cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Undrained Response of Clays to Varying Strain Rate

The undrained stress–deformation behavior of clays is significantly affected by the loading rate. Based on the observed experimental response, it is possible to model the strain rate response of clays as an apparent overconsolidated clay response. In this work, we have quantitatively determined the change in the overconsolidation ratio (OCR) due to a change in the strain rate. Our results show that the shear strength response and the excess pore water pressure response at the peak stress provide quantitatively similar magnitudes of change in the OCR with increasing strain rate. This finding holds true for both normally and overconsolidated clays. This suggests that the relationship between strain rate and change in the OCR can be considered as an inherent material characteristic and is quantifiable. A relationship between the change in the OCR and change in the strain rate is described.
Cerebrospinal fluid pharmacokinetics of cefpodoxime proxetil in piglets.

Cefpodoxime is an oral third-generation cephalosporin used for the treatment of acute upper-respiratory tract infections caused by susceptible bacteria in children. Although not indicated for the treatment of bacterial meningitis, it is used to treat other infections produced by organisms associated with meningitis and may obscure the result of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures in children who develop meningitis while receiving oral antibiotics if sufficient concentrations are achieved in the CSF. This study evaluated the disposition of cefpodoxime and penetration into CSF in piglets. Fifteen Landacre-Camborough cross piglets (10-20 days old) received cefpodoxime proxetil oral suspension (10 mg/kg). Repeated plasma and CSF samples were collected over 24 hours for quantitation of cefpodoxime by HPLC. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed on both plasma and CSF data. The plasma concentration versus time data for cefpodoxime were best characterized using a one-compartment model with first-order absorption. The mean (+/- SD) pharmacokinetic parameters for Cmax, tmax, and AUC0-infinity were 23.3 +/- 12.9 mg/L, 3.9 +/- 1.4 h, and 237 +/- 129 mg/L.h, respectively. CSF/plasma ratios for AUC0-infinity demonstrated a mean cefpodoxime penetration of approximately 5%. CSF penetration of cefpodoxime was evident following a single oral dose of cefpodoxime proxetil suspension. Despite the small percentage of total cefpodoxime dose distributing into the CSF, the resultant concentrations approached or exceeded the MIC90 for many bacterial pathogens considered susceptible to cefpodoxime. Accordingly, clinicians should use caution in the interpretation of CSF cultures in patients who develop clinical signs and symptoms consistent with meningitis and who have been previously treated with cefpodoxime.
Random DNA fragmentation allows detection of single-copy, single-exon alterations of copy number by oligonucleotide array CGH in clinical FFPE samples

Genomic technologies, such as array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH), increasingly offer definitive gene dosage profiles in clinical samples. Historically, copy number profiling was limited to large fresh-frozen tumors where intact DNA could be readily extracted. Genomic analyses of pre-neoplastic tumors and diagnostic biopsies are often limited to DNA processed by formalin-fixation and paraffin-embedding (FFPE). We present specialized protocols for DNA extraction and processing from FFPE tissues utilizing DNase processing to generate randomly fragmented DNA. The protocols are applied to FFPE clinical samples of varied tumor types, from multiple institutions and of varied block age. Direct comparative analyses with regression coefficient were calculated on split-sample (portion fresh/portion FFPE) of colorectal tumor samples. We show equal detection of a homozygous loss of SMAD4 at the exon-level in the SW480 cell line and gene-specific alterations in the split tumor samples. aCGH application to a set of archival FFPE samples of skin squamous cell carcinomas detected a novel hemizygous deletion in INPP5A on 10q26.3. Finally we present data on derivative of log ratio, a particular sensitive detector of measurement variance, for 216 sequential hybridizations to assess protocol reliability over a wide range of FFPE samples.
A spatial–temporal point process model of rainfall for the Thames catchment, UK

Summary A spatial–temporal point process model of rainfall is fitted to data taken from 23 sites across the Thames catchment, London. For the period January 1970 to December 1988 the sites have daily data, whilst for the period January 1989 to November 2003 the sites have hourly data. In addition, the records contain missing values. The fitted model is used to infill the missing values, to disaggregate the daily data to hourly data and to generate spatially consistent series at a further 25 sites across the catchment. The model is validated by considering statistical properties that are not used in the fitting procedure, which include extreme values, the proportion of dry intervals, and annual totals. Overall the performance of the model is good, with the exception of an over-estimation in cross-correlation between pairs of sites for the disaggregated series.
Polycomb group proteins ESC and E(Z) are present in multiple distinct complexes that undergo dynamic changes during development

The Polycomb Group proteins are required for stable long-term maintenance of transcriptionally repressed states. Two distinct Polycomb Group complexes have been identified, a 2-MDa PRC1 complex and a 600-kDa complex containing the ESC and E(Z) proteins together with the histone deacetylase RPD3 and the histone-binding protein p55. We report here that there are at least two embryonic ESC/E(Z) complexes that undergo dynamic changes during development and a third larval E(Z) complex that forms after disappearance of ESC. We have identified a larger embryonic ESC complex containing RPD3 and p55, along with E(Z), that is present only until mid-embryogenesis, while the previously identified 600-kDa ESC/E(Z) complex persists until the end of embryogenesis. Constitutive overexpression of ESC does not promote abnormal persistence of the larger or smaller embryonic complexes and does not delay a dissociation of E(Z) from the smaller ESC complex or delay appearance of the larval E(Z) complex, indicating that these changes are developmentally programmed and not regulated by the temporal profile of ESC itself. Genetic removal of ESC prevents appearance of E(Z) in the smaller embryonic complex, but does not appear to affect formation of the large embryonic ESC complex or the PRC1 complex. We also show that the ESC complex is already bound to chromosomes in preblastoderm embryos and present genetic evidence that ESC is required during this very early period.
Anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: what is the right rate and where do we go from here?

Atrial fibrillation affects millions of people worldwide and significantly increases the risk of ischemic stroke. In this month's Viewpoint, Alan Go examines the use of anticoagulant therapy, the problems faced and future therapeutic options for the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Parisi-Sourlas fermions from Ramond superstring

Abstract We show that the zero energy limit of the Ramond superstring naturally describes Dirac fermions with an OSP(D + 1,1¦2) or Parisi-Sourlas supersymmetry, and establish an equivalence between ordinary Dirac fermions and a massive (0 + 1)-dimensional supergravity theory.
Substance Abuse during Pregnancy: Clinical and Public Health Approaches

The treatment of pregnant women addicted to drugs provides an especially important and illustrative example of how political and popular demands can successfully challenge professional ethical norms associated with clinical medicine — norms such as confidentiality, patient autonomy, and the right to consent to and to refuse treatment. One increasingly popular policy approach is to limit patient autonomy by coercing women in an attempt to change their behavior, either by involuntary civil commitment or by imprisoning them for drug abuse or child neglect. Thirty-five states have criminally prosecuted women for substance abuse or alcohol use during pregnancy. Other states aggressively use involuntary civil commitment as a means to protect the yet-to-be-born from harm during pregnancy. Medical professionals have been forced to participate in these programs by mandatory reporting requirements.
Post Hoc Reasoning in Possible Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: Just Say No

In this commentary on “Post Hoc Reasoning in Possible Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: Symptoms of Inconclusive Origins” (Sbraga & O'Donohue, 2003; this issue) I do not disagree with the authors’ ultimate objection with the possible practice of presuming abuse based on the presence of psychological symptoms at some later point in time. However, they do not mount a compelling argument that expert witnesses are in fact doing this widely, and they tend to misapply theories or research on post-trauma sequellae as a way to bolster their arguments. The simple fact that there is no universal psychological symptom marker that could “prove” child sexual abuse is reason enough to refrain from such speculation.
Glucose meters and opportunities for in-hospital transmission of infection: Quantitative assessment and management with and without patient assignment

Background Increasing use of glucose meters in hospitals has increased opportunities for infection transmission that have not been quantitatively assessed or managed. Methods Before-and-after study of the effects of augmentation of glucose meter inventory and of assignment of glucose meters to individual patients on the sequential use of glucose meters on different patients in a 214-bed hospital. Results During October 2008, 11,665 measurements were performed using 38 glucose meters on 803 patients. A total of 9,302 tests (79.7%) was performed sequentially within 24 hours on different patients. From October 28 through November 27, 2009, the glucose meter inventory on 3 high-use units glucose meters was increased (from 22 to 87) with meters assigned to individual patients; on 4 low-use units, glucose meter inventory was increased (from 16 to 28) without assignment to individual patients. Sequential glucose meter use on different patients within 24 hours decreased by 95.1% on high-use units and increased by 17% on low-use units. Conclusion Use of glucose meters was associated with a high number of opportunities to transmit infections, and those opportunities were reduced only when glucose meters were assigned to individual patients. Recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the US Food and Drug Administration to assign glucose meters to individual persons whenever possible is relevant to inpatient care.
Stressing Out: Handling Change in a Digital World

Living in a world of rapid change and increased use of technologies can lead to an increase in personal levels of stress. Each person needs to find their own stress management systems. This article makes a few suggestions about recognizing stress sources and potential coping strategies.
Interaction between radiation and drug damage in mammalian cells. III. The effect of adriamycin and actinomycin-D on the repair of potentially lethal radiation damage.

SummaryWe have studied the effects of actinomycin-D (AMD) and Adriamycin (ADRM) on the repair of radiation damage in Chinese hamster cells (V79) in plateau phase growth. Suppression of potentially lethal damage repair (PLDR) was observed in the presence of non-toxic levels of AMD and minimally toxic levels of ADRM. The suppression of PLDR by AMD persisted as long as the drug was present Removal of AMD was followed by prompt repair of potentially lethal injury suggesting that suppression of PLDR by AMD was not accompanied by fixation of injury to a non-repairable state. On the other hand, irradiated cells exposed to ADRM eventually repair potentially lethal injury in the presence of drug after an initial delay. AMD, but not ADRM, inhibited repair of sublethal radiation damage.
Interaction of chaotic advection and diffusion

Abstract The interaction of molecular diffusion and chaotic edvection is examined in both unbounded and bounded flow domains. In unbounded flow domains molecular diffusion enables tracer particles to explore regions of regular particle motion and chaotic particle motion. Consequently the rate of particle dispersion in these mixed regimes by diffusive particles differs from that realized by perfect tracer particles. In bounded flow domains the effect of chaotic advection on the homogenization and dispersion of diffusive tracers is compared with some classical results on the integrable advection of diffusive tracers. Because the process of molecular diffusion is independent of the type of advection the t →∞ asymptotic behavior is the same in both chaotic advection and integrable advection. However, the rate at which these asymptotic states are approached is more rapid when the advecting flow generates chaotic particle trajectories. Simple scaling arguments are presented to determine the relevant timescale to achieve uniform mixing within a bounded domain. This timescale is also important in the process of shear dispersion.
Repression of the Human Right to Personal Integrity Revisited: A Global Cross-National Study Covering the Years 1976–1993

Here we seek to build on our earlier research (Poe and Tate, 1994) by re-testing similar models on a data set covering a much longer time span; the period from 1976 to 1993. Several of our findings differ from those of our earlier work. Here we find statistical evidence that military regimes lead to somewhat greater human rights abuse, defined in terms of violations of personal integrity, once democracy and a host of other factors are controlled. Further, we find that countries that have experienced British colonial influence tend to have relatively fewer abuses of personal integrity rights than others. Finally, our results suggest that leftist countries are actually less repressive of these basic human rights than non-leftist countries. Consistent with the Poe and Tate (1994) study, however, we find that past levels of repression, democracy, population size, economic development, and international and civil wars exercise statistically significant and substantively important impacts on personal integrity abuse.
Automatic Interfacing in Computer Programming.

The application of Automatic Interfacing in a computer program is described giving examples. When computer programs are structured to make choices possible then they may learn from these answers so that tasks may be automatically performed when desired. Structured programming accounts for the defaults to these answers and also allows the operator to implement changes via switches or change commands. The examples given explain the features added by the logic which remembers previous answers. In my definition, the Automatic Interfacing Program must contain four sections. 1. The first section, called "Learning", is the input section which should do more than just accept information. It should check to see if the information is valid within numerical limits, or valid within syntactic limits. If not, at this point, the program should correct for any mistakes on input. 2. The second section of a controlled program, I have called the "Decision Section". It is at this point that choices art to be made and truth tables eatablished for the rules which are governing the decisions. This may require exacting calculations in order to provide the basis for decision. In all cases, the decision should be registered in an accessible database form for easy observation. It is at this point that a branch should also be made to a "Forgiveness" section, where changes can be made if the logic does not give satisfactory resu1ts. 3. The third section of the computer program is commonly called the "Action" section, or the "Output".
Lower closure theorems for Lagrange problems of optimization with distributed and boundary controls

Lower closure theorems for Lagrange problems of control have the same role as lower semicontinuity theorems have for free problems of the calculus of variations. In the present paper, we prove lower closure theorems in a form needed for application to optimization problems with distributed and boundary controls. Examples are given with state variables in Sobolev spaces.
Traumatic Bilateral Thoracic Facet Dislocation Without Fracture

46-year-old man presented with complaints of severe back nd chest pain after a 2,000-lb construction disc fell on him at is worksite. Initial neurosurgical consultation was without ocal findings. CT scan of the spine revealed bilateral T4-T5 acet dislocation with 50% canal compromise (A–D). No asociated spine fracture was noted. MRI (E, F) demonstrated he facet dislocation (F, arrowheads), but failed to disclose vidence of a spinal cord contusion or traumatic disc herniaion. The patient had open reduction and internal fixation of he facet dislocation via frameless stereotaxic-guided pedicle crew fixation (G–J). Postoperatively he remained neurologially stable and continues to do well at his 18-month ollowup. Traumatic bilateral facet dislocation of the thoracic spine is rare clinical entity. It is thought to result from severe flexion nd distractive forces exerted on the spine at the time of imact. The majority of patients suffering a bilateral thoracic acet dislocation present with severe neurologic deficit, verteral fractures, and associated visceral injury. Interestingly, this atient is the only individual reported to have suffered bilatral thoracic facet dislocation without evidence of a fracture at he level of subluxation. Given that the thoracic facets are quite long and that the mount of weight required to attempt closed reduction would e prohibitive, previous authors have advocated open reducion and internal fixation with hook-rod constructs for the tabilization of this injury. By using neuronavigation we ere able to safely and rapidly perform thoracic pedicle screw ixation in this patient. Compared with hook-based systems, edicle screw constructs offer greater pullout strength, permit horter fusion length, and do not place instrumentation ithin the spinal canal.
Tissue-selective agents: selective estrogen receptor modulators and the tissue-selective estrogen complex

Menopause has been associated with vasomotor symptoms, vulvar-vaginal atrophy and osteoporosis. One of the goals in exploring the potential of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) was to determine if they could prevent fractures, reduce menopausal symptoms and treat vaginal atrophy, while being neutral or protective on the uterus, breast and cardiovascular system. However, no SERM to date has achieved this goal. More recently, the idea of pairing a SERM with estrogen(s), known as a tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC), has been studied in postmenopausal women. A TSEC combines the complementary tissue-selective activities of a SERM and estrogen(s), in an attempt to gain the benefits of each with better overall tolerability. The Selective estrogen Menopause And Response to Therapy (SMART) trials were multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled phase 3 studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of the SERM, bazedoxifene (BZA) paired with conjugated estrogens (CEs) in healthy postmenopausal women. In the first SMART trial, BZA/CE protected the endometrium from estrogenic stimulation, relieved hot flushes and maintained bone mass, with rates of amenorrhea, breast pain and overall adverse events similar to those with placebo in more than 3400 women over two years. BZA 20 mg was the lowest effective dose of BZA in BZA/CE to protect the endometrium and maintain bone mass when paired with CE 0.625 mg and CE 0.45 mg. In SMART-2, these BZA/CE doses significantly reduced the frequency and severity of hot flushes over 12 weeks. Collectively, these data support the TSEC containing BZA/CE as a new paradigm for treating menopausal symptoms and preventing osteoporosis while protecting the endometrium from unopposed estrogenic stimulation.
Postural and lateral asymmetries in the ontogeny of handedness during infancy

Ten newborn infants who preferred to lie with their heads turned rightward and ten who preferred to lie with their heads turned leftward had their hand-use preferences for reaching assessed at 8 different ages during the period 12-74 weeks postpartum. Eighteen infants maintained stable hand-use preferences throughout this period and the direction of their neonatal head orientation preference predicted the hand they preferred to use. The neonatal head-turn preference was maintained through the first 2 months and induced lateral asymmetries in visual regard and motor control of the hands. These lateral asymmetries are plausible contributors to mechanisms linking neonatal headturn preference to infant hand-use preference. Thus, the dextral bias in handedness may be derived, in part, from the rightward bias in neonatal head-turn preference.
Profilin inhibits pollen tube growth through actin-binding, but not poly-L-proline-binding.

Previously, we have shown that excess profilin inhibits pollen tube growth at significantly lower concentrations than it blocks cytoplasmic streaming. To elucidate the mechanism by which profilin achieves this function, we have employed mutant profilins from Schizosaccharomyces pombe [J. Lu and T.D. Pollard (2001) Mol Biol Cell 12:1161–1175], which have defects in actin-binding, ability to inhibit polymerization, and poly-l-proline (PLP)-binding. Using Lilium longiflorum L. pollen and S. pombe profilins as wild-type (wt) standards, mutant profilins have been injected into pollen tubes of Lilium, and examined for their effects on growth rate and cell morphology. Our results show that mutant Y5D (68% actin-binding; 1.1% PLP-binding) is indistinguishable from wt-standard profilins. However mutant K81F (2.7% actin-binding; 77% PLP-binding) and especially mutant K67E (<1% actin-binding; 100% PLP-binding) are significantly less effective than wt-standard profilins in their ability to inhibit pollen tube growth. PLP also inhibits pollen tube growth. However, PLP is not different from K67E/PLP combined, which has no actin-binding, suggesting that PLP does not function by binding to profilin. In addition, there are differences in the morphology and F-actin organization in cells injected with PLP versus wt-profilin. Whereas wt-profilin causes a fragmentation and marked reduction in the amount of F-actin [L. Vidali et al. (2001) Mol Biol Cell 12:2534–2545], PLP generates an extensive disorganization without any apparent reduction in the amount of F-actin. We conclude that along with actin-binding activity of profilin, PLP-containing proteins also participate in the growth control process, and can do so independently of binding to profilin.
The Pricing of the Emergent Leasehold (Possessory) Estates of Ghana

The paper develops hedonic analyses of the pricing of leasehold versus freehold estates in Ghana. The motivation of the paper is the passage of Act 267(5) in 1992 that effectively abolished outright sale of stool lands in Ghana. Stool lands are lands controlled by tribal “chiefs.” Act 267(5) prohibits the sale of freehold estates for stool lands. There are two important findings in this study. The first is that freeholds tend to attract premium prices relative to leaseholds. This supports the bundle-of-rights argument. The second is that the effect of the 1992 Act is indeed capitalized into land prices because of the relative increase in the supply of leaseholds vis-a-vis freeholds. Specifically, the price of freeholds increased relative to the price of leaseholds after the constitutional event. The study also finds that transactions involving stools and individuals, usually perceived to be associated with litigation risk (or title insecurity) relative to government lands, are sold at a discount. Transactions noted to have a history of litigation are also associated with price discounts. The estimated coefficients on all the variables representing services to the site like water, electricity and access roads are significantly positive, indicating a high demand for such essential services.
Effects of Surgery on Angina (Pre- and Postinfarction) and Myocardial Function (Failure)

With the advent of direct bypass surgery, the dramatic clinical responses in some patients has been followed by enormous enthusiasm in many centers. Surgical technics have advanced to such a point that nearly all patients with obstructive coronary disease could have the obstructions bypassed to one or many areas. Criteria for evaluating surgery include mortality, operative infarction rate, patency of grafts, clinical response, and stress testing. Many reports fail to correlate results with angiographic studies of vein function and with completeness of revascularization. When cine studies are performed, a good correlation exists between patent veins and relief of angina and improved stress response. Different patterns of response to stress, sometimes independent of relief of angina, are obtained depending on the completeness of revascularization. Predictable relief of angina is found if revascularization is complete. At times dramatic, but much less predictable, relief of failure (improved ventricular function) follows revascularization. Angina is a valuable aid in selecting some patients for surgery. Stress testing (bicycle ergometry) can now define general groups of patients who are likely, and who are not likely, to show improved myocardial response to stress after surgery. These studies also demonstrate the need for the surgeon to provide complete revascularization whenever possible. The criteria for selection for surgery of patients with symptoms of gross heart failure remain unclear. While revascularization technics could be technically applied to nearly all coronary patients, present methods are unable accurately to define who really needs the surgery and, equally important, which hearts will respond once revascularization is completed.
QUANTITATTON OF URINARY SOMATOMEDIN C (SmC/IGFI)

Plasma SmC/IGFI concentrations do not correlate well with growth velocity of healthy infants and children, nor with linear growth rates of GH deficient patients during GH therapy. The aim of this study was to obtain quantitative information about the excretion of SmC/IGFI in timed urine collections obtained from children with normal and abnormal growth. 84 children (ages 2-17 years) collected 12 hour overnight urine specimens. Group I included healthy controls. Group II comprised children with height >−2 S.D., growth 8 ng/ml to stimulii. Group III consisted of GH deficient children. 50 ml aliquots of urine were dialyzed and concentrated 50 fold by Iyophylization using a modification of the method of Hansen. SmC/IGFI. was measured by a radioimmunoassay (Nichols Institute). The quantity of SmC/IGFI excreted was standardized for weight (mU/kg). Healthy children (Group I) excrete significantly greater amounts of SmC/IGFI than children with pathologic growth (groups II and III, p < .01). Pubertal and prepubertal children had similar quantities of SmC/IGFI. Conclusion; Pathologically short children who are GH deficient or GH sufficient by standard provocative tests, excrete less urine SmC/IGFI than control subjects. Measurements of urine SmC/IGFI may increase our understanding about the interplay between this growth factor and GH, sex steroids and nutrition.
Study on BaSiO3 Solid-Solid Reaction through Irreversible Thermodynamics

Based on the irreversible thermodynamics theory, the kinetic of BaSiO3 solid-solid reaction has been constituted and then the equations were applied to BaSiO3 solid synthesis reaction. The calculation results showed that the reaction was under control of reaction at 1207K.
Parameterization of transcranial magnetic stimulation.

A recent study (Di Lazzaro et al. J Neurophysiol 105: 2150–2156, 2011) describes the findings from a rigorous comparison on the effects of several popular variations of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) protocols. The results demonstrate that excitatory and inhibitory neural networks may be independently modulated based on TMS protocol selection. Moreover, the within-group replication of multiple between-group experiments suggests that independent evaluations of TMS parameters will continue to inform and guide future TMS research.
Absolute measurement of surface profiles with phase-shifting projected fringe profilometry

Phase-shifting projected fringe profilometry (PSPFP) is a powerful tool in the profile inspection of a large variety of rough surfaces. In many applications, absolute PSPFP measurements, capable of compensating for the lateral distortions in the measured object shape and providing an expression of the measured shape under a predefined reference system, are highly desired. In this paper, an absolute PSPFP technique combining the lateral calibration and the phase-to- depth calibration is proposed. The principles of the proposed absolute PSPFP measurement technique will be discussed together with the calibration and measurement methods based on a particular formalism of absolute PSPFP measurements.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Peyronie's disease and erectile dysfunction: Current understanding and future direction

Peyronie's disease is a physically and psychologically devastating disorder affecting close to 10% of adult men. It is currently believed to be a form of wound healing disorder where there is excessive scar formation in response to a triggering process, most commonly following trauma to the erect penis. In this circumstance, the plaque which is an inelastic scar of the tunica albuginea develops which causes a variety of penile deformities including curvature, indentation, loss of girth and shortening. Frequently pain will accompany erection or direct palpation of the plaque in the early, active phase of this disease, but pain does tend to resolve over time but the deformities tend to remain. In up to 90% of patients there is associated diminished erectile capacity. Fifty percent of the time, men note evidence of erectile dysfunction prior to developing the Peyronie's disease. A variety of factors may contribute to erectile dysfunction in this patient population. Most commonly there is an underlying vascular insufficiency, which may be due to the same processes that result in accelerated atherosclerosis including diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and dyslipidemia. There may also be a substantial psychogenic effect, as we know that the majority of men with Peyronie's disease are significantly psychologically distressed by the changes to their penis. Lastly, there has been some suggestion that the abnormal geometry of the penis may contribute to a reduction of intracavernosal pressure resulting in diminished rigidity. This article briefly reviews what is currently understood about the etiology and presentation of the patient with Peyronie's disease and tries to clarify several of the widely held misconceptions. In addition, there are recommendations for evaluation and a more detailed discussion of the erectile dysfunction associated with Peyronie's disease, as well as appropriate treatment options.
Taking Affirmative Action in Education and Employment

To complement psychological research evaluating the fairness, feasibility, and effectiveness of affirmative action policies and practices in the U.S., the author discusses the predictive validity of commonly used tests for educational and employment screening and selection and offers recommendations. The success of efforts to improve screening and selection systems rests on coordinating technical considerations and social structural concerns. At the technical level, racial group norming is not a substitute for direct improvement of test validity via the study of shared and unique group predictors. At the same time, affirmative action outreach and training as well as direct efforts to change the conditions that create the need for differential group predictors are in order. These efforts are needed in the short term to overcome barriers to equal opportunity in the long term.
Improving HIV rapid testing rates among STD clinic patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that HIV testing be a standard part of medical care; however, testing is voluntary and some patients decline. We evaluated 2 brief interventions to promote rapid HIV testing among STD clinic patients who initially declined testing. Method: Using a randomized controlled trial, patients either viewed an educational digital video disc (DVD) or participated in stage-based behavioral counseling (SBC) provided by a nurse. Sixty clients presenting for care at a STD clinic who initially declined HIV testing at registration and during risk behavior screening participated in the study. Results: The primary outcome was whether patients agreed to be tested for HIV. The secondary outcomes included attitudes, knowledge, and stage-of-change regarding HIV testing. Patients receiving both interventions improved their attitudes and knowledge about testing (ps <.01). Patients receiving SBC agreed to testing more often (45%) than did patients who viewed the DVD (19%; p <.05). Conclusions: Brief interventions can increase rapid HIV testing acceptance among patients who are reluctant to be tested; counseling guided by behavioral science theory is more effective than a well-designed information-based intervention.
The dopamine and serotonin systems during aging in human and rodent brain. A brief review

During nonpathological aging, quantitative changes occur in the pre- and post-synaptic elements of both the dopamine and serotonin systems. The level of dopamine in the human striatum declines up to 50% with age, while smaller and more variable changes are found in rodent brain (0-30%). Postsynaptically, the density of D-2 dopamine receptors also declines by 25-50% in both human and rodent striata. Conversely, D-1 receptors have been reported to increase with age in human, and to remain stable in rodent brain. In the serotonin system, the concentration of serotonin remains stable during nonpathological aging in both rodents and humans. The density of S-2 serotonin receptors declines 20-50% with age in human frontal cortex and hippocampus, and by 30% in mouse cortex. The density of S-1 serotonin receptors is unchanged throughout the mouse lifespan, but declines by 30-50% in human frontal cortex. In rodents, the up-regulation of D-2 receptors in response to antagonist (neuroleptic) treatment is impaired in old animals. Conversely, the down-regulation of D-2 receptors in response to chronic agonist (bromocriptine) treatment is equivalent at all ages. Similarly, the down-regulation of S-2 receptors to antidepressant (amitriptyline) treatment in mice is constant over the lifespan. Attempts to up-regulate serotonin receptors with antagonists have, thus far, been unsuccessful.
ONTOGENY AND CYTOCHEMISTRY OF THE CHALAZAL PROLIFERATING CELLS OF CAPSELLA BURSA‐PASTORIS (L.) MEDIC.

Summary This paper describes the ontogenic development and cytochemistry of a group of cells which proliferate from the chalaza of the ovule of Capsella bursa-pastoris. These cells arise from nucellar tissue in the chalaza at the time of embryo development and develop a consistent morphology which seems to protrude into the embryo sac. Azure B staining and intensity of incorporation of nucleic acid precursors indicates a high rate of activity of these cells up to the time that the embryo is in the heart stage. They then begin to disintegrate quickly with but a few cells remaining in the mature seed. The evidence suggests that they may play a physiological role in early embryo development.
Identification of cascaded generator over-excitation tripping events

Undesirable tripping of generators contri- buted to the 1996 and 2003 blackouts in the U.S. Tripping of these generators initiated by over-excitation protection can lead to a shortage of reactive power supply. An effec- tive way to prevent cascaded events is to identify the antic- ipated operations of generator protective devices such as over-current relays. For a given contingency, the post- disturbance field currents can be obtained from the results of steady-state contingency evaluation in the on-line securi- ty assessment process. However, their accuracy is inade- quate compared with the post-contingency field current obtained from off-line time-domain dynamic simulations. This paper proposes a Fuzzy Inference System (FIS) to correct discrepancies between post-contingency field cur- rents obtained from steady-state contingency evaluation and the corresponding values obtained from time-domain dynamic simulations. Post-contingency field currents ob- tained from steady-state security assessment can be cor- rected on-line using an FIS constructed off line. A 200-bus system model is used to validate the performance of the developed FIS.
Opportunities for Radiation-Dose Optimization Through Standardized Analytics and Decision Support

Although the potential for adverse clinical outcomes related to medical radiation have been well documented for over a century, several relatively recent trends have increased awareness of radiation safety in medical imaging. These include expanded CT applications and utilization, increased patient attention on radiation carcinogenesis, and a wide array of legislative and societal radiation initiatives, created partly in response to media reports of CT-induced radiation complications. With this heightened radiation awareness and scrutiny comes a unique and timely opportunity for the collective medical-imaging community to incorporate comparative radiation metrics and analysis directly into routine workflow and reporting. If properly performed, a number of benefits could in theory be derived, including improved clinical outcomes, creation of data-driven best practice guidelines, opportunities for enhanced education and research, dose-reduction technology innovation, and reversal of existing commoditization trends.
Changing restoration rules: Exotic bivalves interact with residence time and depth to control phytoplankton productivity

Non-native species are a prevalent ecosystem stressor that can interact with other stressors to confound resource management and restoration. We examine how interactions between physical habitat attributes and a particular category of non-native species (invasive bivalves) influence primary production in aquatic ecosystems. Using mathematical models, we show how intuitive relationships between phytoplankton productivity and controllable physical factors (water depth, hydraulic transport time) that hold in the absence of bivalves can be complicated—and even reversed—by rapid bivalve grazing. In light-limited environments without bivalves, shallow, hydrodynamically “slow” habitats should generally have greater phytoplankton biomass and productivity than deeper, “faster” habitats. But shallower, slower environments can be less productive than deeper, faster ones if benthic grazing is strong. Moreover, shallower and slower waters exhibit a particularly broad range of possible productivity outcomes that can depend on whether bivalves are present. Since it is difficult to predict the response of non-native bivalves to habitat restoration, outcomes for new shallow, slow environments can be highly uncertain. Habitat depth and transport time should therefore not be used as indicators of phytoplankton biomass and production where bivalve colonization is possible. This study provides for ecosystem management a particular example of a broad lesson: abiotic ecosystem stressors should be managed with explicit consideration of interactions with other major (including biotic) stressors. We discuss the applicability and management implications of our models and results for a range of aquatic system types, with a case study focused on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta (California, USA). Simple mathematical models like those used here can illuminate interactions between ecosystem stressors and provide process-based guidance for resource managers as they develop strategies to augment valued populations, restore habitats, and manipulate ecosystem functions.
Elastic Constants and Coefficients of Thermal Expansion of Laves Phase Cr2X (X=Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr) Alloys

To examine the effect of thermal expansion mismatch on cracking in two-phase Cr-Cr{sub 2}X (X = Hf, Nb, Ta, Zr) alloys, the authors calculate the elastic constants and associated elastic anharmonicity by the local-density-functional approach from which the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) of Cr and Cr{sub 2}X are determined. The calculation shows that the CTE of Cr at high temperatures is notably larger than those of Cr{sub 2}X. If the difference in CTE between Cr and Cr{sub 2}X is a primary source of crack initiation, the results fail to explain the experimental observation that, among Cr-Cr{sub 2}X alloy systems, the ingot cracking occurs mainly in Cr-Cr{sub 2}Nb. The authors suggest that for the cracking to occur, thermal mismatch stresses are retained by a hard and supersaturated Cr matrix (e.g., due to the relatively high solubility of Nb in Cr in the case of Cr-Cr{sub 2}Nb). On the other hand, a soft Cr matrix can accommodate the thermal misfit dislocations plastically even when the CTE difference between Cr and Cr{sub 2}X is large (e.g., in the case of Cr-Cr{sub 2}Zr).
Attention Cycles and Frames in the Plant Biotechnology Debate Managing Power and Participation through the Press/Policy Connection

Power in policy making revolves in part around the ability to control media attention to an issue while framing an issue in favorable terms. These two characteristics of media coverage both reflect and shape where an issue is decided, by whom, and with what outcomes. In understanding this process, a number of studies have observed cyclical waves in media attention and historical shifts in how an issue is framed,linking these features to policy decisions. Yet there has been little theoretical specification and testing of the social mechanisms that drive these cycles. With this in mind, this study outlines a model for understanding “mediated issue development.” The theoretical components of the model include the type of policy arena where debate takes place, the media lobbying activities of strategic actors, the journalistic need for narrative structure, and the competition from other issues for attention across policy and media environments. Related factors include the type of journalist assigned coverage and the level of attention from opinion pages. Using data from a content analysis of twenty-five years of coverage at the New York Times and Washington Post, the model is applied and tested against the issue of plant biotechnology. Generalizability of the model is the primary goal,and the authors conclude with comparisons to other issues such as the Human Genome Project and intelligent design. Understanding, however, why plant biotechnology remains at low levels of controversy in the United States compared to the rest of the world remains the object of considerable curiosity, and the focus of this study posits several explanations.
Parametric study of vertical vibrations of circular flexible foundations on layered media

The paper presents results of a parametric study of vertical oscillations of a flexible circular plate on the surface of an elastic hale-space and an elastic layered system. The solution of the problem is based on the «ring method». Vertical oscillations have been analysed to determine the displacement and soil reaction distributions at the soil-plate interface and the impedance functions. Parameters of the study include material and geometrical properties of a soil system and a plate and the load distribution on the plate. The results indicate significantly different behaviour of a flexible plate from that of a rigid one. Based on the observed behaviour, a classification of plates has been suggested.
SnapShot: Effector Proteins of Type III Secretion Systems

SKIP: SifA and kinesin-interacting protein (Kiaa0842); ubiquitously expressed protein of unknown functionTRIP6: Thyroid receptor-interacting protein 6PKN1: Protein kinase N1; involved in innate immune responsesIKK: IκB kinase; involved in innate immune responses by activating NF-κBPBS1: serine/threonine protein kinase required for plant defense responseNck: adaptor protein containing SH2 and SH3 domains; involved in signal transductionWASP: Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein; promotes actin nucleationAbcf2: a member of the ABC-transporter family of proteins of unknown functionSNX9: Sortin nexin 9; involved in endocytosisEBP50/NHERF1/EBP50: Na
Commentary: Work, well-being, and a new calling for countercyclical policy

The question of how human well-being is affected by business cycles is an ageold focus in economics. Starting with the dawn of the modern welfare state early in the 20th Century, economists following in the tradition of John Maynard Keynes1 advocated activist countercyclical economic policies: increases in spending or decreases in taxes that are implemented during economic downturns in order to dampen business cycles. The stagflation of the 1970s and the Lucas critique2 marked the beginning of a sea change in thinking about countercyclical policy. Lucas showed why good-intentioned countercyclical policy might be rendered ineffective at best and inflationary at worst by forward-looking, rational individuals who adapt to government policymaking. As a result of this feasibility argument, activist countercyclical policy largely fell out of favor in the U.S. New policies took neoclassical emphases on fostering price stability, improving incentives to work and save, and increasing the potential for long-run growth. There is much to be said about the beneficial impacts of such policies in the long run, but incentivizing work necessarily tilts fiscal policy in the procyclical direction, i.e., increasing spending during times that are already good,
The Validity and Equivalence of Tests of Self-Acceptance

(1961). The Validity and Equivalence of Tests of Self-Acceptance. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 51, No. 1, pp. 101-112.
Development and testing of a bacterial biosensor for toluene-based environmental contaminants

A bacterial biosensor for benzene, toluene, and similar compounds has been constructed, characterized, and field tested on contaminated water and soil. The biosensor is based on a plasmid incorporating the transcriptional activator xylR from the TOL plasmid of Pseudomonas putida mt-2. The XylR protein binds a subset of toluene-like compounds and activates transcription at its promoter, Pu. A reporter plasmid was constructed by placing the luc gene for firefly luciferase under the control of XylR and Pu. When Escherichia coli cells were transformed with this plasmid vector, luminescence from the cells was induced in the presence of benzene, toluene, xylenes, and similar molecules. Accurate concentration dependencies of luminescence were obtained and exhibited K1/2 values ranging from 39.0 +/- 3.8 microM for 3-xylene to 2,690 +/- 160 microM for 3-methylbenzylalcohol (means +/- standard deviations). The luminescence response was specific for only toluene-like molecules that bind to and activate XylR. The biosensor cells were field tested on deep aquifer water, for which contaminant levels were known, and were able to accurately detect toluene derivative contamination in this water. The biosensor cells were also shown to detect BETX (benzene, toluene, and xylene) contamination in soil samples. These results demonstrate the capability of such a bacterial biosensor to accurately measure environmental contaminants and suggest a potential for its inexpensive application in field-ready assays.