cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Children's Health: Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Use of Prescription Medications

Objectives. Although racial and ethnic differences in the use of hospital and physician services have been well established, research has not examined the relationship between minority status and the use of prescription medications for children with some access to the health care system. This study examines differences in probability and number of prescribed medications by race and ethnicity, and whether the differences remain if socioeconomic factors, indicators of need, and number of physician visits are taken into account. Methods. Using data from the 1987 National Medical Expenditure Survey, multivariate regression analysis was used to examine the probability of receiving a prescription medication and number of medications for two samples of children, ages 1 to 5 (N = 1347) and ages 6 to 17 (N = 2155). Results. Descriptive statistics indicate that compared with white children, black and Hispanic children are less likely to receive a prescribed medication and have on average, fewer medications. The multivariate results of this analysis show that those differences persist, depending on age group of the child, after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, health conditions, and number of physician visits. Conclusions. The relationship between racial and ethnic status and the use of prescription medication mirrors other types of services, such as physician visits, and affirms that minorities receive fewer services than whites.
An Interview with Jere Brophy.

students and the dynamics of teacher-student relationships; students' per sonal characteristics and their effects on teachers, classroom processes, and student achievement; teachers' strategies for managing classrooms and cop ing with problem students; teachers' strategies for motivating students to learn; and instructional method issues involved in teaching social studies for understanding, appreciation, and life application. Professor Brophy has authored over 300 articles, chapters, and technical reports. He is best known for the text Looking in Classrooms, now in its ninth edition. He has also authored Contemporary Educational Psychology, Moti
Combined mitral and aortic stenosis; clinical and physiologic features and results of surgery.

Abstract The clinical features and hemodynamic findings in 141 patients with combined mitral and aortic stenosis are presented. Dyspnea, fatigue, edema and hemoptysis were the most commonly occurring symptoms with angina pectoris, vertigo and syncope being noted less often. The mitral first sound was frequently less sharp than in isolated mitral stenosis and its characteristics were sometimes obscured by the aortic systolic murmur transmitted from the base. Hemodynamic alterations included a low cardiac index, elevated left atrial, pulmonary arterial and left ventricular systolic pressures and left atrial, left ventricular diastolic and left ventricular-aortic systolic gradients. Operative mortality by a variety of approaches was 19.2 per cent and improvement in symptoms was noted in 86.6 per cent of the survivors.
International Public Goods and Transfer of Technology under a Globalized Intellectual Property Regime: Managing the Hydra: The Herculean Task of Ensuring Access to Essential Medicines

The task of ensuring access to essential medicines presents a complex and embedded set of problems that will remain a persistent feature of the international governance landscape for the foreseeable future. The WHO’s recommended list of essential medicines has been developed with a view to aiding procurement authorities in determining the supplies needed to treat local populations. The price of medicines is a signiﬁcant factor in determining what should be included on the list since there is small utility in recommending expensive therapies that are not affordable.Nonetheless, the most recent WHO Essential Medicines list includes a signiﬁcant number of antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) that are under patent. These drugs may not be affordable for many HIV-positive individuals, even taking into account recent price declines, unless public health budgets in developing countries are supplemented by international assistance.The world community is presently confronted with tremendous public health challenges due to HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. Yet, populations around the world, and especially in developing and least-developed countries, face heavy public health burdens from many sources, including other infectious diseases, diarrheal diseases, cancer, diabetes, heart and circulatory disease, and other conditions. While HIV/AIDS is the most immediate problem, it is not enough to address only this scourge.Although there has been considerable public debate concerning the effect of patents on access to medicines, ensuring adequate supplies involves an extensive regulatory framework encompassing a multiplicity of factors. These include:* Research and Development* Safety and Efﬁcacy (including Liability)* Manufacturing Systems and Controls (Good Manufacturing Practices)* Intellectual Property* Procurement, Distribution and Dispensing* Health Care Personnel and Infrastructure* FinancingEach of these elements in the essential medicines supply chain can and does act as a roadblock. Yet, each element is present for a reason. It is not helpful to supply inexpensive medicines if they are not safe and effective, or if they are prescribed to treat the wrong condition.The mythical Hydra was a many-headed beast with a remarkable regenerative capacity. The public health situation in developing countries shares these characteristics. The problem is multi-faceted, and addressing one aspect often reveals new challenges. Even Hercules was unable to slay the Hydra single handedly. He required the help of an assistant. Hercules did, however, provide strong leadership and commitment. Political leadership and commitment is likewise needed to address the problem of access to essential medicines, and it isnot yet clear from where such leadership and commitment will emerge.
GAMMA RAY JETS AND BLACK HOLE MAGNETOSPHERES IN ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI

Recent observational evidence pertaining to putative black holes, accretion disks and outflowing jets in active galactic nuclei is summarised. It is argued that, although equatorial inflows are observed on scales ≳ 10 pc, the gas flow at smaller radii must be more complex. The recent discovery of powerful gamma ray emission from bright, flat-spectrum radio sources suggests that most of the power from relativistic jets is emitted through inverse Compton scattering of optical-X-ray photons. It is argued that the jet power must originate in an electromagnetic form close to a massive black hole which is collimated by a super-Alfvenic disk wind extending over several decades of disk radius. The extraction of the rotational energy of a spinning black hole by electromagnetic torques is described and some recent formal developments are reviewed. It is suggested that AGN are only radio-loud when the nuclear stellar mass loss rate is low enough to allow this wind to collimate.
Minimum Energy and Energy Dissipation Rate

The theory of minimum energy and the minimum rate of energy dissipation have been applied to flow around bluff bodies, stability of falling bodies, statics and dynamics of gas bubbles, generation of ripples and dunes, and drag reduction by suspended load. These examples are used to illustrate how the minimization principles (variational principles) can be used to solve the problems of dissipative mechanical systems in static or dynamic equilibrium conditions. The minimization principle can be used independently or in tandem with the equations of motion to solve problems of a large degree of freedom. The equilibrium solution thus obtained has been shown to contain certain implicit information on the stability characteristics of the equilibrium state. For this reason, the method is not only a viable alternative to the vector mechanics method, but it also provides a relatively simple way of determining certain stability criteria.
Unit price usage knowledge: Conceptualization and empirical assessment

Abstract While the question of whether or not consumers use unit price information has been explored, prior research has not examined fully the extent to which consumers understand how to use this information. In this exploratory research, open-ended statements from a sample of 623 consumers were employed to develop a typology of unit price usage knowledge (i.e., a consumer's understanding of how unit price information can be used). The typology was used to classify respondents as possessing either lower or higher usage knowledge. Exposure to unit prices (i.e., percentage of one's lifetime spent in the US) and motivation to process such information (i.e., education level and price consciousness) were significantly related to unit price usage knowledge. In addition, knowledge of how to use unit prices was positively related to consumers' awareness of unit prices at their primary shopping locale, self-reported unit price usage, and awareness of quantity surcharges. Implications for public policy and consumer research, as well as future research directions, are discussed.
Markov chain Monte Carlo joint analysis of chandra X-ray imaging spectroscopy and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data

X-ray and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data can be combined to determine the distance to galaxy clusters. High-resolution X-ray data are now available from Chandra, which provides both spatial and spectral information, and Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect data were obtained from the BIMA and Owens Valley Radio Observatory (OVRO) arrays. We introduce a Markov Chain Monte Carlo procedure for the joint analysis of X-ray and Sunyaev- Zel'dovich effect data. The advantages of this method are the high computational efficiency and the ability to measure simultaneously the probability distribution of all parameters of interest, such as the spatial and spectral properties of the cluster gas and also for derivative quantities such as the distance to the cluster. We demonstrate this technique by applying it to the Chandra X-ray data and the OVRO radio data for the galaxy cluster A611. Comparisons with traditional likelihood ratio methods reveal the robustness of the method. This method will be used in follow-up paper to determine the distances to a large sample of galaxy cluster.
Population genetics of phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a large number of mutations at the phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) locus, most of which are strongly associated with specific RFLP or VNTR haplotypes. One of the major questions remaining in PKU research is why this apparently maladaptive disorder has been maintained at a frequency of approximately 1 in 10,000 among Caucasians. A growing number of studies have provided evidence that both the relatively high frequency of PKU and the strong mutation/haplotype associations might reflect the existence of multiple founding populations for PKU. Examples of putative founding populations for PKU in both Europe and Asia will be presented. Some PAH mutations are associated with multiple haplotypes, suggesting recurrence. Evidence for and against recurrence as the mechanism responsible for the association of the R408W mutation with RFLP haplotypes 1 and 2 will be discussed.
Antioxidant activities, phenolic and β-carotene contents of sweet potato genotypes with varying flesh colours

Abstract Antioxidant activities (μmol Trolox equivalent (TE)/g fresh weight) of 19 sweet potato genotypes with distinctive flesh colour (white, cream, yellow, orange and purple) were measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Total phenolics were measured using the Folin–Ciocalteau method, total anthocyanins by the pH-differential method, and β-carotene by HPLC. The total antioxidant activity (hydrophilic + lipophilic ORAC) was highest (27.2 μmol TE/g fresh weight (fw)) for NC415 (purple-fleshed) and lowest (2.72 μmol TE/g fw) for Xushu 18 (white-fleshed). The hydrophilic-ORAC values were significantly correlated with the DPPH ( R 2 = 0.859) and ABTS ( R 2 = 0.761) values. However, the lipophilic-ORAC values were poorly correlated with the β-carotene contents ( R 2 = 0.480). The total phenolic contents (0.011–0.949 mg chlorogenic acid equivalent/g fw) were highly correlated with the hydrophilic-ORAC ( R 2 = 0.937) and DPPH ( R 2 = 0.820) values. Therefore, the total phenolic content can serve as a useful indicator for the antioxidant activities of sweet potatoes.
Dietary Fat Consumption, Readiness to Change, and Ethnocultural Association in Midlife African American Women

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number 1 killer of American women, with African American women disproportionately represented. Dietary fat consumption is a major risk factor for the development of CVD. This study1 examined the average daily diet of urban midlife African American women, specifically the relation between dietary fat, readiness to change, ethnocultural association, and selected sociodemographic variables. Three hundred days of dietary data were collected. Sixty five percent of the participants reported currently avoiding high fat food with another 25% planning to avoid high fat food. Although 90% of the participants were avoiding or planning to avoid high fat foods, 77% were consuming diets with over 30% of their calories from fat. Of 11 variables considered, ethnocultural association was the only variable found to be consistently positively related to dietary fat intake. Community dietary education for midlife African American women needs to target all, especially those with stronger cu...
China Has Good Laws, But They Should Apply to the Party

Though not much noticed in the West, a great debate is raging across China today, from the law faculties of its major universities to the Central Party School to the dissident community, over “constitutionalism” and the establishment of rule of law. In the wake of major corruption scandals, there are great expectations that the new leadership under Xi Jinping will respond to social pressure and pursue political reforms that have stalled over the last decade. A leading China scholar, Cheng Li, and the now famous blind civil rights advocate Chen Guangcheng, who dramatically escaped house arrest and fled to the US Embassy in Beijing last year, comment on where this debate is headed and what it might—or might not—produce.
Vision-based semi-autonomous outdoor robot system to reduce soldier workload

Sensors and computational capability have not reached the point to enable small robots to navigate autonomously in unconstrained outdoor environments at tactically useful speeds. This problem is greatly reduced, however, if a soldier can lead the robot through terrain that he knows it can traverse. An application of this concept is a small pack-mule robot that follows a foot soldier over outdoor terrain. The solder would be responsible to avoid situations beyond the robot's limitations when encountered. Having learned the route, the robot could autonomously retrace the path carrying supplies and munitions. This would greatly reduce the soldier's workload under normal conditions. This paper presents a description of a developmental robot sensor system using low-cost commercial 3D vision and inertial sensors to address this application. The robot moves at fast walking speed and requires only short-range perception to accomplish its task. 3D-feature information is recorded on a composite route map that the robot uses to negotiate its local environment and retrace the path taught by the soldier leader.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Breastfeeding infants with phenylketonuria in the United States and Canada.

Abstract Objective: This study described the prevalence and duration of mothers' breastfeeding infants with phenylketonuria (PKU) and explored factors related to duration of breastfeeding as a surrogate for breastfeeding success. Subjects and Methods: Descriptive analysis as performed from an international Internet survey of mothers (n=103) who met the inclusion criteria: (1) at least 21 years of age, (2) able to read and write in English, (3) child with PKU, and (4) living in the United States or Canada. Results: Of the 103 mothers, 89 (86%) initiated breastfeeding immediately following delivery, whereas 14 (14%) chose bottle feeding. In comparison to breastfeeding after delivery, significantly fewer mothers breastfed after diagnosis (McNemar's χ2=30.33, p<0.001; n=72 vs. n=89). Breastfeeding duration ranged from less than 1 month to 24 months with one modal duration category (n=20, 22%) at less than 1 month. The timing of the addition of commercial infant formula to supplement breastfeeding or expressed...
Flexion characteristics of fixed partial denture frameworks tested by using elapsed-time holographic interferometry.

lh fl e exion of a ceramometal fixed partial denture framework under functional loading may cause fracture of the porcelain superstructure.’ The framework must be rigid without compromising biologic and esthetic acceptance. Fixed partial denture frameworks may be made as a one-piece casting (unit-cast) or as two or more units soldered together. The method to be used is usually left to the discretion of the dentist. Some design variables include the type of metal used, the geometry, and location of the solder joint. Although one-piece castings can fit more accurately* or fit as accurately as soldered individual units,) one-piece castings offer no opportunity to verify the fit of individual retainers.’ Because inaccuracy increases as casting length increases,5s6 frameworks larger than three units should be cast in two pieces and soldered.’ Previous testing of the strength of soldered joints was done under tensile loading with the assumption that there is a correlation with the compressive loads experienced in the oral cavity.‘-‘* In this study, using a compressive load, deformation was detected by elapsedtime holographic interferometry,13-‘5 an extremely sensitive tool for identifying stress-induced distortions and nondistorted displacements in the nanometer range. In addition, this method provides a permanent photographic record of the observed results. All results are based on the recorded responses of the prostheses to the same static load exceeding the calculated biting force in the human dentition in the first molar region.16 The properties of laser light allow the optical phenomenon of the interference of two beams of light to produce visible fringe patterns on objects. A hologram captures the interference patterns of two beams of light on photographic film, one beam is reflected from an object and the other functions as a steady “reference” beam coming directly from the laser. If the object is very
Synthesis and structure of intramolecularly hydrogen bonded dendrons

A convenient synthesis of monodendrons whose conformation is restricted through the intervention of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and repulsive electrostatic interactions is described. X-ray crystal structure analysis of the second generation dendron shows the presence of a propeller-type secondary structure and indicates that the dendrons have assembled into a symmetrically interdigitated dimer in the solid state. 1H NMR and IR spectral data are in agreement with the presence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the amides and the pyridine N throughout the dendron structure in solution.
Sorption of lead(II) by proton-ionizable polyether resins

Abstract Novel ion-exchange resins have been prepared by condensation polymerization with formaldehyde of dibeozo acyclic and cyclic polyethers bearing a pendent acidic function (carboxylic acid, phosphonic acid monoethyl ester, phosphonic acid, or sulfonic acid). Such resins possess both ion-exchange and polyether-binding sites for metal-ion complexation. The efficiency of Ph 2+ sorption and selectivity relative to Zn 2+ sorption are assessed as a function of: (1) the acyclic, pseudocyclic, or cyclic nature of the polyether unit; (2) the identity of the proton-ionizable group; (3) the length of the spacer which joins the proton-ionizable group to the polyether framework; and (4) for the proton-ionizable crown ether resins, the atom or group which is geminal to the functional side arm.
Multiresonant spectroscopy and dynamics of molecular extravalent states: State-resolved intramolecular relaxation of NO2 above 9 eV

Abstract Multiresonant methods are described for the optical selection of individual rovibrational states at energies near and above the first ionization threshold of NO 2 . These techniques are applied to resolve distinct Rydberg series converging to respective vertical ionization potentials by optical absorption from assigned vibration-rotation levels of the low-lying sharp 3pσ 2 Σ u + state. Spectra of levels lying between adiabatic and vertical thresholds show evidence for vibrational autoionization. This process is found to be comparatively slow ( T ⪢ 30 ps) for all levels but those for which autoionization via a Δν=−1 transition in the symmetric stretch, ν 1 , is accessible. Such rates are fastest for levels just above this Δν=−1 threshold, exhibiting characteristic Fano lineshapes as broad as 11 cm −1 . Bands thereupon proceed to narrow with increasing energy, to first re-exhibit rotational fine structure, then evidence l uncoupling in patterns of transitions very close to vertical thresholds.
A method to screen apolipoprotein polymorphisms in whole plasma: description of apolipoprotein A-IV variants in dyslipidemias and a reassessment of apolipoprotein A-I in Tangier disease

Abstract A sensitive and rapid immunological detection method was used to screen for apolipoprotein A-IV variants. Antibodies to human lymph chylomicron or plasma apolipoprotein A-IV, and plasma apolipoprotein A-I were raised in rabbits. Antibodies to apolipoprotein A-I or apolipoprotein A-IV were shown to be monospecific to their respective antigens by reactivity against human chylomicron apolipoproteins by immunoblot analysis. Plasma samples were obtained from dyslipidemic subjects from the Lipid Research Clinic of Columbia University. The plasma samples were isoelectrically focused (pH 4–6) on slab gels. Plasma proteins were then transferred to nitrocellulose paper for immunoblotting. Apolipoprotein A-IV polymorphism was determined by specific immunological detection of apolipoprotein A-IV. Identical apolipoprotein A-IV isoprotein patterns were observed when either antibodies to lymph or plasma apolipoprotein A-IV were used for immunoblotting. All the dyslipidemic plasma samples screened contained the two major and one or two minor isoproteins of normal plasma. In two instances, new apolipoprotein A-IV variants having an additional isoform were detected. One subject was hypertriglyceridemic (triacylglycerols = 342 mg/dl, cholesterol = 251 mg/dl) and had an additional major acidic apolipoprotein A-IV isoform. Another subject with mild hypocholesterolemia (triacylglycerols = 209 mg/dl, cholesterol = 120 mg/dl) was found to have additional major and minor basic apolipoprotein A-IV isoforms. The specificity of this technique allows detection of polymorphism of apolipoproteins of similar isoelectric points by use of a single dimension isoelectric focusing gel. This technique also demonstrated the presence of altered apolipoprotein A-I isoforms in the plasma of a patient with Tangier disease. These isoforms were previously identified as isoforms 2 and 4 of normal plasma by use of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. However, by use of this new technique and careful evaluation of previously published two-dimensional gels, we now identify these polipoprotein A-I isoforms as being more acidic than those of normal plasma.
The vitellogenin gene of the mosquito Aedes aegypti is a direct target of ecdysteroid receptor.

Abstract In the female mosquito Aedes aegypti, vitellogenin (Vg), the major YPP, is activated by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) at the transcriptional level. We used cell transfection assays in the Drosophila S2 cells to investigate whether 20E acts directly on the Vg gene via its functional receptor, the heterodimer composed of the ecdysteroid receptor (EcR) and the ultraspiracle (USP) proteins. We demonstrated that the Vg 5′-regulatory region contains a functional ecdysteroid-responsive element (VgEcRE1) that is necessary to confer responsiveness to 20E. VgEcRE binds directly to EcR-USP produced in vitro and extracted from the vitellogenic fat body nuclei. The binding intensity of the EcR-USP-EcRE1 complex from nuclear extracts corresponds to the levels of ecdysteroids and of the Vg transcript during the vitellogenic cycle. Given the modest level of 20E-dependent activation, it is likely that the EcR-USP receptor acts synergistically with other transcription factors to bring about the high level of Vg gene expression.
Shape-adaptivewavelet encoding of depth maps

We present a novel depth-map codec aimed at free-viewpoint 3DTV. The proposed codec relies on a shape-adaptive wavelet transform and an explicit representation of the locations of major depth edges. Unlike classical wavelet transforms, the shape-adaptive transform generates small wavelet coefficients along depth edges, which greatly reduces the data entropy. The wavelet transform is implemented by shape-adaptive lifting, which enables fast computations and perfect reconstruction. We also develop a novel rate-constrained edge detection algorithm, which integrates the idea of significance bitplanes into the Canny edge detector. Along with a simple chain code, it provides an efficient way to extract and encode edges. Experimental results on synthetic and real data confirm the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, with PSNR gains of 5dB and more over the Middlebury dataset.
Subsurface damage and polishing compound affect the 355-nm laser damage threshold of fused silica surfaces

Subsurface damage, namely grinding and polishing fractures or scratches hidden by the polishing redeposition layer, may lower laser damage threshold by reducing fracture strength, providing sites for absorbing contaminants, and modulating the electromagnetic field. Polishing compound may affect 355-nm laser damage by absorption and scratching. Fused silica surfaces were finished with different grinding and polishing removal depths to leave different extents of subsurface damage from grinding. Three surfaces were polished with ceria and three with zirconia. The surfaces were 355-nm laser damage tested using an automated 'R- on-1' protocol, and also characterized for surface roughness, subsurface damage as revealed by etching, and total internal reflectance microscopy (TIRM). The zirconia polishing produced the highest laser thresholds, especially when the surface was free of polishing and grinding damage. The zirconia polishing was prone to damaging the surface, which significantly reduced laser thresholds at some sites. the ceria polishing left very little polishing damage, and showed uniform damage thresholds when there was no subsurface damage from grinding present. Residual Blanchard fractures lowered thresholds dramatically. Subsurface fractures from fine loose grinding sometimes reduced threshold dramatically and sometimes very little. TIRM images correlate fairly well with microphotographs of subsurface damage revealed by etching.
Cu(II)-Catalyzed Oxidation of β-Amyloid Peptide Targets His13 and His14 over His6: Detection of 2-Oxo-histidine by HPLC-MS/MS

The interaction of β-amyloid peptide (βAP) with Cu(II) leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species, neurotoxicity, and the chemical modification of the peptide. To study product formation and the potential selectivity of oxidation, we have exposed specific βAP congeners, βAP1−16, βAP1−28, and βAP1−40, to ascorbate/Cu(II)-induced metal-catalyzed oxidation and electrospray ionization-time-of-flight (ESI-TOF) MS/MS analysis. Incubation of 30 μM βAP with 15−150 μM Cu(II) and (physiologically relevant) 720 μM ascorbate in 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, leads to significant oxidation of the peptides within remarkably short reaction times of as low as 6 min. Initial oxidation targets are His13 and His14, which are converted to 2-oxo-His, whereas the other two metal-binding residues, His6 and Tyr10, remain intact. Longer oxidation times then also target His6. Even in βAP1−40 the oxidation of His13 and His14 precedes the oxidation of Met35. Especially, the insensitivity of Tyr10 is noteworthy and may be exp...
Hypnosis, Rumination, and Depression: Catalyzing Attention and Mindfulness-Based Treatments

Over the past 30 years, mental health practitioners, encouraged by rigorous empirical studies and literature and meta-analytic reviews, have increasingly appreciated the ability of hypnosis to modulate attention, imagination, and motivation in the service of therapeutic goals. This article describes how hypnosis can be used as an adjunctive procedure in the treatment of depression and rumination symptoms, in particular. The focus is on attention-based treatments that include rumination-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive control training, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy. The authors provide numerous examples of techniques and approaches that can potentially enhance treatment gains, including a hypnotic induction to facilitate mindfulness and to motivate mindfulness practice. Although hypnosis appears to be a promising catalyst of attention and mindfulness, research is required to document the incremental value of adding hypnosis to the treatments reviewed.
A nitrergic secretomotor neurotransmitter in the chloride secretory response to serotonin.

The neural secretory response to serotonin is mediated by enteric nerve-based 5-HT3 receptors via a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurotransmitter. We hypothesize that nitric oxide (NO) is this neurotransmitter, acting through cGMP at the secretory cell level to induce chloride secretion in the rat distal colon. Chambered colon was exposed to the 5-HT3 agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT, in the presence and absence of potent neural nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) inhibitors, quantifying changes in short-circuit current (Δ I SC). Isotopic chloride efflux was measured in isolated colonocytes treated with a NO• donor (DNO) or cGMP analogue in the presence and absence of a guanylyl cyclase antagonist. Cyclic GMP production was quantified in both models. Pretreatment with potent nNOS antagonists significantly reduced the concentration-dependent 2-methyl-5-HT-induced Δ I SC. 2-Methyl-5-HT caused significant cGMP production. DNO induced cGMP production and cGMP-dependent chloride efflux in colonocyte populations. These data indicate that NO is a secretomotor neurotransmitter in response to serotonin.
GROUND-STATE ENERGY OF THE CHARGED BOSE GAS

The ground-state energy of the charged Bose gas at high densities is determined by the method of Green's functions. The pair Hamiltonian of Girardeau and Arnowitt is used to calculate the Green's functions. The leading terms in the high-density expansion are found to agree exactly with those determined by Girardeau using a variational method.
Sedimentation pattern of soluble protein from thyroids of iodine deficient rats: acute effects of iodide.

Sucrose gradient density centrifugation was used to study the sedimentation pattern of soluble protein of previously perfused thyroid glands from iodine deficient rats, and the effect thereon of acute administration of stable iodide. The pattern observed for iodine deficient rats differed from that seen with normal (iodine sufficient rats) in the following respects: 1) no peak for stable protein was present in the thyroglobulin region (15–19S); 2) after acute or equilibrium labeling with radioiodine, or after acute labeling with 14C-amino acid, the peak for labeled thyroglobulin was significantly lower than 19S, indicating a failure of maturation of thyroglobulin; 3) no clear peak was evident at 27S, labeled or stable; and 4) the labeled thyroglobulin peak was broad and asymmetrical, probably reflecting a higher than normal proportion of poorly iodinated molecules and a greater than normal degree of heterogeneity. Acute administration of stable iodide (3–5 μg), either together with radioiodine or 14C-amin...
Deviations of discrete distributions and a question of Móri

Abstract In this note, we consider a question of Mori regarding estimating the deviation of the k th terms of two discrete probability distributions in terms of the supremum distance between their generating functions over the interval [ 0 , 1 ] . An optimal bound for distributions on finite support is obtained. Properties of Chebyshev polynomials are employed.
Paradise Regained? Myth, Milton and Management Accounting

Abstract The failure of empirical research to settle disputes about the efficacy of activity-based costing, total quality management and analogous innovations highlights, once again, the discrepancy between Academe's heavy commitment to empirical inquiry, and its inability to prove (or refute) anything significant with empirical evidence. What should we make of this irony? What is the raison d'etre of the multi-million dollar university research industry if research if research consistently fails to resolve anything definitive? This paper explores such questions using as case examples the works of Johnson and Kaplan. Contrary to the conventional notion of research—as foraging beyond the frontiers of knowledge for the universal benefit of humankind—this study views accounting research as one of a number of cultural institutions, struggling to impose social order and hegemony. In this view, the changing topics of accounting research reflect continuous ideological realignments in an unstable social milieu. Johnson and Kaplan and Johnson are seen as bellwethers in this historical process: they offer transitional business ideologies, spanning the era between Reaganism and an emergent Clintonism. We examine how these authors prosecute their cultural and ideological project by summoning deeply-embedded, ancient cultural themes, reflected in the titles of Milton's epics, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained . Empiricism, positivism and appeals to Milton are shown here to be masks for shielding this ideological enterprize from serious critical scrutiny.
Synthesis and mutagenic properties of 4,4′-diamino-p-terphenyl and 4,4′-diamino-p-quaterphenyl

4,4′-Diamino-p-terphenyl and 4,4′-diamino-p-quaterphenyl were synthesised from readily available chemical intermediates. These compounds, along with 1,4-diaminophenylene and benzidine were examined in the Salmonella microsome assay with strains TA98 and TA100. The results of this study indicate that the mutagenicity of these diamines was the greatest for 4,4′-diamino-p-terphenyl, followed by diaminophenylene and benzidine, with 4,4′-diamino-p-quaterphenyl showing no mutagenicity.
Multifunction steroid receptor coactivator, E6-associated protein, is involved in development of the prostate gland

In this study we report that deletion of E6-associated protein (E6-AP) in mice results in a smaller prostate gland compared with that in normal wild-type animals. To investigate the mechanism(s) by which E6-AP affects prostate gland growth and development, we carried out both in vitro and in vivo experiments. In this study we show that E6-AP interacts with androgen receptor (AR) in a hormone-dependent manner and enhances the transactivation function of AR. Our in vivo data from E6-AP-null prostate glands show that the level of AR protein is elevated while the level of the AR target protein, probasin, is decreased. In contrast, the level of AR protein is decreased, and its target protein is increased in an E6-AP-overexpressing stable cell line, suggesting that E6-AP modulates both the protein level and the activity of AR. In addition, we show that the levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, total Akt, and phosphorylated Akt are decreased in E6-AP-null prostate, suggesting that E6-AP deletion down-regulates the signaling of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-Akt pathway. We also show that RhoA negatively regulates AR function, and RhoA levels are increased in E6-AP-null prostate. Furthermore, expression levels of p53, Bax, active caspases, and apoptotic index are increased in E6-AP-null prostate. Collectively, our data suggest that E6-AP deletion attenuates the growth and development of the prostate gland by interfering with AR function as well as by stimulating p53-mediated apoptosis.
Proton spectroscopic factors of Sm isotopes in the pairing-plus-quadrupole model

Abstract Proton spectroscopic factors have been calculated for the single-proton states in Sm isotopes with N = 84–92 by using the deformed quasiparticle wave functions obtained in the pairing-plus- quadrupole model. Comparison is given with the experimental data from the pick-up reactions (d, 3He) and (t, 4He) to the product nuclei 145–153Pm. Effects of deformation on the spectroscopic factors are studied.
Mixed-layer illite/smectite as a paleotemperature indicator in the Amethyst vein system, Creede district, Colorado, USA

Ordered illite/smectite is the most abundant and widespread product of argillic alteration associated with the Oligocene, epithermal, Ag-Pb-Zn-Cu-Au Amethyst vein system, southwest Colorado. Hydrothermal illite/smectites exhibit all Reichweite from 1 to ≧3 and span the composition range from about 25% to about 3% illite.— The composition and Reichweite of illite/smectite vary smoothly with distance from the Amethyst vein. With increasing distance from the vein, percent illite and the Reichweite decrease. When composition-temperature relationships of illite/smectite from modern geothermal systems are applied to the fossil Amethyst system, isotherms describing the thermal regime at the time of argillization can be estimated. Temperatures near 240° C appear to have existed near the Amethyst vein; these temperatures agree with homogenization temperatures obtained from fluid inclusions in vein minerals. The most distal illite/smectites, sampled about 260 m from the vein, indicate temperatures near 110° C. Estimated thermal gradients are on the order of 0.4 to 1° C per meter. — Although illite/smectite composition and structure vary systematically with distance from the Amethyst vein, there are no systematic trends associated with the numerous, smaller veins and veinlets in the hanging wall of the system. This indicates that temperatures of both wallrock and the fluids in all but the major Amethyst vein were nearly the same during clay formation. Apparently, the hydrothermal system had reached a fairly steady, mature, thermal state at the time of argillization.
Molecular Pathogenesis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common life-threatening malignancies in the world. This cancer generally arises within the boundaries of well-defined causal factors, of which viral hepatitis infection, aflatoxin exposure, chronic alcohol abuse, and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis are the major risk factors. Despite the identification of these etiological agents, hepatocarcinogenesis remains poorly understood. The molecular mechanisms leading to the development of HCC appear extremely complex and only recently have begun to be elucidated. Currently, surgical resection or liver transplantation offer the best chance of cure for the patient with HCC; however, these therapies are hindered by inability of many of these patients to undergo liver resection, by tumor recurrence and by donor shortages. A lack of suitable therapeutic strategies has led to a greater focus on prevention of HCC using antiviral agents and vaccination. Overall, the current outlook for patients with HCC is bleak; however, a better understanding of the molecular and genetic basis of this cancer should lead to the development of more efficacious therapies.
Rural Hispanic Adolescents at Risk for Depressive Symptoms

Levels of depression among rural Hispanic adolescents were assessed. Psychological factors affecting depression were examined. Included were family characteristics, measured by the Background Information Questionnaire; self-esteem, by the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale; perceived stress level, by the Hispanic Children's Stress Inventory; acculturation, by the Cuellar Acculturation Index; and depression levels, by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale. Results revealed moderate to severe depression symptomatology among 33% of the subjects, and mild depression symptoms among 17%. Two family structure variables, birth order and number of brothers, were significantly related to depression. Gender was an important predictor of depression, as was self-esteem. Higher stress scores were related to higher levels of depression.
Donnan dialysis with Nafion® membranes: Application of a rotating diffusion cell

The conventional devices (e.g., stirred and tubular dializers) employed in Donnan dialysis experiments do not permit precise description of the associated hydrodynamics. Consequently, detailed analysis of the transport mechanism (e.g., decoupling of boundary layer and membrane diffusion effects) is often difficult. In an effort to alleviate this difficulty, the rotating diffusion cell (RDC) introduced by Albery et al. (J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Trans. I, 72 (1976) 1618-1624) has been adapted to the study of Donnan dialysis. The porous filter used in the original design has been replaced with an ion-exchange membrane (Nafion® 117, DuPont). The membrane, which separates the reservoir and receiving solutions, is mounted on the base of a hollow rotating cylinder which contains a stationary baffle. The rotation of the cylinder causes well-defined fluid motion on both sides of the membrane so that boundary layer and membrane diffusion control can be readily distinguished and studied. Application of the RDC to Donnan dialysis is illustrated with the Nafion membrane/CoSO4-H2SO4 system.
Self-Consistency and Principal Component Analysis

Abstract I examine the self-consistency of a principal component axis; that is, when a distribution is centered about a principal component axis. A principal component axis of a random vector X is self-consistent if each point on the axis corresponds to the mean of X given that X projects orthogonally onto that point. A large class of symmetric multivariate distributions are examined in terms of self-consistency of principal component subspaces. Elliptical distributions are characterized by the preservation of self-consistency of principal component axes after arbitrary linear transformations. A “lack-of-fit” test is proposed that tests for self-consistency of a principal axis. The test is applied to two real datasets.
Validation and implementation of a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry assay to quantitate dimethyl benzoylphenylurea (BPU) and its five metabolites in human plasma and urine for clinical pharmacology studies.

Abstract A method has been developed for the quantitation of N -[4-(5-bromo-2-pyrimidinyloxy)-3-methylphenyl]- N ′-(2-dimethylamino-benzoyl)urea (BPU) and its metabolites in human plasma and urine. BPU and metabolites were separated on a C18 column with acetonitrile–water mobile phase containing 0.1% formic acid using isocratic flow for 5 min. The analytes were monitored by tandem mass spectrometry. Calibration curves were generated over the range of 2.5–500 ng/mL for BPU, mmBPU, and aminoBPU in plasma; and 0.1–20, 0.1–20, 0.5–100, 10–2000, 1–200, and 3–600 ng/mL for BPU, mmBPU, aminoBPU, G280, G308, and G322 in urine, respectively. The method has been successfully applied to study the pharmacokinetics of BPU.
Two-dimensional HYSCORE spectroscopy of superoxidized manganese catalase: a model for the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II.

The solar water-splitting protein complex, photosystem II (PSII), catalyzes one of the most energetically demanding reactions in Nature by using light energy to drive a catalyst capable of oxidizing water. The water oxidation reaction takes place at the tetra-nuclear manganese calcium-oxo (Mn4Ca-oxo) cluster at the heart of the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC) of PSII. Previous studies have determined the magnetic interactions between the paramagnetic Mn4Ca-oxo cluster and its environment in the S2 state of the OEC. The assignments for the electron–nuclear magnetic interactions that were observed in these studies were facilitated by the use of synthetic dimanganese di-μ-oxo complexes. However, there is an immense need to understand the effects of the protein environment on the coordination geometry of the Mn4Ca-oxo cluster in the OEC of PSII. In the present study, we use a proteinaceous model system to examine the protein ligands that are coordinated to the dimanganese catalytic center of manganese catalase ...
Perceptual (Re)learning: A Leverage Point for Human-Centered Computing

At least since Adrianus Dingeman de Groot conducted his pioneering work on the reasoning of chess masters, perceptual skill has been regarded as key to the advantage of experts. Here we explore the conjunction of two facts: 1. experts can perceive things that are invisible to the novice; 2. it takes a decade or more for someone to become an expert in most significant domains; 3. this conjunction represents a leverage point for intelligent systems - not from the Turing Test perspective of building machines that emulate humans but from the human-centered computing (HCC) perspective of amplifying and extending human capabilities.
The millimeter/sub-millimeter spectrum of the LiS radical in its 2Πi ground state

Abstract The pure rotational spectrum of LiS (X 2 Π i ) has been recorded in the v =0 and v =1 states in the region 130–540 GHz using millimeter/sub-millimeter direct absorption methods. This radical was synthesized from lithium vapor and CS 2 in a DC discharge. Transitions arising from the two orbit components were measured, both which exhibited lambda-doubling and, for the Ω=1/2 ladder, hyperfine interactions. Rotational, lambda-doubling, and hyperfine parameters have subsequently been determined. These data prove unambiguously that the ground state of LiS is 2 Π i and suggest that the A 2 Σ + state lies ∼4300 cm −1 higher in energy. The bonding in this radical appears to be predominantly ionic.
Chloroform-induced olfactory mucosal degeneration and osseous ethmoid hyperplasia are not associated with olfactory deficits in Fischer 344 rats

Abstract Adult female F-344 rats were trained (avoidance rate >70%) over four days with a coupled tone- (n=10 rats/dose) or 2 ppm acetaldehyde-cued (n=6 rats/dose) foot shock paradigm. Rats were gavaged with chloroform dissolved in corn oil for 5 days/week for 3 week at 0 or 400 (tone-cued) or 0, 34, 100, or 400 (odor-cued) mg/kg body weight/day. Tone-cued response was reevaluated 6, 16, and 38 days after the first chloroform dose (day 1). Olfaction was assessed on days 6–7, 20–21, and 41–42 using 2 or 0.0002 ppm acetaldehyde. Nasal histopathology (n=4–5 rats/dose) was assessed on days 6, 20, and 42. Significantly decreased body weights were observed following a single 100 or 400 mg/kg chloroform dose. Body weights in the 400 mg/kg/day chloroform group remained depressed for 17 days. Histopathology revealed degenerative changes in olfactory mucosa and underlying ethmoid turbinate bones that were essentially identical in nature and severity, including dose-response and progression, to those reported previously for chloroform gavage (Larson et al., Food Chem. Toxicol., 1995;33:443–456). At all dose level and sacrifice timepoints, however, regions of morphologically normal olfactory mucosa were present, especially in dorsal medial and ventral lateral regions of the nose. Neither odor- nor tone-cued avoidance behaviors were affected, indicating that even fairly severe and extensive chloroform-induced olfactory mucosal degeneration is not associated with a detectable olfactory deficit in rats.