cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of a portable multiphoton photo-acoustic spectroscopy system for tumor diagnostics

In this paper we describe the development of a novel fiber optic probe for subsurface tumor diagnostics, based on non-resonant multiphoton photoacoustic spectroscopy (NMPPAS). In this technique, endogenous biomarkers present in tissues are irradiated in the near infrared, using a tunable high-power laser. The resulting multiphoton excitation events are detected as an acoustic (i.e. ultrasonic) signal, using an ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer. The signal from the piezoelectric transducer is then corrected for laser power fluctuations by normalizing the NMPPAS signal at each wavelength with the laser intensity recorded, from an optical diode. By scanning the laser excitation over the appropriate wavelength range for the tissue of interest, absorption differences between normal and tumor tissues can be measured and analyzed. The fiber optic probe was characterized and optimized for transmission efficiency as well as its time dependent response to high power laser pulses. The focusing optics were optimized and a piezoelectric transducer film detector chosen based on its sensitivity in the ultrasonic frequency range of interest. Using this probe system NMPPAS measurements were performed on several common fluorescent dyes including rhodamine 6G as well as well-characterized biomarkers like tryptophan. Furthermore, the technique was further successfully applied to the differentiation of tumorous and healthy human brain tissues.
The kinase activity of DNA-PK is required to protect mammalian telomeres

The kinase activity of DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) is required for efficient repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) by non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). DNA-PK also participates in protection of mammalian telomeres, the natural ends of chromosomes. Here we investigate whether the kinase activity of DNA-PK is similarly required for effective telomere protection. DNA-PK proficient mouse cells were exposed to a highly specific inhibitor of DNA-PK phosphorylation designated IC86621. Chromosomal end-to-end fusions were induced in a concentration-dependent manner, demonstrating that the telomere end-protection role of DNA-PK requires its kinase activity. These fusions were uniformly chromatid-type, consistent with a role for DNA-PK in capping telomeres after DNA replication. Additionally, fusions involved exclusively telomeres produced via leading-strand DNA synthesis. Unexpectedly, the rate of telomeric fusions induced by IC86621 exceeded that which occurs spontaneously in DNA-dependent protein kinase catalytic subunit (DNA-PKcs) mutant cells by up to 110-fold. One explanation, that IC86621 might inhibit other, as yet unknown proteins, was ruled out when the drug failed to induce fusions in DNA-PKcs knock-out mouse cells. IC86621 did not induce fusions in Ku70 knock-out cells suggesting the drug requires the holoenzyme to be effective. ATM also is required for effective chromosome end protection. IC86621 increased fusions in ATM knock-out cells suggesting DNA-PK and ATM act in different telomere pathways. These results indicate that the kinase activity of DNA-PK is crucial to reestablishing a protective terminal structure, specifically on telomeres replicated by leading-strand DNA synthesis.
Electrical characteristics of InSb-GaAs heterojunctions

Abstract InSb-GaAs p - n , p - p , and n - n heterojunctions prepared by molecular beam epitaxy have been characterized using current-voltage and capacitance-voltage measurements. All the junctions exhibit excellent rectifying characteristics. Despite a 14.6% lattice mismatch, excellent diode characteristics with ideality factors as small as 1.04 and low leakage currents are observed. From capacitance-voltage measurements, the valence band discontinuity of InSb-GaAs junction is determined to be between 0.50 and 0.64 eV.
Participation of the tRNA A76 hydroxyl groups throughout translation.

The free 2‘−3‘ cis-diol at the 3‘-terminus of tRNA provides a unique juxtaposition of functional groups that play critical roles during protein synthesis. The translation process involves universally conserved chemistry at almost every stage of this multistep procedure, and the 2‘- and 3‘-OHs are in the immediate vicinity of chemistry at each step. The cis-diol contribution affects steps ranging from tRNA aminoacylation to peptide bond formation. The contributions have been studied in assays related to translation over a period that spans at least three decades. In this review, we follow the 2‘- and 3‘-OHs through the steps of translation and examine the involvement of these critical functional groups.
Some Antecedents of Children's Sex-Role Stereotypes:

The present study investigated children's observational learning of sex-role stereotypes from parental and televised models. Children's and parents' sex-role stereotypes were measured by Baruch's (...
Early activation and redistribution of calpain activity in skeletal muscle during hindlimb unweighting and reweighting.

The aims of this study were the following: (i) to determine whether activation of the Ca2+-activated protease, calpain, is an early event during hindlimb unweighting (HU) in skeletal muscle; and (ii) to assess whether calpain activity is greater during reweighting compared with HU alone. Rats were exposed to 12, 24, and 72 h, or 9 d of HU, followed by reweighting for 0, 12, or 24 h. Calpain activities were assayed for total, soluble, and particulate fractions. Total calpain activity was increased in the soleus at all HU time points, whereas activities were elevated in the gastrocnemius only after 9 d of HU. With reweighting, calpain activity remained elevated at all time points for both muscles. In general, reweighting the gastrocnemius increased its calpain activity more than during HU only, whereas reweighting the soleus did not produce additional increases in its calpain activity. The increases in calpain activity were associated with a proportional increase in activity of the particulate (membrane- an...
Conduction-Electron Enhancement of Exchange Interactions in SmS

La doping of SmS is found to greatly increase both the ${\mathrm{Sm}}^{2+}$-${\mathrm{Sm}}^{2+}$ exchange interaction (as measured by the Van Vleck susceptibility) and the ${\mathrm{Sm}}^{2+}$-${\mathrm{Eu}}^{2+}$ (impurity) exchange interaction (as measured by the EPR $g$ shift). It is shown that this enhancement is primarly due to the indirect exchange caused by the conduction electrons donated by the La. Furthermore, these two exchange interactions have different dependences on La doping.
Every sequence is reducible to a random one

Every infinite sequence is Turing-reducible to an infinite sequence which is random in the sense of Martin-Lof.
Scent and Mood State following an Anxiety-Provoking Task

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of water, lavender, or rosemary scent on physiology and mood state following an anxiety-provoking task. The nonsmoking participants, ages 18-30 years, included 42 women and 31 men who reported demographic information and measures of external temperature and heart rate were taken prior to introduction of an anxiety-eliciting task and exposure to lavender, rosemary, or water scents. Following the task, participants completed the Profile of Mood States to assess mood, and temperature and heart rate were reassessed. Participants rated the pleasantness of the scent received. When pleasantness ratings of scent were covaried, physiological changes in temperature and heart rate did not differ based on scent exposure, but mood ratings differed by scent condition. Participants in the rosemary condition scored higher on measures of tension-anxiety and confusion-bewilderment relative to the lavender and control conditions. The lavender and control conditions showed higher mean vigor-activity ratings relative to the rosemary group, while both rosemary and lavender scents were associated with lower mean ratings on the fatigue-inertia subscale, relative to the control group. These results suggest that, when individual perception of scent pleasantness is controlled, scent has the potential to moderate different aspects of mood following an anxiety-provoking task.
Alliance and Group Cohesion in Relationship Education

Relationship education programs have been shown as an effective way to increase relationship functioning. There is less known about how process factors, such as alliance with the leader or group dynamics, affect outcomes in these interventions. We examined group cohesion and alliance with the leader in a relationship education program tailored for individuals. Specifically, we examined whether participants' ratings (n = 126) of the group cohesion and alliance with the leader were associated with changes in relationship adjustment, relationship confidence, and communication quality from pre- to postintervention. The results demonstrated that participants' perceptions of the cohesion among the members in their relationship education group, but not the leader-participant alliance, made a significant contribution to the changes in participants' relationship functioning. These results suggest that the group dynamics among the members in the group are important ingredients in relationship education. Implications for relationship programs are provided.
Differential effects of oxidative stress on hepatic endothelial and Kupffer cell eicosanoid release in response to endothelin-1.

Objective: The vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 can induce vasomodulators release like nitric oxide in the liver. Here the authors explored whether endothelin-1 can stimulate endothelial and Kupffer cells release of other vasomodulators under normal and stress conditions.Methods: Cells were cultured for 24 h and treated with H2O2 (25 μM) for 6 h and subsequently with endothelin-1 (10 nM) for 10 min. Eicosanoid release was assessed in the media by enzyme immunoassay.Results: Endothelin-1 mediated cPLA2 phosphorylation and increased prostaglandin (PG) I2, PGE2 and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) release in endothelial cells while it only increased TXA2 in Kupffer cells. H2O2 significantly increased PGI2, PGE2 and TXA2 in endothelial cells through an upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2, thromboxane synthase A2, and phosphorylation of cPLA2. Endothelin-1-induced PGI2, PGE2, and TXA2 release in endothelial cells were inhibited by H2O2 correlating with the absence of further cPLA2 phosphorylation. In Kupffer cells, H2O2 only in...
Enabling model customization and integration

Until fairly recently, the idea of dynamic model content and presentation were treated synonymously. For example, if one was to take a data flow network, which captures the dynamics of a target system in terms of the flow of data through nodal operators, then one would often standardize on rectangles and arrows for the model display. The increasing web emphasis on XML, however, suggests that the network model can have its content specified in an XML language, and then the model can be represented in a number of ways depending on the chosen style. We have developed a formal method, based on styles, that permits a model to be specified in XML and presented in 1D (text), 2D, and 3D. This method allows for customization and personalization to exert their benefits beyond e-commerce, to the area of model structures used in computer simulation. This customization leads naturally to solving the bigger problem of model integration - the act of taking models of a scene and integrating them with that scene so that there is only one unified modeling interface. This work focuses mostly on customization, but we address the integration issue in the future work section.
A model describing the inactivation of factor Va by APC: bond cleavage, fragment dissociation, and product inhibition.

The inactivation of factor Va is a complex process which includes bond cleavage (at three sites) and dissociation of the A2N·A2C peptides, with intermediate activity in each species. Quantitation o...
Dynamic Motions of G Proteins during Receptor Independent Cell Signaling

The Gα subunit is responsible for regulating intracellular signals through guanine nucleotide binding and release, the catalytic rate limiting step. Recent studies have shown interactions of Gα with Guanine nucleotide Exchange Factors (GEFs) cause dynamic structural changes which facilitate substrate release. Determining the structural changes and dynamics of the GDP-bound (inactive) and GEF-bound (nucleotide-free) states of the α-subunit will lead to a better understanding of cell signaling and regulation. In this study the conformational state distributions and dynamic motions of Gα were probed on a surface-cysteine free Gαi1 construct (Gα Hexa I) mutant using single molecule Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (smFRET)and time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy.
Bulk and surface plasmon polariton excitation in RuO_2 for low-loss plasmonic applications in NIR

Transition-metal oxides, such as RuO2, offer an exciting alternative to conventional metals for metamaterials and plasmonic applications due to their low optical losses in the visible and near-infrared ranges. In this manuscript we report observation of optically excited surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) and bulk plasmons in RuO2 thin films grown using DC reactive magnetron sputtering on glass and TiO2 (001) substrates. We show that both plasmon modes can exist simultaneously for the infrared region of the optical spectrum, while only the bulk plasmons are supported at higher optical frequencies. Finally, we demonstrate that the film properties can be tailored to favor excitation of either SPP or bulk plasmons.
Selection of component modes for flexible multibody simulation

The assumed-modes method in multibody dynamics allows the elastic deformation of each component in the system to be approximated by a sum of products of spatial and temporal functions commonly known as modes and modal coordinates, respectively. This paper focuses on the choice of component modes used to model articulating and nonarticulating flexible multibody systems. Attention is directed toward three classical component mode synthesis methods whereby component normal modes are generated by treating the component interface as either fixed, free, or loaded with mass and stiffness contributions from the remaining components. The fixed and free interface normal modes are augmented by static shape functions termed constraint and residual modes, respectively. In this paper, a mode selection procedure is outlined whereby component modes are selected from the Craig-Bampton (fixed interface plus constraint), MacNeal-Rubin (free interface plus residual), or Benfield-Hruda (loaded interface) mode sets in accordance with a modal ordering scheme derived from balanced realization theory. The success of the approach is judged by comparing the actuator-to-sensor frequency response of the reduced-order system with that of the full-order system over the frequency range of interest. A finite element model of the Galileo spacecraft serves as an example in demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed mode selection method.
Intra- and interplant leaf sesquiterpene variability in Copaifera langsdorfii: relation to microlepidopteran herbivory

Abstract Oecophorid herbivory in Copaifera langsdorfii leaves along with sesquiterpene composition, concentration of most of the individual sesquiterpenes and total yield did not significantly differ between the lower and upper portions of tree canopies. Although sesquiterpene variation in leaves collected throughout individual tree canopies was less than variation among trees, leaves which were eaten by oecophorid larvae had slightly lower yields than those unattacked. Individual C. langsdorfii trees within the population were significantly different from one another in sesquiterpene yield, oecophorid herbivory and in the concentration of seven out of the 11 sesquiterpene compounds. Leaf sesquiterpenes appear to be more important in inhibiting herbivory by Stenoma aff. assignata than leaf moisture and nitrogen content and toughness.
Curbing Epidemic Cheating Through Systemic Change

(1995). Curbing Epidemic Cheating Through Systemic Change. College Teaching: Vol. 43, No. 4, pp. 123-125.
MM3 Development of Drug Use Performance Models as Measures of Patient Care

Combining the measurement of traditional drug utilization and other health care resources can provide a good measure of performane within a health care plan, but they have not been extensively developed. Following the workshop, participants should be able to select medical conditions in a population that are appropriate for drug usage performance measures, develop a set of drug-based performance measures from well-established treatment guidelines, develop appropriate denominators for the performance measures and monitor the results within and across health care plans. A template and the criteria development process for two drug-based performance sets (asthma and otitis media) will be presented. The role of performance measures to evaluate trends and to describe the consequences of implementing managed care to a traditional Medicaid program will be discussed. Providers and insurers of health care who are responsible for quality of care indicators or the drug and disease evaluation process will benefit from attending this workshop.
Doing the Full Monty with Dirk and Jane: Using the Phallus to Validate Marginalized Masculinities:

Through three current mainstream films. The Full Monty, Boogie Nights, and G. I. Jane, this paper explores how men who are marginalized by the dominant culture because of their social identities, such as race, class, sexual orientation, or age, may reclaim a more powerful identity by publicly displaying the “ultimate insignia of masculinity,” the penis. Additionally, the article also demonstrates how women may also appropriate the phallus to elevate their social status. Ultimately, it is through the public presentation of the phallus that those on the margins may move toward the center.
Influence of adiposity on tonic sympathetic support of resting metabolism in healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: β-Adrenergic receptor sympathetic nervous system (β-AR SNS) support of resting metabolic rate (RMR) is attenuated with older age, female sex, and a sedentary lifestyle. Total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat pattern modulate some SNS-mediated physiological functions. OBJECTIVE: To determine if total and abdominal adiposity and/or body fat distribution are independently related to SNS support of RMR. DESIGN: Cross-sectional comparison of β-AR SNS support of RMR. SUBJECTS: A total of 54 healthy male and female subjects aged 18–75 y. MEASUREMENTS: RMR (ventilated hood, indirect calorimetry) before (baseline) and during complete β-AR blockade; body composition by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: Forward stepwise multiple regression analysis using sex, exercise status, age group, %body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity as variables revealed sex to be the strongest predictor, explaining 21% of the variability in β-AR SNS support of RMR (P=0.0006). Age group explained an additional 4% and exercise status a further 4% (both P=0.10). %Body fat, total adiposity, abdominal adiposity, and the ratio of abdominal adiposity to hip adiposity did not enter the equation. CONCLUSION: Total and abdominal adiposity and body fat pattern are not independent physiological determinants of β-AR SNS support of RMR among healthy men and women. Moreover, further support is provided for our previous finding of attenuated β-AR SNS support of RMR with age, female sex, and sedentary lifestyle.
Abstract 5607: TLE4 is a key modulator of resistance to mTOR pathway specific inhibition in glioblastoma

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Rapamycin, a selective inhibitor of TOR (target of rapamycin), has been used in clinical trials for the treatment of glioma (Cloughesy et al., 2008). However, even though some patients respond temporarily to rapamycin treatment, virtually all recur. The mechanisms underlying this resistance to therapy are unknown. Here, we utilized patient-derived glioblastoma (GBM) neurosphere cultures to examine these mechanisms. GBM cell cultures exposed to chronic rapamycin yield a population of rapamycin resistant cells with an increased malignant phenotype upon removal from treatment, enhanced sphere formation in vitro and enhanced tumorigenesis. We used an unbiased, proteomics-based approach to discover phosphopeptides that were upregulated during rapamycin treatment in vitro. Amongst the peptides that we uncovered was Tle4/Groucho, a global co-repressor and known modulator of several key signaling pathways, including the Wnt and Notch pathways. In an expression microarray, Tle4 was found to be significantly upregulated within chronic rapa treated GBM cells. We show that TLE4 is a key modulator of resistance to mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway specific inhibition. While TLE4 knockdown has no clear effect on naive cells, this knockdown promotes sensitivity under chronic rapamycin treatment as evidenced by reduced neurosphere formation. TLE4 mediate rapamycin resistance through activation of the quiescent population. Our results indicate that chronic mTOR specific inhibition imparts TLE4 mediated resistance through both ERK activation and inhibition of mTOR. The identification of this role for TLE4 in rapamycin resistance provides a novel target for mTOR pathway-associated chemotherapeutic agents. References: Cloughesy, T.F., Yoshimoto, K., Nghiemphu, P., Brown, K., Dang, J., Zhu, S., Hsueh, T., Chen, Y., Wang, W., Youngkin, D., et al. (2008). Antitumor activity of rapamycin in a Phase I trial for patients with recurrent PTEN-deficient glioblastoma. PLoS Med 5, e8. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5607. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-5607
Healthy food availability and the association with BMI in Baltimore, Maryland.

Objective To study the association between the availability of healthy foods and BMI by neighbourhood race and socio-economic status (SES). Design Trained staff collected demographic information, height, weight and 24 h dietary recalls between 2004 and 2008. Healthy food availability was determined in thirty-four census tracts of varying racial and SES composition using the Nutrition Environment Measures Survey-Stores in 2007. Multilevel linear regression was used to estimate associations between healthy food availability and BMI. Setting Baltimore City, Maryland, USA. Subjects Adults aged 30-64 years (n 2616) who participated in the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity across the Life Span study. Results Among individuals living in predominantly white neighbourhoods, high availability of healthy foods was associated with significantly higher BMI compared with individuals living in neighbourhoods with low availability of healthy food after adjustment for demographic variables (β = 3.22, P = 0.001). Associations were attenuated but remained significant after controlling for dietary quality (β = 2.81, P = 0.012). Conclusions Contrary to expectations, there was a positive association between the availability of healthy food and higher BMI among individuals living in predominantly white neighbourhoods. This result could be due to individuals in neighbourhoods with low healthy food availability travelling outside their neighbourhood to obtain healthy food.
Quantification of Drug Choice with The Generalized Matching Law in Rhesus Monkeys

The generalized matching law provides precise descriptions of choice, but has not been used to characterize choice between different doses of drugs or different classes of drugs. The current study examined rhesus monkeys' drug self-administration choices between identical drug doses, different doses, different drugs (cocaine, remifentanil, and methohexital), and between drug and drug-paired stimuli. The bias parameter of the generalized matching law was used to quantify preference for one reinforcer over another. Choice between identical drug doses yielded undermatching. Choices between 0.3 µg/kg/injection remifentanil and either 0.1 µg/kg/injection remifentanil or saline plus drug-paired stimuli revealed bias for the 0.3 µg/kg/injection dose. Choice was relatively insensitive to differences in random interval schedule value when one reinforcer was replaced with drug-paired stimulus presentations. Bias for 0.3 µg/kg/injection remifentanil over 10 µg/kg/injection cocaine was seen in one subject, and indifference was generally observed between 0.1 µg/kg/injection remifentanil and 56 µg/kg/injection cocaine and between 30 µg/kg/injection cocaine and 320 µg/kg/injection methohexital. These findings suggest the bias parameter may be useful in quantitatively measuring level of preference, which would be an advantage over concurrent FR procedures that often result in exclusive choice.
Cobweb cellular arrays

The cobweb cellular arrays are embellishments of the cutpoint cellular array that are made by complicating the cell-interconnection structure. This new class of arrays will allow for more economical and efficient logical designs than are possible in cutpoint arrays. As a background to the new arrays, the properties of the cutpoint array will be reviewed.
Management of inpatients colonized or infected with antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in hospitals in the United States.

Background:Although guidelines for multidrug-resistant organisms generally include recommendations for contact precautions and surveillance cultures, it is not known how frequently U.S. hospitals implement these measures on a routine basis and whether infectious diseases consultants endorse their use.Methods:The Emerging Infections Network surveyed its members, infectious diseases consultants, to assess their use of and support for contact precautions and surveillance cultures for routine management of multidrug-resistant organisms in their principal inpatient workplace. Specifically, members were asked about use of these strategies for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and multidrug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli on general wards, ICUs, and transplant units.Results:Overall, 400 (86%) of 463 respondents supported the routine use of contact precautions to control one or more multidrug-resistant organisms in at least one unit, and 89% worked in hospitals that use them. In contrast, 50% of respondents favored routine use of surveillance cultures to manage at least one multidrug-resistant organism in any unit, and 30% of respondents worked in hospitals that use them routinely in any unit. Members favored routine use of surveillance cultures significantly more in ICUs and transplant units than in general wards for each multidrug-resistant organism (P <.001).Conclusions:Most of the infectious diseases consultants endorsed the use of contact precautions for routine management of patients colonized or infected with multidrug-resistant organisms and work in hospitals that have implemented them. In contrast, infectious diseases consultants are divided about the role of routine surveillance cultures in multidrug-resistant organism management, and few work in hospitals that use them.
A simplified Reynolds stress model for unsteady turbulent boundary layers

A simplified Reynolds stress model has been developed for the prediction of unsteady turbulent boundary layers. By assuming that the net transport of Reynolds stresses is locally proportional to the net transport of the turbulent kinetic energy, the time dependent full Reynolds stress model is reduced to a set of ordinary differential equations. These equations contain only time derivatives and can be readily integrated in a time dependent boundary layer or Navier-Stokes code. The turbulent kinetic energy and dissipation rate needed for the model are obtained by solving the k-epsilon equations. This simplified Reynolds stress turbulence model (SRSM) does not use the eddy viscosity assumption, which may not be valid for unsteady turbulent flows. The anisotropy of both the steady and the unsteady turbulent normal stresses can be captured by the SRSM model. Through proper damping of the shear stresses, the present model can be used in the near wall region of turbulent boundary layers. This model has been validated against data for steady and unsteady turbulent boundary layers, including periodic turbulent boundary layers subjected to a mean adverse pressure gradient. For the cases tested, the predicted unsteady velocity and turbulent stress components agree well with the experimental data. Comparison between the predictions from the SRSM model and a k-epsilon model is also presented.
Constructing experience in individual interviews, autobiographies and on‐line accounts: a poststructuralist approach

Constructing experience in individual interviews, autobiographies and on-line accounts: a poststructuralist approach Aims. A poststructuralist orientation to language contends that individuals inherit the language they present to others - and in the context of research, stories and accounts are understood because researchers and research participants share such inheritances. Nurse theorists have foregrounded the constructive aspects of language yet few scholars have focused on how context and different narrative structures affect story construction. Story presentations are always sculpted by the context in which they are told. Thus, the construction of individual experience is neither a-historical nor a-contextual. Methods. This work emanates from a larger study that focused on the social construction of anorexia nervosa and in which data were collected from 12 individual interviews, autobiographical accounts and postings from a public Internet group. A poststructuralist orientation to how data are theorized and analysed was used for the study. This article focuses on the differences of account presentation between the three different types of data. Conclusions. Individuals inherit not only shared language, hut the customs in which language is exchanged, for example, how interviews are performed, memoirs are written, and on-line conversations are constructed. Focusing on context foregrounds the notion that stories have different functions and outcomes, depending on the purpose of the telling. Hence. the social and cultural frameworks in which stories are communicated are not incidental, but instrumental to what can be articulated in the production of individual experience.
GLUCAGON-LIKE PEPTIDE-1 RECEPTOR ACTIVATION DURING MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION REDUCES DIASTOLIC DYSFUNCTION IN PIGS

Results: Exenatide pigs showed higher PFR (0.3 ± 0.04 vs. 0.2 ± 0.1 mL/s, p < 0.05), shorter nTPFR (9.6 ± 0.9 vs. 7.4 ± 1.9, p < 0.05) and larger irst illing volume (33.9 ± 5.1 vs. 24.31 ± 4.09mL, p < 0.05). These MRI indings were supported by our echocardiography results; Exenatidetreated animals showed greater color M-mode propagation velocities (32.9 ± 2.5 vs. 25.7 ± 6.05cm/s, p < 0.05) and improved myocardial performance index (0.53 ± 0.03 vs. 0.69 ± 0.1, p < 0.05), compared to placebo. There were no differences in LV end-diastolic pressure or pulmonary capillary wedge pressure between Exenatide treatment and placebo. There was a signiicant inverse correlation between irst illing volume and histomorphometric measures of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy (r=-0.72, p<0.05) for both myocyte cross-sectional area and perimeter. Conclusions: GLP-1r activation by Exenatide immediately prior to reperfusion signiicantly reduced diastolic dysfunction at 1 month after MI. Our observations underscore the therapeutic potential of GLP-1 system in MI patients. Further studies in humans are warranted.
Choosing a monetary instrument The case of supply-side shocks

Abstract This paper examines the monetary instrument choice problem in models with an explicit supply sector and endogenous prices and price expectations. We use the popular linear-quadratic certainty-equivalence framework to obtain analytic solutions. The results indicate that interest rate policies generally are better able to insulate the real sector from unanticipated supply shocks. We also show that at this level of abstraction the optimal choice of an instrument is independent of the specification of expectations, e.g., rational vs. adaptive price expectations. The paper then reports empirical evidence from two experiments on the large nonlinear MIT-PENN-SSRC econometric model. The evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that interest rate policies are preferable if the supply sector is the major source of uncertainty.
Involvement of multiple biotransformation processes in the metabolic elimination of testosterone by juvenile and adult fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas).

Steroid hormone metabolic clearance pathways are susceptible to induction and suppression resulting from exposure to many xenobiotics. These biochemical effects have the potential to alter steroid hormone homeostasis and, ultimately, steroid hormone-dependent processes such as growth, development, and reproduction. In this study, the metabolic clearance of 17β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one (testosterone) by adult male, adult female, and juvenile fathead minnows (Pimephales promelas) was evaluated. Individual elimination metabolites were identified and rates of metabolite elimination were quantified. Fathead minnows produced a variety of testosterone metabolites including oxido-reduced, hydroxylated, and conjugated derivatives. Metabolites identified by TLC/GC/MS included 4-androstene-3,17-dione (androstenedione), 17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one (5α-dihydrotestosterone), 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-androstanediol), 5α-androstane-3β,17β-diol (3β-androstanediol), 17β-hydroxy-4-androstene-3,11-dione (11-ketotestosterone), 16β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one (16β-hydroxytestosterone), and 6β-hydroxy-4-androsten-3-one (6β-hydroxytestosterone). Testosterone and its metabolites were eliminated in both free and conjugated form. Adult male, adult female, and juvenile fathead minnows eliminated the same profile of testosterone metabolites. However, adult females eliminated androstanediols at a significantly greater rate than did males, and juvenile fish eliminated nearly all testosterone metabolites at greater weight-normalized rates than did adults. These results demonstrate that fathead minnows extensively metabolize testosterone leading to its elimination and provide the foundation upon which the effects of xenobiotics on testosterone metabolism can be assessed.
The Chinese clan as a caring community

Comprehensive care of persons in crisis requires a caring community. With the disappearance of traditional forms of community, conscious and intentional attention to the development of new forms of community is needed. The study of historic systems of mutual care, which have long served to meet the needs of persons in crisis, can help to inform this intentional process. The Chinese clan, with its long history, is a rich resource for such study.
Electronic structure of the high-temperature oxide superconductors

Since the discovery of superconductivity above 30 K by Bednorz and M\"uller in the La copper oxide system, the critical temperature has been raised to 90 K in Y${\mathrm{Ba}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{3}$${\mathrm{O}}_{7}$ and to 110 and 125 K in Bi-based and Tl-based copper oxides, respectively. In the two years since this Nobel-prize-winning discovery, a large number of electronic structure calculations have been carried out as a first step in understanding the electronic properties of these materials. In this paper these calculations (mostly of the density-functional type) are gathered and reviewed, and their results are compared with the relevant experimental data. The picture that emerges is one in which the important electronic states are dominated by the copper $d$ and oxygen $p$ orbitals, with strong hybridization between them. Photon, electron, and positron spectroscopies provide important information about the electronic states, and comparison with electronic structure calculations indicates that, while many features can be interpreted in terms of existing calculations, self-energy corrections ("correlations") are important for a more detailed understanding. The antiferromagnetism that occurs in some regions of the phase diagram poses a particularly challenging problem for any detailed theory. The study of structural stability, lattice dynamics, and electron-phonon coupling in the copper oxides is also discussed. Finally, a brief review is given of the attempts so far to identify interaction constants appropriate for a model Hamiltonian treatment of many-body interactions in these materials.
The (p, γ) reaction through isobaric analogue- and giant dipole resonances

Abstract The (p,γ E1 ) reaction through interfering isobaric analogue (energy Ẽ ) and giant dipole ( E J ) resonances in medium and heavy nuclei, where E ≈ E J , is discussed in terms of microscopic particle-hole intermediate states and is compared with experiments.
Some Differences in Certain Communication Behaviors of Autocratic and Democratic Group Leaders

The major purpose of this study was to investigate 12 hypothesized differences between certain communication behaviors of autocratic and democratic group leaders. The hypotheses were derived from prior literature on characteristics that differentiate the two leadership styles. A second purpose was to develop an instrument to be used in identifying autocratic and democratic leaders. Twenty-one autocratic and 21 democratic adult, 4-H club leaders were identified by use of the paired comparison instrument developed in the study. These individuals led their club groups in 30 minute discussions of several prescribed questions. The discussions were taped, and the leaders' communication behaviors were content analyzed into the categories used to test the hypotheses. Seven of the 12 hypotheses were confirmed; two approached sisllficance (p < .10), and three were not confirmed. The patterns of task-oriented communication were consistent with theoretic expectations. The findings are discussed and interpreted as reflecting varying commitments to particular dimensions of group process on the part of autocratic and democratic group leaders. Moreover, it was suggested that confirmation of the hypotheses underscores the potential utility of the paired comparison instrument developed to identify autocratic and democratic leaders.
STUDIES ON OXIDATION AND REDUCTION BY PNEUMOCOCCUS : IV. OXIDATION OF HEMOTOXIN IN STERILE EXTRACTS OF PNEUMOCOCCUS.

In the present work on oxidation and reduction by sterile extracts of pneumococcus, the preparations employed contain among other constituents, a hemolytic substance the properties of which have been described by Cole (1, 2) in his studies on pneumococcus hemotoxin. Pneumococcus extracts prepared by the methods described are actively hemolytic, 0.005 cc. of extract causing complete lysis of 2.5 cc. of a 1 per cent suspension of red cells from rabbit blood. This hemolytic property of pneumococcus extracts is destroyed by 10 minutes exposure to 55°C. When pneumotoxin-containing extracts are protected from the action of molecular oxygen, their hemolytic activity remains unimpaired for considerable periods of time. In the presence of air, on the other hand, the stability of the hemolytic substance depends upon whether the particular type of extract contains a "complete" or "incomplete" oxidation-reduction system. Sterile broth extracts of unwashed pneumococci are reactive with molecular oxygen, and as a result of this union peroxide is formed whenever these extracts are exposed to air. The hemolytic activity of "complete" extracts of this type is rapidly decreased and finally destroyed in the presence of molecular oxygen. On the other hand, the "incomplete" type of extract prepared by saline extraction of washed pneumococci may be exposed to air with little or no loss of hemolytic power. This "incomplete" washed cell extract, unless reactivated, does not undergo autoxidation in the presence of air; under these circumstances peroxide is not formed and the hemolytic activity of this type of extract is not impaired by exposure to air. The stability of the hemolytic agent in the "incomplete" type of extract is evidence that this substance is itself not reactive with or affected by molecular oxygen, even in the presence of the cell enzymes. The destruction of the same hemolytic substance in extracts capable of undergoing autoxidation may be ascribed to the action of some peroxide formed by the union of molecular oxygen with easily oxidized or autoxidizable substances of the extract. It is now known that a peroxide, having the reactions of hydrogen peroxide, accumulates in sterile pneumococcus extracts during oxidation. It has been shown in the present study that the addition of preformed hydrogen peroxide destroys the hemolytic activity of pneumococcus extracts, although higher concentrations were required than were detected in oxidized extracts themselves. These facts and the known action of superoxides in analogous types of reaction make it seem not unlikely that the active agent in the destruction of pneumotoxin in oxidized cell extracts may be a peroxide; either hydrogen peroxide or some higher organic peroxide formed during autoxidation of the extract.
Canadian forest fires and the effects of long-range transboundary air pollution on hospitalizations among the elderly

In July 2002, lightning strikes ignited over 250 fires in Quebec, Canada, destroying over one million hectares of forest. The smoke plume generated from the fires had a major impact on air quality across the east coast of the U.S. Using data from the Medicare National Claims History File and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) National air pollution monitoring network, we evaluated the health impact of smoke exposure on 5.9 million elderly people (ages 65+) in the Medicare population in 81 counties in 11 northeastern and Mid-Atlantic States of the US. We estimated differences in the exposure to ambient PM2.5—airborne particulate matter with aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5 µm—concentrations and hospitalizations for cardiovascular, pulmonary and injury outcomes, before and during the smoke episode. We found that there was an associated 49.6% (95% confidence interval (CI), 29.8, 72.3) and 64.9% (95% CI, 44.3–88.5) increase rate of hospitalization for respiratory and cardiovascular diagnoses, respectively, when the smoke plume was present compared to before the smoke plume had arrived. Our study suggests that rapid increases in PM2.5 concentrations resulting from wildfire smoke can impact the health of elderly populations thousands of kilometers removed from the fires.
Functional Organization of the Central Cough Generation Mechanism

Recent studies evaluating the effects of pulmonary afferents, chemoreceptors, and antitussive drugs on the cough motor pattern indicate that this reflex is regulated in a different manner than breathing. Furthermore, regulatory differences exist between tracheobronchial and laryngeal cough. We propose a functional model of the brainstem elements participating in the production of cough that accounts for these regulatory differences. The model incorporates known brainstem interneuronal pathways as well as novel regulatory elements for tracheobronchial and laryngeal cough. Each of these novel regulatory elements controls the excitability of a common motor pattern generation network. Given that cough and breathing are associated with profoundly different spatiotemporal alterations in motor drive to respiratory motoneurons, brainstem elements common to the generation of both behaviours must be capable of a high degree of plasticity.
Interfacial interactions between Np(V) and manganese oxide minerals manganite and hausmannite.

Manganese oxides, present as minor phases in the vadose zone, have been previously shown to sequester large quantities of plutonium under environmental conditions. We are now continuing these studi...
Homeownership: yesterday, today and tomorrow

Purpose – The American Dream and homeownership are sometimes thought of as one and the same. A belief that homeownership is vital to the fabric of a vibrant society has led to government policies that encourage homeownership. This suggests that homeownership and societal well‐being are positively related. However, empirical analysis does not support this positive relationship either within the USA or across countries. This has important policy implications given the research in this special issue that discusses the macro and micro economic consequences of government programs that promote homeownership. Moving forward, we must consider both the private and public benefits of homeownership and also realize that the very concept of what a house is will likely change. This paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis examines the relation between the incidence of homeownership and the well‐being (happiness) of a community. The analysis is first performed across the 50 states a...
Implementation and evaluation of a calculated attenuation correction for PET

A highly reliable and consistent method for automated calculated attenuation correction for PET (positron emission tomography) was developed. The method was tested in nearly 300 brain studies and shown to accurately find the object outline, regardless of the tracer used and the activity distribution. The Bergstrom method of determining the contour of a convex object from its emission projection sinogram was implemented to eliminate the initial reconstruction and ellipse drawing steps. The efficacy of this method is highly dependent on a robust algorithm for determining the border between the activity uptake and scatter background. An effective, tracer-distribution-independent, edge detection algorithm is presented that has primarily been applied to brain studies using a variety of tracers (/sup 15/O-H/sub 2/O, /sup 18/F-FGD, /sup 18/F-FDOPA), in extreme uptake distributions, and tested on three different PET systems. The algorithm has also been extended for abdominal PET scans and tested in a limited series of kidney flow studies using /sup 13/N-NH/sub 3/. >
Personality type and characteristics of nations in international higher education exchange with the United States

This study used Holland's personality typology to investigate whether the dominant personality types (as reflected in fields of study) of exchange students coming to the U.S. from various countries are related to the characteristics of those countries. Large nations send many students to the U.S. who tend to study Realistic and Artistic fields. Communist nations send few students, and these students tend to concentrate in only one type of field. Students from wealthy countries tend to study Artistic fields. The results appear meaningful at a strictly empirical level, but throw little light one way or the other on Holland's underlying theory.
Ectopic expression of Hel-N1 an RNA-binding protein increases glucose transporter (GLUT1) expression in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

3T3-L1 preadipocytes ectopically expressing the mammalian RNA-binding protein Hel-N1 expressed up to 10-fold more glucose transporter (GLUT1) protein and exhibited elevated rates of basal glucose uptake. Hel-N1 is a member of the ELAV-like family of proteins associated with the induction and maintenance of differentiation in various species. ELAV proteins are known to bind in vitro to short stretches of uridylates in the 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) of unstable mRNAs encoding growth-regulatory proteins involved in transcription and signal transduction. GLUT1 mRNA also contains a large 3'UTR with a U-rich region that binds specifically to Hel-N1 in vitro. Analysis of the altered GLUT1 expression at the translational and posttranscriptional levels suggested a mechanism involving both mRNA stabilization and accelerated formation of translation initiation complexes. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the Hel-N1 family of proteins modulate gene expression at the level of mRNA in the cytoplasm.