cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paradox, Confirmation and Inquiry

It is not surprising that paradoxes and puzzles play an important role in philosophy. They are in Peircean language irritations to doubt-stimulants to inquiry. They confront us with problematic situations. They are barriers to the flow of philosophizing. Quine has emphasized the importance of paradoxes in the title essay to his The Ways of Paradox.1 In a much later essay, 'Natural Kinds',2 the particular stimulants to Quine's own inquiry seem to be Hempel's 'Paradox of the Ravens', and Goodman's 'Paradox of the Grue Emeralds'. The prima facie straightforward notions of confirmation and positive evidence prove anything but tractable to philosophical explication. A theory is confirmed if the positive evidence for it is sufficient. One theory is more highly confirmed than another if the quality and/or quantity of its positive instances is superior to that of the other. This all goes smoothly. Of course we still need to explain notions like quality of positive instance itself, but we expect to have little difficulty. Hempel's paradox, however, leads to the conclusion that a red chair is positive evidence for the 'theoretical' claim that all ravens are black. Prima facie, we wish to reject this conclusion, but where does Hempel's argument go wrong? (o) All ravens are black is logically equivalent to (g) All non-black things are non-ravens. A red chair is a non-black non-raven and hence positive evidence for (/), but (/) is logically equivalent to (a). A red chair is thereby positive evidence for All ravens are black. We are faced with a number of options none of which is attractive intuitively. We may simply accept the paradoxical conclusion and move on to explicate the notion of quality of positive evidence. We may reject the principle that logically equivalent theories possess the same positive evidence. As a desperate last resort we may even question the logical equivalence of (a) and (/). The paradox forces us to make some hard choices. It is easy to see how it acts as a trigger to inquiry. The problematic situation cries out for resolution. Goodman's paradox is simply a different trigger. A green emerald is positive evidence for the theoretical claim (y) All emeralds are green. It is also positive evidence for the claim (8) All
Effects of Subchronic Nicotine Administration on Central Dopaminergic Mechanisms in the Rat

Nicotine was administered acutely and subchronically (14 days) to determine whether various synaptic mechanisms are selectively altered in the nigrostriatal and mesolimbic dopaminergic systems in the rat. When added to tissue preparations in vitro, nicotine had no effects on tyrosine hydroxylase, synaptosomal uptake of [3H]dopamine or binding of [3H]spiperone to D2 receptors in either system. However, acute treatment in vivo stimulated tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the nucleus accumbens. This effect was prevented by pretreatment with a nicotinic antagonist, suggesting that it was mediated by nicotinic receptors. Since subchronic exposure to nicotine had no effect on tyrosine hydroxylase, it appears that tolerance develops to this action. In vivo treatment with nicotine did not alter dopamine uptake or receptor binding. The results suggest that, in doses which result in moderate plasma levels, nicotine has selective stimulant actions on nerve terminals of the mesolimbic system.
Effects of ambient temperature and of temperature acclimation on nitrogen excretion and differential catabolism of protein and nonprotein resources in the intertidal snails, Littorina saxatilis (Olivi) and L. obtusata (L.)

Nitrogenous excretion in two snails, Littorina saxatilis (high intertidal) and L. obtusata (low intertidal) was studied in relation to temperature acclimation (at 4° and 21°C), including total N excretion rates, the fraction of urea in N excretion, corresponding O:N ratios and the partitioning of deaminated protein between catabolic and anabolic processes at 4°, 11° and 21°C. Aggregate N excretion rates in both species showed no significant compensatory adjustments following acclimation. Total weight specific N excretion rates at 21°C were higher in standard 3 mg L. saxatilis (739 ng N mg−1 h−1) than standard 5 mg L. obtusata (257 ng N mg−1 h−1) for snails acclimated to 21°C. Comparisons of Q10 values of total weight specific N excretion to Q10 values for weight specific oxygen consumption ({xxV}O2) between 4° to 11 °C and 11° to 21°C indicated that, while total rates of catabolic metabolism ({xxV}O2) and protein deamination in L. obtusata were essentially parallel, the relationship between N excretion and {xxV}O2 in L. saxatilis revealed the partitioning of a larger share of deaminated protein carbon into anabolism at 4° and 21°C than at 11°C. Urea N accounted for a larger share of aggregate N excreted in L. saxatilis than in L. obtusata, but in both species urea N is a greater proportion of total N excreted when acclimated at 4°C (urea N: ammonia N ratio range: 1 to 2.15) than in snails acclimated to 21°C (urea N: ammonia N ratio range: 0.46 to 1.39). Molar O:N ratios indicate that the proportion of metabolism supported by protein catabolism is greater in L. saxatilis (O:N range: 2.5–8.4) than in L. obtusata (O:N range: 7.3–13.0). In both species, regardless of acclimation temperature, the O:N ratios are generally lowest (high protein catabolism) at 4°C and highest at 21°C.
Comparison of sevoflurane and halothane anesthesia in children undergoing outpatient ear, nose, and throat surgery

Abstract Study Objective: To compare the induction, maintenance, and recovery characteristics of sevoflurane and halothane in pediatric ambulatory patients undergoing adenoidectomy with or without myringotomies (BMTs). To compare the hemodynamic effects of the two drugs. Design: Open, randomized study. Setting: University-affiliated pediatric hospital. Patients: 39 ASA physical status I children aged 12 months to 12 years undergoing adenoidectomies with or without BMTs. Interventions: Patients were randomized to receive sevoflurane or halothane in 60% nitrous oxide (N 2 O)for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. All patients received midazolam 0.5 mg/kg orally as premedication, as well as fentanyl 1 mcg/kg intravenously (IV) immediately following induction. Tracheal intubation was facilitated with mivacurium 0.2 mg/kg IV. Anesthesia was maintained with an end-tidal concentration corresponding to 1 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of each drug until the end of surgery, at which time all anesthetic gases were discontinued simultaneously. Emergence (extubation), recovery (Steward score=6), and discharge times were compared among patients in both groups. Heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure were compared at predetermined intervals. Additional fentanyl was administered after full recovery was documented for an objective pain score of at least 6. Measurements and Main Results: Emergence from anesthesia was significantly faster (7.11 ± 3.05 minutes vs. 9.58 ± 5.12 minutes) and recovery (19.89 ± 10.07 minutes vs. 31.08 ± 9.81 minutes) more rapid in the sevoflurane group. However, there was no difference in the time to meet home discharge criteria (184 ± 49 minutes vs. 189 ± 48 minutes). HR was consistently maintained at or above baseline in the sevoflurane group. Blood pressure was significantly more depressed after fentanyl administration in the halothane group. There were no significant differences in the incidence of postoperative vomiting between the two groups. Conclusion: Sevoflurane provides a faster anesthetic emergence and recovery than halothane in premedicated patients but it does not expedite meeting current home discharge criteria.
Relationship Between Temperature and the Metabolism of Experimental Ecosystems

Short-term temperature variations of approximately 7°C above and below the normal maintenance temperature of balanced laboratory aquaria demonstrated that the metabolism of the ecosystem is practically independent of temperature. It is postulated that the closer a living system approaches the integration of a balanced ecosystem, the less it is affected by temperature.
Preference for Colonoscopy Versus Computerized Tomographic Colonography: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

In recent years, colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using computerized tomographic colonography (CTC) has attracted considerable attention. In order to better understand patient preferences for CTC versus colonoscopy, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature. Data sources included published studies, abstracts and book chapters, in any language, with publication dates from 1995 through February 2012, and with prospective or retrospective enrollment of diagnostic or screening patients who had undergone both procedures and explicit assessment of their preference for colonoscopy versus CTC. A predefined algorithm identified eligible studies using computer and hand searches performed by two independent investigators. We used a mixed effects model to pool preference differences (defined as the proportion of subjects who preferred CTC minus the proportion who preferred colonoscopy for each study). Twenty-three studies met inclusion criteria, totaling 5616 subjects. In 16 of these studies, patients preferred CTC over colonoscopy, while colonoscopy was preferred in three studies. Due to the high degree of heterogeneity, an overall pooled preference difference was not calculated. Stratified analysis revealed that studies published in radiology journals (preference difference 0.590 [95 % CI 0.485, 0.694]) seemed more likely than studies in gastroenterology (0.218 [-0.015-0.451]) or general medicine journals (-0.158 [-0.389-0.072]) to report preference for CTC (p<0.001). Studies by radiology authors showed a trend towards stronger preference for CTC compared with studies by gastroenterology authors. Symptomatic patients expressed no preference, but screening patients preferred CTC. There was no difference in preferences between studies using "masked" and "unmasked" preference ascertainment methods. Three studies featuring limited bowel preparations for CTC reported marked preference for CTC. There was no evidence of publication bias, while cumulative and exclusion analysis did not show any temporal trend or dominant study. Limitations included data heterogeneity and preference ascertainment limitations. In conclusion, most included studies reported preference for CTC. On stratified analysis, screening patients preferred CTC while diagnostic patients showed no preference. Studies published in radiology journals showed significantly stronger preference for CTC compared with studies in gastroenterology or general medicine journals.
What Kind of Bargain Is a Plea

I examine the correlates and consequences of plea bargains at the ad hoc international criminal tribunals. I first examine the prevalence of those factors that are associated with the occurrence of plea bargains in order to better understand the circumstances under which they occur. I analyse whether certain types of case characteristics appear to be associated with plea bargains, such as instances in which the defendant surrenders. I also look to see what case characteristics tend to occur in concert with plea bargains, such as cooperation with the prosecution. My purpose here is to elucidate the context in which plea bargains occur in order to better understand their role in the international criminal justice enterprise. I find that plea bargains do not always lead to reduced sentences as many would expect.
Immunofluorescent studies of the rat adipocyte cell surface

Abstract Antibodies against rat adipocyte plasma membranes have been shown to mimic insulin action in isolated adipocytes (Pillion & Czech, J. biol. Chem. Vol. 253, pp. 3761 – 3764, 1978). Immunofluorescent studies with antimembrane antibodies reveal capping on the adipocyte cell surface. Dose-response studies showed that the number of fat cells with obvious caps did not increase as the concentration of antimembrane antibodies was increased, whereas stimulation of glucose oxidation was proportional to the antibody concentration. At fairly high dilutions of antiserum there was no effect on rat adipocyte glucose oxidation, but caps were still visible, suggesting that there is not a direct correlation between capping and stimulation of adipocyte metabolism. At 15°C, it was found that capping was not significantly impaired, while the basal rate of glucose oxidation was reduced considerably. Both insulin and antimembrane antibodies were still able to stimulate glucose oxidation at 15°C, although the maximal rate of glucose oxidation which could be achieved at this temperature was considerably lower than that observed at 37°C. Fat cells that were fixed with paraformaldehyde before being exposed to antimembrane antibodies showed a similar number of caps to unfixed cells, suggesting that some fat cells had a polarized distribution of membrane antigens even before exposure to antimembrane antibodies. These results demonstrate for the first time that antibodies against the rat adipocyte plasma membrane, which are known to mimic insulin action on rat fat cells, can associate with antigens arranged non-randomly on the cell surface, but it appears unlikely that capping plays a critical role in the expression of this biological activity.
Frontal eye field lesions in monkeys disrupt visual pursuit

Discussions of the cortical control of eye movement have generally attributed the generation of saccadic movements to the frontal eye fields (FEF) and the control of pursuit movements to posterior parietal or prestriate cortex. Monkeys were trained to perform a series of oculomotor tasks, including both saccade and pursuit paradigms. Surgical ablation of the frontal eye fields produced only minor disruption of saccade performance, but caused a dramatic deficit in the ability of monkeys to visually track a slowly moving target. This disorder has not previously been associated with FEF lesions. These results necessitate a major re-evaluation of the way in which the cerebral cortex participates in oculomotor control.
Ideal amorphous semiconductors

Abstract We have examined the electronic structure of amorphous silicon (or germanium) in an ideal network structure using a tight-binding model with all first and second neighbor couplings. Matrix elements were taken from the crystalline band structure and deformation potentials. Quantitative disorder is relatively small. Topological disorder and the quantitative variations in dihedral angle give rise to limit-like behavior at the gap edges. The band tails are narrow and the minimum deep in such an ideal amorphous semiconductor.
Planning and visualization for automated robotic crane erection processes in construction

This paper summarizes ongoing research aimed at developing knowledge, methods and tools required to implement automated robotic crane erection processes for the construction industry. In the proposed approach, construction cranes are treated as multi-degree-of-freedom robots and modeled in a virtual environment. Virtual cranes are provided with motion-planning algorithms that enable them to find collision-free and time-efficient paths for each piece that needs to be erected. Inverse kinematics are then used to determine the crane motions required to move elements in previously computed paths. By using an effective method to coordinate the tasks and motions of multiple cranes, the system is also extended to construction projects that require simultaneous use of closely-spaced cranes. The virtual crane model provides realistic visualizations of erection processes and detailed erection schedules.
Unusual presentation of sarcoidosis—involving testis, spinal cord and the brain

A 37-year-old African American man with history of HTN presented with 3 months history of bilateral leg weakness, headaches, urinary retention and impotence. Initially he started to have headaches. A few weeks later he started complaining of bilateral leg numbness from the umbilicus area to the toes. On presentation his vitals were stable. He had normal cardiopulmonary and abdominal exam. The patient had decreased strength in both lower extremities (3/5 in both legs), with decreased light touch and painful sensation in both lower extremities. He had a wide-based shuffling gait. He was found to have a 1 cm firm lesion in the left testis. MRI spine showed numerous nodules in the dura, involving the cervical region and the cauda equine (Figures 1 and 2). Many of these lesions were also intramedullary. …
SEQUENTIAL DEGRANULATION OF THE TWO TYPES OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTE GRANULES DURING PHAGOCYTOSIS OF MICROORGANISMS

The sequential discharge of neutrophilic polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) granules—azurophils and specifics—was investigated by electron microscopy and cytochemistry. Thus the enzyme content of PMN phagocytic vacuoles was determined at brief intervals after phagocytosis of bacteria, utilizing peroxidase as a marker enzyme for azurophil granules, and alkaline phosphatase for specifics. At 30 s, approximately half the phagocytic vacuoles were reactive for alkaline phosphatase, whereas none contained peroxidase. Peroxidase-containing vacuoles were rarely seen at 1 min, but by 3 min, vacuoles containing both enzymes were consistently present. Alkaline phosphatase was found in both small and large vacuoles, whereas peroxidase was visible only in large ones. By 10 min, very big phagocytic vacuoles containing considerable amounts of reaction product for both enzymes were evident. These observations indicate that the two types of PMN granules discharge in a sequential manner, specific granules fusing with the vacuole before azurophils. In an earlier paper, we reported that the pH of phagocytic vacuoles drops to 6.5 within 3 min and to ∼4 within 7–15 min. Substances known to be present in specific granules (alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme, and lactoferrin) function best at neutral or alkaline pH, whereas most of those contained in azurophil granules (i.e., peroxidase and the lysosomal enzymes) have pH optima in the acid range. Hence the sequence of granule discharge roughly parallels the change in pH, thereby providing optimal conditions for coordinated activity of granule contents.
Effects of the photobleaching herbicide, acifluorfen-methyl, on protoporphyrinogen oxidation in barley organelles, soybean root mitochondria, soybean root nodules, and bacteria.

Abstract The photobleaching herbicide, acifluorfen-methyl (AFM), has been reported to be an inhibitor of the heme and chlorophyll biosynthetic enzyme protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox) in several plant species. However, AFM had no effect on the levels Protox activity measured in a mitochondrial fraction from soybean roots. In contrast, AFM inhibited Protox activity in etioplasts from barley leaves and in mitochondria from barley roots, but the extent of inhibition varied depending upon the assay conditions and was maximal only in the presence of 5 m m dithiothreitol (DTT). AFM inhibition was enhanced by preincubation of barley organelle extract in the presence of DTT. Preincubation of barley extract with DTT and AFM together (but not with AFM alone) caused extensive enzyme inhibition which was not reversible by dialysis. These findings have implications for the mechanism of AFM action and for the differential effect of these herbicides on crop and weed species. AFM had no effect on the Protox activity of membranes from free-living bacterial cells of Bradyrhizobium japonicum or Escherichia coli, or on the high levels of Protox activity associated with the plant-derived membrane surrounding the symbiotic bacteria within the soybean root nodule.
Writing against identity politics: An essay on gender, race, and bureaucratic pain

Equating bureaucratic entanglements with pain—or what, arguably, can be seen as torture—might seem strange. But for single Mizrahi welfare mothers in Israel, somatization of bureaucratic logic as physical pain precludes the agency of identity politics. This essay elaborates on Don Handelman's scholarship on bureaucratic logic as divine cosmology and posits that Israel's bureaucracy is based on a theological essence that amalgamates gender and race. The essay employs a world anthropologies’ theoretical toolkit to represent bureaucratic torture in multiple narrative modes, including anger, irony, and humor, as a counterexample to dominant U.S.–U.K. formulae for writing and theorizing culture.
Antiracism and the abolition of whiteness: Rhetorical strategies of domination among “race traitors”

The development of whiteness studies over the last decade has been welcomed by some, and noted with trepidation by others. An outgrowth of the work of race scholars of color, whiteness studies has been the topic of much recent debate. A body of scholarship that takes whiteness as its central focus cannot afford to be ignored by either academics or the lay public. This paper overviews two primary tendencies within whiteness studies, anti‐racism and abolitionism, and notes their points of divergence. In particular, the abolition rhetoric of self‐proclaimed “race traitors”; is interrogated. It is imperative that discourses that are positioned as “oppositional”; be monitored for their repressive strains. We suggest that positioning whiteness studies as an intersectional practice may help whiteness scholars avoid some of the conceptual traps in which Race Traitor finds itself.
Optimizing and satisficing

Abstract Optimization has the appeal of mathematical elegance and the possiblity of being of practical significance. This significance is examined for the problem of producing least-cost structures. For aircraft, this simplifies to the production of structures of least weight, whereas in civil engineering, the existing conditions for design and construction in the United States seldom produce an environment for the existence of least-cost structures. Optimization procedures are examined within these situations when the objective functions and constraints are deterministic and when they are uncertain. The uncertainty is expressed as amenable to both probabilistic and fuzzy set specifications. This transformation, from crisp optimization to the concept of satisficing of structures, is explored.
Tumor necrosis factor α activation of the apoptotic cascade in murine articular chondrocytes is associated with the induction of metalloproteinases and specific pro‐resorptive factors

Objective Tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) blockade provides substantive reduction of the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While the biologic actions of TNFα have been well characterized in immune and synovial cells, which are known to be major contributors to the progression of cartilage destruction in RA, the current studies were designed to assess the direct effects of TNFα on chondrocytes. Methods We examined the expression of several groupings of messenger RNA (mRNA) that define key biologic pathways that have previously been associated with either the general actions of TNFα or cartilage destruction, in murine articular chondrocytes isolated from wild-type mice and TNFα receptor–null (p55/p75−/−) mice. Results TNFα induced the expression of multiple mRNA that facilitate apoptosis and lead to apoptosis-induced cell death. The induction of apoptosis was accompanied by the increased expression of several factors involved in the regulation of skeletal tissue proteolysis and resorption. Quantitative increases from 2-fold to >10-fold were seen for inducible nitric oxide synthase, matrix metalloproteinase 3, macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression. The dependence of the induction of these mRNA on TNFα was confirmed by comparison with the effects of TNFα on chondrocytes isolated from receptor-null mice. Conclusion These findings demonstrate that TNFα alters the expression of a complex array of genes within murine chondrocytes that contribute to the destruction of joint surfaces, independent of its actions on synovial and immune cells. Further studies are needed to clarify the biologic actions of TNFα in human cartilage cells.
Posttraumatic Headache in Military Personnel and Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan Conflicts

Headaches, particularly migraine, are common in US servicemembers (SMs) who are deployed to or have returned from theaters of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. Concussions and exposure to explosive blasts may be a significant contributor to the increased prevalence of headaches in military veterans. Concussions, usually due to blast exposure, occur in approximately 20% of deployed SMs, and headaches are a common symptom after a deployment-related concussion. Posttraumatic headaches (PTHAs) in US SMs usually resemble migraines, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression are common comorbidities. Treatment of PTHAs in SMs is based upon the treatment setting, whether the headaches are acute or chronic, the headache phenotype, and associated comorbidities. No randomized, controlled clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of therapies for PTHAs have been completed. Pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management strategies should be selected on an individual basis. Acute therapy with NSAIDs or triptans and prophylactic therapy in acute and chronic settings using valproate, nortriptyline, amitriptyline, propranolol, topiramate, or botulinum toxin are discussed. Triptans and topiramate may be particularly effective in SMs with PTHA. Management of PTHA and other features of the posttraumatic syndrome should be multidisciplinary whenever possible.
The effect of route of delivery on regression of abnormal cervical cytologic findings in the postpartum period

Abstract OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether pregnant women with abnormal antepartum cervical cytologic findings differ in their postpartum rates of regression with respect to mode of delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Between 1990 and 1997, 446 pregnant women with antepartum abnormal cervical cytologic findings were identified. Complete demographic, clinical, and cytologic reports were available for 138 women. Papanicolaou smear data were collected and separated into three groups by use of the Bethesda classification system (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low-grade squamous intraepithelial cells, and high-grade intraepithelial cells). Postpartum regression rates of antepartum Papanicolaou smears, with respect to degree of squamous epithelial cell abnormality and mode of delivery, were analyzed by Fisher's exact and Wilcoxon rank sum tests. RESULTS: Of the 138 women, 109 (79%) were delivered vaginally and 29 (21%) by cesarean section. No statistically significant difference was found between women delivered vaginally and those delivered by cesarean section with respect to age, parity, and smoking history within the three groups (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance, low-grade squamous intraepithelial cells, and high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells). The overall postpartum regression rate for the 59 women with antepartum high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells was 48%. Of the 47 women with high-grade squamous intraepithelial cells who were delivered vaginally, 28 showed regression in the postpartum period versus none of the 12 women delivered by cesarean section (60% vs 0%, p
Survival of Salmonellae in orange juice

Salmonella serovars gaminara, hartford, rubislaw and typhimurium were inoculated into pasteurized orange juice adjusted to pH 3.5, 3.8, 4. and 4. 4 and incubated at 0 and 4C. Inoculated salmonellae (10 6 colony-forming units/mL) survived in detectable numbers up to 27 days at pH 3.5, 46 days at pH 3.8, 60 days at pH 4.1, and 73 days at pH 4. 4. Lag times before initial cell populations began to decline were directly correlated with pH and ranged from < 1 day at pH 3. 5 up to 27 days at pH 4.4. Death rates were inversely correlated with pH. Results suggest that salmonellae which might contaminate orange juice could survive sufficient time to cause illness.
Trisomy and age at menopause: predicted associations given a link with rate of oocyte atresia.

Summary. The association of trisomy with advancing maternal chronological age suggests that some aspect of physiological ageing is accelerated in women with trisomic pregnancies. This paper develops a quantitative theoretical model based on the hypothesis that trisomy risk is primarily a function of the size of the oocyte pool and, in particular, that risk is increased in women with accelerated rates of oocyte atresia and hence smaller pools at given chronological ages. Since the rate of oocyte atresia is a determinant of age at menopause, this hypothesis leads to the prediction that women who have had trisomic pregnancies reach menopause earlier than women who have not. We used data relating chronological age to oocyte number, trisomy and menopause to deduce the distribution of oocyte atresia rates in all women and in women with trisomic pregnancies. Given certain simplifying assumptions, we predict that associations between trisomy and age at menopause will vary with a woman's age at the time of trisomy such that trisomies at 34–43 years will be associated with a 1–3.4 year earlier onset of menopause, while trisomies at younger or older ages will have no or little association with age at menopause. This model, while vulnerable to the uncertainties that attend its assumptions, provides a testable prediction that permits separation of one aspect of physiological age from chronological age.
Are Clinical Laboratories Prepared for Accurate Testing of 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D?

Vitamin D deficiency is an important concern, but assays for serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-D),1 the accepted marker for vitamin D nutritional status, are not standardized. A quick search of Medline yielded 6014 citations on vitamin D deficiency, 51 of which were published in the first 6 mo of 2007 (1). Recognition that vitamin D deficiency may be more prevalent in most patient populations than earlier assumed has resulted in an unexpected and marked increase in the volume of testing for 25-OH-D in clinical laboratories (1). Historically, not many tests in the clinical laboratories have increased at the rate of 80% to 90% per year, as is the case for 25-OH-D in our reference laboratory. Several million 25-OH-D tests are likely to be performed this year in the US by various reference and local hospital laboratories, raising questions about the adequacy of the methods used to make these measurements. Various methods are available for measuring circulating concentrations of 25-OH-D (until …
Effects of random phase errors at K a band resulting from a composite material radome

The effects of random phase errors introduced by way of a composite material radome on the sidelobes of a low-sidelobe transmitting antenna are investigated. The nominal sidelobe level of interest is - 40 dB below maximum directive gain outside a minimum conical angle about boresight. The radome used was constructed using strips of fiberglass cloth pre-impregnated with epoxy resin with each strip overlapping adjacent strips. The overlapping is staggered so that the final thickness contains roughtly the same number of layers. The shape of the radome is cylindrical on the side, capped by a hemispherical sector. The radome curvature is large with respect to wavelength, and is several wavelengths thick at K_{a} band (37 GHz). Measurements made on the radiation patterns of a large aperture low-sidelobe lens antenna enclosed by the radome indicate that the sidelobe degradation introduced by the radome can be directly related to the construction technique and materials used. Subsequent measurements on the insertion phase versus position on the radome support these conclusions. In particular, the correlation length of the random insertion phase introduced upon transmission through the radome was determined to be essentially that of the overlapping width used in the fiberglass layup. Furthermore, periodicities in insertion phase having the basic period of the overlap width cause grating lobes to occur in the radiation pattern, further degrading the sidelobes.
Origin of nitrogen in the indolocarbazole unit of staurosporine

The fate of the nitrogen atoms in tryptophan during biosynthesis of the antitumor antibiotic staurosporine (1), a potent PKC inhibitor, has been studied using [ 15 N 2 ]-L-tryptophan and 15 NH 4 NO 2 . The results indicate that the nitrogen atom on the side chain of tryptophan is cleaved during staurosporine synthesis.
A murine model of spontaneous aspermatogenesis: linkage to H-2

Experimental allergic orchitis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory infiltrates associated with the seminiferous tubules of the testes. Orchitis is often, but not always, accompanied by aspermatogenesis in susceptible strains of mice. In this study, various strains of H-2 congenic mice were used to examine the relationship between orchitis and aspermatogenesis, and as a result, a genetic predisposition to spontaneous aspermatogenesis has been defined. A high correlation was seen between orchitis and aspermatogenesis in B10.D2/nSnJ mice, however, the two conditions were uncorrelated in C57BL/10J mice. Subsequent analysis of C57BL/10J congenic strains showed their aspermatogenesis to be spontaneous, rather than due to either testis-specific antigen or adjuvants. Further studies using other H-2 congenic strains revealed that the aspermatogenesis seen in C57BL/10J mice is linked to H-2 and influenced by C57BL/10J background genes. Finally, spontaneous aspermatogenesis was shown not to be a function of differences in the level of testicular testosterone.
Power, desire, and pleasure in sexual fantasies

One hundred and sixty‐two participants (ages 21–45) wrote open‐ended sexual fantasies and completed self‐report measures of rape myth acceptance, adversarial sexual beliefs, and attitudes toward women. We coded fantasies using a newly developed scoring system that includes themes of dominance, submission, sexual pleasure, and sexual desire. Men fantasized about dominance more than women did; they also tended to focus more on the desire and pleasure of their partner. Desire and pleasure were more closely linked in the fantasies of men than in the fantasies of women, for whom the two were distinct constructs. Although fantasies of submission were not associated with problematic attitudes for either gender, men's fantasies of dominance were associated with greater acceptance of rape myths. For women, greater rape myth acceptance was associated with emotional and romantic fantasy themes.
Collection, evaluation and storage of pearl millet germplasm

Abstract Pearl millet, Pennisetum americanum (L.) Leeke, a robust annual, grows on some 20 million ha of poor soils too dry for other cereals. A forage crop in Australia and the western hemisphere, it is grown for its grain for human consumption in Asia and Africa. The greatest diversity of morphological types occurs south of the Sahara desert where it probably originated. Both landraces and wild relatives should be collected. Because it is cross pollinated, enough seed of each landrace (about 500 g) should be collected to permit evaluation in the country where collected, distribution, storage, and other uses without increase. S1 seed produced on plants in quarantine can be screened for both dominant and recessive genes and will be of more use to most pearl millet breeders than seed from the original collection. Seed dried to 6% moisture content, sealed in airtight containers and stored at −18°C should remain viable for more than 40 years, perhaps 100. Logical mixtures of S1 seed of a number of accessions will facilitate filling orders and screening for resistance to new pests.
Impediments, imponderables and alternatives in the attempt to develop an effective vaccine against AIDS.

Abstract A personal view is presented that current successful vaccines against ‘ordinary’ viruses do not provide the guidelines needed for development of effective vaccines against the ‘extraordinary’ viruses that cause AIDS. Present ‘candidate’ AIDS vaccines fail to recognize the special attributes that are needed to make them successful. There is an urgent need for intensive studies of pathogenesis to seek and find the clues needed for vaccine attack that are at present unknown. Also needed is a targeted Research and Development organization comprising a cadre of capable scientists of requisite disciplines in adequate facilities, dedicated solely to the development of a vaccine against AIDS. The urgency imposed by the AIDS pandemic merits a new dedication to targeted basic research discovery and an effectively concentrated and coordinated applied research initiative.
Site Response in Southern California for Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis

This study determines site-response factors that can be applied as cor- rections to a rock-attenuation relationship for use in probabilistic seismic-hazard analysis. The site-response factors are amplitude and site-class dependent. These amplification factors are determined by averaging ratios between observed and pre- dicted ground motions for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and for 5% damped re- sponse spectral acceleration at 0.3, 1.0, and 3.0 sec oscillator periods. The observa- tions come from the strong-motion database of the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC), and the predictions are based on the Sadigh (1993) rock-attenuation relation. When separated and averaged according to surface geology, significantly different site-response factors are found for Quaternary and Mesozoic units, but a subclassification of Quaternary is generally not justified by the data. The low input- motion amplification factors are consistent with those obtained from independent aftershock studies at the PGA and 0.3-second period. An observed trend of decreasing Quaternary site amplification with higher input motion is consistent with nonlinear soil behavior; however, the trend exists for Mesozoic sites as well, implying that this may be an artifact of the Sadigh relationship. There is a correlation between larger site-response factors and lower average shear-wave velocity in the upper 30 m for low predicted PGA input motions, with an increase in the correlation with increasing period. The 0.3-sec site response factors for Quaternary data in southern California determined in this study are consistent with 0.3-sec NEHRP site-response correction factors; however, at 1.0-sec period some inconsistencies remain. A trend is also seen with respect to sediment basin depth, where deeper sites have higher average site- response factors. These results constitute a customized attenuation relationship for southern California. The implication of these customized attenuation models with respect to probabilistic hazard analysis is examined in Field and Petersen (2000).
Random walks and Green's function on digraphs: a framework for estimating wireless transmission costs

Various applications in wireless networks, such as routing and query processing, can be formulated as random walks on graphs. Many results have been obtained for such applications by utilizing the theory of random walks (or spectral graph theory), which is mostly developed for undirected graphs. However, this formalism neglects the fact that the underlying (wireless) networks in practice contain asymmetric links, which are best characterized by directed graphs (digraphs). Therefore, random walk on digraphs is a more appropriate model to consider for such networks. In this paper, by generalizing the random walk theory (or spectral graph theory) that has been primarily developed for undirected graphs to digraphs, we show how various transmission costs in wireless networks can be formulated in terms of hitting times and cover times of random walks on digraphs. Using these results, we develop a unified theoretical framework for estimating various transmission costs in wireless networks. Our framework can be applied to random walk query processing strategy and the three routing paradigms--best path routing, opportunistic routing, and stateless routing--to which nearly all existing routing protocols belong. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the proposed digraph-based analytical model can achieve more accurate transmission cost estimation over existing methods.
Too much of a good thing

p53 is known to be a tumor suppressor, but the extent of its influence might be more crucial than has been realized. A recent report confirms that too little p53 results in cancer, but also unequivocally suggests that too much p53 markedly accelerates the acquisition of characteristics associated with the aging process. These findings indicate that a precisely tuned level of p53 activity is necessary for a long cancer-free life, and could have major implications for cancer treatment strategies.
Estrogen Regulates Estrogen Receptors and Antioxidant Gene Expression in Mouse Skeletal Muscle

Background Estrogens are associated with the loss of skeletal muscle strength in women with age. Ovarian hormone removal by ovariectomy in mice leads to a loss of muscle strength, which is reversed with 17β-estradiol replacement. Aging is also associated with an increase in antioxidant stress, and estrogens can improve antioxidant status via their interaction with estrogen receptors (ER) to regulate antioxidant gene expression. The purpose of this study was to determine if ER and antioxidant gene expression in skeletal muscle are responsive to changes in circulating estradiol, and if ERs regulate antioxidant gene expression in this tissue.
Presynaptic neurones may contribute a unique glycoprotein to the extracellular matrix at the synapse.

As the extracellular matrix at the original site of a neuromuscular junction seems to play a major part in the specificity of synaptic regeneration1–5, considerable attention has been paid to unique molecules localized to this region6–11. Here we describe an extracellular matrix glycoprotein of the elasmobranch electric organ that is localized near the nerve endings. By immunological criteria, it is synthesized in the cell bodies, transported down the axons and is related to a glycoprotein in the synaptic vesicles of the neurones that innervate the electric organ. It is apparently specific for these neurones, as it cannot be detected elsewhere in the nervous system of the fish. Therefore, neurones seem to contribute unique extracellular matrix glycoproteins to the synaptic region. Synaptic vesicles could be involved in transporting these glycoproteins to or from the nerve terminal surface.
Religion and Film Studies through the Journal of Religion and Film

The Journal of Religion & Film (JR&F) provides scholars around the world with a forum for discussing the relationship between religion and film. It provides a venue where scholars and others interested in religion and film can join in a discussion about how God is portrayed in film, the retelling of religious studies, the retelling of religious stories, religious themes, film as religion, promoting religion, religion and film in dialogue, and interpreting film through religion. Creating the Journal as an open-access online publication provides readers around the world with access to the sharing of ideas. Film reviews, in addition to scholarly articles, provide readers with information about new films and rare films that are not easily available. The Journal enjoys a readership of not only scholars, but also people in the film industry and students – as well as the media and public interested in religion and film. Its authors come from nearly every continent and provide readers not only with a look at film...
Amino acid sequence of the CH2 domain from various lagomorph IgGs

The complete amino acid sequence of a CNBr fragment (C3) corresponding to the CH2 domain of hare IgG was determined. The results when compared to analogous sequences for the domestic rabbit reveal extensive homology as expected. Similar comparisons were made for sequences of tryptic peptides isolated from the same region of the Fc from several other hares, the cottontail rabbit and pika.
Correlation of damage threshold and surface geometry of nodular defects on HR coatings as determined by in-situ atomic force microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine in-situ the correlation between the surface dimensions of defects in dielectric multilayer optical coatings and their susceptibility to damage by pulsed laser illumination. The primary surface defects studied were micrometers -scale domes associated with the classic nodule defect. The optical film studied was a highly reflective dielectric multilayer consisting of pairs of alternating HfO 2 and SiO 2 layers of quarter wave thickness at 1.06 micrometers . Nodule defect height and width dimensions were measured prior to laser illumination on two different samples. Correlation between these dimensions supported a simple model for the defect geometry. Defects with high nodule heights (> 0.6 micrometers ) were found to be most susceptible to laser damage over a range of fluences between 0 - 35 J/cm 2 (1.06 micrometers , 10 ns, and 1/e 2 diam. of 1.3 mm). Crater defects, formed by nodules ejected from the coating prior to illumination, were also studied. None of the crater defects damaged when illuminated over the same range of fluences that the nodule defects were subjected to.
Computer graphics teaching support using X3D: extensible 3D graphics for web authors

X3D is the ISO-standard scene-graph language for interactive 3D graphics on the Web. A new course is available for teaching the fundamentals of 3D graphics using Extensible 3D (X3D). Resources include a detailed textbook, an authoring tool, hundreds of example scenes, and detailed slidesets covering each chapter. The published book is commercially available, while all other course-module resources are provided online free under open-source licenses. Numerous other commercial and open resources are available for X3D, which also serves as an interchange format. The supported course has been taught for many years, successfully introducing masters' students to the principles and techniques of 3D graphics without requiring programming experience. This course is now ready for undergraduate use. Expressing 3D graphics modeling within the domain of Extensible Markup Language (XML) for the Web is novel and has the potential to open up computer graphics to many new practitioners. This combined resource is intended to broadly support computer graphics education and 3D skills for web authors.
Vehicle influence on permeation through intact and compromised skin

The purpose of this study was to compare the transdermal permeation of a model compound, diclofenac diethylamine, from a hydrophilic and lipophilic vehicle across in vitro models simulating compromised skin. Mineral oil served as a lipophilic vehicle while 10mM phosphate buffered saline served as a hydrophilic vehicle. Compromised skin was simulated by tape stripping, delipidization, or microneedle application and compared with intact skin as a control. Transepidermal water loss was measured to assess barrier function. Skin compromised with tape stripping and delipidization significantly (p<0.05) increased permeation of diclofenac diethylamine compared to intact and microneedle treated skin with phosphate buffered saline vehicle. A similar trend in permeation was observed with mineral oil as the vehicle. For both vehicles, permeation across skin increased in the same order and correlated with degree of barrier impairment as indicated by transepidermal water loss values: intact<microneedles<tape stripping<delipidization. A study with hairless rats comparing both vehicles found the same trend, with hydrophilic vehicle having greater delivery. In conclusion, phosphate buffered saline vehicle resulted in higher permeation into and across skin compared to mineral oil vehicle for all simulated models of compromised skin.