cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Michigan Consumer Protection Act Gutted by Supreme Court 'Globe-Alization'

Until 1999, Michigan residents enjoyed the strong protection of the State’s 1976 Consumer Protection Act ("MCPA"). This paper examines the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision in Smith v. Globe Life Insurance Co., 460 Mich 446; 597 NW2d 28 (1999), which gutted that law by shielding from its reach any business subject to administrative regulation. Globe Life concerned a statutory exemption to the MCPA’s coverage. Like most state consumer protection acts, the MCPA was written to avoid overlapping and inconsistent regulation of business, i.e., it does not prohibit conduct - even allegedly fraudulent or deceptive conduct - that some other statute or regulatory agency has approved. Section 4(a)(1) of the MCPA thus does not cover "a transaction or conduct specifically authorized" by another law. The paper demonstrates how the Globe Life decision judicially transformed Section 4(a)(1)’s exemption into an amorphous, global exemption for virtually all licensed business activity, shielding the very unfair practices that the MCPA targeted. Through a perverse reading of the Act, and by distorting the its own precedent on the precise issue presented, the Court in Globe Life ignored the exemption’s plain language that only transactions or acts that were "specifically authorized" by law would be exempt from its coverage. The Court’s ruling dismantled the Legislature’s nuanced approach to business regulation in the MCPA. This article critiques the ruling in Globe Life and examines its fallout on Michigan consumers. After recounting the legislative history of the Act, it details the Supreme Court’s original (and unanimous) interpretation of the statutory exemption in question in its 1982 ruling in Attorney General v. Diamond Mortgage Co. The paper then reviews the briefs, oral arguments, and the Court’s decision in Globe Life. After arguing that the case was erroneously decided in disrespect of the legislature, it surveys the legacy and the Supreme Court’s recent reaffirmance of its Globe Life ruling. The paper concludes that it is long past time that the Michigan legislature redress the Court’s aberrant ruling by corrective legislation.
Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond.: XVI. A comparative study of pyridine and the diazines as proton acceptors in ground and excited n → π* states

Ab initio LCAO MO SCF calculations with a minimal STO-3G basis set have been performed to determine the structures and energies of dimers having pyridazine, pyrimidine, and pyrazine as proton acceptor molecules, with HF and H2O as proton donors. The structures of these dimers are consistent with structures anticipated from the General Hybridization Model. Differences in the relative stabilities of dimers in the two series which have HF and H2O as proton donors and pyridine and the diazines as proton acceptors are attributed to different weightings of secondary effects which influence dimer stabilities. These azabenzeme molecules form stronger hydrogen bonds than HCN and weaker hydrogen bonds than NH3 whether HF or H2O is the proton donor. Configuration interaction calculations indicate that vertical excitation to n → π* states of these proton aceptor molecules results in various degrees of destabilization of hydrogen bonded dimers and trimers, depending upon the excited state electron densities at the nitrogen atoms and the excited state dipole moments. With respect to the proton acceptor molecule, computed blue shifts of the n → π* bands increase in the order pyrazine < pyradizine < pyrimidine < pyridine.
A Review of “The Moral Force of Indigenous Politics. Critical Liberalism and the Zapatistas”

In this book, Courtney Jung builds a new theory of “critical liberalism” to answer a fundamental question about multicultural citizenship. What does a democratic state owe ethnic minorities? Jung i...
Characterization of mid-bandgap defect states in 4H-SiC for optimization of SiC photoconductive semiconductor switches

A method of characterizing mid-bandgap defect states in high purity semi-insulating 4H-SiC through leakage current analysis for optimization of SiC photoconductive semiconductor switches, PCSS, is presented. The method utilizes two custom IV curve tracer systems to measure leakage currents through the material under various voltage/current conditions. The first system is used under low current conditions and is capable of measurements from 0 to 45 kV at currents ranging from 0 to 3 mA with pA resolution. While voltage/current measurements in the region > 0.1 mA are of primary interest for quantifying defect states near the conduction band, standard IV measurements become difficult due to excessive power dissipation in the PCSS. Hence, a second system operating in transient mode is used for currents higher than 0.1 mA. This system measures the transient discharge of a charged capacitor through the PCSS, allowing for high current measurements while subjecting the material to high power dissipation for only a short period of time (milliseconds). It is the goal to extract from the combined data of these two systems characteristics of the defect states (concentration, energy level).
Pain Management and the Use of Controlled Substances: Is a “Standard of Practice” Standard Practice?

Fishbain and his colleagues should be commended for providing us an analysis detailing how a case report about a patient's pain treatment was legally evaluated against a prevailing standard of care—here represented by the Federation of State Medical Board's (the Federation) Model Guidelines for the Use of Controlled Substance for the Treatment of Pain ( Model Guidelines ) [1]. The Federation, in collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of experts, created the Model Guidelines in 1998 to encourage the state agencies that license and discipline physicians to adopt policy 1) promoting safe and effective pain relief, including the use of opioid analgesics; 2) ensuring that physicians will not be sanctioned solely for prescribing such medications for legitimate medical purposes; and 3) stressing the need to safeguard against medication diversion and abuse [2]. As drafted, the Model Guidelines contain a set of recommendations to guide clinical decision-making, based on the needs of the particular patient situation; although the authors state that the Model Guidelines contain “six general sections” (p. 10) [3], actually, there are seven specific guidelines including, importantly, the need for practitioners to comply with federal- and state-controlled substances statutes and regulations. In 2004, the Federation updated the Model Guidelines , resulting in a …
Estimates of velocity structure and source depth using multiple P waves from aftershocks of the 1987 Elmore Ranch and Superstition Hills, California, earthquakes

Abstract Event record sections, which are constructed by plotting seismograms from many closely spaced earthquakes recorded on a few stations, show multiple free-surface reflections ( PP, PPP, PPPP ) of the P wave in the Imperial Valley, California. The relative timing of these arrivals is used to estimate the strength of the P -wave velocity gradient within the upper 5 km of the sediment layer. Consistent with previous studies, a velocity model with a value of 1.8 km/sec at the surface increasing linearly to 5.8 km/sec at a depth of 5.5 km fits the data well. The relative amplitudes of the P and PP arrivals are used to estimate the source depth for the aftershock distributions of the Elmore Ranch and Superstition Hills main shocks. Although the depth determination has large uncertainties, both the Elmore Ranch and Superstition Hills aftershock sequences appear to have similar depth distribution in the range of 4 to 10 km.
Pharmacist work activity before and after pharmacy department computerization.

The effects of a dedicated computer system on pharmacists' daily activities at a 363-bed hospital were studied. A one-group pretest-posttest design was used. Twenty-four pharmacists recorded activity frequency and time for seven consecutive days several months before and after a pharmacy computer system was implemented. The computer system could be used for printing unit dose fill lists and i.v. labels, entering data, and printing patient profiles. An admissions, discharge, and transfer interface between the hospital system and the pharmacy system was also operational. The data were organized into 28 activities for analysis. For seven activities that were considered directly affected by computerization, a net 0.1-minute increase in the average time was found. Four of those seven showed an increase in average time (a total of 1.86 minutes): (1) calculating the composition of total parenteral nutrient or i.v. solution, (2) compounding large-volume i.v. solution, (3) profiling orders, and (4) checking the work of pharmacy technicians. The other three showed a decrease in average time (a total of 1.76 minutes): (1) preparing syringe or small-volume i.v. solution, (2) monitoring drug profiles, and (3) dispensing unit dose medications. However, with all 28 activities considered, a 1.03-minute decrease occurred in the average time per activity. Installation of a dedicated pharmacy computer decreased the amount of time pharmacists spent performing 28 activities by an average of 1.03 minutes per activity but increased the amount of time spent on activities directly affected by the computer by an average of 0.1 minute per activity.
Gaining efficiency and satisfaction in the handoff process.

BACKGROUND: Handoffs, or transfers of patient care responsibility, occur frequently on hospitalist teams. The reliability and efficiency of the handoff process is a national and local concern. Most studies in the literature regard physicians-in-training. We studied the morning handoff process of hospitalist teams comprised of staff physicians and nurse practitioner and/or physician assistants. METHODS: An improvement team observed morning handoffs. Four problems were identified: unpredictable start and finish times, inefficiency, poor environment (hallway noise and distracting in-room conversations), and poor communication. The team restructured the process and observed post-intervention behavior at 15 and 90 days. A participant-provider survey was conducted before and after the intervention regarding wasted time, total time-in-report, and satisfaction with the process. RESULTS: Pre-intervention 60.5% of providers (23/38) believed morning handoff was performed in a timely fashion compared to 100% (15/15) post-intervention (P = 0.005). Average time spent in morning report was 11 minutes, compared to 5 minutes after the intervention (P < 0.0028). Pre-intervention 6.5 minutes were believed wasteful, compared to 0.5 minutes post-intervention (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies deficiencies in the handoff process that were addressed by enhancing the physical environment (smaller room, noise reduction, closed door), assigned seating (visual cues by table tent cards), non-clinicians providing printed materials, standardization of written updates, team times (consistent & precise daily time for each team report), culture change including deference of attention to team receiving report with opportunity for questions, and minimization of side conversations. This intervention package resulted in an improvement in satisfaction and timeliness of clinicians involved. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
On-Off Intermittency in a Human Balancing Task

Motion analysis in three dimensions demonstrate that the fluctuations in the vertical displacement angle of a stick balanced at the fingertip obey a scaling law characteristic of on-off intermittency and that >98% of the corrective movements occur fast compared to the measured time delay. These experimental observations are reproduced by a model for an inverted pendulum with time-delayed feedback in which parametric noise forces a control parameter across a particular stability boundary. Our observations suggest that parametric noise is an essential, but up until now underemphasized, component of the neural control of balance.
Physical therapy applications of MR fluids and intelligent control

Resistance exercise has been widely reported to have positive rehabilitation effects for patients with neuromuscular and orthopaedic conditions. This paper presents an optimal design of magneto-rheological fluid dampers for variable resistance exercise devices. Adaptive controls for regulating the resistive force or torque of the device as well as the joint motion are presented. The device provides both isometric and isokinetic strength training for various human joints.
Effect of indomethacin, aspirin, nordihydroguairetic acid, and piperonyl butoxide on cyclophosphamide-induced bladder damage.

ABSTRACTCyclophosphamide (CP), a widely used antineoplastic and immuno-suppressant drug, is a prototypical bladder toxin in humans and experimental animals. CP itself is biologically inert. However, following bioactivation, acrolein, a potent tissue alkylator is generated. It is currently accepted that CP activation occurs via oxidative metabolism by the mixed-function oxidase system (MFO). Previous evidence from this laboratory demonstrated that CP can be metabolized by pathways other than MFO. In the current study, it was demonstrated that two inhibitors of the prostaglandin hydroperoxide synthase enzyme system, indomethacin and nordihydroguairetic acid (NDGA), diminish CP-induced bladder toxicity. However, the ability of these inhibitors to provide protection did not appear to be due to interference with CP metabolism. Many of the biologic effects of acrolein have been attributed to interaction with cellular thiols. Indomethacin and NDGA protected against CP-induced losses of soluble thiols in liver an...
Determination of 210Pb and 210Po in seawater and marine particulate matter

Natural 210Pb and 210Po are determined in seawater and suspended particulate matter by alpha spectrometry with silicon surface-barrier detectors. Procedures used at WHOI include a pre-concentration, based on co-precipitation with cobalt-APDC, which can be carried out at sea. Source preparation is by spontaneous deposition of polonium on silver, with 210Pb being determined by measurement of 210Po ingrowth. Yields are monitored by the addition of 208Po and stable lead tracers. A desk-top computer is programmed to process the alpha spectra and make radioactive growth and decay computations. The accuracy of oceanic 210Pb data is estimated to be ±10%, somewhat worse than the attainable precision.
Do all stutterers adapt

Data are reported which indicate that some stutterers consistently increase rather than decrease their frequency of disfluency during successive trials of an adaptation task. These data were derived from the performance of a moderately severe stutterer on an adaptation task involving the use of the telephone.
Large angle correlations in 40 MeV/nucleon 12C

We report measurements for in-plane and out-of-plane correlations for p,d,t,/sup 3/He, and /sup 4/He from 40 MeV/nucleon C+C. Silicon-NaI light particle telescopes were placed at (theta,phi) = (45/sup 0/,90/sup 0/) and (45/sup 0/,180/sup 0/) and another telescope was moved from theta = 25/sup 0/ to 120/sup 0/ at phi = 0/sup 0/. No peak was observed in the ratio of in- to out-of-plane proton-proton correlations at energies corresponding to quasi-elastic scattering. The angular distributions of the ratio of in- to out-of-plane for p-p, d-d, t-t, /sup 3/He-/sup 3/He, and /sup 4/He-/sup 4/He peak around 35/sup 0/ and the maximum value increases monotonically with mass of the particles reaching a value near 4 for /sup 4/He-/sup 4/He. A calculation incorporating simple kinematic effects cannot reproduce the observed correlations for any of the paritcle pairs.
Adaptive control of base-isolated structures against near-field earthquakes using variable friction dampers

Abstract This paper investigates the effectiveness of two adaptive control strategies for modulating the control force of variable friction dampers (VFDs) that are employed as semi-active devices in combination with laminated rubber bearings for the seismic protection of buildings. The first controller developed in this study is an adaptive fuzzy neural controller (AFNC). It consists of a direct fuzzy controller with self-tuning scaling factors based on neural networks. A simple neural network is implemented to adjust the input and output scaling factors such that the fuzzy controller effectively determines the command voltage of the damper according to current level of ground motion. A multi-objective genetic algorithm is used to learn the shape of the activation functions of the network. The second controller is based on the simple adaptive control (SAC) method, which is a type of direct adaptive control approach. The objective of the SAC method is to make the plant, the controlled system, track the behavior of the structure with the optimum performance. Here, SAC methodology is employed to obtain the required control force which results in the optimum performance of the structure. For comparison purposes, an optimal linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) controller is also developed and considered in the simulations together with maximum passive operation of the friction damper. The results reveal that the developed adaptive controllers can successfully improve the seismic response of base-isolated buildings against various types of earthquake.
A Late Jurassic digging mammal and early mammalian diversification

A fossil mammal from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation, Colorado, has highly specialized teeth similar to those of xenarthran and tubulidentate placental mammals and different from the generalized insectivorous or omnivorous dentitions of other Jurassic mammals. It has many forelimb features specialized for digging, and its lumbar vertebrae show xenarthrous articulations. Parsimony analysis suggests that this fossil represents a separate basal mammalian lineage with some dental and vertebral convergences to those of modern xenarthran placentals, and reveals a previously unknown ecomorph of early mammals.
Birds be safe: Can a novel cat collar reduce avian mortality by domestic cats (Felis catus)?

The domestic cat (Felis catus) has been described as the largest anthropogenic threat to songbird populations in North America. We examined the effectiveness of a novel cat collar in reducing avian and small mammal mortality by cats. The 2-inch wide Birdsbesafe® collar cover (CC) is worn over a nylon quick-release collar, and the bright colors and patterns of the CC are hypothesized to warn birds of approaching cats. We conducted two seasonal trials, each lasting 12 weeks, in autumn 2013 (n=54 cats) and spring 2014 (n=19 cats). Cats were randomly assigned to two groups, and CCs with interior collars were removed or put on every two weeks, to control for weather fluctuations and seasonal change. Cats wearing Birdsbesafe® CCs killed 19 times fewer birds than uncollared cats in the spring trial, and 3.4 times fewer birds in the fall. Birdsbesafe® CCs were extremely effective at reducing predation on birds. Small mammal data were less clear, but did decrease predation by half in the fall. The Birdsbesafe® CC is a highly effective device for decreasing bird predation, especially in the spring season. We suggest that the CCs be used as a conservation tool for owned as well as feral cats.
Bis-para-aminobenzoyl-l-cystine

SummaryBis-p-aminobenzoyl-l-cystine was found to be devoid of hypoglycemic properties in normal rats. This compound also did not affect the glucose tolerance curves of Wistar rats.
Jewish theology and bioethics

This article explores the theological foundations of both classical and contemporary Jewish ethics, with special reference to biomedical issues. Traditional views concerning God's revelation to Israel are shown to underlie the methodological orientation of classical Jewish ethics, which is both legalistic and particularistic. Contemporary Jewish ethicists, by contrast, have tended to embrace more liberal views of revelation which have mitigated both the legalism and the particularism of their approach. Apart from methodological considerations, much of the content of Jewish medical ethics has also been shaped by theological concerns. Specifically, a Jewish theology of creation provides basic norms and values which inform Jewish responses to a range of contemporary biomedical issues. Finally, it is suggested that the theological roots of this ethical tradition do not disqualify it from making a significant contribution to the wider discussion of biomedical issues in our secular, pluralistic society.
Pituitary Somatostatin Receptor Signaling

Somatotropin-release inhibitory factor (SRIF) is a major regulator of pituitary function, mostly inhibiting hormone secretion and to a lesser extent pituitary cell growth. Five SRIF receptor subtypes (SSTR1–5) are ubiquitously expressed G-protein coupled receptors. In the pituitary, SSTR1, 2, 3 and 5 are expressed, with SSTR2 and SSTR5 predominating. As new SRIF analogs have recently been introduced for treatment of pituitary disease, we evaluate the current knowledge of cell-specific pituitary SRIF receptor signaling and highlight areas of future research for comprehensive understanding of these mechanisms. Elucidating pituitary SRIF receptor signaling enables understanding of pituitary hormone secretion and cell growth, and also encourages future therapeutic development for pituitary disorders.
Structural Evolution in Heating Profiles of the MJO in Global Reanalyses and TRMM Retrievals

Abstract Diabatic and latent heating profiles from four global reanalyses and three Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) algorithms were compared: first generally for the tropics and then in the context of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Most of them exhibit three heating maxima corresponding to known convection centers over South America, Africa, and the Indian–western Pacific warm pool, but they still differ substantially in many ways. Most noticeably, a double-peak vertical structure with one peak in the upper and the other in the lower troposphere and relative weak heating over the Maritime Continent in comparison to heating over the Indian and western Pacific Oceans are clearly seen in some heating data but absent in others. Heating profiles associated with the MJO were diagnosed through composites and case studies. The composites were constructed as functions of MJO phases at three longitudes representing the Indian Ocean, Maritime Continent, and western Pacific, respectively. Four MJO ev...
A judgement analysis of social perceptions of attitudes and ability

A judgement analysis of people's social inferences of attitudes and ability was conducted. University students were asked to infer the liberalness (N = 60; Study 1) or intelligence (N = 40; Study 2) of targets seen in pictures. Multiple regression analyses revealed that attractiveness was the most important cue for predicting inferences of liberalness, while an ethnic cue (i.e., being Asian) was the most important cue for judgements about intelligence. Results also showed that a single-cue model was less susceptible to overfitting, but significantly less accurate than a multiple-cue model in predicting participant's intelligence judgements. Although the multiple regression models suffered a degree of overfitting, cross validation showed that they continued to have significant predictive value when applied to new data. Furthermore, a “random partner” method (comparing each participant's own regression equation with that of another, randomly selected, participant) provided evidence of significant idiosyncra...
Planetary science: construction-site inspection.

How do you build a planetary system? Astronomers are tackling the question by peering back in time at the gas and dust surrounding stars younger than our Sun.
Changes in intracellular levels of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and several glycolytic intermediates in Leishmania major promastigotes as a function of pO2

Abstract Leishmania major promastigotes were grown to late log phase, washed and resuspended in Hanks' balanced salt solution, and incubated with glucose at various pO 2 s in the presence of 5% CO 2 . Samples were taken at times from 0–40 min and assayed for fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (Fru(2,6)P 2 ), glucose-6-phosphate (G6P), fructose-6-phospho(enol)pyruvate (PEP), and ATP. At 95% O 2 ATP remained constant throughout the incubation. It did not decrease significantly at 10% O 2 , but decreased by about 20% and 30% at 6% and 0% O 2 , respectively. At 95% O 2 , Fru(2,6)P 2 increased about 15-fold within 5 min after the addition of glucose and remained at this high level. At 10%, 6%, and 0% O 2 Fru(2,6)P 2 rose about 5-fold within 5 min and then declined slightly during the remainder of the incubation. G6P increased from about 0.5 to 12 nmol (mg protein) −1 at 5 min in cells incubated under 95% O 2 and then declined to about 5 nmol (mg protein) −1 . It increased to about 8 nmol (mg protein) −1 at 5 min and then declined slightly in cells incubated under 10% O 2 . F6P levels were approximately one-eighth of G6P levels under all conditions, suggesting that phosphohexoseisomerase was not subject to regulation. PEP levels were initially high, but at 95% O 2 there was a 50% drop in PEP at 5 min, while at 10%, 6%, and 0% O 2 there was less of a decline. The observation that the rise in Fru(2,6)P 2 levels at 10%, 6%, or 0% O 2 is the same at 5 min and less than the rise at 95% O 2 supports the presence of a low affinity oxygen sensor. The different time course of changes in G6P, F6P, and PEP levels suggests that in addition to an activation of pyruvate kinase by Fru(2,6)P 2 , other regulatory events are also operative at low pO 2 .
The effects of physical and chemical interactions in the formation of cellulose aerogels

Aerogels are low density materials which are produced from wet gels, and find a variety of potential uses. The relative importance of shape/geometry and self-association of the starting materials for the production of aerogels is studied herein. Aerogels were produced from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and its functionalized analog, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). With increasing functionalization, CMC gains the potential for self-association, differentiating itself from MCC. The present study explores the preparation of aerogels from MCC and CMC, comparing performance with and without significant self-association potential, and more broadly evaluating the production of low density structural materials from renewable cellulose. It was observed that the self-association present in CMC substantially increases aerogel mechanical properties when compared those of non-interactive MCC. Aspect ratio is proposed to also be an import parameter in the structure–property relationship for these materials.
Nonlinear least-squares regression analysis in pharmacokinetics: application of a programmable calculator in model parameter estimation.

Abstract Two programs allowing nonlinear least-squares fits to data conforming to the one-compartment oral and the two-compartment intravenous pharmacokinetic models are described. Model parameter estimates are obtained together with an estimate of the precision of these parameters. The method is based on the Gauss-Newton algorithm programmed onto a Texas Instruments TI 59 pocket programmable calculator and recorded on 7.5 × 1.5-cm magnetic cards. Comparisons with NONLIN show that the parameter estimates from both programs are essentially identical. The programs allow for a great reduction in computing costs and increased availability of data analysis facilities in pharmacokinetics.
Subjective aspects of cognitive control at different stages of processing

Although research on cognitive control has addressed the effects that different forms of cognitive interference have on behavior and the activities of certain brain regions, until recently, the effects of interference on subjective experience have not been addressed. We demonstrate that, at the level of the individual trial, participants can reliably introspect the subjective aspects (e.g., perceptions of difficulty, competition, and control) of responding in interference paradigms. Similar subjective effects were obtained for both expressed and unexpressed (subvocalized) actions. Few participants discerned the source of these effects. These basic findings illuminate aspects of cognitive control and cognitive effort. In addition, these data have implications for the study of response interference in affect and self-control, and they begin to address theories regarding the function of consciousness.
Leisure and Family in China: The Impact of culture

(1993). Leisure and Family in China: The Impact of culture. World Leisure & Recreation: Vol. 35, No. 3, pp. 22-24.
Imaging factors and image optimization

Optimization of dose and image quality is task-dependent. The three main image quality parameters, sharpness, contrast, and noise, are interdependent in radiographic systems. The need to minimize patient dose imposes further couplings between these factors. This is the reason why there are no universally applicable imaging systems.
Cyclic changes of interstitial gland tissue of the human ovary

Three distinct types of gland cells occur in adult human ovaries and those of other mammals. These are: (1) Interstitial gland cells formed from the theca interna cells of degenerating (atretic) follicles, hence present from infancy to old age; (2) Thecal gland cells formed from the theca interna cells of ripening follicles, hence present only in individuals that are sexually mature or nearly so, and in these only at or near the time of ovulation; (3) Luteal cells formed from the granulosa cells of ovulated follicles and from the undifferentiated stroma cells surrounding these, and in certain species also from the same sources in relation to atretic follicles. These latter are the so-called accessory corpora lutea. Primary and accessory corpora lutea are present normally only after ovulation occurs and appear to function for a relatively short time unless pregnancy ensues. In certain species other types of gland cells occur in the ovary and mesovarium; these include the paraluteal cells of the human ovary. Paraluteal cells are not persistent thecal gland cells, but are differentiated from surrounding stroma after the thecal gland disappears. They are probably intermediate stages in the differentiation of luteal cells from stroma cells. Planimetric measurements and computations made from serial sections of human ovaries indicate that in non-pregnancy and early pregnancy the volume of interstitial gland tissue is less than 1% of the total ovarian volume. However, in the last trimester of gestation, the relative amount of interstitial gland tissue increases rapidly to roughly from 4% to 6% of the total ovarian volume. The largest amount in our series was 5.6%. Luteal gland tissue at the height of its development in the first trimester of gestation reached 31% of the total ovarian volume. In human ovaries the cells of the interstitial gland tissue of late pregnancy seem to be consistently larger and to have a more finely granular cytoplasm than those of early pregnancy or nonpregnancy. The literature shows that mammalian interstitial gland cells of comparable origin to the human cells discussed in this paper have the following characteristics which are known to be indicative of steroid secretors: Numerous birefringent, acetone soluble, autofluorescent granules which react with sulphuric acid and are Schultz and Schiff positive; mitochondria with anastomosing tubular cristae; and smooth tubular endoplasmic reticulum. Physiological studies so far reported have indicated possible estrogen, androgen, and progesterone production by interstitial gland cells, but all of the evidence is too scanty, indirect, and at times contradictory to be convincing. Since interstitial gland cells are present from birth to old age, and show cycles of abundance and differentiation correlated with the reproductive age and cycles, they may prove to be the most important ovarian gland cells when their function is fully understood.
Asymmetric Morita-Baylis-Hillman reactions catalyzed by chiral Brønsted acids.

Chiral BINOL-derived Bronsted acids catalyze the enantioselective asymmetric Morita−Baylis−Hillman (MBH) reaction of cyclohexenone with aldehydes. The asymmetric MBH reaction requires 2−20 mol % of the chiral Bronsted acid 2e or 2f and triethylphosphine as the nucleophilic promoter. The reaction products are obtained in good yields (39−88%) and high enantioselectivities (67−96% ee). The Bronsted-acid-catalyzed reaction is the first example of a highly enantioselective asymmetric MBH reaction of cyclohexenone with aldehydes.
Recursive calculation of the standard deviation with increased accuracy

When calculating the standard deviation of a series of measured data the analyst often underestimates the influence of rounding errors that lead to wrong results. This paper presents a procedure which avoids this disadvantage, being especially suitable for use in minicomputers.
Rat lactase-phlorizin hydrolase/human growth hormone transgene is expressed on small intestinal villi in transgenic mice

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Lactase-phlorizin hydrolase (LPH) is an absorptive enterocyte-specific gene that is expressed in a well-characterized pattern along the cryptvillus (vertical), proximal-distal (horizontal), and developmental (temporal) gradients. The aim of this study was to characterize the capacity of regulatory elements within the rat LPH gene to direct appropriate cell lineage and topographical patterns of expression in vivo in transgenic mice. METHODS: Transgenic mouse lines were established using a construction containing bases -2038 to +15 of the rat LPH gene fused to a human growth hormone reporter gene. RESULTS: In one line, the transgene was expressed only in small intestine and was localized to absorptive enterocytes on villi. The transgene was not expressed in goblet or enteroendocrine cells or in crypts. Transgene expression along horizontal and developmental gradients was different from that of the native mouse LPH gene. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the region from -2038 to +15 of the rat LPH gene contains regulatory elements that direct correct tissue, cell, and vertical expression but may not contain all the elements necessary for appropriate horizontal and temporal control. This investigation provides further insight into the complexities of the molecular control of intestinal gene expression. (Gastroenterology 1997 Sep;113(3):844-55)
The Role of Hostile and Benevolent Sexism in Women's and Men's Perceptions of the Menstruating Woman

Perceptions of menstruating women were studied in a sample of 244, predominantly European American, college freshmen. Both women and men rated the menstruating woman, as compared with the average w...
SURFACE SALT BRIDGES MODULATE THE DNA SITE SIZE OF BACTERIAL HISTONE-LIKE HU PROTEINS

Bacterial histone-like DNA-binding proteins are best known for their role in compacting the genomic DNA. Of these proteins, HU is ubiquitous and highly conserved across the eubacterial kingdom. Using the HBsu (Bacillus subtilis-encoded HU homologue) as a model, we explore here the molecular basis for the ability of some HU homologues to engage a longer approx. 35 bp DNA site as opposed to the much shorter sites reported for other homologues. Using electrophoretic mobility-shift assays, we show that the DNA site size for HBsu is approx. 10-13 bp and that a specific surface salt bridge limits the DNA site size for HBsu. Surface exposure of the highly conserved Lys3, achieved by substitution of its salt-bridging partner Asp26 with Ala, leads to enhanced DNA compaction by HBsu-D26A (where D26A stands for the mutant Asp26-->Ala), consistent with the interaction of Lys3 with the ends of a 25 bp duplex. Both HBsu and HBsu-D26A bend DNA, as demonstrated by their equivalent ability to promote ligase-mediated DNA cyclization, indicating that residues involved in mediating DNA kinks are unaltered in the mutant protein. We suggest that Lys3 is important for DNA wrapping due to its position at a distance from the DNA kinks where it can exert optimal leverage on flanking DNA and that participation of Lys3 in a surface salt bridge competes for its interaction with DNA phosphates, thereby reducing the occluded site size.
Regulation of iron acquisition and storage: consequences for iron-linked disorders

Mammalian iron homeostasis must be meticulously regulated so that this essential element is available for use, but at the same time prevented from promoting the formation of toxic radicals. Controlling the entry of iron into blood plasma is the main mechanism by which iron stores in the body are physiologically manipulated and regulated. Defects in iron acquisition at the cellular and systemic levels lead to human disorders, which involve either iron overload or iron deficiency. Discoveries of iron transporters and insights into their regulation have provided important information about iron metabolism and genetic iron disorders.
Performance analysis of pattern classifier combination by plurality voting

Plurality voting is widely used in pattern recognition. However, there is little theoretical analysis of plurality voting. In this paper, we attempt to explore the rationale behind plurality voting. The recognition/error/rejection rates of plurality voting are compared with those of majority voting under different conditions. It is demonstrated that plurality voting is more efficient in achieving the tradeoff between rejection rate and error rate. We also discuss some practical problems when applying plurality voting to real-world applications.
Pleural mesothelioma of connective tissue type, localized fibrous tumour of the pleura, and reactive submesothelial hyperplasia. An immunohistochemical comparison.

Ten diffuse pleural mesotheliomas of connective tissue type have been compared with 14 examples of pleural granulation tissue and 7 localized fibrous tumours of the pleura, using immunohistochemistry to identify cytokeralins oflow and high molecular weight and vimentin. Low molecular weight cytokeratin and vimentin were both delected in 8 of the 10 mesotheliomas and in 12 of the 14 reactive iesions. High molecular weight cylokeratin was rarely detected in either lesion. The seven localized fibrous tumours of the pleura were all positive for virnentin and negative for both cytokeratins. These findings support an origin of connective tissue type mesotheliomas from multipotential submesothelial spindle cells and of localized fibrous tumours of the pleura from either conventional fibroblasts or resting submesothelial spindle cells. Antibodies to cytokeratin help distinguish these two neoplasms but provide no assistance in the more difficult diagnostic problem of distinguishing mesotheliomas of connective tissue type from pleural reactions characterized by abundant granulation tissue.
Microstructural changes in casein supramolecules during acidification of skim milk

Pasteurized skim milk was acidified using different levels of glucono-δ-lactone at 10, 20, 30, and 40°C to give slow, medium, and fast rates of acidification. Milk coagulation was monitored by measuring turbidity and curd firmness, and microstructural changes during acidification were observed on glutaraldehyde-fixed, agar-solidified milk samples using transmission electron microscopy. Rate of acidification had little influence on changes observed during acidification, except at 10°C. At 40°C, the casein supramolecules were spherical throughout acidification, whereas at lower temperatures they became progressively more ragged in appearance. All of the milks gelled at the same pH (pH 4.8), as measured by curd firmness, whereas increases in turbidity, assumed to be brought about by an increase in number of light-scattering particles, were observed to start at about pH 5.2 to 5.4. As the milk was acidified, aggregates of loosely entangled proteins were observed, presumably originating from proteins that had dissociated from the casein supramolecules. These aggregates were often as large as the casein supramolecules, particularly as the pH of the milk approached the isoelectric point of the caseins. Larger aggregates were observed at 40°C than at the lower temperatures, suggesting the involvement of hydrophobic interactions between the proteins. A 3-phase model for acid-induced gelation of milk is proposed in which the first phase involves temperature-dependent dissociation of proteins from the casein supramolecules, with more dissociation occurring as temperature is decreased. Dissociation continues as milk pH is lowered, with the released proteins forming into loosely entangled aggregates, some as large as the casein supramolecules. The second phase of acid gelation of milk occurs between pH 5.3 and pH 4.9 and involves a reassociation of proteins with loosely entangled protein aggregates forming into more-compact colloidal particles or combining with any remaining casein supramolecules. The third and final phase involves rapid aggregation of the colloidal casein supramolecules into a gel network at about pH 4.8. Different gel structures were formed based on temperature of acidification, with a coarse-stranded gel network formed at 40°C and a fine-stranded gel network at 10°C.
Characteristics of Freshman Engineering Students: Models for Determining Student Attrition in Engineering

Nationwide, less than half the freshman who start in engineering graduate in engineering, and at least half of this attrition occurs during the freshman year. Clearly, the freshman year is critical for both academic success and retention of engineering students. Such success depends not only on the knowledge and skills learned during this first year, but also on the attitudes individual students bring with them to college. Hence, if these attitudes can be measured before beginning college, we can develop more targeted programs for reducing attrition and improving academic success. Further, by measuring changes in student attitude over the course of the freshman year, we can develop better methods to evaluate engineering education programs. To learn more about these attitudes and how they impact upon retention, we undertook a three-year research effort. First we identified attitudes incoming students have about the field of engineering, their perceptions about the upcoming educational experience, and their confidence in their ability to succeed in engineering. These attitudes were then related to performance and retention in the freshman engineering program. To accomplish this, a closedform survey was developed, tested and administered to the 1993–94 and 1994–95 freshman engineering classes. This study demonstrated that student attitudes can provide an effective means for evaluating aspects of our freshman engineering program, particularly those relating to issues of attrition. Specifically, students who left the freshman engineering program in “good academic standing” had significantly different attitudes about engineering and themselves than those possessed by other comparison groups: students who stayed in engineering and students who left engineering in “poor academic standing.” We developed regression models to predict attrition and performance in our freshman engineering program using quantified measures of student attitudes. Implementation of the models has allowed freshman advisors to better inform students of opportunities that engineering offers, to devise better programs of study that take advantage of students' varied interests, and to set retention goals that are more realistic.
Nasal obstruction in the neonate secondary to nasolacrimal duct cysts

The neonate is an obligate nasal breather and any form of nasal obstruction causes respiratory distress during feeding and sleeping. We report two patients with unusual causes of respiratory distress secondary to nasolacrimal duct cysts. The failure of the lacrimal duct to perforate at the distal end results in dacryocystitis and cyst formation. Removal of the nasal wall of the cyst resolves the obstruction and the dacryocystitis. The nasolacrimal duct cyst is an unusual, but readily treated, cause of neonatal respiratory distress.
An Assessment of Human Epidermal Repair in Elderly Normal Subjects Using Immunohistochemical Methods

The purpose of this study was to document a timetable for selected events of epidermal repair in standard partial thickness incised wounds on the legs of normal elderly human subjects. A Simplate-II bleeding-time device was used for producing the wounds, and immunohistochemical techniques were employed for evaluation of the wounds. Antibodies to filaggrin and Ulex europeus I demonstrated little or no staining on migrating epithelium, but staining was apparent whenever epidermal closure had occurred. Bullous pemphigoid antigen was present in the basement membrane zone at all time points examined, including beneath migrating epithelium, whereas antibodies to laminin and type IV collagen were found only at the most lateral aspects of 2-, 3-, and 5-day wounds. Staining progressed centrally by day 7 and was present as a complete linear band beneath most 14-day wounds. The Simplate-II device provides a standard, easy to use, commercially available, sterile, relatively safe method of producing wounds for systematic studies in humans.
Falls in the audiology clinic: a pilot study.

Background: Falls are a common and often preventable cause of injury and death among older adults. Hearing loss, vestibular disorders, dizziness, and imbalance are common risk factors for falls; however, the rate of falls among older audiology patients has never been assessed. Purpose: To examine the fall history and risk factors of older adults seen in a university audiology clinic. Research Design: A descriptive and correlational retrospective chart review of fall history and characteristics of patients seen in a university audiology clinic. Study Sample: 88 (51 women, 37 men) patients aged 60 yr and older seen in a university audiology clinic. Data Collection and Analysis: At the time of hearing evaluation, clinic patients filled out the Activities-Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, as well as a history form containing fall-related questions. These measures, as well as demographic information (gender and age) were retrieved during a retrospective chart review. Data were analyzed with independent-samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, and descriptive statistics. Results: Fifty percent of the study sample reported falling within the preceding 12 mo, while 70% reported having fallen at some point in the past. ABC Scale score was negatively correlated with age and number of recent falls. Conclusions: There appears to be a higher prevalence of falls within a university audiology clinic relative to previously published fall rates in the general population.
Effects of x-ray spectrum on the NPS of a computed radiography system

The purpose of this work was to determine the effects of various incident x-ray beam spectra on the measured noise power spectrum (NPS) of a computed radiography (CR) image acquisition device. A CR phosphor was uniformly exposed to 1 mR with x-ray beams whose peak tube potentials were 70, 95, and 120 kVp that were filtered by various thicknesses of a 'patient equivalent phantom' (PEP; 2% aluminum, 98% acrylic by thickness), aluminum, and copper. From the uniform exposure images, NPS curves were calculated and their integral values were computed. The integral noise values were found to vary substantially as a function of x-ray beam spectral content. A simple x-ray beam and filter model that accounted for the shape of the filtered x-ray spectra and the mass energy absorption coefficient of the storage phosphor verified the qualitative behavior of the integral NPS values corresponding to changes in the incident x-ray beam used. The x-ray beam and filter combinations of 70 kVp and 10.1 cm of PEP filtration and 120 kVp and 20.2 cm of PEP filtration were chosen as standard techniques for evaluating clinical imaging systems. These two combinations represent a relatively low, clinically relevant CR noise (integral NPS equals 2.6 X 10-6 mm) technique and a relatively high, clinically relevant CR noise (integral NPS equals 3.3 X 10-6 mm) technique.