cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of Estrus in the Performance Mare

The equine practitioner commonly receives requests to manage the estrous cycle in performance mares. These requests stem from complaints of less than desirable performance or problem behaviors related to the estrous cycle. Unwanted behaviors or poor performance may be truly related to the different phases of the estrous cycle or they may be behaviors that either resemble some sexually receptive behavior or problems that are ascribed to estrus but have no relationship to the estrous cycle. The approach to these cases involves working with owners, trainers, and caretakers to precisely define and then document daily changes in behavior or performance. The veterinarian should start with a complete history and physical examination and then document the reproductive events in the mare. Finally, working together, the owners/trainers and the veterinarian must establish parallelism between behavior and ovarian events, institute a treatment protocol, and then verify the efficacy of that treatment and management regime.
Structural Characterization of β-Lactoglobulin in Solution Using Two-Dimensional FT Mid-Infrared and FT Near-Infrared Correlation Spectroscopy:

Two-dimensional (2D) FT-IR correlation analysis was applied to both the mid-IR (MIR) and near-IR (NIR) regions to investigate changes in the secondary structures of beta -lactoglobulin in D2O (or H2O) solvent systems consisting of varying concentrations of bromoethanol. Mid-IR correlation spectra indicate that the amide I bands corresponding to different structures (i.e., alpha -helical structures at 1650 cm-1, aggregated beta -strands at 1620 cm-1, and beta -sheet at 1636 cm-1) exhibit apparently different spectral response towards varying concentrations of bromoethanol. We propose that the mechanism for the conversion of the beta -sheet into alpha -helix occurs in terms of two parallel pathways, i.e., (1) beta -sheets aggregated beta -strands alpha -helix, and (2) beta -sheets alpha -helix. Although the amide B/amide II combination bands give no spectral features relating to the secondary structure, changes were found in the C-H combination bands that suggest an interaction between the solvent and the protein.
Students' self-reports of help-seeking: The impact of psychological problems, stress, and demographic variables on utilization of formal and informal support

Undergraduates ( N = 248) at a private, midsize, Midwestern university provided self-reports of their psychological problems, stress, demographic variables, and people to whom they talked when they had problems. Three patterns of psychological problems emerged: internalized distress, alcohol abuse, and dysfunctional eating. Neither levels of psychological problems nor stress had much of a relationship to self-reported talking, although internalized distress predicted talking to a counselor. Gender, international student status, ethnicity, full-time versus part-time status, and major predicted talking to help sources. Females acknowledged talking more frequently, but genders showed the same preferences for help sources. The results raise issues of helping students, particularly those with alcohol abuse or eating problems, through either arenas or personnel which are nontraditional.
Accounting for susceptibility in risk assessment: current practice and new directions

Differences in susceptibility between individuals can lead to variability in response to chemical exposures which in turn modify the risk of illness. As a means of exploring the basis for such differences in susceptibility, a project was undertaken to determine what data were available on the range of response variability for several health effects: neurotoxicity, reproductive/developmental toxicity, pulmonary toxicity, and cancer. In addition, modeling approaches for characterizing response variability were examined and evaluated. The main goal of this effort was to determine whether human response variability was adequately accounted for in the current risk assessment procedures for human health effects. The conclusions of the project were that few data are available, both because variability has rarely been the primary focus of study, and because data are not usually reported in such a way that response variability can be determined. Several recommendations were made to facilitate better characterization of interindividual variability, including the study of variability in available human data (e.g. the NHANES database) and allowing greater access to raw data from epidemiologic studies. In addition, the identification of relevant biomarkers, improved understanding of sources of variability, interaction of chemical effects with other exposures or pre-existing disease, and retrospective evaluations of risk assessments were recommended. It is hoped that these recommendations will stimulate research on susceptibility and response variability and encourage the reporting of data in a way that facilitates analysis of interindividual variability in response.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Supplemental Augmentative and Alternative Communication versus Voice Rest Alone after Phonomicrosurgery

ObjectiveThis randomized trial investigated voice rest and supplemental text-to-speech communication versus voice rest alone on visual analog scale measures of communication effectiveness and magnitude of voice use.Study DesignRandomized clinical trial.SettingMulticenter outpatient voice clinics.SubjectsThirty-seven patients undergoing phonomicrosurgery.MethodsPatients undergoing phonomicrosurgery were randomized to voice rest and supplemental text-to-speech communication or voice rest alone. The primary outcome measure was the impact of voice rest on ability to communicate effectively over a 7-day period. Pre- and postoperative magnitude of voice use was also measured as an observational outcome.ResultsPatients randomized to voice rest and supplemental text-to-speech communication reported higher median communication effectiveness on each postoperative day compared to those randomized to voice rest alone, with significantly higher median communication effectiveness on postoperative days 3 (P = .03) and 5...
A Mean Square Error Comparison of Certain Median Response Estimates for the Up-and-Down Method with Small Samples

Abstract Mean square errors associated with median response estimates are compared for the normal and logistic distributions, based on both maximum likelihood and minimum chi square analyses. In broad perspective there is little difference among the mean square errors for these four estimates, regardless of sample size and stimulus level spacing. The first three of the median response estimates require an iterative numerical solution, whereas the minimum chi square analysis for the logistic distribution yields an explicit expression for the associated median response estimate. This explicit estimation expression may be particularly convenient when nonuniform spacing of stimulus levels is involved in testing.
An Analysis of Time Prioritization for Social Studies in Elementary School Classrooms

Time is an essential component of instructional decision-making and subject area prioritization. The greater the amount of instructional time teachers allocate toward a specific subject the greater the content exposure and opportunity to engage learners. Evidence suggests that social studies receives short shrift in the elementary schools resulting in the undermining of opportunities to learn the subject in meaningful ways. Using survey data from 2,336 elementary social studies teachers, we examined relationships among the professional attitudes and instructional decision-making of elementary school teachers on reported social studies instructional time. Results from analyses indicated that teachers who used discipline-specific methods, integrated within English Language Arts, and who reported being satisfied with teaching social studies spent significantly increased time on social studies. Moreover, teachers who reported more frequent social studies content integration or who reported having a mandated test spent more time on discipline-specific strategies than teachers who did not. Findings have implications for teacher educators preparing elementary practitioners, school leaders accommodating the field, and policymakers attempting to position social studies within an era of accountability.
Thermal decomposition of organometallic compounds in the ion source of a mass spectrometer

Abstract Some thermal decomposition effects in mass spectral measurements on several organometallic compounds have been investigated: Ni(CO) 4 , Fe(CO) 5 , Cr(CO) 6 , Mo(CO) 6 , W(CO) 6 , (C 6 H 6 ) 2 Cr, (C 5 H 5 ) 2 Co, (C 5 H 5 ) 2 Ni, C 6 H 6 Cr(CO) 3 , C 5 H 5 Co(CO) 2 , Co(CO) 3 NO. Some of these compounds decompose extensively in an ion source at 250°, but are stable in an ion source at 60–70°. The unstable neutral species Fe(CO) 4 , Co(CO) 2 NO, Cr(CO) 5 , Mo(CO) 5 , W(CO) 5 and C 5 H 5 Co have been detected among the decomposition products of the corresponding carbonyls. From the measured ionization potential of Fe(CO) 4 , a value of D [Fe(CO) 4 -CO] = 0.7±0.3 eV is obtained.
Biochemical changes in the brain consequent to dietary exposure of developing and mature rats to chlordecone (kepone).

Abstract Adult male rats receiving 10 or 30 ppm chlordecone (Kepone) in the diet for 90 days exhibited decreased binding of [ 3 H]spiroperidol in membranes prepared from the striatum. [ 3 H]Muscimol and [ 3 H]quinuclidinyl benzilate binding in the cerebellum were also depressed. The binding of [ 3 H]diazepam and [ 3 H]serotonin to cortical membranes was unaltered in treated animals. The areas of brain of exposed animals which exhibited a reduced ability to bind several ligands for specific neurotransmitter-receptor sites also possessed an increased amount of membrane protein. The frontal cortex of chlordecone-dosed rats where ligand binding was not altered, showed no significant change in membrane protein content. Thus chlordecone-induced alterations in receptor properties could be accounted for in terms of a region-specific hyperplastic increase in nonreceptor proteins. Thirty days after cessation of dosing ligand-binding properties and membrane protein from regions of treated animals did not differ significantly from controls, suggesting that these effects were reversible at the dose levels used. Male and female rats exposed indirectly throughout gestation and lactation showed no abnormal concentrations of membrane protein at 30 days of age after a maternal diet of 1 or 6 ppm chlordecone. No decrease in cerebellar binding of muscimol or quinuclidinyl benzilate, in frontal cortical binding of serotonin, or in striatal binding of spiroperidol was observed. At the 6-ppm dose level, male rats had an elevation of striatal dopamine binding. These data illustrate that gestational exposure to chlordecone can have effects that are in an opposite direction than those observed after exposure of adults to a higher dose level.
Wildfire hazard mapping: exploring site conditions in eastern US wildland–urban interfaces

Wildfires are a serious threat for land managers and property owners, and over the last few decades this threat has expanded as a result of increased rural development. Most wildfires in the north-eastern US occur in the wildland- urban interface, those regions of intermingling urban and non-developed vegetated lands, where access to firefighting resources can be limited. We created monthly wildfire ignition probability maps from environmental predictors and wildfires occurring between 2000 and 2009 for the states of New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Predictor variables included a drought index, long-term soil moisture, percentage forest and wildland-urban interface classifications. Probability maps generated from modelled (Maxent) extrapolations were used to create monthly hazard maps to aid agencies and managers with resource allocation and likelihood projections of wildfires across the region. Our results suggest that monthly hazard assessments provide a better indication of potential wildfires than does a single mean annual probability. Our monthly predictions retain information related to long-term seasonal variability associated with environmental variables and the recorded wildfires providing spatial and temporal information for resource allocation.
Altitude variations in the electrical potential resulting from orographic features

The two-dimensional differential equation which governs the electrical potential of an atmosphere whose conductivity is given by $$\lambda = \lambda _0 \operatorname{e} ^{\beta z} $$ is solved numerically for a region above a simulated mountain range or a semi-infinite plateau wherez is the altitude. The effect of pollution below an inversion can be included by using different values ofλ 0 and β below and above the inversion. As would be expected, theresults show that in a simple exponential atmosphere the potential increases more rapidly above the peak than avove the plain far from the mountain range. However, if a polluted inversion layer is present below the peak then the increase in the electric potential may be greater immediately above the plain than above the mountain peak which protrudes above the pollution layer. From these solutions values of the vertical and horizontal electric fields and the enhanced current density at the peak can be caculated.
M1 decay of the 1.7 MeV 1+ state in 206Pb

Abstract The M1 decay of the 1.7 MeV 1 + state in 206 Pb is retarded by a factor of 3 relative to shell-model calculations. This is explained through coupling to the 1 + states in 208 Pb.
Sex Differences in the Use of Psychiatric Outpatient Facilities

Previous research has shown that both symptoms and sociocultural factors are related to use of psychiatric outpatient facilities. However, the utility of using treatment rates from these facilities to make etiological inferences depends on whether sociocultural effects on utilization are trivial or substantial. In this paper data are presented for one such inference, that women are more in need of treatment than men. We find that observed sex differences in the use of a student psychiatric clinic are due both to differential propensities to seek help for problems and also to differential numbers of problems, both of which are higher among women than men. However, the differential propensity to seek help is found to be by far the more important of these two effects.
STRUCTURAL STUDIES OF OXIDE SURFACES

We review some recent ion scattering experiments on the structure of oxide surfaces. We show that the MgO(100) surface exhibits very small surface distortions, in agreement with recent theoretical work. For the case of the oxidation of Si(100), we show that the oxidation proceeds in three different spatially separate regions, something which disagrees with the conventional model for silicon oxidation.
Creep analysis of structures using a new equation of state type constitutive relation

Abstract A computational scheme is presented for the analysis of a certain class of problems involving creep of metals at elevated temperatures. The high temperature nonelastic behavior of materials is assumed to obey a new mechanical equation of state type constitutive relation recently proposed by Hart. As an illustration, the problem of creep of a closed-ended thick-walled cylinder under internal and external pressures is analysed employing the proposed computational scheme and Hart's equation of state approach. The results obtained are compared qualitatively with the results of classical strain hardening and time hardening theories of creep and the experimental results obtained earlier by other researchers. The proposed computational scheme is found to be very efficient from the view point of both computational time and effort. In regard to the equation of state approach, it is found that in addition to the general features of these classical creep theories, it is also capable of taking into account the effect of prior deformation history on subsequent creep behavior by simply specifying the initial distribution of a single state variable called hardness.
Favela Upgrade in Brazil: A Reverse of Participatory Processes

This paper looks at three different Brazilian cities: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Belo Horizonte to understand the different models of favela upgrade, the opportunities and the challenges that each model entails. The recent ‘left-turn’ on Latin American politics created several opportunities for architects to help improve the informal sector that comprises a significant portion of every major city in the continent. In Brazil, the Lula government invested billions in the infrastructure upgrade of the infamous favelas. This paper will argue that the two traditional contractual models, the construction bidding (by metrics and values) and the commission by ‘reputation’ (opaque political process of choice), are not sufficient. A third model based on popular participation was tested in the early 2000s but it was gradually marginalized as the country speeded up investment in preparation for the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016.
ROBERT V. DANIELS

Robert V. (“Bill”) Daniels died in Burlington, Vermont, on March 28, 2010, at the age of 84. He was a distinguished scholar and teacher at the University of Vermont for more than three decades, a respected administrator in various university positions, a president of the American Association for the Advancement of Slavic Studies, and an elected state senator in the Vermont legislature for nearly a decade. He authored two dozen books on themes of fundamental importance, mostly on revolution and modernization, power and authority, leadership and opposition, participation and bureaucracy, representation and communication, and ideology and culture in the Soviet Union.
Phytochrome ancestry: sensors of bilins and light

Phytochromes were long thought to have evolved in non-motile photosynthetic eukaryotes for adaptation to unfavorable light environments, but recent studies suggest that phytochromes evolved billions of years earlier from a tetrapyrrole sensor protein progenitor. These investigations have identified phytochromes and phytochrome-related proteins in photosynthetic bacteria (cyanobacteria and purple bacteria), nonphotosynthetic eubacteria and fungi - an observation that has opened new avenues for investigating the origins, molecular evolution and biochemical functions of this ecologically important family of plant photoreceptors.
Proteins in Relation to Growth of Avena Coleoptile Segments

Summary The growth of Avena coleoptile segments during expansion for 24 hours either in the presence or absence of indole acetic acid is accompanied by an actual decrease in their content of soluble protein. Gel electrophoresis of coleoptile segments which had been allowed to expand, either in the presence or absence of IAA, reveals no specific protein which was not already present in unexpanded segments.
The effect of neighboring fibers on the electric field in a fibrous filter

Abstract The effect of neighboring fibres on the electric field of an electrically enhanced fibrous filter is considered. The electric field around a cylinder, to represent a fiber, surrounded by six other cylinders of equal radius is analyzed using the method of images. It was found that taking account of the neighboring fiber effects on the electrostatic field (ENFE) reduces the cell deposition coefficient and hence the efficiency of the filter. Therefore, the investigations without ENFE overestimate the efficiency of electrostatic fibrous filters. Furthermore, it would appear that the neighboring fiber effect is more important to situations where electrophoresis dominates. However, it is also shown that neighboring fiber effect is less important to the electric field than it is to the flow field.
Endoscopic management of the obliterated anastomosis following radical prostatectomy.

AbstractPurpose: We evaluated an endoscopic technique to treat the challenging problem of an obliterated anastomosis following radical protatectomy.Materials and Methods: Four men with a mean 2.25 cm. obliterative defect underwent visual internal urethrotomy along a sternal guide wire passed under direct antegrade and retrograde vision. Men then performed self-dilation according to an increasing interval protocol.Results: All 4 men maintained anastomotic patency for a mean followup of 12.5 months and 1 no longer requires self-calibration. There were no complications of this procedure.Conclusions: Endoscopic management coupled with self-dilation offers a safe, minimally invasive option for difficult, long obliterative anastomotic defects following radical prostatectomy.
A rational nomenclature for vertebrate homeobox (HOX) genes

Developmental fates along the anterior-posterior axes of animals are controlled by clustered homeotic genes which in vertebrates are called Hox genes. The gene clusters are similar and probably functionally homologous in animals as different as nematodes, flies, and mammals. A new set of names for Hox genes was recently agreed upon by many workers in the field. Remarkably, the order of the Hox genes along the chromosome reflects where they are expressed along the body axis. This simple principle is reflected in the new nomenclature system.
Lead chelation therapy retards the decline of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease

Lead chelation therapy retards the decline of renal function in patients with chronic kidney disease
ANTIGEN RECOGNITION AND THE IMMUNE RESPONSE HUMORAL AND CELLULAR IMMUNE RESPONSES TO SMALL MONO- AND BIFUNCTIONAL ANTIGEN MOLECULES

L-Tyrosine azobenzene- p -arsonate (RAT) induced cellular immunity without antibody production in guinea pigs. Bifunctional antigens were prepared consisting of one RAT carrier moiety linked either directly to a dinitrophenyl (DNP) haptenic determinant or through one or more 6-amino-caproyl (SAC) spacers. Each SAC unit has an extended span of 8 A. Guinea pigs immunized with these conjugates developed cellular immunity directed against the RAT determinant and antibody specific for the DNP determinant. The anti-DNP response was the same with one or three SAC spacers, but was significantly weaker when the two determinants were joined without a spacer. Animals immunized with either DNP-SAC-TYR or DNP-TYR developed neither cellular nor humoral immunity. Prior immunization with RAT potentiated the secondary anti-hapten response to DNP-SAC-RAT. Modification of RAT at either the arsonate or tyrosine positions showed that other charged groups (sulfonate and trimethylammonium) could substitute for arsonate without loss of immunogenicity. Removal of either the amino or carboxyl group from the side chain of tyrosine did not abolish immunogenicity, but immunogenicity was lost upon removal of both. Immunization with symmetrical bifunctional RAT-(SAC)n-RAT and cyclo-(L-RAT-D-RAT) antigens led to cellular immunity but no anti-arsonate antibody, suggesting a barrier to "self-help." These compounds were also ineffective in inducing a secondary anti-arsonate response in animals primed with arsonate-BSA conjugates and RAT.
Launch of the International Association for Ecology and Health at Its First Biennial Conference: Message from the President Elect

Nonsustainable depletion of our natural resources threatens ecosystems, wildlife populations, and ultimately human/societal health and well-being. Our understanding of these linkages rapidly is becoming clear, as documented in international assessments such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). There is a subsequent need to establish a nexus for the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary efforts examining these ecology/health relationships. I am pleased to formally announce the establishment of a revitalized and expanded international association to do just that! The International Association for Ecology and Health was launched at the EcoHealth ONE Conference that took place October 6–9, 2006, in Madison, Wisconsin. Nearly 400 attendees, including over 250 presenters from 30 countries around the world, and from several scientific disciplines, participated in the event. Most importantly, the Conference attracted over 30 new student members, and there is a vibrant student organization within the Association. This new Association incorporates ongoing work from organizations such as the expanding Consortium for Conservation Medicine, governmental agencies such as the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and past efforts of organizations such as the Society for Ecosystem Health, just as a few examples of spheres of science and policy coming together under this expanded and well-networked international organization. The new Association builds on and combines member scientists, academics, and practitioners. The International Association for Ecology and Health (‘‘EcoHealth,’’ serving as the official simple ‘‘acronym’’) Figure 1. International Association for Ecology and Health President Elect, Jonathan Patz, MD, MPH.
Low-State Phase-Resolved Infrared Spectroscopy of VV Puppis

We present phase-resolved low-resolution JHK and higher resolution K-band spectroscopy of the polar VV Pup. All observations were obtained when VV Pup was in a low-accretion state having a K magnitude near 15. The low-resolution observations reveal cyclotron emission in the J band during some phases, consistent with an origin near the active 30.5 MG pole on the white dwarf. The secondary in VV Pup appears to be a normal M7 V star, and we find that the H- and K-band fluxes are entirely due to this star at all orbital phases during the low-accretion state. We use our higher resolution Keck spectroscopy to produce the first K-band radial velocity curve for VV Pup. Our orbital solution yields K2 = 414 ? 27 km s-1 and leads to mass estimates of M1 = 0.73 ? 0.05 M? and M2 = 0.10 ? 0.02 M?. We find that the mass accretion rates during the normal low states of the polars VV Pup, EF Eri, and EQ Cet are near 10-13 M? yr-1. The fact that is not zero in low-state polars indicates active secondary stars in these binary systems, including the substellar donor star present in EF Eri.
Neuronal cell types.

For the first time in any substantially complex CNS structure, the inventory of cell types in the retina appears to be virtually complete. Evidence for this comes partly from a new, unbiased, morphological sampling technique; from the sheer volume of well-visualized cells that is easily generated by modern cell-filling methods; from the three-dimensional resolving power of digital microscopy; and from the law of coverage, which dictates that a true cell type be evenly spaced. Many types are now terminally identified: the combination of morphology, gene expression, and mosaic make further subdivision of the type extremely unlikely. Fine-tuning of the classification will still occur, and a few orphan types remain among the wide-field cells, which can cover the retina using small absolute numbers of cells. But the survey probably encompasses 98% of all of the retina's neurons and it is sure that no major players have been missed.If there are ∼60 cell types in the retina, how many are there in the cortex? From plausible assumptions of spacing, cell number and dendritic field diameter, one observer estimated the number at ∼1,000. At the least, this estimate serves the rhetorical purpose of pointing out how important is the number of types for any understanding of this structure. If there are 1000 types of neuron in the cortex (or even 100), there is a huge gulf between that number and our understanding of the cortex's physiological diversity. A resolution, one way or the other, would tell us which conceptual models of the cortex are plausible.New probes originating from genome screening promise to help sort the cells, although few instances of truly cell-type-specific gene expression have been discovered so far. The common occurrence is partial specificity, in which several types of neuron express the gene in question. Although it is disappointing that more precise specificity is not widespread, mixed expression is nonetheless extremely valuable. The ambiguity adds only a need for a marker that reveals the cell's arborizations, because selective expression of the protein in combination with neuronal structure is unambiguous. This combined approach is less cumbersome and more robust than strictly morphological methods, and more reliable than depending solely on the type-specificity of expression of a newly identified gene. It will probably be the main way of identifying new cell types for the foreseeable future.
Effects of allozyme variation on fitness components in Drosophila melanogaster

We have explored in Drosophila melanogaster the fitness effects of allelic variation at three enzyme loci: α Gdh, Adh, and Acph. Viability and rate of development are studied at two densities, near-optimal and competitive. No genotypic effects could be demonstrated on rate of development at either density or on viability under optimal conditions. Small but significant effects on viability appear under competitive conditions. Fecundity is measured for all nine possible mating combinations between the three female and the three male genotypes at each locus. Female genotype has important fitness consequences; heterosis exists at every locus. Male genotype also contributes to fitness, but without heterosis. There are significant interactions between female and male genotypes, so that the fecundity of a mating combination cannot be determined from the average fitnesses of the female genotype and the male genotype involved.
Contrast enhancement of light emitting diode displays.

This paper describes a technique for calculating the resultant contrast of displays incorporating various filters or filter combinations. In particular, contrast of such displays employing red or green light emitting diodes (LED’s) as the active elements is tabulated. The results indicate that adequate contrast enhancement of red LED’s in high light level environments is usually achieved using neutral density or bandpass filters with antireflective coatings. Green LED’S must be designed to have a high degree of specular reflectance so that a circular polarizer may be employed in order to achieve similar results. A discussion of required filter bandwidth to accommodate shifts in peak spectral output of LED’S due to manufacturer’s tolerances and temperature effects is also included.
Catabolism of isoxanthopterin during the development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori☆

Abstract 7-Oxylumazine (deaminated isoxanthopterin) was discovered in the silkworm, Bombyx mori . Isoxanthopterin deaminase, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of 7-oxylumazine from isoxanthopterin, was most active in larvae and adults while absent from the egg and pupal stages. A correlation was found between the occurrence of the enzyme and the localization of 7-oxylumazine in larval and adult integument. 7-Oxylumazine is synthesized from isoxanthopterin and stored in situ in larval and adult integument, whereas 7-oxylumazine in the egg and pupal tissues is a transported and stored form arising from isoxanthopterin metabolized in the larval and adult stages.
Perturbation of experimental ultraviolet light-induced erythema by passive transfer of serum from subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus patients.

Several lines of investigation have implicated anti-Ro/SS-A antibody in the pathogenesis of photosensitive forms of cutaneous lupus erythematosus such as neonatal lupus erythematosus and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. To further explore this possibility, we have developed a quantitative, experimental system for examining the effect of passively transferring anti-Ro/SS-A antibody-containing and antibody-deficient subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus patient sera on one aspect of cutaneous photoreactivity, UV-induced erythema. Laser-Doppler velocimetry was used to quantitate the microvascular flow rates in normal control, disease control (rheumatoid arthritis, discoid lupus erythematosus), and subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus serum-injected guinea pig skin test sites before and after combined utravoilet B and A radiation from a solar simulator. Results, expressed as change in milli-electron voltage (perturbed milli-electron volts after irradiation minus baseline milli-electron volts before irradiation), revealed that subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus serum injections consistently resulted in greater UV-induced microvascular flow rates than those elicited by normal or disease control serum injections. Anti-Ro/SS-A containing subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus sera produced the greatest flow rates observed in this study. Earlier studies have suggested that the pathogenesis of lupus photosensitivity is very likely multifactorial. Our current data suggest that anti-Ro/SS-A autoantibody or other closely related humoral elements should also be considered among the factors which might contribute to this clinical phenomenon.
Argument and Ethnopolitical Conflict

This article argues that deliberative processes, argument in particular, can be helpful to even the most divided groups; that is, it can assist with problems even in the case of the most intractable conflicts between groups. Conflict resolution requires a form of social cooperation that leads to argument and “good reasons.” Argument based discussion has significant advantages such as it exposes new information, extends the boundaries of individuals by exposing them to others, provides a mode of justification that moves beyond selfish interests and is inclusive of others, and legitimizes decisions. The article also explains how the Conversational Argument Coding Scheme (CACS) can capture issues in argument characteristic of ethnopolitically divided groups. The coding scheme is not concerned with the truth value of arguments but rather with the functional system of argumentative exchanges between conflicting groups. The results from various empirical studies are discussed.
Twenty Four-Hour Prolactin Profiles and Prolactin Responses to Dopamine in Long Distance Running Women*

Abstract Long distance women runners have a high incidence of oligoamenorrhea. In order to study the possible role of PRL in contributing to their menstrual dysfunction, we evaluated PRL secretion in eumenorrheic (n = 7) and oligomenorrheic runners (n = 9) who averaged 25-50 miles/week, as well as nonrunning women (n = 5) during the midfollicular phase of their cycles. Serum estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, FSH, LH, TSH, and T4 were similar among the three groups. The mean 24-h ± SE PRL concentrations between the three groups: nonrunners, 12.9 ± 0.6 ng/ml; eumenorrheic runners, 13.5 ± 0.4 ng/ml; and oligomenorrheic runners, 15.0 ± 0.8 ng/ml, were not significantly different. A dopamine (DA) infusion, 0.004 μg/kgmin, produced physiologic serum DA levels in these subjects. The nadir of serum PRL levels during DA infusion was similar in each group, which argues against an abnormality in dopaminergic tone in the runners with menstrual dysfunction. Our findings of normal 24-h PRL secretion and appropriat...
Adam Muller's encomium on Edmund Burke

Adam Muller, talented speaker and publicist of the Romantic movement, was one of Edmund Burke's greatest admirers in the German speaking world. This paper describes several similarities and differences in the lives and writings of these conservative thinkers. This article also offers an English translation of a brief essay of Muller's on Burke's virtues as a statesman, political philosopher, and orator. Muller compares Burke's eloquence to that of Demosthenes and ranks him as the greatest orator of the century.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy : prognosis with medical or surgical therapy

Over the past 30 years, knowledge of the natural history and effects of therapy in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has expanded greatly, but progress has been hampered by its variable patterns of expression. Many but not all patients show symptomatic improvement with medical treatment. Chronic beta blockage does not appear to affect long-term survival, whereas results with calcium channel blockade by verapamil have been encouraging; however, they await confirmation, and verapamil may be hazardous in some patients with severe left ventricular (LV) outflow tract obstruction and elevated LV end-diastolic pressure. Reported beneficial effects of amiodarone on survival also require further study. Surgical therapy has become the treatment of choice for medically refractory patients with proven outflow tract obstruction. In several centers, the operative risk is low, and long-term follow-up demonstrates prolonged symptomatic relief. It is hoped that work currently underway will provide more definitive information on the long-term effects of the role of calcium channel blockers, antiarrhythmic medications, and the long-term effects of surgical therapy on survival of patients with this disorder.
Serum-Free Medium Enhances Growth and Differentiation of Cultured Pig Granulosa Cells*

We have developed new serum-free culture techniques for swine granulosa cells from immature (1–3 mm) follicles. These methods have allowed more detailed examination of factors regulating both replication and cytodifferentiation of these cells. For optimal replication, collagen-coated culture dishes and a highly supplemented nutrient medium (a 1:1 mixture of Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium and Ham’s F-10), containing 5 μg/ml transferrin, 300 mU/ml insulin, 40 ng/ml hydrocortisone, 4 mg/ml BSA, and 2.5% (vol/vol) of a platelet extract (PE) was found to be essential. Cultures maintained in this serum-free complete medium (SFCM) grew to confluence and contained as many or more cells than replicate cultures maintained in 10% fetal calf serum (10% FCS) (e.g. SFCM: 1.89 ± 0.17; 10% FCS: 1.12 ± 0.02 cells per well × 10−8 on day 6). In the absence of albumin, PE, or without collagen coating, the cell numbers were, respectively 4.5%, 9.8%, and 5.0% of that observed with complete SFCM. The mitogenic effect of the...
Mutations in Elongation Factor 1β, a Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor, Enhance Translational Fidelity

Translation elongation factor 1β (EF-1β) is a member of the family of guanine nucleotide exchange factors, proteins whose activities are important for the regulation of G proteins critical to many cellular processes. EF-1β is a highly conserved protein that catalyzes the exchange of bound GDP for GTP on EF-1α, a required step to ensure continued protein synthesis. In this work, we demonstrate that the highly conserved C-terminal region of Saccharomyces cerevisiae EF-1β is sufficient for normal cell growth. This region of yeast and metazoan EF-1β and the metazoan EF-1β-like protein EF-1δ is highly conserved. Human EF-1β, but not human EF-1δ, is functional in place of yeast EF-1β, even though both EF-1β and EF-1δ have previously been shown to have guanine nucleotide exchange activity in vitro. Based on the sequence and functional homology, mutagenesis of two C-terminal residues identical in all EF-1β protein sequences was performed, resulting in mutants with growth defects and sensitivity to translation inhibitors. These mutants also enhance translational fidelity at nonsense codons, which correlates with a reduction in total protein synthesis. These results indicate the critical function of EF-1β in regulating EF-1α activity, cell growth, translation rates, and translational fidelity.
Feedstock crop genetic engineering for alcohol fuels.

One of the goals of the U.S. government is to have “cellulosic ethanol” produced from a variety of sources, including feedstock crop biomass (a mass of raw material used in alcohol fuels processing), because these biomass sources contain polysaccharides that can be converted into fermentable sugars. Furthermore, the feedstock biomass sources are renewable and could become available at a billion tonnes per year in the United States. There are three major steps associated with the conversion of feedstock biomass into cellulosic ethanol. The fi rst is the production of hydrolysis enzymes such as microbial cellulases, which convert the cellulose of feedstock biomass into fermentable sugars. The second step is the pretreatment processes used to break down the recalcitrant lignocellulose complex of feedstock into more reactive intermediates and to remove the lignin residues so the cellulase enzymes can have access to cellulose. The third step is fermentation of sugars into ethanol. The fi rst two steps are the subject of this review. Plant genetic engineering has been used to directly express heterologous versions of cellulase and hemicellulase enzymes in situ. Plants have also been genetically modifi ed for less lignin content or for more digestible lignin. An increase in feedstock polysaccharides and an increase in overall crop biomass via crop genetic engineering have also been reported. This article reviews the advancements made in feedstock crop genetic engineering in the above areas and discusses possible near-future perspectives.
Drivers of morphological diversity and distribution in the Hawaiian fern flora: Trait associations with size, growth form, and environment

 Premise of the study: Hawaii is home to 238 native and 35 alien fern and lycophyte taxa distributed across steep gradients in elevation and resource availability. The fern fl ora spans a wide range of growth forms, with extraordinary diversity in morphology and plant size. Yet the potential factors underlying this diversity have remained enigmatic.  Methods: We used a trait database generated from the most recent and comprehensive survey of Hawaiian ferns and lycophytes to test hypotheses of size-scaling and trait associations with environment and growth form as factors underlying this diversity. We also tested relationships among morphology, taxon abundance and distribution and identifi ed key differences between native and alien taxa.  Key results: Strong trait – trait relationships included geometric scaling of plant dimensions with a tendency for more divided fronds in larger ferns. Trait – environment relationships independent of size included more divided fronds at higher elevation, longer blades in shaded habitats, and fronds with shorter stipes and fewer pinnae in drier habitats. Growth forms differed in mean size with epiphytic and epipetric taxa smaller than terrestrial ferns. Plant size was independent of taxon abundance and distribution across islands, and native and alien ferns did not differ in mean size. Alien taxa were more abundant, especially at lower elevations, apparently due to human land use.  Conclusions: These relationships point to linkages of fern form and demography with biogeography and highlight potential fl ora-scale physiological and morphological adaptations in ferns across contrasting environments.
Prisoners on the Great White Way: Short Eyes and Zoot Suit as the First US Latina/o Plays on Broadway

The first two Latina/o-written and directed plays on Broadway were Miguel Pinero’s Short Eyes in 1974 and Luis Valdez’s Zoot Suit in 1979. Both plays use Latino prisoners as their central characters. Though the reception of the two plays in the popular press differed, with Short Eyes receiving glowing praise and Zoot Suit largely dismissed, the critics used the same rubric to judge them: the plays were overtly evaluated in terms of received notions of cultural authenticity and criminality. Ultimately, the commercial success of Short Eyes and Zoot Suit’s failure on Broadway both had to do with the ways in which New York critics registered the playwrights’ differing representations of racialized criminality. (AL, Article in English)
An Event-Based Approach for Comparing the Performance of Methods for Prospective Medical Product Monitoring

Prospective medical product monitoring is intended to alert stakeholders about whether and when safety problems are identifiable in a continuous stream of longitudinal electronic healthcare data. In comparing the performance of methods to generate these alerts, three factors must be considered: (1) accuracy in alerting; (2) timeliness of alerting; and (3) the trade-offs between the costs of false negative and false positive alerting. Using illustrative examples, we show that traditional scenario-based measures of accuracy, such as sensitivity and specificity, which classify only at the end of monitoring, fail to appreciate timeliness of alerting. We propose an event-based approach that classifies exposed outcomes according to whether or not a prior alert was generated. We provide event-based extensions to existing metrics and discuss why these metrics are limited in this setting because of inherent tradeoffs that they impose between the relative consequences of false positives versus false negatives. We provide an expression that summarizes event-based sensitivity (the proportion of exposed events that occur after alerting among all exposed events in scenarios with true safety issues) and event-based specificity (the proportion of exposed events that occur in the absence of alerting among all exposed events in scenarios with no true safety issues) by taking an average weighted by the relative costs of false positive and false negative alerting. This approach explicitly accounts for accuracy in alerting, timeliness in alerting, and the trade-offs between the costs of false negative and false positive alerting. Subsequent work will involve applying the metric to simulated data.
Topographic Features Retained after Antibiotic Modification of Ti Alloy Surfaces: Retention of Topography with Attachment of Antibiotics

Periprosthetic infection is increasingly prevalent in orthopaedics with infection rates of 2% to 15% after total hip arthroplasty. To effectively decrease bacterial attachment, colonization, and subsequent development of periprosthetic infection, we previously described a method to covalently bond vancomycin to smooth Ti alloy surfaces. To attach vancomycin, the Ti surface is first passivated to create a fresh oxide layer. Previously, passivation has been achieved with an H2SO4/H2O2 etch that can destroy the topography of the underlying implant. Passivation by hydrothermal aging as well as by H2SO4/H2O2 incubation produced a robust oxide layer, but only hydrothermal aging left the geometry unaltered. These hydrothermally passivated Kirschner wires and smooth or beaded Ti surfaces were chemically coupled with vancomycin. Antibiotic-coupled samples representing all three geometries were uniformly covered with antibiotic, resisted colonization by Staphylococcus aureus for longer than 8 hours, and retained their biocompatibility as assessed by normal attachment and morphology of preosteocytic MLO-A5 cells. Using this technique, we believe it is possible to passivate many complex implant designs/geometries as a first step toward covalent bonding of antibiotics or other bioactive factors.
An Alternative to Null-Hypothesis Significance Tests

The statistic p(rep) estimates the probability of replicating an effect. It captures traditional publication criteria for signal-to-noise ratio, while avoiding parametric inference and the resulting Bayesian dilemma. In concert with effect size and replication intervals, p(rep) provides all of the information now used in evaluating research, while avoiding many of the pitfalls of traditional statistical inference.
The 3C3R Model: A Conceptual Framework for Designing Problems in PBL.

Well-designed problems are crucial for the success of problem-based learning (PBL). Previous discussions about designing problems for PBL have been rather general and inadequate in guiding educators and practitioners to design effective PBL problems. This paper introduces the 3C3R PBL problem design model as a conceptual framework for systematically designing optimal PBL problems. The 3C3R model comprises two classes of components: core components and processing components. Core components—including content, context, and connection—support content and conceptual learning, while processing components—consisting of researching, reasoning, and reflecting—concern students’ cognitive processes and problem-solving skills. This paper discusses the model in terms of its theoretical basis, component functions, and the techniques used in designing PBL problems.