cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Social and Political Participation of Black Americans: Compensatory and Ethnic Community Perspectives Revisited

Two competing approaches to the study of black social and political participation - the compensatory and ethnic community perspectives - have dominated attempts to explain the relatively high levels of collective involvement within the black population. One of the main limitations of research in this area has been its weak treatment of the meaning and measurement of compensatory theory. The erroneous belief that blacks had disproportionately low self-esteem was widely held at the time that this theory was developed. Therefore, unlike most previous researchers, we use a measure of low selfesteem to operationalize compensatory behavior. In contrast to the equivocal findings of several previous studies, our results are clear: the ethnic community approach receives strong support, while the compensatory approach finds virtually no support. For at least four decades, social scientists have analyzed racial differences in social and political participation. This literature had generally concluded that blacks engage in higher levels of formal and informal social and political activity than whites when the effects of socioeconomic status and other key demographic attributes are held constant.' A number of studies in the 1970s and 1980s attempted to identify those factors contributing to the relatively high levels of collective involvement within the black population. Two competing approaches to the study of black participation - the compensatory and ethnic community perspectives - have doninated the contemporary literature.2 From *Portions of this study werepresented at the 1990 meetings of the Eastern Sociological Society, Boston. We would like to thank Darren Sherkat and several anonymous reviewersfor helpful comments on earlier drafts. The assistance of Elizabeth Wing in the preparation of the tables is gratefully acknowledged. Datafor this study were made available through the Interuniversity Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), Ann Arbor. The authors alone are responsiblefor the analyses and interpretations presented here. The authors names are listed in alphabetical order; all work was equally shared. Direct correspondence to Christopher
Relative potency of progestins used in oral contraceptives.

Epidemiologic studies indicate that the risk of complications with oral contraceptive use is related to the steroid content and potency of the various formulations. This paper summarizes human data in which potencies of progestins in oral contraceptives can be compared. Data on delay of menses and endometrial subnuclear vacuolization, an indirect assessment of glycogen deposition, are presented. The relative effects of various progestins on serum lipids and lipoproteins are also summarized. The object of this review is to examine the available scientific evidence which generally supports the conclusion that there is a marked similarity of potency of the dose of various progestins used in many of the formulations currently available in the U.S. The progestins norethindrone, norethindrone acetate and ethynodiol diacetate are roughly equivalent in potency while norgestrel is roughly five to ten times and levonorgestrel ten to 20 times as potent.
Maternal Exposure to Benzo[A]Pyrene Alters Development of T Lymphocytes in Offspring

Childhood cancer has been increasing significantly over the past two decades in the United States, suggesting that environmental exposures may be playing a causative role. One such cause may be maternal smoking during pregnancy. Suspected carcinogens in cigarette smoke and environmental pollution include N-nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which may be several micrograms per exposure. Previously, we have shown that mouse progeny of mothers exposed to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) during midpregnancy had abnormalities in their humoral and cell-mediated immune response. Immunodeficiency was detectable during gestation, at one week after birth and persisted for 18 months. Tumor incidences in progeny were eight to 10-fold higher than in controls. The present study compared frequencies of CD4+, CD8+, V gamma 2+, and V beta 8+ T cells in progeny following in utero exposure to B[a]P. The significant reduction in newborn CD4+CD8+, CD4+CD8+V beta 8+ thymocytes and CD4+ splenocytes from 1-week-old progeny, suggests that B[a]P induces abnormal changes in developing T cells. These early alterations may lead to postnatal T cell suppression, thus providing a more suitable environment for the growth of tumors later in life. These results suggest that developmental immunosuppression mediated by B[a]P may play a critical role in the relationship between maternal exposures and childhood carcinogenesis.
Treatment and Prophylaxis of Cytomegalovirus Infection After Bone Marrow Transplantation

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous human herpes virus (Fig. 1) that can cause primary infection, reactivated infection, or reinfection in recipients of blood components. CMV-associated interstitial pneumonia (IP) (Fig. 2) is the most common infectious cause of death following allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for hematologic malignancies and, thus, is an important factor in limiting the success of this procedure (Neiman et al. 1977; Meyers et al. 1982a; Krowka et al. 1985; Cardozo et al. 1985).
Insecticides to Prevent the Emergence of Scolytus multistriatus

Emulsions of four insecticides were tested for their effectiveness in preventing emergence of the smaller European elm bark beetle, Scolytus multistriatus (Marsh.). Emulsions of 12% DDT, 6% dieldrin and 6% lindane were applied to bark brought into the laboratory. The bark surface was only slightly moistened during spraying. Lindane was most effective, followed by dieldrin and DDT in reducing emergence by 97%, 51% and 22%, respectively. Daily readings of the treatments with lindane, dieldrin, and DDT showed that 1%, 5% and 41%, respectively of the beetles were alive 24 hours after emerging. Beetles were in the larval stage at time of treatment and none of the insecticides prevented them from reaching the adult stage. Two replicated field tests were run using 0.25% to 2% sprays of DDT, dieldrin, lindane and malathion in amounts that wetted the bark of the infested elm logs. The beetles were in the larval or pupal stage when treated and again the sprays did not kill the insects until they reached the adult form. All sprays penetrated better when the bark was thoroughly wetted whereas only lindane penetrated well in the laboratory test. Lindane and dieldrin sprays at either 0.5% or 1% were very effective in reducing emergence. DDT sprays were less effective while 0.5% or 1% malathion sprays were least efficient.
Abrasion Wear of Ceramics from Measurement of Wear Track Shape

The abrasion wear of various ceramics were measured using a diamond grinding wheel at the load of 130 gf and the sliding velocity of 1.26m/s. The wear volume was obtained from the wear track shape on the ceramics sample, and the specific wear rate (Ws) was calculated from the linear relation between sliding distance and wear volume. Ws was highest for Al2O3, much lower for SiC and ZrO2, and lowest for Si3N4. The grain boundary fracture caused accompanying the cutting by diamond grains may explain the high wear rate of Al2O3.
Hybrid-Laufbuchsen aus Grauguss und Aluminium

Das Entwicklungsziel, immer kompaktere, leichtere und emissionsarmere Motoren zu konstruieren, stellt hohe Anforderungen an das Zylindersystem. Aluminium-Motorblocke mit metallurgisch anbindenden Laufbuchsen von Federal-Mogul zeigen hohe dynamische Festigkeiten, eine deutlich gesteigerte Warmeleitfahigkeit sowie geringere Bohrungsverzuge, was zu erheblich verbesserten Funktionswerten fuhrt.
The Effect on Erythrocytes of a Single Administration of Promin (Sodium P,P′-Diaminodiphenylsulfone-N,N′ Didextrose Sulfonate): An Experimental Study

In therapeutic studies of the effectiveness of promin in either experimental or clinical tuberculosis, the drug has been administered for long periods. In the initial study of the influence of promin in combating experimental tuberculosis the drug was provided in the diet of guinea-pigs for 164 days. Clinically, the drug has been administered for periods ranging up to six months. In my study of the toxicity of the drug on the erythrocytes I gave varying amounts to experimental animais daily for three weeks. Nothing is known, however, of the immediate effects of the drug: how rapidly erythrocytes are damaged or how long toxic effects of a single administration may persist. This report covers the results of a single oral administration of 400 mg. of promin to adult maie guinea-pigs.
The formation and function of tertiary lymphoid follicles in chronic pulmonary inflammation

Tertiary lymphoid follicles (TLFs) can develop in the respiratory tract in response to infections or chronic inflammation. However, their functional relevance remains unclear because they are implicated in both protective and pathological responses. In contrast to homeostatic conditions, external antigens and damage to the lung tissue may drive TLF formation in inflamed lungs, and once established, the presence of pulmonary TLFs may signal the progression of chronic lung disease. This novel concept will be discussed in light of recent work in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and how changes in the pulmonary microbiota may drive and direct TLF formation and function. We will also discuss the cellularity of TLFs at the pulmonary mucosa, with emphasis on the potential roles of lymphoid tissue inducer cells, and B- and T-cell aggregates, and will examine the function of key chemokines and cytokines including CXCL13 and interleukin-17, in the formation and maintenance of pulmonary TLFs.
Insecticide Susceptibility of Field‐collected Blattella germanica (Blattaria: Blattalidae) in Busan, Republic of Korea during 2014

The susceptibility values for field-collected (BG-BG) and laboratory (KS-BG) strains of German cockroaches (BS-BG), Blattella germanica (L.) to five synthetic pyrethroid and three organophosphate insecticides were assessed by topical application. Both KS-BG and BS-BG strains demonstrated the highest levels of susceptibility to deltamethrin with LD50 values of 0.0035 μg/female and 1.5744 μg/female, respectively. The KS-BG strain demonstrated the lowest susceptibility level to fenthion with an LD50 value of 0.0698 μg/female, while the BS-BG field population showed the lowest susceptibility to bifenthrin with 4.6811 μg/female. The BS-BG field population showed resistance levels of 50 to 640 fold higher against the eight pesticides evaluated compared to the KS-BG strain. The resistance ratios (RR) of the eight pesticides were compared using populations of B. germanica that were collected from the same locality during 2007 and 2014. The field population of B. germanica collected during 2014 demonstrated significantly high resistance to an organophosphates and all pyrethroids when compared with those collected during 2007, but RR values were <10 except for chlorpyrifos-methyl and chlorpyrifos with RR values of 74 and 104, respectively.
Reproductive Dysfunction in Primates, Behaviorally Induced

Short- and long-term exposure to psychological and social stresses can suppress reproductive hormone secretion and lead to a decrease in reproductive behaviors and fertility in a number of nonhuman primate species. While there are some species differences in stress-induced inhibition of the reproductive axis, there also appears to be several general principles that are common to most species. Perhaps most important of these is the concept that the effect of a particular stress at a particular time on the reproductive axis of an individual animal can be modulated by a great number of variables. These modulating variables include social status, the magnitude and duration of stress, perception of the stress, aggressive behavior, seasonal cues, and the prior level of activity within the reproductive axis.
Monitoring clinical decision support in the electronic health record.

Hospitals utilize healthcare information technology such as electronic health records (EHRs) to optimize patient care and the development of clinical decision support (CDS) systems to further that goal. CDS systems aid the clinician with decision-making suggestions using relevant content at the
Smart Transportation Systems

Conventional surface transportation resources, such as vehicles, roads, terminals, and other transportation infrastructure, are aging. Many countries are falling behind in installing new transportation infrastructure in their cities. Thanks to the recent developments in technology and the global connectivity enabled by The Internet, transportation systems are undergoing a profound transformation that will change the way humans and products move around cities. That is, smarter, more autonomous, and safer vehicles that communicate with other vehicles and with the city buildings, traffic signs, and other infrastructure will be the golden standard. It is expected that those cities which use such technology will increase their mobility, boost their economic productivity and reduce their levels of pollution. This new approach to transportation is called Intelligent Transportation Systems, and is the topic of this chapter.
Genome mining: Digging the tunnel for chemical space.

Genome mining reveals a new ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptide (RiPP) from Klebsiella pneumoniae. This new antibiotic inhibits bacterial ribosomes by obstructing the peptide exit tunnel, and its modular nature presents a unique opportunity for future engineering of antibacterial drugs.
Intramuscular Variations in Color and Sarcoplasmic Proteome of Beef Semimembranosus during Postmortem Aging

Beef semimembranosus exhibits intramuscular difference in color stability, and the inside region (ISM) of the muscle is color-labile, whereas the outside region (OSM) is color-stable. Variations in sarcoplasmic proteins are known to contribute to this intramuscular color difference. Sarcoplasmic proteome and beef color are affected by postmortem aging. The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of aging on intramuscular color variations and the sarcoplasmic proteome of beef semimembranosus. Semimembranosus muscles obtained from 8 beef carcasses (n = 8) were subjected to aging at 2°C for 0, 7, 14, and 21 d. On each aging day, the muscles were fabricated into ISM and OSM steaks and allotted to refrigerated storage (2°C) under aerobic packaging. Instrumental color and metmyoglobin reducing activity were evaluated on d 0, 3, and 6 of storage. Samples frozen on d 0 and d 21 of aging were utilized for sarcoplasmic proteome analysis. Color attributes of both ISM and OSM steaks were influenced by aging, with steaks aged for 21 d having the lowest (P 0.05) redness on d 0 of storage, whereas ISM had lower (P < 0.05) redness compared to OSM on d 3 and d 6 of storage. Several proteins associated with glycolysis and energy metabolism were of greater abundance (P < 0.05) in OSM than in ISM after 21-d aging. Furthermore, the influence of 21-d aging on sarcoplasmic proteome was observed at a greater extent in OSM than in ISM, indicating that the effect of aging on sarcoplasmic proteome of beef semimembranosus was influenced by the location within the muscle.
O que Mersenne aprendeu na Itália

Estudos sobre Marin Mersenne enfatizam frequentemente o servico prestado por ele a ciencia europeia, por ajudar na circulacao das ideias, tanto pela correspondencia como por suas publicacoes. Mas o proprio Mersenne foi uma figura importante na Revolucao Cientifica com seu proprio programa intelectual. O proposito do artigo e discutir o papel que o contato epistolar com a Italia exerceu no seu proprio desenvolvimento intelectual. Quero discutir tambem que a transmissao da ciencia italiana para a Franca feita por Mersenne, no final do anos 1620 e inicio dos anos 1630, precisamente no momento em que Galileu estava em dificuldades em Roma, foi crucial para a derradeira transformacao da ciencia e filosofia europeias. Minha tese e que por causa de seus contatos com a Italia Mersenne continua, de certo modo, a tradicao jesuitica das matematicas mistas que, em virtude da condenacao de Galileu em 1633, nao poderia por muito tempo ser praticada na Italia, uma tradicao que conduzira a Descartes, Gassendi, e a filosofia mecânica que dominara o restante do seculo.
THE NATURE OF THE BLUE LIGHT PHOTORECEPTOR IN HIGHER PLANTS AND FUNGI

There is a photoreceptor system both in higher and lower plants and in fungi. This pigment system absorbs light in the long-wavelength ultraviolet and blue regions of the spectrum and fails to show the sort of photoreversibility that is characteristic of so many phytochrome responses. This photoreceptor is termed blue light photoreceptor. This chapter provides an overview of the nature of the blue light photoreceptor in higher plants and fungi. The blue light photoreceptor itself is probably a flavoprotein that becomes photoreduced by light and, therefore, reduces a b-type cytochrome. The system becomes reoxidized in following darkness. The chapter presents a list of photoresponses. There are two known photoresponses in fungi that do not show the characteristic blue-ultraviolet sensitivity. The first of these responses is the phototropic response of conidiophores of the fungus Entomophthora coronata ( Conidiobolus villosus ). This response shows maximum sensitivity in the blue and red regions of the spectrum. The second response is the phototactic migration of pseudoplasmodia of the cellular slime mould Dictyostelium discoideum with clear action maxima near 430 and 560 nm. The chapter presents some data and experimental studies regarding blue light photoreceptor. Substantial progress has been made during the past three years in identifying the blue light photoreceptor.
Local Consolidation Therapy (LCT) After First Line Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor (TKI) for Patients With EGFR Mutant Metastatic Non-small-cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).

Abstract Introduction Although most NSCLC patients with sensitizing epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations have an impressive initial response, the vast majority has residual disease and develops acquired resistance after 9 to 14 months of EGFR tyrosine kinase (TKI) therapy. We recently reported a phase II trial showing that, for patients with molecularly unselected oligometastatic NSCLC who did not progress after first-line systemic therapy, local consolidation therapy (LCT) with surgery or radiation improved progression-free survival (PFS), compared with maintenance therapy alone. Herein, we report a retrospective analysis of LCT after TKI in patients with metastatic EGFR mutant NSCLC. Patients and Methods We identified patients with metastatic EGFR mutant NSCLC treated with TKI plus LCT or with TKI alone in the MD Anderson GEMINI (Genomic Marker-Guided Therapy Initiative) database and in our recently published LCT trial. PFS was compared between LCT plus TKI and TKI only treated patients using the log-rank test. Results We identified 129 patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC who were treated with first-line TKI and 12 that were treated with TKI followed by LCT. Among the 12 patients treated with TKI plus LCT, 8 patients had oligometastatic disease (defined as ≤ 3 metastases), and 4 patients had > 3 metastases. LCT regimens were hypofractionated radiotherapy or stereotactic ablative body radiotherapy for 11 patients and surgery for 1 patient. TKI followed by LCT resulted in a significantly longer PFS (36 months) compared with TKI alone (PFS, 14 months; log-rank P = .0024). Conclusions Our data suggests that first-line TKI plus LCT is a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with EGFR mutant NSCLC that merits further investigation.
Age-Related Atrophy and Compensatory Neural Networks in Reading Comprehension.

Objectives Despite changes to brain integrity with aging, some functions like basic language processes remain remarkably preserved. One theory for the maintenance of function in light of age-related brain atrophy is the engagement of compensatory brain networks. This study examined age-related changes in the neural networks recruited for simple language comprehension. Methods Sixty-five adults (native English-speaking, right-handed, and cognitively normal) aged 17-85 years underwent a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) reading paradigm and structural scanning. The fMRI data were analyzed using independent component analysis to derive brain networks associated with reading comprehension. Results Two typical frontotemporal language networks were identified, and these networks remained relatively stable across the wide age range. In contrast, three attention-related networks showed increased activation with increasing age. Furthermore, the increased recruitment of a dorsal attention network was negatively correlated to gray matter thickness in temporal regions, whereas an anterior frontoparietal network was positively correlated to gray matter thickness in insular regions. Conclusions We found evidence that older adults can exert increased effort and recruit additional attentional resources to maintain their reading abilities in light of increased cortical atrophy.
Chinese international student stress and coping: A pilot study of acceptance and commitment therapy

Abstract China has become a leading source of international college students for Western countries. Given Chinese students’ increasingly large contribution to the college population in host countries, their specific needs in mental health should be addressed. Studies across different countries indicate that international college students face higher levels of psychological distress compared to domestic students. However, there is little research investigating the effects of culturally sensitive interventions for their stress management. In the current study, we designed a culturally relevant Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) small group intervention focused on helping these students manage stress relevant to studying abroad. An evaluation of its feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness using data from eight participants indicated that the ACT intervention was well-received. Statistically significant reductions in depression, stress, anxiety, and symptoms were observed at post evaluation and follow-up evaluation. Cultural implications and practical implications for working with a Chinese population were discussed.
PoreFlow-Net: A 3D convolutional neural network to predict fluid flow through porous media

Abstract We present the PoreFlow-Net, a 3D convolutional neural network architecture that provides fast and accurate fluid flow predictions for 3D digital rock images. We trained our network to extract spatial relationships between the porous medium morphology and the fluid velocity field. Our workflow computes simple geometrical information from 3D binary images to train a deep neural network (the PoreFlow-Net) optimized to generalize the problem of flow through porous materials. Our results show that the extracted information is sufficient to obtain accurate flow field predictions in less than a second, without performing expensive numerical simulations providing a speed-up of several orders of magnitude. We also demonstrate that our model, trained with simple synthetic geometries, is able to provide accurate results in real samples spanning granular rocks, carbonates, and slightly consolidated media from a variety of subsurface formations, which highlights the ability of the model to generalize the porous media flow problem. The workflow presented here shows the successful application of a disruptive technology (physics-based training of machine learning models) to the digital rock physics community.
Evaluation of geometric and exposure parameters used in fluoroscopically-guided neuro-interventional procedures

The imaging parameters used in neurointerventional procedures were evaluated to better understand the exposure techniques used clinically and their impact on patient dose. All parameters are available on the imaging system’s network bus in real time for each exposure pulse during a procedure. The Canon Dose Tracking System (DTS), which we developed, records the parameters of each exposure event in a raw data log file of controller area network (CAN) packets. We have collected such log files for 120 neurointerventional cases. Parameters are extracted by converting the raw data log file to a reformatted text file using a MATLAB script. The text file is input into a Microsoft Visual Studio project which outputs a new text file, which, with a reference table, allows the parameters to be identified. A written Python script is used to extract the specific parameters that were to be evaluated and output a .csv file. These were then input into MATLAB for analysis. The parameters extracted were the kVp, beam filter type, mAs, and the cranial/caudal angle as well as the RAO/LAO angle for the frontal and lateral gantries for DA and pulsed fluoroscopy (PF) modes. The gantry angles ranged from 34⁰ CRA to 42⁰ CAU and from 114⁰ RAO to 91⁰ LAO for DA and PF, respectively. The median kVp was 84 and 73 and the average per frame mAs was about 11 and 1.8 for DA and PF, respectively. This analysis should allow a better understanding of clinical practice in order to relate technique to patient and staff dose.
Unusual Ferruginous Bodies

Among the ferruginous bodies isolated from the lungs of people not occupationally exposed to asbestos dust are those which have a nonfibrous core. These bodies are generally round or ovoid, 4μ to 30μ in diameter, and vary in color from translucent light yellow to semitranslucent red-gold. Their central core may be composed of a single large, or multiple small, particles which may be colorless and translucent or black and opaque. Ferruginous bodies with black fibrous cores are believed to owe their origin to inhaled smoke particles from burning leaves, paper, wood, or coal.
Keeping science on keel when software moves

An approach to reproducibility problems related to porting software across machines and compilers.
Performance Evaluation of Studded Tire Ruts for Asphalt Mix Designs in a Cold Region Environment

Studded tire wear is one of the most important contributing factors that govern pavement life on high traffic volume roads in south-central Alaska. It has been estimated that the annual cost to rep...
Market Size, Innovation, and the Economic Effects of an Epidemic

We develop a framework for the analysis of the economic effects of an epidemic that incorporates firm-specific innovation and endogenous entry. Transition dynamics is characterized by two differential equations describing the evolution of the mass of susceptible in the population and the ratio of the population to the mass of firms. An epidemic propagates through the economy via changes in market size that reduce incentives to enter the market and to undertake innovative activity. We evaluate state-dependent interventions involving policy rules based on tracking susceptible or infected. Simple policy rules are announced at the time of the outbreak and anchors private sector's expectations about the time path of the intervention, including the end date. Welfare gains/losses relative to the do-nothing scenario are computed accounting for transition dynamics.
Restoring serenity: conservation of Minoru Yamasaki's North Shore Congregation Israel

The North Shore Congregation Israel complex was designed by modernist architect Minoru Yamasaki and completed in 1964.Yamasaki's notable work includes the Pacific Science Center (1962), World Trade...
Childhood health and sibling outcomes: Nurture Reinforcing nature during the 1918 influenza pandemic

This paper uses the 1918 influenza pandemic to test how household resources are reallocated in response to a health shock to one child. Using a new dataset linking census data on childhood household characteristics to adult outcomes from military enlistment records, I show that families with a child in utero during the pandemic shifted resources to the child's older siblings, leading to significantly higher educational attainments for these older siblings. These results suggest that the reallocation of household resources in response to a negative childhood health shock tended to reinforce rather than compensate for differences in endowments across children.
Wrist strap monitor testing for use with the latest MR head technologies

The disturbing downward trend of GMR/TGMR ESD Sensitivity has led companies to scrutinize their ESD Controls. The monitoring equipment, installed to control ESD, could potentially cause harm instead. This test method and data should assist the end user in selecting the most suitable wrist strap monitoring technology for today's heads.
Regulation of proacrosin conversion in isolated guinea pig sperm acrosomal apical segments.

Abstract Following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, proacrosin has been identified in extracts of intact guinea spermatozoa as a major silver staining band which reacted immunologically with antibodies made against purified proacrosin from guinea pig testis. Proacrosin exhibited an approximate Mr of 50,000 and was rapidly converted to an Mr 45,000 protein following induction of the acrosome reaction with 2.0 mM CaCl2 and 1 micrograms/ml A23187. Apical segments isolated at pH 6.0 from guinea pig spermatozoa also contained a major silver staining band of Mr 50,000 which cross-reacted with antibodies to guinea pig testis proacrosin. Subcellular fractionation of spermatozoa indicated that proacrosin remained in the particulate fraction of homogenized spermatozoa and was enriched within the isolated acrosomal apical segment. When apical segments isolated at pH 6.0 were incubated at pH 7.5, proacrosin was rapidly converted to the Mr 45,000 form observed in spermatozoa undergoing the acrosome reaction. The conversion process in isolated apical segments was inhibited by leupeptin and was accelerated in the presence of calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Zinc completely inhibited the conversion of proacrosin to the Mr 45,000 protein. Neither proacrosin nor the Mr 45,000 protein were released into the supernatant fluid during the incubation of apical segments at pH 7.5. Furthermore, the proteins were resistant to solubilization by 150 mM NaCl and 1% Triton X-100 but were solubilized by treatment of apical segments with 1 M NaCl. These results provide evidence as to the identity and subcellular distribution of proacrosin in intact guinea pig sperm prior to zymogen conversion and suggest that isolated apical segments exhibit a subset of the exocytotic reactions leading to completion of the acrosome reaction.
In Vivo Biocompatibility and In Vitro Efficacy of Antimicrobial Gendine-Coated Central Catheters

Antimicrobial peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) might reduce the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI). We tested the biocompatibility of a novel gendine-coated (combination of chlorhexidine [CHX] and gentian violet [GV]) PICC in a rabbit intravascular model and tested antimicrobial efficacy in comparison with commercially available minocycline/rifampin (M/R)- and CHX-treated PICCs in an in vitro biofilm colonization model. Gendine-coated and uncoated control PICCs were inserted in the jugular veins of rabbits for 4 days. Histopathological analysis was performed at the end of the 4-day period, and circulating levels of CHX and GV in the blood were measured at different time points using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial efficacy of the PICCs was tested following simulated intravascular indwells of 24 h and 1 week against clinical isolates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Candida albicans, and Candida glabrata. Rabbits implanted with gendine-coated PICCs exhibited reduced levels of thrombosis and inflammation compared to those of the rabbits with uncoated controls. No GV was detected in blood samples over the entire study period, and trace concentrations of CHX were detected. The gendine-coated PICCs completely prevented the adherence of all pathogens from 24 h to 1 week (P ≤ 0.001), while M/R-treated, CHX-treated, and control PICCs did not. Gendine-coated PICCs were highly effective in preventing biofilm formation of multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Gendine-coated PICCs were biocompatible in an intravascular setting. Further, the pharmacokinetic testing established that acute systemic exposures of CHX and GV from the gendine-coated catheters were well within safe levels.
Bacterial production of antibiotic polypeptides by thiol-linked synthesis on protein templates.

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with the discussion of bacterial production of antibiotic polypeptides by thiol-linked synthesis on protein templates. Gramicidin S and tyrocidine are the two polypeptides for which the detail has been obtained with regard to fractionation of the participating enzymes and identification of the pantetheine-linked protein present in all polyenzymes. For their synthesis, the polyenzymes for gramicidin S and tyrocidine have to be combined with a mono-enzyme that activates and racemizes phenylalaninethat, in the D-form, initiates the process in both cases. The best method for surveying the contents of the different enzyme fractions is to separate the components in the supernatant of a crude bacterial extract chromatographically on Sephadex G-200. This aids in isolating the polyenzymes because they are involved in sequential synthesis. It was found that, in addition to an amino acid-dependent ATP-PPi exchange, an adenosine triphosphate–adenosine monophosphate (ATP–AMP) exchange, most pronounced with phenylalanine, also occurred. Studies on the thio-ester-linked biosynthesis of both gramicidin S and tyrocidine in the laboratories were followed by observations that other antibiotics are synthesized in an analogous manner.
Comparative Effectiveness of Medical Therapy, Supervised Exercise, and Revascularization for Patients With Intermittent Claudication: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background There are limited data on the comparative effectiveness of medical therapy, supervised exercise, and revascularization to improve walking and quality of life in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). Hypothesis Supervised exercise and revascularization was superior to medical therapy in IC. Methods We studied the comparative effectiveness of exercise training, medications, endovascular intervention, and surgical revascularization on outcomes including functional capacity (walking distance and timing), quality of life, and mortality. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews from January 1995 to August 2012 for relevant English-language studies. Two investigators independently collected data. Meta-analyses with random-effects models of direct comparisons were supplemented by mixed-treatment analyses to incorporate data from placebo comparisons, head-to-head comparisons, and multiple treatment arms. Results Thirty-five unique studies evaluated treatment modalities in 7475 patients with IC. Compared with usual care, only exercise training improved both maximal walking distance (150 meters; 95% confidence interval: 35–266 meters, P = 0.01) and initial claudication distance (39 meters; 95% confidence interval: 9–65 meters, P = 0.003). All modalities were associated with improved quality of life (Short Form-36 physical functioning score) compared with usual care, but there were no differences between treatments. There were insufficient safety data to assess treatment-related complications. All-cause mortality was not significantly different between modalities. Conclusions Evidence is insufficient to determine treatment superiority for improving quality of life and walking parameters in IC patients. Further studies with attention to study design, standardized efficacy and safety endpoints, and appropriate subgroup reporting are necessary to determine comparative effectiveness.
Presumptive intraperitoneal envenomation resulting in hemoperitoneum and acute abdominal pain in a dog

Objective To describe the clinical features, diagnostic findings, treatment, and outcome of a dog with acute abdominal pain and hemoperitoneum secondary to a presumptive intraperitoneal (IP) snakebite. Case Summary A 10-month-old castrated male mixed-breed dog was evaluated for suspected snake envenomation. The dog presented recumbent and tachycardic with signs of severe abdominal pain. Two cutaneous puncture wounds and hemoperitoneum were discovered during evaluation. Ultrasonographic examination revealed communication of the wounds with the peritoneal cavity. The dog was treated with supportive care, parenteral analgesia, packed red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma transfusions, crotalid antivenom, and placement of an IP catheter to provide local analgesia. The dog recovered fully and was discharged 5 days after initial presentation. New or Unique Information Provided To our knowledge, this is the first report of IP envenomation accompanied by hemorrhage treated with continuous IP analgesia in the veterinary literature.
Points of View: Shadows, Photons, Planets, and Life

I combine here a potpourri of topics that have been of keen interest over my career. The first is gnomonics, the art and science of sundials: at its heart are the shadows that elegantly chart the motions of the Sun on a defined surface. More broadly, shadows have been amazingly productive in astronomy through the centuries. Examples range from the ancient Greeks (the distances of Moon and Sun) to the Scientific Revolution (Roemer’s determination of the speed of light). They also include twentieth century science (solar eclipse observations relative to general relativity) and current twenty-first century research (transits of extrasolar planets).
Budding in Hydra viridis

The rate of growth of a population of Hydra viridis by budding is shown to be a function of the frequency of bud-initiations and not of the duration of bud development. Different rates of growth in populations were imposed by feeding the animals three, five, or seven days a week. The slowest growth rate was observed in animals fed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, while those fed Monday through Wednesday grew at the same rate as hydra fed Monday through Friday. Not only was the duration of the bud development independent of the feeding schedules, but the duration of each of the stages of bud development was also unaltered despite differences in the frequency of feeding. This rigidity is not explained as a consequence of the distal end of the bud prescribing the course and rate of bud development; removal of the distal end, or replacing it with a distal end from a bud or animal at a different developmental and chronological age, had no effect on the development of the original bud's base or the time of its detachment. It seems that bud-initiation depends on the parental production of a quantum of cells which can completely support the further development of a bud. Differences in the number of buds produced on any parent would thus be a function of the number of quanta produced.
Snoring as a Risk Factor for Sexual Dysfunction in Community Men

Introduction Severe obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with sexual dysfunction; however, it is unclear whether milder forms of sleep disturbances might also be associated with sexual problems.
Temperature sensitive nitrogen fixation mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii.

Temperature-sensitive nitrogen fixation mutants of Azotobacter vinelandii were obtained by nitrosoguanidine mutagenesis and penicillin selection. The mutants were unable to grow on N2 at 39° but grew normally at 30° on N2 and at both temperatures in the presence of metabolizable nitrogen compounds. Growth experiments and assays of whole cells for nitrogenase activity separated the mutants into two classes: 1. mutants in which the nitrogenase activity present in cells grown at 30° was unaffected by a shift to 39°, and 2. mutants which lost their nitrogen fixation activity after such a temperature shift. Assays of cell-free extracts of the second class of mutants showed that in all cases tested the enzymatic activity of the nitrogenase complex itself was not affected by the mutation. These mutants might therefore contain some other temperature-sensitive proteins specifically involved in nitrogen fixation.
Proximity-Based Passive Current Sensors for Real-Time Monitoring of Power Usage in Low and Mid-Voltage Applications

Traditional monitoring of current flow in power lines involves breaking the circuit for through-the-sensor type monitoring or separating individual wires for around-the-conductor “clamp” metering. Such techniques for measurement are invasive and disruptive for many applications. Using 0.9 cm diameter permanent magnets attached to piezoelectric bimorph elements in conjunction with the fluctuating magnetic fields generated by alternating currents, sensors have been developed that enable in-situ, self-powered measurement of current flow without the need to encircle or disconnect the wire being measured. Whereas previous development [1, 2] of these devices has focused on two-wire applications for low (<600V) voltages, single-wire configurations for higher-voltage (up to 15kV) applications are also considered here. Outputs have been found to be linear through a wide ranges of current (0–200A on 0.6–120V AC), with resolution limited primarily by sensor distance from the target wire (3cm or less from wire edge). Sensitivity studies have been performed on conductors of varying dimensions (18 gauge to 4 gauge) and geometries (single conductor and two-wire) for known sensor placements and current flows. Initial integration has been performed with a wireless radio device to produce a self-contained sensor package 8cm by 10cm by 3cm that can sample data at 2 kHz and transmit results to a base station for further analysis. Initial numerical modeling of the magnetic field gradients around current-carrying wires has been performed to optimize sensor placement. Potential applications include customer (home, business, industry) and distribution grid-level monitoring.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Mesoporous I-Ag codoped titania and alumina modified titania catalysts: Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic properties

Abstract Mesoporous iodine and silver codoped titania and alumina modified titania photocatalysts were synthesized by a two-step surfactant-templated hydrothermal route and characterized by X-ray diffraction, XPS, UV–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption. The mesoporous materials had surface areas of 2.6–5.3 times that of Degussa P25. The I-Ag codoped mesoporous titania samples exhibited a bicrystalline framework of rutile and anatase with rutile fractions of 23% and 26%, respectively, whereas the alumina-containing I-Ag codoped materials yielded anatase as the only crystalline phase. The I-Ag codoped photocatalysts with Ag/Ti mole ratio of 1.6% and 2.0% showed catalytic activity 3.3 times and 12 times higher than Degussa P25 under halogen visible and visible light (>400 nm) in photodecomposing methyl orange, respectively. The high performance of I-Ag codoped titania and alumina modified titania photocatalysts under visible light is attributed to the combined effects of large surface area, lower band gap energies and mesoporous structure.
Effects of Glucocorticoid and Aminophylline on Glucose Intolerance of Adrenalectomized Rats

Eighteen—hr—fasted male normal (N) and adrenalectomized (Adrx) rats (used after the fourth postoperative day) were subjected to an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT, 25% glucose, 1.0 ml/100 g bw). Adrx rats exhibited both abnormal insulin release pattern and glucose intolerance which were restored to normal with cortisone (C) treatment (5 mg/100 g bw/day for 4 days). Aminophylline (A) administration (10 mg/100 g bw) before the IVGTT to N animals resulted in severe glucose intolerance and higher insulin values. Same treatment in Adrx animals resulted in increased insulin values with minimal changes in the glucose tolerance. The lipolytic effect of A was only seen in N animals and in Adrx treated with C. Combined A—C treatment with Adx and N rats resulted in very marked glucose intolerance in the presence of extremely high insulin levels. Aminophylline produces a syndrome of insulin resistance in Adrx animals as well as N. The quantitative difference in glucose tolerance between these groups can be ...
Microenvironnement tumoral - La vision du pathologiste

Grâce aux avancees des technologies de biologie moleculaire, des progres majeurs ont ete accomplis ces dernieres annees dans la comprehension de la biologie tumorale. Si la cible premiere reste la cellule cancereuse, le microenvironnement est clairement indissociable de cette derniere et joue un role primordial dans la prise en charge diagnostique, a toutes les etapes du parcours clinique et histopathologique. L’analyse du microenvironnement fait en effet partie integrante non seulement du diagnostic histologique de tumeur (element essentiel permettant la classification histologique des tumeurs), mais aussi de l’evaluation pronostique de la maladie, et meme de la strategie therapeutique. Au cours des prochaines annees, de nouveaux biomarqueurs pronostiques et/ou predictifs, representatifs du stroma tumoral, seront certainement proposes et passeront les phases de validation clinique.
Death as an unnatural process

Not everyone thinks it is a good idea to live longer lives. Some writers, perhaps most notably Daniel Callahan, the co‐founder of the Hastings Center, a bioethics research institute in Garrison, NY, USA, argue that the quest to extend life is not a self‐evident good. A longer life, Callahan (1990) contends, is not necessarily a better life. Others, such as the philosopher and physician Leon Kass (2002), the political theorist Francis Fukuyama (2002) and the theologian Gilbert Meilaender (2002), maintain that research to increase human life expectancy should not be pursued because lengthening life is not consistent with human nature. It is ‘unnatural’, they say, to extend human lives beyond the proverbial three score years and ten that the average citizen of an economically developed nation can expect to survive. > … are the scientists, physicians and others who work on techniques to extend human lifespan engaged in unethical activities? © Getty ![][1] However, scientists eagerly seek ways to extend the maximum and average human life expectancy. French scientists have produced mice through genetic engineering that can live 26% longer than normal (Bensimon, 2002). Others have shown that mice, rats and primates live significantly longer when on a low‐calorie diet. Still others believe that by genetically engineering the telomeres of our chromosomes, reducing the levels of free radicals or replacing human growth hormone, the changes associated with ageing can be slowed down or even reversed. Some physicians maintain that by rigidly adhering to good lifestyle habits, our lives could be extended by 30, 40 or even 50 years. We do not know enough about the biology of ageing to assess whether any of these interventions will lead to a longer life. But this ongoing research may provide answers to what does and does not work. It therefore raises the question … [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif