cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tongue scrapping as a means of reducing oral mutans streptococci

Mutans streptococci (MS) are one of the most virulent cariogenic pathogens in the oral cavity. The effects of three oral hygiene techniques on salivary mutans streptococci levels were evaluated to see which mechanism would be most efficient in reducing salivary MS levels. Sixty patients, all in the permanent dentition, were selected and randomly distributed into three groups. Group I was asked to use a tongue scraper to brush the tongue once daily in the morning after normal tooth brushing routine. Group II was asked to place and let dissolve a Listerine Oral Care Strip on the tongue once daily after normal oral hygiene routine. Group III was asked to rinse once every morning, for thirty seconds, with a saturated saline solution after routine tooth brushing. The instructions were done for a period of seven days. Baseline, one hour, three day, and seven day saliva samples were obtained and plated on CRT" by Vivadent MS-sensitive agar. All treatments groups show a significant reduction in colony counts from baseline and one or more post treatment periods and at one or more time periods between treatment groups. The most effective treatment in reducing colony counts was seen within Group I "Tongue Scraping" which demonstrated the greatest change from baseline to each of the post treatment periods. The least effective was Group II "Listerine Strip" which showed a statistically insignificant increase in colony count from baseline to 1-Hour and a significant decrease from baseline at the 7-day period only.
Ragaglitazar: a novel PPARα & PPARγ agonist with potent lipid-lowering and insulin-sensitizing efficacy in animal models

Ragaglitazar [(−) DRF 2725; NNC 61-0029] is a coligand of PPARα and PPARγ. In ob/ob mice, ragaglitazar showed significant reduction in plasma glucose, triglyceride and insulin (ED50 values <0.03, 6.1 and <0.1 mg kg−1). These effects are three-fold better than rosiglitazone and KRP-297. In Zucker fa/fa rats, ragaglitazar showed dose-dependent reduction in triglyceride and insulin, hepatic triglyceride secretion and triglyceride clearance kinetics (maximum of 74, 53, 32 and 50% at 3 mg kg−1), which are better than rosiglitazone and KRP-297. In a high-fat-fed hyperlipidaemic rat model, the compound showed an ED50 of 3.95, 3.78 mg kg−1 for triglyceride and cholesterol lowering, and 0.29 mg kg−1 for HDL-C increase. It also showed improvement in clearance of plasma triglyceride and hepatic triglyceride secretion rate. All these effects are 3–10-fold better than fenofibrate and KRP-297. Ragaglitazar treatment showed significant reduction in plasma Apo B and Apo CIII levels, and increase in liver CPT1 and CAT activity and ACO mRNA. Significant increase of both liver and fat LPL activity and fat aP2 mRNA was also observed. In a high-fat-fed hamster model, ragaglitazar at 1 mg kg−1 showed 83 and 61% reduction in triglyceride and total cholesterol, and also 17% reduction in fat feed-induced body weight increase. In these hyperlipidaemic animal models, PPARγ ligands failed to show any significant efficacy. Taken together, ragaglitazar shows better insulin-sensitizing and lipid-lowering potential, as compared to the standard compounds. British Journal of Pharmacology (2003) 140, 527–537. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0705463
Ensemble of feature selectors for software fault localization

Fault localization is an important process in software development and maintenance. Recently, code coverage information coupled with machine learning techniques (especially filter-based feature selection) have been used to isolate potentially faulty regions of code. In this initial exploratory paper, we propose a novel technique that uses strengths of different types of feature selectors. Here, we mainly focus on an ensemble of two classes of feature selectors: 1) convex feature selectors - that use the underlying properties of convexity of operators, and 2) similarity measures - that are typically non-convex operators. We evaluate the effectiveness of our proposed technique of fault localization by using publicly available programs.
Proton+nucleus inclusive (p,p') scattering at 800 MeV

800 MeV inclusive (p,p') data, spanning the momentum range from that of the quasi-elastic peak to outgoing proton momenta of about 350 MeV/c, are reported for the target nuclei /sup 1/H, /sup 2/H, /sup 12/C, /sup 40/Ca, and /sup 208/Pb. The data are consistent with simple ideas concerning quasi-free ..pi.. production, and an angle and momentum integration of d/sup 2/sigma/d..cap omega.. dp across the entire quasi-free region accounts for most of the p+nucleus total reaction cross section.
Survival Analysis of Criminal Recidivism of Boot Camp Graduates Using Elements From General and Developmental Explanatory Models

This is a 5-year follow-up study of recidivism among 601 male graduates of a boot camp for adults in a southern state. Cox's proportional hazard analysis is used to determine the hazard rate of recidivism (arrest or parole violation) of several elements of general and developmental models. Analyses are conducted according to age of onset of unlawful behavior (10 years old or younger and older than 10 years). Findings indicate that caregiving factors have inverse relations with the hazard of recidivism, whereas low self-control, deficits in social skills, peer association with criminals, gang membership, drug use and sales, and carrying weapons have positive relationships with this hazard. These findings are observed irrespective of the age when persons begin committing offenses. Implications of the findings for theoretical models is discussed.
Context-sensitive elemental theory

My theories of associative learning, like those of N. J. Mackintosh and almost all learning theorists, have employed elemental representations of the stimuli involved. We must take notice when two important contributors to elemental theory, J. M. Pearce and W. K. Estes, find sufficient problems with the theory type to cause them to defect from it. I will describe some of the essential problems, concerning the substantial influence of context on learning and retrieval, characterize the different responses of Pearce and Estes, and, then, propose a variation on a recently developed elemental model that was similarly inspired. The resulting elemental theory has a close quantitative relationship to the “product-rule” of Estes and D. L. Medin, and may help us to rationalize how the same formal experimental design can sometimes produce results that favour the configural interpretation of Pearce and at other times the elemental interpretation of R. A. Rescorla and A. R. Wagner, as these have often been pitted aga...
In search of learning: facilitating data analysis in educational games

The field of Educational Games has seen many calls for added rigor. One avenue for improving the rigor of the field is developing more generalizable methods for measuring student learning within games. Throughout the process of development, what is relevant to measure and assess may change as a game evolves into a finished product. The field needs an approach for game developers and researchers to be able to prototype and experiment with different measures that can stand up to rigorous scrutiny, as well as provide insight into possible new directions for development. We demonstrate a toolkit and analysis tools that capture and analyze students' performance within open educational games. The system records relevant events during play, which can be used for analysis of player learning by designers. The tools support replaying student sessions within the original game's environment, which allows researchers and developers to explore possible explanations for student behavior. Using this system, we were able to facilitate a number of analyses of student learning in an open educational game developed by a team of our collaborators as well as gain greater insight into student learning with the game and where to focus as we iterate.
A practical guide to heavy tails: statistical techniques and applications

Part 1 Applications: heavy tailed probability distributions in the World Wide Web, M.E. Crovella et al self-similarity and heavy tails - structural modelling of network traffic, W. Willinger et al heavy tails in high-frequency financial data, U.A. Muller et al stable paretian modelling in finance - some empirical and theoretical aspects, S. Mittnik et al risk management and quantile estimation, F. Bassi et al. Part 2 Time series: analyzing stable time series, R.J. Adler et al inference for linear processes with stable noise, m. Calder, R.A. Davis on estimating the intensity of long-range dependence in finite and infinite variance time series, M.S. Taqqu, V. Teverovsky why non-linearities can ruin the heavy tailed modeller's day, S.I. Resnick periodogram estimates from heavy-tailed data, T. Mikosch Bayesian inference for time series with infinite variance stable innovations, N. Ravishanker, Z. Qiou. Part 3 Heavy tail estimation: hill, bootstrap and jackknife estimators for heavy tails, O.V. Pictet et al characteristic function based estimation of stable distribution parameters, S.M. Kogan. D.B. Williams. Part 4 Regression: bootstrapping signs and permutations for regression with heavy tailed errors - a robust resampling, R. LePage et al linear regression with stable disturbances, J.H. McCulloch. Part 5 Signal processing: deviation from normality in statistical signal processing - parameter estimation with alpha-stable distributions, P. Tsakalides, C.L. Nikias statistical modelling and receiver design for multi-user communication networks, G.A. Tsihrintzis. Part 6 Model structures: subexponential distributions, C.M. Goldie, C. Kluppelberg structure of stationary stable processes, J. Rosinski tail behaviour of some shot noise processes, G. Samorodnitsky. Part 7 Numerical procedures: numerical approximation of the symmetric stable distribution and density, J.H. McCulloch table of the maximally-skewed stable distributions, J.H. McCulloch, D.B. Panton multivariate stable distributions - approximation, estimation, simulation and identification, J.P. Nolan univariate stable distributions -parametrizations and software, J.P. Nolan.
Grindelane diterpenoids from Chrysothamnus nauseosus

Abstract Two new grindelic acid diterpenoids, 18-hydroxygrindelic acid and 18-succinyloxygrindelic acid, were isolated from Chrysothamnus nauseosus. The assigned structures rest on their spectroscopic properties as well as chemical interconversions.
Apparent slip and viscoplasticity of concentrated suspensions

The apparent slip flows of incompressible and viscoplastic (Herschel–Bulkley) fluids in plane Couette, capillary, and rectangular slit dies under fully developed, isothermal, and creeping flow conditions were analyzed assuming that the apparent slip layer consists solely of the binder and its thickness is independent of the flow rate. Both the drag-induced (plane Couette) and pressure-induced (capillary and slit) flows generate the same dependencies of the wall-slip velocity on the wall shear stress. Navier’s slip coefficient, which relates the wall-slip velocity to the shear stress, is similar for all three flows and is a function of the thickness of the apparent slip layer and the shear viscosity of the binder. The assumed apparent slip mechanism provides methodologies for the determination of the slip velocity values that are consistent with the traditional Mooney method and furthermore allows the determination of the true shear rate of the suspension at the wall and the yield stress. The analysis of t...
Self-Referent Processing in Perceptions of Verbal and Visual Commercial Information

We examined how visual information in an ad may interact with and influence processing of verbal information and facilitate or inhibit self-referent judgments. Self-referencing is viewed as a mediator between individuals' perceptions of verbal and visual stimuli in advertising and their subsequent attitudes and intentions. A 3 × 2 experimental design was used to examine the effects of three verbal copy strategies (self copy, product benefit copy, and typical user copy) and two visual image strategies (product featured or typical users featured). To enhance realism, the study was conducted in the context of testing a new experimental magazine. The verbal focus of an ad was shown to encourage varying levels of self-referencing and differential attitudes and intentions when a product visual was featured, but not when a slice-of-life setting was featured. Self copy (copy written in the second person vernacular) accompanied by the product visual was the most effective strategy in encouraging self-referencing and favorable attitudes and intentions.
Identification of Novel Interaction Sites that Determine Specificity between Fibroblast Growth Factor Homologous Factors and Voltage-gated Sodium Channels

Fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs, FGF11–14) bind to the C termini (CTs) of specific voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC) and thereby regulate their function. The effect of an individual FHF on a specific VGSC varies greatly depending upon the individual FHF isoform. How individual FHFs impart distinctive effects on specific VGSCs is not known and the specificity of these pairwise interactions is not understood. Using several biochemical approaches combined with functional analysis, we mapped the interaction site for FGF12B on the NaV1.5 C terminus and discovered previously unknown determinants necessary for FGF12 interaction. Also, we demonstrated that FGF12B binds to some, but not all NaV1 CTs, suggesting specificity of interaction. Exploiting a human single nucleotide polymorphism in the core domain of FGF12 (P149Q), we identified a surface proline that contributes a part of this pairwise specificity. This proline is conserved among all FHFs, and mutation of the homologous residue in FGF13 also leads to loss of interaction with a specific VGSC CT (NaV1.1) and loss of modulation of the resultant Na+ channel function. We hypothesized that some of the specificity mediated by this proline may result from differences in the affinity of the binding partners. Consistent with this hypothesis, surface plasmon resonance data showed that the P149Q mutation decreased the binding affinity between FHFs and VGSC CTs. Moreover, immunocytochemistry revealed that the mutation prevented proper subcellular targeting of FGF12 to the axon initial segment in neurons. Together, these results give new insights into details of the interactions between FHFs and NaV1.x CTs, and the consequent regulation of Na+ channels.
Miniaturized DBR filter: Formulation and performances improvement

This paper presents the general fundamental equations for a miniaturized narrow bandpass DBR filter, where the miniaturization is achieved by loading the transmission lines with capacitors while increasing their characteristic impedance. The derived fundamental equations show the interesting performances of this miniaturized filter when compared with a classical one. Not only high miniaturizing percentage, but also better out-of-band rejection could be achieved. Hybrid classical and miniaturized DBR prototypes with a 1 GHz center frequency, based on a microstrip technology, were fabricated and measured. The obtained results show miniaturization of 75% and better filter out-of-band rejection. The increase of the insertion loss is solved by distributing the capacitance along the stub length.
On the application of chemical shift‐based multipoint water‐fat separation methods in balanced SSFP imaging

Chemical shift-based multipoint water-fat separation methods have been applied in balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequences because of the high signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) attainable. In this approach the echo formation is approximated to occur concurrently for both water and fat at an echo time (TE) equal to half the repetition time (TR/2 approximation). However, the degree to which the imaging conditions underlying the TR/2 approximation are satisfied can significantly vary in vivo depending upon the imaging region of interest (ROI) and the pixels across a field of view (FOV). The consequence of the TR/2 approximation on chemical shift-based multipoint water-fat separation was investigated. The influence of a mismatch between the pass-band profiles of water and fat (pass-band mismatch) on fat quantification was also examined. Theoretical and experimental results demonstrate that the TR/2 approximation can result in spatially dependent noise performance of multipoint water-fat separation methods, and the pass-band mismatch can render the precision of fat quantification spatially dependent. Given that local tissue characteristics in affected liver can be substantially variable, this study is of particular importance in liver imaging.
Induction of Immunological Hyporesponsiveness to Granulomatous Hypersensitivity in Schistosoma mansoni Infection

The induction in mice of immunological unresponsiveness to granulomatous hypersensitivity around Schistosoma mansoni eggs was attempted by exposure of mice to egg antigens in the prenatal, neonatal, and adult stages of life. Prenatal treatment was carried out by breeding of naturally infected females or by intravenous injection of intact living schistosome eggs or soluble schistosome egg antigens into pregnant females. Marked hyporesponsiveness was demonstrated only in offspring of massively infected mothers bred soon after the onset of egg-laying and in offspring of mothers injected with massive amounts of soluble egg antigens. The hyporesponsive state of progeny of mothers treated with large doses of soluble egg antigens was transient. Similar prenatal treatment caused no amelioration of hepatosplenic disease in offspring that were subsequently infected with S. mansoni. Hyporesponsiveness to granuloma formation was also induced neonatally with large doses of antigen. Lower doses of antigen (as low as 10-4 [g) induced sensitization. A moderate degree of hyporesponsiveness was also induced in adult mice by very large doses of antigen, but not in those treated with lower doses of antigen plus immunosuppressive drugs.
Effect of silicon soil amendment on performance of sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera:Crambidae) on rice

The sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.), is a pest of graminaceous crops in the southern USA, including sugarcane, maize, and rice. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of silicon (Si) soil amendments on performance of sugarcane borer, D. saccharalis, on two rice cultivars, Cocodrie and XL723. There was a significant increase in the Si content of rice plants supplemented with calcium silicate as compared to non-treated plants. Soil Si amendment led to lower relative growth rates (RGRs) and reduced boring success of sugarcane borer larvae. Effects of soil Si amendments on borer success and RGR appeared to be more pronounced in ‘Cocodrie’, the cultivar relatively susceptible to borers, than in the moderately resistant cultivar, XL723. Soil Si amendment may contribute to the management of D. saccharalis through reduced feeding injury and increased exposure to adverse environmental conditions and natural enemies arising from reduced boring success.
Most parsimonious reconciliation in the presence of gene duplication, loss, and deep coalescence using labeled coalescent trees

Accurate gene tree-species tree reconciliation is fundamental to inferring the evolutionary history of a gene family. However, although it has long been appreciated that population-related effects such as incomplete lineage sorting (ILS) can dramatically affect the gene tree, many of the most popular reconciliation methods consider discordance only due to gene duplication and loss (and sometimes horizontal gene transfer). Methods that do model ILS are either highly parameterized or consider a restricted set of histories, thus limiting their applicability and accuracy. To address these challenges, we present a novel algorithm DLCpar for inferring a most parsimonious (MP) history of a gene family in the presence of duplications, losses, and ILS. Our algorithm relies on a new reconciliation structure, the labeled coalescent tree (LCT), that simultaneously describes coalescent and duplication-loss history. We show that the LCT representation enables an exhaustive and efficient search over the space of reconciliations, and, for most gene families, the least common ancestor (LCA) mapping is an optimal solution for the species mapping between the gene tree and species tree in an MP LCT. Applying our algorithm to a variety of clades, including flies, fungi, and primates, as well as to simulated phylogenies, we achieve high accuracy, comparable to sophisticated probabilistic reconciliation methods, at reduced run time and with far fewer parameters. These properties enable inferences of the complex evolution of gene families across a broad range of species and large data sets.
Distribution of inorganic mercury in Sacramento River water and suspended colloidal sediment material.

The concentration and distribution of inorganic Hg was measured using cold-vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry in samples collected at selected sites on the Sacramento River from below Shasta Dam to Freeport, CA, at six separate times between 1996 and 1997. Dissolved (ultrafiltered, 0.005 μm equivalent pore size) Hg concentrations remained relatively constant throughout the system, ranging from the detection limit (< 0.4 ng/L) to 2.4 ng/L. Total Hg (dissolved plus colloidal suspended sediment) concentrations ranged from the detection limit at the site below Shasta Dam in September 1996 to 81 ng/L at the Colusa site in January 1997, demonstrating that colloidal sediment plays an important role in the downriver Hg transport. Sequential extractions of colloid concentrates indicate that the greatest amount of Hg associated with sediment was found in the “residual” (mineral) phase with a significant quantity also occurring in the “oxidizable” phase. Only a minor amount of Hg was observed in the “reducible” phase. Dissolved Hg loads remained constant or increased slightly in the downstream direction through the study area, whereas the total inorganic Hg load increased significantly downstream especially in the reach of the river between Bend Bridge and Colusa. Analysis of temporal variations showed that Hg loading was positively correlated to discharge.
Hyaluronan turnover and hypoxic brown adipocytic differentiation are co-localized with ossification in calcified human aortic valves

The calcification process in aortic stenosis has garnered considerable interest but only limited investigation into selected signaling pathways. This study investigated mechanisms related to hypoxia, hyaluronan homeostasis, brown adipocytic differentiation, and ossification within calcified valves. Surgically explanted calcified aortic valves (n=14) were immunostained for markers relevant to these mechanisms and evaluated in the center (NodCtr) and edge (NodEdge) of the calcified nodule (NodCtr), tissue directly surrounding nodule (NodSurr); center and tissue surrounding small "prenodules" (PreNod, PreNodSurr); and normal fibrosa layer (CollFibr). Pearson correlations were determined between staining intensities of markers within regions. Ossification markers primarily localized to NodCtr and NodEdge, along with markers related to hyaluronan turnover and hypoxia. Markers of brown adipocytic differentiation were frequently co-localized with markers of hypoxia. In NodCtr and NodSurr, brown fat and ossification markers correlated with hyaluronidase-1, whereas these markers, as well as hypoxia, correlated with hyaluronan synthases in NodEdge. The protein product of tumor necrosis factor-α stimulated gene-6 strongly correlated with ossification markers and hyaluronidase in the regions surrounding the nodules (NodSurr, PreNodSurr). In conclusion, this study suggests roles for hyaluronan homeostasis and the promotion of hypoxia by cells demonstrating brown fat markers in calcific aortic valve disease.
The influence of 3D-CRT pelvic irradiation on outcome in intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with external beam radiotherapy

Purpose/Introduction: The role of pelvic irradiation in the treatment of prostate cancer remains unclear. While prospective data has yet to prove an advantage with pelvic irradiation, conflicting data suggest both no benefit with pelvic irradiation and some benefit with pelvic irradiation in select subsets of patients. One potential reason why pelvic therapy has not been demonstrated to be clearly beneficial is that pelvic lymphatics may have been under treated in traditional, non-conformal pelvic treatment plans [Forman JD et al. Radiology. 1993; 186:889-892]. We reviewed our PSA-era experience with conformal, external beam radiotherapy to determine the influence of pelvic irradiation on the risk of PSA-failure in patients with an intermediate predicted risk of lymph node involvement.
Light‐induced structural changes in chiral liquid crystals

Novel light‐sensitive chiral dopants are studied as a light‐sensitive component in chiral liquid crystals which may be used in tunable optical devices. Light‐induced cis–trans‐ isomerization of chiral dopants results in changes of helical twisting power which translates into variations of helical pitch. Due to the light absorption in the liquid crystal cell the pitch variation is non‐uniform across the cell, which leads, at first, to a deformation of cholesteric layers, and then to the formation of cholesteric bubbles. The sequence of structural changes has a distinct visual pattern and occurs at the surface close to the UV light source. Small deformations of cholesteric layers and bubbles are unstable and disappear after removing UV irradiation. The increasing size of the cholesteric bubbles results in better stability; large bubbles do not disappear after removing UV light. A theoretical model is suggested to describe the undulations of cholesteric layers.
Short-term Blood Pressure Regulation A Combination Of Feedback And Mechanics

We have previously described the use of non-parametric transfer function analysis in combination with broad-band respiration to compute the magnitude and phase relations between respiration, heart rate (HR), and arterial blood pressure (ABP). These experimental results have led to formulation of a model of HR and ABP control which includes the mechanical feedforward from HR to ABP, the baroreflex feedback from ABP to HR, and respiration as a noise source which directly affects HR via central modulation of autonomic activity and affects ABP via mechanical thoracic coupling. Combining results from the model with experimental observations, we have concluded that short-term ABP variability results from a combination of mechanical and autonomic influences, where the precise mixture depends on an individual's autonomic state.
Mechanistic studies of the mitotic activation of Mos.

The protein kinase Mos is responsible for the activation of MEK1 and p42 mitogen-activated protein kinase during Xenopus oocyte maturation and during mitosis in Xenopus egg extracts. Here we show that the activation of Mos depends upon the phosphorylation of Ser 3, a residue previously implicated in the regulation of Mos stability; the dephosphorylation of Ser 105, a previously unidentified phosphorylation site conserved in Mos proteins; and the regulated dissociation of Mos from CK2β. Mutation of Ser 3 to alanine and/or mutation of Ser 105 to glutamate produces a Mos protein that is defective for M-phase activation, as assessed by in vitro kinase assays, and defective for induction of oocyte maturation and maintenance of the spindle assembly checkpoint in extracts. Interestingly, Ser 105 is situated at the beginning of helix αC in the N-terminal lobe of the Mos kinase domain. Changes in the orientation of this helix have been previously implicated in the activation of Cdk2 and Src family tyrosine kinases. Our work suggests that Ser 105 dephosphorylation represents a novel mechanism for reorienting helix αC.
Modeling an inductively coupled plasma reactor with chlorine chemistry

Inductively coupled plasma reactors are now one of the most important of the high-density plasma processing tools that have been developed in recent years. We present results from a two-dimensional (2-D) time-dependent fluid model of a chlorine plasma discharge. The steady-state values for the plasma potential, and the ion fluxes for Cl/sub 2//sup +/ and Cl/sup -/ are shown for a simulation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) large area inductively coupled reactor experiment. The counter streaming of positive and negative ions is evident. The flux of Cl/sub 2//sup +/ is highly uniform over the lower surface of the reactor.
Electronic commerce for manufacturing supply chains

This paper discusses approaches to electronic commerce (EC) that original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) use to interact with their suppliers. The paper is based on empirical work completed in a major OEMs supply chain with particular focus on small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The work completed over the past three years highlights the importance of a flexible strategy when interacting with vendors and the need to describe the characteristics of the supply chain. Greater than one-half the value-added of manufactured goods are attributable to suppliers, and OEMs have increasingly focused their EC initiatives towards automating supplier management.
Template‐Dependent Incorporation of Spin‐Labeled Thymidine Analogs into Viral DNA

The synthesis of novel pppUd analogs substituted at position C(5) with tethered nitroxide radicals is reported. It is shown that these analogs can serve as good substrates for E. coli DNA polymerase (Pol I) and T-4 DNA polymerase using lambda-phage DNA as template. The template-dependent incorporation of the substrates was established by radio-labeling and ESR experiments.
Multiple Hormonal Deficiencies in Anabolic Hormones Are Found in Frail Older Women: The Women's Health and Aging Studies

AGE-RELATED changes have been described in several endocrine pathways under hypothalamic-pituitary control: a decline in output from the growth hormone insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis, decreased dehydroepiansterone-sulfate (DHEAS) output from the adrenal axis, and declines in the sex steroids estradiol and testosterone (T) from the gonadal axis (1). Indeed, individual “syndromes” have been named after alterations in each of these pathways, with significant overlap in the postulated adverse effects, ranging from changes in body composition to effects on overall well-being. Because of the adverse sequelae related to sarcopenia, much research has concentrated on the anabolic hormones IGF-1, DHEAS, and T. Observational studies focusing on the relationship between individual hormones and isolated physiological systems have been performed. Some studies have shown adverse associations between lower hormonal levels and clinical outcomes, but these associations have not been consistent across studies (2–5). Clinical replacement trials of growth hormone, DHEA, and T in healthy older people have had largely disappointing results (6–10), leaving the field with lingering unanswered questions about the clinical impact of age-related hormonal changes. One explanation for the lack of consensus is that the underlying paradigm of the one-hormonal-deficiency-one-replacement-hormone model may not be the best model in an older person, particularly in the subgroup of older people who are experiencing poor health, frailty, or advanced old age (11). Frailty represents a biological syndrome of increased vulnerability to stressors that results from decreased physiological reserves (12,13). The physiological underpinnings of frailty are not well defined but are likely to include an accelerated decline in function across multiple physiological systems. In support of this, we and others have reported the association between individual factors, such as cortisol diurnal rhythm, inflammatory factors, micronutrient deficiencies, and anemia, and the frailty syndrome (14–18). We sought to examine the associations of individual anabolic hormonal deficiencies from the growth hormone, adrenal, and gonadal axes with frailty, and to assess their combined effects as well. We had three hypotheses: frail women would be more likely to have relative deficiencies, individually, in the hormones IGF-1, DHEAS, and free T than nonfrail women; frail women would be more likely to exhibit multiple deficiencies than nonfrail women; and the number of hormonal deficiencies would be a stronger predictor of frailty status than the type of hormonal deficiency. Although the role of T in older women is controversial, we included this hormone in our analyses because it is a hormone whose anabolic properties have been well studied in men, and we sought to examine its association with frailty in women.
The transcription cofactor Hopx is required for regulatory T cell function in dendritic cell–mediated peripheral T cell unresponsiveness

Induced regulatory T cells (iT(reg) cells) can be generated by peripheral dendritic cells (DCs) that mediate T cell unresponsiveness to rechallenge with antigen. The molecular factors required for the function of such iT(reg) cells remain unknown. We report a critical role for the transcription cofactor homeodomain-only protein (Hop; also known as Hopx) in iT(reg) cells to mediate T cell unresponsiveness in vivo. Hopx-sufficient iT(reg) cells downregulated expression of the transcription factor AP-1 complex and suppressed other T cells. In the absence of Hopx, iT(reg) cells had high expression of the AP-1 complex, proliferated and failed to mediate T cell unresponsiveness to rechallenge with antigen. Thus, Hopx is required for the function of T(reg) cells induced by DCs and the promotion of DC-mediated T cell unresponsiveness in vivo.
Immunocompetence Testing in Patients with One of the Common Operable Cancer — A Review

In recent years there has been an explosion of information regarding general immune function in cancer patients (2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, 18). A major question has been, what is the true relevance of test of general immune function to tumor burden and to prognosis? Do these tests of immune competence provide additional prognostic information to what is already known from the clinical and pathologic stage of disease?
Kindergarten children's emotion competence as a predictor of their academic competence in first grade

This study examined the relation between emotion competence and academic competence and three potential mediators of this relation. In kindergarten, 193 children from elementary schools serving urban, minority, and low income students participated in an emotion competence assessment, and 142 of these children completed a follow-up assessment in first grade. The relation between teacher ratings of emotion regulation and academic competence was primarily indirect through the effect of emotion regulation on teacher ratings of attention. Peer acceptance and teacher closeness did not mediate the relations between emotion competence and academic competence. Results highlight the potential benefits of early emotion-centered prevention programs and the need to identify children with attention problems as early as possible to prevent academic difficulties.
Influencing Adolescent Behaviors: A Need for Comprehensive Sex Education

In the late 1990s as part of its broad welfare reform package Congress made significant federal funds available over a five-year period to promote abstinence-only messages through community-based and in-school programs. In the coming year federal state and local lawmakers will review education spending in a new context of shrinking budgets. It’s expected that lawmakers will debate whether to reauthorize funding for several abstinence-only programs and the outcomes of this discussion will greatly influence further state and local action on sex education. I am asking nurses at all levels of care to not only continue appropriate sex education of teenage patients but also notify your governmental officials regarding the need for comprehensive sex education in our schools so that we can make a difference in the health outcomes of our nation’s children. (excerpt)
The use of a tympanic membrane thermometer for assessing hyperthermia in bighorn sheep

In November 1992, 45 desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) were captured at Old Dad Peak and the Kelso Mountains of southern California (USA) using a netgun fired from a helicopter. Tympanic membrane temperature was compared to rectal temperature for 22 sheep to determine if tympanic membrane temperature was a reliable indicator of hyperthermia and capture stress. All animals captured had elevated rectal temperatures after capture and arrival to the processing area. The group of 22 sheep had a mean ± SD rectal temperature of 40.9 ± 0.7 C (range 39.5 to 42.1 C) at arrival. During processing of these sheep, mean ± SD rectal temperatures were 40.9 ± 0.29 C (range 40.0 to 41.7 C) with mean ± SD tympanic temperatures of 38.4 ± 0.5 C (range 35.7 to 40.5 C). Mean tympanic temperatures were significantly lower than mean rectal temperatures when comparing all measurements and paired tympanic and rectal temperature measurements. Three animals had rectal and tympanic temperatures greater than 41.0 C and 39....
Decreased Neuronal Differentiation of Newly Generated Cells Underlies Reduced Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Chronic Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Hippocampal neurogenesis declines substantially in chronic temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, it is unclear whether this decline is linked to altered production of new cells and/or diminished survival and neuronal fate-choice decision of newly born cells. We quantified different components of hippocampal neurogenesis in rats exhibiting chronic TLE. Through intraperitoneal administration of 5'-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for 12 days, we measured numbers of newly born cells in the subgranular zone-granule cell layer (SGZ-GCL) at 24 hours and 2.5 months post-BrdU administration. Furthermore, the differentiation of newly added cells into neurons and glia was quantified via dual immunofluorescence for BrdU and various markers of neurons and glia. Addition of new cells to the SGZ-GCL over 12 days was comparable between the chronically epileptic hippocampus and the age-matched intact hippocampus. Furthermore, comparison of BrdU+ cells measured at 24 hours and 2.5 months post-BrdU administration revealed similar survival of newly born cells between the two groups. However, only 4-5% of newly born cells (i.e. BrdU+ cells) differentiated into neurons in the chronically epileptic hippocampus, in comparison to 73-80% of such cells exhibiting neuronal differentiation in the intact hippocampus. Moreover, differentiation of newly born cells into S-100β+ astrocytes or NG2+ oligodendrocyte progenitors increased to ~79% in the chronically epileptic hippocampus from ~25% observed in the intact hippocampus. Interestingly, the extent of proliferation of astrocytes and microglia (identified through Ki-67 & S-100β and Ki-67 & OX-42 dual immunofluorescence) in the SGZ-GCL was similar between the chronically epileptic hippocampus and the age-matched intact hippocampus, implying that the proliferation of neural stem/progenitor cells in the SGZ-GCL of the chronically epileptic hippocampus was not obscured by an increased division of glia. Thus, severely diminished DG neurogenesis in chronic TLE is not associated with either decreased production of new cells or reduced survival of newly born cells in the SGZ-GCL. Rather, it is linked to a dramatic decline in the neuronal fate-choice decision of newly generated cells. Overall, the differentiation of newly born cells turns mainly into glia with chronic TLE from predominantly neuronal differentiation seen in control conditions.
Complementary Combining Site Contact Residue Mutations of the Anti-digoxin Fab 26–10 Permit High Affinity Wild-type Binding

Abstract Antibody 26–10, obtained in a secondary immune response, binds digoxin with high affinity (K a = 1.3 × 1010 m −1) because of extensive shape complementarity. We demonstrated previously that mutations of the hapten contact residue HTrp-100 to Arg (where H refers to the heavy chain) resulted in increased specificity for digoxin analogs substituted at the cardenolide 16 position. However, mutagenesis of H:CDR1 did not result in such a specificity change despite the proximity of the H:CDR1 hapten contact residue Asn-35 to the cardenolide 16 position. Here we constructed a bacteriophage-displayed library containing randomized mutations at H chain residues 30–35 in a 26–10 mutant containing Arg-100 (26–10-RRALD). Phage were selected by panning against digoxin, gitoxin (16-OH), and 16-acetylgitoxin coupled to bovine serum albumin. Clones that retained wild-type Asn at position 35 showed preferred binding to gitoxin, like the 26–10-RRALD parent. In contrast, clones containing Val-35 selected mainly on digoxin-bovine serum albumin demonstrated a shift back to wild-type specificity. Several clones containing Val-35 bound digoxin with increased affinity, approaching that of the wild type in a few instances, in contrast to the mutation Val-35 in the wild-type 26–10 background, which reduces affinity for digoxin 90-fold. It has therefore proven possible to reorder the 26–10 binding site by mutations including two major contact residues on opposite sides of the site and yet to retain high affinity for binding for digoxin. Thus, even among antibodies that have undergone affinity maturation in vivo, different structural solutions to high affinity binding may be revealed.
Social and emotional outcomes of childhood sexual abuse: A review of recent research

A total of 41 articles examined the social and emotional outcomes of childhood sexual abuse. The outcomes examined included suicide and substance use, gang involvement, pregnancy, running away, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), risky sexual behavior, and behavioral problems. Results for each of these outcomes tended to vary by developmental period. However, problems of internalizing and externalizing behavior appeared to be specific to sexually abused children of all age groups. Some studies found differences in outcome according to gender, race, and age. Although findings related to abuse characteristics were found to vary from study to study, severity of the abuse, use of force, and victim's relationship to the perpetrator were found to be especially important. Other factors, such as family support and parental monitoring, were found to mitigate a negative outcome. Limitations are discussed along with suggestions for future research.
Using naming tendencies to syntactically link web service messages

Service-oriented computing (SOC) enables organizations and individual users to discover openly-accessible capabilities realized as services over the Internet. An important issue is the management of the messages that flow into and out of these services to ultimately compose higher-level functions. A significant problem occurs when service providers loosely define these messages resulting into many services that in effect cannot be easily integrated. State of the art research explores semantic methods for dealing with this notion of data integration. The assumption is that service providers will define messages in an unpredictable manner. In our work, we investigate the nature of message definitions by analyzing real, fully-operational web services currently available on the Internet (i.e. from the wild). As a result, we have discovered insights into how real web services messages are defined as affected by the tendencies of the web services developers. Using these insights we propose an enhanced syntactical method that can facilitate semantic processing by classifying web services by their message names as a first step.
OPTIMAL AND NORMAL AFFECT BALANCE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY OF MAJOR DEPRESSION: EVALUATION OF THE BALANCED STATES OF MIND MODEL

The reformulated balanced states of mind (BSOM) model (Schwartz, 1997) pro- posed new cognitive-affective set-point ratios based on a mathematical model of con- sciousness (Lefebvre, 1990) to differentiate among pathological, normal and optimal bal- ances. Using data derived from the Affects Balance Scale (Derogatis, 1975), the reformulated set-points were empirically evaluated by tracking changes in affect balance SOM (ratio of positive to total affect) in 66 depressed male outpatients undergoing cognitive- behavior therapy (n = 45) or pharmacotherapy (n = 21). Confidence interval estimations indicated that across treatments both remitted (SOM = .35) and unremitted (SOM = .35) patients had pathological pretreatment affect balances near the predicted set-point (.38). At post-treatment, affect balance for remitted patients (SOM = .74) progressed to a normal dialogue near the predicted set-point (.72), whereas unremitted patients maintained a nega- tive balance (SOM = .41). Using Hamilton and Global Assessment Scale ratings, remitted patients were classified into average and optimal responders. At post-treatment, average responders achieved an affect balance (SOM = .70) near the normal dialogue set-point (.72), whereas optimal responders progressed to an affect balance (SOM = .81) at the optimal dialogue set-point (.81), supporting the theoretical distinction between normal and optimal balance. A mathematically generated measure that distinguishes normality and optimality permits increased quantitative precision in comparative psychotherapy outcome research.
The Relation Between the Attitudes toward Negroes of White College Students and the College or School in which they are Registered

(1952). The Relation Between the Attitudes toward Negroes of White College Students and the College or School in which they are Registered. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 197-204.
An overview of production rules in database systems

Database researchers have recognized that integrating a production rules facility into a database system provides a uniform mechanism for a number of advanced database features including integrity constraint enforcement, derived data maintenance, triggers, protection, version control, and others. In addition, a database system with rule processing capabilities provides a useful platform for large and effcient knowledge-base and expert systems. Database systems with production rules are referred to as active database systems, and the field of active database systems has indeed been active. This paper summarizes current work in active database systems and suggests future research directions. Topics covered include database rule languages, rule processing semantics, and implementation issues. 0
Challenging "Extinction" through Modern Miami Language Practices

The most important part of this article is not its discussion of actual Miami language practices, but rather the meta-issue that the story needs to be told at all. It represents a series of findings that, although largely selfevident, challenge a common discourse in which American Indian cultures and languages are frozen in the past and are authentic only if unchanged relative to some perceived norm associated with their past. Because of this discourse, the present story becomes even more anomalous than it might otherwise be. Miami, an Algonquian language indigenous to Indiana and claimed by a contemporary population of several thousand people, has been termed “extinct” in widely consulted sources such as the Ethnologue.1 However, myaamia continues to exist in the linguistic repertoire of the Miami people.2 A twelve-year-old participant at the conclusion of a 2007 Miami language and cultural youth camp addressed this paradox in her puzzlement by asking, “If myaamia was a dead language, how would we be able to speak it?” Because of a robust language-reclamation effort that began during the 1990s, many Miami people, myself included, not only claim heritage to our language but also actually speak it to varying degrees, despite its supposed demise.3 It is for this reason that the story of Miami language use exemplifies the theme that Philip Deloria develops and deconstructs in Indians in Unexpected