cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Milk Progesterone to Predict Reproductive Status in a Commercial Dairy Herd

Progesterone was measured in milk strippings of cows to evaluate potential diagnosis of pregnancy and to estimate embryonic mortality. Progesterone in milk was measured at 20 days and at 10-day intervals thereafter through 90 days after artificial insemination when the cows were palpated for pregnancy. Mean progesterone for 24 nonpregnant cows in estrus was 4.5 ng/ml at 20 days after insemination. Cows were classified as pregnant or nonpregnant by a formula which provided a progesterone concentration for which the probability of nonpregnancy was .8. At 20 days after insemination, the success in identifying the nonpregnant and pregnant cows was 87% and 67%. Ten of 34 nonpregnant cows with low (nonpregnant range) progesterone in milk on day 20 were not seen in estrus. Progesterone at sampling intervals after 20 days was used to investigate incorrect assessments. Seventeen nonpregnant cows had progesterone indicative of pregnancy at day 20. Progesterone in milk decreased at various later sampling intervals in all 17 cows. Two of these cows were diagnosed as having pathology of their reproductive tracts. If the other 15 cows experienced death of their embryos, the frequency of embryonic mortality was 28%.
Government Pension Policy and the Cost of Labor and Capital

This article examines how the pension insurance provided by the PBGC and the tax treatment of pension plans affect the cost of labor and capital. Two important aspects of the insurance program are (1) the premium schedule and (2) an employer's liability for unfunded pension benefits (the deductible). These two aspects interact to increase the cost of capital relative to labor, especially for firms with underfunded plans.
Defective molybdopterin biosynthesis: clinical heterogeneity associated with molybdenum cofactor deficiency.

A patient with molybdenum cofactor deficiency (producing the biochemical abnormalities associated with deficiencies of sulphite oxidase and xanthine dehydrogenase) clinically expressed Marfan-like habitus with dislocated lenses, vertebral abnormality, learning disability, moderate hemiplegia, increased medial lentiform MRI signal and intermittent microscopic haematuria.S-Sulphocysteine was present in plasma and urine, and the oxidized derivative of a molybdopterin precursor (precursor Z), together with xanthine and hypoxanthine, were elevated in urine. Blood uric acid was <1 mg/dl, while urinary urothione was not detected. These data indicate a functionally inadequate terminal enzyme for converting precursor Z to active molybdopterin (complementation group B of general molybdenum cofactor deficiency). Although the biochemical parameters were indicative of a severe deficiency state, the patient has survived into the third decade with a less severe clinical spectrum than has generally been associated with this disease.
The opiate receptor binding interactions of 3H-methionine enkephalin, an opioid peptide

3H-Methionine enkephalin binds stereospecifically with high affinity to opiate receptors in rat brain membranes. Equilibrium experiments indicate two distinct dissociation constants with KD values of 1.8 and 5.8 nM respectively. 3H-Methionine enkephalin associates and dissociates from the opiate receptor with 8--10 fold slower kinetics than 3H-opiates. Though several opiates have similar affinities for sites labeled by 3H-methionine enkephalin, 3H-dihydromorphine and 3H-naloxone, some opiates such as morphine, dihydromorphine and oxymorphone are only one tenth as potent in competing for 3H-methionine enkephalin as for 3H-dihydromorphine and 3H-naloxone binding. As with other opiate agonists, 5--10 mM sodium selectively decreases the binding of 3H-methionine enkephalin. At 26 degrees C, 0.1--1.0 mM manganese but not magnesium or calcium increases the binding of 3H-methionine enkephalin, while at 0 degrees C manganese decreases the binding of methionine enkephalin.
Black Box Inference: When Should Intervening Variables Be Postulated?

An empirical procedure is suggested for testing a model that postulates variables that intervene between observed causes and observed effects against a model that includes no such postulate. The procedure is applied to two experiments in psychology. One involves a conditioning regimen that leads to response generalization; the other concerns the question of whether chimpanzees have a theory of mind.
Importance of the NHANES 2005-2008 diabetic: Retinopathy data

JAMA Prevalence of Diabetic Retinopathy in the United States, 2005-2008 Xinzhi Zhang, MD, PhD; Jinan B. Saaddine, MD, MPH; Chiu-Fang Chou, DrPH; Mary Frances Cotch, PhD; Yiling J. Cheng, MD, PhD; Linda S. Geiss, MA; Edward W. Gregg, PhD; Ann L. Albright, PhD, RD; Barbara E. K. Klein, MD, MPH; Ronald Klein, MD, MPH Context: The prevalence of diabetes in the United States has increased. People with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. No recent national population-based estimate of the prevalence and severity of diabetic retinopathy exists. Objectives: To describe the prevalence and risk factors of diabetic retinopathy among US adults with diabetes aged 40 years and older. Design, Setting, and Participants: Analysis of a cross-sectional, nationally representative sample of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2008 (N = 1006). Diabetes was defined as a self-report of a previous diagnosis of the disease (excluding gestational diabetes mellitus) or glycated hemoglobin A(1c) of 6.5% or greater. Two fundus photographs were taken of each eye with a digital nonmydriatic camera and were graded using the Airlie House classification scheme and the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study severity scale. Prevalence estimates were weighted to represent the civilian, noninstitutionalized US population aged 40 years and older. Main Outcome Measurements: Diabetic retinopathy and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy. Results: The estimated prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was 28.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 24.9%-32.5%) and 4.4% (95% CI, 3.5%-5.7%) among US adults with diabetes, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy was slightly more prevalent among men than women with diabetes (31.6%; 95% CI, 26.8%-36.8%; vs 25.7%; 95% CI, 21.7%-30.1%;P = .04). Non-Hispanic black individuals had a higher crude prevalence than non-Hispanic white individuals of diabetic retinopathy (38.8%; 95% CI, 31.9%-46.1%; vs 26.4%; 95% CI, 21.4%-32.2%;P = .01) and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (9.3%; 95% CI, 5.9%-14.4%; vs 3.2%; 95% CI, 2.0%-5.1%;P = .01). Male sex was independently associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy (odds ratio [OR], 2.07; 95% CI, 1.39-3.10), as well as higher hemoglobin A(1c) level (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.20-1.75), longer duration of diabetes (OR, 1.06 per year duration; 95% CI, 1.03-1.10), insulin use (OR, 3.23; 95% CI, 1.99-5.26), and higher systolic blood pressure (OR, 1.03 per mm Hg; 95% CI, 1.02-1.03). Conclusion: In a nationally representative sample of US adults with diabetes aged 40 years and older, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy and vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy was high, especially among Non-Hispanic black individuals. JAMA. 2010;304():649-656.
Crystal fields, linewidths and temperature dependence in the photoelectron spectra of heavy fermion Ce and Yb compounds

Abstract We report high-resolution photoemission results for the 4f levels in YbCu2Si2 and CeSi2. The data are compared to the predictions of the Anderson impurity model for valence band photoemission. These predicted spectra are obtained both in an approximate fashion by broadening crystal field (CF) states whose parameters are determined from existing neutron scattering data, as well as from a Gunnarson-Schonhammer calculation. Inclusion of crystal fields does not affect our two fundamental conclusions: that there is a natural linewidth in the problem (≈130meV) which is much greater than predicted by the Anderson model, and that the expected temperature dependence of the Kondo resonance is absent. Due to the large natural linewidth, experimental resolution (60–95meV) is not a limiting factor.
Spectral Composition of the Luminescence of the Euphausiid Thysanoessa raschii

WE have determined the spectral characteristics of the bioluminescence of Thysanoessa raschii.
Women and AIDS: Implications for Counseling

Women's concerns regarding AIDS have been ignored or minimized by most writers and AIDS educators. Although women may share many similarities with men in their reactions to AIDS, they have unique concerns that must be recognized. Understanding these concerns is essential for counselors in order to give quality care to women at risk for infection. This article describes women at risk and offers suggestions for counselors in working with such women.
Two Multimodal Interfaces to Military Simulations

Abstract : Eucalyptus and InterLACE are two projects integrating spoken natural language interaction with the already-developed graphical user interfaces of currently existing military simulation systems. We take this approach (rather than developing new, fully integrated systems from scratch) to facilitate the development of Navy demonstrations of NL technology applied to their own tools, as well as to explore the relative strengths and weaknesses of graphical vs. NL interfaces and how the two can be used in combination to yield more powerful interaction techniques. The natural language processing capability of the two systems is described in an accompanying Proceedings technical note (Wauchope et al. 1997); here we go into a bit more detail on the issues of multimodal integration with graphical interfaces.
Molecular structure of the protein crystal from Bacillus thuringiensis: a Raman spectroscopic study

Abstract A novel method, using a modified Pasteur pipette and a clinical centrifuge, has been developed for preparing highly purified δ-endotoxin crystals from Bacillus thuringiensis . Analysis of the Raman spectra of the crystals from B. thuringiensis subspecies kurstaki HD1 and HD73 provides detailed structural information on the protoxin protein component of the crystals. For HD1 crystals in H 2 O and 2 H 2 O the amide III and amide I′ Raman features, respectively, indicate that the secondary structure of the protoxinn is approximately 54% unordered, 25% α-helix and 21% β-structure, in good agreement with the predictions based on protein sequence Schnepf, H.E., Wong, H.C. and Whitely H.R. (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 6264–6272). The secondary structure of the HD73 crystal protein appears to be very similar to that in the HD1 case. For both HD1 and HD73, the intensities of several Raman spectral features due to phenylalanine, trytophan and tyrosine side-chains indicate that protected clusters of aromatic side-chains (as are commonly found in globular proteins) are not widespread; rather, most aromatic side-chains are exposed to water molecules. Upon air-drying the crystals of HD1 a marked change in the environment of a number of phenylalanine side-chains occurs; this change is not observed in the case of HD73 crystals. Washing the crystal preparations improves the quality of the Raman spectra and shows that exogenous non-covalently bound chromophores are associated with the crystals.
Periodic acid-Schiff staining of type II collagen and its cyanogen bromide peptides after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Pepsin-solubilized type II collagen and some of its CNBr-derived peptides could be stained for carbohydrate with periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) after polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PAS intensely stained an aldehyde-containing peptide (Mr > 10 000) which was not detected with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 stain. Types I and III collagens and their CNBr peptides stained poorly, if at all, with PAS.
Neurodegenerative disorders of protein aggregation.

In recent years, it has become increasingly clear that many neurodegenerative diseases involve aggregation and deposition of misfolded proteins such as amyloid β, tau, α-synuclein and polyglutamine containing proteins. This abnormal deposition of misfolded proteins produce malfunctioning of a distinctive set of neurons. It may also induce oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stress and proteosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction that ultimately leads to neuronal death. While hereditary forms of disorders are caused by genetic mutations, many sporadic cases are likely to be due to genetic and environmental factors. These disorders are progressive in nature. Therefore, treatment is difficult. However, for some diseases, a growing number of treatment options such as drugs, antioxidants, cell transplantation, surgery, rehabilitation procedures and preimplantation diagnosis is available. It should be noted that many of these treatments produce unacceptable risks or adverse effects and they are of only minimal benefit for patients. In future, an understanding of the causes of protein aggregation and genetic and environmental susceptibility factors of a specific individual (or specific individual determinants) may provide a better opportunity for an effective therapeutic intervention.
c-IAP1 Cooperates with Myc by Acting as a Ubiquitin Ligase for Mad1

c-IAP1, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family and a RING finger ubiquitin ligase (E3), has been proposed to be an important oncogene. In many types of cancers, the levels of c-IAP1 are upregulated, which contributes positively to tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism by which c-IAP1 promotes tumorigenesis has proven elusive. Although proteins in the IAP family may function as caspase inhibitors, c-IAP1 was shown to be a poor inhibitor of caspases. Here we show that c-IAP1 catalyzes ubiquitination of Max-dimerization protein-1 (Mad1), a cellular antagonist of Myc. Ubiquitination of Mad1 by c-IAP1 accelerates its degradation by the 26S proteasome pathway, and this reduction of the Mad1 levels cooperates with Myc to promote cell proliferation. Our results demonstrate that c-IAP1 exerts its oncogenic functions by promoting the degradation of an important negative regulator in the Myc pathway.
Surface energy and surface tension at holes and cracks

The concept of surface tension and surface energy of solids was used by Griffith to obtain a criterion for the extension of cracks in brittle materials. Griffith, however, neglected the stresses due to the normal traction at the crack implied by the surface tension. A complete solution to the problem of an elliptic hole in an infinite plate with surface tension loading at the hole is given. Complex potentials are given in closed form in terms of elliptic integrals of the first, second, and third kinds. Stress distributions are studied. For a flat crack, the nature of the singularity at the tip is shown to be radically different from that usually encountered in fracture mechanics. The implications of our analysis for theories of fracture in brittle materials are discussed.
Demo abstract: Free-form text summarization in social sensing

This demonstration illustrates an information aggregation and summarization service for social sensing applications. Social sensing, using mobile phones and other networked devices in the possession of individuals, has gained significant popularity in recent years. In some cases, the information collected is structured, such as numeric data from temperature sensors, accelerometers, or GPS devices. Aggregate statistical properties, such as expected values, standard de-viations, and outliers, can be easily computed, and can be used to summarize the data set. In other cases, however, the collection includes unstructured data types such as text or images with textual annotations. The concepts of expected values and outliers are harder to define, yet it is still important to be able to aggregate and summarize the data. We demonstrate a system which can automatically summarize real-time textual data common to social sensing applications. Specifically, we focus on text messages that describe events in the environment. The output of our service provides a reliable summary of observations that can be used in many contexts from military intelligence to participatory sensing campaigns.
Effect of host cell lipid metabolism on alphavirus replication, virion morphogenesis, and infectivity

The alphavirus Sindbis virus (SINV) causes encephalomyelitis in mice. Lipid-containing membranes, particularly cholesterol and sphingomyelin (SM), play important roles in virus entry, RNA replication, glycoprotein transport, and budding. Levels of SM are regulated by sphingomyelinases (SMases). Acid SMase (ASMase) deficiency results in the lipid storage disease type A Niemann-Pick disease (NPD-A), mimicked in mice by interruption of the ASMase gene. We previously demonstrated that ASMase-deficient mice are more susceptible to fatal SINV encephalomyelitis, with increased viral replication, spread, and neuronal death. To determine the mechanisms by which ASMase deficiency enhances SINV replication, we compared NPD-A fibroblasts (NPAF) to normal human fibroblasts (NHF). NPAF accumulated cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich late endosomes/lysosomes in the perinuclear region. SINV replication was faster and reached higher titer in NPAF than in NHF, and NPAF died more quickly. SINV RNA and protein synthesis was greater in NHF than in NPAF, but virions budding from NPAF were 26 times more infectious and were regular dense particles whereas virions from NHF were larger particles containing substantial amounts of CD63. Cellular regulation of alphavirus morphogenesis is a previously unrecognized mechanism for control of virus replication and spread.
Dependence of radar signal strength on frequency and aspect angle of nonspecular meteor trails

[1] When a meteoroid penetrates Earth's atmosphere, it forms a high-density ionized plasma column immersed in the ionosphere between approximately 70 and 140 km altitude. High-power, large-aperture (HPLA) radars detect nonspecular trails when VHF or UHF radio waves reflect off structures in a turbulent meteor trail. These trails persist from a few milliseconds to many minutes and the return from these trails is referred to as nonspecular trails or range-spread trail echoes. In this paper, we present analysis of nonspecular trails detected with ALTAIR, which is an HPLA radar operating simultaneously at 160 MHz and 422 MHz on the Kwajalein Atoll. First, we investigate the aspect sensitivity of nonspecular trails and show that as the angle between the radar beam and the background magnetic field increases, the signal strength falls off 3 to 4 dB per degree at 160 MHz. For ALTAIR, this means that the aspect angle must be within approximately 12 degrees in order to detect nonspecular trails using the chosen waveforms. Second, we compare and contrast the meteoroids that form nonspecular trails and find that the meteoroid energy causes much of the variability in the nonspecular trail's signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) for a given aspect angle. In addition, we show two range-resolved fragmentation events that also affect the SNR. Finally, we determine the dependence of SNR on wavelength using two wavelengths and show that the maximum nonspecular trail SNR scales as approximately λ6, with a variation that depends upon altitude.
A computer program for analysis of variance for a 2-level factorial design

Although many computer programs exist for handling analysis of variance, most of them employ the conventional methods described in statistics books for finding the sums of squares.
DMF, but not other fumarates, inhibits NF-κB activity in vitro in an Nrf2-independent manner

Abstract Fumarate-containing pharmaceuticals are potent therapeutic agents that influence multiple cellular pathways. Despite proven clinical efficacy, there is a significant lack of data that directly defines the molecular mechanisms of action of related, yet distinct fumarate compounds. We systematically compared the impact of dimethyl fumarate (DMF), monomethyl fumarate (MMF) and a mixture of monoethyl fumarate salts (Ca++, Mg++, Zn++; MEF) on defined cellular responses. We demonstrate that DMF inhibited NF-κB-driven cytokine production and nuclear translocation of p65 and p52 in an Nrf2-independent manner. Equivalent doses of MMF and MEF did not affect NF-κB signaling. These results highlight a key difference in the biological impact of related, yet distinct fumarate compounds.
Pregnancy and active Huntington disease: a rare combination

We describe the complicated course of a rare pregnant woman with symptomatic Huntington disease (HD) and discuss multidisciplinary care issues that may be encountered. A 31-year-old gravida 2, para 1 with advanced HD was admitted at 30 weeks gestation for preterm labor. Her course was complicated by progressive cognitive and physical impairment, dysphagia, malnutrition, diabetes insipidus, aspiration pneumonia, chorioamnionitis, preterm delivery and pyelonephritis. Pregnant women with symptomatic HD may present multiple challenges requiring extensive multidisciplinary input.
Supernova relic neutrinos at Super-Kamiokande

The diffuse supernova relic neutrino signal has never been observed. Currently the world's best upper flux limit comes from a search for inverse beta decay of anti-neutrinos in the Super-Kamiokande (SK) detector. A new SK study utilizes a novel method of spallation tagging, improved event selection, and an expanded data set to lower the analysis energy threshold and improve overall accuracy. Full results of this new study (including a combined upper flux limit of 2.8−3.1 e events cm−2 s−1 Eν > 17.3 MeV) are presented, as well as a short update on the research and development of using Gadolinium for neutron tagging.
Portion Size A Disconnect Among Americans

Over the past two decades food portion sizes have increased and parallels the increase in waist size of Americans. Because there is confusion of what a portion size is in relation to serving size, it is easy to understand why people consume larger size meals without knowing it. Multiple studies demonstrate individuals instinctively eat what is placed in front of them, even if portion sizes are larger than a normal serving. These study findings may be a contributory factor for the current obesity epidemic. One strategy to combat the battle of the bulge is to implement portion control.
Inhibition of HIV-1 Particle Assembly by 2′,3′-Cyclic-Nucleotide 3′-Phosphodiesterase

The expression of hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) causes the cellular “antiviral state” in which the replication of many viruses, including HIV-1, is attenuated. We conducted a screen for ISGs that inhibit HIV-1 virion production and found that 2′,3′-cyclic-nucleotide 3′-phosphodiesterase (CNP), a membrane-associated protein with unknown function in mammals has this property. CNP binds to the structural protein Gag and blocks HIV-1 particle assembly after Gag and viral RNA have associated with the plasma membrane. Several primate lentiviruses are CNP-sensitive, and CNP sensitivity/resistance is determined by a single, naturally dimorphic, codon (E/K40) in the matrix domain of Gag. Like other antiretroviral proteins, CNP displays interspecies variation in antiviral activity. Mice encode an inactive CNP variant and a single amino acid difference in murine versus human CNP determines Gag binding and antiviral activity. Some cell types express high levels of CNP and we speculate that CNP evolved to restrict lentivirus replication therein.
Energetics of swimming in fishes using different methods of locomotion: I. Labriform swimmers.

The patterns relating rates of oxygen consumption to steady sustained and prolonged swimming at different speeds were determined in adults or near adults of two species of marine fishes that use the labriform mode of swimming (labriform swimmers). Effects of acute temperature changes on these patterns were measured. Species were the shiner surfperch,Cymatogaster aggregata and the senorita wrasse,Oxyjulis californica.
Active Millimeter-Wave Phase-Shift Doherty Power Amplifier in 45-nm SOI CMOS

A 45 GHz active phase-shift Doherty PA is proposed and implemented in 45-nm SOI CMOS. The quarter wave-length transmission line at the input of the auxiliary amplifier is replaced by an amplifier, increasing the gain and PAE by more than 1 dB and 5%, while reducing the die area. Use of slow-wave coplanar waveguides (S-CPW) improves the PAE and gain by approximately 3% and 1 dB, and further reduces the die area. Two-stack FET amplifiers are used as the main and auxiliary amplifiers, allowing a supply voltage of 2.5 V and increasing the output power. The active phase-shift Doherty amplifier demonstrates a peak power gain and PAE of 8 dB and 20% at 45 GHz. It occupies 0.45 mm2, and at 6-dB back-off power, the PAE is 21%.
Comparison of substrate curvature and resonant frequency thin film stress mapping techniques

A crosscutting issue for Next Generation Lithographies is the ability to monitor and control the uniformity of thin film stresses. Because the global stress fields of thin film layers can introduce distortions in lithographic masks, it is essential that the characteristics of these stress fields be understood and controlled, in order to achieve the high resolution and positioning accuracy required. This paper provides a comparison between resonant frequency and substrate curvature stress mapping techniques. Experiments have been performed using the UW-CMC Rack RFT device and the commercially available Tencor FLX 5510. Measurements across two IBM diagnostic masks identify the magnitude and uniformity of as-deposited SiON film stress. An analysis of the accuracy and limitations of the experimental methods is discussed.
A new look at similarity and attraction in marriage: Similarities in social‐cognitive and communication skills as predictors of attraction and satisfaction

Most research on the relationship between similarity and attraction has been informed by Byrne's (1971) effectance‐arousal model. This model maintains that similarities promote attraction because the discovery of similarities, particularly attitudinal similarities, is reinforcing. The current paper offers an alternative account of the similarity/attraction relationship distinct from the effectance‐arousal model both in the similarities it views as important and in the mechanism by which similarities influence attraction. Specifically, we propose that similarities in social‐cognitive and communication skills promote attraction by fostering enjoyable interactions. Aspects of this model are tested in a study comparing similarities in the social skills of married couples. Sixty couples completed a task yielding measures of three communication skills; the participants also completed questionnaires providing assessments of interpersonal cognitive complexity, marital adjustment, and liking for one's spouse. The ...
Polarization encrypted quantum teleportation using two type-II Parametric Down Converters

A Physical scheme for quantum teleportation that uses photons emitted by two type-II spontaneous parametric down converters (SPDC) is proposed and studied. We have analyzed the delity in comparison with photons emitted by single SPDC.
Theoretical temperature dependence of solar cell parameters

A simple formulation has been derived for the temperature dependence of cell parameters for any solar cell material. Detailed calculations have been performed for high-quality monocrystalline GaAs, Si and Ge cells. Preliminary experimental data for GaAs and Si cells are close to the calculated values. In general, the higher the energy gap of a material, the small is the temperature dependence of its solar cell parameters.
Peptidyl transferase: a new method for kinetic studies.

The reaction of N-Acetyl-phenylalanyl-t-RNA with E.coli ribosomes in the presence of poly Uridylic acid, guanosine 5′-triphosphate, and initiation factors (ribosomal wash), leads to the formation of N-Acetyl-phenylalanyl-RNA-ribosome-poly Uridylic acid complex, which can be isolated on a cellulose nitrate filter. The isolated complex retains its ability to react with puromycin producing N-Acetyl-phenylalanyl-puromycin. The formation of N-Acetyl-phenylalanyl-puromycin follows simple enzyme kinetics with respect to puromycin giving linear Lineweaver-Burk plots. A number of inhibitors of peptidyl transferase inhibit this reaction. The reaction can also be used to study the nature of the complex formed and the factors or conditions which modify its formation.
The evaluation of the impact of a stand-biased desk on energy expenditure and physical activity for elementary school students.

Due to the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, the association between classroom furniture and energy expenditure as well as physical activity was examined using a standing-desk intervention in three central-Texas elementary schools. Of the 480 students in the 24 classrooms randomly assigned to either a seated or stand-biased desk equipped classroom, 374 agreed to participate in a week-long data collection during the fall and spring semesters. Each participant’s data was collected using Sensewear® armbands and was comprised of measures of energy expenditure (EE) and step count. A hierarchical linear mixed effects model showed that children in seated desk classrooms had significantly lower (EE) and fewer steps during the standardized lecture time than children in stand-biased classrooms after adjusting for grade, race, and gender. The use of a standing desk showed a significant higher mean energy expenditure by 0.16 kcal/min (p < 0.0001) in the fall semester, and a higher EE by 0.08 kcal/min (p = 0.0092) in the spring semester.
The Economic Absorption of In‐migrant Laborers in a Northern Industrial Community*

THOUSANDS OF PERSONS who were formerly agricultural laborers have been settling in Northern urban, industrial areas in recent years; many have previously had only scanty contact with city dwellers. Considerable attention has been focused on the adjustment problems of these in-migrant workers since they constitute a sizable group and since for many of them the process of transformation to the urban, industrial way of life has not been easy. In the case of in-migrant groups that may be differentiated from the larger population by their ethnicity, there is always the temptation to explain their adjustment difficulties largely in terms of such an observable difference. Whenever a highly visible in-migrant group has not been absorbed into the economy and when members of this group seem to be unconcerned about the unhealthy or otherwise undesirable conditions under which they are living, the ethnic or racial explanation of their behavior may seem appropriate and sufficient to many persons in the community. The attitudes toward life that are necessary for short-term sacrifices in order to insure long-run or future benefits are so commonplace and readily acquired by middle-class persons in our society that there is a tendency to perceive the attitudes of the in-migrants as almost unexplainable or, as we have indicated, explainable only in terms of some biological or equally
Hydroxylation of Deoxyguanosine in DNA by Copper and Thiols

DNA was incubated with glutathione (GSH) and copper and then assayed for 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) in order to better understand the antioxidant and prooxidant characteristics of GSH in copper-dependent DNA damage. Ratios of GSH to Cu(II) less than 3 resulted in 8-OHdG production; however, higher ratios did not generate 8-OHdG. A combination of GSH and Cu(I) (10:1) was used to determine if DNA oxidation occurred upon the addition of H2O2. No increase in 8-OHdG was noted until the concentration of H2O2 was almost half that of GSH, and then a substantial increase of 8-OHdG was detected. The stoichiometry of thiol oxidation by H2O2 was 2 mol GSH oxidized per 1 mol H2O2. Oxidation of Cu(I) was not detected until most of the thiol had been oxidized. When cysteine and Cu(I) was used instead of GSH and Cu(I), there was considerable hydroxylation of deoxyguanosine. The glycyl carboxyl, the γ-glutamate carboxyl, and the amine of GSH were altered to determine their role in the peptide′s ability to inhibit Cu-dependent damage. In the presence of Cu(I), H2O2, and DNA, these GSH analogs behaved similarly to GSH. However, when S-methylglutathione was used in this system, it was very effective at promoting oxidative damage to DNA. This indicated that the thiol ligand of GSH was essential for inhibition of Cu-dependent damage, while the carboxyl groups and the amine were not essential ligands. In conclusion, GSH can catalyze the in vitro hydroxylation of deoxyguanosine when the ratio of GSH to Cu is low, however, when the ratio is high GSH is an effective antioxidant.
Environmental Controls of UV-B Radiation in Forested Streams of Northern Michigan

We examined UV-B radiation flux and its environmental control within and among streams of northern Michigan. UV-B flux was estimated in streams by plastic dosimetry strips, which allow for the simultaneous and repeated in situ measurement of solar radiation. During the summer of 2004, UV-B flux was measured across depth gradients and along longitudinal transects in seven streams, which were chosen to encompass a range of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations and canopy cover. Attenuation coefficients of UV-B (Kd UV-B) were estimated using plastic dosimeters placed along a depth gradient. Kd UV-B were positively correlated with DOC concentration and similar to values obtained with laboratory and in situ spectrometry. Along 100 m longitudinal transects, UV-B flux varied along all streams regardless of their canopy cover and DOC concentration. Within-stream fluxes of UV-B were correlated to canopy cover in the only two streams that both had relatively low DOC concentration and variable canopy cover. Large differences were found among streams in the average UV-B flux (corrected for incident solar flux) reaching the dosimeters at 5 cm depth. These among-stream differences were largely accounted for by the stream width, canopy cover, and DOC concentration. Our results illustrate an inherent variability in UV-B flux within and among streams of northern Michigan that is strongly tied to the interactions of DOC concentration, stream size and riparian vegetation.
HER-2 overexpression in breast tumors lacking gene amplification.

thoughtful cost-effective analysis of trastuzumab therapy by examining the costs and benefits of alternative HER-2 testing strategies, including the use of immunohistochemical analysis (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The authors define a false-positive IHC test as “the probability of a 3 HercepTest (DAKO, Carpinteria, CA) result conditional on a negative FISH result.” Several questions arise when using a test that detects “false-positive” protein overexpression (IHC) based on a test that detects gene amplification (FISH). The authors themselves cite several studies that suggest single-genecopy HER-2 overexpressors in 3% to 8% of breast tumors. 2-4 Their own data suggest that the false-positive rate is 1.7% (95% CI, 0.4% to 2.9%; Table 2 of their article). 1 In practical terms, therefore, if FISH is negative in a 3 HercepTest tumor, it is still about three times more likely that overexpression is occurring due to single-gene overexpression. The authors also point out that “the likelihood that single-gene overexpression will respond to trastuzumab is unknown.” With these results, why administer FISH testing in the 3 HercepTest group? The study of Elkin et al provides important new information regarding IHC and FISH. However, only a more definitive test for protein expression should be used to define false-positives, not an assay for gene amplification. Also, until the response of single-gene overexpressing tumors to trastuzumab is known, it would seem that a positive result from FISH testing in the 3 HercepTest group can only confirm a more likely response, but a negative result may lack therapeutic usefulness.
Symptoms of Modernity: Jews and Queers in Late-Twentieth-Century Vienna

Symptoms of Modernity: Jews and Queers in Late-Twentieth-Century Vienna. Matti Bunzl. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 2004. 292 pp.
Repetitive Conundrums of Centromere Structure and Function

In the last few years, a paradox has emerged regarding the relationship of centromere structure and its function. Most centromeric DNAs analyzed to date are composed of a remarkably complex array of repeat structures. In contrast, recent analyses of neocentromeric DNA reveal that repetitive DNA is not a prerequisite for centromere activity. The ubiquity of repetitive sequences among diverse species at sites of primary constriction argues that there is a strong evolutionary link between centromere structure and function. Dynamic mutational processes resulting in amplification, deletion and transposition of repetitive sequences appear to occur frequently in such regions, resulting in considerable interspecific diversity in structure and sequence. One possible solution to this conundrum may be that the rapid accumulation of repetitive sequences within centromeric and pericentromeric DNA is a consequence of functionally active centromeres. Emerging repetitive structures at centromeric sites may be an important byproduct of a functional centromere which ensures that site as an evolutionarily favored position in subsequent meiotic and mitotic lineages. The recent identification of large gene duplications in the vicinity of centromeres may be another example of the enhanced mutational lability of such regions of the genome.
The Prediction of College Student Academic Performance and Retention: Application of Expectancy and Goal Setting Theories.

Student retention and performance in higher education are important issues for educators, students, and the nation facing critical professional labor shortages. Expectancy and goal setting theories were used to predict academic performance and college student retention. Students' academic expectancy motivation at the start of the college significantly predicted cumulative GPA at the end of their first year. Compared to students who did not return, students that returned for their sophomore year reported greater peer competition with respect to academic goals, perceived good grades to be more attractive, and reported more effort to get good grades. Students' SAT scores and high school grade point average were significantly related to both cumulative GPA and retention after the first year. Study implications are discussed with an emphasis on the motivational set of college applicants, in conjunction with more traditional criteria (e.g., high school GPA) that together may increase student performance and ret...
Assessment of female and male fertility in Sprague–Dawley rats administered vorinostat, a histone deacetylase inhibitor

BACKGROUND: Histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors have been shown to mediate the regulation of gene expression, induce cell growth, cell differentiation, and apoptosis of tumor cells. These compounds are now marketed or are in clinical development. One such HDAC inhibitor, vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid [SAHA], Zolinza), was assessed for its potential effects on fertility in Sprague–Dawley rats. METHODS: Female rats were administered oral dose levels of 0 (vehicle only), 15, 50, or 150 mg/kg/day of vorinostat for 14 days before cohabitation, during cohabitation, and through Gestation Day (GD) 7. In a separate study, male rats were administered oral dose levels of 0 (vehicle only), 20, 50, or 150 mg/kg/day for 10 weeks before cohabitation, during cohabitation, and until the day before scheduled sacrifice (approximately 14 weeks total). In both studies, % peri-implantation loss and % postimplantation loss were evaluated on GD 15–17. Testicular weight and histomorphology, cauda epididymal sperm count, and sperm motility were evaluated in the male rat study at termination. RESULTS: There were treatment-related decreases in body weight gain at 150 mg/kg/day in both studies. There were no effects on mating or fertility indices in either study. In the female study there were increased numbers of corpora lutea in all drug-treated groups (only 1 or 2 affected dams in low and mid-dose groups), and a marked increase in percent postimplantation loss only in the high-dose group. No treatment-related effects were observed on litter or sperm parameters of the male study. CONCLUSIONS: Vorinostat had no effects on mating or fertility in rats up to 150 mg/kg/day. There were no indications of reproductive toxicity in drug-treated male rats. Increases in corpora lutea or resorptions were observed in treated female rats. Birth Defects Res (Part B) 80:1–8, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Closing in on the perfect Fontan

Since the introduction of the Fontan operation more than 4 decades ago, many modifications to the operation have occurred and have been debated in the name of finding the ‘‘perfect’’ Fontan. Along the way, the ‘‘Ten Commandments’’ for a Fontan have been reduced to 4 or 5. Valves have been repaired, subaortic and aortic arch obstructions have been relieved, and pulmonary architecture has been altered, all in hopes of producing a perfect Fontan circulation. Although progress has certainly been made with the surgical modifications, controversy still exists. Extracardiac or lateral tunnel, fenestration or no fenestration, beating heart or cardiac arrest, and even on-pump or off-pump are just of few of the issues currently debated. The one thing in common with regard to these controversies is that excellent surgical results can be expected in the current era. Dabal and colleagues present a 2-decade review of their experiencewith 207Fontan procedures performedwith an internal or, more recently, external polytetrafluoroethylene conduit. The patient group was a complex group. Tricuspid atresia and double-inlet left ventricle accounted for 42%, whereas hypoplastic left heart syndrome accounted for only 9% because representation of these cases was limited to the last decade of the study period. Earlymortality was excellent, decreasing from 7% in the earlier era to 0% in the last 6 years of the review.With robust long-term follow-up, the survival was noted to be 77% at 20 years. Importantly and uniquely, during this period no late phase of increasing risk was identified. Furthermore, freedom from any reoperation, including transplant, was greater than 90% at 20 years. Dabal and colleagues should be congratulated on their surgical results in constructing a ‘‘perfect’’ Fontan pathway that has provided excellent palliation in the first 1 to 2 decades. One area in which the review falls short is in the discussion of their Fontan procedure exclusion criteria.
Do Countries Have a “Democratic Advantage”?: Political Institutions, Multilateral Agencies, and Sovereign Borrowing

This article examines the effect of political institutions on countries’ risk characteristics and the role that domestic political institutions play in determining the interest rates charged to less developed countries. According to the “democratic advantage” argument, democracies should pay lower interest rates than authoritarian regimes because they are better able to make credible commitments. The author argues that such a claim must be revised in the case of developing countries. The results presented in this article support this assertion. First, they show that democracies are more likely to reschedule their debts, so they have no advantage; rather, the opposite is true. Second, there does not appear to be a significant difference between the interest rates paid by democracies and nondemocracies.
Taxonomy and longevity: a reply to Minichillo (2005)

We recently used the fossil record to examine theoretical predictions that had been made about demographic age-structure changes in human evolution (Caspari and Lee, 2004). Although it had been suggested that longevity increased in early Homo populations based on brain size increases and other correlates of longevity, this question, and others involving changes in age structure, had not previously been addressed using the fossil record. Our paper on adult survivorship was empirical; we were careful to make our assumptions explicit, and we were cautious in the interpretation of our results. These interpretations could be easily biased by preconceived ideas about the relationships between the groups studied, and for that reason we avoided taxonomic or phylogenetic assumptions, focusing instead on variation over time. In his commentary, Minichillo (2005) makes
Comparison of the Effects of Enterotoxins of Shigella dysenteriae and Vibrio cholerae on the Adenylate Cyclase System of the Rabbit Intestine

Secretion of fluid by rabbit ileum and the relation of the secretion to intestinal adenylate cyclase, phosphodiesterase, and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) were compared in intestinal segments exposed to the enterotoxin of Shigella dysenteriae and/or the enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae. Although there were some similarities in the gross appearance and kinetics of fluid secretion induced by the two toxins, the biochemical pathways appeared to differ. Shigella enterotoxin applied in vivo or to in vitro intestinal preparations did not produce the marked increase in adenylate cyclase or cyclic AMP noted after the application of V. cholerae enterotoxin. Moreover, despite known cytotoxic properties of shigella enterotoxin, prior treatment with this toxin did not prevent the intestine from responding to V. cholerae enterotoxin.
Demand Response in U.S. Electricity Markets: Empirical Evidence

Empirical evidence concerning demand response (DR) resources is needed in order to establish baseline conditions, develop standardized methods to assess DR availability and performance, and to build confidence among policymakers, utilities, system operators, and stakeholders that DR resources do offer a viable, cost-effective alternative to supply-side investments. This paper summarizes the existing contribution of DR resources in U.S. electric power markets. In 2008, customers enrolled in existing wholesale and retail DR programs were capable of providing ~;;38,000 MW of potential peak load reductions in the United States. Participants in organized wholesale market DR programs, though, have historically overestimated their likely performance during declared curtailments events, but appear to be getting better as they and their agents gain experience. In places with less developed organized wholesale market DR programs, utilities are learning how to create more flexible DR resources by adapting legacy load management programs to fit into existing wholesale market constructs. Overall, the development of open and organized wholesale markets coupled with direct policy support by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has facilitated new entry by curtailment service providers, which has likely expanded the demand response industry and led to product and service innovation.
Unexpected fluorescence properties in an axially σ-bonded ferrocenyl-containing porphyrin

Molecular structure, redox, and unexpected fluorescence properties of a tetraphenylporphyrin tin(IV) complex axially σ-bonded with two ferrocene substituents were investigated using UV-vis, MCD, electro- and spectroelectrochemical methods as well as DFT calculations and X-ray crystallography.
Delivered Pricing and Multiple Basing Point Equilibria: A Reevaluation

This paper examines delivered pricing with systematic freight absorption in the light of the modern theory of spatial competition. Delivered pricing, multiple basing point equilibria are compared with f.o.b. mill pricing equilibria under a variety of assumptions about market structure and firms' conjectural variations. It is shown that there is no clear reason for preferring f.o.b. pricing or delivered pricing in the abstract. Delivered pricing is likely to be preferable from the consumer's standpoint either if the conjectural variations of the firms are high, or if conjectural variations are consistent, and there are few firms in the industry.