cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
456 PREMATURE ADRENARCHE: CLINICAL AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

Premature adrenarche (PA), or isolated development of pubic hair before age 8, is common in the Richmond area. We have compared the clinical findings, family history and serum concentrations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), in 21 new cases of PA seen in the past 2 yrs and in 17 control children. Since 17/21 of the PA patients were black females, black girls between 3 and 8 yrs were used as controls. The height age was on the average 7.5 mo greater than the chronological age in the PA patients, but was also greater (by 8.1 mo) in the control group. Twenty of 21 patients, but none of the controls, had a history of an adult-type axillary odor, which in 8 cases preceded the growth of hair by more than 3 months. There was a positive family history for PA in only 3 of 21 children with PA, and in 1 of 17 controls. The average age of maternal menarche was not significantly different for the PA and the control groups. Serum DHEA-S (Nichols Institute, Los Angeles, CA) was significantly higher in the PA children at all ages. For children < 6 yrs, PA= 49 ± 29 μg/dl (range 10 to 92) and control = 11 ± 8 μg/dl (range < 5 to 26), p < .001; for children 6–8 yrs, PA = 52 ± 23 μg/dl (range 19 to 110) and controls = 20 ± 16 μg/dl (range <5 to 62), p < .001. We conclude that (1) the presence of axillary odor is a useful clinical marker for PA, (2) serum DHEA-S is useful in confirming the clinical impression of moderately increased adrenal androgen secretion in these children, and (3) familial factors probably do not play a major role in the etiology of PA.
Retrospective study: Influence of menstrual cycle on cue-induced cigarette craving

Cigarettes acquire reinforcing properties from nicotine and from cues associated with their intake. However, smoking in males and females may be reinforced differentially. Smoking in females is posited to be influenced more by cues whereas male smoking is influenced predominantly by the direct pharmacological actions of nicotine in the brain. Menstrual cycle phase may contribute to some of the sex differences observed in smokers. We hypothesized that females may report more intense craving to smoking cue exposure than males and, further, that female craving scores may be influenced by menstrual cycle phase. Thus, we reexamined previously collected cue exposure data with respect to sex and cycle phase. Self-report measures were collected from subjects prior to and immediately following exposure to visual smoking stimuli. The study included 69 male and 41 female treatment-seeking subjects who smoked more than 15 cigarettes per day for more than 10 years. Females were grouped according to cycle phase. Of the female subjects, 17 were classified as follicular phase females (FFemales) and 24 were classified as luteal phase females (LFemales). Change scores were calculated from the subjective data collected before and after stimulus presentation. Contrary to our hypothesis, overall, males and all females did not differ in their level of cue-induced craving; however, when females were separated into groups by cycle phase, FFemales reported significantly less craving than either males or LFemales (p<.05). The suppressed craving response in FFemales suggests an influence of cycle phase on cue-induced craving.
Analysis of Cotton Yield Stability Across Population Densities

Final lint yield in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is relatively stable across a wide range of population densities. This study was conducted to determine (i) which components of final lint yield impart this yield stability across plant populations and (ii) how yield distribution is influenced by population density. Studies were conducted in 1997 and 1998 on a Tifton loamy sand (Fine-loamy, kaolinitic, thermic Plinthic Kandiudults). Cotton was planted in each study on 91-cm row widths at seeding rates ranging from 3.5 to 25.1 seeds m 2 . At harvest, each plot was hand picked and boll numbers and weights were recorded at each monopodial branch and sympodial branch fruiting position. Lower population densities led to plants with more mainstem nodes and monopodial branches with increased fruit retention, resulting in greater fruit production per plant. Boll size was inversely related to population density. Mean net assimilation rate from first flower to peak bloom also was related inversely to population density. The mainstem node of peak boll set increased with population density. Fruit production on a ground area basis was greater in the first sympodial position as population density increased, while fruit production on a ground area basis in third positions and monopodial branches was greater as population density decreased. Accumulative seedcotton from sympodial branches also increased with population density. Total fruit number and seedcotton yield per area were not influenced by population density in these studies. Yield stability across population densities was achieved through manipulation of boll occurrence and weight.
Preparation and electrochemical catalytic property of Au–Ni alloy with porous structure

Abstract In this work, porous gold–nickel alloy was prepared by electrochemical dealloying in 8.75 wt.% nitric acid. Surface morphology of the dealloyed material was observed by scanning electron microscopy and its composition was revealed by energy dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). Electrochemical oxidation of carbohydrate on the porous material was studied. It is found that the electrochemical dealloying results in the formation of gold-rich ligaments and nickel-rich pores. The results obtained from electrochemical oxidation of 20% carbohydrate reveal that the porous Au–Ni is more than three times active than the base Au–Ni alloy.
Hexosamine metabolism in imaginal disks of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract Studies on hexosamine metabolism and chitin synthesis in larval imaginal disks are described. Disks are able to synthesize the intermediates in hexosamine metabolism from glucose- 14 C, glucosamine- 14 C and N-acetyl- 14 C-glucosamine. Hexosamine intermediates are formed at far greater rates from glucosamine or N-acetylglucosamine than from glucose. There is, however, little or no chitin synthesis in disks. Evidence is also presented which indicates that glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine are metabolized, at least in part, in different locations in disks.
The composition of francolite

In 1850, T. H. Henry published an imperfect analysis of francolite, a supposed new mineral, previously named by H. J. Brooke. Henry stated that his material was similar to the material from Wheal Franco, Tavistock, Devon, but he does not show how he was in a position to know the composition of the material from this mine, because there is no record to indicate that the mineral from Wheal Franco had been analysed. Henry did not report CO2 for the material he analysed, but M. H. N. Story-Maskelyne and W. Flight analysed material, supposedly similar, and obtained a significant amount of CO2.
Fast intersection checking for parametric deformable models

Parametric active deformable models for image-based segmentation offer a distinct advantage over level sets: speed. This paper presents an extension to active deformable models that makes real-time volume segmentation possible on mid-range off-the-shelf hardware and without the use of specialized graphics hardware. The proposed method uses region-based parametric deformable models. A region-based parametric model, represented by a polygon, must remain non-self intersecting (simple) while undergoing deformation. The simplicity constraint can be enforced by allowing topological changes or by restricting motions of the curve. In either case, intersections of curve segments must be detected otherwise catastrophic divergence results. Good performance relies on the efficiency of the intersection check operation. This paper presents a parameter-free and efficient technique for on-line simplicity checking of polygons undergoing motion. We present timing results validating our approach; in particular, we segment 3-D ultrasound data at 20 volumes per second.
An alternate binding site for the P1-P3 group of a class of potent HIV-1 protease inhibitors as a result of concerted structural change in the 80s loop of the protease.

Structures of the complexes of HIV protease inhibitor L-­756,423 with the HIV-1 wild-type protease and of the inhibitors Indinavir, L-739,622 and Saquinavir with the mutant protease (9X) containing nine point mutations (Leu10Val, Lys20Met, Leu24Ile, Ser37Asp, Met46Ile, Ile54Val, Leu63Pro, Ala71Val, Val82Thr) have been determined. Comparative analysis of these structures reveals an alternate binding pocket for the P1–P3 group of Indinavir and L-­756,423. The alternate binding pocket is a result of concerted structural change in the 80s loop (residues 79–82) of the protease. The 80s loop is pulled away from the active site in order to accommodate the P1–P3 group, which is sandwiched between the flap and the 80s loop. This structural change is observed for the complexes of the wild type as well as the 9X mutant protease. The study reveals that the 80s loop is an intrinsically flexible loop in the wild-type HIV-1 protease and that mutations in this loop are not necessary to result in conformational changes. Conformation of this loop in the complex depends primarily upon the nature of the bound inhibitor and may be influenced by mutations in the protease. The results underscore the need to understand the intrinsic structural plasticity of the protease for the design of effective inhibitors against the wild-type and drug-resistant enzyme forms. In addition, the alternate binding pocket for the P1–P3 group of Indinavir and L-­756,423 may be exploited for the design of potent inhibitors.
A novel technique to study the brain's response to pain: proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

Abstract Glutamate, a major excitatory neurotransmitter, has been implicated as an important mediator in the neurotransmission, potentiation, and negative affect associated with pain. We present results showing that a painful stimulus elicits a dynamic increase in glutamate (9.3% from baseline) concentrations in the anterior cingulate cortex, detectable using proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H-MRS). Increases in glutamine levels were also seen, which correlate strongly with the subjective level of pain experienced by participants (r2 = 0.58, P
Fluid replacement after dehydration: Influence of beverage carbonation and carbohydrate content

This investigation evaluated the effects of beverage carbonation and carbohydrate (CHO) content on fluid replacement following exercise/thermal dehydration. On four occasions separated by at least 7 days, eight healthy men cycled at 50% of VO2max in a hot environmental chamber (40°C, 40% relative humidity) until a weight loss of 4.12±0.22% was attained. In the subsequent four hours, subjects ingested one of four solutions at 15-min intervals. The total volume ingested equalled that lost during dehydration. The solutions were administered in randomized order and varied in their carbonation and carbohydrate (CHO) content: 1. CK: carbonated 10% glucose-fructose solution, 2. NCK: non-carbonated 10% glucose-fructose solution, 3. CNK: carbonated non-caloric solution, and 4. NCNK: non-carbonated non-caloric solution. Plasma volume changes, total plasma protein concentration, plasma osmolality, and the plasma glucose concentration were determined at rest before and after dehydration, and at 30, 90, 150, and 240 min of recovery. Plasma volume changes and the plasma protein concentration were not different (p > 0.05) between treatments. Values for the plasma glucose concentration and the change in plasma osmolality were significantly elevated when CHO beverages were ingested when compared with non-CHO beverage ingestion. Five-min cycling bouts were performed at 70% of VO2max before and after dehydration and at 60, 120, 180, and 240 min of rehydration. The respiratory exchange ratio was elevated in both of the CHO treatments when compared with both of the non-CHO treatments at 60, 120, 180 and 240 min of rehydration. Lactate determined from arterialized capillary blood obtained one minute after each cycling bout was not different between treatments at any time point. Heart rates during the standardized cycling bouts remained elevated relative to the pre-dehydration values in all treatments after 240 min of recovery despite ingestion of a volume of fluid equal to that lost. In addition, heart rates were significantly elevated in the CK treatment relative to other treatments at 60 (vs CNK and NCNK), 120 (vs CNK and NCNK), 180 (vs NCNK), and 240 min (vs NCK). Rectal temperatures during the cycling bouts were significantly elevated in the carbohydrate treatments relative to the non-carbohydrate treatments at 120 min (CK vs NCNK, NCK vs NCNK) and 180 minutes (CK vs NCNK and CNK) but remained within the normal range (37.3 - 37.6°C). No differences were observed in the % body weight loss or total urine volume after 240 min of recovery. The results suggest that solutions which are carbonated and/or contain 10% CHO are as effective as noncarbonated and non-CHO solutions with regard to fluid replacement over four hours.
Soil invertebrate and plant responses to mowing and carbofuran application in a North American tallgrass prairie

Relationships between soil invertebrate populations and primary production of a tallgrass prairie were investigated using the insecticide-nematicide carbofuran and a range of mowing intensities to manipulate invertebrate densities and resource quantity and quality. The trophic composition of nematode populations was monitored through each of two growing seasons. Earthworm and macroarthropod densities and primary production were assessed at the end of the second season. Invertebrate densities were generally reduced in carbofuran-treated plots, although individual weights of surviving macroarth-ropod herbivores increased significantly (p<0.05). Carbofuran failed to affect estimates of above- or belowground plant biomass after two years of treatment. Changes in resource quantity and quality resulted in rapid responses by dominant invertebrate consumer populations. A 28% reduction in live root mass and a 24% increase in root detritus following two years of mowing was associated with a 54% decrease in herbivorous nematode densities, a 47% increase in microbivorous nematode densities, and a 41% increase in native earthworm biomass.
Sex hormones affect the calcium signaling response of human arterial cells to LDL.

Abstract The present study was designed to examine the role of calcium-dependent signal transduction as a common link between the atherogenic effect of LDL and the mitigating influence of sex hormones in aortic endothelial (EC) and smooth muscle cells (SMC). Human aortic EC and SMC were pre-incubated for 48 hr in media containing no hormone, 17-β-estradiol (20 ng/ml) or testosterone (300 ng/ml). Low density lipoprotein (N-LDL) or its minimally oxidized species (Ox-LDL) was added to the media at different concentrations (0, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 40 μg protein/ml), and changes in cytosolic calcium [Ca+2]iwere measured by spectrofluorometric analysis using a Fura 2-AM indicator. Cell viability was determined with a51chromium release assay. In EC, exposure to N-LDL resulted in a weak and unsustained increase in [Ca+2]i, (max. 21.9 ± 4.6%) while a more marked rise was seen in SMC (max. 79.1 ± 11.5%;P
A twin study of genetic influences on the acute adaptation of the EEG to alcohol.

A two-dose alcohol challenge protocol was used to study genetic influences on the acute adaptation of the EEG to alcohol in 53 monozygotic and 38 same-sex dizygotic Caucasian twin pairs averaging 30 years of age. Equal doses of alcohol were administered at 10:00 and 11:00 AM, yielding mean peak breath alcohol concentrations of 0.057% and 0.099%, respectively. Eyes-closed, resting EEG was recorded four times: at baseline; on the ascending limb of the overall experiment at a breath alcohol concentration (BrAC) near 0.06%; on the descending limb at a BrAC near the value when the subject's EEG was obtained on the ascending limb; and, finally, when the BrAC fell to 0.02%. Genetic analyses of log-transformed values of total spectral power (L 10 TSP) and spectral band power (L 10 SBP) were performed on EEG spectra averaged across all 17 scalp lead locations. After adjusting for body weight, a significant fraction of population variance in L 10 TSP was attributable to genetic influence: H 2 values for TSP were 0.73, 0.72, and 0.73 at the three postalcohol EEG recordings, respectively. Similar findings pertained to each L 10 SBP at each postalcohol recording, except for the delta band. The change in postethanol EEG power was examined for evidence that genes influence acute adaptations in brain function. Descending-minus-ascending limb L 10 TSP was normalized by the individual's ascending limb L 10 TSP to minimize nonalcohol-related effects that can influence both measurements. Earlier analyses of the same sample's initial EEG response to alcohol noted a substantial increase in the ascending limb EEG power, compared with baseline. Thus, positive values of the postethanol change denote a progression away from baseline attributable to acute sensitization to alcohol ; negative values signify a return toward baseline values suggesting acute tolerance to alcohol. Genetic analysis of the normalized difference in L 10 TSP had a highly significant H 2 value of 0.70, indicating that both acute tolerance and acute sensitization to alcohol may represent adaptations reflecting substantial heritable influence. Slightly smaller, but significant values of H 2 for the normalized difference in L 10 SPB were observed for delta, alpha-slow and beta-slow frequency bands. In contrast, H 2 for the differences between the final and ascending limb EEG power were not significant, except for the theta band. Thus, heritable drowsiness may have contributed to detection of genetic influences on acute adaptation, but represent a potential confound only in the theta band.
Restriction Digestion of Arbitary Amplification Fragments of Annual Bluegrass

The production of co-dominant markers by digesting arbitrarily primed amplification fragments with restriction endonucleases would be useful in genetics and plant breeding studies. The feasibility of generating restriction amplification fragment length polymorphism (RAFLP) for use as genetic markers for annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) was evaluated. Five restriction enzymes that (HindIII, KpnI, PstI, ApaI, and SmaI) successfully digested DNA in the amplification buffer tested were used to digest arbitrarily amplified DNA from P. annua. These restriction enzymes used in conjunction with 53 primers identified 82 restriction loci. Evaluation of 44 loci revealed three RAFLP markers. These and other RAFLP markers should be useful as codominant genetic markers for P. annua and other species where few genetic markers exist, little genomic information is available, or tissue is limited.
Vacuum ultraviolet photoionization of carbohydrates and nucleotides

Carbohydrates (2-deoxyribose, ribose, and xylose) and nucleotides (adenosine-, cytidine-, guanosine-, and uridine-5′-monophosphate) are generated in the gas phase, and ionized with vacuum ultraviolet photons (VUV, 118.2 nm). The observed time of flight mass spectra of the carbohydrate fragmentation are similar to those observed [J.-W. Shin, F. Dong, M. Grisham, J. J. Rocca, and E. R. Bernstein, Chem. Phys. Lett. 506, 161 (2011)] for 46.9 nm photon ionization, but with more intensity in higher mass fragment ions. The tendency of carbohydrate ions to fragment extensively following ionization seemingly suggests that nucleic acids might undergo radiation damage as a result of carbohydrate, rather than nucleobase fragmentation. VUV photoionization of nucleotides (monophosphate-carbohydrate-nucleobase), however, shows that the carbohydrate-nucleobase bond is the primary fragmentation site for these species. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the removed carbohydrate electrons by the 118.2 nm photons are associated with endocyclic C–C and C–O ring centered orbitals: loss of electron density in the ring bonds of the nascent ion can thus account for the observed fragmentation patterns following carbohydrate ionization. DFT calculations also indicate that electrons removed from nucleotides under these same conditions are associated with orbitals involved with the nucleobase-saccharide linkage electron density. The calculations give a general mechanism and explanation of the experimental results.
Acute and Chronic Hypertensive Headache and Hypertensive Encephalopathy

Three patients are described who experienced headache from hypertension: one had acute headache from acute hypertension, one had daily, morning headaches from chronic hypertension, and one had acute headache with generalized tonic-clonic seizure from hypertensive encephalopathy. The presumed pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the three hypertensive headache conditions are reviewed.
Identity Formation in Chinese Christian Churches in the United States

This study looks at some of the Chinese Christian churches of the Boston area by first giving an historical overview and then reporting the findings of the author’s fieldwork in a Chinese church in suburban Boston, which is able to shed some light on the many roles Christianity has during the various phases of Chinese immigration and to suggest that it is an ideology which many Chinese immigrants both identify with and reconceptualize in Confucian terms. This Confucian-Christianity has become a common ideology shared by many Chinese Americans: not only the first-generation immigrants who must strive to assimilate but also those second-, third-, and fourth-generation Chinese Americans who join the church largely to partake of the unique communion that it provides and indeed creates.
Popular politics and the Dutch Patriot revolution

John Adams was obviously excited by what he saw going on in the Dutch Republic in 1786. Having been closely associated with the Dutch since 1780, Adams had seen the Dutch Patriots' first halting steps toward demanding fundamental reform of their government. What he witnessed at Utrecht in August of 1786 was the culmination of a long political process that began in 1782 and was, in fact, a momentous victory for the Patriot movement: after years of struggle, the Patriots in Utrecht had purged the Municipal Council of their enemies and had inaugurated new Magistrates who had been democratically elected according to the provisions of a new municipal constitution.2 To be sure, John Adams has a well-deserved reputation for volatility and exaggeration, but there can be no doubt that he saw the work of the Utrecht Patriots as profoundly revolutionary, even by comparison with what had just transpired in North America. Just fourteen months later, however, the Dutch situation would look dramatically different. As the Patriot Revolution heated up through the spring and summer of 1787, the Stadhouder, Prince William V of Orange, who had borne the brunt of the Patriots' attack throughout the decade, called on outside help. In May the English put up the money 90,000 pounds while in September the Prussians put up the troops 26,000 men commanded by the Duke of Brunswick and on October 10, 1787, the Patriots' last stronghold, the city of Amsterdam, capitulated to the invasion force. By the end of 1787, the Orangist "restoration" was complete.
Hypercholesterolemia of streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus in dogs

Abstract Diabetes mellitus was produced in dogs by the intravenous administration of streptozotocin 50 to 55 mg/kg, dissolved in citrate buffer, pH 4.5. The vehicle alone was administered to control dogs. Eight diabetic dogs and 7 control dogs were maintained for periods in excess of 2 months. Diabetic dogs were kept in a relatively stable condition by the administration of isophane insulin 0.4 U/kg/ day and by feeding a high fat dietary supplement. Plasma cholesterol concentrations in diabetic dogs increased significantly within 2 weeks after the administration of streptozotocin and remained at these elevated levels for periods in excess of 2 months. Electrophoresis of plasma lipoproteins indicated that the increase in plasma cholesterol concentrations resulted from an increase in both the high density and low density lipoproteins. The prominent post-mortem lesion in all diabetic dogs was marked degeneration or virtual absence of islet tissue from sections of pancreas observed under light microscopy.
Dual Beneficial Effects of (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Levodopa Methylation and Hippocampal Neurodegeneration: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies

Background A combination of levodopa (L-DOPA) and carbidopa is the most commonly-used treatment for symptom management in Parkinson's disease. Studies have shown that concomitant use of a COMT inhibitor is highly beneficial in controlling the wearing-off phenomenon by improving L-DOPA bioavailability as well as brain entry. The present study sought to determine whether (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a common tea polyphenol, can serve as a naturally-occurring COMT inhibitor that also possesses neuroprotective actions. Methodology/Principal Findings Using both in vitro and in vivo models, we investigated the modulating effects of EGCG on L-DOPA methylation as well as on chemically induced oxidative neuronal damage and degeneration. EGCG strongly inhibited human liver COMT-mediated O-methylation of L-DOPA in a concentration-dependent manner in vitro, with an average IC50 of 0.36 µM. Oral administration of EGCG moderately lowered the accumulation of 3-O-methyldopa in the plasma and striatum of rats treated with L-DOPA + carbidopa. In addition, EGCG also reduced glutamate-induced oxidative cytotoxicity in cultured HT22 mouse hippocampal neuronal cells through inactivation of the nuclear factor κB-signaling pathway. Under in vivo conditions, administration of EGCG exerted a strong protective effect against kainic acid-induced oxidative neuronal death in the hippocampus of rats. Conclusions/Significance These observations suggest that oral administration of EGCG may have significant beneficial effects in Parkinson's patients treated with L-DOPA and carbidopa by exerting a modest inhibition of L-DOPA methylation plus a strong neuroprotection against oxidative damage and degeneration.
Comparisons of the polypeptide chains of globins.

Discussion of the amino acid differences and minimum base differences per codon due to mutations which took place during divergent evolution of vertebrates from a common ancestral gene. The ?random mutation model' of evolution is examined by comparing a carp alpha Hb chain and six mammalian alpha Hb chains in terms of the genetic code. The occurrence of recognizable three-base changes is analyzed and a summary of the distribution of changes in the hemoglobin and myoglobin chains is given for 148 sites.
Teenage pregnancy: Etiology and educational interventions

This paper identifies the social, psychological, biological, and cognitive variables associated with teenage pregnancy. The impact of bearing children on adolescent mothers, their children, and society is also explored. The different educational interventions already in use to reduce and/or prevent teenage pregnancy are examined and found to be generally ineffective. However, two effective programs were identified. One, with a research component, demonstrated significant reduction in teenage pregnancy. Further changes in these programs are suggested to achieve increased effectiveness.
Delivery of services in rural settings to the elderly mentally retarded-mentally ill.

Abstract A number of controversial arguments exist regarding the ability of sparsely populated areas to adequately provide for their elderly mentally retarded; the elements of distance, education, and capital are said to effectively obstruct access to psychiatric and social support. Yet several facts speak soundly for the necessity to overcome these obstacles: a five-fold increase in the life spans of the mentally retarded in recent decades, and the amply demonstrated reality that individuals with mental retardation are nearly twice as likely as the general population to develop severe behavioral disorders. This article examines both the methods and the reasons for ensuring that rural populations of elderly mentally retarded citizens receive modern psychiatric assistance and community support.
What Does a Transformative Lens Bring to Credible Evidence in Mixed Methods Evaluations

Credibility in evaluation is a multifaceted concept that involves consideration of diverse stakeholders' perspectives and purposes. The use of a transformative lens is proposed as a means to bringing issues of social justice and human rights to the foreground in decisions about methodology, credibility of evidence, and use of evaluation findings. ©Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Pegfilgrastim: using pegylation technology to improve neutropenia support in cancer patients

Pegylation of a protein can improve not only its formulation properties, but also both its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic performance. Pegfilgrastim was made by linking a 20-kDa polyethylene glycol molecule to filgrastim, producing a long-acting cytokine requiring less frequent dosing than its
A Feminist Reader in Early Cinema

A Feminist Reader in Early Cinema Jennifer M. Bean and Diane Negra, Editors. Durham: Duke University Press, 2002. This omnibus collection of twenty essays offers many things to a variety of readers, especially those with interests in the history and theory of film, feminism, race, sexuality, technology, and the material cultures of the fin de siecle and World War I periods. The project evolved from "Early Women Stars," a special issue of Camera Obscura (January 2002). Bean and Negra arranged this more broadly defined collection into five cinematic categories, though the purpose is as often to challenge and reconceive as simply to employ these terms: "Reflecting Film Authorship" (authorship), "Ways of Looking" (spectatorship), "Cultural Inversions" (historical topicality), "Performing Bodies," (stardom) and "The Problem with Periodization" (periodicity). The authors undertake their anti-essentialist "feminist film archeological" project from an intentionally feminist and predominantly New Historical and thus self-reflective perspective, a stance meant to historicize "gaze" theory as well as to complicate what they see as the "ahistorical, abstracted female subject" of earlier scholarship. This premise, of course, distorts the breadth of second wave film criticism. The authors do succeed, however, in creating a richly detailed and kaleidoscopic vision of gender as filtered through the lens of the early film industry of the United States, Europe, and China, a period of approximately three-plus decades. A complex range of accepted and newly considered categories, subjects, and evidence are thoughtfully and usefully interrogated-from vampires to flappers, from America's sweetheart Mary Pickford to China's Xuan Jinglin, from documentaries to narratives, from footnotes to fan magazines. Alice Guy-Blache, for example, is the subject of Amelie Hastie's "Circuits of Memory and History"-as read through the director's memoirs and her films. Siobhan B. Sommerville resituates the gay classic "A Florida Enchantment" within the film's intersecting forces of race, sexuality, and gender. And the iconographie stature of Garbo is deepened by Lucy Fisher's reading of the seamlessly integrated Art Deco material culture that enveloped her. As with many historical and theoretical narratives based on newly excavated sites, these essays sometimes offer fascinating glimpses rather than fully satisfying arguments, providing the shining moments of insight that Virginia Woolf rightly termed diamonds in the dustheaps. …
Resistant mechanisms to BRAF inhibitor PLX4032 in melanoma

Evaluation of: Wagle N, Emery C, Berger MF et al. Dissecting therapeutic resistance to RAF inhibition in melanoma by tumor genomic profiling. J. Clin. Oncol. DOI: 10.1200/JCO.2010.33.2312 (Epub ahead of print) (2011).Melanoma is a deadly skin disease well known for resistance to chemotherapies and immunomodulating therapies. PLX4032 is a selective BRAF inhibitor and, in clinical trials, has consistently induced tumor responses in the majority of patients with BRAF V600E mutant melanoma. However, duration of response has been limited due to the development of acquired resistance. This article evaluates a recently published investigation evaluating the resistant mechanisms to BRAF therapy using tumor genomic profiling of isolated DNA from responsive and acquired resistant melanoma tissue in a patient treated with the BRAF inhibitor PLX4032.
The atom according to Disney

The broadcast of Disney's 1957 film, “Our Friend the Atom,” a Tomorrow land segment for the Disneyland television show, was a significant moment in the rhetorical history of the naturalization of atomic energy. Disney's interpretation of the peaceful atom, both in the televisual text and in the theme park narratives, had much in common with other mid‐century texts, from world's fairs to popular science books, but the particular contribution of Disney was the metaphor and visual icon of the Genie who grants three wishes. The Genie metaphor offered an optimistic twist on a traditionally ironic story, helping naturalize the peaceful atom.
Rod outer segment phosphodiesterase: Factors affecting the hydrolysis of cyclic-AMP and cyclic-GMP

Mg2+ and Mn2+ stimulate phosphodiesterase activity in isolated bovine rod outer segments. Ca2+ cannot substitute for these ions, rather, it inhibits hydrolysis of both cyclic-AMP (cAMP) and cyclic-GMP (cGMP). Triton X-100 at 0·01% increases hydrolysis of both cGMP and cAMP by about two-fold although increased detergent concentrations decrease activity. Sonification or freezing and thawing tends to decrease activity. Methylxanthines inhibit hydrolytic activity at millimolar concentrations; papaverine is effective (> 50% inhibition) at 10−5 m. Other inhibitors include dibutyryl cAMP and triiodothyronine. In general, hydrolysis of both cGMP and cAMP is similarly affected by the stimulators and inhibitors tested. Hydrolysis of the cyclic nucleotides is inhibited by ATP above 0·5 mm. Inhibition is greater in dark-adapted than in light-bleached preparations. With 0·1 mm-ATP, little effect is observed in dark-adapted rods but an apparent stimulatory effect is observed in light-bleached rods. ATP may thus act in this manner to control cyclic nucleotide levels in outer segments in vivo.
Glasslike thermal transport in heavily irradiated diamond.

We have studied the thermal conductivity K of heavily neutron-irradiated diamond from 0.15 K to room temperature. X-ray and Raman-scattering results indicate that this material is a mixture of ${\mathit{sp}}^{2}$- and ${\mathit{sp}}^{3}$-bonded carbon and amorphous in nature. The thermal conductivity is similar in temperature dependence to that of a glass with a high Debye temperature. The magnitude of K, however, is larger than that predicted by standard models of heat conduction in disordered solids. This may arise due to the strong covalent bonding in diamond.
Connection and separation in the infant-mother dyad: Patterns of touch and use of interpersonal space.

Infant-mother boundaries were operationalized in terms of body-to-body contact and use of interpersonal space. The unit of observation was the infant-mother dyad. Infants between the ages of 12 and 24 months and their mothers were observed in three situations: self- and mother-recognition tasks, and the free-play and second reunion episodes of the Strange Situation. Infant-mother touch and the pattern of proximity-distality were principally determined by context of interaction; and, in the more stressful and more structured situations, the connection-separation balance favored connection, whereas in the free-play situation the balance favored separation. Infant-mother touch and use of interpersonal space were not found to be isomorphic to attachment; in addition, attachment interacted with age and gender of the infant to describe level of connection-separation. Results are discussed in the context of working models of the relationship and formation of boundaries.
A generalized approach for intelligent fault detection and recovery in power electronic systems

This paper presents a generalized approach for intelligent fault detection in power electronic converters based on correlation between faults and basic measurements. Fault recovery is then applied based on this correlation by using specific signals and quantities from existing measurements. The main purpose is for power electronic systems to cope with the notion of a smart grid and its different smart components. Existing intelligent control of power electronic systems are first overviewed. Then, short- and open-circuit faults in each power electronic component are injected in a simulation platform, and their effect on different voltage and current measurements are observed. A simple block with controlled short- and open-circuit operation is developed for this purpose. Three basic quantities are observed for each of the measured signals: 1) average value, 2) RMS value, and 3) harmonic content. Both simple logic and intelligent control are used to engage redundant components as a first step to fault recovery. A solar photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverter in stand-alone mode is used as a testing platform for this paper. Simple logic based control is presented here and shows the ability to detect several faults in the power stage. Fuzzy logic is also introduced in such an application using an example.
Role of c-Src and focal adhesion kinase in progression and metastasis of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer

The non-receptor tyrosine kinases c-Src and focal adhesion kinase (Fak) mediate signal transduction pathways that regulate cell proliferation, survival, invasion, and metastasis. Here, we investigated whether c-Src and Fak are activated during progression of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Maximally active c-Src was overexpressed in a subset of tamoxifen-resistant variants and in metastases of recurrent hormone-treated breast cancer. Active Fak was also frequently observed in these tumors. We also show that estrogen receptor (ER) can bind to Fak and that estrogen can modulate Fak autophosphorylation supporting a cross-talk between these two pathways. Inhibition of c-Src activity blocked proliferation of all tamoxifen-resistant variants, suggesting that inhibitors of c-Src-Fak activity may delay or prevent progression and metastasis of ER-positive tumors. These studies also raise the possibility that fully active forms of c-Src and Fak in breast tumors may be biomarkers to predict tamoxifen resistance and/or risk of recurrence in ER-positive breast cancer.
Applications of MTPA (Mosher) Amides of Secondary Amines: Assignment of Absolute Configuration in Chiral Cyclic Amines

Mosher's MTPA (methoxy(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetyl) technology is applied to the assignment of absolute configuration of several synthetic and natural chiral amines. The substrates are cyclic, secondary amines. The resulting amides usually contain significant populations of two rotamers, readily distinguished by 1H NMR spectroscopy. Thus, two complementary sets of Δδ values are obtained from a single analysis, thereby enhancing the power of the method. A strategy for the MTPA derivatization of (the N-methyl tertiary amine in) the tropane alkaloid, cocaine, is also described. The exceptionally large Δδ values observed for these MTPA amides make this a valuable and reliable method for assignment of amine configuration (even in some cases where only one diastereomeric MTPA amide is readily available).
Oxygen enhancement of thermal electron capture in a non-radioactive discharge source for a quadrupole mass spectrometer

Abstract The electron-capture detector (ECD) is the most sensitive gas chromatographic detector available for certain compounds. In the process of developing a non-radioactive ECD based upon photoionization, we studied the enhancement of the ECD response by the addition of oxygen. This paper describes the results obtained by coupling the non-radioactive photoionization ECD to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. It describes the use of oxygen enhancement of the production of halide ions in a thermal electron-capture process. The production of the halide ions from alliphatic chloro compounds is much greater in the non-radioactive ECD than has been observed in typical radioactive ECDs. Indeed, the response to methylene chloride is equal to that of carbon tetrachloride. This result was unexpected. The exact mechanism for this enhancement is not known. The enhanced signal is smaller for bromobenzene and chlorobenzene.
Design and self-assembly of DNA into nanoscale 3D shapes

We have developed a general method for solving a key challenge for nanotechnology: programmable self-assembly of complex, three-dimensional nanostructures [Douglas, Dietz, et al. 2009]. Previously, scaffolded DNA origami has been used to build arbitrary flat shapes 100 nm in diameter and almost twice the mass of a ribosome [Rothemund 2006]. Now we have succeeded in building custom three-dimensional structures that can be conceived as stacks of nearly flat layers of DNA. Successful extension from two dimensions to three dimensions in this way depended critically on calibration of folding conditions. A general capability for building complex, three-dimensional nanostructures will be of great interest to biologists, chemists, physicists, engineers, and computer scientists.
Cost-effectiveness of serotesting compared with universal immunization for varicella in refugee children from six geographic regions.

Background It is unknown whether it is more cost-effective to test for varicella antibody or to immunize without testing in immigrant populations. The reliability of history of varicella disease is also unclear. Methods The prevalences of varicella antibody in immigrant children from six regions of the world were used in a cost-effectiveness model to calculate the antibody prevalence above which it is more cost-effective to test rather than to immunize. History of varicella disease was obtained from chart review. We calculated the positive and negative predictive values of varicella history by age group and region. Results The prevalence of varicella antibody above which it is more cost-effective to test than to immunize was 34% for children less than 13 years old and 17% for those aged 13 years and older. Overall, the positive predictive value of varicella history was 93–100% and the negative predictive value of varicella history was 28–66% among the six geographic regions. Conclusion Immunization without serotesting was cost-effective in children <5 years of age. Testing prior to immunization was cost-effective in children 5 years of age and older. History of varicella was a good predictor of the presence of antibody to varicella, whereas a negative history was a poor predictor of the absence of antibody to varicella.
Toward a model curriculum in mental health administration

In leadership and management, trial and error is an inefficient way for administrators to gain knowledge and experience. Graduate training in mental health administration is now essential. This article suggests a model curriculum in mental health administration and discusses the wisdom of introducing such programs into existing graduate programs in health or public health administration. A one year practicum under an experienced administrator is recommended as an integral part of graduate training in mental health administration.
An assay for the detection of specific binding of 3-methylcholanthrene to rat liver cytosolic proteins using DEAE-cellulose.

Abstract A method for the detection of the specific binding of 3-methylcholanthrene to rat liver cytosolic proteins is described. The separation of the protein-bound 3-methylcholanthrene from the free 3-methylcholanthrene was achieved using a batch DEAE-cellulose technique. Extraction of the DEAE-cellulose with 0.3 m KCl allowed the selective release and measurement of the amount of protein-bound 3-methylcholanthrene. The assay was optimized for the following parameters: time of incubation with DEAE-cellulose, time required for salt extraction, protein concentration, the concentration of KCl required to elute the specific binding proteins, the amount of DEAE-cellulose required to bind the specific binding proteins, and ligand specificity. The sedimentation properties of those 3-methylcholanthrene-binding proteins which were extracted with salt from DEAE-cellulose were examined on 5 to 20% sucrose gradients; the major binding species sedimented as a broad peak at 4.5 S.
Virtual states, dynamic localization, absolute negative conductance and stimulated multiphoton emission in semiconductor superlattices

We report the observation of dynamic localization, absolute negative conductance (ANC) and multiphoton stimulated emission in sequential resonant tunnelling semiconductor superlattice bow-tie antenna coupled to intense terahertz electric fields. Perhaps the most remarkable observation is that with increasing terahertz field strength the conductance near zero d.c. bias decreases towards zero and then becomes negative. The results presented here compare favourably with a model in which virtual states, familiar from nonlinear optics, take a role similar to the unperturbed quantum well states.
High salt tolerance potential in Lycopersicon species during germination

The potential to improve seed germination responses to salinity was evaluated for 13 accessions representing six wild Lycopersicon species and 20 accessions of L. esculentum. Germination response times increased in all accessions at 100 mM NaCl. Analysis indicated that one accession of L. peruvianum (PI126435) germinated faster under high salinity than all other accessions and was closely followed by L. pennellii (LA716). The fastest germinating L. esculentum accession, PI174263, ranked third. Additional wild ecotypes exhibiting rapid germination at 100 mM NaCl were identified among L. pimpinellifolium and L. peruvianum.
The effect of pre-existing voids on the ductile fracture of silver

Etude par la methode d'implantation des bulles de vapeur d'eau de l'influence des cavites preexistantes sur la rupture ductile d'echantillons d'argent soumis a des essais de traction a 298 K. Les echantillons sont severement fragilises par la presence de cavites aux joints de grains. Les resultats ne sont pas en accord avec le modele de plasticite en milieu continu qui sous-estime l'etendue de la fragilisation. Par contre, les resultats s'accordent avec un modele geometrique simple de localisation du cisaillement a proximite des joints de grains
A spatial extension of CIELAB for digital color‐image reproduction

Abstract— We describe a spatial extension to the CIELAB color metric that is useful for measuring color reproduction errors of digital images. To compute the error, digital color images are spatially filtered using a pattern-color separable method and then converted into the CIELAB representation. Over patterned regions of the image, the reproduction errors measured using the spatial extension of CIELAB correspond to perceived color errors better than errors computed without the spatial extension. Over uniform spatial regions of the image, errors computed with the extension are equal to errors computed using the standard CIELAB formulae.
On the Nature of First Democratic Elections

This article investigates voting behavior and policy outcomes when violence can occur after the election. The author finds that under complete information, voters will prefer the weak party—that is, the party that is the least capable of controlling violence. Under incomplete information, however, violence might occur, and voters could prefer the party the most capable of controlling violence. Finally, the author shows that despite this likely voting outcome, the weak party will choose to participate nonaggressively in the election, providing legitimacy to the new democratic process.