cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lycopene and Soy Isoflavones in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer

Dietary intake of lycopene and soy has been associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer. In vitro studies with lycopene and genistein, a soy isoflavone, have shown induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth in androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC3 and VeCaP) prostate cancer cell lines. In a previous Phase II clinical trial in prostate cancer patients, we observed prostate-specific antigen (PSA) stabilization with soy isoflavone intake. In this Phase II clinical trial, we investigated the efficacy of lycopene alone or in combination with soy isoflavones on serum PSA levels in men with prostate cancer. To be eligible for the study, men with prostate cancer had to have rising serum PSA following local therapy or while on hormone therapy. Study population included 71 eligible patients who had 3 successive rising PSA levels or a minimum PSA of 10 ng/ml at 2 successive evaluations prior to starting therapy. Subjects were randomly assigned to receive a tomato extract capsule containing 15 mg of lycopene alone (n = 38) or together with a capsule containing 40 mg of a soy isoflavone mixture (n = 33) twice daily orally for a maximum of 6 mo. One patient on the lycopene arm did not receive therapy due to his inability to ingest the study pill. There was no decline in serum PSA in either group qualifying for a partial or complete response. However, 35 of 37 (95%) evaluable patients in the lycopene group and 22 of 33 (67%) evaluable patients in the lycopene plus soy isoflavone group achieved stable disease described as stabilization in serum PSA level. The data suggest that lycopene and soy isoflavones have activity in prostate cancer patients with PSA relapse disease and may delay progression of both hormone-refractory and hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. However, there may not be an additive effect between the 2 compounds when taken together. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the efficacy of lycopene and soy isoflavones in prostate cancer as well as the mechanism of potential negative interaction between them.
Simulating Organizations: A Student-Documented History of Emergent Behavior:

A study of an organizational simulation is reported. Emergent behavior occurring in classes of undergraduate students is discussed and documented with intra-organization memoranda and entries in student journals. Implications for using classrooms as learning laboratories and ethnographic research are considered in the context of bridging the gap between managerial theory and practice.
Obesity genetics and epigenetics: dissecting causality.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have successfully revealed multiple obesity-associated genetic loci1. A strong reproducible signal comes from a cluster of the variants that lie in the 47-kb region of the first and second intron of fat mass and obesity associated ( FTO ) gene2,3. Each copy of the risk allele of FTO variants is associated with a 1.2-fold increased risk of obesity and an increase in body weight of ≈2.5 pounds. Until recently, mechanistic studies designed to explain the association of non-coding FTO variants did not yield any direct evidence of how these single-nucleotide changes may affect FTO expression or function of the protein. In a study by Smemo et al,4 the authors provided proof of principle to the model that the linear distance between 2 regions on a chromosome is not an impediment when it comes to decoding functionality of the GWAS-associated variants. In a multidisciplinary effort, the authors4 convincingly demonstrate that the noncoding FTO variants act as enhancer elements and interact with the promoter sequence required for expression of a distant Iroquois-class homeodomain protein 3 ( IRX3 ) gene. The authors profiled the genomic interactions with promoters of genes located within a 1-Mb region around the obesity-associated variants. They used circular chromosome conformation-capture followed by …
Foveated 3D display

Humans see at high resolution only within a few degrees of the direction we are looking. Moving our gaze position around the current scene, we build up the rich visual landscape we consider reality from a sparse set of details, filled in with coarser data from our peripheral vision.
A search for oscillation of atmospheric neutrinos with the IMB detector

Abstract Neutrino oscillations have been studied using a flux of atmospheric neutrinos and the IMB water Cerenkov detector. The study is based on: 1) a sample of 935 events in the detector volume during 7.7 kton-yrs exposure. About 70% of events have a single track which allows identification of the parent neutrino flavor. 2) a sample of 593 up-going muon tracks from neutrino interactions in rock below the detector. These studies are sensitive to δm2 down to 10−4eV2 and sin2(2θ) > 0.4, a region unexplored in previous experiments. Future plans of long baseline neutrino oscillation studies using the IMB detector and neutrinos from artificial sources are described. They include ν e from a power reactor 13 km from the detector and νμ produced by the Main Injector at Fermilab at a distance of 570 km.
Some Graded Representations of the Complex Reflection Groups

Let C[X, Y] denote the ring of polynomials with complex coefficients in the variables X={x1, ?, xn} and Y={y1, ?, yn}, let Sn denote the symmetric group of order n!, let Cm denote the cyclic group Cm={e2?ij/m:0?j?m?1} of order m, let Hk denote the subgroup of order k of Cm, and let Gn, m=Cm?Sn (the wreath product of Cm with Sn). Each element ? of Gn, m may be represented as a generalized permutation ?=[?(1)?1, ?, ?(n)?n] where ?(j)=e2?ihj/m where 0?hj?m?1 and ?=[?1, ?, ?n]?Sn. Let Gn, m, k={??Gn, m:?ni=1?(i)?Hk}. In this paper, alternants Am, k, ? are defined in the variables X and Y and where n, m, and k are integers and ? is a partition. Setting In, m, k, ?(X, Y) to be the ideal In, m, k, ?(X, Y)={P?C[X, Y]:P(?x1, ?, ?xn, ?y1, ?, ?yn)Am, k, ?=0}, where ?xi (resp. ?yj) is the partial differential operator with respect to xi (resp. yj), the action of Gn, m, k on the quotient ring Cn, m, k, ?=C[X, Y]/In, m, k, ?(X, Y) is isomorphic to the regular representation of Gn, m, k when ?=(1p), some ?=(p) (and k divides m) or when ? is a hook-shape and k=1. Bases are constructed for these quotient rings that exhibit the decomposition of the regular representation into irreducibles. It should be noted that the alternants Am, k, ? are generalizations of the alternants defined by A. Garsia and M. Haiman (1996, Electron. J. Combin.3, No. 2). Thus the graded characters of Cn, m, k, ? give generalizations of the q, t-Kostka coefficients.
Dispersion of inhaled particles in the human lungs

Abstract A theoretical model of the dispersion of inhaled particles in the human respiratory tract is proposed. The model takes into account the contributions of air flow, Brownian motion, and gravitational settling, but neglects the effect of inertia of the particles. The dispersion is analyzed by dividing the respiratory tract into five zones according to the aerodynamic characteristics. The dispersion in each zone is described by a response curve at the outlet of the zone for a step input of aerosols at the inlet of that zone. Calculations for a single breath of 450 and 1980 ml of aerosols (as a step input to the mouth) over a period of 4 and 6 sec, respectively, were carried out using the proposed model, and the results were compared with the experimental curves for the distribution of half-micron particles in exhaled air reported in the literature. The model predicts that for larger breaths, Brownian motion and gravitational settling of half-micron particles are the major factors controlling the dispersion of inhaled particles.
The role of the mitochondrial glycine cleavage complex in the metabolism and virulence of the protozoan parasite Leishmania major.

For the human pathogen Leishmania major, a key metabolic function is the synthesis of thymidylate, which requires 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate (5,10-CH2-THF). 5,10-CH2-THF can be synthesized from glycine by the mitochondrial glycine cleavage complex (GCC). Bioinformatic analysis revealed the four subunits of the GCC in the L. major genome, and the role of the GCC in parasite metabolism and virulence was assessed through studies of the P subunit (glycine decarboxylase (GCVP)). First, a tagged GCVP protein was expressed and localized to the parasite mitochondrion. Second, a gcvP– mutant was generated and shown to lack significant GCC activity using an indirect in vivo assay after incorporation of label from [2-14C]glycine into DNA. The gcvP– mutant grew poorly in the presence of excess glycine or minimal serine; these studies also established that L. major promastigotes require serine for optimal growth. Although gcvP– promastigotes and amastigotes showed normal virulence in macrophage infections in vitro, both forms of the parasite showed substantially delayed replication and lesion pathology in infections of both genetically susceptible or resistant mice. These data suggest that, as the physiology of the infection site changes during the course of infection, so do the metabolic constraints on parasite replication. This conclusion has great significance to the interpretation of metabolic requirements for virulence. Last, these studies call attention in trypanosomatid protozoa to the key metabolic intermediate 5,10-CH2-THF, situated at the junction of serine, glycine, and thymidylate metabolism. Notably, genome-based predictions suggest the related parasite Trypanosoma brucei is totally dependent on the GCC for 5,10-CH2-THF synthesis.
Effects of pesticides and drugs on working memory in rats: continuous non-match.

Effects of four pesticides (carbaryl, propoxur, chlordimeform, and deltamethrin) and two reference drugs, physostigmine and chlordiazepoxide, were measured on the performance of rats trained on a continuous non-match (CNM) delayed comparison, working memory procedure. These same compounds were also tested in analogous, large and small stimulus difference discrimination (i.e., non working-memory) procedures. The effects of the pesticides and physostigmine on CNM performance were qualitatively similar, and also similar to their effects on discrimination performance. As dosage of these compounds increased, only small effects on accuracy were observed, followed at still larger doses by an abrupt and non-selective decrease in all responding. The pesticides and physostigmine did not selectively affect working memory: the magnitude of their effects did not increase with intertrial interval, and the compounds were equally effective in disrupting discrimination and CNM performance. Effects of chlordiazepoxide on performance in the CNM and discrimination control procedures differed qualitatively from those of the pesticides and physostigmine.
Adenosquamous carcinoma of skin appendages (adenoid squamous cell carcinoma, pseudoglandular squamous cell carcinoma, adenoacanthoma of sweat gland of lever) of the vulva. A clinical and ultrastructural study

History and clinical findings of 18 cases of adenosquamous carcinoma of the skin appendages found among 135 cases of primary carcinoma of the vulva seen at the University of Minnesota Hospitals between 1951 and 1970 were analyzed. In addition, two recent cases of this tumor were studied with conventional transmission electron microscopy. Adenosquamous carcinoma of the vulva showed poorer survival and a higher rate of lymph node metastases than squamous cell carcinoma of the corresponding stages (carcinoma in situ excluded). In four out of thirteen cases, the metastatic lesions in the lymph nodes retained glandular pattern. The ultrastructure showed mucin-producing columnar cells lining glandular lumina, and poorly differentiated squamous cells elsewhere; further, cells of the intermediate type between the two were present. This study indicates that adenosquamous carcinoma of the vulva is a distinctively separate entity from squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva, and possibly arises from mucin-producing cells of the skin appendages as suggested by Johnson and Helwig. Cancer 42:1851-1858, 1978.
Intrapartum uterine rupture and inflammatory bowel disease

The incidence of uterine rupture in pregnant women ranges from 0% to 1.1 % in large series. This case report describes a woman with a history of obstetric complications, uterine rupture, and active inflammatory bowel disease that was treated with high-dose prednisone.
Dispersion filter for spectral and spatial resolution of pure rotational Raman scattering.

A new filtering technique for Raman spectroscopy utilizes atomic vapor to suppress strong elastic and Rayleigh scattering while simultaneously resolving individual rotational Raman lines. Filtered images capture high-resolution spectral information in one dimension and spatial resolution in the other dimension. The filter is based on resonance enhanced dispersion, where the index of refraction varies dramatically. In a simple prism geometry the vapor disperses incident radiation according to frequency. A mercury-vapor-based dispersion filter has been fabricated, modeled, and demonstrated to capture pure rotational Raman scattering from CO2.
CONDUCTING SPIRITUAL ASSESSMENTS WITH NATIVE AMERICANS: ENHANCING CULTURAL COMPETENCY IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE COURSES

Developing competency in diversity and assessment are key educational priorities. With Native American clients a spiritual assessment is typically required because spirituality is often instrumenta...
R3C2: Reactive Route and Rate Control for CEE

In order to fully realize the potential of Cloud and High Performance Computing (HPC) applications, significant improvement is required in the cost/performance of data center networks. While recent industry standards such as Quantized Congestion Notification (QCN) for Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) have begun to address this issue, there are still significant problems left open. Therefore we propose two novel source-based adaptive routing schemes for CEE-based networks. First, we develop a basic source-driven Reactive Route Control (R2C2) adaptive routing scheme. In response to congestion notifications, the source activates additional paths to re-route traffic around potential congestion points. Using industry standard VLANs, a source node can effectively control the path choices in the network. This approach goes beyond conventional QCN limitations by replacing its reaction point with a VLAN-based multipath route controller. We thus enable HPC/Cloud applications demanding direct and/or secure access to the network features. Second, we combine R2C2 with the QCN reaction point, resulting in the higher performance Reactive Route & Rate Controller (R3C2). In case of persistent or multiple hotspots when VLAN route selection alone is insufficient, the R3C2 source will throttle its packet injection rates individually along each congested route of a multipath bundle. Detailed simulations against established data center and HPC benchmarks show the practical benefits in performance and stability.
X3DBio2: A visual analysis tool for biomolecular structure comparison

A major problem in structural biology is the recognition of differences and similarities between related three dimensional (3D) biomolecular structures. Investigating these structure relationships is important not only for understanding of functional properties of biologically significant molecules, but also for development of new and improved materials based on naturally-occurring molecules. We developed a new visual analysis tool, X3DBio2, for 3D biomolecular structure comparison and analysis. The tool is designed for elucidation of structural effects of mutations in proteins and nucleic acids and for assessment of time dependent trajectories from molecular dynamics simulations. X3DBio2 is a freely downloadable open source software and provides tightly integrated features to perform many standard analysis and visual exploration tasks. We expect this tool can be applied to solve a variety of biological problems and illustrate the use of the tool on the example study of the differences and similarities between two proteins of the glycosyltransferase family 2 that synthesize polysaccharides oligomers. The size and conformational distances and retained core structural similarity of proteins SpsA to K4CP represent significant epochs in the evolution of inverting glycosyltransferases.
The Sad Demise of Skill-Based Pay in the Virginia Department of Transportation

The Virginia Department of Transportation attempted to use skill-based pay (SBP) to trigger the development of both multiskilled, self-managing work teams and a high-involvement work culture. A case study determined that this “new pay” intervention did not achieve intended goals. Two related, internal dynamics negatively affected the change effort: untimely systems redesign between SBP and agency subsystems and nonexistent strategic visioning to articulate where managers would “fit” in a high-involvement culture. These incongruencies led to loss of political support in the Virginia legislature, which ended the Virginia Department of Transportation SBP innovation. The study suggests that public agencies using SBP as a catalyst for institutional transformation must (a) be prepared for simultaneous systems redesign to support the SBP intervention, (b) address the job security needs of managers, and (c) produce successful outcomes to maintain political support throughout implementation and diffusion.
Ten-year results with the St. Jude Medical prosthesis.

Abstract Although the hemodynamic characteristics and durability of the St. Jude valve prosthesis have been reported, the need for and the degree of anticoagulation in patients who receive these valves remain uncertain. Our 10-year experience with 165 patients (100 men and 65 women, mean age of 58 ± 13 years), who underwent valve replacement with St. Jude prostheses, is reported. Of the 165 patients, 147 were treated with warfarin. A prothrombin time 1.3 to 1.8 times control (range 15 to 20 seconds) was maintained in 134 patients with single valve and 1.8 to 2 times control (range 20 to 25 seconds) in 13 patients with double valve prostheses. The 10-year actuarial event-free incidence from thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications was 84 and 95%, respectively. Of the 8 patients receiving antiplatelet therapy alone, 4 had thromboembolic events. Of the 10 patients on neither warfarin nor antiplatelet therapy, 3 had thromboembolic events. The 10-year actuarial event-free incidence from valve failure was 95%. The 10-year actuarial patient survival was 55%. Thus, the St. Jude valve is a safe and reliable prosthesis with acceptable overall long-term performance in patients given a modest anticoagulation regimen. Patients who receive St. Jude prosthetic valves without anticoagulants have a high incidence of thromboembolic events despite therapy with antiplatelet agents.
Synthesis and Thermodynamic Stability of Ba2B′B″O6 and Ba3B*B″2O9 Perovskites Using the Molten Salt Method

Abstract A number of mixed perovskites of the types Ba2B′B″O6 (BaB′1/2B″1/2O3) and Ba3B*B″2O9 (BaB*1/3B″2/3O3) where B′=Gd, La, Nd, Sm, or Y; B″=Nb and B*=Ca were synthesized by a conventional calcination process, as well as by the molten salt method. The former consists of calcining appropriate mixtures of oxide or carbonate precursors in air at elevated temperatures (∼1250°C). The latter method consists of adding appropriate mixtures of oxide or carbonate precursors to a molten salt bath at relatively low temperatures (on the order of 300 to 500°C) so that the requisite compound is formed by dissolution–reprecipitation. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of a single-phase perovskite in each case with calcination at 1250°C. In a molten salt bath, however, all except Ba2LaNbO6 and Ba2NdNbO6 formed the perovskite structure. On the contrary, powders of Ba2LaNbO6 and Ba2NdNbO6 formed by a high-temperature calcination process readily decomposed when introduced into the molten salt bath. The formation of the requisite perovskite at a temperature as low as 350°C in a molten salt suggests that: (a) The perovskite is stable at 350°C. (b) The molten salt exhibits sufficient precursor solubility for the dissolution–reprecipitation process to occur in a reasonable time. Similarly, the decomposition of Ba2LaNbO6 and Ba2NdNbO6 in a molten salt bath shows that these materials are thermodynamically unstable at the temperature of the molten salt bath.
The transcription factor PlagL2 activates Mpl transcription and signaling in hematopoietic progenitor and leukemia cells

Cytokine signaling pathways are frequent targets of oncogenic mutations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), promoting proliferation and survival. We have previously shown that the transcription factor PLAGL2 promotes proliferation and cooperates with the leukemia fusion protein Cbfβ-SMMHC in AML development. Here, we show that PLAGL2 upregulates expression of the thrombopoietin receptor Mpl, using two consensus sites in its proximal promoter. We also show that Mpl overexpression efficiently cooperates with Cbfβ-SMMHC in development of leukemia in mice. Finally, we demonstrate that PlagL2-expressing leukemic cells show hyper-activation of Jak2 and downstream STAT5, Akt and Erk1/2 pathways in response to Thpo ligand. These results show that PlagL2 expression activates expression of Mpl in hematopoietic progenitors, and that upregulation of wild-type Mpl provides an oncogenic signal in cooperation with CBFβ-SMMHC in mice.
More than just two peas in a pod: common amyloidogenic properties of tau and α-synuclein in neurodegenerative diseases

Intracytoplasmic filamentous aggregates, such as neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease, are composed of the proteins tau and alpha-synuclein, respectively. These pathological inclusions are linked directly to the etiology and mechanisms of disease in a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative disorders, termed 'tauopathies' and 'synucleinopathies'. Emerging evidence indicates that there is frequent overlap of the pathological and clinical features of patients with tauopathies and synucleinopathies, thereby re-enforcing the notion that these disorders might be linked mechanistically. Indeed, several lines of investigation suggest that tau and alpha-synuclein might constitute a unique class of unstructured proteins that assemble predominantly into homopolymeric (rather than heteropolymeric) fibrils, which deposit mainly in separate amyloid inclusions, but occasionally deposit together. Thus, the ability of tau and alpha-synuclein to affect each other directly or indirectly might contribute to the overlap in the clinical and pathological features of tauopathies and synucleinopathies.
The roles of serpins in mosquito immunology and physiology

In vector-borne diseases, the complex interplay between pathogen and its vector’s immune system determines the outcome of infection and therefore disease transmission. Serpins have been shown in many animals to be key regulators of innate immune reactions. Their control over regulatory proteolytic cascades ultimately decides whether the recognition of a pathogen will lead to an appropriate immune response. In mosquitoes, serpins (SRPNs) regulate the activation of prophenoloxidase and thus melanization, contribute to malaria parasite lysis, and likely Toll pathway activation. Additionally, in culicine mosquitoes, SRPNs are able to regulate hemostasis in the vertebrate host, suggesting a crucial role during bloodfeeding. This review summarizes the annotation, transcriptional regulation, and current knowledge of SRPN function in the three mosquito species for which the complete genome sequence is available. Additionally, we give a brief overview of how SRPNs may be used to prevent transmission of vector-borne diseases.
Microsatellite Markers and Genetic Mapping in Plasmodium falciparum

Whole-genome methods are changing the scope of biological questions that can be addressed in malaria research. In the rich context provided by Plasmodium falciparum genome sequencing, genetic mapping is a powerful tool for identifying genes involved in parasite development, invasion, transmission and drug resistance. The recent development of a high-resolution P. falciparum linkage map consisting of hundreds of microsatellite markers will facilitate an integrated genomic approach to understanding the relationship between genetic variations and biological phenotypes. Here, Michael Ferdig and Xin-zhuan Su provide an overview for applying microsatellite markers and genetic maps to gene mapping, parasite typing and studies of parasite population changes.
Relationships among experience level and value orientation and the performance of paraprofessional telephone counselors

The effectiveness of indigenous paraprofessional helpers is thought to be partially due to the similarity in style and values between then and their clients. However, there is a concern that as they gain experience in an agency, their identification may shift from the clients to the agency. Also, there is a question as to how effective paraprofessionals (selected due to their shared values with a target population) are with value-dissimilar clients. Truax and Carkhuff's scales of facilitative conditions as well as a technique functioning scale were used to assess the helping behavior of paraprofessional telephone counselors at three levels of experience in response to value-similar and value-dissimilar simulated calls. The results indicate that performance generally improved with training and experience and that instead of a uniform deterioration with dissimilar value calls, a complex relationship existed between performance, values, and experience level.
Hausdorff dimension of Weierstrass–Mandelbrot process

Abstract We verify Berry and Lewis’ hypothesis that the fractional Brownian motion and Weierstrass–Mandelbrot process share the Hausdorff dimension of paths and ranges.
Bus automata and immediate languages

Bus automata are defined as a class of uniform arrays of finite automata (“cells”) with modifiable channels through cells which allow long-distance communication. This permits separation of the functions of state change (or switching) and information transmission, and analysis of their respective time costs. Most previous cellular automaton research does not make this distinction. We define immediate languages as those formal languaves accepted in a fixed number of steps by bus automata, regardless of the size of the input. Similarities to other hierarchies of formal languages related to parallel computation are explored, and evidence for the existence of a family of “inherently parallel” languages is discussed.
Mortality and morbidity in pretransplant bilateral nephrectomy: analysis of 305 cases.

Abstract The surgical risks were analyzed in 305 patients with end stage renal failure who underweent bilateral nephrectomy through midabdominal approach in preparation for kidney transplantation. The over-all mortality rate ryas 3.6 per cent. Age was the most significant risk factor in the mortality. Patients less than fifty years of age had an operative mortality rate of 3.1 per cent while: those more than fifty years had an operative mortality of 11.1 per cent. Other pertinent risk factors were preoperative complications of renal failure and additional surgical procedures at the time of bilateral nephrectomy. The leading causes of death were those of cardiovascular complications and infection. The morbidity rate was 58.7 per cent being major in 18 per cent and minor in 40.7 per cent. Bilateral nephrectomy is recommended selectively in patients with (1) chronic pyelonephritis with urinary tract infection, (2) major vesicoureteral reflux, (3) immunologically active glomerulonephritis, (4) severe hypertension uncontrollable by adequate dialysis, and '.5? extremely large or infected polycystie kidneys.
DYNAMICAL SYNTHESIS OF POINCARÉ MAPS

We present a theory of constructive Poincare maps. The basis of our theory is the concept of irreducible nonlinear maps closely associated to concepts from Lie groups. Irreducible nonlinear maps are, heuristically, nonlinear maps which cannot be made simpler without removing the nonlinearity. A single irreducible map cannot produce chaos or any complex nonlinear effect. It can be implemented in an electronic circuit, and there are only a finite number of families of irreducible maps in any n-dimensional space. The composition of two or more irreducible maps can produce chaos and most of the maps studied today that produce chaos are compositions of two or more irreducible maps. The composition of a finite number of irreducible maps is called a completely reducible map and a map which can be approximated pointwise by completely reducible maps is called a reducible map. Poincare maps from sinusoidally forced oscillators are the most familiar examples of reducible maps. This theoretical framework provides an approach to the construction of "closed form" Poincare maps having the properties of Poincare maps of systems for which the Poincare map cannot be obtained in closed form. In particular, we derive a three-dimensional ODE for which the Henon map is the Poincare map and show that there is no two-dimensional ODE which can be written down in closed form for which the Henon map is the Poincare map. We also show that the Chirikov (standard) map is a Poincare map for a two-dimensional closed form ODE. As a result of our theory, these differential equations can be mapped into electronic circuits, thereby associating them with real world physical systems. In order to clarify our results with respect to the abstract mathematical concept of suspension, which says that every C1 invertible map is a Poincare map, we introduce the concept of a constructable Poincare map. Not every map is a constructable Poincare map and this is an important distinction between dynamical synthesis and abstract nonlinear dynamics. We also show how to use any one-dimensional map to induce a two-dimensional Poincare map which is a completely reducible map and hence for a very broad class of maps that includes the logistic map we derive closed form ODEs for which these one-dimensional maps are "embedded" in a Poincare map. This provides an avenue for the study of one-dimensional maps, such as the logistic map, as two-dimensional Poincare maps that arise from square-wave forced electronic circuits.
In vivo mutagenicity of ethylene oxide at the hprt locus in T-lymphocytes of B6C3F1 lacI transgenic mice following inhalation exposure

Ethylene oxide (EO) is a direct-acting alkylating agent with the potential to induce cytogenetic alterations, mutations, and cancer. In the present study, the in vivo mutagenicity of EO at the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) locus of T-lymphocytes was evaluated following inhalation exposure of male B6C3F1 lacI transgenic mice. For this purpose, groups of male Big Blue mice at 6-8 (n = 4/group) and 8-10 (n = 5/group) weeks of age were exposed to 0, 50, 100, or 200 ppm EO for 4 weeks (6 h/day, 5 days/week). At necropsy, T-cells were isolated from thymus and/or spleen and cultured in the presence of concanavalin A, IL-2, and 6-thioguanine [Skopek, T.R., V.E. Walker, J.E. Cochrane et al. (1992) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 89, 7866-7870]. The time course for expression of hprt-negative lymphocytes in thymus was determined in mice necropsied 2 h, 2 weeks, and 8 weeks after exposure to 200 ppm EO. The dose-response for hprt mutant T-cells in thymus and spleen was defined in mice necropsied 2 and 8 weeks post-exposure, respectively. The hprt mutant frequency (Mf) in thymus of exposed mice was increased 2 h after exposure and reached a maximum of 7.5 +/- 0.9 x 10(-6) (average Mf +/- SE) at 2 weeks post-exposure, compared with 2.3 +/- 0.8 x 10(-6) in thymus of control mice. Dose-related increases in hprt Mfs were found in thymus from mice exposed to 100 and 200 ppm EO. In addition, a nonlinear dose-dependent increase in hprt Mfs was observed in splenic T-cells, with greater mutagenic efficiency (mutations per unit dose) found at higher concentrations than at lower concentrations of EO. Average induced Mfs (i.e. induced Mf = treatment Mf - background Mf) in splenic T-cells were 1.6, 4.6, and 11.9 x 10(-6) following exposures to 50, 100, or 200 ppm EO, respectively, while the average control Mf value was 2.2 +/- 0.3 x 10(-6). In aliquots of lymphocytes (both B- and T-cells) isolated from spleen for analysis of lacI mutations in the same animals, only two of three EO-exposed mice at the 200 ppm exposure level demonstrated an elevated lacI Mf and these elevations were apparently due to the in vivo replication of preexisting mutants and not due to the induction of new mutations associated with EO exposure [Sisk, S., L.J. Pluta, K.G. Meyer and L. Recio (1996) Mutation Res., submitted]. These data demonstrate that repeated inhalation exposures to high concentrations of EO produce dose-related increases in mutations at the hprt locus of T-lymphocytes in male lacI transgenic mice of B6C3F1 origin.
GABAergic transmission in temporal lobe epilepsy: the role of neurosteroids

Modification of GABAergic inhibition is an intensely investigated hypothesis guiding research into mechanisms underlying temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Seizures can be initiated by blocking γ amino butyric acid type A (GABAA receptors, GABARs), which mediate fast synaptic inhibition in the brain, and controlled by drugs that enhance their function. Derivatives of steroid hormones called neurosteroids are natural substances that physiologically enhance GABAR function and suppress seizures. GABAR structure, function, expression, assembly, and pharmacological properties are changed in the hippocampus of epileptic animals. These alterations render GABARs less sensitive to neurosteroid modulation, which may contribute to seizure susceptibility. Plasticity of GABARs could play a role in periodic exacerbation of seizures experienced by women with epilepsy, commonly referred to as catamenial epilepsy.
Hormone replacement therapy is not associated with an increased risk of leukemia (United States).

Recent studies have reported an increased risk of certain cancers associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT), possibly due to stimulation of estrogen receptors. Since estrogen receptors are expressed on certain hematopoietic cells, it is possible that HRT use may also increase the risk of leukemia. A cohort of 37,172 post-menopausal Iowa women ages 55–69 years with no history of prior cancer was linked annually to the population-based state cancer registry through 2001. In addition to other self-reported cancer risk factors, participants were asked about current and former use of HRT in 1986 and on four subsequent follow-up questionnaires. A total of 201 cases of leukemia were identified over 16 years of follow-up including 74 acute myeloid leukemias (AMLs) and 87 chronic lymphocytic leukemias (CLLs). Compared to never users of HRT at study baseline, current [multivariate relative risk (RR), 1.09; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–1.71)] and former users (RR=0.82, 95% CI=0.59–1.15) were at no increased risk of developing leukemia. For AML, current users also had no increased risk (RR=0.83, 95% CI=0.37–1.84) and there was a suggestion that former users had a slightly decreased risk (RR=0.66, 95% CI=0.37–1.17). For CLL, all RRs were around unity. We conclude that HRT is unlikely to be an appreciable risk factor for leukemia.
Axotomy or compression is required for axonal sprouting following end-to-side neurorrhaphy.

Abstract End-to-side (ETS) nerve repair remains an area of intense scrutiny for peripheral nerve surgeon-scientists. In this technique, the transected end of an injured nerve, representing the “recipient” is sutured to the side of an uninjured “donor” nerve. Some works suggest that the recipient limb is repopulated with regenerating collateral axonal sprouts from the donor nerve that go on to form functional synapses. Significant, unresolved questions include whether the donor nerve needs to be injured to facilitate regeneration, and whether a single donor neuron is capable of projecting additional axons capable of differentially innervating disparate targets. We serially imaged living transgenic mice (n = 66) expressing spectral variants of GFP in various neuronal subsets after undergoing previously described atraumatic, compressive, or epineurotomy forms of ETS repair (n = 22 per group). To evaluate the source, and target innervation of these regenerating axons, nerve morphometry and retrograde labeling were further supplemented by confocal microscopy as well as Western blot analysis. Either compression or epineurotomy with inevitable axotomy were required to facilitate axonal regeneration into the recipient limb. Progressively more injurious models were associated with improved recipient nerve reinnervation (epineurotomy: 184 ± 57.6 myelinated axons; compression: 78.9 ± 13.8; atraumatic: 0), increased Schwann cell proliferation (epineurotomy: 72.2% increase; compression: 39% increase) and cAMP response-element binding protein expression at the expense of a net deficit in donor axon counts distal to the repair. These differences were manifest by 150 days, at which point quantitative evidence for pruning was obtained. We conclude that ETS repair relies upon injury to the donor nerve.
Ultrastructure of the oocytes of the egyptian spiny mouse (Acomys cahirinus)

The oocytes of types 2, 3, 4 and 5 follicles from the normal spiny mouse were examined with the electron microscope. Multiple juxtanuclear Golgi bodies, mitochondria associated with flattened granular endoplasmic reticulum, and large nucleus are the main features of the type 2 follicle oocyte. The numbers of mitochondria and Golgi apparati increase significantly at later stages. Small mitochondrial aggregates lacking “intermitochondrial cement” are seen in the ooplasm of types 3, 4 and 5 follicles. “Lamellar complexes” comprising two to six elongate flattened rough ER cisternae and intercisternal filaments begin to appear in the oocyte of the type 3 follicle. The intercisternal filaments may be observed as punctate-, dashed-, and solid-lines in cross sections. In tangential sections the filaments display a paracrystalline structure. In the type 4 follicle oocytes, the “lamellar complex” becomes more extensive; polysomes and ribosomal fibrils are juxtaposed to the “lamellar complexes.” Bundles of ribosomal fibrils are abundant in the ooplasm of the type 5 follicle. The origin of ribosomal filaments and the functional significance of “lamellar complexes” are discussed.
The lateral migration of a sphere in a micropolar liquid

Abstract The lateral migration of a sphere in a micropolar liquid is investigated. The translational and rotational velocities of the sphere are calculated. The additional hydrodynamic resistance on a sphere translating perpendicular to two plane walls is calculated. The significant terms of the lateral force on the sphere are determined and two of these terms are evaluated. The necessity is shown for a more general boundary condition for the microrotation on a rotating boundary in the presence of confining walls.
World Heritage Tourism: UNESCO's Vehicle for Peace?

Keywords: commentary, tourism, cultural resource management, UNESCO, world heritage, heritage-scape, Cambodia, Angkor Archaeological Park, South-East Asia, Angkor Wat, historic preservation
The Lives of Incarcerated Women: Violence, Substance Abuse, and at Risk for HIV

High rates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are seen in women prisoners. These high rates may be related to the nature of their lives, which may include violence, substance abuse, promiscuity, prostitution, and exchange of sex for drugs—all of which increase their risk for acquiring HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine the HIV-related risk behaviors and protective practices of women prisoners in a rural southern state and factors related to these behaviors. The sample included 57 women incarcerated in a medium-to-maximum security prison. Key findings included high rates of substance abuse, extensive past and current violent experiences including sexual abuse, high percentage of multiple partners, and low use of condoms. Additionally, women in this sample did not perceive themselves to be at risk for HIV infection. Practical suggestions for reducing the HIV risks of incarcerated women are offered.
Isolation and characterization of RNA of Entamoeba histolytica.

Abstract RNAs were isolated from Entamoeba histolytica with a high salt sodium dodecylsulfate-diethylpyrocarbonate technique. Majority species of 25 S, 17 S and 4 S RNAs were detected after sucrose gradient centrifugation. An additional 5 S RNA was detected by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weights of these RNAs as determined by completely denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were 1.31 × 10 6 (25 S), 0.803 × 10 6 (17 S), 4.0 × 10 4 (5 S) and 2.5 × 10 4 (4 S). The 25 S RNA was labile and dissociated under mild denaturing conditions (between 37°C and 55°C) into 17 S and 16 S RNAs with molecular weights of 0.700 × 10 6 and 0.614 × 10 6 , respectively; under completely denaturing conditions an additional 5.8 S RNA with a molecular weight of 4.8 × 10 4 was detected. Evidence is presented which suggests that the lability of the 25 S RNA is the result of an in vivo cleavage rather than one which is generated during RNA isolation.
Reasoning between Athens and Jerusalem

Jurgen Habermas, in his recent work on post-secular public reasoning, attempts to craft a model of democratic deliberation in which theistic and non-theistic selves can learn from each other and develop bonds of democratic solidarity. His proposed model raises questions about the abilities of democratically oriented individuals in the twenty-first century to reflect critically upon their own cherished beliefs, to comprehend the beliefs of others, and then to engage critically with the beliefs of others during deliberations about matters of common concern. I argue that these questions are best addressed by focusing on how individuals reason from within and through (rather than independently of) the cultural and ethical forces that make the subjects what they are. The work of many grassroots organizers today illustrates this lesson.
Spinal Control of Sexual Reflexes: An Overview from Studies in Animal Models

Central nervous system control of female genital arousal and climax has been reviewed from data obtained in animal studies. Sensory inputs from the pelvic organs are mediated via the pudendal nerve (motor) and pelvic and hypogastric nerves (autonomic). The afferents of these nerves that relay sensory information terminate in L6-S1 and T13-L3. Interneurons located in the spinal gray (T13-S1), especially in the dorsal gray, commissure and surrounding the intermediolateral cell column are important in relaying afferent information to spinal efferent neurons. These interneurons also send messages to the brain. Vagal innervation of the pelvic organs may supplement the spinal systems and may be important in relaying sensory information after spinal cord injury.
Calculation of shocked one-dimensional flows on abruptly changing grids by mathematical programming

Cell-centered finite differences on cells of an arbitrarily spaced grid are presently used to discretize the steady-state inviscid and nearly inviscid Burgers' equations for steady-state shocked flow in a quasi-one-dimensional nozzle. The everdetermined system of nonlinear algebraic equations thus obtained is solved by a procedure which minimizes a weighted sum of the residuals' absolute values. Numerical solutions for both viscous and inviscid problems are accurate and nonoscillatory, on grids whose abrupt mesh lengths refinements are as great as a factor of 10,000.
On resonance spectrums of axially excited cholesteric liquid crystals

Summary The Bragg wavelength-regime of an axially excited cholesteric liquid crystal contains electric, magnetic and mixed resonances. The resonance wavelengths initially change rapidly, but later slowly, with respect to the material thickness. The center-wavelength of the Bragg regime is unlikely to be resonant.
The closest of enemies : a personal and diplomatic account of U.S.-Cuban relations since 1957

"The most provocative and informative insider's account we have on U.S. policy toward Cuba and Central America during the Carter and Reagan years. It should especially enliven the sharpening debate over U.S. policy toward Central America".--Walter LaFeber (Inevitable Revolutions). Photos.
Increasing Hand Washing Compliance With a Simple Visual Cue

We tested the efficacy of a simple, visual cue to increase hand washing with soap and water. Automated towel dispensers in 8 public bathrooms were set to present a towel either with or without activation by users. We set the 2 modes to operate alternately for 10 weeks. Wireless sensors were used to record entry into bathrooms. Towel and soap consumption rates were checked weekly. There were 97 351 hand-washing opportunities across all restrooms. Towel use was 22.6% higher (P = .05) and soap use was 13.3% higher (P = .003) when the dispenser presented the towel without user activation than when activation was required. Results showed that a visual cue can increase hand-washing compliance in public facilities.
Evidence Linking Mental Health with Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome: The Role of Inflammation

The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome has risen rapidly within the background of the global obesity epidemic, and estimates suggest that this number may continue to rise. A chronic low-grade inflammatory state is associated with the presence of the metabolic syndrome, reflecting increased production of proinflammatory biomarkers, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as the adipokines leptin and adiponectin. Inflammation is being increasingly recognized as a mechanism that may contribute to the pathogenesis of mental health disorders, because it has been documented that peripheral hormonal and inflammatory signals can access the brain and activate relevant cell types that serve to amplify central inflammatory responses. Inflammation related to obesity may be the mechanism underlying the association between metabolic syndrome and mental health disorders.
A probability law for the fundamental constants

If all the fundamental constants x of physics were expressed in one set of units (e.g., mks) and then used as pure numbers in one overall histogram, what shape would that histogram have? Based on some invariances that the law should reasonably obey, we show that it should have either an x−1 or an x−2 dependence. Empirical evidence consisting of the presently known constants is consistent with an x−1 law. This is independent of the system of units chosen for the constants. The existence of the law suggests that the fundamental constants may have been independently and randomly chosen, at creation, from it, and hence that at the next “big bang” randomly a different set will be produced. Also, because of the law, the number 1.0 has an interesting cosmological property: it is the theoretical median of all the fundamental constants. Finally, as a practical matter, the law predicts that current methods of evaluating the fundamental constants are biased toward overly large numbers. A correction term is given for each of three kinds of noise.