present qualitative study explored the thoughts, feelings, and experiences of LGBT-identified school psychologists. Based on data gathered via interviews with LGBT-identified school psychologists and analyzed using the consensual qualitative research (CQR) method, several themes emerged: impact on professional role, the presence of heterosexism in schools, the role of relationships, individual resiliency, and advocacy. These insights help to better understand the successes, challenges, and potential negative outcomes LGBT school psychologists face on the job and how these issues can affect the students they serve. Finally, the implications for policy development, education, and training are outlined.
Search Limits on Divisors of Mersenne numbers

On the urgent request of several coenthusiasts around the globe in the field of Factorization of Mersenne Numbers, the author publishes here for the first time the search limits on divisorsq of 2p − 1, even when no divisor up to this limit was found. This list, therefore, should avoid time consuming double work.
Metaphors in Conversational Context: Toward a Connectivity Theory of Metaphor Interpretation

The model proposed in this article merges the cognitive and social elements of metaphor use and interpretation in the cognitive representation of mutual cognitive environment (Sperber & Wilson, 1986/1995) or common ground (Clark, 1996). The proposed principle of metaphor interpretation is based on the interaction of both vehicle and topic with the common ground. Because common ground is inherently problematic, it is rarely accurate to discuss "the meaning of" a metaphor, as if metaphors must have a single well-specified meaning. Each metaphor is interpreted in the particular communicative context in which it is encountered, and individual interpretations will not necessarily match unless the individuals' cognitive representations of the common ground are similar. The proposed model is consistent with several other theories of metaphor interpretation, but it explicitly acknowledges the need for interpretive processes to be context specific and neurologically embodied, and avoids the problem of circularity ...
Erbium: Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet Laser Application in Stapedotomy

Objective To assess clinical safety and efficacy of the erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) laser in the stapes surgery; to define and optimize parameters that render the procedure safe for the inner ear. Study design Retrospective study. Material and methods A microscope-integrated Er:YAG laser stapedotomy was performed on 29 patients and a conventional stapedotomy on 41 patients. An early (within 1 to 3 days after stapes surgery) and late (at least 6 weeks) pure-tone bone-conduction threshold audiogram was obtained. Results No statistically significant differences were found by Student’s t test over all measured frequencies between pre- and postoperative bone-conduction thresholds in each group. There was no statistically significant difference for all frequencies between early (3 days) and late postoperative mean bone-conduction thresholds. Conclusions The results of our preliminary clinical study showed that erbium laser poses no risk to inner ear function. However, the lack of standardization obliges further investigation to establish safe clinical parameters of the Er:YAG laser. EBM rating B-3
Evolution of Regulatory Sequences in 12 Drosophila Species

Characterization of the evolutionary constraints acting on cis-regulatory sequences is crucial to comparative genomics and provides key insights on the evolution of organismal diversity. We study the relationships among orthologous cis-regulatory modules (CRMs) in 12 Drosophila species, especially with respect to the evolution of transcription factor binding sites, and report statistical evidence in favor of key evolutionary hypotheses. Binding sites are found to have position-specific substitution rates. However, the selective forces at different positions of a site do not act independently, and the evidence suggests that constraints on sites are often based on their exact binding affinities. Binding site loss is seen to conform to a molecular clock hypothesis. The rate of site loss is transcription factor–specific and depends on the strength of binding and, in some cases, the presence of other binding sites in close proximity. Our analysis is based on a novel computational method for aligning orthologous CRMs on a tree, which rigorously accounts for alignment uncertainties and exploits binding site predictions through a unified probabilistic framework. Finally, we report weak purifying selection on short deletions, providing important clues about overall spatial constraints on CRMs. Our results present a complex picture of regulatory sequence evolution, with substantial plasticity that depends on a number of factors. The insights gained in this study will help us to understand the combinatorial control of gene regulation and how it evolves. They will pave the way for theoretical models that are cognizant of the important determinants of regulatory sequence evolution and will be critical in genome-wide identification of non-coding sequences under purifying or positive selection.
Depression, suicidal ideation and autonomic reactivity.

Depression and suicidal ideation were not related to self-reported autonomic reactivity in a sample of high school students (12 boys and 28 girls).
Catalase expression in delayed and premature aging mouse models.

The physiological decline that occurs with aging is thought to result, in part, from accumulation of oxidative damage produced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated during normal metabolism. Two genetic mouse models of aging, the Ames dwarf and growth hormone (GH) transgenic, suggest that hormone levels may play a role in antioxidative defense and aging. To explore this possibility, catalase (CAT), an enzyme involved in elimination of ROS, was evaluated in long-lived dwarf and short-lived transgenic mice. Catalase activity and/or protein was significantly elevated in livers from dwarf mice at 3, 6, 13-15, and 24 months of age when compared to age-matched wild type mice. In contrast, a 50 and 38% reduction (P < 0.05) in CAT protein was observed in 3 and 10 to 12 month old GH transgenics respectively, when compared to wild type mice. Kidneys from old dwarf mice exhibited significantly increased CAT activity (22%), protein (16%) and mRNA expression (59%) compared to wild type mice. Conversely, kidneys from GH transgenic mice showed reductions in CAT activity. The results of this study suggest that hormonal status modulates antioxidative mechanisms and that CAT is important in overall defense capacity with respect to lifespan in both decelerated (dwarf) and accelerated (transgenic) mammalian models of aging.
Effect of inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis on the cardiovascular and endocrine responses to hemorrhage in conscious rabbits.

Nitric oxide plays an important role in the regulation of arterial pressure by its actions to dilate vascular smooth muscle, alter sympathetic neural activity, and modulate the vasoconstrictor action of norepinephrine, angiotensin II and vasopressin. Nitric oxide may also influence blood pressure regulation by altering the secretion of renin and vasopressin. To test this possibility, we investigated the effects of inhibiting nitric oxide synthesis on the cardiovascular, renin and vasopressin responses to hypotensive hemorrhage, a situation in which the renin-angiotensin system and vasopressin contribute significantly to the control of blood pressure. Arterial blood was withdrawn from conscious, chronically-prepared rabbits at 1.0ml/kg/min for 15min under control conditions, and during i.v, infusion of the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME. Hemorrhage decreased mean arterial pressure from 69±2 to 45±4mm Hg (p<0.01) and increased heart rate from 211±10 to 270±15bpm (p<0.05). Plasma renin activity increased from 7.7±1 to 36.1±9.6ng/ml/2h at 15min (p<0.01), while plasma vasopressin concentration increased from 1.7±0.6 to 183.2±98.5pg/ml (p<0.05). Infusion of L-NAME increased blood pressure and plasma vasopressin concentration, and decreased heart rate and plasma renin activity. L-NAME markedly attenuated the hypotensive response to hemorrhage (72±3 to 62±4mmHg), but did not alter the increases in heart rate, plasma renin activity or plasma vasopressin concentration. In separate experiments, L-NAME did not alter the setpoint or gain of the baroreceptor reflex control of heart rate. These results demonstrate that inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis significantly improves blood pressure regulation during hemorrhage, but indicate that this improvement is not associated with alterations in the heart rate, renin or vasopressin responses to hemorrhage. (Hypertens Res 1995; 18: 55-61)
Customer prioritization in higher education: targeting ‘right’ students for long-term profitability

As competition for students, faculty and financial support has increased, so has the application of marketing in the field of higher education. One critical application of marketing all too often neglected, misunderstood and mismanaged in higher education is targeting customers for profitability. The purpose of this paper is to enrich the marketing practices of academic institutions as they face increasing competition for students, faculty and funding by presenting a discussion of ‘right,’ ‘at-risk right’ and ‘wrong’ customers for higher education. This paper reviews marketing paradigms as they have evolved over time, explains the concepts of right, at-risk right and wrong customers as they apply to higher education and identifies managerial implications critical to today's higher education administrators.
Monazite- and zircon-type structures of seven mixed (Ln/Ln) PO4 compounds

The (1:1) compound ortho-phosphates (Ce/Tb), (Nd/Tb) and (Sm/Tb) crystallize in the monoclinic system conforming to space group P21/n (No. 14), and the lanthanide metal atoms are nine-coordinated to oxygen atoms forming a polyhedron that is best described as a pentagonal interpenetrating tetrahedron. The (1:1) compound ortho-phosphates (Nd/Er), (Sm/Er), (Sm/Yb) and (Sm/Lu) crystallize in the tetragonal system (space group I41/amd (No. 141)), and the metal atoms are eight-coordinated forming two orthogonal interpenetrating tetrahedra, a bis-bisphenoidal geometry. The phosphate group in each compound investigated is a distorted tetrahedron. Single-crystal structural analyses have been carried out for the seven indicated mixed (Ln/Ln) PO4 ortho-phosphates and coordination geometries have been determined by means of automated three-dimensional single-crystal diffractometry and full-matrix least-squares refinements. Important bond distances and angles, experimental summaries and ORTEP-II drawings related to the geometries are presented.
Morphological instability under constitutional supercooling during the crystal growth of InSb from the melt under stabilizing thermal gradient

Abstract Morphological instability of the solid-liquid interface under the constitutional supercooling was investigated in the crystal growth of InSb from the melt, heavily doped with Sn at 1 × 1020 cm-3 (k0 = 5.7 × 10-2). The interface demarcation technique was used to delineate the instantaneous interface shape and to study the time-evolution under instability as well as to measure the microscopic growth rate. The planar solid-liquid interface advanced with a constant growth rate (V) under the stabilizing thermal gradient in a stationery vertical Bridgman-type growth method. A detailed investigation was carried out at V = 4.8 μm/sec. The temporal development of the amplitude of the sinusoidal perturbation δ was measured. An experimental value of 0.0176 sec-1 is measured forδdot;/δ, which is in good agreement with the theoretical value of 0.0223 sec-1 calculated on the basis of Mullins-Sekerka's analysis. The wavelength λ0 of the perturbation was 225 μm at V = 4.8 μm/sec. A conversely linear dependence of λ0 on √V was found. As δ increased in time, multiple faceting occurred on the peaks of the sinusoidal interface, which decreased δ. Succeeding the transient stabilization by multiple faceting, the perturbation resumed with increasing amplitude. The interface deteriorated then rapidly from the planarity, and polycrystalline growth was followed.
Effects of CO2, Chilling, and Staining on Codling Moths to be Used for Sterile Releases

Eosin Y which is used as a marker for the sterile Laspeyresia pomonella (L.) used in releases significantly reduced the average longevity of the males (by 0.8 days), the number of matings (by 0.5), the number of eggs per female (by 14), and the percent hatch of eggs (by 13%) in studies with nonirradiated moths. Chilling was superior to CO2 as an immobilizing agent when either agent was follwed by the staining treatment, because it did not significantly reduce the number of matings; CO2 + staining reduced the average number of matings per female by 0.8. The effect of combining the treatments was additive.
Observation of Nematic Liquid-Crystal Textures in Aqueous Gels of Smectite Clays

Aqueous suspensions of two smectite clays, natural bentonite and synthetic laponite B, were prepared at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 0.1 g/cm3. Viewed at rest between crossed polarizers, con...
Application of the Bi-Factor Multidimensional Item Response Theory Model to Testlet-Based Tests.

Four item response theory (IRT) models were compared using data from tests where multiple items were grouped into testlets focused on a common stimulus. In the bi-factor model each item was treated as a function of a primary trait plus a nuisance trait due to the testlet; in the testlet-effects model the slopes in the direction of the testlet traits were constrained within each testlet to be proportional to the slope in the direction of the primary trait; in the polytomous model the item scores were summed into a single score for each testlet; and in the independent-items model the testlet structure was ignored. Using the simulated data, reliability was overestimated somewhat by the independent-items model when the items were not independent within testlets. Under these nonindependent conditions, the independent-items model also yielded greater root mean square error (RMSE) for item difficulty and underestimated the item slopes. When the items within testlets were instead generated to be independent, the bi-factor model yielded somewhat higher RMSE in difficulty and slope. Similar differences between the models were illustrated with real data.