cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogen-binding proteins of the human uterus.

Abstract 1. 1. Sucrose gradient centrifugation analysis and agarose gel chromatography of the human uterine cytosols, equilibrated with [3H]estradiol, have demonstrated the presence of two specific estrogen-binding proteins. The endometrial cytosol contained estrogen-binding proteins which sediment in sucrose gradients at 8 S, with a secondary estrogen-binding protein sedimenting at 3 S, while the myometrial cytosol contained almost exclusively a 3-S (3.1 ± 0.1 S) estrogen-binding protein. A non-specific [3H]-estradiol-binding protein with a sedimentation coefficient of 4.6 S was shown to be serum albumin. 2. 2. The addition of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) to the homogenization buffer resulted in the appearance of the 8-S and no 3-S estrogen-binding protein in the myometrial cytosol, suggesting that the 3-S species may be obtained from the 8-S estrogen-binding protein by limited proteolysis, but without loss of the estradiol-binding capacity. 3. 3. The myometrial 3-S estrogen-binding protein has a molecular Stokes radius of 26.7 (+ 0.4) A, with a frictional ratio ( ƒ ƒ 0 ) of 1.20–1.25, and a molecular weight of 35 000–38 000 as approximated by agarose gel chromatography and sucrose gradient analysis. 4. 4. The apparent dissociation constant of the myometrial estrogen-binding protein was 1·10−9 M and the binding capacity was 67 (± 10)·10−15 mole of [3H]-estradiol bound per mg protein, with large variation among patients, 25·10−15 140·10−15 mole of estradiol bound per protein. Test compounds competed with the [3H]estradiol for binding by the myometrial estrogen-binding protein in the following sequence: 17β-estradiol > estrone > ethynylestradiol ≥ diethylstilbestrol > 17α-estradiol > estriol > CI-628 > U11, 100A >cis-clomiphene > 5-androsten-3β,17β-diol > 4-androsten-3β,17β-diol. Dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, androstenedione, progesterone or cortisol were not effective competitors of [3H]estradiol for the myometrial estrogen-binding protein.
TU‐C‐332‐04: Pilot Patient Studies Using a Dedicated Dual‐Modality SPECT‐CT System for Breast Imaging

Purpose: Acknowledging the limitations/discomfort of mammography has inspired the development of a dedicated SPECT‐CT system to detect breast cancer, monitor therapeutic responses, and improve patient comfort. This system provides semi‐quantitative 3D functional/anatomical imaging of a pendant, uncompressed breast. Fused images can potentially provide more valuable clinical information than independent systems alone. Method and Materials: The SPECT subsystem permits fully‐3D complex acquisition trajectories around the breast, avoiding physical hindrances, overcoming distortions due to inadequate sampling, and allowing lesion detection on the chest wall. The CT subsystem, restricted to circular rotation, uses a quasi‐monochromatic, cone‐beam x‐ray source, which allows for reduced radiationdose and increased contrast between similar soft tissue attenuation coefficients. With no breast compression and an open, common field‐of‐view geometry system, the patient lies prone on a customized patient bed while the hybrid device non‐invasively acquires 3D data underneath. A preliminary investigation on the clinical performance of the hybrid system was done by imaging women with biopsy confirmed breast cancerResults:SPECT patient images can clearly visualize the tracer uptake by the tumor and view into the chest wall. Physical system constraints limit chest wall visualization in the CT patient images and thus patient positioning is under modification. Eliminating overlapping tissues through 3D imaging, the CTimages improve lesion isolation versus 2D imaging modalities. Complementary functional and anatomical image information helps localize suspicious areas for subsequent analysis. Conclusion: Implementation of the world's first dedicated SPECT‐CT system promises greatly improved visualization of the 3D breast volume. Complementary information from functional and anatomical imaging can guide lesion localization for subsequent analysis. Conflict of Interest: MPT is an inventor of this technology, and is named as an inventor on the patent for this technology applied for by Duke. If this technology becomes commercially successful, he and Duke could benefit financially.
Alcoholic Typology and the Risk of Relapse in an Aftercare Program

Ninety patients in a residential aftercare program for alcoholic rehabilitation were classified as Type I, Type II, or Mixed (I/II) and observed from initial admission until they recommenced drinking (n = 32) or nine months of sobriety (n = 58). Overall recidivism rate did not vary among the groups. Relapsers did differ as a function of Type both in rapidity of relapse and reasons for recommencing drinking. Types of alcoholics differed in number of daily hassles and uplists, number of coping responses and strategies, and the degree to which these behaviors changed across the duration of treatment.
The effect of 5-bromodeoxyuridine on the recovery phenomenon in sub-lethally irradiated cells

Abstract Recovery phenomena in sub-lethally irradiated mammalian cells in culture were studied after treatment with 5-bromodeoxyuridine to examine whether the general shape of the recovery curve could be altered when DNA thymine was partially replaced by 5-bromouracil. The extent of replacement of thymine in the H.Ep. No. 1 and HeLa S-3 cells by 5-bromouracil was about one and twelve per cent respectively. The recovery was evident even after treatment with 5-bromodeoxyuridine and the pattern of the recovery curve was not appreciably altered in both the H.Ep. No. 1 and HeLa S-3 cells.
IT professionals as organizational citizens

Are managers discouraging IT professionals from exhibiting behaviors the organization desperately needs?
Littering in context(s): Using a quasi-natural experiment to explore geographic influences on antisocial behavior

Abstract Social science literature suggests that neighborhood-based visual cues have substantive effects on individuals' littering behaviors. Experimental research on this topic typically alters the appearance of a selected public location, and then monitors changes in littering due to these tightly controlled esthetic changes. The general finding is that littering occurs more frequently in relatively disorderly settings. The current paper extends this work by testing whether or not the same finding holds in more “real life” situations, wherein the operative visual cues come directly from the environment rather than through experimental manipulation. Specifically, the paper empirically identifies two study sites that serve similar functions in their urban system, but that differ markedly in contextual features. At the first site (#1), visual cues include liquor stores, vacant structures, and a noisy interstate highway. Notable visual cues at site #2 are scenic vistas, well-maintained housing, and greenspaces. When the same quasi-natural littering experiment was conducted at both locations, the littering rate was significantly higher at site #1 compared to site #2 (after controlling for individual-level demographic attributes). This result adds value to the applied geography community, as it confirms that spatially-based attributes do influence individual behaviors in a manner consistent with controlled, comparatively acontextual experimental findings. Additionally, the results implicate policy strategies that might be useful for counteracting antisocial urban behavior.
An analysis of household mobility and tenure choice: An empirical study of Korea

Abstract This paper develops a model of households' joint mobility-tenure decisions which improves upon the sole existing model in two important ways. First, the probabilistic structure is appropriately framed to capture the simultaneity of the mobility and tenure decisions. Second, the model is based more directly on utility-maximization theory. An additionally distinguishing characteristic of the model is the fact that all independent variables in the estimation are expressed in flow terms. This is done in an effort to more truly reflect their importance in the decision-making of the household. The model is estimated using microlevel data from Korea. The coefficients and derived elasticities are consistent with expectations, and Korean households are found to behave in a manner similar to that in the United States. This suggests that the basic motivations underlying households' mobility-tenure decisions are invariant across countries.
Changes in fitness traits associated with selection for divergence in yolk cholesterol concentration

1. Correlated changes in egg production, hatchability, egg weight, age at sexual maturation and body weight of lines selected for divergence in yolk cholesterol were studied in two different populations. 2. Divergence in yolk cholesterol resulted in a highly significant difference in percentage egg production with a negative correlation between yolk cholesterol and egg numbers. However, the calculated total daily mass of cholesterol excreted into the egg was similar in both lines. 3. These results indicate that the physiological mechanism by which these populations responded to selection pressure on the concentration of cholesterol in the yolk was by changing egg numbers rather than total amount of cholesterol excreted. 4. Body weights of the high and low yolk cholesterol lines of the meat type, but not of the layer‐type populations, were significantly different. After four generations the line selected for low yolk cholesterol from the meat‐type population weighed 80% of the line selected for high yolk c...
Outer- and middle-ear contributions to presbycusis in the Brown Norway rat.

This paper examines the contribution of the outer and middle ears to the hearing loss associated with presbycusis in Brown Norway rats. Animals were formed into two groups; young adults (2–3 months ol
An Individual Differences Model for the Design of Courses in General Psychology

The model was empirically examined to determine if it has promise for modifying treatments for different student subgroups.
Environmental Practices and Management Concerns of Conference Center Administrators

The purposes of this study were to identify environmental practices and concerns of conference center administrators. A questionnaire was developed, pilot tested, and administered as part of the needs assessment. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to analyze data. Of the 348 questionnaires sent, 211 were completed and returned for a 60.6% response rate. Recycling was implemented by 85.8% of the respondents; 27% of the conference centers have implemented an energy conservation program. Most centers’ recycling programs did not generate a profit. The majority (54.1%) reported implementing a recycling program to help avoid waste disposal fees. This descriptive study provided information about conference center administrators’ environmental practices and concerns.
ASSESSMENT OF EFFECTIVENESS OF TB POSTING DURING THE COMPULSORY ROTATORY RESIDENTIAL INTERNSHIP (CRRI) PROGRAMME

Research Question: What is the effectiveness of TB posting during the Compulsory Rotatory Residential Internship (CRRI) programme? Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of TB posting during the CRRI programme. To find out the need of making Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases Department posting mandatory during CRRI Programme. Study Design: Cross Sectional study. Study Duration: 12 months i.e. 01st April 2009 till 31st March 2010 Participants: 90 students who joined the CRRI programme formed the study group. Out of these 90 interns only 57 (64%) of them joined their two months Compulsory Rotatory Internship in the Department of Community Medicine and these were posted in Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases Department for 15 days. Methodology: A pre-designed pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was administered to the participants on the first day and last day of their posting in Tuberculosis & Respiratory Diseases Department. The results were analysed by using suitable statistical package. Results: The mean pre-test score was 28 (49.6%) and the mean post-test score was 38 (61.5%). It was observed that there was a 27% improvement in the knowledge of the participants when the question about the year of launching of RNTCP programme in India was asked. A remarkable improvement (46%) was found in the difference between pre and post-test knowledge of the participants when the questions like “Who are the DOTS providers” and “What is the colour coding of boxes for different categories of patients” were asked. A significant difference in the knowledge was found in the pre and post-test assessment in reference to Tuberculosis and its National Programm
Anharmonic betatron motion in free electron lasers

Abstract In this article the trajectory of an electron in an FEL is calculated, including nonlinear, off-axis focusing terms in the transverse equations of motion, and the emittance growth due to the nonlinear terms is estimated.
Prothrombotic and Antithrombotic Pathways in Acute Coronary Syndromes

The acute coronary syndromes arise from procoagulant changes in complex plaques, which trigger both platelet activation and coagulation pathways. These 2 pathways intersect at a number of points that form positive-feedback loops to sustain and accelerate thrombus formation. In normal hemostasis and with a healthy endothelium, intravascular thrombosis is prevented, and vascular patency is protected by the fibrinolytic system and a number of antithrombotic factors, such as antithrombin, thrombomodulin, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor. However, atherosclerosis is characterized by a hypercoagulable state, and the fibrinolytic balance is skewed toward occlusive thrombus formation at critical sites on vulnerable plaques. This review focuses on cellular and humoral mechanisms and the antithrombotic strategies that are important during the acute phase of an ischemic coronary syndrome, both in patients managed conservatively and in patients scheduled for an interventional procedure. These strategies include fibrinolytic therapy, antiplatelet therapies (aspirin, clopidogrel, glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor inhibitors), and low-molecular-weight heparin.
Role of Fimbriated Escherichia coli in Urinary Tract Infections in Adult Women: Correlation with Localization Studies

The prevalence of uropathogenic Escherichia coli bearing type 1 and/or p fimbriae was assessed in 179 adult women with urinary tract infections, and the presence of specific fimbriae types was correlated with results of localization studies. E. coli with p fimbriae occurred more frequently in patients with clinically defined pyelonephritis (13 of 23 [57070]) than in women with cystitis (22 of 116 [19%]; P = .0004) or asymptomatic bacteriuria (6 of 40 [15%]; P = .0008), whereas organisms with type 1 fimbriae were equally distributed in these three patient groups. In contrast, the presence of p-fimbriated strains was not correlated with infection localized to the upper urinary tract by either the antibody-coated bacteria technique (among symptomatic women) or ureteral catheterization (among asymptomatic women). Thus although p fimbriation seems to be an important virulence factor associated with development of acute pyelonephritis in adult women, its detection appears not to be a useful localization test per se, and efforts to prevent these infections should not be directed against this factor alone.
Enabling scalability and performance in a large scale CMP environment

Hardware trends suggest that large-scale CMP architectures, with tens to hundreds of processing cores on a single piece of silicon, are iminent within the next decade. While existing CMP machines have traditionally been handled in the same way as SMPs, this magnitude of parallelism introduces several fundamental challenges at the architectural level and this, in turn, translates to novel challenges in the design of the software stack for these platforms. This paper presents the "Many Core Run Time" (McRT), a software prototype of an integrated language runtime that was designed to explore configurations of the software stack for enabling performance and scalability on large scale CMP platforms. This paper presents the architecture of McRT and discusses our experiences with the system, including experimental evaluation that lead to several interesting, non-intuitive findings, providing key insights about the structure of the system stack at this scale. A key contribution of this paper is to demonstrate how McRT enables near linear improvements in performance and scalability for desktop workloads such as the popular XviD encoder and a set of RMS (recognition, mining, and synthesis) applications. Another key contribution of this work is its use of McRT to explore non-traditional system configurations such as a light-weight executive in which McRT runs on "bare metal" and replaces the traditional OS. Such configurations are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to leverage heterogeneous computing uints as seen in today's CPU-GPU configurations.
Concurrent treatment for alcohol and tobacco dependence: are patients ready to quit both?

Abstract The prevalence of smoking among alcohol abusers is high, yet little is known about this dual-dependency. This study examines mechanisms involved in changing both alcohol and tobacco use concurrently using the transtheoretical model (TTM) measures of change. Alcohol and tobacco dependent outpatients ( N =115) entering a dual-substance dependence program were compared on baseline measures of motivation, self-initiated change activities, and self-efficacy associated with each substance use behavior. Differences on these measures were expected for drinking versus smoking. Motivation to change each behavior was also examined as a potential predictor of retention in treatment. Results indicated that patients reported higher self-efficacy to abstain and lower temptation to use alcohol relative to cigarettes. Change activities were also initiated at higher levels for drinking compared with smoking. An interaction between drinking and smoking motivation for change was found in the prediction of treatment retention; those with higher motivation for changing their alcohol use and lower motivation to quit smoking remained longer in treatment, while those who were higher in motivation for changing both behaviors dropped out the earliest. Overall, participants in this dual-dependence program were more confident and active in changing their alcohol use. Initiating cessation of both behaviors equally and simultaneously may prove difficult for this population. This study initiates an understanding of the mechanisms involved in changing alcohol–tobacco dependence and may provide guidance for developing dual cessation interventions.
Education With a Sense of Wonder: A Spiritual Journey

The visual arts offer ample opportunities for educators to teach to the soul. This essay opens up some of the possibilities present in art education, opportunities to inspire dreams, announce visions, and ask ultimate questions.
Extraction of α-tocopherolquinone from vegetable oil deodorizer distillate waste

In industry, deodorizer distillate waste is one of the last products of refined edible oil after the removal of commercially important value components such as fatty acids, sterols, squalene, and vitamin E. The refinery process itself is the cause of a significant amount of loss in vitamin E due to distillation and thermal oxidation. The distillate waste has a very limited commercial value, therefore requires additional costs for a safe environmental disposal. One of the main vitamin E oxidation products found in large quantities in oil waste is tocopherolquinone (TQ). A literature search has revealed that in the past several techniques including a variety of solvent extractions, saponification, or column extraction have been used for TQ isolation with limited success. The present study is a new cost-effective liquid–liquid extraction method developed to isolate α-TQ from vegetable oil steam distillate or distillate waste. High recovery results ranging from 31 to 120% were obtained depending on the ratio between the sample and three different organic extraction solvents (acetonitrile, methanol, and hexane) combined.
Molality as a unit of measure for expressing 1H MRS brain metabolite concentrations in vivo

Absolute concentrations of cerebral metabolite in in vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies (1H-MRS) are widely reported in molar units as moles per liter of tissue, or in molal units as moles per kilogram of tissue. Such measurements require external referencing or assumptions as to local water content. To reduce the scan time, avoid assumptions that may be invalid under specific pathologies, and provide a universally accessible referencing procedure, we suggest that metabolite concentrations from 1H-MRS measurements in vivo be reported in molal units as moles per kilogram of tissue water. Using internal water referencing, a two-compartment water model, a simulated brain spectrum for peak identification, and a spectroscopic bi-exponential spin-spin relaxation segmentation technique, we measured the absolute concentrations for the four common 1H brain metabolites: choline (Cho), myo-inositol (mIno), phosphocreatine + creatine (Cr), and N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), in the hippocampal region (n = 26) and along the Sylvian fissure (n = 61) of 35 healthy adults. A stimulated echo localization method (20 ms echo time, 10 ms mixing time, 4 s repetition time) yielded metabolite concentrations, uncorrected for metabolite relaxation or contributions from macromolecule resonances, that were expectantly higher than with molar literature values. Along the Sylvian fissure the average concentrations (coefficient of variation (CV)) in mmoles/kg of tissue water were 17.6 (12%) for NAA, 14.2 (9%) for Cr, 3.6 (13%) for Cho, and 13.2 (15%) for mIno. Respective values for the hippocampal region were 15.7 (20%), 14.7 (16%), 4.6 (19%), and 17.7 (26%). The concentrations of the two regions were significantly different (p </= 0.001) for NAA, mIno, and Cho, a trend in agreement with previous studies. All gray matter Sylvian fissure CV values, except for NAA, were also in agreement with previous 1H-MRS gray matter studies. The reduced precision of the NAA concentration was attributed to overlapping signal contributions from glutamate and glutamine (Glx), suggesting that a detailed Glx model is critical for accurate quantitation of the NAA 2.02 ppm resonance. The reduced precision of the measurements in the hippocampal region was attributed to poor spectral resolution.
Activated Intrahepatic Antigen-Presenting Cells Inhibit Hepatitis B Virus Replication in the Liver of Transgenic Mice

In this study we evaluated the ability of activated intrahepatic APCs to inhibit hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in transgenic mice. Intrahepatic APCs were activated by administration of an anti-CD40 agonistic mAb (alphaCD40). We showed that a single i.v. injection of alphaCD40 was sufficient to inhibit HBV replication noncytopathically by a process associated with the recruitment of dendritic cells, macrophages, T cells, and NK cells into the liver and the induction of inflammatory cytokines. The antiviral effect depended on the production of IL-12 and TNF-alpha by activated APCs; however, it was mediated primarily by IFN-gamma produced by NK cells, and possibly T cells, that were activated by IL-12. Collectively, these results suggest that activated APCs can directly produce antiviral cytokines (IL-12, TNF-alpha) and trigger the production of other cytokines (i.e., IFN-gamma) by other cells (e.g., NK cells and T cells) that do not express CD40. These results provide insight into a hitherto unsuspected antiviral function of intrahepatic APCs, and they suggest that therapeutic activation of APCs may represent a new strategy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
The Laerdal pocket mask: effects of increasing supplementary oxygen flow.

To determine the effect of increasing supplementary oxygen flow during ventilation with the Laerdal pocket mask 24 subjects ventilated a modified recording mannikin for four 90 s periods using the mask with oxygen flows of 5 l, 10 l, 15 l and 20 l.min-1. Oxygen concentration increased and carbon dioxide concentration decreased with increasing oxygen flow. Tidal volume also increased with oxygen flow. The delivered oxygen concentrations were lower than previously reported at all four rates; however, mask function improved with increasing flow up to 20 l.
Interactive virtual client for teaching occupational therapy evaluative processes

In this paper, we describe our current work in developing a computer-based educational tool for Occupational Therapy students learning client evaluation techniques. The software is dialog-based and allows the student to interact with a virtual client. Students carry out an evaluation, following the appropriate procedures and assessing both the client's physical and emotional state as they proceed. Students' actions are saved to a file for instructor and self evaluation of their performance. The software is being developed using the Source® game engine SDK developed by Valve™.
Reperfusion and Neurovascular Dysfunction in Stroke: from Basic Mechanisms to Potential Strategies for Neuroprotection

Effective stroke therapies require recanalization of occluded cerebral blood vessels. However, reperfusion can cause neurovascular injury, leading to cerebral edema, brain hemorrhage, and neuronal death by apoptosis/necrosis. These complications, which result from excess production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria, significantly limit the benefits of stroke therapies. We have developed a focal stroke model using mice deficient in mitochondrial manganese-superoxide dismutase (SOD2−/+) to investigate neurovascular endothelial damage that occurs during reperfusion. Following focal stroke and reperfusion, SOD2−/+ mice had delayed blood-brain barrier breakdown, associated with activation of matrix metalloproteinase and high brain hemorrhage rates, whereas a decrease in apoptosis and hemorrhage was observed in SOD2 overexpressors. Thus, induction and activation of SOD2 is a novel strategy for neurovascular protection after ischemia/reperfusion. Our recent study identified the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) as a transcription factor of the mouse SOD2 gene. During reperfusion, activation of STAT3 and its recruitment into the SOD2 gene were blocked, resulting in increased oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis. In contrast, pharmacological activation of STAT3 induced SOD2 expression, which limits ischemic neuronal death. Our studies point to antioxidant-based neurovascular protective strategies as potential treatments to expand the therapeutic window of currently approved therapies.
Use of Geosynthetics for Reinforcing/Stabilizing Unpaved Roads under Full-Scale Truck Axle Loads

The significant impact of the truck traffic associated with the shale energy developments on local roads, including many unpaved gravel roads has been a pressing issue while the regional economy benefits from the recent shale gas boom. In many cases, roads had to be reconstructed over a soft soil subgrade treated and stabilized by cement or lime. As an alternative, geosynthetics offer a potentially more cost effective solution for reinforcing/stabilizing roads on soft soil subgrade. This paper presents a study using a full-scale accelerated traffic load testing to evaluate two recently emerged geosynthetic products, a triaxial geogrid and a high-strength woven geotextile in unpaved roads built over soft soil subgrade. A total of six full-scale test sections were constructed, among which two sections were reinforced by one and two layers of triaxial geogrids, respectively; while high strength geotextiles were used to reinforce two of the other sections with different aggregate layer thicknesses. The rest of the two sections were left as control sections, of which one section was constructed over 30-cm thick sand embankment. The test sections were subjected to a full-scale moving wheel load applied by the Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). A variety of instrumentations were used to measure the load-associated and the environment-associated responses and performance of the unpaved test sections. Results of the full-scale testing on the unpaved test sections demonstrate the benefits of geosynthetics in reducing the permanent deformation/rutting.
Social Work and End-of-Life Care for Older People: A Historical Perspective

End-of-life issues became increasingly complicated during the 20th century as profound shifts occurred in who died, how they died, and when they died. This article reviews societal changes related to death in the United States and chronicles the developments in social work practice with and for dying people and their families in the 20th century, leading up to the 1993 policy statement of the National Association of Social Workers on end-of-life decision making, which reinforced that client self-determination, a fundamental principle of social work, should apply to people planning for their deaths or undergoing a dying process. After identifying limitations in policies and practices, suggestions are offered to promote competent social work practice and enhance end-of-life care, particularly with reference to the dying process of older people.
A second-order band-pass frequency selective surface using nonresonant subwavelength periodic structures

A new class of band-pass frequency selective surface (FSS) with nonresonant constituting elements and sub-wavelength unit-cell dimensions and periodicities is presented and experimentally demonstrated. Using this technique, low profile first- and second-order FSSs with reduced sensitivity to the angle of incidence for both TE and TM polarizations are designed, a prototype is fabricated and the FSS measurement results are presented and discussed. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 50: 1639–1643, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.23445
Partial Purification of a Hypothalamic Factor that Inhibits Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone-Stimulated Luteinizing Hormone Release*

A protein that suppresses GnRH-stimulated LH release from dispersed rat anterior pituitary cells was purified from rat hypothalami by chromatography on Sephadex G-25, carboxymethyl cellulose, and high performance gel permeation. The final increase in inhibitory activity was 214-fold. The inhibitor is a glycoprotein with an apparent mol wt of 12,252 ± 638, as determined by gel permeation on HPLC and electrophoreses as a monomer after treatment with 8 M urea. The inhibitor has a Stokes radius of 16 A, an S value of 2.14 ± 0.08, an isoelectric point value near 4.1, and a frictional ratio of 1.05. A preliminary amino acid composition is presented. (Endocrinology 120: 483–490,1987)
Career Paths of Women Working in Leadership Positions within Intercollegiate Athletic Administration

Scholars have focused their attention on the careers of women working in management positions in several sport industry segments, however, limited research has focused on careers of women working in intercollegiate athletic administration. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine career information of women working in the administration of intercollegiate athletics. The study addressed the following amongst women working in intercollegiate athletic administration: (a) demographics, (b) career paths, (c) most/least enjoyable aspects of their jobs, (d) greatest challenges, (e) career advice, and (f) short-term and long-term career aspirations. This descriptive study provided insight for women wanting to explore a career within intercollegiate athletic administration. The information is useful for both women and men working in intercollegiate athletic administration and to the NCAA organization in support of its ongoing work to promote diversity in leadership positions. In addition, women wishing to pursue a career in intercollegiate athletics face a number of challenges, but acknowledging the voices of the women within this study can begin to explain some of the steps needed to maximize women's contributions to this field. Finally, this study contributes to the body of knowledge in the sport management literature in intercollegiate athletics.
Finally Everyone Can Work With Highly Complex 3D Models

In the past, access to 3D databases was restricted to few specialists having the appropriate CAD skills, software, and graphics hardware. The availability of inexpensive graphics support on personal computers, the Internet’s impact on private and commercial communication, and the emergence of multimedia standards provide the basis for linking CAD databases with other personal productivity and communication tools and for making them accessible to everyone at home, in schools, in hospitals, or in the industry. For example, employees that have no design expertise, customers, and suppliers would benefit from having an easy access to the 3D databases of a company for: collaborative design review, 3D-based multi-media problem reports, collaborative problem solving and tracking, online training and documentation, internet-based part purchasing and subcontracting, demonstration to customers, or advertising. This presentation will address three of the key issues that have so far limited the non-specialist’s access to 3D databases. First-time or occasional non-expert users need to become instant experts in 3D navigation through Virtual Environments or in the interactive manipulation of digital 3D models, so that they may immediately focus on their tasks, and not waste precious time learning and fighting an unnatural user interface. Immersive VR is not the panacea – other more effective techniques show promise. The data complexity found in commercial CAD databases, especially in the automotive, aerospace, and construction industries, significantly exceeds the capabilities of any interactive graphics system. This situation is not likely to change, since the growth of the complexity and availability of 3D models outpaces the performance improvement of personal computers. Research on the automatic simplification of 3D models and on the use of levels of detail to accelerate the rendering of distant portions of the scene is growing rapidly. The still limited bandwidth of internet communication channels prohibits a pervasive access to large amounts of 3D data. Recent 3D compression techniques reduce the storage requirements for polyhedral 3D models by two orders of magnitudes.
Imaging Features of Uncommon Gynecologic Cancers.

OBJECTIVE. The role of imaging in patients with suspected gynecologic malignancies is to provide an accurate diagnosis to achieve the best and most tailored treatment plan. Uncommon cancers pose a distinct challenge, because current knowledge of these diseases is still limited. Our purpose is to highlight the role of cross-sectional imaging techniques, including ultrasound, CT, MRI, and PET/CT, in the diagnosis and pretreatment stratification of patients with rare gynecologic cancers. CONCLUSION. This review shows the relevance of imaging findings for diagnosis, staging, and treatment planning in patients with uncommon uterine, cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and ovarian cancers.
Goliath Heron Fishing with an Artificial Bait

Documentation of tool use by animals covers an array of species and tools, from chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) making sponges to collect drinking water to Woodpecker Finches (Cactospiza pallida) using cactus spines to extract grubs (Beck 1980). One form of proto-tool use, placing bait such as bread to attract small fish within striking range, has been reported from seven bird species representing five orders. These include Pied Kingfisher (Ceryle rudis), Sunbittern (Eurypga helias), Lesser Black-backed Gull (Larus fuscus), Black Kite (Milvus migrans), plus three Ardeids: Green-backed Heron (Butorides striatus), Squacco Heron (Ardeola ralloides), and Black-crowned Night Heron (Nyticorax nyticorax) (Lefebvre et al. 2002; Riehl 2001). Only one of these species, the Green-backed Heron, has been observed using artificial lures such as twigs, feathers, and bits of plastic (Higuchi 1986). In this paper we report an observation of a Goliath Heron (Ardea goliath) apparently using a small stick as a lure to attract fish.
Weight for random quark masses

In theories in which the parameters of the low energy theory are not unique, perhaps having different values in different domains of the universe as is possible in some inflationary models, the fermion masses would be distributed with respect to some weight. In such a situation the specifics of the fermion masses do not have a unique explanation, yet the weight provides the visible remnant of the structure of the underlying theory. This paper introduces this concept of a weight for the distribution of masses and provides a quantitative estimate of it from the observed quarks and leptons. The weight favors light quark masses and appears roughly scale invariant $(\ensuremath{\rho}\ensuremath{\sim}1/m).$ Some relevant issues, such as the running of the weight with scale and the possible effects of anthropic constraints, are also discussed.
Doppler peaks from cosmic texture.

We compute the angular power spectrum of temperature anisotropies on the microwave sky in the cosmic texture theory, with standard recombination assumed. The spectrum shows ``Doppler'' peaks analogous to those in scenarios based on primordial adiabatic fluctuations such as ``standard cold dark matter,'' but at quite different angular scales. There appear to be excellent prospects for using this as a discriminant between inflationary and cosmic defect theories.
Numerical solution of distributed order fractional differential equations by hybrid functions

In this paper, a new numerical method for solving the distributed fractional differential equations is presented. The method is based upon hybrid functions approximation. The properties of hybrid functions consisting of block-pulse functions and Bernoulli polynomials are presented. The Riemann-Liouville fractional integral operator for hybrid functions is introduced. This operator is then utilized to reduce the solution of the distributed fractional differential equations to a system of algebraic equations. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the technique.
Digital Media and Data: Using and Designing Technologies to Support Learning in Practice.

ABSTRACTThe use of data to improve learning, instruction and student achievement has been a popular educational intervention in countries across the globe. Yet, with all the available data generated by standardized tests or through the course of instruction, systematic use of data as a lever for school change still remains elusive. This article is an introduction to a special issue that explores the possibilities of digital media and technology to support data-informed teaching and learning. This paper introduces this topic by highlighting the need for investigating more closely how data are used to support learning in practice and briefly highlights some of the prevailing issues and opportunities related to the potential productive uses of data.
Alterations in the Organic Compounds of Vaginal Secretions Caused by Sexual Arousal

The low-molecular weight organic constituents of human vaginal secretions from normally cycling subjects were analyzed both before and after sexual stimulation. Gas chromatography and combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry were employed in the analyses of the secretions. Consistent increases were noted for a number of the lipid constituents of the secretions, suggesting that they are derived at least in part from the plasma and transude into the vaginal lumen during arousal. In addition, the increases in the concentrations of glycerol and stearic acid with respect to baseline levels were significant (P ≤ 0.05). Compounds which are produced intravaginally appear to decrease in concentration during the arousal interval because of dilution by the transudate. No consistent qualitative changes were noted in the secretion.
Toward multiculturality. Implications for the pediatrician.

The United States has become the home for an increasing number of immigrants and minority adolescents. Suggestions are provided by this article for conducting semi-structured cultural-history interviews, identifying medical needs, family treatment beliefs, and self-care practices. An outline for increasing the pediatrician’s cultural awareness is also offered.
Frege’s Hints and Colors

Sense, force, and tone. As Dummett puts it, these are the three ‘ingredients’ that Frege recognizes as belonging to our ordinary conception of linguistic meaning. That Frege himself does not put it quite this way warrants no splitting of hairs. He evidently never employs a word for our intuitive notion of meaning, reserving the German word Bedeutung for a more specialized use associated with the object referred to, or meant. From his earliest writings Frege explicitly acknowledges that there is indeed more to natural language, to its sentences in particular, than the expression of truth-evaluable thoughts and the force with which they are uttered. In Begriffsschrift he says that one can perceive a slight difference in meaning1 between the sentences ‘At Platea the Greeks defeated the Persians’ and ‘At Platea the Persians were defeated by the Greeks’, a difference he attributes to the relative importance of subject or object to the interests of the speaker or hearer (1879: §3).
Exploiting a host-commensal interaction to promote intestinal barrier function and enteric pathogen tolerance

Commensal intestinal bacteria can prevent pathogenic infection; however, limited knowledge of the mechanisms by which individual bacterial species contribute to pathogen resistance has restricted their potential for therapeutic application. Here, we examined how colonization of mice with a human commensal Enterococcus faecium protects against enteric infections. We show that E. faecium improves host intestinal epithelial defense programs to limit Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium pathogenesis in vivo in multiple models of susceptibility. E. faecium protection is mediated by a unique peptidoglycan hydrolase, SagA, and requires epithelial expression of pattern recognition receptor components and antimicrobial peptides. Ectopic expression of SagA in non-protective and probiotic bacteria is sufficient to enhance intestinal barrier function and confer resistance against S. Typhimurium and Clostridium difficile pathogenesis. These studies demonstrate that specific factors from commensal bacteria can be used to improve host barrier function and limit the pathogenesis of distinct enteric infections.
Texas and Its Measles Epidemics

Peter Hotez reflects on declining vaccination rates in Texas and the potential for future measles epidemics.
A System for Response and Prevention of Security Incidents in Wireless Sensor Networks

Resource constraints, unattended operating environments, and communication phenomena make Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) susceptible to operational failures and security attacks. However, applications often impose stringent requirements on data reliability and service availability, due to the deployment of sensor networks in various critical infrastructures. Given the failure- and attack-prone nature of sensor networks, enabling sensor networks to continuously provide their services as well as to effectively recover from attacks is a crucial requirement. We present Kinesis, a security incident response system designed to keep WSNs functional despite anomalies or attacks and to recover from attacks without significant interruption. Kinesis is quick and effective in responding to incidents, distributed in nature, dynamic in selecting response actions based on the context, and lightweight in terms of response policy specification, communication, and energy overhead. A per-node single timer-based distributed strategy to select the most effective response executor in a neighborhood makes the system simple and scalable, while achieving load balancing and redundant action optimization. We implement Kinesis in TinyOS and measure its performance for various application and network layer incidents. Extensive TOSSIM simulations and testbed experiments show that Kinesis successfully counteracts anomalies/attacks and behaves consistently under various attack scenarios and rates.
Multiple Dimensions of Peer Effects and Deviance: The Case of Prescription Drug Misuse among Young Adults:

Sociological research has demonstrated that peers play a role in patterns of deviance. Yet, examinations of competing mechanisms in continued patterns of deviance are less well developed. We simultaneously examine multiple peer mechanisms of action on prescription drug misuse. Results identify drug sources, peer group norms, and a desire to enhance social experiences as important factors in the frequency of misuse, non-oral administration, and dependence, whereas peer pressure had no effect net of other peer factors. The results emphasize the importance of considering multiple peer mechanisms in shaping deviance, and as such, future scholarly examinations should focus on multiple dimensions of peer effects to fully understand patterns of continuing deviance.
A Nano-in-Nano Polymer-Dendrimer Nanoparticle-Based Nanosystem for Controlled Multidrug Delivery.

Codelivery of multiple chemotherapeutics with different action mechanisms is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In this study, we developed a novel polymer–dendrimer hybrid nanoparticle-based nanosystem for efficient and controlled codelivery of two model chemotherapeutics, doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PTX). The nanosystem was characterized to have a nano-in-nano structure with a size of around 150 nm. The model drugs could feasibly be loaded into the nanosystem ratiometrically with high drug-loading contents by controlling the feeding drug ratios. Also, the model drugs could be released from the nanosystem following a sequential release manner—specifically, quick PTX release and sustained DOX release. Acidic pH was found to enhance the release of both drugs. Moreover, the nanosystem was taken up by cancer cells rapidly and efficiently, and the delivered drugs could release sustainably and efficiently in cells to reach their action targets. In vitro cytotoxicity results demonstrated that, by ...
Abstract TMP85: Frequency and Utility of Repeat Cerebrovascular Imaging Among Hospitalized Stroke Patients

Background: There are limited data on the frequency of repeat non-invasive imaging performed in the evaluation of stroke patients and its utility in patient care. Hypothesis: Stroke patients freque...