cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Justices on U.S. Supreme Court Precedent

Judicial impact studies frequently consider the influence of Supreme Court decisions on future decision-making behavior. However, a critical void in the literature is analysis of the influence of individual Supreme Court justices on future decision making behavior. We investigate whether there are inherent differences between the opinions of individual justices and whether these opinions differentially impact future Supreme Court decisions. That is, we examine whether certain justices receive higher levels of citations and positive treatments in future Supreme Court decisions. To test our predictions we analyze majority opinions from the longest natural Court era of the U.S. Supreme Court between 1994 and 2005. The empirical results support our account and demonstrate that differences between the opinions of individual justices disparately impact the extent to which the Court cites and follows the opinions authored by each justice in its future decisions. Our analysis suggest that in addition to the voting coalition that decides the case outcome, which of the justices ultimately author the majority opinion has a profound impact on future citation and adherence to the Court’s precedent.
Comparison of the effects on penetration capacity of human spermatozoa between using Ham's F-10 medium and a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid.

Summary The penetration ability of human spermatozoa on zona-free hamster ovum when using Ham's F-10 (HF-10) medium was compared with that when using a medium based on the composition of human tubal fluid. Forty semen specimens were each divided into two aliquots; one aliquot was washed with and incubated in HF-10 medium and the other in HTF medium. The penetration rate of sperm with motility between 30 to 60 percent was significantly increased when HTF medium was used (67.9 ± 6.9%) compared with the rate when HF-10 medium was used (49.2 ± 7.3%) (P <0.05). This study shows that the ZFHO penetration ability of human spermatozoa with poor motility can be improved by using HTF medium as compared with the use of HF-10 medium. Zusammenfassung Die Penetrationsfahigkeit menschlicher Spermatozoen am zonafreien Hamster-Ei wurde unter Verwendung von Ham's F-10-Medium (HF-10) mit einem Medium verglichen, das auf der Zusammensetzung der menschlichen Tubarflussigkeit (HTF) beruhte. Vierzig Spermaproben wurden in zwei gleiche Teile aufgeteilt; der eine Teil wurde gewaschen und anschliesend mit HF-10-Medium inkubiert, wahrend der andere Teil in HTF-Medium inkubiert wurde. Die Penetrationsrate der Spermatozoen mit einer Motilitat zwischen 30 und 60% stieg signifikant bei Verwendung des HTF-Mediums an (67,9 ± 6,9%) im Vergleich zu HF-10 (49,2 ± 7,3%) (P <0.05). Daraus ergibt sich, das die Fahigkeit menschlicher Spermatozoen im zonafreien Hamster-Ei-Test mit geringer Motilitat durch Einsatz des HTF-Mediums verbessert werden kann.
A Comparison of Women Managers in International Business Cases and Selected U.S. Corporations: A Preliminary Study

Women managers have been called the last international competitive advantage of the United States. Female students make up over half the enrollments of U.S. undergraduate business schools-with as strong an interest in potential international careers as male students. This study finds, however, that women are rarely portrayed as managers in international business cases. The lack of role models in international business cases is compared with the role of international women managers in a select sample of U.S. corporations. The results of the two surveys demonstrated that there were over six times the amount of women managers in the international divisions of these U.S. corporations, proportionally, as were presented in business school cases. This comparison between the two indicates there is greater opportunity than is now being utilized to represent women in international management roles in the material used for management education in the U.S.
Social Stratification in Jaffna: A Survey of Recent Research on Caste

Since 1983, war has dominated the perception of Sri Lanka. This has affected scholarship on the country, such that the subjects of an overwhelming number of research proposals and publications have been on the war and the prospects and prescriptions for peace. This survey paper is an attempt to locate the system of caste in transition in the Jaffna Peninsula by reviewing recent literature written after the commencement of the war. While detailed ethnographies of caste in Jaffna may have temporarily come to a halt, caste practices have not and remain a salient part of everyday life among the Tamils in Sri Lanka. As the war ended in 2009, it is therefore important that social scientists on Sri Lanka revisit the topic of caste, that is an integral part of not just Tamil culture or society, but being Tamil itself. As the study of caste is dominated by research in India, a microanalysis of Jaffna and Sri Lanka, particularly the nuances of this system in transition due to war and militancy, could contribute to the macro-study of caste at a sub-continental perspective.
The Enchanted Screen: The Unknown History of Fairy-Tale Films

Preface Acknowledgments Prologue Part I 1. Filmic Adaptation and Appropriation of the Fairy Tale 2. De-Disneyfying Disney: Notes on the Development of the Fairy-Tale Film 3. Georges Melies: Pioneer of the Fairy-Tale Film and the Art of the Ridiculous 4. Animated Fairy-tale Cartoons: Celebrating the Carnival Art of the Ridiculous 5. Animated Feature Fairy-Tale Films Part II 6. Cracking the Magic Mirror: Re-Presentations of Snow White 7. The Trials and Tribulations of Little Red Riding Hood Revisited and Reviewed 8. Bluebeard's Original Sin and the Rise of Serial Killing, Mass Murder, and Fascism 9. The Triumph of the Underdog: Cinderella's Legacy 10. Abusing and Abandoning Children: "Hansel and Gretel," "Tom Thumb," "The Pied Piper," "Donkey-Skin," and "The Juniper Tree" 11. Choosing the Right Mate: Why Beasts and Frogs Make for Ideal Husbands 12. Andersen's Cinematic Legacy: Trivialization and Innovation Part III 13. Adapting Fairy-Tale Novels 14. Between Slave Language and Utopian Optimism: Neglected Fairy-Tale Films of Central and Eastern Europe 15. Fairy-Tale Films in Dark Times: Breaking Molds, Seeing the World Anew Bibliography Filmography
Resolving Cross-cultural Ethical Conflict: An Empirical Test of a Decision Tree Model in an Educational Setting

The authors have previously developed and described a decision tree model for addressing cross-cultural ethical conflicts. The model is intended to provide an ethically sound yet pragmatic tool for decision makers facing such situations. This paper presents the results of an empirical test of the model in an educational setting with a sample of business students. Students trained to use the model demonstrated significantly more flexibility and appropriateness in their decisions on case scenarios than those who were not trained. The implications for use of the model in educational settings and recommendations for future research are discussed.
Seeing sound waves in the early universe

Temperature and polarization power spectra of the cosmic microwave background can provide essentially incontrovertible evidence for coherent acoustic oscillations in the early universe. A simple model calculation demonstrates explicitly how polarization couples to velocities at the surface of last scatter and is nearly independent of gravitational or density perturbations. For coherent acoustic oscillations, peaks in the temperature and polarization power spectra are precisely interleaved. If observed, such a signal would provide strong support for initial density perturbations on scales larger than the horizon, and thus for inflation.
Information management system using 2D barcodes and cell phone technology

One of the challenging problems of pervasive computing is to link a physical object with digital information because many of the pervasive computing applications require manual inputs or complex image processing to obtain information related to a real object. The use of 2D barcodes eliminates such excess processing to acquire the needed information. The 2D barcodes have high capacity to store data, are less prone to human input error and act as a tool to acquire information on site without network access. The currently available solutions use 1D barcodes to represent dynamic information residing in a database and use 2D barcodes to represent only static information that also encode only URLs. In all such applications, the source of information gets restricted to either a database or the static data encoded inside a 2D barcode. None of such solutions takes advantage of 2D barcode capabilities to collect information from different sources and attach it to the real world entity. Moreover, a 2D barcode can also represent and categorize complex text information. Our approach integrates the capabilities of 1D barcode into 2D barcode to represent and classify the complex digital information collected from different sources. We design and implement an information management system on a handheld device that has image processing and barcode decoding capabilities to address the above-mentioned problem. Our prototype provides a generic framework to decode either 1D or 2D barcode, parse the complex information (both dynamic and static) inside the 2D barcode, differentiate the complex information based on content types and classify the image based on the barcode format. It also assists users in decisionmaking and information analysis. An example system application can be deployed in grocery stores as a part of the enterprise information management system.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor-induced sexual dysfunction: efficacy of a drug holiday.

Objective : The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate whether weekend drug holidays would improve sexual functioning in recovered depressed patients with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)-induced sexual dysfunction. Method : Thirty outpatients who reported worsening of sexual functioning during SSRI treatment were instructed to discontinue their SSRIs after the Thursday morning dose and to restart the SSRIs (at their previous dosage) on Sunday at 12 :00 noon for four weekends. Results : Significant improvement in sexual functioning was reported by the patients taking sertraline and paroxetine but not by those taking fluoxetine. There were no statistically significant increases in mean Hamilton depression scores after discontinuation of the SSRIs ; two patients had increases in scores from the 4-8 range to the 10-14 range. Conclusions : For some patients taking sertraline and paroxetine who experience sexual dysfunction side effects, brief drug holidays may allow for significant improvement in sexual functioning without a significant return of depressive symptoms.
The Effects of an Intensive Reading Intervention for Ninth Graders with Very Low Reading Comprehension.

This experimental study examined the efficacy of a multicomponent reading intervention compared to a control condition on the reading comprehension of adolescent students with low reading comprehension (more than 1½ standard deviations below normative sample). Ninth-grade students were randomly assigned to treatment (n = 25) and comparison (n = 19). Reading teachers provided instruction for 90-min, five times every two weeks for approximately 80 sessions. Treatment effects for each outcome measure were estimated using repeated measure of analysis of covariance for measures of reading comprehension and fluency. Results indicate no statistically significant differences between treatment and comparison conditions. Repeated-measures analyses of variance between students with lower and higher decoding skills indicated a statistically significant interaction between treatment condition and decoding ability on the WJ-III PC and Bridge-IT, with large effect sizes (ηp2 .16 and .12, respectively), indicating that treatment was differentially beneficial for students with higher decoding skills.
CD8 T cells and E-cadherin in host responses against oropharyngeal candidiasis.

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 153–161 Background: Oropharyngeal candidiasis (OPC) is the most common oral infection in HIV+ persons. Previous studies suggest a role for CD8+ T cells against OPC when CD4+ T cells are lost, but enhanced susceptibility to infection occurs when CD8+ T-cell migration is inhibited by reduced tissue E-cadherin. Objective: To conduct a longitudinal study of tissue CD8+ T-cells and E-cadherin expression before, during, and after the episodes of OPC. Methods: Oral fungal burden was monitored and tissue was evaluated for CD8+ T cells and E-cadherin over a 1-year period in HIV+ persons with a history of, or an acute episode of, OPC. Results: While longitudinal analyses precluded formal interpretations, point prevalence analyses of the data set revealed that when patients experiencing OPC were successfully treated, tissue E-cadherin expression was similar to that in patients who had not experienced OPC, and higher numbers of CD8+ T cells were distributed throughout OPC− tissue under normal expression of E-cadherin. Conclusion: These results suggest that (1) reduction in tissue E-cadherin expression in patients with OPC+ is not permanent, and (2) high numbers of CD8+ T cells can be distributed throughout OPC− tissue under normal E-cadherin expression. Together, these results extend our previous studies and continue to support a role for CD8+ T cells in host defense against OPC.
Test case generation based on formal specifications in Estelle

This paper deals with the generation of conformance test sequences from specifications in Estelle. Our approach is to make the well-founded test generation methods based on finite state machines (FSM) applicable to specifications in Estelle. An algorithm is presented for transformation of Estelle modules into a form free of provided-clauses. The transformed modules allow to apply test generation methods based on the FSM model. Using this approach, it is possible to cope with test sequence generation for control and data flow and with test data selection. The transformation is feasible if the variables that occur in provided-clauses have finite, countable domains. For realistic protocol specifications, this condition is fulfilled most of the time. Multi-module specifications are decomposed into a set of partial specifications related to separate services before combining the modules into one composite module. The approach partially has been implemented as prototype tools.
Cell partitioning in two-polymer aqueous phase systems

Partition of cells (and membranes) in two-polymer aqueous phase systems is the most versatile method currently available for the separation of cells based on membrane-surface properties. By appropriate selection of a phase system one can effect separations based on charge-associated or lipid-related properties or on biospecific affinity as desired.
Terminal field specificity of forebrain efferent axons to brainstem gustatory nuclei

Abstract Rostral forebrain structures like the gustatory cortex (GC), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA), and lateral hypothalamus (LH) send projections to the nucleus of solitary tract (NST) and the parabrachial nucleus (PBN) that modulate taste-elicited responses. However, the proportion of forebrain-induced excitatory and inhibitory effects often differs when taste cell recording changes from the NST to the PBN. The present study investigated whether this descending influence originates from a shared or distinct population of forebrain neurons. Under electrophysiological guidance, the retrograde tracers fast blue (FB) and fluorogold (FG) or green (GFB) and red (RFB) fluorescent latex microbeads were injected iontophoretically or by pressure pulses (10 ms at 20 psi) into the taste-responsive regions of the NST and the ipsilateral PBN in six rats. Seven days later, the animals were euthanized and tissue sections containing the LH, CeA, BNST, and GC were processed for co-localization of FB and FG or GFB and RFB. The results showed that the CeA is the major source of input to the NST (82.3 ± 7.6 cells/section) and the PBN (76.7 ± 11.5), compared to the BNST (31.8 ± 4.5; 37.0 ± 4.8), the LH (35.0 ± 5.4; 33.6 ± 5.7), and the GC (27.5 ± 4.0; 29.0 ± 4.6). Of the total number of retrogradely labeled cells, the incidence of tracer co-localization was 17 ± 3% in the GC, 17 ± 2% in the CeA, 15 ± 3% in the BNST and 16 ± 1% in the LH. Thus, irrespective of forebrain source the majority of descending input to the gustatory NST and PBN originates from distinct neuronal populations. This arrangement provides an anatomical substrate for differential modulation of taste processing in the first and second central relays of the ascending gustatory system.
Postmodernism's Challenge to Organization Science: Self-Refuting, Self-Indulgent, or Good Medicine? An Editorial Essay

It is customary for the accepting editor of a Crossroads article to write a brief essay commenting on the piece. However, because Richard Weiss's paper and Stanley Deetz's rebuttal constitute distinct opinions-and because I accepted both articles, yet make no pretense of impartiality regarding my jaundiced stance on postmodernism-1 invited a colleague, Rose-May Guignard, who is a staunch advocate of postmodernism, to engage in an informal debate on the merits of Weiss's versus Deetz's positions. Of course, the views I express in this essay are mine, not Rich's, and Rose-May's are hers, not Stan's. Carroll Stephens
Effects of Alcohol on Tests of Executive Functioning in Men and Women: A Dose Response Examination

Alcohol has been shown to affect performance on tasks associated with executive functioning. However, studies in this area have generally been limited to a single dose or gender or have used small sample sizes. The purpose of this study was to provide a more nuanced and systematic examination of alcohol's effects on commonly used tests of executive functioning at multiple dosages in both men and women. Research volunteers (91 women and 94 men) were randomly assigned to one of four drink conditions (alcohol doses associated with target blood alcohol concentrations of .000%, .050%, .075%, and .100%). Participants then completed three tasks comprising two domains of executive functioning: two set shifting tasks, the Trail Making Test and a computerized version of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, and a response inhibition task, the GoStop Impulsivity Paradigm. Impaired performance on set shifting tasks was found at the .100% and .075% dosages, but alcohol intoxication did not impair performance on the GoStop. No gender effects emerged. Thus, alcohol negatively affects set shifting at moderately high levels of intoxication in both men and women, likely attributable to alcohol's interference with prefrontal cortex function. Although it is well established that alcohol negatively affects response inhibition as measured by auditory stop-signal tasks, alcohol does not appear to exert a negative effect on response inhibition as measured by the GoStop, a visual stop-signal task.
Retarding the escalation of aggression

Three experiments examined the inhibition of escalation of aggression. Subjects either punished incorrect or rewarded correct responses made by a confederate on a learning task. In Experiment 1, some subjects were interrupted midway through the learning trials, and some of the interrupted subjects coded their responses up to that point. The interruption and coding had no effect on escalation of reinforcement intensity over trials. In Experiment 2, half the subjects were individuated and half were de-individuated. Half of each group expected to meet the "victim" following the trials and half did not. Neither variable impeded escalation. In Experiment 3, half the subjects were provided with a "hot-line" that could be used to summon the experimenter. Some subjects were also videotaped during the experiment. The presence of the hot-line reduced the overall intensity of aggression relative to the no hot-line group.
Communication tools for distributed software development teams

This paper examines communication tools for software development and data management teams who are distributed geographically. Using a case study approach, we describe collaboration processes used by RTI International's (RTI's) application programming teams for three projects. Techniques range from simple conference calls and email through webcasts, collaboration websites and remote server control. These tools allow teams to work together to produce software and data products in spite of differences in locations, time zones and network access. The qualitative findings are relevant to increased globalization, outsourcing and telecommuting in the software development workforce.
Medical diagnosis: An information-processing approach

Abstract A theory viewing human problem solving as a memory search of information organized into a hierarchy of categories was evaluated through the application of information-processing techniques to medical diagnosis. Information-processing methodology essentially involves the determination of the thought processes or symbolic manipulations necessary to the performance of a task and their precise specification as a computer program or model. To this end, a boarded clinical neurologist was asked to “think aloud” while solving a number of diagnostic problems. The information processes, decision rules and other evaluation criteria characteristic of diagnosis were extracted from these subjective verbal reports and incorporated in a computer program of the diagnostic process in medicine. The results supported the theory of diagnostic problem solving and the computer model based on this theory proved sufficient to perform diagnosis.
Targeting the Sphingosine Kinase/Sphingosine 1-Phosphate Pathway in Disease: Review of Sphingosine Kinase Inhibitors

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) is an important bioactive sphingolipid metabolite that has been implicated in numerous physiological and cellular processes. Not only does S1P play a structural role in cells by defining the components of the plasma membrane, but in the last 20 years it has been implicated in various significant cell signaling pathways and physiological processes: for example, cell migration, survival and proliferation, cellular architecture, cell-cell contacts and adhesions, vascular development, atherosclerosis, acute pulmonary injury and respiratory distress, inflammation and immunity, and tumorogenesis and metastasis [1,2]. Given the wide variety of cellular and physiological processes in which S1P is involved, it is immediately obvious why the mechanisms governing S1P synthesis and degradation, and the manner in which these processes are regulated, are necessary to understand. In gaining more knowledge about regulation of the sphingosine kinase (SK)/S1P pathway, many potential therapeutic targets may be revealed. This review explores the roles of the SK/S1P pathway in disease, summarizes available SK enzyme inhibitors and examines their potential as therapeutic agents. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Advances in Lysophospholipid Research.
Depression and cardiac disease

The relationship of mood disorders to cardiovascular disease is receiving considerable attention. The literature on diagnosing depression in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD), is briefly summarized. There is overwhelming evidence that major depression and other mood disorders, though common, are underdiagnosed and undertreated in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This is of paramount importance because depression appears to be a major risk factor in both the development of CAD and in death after myocardial infarction. The pathophysiological alterations in depression that may underlie vulnerability to cardiovascular disease are reviewed with a focus on alterations in heart rate variability and platelet aggregation. The studies on treatment of depression in patients with CAD are also summarized. Treatment of depression in CAD patients appears to be effective, improves quality of life, and might increase longevity.
Performance characteristics for the hydrostatic thrust bearing of a saw blade.

Abstract A semi-analytical solution is presented to obtain the pressure distribution, the load capacity, the frictional moment and the lubricant flow rate for a laminar flow, hydrostatic bearing with its axis offset from thee axis of the saw blade. The general equations are developed and solved for a variable film thickness due to plate vibrations. It was found that the load, friction and lubricant flow rate are strong functions of film thickness variations ϵ, bearing number λ and the bearing offset from the rotation axis L
Divorce in an Islamic American Context: Muslim Lebanese-American Women Navigating Religious and Civil Legal Systems

This essay discusses divorce and Islamic law in the United States. Specifically, it examines the Shi‘i Muslim Lebanese-American community in Detroit, Michigan, and the way different actors such as women, local imams, judges, and lawyers are working to bridge the differences that exist between secular and religious laws in issues pertaining to divorce and the concomitant complexities involved. In particular, the essay highlights the contingent character of Islam, and the ways in which Muslim-Americans are working to navigate the nuances and find innovative legal solutions for marriage and divorce that take into consideration American civil law, Islamic law, the ethnic Lebanese subculture of the Lebanese Shi‘i community as well as the wider American culture.
WWW media distribution via Hopwise reliable multicast

Repeated access to WWW pages currently makes inefficient use of available network bandwidth. A Distribution Point Model is proposed where large and relatively static sets of pages (e.g. magazines or other such media) are distributed via bulk multicast to LAN distribution points for local access. Some access control issues are discussed. Hopwise Reliable Multicast (HRM) is proposed to simplify reliable multicast of non real time bulk data between LANs. HRM uses TCP for reliability and flow control on a hop by hop basis throughout a multicast distribution tree created by today`s Internet MBone.
WHAT DO PSYCHOTHERAPISTS REALLY DO IN PRACTICE? AN INTERNET STUDY OF OVER 2,000 PRACTITIONERS

Over 2,200 North American psychotherapists completed a Web-based survey concerning their clinical work, including theoretical orientation, client characteristics, and use of specific psychotherapy techniques. Psychotherapeutic integration was common, with the majority of respondents identifying with more than one theoretical orientation or as having an eclectic orientation. The modal patient was a White female adult suffering from a mood or anxiety disorder and interpersonal problems. Individual psychotherapy was the preferred treatment modality. The most frequently endorsed techniques were relationship-oriented such as conveying warmth, acceptance, understanding, and empathy. The least frequently endorsed techniques were biofeedback, neurofeedback, body and energy therapies, and hypnotherapy. Efforts to disseminate empirically based therapies require understanding and accommodating clinicians’ tendencies to integrate techniques.
Distinctive Clinical Characteristics According to Age and Gender in Apical Ballooning Syndrome (Takotsubo/Stress Cardiomyopathy): An Analysis Focusing on Men and Young Women

Abstract Background Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) predominantly affects postmenopausal women. There is a paucity of data regarding ABS in men and young women. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of men and young women ( Methods & Results We retrospectively reviewed the records of 224 patients and divided them into men (n = 12), young women (n = 12), and older women (n = 200). Older women were further subdivided into those who were and were not on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at the time of presentation. Men were more likely to present after a physical trigger (100% vs 46%; P = .009), have lower ejection fractions (30.1 ± 8.0% vs 40 ± 13.9%; P = .04), and have greater need for mechanical ventilation (67% vs 17%; P P = .0001) at presentation and a higher rate of recurrence (16% vs 3%; P = .017) compared with older women. Of the older women, 15 developed ABS while on chronic HRT. Those without HRT were more likely to require mechanical hemodynamic (7.7% and 0%; P = .002) and ventilatory (18.1% and 0%; P = .017) support compared with older women who were on HRT. Conclusions Men appeared to develop ABS as a consequence of a physical trigger, whereas young women had a higher rate of psychiatric comorbidities and a greater propensity for recurrence. Treatment with HRT in older women does not preclude the development of ABS.
Reduction of the CoA thioesters of p-coumaric and ferulic acids by extracts of aged Brassica napo-brassica root tissue

Abstract An enzyme system isolated from swede root disks, which had been aged in the presence of ethylene, is capable of the reduction of p -coumaric and ferulic acids to their corresponding aldehydes and alcohols in the presence of CoA, ATP, Mg 2+ and a reduced pyridine nucleotide. The reduction of p -coumaric acid specifically required NADPH 2 while that of ferulic acid is catalysed by either NADPH 2 or NADH 2 . The involvement of the CoA thioesters as intermediates in the reduction of the cinnamic acids is discussed.
Dispositional Optimism and Entrepreneurial Success

This article investigated the role dispositional optimism plays in entrepreneurial success. An examination of the existing entrepreneurial literature over a 25-year period indicates that dispositional optimism—the global expectation that good things will be plentiful in the future and bad things scarce—is correlated to entrepreneurial success and that dispositional optimism is a defining characteristic of entrepreneurs. It appears that dispositional optimism training may just be what the doctor ordered to improve the success rates of entrepreneurial ventures and to ensure the future of entrepreneurship.
Cephaloridine toxicity in primary cultures of rat renal cortical epithelial cells.

Abstract Primary cultures of rat renal cortical epithelial cells were used to assess the in vitro nephrotoxicity of cephaloridine (Cph). Several different indices were used to follow the course of Cph-induced nephrotoxicity in the cultures. Plasma membrane integrity was determined by the effect of Cph on lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, cellular K + content and plasma membrane Na + /K + ATPase activity. Significant LDH leakage and decreased cellular K + content occurred after 8 hr of exposure to Cph. Na + /K + ATPase activity was depressed as early as 4 hr after Cph treatment. Brush border integrity was assessed by the effect of Cph on the activity of the brush border enzyme alkaline phosphatase, which was significantly decreased following 12 hr of exposure to Cph. Treatment with Cph resulted in an initial elevation of cellular glutathione (GSH)—as indicated by cellular non-protein sulphydryl content—followed by a decrease in GSH content 16 hr later. The mitochondrial response to Cph was assessed by determining mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and cellular ATP content. SDH activity was significantly depressed after 4 hr of Cph exposure; ATP content was not significantly depressed until 12 hr after treatment. The time course of Cph-induced injury in our culture system suggests that early injury involves alterations at the level of the mitochondrial membrane and the plasma membrane. The most sensitive indicators of Cph-induced toxicity in this system were mitochondrial SDH activity and plasma membrane Na + /K + ATPase activity.
Attraction of Flatworms at Various Hunger Levels Toward Cues from an Odonate Predator

Different hunger levels can modify a prey’s antipredator behavior in the presence or absence of food. Satiated animals often forego foraging if a predator is nearby, whereas starved animals may risk a predator encounter to search for food. This study evaluated the influence of nutritional state on the behavior of the flatworm Dugesia dorotocephala in the presence of food, predator, and crushed conspecific cues. We found that flatworms are attracted to cues originating from a food source, crushed conspecifics, and a predator (dragonfly larva) compared with control cues. Among the different hunger level treatment groups, levels of satiation had no influence on activity levels but significantly influenced time spent close to and distance from the cue source. Flatworm movement toward predator cues emitted from dragonfly larvae is contrary to our expectations. These results suggest either a unique case of chemical mimicry from the dragonfly larvae or an inherent attraction of planarians to odonate predators that allows them to scavenge the remains of other odonate prey items.
Selective impact of early parental responsivity on adolescent stress reactivity.

Research in animals has shown that early life experience, particularly parenting behaviors, influences later-life stress reactivity. Despite the tremendous relevance of this finding to human development and brain function, it has not been tested prospectively in humans. In this study two aspects of parenting were measured at age 4 in a sample of healthy, low socioeconomic status, African American children, and stress reactivity was measured in the same children 11–14 years later using a modified version of the Trier Social Stress Test (n = 55). Salivary cortisol was measured before, during and after the stressor and data were analyzed using piecewise hierarchical linear modeling. Parental responsivity, independent of the use of physical discipline, was positively related to cortisol reactivity. Effects were independent of subjective appraisals of the stressor and were also independent of other environmental risk factors and current psychosocial functioning. Therefore this study demonstrates in a novel and precise fashion that early childhood parental responsivity prospectively and independently predicts stress reactivity in adolescence.
Interhypothalamic Adhesion: A Series of 13 Cases

Interhypothalamic adhesion is a newly described disease entity, characterized by an abnormal parenchymal band connecting the medial margins of the hypothalami across the third ventricle. Additional anomalies, including cleft palate, gray matter heterotopia, cerebellar hypoplasia, optic atrophy, hippocampal under-rotation, and white matter lesions, may coexist. The purpose of this clinical report is to describe the imaging findings from a series of 13 patients with interhypothalamic adhesions discovered on brain MR imaging.
Utility of brain natriuretic peptide as a predictor of atrial fibrillation after cardiac operations.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs frequently after coronary bypass grafting and valve operations. Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) has been shown to predict recurrence of AF in congestive heart failure. It is a potential biomarker for preoperative risk stratification for development of AF in at-risk patients. Methods A total of 398 consecutive patients were prospectively evaluated for new-onset AF after heart operations. Patients with a history of AF and presence of permanent pacemaker were excluded. BNP levels were measured before and immediately after the operation. Results AF occurred in 20%. AF was more likely to develop in patients who were older, who underwent valve operations, had a lower ejection fraction, and a larger left atrial size. Preoperative exposure to statins (62% vs 43%, p p = 0.02) was more common in patients without AF. BNP values were insignificantly higher preoperatively (361 vs 302 mg/dL, p = 0.3) and postoperatively (312 vs. 229 mg/dL, p = 0.15) in patients with AF. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that older age (odds ratio [OR], 3.1, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 5.6), lower ejection fraction (OR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2 to 3.3), larger left atrial size (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.9 to 4.9), and nonuse of angiotensin inhibitors (OR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 4.8) were independently associated with AF. Conclusions This study does not support use of BNP for prediction of AF. Age, low ejection fraction, large left atrial size, and nonuse of angiotensin blocking agents were found to be significant predictors of AF development.
Chiral, biomimetic total synthesis of (−)-aplysistatin

Abstract The marine antineoplastic agent aplysistatin ( 6 ) has been prepared enantiospecifically. The key step is the biomimetic cyclization of (2R, 3R)-2-homogeranyl-3,4-dihydroxybutanoic acid 1 4 lactone ( 3 )_with 2,4,4,6-tetrabromocyclohexa-2,5-dienone in nitromethane.
Expression of group I and II metabotropic glutamate receptors in trigeminal neurons during postnatal development.

Trigeminal motoneurons (Mo5), mesencephalic trigeminal neurons (Me5), supratrigeminal neurons (Su5), and intertrigeminal neurons (I5) are important constituents of the neural circuitry responsible for jaw movements. Glutamate neurotransmission, mediated by ionotropic and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs), is critical for the production of jaw movements. To better understand the role of mGluR-mediated modulation of these neurons during early postnatal development, we conducted a series of experiments to illustrate the ontogeny of mGluRs 1, 5 (group I) and mGluRs 2, 3 (group II) in Mo5, Me5, Su5, and I5 neurons using receptor immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrate that the temporal expression of mGluRs is differentially regulated between, and within these trigeminal nuclei. The localization of group I and II mGluRs in these nuclei suggests a role for these receptors in mediating glutamatergic neurotransmission in brainstem circuits responsible for oral-motor behaviors.
Production and fractionation of14CO2 labeled smooth cordgrass,Spartina alterniflora

A simple chamber for use in radioactive carbon labeling of plants is described and used to successfully labelSpartina alterniflora. The plant material contained 5.5±1.3 μc/g (dry) after a 1-week pulse. The plant was chemically fractionated and the mean activity (±standard error) was determined in four biochemical fractions: fiber =2.6±0.7 μc/g (dry), organic acid = 2.6±0.1 μc/g (dry), protein/nucleic acid =2.4±0.5 μc/g (dry), and lipid =27.3±6.2 μc/g (dry). The high activity of the lipid fraction indicates that it may serve as a carbon storage pool in the plant under the described growing conditions. The simple, low cost chamber can be used for plant biochemistry experiments, and for the production of labeled detritus and plant fractions.
Bermudagrass management in the southern Piedmont USA. VIII: Soil pH and nutrient cations

Forage utilization could affect soil nutrient dynamics and depth distribution, potentially changing long-term productivity and environmental quality. The effect of forage utilization on nutrient cycling might also be altered depending upon the source and quantity of nutrients applied. We evaluated changes in soil pH and extractable-soil nutrient cations during the first 5 yr of bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] management varying in fertilization (three different sources targeted to supply 200 kg N ha(-1) yr(-1)) and forage utilization (four levels). Chicken (Gallus gallus) broiler litter (5.4 Mg ha(-1) yr(-1)) was a significant source of nutrient cations in addition to N and P and therefore, at the end of 5 yr, resulted in extractable-soil concentrations (0- to 15-cm depth) that were 1.5 +/- 0.1 times greater for K, 1.6 +/- 0.2 times greater for Mn, 4.3 +/- 2.2 times greater for Zn, and 7.5 +/- 0.8 times greater for Cu than under inorganic and clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) + inorganic fertilization regimes. The increases in extractable-soil K, Zn, Mn, and Cu concentrations with broiler litter, however, were only 13 +/- 42% of nutrients applied. Removal of forage as hay resulted in significant declines in extractable-soil K and Mg under all fertilization regimes and in extractable-soil Ca and Mn with inorganic and clover + inorganic fertilization. Cattle (Bos taurus) grazing resulted in greater nutrient cycling within the paddock domain, and the more diverse and higher quantity of several nutrient cations applied with broiler litter either prevented a decline or contributed to an increase in concentrations with time.
Mini-Review: Synaptic Integration in the Cerebellar Nuclei—Perspectives From Dynamic Clamp and Computer Simulation Studies

The cerebellar nuclei (CN) process inhibition from Purkinje cells (PC) and excitation from mossy and climbing fiber collaterals. CN neurons in slices show intrinsic pacemaking activity, which is easily modulated by synaptic inputs. Our work using dynamic clamping and computer modeling shows that synchronicity between PC inputs is an important factor in determining spike rate and spike timing of CN neurons and that brief pauses in PC inputs provide a potent stimulus to trigger CN spikes. Excitatory input can equally control spike rate, but, due to a large slow, NMDA component also amplifies responses to inhibitory inputs. Intrinsic properties of CN neurons are well suited to provide prolonged responses to strong input transients and could be involved in motor pattern generation. One such specific mechanism is given by fast and slow rebound bursting. Nevertheless, we are just beginning to unravel synaptic integration in the CN, and the outcome of the work to date is best characterized by the generation of new specific questions that lend themselves to a combined experimental and computer modeling approach in future studies.
Organized responding in instrumental learning: chunks and superchunks

Abstract Two investigations attempted to determine if rats could learn that the second series of runway trials, the test series, was the same as the first series, the study series. Series were constructed from runway responses which terminated either in food reward (R) or nonreward (N). In the series RNR, for example, three successive responses terminated in R, N, and R, respectively. Rats manifested mastery of a series by running fast to R and slow to N. In Experiment 1 the test series (either RNR or RNN) occurred in a black runway about 15 s after the study series presented in a white runway. In Experiment 2 the test series (either RN or RRN) occurred in a gray runway about 15 min after the study series, also in a gray runway. In both experiments rats learned that the study series was the same as the test series. A hierarchical interpretation was suggested in which runway trials are organized into series, series being organized into lists.
Tetralogy of Fallot with obstruction of the ventricular septal defect: spectrum of echocardiographic findings.

Abstract Tetralogy of Fallot with a restrictive ventricular septal defect and suprasystemic right ventricular pressure is an uncommon anomaly with a high mortality rate. In previous studies, the identity of the tissue obstructing the ventricular septal defect has usually not been determined preoperatively. This report describes the echocardiographic and anatomic features in 4 patients with a restrictive ventricular septal defect among 269 patients with tetralogy of Fallot undergoing surgical repair. Echocardiography determined the presence and identity of the obstructing tissue in all four patients. In one patient, the defect was small in association with marked septal hypertrophy. In three patients, accessory or excessive tricuspid valve tissue obstructed the defect in a manner similar to spontaneous closure of isolated membranous ventricular septal defects. Autopsy and catheterization findings are also presented of an additional case with a unique mechanism of obstruction by a tricuspid valve with Ebstein's anomaly. In patients with tetralogy of Fallot, recognition of an obstructed ventricular septal defect is important because it appears to have a poor prognosis.
The Hierarchy of the Sciences

For 200 years it has been assumed that the sciences are arranged in a hierarchy, with developed natural sciences like physics at the top and social sciences like sociology at the bottom. Sciences at the top of the hierarchy presumably display higher levels of consensus and more rapid rates of advancement than those at the bottom. A distinction is made between two classes of knowledge: the core, or fully evaluated and universally accepted ideas which serve as the starting points for graduate education, and the research frontier, or all research currently being conducted. Data are presented from a set of empirical studies which show that, at the top and at the bottom of the hierarchy in either cognitive consensus or the rate at which new ideas are incorporated. It is concluded that in all sciences knowledge at the research frontier is a loosely woven web characterized by substantial levels of disagreement and difficulty in determining which contributions will turn out to be significant. Even at the research...
Children of Probationers in the Child Welfare System and Their Families

This study describes changes over a 36-month period in the lives of children of probationers who were subjects of reports of maltreatment. Data on a nationally representative sample of reported victims of maltreatment were used to examine probationer-parents’ contact with the criminal justice system, and concurrent changes in their children’s households, risk exposure, and emotional and behavioral problems. Results show that 36 months after coming in contact with the child welfare system, about 40% of probationer’s children no longer lived with their probationer-parents. During the same period, children’s exposure to risk (i.e., parental substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence) dropped markedly; however, there was an upward trend in the prevalence of child emotional and behavioral problems. These problems ultimately declined among very young children, but persisted among elementary school age children. Further prospective studies are needed to better understand the confluence of factors affecting the outcomes of probationers’ children.
Technology transfer and the university

(1992). Technology Transfer and the University. The Journal of Higher Education: Vol. 63, No. 4, pp. 476-478.
δ(13)C and δ(15)N in deep-living fishes and shrimps after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Gulf of Mexico.

Abstract The blowout of the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drill-rig produced a surface oil layer, dispersed micro-droplets throughout the water column, and sub-surface plumes. We measured stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in mesopelagic fishes and shrimps in the vicinity of DWH collected prior to, six weeks after, and one year after the oil spill (2007, 2010 and 2011). In 2010, the year of the oil spill, a small but significant depletion of δ 13 C was found in two mesopelagic fishes ( Gonostoma elongatum and Chauliodus sloani ) and one shrimp ( Systellaspis debilis ); a significant δ 15 N enrichment was identified in the same shrimp and in three fish species ( G. elongatum , Ceratoscopelus warmingii , and Lepidophanes guentheri ). The δ 15 N change did not suggest a change of trophic level, but did indicate a change in diet. The data suggest that carbon from the Deepwater Horizon oil spill was incorporated into the mesopelagic food web of the Gulf of Mexico.
Regional and subcellular distributions of brain neurotensin

Abstract The regional and subcellular distribution of neurotensin were determined using a newly developed radioimmunoassay for this central nervous system tridecapeptide. Neurotensin immunoreactivity in calf brain is high in the hypothalamus and basal ganglia, unevenly distributed through the cerebral cortex, and low in cerebellar cortex and cerebral white matter. Subcellular fractionation of rat hypothalamus reveals a strong association of neurotensin immunoreactivity with synaptosomal and microsomal fractions. These data, taken along with previously described high affinity selective brain membrane receptor binding, are consistent with a neurotransmitter candidate role for neurotensin in the brain.