cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of oxidation/reduction on the charge heterogeneity of the human glucocorticoid receptor.

Abstract In order to investigate the molecular basis for the charge heterogeneity which has been reported for the glucocorticoid receptor, we have analyzed the [ 3 H]dexamethasone mesylate ([ 3 H]DM) 1 affinity labeled receptor from HeLa S 3 cells by high resolution two-dimensional gel analysis. The [ 3 H]DM labeled glucocorticoid receptor from HeLa cells exists as a population of 5–6 isoforms which range over approx. 0.6 pI units but have similar molecular weights. This heterogeneity is apparently the result of modification(s) of a single gene product since the affinity labeled receptor from Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells transfected with the human glucocorticoid receptor cDNA displays the same pattern of heterogeneity on two-dimensional gels. Since previous one-dimensional gel studies from our laboratory showed that the structure of the [ 3 H]DM labeled glucocorticoid receptor from HeLa cells is highly susceptible to sulfhydryl group modification, we investigated the potential role of the same modifications in the apparent charge heterogeneity of the glucocorticoid receptor. Treatment of the affinity labeled receptor with iodoacetamide which alkylates free sulfhydryl groups and irreversibly prevents the formation of intra- or intermolecular disulfide bonds, reproducibly resulted in the appearance of 5–6 discrete isoforms of the receptor protein. Treatment with dithiothreitol, a reversible reducing reagent, resulted in detection of 3 to 4 isoforms of the glucocorticoid receptor. In marked contrast, treatment with sodium tetrathionate, which induces intramolecular disulfide bond formation, resulted in only one detectable isoform of the [ 3 H]DM labeled glucocorticoid receptor. These data demonstrate that the oxidation/reduction state of sulfhydryl groups within the receptor protein can account for much of the charge heterogeneity of this ligland dependent transcription factor.
Trans-cranial electrical stimulation attenuates abrupt morphine withdrawal in rats assayed by remote computerized quantification of multiple motor behavior indices.

Abstract The goal of the present study was to assess the effects of trans-cranial electrical stimulation on the behavioral signs of the abrupt withdrawal syndrome of rats. However, this goal also necessitated the introduction of an experimental model measuring animal behavior for prolonged periods of time using a computerized animal activity monitoring system to quantify spontaneous motor activities associated with abstinence behavior. Comparable withdrawal severity was obtained by both the activity monitoring system and investigator observation of motor signs of abstinence behavior. Moreover, using this system we demonstrate a time-dependent effect of electrical stimulation in reducing the severity of various indicies of motor hyperactivity associated with abrupt morphine withdrawal in rats.
Reevaluation of colon cancer staging—stricture presence reflects advanced disease?

No appropriate macroscopic classification of advanced colorectal cancers (A-CRCs) is available for assessing their tumor behavior. In the present study, A-CRCs were classified macroscopically as either stricture or nonstricture type, and the differences in clinicopathological features, mode of recurrence, and prognosis between the two types were investigated. The subjects were 166 patients with A-CRCs invading beyond the muscular layer who had undergone curative surgical resections. Fresh resected specimens from these patients were used for the study. The A-CRCs were classified as stricture or nonstricture type according to whether or not they showed marked fold convergence and/or stricture of the intestinal tract (more than 30% wall shrinkage) that had the appearance of a bow tie. Of the 166 A-CRCs, 47 (28%) were classified as stricture type. This type was significantly more frequent in the colon (37% [37/101]) than in the rectum (15% [10/65]) (p = 0.003). The stricture type was more frequently associated with an abundance of fibrosis than the nonstricture type (76% [28/37] vs 39% [25/64] in the colon, p < 0.001; 100% [10/10] vs 42% [23/55] in the rectum, p < 0.001). The recurrence rate was also higher with the stricture type than with the nonstricture type in both the colon (51% [19/37] vs 17% [11/64], p = 0.003) and rectum (80% [8/10] vs 38% [21/55], p = 0.01). The time to recurrence was significantly shorter for the stricture type in both the colon (p < 0.001) and rectum (p = 0.02). These results indicate that the macroscopic type of A-CRCs according to the presence or absence of wall stricture sign may reflect their tumor behavior, although this behavior appears to be complex and related to tumor progression. This classification could be important clinically to assess tumor behavior simply.
CITY GOVERNMENT IN PLOCK An Emerging Urban Regime in Poland

: While most academic inquiry has focused on the new national government in postsocialist Poland, much of the responsibility for establishing democratic institutions and practices and a market economy has been delegated by Parliament (Sejm) to the local level. This has placed extreme stress on the local government arrangement. This study does two things: It examines Sejm's 1990 local government system as implemented in the city of Block and reveals a fractionated structure devoid of important executive authority. It also demonstrates how, in pursuing the city council's growth mandate, the mayor landed a Western clothing manufacturing plant in Plock and, in so doing, established business community linkages which contain key elements of an emerging urban regime.
Regulation of Human Cytotrophoblast Morphogenesis by Hepatocyte Growth Factor/Scatter Factor

In vitro morphogenesis of epithelial cells to form tube-like structures is regulated by hepatocyte growth factor-scatter factor (HGF/SF). The placenta is a rich source of HGF/SF, and its absence in mice has been shown to lead to impaired placental growth and embryonic death. There is no information in the literature regarding in vitro morphogenesis of human cytotrophoblasts or the effect of HGF/SF on this process. In this study, cytotrophoblasts were isolated from human placentae obtained from all three trimesters of gestation and cultured on the recombinant basement membrane matrix (Matrigel). Under these conditions, cytotrophoblasts participated in morphogenetic events including formation of spheroid-like structures, radial linear processes with branching, and invaded Matrigel and formed large, tube-like structures. The presence of a developing lumen was documented in the linear projections arising from spheroids and in the tube-like structures by both confocal and transmission electron microscopy. Immunohistochemistry was used to characterize the phenotype of the cells, and staining with anti-cytokeratin and anti-E-cadherin antibodies confirmed the presence of cytotrophoblasts in both the spheroids and tube-like structures. Recombinant HGF (rHGF) significantly increased the invasive activity of cytotrophoblasts isolated from the first and second (P < 0.001) and third trimesters (P < 0.01). In addition, rHGF significantly increased the percentage of spheroids with branching processes in the first and second trimesters (P < 0.05). Anti-HGF antibody inhibited both these effects in a dose-dependent manner, indicating the specificity of the above findings. This study provides new evidence indicating that HGF/SF regulates invasion and branching morphogenesis of cytotrophoblasts throughout gestation, with maximum effects in the first and second trimester. These findings may help to elucidate the importance of the reduced expression of HGF/SF identified in placentae from women with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction and suggest that HGF/SF may serve as an important candidate in therapeutic intervention strategies.
Part V: Other Consequences of Corporate Reputation: Strategic alliances and firm-based legitimacy

It is often said that good reputations are powerful signals that can help a company get better ratings by analysts, enable premium product prices, and attract better employees. However, empirical evidence proving these assumptions is scarce. The New York conference provided contributions highlighting some of these effects.
Pharmacist provided education and counseling for managing pediatric asthma

A program to promote and assess the provision of family directed counseling by pharmacists on the understanding of pediatric asthma is discussed. The program consisted of two questionnaires separated by an educational intervention program. The initial questionnaire was developed to evaluate participants' understanding of asthma and its management. The aim of the intervention program was to improve this understanding through counseling, demonstration, and sharing of families' experiences with asthma. The second questionnaire assessed post-intervention knowledge including short-term retention of information. Before the intervention, few participants (14%) indicated that they were counseled by a pharmacist about the safe and effective use of asthma medications. Seventy-nine percent indicated that more information would aid them in better understanding asthma and possibly better controlling their child's illness. After the intervention, participants were able to correctly answer questions about asthma and medications used to manage the disease 78% of the time. This program offers one method for pharmacists to become involved in patient care through the provision of education and counseling. It also provides an avenue to encourage patients and their families to gain a deeper understanding of asthma and its management.
Discriminant Analysis When the Initial Samples Are Misclassified

Discriminant functions are based on samples which are assumed to be correctly classified. If some members of the original samples are incorrectly classified the utility of the discriminant function may not be seriously affected.
Infection Associated With Hematoma Formation After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Hematoma formation requiring operative treatment after shoulder arthroplasty may be associated with higher patient morbidity. We therefore determined whether there was an association of hematoma formation requiring operative treatment with deep infection after shoulder arthroplasty. Between 1978 and 2006, we performed 4147 shoulder arthroplasties in 3643 patients. Of these, 12 shoulders (0.3%) underwent reoperation for hematoma formation. The mean time interval from arthroplasty to surgery for the hematoma was 7 days (range, 0.5–31 days). Among nine cases in which cultures were taken, six had positive cultures; the organisms included Propionibacterium acnes in three, Staphylococcus epidermidis in one, Streptococcus species in one, and Staphylococcus epidermidis with Peptostreptococcus in one. The minimum followup was 12 months (mean, 68 months; range, 12 to 294 months). Two of the 12 patients eventually underwent resection arthroplasty for deep infection. The Neer score was excellent in one, satisfactory in six, and unsatisfactory in five patients. The data suggest hematoma formation after shoulder arthroplasty is often accompanied by positive intraoperative cultures. The surgeon should be aware of the high rate of unsatisfactory results associated with this complication as well as the possibility of developing a deep infection requiring additional surgery. Level of Evidence: Level IV, prognostic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Optical generation of many-spin entangled states in a quantum well

A quantum-mechanical many-particle system may exhibit non-local behavior in that measurements performed on one of the particles can affect a second one that is far apart. These so-called entangled states are crucial for the implementation of quantum information protocols and gates for quantum computation. Here, we use ultrafast optical pulses and coherent techniques to create and control spin entangled states in an ensemble of up to three non-interacting electrons bound to donors in a CdTe quantum well. Our method, relying on the exchange interaction between localized excitons and paramagnetic impurities, can in principle be applied to entangle an arbitrarily large number of spins.
A comparison of polyssacharides from strains of Aureobasidium pullulans

Production of pullulan by five strains of Aureobasidium pullulans was compared in three media with three carbohydrate sources. Our goal was to screen strains and media to obtain pullulan in maximal yield, purity, and stability. Pullulan yields and properties were strongly affected by strain specificity, but a single medium performed best with most strains. Sucrose was the preferred carbohydrate for all five strains. A “color variant” strain of Aureobasidium, NRRL Y-12974, possibly representing a distinct species, produced a polysaccharide of intermediate molecular weight which was stable during storage at 4°C, heating to 100°C, and high shearing action. This polysaccharide was 70% pullulanase sensitive and contained the least contaminating melanin pigment.
A survey of interface stability criteria in the elemental alloy systems: Ge-Si, Bi-Sb, And Se-Te

Abstract Quantitative comparisons are made between optimum growth rates determined experimentally for growth of homogeneous alloy crystals in the Ge-Si, Bi-Sb, and Se-Te systems and the critical growth rates calculated on the basis of the Tiller constitutional supercooling theory and on the Mullins-Sekerka theory of interface stability. The effect of thermal diffusion upon critical growth rate is also calculated. The critical growth rates calculated using the Mullins-Sekerka theory, with the effect of thermal diffusion also included, exceed those of the Tiller theory by amounts ranging from 26 to 85%, depending upon alloy system and composition. This relatively small difference, within a factor of two, could be due to uncertainty in the values of thermophysical parameters used in the present calculations. Accordingly, the simpler Tiller theory can be used, as a useful first approximation, to predict conditions for homogeneous growth.
Entrance of epinephrine into the human erythrocyte.

MANY products of catecholamine metabolism have been identified, but the metabolic fate of epinephrine and norepinephrine has remained virtually unknown1,2. In the investigation reported here, the presence of added epinephrine and norepinephrine in red cells in vitro was determined by means of their reaction with the intracellular non-protein sulphydryl group. To measure the sulphydryl group within erythrocytes the intracellular protein was first denatured by the addition of trichloroacetic acid3,4. Epinephrine within the cells reacted with and decreased the concentration of the free non-protein sulphydryl group with the aid of oxygen liberated during the denaturation of oxyhaemoglobin, while extracellular catecholamine was unreactive. The results indicated that entrance into human erythrocytes was a possible pathway for catecholamine metabolism.
Magnitude and Duration of Elevated Gastric pH in Patients Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus After Administration of Chewable, Dispersible, Buffered Didanosine Tablets

Study Objectives. To test the hypothesis that gastric pH would be elevated above pH 3.0 for at least 2 hours after administration of chewable, dispersible, buffered didanosine tablets. Doses tested were 200 mg (two 100-mgtablets) and 400 mg (two 200-mg tablets). We also sought to compare these doses with regard to maximum gastric pH (pH m a x ), time to pH m a x (T p H - m a x ), time that gastric pH exceeds 3.0 (T p H > 3 ), and area under the gastric pH versus time curve for pH greater than 3.0 (AUC T > p H 3 ). Design. Prospective, parallel-group, dose-comparison, gastric pH study. Setting. General Clinical Research Center, University of Michigan Hospitals, Ann Arbor, Michigan. Patients. Nineteen patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, aged 30-62 years, and receiving long-term didanosine therapy. Intervention. Patients underwent continuous gastric pH monitoring, using the Heidelberg capsule radiotelemetric pH monitoring device. After documentation of a fasting baseline gastric pH below 3.0, patients were given 180 ml of water (control phase), and gastric pH was allowed to return to baseline. After administration of a single, oral dose of didanosine 200 mg or 400 mg with 180 ml of water, gastric pH was recorded until pH remained below 3.0 for 10 minutes. Measurements and Main Results. A mean pH m a x of 8.6 (range 6.3-9.5) was achieved with a T p H - m a x of 4.1 minutes (range 1-12.0 min). Mean T p H > 3 was 24.9 minutes (range 15-55 min), with an AUC T > p H 3 of 2.6 pHmin - 1 (range 1.2-6.9 pHmin - 1 ). The two doses of didanosine tested did not differ significantly in mean gastric pH parameters. Conclusions. After administration of chewable, dispersible, buffered didanosine tablets, 200 or 400 mg, the mean duration of elevated gastric pH (T p H > 3 ) was less than 30 minutes, with a range of 15-55 minutes. Characterization of the magnitude and duration of elevated gastric pH may allow for earlier administration of other pH-sensitive drugs. The short duration of elevated gastric pH may help explain the wide variability in didanosine bioavailability observed clinically.
Brca2–Pds5 complexes mobilize persistent meiotic recombination sites to the nuclear envelope

ABSTRACT Homologous recombination is required for reciprocal exchange between homologous chromosome arms during meiosis. Only select meiotic recombination events become chromosomal crossovers; the majority of recombination outcomes are noncrossovers. Growing evidence suggests that crossovers are repaired after noncrossovers. Here, I report that persisting recombination sites are mobilized to the nuclear envelope of Drosophila pro-oocytes during mid-pachytene. Their number correlates with the average crossover rate per meiosis. Proteomic and interaction studies reveal that the recombination mediator Brca2 associates with lamin and the cohesion factor Pds5 to secure persistent recombination sites at the nuclear envelope. In Rad51 −/− females, all persistent DNA breaks are directed to the nuclear envelope. By contrast, a reduction of Pds5 or Brca2 levels abolishes the movement and has a negative impact on crossover rates. The data suggest that persistent meiotic DNA double-strand breaks might correspond to crossovers, which are mobilized to the nuclear envelope for their repair. The identification of Brca2–Pds5 complexes as key mediators of this process provides a first mechanistic explanation for the contribution of lamins and cohesins to meiotic recombination.
In Situ Transmission Electron Microscopy Observation of Microstructure and Phase Evolution in a SnO2 Nanowire during Lithium Intercalation

Recently we have reported structural transformation features of SnO2 upon initial charging using a configuration that leads to the sequential lithiation of SnO2 nanowire from one end to the other (Huang et al. Science2010, 330, 1515). A key question to be addressed is the lithiation behavior of the nanowire when it is fully soaked into the electrolyte (Chiang Science2010, 330, 1485). This Letter documents the structural characteristics of SnO2 upon initial charging based on a battery assembled with a single nanowire anode, which is fully soaked (immersed) into an ionic liquid based electrolyte using in situ transmission electron microscopy. It has been observed that following the initial charging the nanowire retained a wire shape, although highly distorted. The originally straight wire is characterized by a zigzag structure following the phase transformation, indicating that during the phase transformation of SnO2 + Li ↔ LixSn + LiyO, the nanowire was subjected to severe deformation, as similarly observe...
Approximate bandstructures of semiconductor alloys from tight-binding supercell calculations

Alloys such as AlGaAs, InGaAs, and SiGe find widespread usage in nanoelectronic devices such as quantum dots and nanowires. For these devices, in which the carriers probe nanometre-scale local disorder, the commonly employed virtual crystal approximation (VCA) is inadequate. Although the VCA produces small-cell E(k) relations it fails to include local disorder. In contrast, random-alloy supercell calculations do include local disorder but only deliver band extrema and supercell (not small cell) E(k) relations. Small-cell E(k) relations are, however, needed to interpret transport parameters such as effective masses. This work presents a method to extract the necessary approximate small-cell E(k) relations from the disordered supercell states. The method is applied to AlGaAs and gives significantly improved energy gaps versus the VCA, as well as approximate effective masses. The results illuminate the bowing of the Γ-valley gap and the good agreement with bulk experimental data shows that this method is well suited for nanodevices.
STRUCTURE DISCOVERY IN SEQUENTIALLY-CONNECTED DATA STREAMS

Historically, data mining research has been focused on discovering sets of attributes that discriminate data entities into classes or association rules between attributes. In contrast, we are worki...
Photosensitivity syndrome brings to light a new transcription-coupled DNA repair cofactor

Three teams have applied whole-exome and proteome methods to identify a new cofactor of human RNA polymerase II that is required for the recovery of transcription on damaged templates. The identification of this new factor raises questions about the causal relationships between molecular mechanisms of transcription regulation and excision repair and developmental and neurological disease and nonmalignant skin photosensitivity.
Multiclass reduced-set support vector machines

There are well-established methods for reducing the number of support vectors in a trained binary support vector machine, often with minimal impact on accuracy. We show how reduced-set methods can be applied to multiclass SVMs made up of several binary SVMs, with significantly better results than reducing each binary SVM independently. Our approach is based on Burges' approach that constructs each reduced-set vector as the pre-image of a vector in kernel space, but we extend this by recomputing the SVM weights and bias optimally using the original SVM objective function. This leads to greater accuracy for a binary reduced-set SVM, and also allows vectors to be "shared" between multiple binary SVMs for greater multiclass accuracy with fewer reduced-set vectors. We also propose computing pre-images using differential evolution, which we have found to be more robust than gradient descent alone. We show experimental results on a variety of problems and find that this new approach is consistently better than previous multiclass reduced-set methods, sometimes with a dramatic difference.
Implementing computer-based systems

There is an underlying philosophy behind much of the published literature that implementation is a rational, deterministic process and a belief that the people affected by the change will behave in a manner consistent with the implementor's view of the world. This results in simplistic analyses of change management such as Alter's (1980) four suggestions: divide the project into manageable pieces, keep the solution simple, develop a support base and meet user needs. Gordon, Lewis and Young (1977) note: “Policy making may be seen as an inescapably political activity into which the perceptions of individual actors enter at all stages. In this case, implementation becomes a problematic activity rather than something that can be taken for granted as in the rational process model; policy is seen as a bargained outcome, the environment as conflictual and the process is characterized by diversity and constraint.”
Degradation of 2,4‐dichlorophenol in methanogenic systems

Abstract The focus of this paper was to study the toxicity and degradability of 2,4‐dichlorophenol in methanogenic acetate enrichment systems. Anaerobic toxicity assays (serum bottle study) and upflow column studies were performed. This research showed that up to 85 ppm of 2,4‐dichlorophenol does not cause significant inhibition to the acetate enrichment methanogenic culture and up to 25 ppm of 2,4‐dichlorophenol can be effectively removed anaerobically with no detectable intermediate chlorophenols in the effluent.
Average-Width Optimality for Confidence Bands in Simple Linear Regression

Abstract The problem of constructing optimal confidence bands for a simple linear regression over the whole real line is considered. Optimality is defined as minimization of the average width of the bands weighted by a normalized function. This weight function is presented as an indicator of experimental interest in the varying width of the band. A comparison between the commonly seen hyperbolic bands and segmented-line bands is presented.
Force-feedback grasper helps restore sense of touch in minimally invasive surgery.

The age of minimally invasive surgery has brought forth astounding changes in the health care field. Less pain and quicker patient recovery have been demonstrated with several types of operations that were once performed by an open technique. With these changes have come reports of complications. The decreased sense of touch is just one of several limitations inherent to current techniques of minimally invasive surgery that limit detection of subtle or unapparent lesions on palpation, such as common duct stones and liver lesions. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the ability of a force-feedback-equipped grasper to restore some of the sense of touch that is lost in minimally invasive surgery. To demonstrate this ability, we created six silicone phantoms of identical dimensions but graded compliance, and asked 10 subjects to place them in increasing/decreasing order of compliance. They used three tools (their dominant gloved hand, a standard laparoscopic Babcock grasper, and our force-feedback device fitted with the identical Babcock grasper) to rate the compliance of the samples in a blinded fashion. These conditions thus approximated the conditions of open surgery, minimally invasive surgery, and minimally invasive surgery fitted with a force-sensing device, in terms of palpating tissues. Five surgeons skilled in minimally invasive surgery and five nonsurgeons participated in the study. The results indicate that the force-feedback device is significantly (P <0.05) better than a standard Babcock grasper at rating tissue compliance, but was not as successful as a gloved hand (mean of squared errors = 1.06, 3.15, and 0.25, respectively). There was no significant difference between surgeons and nonsurgeons in rating compliance. We conclude that this force-feedback instrument is able to partially restore the sense of touch in minimally invasive surgery. This restored ability may thus potentially result in more efficient operations with improved diagnostic capabilities and fewer complications during minimally invasive surgery.
The impact of the within my reach relationship training on relationship skills and outcomes for low-income individuals.

A federal grant was awarded to provide the Within My Reach healthy relationships curriculum to low-income, at-risk individuals involved with various social service agencies. The effectiveness of this curriculum was evaluated for 202 participants through measures of training and relationship outcomes pre-, immediately post- and 6 months posttraining. Participants experienced high levels of training satisfaction; significant increases in knowledge, communication/conflict resolution skills, and relationship quality; as well as a trend in the reduction of relationship violence. An important implication of this research is that MFTs may broaden their service delivery to at-risk individuals by collaborating with community agencies to adapt established relationship enhancement programs, evidence-based tools, and principles that complement traditional couples therapy. Language: en
Isolated partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage associated with pulmonary vascular obstructive disease

Five patients with partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage with intact atrial septum are described. In two patients, pulmonary arterial hypertension and pulmonary vascular disease developed. Both had one or more right pulmonary veins draining anomalously to the right superior vena cava. It is postulated that a combination of increased pulmonary blood flow and reflex pulmonary vascular changes contributes to the production of pulmonary vascular obstructive disease.
Studies on the excitatory and inhibitory influence of intracerebroventricularly injected opioids on seizure thresholds in rats.

Abstract The influence of centrally administered meperidine, normeperidine and pentazocine on the excitability of brain was studied by measuring the threshold for flurothyl-induced convulsions in rats. All three opioids are reported to lower seizure thresholds when given subcutaneously to rats in this test. Dose- and time-dependent changes in the seizure threshold occured after intracerebroventricular injection of pentazocine (10–160 μg), meperidine (25–150 μg) and normeperidine (50–150 μg). Rapid increases in the seizure threshold were associated with pentazocine and meperidine, whereas a slowly developing decrease in the threshold was caused by normeperidine. Naloxone (10 mg/kg, s.c.) antagonized the anticonvulsant effect of meperidine (but not that of pentazocine) and enhanced the proconvulsant effect of normeperidine. Thebaine (25–150 μg), which had no marked influence on the seizure threshold when given intracerebroventricularly, lowered the threshold after subcutaneous injection of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg. This effect was not altered by injection of naloxone. These results show that centrally administered opioids can act on excitatory or inhibitory systems that regulate seizure mechanisms in the rat brain. Furthermore both naloxone-sensitive and naloxone-insensitive components are involved. Meperidine, pentazocine and thebaine have different actions on the seizure threshold after intracerebroventricular, as opposed to subcutaneous, administration. This work has, therefore, identified the route of administration as a critical variable in the effect of opioids on the seizure threshold in rats.
RU486 is not an antiprogestin in the hamster.

Abstract The biological activity and progestin receptor binding activity of the synthetic steroid RU486 (RU38486; 17-β-hydroxy-11-β-(4-dimethylaminophenyl)-17-α-(1-propynl)-estra-4,9-diene-3-one) were investigated in the hamster. RU486 demonstrated no antiprogestational activity in the female hamster in that it was ineffective in blocking decidualization or interrupting early pregnancy. Competitive binding assays showed RU486 did not compete from hamster uterine progestin receptor. It is concluded that hamster uterine progestin receptor has unique steroid binding specificity.
Observations and modeling of the Jovian remote neutral sodium emissions

An analysis and modeling is presented for the large cloud of neutral Na extending out to more than 400 Jovian radii in the planet's equatorial plane. Attention is given to such properties as morphology, abundances, source rates and mechanisms, and spatial asymmetries. A comprehensive description is presented of the observational and data-reduction methods used in these extended planetary atmosphere pilot studies.
Modeling the progressive damage of the microdroplet test using contact surfaces with cohesive behavior

Abstract A quarter-symmetric, three-dimensional finite element model is used to determine the stress state and progressive failure of the fiber–matrix interface during a microdroplet pull-out test of a glass fiber/epoxy matrix system. The microdroplet system interphase region is modeled using contact with cohesive behavior and is able to undergo progressive damage. The cohesive model strength and toughness are varied to determine their influence on the macro-behavior of the system and the simulations are compared to experimental results from the literature. Additionally, geometric test parameters including the blade opening, fiber free length, and fiber diameter are varied to assess their relative influence on the macro-response of the system.
Using Markets to Inform Policy: The Case of the Iraq War

Financial market-based analysis of the expected effects of policy changes has traditionally been exclusively retrospective. In this paper, we demonstrate by example how prediction markets make it possible to use markets to prospectively estimate policy effects. We exploit data from a market trading in contracts tied to the ouster of Saddam Hussein as leader of Iraq to learn about financial market participants' expectations of the consequences of the 2003 Iraq war. We conducted an ex-ante analysis, which we disseminated before the war, finding that a 10% increase in the probability of war was accompanied by a $1 increase in spot oil prices that futures markets suggested was expected to dissipate quickly. Equity price movements implied that the same shock led to a 1.5% decline in the S&P 500. Further, the existence of widely-traded equity index options allows us to back out the entire distribution of market expectations of the war's near-term effects, finding that these large effects reflected a negatively skewed distribution, with a substantial probability of an extremely adverse outcome. The flow of war-related news through our sample explains a large proportion of daily oil and equity price movements. Subsequent analysis suggests that these relationships continued to hold out of sample. Our analysis also allows us to characterize which industries and countries were most sensitive to war news and when the immediate consequences of the war were better than ex-ante expectations, these sectors recovered, confirming these cross-sectional implications. We highlight the features of this case study that make it particularly amenable to this style of policy analysis and discuss some of the issues in applying this method to other policy contexts.
DNA-binding proteins from Novikoff hepatoma cells.

Abstract In 0.05 M NaCl, 6–8% of the total soluble proteins from Novikoff hepatoma cells bind rapidly and reversibly to columns containing either heterologous or homologous DNA adsorbed to cellulose. These proteins can be eluted by buffer containing 2.0 M NaCl. 0.5–1% of the total protein exhibits a 7–17-fold preference for rat DNA over Escherichia coli DNA. 1–1.5% of the proteins bind DNA so strongly that elution cannot be effected by 4.0 M NaCl but can be accomplished by deoxyribonuclease I treatment of the columns. DNA-binding proteins eluted by 2.0 M NaCl were labeled with 125I or 131I and characterized by sodium dodecylsulfate—polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. These experiments indicate that DNA-binding proteins represent a discrete subset of the total soluble protein. Many similarities were noted between the major components of the homologous and heterologous DNA-binding fractions.
Depletion-Based Stock Reduction Analysis: A catch-based method for determining sustainable yields for data-poor fish stocks

We describe a method for determining reasonable yield and management reference points for data-poor fisheries in cases where approximate catches are known from the beginning of exploitation. The method, called Depletion-Based Stock Reduction Analysis (DB-SRA), merges stochastic Stock-Reduction Analysis with Depletion-Corrected Average Catch. Data requirements include estimates of historical annual catches, approximate natural mortality rate and age at maturity. A production function is specified based on general fishery knowledge of the relative location of maximum productivity and the relationship of MSY fishing rate to the natural mortality rate. This leaves unfished biomass as the only unknown parameter, which can be estimated given a designated relative depletion level near the end of the time series. The method produces probability distributions of management reference points concerning yield and biomass. Uncertainties in natural mortality, stock dynamics, optimal harvest rates, and recent stock status are incorporated using Monte Carlo exploration. Comparison of model outputs to data-rich stock assessments suggests that the method is effective for estimating sustainable yields for data-poor stocks.
Mechanism of excitation of two-electron--one-photon K x rays in heavy-ion collisions

The energy dependence of the cross sections for both the $K\ensuremath{\alpha}$ (one-electron, one-photon) and $K\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ (two-electron, one-photon) x-ray emissions for Ni-Ni collisions have been measured in the energy range 17.6-91.5 MeV. To account for these observations, we have extended the electron promotion model to the quantitative, ab initio calculation of double $K$-shell vacancies. The results furnish, for the first time, an independent test of both the Briggs-Macek formulation of the electron promotion model and the concept of velocity-dependent exit channels suggested by Fastrup et al. We also present, for the first time, a theory of the vacancy-sharing mechanism for double $K$-shell excitation in symmetric systems. The theoretical results are in quantitative agreement with experiment.
ErbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression in breast carcinoma: inverse correlation with biochemically- and immunohistochemically-determined hormone receptors.

The relationship between erbB-2 oncoprotein overexpression and hormone receptors in breast cancer is controversial. Of 320 infiltrating carcinomas, 75 (23%) showed membranous positivity for erbB-2 protein using CB-11 antibody, with 31 (9.7%) strongly positive. Estrogen and progesterone receptors, determined by both biochemical and immunohistochemical assays, were negative more often in strongly erbB-2 positive tumors, or were positive at lower amounts, than in 56 tumors devoid of CB-11 staining. Strong erbB-2 positivity also correlated with lower patient age, higher histopathologic tumor grade, and higher S phase fraction, but not with tumor size, lymph node involvement, or DNA aneuploidy. Thirty-three lobular carcinomas showed strong erbB-2 positivity as frequently as the overall group (9.1%). Cytoplasmic CB-11 positivity without membrane positivity, thought not to correlate with true erbB-2 positivity, was observed in 189 (59%) tumors with a slight (1–2 +) reaction in 124 (39%) tumors and a moderate-to-strong (3–4 +) reaction in 65 (20%) tumors. Moderate-to-strong cytoplasmic positivity correlated with higher histopathologic grade and negativity for immunohistochemical, but not biochemical, hormone receptors. CB-11 cytoplasmic positivity may have biological significance.
Strain relaxation in PbSnSe and PbSe/PbSnSe layers grown by liquid-phase epitaxy on (1 0 0)-oriented silicon

Abstract Ternary PbSnSe layers with various Sn contents were grown by LPE on Si(1 0 0) substrates prepared with MBE-grown PbSe/BaF 2 /CaF 2 buffer layers. LPE growth initiation temperatures were varied from 380 to 475°C by changing the chalcogen concentration in the LPE growth solution. PbSe/PbSnSe double layers were also grown using the same procedure. Crack densities and residual strain values in the epilayers were measured by optical Nomarski microscopy and high-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD). Crack densities in Pb 0.91 Sn 0.09 Se layers decreased from 93 to 33 cracks/cm when the growth temperature was increased from 430 to 475°C. Crystalline quality, as indicated by HRXRD FWHM reduction from 522 to 442 arcsec, also improved with this increase in growth initiation temperature. These results show that IV–VI semiconductor layers grown at higher temperatures are more able to plastically deform when subjected to cooling strain caused by thermal expansion mismatch with the Si substrate. Activation of a strain-relieving higher-order dislocation glide mechanism is a likely explanation for this observation.
Unsteady laminar fluid flow in the entrance region of a cylindrical pipe with a step change in pumping pressure

A numerical nodel h a s been drvcloped to analyze t h e tPansiniL developing floW in a cyliodrica? ;iije i i i i d ~ r the i n f l : > e n c r of a step ch.cnp.e in p'mi2ing 2rcssure. The fill1 8avi,;r-Stokcs eeq'mtions are solved by applying the :jlMP:,E a1goril;hm. The velocity diStPib.itions and friction TactoPS w e presented f o r Reynolds n,mbers of 15, SO, 100, and 200. Validation of tht? results and t,hc model is accomplished throiigh comparison to the cases of the transient flllly developed velocity profiles and friction factors, and stnady developing velocity pPofiles and friction factors. Excellent agreement of the ntumerical ves,,lts to Vie aforementioned cases has becn achieved. It is observed that the Epiction factors in the transient developing regions are highly dependent O n the Reynolds ";umber. The transient natzire of the boondarv laver devFloDment . . can be seen quite clearly in the presented resi8lts. d Nomenclature coordinates defined i n Fig. 1 length of the calc~ilation domain transient average velocity Steady state average velocity in pipe radial velocity in pipe time pressire area dirnenSionlcSs axial coordinates C=x/ (R Re)] dimensionless radial coordinates C-r/(R Re)] 'A* dimensionless axial velocity component C-u/ (2um-,) 1 C=v/(2um,)l v* dimensionless radial vclocity componcnt um* dimensionless transient average velocity t* dlmansionless time Ct* = vt/Rl P* dimensionless pvesswe [=p/(4pum,*)1 Re Reynolds niirnber C = Z R p u m J u 1 ?P ?randlc number Cf friction Factor C=2r/(pn, ,2) l
Comparisons of problems reported by parents of children in 12 cultures: total problems, externalizing, and internalizing.

ABSTRACT Objective To compare parent-reported problems for children in 12 cultures. Method Child Behavior Checklists were analyzed for 13,697 children and adolescents, aged 6 through 17 years, from general population samples in Australia, Belgium, China, Germany, Greece, Israel, Jamaica, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, Sweden, Thailand, and the United States. Results Comparisons of 12 cultures across ages 6 through 11 and 9 cultures across ages 6 through 17 yielded medium effect sizes for cross-cultural variations in Total Problem, Externalizing, and Internalizing scores. Puerto Rican scores were the highest, while Swedish scores were the lowest. With great cross-cultural consistency, Total and Externalizing scores declined with age, while Internalizing scores increased; boys obtained higher Total and Externalizing scores but lower Internalizing scores than girls. Cross-cultural correlations were high among the mean item scores. Conclusions Empirically based assessment provides a robust methodology for assessing and comparing problems reported for children from diverse cultures. Age and gender variations are cross-culturally consistent. Although clinical cutoff points should not necessarily be uniform across all cultures, empirically based assessment offers a cost-effective way to identify problems for which children from diverse cultural backgrounds may need help.
Mindfulness and the aging brain: a proposed paradigm shift.

There has been a proliferation of cognitive training studies investigating the efficacy of various cognitive training paradigms as well as strategies for improving cognitive control in the elderly. While some have found support for the transfer of training, the majority of training studies show modest to no transfer effects. When transfer effects have been observed, the mechanisms contributing to enhanced functioning have been difficult to dissociate. In this review, we provide a theoretical rationale for the study of mindfulness in older adults as a particular type of training program designed to improve cognitive control by capitalizing on older adults’ acquired behavioral orientation toward higher socioemotional goals. Given the synergistic relationship between emotional and cognitive control processes, the paradoxical divergence in older adults’ functional trajectory in these respective domains, and the harmonious interplay of cognitive and emotional control embedded in the practice of mindfulness, we propose mindfulness training as an opportunistic approach to cultivating cognitive benefits in older adults. The study of mindfulness within aging, we argue, capitalizes on a fundamental finding of the socioemotional aging literature, namely the preferential change in motivational goals of older adults from ones involving future-oriented wants and desires to present-focused emotion regulation and gratification.
Jealousy and the Social Psychology of Emotional Experience

Jealousy is investigated as a focus for the symbolic interactionist analysis of emotion. We define jealousy in terms of the features of the contexts in which it is evoked. Three related elements are essential: an attachment between two persons; valued resources that flow through and are controlled by that attachment; and intrusion on that attachment by a third person who is perceived by one partner as becoming or wanting to become the receiver or giver of those resources. This partner becomes jealous because of fear of loss of control over the resources that pass through the bond between the two attached people. Identification is seen as the principal mode of attachment threatened by the intrusion. The kinds of resources controlled through identification and the context dependency of the features implying intrusion are examined along with the role of feeling ruies in jealousy management. Implications for theory and methodology in the social psychology of emotion are discussed.
Trauma team activation: simplified criteria safely reduces overtriage

Abstract Background Our current trauma triage system uses patient and scene variables within a 3-tiered trauma response system. Our purpose was to evaluate the accuracy of the current system and to identify the most reliable variables for trauma triage. Methods This was a retrospective review at a level II trauma center. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of the need for any urgent emergency department procedure or operative intervention. The current triage system was analyzed and compared with a proposed simplified system. Results There were 1495 consecutive trauma admissions identified, the majority (88%) were blunt mechanism. Urgent emergency department interventions were required in 11%, and 4% required emergent surgery. Logistic regression demonstrated that prehospital Glasgow Coma Score Conclusions A simplified triage system using only highly predictive variables can safely decrease the high rate of overtriage of trauma patients.
Social Workers' Views of No Suicide Contracts

Abstract Socialworkers are often the primary providers of clinical services for clientswith mental health diagnoses, including clients who contemplate suicide. While the issue of no suicide contracts has been addressed within the psychology, psychiatry, and nursing literature, a paucity of research on this topic exists within the field of social work. This qualitative study examined the views and beliefs of 25 social workers who have in the past or are currently providing clinical services to suicidal clients. Six themes emerged from the data, highlighting the diverse views that exist about no suicide contracts. Recommendations for clinical social work practice and education are provided.
New, innovative packaging system for surgical sutures and needles

A new, innovative packaging system for surgical needles and sutures has been developed that meets the special needs of emergency physicians, surgeons, and operating personnel. This packaging system consists of an overwrap, or breather pouch, as well as an innerwrap containing the needle swaged to a surgical suture. The flaps of the overwrap are offset and serrated to facilitate the opening and sterile transfer of the inner packet to the sterile field. The inner packet contains either a plastic labyrinth or craft board that maintains the suture as straight as possible until knot construction. The needle swaged to a suture is parked in foam to protect its sharp cutting edges and point.