cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sildenafil for male erectile dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of sildenafil citrate in the treatment of male erectile dysfunction. Data Sources The MEDLINE, HealthSTAR, Current Contents, and Cochrane Library databases (January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2000); bibliographies of retrieved articles and review articles; conference proceedings abstracts; the Food and Drug Administration Web site; and the manufacturer. Study Selection Trials were eligible if they included men with erectile dysfunction, compared sildenafil with control, were randomized, were of at least 7 days' duration, and assessed clinically relevant outcomes. Data Extraction Two reviewers independently evaluated study quality and extracted data in a standardized fashion. Data Synthesis Twenty-seven trials (6659 men) met the inclusion criteria. In results pooled from 14 parallel-group, flexible as-needed dosing trials, sildenafil was more likely than placebo to lead to successful sexual intercourse, with a higher percentage of successful intercourse attempts (57% vs 21%; weighted mean difference, 33.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 29.2-38.2; 2283 men) and a greater percentage of men experiencing at least 1 intercourse success during treatment (83% vs 45%; relative benefit increase, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.7-1.9; 2205 men). In data pooled from 6 parallel-group, fixed-dose trials, efficacy appeared slightly greater at higher doses. Treatment response appeared to vary between patient subgroups, although relative to placebo, sildenafil significantly improved erectile function in all evaluated subgroups. In trials with parallel-group design and flexible dosing, men randomized to receive sildenafil were less likely than those receiving placebo to drop out for any reason and no more likely to drop out due to an adverse event or laboratory abnormality. Specific adverse events with sildenafil included flushing (12%), headache (11%), dyspepsia (5%), and visual disturbances (3%); all adverse events were significantly less likely to occur with placebo. Sildenafil was not significantly associated with serious cardiovascular events or death. Conclusions Sildenafil improves erectile function and is generally well tolerated. Treatment response seems to vary between patient subgroups, although sildenafil has greater efficacy than placebo in all evaluated subgroups.
Synthetic studies on highly oxygenated quassinoids: Total synthesis of (±)-14β,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone

Abstract The total synthesis of the highly oxygenated quassinoid, 14β,15β-dihydroxyklaineanone has been achieved thus confirming the structural assignment which was based on spectroscopic data.
MATERNAL OBESITY AND OXIDATIVE STRESS IN THE FETUS: MECHANISMS UNDERLYING EARLY LIFE SHIFTS IN SKELETAL MUSCLE METABOLISM

The most common maternal risk factor associated with neonatal complications during delivery is obesity. Although gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs in 5–10% of the pregnant population, obesity, by virtue of its prevalence, far outpaces GDM as the most important underlying risk factor for increased fetal adiposity. The mechanisms underlying maternal insulin resistance may play an important role in the diversion of excess fuels to the fetus. Maternal adipose depots increase in early pregnancy, followed by increased adipose tissue lipolysis and subsequent hyperlipidaemia, which mainly corresponds to increased triglyceride levels (TG). A positive correlation between maternal TG and infant body weight or fat mass has been found in both GDM and non-GDM obese women. Increased oxidative stress, altered adipokines, and inflammatory cytokines have also been found in obese pregnant women, suggesting an adverse metabolic outcome even in normoglycemic conditions.
Enzyme-based logic systems and their applications for novel multi-signal-responsive materials.

Recent advances in biochemical logic systems and their integration with signal-responsive materials to yield “smart” hybrid systems are briefly outlined in the paper.
Design considerations in the choice of materials

Abstract The designer's responsibility is to select materials and processes to best meet the performance, cost and schedule requirements of the product. Numerous technical factors influence the selection of materials, including the extent to which the material is characterized. Brittle materials may be selected when they result in improvement in performance, are lower in cost, or possess some special or unique properties which cannot be provided by a more ductile material. However, the designer is generally hesitant to select brittle materials because they often are not well characterized or service experience is lacking. Some specific actions are suggested to increase the use of brittle materials when trade-off studies show them to be justified.
Generalized Harish-Chandra Modules: A New Direction in the Structure Theory of Representations

Let $$\mathfrak{g}$$ be a reductive Lie algebra over C. We say that a $$\mathfrak{g}$$ -module M is a generalized Harish-Chandra module if, for some subalgebra $$\mathfrak{k}$$ ⊂ $$\mathfrak{g}$$ , M is locally $$\mathfrak{k}$$ -finite and has finite $$\mathfrak{k}$$ -multiplicities. We believe that the problem of classifying all irreducible generalized Harish-Chandra modules could be tractable. In this paper, we review the recent success with the case when $$\mathfrak{k}$$ is a Cartan subalgebra. We also review the recent determination of which reductive in $$\mathfrak{g}$$ subalgebras $$\mathfrak{k}$$ are essential to a classification. Finally, we present in detail the emerging picture for the case when $$\mathfrak{k}$$ is a principal 3-dimensional subalgebra.
HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 Infections Among U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers Returning from West Africa

Background: The risk of acquiring HIV-1 and HIV-2 infections among expatriates in, and travelers to, West Africa is not known. The objective of the study was to examine the risk of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and type 2 (HIV-1 and HIV-2) infections among Peace Corps volunteers in West Africa. Methods: A cross-sectional serosurvey was carried out in 18 West African countries. Subjects were 2491 returning Peace Corps volunteers. The main outcome measure was seropositivity for HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies. Results: From March 1988 through February 1993, of 2491 study participants, no HIV-2 infections were detected, but three HIV-1 infections were. All three HIV-1-infected persons reported having had unprotected sex with host-country national partners. Conclusions: Results suggest that although persons having unprotected sex with partners from countries with a high prevalence of HIV-1 are at risk for acquiring the infection, casual transmission of HIV-1 or HIV-2 is extremely unlikely.
The Effects of Blocking Ratio and Atmospheric Altitude on Starting Annular Jets

The effects of the blocking ratio and atmospheric altitude on starting annular air jets at a low Reynolds number are investigated by examining the velocity profiles, jet entrainment and vortex formation. A 2D axisymmetric numerical model is developed to perform the analysis. The numerical model is validated with theoretical and experimental results from other studies. In order to achieve a comprehensive analysis, the annular jet is tested for blocking ratios with the values of 0.00 (i.e. a round jet), 0.50 and 0.75. Air properties at altitudes of 0.00 km, 18.90 km and 33.75 km are tested to simulate atmospheric environments at sea level, edge of near space and near space, respectively. The results showed that the starting jet velocity profile, entrainment and vortex formation is a strong function of blocking ratio. On the other hand, the same parameters are shown to be nearly independent, strong and weak functions of atmospheric altitude, respectively.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Antithrombotic therapy for deep arterial injury by angioplasty. Efficacy of common platelet inhibition compared with thrombin inhibition in pigs.

BACKGROUNDPlatelet-thrombus formation is a complication of arterial wall deep injury by balloon angioplasty that may lead to acute arterial occlusion and may contribute to restenosis.METHODS AND RESULTSBecause common platelet-inhibitor drugs with a heparin bolus (100 units/kg) may be effective in inhibiting platelet-thrombus formation after arterial angioplasty, these were compared with a bolus of heparin alone (control), the specific thrombin inhibitor hirudin (1.0 mg/kg), and saline (hirudin control) in normal pigs after angioplasty of the common carotid arteries. In the presence of deep arterial wall injury (injury exposing the media), indium-111-labeled platelet deposition (x 10(6)/cm2) was 68.8 +/- 12.3 and 48.1 +/- 16.9 in the control animals. This was significantly reduced by pretreatment with low-dose aspirin (1 mg/kg/day), by high-dose aspirin (20 mg/kg/day) plus dipyridamole, and especially by thrombin inhibition with hirudin. Treatment regimens with aspirin alone (20 mg/kg/day), dipyridamole al...
A Method for Installing Miniature Multilevel Sampling Wells

Abstract. A method has been developed to install miniature multilevel ground-water sampling wells in shallow, unconsoli-dated aquifers at sites without truck access. An advantage of these wells over the traditional bundle-type multilevel is that this type of installation causes minimal aquifer disturbance. Thus, miniature multilevels can be installed while a tracer test is in progress. Furthermore, only hand tools are needed in the field, and equipment and materials are easily obtained and inexpensive. The time required for installation is comparable to other methods.
Majority-Logic NE-110 Detector for keV Neutrons

An NE-l10 proton-recoil scintillation counter whose efficiency is reproducible and stable has been developed for neutrons in the energy range from 5 keV to 1 MeV. Majority-of-two logic at below the single photoelectron level is used between two or more phototubes viewing the same scintillator. Pulse height distributions as a function of neutron energy have been measured between 5 and 350 keV with two different detector configurations: a thin square slab of NE-110 and a cylinder of NE-l10. The absolute efficiency of the slab detector has also been determined. The measured results are in good agreement with results from Monte Carlo calculations.
Effects of delayed and trace components of a compound CS on conditioned suppression and heart rate

Following 150 classical conditioning trials with a compound CS paired with shock, barpressing and heart-rate responses to the first, (Si1)—, and second, (S2)—, occurring components and to the compound (S1, 2) were assessed using a conditioned suppression procedure. The decrease in barpressing and heart rate to S1 was greater than to S2 in the group of rats (N = 12) in which S1 and S2 overlapped during conditioning (S1 delay group). In the S1 -trace group (N = 12), in which S1 and S2 were presented successively, S2 was a more effective suppressor than S1. The presence of cardiac acceleration during conditioning but deceleration during testing was attributed to the effects of barpressing activity on heart rate.
Calcium accumulation during the evolution of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in the immature rat.

An excessive accumulation of calcium in neuronal and other tissues has been postulated to represent a “final common pathway” for cell death arising from hypoxia-ischemia. To clarify the role of altered calcium flux into and distribution within the perinatal brain undergoing hypoxic-ischemic injury, 7-day postnatal rats underwent unilateral common carotid artery ligation followed by 3 h of hypoxia with 8% oxygen. This insult is known to produce brain damage confined to the cerebral hemisphere ipsilateral to the arterial occlusion in >90% of the animals. Either before or after hypoxia-ischemia, the animals received a subcutaneous injection of [45Ca]Cl2, and their brains were subjected to 45Ca autoradiography at 0–1, 5, 24, and 72 h, 7 or 15 days thereafter. During hypoxia-ischemia, calcium flux into the ipsilateral cerebral hemisphere was prominent in 13 of 14 rat pups, especially in neocortex, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus. Calcium accumulation also occurred to a variable degree (6 of 14 animals) in ...
Diastereoselectivity in the TiCl4-mediated aldol reaction of cyclic dienylsilyl ethers

Abstract Cyclic dienylsilyl ethers derived from α,β-unsaturated ketones undergo TiCl4-catalyzed crossed aldol reactions with aldehydes, giving β′-hydroxy enone systems with good diastereoselectivity in most cases. The direction of stereocontrol (syn versus anti) in these reactions is a function of the steric demand of the aldehydic partner, favoring syn selectivity with sterically encumbered aldehydes.
Solution Structure of the Biologically Relevant G-Quadruplex Element in the Human c-MYC Promoter. Implications for G-Quadruplex Stabilization†

The nuclease hypersensitivity element III(1) (NHE III(1)) of the c-MYC promoter strongly controls the transcriptional activity of the c-MYC oncogene. The purine-rich strand of the NHE III(1) element has been shown to be a silencer element for c-MYC transcription upon formation of a G-quadruplex structure. We have determined the predominant G-quadruplex structure of this silencer element in potassium solution by NMR. The G-quadruplex structure adopts an intramolecular parallel-stranded quadruplex conformation with three guanine tetrads and three side loops, including two single-nucleotide side loops and one double-nucleotide side loop, that connect the four guanine strands. The three side loops are very stable and well-defined. The 3'-flanking sequence forms a stable fold-back stacking conformation capping the top end of the G-quadruplex structure. The 5'-flanking A and G bases cap the bottom end of the G-quadruplex, with the adenine stacking very well with the bottom tetrad. This paper reports the first solution structure of a G-quadruplex found to form in the promoter region of an oncogene (c-MYC). This G-quadruplex structure is extremely stable, with a similar melting temperature (>85 degrees C) to that of the wild-type 27-mer purine-rich NHE III(1) sequence of the c-MYC promoter. This predominant quadruplex structure has been shown to be biologically relevant, and the structural information revealed in this research provides an important basis for the design of new drug candidates that specifically target the c-MYC G-quadruplex structure and modulate gene expression.
Sexually dimorphic effect of aging on skeletal muscle protein synthesis

Background Although there appear to be no differences in muscle protein turnover in young and middle aged men and women, we have reported significant differences in the rate of muscle protein synthesis between older adult men and women. This suggests that aging may affect muscle protein turnover differently in men and women.
Quantitative and qualitative comparisons of spontaneous and radiation-induced specific-locus mutation in the ad-3 region of heterokaryon 12 of Neurospora crassa

Abstract The data from forward-mutation experiments to obtain specific-locus mutations at two closely linked loci in the adenine-3 ( ad-3 ) region of heterokaryon 12 (H-12) of Neurospora crassa have been tabulated to determine the relative frequencies and mutational spectra of ad-3 mutants occurring spontaneously and those induced by 22 different chemical treatments. Previous studies have demonstrated that specific-locus mutations at these two loci result from 5 major genotypic classes, namely two classes of gene/point mutations ( ad-3A R and ad-3B R ), and 3 classes of multilocus deletion mutations ([ ad-3A ] IR , [ ad-3B ] IR and [ ad-3A ad-3B ] IR ). In addition, prior studies have demonstrated that some chemical mutagens induced ad-3 mutants exclusively, or almost exclusively, by gene/point mutation and other chemical mutagens by gene/point mutation and multilocus deletion mutation. In the latter cases, there was wide variation in the percentages of ad-3 mutants in these 5 major genotypic classes. Two comparative methods of analysis that also were used to compare spontaneous and chemical-induced ad-3 mutational spectra included χ 2 -tests on the numbers of ad-3 mutants resulting in the following two sets of ratios: (1) gene/point mutations and multilocus deletion mutations; and (2) complementing and non-complementing ad-3B R mutants. Combination of the p -values from χ 2 -tests for these two methods of comparison demonstrated that all 22 chemicals induce a spectrum of ad-3 mutants that is qualitatively different from that occurring spontaneously. In addition, these same two methods of comparison have been used to compare the mutagenic effects of each of the 22 chemical treatments with each other. Combination of the data from these two methods of comparison has demonstrated that 93.1% (215/231) of the pairwise combinations of these 22 chemicals were different from each other. The implication of these experimental data on the induction of specific-locus mutations in somatic cells of Neurospora for genetic risk assessment exercises is discussed.
Interictal and postictal focal hypermetabolism on positron emission tomography

Decreased glucose utilization in the epileptogenic zone is typically observed interictally on positron emission tomography (PET), whereas ictal PET studies reveal complex patterns of increased and decreased metabolism. PET findings of 7 children, ages 2 months to 16 years, are described and demonstrate small focal regions of hypermetabolism in the absence of clinical or electrographic seizure during the 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) uptake period. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were nonlocalizing in 5 of 7 children. In 4 children, seizures had not occurred for at least several hours prior to PET. Electroencephalography during PET disclosed active spike-and-wave activity on the side of interictal hypermetabolism in these 4 children. The remaining 3 children had seizures within 15 min prior to FDG injection and were considered postictal; their PET images revealed focal hypermetabolism. Results indicated the need for electroencephalographic monitoring during functional neuroimaging studies of all epileptic patients. The biochemical basis of interictal hypermetabolism is probably related to increased energy consumption by an active epileptogenic focus, whereas postictal hypermetabolism is likely due to energy expenditure for the restoration of resting membrane potentials and chemical homeostasis following an epileptic event.
Anterior glottic webs

Anterior glottic webs can be acquired or congenital. Surgery is indicated for airway restriction or symptomatic dysphonia. Comorbidities should be addressed before intervention. Approaches include open or endoscopic approaches. The current review focuses on two common endoscopic approaches, the endoscopic flap and endoscopic keel placement. These procedures generally have high success rates; many of the associated postoperative complications can be avoided simply with close attention to detail during the initial procedure, although a small percentage of patients are likely predisposed to web reformation and development of granulation tissue despite excellent surgical technique.
Equivalence of Hadamard matrices and pseudo-noise matrices

Several classes of structured matrices (e.g., the Hadamard-Sylvester matrices and the pseudo-noise matrices) are used in the design of error-correcting codes. In particular, the columns of matrices belonging to the above two matrix classes are often used as codewords. In this paper we show that the two above classes essentially coincide: the pseudo-noise matrices can be obtained from the Hadamard-Sylvester matrices by means of the row/column permutations.
Rapid activation Of glycogen phosphorylase by the endoplasmic reticulum unfolded protein response

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is associated with misfolding of ER proteins and triggers the unfolded protein response (UPR). The UPR, in turn, helps restore normal ER function. Since fastidious N-linked glycosylation is critical for folding of most ER proteins, this study examined whether metabolic interconversions of precursors used for glycan assembly were controlled by the UPR. Thus, eight enzymes and factors with key roles in hexose phosphate metabolism were assayed in cytoplasmic extracts from primary dermal fibroblasts treated with UPR inducers. Stimulation of only one activity by the UPR was detected, AMP-independent glycogen phosphorylase (GP). GP activation required only 20 min of ER stress, with concurrent decreases in cellular glycogen and elevations of its metabolites Glc-1-P and Glc-6-P. Addition of phosphatase inhibitors to enzyme extracts from unstressed cells mimicked the effect of ER stress on GP activity, suggesting that phosphorylation of GP or a regulatory factor was involved. These data show that the UPR can modulate hexose metabolism in a manner beneficial for protein glycosylation. Since activation of GP appears to occur by a rapid post-translational process, it may be part of a general strategy of ER damage control, preceding the well-known transcription-dependent processes of the UPR that are manifested hours after the occurrence of ER stress.
Perspectives on Comparing Risks of Environmental Carcinogens

In 1987, investigators concluded that the risks of man-made industrial carcinogens and pesticides (outside of the workplace) are trivial compared with the risks of naturally occurring carcinogens found mostly in the diet. They used a ranking system based on human exposure and rodent potency (HERP) data to arrive at this conclusion. As a result, they recommend that regulatory agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, base their priorities in this area on their HERP system. We analyzed the assumptions and data set upon which the HERPs were based, concluding that such a simplified approach to set public health policy is inappropriate given the underlying uncertainties. However, we note that when comparisons are consistently based on estimates of average daily exposure to common carcinogens, the HERP scores of many man-made pollutants are comparable to those of naturally occurring carcinogens in the diet.158 references.
Legal adaptation among vietanmese refugees in the United States : How international migrants litigate civil grievances during the resettlement process

This article examines an overlooked dimension of adaptation among international migrants: how they use the host society's legal system to seek redress for grievances that arise during the resettlement process. The article terms this process legal adaptation and focuses on foreign-born plaintiffs in civil litigation. A sample (N=137) of state and federal civil cases with at least one Vietnamese litigant is used to analyze the temporal patterns in legal adaptation among Vietnamese refugees from 1975 to 1994. Several aspects of Vietnamese litigation match their macro-level resettlement process, such as civil rights and intraethnic litigation occurring later than other types of cases. But civil suits with a Vietnamese plaintiff and a native defendant tended to occur earlier than civil suits with a native plaintiff and a Vietnamese defendant. The article identifies the role of legal organizations and international grievances as the sources of Vietnamese refugees' rapid legal adaptation.
An imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism in asthma

Abstract Metabolism of arachidonic acid via the cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways was studied in washed platelets from normal and asthmatic subjects. The platelets were incubated with [1- 14 C] arachidonic acid and the metabolites formed were separated by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The platelets from asthmatic patients had a 40% decrease in cyclooxygenase-derived metabolites and a 70% increase in lipoxygenase-derived product when compared with metabolites generated by platelets from normal subjects. The ratio of cyclooxygenase to lipoxygenase products was 3.24 ± 0.26 for platelets from normal subjects, and 1.14 ± 0.15 with platelets from the asthmatic patients. These results indicate an imbalance of arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets from asthmatic patients.
Debt Maturity Structure and Liquidity Risk

This paper analyzes debt maturity structure for borrowers with private information about their future credit rating. Borrowers' projects provide them with rents that they cannot assign to lenders. The optimal maturity structure trades off a preference for short maturity due to expecting their credit rating to improve, against liquidity risk. Liquidity risk is the risk that a borrower will lose the nonassignable rents due to excessive liquidation incentives of lenders. Borrowers with high credit ratings prefer short-term debt, and those with somewhat lower ratings prefer long-term debt. Still lower rated borrowers can issue only short-term debt.
A note on estimating a structural change in persistence

a b s t r a c t This paper studies issues related to the estimation of a structural change in the persistence of a univariate time series. The break is such that the process has a unit root (i.e., is I(1)) in the pre-break regime but reverts to a stationary (i.e., I(0)) process in the post-break regime or vice versa. Chong (2001) develops the limit theory for the estimation of such autoregressive processes and shows that the rate of convergence of the breakpoint estimator in the I(1)-I(0) case is faster than that in the I(0)-I(1) case, which enables the break date to be estimated much more precisely in the former case. In this paper, we show that the faster rate is an artifact of the assumed data generating process that is characterized by a spurious jump at the true breakpoint. Based on a reformulation that avoids this jump, the same rate of convergence prevails in both cases. An important implication of this result is that existing confidence intervals in the I(1)-I(0) case have asymptotically zero coverage rates when the break magnitude is fixed. A small simulation study confirms the relevance of the asymptotic results in finite samples.
Magnetogasdynamic Re-Entry Phenomena

MGD reentry flow regimes analyzed, noting increased bow shock standoff distance and drag, comparing in-flight and laboratory simulation
An appraisal of the new classical macroeconomics

Abstract This paper appraises the “new classical macroeconomics” within the framework of Lakatos's methodology of scientific research programs. In terms of its ability to predict new facts, the new classical macroeconomics program is theoretically progressive; in terms of its ability to verify some of these predictions, the program is also empirically progressive. From these considerations I conclude that the new classical macroeconomics represents a progressive scientific research program.
Inhibitors of the pulmonary angiotensin I-converting enzyme.

Abstract The peptides bradykinin, [Tyr8-bradykinin, Met-Lys-bradykinin, nonapeptide, bradykinin-potentiating peptide, bradykinin-potentiating peptide C, and the polypeptide thyroid-stimulating hormone have been shown to inhibit the angiotensin I-converting enzyme from rabbit lung. The venoms of several species of snakes, most notably Crotalus, have also been demonstrated to contain a converting enzyme inhibitor. Tranexamic acid (aminomethylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid), N- cyclohexyl -β- alanine , 3-cyclohexylamino-1-propylamine, trans- 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 2-cyclohexylaminoethanethiol, cyclohexylmethylamine, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, cyclopentanecarboxylic acid, 2-pyrrolidone, and pyrrolidine also inhibited the enzyme; cyclohexane and trans- 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol had no effect on enzyme activity.
Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1) Disassembles RNA Polymerase II Preinitiation Complexes

Despite the important role of Polycomb in genome-wide silencing, little is known of the specific biochemical mechanism by which it inactivates transcription. Here we address how recombinant Polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) inhibits activated RNA polymerase II preinitiation complex (PIC) assembly using immobilized H3K27-methylated chromatin templates in vitro. Recombinant PRC1 inhibited transcription, but had little effect on binding of the activator as reported previously. In contrast, Mediator and the general transcription factors were blocked during assembly or dissociated from preassembled PICs. Importantly, among the PIC components, Tata Binding Protein (TBP) was the most resistant to eviction by PRC1. Immobilized template experiments using purified PRC1, transcription factor II D (TFIID), and Mediator indicate that PRC1 blocks the recruitment of Mediator, but not TFIID. We conclude that PRC1 functions to block or dissociate PICs by interfering with Mediator, but leaves TBP and perhaps TFIID intact, highlighting a specific mechanism for PRC1 transcriptional silencing. Analysis of published genome-wide datasets from mouse embryonic stem cells revealed that the Ring1b subunit of PRC1 and TBP co-enrich at developmental genes. Further, genes enriched for Ring1b and TBP are expressed at significantly lower levels than those enriched for Mediator, TBP, and Ring1b. Collectively, the data are consistent with a model in which PRC1 and TFIID could co-occupy genes poised for activation during development.
Prebasic Molt of Black-Capped and White-Eyed Vireos: Effects of Breeding Site and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation

Abstract Ecological factors on the breeding grounds are expected to have a relatively large effect on the timing of molt in migratory birds breeding at middle latitudes (e.g., southern North America), because constraints on the time available to molt are probably weak. We investigated the timing of prebasic molt in adults of two migratory passerines, the endangered Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) and the common White-eyed Vireo (V. griseus), on their breeding grounds in Texas. We compared the onset and rate of molt between sites differing in habitat and between years differing greatly in precipitation due to the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Black-capped Vireos began molting 13 days later (8 July) and completed molt 12 days faster (50 days) in low quality, clumped habitat than in more typical, contiguous shrubby habitat (62-day molt starting 25 June). Long-term estimates of onset and duration of molt based on study skins were intermediate. White-eyed Vireos in the site with clumped habitat a...
Superposition Methods for Distributed Manipulation Using Quadratic Potential Force Fields

Planar quadratic potential fields are useful for distributed manipulation because they are readily analyzable and naturally produce predictable equilibria. This generally simplifies implementation, since feedback and control may not be necessary. Traditionally, to dynamically produce moving fields for complex manipulation tasks, these fields had to be realized by highly capable, but redundant, actuator arrays. This paper suggests a new method: using simpler devices to generate basic component fields, and superposing these fields to produce desired fields with similar degrees of freedom. This approach is particularly useful for naturally produced force fields which do not allow the dynamic moving and changing of a field, but allow for superposition, and thus, can be spatially combined to produce the desired net behaviors. A vector representation of these fields is developed and applied to two problems: how to place the fields in space to span the maximum possible configuration space; and how to generate an optimal solution to generate a desired field by a superposition of a fixed field arrangement with minimal effort from each field. We experimentally validated these methods using airflow fields based on phenomenological and time superposition. Finally, we use superposition to simplify trajectory following, by blending proportions of two fields over time and by superimposing a set of component fields, each responsible for compensating a particular dynamic term
Simulated patterns of litter decay predict patterns of extracellular enzyme activities

Abstract Decomposition is a complex suite of processes that strongly affects the mineralization and immobilization of mineral nutrients. Thus, considerable research has focused on gaining a mechanistic understanding of litter decay. Models of decay vary with respect to detail, but most utilize decay rate coefficients for particular chemical constituents of litter, derived from empirical observations of turnover. Recent studies have shown that the activities of extracellular enzymes are correlated with decay, and represent instantaneous measures of biochemical processes responsible for the hydrolysis of particular chemical compounds. For these reasons, temporal patterns in turnover rates for particular litter constituents should correspond to activity levels of particular degradative enzymes. To test this hypothesis, we modified a general model of litter decay (GENDEC) to predict activities of extracellular enzymes. This was accomplished by viewing turnover rates for carbon fractions of litter (extractive, acid-soluble and acid-insoluble compounds) as surrogates for the activity levels of relevant extracellular enzymes (e.g., glucosidase, cellulases, oxidases). The resulting temporal patterns of litter turnover rates generated by the model were similar to observed patterns of enzyme activities. These results demonstrated that traditional modeling approaches may be used to predict patterns of enzyme activities, although existing data are not sufficient to conduct a rigorous quantitative test of this approach. Conversely, assays of extracellular enzymes could be used to test models of litter decay with a high degree of chemical and temporal resolution, because enzymes catalyze specific reactions and measures of activity levels represent instantaneous rates of degradation.
When to Use Standards-Based APIs (Part 2)

This column completes a two-part exploration into features of application programming interfaces (APIs) that are useful in clouds. The discussion contrasts APIs with other types of interfaces and describes variations on protocols and calling methods, giving examples from physical hardware control to illustrate important features of cloud API design.
Gender, Bullying Victimization, and Juvenile Delinquency: A Test of General Strain Theory

Bullying has emerged as a salient problem in the school environment. Using a sample of 2,437 middle-school students from a metropolitan Virginia area, we explore the impact of school bullying victi...
Structural Proteins: Genes for Collagen

Structural proteins are required for the formation and support of body tissues. Collagens, characterised by the repeating Gly–X–Y amino acid sequences, are the most abundant structural proteins in the human body. The collagen gene family comprises 45 genes encoding 28 homo- or heterotrimeric collagen types. With some exceptions, most collagen genes are scattered on different chromosomes. All except two of the collagen genes are highly interrupted, with exon numbers up to 118. This is primarily because exons coding for the collagenous domains are relatively small and usually encode a discrete number of Gly–X–Y repeated sequences, and as such the lengths are multiples of 9 base pairs (bp). In the fibrillar collagen genes, exons encoding the Gly–X–Y sequences are most frequently 54 bp or a variation thereof, and start with complete codons for glycine. In the nonfibrillar collagen genes, the most frequent exon sizes are 27, 36 or 63 bp. Key Concepts: Collagens are the most abundant structural proteins in the human body, accounting for approximately 25% of the total protein mass. Collagens are homo- or heterotrimers, in which three collagen polypeptides, called α chains, align in parallel and fold into a unique triple-helical structure, which is based on the repeating Gly–X–Y amino acid sequence of the α chains. The collagens are generally divided into two major classes: fibrillar collagens that form characteristic cross-striated fibrils and nonfibrillar collagens that do not form cross-striated fibers. To date, 28 vertebrate collagen types, I–XXVIII, encoded by 45 distinct genes, have been described in the literature. With some exceptions, most collagen genes are scattered on different human chromosomes. Collagen genes are large and highly interrupted, except for the genes for types VIII and X collagen. In fibrillar collagen genes, exons coding for the Gly–X–Y sequences are most frequently 54 bp or a variation thereof, and start with complete codons for glycine. The nonfibrillar collagen genes do not show the 54-bp exon size pattern. The most frequent exon sizes are 27, 36 or 63 bp, and some exons start with a split codon for glycine. Keywords: collagen; exon; chromosomal location; gene size; triple-helical; structure
The eDerm online curriculum: A randomized study of effective skin cancer teaching to medical students

Background With the incidence of skin cancers continuing to increase, traditional clerkships may not be sufficient to teach medical students important detection and management skills. Objective We performed a randomized study to determine the efficacy of the online curriculum, eDerm. Method Students were randomized to complete eDerm before or after clerkship (arm 1 vs 2) and were tested at 3 time points, including at baseline. The crossover design examined eDerm and clerkship, and the sequential effect of both. Results In all, 252 participants completed all interventions and testing. Diagnosis and management scores significantly improved in both arms ( P P P = .005), and eDerm improved the detection of melanoma significantly better than clerkship (malignant, P P Limitations We did not perform delayed testing of medical students for learning retention. Conclusion eDerm significantly improves the diagnosis and management of nonpigmented and pigmented skin lesions by medical students. It can be used as an alternative to a traditional 2-week clerkship if one is not available. Importantly, melanoma detection improved significantly more after eDerm than clerkship. When used as a supplement, eDerm administered after a clerkship will result in the highest level of overall learning.
Differential Sex Learning in Early Childhood

Any sensitive parent or researcher is well aware of the tremendous importance of the first few years of a child's life to his future development and well-being. The parent considers the needs of the child as well as the expectations of society and then attempts to mold and shape this crying, struggling organism into a self-sustaining functional member of society. Each culture in its wisdom promotes those behaviors and values that are easiest to establish biologically. Until recently, the biological guidelines were clearcut. A parent would observe the sex of the newborn infant and proceed to teach the child in accord with the prescribed cultural pattern. However, changes in cultural necessities have alerted the sensitive parent to reexamine the needs of the individual child in light of the latest medical and psychological knowledge.
Large reflectivity modulation using InGaAs-GaAs

The first reflection modulator using electroabsorption in strained InGaAs-GaAs quantum wells is reported. With an insertion loss of 1.9 dB and a reflectivity change of 42% at room temperature, the modulator is comparable to the best devices reported in GaAs-Al-GaAs system. A framework is presented for examining the tradeoff between insertion loss and modulation ratio from a theoretical perspective and compare the predicted limits to reported devices. >
Technical workshop report: Working Group I: Occupational health and safety strategies for agriculture.

The six workshops in this subgroup--Injuries, Respiratory Diseases, Acute Chemical Toxicity, Cancer, and Health Surveillance--competently outlined the principal health and safety issues in agriculture, documenting the increased and unacceptable morbidity and mortality in farmers and their families. It became evident that although research knowledge is just now unfolding, sufficient data exist to permit comprehensive program planning for research and prevention. It is necessary that farmers and their families be considered an occupational grouping and that specific programs aimed at ongoing risk assessment and early diagnosis are important. At the same time, a more broadly based approach to rural family life enhancement is essential, including the following: 1) education; 2) prevention; 3) family life enhancement; and 4) research. Because of the scope and nature of the problem, program development should include a multidisciplinary approach that involves the local community, state government, university (professional) resources, farm/organizations, and industry. Language: en
The Dream Always Makes New Connections: The Dream is a Creation, Not a Replay

Every dream makes new connections, and every dream is a creative product not a replay. This article summarizes evidence that even dreams usually thought of as replays—recurrent or repetitive dreams and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) dreams—turn out to be new creations, rather than replays. It will discuss the implications of this view for the functions of dreaming. The data suggest that dreaming is not involved in the consolidation of memory, but rather in integrating new memories into memory schemes, guided by emotion. This view of dreaming also has implications for making use of dreams in therapy and in
Classwide Student Tutoring Teams The Effects of Peer-Mediated Instruction on the Academic Performance of Secondary Mainstreamed Students

The present study examined the effects of a Classwide Student Tutoring Teams (CSTT) program on the academic performance of 28 mildly handicapped (MH) and 63 nondisabled students enrolled in three 9th and 10th grade math classes. Effects were analyzed using multiple baseline designs across settings with a withdrawal of treatment in one classroom. Analyses of group and individual results indicated that the implementation of CSTT resulted in average increases of 20 percentage points on weekly math exams. The percentage of students earning A grades rose abouve 40% while CSTT was in effect, and failing grades were virtually eliminated. No mildly handicapped students received a failing grade on their report cards during CSTT instruction, whereas eight MH students maintained averages about 90%. Anecdotal student and teacher comments indicated that Classwide Student Tutoring Teams was an acceptable classroom intervention. Educational implications for secondary mainstreamed students and teachers are discussed.
Women at altitude: changes in carbohydrate metabolism at 4,300-m elevation and across the menstrual cycle

We hypothesized that, in women, the blood glucose response to a meal (BGR) would be lower after exposure to 4,300 m compared with sea level (SL) and that BGR would be reduced in the presence of est...
How Relevant is University-Based Scientific Research to Private High-Technology Firms? A United States–Japan Comparison

This cross-national study explores the relative contributions of academic and corporate research to subsequent industrial R&D activities within one industry. Japanese university research emerged as...
154 STRESS EFFECTS ON IMMUNITY AND ASTHMA IN TH1- AND TH2-STIMULATED MICE.

Introduction Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by inflammation and bronchial hyperresponsiveness and may be associated with remodeling. Acute asthma exacerbation remains a leading cause of hospitalization in both pediatric and adult populations. Stress is a well-known anecdotal cause of acute asthma exacerbation. Objectives The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect addictive chemical withdrawal stress in a mouse model of allergic immune events and pulmonary inflammation. Materials and Methods Control BALBc mice received saline immunizations and no aerosol. Th1-treated mice were immunized with ovoalbumin (OVA). Th2 nice were immunized and then aerosolized with OVA. Chemical withdrawal stress was obtained with simultaneous administration of intraperitonial amphetamine and then withdrawal (the stress experience). Each combination of control, Th1, and Th2 were cross-classified with stress and no stress. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and plasma were assessed for Th1 and Th2 cytokines. Pulmonary histopathology was examined for signs of allergic inflammation. Results Pulmonary inflammatory was observed in response to OVA sensitized and aerosolized mice (Th2). Compared with control mice, both Th1 and Th2 treatment groups had elevated neutrophil:lymphocyte ratio and IgE concentrations in plasma. BAL IL-5 was elevated among mice receiving OVA immunization and aerosol compared with Th1 and control mice. Stressed Th2 mice tended to have greater BAL concentrations of IL-5 compared with nonstressed Th1 mice and Th2-stressed mice had significantly higher IL-5 than control and Th1 mice both in stress and control conditions. Conclusions Few studies have described the effect of stress on allergic pulmonary inflammation in spite of the observation that stress exacerbates asthma. Our findings indicate that (a) our Th2 model was a meaningful model of asthma, (b) immunization (Th1) may have effects on the immune system that are similar to stress, and (c) that stress may exacerbate Th2 cytokine responses and clinical signs of asthma. Findings from this study and others will lead to unique strategies for prevention and treatment of acute asthma.
Epidemiology Investigation of Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis Outbreak in Suijiang County

[Objective] To investigate the epidemiological factors of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis(AHC) in Suijiang.[Methods] Descriptive epidemiology was used to analysis cases of AHC during the AHC epidemic season.Viruses from the conjunctival swabs were isolated and identified.[Results] A total of 2336 cases were recorded during august to September In 2007 with an average incidence of 1464.75 per 100 000.Peasants accounted for 46.4% of total cases,while students occupied 31.94%.5 viral strains were isolated from 10 eye swabs and were identified as Coxsackie virus A24 variant.[Conclusion]Coxsackie virus A24 variant was the pathogen of epidemic of AHC in Suijiang.Epidemic surveillance and education should be strengthened especially for the peasants and students to prevent and Control ACH outbreak.
The Scope of Hindi WH

In recent years, substantive work has been done on question formation strategies in the languages of North India. Hindi question formation has been investigated, for example, by Davison (1984, 1988, 1994), Gurtu (1985), Mahajan (1987, 1990, 1993), Bains (1990) and Srivastav (1990, 1991a, 1991b). Dasgupta (1980) and Bayer (1990, 1993) deal with Bangla questions and Wali (1988) with questions in Kashmiri and Marathi. The primary focus of these studies is to accommodate certain locality effects manifested by wh in-situ in these languages within the principles of universal grammar. In this chapter I look at Hindi wh in-situ, drawing on my own previous work (Srivastav 1990, 1991a) as well revisions and modifications prompted by the work of other scholars. I show that the scope properties of Hindi wh in-situ can be explained in terms of the phrase structure of the language if subjacency is recognized as a constraint on LF movement as well as S-structure movement.
Teaching International Law in the Context of Domestic Legal Systems: Towards a Transnational Approach

International Law: What to Teach and Why?My colleagues on this panel and many in the audience have devoted much time to considering the subject of teaching international law. The focus of the discussion is often on why the general course should be taught and, if possible, be required of every law student. This is an important subject and I am in complete agreement with the position that some knowledge of international law is required of every legal professional today. But how much needs to be taught and why?