cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting impact of price increases on demand for reproductive health services: Can it be done well?

Abstract Objective To assess criterion validity of a survey that uses contingent valuation to elicit estimates of client willingness-to-pay (WTP) higher prices for family planning and reproductive health services in three developing countries. Methods Criterion validity was assessed at the individual client level and at the aggregate service level. Individual-level validity was assessed using a longitudinal approach in which we compared what women said they would do with their actual utilization behavior following a price increase. Aggregate-level validity was assessed using predictions derived from cross-sectional surveys and comparing these with actual utilization data. Phi coefficients and correlation statistics were calculated for individual and aggregate-level analyses, respectively. Results None of the three individual-level cohorts exhibited statistically significant relationships between predicted and actual WTP. Approximately 70% of clients returned for follow-up care after the price increase, regardless of their responses on the WTP survey. For the aggregate analysis the correlation coefficient between predicted and actual percentage change in demand was not significant. Many clinics experienced higher demand after prices increased, suggestive of shifting demand curves. Conclusions A validated technique for predicting utilization subsequent to a price increase would be highly useful for program managers. Our individual and aggregate-level results cast doubt on the usefulness of WTP surveys for this purpose.
Assistance to poor households when income is not observed: targeted in-kind and in-cash transfers

Abstract Policymakers frequently design self-targeting programs or target poor areas to assist poor families when income is not observed. Self-targeting schemes take advantage of differences in participation costs in assistance programs across households. Geographic targeting assumes that transfers are solely determined by the region of residence: to receive the benefits, households not initially present in the targeted areas must relocate away from their original place of residence and live with the poor, which entails a cost that can also be interpreted as a participation cost in the assistance program. The paper shows that a combination of in-kind and in-cash transfers tied to the consumption of a publicly provided private good targeted to the poor becomes very useful when non-poor households have different participation costs. By distinguishing users and non-users of public facilities additional in-cash transfers can be directed to the poor more effectively. The paper demonstrates that the publicly provided good ends up being undersupplied, and the distortion becomes less important as participation costs rise. More importantly, it shows that this kind of redistributive program dominates a pure in-cash scheme.
Influence of explicit hydration waters in calculating the hydrolysis constants for geochemically relevant metals.

The effect of including a second, explicit solvation shell of water molecules is examined on the DFT calculation of a selection of aquo-metal ions’ pKa values (deprotonation constants). Our goal is...
New evidence on financial crowding out

This paper has provided evidence that federal government borrowing has in fact, as least for the period 1970 through 1982, exercised a significant impact upon short term interest rates in the private sector. In particular, it is shown here that the rate of change of the interest yield on three-month T-bills exercises a positive and very highly significant impact upon the rate of change of the prime rate of interest. To the extent that private sector spending is sensitive to the interest rate, a very strong argument on behalf of financial crowding out can be made.
The Independence Assumption for a Series or Parallel System When Component Lifetimes Are Exponential

A common assumption made In modeling system life from series and parallel systems is that the component lives are independent. This study investigates the magnitude of the errors one may incur by erroneously asuming the component lifetimes have independent exponential distributions when in fact the lifetimes follow the bivariate exponential distribution of Marshall & Olkin (series or parallel systems) or that of Freund (parallel systems).
High-nuclearity Ce/Mn and Th/Mn cluster chemistry: preparation of complexes with [Ce4Mn10O10(OMe)6]18+ and [Th6Mn10O22(OH)2]18+ cores.

The syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties are reported of the mixed-metal complexes [Ce4Mn10O10(OMe)6(O2CPh)16(NO3)2(MeOH)2(H2O)2] (1) and [Th6Mn10O22(OH)2(O2CPh)16-(NO3)2(H2O)8] (2), whic...
The synthesis of tritium labeled 9, 10-oleic acid

Tritium labeled 9,10-oleic acid was prepared from stearolic acid by reduction with tritium gas, in the presence of 5% Palladium on Charcoal catalyst, at room temperature and under partial vacuum. No stearic or elaidic acids were formed. Unreacted stearolic acid was removed by low temperature erystallization from Skellysolve F. The tritium labeledcis 9,10-oleic acid was prepared with a specificity of greater than 90% of the activity at the 9 and 10 positions. Specific radio-activity of the oleic acid was 1000 me of Tritium/g. Tritium labeled stearic acid with a specific activity of 927 me of Tritium/g was also prepared.
Conservation and function of the transcriptional regulatory protein Runt.

Abstract A phylogenetic approach was used to identify conserved regions of the transcriptional regulator Runt. Alignment of the deduced protein sequences from Drosophila melanogaster, Drosophila pseudoobscura, and Drosophila virilis revealed eight blocks of high sequence homology separated by regions with little or no homology. The largest conserved block contains the Runt domain, a DNA and protein binding domain conserved in a small family of mammalian transcription factors. The functional properties of the Runt domain from the D. melanogaster gene and the human AML1 (acute myeloid leukemia 1) gene were compared in vitro and in vivo. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assays with Runt/AML1 chimeras demonstrated that the different DNA binding properties of Runt and AML1 are due to differences within their respective Runt domains. Ectopic expression experiments indicated that proteins containing the AML1 Runt domain function in Drosophila embryos and that sequences outside of this domain are important in vivo.
The uptake, storage, and intracellular hydrolysis of carbohydrates by macrophages.

The exposure of cultivated mouse macrophages to sucrose (0.009–0.03 M) leads to the formation of large phase- and electron-lucent, acid phosphatase-positive vacuoles in the perinuclear region. The vacuolization process and the uptake of sucrose-14C is blocked by inhibitors of pinocytosis and stimulated by calf serum in the medium. These results suggest the uptake of sucrose by pinocytosis and its subsequent segregation and storage in secondary lysosomes. The addition of sucrose also increases the total content of three macrophage lysosomal hydrolases. The addition of invertase to the environment of sucrose-laden macrophages leads to the prompt shrinkage of the sucrose-containing lysosomes. This is accompanied by the intracellular hydrolysis of sucrose to fructose and glucose residues which are promptly excreted into the medium. The uptake of invertase, as indicated by the shrinkage of sucrose-containing vacuoles, is blocked by inhibitors of pinocytosis. No effect was noted when invertase was added to macrophages laden with Ficoll, a polysucrose which is not hydrolyzed by the enzyme. The influence of other carbohydrates was then investigated. Monosaccharides with molecular weights up to 220 did not produce vacuolization. However, a certain number of di-, tri-, and tetrasaccharides produced vacuolization identical with that of sucrose. Each of the disaccharides which produced vacuolization was resistant to the complement of macrophage hexosidases, whereas those that were ineffective were degraded by either macrophage or serum enzymes. The addition of β-glucosidase to cellobiose-laden macrophages resulted in the shrinkage of vacuoles but did not alter the vacuoles of sucrose containing cells. The ability of small, neutral carbohydrates to produce lysosomal swelling is dependent upon both molecular weight and their resistance to lysosomal hydrolases.
Shape measures of rain shields as indicators of changing environmental conditions in a landfalling tropical storm

The atmosphere and land surface can alter the structure of a landfalling tropical cyclone (TC), resulting in complex spatial patterns of rainfall. Rather than average observations from many TCs, this study utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS) to spatially analyse radar reflectivity data that define the rain shield of TC Dennis (1999). The effects of the atmosphere and land surface upon the rain shield are quantified through the calculation of six shape metrics: areal coverage, elongation, compactness, fragmentation, orientation, and distance and bearing of the polygon centroid from the storm circulation centre. Analysis of the data in hourly intervals reveals the extent to which the landfall process, vertical wind shear, dry air intrusion, interaction with mountains, and extratropical transition (ET) affect the location, size, and shape of the rain shield. Results illustrate the influences that multiple forcings can have upon TC structure and demonstrate that the calculation of the shape metrics can provide a method to evaluate the effects of environmental conditions upon multiple TCs. Copyright © 2008 Royal Meteorological Society
Semiclassical effects in black hole interiors

First-order semiclassical perturbations to the Schwarzschild black hole geometry are studied within the black hole interior. The source of the perturbations is taken to be the vacuum stress-energy of quantized scalar, spinor, and vector fields, evaluated using analytic approximations developed by Page and others ~for massless fields! and the DeWitt-Schwinger approximation ~for massive fields!. Viewing the interior as an anisotropic collapsing cosmology, we find that minimally or conformally coupled scalar fields, and spinor fields, decrease the anisotropy as the singularity is approached, while vector fields increase the anisotropy. In addition, we find that for massless fields of all spins, the massive conformally coupled scalar field, and massive vector fields, the metric perturbations initially strengthen the singularity, while for minimally coupled massive scalar and spinor fields the metric perturbations tend to initially slow the growth of curvature. @S0556-2821~97!06118-3#
Stall and recovery aerodynamics of a low speed multi-stage compressor with inlet temperature transients

This paper reports on an investigation in which experiments were conducted on a low speed multi-stage axial flow compression system to demonstrate how a compressor dynamically stalls or recovers from rotating stall during an inlet temperature transient. The specific effects of inlet temperature transients on the blade flow physics during the dynamic stall or recovery events of the axial flow compression system have been presented. In one of the experiments, a full recovery from the rotating stall operating condition was successfully accomplished on the low speed multi-stage axial flow compressor. Explanations for the axial flow compression system dynamic stall and recovery processes during inlet temperature transients have been presented.
Effect of tropical cyclones on residual circulation and momentum balance in a subtropical estuary and inlet: Observation and simulation

[1] A three-dimensional (3-D) hydrodynamic model, Curvilinear-Grid Hydrodynamics in 3-D (CH3D), and observation data are used to investigate the effects of Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna in 2008 on the spatial structure of residual circulation and momentum balance inside the subtropical estuarine system of the Northern Coastal Basin and St. Augustine Inlet. During a typical tidal cycle, four residual eddies are formed: two strong eddies inside of the inlet and two weaker eddies outside of the inlet. During Tropical Storms Fay and Hanna the alongshore component of the northeasterly winds disrupted the ocean-side eddies first and forced the alongshore southeasterly current. Owing to not-so-strong local winds, residual flow at the mouth of the inlet never became complete inflow. However, following Tropical Storm Fay's landfall, flow inside the inlet became complete outflow owing to relaxing wind and the remote wind effect created by the alongshore component of the southeasterly wind. The residual circulation returned to its prestorm condition in 4 days owing to relatively short storm duration. Model results revealed that the cross-sectional residual flow pattern observed at the inlet mouth is highly variable with time and location of the cross section. Comparison of various terms in the horizontal momentum equations shows that the balance is primarily between the barotropic pressure gradient and nonlinear advection. Although the wind stress and bottom friction briefly become significant in the balance, they are still at least an order of magnitude smaller. Baroclinic pressure gradient is weak despite the increase in precipitation and river discharge.
Recurrent hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and combined hepatitis B and C in liver allografts: a comparative pathological study.

Although recurrence of viral hepatitis in liver transplants is common, data comparing recurrent hepatitis B (HB), hepatitis C (HC), and co-existing dual hepatitis B and C (HBC group II, with pretransplantation HC ( n = 10); group III, with pretransplantation HC and anti-HB surface or core antibody ( n = 4); and group IV, with pretransplantation HBC however, the course was dictated by HB virus.
Mechanism of β-Adrenergic Receptor Desensitization in Cardiac Hypertrophy Is Increased β-Adrenergic Receptor Kinase

Pressure overload cardiac hypertrophy in the mouse was achieved following 7 days of transverse aortic constriction. This was associated with marked β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) desensitization in vivo, as determined by a blunted inotropic response to dobutamine. Extracts from hypertrophied hearts had ≈3-fold increase in cytosolic and membrane G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) activity. Incubation with specific monoclonal antibodies to inhibit different GRK subtypes showed that the increase in activity could be attributed predominately to the β-adrenergic receptor kinase (βARK). Although overexpression of a βARK inhibitor in hearts of transgenic mice did not alter the development of cardiac hypertrophy, the β-AR desensitization associated with pressure overload hypertrophy was prevented. To determine whether the induction of βARK occurred because of a generalized response to cellular hypertrophy, βARK activity was measured in transgenic mice homozygous for oncogenic ras overexpression in the heart. Despite marked cardiac hypertrophy, no difference in βARK activity was found in these mice overexpressing oncogenic ras compared with controls. Taken together, these data suggest that βARK is a central molecule involved in alterations of β-AR signaling in pressure overload hypertrophy. The mechanism for the increase in βARK activity appears not to be related to the induction of cellular hypertrophy but to possibly be related to neurohumoral activation.
Thermal Capsulorrhaphy for the Treatment of Shoulder Instability

Thermal capsulorrhaphy has been used to treat many different types of shoulder instability, including multidirectional instability, unidirectional instability, and microinstability in overhead-throwing athletes. A device that delivers laser energy or radiofrequency energy to the capsule tissue causes the collagen to denature and the capsule to shrink. The optimal temperature to achieve the most shrinkage without causing necrosis of the tissue is between 65 degrees and 75 degrees centigrade. This treatment causes a significant decrease in mechanical stiffness for the first 2 weeks, and then, after the tissue undergoes active cellular repair from the surrounding uninjured tissue, the mechanical properties return to near normal by 12 weeks. If the thermal energy is applied in a grid pattern, then the tissue heals with more stiffness by 6 weeks. Clinical studies on thermal capsulorrhaphy for the treatment of multidirectional instability have shown a high rate of recurrent instability (12%-64%). The clinical studies on unidirectional instability showed much better recurrence rates (4%-25%), but because most of the patients also underwent concomitant Bankart repairs and superior labral anterior posterior lesion repairs, the efficacy of the thermal treatment cannot be ascertained. A randomized controlled trial would be needed to assess whether instability with Bankart lesions requires augmentation with thermal capsulorrhaphy. For the patients with microinstability who are overhead-throwing athletes, thermal capsulorrhaphy has shown varying results from a 97% rate of return to sports to a 62% rate of return to sports. Complications of this technique include temporary nerve injuries that usually involve the sensory branch of the axillary nerve and thermal necrosis of the capsule, which is rare.
A digital library for authors: recent progress of the networked digital library of theses and dissertations

The Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations (NDLTD) is more than an online collection of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETDs). It is a scalable project that has impact on thousands of graduate students in many countries as well as diverse researchers worldwide. By May 1999 it had 59 official members representing 13 countries and integrated some of the world’s newest research works, including ETD collections at Virginia Tech and West Virginia University, where ETD submission is now required. The number of accesses to the Virginia Tech collection has grown by more than half in the last year. NDLTD is committed to authors, aiming to improve graduate education for the over 100,000 students that prepare a thesis or dissertation each year. It encourages them to be more expressive by facilitating incorporation of multimedia components into their theses. NDLTD activities include: applying automation methods to simplify submission of ETDs over the WWW; specifying the application of the Dublin Core to guarantee that metadata can satisfy needs of searching and browsing; selecting open standards and procedures to facilitate interoperability and preservation; and demonstrating a variety of interfaces, both 2D and 3D, along with exploring their usability.
On the non-universality of tonal association ‘conventions’: evidence from Ciyao

One of the major aims of linguistic theory is to determine what is universal vs. language-specific within grammatical systems. In phonology, for example, a number of universals have been proposed and incorporated into the various subtheories that deal with segmental and prosodic aspects of sound systems. In his original autosegmental theory, for instance, Goldsmith (1976) provided a formalism and a set of principles embodying a number of universal claims about how different tiers may link to each other. Most of the support for this theory came from the study of tone: tones (Ts) were said to reside on separate ‘tiers’ joined by association lines to their respective tone-bearing units (TBUs).
Character invention in the letters of Maimie Pinzer

The concept of “narrative” is becoming an avenue through which scholars can privilege nontraditional forms of communication. Communication scholars have been attempting to discover how some narratives may “ring true” with an audience by studying the strategies of the storytellers. This study brings these two impulses together through a case study of autobiographical letters written by a turn of the century prostitute to a Boston matron. In creating a narrative of her life, the author uses several rhetorical strategies to recreate her character so as to persuade her audience that she is worthy of respect. In so doing, she also persuades herself.
Mutanobactin A from the human oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans is a cross-kingdom regulator of the yeast-mycelium transition

The recent investigation of a gene cluster encoding for a hybrid PKS-NRPS metabolite in the oral pathogen Streptococcus mutans UA159 yielded evidence that this natural product might play an important role regulating a range of stress tolerance factors. We have now characterized the major compound generated from this gene cluster, mutanobactin A, and demonstrated that this secondary metabolite is also capable of influencing the yeast-mycelium transition of Candida albicans.
Effects of allethrin and Condylactis toxin on the kinetics of sodium conductance of crayfish axon membranes

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of the insecticide allethrin and Condylactis toxin (CTX) on the kinetics of sodium conductance of crayfish giant axons have been studied by means of sucrose-gap voltage clamp techniques. 2. 2. The time course of the sodium inactivation is greatly prolonged by either of these agents. The steady-state sodium inactivation curve is shifted in the direction of hyper-polarization after application of allethrin or CTX. 3. 3. In the axon treated with allethrin a prolonged sodium tail-current flows after cessation of a depolarizing pulse, whereas in the axon treated with CTX the sodium tail-current is curtailed quickly. 4. 4. The mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed in terms of the rate constants of sodium conductance change.
Magnetic fields surrounding recording wires

THERE are certain applications for magnetic recording that require the storage of information in the form of coded pulses in magnetic media such as wire or tape. To conserve space, it is necessary to record the greatest number of pulses in each linear inch of the medium that is possible without the pulses losing distinctness or objectionably blending with the preceding or succeeding pulses. Studies of the magnetizing current, pulse width, and frequency as related to this blending have been made, using wire as the recording medium. During the studies it became evident that useful information could be obtained if the size of the pulses as recorded on the wire could be directly determined. A wire retaining magnetically recorded pulses is similar to a succession of short cylindrical magnets laid in a line and connected end to end by a permeable medium. Therefore, if the magnetic field surrounding these minute magnets could be mapped and the pattern photographed, the distance between the magnetic poles could be determined easily. As is well known from elementary physics, iron filings when scattered about a magnet are not only attracted to the magnet but also arrange themselves in definite lines that apparently begin and end at the so-called poles of the magnet. These lines of iron filings are said to “map” the magnetic field. In a similar way, the magnetic field of extremely small magnets can be mapped if the iron particles are sufficiently small and proper techniques are used in producing the patterns.
Primary Sleeve Gastrectomy Compared to Sleeve Gastrectomy as Revisional Surgery: Weight Loss and Complications at Intermediate Follow-up

The laparoscopic adjustable gastric band (LAGB) can be revised to sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for various reasons. Data are limited on the safety and efficacy of single-stage removal of LAGB and creation of LSG. A retrospective review of cases was performed from 2010 to 2013. From the primary LSG group, a control group was matched in a 2:1 ratio. Thirty-two patients underwent single-stage revision from LAGB to LSG, with a control group of 64. The most common indication for revision was insufficient weight loss (62.5 %). Operative time for revision and control groups was 134 and 92 min, respectively (p 30 at surgery, change in BMI at 12 months for revision and control was 8.77 and 11.58, respectively (p = 0.02). Single-stage revision can be performed safely, with minimal increases in hospital stay and 30-day complications. Weight loss is greater in those who undergo primary LSG compared to those who undergo LSG as revision.
Antibodies against HLA-DQ α-chain and their role in organ transplantation

The availability of solid phase based testing for the detection of antibodies to HLA antigens has significantly increased the sensitivity and specificity of antibody identification. However, it is important to understand the nature and complexity of the HLA system and of the reagents used for its identification in order to accurately interpret solid phase based testing results. Here we present two case reports; in the main case presented, the findings may have led to denying a patient from receiving an immunologically compatible organ, if careful interpretation of antibody testing results had not been performed. Interestingly, those were antibodies directed at the α-chain (or combination of α- and β-chain) of a DQ antigen.
Spirituality and leadership: Engaging both in higher education

“Although American higher education can justifiably take pride in its capacity to develop the student's ability to manipulate the material world through its programs in science, medicine, technology, and commerce, it has paid relatively little attention to the student's “inner” development—the sphere of values and beliefs, emotional maturity, moral development, spirituality, and self-understanding.” —from the Foreword to Encouraging Authenticity and Spirituality in Higher Education by Alexander W. Astin and Helen S. Astin
Variation in woody plant mortality and dieback from severe drought among soils, plant groups, and species within a northern Arizona ecotone

Vegetation change from drought-induced mor- tality can alter ecosystem community structure, biodiver- sity, and services. Although drought-induced mortality of woody plants has increased globally with recent warming, influences of soil type, tree and shrub groups, and species are poorly understood. Following the severe 2002 drought in northern Arizona, we surveyed woody plant mortality and canopy dieback of live trees and shrubs at the forest- woodland ecotone on soils derived from three soil parent materials (cinder, flow basalt, sedimentary) that differed in texture and rockiness. Our first of three major findings was that soil parent material had little effect on mortality of both trees and shrubs, yet canopy dieback of trees was influenced by parent material; dieback was highest on the cinder for pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) and one-seed juniper (Juniperus monosperma). Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) dieback was not sensitive to parent material. Second, shrubs had similar mortality, but greater canopy dieback, than trees. Third, pinyon and ponderosa pines had greater mortality than juniper, yet juniper had greater dieback, reflecting different hydraulic characteristics among these tree species. Our results show that impacts of severe drought on woody plants differed among tree species and tree and shrub groups, and such impacts were widespread over different soils in the southwestern U.S. Increasing frequency of severe drought with climate warming will likely cause similar mortality to trees and shrubs over major soil types at the forest-woodland ecotone in this region, but due to greater mortality of other tree species, tree cover will shift from a mixture of species to dominance by junipers and shrubs. Surviving junipers and shrubs will also likely have diminished leaf area due to canopy dieback.
The effect of shock-loading on the aging behavior of an Al-Mg-Si alloy

The impact of pre-shock loading on the precipitation reactions in an Al-Mg-Si alloy (AA6022) was studied by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and hardness measurements. The samples were solutionized and quenched in water prior to subsequent shock-loading and aging treatment. The TEM and DSC results show that, while shock-loading prior to aging facilitated the precipitation of Q ′ and β, no significant effect on β′′ precipitates was observed. The hardness studies indicate that pre-shock loading strengthens the material by forming a high concentration of microstructural defects, however the resultant mechanical properties of the shocked sample are comparable to those without shock processing at the peak of aging. It was found that the rate of overaging is higher in shocked samples, which is in agreement with the DSC and TEM results.
ELEMENTAL MERCURY NEUROTOXICITY FROM SELF-INJECTION

We describe a Guyanese diabetic man who developed an elevation in body burdens of mercury following repeated self-injection of elemental mercury. His early signs of neurotoxicity responded to excision of the injection sites and chelation therapy. ### Case report. A 61-year-old diabetic man presented with burning pain in the feet and tremor of the hands. During his 20 years of insulin-dependent diabetes, his most common insulin injection sites were the forearms and abdominal wall. About 4 to 6 years earlier, he first experienced burning discomfort in the feet, attributed initially to his diabetes. This intensified, and a tremor appeared shortly thereafter, which had gradually become disabling. His handwriting steadily progressed to illegibility, and it was difficult for him to drink from a glass without spillage. In the past 4 years he also noticed the appearance of raised black protuberant scars over his volar forearms and abdomen at the usual injection sites. Examination disclosed numerous raised, …
Properties of the aromatase system associated with the mitochondrial fraction of human placenta.

Abstract The aromatase system associated with the mitochondrial fraction of human term placenta, present at 35–50% the specific activity of the microsomal enzyme, is substantially the same as the microsomal enzyme as determined by the following: 1) The rate of aromatization of androstenedione, 19-nortestosterone, and 16α-hydroxytestosterone in mitochondria was a nearly constant proportion of the microsomal rate; 2) Sensitivity to carbon monoxide was the same; 3) The magnitude of cytochrome P-450 Type I spectral interactions with androgen substrates was a constant proportion in mitochondria and microsomes; 4) Sensitivity to an antibody raised against hepatic microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was the same. When inner and outer mitochondrial membrane subfractions were prepared, the predominant aromatase activity was associated with the outer membrane preparation. This aromatase activity could not be accounted for by microsomal contamination as determined by inosine diphosphatase activity, a microsomal marker. After correction, the rate of aromatization in the outer membrane preparation was almost six times that in the inner membranes and three times that of the whole mitochondrial fraction
Sexual dimorphism in the influence of advanced aging on adrenal hormone levels: the Rancho Bernardo Study

In recent years, adrenal function and aging has been the subject of intense interest. This cross-sectional study examines age and gender differences in plasma levels of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), and the molar ratio of cortisol/DHEAS in 50-89-yr-old community-dwelling adults. Plasma hormone levels were assayed in samples obtained between 0730 h and 1100 h from 857 men and 735 nonestrogen-using, postmenopausal women. Hormone levels were stratified by 10-yr age groups and compared by two-factor (gender and age) ANOVA. Overall, age and BMI-adjusted DHEA and DHEAS [collectively DHEA(S)] levels were 40% lower and cortisol levels 10% higher in women than men, resulting in a 1.7-fold higher cortisol/DHEAS molar ratio for women (both, P < 0.001). Cortisol levels increased progressively (20% overall) with age in both men and women (both, P < 0.01). Although DHEA(S) levels declined 60% and the cortisol/DHEAS ratio increased 3-fold across the 40-yr age range for both men and women (all P < 0.001), the pattern of the change differed (all P < 0.01 for interaction). For men, DHEA(S) fell in a curvilinear fashion, with the degree of change decreasing with each decade. In contrast, DHEA(S) levels in women fell 40% from the 50s to 60s, were unvarying from 60-80 yr of age, and declined an additional 18% in the 80s. The cortisol/DHEAS ratio increased in a linear fashion for men, but was flat during the 60-80-yr age range for women. Despite these differences in the effect of aging, levels of DHEA(S) remained lower and cortisol and the cortisol/DHEAS ratio higher, in women than men throughout the 50-89-yr age range. These results were independent of adiposity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. In summary, among older, healthy adults DHEA(S) levels are lower and cortisol levels higher in women than men. The age-related decline in adrenal androgens persists into advanced age for both men and women, but exhibits a sexually dimorphic pattern. In contrast, cortisol levels in men and women show a parallel, linear increase with aging. These findings may have important implications for a host of age-related processes that exhibit gender differences, including brain function, bone metabolism, and cardiovascular disease.
Urban electoral coalitions in an age of immigration: Time and place in the 2001 and 2005 Los Angeles mayoral primaries

Abstract Urban politics have been reshaped by large-scale immigration. What coalition patterns are likely to arise in an urban environment that has experienced dramatic demographic and political change? This study examines the 2001 and 2005 Los Angeles mayoral primary elections. Such non-partisan primary elections provide effective vehicles to measure core coalitions of citywide candidates. Our dependent variable is voting for Antonio Villaraigosa, a liberal Latino candidate associated with the rise of immigrant communities, running against James Hahn, a white candidate with roots in the African American community. Three core coalitions appeared in the primaries. In both 2001 and 2005, Villaraigosa benefited from a stable coalition that combined Latino mobilization with some white liberal support. Hahn's core was among African Americans although that base had eroded for him by 2005. There was little evidence of a coalition of color in either primary election. A third alliance, a white-led moderate coalition drawing support from neither African Americans nor Hispanics, emerged unexpectedly as having great stability over both elections. If Los Angeles had partisan elections like New York City, candidates riding that coalition would have had a clear path into the general election by winning the Republican primary. A significant spatial dimension emerged in the vote in both primary elections. Racial and ethnic bloc voting was reinforced by the residential concentrations of ethnic groups in Los Angeles. We conclude that space and time are related to each other in the construction and maintenance of political coalitions surrounding immigration.
Rupture of the Posteromedial Papillary Muscle Leading to Partial Flail of the Anterior Mitral Leaflet

An 86-year-old woman with a history of hypertension presented with acute onset of chest pain and evidence of shock (hypotension and tachycardia). For the preceding 2 weeks, she had been experiencing intermittent nausea and vomiting; proton pump inhibitors did not improve her symptoms. The ECG showed ST elevations in the inferior leads and ST depressions in leads V1 and V2, with reciprocal ST depressions in leads I and aVL, suggesting an acute inferoposterior infarction (Figure 1). Physical examination also revealed a new 2/6 holosystolic murmur at the apex and significant bilateral rales. She was taken emergently to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, where 100% thrombotic occlusion of the middle right coronary artery was revealed (Figure 2A). A left ventriculogram revealed severe (4+) mitral regurgitation with a normal-sized left …
High Dose Ursodeoxycholic Acid for the Treatment of Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) is a cholestatic liver disease that results in progressive fibrosis of intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts. No effective therapy currently exists for this disease. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid, is the most promising treatment option because of its benign side effect profile and documented benefit in the treatment of other cholestatic liver diseases, including primary biliary cirrhosis. Multiple studies using standard-dosage (8–15 mg/kg/d) and high-dosage (20–30 mg/kg/d) UDCA generally show improvement in liver chemistries in PSC patients, and several show improvement in liver histology. However, the majority of trials using UDCA in PSC are underpowered and fail to show improvements in clinically relevant endpoints, such as delayed progression to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, liver transplantation, development of cholangiocarcinoma, or death.
Exploring the Relationship between Strategic Adaptability and Entrepreneurial Orientation: The Role of Structure-Style Fit

Strategic adaptability and an entrepreneurial orientation (EO) are commonly depicted as desirable organizational qualities. This paper explores the relationship between strategic adaptability and EO as well as the moderating effect of structure-style fit on this relationship. Data collected from 110 manufacturing firms indicate that strategic adaptability is weakly related to EO. However, firms that exhibit greater alignment between their organization structures and top management decision-making styles tend to have more positive strategic adaptability-EO relationships.
Transforming Growth Factor-β in Cancer Therapy: Smurfs in TGF-β Signaling and Regulation of Bone Homeostasis and Cancer

Controlled proteolysis mediated by Smad ubiquitination regulatory factors (Smurfs) plays a crucial role in modulating cellular responses to ligands of the TGF-β superfamily. Accumulating biochemical evidence has demonstrated that Smurfs regulate TGF-β or BMP signaling either by targeting the receptor-regulated Smads for degradation or by using Smad7 as an adaptor to degrade the ligand-activated receptors, Smad4 or other associated proteins. Recent in vivo biological assays indicate that Smurfs can also target other proteins outside the canonical Smad-pathway. Smurf1 controls osteoblast function by modulating the activity of the MEKK2-JNK pathway, and thereby regulates bone homeostasis. Smurf1 also regulates cell polarity and tight junctions by fine-tuning the RhoA level through Par6 polarity complex at cellular protrusions. This chapter summarizes the current finding of molecular mechanisms of Smurfs action and their biological activities, and discusses the potential involvement of Smurfs in tumorigenesis.
“Torture at Yale”: Experimental subjects, laboratory torment and the “rehabilitation” of Milgram’s “Obedience to Authority”.

Stanley Milgram’s experiments on “Obedience to Authority” are among the most criticized in all of psychology. However, over the past 20 years, there has been a gradual rehabilitation of Milgram’s work and reputation, a reconsideration that is in turn closely linked to a contemporary “revival” of his Obedience experiments. This paper provides a critical counterpoint to this “Milgram revival” by drawing on archival material from participants in the Obedience study and Milgram himself. This material indicates that Milgram misrepresented (a) the extent of his debriefing procedures, (b) the risk posed by the experiment, and (c) the harm done to his participants. The archival record also indicates that Milgram had doubts about the scientific value of the experiment, thereby compromising his principal ethical justification for employing such extreme methods. The article ends with a consideration of the implications of these historical revelations for contemporary efforts to revive the Milgram paradigm.
The αBB Approach in Peptide Docking

In this chapter, we discuss the peptide docking problem through the αBB deterministic global optimization framework. Section 17.1 introduces the reader to the peptide docking problem. Section 17.2 presents the various methods that have been proposed for solving the peptide docking problem. Section 17.3 defines the particular peptide docking problem between the HLA-DRB1 and virus peptides. Section 17.4 presents an outline of a novel global optimization approach for the peptide docking problem, while section 17.5 introduces the mathematical modeling and the resulting problem formulation. Section 17.6 presents the global optimization approach αBB, its algorithmic issues and its interface with the atomistic level modeling for the peptide docking problem. Finally, section 17.7 discusses the computational studies for pocket 1 of the HLA-DRB1. The material presented in this chapter is based on the work of Androulakis et al. (1997b) and Floudas et al. (1999b).
Double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lutein and antioxidant supplementation in the intervention of atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial).

Conclusion: In this study, visual function is improved with lutein alone or lutein together with other nutrients. Further studies are needed with more patients, of both genders, and for longer periods of time to assess long-term effects of lutein or lutein together with a broad spectrum of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in the treatment of atrophic age-related macular degeneration.
Neurotensin and dopamine D2 activation oppositely regulate the same K+ conductance in rat midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Abstract Midbrain dopaminergic neurons are excited by neurotensin (NT) and inhibited by dopamine. Interactions between these neurotransmitters have been reported, but no interaction has yet been identified at the level of ionic and signal transduction mechanisms. Using the whole-cell clamp technique, we examined the interaction of NT and quinpirole (QUIN) (a dopamine D2 agonist) on midbrain ventral tegmental area neurons cultured from the rat. We found that NT could inhibit the K + conductance induced by QUIN. By interrupting normal signal transduction with the non-hydrolyzable GTP analogue GTP γ S, we found that this interaction occurred downstream of the membrane neurotransmitter receptors. Similar interactions were observed between QUIN and tachykinin or metabotropic glutamate agonists.
High quality nutrition in childhood, body size and wages in early adulthood: evidence from guatemalan workers

espanolCausalidad entre salud y productividad no resulta directa de establecer. Por un lado, mayores ingresos pueden trasladarse en una dieta de mejor calidad. Por el otro, es probable que un trabajador saludable sea mas productivo. Este trabajo analiza el efecto del tamano corporal, altura e indice de masa corporal como indicadores de nutricion, en salarios. Los datos provienen del estudio longitudinal realizado en Guatemala entre 1969-77 y 2002-04. Estimaciones sugieren que la elasticidad tamano del cuerpo en relacion al salario aumenta cuando la heterogeneidad no observable es considerada, sin embargo, los resultados son mas robustos para los hombres. Adicionalmente, la elasticidad estimada presenta algun grado de disparidad entre quantiles de la distribucion condicional del salario. EnglishEstablishing a causal relationship between health and productivity is not straightforward. On one hand, as income grows, people invest in better diets. On the other, a healthier worker is likely to be more productive. This paper focuses on the effect of body size, height and body mass index as indicators of nutrition, upon wages. Data comes from a longitudinal study conducted in Guatemala during 1969-77 and followed-up in 2002-04. Body size elasticity increases when unobserved heterogeneity is considered although evidence is stronger for males. Additionally, estimated elasticity shows some degree of heterogeneity at different quantiles of the conditional wage distribution.
Intra-operative arrhythmia predicts post-operative arrhythmia and the need for temporary pacing wires.

Objective Protocols for the placement of temporary pacing wires vary among institutions. Our current protocol is to selectively place temporary pacing wires in those patients who develop haemodynamically significant intra-operative arrhythmia. We wished to identify how effective our current protocol is at identifying who will develop post-operative arrhythmia and need temporary pacing wires. Methods The charts of 880 patients over 8 years who underwent cardiopulmonary bypass were reviewed to find patients who developed intra-operative arrhythmia, had temporary pacing wires placed, and whether or not they developed post-operative arrhythmia and required utilisation of the pacing wires. Results A total of 87 (9.9%) out of 880 patients who required cardiopulmonary bypass over 8 years had intra-operative arrhythmia and had temporary pacing wires placed. Of these, 59 (67.8%) had post-operative arrhythmia and utilised the pacing wires, whereas 28 (32.2%) did not have post-operative arrhythmia or utilise the pacing wires. In all, seven patients who did not have intra-operative arrhythmia or temporary pacing wires placed developed post-operative arrhythmia. Conclusion Intra-operative arrhythmia is predictive of post-operative arrhythmia (70.2%) and our protocol is a sensitive means of identifying those who will develop post-operative arrhythmia (89.3%).
Analysis of snapback behavior on the ESD capability of sub-0.20 /spl mu/m NMOS

The self-biased lateral NPN (LNPN) operation of NMOSFETs is analyzed and the requirements to support high injection currents are determined. The effects of process design and scaling on the LNPN behavior are investigated using analytical methods as well as device simulations and experimental data from three technologies with feature sizes of 0.13 /spl mu/m, 0.18 /spl mu/m, and 0.25 /spl mu/m. Specifically, the influence of gate oxides <30 /spl Aring/, and the effects of CoSi/sub 2/ and TiSi/sub 2/ are characterized with the purpose of defining process dependencies and design space. It is shown that as gate oxides get thinner, oxide breakdown may become a limiting factor depending on the LNPN properties. Furthermore, changes in LNPN current gain through process or design variations, and the substrate resistance, can be used to tune ESD performance. Hence, transistor design and process choices can be made to ensure that the LNPN is optimized for successful operation even for very thin gate oxides in sub-0.2 /spl mu/m technologies.