cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of surgical treatment of Peyronie's disease

The aims of the present review were to assess the literature on published outcomes and complications associated with surgical treatments for Peyronie's disease (PD) and to assist clinicians in the effective management of PD by increasing understanding and awareness of the outcomes associated with current surgical treatment options. A PubMed literature search was conducted to identify relevant, peer-reviewed clinical and review articles published between January 1980 and October 2013 related to outcomes of surgical correction of PD. Search terms for this non-systematic review included ‘Peyronie's disease’, ‘outcomes’, ‘complications’, ‘erectile dysfunction or ED’, ‘patient expectation’, and ‘patient satisfaction’; search terms were searched separately and in combination. Case studies and editorials were excluded, primary manuscripts and reviews were included, and bibliographies of articles of interest were reviewed and key references were obtained. Assessment of the study design, methodology, clinical relevance and impact on the surgical outcomes of PD was performed on the sixty-one articles that were selected and analysed. Currently, there are several investigational minimally invasive and non-surgical treatment options for PD; however, surgical treatment remains the standard of care for patients with stable disease and disabling deformity or drug-resistant erectile dysfunction. Each of the different surgical procedures that are used for treatment of PD, including tunical shortening, tunical lengthening (plaque incisions or partial excision and grafting), and use of inflatable penile prostheses, carries its own advantages and disadvantages in terms of potential complications and postoperative satisfaction. Because of the variety of ways that PD may present in affected patients, no single, standard, surgical treatment for this disorder has prevailed and multiple variations of each type of procedure may exist. Surgical outcomes of the most commonly used procedures are not substantially different; therefore, the appropriateness of each treatment option may often depend on disease and patient characteristics (e.g. deformity and erectile function). Surgical algorithms have been published to guide surgeons and patients through the selection of surgical procedures in the absence of conclusive, long-term outcome data. Accumulating data on outcomes associated with established procedures, modifications to these procedures, and new surgical techniques and materials may serve to further guide practice and refine evidence-based selection of the surgical approach.
Age-Associated Failure To Adjust Type I IFN Receptor Signaling Thresholds after T Cell Activation

With increasing age, naive CD4 T cells acquire intrinsic defects that compromise their ability to respond and differentiate. Type I IFNs, pervasive constituents of the environment in which adaptive immune responses occur, are known to regulate T cell differentiation and survival. Activated naive CD4 T cells from older individuals have reduced responses to type I IFN, a defect that develops during activation and that is not observed in quiescent naive CD4 T cells. Naive CD4 T cells from young adults upregulate the expression of STAT1 and STAT5 after activation, lowering their threshold to respond to type I IFN stimulation. The heightened STAT signaling is critical to maintain the expression of CD69 that regulates lymphocyte egress and the ability to produce IL-2 and to survive. Although activation of T cells from older adults also induces transcription of STAT1 and STAT5, failure to exclude SHP-1 from the signaling complex blunts their type I IFN response. In summary, our data show that type I IFN signaling thresholds in naive CD4 T cells after activation are dynamically regulated to respond to environmental cues for clonal expansion and memory cell differentiation. Naive CD4 T cells from older adults have a defect in this threshold calibration. Restoring their ability to respond to type I IFN emerges as a promising target to restore T cell responses and to improve the induction of T cell memory.
Obesity prevention targeting Latino preschool children attending family childcare homes (380.4)

Obesity prevention targeting Latino preschool children attending family childcare homes Background Obesity prevalence among minority populations, particularly Latinos, is a pressing public health concern. Many Latino families use Family Child Care Homes (FCCHs) services, making these settings a potentially important venue for obesity prevention. Objective Explore interpersonal and organizational influences on nutrition and physical activity behaviors associated with obesity risk among Latino preschoolers enrolled in licensed FCCH. Methods Using a combination of qualitative methods, we identified state-level policy and practice pertaining to nutrition and physical activity (PA) in pre-school care settings through researching Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care website; additionally we interviewed representatives (N=16) of various regulatory/training agencies associated with FCCH. We conducted focus groups with Latino family childcare providers, plus Latino parents of children in care (4 ea...
Isolation and Some Properties of Cell Envelope Altered Mutants of Escherichia coli

Mutants of Escherichia coli which have a defect in their permeability barrier were selected. The technique used was to employ a strain of E. coli having a deletion in the gene for lactose permease and to select for mutants which can grow on lactose at 40 C. Twenty such mutants were isolated and six of these were found to be more sensitive to actinomycin D, sodium deoxycholate, and sodium dodecyl sulfate than was the parental strain. They were also more sensitive to the antibiotics vancomycin and bacitracin, which inhibit peptidoglycan biosynthesis. These mutants were no more sensitive to several different colicins or phages than was the wild-type strain. One of the mutants selected by this technique has an abnormal morphology when grown on certain carbon sources in minimal medium, and this mutant is more extensively studied in the accompanying paper.
Preparation of radiolabelled 3α‐hydroxy‐7‐keto‐5β‐cholanic acid and its glycine and taurine conjugates

3α-Hydroxy-7-keto-5β-cholanic acid has been prepared from cholic acid by a route which allowed introduction of 3H into positions 11 and 12 of the steroid C ring. Labelling with 14C was done by halodecarboxylation and resynthesis of the carboxyl function with 14C cyanide. The conjugates of both 3H- and 14C-labelled compounds with glycine and taurine were prepared. 14C-labelled compounds were prepared by degradation of the carboxyl-containing side chain to the norchloride, which was used to prepare the homologous 14C-containing nitrile. Hydrolysis afforded the acid in good yield. 3H was introduced into the C ring of the steroid nucleus by dehydration of 3α,12α-dihydroxy-7-keto-5β-cholanic acid to the Δ11-alkene which was catalytically tritiated. Physical and spectral data are presented to characterize the new compounds and TLC methods for purification are reported.
Effect of sulfur content in wet or dry distillers grains fed at several inclusions on cattle growth performance, ruminal parameters, and hydrogen sulfide.

Effects of S from wet or dry distillers grains with solubles (DGS) containing 0.82 or 1.16% S on animal growth performance, carcass characteristics, apparent total tract digestibility, and ruminal parameters were evaluated. In Exp. 1, crossbred beef steers (n = 120; 345 ± 34 kg BW) were individually fed ad libitum using Calan gates. Treatments were applied as a 2 × 2 × 3 + 1 factorial treatment arrangement with factors of DGS type (wet or dry), S content in DGS (0.82 or 1.16% DM basis), and DGS inclusion (20, 30, and 40%, DM basis), as well as a corn control diet (no DGS). In Exp. 2, rumi- nally cannulated crossbred beef steers (n = 6; 381 ± 31 kg BW) were assigned to 1 of 5 diets in a 5 × 6 unbalanced Latin Square design and fed ad libitum through five 14-d periods. A 2 × 2 + 1 factorial treatment arrangement was used with the factors of DGS type and S content in DGS (similar to Exp. 1). Inclusion of DGS was 40%, except for a MATCH diet containing wet 1.16% S DGS includ- ed at 31.4% (DM basis). Intake of DM decreased linearly (P 0.16) and only subtle changes (P < 0.01) in ruminal pH param- eters were observed. Greater (P = 0.02) ruminal H 2 S concentration for steers fed wet compared with dry DGS was observed, while 1.16% S DGS tended (P = 0.12) to produce greater ruminal H 2 S than 0.82% S. Sulfur in wet DGS appears to be more prone to be converted to ruminal H 2 S, because feeding 1.16% S as wet DGS had a greater impact on ADG, DMI, and ruminal H 2 S com- pared with dry DGS.
Hippies and college students: are they really different?

CPI and Dogmatism scores for 150 each 1960 and 1970 junior college Ss were compared with those for 105 hippies living in a forest setting. Separate analyses were performed for the males (ns = 75, 7...
Human Lung Cancer Cells Grown in an Ex Vivo 3D Lung Model Produce Matrix Metalloproteinases Not Produced in 2D Culture

We compared the growth of human lung cancer cells in an ex vivo three-dimensional (3D) lung model and 2D culture to determine which better mimics lung cancer growth in patients. A549 cells were grown in an ex vivo 3D lung model and in 2D culture for 15 days. We measured the size and formation of tumor nodules and counted the cells after 15 days. We also stained the tissue/cells for Ki-67, and Caspase-3. We measured matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels in the conditioned media and in blood plasma from patients with adenocarcinoma of the lung. Organized tumor nodules with intact vascular space formed in the ex vivo 3D lung model but not in 2D culture. Proliferation and apoptosis were greater in the ex vivo 3D lung model compared to the 2D culture. After 15 days, there were significantly more cells in the 2D culture than the 3D model. MMP-1, MMP-9, and MMP-10 production were significantly greater in the ex vivo 3D lung model. There was no production of MMP-9 in the 2D culture. The patient samples contained MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9, and MMP-10. The human lung cancer cells grown on ex vivo 3D model form perfusable nodules that grow over time. It also produced MMPs that were not produced in 2D culture but seen in human lung cancer patients. The ex vivo 3D lung model may more closely mimic the biology of human lung cancer development than the 2D culture.
Severity of articular cartilage abnormality in patients with osteoarthritis: evaluation with fast spin-echo MR vs arthroscopy.

The purpose of this study was to assess the accuracy of fast spin-echo MR imaging for depicting the severity of articular cartilage abnormalities in patients with osteoarthritis.Twenty-three subjects (10 volunteers less than 35 years old and 13 patients with proved, symptomatic, idiopathic osteoarthritis of the knee of 6 months' to 10 years' clinical duration) underwent fast spin-echo MR imaging of the knee. Two observers graded each articular surface using a five-category scale that took into account abnormalities in the signal intensity of cartilage as well as thickness and contour. The 13 patients also underwent arthroscopic evaluation (as part of a separate protocol) in which cartilage abnormalities were graded by using a similar five-category grading scale, without the graders knowing the results of MR imaging. Articular cartilage was assumed to be normal in the volunteers.One hundred thirty-seven joint surfaces were graded; one surface was obscured by artifact and was excluded. The Spearman rank lin...
What makes learning networks effective

Asynchronous Learning Networks are providing a strong online option to the learning process. Effective ALNs promote student-instructor interaction, emphasize student-to-student collaboration, and generate active participation with appropriate software.
Evolving buses: backplane buses mature to keep pace with technology

Considers how the role and importance of the backplane bus in a system has evolved along with the advances in technology over the past decade. Backplane buses have come a long way from the early days of fairly simple protocols, a couple of connectors, and some traces on a printed circuit board. In early bus-based systems, the backplane bus was the main system bus providing interconnects from the CPU to memory, I/O, peripherals, and networking. The bus interface alone could easily take up a third of the board real estate on a small card. In today's systems, however, advances in technology and packaging art having a significant effect on what is expected of a backplane bus. Yesterday's backplane buses can no longer keep up with the demands of today's high-performance CPUs and their interconnection requirements. What we need is a new generation of buses to meet the expanded needs. >
The new Puritans: Achievement and power motives of New Left radicals.

A pilot study of full-time radical activists and matched controls shows that radical males are higher in achievement motivation and lower in power motivation than controls, while radical females are higher in achievement and affiliation motivation than controls. A subsequent nonreactive study of male undergraduates who participated in occupation of a university office as compared with those who did not and those who opposed the occupation confirms the pilot study results for power motivation and gives some support to the results for achievement motivation. These data support previous observations about many radical activists and their family backgrounds, and suggest new interpretations and hypotheses about the role of dissent in history.
Preparation of perfluoroalkylthiohydroximates from perfluoroalkyl nitriles

Abstract S-Methyl( Z )-2,2,2-trifluorothioacetohydroximate ( 1 ), S-methyl( Z )-2,2,3,3,3-pentafluorothiopropiohydroximate ( 2 ), and S-methyl( Z )-2,2,3,3,4,4,4-heptafluorothiobutyrohydroximate ( 3 ) were prepared by reaction of the corresponding perfluoroalkyl nitriles 4 , 5 , and 6 with methanethiol and hydroxylamine hydrochloride.
Desensitization of prostaglandin-activated platelet adenylate cyclase

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is one of several prostaglandins that can inhibit platelet aggregation and activate adenylate cyclase. Platelets were exposed to varying concentrations of PGD2 washed, and the adenylate cyclase response to prostaglandins, epinephrine, and sodium fluoride determined. Incubating platelets with 5 x 10(-5) M PGD2 for 2 hr resulted in a 45% decrease in PGD2 activation of adenylate cyclase and a 25% decrease in stimulation by PGE1. Fluoride activation (7-fold) epinephrine inhibition (30%) and basal enzyme activity were unchanged by exposure of the platelets to PGD2. Desensitization was concentration dependent, with loss of enzyme activity first noted when platelets were incubated with 10(-7) M PGD2. Enzyme sensitivity could be partially restored when desensitized platelets were washed free of PGD2 and incubated in buffer for 2 hr; complete resensitization required incubation for 24 hr in plasma. Regulation of prostaglandin sensitive platelet adenylate cyclase could be of importance in mediating the response of platelets to aggregating agents.
Method and Social Reconstruction: Dewey's Logic: The Theory of Inquiry

L'A. etudie les methodes pratiques et philosophiques de Dewey qui sont a la base des ses correctifs sociaux, i.e. ses propositions pour une reconstruction d'institutions sociales
Generic advertising of butter in Canada: optimal advertising levels and returns to producers.

This article focuses on the economics of butter advertising undertaken by the Dairy Bureau of Canada (DBG). The objectives were to determine the profitability of the generic advertising program (from an industry perspective) and to determine the optimal level of spending. Results, based on alternative functional forms of the sales-advertising response relationship, indicate DBC butler advertising is profitable at current expenditure levels but returns are not being maximized. In particular, increasing direct media expenditures from the current level of $1 million per quarter (1981 dollars) to between $1.5 and $2.0 million would increase the profitability of the investment.
Membrane assembly in Escherichia coli. V. Subcellular localization of phospholipid biosynthesis.

The subcellular distribution of enzymes involved in lipid biosynthesis in E. coli K12 has been studied following various modes of cell disruption and fractionation of the subcellular components. Though most biosynthetic enzymes were found associated with the cytoplasmic membrane fraction regardless of the procedures of disruption or fractionation employed, the enzymes responsible for the synthesis of the major lipid of E. coli (phosphatidylethanolamine) and of its precursor (phosphatidylserine) had no distinct localization in extracts. These findings are discussed in the context of current models for the assembly of bacterial membranes.
Stresses of dislocation cells

Abstract The stresses of dislocation cells, i.e. dislocation boundaries enclosing a volume of material rigidly rotated with respect to the surroundings, have been investigated. The study has been restricted to cells of generally prismatic shape, such that the edge dislocation segments forming the sides are all of same length and parallel to each other, and such that the terminating end-faces are composed of pure screw dislocations and are normal to the sides of the cell. Such cells were shown to have stress fields that are closely related to the corresponding dislocation “multipoles”, i.e. regularly spaced sets of infinitely long, parallel edge dislocations of same strength, arranged so as to define a cylinder and with all their Burgers vectors pointing towards the cylinder axis. With the sole exception of τΦΦ of the dipole, the stresses of multipoles were shown to fall off with radial distance as r−N, where N is the “order” of the multipole, defined as the number of dislocations and, hence, the number of Burgers vectors in the multipole. The short-range stresses of all cells investigated were very closely the same as those of the corresponding infinitely extended sub-boundaries up to within about one inter-dislocation distance from adjoining walls. The long-range stresses of “unitary” cells, i.e., cells whose cross section can be thought of as composed of one type of multipole only, show the same symmetry as that of the corresponding multipole, independent of their shape, and also fall off as r−N. Moreover, the magnitude of long-range cell stresses, keeping cell size and shape constant, decreases rapidly with decreasing h, the distance between adjacent dislocations, so that for h → 0 all stresses vanish identically. “Hybrid” cells, defined as cells whose construction requires more than one kind of multipole, exhibit long-range stresses which are dominated, in turn, by the contributing multipoles in descending order when examining zones at increasing distance from the cell walls. The results obtained are consistent with, but go well beyond, hypotheses regarding the stresses of dislocation cells that had been made earlier in connection with dislocation behavior in deformed crystals. Particularly important in this respect is the new light being thrown on the role of “forest” dislocations by the result that the range of stresses, and thus the cell energy, is strongly decreased as N, the number of participating Burgers vectors, increases.
Hematologic abnormalities associated with various types of retinal vein occlusion

Background: The objective of this study was two-fold: (1) to investigate hematologic abnormalities associated with various types of retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and comparison of their prevalence among those various types of RVO; (2) to review the conflicting literature on the subject, to place the information in perspective. Methods: In patients with various types of RVO seen in our clinic since 1973, we conducted planned prospective studies on the prevalence of: (1) routine hematologic tests (535 patients) and (2) certain special hematologic parameters (platelet aggregation, antithrombin III, and ∝2 globulin in 110, 81 and 91 patients, respectively). Patients were categorized into six types of RVO, based on defined criteria: non-ischemic and ischemic central RVO (CRVO), non-ischemic and ischemic hemi-CRVO (HCRVO), and major and macular branch RVO (BRVO). The patients had a detailed ophthalmic, systemic and hematologic evaluation. The data were abstracted and analyzed retrospectively from the detailed information originally collected prospectively in the patients' records. For data analysis, patients were divided into young, middle-aged and elderly. Observed prevalence rates of hematologic abnormalities were estimated. Logistic regression, adjusting for age and gender, was used to compare the observed prevalence of hematologic abnormalities among the various types of RVO. Results: No generalizations about the prevalence of hematologic disorders in all six types of RVO are possible. Ischemic CRVO showed a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal hematocrit (P=0.044), hemoglobin (P=0.018), and blood urea nitrogen (P=0.025) than non-ischemic CRVO, while a significantly higher prevalence of abnormal antinuclear antibody (ANA; P=0.049) was seen in non-ischemic CRVO than in ischemic CRVO. There was a significant (P=0.011) difference in the prevalence of abnormal uric acid among the three main RVO groups (CRVO, HCRVO, BRVO), highest in BRVO and lowest in HCRVO. There was a higher prevalence of abnormal glucose (P=0.069) and ANA (P=0.071) in CRVO+HCRVO than in BRVO. Results of special hematologic studies are given. Conclusions: Our study showed that a variety of hematologic abnormalities may be seen in association with different types of RVO, and any generalization about these disorders applied to all RVO patients may be misleading. The evidence of our study and in the literature indicates that there is no good reason why all patients with RVO should be subjected to extensive, expensive, special hematologic and hypercoagulability investigations, unless, of course, there is some clear indication; the routine, inexpensive hematologic evaluation is usually sufficient for RVO patients. Treatment with anticoagulants or platelet anti-aggregating agents may adversely influence the visual outcome, without any evidence of protective or beneficial effect.
Group counseling in adult patients with advanced cancer

The effect of a structured, interdisciplinary group counseling program was studied in 30 newly diagnosed adult patients with advanced cancer. These were compared to 30 patients who did not undergo group counseling. Group counseling resulted in a significant improvement in patient perception and self-concept. This structured educational and psychological support program provided a mutual support experience for newly diagnosed patients with advanced cancer. Cancer 43:760–766, 1979.
Propranolol therapy alters estimation of potential cardiovascular risk derived from submaximal postinfarction exercise testing

We studied the effect of propranolol administration on risk assessment based on submaximal exercise testing performed early after myocardial infarction. A total of 70 patients with recent infarction underwent modified Bruce treadmill testing with simultaneous measurement of expired gases in the absence of antianginal agents including beta-antagonists. Among these, 31 patients who had at least one of the following abnormalities--ST depression greater than or equal to 1 mm (22 patients), chest pain (four patients), or treadmill time less than 360 seconds (12 patients)--were studied in a randomized double-blind fashion and received either placebo or 240 mg of propranolol/day. A total of 28 patients completed the randomized phase and were able to undergo repeat exercise testing an average of 3.4 +/- 1.8 days later. Randomized groups were equivalent at baseline except for a higher peak oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production (p less than 0.05) in the propranolol compared with the placebo group; these differences were taken into account in statistical analyses of the study data. Resting heart rate (59 +/- 1.2 versus 82 +/- 4.2 beats/min) and peak heart rate x systolic blood pressure (14,208 +/- 496 versus 20,075 +/- 1,062) were both significantly less (p less than 0.01) after propranolol than after placebo. Eight of nine patients treated with placebo maintained ST depression greater than or equal to 1 mm from the initial to the randomized exercise test, compared with only 4 of 13 receiving propranolol (p less than 0.01). In those with continued ST depression, time to positivity was significantly longer in those receiving propranolol compared with those taking placebo (538 +/- 73 versus 318 +/- 44 seconds, p less than 0.05). In contrast, the peak ratio between carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption was higher in those receiving propranolol compared with those receiving placebo (0.93 +/- 0.04 versus 0.81 +/- 0.03, p less than 0.05). We conclude that propranolol therapy reduces evidence of ischemia and changes traditional estimates of potential cardiac risk derived from submaximal postinfarction exercise testing.
Schizophrenia: Behavior therapy's forgotten child

Schizophrenia has ceased to be a major area of interest for behavior therapists in the last few years. Four possible reasons for this shift in interest are identified, and the validity of each is refuted: (a) the belief that the diagnosis is an overgeneralized label and the disorder does not exist, (b) the belief that the disorder has a biological basis and, thus, is not in the purview of behavior therapy, (c) the belief that schizophrenia is adequately treated by medication, making behavior therapy superfluous, and (d) the belief that it is too severe for behavior therapy. In contrast, it is argued that behavior therapy has already developed some of the most effective treatment procedures for schizophrenia and has the potential to make several other important contributions as well, including: (a) enhancing and/or supplementing pharmacotherapy, (b) behavioral family therapy, social skills training, (c) teaching skills of daily living, and (d) development of new programs to deal with the effects of deinstitutionalization and the “After Care Client”. It is concluded that behavior therapy has the potential to make a number of vital contributions and that there is a social and professional mandate for behavior therapists to increase their involvement with this needy population.
Reductions in Occipital Cortex GABA Levels in Panic Disorder Detected With 1H-Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Background There is preclinical evidence and indirect clinical evidence implicating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the pathophysiology and treatment of human panic disorder. Specifically, deficits in GABA neuronal function have been associated with anxiogenesis, whereas enhancement of GABA function tends to be anxiolytic. Although reported peripheral GABA levels (eg, in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma) have been within reference limits in panic disorder, thus far there has been no direct assessment of brain GABA levels in this disorder. The purpose of the present work was to determine whether cortical GABA levels are abnormally low in patients with panic disorder. Methods Total occipital cortical GABA levels (GABA plus homocarnosine) were assessed in 14 unmedicated patients with panic disorder who did not have major depression and 14 retrospectively age- and sex-matched control subjects using spatially localized 1 H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy. All patients met DSM-IV criteria for a principal current diagnosis of panic disorder with or without agoraphobia. Results Patients with panic disorder had a 22% reduction in total occipital cortex GABA concentration (GABA plus homocarnosine) compared with controls. This finding was present in 12 of 14 patient-control pairs and was not solely accounted for by medication history. There were no significant correlations between occipital cortex GABA levels and measures of illness or state anxiety. Conclusions Panic disorder is associated with reductions in total occipital cortex GABA levels. This abnormality might contribute to the pathophysiology of panic disorder.
Effects of cidofovir treatment on cytokine induction in murine models of cowpox and vaccinia virus infection

Cytokine profiles during cowpox and vaccinia (WR strain) virus infections were characterized in intranasal (i.n.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) models in BALB/c mice. The time-course of induction and effects of cidofovir treatment on interferon (IFN)-γ, IFN-γ inducible protein (IP)-10, interleukin (IL)-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 were determined. The four mouse infection models have distinct patterns of cytokine induction. Cowpox virus i.p. and vaccinia virus i.n. infections showed increased induction throughout the time studied. Cowpox virus i.n. infection resulted in delayed induction of IFN-γ and IP-10. Cytokine levels were fairly constant during vaccinia virus i.p. infections. Cidofovir treatment (100 mg/kg/day i.p. for 2 days) significantly suppressed certain cytokine (IFN- γ, IL-6, IL-10, IL-11, IP-10, LIF, MCP-1, MCP-3, MCP-5, MIP-1γ, and TIMP-1) levels to near normal relative to uninfected animals, as well as prevented mortality and reduced virus titers significantly. Characterization of cytokine responses has implications for understanding the immune responses and pathogeneses of viral infections in these mouse models.
Self-other merging and the empathy-altruism hypothesis : Reply to Neuberg et al. (1997)

R. B. Cialdini, S. L. Brown, B. P. Lewis, C. Luce, & S. L. Neuberg (1997) present data that they claim challenge the empathy-altruism hypothesis by providing evidence that the effects of empathy on helping are due to self-other merging. Despite S. L. Neuberg et al.'s (1997) efforts at reassurance, doubts remain about the meaning of these data because they were obtained using scenario procedures and confounded manipulations. Using less questionable methods, C. D. Batson et al. (1997) failed to find evidence that empathy-induced helping was due to self-other merging. At a more fundamental level, the Cialdini et al. challenge rests on an apparent misunderstanding of the empathy-altruism hypothesis and, as a result, of appropriate means to test it. Finally, the question of whether empathy leads to anything more than superficial helping is addressed.
Ab initio classical trajectory study of H2CO+H2 + CO dissociation

Abstract Classical trajectories for H 2 CO→H 2 +CO dissociation have been calculated directly from ab initio molecular orbital computations at the HF/3-21G and HF/6-31G** levels of theory, without constructing a global potential energy surface. The classical equations of motion were integrated on the local fifth-order polynomial surfaces fitted to the energies, gradients and hessians computed at the beginning and end points of each step along the trajectory. The calculated vibrational and rotational energy distributions and average impact parameter of the products are in very good agreement with experiment. The relative translational energy is higher than experiment because the barrier is overestimated at both levels of theory.
Single-molecule sequencing of an individual human genome

Pushkarev et al. present the first human genome sequence obtained using single-molecule sequencing technology. These results demonstrate that human genome sequencing—previously the turf of large sequencing centers—is now within reach of an individual lab in a matter of weeks.
Absolute determination of spins of neutron resonances in terbium-159 by a weighting factor method using polarized neutrons and a polarized Tb-target

Abstract The spins of the lowest three neutron resonances in 159 Tb have been determined by transmission of polarized monochromatic neutrons through a sample containing polarized terbium nuclei. The spins were found to be I + 1 2 = 2 , I − 1 2 = 1 , and I + 1 2 = 2 respectively for the 3.35-eV, 4.99-eV, and 11.14-eV resonances. Ordinarily these assignments depend on two assumptions: 1) that the nuclear moment of 159 Tb is positive, and 2) that the effective field at the nucleus, due to the 4f electrons of Tb 3+ , is parallel to the external polarizing field. However, the correctness of the combination of the given assignments is verified in an independent way, which uses the ratio of transmission effects measured at the three resonances. Approximate formulae for the transmission and the transmission effect are presented, which are of practical use for many resonances observed with neutron crystal spectrometers.
Pre- and Posteruptive Fluoride: Do Both Actions Control Caries?

Discussion, which can get spirited, has been going on about fluoride’s primary mode of action for some years. In the early days of fluoride research, it was assumed that the anticaries benefits of fluoride came from preemptive effects; however, posteruptive action was soon evident. Today the primacy of the posteruptive hypothesis is hardly questioned; remaining questions concern the role of preemptive fluoride. We are in the age of evidence-based dentistry, where we expect scientific evidence to shape our conclusions. In this cursory look at the data from fluoride studies, the data to support the posteruptive hypothesis are consistent from laboratory to epidemiology; findings in human populations support the mechanisms of action that have been demonstrated in the laboratory. Wifh the preeruptive hypothesis, there is some evidence in support; however, the data are not consistent across the different areas of study. As a result, the posteruptive hypothesis can be readily adopted as the primary mechanism for fluoride’s anticariogenic action. Preeruptive fluoride may have some anticaries action; but when the evidence-based philosophy is applied, the inconsistencies around the preemptive hypothesis make it hard to adopt.
Analysis of the change in number of serotonergic neurons in the chick spinal cord during embryonic development

Abstract The existence of serotonin (5-HT)-containing neurons in the spinal cord of the chick embryo was examined by anti-5-HT immunocytochemistry. The first immunoreactive cells were observed in embryos at 7 days of incubation (E7) and were initially located within the floor plate of the early spinal cord. By E9, immunostained cells occurred throughout the length of the spinal cord and were frequently encountered in most transverse sections of the cord. When examined at later embryonic ages of E12, 17 and at hatching (E21 or 22), the 5-HT cells became progressively more difficult to find with the advancing age of the embryos. To determine if this population of spinal cord 5-HT neurons actually diminished during development, a detailed quantitative analysis was undertaken to estimate the number of 5-HT cells in the cord of chick embryos at different ages. The results of this investigation demonstrated that the size of the 5-HT neuronal population rose rapidly from E7 and plateaued (at approximately 3500 neurons) between E9 and E12. As anticipated, the number of 5-HT cells at E17 decreased at all cord levels. Surprisingly, however, the number of spinal cord 5-HT neurons at hatching increased (depending on the cord level) either back to, or above, the counts estimated for the earlier ages of E9 and E12. Therefore, cells expressing the 5-HT phenotype in the spinal cord of the chick embryo persist throughout the period of embryonic development, rather than appear transiently. Furthermore, the fluctuations in 5-HT cell numbers during chick embryogenesis may indicate some regulation in the expression of the 5-HT phenotype in this population of spinal cord neurons.
Teaching Insights from Adult Learning Theory

How do undergraduate and graduate students learn? How can we use what we know about the learning process to teach more effectively? While the research has yet to connect fundamental processes in the brain to what we do as teachers with certainty, the past half-century of work on adult learning has produced several useful theories that can inform instructional choices. This article provides an overview of three learning models that yield insights into teaching practice--novice/expert behaviors, cognitive development, and learning styles--along with ways in which instructors can draw on these models in course planning and classroom teaching. Application of the theories toward refinement, reduction, and replacement of live animals in the veterinary medical curriculum is also discussed.
Meeting the challenges of process module and fab-wide active control for 300 mm, 130 nm, and beyond

With the introduction of 300 mm wafers to the ICS production line and the move to the 130 nm technology node, the requirements from individual tool and process modules become more critical when optimizing productivity and yield. For achieving top performance for the Fab, an 'Active control' is required. This 'Active control' system includes several components: Health Monitor, Fault Detection, Advanced Process Control (APC) and Data Mining. This paper describes these components of 'Active Control' and how they have been applied for advanced production on individual tools as well as on process modules. Controlling the individual tool by using Fault Detection uses a multivariate model that defines the tool's expected behavior for a specific recipe and gives an early warning on any possible deviation. The APC system also uses a sophisticated algorithm to provide dynamic fine- tuning of intermediate process targets that enhance final global targets. Fab wide systems will need to capture and retain relevant data: MES, defects, E-Test, yield, etc. With all these generated data, an advanced Data Mining system is needed to correlate process steps and tool information to yield and to correlate individual tool data down to a chamber level and end of the line yield.
Yield Components of Biomass in Switchgrass

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has potential as a lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuel production. However, switchgrass yields need to be increased to make dedicated biomass feedstock economically competitive with conventional crops. Objectives of this study were to determine the importance of tiller density, number of phytomers per tiller, and mass per phytomer as: (i) determinants of biomass yield in swards of switchgrass in the northern Great Plains, and (ii) potential indirect criteria for selection for biomass. Swards of ‘Cave-In-Rock’, ‘Nebraska 28’, and ‘Sunburst’ were sampled from June through November during 2005 and 2006. Partial regression coefficients were greater than 0.0 for 93, 87, and 44% of the samples for tiller density, mass per phytomer, and number of phytomers per tiller, respectively. Path coefficient analysis indicated that tiller density and mass per phytomer had consistently large positive direct effects on biomass yield; whereas, number of phytomers per tiller had smaller and less consistent, albeit positive, direct effects on biomass yield. All three of the yield components have potential as indirect selection criteria for improving biomass in switchgrass. However, progress for biomass production in swards from selection for any of the yield components will depend on heritabilities of the yield components and genetic correlations between the components and biomass.
Innate Immunity to H5N1 Influenza Viruses in Humans

Avian influenza virus infections in the human population are rare due to their inefficient direct human-to-human transmission. However, when humans are infected, a strong inflammatory response is usually induced, characterized by elevated levels of cytokines and chemokines in serum, believed to be important in the severe pathogenesis that develops in a high proportion of these patients. Extensive research has been performed to understand the molecular viral mechanisms involved in the H5N1 pathogenesis in humans, providing interesting insights about the virus-host interaction and the regulation of the innate immune response by these highly pathogenic viruses. In this review we summarize and discuss the most important findings in this field, focusing mainly on H5N1 virulence factors and their impact on the modulation of the innate immunity in humans.
Spray‐Dried Soy Protein Isolate Solubility, Gelling Characteristics, and Extractable Protein as Affected by Antioxidants

With the addition of antioxidants, spray-dried soy protein isolates (SPI) exhibited increased solubilities by 8% over the control in 0.1 M NaCl. Increased solubilities corresponded to a 15% and 8% reduction in protein oxidation as determined by protein carbonyl contents. The greatest differences in solubility between a spray-dried SPI with antioxidant (66% protein solubility) and the control (54% protein solubility), as well as the minimum protein solubility, occurred in 0.2M NaCl. Following the initial solubilization step in SPI processing, amount of extracted proteins was increased by 4.5% over the control with addition of antioxidants. Gel fracturability, hardness and adhesiveness for heat set gels of 12% SPI processed with added antioxidants were increased by 26.3%, 23.5% and 24.6%, respectively.
Improved Sleep in Military Personnel is Associated with Changes in the Expression of Inflammatory Genes and Improvement in Depression Symptoms

Study Objectives: Sleep disturbances are common in military personnel and are associated with increased risk for psychiatric morbidity, including posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, as well as inflammation. Improved sleep quality is linked to reductions in inflammatory bio-markers; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Methods: In this study we examine whole genome expression changes related to improved sleep in 68 military personnel diagnosed with insomnia. Subjects were classified into the following groups and then compared: improved sleep (n=46), or non-improved sleep (n=22) following three months of standard of care treatment for insomnia. Within subject differential expression was determined from microarray data using the Partek Genomics Suite analysis program and the interactive pathway analysis was used to determine key regulators of observed expression changes. Changes in symptoms of depression and posttraumatic stress disorder were also compared. Results: At baseline both groups were similar in demographics, clinical characteristics, and gene-expression profiles. The microarray data revealed that 217 coding genes were differentially expressed at the follow-up-period compared to baseline in the participants with improved sleep. Expression of inflammatory cytokines were reduced including IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-13, with fold changes ranging from -3.19 to -2.1, and there were increases in the expression of inflammatory regulatory genes including toll-like receptors 1, 4, 7, and 8 in the improved sleep group. Interactive pathway analysis revealed 6 gene networks, including ubiquitin which was a major regulator in these gene-expression changes. The improved sleep group also had a significant reduction in the severity of depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Interventions that restore sleep likely reduce the expression of inflammatory genes, which relate to ubiquitin genes and relate to reductions in depressive symptoms.
Near-Minimum-Energy Paths on a Vertical-Axis Cone With Anisotropic Friction and Gravity Effects

This paper appeared in the International Journal of Robotics Research, 13, no. 5 (October 1994), 408-432. Equations were redrawn and some editing done in 2008.
Determination of sulfur dioxide in solutions by pyridinium bromide perbromide and titrimetric and flow injection procedures

Abstract Sulfur dioxide can be determined by its reaction with pyridinium bromide perbromide using photometric titrations and flow injection procedures. Both methods are useful down to 30 ppm, and are unaffected by ammonia or nitrogen dioxide. Both mercury(II) and EDTA interfere under some circumstances.
The binding of photo-oxidized tryptophan to a lens gamma-crystallin

Abstract Some chemical properties of a photoproduct resulting from the near u.v. irradiation of tryptophan have been elucidated, and the manner in which this photoproduct binds to a bovine lens gamma-crystallin has been studied. Such binding alters absorption, fluorescence, electrical and solubility properties of this protein. Such a process may be involved in human lens browning and brunescent cataracts.
Accelerated Peritoneal Dialysis of Barbiturates, Diphenylhydantoin, and Salicylate

A combination of anthranilic acid (1%) and N-myristyl-β-aminopropionic acid (0.25%), which had been previously found to accelerate peritoneal dialysis of salicylate, was found also to accelerate the removal of diphenylhydantoin, phenobarbital, pentobarbital, and amobarbital. N-Myristyl-β-aminopropionic acid alone was equally or nearly as effective as the combination for the barbiturates. Studies indicate that displacement of the drugs from binding sites on plasma proteins may be involved in the mechanism of action of these accelerators.
Women, weight, and fertility: the effect of body mass index on the outcome of superovulation/intrauterine insemination cycles.

Objective To determine the fecundity of overweight and obese infertile women treated with gonadotropins and undergoing intrauterine insemination (IUI). Design Retrospective study. Setting Academic infertility clinic. Patient(s) Four hundred seventy-seven women undergoing 1,189 ovulation induction (OI)/IUI cycles stratified by body mass index (BMI). Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) BMI groups were compared regarding the following: gonadotropin dose, duration of treatment, peak E 2 , number of follicles (total, large, and medium size), E 2 /follicle, endometrial thickness, spontaneous abortion, and clinical and multiple pregnancy rates. Result(s) There was a significant trend toward higher medication requirements and lower E 2 levels with increasing BMI. BMI was inversely associated with [1] the E 2 level per produced preovulatory follicle and [2] the number of medium-size follicles. Furthermore, BMI was inversely associated with the number of medium, large, and total follicles divided by total FSH dose, suggesting that women with a higher BMI develop a lower number of medium and/or large follicles at a given total FSH dose. BMI was positively associated with endometrial thickness, and endometrial thickness was positively associated with pregnancy. Mean number of cycles required to conceive, clinical pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion rates did not differ significantly among the different BMI categories. Conclusion(s) Obese women require higher doses of medication and produce fewer follicles for a given dose, but once medication and response are adjusted to overcome the weight effect, the success of the treatment cycle is comparable to that of normal weight women.
Nosema acridophagus sp. n., a microsporidian isolated from grasshoppers

Abstract This microsporidian, described as observed in Melanoplus sanguinipes, Melanoplus bivittatus, Melanoplus differentialis , and Schistocerca americana , infects tissues of the digestive tract, gonads, pericardium, nerves, and fat bodies. It induces formation of tumorlike growths at infection loci, which increase its overall pathogenicity. The organism is transmitted by fecal contamination, cannibalism, and probably by a transovarian route. It completed its life cycle in 6 to 8 days. Comparative morphological and pathological characteristics are presented to differentiate between this organism and Nosema locustae , which also infects grasshoppers.