cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antenatal screening: its use in assessing obstetric risk factors in Zimbabwe.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--To assess the predictive utility of obstetric risk factors for identifying before the onset of labour those women at high risk of obstetric complications in a developing world setting, where home deliveries predominate and emergency transport is scarce. DESIGN--Risk factors derived from two population based, case-control studies (one of cephalopelvic disproportion and one of post partum haemorrhage), carried out in Zimbabwe were used to construct weighted and unweighted scores, a variety of screening algorithms, and sets of probabilities estimated from logistic regression models. These screening tests were evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and "cost" (the proportion of the population testing positive). Each complication was evaluated separately and the two were then pooled. PARTICIPANTS--All were Harare residents with singleton, vertex deliveries and spontaneous onset of labour. A total of 201 experienced cephalopelvic disproportion, 150 had post partum haemorrhage, and 299 had normal, unassisted deliveries. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Largely because of the very low incidence of the two complications studied (1% or less), positive predictive values were low (less than 7%). Holding "cost" constant at 10%, a screening test for cephalopelvic disproportion could predict 42.3% of cases compared with only 35.0% of those with post partum haemorrhage. Weighted scores had little advantage over unweighted ones, and probabilities from the logistic regression models did not differentiate cases from controls very well. CONCLUSIONS--With simple algorithms based on maternal height, parity, and obstetric history, more than one third of women at risk for potentially fatal complications could be identified at relatively small cost to themselves or the health care system.
Dynamic Response Optimization of Asymmetrically Configured Piezoelectric Fans

Piezoelectric fans typically consist of one piezoelectric patch bonded on one side of a thin, flexible elastic beam. The fan is excited at resonance and used to drive unsteady flows to cool microelectronics components. Field equations of the coupled structure governing the coupled longitudinal and bending motions of the fan are derived using linear constitutive equations, slender beam approximations, and Hamilton’s principle. Analytical solutions are found to the coupled eigenvalue problem. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions for closed and open circuited configurations are predicted analytically and are found to be in excellent agreement with three-dimensional finite element results. Electromechanical Coupling Factors (EMCF) are computed using the analytical and finite element models and optimal fan geometries are identified for maximal EMCF. The analytical solution provides a convenient tool for the optimal design of such fans.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Community Climate System Model Version 4

AbstractThe fourth version of the Community Climate System Model (CCSM4) was recently completed and released to the climate community. This paper describes developments to all CCSM components, and documents fully coupled preindustrial control runs compared to the previous version, CCSM3. Using the standard atmosphere and land resolution of 1° results in the sea surface temperature biases in the major upwelling regions being comparable to the 1.4°-resolution CCSM3. Two changes to the deep convection scheme in the atmosphere component result in CCSM4 producing El Nino–Southern Oscillation variability with a much more realistic frequency distribution than in CCSM3, although the amplitude is too large compared to observations. These changes also improve the Madden–Julian oscillation and the frequency distribution of tropical precipitation. A new overflow parameterization in the ocean component leads to an improved simulation of the Gulf Stream path and the North Atlantic Ocean meridional overturning circulati...
The distribution of stars in galactic nuclei - Loaded polytropes

We consider the structure of a galactic nucleus in which a compact supermassive object (e.g., a black hole or spinar) is embedded. The surrounding stars are assumed to satisfy a polytropic or isothermal equation of state. The density distribution of these loaded polytropes has a sharp central spike in which the time scale for stellar collisions can be short. Other properties of loaded polytropes, such as their masses, radii, projected density distribution, relaxation times, and stability, can also differ significantly from those of normal polytropes.
The thin film reactions—Mg2Si and VSi2

Abstract Subsequent to the deposition and annealing of either V or Mg on Si, the reaction to form VSi 2 or Mg 2 Si was analyzed using the following: X-ray diffraction to detect compound formation, AES to locate the two suicide interfaces, and SIMS to follow the diffusive separation of the natural abundance of Mg isotopes in the compound. The SIMS data show that the more massive Mg isotopes are found further from the Mg/Mg 2 Si interface. Such an observation is consistent with Mg being the mobile isotope in the reaction and with grain boundary diffusion being the dominant kinetic mechanism of film growth. Silicon isotope separation was not found for either reaction; however, silicon is not mobile in Mg 2 Si formation so separation is not expected. The thickening kinetics for both reactions is parabolic.
Interaction of nickel with mutagens in the induction of sister chromatid exchanges in human lymphocytes.

Abstract In this study, individual treatments of human lymphocytes with Ni(II) [0.5–25 μM], Cr(VI) [0.65–1.30 μM], UV-light or X-rays induced SCEs in a dose-dependent fashion, and combined treatments of Ni(II) with Cr(VI), UV-light or X-rays interacted antagonistically. Nickel, at environmentaly relevant exposure levels, cna have the effect in complex mixtures of reducing an otherwise positive SCE response and could lead to underestimating human exposures to certain classes of chemicals or radiation. Furthermore, our data indicate that antagonism may occure when human lymphocytes are exposed simultaneously to Ni(II) and Cr(VI), suggesting an explanation for epidemiological studies reporting conflicting results for cytogenetic effects in lymphocytes of workers exposed to chromium and nickel.
Quality of Care Assessment: Policy Relevant Issues*

This paper reviews the quality assessment literature, presents a study which compares five different methods of assessing quality of care, and proposes policy recommendations. Results are: (1) Most quality assessment issues are a century old. (2) The results of assessment of quality of care are dependent on the method used; therefore, more methodologic research is needed. (3) The use of lists of criteria, concerning what a physician does, to assess quality of care could result in decreased efficiency in the health system by requiring the performance of ineffective procedures. (4) It is not certain that examination of the level of care rendered will increase the health level of the population; therefore, any national program which assesses quality of care must be prospectively evaluated. (5) A quality assessment system must be concerned with both the population who received services at the institution, and the population who did not but for whom the institution is responsible.
Creating successful calculus writing assignments

I discuss three different writing assignments that I have used in my calculus courses. These assignments are introduced with a discussion of purpose and audience. Defining these qualities of an assignment will ensure that writing assignments are more successful. The assignments discussed and explored here represent three different purposes: personal, informational, and a blend of the two. The audiences for these assignments are diverse and force the students to incorporate particular modes of writing that demonstrate much of their thinking. Assessment of student learning as a result of these assignments is discussed. A fourth writing assignment is developed from a basic idea in order to illustrate the use of purpose and audience to create meaningful assignments.
Tumor promoters induce changes in the chick embryo fibroblast cytoskeleton

Abstract We have examined the effect of the tumor promoter, 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate (TPA), on the actin-containing elements of the cytoskeleton of chick embryo fibroblasts (CEF). TPA at concentrations as low as 7.3 × 10 −10 M induces a reversible change in the cytoskeleton as visualized by indirect immunofluorescence using anti-actin antibodies. Cells incubated with TPA lose the ordered actin-containing structures found in normal cells and resemble Rous sarcoma virus-transformed cells in that the immunofluorescent actin pattern is diffuse. The TPA effects are both dose- and time-dependent. Analogs of TPA which are inactive as tumor promoters do not induce cytoskeletal changes at the concentrations tested, while a second tumor promoter, PDD, is also able to cause alterations in actin-containing structures. The action of TPA requires de novo synthesis of both RNA and protein. The direct cytoskeletal changes are neither plasmin-dependent nor subject to inhibition by incubating the cells with high levels of protease inhibitors during the exposure to TPA. However, plasminogen does increase the sensitivity of cells to TPA.
Leisure Preferences of Elementary-Aged Learning Disabled Boys

Leisure preferences of fourth, fifth, and sixth grade learning disabled (LD) boys were investigated. Results indicate that there are more similarities than differences in leisure choices, although a few minor differences surfaced. LD boys in these grades generally prefer the same types of after-school and weekend activities, and the same sports, hobbies, and television shows as their non-LD peers. If accurate, these results have important implications for selection of instructional materials and promotion of social integration.
Qualitative methods to explore health issues among young moldovans

The purpose of this study was to explore perceptions of health-related issues among youth residing in Chisinau, Moldova, through a combination of photovoice and focus group methodologies. During June, 2011, 13 youth, aged 10 to 17, participated in photovoice and focus group sessions. Participants were instructed to take between 10 and 20 photographs, over a 7 day period, representing health-related issues in their community. During focus group sessions, participants, as a group, were asked to sort photographs into piles based on similarly and/or themes. The SHOWeD mnemonic method was used to guide discussion about photographs from a personal to social level. Content analyses were used to summarize and interpret collected data. Seven common themes emerged across both focus groups, including: (1) abundance of garbage in public spaces; (2) homeless dogs wandering the streets; (3) unsafe drinking water; (4) individuals engaging in risky health behaviors, including cigarette smoking and alcohol use; (5) large number of individuals with limited financial resources; (6) considerable number of individuals forced to live in suboptimal living conditions; and (7) poor road and sidewalk conditions. CBPR methods, including photovoice and focus groups, offer promise in gathering valuable information to inform health-related policy in Moldova in the future.
A Synaptic Basis for Auditory–Vocal Integration in the Songbird

Songbirds learn to sing by memorizing a tutor song that they then vocally mimic using auditory feedback. This developmental sequence suggests that brain areas that encode auditory memories communicate with brain areas for learned vocal control. In the songbird, the secondary auditory telencephalic region caudal mesopallium (CM) contains neurons that encode aspects of auditory experience. We investigated whether CM is an important source of auditory input to two sensorimotor structures implicated in singing, the telencephalic song nucleus interface (NIf) and HVC. We used reversible inactivation methods to show that activity in CM is necessary for much of the auditory-evoked activity that can be detected in NIf and HVC of anesthetized adult male zebra finches. Furthermore, extracellular and intracellular recordings along with spike-triggered averaging methods indicate that auditory selectivity for the bird's own song is enhanced between CM and NIf. We used lentiviral-mediated tracing methods to confirm that CM neurons directly innervate NIf. To our surprise, these tracing studies also revealed a direct projection from CM to HVC. We combined irreversible lesions of NIf with reversible inactivation of CM to establish that CM supplies a direct source of auditory drive to HVC. Finally, using chronic recording methods, we found that CM neurons are active in response to song playback and during singing, indicating their potential importance to song perception and processing of auditory feedback. These results establish the functional synaptic linkage between sites of auditory and vocal learning and may identify an important substrate for learned vocal communication.
Water-Based Magnetic Fluids as Extractants for Synthetic Organic Compounds

This paper describes a class of water-based magnetic fluids that are specifically tailored to extract soluble organic compounds from water. These magnetic fluids are prepared by precipitation and consist of a suspension of ∼7.5 nm magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles coated with a ∼9 nm bifunctional polymer layer comprised of an outer hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) region for colloidal stability and an inner hydrophobic poly(propylene oxide) (PPO) region for solubilization of organic compounds. The particles exhibit a high capacity for organic solutes, with partition coefficients between the polymer coating and water on the order of 103−105, which is consistent with values reported for solubilization of these organics in PEO−PPO−PEO block copolymer micelles. In bench-scale experiments, high-gradient magnetic separation (HGMS) is able to recover the nanoparticles with 98% efficiency. Process options for particle regeneration in water purification applications are discussed.
Immunohistochemical stains in Mohs surgery: a review.

BACKGROUND During Mohs surgery, there are instances in which residual tumor cells may be difficult to detect, thereby increasing the risk of incomplete excision and tumor recurrence. It is possible to employ immunohistochemical techniques as an adjunct to routine hematoxylin and eosin staining to aid in ensuring negative margins. OBJECTIVE To review the literature regarding the use of immunostains in Mohs surgery. RESULTS Various immunostains have proved useful in detecting tumor cells in various malignancies, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, extramammary Paget's disease, primary cutaneous mucinous carcinoma, granular cell tumor, and trichilemmal carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS In this article, we review immunohistochemical stains that have been employed in Mohs micrographic surgery and evaluate their utility in enhancing detection of residual tumors with respect to tumor type, particularly in situations in which detection of residual tumor may be difficult.
Global analysis of the HrpL regulon in the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000 reveals new regulon members with diverse functions.

The type III secretion system (T3SS) is required for virulence in the gram-negative plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato DC3000. The alternative sigma factor HrpL directly regulates expression of T3SS genes via a promoter sequence, often designated as the “hrp promoter.” Although the HrpL regulon has been extensively investigated in DC3000, it is not known whether additional regulon members remain to be found. To systematically search for HrpL-regulated genes, we used chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-Seq) and bulk mRNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to identify HrpL-binding sites and likely hrp promoters. The analysis recovered 73 sites of interest, including 20 sites that represent new hrp promoters. The new promoters lie upstream of a diverse set of genes encoding potential regulators, enzymes and hypothetical proteins. PSPTO_5633 is the only new HrpL regulon member that is potentially an effector and is now designated HopBM1. Deletions in several other new regulon members, including PSPTO_5633, PSPTO_0371, PSPTO_2130, PSPTO_2691, PSPTO_2696, PSPTO_3331, and PSPTO_5240, in either DC3000 or ΔhopQ1-1 backgrounds, do not affect the hypersensitive response or in planta growth of the resulting strains. Many new HrpL regulon members appear to be unrelated to the T3SS, and orthologs for some of these can be identified in numerous non-pathogenic bacteria. With the identification of 20 new hrp promoters, the list of HrpL regulon members is approaching saturation and most likely includes all DC3000 effectors.
Artifact Processing During Exercise Testing

In signal processing of exercise electrocardiograms (ECGs), artifacts are a recurring problem. It is still difficult to discriminate the ECG curves from artifacts, especially in exercise ECGs and particularly in the high exercise phase. We focused on the artifact problem and worked on two new topics: the Finite Impulse Response Residual Filtering (FRF) algorithm and the Intelligent Lead Switch algorithm. The FRF algorithm reduces the baseline wander and muscle noise in the ECG stream, with much less distortion of the QRS complexes. It subtracts a continuously updated median beat from the current ECG, filters the residual signal with a high-pass and a low-pass filter, and adds the median beat to the filtered residual signal. The Intelligent Lead Switch algorithm takes advantage of the redundancy of a multilead system (eg, standard leads), which is nowadays used during exercise testing. It selects the best leads for QRS detection and thus improves the heart rate calculation, ST segment evaluation, and arrhythmia classification.
Interoperability of Verilog/VHDL procedural language interfaces to build a mixed language GUI

Nowadays, designs become more and more complex and are often developed by several teams that may use different Hardware Description Languages. Mixed Verilog/VHDL designs are proliferating because teams choose different languages or because they are importing intellectual property libraries of VHDL or Verilog cells. The authors of paper [1] which compares Verilog and VHDL semantics conclude that there is enough overlap between the two languages for tools vendors to consider building bilingual tools such as compilers, simulators etc... In this paper we analyze the requirements for a mixed language GUI and explain how the compatibility and interoperability of the standard Verilog and VHDL language procedural interfaces was key to build SimVision, Cadence NCSimulator graphical debugging and verification environment. The principles highlighted in this paper can also be applied to other kinds of applications such as Verilog/VHDL cosimulation, testbench generation etc... In the following, we will focus on the problems inherent to a Verilog/VHDL GUI development. In a mixed language design, the language boundaries are very clearly defined and language construct mixing exist only at the instance level. VHDL can be instantiated from within a Verilog module and Verilog modules can appear as sub-instances of a VHDL instance. Usually, models are integrated by the generation of a shell or by direct instantiation. The shell methodology seems to be the preferred way for importing foreign models. A shell is the interface to the model and is written in the HDL language of the instantiating parent scope. A shell does not add an extra level of design hierarchy; it simply places the behavior of the imported model in the design. The shell bridges the differences in the language syntax and creates correspondence between the language constructs. All communication issues between the languages are localized in the shell. In the case where a shell interfaces a VHDL description to a Verilog environment, the shell is a Verilog compliant module definition equivalent to the VHDL entity description. The shell only specifies the interface (ports, parameters) while the behavior is left expressed in VHDL. This constitutes a typical mixed language use model. In this model, the challenges for a debug and verification environment are: 1) to have the capability to refer to, select any object, whether it belongs to a Verilog or VHDL instance, 2) to be able to navigate through the hierarchy and follow net connections in either language domains, 3) to be able to set, get the value of any object in the design, 4) to have a language sensitive graphical debug context (menus, messages) which adapts to the user actions.
Imagery-induced interference on a visual detection task

The literature on the interaction between visual imagery and visual perception provides conflicting outcomes. Some studies show imagery interferes with perception whereas others show facilitation on perceptual tasks. The effects of visual imagery on a detection task were examined in six experiments. When either a bar image (Experiment 1) or an image of the letter 'l' (Experiment 3) overlapped with the targets, interference was discovered; however, images not overlapping the target did not effect detection (Experiments 2 and 4). Increasing the number of target locations caused the interfering effects of the image to disappear; however, there was no evidence of facilitation (Experiment 5). Physical stimuli interfered with detection whether there was overlap or not (Experiment 6). The results indicate that imagery induced interference may be lessened with more complex visual displays.
Effects of sublethal radiation on bone marrow cells: induction of apoptosis and inhibition of antibody formation

Abstract As part of the study to investigate the mechanism of radiation-induced immunosuppression, the survival and functional ability of bone marrow cells was analyzed by exposing C57Bl/6 mice whole body to 2.0-Gy γ-rays. There was a rapid induction of DNA fragmentation in the total bone marrow cells and the kinetics indicated that apoptosis reached a peak by 4 h and then dropped back to normal control levels within 10 h after irradiation. To determine the functional ability of bone marrow cells which survive the radiation treatment, animals were immunized with antigen trinitrophenyl (TNP)-lipopolysaccharide. There was a significant decrease of anti-TNP plaque-forming cells in the bone marrow of irradiated mice compared to control animals. Flow cytometric analysis of bone marrow revealed a significant depletion of both immature (B220 + , Ig − ) as well as mature (B220 + , Ig + ) B cells compared to control group. In summary, the present study showed that sublethal whole body irradiation inhibits antibody responses elicited by bone marrow cells. This decreased immune response may have been due to depletion of B lineage subsets as well as generalized apoptosis in the entire bone marrow cells
TEMPERATURE EFFECT ON PRECIPITATION OF CALCIUM CARBONATE FROM CALCIUM BICARBONATE SOLUTIONS AND ITS APPLICATION TO CAVERN ENVIRONMENTS

SUMMARY Solutions of calcium bicarbonate were allowed to lose carbon dioxide and evaporate to dryness under controlled temperature conditions. With filtered solutions prepared from spar calcite, precipitates were 100% calcite in the 2° to 100°C temperature range. When, in analogous experiments, coralline aragonite was the starting material, the precipitates were 100% calcite. Essentially the same was true when carbonate rocks from karst areas were used to prepare the experimental solutions. An artificially prepared mixture (maximum crystal size of about 7 u) of 70% aragonite and 30% calcite was also used in the study. The precipitates from this starting material were apparently affected by seed nuclei which passed through the filter. The stability of calcium carbonate seed nuclei appears to vary with temperature. Natural calcium bicarbonate solutions from caves yielded only calcite at 25°C. Calcite should be the dominant or only polymorph of CaCO3 formed by the loss of carbon dioxide and evaporation of natural calcium bicarbonate solutions if temperature is the controlling factor. Since appreciable amounts of aragonite are found in many cave deposits, factors other than temperature must influence the polymorphs formed. POBEGUIN (1955) proposed that rapid evaporation and slow diffusion of solutions favor aragonite. If so, layers of aragonite and calcite in speleothems may reprsent alternate wet and dry paleoclimates. During these periods, rate of introduction of solution and rate of evaporation would change markedly.
Detrusor overactivity leak point pressure in women with urgency incontinence

Introduction and hypothesis When incontinence accompanies detrusor overactivity (DO), the pressure at which it occurs may have important predictive value and should be termed DO leak point pressure (DOLPP).
Power Management of Extreme-Scale Networks with On/Off Links in Runtime Systems

Networks are among major power consumers in large-scale parallel systems. During execution of common parallel applications, a sizeable fraction of the links in the high-radix interconnects are either never used or are underutilized. We propose a runtime system based adaptive approach to turn off unused links, which has various advantages over the previously proposed hardware and compiler based approaches. We discuss why the runtime system is the best system component to accomplish this task, and test the effectiveness of our approach using real applications (including NAMD, MILC), and application benchmarks (including NAS Parallel Benchmarks, Stencil). These codes are simulated on representative topologies such as 6-D Torus and multilevel directly connected network (similar to IBM PERCS in Power 775 and Dragonfly in Cray Aries). For common applications with near-neighbor communication pattern, our approach can save up to 20p of total machine's power and energy, without any performance penalty.
Relationship between Rational Thinking and Belief in a Just World

The relationship between rational thinking and belief in a just world was examined using scores on the Rational Behavior Inventory and the Just World Scale from 129 undergraduate students. It was h...
Correlations between somatosensory thalamic activity and cortical rhythms.

Abstract (1) Extracellular single neuron and associated focal slow potential recordings were made in the thalamic nucleus ventralis posterior (VP), together with somatosensory cortical ECoGs, from cats with lesions of the dorsal column nuclei and adjacent structures, and from cats without such lesions. Rhythmic activity was measured by computing autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions and by averaging slow potentials, when patterns varied spontaneously or when they were altered by stimulating the midbrain reticular formation or by injecting small amounts of sodium thiopental. The most prominent rhythmic pattern was an essentially continuous, typically 80 msec (type A) periodic modulation of slow potentials and of single VP projection neuron spike trains in both lesion and non-lesion cats. (2) Activity with periods shorter than 65 msec (type B) was sometimes observed, and was accompanied by arrhythmic, fast activity in adjacent non-primary cortex. Mean firing rates of VP projection neurons were higher than during type A activity, but periodic modulation of focal slow potentials and neuronal spike trains in VP was of low amplitude or was not detectable. (3) Cross-correlations demonstrated that type A rhythmicity was substantially coherent between pairs of neighboring neurons, between different somatosensory ECoG recording sites, and between ECoG and VP slow potentials. The data suggest that A periodicity represents relatively weak, but widespread and coherent, centrally arising oscillations of activity at thalamic and cortical somatosensory levels. (4) Most of the innervated VP neurons showing coherent type A periodicity gave rapidly adapting responses to movement of hairs. Neurons innervated by slowly adapting cutaneous receptors and which also showed the central periodicity were uncommon. (5) Stimulation of the midbrain reticular formation usually transformed type A into type B ECoG patterns and concurrently increased the mean firing rates of VP neurons, but occasionally evoked type A activity in initially arrhythmic VP and PS recordings. (6) Administration of small amounts of thiopental transformed type B into type A activity with concurrent reductions in firing rates of VP neurons. Administration of thiopental during type A activity led to discontinuous, spindle-like activity and lower firing rates of individual neurons, with a small increase in length of the period. The results suggest that the period of type B activity varies with the level of activity in convergent pathways and is probably controlled at a site external to VP. In contrast, the period of type A activity is relatively stable and is evidently determined by the mechanism which also times spindle activity in VP. However, sustained type A rhythmic activity probably requires activity in convergent extrathalamic pathways.
Modification of otoacoustic emissions following ear-level exposure to MP3 player music.

The purpose of this study was to examine if a pre-determined exposure level and duration of MP3 player music would result in significant changes in cochlear function when measured with audiometric and physiological methods. Distortion-product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs), synchronized spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs), and hearing thresholds were measured in 20 normal-hearing adults before and after a 30-minute MP3 player music exposure. DPOAEs were acquired with 65/45 dB SPL primary tones (f2=0.842–7.996 kHz) with a frequency resolution of 8 points/octave. A probe microphone system recorded ear-canal music levels and was used to equalize levels at approximately 85 dBC across individuals during the music presentation. Comparison of pre- and post-exposure measurements revealed no significant differences in hearing thresholds, but DPOAE levels in half-octave bands centered from 1.4–6.0 kHz were significantly reduced following the music exposure. Post-exposure shifts in SSOAE frequency and level w...
GnRH pulse frequency-dependent differential regulation of LH and FSH gene expression

The pituitary gonadotropin hormones, FSH and LH, are essential for fertility. Containing an identical α-subunit (CGA), they are comprised of unique β-subunits, FSHβ and LHβ, respectively. These two hormones are regulated by the hypothalamic decapeptide, GnRH, which is released in a pulsatile manner from GnRH neurons located in the hypothalamus. Varying frequencies of pulsatile GnRH stimulate distinct signaling pathways and transcriptional machinery after binding to the receptor, GnRHR, on the cell surface of anterior pituitary gonadotropes. This ligand-receptor binding and activation orchestrates the synthesis and release of FSH and LH, in synergy with other effectors of gonadotropin production, such as activin, inhibin and steroids. Current research efforts aim to discover the mechanisms responsible for the decoding of the GnRH pulse signal by the gonadotrope. Modulating the response to GnRH has the potential to lead to new therapies for patients with altered gonadotropin secretion, such as those with hypothalamic amenorrhea or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Health Literacy is associated with Healthy Eating Index Scores and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake: Findings from the Rural Lower Mississippi Delta

Abstract Background Although health literacy has been a public health priority area for more than a decade, the relationship between health literacy and dietary quality has not been thoroughly explored. Objective To evaluate health literacy skills in relation to Healthy Eating Index (HEI) scores and sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption while accounting for demographic variables. Design Cross-sectional survey. Participants/setting A community-based proportional sample of adults residing in the rural Lower Mississippi Delta. Methods Instruments included a validated 158-item regional food frequency questionnaire and the Newest Vital Sign (scores range 0 to 6) to assess health literacy. Statistical analyses performed Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, and multivariate linear regression. Results Of 376 participants, the majority were African American (67.6%), without a college degree (71.5%), and household income level R 2 =0.24; F =18.8; P R 2 =0.15; F =6.3; P Conclusions Although health literacy has been linked to numerous poor health outcomes, to our knowledge this is the first investigation to establish a relationship between health literacy and HEI scores and SSB consumption. Our study suggests that understanding the causes and consequences of limited health literacy is an important factor in promoting compliance to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Analytical Descriptions of Subaqueous Groundwater Seepage

Direct measurements of groundwater seepage show the importance of subaqueous discharges as sources of fresh water and of dissolved chemicals to lakes and the coastal ocean. The rate of seepage decreases rapidly offshore; an analytical solution was developed that describes the discharge as Ki(In(coth πxk/4l))/k where i is the hydraulic gradient, K is the vertical hydraulic conductivity,l is the aquifer thickness, x is the distance from the shoreline, and k2 is K divided by the horizontal hydraulic conductivity. In addition to variations due to the inhomogeneities in the aquifer, seepage into the coastal ocean involves some recirculation of the salt water. In Great South Bay, New York measured fluxes were as great as 150 I m−2 d−1. The discharge near the shore was typically 50 I m−2 d−1, decreasing to 30 1 m−2 d−1 at a distance of 100 m offshore. Secondary convection due to an unstable density structure at the sediment-water interface may also be superimposed on the seepage distribution. Fingers of salt should be capable of carrying marine water many decimenters downward against the fresh groundwater advection. As a result, care must be exercised in interpreting direct measures of seepage flux to recognize the contribution of recirculated seawater.
Fully ramified subgroups

A configuration that occurs often in character theory of solvable groups, and therefore has been the object of much research, is that of fully ramified sections; see [7, 6,4, 23. A normal subgroup H of G is said to be fully ramified in G, if there exists an irreducible character 0 of H, such that 0’ = Ed, for x some irreducible character of G, and xH = e0. The purpose of this paper is to study a generalization of this situation which seems to occur quite often, that is, when H is not known to be normal. A technique is developed to study such situations based on the following result:
A nondestructive spray reagent for the detection of prostaglandins and other lipids on thin layer chromatograms

The spray reagent 8-hydroxy-1,3,6-pyrenetrisulfonic acid trisodium salt (10 mg/100 ml methanol) is extremely sensitive for locating prostaglandins on thin layer chromatograms. This reagent does not alter the PG, nor interfere with liquid scintillation counting.
Designing lipids for selective partitioning into liquid ordered membrane domains

Self-organization of lipid molecules into specific membrane phases is key to the development of hierarchical molecular assemblies that mimic cellular structures. While the packing interaction of the lipid tails should provide the major driving force to direct lipid partitioning to ordered or disordered membrane domains, numerous examples show that the headgroup and spacer play important but undefined roles. We report here the development of several new biotinylated lipids that examine the role of spacer chemistry and structure on membrane phase partitioning. The new lipids were prepared with varying lengths of low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (EGn) spacers to examine how spacer hydrophilicity and length influence their partitioning behavior following binding with FITC-labeled streptavidin in liquid ordered (Lo) and liquid disordered (Ld) phase coexisting membranes. Partitioning coefficients (Kp Lo/Ld) of the biotinylated lipids were determined using fluorescence measurements in studies with giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Compared against DPPE-biotin, DPPE-cap-biotin, and DSPE-PEG2000-biotin lipids, the new dipalmityl-EGn-biotin lipids exhibited markedly enhanced partitioning into liquid ordered domains, achieving Kp of up to 7.3 with a decaethylene glycol spacer (DP-EG10-biotin). We further demonstrated biological relevance of the lipids with selective partitioning to lipid raft-like domains observed in giant plasma membrane vesicles (GPMVs) derived from mammalian cells. Our results found that the spacer group not only plays a pivotal role for designing lipids with phase selectivity but may also influence the structural order of the domain assemblies.
Characterization of a lymph node within the mouse prostate: Detailed analysis using whole mount histology.

BACKGROUND Due to the prevalence of prostate disease, there is a growing interest in the immunobiology of the prostate and its contribution to such pathologies. Further study is needed to fully characterize immune responses within the prostate. METHODS Mouse ventral prostates were removed and analyzed using conventional immunohistochemistry, or by a novel whole mount technique, which allows the visualization of complete structures within the prostate. RESULTS A lymphoid structure was detected within the base of the mouse ventral prostate. Whole mount and cryostat sections revealed an organized arrangement of lymphocytes, along with dendritic cells interspersed throughout the node. It possessed a rich network of lymph node specific high endothelial venules (HEVs) and adjoining lymphatics containing immune cells. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate the presence of a lymphoid structure within the base of the mouse ventral prostate possessing traits characteristic of an organized peripheral lymph node. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Microscale Chloride Sensor

Measurements of chloride concentration are important in a range of applications. We report here on our progress toward the fabrication and testing of small, inexpensive chloride sensors integrated with sensing electronics on a CMOS chip. We describe and demonstrate a process for formation of gold and silver chloride/ silver electrodes on a CMOS chip. Cyclic voltammetry is performed on chip-scale electrodes and the test results are discussed.
Solar Tidal Friction and Satellite Loss

This paper treats the dynamical evolution of a satellite orbiting a primary that is being despun by solar tidal friction. The results are then applied to Mercury and Venus. It is concluded that a wide variety of satellites would not have survived the solar tidal braking of these planets. Hence, the absence of satellites around Mercury and Venus is not a compelling reason for thinking that this has always been the situation. Satellites are lost by orbital decay and impact with the primary. It is likely that Mercury would retain a record of such an event on its surface.
Voice in high-stakes L1 academic writing assessment: Implications for L2 writing instruction

Despite the debate among writing researchers about its viability as a pedagogical tool in writing instruction [e.g., Helms-Park, R., & Stapleton, P. (2003). Questioning the importance of individualized voice in undergraduate L2 argumentative writing: An empirical study with pedagogical implications. Journal of Second Language Writing, 12 (3), 245–265; Stapleton, P. (2002). Critiquing voice as a viable pedagogical tool in L2 writing: Returning spotlight to ideas. Journal of Second Language Writing, 11 (3), 177–190], voice remains one of the constructs commonly addressed in learning standards and assessed in high-stakes English Language Arts tests. It is assumed, therefore, that the presence of a strong authorial voice plays an important role in the evaluation of the overall quality of students’ writing. In reality, however, there is a critical lack of empirical research that explores the nature and characteristics of the relationship between voice and overall writing quality. The present study builds on and extends the work of Helms-Park and Stapleton [Helms-Park, R., & Stapleton, P. (2003). Questioning the importance of individualized voice in undergraduate L2 argumentative writing: An empirical study with pedagogical implications. Journal of Second Language Writing, 12 (3), 245–265] and examines such a relationship in the context of an L1 high-stakes academic writing assessment. Results show a positive and significant relationship between voice intensity and writing quality, which contradicts what Helms-Park and Stapleton [Helms-Park, R., & Stapleton, P. (2003). Questioning the importance of individualized voice in undergraduate L2 argumentative writing: An empirical study with pedagogical implications. Journal of Second Language Writing, 12 (3), 245–265] found in the context of L2 argumentative writing. This study therefore contributes to the exploration of the role of voice in writing instruction and assessment.
Effects of Calendula officinalis on human gingival fibroblasts

Background Calendula officinalis is commonly called the marigold. It is a staple topical remedy in homeopathic medicine. It is rich in quercetin, carotenoids, lutein, lycopene, rutin, ubiquinone, xanthophylls, and other anti-oxidants. It has anti-inflammatory properties. Quercetin, one of the active components in Calendula , has been shown to inhibit recombinant human matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and decrease the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β (IL), IL-6 and IL-8 in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and calcium ionophore-stimulated human mast cells. Objectives To examine the effects of Calendula on human gingival fibroblast (HGF) mediated collagen degradation and MMP activity. Material and methods Lactate dehydrogenate assays were performed to determine the non-toxic concentrations of Calendula , doxycycline and quercetin. Cell-mediated collagen degradation assays were performed to examine the inhibitory effect on cell-mediated collagen degradation. Gelatin zymography was performed to examine their effects on MMP-2 activity. The experiments were repeated three times and ANOVA used for statistical analyses. Results Calendula at 2–3% completely inhibited the MMP-2 activity in the zymograms. Doxycycline inhibited HGF-mediated collagen degradation at 0.005, 0.01, 0.02 and 0.05%, and MMP-2 activity completely at 0.05%. Quercetin inhibited HGF-mediated collagen degradation at 0.005, 0.01 and 0.02%, and MMP-2 activity in a dose-dependent manner. Calendula inhibited HGF-mediated collagen degradation and MMP-2 activity more than the same correlated concentration of pure quercetin. Conclusion Calendula inhibits HGF-mediated collagen degradation and MMP-2 activity more than the corresponding concentration of quercetin. This may be attributed to additional components in Calendula other than quercetin.
Multidisciplinary pain center outcomes in Washington State workers' compensation

We conducted this study to evaluate the clinical and disability status of injured workers 4.6 years after undergoing multidisciplinary pain center evaluation, comparing subjects who received treatment to subjects who were evaluated only. Three hundred injured workers were selected for a telephone survey; 150 had received pain center treatment and 150 had been evaluated but not treated. The survey included the SF-12, and questions about subjects' pain intensity and current work status. A workers 'compensation database indicated the disability status of subjects. The response rate was 50%. In multivariate analyses, treated and evaluated-only subjects did not differ significantly in disability status, pain intensity, SF-12 scores, or current work status. At 4. 6 years follow up, there was no evidence that pain center treatment affects either disability status or clinical status of injured workers.
RNA synthesis by isolated mammalian mitochondria and nuclei: Effects of ethidium bromide and acriflavin

Abstract The effects of ethidium bromide and acriflavin on RNA synthesis by isolated rat liver mitochondria and nuclei were studied. Mitochondrial RNA synthesis was found to be much more sensitive to these dyes than is nuclear RNA synthesis. At low concentrations both drugs actually stimulated RNA synthesis by isolated nuclei, but inhibited at higher concentrations. Thus, it was suggested that stimulation may be due to removal of repressors since RNA synthesis using solubilized rat liver RNA polymerase and naked DNA as template failed to show such stimulation and was inhibited by much lower concentrations of dyes. Acriflavin was less effective as an inhibitor than ethidium bromide at any given concentration. Results with calf liver organelles were identical to those obtained with rat liver.
Relationship of lipoproteins present in the larval haemolymph of the Southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, to feeding and diapause

1. 1. The functional properties of 3 lipoprotein fractions, designated lipoproteins 2–4, 5, and 8–9, were examined in the haemolymph of feeding and diapausing larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella. 2. 2. The lipid composition of the 3 fractions varied in last instar diapause-programmed larvae, reflecting a change from the feeding and storage of lipids in pre-diapausing larvae to the utilization of lipids during diapause. 3. 3. Lipoproteins 2–4 and 5 carried diglycerides as their major neutral lipid class, whereas lipoprotein 8–9 carried free fatty acids, triglycerides, hydrocarbons, and polar lipids as its major lipid classes. 4. 4. Lipoprotein 5 of early diapausing larvae fed corn tissue contained plant-derived pigments, including a derivative of α-carotene. 5. 5. Lipoprotein 8–9 was released in vitro from the fat body, and constituted a major protein fraction of the haemolymph of larvae, pupae, and adults. 6. 6. The protein components of lipoprotein 8–9 had the following characteristics: apparent molecular weights of about 5.2 × 105; isoelectric points of 5.5 and 5.65; and aspartate, glutamate, tyrosine and phenylalanine as their principal amino acids.
Matrix elements for Ĵ2 and Ĵz operators over explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian functions

General formalism for evaluation of multiparticle integrals involving J2 and Jz operators over explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian functions is presented. The integrals are expressed in terms of the general overlap integrals. An explicitly correlated Cartesian Gaussian function is a product of spherical orbital Gaussian functions, powers of the Cartesian coordinates of the particle, and exponential Gaussian factors, which depend on interparticular distances. This development is relevant to both adiabatic and nonadiabatic calculations of energy and properties of multiparticle systems. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.