cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The age of pronucleate mouse ova influences their development in vitro and survival after freezing

The influence of pronuclear age on embryo development in vitro and on survival and post-thaw development after cryopreservation was investigated. Pronucleate mouse ova were removed from the oviductal environment at three different times: 18 h after human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) (just after fertilization), 23 h after HCG (during DNA replication) and 28 h after HCG (just before cleavage). Control ova were either cultured in vitro or transferred in vivo without any treatment or exposed to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) or 1,2-propanediol (PROH) before culture, but without cryopreservation. The effect on survival was evaluated by the development in vitro and in vivo after ultrarapid freezing in 3.5 M DMSO and after slow programmed freezing in 1.5 M PROH. In vitro, the development of control ova to blastocysts was 39, 54 and 77% per treated ovum at 18, 23 and 28 h after HCG, respectively. The survival rate was 78, 92 and 96% after ultrarapid freezing and 69, 90 and 81% after slow freezing, respectively. The subsequent rate of development to blastocysts per survived ovum was 21%, 35% and 62% after ultrarapid freezing and 38, 54 and 63% after slow freezing. In vivo, however, the pronuclear age did not influence the implantation rate or the number of living fetuses per transferred ovum, for neither the control, nor the frozen/thawed ova. The implantation rate and the numbers of living fetuses were not significantly different for frozen/thawed and control ova. In conclusion, early pronucleate mouse ova have a lower developmental capacity in vitro and a lower survival rate after freezing and thawing than pronucleate mouse ova just before cleavage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Effect of Sediment Column on Weak-Motion Site Response for a Deep Basin Fill

Unique challenges arise when projecting dynamic site response in a deep, steep sided, irregularly shaped, sediment-filled basin. The influence of shallow sediments on site response was investigated for a 1-km -deep alluvial column in the Las Vegas Basin, subjected to weak ground motions. A one-dimensional equivalent-linear model was applied. Response analyses for deep deposits are complicated because dynamic material properties at depth are uncertain. To compensate, the model half space was placed well above the physical bottom of the sediment column. The depth to half space was selected by matching characteristics of projected surface response to measured data or expectations. Weak ground-motion datasets resulting from underground nuclear tests were considered. The best-match half space depth, 375 m , greatly exceeded the depth of the threshold shear wave velocity for engineering bedrock. The analysis captured site response over the period range 0.3–1.3 s . When the parameterization was tested for a weak...
Osmium isotope constraints on Earth's late accretionary history

Osmium isotope measurements reported by Allegre and Luck1,2 indicate that terrestrial osmiridiums evolved in a mantle source region in which the osmium/rhenium ratio falls strictly within the range found in chondrites. This suggests that the highly siderophile elements in the Earth's mantle were introduced by a late influx of chondritic material and are not a result of endogenous processes. I have now examined the available data in more detail and conclude that the inferred Os/Re ratio of the Earth's mantle matches the E group and C3 chondrites, but that C1 and probably C2 chondrites were not major components of the material accreted in the late stages of mantle formation.
Calculating potential doubling time using monoclonal antibodies specific for two halogenated thymidine analogues

Abstract Purpose: A new flow cytometric technique that allows for two incorporated thymidine analogues to be measured simultaneously and independently has been used to improve the accuracy of in vivo cell kinetic estimates, i.e., the length of S -phase (TS) and potential doubling time ( T pot ). Methods and Materials: The analogues chlorodeoxyuridine and iododeoxyuridine were injected at different times into mice bearing the mouse mammary tumor MCaK. At different times after labeling, the tumors were harvested and prepared for three color flow cytometric analysis of DNA, chlorodeoxyuridine, and iododeoxyuridine. Control experiments showed that similar estimates of T pot were obtained from each label when administered singly, or as staggered pulses. Comparisons were made between T s and T pot calculated from a single label (single point), from the averaged result of the two labels from the same tumor (two point-ave), and from the simultaneous nonlinear fitting of the measured parameters from the two labels, from the same tumor (two point-fit). These estimates of T s and T pot were then compared to reference values obtained by fitting the pooled measured parameters from all the tumors, that were labeled for different periods of time. Results: While all of the methods resulted in similar mean estimates of T s and T pot that were close to the reference values, the fewest assumptions, and the least variability in the results, were obtained using the two point-fit data. Conclusion: The estimation of T pot using two thymidine analogues is more accurate than that obtained from a single label.
Citation context analysis of a co-citation cluster: Recombinant-DNA

The techniques of co-citation clustering and citation context analysis are combined to concretely define the shared knowledge within a research specialty. The cluster for a large and fast moving biomedical specialty, recombinant-DNA, is presented in terms of the highly cited documents comprising it and their co-citation links. By examining citation contexts in the papers citing the highly cited documents, it is possible to label each of the documents in the cluster with its specific cognitive meaning for the citing authors. Co-citation contexts are used to reveal the relationships among the concepts symbolized by the highly cited documents, providing a cognitive equivalent of the co-citation links. This may open a new way to the investigation of the logic of conceptual change at the specialty level.
A combined vascular-catecholamine fluorescence method reveals the relative vascularity of rat locus coeruleus and the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus

Abstract Vascular perfusion with a fluorescent dye, Pontamine sky blue, was combined with glyoxylic acid-induced catecholamine fluorescence to produce simultaneous staining of intracerebral blood vessels and catecholamine-containing cells and fibers. Quantitative measurements of blood vessels per unit area revealed that the vascular density of rat locus did not differ from the surrounding neuropil but was significantly lower than that of the hypothalamic supraoptic and paraventricular (PVN) nuclei. Moreover, the density of blood vessels in the magnocellular portion of PVN was not uniform throughout its rostrocaudal extent but was dense only in a specific subdivision of lateral PVN, which is predominantly vasopressinergic and is also heavily innervated by catecholamine terminals.
RACE, GENDER, CLASS CONSCIOUSNESS AND UNION SUPPORT: AN ANALYSIS OF SOUTHERN TEXTILE WORKERS

This paper examines race and gender differences in class consciousness and union support among a random sample of textile workers in a small North Carolina city. Class consciousness is treated as an ordinal variable consisting of class verbalization, class action orientation, and endorsement of egalitarian change. Union support denotes a recognition of the union's instrumental role in improving work and working conditions. The analysis reveals that blacks are significantly more class conscious and pro-union than whites. On the other hand, males and females tend to share similar levels of class consciousness and union support. Comparisons by race, within gender and by gender, within race, are provided for finer distinctions and extended discussion. A multiple classification analysis reveals that racial differences persist and that gender differences remain unimportant when the covariates of age, job dissatisfaction, education, income, and skill are considered.
Fragmentation of colonial ascidians: Differences in reattachment capability among species

When colonial invertebrates (e.g., sponges, corals, gorgonians, etc.) are damaged and torn into fragments, the resulting fragments often survive and can reattach to appropriate substrata (e.g., Tsurumi and Reiswig, 1997; Smith and Hughes, 1999; Schonberg and Wilkinson, 2001). Thus, fragmentation can act as a reproductive and dispersal mechanism for these animals. Biologists have long known that colonial ascidian fragments can reattach to the substratum and researchers have often used this property to their advantage during experiments (e.g., Bullard et al., 2004). Very few studies, however, have specifically described the reattachment capability of colonial ascidian fragments (Berrill, 1951; Stoner, 1989; Worcester, 1994; Edlund and Koehl, 1998) and none has assessed the probability of successful reattachment by fragments empirically. It remains unclear whether fragments of all colonial ascidian species can reattach successfully or if there are species-specific differences in reattachment ability. We conducted our study in the eastern end of Long Island Sound (USA) at the University of Connecticut's Avery Point campus in Groton, Connecticut. Floating
Perturbation solution for spherical and cylindrical solidification by combined convective and radiative cooling

Abstract The problem of inward solidification of a liquid in cylindrical and spherical geometries is considered. Freezing is accomplished at the boundary by both radiative and convective cooling. The liquid is assumed at its melt temperature. The method of strained coordinates is used and the zeroth and first-order solutions are developed for freezing-front location, total freezing time, and temperature profile in the solid. The results are compared with a numerical solution, obtained by using the enthalpy method, for various values of the Stefan number. There is excellent agreement between the solutions for small Stefan number. The advantages of the pertubation method (simplicity, relatively good accuracy) in certain cases are discussed and elaborated.
Relationship between processing speed and executive functioning performance among OEF/OIF veterans: implications for postdeployment rehabilitation.

BACKGROUND: Comorbid mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common clinical presentation among troops returning from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF). This study examined processing speed and executive functioning in a sample of OEF/OIF veterans who had sustained mTBI, a subset of whom also had comorbid PTSD. METHODS: Fifty-three OEF/OIF veterans with a history of mTBI completed Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III Symbol Search and Digit Symbol-Coding subscales, Stroop Word, color and color-word trials, and Trail Making Test, Parts A and B as part of a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery. RESULTS: Excluding from analysis those who scored poorly on effort testing, multiple regression showed that measures of processing speed accounted for 43% of the variance in performance on the Trail Making Test, Part B and 50% of the variance in performance on the Stroop task. Significant differences in processing speed and executive functioning were found on the basis of presence of comorbid PTSD. Stroop Color (F = 9.27, df = 52, P Language: en
A bridge between training and practice: Mental health professionals' learning in group relations conferences

Tavistock group relations conferences were held for mental health trainees and staff in two different settings. Three month follow-up data were collected on the majority of members. The relationship between four sets of predictor variables: staff facilitation of learning; member participation; learning in the conference events; and learning about specific content areas; and four outcome criteria: overall learning; emotional impact; desire to attend another conference; and recommending such training to a friend were studied. As expected, in both conferences, staff facilitation, learning about specific content, and learning in conference events were all significantly positively related to members' perception of their own learning, emotional impact, desire to attend another conference, and recommendation of such training to a friend. The unanticipated finding that member participation in the conference is not related to any outcome criteria is discussed in terms of design and the nature of learning in group relations conferences. In Tavistock groups the emphasis on unconscious processes engages members both cognitively and emotionally but may lead to a lack of direct participation without a loss in learning.
Male and female Phormia regina (Diptera : Calliphoridae) trapped at two different baits in the field

The numbers of male and female Phormia regina (Meigen) attracted to cat feces in the field were similar, but differed for dead rats. Mated, gravid females were attracted to carcasses as oviposition sites, whereas the previtellogenic females visiting cat feces were unmated. Males seldom visited carcasses. As a result, we suggest in this study that P. regina utilized cat feces as an aggregation site for mating. Females visiting the cat feces had fed on the feces. Whether both sexes can utilize cat feces as the exogenous protein required for sexual maturation must be examined. This study also demonstrated that mating in the field usually does not occur during the previtellogenic stage.
Subtalar Arthrodesis in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Results Using Iliac Bone Plug

Twenty-six extra-articular subtalar arthrodeses were performed on 15 patients with flexible planovalgus feet due to cerebral palsy. Following muscle balancing procedures, an iliac bone plug was used to stabilize the sinus tarsi. A review of the results up to 12 years, average 6.8, is presented. Overall satisfactory results were achieved in 88.4% of the patients, unsatisfactory in 11.6%. All children were immobilized in short-leg walking casts for 6 to 8 weeks. The surgical technique is described. The procedure gave good stability to the subtalar joint and was found to be reliable. Graft acquisition was simple and there were no complications.
Relative accuracy of cervical and anal cytology for detection of high grade lesions by colposcope guided biopsy: a cut-point meta-analytic comparison.

Background We recently reported, using a receiver operating characteristic area metric, the first meta-analytic comparison of the relative accuracy of cervical and anal cytology in detecting moderate or severe histopathologic lesions by magnification directed punch biopsy. The aim of the present research was to meta-analytically examine cut-point specific operating characteristics (sensitivity, specificity) of cervical and anal cytology in detecting high grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) histopathology by colposcope directed punch biopsy.
Humanistic sensibilities in the assessment of dementia patients

Abstract A humanistic sensibility in contemporary geropsychology is thematized and encouraged. Dementia, in which the brain loses its world‐gathering and functional capacities, is described phenomenologically as a disintegration of being‐in‐the‐world. The humanistic perspective encourages the discipline to approach the question of diagnosis holistically, especially with regard to an exploration of the context and meaning of features such as depression and delusions. Phenomenological accounts of depression and delusions in dementia are offered as a corrective to humanistic psychology's traditional concern with the client's subjective experience. The clinical interview as a type of conversation is described; appropriate self‐disclosure and feedback are emphasized. Three clinical vignettes are presented.
Molecular weights of three forms of glycophorin A in sodium dodecyl sulfate solution

The molecular weights of each of the three major forms of glycophorin A, as defined by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, have been determined by sedimentation equilibrium in sodium dodecyl sulfate using 2H2O to blank out the contribution of the detergent according to Reynolds and Tanford (Reynolds, J.A. and Tanford, C. (1976) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 73, 4467--4470). The molecular weights were: form 1, 65 700; form 2, 31 100; form 4, 27 900. These data establish form 1 as a dimer, and form 2 and form 4 as monomers. 2. The relative sizes of the three forms were estimated by determining mobilities in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels of gradulated gel concentrations at an ionic strength in which all three species coexist (I = 0.2). Ferguson plots show that the three species have identical net surface charge densities but differing retardation coefficients (--Kr) as follows: form 1, --0.057; 'form 4', --0.038; form 2, --0.025. From these data it is concluded that the hydrodynamic radius of form 1 is greatest, 'form 4' is intermediate, and form 2 is least.
Economic optimization and technical efficiency in Soviet enterprises jointly regulated by plans and incentives

Abstract It is shown under a very general set of conditions that Soviet multi-product enterprises should be technically efficient in the sense that factors are fully employed and put to best internal use. Soviet firms may also be economically efficient to the extent that supplies respond to selected purchaser's demand. These attributes suggest that the economic efficiency potential of Soviet firms is higher than many institutional theorists intimate, but at the same time falls very short of the Paretian ideal.
Early Results of Two-Incision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Experience with 250 Consecutive Cases at Saint Louis University

Minimally invasive total hip arthroplasty (THA) has been performed at Saint Louis University School of Medicine since 2000. This study is a critical appraisal of the early outcomes and complications observed in a series of the first 250 consecutive total hip arthroplasty procedures using the Zimmer MIS 2-Incision technique (MIS-2). Despite some published reports indicating high complication rates with this technique, our experience indicates that the complication rates are lower than many series using traditional hip exposures. Our findings show that the MIS-2 technique is useful and need not be restricted to younger patients with a small body habitus. Evolutionary improvements in the surgical technique and pitfalls of the procedure are discussed. Despite its demonstrated advantages, MIS-2 THA remains a challenging technical alteration from traditional total hip operative methods.
Vaccine development for Alzheimer's disease: a shot of good news.

Abstract Studies in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease suggest the potential for vaccine development for this disease. Specifically, inoculation with Aβ peptide reduces Aβ plaque formation. However, this vaccination strategy has raised safety concerns. Recent studies have reduced these concerns by demonstrating that long-term Aβ vaccination in transgenic mice does not produce detrimental behavioral effects and in fact appears to protect against age-related functional decline in spatial memory tasks.
A paradigm shift in sex tourism research

Abstract Although sex tourism has not been considered worthy of serious intellectual investigation, recently, there has been much advancement in understanding sex tourism. Majority of these studies portray the East where tourists look for sexual experiences unobtainable in the West, and highlight sex tourism in the context of the exploitation of developing countries. However, this opinion piece asks the question – “what happens when the gaze is reversed?” Millions of Indian and Chinese tourists increasingly visit North American, European and Australian destinations being fed with media images that Western women have no morals and are promiscuous. Hence, it is important and possibly more interesting to explore Asian tourists’ sexual adventures in the West. Future tourism scholars can investigate this fascinating paradigm shift which requires a deeper reading of Asian culture and tourists.
Missed opportunities to assess sexually transmitted diseases in U.S. adults during routine medical checkups

Objectives: Although sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) cause tremendous health and economic burdens in our society, awareness and knowledge regarding STDs remain poor among health care providers. To examine missed opportunities for STD-related counseling, diagnosis and treatment, we investigated how frequently U.S. adults reported being asked about STDs by their health care providers during routine checkups. Methods: We analyzed the responses of 3390 adults aged 18–64 who reported having a routine checkup during the past year in the 1994 U.S. National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), a nationally representative survey. We used a logistic model to determine factors that were independently associated with the likelihood of being asked about STDs during the checkup. Results: Only 28% (±0.9%) of respondents reported being asked about STDs during their last routine checkup. Persons were significantly more likely (p < 0.05) to be asked about STDs if they were aged under 45, male, single, had a household income under the federal poverty level, or were insured by a health maintenance organization, public coverage or by no plan rather than by a fee-for-service arrangement. Conclusions: Only about one quarter of U.S. adults reported being asked about STDs during routine checkups. Routine checkups in which these issues are not discussed may represent missed opportunities for STD prevention. Persons presenting for routine care can be counseled, screened and, if infected, can be treated. Interventions are needed at the patient, provider, and community levels to increase the opportunities to assess STD risk, to counsel, to diagnose, and to treat infections during routine checkups.
Domain structure of human glucocorticoid receptor and its relationship to the v-erb-A oncogene product

The interaction of steroids with their nuclear receptors induces a cascade of regulatory events that results from the activation of specific sets of genes by the hormone/receptor complex1. Steroids, either acting alone or possibly synergistically with other growth factors, can influence the DNA synthesis and proliferation of specific target cells, initiate developmental pathways and activate expression of the differentiated phenotype2–7. Moreover, steroid hormones have been implicated in abnormal growth regulation both in tumours and tumour-derived cell lines8,9. The identification of complementary DNAs encoding the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) predicts two protein forms (α and β; 777 and 742 amino acids long, respectively) which differ at their carboxy termini10. We report here that both forms of the receptor are related, with respect to their domain structure, to the v-erb-A oncogene product of avian erythroblastosis virus (AEV), which suggests that steroid receptor genes and the c-erb-A proto-oncogene are derived from a common primordial regulatory gene. Therefore, oncogenicity by AEV may result, in part, from the inappropriate activity of a truncated steroid receptor or a related regulatory molecule encoded by v-erb-A. This suggests a mechanism by which transacting factors may facilitate transformation. We also identify a short region of hGR that is homologous with the Drosophila homoeotic proteins encoded by Antennapedia and fushi tarazu.
The Nighttime Environment, Incontinence Care, and Sleep Disruption in Nursing Homes

Objective: To evaluate the association between noise, light, nursing care practices, and nighttime awakenings in incontinent nursing home residents. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Four long-term care nursing facilities. Participants: One hundred eighteen incontinent nursing home residents. Measurements: Over two nights, bedside monitoring equipment recorded wrist activity, resident bed movements, and environmental noise and light changes in consecutive 2-minute intervals. Changes in sleep and bed movement were compared with changes in noise and light that occurred within the same or proximal 2-minute intervals. Noise and light changes in combination with large resident movement at the hip and shoulder were interpreted as related to incontinence care based on observational measures. Specific outcome measures were: (1) the number of noise and light changes as well as staff care practices that did not wake the resident during periods of consecutive sleep, ie, sleep lasting a minimum of 10 minutes; (2) the number of noise and light changes as well as staff care practices that occurred immediately before or during the 2-minute intervals during which a resident woke from a period of consecutive sleep; and (3) the number of such staff care practices that were related to incontinence care. Results: Noise and light changes associated with both general environmental events and more specific nurse care practices were associated with 50% of all waking episodes of 4 minutes or longer and 35% of all waking episodes of 2 minutes or shorter. The major sources of all noise were traced to nursing staff. Eighty-seven percent of all incontinence care practices were associated with episodes of waking. Conclusion: The data reported in this paper document that general environmental noise and incidents of nursing care practices, particularly those related to incontinence care, are responsible for a substantial amount of the sleep fragmentation that is common among nursing home residents.
Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Development of Self-Efficacy and Confidence to Teach Science: A Case Study

This study examines the self-efficacy of one preservice elementary school teacher (Kasey) during and after her participation in Science in Childhood Education—a 16-week, elementary preservice science methods course. The case study of this teacher is situated in the context of the class as a whole. This is accomplished through interviewing the one teacher and examining artifacts and observations of the entire class. The results of these experiences are studied to determine what changes have taken place in the participants’ self-efficacy in science teaching as well as the one preservice teacher in greater detail. Because self efficacy is influential to student learning, the results of this study have significant implications for the design of elementary teacher education programs and the support of elementary teachers in teaching science.
Mass spectrometry in structural and stereochemical problems–CLXXXIX: Electron‐impact induced fragmentations and rearrangements of alkoxycyclohexanol trimethylsilyl ethers and alkoxycyclohexyl trimethylsilanes

In view of the current interest in the electron-impact induced rearrangements of both trimethylsilyl derivatives and bifunctionalized cyclohexanes, the mass spectral properties of several alkoxycyclohexanol trimethylsilyl ethers and alkoxycyclohexyl trimethylsilanes have been investigated. Using deuterium labeling, the basic fragmentation modes incurred upon electron-impact of ethanol trimethylsilyl ether were elucidated. The major peaks in the spectrum of this simple ether occur also in those of the title compounds, the latter fragments having been formed by interaction of the two functional groups. Thus the initial rearrangement ion of mass 103 (e) from electron bombardment of 4-ethoxycyclohexanol trimethylsilyl ether and 2-ethoxycyclohexyl trimethylsilane corresponds to the [M CH3] ion from ethanol trimethylsilyl ether. Its further fragmentation has been studied using high resolution and metastable ion measurements, and the scope of the interaction between the alkoxy and trimethylsilyl groups, when silicon is attached both to oxygen and to carbon, has been determined. In addition, the origin of every ‘characteristic’ fragment ion has been elucidated on the basis of each corresponding peak in the spectra of several derivatives labeled specifically with deuterium. Peaks derived from initial ionization of both functionalities in each compound have been observed, although the majority of ions in the spectra of both series seem to be directed by fragmentations associated with the trimethylsilyl ether moiety.
Context based spelling correction

Abstract Some mistakes in spelling and typing produce correct words, such as typing “fig” when “fog” was intended. These errors are undetectable by traditional spelling correction techniques. In this paper we present a statistical technique capable of detecting and correcting some of these errors when they occur in sentences. Experimental results show that this technique is capable of detecting 76% of simple spelling errors and correcting 73%.
The pathogenesis of Charcot neuroarthropathy: current concepts

The pathogenesis of Charcot neuroarthropathy (CN) has been poorly understood by clinicians and scientists alike. Current researchers have made progress toward understanding the cause of CN and possible treatment options. The authors review the current literature on the pathogenesis of this debilitating disorder and attempt to explain the roles of inflammation, bone metabolism, and advanced glycation end products.
Endocrine profiles of female striped bass (Morone saxatilis) in captivity, during postvitellogenesis and induction of final oocyte maturation via controlled-release GnRHa-delivery systems.

Abstract Plasma levels of reproductive and thyroid hormones were measured in captive striped bass females during postvitellogenesis and the spawning period (March–June). Circulating gonadotropin II (GtH II), 17,20β-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β-P), and 17,20β,21-trihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17,20β,21-P) remained low and unchanged in nonmaturing females, while 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) and testosterone (T) declined throughout postvitellogenesis. Plasma thyroxine (T 4 ) declined significantly in mid-April, while triiodothyronine (T 3 ) increased in mid-May. The only female that ovulated spontaneously had markedly different E 2 , T, and T 3 profiles during postvitellogenesis, and had a surge in plasma GtH II during final oocyte maturation (FOM). The lack of a GtH II surge is presumably responsible for the absence of FOM, but earlier, and as of yet unknown, endocrine disruptions during postvitellogenesis may determine the female's ability to undergo FOM. Treatment of females with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa)-delivery system induced FOM and ovulation within 3 and 10 days, respectively, and resulted in the production of fertile eggs. Plasma GtH II increased continually after GnRHa implantation, even in the presence of declining GnRHa plasma levels. Plasma E 2 increased first and peaked prior to FOM, whereas T peaked at the peripheral germinal vesicle (GV) stage. Plasma 17,20β-P and 17,20β,21-P increased dramatically at the GV breakdown (GVBD) stage. Plasma T 4 was unaffected by the GnRHa treatment, whereas T 3 decreased after GnRHa implantation and remained low throughout FOM. Based on the observed hormonal profiles, FOM can be separated into an early phase (lipid-droplet coalescence, GV migration) associated with E 2 and T elevations, and a late phase (yolk-globule coalescence, GVBD) associated with 17,20β-P and 17,20β,21-P elevation.
SCREENING THE IMPACTS OF MUNICIPAL SERVICE POLICY CHANGES

Abstract The planning of municipal service delivery systems requires accurate forecasts of demand, and particularly of the effects the quality of service delivery has on demand. A metholology for this problem should meet three criteria, if it is to be useful for municipal planning: it must be low-cost and use generally available data; it must be based on user behavior, so that the effects of policy changes can be correctly attributed; and it must allow testing of the transferability of the results, since this is required for general forecasting use. This paper develops such a methodology, based on econometric analysis of data from a number of service areas within a number of regions, forming a double cross-section. Empirical tests of the methodology were performed for two local government services where the effect of service quality on demand is important: sewer and highway construction, which have been hypothesized to affect the patterns of development within regions; and solid waste collection, where the level of service provided affects how much waste enters the collection system and how much is littered, burned or recycled. The two case studies and other analyses suggest that the methodology is a useful tool for testing whether policy changes have an effect on the demand for service, but not for accurate demand forecasting. Thus, these simple models are relevant for the role of screening the effect of policy changes, but more detailed and localized approaches are necessary for system design.
A Support Vector Machine For AVO Interpretation

A Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to approximate an inverse to the Zoeppritz equations. It is tested on an AVO data set from the Gulf of Mexico which includes a gas hydrate layer. Physically realistic examples of velocity and density contrasts from the region are used to train the SVM. They are also used to construct a test set. Parameters of the SVM, including the kernel and regularization constant, are selected based on their performance on the test set. The SVM does a better job at interpreting the Gulf data does inversion of standard linearized Zoeppritz equations. Its performance against careful inversion of the full Zoeppritz equations has yet to be determined.
Chimpanzee Right-Handedness: Internal and External Validity in the Assessment of Hand Use

Recent studies in captive and wild monkeys and apes have documented evidence of population-level handedness (see Bradshaw and Rogers, 1993; Ward and Hopkins, 1993). Similarly, population-level limb preferences have been reported in other vertebrates (Rogers and Andrew, 2002). Despite the increasing evidence of population-level asymmetries in vertebrates, there remain many skeptics of these findings and the criticisms have been both methodological and statistical (Crow, 2004; McGrew and Marchant, 1997; Palmer, 2002, 2003). Interestingly, the nature of many of these criticisms was subject to discussion in the recent reviews of Annett’s (2002) book on handedness in this journal (see commentaries by Corballis (2004) and Elias (2004). Annett (2004) herself claimed that she was skeptical of the evidence of handedness in chimpanzees, particularly from my laboratory. In this paper, I address some of the criticisms of our work.
Exhaled Breath Condensate—an overview

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a promising source of biomarkers of lung disease. EBC is not a biomarker, but rather a matrix in which biomarkers may be identified, in that way equivalent to blood, sweat, tears, urine, and saliva. EBC may be thought of either as a body fluid or as a condensate of exhaled gas. The field of EBC research has advanced gradually, with the debates surrounding an emerging field helping to pose questions and gradually leading to answers. Conscientous assay technique will likely find in EBC any substance of substantially high enough concentration in the airway lining fluid.
A portfolio problem for second semester reform calculus: Gudermannian and the inverted pendulum

ABSTRACT Alternative forms of evaluation can provide deep and powerful learning experiences for students. Portfolios in the form of group projects are one way of providing such an experience. The goal of this article is to explain how I implement portfolios as an evaluation tool and to describe a problem that I have successfully implemented in my second semester reform calculus class. The problem centers on the process of inverting a pendulum (rotating the pendulum 180 degrees from the rest position) and the mathematics surrounding the analysis of the resulting motion. In particular, the mathematics involves a relatively obscure function known as the gudermannian. The result is a problem that unifies a wide range of mathematics, from algebra to differential equations, through a very simple and concrete image of the non-periodic motion of a pendulum.
Muslim tombs in Crimea: a typological analysis

Crimea is a region full of historic monuments from different periods including Seljuk, Golden Horde, Ottomans, and Crimean Khanate. Beginning with the thirteenth century, Islam began to spread widely in the Crimean peninsula. As a result, many Muslim architectural monuments such as mosques, baths, madrasahs, and tombs were built in Crimea. Among these, tombs are of great importance in terms of understanding the nature and development of architectural typology in the region. Traces of most historical tombs in Crimea have disappeared either due to natural or political events. That is why in this paper only the tombs intact today are presented. The information on these monuments comes from in situ observations, measured drawings, photographs, and historical sources. There are many studies conducted previously on the historic monuments in Crimea, but they are either out-dated or just give limited general knowledge about these monuments without measured drawings and deep research on condition assessments and t...
hERG Gating Microdomains Defined by S6 Mutagenesis and Molecular Modeling

Human ether-a-go-go-related gene (hERG) channels mediate cardiac repolarization and bind drugs that can cause acquired long QT syndrome and life-threatening arrhythmias. Drugs bind in the vestibule formed by the S6 transmembrane domain, which also contains the activation gate that traps drugs in the vestibule and contributes to their efficacy of block. Although drug-binding residues have been identified, we know little about the roles of specific S6 residues in gating. We introduced cysteine mutations into the hERG channel S6 domain and measured mutational effects on the steady-state distribution and kinetics of transitions between the closed and open states. Energy-minimized molecular models based on the crystal structures of rKv1.2 (open state) and MlotiK1 and KcsA (closed state) provided structural contexts for evaluating mutant residues. The majority of mutations slowed deactivation, shifted conductance voltage curves to more negative potentials, or conferred a constitutive conductance over voltages that normally cause the channel to close. At the most intracellular extreme of the S6 region, Q664, Y667, and S668 were especially sensitive and together formed a ringed domain that occludes the pore in the closed state model. In contrast, mutation of S660, more than a full helical turn away and corresponding by alignment to a critical Shaker gate residue (V478), had little effect on gating. Multiple substitutions of chemically distinct amino acids at the adjacent V659 suggested that, upon closing, the native V659 side chain moves into a hydrophobic pocket but likely does not form the occluding gate itself. Overall, the study indicated that S6 mutagenesis disrupts the energetics primarily of channel closing and identified several residues critical for this process in the native channel.
AUTO-IK: A 2D indicator kriging program for the automated non-parametric modeling of local uncertainty in earth sciences

Indicator kriging (IK) provides a flexible interpolation approach that is well suited for datasets where: (1) many observations are below the detection limit, (2) the histogram is strongly skewed, or (3) specific classes of attribute values are better connected in space than others (e.g. low pollutant concentrations). To apply indicator kriging at its full potential requires, however, the tedious inference and modeling of multiple indicator semivariograms, as well as the post-processing of the results to retrieve attribute estimates and associated measures of uncertainty. This paper presents a computer code that performs automatically the following tasks: selection of thresholds for binary coding of continuous data, computation and modeling of indicator semivariograms, modeling of probability distributions at unmonitored locations (regular or irregular grids), and estimation of the mean and variance of these distributions. The program also offers tools for quantifying the goodness of the model of uncertainty within a cross-validation and jack-knife frameworks. The different functionalities are illustrated using heavy metal concentrations from the well-known soil Jura dataset. A sensitivity analysis demonstrates the benefit of using more thresholds when indicator kriging is implemented with a linear interpolation model, in particular for variables with positively skewed histograms.
The "bathroom game": a systematic program for the elimination of encopretic behavior.

Abstract The present investigation utilized a unique, variable ratio schedule of reinforcement (the “bathroom game”) to treat a 10-year-old encopretic male. Dependent measures included confirmed incidents of (a) soiling and (b) appropriate bowel movements monitored across an ABAB design (Baseline 1, “Bathroom Game 1”, Baseline 2, “Bathroom Game 2”) with one-year follow-up. During “bathroom game” conditions, contingent monetary rewards were provided for non-instances of soiling and appropriate bowel movements. Such rewards were progressively and systematically leaned-out over the course of treatment on a pre-determined variable ratio schedule. Results indicated a clear demonstration of functional control and clinically significant treatment effects during both experimental periods. These findings are discussed with regard to the positive features of the “bathroom game” procedure and recommendations are made for future investigations in the area.
Use of magnetorheological elastomer in an adaptive sandwich beam with conductive skins. Part II: Dynamic properties

The second part of this research is to present the field-dependant dynamic property of a sandwich beam with conductive skins and a soft core composed of a magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) part and two non-MRE parts. The MRE part of the core is configured to operate in shear mode and hence the dynamic properties of the sandwich beam can be controlled by magnetic fields due to the field-dependant shear modulus of MRE material. According to the analytical solution for the magnetoelastic loads applied to conductive deformable bodies presented in the first part, the model of the proposed sandwich beam is developed via Hamilton principle. A simply supported MRE-based sandwich beam excited by a vertical force distributed uniformly in a narrow region around the center of the beam is simulated. The anti-resonant frequencies and the resonant frequencies are found to change with the applied magnetic field up to 30%. The procedure to seek the optimal length of MRE part is also presented. Although MRE is a soft material with shear modulus about 0.4 Mpa, this research indicates that the sandwich configuration can well utilize the controllable property of MRE to design applicable smart devices with controllable stiffness.
Novel mGluR- and CB1R-independent suppression of GABA release caused by a contaminant of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptor agonist, DHPG.

Background Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are ubiquitous throughout the body, especially in brain, where they mediate numerous effects. MGluRs are classified into groups of which group I, comprising mGluRs 1 and 5, is especially important in neuronal communication. Group I actions are often investigated with the selective agonist, S-3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG). Despite the selectivity of DHPG, its use has often led to contradictory findings. We now report that a particular commercial preparation of DHPG can produce mGluR-independent effects. These findings may help reconcile some discrepant reports. Methods We carried out electrophysiological recordings in the rat in vitro hippocampal slice preparation, focusing mainly on pharmacologically isolated GABA(A)-receptor-mediated synaptic currents. Principal findings While preparations of DHPG from three companies suppressed GABAergic transmission in an mGluR-dependent way, one batch had an additional, unusual effect. Even in the presence of antagonists of mGluRs, it caused a reversible, profound suppression of inhibitory transmission. This mGluR-independent action was not due to a higher potency of the compound, or its ability to cause endocannabinoid-dependent responses. Field potential recordings revealed that glutamatergic transmission was not affected, and quantal analysis of GABA transmission confirmed the unusual effect was on GABA release, and not GABA(A) receptors. We have not identified the responsible factor in the DHPG preparation, but the samples were 99% pure as determined by HPLC and NMR analyses. Conclusions In certain respects our observations with the anomalous batch strikingly resemble some published reports of unusual DHPG effects. The present findings could therefore contribute to explaining discrepancies in the literature. DHPG is widely employed to study mGluRs in different systems, hence rigorous controls should be performed before conclusions based on its use are drawn.
Two-stage incorporation of thymidine triphosphate into mammalian DNA as indicated by chromatography on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose

Abstract Replicating DNA contains single-stranded regions as indicated by the extent of its recovery in the final fraction, following stepwise elution of sheared preparations from benzoylated DEAE-cellulose using 0.3 M sodium chloride, 1.0 M sodium chloride and caffeine solutions, respectively. In preparations of hepatic DNA, isolated up to 60 min after administration of [ 3 H]thymidine to rats subjected earlier to partial hepatectomy, the proportion of radioactivity contained in the caffeine-eluted fraction progressively decreased. This change was attributable to migration of incorporated radioactivity from replicating forms to mature (double-stranded) DNA, the latter being recovered from the column in 1.0 M sodium chloride. In terms of the same chromatograms, the relative size of the 0.3 M sodium chloride-eluted fraction also decreased, this fraction of radioactivity co-eluting from benzoylated DEAE-cellulose with thymidine triphosphate. The precursor—intermediate—product relationship between the three products separated by benzoylated DEAE-cellulose chromatography was confirmed using DNA isolated from cultured mammalian cells. Early eluting ratioactivity co-chromatographed with thymidine triphosphate on thin-layer cellulose, whilst the intermediate status of caffeine-eluted radioactivity was confirmed following pulse-chase labelling procedures. Utilizing stepwise chromatography of such DNA on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose, the effect of three inhibitors could thus be described as affecting either an early or late stage of DNA synthesis. Such an approach offers a simple quantitative method of monitoring influences on DNA synthesis.