cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimal daily levothyroxine dose in primary hypothyroidism. Its relation to pretreatment thyroid hormone indexes.

• Several studies have described the mean optimal replacement daily dose of levothyroxine sodium in subjects with primary hypothyroidism. Furthermore, a cautious approach in replacement therapy of the elderly population is well established. However, the initial dose of levothyroxine has remained variable, especially in young subjects, since the guidelines for the prediction of the final replacement dose are scarce. This study assessed the efficacy of pretreatment thyroid hormone indexes in determination of the final maintenance levothyroxine dose in 156 subjects with primary hypothyroidism. The optimal daily levothyroxine dose as defined by normalization of serum thyroxine and basal thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, as well as thyroid-stimulating hormone response to the intravenous administration of thyrotropin-releasing hormone, varied between 50 μg and 200 μg and, hence, the subjects were grouped according to the final levothyroxine dose. Significant correlations were noted between the levothyroxine dose for individual groups and pretreatment serum triiodothyronine, thyroxine, and thyroid-stimulating hormone concentrations. However, the serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration demonstrated a markedly closer relationship with the levothyroxine dose than did either triiodothyronine or thyroxine for both comparisons. Furthermore, when assessed for all subjects, the correlation between levothyroxine dose and thyroid-stimulating hormone level, alone, remained significant. This study demonstrates that obtaining routine thyroid hormone indexes prior to initiation of replacement levothyroxine therapy may be reliable predictors of the final levothyroxine dose; serum thyroid-stimulating hormone concentration being the best index. Thus, the levothyroxine dose may be reliably predicted depending on a specific range of thyroid-stimulating hormone levels. Therefore, in an individual subject, aiming for the predicted dose rather than the mean dose, a procedure described in the medical literature, may be more helpful in arriving at an optimal levothyroxine dose. ( Arch Intern Med. 1989;149:2209-2212)
Intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions of ethyl 2,4,9-decatrienoate and 2,4,10-undecatrienoate

Abstract The title compounds undergo intramolecular Diels-Alder reactions at 180°C to give ester-substituted hydrindane and decalin ring systems, with trans / cis ratios of 43:57 and 50:50, respectively.
Early Head Start: Factors Associated with Caregiver Knowledge of Child Development, Parenting Behavior, and Parenting Stress.

This study investigates the role of socioeconomic status, parental mental health, and knowledge of child development on parenting styles and perceived parenting stress in caregivers of children, ages 3 months to 3 years, enrolled in Early Head Start (EHS). Caregivers of EHS students were interviewed using the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory, Psychiatric Symptom Index, Parenting Style Expectations Scale to measure optimal parenting behavior, and Parenting Stress Index. Caregivers (n = 125) in this study were primarily African American (95.2%) women (94.6%). Mean psychiatric symptom severity scores for this population of EHS caregivers were in the top 15% of the normative population. Caregivers with more knowledge of child development had more optimal parenting behavior. In addition, more knowledge of child development was associated with lower parent child dysfunctional interaction and lower perceived parenting stress. Household income was positively associated with improved knowledge of child de...
Control of Andreev-level occupation in a Josephson junction by a normal-metal probe

We calculate the electrical current flowing through a mesoscopic superconductor{endash}normal-metal{endash}superconductor (SNS) junction coupled to a normal-metal probe. This additional normal terminal models either a scanning tunneling microscope probe or the gate electrode of a three-terminal SNS junction. We find the Josephson current switches between two different values as the probe voltage V is varied. This switching occurs because the Andreev energy levels are populated with an effective electrochemical potential eV. When the probe voltage {vert_bar}eV{vert_bar}{gt}{Delta}, so that all of the Andreev levels are either filled or emptied, we show it is possible to directly measure the {open_quotes}continuum{close_quotes} contribution to the Josephson current. The differential conductance dI/dV at the normal probe can also be used to detect the density of Andreev levels. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Partnered Practice: Building on Our Small Group Tradition

ABSTRACT Social work has a rich history of developing strategies to facilitate change in the midst of complex social realities. Our work with small groups is a central part of that knowledge base. Today's world calls for social workers to create and participate in groups that include other professions and client systems, forming partnered webs of practice. Group work philosophy, theory, and skills can be effectively applied to this work with multidisciplinary teams, interorganizational alliances, and in family-centered and community-based practice. We propose an approach to partnered practice, transferring the knowledge of social group work to current practice contexts in innovative ways. The article concludes with proposed criteria for effective partnered practice and its implications for social work.
Does inequality in China affect health differently in high- versus low-income households?

China's so-called ‘reform and opening up’ policy (Gai Ge Kai Fang), implemented nearly 30 years ago, has led to tremendous economic development. China's nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was 3.25 trillion US dollars in 2007, making it the fourth largest economy in the world. At the same time, income inequality has become quite skewed in China, inviting considerable criticism. Moreover, the trend towards greater income inequality persists. Of particular public policy relevance is the effect of income inequality on health disparities in China, particularly for low-income households. This study addresses this issue using a longitudinal dataset from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) over the period 1997 to 2006. Our central finding is that income inequality affects health differently by socioeconomic status: income inequality harms individual health among low income households by more than it does among high income households. More specifically, health is more adversely affected by greater incom...
Globular cluster winds with central accretion by a massive compact object or subcluster

Steady-state isothermal wind flows are computed with accretion by a central mass concentration in spherically symmetric systems of gas-losing stars. Solutions are uniquely determined by two dimensionless parameters lambda and m, where lambda is approximately equal to the square of the ratio of the central escape velocity to the sound speed and m is approximately equal to the ratio of the central point mass to the cluster core mass. The models are applied to globular clusters for two types of central mass concentration - a single massive black hole and a subcluster of massive stars. A hard (greater than a keV) X-ray source due to a central black hole fed by clusterwide inflow does not provide a consistent model for globular cluster X-ray sources. However, in the case of hot (T being greater than or approximately equal to 2 x 10 to the 5th K) winds, gas trapping by a central subcluster of neutron stars or of binaries containing white dwarfs could explain recent UV and H-alpha observations. Similar applications to elliptical galaxies are discussed.
Erratum to: CT enterography of pediatric Crohn disease

The penultimate sentence of the last paragraph in the section “Pediatric CTE technique and radiation dose reduction” (page 98, right column) was rendered incorrectly due to an editing error. The sentence should have read: “The effective dose of SBFT examination can be extremely variable, however, depending on the fluoroscope utilized, fluoroscopy time and number of radiographs acquired, and it can be greater than CTE.”
Retrospective Analysis of Antigen Prevalences of Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) Detected by Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay in Alaskan Pacific Salmon and Trout from 1988 to 2000 and Management of Rs in Hatchery Chinook and Coho Salmon

Abstract Five species of anadromous Pacific salmon Oncorhynchus spp. and eight species of nonanadromous fish, including trouts Oncorhynchus and Salvelinus spp., Arctic char S. alpinus, and Arctic grayling Thymallus arcticus (collectively called “trout”), from Alaskan waters were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for annual and total prevalences of Renibacterium salmoninarum (Rs) from 1988 to 2000. The total prevalence of Rs antigen was lower among the Pacific salmon and highest among the nonanadromous salmonid species grouped as “trout” that were residents in many of the watersheds. These trout species were likely reservoirs of Rs infection for many of the wild and hatchery stocks of Pacific salmon. Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha and coho salmon O. kisutch comprised 80% of the salmon database, and 45% of these two species were hatchery broodstocks at four facilities where eggs were routinely culled from Rs-positive parent fish. The cyclical occurrences of Rs antigen in the coho and Chinook salm...
A ciliopathy with hydrocephalus, isolated craniosynostosis, hypertelorism, and clefting caused by deletion of Kif3a

Malformations of the facial midline are a consistent feature among individuals with defects in primary cilia. Here, we provide a framework in which to consider how these primary cilia-dependent facial anomalies occur. We generated mice in which the intraflagellar transport protein Kif3a was deleted in cranial neural crest cells. The Kif3a phenotypes included isolated metopic craniosynostosis, delayed closure of the anterior fontanelles, and hydrocephalus, as well as midline facial anomalies including hypertelorism, cleft palate, and bifid nasal septum. Although all cranial neural crest cells had truncated primary cilia as a result of the conditional deletion, only those in the midline showed evidence of hyper-proliferation and ectopic Wnt responsiveness. Thus, cranial neural crest cells do not rely on primary cilia for their migration but once established in the facial prominences, midline cranial neural crest cells require Kif3a function in order to integrate and respond to Wnt signals from the surrounding epithelia.
The inner magnetosheath of Venus: An analogue for Earth?

The unmagnetized planets provide examples of solar wind interactions that are free from the complications associated with magnetopause reconnection and with sensitive obstacle response to incident solar wind pressure changes. Using the Venus magnetosheath as a testbed, we search for evidence of standing slow mode 'transitions' in the inner subsolar region as reported for Earth by Song et al. Although the system at Venus is much smaller in scale, the Pioneer Venus Orbiter magnetometer data indicate that for perpendicular interplanetary magnetic field conditions the general behavior of the plasma in the magnetosheath is as expected from the simple depletion layer model. In examples of magnetic field measurements chosen for the apparently steady interplanetary conditions during the spacecraft pass, there is no clear evidence for a slow mode structure near the ionopause as might be expected on the basis of the Song et al. study. The implication is that some aspect of the Venus magnetosheath (such as its small size or the presence of local planetary ion production) makes it physically different from Earth's, that the conditions of the magnetosheath during Song's study differed significantly from those in the Venus study, or that the observations of Song et al. do not represent a steady state.
Synthesis and Dopamine Receptor Modulating Activity of 3-Substituted γ-Lactam Peptidomimetics of l-Prolyl-l-leucyl-glycinamide

γ-Lactam peptidomimetic 2 of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (PLG) was substituted at the 3-position with isobutyl, butyl, and benzyl moieties to give the PLG peptidomimetics 3−5, respectively. These compounds were synthesized to test the hypothesis that attaching a hydrophobic moiety to the lactam ring to mimic the isobutyl side chain of the leucyl residue of PLG would increase the dopamine receptor modulating activity of such peptidomimetics. These peptidomimetics were tested for their ability to enhance the binding of [3H]-N-propylnorapomorphine to dopamine receptors isolated from bovine striatal membranes. The rank order of effectiveness of the 3-substituent was benzyl > n-butyl > isobutyl > H.
Role of chemotherapy and surgery in the treatment of thoracic metastases from nonseminomatous germ cell testis tumor

The role of chemotherapy and of surgery in the management of pulmonary metastases from nonseminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGCT) has been analyzed. Thoracic metastases were classified as minimal, if the diameter of the largest was 2 cm or less and five or fewer nodules were present in each lung, and advanced if any metastasis was over 2 cm in diameter and/or six or more nodules were present in either lung field, and/or mediastinal disease, hilar metastasis or pleural effusion was present. Complete thoracic remission (CR) with chemotherapy alone occurred in 49/67 (73%) patients, 86% with minimal and 68% with advanced disease. Absence of concomitant retroperitoneal metastases at the beginning of chemotherapy was associated with better prognosis than when retroperitoneal metastases were present (CR 85% vs 68%, respectively). The histologic type of testis tumors did not influence CR rates of pulmonary metastases. Approximately one half of patients with clinical evidence of retroperitoneal metastases at the beginning of chemotherapy achieving pulmonary CR with chemotherapy alone had clinical evidence of retroperitoneal disease after chemotherapy. Six patients had thoracotomy to document CR to chemotherapy by resection of necrotic tissue. Six patients had thoracotomy to achieve CR by resection of residual neoplasm. The keys to success were a favorable response to chemotherapy and complete resection of any residual tumor. Considering all stages of NSGCT and provided no adjuvant chemotherapy was given, thoracic surgery will be responsible for elimination of thoracic metastases in an estimated 2–5% of patients after adequate chemotherapy. Such intervention is curative in patients with pulmonary metastases only but in those with concomitant retroperitoneal metastases, the final outcome will frequently be decided by the response to chemotherapy and/or the resectability of retroperitoneal metastatic deposits.
The relationship of religious involvement indicators and social support to current and past suicidality among depressed older adults

Elderly people, particularly those with major depression, are at the highest risk for suicide than any other age group. Religious involvement is associated with a range of health outcomes including lower odds of death by suicide. However, not much is known about the effects of religious involvement on suicidal ideation in the elderly or which aspects of religiosity are beneficial. This study examined the relative influence of various conceptualizations of religious involvement, above and beyond the protective effects of social support, on current and past suicidality among depressed older adults. Participants were 248 depressed patients, 59 years and older, enrolled in the Neurocognitive Outcomes of Depression in the Elderly study. A psychiatrist assessed current suicidal ideation using the suicidal thoughts item from the Montgomery–Asberg Depression Rating Scale. Past history of suicide attempts, four religious involvement indicators, social support indicators, and control variables were assessed via sel...
Ultrahigh Resolution Laser Spectroscopy

Today, we have a new generation of spectroscopic tools that have such extremely high resolution capabilities that we are no longer limited by the so called "instrumental linewidth." In today's optical spectroscopy, the limit is more likely to be the natural or, in certain cases, the transit-time linewidth. To perform ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy one generally requires a tunable laser with a narrow spectral width, a means of reducing any mechanism that tends to broaden the spectral line under observation (e. g. , Doppler and collisional broadening) and, finally, a precise method of calibrating the tuning range of the laser. This paper will review the design of low-FM jitter lasers that can be precisely tuned, line-narrowing techniques including saturation, molecular beam and two-photon methods; and possible schemes for calibrating precisely the visible and infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Recent data in ultrahigh resolution spectroscopy will be presented.© (1974) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Recognition of temporal event sequences by a network of cortical neurons

Recognition of ordered sequences of temporal events is central to many perceptual recognition tasks, from speech detection to analysis of biological motion. We describe a simple cortical network capable of recognizing event sequences through a process of encoding followed by detection. The network is composed of regular spiking and fast spiking neurons, with minimal connectivity. Ordered sequences of inputs occurring over tens-to-hundreds of milliseconds, are time compressed by the network into tightly clustered spike outputs occurring over a few milliseconds. We investigate the ability of the network to accurately encode the input pattern, in the presence or absence of noise. We show that information about relative input timings are preserved in the output interspike intervals.
Returning to the bedside: using the history and physical examination to identify rotator cuff tears.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the value of elements of the bedside history and physical examination in predicting arthrography results in older patients with suspected rotator cuff tear (RCT). DESIGN: Retrospective chart review SETTING: Orthopedic practice limited to disorders of the shoulder PARTICIPANTS: 448 consecutive patients with suspected RCT referred for arthrography over a 4-year period MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Presence of partial or complete RCT on arthrogram RESULTS: 301 patients (67.2%) had evidence of complete or partial RCT. Clinical findings in the univariate analysis most closely associated with rotator cuff tear included infra- and supraspinatus atrophy (P < .001), weakness with either elevation (P < .001) or external rotation (P < .001), arc of pain (P = .004), and impingement sign (P = .01). Stepwise logistic regression based on a derivation dataset (n = 191) showed that weakness with external rotation (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 6.96 (3.09, 13.03)), age ≥ 65 (AOR 4.05 (2.47, 16.07)), and night pain (AOR 2.61 (1.004, 7.39)) best predicted the presence of RCT. A five-point scoring system developed from this model was applied in the remaining patient sample (n = 216) to test validity. No significant differences in performance were noted using ROC curve comparison. Using likelihood ratios, a clinical score = 4 was superior in predicting RCT to the diagnostic prediction of an expert clinician. This score had specificity equivalent to magnetic resonance imaging or ultrasonography in diagnosis of RCT. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of three simple features in the history and physical examination of the shoulder can identify RCT efficiently. This approach offers a valuable strategy to diagnosis at the bedside without compromising sensitivity or specificity.
Effect of Anti—PMS Serum on Follicular Ovulability in Hypophysectomized Immature Female Rats Pretreated with PMS11

A study was conducted to determine whether or not circulating gonadotropin is required for follicular ovulability after the follicles have grown to an ovulable state, using PMS and anti- PMS serum (APS) in hypophysectomized immature female rats. Immature rats hypophysectomized on day 22 received PMS iv on day 26. When follicles developed to an ovulable state (60–72 hr after PMS), APS was given iv at various times during this period to neutralize circulating PMS. HCG was used as an ovulating hormone to test the follicular ability to ovulate. When hCG was given simultaneously with APS, almost all of the rats ovulated. When hCG injection was delayed 3 hr after APS, the mean number of ova per ovulating rat had already decreased significantly to 14.4 as compared to 23.3 for the corresponding control group, although a similar percentage of ovulation was obtained (80 vs 86). No ovulation occurred by hCG 9 hr after APS administration. It was concluded that PMS is needed continuously in the circulating blood to ma...
Regarding ‘Long-term risks for kidney donors’

To the Editor: In contrast to previous studies, Mjoen et al.1 found that ‘kidney donors are at increased long-term risk for ESRD, cardiovascular, and all-cause mortality compared with a control group of non-donors who would have been eligible for donation’. The authors argue that inconsistency with earlier studies is explained by the use of inappropriate control groups (i.e., the general population) or inadequate follow-up. However, the authors do not discuss long-term follow-up studies of patients who underwent nephrectomy for other reasons, a situation that is not confounded by superior health of the index subjects. In 1968, Andersen et al.2 reported that survival following uninephrectomy for a benign renal condition was the same as that of the general population if the remaining kidney were normal. Narkun-Burgess et al.3 reported that, after 45 years, survival among World War II (WW II) veterans who lost a kidney due to trauma was similar to the matched control WW II veterans and Robitaille et al.4 found little evidence of renal damage among people who had undergone uninephrectomy in childhood after a mean follow-up of 23 years. Given the known geographic variations in health status,5 is it possible that in Mjoen’s study, people living in the control county (Nord-Trondelag) were healthier than the entire Norwegian population that supplied the kidney donors? If so, this could explain the seemingly contradictory results.
Neogene palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic events inferred from palynological data: Cape Basin off South Africa, ODP Leg 175

Abstract Sites 1085, 1086 and 1087 were drilled off South Africa during Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 175 to investigate the Benguela Current System. While previous studies have focused on reconstructing the Neogene palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic history of these sites, palynology has been largely ignored, except for the Late Pliocene and Quaternary. This study presents palynological data from the upper Middle Miocene to lower Upper Pliocene sediments in Holes 1085A, 1086A and 1087C that provide complementary information about the history of the area. Abundant and diverse marine palynomorphs (mainly dinoflagellate cysts), rare spores and pollen, and dispersed organic matter have been recovered. Multivariate statistical analysis of dispersed organic matter identified three palynofacies assemblages (A, B, C) in the most continuous hole (1085A), and they were defined primarily by amorphous organic matter (AOM), and to a lesser extent black debris, structured phytoclasts, degraded phytoclasts, and marine palynomorphs. Ecostratigraphic interpretation based on dinoflagellate cyst, spore-pollen and palynofacies data allowed us to identify several palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic signals. First, the late Middle Miocene was subtropical, and sediments contained the highest percentages of land-derived organic matter, even though they are rich in AOM (palynofacies assemblage A). Second, the Late Miocene was cool-temperate and characterized by periods of intensified upwelling, increase in productivity, abundant and diverse oceanic dinoflagellate cysts, and the highest percentages of AOM (palynofacies assemblage C). Third, the Early to early Late Pliocene was warm-temperate with some dry intervals (increase in grass pollen) and intensified upwelling. Fourth, the Neogene “carbonate crash” identified in other southern oceans was recognized in two palynofacies A samples in Hole 1085A that are nearly barren of dinoflagellate cysts: one Middle Miocene sample (590 mbsf, 13.62 Ma) and one Upper Miocene sample (355 mbsf, 6.5 Ma). Finally, the extremely low percentages of pollen suggest sparse vegetation on the adjacent landmass, and Namib desert conditions were already in existence during the late Middle Miocene.
Genome-Wide Linkage Analysis to Identify Chromosomal Regions Affecting Phenotypic Traits in the Chicken. I. Growth and Average Daily Gain

A genome scan was used to detect chromosomal regions and QTL that control quantitative traits of economic importance in chickens. Two unique F(2) crosses generated from a commercial broiler male line and 2 genetically distinct inbred lines (Leghorn and Fayoumi) were used to identify QTL affecting BW and daily average gain traits in chickens. Body weight at 2, 4, 6, and 8 wk was measured in the 2 F(2) crosses. Birds were genotyped for 269 microsatellite markers across the entire genome. Linkage distance among microsatellite markers was estimated by the CRIMAP program. The program QTL Express was used for QTL detection. Significance levels were obtained using the permutation test. For the 8 traits, a total of 18 and 13 significant QTL were detected at a 1% chromosome-wise significance level, of which 17 and 10 were significant at the 5% genome-wise level for the broiler-Leghorn cross and broiler-Fayoumi cross, respectively. Highly correlated growth traits showed similar QTL profiles within each cross but different QTL profiles between the 2 crosses. Most QTL for growth traits in the current study were detected in Gga 1, 2, 4, 7, and 14 for the broiler-Leghorn cross and Gga 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, and 13 for the broiler-Fayoumi cross. Potential candidate genes within the QTL region for growth traits at 1% chromosome-wise significance level were discussed. The results in the current study lay the foundations for fine mapping these traits in the advanced intercross lines and provide a start point for identification causative genes responsible for growth traits in chickens.
Heats of solution of gaseous hydrocarbons in water at 25°C

The heats of solution at 25°C for a number of hydrocarbon gases are reported as measured by a calorimetric method. There is excellent agreement between the standard enthalpy changes of solution measured calorimetrically and those derived from high precision temperature dependent solubility measurements. However the calorimetrically determined standard enthalpies of solution of a number of gases are greatly improved over values obtained from low precision temperature dependent solubility measurements. A method is presented to readily estimate the standard errors in the standard enthalpy change for any process derived from the temperature dependence of the equilibrium constant for the process. Comparison of the standard enthalpies and entropies of solution of hydrocarbon gases in water shows that the standard free energies of solution for all hydrocarbon gases investigated are dominated by unfavorable entropy contributions. A strong linear correlation between the standard entropy of solution and the number of hydrogens in the hydrocarbon molecule is found. This correlation suggests that the hydrocarbon hydrophobic effect is regulated by the number of allowable configurations of a water molecule in contact with each C−H group.
Thirty Years of Sex Stratification in Violent Crime Partnerships and Groups

Historically, crime groups rarely included women, but debates continue over whether women today are more violent, or have greater involvement in mixed-sex or all-female crime partnerships. We analyze variability in sex stratification of violent crime groups over time, and across situational offense characteristics, utilizing co-offending data from Supplementary Homicide Reports (SHR; 1980-2007) for homicide and National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS; 1995-2007) for robbery, felony, and simple assault. Descriptive and multivariate results show crime groups remain highly sex-stratified and male-dominated, particularly when the offense is serious, instrumental, and involves strangers and/or access to weapons. Opposite-sex partners are more likely for expressive violence victimizing family/intimates.
Conjugated polymers: what makes a chromophore?

The spectral complexity shown by conjugated polymers has been explained by interactions between chromophores in tangled chains, but experiments on model oligomers reveal that it may arise from the chromophores themselves.
Fault diagnosis in nonlinear chemical processes. Part I. Theory

We propose a two-level identification strategy to detect and diagnose process faults and their causes. The strategy can be applied to processes represented by process models nonlinear in the states but linear in the coefficients. Relations to calculate both the observer for the states and the least squares estimator for the coefficients are specified in detail.
Semiconductor Coherent Beam Combining for Efficient, Wavelength-Selectable Laser Sources*

We present an architecture for scaling the brightness of semiconductor laser sources, demonstrating 40 W coherently combined power in a single, diffraction-limited beam from an array of 47 single-pass optical amplifiers at 1064 nm.
Distinctive Gut Microbiota of Honey Bees Assessed Using Deep Sampling from Individual Worker Bees

Surveys of 16S rDNA sequences from the honey bee, Apis mellifera, have revealed the presence of eight distinctive bacterial phylotypes in intestinal tracts of adult worker bees. Because previous studies have been limited to relatively few sequences from samples pooled from multiple hosts, the extent of variation in this microbiota among individuals within and between colonies and locations has been unclear. We surveyed the gut microbiota of 40 individual workers from two sites, Arizona and Maryland USA, sampling four colonies per site. Universal primers were used to amplify regions of 16S ribosomal RNA genes, and amplicons were sequenced using 454 pyrotag methods, enabling analysis of about 330,000 bacterial reads. Over 99% of these sequences belonged to clusters for which the first blastn hits in GenBank were members of the known bee phylotypes. Four phylotypes, one within Gammaproteobacteria (corresponding to “Candidatus Gilliamella apicola”) one within Betaproteobacteria (“Candidatus Snodgrassella alvi”), and two within Lactobacillus, were present in every bee, though their frequencies varied. The same typical bacterial phylotypes were present in all colonies and at both sites. Community profiles differed significantly among colonies and between sites, mostly due to the presence in some Arizona colonies of two species of Enterobacteriaceae not retrieved previously from bees. Analysis of Sanger sequences of rRNA of the Snodgrassella and Gilliamella phylotypes revealed that single bees contain numerous distinct strains of each phylotype. Strains showed some differentiation between localities, especially for the Snodgrassella phylotype.
Generalized reinforcement learning with concept-driven abstract actions

The standard reinforcement learning framework often faces challenges in a varying or evolving environment due to an inherent limitation in its representation. In particular, useful actions for decision making are often assumed to be a prefixed set prior to the learning process. Consequently, the derived policy in general lacks the ability to adapt to possible variations in the action outcomes or the action set itself without resorting to a substantial re-learning process. In addition, complexity in the state space modeling is often a bottleneck for standard learning methods. This paper proposes a new framework of reinforcement learning that enables the agent to formulate an action-oriented conceptual model while deriving the decision policy simultaneously. The new framework, Concept-Driven Learning Architecture (CDLA), formulates the abstract actions based on associating the correlated past decision history. Specifically, the kernel function, Gaussian process and spectral clustering mechanisms are combined into a functional clustering method to identify a set of coherent, concept-driven abstract actions using which the agent derives a control policy.
MEK/ERK pathway is aberrantly active in Hodgkin disease: a signaling pathway shared by CD30, CD40, and RANK that regulates cell proliferation and survival

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) (also called extracellular signal– regulated kinase [ERK]) pathway has been implicated in malignant transformation and in the regulation of cellular growth and proliferation of several tumor types, but its expression and function in Hodgkin disease (HD) are unknown. We report here that the active phosphorylated form of MAPK/ERK is aberrantly expressed in cultured and primary HD cells. Inhibition of the upstream MAPK kinase (also called MEK) by the small molecule UO126 inhibited the phosphorylation of ERK and demonstrated a dose- and time-dependent antiproliferative activity in HD cell lines. UO126 modulated the levels of several intracellular proteins including B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (Bcl-2), myeloid cell leukemia–1 (Mcl-1) and caspase 8 homolog FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIP), and induced G2M cell-cycle arrest or apoptosis. Furthermore, UO126 potentiated the activity of apoliprotein 2/tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (APO2L/TRAIL) and chemotherapyinduced cell death. Activation of CD30, CD40, and receptor activator of nuclear kappa (RANK) receptors in HD cells by their respective ligands increased ERK phosphorylation above the basal level and promoted HD cell survival. UO126 inhibited basal and ligand-induced ERK phosphorylation, and inhibited ligandinduced cell survival of HD cell lines. These findings provide a proof-of-principle that inhibition of the MEK/ERK pathway may have therapeutic value in HD. (Blood. 2003;102:1019-1027)
Effects of calcium on the electric coupling of carotid body glomus cells

Pairs of electrically coupled glomus cells from rat carotid bodies were impaled with microelectrodes. In the current clamp mode, intracellular stimulation and recording established the coupling coefficient (KC), across the intercellular junctions. About 80% of 26 pairs uncoupled during exposure to 9.45 mM [Ca2+]o, and about 72% of 18 pairs showed the same effect during applications of ionophore A23187. During superfusion with zero [Ca2+]o and EGTA, about 73% of 40 pairs of cells became more tightly coupled. Similar results (71%) were obtained during exposure of 42 cell pairs to BAPTA/AM, a membrane-permeant calcium chelator. Thus, [Ca2+]i seemed to play a significant a role in glomus cell intercellular communication. A23187 and BAPTA/AM, dissolved in DMSO, tended to reduce intercellular coupling during prolonged exposures of the preparations to this solvent. Consequently, the effects elicited by A23187 and BAPTA/AM were superimposed on a coupling effect produced by DMSO.
Ice Nucleation Kinetics of Aerosols Containing Aqueous and Solid Ammonium Sulfate Particles

Ice freezing events in aerosols composed of (NH4)2SO4/H2O particles are studied for 0 < x < 0.12, where x is the salt mole fraction composition. A segmented flow tube is employed to cool the aerosol and to adjust the aqueous particle composition in the first section, to freeze the aerosol in the second section, and to observe particle phase and composition with infrared (IR) spectroscopy in the third section. For the described experiments, three separate test aerosols are generated. The first test aeorsol is composed of aqueous particles, while the other two aerosols contain a mix of aqueous and crystalline species. The IR spectra of these three different aerosols are similar, and the same apparent mole fraction composition is indicated for each based upon the ratio of band intensities. Although they have similar apparent mole fraction compositions, the observed ice freezing characteristics of the aerosols differ markedly from one another. The first aerosol, which consists entirely of aqueous particles, s...
Life-Long Dietary Restriction Attenuates Age-Related Increases in Hippocampal Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein mRNA

The expression of astrocyte-specific glial fibrillary acidic protein increases after experimental lesions and is elevated throughout the brain in aged rodents and primates. Clusterin (ApoJ) expression increases in astrocytes and microglia after lesions, but changes during aging have not been reported. Dietary restriction (DR) delays the onset and progression of many age-related physiological deficits in rodents. This study showed that the age-related increase in glial fibrillary acidic protein mRNA in the hippocampus was attenuated in 24-month-old male Fischer 344 rats subjected to a 50% DR beginning at 6 weeks of age. ApoJ mRNA expression in astrocytes was unchanged by DR. These results demonstrate that DR can delay neurodegeneration in aged rats as assessed by a marker of reactive astrogliosis.
Some quantitative aspects of history

In a previous paper, in which a possible mathematical approach to history was outlined, it was shown that urbanization plays an important part in the propagation of new ideas. The rate of such propagation influences the rate of historical developments. The present paper deals in more detail with possible mechanisms of formation of earliest cities. Equations are derived which give the limiting size of such cities and their rate of growth. Of particular importance for the spread of new ideas is the spread of information. The latter largely depends on the fraction of individuals who travel between city and country. Expressions for this quantity are derived. An approach is outlined to the mathematical study of the earliest social classes, which may have been formed as a result of military, religious, or economic stratifications.
The relationships between social skills, social support, self‐esteem and burden in adult caregivers

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between social skills, self-esteem, social support and burden in a sample of adult caregivers. The Gambrill and Richey Assertion Inventory, Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale, Montgomery's Objective and Subjective Burden Scale, Norbeck's Social Support Questionnaire and Sarason's Social Support Questionnaire were administered to a convenience sample of 31 caregivers. Unassertive caregivers had less available social support. Those caregivers who felt more discomfort in situations also had less available social support. Caregivers who had significantly more affection, affirmation and aid from within their social network were found to have higher self-esteem. Those with lower self-esteem reported losing a greater number of important relationships in the past year. Nonassertive caregivers were more likely to experience lower subjective burden.
CaCl2(aq) at elevated temperatures. Enthalpies of dilution, isopiestic molalities, and thermodynamic properties

Enthalpies of dilution of CaCI2(aq) have been measured for molalities ranging from 0.008 mol·kg−1 to 7.26 mol · kg−1, at temperatures from about 298 K to 526 K, and for pressures of approximately 7 MPa to 40 M Pa. Isopiestic molalities of CaCI2(aq) were measured over the temperature range of 444 K to 524 K at molalities ranging from 0.55 mol · kg−1 to 4.8 mol · kg−1 with NaCl(aq) serving as the reference electrolyte. The results can be described quite well within the framework of the ion-interaction model. Our results have been combined with other thermodynamic results for CaCl2(aq), including heat capacities and densities, to produce a general model for the thermodynamic properties of CaCl2(aq) which is valid for molalities to 4.6 mol · kg−1 and pressures to 40 MPa over the temperature range 270 K to 526 K. The model is based on the ion-interaction treatment of Pitzer and allows for a small amount of ion association at the highest temperatures by using the β(2) parameter in the second virial coefficient and making the α1 parameter linearly dependent on temperature. For temperatures greater than 523 K, a description of the thermodynamic properties of CaCl2(aq) will require explicit consideration of ion association.
Effects of high-frequency stimulation on epileptiform activity in vitro: ON/OFF control paradigm.

Summary Purpose: To determine the effects of high-frequency electrical stimulation on electrographic seizure activity during and after stimulation (ON-effect and OFF-effect). Methods: The modulation and suppression of epileptiform activity during (ON-effect) and after (OFF-effect) high-frequency electrical stimulation was investigated using the high-K+ and picrotoxin hippocampal slice epilepsy models. Uniform sinusoidal fields (50 Hz) were applied with various intensity levels for 1 min across brain slices. Extracellular and intracellular activity were monitored during and after stimulation. Results: The ON-effects of high-frequency stimulation were highly variable across individual slices and models; ON-effects included modulation of activity, pacing, partial suppression, or activity resembling spreading-depression. On average, epileptic activity, measured as power in the extracellular fields, increased significantly during stimulation. Following the termination of electrical stimulation, a robust poststimulation suppression period was observed. This OFF suppression was observed even at relatively moderate stimulation intensities. The duration of OFF suppression increased with stimulation intensity, independent of ON-effects. Antagonism of GABAAfunction did not directly effect OFF suppression duration. Conclusions: The present results suggest that “rational” seizure control protocols using intermittent high-frequency electrical stimulation should control for both ON and OFF effects.
Membrane localization of LRRK2 is associated with increased formation of the highly active LRRK2 dimer and changes in its phosphorylation.

Autosomal dominant mutations in leucine rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Despite the presence of multiple domains, the kinase activity of LRRK2 is thought to represent the primary function of the protein. Alterations in LRRK2 kinase activity are thought to underlie the pathogenesis of its PD-linked mutations; however, many questions regarding basic aspects of LRRK2 function remain unclear, including the cellular mechanisms of LRRK2 regulation and the importance of its unique distribution within the cell. Here, we demonstrate for the first time that the subcellular localization of wild-type LRRK2 is associated with changes in four distinct biochemical properties likely crucial for LRRK2 function. Our data demonstrate for the first time that the wild-type LRRK2 dimer possesses greater kinase activity than its more abundant monomeric counterpart. Importantly, we show that this activated form of LRRK2 is substantially enriched at the membrane of cells...
Pathology of the Pulmonary Vascular Tree II. The Occurrence in Mitral Insufficiency of Occlusive Pulmonary Vascular Lesions

Two cases of mitral insufficiency are reported. In 1 case the lesion was produced by rupture of the chordae tendineae of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. In the other case it was produced by fibrous adhesion of the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve to the underlying left ventricular wall, which occurred during healing of subacute bacterial endocarditis. Changes occurred in the pulmonary vascular bed which are essentially identical with those found in mitral stenosis.
"First" and "Third" World Feminism(s): Does Paul Ricoeur’s Philosophy Offer a Way to Bridge the Gap?

This essay considers how Paul Ricoeur’s philosophy, including his philosophical hermeneutics and narrative theory, could be employed to facilitate dialogue and understanding between feminists from different contexts. Authors such as bel hooks and Helene Cixous frame feminist tenets of liberation from sexual oppression and validation of the body as a source of knowledge. Weaving together Ricoeur’s writing and theories with the work of two feminist scholars, Trinh T. Minh-ha and Grace M. Cho, illuminates the potential Ricoeur’s work has to play a part in feminist discourse.
Effectiveness of Disposable Face Masks in Preventing Cross Contamination during Dental Procedures

Aerosols generated by the air turbine handpiece contain oral microorganisms that are a potential health hazard to the dentist. The effectiveness of different face masks in preventing cross contamination varied greatly but in all instances was significant.
Magnetohydrodynamic instabilities in a weakly ionized, radiating plasma

In any characterization of the performance of an engine such as the secondary combustor of an air-augmented rocket, a combustion efficiency is defined as the experimentally determined change in some parameter (e.g., temperature) divided by its theoretically calculated value. One contributing factor to discrepancies in efficiency can arise in calculation of this latter value, because the composition of the fuel, specifically its particulate components, is frequently unknown. In the present study it has been demonstrated that these particles can contain NH4B508-4H20, NH4C1, C, and other organics in addition to B and B203. Clearly, before the performance of a motor is compared with theory, tests similar to those reported here must be conducted to determine the input for the analytical calculation. : Size analyses of the particles collected in the present investigation have also been discussed. The as-received B has a mode on the order of 0.25 jut, and electron micrograph studies of the particles collected from the primary motor exhaust suggest that no significant change in this mode has occurred. However, since the influence of the experimental collection method on the measured particle size distribution is unknown, this conclusion cannot be stated unequivocally.
TILAPIA'S HYPEROSMOTIC TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS

![Figure][1] Salt-tolerant fish like tilapia, Orechromis mossambicus , revert from actively absorbing salt in freshwater to secreting salt across their gill epithelium in seawater. This requires a fast remodelling of the cellular gill epithelium upon transfer from freshwater to seawater and
Comparative Studies of Thiol-Sensitive Fluorogenic Probes for HAT Assays

Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) catalyze the acetylation of specific lysine residues in histone and nonhistone proteins. Recent studies showed that acetylation is widely distributed among cellular proteins, suggestive of diverse functions of HATs in cellular pathways. Nevertheless, currently available assays for HAT activity study are still quite limited. Here, we evaluated a series of thiol-sensitive fluorogenic compounds for the detection of the enzymatic activities of different HAT proteins. Upon conjugation to the thiol group of HSCoA, these molecules gain enhanced quantum yields and strong fluorescence, permitting facile quantitation of HAT activities. We investigated and compared the assay performances of these fluorogenic compounds for their capability as HAT activity reporters, including kinetics of reaction with HSCoA, influence on HAT activity, and fluorescence amplification factors. Our data suggest that CPM and coumarin maleic acid ester are excellent HAT probes owing to their fast reaction kinetics and dramatic fluorescence enhancement during the HAT reaction. Further, the microtiter plate measurements show that this fluorescent approach is robust and well suited for adaption to high-throughput screening of small molecule inhibitors of HATs, highlighting the value of this assay strategy in new drug discovery.