cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
At the Edge? HIV Stigma and Centrality in a Community's Social Network in Namibia

Social network analysis was used to examine the relationship between HIV/AIDS stigmatization, perceived risk, and centrality in the community network (via participation in community groups). The findings from respondents in Keetmanshoop, Namibia (N = 375) showed an interaction between stigma and risk perceptions\hose who perceived higher HIV risk and stronger HIV stigma participated in fewer community groups and participated in groups with members who participated less widely across the network. In contrast, those who perceived higher HIV risk and weaker HIV stigma participated more, and were in community groups that are located on a greater share of the paths between entities in the network. Taboo, secrecy, resistance, knowing a person living with HIV/AIDS, and desire for diagnosis secrecy were also related to centrality. Findings suggest that the interaction of perceived HIV risk and HIV stigma are related to structural-level features of community networks based on participation in community groups.
Membrane association of phospholipase c encoded by thenorpA gene ofdrosophila melanogaster

Abstract Severe mutations within the norpA gene of Drosophila abolish the photoreceptor potential and render the fly blind by deleting phospholipase C, an essential component of the phototransduction pathway. To study the membrane association of phospholipase C, we have utilized biochemical assays of phospholipase C activity, which predominant measurable phospholipase C activity in head homogenates has been shown to be encoded by norpA , as well as antisera generated against the major gene product of norpA to examine its subcellular distribution before and during phototransduction. We find that both phospholipase C activity and the norpA protein are predominantly associated with membrane fractions in heads of both light- and dark-adapted flies. Moreover, phospholipase C activity as well as norpA protein can be easily extracted from membrane preparations of light- or dark-adapted flies using high salt, indicating that the norpA protein is peripherally localized on the membrane. These data suggest that the norpA encoded phospholipase C of Drosophila is a permanent peripheral membrane protein. If this is indeed the case, then it would mean that the reversible redistribution of phospholipase C from the cytosol to the membrane, as observed in epidermal growth factor receptor stimulation of mammalian phospholipase C /gg , is not a universal mechanism utilized by all types of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C.
Mechanism of aromatic oxygenation with bis(3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) peroxide

Abstract Oxygenation of toluene was investigated with bis(3-nitrobenzenesulfonyl) peroxide (NBSP) in the presence of salts known to affect radical (cupric, cuprous, and cobaltous chlorides, and sodium hexachloroiridate (IV)) and ionic (aluminium chloride) processes. The yield and orientation of the isomeric tolyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonates, as well as a kinetic study, show that salts which bring about radical pathways do not catalyze oxygenation, although induced decomposition of peroxide is accomplished with formation of sulfonate salts. Aluminium chloride has a promoting effect on aromatic oxygenation at AlCl 3 :NBSP ≅ 4:1, but at lower ratios rapid breakdown of the sulfonyl peroxide is effected in a competing reaction. The results are interpreted in terms of nucleophilic displacement by the aromatic nucleus at the peroxidic oxygen-oxygen bond in accord with the earlier proposal of Dannley and analogous to attack of stronger nucleophiles on aroyl peroxides.
Zinc sparks are triggered by fertilization and facilitate cell cycle resumption in mammalian eggs.

In last few hours of maturation, the mouse oocyte takes up over twenty billion zinc atoms and arrests after the first meiotic division, until fertilization or pharmacological intervention stimulates cell cycle progression toward a new embryo. Using chemical and physical probes, we show that fertilization of the mature, zinc-enriched egg triggers the ejection of zinc into the extracellular milieu in a series of coordinated events termed zinc sparks. These events immediately follow the well-established series of calcium oscillations within the activated egg and are evolutionarily conserved in several mammalian species, including rodents and nonhuman primates. Functionally, the zinc sparks mediate a decrease in intracellular zinc content that is necessary for continued cell cycle progression, as increasing zinc levels within the activated egg results in the reestablishment of cell cycle arrest at metaphase. The mammalian egg thus uses a zinc-dependent switch mechanism to toggle between metaphase arrest and r...
Uptake of lead and iron by divalent metal transporter 1 in yeast and mammalian cells

Abstract Although the divalent metal transporter (DMT1) was suggested to transport a wide range of metals in Xenopus oocytes, recent studies in other models have provided contrasting results. Here, we provide direct evidence demonstrating that DMT1 expressed in yeast mutants defective for high affinity iron transport facilitates the transport of iron with an `apparent Km' of approximately 1.2 μM, and transport of lead with an `apparent Km' of approximately 1.8 μM. DMT1-dependent lead transport was H+-dependent and was inhibited by iron. Human embryonic kidney fibroblasts (HEK293 cells) overexpressing DMT1 also showed a higher uptake of lead than HEK293 cells without overexpressing DMT1. These results show that DMT1 transports lead and iron with similar affinity in a yeast model suggesting that DMT1 is a transporter for lead.
The road not taken: life experiences in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for major depression

In an effort to understand how environmental experiences contribute to risk for major depression (MD), we conducted joint autobiographical interviews with 14 pairs of monozygotic twins (mean age 51.2) rigorously discordant for a lifetime history of MD. Twelve of the pairs could be sorted into four broad categories. In two pairs, discordance was associated with a single traumatic event occurring to the affected twin. In seven pairs, the well twin had one stable, long-term, successful romantic relationship, whereas the affected co-twin had romantic reversals one or more of which precipitated depressive episodes. These pairs varied in the degree to which the romantic problems seemed to arise from bad luck or poor choices. In one pair, occupational difficulties were strongly related to discordance in experiences with MD. In two pairs, several mechanisms seemed to be at work. Discordance in the quality of intimate love relationships was the most common etiological factor revealed by interview in these discordant pairs, with single dramatic events and occupational problems being considerably rarer. Even in this best of natural experiments, the causal interrelationship between personality, environment and depressive episodes was not always clear. Many pairs illustrated the protective effects of planfulness and the malignant effect of cumulative continuity where early difficulties in relationships shaped the subsequent life course. These results speak both to the importance of environmental influences on human well-being and psychopathology, and the complexity of the causal paths underlying their effects.
Cyclic fatigue-crack growth behaviour of short cracks in SiC-reinforced lithium aluminosilicate glass-ceramic composite

Etude du comportement de courtes fissures (20 a 300 μm) dans des plaques (epaisseur= 3 mm) de vitroceramique renforce, en continu, avec 50% en volume de fibres unidirectionnelles
Interdisciplinary study of service: Some progress, some prospects

Abstract The organizational dynamics surrounding the production and consumption of services has been a recent focus of study in both the organizational behavior (OB) and marketing literatures. The two literatures have addressed many common issues, given that production and marketing activities are often interwined within service organizations. This article identifies those points where the literatures converge in their thinking and presents some issues in service that require interdisciplinary study.
6-Hydroxydopamine, a new oxidation mechanism

Abstract Electrochemical and chemical studies, supported by EPR, NMR and UV evidence, show that 6-hydroxydopamine does not oxidize in vitro at physiological pH to the cyclized indoline (aminochrome) as previously believed. The implications of these results to the chemical sympathectomy actions of 6-hydroxydopamine are discussed.
Vaginal birth after cesarean delivery : An admission scoring system

Abstract Objective: To develop a scoring system to predict the likelihood of vaginal birth in patients undergoing a trial of labor after previous cesarean delivery using factors known at the time of hospital admission. Methods: Trial of labor was attempted in 5022 patients who were assigned randomly to score derivation and score testing groups. Multivariate logistic regression modeling was used in the score derivation group to develop a predictive scoring system for vaginal birth. The scoring system was then applied to the testing group to evaluate its predictive ability. Results: Five variables significantly affected the mode of birth and were incorporated into a weighted scoring system. Rates of successful vaginal birth after cesarean ranged from 49% in patients scoring 0–2 to 95% in patients scoring 8–10. Increasing score was associated linearly with increasing probability of vaginal birth after cesarean. Conclusion: Increasing scores correlate with increasing probability of vaginal birth after cesarean. The admission vaginal birth after cesarean scoring system may be useful in counseling patients regarding the option of vaginal birth or repeat cesarean delivery. This information could be particularly valuable for the patient who opts for trial of labor but has second thoughts about her mode of birth when labor begins.
Nucleosomes and the accessibility problem

Eukaryotic DNA is packaged in nucleosomes. How does this sequestration affect the ability of transcription regulators to access their sites? We cite evidence against the idea that nucleosome positioning is determined primarily by the intrinsic propensities of DNA sequences to form nucleosomes – such that, for example, regulatory sites would be ‘nucleosome-free'. Instead, studies in yeast show that nucleosome positioning is primarily determined by specific DNA-binding proteins. Where nucleosomes would otherwise compete with regulatory protein binding (a modest but potentially biologically important effect), this obstacle can be relieved by at least two strategies for exposing regulatory sites. In contrast to their lack of effect on nucleosome positioning, DNA sequence differences do directly affect both the efficiencies with which nucleosomes form in regions flanking regulatory sites before induction, and the extent of their removal upon induction. These nucleosomes, evidently, inhibit basal transcription but are poised to be removed quickly upon command.
Comparison of methodologies for extraction of acifluorfen from soil

Efficient methods for extraction of pesticides from soil are necessary for environmental fate studies. This study examined efficiencies of methanol:water solvent systems for recovery of the herbicide acifluorfen [5-[2-chloro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy]-2-nitrobenzoic acid] from soils of different properties. The applicability of supercritical fluid CO2 extraction (SFE) for recovery of acifluorfen was also examined. High recovery (>95%) was obtained over wide range of methanol (40 to 80%) to water compositions. Adding acid, base, EDTA or cation-exchange resin to a 80:20, methanol:water solution offered no improvement. However, EDTA or exchange resin gave slightly higher recoveries of acifluorfen and/or degradation products with incubated soil. Recovery of acifluorfen by SFE required addition of a modifier. Extraction efficiencies equal to the highest obtained with liquid extractions were possible using 40:60, methanol:1 N HCl as a modifier.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Particle Bombardment Induced Desorption Processes: Alkanethiolates on Au(111)

Molecular dynamics has been used to model Ar atom induced sputtering of n-alkanethiolate molecules self-assembled on Au(111). The aim is to discover possible mechanisms of formation of the various sputtered species such that their relationship to surface chemistry can be understood. To model the system, a blend of pairwise and many-body potentials are used to represent the interatomic interactions. To simulate the formation of gold−thiolate clusters required the development of the potential for the Au−S interaction. The resulting model predicted a “mass spectrum” of atomic and cluster species which is remarkably similar to the experimental static SIMS spectra of n-alkanethiolate SAMs on gold. A number of emission mechanisms for the production of hydrocarbon fragments and gold−thiolate clusters are suggested by the model which provide very valuable insights into the relationship between the spectral features and surface chemistry.
Energy-Independent Helicase Activity of a Viral Genome Packaging Motor

The assembly of complex double-stranded DNA viruses includes a genome packaging step where viral DNA is translocated into the confines of a preformed procapsid shell. In most cases, the preferred packaging substrate is a linear concatemer of viral genomes linked head-to-tail. Viral terminase enzymes are responsible for both excision of an individual genome from the concatemer (DNA maturation) and translocation of the duplex into the capsid (DNA packaging). Bacteriophage λ terminase site-specifically nicks viral DNA at the cos site in a concatemer and then physically separates the nicked, annealed strands to mature the genome in preparation for packaging. Here we present biochemical studies on the so-called helicase activity of λ terminase. Previous studies reported that ATP is required for strand separation, and it has been presumed that ATP hydrolysis is required to drive the reaction. We show that ADP and nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues also support strand separation at low (micromolar) concentrations. In addition, the Escherichia coli integration host factor protein (IHF) strongly stimulates the reaction in a nucleotide-independent manner. Finally, we show that elevated concentrations of nucleotide inhibit both ATP- and IHF-stimulated strand separation by λ terminase. We present a model where nucleotide and IHF interact with the large terminase subunit and viral DNA, respectively, to engender a site-specifically bound, catalytically competent genome maturation complex. In contrast, binding of nucleotide to the low-affinity ATP binding site in the small terminase subunit mediates a conformational switch that down-regulates maturation activities and activates the DNA packaging activity of the enzyme. This affords a motor complex that binds tightly, but nonspecifically, to DNA as it translocates the duplex into the capsid shell. These studies have yielded mechanistic insight into the assembly of the maturation complex on viral DNA and its transition to a mobile packaging motor that may be common to all of the complex double-stranded DNA viruses.
Survival of Escherichia coli frozen in cell extracts.

Summary Extracts from heavy suspensions of Escherichia coli , prepared by alternate freezing and thawing or by heating, coutained a protective factor (PF) that increased the survival of test cells stored at −9°C. PF could be adsorbed from extracts by test cells increasing their potential for frozen survival and decreasing the protective effect of the extract for fresh test cells. Dialysis and ion exchange resin experiments showed that PF was uncharged and of high molecular weight. Low molecular weight substances in extracts were toxic in freezing but were not identified. Large amounts of protein, ribonucleic acid, deoxyribonucleic acid, and carbohydrate were present in extracts, but only the latter was correlated with survival of test cells. Partially purified carbohydrate from E. coli was highly protective.
Arch Vessel Injury during Pulmonary Artery Catheter Placement

We have observed seven instances of unintentional cannulation of major arteries with 8F sheaths during preparation for open-heart operation. When the sheath was removed and the operation delayed, there were no complications; in the two instances in which the open-heart operation was performed immediately after arterial cannulation, there was 1 death due to hemorrhage and 1 false aneurysm of the carotid artery. Elective open-heart operations should be delayed if unintentional cannulation of a major artery occurs.
Use of prophylactic anticonvulsants in neurologic critical care: A critical appraisal

Seizures are commonly encountered in the setting of brain injury in neurologic critical care. Though seizure prophylaxis with the use of antiepileptic drugs is frequently utilized in variety of brain injury paradigms, it is often not based on evidence and is controversial. Significant difficulties arise from interpretation of supporting literature due to lack of definitions for early-vs.-late-seizures, variable end points with seizure prophylaxis, as well as methodologic inconsistencies for seizure detection. This descriptive review summarizes the existing literature on the use of prophylactic anticonvulsants in clinical paradigms commonly encountered in neurologic critical care and highlights the important controversies concerning their use.
Heart Failure in the Elderly: Strategies to Optimize Outpatient Control and Reduce Hospitalizations

Heart failure is a disorder that disproportionately affects the elderly, and over 50% of heart failure hospitalizations in the United States occur in persons over 75 years of age. Moreover, despite recent advances in heart failure therapy, optimal treatment of elderly patients remains undefined. In addition, heart failure management in older persons is often complicated by the presence of multiple comorbid conditions, polypharmacy, psychosocial and behavioral concerns, dietary issues, and economic considerations. As a result, management of heart failure in the elderly requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach, and a series of recent studies have documented the efficacy of heart failure disease management programs in reducing readmissions, enhancing medication and dietary compliance, and lowering cost of care. Ongoing studies will provide insights into the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing heart failure disease management programs on a population-wide basis, and on the effects of such programs on long-term clinical outcomes and costs.
Natural killer cell function is altered during the primary response of aged mice to influenza infection

Influenza is a public health concern, especially for the elderly. While influenza vaccination is efficacious in the young, it offers only limited protection in the elderly. Thus, it becomes imperative to understand age-related changes in the primary response to influenza infection. This study identified potential age-related defects in natural killer (NK) cell function during influenza infection. We showed that NK cells from aged mice were reduced and had impaired function and altered phenotype in lungs during influenza infection. Aged NK cells demonstrated decreased IFN-γ production, but not degranulation, after influenza infection. However, after ex vivo activation with YAC-1 cells, aged NK cells demonstrated both reduced IFN-γ production and degranulation. IFN-γ was also reduced in aged NK cells after activation with anti-NKp46 and soluble cytokines. IFN-β, and IL-12p40 mRNA expression was not significantly different from that observed in adult mice. Analysis of NK cell subsets indicated that aged mice had more immature and less terminally mature NK cells. These data suggest that aging affects the numbers, function and phenotype of NK cells. Thus, these defects in NK cell function could impair the ability of aged mice to induce a strong antiviral immune response during the early stages of the infection.
Magnetic Properties of Chromium Chrysoberyl

Magnetic susceptibility data between 4.2° and 300°K have been obtained for the (Al,Cr)2BeO4 solid-solution series. Chromium chrysoberyl is antiferromagnetic with a Neel temperature near 28°K; above 60°K it obeys the Curie-Weiss law with θ= 13OK and an effective atomic moment of 3.2 Bohr magnetons. A four-sublattice Weiss model consistent with the experimental results is presented.
Parametrically Driven Ion Cyclotron Waves and Intense Ion Heating

Large amplitude plasma waves excited by plates outside a plasma column are shown to decay parametrically into other plasma waves and electrostatic ion cyclotron waves, accompanied by efficient ion heating. 11 refs., 4 figs.
Stability of an oscillator chain from high-frequency initial conditions

Abstract We study the stability of the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam chain of coupled oscillators with a quartic coupling nonlinearity (FPU- β system), for initial conditions that give rise primarily to high-frequency oscillations. We consider initial conditions that are either close to a high-frequency mode of the linearized system or to the nonlinear equilibria that can be constructed from an envelope approximation for the high-frequency oscillations. The theory indicates that broad mode-like initial conditions are unstable and the instability structure can often be approximately calculated from the stability analysis of the π -mode equilibrium in which there is exact alternation of the phases of the individual oscillators. In contrast, examination of the stability of breather-like structures indicates that they are probably stable to the fast parametric instability. These theoretical observations are generally confirmed by numerical integration of the exact equations of motion. The study clarifies previous observations of the formation of nonlinear structures, and the relative stability of those structures on time scales that are long compared to the growth times of parametric instabilities calculated within the envelope approximation.
Marcasite in Black Shales—a Mineral Proxy for Oxygenated Bottom Waters and Intermittent Oxidation of Carbonaceous Muds

Abstract Black shales in the geologic record have long been considered to reflect deposition under anoxic or even euxinic conditions. Although bottom-water anoxia favors deposition of black shales, certain biological indicators, such as benthic fossils and bioturbation, suggest that bottom-water conditions may not have been as persistently anoxic as commonly presumed. Examination of twelve marine carbonaceous shale-bearing units, ranging in age from Middle Proterozoic to Cretaceous, suggests that in addition to paleontological clues, early diagenetic marcasite formed in uncompacted surficial sediments is a reliable indicator of oxygen-bearing bottom waters. Marcasite requires low pH values to form, and oxidation of already existing sedimentary pyrite provides a plausible chemical scenario to achieve that condition. In the studied examples, degraded pyrite framboids and corrosion features on pyrite grains indicate partial pyrite destruction in surface sediments, and suggest that intermittent reoxidation of earlier formed iron sulfides may indeed have generated the low pH values required for marcasite formation. Thus, observations of textures spatially associated with secondary marcasite growth are consistent with a scenario whereby oxygen in overlying sea water drove downward migration of oxidation fronts. Pervasive marcasite in black shales from a wide range of occurrences suggests multiple reoxygenation events during the deposition of these shale units and calls for more dynamic ocean circulation than previously assumed. The latter consideration may, for example, prove important for those instances where a black shale is associated with an oceanic anoxic event (OAE), because these are commonly presumed to have been deposited under fully anoxic conditions.
Vacuum-Ultraviolet Emission from Proton-Excited Helium Gas

Vacuum-ultraviolet (vuv) studies were made of the emission from helium gas excited by 4-MeV protons, under conditions where the gas purity was monitored by concomitant total-ionization measurements. The relative intensity of the 584-\AA{} resonance line was studied from 0.01 to 100 Torr. Three continua, near 600, 675, and 800 \AA{}, respectively, were investigated from a few Torr to 800 Torr. Our studies of intensity as a function of pressure are consistent with the interpretation that the 675-\AA{} continuum is the bound-continuum transition $D^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}X^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{g}^{+}$ in the helium diatomic molecule, where the $D$ state is formed by three-body collisions involving the atomic $2^{1}P$ state. Some of the 800-\AA{} continuum, as well as the narrow continuum near 600 \AA{}, is produced, most likely, from a similar process involving emission from the $A^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}_{u}^{+}$ molecular state, created from three-body conversion of a $2^{1}S$ atomic state. Certain other details are given on the energy pathways following charged-particle excitation of helium gas, and comments are made on some of the recently published emission data for liquid helium.
Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension The Clinical Syndrome

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is a progressive disorder in which endothelial dysfunction and vascular remodeling obstruct small pulmonary arteries, resulting in increased pulmonary vascular resistance and pulmonary pressures. This leads to reduced cardiac output, right heart failure, and ultimately death. In this review, we attempt to answer some important questions commonly asked by patients diagnosed with pulmonary arterial hypertension pertaining to the disease, and aim to provide an explanation in terms of classification, diagnosis, pathophysiology, genetic causes, demographics, and prognostic factors. Furthermore, important molecular pathways that are central to the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension are reviewed, including nitric oxide, prostacyclin, endothelin-1, reactive oxygen species, and endothelial and smooth muscle proliferation.
Considerations on the role of surface tension and epidermal growth factor in the mechanism of integumental pattern formation

The formation of the posterior parietal hair whorl during normal human development is proposed as a morphogenetic problem in which the effects of surface tension and the appearance of singularities figure prominently. Surface tension is considered in the sense of “Langer's lines” which define local contours of tension in the skin of the organism. According to this view, an analysis of the organism's skin tension field is fundamental to problems of integumental pattern formation. A computational analysis of the skin tension field is proposed, potentially using methods from finite element theory applied to molecular and cellular mechanisms within the skin which resist deformation. To this end, surface tension is provisionally defined as the differential adsorption (adhesion) of molecular and supramolecular binding elements within the skin. In practical applications, it is suggested that epidermal growth factor (EGF) and similar molecules have the physicochemical features and the biological effects required to experimentally probe surface tension phenomena at supramolecular levels. In this regard, the concept of topological discontinuities is introduced as a potential theoretical bridge across levels of organization. Specific examples of these discontinuities are given and discussed in terms of the development of singularities in control surfaces. It is hoped that these considerations will be useful in the mechanistic analysis of hair whorl formation during human embryogenesis and in other problems of integumental pattern formation and nonequilibrium surface behavior.
Advanced mesoporous organosilica material containing microporous β-cyclodextrins for the removal of humic acid from water

A new mesoporous organosilica material (beta-CD-Silica-4%) containing microporous beta-cyclodextrins (beta-CDs) has been prepared by the co-polymerization of a silylated beta-CD monomer with tetraethoxysilane in the presence of a structure-directing template, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Solid-state 13C and 29Si NMR studies provided evidence for the presence of covalently attached beta-CDs in the mesoporous material. Nitrogen adsorption experiments showed that beta-CD-Silica-4% material had a BET surface area of 460 m2/g and an average mesopore diameter of 2.52 nm. Small-angle powder X-ray diffraction pattern of beta-CD-Silica-4% material revealed the lack of highly ordered mesoporous structure. Adsorption experiments showed that beta-CD-Silica-4% material removed up to 99% of humic acid from an aqueous solution containing 50 ppm of humic acid at a solution-to-solid ratio of 100 ml/g.
Trapping and cooling a mirror to its quantum mechanical ground state

We propose a technique aimed at cooling a harmonically oscillating mirror to its quantum mechanical ground state starting from room temperature. Our method, which involves the two-sided irradiation of the vibrating mirror inside an optical cavity, combines several advantages over the two-mirror arrangements being used currently. For comparable parameters the three-mirror configuration provides a stiffer trap for the oscillating mirror. Furthermore, it prevents bistability from limiting the use of higher laser powers for mirror trapping, and also partially does so for mirror cooling. Lastly, it improves the isolation of the mirror from classical noise so that the quantum mechanical dynamics of the mirror become easier to observe. These improvements are expected to bring the task of achieving and detecting ground state occupation for the mirror closer to completion.
Discrimination among alternative models of international capital markets

Abstract Most empirical capital flow studies have estimated individual models, many by assuming exogenous interest rates. None of these studies has examined interest rate interdependence from the perspective of the models. In this study, a simultaneous equation model of capital flows containing previous models as special cases is estimated using the cross spectral technique of model discrimination. Based on examination of both the flow-differential link and interest rate interdependence resulting from capital flows, the evidence 1) supports a simultaneous equation stock adjustment model, and 2) suggests that interest rate endogeneity may not imply serious simultaneous equation bias for those previous studies which assume exogenous interest rates.
Tolerance of adult mallards to subacute ingestion of crude petroleum oil.

Adult male mallards were fed untreated mash or mash containing 1.5% Prudhoe Bay crude oil for 7 days ad lib. During the initial 24 h of exposure to crude petroleum oil, ducks consumed less mash (P < 0.05) and lost approx. 3.5% of their initial body weight (P < 0.05), however, neither intake nor body weight differ between groups on days 2–7. Plasma samples collected between 09.00 and 10.00 h on days 0, 1, 3, or 7 indicated that corticosterone, glucose, thyroxine, total protein, and uric acid concentrations, and the activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and butyrylcholinesterase (BCHE) were not affected by treatment. These findings suggest that adult mallards may be able to tolerate large quantities of crude petroleum oil mixed in their diet (approx. 25 ml over a 7-day period) without overt or biochemical indications of distress.
Cost Is Not a Barrier to Implementing Clopidogrel Pharmacogenetics

This is a copy of an article published in Pharmacotherapy © 2012 IOS Press. doi: 10.1002/j.1875-9114.2012.01107.x.
Epidemiological patterns and preventability of traumatic hand amputations among adults in Greece

Abstract Introduction Hand/finger amputations though rare account for significant disability and health-related costs; yet, information on underlying causes, springing mostly from physicians’ reports, is rather anecdotal. We sought to draw attention to the high preventable fraction of hand/finger amputations among adults in Greece. Patients and Methods Data on external cause of injury and short-term outcome, recorded over nine years in the Emergency Department Injury Surveillance System (EDISS) were analysed, whereas sample weights were used for nationwide extrapolations. Results Hand/finger injuries accounted for 20.4% ( N = 57,986) among 284,705 injuries recorded in patients >14-year-old (3% annual probability); 728 (1.3%) resulted in amputations; the estimated incidence rate (IR) was 39.3/100,000 person-years, reaching a high 92.6/100,000 among males aged 45–64 years. As expected, the vast majority of victims were males (90%), frequently young immigrants; ∼two-thirds sustained occupational injuries during working hours. Objects most frequently involved included: machinery (57% overall/69% occupational), means of transport (10.4%), materials (9.5%), parts of buildings/furniture (5%). Wood-working was the most common risk factor (20% overall/28% occupational) whereas 6% of victims accepted own inattention. 30% of amputations were hospitalised whereas 10% transferred to specialised units. Discussion Specialised registries reveal the magnitude and specific causes of disabling hand injuries and point to tailored national injury prevention programs; specifically in Greece, as they occur in more controlled occupational environments among middle-aged males, woodworkers, and are caused mainly by machinery. Conclusions Increased management of safety in the workplace could play a role in reduction in hand amputations.
The effect of estrogen on protein synthesis in echinoid coelomocytes

Abstract 1. 1. A similar high molecular weight glycoprotein is found in an asteroid egg, Pisaster giganteus , and in echinoid eggs, Dendraster excentricus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus . 2. 2. Estrogen induced the synthesis of a novel protein in echinoid coelomocytes, 82 K daltons in D. excentricus and 78 K daltons in S. purpuratus ; but it did not increase yolk glycoprotein precursor synthesis nor protein synthesis as a whole in these cells during treatment up to 24 hr. However, the induced novel protein may ultimately lead to increased transcription of the yolk glycoprotein precursor gene. Estrogen therefore could be involved in the regulation of reproduction in echinoids, as it is in asteroids and vertebrates.
Alternative placements for women wearing pedometers.

Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine if pedometer placement sites in women, other than the waist, provide the same results. Data sources: Three pedometers were given to 12 women to wear on a bra strap, waist, and shoe for a week and then rotated through each site. The participants recorded their daily step counts in a log, turned in weekly, and were instructed not to change their daily routine. Body mass index (BMI), placement preference, and waist and hip measures were collected at enrollment and the concluding sessions. Conclusions: Women's adiposity distribution patterns and clothing provide potential barriers to pedometer use at the waist. Daily walking is an affordable option for physical activity counseling by nurse practitioners (NPs). The bra and shoe placements were not found to be equitable alternative sites compared with waist placement of pedometers. However, 75% of participants had improvement in BMI and waist-to-hip measures with no lifestyle intervention. The participants preferred a placement perceived as comfortable and consistent. Implications for practice: The results inform NPs that women need to consistently wear pedometers in a daily walking program, which can lead to beneficial changes in BMI. NPs should encourage walking as a form of daily physical activity, which may be monitored by a pedometer worn consistently.
A generalization of Pillen's theorem for principal series modules II

Abstract Let G be a connected, semisimple and simply connected algebraic group and G ( q ) the corresponding finite Chevalley group over the finite field of order q = p r . In a recent paper the author determined a direct sum decomposition of the k G ( q ) -submodule generated by a highest weight vector of a certain Weyl module when q is not too small, which is a generalization of Pillen's result in 1997. In this article, we claim that the result does not need the assumption on q.
DNA Assembly Techniques for Next Generation Combinatorial Biosynthesis of Natural Products

Natural product scaffolds remain important leads for pharmaceutical development. However, transforming a natural product into a drug entity often requires derivatization to enhance the compound’s therapeutic properties. A powerful method by which to perform this derivatization is combinatorial biosynthesis, the manipulation of the genes in the corresponding pathway to divert synthesis towards novel derivatives. While these manipulations have traditionally been carried out via restriction digestion/ligation-based cloning, the shortcomings of such techniques limit their throughput and thus the scope of corresponding combinatorial biosynthesis experiments. In the burgeoning field of synthetic biology, the demand for facile DNA assembly techniques has promoted the development of a host of novel DNA assembly strategies. Here we describe the advantages of these recently developed tools for rapid, efficient synthesis of large DNA constructs. We also discuss their potential to facilitate the simultaneous assembly of complete libraries of natural product biosynthetic pathways, ushering in the next generation of combinatorial biosynthesis.
Walking ATMs and the immigration spillover effect: The link between Latino immigration and robbery victimization

Abstract Media reports and prior research suggest that undocumented Latino migrants are disproportionately robbed because they rely on a cash-only economy and they are reluctant to report crimes to law-enforcement (the Walking ATM phenomenon). From this we generate two specific research questions. First, we probe for an immigration spillover effect – defined as increased native and documented Latino robbery victimization due to offenders’ inability to distinguish between the statuses of potential victims. Second, we examine the oft-repeated claim that Blacks robbers disproportionately target Latino victims. Using National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) data from 282 counties, results show (1) support for an immigration spillover effect but, (2) no support for the claim that Latinos are disproportionately singled out by Black robbers. We discuss the implications of our findings.
The composite marginal likelihood (CML) estimation of panel ordered-response models

In the context of panel ordered-response structures, the current paper compares the performance of the maximum-simulated likelihood (MSL) inference approach and the composite marginal likelihood (CML) inference approach. The panel structures considered include the pure random coefficients (RC) model with no autoregressive error component, as well as the more general case of random coefficients combined with an autoregressive error component. The ability of the MSL and CML approaches to recover the true parameters is examined using simulated datasets. The results indicate that the performances of the MSL approach (with 150 scrambled and randomized Halton draws) and the simulation-free CML approach are of about the same order in all panel structures in terms of the absolute percentage bias (APB) of the parameters and econometric efficiency. However, the simulation-free CML approach exhibits no convergence problems of the type that affect the MSL approach. At the same time, the CML approach is about 5–12 times faster than the MSL approach for the simple random coefficients panel structure, and about 100 times faster than the MSL approach when an autoregressive error component is added. As the number of random coefficients increases, or if higher order autoregressive error structures are considered, one can expect even higher computational efficiency factors for the CML over the MSL approach. These results are promising for the use of the CML method for the quick, accurate, and practical estimation of panel ordered-response models with flexible and rich stochastic specifications.
Oberhuber versus Marsh: much ado about nothing?

This issue of the journal features a spirited debate between Oberhuber and Marsh et al regarding the existence and significance of Oberhuber’s sub-classification of the Marsh III lesion into III a, b, c categories. The controversy stems from an article by Marsh and colleagues in an earlier issue of this journal where they present scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images from two cases classified as IIIc to suggest that these lesions consist of multiple crypts opening into large basins that are surrounded by concentric arrays of enterocytes. Their main contention was that Oberhuber’s category IIIa and IIIb lesions do not exist since no “atrophic” or “partially degenerate” villi were seen on the SEM examination. As Oberhuber points out in his response, included in this issue, the contention of Marsh and colleagues is supported mainly by the SEM images from two cases that were both IIIc lesions. It is certainly true that the prior study by Marsh and colleagues would have been strengthened immensely had they included a larger series of biopsies with variable degrees of villous atrophy from a well-characterized cohort of patients with celiac disease. One cannot argue with certainty regarding the absence of a particular feature or category by examining a small number of cases, no matter how sensitive the technique utilized by the observer. The debate regarding the question of Marsh category I or II lesions evolving directly into completely flat mucosa, as proposed by Marsh et al, or evolving through intermediate stages with partially degenerate villi that can be reproducibly recognized as Oberhuber’s categories IIIa or IIIb is likely to continue in the near future until a systematic large series of biopsies is examined both by routine histology and SEM examination. The Marsh classification (1) was a major paradigm shift that moved us away from the idea of some magical threshold of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) or villous abnormalities that could help us confidently diagnose or rule out celiac disease. Instead, it highlighted the range of morphological possibilities that exist within patients with celiac disease. Oberhuber’s effort at
Strongly correlated electron behavior in carbon nanotubes

One dimensional systems o er a fascinating platform for investigating and understanding the collec- tive and many-body behavior of interacting electron systems. We report low-temperature transport experiments on carbon nanotubes, which are archetypal one-dimensional systems that have either semiconducting or metallic band structure depending on their radius and chirality. Semiconducting nanotubes at low densities exhibit Wigner crystal behavior, while nominally metallic nanotubes are observed to have an energy gap at half filling, consistent with theories of a Mott insulating state in nanotubes. Our results demonstrate nanotubes' promise for studying a variety of tunable correlated electron phenomena in one dimension.
A Year of Excellence in Geriatric Research and Some New Dishes on the Menu

In October, when I contemplated writing about the future of the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences, my first thought was that 2006 had been a pretty good year. However, when I actually looked at the list of the more than 100 published articles and at those yet to be published, I was struck by the excellence of the contributions that made it onto last year’s list.
A Comparison of Methods for Estimating Reynolds Stress from ADCP Measurements in Wavy Environments

AbstractTurbulent Reynolds stresses are now routinely estimated from acoustic Doppler current profiler (ADCP) measurements in estuaries and tidal channels using the variance method, yet biases due to surface gravity waves limit its use in the coastal ocean. Recent modifications to this method, including spatially filtering velocities to isolate the turbulence from wave velocities and fitting a cospectral model to the below-wave band cospectra, have been used to remove this bias. Individually, each modification performed well for the published test datasets, but a comparative analysis over the range of conditions in the coastal ocean has not yet been performed. This work uses ADCP velocity measurements from five previously published coastal ocean and estuarine datasets, which span a range of wave and current conditions as well as instrument configurations, to directly compare methods for estimating stresses in the presence of waves. The computed stresses from each were compared to bottom stress estimates f...
Role of Steroid Synthesis in the Process of Ovulation

The state of our knowledge of the cellular events connecting the LH stimulus to ovulation with rupture has been reviewed. The evidence indicates, with varying degrees of certainty, that the follicular reaction to the LH-receptor complex has a minimum of two discrete steps: the stimulation of steroid synthesis by the LH, and the activation of an ovulatory enzyme by the steroid released. The sequence of events leading to steroid synthesis involves the activation of adenyl cyclase by the LH-receptor complex, perhaps through the local action of a prostaglandin, which results in increased tissue levels of cyclic AMP. Cyclic AMP then induces protein synthetic process essential to increased synthesis of progesterone. Thus, stimulation occurs between cholesterol and progesterone and is correlated with an increase in 3i9-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity. The progesterone stimulates protein synthetic activity, involving both transcription and translation, essential to the elaboration of an enzyme which weakens the collagen framework of the theca extema. Suggestions are offered for further studies to corroborate or refute these observations and to determine more precisely the nature, timing, and site of these cellular events. For nearly four decades it has been known that steroid hormones are capable of inducing ovulation. The early studies were done in amphibia and for this class there has developed a substantial body of information about the various types of steroids capable of inducing ovulation or inhibiting it in vivo or in vitro, with or without an assist from gonadotropic hormones (Shapiro, 1936; Zwarenstein, 1937). Amphibia are good subjects for in vitro studies of ovulation, for mature ovaries can be maintained in simple salt solutions at room temperature and can be induced to ovulate by the addition of crude extracts of homologous or heterologous pituitary glands or purified gonadotropins. The availability of this simple and positive test system produced many studies of agents, particularly steroidal agents, capable of inducing ovulation in this class. These studies, together with his own, led Wright (1961) to postulate that the role of gonadotropins in the ovulation process is simply to induce the synthesis of ovarian steroids, probably specifically progesterone, which, in turn, is responsible for follicular rupture and the extrusion of the ovum. In spite of the many similarities between mammalian and amphibian ovulation and the fact that this hypothesis was derived from and consistent with a host of observations, this body of literature and its ideas went largely unnoticed by mammalian ovulationists.