cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of the characteristics and correlation of anti-Müllerian hormone in different phenotypic polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective To investigate the levels of serum anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) and sex hormone in patients with different types of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and to evaluate the correlation between AMH and these indexes. Methods AMH and other sex hormone levels of 702 patients with PCOS and 118 healthy women (control group) were examined by UNION immunoassay and UniCel DxI800 immunoassay. Ultrasound was used to measure antral follicle count (AFC) and ovarian volume. Bivariate correlation analysis was performed by Pearson correlation analysis. Results The follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) of PCOS patients was lower than that of the control, and the difference was partial statistically significant between oligo and/or anovulation (OA)+hyperandrogenism (HA)+polycystic ovaries (PCO) group and the control. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), LH/FSH, AMH were significantly higher than those in the control. Serum testoterone (T) level was significantly higher in OA+HA and OA+HA+PCO types of PCOS. There was no significant difference between prolactin (PRL) and estradiol (E2) in each group. AMH was negatively correlated with FSH and positively correlated with LH, LH/FSH, T, AFC, left ovarian volume and right ovarian volume. Conclusion The serum AMH concentration can reflect the number of antral follicles and the concentration of serum T, which can be used as one of the diagnostic and monitoring indicators of PCOS, improve the simplicity of PCOS diagnosis, and has wide application prospect in clinic. Key words: Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH); Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS); Antral follicle count (AFC); Hyperandrogenism
Depiction of Mental Illness in Film and Association with Financial and Critical Success

Abstract Film and cinema are an important part of American culture and discourse. In recent years, there have been increasing discussions around the media portrayal of suicide and psychiatric illness and its subsequent impact on prejudice towards individuals with mental health issues. To date, there is no published work quantifying the depiction of mental illness in film. In this work we use movie plot descriptions to identify movies that depict mental illness and compare their financial and critical success to all movies released during the same time period.
Experimental Studies of Phase Transitions and Pattern Formation in Two Dimensions

The technique of fluorescence microscopy has been utilized in studies of the equilibrium phase behavior and the kinetics of phase transitions and pattern formation in monolayers at the air/water interface. A brief description of the equilibrium phase diagram of fatty acid monolayers is presented and quantitative studies of the evolution of two-dimensional gas-liquid foam structures in such systems are reported. Shape instabilities observed in monolayers of esters are described qualitatively.
Anterograde transport of α-herpesviruses in neuronal axons.

Abstract α-herpesviruses have been very successful, principally because they establish lifelong latency in sensory ganglia. An essential piece of the lifecycle of α-herpesviruses involves the capacity to travel from sensory neurons to epithelial tissues following virus reactivation from latency, a process known as anterograde transport. Virus particles formed in neuron cell bodies hitchhike on kinesin motors that run along microtubules, the length of axons. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and pseudorabies virus (PRV) have been intensely studied to elucidate anterograde axonal transport. Both viruses use similar strategies for anterograde transport, although there are significant differences in the form of virus particles transported in axons, the identity of the kinesins that transport viruses, and how certain viral membrane proteins, gE/gI and US9, participate in this process. This review compares the older models for HSV and PRV anterograde transport with recent results, which are casting a new light on several aspects of this process.
Effects of ligno– and delignified– cellulose nanofibrils on the performance of cement-based materials

Abstract This article presents an investigation into the effects of lignocellulose nanofibrils (LCNF) and delignified cellulose nanofibrils (DCNF) on the hydration, microstructure, and mechanical properties of cement paste. The effects of various fine contents and dosages of the cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) additions on the properties of cement paste are presented in this article. Nearly all the CNF containing batches were observed to have an accelerated cement hydration reaction within the first 30 h. However, after 80 h of hydration, the CNF additions no longer exhibited any significant effect on the degree of hydration. The cement paste batches with LCNF were observed to have improved workability compared to those with DCNF. It was further observed that the compressive and flexural strengths of the cement paste can be increased up to 20% and 111%, respectively, by the addition of CNF. Both LCNF and DCNF were found to reduce the amounts of ettringite and portlandite in the hydrated cement paste. The ideal fine content of CNF to achieve both microstructural and mechanical performance enhancement was observed to be around 75%. The experimental findings presented in this article indicate that LCNFs with low fine content (60–75%) would be a more desirable and potentially more economical additive for concrete production compared to the DCNFs with high fine contents.
A taxonomy of surface mining slip, trip, and fall hazards as a guide to research and practice

Slips, trips, and falls (STFs) are the second leading cause of non-fatal injuries and can lead to fatal incidents in the mining industry. Hazard identification is an essential first step in remediating STF hazards and creating a safer work environment. Previous research has identified industry-specific risk factors for STFs, evaluated exposures to those risk factors, and developed taxonomies of the hazards for the construction and farming sectors. In comparison, ErgoMine-a mobile device application-based ergonomics audit tool-is the only systematic evaluation tool that covers STF hazards in the mining industry. However, ErgoMine was not specifically developed to address STF hazards. This paper describes the development of a taxonomy that helps identify STF hazards at surface mining sites and provides recommendations to address these hazards to inform future evaluation tools. The objective was to develop a taxonomy that was self-explanatory, observable, repeatable, and solution oriented. In addition to current regulations, standards and guidelines were used to develop the taxonomy to ensure the focus was beyond basic compliance. A detailed description of how the STF hazard taxonomy was created for walkways, stairways, and fixed ladders is provided, along with two specific applications of its use. The STF hazard taxonomy can be used to develop tools like checklists and ergonomics audits to identify and remediate slip, trip, and fall hazards at surface mining facilities, thereby improving worker safety.
"Somos contra la 'queer-ificacíon'"/"We reject the queer-ification of lesbianism": lesbian political identity and anti-queer politics among Mexican lesbians and queer Chicanas-Latinas.

This essay provides a critical personal reflection contemplating a 2006 Mexico City-based cross- border dialogue in which sharp divisions emerged between a set of Mexicana lesbianas-declaring their pro-lesbian feminist and anti-queer politics-and a set of queer Chicanas- Latinas-pronouncing their queer women of color politics. The vexing exchange occurred on the eve of the 3rd annual Marcha Lesbica, an explicitly radical lesbian feminist political gathering and at the time the largest public action of its kind to be held in Latin America. I draw new insights about key historical and contemporary lesbian political identity issues by reviewing how Mexican lesbian politics informed by feminism and critiques of neoliberalism produced challenges to the U.S. based participants. I reframe the value of the lesbian Mexicanas' "anti- queer" proclamation, an affective statement especially unpopular in that period given the provincializing glance at lesbian politics and identity in the U.S. Finally, I revisit this difficult moment to historicize how lesbian remains a freighted category of political identity for Chicanas-Latinas who abide by women of color and trans coalitional politics, while it also opens up affinities for meaningful though precarious cross-border identifications. This multilayered reflection argues for a situated understanding of the meanings that can be ascribed to lesbian identity and politics, which are highly contingent upon spatio-temporalities. Thus, the category "lesbian" is replete with instructive energies whether as an affective critique of queer epistemologies that move along a Global North to Global South axis, or as a reminder of the limits of coalitional politics built across nation-state borders.
Aging-associated changes in renal extracellular matrix.

Abstract The composition of renal extracellular matrices was examined in 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-month-old rats by immunofluorescence microscopy. No change in composition of tubular basement membrane was detected. Increased immunostaining for laminin chains B1 and s-laminin and thrombospondin characterized the thickened glomerular basement membrane. Interstitial collagens I and III were not detected in globally sclerotic glomeruli. The major change noted in the aged rat kidney at 24 months was generalized expansion of the interstitium by thrombospondin and fibronectin. In areas of tubular atrophy there was new expression of extra domain A (EDA)+ fibronectin. Collagens I and III were detected focally in the interstitium adjacent to areas of tubular atrophy, but otherwise collagens I, III, and IV and laminin did not contribute to the interstitial fibrosis. Interstitial fibrosis was detectable at 18 months of age and preceded the development of sclerotic glomeruli, tubular atrophy, or accumulations of interstitial collagen. These changes in extracellular matrix composition distinguish the aging kidney from other sclerotic forms of renal disease.
Osteomyelitis and synovitis produced by Mycobacterium marinum in a fisherman

We report a case of osteomyelitis and synovitis produced by Mycobacterium marinum in the left index finger of a fisherman. A combination of surgical intervention and antimicrobial therapy with minocycline, rifampin, and ethambutol was efficacious.
Modeling the multicast address allocation problem

To support IP multicast, domains must assign a unique multicast address to each application from a limited, globally-shared address space. We examine the performance of several classes of address allocation algorithms within the context of the MASC architecture. This study is the first of its kind to model the generalized multicast address allocation problem and consider non-contiguous allocation algorithms. We find that prefix-based allocation outperforms our non-contiguous algorithm, despite the apparent advantages of non-contiguous allocation. We also verify the benefit of using worst-fit for new allocations.
Cervical vertebral canal endoscopy in the horse: Intra- and post operative observations

Summary Reasons for performing study: Despite modern medical diagnostic imaging, it is not possible to identify reliably the exact location of spinal cord compression in horses with cervical vertebral stenotic myelopathy (CVSM). Vertebral canal endoscopy has been successfully used in man and a technique for cervical vertebral canal endoscopy (CVCE) has been described in equine cadavers. Objective: To determine the feasibility and safety of CVCE in healthy mature horses. Methods: Six healthy mature horses were anaesthetised. A flexible videoendoscope was subsequently introduced via the atlanto-occipital space into the epidural space (epiduroscopy, Horses 1-3) or the subarachnoid space (myeloscopy, Horses 4-6) and advanced to the 8th cervical nerve. Neurological examinations were performed after surgery and lumbosacral cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysed in horses that had undergone myeloscopy. Results: All procedures were completed successfully and all horses recovered from anaesthesia. Anatomical structures in the epidural space (including the dura mater, nerve roots, fat and blood vessels) and subarachnoid space (including the spinal cord, blood vessels, arachnoid trabeculations, nerve roots and the external branch of the accessory nerve) were identified. During epiduroscopy, a significant increase in mean arterial pressure was recognised, when repeated injections of electrolyte solution into the epidural space were performed. In one horse of the myeloscopy group, subarachnoid haemorrhage and air occurred, resulting in transient post operative ataxia and muscle fasciculations. No complications during or after myeloscopy were observed in the other horses. CSFanalysisindicatedmildinflammationonDay7withvalues approaching normal 21 days after surgery. Conclusions: Endoscopic examination of the epidural and subarachnoid space from the atlanto-occipital space to the 8th cervical nerve is possible and can be safely performed in healthy horses. Potential relevance: Cervical vertebral canal endoscopy might allow accurate identification of the compression site in horses with CVSM and aid diagnosis of other lesions within the cervical vertebral canal.
Photothermal electric effect of multilayer MoS 2 -graphene heterojunction

Due to the exceptional electrical and optical properties of graphene, public interest has grown rapidly since the material was exfoliated onto SiO2 in 2004 [1–3]. Other two dimensional (2D) crystal materials such as MoS 2 , hBN, and WSe 2 , individually or in combination with graphene, also have shown intriguing properties. One of the interesting applications is using the 2D heterojunction as a photodetector. There have been literatures reported on graphene-MoS 2 heterojunction photodetectors, claiming the photoresponse mechanism as a photovoltaic effect (PV), which is due to the separation of electron-hole pairs created in MoS 2 at less than 700 nm wavelengths [4, 5]. In this paper, we report photothermal electric effect (PTE) of a multilayer MoS 2 -graphene heterojunction photodetector based on the large differences of Seebeck coefficients between MoS 2 (−700 µV/K) [6] and graphene (−50 µV/K) [7].
The PRInCiPleS Design Framework

Some disciplines focus on analytic research and some disciplines focus on synthesis. Design disciplines are interesting because designers need to do both analysis and synthesis tasks. The HCI and design program I presently direct is organized around a framework I have named with the acronym PRInCiPleS, both at the curricular scale and as an organizing device for individual design projects within classes that serves as a kind of design rationale framework. The PRInCiPleS framework is not a scientific framework, but it does have an analogy to an idealized notion of a scientific framework. One of the biggest issues in design pedagogy and practice is how to get students and practicing designers to ensure that analysis leads to synthesis in a sound way and that synthesis follows from analysis in a sound way-that is, the issue of how to bridge the creative, semantic gap between design research and insights and concepts. In much of the curriculum, design research projects are paired with design concept projects in a way that is targeted at addressing this issue by means of iterative practice. Taking a curatorial attitude towards designs constructed according to the PRInCiPleS or indeed other frameworks is an appropriate way to connect notions of creativity to notions of design rationale.
White coat hypertension: improving the patient–health care practitioner relationship

White coat hypertension is characterized by the variability of a patient’s blood pressure measurements between the physician’s office and the patient’s home environment. A patient with white coat hypertension has high blood pressure levels in the physician’s office and normal blood pressure levels in their typical environment. This condition is likely caused by the patient’s anxiety within the physician’s office and in the presence of the physician. Research has shown that improving the relationship between a patient and their health care provider can decrease the patient’s anxiety, with the implication of decreasing the patient’s likelihood of demonstrating white coat hypertension. This review provides an overview of the previous literature regarding white coat hypertension, its prevalence, and the consequences for those who develop persistent hypertension. Furthermore, this review discusses the implications of improving patient and health care provider interactions through effective communication, empathy, and trust, as well as the implications for future research studies in improving the patient and health care provider’s relationship.
Subclinical kidney injury before and 1 year after bariatric surgery among adolescents with severe obesity.

Objective To assess subclinical kidney injury in severely obese adolescents by measuring biomarkers of early kidney disease and to assess changes in the levels of these biomarkers following bariatric procedure.
Abstract 597: Plasma Fibrin Clot Strength in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus Measured by Thrombelastography

Background: Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) exhibit increased risk of recurrent myocardial infarction. Maximal clot strength measured by thrombelastography (TEG) in whole blood is a risk factor for recurrent ischemic events. We hypothesized that diabetic subjects exhibit increased fibrin clot strength in platelet poor plasma and that extent of glycemic control correlates with maximal fibrin clot strength. Methods: Platelet poor plasma samples were obtained from subjects with known or suspected coronary artery disease prior to cardiac catheterization (n=354). Kaolin activated TEG was performed in citrate plasma. Time to fibrin formation (R), clot formation time (K), and maximal fibrin clot strength (MA) measured. Hemoglobin (Hgb) A1C and daily administered insulin doses were recorded. Results: Fibrin MA was increased among subjects with DM as compared to non-DM (37.0 ± 8 mm vs. 34.1 ± 8; p<0.001). HgbA1c was significantly correlated with MA (r=0.213; p=0.002). There was no significant correlation betw...
The major human papillomavirus protein in cervical cancers is a cytoplasmic phosphoprotein.

In a previous study, the most abundant viral transcript in a human papillomavirus type 16-associated cervical cancer and in a cancer-derived cell line was characterized, and its translation product, the E7 protein, was identified (D. Smotkin and F. O. Wettstein, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 68:4680-4684, 1986). Here we show that the E7 protein had a half life of about 1 h and was located in the soluble cytoplasmic fraction. The protein was phosphorylated at serine residues and exhibited a high heterogeneous sedimentation rate in nondenaturing glycerol gradients, suggesting an oligomer formation or association with cellular protein. Images
Imaging aerogels at the molecular level

Aerogels are a special class of open-cell foams that have an ultrafine cell/pore size (<50 nm), high surface area (400–1000 m2 g−1), and an ultrastructure composed of interconnected colloidal-like particles or polymeric chains with characteristic dimensions of 10 nm. The purpose of this paper is to directly image a series of resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) and silica aerogels by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A new vertical replication technique allows us to examine aerogels at the molecular level in situ so that differences in polymeric and colloidal aerogels can be visualized. Such information is crucial for nano-engineering the structure and properties of these novel materials.
Premature Sperm Activation and Defective Spermatogenesis Caused by Loss of spe-46 Function in Caenorhabditis elegans

Given limited resources for motility, sperm cell activation must be precisely timed to ensure the greatest likelihood of fertilization. Like those of most species, the sperm of C. elegans become active only after encountering an external signaling molecule. Activation coincides with spermiogenesis, the final step in spermatogenesis, when the spherical spermatid undergoes wholesale reorganization to produce a pseudopod. Here, we describe a gene involved in sperm activation, spe-46. This gene was identified in a suppressor screen of spe-27(it132ts), a sperm-expressed gene whose product functions in the transduction of the spermatid activation signal. While spe-27(it132ts) worms are sterile at 25°C, the spe-46(hc197)I; spe-27(it132ts)IV double mutants regain partial fertility. Single nucleotide polymorphism mapping, whole genome sequencing, and transformation rescue were employed to identify the spe-46 coding sequence. It encodes a protein with seven predicted transmembrane domains but with no other predicted functional domains or homology outside of nematodes. Expression is limited to spermatogenic tissue, and a transcriptional GFP fusion shows expression corresponds with the onset of the pachytene stage of meiosis. The spe-46(hc197) mutation bypasses the need for the activation signal; mutant sperm activate prematurely without an activation signal in males, and mutant males are sterile. In an otherwise wild-type genome, the spe-46(hc197) mutation induces a sperm defective phenotype. In addition to premature activation, spe-46(hc197) sperm exhibit numerous defects including aneuploidy, vacuolization, protruding spikes, and precocious fusion of membranous organelles. Hemizygous worms [spe-46(hc197)/mnDf111] are effectively sterile. Thus, spe-46 appears to be involved in the regulation of spermatid activation during spermiogenesis, with the null phenotype being an absence of functional sperm and hypomorphic phenotypes being premature spermatid activation and numerous sperm cell defects.
Redress for old wounds: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology for the Chinese head tax

This essay examines how political leaders apologize for historical injustices. Specifically, we analyze Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's apology for the head tax imposed upon Chinese immigrants. The prime minister's apology was historic in that it marked the first time a Canadian Prime Minister formally apologized for the head tax. We argue that Harper used a combination of the frontier myth and collective apology rhetoric in his expression of remorse toward the Chinese-Canadian community. While controversial, this rhetoric created a discursive space for a constructive and strengthened relationship between the Chinese-Canadian community and the Canadian government.
NONLINEAR EFFECTS IN KINETIC RESOLUTIONS

The impact of nonlinear effects in the asymmetric catalysis of kinetic resolutions is analyzed. It is found with minimal assumptions that the kinetics of homocompetitive reactions should apply generally to kinetic resolutions involving partially resolved catalysts, and this is supported by experimental observations with the Jacobsen hydrolytic kinetic resolution of epoxides. The criterion for a nonlinear effect in asymmetric catalysis, a nonlinear correlation between the enantiomeric excess in a chiral ligand and the product enantiomeric excess obtained from a reaction, is examined. The nonlinear effect idea is found to be generalizable to kinetic resolutions and other reactions by replacing consideration of the product enantiomeric excess with the quantity (kR/kS − 1)/(kR/kS + 1), a differential kinetic enantiomeric enhancement (DKEE). A nonlinear effect may then be defined by a nonlinear correlation between the DKEE and the chiral ligand enantiomeric excess. The application of these ideas to previously ...
Spectrum and Capacity Analysis for Air/Ground Air Traffic Management Communications

The Center for Advanced Aviation System Development (CAASD) of the MITRE Corporation, in conjunction with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), performed a study to analyze the future capacity and spectrum requirements for air/ground aeronautical mobile communications. The first part of the study assessed the demand for air/ground voice channels needed to meet the forecasted growth and distribution of air traffic in the National Airspace System (NAS) in the next decade. The next part of the study determined how many voice channels could be cleared for potential new and expanded aeronautical data communications use and the impact of subband-clearing on the ability of the remaining capacity of the voice system to support future requirements. The final part of the study estimated the number of frequencies and ground radio sites that will be needed to support various levels of future data communications services. This paper presents the details of the study and describes the ability of the FAA's current and planned communications infrastructure to meet the requirements of performance-based air traffic management and NextGen communications using the available very high frequency (VHF) spectrum and current technologies.
Diagnostic evaluation of neurologic metastases.

(2000). Diagnostic Evaluation of Neurologic Metastases. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 18, No. 4, pp. 381-394.
Congressional Intrusion to Specify State Voting Dates for National Offices

Through the nation's first century, states used their concurrent constitutional right to schedule presidential and House elections at widely varying times. Senators were also elected within the states at diverse times. This study examines the gradual establishment of uniform election dates and offers an explanation of why Congress felt it appropriate to override state autonomy to eventually establish uniformity of state practices. Copyright 2008, Oxford University Press.
Fixed width confidence intervals for the exponential mean survival time under random censorship

Abstract This paper provides asymptotically optimal fixed width confidence intervals for the parameter θ of an exponential distribution when the i.i.d. observations from this exponential distribution are randomly right censored.
Enforcement or Ethical Capacity: Considering the Role of State Ethics Commissions at the Millennium

Looking back on the twentieth century, the American public has witnessed numerous incidents of unethical behavior by a variety of federal, state, and local government officials. Ongoing cases of political and bureaucratic corruption raise questions about what governments are doing to prevent these “ethical lapses.” Most state governments have comprehensive ethics laws and ethics commissions to enforce these laws. Very few studies have examined the role of ethics commissions in state government. This article stems from research conducted during 1997–98 involving more than 60 anonymous interviews with ethics officials and stakeholders in Connecticut, Florida, and New York. This analysis reveals that ethics commissions are instruments and symbols, policemen and consultants, politicians and neutral technicians, and interpreters of and prisoners to the ethics laws. The article concludes with 10 recommendations to improve ethics enforcement and the ethics-building capacity of state governments as society enters the next millennium.
Size distributions in two porous chondritic micrometeorites

Quantitative size measurements of granular units (GUs), and nm-sized minerals in these units, in two porous chondritic micrometeorites are investigated. The matrix of these micrometeorites consist of loosely packed, 0.1 micron-sized, GUs. These objects were a major component of the solar nebula dust that accreted into protoplanets. The matrix in micrometeorite W7010*A2 has a fractal dimension with a small coefficient that supports efficient sticking of carbon-rich GUs during accretion. The fractal nature of the matrix provides a way to calculate the density using the aggregate size. The resulting very low density for porous chondritic micrometeorites is 0.08-0.14 g/cu cm, which supports the view that they are the solid debris from unconsolidated solar system bodies. Chondritic GUs contain ultrafine olivines, pyroxenes, and sulfides, embedded in hydrocarbons and amorphous carbons. Nanocrystals in the micrometeorites W7010*A2 and U2015*B show log normal size distributions. The high incidence of disk-shaped grains, a changeover from disk-shaped to euhedral grains, the unevolved nature of the size distributions, and multiple populations for grains less than 127 nm in size, are consistent with continuous postaccretion nucleation and growth in amorphous GUs, including coarsening via Ostwald ripening.
Extraction of tissue long-chain acyl-CoA esters and measurement by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Abstract Long-chain acyl-CoA esters were extracted from freeze-clamped livers of fed and fasted rats according to the method of Mancha et al. [ M. Mancha, G. B. Stokes, and P. K. Stumpf (1975) Anal. Biochem. 68, 600–608] and analyzed on a radially compressed C 18 , 5 μm, reverse-phase column using a gradient system consisting of acetonitrile and 25 m m KH 2 PO 4 , pH 5.3, at 254 nm. Total analysis time was 25 min. Eight peaks in the extract with carbon chain lengths of 12 to 18, which subsequently disappeared on alkaline hydrolysis, were identified. The major acyl-CoA peaks in the extract in order of increasing retention times were 14:0, 16:1, 18:2, 16:0, 18:1, and 18:0. Total liver long-chain acyl-CoA esters were 108 ± 11 and 248 ± 19 nmol/g protein for fed and fasted rats, respectively. On fasting (48 h) the levels of 18:2, 16:0, and 18:1 increased two-to threefold and that of 18:0 sixfold. The advantages of this method are that it not only provides a more direct determination of total tissue long-chain acyl-CoA esters, in that no decomposition of the CoA ester is involved, but it also detects the constituent molecular species.
MU-opioid receptor-knockout mice: role of μ-opioid receptor in morphine mediated immune functions

The role of the μ-opioid receptor in immune function was investigated using μ-opioid receptor knockout mice (MOR-KO). Morphine modulation of several immune functions, including macrophage phagocytosis and macrophage secretion of TNF-α, was not observed in the MOR-KO animals, suggesting that these functions are mediated by the classical μ-opioid receptor. In contrast, morphine reduction of splenic and thymic cell number and mitogen-induced proliferation were unaffected in MOR-KO mice, as was morphine inhibition of IL-1 and IL-6 secretion by macrophages. These latter results are consistent with morphine action on a naloxone insensitive morphine receptor, a conclusion supported by previous studies characterizing a nonopioid morphine binding site on immune cells. Alternatively, morphine may act either directly or indirectly on these cells, by a mechanism mediated by either delta or kappa opioid receptors.
The effect of calcium and cyclic AMP on amylase release in digitonin-permeabilized parotid gland cells

Rat parotid cells were permeabilized with digitonin to examine their secretory dynamics. Cells were isolated by a modification of the method previously described by Hootman [1985). J. Biol. Chem. 260, 4186-4194) in which alpha-chymotrypsin was included. The final preparation consisted of approx. 40-60% single cells. The cells were 85-90% viable by trypan blue exclusion and secreted amylase when stimulated with isoproterenol. Digitonin (2 or 5 microM) was sufficient for permeabilization while 2 microM digitonin was somewhat more effective in maintaining cell integrity as indicated by lactate dehydrogenase release. Digitonin had minimal effects on intracellular granules in the whole cell and was, thus, relatively selective. The response of digitonin-permeabilized cells to calcium (without secretagogues) in the incubation medium was monitored by amylase release. For a wide range of applied free calcium concentrations (1 X 10(-7) M to 10(-4) M) a statistically significant increase in amylase secretion was observed. Control cells did not release amylase to a similar extent without secretagogue. Cyclic AMP (50 microM) significantly enhanced amylase secretion from digitonin-treated cells at all concentrations of free calcium tested. Neither calcium nor cyclic AMP alone was sufficient to stimulate maximal amylase release. Our results provide direct evidence for a model in which calcium and cyclic AMP work on separate pathways as interacting regulators of exocytosis.
Permeability Tensor Values from Waveguide Measurements

Measurements of the components of the microwave permeability tensor of ferrites are usually made on very small specimens, such as spheres, discs, or rods, placed in cavities. Using degenerate modes, one can relate the frequency shifts of these modes to the real parts, and the changes in Q to the imaginary parts, of the tensor components. The technique herein described makes use of measurements performed on a ferrite rod placed along the axis of a circular waveguide. Exciting the specimen successively with the two senses of circular polarization, one obtains phase and attenuation information for each of these modes which can then be related by a perturbation treatment back to the real and imaginary parts, respectively, of the tensor components. The variation of phase and attenuation are recorded continuously (but on successive runs) as functions of the changing applied magnetic field. The apparatus used for these purposes will be described and certain novel features pointed out. While this method lacks the advantage of cavity techniques to separate out the dielectric contributions to the phase and attenuation shifts, it does offer a means whereby a fairly large specimen can be examined for its basic parameters in a geometrical configuration often used in applications.
TALEN-mediated genome editing: prospects and perspectives.

Genome editing is the practice of making predetermined and precise changes to a genome by controlling the location of DNA DSBs (double-strand breaks) and manipulating the cell9s repair mechanisms. This technology results from harnessing natural processes that have taken decades and multiple lines of inquiry to understand. Through many false starts and iterative technology advances, the goal of genome editing is just now falling under the control of human hands as a routine and broadly applicable method. The present review attempts to define the technique and capture the discovery process while following its evolution from meganucleases and zinc finger nucleases to the current state of the art: TALEN (transcription-activator-like effector nuclease) technology. We also discuss factors that influence success, technical challenges and future prospects of this quickly evolving area of study and application.
Electricity generation by anaerobic bacteria and anoxic sediments from hypersaline soda lakes.

Anaerobic bacteria and anoxic sediments from soda lakes produced electricity in microbial fuel cells (MFCs). No electricity was generated in the absence of bacterial metabolism. Arsenate respiring bacteria isolated from moderately hypersaline Mono Lake (Bacillus selenitireducens), and salt-saturated Searles Lake, CA (strain SLAS-1) oxidized lactate using arsenate as the electron acceptor. However, these cultures grew equally well without added arsenate using the MFC anode as their electron acceptor, and in the process oxidized lactate more efficiently. The decrease in electricity generation by consumption of added alternative electron acceptors (i.e. arsenate) which competed with the anode for available electrons proved to be a useful indicator of microbial activity and hence life in the fuel cells. Shaken sediment slurries from these two lakes also generated electricity, with or without added lactate. Hydrogen added to sediment slurries was consumed but did not stimulate electricity production. Finally, electricity was generated in statically incubated “intact” sediment cores from these lakes. More power was produced in sediment from Mono Lake than from Searles Lake, however microbial fuel cells could detect low levels of metabolism operating under moderate and extreme conditions of salt stress.
Set Theory Generated by Abelian Group Theory

Introduction. This survey is intended to introduce to logicians some notions, methods and theorems in set theory which arose-largely through the work of Saharon Shelah-out of (successful) attempts to solve problems in abelian group theory, principally the Whitehead problem and the closely related problem of the existence of almost free abelian groups. While Shelah's first independence result regarding the Whitehead problem used established set-theoretical methods (discussed below), his later work required new ideas; it is on these that we focus. We emphasize the nature of the new ideas and the historical context in which they arose, and we do not attempt to give precise technical definitions in all cases, nor to include a comprehensive survey of the algebraic results. In fact, very little algebraic background is needed beyond the definitions of group and group homomorphism. Unless otherwise specified, we will use the word "group" to refer to an abelian group, that is, the group operation is commutative. The group operation will be denoted by +, the identity element by 0, and the inverse of a by -a. We shall use na as an abbreviation for a + a + + a [n times] if n is positive, and na = (-n)(-a) if n is negative. A group is called free if and only if it has a basis, that is, a linearly independent subset which generates the group. (The notions are the same as for vector spaces except that the scalars are from the ring of integers; so not every group is free.) Equivalently, a group is free if and only if it is isomorphic to a direct sum of copies of Z, the group of integers under addition. A crucial fact is that a subgroup of a free group is free [16, Theorem 14.5]. At a couple of points we will have occasion to refer to groups which are not necessarily commutative. In this context-the variety of all groups-the characterization of "free" is different; in fact, with the exceptions of the trivial group (of cardinality 1) and of Z, free groups in this variety are not commutative. However, it is still the case that subgroups of free groups are free [28, p. 95]. The Whitehead problem asks whether a certain necessary condition for a group to be free (defined in Section 1) is also sufficient. The almost
Effect of age and condition‐test interval (days) on an audio‐conditioned convulsive response in CF#1 mice

The initial exposure to sound provokes seizures in genetically audio-sensitive mice. In a stock (e.g., CF#1) generally considered audio-resistant, repeated sound exposure will under certain conditions induce seizure susceptibility. Susceptibility is dramatically influenced by age and interval (days) between initial and subsequent exposure to sound. Previous auditory stimulation is absolutely essential for the genesis of convulsions. Selection of age and condition-test interval produced seizures of predictable incidence and severity. Incidence in 12- or 45-day-old mice was about 5% at any interval. However, 18-day-old mice subjected to brief auditory stimulation (60 sec at 95 db) and tested at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 days resulted in a high incidence of convulsions. Clonic-tonic convulsions characterized the seizures at the 2- or 3-day interval; but at 5 days only clonus was seen. Without further sound stimulation mice show a transitory audio-sensitivity lasting about 5 days. Sound-induced convulsions or repeated auditory stimulation prolong sensitivity. Important characteristics of the genetically controlled audiogenic crisis in contrast with other sound-induced convulsions include: the essential prior auditory stimulation, the brief duration of susceptibility, and the adaptation to chronic noise.
Alternative transportation modes in an urban land use model: A general equilibrium approach☆

Abstract This paper presents and analyzes a general equilibrium transportation demand model. The model was applied to hypothetical cities with populations of 1 and 2 million. Data and coefficients for those cities were obtained from existing metropolitan areas of equivalent sizes. A subway system is found to be uneconomical in the hypothetical city with one million population and with an average population density of 4400 per square mile. However, it is found to be economical and desirable for the hypothetical city with two million population and with an average density of 6900 per square mile.
The role of nonverbal communication in service encounters

Although the verbal components of service encounters have been investigated, the nonverbal aspects of employee‐customer interactions have remained virtually unexplored in the marketing literature. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to explore the importance of service employees’ nonverbal communication during service interactions. Specifically, a conceptual model is presented that links nonverbal communication (kinesics, paralanguage, proxemics, and physical appearance), customer affect, and consumers’ evaluations of service providers (with respect to credibility, friendliness, competence, empathy, courtesy, and trustworthiness). Further, the importance of nonverbal elements is discussed and managerial implications are given.
Sensitivity of optically preamplified DPSK receivers with Fabry-Perot filters

The error-rate performance of a DPSK lightwave receiver having an optical amplifier followed by a Fabry-Perot filter and delay-line demodulator is analyzed. Receivers with sampling and with integrate-and-dump threshold comparison are compared to the well-known result for a matched optical filter. The Fabry-Perot filter decreases the sensitivity at 10/sup -9/ error-rate from 20 to 24.5 photons/b with optimum optical filter bandwidth and postdetection integration time.
Hybrid photoacoustic fluorescence molecular tomography using finite-element-based inversion.

Improvements in fluorescencereconstruction when utilizing a hybrid photoacoustic(PAT)fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT) method to image optically heterogeneous media are studied and showcased. Quantitative optical absorption maps are retrieved using a normalized backprojection algorithm for PATreconstruction. Consecutively, the reconstructedabsorption distribution is employed into computing a diffusion-equation-based forward model for FMT using a finite-element solution. The potential promise of the suggested method is experimentally verified on tissue-mimicking fluorescent phantoms, where improvements in the quality of FMT reconstructions are observed when imaging at the presence of a large absorber.
Automation for nondestructive inspection of aircraft

We discuss the motivation and an architectural framework for using small mobile robots as automated aids to operators of nondestructive inspection (NDI) equipment. We review the need for aircraft skin inspection, and identify the constraints in commercial airlines operations that make small mobile robots the most attractive alternative for automated aids for NDI procedures. We describe the design and performance of the robot (ANDI) that we designed, built, and are testing for deployment of eddy current probes in prescribed commercial aircraft inspections. We discuss recent work aimed at also providing robotic aids for visual inspection.
Prospecting Gbaya dialects

SYNOPSIS Ideally, a linguistic classification should indicate relationships within a single linguistic unit (e.g. family). Hitherto no one has shown the inter‐relationships of the idioms comprising the “Gbaya‐Ngbaka Mandjia Group”. These might be determined by comparing word‐lists, by studying mutually intelligibility, or by describing the distributions of certain linguistic features. But since we have to do with a continuously varying language, the Gbaya idioms might more profitably be investigated by statistical methods to determine their quantitative differences. Evidence is given to show how certain features are distributed among some of the Gbaya idioms. The principal example is that of the developments of r in a certain number of words. Although this study does not lead to any definitive groupings, it does disclose a few tantalizing clues.
Does marketing undermine public health

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the success of marketing efforts by large companies that contribute to public health problems.Design/methodology/approach – The paper discusses current examples of marketing that undermine public health as well as actions of such companies to potentially improve products and ultimately, public health. It offers suggestions on how marketers and public health officials can partner to create a situation where outcomes can be positive for all parties involved.Findings – Current marketing efforts by corporate giants are hurting the public health. Marketers must team with public health officials to help improve public health through the marketing of healthy lifestyles.Practical implications – If marketers implement strategies that can combine healthy products with effective marketing communication strategies, they can remain profitable while engaging in socially responsible activities. Consequently, marketers have much to gain by working with the public health p...
Crow‐type skewing In Akan kinship vocabulary and Its absence In Minangkabau

Akan societies of West Africa have unskewed kinship terminologies quite similar to those of the Sumatran Minangkabau, and they also have kinterm systems with Crow-type skewing. Minangkabau has no skewing. Parallel examinations of kinship-related institutions in Akan and Minangkabau provide grounds for a (necessarily partial) accounting of the kin terminological differences. The hypothesized greater emphasis in Akan norms on individualized property holding, inheritance and succession, and the Akan avunculocal residence norm, may have provided conceptual bases for the Akan skewing rule. The hypothesized greater emphasis in Minangkabau norms on corporate lineage property holding, and the Minangkabau uxorimatrilocal residence norm, may be significant correlates of the absence of a skewing rule in Minangkabau. [kinship, West Africa, social organization, language and culture, Sumatran, Indonesian societies]
Reactivity of the iron porphyrin Fe(TPP)(NO) with excess NO. Formation of Fe(TPP)(NO)(NO2) occurs via reaction with trace NO2.

Fe(TPP)(NO) (TPP = tetraphenylporphyrinato dianion) does not react observably with excess NO in organic solvents at ambient pressure and temperature; however, adventitious NO2 rapidly leads to the nitrosyl nitro product Fe(TPP)(NO)(NO2), which is labile toward loss of NO.
Do axions need inflation

Without inflation the energy density of relic axions in a Robertson-Walker universe arises not from coherent oscillations of a zero-momentum mode but from radiative decay of axion strings. An estimate of the upper bound on the PQ scale coming from these axions is in conflict with the lower bound from SN1987a. We present analytical and numerical evidence supporting this estimate. If true, then the axion needs inflation. With inflation the axion is safe, but the motivation for axion search experiments is weakened.
Liver alcohol dehydrogenase is degraded by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) decreases rat liver alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) due principally to an increased rate of degradation of the enzyme. The pathway of degradation of ADH was investigated. Exposure of hepatocytes in culture to lactacystin or to MG132, which are inhibitors of the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway of protein degradation, resulted in higher ADH. Furthermore, both lactacystin and MG132 prevented the decrease in ADH caused by DHT. By contrast, the lysosomal proteolytic inhibitors 3-methyladenine and leupeptin as well as inhibitors of the calcium-activated neutral protease calpain system had no effect on ADH in the absence or presence of DHT. ADH isolated by immunoprecipitation from hepatocytes exposed to DHT reacted specifically with anti-ubiquitin antibody. Ubiquitinated ADH was also demonstrated in hepatocytes exposed to MG132. The combination of DHT and MG132 resulted in more ubiquitinated ADH than exposure to either compound alone. These results suggest that the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway plays a role in the degradation of ADH and in the enhanced degradation of this enzyme by DHT.