cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of experimental manipulation of male secondary sex characters on female mate preference in red jungle fowl

In previous mate choice experiments, female red jungle fowl, Gallus gallus, preferred males with long, bright red combs, red eyes, and (in one case) long tail feathers. When the colour and/or length of the comb was manipulated experimentally by placing artificial Latex combs over the natural ones, hens seemed to ignore the manipulated character and focused instead on traits such as hackle feather colour that had been secondary in importance in previous mate choice tests conducted with unmanipulated birds, but not as much so as the comb or eye characters. Similar results were obtained when tail length was experimentally lengthened or shortened. Rather than using only one or two traits as criteria of choice, females may rely on an additive or redundant suite of characters, with each providing part of the information used in making mate choice decisions.
Factors associated with refusal of rapid HIV testing in an emergency department.

HIV screening studies in the emergency department (ED) have demonstrated rates of HIV test refusal ranging from 40–67%. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with refusal to undergo routine rapid HIV testing in an academic ED in Boston. HIV counselors offered routine testing to 1,959 patients; almost one-third of patients (29%) refused. Data from a self-administered survey were used to determine independent correlates of HIV testing refusal. In multivariate analysis, women and patients with annual household incomes of $50,000 or more were more likely to refuse testing, as were those who reported not engaging in HIV risk behaviors, those previously HIV tested and those who did not perceive a need for testing. Enrollment during morning hours was also associated with an increased risk of refusal. Increased educational efforts to convey the rationale and benefits of universal screening may improve testing uptake among these groups.
Linkage mapping of maize and barley myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase DNA sequences: correspondence with a low phytic acid mutation

We sequenced and genetically mapped the myo-inositol 1-phosphate synthase (MIPS) genes of maize (Zea mays L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L). Our objective was to determine whether the genetic map positions of these MIPS loci correspond with the location of the low phtyic acid 1 (lpa1) mutations that were previously identified in maize and barley. Seven MIPS-homologous sequences were mapped to positions on maize chromosomes 1S, 4L, 5S, 6S, 8L, 9S and 9L, and a similar number of divergent MIPS sequences were amplified from maize. To the extent that we can compare across different genetic mapping populations, the position of the MIPS gene on maize chromosome 1S is identical to the location of the maize lpa1 mutation. However, only one MIPS sequence was identified in barley and this gene was mapped to a locus on chromosome 4H that is separate from the barley lpa1 mutation on chromosome 2H. Although several RFLP markers linked to the barley MIPS gene on chromosome 4H also detect loci near barley lpa1 on chromosome 2H, our experiments failed to reveal a second MIPS gene that could be associated with the barley lpa1 mutation. Therefore, genetic mapping results from this study support the MIPS candidate-gene hypothesis for maize lpa1, but do not support the MIPS candidate-gene-hypothesis for barley lpa1. These opposing results contradict the hypothesis that maize lpa1 and barley lpa1 are mutations of orthologous genes, which is suggested by the similar biochemical phenotypes of these mutants. Yet, comparisons of RFLP mapping studies show loci that are homologous between maize chromosome 1S, barley chromosome 4H and barley chromosome 2H, including regions flanking the respective MIPS and/or lpa1 loci. This putative relationship, between the regions flanking the lpa1 mutations on maize 1S and barley 2H, also supports the assertion that these mutations are orthologous despite contradictory results between our maize and barley candidate-gene experiments.
Neuropsychological Recovery in Head Injury

• Recovery of neuropsychological functions was studied in a group of adults with mild to severe head injuries. The subjects were first examined when alert and then 12 and 18 months following their first testing. The results support the following conclusions: (1) a broad range of early deficits occur representing the diversity of behavioral performances dependent on the brain; (2) improvement following losses occurs in complex as well as in simple neuropsychological functions; (3) on the basis of information available, conclusions regarding when recovery slows are premature; and most important, (4) the degree of initial deficit is a significant determinant of the subsequent amount of recovery and the residual deficits.
Cytogenetics of Thirteen Radiation-Induced Reciprocal Translocations in Collinsia heterophylla

The cytogenetic behavior of colchicine-induced reciprocal translocations in Collinsia heterophylla (Soriano 1957) is known to be different from those of radiation-induced ones (Garber and Dhillon 1962). This paper presents cytogenetic data on thirteen radiation-induced translocations in the same species in two (X2 and X3) generations. All translocations studied had two nonhomologous chromosome pairs involved. Most of the translocation heterozygotes showed directed orientation of the interchange complexes at metaphase I in both the X2 and X3 generations. RT-M showed random orientation and RT-N and RT-P displayed reversal from directed to random orientation or vice versa in these generations. These data combined with metaphase I chromosomal configurations observed for the various translocations indicated that RT-M resulted from breaks in the terminal or sub-terminal chiasma-forming regions of the two chromosome pairs involved (behavior similar to that of colchicine-induced translocations of Soriano). The rest of the translocations had breaks in the internal non-chiasma forming regions. While the breaks in RT-Q and RT-R2 may have been just proximal to the chiasma-forming regions, the breaks in the remaining translocations appear to be nearer the centromere than the chiasma forming segments.Thus two types of translocation behavior reported earlier for two different mutagens were observed in the present study involving gamma irradiation alone and the results in general support the underlying mechanical hypothesis for the random versus the directed types of orientation proposed earlier by Garber and Dhillon for C. heterophylla. However, genetic factors may also influence the orientation of the interchange complexes at metaphase I.
Challenging behaviors in toddlers diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders with the DSM-IV-TR and the proposed DSM-5 criteria

Abstract With publication of the DSM-5 slated for May 2013, it has been predicted that the new diagnostic criteria will cause a decrease in the prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), seriously impacting children no longer meeting criteria for the disorder. A majority of individuals with ASD have behavior problems which are not considered core features of the disorder but are significantly impairing and often the focus of intervention. The aim of the current study was to investigate types of challenging behaviors in toddlers who may no longer meet diagnostic criteria for ASD using a psychometrically sound measure, the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT) – Part 3 . The study included 3339 toddlers, 501 who will retain ASD diagnosis according to the DSM-5 ; 439 who will no longer meet criteria, and a comparison group of 2399 toddlers referred for evaluation due to atypical development. Though toddlers diagnosed under the DSM-5 exhibited the most challenging behaviors, those who did not meet DSM-5 criteria exhibited significantly more challenging behaviors than the atypically developing toddlers. The effect of the changes in ASD diagnostic criteria on access to early behavioral interventions warrants careful consideration as the new DSM-5 criteria are adopted.
Structural Incoherence and Stock Market Activity

This paper argues that the efficiency of the price-setting process in the stock market is contingent on the coherence of a stock's position in the industry-based classificatory structure that guides valuation. While this structure helps investors interpret ambiguous economic news, it is imperfect because stocks vary in the extent to which they are coherently classified, as revealed by the stocks' position in the network of coverage by securities analysts. The main hypotheses are that incoherent stocks are traded more often because such stocks are more likely to be subject to differences in the interpretive models used to understand material information; and that both volume and volatility are higher for incoherent stocks because convergence on a common interpretation relies more heavily on self-recursive market dynamics. These hypotheses are validated via analyses of market activity in the aftermath of first-quarter earnings announcements for U.S.- based firms from 1995 to 2001. The results help reorient ...
American Entrepreneurs and the Horatio Alger Myth

Since 1925 a number of scholars have conducted studies of the general business elite in America. Their studies have concluded that the American business elite has been predominantly native born, urban, better educated than the general population, and has originated disproportionately from higher economic classes. These conclusions are not surprising. It might have been surprising if the business elite were found to have emerged predominantly from the poor and less educated, and the immigrant, farm or working-class populations. Such origins would infer a rapid displacement of elite members, the possibility of rapid and massive disaggregation of family fortunes, and the loss of family aggrandizement as a motivating consideration in the minds of aspiring businessmen. This, however, was apparently not the case.
Solving operational statistics via a Bayesian analysis

For the newsvendor problem with ambiguous demand, it is known that integrating parameter estimation and optimization using operational statistics leads to better solutions compared with the traditional approach. However, it is an open question how to find the optimal operational statistic. We show how to do it in this paper.
Function of Neuromuscular Synapses in the Zebrafish Choline-Acetyltransferase Mutant bajan

We have identified a zebrafish mutant line, bajan, in which compromised motility and fatigue result from a point mutation in the gene coding choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme responsible for acetylcholine (ACh) synthesis. Although the mutation predicts loss of ChAT function, bajan inexplicably retains low levels of neuromuscular transmission. We exploited this residual activity and determined the consequences for synaptic function. The attenuated synaptic responses were a direct consequence of a decrease in both resting mean quantal size and quantal content. To replicate behavioral fatigue in swimming, motorneurons were stimulated at high frequencies. A prominent reduction in quantal content, reflecting vesicle depletion, was coincident with a small additional reduction in quantal size. In humans, defective ChAT leads to episodic apnea, a form of congenital myasthenic syndrome characterized by use-dependent fatigue. In contrast to bajan, however, afflicted individuals exhibit a normal resting quantal size and quantal content. The fatigue in humans results from a pronounced long-lasting drop in quantal size with little or no change in quantal content. These differences have important implications for interpreting fatigue as well as on understanding the impact of ACh availability on vesicle filling and recycling.
Hormonal Regulation of Tomato Fruit Development: A Molecular Perspective

Fruit development is a complex yet tightly regulated process. The developing fruit undergoes phases of cell division and expansion followed by numerous metabolic changes leading to ripening. Plant hormones are known to affect many aspects of fruit growth and development. In addition to the five classic hormones (auxins, gibberellins, cytokinins, abscisic acid and ethylene) a few other growth regulators that play roles in fruit development are now gaining recognition. Exogenous application of various hormones to different stages of developing fruits and endogenous quantifications have highlighted their importance during fruit development. Information acquired through biochemical, genetic and molecular studies is now beginning to reveal the possible mode of hormonal regulation of fruit development at molecular levels. In the present article, we have reviewed studies revealing hormonal control of fruit development using tomato as a model system with emphasis on molecular genetics.
Live Lymphocyte Arrays for Biosensing

Systems designed to sensitively and accurately detect whole pathogen particles, their components, or other proteins diagnostic of infection or disease are of interest as sensors for biodefense and clinical diagnostics. To this end, we examined the potential of a sensing strategy based on live T-cell/B-cell interactions in a biosensor chip format. An approach to fabricate patterned hydrogel microwells functionalized at their bases with antibodies to promote specific immobilization of lymphocytes was developed and used to array single T cells in a regular pattern on a substrate. A sensing platform was created by overlaying arrayed T cells with a confluent layer of antigen-capturing B cells. In this system, a peptide analyte added to the chip was captured by B cells and physically presented to arrayed T cells by B-cell-surface major histocompatibility complex molecules, triggering T cells through their T-cell receptors. T-cell recognition of the target peptide was detected by fluorescence measurements of T-cell intracellular calcium levels, a biochemical read-out of T-cell receptor triggering. We demonstrate that this approach allows rapid, sensitive detection of a model peptide analyte, and that T-cell arrays allow for maximal T-cell/B-cell contacts while simultaneously optimizing single-cell fluorescence detection for analysis of the sensor response. This approach could be of interest for the design of sensing platforms that can detect both peptide fragments and whole intact pathogens, irrespective of surface mutations that might be induced naturally or during "weaponization".
Girrrl power and boyyy nature: the past, present, and paradisal future of consumer gender identity

The new, Spice Girl‐less millennium, “offers an opportunity to wipe the slate clean, to abandon concepts, models and formulations once thought liberatory now considered incarceratory; to start afresh on the other side of the year 2000”. Foremost among the concepts to be updated is gender identity. In a postmodern society, traditional notions of femininity and masculinity come across as antiquated and illusory. The consumption ethic has deconstructed the historical male‐female mind‐body producer‐consumer dichotomy and made identity construction a consuming pastime. It has also turned gender into a pastiche of possibilities. Yet in the utopian cyber future that awaits us, what will become of gender identity? In the ethereality of the Internet, where existence is ephemeral, is gender identity a meaningful and necessary concept? This paper reviews the historical (modern) significance of gender identity to marketing, explores the postmodern consumer condition, and prophesies a paradisal vision of gender identity in the consumer society to come.
Levuglandin E2 inhibits mitosis and microtubule assembly

Abstract Levuglandin E 2 (LGE 2 ) is a γ-keto aldehyde produced by rearrangement of the prostaglandin endoperoxide PGH 2 under the aqueous conditions of its biosynthesis. We show that exogenous LGE 2 enters cells and efficiently inhibits the first synchronous cell division of fertilized sea urchin eggs. We attribute this inhibition to covalent modification of tubulin and thereby to inhibition of microtubule assembly.
Cocain-associated acute myoglobinuric renal failure

Abstract purpose: Abuse of cocaine is associated with serious medical complications involving the heart, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. Renal complications appear to be uncommon. We describe herein after patients with rhabodmyolysis and acute myoglobinuric renal failure temporally related to cocaine use. case reports: Acue cocaine intoxication was the most common presentation and rhabdomyolysis was an unexpected finding. Renal failure progressed rapidly in all patients, necessitating dialysis in two. The prognosis was good, and all patients survived. The mechanism of cocaine injury is unclear, possibilities include increased muscle activity, muscle compression, hyperthermia, and vasospasm with muscle ischmia. conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure and should be recognized as a possible complication of cocaine abuse.
A pilot study indicating that bradykinin B2 receptor antagonism attenuates protamine‐related hypotension after cardiopulmonary bypass

Background The administration of protamine to patients who received heparin during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) induces hypotension. Protamine inhibits the carboxypeptidase N-mediated degradation of bradykinin, a peptide that causes vasodilation and tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) release. This study tests the primary hypothesis that blocking the bradykinin B2 receptor would attenuate protamine-related hypotension. Methods We conducted a prospective, double-blind, randomized study in 16 adult male patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery requiring CPB and taking an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor preoperatively, because ACE inhibition increases bradykinin concentrations during CPB. Subjects were randomized to receive either saline solution (N = 8) or the bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist HOE 140 (100 μg/kg, N = 8) before the administration of protamine. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) and t-PA activity were measured intraoperatively and before and after protamine administration. Results Protamine administration caused a significant increase in bradykinin concentrations in the saline solution group (from 6.0 ± 1.3 to 10.0 ± 1.6 fmol/mL, P: = .043), as well as the HOE 140 group (from 6.5 ± 1.8 to 14.3 ± 4.6 fmol/mL, P: = .042). Protamine significantly decreased MAP in the saline solution group (from 69.8 ± 4.4 mm Hg to a mean individual nadir of 56.1 ± 2.6 mm Hg, P: = .031), but bradykinin receptor antagonism blunted this effect (from 74.3 ± 3.7 mm Hg to a mean individual nadir of 69.6 ± 1.2 mm Hg in the HOE 140 group, P: = .545). Hence, during protamine infusion, MAP was significantly lower in the saline solution group compared with the HOE 140 group (P: = .002). t-PA activity decreased significantly during administration of HOE 140 (from 3.59 ± 0.31 to 1.67 ± 0.42 IU/mL, P: = .001) but not during saline solution (from 2.12 ± 0.48 to 1.44 ± 0.36 IU/mL, P: = .214). Similarly, t-PA activity decreased significantly during protamine administration in the HOE 140 group (from 1.67 ± 0.42 to 0.77 ± 0.26 IU/mL, P: = .038) but not in the saline solution group (from 1.44 ± 0.36 to 0.99 ± 0.26 IU/mL, P: = .132). Conclusion Increased bradykinin contributes to protamine-related hypotension through its B2 receptor in ACE inhibitor-treated patients. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 78, 477–485; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2005.08.010
The perceptual assimilation of Korean obstruents by native Mandarin listeners.

The current study reports the results of a perception experiment in which 20 naive native Mandarin listeners classified and rated the goodness of Korean stops /p, t, k, ph, th, kh, p*, t*, k*/, affricates /tɕ, tɕ*, tɕh/, and fricatives /sh, s*/ in terms of Mandarin segmental categories. It was found that listeners were sensitive to the voice onset time dimension of Korean stops and the presence of aspiration in Korean affricates, but Korean lenis and aspirated obstruents were generally assimilated to a single Mandarin category because the f0 cue differentiating them is not relevant to any Mandarin segmental contrast. The affricates were perceived as alveolopalatal and postalveolar more often than alveolar. The perception of fricatives was strongly influenced by vowel context, as the two fricatives were often perceived as different categories before /a/, but as the same category more often before /i/ and /u/. The results for the affricates and fricatives may be partly explained by Mandarin phonotactic constraints that prohibit alveolar and postalveolar consonants before /i/ and alveolopalatal consonants before /a/ or /u/.
In-target radial stress measurements from penetration experiments into concrete by ogive-nose steel projectiles

Abstract We conducted three penetration experiments of a hardened 4340 steel projectile with a length-to-diameter ratio of 7 into concrete targets having an unconfined compressive strength of 43 MPa. The targets were each cast with six flatpack stress gages oriented to measure radial stress and positioned at various depths and radii from the penetration path. The experiments provide researchers with quality data that can be used to validate first-principle codes and to better understand the penetration mechanics in brittle, porous materials. Additional tests are recommended at other striking velocities and gage locations to further quantify stress within concrete targets.
SU-E-T-23: Ontological Representation of Radiation Treatment Guidelines

Purpose: To develop a Radiation Treatment Guidelines Ontology (RTGO) that represents the concepts, knowledge, and guidelines in radiation therapy using a formal and computable framework. This ontology will serve as the foundation of a decision support system for radiation oncologists. Method and Materials: The ontology framework chosen to represent RTGO is the Web Ontology Language (OWL) (www.w3.org/TR/owl‐guide). The OWL is rooted in the rigorous foundation of Description Logic and represents the latest development in ontology languages. The Protege‐OWL ontology editor and knowledge‐base framework (http://protege.stanford.edu) is used to build the ontology. The ontology is developed in a multi‐layered, modular, and iterative fashion. Upper ontologies are used to provide a sound structure. Concepts from standard ontologies are adopted whenever possible. Salient concepts and relationships are incorporated into the ontology through multiple iterations of extraction, modeling, implementation, and evaluation. Each iteration examines increasingly detailed concepts and relationships. The concepts are asserted in a strict subsumption hierarchy and are carefully formulated to be at a proper level of abstraction consistent with anticipated questions addressed by the ontology. Major ontology resources used in this project include National Center Biomedical Ontology's Bioportal (bioportal.bioontology.org) and National Library of Medicine's Universal Medical Language System (UMLS) (www.nlm.nih.gov/research/umls). Major ontologies consulted include FMA for anatomical concepts, SNOMED for clinical findings and symptoms, and Semantic Network for relationships. Results: The initial focus is on modeling the concepts and knowledge summarized in the Quantitative Analysis of Normal Tissue Effects in the Clinic (QUANTEC) papers. Starting with the organ specific papers on bladder and rectum, the ontology has so far captured 171 concepts, 80 relationships, and 21 individuals. The development is proceeding to include other organs in the QUANTEC literature. Conclusion: Early results demonstrate that major concepts in QUANTEC papers regarding dose volume effects can be successfully captured in an ontological framework. Duke University has a Master Research Agreement with Varian Medical Systems, INC.
Phytosterol accumulation in canola, sunflower, and soybean oils: Effects of genetics, planting location, and temperature

To assess the potential of traditional selection breeding to develop varieties with increased phytosterol content, we determined concentrations of those sterols in canola, sunflower, and soybean seed oils produced from breeding lines of diverse genetic backgrounds. Seed oils were extracted and saponified, and the nonsaponifiable fractions were subjected to silylation. The major phytosterols brassicasterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and β-sitosterol, were quantified by capillary gas chromatography with flame-ionization detection. Canola contained approximately twice the amount of total phytosterols (4590–8070 μg g−1) as sunflower (2100–4540 μg g−1) or soybean (2340–4660 μg g−1) oils. Phytosterol composition varied among crops as expected, as well as within a crop. Both genetic background and planting location significantly affected total phytosterol concentrations. Soybean plants were maintained from flower initiation to seed maturity under three temperature regimes in growth chambers to determine the effect of temperature during this period on seed oil phytosterol levels. A 2.5-fold variability in total phytosterol content was measured in these oils (3210–7920 μg g−1). Total phytosterol levels increased with higher temperatures. Composition also changed, with greater percent campesterol and lower percent stigmasterol and β-sitosterol at higher temperatures. In these soybean oils, total phytosterol accumulation was correlated inversely with total tocopherol levels. Owing to the relatively limited variability in phytosterol levels in seed oils produced under field conditions, it is unlikely that a traditional breeding approach would lead to a dramatic increase in phytosterol content or modified phytosterol composition.
The effect of elaidic acid incorporation upon the lipid composition of ehrlich ascites tumor cells and of the host's liver.

The incorporation of elaidic acid into Ehrlich ascites tumor cells (EATC) upon feeding the host an elaidic acid-rich diet has been investigated in the present study. The EATC lipids contained only one-half the concentration of elaidic acid found in the lipids of either the host livers or of livers from normal mice. On the other hand, elaidic acid incorporation into tumor cells was close to that of ascites fluid. This incorporation was mainly into phospholipids; the highest into choline phospholipids and ethanolamine phospholipids. Some changes in the EATC fatty acid composition were noted due to this incorporation. EATC phospholipids had reduced polyunsaturated fatty acids as compared with oleic acid-grown cells. The same was true with respect to ascites fluid phospholipids, but neutral lipids were not altered. Tumor development was accompanied by an increase in elaidic acid of the host’s liver. Elaidic acid incorporation into tumor cells resulted in a reduction in the amount of all major lipids in the tumor. In contrast, elaidic acid had no effect on lipid composition of livers from normal mice and-tumor bearing mice, and also had no effect upon the lipids of the ascites fluid that bathes the tumor cells. The incorporation of elaidic acid into the lipids of EATC, normal liver and host liver did not affect the relative composition of phospholipids in these tissues. The development of the tumor did result in decreases in triacylglycerols and esterified cholesterol, and increases in phospholipids and free cholesterol in the livers of host animals.
Endogeic earthworms differentially influence bacterial communities associated with different soil aggregate size fractions

Endogeic earthworm activities can strongly influence soil structure. Although soil microorganisms are thought to be central to earthworm-facilitated aggregate formation, how and where within the soil matrix earthworm-facilitated influences on soil microbial communities are manifested is poorly defined. In this study we used 16S rRNA gene-based terminal restriction fragment polymorphism (T-RFLP) analyses to examine bacterial communities associated with different aggregate size fractions (macroaggregates, microaggregates-within-macroaggregates and inner-microaggregates-within-macroaggregates) of soils incubated for 28 d with and without earthworms. We hypothesized that bacterial communities in different soil aggregate size fractions are differentially influenced by earthworm activities. Our results indicate significantly enhanced aggregate formation (both macroaggregates and microaggregates within macroaggregates) in earthworm-worked soils relative to soils receiving only plant litter. Although significant differences were found between bacterial communities of earthworm and litter-only treatments for all soil fractions, communities associated with earthworm-worked macroaggregate fractions exhibited the least similarity to all other soil fractions regardless of treatment. In addition to differences in terminal restriction fragment (T-RF) size distributions, T-RFLP profiles of earthworm-worked soil macroaggregates had significantly fewer T-RF sizes, further suggesting less species evenness and more extensive alteration of bacterial communities within this fraction. These findings suggest that, due to rapid occlusion of organic materials, microbial communities associated with microaggregates-within-macroaggregates formed during or shortly after passage through the earthworm gut are relatively inactive, and therefore change relatively little over time compared to macroaggregate populations as a whole.
It Really Opened My Eyes: The Effects on Youth Peer Educators of Participating in an Action Research Project

This study explored the effects of participating in action research on youth leaders who were already engaged in peer education activities related to HIV/AIDS. We focused particularly on effects related to their conceptualization of teaching/learning, but also cast a wider net to identify other changes. A first round of in-depth interviews was conducted with 21 youth peer educators, who led the participatory action research (PAR) in UNICEF's "Every Adolescent Has a Right to Know"(RTK) initiative in a Caribbean setting. Some months later, follow-up interviews were used to explore specific topics as their activities progressed. Observational data were also collected. The interviews were taped, transcribed, and coded for specific themes. The study results suggest that the PAR project fostered the reconceptualization of peer education, including an appreciation for the value of local knowledge, the importance of using a needs-based approach in peer education, and the value of two-way communication in educatio...
EXAFS detection of laser shock heating

Using EXAFS to characterize metals shocked to -Mbar pressures by a laser has been studied. High-contrast modulations were obtained using a laser-imploded spherical target as the source. EXAFS visibility as function of shock pressure was calculated.
Replicative potential of individual cell hybrids derived from young and old donor human skin fibroblasts

Neonatal, adult, and aged donor human skin fibroblast cell cultures have been characterized for the population doubling potential and in vitro-in vivo relationship. Hybrid cells derived from individual whole-cell fusions of replicating GRC 387 (aged) and CSC 303 (neonatal) cells demonstrated that an intermediate mode of replication between that of the two parental cell lines occurred; therefore the longevity of the aged fibroblast cells was enhanced. The GRC 387 cells have an extended post-replicative phase-out period in comparison with the CSC 303 cells, and the experimental hybrids demonstrated a 20–25 % increase of this period over that of the GRC 387 cells.
Clinical Characteristics and Long-term Postoperative Results of Infantile Esotropia

We classified 103 patients (206 eyes) with infantile esotropia and an average of 8.7 years of postoperative follow-up into four outcome groups. Of 103 patients, 28 (27%) had subnormal binocular vision; 24 (23%) had microtropia; 43 (42%) had small-angle deviation ( 2 analysis showed a significant difference (χ 2 = 16.22, P=.005) in the distribution of amblyopia among these four outcome groups. Visual acuity of 20/30 or better was attained in 174 of the 206 eyes (84%). The eyes of all 28 patients in the subnormal binocular vision group remained aligned after an average of eight years. In contrast, the eyes of six of 30 patients (20%) in the microtropia group and 11 of 43 (26%) in the small-angle deviation group lost the stability of horizontal alignment. We found that the two variables of latent-manifest nystagmus and persistent amblyopia at the time of surgery lead to less satisfactory outcomes. In contrast, patients with smaller preoperative angle of deviation or surgery completed before 1 year of age demonstrated an increased incidence of optimal (subnormal binocular vision) or desirable (microtropia) results. We recommend performing surgery after amblyopia has been thoroughly treated, and, whenever possible, completing the surgical treatment by 1 year of age.
Carnosine Protects Against the Neurotoxic Effects of a Serotonin-Derived Melanoid

Anesthesia-related postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) leads to morbidity in the elderly. Lipid peroxidative byproducts (i.e. acrolein) accumulate in aging and may play a role. Sevoflurane, an inhaled anesthetic, sequesters acrolein and enhances the formation of a serotonin-derived melanoid (SDM). SDM may be a biologically relevant polymeric melanoid that we previously showed exhibits redox activity and disrupts lipid bilayers. In this study, we examined the toxicity of SDM in cell culture and looked at protection using L-carnosine. SDM’s toxic effects were tested on neuronal-like SH-SY5Y cells, causing an exponential decrease in viability, while human dermal fibroblasts were completely resistant to the toxic effects. SDM brought about morphological changes to differentiated SH-SY5Y cells, particularly to neuronal processes. Co- but not pre-treatment with L-carnosine protected differentiated SH-SY5Y cells exposed to SDM. Our mechanism suggests focal sevoflurane-induced sequestration of age-related acrolein leading to SDM synthesis and neuronal impairment, which is prevented by L-carnosine.
SOLAR MULTISCALE CONVECTION AND ROTATION GRADIENTS STUDIED IN SHALLOW SPHERICAL SHELLS

The differential rotation of the Sun, as deduced from helioseismology, exhibits a prominent radial shear layer near the top of the convection zone wherein negative radial gradients of angular velocity are evident in the low- and midlatitude regions spanning the outer 5% of the solar radius. Supergranulation and related scales of turbulent convection are likely to play a significant role in the maintenance of such radial gradients and may influence dynamics on a global scale in ways that are not yet understood. To investigate such dynamics, we have constructed a series of three-dimensional numerical simulations of turbulent compressible convection within spherical shells, dealing with shallow domains to make such modeling computationally tractable. In all but one case, the lower boundary is forced to rotate differentially in order to approximate the influence that the differential rotation established within the bulk of the convection zone might have upon a near-surface shearing layer. These simulations are the first models of solar convection in a spherical geometry that can explicitly resolve both the largest dynamical scales of the system (of order the solar radius) as well as smaller scale convective overturning motions comparable in size to solar supergranulation (20-40 Mm). We find that convection within these simulations spans a large range of horizontal scales, especially near the top of each domain, where convection on supergranular scales is apparent. The smaller cells are advected laterally by the larger scales of convection within the simulations, which take the form of a connected network of narrow downflow lanes that horizontally divide the domain into regions measuring approximately 100-200 Mm across. We also find that the radial angular velocity gradient in these models is typically negative, especially in the low- and midlatitude regions. Analyses of the angular momentum transport indicate that such gradients are maintained by Reynolds stresses associated with the convection, transporting angular momentum inward to balance the outward transport achieved by viscous diffusion and large-scale flows in the meridional plane, a mechanism first proposed by Foukal & Jokipii and tested by Gilman & Foukal. We suggest that similar mechanisms associated with smaller scale convection in the Sun may contribute to the maintenance of the observed radial shear layer located immediately below the solar photosphere.
Effects of Target Person Expression on Ethnic Prejudice Toward Middle Easterners and Hispanics

Research on implicit prejudice suggests that target person judgments may be affected by unintentional, but well-learned, cognitive associations. Ethnicity, gender, and smiling or nonsmiling expression were varied as cues in White college students' perception tasks. The results of a factorial experiment are included as well as a discussion of the implications. La investigacion sobre prejuicios implicitos sugiere que los juicios del individuo en cuestion pueden ser afectados por asociaciones cognitivas involuntarias, pero bien aprendidas. Se variaron la etnicidad, el genero y la expresion sonriente o carente de sonrisa como entradas para las pruebas de percepcion de estudiantes universitarios Blancos. Se incluyen los resultados de un experimento factorial, ademas de una discusion sobre las implicaciones.
Experimental results on Hillier's linear search

This paper reports an empirical discovery in integer programming. A version of the branch-and-bound approach is used as a control and tested against the same algorithm augmented by the use of Hillier's linear search performed at every node of the search tree. It is shown that the imbedded linear search locates solutions within 1%, and solutions within 5% of the theoretical optimum, which in fact can be seen to have this proximity to the theoretical optimum at the time of termination of computation, over ten times faster than the control.
Polymeric conjugates for drug delivery

The field of polymer therapeutics has evolved over the past decade and has resulted in the development of polymer–drug conjugates with a wide variety of architectures and chemical properties. Whereas traditional nondegradable polymeric carriers such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymers have been translated to use in the clinic, functionalized polymer–drug conjugates are increasingly being utilized to obtain biodegradable, stimuli-sensitive, and targeted systems in an attempt to further enhance localized drug delivery and ease of elimination. In addition, the study of conjugates bearing both therapeutic and diagnostic agents has resulted in multifunctional carriers with the potential to both “see and treat” patients. In this paper, the rational design of polymer–drug conjugates will be discussed, followed by a review of different classes of conjugates currently under investigation. The design and chemistry used for the synthesis of various conjugates will b...
Periodic extinction of families and genera

Eight major episodes of biological extinction of marine families over the past 250 million years stand significantly above local background (P < 0.05). These events are more pronounced when analyzed at the level of genus, and generic data exhibit additional apparent extinction events in the Aptian (Cretaceous) and Pliocene (Tertiary) Stages. Time-series analysis of these records strongly suggests a 26-million-year periodicity. This conclusion is robust even when adjusted for simultaneous testing of many trial periods. When the time series is limited to the four best-dated events (Cenomanian, Maestrichtian, upper Eocene, and middle Miocene), the hypothesis of randomness is also rejected for the 26-million-year period (P < 0.0002).
Intrinsically different retinal progenitor cells produce specific types of progeny

Retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) produce all of the retina's cells through an evolutionarily conserved series of divisions and cell fate decisions. In this article, Cepko describes recent studies that have shed light on the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms that drive this process and argues that individual terminally dividing RPCs are molecularly specified to produce particular progeny.
An enzymatic colorimetric assay for glucose-6-phosphate.

Abstract A specific colorimetric assay for the determination of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) was developed. This assay is based on the oxidation of G6P in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP+); the NADPH thereby generated reduces the tetrazolium salt WST-1 [2-(4-indophenyl)-3-(4-nitrophenyl)-5-(2,4-disulfophenyl)-2H tetrazolium, monosodium salt] to water-soluble yellow-colored formazan with 1-methoxy-5-methylphenazium methylsulfate (1-mPMS) as an electron carrier. The assay is optimized for reaction buffer pH, enzyme/dye concentration, and reaction time course. The limit of detection of the assay is 0.15 μM (15 pmol/well). The usefulness of the assay is demonstrated by the accurate measurement of the G6P concentration in fetal bovine serum (FBS).
Brachionus calyciflorus is a species complex: Mating behavior and genetic differentiation among four geographically isolated strains

Four geographic strains of B. calyciflorus are investigated regarding their genetic similarity and ability to cross-mate. DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial cox1 gene (694 bp) and the nuclear ribosomal ITS region (735 bp) showed that the Florida and Georgia strains were very similar to each other (0.3% sequence divergence for the 1429 bp) and different from the Texas and Australia strains (∼7% and 9% sequence divergence for the 1429 bp, respectively). Consistent with this genetic relatedness, cross-copulation occurred only between the Florida and Georgia strains. Thus, B. calyciflorus is a complex of cryptic species. While the Florida, Texas and Australia strains were reproductively isolated from one another, most combinations of cross-strain mating tests showed intense and prolonged male circling behavior following male-female encounters. This suggests that precopulatory male circling and copulation are two separate behaviors that may be controlled by different female chemicals and male coronal receptors. In some cross-strain mating tests, females regularly retracted their corona when circled by a male, indicating that they can recognize ‘foreign’ males and actively interfere with copulation.
Interleukin-1β is a potent stimulator of prostaglandin synthesis in bovine luteal cells.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is a polypeptide that has both local and systemic effects on numerous tissues, including endocrine cells. To evaluate the effect of IL-1 on luteal function, bovine luteal cells were cultured for 5 days with increasing concentrations (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 10.0 ng/ml) of recombinant bovine interleukin-1 beta (rbIL-1 beta). IL-1 beta increased the production of luteal 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), and prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in a dose-dependent manner, but had no effect on progesterone (P4) production. Treatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin (5 micrograms/ml), inhibited basal, as well as rbIL-1 beta-stimulated prostaglandin production. Addition of Iloprost (a synthetic analogue of prostacyclin, 5 ng/ml) suppressed basal production of PGF2 alpha and PGE2, but did not reduce the stimulatory effect of rbIL-1 beta. Similarly, PGF2 alpha suppressed basal, but not IL-1 beta-stimulated, production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. PGE2 had no effect on the synthesis of either PGF2 alpha or 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. P4 (1.75 micrograms/ml) reduced basal as well as rbIL-1 beta-stimulated production of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, PGE2, and PGF2 alpha. These results indicate that IL-1 beta could serve as an endogenous regulator of luteal prostaglandin production. It appears that IL-1 beta action is not modified by exogenous prostaglandins, but is at least partially regulated by elevated P4. It is possible that the role of IL-1 beta in stimulation of luteal prostaglandin production may be confined to a period characterized by low P4 levels, such as during luteal development or regression.
Tumor Characterization with Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Biodegradable Macromolecular Contrast Agents in Mice

Purpose To investigate the efficacy of polydisulfide-based biodegradable macromolecular contrast agents of different degradability and molecular weight for tumor characterization based on angiogenesis using dynamic contrast enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI).
A role for GPRx, a novel GPR3/6/12-related G-protein coupled receptor, in the maintenance of meiotic arrest in Xenopus laevis oocytes

Abstract Progesterone-induced Xenopus laevis oocyte maturation is mediated via a plasma membrane-bound receptor and does not require gene transcription. Evidence from several species suggests that the relevant progesterone receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) and that a second receptor–GPR3 and/or GPR12 in mammals–tonically opposes the progesterone receptor. We have cloned a novel X. laevis GPCR, GPRx, which may play a similar role to GPR3/GPR12 in amphibians and fishes. GPRx is related to but distinct from GPR3, GPR6, and GPR12; GPRx orthologs are present in Xenopus tropicalis and Danio rerio, but apparently not in birds or mammals. X. laevis GPRx is mainly expressed in brain, ovary, and testis. The GPRx mRNA increases during oogenesis, persists during oocyte maturation and early embryogenesis, and then falls after the midblastula transition. Microinjection of GPRx mRNA increases the concentration of cAMP in oocytes and causes the oocytes to fail to respond to progesterone, and this block is reversed by co-injecting GPRx with morpholino oligonucleotides. Morpholino injections did not cause spontaneous maturation of oocytes, but did accelerate progesterone-induced maturation. Thus, GPRx contributes to the maintenance of G2-arrest in immature X. laevis oocytes.
Comments on "Acoustics, stability, and compensation in boiling water reactor pressure control systems"

Operating boiling water reactor designs have incorporated dynamic compensation in the pressure control system, tuned to optimally attenuate the acoustic modes of the main streamlines.
Diakoptic State Estimation Using Phasor Measurement Units

This paper presents a diakoptic-based distributed state estimation (SE) algorithm suitable for large-scale power systems. In the proposed approach the large-scale power system is divided into a certain number of subsystems by removing tie line measurements. Based on diakoptic theory, the SE problem is then partitioned into a number of subproblems which are solved for each subsystem using local computational resources. In subsequent steps, the intermediate subsystem SE solutions are sent to a central computer for completing the state estimation process by taking the tie line measurements into consideration. Phasor measurement units are used to make each subproblem solvable and to coordinate the voltage angles of each subsystem SE solution. Test results on the IEEE 14-bus test bed and IEEE 118-bus test bed are provided.