cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lipoprotein-Associated Phospholipase A2, High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein, and Risk for Incident Coronary Heart Disease in Middle-Aged Men and Women in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Background— Measuring C-reactive protein (CRP) has been recommended to identify patients at high risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) with low LDL cholesterol (LDL-C). Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 (Lp-PLA2) is a proinflammatory enzyme associated primarily with LDL. Methods and Results— In a prospective, case cohort study in 12 819 apparently healthy middle-aged men and women in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, the relation between Lp-PLA2, CRP, traditional risk factors, and risk for CHD events over a period of ≈6 years was examined in a proportional hazards model, stratified by LDL-C. Lp-PLA2 and CRP levels were higher in the 608 cases than the 740 noncases. Both Lp-PLA2 and CRP were associated with incident CHD after adjustment for age, sex, and race with a hazard ratio of 1.78 for the highest tertile of Lp-PLA2 and 2.53 for the highest category of CRP versus the lowest categories. Lp-PLA2 correlated positively with LDL-C (r=0.36) and negatively with HDL-C (r=−0.33) but not with...
Extension of the Spatial PDI Model to Three Dimensions

The author's population density index (PDI) model is extended to three-dimensional distributions. A derived formula is presented that allows for the calculation of the lower and upper bounds of den...
A Precision Attenuation Standard for X Band

The X-band attenuation is compared with that of a calibrated 30-Mc reference attenuator by means of a linear superheterodyne detector. Estimated accuracy is ±(0.010 db+0.005 db/10 db) for a dynamic range of 40 db. Frequency control of the signal and local oscillator klystrons, stabilization of the signal power level, and use of a stable IF amplifier have resulted in a drift for the standard of less than ±0.005 db per five-minute interval.
Pharmacological Manipulations of CNS Sirtuins: Potential Effects on Metabolic Homeostasis

Sirtuins are deacetylases and/or mono-ADP-ribosyltransferases found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans. These enzymes use oxidized nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) and a long array of different proteins (e.g.: histones, transcription factors, cofactors, members of the electron transport chain, etc.) as substrates. Sirtuins-mediated reactions yield deacetylated proteins, nicotinamide (NAM) and 2'-O-acetyl-ADP-ribose (O-AADPr) or mono-ADP-ribosylated proteins and NAM. As these post-translational modifications change the activity of their targets and sirtuins depend on NAD(+) to function, these enzymes are thought to link metabolic statuses with cellular gene expression, activity and fate; as such sirtuins are thought to be bona fide metabolic-sensor proteins. Due to their diverse targets, sirtuins affect metabolism, senescence, longevity, circadian rhythms and many other biological and physiological programs. In this review we focus on their known roles on metabolic homeostasis with particular emphasis on their functions in neurons within the central nervous system (CNS). We also touch upon the possible metabolic outcomes of pharmacological manipulations of CNS sirtuins.
TU‐D‐BRB‐08: Comparison of TLD Measured Dose, TG‐43 Dose, and Grid‐Based Boltzmann Solver Dose from Intracavitary APBI for Multiple Reference Locations in a Phantom

Purpose: To quantify the difference between inhomogeneity‐corrected brachytherapytreatment planningdose calculations and regular homogeneous (TG‐43) dose calculations and to compare the results from both calculation methods with TLD measurements for well‐defined phantom geometries. Methods and Materials: Well‐characterized TLD‐100 chips were used to measure the dose at multiple reference locations on a torso phantom with gel breasts attached simulating a HDR 192Ir intracavitary APBI treatment. A CT scan of the phantom was obtained and the dose to each reference location was calculated in the treatment planning software, both with the standard TG‐43 dosimetry formalism and with a grid‐based Boltzmann solver (GBBS) that calculates the dose distribution for the actual patient dimensions and tissue compositions. Results: The TLD measured doses ranged from approximately 40 cGy to 300 cGy and were 5% lower, on average, than the GBBS calculated doses and 17% lower, on average, than the TG‐43 calculated doses. The GBBS doses were always lower than the TG‐43 doses, with the discrepancy becoming more pronounced at lower doses (further from the source) and at the surface of the phantom. The discrepancy between the TLD measured doses and the GBBS doses did not appear to trend with dose.Conclusion: The application of inhomogeneity corrections reduces the discrepancy between the TPS calculated and TLD measured doses. When inhomogeneity corrections were not applied, the TPS overestimated the dose at each reference location.
A study of safety impacts of different types of driveways and their density

The recently published Highway Safety Manual (HSM) has defined seven different driveway types based on land use and parking lot size, including major commercial, minor commercial, major industrial-institutional, minor industrial-institutional, major residential, minor residential, and other. Major driveways are defined as having more than 50 parking spaces, while minor driveways are defined as those having fewer than 50 parking spaces. The HSM crash prediction models require the inputs of driveway type and density. However, the actual impacts of different types of driveways on the number of crashes are not clear. The crash modification factors provided were based on few past studies, with high standards of error. The purpose of this research is to develop a method to quantify the impact of driveway types and density on traffic crash frequencies, types, and severities. The different driveway types were collected in the state of Illinois and crashes occurring in the impact area of each driveway were identified from the IDOT crash database (from 2005 to 2009). A cross section comparison was conducted to compare the mean crash frequency and crash rates among different driveways. A further statistical analysis was used to develop a relationship between each driveway type and crash rates.
A Longitudinal Analysis of the Efficacy of Environmental Interventions on Asthma-Related Quality of Life and Symptoms Among Children in Urban Public Housing

In an environmental intervention study in public housing, we examined monthly Juniper Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life (QOL) Questionnaires for 51 children. Longitudinal analysis and spline models were used to identify time periods with significant improvements in QOL to inform judgments about causality. We found significant improvements in QOL, with moderate improvements before environmental interventions, increased rates of improvement immediately after, and reduced rates more than 5 months post-intervention. Effect modification analyses identified high-risk subpopulations and emphasized the importance of environmental, social, and economic conditions. Our results demonstrate the value of longitudinal techniques in evaluating the benefits of environmental interventions for asthma.
The distribution and quantitation of organonitrogen compounds in crude oils and rock pyrolysates

Abstract Organonitrogen compounds are present in varying concentrations in aromatic fractions of various organic-rich geologic samples. Quinolines, benzoquinolines and carbazoles are the most important families of organonitrogen compounds in the aromatic fractions of crude oils and Phosphoria Formation pyrolysates. Aromatic fractions of oils generated from phosphatic shales contain higher concentrations of organonitrogen compounds than those from carbonate source rocks. Artificial maturation experiments on Phosphoria rocks at about 300°C yield high concentrations of quinolines relative to benzoquinolines and carbazoles, while higher temperature experiments yield high concentrations of benzoquinolines and carbazoles relative to quinolines. Organonitrogen compounds are potentially useful as indicators of the depositional environment of source rocks and maturity of crude oils.
Initial Clinical Studies of CVD 112 Vibrio cholerae O139 Live Oral Vaccine: Safety and Efficacy against Experimental Challenge

Since October 1992, epidemics of cholera associated with Vibrio cholerae O group 139 have occurred in India, Bangladesh, and much of the rest of Asia. A volunteer model was used to determine the safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy of an attenuated delta ctxA delta zot delta ace delta cep V. cholerae O139 vaccine strain, designated CVD 112. Six volunteers received 10(6) cfu and 6 received 10(8) cfu of CVD 112. No subject who received the 10(6) dose had diarrhea or other severe symptoms after vaccination; 3 vaccinees developed mild diarrhea (mean stool volume, 648 mL) after receiving the higher dose. Five weeks after vaccination, 8 vaccinees and 15 unvaccinated control subjects underwent challenge with 10(6) cfu of wild type V. cholerae O139 AI1837. One vaccinee (13%) and 12 control subjects (80%) developed diarrhea after challenge (P = .003). The short-term protective efficacy conferred by vaccine strain CVD 112 was 84% and was remarkably similar to that conferred by primary wild type clinical infection (80%).
Comparison of hypothalamic mRNA levels in mice euthanized by CO₂ inhalation and focused-beam microwave irradiation.

Focused-beam microwave irradiation (FBMI) is a relatively new method for euthanasia of small mammals and is available to most researchers. Compared with CO2 inhalation, this method of euthanasia has the advantage of preserving fast-degrading metabolites. But differences in brain RNA quantity and quality, gene expression and histology in mice euthanized by CO2 inhalation versus FBMI have not been investigated. Here the authors report that a smaller quantity of RNA was isolated from brains of mice euthanized by FBMI compared with those of mice euthanized by CO2 inhalation. They also found relative differences in the levels of the expression of some genes. These studies suggest that either method can be used for histological analysis or RNA isolation, but the authors caution against combining the techniques within a single study on gene expression.
An intelligent and responsive architecture

Abstract Today's intelligent buildings are actually electronically enhanced buildings, the forerunners of a new architecture. They herald an impending paradigm shift in the world of architectural design. This shift will occur, in part, as a response to the need for healthy and sustaining buildings, the opportunities presented by innovations in science and technology, the demands of the new global economy, and the growing realization of the value of human capital by knowledge-based companies. The resulting architecture will be comprised of responsive environmental systems and will mark the emergence of a fully developed intelligent architectural form—the Knowledge Building.
Analysis of Catalytic Determinants of Diaminopimelate and Ornithine Decarboxylases Using Alternate Substrates

Abstract Diaminopimelate decarboxylase (DAPDC) and ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) are pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzymes that are critical to microbial growth and pathogenicity. The latter is the target of drugs that cure African sleeping sickness, while the former is an attractive target for antibacterials. These two enzymes share the (β/α)8 (i.e., TIM barrel) fold with alanine racemase, another pyridoxal 5'-phosphate dependent enzyme critical to bacterial survival. The active site structural homology between DAPDC and ODC is striking even though DAPDC catalyzes the decarboxylation of a D stereocenter with inversion of configuration and ODC catalyzes the decarboxylation of an L stereocenter with retention of configuration. Here, the structural and mechanistic bases of these interesting properties are explored using reactions of alternate substrates with both enzymes. It is concluded that simple binding determinants do not control the observed stereochemical specificities for decarboxylation, and a concerted decarboxylation/proton transfer at Cα of the D stereocenter of diaminopimelate is a possible mechanism for the observed specificity with DAPDC.
Employment and the Use of Welfare Among Male and Female Heads of AFDC Households

Studies have found that single mothers on welfare rarely find fulltime, permanent jobs at adequate wages, but few have examined the impact of gender on the likelihood that welfare recipients will leave welfare and find employment. Using data on 500 primary wage earners in two-parent aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) households, this study compared men's and women's receipt of welfare, employment, and hours of work and types of jobs available to them. Exit from welfare and employment were predicted using such factors as Gender, High School Graduation, Age, Disability, and Number of Children in the Household.
Luteinizing hormone-releasing factor and muscarinic agonists act on the same voltage-sensitive K+-current in bullfrog sympathetic neurones.

Abstract The effect of bath-applied luteinizing hormone-releasing factor (LHRF) was recorded in voltage-clamped bullfrog lumbar sympathetic neurones. At a holding potential of -- 30 mV, LHRF induced a steady inward (depolarizing) current and reduced membrane conductance; at -- 60 mV LHRF produced negligible inward current and much less conductance change. The effects of LHRF were accompanied by a reduced amplitude of the slow current relaxations following hyperpolarizing and depolarizing commands, without prominent change in their time-course. This suggests a selective depression of the voltage-sensitive outward K+-current which is suppressed by muscarinic agonists.
Delayed decreases in specific brain mitochondrial electron transfer complex activities and cytochrome concentrations following anoxia/ischemia

Hyperglycemic, but not normoglycemic cats exposed to anoxia develop neurologic signs following reoxygenation including fasciculations, focal and tonic-clonic seizures and coma after a symptom-free period. These symptomatic hyperglycemic cats may develop brain edema and will show diffuse neuronal injury or brain infarction depending on length of survival. Brain mitochondria isolated from symptomatic but not asymptomatic cats have decreased ADP- and uncoupler-stimulated oxygen consumption rates. Since impaired respiration could result from altered electron transport chain function, we measured cytochrome c, b, and aa3 concentrations and the activities of the five electron transfer complexes in isolated brain mitochondria. In symptomatic cats marked alterations were present in particular in complex IV, cytochrome oxidase, with a 57% reduction in activity and a 45% reduction in prosthetic group (cytochrome aa3) concentrations. Less marked reductions in other segments of the chain included 27% and 41% decreases, respectively, in cytochrome c concentrations and in electron transfer complex II, succinate:ubiquinone oxidoreductase activity. Cytochrome b concentrations and complex I, II and V activities were unchanged. Small but significant decreases in cytochrome aa3 concentrations (18%) and cytochrome oxidase activity (20%) were also present in mitochondria from postanoxic hyperglycemic cats prior to appearance of neurologic signs. These results indicate that delayed decreases in the activities of specific electron transfer complexes are correlated with impaired mitochondrial respiration and neurologic deterioration in postanoxic hyperglycemic cats. However, it is presently unclear if these postanoxic brain mitochondrial alterations are primary or secondary events in the development of brain injury.
Geriatric Health Promotion Goals for the Year 2000 in the United States

The United States undertakes the development of health objectives for 10-year cycles, covering the full range of federal health care delivery and policy. The goals for the cycle ending in the year 2000 have recently been announced.
Applicability of a panel method, which includes nonlinear effects, to a forward-swept-wing aircraft

The ability of a lower order panel method VSAERO, to accurately predict the lift and pitching moment of a complete forward-swept-wing/canard configuration was investigated. The program can simulate nonlinear effects including boundary-layer displacement thickness, wake roll up, and to a limited extent, separated wakes. The predictions were compared with experimental data obtained using a small-scale model in the 7- by 10- Foot Wind Tunnel at NASA Ames Research Center. For the particular configuration under investigation, wake roll up had only a small effect on the force and moment predictions. The effect of the displacement thickness modeling was to reduce the lift curve slope slightly, thus bringing the predicted lift into good agreement with the measured value. Pitching moment predictions were also improved by the boundary-layer simulation. The separation modeling was found to be sensitive to user inputs, but appears to give a reasonable representation of a separated wake. In general, the nonlinear capabilities of the code were found to improve the agreement with experimental data. The usefullness of the code would be enhanced by improving the reliability of the separated wake modeling and by the addition of a leading edge separation model.
Single-base resolution analysis of active DNA demethylation using methylase-assisted bisulfite sequencing

Active DNA demethylation in mammals involves TET-mediated iterative oxidation of 5-methylcytosine (5mC)/5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and subsequent excision repair of highly oxidized cytosine bases 5-formylcytosine (5fC)/5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) by thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG). However, quantitative and high-resolution analysis of active DNA demethylation activity remains challenging. Here, we describe M.SssI methylase-assisted bisulfite sequencing (MAB-seq), a method that directly maps 5fC/5caC at single-base resolution. Genome-wide MAB-seq allows systematic identification of 5fC/5caC in Tdg-depleted embryonic stem cells, thereby generating a base-resolution map of active DNA demethylome. A comparison of 5fC/5caC and 5hmC distribution maps indicates that catalytic processivity of TET enzymes correlates with local chromatin accessibility. MAB-seq also reveals strong strand asymmetry of active demethylation within palindromic CpGs. Integrating MAB-seq with other base-resolution mapping methods enables quantitative measurement of cytosine modification states at key transitioning steps of the active DNA demethylation cascade and reveals a regulatory role of 5fC/5caC excision repair in this step-wise process.
Simulation of stable water isotope variations by the GENESIS GCM for modern conditions

[1] Incorporating stable isotope physics in a general circulation model (GCM) provides a promising means to study isotopic variability in precipitation, including the processes that cause isotopic variability in paleoclimatic archives such as ice cores. This paper describes the implementation and validation of stable isotope tracers in the GENESIS 2.0 GCM. The model reproduces the main features of present-day isotopic fields and the characteristic large-scale isotope-climate relationships. Global δ18O-δD, temperature-δ18O, and precipitation-δ18O relationships are well simulated, and the modeled regional patterns associated with continental vapor recycling over Europe and vertical gradients agree well with observations. In GENESIS a more sophisticated parameterization of interactions between precipitation and atmospheric vapor contributes to a better simulation of isotopic variations in dry climates. The standard model underestimates the global mean deuterium excess (δD-8δ18O) in precipitation, although a heuristic sensitivity test suggests this may be remedied by accounting for nonneutral stratification in isotopic evaporative fractionation over ocean. Errors in simulated isotopic fields are analyzed to determine whether they are caused by local climatic biases in the GCM or by inaccurate parameterizations of isotope physics. Using the results of sensitivity experiments and comparisons with other isotopic GCM results, we identify key isotopic and climatic processes at the origin of the main errors and suggest additional studies to improve isotope simulations.
Optical Damage Protector Based On Self-Defocusing In Semiconductors

ABSTRACTWe report the careful characterization of a passive monolithic ZnSebased optical fluence limiter that, in addition to protectingdownstream optical components, also exhibits self -protection. Theoutput energy is held to below 3 nJ using 30 ps 532 nm pulses while thelow energy transmission is greater than 10% . This device has a usefulwavelength range from 500 - 950 nm.INTRODUCTION The operation of the damage protection device is based on the combined effects of two- photon absorption and the self -defocusingeffect of the photo- excited carrier population in semiconductors. The output of such a device is shown in Fig. 1. 2.22.01.81.61.41.21.00.80.60.40.2 00 0.2 0.4 0.6 20 40 60 80 100INCIDENT ENERGY (f1J) Figure 1. Input- output characteristic for the MONOPOL. Note the two ranges on the abscissa.For low input pulse energy, the transmission is linear and preferablynear unity. In the ZnSe based device shown in Fig. 1, the overall linear transmission including reflection losses is -10%
Lesîles ou dansent les enfants défunts: Age, sexe et pouvoir chez les BIjago de Gulnée‐Bissau

Les ies ou dansent les enfants defunts: Age, sexe et pouvoir chez les BIjago de Gulnee-Bissau. Christine Henry. Paris: CNRS Editions, 1994. 214 pp., illustrations, maps, glossary, bibliography, index.
Fractional anisotropy of cerebral white matter and thickness of cortical gray matter across the lifespan

Abstract We examined age trajectories of fractional anisotropy (FA) of cerebral white matter (WM) and thickness of cortical gray matter (GM) in 1031 healthy human subjects (aged 11–90 years). Whole-brain FA and GM thickness values followed quadratic trajectories with age but the relationship between them was linear, indicating that a putative biological mechanism may explain the non-linearity of their age trajectories. Inclusion of the FA values into the quadratic model of the whole-brain and regional GM thickness changes with age made the effect of the age2 term no longer significant for the whole-brain GM thickness and greatly reduced its significance for regional GM thickness measurements. The phylogenetic order of cerebral myelination helped to further explain the intersubject variability in GM thickness. FA values for the early maturing WM were significantly better (p = 10− 6) at explaining variability in GM thickness in maturing (aged 11–20) subjects than FA values for the late maturing WM. The opposite trend was observed for aging subjects (aged 40–90) where FA values for the late maturing WM were better (p = 10− 16) at explaining the variability in GM thickness. We concluded that the non-linearity of the age trajectory for GM thickness, measured from T1-weighted MRI, was partially explained by the heterogeneity and the heterochronicity of the age-related changes in the microintegrity of cerebral WM. We consider these findings as the evidence that the measurements of age-related changes in GM thickness and FA are driven, in part, by a common biological mechanism, presumed to be related to changes in cerebral myelination.
Ondine's curse: Hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing (electrophrenic respiration)

Abstract The hemodynamic response to diaphragm pacing was studied in eight patients with Ondine's curse. It was shown that such pacing could lower the pulmonary artery pressure while correction of hypoxemia alone could not. It was demonstrated that on pacing, calculated pulmonary arteriolar resistance decreased and there was normalization of arterial blood gases. The mechanism for these changes was improved alveolar ventilation.
Tune tracking with a PLL in the Tevatron

The Tevatron tune tracker is based on the idea that the phase of the transverse frequency response of the beam can be measured quickly and accurately enough so that the phase at the betatron tune resonance can be tracked by a phase-locked loop. In this paper, a mathematical model of this idea is discussed and is used as the basis for the realization of the tune tracker hardware. The tune tracker has been successfully tested under different beam conditions and is now operational in the Tevatron.
Mediating Grief: Postmortem Ritualization After Child Death

The purpose of this study is to better understand the benefits of ritualization for bereaved parents and the factors that influence ritualization. Through phenomenological analyses of 19 in-depth interviews with bereaved parents, the results of this study reveal that bereaved parents engage in ritual to (a) maintain continuing bonds with their child, (b) help them cope by offering them a sense of control, and (c) provide a means toward posttraumatic growth by honoring and memorializing their child. These factors, in turn, appear to mediate grief through meaning reconstruction in the aftermath of the child's life and death within the context of social and cultural influences. Implications for providers are discussed.
Children’s museums as cultural development strategies for urban revitalization

Cities have increasingly invested in cultural institutions in hopes of revitalizing their urban centers. Critical of the value of these expenditures, scholars have called for an examination of the various types of cultural institutions in which cities have invested, to determine whether they are capable of simultaneously serving the economic, physical, and social goals of urban revitalization. In response to that call, I examine whether the children’s museum, a distinct type of cultural investment, is able to provide this range of public benefit. To do so, I draw on secondary sources to examine the origins, development, and current practices of children’s museum and present an illustrative example of a children’s museum that is intended to serve as a catalyst for urban revitalization in a small city in the USA. I contend that children’s museums are worthy recipients of public funding because they are simultaneously able to address these diverse agendas.
Regulation of ocular size and shape during development

During the last few years, much information has accumulated on the embryonic processes that shape organs and the study of ocular morphogenesis has been particularly productive. New contributions to knowledge on organogenesis of the eye was the subject of the Fifth Symposium on Ocular and Visual development, held in Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A. on 9 and 10 June 1980.
Private investment purchase and nursing home financial health.

Objective To explore the impact of nursing home acquisition by private investment firms on nursing home costs, revenue, and overall financial health. Data Sources Merged data from the Medicare Cost Reports and the Online Survey, Certification, and Reporting system for the period 1998–2010. Study Design Regression specification incorporating facility and time fixed effects. Principal Findings We found little impact on the financial health of nursing homes following purchase by private investment companies. However, our findings did suggest that private investment firms acquired nursing home chains in good financial health, possibly to derive profit from the company's real estate holdings. Conclusions Private investment acquired facilities are an important feature of today's nursing home sector. Although we did not observe a negative impact on the financial health of nursing homes, this development raises important issues about ownership oversight and transparency for the entire nursing home sector.
Maintained Reduction of Intraocular Pressure by Prostaglandin F2α-1-Isopropyl Ester Applied in Multiple Doses in Ocular Hypertensive and Glaucoma Patients

Abstract In a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled study, 0.25 μg (n = 11) or 0.5 μg (n = 13) of prostaglandin F 2α -1-isopropyl ester (PGF 2α -IE) was applied topically twice daily for 8 days to one eye of ocular hypertensive or chronic open-angle glaucoma patients. Compared with contralateral, vehicle-treated eyes, PGF 2α -IE significantly ( P P P 2α -IE application. Some patients reported mild irritation lasting several minutes after some doses. Visual acuity, accommodative amplitude, pupillary diameter, aqueous humor flare, anterior chamber cellular response, Schirmer's test, pulse rate, and blood pressure were not significantly altered. Our findings show that PGF 2α -IE is a potent ocular hypotensive agent and a promising drug for glaucoma therapy.
Visions of Cybernetic Organizations

The essence of cybernetic organizations is that they are self-controlling, self-maintaining, self-realizing. Indeed, cybernetics has been characterized as the “science of effective organization,” i...
Estrogen increases inducible nitric oxide synthase gene expression

Abstract Objective: The goal of this study was to determine whether estrogen increases the expression of the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. Study Design: An inducible nitric oxide synthase fusion gene was created with its promoter and the reporter gene, luciferase. COS cells were transfected transiently with the fusion gene and cotransfected with an estrogen receptor-α expression plasmid to ensure the presence of an estrogen receptor. Cells were then exposed to estradiol (1 nmol/L and 10 nmol/L) or a cytokine mix that consisting of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and interferon gamma. Gene expression was measured in relative light units. Results: Estradiol increased the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase by an average of 31.2% in the COS cells that were cotransfected with estrogen receptor compared with −10.4% in cells without estrogen receptor ( P =.006). Conclusion: Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression was increased with the addition of estrogen. These data support previous studies that demonstrated the inflammatory effects of estrogen and provides further insight into the mechanism by which estrogen might have an impact on the cardiovascular system.
Paradoxical response to intravenous terbutaline

Marked uterine hypertonus was observed in our patient subsequent to the intravenous administration of terbutaline prior to an attempt at external cephalic version. The proximity of hypertonus to terbutaline infusion and the absence of other stimuli suggests that this was a paradoxical response to terbutaline.
Conformal multiband antennas based on fractal concepts

In this paper, we have introduced two conformal antenna configurations based on the Sierpinski fractal geometry for multiband applications. The first of these is a two-layer Sierpinski patch antenna, while the second one is a grid configuration. Both of these designs have been extensively investigated to achieve improved matching characteristics and radiation patterns at all of the operating resonant frequencies. Desirable input impedance and radiation pattern characteristics have been successfully realized by using a combination of shorting vias and chokes that control the current flows on the radiating structure.
Effect of cyclic AMP-containing lipid vesicles on Dictyostelium discoideum aggregation

Abstract Incubation of Dyctyostelium discoideum amoebae with cAMP containing liposomes was found to result ina an inhibition of cel aggregation. Associated with this phenomenon was a delay in the development rise of adenylate cyclase, a premature induction of cAMP phosphodiesterase, and a delayed appearance of the extracellular phosphodiesterase inhibitor. The cAMP liposome-mediated effects on these latter two components was generally more extensive than those observed when high concentrations of free cAMP were added to the medium. The inhibition of aggregation was a specific reflection of cAMP action in that cGMP or 5′-AMP containing liposomes had no effec on this phenomenon. No effect of cAMP-containing liposomes on the expression of post-aggregation enzymes was observed.
Lift and Shift: Moving the Back Office to India

The recent growth in offshoring business processes is driven by the need for cost savings, but, because of the potential for both the quantity and quality of work that may be done overseas, has larger implications for the service economy in developed countries. This paper uses India as a case study to examine the business, knowledge-related, and technological considerations that drive the globalization of business process fulfillment. It also examines the industrial structure that is emerging in India for the work and draws conclusions about its future and its implications for service workers in developed countries.
Genetic variation in Ecballium elaterium (Cucurbitaceae): Breeding system and geographic distribution

Dioecy, the separation of sexes, has arisen independently many times in the course of angiosperm evolution. Avoidance of inbreeding is clearly involved in the evolution of dioecy, and as a consequence we predict that dioecious populations should maintain higher levels of genetic variation than closely related nondioecious populations. We tested that prediction by comparing allozymic variation in two closely related taxa, the monoecious and dioecious subspecies of the Mediterranean cucurbit, Ecballium elaterium. Thirteen polymorphic loci were screened for seeds sampled from 10 monoecious and 13 dioecious populations spanning the geographic ranges of the subspecies in Spain. The dioecious subspecies showed strikingly greater allelic diversity and heterozygosity than the monoecious subspecies. A hierarchical F-statistic analysis clearly demonstrated considerable genetic variation within populations for the dioecious populations, whereas for the monoecious populations almost all genetic variation resulted from differences among populations. The general pattern of homozygosity within monoecious populations suggests that they are highly inbred. In order to assess historical influences on current patterns of genetic variation, we conducted a genetic-distance analysis. The observed relationship between genetic distance and geographic distance between populations supports the hypothesis that the subspecies’ current allopatric distributions on the Iberian Peninsula are the result of separate waves of colonization from the north (monoecious) and south (dioecious).
A Model of the Dynamics of The Newton–Leipnik Attractor

The dynamics and bifurcations of the Newton–Leipnik equations are presented. Numerical computations and local stability calculations suggest that the dynamics of the Newton–Leipnik equations are related to the dynamics and bifurcations of a family of odd, symmetric, bimodal maps. The numerically computed dynamics and bifurcations of the Newton–Leipnik equations are compared with the dynamics and bifurcations of a family of odd, symmetric, bimodal maps to motivate the connection between the two systems.
Photophysics and Biological Applications of the Environment-Sensitive Fluorophore 6-N,N-Dimethylamino-2,3-naphthalimide

We have synthesized a new environment-sensitive fluorophore, 6-N,N-dimethylamino-2,3-naphthalimide (6DMN). This chromophore exhibits valuable fluorescent properties as a biological probe with emission in the 500−600 nm range and a marked response to changes in the environment polarity. The 6DMN fluorescence is red-shifted in polar protic environments, with the maximum emission intensity shifting more than 100 nm from 491 nm in toluene to 592 nm in water. Additionally, the fluorescence quantum yield decreases more than 100-fold from chloroform (Φ = 0.225) to water (Φ = 0.002). The scope and applications of the 6DMN probe are expanded with the synthesis of an Fmoc-protected amino acid derivative (5), which contains the fluorophore. This unnatural amino acid has been introduced into several peptides, demonstrating that it can be manipulated under standard solid-phase peptide synthesis conditions. Peptides incorporating the new residue can be implemented for monitoring protein−protein interactions as exemplif...
Finding strategic human resource advantage from building an effective internship capability

The recent low-growth economic environment has made management decisions about the appropriate human resource levels extremely challenging. Complicating these decisions further, organizations are often reluctant to budget for expansion of full-time employees (FTEs) when employment costs are rising due to increased employment regulation. All this uncertainty can understandably lead to a certain paralysis when it comes to making new investments in human resources. Yet, firm needs, risks, and opportunities are still continuously evolving. Managers wishing to gain competitive advantage through human resources (HR) cannot afford to simply take ‘‘a wait and see approach.’’ Success for many firms in this volatile environment, then, requires flexibility in human resource capacity rather than paralysis, but flexibility that also has an eye to future strategic needs for quantity, quality, and type of human resources. The need for human resource flexibility was articulated by Todd Ostrowski, owner of Midwest Imports, a specialty food importer headquartered near Chicago. He asked one author, somewhat sarcastically we suspect, ‘‘How do I get skilled, motivated, loyal people that I can also get rid of easily if they don’t work out . . . or if my orders drop?’’ The
Hypermasculinity and academic goal-setting: an exploratory study.

The relation between gender-role percepts and academic goal-setting was explored. An inventory examining the aspects of masculinity that would facilitate or inhibit academic goal-setting was developed based on a literature review of how masculinity relates to academic behaviors. A diverse sample of students (120 male, 147 female, 14 not indicating sex) was measured on three aspects of sex and academic goal-setting behavior. Factor analysis confirmed the content validity of masculine factors having facilitative (Mastery Competitiveness) and inhibitory (Antisocial Competitiveness) academic properties. Regression analyses indicated that sex-role orientations (Competitiveness and Hypermasculinity) significantly predicted academic goal-setting behaviors (R2 = .136). Finally, men scored higher than women on the subscales measuring Hypermasculinity and Antisocial or Competitiveness, while there were no sex differences on the Mastery Competitiveness subscale. The implications of these findings and suggestions for research are discussed.
Examination of contingency payments to dually-diagnosed patients in a multi-faceted behavioral treatment

Contingency management (CM) may be a promising component of treatment to help dually-diagnosed patients reduce their substance use. However, most prior studies examining CM with these patients have not examined the relationships among patient variables and contingency rewards received. This study examined whether characteristics of dually-diagnosed patients were related to CM payments received in a multi-faceted program. Fifty-nine dually-diagnosed patients participated in a multimodal behavioral therapy for illicit substance use involving CM. Baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were examined as they related to receipt of payments. Demographic characteristics generally were not related to receipt of payments. Several clinical variables, including diagnosis of schizophrenia, current substance dependence, and co-morbid alcohol dependence were related to payment receipt. These results provide an important step toward understanding the characteristics of dually-diagnosed patients that predict their response to CM.
The Development of Political Attitudes and Behaviour Among Young Adults

With young adults frequently characterised by distrust, inefficacy and disengagement from the political process, understanding how and when youth develop attitudes and participatory habits is increasingly important. With this in mind, the authors analyse nationwide surveys of American youths aged 18–24 from 2006 and 2007 with the goal of uncovering developmental patterns characteristic of this age. They find that political participation, narrowly interpreted, changes surprisingly little across this age range; community involvement, however, declines, more so among students than nonstudents. Political trust and efficacy also decline, again more among students than nonstudents. Disconcertingly, there was no greater acceptance of diversity among older individuals, even those attending university. Overall, the results indicate that late-adolescence through early adulthood is a time of meaningful, patterned change in people's attitudes and behaviour. The authors conclude by discussing potential policy solution...
Tacan Coverage and Channel Requirements

The Tacan radio air navigation aid has been adopted as a part of the common system of navigation in the United States. A study has been made of some of the problems involved in the implementation of the system. Predictions are made of the coverage to be expected in the air space surrounding a Tacan ground facility. The service to be expected in the presence of interfering Tacan signals is shown under various conditions. Channel requirements are indicated for implementation of the system in the continental United States.
Reactions of thianthrene cation radical with acyclic α, ω-diols: Formation of monoadducts and bisadducts. Intramolecular cyclization of monoadducts to cyclic ethers

Reactions of thianthrene cation radical tetrafluoroborate ( ) with α, ω-diols, HO(CH2) n OH (4b–g, n=5, 6, 8–10, 12), at the molar ratio Th•+:4 2/1 in MeCN containing 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylpyridine (DTBMP) led to formation of bisadducts, α, ω-di(5-thianthreniumoxy)alkane ditetrafluoroborates (7b–g). Reactions with 4b,c gave also the cyclic ethers 6b,c by intramolecular cyclization. Preparation of the bisadduct (7a) from 1,4-butanediol (4a) was achieved only in the absence of DTBMP, in low yield. The major product was tetrahydrofuran (THF, 6a). Reactions of with 4b–g in the molar ratio 1/6, carried out in MeCN without DTBMP, led to the formation of monoadducts, α-hydroxy-ω-(5-thianthreniumoxy)alkane tetrafluoroborates (5b–g). Reactions with 4b,c led again also to cyclic ethers 6b,c. Cyclization of adducts to ethers (6b,c) was confirmed with the isolated monoadducts (5b,c). Attempts to prepare a monoadduct (5a) from 4a were unsuccessful; only THF (6a) was obtained. 5b–g and 7a–g were characterized with ...
Progestin Permeation through Polymer Membranes IV: Mechanism of Steroid Permeation and Functional Group Contributions to Diffusion through Hydrogel Films

Hydrogel films were prepared from hydroxyethyl methacrylate, both with (Film II) and withouth (Film I) 5.25 mole% of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. Permeation, diffusion, and partition coefficients for progesterone, testosterone, nandrolone, norethindrone, 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone, estradiol, and hydrocortisone were determined. A solute permeation model was proposed based on the separation of a domain (B) composed of "bulk-like" water and a doman (A) composed of polymer, interfacial water, and bound water present in the films. The separate contributions from the "pore" and "solution-diffusion" mechanisms to the total permeability were calculated from the model. Steroid permeabilities through Films I and II were analyzed in accordance with this model. Permeation of Film II occurred via the solution-diffusion mechanism. Permeation of Film I occurred predominately by the pore mechanism with a small contribution (approximate 20%) from the solution-diffusion mechanism. The latter contribution was dependent on the solubility of the solute within the A domains of the hydrogel film. Functional group contributions to permeation of Film II were ascribed to either steric or hydrogen bonding effects.
A Numerical Study of the Bottom-Up and Top-Down Inference Processes in And-Or Graphs

This paper presents a numerical study of the bottom-up and top-down inference processes in hierarchical models using the And-Or graph as an example. Three inference processes are identified for each node A in a recursively defined And-Or graph in which stochastic context sensitive image grammar is embedded: the ?(A) process detects node A directly based on image features, the β(A) process computes node A by binding its child node(s) bottom-up and the ?(A) process predicts node A top-down from its parent node(s). All the three processes contribute to computing node A from images in complementary ways. The objective of our numerical study is to explore how much information each process contributes and how these processes should be integrated to improve performance. We study them in the task of object parsing using And-Or graph formulated under the Bayesian framework. Firstly, we isolate and train the ?(A), β(A) and ?(A) processes separately by blocking the other two processes. Then, information contributions of each process are evaluated individually based on their discriminative power, compared with their respective human performance. Secondly, we integrate the three processes explicitly for robust inference to improve performance and propose a greedy pursuit algorithm for object parsing. In experiments, we choose two hierarchical case studies: one is junctions and rectangles in low-to-middle-level vision and the other is human faces in high-level vision. We observe that (i) the effectiveness of the ?(A), β(A) and ?(A) processes depends on the scale and occlusion conditions, (ii) the ?(face) process is stronger than the ? processes of facial components, while β(junctions) and β(rectangle) work much better than their ? processes, and (iii) the integration of the three processes improves performance in ROC comparisons.
What can indices of handwriting quality tell us about Parkinsonian handwriting

Abstract To characterize deficits in Parkinsonian handwriting we compared the writing of 7 young, 7 elderly, and 7 (non-tremorous) patients with Parkinson's disease. Subjects were asked to keep writing stroke length and duration constant, and their basic zig-zag writing movements were sampled at 100 Hz upon a graphics tablet. Several measures of the quality of handwriting were considered: (1) the ratio between mean and standard deviation of stroke length or duration; (2) the average number of zero crossings in acceleration relative to velocity functions; (3) the average number of zero crossings in jerk relative to velocity functions; (4) the velocity frequency spectra. Results suggested that Parkinson's disease causes problems producing smooth movements rather than problems in controlling stroke length or duration per se. There was not a disproportionate amount of Parkinsonian handwriting velocities at higher frequencies, and we suggest that the observed deficits were not the result of tremor. We suggest that a battery of handwriting indices be used to characterize handwriting.
Preparing the next generation of genomicists: a laboratory-style course in medical genomics.

The growing gap between the demand for genome sequencing and the supply of trained genomics professionals is creating an acute need to develop more effective genomics education. In response we developed “Practical Analysis of Your Personal Genome”, a novel laboratory-style medical genomics course in which students have the opportunity to obtain and analyze their own whole genome. This report describes our motivations for and the content of a “practical” genomics course that incorporates personal genome sequencing and the lessons we learned during the first three iterations of this course.