cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ORIGINAL RESEARCH: Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Regulation in the Penile Corpora Cavernosa

ABSTRACT Introduction Penile detumescence depends on the hydrolysis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) by phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). It is hoped that a review of publications relevant to the regulation of PDE5 in the penis will be helpful to both scientists and clinicians who are interested in the sciences of erectile function/dysfunction. Aims The aim of this article is to comprehensively review the mechanisms by which PDE5 activity and expression in the penis are regulated. All published studies relevant to PDE5 regulation in the penis or penile cells will be reviewed. Methods Entrez (PubMed) was used to search for publications relevant to the topics of this review. Keywords used in the searches included vascular, cavernous, penis, smooth muscle, signaling molecules, erection, priapism, and PDE5. Articles that are dedicated to the study of erectile function/dysfunction were prioritized for citation. Results Regulation of PDE5 can occur at both protein and gene levels. At protein level, PDE5 is activated by phosphorylation and/or allosteric cGMP binding. Deactivation is carried out by protein phosphatase 1 and thus linked to the Rho‐kinase signaling pathway. Cleavage of PDE5 into an inactive form has been shown as carried out by caspase‐3. At the gene level, PDE5 expression is regulated at two alternative promoters, PDE5A and PDE5A2, both of which are positively regulated by cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cGMP. Downregulation of PDE5 has been observed in the penis of castrated animals; however, proof of androgen regulation of PDE5 gene requires examination of the smooth muscle content. Hyperoxia and hypoxia, respectively, regulate PDE5 expression positively and negatively. Hypoxic downregulation of PDE5 is a possible mechanism for the development of priapism. Conclusions PDE5 can be regulated at protein and gene levels. In the penis, changes of PDE5 activity have been linked to its phosphorylation status, and downregulation of PDE5 expression has been associated with hypoxia. Lin CS. PDE5 regulation in the penile corpora nervosa.
Unintended Outcomes of Medicaid Drug Cost-Containment Policies on the Chronically Mentally Ill

Cost-containment policies frequently focus on reducing drug expenditures, although prescription drug costs are a relatively small proportion of total health care expenditures. Data show that very few drug cost-containment policies can selectively reduce unneeded care while maintaining essential care. In the early 1980s, the New Hampshire Medicaid program introduced a drug-payment limit (a "cap") that set the number of reimbursable medications a patient could receive per month at 3. Analyses reviewed in this article indicate that New Hampshire's drug cap, while in effect, reduced the use of prescription drugs among the elderly and the mentally ill but increased hospital and nursing home admissions, partial hospitalizations, distribution of psychoactive medications by community mental health centers, and use of emergency mental health services. Vulnerable populations are most likely to experience adverse effects from hastily-applied drug cost-containment policies, and resulting compensatory measures may create more expenses than the policy removes.
The Use of GIS in Urban Planning in Irbid City

The GIS is one of advanced scientific means through which you can complete the planning in a realistic, accurate and effective way. By using GIS we are able to analyze the places and zones and couture lines for services. Therefore, the finance and time savings that might be supplied to Irbid Municipality were preparing millions in addition to large accuracy in the data presented.
P-channel thin film transistor of microcrystalline silicon directly deposited at 320/spl deg/C

We report the first p-channel thin-film transistor made in directly-deposited microcrystalline silicon (/spl mu/c-Si). The channel silicon is made by plasma-enhanced vapor deposition (PECVD) in a process similar to the deposition of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H). The deposition temperature for the /spl mu/c-Si is 320 /spl deg/C and the highest post-deposition TFT process temperature is 280 /spl deg/C. The p-channel TFT is made possible by the low-temperature deposition of /spl mu/c-Si with near-intrinsic properties. Because making p-channel TFTs of a-Si:H has not been possible to date, the p-channel /spl mu/c-Si TFT represents a breakthrough in low temperature Si TFT technology.
SPIRAL SYSTEM AND LASER COLONY SCANNER FOR ENUMERATION OF MICROORGANISMS

Aerobic Plate Count (APC) and spiral plate (Spiral) methods using both manual counting (MC) and laser counting (LC) procedures were compared for pure bacterial, yeast, and mold cultures and raw milk samples. All four combinations of methods (APC-MC, APC-LC, Spiral-MC, and Spiral-LC) gave similar log10 counts of studied pure microbial cultures, producing results that were not different for the purposes of practical microbiology. With bacterial and yeast cultures, counts differed by less than half a logarithmic cycle (the range of difference = -0.26 to +0.42), the range of difference being -0.03 to +0.62 for Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium camemberti molds. An exception was noticed with Rhizopus oligosporus mold when plates were read by laser due to large (10–15 mm) colony size. The difference between the readings made manually and by laser colony scanner was about one logarithmic cycle with both APC and Spiral methods. Statistical analyses of the manually read results of bacterial and Saccharomyces cerevisiae spiral plates showed no differences at the 0.05 level of significance between the readings made by four or five persons. For raw milk samples, Spiral-MC and Spiral-LC methods gave higher microbial numbers than APC-MC (63% of samples) and APC-LC (54% of samples) at 0.05 level of significance (p<0.001). Of the LC results, 75% were within a ± 0.5 logarithmic cycle range when compared to MC results, of which 98% were within the same range. All results were still within a ± 1.0 logarithmic range. When APC and Spiral for raw milk samples were analyzed, LC gave higher microbial numbers compared to MC: 71% of the APC-LC results were higher than APC-MC results, and 85% of Spiral-LC results were higher than Spiral-MC results at 0.05 level of significance (p<0.001). 77% of the results by either plating technique were within a ± 0.5 logarithmic range.
Inhibitors of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors present in human urine and plasma ultrafiltrates

Abstract Several endogenous substances that inhibit central-type benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor binding have recently been identified. We have found that ultrafiltrates of human uremic plasma, normal plasma, and urine contain competitive inhibitors of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors. Using urine as source, we have partially purified a peripheral-type BZD receptor inhibitor(s) by adsorption to and selective elution from small octadecylsilane (Sep-pak) columns and thin layer chromatography. The inhibitor has a 125-fold greater affinity for peripheral-type than central-type BZD receptors and has been purified 8000-fold from urine.
Predator identity and recruitment of coral-reef fishes: indirect effects of fishing

Studies of food and interaction webs are often simplified by combining different species of predator into guilds, especially predators that are closely related. Such combinations require the assumption that predators are functionally redundant or at least have similar effects on prey abun- dances and community structure. However, few studies have rigorously tested this assumption, par- ticularly with exploited species of marine predators. Moreover, fishing can strongly alter the relative abundances of different predatory species, further highlighting the need to examine the top-down effects of different predators on lower trophic-level species within marine communities. Throughout the greater Caribbean, intensive fishing has depleted populations of Nassau grouper Epinephelus striatus, while populations of the less-targeted coney Cephalopholis fulva have proliferated. In the present study I experimentally tested the effects of these different grouper species on recruitment of other coral-reef fishes to spatially isolated reefs. Recruitment to reefs occupied by Nassau grouper was similar to that on predator-free control reefs, and both treatments accumulated higher relative recruit abundance and diversity than reefs occupied by coney. Thus, even closely related predator species can have substantially different effects on lower trophic levels. Shifts in dominance of preda- tory species may therefore lead to dramatic changes to prey communities. These findings underscore the importance of addressing both the direct and indirect effects of fishing on marine communities.
Kinship care connection: A school-based intervention for kinship caregivers and the children in their care

Abstract Whereas child welfare has championed efforts in kinship care practice, policy, and research, there is a growing need for other systems of care, specifically the school system, to improve the ways in which kinship care families are supported. This study highlights outcomes from the Kinship Care Connection (KCC), an innovative school-based intervention designed to increase children's self-esteem and to mediate kin caregiver burden. Current issues regarding the status of kinship caregiving families involved in the school system are highlighted using quantitative data and case studies based on: (1) 34 caregivers participating in support groups and case management services, including counseling, advocacy, and resource procurement, and (2) 63 children participating in tutoring, mentoring and counseling, advocacy, and resource procurement. Two case studies describing the familial experience in KCC will detail the process evaluation related to this intergenerational intervention. Results indicate increased self-esteem in children and mediated kin caregiver burden for families participating in the KCC. Implications for social work practice include suggestions for ways social workers and the school system can better support kinship caregiving families.
DWPF Startup Frit Viscosity Measurement Round Robin Results

A viscosity standard is needed to replace the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) glasses currently being used to calibrate viscosity measurement equipment. The current NIST glasses are either unavailable or less than ideal for calibrating equipment to measure the viscosity of high-level waste glasses. This report documents the results of a viscosity round robin study conducted on the Defense Waste Processing Facility (DWPF) startup frit. DWPF startup frit was selected because its viscosity-temperature relationship is similar to most DWPF and Hanford high-level waste glass compositions. The glass underwent grinding and blending to homogenize the large (100 lb) batch. Portions of the batch were supplied to the laboratories (named A through H) for viscosity measurements following a specified temperature schedule with a temperature range of 1150 C to 950 C and with an option to measure viscosity at lower temperatures if their equipment was capable of measuring at the higher viscosities. Results were used to fit the Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher and Arrhenius equations to viscosity as a function of temperature for the entire temperature range of 460 C through 1250 C as well as the limited temperature interval of approximately 950 C through 1250 C. The standard errors for confidence andmore » prediction were determined for the fitted models.« less
Relationship between the development of autoimmunity and sensorimotor gating in MRL-lpr mice with reduced IL-2 production.

Abstract MRL-lpr mice develop systemic lupus-like autoimmune disease associated with changes in emotional reactivity and spatial learning and memory. Although the major immunological deficit in MRL-lpr mice is uncontrolled lymphoproliferation associated with a Fas gene mutation, these mice have a marked deficit in interleukin-2 (IL-2) production which, when treated, can prevent the development of autoimmune disease. Moreover, both MRL-lpr and IL-2 knockout mice manifest alterations in hippocampal cytoarchitecture and cognitive behavior. We found previously that IL-2 knockout mice have alterations in prepulse inhibition (PPI), a measure of sensorimotor gating. Thus, the present study sought to test the hypothesis that that PPI would be altered in MRL-lpr mice. Compared to MRL +/+ control mice, MRL-lpr mice exhibited different patterns of PPI during development. Whereas 7 and 12-week MRL-lpr mice with evidence of autoimmune disease (the onset and early stages, respectively) showed increased PPI, 5 week predisease MRL-lpr mice did not. MRL-lpr mice also exhibited increased acoustic startle reactivity that was independent of autoimmune disease. These behavioral changes were not associated with increased brain expression of the proinflammatory cytokines genes, IL-1 α and IL-6, CD3, or c- myc -associated apoptosis.
GFAP and Astrogliosis

One of the most remarkable characteristics of astrocytes is their vigorous response to diverse neurologic insults, a feature that is well conserved across a variety of different species. The astroglial response occurs rapidly and can be detected within one hour of a focal mechanical trauma (Mucke et al., 1991). Prominent reactive astrogliosis is seen; in AIDS dementia; a variety of other viral infections; prion associated spongiform encephalopathies; inflammatory demyelinating diseases; acute traumatic brain injury; neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The prominence of astroglial reactions in various diseases, the rapidity of the astroglial response and the evolutionary conservation of reactive astrogliosis indicate that reactive astrocytes fulfill important functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Yet, the exact role reactive astrocytes play in the injured CNS has so far remained elusive. This chapter summaries the various experimental models and diseases that exhibit astrogliosis and increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Recent in vitro studies to inhibit GFAP synthesis are also presented.
PREFABL: predictors of failure of antibiotic locks for the treatment of catheter-related bacteraemia

Background. Antibiotic lock (ABL) solutions can effectively treat catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) without the need for catheter exchange. This approach does not increase secondary infectious complications. We evaluated the risk factors that contribute to failure when CRB is treated with ABLs and systemic antibiotics in paediatric haemodialysis patients. Methods. A retrospective chart review of 72 children on haemodialysis between January 2004 and June 2006 was performed. We evaluated risk factors for ABL treatment using patients' characteristics, CRB/catheter characteristics and patients' biochemical profiles. The first CRB of each catheter was included in the statistical analysis. Our end points were outcome at 2 weeks of treatment and at 6 weeks following treatment. Compound symmetry covariance structure was employed for statistical analysis. Results. We treated 149 CRB in 50 patients. The incidence was 3.4 CRB/1000 catheter days. Thirty CRB failed to be cleared with the use of ABL and systemic antibiotics at 2 weeks of treatment (30/149, 20 vs 80%, P < 0.001). Twenty-four of these catheters required exchange. Thirty-nine of the treated catheters got re-infected within the next 6 weeks (39/125, 31 vs 69%, P < 0.001). CRB aetiology was the only statistically significant independent variable for 2-week outcome (P = 0.033). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus CRB had higher odds of being cleared at 2 weeks compared with other CRB aetiologies. For the 6-week outcome, the statistically significant independent variables in the final model included age (P = 0.048) and serum phosphorous level (P < 0.001). Younger age and higher serum phosphorous levels were independent risk factors for failure at 6 weeks with re-infection. Area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the model of the 2-week outcome was 0.736 with the percentage of correct predictions at 81.2%. Area under the ROC curve for the model of the 6-week outcome was 0.689 with the percentage of correct predictions at 75.5%. Conclusions. CRB can effectively be treated with ABLs and systemic antibiotics. CRB aetiology is the only independent variable of early treatment failure. Younger age and higher serum phosphorous levels are independent risk factors for re-infection at 6 weeks.
Disease Risk Factors Identified Through Shared Genetic Architecture and Electronic Medical Records

Genome-wide association studies have identified genetic variants for thousands of diseases and traits. We evaluated the relationships between specific risk factors (for example, blood cholesterol level) and diseases on the basis of their shared genetic architecture in a comprehensive human disease–single-nucleotide polymorphism association database (VARIMED), analyzing the findings from 8962 published association studies. Similarity between traits and diseases was statistically evaluated on the basis of their association with shared gene variants. We identified 120 disease-trait pairs that were statistically similar, and of these, we tested and validated five previously unknown disease-trait associations by searching electronic medical records (EMRs) from three independent medical centers for evidence of the trait appearing in patients within 1 year of first diagnosis of the disease. We validated that the mean corpuscular volume is elevated before diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia; both have associated variants in the gene IKZF1 . Platelet count is decreased before diagnosis of alcohol dependence; both are associated with variants in the gene C12orf51 . Alkaline phosphatase level is elevated in patients with venous thromboembolism; both share variants in ABO . Similarly, we found that prostate-specific antigen and serum magnesium levels were altered before the diagnosis of lung cancer and gastric cancer, respectively. Disease-trait associations identify traits that could serve as future prognostics, if validated through EMR and subsequent prospective trials.
A Cramer-Rao Lower Bound Analysis Of Noise Reduction Limits In Blind Deconvolution For Zernike-Based Point- Spread-Function Estimation With The Use Of A Support Constraint

We show in an algorithm-independent way that Zernike-based blind deconvolution of atmospherically-blurred images produces higher quality estimates of an object and the blurring PSFs than does pixel-based PSF estimation.
Gene expression: Transcription initiation unwrapped

A genome-wide, high-resolution study of DNA-binding sites for proteins that transcribe DNA into RNA reveals details about how this process occurs in vivo. See Article p.295
Performance Tests on an Eddy-Current Flowmeter

The eddy-current flowmeter seems well adapted to measurements in high-temperature liquid-metal systems, where deterioration of the properties of permanent magnets and other ferromagnetic parts or bearing problems may seriously degrade the performance of other types. Tests on an eddy-current flowmeter confirm the high signal levels and the optimum excitation frequency predicted by an analysis of the device.
Coronary artery disease in patients with aortic aneurysm: a classification of 302 coronary angiograms and results of surgical management

In an attempt to reduce early and late mortality caused by myocardial infarction in patients with aortic aneurysms, coronary arteriography and, when indicated, myocardial revascularization were performed prior to elective aortic reconstruction in 302 patients with infrarenal (289) or thoracoabdominal (13) aortic aneurysms. Severe correctable coronary artery disease (CAD) was identified in 31% of the entire series, whereas severe inoperable CAD was seen in another 5%. Severe, correctable CAD was documented in 42% of patients suspected to have CAD by standard clinical criteria and in 19% of those in whom CAD was not suspected. The overall mortality for 89 cardiac and 227 infrarenal aortic surgical procedures was 4,4%. Fatal complications after infrarenal aneurysm resection occurred in only one (1.6%) of 61 patients who had had preliminary myocardial revascularization.
Molybdenum accumulation in Cariaco basin sediment over the past 24 k.y.: A record of water-column anoxia and climate

Molybdenum (Mo) concentrations in a sediment core from the Cariaco basin on the Venezuelan continental shelf can be partitioned between a marine fraction and a terrigenous fraction. The accumulation rate of the marine fraction of Mo increased abruptly 15 000 calendar years ago (15 ka), from −2 ṁyr −1 to >4 μgṁcm −2 ṁyr −1 , and then decreased abruptly at 9 ka. The accumulation rate remained high throughout this 6 k.y. period, but exhibited maxima at 15–14 and 12.5 ka, corresponding in time to meltwater pulse IA into the Gulf of Mexico and the onset of the Younger Dryas cold event, respectively. The marine fraction of Mo is interpreted in terms of redox conditions of bottom water, as dictated by both the flux of settling organic matter and bottom-water residence time. Correspondence between geochemical extremes in this core with changes in sea level and global climate demonstrates the high degree to which this ocean-margin basin has responded to the paleoceanographic regime throughout the past 24 k.y.
The breeding season of the opossum (Didelphis virginiana) and the rate of intrauterine and postnatal development

The breeding season of the opossum at Austin, Texas, begins in January, following a three months' anoestrous period. The modal point for ovulation days is reached in the third week. The rate of intra-uterine development was investigated chiefly by surgical removal of one uterus, noting the stage attained by the ova therein and allowing the surviving uterus to incubate its ova a precalculated period of time. Unique charts epitomize the results. The primitive-streak stage is completed, the medullary groove and chorda begin at seven and one-half days post coitum, seven days post ovulationem, leaving only five and one-half days' actual development of the embryo to birth. The rate of development is compared with Eutherian mammals. The curve of postnatal growth has the shape of embryonic growth curve of higher mammals. The eyes and lips open, at about fifty days (young the size of mice). At this time the young leave the teat for the first time, but are not weaned for about thirty days more. Soon after weaning, the mother may become pregnant again. At ninety to one hundred days (young size of large rats), the young may begin to shift for themselves.
Shape design sensitivity analysis via material derivative‐adjoint variable technique for 3‐D and 2‐D curved boundary elements

A general approach to shape design sensitivity analysis of three- and two-dimensional elastic solid objects is developed using the material derivative-adjoint variable technique and boundary element method. The formulation of the problem is general and first-order sensitivities in the form of boundary integrals for the effect of boundary shape variations are derived for an arbitrary performance functional. Second-order quadrilateral surface elements (for 3-D problems) and quadratic boundary elements (for 2-D problems) are employed in the solution of primary and adjoint systems and discretization of the boundary integral expressions for sensitivities. The accuracy of sensitivity information is studied for selected global performance functionals and also for boundary state fields at discrete points. Numerical results are presented to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of this approach.
Lack of impairment due to confirmed codeine use prior to a motor vehicle accident: role of pharmacogenomics.

BACKGROUND: We examined forensic serum toxicology and pharmacogenomics data from a woman on codeine shortly before she caused a motor vehicle accident. METHODS: A woman driving erratically collided with a parked car of a highway seriously injuring 2 men working to repair the parked vehicle. The woman tested positive for codeine, acetaminophen and barbital. She had been taking these medications for 20 years due to migraine headache. Serum toxicology and genotype analysis for cytochrome P450, UDP glucuronosyltransferase, and other metabolizing enzymes were measured. RESULTS: The woman was tried and convicted of driving under the influence resulting in bodily harm and was sentenced to 6 years. Toxicology results on peripheral blood showed a total and free codeine of 840 and 348 μg/L, respectively, and total morphine of 20 μg/L (17, 3, and 0 μg/L for morphine-3-glucuronide, morphine-6-glucuronide, and free morphine, respectively). She was heterozygous for CYP 2D6 *2/*4 (extensive/poor metabolism) and heterozygous for UGT 2B7 *1/*2 (extensive/ultra-rapid metabolism). The woman was also taking fluoxetine and bupropion which are strong inhibitors of CYP 2D6. CONCLUSIONS: Based on her genotype and phenotype and reports by the arresting officer, we suggest that the subject in question was not intoxicated by opiates at the time of her motor vehicle accident and may have been falsely incarcerated. Language: en
Extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer for ITS-related communication and sensing applications: an exact analysis

The extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer has been implemented before for the health monitoring of multi-computer communication networks. Such integrated sensor and communication system architectures can be extremely useful during the implementation of ITS traffic management centers. The same optical fiber can be modified to provide the necessary communication link, and the incorporated sensor can be used to monitor the health of the computer network, for providing a fault-tolerant architecture. However the signal to noise ratio, minimum detection reliability, and dynamic range of the interferometer are of primary concern in such an implementation. The main objective of this paper is to present an exact analytical and experimental evaluation of the extrinsic Fabry-Perot interferometer using Kirchhoff's diffraction formalism. The obtained results are compared with the conventional two-beam interference model, and proved to correlate better with the experimental results. Future applications of this optical interferometer in other ITS applications are also discussed.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The transactor: A self-saturated transformer ¿ Part I

The operation and characteristics of the saturable transformer1 and the saturating magnetic reference type of transformer2 have been presented in past articles. The advantages and shortcomings of the self-saturating magnetic amplifier circuits have been explored at length. It is the purpose of this paper to start with the elementary concept of a magnetic switch and develop a magnetically controlled self-saturated transformer. The magnetic system developed possesses many of the desirable operational characteristics of both the saturable and saturating transformers. An adjustable a-c or d-c output is obtained which is also voltage-stabilized. At the same time, the self-saturating transformer retains the gain and response characteristics of the self-saturating magnetic amplifier, although a number of the disadvantages of the magnetic amplifier are eliminated.
Evidence that deficient IFN-γ production is a biological basis of herpes simplex virus type-2 neurovirulence

Abstract Although immune response control of herpes simplex virus (HSV) has been well demonstrated, numerous HSV-2 strains are neurovirulent in immunocompetent mice. Using an RNase protection assay and an ELISA, we found that HSV-2-infected mice exhibited a deficient IFN- γ response, an inability to clear virus, and eventual death. An HSV-based amplicon vector expressing mouse IFN- γ was constructed and packaged into HSV-1-helper virus (HSV(pIFN- γ )). In mice treated with HSV(pIFN- γ ), (i) the LD 50 of HSV-2(G) increased 5000-fold, (ii) intracerebral IFN- γ expression increased 10-fold, and (iii) HSV titer rapidly decreased. We suggest that the deficient IFN- γ response is a basis for HSV-2 neurovirulence in mice.
Maternal choice: will it work both ways?

Apregnant woman whose living child was affected with cystic fibrosis (CF) sought prenatal testing for the disease at a university hospital in the Southwest. When testing revealed that the expected child would also be affected with the CF, the woman and her husband faced an agonizing decision. They ultimately decided not to abort the fetus. Their insurance company, a health management organization, had agreed to extend special coverage for this woman's prenatal testing. It decided as well that it would not provide medical coverage for an affected child, a child who would be born with a "pre-existing condition" on account of the prenatal diagnostic procedure. "The insurance company's message was clear: The parents could either abort the defective baby or struggle alone with the financial burden of a sick child. ''1 Although the HMO ultimately capitulated and agreed to cover the child's treatment, their initial policy serves as a sign of the new limits on maternal choice that may evolve as the capacity for prenatal diagnosis advances. The American College of Obstetridans and Gynecologists (ACOG) committee statement on maternal choice reflects serious concern about restrictions on maternal decision making in the management of pregnancy. In particular, the document addresses the use of court orders to mandate cesarean delivery and the use of the force of law against women who put their fetuses at risk because of certain personal habits or behavior. As stated in the document, "Actions of coercion to obtain consent or force a course of action limit maternal freedom of choice, threaten the doctor-patient relationship, and violate the principles underlying the informed consent process. ''2 The ACOG statement was stimulated by the perception that some segments of society sought to restrict reproductive choice for women with the aim of protecting the fetuses they carry. Measures aimed at the criminalization of certain behaviors by pregnant women have been implemented in some states (e.g., Florida, Minnesota). Court orders mandating cesarean section delivery in the face of maternal refusal have been obtained in several jurisdictions. 3 Particular efforts have recently been aimed at limiting a woman's freedom to electively terminate a pregnancy. The last 20 years have also seen the discussion of a relatively subtle but perhaps more insidious form of restriction on maternal choice; this involves limiting choices made in the face of the prenatal diagnosis of fetal disease or deformity. Two decades ago, Bentley Glass, 4 in his presidential address to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, suggested that "No
Tourists' perceived safety through emotional solidarity with residents in two Mexico–United States border regions

Abstract Security and safety are extremely important for travelers and the tourism industry. One construct that has remained largely unexplored in explaining visitors' perceived safety while at the destination is their level of emotional solidarity (positive sentiments one feels for another) with destination residents. The purpose of this paper is to examine tourists' perceived safety in two popular tourism destinations in Texas along the Mexico–U.S. border (i.e., the Lower Rio Grande Valley and the Big Bend area) and investigate the extent to which tourists' emotional solidarity with residents predicts their perceptions of safety. Perceptions of safety were higher among visitors to the Big Bend area than they were among visitors to the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Also, visitors high in emotional solidarity (particularly to a dimension pertaining to feeling welcomed) also perceived the tourism destination as relatively safe. Theoretical and practical implications are provided.
Time course of safynol accumulation in resistant and susceptible safflower infected with Phytophthora drechsleri

Abstract The first internode stems of 8-week-old Biggs (resistant) and Nebraska-10 (susceptible) safflowers ( Carthamus tinctorius ) were wound-inoculated with Phytophthora drechsleri and held at 30 °C. Safynol ( trans-trans -3,11-tricecadiene-5,7,9-triyne-1,2-diol), an antifungal polyacetylene, was extracted from infected stems. The concentration of safynol increased rapidly in the stems of Biggs in the first 48 h after inoculation, and was relatively constant during the next 48 h. In the susceptible variety, the concentration of safynol increased rapidly in the first 24 h and decreased in the next 72 h. A concentration of 30 μg ml −1 which completely inhibited the growth of the fungus in vitro was reached at the portal of infection in Biggs stems 48 h after inoculation. The highest concentration at the portal of infection for Nebraska-10 (17μg g −1 fresh weight) wass reached 24 h after inoculation. Loss of water from infected Nebraska-10 stems was much greater than from infected Biggs stems.
Is personality related to behavioural disability in the elderly

Abstract In an attempt to explore the relationship between Eysenck's personality dimensions and behavioural disability among the elderly the short form of the revised Eysenck Personality Questionnaire and the Behavioural Rating Scale of the Clifton Assessment Procedures for the Elderly were administered to a group of functional and a group of organic psychiatric patients. No relationship was found between personality and behavioural disability.
Gender Differences in Spiritual Experiences, Religious Practices, and Congregational Support for Individuals with Significant Health Conditions

This study sought to identify gender differences among medical patients for their spiritual/religious beliefs/practices and their associations with health. Patients (N = 168) completed the Brief Multidimensional Measure of Religiousness/Spirituality (BMMRS), and SF-36 general health perception (GHP) and general mental health (GMH) scales. No gender differences were found in endorsement of spiritual experiences, religious practices, or congregational support. For men, religious/spiritual coping significantly correlated with GHP and GMH, and religious support significantly correlated with GMH. For women, measures of spiritual experiences, religious practices, and congregational support were significantly correlated with GMH, but no significant correlations with GHP were noted. Regression analyses revealed that the interaction between gender and BMMRS was a significant predictor for GMH and GHP. Follow-up analyses suggested that for women, GMH was associated with religious/spiritual coping, religious support...
The Efficacy of Training in a Complex and Dynamic Simulated Air to Ground Search and Destroy Mission

The efficacy of training was evaluated in a simulated complex task environment. Eight pilots with military (fighter aircraft) experience were trained to perform primary and secondary tasks in an air to ground search and destroy mission. The training protocol utilized is described and evaluated with respect to performance measures at the beginning of the experiment compared to identical post experimental trials. The results indicate that the pilots were trained effectively under this protocol in performing the primary tasks required. Secondary task differences accounted for the majority of variance seen between the pre and post trials. Specific performance benefits in the secondary task are discussed.
Efficient and Scalable Synthesis of Pure Polypyrrole Nanoparticles Applicable for Advanced Nanocomposites and Carbon Nanoparticles

Pure polypyrrole (PPy) nanoparticles that are well-applicable for nanocomposite and nanocarbon precursor were productively synthesized by necessarily unstirred oxidative polymerization of pyrrole in acidic aqueous media at 0 °C without any template. The species and concentration of acid and oxidant have been carefully investigated to optimize the polymerization yield, conjugated structure, size, and conductivity of the PPy particles. Laser particle-size analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy all revealed that the PPy particles produced in still acid media have narrow size distribution and uniform spheroid morphology. Homogeneous nucleation and static repulsion are proposed as the formation and self-stabilization mechanisms of the PPy nanoparticles. Combination of HNO3 medium and (NH4)2S2O8 oxidant is optimal for the synthesis of PPy nanoparticles possessing maximal yield of 87.2%, small diameter, and high conductivity which has ...
Health economics and compliance of vials/syringes versus pen devices: A review of the evidence

Abstract Background: The goal of this review was to assess the state of the published literature on health economics and compliance of vials/syringes versus pen devices. Methods: A literature searc...
The behavior of copper complex forming hydroxyphenazine in normal and leukemic mice.

Die Reaktion und die Ablagerungsstellen von Hydroxyphenazin und Kupfer wurden in gesunden und leukamischen Mausen untersucht.
Occult Pulmonary Malignancy in Syndrome of Inappropriate ADH Secretion with Normal ADH Levels

Although the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH) has many causes, principally pulmonary, central nervous system or neoplastic disease, and drugs, patients may present with SIADH in whom the etiology is not readily evident. We measured serum ADH levels in such an individual in both the eunatremic and water-loaded states and found levels to be undetectable despite failure to dilute the urine. A small oat cell pulmonary carcinoma was ultimately diagnosed with lung tomograms and cytology. Following a partial response to water restriction, demeclocycline was effective in producing a water diuresis that restored the serum sodium concentration to normal. Patients with clinical SIADH but low serum ADH levels can harbor a malignant or benign process that, notwithstanding the low ADH levels, may still remain responsive to demeclocycline, suggesting either neoplastic production of a biologically-active, immunologically-inactive ADH-like peptide, or increased renal tubular sensitivity to ADH.
Arterial Blood Pressure, Proteinuria, and Renal Histopathology in Clinically Healthy Retired Racing Greyhounds

Background Physiologic peculiarities of Greyhounds as compared to other dogs make interpretation of laboratory results in this breed challenging for veterinarians. Hypertension in retired racing Greyhounds (RRG) can contribute to microalbuminuria (MA), overt proteinuria, and renal histologic lesions. Objectives To evaluate clinicopathologic findings, hemodynamic status, and renal histology in a population of healthy RRG. Animals RRG presented to Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine for inclusion in a spay and neuter program. Methods Cross-sectional study. RRG were classified as normotensive ( 160 mmHg) based on blood pressure (BP) determinations using Doppler and oscillometric methods. Of the dogs evaluated, 62% (n = 29) were hypertensive and 38% (n = 18) were normotensive. Health status was evaluated using routine clinicopathologic tests (CBC, serum biochemistry, urinalysis) as well as evaluation of fractional excretion of electrolytes and MA determinations. Adequate renal biopsy specimens (n = 15) were evaluated using light, immunofluoresence, and electron microscopy. Results All serum biochemistry results were normal in 45/49 dogs, but MA was more common in hypertensive (84% positive for MA) as compared with normotensive (18% positive for MA) RRG. Observed renal lesions were mild and renal biopsy scores were low in this sample of RRG. Conclusions Hypertension is common in RRG and might be breed-related. It is associated with MA, but observed renal lesions are mild. Whether or not hypertension and MA in RRG leads to progressive renal damage requires longitudinal study.
Towards an improved apple reference transcriptome using RNA-seq

The reference genome of apple (Malus × domestica) has been available since 2010. Despite being a milestone in apple genomics, the reference genome is difficult to be used as a reference in RNA-seq (RNA sequencing) analysis, a widespread technology in transcriptomic studies. One of the major limitations appears to be the low coverage of the reference transcriptome in RNA-seq mapping of reads. To improve the reference transcriptome, we obtained 14 sets of strand-specific RNA-seq data of 168.5 million reads in total from fruit of Golden Delicious (GD, the source of the reference genome) in varying growth and developmental stages. Using a combination of genome-guided assembly and de novo assembly, the apple reference transcriptome was improved to a collection of 71,178 genes or transcripts, which includes 53,654 genes predicted originally (with MDP prefixed in their IDs) and 17,524 novel transcripts. Of these novel transcripts, 8,144 were identified from reads directly mapped to the reference genome while the remaining 9,380 were extracted from de novo assemblies of reads that could not be initially mapped to the reference genome. Evaluating the improved apple reference transcriptome with reads from Golden Delicious and other genotypes used in this and other studies showed that it allowed 62.5 ± 9.3–82.3 ± 2.7 % of reads to be mapped, a marked increase from the low rates of 37.4 ± 7.7–46.6 ± 7.1 % offered by the original reference transcriptome. The improved reference transcriptome therefore represents a step forward towards a complete reference transcriptome in apple.
Structural Analysis of Succinoglycan Oligosaccharides from Sinorhizobium meliloti Strains with Different Host Compatibility Phenotypes

Sinorhizobium meliloti NRG247 has a Fix+ phenotype on Medicago truncatula A20 and is Fix− on M. truncatula A17, and the phenotype is reversed with S. meliloti NRG185. As the succinoglycan was shown to impact host specificity, an analysis of the succinoglycan oligosaccharides produced by each strain was conducted. The symbiotically active succinoglycan trimeric oligosaccharides (STOs) from the two S. meliloti strains were compared by chromatography and mass spectrometry, and the analysis of the S. meliloti NRG247 oligosaccharides showed that this strain produces an abundance of STO trimer 1 (T1), containing no succinate (i.e., three nonsuccinylated repeats), yet the low-molecular-weight pool contained no nonsuccinylated monomers (potential repeats). This showed that STO T1 is likely to be the active signal on M. truncatula A20 and that the biosynthesis of the STOs is not a random polymerization of the monomer population. The results also suggest that the fully succinylated STO T7 is required for the infection of M. truncatula A17.
Evaluating Heterodox Theories

Active and heterogeneous disciplines constantly spawn new theories and theoretical variants. By definition, each such offering is heterodox to the degree that its veracity would diminish accepted theories. Most often heterodox theories are dismissed out of hand for nonrational reasons, such that they just seem too bizarre. Most of the time, too, rational analysis supports such rejection. Of course, many important theories in science once seemed bizarre but later were accepted as evidence accumulated for them and against received views. But the lag between a premature rejection and ultimate acceptance is an inefficiency built into the theory evaluation process. Is there a way to reduce this inefficiency ? Through examining a heterodox sociological exemplar, the authors discuss the standards to which such theories should be held in order to deserve (1) hearings in their relevant disciplines, (2) serious attention, and (3) assignment of a high likelihood of being true
Examining the consulting physician model to enhance the school nurse role for children with asthma.

BACKGROUND: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Strategies for Addressing Asthma Within a Coordinated School Health Program recommends a consulting physician for schools to help manage asthma. The literature examines the effects when a school nurse is present, but the addition of a consulting physician is not well understood. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of having a consulting physician on school absenteeism and children sent home due to health reasons for children with asthma and all children pooled together. METHODS: A 2-year preimplementation group cohort and 1-year implementation group cohort of grades K-6 in an urban school district were used to determine the impact of a consulting physician on school absenteeism for children with asthma and all children pooled together. RESULTS: A consulting physician was significantly associated with reduced missed school days for children with asthma and all children as a group. All children pooled together were 44% more likely (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.31-1.58) to be sent home without the consulting physician. There was a reduction from 13.8% to 12.6% of sent home events in children with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Having consulting physicians in school districts appears to be associated with fewer days of school absence. The results provide additional evidence and suggest that more research is required to determine if this association is valid and to better understand the cause of such an association.
Experimental flexural behavior of SMA-FRP reinforced concrete beam

The most critical drawback in currently used steel reinforcement in reinforced concrete (RC) structures is susceptibility to accumulation of plastic deformation under excessive loads. Many concrete structures due to damaged (yielded) steel reinforcement have undergone costly repairs and replacements. This research presents a new type of shape memory alloy (SMA)-based composite reinforcement with ability to withstand high elongation while exhibiting pseudo-elastic behavior. In this study, small diameter SMA wires are embedded in thermoset resin matrix with or without additional glass fibers to develop composite reinforcement. Manufacturing technique of new proposed composite is validated using microscopy images. The proposed SMA-FRP composite square rebars are first fabricated and then embedded in small scale concrete T-beam. 3-point bending test is conducted on manufactured RC beam using a cyclic displacement controlled regime until failure. It is found that the SMA-FRP composite reinforcement is able to enhance the performance of concrete member by providing re-centering and crack closing capability.
Reversible Inhibition of Protein Splicing by Zinc Ion

Protein splicing involves the self-catalyzed excision of a protein-splicing element, the intein, from flanking polypeptides, the exteins, which are concomitantly joined by a peptide bond. Taking advantage of recently developed in vitro systems in which protein splicing occurs in trans to assay for protein-splicing inhibitors, we discovered that low concentrations of Zn(2+) inhibited splicing mediated both by the RecA intein from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and by the naturally split DnaE intein from Synechocystis sp. PCC6803. Inhibition by Zn(2+) was also observed with a cis-splicing system involving the RecA intein. In all experimental systems used, inhibition by Zn(2+) could be completely reversed by the addition of EDTA. Zinc ion also inhibited hydroxylamine-dependent N-terminal cleavage of the RecA intein. All other divalent transition metal ions tested were less effective as inhibitors than Zn(2+). The reversible inhibition by Zn(2+) should be useful in studies of the mechanism of protein splicing and allow structural studies of unmodified protein-splicing precursors.