cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel animal model defines genetic contributions for neuron-to-neuron transfer of α-synuclein

Cell-to-cell spreading of misfolded α-synuclein (α-syn) is suggested to contribute to the progression of neuropathology in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Compelling evidence supports the hypothesis that misfolded α-syn transmits from neuron-to-neuron and seeds aggregation of the protein in the recipient cells. Furthermore, α-syn frequently appears to propagate in the brains of PD patients following a stereotypic pattern consistent with progressive spreading along anatomical pathways. We have generated a C. elegans model that mirrors this progression and allows us to monitor α-syn neuron-to-neuron transmission in a live animal over its lifespan. We found that modulation of autophagy or exo/endocytosis, affects α-syn transfer. Furthermore, we demonstrate that silencing C. elegans orthologs of PD-related genes also increases the accumulation of α-syn. This novel worm model is ideal for screening molecules and genes to identify those that modulate prion-like spreading of α-syn in order to target novel strategies for disease modification in PD and other synucleinopathies.
System Performance Testing

We have defined a thermal imaging system as a device which converts optical radiation in the far infrared to visible radiation in such a way that information can be extracted from the resulting image. Typically the power gain of this conversion is controlled by the “contrast” control of the video monitor, and an arbitrary dc level is added by the “brightness” control. We must be able to describe and to measure this power conversion and its dependence on control settings to assure ourselves that the observer may optimize his information extraction capability by adjusting the controls. By this we mean that satisfactory surround factors can be achieved for the anticipated environments, that noise-limited imagery may be produced, and that high contrast imagery may be produced.
Special health care needs explains the effect of extremely low birth weight on math but not language achievement.

Abstract Objectives Extremely low birth weight (ELBW; Methods We compared age 14 Woodcock-Johnson Calculation standard scores between 181 ELBW infants and 115 NBW controls. Persistent SHCN included: 1) prescription medication or equipment use, 2) subspecialty or therapeutic service use, or 3) hospitalization. We used nonlinear marginal effects models to decompose the total effect of ELBW on math into the following 4 components: the effect of ELBW controlling for SHCN, the effect of SHCN controlling for ELBW, effect modification by SHCN, and mediated interaction where SHCN is both causal mediator and effect modifier. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic factors. Results ELBW adolescents had lower mean math scores than NBW peers (81.3 vs. 96.4). SHCN were more common among ELBW adolescents (54.1% vs. 27%). The total effect of ELBW on math scores was − 15.7 points (95% CI − 21.0, − 10.5). The effect of birth weight alone was − 7.6 points (95% CI − 13.7, − 1.4); the effect of SHCN alone was negligible. SHCN interaction and mediated interaction effects each accounted for 25% of the total effect. Conclusions Birth weight alone explains only half of the effect of ELBW on math achievement. We found evidence of effect modification and mediation by SHCN. Understanding these explanatory pathways may lead to targeted interventions for improved outcomes.
Comparing Pain and Depressive Symptoms of Chronic Opioid Therapy Patients Receiving Dose Reduction and Risk Mitigation Initiatives With Usual Care.

Abstract Dose reduction and risk mitigation initiatives have been recommended to reduce opioid-related risks among patients receiving chronic opioid therapy (COT), but questions remain over whether these initiatives worsen pain control and quality of life. In 2014 to 2015, we interviewed 1,588 adult COT patients within a health care system in Washington State and compared those who received dose reduction and risk mitigation initiatives in primary care clinics (intervention) with patients in comparable health care settings without initiatives (control). The primary outcomes were pain assessed using the pain, enjoyment, and general activity (PEG) scale, a 3-item scale to assess global pain intensity and interference, with secondary measures including depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-8 scale). Generalized estimating equations for linear regression models were used to estimate differences in mean scores between intervention and control sites. Estimated differences, adjusted for patient characteristics and weighted for nonresponse, between patients at intervention and control clinics were not clinically significant for the PEG (−.03, 95% confidence interval = −.25 to .19) or Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (−.64, 95% confidence interval = −1.19 to −.08). We found no evidence that COT patients in clinics with dose reduction and risk mitigation initiatives had clinically meaningful differences in pain intensity, interference with activities and enjoyment of life, or depressive symptoms compared with control health care settings. Perspective This article evaluates the effect of dose reduction and risk mitigation initiatives, such as those recently recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to reduce risks associated with COT on global pain and interference, depressive symptoms, and perceived pain relief and bothersomeness of side effects.
Highly transparent tetraaminophthalocyanine polymer films for DSSC cathodes

An inexpensive, transparent, catalytic, and highly stable material is the holy grail for a dye sensitized solar cell (DSSC) cathode. Despite a near exponential increase in research effort on DSSC cathodes, materials approaching this ideal have yet to be found. Transparent cathodes allow for front and back illumination of the solar cell, enable alternative anode materials and cell designs, and are important both for fundamental research and commercialization of DSSCs. In this work, thin polymeric films of nickel tetraminophthalocyanine (NiTAPc) were tested as a catalytic cathode material in Co(Bipy)-mediated DSSCs. The thin films are highly transparent with a transmittance at 550 nm (T550) of over 95% while maintaining an Rct value below 1.3 Ω cm2. The NiTAPc films are inexpensive, fast and easy to generate, and stable to 2000 cyclic voltammetry cycles. Long-term film stability was not realized, and a rise in the Rct over time (days) occurred. However, poly-NiTAPc still represents one of the most transparent and catalytic materials reported to date. While historically phthalocyanines (Pc) have been studied as a dye/sensitizer, this first report of phthalocyanine use as a cathode material demonstrates they have utility on both sides of the DSSC.
MRI2MRI: A deep convolutional network that accurately transforms between brain MRI contrasts

Different brain MRI contrasts represent different tissue properties and are sensitive to different artifacts. The relationship between different contrasts is therefore complex and nonlinear. We developed a deep convolutional network that learns the mapping between different MRI contrasts. Using a publicly available dataset, we demonstrate that this algorithm accurately transforms between T1- and T2-weighted images, proton density images, time-of-flight angiograms, and diffusion MRI images. We demonstrate that these transformed images can be used to improve spatial registration between MR images of different contrasts.
Signal recovery for compressive spectrometers

Spectrometers are widely used for characterizing materials. Recently, filter-based spectrometers have been pro- posed to lower the manufacturing cost by replacing optical components with low-cost wavelength-selective filters, but at the expense of possibly lowered signal quality. We present compressive spectrometers which, based on the compressive sensing principle, are able to recover signal with improved quality from measurements acquired by a relatively small number of low-cost filters. We achieve high quality recovery by leveraging the fact that spectrometer measurements typically follow the shape of a smooth curve with a few spikes. We validate our method with real-world measurements, and release our dataset to facilitate future research.
IRAK-4: A key kinase involved in toll-like receptor signaling and resistance to bacterial infection

Extreme complexity and a potential for cross-talk within the TLR signaling pathways suggest that mutations in almost any receptors or intracellular signaling components would result in severe innate immune deficiency. However, to date, relatively few mutations have been described that underlie deficient TLR4 signaling and increased susceptibility to infectious disease. These include mutations in TLR4, the IRAK-4 enzyme, and in NEMO (IKKγ) and IκBα components of the IKK signaling complex. Due to the central role for IRAK-4 in mediating TLR-mediated signal transduction, IRAK-4 mutations severely affect antibacterial immune defense mechanisms. This defect is associated with mutations within the kinase domain of IRAK-4 that seem to inhibit the formation of functional signaling complexes with receptor and intracellular components of the IL-1R/TLR4 pathway. This property of truncated IRAK-4 molecules also raises the possibility for therapeutic intervention in hyperinflammatory states by using IRAK-4 mimetics to inhibit signaling. Future studies will likely reveal the feasibility of such an approach, and delineate how IRAK-4 deficiency affects other antibacterial immune defense mechanisms, including development of adaptive immunity.
On mean scaled insurance risk models

A characterization problem for scale compound parametric families of distributions with the mean as scale parameter is analyzed. If the counting distribution of the compound family has the sample mean as maximum likelihood estimator of the counting mean, and if the maximum likelihood estimator of the mean scale parameter is the sample mean, then the compound family has necessarily a gamma secondary distribution. Necessary and sufficient conditions under which such a characterization holds are derived. Among the rich class of counting statistical models, which lead to such a characterization, one finds the Poisson, binomial, negative binomial, Hermite, Delaporte, extended Poisson-Pascal, mixed Poisson inverse Gaussian, Sichel, generalized Euler, and many others. The mixed Poisson lognormal is a counterexample for which the present characterization fails.
Exercise Guidelines and Recommendations During Pregnancy

After completing this chapter, you should have an understanding of the following: • Physiological changes of pregnancy that may affect exercise. • Effects of exercise on the baby. • Activities to encourage and discourage during pregnancy. • Guidelines for exercising while pregnant. • Postpartum exercise.
Positron-Atom Differential Scattering Measurements

It is well known that measurements of differential cross sections (DCS’s) for a specific scattering channel can provide a more sensitive test of a scattering theory than the measurement of the total cross section (TCS) for that channel. To illustrate this, the DCS for elastic scattering of a positron (of momentum k) by an atom for impact energies below the first inelastic threshold is given by (using the method of partial wave analysis for a central potential) $$DCS(k,\theta ) = {\left| {f(k,\theta )} \right|^2} = \frac{1}{{{k^2}}}{}_{\ell,m}\Sigma (2\ell + 1)(2m + 1)\sin {\delta _\ell }\sin {\delta _m}\cos ({\delta _\ell} - {\delta _\ell }){p_\ell }{p_m}$$ (1) While $$TCS(k) = \int {DCS(k,\theta)} d\Omega = \frac{{4\pi }}{{{k^2}}}\mathop \Sigma \limits_\ell (2\ell + 1)\sin {}^2{\delta _\ell }$$ (2) where f(k,θ) is the scattering amplitude, δl,m(k) are energy-dependent and real scattering phase shifts for each relative angular momentum ln of the system, and Pl,m(cos0) are Legendre polynomials. At a given energy of investigation, DCS measurements made as a function of the projectile scattering angle θ could, in principle, provide sufficient information to determine the individual scattering phase shifts, while this is not possible with TCS measurements.
Diagnosis and Management of the Severed Flexor Tendon of the Hand

A large proportion of hand surgery deals with flexor tendons and considerable effort is put forth to unite severed flexor tendons. The surgical and biologic repair often leaves the tendon bound down in scar tissue along its course or at the site of injury with little or no motion being transmitted to the interphalangeal joints.
Variability in Individual Radiologist BI-RADS 3 Usage at a Large Academic Center: What's the Cause and What Should We Do About It?

Rationale and Objectives Although the breast imaging reporting and data system (BI-RADS) lists specific criteria for designating a lesion as BI-RADS category 3 (probably benign), there are no target benchmarks for BI-RADS 3 usage rates. This study investigates the variability of BI-RADS 3 rates among a group of academic breast imagers, with the goal of defining more precise utilization. Materials and Methods We retrospectively reviewed all diagnostic mammograms performed between July 1, 2013 and August 8, 2017 at our academic institution. The percentage of diagnostic mammograms given a BI-RADS 3 assessment was compared between radiologists using the Chi-square test. We then evaluated for correlation between BI-RADS 3 rate and individual clinical metrics (eg, radiologist experience, cancer detection rate [CDR] and recall rate) using univariate linear regression. Results The study included 13 breast imagers and 24,051 diagnostic breast examinations. There was significant variability in BI-RADS 3 rates between radiologists, ranging from 8.0% to 19.3% (p Conclusion We found significant variability in BI-RADS 3 usage, which seems to be used in place of BI-RADS 1 or 2 findings rather than to avoid biopsy recommendation. BI-RADS 3 rates also directly correlated with recall rate, suggesting a greater degree of uncertainty among specific radiologists. Importantly, increased usage of BI-RADS 3 did not correlate with provider experience or improved CDR.
Food insecurity transitions and smoking behavior among older adults who smoke.

Abstract Cross-sectional data reveal that smoking cigarettes is highly prevalent among those who are food insecure. However, there is limited and conflicting evidence concerning whether causal factors may influence associations of food insecurity with smoking behavior. Additionally, temporality is a core feature of food insecurity that should be considered when examining linkages between food insecurity and health behaviors like smoking cessation. In 2019, data were extracted from waves 2012 and 2014 of the Health and Retirement Study—a representative sample of U.S. adults ≥50. Analyses were limited to those who smoked cigarettes in 2012 (n = 2197). Food insecurity was assessed in 2012 and 2014 to indicate food insecurity transitions: (1) initially food insecure (food insecure in 2012 only); (2) became food insecure (food insecure in 2014 only); (3) remained food insecure (food insecure in 2012 and 2014), and; (4) not food insecure (reference group). Multivariable logistic regression examined odds of smoking cessation in 2014 due to food insecurity transition. Becoming food insecure was associated with a 2.0 (95% confidence interval = 1.1–3.4) higher odds of smoking cessation. Employment loss or retirement (p
Reproductive Season, Fecundity, and Ovum Size of the Skygazer Shiner, Notropis uranoscopus, in Alabama

Samples of the Skygazer Shiner, Notropis uranoscopus, were taken from the Tallapoosa River from 1988 to 1989. Examination of ovarian condition in female fish showed reproduction occurred from April to August. Clutch size of females varying in length from 40.4– 46.2 mm standard length, and collected in April 1988, ranged from 336 to 582 eggs and was significantly related to female size. Mean female ovum diameter ranged from 0.84 to 0.92 mm and averaged 0.87 mm; there was no significant relationship with female body size. The Skygazer Shiner appears to exhibit an “opportunistic” life-history strategy.
Predictors of HIV sex risk behavior among women in US drug treatment programs: NIDA CTN trial results

AbstractHIV prevention for women with substance use disorders is a public health priority. To identify characteristics associated with sexual risk among women in outpatient substance abuse treatmen...
Young adults’ stigmatization of people who misuse prescription opioids: an exploratory study

Based on the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT), this study used a survey to examine personal, behavioral, and environmental factors affecting young adults’ stigmatic views toward people misusing prescr...
Investigating the Roles of Therapist Experiencing and Therapist Reflective Functioning in the Therapeutic Environment

This study evaluates several factors that may contribute to the creation of a therapeutic space in which a client feels supported in their growth. Experiencing, the ability to focus on the data of one’s experiential awareness, moves people to explore and address problems in their lives by encouraging the recognition of internal struggles. Reflective functioning, or mentalizing, is the level to which one is aware of one’s own internal states, and to which one can understand others in terms of mental states; the thoughts, intentions, feelings, and beliefs of self and other. Proposing the theory that experiencing and reflective functioning are important skills for therapists in the creation of a holding environment (in which patients can safely explore their internal conflicts) two hypotheses were tested: (1) Therapist Experiencing (EXP) scores will correlate with therapist Reflective Functioning (RF) scores, demonstrating that therapists who are skilled in experiencing will also be skilled in mentalizing, and (2) Therapists with higher-level EXP scores and RF scores will encourage growth toward better functioning, as displayed in outcome measures (Inventory of Interpersonal Problems; IIP, and Symptom Checklist; SCL). Results did not support these hypotheses; in fact, a negative correlation was shown between outcome measures and high EXP/RF, linking high therapist experiencing and reflective functioning to lower resolution of patient’s interpersonal problems and psychological symptoms. Keywords: therapist experiencing, reflective functioning, therapeutic environment, therapist relational interview at midphase (TRI-M), psychotherapy outcomes
Characterization of Problem Types in a Statics Textbook

In this Work in Progress Research paper we present preliminary results on analysis of the problems present in a common engineering textbook. In order to transition students from novice to expert problem solving, they must have practice solving problems that are typical of engineering practice, i.e. ill-structured and complex. While it is generally believed that classroom problems are for the most part closed-ended and not complex, there is no work in the literature to confirm this belief. In order to address this gap, we analyzed the types of problems present in a commonly used statics textbook, using Jonassen’s well-known typology. Our findings show that almost all of the problems are algorithmic, with a few rule-based and story problems. There were no problems with higher levels of ill-structuredness, such as decision-making, diagnosis-solution, or design problems. Some educators may believe that because statics is an introductory level class, it is appropriate to only present well-structured problems. We argue that it is both possible and necessary to include ill-structured problems in classes at all levels. Doing so could potentially support students’ critical transition from novice to expert problem solvers.
The Reflection, Feedback, and Restructuring Model for Role Development in Nursing Education:

An integral component of transitioning to the nursing practice setting is in assimilating and sometimes reformulating and reconceptualizing the knowledge gained in the classroom with what is seen and experienced in practice. An inability to do so may inhibit role development and result in difficult transitions to practice. A constructivist approach was utilized in the development of a new model that describes the process of learning and role development in the clinical and simulation setting. This approach involved reviewing the literature, reanalyzing themes, development of multiple schematics, continual review, personal observations of students in the clinical and simulation settings, and feedback from peer educators. The resulting reflection, feedback, and restructuring model describes an inductive, iterative process strongly influenced by feedback. This conceptual model may be a useful tool to guide nurse educators in facilitating role development and the transition from the classroom to the clinical setting for the nursing student.
Gendered skilled migration: American women in China

Skilled migration has become increasingly gendered. Situating within the context of globalization and mobility, this article examines skilled women migrants from the U.S. to China. Based on in-dept...
Remembering our worth: commemorating the Azerbaijani nation through cultural exchange

Azerbaijan’s post-Soviet commemorations reproduce a little-discussed Soviet practice, which was to deploy cultural exchange to reify the nation. Military, cultural, and political figures circulated...
Current and Emerging Therapies for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is predominantly a disease of older adults and the majority of affected patients succumb to the disease. After decades of slow progress, the last 5 years have witnessed remarkable progress in AML therapy with the approval of multiple highly active and well-tolerated novel therapies. Notable among these are agents targeting driver mutations including FLT3, IDH1/2 as well as the Bcl-2 inhibitor venetoclax. The combination of hypomethylating agents with venetoclax is highly active in AML and has become the standard of care for older patients as well as those with comorbidities. As a result of these advances, a larger proportion of AML patients now achieve complete remissions enabling them to undergo allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation with curative intent. Progress is also being made in the field of monoclonal antibodies targeting leukemia antigens and other immunotherapies and many such agents are currently under active investigation.
Demonstration of Strategic-Grade Noise in an Optically Gated Laser-Driven Fiber Optic Gyroscope

Dynamic phase biasing in a fiber optic gyroscope (FOG) using square-wave or serrodyne modulation introduces periodic spikes in the optical output that induce noise and drift. We report a laser-driven FOG in which these spikes are removed optically to achieve a record angular random walk of 62 μdeg/√h.
Sustainable Economic Development in Energy Rich Economies: A Regional Approach

There is an extensive literature on or relating to development issues of energy rich economies – particularly those in the developing world. While national-level studies abound, the analyses of these economies at a regional scale or with a regional and spatial perspective are scarce. Generally, a bottom up regional approach to development and the value of insights that regional models and comparative regional studies provide have not received deserved attention in the field of development economics. Analyzing development sustainability in energy-based economies at a regional scale may provide insights not otherwise possible. National scale studies and models are mostly sectoral and ignore interesting development issues arising from spatial organization of production, distribution of physical and human capital over space, and spatial factors affecting the diversification of capital base. These studies mostly focus on developing economies while a regional perspective can cut across all energy rich economies in both the developing and developed world. A regional perspective can open doors to contributions from multidisciplinary spatial scientists from a wide range of fields including geography, planning, regional science and regional economics. Finally, using sub-national regions as units of analysis provides a richer picture of development at national scale and can shed light on important global sustainable development concerns. This paper outlines a general development framework based on constancy of total capital stock and outlines a comprehensive knowledge base for energy rich regions that can be used to derive patterns of development and can serve as a basis for qualitative and quantitative analyses of sustainable development in these regions within a global context.
Identification-Based Closed-Loop NMES Limb Tracking With Amplitude-Modulated Control Input

An upper motor neuron lesion (UMNL) can be caused by various neurological disorders or trauma and leads to disabilities. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) is a technique that is widely used for rehabilitation and restoration of motor function for people suffering from UMNL. Typically, stability analysis for closed-loop NMES ignores the modulated implementation of NMES. However, electrical stimulation must be applied to muscle as a modulated series of pulses. In this paper, a muscle activation model with an amplitude modulated control input is developed to capture the discontinuous nature of muscle activation, and an identification-based closed-loop NMES controller is designed and analyzed for the uncertain amplitude modulated muscle activation model. Semi-global uniformly ultimately bounded tracking is guaranteed. The stability of the closed-loop system is analyzed with Lyapunov-based methods, and a pulse frequency related gain condition is obtained. Experiments are performed with five able-bodied subjects to demonstrate the interplay between the control gains and the pulse frequency, and results are provided which indicate that control gains should be increased to maintain stability if the stimulation pulse frequency is decreased to mitigate muscle fatigue. For the first time, this paper brings together an analysis of the controller and modulation scheme.
Hydrogen exchange in proteins: Equilibrium and kinetic isotope effects in bovine plasma albumin studied with tritium and deuterium

Abstract 1. 1. Isotope effects have been investigated by comparing the rates of back exchange of tritium and deuterium from bovine plasma albumin to water at different pH values and at 25°. 2. 2. At times less than 8 h there is more exchange of deuterium than of tritium at both pH 5 and 7.2. This difference is considered to be due to a kinetic isotope effect on exchange rates. 3. 3. After 24 h, when apparent exchange equilibrium has been reached, the extent of exchange is the same with both isotopes indicating the absence of a significant equilibrium isotope effect between deuterium and tritium.
Weak Convergence to Self-Affine Processes in Dynamical Systems

Self-affine processes arise naturally as weak limits of partial sums of observations on a dynamical system. This fact has practical and theoretical implications for the study of dynamical systems. We survey some of these results, and their implications.
THE DANGERS OF YOUTH: IS IT A VALID “RED-FLAG” FOR LOW BACK PAIN?

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether patient age of 16 years and under is a valid “red flag” for back pain, by determining how often magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) investigations in these patients demonstrated significant pathology. This was a retrospective review of cases over a five-year period (2008–12). The radiology database was interrogated to identify all patients aged 16 and under who had undergone an MRI scan of their lumbar spine for a primary complaint of low back pain. All emergency and inpatient admissions were excluded from the study. Casenotes of each of these patients were analysed for demographics, clinical features, diagnosis and outcome. After exclusions, 98 eligible cases were identified. The age range of these patients was 2–16 years (mean age 12.63 years). The MRI scan found no abnormalities in 71.4% of cases. In the scans with positive findings, there were 8 cases of spondylolysis, 3 spondylolistheses, 9 cases of disc degeneration and 5 cases of Scheuermann9s. Tumour or infection were found in only 3% of cases, (2 cases sacroilitis, 1 sacral chondroblastoma); there had been sacral or sacroiliac tenderness in each of these cases. In keeping with other recent studies, this study shows that the diagnostic yield of MRI in patients under the age of 16 with low back pain is relatively high (28.6%). However, scan findings did not significantly alter management in the vast majority of cases (97%). Serious pathology (infection or tumour) was found in only 3% of cases. We therefore suggest that an age of 16 years or less, in isolation, should not be a “red flag” indicator for low back pain. We do however advise a lower threshold for imaging in patients presenting with sacral region pain and tenderness.
Cultural Narratives and the Succession Scenario: Slumdog Millionaire and Other Popular Films and Fictions

An approach to the analysis of cultural narratives is proposed drawing inspiration from Levi‐Strauss’s analysis of myths as fantasied resolutions of conflicts and contradictions in culture and of t...
Noncollinear magneto-optic Bragg diffraction using magnetostatic backward volume wave and application to RF spectrum analysis

A specific expression for the efficiency of guided-wave magnetooptic (MO) Bragg diffraction by magnetostatic backward volume waves (MSBVWs) in an yttrium iron garnet-gadolinium gallium garnet (YIG-GGG) waveguide structure is derived. Numerical analysis on the effects of DC magnetic field and geometrical characteristics between the MSBVW- and magnetostatic forward volume wave (MSFVW)-based MO Bragg cells are presented. Application of the MSBVW-based MO Bragg cells to real-time spectral analysis of microwave signals has also been demonstrated. >
Progesterone antagonism of estradiol-stimulated uterine ‘induced protein’ synthesis

Abstract Modulation of estrogen-stimulated uterine induced protein (IP) synthesis by progestins is studied in immature, immature estrogen-primed, and ovariectomized rats. Pretreatment with either high (2 mg) or low (0.5 mg) doses of progesterone (P) or the synthetic progestins, norgestrel or chlormadinone acetate, results in a significant inhibition of subsequent estradiol induction of IP synthesis as measured by the relative rate of IP synthesis. The inhibitory effect of the progestins is progressive with time, and is maximal (approx. 50% inhibition) by 12–24 h of in vivo exposure. The inducibility of IP synthesis then returns to the control level by 48 h. Dose-response studies in immature (day 21) rats indicate that 0.5 mg of P is as effective as 2 mg but that lower (0.1 or 0.2 mg) doses have only a slight effect on the inhibition of IP synthesis. This inhibitory effect was found to be specific to progestins and could not be obtained by pretreatment with different steroidal hormones (0.2 0.5 or 2 mg of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or hydrocortisone for 12 or 24 h). The antagonistic effect of P appears to be preferentially on the relative rate of synthesis of IP, and not on total uterine protein synthesis which is actually increased to approx. 150% of the control by 24 h of progestin treatment. This effect of P appears to be on the rate of synthesis of IP and not on its turnover, as IP turnover either with or without P pretreatment of uteri appears to be the same (half-life of over 24 h). The relative rate of IP synthesis in the immature rat uterus is shown to be related to the level of nuclear-bound estrogen receptor. The depressive effect of progestins on IP induction by subsequent estradiol appears to be accounted for, at least in large part, by their ability to decrease the amount of receptor sites moved to and/or retained in the nucleus by subsequent estradiol in vivo. These findings suggest that the reduced rate of synthesis of the induced protein during the estrus phase of the estrous cycle in rats, and the low inducibility of IP synthesis by exogenously administered estrogen at estrus, may be due, at least in part, to the action of progesterone.
Unidimensionality and Developmental Trajectory of Aggressive Behavior in Clinically-Referred Boys: A Rasch Analysis

A majority of research investigating aggression and its development in children relies on rating scales such as the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). These scales typically are developed using a conventional factor analytic approach for the selection and retention of scale items, but may contain insufficient items to assess the unidimensionality and developmental trajectory of youths’ aggressive behavior. Rasch analysis was employed to determine the extent to which CBCL Aggressive and Delinquent clinical syndrome scale items reflect the unidimensionality and expected developmental trajectory of aggressive behavior based on parent endorsements of 455, 6 to 16 year old boys referred to community mental health centers. The two scales showed considerable promise as a unidimensional aggression scale and mimic the expected developmental pattern of aggressive behavior in extant literature. Future development of an aggressive CBCL dimensional subscale, however, must eliminate redundant and non-contributing items, and include severe aggressive behavior items exhibited by persistently aggressive youths.
A microscopic study of the behavior of selected Al-Cu alloys in unlubricated sliding wear☆

Abstract A study of the effects of a second phase on sliding wear resistance has been conducted under several dry sliding conditions. This investigation employed Cu-11.2Al and the four distinct microstructures available from Al-4.5Cu with proper heat treatment. Additionally, single-phase reference materials were included for the simulation of matrix phase response to wear testing for comparative purposes. Specimens were run in pin-on-disk, spiraling pin-on-disk, and scratch-type wear tests. Wear-induced damage was evaluated by optical and electron microscopy and correlated with the results of mechanical tests. Results suggested that for cases mainly involving abrasion, the principal effect of the presence of a second phase on wear resistance is the resultant increase in bulk hardness. For predominantly adhesive wear events, involving extensive plastic shearing of counterfacial surfaces and transfer, the principal effect of a second phase is microstructural — refining the average size of transfer particles and wear debris. The nature of the second phase, with respect to both morphology and mechanical compatibility with the matrix, will determine the magnitude of the effect.
Coincidence-Anticipation Performance of Adolescent Baseball Players and Nonplayers

10 adolescent baseball players and 10 nonplayers made estimates of baseballs' arrival at the front edge of a home plate. Balls were projected 45 ft. by a pitching machine at speeds of 35, 40, 45, and 50 mph. Subjects made estimates with the dominant and nondominant eye closest to the oncoming ball. Analysis indicated that players were no more accurate than nonplayers but did respond significantly earlier and with consistency. Eye dominance had no effect on performance.
The Dental Curriculum: Is It Relevant to Dental Practice?

Does the undergraduate dental curriculum devote the appropriate amount of time to those areas of dentistry that are relevant to today's general dental practice? In a survey of dentists who graduated between 1980 and 1985, it was determined that they felt curriculum offerings in orthodontics, research, endodontics, periodontics, oral surgery, fixed prosthodontics, and occlusion had not been extensive enough. However, graduates also reported that their educational experiences in biochemistry, dental laboratory procedures, gross anatomy, microbiology, and occlusion were too extensive.
Cardiovascular effects of platelet-activating factor.

Sudden release of platelet-activating factor (PAF) into the circulation can cause hypotension, tachycardia, and circulatory collapse. To further examine this response, we performed detailed studies of cardiovascular function after PAF administration to young domestic pigs and newborn piglets. Our results indicate that circulatory dysfunction after PAF reflects severe constriction of pulmonary resistance vessels and consequent acute right ventricular failure. Although PAF-induced coronary artery constriction and contractile depression may be complicating problems, left ventricular underperfusion and dysfunction after PAF are mainly the result of systemic arterial hypotension and diminished left ventricular filling. The adverse hemodynamic effects of PAF are accompanied by substantial release of thromboxane A2 (TxA2). These effects are mimicked by the TxA2 agonist U-46619 and partially blocked by specific and nonspecific inhibitors of TxA2 synthesis (OKY-046 and indomethacin). Even more potent blockade of PAF action is exerted by the TxA2 receptor blocker, SQ 29,548. Taken together, these findings indicate that severe pulmonary vascular constriction and hemodynamic collapse soon after intravenous PAF are at least partially mediated by PAF-induced TxA2 release. Tachyphylaxis to PAF influence has been observed in studies of leukocyte and platelet function. We hypothesized that tachyphylaxis to PAF might also occur in our studies of constrictor responses in pulmonary vessels. Recently, we have examined the capacity of PAF to produce sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction in openchested, anesthetized newborn piglets. Infusions sufficient to produce 100% increase in mean pulmonary artery pressure after 3 min showed no loss of efficacy when sustained for 30 min. The same was true for infusions of U-46619. Thus, the pulmonary vasoconstrictor influence of PAF or U-46619 is not readily diminished by tachyphylaxis. These findings favor the viewpoint that PAF or TxA2 release during inflammatory processes could have prolonged adverse actions on pulmonary and systemic circulations.
Ethical and legal considerations in high risk studies of schizophrenia.

The domains of the legal and mental health systems have long been Interrelated; today their joint concerns seem focused on the broad Issues of ethics and morals. Over the past several years, there has been a crescendo/ng Involvement of the legal system In mental health Issues; Informed consent, confidentiality, right to treatment, and legal rights of patients have been brought Into sharp relief by court cases and/or new regulations. No area In which these two domains overlap Is more perplexing than one Involving children. For example, what are the legal riahts and responsibilities of children? When are children able to make decisions in their own behalf? If they are deemed unable to decide for themselves, who should? How are they to be protected from being subjected to possibly harmful procedures, and at the same time assured that they will not be denied new treatments of potential value? Although this is only a partial listing of troubling ethical quandaries regarding the treatment of children, it can easily be seen that similar questions can be raised with regard to adults as well. Professor Curran's summary of an Intensive review of the legal, ethical, and moral implications of intervention undertaken with children thought to be vulnerable to psychopathology In later life Is presented here, in part, to serve as a stimulus for Bulletin readers to air their views, experiences, and problems with the entire spectrum of legal, ethical, and moral issues that confront mental health workers today. We invite your comments and will publish a representative sampling of material received. Preference will be given to letters that provide data documenting views, experiences, and problems.—The Editors.
Botulinum neurotoxin and other treatments for fissure-in-ano and pelvic floor disorders

Background: The management of disorders of the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as chronic anal fissure and pelvic floor dysfunction, has undergone re-evaluation recently. To a large extent this is due to the advent of neurochemical treatments, such as botulinum neurotoxin injections and topical nitrate ointment. Methods and results: This review presents, inter alia, current data on the use of botulinum neurotoxin to treat lower gastrointestinal tract diseases, such as chronic anal fissure for which it promotes healing and symptom relief in up to 70 per cent of cases. This agent has also been used selectively to weaken the external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle in constipation and in Parkinson's disease. Symptomatic improvement can also be induced in anterior rectocele by botulinum neurotoxin injections. Conclusion: Botulinum neurotoxin appears to be a safe therapy for anal fissure. It is more efficacious than nitrate application and does not require patient compliance to complete treatment. While it may also be a promising approach for the treatment of chronic constipation due to pelvic floor dysfunction, further investigation of its efficacy and safety in this role is needed before general usage can be advocated. © 2002 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd
Induction of kinetochore-positive micronuclei in human lymphocytes by the anti-fungal drug griseofulvin

Griseofulvin (GF) is a widely used antifungal drug for the treatment of superficial dermatomycoses. However, because GF is carcinogenic and teratogenic in animal models there is considerable concern regarding its clinical application. Further, it produces numerical chromosome aberrations in human lymphocytes and cell lines. There are conflicting reports on the ability of GF to induce structural chromosomal aberrations. Here, we show GF induces micronucleus formation both in isolated peripheral lymphocytes and lymphocytes from whole blood cultures. An antikinetochore antibody was used to distinguish micronuclei with acentric chromosome fragments (kinetochore-negative) and from those containing whole chromosomes (kinetochore-positive). The micronuclei formed were 99% kinetochore-positive in isolated lymphocytes. In addition, GF was able to alter the cell cycle kinetics of lymphocytes, thereby increasing the percentage of triploid cells. We conclude that GF is a strong aneuploidy-inducing agent in peripheral human lymphocytes and produces effects at concentrations which should be detectable in the blood of persons undergoing therapy.
Parallel trace-driven cache simulation by time partitioning

The authors describe a technique for performing parallel simulation of a trace of address references for the purpose of evaluating different cache structures. One way to achieve fast parallel simulation is to simulate the individual independent sets of a cache concurrently on different computers, but this technique is not efficient in a statistical sense because of a high correlation of the activity between different sets. Only a small fraction of sets should actually be simulated. To put parallelism to effective use, a trace of the sets to be simulated can be partitioned into disjoint time intervals, and each interval can be simulated concurrently. Because the contents of the cache are unknown at the start of the time intervals, this parallel simulation does not produce the correct counts of cache hits and misses. However, after simulating the trace in parallel, a small amount of resimulation can produce the correct counts. The resimulation effort required is proportional to the size of the cache simulated and not to the length of the trace. >
Risk factors for and the prevention of root caries in older adults

With the absolute and relative number of elderly people rising in most countries, it is essential that dental practitioners be knowledgeable about the normal changes and disease processes that occur in aging individuals. Especially prevalent in the aging population is root surface caries. Several variables may increase the risk of developing root surface caries. Among these are poor oral hygiene, microbial plaque, periodontal disease, gender (male), coronal caries, dietary habits, xerostomia, low socio-economic status, and infrequent dental visits. While each of these has an effect, plaque seems to have the greatest influence on the susceptibility of teeth to root decay. Improved oral hygiene and regular dental visits, combined with the use of fluoride, may continuously convert active root caries lesions to inactive. In fact, prophylactic programs are more effective in converting active to inactive rather than preventing the development of new lesions. The conscientious dental practitioner must identify his/her older patients at risk for developing root lesions and place a major emphasis on the prevention and treatment thereof.
Analysis of traffic flow by the finite element method

Abstract A finite elernent methodology is developed for the numerical solution of traffic flow problems encountered in arterial streets. The simple continuum traffic flow model consisting of the equation of continuity and an equilibrium flow-density relationship is adopted. A Galerkin type finite element method is used to formulate the problem in discrete form and the solution is obtained by a step-by-step time integration in conjunction with the Newton-Raphson method. The proposed finite element methodology, which is of the shock capturing type, is applied to flow traffic problems. Two numerical examples illustrate the method and demonstrate its advantages over other analytical or numerical techniques.
Does big-time success in football or basketball affect SAT scores?

Abstract This paper presents tests of the argument that a high-quality athletic program has a positive influence on the academic mission of its university. The results are based on a model of average scholastic aptitude test (SAT) scores that are a function of pigskin success, hoop success and key academic variables for the universities that engage in major intercollegiate athletics. The evidence presented indicates that academic variables rather than athletic success variables determine the level of average SAT scores of incoming freshmen students, but a highly ranked football team on campus boosts average SAT scores over time. In contrast, there is no evidence that a highly ranked basketball team on campus has an impact on either the level of or changes in average SAT scores.
A subclass of cell surface carbohydrates revealed by a CHO mutant with two glycosylation mutations.

A novel lectin-resistance phenotype was displayed by a LEC10 Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell mutant that was selected for resistance to the erythroagglutinin, E-PHA. Biochemical and genetic analyses revealed that the phenotype results from the expression of two glycosylation mutations, LEC10 and lec8. The LEC10 mutation causes the appearance of N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase III (GlcNAc-TIII) activity and the production of N-linked carbohydrates with a bisecting GlcNAc residue. The lec8 mutation inhibits translocation of UDP-Gal into the Golgi lumen and thereby dramatically reduces galactosylation of all glycoconjugates. This reduction in galactose addition does not, however, cause Lec8 mutants to be very resistant to the galactose-binding lectin, ricin. By contrast, the double mutant LEC10.Lec8 behaved like a LEC10 mutant and was highly resistant to ricin. Based on structural studies of cellular glycopeptides as well as glycopeptides of the G glycoprotein of vesicular stomatitis virus grown in mutant cells, it appears that the ricin resistance of LEC10.Lec8 cells is due to the presence of a small number of Gal residues on branched, N-linked carbohydrates that also carry the bisecting GlcNAc residue. Labelling of N-linked cellular carbohydrates with [3H]galactose was found to occur at a low level for a wide spectrum of cellular glycoproteins in independent Lec8 mutants. Studies of the LEC10.Lec8 mutant have, therefore, led to the identification of a subset of structures that are acceptors for Gal when intra-Golgi UDP-Gal levels are limiting. This mutant also illustrates the potential for regulating cell surface recognition by carbohydrate-binding proteins by altering the expression of a single glycosyltransferase such as GlcNAc-TIII.