cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bounded, efficient and doubly robust estimation with inverse weighting

Consider estimating the mean of an outcome in the presence of missing data or estimating population average treatment effects in causal inference. A doubly robust estimator remains consistent if an outcome regression model or a propensity score model is correctly specified. We build on a previous nonparametric likelihood approach and propose new doubly robust estimators, which have desirable properties in efficiency if the propensity score model is correctly specified, and in boundedness even if the inverse probability weights are highly variable. We compare the new and existing estimators in a simulation study and find that the robustified likelihood estimators yield overall the smallest mean squared errors.
A novel, selective, and efficient route to carotenoids and related natural products via Zr-catalyzed carboalumination and Pd- and Zn-catalyzed cross coupling.

A highly efficient and stereoselective protocol for the syntheses of symmetrical and unsymmetrical carotenoids involving Zr-catalyzed carboalumination of conjugated oligoenynes and Pd- and Zn-catalyzed alkenyl−alkenyl coupling has been developed and applied to the syntheses of β- and γ-carotene and vitamin A. γ-Carotene of ≥99% isomeric purity was prepared in three linear steps (five steps overall) from β-ionone, enyne 8, (E)-ICHCHBr, and (E)-Me3SiC⋮CCHCHBr in 32% overall yield.
Relationship of mandibular anterior tooth apices to genial muscle attachments.

Abstract Ten adult midsagittaly sectioned cadaver heads were used to measure the distance between the apex of the central incisor or canine teeth and the attachment of the genioglossus or geniohyoid muscles. Measurements were made on both cadaver specimens and radiographs. The results of the two methods showed no statistically significant difference. The results indicate that there is a relatively small chance (5.6%) of including the genioglossus attachment in the lingual pedicle if an anterior mandibular subapical osteotomy is positioned 3 to 5 mm below the incisor apex but a large chance (65%) of including the genioglossus muscle when the osteotomy procedure includes the canine teeth.
The development of an output concept for analysis of curative health services.

Abstract This paper focuses on a major theoretical issue in medical economics: the conceptualization of output commonly employed in analyses of health services. Homogeneous concepts, such as patient days, are viewed as inadequate; convenient measures, such as the number of trained manpower or beds per unit of population are discarded as analytically unsound. It is suggested that in order to improve upon the present conceptualization, it is important to consider that the output of a health services firm is not homogeneous, but rather consists of a set of individuals who have (a) contracted one or more given diseases, (b) have received various diagnostic and treatment services specific to the contracted disease, and (c) have responded in varying degrees to the services received. A brief note discusses an analysis of health services in Uganda, in which the output concept presented here was employed.
AN XXXXY MALE. CASE REPORT AND REVIEW.

A 4½-year-old white boy with 49 chromosomes and an XXXXY sex chromosome complement is presented. The buccal smear revealed 3 chromatin bodies. Significant clinical and radiologic findings included mental retardation, cleft palate, and abnormalities of ossification in the wrists and elbows. Clinical and cytologic studies on his siblings and parents were normal. Evidence is presented to suggest that in the male with "Klinefelter's syndrome" the frequency and severity of abnormalities increase with additional "X" chromosomes.
Geriatric Syndromes and Incident Disability in Older Women: Results from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study

Objectives: To determine how the number of geriatric syndromes is associated with incident disability in community-based populations of older adults. Design: Longitudinal analysis from the Women's Health Initiative Observational Study (WHI-OS). Setting: Community. Participants: Twenty-nine thousand five hundred forty-four women aged 65 and older enrolled in the WHI-OS and free of disability in activities of daily living (ADLs) at baseline. Measurements: Geriatric syndromes (high depressive symptoms, dizziness, falls, hearing or visual impairment, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, syncope, sleep disturbance, and urinary incontinence) were self-reported at baseline and 3-year follow-up. Disability was defined as dependence in any ADL and was assessed at baseline and follow-up. Chronic diseases were measured according to a modified Charlson Index. Results: Geriatric syndromes were common in this population of women; 76.3% had at least one syndrome at baseline. Greater number of geriatric syndromes at baseline was significantly associated with greater risk of incident ADL disability at follow-up (P ? .001). Adjusted risk ratios were 1.21 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.78�1.87) for a single syndrome and 6.64 (95% CI = 4.15�10.62) for five or more syndromes compared with no syndromes. These results were only slightly attenuated after adjustment for number of chronic diseases or pain. Conclusion: Geriatric syndromes are significantly associated with onset of disability in older women; this association is not simply a result of chronic disease or pain. A better understanding of how these conditions contribute to disablement is needed. Geriatric syndrome assessment should be considered along with chronic disease management in the prevention of disability in older women
Neuroectodermal and neuroendocrine tumors principally seen in children.

Abstract Neuroectodermal tumors comprise a largeproportion of childhood neoplasms. Neuroblastictumors, including neuroblastoma,ganglioneuroblastoma, and ganglioneuroma, are themost frequent extracranial solid cancers of childhood,occurring primarily in infants and toddlers. Primitiveneuroectodermal tumors, including Ewing sarcoma andperipheral neuroepitheliomas, occur most frequently inolder children and adolescents, and as pediatricsarcomas are second in frequency only torhabdomyosarcomas. Rarer neuroectodermal tumorsinclude desmoplastic small cell tumors,esthesioneuroblastomas, and melanoticneuroectodermal tumors, the first two entities occurringas rather site-specific lesions in the abdomen and nose,respectively. Diagnosis can be difficult due to theundifferentiated nature of many of these cancers, butancillary studies, including electron microscopy,immunohistochemistry, cytogenetics, and moleculargenetics, enhance their recognition. The molecularnature of childhood neuroectodermal tumors is asdiverse as their histology, ranging from the fusion genescharacterizing the Ewing sarcoma family of tumors tothe proto-oncogene amplification seen in aggressiveneuroblastomas.
Motor responsiveness to stimuli presented during sleep: The influence of time-of-testing on sleep stage analyses

Abstract The relationship between time-of-night of testing (circadian factors) and motor responsiveness to stimuli presented during different stages of sleep was examined. Nine males slept for two nonconsecutive nights in the laboratory. On Night 1, tympanic temperature was assessed at 30 min intervals. On Night 2, responsiveness was assessed with an incremental series of tones presented in sleep stages 2, 3 4 , and REM throughout the night. Subjects were instructed to make a microswitch closure to the tones. Results showed that for all stages, responsiveness decreased across thirds of the night. Because the distribution of each sleep stage differed across the night, the effects on responsiveness due to time-of-testing and to sleep stage were confounded. When time-of-testing was held constant, responsiveness was greater in stages 2 and REM than in stage 3 4 . When time-of-testing was not held constant, effects nearly opposite of the latter could be demonstrated.
Infants' Visual Preferences in the Presence and Absence of Auditory Stimulation.

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to explore the hypothesis that altering rate of change of an auditory stimulus will affect infants′ fixation of changing visual stimuli. Experiment 1 revealed that average percent time that infants preferred looking at the less stimulating of two meaningless visual displays was highest under conditions of auditory stimulation. Experiment 2 demonstrated a significant inverse linear relation between rate of change of loudness in auditory stimulation and attentiveness to rapidly changing visual stimulation, due largely to decreased looking at the most stimulating display under conditions of auditory stimulation. In addition, the heart rates of a significant number of subjects were found to be accelerated in the presence of auditory stimulation. The results are interpreted as indicating that this type of sensory interaction is mediated, at least in part, by a subject′s level of arousal.
Applications Of Digital Processing In Computed Radiography

Computed radiography (CR) is a recent development in diagnostic radiology which yields digital radiographs. Digital image enhancement of CR images in the form of smoothing the noise and enhancing the edges of anatomic boundaries has been used as a means to aid the physician in extracting clinical information from the radiograph. Details of the smoothing and edge enhancing function are discussed along with potential diagnostic applications.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An automaton framework for neural nets that learn

Brindley (1967, 1969, 1972) has discussed nets of several types of formal neurons, many of whose functions are modifiable by their own input stimuli. Because Brindley's results are widely referred to, for example Marr (1970, 1971) and include some of the scarce non-trivial theorems on learning nets, it is important that serious side-conditions be made explicit. The language of finite automata is used to mathematicize the problem of adaptation sufficiently to remove some ambiguities of Brindley's approach. We close the paper by relating our framework to other formal studies of adaptation.
Convergence of m-bonacci ‘golden ratios’

This paper proves that the ratios of consecutive terms of the m-bonacci sequence converge to a limit φm < 2 and, as m → ∞, these φm converge to 2. Further, it is shown that the generating functions for the m-bonacci sequences converge pointwise to the geometric series.
Appendix A—The work of the International Commission on Subterranean Water in the Western Hemisphere

When the International Commission on Subterranean Water was reorganized in 1936 on a world-wide basis, the special importance of the development of ground water and ground-water hydrology in the Latin American countries was recognized. Accordingly, Dr. A. N. SAYRE, of the United states Geological Survey, was appointed to serve on the Commission in the special capacity of Secretary to the Latin American countries. Through the aid of the Pan-American Union, representatives were appointed on the Commission by 14 countries in the Western Hemisphere, including the United States and Canada. Seven of these countries were members of the International Union and are therefore represented on the Commission by full members; the other seven countries did not yet adhere to the International Union and are therefore represented by advisory members.
Modulation of mesenchymal stem cell behavior by nano- and micro-sized β-tricalcium phosphate particles in suspension and composite structures

Interest has grown in the use of microparticles and nanoparticles for modifying the mechanical and biological properties of synthetic bone composite structures. Micro- and nano-sized calcium phosphates are of interest for their osteoinductive behavior. Engineered composites incorporating polymers and ceramics, such as poly-l-lactic acid (PLLA) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), for bone tissue regeneration have been well investigated for their proliferative and osteoinductive abilities. Only limited research has been done to investigate the effects of different sizes of β-TCP particles on human mesenchymal stromal cell behavior. As such, the aim of this study was to investigate the modulations of human adipose-derived stem cell (hASCs) behavior within cell/particle and cell/composite systems as functions of particle size, concentration, and exposure time. The incorporation of nanoscale calcium phosphate resulted in improved mechanical properties and osteogenic behavior within the scaffold compared to the microscale calcium phosphate additives. Particle exposure results indicate that cytotoxicity on hASCs correlates inversely with particle size and increases with the increasing exposure time and particle concentration. Composites with increasing β-TCP content, whether microparticles or nanoparticles, were less toxic than colloidal micro- and nano-sized β-TCP particles directly supplied to hASCs. The difference in viability observed as a result of varying exposure route is likely related to the increased cell–particle interactions in the direct exposure compared to the particles becoming trapped within the scaffold/polymer matrix.
A Numerical Study on Effects of Fiber-Orientation of a Unidirectional Elastic Solid Under Impact:

A numerical study on effects of fiber-orientations of a unidirectional linear-elastic solid, not perpendicular to the direction of impulsive loading, on the wave propagation is performed by using a finite difference method, the AWMP code. A two-dimensional case of the penetration of a rigid punch into a unidirectional linear-elastic solid is used as the example. The fiber-orientation is found to play an important role in causing asymmetric wave patterns and generating asymmetric surface waves under symmetric loads. These asymmetric wave patterns resemble those in isotropic solids caused by asymmetric loads.
Angiogenesis, adipokines and breast cancer

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rapidly increasing world wide. Numerous epidemiological studies have shown that obesity is a risk factor for postmenopausal breast cancer and relapse. However, the biological factors that drive the growth and progression of these tumors and how obesity contributes to the tumor microenvironment are poorly understood. Tumor development and metastasis are dependent on the process of angiogenesis or the formation of new blood vessels. More importantly, a ready supply of adipose tissue-derived angiogenic adipokines, notably VEGF and leptin, and the production of inflammatory cytokines by infiltrating macrophages that occurs in adipose tissues with obesity, promotes the paracrine stimulation of vascular endothelial cell growth needed for adipogenesis, while maintaining a microenvironment that is favorable for breast tumorigenesis.
Pyrolysis mass spectrometry of bacteria from infected human urine. I. Influence of culturing and antibiotics

Curie-point pyrolysis mass spectrometry was performed on three bacterial isolates obtained from infected human urine using a novel, direct isolation method. Bacterial samples were analysed directly after isolation, as well as after free growth in broth and after exposure to solutions containing penicillin and gentamicin. The spectra of bacteria directly from urine showed no detectable contamination from urinary constituents. Discriminant analysis indicated genetic strain differences to be greater than the combined variances due to sample preparation or the growth phase. Characteristic biochemical changes related to growth or non-growth were detectable after only 2 h of incubation. The potential usefulness of pyrolysis mass spectrometry techniques for rapid susceptibility testing is discussed.
Coordination of chiral amines to coordinatively unsaturated Cp∗Ir-amino acid complexes allows determination of enantiomeric purity

Abstract Coordinatively unsaturated complexes of the Cp ∗ Ir fragment to the dianion of N-tosylamino acids combine with chiral amines in a highly diastereoselective fashion, such that metallacycle substituents R (amino acid side chain) and Cp ∗ are cis. Observation of adducts between the alanine- and phenylglycine-derived complexes and (S)-α-methylbenzylamine by NMR at low to ambient temperature allows determination of the enantiomeric purity of either component, 1 to 2% impurity being easily detectable. Furthermore, α-methylbenzylamine was analyzed for its enantiomeric purity independent of external chiral reagent, by its conversion to N,N′-bis(1-phenylethyl)urea.
Linear invariant systems

We formulate in a simple fashion the concept of invariance for a linear system. We show that one must define what we call an "associated Hermitian operator" which commutes with the system function. We show that it is this Hermitian operator that defines the invariance and also determines the appropriate transform and other connections between input and output relations.
SECONDARY PHOTOMETRIC STANDARDS FOR NORTHERN CATACLYSMIC VARIABLES AND RELATED OBJECTS

An average of 30 B,V secondary standards per field have been established for 76 variable stars. These are mostly cataclysmic variables of various subclasses but also include a variety of other kinds of variable stars. The standards are within a few arc minutes of the variable and are therefore well suited for CCD photometry. The standards have brightnesses of V ~ 12-17 and have a typical accuracy per standard of ± 0.01 mag.
Evaluation and Differential Diagnosis of Marked, Persistent Eosinophilia

High-grade eosinophilia can be a diagnostic dilemma, as the etiologies are extensive and varied. Hypereosinophilic syndromes (HES) are a group of heterogeneous disorders, many of which remain poorly defined. By definition, HES must be distinguished from other disorders with persistently elevated eosinophilia with a defined cause. Although marked eosinophilia worldwide is most commonly caused by helminth (worm) infections, non-infectious causes must be considered, and include drug reactions, malignancies, and immunologic, inflammatory and allergic diseases.
The social-psychological foundations of successful energy conservation programmes

Abstract In spite of high potential for saving energy in US buildings, adoption rates for residential conservation technologies have been low. Research in the social and behavioural sciences helps to explain these low adoption rates and suggests strategies for improving conservation delivery systems. The authors propose a social diffusion model as a useful conceptual framework for analysing the spread of conservation devices. This formulation stresses the importance of existing social networks, focusing on the transmission of vivid and personal information from credible sources and the modelling of the behaviour of trusted others. A review is presented of successful utility, government and community conservation programmes that address the complexities of human information processing and make special efforts to overcome structural barriers to participation by all energy consumers. Exemplary programmes are identified and a checklist is provided for use in conservation programme planning, implementation and evaluation.
The Thermomechanical Controlled Processing of High-Strength Steel Plate: A New View of Toughness Based on Modern Metallography

Modern thermomechanical controlled processing (TMCP) of advanced steels is now an important processing route in the production of engineering structures and products that are of value to society. The principles of TMCP are now practiced in the hot mill, cold mill and press forming shops around the world. Successful TMCP means that the proper metallurgical microstructure has been obtained in the required areas of the steel. The ideal microstructure is often defined by the correct phase balance and dimensions either of the parent austenite or final ferritic phase. Technological and economic demands have led to ever increasing levels of strength, especially for applications such as large diameter linepipe. The operative yield strengths in 18mm hot rolled plate have increased from X52(ferrite pearlite) in 1970 to X80(ferrite-bainite) today. The next frontier is the X100-X120 strength range, where bainitic or martensitic microstructures are required. It is clear that achieving a high-strength bainitic microstructure in heavy plate requires a high Carbon Equivalent value (C. E. II or Pcm), a rapid cooling rate, and a low water-end temperature. The requirement of high toughness and good weldability also means a low carbon content. This paper will describe the results of a research program where a steel of C. E. 0.56 and Pcm 0.23 was reheated, rough rolled for grain refinement, finish rolled for austenite pancaking, and direct quenched to below the Bs temperature. It was found that the strength and especially the toughness of the fully processed plates could not be explained using conventional metallographic techniques in conjunction with known structure-property relationships. However, the application of modern metallographic techniques based on FEG-SEM incorporating OIM led to microstructural characterization that more fully explained the observed mechanical properties. Of particular importance were the amount of MA micro-constituent, the crystallographic packet size of the bainite, and the high angle boundary character, especially the CSL boundaries, found in the microstructure. In the future, improved modeling of microstructural evolution and attendant mechanical properties will incorporate these important features.
The dilemma of health care quality, access, and cost and its effect on MR imaging.

Keywords: Cost effectiveness; Editorials; Medico-legal problems; Quality assurance; Radiology and radiologists, departmental management; Radiology and radiologists, research; Utilization
Alcohol selection by DBA and C57BL mice arising from ova transfers.

THE notion of the hereditability of alcoholism has alternated between acceptance and rejection1–4. Convincing evidence for a genetic involvement in man has been reported5,6, but the issue remains controversial7. Because nature and nurture are so intertwined, and the methodology of their separation in humans is difficult, and even often suspect, inbred mouse strains have been used to examine the genetic basis of the disparate voluntary alcohol intakes seen in these strains8,9.
Effect of hemorrhagic hypotension on extracellular level of dopamine, cortical oxygen pressure and blood flow in brain of newborn piglets

Abstract The present study describes the relationships between extracellular striatal dopamine, cortical oxygen pressure and blood flow in brain of newborn piglets during hemorrhagic hypotension. Cerebral oxygen pressure was measured optically by the oxygen dependent quenching of phosphorescence; extracellular dopamine by in vivo microdialysis; striatal blood flow was monitored by a laser Doppler. Following a 2 h stabilization period after implanting the microdialysis and laser Doppler probes in the striatum, the mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) was decreased in stepwise manner from 87 ± 4 Torr (control) to 35 ± 5 Torr, during 63 min. The whole blood was then reinfused and measurements were continued for 45 min. Statistically significant decrease in blood flow, 10%, was observed when arterial blood pressure decreased to about 53 Torr. With further decrease blood pressure to 35 Torr, blood flow decreased to about 35% of control ( P P P P
Influence of self-monitoring on dating motivations.

Abstract Two studies examined the relations between self-monitoring and motivations for forming and maintaining romantic relationships. Investigation 1 revealed that high and low self-monitoring individuals have contrasting motivations that influence what they look for in, and seek to obtain from, romantic partners. Specifically, high self-monitors reported greater extrinsic motives for maintaining a relationship than did low self-monitors, and low self-monitors reported greater intrinsic motives than did high self-monitors. Investigation 2 revealed that these differences in motivations between high and low self-monitors are reflected in their differential preferences for characteristics in a dating partner. Overall, the results suggest that self-monitoring may influence whether and why individuals enter long-term relationships and what they seek to obtain from these relationships.
EFFECT OF PROCESSING PARAMETERS ON THE TEMPERATURE AND MOISTURE CONTENT OF MICROWAVE‐BLANCHED PEANUTS

Peanut blanching consists of heat application followed by abrasive removal of the seed coat. The use of a continuous microwave system for the blanching of peanuts has been proposed as a means of reducing processing time and energy costs compared to the traditional hot-air, multizone oven. The purpose of this research was to characterize effective processing parameters for microwave blanching. The factors examined were the time of exposure in the microwave, use of increased airflow in the microwave applicator during processing and the initial moisture content (MC) of the peanuts. Processing treatments were differentiated by energy absorbed during processing, average and maximum internal temperature, loss in MC and blanchability. High blanchability resulted from higher process temperatures and greater loss in MC. Treatments exceeding 110C resulting in a final MC of 5.5% or below yielded blanchability percentages greater than the 85% industry standard. The time required to generate sufficient heat to dry peanuts for acceptable blanchability is greatly reduced by the use of microwave technology.
Relativistic Effects in Electron Scattering from Atoms

Relativistic and nonrelativistic differential cross sections for argon, krypton, and iodine are computed for the energy range 20 eV-150 keV. The atomic fields as determined by Clementi (Hartree-Fock) and Liberman (Dirac) are used interchangeably in the two calculations. Contributions to the cross section arising from exchange between incident and atomic electrons are also considered. Relativistic and nonrelativistic comparisons are made, and where available, the experimental data are also reproduced. A number of conclusions regarding relativistic and exchange effects are reached, most noteworthy of which are the low-energy exchange effects.
Responsiveness of Gonadotropin Secretion to Infusion of an Opiate-Receptor Antagonist in Hypogonadotropic Individuals*

We tested the hypothesis that suppressive effects of endogenous opiate substances are involved in certain hypogonadotropic states. For this purpose, we studied gonadotropin secretion in idiopathic hypopituitarism (five children), constitutionally delayed adolescence (five boys), and Kallmann's syndrome (three men). Endogenous opiate pathways were antagonized by the iv infusion of naloxone hydrochloride at a dose previously shown to elicit a prompt and significant increase in serum levels of LH in normal men. Under these conditions, naloxone did not increase serially sampled serum concentrations or mean urinary levels of LH or FSH in eight patients with idiopathic hypopituitarism or Kallmann's syndrome. Gonadotropin concentrations in four of five patients with constitutionaldelay of adolescence also were unaffected. In one boy with clinical and biochemical indices of late pubertal development, naloxone elicited a significant increase in LH levels in blood and urine, similar to the pattern observed in norma...
CORN-BASED FOODS USED IN FOOD AID PROGRAMS: STABILITY CHARACTERISTICS–A REVIEW

For more than a generation, the United States has carried out a donation program to relieve world food shortages. Processed high-protein blended food products, enriched with vitamins and minerals, were developed to supplement the diets of hungry children. Corn-based foods for food aid programs were prepared by combining yellow corn with soybeans and other protein supplements. Storage stability, a critical factor for worldwide shipment, was investigated as a function of processing, formulation, packaging and distribution under various climatic conditions. Processing yellow corn and other components includes dry milling, which may or may not be followed by some form of cooking. Cooking must be carefully controlled to inactivate hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes that could cause deterioration. Overcooking must be avoided because it may also reduce storage stability. Adequate storage stability of corn-based foods depends upon such other factors as removal of germ or adequate processing of the germ and other protein supplements, use of nonreducing sweeteners and the control of moisture. Storage stability can be predicted from product time-temperature studies.
Electrochemical Determination of N-oxidized Procainamide Metabolites and Functional Assessment of Effects on Murine Cells in Vitro

Because of the implication of N-oxidized metabolites of procainamide in the induction of drug-related lupus, we have studied the electrochemical behavior of these metabolites and developed an electrochemical synthesis of nitrosoprocainamide. This synthesis was developed using procainamide hydroxylamine as the starting material which was oxidized to the nitroso species at an applied potential of 700 mV vs Ag/AgCl using a carbon packed bed bulk electrolysis flow cell. Conversion efficiencies of greater than 95% were achieved with this method. Subsequent studies with a chemically diverse series of biocompounds were used to investigate possible reactions between the procainamide hydroxylamine and nitroso species and these selected molecules. Only antioxidants such as cysteine, glutathione and ascorbic acid were found to react with the nitroso compound as determined by electrochemical methods, and this reaction was characterized as primarily a simple redox reaction at physiological pH. Animal studies conducted with murine spleen cells incubated with mitogens and various procainamide compounds demonstrated that the N-oxidized metabolites are the active immunopharmacologic agents.
Inhibition of GTPγS-dependent phospholipase D and Rho membrane association by calphostin is independent of protein kinase C catalytic activity

Abstract We studied the relationships between the activation of phospholipase D (PLD) by guanine nucleotides and phorbol esters in permeabilized U937 promonocytes and in solubilized extracts prepared from U937 cell membranes. Treatment of permeabilized cells with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) strongly potentiated GTPγS-dependent PLD activity at free Ca2+ m . In the absence of GTPγS, PMA stimulated only minor PLD activity. This suggested synergistic interaction between regulatory G-proteins and a protein kinase C (PKC) family kinase. The potential role of PKC was evaluated by testing two mechanistically distinct PKC inhibitors, bisindolylmaleimide (BIM) and calphostin. BIM inhibits PKC enzymes via competition with ATP for binding to the catalytic domain, while calphostin competes with PMA or diglyceride for binding to the regulatory domain. The ability of PMA to potentiate the GTPγS-dependent PLD was not inhibited by BIM. In contrast, calphostin strongly inhibited the GTPγS-dependent PLD activity, both in the presence and absence of PMA as a potentiating agent. Calphostin also produced complete inhibition of a GTPγS-dependent PLD activity, present in solubilized membrane extracts, which was assayed using phospholipid vesicles of defined composition. Treatment of reconstituted membrane/cytosol mixtures with calphostin also produced complete inhibition of the GTPγS-induced translocation of Rho A from cytosol to membrane. In contrast to its effects on the U937 cell PLD, calphostin did not inhibit the activity of purified PLD from cabbage. These results suggest that the assembly of active RhoA/PLD signaling complexes on membranes involves a phorbol ester/calphostin-binding protein, but is not dependent on PKC-type catalytic activity.
Mutability of stored spores of Bacillus subtilis.

THE problem of accumulation of mutations in dormant organisms is of considerable theoretical and practical interest (for a recent review, see ref. 1).
TEACHERS' PERSONALITY DESCRIPTION OF SIX-YEAR-OLDS: A CHECK ON STRUCTURE

Summary. Since factor analytic evidence on personality structure in young children is still uncommon and incomplete, an independent, checking analysis is presented on the excellent data gathered by Digman, on 102 seven and eight year-olds, by use of behavior ratings on a standard set of thirty-nine bipolar ‘marker’ traits. The general agreement with Digman's findings is good, seven of his eleven factors closely matching seven of the twelve here, in ‘blind’ rotations. However, where there are differences, the technical points by which differences in factor analyses may be evaluated are illustrated. In particular, the differences of interpretation are evaluated, for the present writer's factors A, cyclothymia; C, ego strength; D, excitability; E, dominance; and so on to O, guilt proneness, are more exactly confirmed here. This better confirmation coincides with (a) a higher hyperplane count (mean 70 per cent.), and (b) a higher statistical significance of simple structure by the Bargmann test. However, the differences of the independent analyses are small compared with the agreements. The study has relevance also to the cross-cultural constancy of personality factors, in that the subjects were roughly half Japanese, half Caucasian, in Hawaii.
Effects of the nitro‐group on the mutagenicity and toxicity of some benzamines

The Ames Salmonella/microsomal assay was employed to test the mutagenicity of some benzamines and their nitro-derivatives using strains TA98 and TA100, and their nitro-reductase deficient mutants, TA98NR and TA100 NR, in the presence and absence of Aroclor 1254 induced rat S9 mix. Aniline was not mutagenic to any tester strains; whereas p-nitroaniline was directly mutagenic to TA98, but not to TA98NR. 2-Nitro-p-phenylenediamine and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine were strongly mutagenic to all strains with or without S9 mix, whereas p-phenylenediamine was weakly mutagenic to TA98 and TA98NR after metabolic activation. 3-Nitro-o-phenylendiamine was a weak mutagen to all strains; and o-phenylenediamine was mutagenic to TA98, TA98NR, and TA100 with activation. The addition of the nitro-group to benzamines thus converts them into direct mutagens; the position of the nitro-group is crucial for mutagenic activity. Cytoxicity of these compounds were also examined using Chinese hamster ovary cells. The oxidation potentials of these compounds were measured using PARC EGG 273 Potentiostat/Gavonostat equipped with a PC computer. Physical properties such as the energy difference between the Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital and the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital, ionization potential and dipole moment were calculated. The mutagenicity or toxicity of these compounds was not related to any of these physicalmore » properties. The effect of the nitro-group on the mutagenicity of benzamines is unclear.« less
Dynamic social planning and intention revision in generative story planning

In narrative planning, complex, interesting stories are built around plot elements where characters work both competitively and cooperatively to achieve their goals. In contrast to previous intentionality modeling, a narrative story planner might introduce non-optimal character plans that contain flaws or idiosyncrasies for dramatic purpose. The goal of this research project is to introduce a narrative planning system that can be used in a virtual environment to create engaging stories that reflect a predicted user mental model of the narrative.
Suppression of 4-aminopyridine-induced epileptogenesis by the GABAA agonist muscimol

Bath application of muscimol to hippocampal slices taken from immature rats suppressed both spontaneous and electrically evoked epileptiform activity produced by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP). Epileptiform events consisted of ictal-like discharges that were up to 30 sec in duration and interictal burst-like discharges. The latter were often followed by brief synchronized afterdischarges that were less than 1 sec in duration. During the transition period to suppression, individual pyramidal cells did not hyperpolarize in response to muscimol, but instead underwent a gradual depolarization that averaged 8.5 mV. At the same time, the input conductance of these cells increased 2-3-fold. Concurrently the ictal-like discharges transiently increased in duration and then abruptly ceased. In most instances the ictal-like events were replaced by large slow depolarizing events. Orthodromic stimulation recruited these slow depolarizations in a graded manner. However, at high stimulus intensities and at unusually long latencies ictal-like discharges were evoked. This suggests that muscimol raises the threshold for the generation of ictal-like discharges but leaves the underlying physiological processes intact. The combined use of 4-AP and muscimol in immature hippocampal slices may prove to be useful for the study of the various physiologic processes that contribute to the genesis of seizures in immature hippocampus. In addition, results of these studies are relevant in light of the proposed use of GABA agonists in anticonvulsant therapy.
Actual Malice in the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights decided four cases in recent years that represent a positive step for freedom of expression in nations that belong to the Organization of American States. In 2004 and again in 2008, the court stopped short of adopting a standard that would require proof of actual malice in criminal defamation cases brought by public officials. In 2009, however, the court seemed to adopt the actual malice rule without calling it that. The court's progress toward actual malice is chronicled in this article. The article concludes that the court's decision not to explicitly use the phrase “actual malice” may be a positive development for freedom of expression in the Americas.
Mapping the Membrane Topography of Segments TH6-TH7 and TH8-TH9 in the Diphtheria Toxin T-Domain Channel

The T-domain of diphtheria toxin senses a low pH to insert into a lipid membrane, form a transmembrane channel, and translocate the attached catalytic domain across the membrane. Previous work has identified three transmembrane segments of T-domain in the open channel state, corresponding to TH5, TH8 and TH9 in the aqueous crystal structure; the amino-terminal region, TH1-TH4, was shown to be translocated across the membrane to the trans side. It was also shown that residues near either end of the TH6-TH7 segment are not translocated, remaining on the cis side of the membrane; the intervening 25-residue sequence is too short to form a transmembrane α-helical hairpin, so it was concluded that the TH6-TH7 segment resides at the cis interface. Now we have examined this segment further, using the substituted-cysteine accessibility method. We constructed a series of mutant T-domains with a single cysteine residue at positions in TH6-TH7, monitored their channel formation in planar lipid bilayers, and probed for an effect of thiol-specific methanethiosulfonate reagents on the channel conductance. For at least 12 of the mutants, the reagent caused a change in the single-channel conductance, indicating that the introduced cysteine residue was exposed within the channel lumen. We also compared the reaction rate of reagent added to the cis side vs. that to the trans side in order to estimate the residue's position along the channel axis. This analysis revealed abrupt changes in cis- vs. trans-side accessibility, suggesting that the TH6-TH7 segment forms a constriction that occupies a small portion of the total channel length. The location of this constriction relative to the TH8-TH9 segment was also determined.
Curriculum revitalization initiative at Tulane.

Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine launched its curriculum revitalization initiative to examine the Master of Public Health degrees (MPH). The initiative will enhance excellence in MPH education and incorporate innovative teaching approaches.Taskforces determined the MPH core should provide the foundation for public health, integrate knowledge across public health areas, and develop skills and methods needed in practice. The MPH is being updated to provide specialized study that builds skills and practical applications based on theory and evidence-based approaches. Eleven graduate certificates were developed to provide a second area of specialization.Practica are viewed as increasingly important for students without practical experience. Teaching methods will incorporate more technology including online modules for a blended classroom approach.
Autecology of a genetically modified fluorescent pseudomonad on sugar beet

The survival, dispersal and impact of a genetically modified microorganism (GMM) in the phyllosphere of glasshouse grown sugar beet was investigated. The GMM, Pseudomonas fluorescens SBW25EeZY6KX (lacZY and kanr-xylE) derived from a bacterium originally isolated from field grown sugar beet, was introduced as a seed inoculum. It survived in the phyllosphere throughout the 531-day study on plants growing in field soil. The bacterium was highly competitive, in some samples representing the largest bacterial population isolated. The GMM also established on a broad range of other plant species when introduced on the seed. Fluctuations in the numbers of GMM correlated with those of the indigenous pseudomonad population, indicating the organism had not been adversely affected by the addition of novel genes. Inoculum density had no significant effect on the number of GMMs detected in the phyllosphere, although it affected the population size in the rhizosphere. The GMM persisted in fallow soil for at least 10 days and subsequently colonised germinating untreated plants. Limited potential for GMM dispersal from the phyllosphere was detected using physical means of transfer, although moisture assisted dispersal from colonised plants. GMM transfer to other plant species growing between treated plants was detected. Insects captured in the glasshouse carried the GMM, indicating a potential for long distance dispersal. Introduction of the wild-type and GMM on the seed had a transient impact on the number and composition of the bacterial community colonising treated plants. Assessment of community diversity by fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of bacterial isolates revealed that the GMM had less impact on the bacterial community than the wild-type. Both organisms competitively excluded Enterobacteriaceae taxa, although this impact was attributed in part to the low taxa diversity that developed in the artificial conditions of the glasshouse. Instances of the GMM undergoing phenotypic change after introduction on the seed were detected by FAME analysis.
The United States Children’s Bureau and Pediatric Medicine: A Retrospective Analysis

* Abbreviations: AAP — : American Academy of Pediatrics AMA — : American Medical Association EMIC — : Emergency Maternity and Infant Care IMR — : infant mortality rate USCB — : United States Children’s Bureau This year marks the centennial of the founding of the United States Children’s Bureau. A remarkable agency, directed by women in its early years, the bureau played a major role in studying and lowering infant mortality. Medical historians Janet Golden and Jeffrey Brosco provide an overview of its history, and of why it had an oftentimes stormy relationship with organized medicine, sometimes including pediatrics. —Jeffrey P. Baker, MD, PhD Section Editor, Historical Perspectives This year, 2012, marks the 100th anniversary of the United States Children's Bureau, a federal agency founded with the support of pediatricians. Its history, including its conflicts with organized medicine and its path-breaking work in promoting child health, is helpful in understanding the new focus in pediatrics on the social determinants of health from a life-course perspective. A December 1912 New York Times article headlined “150,000 Babies May Be Saved Each Year” announced an attack on infant mortality by the newly created United States Children’s Bureau (USCB).1 Fought for by progressive reformers, promoted by President Theodore Roosevelt, supported by pediatricians, and signed into law by President William Howard Taft, the USCB is now celebrating its 100th anniversary. Its mission, to investigate and report on all matters pertaining to children and child life, marked a bold step for the federal government, which until that time left health policy to state and local governments. The USCB was created when infant deaths were common, the promise of … Address correspondence to Janet Golden, PhD, Rutgers University, Camden, 311 North 5th St, Camden, NJ 08102. E-mail: jgolden{at}camden.rutgers.edu
Rapidly rising prevalence of nosocomial multidrug-resistant, Gram-negative bacilli: a 9-year surveillance study.

Objective:To examine and quantify the temporal trends of nosocomial multidrug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli.Design:A 9-year surveillance study was conducted. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to 3 or more antimicrobial classes.Setting:Tertiary-care institution.Results:From 1994 to 2002, multidrug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli increased from 1% to 16% for multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 4% to 13% for multidrug-resistant Enterobacter species, 0.5% to 17% for multidrug-resistant Klebsiella species, 0% to 9% for multidrug-resistant Proteus species, and 0.2% to 4% for multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli (P ≤ .05). The most common pattern of multidrug resistance was co-resistance to quinolones, third-generation cephalosporins, and aminoglycosides.Conclusion:The rapid rise of multidrug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli may warrant infection control programs to include these pathogens in strategies aimed at limiting the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.
LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHER EDUCATION: A SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH

LANGUAGE LEARNING AND TEACHER EDUCATION: A SOCIOCULTURAL APPROACH. Margaret R. Hawkins (Ed.). Clevedon, UK: Multilingual Matters. Pp. ix + 204. 39.95 paper.This book, according to the editor, “took shape from discussions among language teacher educators” who were interested in “reconceptualizing and redefining their practices” (p. 3) in order to reflect a shift from viewing language learning as an object to be dissected on paper to a view of language learning as discourses embedded in and shaped by situated social situations. It was, therefore, not surprising to discover that the chapters in this edited volume are all framed within a common sociocultural perspective that views language not as monolithic but as composed of many different social languages or discourses. Traditionally, language instruction, whether it be the teaching of traditional foreign languages, English as a foreign language or English as a second language, has focused on teaching grammatical structures and has been centered around teaching one correct form.
Using built environmental observation tools: comparing two methods of creating a measure of the built environment.

Abstract Purpose Identify an efficient method of creating a comprehensive and concise measure of the built environment integrating data from geographic information systems (GIS) and the Senior Walking Environmental Assessment Tool (SWEAT). Design Cross-sectional study using a population sample. Setting Eight municipally defined neighborhoods in Portland, Oregon. Subjects Adult residents (N = 120) of audited segments (N = 363). Measures We described built environmental features using SWEAT audits and GIS data. We obtained information on walking behaviors and potential confounders through in-person interviews. Analysis We created two sets of environmental measures, one based on the conceptual framework used to develop SWEAT and another using principal component analysis (PCA). Each measure's association with walking for transportation and exercise was then assessed and compared using logistic regression. Results A priori measures (destinations, safety, aesthetics, and functionality) and PCA measures (ac...