cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiovascular Profile of Valbenazine: Analysis of Pooled Data from Three Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials

Valbenazine is a novel vesicular monoamine transporter 2 inhibitor approved for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia in adults. Using data from double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, analyses were conducted to evaluate the cardiovascular effects of once-daily valbenazine in patients with a psychiatric disorder who developed tardive dyskinesia after exposure to a dopamine-blocking medication. Data were pooled from three 6-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials: KINECT (NCT01688037), KINECT 2 (NCT01733121), and KINECT 3 (NCT02274558). Data from the 42-week valbenazine extension period of KINECT 3 were also analyzed. Outcomes of interest included cardiovascular-related treatment-emergent adverse events, vital sign measurements, and electrocardiogram parameters. The pooled safety population included 400 participants (placebo, n = 178; valbenazine 40 mg/day, n = 110; valbenazine 80 mg/day, n = 112). A history of cardiac disorders was present in 11.8% of participants, and 74.3% were taking a concomitant medication with known potential for QT prolongation. Mean changes from baseline to week 6 in supine vital signs and QTcF (Fridericia correction) were as follows for placebo, valbenazine 40 mg/day, and valbenazine 80 mg/day, respectively: systolic blood pressure (0.2, − 2.1, − 1.8 mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (− 0.1, − 1.6, − 1.2 mmHg), heart rate (− 1.7, − 2.2, − 1.7 bpm), QTcF interval (1.2, 1.1, 2.1 ms); all p > 0.05 for valbenazine vs. placebo. No statistically significant differences were observed between placebo and valbenazine in cardiovascular-related, treatment-emergent adverse events. No notable additional effects on cardiovascular outcomes were found with up to 48 weeks of valbenazine treatment. Results from double-blind, placebo-controlled trials showed no apparent difference between valbenazine and placebo on cardiovascular outcomes. No additional cardiovascular risk was detected during a longer extension study with valbenazine.
Fabrication of hybrid crosslinked network with buffering capabilities and autonomous strengthening characteristics for dental adhesives

Abstract Ingress of bacteria and fluids at the interfacial gaps between the restorative composite biomaterial and the tooth structure contribute to recurrent decay and failure of the composite restoration. The inability of the material to increase the pH at the composite/tooth interface facilitates the outgrowth of bacteria. Neutralizing the microenvironment at the tooth/composite interface offers promise for reducing the damage provoked by cariogenic and aciduric bacteria. We address this problem by designing a dental adhesive composed of hybrid network to provide buffering and autonomous strengthening simultaneously. Two amino functional silanes, 2-hydroxy-3-morpholinopropyl (3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl) carbamate and 2-hydroxy-3-morpholinopropyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl) carbamate were synthesized and used as co-monomers. Combining free radical initiated polymerization (polymethacrylate-based network) and photoacid-induced sol-gel reaction (polysiloxane) results in the hybrid network formation. Resulting formulations were characterized with regard to real-time photo-polymerization, water sorption, leached species, neutralization, and mechanical properties. Results from real-time FTIR spectroscopic studies indicated that ethoxy was less reactive than methoxy substituent. The neutralization results demonstrated that the methoxy-containing adhesives have acute and delayed buffering capabilities. The mechanical properties of synthetic copolymers tested in dry conditions were improved via condensation reaction of the hydrolyzed organosilanes. The leaching from methoxy containing copolymers was significantly reduced. The sol-gel reaction provided a chronic and persistent reaction in wet condition-performance that offers potential for reducing secondary decay and increasing the functional lifetime of dental adhesives. Statement of Significance The interfacial gaps between the restorative composite biomaterial and the tooth structure contributes to recurrent decay and failure of the composite restoration. The inability of the material to increase the pH at the composite/tooth interface facilitates the outgrowth of more cariogenic and aciduric bacteria. This paper reports a novel, synthetic resin that provides buffering capability and autonomous strengthening characteristics. In this work, two amino functional silanes were synthesized and the effect of alkoxy substitutions on the photoacid-induced sol-gel reaction was investigated. We evaluated the neutralization capability (monitoring the pH of lactic acid solution) and the autonomous strengthening property (monitoring the mechanical properties of the hybrid copolymers under wet conditions and quantitatively analyzing the leachable species by HPLC). The novel resin investigated in this study offers the potential benefits of reducing the risk of recurrent decay and prolonging the functional lifetime of dental adhesives.
519 Influence of work organisation and environment on health behaviours of construction apprentices

Introduction Construction is among the most dangerous industries with well-recognised high physical demands and low job autonomy. In addition to traditional hazards for workplace injury and illness, other threats to health and well-being occur from work organisation and work environment factors, including irregular employment, multiple job sites, long commutes, long work hours, and employer policies regarding health and safety. These non-traditional hazards are associated with injury and illness, as well as health behaviours including poor diet, smoking, and psychosocial stress. The cumulative impact of both traditional and non-traditional hazards on the health and well-being of construction workers are largely unknown. Methods We conducted a survey among a cohort of apprentice construction workers to identify relationships between work organisation, environmental factors, health behaviours, and health outcomes. Results 960 surveys have been completed to date. Preliminary analyses show that respondents (mean age 28) report high levels of job satisfaction, job security, and social support, but also report high rates of musculoskeletal symptoms and various work organisational factors potentially affecting health and health behaviours. Average commuting distance to work is over 60 km, and 63% report no limits on daily working hours. Despite high smoking rates (28% are current smokers), only 55% report any restrictions on smoking at their worksites. Only 10% report regularly using sunscreen when in the sun for >15 min; only 4% of worksites provided sunscreen. Discussion These preliminary results highlight non-traditional worksite health risks, and suggest potential interventions that may reduce the high rates of risky heath behaviours among construction workers. As our study progresses, we plan to evaluate the impact of work organisation on health and health behaviours in three construction trades; identify workplace programs, policies, and practices affecting worker health and well-being; and determine readiness for adoption of integrated interventions to improve worker health.
Ecdysteroid-Binding Proteins

Ecdysteroids are a class of highly polar steroid hormones that regulate insect development; they are also called molting hormones. The first representative, ecdysone, was isolated in crystalline form more than 30 years ago by Butenandt and Karlson (1954) and its metabolism was studied (Karlson and Koolman 1973; Koolman et al. 1973, 1979). A number of related ecdysteroid hormones have been subsequently purified in various laboratories (Wyatt 1972).
Imaging and Storage with Spherical-Reference Volume Holograms

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the volume diffraction properties of holograms recorded with spherical reference beams in the usual holographic recording arrangements: transmission, reflection, and 90° geometries. It shows that the reconstruction is selective to the relative position and wavelength of the probe and reference beams. If the relative translation suppresses the diffracted beam, a new page of information can be stored at the new position, leading to the shift-multiplexing method for holographic storage. Alternatively, relative probe translation can be combined with appropriate color changes on the degeneracy surface to sustain high diffraction efficiency. If multiple probes and wavelengths are simultaneously present to reconstruct the hologram, a tomographic mapping results between the ensemble of probes and the detector surface, thereby isolating the probe sources that belong on the degeneracy surface. It is striking that two applications in diverse areas, data storage and 4D imaging, are based on the same physical principle. The primary advantage that makes shift-multiplexing attractive for holographic memories is the simplicity of the linear motion required to implement it. The simple version of tomographic imaging using volume holograms presented in the chapter has the advantage of reconstructing 4D objects slicewise noninvasively on a flat detector surface, with a nocomputational effort.
Evaluation of curvature adaptive optics for airborne laser communication systems

Laser communications (Lasercomm) for long distance airborne applications offer the potential for secure, high capacity communications outside the traditional radio frequency (RF) spectrum. This paper will present laboratory and field experiments evaluating curvature adaptive optics for Lasercomm terminal architectures to enable long-range (<200 km) and high rate (10’s Gbps) communication links for airborne applications. In particular, the benefits of and requirements to implement higher order adaptive optics correction for airborne systems in addition to tip/tilt correction will be discussed.
Primates’ Use of Flooded and Unflooded Forests in Peruvian Amazonia

The Peruvian Amazon basin is home to communities with some of the highest primate species richness found anywhere in the world. While the Amazon basin is a mosaic of terra firme, igapo, and varzea forests, with primates occupying all of these, there is surprisingly little comprehensive research comparing primate species richness among these forest types. The few studies that have looked at this found lower primate species richness in flooded forests compared to terra firme, presumably due to lower plant species diversity in flooded forests. Most of these studies, however, concentrated on comparisons between terra firme and varzea forests; until recently little work has been done on primates in igapo forests. Over a period of 12 years, beginning in 2001, we sampled primate species richness in igapo and terra firme habitats in the Area de Conservacion Regional Comunal Tamshiyacu Tahuayo (ACRCTT), a communal reserve located in northeastern Peru. We found an equal number of primate species in both igapo and terra firme habitats (11 sympatric primate species in each). Our findings of high primate species richness in both igapo and terra firme forests are likely explained by multiple factors, including the unique characteristics of Peruvian igapo which, perhaps as a result of geographic proximity to the Andes, more closely resembles varzea, with more nutrient-rich soils than is typical of black-water forests farther east in Amazonia. In addition, our findings support earlier suggestions that some primate species’ use of igapo habitat is seasonal. These species may be moving into igapo during periods when fruit, especially that of palms like Mauritia flexuosa, is superabundant there although scarce in terra firme. Thus, during critical times of the year, igapo forests may be critical to maintaining sustainable primate populations and primate species richness in areas with flooded and unflooded forests.
Exoplanet Exploration Program Analysis Group (ExoPAG) Study Analysis Group (SAG) 17 Final Report Resources Needed for Planetary Confirmation and Characterization

The upcoming TESS mission will detect thousands of candidate transiting exoplanets. Those candidates require extensive follow-up observations to distinguish genuine planets from false positives, and to resolve the physical properties of the planets and their host stars. While the TESS mission is funded to conduct those observations for the smallest and most Earth-size candidate systems, the large number of additional candidates will have to be vetted and measured by the rest of the astronomical community. To realize fully the scientific potential of the TESS mission, we must ensure that there are adequate observing resources for the community to examine the TESS transit candidates and find the best candidates for detailed characterization. The primary purpose of this report is to describe the follow-up observational needs for planetary discoveries made by transit surveys - in particular TESS. However, many of the same types of observations are necessary for the other discovery techniques as well, particularly with regards to the characterization of the host stars and the planetary orbits. It is worth acknowledging that while a planet discovery may be a one-time event, the deeper understanding of a planetary system is an ongoing process, requiring observations with better precision over longer time spans.
Legal principles and seminal legal cases in oocyte donation

Oocyte donation has played an increasingly important role in assisted reproductive technologies since the early 1980s. Over the past 30 years, unique legal standards have evolved to address issues in the oocyte donation procedure itself as well as the disputes over issues, such as parentage, that inevitably arise with new technologies, particularly for individuals seeking to build nontraditional families. This essay will explore oocyte donation's legal aspects as well as seminal law concerning the procedure, including statutory law (uniform and model provisions and enacted state laws) and selected judicial opinions concerning surrogacy and parentage, testing of oocyte donors, mix-ups of donated oocytes, and donor compensation.
Do substitute species help or hinder endangered species management

Abstract Substitute species (common species used to represent endangered species) are used to evaluate a range of conservation strategies globally. However, the effectiveness of this approach has not been empirically evaluated. We leveraged a large-scale habitat restoration experiment to test the validity of the substitute species concept. We selected a common butterfly, Satyrodes appalachia, that is on first inspection as near a substitute as possible - it is closely related to, overlaps in distribution, habitat requirements, host use, and life history with Neonympha mitchellii francisci, an endangered butterfly. We integrated small-scale measures of behavior, habitat preference, and demography of both species in our test, demonstrating that subtle differences between two species cause the substitute relationship to fail. Despite nearly identical habitat requirements, we found the endangered butterfly used different host plants, had higher larval survival in restored sites, and was found in more open habitat than the common butterfly. These differences added up to differences in abundances; the endangered species was more abundant than the common species in restored sites, the opposite was true in un-restored sites. Management decisions based on unvalidated substitute species run the risk of doing more harm than good for endangered species conservation. Instead, using experiments to evaluate a target species' response to management will result in effective recovery strategies.
After Broadcast News: Media Regimes, Democracy, and the New Information Environment by Bruce A. Williams and Michael X. Delli Carpini. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, 361 Pp.

(2012). After Broadcast News: Media Regimes, Democracy, and the New Information Environment by Bruce A. Williams and Michael X. Delli Carpini. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011, 361 Pp. American Journalism: Vol. 29, No. 2, pp. 138-140.
Profit maximisation in long-term e-service agreements

Due to the wide spread use of web-based services, there is competition among service providers to attract the highest number of users either by the competitive pricing of the services, by performance of the services, or both. In this paper, we address this matter by proposing a web service pricing model for the service providers to help generate the highest profit. We dynamically alter the price, based on the market equilibrium techniques to achieve the maximum resource distribution. Our approach also tackles the problem of resources that have low or no demand by the users, by generating bundles such that these resources can be distributed, and generate more profit. Finally, the approach utilises an automated negotiation mechanism for service replacement where we may have an offer from a new user resulting in more profit, but there are not enough resources.
Interaction between induced and natural variation at oil yellow1 delays flowering in maize

We previously demonstrated that maize locus very oil yellow1 (vey1) encodes a putative cis-regulatory expression polymorphism at the magnesium chelatase subunit I gene (aka oil yellow1) that strongly modifies the chlorophyll content of the dominant Oy1-N1989 mutants. The vey1 allele of Mo17 inbred line reduces chlorophyll content in the mutants leading to reduced photosynthetic output. Oy1-N1989 mutants in B73 flowered four days later than wild type. Enhancement of Oy1-N1989 by the Mo17 allele at the vey1 QTL delayed flowering further, resulting in detection of a flowering time QTL in two bi-parental mapping populations crossed to Oy1-N1989. The near isogenic lines of B73 harboring the vey1 allele from Mo17 delayed flowering of Oy1-N1989 mutants by twelve days. Just as previously observed for chlorophyll content, vey1 had no effect on flowering time in the absence of the Oy1-N1989 allele. Loss of chlorophyll biosynthesis in Oy1-N1989 mutants and enhancement by vey1 reduced CO2 assimilation. We attempted to separate the effects of photosynthesis on the induction of flowering from a possible impact of chlorophyll metabolites and retrograde signaling by manually reducing leaf area. Removal of leaves, independent of the Oy1-N1989 mutant, delayed flowering but surprisingly reduced chlorophyll contents of emerging leaves. Thus, defoliation did not completely separate the identity of the signal(s) that regulates flowering time from changes in chlorophyll content in the foliage. These findings illustrate the necessity to explore the linkage between metabolism and the mechanisms that connect it to flowering time regulation.
Contest interactions and outcomes: relative body size and aggression independently predict contest status

In species with pronounced male armaments, body and weapon size often determine success in agonistic interactions. However, the behavioural components of interactions also play a significant role in determining outcomes and individuals that win agonistic interactions may not be the ones that start contests. In this study, we used dyadic, intrasexual assays to characterize agonistic behaviours and determine whether body size and/or the propensity to start interactions influences contest outcome. We characterized agonistic interactions from start to end in the sexually dimorphic forked fungus beetle, Bolitotherus cornutus. Males of the species are known to use their thoracic horns in intrasexual combat, but other aspects of male–male behaviour are undescribed. We created an ethogram that described transitions between behaviours and categorized actions as aggressive, nonaggressive and mounting. Individual aggressive and nonaggressive behaviours were highly repeatable between trials while mounting behaviours were not repeatable. The initiation of nonaggressive and mounting behaviours was not predictive of contest outcome. Relative body size and absolute aggression independently predicted contest outcome. Our results indicate that traits important for establishing contest outcome are not always correlated. Considering either aggression or body size alone may be misleading when determining competitor abilities.
SPONTANEOUS RESOLUTION OF VENTRICULAR STANDSTILL AFTER MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION WITH NON-OBSTRUCTIVE CAD

Ventricular Standstill is associated with electrolyte imbalances, increased vagal tone, and can occur post MI due to ischemia and subsequent conduction defects. A 64-year-old male presented with severe chest pain and nausea. His EKG had ST-elevations in the inferolateral leads. His initial cardiac
Lexical processing in child and adult classroom second language learners: Uniqueness and similarities, and implications for cognitive models

Abstract How do child and adult L2 classroom learners integrate newly-learned L2 words into their L1 mental lexicon, and how do they process the orthographic, phonological, and semantic codes of words in their L2 and L1? Do these processes differ in child L2 learners, who are still developing their L1 lexical knowledge, from adult L2 learners, and if so, how? Current psycholinguistic models of lexical processing in L2 learners, the Revised Hierarchical Model (RHM) and the developmental specification of the Bilingual Interactive Activation model (BIA-d), focus on adult L2 learners. A guiding question in this chapter is whether these models can also account for lexical processing in child L2 learners. The chapter focuses on two critical assumptions these models share: (1) lexical access is language nonselective, and (2) L2 word meaning access progresses from reliance on lexical-level links between L2 and L1 to reliance on direct L2 word form-to-concept mappings. Psycholinguistic studies testing adult and child L2 learners, with a specific focus on classroom learners tested during the earlier stages of L2 learning, are reviewed. The currently available evidence indicates that lexical processing in child and adult L2 learners shows remarkable similarities, despite considerable developmental differences in language and literacy knowledge, brain maturation, cognitive function, and processing speed. Both child and adult L2 learners' lexical processing support language non-selective and parallel activation of L1 and L2 orthographic-phonological codes. However, child L2 learners seem to exploit L2 word-to-concept links at an earlier stage in L2 learning than adult L2 learners, and L2 meaning access appears less reliant on the L1 system in children than in adults.
Universal Immunization Programme in Assam and West Bengal.

In 1990 the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) was able to do fairly well in Assam and West Bengal in India. Immunization coverage rates varied as low as 59.5% for measles in Assam and 69.63% in West Bengal to as high as 80.13% for BCG and 104.73% respectively. All primary health centers provided immunizations on Mondays in Assam and on Wednesdays in West Bengal. Eventually district and block health officials extended these fixed days to subcenter and village levels. Further major hospitals provided them daily. Moreover health workers from various agencies conducted 2 special immunization sessions in October November and December 1990 at 1 month intervals in areas with a large uncovered child population so as to fully immunize children against certain diseases. Obstacles prevented adequate immunization coverage in Calcutta West Bengal so by April 1990 DPT3 coverage was only 29% and that of measles 13%. Thus the Calcutta Municipal Corporation arranged 3 immunization campaigns lasting 6 days in october November and December 1990 in which health workers from 4 different agencies vaccinated the children. Measles coverage increased to 61%. In 1990 health workers conducted immunization activities in tea gardens where many people worked in Upper Assam such as fixed days and outreach to neighboring areas. Both the Assam and West Bengal State Governments gave UIP a high priority such as the formation of a task force on UIP. Further laborer groups helped launch a campaign in West Bengal. The Muslim leader of Calcutta encouraged all Muslims in West Bengal to become immunized. Moreover organizations including the Ministry of Social Welfare and Lions and Rotary Clubs joined the Ministry of Health in immunization efforts. The UIP used folk media and the mass media to disseminate information and educate the public about immunizations. The Project Officer for UNICEF covered UIP sustainability issues such as political commitment and maintenance of the cold chain.
Using Fitbit data to monitor the heart rate evolution patterns of college students.

Objective: To investigate what social, psychological, personality, and behavioral factors affect overtime heart rate changes of college students. Participants: The daily heart rates of over 600 und...
Examining the Tensions between Rapport with Pre-Service Teachers and Authority in Becoming a Teacher Educator

The purpose of this self-study was to examine an internal conflict the lead author was feeling about her credibility to teach pre-service elementary teachers when she was similar in age to them and...
Nieuws onderzoek naar The Box ‘Stevit’: Online CVRM-zorg thuis

Hedendaagse technologie kan uitkomst bieden bij het ontlasten van de chronische zorg voor patienten met hart- en vaatziekten. In het project The Box worden live consulten vervangen door digitale monitoring en videoconsulten.
Tula sin censura: un recorrido por la otra versión del clásico de Miguel Picazo

espanolDesde su exito en el Festival Internacional de cine de San Sebastian en 1964, La tia Tula de Miguel Picazo se convirtio en uno de los hitos del “Nuevo cine espanol” y, con el tiempo, en uno de nuestros clasicos. Sin embargo, tal y como profetizo el propio Garcia Escudero, Director General de Cinematografia durante esos anos de “aperturismo” del regimen franquista, el perjuicio de haber sido censurada en exceso no ha dejado de acompanarla casi como un atributo ya inherente a ella. Ademas, el hecho de que se destruyeran los negativos censurados no habria hecho sino contribuir a esta leyenda. Nos proponemos en este articulo comparar la pelicula que ha llegado hasta nosotros con el guion publicado en 2005 en ocasion del 40 aniversario de su estreno. Para ello tendremos en cuenta, no solo las escenas y planos cortados por la censura, sino tambien todas aquellas modificaciones realizadas por el propio Picazo en su tarea de poner en escena su obra. Nuestro recorrido nos desvelara una version mas compleja y matizada de los principales personajes, asi como un retrato mucho mas minucioso, incisivo y hasta mordaz de la sociedad provinciana de principios de los anos sesenta. EnglishSince its success at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (1964), Miguel Picazo's La tia Tula has become one of the milestones of the “New Spanish Cinema” and, over time, one of our classics. However, as Garcia Escudero himself predicted, General Director of Cinematography during those years of “openness” of the Franco regime, the prejudice of having been censored in excess has not ceased to accompany the film, almost as an attribute already inherent to it. Moreover, the fact that the censored negatives were destroyed would have only contributed to this legend. In this study, we intend to compare the film that has reached us with the script published in 2005 on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of its premiere. In doing so, we will take into account not only the scenes and shots cut by the censorship, but also all the modifications made by Picazo himself in his task of staging his work. Our journey will reveal a more complex and nuanced version of the main characters, as well as a much more detailed, incisive and even scathing portrait of the provincial society of the early sixties
Young children's ability to make predictions about novel illnesses.

Understanding disease transmission is a complex problem highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. These studies test whether 3- to 6-year-old children in the United States use information about social interactions to predict disease transmission. Before and during COVID-19, children predicted illness would spread through close interactions. Older children outperformed younger children with no associations between task performance and pandemic experience. Children did not predict that being hungry or tired would similarly spread through close interactions. Participants include 196 three- to six-year-olds (53% girls, 47% boys; 68% White, 9% Black, 7% Asian, 6% Hispanic or Latinx), with medium-sized effects (d = .6, η p 2 = .3). These findings suggest that thinking about social interaction supports young children's predictions about illness, with noted limitations regarding children's real-world avoidance of disease-spreading behaviors.
Sequence divergence within the sperm-specific polypeptide TCTE1 is correlated with species-specific differences in sperm binding to zona-intact eggs.

: The T-complex-associated testes-expressed (TCTE1) gene encodes a novel sperm cell-specific polypeptide (TCTE1) that is conserved across vertebrate species. TCTE1 is absolutely required for fertilization and is expressed in earlier stages of spermatogenesis. When the amino acid sequence of the TCTE1 gene product is compared among various mammalian species, a large, highly conserved domain is observed, along with a divergent domain encoding the 56–58 residues at the N terminus. In this study, the N-terminal regions of the TCTE1 polypeptide from three rodent species—mouse, gerbil, and rat—were compared. The results show that while the gerbil and mouse species are most distant in evolutionary terms, their TCTE1 homologs have not undergone significant divergence. In contrast, the N-terminal region of the rat TCTE1 homolog has evolved rapidly, a finding that indicates positive Darwinian selection. We have tested the correlation between TCTE1 divergence and heterospecific sperm-egg binding ability in the three species under study. Gerbil sperm bind to mouse eggs, while no significant binding is observed between rat sperm and mouse eggs. The results obtained support the hypothesis that the sperm-specific polypeptide TCTE1 may facilitate species—specific divergence of sperm function.
Taking Free Speech Seriously: The United States Supreme Court and Virtual Child Pornography

This essay praises the Supreme Court's decision, Ashcroft v. Free Speech Coalition, for taking the First Amendment seriously. Emphasizing the importance of protecting bad speech, such as flag burning, or Nazi speech, the article explores whether virtual child pornography is significantly different from these other forms of bad speech to warrant different treatment. After distinguishing real child pornography as analogous to a child labor law and unlike free speech, the essay concludes that virtual child pornography is speech that ought to be constitutionally protected.
The DNA Polymerase β Replication Error Spectrum in the Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Gene Contains Human Colon Tumor Mutational Hotspots

We have found a significant concordance between the in vitro replication errors of human DNA polymerase β and in vivo point mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli ( APC ) gene that leads to colon cancer. We determined the error spectrum of DNA polymerase β in the human APC gene under PCR conditions and compared it with the set of mutations reported in human colon tumors. Polymerase β created seven hotspot mutations within 141 target bp analyzed in APC exon 15. Three of these polymerase β hotspots, 2 frameshifts and a bp substitution mutation, were concordant with 3 of 13 APC hotspots detected in human colon cancers in the same DNA sequences. These 3 concordant hotspots accounted for some 54% of reported in vivo APC hotspot mutations. Using the assumption of a hypergeometric distribution of hotspot mutations among bp of the scanned sequences, the probability of this concordance occurring by chance is <4 × 10−4. These data support the hypothesis that DNA polymerase β errors are an important fraction of cancer-causing APC mutations.
Subpopulations of human T lymphocytes: IV. Quantitation and distribution in patients with mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome

Abstract T cell subpopulations (Tμ and Tγ cells) were examined in the peripheral blood from fourteen patients with mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. One patient with Sezary syndrome having low lymphocyte count had higher proportions of Tγ cells when compared to controls while the other with high lymphocyte count (75% Sezary cells) lacked Tγ cells and had normal proportions of Tμ cells. T cells from a third patient with Sezary syndrome having high lymphocyte count (95% Sezary cells) lacked almost completely both Tμ and Tγ cells. Three of eleven patients with mycosis fungoides had a high proportion of Tγ cells and one had a high proportion of Tμ cells. Study of T cells in the peripheral blood, lymph nodes, and bone marrow from two patients with mycosis fungoides demonstrated that the quantitative abnormality of tμ and Tγ cells is shared by the peripheral blood and bone marrow and not by the lymph nodes. Heterogeneity of T cells subsets in mycosis fungoides appears to be in non-malignant T cells. However, in Sezary syndrome malignant Sezary T cells demonstrate heterogeneity with regard to receptors for IgM (Tμ) and IgG (Tγ).
The Structural Underpinnings of Policy Learning: A Classroom Policy Simulation

This paper investigates the relationship between the centrality of individual actors in a social network structure and their policy learning performance. In a dynamic comparable to real-world policy networks, results from a classroom simulation demonstrate a strong relationship between centrality in social learning networks and grade performance. Previous research indicates that social network centrality should have a positive effect on learning in other contexts and this link is tested in a policy learning context. Second, the distinction between collaborative learning versus information diffusion processes in policy learning is examined. Third, frequency of interaction is analyzed to determine whether consistent, frequent tics have a greater impact on the learning process. Finally, the data arc analyzed to determine if the benefits of centrality have limitations or thresholds when benefits no longer accrue. These results demonstrate the importance of network structure, and support a collaborative conceptualization of the policy learning process.
High-Yield Method for Dispersing Simian Kidneys for Cell Cultures

Abstract A technique for dispersion of animal tissue cells is described. The proposed technique is based on the concomitant use of trypsin and disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA). The use of the two dispersing agents (trypsin and disodium EDTA) markedly enhances cell yield as compared with the standard cell dispersion methods. Moreover, significant reduction in the amount of time required for complete tissue dispersal, presence of a very low number of nonviable cells, less cell clumping, and more uniform monolayer formation upon cultivation compare favorably with the results usually obtained with the standard trypsinization technique.
Radical Tax Reform, Municipal Finance, and the Conservative Agenda

Proponents of a consumption tax system to replace the federal income tax typically couch their support for radical tax reform in the language of traditional tax policy goals. They claim that their reform plans promote the goals of simplicity, economic efficiency, stability, and equity. This Article examines how well the proposed tax reforms will achieve those goals in the context of their anticipated impact on state and local finance. The effects on state and local governments of a flattened-rate income tax, flat tax, or a broad federal consumption tax could be enormous and devastating. The Article finds that all of the reform proposals fall far short of achieving the traditional goals of tax policy in the context of state and local finance. This Article develops an alternative explanation for why the radical tax proposals are currently under serious consideration. It suggests that the adverse impact that the federal-level reforms will have on state and local finance is not an incidental side effect, but rather is part of a strategy consistent with conservative thinking to reduce the size of government and to make taxation more difficult. The alternative explanation views the tax proposals as a way to advance the conservative political agenda on at least two fronts: (1) to remove tax expenditures as a policy tool and thereby reduce the opportunities for "social engineering" by the central government; and (2) to force a realignment of federalism issues in the taxation area by making the total tax burden more transparent and making local taxation more difficult.
NAG-1/GDF-15 prevents obesity by increasing thermogenesis, lipolysis and oxidative metabolism

NAG-1/GDF-15 prevents obesity by increasing thermogenesis, lipolysis and oxidative metabolism
Activation of Protein Kinase C Triggers Irreversible Cell CycleWithdrawal In Human Keratinocytes

Irreversible cell cycle withdrawal occurs as normal keratinocytes detach from the basement membrane and initiate their terminal differentiation program. To investigate which signaling pathways regulate this permanent cell cycle withdrawal, we added inhibitors of kinases implicated in integrin signaling and keratinocyte differentiation to normal human keratinocytes induced to differentiate in suspension culture, and assayed the growth capacity of the recovered cells. Keratinocytes suspended in methylcellulose for 24 h underwent ≈ 1000-fold loss of proliferative capacity. Of the kinase inhibitors tested, only the protein kinase C inhibitor Bisindolylmaleimide I (GF109203X) caused dramatic protection from loss of growth potential. Direct activation of protein kinase C by 12- O -tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate was also sufficient to trigger irreversible growth arrest. Protein kinase C inhibitors selective for protein kinase Cα, the only Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinase C isoform in keratinocytes, protected keratinocytes from suspension-induced cell cycle withdrawal. Consistent with this finding, we measured a specific induction of Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinase C activity 2–3 h after keratinocytes were placed into suspension culture. Furthermore, protein kinase Cα was strongly localized to cell membranes in the suprabasal keratinocytes of human epidermis, suggesting translocation and activation in vivo . Coordinated changes in cell cycle regulators (p21, p27, pRb, p107, p130) consistent with cells exiting the cell cycle were observed in suspended keratinocytes, and these changes were blocked by protein kinase C inhibition. These results indicate that the loss of cell matrix adhesion triggers protein kinase C activation, which is an early event required for cell cycle withdrawal of terminally differentiating normal human keratinocytes.
Grade IV Renal Injuries: Evaluation, Treatment, and Outcome

Of our last 2483 renal trauma patients, 113 had grade IV injuries. In most the mechanism was a penetrating injury (60%: 30% gunshot, 30% stab wounds). Associated injuries were common (80%) and hospital stays prolonged, averaging 16 days. Most of the patients (70%) required transfusion, some massively (average volume 4.4 liters, range 0-30 liters). Surprisingly, not all patients with grade IV renal injuries had gross hematuria: 25% had microhematuria, and 4% had neither microscopic nor gross hematuria. Computed tomography (CT) diagnosed the injury correctly in 100% of the patients in whom it was performed; when CT was not available, "one-shot" intraoperative intravenous pyelography (IVP) demonstrated grossly abnormal findings in 90%. Renal exploration was performed in 78%, resulting in 69% renorrhaphy and 9% nephrectomy rates in our 113 patients. Almost all those with penetrating trauma required exploration (97%), whereas only 50% of those with blunt trauma did so. The overall complication rate and kidney-specific complication rate did not differ significantly between patients who were observed and those who underwent surgery. Complications rates were similar in grade IV renal laceration patients and grade III patients. Delayed complications after hospital discharge were not seen, although follow-up was rare in this inner-city trauma population. Among the 21% of patients in whom postoperative nucleotide renal function scans were available, function was generally good (average 36%). Only patients who underwent concomitant vascular repair had poor function (below 20%).
On-line capillary separations/tandem mass spectrometry for protein digest analysis by using an ion trap storage/reflectron time-of flight mass detector

Capillary separations interfaced to tandem mass spectrometry provide a very powerful tool for the characterization of biological macromolecules such as proteins and peptides. The development of real time data-dependent data acquisition has further enhanced the capability of this method. However, the application of this technique to fast capillary separations has been limited by the relatively slow spectral acquisition speed available on scanning mass spectrometers. In this work, an ion trap storage/reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometer (IT/reTOF-MS) has been used as an on-line tandem mass detector for capillary high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations of peptide mixtures including a protein digest. By taking advantage of the nonscanning property of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer, a fast spectral acquisition rate has been achieved. This fast spectral acquisition rate, combined with a new protocol that speeds up tickle voltage optimization, has provided MS/MS spectra for multiple components in a hemoglobin digest during one liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) run. Further, the IT/reTOF-MS has the speed to provide MS/MS spectra for multiple components in a CE separation of a synthetic peptide mixture within one CE/MS/MS run.
Effective Strategies for the Management of Pyoderma Gangrenosum.

Background: Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is an inflammatory disease characterized by painful ulcerations. It is often associated with other systemic inflammatory diseases, especially inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and autoimmune arthritis. The Problem: PG does not have characteristic serologic or histologic features. Therefore, other potential causes such as malignancy, vasculitis, infection, and coagulation disorders should be ruled out. In addition, patients often have aggressive disease that is refractory to immunosuppressive therapy, but there is only a paucity of clinical data to help direct therapy. Basic/Clinical Science Advances: There are several lines of evidence to support an immunologic etiology of PG. Although the pathogenesis is still not well understood, it is clear that PG is associated with the upregulation of several cytokines including interleukin 8 (IL-8), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1β, IL-6, and interferon gamma, among many others. TNF and IL-1β are of particular interest, because...
Determinants of Store Brand Share

Abstract Private labels or store brands have witnessed considerable growth in the last few decades, especially in grocery products. However, market shares of store brand vary considerably across categories, markets, and countries. A natural question of interest to academics and practitioners is what factors influence store brand market shares. Drawing on a utility framework, we develop 21 consumer, manufacturer, retailer, and product-market characteristics that can influence store brand share. We test the empirical generalizability of the effect of these determinants through a meta-analysis of data from 54 individual and aggregate market studies. Twenty of the 21 determinants show significant, empirically generalizable effects. We discuss the key findings, their implications, and directions for future empirical research.
Retention of conditioned taste aversion in weanling, adult, and old-age rats.

Rats ranging in age from weanling to old age were given a single saccharin/lithium chloride pairing and were tested for saccharin aversion 1 or 28 days later. Weanling, adult, and old-age rats did not differ in their retention of the conditioned aversion at the 1-day retention interval, but weanling rats showed substantially less aversion than adult and old-age rats at the 28-day interval. The old-age rats did not differ from the adults at either retention interval. The old-age rats did not differ from the adults at either retention interval. As old-age rats generally forget a passive avoidance task sooner than adults do, these results lend limited support to the hypothesis that retention of conditioned taste aversion may be mediated by a different memory system than the system that mediates retention of more conventional types of learning.
Thermoelectric properties and efficiency measurements under large temperature differences

The maximum efficiency of a thermoelectric generator is determined by the material’s dimensionless figure of merit ZT. Real thermoelectric material properties are highly temperature dependent and are often measured individually using multiple measurement tools on different samples. As a result, reported ZT values have large uncertainties. In this work we present an experimental technique that eliminates some of these uncertainties. We measure the Seebeck coefficient, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity of a single element or leg, as well as the conversion efficiency, under a large temperature difference of 2–160 °C. The advantages of this technique include (1) the thermoelectric leg is mounted only once and all measurements are in the same direction and (2) the measured properties are corroborated by efficiency measurements. The directly measured power and efficiency are compared to the values calculated from the measured properties and agree within 0.4% and 2%, respectively. The realistic t...
The Possible Effect of Oceans on the Atmospheric Lunar Tide

Abstract The coupling of the tides in the ocean and in the atmosphere is studied theoretically. Although only an ocean which covers the earth's surface entirely is considered, the result suggests the possibility of a large effect of the ocean on the atmospheric lunar tides. The main effect is to amplify the atmospheric oscillation if the ocean depth is within certain limits. The effect of limited oceans resembling closely those actually occurring on the earth remains to be discussed.