cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrogenic activity of chlordecone, o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDE in juvenile rainbow trout: induction of vitellogenesis and interaction with hepatic estrogen binding sites

Persistent organochlorines such as chlordecone (CD), DDT, and DDT degradation products bioaccumulate in fish and potentially impair reproduction or development via estrogenic actions. We evaluated the estrogenicity of CD, o,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDE, and p,p′-DDE in juvenile rainbow trout by assessing their potential to induce vitellogenesis; estrogen-regulated hepatic synthesis of the yolk-protein precursor, vitellogenin (Vg). In order to compare the sensitivities of various markers of estrogen stimulation, trout were injected with 17β-estradiol (0–10 mg kg−1) on days 0 and 3 and were sampled on days 3–12. Estradiol (5 mg kg−1) increased plasma Vg (2400%; 640 μg 1−1), liver somatic index (200%) and hepatic cytosolic estrogen binding site levels (EBS, 300%) on day 6. These results suggested plasma Vg was the most sensitive marker of estrogen exposure. Chronic dietary exposure to CD (0.4 mg kg−1 day−1, 33 weeks) elevated plasma Vg (0.9 μg 1−1), but not hepatic EBS concentrations, and resulted in relatively high hepatic CD concentrations(16 μg g−1). The in vivo estrogenicity of DDT was examined by injecting trout at 14 day intervals with single or triplicate doses of o,p′-DDT, o,p′-DDE or p,p′-DDE (0, 5, 15 or 30 mg kg−1) and monitoring vitellogenesis 14 days after the final injection. Plasma Vg and hepatic EBS concentrations were significantly elevated by o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDE (total dose 45 and 90 mg kg−1; 23–24 μg Vg 1−1) but not p,p′-DDE. Target organ doses were estimated by conducting a disposition study in which trout were injected with three doses of [14C]p,p′-DDE (30 mg kg−1), at 14 day intervals. Hepatic [14C]p,p′-DDE equivalent concentrations, 14 days after the final injection, averaged 14 μg g−1. Additionally, we evaluated the relative affinity of CD and DDT or DDE for trout hepatic EBS utilizing in vitro competitive binding assays. CD had relatively low affinity (1000-fold less than moxestrol, a synthetic estradiol) for trout hepatic BBS. o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDE, but not p,p′-DDE, also exhibited low BBS affinity (approximately 156000-fold less than moxestrol). Collectively, these results indicated that CD, o,p′-DDT and o,p′-DDE were weakly estrogenic in juvenile trout.
Catchability of Three Strains of Cutthroat Trout

Abstract In 1983 and 1984 two ponds near Three Forks, Montana, were stocked at equal rates with catchable-size cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki of three strains-Snake River O. clarki subsp., Colorado River O. c. pleuriticus, and the McBride Lake strain of the Yellowstone cutthroat trout O. c. bouvieri. The mean percent harvest for the different strains during a creel census conducted during both stocking years differed significantly: Snake River, 51.9%; McBride Lake, 28.3%; and Colorado River, 11.2%. Thus, the Snake River strain was the most susceptible to angling, and the Colorado River strain the least susceptible. Catch rates among these strains was significantly different and ranged from 0.07 fish/h for the Colorado River cutthroat to 0.3 fish/h for the Snake River cutthroat trout, with the McBride Lake fish being intermediate. Susceptibility to angling appeared directly related to the degree of domestication among the strains.
A model of MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease in the goldfish

Parkinson's disease (PD) has been modeled in humans, lower primates, and to a lesser extent in some other vertebrates by the administration of the potent neurotoxin 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6 tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). The MPTP model has thus drawn considerable attention during the past 15 years, as a system to search for anti-PD drugs. It has been previously reported that a Parkinsonian syndrome can be elicited in the common goldfish (Carassius auratus) by a single dose of MPTP. This protocol describes the relatively simple and inexpensive MPTP model of PD in goldfish. The procedure takes 14–30 d, depending on how many animals are tested and on the planned study. The accessibility of the goldfish nervous system, neural density, the evolutionary equivalent subcortical circuitry and the greatly abbreviated blood–brain barrier of the goldfish brain, make it an attractive system for study of PD as well as potential drugs for therapy.
Object detection using gabor filters

Abstract This paper pertains to the detection of objects located in complex backgrounds. A feature-based segmentation approach to the object detection problem is pursued, where the features are computed over multiple spatial orientations and frequencies. The method proceeds as follows: a given image is passed through a bank of even-symmetric Gabor filters. A selection of these filtered images is made and each (selected) filtered image is subjected to a nonlinear (sigmoidal like) transformation. Then, a measure of texture energy is computed in a window around each transformed image pixel. The texture energy (“Gabor features”) and their spatial locations are inputted to a squared-error clustering algorithm. This clustering algorithm yields a segmentation of the original image—it assigns to each pixel in the image a cluster label that identifies the amount of mean local energy the pixel possesses across different spatial orientations and frequencies. The method is applied to a number of visual and infrared images, each one of which contains one or more objects. The region corresponding to the object is usually segmented correctly, and a unique signature of “Gabor features” is typically associated with the segment containing the object(s) of interest. Experimental results are provided to illustrate the usefulness of this object detection method in a number of problem domains. These problems arise in IVHS, military reconnaissance, fingerprint analysis, and image database query.
Separation and analysis of hetero compounds from middle distillates

A practical method for quantitative analysis of nitrogen, sulfur, and oxygen compounds in middle destillates is described. Since the hetero compounds are present in low concentrations suitable preseparation steps prior to the identification and quantification are necessary. For enrichment liquid chromatography was used. Identification was performed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry coupling. For quantification gas chromatography with selective detectors (NPD and FPD) was applied. Several different hetero compounds were found and quantified.
Particle Size-Fraction Analysis: Gilmour et al. Respond

We thank Muller et al. for their interest in our article (Cho et al. 2009) and concur that the secondary sizing of particulate samples initially collected with a size-selective cascade impactor and then resuspended in solution is useful information. In response to their comments, we prepared additional samples of the particulate matter (PM) in the same manner as in the toxicology study and used dynamic light scattering (Malvern Zetasizer, Model Zen 3600; Malvern Instruments Ltd, Malvern Worcestershire, UK) to determine particle size. We found that the coarse PM near road sample (collected approximately 20 m from the nearest lane of a highway) had an average diameter of 3.4 μm; the fine particles, 1.5 μm; and the ultrafine particles, 0.46 μm. These results were confirmed by electron microscopy of similarly collected samples (Devlin R, personal communication). Because the cut points for the sampler were 2.5–10, 0.1–2.5, and < 0.1 μm, for the coarse, fine and ultrafine particles, respectively, it appears that the ultrafine particles did indeed coagulate to a certain degree, although they remained in a much smaller size range than the other two fractions. Despite the ≥ 4‐fold aggregation, the ultrafine particles clearly had a more prominent effect on the cardiovascular system, whereas the larger particles affected the lung. Further experimentation is required to determine if this is due solely to the particle size or to the chemistry of the material. In addition to clarifying the size of the resuspended particles, we also calculated the solubility and found that coarse, fine, and ultrafine particles from the near road sample were 35, 81, and 85% water soluble, respectively. We believe that the size, chemistry, and solubility can affect the toxicological outcome from particle exposure and agree that these features should be reported wherever practicable.
Heat capacity study of BaFe 2 As 2 : Effects of annealing

Heat capacity, x-ray diffraction, and resistivity measurements on a high-quality ${\text{BaFe}}_{2}{\text{As}}_{2}$ sample show an evolution of the magnetostructural transition with successive annealing periods. After a 30-day anneal the resistivity in the $(ab)$ plane decreases by more than an order of magnitude, to $12\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\ensuremath{\Omega}\text{ }\text{cm}$, with a residual resistance ratio $\ensuremath{\sim}36$; the heat capacity anomaly at the transition sharpens, to an overall width of less than K, and shifts from 135.4 to 140.2 K. The heat capacity anomaly in both the as-grown sample and after the 30-day anneal shows a hysteresis of $\ensuremath{\sim}0.15\text{ }\text{K}$, and is unchanged in a magnetic field ${\ensuremath{\mu}}_{0}H=14\text{ }\text{T}$. The x-ray and heat capacity data combined suggest that there is a first-order jump in the structural order parameter. The entropy of the transition is reported.
Workshop Report: Impact of Emerging Technology

The impact of solid-state technology, as it emerges in the form of large-scale integration of computer functions, is dramatic. The effects are felt at all levels–by users, systems designers, and the technology houses; the ground rules of design and the economic tradeoffs have been changed, and the structure of the business is being affected. This impact and the emerging technology itself were the subject of a workshop conducted by the Computer Society's Computer Elements Committee last June in Vail, Colorado.
Assessment, Knowledge, and Customer Service: Contextualizing Faculty Work at For-Profit Colleges and Universities

As the labor market continues to demand more workers with postsecondary credentials, for-profit colleges and universities offer the training, degrees, and credentials that students seek to remain viable in an increasingly competitive job market. This study seeks to provide a new perspective on for-profit institutions by focusing on the roles and responsibilities of their most visible employees—faculty members. The author uses a cultural framework to explore the context in which faculty work takes place and also explores how the intersection between profit generation and educational quality affects faculty work both inside and outside of the classroom.
The geologic history of the passive margin off new england and the canadian maritime provinces

Abstract Uchupi, E. and Austin, J.A., Jr. 1979. The geologic history of the passive margin off New England and the Canadian maritime provinces. In: C.E. Keen (Editor), Crustal Properties across Passive Margins. Tectonophysics, 59: 53–69. The geologic history of the passive continental margin off the east coast of North America from New England to Newfoundland is described using all available geological and geophysical information. “Rift” and “drift” phases of the margin's evolution are recognized, with rifting initiated in Late Triassic and completed by Early Jurassic. The plate decoupling process created a complex block-faulted terrain as a result of uplift and tensional fracturing. The approximate plane of continental separation is marked by a “hinge zone” characterized by a pronounced steepening of basement gradients. Since the Early Jurassic, the margin has undergone continual subsidence in response to cooling and sediment loading. This “drift” sequence attains its maximum thickness in the vicinity of the continental slope, and thins both landward and seaward. On the shelf, this unit consists of Mesozoic evaporites, carbonates, and deltaic deposits. Overlying these sediments is a prograding wedge of Cenozoic clastics. On the rise, the Mesozoic sediments are evaporites, hemipelagic limestones and shales, and carbonaceous clays. The Cenozoic is dominantly terrigenous material. Separating these two sedimentary provinces is the continental slope, a site of major facies changes and a Mesozoic reef complex.
Spectators of the Sack: Rhetorical ‘Particularity’ and Graphic Violence in Luigi Guicciardini’s Historia del sacco di Roma

Luigi Guicciardini’s 1537 graphic history of the Sack of Rome (1527) was a work of admirable importance and influence in its day but has been criticized by modern scholars as fragmented, incomplete, and ineffectual. This paper argues against these negative appraisals, illustrating that they arise largely from overlooking the work’s highly rhetorical structure. Placing the Historia within the oratorical and historiographic tradition of enargeia or evidentia, I suggest that Guicciardini’s vivid portrayal of violence — which he calls ‘narrating particularmente (with great detail)’ — develops a nuanced and intriguing use of visualization that unites author, reader, and victim in a shared spectatorship of the divine punishment of political sins.
Symmetry, Landau theory and polytope models of glass

Abstract Order in supercooled liquids and metallic glasses is related to a regular icosahedral “crystal” consisting of 120 particles inscribed on the surface of a sphere in four dimensions. Hyperspherical harmonics and the discrete symmetry group of this four-dimensional platonic solid can be used to construct an order parameter for glasses in three-dimensional flat space. A uniformly frustrated Landau expansion in this order parameter suggests a ground state with a regular array of wedge disclination lines. Homotopy theory is used to classify all topologically stable defects. A generalization of Bloch's theorem for electronic states in flat space solids allows explicit diagonalization of tight binding models defined on the curved-space icosahedral crystal.
Does the Hypoxic Ventilatory Response Predict the Oxygen-induced Falls in Ventilation in COPD?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether supplemental oxygen-induced decreases in ventilation (VE) and mouth occlusion pressure (P0.1) in patients with COPD are related to the ventilatory or P0.1 responses to hypoxia (Δ V ˙ E /ΔSaO 2 , ΔP0.1/ΔSaO 2 ). We measured these responses in 14 patients with a (mean ± SD) FEV 1 of 0.95 ±.41 L. The ve and P0.1 were also measured while the patients sequentially breathed either room air or supplemental oxygen (1-2 L/min) for 10 min in a randomized single blind fashion. The mean (±SEM) SaO 2 increased from 90.8 ± 0.99 percent to 95.2 ± 0.46 percent and the ve decreased during oxygen breathing from 12.3 ± 0.46 to 11.6 ± 0.47 L/min (p ve were not significantly related to the corresponding changes in SaO 2 (CHG SaO 2 ), (Δ V ˙ E /ΔSaO 2 ), or (Δ V ˙ E /SaO 2 ) (CHG SaO 2 ). Similarly, the P0.1 decreased from 2.50 ± 0.27 to 2.26 ± 0.20 cm H 2 O (p 2 ), (ΔP0.1/ΔSaO 2 ) or (ΔPO.1/ΔSaO 2 ) (CHG SaO 2 ).
Near-Ultraviolet Mutagenesis in Superoxide Dismutase-deficient Strains of Escherichia coli

We compared mutagenic spectra induced by polychromatic near-ultraviolet radiation (near-UV; 300-400 nm) with superoxide anion (O2-) -dependent mutagenesis using a set of Escherichia coli tester str...
Corporate restructuring, performance and competitiveness: an empirical examination

This study investigates the effects of corporate restructuring – scale and scope, on the financial performance and long‐term competitiveness during the 1980s in a data set of 107 manufacturing firms. Hypotheses were tested using Ordinary‐leastsquare (OLS) Regression model. Overall, this study found that: (1) corporate restructuring scope is inversely associated with firms’ performance, as expected; (2) the effects of restructuring scope on changes in competitiveness offer partial support for our hypotheses; (3) there was no support for the hypothesized relationships between restructuring scale and performance, and between restructuring scale and changes in competitiveness. Implications for future research in corporate restructuring are discussed.
Relativism, Absolutism, and Tolerance

: A common view is that relativism requires tolerance. We argue that there is no deductive relation between relativism and tolerance, but also that relativism is not incompatible with tolerance. Next we note that there is no standard inductive relation between relativism and tolerance—no inductive enumeration, argument to the best explanation, or causal argument links the two. Two inductive arguments of a different sort that link them are then exposed and criticized at length. The first considers relativism from the objective point of view ‘of the universe’, the second from the subjective point of view of the relativist herself. Both arguments fail. There is similarly no deductive relation between absolutism and tolerance—neither entails the other—and no inductive connection of any sort links the two. We conclude that tolerance, whether unlimited or restricted, is independent of both relativism and absolutism. A metaethical theory that says only that there is one true or valid ethical code, or that there is a plurality of equally true or valid ethical codes, tells us nothing about whether we should be tolerant, much less how tolerant we should be.
Internal Promotion--A Psychological Asset or Debit?: a Study of the Effects of Leader Origin.

Abstract Four treatments were utilized to examine the effects of internal vs external leader origin on group member attitudes and subsequent voluntary participation behavior. One hundred twenty-eight subjects served as members of 4-man teams working model construction problems under a confederate leader. The results indicated: (1) The selection of a member from within a group to become a leader tends to cause the remaining members to express lower overall satisfaction and lower levels of voluntary nonrewarded participation following the change. (2) This behavioral effect was not evident when an opportunity for voluntary rewarded participation occurred. (3) Attitude change caused by a present event can retroactively influence the perception of previous events. The variance in these results as compared to previous studies was discussed in terms of both the structure of the experiment and the difference found between rewarded and nonrewarded behavior.
Immunohistochemical localization of glutamate-containing neurons in the lateral reticular nucleus projecting to the cerebellar vermis in the kitten.

Abstract The lateral reticular nucleus (LRN) and afferents to the cerebellum are known to contain glutamate-like immunoreactive (Glu-LI) neurons and axons, respectively. However, such a direct link between the Glu-LI LRN neurons and the cerebellar vermal cortex has not been identified. In this study we have combined the retrograde transport of rhodamine labeled latex microspheres and immunofluorescence histochemistry to determine the locations of Glu-LI neurons of the kitten reticulocerebellar system. Following microsphere injections into the cerebellar vermis (lobules V–VII), retrogradely labeled neurons were encountered throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the LRN. More than 60% ( n = 3 kittens) of these retrogradely labeled neurons were immunostained for Glu-like immunoreactivity. Our observations of the Glu- like immunoreactivity in a majority of the reticulocerebellar neurons suggest that Glu in these neurons may participate in LRN's control of target neuron activities in the cerebellar vermis of kittens.
Preoperative chemoradiation for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas: Excessive toxicity of prophylactic hepatic irradiation

Purpose : In an effort to reduce relapse in the liver and improve survival in patients with potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head, we combined whole-liver irradiation with our standard preoperative chemoradiation regimen. Methods and Materials : Eleven patients with biopsy-proven, potentially resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were treated with 50.4 Gy of external beam irradiation to the pancreas (1.8 Gy/day, 5 days/week) and concurrent continuous infusion 5-fluorouracil (300 mg/m 2 per day). The liver was treated with 23.4 Gy on Days 8 through 21 (13 fractions ; 1.8 Gy/fraction). Patients, who upon restaging with radiography and computed tomography were considered to have resectable tumors, were subsequently taken to surgery. If, at surgery, tumors were resectable, pancreaticoduodenectomy was performed, and 10 Gy of intraoperative electron-beam radiation therapy was delivered to the bed of the resected pancreas. Results : All 11 patients completed chemoradiation. Two treatment-related deaths occurred following chemoradiation, prompting premature termination of the study. Of seven patients taken to surgery, four underwent resection. Seven patients have died of disease, five with liver metastases. Conclusions : Prophylactic hepatic chemoradiation, as given in this study, was associated with two treatment-related deaths and a higher than expected incidence of subsequent liver metastases. Our data do not support the use of this treatment program in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas.
Compact optical microfluidic uric acid analysis system.

Abstract We designed, fabricated and tested a novel compact fluorescence analysis system for quantification of uric acid (UA) in clinical samples at the point-of-care. To perform an analysis, diluted saliva, urine or blood samples are simply placed in a disposable thin-film sample holder using a dropper. A new enzyme immobilization technique was developed to retain within the sample holder two enzymes and a molecule, which transforms into a fluorescer in amounts depending on the UA concentration. The small instrument (7.5 cm × 5 cm × 5 cm) into which the sample holder is placed for analysis contains an LED, a narrow-band filter and an amplified photodiode. The analysis time is 30 s, and the dynamic range of the system is 4–400 μM of UA. The calibration curve for transparent saliva and urine was made using solutions of UA. The calibration curve for opaque blood was obtained with spiked samples of blood. The three different types of clinical samples were collected from three subjects and simply diluted before their measurements. Analysis with our instrument yielded UA concentrations within the expected concentration ranges. Development of instruments based on the current laboratory prototype is expected to result in products for clinical trials and point-of-care.
Mathematical problems in the application of multilinear models to facial emotion processing experiments

In this paper we describe the enormous potential that multilinear models hold for the analysis of data from neuroimaging experiments that rely on functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or other imaging modalities. A case is made for why one might fully expect that the successful introduction of these models to the neuroscience community could define the next generation of structure-seeking paradigms in the area. In spite of the potential for immediate application, there is much to do from the perspective of statistical science. That is, although multilinear models have already been particularly successful in chemistry and psychology, relatively little is known about their statistical properties. To that end, our research group at the University of Kentucky has made significant progress. In particular, we are in the process of developing formal influence measures for multilinear methods as well as associated classification models and effective implementations. We believe that these problems will be among the most important and useful to the scientific community. Details are presented herein and an application is given in the context of facial emotion processing experiments.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Characterization of proteins separated by displacement chromatography using low angle laser light scattering photometry

β-Lactoglobulin A and B (β-LACT) were separated by displacement chromatography (DSC) on an ionexchange column using dextran sulfate as the displacer. A LALLS photometer and a UV detector, in series, were used to determine the molecular weight (MW) of the proteins, on-line. The results indicate that both, β-LACT A and B, were present as dimers in the buffer used for the mobile phase. The MWs of the proteins were about 6–8% higher than the theoretical MW of a dimer (∼37,000). Additional control studies have shown the presence of a high molecular weight species in both the proteins, which could possibly be an aggregate. This species was observed in the LALLS signal but was nearly absent in the UV signal. Our work has demonstrated the feasibility of interfacing LALLS with displacement chromatography for detecting impurities or aggregates which may be difficult to detect by conventional detectors used for chromatography.
Processing Speed and Longitudinal Trajectories of Change for Cognitive Abilities: The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging

In this manuscript, The Swedish Adoption/Twin Study of Aging (SATSA) is described. Although the study is a multidisciplinary program in gerontological genetics, the summary of findings focuses on the cognitive measures. In the second part of the manuscript, we investigate the role played by measures of processing speed in explaining the longitudinal trajectories of change for cognitive abilities and the genetic and environmental influences on those trajectories. When processing speed was regressed out of cognitive measures representing three cognitive domains (crystallized, fluid, and memory) and a general cognitive factor, the trajectory of decline was less severe. Quantitative genetic analyses indicated that environmental variance increases in late adulthood. A substantial portion of the genetic variance for these cognitive abilities was accounted for by genetic variance for speed. With increasing age, genetic variance associated with processing speed becomes a more prominent component of genetic varian...
Treatment of Cocaine–Alcohol Dependence with Naltrexone and Relapse Prevention Therapy

This study evaluates whether patients with cocaine-alcohol dependence might benefit from naltrexone (NTX) pharmacotherapy when delivered in conjunction with psychotherapy. Eighty outpatients meeting DSM-IV criteria for alcohol and cocaine dependence were randomly assigned to receive NTX (placebo or 50 mg/d) combined with psychotherapy (Relapse Prevention [RP] or Drug Counseling [DC]) for twelve weeks. It was hypothesized that the skills training focus of RP therapy, in combination with NTX 50 mg/d, would produce greater reductions in cocaine and alcohol use. Outcome measures included self- and objective reports of substance use, treatment retention, medication compliance, and adverse effects. During the first four weeks of treatment, the percentage of cocaine-positive urine screens was significantly lower for those receiving RP therapy (22%) than those receiving DC (47%); however, this difference subsequently diminished. No medication effects were found. All groups reported less alcohol use at the end of treatment. Treatment retention was the same among the groups, with about 33% of the subjects completing all twelve weeks of treatment. The active medication group showed better medication compliance, while the number of adverse events was low overall and not significantly different by group. In conclusion, NTX at 50 mg/d did not reduce cocaine or alcohol use. These findings stand in contrast to previously reported positive findings for NTX and RP in patients with a single diagnosis of cocaine dependence.
Teaching Students to Identify Psychosocial Cues in Problem-Based Learning Cases

This study's objective was to explore preclinical medical students' consideration of psychosocial variables in problem-based learning (PBL) cases. The authors used PBL cases that included psychosocial data and case content focused on behavioral science, biological science, or a combination of both. The authors compared, using one-way analysis of variance, the mean number of cues, learning issues, and hypotheses that the students generated in their written responses to PBL cases that varied in the amount of psychosocial content. The results revealed that the students identified psychosocial cues consistently across all curriculum segments, but the mean numbers of psychosocial hypotheses and learning issues were highest in the PBL case units dominated by psychosocial material. The authors conclude that the recognition of psychosocial data as germane disease variables is achieved more easily than the use of such data in a biopsychosocial formulation of traditional medical problems. A lack of sophistication and experience might make the latter task difficult to accomplish for many second-year medical students without using specific educational strategies.
The Influence of Perceived Injustice on the Endorsement of Political Leaders1

Recent public opinion polls have suggested that there is a striking lack of public support for national political leaders and institutions. The two studies discussed in this paper explore why public evaluations of political leaders and institutions are low. In particular, they examine the role of perceived injustice in creating dislike for and distrust of leaders and institutions. This focus upon justice is contrasted with the more traditional focus upon the level of outcomes received from the political system and upon congruence in citizen-leader policy preferences. The results strongly support a focus upon justice by showing that judgments of injustice exercise an influence upon leadership evaluations and in stitutional endorsements which is independent of beliefs about the level of outcomes the political system is providing to citizens or of public support for government policies. In fact, both studies suggest that judgments of justice or injustice have more influence upon the endorsement of political leaders and institutions than do outcome-related concerns.
Achievement of high gain in a planar heterojunction bipolar transistor with lateral current flow

Summary form only given. The authors have demonstrated transistor action in an L-HBT (lateral heterojunction bipolar transistor) device with multiple, quantum sized base channels. The small size of the individual channels has made it possible to increase the steepness of the alloy composition grading at the emitter-base junction of the transistor when the emitter is formed by Si diffusion disordering. It is well known that this interfacial grading must be optimized in order to achieve the maximum transistor device performance. As a result of these and other design modifications, transistor action with a maximum gain beta well in excess of 200 was achieved. These gain values demonstrate the practicality of transistor devices of the L-HBT design. >
From Within the Belly of the Beast: Rethinking the Concept of the ‘Educational Marketplace’ in the Popular Discourse of Education Reform

The task of this article is to carry out a synthetic analysis of the concept of the educational marketplace as it is used in the popular discourse of education reform so as to unpack what has become a commonsensical idea in American politics. It is a conceptual framework that has opened an ever-expanding sovereign space in the American state for the colonization of a public institution by the private sphere by means of public policy. The results of this analysis suggest that the reform policies associated with the concept of the educational marketplace are ineffective in raising average student achievement, have a high probability for generating significant social costs, and are a manifestation of an articulation of power now in ascendancy in the United States.
Effects of Estrogen, Raloxifene and Levormeloxifene on α1A-Adrenergic Receptor Expression

Purpose: We investigated the effect of estrogen, raloxifene and levormeloxifene on α1A-adrenergic receptor expression.Materials and Methods: Postpartum rats underwent intravaginal balloon injury and ovariectomy, and were then treated with estrogen or placebo for 8 weeks. The urethras were examined for α1A-adrenergic receptor expression by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Urethral smooth muscle cells were isolated from untreated female rats and examined for the expression of estrogen receptors α and β by immunofluorescence microscopy. Urethral smooth muscle cells were treated with estrogen, raloxifene or levormeloxifene for 24 hours and examined for α1A-adrenergic receptor expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The effects of these drugs on α1A-adrenergic receptor expression were further examined by promoter assays.Results: Estrogen treatment resulted in decreased α1A-adrenergic receptor expression in the urethras. Urethral smooth muscle cells expressed estrogen receptors α and β...
Dicer ablation in oligodendrocytes provokes neuronal impairment in mice.

Dicer is essential for generation of functional micro-RNAS (miRNAs), and Dicer knockout is embryonic lethal at E7.5.1 Using a floxed conditional Dicer allele crossed with various tissue-specific Cre alleles, Dicer-mediated miRNAs have been demonstrated to regulate the development of skin progenitors, immune cells, limb outgrowth, chondrocytes, lung, retina, and various neurons.2–8 It has been estimated that 70% of miRNAs are expressed in the brain,9,10 but little is known about the functions of these brain-specific/enriched miRNAs. Oligodendrocytes (OLs) are glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that synthesize myelin, the multilamellar membrane ensheathing axons. Myelin is required for the saltatory conduction of neuronal action potentials and for the maintenance of axonal integrity. Myelin also increases electrical resistance across the cell membrane to prevent the electrical current from leaving the axon.11 Therefore, damaged myelin impairs the conduction of signals in the affected nerves, causing impairment in sensation, movement, cognition, or other functions depending on which nerves are involved. Demyelinating diseases are caused by genetics, infectious agents, autoimmune reactions, and unknown factors.11,12 Recently, miR-23 was reported to regulate the expression of Lamin B1,13 which, when duplicated, results in severe myelin loss in autosomal dominant leukodystrophy brain.14 Overexpression of miR-206 results in downregulation of OL-enriched tubulin polymerization-promoting protein, TPPP/p25, thereby inhibiting OL differentiation.15 However, the in vivo function of miRNAs in OLs is not known. To characterize mature OL-specific miRNA functions, we crossed a Dicer floxed conditional allele (Dicer-floxed)4 and proteolipid protein (PLP) promoter-driven inducible Cre allele (PLP-CreERT)16 to generate inducible OL-specific Dicer-floxed mice (hereafter referred to as Dicer mutant mice). The Cre gene in PLP-CreERT is a fusion with ERT and is only activated by Tamoxifen injection. Postnatal OL-specific Cre-loxP recombination deleting the Dicer allele dysregulates redox and lipid metabolism of OLs and triggers neurodegeneration (demyelination and inflammatory gliosis). Our results suggest that miRNAs are essential for the maintenance of OLs, likely due to dysregulation of redox and lipid homeostasis.
Ultrafine and Nanostructured Refractory Metals Processed by SPD: Microstructure and Mechanical Properties

Severe plastic deformation (SPD) has been demonstrated to be the most efficient method to produce bulk metals with ultrafine grained (UFG, 100 nm
Azapyrimidine analogues: inhibition of viral DNA synthesis and protein synthesis in SV40 infected BSC-1 cells.

The replication of simian virus 40 DNA and protein synthesis in BSC-1 cells was analyzed in vitro after treatment with 5,6-dihydro-5-azacytidine (DH-5-AzaCR) or 5-azacytidine (5-AzaCR). Results demonstrated that after a 3-h treatment period with 100 μg/ml, DH-5-AzaCR exhibited a 77% inhibition of viral DNA synthesis, whereas 5-AzaCR resulted in a 50% inhibition. Stimulation of DNA synthesis occurred when infected cultures were treated with low doses (0.1 to 0.5 μg/ml) of 5-AzaCR for 3h and after 1 and 2 h of treatment with 100 μg/ml of 5-AzaCR; however, stimulation did not occur with DH-5-AzaCR. DNA synthesized in the presence of either drug demonstrated altered conformations when analyzed on agarose gels; however this alteration was negligible after DH-5-AzaCR treatment, but more pronounced in the presence of 5-AzaCR. Restriction enzyme analysis suggests that DH-5-AzaCR may not be a hypomethylating agent as is 5-AzaCR. Inhibition of total protein synthesis (cellular and viral) was essentially complete 6 h after treatment with DH-5-AzaCR, whereas 5-AzaCR completely inhibited protein synthesis after 3 h. These data indicate that 5-AzaCR does not exhibit a direct dose relationship to the inhibition of DNA synthesis whereas DH-5-AzaCR may show some dose relationship, and that DH-5-AzaCR is a more potent inhibitor of DNA synthesis as compared to 5-AzaCR.
Opinions about oral cancer prevention and early detection among dentists practising along the Texas–Mexico border

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess dentists’ opinions about oral cancer (OC) prevention and early detection. METHODS: Data were collected by a self-administered mail questionnaire sent to all 398 registered dentists practising along the Texas–Mexico border. RESULTS: The effective response rate to the survey was 40%. While 90% of respondents agreed that oral cancer examinations (OCE) should be provided annually for patients 40 years of age and older, only 59% of respondents believed their OC knowledge was current. While 99% agreed that dentists were qualified to perform OCE, only 54 and 68% respectively, agreed that dental hygienists and physicians were similarly qualified. Dentists who rated their undergraduate OC training favorably (OR=2.68, 1.23–5.81, P=0.011), had attended their last oral cancer continuing education (OCCE) course within the past 5 years (OR=2.46, 1.25–4.86, P=0.009), and those who performed OCE on all patients 40 years and older (OR=2.64, 1.32–5.26, P=0.005), were more likely to agree their OC knowledge was current. CONCLUSIONS: Respondents expressed diverse opinions about OC prevention and early detection. Positive opinion on currency of OC knowledge was associated with performance of OCE. Results indicate a need for OCCE targeting the study population as well as increased emphasis on OC curriculum in dental schools.
Radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunoassay of antibodies directed against lymphadenopathy-associated virus (lav) proteins larger than the core protein (p24)

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) may be transmitted by blood transfusions and by blood products from donors who have been infected with the lymphadenopathy-associated virus (LAV). Such donors may generally be identified on the basis of a positive test for antibodies-against LAV proteins. We have already described an anti-LAV assay based on the use of crude virus-infected tissue culture medium, which avoids elaborate, expensive and potentially hazardous virus purification steps. This test was operationally specific for antibodies to the approximately 24 kD core protein of the virus (P24; Neurath et al. J. Virol. Methods 11, 75, 1985). Molecular exclusion chromatography of crude LAV antigen preparations allows separation of most of P24 from larger proteins of LAV (PL). PL and 125I- or beta-lactamase-labeled anti-LAV were used as reagents for radioimmunoassay (RIA)--or enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA)--inhibition tests to detect antibodies directed predominantly against PL (anti-PL). Among 257 individuals belonging to groups at high risk of developing AIDS, 117 (45.5%) were positive for anti-PL and 108 (42%) for anti-P24, respectively. The 2 individuals among 600 random blood donors found to be anti-P24-positive in the preceding study also had anti-PL in their serum. Sera from 500 additional blood donors were screened for anti-PL and 1 of these was positive. The implication of these findings for screening of blood donors is discussed.
Macrophage chemotaxis in experimental tooth movement in the rat

Abstract Extracts from tissue surrounding teeth being moved contained chemotactic activity for peritoneal exudate cells (PEC). The tissue was homogenized, extracted and diafiltered using a 100,000 mol. wt cut-off filter. The filtrate contained statistically-significant chemotactic activity, whereas the retentate did not. Further fractionation of the fitrate using an isoelectric focusing column produced a filtrate fraction in the pH range between 5.0 and 6.8 which was chemotactically active. This sample was analysed for purity and mol. wt using sodium dodecylsulphate polyacrylamide-gradient gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Gels of the active fraction stained with Coomassie blue showed two distinct bands with molecular weights of 69,000 and 60,000.
Latent Tuberculosis: Is There a Role for Thioridazine?

Approximately 1/3 of the world's population is infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. In the vast majority of cases this results in latent not active disease. Latent disease is defined as a positive reaction to tuberculin antigens but without any further clinical symptoms. Models have been developed to study latent tuberculosis with the two most prominent being the in vivo murine model and the in vitro Wayne model. In both cases M. tuberculosis undergoes a change in its respiratory profile as it shifts down to a nonreplicating state. However in both the mouse and the Wayne model, dormant M. tuberculosis is sensitive to the phenothiazine thioridazine. This antibiotic has several targets, and the main one is respiration. There is a growing burden of multidrug resistant and extensively drug resistant tuberculosis. Treatment of these cases is expensive with high mortality. We propose that thioridazine alone, or with other antibiotics, be used to treat drug resistant latent tuberculosis. The advantages are that thioridazine is inexpensive, effective against drug resistant tuberculosis, well characterized and unlikely to induce drug resistance. The disadvantages include possible side effects, although these should be rare at the doses and length of time of treatment. Recent patents involving analogs of thioridazine suggest this class of drugs may hold great promise for the future treatment of the most drug resistant strains.
The Xenon Difluoride Complexes XeF2 · XeOF4; XeF2 · XeF6 · AsF5 and XeF2 · 2 XeF6 · 2 AsF5 and Their Relevance to Bond Polarity and Fluoride Ion Donor Ability of XeF2 and XeF6

Xenon difluoride forms a 1:1 complex with XeOF4 (m.p. 29°C) which is isostructural with XeF2 · IF5. The unit cell is tetragonal with a = 7.56(2), c = 11.36(3) A, V = 647 A3, z = 4. RAMAN data prove it to be a molecular complex, the structure of which is compatible with appreciable bond polarity in XeF2. Similar interactions of XeF2 with the XeF+5 cation are indicated by the RAMAN spectra of the complexes which XeF2 forms with [XeF5]+[AsF6]−. The spectrum of the 1:2 complex indicates that the XeF2 molecule is undistorted but the spectrum of the 1:1 complex suggests that the XeF2 molecule is distorted by interaction with XeF+5 ions. The occurrence of molecular XeF2 in the XeF+5AsF6 lattice confirms the superiority of XeF6 to XeF2 as a fluoride ion donor. XeF2 bildet mit XeOF4 einen 1:1-Komplex (F. P. 29°C), der isostrukturell mit XeF2 · JF5 ist; Elementarzelle (tetragonal): a = 7,56: c = 11,36 A; V = 647 A3; z = 4. Nach Aussage des RAMAN-Spektrums ist es ein Molekularkomplex, dessen Struktur mit der betrachtlichen Bindungspolaritat in XeF2 vertraglich ist. Ahnliche Wechselwirkungen des XeF2 mit dem XeF+5-Kation sind auf Grund der RAMAN-Spektren der Komplexe von XeF2 mit [XeF5]+[AsF6]− anzunehmen. Die Spektren der Komplexe erweisen, das im 1:2-Komplex die XeF2-Molekel unverzerrt ist, aber im 1:1-Komplex durch die Wechselwirkung mit dem XeF+5-lon verzerrt wird. Da im [XeF+5][AsF6]-Gitter XeF2-Bauteile vorliegen, ergibt sich, das XeF6 ein starkerer Fluoridionen-Donor ist als XeF2.
p73 expression modulates p63 and Mdm2 protein presence in complex with p53 family-specific DNA target sequence in squamous cell carcinogenesis.

The expression of p73 and p63 isoforms is frequently deregulated in human epithelial tumors. We previously showed that loss of p73 protein expression associates with malignant conversion in vivo and ionizing radiation (IR) resistance in vitro in a clonal model of mouse epidermal carcinogenesis. Here we show that loss of endogenous p73 expression in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells and tumors was concomitant with preferential DNA binding of the inhibitory ΔNp63α isoform and reduction of transcriptionally active p63γ isoforms binding to a p21 promoter sequence in vitro. Reconstitution of TAp73α in malignant cells increased the steady state DNA-binding capabilities of the endogenous transcriptionally active TAp63γ and ΔNp63γ isoforms, correlating with restoration of tumor suppression but not IR sensitivity. Loss of p73 in malignant cells also coincided with increased presence of p53 family inhibitor Mdm2 in p53-specific DNA-bound complexes, whereas reconstitution of TAp73α expression resulted in exclusion of Mdm2 from these complexes. These results suggest a dual mechanism for TAp73α to foster tumor suppression through enhancement of the DNA-binding activity of p63γ isoforms, and through inhibition of transcriptional repressors Mdm2 or ΔNp63α.
Previous Stillbirth, Late Preterm, and Early-Term Birth

Subsequent pregnancies are emotionally traumatic for families with previous stillbirths. Such pregnancies have a 2– to 10-fold increase in the risk for stillbirth as well as an increased probability of other adverse obstetrical outcomes. These medical risks as well as anxiety on the part of families and care providers contribute to an increase in late preterm and early-term birth. However, delivery before 39 weeks' gestation has not been proven to reduce the risk of recurrent stillbirth or adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with previous stillbirths. This work reviews data regarding the optimal timing of delivery in subsequent pregnancies after previous stillbirth, as well as for patients at risk from stillbirth in general. Management recommendations from current data are presented and knowledge gaps are highlighted.
Biological interference of optical backscatterance sensors in Tampa Bay, Florida

Abstract Optical backscatterance (OBS, D&A Instruments, Inc. 1 ) sensors for measuring suspended-solids concentrations have been deployed in Tampa Bay to monitor resuspension of bottom sediments. This paper describes biological factors that affected the OBS sensors deployed in Tampa Bay and discusses deployment strategies that minimize biological interference. Phytoplankton may interfere with the OBS sensors when the suspended-solids concentration is near or below the sensor response threshold. Fish swimming in front of the OBS sensors caused spikes in the OBS sensor output, so the median average was more appropriate than the mean average. An algal slime on the OBS sensors caused excessive backscatterance that dominated the backscatterance from suspended material. Because of the fouling problem, deployments were limited to less than a week, and OBS sensors were cleaned daily, if possible. Calibration of OBS sensors with water samples collected from Tampa Bay was satisfactory when biological interference was not significant. When properly deployed, the OBS sensors can successfully monitor sediment resuspension in Tampa Bay and similar subtropical estuaries.