cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
N. raphe magnus lesions disrupt stimulation-produced analgesia from ventral but not dorsal midbrain areas in the rat

We previously found that the opiate antagonist, naloxone, partially blocks stimulation-produced analgesia (SPA) elicited from ventral but not dorsal regions of the medial midbrain in rats. The present study compares the effects of n. raphe magnus (NRM) lesions on SPA from these same two midbrain areas. SPA thresholds were measured with the tail-flick method and compared before and for up to two weeks after NRM lesions. A high positive correlation was found between percent NRM destruction and percent increase in SPA threshold for rats with ventral but not dorsal electrode placements. Damage to brain areas other than NRM seemed not to contribute to these effects. We conclude that n. raphe magnus is a critical relay in the pain-suppressive path from that area of the rat midbrain mediating an opioid form of stimulation-produced analgesia.
Intralenticular Candida species abscess in a premature infant.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report the clinical and histopathologic findings of a premature infant with severe retinopathy of prematurity complicated by the development of an intralenticular fungal abscess. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: A markedly premature infant developed Candida septicemia at 29 weeks postconception. Over the ensuing 10 weeks, cataract and intraocular inflammation developed sequentially in each eye, as did progressive retinopathy of prematurity with tractional retinal detachment. Pars plana vitrectomy and lensectomy revealed intralenticular Candida species abscess. CONCLUSION: Progressive cataract and intraocular inflammation in a low birth weight infant may be caused by endogenous intraocular infection secondary to systemic candidiasis. Cataract secondary to retinopathy of prematurity is rare.
Volume preserving projection filters and continuation methods in topology optimization

Abstract Performance of continuation methods together with local filter operators in context of the density-based formulations for topology optimization problems is studied. In order to obtain binary discrete topologies, the volume preserving Heaviside filter is used together with continuation schemes on material penalization coefficient and filter parameters. Modifications to dual sequential optimization algorithms are presented to handle the increased non-convexity with Heaviside projection filter. Various continuations schemes are studied on test cases that include large-scale minimum compliance and compliant mechanism design problems. Finally, a continuation scheme is presented that yields good results in terms of both binary discreteness and optimal performance.
Potential Fisheries Yield from Smallwood Reservoir, Western Labrador, with Special Emphasis on Lake Whitefish

Abstract An experimental gillnetting program in the summers of 1974, 1976, and 1979 on seven major lakes of Smallwood Reservoir in western Labrador showed lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis) and lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) to be the dominant species in terms of numbers and relative biomass. Length-frequency distributions of lake whitefish and lake trout were typical of unexploited northern fish populations while the age structure of whitefish was relatively young for unexploited populations. Slow-growing but early-maturing dwarf lake whitefish populations also were documented in two lakes of the reservoir. A long-term potential yield of 2.85 kg/hectare/year for all species combined was calculated for the reservoir. The proportion of this yield attributable to lake whitefish was 45.7%. Surface gill nets were more efficient in capturing marketable-size whitefish, with the 76- and 102-mm mesh taking the highest percentage. There was a large incidental catch of lake trout in the bottom nets, with th...
A critical examination of the digital music phenomenon

“MP3” has become an iconic term and hugely popular phenomenon in recent years. This compressed digital music format has been championed as the greatest multimedia revolution since the television. The technology has also been maligned as a dubious (and illegal) tool that allows individuals to obtain CD-quality music without purchasing an audio CD, thereby denying proceeds rightfully due to artists, bands, and the recording industry. The current piece seeks to explore this dialectical relationship by applying the precepts of critical criminology to the phenomenon. Following a foundational explanation of MP3s and the presentation of examples that expand upon its controversial nature, this work describes the critical view held by MP3 supporters who perceive the music industry and government as controlling agents seeking to maintain their legitimacy, power, and wealth by restricting dissemination and reproduction of free music to, and among, the masses. Can this control be considered a “victimization” of society? Must we rethink our traditional notion of deviance being ascribed primarily to acts committed by an individual against a corporate entity, because in this case the harm caused by the latter is much more significant than that of the former? These issues are developed and analyzed in detail to inform and guide a critical interpretation.
Job Analysis: A handbook for the Human Resource Director

The article presents a review of the book “Job Analysis: A Handbook for the Human Resource Director,” by Jal V. Ghorpade.
Hydrogen-assisted ductile fracture in a Ni-base superalloy

Hydrogen-assisted ductile fracture was evaluated for conditions of electrochemical cathodic charging. Hastelloy C was selected as the material. Room temperature cathodic charging produces a steep hydrogen concentration gradient in the material as opposed to a uniform distribution of hydrogen. (FS)
Long bone lengths and gestational age distributions of post‐contact period Arikara Indian perinatal infant skeletons

Prenatal growth is adversely affected by poor socioeconomic conditions where disease and chronic undernutrition prevail. Premature and small-for-gestational-age births occur at higher frequency. Post-contact Arikara Indian populations of South Dakota experienced a rapidly changing and disruptive environment that included deterioration of the subsistence base and increased morbidity. This research tests resulting fetal growth effects through comparative analysis of two perinatal infant samples of the early (A. D. 1600–1733) and the late (A. D. 1760–1835) post-contact period. Perinatal infants recovered from late cemeteries include a higher percentage of smaller skeletons, as determined using long bone diaphyseal lengths, than is documented for the earlier time period. This contrast shows that it is possible to detect fetal growth differences in samples of archaeological context.
Prenatal experience with low-frequency maternal-voice sounds influence neonatal perception of maternal voice samples

Abstract By sucking on a nonnutritive nipple in the presence of one discriminative stimulus, newborns were reinforced with a low-pass filtered tape recording of their mothers' voices. Sucking in the presence of a different discriminative stimulus was reinforced with unfiltered maternal-voice recordings. Filtered versions simulated maternal-voice sounds that were available before birth and unfiltered versions simulated maternal-voice sounds available after birth. Newborns in the control group could be reinforced with the same stimuli in the same way, but the voices were unfamiliar to them. Infants hearing their mothers' voices had no preference for either version, but infants hearing the unfamiliar voices preferred the unfiltered version. The difference in the between-groups responsiveness to the low-pass voice samples is consistent with the hypothesis that prenatal experience with low-frequency characteristics of maternal voices influences early postnatal perception of maternal voices.
The neural control of mood: the possible role of the adrenergic system in the medulla.

Abstract Mood in humans is a complex phenomenon that integrates emotion (e.g. happiness and sadness), cognition, perception, ideation, and action in a coherent manner. In bipolar disorder extremes of mood (up or down) occur outside the normal range, in which all the above functions are coherently affected. Mood is controlled by a series of separate but interactive brain circuits that involve much of the brain, but particularly the limbic system. The question addressed in this paper is whether the coordination of all these separate systems into one coherent functional mood is mediated by non-linear dynamics acting between these systems as equal participants; or whether it is affected by a single master regulator controlling the others. The possible roles, as master regulators, of non-linear dynamically linked populations of neurons, and of the C1–C3 adrenergic nuclei in the medulla is discussed.
The use of chelating agents in the treatment of acute and chronic lead intoxication in childhood.

The toxicologic studies reported here provide supportive evidence that promptinstitution of chelation therapy with the combination of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanol (BAL) and edathamil calcium disodium (CaEDTA) together with appropriate supportive therapy can reduce substantially the mortality rate of acute encephalopathy in children with lead intoxication. Treatment of acute encephalopathy with EDTA alone is associated with a mortality rate of 25 per cent or greater; we have had no deaths in 24 cases of acute encephalopathy treated with BAL and EDTA. Biochemical data also indicate that the BAL-EDTA combination is superior to EDTA alone in the treatment of severe acute toxic episodes of plumbism. Evidence presented also suggests that long-term oral administration of d-penicillamine is safe and may be efficacious in the management of the chronic phase of lead poisoning. The rationale for the use of each of these 3 chelating agents is discussed.
Global cyclone activity historically low

[1] A new research study shows that overall global tropical cyclone activity has decreased to historically low levels during the past 5 years. Maue analyzed global tropical cyclone data from 1970 through May 2011 to examine the considerable interannual variability of the accumulated cyclone energy (ACE) metric. Since 2006, global and Northern Hemisphere ACE have decreased significantly, reaching their lowest levels since the late 1970s. Also, during 2010–2011, the overall global frequency of tropical cyclones reached a historic low. The author demonstrated that much of the variability in tropical cyclone energy during the past 40 years is clearly associated with natural large-scale climate oscillations such as the El Nino—Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2011GL047711, 2011)
Transforming growth factor-β-mediated down-regulation of antitumor cytotoxicity of spleen cells from MOPC-315 tumor-bearing mice engaged in tumor eradication following low-dose melphalan therapy

We have previously shown that treatment of mice bearing a large MOPC-315 plasmacytoma with a low dose of the anticancer drug melphalan (l-phenylalanine mustard;l-PAM) results in the acquisition of a potent CD8+ T-cell-mediated anti-MOPC-315 cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity by the hitherto immunosuppressed tumor bearers, and this immunity contributes to complete tumor eradication. In the studies presented here, we sought to determine how the acquisition of this antitumor immunity following low-dose chemotherapy is possible, in light of the report that MOPC-315 tumor cells produce transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), an immunosuppressive cytokine that can down-regulate the generation of CTL responses. We found that the acquisition of CTL activity following low-dosel-PAM therapy is not due to a chemotherapy-induced decrease in the sensitivity of MOPC-315 tumor bearer spleen cells to TGF-β-mediated inhibition of CTL-generation. Moreover, even spleen cells from MOPC-315 tumor-bearing mice, which had receivedl-PAM therapy 7 days earlier and had acquired CTL activity in vivo, were sensitive to the inhibitory activity of TGF-β upon culture for as little as 1 day, with or without stimulator tumor cells. However, the production of TGF-β by MOPC-315 tumors decreased drastically as a consequence of the low-dose chemotherapy. Thus, the curative effectiveness of low-dosel-PAM therapy for MOPC-315 tumor-bearing mice may be due, at least in part, to a reduction in TGF-β production that enables the development of tumor-eradicating immunity.
Is cystic fibrosis a TH17 disease

Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is the most common lethal genetic disease in the Caucasian population and typically results in the development of bronchial inflammation, bronchiectasis, the progressive loss of lung function and ultimately death. Recently it has been shown that products of the Th17 subset of T-cells, specifically, IL-17A and IL-17F are elevated in the sputum of CF patients. This review will go over experimental evidence supporting a role for the IL- 23/IL-17 axis in CF lung inflammation.
Quotient monoids and greatest commutative monoid images of several types

The concept of a quotient monoid modulo a subtractive subsemigroup is exploited systematically to determine necessary and sufficient conditions for a commutative semigroup to possess greatest monoid images that are separative, cancellative, power cancellative, or totally cancellative. The group of units of each such greatest image is determined and the images themselves are described via quotient monoids.
Effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on serum concentrations and the uterotrophic action of exogenous estrone in rats.

Abstract Experiments were conducted to determine whether the short-term administration of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) in low doses alters the disposition and action of exogenous estrogen. Ovariectomized rats were pretreated with TCDD, 1 μg/kg body wt/day for 5 days, or with vehicle. Following the administration of estrone, 10 μg/100 g body wt/day for 4 days, serum estrone concentrations were 57% higher in TCDD-pretreated animals. Aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) activity in liver microsomes was increased 20-fold 5 days following the last dose of TCDD, data which confirm that monooxygenase activity was altered during the course of estrone administration. Since estrone disposition and/or metabolism appears to be decreased by TCDD exposure, experiments were performed to determine if TCDD altered the uterotrophic response to estrone. When various doses of estrone were administered to control animals, serum estrone values increased with the administered dose without any apparent conversion to 17β-estradiol. Estrone administered in doses of 0.4, 2.0, and 10.0 μg/100 g for 4 days elicited a dose-dependent increase in uterine wet weight. Control and TCDD-pretreated animals showed no differences in the uterine weight increase observed at each dose of estrone. Thus, the uterine growth response to exogenous estrone was not altered by any change in estrogen disposition elicited by short-term administration of TCDD.
Improved high wind speed retrievals using AMSR and the next generation NASA Dual Frequency Scatterometer

Microwave scatterometer measurements are the standard for satellite ocean vector winds (OVW) measurements. Unfortunately, in extreme weather events, where high wind speeds are frequently associated with strong rain bands, precipitation can significantly degrade the OVW retrieval accuracy. This study addresses the feasibility of exploiting passive measurements to improve high wind speed retrievals for such extreme weather events. The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) has developed a conceptual design for a Dual Frequency Scatterometer (DFS) proposed to fly onboard the future Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) GCOM-W2 mission with the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer (AMSR). These two instruments will provide a complimentary dataset of simultaneous and coincident active/passive measurements, which can correct for rain effects and thereby improve the OVW retrievals. End-to-end computer simulations are performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) numerical weather model tuned to Hurricane Katrina (2005) for the 3D nature run (surface truth). Results show that the new OVW retrievals compare well to the nature run surface wind vectors and that this active/passive technique offers a robust option to extend the useful wind speed measurements range beyond the current operating scatterometers for future satellite missions.
Densities, porosities and surface areas of coal macerals as measured by their interaction with gases, vapours and liquids

Helium, Hg, methanol, water and CO2 were used as probes at 298 K to characterize densities, porosities and surface areas of coal macerals. Densities, measured by He and Hg displacement, permit the determination of maximum open pore volumes in macerals in the absence of significant imbibing of the fluids within the coal structure. Densities measured in methanol, water and CO2 are frequently greater than those measured in He both because of their penetration into pores closed to He and into the coal structure due to imbibing. Imbibing into the coal structure results in the swelling of macerals, the extent of which is strongly rank dependent. Uptake of CO2 on macerals is large. It is concluded that it is due primarily to pore filling (coverage of micropores) and not to penetration within the coal structure. Coverage of micropores by water is only a fraction of that found for CO2. From this it is concluded that only a fraction of the surface of coal macerals is composed of hydrophilic sites.
Patterns of Species Diversity in Helderberg Group of West Virginia and Virginia: ABSTRACT

Twenty-five outcrops of the Lower Devonian Helderberg Group in West Virginia and Virginia were analyzed for stratigraphic, petrographic, and paleontologic variations to interpret depositional environments. Fossil counts, by species, were made along 260 line-transects of standard sampling lengths in 14 of the 25 outcrops. The stratigraphic study suggests that Helderberg sediments were deposited in the Virginias during an overall Early Devonian transgressive phase of deposition, and that formations comprising the Helderberg Group in the study area are rock-stratigraphic rather than time-stratigraphic units. Thirty-three interspecific fossil associations involving 10 of 34 species of New Scotland invertebrate macrofossils were identified using a chi-square test for independence. Species showing significant associations were grouped into a primary recurrent group and a related secondary recurrent group by the Fager method. There is a direct relation between the number of interspecifically associated strophomenids in a sample and the percentage of fine-grained sediment. An index of species diversity was calculated for each outcrop using the Fisher, Corbert, and Williams logarithmic End_Page 1589------------------------------ series equation, d = (s-1)/1nN where S is the number of species showing significant associations and N is the number of individuals. A species diversity map constructed by contouring the computed indices of diversity reveals that at least three fossil communities existed in the Helderbergian sea throughout the study area. The boundaries of these communities are undulatory and subparallel with the axis of the Appalachian basin. Areas with lower species diversity are interpreted as deeper water environments. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1590------------
The impact of isolated tumor cells on loco-regional recurrence in breast cancer patients treated with breast-conserving treatment or mastectomy without post-mastectomy radiation therapy

To compare the outcome of patients with invasive breast cancer, who had isolated tumor cells (ITC) in sentinel lymph nodes, pN0(i+), to patients with histologically negative nodes, pN0. We retrospectively studied 1,273 patients diagnosed with T1-T3 breast cancer from 1999 to 2009. Patients were divided into 2 populations: 807 patients treated with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and radiotherapy (RT), 85(10.5 %) with pN0(i+) and 722(89.5 %) with pN0. And the other population had 466 patients treated with mastectomy without post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), 80(17.2 %) with pN0(i+),and 386(82.8 %)with pN0. All patients underwent sentinel node biopsy, and the presence of ITC was determined. Patients with axillary dissection only or neoadjuvant chemotherapy were excluded. Among the 1,273 patients studied; 87.3 % received adjuvant systemic therapy. Kaplan-Meier, Cox regression, and log-rank statistical tests were used. Median patient age was 55.7 years. Median follow-up was 69.5 months. The 5- and 10-year cumulative incidence of Loco-regional recurrence (LRR) for patients treated with BCS and RT was 1.6 and 3.5 % for 85 pN0(i+) patients, and 2.4 and 5 % for 722 pN0 patients, respectively. For patients treated with mastectomy without PMRT, 5- and 10-year LRR rates were 2.8 and 2.8 % for 80 pN0(i+) patients, and 1.8 and 3 % for 386 pN0 patients, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in LRR (p = 0.9), distant recurrence (p = 0.3) ,and overall survival (p = 0.5) among all groups. On multivariate analysis, ITC were not associated with increased risk of LRR, distant recurrence and overall survival. Grade (p = 0.003) and systemic therapy (p = 0.02) were statistically significantly associated with risk of LRR. Sentinel node ITC have no significant impact on LRR, distant recurrence and overall survival in breast cancer patients. Additional treatments such as axillary dissection, chemotherapy, or regional radiation should not be given solely based on the presence of sentinel node ITC.
Pattern and scale in a serpentine grassland

Abstract The relationships coupling ecologically important processes to pattern formation at different spatial and temporal scales can be explored through a multidisciplinary approach that involves observation, experimentation, and theory. We are using this approach in the study of a serpentine grassland located in the Jasper Ridge Biological Preserve of Stanford University, and we present preliminary results for that system to illustrate the approach. We argue that the development and analysis of simplified null models is an essential precursor to the successful development of more detailed models. Field and experimental studies can be used to examine the mechanisms producing pattern at small spatial and temporal scales; these then form the basis for spatially explicit, landscape level models. Simplified versions of the models can be used as computational experimental tools to explore the consequences of varying disturbance regimes and other critical influences on pattern formation; more detailed versions can be used as limited predictive tools and to guide experimental work.
Long-time transient conduction in a-Si:H p─i─n devices

Abstract Measurements are reported of the time-varying reverse-bias current in p─i─n devices made from hydrogenated amorphous silicon. Two mechanisms of current flow are identified, corresponding to the thermal generation of charge from states near the middle of the gap, and the injection of charge from the contacts. The temperature and time dependence of the thermal generation current allows the deep depletion quasi-Fermi energy and the depletion charge to be determined. Measurements of the slow transient currents from junction-recovery experiments give information about the density of states distribution near mid-gap. The contact injection current exhibits a bias-induced metastability which is annealed at elevated temperatures.
the detachability of women: gender and kinship in processes of socioeconomic change among the Gusii of Kenya

This article examines the role of gender and kinship identities in shaping women's access to social and economic resources among the Gusii and Luyia in Kenya. High population densities, cash crop production, market dependency, and wage labor are ubiquitous in the fertile Kenya highlands. However, changes in gender relationships and family forms vary and are not attributable to political-economic factors alone. The results of these transformations also depend on the content of women's relationships with their natal kin, and on the role of marriage in defining the character of women's social identities. [social change, kinship, gender, marriage, family, East Africa, Gusii, Luyia]
Risk Factors for Developing Ischemic-Type Biliary Lesions After Liver Transplantation

Ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) account for a major part of patients' morbidity and mortality after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The exact origin of this type of biliary complication remains unknown. This study retrospectively evaluated 1843 patients. Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis were excluded from this study. The diagnosis of ITBL was established only when all other causes of destruction of the biliary tree were ruled out. Donor age (P = 0.028) and cold ischemic time (CIT) (P = 0.002) were found to be significant risk factors for the development of ITBL. Organs that were perfused with University of Wisconsin (UW) solution developed ITBL significantly more often than Histidine-Tryptophan-Ketoglutarate (HTK)-perfused organs (P = 0.036). The same applied to organs harvested externally and shipped to our center versus those that were procured locally by our harvest teams (P < 0.001). Pressure perfusion via the hepatic artery significantly reduced the risk of ITBL (P = 0.001). The only recipient factor that showed a significant influence was Child-Pugh score status C (P = 0.021). Immunologic factors had no significant impact on ITBL. The clinical consequences of this study for our institution have been the strict limitation of CIT to < 10 h and the exclusive use of HTK solution. We further advocate that all organ procurement teams perform pressure perfusion on harvested organs.
Evidence that both intragastric and subcutaneous administration of methylenedioxymethylamphetamine (MDMA) produce serotonin neurotoxicity in rhesus monkeys.

Abstract It has been demonstrated that repeated, subcutaneous administration of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) to rats, guinea pigs, and squirrel monkeys produces long-lasting depletions of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) in several brain regions. Since evidence of degenerating 5-HT neurons has been observed in the rat brain following MDMA injections, it islikely that these depletions are due to neurotoxicity similar to that observed with other substituted amphetamines. The purpose of the present study was to determine if MDMA produces similar evidence of neurotoxicity in rhesus monkeys when administered by either the intragastric (i.g.) or subcutaneous (s.c.) route. Administration of MDMA (5.0 mg/kg/12 h × 4 days) by either i.g. or s.c. routes depleted 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in various brain regions 2 weeks after the last injection. Further, a significant decrease in [ 3 H]5-HT uptake sites inthe hippocampus was observed in monkeys treated with MDMA by the i.g. route. Reductions in uptake sites did not achieve statistical significance when drug was administered s.c. The results suggest that repeated administration of MDMA produces long-lasting, potentially neurotoxic effects on central 5-HT neurons in primates and does so when given orally.
An Investigation of the Factor Structure of the Teacher Efficacy Scale.

The 2-factor structure of S. Gibson and M. H. Dembo's (1984) Teacher Efficacy Scale (TES) was investigated. Although the researchers asserted that the factors corresponded to A. Bandura's (1977) outcome and efficacy expectations, A. E. Woolfolk and W. R. Hoy (1990) observed that the factor structure is potentially confounded by item orientation; items on the 1st factor have a mostly positive orientation, whereas items on the 2nd factor are mostly negative. That possibility was tested by revising TES items so that both orientations were available for each item. Teachers (N = 196) completed 1 of 2 scales, each with revised and original items. Three potential factor structures were examined using principal axis factoring. Although the teacher efficacy construct may be multidimensional, when wording confounds are eliminated, the TES appears unidimensional.
The Decision to Remain in an Involuntarily Celibate Relationship.

Based upon qualitative data from a sample of 77 married or long-term cohabiting heterosexuals self-defining as involuntarily celibate, we used social exchange theory to develop a model for understanding the causes and consequences of sexual inactivity in committed relationships. Although reported consequences of involuntary celibacy tended to be negative, most partnered celibates were in stable relationships and reluctant to leave. As a result, they developed diverse coping strategies, and most were still hopeful of resuming sexual activity. Based upon these findings, the paper concludes with a discussion of practical implications and directions for further research.
Minireview: GnRH and GnRH Receptor Genes in the Human Genome

Four different GnRHs and one GnRH receptor are reported to be expressed in various mammals, whereas 13 GnRHs and numerous GnRH receptors have been identified in various nonmammalian vertebrates. The nucleotide sequencing of the human genome provided the opportunity to determine which of these peptides and receptors might be expressed in primates. Of the four GnRHs reportedly expressed in mammals, only GnRH I (mammalian GnRH) and GnRH II (chicken GnRH II) genes were identified in the human genome. Three GnRH receptor or receptor-like genes were identified: 1) the well-established GnRH I receptor gene located on chromosome 4; 2) an apparent GnRH II receptor gene located on chromosome 1, and; 3) a sterile GnRH II receptor-like homolog gene on chromosome 14. A cDNA cloned from monkey RNA that was 96% identical with the putative human GnRH receptor type II gene encoded a 379-amino acid G protein-coupled/7-transmembrane receptor having a C-terminal cytoplasmic tail. The experimentally expressed GnRH II receptor was functional with and specific for GnRH II, and, unlike the GnRH I receptor, desensitized to continuous GnRH treatment. GnRH II receptor mRNA is expressed ubiquitously in human tissues. Significant questions remain about the potential functions of the primate GnRH II receptor such as regulation of gonadotropin secretion, female sexual behavior, and tumor cell growth; also, about whether it is expressed as a full-length, functional gene transcript in humans.
Racial differences in treatment preferences: oral health as an example.

Rationale, aims and objectives Recent analyses from the Florida Dental Care Study found that response to a hypothetical scenario at baseline strongly predicted: (a) tooth loss during follow-up; and (b) subsequent receipt of either a dental extraction or Root Canal Therapy (RCT). The scenario (‘CHOICE’) required choosing either to: (1) extract the tooth before even knowing the cost of treatments; (2) extract, but after knowing the cost of all treatments; or (3) have RCT despite knowing costs. Objective The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with CHOICE and quantify their effects. Methods As part of the baseline phase of the study, 873 subjects with at least one tooth and who were 45 years or older participated for an interview and dental examination. A multinomial multivariable regression of CHOICE quantified effects due to hypothesized predictors. Results CHOICE was strongly associated with race (African-Americans were significantly less likely to choose RCT). Results from the multivariable regression suggest that the race effect could be explained by racial differences in patient preference, treatment acceptability and ability to afford treatment. Conclusions There were substantial racial differences in treatment preference even in this hypothetical scenario where racial differences in patient–provider interaction and clinical factors were not relevant. Certain predisposing and enabling variables explained these racial differences in treatment preference.
Mid-trimester endovaginal sonography in women at high risk for spontaneous preterm birth.

ContextAlthough shortened cervical length has been consistently associated with spontaneous preterm birth, it is not known when in gestation this risk factor becomes apparent.ObjectiveTo determine whether sonographic cervical findings between 16 weeks' and 18 weeks 6 days' gestation predict spontaneous preterm birth and whether serial evaluations up to 23 weeks 6 days' gestation improve prediction in high-risk women.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsBlinded observational study performed between March 1997 and November 1999 at 9 university-affiliated medical centers in the United States in 183 women with singleton gestations who previously had experienced a spontaneous birth before 32 weeks' gestation.ObservationCertified sonologists performed 590 endovaginal sonographic examinations at 2-week intervals. Cervical length was measured from the external os to the functional internal os along a closed endocervical canal. Funneling and dynamic cervical shortening were also recorded.Main Outcome MeasureSpontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation, analyzed by selected cutoff values of cervical length.ResultsForty-eight women (26%) experienced spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation. A cervical length of less than 25 mm at the initial sonographic examination was associated with a relative risk (RR) for spontaneous preterm birth of 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-5.0; sensitivity = 19%; specificity = 98%; positive predictive value = 75%). After controlling for cervical length, neither funneling (P = .24) nor dynamic shortening (P = .054) were significant independent predictors of spontaneous preterm birth. However, using the shortest ever observed cervical length on serial evaluations, after any dynamic shortening, the RR of a cervical length of less than 25 mm for spontaneous preterm birth increased to 4.5 (95% CI, 2.7-7.6; sensitivity = 69%; specificity = 80%; positive predictive value = 55%). Compared with a single cervical measurement at 16 weeks' to 18 weeks 6 days' gestation, serial measurements at up to 23 weeks 6 days significantly improved the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (P = .03).ConclusionsCervical length assessed by endovaginal sonography between 16 weeks' and 18 weeks 6 days' gestation, augmented by serial evaluations, predicts spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation in high-risk women.
Effects of dynorphin on rat entopeduncular nucleus neurons in vitro.

Abstract The entopeduncular nucleus (EP) receives dense neostriatal afferent axons that contain dynorphin (DYN, an endogenous κ-receptor agonist), in addition to GABA and substance P. To examine the role of DYN in the EP, whole-cell recordings were performed in rat brain slice preparations. Based on the physiological and morphological characteristics, all the neurons recorded were similar to the Type-I EP neuron described in a previous study. The κ-receptor agonist dynorphin A (1-13) (DYN13) hyperpolarized and decreased the input resistance of approximately one-quarter of the EP neurons examined. The hyperpolarization was due to an increase in potassium conductance since current–voltage relationship curves obtained before and after DYN13 application crossed at the potassium equilibrium potential. In the presence of the glutamate blocker 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-6-nitro-2,3-dioxo-benzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide and 3-(2-carboxypiperzin-4-yl)-propyl-1-phosphonic acid in artificial cerebrospinal fluid, stimulation of the globus pallidus evoked bicuculline-sensitive multi-component GABAergic responses in EP neurons. Application of DYN13 equally reduced the amplitudes of the short-latency response, conceivably evoked by pallido-EP axons, and the medium-latency response, conceivably evoked by striato-EP axons. These effects were reversed by bath application of a non-selective opioid antagonist naloxone or by a κ-opioid receptor-selective antagonist nor-binaltorphimine dihydrochloride (nor-BNI), but not by the ∂-antagonist naltrindole or the μ-antagonist D -Phe-Cys-Tyr- D -Trp-Orn-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH 2 . DYN13 also reduced the frequency of tetrodotoxin-insensitive miniature-inhibitory postsynaptic potential (mIPSPs) without changing their amplitude distributions. The decrease of the frequency of mIPSPs was reversible upon washing and was also completely blocked by nor-BNI. The results of the present study on the EP indicated that DYN released from striatal axons might exert at least three different effects on these target nuclei. Firstly, DYN might provide negative feedback regulation of striatal GABAergic outputs at their termination sites. Secondly, DYN released from the striatal terminals might diffuse to the pallidal terminals, regulating their GABA release. Thirdly, DYN might exert a direct inhibition of EP neurons. Thus, DYN released from striatal axons might control the activity of EP neurons by reducing the GABAergic transmission and also by hyperpolarizing postsynaptic membrane.
An acetocarmine technic for Cucurbita.

Staminate Cucurbita buds undergoing meiosis are fixed for 12–24 hours in a solution containing 3 parts of 95% alcohol, 1 part of acetocarmine to which iron acetate has been added, and a flake of rusted iron. After fixation the buds are washed in 95% alcohol and stored in 95% alcohol with the iron flake for 5-10 days. A stain containing 10 drops of 45% acetic acid, 10 drops of acetocarmine, and 10 drops of brown storage solution is prepared. A small piece of anther is placed in a drop of stain on a slide. At the moment the anther is macerated, the debris is removed, and when the cells turn grey to dark brown a cover slip is applied. The stain is differentiated by gentle heat and the cover slip is sealed with paraffin.
Quantified acoustic–optical speech signal incongruity identifies cortical sites of audiovisual speech processing

Abstract A fundamental question about human perception is how the speech perceiving brain combines auditory and visual phonetic stimulus information. We assumed that perceivers learn the normal relationship between acoustic and optical signals. We hypothesized that when the normal relationship is perturbed by mismatching the acoustic and optical signals, cortical areas responsible for audiovisual stimulus integration respond as a function of the magnitude of the mismatch. To test this hypothesis, in a previous study, we developed quantitative measures of acoustic–optical speech stimulus incongruity that correlate with perceptual measures. In the current study, we presented low incongruity (LI, matched), medium incongruity (MI, moderately mismatched), and high incongruity (HI, highly mismatched) audiovisual nonsense syllable stimuli during fMRI scanning. Perceptual responses differed as a function of the incongruity level, and BOLD measures were found to vary regionally and quantitatively with perceptual and quantitative incongruity levels. Each increase in the level of incongruity resulted in an increase in overall levels of cortical activity and in additional activations. However, the only cortical region that demonstrated differential sensitivity to the three stimulus incongruity levels (HI > MI > LI) was a subarea of the left supramarginal gyrus (SMG). The left SMG might support a fine-grained analysis of the relationship between audiovisual phonetic input in comparison with stored knowledge, as hypothesized here. The methods here show that quantitative manipulation of stimulus incongruity is a new and powerful tool for disclosing the system that processes audiovisual speech stimuli.
Parallel materialization of large ABoxes

This paper is concerned with the efficient computation of materialization in a knowledge base with a large ABox. We present a framework for performing this task on a shared-nothing parallel machine. The framework partitions TBox and ABox axioms using a min-min strategy. It utilizes an existing system, like SwiftOWLIM, to perform local inference computations and coordinates exchange of relevant information between processors. Our approach is able to exploit parallelism in the axioms of the TBox to achieve speedup in a cluster. However, this approach is limited by the complexity of the TBox. We present an experimental evaluation of the framework using datasets from the Lehigh University Benchmark (LUBM).
Bounding consumer surplus by monopoly profits

Regulatory agencies and other public authorities in the United States frequently require private firms seeking regulatory approvals to enter geographic markets, or offer products, that they would not otherwise provide. Examples include “build-out” rules for cable television franchisees, and universal service or “common carrier” obligations. The social welfare consequences of such policies are often difficult to evaluate because, among other things, consumer surpluses generated by entry must be assessed. This article shows that the level of (variable) monopoly profits in the markets of interest can be used to place an upper bound on the associated consumer surplus whenever demand vanishes at a sufficiently high price. This result, which is new, can then be used to evaluate the social consequences of forced entry. Our methods can also be used to provide a bound on the change in consumer surplus resulting from the imposition of regulated prices on an existing monopoly.
Multiplexed toxin analysis using four colors of quantum dot fluororeagents.

Quantum dots (QDs) have the potential to simplify the performance of multiplexed analysis. In this work, we prepared bioinorganic conjugates made with highly luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals (CdSe−ZnS core−shell QDs) and antibodies to perform multiplexed fluoroimmunoassays. Sandwich immunoassays for the detection of cholera toxin, ricin, shiga-like toxin 1, and staphylococcal enterotoxin B were performed simultaneously in single wells of a microtiter plate. Initially the assay performance for the detection of each toxin was examined. We then demonstrated the simultaneous detection of the four toxins from a single sample probed with a mixture of all four QD−antibody reagents. Using a simple linear equation-based algorithm, it was possible to deconvolute the signal from mixed toxin samples, which allowed quantitation of all four toxins simultaneously.
Neural or energy summation in a Poisson counting model

Abstract McGill (1967) proposed a neural counting model describing signal detection. In this model, detection was based on the number of neural pulses generated by a Poisson device which was driven by the stimulus energy in the independent auditory channels. The number of neural pulses generated by a narrow-band pure-tone stimulus was assumed to be related by a power law to the stimulus energy (McGill and Goldberg, 1968) . Broad band stimulus energy is mathematically constructed from the convolution of many independent narrow-band channels. Thus the Poisson device might operate on the sum of the energy in all the channels (the energy summation model), or the energy on each channel might undergo Poisson conversion to neural counts and the resultant neural counts summed (the neural summation model). To distinguish between neural and energy summation, the predicted slopes of masking functions, the logarithm of the just detectable increment as a function of the logarithm of the masker, for tone in noise and noise in noise are calculated. It is found that the slope is correctly predicted if and only if it is neural pulses, not energy, that are summed.
Dynamic contact/impact problems, energy conservation, and planetary gear trains

Abstract The paper is a continuation of the work presented in [Comp. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng. 190 (2001) 1903], aimed at modeling of a general class of dynamic contact/impact problems for systems of rigid bodies. The contact is assumed to be frictionless, and the main challenge is to model the exchange between the kinetic and elastic energies in the system. This calls for a discretization scheme that conserves linear and angular momentum and, first of all, the total energy at the discrete level . Such a scheme has been presented in [Comp. Meth. Appl. Mech. Eng. 190 (2001) 1903], and in this work we complement it with a very general treatment of the no-penetration condition for two elastic bodies. The approach is based on the concept of the sign (Rvachev) function, and it provides a natural generalization of the classical point-to-line condition [Arch. Computat. Meth. Eng. 2 (1995) 1]. The work has been motivated with the modeling of planetary gear trains and has resulted in the first (to our best knowledge) two dimensional parallel finite element simulator for gear sets [Parallel finite element simulator of planetary gear trains, Ph.D. Dissertation, The University of Texas, 2001].
Family Recreation: A Study of Visitors Who Travel with Children

Abstract Family recreation has been recognized as an effective vehicle in the provision of family customs and promotion of healthy youth development. In particular, outdoor-based recreation with its inherent challenges often offers opportunities for a family to grow together and maintain cohesive-ness. Building on antecedent research, this study attempts to explore factors associated with the motivation for the outdoor-based family recreation participation. Further, the preference of activity involvement between visitors who travel with at least one child versus visitors without youth was also examined. A total 1282 surveys were administrated and analyzed. The results indicate that visitors who travel with a child are significantly different from those who travel without youth in their motivations and activity preferences. Research limitations and implications are also discussed.
250-GeV/c. pi. /sup -/p multiplicity distributions and the two-component model

The charged-particle multiplicity distribution from 250-GeV/c ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}p$ interactions in the Fermilab 15-ft bubble chamber is presented. The corrections to the raw data are described. Fits to these data along with other high-energy bubble-chamber data show that cluster models with two components\char22{}a low-multiplicity, diffractive component and a high-multiplicity, nondiffractive component\char22{}describe the data fairly well. The charged multiplicity of each cluster is found to be \ensuremath{\sim}2, while the number of clusters for each component grows linearly with $\mathrm{ln}(s)$. The multiplicity moments are consistent with other experiments. We find $〈{n}_{c}〉=8.427\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.059$, ${f}_{2}^{\mathrm{cc}}=8.66\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.11$, $\frac{〈{n}_{c}〉}{D}=2.038\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.023$. The total inelastic cross section is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{I}=21.42\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.50$ mb.
CO dissociation on potassium-promoted aluminium

Several catalytic reactions involving CO bond cleavage on transition metal surfaces are promoted by the presence of alkali atoms, and considerable interest has focused on the nature of strongly perturbed metal–CO potentials. Here I present experimental data on CO bond weakening and dissociation in carbon monoxide co-adsorbed with potassium on the (100) surface of aluminium. Atomic carbon and oxygen were observed, as well as precursor states to dissociation with CO stretch frequencies as low as 1,060 cm−1. Thus, despite its free-electron character, aluminium responds to alkali adsorption in much the same way as typical transition metals. This implies that CO bond weakening on alkali-promoted metal surfaces is caused by perturbations of the joint density of alkali and substrate sp-electrons, and that the role of d-states is not crucial. Vibrational and electronic spectra show that aluminium oxide and aluminium carbide form on annealing to 700 K. Neither CO2 nor high-temperature CO desorption from the alkali-promoted aluminium surface was detected.