cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrocephalus in Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

In this article, we reported a case of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) type I noted to have tetraventricular hydrocephalus with Blake's pouch cyst at 8 months of age following intrathecal nusinersen therapy. The association of hydrocephalus with SMA is rarely reported in the literature. Development of hydrocephalus after intrathecal nusinersen therapy is also reported in some cases, but a cause–effect relationship is not yet established. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of a patient with SMA type I and hydrocephalus, to review similar cases reported in the literature, and to explore the relationship between nusinersen therapy and development of hydrocephalus. The clinical presentation and radiographic findings of the patient are described and a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted. The adverse effect of communicating hydrocephalus related to nusinersen therapy is being reported and the authors suggest carefully monitoring for features of hydrocephalus developing during the course of nusinersen therapy.
Do Activist Directors Add Value

Since the financial crisis and with the help of large passive investors, activist hedge funds, who initially served as a catalyst in resolving agency conflict, have increased influence beyond their concentrated stock holdings advocating for board representation. We study the performance of companies with activist directors using a hand-collected dataset and attempt to fill a void in the emerging study of corporate activism. Our data covers a complete list of activist hedge fund directors, their tenure, and operating performance and returns associated with their board service. Additionally, our findings provide context for the ongoing policy debate on the attributes of activism and corporate governance. We find scant statistically significant evidence that activist hedge funds that nominate directors by winning a proxy contest or by consulting with management generate long-term value for shareholders in the form of superior operating performance and outsized monthly returns during their board tenure.
Der Schließungssatz von Poncelet und andere Schließungssätze

Wir betrachten zwei verschachtelte Ellipsen γ und Γ, wahlen einen Punkt X auf der auseren Ellipse, legen an die innere eine Tangente und verlangern die Tangente, bis sie die ausere im Punkt Y schneidet. Wir wiederholen die Konstruktion von Y ausgehend usw. Wir erhalten ein Polygon, das in Γ eingeschrieben und γ umschrieben ist. Nehmen wir an, dieser Prozess ist periodisch: Der n-te Punkt fallt mit dem Ausgangspunkt zusammen. Nun beginnen wir an einem anderen Punkt, etwa X 1. Der Schliesungssatz von Poncelet besagt, dass sich das Polygon wiederum nach n Schritten schliest (siehe Abbildung 29.1 auf der nachsten Seite)
Self-similar coarsening: A test of theory

Abstract Theoretical description of coarsening is of central importance to describing the kinetics of phase transformations in a wide range of materials. Through experiments on the International Space Station (ISS), the dynamics of coarsening was measured in a system that satisfies all assumptions of theory, in which the materials properties needed to compare experiment and theory are known, and has a rapid coarsening rate. The observed exponents for the temporal power laws match those predicted by theory. We find that the amplitudes of the power laws are slightly higher than predicted due to the presence of slow particle motion resulting from nonzero gravity present on the ISS. The measured particle size distributions are in agreement with those predicted by simulations. We conclude that interfacial energy driven coarsening is well described by theory and that simulations of coarsening can be used as a reliable tool for computational materials design.
The BamHI J fragment (0.706 to 0.737 map units) of pseudorabies virus is transcriptionally active during viral replication.

Abstract The BamHI J fragment of the pseudorabies virus (PRV) genome has not been associated with any viral transcripts during viral replication. In this report, data are presented to show that a portion of BamHI-J is transcribed during a productive infection. Four oligo(dT)-cellulose-selected RNA species were detected by hybridization with probes derived from BamHI-J. These RNAs were partially colinear, and they were transcribed in the opposite orientation with respect to the immediate-early gene (IE180) of PRV. At least one of the transcripts overlapped (antisense) the coding sequence of IE180 by 450 nucleotides. Expression of these RNAs was sensitive to phosphonoacetic acid, indicating that they are transcripts of PRV late genes. There were several similarities between these RNAs and the latency-associated transcripts detected in the trigeminal ganglia of swine latently infected with PRV (A. K. Cheung, J. Virol. 63: 2908-2913, 1989).
Carcinoma of prostate

Abstract A patient with stage D carcinoma of the prostate with metastases to the perineal skin and bladder involvement is clinically tumor-free four years after bilateral adrenalectomy. Previous orchiectomy, estrogen therapy, and pelvic radiotherapy failed to induce an objective remission. The patient had an abnormally high ratio of 11-deoxy to 11-oxy 17-ketosteroids prior to adrenalectomy. These measurements became normal after bilateral adrenalectomy.
Prayer, Christoformity, and the Author: New Sites of Discussion for Theology

You should read this book —and assign at least part of it in class (the most quotable quotes cluster, usefully, in the gorgeous Prelude)—because there is really nothing else like it. It really is an essay “On the Trinity.” And it really does contribute to the sexuality debates without attempting to solve them in their current terms. Meanwhile, the plates alone will justify the price. I find myself reverting to Coakley's view when students ask about the Trinity “why three?”—even when I have set out to say something else. You know how, as a teacher, you watch the students' eyes to see whether they have understood? You hear yourself abandoning the pat answers, the ones you might like for your colleagues to hear, and trying other things, just to get a purchase on that uncomprehending look in students' eyes. The understanding doesn't dawn until you give some version of Coakley's account. And then, whether you like it or not, you have something to defend, modify, or criticize, but in any case, and usually for the first time, you have something from which the students can go on. I say this not from lack of experience, but as someone who has written a whole book on the Holy Spirit.
Improved Bayesian approach

The Bayesian approach that employs the concepts of cliques and line sites in its Gibbs prior provides the potential of realistic and objective characterization of boundaries between different regions exhibiting intensity variations in the reconstructed images. In this work, we develop an improved Bayesian approach for accurate detection of boundaries by introducing symmetric cliques and new types of line sites as well as a new calculation scheme. This improved Bayesian approach has been applied to positron emission tomography data from both computer simulations and patient studies. The results demonstrate that the new cliques, line sites, and calculation scheme can enhance the boundary detectability of the Bayesian approach and yield realistic boundaries and hence improved reconstructed images.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On space-time convolutional codes for PSK modulation

Space-time convolutional codes have been shown to provide improved performance for high data rate transmission over fading channels through combined space diversity and coding gain. However, there are still some questions on how to design the codes in binary or discrete domain to achieve these gains in the complex domain of baseband-modulated signals. In this paper, we first consider the effect of minimum distance in the space-time codes, then propose a new efficient design method which is based on the upper and lower bounds of the coding gain. The simulation result shows that the new approach allows a fast search for optimal space-time convolutional codes for many practical problems.
The analysis of mating behavior data.

Quite different sets of data are shown to generate identical output ratios so that analyses of mating behavior data based on the use of input and output ratios may obscure significant aspects of the mating behavior.
Consumer perceptions about seafood – an Internet survey

Consumer knowledge of and attitude toward seafood and seafood consumption was assessed using a nationwide Internet survey. The survey was evaluated for content validity and was pilot tested by consumers. There were 1062 respondents representing the US population for age, gender, income, ethnicity and geographic location. Respondents were asked questions regarding seafood consumption frequency, sources of information about seafood and preferred formats, knowledge of key seafood issues, and barriers to seafood consumption. Consumers were asked if they had heard positive or negative information about seafood and where they heard this information. Respondents were categorized as current seafood eaters (CSE), 88%; former seafood eaters (FSE), 9%; and nonseafood eaters (NSE), 3%. While only 22% of Americans met the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendation of two servings of seafood each week, overall, 45% ate seafood at least once a week. Only 19% of women of childbearing age ate seafood two or more times per week. The top-ranking reason for not eating seafood or changing seafood consumption habits was taste preference (46%) for FSE and NSE respondents, and affordability (45%) for CSE. Based on the results of this survey, a better understanding of consumers’ seafood habits can be used for the development of balanced messages for consumers over a variety of demographics. Respondents chose the media (30%) and the Internet (14%) as their preferred seafood information resource.
Bodies and Art

This article examines points of convergence between Pierre Bourdieu's concept of the habitus and ancient and modern depictions of art as a model of knowledge. My discussion of art is intended to engage on-going conversations on rhetorical invention and to raise new questions concerning the relationship between invention and cultural critique.
Optimum Sample Size and Number of Levels in a One-Way Random-Effects Analysis of Variance

In most behavioral science research very little attention is ever given to the probability of committing a Type II error, i.e., the probability of failing to reject a false null hypothesis. Recent publications by Cohen (2, 3) have led to a great deal of insight on this topic for the fixed-effects analysis of variance and covariance. These publications should prove invaluable in aiding social scientists to carry out and better understand their research. It is the purpose of this paper to provide social scientists with some insight in dealing with Type II error, and therefore, optimum sample size and number of levels, in the random-effects analysis of variance.
Regulation of messenger ribonucleic acid for corticotropin releasing hormone receptor in the pituitary during stress.

The mechanism regulating pituitary CRH receptors during stress was studied by analysis of the changes in CRH receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) and CRH binding after acute and repeated stress and CRH and vasopressin (VP) administration in intact and adrenalectomized rats. Acute stress caused time- and stress type-dependent changes in pituitary CRH receptor expression. In situ hybridization studies showed biphasic changes in CRH receptor mRNA after immobilization stress for 1 h and decreases by 2 h (P < 0.01). Increases (P < 0.01) were seen 4 and 8 h after the initiation of the stress, and a return to near basal levels by 12 and 18 h. A different pattern, with a decrease by 4 h (P < 0.01) and levels similar to controls after 12 and 18 h, was observed after a single ip injection of hypertonic saline (1.5 M NaCl). Binding autoradiography showed significant increases in pituitary CRH binding 4, 10, and 12 h after immobilization stress, but significant decreases 4, 12, and 18 h after ip hypertonic saline. In contra...
Effects of Studio Space on Teaching and Learning: Preliminary Findings from Two Case Studies.

Recognizing that traditional classrooms do not facilitate active learning, colleges and universities are increasingly converting traditional classroom space into studio space. Research indicates positive effects on student learning when studio classroom space is combined with active learning pedagogy, but the research does not separate the effect of the space from the effect of the pedagogy or address the effect of the space on teaching. The case studies described in this article suggest that studio space can launch teachers into active learning pedagogy and can increase the positive effects of that pedagogy on learning. Teachers and students perceived direct effects of the space itself.
Size and interface effects in the phase transitions of antiferromagnetic superlattices

A self-consistent mean field theory is used to study composition effects on the phase transitions of FeF2/CoF2 and FeF2/MnF2 superlattices under weak applied fields. The temperature dependence of the magnetization is shown to depend strongly on the superlattice layering pattern and also on the interface coupling. Thin films of low anisotropy compounds display stronger shifts of transition temperature. Comparison with bulk results shows that size effects persist even for very thick layers for weakly coupled systems.
Guilt by association: a historical perspective on Huggins, testosterone therapy, and prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT Introduction A long‐standing belief is that higher testosterone (T) will increase the risk of prostate cancer (PCa), yet recent studies do not support this view. Aim To identify the key historical and scientific events leading to the establishment and persistence of the belief in a T‐dependent model of PCa growth, despite evidence to the contrary. Methods Review of key historical scientific articles regarding T and PCa. Results The T‐dependent model of PCa growth arose from the work of Huggins and coworkers, who in 1941 demonstrated dramatic responses to castration among men with advanced PCa. These authors and others also reported a rapid clinical progression with T administration. This led to the concept that T was like “food for a hungry tumor” for men with PCa. Fowler and Whitmore recognized in 1981 that the negative effect of T administration did not occur unless men had been previously castrated. However, this critical observation was either forgotten or dismissed amid major changes in PCa diagnosis and management during the 1980s. More recent studies have failed to provide clinical evidence supporting the belief that higher T represents a risk for PCa. Factors contributing to the persistence of the T‐dependent model included dramatic effects of castration, continued use of androgen deprivation for treatment of PCa, an influential spokesperson (Huggins), groupthink (failure to acknowledge evidence inconsistent with the prevalent ideology), and an imprecise formulation of the model (“more T, more cancer growth”), making refutation difficult. Conclusion The fear that higher T will increase PCa growth stems from a theory of T‐dependent PCa growth that originated with observations in a special population (castrated men) that is not particularly relevant to T therapy in hypogonadal men. The negative view of T with regard to PCa should be recognized for what it is—guilt by association. Morgentaler A. Guilt by association: A historical perspective on Huggins, testosterone therapy, and prostate cancer. J Sex Med 2008;5:1834–1840.
Octreotide acetate induces fasting small bowel motility in patients with dumping syndrome.

The long acting somatostatin analogue octreotide acetate has been effective in the treatment of early dumping syndrome. We hypothesized that this may be related to its effects on inhibiting gastric emptying and delaying intestinal transit. To study the effects of octreotide acetate on intestinal motility in patients we carried out a randomized, double-blinded study using a subcutaneous injection of either octreotide acetate (100 μg) or placebo given 20 min prior to ingestion of a high carbohydrate “dumping” meal in six patients with known severe dumping syndrome. Prior to each study a multilumen polyethylene tube was inserted into the efferent limb to study small intestinal contractions using low compliance pneumo-hydraulic water-perfused manometry. Octreotide acetate prevented dumping symptoms in all six patients and induced the appearance of migrating myoelectric complexes (MMC) characteristic of interdigestive motility. After ingestion of the dumping meal the postprandial “fed” motility pattern lasted for 141 ± 9 min while after octreotide acetate the fed motility lasted for 29 ± 5 min (P < 0.03). The vigor of the fed motility pattern as measured by the motility index (MI = loge{sum of amplitudes × No. of contractions + 1}) was lower after octreotide acetate than after placebo (15.1 ± 0.1 vs 13.4 ± 0.2, P < 0.03). The induction of fasting MMC motility pattern and reduction in the duration and vigor of fed motility may explain the symptomatic relief these patients obtained with octreotide acetate. It is not known whether the induction of the MMC is a direct effect of octreotide acetate or secondary to the concomitant inhibition of peptide release (neurotensin, insulin, glucagon, pancreatic polypeptide) that has been demonstrated in earlier studies.
MASS-NMR structural analysis of barium aluminofluorophosphate glasses with and without nitridation

The local structure of barium-aluminofluorophosphate (Ba–Al–P–O–F) glasses was investigated using high resolution magic-angle sample spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MASS-NMR) spectroscopy. The 27Al spectra show three different aluminum environments [Al(4), Al(5), and Al(6)] in these glasses. Changes were observed due to the addition of fluorine and nitrogen. 31P results indicate only one type of phosphorus environment which shifts with fluorine additions. The 19F spectra suggest that fluorine has both Ba and Al as nearest neighbors.
Using Tangrams To Teach Geometry to Young Children.

Unlike a jigsaw puzzle where a piece must fit in only one way to complete a picture, the seven pieces of a geometric tangram can be arranged in many different ways to make figures of birds, animals, people, and objects. This article presents a Tangram Teaching Guide to provide a five-step developmental sequence for teaching tangramming to young children. Teaching resources are included, and a checklist provides a summary outline of the teaching sequence. Tangram experiences help children develop positive attitudes toward geometry, further their shape identification and classification skills, and foster and understanding of basic geometric concepts and relationships.
Designing ergonomic interventions for emergency medical services workers--part III: Bed to stairchair transfers.

Abstract The objective of the current work was to test interventions aimed at reducing the low-back musculoskeletal loads experienced by firefighters/paramedics (FFPs) providing emergency medical services (EMS) that involve transferring a patient between a bed and a stairchair. The interventions, developed or selected using focus groups, were a prototype Drew People Mover™, and a Transfer Sling. These interventions changed the coupling between the EMS worker and the patient. They were compared with an under-axilla lift. Eleven FFP teams transferred a 75 kg dummy between a bed and a stairchair. Both interventions were tested using two-person transfers. In addition, the Transfer Sling was tested using a one-person transfer. Surface electromyographic (EMG) data were collected from 8 trunk muscles from each participant along with spine kinematic data. Additionally, ground reaction force data obtained from two forceplates were acquired for one member of each FFP team that was used to estimate directional spine moments using a 3D linked-segment model. In the two-person transfers, there was 19° less trunk flexion ( p =0.002) for the FFP on the patient's left side and a trend towards less motion for the FFP on the patient's right side ( p =0.079) when using the interventions. Both FFPs showed reductions in the ipsilateral Erector Spinae activity using the Drew People Mover and the Transfer Sling that averaged approximately 9% MVC, which corresponds to a 21% decrease in the muscle activation levels. While the overall EMG was greater when performing a single-FFP transfer, the Transfer Sling reduced the bilateral Erector Spinae activity by approximately 20%. During the two-person transfers, the FFP on the forceplate to the right side of the patient showed a reduction in the forward bending moment using the Drew People Mover relative to the Sling and under-axilla conditions. During the single-person transfers, only the twisting moment was significantly reduced through use of the Transfer Sling. These objective measures, when combined with the subjective ratings of perceived exertion and the verbal feedback lead us to recommend the use of these interventions for bed to stairchair transfers.
Matrix Metalloproteinases in Vascular Physiology and Disease

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that primarily degrade components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Remodeling of the ECM by MMPs is important in both physiological and pathological processes, including organ generation/regeneration, angiogenesis, wound healing, inflammation and tumor growth. In the vasculature, MMPs play a role in beneficial processes such as angiogenesis, collateral artery formation and thrombus resolution. However, MMP expression is also implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms, plaque rupture and neointimal hyperplasia after balloon angioplasty. Here, we review the structure, functions and roles of MMPs in both neovascularization and vascular pathology and discuss the potential of, and challenges that face, adapting MMPs as therapeutic targets in vascular disease.
Gilia in human fetal Schwann cells

Cilia are present in Schwann cells during myelinogenesis which suggest that these cells could migrate by ciliary movement.
A generic linked list implementation in Fortran 95

This paper develops a standard conforming generic linked list in Fortran 95 which is capable of storing data of any type. The list is implemented using the transfer intrinsic function, and although the interface is generic, it remains relatively simple and minimizes the potential for error. Although linked lists are the focus of this paper, the generic programming techniques used are very general and broadly-applicable to other data structures and procedures implemented in Fortran 95 that need to be used with data of an unknown type.
Joining mind mapping and care planning to enhance student critical thinking and achieve holistic nursing care.

Viewpointprovides a forum for scholarly discussion about the theoretical, philosophical, and practical issues related to nursing language and classification systems. The sometimes controversial views are intended to stimulate readers' comments and perspectives. We welcome brief, informal responses to published viewpoints. If you have a viewpoint you want to submit or if you want to discuss it beforehand, contact the column editor: judithwilkins@att.net;913.631.1089. Search terms:Care plans, critical thinking, mind maps
Is Transparency Good For You, and Can the IMF Help?

This paper finds that reforms introduced by the IMF to promote transparency have created more informed markets and reduced borrowing costs for those emerging market countries that volunteered for them. Using a quarterly panel estimation with fixed country effects, we find that sovereign spreads fall following the adoption of three different transparency reforms. The effects are economically important, especially for those countries with low initial transparency. We use two-stage least squares to address any endogeneity in the timing of reforms exploiting internal IMF timetables that are unrelated to country events. Next, using a panel GARCH specification, we show that spreads move more than normal in the days immediately following publication of IMF country documents.
Some physiological effects of starvation in the intertidal prosobranch Littorina planaxis (Philippi, 1847)

Abstract 1. 1. Of the major food sources only lipids decreased significantly during starvation (70 days) in Littorina planaxis . 2. 2. All free amino acids decreased except taurine. 3. 3. Uric acid nitrogen increased significantly, but only one-third of the decrease in free amino acid nitrogen. 4. 4. Total nitrogen remained constant and xanthine and gianine were not detected.
Microwave spectrum, van der Waals bond length, and 131Xe quadrupole coupling constant of Xe–SO3

Abstract Nine isotopologues of Xe–SO 3 have been observed by pulsed-nozzle Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. The complex is a symmetric top with a Xe–S van der Waals distance of 3.577(2) A. The increase in rare gas distance relative to that in Kr–SO 3 is equal to the difference in van der Waals radii between Xe and Kr. The 131 Xe nuclear quadrupole coupling constant indicates that the electric field gradient at the xenon nucleus is 78% larger than that at the Kr nucleus in Kr–SO 3 .
Assessment of behavior therapy training

Abstract Structured assessment should be used to evaluate training programs in behavior therapy. This study evaluates the 7th Annual Behavior Therapy Institute at Temple University Medical School, using a questionnaire which provides orderly feedback of trainee evaluations, one important aspect of assessment. Findings concerning organization, content, method of presentation, and supervision are discussed, and suggestions are made as to what should be included in training programs. It is urged that they should teach the fundamentals thoroughly rather than attempt to cover the whole range of techniques and research issues.
Numerical simulation of integrated liquid cooling and thermoelectric generation for self-cooling of electronic devices

Abstract The concept of heat-driven self-cooling of devices is an important energy saving measure by which devices would be able to provide power to run cooling flow without external power supply. Thermoelectric generation device is proposed to convert the heat energy into electrical energy to drive a hydraulic pump of microchannel heat sink based single phase cooling system. The system could be made self-sustaining in terms of power requirement. In this paper, numerical modeling and validation have been conducted based on an experimental study of net power generation in liquid flow based microchannel heat sink. The relationship between coolant flow rate and heat flux at heat source device has been modeled to study the viability of self-cooling concept. It has been found out that at an optimum flow rate of cooling fluid, it is possible to keep the temperature of a heat source device at a required temperature while providing power to run the coolant through the microchannel heat sink.
Electrochemical fabrication and evaluation of highly sensitive nanorod-modified electrodes for a biotin/avidin system

Abstract Bioaffinity sensors need to be rapid, specific, and highly sensitive. To realize these features, electrodes that can elicit high electrochemical performance are necessary. In this study, we developed nanorod array electrode and performed cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments to study the interfacial properties of the nanorod array electrode with Fe(CN) 6 3−/4− as the redox molecules. Results showed that both the CV and EIS measurements captured very well the resistive and capacitive changes due to the adsorption of functionalizing molecules and the coupling between avidin and biotin. The EIS measurements were more sensitive in discriminating small changes caused by the surface adsorption of various molecules. The use of avidin-functionalized gold nanorod modified electrodes had led to much increased detection sensitivity along with a detection-limit as low as 1 ng/mL of biotin.
Selective Activation of the Sodium-Independent, Cyclosporine A-Sensitive Calcium Pore of Cardiac Mitochondria by Doxorubicin

Various potentially cytopathic actions of doxorubicin have been implicated in the development of cardiotoxicity. However, inhibition of mitochondrial respiration and disruption of calcium homeostasis are emerging as possible primary determinants of toxicity. The objective of this investigation was to identify the specific ion channel by which doxorubicin interferes with calcium homeostasis in isolated rat heart mitochondria. Calcium accumulation by tightly coupled mitochondria was determined spectrophotometrically using arsenazo III and membrane potential was monitored fluorometrically with rhodamine 123. Incubation of cardiac mitochondria with doxorubicin caused a decrease in net accumulation and a delayed spontaneous release of calcium. There was no discernable dissipation of membrane potential and no detectable effect of the drug on the electrophoretic uniport. Diltiazem had no effect while cyclosporin A completely inhibited doxorubicin-induced calcium release. Addition of cyclosporin A prior to calcium prevented the doxorubicin-induced inhibition of calcium accumulation and the release of calcium from cardiac mitochondria. These data suggest that doxorubicin has a specific action on the mitochondrial ADP/ATP antiport, independent of the electrophoretic uniport and the sodium-dependent antiport, which may initiate calcium cycling and the consequential inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation.
Relative contributions of Ca2+ mobilization and influx in renal arteriolar contractile responses to arginine vasopressin

Experiments addressed the hypothesis that afferent and efferent arterioles differentially rely on Ca2+ influx and/or release from intracellular stores in generating contractile responses to AVP. Th...
Myostatin inhibition induces muscle fibre hypertrophy prior to satellite cell activation

Muscle fibres are multinucleated post-mitotic cells that can change dramatically in size during adulthood. It has been debated whether muscle fibre hypertrophy requires activation and fusion of muscle stem cells, the satellite cells. Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle growth during development and in the adult, and MSTN inhibition is therefore a potential therapy for muscle wasting diseases, some of which are associated with a depletion of satellite cells. Conflicting results have been obtained in previous analyses of the role of MSTN on satellite cell quiescence. Here, we inhibited MSTN in adult mice with a soluble activin receptor type IIB and analysed the incorporation of new nuclei using 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labelling by isolating individual myofibres. We found that satellite cells are activated by MSTN inhibition. By varying the dose and time course for MSTN inhibition, however, we found that myofibre hypertrophy precedes the incorporation of new nuclei, and that the overall number of new nuclei is relatively low compared to the number of total myonuclei. These results reconcile some of the previous work obtained by other methods. In contrast with previous reports, we also found that Mstn null mice do not have increased satellite cell numbers during adulthood and are not resistant to sarcopaenia. Our results support a previously proposed model of hypertrophy in which hypertrophy can precede satellite cell activation. Studies of the metabolic and functional effects of postnatal MSTN inhibition are needed to determine the consequences of increasing the cytoplasm/myonuclear ratio after MSTN inhibition.
A technique for the crystallization of proteins

Abstract A technique is described which has been uniformly successful for the crystallization of a large number of highly purified proteins. The method involves extraction in the cold of a protein precipitate with decreasing concentrations of ammonium sulfate followed by warming of the extract to room temperature. It is applicable to protein samples of about 4 mg or more and allows the inclusion of reagents necessary to limit inactivation.
Stimulating creativity through managerial intervention

By linking creativity enhancement constructs to motivation theory, this paper theorizes how research managers, by virtue of their relationship with research personnel, may engage in behaviour which stimulates creative effort. Proposed is that the stimulation of creativity results from a basic scientist experiencing self-actualization needs. Self-actualization becomes prepotent in part as a result of the research manager's effort to satisfy lower level and higher level needs of scientists. Research managers may help satisfy such needs by virtue of their linking pin function, by engaging in goal setting and task definition, and by acquiring needed resources. The specific needs of basic scientists are specified based on the characteristics of basic scientists; two are predominant:— 1. The scientist is a professional, exhibiting many of the characteristics of professionals. 2. The scientist is a creative individual who, when sufficiently motivated produces novel ideas, combines old ideas in a novel way, or applies knowledge of one field to another. By satisfying the particular needs aroused by professional norms and creative ability, the research manager hence may help satisfy the needs of basic scientists. Appropriate managerial behaviours are linked to creativity enhancement in a model depicting the mechanisms whereby scientists are so motivated. Hypotheses are proposed as a basis for future research in testing the model.
Muehrcke's lines of the fingernails.

Paired narrow transverse fingernail lines as described by Muehrcke developed in a 64-year-old woman. This patient had lung cancer and was receiving multiple cytostatic agents. Her serum albumin level was normal when this nail finding was quite prominent. There was no history of a markedly reduced serum albumin level. Accordingly, her nail alterations may represent another example of chemotherapy-induced nail changes. ( Arch Intern Med 139:242, 1979)
Surface recombination velocity and lifetime in InP

Abstract Lifetime and surface recombination velocity in InP are discussed in this paper. It is shown that carrier trapping may be important in the interpretation of transient lifetime measurements. The surface recombination velocity is found to be doping dependent, indicating pinning of the surface Fermi level. The effects of the surface Fermi level on the surface recombination velocity and the surface generation velocity are used to study the Fermi level pinning at the surface of InP. The capture cross-sections of surface states are estimated to be on the order of 1 × 10−13 cm2.
Forecasting economic time series that require a power transformation: Case of state tax receipts

In this study, time series analysis is applied to the problem of forecasting state income tax receipts. The data series is of special interest since it exhibits a strong trend with a high multiplicative seasonal component. An appropriate model is identified by simultaneous estimation of the parameters of the power transformation and the ARMA model using the Schwarz (1978) Bayesian information criterion. The forecasting performance of the time series model obtained from this procedure is compared with alternative time series and regression models. The study illustrates how an information criterion can be employed for identifying time series models that require a power transformation, as exemplified by state tax receipts. It also establishes time series analysis as a viable technique for forecasting state tax receipts.
Cloning of a cGMP-gated cation channel from mouse kidney inner medullary collecting duct.

Abstract The cDNA sequence coding for the cGMP-gated cation channel expressed in the mouse kidney inner medullary collecting duct has been determined. The kidney cGMP-gated cation channel cDNA has an open reading frame of 2055 nucleotides and encodes a 685 amino acid protein. One cDNA clone is alternatively spliced thereby producing a deletion of 107 bp. Two differentially spliced 5′ untranslated regions were determined by 5′ RACE.
Pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy?: effective treatment for FSD related to unresolved childhood sexual abuse.

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is the form of sexual victimization most correlated with sexual dysfunction in adulthood (Atkeson, Calhoun, Resick, & Ellis, 1994; Sarwer & Durlak, 1996; Laumann, Paik, & Rosen, 1999). The goal of this study was to address the sexual ramifications of unresolved CSA and consider the effectiveness of vasoactive pharmacotherapy, specifically sildenafil, for the treatment of women with unresolved CSA. The sample included 35 women (mean age, 45 years) who presented to a sexual health clinic and who were not of childbearing potential. Of the sample 7 women (23%) had a history of unresolved CSA. Following a psychosexual history and medical evaluation, all women were treated with 100 mg of sildenafil, to be used over a 6-week period at home. When home doses were complete, participants filled out the FIEI, a valid and reliable 5-item questionnaire asking about sexual response post sildenafil. Parameters of sexual response included vaginal lubrication, amount and quality of sensation, s...
Transplantation of purified populations of Schwann cells into lesioned adult rat spinal cord

Both peripheral nerve and purified populations of Schwann cells promote axonal regeneration in the peripheral and central nervous systems. In order to assess whether Schwann cells can provide a bridge enabling regrowth of descending and ascending axons across an area of injury in adult spinal cord, Schwann cells enclosed within a collagen scroll were transplanted into lesions created photochemically. Numerous myelinated and unmyelinated axons were found throughout 28–90 day implants; Schwann cells myelinated or ensheathed the ingrowing axons normally. In contrast, acellular collagen grafts did not contain axons. Thus, Schwann cells stimulated abundant growth of axons into the grafts. In part to address the concern that the dense collagen layer acted as a barrier, we assessed transplantation of Schwann cells, inside semi-permeable polyacrylonitrile/polyvinylchloride (PAN/PVC) guidance channels, after transection of adult inbred rat spinal cords at T8 with removal of the the T9–11 segments. One month after grafting, a vascularized tissue cable was present with more myelinated and unmyelinated axons in the Schwann cell seeded channels than controls. Supraspinal axons did not invade the channel; some were of peripheral origin and others were spinal cord interneurons found up to nine segments away from the graft. When both cut ends of the cord were from inserted into Schwann cell filled channels, a vascularized tissue cable bridged the ends of the spinal cord, containing numerous myelinated axons and more unmyelinated axons, originating from spinal grey matter and dorsal root ganglion neurons.
Broken and Becoming God-Sized: Contemporary Metal Music and Masculine Individualism

Using a symbolic interactionist framework, this study is a narrative analysis of song lyrics from sixteen of the most popular heavy metal bands since the early 1990s. The data set for this study constituted 603 songs from fifty-two long play (LP) recordings. Given that the overwhelming majority of metal music listeners are young males, these data were analyzed as texts of contemporary masculine identity. The contents of the data suggest that such identity is expressed in at least two ways. First, representing the “masculine crisis” identity, the data contain narratives of the self's hopeless domination from subjective and objective forces. Second, narratives representing the “traditional” masculine identity describe the cultivation of inner strength and the consequent conquering of perceived foes. Such narratives often predict the domination of a generic “you” and illustrate how the invocation of the “you” projects a future self. Both of these narratives, which depict either the subjugation or domination of the self, are argued to represent an ideology of individualism.
Stimulation of hepatocyte DNA synthesis by neurotensin

Epidermal growth factor and transforming growth factor alpha stimulated DNA synthesis in primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes. Neurotensin amplified epidermal growth factor-stimulated or transforming growth factor alpha-stimulated DNA synthesis by three- to eightfold. Neurotensin by itself did not stimulate DNA synthesis. Amplification of DNA synthesis by neurotensin was observed as low as 10−10 M, and it was increased in a dose-dependent manner with maximal effects at 10–8 M. These results were obtained when hepatocytes were cultured in Williams' medium E, but not in Leibovitz L-15 medium, suggesting that a minor component(s) in the medium is required for hepatocytes to fully respond to neurotensin. Neurotensin effect on DNA synthesis was observed not only in normal rat hepatocytes but also in partially hepatectomized rat hepatocytes, although its effect was stronger in normal hepatocytes. Amplified DNA synthesis was inhibited by transforming growth factor β. Secondary mitogens (co-mitogens) such as insulin, vasopressin, or angiotensin II interacted additively with low concentrations of epidermal growth factor as well as with neurotensin. Neurotensin-related peptides such as kinetensin or neuromedin-N, which was released from blood plasma by pepsin digestion, did not have this amplifying effect on DNA synthesis at any concentrations tested. Neurotensin mRNA was found in several organs including brain and intestine, but not liver. These results suggest that neurotensin can be regarded as a new secondary mitogen and that it may be involved in cell proliferation, including regenerating liver as a gastrointestinal hormone and/or a neurotransmitter. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Carcinogenic effects of low dietary levels of aflatoxin B1 in rats.

Abstract Aflatoxin B1 was added to a semi-synthetic diet at levels of 1, 5, 15, 50 and 100 μg/kg (ppb). These diets were fed to male Fischer rats, beginning when their body weights were 80 g and continuing for up to 105 wk. A control group received the same diet without aflatoxin. Hepatocellular carcinomas were induced in a high incidence by levels of 50 and 100 ppb, and in a lower incidence by the other dietary levels. Tumours were induced in two of 22 animals fed 1 ppb, and pathological lesions were present in the livers of seven of the remaining survivors. These results suggest that, under these experimental conditions, the sensitivity of the Fischer rat to aflatoxin carcinogenesis is approximately the same as that previously reported for the rainbow trout.
Biotin Derivatives of d-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl for Active-Site-Specific Labeling of Thrombin and Other Serine Proteinases

Biotin derivatives of peptide chloromethyl ketones have ideal properties for specific labeling of the catalytic sites of serine proteinases but have not been widely used as probes because of the difficulty of synthesis and their instability. To make the reagents more accessible, a simple, economical method was developed for preparation of three biotin derivatives of the thrombin-specific inhibitor D-Phe-Pro-Arg-CH2Cl containing increasing lengths of the spacer connecting biotin. Reaction of the peptide with biotin-succinimidyl esters and purification by conventional chromatography yielded the compounds in 91-96% purity. The biotin-labeled inhibitors bound avidin with stoichiometries of 0.88-1.02 mol biotin compound/mol avidin subunits and irreversibly inactivated human thrombin with stoichiometries of 0.89-1.10 mol inhibitor/mol thrombin. Comparison of the three inhibitors by Western blotting indicated that a > or = 7- to 14-atom spacer was needed for sensitive (approximately 10 ng) detection of thrombin, with the derivative lacking a spacer only weakly detected because of its greatly reduced affinity for avidin. Application of the compounds to identify catalytically active products of factor Xa-catalyzed human prethrombin 1 activation in the absence of the protein cofactor, factor Va, allowed the direct observation of transient, low levels of the active intermediate, meizothrombin des-fragment 1, in addition to thrombin. Formation of this intermediate is concluded to reflect an intrinsic property of factor Xa activation of prethrombin 1 that is modulated by factor Va. The methods developed for preparation and characterization of the biotin-labeled inhibitors may be applicable to other tripeptide chloromethyl ketones, and the reagents can be employed for labeling of serine proteinases of diverse substrate specificity.
Karyotypes of eastern North American phlox.

The karyotypes of 32 Phlox taxa were studied in many plants representative of populations found throughout eastern North America. Most plants were diploid with 2n = 14, but a few tetraploids and plants with B-chromosomes were also observed. Some species were virtually indistinguishable karyotypically, while others differed. Within and between the Subsections Speciosae, Divaricatae, and Subulatae, strikingly similar karyotypes were observed. Other Subsections differed significantly, with the Ovatae showing strong intrasubsectional variation. Increased karyotype asymmetry is correlated with morphological specialization. Where polyploidy was observed, discordant chromosome sets indicated allopolyploidy.
Predicted performance limits of yttrium aluminum garnet fiber lasers

The effect of various parameters that limit the performance of fiber lasers are calculated for yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) as the fiber core. The optimum core diameter, the optimum fiber length, and the corresponding output power capability are determined for a variety of optical and structural parameters of YAG, based on available data in the literature to date. It is shown that a conservative limit for YAG fiber laser is 6 kW per fiber in multimode operation, compared to 1.8 kW for a silica-based fiber laser. Furthermore, it is shown that if stimulated brillouin scattering gain, a key limiting parameter, is <10−12 m/W in YAG, as a recent publication suggests, the maximum output power is 30 kW per fiber without a significant increase in fiber core diameter. Similar gains are predicted for single-mode operation, although with much lower output power limits. A parametric study shows the relative merits of improving on various optical parameters.
A modified polyacrylamide gel slicer.

Abstract The polyacrylamide gel slicer described by Goldberger in 1968 contained two critical parts which are no longer commercially available. Design changes are presented which allow for construction of this device at reduced cost, using readily available parts.
Magnetic structures in UP0.95S0.05

Abstract Neutron diffraction studies show that between 122 and 35°K UP 0.95 S 0.05 (with NaCl-type structure) has the same antiferromagnetic order and ordered moment as UP. Below ∾27°K, however, UP 0.95 S 0.05 has a different antiferromagnetic structure that has neither been reported, nor predicted by molecular field theory for face-centered cubic structures.