cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Focused Teaching Improves Medical Student Professionalism and Data Gathering Skills in the Emergency Department.

Introduction Leaders in medical education have developed milestones and core competencies in an attempt to ensure that relational skills, such as communication and professionalism, are emphasized in addition to the usual skills of medical knowledge, data gathering, and emergency stabilization during students' emergency medicine (EM) medical education. Providers facile in each of these areas have better patient outcomes, patient experiences, and decreased incidence of malpractice cases. The authors attempted to demonstrate that by deliberate teaching of these skills during an EM medical student clerkship, students could significantly improve their clinical performance. Methods This prospective, randomized, single-blinded cohort study was performed at an academic, tertiary, urban ED to investigate the effects of a one-on-one preceptor shift on the clinical performance of fourth-year medical students. Students were randomized into two groups and assessed by pre- and post-intervention objective structured clinical encounters (OSCEs) with standardized patients (SPs) at weeks one and three. A crossover design was employed so that students in the control group participated in a preceptor shift after their second OSCE. Measurements were based on a five-point Likert scale assessment linked to early EM milestones as defined by the Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Results: The mean improvement in total overall score was significantly greater in the intervention group: 4.31 versus 2.57 (Cohen's d = 0.57, p = 0.029). When each milestone was assessed individually, students in the intervention group improved significantly in data gathering (Cohen's d = 0.47, p = 0.048) and professionalism (Cohen's d = 0.66, p = 0.011). There was a nonstatistically significant improvement for the intervention compared to control group in emergency management and communication skills. There was no improvement for either group in medical knowledge. Conclusion A one-on-one preceptor shift can result in a statistically significant improvement in data gathering and professionalism skills as measured by OSCEs.
Posterior Cortical Atrophy with Right Lower Egocentric Quadrantic Neglect and Lower Vertical Allocentric Neglect.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES Whereas rare cases of hemispatial visual neglect have been reported in patients with a neurodegenerative disease, quadrantic visuospatial neglect has not been described. We report a patient with probable posterior cortical atrophy who demonstrated lower right-sided quadrantic visuospatial neglect, together with allocentric vertical neglect. METHODS/RESULTS A 68-year-old man initially noted deficits in reading and writing. Subsequently, he developed other cognitive deficits. On vertical line bisections, he deviated upward, and on horizontal line bisections, he deviated to the left. These deviations together suggest that this man's neglect might be most severe in his right (head/body-centered) lower (below eye level) visual space. When attempting to perform vertical line bisections in all four egocentric quadrants, his upward deviations were largest in the right lower quadrant. On a cancelation test, he revealed bilateral lower (ventral) allocentric neglect but not egocentric neglect. This patient's magnetic resonance imaging revealed cortical atrophy, most prominent in the left parietal lobe. DISCUSSION Previous research in stroke patients has demonstrated that the parietal lobes are important in mediating attention to contralateral and inferior visual space. The presence of left parietal atrophy may have induced this right lower (ventral) egocentric inattention as well as bilateral ventral allocentric inattention. Although to our knowledge there have been no prior reports of a patient with right lower quadrantic and lower vertical allocentric visuospatial neglect, patients are rarely tested for these forms of neglect, and this patient illustrates the importance of evaluating patients for these and other forms of neglect.
The ABCD study: understanding the development of risk for mental and physical health outcomes.

Following in the footsteps of other large “population neuroscience” studies, the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development℠ (ABCD) study is the largest in the U.S. assessing brain development. The study is examining approximately 11,875 youth from 21 sites from age 9 to 10 for approximately ten years into young adulthood. The ABCD Study® has completed recruitment for the baseline sample generally using a multi-stage probability sample including a stratified random sample of schools. The dataset has a wealth of measured attributes of youths and their environment, including neuroimaging, cognitive, biospecimen, behavioral, youth self-report and parent self-report metrics, and environmental measures. The initial goal of the ABCD Study was to examine risk and resiliency factors associated with the development of substance use, but the project has expanded far beyond this initial set of questions and will also greatly inform our understanding of the contributions of biospecimens (e.g., pubertal hormones), neural alterations, and environmental factors to the development of both healthy behavior and brain function as well as risk for poor mental and physical outcomes. This review outlines how the ABCD Study was designed to elucidate factors associated with the development of negative mental and physical health outcomes and will provide a selective overview of results emerging from the ABCD Study. Such emerging data includes initial validation of new instruments, important new information about the prevalence and correlates of mental health challenges in middle childhood, and promising data regarding neural correlates of both healthy and disordered behavior. In addition, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities to understanding both healthy development and the emergence of risk from ABCD Study data. Finally, we will overview the future directions of this large undertaking and the ways in which it will shape our understanding of the development of risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes.
The risk for insufficient chill accumulation: a climate change perspective for apple and cherry production in the United States

Abstract Winter chill accumulation is critical for the productivity and profitability of perennial tree fruit production systems. Several studies have quantified the impacts of global warming on risks of insufficient chill accumulation in the warmer tree fruit and nut production regions of the United States (US), such as the Southeast and California, where these risks are currently prevalent. In this work, we focus on the Pacific Northwest US – the largest production area in the US for apples, pears and cherries – and quantify the potential risk of insufficient chill accumulation. Our results highlight large spatial variations in response within the PNW, with northern areas projected to have reduced risks and southern areas projected to have increased risks. In the southern areas, rather than chill accumulation in and of itself, it is the combination of reduced and delayed chill accumulation with likely advancement in spring phenology that lead to production risks. In spite of future reductions to chill accumulation, risks of insufficient chill accumulation seem limited for apple even with advancement of spring phenology. Under the extreme “no climate policy” RCP 8.5 climate projections, the production risks are significant for early blooming crops (e.g. cherries) and varieties with relatively high chill portions requirements (e.g. Sam cherries), necessitating planning for management strategies such as frost protection and chemical management of budbreak to address potential risks which have not historically been a concern in the region. Under less extreme warming outcomes, the PNW tree fruit production systems are likely to remain resilient. Given that the convergence of the fulfillment of chilling requirements and environmental conditions promoting budbreak is where potential risk to perennial tree fruit production exists, future work should focus on understanding, modelling and projecting responses within this convergence space. Additionally, given significant spatial differences across a relatively small geographic range, it is also critical to understand and model these dynamics at a local landscape resolution for regions such as the PNW that faced limited risk historically, but could be exposed to new risks under a warming climate.
Interactive videoconferencing in the redesign of a health-care quality improvement workshop for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic

Introduction:The Blended Quality Improvement (QI) Workshop is a programme designed to provide learners with basic tools and techniques in QI using a combination of e-learning and face-to-face class...
Wer hat ein Bewusstsein

Bis hierhin habe ich ausgiebig uber meine Erlebnisse gesprochen, denn sie sind die einzigen, die ich unmittelbar kenne. In diesem Kapitel aber geht es um Ihr Erleben und um das von anderen.
The Macro Impacts of Micro-Climates on the Energy Consumption of Urban Buildings

This paper addresses Challenge 3 of the SMC data challenge by leveraging data-driven tools to understand the relationships between our built environment and nature, and how this relationship impacts energy consumption. It presents detailed results to the research questions posed, along with the rationale for the tools used and limitations of the developed solutions.
Factors shaping Asian Americans’ attitudes toward homosexuality

Numerous studies explore racial differences in attitudes toward homosexuality in the United States, but relatively little research focuses on Asian Americans. Using the 2016 National Asian American...
The Power of the Blue Tick (): Ugandans’ experiences and engagement on Twitter at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic

To raise awareness and communicate measures aimed at curbing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Ugandan government used a combination of traditional and social media platforms. This included nationally televised presidential addresses on early coping efforts. We examine the impact of these communications by using public Twitter data to explore Ugandans’ experiences, conversations, and engagement leading up to, during, and after these addresses. We found that tweets from verified accounts received more user engagement than tweets from non-verified accounts. We also used a Louvian clustering algorithm to identify the topics around which tweet clusters occurred. Some topics were unique to Uganda’s COVID-19 response, such as lockdown and truck drivers. Thematic analyses within the five clusters uncovered sub-themes on conversation dynamics, and Twitter use during the pandemic. Overall, we use Uganda as a case example of using social media in a crisis (such as a pandemic) to provide insight into the African experience.
Minimizing table time in patients with claustrophobia using focused ferumoxytol-enhanced MR angiography (f-FEMRA): a feasibility study.

Objectives:To assess the feasibility of a rapid, focused ferumoxytol-enhanced MR angiography (f-FEMRA) protocol in patients with claustrophobia.Methods:In this retrospective study, 13 patients with...
Neural networks applied to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) simulations

Data extrapolation in FDTD simulations using feedforward multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) showed promising results in a previous study. This work studies two different aspects of the problem: First is the learning aspect, including the effect of prior training with the same class of random signals, which is an attempt to find a general solution to the weight initialization problem in adaptive systems. The second aspect covers the steps to make the extrapolator fully adaptive, through optimization of the time step sensitivity and the input layer width of a sliding window extrapolator. Average mutual information is used as a performance measure in most of the work.
DO DUGG DIGGERS DIGG DILIGENTLY

The commenting patterns of a sample of 6,468 users on Digg.com demonstrate that feedback from other users affects participation in three ways. First, the more explicit feedback a user receives, in the form of moderation votes on their comment or responses to their comment, the sooner they contribute again. Second, commenters generally become more able to generate feedback as they become more experienced contributors to the site. Third, there are some common features of comments that receive more feedback, and the feedback system reinforces these standards. By making the process of community feedback relatively accessible and measurable, Digg provides an opportunity to observe the process of socialization into a community and inculcation of community standards.
Solubilization of Mouse Liver Microsomal Carboxylesterases

Mammalian liver microsomal carboxylesterases comprise a family of isozymes, few of which have been purified or studied at the molecular level. These enzymes play an important role in the metabolism of drugs, lipids and other xenobiotics. The purpose of this study was to establish conditions for the selective solubilization of these microsomal enzymes. Solubilization of mouse liver microsomal carboxylesterase was examined with Triton X-100, Lubrol PX, octyl glucoside and 3-(3′-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio-1-propane sulphonate (CHAPS). The solubilized esterase activities were assayed with p-nitrophenyl acetate (p-NpAc), α-naphthyl acetate (α-NA) and malathion. Triton X-100, Lubrol PX and CHAPS solubilized > 90% of the esterase activity acting on p-NpAc and malathion at 0·05–0·10% concentrations, whereas esterase activity acting on α-NA was released at 0·3–1·0% concentrations. Octyl glucoside caused maximum solubilization of esterase activity acting on malathion at 0·3% and p-NpAc or α-NA at > 1%. These detergents solubilized the membrane-bound esterases to varying degrees depending on the concentrations and the substrate used. Octyl glucoside and CHAPS are effective detergents for solubilization due to their high critical micellar concentrations, selectivity, maintenance of high esterase activities and ease of removal by dialysis.
Soluble Uridine Diphosphate d-Galactose:d-Glucose β-4-d-Galactosyltransferase from Bovine Milk

Abstract Some of the properties of a 70-fold purified bovine milk lactose synthetase have been determined. The enzyme preparation appears to be specific for uracil nucleoside diphosphate d-galactose derivatives. Adenosine, thymidine, cytidine, or guanosine diphosphate derivatives cannot serve as galactosyl donors for d-glucose to form lactose. The enzyme preparation will not transfer the galactosyl residue from uridine diphosphate d-galactose to α-d-glucose 1-phosphate, α-d-galactose 1-phosphate, d-xylose, maltose, α-methyl-d-glucoside, or l-glucose. N-Acetyl-d-glucosamine can serve as an acceptor for d-galactose but is only 25% as effective as d-glucose; the product of this reaction appears to be an analogue of lactose in which N-acetyl-d-glucosamine is substituted for d-glucose. It is not known whether these galactosyl transfer reactions are catalyzed by the same or a different enzyme. No reversal of the enzymatic reaction could be shown when lactose and UDP were used as substrates. The bovine milk lactose synthetase is activated by several divalent cations. The enzyme shows a maximum activation by Mn++, and an inhibition by ethylenediaminetetraacetate or Hg++. The enzyme has a 42° temperature optimum, and a pH optimum of 7.5, with maximum activity in sodium cacodylate-HCl or β,β'-dimethylglutarate-NaOH buffer. Phosphorylated compounds structurally related to the nucleoside diphosphate moiety of UDP-d-galactose strongly inhibit the enzymatic reaction whereas neutral hexoses or hexose phosphates produce little or no inhibition. The Km for UDP-d-galactose is 5.0 x 10-4 m, and that for d-glucose is 2.5 x 10-2 m.
Modified Net Present Value (MNPV): A New Technique for Capital Budgeting

In this paper we show that, when the firm’s opportunity rate of reinvestment is different from its financing rate, the risk-adjusted discount rate method (RADR) of computing Net Present Value (NPV) leads to the same type of incorrect results that required new methodology for modifying Internal Rate of Return (IRR) calculations (i.e. Modified Internal Rate of Return (MIRR)). Specifically, the current method of calculating NPV is biased in favour of (against) high-risk projects and against (in favour of) low-risk projects when the risk-adjusted discount rate is greater (less) than the firm’s average marginal cost of capital (WACC) for two reasons. First, it incorrectly assumes that the reinvestment rate for project cash inflows is the risk-adjusted discount rate of the project instead of the firm’s opportunity rate of reinvestment. Second, it incorrectly assumes that projected cash outflows, for the time periods after the initial outlay, are also discounted at the risk-adjusted discount rate. We propose a new methodology to establish a Modified NPV (MNPV) to eliminate the RADR methodology bias and derive a generalised rate of return (k*) under all combinations of reinvestment and financing rates for a firm. In addition we derive and demonstrate the linkages and consistency between the new MNPV, k*, Profitability Index (PI) and MIRR methodologies.
Opportunities and Challenges for Reducing Hospital Revisits

Two articles in this issue explore the clinical epidemiology and predictors of hospital revisits. The editorialists raise questions about the preventability of revisits from Duseja and colleagues' ...
Using hybrid alignment for iterative sequence database searches: Research Articles

Progressive sequence model refinement by means of iterative searches is an effective technique for high sensitivity database searches and is currently employed in popular tools such as PSI-BLAST and SAM. Recently, a novel alignment algorithm has been proposed that offers features expected to improve the sensitivity of such iterative approaches, specifically a well-characterized theory of its statistics even in the presence of position-specific gap costs. Here, we demonstrate that the new hybrid alignment algorithm is ready to be used as the alignment core of PSI-BLAST. In addition, we evaluate the accuracy of two proposed approaches to edge effect correction in short sequence alignment statistics that turns out to be one of the crucial issues in developing a hybrid-alignment based version of PSI-BLAST. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Can Futures and Options Markets Hold the Milk Price Safety Net? Policy Conflicts and Market Failures in Dairy Hedging

U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dairy Options Pilot Program promoted hedging by producers, and was a test case for similar programs in other agricultural industries. Rapidly shifting milk pricing policies impeded quantitative hedging evaluations while the program was active. Hedging appears capable of reducing price variance by 50–60% in most regions, and favors large, sophisticated producers in heavy cheese manufacturing regions. Forward contracting or price insurance products may offer lower transaction costs and attract more small-scale producers. Ballooning milk deficiency payments and milk's prominent role in trade-distorting payments suggest an ongoing need to promote private price risk management tools.
Topoisomerase II from Chlorella virus PBCV-1. Characterization of the smallest known type II topoisomerase.

Type II topoisomerases, a family of enzymes that govern topological DNA interconversions, are essential to many cellular processes in eukaryotic organisms. Because no data are available about the functions of these enzymes in the replication of viruses that infect eukaryotic hosts, this led us to express and characterize the first topoisomerase II encoded by one of such viruses. Paramecium bursaria chlorella virus 1 (PBCV-1) infects certain chlorella-like green algae and encodes a 120-kDa protein with a similarity to type II topoisomerases. This protein was expressed inSaccharomyces cerevisiae and was highly active in relaxation of both negatively and positively supercoiled plasmid DNA, catenation of plasmid DNA, and decatenation of kinetoplast DNA networks. Its optimal activity was determined, and the omission of Mg2+ or its replacement with other divalent cations abolished DNA relaxation. All activities of the recombinant enzyme were ATP dependent. Increasing salt concentrations shifted DNA relaxation from a normally processive mechanism to a distributive mode. Thus, even though the PBCV-1 enzyme is considerably smaller than other eukaryotic topoisomerase II enzymes (whose molecular masses are typically 160–180 kDa), it displays all the catalytic properties expected for a type II topoisomerase.
Robofurnace: A semi-automated laboratory chemical vapor deposition system for high-throughput nanomaterial synthesis and process discovery

Laboratory research and development on new materials, such as nanostructured thin films, often utilizes manual equipment such as tube furnaces due to its relatively low cost and ease of setup. However, these systems can be prone to inconsistent outcomes due to variations in standard operating procedures and limitations in performance such as heating and cooling rates restrict the parameter space that can be explored. Perhaps more importantly, maximization of research throughput and the successful and efficient translation of materials processing knowledge to production-scale systems, relies on the attainment of consistent outcomes. In response to this need, we present a semi-automated lab-scale chemical vapor deposition (CVD) furnace system, called “Robofurnace.” Robofurnace is an automated CVD system built around a standard tube furnace, which automates sample insertion and removal and uses motion of the furnace to achieve rapid heating and cooling. The system has a 10-sample magazine and motorized transfer arm, which isolates the samples from the lab atmosphere and enables highly repeatable placement of the sample within the tube. The system is designed to enable continuous operation of the CVD reactor, with asynchronous loading/unloading of samples. To demonstrate its performance, Robofurnace is used to develop a rapid CVD recipe for carbon nanotube (CNT) forest growth, achieving a 10-fold improvement in CNT forest mass density compared to a benchmark recipe using a manual tube furnace. In the long run, multiple systems like Robofurnace may be linked to share data among laboratories by methods such as Twitter. Our hope is Robofurnace and like automation will enable machine learning to optimize and discover relationships in complex material synthesis processes.
Evidence against an effect of plant hormones on thermal denaturation of pea nucleoprotein

Pea (Pisum sativum L.) nucleohistone and chromatin which had been treated both in vivo and in vitro with indoleacetic acid and gibberellic acid were thermally denatured in low and high ionic strength media. Contrary to previous reports, the hormones had no effect on thermal denaturation profiles. The previously observed biphasic nature of the profiles obtained at high ionic strength is explained.
Reversal of scopolamine induced amnesia in rats by the steroid sulfatase inhibitor estrone-3-O-sulfamate

The intent of the study was to determine whether altering the metabolism of neurosteroids via blockade of the enzyme, steroid sulfatase, could enhance retention test performance in rats. The steroid sulfatase inhibitor estrone-3-O-sulfamate (EMATE) was administered alone and in combination with the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) to rats which were then tested for the reversal of scopolamine induced amnesia. EMATE enhanced the reversal of amnesia by DHEAS as measured by a passive avoidance test. When administered without DHEAS, as a single acute dose, EMATE had no effect. When administered without DHEAS over 10 consecutive days, however, EMATE significantly improved retention. These results suggest that steroid sulfatase inhibition can potentiate the memory enhancing properties of DHEAS. The study also suggests that increasing the levels of endogenous sulfated neurosteroids via the inhibition of steroid sulfatase activity may enhance learning and/or memory function.
Nation-Building Narratives in Viet Nam: A Memoir on B-52s and Their Aftermath

In late 1972 (December 18-30), the Christmas Bombing of Hanoi in the Democratic Republic of Viet Nam by the U.S. Air Force took place. Three weeks later, the American author arrived and witnessed the destruction and how the Vietnamese had already fitted this 'Battle of the B-52s' into their centuries old narrative of resistance to foreign invasion. This article recounts the people and situations that he met on this visit and the ways Vietnamese of all kinds viewed the battle as a great victory for their land, one reinforcing their sense of past, present, and future.
Diagnosis related groups and emergency medicine

Since the mid-1960s with the introduction of Medicare and Medicaid, the federalgovernment has been heavily involved in the reimbursement aspect of health care. The original arrangement between Washington and the hospitals was termed retroactive, cost-based, or “open-ended.” It meant hospitals were paid for any costs incurred during a patient’s stay. These charges took the form of itemized bills and per diem charges. Whatever the politics of the time, the federal government seemed committed to paying for any health care items the particular physician and hospital deemed necessary. Over the years, there has been a steady rise in hospital costs, consistently above the inflation rate. Since the mid197Os, the government has been confronted with the fact that it can no longer support this relentless rise in costs. Many critics of the system have pointed out the present reimbursement system not only discourages savings, but actually fosters increased costs. Since hospitals are only reimbursed for what they charge, more charges mean more income. As a result, many systems have been proposed to implement prospective payment for hospital inpatients; i.e., fixed rates per diagnosis or procedure. Ranging from price caps to HMO’s, the general thrust has been to negotiate costs inadvance.
Wrestling with Gender Physicality and Masculinities among Inner-City First and Second Graders

In this article, it is shown how a group of young schoolchildren rely on physicality in the production of masculinities. The authors draw from participant observational data gathered during two four-month time periods in the children's first- and second-grade years of a predominately Black, lower income, inner-city school. The production of a dominant and subordinate masculinity, as well as the children's struggles to define, to achieve, and to resist the dominant masculinity are described and discussed. Attempts to subordinate femininities and especially girls' physicality are highlighted.
Mission optimization and tradeoffs of using SiGe based electronics for a cryogenic environment rover mission

Electronics onboard rovers and spacecrafts are kept at approximately 20 °C by using radioisotope heater units (RHU), mechanically pumped fluid loops (MPFL), and centralized warm boxes. 1 2 These thermal control mechanisms add weight and volume of payload, adding to limitations on the number of science instruments that can be accommodated in a space mission. The University of Arkansas together with partnering universities and industry have designed various radiation-hardened silicon germanium (SiGe) based electronics modules and systems that can be used to build spacecraft instruments, robotics components, life support electronics components, and other application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for space. These low temperature electronics that can withstand space radiation and thermal cycling would reduce cost, weight, and increase the number of instruments on the payload, hence more science data. In this paper, we evaluate mission optimization, reliability, benefits/cost, and tradeoffs of using SiGe based electronics and systems for cryogenic planetary surface exploration. Also, we analyze components that can be built using SiGe based electronics and show a quantitative impact to a manned planetary surface exploration mission.
Timed default concurrent constraint programming

Abstract Synchronous programming (Berry, 1989) is a powerful approach to programming reactive systems. Following the idea that “processes are relations extended over time” (Abramsky, 1993), we propose a simple but powerful model for timed, determinate computation, extending the closure-operator model for untimed concurrent constraint programming (CCP). In Saraswat et al . (1994a) we had proposed a model for this called tcc—here we extend the model of tcc to express strong time-outs: if an event A does not happen through time t , cause event B to happen at time t . Such constructs arise naturally in practice (e.g. in modeling transistors) and are supported in synchronous programming languages. The fundamental conceptual difficulty posed by these operations is that they are non-monotonic. We provide compositional semantics to the non-monotonic version of concurrent constraint programming (Default cc) obtained by changing the underlying logic from intuitionistic logic to Reiter's default logic. This allows us to use the same construction (uniform extension through time) to develop Default cc as we had used to develop tcc from cc. Indeed the smooth embedding of cc processes into Default cc processes lifts to a smooth embedding of tcc processes into Default cc processes. We identify a basic set of combinators (that constitute the Default cc programming framework), and provide constructive operational semantics (implemented by us as an interpreter) for which the model is fully abstract. We show that the model is expressive by defining combinators from the synchronous languages. We show that Default cc is compositional and supports the properties of multiform time, orthogonal pre-emption and executable specifications. In addition, Default cc programs can be read as logical formulae (in an intuitionistic temporal logic)—we show that this logic is sound and complete for reasoning about (in)equivalence of Default cc programs. Like the synchronous languages, Default cc programs can be compiled into finite state automata. In addition, the translation can be specified compositionally. This enables separate compilation of Default cc programs and run-time tradeoffs between partial compilation and interpretation. A preliminary version of this paper was published as Saraswat et al . (1995). Here we present a complete treatment of hiding, along with a detailed treatment of the model.
Muscarinic cholinergic signaling in cervical cancer cells affects cell motility via ERK1/2 signaling.

Abstract Aims The etiology of cervical cancer depends primarily on infection with human papillomaviruses, but tobacco smoking is the most important behavioral risk factor for this cancer. Therefore, we have previously confirmed involvement of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in cervical cancer biology. In order to comprehensively evaluate the role of cholinergic signaling in cervical cells, we have addressed additional participation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs). Main methods We have studied the expression of mAChRs and cholinergic system components by reverse transcription PCR and Western blots, the motility of cervical cancer cells in cell culture, and the signaling from mAChRs via the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. Key findings The cervical cancer cells HeLa, SiHa and CaSki express four of the five mAChRs, M1, M3, M4, and M5, and the acetylcholine (ACh) synthesizing and degrading enzymes choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT). mAChR-dependent signaling induces cervical cell motility, which requires ERK1/2 activation, and could be abrogated by mAChR antagonists. Significance The epidemiological finding that tobacco smoke raises the prevalence of cervical cancer has led to analysis of the cholinergic signaling in cervical biology and carcinogenesis. Cervical cancer cells express several nAChRs and mAChRs, whose activation leads to changes of cellular properties such as increased motility and proliferation that favor a carcinogenic phenotype. The signaling involves intracellular phosphorylation cascades including ERK1/2.
An Experimental Examination of a Stochastic Model of Dominance

Utilizing the basic assumptions of a stochastic model of dominance frequently encountered in the literature, but generally untested on human groups, the research reported here develops This content downloaded from 157.55.39.195 on Thu, 14 Apr 2016 06:44:28 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms
Control of oocyte production, development, and release inDrosophila melanogaster

Sterility in the Hairy-wing 49c mutant ofDrosophila melanogaster is due to the failure of mature oocytes to pass from the oviduct into the uterus.Patterns of oocyte accumulation in the ovaries, oviducts and uterus of mutant and wild-type flies indicate that ovulation is initiated first by mating and thereafter by the absence of an oocyte in the uterus. While oocyte production is also stimulated by mating, it is maintained by a low number of oocytes in the ovary.Mating also appears to initiate events which cause mature oocytes to deteriorate if they are not soon oviposited.
Reduced Amount and Disrupted Temporal Pattern of Spontaneous Exercise in Diabetic Rats

Introduction/purpose The beneficial effects of exercise for subjects with diabetes or prediabetic states are well established. However, the converse, that is, the effect of diabetes on spontaneous exercise performance, is not as well defined. Mice with mdx muscular dystrophy not only reduce total spontaneous running distance, but also decrease the duration of periods during which they are active, suggesting a defect in endurance. Studies tested the hypothesis that Type I diabetes causes similar changes in spontaneous exercise performance. Methods Wistar rats received streptozotocin to produce a model of Type I diabetes or buffer alone, and had access to running wheels for the next 8 wk. Results Diabetic rats had elevated serum glucose levels (689 +/- 85 vs 270 +/- 21 mg x dL(-1), P = 0.0003) but normal serum bicarbonate levels. After 8 wk, diabetic rats were running for considerably lower distances than normal animals (daily distance 182 +/- 58 vs 4981 +/- 1373 m, P = 0.006). Furthermore, the average consecutive running time was much shorter in diabetic than normal rats (16 +/- 1 vs 40 +/- 6 min, P = 0.004). Differences in running behavior between diabetic and normal mice were absent early after injection of streptozotocin, but were fully established by week 4 for both total distance and consecutive running times. Conclusion Severe untreated Type I diabetes in rats reduces spontaneous exercise in a manner similar to that seen in mdx mouse muscular dystrophy, with reduced running distance and consecutive running times.
Dehumanization of modern civilization and a new, Schumpeterian explanation of poverty

The economic science is again in a crisis and a new solution prolegomena to any future study in economics, finance and other social sciences has just been published by the International Institute of Social Economics in care of the MCB University Press in England. The roots of the major financial and economic problems of our time lie in an open conflict between theory and practice. In the 1930s and before the conflict was between classical theory and given realities. In the 1990s the conflict appears between the now prevailing modern, Keynesian theory and the actual realities. In addition during the twentieth century a great argument developed between the two schools of thought, argument which is not yet settled. In one sentence, the prolegomena tried and was successful to solve the conflict between theory and practice and the big doctrinal dispute of the twentieth century. It was a struggle of research and observation over half a century between 1947 and 1997.
Contact-free diffuse optical tomography system for dynamic imaging of peripheral vasculature

We present a dynamic contact-free system capable of imaging at 1Hz using 20 collimated source fibers at two wavelengths and an electron multiplying charge coupled device (EMCCD) camera for imaging vascular dynamics in the foot.
Comparison of digestion protocols for microgram quantities of enriched protein samples.

Standard biochemical techniques that are used for protein enrichments, such as affinity isolation and density gradient centrifugation, frequently yield high-nanogram to low-microgram quantities at a significant expenditure of resources and time. The characterization of selected protein enrichments by the “shotgun” mass spectrometry approach is often compromised by the lack of effective and efficient in-solution proteolysis protocols specifically tailored for these small quantities of proteins. This study compares the results of five different digestion protocols that were applied to 2.5 μg portions of protein isolates from two disparate sources: Rhodopseudomonas palustris 70S ribosomal proteins, and Bos taurus microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs). Proteolytic peptides produced according to each protocol in each type of protein isolate were analyzed by one-dimensional liquid chromatography−tandem mass spectrometry (LC−MS/MS). The effectiveness of each digestion protocol was assessed on the basis of thre...
Optical particle sizing: an introduction by the feature editors.

This issue of Applied Optics features 36 papers on topics related to particle sizing by optical methods. The contributions to this special issue derive primarily, though not exclusively, from papers presented at the Second International Congress on Optical Particle Sizing held in Tempe, Arizona, on 5–9 March 1990. The congress was the second in what we hope will be a continuing series of international meetings, held at 3-year intervals, on topics related to particle-size measurements by optical techniques. The 1990 Congress built on the successful First International Congress held in Rouen, France, in 1987. A third Congress is planned for 1993 in Yokohama, Japan.
SIDA: The Economic, Social, and Cultural Context of AIDS among Latinos

Statistics on reported cases demonstrate clearly that AIDS is disproportionately prevalent among U.S. Latinos. To help clarify the meaning of this information, this article situates current epidemiological data within the sociocultural and socioeconomic contexts of Latinos living in the U.S. The purpose of this paper is to develop a fuller understanding of the Latino AIDS crisis by reviewing existing literature and new research findings on: (1) demographic, socioeconomic, and general health characteristics of the Latino population; (2) prevalence of the disease by Latino subgroup, geographic region, gender, age group, and route of transmission; (3) patterns of Latino knowledge, attitudes, and cultural understandings of the disease; and (4) AIDS risk behaviors among Latinos, including IV drug use, sexual patterns, and gender relations.
Tests (1967) with black fly larvicides.

Four pesticides were tested near Ithaca, New York, against larvae of the black fly, Simulium pictipes Hagen. The 4 were, Abate® (O,O -dimethyl phosphorothioate O,O -diester with 4,4'thiodiphenol), Dursban® (O,O -diethyl O- (3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate), ronnel. Korlan® (a 24% emulsifiable concentrate of ronnel), and methoxychlor. Dursban in all formulations tested was at least 10 times more effective as a killing agent than the other pesticides Abate was intermediate in effectiveness followed by methoxychlor, Korlan, and ronnel. Wheat flour and brewer’s yeast formulations were about equal in effectiveness to the standard commercial formulations. Only methoxychlor was effective as a detaching agent. In concentration-time trials both Dursban and methoxychlor were much more effective at low concentrations and long exposure times than with the same total pesticide applied with high concentrations and low exposure times.
Contemporary politics: Crisis of infirmity

The Western tradition of political philosophy has its "explicit beginning" in an experience of "madness". This madness presides at this beginning, presiding in such a way as to give determination to the theoretical and practical understanding of politics from Plato to Nietzsche. At the beginning of this tradition, it is the madness of the hoi polloi, the "many" , pervading the whole of the polls; at the completion of this same tradition, it is the madness of the "herd" , the "crowd". For Plato as well as for Nietzsche some 2300 years later, it is the madness of the mult i tude which, presiding, dominates. The word of Socrates, far more than being merely an indictment of his time, proves prophetic for the entire history of political reality: From Plato through Nietzsche, there is nothing sound or right in any present politics. There is nothing sound or right first and foremost because it is the politics of semblance (eidolon). The whole of the domain of the political has become, effectively, a stage performance: The semblance of politics, as the politics of semblance, dominates to such an extent that we today speak of that 'performance' which takes place on the world stage. This is more than a mere convenience of terms it is an expression of the fundamental history of the Western political experience. Contemporary political discourse, in all that it says today, be it
Arthroscopic resection of arthrosis of the proximal hamate: a clinical and biomechanical study.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to present a series of patients with arthrosis of the proximal hamate treated by arthroscopic resection. To further investigate this condition a biomechanical study also was undertaken to document the effect this proximal hamate resection has on carpal loading. Methods Between 1991 and 2001 there were 23 patients who had arthroscopic proximal hamate resection for the treatment of proximal hamate arthrosis. Twenty-one patients were available for final follow-up evaluation (average, 4.7 y). Patients were evaluated by using a modified wrist score that examined pain relief, patient satisfaction, range of motion, and grip strength. Six cadaver wrists had resection of the proximal hamate. Loads across the carpal and midcarpal joints were documented with pressure-sensitive film before and after proximal hamate resection. Results Ninety-five percent of the patients had a type II lunate. Twenty-one of 23 wrists had lunotriquetral tears confirmed on arthroscopic examination. Follow-up evaluation revealed 14 excellent, 4 good, 1 fair, and 2 poor results. Biomechanical studies revealed that resection of 2.4 mm of the proximal hamate unloads the hamatolunate articulation without changing the load at the triquetrohamate joint. Conclusions Arthrosis of the proximal pole of the hamate seems to be associated closely with tears of the lunotriquetral joint and may be part of the spectrum of ulnar-sided wrist degeneration. Arthroscopic resection of the proximal pole of the hamate appears to be a useful treatment in patients with symptomatic hamate arthrosis, even in those patients with lunotriquetral laxity.
Prenatal exposure to escitalopram and/or stress in rats produces limited effects on endocrine, behavioral, or gene expression measures in adult male rats.

Abstract Stress and/or antidepressants during pregnancy have been implicated in a wide range of long-term effects in the offspring. We investigated the long-term effects of prenatal stress and/or clinically relevant antidepressant exposure on male adult offspring in a model of the pharmacotherapy of maternal depression. Female Sprague–Dawley rats were implanted with osmotic minipumps that delivered clinically relevant exposure to the antidepressant escitalopram throughout gestation. Subsequently, pregnant females were exposed on gestational days 10–20 to a chronic unpredictable mild stress paradigm. The male offspring were analyzed in adulthood. Baseline physiological measurements were largely unaltered by prenatal manipulations. Behavioral characterization of the male offspring, with or without pre-exposure to an acute stressor, did not reveal any group differences. Prenatal stress exposure resulted in a faster return towards baseline following the peak response to an acute restraint stressor, but not an airpuff startle stressor, in adulthood. Microarray analysis of the hippocampus and hypothalamus comparing all treatment groups revealed no significantly-altered transcripts. Real time PCR of the hippocampus confirmed that several transcripts in the CRFergic, serotonergic, and neural plasticity pathways were unaffected by prenatal exposures. This stress model of maternal depression and its treatment indicate that escitalopram use and/or stress during pregnancy produced no alterations in our measures of male adult behavior or the transcriptome, however prenatal stress exposure resulted in some evidence for increased glucocorticoid negative feedback following an acute restraint stress. Study design should be carefully considered before implications for human health are ascribed to prenatal exposure to stress or antidepressant medication.
Computer Analysis of Talk-Silence Sequences: The FIASSCO System

The study of simple talk and silence indices that characterize conversation is limited by the costly, “labor-intensive” character of data collection and analysis. In the face of results demonstrating the significance of these data in interpersonal judgments (Hayes & Meltzer, 1972; Lustig, Note 1), more efficient collection, storage, and analysis methods are required. This report describes a hardware and software system, FIASSCO, that collects, stores, and analyzes two-person separate-channel audio-recorded conversations for various indices of talk and silence. Data output are both continuous and discrete measures in time sequence. Further, data on the validity and reliability of FIASSCO output are provided along with sample analyses of computer results.
On the micromechanics of void growth by prismatic-dislocation loop emission

Experimental evidence and recent molecular dynamics simulations of void growth indicate that prismatic dislocation loop emission by externally applied stresses is a viable mechanism of void growth under shock loading conditions when diffusive processes are given no time to operate. In this paper, the process of growth by loop emission is studied in a model system comprised of a void in an infinite linearly elastic and isotropic solid loaded axisymmetrically by remote applied stresses. First, the interaction between applied stresses, the stress field of a single dislocation loop or a pile-up of loops next to the void, the surface energy expenditure on void surface change, and the lattice resistance to the motion of loops is reviewed. The necessary condition for interstitial loop emission is used to determine the equilibrium positions of the loops as well as the maximum number of loops in a pile-up under given applied stresses. For the parameters of the model-material with purely hydrostatic loading, the numerical results yield a volume change for the void, which when normalized by the initial undeformed volume, exhibits a strong dependence on the size of the void for radii less than ∼400 times the lattice Burgers vector. For larger voids, the normalized volume change was found to be independent of the void radius.
Synthesis of lithiomethanes (CH4−nLin) and characterization of the vapor species of lithiomethanes by flash vaporization mass spectroscopy

Abstract An extensive study of the reaction chemistry of halocarbons with high temperature lithium vapor is reported. New syntheses are reported for dilithiomethane and methyllithium, and an improved synthesis for tetralithiomethane has been developed. The new compound trilithiomethane has also been prepared.