cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional melanocortin-2 receptors are expressed by mouse aorta-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells

Abstract A local melanocortin system is active during tissue injury and inflammation. Thus far this system has been described as autocrine in nature where local production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides by leukocytes feeds back on melanocortin receptor (MC-R) expressing immune cells to quell inflammatory cytokine production. Here we present evidence that POMC peptides may generate extracellular matrix (ECM) changes by inducing matrix production by cells of the mesenchymal lineage through activation of the MC2-R. Using immunoblot, we determined that mouse aorta-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells express both MC2-R and MC3-R. These progenitors respond to treatment with ACTH by increasing collagen matrix synthesis as assessed by picrosirius red stain and 3H-proline incorporation. ACTH also induces transient increases in intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) as assessed using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura-2. The ACTH-induced changes in [Ca2+]i are consistent with MC2-R signaling and consist of both an intracellular release and an extracellular influx of Ca2+. Both mouse aortic mesenchymal progenitors and mouse macrophage cells express POMC and the prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) indicating they have the potential to contribute to the local production of POMC peptides. These data demonstrate functional MC2-R expression in mouse aorta-derived mesenchymal progenitors and implicate both macrophage and mesenchymal cells as relevant sources of local POMC peptides.
Elevated androgens during puberty in female rhesus monkeys lead to increased neuronal drive to the reproductive axis: a possible component of polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND Hyperandrogenemia is associated with several clinical disorders in which both reproductive dysfunction and metabolic changes may coexist [i.e. polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity and congenital adrenal hyperplasia]. Moreover, there is growing evidence that the elevated levels of circulating androgens in obese girls may lead to an increased neuroendocrine drive to the reproductive axis, similar to that associated with PCOS.
Numerical study of electronic transport through bilayer graphene nanoribbons

In graphene, a sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb structure, charge carriers behave as massless Dirac fermions and move with extremely high speed leading to exotic electronic properties. However, lack of a band-gap reduces its utility for conventional electronic device applications. A tunable bandgap can be induced in bilayer graphene by application of a potential difference between the two layers.
On elliptic systems in Hörmander spaces

We study a linear system of pseudodifferential equations uniformly elliptic in Petrovskii’s sense in the Hilbert scale of Hormander functional spaces defined in ℝ n . An a priori estimate is proved for the solution of the system and its interior smoothness in this scale of spaces is investigated. As an application, we establish a sufficient condition for the existence of continuous bounded derivatives of the solution.
Comparison of root system architecture and rhizosphere microbial communities of Balsas teosinte and domesticated corn cultivars

The progenitor of maize is Balsas teosinte (Zea mays subsp. parviglumis) which grows as a wild plant in the valley of the Balsas river in Mexico. Domestication, primarily targeting above-ground traits, has led to substantial changes in the plant's morphology and modern maize cultivars poorly resemble their wild ancestor. We examined the hypotheses that Balsas teosinte (accession PI 384071) has a) a different root system architecture and b) a structurally and functionally different rhizosphere microbial community than domesticated cultivars sweet corn (Zea mays subsp. mays accession PI 494083) and popping corn (Zea mays subsp. mays accession PI 542713). In a greenhouse experiment, five plants from each corn variety were grown in individual pots containing a Maury silt loam e perlite (2:1) mixture and grown to the V8 growth stage at which rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structure was assessed using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and fatty acid methyl ester analysis. Functional characteristics of the rhizosphere were assayed by examining the potential activity of seven extracellular enzymes involved in carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycling. Root system architecture was characterized by root scans of sand grown plants at the V5 growth stage. Compared to the control the sweet corn rhizosphere had different bacterial and fungal community structure, decreased fungal diversity and increased bacterial abundance. Teosinte caused a significant change in the rhizosphere bacterial and fungal community structure and increased bacterial abundance, but no significant decrease in bacterial or fungal diversity where the former was found to be significantly greater than in the sweet corn rhizosphere. Popping corn did not trigger significant changes in the bacterial or fungal diversity and bacterial abundance in the soil. The individual popping corn plants changed the bacterial and fungal communities in different directions and the overall effect on community structure was significant, but small. Of the enzymes analyzed, potential N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG) activity was found to contributed most to the differentiation of teosinte rhizosphere samples from the other corn varieties. The teosinte root system had proportionally more very fine (diameter < 0.03 mm) roots than popping corn and sweet corn and it developed the highest root to shoot dry weight ratio, followed by popping corn. Sweet corn had significantly lower average root diameter than popping corn and teosinte and grew proportionally the least below-ground dry mass. The results allude to functional and structural differences in the rhizosphere microbial communities of the corn varieties that, with additional research, could lead to useful discoveries on how corn domestication has altered rhizosphere processes and how plant genotype influences nutrient cycling.
A Sodium Iodide (Tl) Total Absorption Spectrometer for High Energies

A scintillation counter employing a 70-lb NaI(Tl) crystal and a Swiss (AfiF) multiplier phototube has been tested with electrons of energy up to 600 mev. The plot of pulse height vs energy of incident electrons is found to be linear up to the highest energy tested (600 mev). Energy resolution of 16 per cent has been obtained at 350 mev. The crystal is 9 1/2 inches both in diameter and length. The incident radiation, which can be either electrons or gamma rays, induces a cascade electromagnetic shower within the mass of the crystal giving rise to light which enters the photomultiplier tube. Graphs showing linearity in energy response are presented as well as plots of line shape at constant energy of the incident particle. The procedure for obtaining line breadth semitheoretically is described, and the breadth so derived compared with the value obtained in actual practice. Details of the airtight crystal enclosure and of the crystal-photomultiplier optical coupling system are shown.
Novel multilayered SERS substrates for trace chemical and biochemical analysis

We have developed and characterized novel multilayered metal film-based surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates capable of enhancing SERS signals over an order of magnitude compared to conventional single layer substrates. In addition to enhanced signal intensity, these multilayered metal film substrates also exhibit longer SERS active lifetimes, higher reproducibility and lower detection limits than single layer silver substrates. Multilayered metal film substrates were fabricated by repeated vapor deposition of metal films over nanometer sized silica spheres. Different sizes of silica spheres were evaluated in order to obtain the optimal SERS enhancements. Meanwhile, different coating methods, drop coating and spin coating, were applied to form silica sphere layers that provided the roughness for SERS enhancements. These two coating methods were also compared for various silica sphere sizes by investigating their effects on the SERS enhancements. By applying additional silver layers on top of silver film over silica sphere SERS substrates, multi-layer enhancements can be observed. Additionally, different metals, such as gold, were used to further optimize the stability and reproducibility of these novel substrates. In order to speed up the fabrication of these multiple metal layer SERS substrates, silver oxide layers produced in an oven were investigated, reducing fabrication time by a factor of 50.
Christian Corpses for Christians!: Dissecting the Anti-Semitism behind the Cadaver Affair of the Second Polish Republic

In this article, the author analyzes the campaign that captured the attention of medical colleges at Polish Universities in Warsaw, Vilno, Cracow, and Lvov during the 1920s and 1930s. The author discusses calls made by right-wing students for a regular supply of Jewish corpses matching their percentage among the students, and the ways in which university authorities and Polish Jewish communal leaders responded to these demands. Clearly, driving Jews out of the medical profession combined traditional prejudicial thinking about Jews with modern racial science and corresponded with the more general call to remove Jews from free professions. However, the issue of Jewish corpses took this line of thinking into the realm of pathology. The author argues that taking issue with Jewish access to “Christian corpses” echoed perceptions of Jewish impurity. It implied that Jewish students constituted a danger not only to their Polish colleagues but even to the corpses of Christians, which they could somehow contaminate...
Understanding complexity in biophysical chemistry

Nonlinear science is ideal for investigating complex problems that arise in biophysical chemistry. Here, we review the approach used in nonlinear science and illustrate the techniques for several problems studied in our group: the peroxidase−oxidase reaction, the influence of nonuniform fields on membrane transport, and finally, neuronal systems and calcium signaling. The mathematical tools that have been derived in the process of studying these systems are also reviewed. Finally, our contributions to some fundamental issues in nonlinear science involving the evolution of chaotic behavior via a torus attractor are reviewed.
Roles of women in the large group: Enduring paradigms in a chaotic environment

Group relations conferences offer participants and staff an opportunity to study unconscious aspects of organizational life, in particular, the projections and fantasies surrounding leaders. This paper offers an example of the way one aspect of the group relations conference, the large group, can be useful in understanding a particular set of experiences, namely that of women as leaders. Given the current social, economic, and political climate in the US, a woman working professionally as a consultant in the large group must be available for a barrage of contradictory, irrational projections. In this way, women consultants, and perhaps women leaders, represent the essential paradoxes of our existence, namely that intimacy is created through a simultaneous understanding of our separateness and our connection to one another.
Heat transfer analysis of internally-cooled fuel element☆

Abstract A complete mathematical analysis of an internally-cooled fast breeder reactor fuel element is developed. The thermohydraulics of the coolant, clad and fuel are studied for both sodium-cooled and helium-cooled designs. Comparisons with the conventional rod-type fuel element show that this internally-cooled fuel, which should have considerably improved duct creep performance, results in better overall fuel thermohydraulic performance as well.
Improving services supply management in the defense sector: How the procurement process affects B2B service quality

Abstract Organizational buyers struggle with the effective management of business-to-business (B2B) services, yet little research has examined specifically how the procurement process impacts the supplier’s level of delivered service quality. Based on a sample of 216 buyers of services, this study uses structural equation modeling to examine the relationships between service quality and its determinants. The results suggest that the sufficiency of the requirement definition and communication between the buyer and supplier are associated with B2B service quality, but that monitoring the supplier is not. Additionally, the internal customer’s level of commitment to the procurement and the sufficiency of the allotted procurement lead time affect how sufficiently the buyer defines the requirement for the supplier. The internal customer’s commitment also affects the amount of monitoring of and communication with the supplier. The study’s findings have implications for integrating unified service theory with service-dominant logic; since service quality increases service value, these findings add fidelity to S-D Logic by unveiling specifically how to co-create value with the supplier. Two novel constructs are introduced to supply chain management discourse—sufficiency of the requirement definition and sufficiency of procurement lead time. Furthermore, a new measure of B2B service quality is offered. From these results, implications for practice and theory are drawn. The study concludes with a discussion of limitations and promising directions for future research.
Bacteremia in the elderly

Bacteremia has a high mortality rate in all elderly populations, but especially nursing home residents and the hospitalized elderly. Elderly patients with bacteremia may present in a nonspecific fashion with incontinence, with falls, or afebrile. Mortality is greater in patients whose bacteremia originates outside the genitourinary tract or who are bacteremic with gram-positive organisms. Early appropriate treatment has been found to reduce mortality in some studies, especially in patients over 85 years old or with gram-positive bacteremias. Gram-negative bacteremias are more common than those caused by gram-positive organisms in most studies.E. coli is the most common gram-negative isolate, followed in most studies by either Proteus or Klebsiella. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common gram-positive isolate; enterococcus and pneumococcus are also frequently isolated. Bacteremia in the elderly may present in a subtle fashion. Appropriate antibiotic therapy may reduce mortality and should include antibiotic coverage forS. aureus and gram-negative bacilli, as well as for anaerobes if pressure ulcers are suspected as the source. Clinicians who care for the elderly should be aware of the possible presentations of bacteremia and the appropriate treatment in all clinical settings.
Rate-limiting steps during nitrogen incorporation in furnace-grown silicon oxynitrides: effects on wafer-to-wafer uniformity

Incorporation of nitrogen yields better electrical properties to silicon oxynitrides as compared to oxides. But the amount and profile of nitrogen in these films need to be carefully monitored and controlled. This study focuses on a fundamental understanding of film properties uniformity in the silicon oxynitridation process along the furnace length. Gas-phase N2O decomposition is monitored using real-time mass spectrometry. Secondary ion mass spectrometry is used to obtain the O and N depth profiles in silicon oxynitrides fabricated at different loading positions in the furnace. Films are grown in N2O starting with both bare Si and a pre-grown oxide. It is found that at 900°C and 1 atm, the amount and concentration profile of N in the oxynitride depend strongly upon gas-phase composition from the entrance to the exit of the furnace. Furthermore, at low N2O gas-phase decomposition, N incorporation is seen to be limited by the reaction at the substrate/oxynitride interface. At higher N2O gas-phase decomposition, the incorporation of N shifts to the solid-phase diffusion-limited regime. Effects of these findings on uniformity of N concentration profiles from wafer-to-wafer are of particular importance in designing furnaces for silicon oxynitridation and in determining wafer loading positions for uniform film properties throughout such systems.
Utilizing fractional resurfacing in the treatment of therapy‐resistant melasma

Background. Multiple treatment modalities have been employed for the management of melasma with minimal to no success.Objective. We propose fractional resurfacing as a new treatment modality for melasma.Methods. A 31‐year‐old Caucasian female with facial epidermal and dermal melasma, resistant to multiple courses of topical therapies, was treated with two sessions of full‐face fractional resurfacing (FraxelTM Laser; Reliant technologies, San Diego, CA), separated by a three‐week interval. Clinical improvement was assessed by Wood's Lamp examination as well as parallel and cross‐polarized comparative photography at baseline and 6 months later.Results. Marked reduction in epidermal and dermal facial pigmentation was observed at the six‐month follow‐up visit.Conclusion. Fractional resurfacing may prove to be an effective and safe treatment modality for lightening of the epidermal and dermal pigmentation of melasma. Further studies with long‐term follow‐up periods and multiple patients with diverse skin photo...
A tension zone model of blanking and tearing of ductile metal plates

The objective of this paper is to theoretically predict the plastic resistance and the plastic work in blanking and tearing of ductile metal plates. It is found that shear resistance in blanking of metal plates is attributed to two factors. First, there are large rotations of material elements in the shear zone. These rotations give rise to large tensile deformation in a direction oblique to the shear surface. The Tension Model is developed to determine the role of this factor in blanking tests and the shear load instability is revealed. The other factor is due to the reduction of shear area caused by the crack propagation through the thickness. With the Tension Model as a representative element, the Blanking Model with a moving fracture front is proposed to predict the shear force, the plastic work, and the shape and size of the plastic shear zone. Good agreement is found with the published experimental results for a variety of materials by other investigators. Finally, the three-dimensional tearing process is modeled as a two-dimensional blanking problem. Then the Blanking Model is applied to the plate tearing to determine the specific work of fracture.
Popular Culture as Political Protest: Writing the Reality of Sexual Slavery

Cet article rend compte de la facon dont un manga (bande dessinee populaire japonaise) temoigne du calvaire subi par des femmes Coreennes au cours de la seconde Guerre mondiale, en tant qu'esclaves sexuelles dans l'armee japonaise. Il montre comment le manga peut etre le vehicule d'une protestation politique
Paving the way towards an efficient Learning Management System

The emergence of networked computers has brought to the forefront the use of web-based education, which defies boundaries. The pivotal advantage associated with web based learning is the classroom and platform independence it provides. Current web-based systems are found to be a collection of static pages accessorized with few videos. The learning associated with these web based systems is static and serial, making the whole process uninteresting and incomplete. The need for the hour is a Learning Management System (LMS), which adapts itself according to the learner's performance and learning path. This paper provides insight into building an effective and efficient LMS using five general principles, which are defined as the Five Elements. This leads to the creation of a dynamic, learnercentered environment which focuses on learning retention and cognitive development, juxtaposed with emerging technologies.
Carboxyester hydrolysis promoted by Cu(II) complexes of pyridyl-amine carboxylate-pendant ligands

Multidentate ligands containing tripodal pyridyl-amine moieties tethered to a carboxylate group by alkyl linkers of varying lengths were synthesized to obtain a series of water-soluble ligands to elucidate the effects of the differing coordination environments on the properties of the resulting metal complexes. These new, water-soluble ligands, [bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-acetic acid (L 1 ), 3-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-propionic acid (L 2 ), 4-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-butyric acid (L 3 ), and 6-[bis-(2-pyridin-2-yl-ethyl)-amino]-hexanoic acid (L 4 ), were treated with copper(II) perchlorate hexahydrate to yield the corresponding Cu(II) complexes, which have all been characterized by X-ray crystallography. L 1 binds Cu(II) to form the tetrameric complex {[Cu(μ- 1 )][ClO 4 ] · 4H 2 O} 4 ( 1 ) in the solid state, whereas the Cu(II) complexes of ligands L 2 –L 4 form long-chain one-dimensional polymeric complexes {[Cu(μ-L 2 )][ClO 4 ] · H 2 O} n ( 2 ), {[Cu(μ-L 3 )][ClO 4 ] · H 2 O} n ( 3 ), and {[Cu(μ-L 2 )][ClO 4 ] · H 2 O} n ( 4 ), respectively, in the solid state. Complexes 1 – 4 dissolved in 10% (v/v) CH 3 CN aqueous solution were tested for their ability to promote the hydrolysis of the activated ester compound 4-nitrophenylacetate (NA), with 3 being the most active complex and 1 being the least active, possibly due to differences in the ability of the carboxylate moiety to act as either a general base or a nucleophile in the hydrolysis of NA as dictated by the tether length. The p K a values of the copper-bound aquo ligands in solution were measured by spectrophotometric titration.
Endoscopic management of 108 sinus mucoceles.

Objectives/Background Traditional teaching has emphasized the need for complete removal of sinus mucoceles to achieve a cure. However, with the introduction of endoscopic sinus surgical instruments and techniques, there has been a trend toward transnasal endoscopic management of sinus mucoceles. The aim of this study is to establish the efficacy of endoscopic management of sinus mucoceles. Study Design Retrospective review. Patients and Methods Between 1988 and 2000, 103 patients with 108 paranasal sinus mucoceles were treated endoscopically. This series includes 66 frontal and frontoethmoid, 17 ethmoid, 7 sphenoethmoid, 12 sphenoid, and 6 maxillary mucoceles. Ninety patients (83.3%) had intraorbital extension and 85 of them presented with some degree of proptosis or eye displacement. Sixty patients (55.5%) had erosion of the skull base with varying degrees of intracranial extension of the mucocele. Follow- up ranged from 1 to 131/2 years with a median of 4.6 years. Intervention All patients underwent endoscopic-wide marsupialization of the mucocele cavity. Stents were used in frontal mucoceles only. Results Recurrence of a frontal mucocele was seen in 1 patient (0.9%). In 5 patients, out of 23 patients who presented with massive pansinus polyposis in addition to the mucocele, recurrent polyposis required revision surgery. However, the mucoceles did not recur in those patients. Conclusions There is increasing evidence in the literature that endoscopic management of sinus mucoceles results in long-term control with recurrence rates at or close to 0%. Rhinologic surgeons should consider the endoscopic technique as the surgical treatment of choice.
Single magnetic resonance imaging vs magnetic resonance imaging/computed tomography planning in cervical cancer brachytherapy.

Abstract Aims To compare differences in dose to the target volume and organs at risk (OARs) for ring and tandem brachytherapy using individualised magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography-based three-dimensional treatment plans for each application vs plans based on a single scan for all fractions. Materials and methods The study was carried out in 10 patients with carcinoma of the uterine cervix, treated with external beam radiotherapy and five fractions of high dose rate brachytherapy. Planning was carried out using MRI for the first fraction and computed tomography for each of the four subsequent fractions. The MRI-based plan was taken as the reference and the single-plan procedure was calculated by using the weights from the reference plan to calculate the dose distribution for each subsequent computed tomography-based plan. The high-risk clinical target volume (HRCTV) and OARs were delineated as per GEC-ESTRO guidelines. Total doses from external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy were summated and normalised to a 2Gy fraction size. Results The mean D 90 for the HRCTV was 81.9Gy when using one plan and 84Gy when using individual treatment plans. Similarly, the mean D 2cc was 75.68Gy vs 74.99Gy for the bladder, 55.84Gy vs 56.56Gy for the rectum and 64.8Gy vs 65.5Gy for the sigmoid. Ring rotation was identified in three patients, resulting in a change in dwell positions, which otherwise could have led to either a high bladder dose or suboptimal coverage of the HRCTV. Conclusions Our study has shown that a single-plan procedure achieved acceptable dosimetry in most patients. However, the individualised plan improved dosimetry by accounting for variations in applicator geometry and the position of critical organs.
Commentary: C-reactive protein and risk prediction—moving beyond associations to assessing predictive utility and clinical usefulness

The last three decades have seen major advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease (CHD), with substantial improvements in our management of patients at risk of disease and of those who have suffered a coronary event. The multifactorial nature of coronary disease and its evolution as a life course disease1 due to the combined influences of genetic and lifestyle-related factors are firmly accepted concepts. We no longer argue about the role of cholesterol and its components as critical mediators of the disease, nor dispute whether the occlusive thrombus in the coronary tree in a patient with a myocardial infarction antedates or follows the clinical event. However, the debates in cardiology continue to rage with a shifting of the themes. One such contemporary controversy centres on if, when, and how novel biomarkers can be used incrementally over standard risk factors for predicting and preventing CHD.2 The key role of subclinical atherosclerosis as a precursor of overt coronary events is well established.3 There is substantial evidence to indicate that the sequence of events that mediate the transition from fatty plaques through the stage of vulnerable plaques to the complicated plaques (that characterize acute coronary syndromes) involve the activation of numerous biological pathways/processes: lipid metabolism, endothelial dysfunction and injury, vascular wall remodelling, thrombotic and haemostatic factors, neurohormonal activation, to name just a few.4 These diverse processes can be studied clinically using a plethora of biomarkers.2 The firm grounding of the concept that inflammation is a fundamental component of atherosclerosis5 has led to the expectation that measurement of circulating levels of one or more inflammatory markers could be potentially useful for predicting CHD risk. A lot of the work in the published literature has revolved around the C-reactive protein (CRP), the inflammatory marker most-written about. Yet, the literature on the utility of CRP for risk prediction has been equivocal. Indeed, an expert panel6 concluded recently: ‘Specifically, those patients at intermediate risk (e.g., 10% to 20% risk of CHD over 10 years), in whom the physician may need additional information to guide considerations of further evaluation (e.g., imaging, exercise testing) or therapy (e.g., drug therapies with lipid-lowering, antiplatelet or cardioprotective agents), may benefit from measurement of hs-CRP (Class IIa, level of evidence B).’ The equivocation stemmed largely from the lack of clarity based on review of the literature regarding what incremental utility CRP testing actually offered.
Approaches to Evaluating Electronic Prescribing

Both researchers and policy-making organizations have identified electronic prescribing (e-prescribing) systems as a means to improve quality in healthcare delivery. However, there are documented risks involved in integrating such clinical systems into healthcare processes.1–6 These risks generally fall into two categories. First, new technologies may not accomplish what they are designed to do. Second, introduction of new technologies may lead to unintended consequences such as patient harm or misused resources. To determine whether they work as expected and without incurring risk, people and institutions implementing e-prescribing should evaluate their systems in the context of pre-existing processes. The current issue of the Journal of the American Medical Informatics Association (JAMIA) includes five articles that evaluate e-prescribing tools or related clinical workflows. These papers include a detailed prescription workflow analysis, a study of the diffusion of drug withdrawal knowledge to reference texts, and three studies that evaluate the impact of various forms of medication-related decision support, including adverse drug event monitoring. Taken together, the JAMIA papers illustrate a variety of methodological approaches to evaluation, and demonstrate some of the challenges related to evaluating e-prescribing. The major reason to evaluate e-prescribing systems is to determine how their use improves or impairs clinical and process-related outcomes. Evaluators of such systems have a palette of study methodologies from which to choose.7 For example, they may simply observe and describe past or current prescribing conditions. Alternatively, they may introduce a prospective intervention into a clinical environment and measure the impact of the change. Investigators generally select a study design methodology based on its ability and relevance to demonstrating associations between one or more factors and an outcome of interest. For example, one design may be preferred over another based on how well it can validate reduced medication error rates for e-prescribing systems. …
Adverse childhood experiences and sexually transmitted diseases in men and women: a retrospective study.

Objective. Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may have long-term consequences on at-risk behaviors that lead to an increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) during adulthood. Therefore, we examined the relationship between ACEs and subsequent STDs for both men and women. Methods. A total of 9323 (4263 men and 5060 women) adults ≥18 years of age participated in a retrospective cohort study evaluating the association between ACEs and self-reported STDs. Participants were adult members of a managed care organization who underwent routine medical evaluations and completed standardized questionnaires about 7 categories of ACEs, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse; living with a battered mother; and living with a substance-abusing, mentally ill, or criminal household member. Logistic regression was used to model the association between the cumulative categories of ACEs (range: 0–7) and a history of STDs. Results. We found that 59% (2986) of women and 57% (2464) of men reported 1 or more categories of adverse experiences during childhood. Among those with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 7 ACEs, the proportion with STDs was 4.1%, 6.9%, 8.0%, 11.6%, 13.5%, and 20.7% for women and 7.3%, 10.9%, 12.9%, 17.1%, 17.1%, and 39.1% for men. After adjustment for age and race, all odds ratios for reporting an STD had confidence intervals that excluded 1. Among those with 1, 2, 3, 4 to 5, and 6 to 7 ACEs, the odds ratios were 1.45, 1.54, 2.22, 2.48, and 3.40 for women and 1.46, 1.67, 2.16, 2.07, and 5.3 for men. Conclusions. We observed a strong graded relationship between ACEs and a self-reported history of STDs among adults.
The attractive underdog When disadvantage bolsters attractiveness

While intuition suggests and much research has shown that people are attracted to advantaged individuals, the present study explored the conditions under which people might be attracted to disadvantaged individuals. We hypothesized that perceiving someone as unfairly disadvantaged can motivate attributions of positive personal characteristics and, consequently, judgments of heightened attractiveness. Seventy-eight participants were randomly assigned to read about a job applicant facing a fair or an unfair application process resulting in a competitive advantage or disadvantage. In support of our hypothesis, participants judged unfairly disadvantaged applicants (i.e., underdogs) and fairly advantaged applicants as more physically attractive and suitable as dates compared with fairly disadvantaged and unfairly advantaged applicants. These results highlight the role of situational factors in judgments of one’s attractiveness.
Variable optical attenuator with a polymer-stabilized dual-frequency liquid crystal

A transmission-type variable optical attenuator (VOA) based on a polymer-stabilized dual-frequency liquid crystal (PSDFLC) is demonstrated at gamma = 1.55 microm. The VOA is highly transparent in the voltage-off state but scatters light in the voltage-on state. By using a birefringent beam displacer incorporated with half-wave plates, we can obtain a VOA that is polarization independent and that exhibits a 31 dB dynamic range. The polymer networks and dual-frequency effect together reduce the response time (rise + decay) of a 16 microm PSDFLC cell to 30 ms at room temperature and at a voltage of 24 Vrms.
Röntgens zweite Mitteilung „Über eine neue Art von Strahlen“

Nach einigen Wochen intensivster Arbeit mit seinen neuentdeckten Strahlen, in denen er zu seinem Leidwesen oft genug von neugierigen Besuchern unterbrochen wurde, reichte Rontgen am 9. Marz 1896 der Wurzburger Physikalisch-Medizinischen Gesellschaft seine zweite Mitteilung (768) uber die X-Strahlen ein. Auch diese zweite Mitteilung wurde unverzuglich in die „Sitzungsberichte“ der Physikalisch-Medizinischen Gesellschaft aufgenommen. Die Stahelsche Buchhandlung druckte, nach ihren mit der ersten Mitteilung gemachten Erfahrungen, dieses Mal eine solch grose Auflage, das keine weiteren Auflagen mehr notig waren. Der Titel war derselbe wie der der ersten Mitteilung, gefolgt von „II. Mitteilung“. Der auf dem orangefarbenen Umschlag gedruckte Preis war wiederum 60 ???. Ein Titelblatt (Seite 1) zeigte denselben Text wie der Umschlag, Seite 2 war nicht bedruckt, der wissenschaftliche Text nahm Seiten 3–9 ein und die Seiten 10–12 wiesen Geschaftsanzeigen auf. Seite 2 des Umschlags war ebenfalls unbedruckt, wahrend die anderen beiden Seiten des Umschlags auch Geschaftsanzeigen enthielten.
Urea-formaldehyde foam as a landfill cover material: Simulated landfill investigations

Abstract A study was conducted, utilizing simulated landfill cells, to assess the relative suitability of urea-formaldehyde foam as an alternative landfill cover material. Research efforts were directed toward assessment of the extent and impact of formaldehyde leaching within the landfill environment when combined with natural processes of stabilization, and determination of the relative contribution of formaldehyde leached from the foam as compared with the other constituents present in the solid waste. The formaldehyde detected in the leachate samples (3–40 mg l −1 ), some of which was attributable to the solid waste itself, was determined not to adversely affect the microbially mediated processes of stabilization within the landfill, even though the amount of foam used during this study (2.8 g kg −1 dry solid waste) was considered to be greater than that which may be typically used at a landfill (0.5–1.5 g kg −1 ). Furthermore, as stabilization progressed, formaldehyde was converted and reduced in concentration. Consequently, adverse environmental impacts attributable to the release of formaldehyde from urea-formaldehyde foam within a landfill environment were considered unlikely to occur.
Structure and function of the rotavirus RNA-binding proteins.

Introduction. Of the six structural and six nonstructural proteins encoded by the segmented double-stranded (ds) RNA genome of the rotaviruses, recent studies suggest that as many as seven may have affinity for RNA. While their functions in virus replication have yet to be precisely defined, the RNA-binding proteins may play essential roles in a number of events including: (i) transport of viral mRNAs to the site of replication, (ii) packaging and assortment of viral mRNA, (iii) RNA synthesis, (iv) coordination of genome replication and virion morphogenesis and (v) regulation of gene expression. Herein, the properties of the RNA-binding proteins are reviewed and the possible functions of these proteins in the replication of the rotavirus genome are discussed. Background. Rotaviruses, members of the family Reoviridae, are the major actiological agents of severe infantile diarrhoea, causing an estimated one million deaths annually (Kapikian & Chanock, 1990).
An adaptive triggering method for capturing peak samples in a thin phytoplankton layer by an autonomous underwater vehicle

Thin layers of phytoplankton have important impacts on coastal ocean ecology. The high spatial and temporal variability of such layers makes autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) ideal for their study. We have used an AUV for obtaining repeated high-resolution surveys of thin layers in Monterey Bay, California. The AUV is equipped with ten "gulpers" that can capture water samples when some feature is detected. In this paper, we present an adaptive triggering method for an AUV to capture water samples at fluorescence peaks in a thin layer. The presented method is tested by AUV data from the 2005 Layered Organization in the Coastal Ocean (LOCO) field program in Monterey Bay. Field tests will be conducted in upcoming AUV cruises.
Measures of Risk

Researchers and practitioners interested in the assessment and measurement of risk, risk tolerance, risk perception, and related aspects of risk taking will find this chapter of interest. This chapter contains a collection of risk tolerance and risk attitude scales, indexes, and one-item measures that can aid in research or in practice. A description of each assessment instrument is provided. Descriptive information includes background information on the sample norm, as well as the reliability and validity of each instrument.
RELATIONSHIP OF ECOLOGICAL VARIABLES TO SIN NOMBRE VIRUS ANTIBODY SEROPREVALENCE IN POPULATIONS OF DEER MICE

Abstract Because recent studies have not demonstrated a strong relationship between rodent density and Sin Nombre virus (SNV) seroprevalence, there is speculation that seroprevalence may be related to other factors, including habitat quality and food availability. We evaluated densities of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus), plant cover and biomass, and terrestrial arthropod biomass at 2 sites in the southwestern United States to identify factors that may affect the seroprevalence rate of SNV within a rodent population. Seroprevalence differed significantly between years. Although interaction of deer-mouse density, plant cover and biomass, and arthropod biomass was not a strong predictor of seroprevalence (R2 = 0.64, P = 0.04), we observed a significant contribution to a repeated-measures model by deer-mouse density (P = 0.02). Our data suggest that as rodent density increases, so does the seroprevalence rate within that population. Although not significantly correlated, we observed the lowest levels of a...
Evidence for long-lived subduction of an ancient tectonic plate beneath the southern Indian Ocean

In this study, ancient subducted tectonic plates have been observed in past seismic images of the mantle beneath North America and Eurasia, and it is likely that other ancient slab structures have remained largely hidden, particularly in the seismic-data-limited regions beneath the vast oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Here we present a new global tomographic image, which shows a slab-like structure beneath the southern Indian Ocean with coherency from the upper mantle to the core-mantle boundary region—a feature that has never been identified. We postulate that the structure is an ancient tectonic plate that sank into the mantle along an extensive intraoceanic subduction zone that migrated southwestward across the ancient Tethys Ocean in the Mesozoic Era. Slab material still trapped in the transition zone is positioned near the edge of East Gondwana at 140 Ma suggesting that subduction terminated near the margin of the ancient continent prior to breakup and subsequent dispersal of its subcontinents.
An Asp–CaM complex is required for centrosome–pole cohesion and centrosome inheritance in neural stem cells

The interaction between centrosomes and mitotic spindle poles is important for efficient spindle formation, orientation, and cell polarity. However, our understanding of the dynamics of this relationship and implications for tissue homeostasis remains poorly understood. Here we report that Drosophila melanogaster calmodulin (CaM) regulates the ability of the microcephaly-associated protein, abnormal spindle (Asp), to cross-link spindle microtubules. Both proteins colocalize on spindles and move toward spindle poles, suggesting that they form a complex. Our binding and structure–function analysis support this hypothesis. Disruption of the Asp–CaM interaction alone leads to unfocused spindle poles and centrosome detachment. This behavior leads to randomly inherited centrosomes after neuroblast division. We further show that spindle polarity is maintained in neuroblasts despite centrosome detachment, with the poles remaining stably associated with the cell cortex. Finally, we provide evidence that CaM is required for Asp’s spindle function; however, it is completely dispensable for Asp’s role in microcephaly suppression.
Specialty education for student pharmacists and PharmD graduates in U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy

Abstract Objective To discuss the current status of dual degree and graduate certification programs offered by U.S. colleges and schools of pharmacy. Methods The websites of individual pharmacy colleges and schools were accessed, pertinent sections on dual degree and graduate certificate programs were identified, retrieved, and analyzed. Results A total of 63 colleges or schools pharmacy are offering 125 dual degree programs for 2014–2015 academic year. Master of Business Administration (MBA) constitutes 37% of the total dual degrees followed by Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (23%), Master of Public Health (MPH) (18%), Master of Science (MS) degrees in different areas of specialization (18%), and others (4.0%). A total of 30 graduate certificate programs which include regulatory affairs, clinical research design, patient safety, global health, etc. are offered by 12 colleges and schools. Admission requirements and curricular framework of these specialty programs vary by program types and institutions. Conclusion Dual degrees and graduate certification programs with a wide array of specialties are emerging, which allow PharmD students/graduates to acquire new competencies and expertise along with PharmD degree. While there are positive outcomes documented for some of the programs, further study is required to evaluate the impact of these programs on students’ academic and career advancements.
Oil spill source identification by principal component analysis of electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra.

One fundamental challenge with either acute or chronic oil spills is to identify the source, especially in highly polluted areas, near natural oil seeps, when the source contains more than one petroleum product or when extensive weathering has occurred. Here we focus on heavy fuel oil that spilled (∼200 000 L) from two suspected fuel tanks that were ruptured on the motor vessel (M/V) Cosco Busan when it struck the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in November 2007. We highlight the utility of principal component analysis (PCA) of elemental composition data obtained by high resolution FT-ICR mass spectrometry to correctly identify the source of environmental contamination caused by the unintended release of heavy fuel oil (HFO). Using ultrahigh resolution electrospray ionization (ESI) Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry, we uniquely assigned thousands of elemental compositions of heteroatom-containing species in neat samples from both tanks and then applied principal component analys...
Hexagonal and nematic phases of chains. I. Correlation functions.

We consider the statistical mechanics of a system of semiflexible chains, which can represent polymer liquid crystals, long-chain biomolecules, stiff wormlike micelles, or columns of discotic liquid crystals. Semiflexible chains can order in a hexagonal lattice (also called a columnar or canonic phase), and they can form nematic and isotropic fluids. We calculate the structure factor and the director fluctuation spectrum in the hexagonal and nematic phases using continuum elastic theory. The structure factor and the director fluctuation spectrum of the hexagonal phase are found to be intimately related to those of smectic-A liquid crystals through a ``line-plane'' duality. The elastic constants of the hexagonal phase are computed for the case of pure steric repulsion between chains. These elastic constants show ``universal'' behavior in the close-packing limit where steric repulsion dominates.
The Dichotomy of Servant Leadership and Its practicality on the African Continent

To many outsiders, Africa is a continent rife with famines, droughts, militia groups, and emaciated children. As far as leadership is concerned, Africa comes across as a continent whose nations are led by incompetent and arrogant, as well as economically ineffective and politically suspicious leaders who undermine their own democracies. As if to give credence to this observation, in 2012, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation failed to award its annual leadership prize, normally reserved for extraordinary performance in delivery of human rights, integrity, transparency in office and building social cohesion by an African head of state who has left power in the last three years. This leaves one wondering whether there is any chance for the emergence of a leader who truly believes and dedicates himself to the welfare of his people. A servant leader. It is important to understand the intricate details in the servant leadership theory and compare it to other leadership theories, as such an understanding helps leaders in adopting this leadership theory. This note examines the servant leadership theory, its dimensions, the behaviors of servant leaders, the strengths in the theory, criticisms against the theory, expected outcomes and goes on to compare the theory to other theories, before consequently drawing conclusions, thus setting an agenda for future research