cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A densely methylated DNA Island is associated with a chromosomal replication origin in the humanRPS14 locus

We describe a 258-bp densely methylated DNA island (DMI) and chromosomal origin of bidirectional DNA replication within the transcribed portion of the human RPS14 intron 1. Together with the DMIs previously detected in two functional Chinese hamster replication origins [see Ref. 1, pp. 5636–5644], observations described in this report strengthen the correlation between densely methylated DNA islands and active mammalian chromosomal replication origins. Accordingly, DMIs may prove to be reliable physical markers for origins of bidirectional DNA replication in complex genomic DNAs of higher animals.
Calculated Finite Emittance and Dee-Gap Crossing Effects on Heavy-Ion Trajectories of ion Injection into the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron from a 25 Mv Tandem Electrostatic Accelerator

The present calculational results are part of a continuing study to assist in optimizing the geometry and flexibility of the ORIC injection system. The calculated effects of finite emittance and dee-gap crossings during ion injection on beam size and quality at the stripper foil are presented.
The infrared spectrum of bound state oxygen dimers in the gas phase

Abstract Gaseous oxygen was examined from 1480 to 1800 cm−1 at temperatures between 77 and 300°K at path lengths to 200 meters. At all temperatures a broad structureless band is observed which is attributed to induced absorption by colliding pairs of oxygen molecules, however near 90°K a doublet feature appears on top of the broad absorption. The doublet exhibits a quadratic pressure dependence and is assigned to bound state oxygen dimer (O2)2. The energy of formation of (O2)2, as determined from the temperature dependence of the doublet, is ΔEf = −530 cal/mole. Since the doublet resembles an unresolved P and R vibration-rotation band, models of the dimer are considered which could give the observed doublet separation. A rectangular geometry of (O2)2 indicates an intermolecular distance of 2.6 A. Other geometries give similar distances which are considerably shorter than the Lennard-Jones value of 3.9 A. A more realistic interpretation of the spectrum is that the doublet represents overlapping transitions from many bound levels of the intermolecular potential surface. There is then no simple relationship between the doublet separation and dimer geometry. However, a dimer in which each O2 unit is freely rotating would give a very broad absorption unlike the observed doublet feature. So while the system is too complicated to specify the dimer geometry, its structure must be somewhat rigid.
Inactivation of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase(s) from beef adrenal cortex by acetylenic ketosteroids

Abstract A number of synthetic steroid analogues which contain conjugated acetylenic ketones, namely 10β-(1-oxoprop-2-ynyl) estr-4-ene-3,17-dione (I). 5,10-secoestr-4-yne-3,10,17-trione (II), 17β-hydroxy-5,10-secoestr-4-yne-3, 10-dione (III) and 17β-(1-oxoprop-2-ynyl)androst-4-en-3-one (IV), irreversibly inactivate C 19 - and C 21 -Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase (EC 5.3.3.1) activities of beef adrenal cortex microsomes in a time dependent manner. For each compound examined, the maximum rate of alkylation of C 19 -Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase activity is different to that observed for the alkylation of C 21 -Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase activity. At saturation, half lives range from 90-2760 s corresponding to k + 2 values (the limiting rate constant for inactivation) of 0.25–7.6 × 10 −3 · −1 . Under suitable conditions, compounds (I-IV) also behave as competitive inhibitors of these enzymatic reactions. With androst-5-ene-3,17-dione as substrate the K i values were 0.080 μM for (IV), 7.5μM for (II), 30 μM for (I) and 53 μM for (III), whereas with pregn-5-ene-3,20-dione as substrate the corresponding values were 0.013, 3.0, 7.0 and 15 μM, respectively. These findings suggest that the C 19 - and C 21 -Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase(s) of bovine adrenal cortex microsomes may be separate enzymes and that the latter has a more hydrophobic binding site. Comparison of the apparent bimolecular rate constants ( k +2 / K i ) for the inactivation of both C 19 - and C 21 -Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase activities gives the following order of efficiency for inactivation (IV) > (II) > (I) > (III). The high efficiency of compound (IV) as an inactivator is a reflection of its extremely low K i and it is suggested that this compound may be a transition state analogue. For the Δ 5 -3-ketosteroid isomerase from Pseudomonas testosteroni . the order of efficiency of inactivation given by k +2 / K i is quite different, with (I) > (II) > (IV) > (III).
The influence of AChR clustering stimuli on the formation and maintenance of AChR clusters induced by polycation-coated beads in Xenopus muscle cells

Nerve, polycation-coated beads, and electric fields not only induce acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) to cluster, but they also reduce the number of spontaneous AChR patches (hotspots) away from the induced cluster sites on embryonic Xenopus myotomal muscle cells grown in tissue culture (the global effect). In vivo, the ability of an AChR clustering stimulus to depress cluster formation elsewhere on the muscle cell may influence both the site at which the neuromuscular junction develops as well as which axons survive during synapse elimination. Since the causes of hotspot formation may be variable and cannot be controlled, we have further characterized the global effect by using AChR-clustering stimuli that can be controlled by the experimenter. We report that innervation inhibits the formation and maintenance of bead-associated AChR patches (BARPs) by a percentage of polycation-coated beads. We next investigated competition between beads and between beads and electric fields. In competition between beads added to the muscle cells at different times, however, the first set of beads had a competitive advantage over the second set of beads. This advantage was strengthened when the latency between bead applications was extended, or when a relatively large number of BARPs were formed by the first set of beads. Likewise, long-term electric fields were able to prevent the formation of BARPs, but were unable to disperse mature BARPs. Longer electric fields, or electric fields of greater magnitude competed better with the beads than brief or weak field treatments. None of the "winning" stimuli, including nerve, were able to totally block AChR patch formation or maintenance by competing stimuli. Thus, the global effect, at least in the case of competition between nonneuronal stimuli, favors the initial stimulus and appears to be graded.
text and context: Buddhist sex roles/culture of gender revisited

Drawing on interpretations of popular Buddhist “texts,” a recent analysis of Thai Buddhist conceptions of female gender has questioned the contemporary relevance of a long-standing sexual division of labor in Thai society based in a view that, in Buddhist terms, women are deemed to be more “attached” to worldly objects than are men. This paper argues that the available evidence supports rather than impugns the view of a Thai sexual division of labor in which men specialize in Buddhist monastic roles and political-bureaucratic occupations while women specialize in economic-entrepreneurial activities. Further, it argues that the textual interpretation offered as an alternative to the view of women as relatively “attached” is misleading in that it does not sufficiently address the religious, social, and historical contexts in which the popular texts are found. Viewing the texts in their relevant contexts supports the view that both Buddhist conceptions and the actual situation of women in traditional Thai society is one of relative “attachment” compared to the conceptions and situation of men. Recent changes in Thai society could be seen as having “liberated” women from some traditional limitations and influenced the manner in which women's “attachedness” is manifested in contemporary Thailand. [division of labor, sex roles, textual interpretation, social and cultural change, Buddhism, Thailand]
X‐ray emission from the terrestrial magnetosheath

[1] X-rays are generated throughout the terrestrial magnetosheath as a consequence of charge transfer collisions between heavy solar wind ions and geocoronal neutrals. The solar wind ions resulting from these collisions are left in highly excited states and emit extreme ultraviolet or soft X-ray photons. A model has been created to simulate this X-ray radiation. Published terrestrial exospheric hydrogen distributions and solar wind speed, density and temperature distributions were used in this model. Simulated images were created as seen from an observation point outside the geocorona. The locations of the bow shock and magnetopause are evident in these images. Perhaps this X-ray emission can be used to remotely sense the solar wind flow around the magnetosphere. Since similar X-rays are produced in the heliosphere, the challenge will be, however, to eliminate this background emission.
Agatoxins: ion channel specific toxins from the American funnel web spider, Agelenopsis aperta.

Abstract Agatoxins from Agelenopsis aperta venom target three classes of ion channels, including transmitter-activated cation channels, voltage-activated sodium channels, and voltage-activated calcium channels. The α-agatoxins are non-competitive, use-dependent antagonists of glutamate receptor channels, and produce rapid but reversible paralysis in insect prey. Their actions are facilitated by the μ-agatoxins, which shift voltage-dependent activation of neuronal sodium channels to more negative potentials, causing spontaneous transmitter release and repetitive action potentials. The ω-agatoxins target neuronal calcium channels, modifying their properties in distinct ways, either through gating modification (ω-Aga-IVA) or by reduction of unitary current (ω-Aga-IIIA). The α-agatoxins and ω-agatoxins modify both insect and vertebrate ion channels, while the μ-agatoxins are selective for insect channels. Agatoxins have been used as selective pharmacological probes for characterization of ion channels in the brain and heart, and have been evaluated as candidate biopesticides.
Recurrent thrombosis in a child.

A 12-year-old girl presented with a sudden onset of hepatic vein thrombosis (Budd-Chiari syndrome). Over the following two years she developed multiple thrombi. Coagulation studies performed during remissions revealed the presence of a lupus inhibitor, an anticoagulant against factor VIII, a deficiency in factors II and VII and a deficiency in plasminogen. Following two months of prednisone therapy, the lupus inhibitor and anti-factor VIII disappeared., Deficiencies in factor VII, II and plasminogen remained. The patient experienced a total of four episodes of ascites with coagulation defects, and a hypocomplementemia terminating in liver failure and death 26 months after onset. Autopsy findings included generalized vascular intimal hyperplasia associated with thrombosis. We concluded that the patient had an immune mediated systemic vasculitis with major involvement of the liver.
Genetic consequences of variation in sib maturation schedules

Implications of variance in the time at which sibs become mature are considered, particularly with respect to the fragmentation of a parental genome over time. It is concluded that regardless of the adaptive derivation of various intra-sibship maturation schedules, they each have important genetic consequences.
Family therapy and anthropology

There has been among family therapists a widespread belief that anthropology is at least useful if not kindred to their field. The belief springs from the assumption that families in different cultural milieus have different ways of expressing their experience of intimacy in everyday life. If this is true, family organization transcends culture, and the latter is a mere language or mode of expression of the more basic pillar of family organization. However, the assumption is also strong that different cultural contexts produce different types of families, and the natural consequence of this hypothesis is that family therapy as developed in the United States would be restricted to dealing with American families, while the problems of family life elsewhere should be meted by the local cultural ways. These two hypotheses, namely that of family universality and that of cultural relativism, are far ends of a continuum. The more interesting and real cases lie somewhere in the middle.
Abstract 4198: Mismatch repair polymorphisms and breast cancer risk in the Metropolitan New York Breast Cancer Family Registry

Suboptimal DNA repair capacity is believed to contribute to genomic instability and, thereby, onset of carcinogenesis. In fact, deficient repair has been reported to account for up to a five-fold increase in breast cancer risk. Major cancer susceptibility genes involved in repair, including BRCA1 and BRCA2 among breast cancer cases, have been identified. However, mutations in these genes are thought to account for only 5-10% of familial cases. Additional genetic susceptibility factors may play a role in the remaining cases, including polymorphisms in DNA repair pathway genes. Microsatellite instability, a commonly observed marker of mismatch repair (MMR) defects, has been observed in skin samples from breast cancer patients, suggesting a putative role for MMR in breast cancer. In this study, we investigated polymorphisms in mismatch repair genes and their association with breast cancer risk among participants of the Metropolitan New York Registry of Breast Cancer Families (N=744). Of the 313 sister-sets included in the registry, 306 sister-sets consisted of sisters discordant for disease. A total of twelve SNPs were chosen and assayed using Taqman SNP genotyping kits from Applied Biosystems. Using conditional logistic regression, an association with breast cancer was observed for two of the twelve SNPs assayed. A significant association with breast cancer risk was observed for MutY (H335Q,C/G) while a borderline association was observed for MSH2 (IVS12-6, T/C): OR = 2.24 (1.11-4.52) and OR = 1.71 (0.99-2.95), respectively. Future studies will focus on replicating these findings in a larger study population. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4198. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-4198
Can a Tissue-Engineered Skin Graft Improve Healing of Lower Extremity Foot Wounds after Revascularization?

A bilayered tissue-engineered skin graft composed of human neonatal foreskin fibroblasts and keratinocytes in a type I bovine collagen matrix has been developed. We sought to determine if this graft improves wound healing after lower extremity revascularization. Thirty-one previously ischemic foot wounds were randomly assigned to moist dressing changes or tissue-engineered skin graft within 60 days of revascularization. In the grafted group, 10 received meshed and 11 received unmeshed graft. Wound healing was followed by wound area measurements and photography. There were no statistically significant differences between groups in patient age, sex, diabetes or renal failure risk factors, revascularization procedure, or wound location or size. Treatment with tissue-engineered skin graft was significantly more effective than moist dressing in the percentage of wounds healed (62 vs. 0% at 8 weeks, 86 vs. 40% at 12 weeks, p 0.05). Three indolent localized wound infections in the tissue-engineered skin graft group were the only complication. Tissue-engineered skin grafting can be used safely in previously ischemic wounds after lower extremity revascularization. Treatment with this graft promotes healing more rapidly and in more patients than standard moist dressings. It obviates the risk, inconvenience, and expense of donor skin harvesting, anesthesia, and hospitalization associated with autologous skin grafting. This graft may represent an advance in the treatment of previously ischemic lower extremity foot wounds.
Applicability of Prediction Rules in Patients With Community-Acquired Pneumonia Requiring Intensive Care: A Pilot Study:

Little attention has been paid to developing prediction rules that could assist in deciding which patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) need intensive care. Four existing prediction rules were examined to determine if any could predict the need for intensive care in these patients. The prediction rules studied were British Thoracic Society (BTS), Conte et al, Leroy et al, and Fine et al. Thirty-two patients admitted to the medical or coronary intensive care unit (ICU) during 1 year with pneumonia Diagnosis Related Group 079 or 089 were evaluated. The sensitivity of each rule for identifying a need for ICU admission in our group was BTS .72 using both rules together, Conte et al .47, Leroy et al .56, and Fine et al .84. It was concluded that these rules poorly identify the need for ICU admission for patients with severe CAP. Of the 4 rules tested, the BTS rule was the simplest, and the Fine et al rule was the most sensitive. None of them performed well enough to be used for decision making in individual patients.
RATIOS OF α TO β TSH mRNA IN NORMAL AND HYPOTHYROID PITUITARIES AND TSH-SECRETING TUMORS

We have studied the relationship between the levels of the α and β subunit of TSH and α and TSH-β mRNA content in pituitaries from euthyroid, short-term, and long-term hypothyroid mice and in various mouse TSH-secreting tumors. TSH, α, and TSH-β were determined by specific radioimmunoassay. α and TSH-β mRNA content was measured by dot blot hybridization with labeled α or TSH-β plasmid probes. Normal pituitaries contained an excess of both a protein and α mRNA compared to β. However, in hypothyroidism there was an increase in TSH and in particular in 6 such that the α/β protein ratio approached 1. Similarly, α marked increase in TSH-β mRNA led to an α/TSH-β mRNA ratio of approximately 1. Ratios of α/TSH-β protein and mRNA in TSH-secreting tumors varied widely. There was a fair, but imperfect, correlation between α and TSH-β protein and mRNA levels. Although transcriptional control of α and TSH-β production appears likely, posttranscriptional regulatory mechanisms also seem to be involved.
Spying on the cost structure of naive bidding competitors via linear programming models

A linear programming model is constructed which enables a firm to estimate its competitor's cost structure when the competitor adheres to a non-randomized strategy. The existence of the model makes randomized bidding prudent apart from game theory considerations. The need for increased curriculum attention to optimal bidding is highlighted.
The Influence of Sociodemographic Characteristics and Morbidity on the Likelihood of Living Alone Among Older U.S. Adults Who Become Unmarried: A Comparison of Women and Men

ABSTRACT This study examined gender differences in the associations of sociodemographic variables and morbidity with changes in living arrangements among adults aged 55–74 years old (n = 820) who became unmarried between the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1971–75 and the NHANES I Epidemiologic Follow-up Study 1982–84. Preexisting family constellations (living in two person households at NHANES I compared to living in larger households, and not having children) were important predictors of living alone for both women and men following a change in marital status. Analyses also suggest gender differences in the effects of race, education and income on living alone after becoming unmarried.
Electrolyte imbalances in pediatric living related small bowel transplantation.

Background. Pediatric small bowel transplantations are associated with pronounced electrolyte disturbances in the postoperative period. We investigated the pattern of electrolyte disturbances with regard to enteral malabsorption, renal compensation, and the influence of immunosuppression. Methods. We reviewed 11 small bowel transplantations between October 2002 and February 2007. The data collected included frequent serum, ostomy, and urine electrolyte profiles, renal function parameters, and FK 506 levels in the postoperative period up until either discharge or graft loss. Results. Our results show enteral losses most prominent during the first 4 weeks postoperatively that are only partially compensated by the kidneys. Subsequently, enteral losses improved, although renal function remained challenged, particularly glomerular filtration and phosphorus, magnesium losses, which correlated with high FK 506 levels. Conclusion. Our data reveal several electrolyte imbalances different and unique to postoperative small bowel transplants. Although enteral losses improve along with graft villi formation, electrolyte abnormalities continue, to which FK 506-mediated renal toxicity might contribute.
Obligation, Consent, and Locke's Right to Revolution: “Who Is to Judge?”

La justification de l'obligation politique dans la theorie du consentement requiert que ce consentement soit fonde sur l'accomplissement de certains objectifs (tel la preservation de la propriete) faute de quoi il peut etre retire, l'autorite politique ayant perdu sa legitimite. Bien que l'on ait traditionnellement considere Locke comme etant le principal interprete de la theorie liberale du consentement, ses Deux Traites demontrent qu'il s'opposait a ce que des individus puissent retirer leur consentement, c'est-a-dire faire la revolution. Pour lui, en effet, le maintien de la societe requiert que les individus transferent a la majorite le droit de juger des abus de confiance commis par les gouvernants. Il devient alors possible que des gouvernants astucieux evitent l'avenement d'une revolution sanctionnee par la majorite en satisfaisant les interets de diverses coalitions majoritaires. De la sorte, les individus qui veulent retirer leur consentement en pretendant que leurs droits ont ete violes, peuvent etre traites de mecontents deraisonnables qui mettent en danger la stabilite sociale. Locke ne saurait done etre considere comme un theoricien du consentement puisque sa conception du consentement aboutit a sacrifier les droits des individus au profit des interets de la majorite.
Cell-mediated immune reactivity of sinclair melanoma-bearing swine to 3 M KC1 extracts of swine and human melanoma

Leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) assays were performed using 3 M KCI extracts to detect cell-mediated immune reactions against tumor-associated antigens (TAA) of swine melanoma. Positive LMI reactivity was 70% or greater in melanoma-bearing swine compared to 10% reactivity or less in normal swine tested with extracts of either fresh or tissue-cultured swine melanoma cells. Positive LMI reactivity was 10% or less in both melanoma and normal swine tested with extracts of normal fetal and adult swine tissues. Extracts of tissue-cultured swine melanoma and human melanoma cells were equally capable of stimulating positive LMI reactivity in melanoma swine and human melanoma patients; normal swine and human donors demonstrated 10% or less positive LMI reactivity to these extracts. Positive LMI reactivity was not stimulated in swine melanoma or human melanoma donors by extracts of tissue-cultured human breast tumor cells or fresh and tissue-cultured mouse B16 melanoma cells. Evaluation of these results indicate that melanoma-bearing swine develop cell-mediated immune reactivity toward TAA on swine melanomas and, inasmuch as LMI assays were performed with allogeneic extracts, suggests the presence of common TAA on swine melanomas. Furthermore, these data suggest that swine and human melanoma cells may share some common TAA and that this common TAA is not expressed on mouse B16 melanoma cells.
Role of ornithine decarboxylase in granulosa-cell replication and steroidogenesis invitro

Abstract We investigated the role of ornithine decarboxylase in ovarian steroidogenesis and granulosa-cell replication under basal and hormonestimulated conditions in vitro . Enzyme activity was markedly (>95 or >99%) reduced by DL-difluoromethyl-ornithine or 1,3-diaminopropane, which significantly impaired granulosa-cell replication in log-phase cultures. However, inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase activity augmented basal and hormonestimulated steroid production per cell, an effect abolished by cyanoketone, a specific inhibitor of steroid synthesis. Both the anti-proliferative and the steroidogenic effects of enzyme inhibition were substantially reversed by putrescine, the end-product of the reaction. Thus, ornithine decarboxylase, or polyamines, may be required for granulosa-cell replication, while deprivation of these compounds facilitates the expression of more differentiated cell function, such as steroid synthesis.
STAMP – Holistic system safety approach or just another risk model?

Abstract Risk management has a number of accident causation models that have been used for a number of years. Dr. Nancy Leveson (2002) has developed a new model of accidents using a systems approach. The new model is called Systems Theoretic Accident Modeling and Processes (STAMP). It incorporates three basic components: constraints, hierarchical levels of control, and process loops. In this model, accidents are examined in terms of why the controls that were in place did not prevent or detect the hazard(s) and why these controls were not adequate to enforcing the system safety constraints. A STAMP accident analysis is presented and its usefulness in evaluating system safety is compared to more traditional risk models. STAMP is applied to a case study in the oil and gas industry to demonstrate both practicality and validity of the model. The model successfully identified both direct and indirect violations against existing safety constraints that resulted in the accident at each level of the organization.
Semantic and episodic constraints on the use of surface-order cues in the comprehension of locative sentences

Comprehension of ambiguous three-term locative sentences such as “The book is on the desk in the crate” was examined in a verification experiment. Subjects consistently chose a representation in which the spatial ordering of the objects described was congruent with the surface order of terms in the sentence. This rule was overridden, however, by the presence of semantic constraints among the terms (e.g., “The shirt is in the house on the chair”). When the order of locative clauses within each sentence was reversed in the second half of the experiment, subjects tended to change their representation to conform with the new surface order if the initial coding had been based on surface order. This change occurred more frequently when the objects involved more abstract, geometric shapes. The importance of syntactic, semantic, and episodic information in the comprehension of sentences is discussed.
Management of slipped adjustable gastric bands

Abstract Background A small percentage of patients undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) experience band slippage that might require subsequent surgical intervention. We present our experience with band slippage in 660 consecutive LAGBs performed since November 2001 in order to determine the optimal management for slipped gastric bands. Methods The treatment options for patients with slipped bands include band removal, gastric reduction and reapplication of the original band, and band replacement. Data from electronic medical records, as well as telephone interviews, were collected and tabulated. The original weight and body mass index, weight and body mass index before the revisional procedure, and the most recent weight, body mass index, and percentage of excess weight loss are presented. Results Of the 660 LAGB patients, 34 (5%) experienced band slippage and required 40 subsequent operative procedures. Of the 34 patients, 6 underwent multiple procedures for their slipped band. Overall, 10 removals, 13 gastric reductions, and 17 replacements were performed (40 total procedures). Of the 34 patients, 28 (82%) were available for follow-up. This group of 28 patients underwent 34 operative procedures (7 removals, 11 gastric reductions, and 16 replacements). No complications were associated with these 34 operations. Of the 11 patients with gastric reduction, 6 (55%) had subsequent recurrence of band slippage, resulting in 6 additional operations (5 replacements and 1 removal). Conclusion After band slippage, all 3 management options result in maintenance of most of the lost weight. However, because a large number of patients who undergo gastric reduction experience repeated slippage and require additional surgical intervention, gastric reduction should not be routinely performed in this population. Given the overall experience with revisional surgery after band slippage, additional investigation of the etiology of band slippage and its prevention is warranted.
New Results on Flavor Production at PEP

This report includes results from five PEP detectors: DELCO, HRS, MAC, MARK II and TPC. All, except the TPC, are presently taking data at PEP. The TPC is being upgraded: a new superconducting coil is being installed and other improvements are being implemented.
Is AIDS Education Related to Condom Acquisition

The acquisition and subsequent use of condoms are two important behaviors that sexually active adolescents must adopt to reduce the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The aims of this study were: first, to evaluate whether combining prescriptions for free condoms with anticipatory guidance would increase the number of adolescents actually using the prescription-redemption plan; and second, to see if education about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) might make adolescents more willing to obtain an HIV blood test. Adolescents were randomly assigned to one of three groups, but only those who were sexually active were included in the data analyses. Each participant was given a prescription to be redeemed for free condoms at the hospital pharmacy, and each was privately offered a confidential, free HIV blood test. Education about AIDS did not increase the likelihood that adolescents would take the blood test, since only seven subjects did so. Our logistic regression model showed the mo...
An optical technique for the measurement of longshore currents

[1] We present an optical method (optical current meter) to measure the longshore component of nearshore surface currents by measuring the alongshore drift of persistent sea foam in the surf zone. The method uses short time series of video data collected from an alongshore array of pixels. These space-time data are first Fourier transformed to a frequency-wave number spectrum and, finally, to a velocity spectrum. A model of the velocity spectrum is fit to the observed spectrum to estimate the foam drift velocity. Confidence intervals and other measures of the input and output data quality are calculated. Field test comparisons were made against an in situ bidirectional electromagnetic current meter on the basis of 1 month of video data from the 1997 Sandy Duck field experiment. The root mean square error between the two approaches was 0.10 m/s. Linear regression analysis showed the gain between the two instruments to not be statistically different from one. Differences between the surface and interior measurements were compared to forcing mechanisms that may cause surface velocity shear. Velocity offsets and alongshore wind stress were well correlated for cases when waves and wind were not aligned to within ±45°, when wind- and wave-forced currents are reasonably separable. Calculated wind-dependent surface current shear, modeled as a surface boundary layer, correlated well with the observed velocity offsets for observations of nonalignment between wind and waves. This technique can be applied to study large-scale coastal behavior.
Effect of Triton X-100 on the stability of aqueous dispersions of copper phthalocyanine pigment nanoparticles.

Abstract The effect of Triton X-100 on the colloidal dispersion stability of CuPc-U (unsulfonated and hydrophobic) and CuPc-S (surface sulfonated and hydrophilic) particles in aqueous solutions (water and NaNO 3 ) was investigated at 25 °C. Its adsorption density was determined from surfactant concentrations analyzed by an HPLC method with a UV detector. The experimental dispersion stability ratios of the particles were determined from dynamic light scattering (DLS) data, with the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans (RDG) light scattering theory. The adsorption densities of Triton X-100 on both the CuPc-U and CuPc-S increase with increasing concentration of surfactant up to the critical micelle concentration (cmc), and then reach a plateau. The maximum adsorption density Γ m is higher for the CuPc-U ( d h = 160 nm) than that for the CuPc-S ( d h = 90 nm). The hydrophobic chains are inferred to be adsorbed onto the surfaces, and the hydrophilic ethylene oxide chains are in a coil conformation. The W app -values for the CuPc-U dispersions are affected mainly by the surfactant fractional surface coverage θ . Adding NaNO 3 has no significant effect on the dispersion stability. The stabilization mechanism for the CuPc-U is inferred to be primarily steric, as expected. The stability ratios for the CuPc-S in solutions with NaNO 3 are higher than those for CuPc-U, and decrease with increasing concentration of NaNO 3 , indicating that the stabilization is affected by the screening of electrostatic repulsive forces. The zeta potential is not a good predictor of the electrostatic stabilization, pointing to the need for new and improved theories.
Testing the Viability of the READ Scale (Reference Effort Assessment Data)©: Qualitative Statistics for Academic Reference Services

The READ Scale (Reference Effort Assessment Data) is a six-point scale tool for recording qualitative statistics by placing an emphasis on recording effort, knowledge, skills, and teaching used by staff during a reference transaction. Institutional research grants enabled the authors to conduct a national study of the READ Scale at 14 diverse academic libraries in spring of 2007 and test its viability as a tool for recording reference statistics. The study data were collected from 170 individuals and 24 service points with over 22,000 transactions analyzed. There was a 52 percent return rate of an online survey of participants, with more than 80 percent of respondents indicating they would recommend or adopt the Scale for recording reference transactions. The authors suggest that the READ Scale has the potential to transform how reference statistics are gathered, interpreted, and valued. This paper presents the findings of a nationwide study testing the Scale in spring 2007 and suggests practical approaches for using READ Scale data.
Strategic bidding of offer curves: An agent-based approach to exploring supply curve equilibria

Abstract We model a market in which suppliers bid step-function offer curves using agent-based modeling. Our model is an abstraction of electricity markets where step-function offer curves are given to an independent system operator that manages the auctions in electricity markets. Positing an elementary and computationally accessible learning model, Probe and Adjust , we present analytic results that characterize both the behavior of the learning model and the properties of step-function equilibria. Thus, we have developed a framework for validating agent-based models prior to using them in situations that are too complicated to be analyzed using traditional economic theory. In addition, we demonstrate computationally that, by using alternative policies, even simple agents can achieve monopoly rewards for themselves by pursuing more industry-oriented strategies. This raises the issue of how participants in oligopolistic markets actually behave.
Getting Started in Academia: A Guide for Educational Psychologists

We identify the major tasks facing pre-tenure faculty members and outline advice, based on a review of the literature and our experiences, for succeeding in academia. The challenges encountered by new faculty include learning the culture of the new academic institution, understanding the processes and policies for academic performance review, establishing meaningful and constructive mentoring relationships, creating a sustainable research agenda as well as fostering the writing attitudes and strategies that promote turning research projects into publications. Also included are recommendations for developing expertise in teaching, cultivating healthy and productive relationships with advisees, and fulfilling service responsibilities. Finally, we suggest strategies for balancing the multiple, and sometimes competing, demands and expectations.
Ontology-driven peer profiling in peer-to-peer enabled semantic web

Peer-to-peer (P2P) systems and Semantic Web are two novel technologies that face a lot of shortcomings if considered as isolated paradigms. We present an approach that utilizes ontologies to set up a peer profile containing all the data, necessary for peer-to-peer interoperability. Using this profile can help eliminate some major issues persistent in current P2P networks, such as security, resource aggregation, group management. We also consider applications of peer profiling for Semantic Web built on P2P networks, such as an improved semantic search for resources, not explicitly published on the Web, but available in a P2P system. We develop the ontology-based peer profile in RDF format and demonstrate its manifold benefits for peer communication and knowledge discovery in both P2P networks and Semantic Web.
A complex orthogonal space-time block code for 8 transmit antennas

We present a new complex orthogonal space-time block code (STBC) for 8 transmit antennas, which is generated simply by padding a transmission vector for the 8th transmit antenna to the transmission matrix of the existing complex orthogonal STBC for 7 transmit antennas. The presented complex orthogonal STBC for 8 transmit antennas achieves the same maximal rate 5/8 as well as the same minimal decoding delay 56 as those of the previously constructed complex orthogonal STBC for 7 transmit antennas.
Transmyocardial revascularization utilizing a holmium:YAG laser.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of transmyocardial revascularization performed on patients with refractory class IV or unstable angina with a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser. Methods: Transmyocardial revascularization with a holmium:yttrium-aluminumgarnet laser was performed in 42 patients with refractory angina who were not candidates for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting. Patients had either Canadian Heart Association class IV angina ( n = 23) or unstable angina (n = 19) and were unable to be weaned from intravenous nitroglycerin. Preoperative thallium studies identified the extent and location of reversible ischemia. Operative exposure was via a limited left anterior thoracotomy. An average of 45 ∠ 11 laser channels were created with a mean operative time of 106 ∠ 38 min. Results: Perioperative mortality was 12% (5/42) with no late deaths. Complications included ventricular 7.1%(3/42) and atrial 4.7% (2/42) arrhythmias, reoperation for chest-wall hemorrhage 2% (1/42), and respiratory failure requiring reintubation 2% (1/42). Intra-aortic balloon pump placement was required in 12% (5/42). The mean postoperative length of stay was 5.5 ∠ 4.9 (1‐25) days. Mean follow-up on 100% of patients is 5.4 ∠ 3.0 (1‐12) months. At 3 (n = 33) and 6 (n = 21) months follow-up the mean angina class was 1.5 ∠ 0.1 (P , 0.002) and 1.1 ∠ 0.1 (P , 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: Transmyocardial revascularization utilizing a holmium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser resulted in a significant reduction in angina class and was beneficial in patients with refractory angina untreatable by conventional methods. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
The Telecommunications Industry . By Susan E. McMaster. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2002. Pp. xiii, 191. $39.95.

Susan McMaster has provided a short and accessible overview of the history of the telecommunications (telephone, until very recently) industry from the beginning (1875) through the year 2000. Those looking for an introduction to the development of the industry will find the book quite readable. Those, however, looking for a review of the extant business-history and economic-history literature on the industry will not find it here, nor will they find a good roadmap on where to look for more information.
Attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine influence its use.

Objective The aim of this study was to explore how attitudes toward complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and conventional medicine influence CAM use in a healthy population, and how health locus of control and exercise further affect CAM use. Design A cross-sectional survey design was used. Participants The sample consisted of 65 healthy graduate students. Main Outcome Measures Since previous studies have focused on the attitudes of medical providers toward CAM, there are currently no standard, widely used measures of attitudes toward CAM from the perspective of the healthcare recipient. Thus, a new measure, the Complementary, Alternative, and Conventional Medicine Attitudes Scale (CACMAS) was created to address how attitudes of healthcare recipients affect CAM use. The Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) was used to investigate effects of health locus of control on CAM use, and participants reported which of 17 listed CAM treatments they had used in the past, were currently using, or would likely use in the future. Participants also reported days of exercise in the past month to explore if those engaging in healthy behaviors might report more CAM use. Results Having a philosophical congruence with CAM and agreement with holistic balance was associated with increased CAM use. Dissatisfaction with conventional medicine was also related to increased CAM use, but to a lesser extent. Those attributing health to personal behaviors (an internal health locus of control) reported more CAM use, as did those engaging in more resistance training in the previous month.
86Rb+ fluxes in Chinese hamster ovary cells as a function of membrane cholesterol content

Steady-state fluxes of 86Rb+ (as a tracer for K+) were measured in Chinese hamster ovary cells (CHO-K1) and a mutant (CR1) defective in the regulation of cholesterol biosynthesis; the membrane cholesterol content of this mutant was varied by growing it on a range of cholesterol supplements to lipid-free medium (Sinensky, M. (1978) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S. 75, 1247–1249). Analogous to previous findings in ascites tumor cells, 86Rb+ influx in the parent strain was differentiated into a ouabain-inhibitable ‘pump’ flux, furosemide-sensitive, chloride-dependent exchange diffusion, and a residual ‘leak’ flux. On the basis of this flux characterization, 86Rb+ pump and leak fluxes were measured in the mutant as a function of membrane cholesterol content. Pump and leak fluxes, when expressed per ml cell water, were independent of the cholesterol content of the mutant. Moreover, 86Rb+ fluxes in the mutant were equal to those in the parent strain. Our data imply that the flux behavior of K+ in the steady state is independent of the ordering of membrane lipid acyl chains.
Multiple types of calcium channels arising from alternative translation initiation of the Orai1 message

In mammals exclusively, the pore-forming Ca 2+ release–activated Ca 2+ (CRAC) channel subunit Orai1 occurs in two forms because of alternative translation initiation. The longer, mammal-specific Orai1α contains an additional 63 amino acids upstream of the conserved start site for Orai1β, which occurs at methionine 64 in Orai1α. Orai1 participates in the generation of three distinct Ca 2+ currents, including two store-operated currents: I crac , which involves activation of Orai1 channels by the Ca 2+ -sensing protein STIM1 (stromal interaction molecule 1), and I soc , which involves an interaction among Orai1, the transient receptor potential (TRP) family member TRPC1 (TRP canonical 1), and STIM1. Orai1 is also a pore-forming subunit of an arachidonic acid (or leukotriene C 4 )–regulated current I arc that involves interactions among Orai1, Orai3, and STIM1. We evaluated the roles of the two Orai1 forms in the Ca 2+ currents I crac , I soc , and I arc . We found that Orai1α and Orai1β were largely interchangeable for I crac and I soc , although Orai1α exhibited stronger inhibition by Ca 2+ . Only the mammalian-specific Orai1α functioned in the arachidonic acid–regulated current I arc . Thus, alternative translation initiation of the Orai1 message produces at least three types of Ca 2+ channels with distinct signaling and regulatory properties.
Traumatic Hyphema in a Defined Population

From 1960 through 1984, traumatic hyphema was diagnosed in 248 residents (204 males and 44 females) of Olmsted County, Minnesota. The mean annual incidence rate was significantly greater (P
Deep-ocean paleoceanography and ostracodes

Ostracodes are small, bivalved Crustacea commonly preserved in deep-sea sediments that are well suited for faunal, trace-element, and isotopic analyses in paleoceanography of deep-ocean environments. Twenty deepsea ostracode specialists from eight countries met at the U.S. Geological Survey National Center, Reston, Va., from July 12 to 14 at a workshop entitled “Recent Ostracoda from the Deep and Intermediate Ocean: Application to Paleoceanography.” The workshop was sponsored by the USGS Global Change and Climate History Program, and its major goal was to develop a data base on recent ostracodes from the world's deep-sea environments and to fully realize their potential in deep-sea paleoceanographic research.
Expanding the role of statins in postoperative atrial fibrillation.

p p A Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a growing public health problem, predicted to impact as many as 15 million people by 2050. In addition to its well-known associated risks in an outpatient population, isolated perioperative AF (POAF) following cardiac surgery also contributes to increased mortality, increased length of hospital stay, and increased health-care costs. Various strategies to reduce POAF in cardiac surgery patients have been shown to be effective in reducing POAF and health-care costs. Many potential preventive treatments of AF and POAF focus on the modulation of the specific pathways that create the environment for AF to occur. In rapid atrial pacing animal models of AF, inhibition of the renin–angiotensin– aldosterone system with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers attenuates the development of atrial hypertrophy and fibrosis. Both angiotensin-receptor blockers and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors have been shown to reduce the incidence of new-onset AF in post hoc analyses in randomized controlled trials for the treatment of hypertension and congestive heart failure. Also, the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers has been associated with lower rates of POAF in cardiac surgery; however, prospective randomized trials testing the use of renin– angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibition to prevent POAF after cardiac surgery failed to show a convincing benefit. Corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit the inflammatory mediators associated with AF. They have been shown in limited series to help reduce POAF after cardiac surgery but are associated with higher rates of AF with chronic use. Amiodarone and sotalol are beneficial in reducing POAF after cardiac surgery, likely owing to their direct antiarrhythmic effects. Beta-blockers also are helpful in the prevention of POAF after cardiac surgery. Statins have been shown in multiple trials and observational series to reduce the development of AF and POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In ARMYDA-3, treatment with atorvastatin 80 mg resulted in a 61% reduction in POAF. A meta-analysis showed that statins were effective