cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macrophage colony-stimulating factor in human fetal astrocytes and microglia. Differential regulation by cytokines and lipopolysaccharide, and modulation of class II MHC on microglia

CSF-1 is a growth factor that selectively promotes the proliferation, survival, and differentiation of cells of the mononuclear phagocyte series. As part of a study on the role of cytokine and hematopoietic growth factors in central nervous system (CNS) development and inflammation, we examined the expression of CSF-1 in dissociated glial cells cultured from human fetal CNS tissue. CSF-1 mRNA and protein were constitutively expressed by astrocytes. The steady state level of CSF-1 mRNA was markedly up-regulated by both IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha in a time- and dose-dependent manner, whereas only a minimal increase was detected after stimulation with LPS. In unstimulated astrocyte cultures, CSF-1 protein levels gradually increased to 3.5-fold base-line values by 96 h and were significantly increased by all three stimulants in the order of IL-1 > or = TNF > LPS. Low levels of CSF-1 mRNA and protein were also detected in unstimulated microglia cultures. In contrast to astrocyte cultures, CSF-1 mRNA and protein increased significantly after stimulation with LPS, but changed only minimally after exposure to TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta. The effect of CSF-1 on cell proliferation, morphology, and class II MHC Ag expression was determined in highly enriched cultures of microglia and astrocytes. Microglia treated with CSF-1 showed a modest level of proliferation and differentiation into rod-shaped cells, whereas neither cell number nor shape was changed in astrocyte cultures. Interestingly, marked inhibition of both basal and IFN gamma-induced class II MHC Ag expression was observed in microglial cells cultured in the presence of CSF-1, whereas no effect was detected in astrocytes. These results suggest the possibility that in situ production of CSF-1 in the CNS may regulate normal glial cell development and contribute to the immunologic status of the CNS through the down-regulation of class II MHC expression.
Planning Intelligent Responses in a Natural Language System

Intelligent help systems cannot merely respond passively to the user's commands and queries. They need to be able to volunteer information, correct user misconceptions, and reject unethical requests when appropriate. In order to do these things, a system must be designed as an intelligent agent. That is, a system needs to have its own goals and then plan for these goals. A system which did not have its own goals would never refuse to help users perform unethical actions. Such an intelligent agent has been implemented in the UCEgo component of UC (Wilensky et al. 1984s Wilensky et al. 1988) (UNIX Consultant), a natural language system that helps the user solve problems in using the UNIX operating system. UCEgo provides UC with its own goals and plans. By adopting different goals in different situations, UCEgo creates and executes different plans, enabling it to interact appropriately with the user. UCEgo adopts goals when it notices that the user either lacks necessary knowledge, or has incorrect beliefs. In these cases, UCEgo plans to volunteer information or correct the user's misconception as appropriate. These plans are pre-stored skeletal plans that are indexed under the types of situations in which they are typically useful. Plan suggestion situations include the goal which the plan is used to achieve, the preconditions of the plan, and appropriateness conditions for the plan. Indexing plans by situations improves efficiency and allows UC to respond appropriately to the user in real time. Detecting situations in which a plan should be suggested or a goal adopted is implemented using if-detected daemons. These daemons provide a single mechanism which can be used both for detecting goals and suggesting plans. Different methodologies for the efficient implementation of if-detected daemons are discussed.
Cortical Expressions of Polarity in the Starfish Oocyte*. (egg cortex/animal pole/cortical actin/egg polarity/embryonic axis)

The animal-vegetal (A-V) axis in oocytes of the starfish Pisaster ochraceus and Asterina pectinifera is described in terms of new cytological observations. Ordinarily, this axis of polarity is revealed by the eccentric germinal vesicle that is displaced toward the animal pole where polar bodies eventually form. In addition, however, the cortex at the animal pole is characterized by a pre-meiotic aster (centrosomes and bundles of microtubules lying within folds of the nuclear envelope), an absence of large, so-called “acidic vacuoles” that occur abundantly everywhere else, a diminished ability to form actin-filled spikes, and local mechanical weakness. These expressions of the A-V axis within the cortex are documented by micrographs. The problem of distinguishing if any feature is an “expression” or a “determinant” of axial differentiation is briefly discussed.
Clinical Issues with Same-Sex Couples

SUMMARY While universal issues exist for all couples, same-sex couples present distinct clinical concerns that impact relational health. After reviewing the current literature in the field, two major issues emerged as significant: societal oppression and relational issues distinctive to same-sex gay, lesbian, and bisexual couples. Societal oppression includes homophobia, heterosexism, and the internalization of these dynamics. Additionally, the “coming out” process and gender role socialization uniquely impact the same-sex couple. Other areas that therapists need to consider when working with this population include multiple cultural variables, dyadic stage-related issues, and the couple's negotiation and maintenance of “family.”
Genetic Dissection of SLE Pathogenesis: Adoptive Transfer of Sle1 Mediates the Loss of Tolerance by Bone Marrow-Derived B Cells

Sle1 is a potent autoimmune susceptibility locus on chromosome 1 originally identified in a genome scan of testcross progeny between the systemic lupus erythematosus-prone NZM2410 strain and C57BL/6. We subsequently produced B6.NZMc1, a congenic strain carrying the NZM2410-derived Sle1 genomic interval on the B6 background and demonstrated that Sle1 mediated the loss of tolerance to chromatin in both the B and T cell compartments. In this communication, we show by adoptive transfer experiments that the autoimmune phenotypes of Sle1 are completely reconstituted in B6 radiation chimeras receiving B6.NZMc1 bone marrow but not by the reciprocal reconstitution, demonstrating that Sle1 is functionally expressed in B cells. In additional experiments, cotransfer of mixtures of bone marrow derived from B6.NZMc1 and nonautoimmune congenic B6 mice carrying allelic T and B cell markers showed that only B cells derived from B6.NZMc1 bone marrow produced anti-chromatin autoantibodies. In contrast, increased expression of CD69 was equivalent in CD4+ T cells derived from either B6.NZMc1 or congenic B6 bone marrow, suggesting that either T cell population could be activated subsequent to loss of tolerance in the B cell compartment. These findings indicate that the expression of Sle1 in B cells is essential for the development of autoimmunity.
Contraception, Abortion, and Infanticide

For many years there has been worldwide discussion, action, conflict, legislation, and adjudication regarding whether, when, and how it is permissible to use contraception, to permit abortion, and to allow infanticide. The abortion question has received a great deal of discussion of late, and it is to that question that I will direct most of my attention. A comprehensive set of principles will be developed that are adequate to include all issues pertaining to the beginning of life. There have been strong and strident arguments regarding these issues, and almost every conceivable position has been espoused by people identified with a wide variety of political and religious ideologies, occupations, and academic specialities.
Realism and Constructivism in Kantian Metaethics 1 : Realism and Constructivism in a Kantian Context

Metaethical constructivism is one of the main movements within contemporary metaethics – especially among those with Kantian inclinations. But both the philosophical coherence and the Kantian pedigree of constructivism are hotly contested. In the first half of this article, I first explore the sense in which Kant's own views might be described as constructivist and then use the resulting understanding as a guide to how we might think about Kantian constructivism today. Along the way, I hope to suggest that a fairly diverse range of views within contemporary metaethics – including some without any explicit allegiance to Kant – may be thought of as pursuing a version of the resulting strategy.
Lymphocytosis and Histamine Sensitization of Mice by Fractions from Bordetella pertussis

Administration of Bordetella pertussis cell extracts induced in mice hypersensitivity to histamine, as well as pronounced leukocytosis and hypoglycemia. The leukocytosis was mainly caused by an increase in the small lymphocytes in the circulating blood, and it was most pronounced 3 to 4 days after injection of B. pertussis extracts. Rabbit antimouse lymphocyte serum produced a decrease in the lymphocyte count in normal mice, as well as in mice treated with B. pertussis extracts. This depression in lymphocytes was observed whether the antilymphocyte serum was given 1 day or 2 days after the administration of B. pertussis extracts. The increased histamine sensitivity and hypoglycemia of mice treated with B. pertussis extract were not affected by treatment with antilymphocyte serum, although a marked lymphopenia was present. These observations indicate that the three phenomena observed in pertussis-treated mice are independent of each other.
CXCR7: a new SDF-1-binding receptor in contrast to normal CD34+ progenitors is functional and is expressed at higher level in human malignant hematopoietic cells

Abstract CXCR7 was identified as another stromal-derived factor-1 (SDF-1)-binding receptor that also binds the interferon-inducible T-cell chemoattractant (I-TAC), and we became interested in its potential role in migration/adhesion of normal hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) as well as selected leukemia cell lines. To address this normal human bone marrow-, umbilical cord blood-, and mobilized peripheral blood-derived cells as well as 16 selected human leukemic cell lines were phenotyped for CXCR7 expression. The expression of CXCR7 in hematopoietic cell lines was analyzed at transcriptional level. The biologic significance of CXCR7 expression was subsequently tested in signal transduction studies as well as in in vitro proliferation and chemotactic assays. We noted that CXCR7 is expressed at very low levels (approximately 3-6%) in normal human CD34(+) cells isolated from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, and mobilized peripheral blood. More importantly, when we employed I-TAC, which activates CXCR7, but not CXCR4, we did not observe any chemotactic responsiveness in human clonogenic progenitors. As expected, I-TAC also did not affect clonogenic growth of human CD34(+) cells. In contrast, functional CXCR7, whose expression is regulated in an NF-κΒ-dependent manner, as we report here, is highly expressed in several human myeloid malignant cell lines. I-TAC-induced activation of CXCR7 in human hematopoietic cell lines leads to phosphorylation of MAPKp42/44 and AKT, and enhanced cell adhesion and slightly cell migration. In conclusion, CXCR7 is expressed at very low level on normal human HSPCs and does not play a direct role in their proliferation or slightly cell migration; however, in contrast, it is involved in trafficking/adhesion of human leukemic cells.
Glomerular size and the association of focal glomerulosclerosis in long-surviving human renal allografts.

This biopsy study exploits the unique opportunity offered by long-surviving human renal allografts to analyze the effects of nephronopenia-induced glomerular hypertrophy on the association of focal glomerulosclerosis. Methods include glomerular morphometry and analysis of variance. Only allografts with focal glomerulosclerosis detected after 3 yr posttransplantation (Group TxFGS > 2 yr) have a group mean glomerular diameter (203.1 microns +/- SE (mean) 10.36) significantly larger (P 2 yr; 158.3 microns +/- SE (mean) 8.32), allografts biopsied within 2 yr of transplantation with (Group TxFGS < 2 yr; 165.3 microns +/- SE (mean) 5.35) or without (Group NoTxFGS < 2 yr; 155.8 microns +/- SE (mean) 5.53) focal glomerulosclerosis, or allograft diameters at transplantation (Group CTx; 148.3 microns +/- SE (mean) 5.66). However, the increase is approximately 37% over that at transplantation, significantly less than the increase of approximately 70% attained by congenitally nephronopenic native kidneys (P < 0.50) with focal glomerulosclerosis (Group CNP; 264.4 microns +/- SE (mean) 11.01) over their controls (Group CN; 154.8 microns +/- SE (mean) 4.46). This observation suggests that the nephronopenic allograft has a curtailed ability for glomerular hypertrophy when compared with congenitally nephronopenic native kidneys and may explain the association of focal glomerulosclerosis in long-surviving renal homografts at a significantly smaller glomerular diameter. Although smaller, this appears to be the maximal glomerular dimension attained by long-surviving nephronopenic homografts in the absence of intrinsic glomerular disease (excluding focal glomerulosclerosis). Thus, these results are in accord with and offer further support for the general hypothesis that focal glomerulosclerosis develops in maximally hypertrophied glomeruli.
Developing Valid and Reliable Online Survey Instruments Using Commercial Software Programs

The increased popularity and ease of creating online surveys may allow for professionals with little knowledge of appropriate study design and psychometrics to develop instruments with questionable methodological rigor. The present study provides one example of developing an online survey instrument using appropriate survey design. This article will provide health sciences librarians with a resource in the development of a valid and reliable survey instrument using SurveyMonkey.com. Recommendations for future research include surveying health sciences librarians and other professionals to gain a better understanding of the need for education on this topic.
Sex Differences in Cholinergic Analgesia II Differing Mechanisms in Two Models of Allodynia

Background Cholinergic agents reduce allodynia after nerve injury in animals and may be useful in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Intrathecally administered neostigmine and neuronal nicotinic agonists are more potent in female than in male rats against acute thermal noxious stimuli. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there is also a sex difference in the antiallodynic effects of intrathecal cholinomimetic agents in two models of allodynia and to test their pharmacologic mechanisms. Methods Male and female rats with indwelling intrathecal catheters received injections of neostigmine, bethanechol (muscarinic agonist), RJR-2403 (neuronal nicotinic agonist) alone or with atropine (muscarinic antagonist), mecamylamine (nicotinic antagonist), phentolamine (alpha-adrenergic antagonist), or saline control. The effect of these agents was determined on mechanical allodynia produced by either intraplantar injection of capsaicin or ligation of spinal nerves. Results Neostigmine and RJR-2403 but not bethanechol were more potent in female than in male rats in reducing allodynia after nerve injury, and antagonist studies were also consistent with a nicotinic component to explain this sex difference. Phentolamine did not reverse neostigmine's effect. In contrast, for capsaicin-induced allodynia, neostigmine plus mecamylamine but not neostigmine or RJR-2403 was more potent in female than in male rats. Conclusions These data demonstrate a sex difference of intrathecal neostigmine after nerve injury-induced allodynia similar to that observed in normal animals that received acute noxious thermal stimulation. However, this sex difference is not universal to all pain models because it was not present after intradermal capsaicin injection, nor is its interaction with spinal noradrenergic mechanisms consistent in all models.
Joint sequential target state estimation and clock synchronization in wireless sensor networks

Clock synchronization is crucial to a wireless sensor network but often difficult to maintain. In this paper, we propose a joint estimation method to estimate both target states and clock synchronization status based on sensor observations from an unsynchronized wireless sensor network. We build a multi-sensor state-space model to connect clock synchronization status with sequential state transition. We use the expectation-maximization algorithm, together with Monte Carlo approximations, for joint estimation. Numerical examples show that the proposed method converges to the true synchronization status and improves the accuracy of sequential state estimation by considering the synchronization status.
Data centers to offer ancillary services

Considering the growing number of Internet and cloud computing data centers being built in recent years and given the data centers' major and yet flexible electric load, they can be good candidates to offer ancillary services, such as voluntary load reduction, to a smart grid. In this paper, we investigate such potential within an analytical profit maximization framework to determine whether participation in an ancillary service market can be beneficial to data centers. The profit model that we introduce includes elements with respect to a) the data center's revenue obtained from the Internet services that the data center offers based on its service-level agreements (SLA), b) the data center's cost of electricity based on time-of-use prices, and c) the monetary compensation that the data center may receive due to offering ancillary services based on the existing ancillary service market models in the ERCOT (Electric Reliability Council of Texas) Independent System Operator. Our simulation results show that data centers can noticeably increase their profit by participating in voluntary load reduction. Their participation can also help the grid better maintain service quality and reliability.
Immediate and long-term efficacy of systemic antibiotics for eradicating nasal colonization with Staphylococcus aureus.

The efficacy of nine antibiotics used in different nonrandomized regimens for eradicating nasal colonization withStaphylococcus aureus was investigated in 72 patients. Dicloxacillin, erythromycin and three cephalosporins had eradicated colonization in about 75 % of cases at early follow-up (≤20 days) and in ≤50 % at late follow-up (≥20 days). Clindamycin had eradicated colonization in all 13 patients at both follow-up times. One of two patients was successfully treated with fleroxacin, as were three of five with enoxacin. Among 21 patients treated with ofloxacin, colonization was eradicated in 20 (95 %) at early follow-up and in all six of those from whom late follow-up cultures were obtained. Thus, clindamycin and ofloxacin appear to be useful systemic antibiotics for eradicating nasal colonization withStaphylococcus aureus.
Information on ancestry from genetic markers.

It is possible to estimate the proportionate contributions of ancestral populations to admixed individuals or populations using genetic markers, but different loci and alleles vary considerably in the amount of information that they provide. Conventionally, the allele frequency difference between parental populations (d) has been used as the criterion to select informative markers. However, it is unclear how to use d for multiallelic loci, or populations formed by the mixture of more than two groups. Moreover, several other factors, including the actual ancestral proportions and the relative genetic diversities of the parental populations, affect the information provided by genetic markers. We demonstrate here that using d as the sole criterion for marker selection is inadequate, and we propose, instead, to use Fisher’s information, which is the inverse of the variance of the estimated ancestral contributions. This measure is superior because it is directly related to the precision of ancestry estimates. Although d is related to Fisher’s information, the relationship is neither linear nor simple, and the information can vary widely for markers with identical ds. Fortunately, Fisher’s information is easily computed and formally extends to the situation of multiple alleles and/or parental populations. We examined the distribution of information for SNP and microsatellite loci available in the public domain for a variety of model admixed populations. The information, on average, is higher for microsatellite loci, but exceptional SNPs exceed the best microsatellites. Despite the large number of genetic markers that have been identified for admixture analysis, it appears that information for estimating admixture proportions is limited, and estimates will typically have wide confidence intervals. & 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. n
Criteria of purity for guanidine hydrochloride.

Abstract In addition to ultraviolet absorption spectrum, melting point determination has been established as a simple and reliable method for evaluating the purity of guanidine hydrochloride. A reasonably pure sample appears to have a melting point at 187 – 187.5°C. A number of guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) samples, including some commercial products for which the claim of ultrapurity is made, have been compared on the basis of their ultraviolet absorption spectra, m.p., and titration curves. Some samples that had acceptable ultraviolet absorption spectra were found to be seriously contaminated by impurities.
Nanomeasurements by heterodyne hologram interferometry

Continued demands for higher performance and safer vehicles mandate use of new technologies for development of automotive structures. These structures are not only mechanical in nature, but also involve electronics. Durability of automotive electronics depends on their response to environmental and other loads that they encounter. Typically this response is characterized by force-displacement characteristics. Since displacements in electronic components are small, their determination is difficult. In this paper, analytical and empirical methodologies for determination of displacements of electronic components are outlined. It is shown that, using heterodyne hologram interferometry, displacements of electronic components can be measured on the scale of nanometers.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Networked Resources, Assessment and Collection Development

This project provides a critical evaluation of networked resources as they relate to the library's collection development policy, identifies areas of the curriculum not well represented, establishes a reliable method of assessing usage across all resources, and develops a framework of quantitative data for collection development decision making.
Management of Hyperinsulinemia with Diazoxide in an Elderly Hemodialysis Patient

An elderly, nondiabetic, chronic hemodialysis patient is described here who had profound hypoglycemia for a myriad of reasons including renal failure, malnutrition, and quinine use. Furthermore, by bi
Acute Toxicity of Copper to Juvenile Freshwater Prawns, Macrobrachium rosenbergii

Abstract Copper sulfate is an algicide that is commonly used for phytoplankton and filamentous algae control and has been used as a therapeutant in aquaculture. The objectives of this study were to determine the acute toxicity of copper sulfate and the safe level for use in freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, production ponds in a high calcium and alkalinity environment. Six concentrations of copper sulfate (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, 1.0 mg/L) were tested in 8-L glass aquaria for 48 hours with three replicate aquaria per treatment. Concentrations of calcium hardness and alkalinity were set at 100 mg/L using calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate, respectively. After 48 hours, survival of the control treatment (0% CuSO4) averaged 97%, which was significantly higher (P< 0.05) than that of all other treatments. The survival in the 0.2 mg/L and 0.4 mg/L (70% and 73%, respectively) concentrations of CuSO4 were significantly greater (P< 0.05) than higher dose treatments; but were not significantly differ...
Laser-modified charge-transfer processes in proton collisions with lithium atoms

A time-dependent semiclassical lattice solution of the Schr\"odinger equation is used to calculate charge-transfer processes in proton collisions with lithium atoms. State-selective cross sections are obtained at 5--15 keV incident energy for laser excited $2p\ensuremath{\sigma}$ states aligned parallel and $2p\ensuremath{\pi}$ states aligned perpendicular to the ion beam. State-selective cross sections are also obtained at 5 keV for ${1s}^{2}2s$ ground states in which the polarization of a moderately intense pulsed laser is aligned parallel and perpendicular to the ion beam. The addition of a pulsed laser is found to have a strong effect on the charge-transfer cross sections to the $n=3$ excited states of hydrogen.
Use of electrogastrography in children

Electrogastrography (EGG), the measurement of gastric pacemeaker activity by means of surface electrodes, provides a noninvasive technique to detect and quantify the characteristics of the gastric slow wave. With a predominant frequency of three cycles per minute, the activity of the specialized cells responsible for this pacing, the interstitial cells of Cajal, is crucial in providing the underlying electrophysiologic changes that enable coordinated smooth muscle contraction and synchronized peristalsis. Advances in electronics and software to define frequency distribution, stability of the signal, postprandial changes, and other parameters have contributed to more widespread interest in EGG and its application to the investigation of functional gastrointestinal disturbances. Definition of pediatric norms and postnatal changes in the EGG of premature infants has provided the foundation for further studies investigating correlative changes with such important functions as gastric emptying and motility. The EGG remains a promising diagnostic tool. Future studies will help define its usefulness in identifying abnormal functions of the interstitial cells of Cajal.
Functional analysis of water control features at Monte Alban, Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract Agricultural water distribution systems in the Highlands of Mexico have received considerable attention. Functional analysis of water control features at Monte Alban, Oaxaca demonstrates the potential of a classification system which treats both agricultural and residential‐civic public works, such as drains, filters, catchment structures, and reservoirs.
Superconnections and higher index theory

LetM be a smooth closed spin manifold. The higher index theorem, as given for example in Proposition 6.3 of [CM], computes the pairing between the group cohomology of π1(M) and the Chern character of the “higher” index of a Dirac-type operator on M. Using superconnections, we give a heat equation proof of this theorem on the level of differential forms on a noncommutative base space. As a consequence, we obtain a new proof of the Novikov conjecture for hyperbolic groups.
Enforcement of the Forma Fidelitatis: The Techniques Used by Fulk Nerra, Count of the Angevins (987-1040)

During that period of medieval history which Marc Bloch so conveniently labeled "the first feudal age,"1 a lord who ruled an area of substantial size was faced with the problem of assuring the loyalty and support of hisfideles. This problem was particularly acute with regard tofideles who were charged with the command of strongholds, because the defection of a castellan could require extensive military operations if the lord was to reassert his authority.2 The superiority of defensive technology over offensive capability often meant that powerful dukes and counts were compelled to mount extended sieges in order to obtain the surrender of relatively insignificant castellans who controlled stone castra.3 Despite the obvious problems that could be caused by disloyal castellans, ambitious nobles in France throughout the eleventh century and during much of the twelfth century built fortifications and licensed theirfideles to build strongholds.4 The premier builder of fortifications during the first half of the eleventh century was Fulk Nerra, count of the Angevins from 987 to 1040, who subsequently won from historians the sobriquet "le grand batisseur."5 Although Fulk carried on very extensive building operations, he was
The Burdens of the New Curricularist

AbstractA community of scholars in a field is renewed by its common history, its common basis of skills, and its examination of commonly held problems. The expression of commonality does not eliminate debate or disagreement, but it does set a foundation for divergences. This is what it means to be a field. But in recent years, a new critical element has emerged that has openly rejected the historic legacy of the curriculum field in the interest of proposing a vastly new project for curriculum scholars. The effect has been schism. I argue that a new orientation in the field cannot be accepted until it is properly reconciled along the lines of the inherited traditions of the field. These are the burdens of the new curricularists, the traditions that they manifestly reject without scholarly engagement. Increasingly, it is clear that the field has not undergone a reconceptualization at all, but instead has been subjected to ideologically inspired criticism that has resulted in miscasting the history and the t...
Sexual Scripts Among Young Heterosexually Active Men And Women: Continuity And Change

Whereas gendered sexual scripts are hegemonic at the cultural level, research suggests they may be less so at dyadic and individual levels. Understanding “disjunctures” between sexual scripts at different levels holds promise for illuminating mechanisms through which sexual scripts can change. Through interviews with 44 heterosexually active men and women aged 18 to 25, the ways young people grappled with culture-level scripts for sexuality and relationships were delineated. Findings suggest that, although most participants' culture-level gender scripts for behavior in sexual relationships were congruent with descriptions of traditional masculine and feminine sexuality, there was heterogeneity in how or whether these scripts were incorporated into individual relationships. Specifically, three styles of working with sexual scripts were found: conforming, in which personal gender scripts for sexual behavior overlapped with traditional scripts; exception-finding, in which interviewees accepted culture-level ...
In vivo quantitative analysis of the effect of hydration (immersion and Vaseline treatment) in skin layers using high-resolution MRI and magnetisation transfer contrast.

Background/aims: Many claims are made as to the efficacy of topical preparations in moisturising the skin, yet most of these claims cannot be substantiated by scientific study for the skin layers beneath the stratum corneum, and yield no information on the remainder of the epidermis and dermis. This argues for an in vivo quantitative method for measuring the effect of water loading extended to various layers of the skin. Methods: Detailed high-resolution in vivo MRI studies of hydration and dehydration of finger pad skin layers were conducted on one normal subject using two moisturisation methods (topical white soft paraffin (Vaseline) and water immersion). The dehydration study was carried out immediately following removal from prolonged skin moisturisation. Inter-individual variability for skin hydration (group study) was studied in seven healthy volunteers at 0 and 7 h hydration with Vaseline. Location dependence in skin hydration was investigated on the same subject by looking into the hydration of forearm and finger pad skin. System stability and measurement reproducibility was verified through a detailed phantom study. Results: Images of normal and hydrated human skin were obtained in vivo at voxel dimensions of 50 μm×150 μm×1000 μm. The effect of hydration and dehydration as a function of exposure to moisturiser (i.e. water and Vaseline) on the image signal intensity, observed T1, and interaction of free and bound water in specific tissues were identified and correlated with existing physiological knowledge. Swelling of stratum corneum due to hydration was expressed as an in vivo model of tissue hydration. Conclusion: Results of the dehydration study showed that the changes due to the previous hydration of the skin are reversible for all skin layers. For both moisturisation methods (i.e. Vaseline and skin bathing), the effects of hydration and dehydration on the skin were similar. The trends of the MRI parameters for finger pad and arm skin were similar. The group study showed low inter-subject variability of hydration on stratum corneum and epidermis.
Linear nondisplaced orbital fractures with muscle entrapment.

Purpose Linear nondisplaced orbital floor fractures with muscle entrapment occur in the pediatric population. These fractures occur with minimal trauma and few external signs of injury. This study reviews the clinical findings, radiologic findings and interpretations, preoperative and postoperative ocular motility, and outcomes in this subset of orbital fracture patients treated with early surgical repair. Methods Review of 12 children with linear orbital floor fractures with inferior rectus muscle entrapment, who underwent surgical repair by a single surgeon. Results All affected eyes demonstrated significant limitation to elevation and, in seven, depression preoperatively. All 12 patients were operated within 4 days of injury. Radiologist interpretation of computed tomographic (CT) findings recognized fracture in 9 of 11 cases in which a dictated report was available. The radiology report correctly identified muscle entrapment in only three cases and was equivocal in three other cases. The ophthalmologist, based on clinical examination and observation of the CT images, correctly identified findings consistent with linear orbital fracture with muscle entrapment in every case. Surgical findings included a nondisplaced linear floor fracture with muscle entrapment. In the early postoperative period limited elevation was present in 10 patients and limited depression was present in 7. Duction deficits and diplopia resolved in 4 days to 5 months. Conclusions Despite prompt surgical repair, limited elevation and depression occur in the early postoperative period, possibly due to muscle edema, hemorrhage, and ischemia. Recovery of normal ocular motility may take weeks or months. External signs of injury may be minimal and radiologic interpretation may not recognize fracture or muscle entrapment.
Rare Adverse Effect of Treatment With Minocycline

An 18-year-old woman presented with a 4-week history of a solitary painful bullous skin lesion over the lower right anterior tibia accompanied by generalized myalgia, polyarthalgia, joint stiffness, paraesthesia, and episodic ankle swelling. The lesion first appeared as a skin-coloredpapule and,within aweek, developedanerythematoushalo.Hermedical history includes asthma and acne. To our knowledge, there is no family history of this condition. Her medications included minocycline hydrochloride (for 25 months for acne), ranitidine hydrochloride, contraceptive pills, and iron supplements. An initial physical examination revealed mild synovitis in both ankles and an erythematous, raised papule overlying the distal aspect of the right anterior tibia. Treatment with prednisone acetate (10 mg daily) was initiated. Seven weeks later, the original skin lesion evolved into an ulcer with erythematous, raised borders (Figure 1). The case patient had new eruptions of nonindurated, violaceous, nontender, reticulated patches overlying the skin on the bilateral anterior tibias, consistent with livedo reticularis. She denies any previous episodes, and the results of a review of mitigating factors were negative. A laboratoryworkup revealed apositive antinuclear antibody 1:640nucleolar pattern, anelevatederythrocyte sedimentation rate, andelevatedC-reactiveprotein andserum IgG levels. The results of the following laboratory studies were negative or normal: complete blood cell count, urinalysis, liver profile, Lymedisease, parvovirus B19,Monospot test, uric acid, rheumatoid factor, antistrepolysin antibody, anti-Scl70, antihepatitis C virus, hepatitis B surface antigen, hepatitis B core antibody, cytomegalovirus antibody, and human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 antibody. Culture results of the skin lesion were negative. The results from chest radiography were normal. Figure 1.Ulcer with raised border and erythematous halo in distal right shin.
Establishing traceability of an electronic calibration unit using the NIST Microwave Uncertainty Framework

We present a method for establishing traceability of a commercial electronic calibration unit for vector network analyzers by characterizing the scattering parameters of its internal states with repeated multiline thru-reflect-line (TRL) calibrations and utilizing the NIST Microwave Uncertainty Framework to propagate uncertainties. With the electronic calibration unit characterized, we use it to calibrate a network analyzer, and characterize a number of verification devices with corresponding uncertainties. We also characterize the same verification devices using one of the previous multiline TRL calibrations, and compare results.
Is the prisoner's dilemma metaphor suitable for altruism? Distinguishing self-control and commitment from altruism

Rachlin basically marshals three reasons behind his unconventional claim that altruism is a subcategory of self-control and that, hence, the prisoner's dilemma is the appropriate metaphor of altruism. I do not find any of the three reasons convincing. Therefore, the prisoner's dilemma metaphor is unsuitable for explaining altruism.
Acute rejection-associated tubular basement membrane defects and chronic allograft nephropathy

Acute rejection-associated tubular basement membrane changes and chronic allograft nephropathy. Background Acute rejection is a major risk factor for chronic allograft nephropathy, although the link(s) between these events is not understood. The hypothesis of this study is that alterations in tubular basement membranes (TBMs) that occur during acute rejection may be irreversible and thereby play a role in the development of chronic allograft nephropathy. Methods Fourteen renal transplant patients were selected, each having had two or more biopsies performed (42 total). All biopsies were scored for acute and chronic rejection using Banff 1997 criteria. The initial biopsy showed only acute interstitial rejection (type I rejection). No biopsies contained significant chronic arterial lesions of chronic vascular rejection. The entire cortex was examined on Jones methenamine silver-stained sections at ×400 for interruption in TBM staining. The number of tubules with TBM abnormalities was counted, and the renal cortical area was measured by image analysis. Periodic acid-Schiff/immunoperoxidase stain was performed on 12 acute rejection biopsies stained for laminin, cytokeratin 7, CD3, CD20, and CD68. Controls consisted of 11 biopsies (8 negative for rejection and 3 acute tubular necrosis). Results Numerous TBM alterations in silver staining were identified as being associated with acute rejection and tubulitis, consisting of abrupt TBM discontinuities and/or extreme attenuation with segmental or complete absence of TBM. A loss of TBM matrix proteins was confirmed by absent laminin staining in areas of acute rejection and tubulitis. There was herniation of tubular cells into the interstitium through TBM defects confirmed by cytokeratin staining. The TBM defects were spatially associated with inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages. When the biopsies were divided into two groups, 10 TBM breaks/mm 2 , there were statistically significant morphologic and clinical correlations. The number of TBM disruptions correlated with the serum creatinine at the time of biopsy, a combined Banff t + i score, the difference in tubular atrophy between the initial and most recent biopsy and the difference between the nadir creatinine and most recent creatinine. Conclusion Damage to TBM develops in acute rejection as a consequence of interstitial inflammation and tubulitis. These lytic events correlate with the later development of clinical and morphologic evidence of chronic injury in the absence of arterial injury of chronic rejection. We suggest that chronic allograft nephropathy may have an inflammatory interstitial origin.
Sodium chloride tolerant lines of tobacco cells

Abstract Tissue culture may provide a rapid method for producing sodium chloride tolerant crop plants. As a first step toward this goal we have isolated several salt tolerant lines of tobacco cells. Both mutagen-treated and untreated cultures develop salt tolerance. The occurrence of spontaneous or induced variants in somatic cell cultures could provide a source of many agriculturally desirable phenotypes.
Theoretical investigations on some rigid‐rod polymers used as high‐performance materials

This review focuses on a new type of para-catenated aromatic polymer being used in the preparation of high-performance films and fibers of exceptional strength, thermal stability, and environmental resistance, including inertness to essentially all common solvents. Polymers of this type include cis and transpoly(p-phenylene benzobisoxazole) (PBO), and the cis and trans forms of the corresponding poly(p-phenylene benzobis-thiazole)(PBT). The purpose of this paper is to summarize the authors' theoretical work on the structures, conformational energies, intermolecular interactions, and electronic properties of PBO and PBT chains, including the protonated forms known to exist in strong acids. The emphasis is on how such studies provide a molecular understanding of the unusual properties and processing characteristics of this new class of materials.
The impact of technological change on household transactions account balances: An empirical cross-section study

The purpose of this article is to determine the impact of adoption of new technology (ATMs) by households on their behavior in holding transactions balances. Previous studies show that households respond to the, availability of ATMs by reducing their currency inventories. Reduced currency needs may be reflected in a reallocation of funds from currency to transactions balances. To test this hypothesis, data from two large household surveys are utilized. It is shown that use of technology has a substantial impact on the transactions balances held by households.
Topographic Imaging of Chromium-Coated Frozen-Hydrated Cell and Macromolecular Complexes by In-Lens Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy

: An in-lens Schottky field emission scanning electron microscope (SEM) combined with a transmission electron microscope (TEM)-type cold-stage and a chromium (Cr) sputter-coating system was developed to rapidly prepare and cryo-image biological specimens to attain accurate nanometer-level structural information. High-resolution topographic images at high primary magnification (>/=200,000x) were digitally recorded with very short dwell times and without beam damage. Plunge freezing in ethane, followed by fracturing, Cr coating, and in-lens cryo-high-resolution scanning electron microscope (HRSEM) imaging directly revealed macromolecular features of yeast cells, platelets, and cell-free elastin analogues. The "vitreous" nature of bulk water in its solid state appeared featureless in cryo-HRSEM images, suggesting that if ice crystals were present they would be </=2-3 nm (the approximate instrument resolution on cryo-specimens). Compared to technically difficult and indirect freeze-fracture TEM replicas, cryo-HRSEM samples are fully hydrated, unfixed, noncryoprotected specimens immersed in featureless ice. The time necessary to cryo-immobilize the specimen and record the image is <3 hr. The hexagonal arrays of intramembrane particles on the protoplasmic face of yeast cells and differences in surface morphology between thrombin-stimulated and quiescent platelets were assessed. A clear interface line between collapsed elastin fibril lacework and vitreous lakes was commonly observed. These experiments demonstrate the feasibility of this technique to rapidly evaluate macromolecular features in cryofixed cells and cell-free systems.
Evaluating Ethics Education Programs: A Multilevel Approach

Although education in the responsible conduct of research is considered necessary, evidence bearing on the effectiveness of these programs in improving research ethics has indicated that, although some programs are successful, many fail. Accordingly, there is a need for systematic evaluation of ethics education programs. In the present effort, we examine procedures for evaluation of ethics education programs from a multilevel perspective: examining both within-program evaluation and cross-program evaluation. With regard to within-program evaluation, we note requisite designs and measures for conducting systematic program evaluation have been developed and multiple measures should be applied in program evaluation. With regard to cross-program evaluation, we argue that a meta-analytic framework should be employed where analyses are used to identify best practices in ethics education. The implications of this multilevel approach for improving responsible conduct of research educational programs are discussed.
Active site of 5-aminolevulinate synthase resides at the subunit interface. Evidence from in vivo heterodimer formation.

5-Aminolevulinate synthase (EC 2.3.1.37) is the first enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway of animals, fungi and some bacteria. It functions as a homodimer and requires pyridoxal 5‘-phosphate as an essential cofactor. In mouse erythroid 5-aminolevulinate synthase, lysine 313 has been identified as the residue involved in the Schiff base linkage with pyridoxal 5‘-phosphate [Ferreira, G. C., et al. (1993) Protein Sci. 2, 1959−1965], while arginine 149, a conserved residue among all known 5-aminolevulinate synthase sequences, is essential for function [Gong & Ferreira (1995) Biochemistry 34, 1678−1685]. To determine whether each subunit contains an independent active site (i.e., intrasubunit arrangement) or whether the active site resides at the subunit interface (i.e., intersubunit arrangement), in vivo complementation studies were used to generate heterodimers from site-directed, catalytically inactive mouse 5-aminolevulinate synthase mutants. When R149A and K313A mutants were co-expressed in a hem A- E...
"I Don't Have a Problem With It, But Other Guys Do": An Exploration of Condom Negotiation among Young Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in the South

Condom negotiation among young Black men who have sex with men in the Southern United States was explored using the theory of reasoned action. Fifty-four (18- to 29-year-old) males participated in nine focus group interviews. Discussions elicited condom use and negotiation attitudes, beliefs and social norms. Positive personal attitudes (respect of self, personal health concerns) and high negotiation self-efficacy was emphasized. Conversely, social norms revealed non-prioritized condom use behavior. Divergence between individual and community indicates theoretical models targeting sexual communication must address external factors (social, economic, political context), which intersects with individual intentions, attitudes to influence HIV prevalence in this community.