cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Retinal Location on Cone Critical Flicker Frequency

This experiment investigated the differential sensitivity of various areas of the retina using flicker. For 12 subjects testing was carried out in the fovea, and 5° and 6° temporal to the fovea using a wavelength of 555 nm. Testing was done both in the presence of a surround beam and in its absence. In all cases, there was a 2.5- to 4-fold increase in the amount of energy needed to perceive flicker as testing was shifted from the fovea to the periphery. A number of possible explanations are suggested to account for these findings.
Quinupristin-dalfopristin: A streptogramin antibiotic

Abstract Over the past 10 years, hospitals have witnessed the growing resistance of gram-positive organisms to many antibiotics. In September 1999, quinupristin–dalfopristin (Synercid) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is the first injectable streptogramin antibiotic and is indicated for the treatment of serious infections (bacteremia and complicated skin infections) caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) and methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogens. The dosage is 7.5 mg/kg intravenously every 8 hours for VREF infections and every 12 hours for skin and skin structure infections. The most common side effect is pain and inflammation at the infusion site. Other side effects include nausea, arthralgias, myalgias, diarrhea, vomiting, and rash. The average wholesale price of quinupristin–dalfopristin is $107 for a 500-mg vial.
The Social Ecology of Homelessness: Exploring the Dynamics of Engagement among Homeless Street Adults

The study examines interaction patterns of homeless populations. The study explores how this population interacts within a given environment. The current study utilizes a person/environment engagement model to analyze behavioral interaction and perceptions in relation to the environment. The author establishes the notion that engagement is dependent on perception of the environment and actual environmental condition. This dual orientation presents a conundrum between internal feelings and external influence. On the one hand, behavior is a consequence of external environment. On the other hand, environment is the consequence of the individual's behavior. Given harsh conditions, the results revealed that either way of understanding is problematic. The author uses modern ecological perspective to develop conditions and interaction patterns.
Purification and molecular characterization of β-naphthoflavone-inducible cytochrome P-450 from rat epidermis

This study was designed to characterize epidermal cytochrome P-450 (P-450) induced by skin application of beta-naphthoflavone (beta-NF). Topical application of beta-NF (40 mg/kg) to rats resulted in a 2.6-times increase in epidermal P-450 content and a 3--14-times increase in epidermal monooxygenase activities. The purified epidermal P-450 showed a major band at 54 kDa on SDS-PAGE, which comigrated with hepatic P-4501A1 and cross-reacted with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies specific to P-4501A1. The specific content of purified epidermal P-450 was 1.53 nmol/mg protein, representing 42-times purification. HPLC analysis of the purified epidermal P-450 showed similar elution profile and retention time as that of hepatic P-4501A1. The purified preparation efficiently catalyzed-benzo(a)pyrene hydroxylation when reconstituted with purified NADPH--P-450 reductase and phospholipid. Peptide fingerprint analysis of the purified epidermal P-450 and hepatic P-4501A1 showed similar monoclonal antibody 1-7-1 reacting epitopes. Partial N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of purified epidermal P-450 showed complete homology with the known sequence of P-4501A1. Similarly, HPLC analysis of tryptic digest of purified epidermal P-450 and hepatic P-4501A1 showed identical peptide peaks with comparable retention times. N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis of three randomly selected tryptic peptides showed complete homology with the known sequence of P-4501A1. These results indicate that rat epidermal P-450 induced by beta-NF is similar to hepatic P-4501A1.
The Study of the Protein in a Commercial Meat Product

Abstract In nutrition studies it is often desirable to conduct experiments designed to determine wherein one factor of a constituent of the diet is deficient. The method of determining such deficiencies is known as a biological analysis of a food-stuff and has been successfully used by many investigators. A detailed description of this method is given by McCollum (1). In this paper we desire to present the results of biological tests in determining the amino acid deficiencies of a certain commercial protein concentrate. EXPERIMENTAL Newly hatched White Leghorn chicks, of similar breeding and from flocks kept under uniform conditions, were used in these tests, using 18 chicks to each four lots. The chicks were confined in tables previously described (2). Each chick was banded and weekly weights were taken. A record was kept of the weekly food consumption. The meat meal product used in this test is described by the manufacturers . . .
Reply to Skow

We have argued against a standard way of defining Humean supervenience about laws, and in favor of an alternative definition. Skow says that our argument against the standard definition makes a big mistake. He is right about this. But that mistake is correctable. Skow also argues that our alternative definition is seriously flawed. We think he is wrong about this.
Ventilatory responses during and following exposure to a hypoxic challenge in conscious mice deficient or null in S-nitrosoglutathione reductase.

Abstract Exposure to a hypoxic challenge increases ventilation in wild-type (WT) mice that diminish during the challenge (roll-off) whereas return to room air causes an increase in ventilation (short-term facilitation, STF). Since plasma and tissue levels of ventilatory excitant S-nitrosothiols such as S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) increase during hypoxia, this study examined whether (1) the initial increase in ventilation is due to generation of GSNO, (2) roll-off is due to increased activity of the GSNO degrading enzyme, GSNO reductase (GSNOR), and (3) STF is limited by GSNOR activity. Initial ventilatory responses to hypoxic challenge (10% O2, 90% N2) were similar in WT, GSNO+/− and GSNO−/− mice. These responses diminished markedly during hypoxic challenge in WT mice whereas there was minimal roll-off in GSNOR+/− and GSNOR−/− mice. Finally, STF was greater in GSNOR+/− and GSNOR−/− mice than in WT mice (especially females). This study suggests that GSNOR degradation of GSNO is a vital step in the expression of ventilatory roll-off and that GSNOR suppresses STF.
REPLY TO RONALD A. BERK: ON BARTKO'S INTRACLASS CORRELATIONS OF INTERRATER RELIABILITY

Selected evidence from published literature on actual cases of bias, rater-bias, inter-observer bias or systematic differences illustrates the position previously taken against the use of the produ...
Nutritional management of chronic diarrhea and malnutrition: Primary reliance on oral feeding

The course of 61 infants admitted for treatment of chronic diarrhea and malnutrition was reviewed. Thirty children had marasmus, 18 kwashiorkor, and 13 marasmic kwashiorkor. After initial rehydration infants were managed with a predominantly oral nutrition regimen using a formula based on whole protein (casein), vegetable oil, glucose, and sucrose. Intravenous fluids were required for 38 infants (62%) for a median duration of six days, principally for the delivery of antibiotics, although amino acids were added in many instances. Feedings were started at 25 kcal/kg/day and were increased 25 kcal/kg/day every other day until acceptable steady weight gain ensued provided that stool output did not exceed 100 to 150 gm/day and stool character was improving. Infants with M and MK reached a maximum intake of 151±21 kcal/kg/day after five weeks of treatment. Weight gain had been occurring for two weeks prior to this time. Infants with K were purposely not advanced past 75 kcal/kg/day until edema had cleared; a maximum intake of 135±16 kcal/kg/day was reached at five weeks. Mean initial serum albumin concentration in these infants with K was 1.8±0.3 gm/day and required 20±13 and 53±24 days to exceed 2.0 and 3.6 gm/dl, respectively. Fourteen of the 61 infants died. Six were moribund on arrival and died within the first three days. All of the remaining eight died of overwhelming infection (six generalized, two pneumonia). Our data suggest that once infection is controlled, infants with chronic diarrhea and malnutrition can usually be effectively managed by enteral feeding without resorting to parenteral alimentation.
Thermolysis of the [a.2.2]propellanes. Mechanisms for the thermolysis of bicyclo[2.2.0]hexanes.

Abstract The thermolysis of the [4.2.2]propellene proceeds with good first order kinetics and gives E a = 46 kcal/mole. The increase in E a over that for bicyclo[2.2.0]hexane and the [2.2.2]propellane provides evidence tor the mechanism of these thermolyses.
A configurable visual programming environment: a tool for domain-specific programming

Visual programming is an appealing technique, which many environments support. It can be applied in a system development process that nonsoftware engineers can perform. The key is to use visual domain specific models. Because there are many different domains, it is economical to develop a generic and configurable visual programming environment (VPE) that can be customized for the domains and paradigms. The author discusses a generic VPE's requirements, design, and implementation, and illustrates its use in a system, the Intelligent Process-Control System (IPCS), for the process control domain. This VPE and the IPCS have been developed in a multiyear research effort. Different versions of the VPE are used at many companies, including Boeing, DuPont, and NASA, and the IPCS has been commercialized by the Osaka Gas Information Systems Research Institute (Osaka, Japan). >
A look into AFRL/SNA's sensor data archive and collection methodologies (Invited Paper)

Having relevant sensor data available during the early phases of ATR algorithm development and evaluation projects is paramount. The source of this data primarily comes from either being synthetically-generated or from measured collections. These collections, in turn, can either be highly-controlled or operational-like exercises. This paper presents a broad overview on the types of data being housed within the Automatic Target Recognition Division of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL/SNA) and that are available to the ATR developer.
IMMOBILIZED METAL-ION AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY : IMIDAZOLE PROTON PUMP AND CHROMATOGRAPHIC SEQUELAE. I. PROTON PUMP

Complexation of imidazole (Im) with an iminodiacetate (IDA) metal chelate [IDA-M(II)] ligand of chelating gel results in an acidification of the mobile phase. The scope of the action of this IDA-M(II)Im 'proton pump' in IMAC is determined by: (a) IDA-M(II) density of the gel; (b) concentration of applied Im; and (c) the buffering capacity of the mobile phase. Application of Im onto a metal chelate column in a gradient rather than in a stepwise manner, mitigates the proton pump's action, as it does an increase of buffer concentration in the mobile phase. However, only an antecedent conversion of the metal chelate gel, IDA-M(II), to its Im derivative, IDA-M(II) Im, can effectively circumscribe the action of the proton pump. The same holds true, as anticipated, when another chelating ligand (nitrilotriacetate) is used.
Characterization of surface roughness anisotropy on mismatched InAlAs/InP heterostructures

We have studied surface roughness on mismatched In0.65Al0.35As epilayers of various thicknesses on (001) InP. The sample set spans the entire range from coherently strained to completely relaxed epilayers. As characterization tools, we have used atomic force microscopy (AFM), laser light scattering (LLS), and variable azimuthal angle ellipsometry (VAAE). AFM reveals that the surfaces are covered by densely packed ellipsoidal islands elongated along the [1-10] direction. The island size increases with layer thickness. Island anisotropy and the root mean square of the surface roughness increase with increasing thickness but decrease upon full lattice relaxation. LLS intensity displays a prominent azimuthal dependence that correlates well with the two-dimensional power spectrum of the surface topography, as predicted by theory. VAAE reveals a sinusoidal dependence of the ellipsometric parameter Δ on azimuthal angle. The amplitude of A correlates well with the short wavelength anisotropy of the surface power spectrum. Our work suggests that LLS and VAAE are fast, nondestructive, sensitive techniques for characterization of surface roughness in mismatched III-V heterostructures.
The visual filter mediating letter identification.

WE hear periodic sounds, or tones, by means of parallel auditory filters, each tuned to a band of temporal frequency1, and we see periodic patterns, or gratings, by means of parallel visual filters, each tuned to a band of spatial frequency2. Beyond helping us to see gratings, do these visual filters participate in everyday tasks such as reading and object recognition? After all, grating visibility only requires the distinguishing of pattern from blank, whereas object recognition, for example letter identification, requires classification by the observer into one of many learned categories. Here we make use of results from hearing research3, applying to vision a noise-masking paradigm that reveals the filter(s) mediating any threshold task. We find that letter-identification and grating-detection filters are identical, showing that the recognition of these objects at one size is mediated and constrained by a single visual filter, or 'channel'.
Changes in soil properties and site productivity caused by red alder

Red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.) is well recognized as an effective host plant for the symbiotic fixation of N. While this fixation process leads to the rapid accumulation of N within the ecosystem, it also enhances nutrient accumulation in biomass and soil organic matter and increases nitrification and cation leaching. We hypothesized that changes in soil properties resulting from these processes would decrease site productivity for second rotation red alder. Adjacent stands of 55 yr old alder and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) were studied at the Thompson Research Center on the Cedar River Watershed in western Washington, USA. The presence of red alder caused the following soil changes: decreased soil solution pH, increased CEC, increased exchangeable acidity accompanied by a decreased soil pH and base saturation. This decreased soil and soil solution pH resulted in increased Al concentration in the soil solution and on exchange sites as well as decreased P availability. To determine the effect of these changes on the productivity of the 2nd rotation alder forest, a species conversion experiment was initiated 5 yr ago. Results from this conversion study clearly indicated that the first rotation red alder forest has caused a relative decrease in the productivity of the second rotation red alder plantation. Compared to the growth of red alder on the former Douglas fir site, the second rotation red alder on the former red alder site exhibited 33% less height growth and 75% less aboveground biomass accumulation after 5 yr. Future research will focus on identifying those factors causing this lower productivity including P availability, soil acidity and Al toxicity, cation availability, and competition with other vegetation.
Efficient security mechanisms for the border gateway routing protocol

We analyze the security of the BGP routing protocol and identify a number of vulnerabilities in its design and the corresponding threats. We then present modifications to the protocol that minimize or eliminate the most significant threats. The innovation we introduce is the protection of the second-to-last hop information contained in the AS_PATH attributes by digital signatures, and the use of this predecessor information to verify the path of the selected route. With these techniques, we are able to secure complete path information in near constant space, avoiding the recursive protection mechanisms proposed for BGP in the past.
US oil consumption, oil prices, and the macroeconomy

Since the oil price shock of 1973–74, researchers have waged an intense debate regarding the connection between the U.S. energy sector and national income. Studies examining the relationship between oil prices, oil consumption, and real output have produced remarkably mixed results. In particular, the two most widely cited investigations by Darby and Hamilton come to dramatically different conclusions concerning the effect of oil shocks on economic activity. To date, however, studies of this issue have been either correlation based and thus void of causality inferences, have used overly restrictive bivariate causality techniques, or covered periods that exclude major oil price disruptions. This paper analyzes a quarterly multivariate VAR model to investigate the existence and direction of causality between oil prices, oil consumption, real output, and several other key macroeconomic policy variables. Among the key findings is that oil price shocks are not a major cause of U.S. business cycles. Moreover, our findings also suggest that both oil prices and real output cause significant changes in oil consumption without feedback. These results support the contention that a systematic U.S. conservation policy would not significantly impair real economic activity.
A Trajectory Management Strategy for Nonconforming Flights and Multi-Agent Separation Assurance

This paper presents an enhancement for use in advanced trajectory management automation systems for addressing issues associated with aircraft not conforming to their route and altitude assignments. It also addresses integration issues when tactical and strategic conict resolution services are provided by dierent sources. The enhancement is being added to an automation concept referred to as the Advanced Airspace Concept (AAC) that is being developed to meet the needs of the air transportation system beyond NextGen. A ight plan route and assigned altitude conformance monitor is added to the AAC. In addition, a mechanism to dene out-of-conformance tolerance thresholds, and a solution, referred to as Recapture, to resolve out-of-conformance ights is proposed. Furthermore, this paper introduces a trajectory renement concept for rejoining an aircraft with its route or assigned altitude especially following an open-ended separation maneuver such as a single heading vector or temporary altitude. These new capabilities enable the integration of the Autoresolver and Tactical Separation-Assured Flight Environment, or any other separation agent, so the transition of strategic and tactical separation assurance responsibility is seamless. A set of fast-time simulations are performed to support the proof of concept, and a survey of operational applications are explored.
Using a simulation model to assess risk of false negative point-of-care urinary human chorionic gonadotropin device results due to high-dose hook interference.

Abstract Background It is unclear if the point-of-care (POC) Clinitest hCG device is subject to high-dose hook interference from physiological concentrations of intact human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), β-core fragment of hCG (hCGβcf), and hCG free β-subunit (hCGβ) found in urine during pregnancy. We used a simulation model to address this question and related our findings to our institution's pregnant population in order to assess risk for potential false-negative hCG results. Methods The expected distribution of days relative to ovulation during routine POC hCG testing was estimated from 182 patients. Clinitest-Clinitek Status hCG device susceptibility to high-dose hook interference from hCG variants and potential risk of false-negative results as it relates to this population were evaluated by testing increasing concentrations of hCG, hCGβcf, hCGβ as well as urine simulating physiological hCG, hCGβcf and hCGβ concentrations expected during early pregnancy (≤ 44 days post-ovulation). Results The Clinitest-Clinitek Status hCG device exhibited high-dose hook interference from hCGβcf alone, but not from hCG, hCGβ, or simulated physiological urinary concentrations of combined hCG, hCGβcf and hCGβ expected during early pregnancy. The majority of our patient population had urinary hCG testing conducted during early pregnancy. Conclusion The Clinitest-Clinitek Status hCG device is unlikely to exhibit false-negative urinary hCG results due to high-dose hook interference for women in early healthy pregnancy, although additional studies are necessary to determine potential risk in other patient populations. Visual interpretation of POC urinary hCG device results is an important failure mode to consider in risk analyses for erroneous urinary hCG device results.
Suppression of splenic lymphocyte function by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in vitro.

The effects of the immunosuppressive polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) were studied directly by in vitro exposure of splenic lymphocytes. On the basis of evidence from prior studies that DMBA immunotoxicity in vivo may not be dependent upon induction of the Ah locus in mice, splenocytes from Ah-responsive B6C3F1, Ah-nonresponsive DBA2N, and in C57BL6J Ah-congenic mice (responsive B6-AhbAhd and nonresponsive B6-AhdAhd) were exposed to xenobiotic in culture. For some experiments, B6C3F1 mice were pretreated with 200 nmol 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) to induce Ah-associated enzymatic activity prior to in vitro splenocyte exposure to DMBA. Humoral immunity assessed as splenic antibody plaque-forming cells measured after a 5-day in vitro immunization to sheep erythrocytes (SRBC) was suppressed up to 99% by continuous exposure to 20 μm DMBA, and was comparable between control mice having basal levels of hepatic monooxygenase activity and Ah-induced mice (TCDD-treated) having elevated enzyme activity. Similarly, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte generation against P815 target cells was suppressed up to 88 and 86% in 40 μm DMBA-exposed splenocytes from Ah-induced and noninduced mice, respectively. The mixed lymphocyte responsiveness (MLR) of B6C3F1, DBA2N, B6-AhbAhd, and B6-AhdAhd splenocytes exposed in vitro to 40 μm DMBA was suppressed 54, 72, 51, and 29%, respectively. However, the degree of suppression was not significantly different between the strains. The secretion of interleukin 2 (IL 2) was also suppressed in splenocytes from both strains exposed to 40 μm DMBA in vitro. Studies which included benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) as a control xenobiotic known to demonstrate Ah dependence showed that the MLR of splenic lymphocytes from Ah-congenic mice was comparably suppressed following 40 μm DMBA exposure, whereas exposure to 40 μm BaP resulted in suppression of the MLR only in B6-AhbAhd splenocytes. In addition, mitogen-stimulated proliferation was inhibited in both B6C3F1 and DBA2N splenocytes exposed to 40 μm DMBA, whereas 40 μm BaP inhibited only B6C3F1 splenocyte proliferation to LPS. These data suggest that DMBA may act on immunocytes by mechanisms largely independent of the Ah locus and associated metabolic processes.
Natural Language Processing With Modular PDP Networks And Distributed Lexicon

An approach to connectionist natural language processing is proposed, which is based on hierarchically organized modular parallel distributed processing (PDP) networks and a central lexicon of distributed input/output representations. The modules communicate using these representations, which are global and publicly available in the system. The representations are developed automatically by all networks while they are learning their processing tasks. The resulting representations reflect the regularities in the subtasks, which facilitates robust processing in the face of noise and damage, supports improved generalization, and provides expectations about possible contexts. The lexicon can be extended by cloning new instances of the items, that is, by generating a number of items with known processing properties and distinct identities. This technique combinatorially increases the processing power of the system. The recurrent FGREP module, together with a central lexicon, is used as a basic building block in modeling higher level natural language tasks. A single module is used to form case-role representations of sentences from word-by-word sequential natural language input. A hierarchical organization of four recurrent FGREP modules (the DISPAR system) is trained to produce fully expanded paraphrases of script-based stories, where unmentioned events and role fillers are inferred.
A Virtual Microscopy Image Database for Dermatopathology Education.

A comprehensive collection of high quality histologic slides is essential for education of pathology and dermatology trainees in dermatopathology. However, maintenance of the quality of the teaching slide collection is constantly challenged by slide loss, breakage, and stain fading. Recut replacement slides are not always easily attainable. When they are, the most important diagnostic features may not be as well represented in recuts. The ScanScope (Aperio Technologies) virtual microscopy instrument and software have been used to create a dermatopathology image database. Histologic sections on glass microscope slides are scanned at X20 to obtain a high-resolution digital image of the entire section (virtual slides). This magnification is optimal for demonstrating most cutaneous pathologic processes, where low or intermediate power pattern recognition is of primary diagnostic importance. Images can be viewed with the ImageScope virtual slide viewing software. The software is intuitive to use and closely mimics viewing of a slide at the microscope. Virtual slide image quality is equivalent to that seen at the microscope. Unique teaching slides can be reproduced in unlimited quantities and slides are never lost, broken, or misfiled. Internet, intranet, or DVD access permits continuous availability of a teaching slide collection to trainees.
Food allergies: prevalence, molecular characterization, and treatment/prevention strategies.

▪ Abstract A significant proportion of the population is either affected by or concerned about food allergy. Our knowledge about food allergens and how they stimulate the immune system has increased dramatically over the past decade. However, reasons for the increased prevalence of food allergy are not clear. The diagnosis of food allergy requires that the patient and caregivers examine all foods for the presence of potential allergens in order to prevent inadvertent ingestion and further reactions. Fortunately, many children develop tolerance to allergenic foods after a period of dietary elimination. Various immunotherapy approaches are under investigation to alleviate or prevent food-induced reactions in those who have persistent food allergies.
Control of polishing of diamond films using microactuation and an atmospheric pressure plasma

In this work, the diamond deposited by hot filament chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is polished using an atmospheric pressure plasma. In order to position the film relative to the plasma, a microactuator system is designed using a stack of domed piezoelectric actuators. A dynamic model based on the physical system is developed and the model parameters are measured experimentally. A system based on laser triangulation is used to measure the position of the diamond film relative to the plasma. Control techniques are used to reduce the oscillations during actuation and to eliminate the steady state positioning error. With the application of feedback control, the overshoot is reduced to 2% and the settling time is reduced to 0.3 s. A preliminary set of experiments is performed to relate process parameters to the final surface roughness of the diamond film. The parameters studied include the film's time of exposure to the plasma, the height of the film relative to the plasma, and the distance from the film to the center of the plasma. It is found that the optimum exposure time is 15 min and the reduction of surface roughness is greatest when the distance between the film and the plasma is at a minimum. The best results are obtained when the top of the film is even in elevation with the tip of the top electrode. The diamond film is translated laterally along the plasma. When feedback control is not used, there is no change in the surface roughness. With feedback control implemented, the surface roughness of the diamond film is reduced by 33%.
Bayesian Partial Linear Model for Skewed Longitudinal Data

Summary Unlike majority of current statistical models and methods focusing on mean response for highly skewed longitudinal data, we present a novel model for such data accommodating a partially linear median regression function, a skewed error distribution and within subject association structures. We provide theoretical justifications for our methods including asymptotic properties of the posterior and associated semiparametric Bayesian estimators. We also provide simulation studies to investigate the finite sample properties of our methods. Several advantages of our method compared to existing methods are demonstrated via analysis of a cardiotoxicity study of children of HIV infected mothers. ⇤ To whom correspondence should be addressed.
Oestrogen receptor beta mediates decreased occlusal loading induced inhibition of chondrocyte maturation in female mice.

Abstract Objective Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders predominantly afflict women, suggesting that estrogen may play a role in the disease process. Defects in mechanical loading-induced TMJ remodelling are believed to be a major etiological factor in TMJ degenerative disease. Previously, we found that, decreased occlusal loading caused a significant decrease in early chondrocyte maturation markers (Sox9 and Col 2) in female, but not male, C57BL/6 wild type mice (1). The goal of this study was to examine the role of Estrogen Receptor (ER) beta in mediating these effects. Design 21-day-old male ( n = 24) and female ( n = 25) ER beta KO mice were exposed to decreased occlusal loading (soft diet administration and incisor trimming) for 4 weeks. At 49 days of age the mice were sacrificed. Proliferation, gene expression, Col 2 immunohistochemistry and micro-CT analysis were performed on the mandibular condyles. Results Decreased occlusal loading triggered similar effects in male and female ER beta KO mice; specifically, significant decreases in Col 10 expression, subchondral total volume, bone volume, and trabecular number. Conclusion Decreased occlusal loading induced inhibition of chondrocyte maturation markers (Sox9 and Col 2) did not occur in female ER beta deficient mice.
Error-resilient video transmission using multiple embedded Wyner-Ziv descriptions

This paper proposes systematic lossy error protection of video waveforms using multiple embedded Wyner-Ziv video descriptions. A video signal transmitted over an error-prone channel, without channel coding, constitutes the systematic portion of the transmission. Error protection is achieved by additionally transmitting two or more bitstreams generated by Wyner-Ziv coding of the video signal. The Wyner-Ziv bitstreams contain multiple embedded coarsely quantized descriptions of the original video signal. In the event of channel errors, the Wyner-Ziv descriptions are decoded, thereby limiting the maximum distortion that can occur. The available Wyner-Ziv bit-rate is allocated among the multiple embedded descriptions, using the observation that the visibility of slice losses and quantization artifacts depends on the employed coding structure. Experimental results show that the trade-off between error-resilience and residual quantization distortion can be better exploited using multiple embedded Wyner-Ziv descriptions, compared to earlier results with a single Wyner-Ziv bitstream. The system delivers gracefully deteriorating video quality without requiring a layered video compression scheme in the systematic portion of the transmission.
A Panel Analysis of Legal Culture, Political Economics, and Punishment Among 15 Western Countries, 1960–2010

I extend Sutton’s political economy of punishment thesis by including a composite measure of legal and criminal justice practices that are hypothesized to be related to incarceration rates. I test ...
Maternal Exhaustion as an Obstetric Complication: Implications of TBA Training

Maternal exhaustion is a common diagnosis for Guatemalan women referred to community hospitals by traditional birth attendants (TBAs). Maternal exhaustion is associated with prolonged labor, bearing down for > 2 hours, and oxytocin administration by TBAs. The strongest association is with prolonged bearing down which is a practice commonly encouraged by Guatemalan TBAs. Training TBAs in instructing the mother not to bear down until she has an urge to push and not to administer oxytocin to their patients had little impact in curtailing these practices. This lack of effect may be due to cultural beliefs about appropriate birthing practices and their importance for the women in the community.
Sperm chromatin released by nucleases.

In human spermatozoa, 15–20% of histones are retained in the nucleus to coexist with protamines. Hypothetically, nucleohistone regions of sperm chromatin mark DNA sequences for distinctive processing during fertilization and early embryogenesis. The structural organization and molecular composition of nucleohistones in human spermatozoa is poorly studied. Here, we isolate and characterize fractions of sperm chromatin that are solubilized by endogenous and micrococcal nucleases. Chromatin isolated by either nuclease have a nucleosomal organization with the periodicity of ∼195 bp (endogenous nuclease digest) and ∼189 bp (micrococcal nuclease digest), which is similar to that of somatic cells. A distinct feature of sperm nucleohistone is its specific compact supra-nucleosomal organization that was demonstrated by two-dimensional electrophoresis and by atomic force microscopy. The latter technique showed compacted fiber arrays composed of globular particles with the prevailing diameter of ∼16 nm. A rough esti...
BiDil in the Clinic: An Interdisciplinary Investigation of Physicians' Prescription Patterns of a Race-Based Therapy.

Background: The African American Heart Failure Trial (A-HeFT) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of BiDil for race-specific prescription have stirred the debate about the scientific and medical status of race. Yet there is no assessment of the potential fallout of this dispute on physicians’ willingness to prescribe the drug. We present here an analysis of the factors influencing physicians’ prescription of BiDil and investigate whether exposure to the controversy has an impact on their therapeutic judgments about the drug. Methods: We conducted an electronic survey with physicians in the department of internal medicine at the University of Cincinnati. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups, with one group receiving information about the controversy over BiDil. We used various statistical tests, including a linear mixed effects model, to analyze the results. Results: Twenty-seven percent of the participants reported using patients’ race as a major factor in making treatment dec...
Carbohydrate Content of Euglobulins of Normal and Rheumatoid Sera

Summary1. Euglobulins were prepared by 3 different methods from“latex positive” pooled serum. 2. Total protein bound hexoses, glucosamine, and sialic acid were measured on each euglobulin preparation. All were somewhat similar with the exception of the euglobulin prepared with hydrochloric acid, which had a higher per cent of hexose to protein. All showed marked increase in content when compared with euglobulins isolated from a pooled “latex negative” normal serum. 3. Paper electrophoretic examination reveals proteins that migrate as gamma globulins and are highly PAS positive. 4. A uronic acid-containing mucopolysaccharide was isolated from the cold agglutinating euglobulin.
Hormonal regulation of the shape of identified motoneurons in the moth Manduca sexta

Motoneurons MN-1 and MN-3 in the moth Manduca sexta go through 3 distinct phases during postembryonic life. During larval life their neuritic fields show allometric growth in concert with larval growth. Larval neurites are then lost during the larval-pupal transition, which is followed by the outgrowth of adult-specific neurites during adult development. In MN-1, the adult-specific arbor typically results from the outgrowth of neurites ipsilateral to the cell body. However, in a small percentage of cells, ipsilateral branches are not present and contralateral branches extend across the midline to fill the vacant space. This altered form of MN-1 is thought to result from the early failure of ipsilateral neurite extension. The steroid hormones, the ecdysteroids, are responsible for the outgrowth of adult neurites. The onset of the latter is correlated with the ecdysteroid increase that promotes adult differentiation and does not occur under conditions such as diapause, in which the normal steroid rise is absent. Artificial replacement of ecdysteroids, however, induces the adult-specific growth. This action of ecdysteroids to cause a change in neuronal form requires the absence of juvenile hormone (JH). Application of JH mimics prior to the onset of the program of adult outgrowth blocks this outgrowth. MN-1 and MN-3 show different times of JH sensitivity, which appear to be correlated with different times of neurite outgrowth. It is concluded that the role of JH is to maintain the status quo of central neurons and prevent changes in form in response to ecdysteroids. In the absence of JH, the ecdysteroids can then exert morphogenetic changes, but the nature of these actions, neurite outgrowth or regression, is likely a function of the developmental history of the cell.
Imprinting and seed development.

Imprinted genes are expressed predominantly from one allele in a parent-of-origin–specific manner. The endosperm, a seed tissue that mediates the transfer of nutrients from the maternal parent to the embryo, is an important site of imprinting in flowering plants. Imprinted genes have been
Attenuated poxvirus expressing three immunodominant CMV antigens as a vaccine strategy for CMV infection.

Abstract Background Human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important risk factor in the post-transplant (Tx) recovery phase for both hematopoietic stem cell Tx (HSCT) and solid organ Tx (SOT) recipients. CMV infection may be prevented or controlled by simultaneously inducing both CMV-specific neutralizing antibody (nAb) and cellular immunity. Soluble (s) UL55 (surface glycoprotein), UL83 (tegument protein) and UL123/e4 (nuclear protein) are immunodominant in eliciting both CMV nAb and cellular immunity. An attenuated poxvirus, modified vaccinia Ankara (MVA) was selected to develop this vaccine strategy in Tx recipients, because of its clinical safety record, large foreign gene capacity, and capability to activate strong humoral and cellular immune responses against recombinant antigens. Objectives A subunit vaccine that targets multiple CMV antigens will be used to gain maximal coverage and protective function against CMV infection. rMVA simultaneously expressing sUL55, UL83 and UL123/e4 will be generated, and humoral and cellular immunity it elicits will be characterized, after murine immunization and in vitro to amplify clinical recall responses. Study design rMVA will be constructed in two steps using UL123/e4-pLW22 followed by sUL55-UL83-pLW51 transfer plasmids. Western blots will be used to characterize expression levels of each antigen. Primary immunity will be evaluated in mouse models, while recall responses to the virally expressed CMV antigens will be assessed in human peripheral blood. Results We generated CMV-MVA via homologous recombination, and demonstrated high expression levels of sUL55, UL83 and UL123/e4 by Western blot. CMV-MVA immunization potently induced both humoral and cellular immunity to sUL55, UL83 and UL123 after murine immunization, and cellular immunity to UL83 and UL123 by in vitro amplification of T cell recall responses in human PBMC. Conclusions rMVA promotes high level expression of three immunodominant CMV antigens, which is reflected in results of immunization studies in which high titers of UL55-specific antibodies and CD4 + T-help are detected, as well as high levels of UL83-specific and moderate levels of UL123-specific CD8 + CTL.
Incorporating Data from Multiple Sensors for Localizing Nodes in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

The ad hoc network localization problem deals with estimating the geographical location of all nodes in an ad hoc network, focusing on those nodes that do not have a direct way (for example, GPS) to determine their own location. Proposed solutions to the ad hoc localization problem (AHLP) assume that nodes are capable of measuring received signal strength indication (RSSI) and/or are able to do coarse (sectoring) or fine signal angle-of-arrival (AoA) measurements. Existing algorithms exploit different aspects of such sensory data to provide either better localization accuracy or higher localization coverage. However, there is a need for a framework that could benefit from the interactions of nodes with mixed types of sensors. In this paper, we study the behavior of RSSI and AoA sensory data in the context of AHLP by using both geometric analysis and computer simulations. We show which type of sensor is better suited for which type of network scenario. We study how nodes using either, both, or none of these sensors could coexist in the same localization framework. We then provide a general particle-filtering framework, the first of its kind, that allows heterogeneity in the types of sensory data to solve the localization problem. We show that, when compared to localization scenarios where only one type of sensor is used, our framework provides significantly better localization results. Furthermore, our framework provides not only a location estimate for each nonanchor, but also an implicit confidence measure as to how accurate this estimate is. This confidence measure enables nodes to further improve on their location estimates using a local, iterative one-hop simple message exchange without having to rely on synchronized multiphase operations like in traditional multilateration methods.
Providing a Rationale in an Autonomy-Supportive Way as a Strategy to Motivate Others During an Uninteresting Activity

When motivating others during uninteresting activities, people typically use extrinsic contingencies that promote controlling forms of extrinsic motivation. In contrast, we investigated a motivational strategy that could support another person’s capacity to personally endorse and value the effort he or she put forth during the uninteresting activity. That strategy is the provision of an externally provided rationale when communicated in an autonomy-supportive way. In two studies, we tested and found support for a motivational mediation model, based on selfdetermination theory, in which the presence of such a rationale (vs. its absence) adds to participants’ identification with the task’s personal value which, in turn, explains participants’ subsequent effort. These studies suggest that extrinsically motivated behaviors can become self-determined through the process of identification and that the promotion of this identification experience depends on the presence of a rationale that is communicated in an autonomy-supportive way.
Acute effect of nitric oxide on Raynaud's phenomenon in scleroderma

Intra-arterial infusions of L-arginine and sodium nitroprusside significantly decreased the occurrence of laboratory-induced Raynaud's phenomenon in scleroderma patients. Raising the concentration of nitric oxide may be of therapeutic value in this population.
Decline in renal functioning is associated with longitudinal decline in global cognitive functioning, abstract reasoning and verbal memory

Background Decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher serum creatinine (sCR) levels have been associated with longitudinal decline in global mental status measures. Longitudinal data describing change in multiple domains of cognitive functioning are needed in order to determine which specific abilities are most affected in individuals with impaired renal function.
Modeling the Matrix of Articular Cartilage Using a Continuous Fiber Angular Distribution Predicts Many Observed Phenomena

A number of theoretical frameworks embodying the disparity between tensile and compressive properties of cartilage have been proposed, accounting for the collagen fibers implicitly [1,2] or explicitly [3–5]. These models generally propose discrete fiber families to describe the collagen matrix. They are able to capture the most salient features of the cartilage mechanical response, namely, the tension-compression nonlinearity of the stress-strain curve [6].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Developmental neurogenetics and multimodal neuroimaging of sex differences in autism

Examining sex differences in the brain has been historically contentious but is nonetheless important for advancing mental health for both girls and boys. Unfortunately, females in biomedical research remain underrepresented in most mental health conditions including autism spectrum disorders (ASD), even though equal inclusion of females would improve treatment for girls and yield benefits to boys. This review examines sex differences in the relationship between neuroanatomy and neurogenetics of ASD. Recent findings reveal that girls diagnosed with ASD exhibit more intellectual and behavioral problems compared to their male counterparts, suggesting that girls may be less likely diagnosed in the absence of such problems or that they require a higher mutational load to meet the diagnostic criteria. Thus far, the female biased effect of chromosome 4, 5p15.33, 8p, 9p24.1, 11p12-13, 15q, and Xp22.3 and the male biased effect of 1p31.3, 5q12.3, 7q, 9q33.3, 11q13.4, 13q33.3, 16p11.2, 17q11-21, Xp22.33/Yp11.31, DRD1, NLGN3, MAOA, and SHANK1 deletion have been discovered in ASD. The SNPs of genes such as RYR2, UPP2, and the androgen receptor gene have been shown to have sex-biasing factors in both girls and boys diagnosed with ASD. These sex-related genetic factors may drive sex differences in the neuroanatomy of these girls and boys, including abnormal enlargement in temporal gray and white matter volumes, and atypical reduction in cerebellar gray matter volumes and corpus callosum fibers projecting to the anterior frontal cortex in ASD girls relative to boys. Such factors may also be responsible for the attenuation of brain sexual differentiation in adult men and women with ASD; however, much remains to be uncovered or replicated. Future research should leverage further the association between neuroanatomy and genetics in girls for an integrated and interdisciplinary understanding of ASD.
Functional Response of Orius insidiosus (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) to the European Red Mite, Panonychus ulmi (Acari: Tetranychidae), at Different Constant Temperatures

The functional response of Orius insidiosus (Say) to densities of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), was studied at 18.3, 23.9, 29.4, and 35.0°C with prey densities of 5–80 mites per cage. Mite consumption was recorded during five, 3-h intervals during the day. O. insidiosus exhibited a functional response and increasing temperatures resulted in increased feeding at most prey densities. Data provided a good fit to both type-2 and type-3 functional response models.