cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human Capital Is Dead; Long Live Human Capital Resources!

This paper introduces a radically different conceptualization of human capital resources that runs counter to the individual-level approaches that have dominated human capital theory for the last 50 years. We leverage insights from economics, strategy, human resources, and psychology to develop an integrated and holistic framework that defines the structure, function, levels, and combinations of human capital resources. This multidisciplinary framework redefines human capital resources as individual or unit-level capacities based on individual knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics (KSAOs) that are accessible for unit-relevant purposes. The framework and definition offer three broad contributions. First, multidisciplinary communication is facilitated by providing precise definitions and distinctions between individual differences, KSAOs, human capital, human capital resources, and strategic human capital resources. Second, given that human capital resources originate in individuals’ KSAOs...
The factor structure of the Bem Sex-Role Inventory (BSRI): Confirmatory analysis of long and short forms.

In the early 1970s Constantinople wrote a seminal article that subsequently led to the elaboration of the construct of psychological androgyny. The Bem Sex-Role Inventory is a popular measure of the construct, but the measure remains controversial. We explored construct validity of scores from the measure using confirnatory factor analytic methods on data from 791 subjects. Measurement characteristics of both long and short forms were investigated, in that the short form has paradoxically been shown to generally yield more reliable scores.
Corporate travel-management trends and hotel-marketing strategies.

Abstract It's no longer clear that business travelers are making their own decisions about which hotel to use—more and more, in-house travel planners are making that decision for them
Acetaldehyde-mediated hepatic lipid peroxidation: Role of superoxide and ferritin

Abstract Evidence in alcoholics as well as in experimental models support the role of hepatic lipid peroxidation in the pathogenesis of alcohol-induced liver injury, but the mechanism of this injury is not fully delineated. Previous studies of the metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase revealed iron mobilization from ferritin that was markedly stimulated by superoxide radical generation by xanthine oxidase. Peroxidation of hepatic lipid membranes (assessed as malondialdehyde production) was studied during in vitro alcohol metabolism by alcohol dehydrogenase. Peroxidation was initiated by acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase, stimulated by ferritin, and inhibited by superoxide dismutase or chelation or iron with desferrioxamine. In conclusion, lipid peroxidation may be initiated during the metabolism of ethanol by alcohol dehydrogenase by an iron-dependent acetaldehyde-xanthine oxidase mechanism.
Use of Lower Pole Nephrostomy Drainage Following Endorenal Surgery Through an Upper Pole Access

Purpose: PNL via an UP puncture is efficient for treating complex stone disease. Access via the UP can provide better visualization, allowing greater stone clearance with a rigid instrument due to its more favorable alignment with the axis of the intrarenal collecting system. However, the presence of a NT through the upper pole tract, especially with a supracostal puncture, can generate significant patient discomfort. We reviewed our experience with a technique using tubeless UP access for PNL with concomitant placement of a NT via a LP calix. Materials and Methods: We performed a retrospective review of our experience using tubeless UP access for PNL with concomitant placement of an LP NT for postoperative drainage. Patient demographics, the number and location of accesses, stone size, stone-free rates, concurrent/additional procedures and complications were recorded. Results: A total of 63 tubeless UP accesses were performed in 62 patients undergoing PNL, including unilateral access in 61 and bilateral access in 1. Supracostal UP punctures were used in 58 patients, including 40 above the 12th, 17 above the 11th and 1 above the 10th rib. Each patient underwent at least 2 accesses and 3 had 3 or more accesses placed. LP access was nondilated in 37 patients and dilated in 26. Of the patients 56.6% were stone-free after a single procedure, increasing to 96.2% following secondary procedures. Three of the 62 patients (4.8%) required transfusion, 3 (4.8%) required intervention for pleural morbidity and 1 (1.6%) required a stent for a nonsealing upper pole access. Conclusions: Tubeless UP access provides maximal efficiency for stone clearance during PNL, while minimizing the morbidity of an intercostal tube.
Impoverished mothers and poor widows: negotiating images of poverty in Marseille's courts

In the early fifteenth century, in Marseille's court of first instance, a sailor's wife Margarida Gramone sued her son-in-law's estate to recoup money she had spent nursing her dying daughter and granddaughter. She justified her claim on the money by arguing that she had been completely impoverished by the medicine, doctors and wet nurses that her sick family had needed. She called witnesses to attest to her impoverished state and they told a story of a woman unable to pay her bills and reliant on the charity of her neighbours. Other witnesses in the same case, however, suggest Margarida was not poor, but a woman of means. Attempting to reconcile this discrepancy, this article will examine how Marseille's legally savvy citizens negotiated between at least two different attitudes towards the poor: a Christian celebration of charity and a legal scepticism of a pauper's word. The legal records from late medieval Marseille show a multivalent attitude towards the poor. They suggest that the city's citizens were able to draw on different narratives about poverty in order to win over the presiding judge. At the same time, witness testimony about the poor reminds us that the burden of charity was not always welcomed by Marseille's citizens.
Tracking the Cognition of Nursing Home Residents

Although estimates place the prevalence of dementia in nursing home residents at approximately 50%, the longitudinal course of cognition and cognitive impairment in nursing home residents are not well understood. Using data from 33 long-term care residents, patterns of performance on the Mini-Mental State Examination across multiple quarterly administrations were examined. Results show that four distinct patterns were evident: declining, stable, improving, and inconsistent performance. Although a number of residents exhibited declines in performance across multiple administrations, the performance of the majority of residents either remained stable or improved. Few clinical correlates of patterns of performance were observed in this cohort. These results have implications for providers working in nursing homes and raise important questions for future research.
Taxol Differentially Modulates the Dynamics of Microtubules Assembled from Unfractionated and Purified β-Tubulin Isotypes†

Substoichiometric binding of taxol to tubulin in microtubules potently suppresses microtubule dynamics, which appears to be the most sensitive antiproliferative mechanism of taxol. To determine whether the β-tubulin isotype composition of a microtubule can modulate sensitivity to taxol, we measured the effects of substoichiometric ratios of taxol bound to tubulin in microtubules on the dynamics of microtubules composed of purified αβII-, αβIII-, or αβIV-tubulin isotypes and compared the results with the effects of taxol on microtubules assembled from unfractionated tubulin. Substoichiometric ratios of bound taxol in microtubules assembled from purified β-tubulin isotypes or unfractionated tubulin potently suppressed the shortening rates and the lengths shortened per shortening event. Correlation of the suppression of the shortening rate with the stoichiometry of bound taxol revealed that microtubules composed of purified αβII-, αβIII-, and αβIV-tubulin were, respectively, 1.6-, 7.4-, and 7.2-fold less sen...
Value‐added services for SFX link resolver: the linking service to Journal Citation Reports

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to recount the implementation process of the special effects (SFX) linking to Journal Citation Reports (JCR) at the Briggs Library, South Dakota State University.Design/methodology/approach – Following the standard procedure developed by this paper, the research work consulted Ex Libris Customer Center, Listservs and library science literature for existing solutions to implement the SFX linking to JCR. The integration of JCR with SFX at University of Iowa Libraries was identified. Based on their implementation experience, the Briggs Library developed a more efficient method, which followed SFX standards.Findings – A standard procedure has been developed that should be adopted for implementing new SFX services. A new target parser for JCR was created, which can become a global SFX target parser once its responsibility for updates is transferred to Ex Libris. The new method for implementing the SFX linking to JCR was invented.Originality/value – The paper provides a st...
60. Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase mediates anhedonia and anxiety-like behaviors caused by peripheral lipopolysaccharide immune challenge

Upregulation of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) by proinflammatory cytokines has been implicated as a biological mediator of inflammation-related mood disorders. Here, we sought to determine whether peripheral immune challenge with Escherichia coli, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) precipitates the development of translationally relevant depression-like behaviors and to investigate the role of IDO in mediating these LPS-induced behaviors. Intraperitoneal injection of C57BL/6J mice with LPS resulted in a robust, but transient, reduction in exploratory locomotor activity (eLMA) that returned to near baseline levels by 24 h. Sucrose preference, a preclinical correlate of anhedonia, was diminished by more than 20% in LPS-treated compared to saline treated control mice, and LPS induced a significant increase in anxiety-like behavior at 24 h that was independent eLMA. Pretreatment of mice with an IDO inhibitor, 1-methyltryptophan (1MT), ablated the anxiogenic effects of LPS, while having no impact on sickness associated changes in body weight or eLMA. Additionally, 1MT pretreatment attenuated the LPS-induced reduction in sucrose preference, which was also confirmed in IDO-1 null mice. Interestingly, acute systemic administration of l -kynurenine, the enzymatic product of IDO, precipitated an anhedonic and anxiogenic effect in naive mice without effect on eLMA. In a preclinical model, these data implicate IDO as a pivotal mediator of LPS-induced depression- and anxiety-like behavior.
Neutron activation analysis of flints from the edwards formation

Procedures for instrumental neutron activation analysis have been developed and used on flint samples collected from the Edwards Formation in Texas. Each of the samples was analyzed for Mn, Ca, V, Al, Sc, Co, Fe, As, and K. USGS standard rocks AUG-1, GSP-1, and G-2 were also analyzed in order to test the reliability of this technique. Means and standard deviations of each element determined were calculated. The elemental values ranged from 0.03 ppm for scandium to 1500 ppm for aluminium. Based on relative elemental abundances, the rocks could be classified into two types of flint. This information suggests elemental inhomogeneity in the Edwards Formation.
Genetic dissection of the Canq1 locus governing variation in extent of the collateral circulation.

Background Native (pre-existing) collaterals are arteriole-to-arteriole anastomoses that interconnect adjacent arterial trees and serve as endogenous bypass vessels that limit tissue injury in ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, coronary and peripheral artery disease. Their extent (number and diameter) varies widely among mouse strains and healthy humans. We previously identified a major quantitative trait locus on chromosome 7 (Canq1, LOD = 29) responsible for 37% of the heritable variation in collateral extent between C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. We sought to identify candidate genes in Canq1 responsible for collateral variation in the cerebral pial circulation, a tissue whose strain-dependent variation is shared by similar variation in other tissues. Methods and findings Collateral extent was intermediate in a recombinant inbred line that splits Canq1 between the C57BL/6 and BALB/c strains. Phenotyping and SNP-mapping of an expanded panel of twenty-one informative inbred strains narrowed the Canq1 locus, and genome-wide linkage analysis of a SWRxSJL-F2 cross confirmed its haplotype structure. Collateral extent, infarct volume after cerebral artery occlusion, bleeding time, and re-bleeding time did not differ in knockout mice for two vascular-related genes located in Canq1, IL4ra and Itgal. Transcript abundance of 6 out of 116 genes within the 95% confidence interval of Canq1 were differentially expressed >2-fold (p-value Conclusions These findings refine the Canq1 locus and identify several genes as high-priority candidates important in specifying native collateral formation and its wide variation.
ADP signaling in vascular endothelial cells: ADP-dependent activation of the endothelial isoform of nitric-oxide synthase requires the expression but not the kinase activity of AMP-activated protein kinase.

ADP responses underlie therapeutic approaches to many cardiovascular diseases, and ADP receptor antagonists are in widespread clinical use. The role of ADP in platelet biology has been extensively studied, yet ADP signaling pathways in endothelial cells remain incompletely understood. We found that ADP promoted phosphorylation of the endothelial isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS) at Ser1179 and Ser635 and dephosphorylation at Ser116 in cultured endothelial cells. Although eNOS activity was stimulated by both ADP and ATP, only ADP signaling was significantly inhibited by the P2Y1 receptor antagonist MRS 2179 or by knockdown of P2Y1 using small interfering RNA (siRNA). ADP activated the small GTPase Rac1 and promoted endothelial cell migration. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Rac1 blocked ADP-dependent eNOS Ser1179 and Ser635 phosphorylation, as well as eNOS activation. We analyzed pathways known to regulate eNOS, including phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt, ERK1/2, Src, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase kinase-β (CaMKKβ) using the inhibitors wortmannin, PD98059, PP2, and STO-609, respectively. None of these inhibitors altered ADP-modulated eNOS phosphorylation. In contrast, siRNA-mediated knockdown of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) inhibited ADP-dependent eNOS Ser635 phosphorylation and eNOS activity but did not affect eNOS Ser1179 phosphorylation. Importantly, the AMPK enzyme inhibitor compound C had no effect on ADP-stimulated eNOS activity, despite completely blocking AMPK activity. CaMKKβ knockdown suppressed ADP-stimulated eNOS activity, yet inhibition of CaMKKβ kinase activity using STO-609 failed to affect eNOS activation by ADP. These data suggest that the expression, but not the kinase activity, of AMPK and CaMKKβ is necessary for ADP signaling to eNOS.
Extensive low-affinity transcriptional interactions in the yeast genome

Major experimental and computational efforts are targeted at the characterization of transcriptional networks on a genomic scale. The ultimate goal of many of these studies is to construct networks associating transcription factors with genes via well-defined binding sites. Weaker regulatory interactions other than those occurring at high-affinity binding sites are largely ignored and are not well understood. Here I show that low-affinity interactions are abundant in vivo and quantifiable from current high-throughput ChIP experiments. I develop algorithms that predict DNA-binding energies from sequences and ChIP data across a wide dynamic range of affinities and use them to reveal widespread functionality of low-affinity transcription factor binding. Evolutionary analysis suggests that binding energies of many transcription factors are conserved even in promoters lacking classical binding sites. Gene expression analysis shows that such promoters can generate significant expression. I estimate that while only a small percentage of the genome is strongly regulated by a typical transcription factor, up to an order of magnitude more may be involved in weaker interactions. Low-affinity transcription factor-DNA interaction may therefore be important both evolutionarily and functionally.
Rotordynamic-Coefficient and Leakage Characteristics for Hole-Pattern-Stator Annular Gas Seals—Measurements Versus Predictions

Selected test results are presented for an annular gas seal using a smooth rotor and a hole-pattern-roughness stator for a supply pressure of 70 bar, three pressure ratios, three speeds up to 20,000 rpm, two clearances, and three preswirl ratios. Dynamic data include frequency-dependent direct and cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients. Static data include leakage and upstream and downstream pressures and temperatures. Very good agreements are found between measurements and predictions from a two-control-volume bulk-flow model.
Hsp90 Regulates Androgen Receptor Hormone Binding Affinity in Vivo

The regulation of human androgen receptor (AR) by the molecular chaperone Hsp90 was investigated using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system. These studies were performed in strains expressing a conditional temperature-sensitive mutant allele of the hsp82 gene, which encodes Hsp90 protein. At the restrictive temperature in the mutant, there is a decrease in hormone-dependent transactivation by the AR, although steady state levels of AR protein are unchanged. Quantitative hormone binding studies at the permissive temperature revealed the presence of both high affinity and low affinity hormone binding states. At the restrictive temperature in the hsp82 mutant, the high affinity state was abolished, and only the low affinity state was observed. The change in hormone binding affinity was further investigated by a competition assay with the anti-androgen hydroxyflutamide. Under permissive conditions, hydroxyflutamide competes poorly for the synthetic androgen R1881, but under restrictive conditions in the hsp82 mutant strain, hydroxyflutamide was shown to be a potent competitive inhibitor. Our findings indicate that Hsp90 participates in the activation process by maintaining apoAR in a high affinity ligand binding conformation which is important for efficient response to hormone.
Cognitive variables and the prediction of outcome following an intervention for controlling depression

The present study set out to investigate the degree to which certain cognitive factors suggested in models of depression by Beck, Rehm, and Seligman facilitated prediction of outcome in a psychoeducational intervention for the treatment of depression. The sample consisted of 47 elderly community residents. It was hypothesized that self-evaluative criteria, attributions, and negative automatic thoughts would account for a significant amount of the variance in posttreatment depression scores. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed significant main effects of pretreatment depression level and negative automatic thoughts. Significant interactions were also found between (1) hoped-for improvement and specific attributions for depression, and (2) expectations for improvement and negative automatic thoughts. These findings suggest that the impact of cognitive variables on treatment outcome is complex; it may be more critical to consider how specific cognitive variables interact than to regard them as independent main effects. Hopes and expectations appear to have a differential impact on predicting outcome, and it is important to explore the mechanisms underlying their effects. Results also indicate the need for refinement of measurement instruments of selfevaluative criteria and attributions.
Characterization of ternary blends containing polycarbonate, tetramethyl polycarbonate, and poly (ε-caprolactone)

The phase behavior of ternary blends of bisphenol-A polycarbonate (PC), tetramethyl bisphenol-A polycarbonate (TMPC), and poly (ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL), where each binary pair forms completely miscible blends, was investigated. The ternary blends were found to be miscible for all compositions and do not phase separate prior to thermal decomposition. The melting point depression method based on both the Flory-Huggins theory and the equation of state theory of Sanchez-Lacombe was used to evaluate interaction parameters for each pair.
RNA-Pt Adducts Following Cisplatin Treatment of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The numerous regulatory roles of cellular RNAs suggest novel potential drug targets, but establishing intracellular drug–RNA interactions is challenging. Cisplatin (cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum(II)) is a leading anticancer drug that forms exchange-inert complexes with nucleic acids, allowing its distribution on cellular RNAs to be followed ex vivo. Although Pt adduct formation on DNA is well-known, a complete characterization of cellular RNA–Pt adducts has not been performed. In this study, the action of cisplatin on S. cerevisiae in minimal media was established with growth curves, clonogenic assays, and tests for apoptotic markers. Despite high toxicity, cisplatin-induced apoptosis in S. cerevisiae was not observed under these conditions. In-cell Pt concentrations and Pt accumulation on poly(A)-mRNA, rRNA, total RNA, and DNA quantified via ICP-MS indicate ∼4- to 20-fold more Pt accumulation in total cellular RNA than in DNA. Interestingly, similar Pt accumulation is observed on rRNA and total RNA, cor...
Association of anemia and erythropoiesis stimulating agents with inflammatory biomarkers in chronic kidney disease.

Inflammatory cytokines are important predictors of cardiovascular mortality especially in patients with chronic kidney disease. Here we explored the relationship of anemia and epoetin treatment to inflammatory cytokine levels in patients with chronic kidney disease. One hundred non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease over 18 years of age were evenly split into anemic and non-anemic cohorts. Of the 50 anemic patients, 23 were receiving erythropoiesis stimulating agents treatments. Levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were found to be significantly higher and serum albumin was significantly lower with trends towards higher interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 in anemic compared to non-anemic patients. Further analysis by multiple logistic regression found that anemic patients treated with erythropoiesis stimulating agents had significantly higher odds for the upper two quartiles for IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α compared to non-anemic patients. Our study found that the anemia of chronic kidney disease was associated with up regulation of TNF-α, and possibly IL-6 and IL-8 along with increased levels of these proinflammatory cytokines in patients treated with epoetin.
Elastofibroma of the deltoid. A case report

A unique case of an elastofibroma arising in the region of the deltoid muscle in a 53-year-old athletic male physician is reported. The lesion was characterized by abundant benign fibrous tissue and sparse accumulations of elastic fibers. The staining of the elastic fibers was accomplished by the use of special staining techniques and are compared to those of other elastofibromas. A review of the literature showed that 56 cases of elastofibroma have been reported to date. Only 2 of these were in an extrascapular site; in 6 patients the lesions were bilateral. The elastofibroma is a completely benign lesion which never recurs after excision. A discussion of the possible pathogenesis of this lesion based on observations of one of the authors (O.H.J.) and his colleagues is also presented. It is suggested that the elastofibroma is a degenerative pseudotumor resulting from local factors such as increased mechanical stress and/or nutritional derangement consequent to vascular involvement.
TRANSIENT CEREBRAL ATROPHY AND HYPERLIPIDEMIA IN AN INFANT WITH KWASHIORKOR FROM FOOD FADDISM

A case is presented of transient cerebral atrophy and hyperlipidemia in an infant with kwashiorkor. At age 2 ½ months J.H. developed feeding problems from “milk allergy”. Milk intake was reduced to 4 oz/day. Intake of baby fruits and vegetables increased to 14-16 jars/day. Anorexia with weight loss occurred over the next four months. Milk intake fell to only 4 oz/week and intake of fruits and vegetables to 4-6 jars/day. At age 8 ½ months he developed apathy, vomiting, marked pallor, generalized edema, and hepatomegaly. Weight and height had fallen from the 90th %ile to <3rd %ile. On admission total protein was 3.4 gm%, albumin 1.9 gm%, SGOT 130 mU/ml, alkaline phosphatase 340 mU/ml, LDH 744 mU/ml, bilirubin 1.7 mg%. BUN 16 mg%, and creatinine 0.5 mg%. Serum cholesterol was 334 mg%; triglycerides 1580 mg%. 24 hour urinary protein was 60 mg. Liver biopsy showed hepatocytes filled with neutral fat. Computerized tomography (CT) of the brain showed cerebral atrophy with ventriculomegaly and increases in cortical sulci, sylvian fissures and the interhemispheric fissure. After 10 weeks of feeding with infant milk formula, weight increased from 6.3 kg (<3rd %ile) to 9.3 kg (50th %ile). Hepatomegaly and edema disappeared. Serum albumin rose to 4.5 gm%; serum cholesterol and triglycerides fell to 128 mg% and 60 mg% respectively. All liver function studies returned to normal, A repeat CT scan was normal. The patient at age 13 months has a mild developmental lag.
Consensus costs and conflict in robot swarms

It is commonly observed that aggregation in nature provides significant benefits to the group members. However, to reach a consensus individual preferences are frequently lost. Conflict is generally avoided because of the negative influence it could have on the success of collective movements. However, it could be used to balance consensus costs with individual preferences. Using a biologically-based collective movement model, this work investigates the possibility of conflict in a group movement allowing for differing individual goals to be accomplished, while still maintaining group cohesion much of the time. Individuals focus on their own needs, which may include the protection of being a part of a group or the desire to move away from the group and towards its preferred destination. Results show that by allowing conflict in group decision-making, consensus costs were balanced with individual preferences in such a way that group level success still occurred, while significantly improving the success of differing goals.
The Role of Mothers and Media on Emerging Adults’ Religious Faith and Practices by Way of Internalization of Prosocial Values

In the current study, we investigated the role of emerging adults’ internalization of prosocial values as a mediator between maternal relationship quality and two types of media use (positive and negative) and religious faith and practices. Participants included 500 undergraduate students (ranging from 18 to 26 years; 75% European American) from five American universities. Structural equation modeling results indicated that both maternal relationship quality and positive media were related positively and indirectly (by way of prosocial values) to religious faith, and maternal relationship quality was related positively and directly to religious faith. In contrast, negative media use was related negatively and directly (and indirectly by way of prosocial values) to religious faith. The discussion focuses on the role of parents and media in promoting religious faith and practices, and the extent to which emerging adults’ internalized prosocial values appear to be important in the socialization process of religious faith.
Evidence for slow adsorption and desorption of some isothiocyanato complexes of Cr(III) on merucry

Summary Changes in the quantity of cis -Cr(NH 3 ) 4 (NCS) 2 + adsorbed on mercury electrodes as a function of time following sudden changes in the electrode potential have been monitored by chronocoulometric measurments: the observed rates of change are much lower than the rates calculated assuming diffusion-limited mass transfer and the maintenance of adsorption equilibrium with a Frumkin adsorption isotherm. The potential dependence of the desorption rate suggests an apparently unsymmetrical energy barrier which may result from multiple bonding between the electrode and those adsorbates ( cis -Cr(NH 3 ) 4 (NCS) 2 + , fac -Cr(H 2 O) 3 (NCS) 3 but not trans -Cr(NH 3 ) 4 (NCS) 2 + ) which exhibit slow adsorption rates.
Intratesticular Androgens and Spermatogenesis During Severe Gonadotropin Suppression Induced by Male Hormonal Contraceptive Treatment

Male hormonal contraceptive regimens function by suppressing gonadotropin secretion, resulting in a dramatic decrease in testicular androgen biosynthesis and spermatogenesis. Animal studies suggest that persistent intratesticular (iT)-androgen production has a stimulatory effect on spermatogenesis in the setting of gonadotropin suppression. We hypothesized that men with incompletely suppressed spermatogenesis (>1,000,000 sperm/mL) during male hormonal contraceptive treatment would have higher iT-androgen concentrations than men who achieved severe oligospermia (<or=1,000,000 sperm/mL). Twenty healthy men ages 18-55 years enrolled in a 6-month male contraceptive study of transdermal testosterone (T) gel (100 mg/d) plus depomedroxyprogesterone acetate (300 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks) with or without the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist acyline (300 microg/kg subcutaneously every 2 weeks for 12 weeks) were studied. During the 24th week of treatment, subjects underwent fine needle aspirations of the testes and iT-T and iT-dihydrotestosterone (iT-DHT) were measured in testicular fluid by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. All men dramatically suppressed spermatogenesis; 15 of 20 men were severely oligospermic, and 5 of 20 suppressed to 1.5 million-3.2 million sperm per milliliter. In all subjects, mean iT-T and iT-DHT concentrations were 35 +/- 8 and 5.1 +/- 0.8 nmol/L. IT-androgen concentrations did not significantly differ in men who did and did not achieve severe oligospermia (P = .41 for iT-T; P = .18 for iT-DHT). Furthermore, there was no significant correlation between iT-T or iT-DHT and sperm concentration after 24 weeks of treatment. In this study of prolonged gonadotropin suppression induced by male hormonal contraceptive treatment, differences in iT-androgens did not explain differences in spermatogenesis. Additional studies to identify factors involved in persistent spermatogenesis despite gonadotropin suppression are warranted.
The pH dependence of enterotoxin polymerization by formaldehyde.

Abstract Toxoiding of staphylococcal enterotoxin B is accomplished by polymerizing the exotoxin into large, water-soluble antigen complexes in neutral or acid formaldehyde solution (Warren, J. R., Spero, L. and Metzger, J. F. (1973) J. Immunol. 111, 885). Experimental data for the presumptive nature of the amino acid sites in the enterotoxin B molecule at which intermolecular cross-linking by formaldehyde occurs are now reported. The polymerization of enterotoxin B in aqueous formaldehyde buffered at pH 7.5 was almost completely inhibited by added lysine; polymerization of enterotoxin at pH 5.0 was inhibited by added lysine or N -acetyltyrosine. Small model compounds for arginine, asparagine, glutamine, histidine and tryptophan residues were without effect. These results suggest that enterotoxin was polymerized at neutral pH by cross-linking between lysine residues, at acid pH by cross-linking between pairs of lysine and tyrosine residues. Thus, a high degree of chemical specificity and a marked pH dependence of this specificity are the major features of enterotoxin polymerization by formaldehyde.
Hermitage Mercahndising and International Marketing

(2003). Hermitage Mercahndising and International Marketing. Museum International: Vol. 55, No. 1, pp. 75-78.
What is Habitat

AbstractThis essay offers an introduction to the much longer story of the emergence and development of habitat as a key concept in environmental science, law, and politics. Since the nineteenth cen...
Recurrent myocardial infarction associated with gefitinib therapy

Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor tyrosine kinase inhibitor used as a targeted chemotherapeutic agent in the treatment of lung cancer and other solid malignancies. Unlike other tyrosine kinase inhibitors, gefitinib is not recognized as having significant cardiotoxicity though it has been reported to be capable of potentiating ADP-induced activation and thromboxane A(2) generation in platelets which could promote thrombosis. We report a case of recurrent myocardial infarction with angiographically documented vulnerable plaque rupture in a patient receiving chronic gefitinib therapy for metastatic carcinoid tumor. Platelet function studies revealed marked ADP-induced platelet activation that was only suppressed by high-dose clopidogrel. Measurement of urine 11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) also indicated persistent thromboxane A(2) generation despite aspirin therapy, an emerging risk factor for adverse cardiovascular events.
Role of operative therapy in treatment of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Abstract Background Operative resection of metastatic gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST) is controversial. Current treatment strategies rely on the response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), with resultant individualization of operative intervention. We investigated the role of operative therapy in patients with metastatic GIST. Methods This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients treated for metastatic and/or recurrent GIST from January 2002 to June 2011. The patients were stratified by the use of operative therapy and disease response to TKI therapy. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses with log-rank comparisons tested the effects of operative therapy and the response to TKIs on survival. Results Of the 438 patients treated for GIST during the study period, 87 (median age 61 y, interquartile range 50–71; 55% male) had metastatic GIST (84% metastatic, 3% recurrent, and 13% metastatic and recurrent). Of these patients, 54 (62%) underwent operative exploration. Subtotal resection for palliative debulking (R2 resection) were performed in 19 patients; 32 patients underwent R0 resection. Operative intervention was associated with improved overall survival (OS) compared with systemic therapy alone (1 y OS, 98% versus 80% and 5-y OS, 65% versus 11%, respectively; P P ≤ 0.002). Conclusions Among patients with metastatic GIST, preoperative response to TKI therapy and margin-negative resection were strongly associated with improved progression-free and OS.
Problems of describing spin-(3/2 baryon resonances in the effective Lagrangian theory

We investigate some important theoretical issues associated with the treatment of the spin-(3/2 baryons in the effective Lagrangian theory. These are the form of the spin-(3/2 particle propagator, off-shell parameters involving the spin-(3/2 field; strategies of implementing gauge invariance, and unitarity. We comment on previous works by Peccei, Nath et al., Williams, and Adelseck et al., the last three works being in the context of recent revival of interest of baryon resonance structure in quantum chromodynamics. Our experience on the \ensuremath{\Delta}(1232) resonance is invoked as a concrete example of dealing with these problems. Examples of some related problems in theories of massive vector and spin-(3/2 particles, in pion decay and supersymmetry, respectively, are also discussed. These discussions should trigger new theoretical and experimental investigations in the study of baryon resonances excited from free hadrons and in complex nuclei.
Symptoms affecting quality of life in women with gynecologic cancer.

Objectives : To review quality-of-life issues in women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers. Data Sources : Research studies, review articles, and medical and nursing text-books. Conclusions : Women diagnosed with gynecologic cancers carry a heavy physical and emotional burden because of surgical morbidity, chemotherapy toxicities, loss of fertility, changes in body image, sexual concerns, and altered relationships. Implications for Nursing Practice : Health care providers play a key role in the identification and treatment of the complications of cancer therapy. Minimizing the effect of the symptoms of gynecologic cancer may positively impact the patient's quality of life.
Toward the automatic software exorciser

A conceptual software exorciser for the verification of computer programs is illustrated with specific examples programmed in Fortran, PL1 and APL. In each language one program is correct and one is incorrect, but all programs execute and give correct answers for some inputs. We illustrate how one may automate such an interactive system.
Frames of reference during implicit and explicit learning

There is a significant overlap between the processes and neural substrates of spatial cognition and those subserving memory and learning. However, for procedural learning, which often is spatial in nature, we do not know how different forms of spatial knowledge, such as egocentric and allocentric frames of reference, are utilized nor whether these frames are differentially engaged during implicit and explicit processes. To address this issue, we trained human subjects on a movement sequence presented on a bi-dimensional (2D) geometric frame. We then systematically manipulated the geometric frame (allocentric) or the sequence of movements (egocentric) or both, and retested the subjects on their ability to transfer the sequence knowledge they had acquired in training and also determined whether the subjects had learned the sequence implicitly or explicitly. None of the subjects (implicit or explicit) showed evidence of transfer when both frames of reference were changed which suggests that spatial information is essential. Both implicit and explicit subjects transferred when the egocentric frame was maintained indicating that this representation is common to both processes. Finally, explicit subjects were also able to benefit from the allocentric frame in transfer, which suggests that explicit procedural knowledge may have two tiers comprising egocentric and allocentric representations.
Characterization of the Primary σ Factor of Staphylococcus aureus

RNA polymerase (RNAP) isolated from Staphylococcus aureus is deficient in sigma factor and is poorly active in transcription assays. Based on amino acid sequence homology of the Bacillus subtilis vegetative sigma factor sigmaA and the predicted product of the chromosomally located plaC gene of S. aureus, it was hypothesized that plaC could encode the vegetative sigma factor. We cloned plaC under a T7 promoter and overexpressed it in Escherichia coli strain BL21(DE3)pLysE. The overproduced protein, present in inclusion bodies, was solubilized with guanidine hydrochloride, renatured, and purified by DEAE-Sephacel and Sephadex G-75 chromatography. The purified protein, designated sigmaSA, cross-reacted with the B. subtilis anti-sigmaA antibody. E. coli core RNAP, reconstituted with sigmaSA, initiated promoter-specific transcription from the S. aureus promoters hla, sea, and sec and from the E. coli promoters rpoH P1, rpoH P4, and ColE1 RNA-1, which are recognized by the E. coli sigma70. sigmaSA, when added to the purified RNAP from S. aureus, stimulated transcriptional activity of the RNAP up to 72-fold. As determined by primer extension studies, the 5'-ends of the sigmaSA-initiated mRNAs synthesized in vitro from the agr P2 and sea promoters are in general agreement with the 5'-ends of the cellular RNAs. Disruption of the plaC gene on the S. aureus chromosome was lethal. We conclude that plaC encodes the primary sigma factor in S. aureus.
Calculation of densities of states and spectral functions by Chebyshev recursion and maximum entropy

We present an efficient algorithm for calculating spectral properties of large sparse Hamiltonian matrices such as densities of states and spectral functions. The combination of Chebyshev recursion and maximum entropy achieves high-energy resolution without significant roundoff error, machine precision, or numerical instability limitations. If controlled statistical or systematic errors are acceptable, CPU and memory requirements scale linearly in the number of states. The inference of spectral properties from moments is much better conditioned for Chebyshev moments than for power moments. We adapt concepts from the kernel polynomial method, a linear Chebyshev approximation with optimized Gibbs damping, to control the accuracy of Fourier integrals of positive nonanalytic functions. We compare the performance of kernel polynomial and maximum entropy algorithms for an electronic structure example.
Structural divergence among genomes of closely related baculoviruses and its implications for baculovirus evolution

Baculoviruses are members of a large, well-characterized family of dsDNA viruses that have been identified from insects of the orders Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, and Diptera. Baculovirus genomes from different virus species generally exhibit a considerable degree of structural diversity. However, some sequenced baculovirus genomes from closely related viruses are structurally very similar and share overall nucleotide sequence identities in excess of 95%. This review focuses on the comparative analysis of partial and complete nucleotide sequences from two groups of closely related baculoviruses with broad host ranges: (a) group I multiple nucleopolyhedroviruses (MNPVs) from a cluster including Autographa californica (Ac)MNPV, Rachiplusia ou (Ro)MNPV, and Plutella xylostella (Plxy)MNPV; and (b) granuloviruses (GVs) from a cluster including Xestia c-nigrum (Xecn)GV and Helicoverpa armigera (Hear)GV. Even though the individual viruses in these clusters share high nucleotide sequence identities, a significant degree of genomic rearrangement (in the form of insertions, deletions, and homologous recombination resulting in allelic replacement) is evident from alignments of their genomes. These observations suggest an important role for recombination in the early evolution and biological characteristics of baculoviruses of these two groups.
Tissue-Level Thresholds for Axonal Damage in an Experimental Model of Central Nervous System White Matter Injury

In vivo, tissue-level, mechanical thresholds for axonal injury were determined by comparing morphological injury and electrophysiological impairment to estimated tissue strain in an in vivo model of axonal injury. Axonal injury was produced by dynamically stretching the right optic nerve of an adult male guinea pig to one of seven levels of ocular displacement (Nlevel = 10; Ntotal = 70). Morphological injury was detected with neurofilament immunohistochemical staining (NF68, SM132). Simultaneously, functional injury was determined by the magnitude of the latency shift of the N35 peak of the visual evoked potentials (VEPs) recorded before and after stretch. A companion set of in situ experiments (Nlevel = 5) was used to determine the empirical relationship between the applied ocular displacement and the magnitude of optic nerve stretch. Logistic regression analysis, combined with sensitivity and specificity measures and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to predict strain thresholds for axonal injury. From this analysis, we determined three Lagrangian strain-based thresholds for morphological damage to white matter. The liberal threshold, intended to minimize the detection of false positives, was a strain of 0.34, and the conservative threshold strain that minimized the false negative rate was 0.14. The optimal threshold strain criterion that balanced the specificity and sensitivity measures was 0.21. Similar comparisons for electrophysiological impairment produced liberal, conservative, and optimal strain thresholds of 0.28, 0.13, and 0.18, respectively. With these threshold data, it is now possible to predict more accurately the conditions that cause axonal injury in human white matter.
Tandem E2F Binding Sites in the Promoter of the p107 Cell Cycle Regulator Control p107 Expression and Its Cellular Functions

The retinoblastoma tumor suppressor (Rb) is a potent and ubiquitously expressed cell cycle regulator, but patients with a germline Rb mutation develop a very specific tumor spectrum. This surprising observation raises the possibility that mechanisms that compensate for loss of Rb function are present or activated in many cell types. In particular, p107, a protein related to Rb, has been shown to functionally overlap for loss of Rb in several cellular contexts. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this functional redundancy between Rb and p107 in vivo, we used gene targeting in embryonic stem cells to engineer point mutations in two consensus E2F binding sites in the endogenous p107 promoter. Analysis of normal and mutant cells by gene expression and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that members of the Rb and E2F families directly bound these two sites. Furthermore, we found that these two E2F sites controlled both the repression of p107 in quiescent cells and also its activation in cycling cells, as well as in Rb mutant cells. Cell cycle assays further indicated that activation of p107 transcription during S phase through the two E2F binding sites was critical for controlled cell cycle progression, uncovering a specific role for p107 to slow proliferation in mammalian cells. Direct transcriptional repression of p107 by Rb and E2F family members provides a molecular mechanism for a critical negative feedback loop during cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. These experiments also suggest novel therapeutic strategies to increase the p107 levels in tumor cells.
Prelamination: Defining the prefabricated flap—a case report and review

Modification of flaps prior to local or distant transfer has gained wide acceptance. The term prefabricated has been used to describe all possible modifications. In this article we introduce the term prelamination to refer to the implantation of tissue or other devices into a flap prior to transfer and suggest that prefabrication be restricted to the implantation of vascular pedicles. A case is presented illustrating these concepts.
A Generalized Approach to the Fundamental Group

(2000). A Generalized Approach to the Fundamental Group. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 107, No. 8, pp. 711-720.