cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
I. G. Simmons: Global Environmental History

Both human ecology and environmental history excel at monographic treatments of limited time and place—an artifact, perhaps, of academia. So it remains to the senior scholars of broad reading and experience to take on the task of synthesizing the work of many. I. G. Simmons’ latest work, Global Environmental History, is the first singleauthored volume on a subject that has enjoyed considerable growth over the last 10 years. Writing synthetic histories of global scope across recent geological time must be as fulfilling as it is daunting. Much depends on the organizational schema of the historian. Simmons has chosen, appropriately enough, to use the agricultural and industrial revolutions as pivots, giving us chapters on gatherer-hunters, pre-industrial agriculture, the industrial world, and the post-industrial age. The structure seems to loosely follow Donald Worster’s now classic call for environmental historians to pursue an agro-ecological approach, but Simmons adds a nice touch by favoring a periodization determined by the means by which humans drew energy from the environment. The focus on energy and history dovetails with the recent explosion of histories of energy, and Simmons goes to great pains to merge this literature with older—but still valuable—ecological histories. Each chapter includes discussions of basic environmental relationships, demographics, the impact of humans on the natural environment (and vice versa), but Simmons also gives us a great deal of social history and cultural ecology. For example, he wonders how hunters and gatherers thought about nature and how their cosmogonies worked in and alongside the natural landscape. The culture/ nature debate, which has often preoccupied the work of environmental historians, comes to an easy reconciliation with Simmons. To be sure, he does not ignore the divide; instead, he uses it to structure his histories—always trying to join the mind with the body. If energy provides the chronology of the chapters, and the culture/nature dialectic structures his material, then it is the dramatic tension between fragmentation and coalescence that provides Simmons with his thesis. It is the same theme that is captured in Norton’s global history textbook, Worlds Together, Worlds Apart. As far as cross-cutting themes are concerned—and historians disagree about how valuable they are as analytic categories—fragmentation and coalescence works well enough. But Simmons’ contribution is to add the natural environment to this story. There are two socio-natural trends, Simmons tells us, that can be found across space and time. “The first is that societies may be prone to fragmentation, as when social classes emerge based on, for example, birth or wealth or on technologies of separation such as the mobile headset. The second is the opposite: a tendency to coalescence, as happens, for Hum Ecol (2009) 37:671–673 DOI 10.1007/s10745-009-9247-0
Low glycemic index treatment for seizures in Angelman syndrome

Summary Purpose: The low glycemic index treatment (LGIT) is a high fat, limited carbohydrate diet used in the treatment of epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy and tolerability of the LGIT for the treatment of refractory seizures in pediatric patients with Angelman syndrome. Methods: A pediatric Angelman syndrome cohort with refractory epilepsy was treated with the LGIT and followed prospectively over 4 months. Parents recorded a daily seizure log for a minimum of 1 month prior to the start of treatment as well as throughout the LGIT trial. Electroencephalography (EEG) and neuropsychological assessments (Scales of Independent Behavior-Revised and the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-2nd Edition were obtained for each subject at both baseline and 4-month follow-up time points. Clinical evaluations of subjects were completed by a neurologist and dietitian at the time of enrollment, as well as following both the first and fourth months of dietary therapy. At each time point, blood for laboratory chemistries was drawn and anthropometric measures were obtained. Key Findings: Six children (mean age 3.3 years, range 1.1–4.8) with genetically confirmed Angelman syndrome initiated the LGIT, and completed the trial with no significant adverse events. Cohort averages for indices of seizure severity were as follows: age of 1.6 years at seizure onset, 3 lifetime antiepileptic drugs tried (range 1–6), and baseline seizure frequency of 10.1 events/week (range: 0.4–30.9). All subjects had a decrease in seizure frequency on the LGIT, with five of six exhibiting >80% seizure frequency reduction. All posttrial EEG studies showed improvement and three of four children with epileptiform activity on his or her baseline EEG had no discharges present on follow-up EEG. Developmental gains were noted by parents in all cases, although few of these neurocognitive gains were statistically significant on neuropsychological assessment. Significance: This is the first prospective study assessing the LGIT for epilepsy. Our results indicate that this dietary therapy is highly effective in treating Angelman syndrome–related seizures. The diet was well tolerated by subjects as evidenced by five of six subjects remaining on the LGIT after completion of the trial. Beyond the prospective trial window, all five subjects who remained on the diet had >90% seizure reduction after 1 year of LGIT therapy. Despite the small sample size in this prospective study, the results indicate a potentially higher degree of efficacy of the LGIT for the Angelman syndrome population than that observed in the general epilepsy population. Although this study is too small to make definitive recommendations, these results suggest that the LGIT is a promising treatment option for Angelman syndrome–related epilepsy.
On vulnerability and protection of ad hoc on-demand distance vector protocol

Vulnerabilities and attacks on the ad hoc on-demand distance vector (AODV) routing protocol are investigated and studied via analysis and simulation. The attacks are classified by their target properties. The analysis shows that the on-demand route query enables the malicious host to conduct real time attacks on AODV. False distance vector and false destination sequence attacks are studied by simulation. Two connection scenarios are considered: common destination and uniformly distributed traffic load. The delivery ratio, attack overhead, and the propagation of false routes are measured by varying the number of connections and the mobility of the hosts. The simulation results illustrate that the attacker can confuse the network connectivity with false routes and lead to a decrease in the delivery ratio of up to 75%. When the hosts are uniformly distributed, the false distance vector attacks cannot cheat more than half of the hosts, but the false destination sequence routes can propagate to most of the network. The anomaly patterns of sequence numbers carried by routing request (RREQ) can be applied to detect the false destination sequence attacks. The vulnerability analysis results and anomaly patterns can be employed by other ad hoc routing protocols to establish intrusion prevention and detection mechanisms.
Arc and Sfr functions of the Escherichia coli K-12 arcA gene product are genetically and physiologically separable.

The Escherichia coli arcA gene product regulates chromosomal gene expression in response to deprivation of oxygen (Arc function; Arc stands for aerobic respiration control) and is required for expression of the F plasmid DNA transfer (tra) genes (Sfr function; Sfr stands for sex factor regulation). Using appropriate lacZ fusions, we have examined the relationship between these two genetic regulatory functions. Arc function in vivo was measured by anaerobic repression of a chromosomal sdh-lacZ operon fusion (sdh stands for succinate dehydrogenase). Sfr function was measured by activation of a plasmid traY-lacZ gene fusion. An eight-codon insertion near the 5' terminus of arcA, designated arcA1, abolished Arc function, as previously reported by S. Iuchi and E.C.C. Lin (Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 85:1888-1892, 1988), but left Sfr function largely (greater than or equal to 60%) intact. Similarly, the arcB1 mutation, which depressed sdh expression and is thought to act by abolishing the signal input that elicits ArcA function, had little effect (less than or equal to 20%) on the Sfr function of the arcA+ gene product. Conversely, a valine-to-methionine mutation at codon 203 (the sfrA5 allele) essentially abolished Sfr activity without detectably altering Arc activity. These data indicate that Sfr and Arc functions are separately expressed and regulated properties of the same protein.
Theory, design and operation of surface generated acoustic wave sensors

Surface generated acoustic waves (SGAW) excited in a piezoelectric medium provide an attractive technology to realize a family of microsensors which are sensitive, portable, cheap and small. In this paper two SGAW microsensors namely, the surface acoustic wave gas sensor and the acoustic plate mode biosensor are described. Results indicate that these sensors are extremely sensitive to the measurand of interest. >
Adolescent Experiences With Intrauterine Devices: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to improve understanding of adolescents' reasons for choosing an intrauterine device (IUD) and to explore experiences that led to continuation or discontinuation of the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) and the copper IUD (copper IUD). Methods We conducted focus groups (FGs) with adolescents and young women who were current or former IUD users stratified by IUD type and 12-month IUD continuation or discontinuation. All subjects were participants from the Contraceptive CHOICE Project. FG data were supplemented with in-depth interviews (IDIs). Data collection was continued until thematic saturation was reached. Transcripts were independently coded by two researchers, and interrater reliability was calculated using a Kappa coefficient. Analysis followed a standard text-analysis approach. Results Thirteen FGs and seven IDIs were conducted with 43 young women. Effectiveness, duration of use, convenience, and potential bleeding changes emerged as themes for both choosing and continuing IUDs. Some women chose the LNG-IUS to achieve amenorrhea, whereas copper IUD users wanted a nonhormonal method and continued menses. Copper IUD users cited expulsion and bleeding irregularities as reasons for discontinuation, whereas LNG-IUS users reported bleeding irregularities and continued pain as reasons for removal. IUD users noted an adjustment period of weeks to months in which side effects were present before lessening. Conclusions Effectiveness, duration of use, convenience, and potential changes in bleeding patterns drove adolescents' choice and continuation of an IUD. Bleeding changes and pain contributed to IUD discontinuation. Discussion of effectiveness, duration and convenience, and anticipatory guidance regarding post-insertion side effects may be important in counseling young women about IUDs.
Isolation and characterization of the alpha platelet-derived growth factor receptor from rat olfactory epithelium.

Abstract We have cloned and characterized a new member of the receptor tyrosine kinase family. The cDNA clone, isolated from a rat olfactory cDNA library, has considerable homology to the family of receptors that includes the colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor, the c-kit proto-oncogene, and the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors. Analysis of DNA sequence homology, ligand-binding, and ligand-stimulated phosphorylation data suggests that this clone encodes the rat PDGF-A/B or alpha-receptor. Comparison of its sequence to those of other receptors allows us to postulate a mechanism for receptor dimerization and activation. The expression of the rat alpha-PDGF receptor in nonneuronal cells of the olfactory epithelium and in the olfactory bulb is consistent with a role for PDGF in glial cell generation.
Assessment of Individual Operator Performance Using a Risk-Adjustment Model for Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Abstract Objective To investigate the applicability of the Mayo Clinic Risk Score (MCRS) in the assessment of performance metrics of individual interventional cardiologists at 3 Mayo Clinic sites. Participants and Methods We evaluated the risk-adjusted performance of 21 interventional cardiologists who performed 8187 percutaneous coronary intervention procedures at 3 Mayo Clinic sites from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2010. Observed mortality, major adverse cardiac events (MACEs) (eg, death, Q-wave myocardial infarction, urgent or emergent coronary artery bypass graft, and stroke), and expected risk were estimated using the MCRS. To compare individual performance against the other operators, risk estimates were recalibrated by excluding the individual performer from logistic regression models. Results The log odds ratio for observed vs estimated risk was estimated for each interventional cardiologist, and their individual effects were then plotted on a normal probability plot to identify outliers. Observed in-hospital mortality was not different than expected (1.8% vs 1.6%; P =.24); however, the postprocedural MACE rate was lower than predicted (observed, 2.7%; expected, 3.8%; P Conclusion The MCRS can serve as a tool for the assessment of performance metrics for interventional cardiologists, and risk-adjusted outcomes may serve as a better surrogate for institutional quality metrics.
Genetic polymorphisms of Pe and Po salivary proteins with probable linkage of their genes to the salivary protein gene complex (SPC)

Two new genetic polymorphisms (Pe and Po) are found in human parotid saliva. Each polymorphism is determined by the autosomal inheritance of one expressed (dominant) and one unexpressed (recessive) allele. Autosomal inheritance is supported by studies of 63 families including 264 children for Pe and 57 families including 242 children for Po. For randomly collected salivas, gene frequencies in 317 whites are Pe +=0.76 and Pe −=0.24; in 408 whites, Po +=0.75 and Po −=0.25; in 51 blacks, Pe +=0.76 and Pe −=0.24; and in 59 blacks, Po +=0.77 and Po −=0.23. Both Pe and Po proteins react immunologically with polyclonal antisera prepared to proline-rich proteins PRPs. The Pe protein has an isoelectric point of approximately pH 6.1–6.3, and the Po protein has an isoelectric point greater than pH 8.0. In randomly collected salivas, the Pe and Po proteins are associated with other known salivary PRPs. The Pe protein is most strongly associated with the CON 1 and Ps proteins, is less strongly associated with the Pr and Pa proteins, and is not significantly associated with the PmF, PmS, PIF, Db, Con 2, or Gl proteins. If it is assumed that the strength of these associations (presumed linkage disequilibrium) may be related in part to map distance, then these data roughly fit the linear order of PRP genes as previously determined from recombination data derived from family linkage studies. The Po protein is associated with the PmS protein. There is evidence for probable linkage of Pe and Po to the SPC (salivary protein gene complex): Pe to Pa (nine families, lod score at θ=0 is 2.67) and Po to CON 2 (three families, lod score at θ=0 is 2.35).
Identification of an 11S globulin as a major hazelnut food allergen in hazelnut-induced systemic reactions

Abstract Background : Hazelnuts are a common cause of food allergy. Allergic reactions to hazelnuts range from oral allergy syndrome caused by cross-reactivity between tree pollen and hazelnut proteins to severe anaphylactic reactions. Little information is available regarding the identification of pollen-independent hazelnut allergens. Objective : The aim of the study was to identify these pollen-independent allergens in patients with hazelnut allergy with systemic reactions. Methods : Extracted hazelnut proteins were separated by means of 2-dimensional PAGE, and immunolabeling was performed with individual sera from 14 patients with hazelnut-induced systemic reactions. Edman sequencing was performed on a 40-kd protein identified as an allergen. In parallel, RNA isolated from hazelnuts was used to construct a cDNA library. By using the peptide sequence data, oligonucleotide primers were synthesized and used to screen the library. Full-length cDNA clones were isolated, sequenced, expressed, and screened with patient sera. Results : By using 2-dimensional proteomics, a protein fraction at 40 kd was recognized by serum IgE from 86% (12/14) of the patients with hazelnut allergy with systemic reactions. Two internal amino acid sequences were determined by means of Edman sequencing. Screening of the prepared hazelnut cDNA library with oligonucleotides based on these internal peptide sequences resulted in isolation of a novel protein cDNA. The new protein, named Cor a 9, belongs to the 11S globulin seed storage protein family. This family comprises known food allergens in peanut (Ara h 3) and soybean (glycine max). The pairwise homology among these 3 proteins ranges from 45% to 50%. Interestingly, one known IgE-binding epitope of Ara h 3 shares 67% of homologous amino acid residues with the corresponding area of Cor a 9. The amino acids that differ were previously shown not to be critical for IgE binding in Ara h 3. Conclusion : Cor a 9 is the first tree pollen-unrelated hazelnut allergen isolated, sequenced, and cloned. The identification of food allergens is the first step toward generating recombinant allergens for use in future immunotherapeutic approaches. In addition, the detection of conserved IgE epitopes in common food allergens, such as seed storage proteins, might be a useful tool for predicting cross-reactivity to certain foods. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2002;110:517-23.)
A comparison of transfer RNA isoaccepting species between collagenous and noncollagenous tissues in the embryonic chick.

Abstract Transfer RNA was isolated from different organs of 17-day-old chick embryos and the acceptor activity for each of the 20 amino acids was determined. The most abundant acceptor activities found in tRNA from tendon cells were for glycine, arginine, proline and alanine. When compared to the average acceptor activity found in brain, liver and heart, the tendon tRNA showed an increase in acceptor activity of 33% in glycine, 40% in arginine and 83% in proline. Reversed phase chromatography of the tRNA charged with glycine demonstrated that the increase in glycyl-tRNA in tendon could be accounted for by an increase in one of four major isoaccepting species. Such an increase in a single species was also observed in tRNA isolated from calvaria. The codon response of this species was shown to differ from that of the other glycyl-tRNA species. No major differences in the relative proportions of isoaccepting species could be demonstrated for any other amino acid. These results suggest that a characteristic complement of tRNA species may be associated with collagen synthesis.
Surface magnetization near the critical temperature and the temperature dependence of magnetic-electron scattering from NiO

Abstract The temperature dependence of low energy electrons scattered by the exchange interaction in antiferromagnetic NiO is obtained over the temperature range T N ⩽ T ⩽295 K. By doping the N 1 O crystal with (less than 0.1 %) Li, the conductivity was increased sufficiently to obtain data at lower temperatures than previously reported. The behavior of the magnetization near the surface is determined using the molecular field model and qualitative scaling arguments. Experimental data are in good agreement with theoretical predictions which relate the surface and bulk critical exponents according to the relation ω = β + v , where ω is the critical exponent for the surface sublattice magnetization and β and v are the critical indices for the bulk sublattice magnetization and the correlation length respectively. On the basis of the molecular field model it appears that the surface exchange interaction is weaker than the bulk exchange interaction. Theoretical analysis of the data also yields an estimate of the electron penetration depth λ p . It is found that λ p ≲ 4A, the Ni-Ni spacing in NiO for 100 eV electrons.
Validity of the Luria-Nebraska language scales in aphasia.

The language scales of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (LNNB) were administered to patients classified as either Broca's (n = 7) or Wernicke's (n = 7) aphasics. Group comparisons were made on the standard scales (e.g., Receptive Speech, Expressive Speech, Reading & Writing) and on 13 factor-analytically derived subscales (McKay & Golden, 1981). Results indicated that the standard T-score profile failed to discriminate the distincitively different language syndromes. Only two of the 13 factor scales differentiated the groups. Although Wernicke's patients were more impaired than Broca's patients on factor-analytically derived measures of basic language comprehension, it was concluded that the subscales added little to the standard profile in terms of aphasia syndrome identification. Distinctively different profiles of impaired and retained language abilities did not emerge on the LNNB factor scales. The battery cannot be recommended for use with aphasic patients.
METABOLISM OF AROMATIC AMINO ACIDS IN COLLAGEN DISEASES. URINARY EXCRETION OF VANILLACTIC ACID AND DIHYDROXYPHENYLALANINE.

Abstract 1. (1) Vanillactic acid was newly synthesized, and its chromatographic properties and reactions were investigated and found to be in satisfactory agreement with those of the naturally occurring vanillactic in the urine in rheumatic fever. 2. (2) Increased urinary excretion of DOPA was observed in children suffering from collagen diseases. A relatively simple procedure was devised for the semiquantitative determination of DOPA in the urine. 3. (3) Increased urinary output of an indole compound, probably 3-methoxy-tryptophan, was observed in rheumatic fever. 4. (4) Aspects of the metabolism of aromatic amino acids in rheumatic fever are discussed in relation to these findings.
The Role of Health Care Services in Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention: An International Comparison † 4

Objective: The United States (US), Great Britain (GB), Sweden(S), and the Netherlands (N) have had differing degrees of success in preventing unwanted adolescent pregnancy. This report is part of a larger study comparing adolescent pregnancy prevention in these four countries. Methods: Clinicians, politicians, public health administrators, social and behavioral scientists, and anti-abortion activists (total n=75) in all four countries participated in face-to-face, semi-structured interviews. Each interview included questions regarding attitudes toward health care services for adolescents. An inductive, systematic, qualitative content analysis of verbatim transcripts of the interviews was conducted. The ages of respondents ranged from 31 to 76 years; gender breakdown was 58% female, 42% male. Results: Across all four countries, interviewees consistently described as optimal family planning services (fps) those which included easily accessible, comprehensive, multidisciplinary care provided confidentially by nonjudgmental staff. The general opinion was that communication skills and counseling were important components, as were flexible hours and proximity of services. Consensus across countries was that school nurses can provide a good entry into health care services for youth. However, differences among the countries also emerged from the data. Respondents from US and GB reported that youth lack knowledge regarding how to access fps in contrast to respondents in N and S about youth in their own countries. Pelvic examinations were perceived as a barrier to adolescent contraception in the European nations where they are either not required or delayed; in US, no interviewee mentioned the same concern. In N and S, respondents felt that youth need to pay for fps to feel responsible, whereas in US and GB, consensus was that contraception should be free for adolescents. A consistent observation was that N and S fund research, which is then used to inform public policy, whereas in GB and US, respondents noted the lack of such funding and a greater role played by politics and religion in policy decisions. Conclusion: Qualities of the fps staff and their interactions with youth was a major theme among all four countries. Respondents in N and S appeared to describe their countries' fps as closer to embodying the features identified by respondents from all four countries as characteristic of ideal fps for adolescents.
A theory of architectural design

Abstract A rudimentary theory to explain the design of vernacular structures is presented. Conceiving of architectural design as a social process, the theory focuses on the influence of utilitarian and symbolic functions as well as on the trade-offs between production and maintenance costs. A particular design is viewed as the outcome of a process of compromise among conflicting goals, influenced by factors of adaptation and social organization. The theory is used to generate an explanatory sketch for why the prehistoric Anasazi of the American Southwest went from being pithouse to pueblo dwellers.
Separations of C4 and C6 isomers in ZSM-5 tubular membranes

Mixtures of linear and branched hydrocarbon isomers were separated in continuous flow experiments with ZSM-5 zeolite membranes. The method of membrane preparation has a dramatic effect on the selec...
Beat phenomenon in combined structure-liquid damper systems

The classical beat phenomenon has been observed in most combined structure-liquid damper systems. The focus of this paper is to provide a better understanding of this phenomenon, which is caused by the coupling that is introduced through the mass matrix of the combined system. However, beyond a certain level of damping in the secondary system (liquid damper), the beat phenomenon ceases to exist. This is due to coalescing of the modal frequencies of the combined system to a common frequency beyond a certain level of damping in the secondary system. Numerical and experimental results are presented in this paper to elucidate the beat phenomenon in combined structure-liquid damper systems.
Binding of d-lysergic acid diethylamide to subcellular fractions from rat brain.

WE have examined some of the characteristics of LSD (d-lysergic acid diethylamide) binding to subcellular fractions from rat brain, on the assumption that whatever the mode of action of LSD may be, the drug must first bind to LSD receptors. Studies on a model LSD receptor, that is, the receptor site of an antibody to d-lysergamide, have already been described1.
The Social Behaviors in Conducive Production and Exchange

Conducive production (the concept developed in the first article of this issue) is a process of creative coordination in production, which also contributes to the development of the social fabric. To understand how, this article looks inside the conducive production process and examines how producer and consumer activities link together in collaborative dialogues. The conventional views of economic man are contrasted with this new view of productive human beings in the jazz economy. Jazz is used as a metaphor for the interactive processes of creation and coordination in the conducive economy.
Adjunctive Therapies for Sepsis and Septic Shock.

The inflammatory cascade that ensues after an infectious insult is protean in its manifestations, resulting in mild self-limited illness in some patients, while progressing to fulminant sepsis and multisystem organ failure in others. Research into the pathophysiology of this cascade has been intense, but advances in the treatment of sepsis have been few and far between. Although mortality rates have been impacted slightly in patients with sepsis—with improved survival in certain patient subgroups—overall survival still reaches only 55% to 60%. In this paper we will review some of the most recent advances in the therapy of the sepsis syndrome, specifically the roles of cytokine modifiers, supranormal delivery of oxygen, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor administration in leukopenic patients, and parenteral nutrition. Hopefully, these modalities represent additional steps in the path towards a meaningful improvement in survival from this catastrophic condition.
Etorphine pharmacokinetics in the rat: Experimental data and mathematical model

Abstract Rats were injected i.v. with 3 H-etorphine (200 ng/Kg). At least 85% of the dose was cleared from the blood in the first 2 min. Blood levels continued to fall slowly from about 5% of the administered dose after 15 min to less that 2% after 3 hours. Although more than 15% of the dose was found in the liver and kidney after 15 min, labeled material did not further accumulate in these organs, but decreased to about 3% after 3 hours. The concentration of labeled material (dpm/mg tissue) in cerebellum was less than half that attained in other brain regions at early time points, probably reflecting the low number of opiate receptors in this region. After 2 hours, however, there was little difference between cerebellum and other brain regions. The highest brain concentrations observed were at the earliest time point examined (7 min). An open four compartment kinetic model was constructed to fit the data for etorphine concentrations in (i) plasma, (ii) cerebellum, and (iii) brain (excluding cerebellum). The model has 3 spatial compartments: plasma, brain, and all tissues other than brain. Etorphine in brain occupies either of 2 functional compartments: one representing receptor-bound ligand and the other, the sum of free and nonspecifically bound ligand. The dissociation rate constant for etorphine invivo obtained by fitting model equations to data was 0.06 min −1 , similar to that obtained invitro in the presence of 150 mM sodium ion.
RESOLUTION OF UNWANTED PREGNANCY DURING ADOLESCENCE THROUGH ABORTION VERSUS CHILDBIRTH: INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY PREDICTORS AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES

Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, various demographic, psychological, educational, and family variables were explored as predictors of pregnancy resolution. Only 2 of the 17 variables examined were significantly associated with pregnancy resolution (risk-taking and the desire to leave home). After controlling for these variables, adolescents who aborted an unwanted pregnancy were more inclined than adolescents who delivered to seek psychological counseling and they reported more frequent problems sleeping and more frequent marijuana use. No significant differences were observed for cigarette smoking, frequency of alcohol use, and problems with parents based on alcohol use after the controls were instituted; however without controls, significant associations were observed, underscoring the importance of the use of psychological and situational controls in studies of the consequences of abortion. The information derived from this study is potentially useful to parents and professionals who provide guidance to adolescents regarding pregnancy resolution.
Surface second-harmonic generation from sulfate ions adsorbed on silver electrodes

Abstract Surface-enhanced second-harmonic signals are used to study sulfate ion adsorption during electrolytic cycling. The distinct differences between the spectral results obtained in K 2 SO 4 and H 2 SO 4 can be attributed to the formation of silver oxide on the electrode surface. These investigations demonstrate the potential of second-harmonic generation to study ionic adsorption at the electrochemical interface.
Rate of ON-OO - Bond Homolysis and the Gibbs Energy of Formation of Peroxynitrite

Oxidation of the methyl viologen radical, MV•+, by the peroxynitrite anion, ONOO-, occurs through an indirect pathway, which includes reversible homolytic dissociation of ONOO- into a pair of the NO• and O2•- radicals (rate-determining step, kh = 0.017 ± 0.001 s-1) followed by rapid oxidation of MV•+ by O2•- with kso = (3.5 ± 0.2) × 109 M-1 s-1 at zero ionic strength. Direct oxidation of MV•+ radical through a bimolecular reaction with ONOO- is immeasurably slow (k < 1 × 103 M-1 s-1). The MV•+ radical does not rapidly reduce NO•, suggesting that the one-electron reduction potential of the latter is significantly below −0.45 V (NHE), consistent with the recently reported reevaluations of NO• reduction energetics. The equilibrium constant Kh = (3.6 ± 0.3) × 10-12 M for the dissociation of ONOO- into NO• and O2•- is determined from the measurements of rate constants for the forward and reverse (recombination of NO• and O2•-, k-h = (4.8 ± 0.3) × 109 M-1 s-1) reactions. The free energies of formation in aqueou...
Design of potential bisubstrate inhibitors against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate reductoisomerase (Dxr)—evidence of a novel binding mode

In most bacteria, the nonmevalonate pathway is used to synthesize isoprene units. Dxr, the second step in the pathway, catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reductive isomerization of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate (DXP) to 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP). Dxr is inhibited by natural products fosmidomycin and FR900098, which bind in the DXP binding site. These compounds, while potent inhibitors of Dxr, lack whole cell activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) due to their polarity. Our goal was to use the Mtb Dxr-fosmidomycin co-crystal structure to design bisubstrate ligands to bind to both the DXP and NADPH sites. Such compounds would be expected to demonstrate improved whole cell activity due to increased lipophilicity. Two series of compounds were designed and synthesized. Compounds from both series inhibited Mtb Dxr. The most potent compound (8) has an IC50 of 17.8 μM. Analysis shows 8 binds to Mtb Dxr via a novel, non-bisubstrate mechanism. Further, the diethyl ester of 8 inhibits Mtb growth making this class of compounds interesting lead molecules in the search for new antitubercular agents.
The principle of utility and mill's minimizing utilitarianism

In contemporary moral philosophy, there is considerable confusion not only about what John Stuart Mill meant by the Principle of Utility but also about the position which the Principle occupies in his moral philosophy. Many interpreters regard Mill as an act utilitarian whose Principle of Utility was identical with a qualitatively hedonistic 1 version of the first principle of act utilitarianism which affirms that we are morally obligated to perform that relevant individual act which is most likely to have the best consequences for all persons or sentient beings affected by the act. 2 Others regard him as a qualitatively hedonistic rule utilitarian and take his Principle of Utility to say that we are morally obligated to perform that relevant act which falls under a general rule, universal obedience to which would have the best consequences for all persons or sentient beings affected. 3 As a qualitative hedonist, Mill equated intrinsically good consequences with happiness, defined as "an existence exempt as far as possible from pain, and as rich as possible in enjoyments, both in point of quantity and quality. ''4 We are thus repeatedly informed that Mill's ultimate moral principle, the Principle of Utility itself, is that we are morally bound both to maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness either through each individual act that we perform or through the societal adoption and enforcement of general rules or behavior which would maximize happiness and minimize unhappiness for the greatest possible numbers if everyone acted on the rules. I hope to show that Mill offers us a third form of utilitarianism which I shall call minimizing utilitarianism. There are many things wrong with attempts to construe Mill as being either an act or a rule utilitarian. Both positions are maximizing utilitarianisms which maintain that we are morally obligated to maximize goodness, but Mill's utilitarianism was actually a minimizing utilitarianism which claims only that we are morally obligated to abstain from inflicting harm, to actively prevent harm, to actively provide for all persons or sentient beings certain minimal essentials of any sort of positive well being whatsoever, such as life, liberty, security, individuality and selfdetermination, food and shelter, basic education, equal opportunity to pursue
Prof-Life-Log: Personal interaction analysis for naturalistic audio streams

Analysis of personal audio recordings is a challenging and interesting subject. Using contemporary speech and language processing techniques, it is possible to mine personal audio recordings for a wealth of information that can be used to measure a person's engagement with their environment as well as other people. In this study, we propose an analysis system that uses personal audio recordings to automatically estimate the number of unique people and environments which encompass the total engagement within the recording. The proposed system uses speech activity detection (SAD), speaker diarization and environmental sniffing techniques, and is evaluated on naturalistic audio streams from the Prof-Life-Log corpus. We also report performance of the individual systems, and also present a combined analysis which reveals the interaction of the subject with both people and environment. Hence, this study establishes the efficacy and novelty of using contemporary speech technology for life logging applications.
Rectovaginal and Rectourethral Fistulas

Rectovaginal and rectourethral fistulas occur infrequently but result in devastating complications to patients. They also pose unique challenges to the surgeons treating these fistulas. A thorough evaluation should be performed to determine the location, size, and etiology of the fistula that may include trauma, infection, inflammatory bowel diseases, radiation, postoperative complications, and malignancy. Some fistulas may close spontaneously but most require surgical treatment. The options for repair include transrectal, transvaginal, or transperineal approaches and transabdominal approaches. Successful management of these fistulas involves recognizing the etiology, location, local tissue quality, and overall medical health of patients.
Time-dependent aspects of osmolyte changes in rat kidney, urine, blood and lens with sorbinil and galactose feeding

Sorbitol plus myo-inositol, betaine and glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC) are cellular osmolytes in the mammalian renal medulla. Galactosemia and hyperglycemia can cause excessive levels of galactitol or sorbitol in several organs via aldose reductase (AR) catalysis. AR inhibitors can reduce these polyols. To examine osmolyte responses to polyol perturbations, male Wistar rats were fed normal diet, the AR inhibitor sorbinil (at 40 mg/kg/d), 25% galactose, or a combination, for 10, 21 and 42 days. All animals at 21 days had higher apparent renal AR activity than at 10 or 42 days, possibly providing resistance to sorbinil. Sorbinil feeding alone tended to increase urinary, plasma and renal urea levels. It reduced AR activity and sorbitol contents in renal inner medulla, though less so at 21 days; other renal osmolytes, especially betaine, were elevated. Galactose feeding caused little change in renal AR activity, and resulted in high galactose and galactitol contents in renal medulla, urine, blood and lens (and higher renal Na+ contents at 10 days). Renal sorbitol, inositol and GPC decreased, while betaine contents trended higher at all times. Sorbinilgalactose feeding reduced renal AR activities and galactitol contents (again less so at 21 days), urine, blood and lens galactitol, and further reduced renal sorbitol contents. At 10 and 21 days it tended to raise renal betaine more, and restore inositol (but not GPC) contents to control levels. At 42 days it reduced renal and urinary Na+ and galactose, and decreased renal betaine to control levels. Under most conditions, total renal (non-urea) organic osmolyte contents (presumed to be mostly intracellular) and Na+ plus galactose contents (presumed mostly extracellular) changed together such that cell volumes may have been maintained. The exception was 10 days on galactose, where total osmolytes appeared too low. In galactose-fed animals, urine/plasma ratios suggest some renal galactitol efflux, and cellular galactitol probably helps maintain osmotic balance rather than cause swelling.
The dppBCDF gene cluster of Haemophilus influenzae: Role in heme utilization

Haemophilus influenzae requires a porphyrin source for aerobic growth and possesses multiple mechanisms to obtain this essential nutrient. This porphyrin requirement may be satisfied by either heme alone, or protoporphyrin IX in the presence of an iron source. One protein involved in heme acquisition by H. influenzae is the periplasmic heme binding protein HbpA. HbpA exhibits significant homology to the dipeptide and heme binding protein DppA of Escherichia coli. DppA is a component of the DppABCDF peptide-heme permease of E. coli. H. influenzae homologs of dppBCDF are located in the genome at a point distant from hbpA. The object of this study was to investigate the potential role of the H. influenzae dppBCDF locus in heme utilization. An insertional mutation in dppC was constructed and the impact of the mutation on the utilization of both free heme and various proteinaceous heme sources as well as utilization of protoporphyrin IX was determined in growth curve studies. The dppC insertion mutant strain was significantly impacted in utilization of all tested heme sources and protoporphyin IX. Complementation of the dppC mutation with an intact dppCBDF gene cluster in trans corrected the growth defects seen in the dppC mutant strain. The dppCBDF gene cluster constitutes part of the periplasmic heme-acquisition systems of H. influenzae.
The effect of central chemical sympathectomy on the oxygen uptake; Anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acid dehydrogenase activity in the retina of white rats

Male Wistar rats were injected intraventricularly with two doses of 250 mcg of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in two consecutive days. Two weeks later the oxygen uptake, anaerobic glycolysis and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the retina were determined. The decrease of oxygen uptake (−28 %), anaerobic glycolysis (−31 %) and LDH activity (−12 %) in rats treated with 6-OHDA in comparison to control animals was found. The possible role of the adrenergic system in regulation of the metabolism of the retina is discussed.
The effects of juvenile hormone analogues on the embryogenesis of Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Two juvenile hormone analogues (JHA), 6,7-Epoxy-3-methyl-7-ethyl-1-(3,4-(methyl-enedioxy)phenoxy)-2- cis/trans -octene (Hoffman-LaRoche RO 20-3600) and 6,7-Epoxy-3,7-dimethyl-1-( p -ethyphenoxy)-2- cis/trans -octene (Stauffer R-20458), produced embryonic and some first larval instar lethality when topically applied to freshly laid Drosophila eggs at concentrations above 0·1 μ g RO-20-3600/ μ l acetone or 1·0 μ g R-20458/ μ l acetone. With progressively later JHA treatments during embryonic development, lethality decreased while the proportion of larvae dying at the time of hatching increased. No delayed postembryonic lethality was observed after the first larval instar. JHA applications to freshly laid eggs produced abnormal head and tracheal formation in some embryos treated with RO-20-3600 and caused developmental arrest during the beginning of posterior gut formation in most eggs treated with R-20458. Treatment with either JHA after the beginning of blastoderm formation resulted in normal looking first instar larvae which failed to hatch.
Stigma Consciousness and the Race Gap in College Academic Achievement

Stereotyped individuals vary in how chronically self-conscious they are of their stigmatized status, a variable called stigma consciousness. The present study examined whether stigma consciousness was negatively related to academic achievement in college for academically stigmatized (Black and Hispanic) students, but not for academically non-stigmatized (White and Asian) students. Results revealed that stigmatized students who were high in stigma consciousness had lower GPAs than stigmatized students who were low in stigma consciousness. Moreover, GPAs of stigmatized students who were low in stigma consciousness did not differ from those of non-stigmatized students. These results complement recent laboratory investigations of stigma consciousness among women and contribute to the literature on stereotype threat by extending the phenomenon to real-world academic performance.
The rate of preterm birth in the United States is affected by the method of gestational age assignment

Objective The objective of the study was to examine the rate of preterm birth in the United States using 2 different methods of gestational age assignment and determine which method more closely correlates with the known morbidities associated with preterm birth. Study Design Using National Center for Health Statistics data from 2012 United States birth certificates, we computed the rate of preterm birth defined as a birth at 36 or fewer completed weeks with gestational age assigned using the obstetric estimate as specified in the revised birth certificate. This rate was then compared with the rate when gestational age is calculated using the last menstrual period alone. The rates of neonatal morbidities associated with preterm birth were examined for each method of assigning gestational age. Results The rate of preterm birth was 9.7% when the obstetric estimate is used to calculate gestational age, which is significantly different from the rate of 11.5% when gestational age is calculated using the last menstrual period alone. In addition, the neonates identified as preterm by obstetric estimate were more likely to qualify as low birthweight (54% vs 42%; P Conclusion The preterm birth rate is 9.7% vs 11.5% and more closely correlates with adverse neonatal outcomes associated with preterm birth when gestational age is assigned using the obstetric estimate. This method of gestational age assignment is currently used by most industrialized nations and should be considered for future reporting of US outcomes.
Functionalized collagen scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration

Despite the robust regenerative potential of the peripheral nervous system, a permanent loss of function is often associated with injury. A multitude of causes have been implicated in this outcome, including the presence of a non-permissive microenvironment surrounding the injury and the regrowth of emerging neurites towards inappropriate targets. Preferential motor reinnervation is a naturally occurring phenomenon where motor axons have increased accuracy in reaching their appropriate end targets as the course of regeneration proceeds1. Several molecules have been implicated in encouraging this response, including two carbohydrates — Polysialic Acid (PSA) and Human Natural Killer Epitope-1 (HNK-1)2,3. Peptide mimics of these molecules have been identified4,5, which are more stable and economical than their glycan counterparts, and have independently been shown to enhance PMR in a soluble form, but only for transection distances substantially smaller than the 5-mm ‘critical gap’ size for mice6,7.© 2010 ASME
Natural product diversification using a non-natural cofactor analogue of S-adenosyl-L-methionine.

Adenosine analogues bearing either 5‘-aziridine or 5‘-N-mustard electrophiles are methyltransferase-dependent DNA alkylating agents. We present here a novel synthetic cofactor bearing a pendant 5‘-amino acid N-mustard. Unlike previously studied synthetic cofactors, this material is very efficiently used by the natural product biosynthetic enzyme rebeccamycin methyltransferase (RebM) to generate a number of new rebeccamycin analogues. These data promote the notion that natural product methyltransferases can be used with non-natural cofactors to enhance the molecular diversity of natural product analogues for drug discovery. To our knowledge, this is the first documentation of a biological methyltransferase, other than DNA methyltransferases, that can exploit such synthetic cofactors.