cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evolution and Regulation of Genes for Growth Hormone and Prolactin

Prolactin (Prl), growth hormone (GH), and chorionic somatomammotropin (CS, placental lactogen) form a set of related polypeptide hormones that appear to have derived from a common evolutionary ancestor protein (Catt et al., 1967; Sherwood, 1967; Li et al., 1967; Niall et al., 1971). They are related by function, immunochemistry, and structure. All are lactogenic and growth-promoting, they are all of similar size (190–199 amino acids among various species), and they all have similar protein structures. Each hormone has a single homologous tryptophan residue at about locus 85 (GH and CS) or 91 (Prl), and two homologous disulfide bonds. The three hormones also each contain four internal regions of homology which are themselves homologous among the three hormones. Based on these observations from the amino acid sequencing data available in 1971, Niall et al. (1971) postulated that the three hormones had arisen by duplication of an ancestral hormone gene. Recombinant DNA technology now permits the detailed analysis of the gene sequences encoding these hormones, permitting reevaluation of this hypothesis from data describing the gene sequences themselves.
Comparative Study of Authenticated Encryption Targeting Lightweight IoT Applications

This article focuses on detecting attacks to power system with the help of cyber-physical co-modeling. The foundational algorithm used to detect attacks is a new dynamic state estimator that can provide real-tie models of the system improving over legacy state estimators and three-phase linear state estimators. This new system can help operators of the power grid detect when device settings have been tampered, and help identified the context of a command (i.e., under which conditions of the system are specific commands allowed). —Alvaro Cardenas, University of Texas at Dallas
Making a Federal Case of It: Removing Civil Cases to Federal Court Based on Fraudulent Joinder

The fraudulent joinder doctrine has played an increasingly frequent and critical role in determining whether many civil cases will be litigated in state court or federal court. Plaintiffs generally prefer state court while defendants generally prefer federal court. In cases against out-of-state defendants, plaintiffs have long attempted to defeat removal to federal court by joining claims against in-state defendants. For example, in many early tort actions against out-of-state railroads, plaintiffs also sued in-state railroad employees, thereby defeating complete diversity and preventing removal. Recognizing that plaintiffs should not be able to defeat a diverse defendant's right to remove by joining an in-state defendant when there is no reasonable basis for the plaintiff's claim against the in-state defendant, the Supreme Court established the fraudulent joinder doctrine pursuant to which a federal court ignores the citizenship of a fraudulently joined non-diverse or in-state defendant and assumes jurisdiction over the removed case.
Material-Efficient Microfluidic Platform for Exploratory Studies of Visible-Light Photoredox Catalysis.

We present an automated microfluidic platform for in-flow studies of visible-light photoredox catalysis in liquid or gas-liquid reactions at the 15 μL scale. An oscillatory flow strategy enables flexible residence time while preserving the mixing and heat transfer advantages of flow systems. The adjustable photon flux possible with the platform is characterized using actinometry. Case studies of oxidative hydroxylation of phenylboronic acids and dimerization of thiophenol demonstrate the capabilities and advantages of the system. Reaction conditions identified through droplet screening translate directly to continuous synthesis with minor platform modifications.
Torsional Barriers to Rotation and Planarization in Heterocyclic Oligomers of Value in Organic Electronics

In order to understand the conformational behavior of organic components in organic electronic devices, we have computed the torsional potentials for a library of thiophene-based heterodimers. The accuracy and efficiencies of computational methods for these organic materials were benchmarked for 11 common density functionals with three Pople basis sets against a Focal Point Analysis (FPA) on a model oligothiophene 2,5-bis(3-tetradecylthiophen-2-yl)thieno[3,2-b]-thiophene (BTTT) system. This study establishes a set of general trends in regards to conformational preferences, as well as planarization and rotational barriers for a library comprised of common fragments found in organic materials. These gas phase structures are compared to experimental crystal structures to determine the effect of crystal packing on geometry. Finally, we analyze the structure of hole-transporting material DERDTS-TBDT and design a new oligomer likely to be planar in the solid state.
Arsenic exposure during embryonic development alters the expression of the long noncoding RNA growth arrest specific-5 (Gas5) in a sex-dependent manner.

Abstract Our previous studies suggest that prenatal arsenic exposure (50 ppb) modifies epigenetic control of the programming of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling system in the developing mouse brain. These deficits may lead to long-lasting consequences, including deficits in learning and memory, increased depressive-like behaviors, and an altered set-point of GR feedback throughout life. To understand the arsenic-induced changes within the GR system, we assessed the impact of in utero arsenic exposure on the levels of the GR and growth arrest-specific-5 (Gas5), a noncoding RNA, across a key gestational period for GR programming (gestational days, GD 14–18) in mice. Gas5 contains a glucocorticoid response element (GRE)-like sequence that binds the GR, thereby decreasing GR-GRE-dependent gene transcription and potentially altering GR programming. Prenatal arsenic exposure resulted in sex-dependent and age-dependent shifts in the levels of GR and Gas5 expression in fetal telencephalon. Nuclear GR levels were reduced in males, but unchanged in females, at all gestational time points tested. Total cellular Gas5 levels were lower in arsenic-exposed males with no changes seen in arsenic-exposed females at GD16 and 18. An increase in total cellular Gas-5 along with increased nuclear levels in GD14 arsenic-exposed females, suggests a differential regulation of cellular compartmentalization of Gas5. RIP assays revealed reduced Gas5 associated with the GR on GD14 in the nuclear fraction prepared from arsenic-exposed males and females. This decrease in levels of GR-Gas5 binding continued only in the females at GD18. Thus, nuclear GR signaling potential is decreased in prenatal arsenic-exposed males, while it is increased or maintained at levels approaching normal in prenatal arsenic-exposed females. These findings suggest that females, but not males, exposed to arsenic are able to regulate the levels of nuclear free GR by altering Gas5 levels, thereby keeping GR nuclear signaling closer to control (unexposed) levels.
Communicating with unmanned aerial swarm automatic dependent surveillance transponders

Suitably equipped air traffic can be tracked by decoding its Automatic Dependent Surveillance (ADS) Broadcast (ADS-B) signal. ADS is defined by initiatives in the U.S. through the NextGen program and in Europe through the SESAR program. ADS-B surveillance service in the U.S. comprises of the 1090 Extended Squitter (1090ES) that operates on 1090 MHz and the Universal Access Transceiver that operates on 978 MHz (978UAT). While 1090ES is used commercially and worldwide, UAT is a regional system used extensively in the U.S. for aircraft operating below 18000 ft. Since the ADS-B message contains aircraft state and intent information, ADS-B is a potential method for communication, navigation and surveillance of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) operating in low altitude. This paper describes and demonstrates a simulation tool developed to model ADS-B communication from UAS as a function of UAS and manned aircraft traffic, power of transmission, range between aircraft and operators, ping rate, maximum latency of aircraft state communication and required reliability of state information. Communication success is degraded with distance and due to collision with other ADS-B packets emitted by nearby aircraft in Mode S, A and TCAS, while broadcasting or communicating to different ground stations (False Replies Unsynchronized In Time or FRUIT). The model and its results on surveillance sensitivity to key parameters, are expected to inform the NASA UAS Traffic Management research, about the benefits and limitations of ADS-B utilization for high density UAS operations.
Nutritional impact of whole grain ingredients on the composition of ready-to-eat breakfast cereals and baked products

Selenium (mcg/100g) <3.00 NY <3.00 CT <3.00 OK <3.00 AL <3.00 IN 23.00 FL 23.50 MO 23.80 CA (Fremont) 26.00 NC 27.80 CA (Paradise) 30.50 CO 36.00 MI Store location • It appears that rice from this study came from at least 2 distinct regions – a low soil/water selenium region, resulting in breakfast cereal with a selenium level below the level of quantitation of 3 mcg/100g, and a higher selenium region yielding product levels of at least 23-36 mcg/100.
Native Frames: Disentangling Sequential from Concerted Three-Body Fragmentation.

A key question concerning the three-body fragmentation of polyatomic molecules is the distinction of sequential and concerted mechanisms, i.e., the stepwise or simultaneous cleavage of bonds. Using laser-driven fragmentation of OCS into ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}+{\mathrm{C}}^{+}+{\mathrm{S}}^{+}$ and employing coincidence momentum imaging, we demonstrate a novel method that enables the clear separation of sequential and concerted breakup. The separation is accomplished by analyzing the three-body fragmentation in the native frame associated with each step and taking advantage of the rotation of the intermediate molecular fragment, ${\mathrm{CO}}^{2+}$ or ${\mathrm{CS}}^{2+}$, before its unimolecular dissociation. This native-frame method works for any projectile (electrons, ions, or photons), provides details on each step of the sequential breakup, and enables the retrieval of the relevant spectra for sequential and concerted breakup separately. Specifically, this allows the determination of the branching ratio of all these processes in ${\mathrm{OCS}}^{3+}$ breakup. Moreover, we find that the first step of sequential breakup is tightly aligned along the laser polarization and identify the likely electronic states of the intermediate dication that undergo unimolecular dissociation in the second step. Finally, the separated concerted breakup spectra show clearly that the central carbon atom is preferentially ejected perpendicular to the laser field.
Association of the Length of the Third Stage of Labor and Blood Loss Following Vaginal Delivery.

Objectives The length of the third stage of labor is correlated with blood loss following a vaginal delivery. We aimed to accurately measure blood loss following a vaginal delivery and examine the relation between blood loss and length of the third stage of labor. Methods This was a prospective observational study of singleton pregnancies ≥24 weeks undergoing a vaginal delivery. Blood loss was meticulously measured and the length of the third stage of labor was recorded. Results The median blood loss of the 600 women was 125 mL (interquartile range 175) and the median length of the third stage of labor was 5 minutes (interquartile range 4). Total blood loss (P = 0.0263) and length of the third stage of labor (P = 0.0120) were greater in pregnancies ≥37 weeks versus 500 mL (relative risk 5.8, 95% confidence interval 8.36-29.88). Conclusions The median blood loss following a vaginal delivery is 125 mL and the median length of the third stage of labor is 5 minutes. Total blood loss and the length of the third stage of labor are greater in pregnancies >37 weeks. Women with a third stage of labor >15 minutes are 15.8 times more likely to have total blood loss ≥500 mL. As such, it is prudent to consider manual extraction of the placenta at 15 minutes rather than 30 minutes to minimize the risk of excessive blood loss.
DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN CATECHOLAMINE CONTENT AND ACTIVITY IN CIRCUMSCRIBED REGIONS OF THE CEREBRAL CORTEX IN THE RHESUS MONKEY

ABSTRACT Concentrations and turnover of endogenous catecholamines and serotonin in the cerebral cortex of rhesus monkeys change considerably from birth through adulthood. The time-table, magnitude, and direction of such changes depend upon the specific amine and cortical region examined.
TCFs and Wnt/β-catenin signaling: more than one way to throw the switch.

Wnts are conserved, secreted signaling proteins that can influence cell behavior by stabilizing β-catenin. Accumulated β-catenin enters the nucleus, where it physically associates with T-cell factor (TCF) family members to regulate target gene expression in many developmental and adult tissues. Recruitment of β-catenin to Wnt response element (WRE) chromatin converts TCFs from transcriptional repressors to activators. This review will outline the complex interplay between factors contributing to TCF repression and coactivators working with β-catenin to regulate Wnt targets. In addition, three variations of the standard transcriptional switch model will be discussed. One is the Wnt/β-catenin symmetry pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans, where Wnt-mediated nuclear efflux of TCF is crucial for activation of targets. Another occurs in vertebrates, where distinct TCF family members are associated with repression and activation, and recent evidence suggests that Wnt signaling facilitates a “TCF exchange” on WRE chromatin. Finally, a “reverse switch” mechanism for target genes that are directly repressed by Wnt/β-catenin signaling occurs in Drosophila cells. The diversity of TCF regulatory mechanisms may help to explain how a small group of transcription factors can function in so many different contexts to regulate target gene expression.
p300 Mediates Muscle Wasting in Lewis Lung Carcinoma

C/EBPβ is a key mediator of cancer-induced skeletal muscle wasting. However, the signaling mechanisms that activate C/EBPβ in the cancer milieu are poorly defined. Here, we report cancer-induced muscle wasting requires the transcriptional cofactor p300, which is critical for the activation of C/EBPβ. Conditioned media from diverse types of tumor cells as well as recombinant HSP70 and HSP90 provoked rapid acetylation of C/EBPβ in myotubes, particularly at its Lys39 residue. Overexpression of C/EBPβ with mutated Lys39 impaired Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC)-induced activation of the C/EBPβ-dependent catabolic response, which included upregulation of E3 ligases UBR2 and atrogin1/MAFbx, increased LC3-II, and loss of muscle proteins both in myotubes and mouse muscle. Silencing p300 in myotubes or overexpressing a dominant negative p300 mutant lacking acetyltransferase activity in mouse muscle attenuated LLC tumor-induced muscle catabolism. Administration of pharmacologic p300 inhibitor C646, but not PCAF/GCN5 inhibitor CPTH6, spared LLC tumor-bearing mice from muscle wasting. Furthermore, mice with muscle-specific p300 knockout were resistant to LLC tumor-induced muscle wasting. These data suggest that p300 is a key mediator of LLC tumor-induced muscle wasting whose acetyltransferase activity may be targeted for therapeutic benefit in this disease. SIGNIFICANCE: These findings demonstrate that tumor-induced muscle wasting in mice is abrogated by knockout, mutation of Lys39 or Asp1399, and pharmacologic inhibition of p300.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/79/7/1331/F1.large.jpg.
Crystal structure of bromido-penta-kis-(tetra-hydro-furan-κO)magnesium bis-[1,2-bis-(di-phenyl-phosphan-yl)benzene-κ2P,P']cobaltate(-1) tetra-hydro-furan disolvate.

Structural characterization of the ionic title complex, [MgBr(THF)5][Co(dpbz)2]·2THF [THF is tetra­hydro­furan, C4H8O; dpbz is 1,2-bis­(di­phenyl­phosphan­yl)benzene, C30H24P2], revealed a well-separated cation and anion co-crystallized with two THF solvent mol­ecules that inter­act with the cation via weak C—H⋯O contacts. The geometry about the cobalt center is pseudo­tetra­hedral, as is expected for a d10 metal center, only deviating from an ideal tetra­hedral geometry because of the restrictive bite angles of the bidentate phosphane ligands. Three THF ligands of the cation and one co-crystallized THF solvent mol­ecule are each disordered over two orientations. In the extended structure, the cations and THF solvent mol­ecules are arranged in (100) sheets that alternate with layers of anions, the latter of which show various π-inter­actions, which may explain the particular packing arrangement.
Immunomodulatory nanogels overcome restricted immunity in a murine model of gut microbiome–mediated metabolic syndrome

Biomaterials-based nanovaccines, such as those made of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA), can induce stronger immunity than soluble antigens in healthy wild-type mouse models. However, whether metabolic syndrome can influence the immunological responses of nanovaccines remains poorly understood. Here, we first show that alteration in the sensing of the gut microbiome through Toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5) and the resulting metabolic syndrome in TLR5 −/− mice diminish the germinal center immune response induced by PLGA nanovaccines. The PLGA nanovaccines, unexpectedly, further changed gut microbiota. By chronically treating mice with antibiotics, we show that disrupting gut microbiome leads to poor vaccine response in an obesity-independent manner. We next demonstrate that the low immune response can be rescued by an immunomodulatory Pyr-pHEMA nanogel vaccine, which functions through TLR2 stimulation, enhanced trafficking, and induced stronger germinal center response than alum-supplemented PLGA nanovaccines. The study highlights the potential for immunomodulation under gut-mediated metabolic syndrome conditions using advanced nanomaterials.
Hip Injuries in Overhead Athletes

Hip injuries in the overhead athlete have attracted little attention in the past; however, hip and groin injuries make up 5.5% of all professional baseball injuries and continue to increase in prevalence. Hip and groin injuries are exacerbated by the repetitive extremes of motion required for throwing, serving, and spiking a ball as well as the rapid acceleration and deceleration involved in overhead athletics. The diagnosis and management of these injuries in overhead athletes can be challenging, and often involves multiple pain sources. These athletes commonly experience adductor strains and athletic pubalgia/core muscle injuries which often occur concurrently with underlying bony pathology such as femoroacetabular impingement, which leads to limitations in hip range-of-motion. Hip and groin injuries in the overhead athlete can be debilitating and recurring; therefore, accurate and prompt diagnosis and management of these injuries are critical.
Self-reported clinical competencies and expertise within the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services

Abstract This exploratory study collected data via the Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) network from mental health providers and site administrators to examine current views on existing resources, challenges, opportunities, and attitudes towards treatment guidelines. Unlicensed providers, predominantly peer support specialists, were the largest professional group that responded to the state-wide survey. Results demonstrated significant differences between providers with and without military experience as it pertains to knowledge of military topics, ambivalence towards clients, ability to work with military families, and the use of standardized screening tools.
Use of a Modified Early-Onset Sepsis Risk Calculator for Neonates Exposed to Chorioamnionitis.

Objective To validate the recently modified Kaiser Permanente early-onset sepsis (EOS) calculator with a higher baseline incidence in chorioamnionitis exposed neonates. Study design This is a retrospective study of chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates born at ≥35 weeks of gestation with a known EOS incidence of 4.3/1000. The risk and management categories were calculated using the calculator with an incidence of 4/1000. The results were compared with a previous analysis of the same cohort that used an EOS incidence of 0.5/1000. Results In our sample, the EOS calculator recommends at least a blood culture in 834 of 896 (93.1%) and empiric antibiotics in 533 of 896 (59.5%) chorioamnionitis-exposed neonates when using an EOS incidence of 4/1000. This captures 5 of 5 neonates (100%) with EOS. When using a baseline EOS incidence of 0.5/1000, the calculator recommends at least a blood culture in only 289 of 896 (32.2%) and empiric antibiotics in only 209 of 896 (23.3%) neonates, but fails to recommend empiric antibiotics in 2 of 5 neonates with EOS (40%). Conclusions When using an EOS risk of 4 of 1000 in infants exposed to mothers with chorioamnionitis, the EOS calculator has the ability to capture an increased number of neonates with culture-positive EOS. However, this change also leads to nearly a 3-fold increase in the use of empiric antibiotics and an evaluation with blood culture in almost all infants born to mothers with chorioamnionitis.
Progesterone metabolism in T47Dco human breast cancer cells—I. 5α-pregnan-3β,6α-diol-20-one is the secreted product

Progesterone is a major hormone controlling normal breast development and function. In breast cancer, progesterone may be involved in tumor growth regulation, and the concentration of the intracellular receptor proteins for progesterone are used to distinguish hormone dependent from autonomous tumors. We have been studying the cytoplasmic and nuclear distribution of progesterone receptors after progesterone treatment of cultured T47Dco human breast cancer cells. Anomalous behavior of the receptors, when progesterone was compared to synthetic progestins, suggested that progesterone was being rapidly metabolized by the cells. We have now studied this metabolism in detail. When progesterone is added to medium of proliferating cells, it disappears with a half life of 2-4 h. A single metabolite (P-metabolite) is quantitatively released into the medium, but its release is delayed 10-14 h. The quantitative conversion of progesterone to P-metabolite was confirmed using two independent methods: gas chromatography with internal standards, and 14C-radioisotope measurements. We have used gas chromatography, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, thin layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance to identify the final metabolic product released into the medium as 5 alpha-pregnan-3 beta,6 alpha-diol-20-one.
Folk intuitions and the conditional ability to do otherwise

In a series of preregistered studies, we explore (a) the difference between people’s intuitions about indeterministic scenarios and their intuitions about deterministic scenarios; (b) the differenc...
Relief from the Rubble: Tax Assistance for Victims of the 2005 Hurricane Season

This article provides a primer on tax relief for victims of natural disasters, including specific legislation in response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma.
Contribution of different host plants to the adult population of western bean cutworm

Abstract The western bean cutworm, Striacosta albicosta (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is historically a pest of both corn (Zea maize L.) and dry beans in the western Great Plains. However, it has recently undergone an eastward range expansion establishing itself across the corn belt in twenty-five states and four Canadian provinces. To mitigate the effects of infestation in Michigan, foliar insecticides are used in beans whereas management of the pest in corn relies more heavily on the use of Bt-expressing hybrids. In this study stable carbon isotope analysis was used to determine what crop adult moths developed on as larvae with analysis showing that very few of the adult moths developed on beans in their larval state. These results suggest that beans and corn are not suitable as co-refuges and that mainly adults which developed on corn are contributing to the next generation of western bean cutworm in Michigan.
A Time-/Frequency-Domain Side-Channel Attack Resistant AES-128 and RSA-4K Crypto-Processor in 14-nm CMOS

A side-channel attack (SCA) hardened AES-128 and RSA crypto-processor in 14-nm CMOS with measured resistance to correlation power/electromagnetic analysis (CPA/CEMA) in both time and frequency domains is demonstrated. While previously reported linear low-dropout regulators (LDOs) offer improvements in minimum-time-to-disclose (MTD) of extracted key bytes in the time domain, their transformations are less effective against frequency-domain attacks. This article describes a non-linear digital LDO (NL-DLDO) with control loop randomizations that bolster SCA resistance in the frequency domain. The NL-DLDO cascaded with an AES engine augmented with arithmetic countermeasures enables $>250\text{K}\times $ improvement in MTD, with no CPA/CEMA/DNN attacks detected after 1-B encryptions, with 8% power and 10% area overheads incurred by arithmetic techniques. The RSA-4K crypto-processor implements exponent magnitude and timing randomizations along with dynamic memory addressing to mitigate time- and frequency-domain attacks. The countermeasures enable $711\times $ suppression in means separation in current/EM magnitudes from 3.1 mV to $4.35~\mu \text{V}$ , reducing attacker’s accuracy to an ineffective random guess classification, while limiting area and performance overheads to < 0.05% and 3.25%, respectively.
Life-cycle cost assessment of vertical structures under nonstationary winds: Downburst vs. tornado loads

Abstract The continued development of performance-based wind engineering (PBWE) has led to the application of life-cycle cost assessment (LCCA) as a means to evaluate the risks and consequential losses over a structure’s lifetime from damages caused by large-scale wind phenomena, such as synoptic storms and hurricanes. However, the advancement of this analytical tool with regard to non-synoptic, nonstationary windstorms such as downbursts and tornadoes has so far been lacking due to incomplete knowledge of either the wind fields or their induced fluid-structure forces. In this study, a methodology is proposed that extends PBWE and LCCA to characterize structural damages with respect to hazard parameters, describing these wind phenomena, and subsequently to quantify and compare the relative monetary losses that are incurred. The dynamics of two vertical structures subjected to wind loads of various intensities using multiple downburst and tornado wind field models and data from wind tunnel experiments will be analyzed. Key components of the methodology are tailored in the holistic framework to consider the risks and consequences posed by these nonstationary windstorms.
An Empirical Study of the Relationship Between Religious Orthodoxy (Defined as Religious Rigidity and Religious Closed-Mindedness) and Marital Sexual Functioning

Problem This study attempted to explore whether or not a significant relationship exists between religious orthodoxy (defined as religious rigidity and religious closed-mindedness) and marital sexual functioning. Methodology Two Likert-type scales were developed to measure religious orthodoxy and marital sexual functioning, respectively, in a sample of 217 subjects representing Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish faiths. The relationship between the eleven indices of marital sexual functioning (overall marital sexual functioning, sexual interest, responsivity, foreplay, frequency, pleasure, inhibition, anxiety, guilt, shame, and disgust) and religious regidity, religious closed-mindedness, and four moderator variables (sex, age, education, and duration of marriage of subjects) were investigated using step-wise and "best" subsets regression procedures. Results 1. Overall, religious rigidity, religious closed-mindedness, and each of the four moderator variables correlated significantly with marital sexual functioning. 2. When the effects of the moderator variables were controlled, both variables significantly predicted marital sexual functioning. However, overall, religious rigidity was a much better predictor than religious closed-mindedness. Religious closed-mindedness appeared only in the cases in which religious rigidity did not appear. 3. Education emerged as the best predictor of marital sexual functioning among the moderator variables as well as its best overall predictor. 4. The variables of religious rigidity, sex, age, education, and duration of marriage constituted the "best" model for predicting marital sexual functioning. 5. Increasing religious rigidity, religious closed-mindedness, and age were significantly related to decreasing marital sexual functioning, increasing education to increasing marital sexual functioning, and females showed lower marital sexual functioning than males. Conclusions. 1. Overall, there was a significant relationship between religious orthodoxy and marital sexual functioning. 2. Of the two postulated dimensions of religious orthodoxy, religious rigidity emerged as a much better predictor of marital sexual functioning than religious closed-mindedness. This held true even when the effects of the controlled moderator variables considerably reduced the sizes of their correlations. Religious rigidity, therefore, constituted the main component of religious orthodoxy in this study.
p-Hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase from Pseudomonas fluorescens. Evidence for an oxygenated flavin intermediate.

Abstract The slow reaction of 2,4-dihydroxybenzoate (2,4-DOHB) with p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase in the presence of TPNH and oxygen, and the absence of "auto-inhibition" at high concentrations of 2,4-DOHB has facilitated a study of the hydroxylation reaction mechanism of this enzyme. The Vmax (45 min-1) of the over-all reaction and other kinetic constants were determined with steady state kinetics. Stopped flow spectrophotometric studies of the anaerobic reduction of the p-hydroxybenzoate hydroxylase-2,4-DOHB (E-S) complex by TPNH has demonstrated the formation of at least three intermediates during this process. All three species exhibit long wave length absorption bands but lack any detectable free radical EPR signals. Stopped flow studies on the reoxidation of the reduced E-S complex by oxygen have revealed the formation of a spectral intermediate that is believed to be an oxygenated form of the enzyme-bound flavin prosthetic group. A second intermediate tentatively identified as the oxidized enzyme-product complex is also detected during the reoxidation. This species decays at a rate similar to that of the Vmax; it is therefore likely that product dissociation is the over-all rate-limiting step.
Group Work Education: A Call for Renewed Commitment

Studies demonstrate steady decline in group work courses and concentration in graduate social work programs. This is attributed to the Council on Social Work Education’s recommendation, in 1969, for a generalist practice model; the growing interest of professional social workers in developing casework skills, including psychiatric casework; and the influence of perspectives from nonsocial work disciplines. This article proposes renewed efforts to strengthen social group work education and concerted collaboration between classroom and field. It focuses on essential course content, emphasizes social group work perspectives, and identifies core social group work concepts and tools for inclusion in curriculum and field education.
Galactorrhea-amenorrhea syndrome associated with heroin addiction

Abstract Three patients with galactorrhea and amenorrhea associated with the long-term use of heroin are reported, introducing a possible etiologic factor for the amenorrhea-galactorrhea symptom complex. The patients, heroin addicts, had copious galactorrhea and amenorrhea and demonstrated low gonadotropin values, hypoestrogenism, and normal thyroid and adrenal function. The possibility of a pituitary tumor was excluded in all the cases. The clinical picture, the laboratory, radiologic, and laparoscopic findings, and the results of the biopsies are described. The mechanism of action of heroin is probably pharmacologic blockage of the hypothalamus or the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. As a consequence, the hypophysis is not stimulated by the gonadotropin-releasing factors and is not inhibited by the prolactin-inhibiting factor, producing hypoestrogenism and secretion of prolactin, clinically manifested by amenorrhea and galactorrhea. This symptom complex is probably a temporary syndrome which will disappear or improve after cessation of heroin use.
COMPUTER APPLICATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

Traditional methods in construction lacking an organized and systematic approach are inadequate, and often lead to inefficiency and waste. Sophisticated information and data handling capabilities of an electronic computer offer many helpful ways to produce a better control in construction management of projects for less money. Computer applications in design phase of the project are very helpful. During construction phase of the project, computer serves as a powerful tool in organizing the three major areas: logistics and material, contract administration, and project scheduling and cost control. Future promises greater research in building information systems.
A Two-Pass Solution to the Rendering Equation with a Source Visibility Preprocess

The grand challenge for the global illumination community is the successful rendering of complex scenes containing arbitrary reflectance properties and numerous light sources. Even for completely diffuse scenes, high geometric complexity and large numbers of light sources present a problem which current algorithms cannot solve in a practical amount of time. However, recent research by Rushmeier et. al. [7] utilizes geometric simplification to offer a promising solution to the problem of high geometric complexity and work by Shirley et. al. [9, 10] presents shadow ray optimization techniques for efficient handling of large numbers of luminaires. We present an approach which combines and improves upon ideas from these works. Our work adds to the growing toolbox of importance sampling techniques used in realistic image synthesis (e.g. [4, 14]).
Teacher Efficacy and Attrition: Helping Students at Introductory Levels of Language Instruction Appears Critical

Nationally, there is a shortage of foreign language educators, and the rate of attrition in certain areas of the southeastern part of the United States is startling. The researcher investigated foreign language teachers' ( N = 463) perceived efficacy teaching languages in Georgia, and findings suggest there is a link between perceived efficacy and Spanish teachers leaving the profession. Specifically, teacher perception of abilities to help students learn at the introductory levels of language study appears to be a predictor of teacher attrition. This research has implications for teacher preparation and induction into the profession.
Digital Filter Synthesis

The sections in this article are 1 Overview of the Problem 2 Direct Digital Design 3 Optimal Digital Filter Design
A Mechanoresponsive Cadherin-Keratin Complex Directs Polarized Protrusive Behavior and Collective Cell Migration

Collective cell migration requires maintenance of adhesive contacts between adjacent cells, coordination of polarized cell protrusions, and generation of propulsive traction forces. We demonstrate that mechanical force applied locally to C-cadherins on single Xenopus mesendoderm cells is sufficient to induce polarized cell protrusion and persistent migration typical of individual cells within a collectively migrating tissue. Local tension on cadherin adhesions induces reorganization of the keratin intermediate filament network toward these stressed sites. Plakoglobin, a member of the catenin family, is localized to cadherin adhesions under tension and is required for both mechanoresponsive cell behavior and assembly of the keratin cytoskeleton at the rear of these cells. Local tugging forces on cadherins occur in vivo through interactions with neighboring cells, and these forces result in coordinate changes in cell protrusive behavior. Thus, cadherin-dependent force-inducible regulation of cell polarity in single mesendoderm cells represents an emergent property of the intact tissue.
Benefits and Perils of Synthesis

Stressing the generality of processes that generate variation and novelty, Coen offers a general theoretical synthesis for biology.
The neurohypophyseal capillary bed. I. Anatomy and arterial supply

Vascular casts of the pituitary-median eminence complex of mice,rats, dogs, sheep and monkeys were examined with the scanning electron microscope. Microfil-injected specimens of the rabbit and monkey pituitary-median eminence complex were examined by light microscopy after intracranial internal carotid artery occlusion. In each species a common neuropophyseal capillary network was found uniting infundibulum (median eminence), infundibular stem and infundibular process. This capillary bed is supplied from above by superior hypophyseal arteries and from below by inferior hypophyseal arteries. An artery to the infundibular stem was found in some species. With occlusion of the intracranial internal carotid arteries, flow through superior hypophyseal arteries did not occur. Yet the entire neurohypophyseal capillary bed filled upon injection with Microfil. These observations suggest the concept of a restricted arterial supply to the median eminence with drainage to the underlying adenohypophsis on one hand and to the infundibular process with drainage to the systemic circulation on the other must be modifed and that blood flow within the neurohypophyseal capillary bed (between infundibular process and median eminence) occurs.
A controlled trial of lazabemide (RO19–6327) in untreated Parkinson's disease

The monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor deprenyl (selegiline) has been demonstrated to delay the emergence of disability in early untreated Parkinson's disease. Lazabemide (RO19–6327) is a short-acting, reversible, highly selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase type B which, unlike deprenyl, is not metabolized to active compounds. We conducted a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial to assess the short-term tolerability of lazabemide in subjects who had early, untreated Parkinson's disease. Two hundred and one patients were enrolled at 14 centers and randomized to receive 100 mg/day, 200 mg/day, or 400 mg/day of lazabemide or matching placebo. Subjects were followed for 8 weeks including a randomized, double-blinded withdrawal of lazabemide for 2 or 4 weeks. The primary measure of tolerability was the proportion of treated subjects who were able to complete the study on their originally assigned treatment. Clinical features were assessed by the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Lazabemide treatment was as well tolerated as placebo and was not attended by serious adverse experiences. A significant improvement in the activities of daily living component of the rating scale was found after 4 weeks of lazabemide treatment, although other subscale scores did not change significantly. The overall safety and benefits of lazabemide observed in this short-term study justify further long-term investigations to determine if this monoamine oxidase type B inhibitor can slow the clinical progression of Parkinson's disease.
Diagnosis of Bronchogenic Carcinoma: An Evaluation of Pulmonary Cytology, Bronchoscopy and Scalene Lymph Node Biopsy

1.A positive cytologic examination was the only microscopic evidence of carcinoma in over 40 per cent of the resected neoplasms of the bronchus and more cancers were detected by this method than by bronchoscopy and scalene lymph node biopsy combined, unless bronchoscopy included the cytologic examination of bronchial secretions. 2.Positive or suspicious smears were obtained from 44 of 94 bronchogenic carcinomas by a single cytologic examination of sputum. The percentage of positive smears increased to 71 per cent when three specimens were examined and to 96 per cent when more than five were studied. 3.Cytologic examination of sputum was of greatest practical value in the diagnosis of cancers in upper lobes or in the periphery of lungs where bronchoscopy usually fails. 4.The cytologic examination of bronchial washings almost doubled the number of cancers of upper lobes detected by bronchoscopy. 5.Peripheral carcinomas were much more frequently detected by sputum examination than by bronchial washings. 6.Anterior scalene lymph node biopsy was positive in only 22 of 78 patients and was of most value in the diagnosis of undifferentiated-cell carcinomas or adenocarcinomas of upper lobes. Only four squamous cell carcinomas yielded positive biopsy regardless of location and despite the fact that this was the most common tumor.
Prognostic Comparison of the Minute Ventilation/Carbon Dioxide Production Ratio and Slope in Patients with Heart Failure

Background: The relationship between minute ventilation (VE) and carbon dioxide production (VCO2) consistently demonstrates prognostic value in patients with heart failur
The algebra of continuous piecewise polynomials

Abstract For a triangulated d -dimensional region Δ ⊂ R d , we consider the algebra C 0 ( Δ ) of all continuous piecewise polynomial functions on Δ. We find generators for C 0 ( Δ ) as an R -algebra and use these to give an isomorphism between C 0 ( Δ ) and a quotient of the face ring A Δ of Δ. We then study the structure of C 0 ( Δ ) as a module over R = R [ y 1 , …, y d ], the polynomial ring in d indeterminates, giving generators for C 0 ( Δ ) as an R -module. These form a free basis when Δ is a shellable complex. In general, we show that C 0 ( Δ ) is a free R -module whenever Δ is a disk.
How Depth and Interstice Size of Artificial Structures Influence Fish Attraction

Abstract Adding artificial structures to lakes has been common, but guidelines for ensuring the utility of these additions are lacking. We used pop nets to evaluate fish use of artificial structures with two interstice sizes (40 and 350 mm) placed at two depths (3.0 and 4.5 m) in an Ohio reservoir. Bluegills Lepomis macrochirus preferred 40-mm interstices at 3.0 m. Pumpkinseeds Lepomis gibbosus and bullheads Ictalurus spp. also preferred denser structures but at the 4.5-m depth. White crappies Pomoxis annularis showed no preference, and their use of structures declined as summer progressed, probably because they moved to water deeper than 4.5 m. Catches of gizzard shad Dorosoma cepedianum were greatest from 4.5-m-deep structures, but no interstice size preference was evident. We found no relation between use of structures and a narrow range of physicochemical variables. Fisheries managers should use dense materials in structures to attract sunfish and bullheads. They can expect greater use of shallow stru...
The Uncertain Geographic Context Problem

Any study that examines the effects of area-based attributes on individual behaviors or outcomes faces another fundamental methodological problem besides the modifiable areal unit problem (MAUP). I...
Adenylate and nicotinamide nucleotides in developing soybean seeds during seed-fill.

Profiles of adenylate and nicotinamide nucleotides in soybean seeds were determined during seed-fill. The ATP content per seed increased during the early seed-filling stages to a level of 10 to 12 micrograms per seed. Seed ATP decreased after 40 days of development and reached its lowest level of less than 1 microgram at maturity. The ATP:ADP ratios were relatively constant at all seed development stages. Sharp increases in AMP levels during the late seed-fill stages were paralleled with a disappearance of ATP and ADP pools resulting in a reduced seed energy charge. Energy charge varied from the highest value of 0.78 at mid-seed-fill to less than 0.10 at maturity.Of the oxidized (NAD, NADP) and reduced (NADH, NADPH) nicotinamide nucleotide forms, NAD was the most abundant. Levels as high as 17.5 micrograms per seed were observed during the mid-seed-filling stages. NADP was found almost exclusively in the reduced form with a NADP: NADPH ratio of less than 0.35, whereas the reverse was noted for NAD which was found mainly in the oxidized form with a NAD:NADH ratio in the range of 5 to 25. NADP was detected in low concentrations compared to the other adenylate and nicotinamide nucleotides. The nicotinamide redox charge defined as (NADH + NADPH)/(NAD + NADH) + (NADP + NADPH) was calculated to express the state of the energy balance between the oxidized and reduced nicotinamide nucleotide forms. The nicotinamide redox charge varied between 0.15 and 0.30 during seed development and was significantly lower than that found for the adenylate energy charge.
An all-optical sample-and-hold architecture incorporating amplitude jitter suppression

We experimentally demonstrate an all-optical sample-and-hold architecture for photonically-assisted ADCs. Our scheme utilizes sub-ps sampling and dispersion to create >100-ps hold pulses and is additionally shown to reduce laser pulse amplitude jitter by 4.2 dB.
Dose reduction of meloxicam in dogs with osteoarthritis-associated pain and impaired mobility.

Background Progressive nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) dose reduction appears logical; however, there is no evidence-based medicine indicating that efficacy is maintained as dose is reduced. Objective To determine if NSAID dose can be reduced and pain relief and mobility can be maintained in dogs with osteoarthritis (OA). Animals Client-owned dogs (n = 59) with OA-associated impaired mobility and pain. Methods Prospective, randomized, blinded study. After 14 days wash-out, dogs were randomized to reducing dose (RDG) (n = 30) or maintenance dose (MDG) (n = 29). MDG received standard dose meloxicam. RDG received a reducing dose from D28 onward, reducing to 0% of maintenance for the final 2 weeks. Assessments were at D14, 28, 42, 56, 70, 84, 98 and 112 using subjective owner assessments, accelerometry (AM), and standing percent body weight distribution (%BW). A Kaplan–Meier survival curve described how dogs dropped out because of insufficient pain control. A Log-rank test compared the groups. Results More dogs in RDG (13) dropped out because of owner-evaluated insufficient pain control compared with MDG (5) (P = .029; odds ratio: 3.67; median dropout time: 84 days in each group). For the dogs that did not drop out (n = 41), there were no significant differences between groups in owner assessments (P > .2 for each), %BW placed on the index limb (P = .750), or accelerometer-measured activity (P = .14). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance Dose reduction is a less effective means of pain control compared with maintained dosing. However, NSAID dose reduction with maintained efficacy is possible, but success appears to be individual dog dependent.
Electrochemical Incineration of 4-Chlorophenol and the Identification of Products and Intermediates by Mass Spectrometry

This report summarizes results obtained as part of a larger effort to demonstrate the applicability of electrolytic procedures for the direct anodic (oxidative) degradation of toxic organic wastes. We refer to this process as “electrochemical incineration” (ECI) because the ultimate degradation products, e.g., carbon dioxide, are equivalent to those achieved by thermal incineration processes. In this work, the ECI of 4-chlorophenol is achieved in an aqueous medium using a platinum anode coated with a quaternary metal oxide film containing Ti, Ru, Sn, and Sb oxides. The electrode is stable and active when used with a solid Nafion membrane without the addition of soluble supporting electrolyte. Liquid chromatography (LC), including reverse phase and ion exchange chromatography, is coupled with electrospray mass spectrometry (ES-MS) and used, along with gas chromatography−mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and measurements of pH, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and total organic carbon (TOC), to study the reaction and ...