cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of heartbeat sound on neonatal crying

An experiment was conducted in an effort to replicate earlier findings of Salk that a heartbeat sound produces long-term pacification in newborn infants. Half of a group of 26 infants between the ages of 2 and 3 days heard an 85 db. recorded heartbeat sound for between 17 and 34 hours. The other half of the subjects did not hear the heartbeat sound. During the period of the experiment, the amount of time the subject cried and the amount of care received by the subject were recorded. It is suggested that the results obtained by Salk were due to experimental error largely resulting from different sizes of the experimental and control groups. Since there were 102 infants in the experimental group but 112 infants in the control group, it should be expected that, on the average, the control group, in Salk's experiment would cry more than the experimental group. It is further suggested that short-term studies which have found various pacifiers to be effective are probably reflections of the law of initial values since, in all of these experiments, crying rates in the control conditions were quite high and in fact much higher than in any long-term study that has been conducted. It was concluded that there is no evidence for the long-term effectiveness of pacification.
Functional upper airway obstruction: A possible somatization disorder

Abstract In this syndrome, severe upper airway obstruction with stridor and objective evidence of compromised ventilation occurs in the absence of evidence for any organic etiology. Psychiatric evaluation of four patients with the syndrome supports the hypothesis that the paradoxical adduction of vocal cords during inspiration derives in large part from psychological factors. There was a temporal association of stressful environmental stimuli and initiation of the symptom, and the patients had evidence of serious psychiatric disturbance.
Point mutation in FGF receptor eliminates phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis without affecting mitogenesis

Stimulation of growth factor receptors with tyrosine kinase activity is followed by rapid receptor dimerization, tyrosine autophosphorylation and phosphorylation of signalling molecules such as phospholipase C gamma (PLC gamma) and the ras GTPase-activating protein. PLC gamma and GTPase-activating protein bind to specific tyrosine-phosphorylated regions in growth factor receptors through their src-homologous SH2 domains. Growth factor-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of PLC gamma is essential for stimulation of phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis in vitro and in vivo. We have shown that a short phosphorylated peptide containing tyrosine at position 766 from a conserved region of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptor is a binding site for the SH2 domain of PLC gamma (ref. 8). Here we show that an FGF receptor point mutant in which Tyr 766 is replaced by a phenylalanine residue (Y766F) is unable to associate with and tyrosine-phosphorylate PLC gamma or to stimulate hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol. Nevertheless, the Y766F FGF receptor mutant can be autophosphorylated, and can phosphorylate several cellular proteins and stimulate DNA synthesis. Our data show that phosphorylation of the conserved Tyr 766 of the FGF receptor is essential for phosphorylation of PLC gamma and for hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol, but that elimination of this hydrolysis does not affect FGF-induced mitogenesis.
Aligned Carbon Nanotube/Polymer Composite Films with Robust Flexibility, High Transparency, and Excellent Conductivity

This work reports a novel and general synthesis of aligned carbon nanotube/polymer composite films with high optical transparency, robust flexibility, and excellent conductivity. These composite films show many potential applications such as flexible conductors for optoelectronic devices.
Overnight observation in former premature infants undergoing inguinal hernia repair.

Background: Overnight observation for apneic events is standard practice in former preterm infants. However, the literature supporting current protocols is dated. Therefore, we retrospectively evaluated the post-anesthetic risks in these patients. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted on former preterm infants admitted after an inguinal herniorrhaphy between 1/00 and 10/09. The protocol for overnight admission was for patients born before 37 weeks gestation who are less than 60 weeks post-conceptional age (PCA). Results: There were 363 patients, of which 23 were b40 weeks PCA (group 1), 244 were 40 to 49.9 weeks PCA (group 2), and 96 were 50 to 60 weeks PCA (group 3). Events registered by alarms occurred in 4 patients (1.1%), 2 from group 1 and 2 from group 2. In Group 1, one occurred during nasogastric tube placement and resolved spontaneously. In group 2, one was apnea-induced bradycardia that resolved spontaneously, and one was in a patient on home monitors with an event similar to home reports. There were no events in group 3. Conclusion: Conservative guidelines for overnight observation after inguinal hernia repair could be set
Characterization of lipopolysaccharides from four Pasteurella haemolytica serotype strains: evidence for presence of sialic acid in serotypes 1 and 5

Highly purified lipopolysaccharides (LPS) obtained from four strains of Pasteurella haemolytica representative of four different serotypes were studied to ascertain their overall structural elements and sugar and fatty acid compositions. SDS-PAGE analysis revealed that each LPS was of the smooth-type although they differed in migration patterns. Somewhat unusual features of these LPS included the presence of: (a) rhammose in the core oligosaccharides of serotypes 2 and 3; and (b) sialic acid in the LPS of serotypes 1 and 5. The fatty acids, myristic, hydroxymyristic and palmitic occur in essentially equivalent amounts in each of these LPS. In addition, stearic acid was present in small amounts in serotypes 1 and 5.
AE Methodology for the Evaluation of Structural Integrity

This paper reviews various approach used in acoustic emission (AE) testing of structures so that further improvements can be realized in this important application of AE technology. In the past half century, many successful AE tests of structures have been completed, but quite often details remained private. Here, we attempt to organize the AE methodology in four steps. 1. Primary sources of brittle fracture, micro or macro cracks in contrast to secondary sources of friction or fretting, rust, etc. 2. Kaiser effects, arising from the irreversibility of AE, allow the detection of prior loading level and of damage states. 3. Source Location: This approach identifies the area of integrity loss. 4. Source Characterization: Combined AE parameters give good insight to the flaw types, but many other methods, including attenuation-corrected signal amplitude, signal frequency, waveform and wave propagation analysis and moment tensor analysis, may be useful. Avenues for better AE technology are suggested.
Effects of Lipoxin A4 on antimicrobial actions of neutrophils in sepsis

Abstract In sepsis, hyperactivation of neutrophils can lead to tissue injury. Later, neutrophil dysregulation with reduced levels of migration, decreased apoptosis and inadequate phagocytosis may impair the host׳s ability to clear infection. Lipoxin A 4 (LXA 4 ) is a pro-resolution lipid mediator which reduces neutrophil migration and inflammatory mediator expression. As neutrophil migration and activation are important in bacterial clearance, the role of LXA 4 in regulating neutrophil function for bacterial clearance is unclear. Using the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) rat model of sepsis, LXA 4 given after 1h reduced blood bacterial load at 24h. LXA 4 treatment decreased neutrophil migration to the peritoneum but augmented blood neutrophil phagocytic ability and promoted apoptosis without affecting free radical production. In contrast, LXA 4 increased peritoneal neutrophil phagocytic ability without affecting apoptosis or free radical production suggesting that in vivo effects of LXA 4 were compartment specific. To investigate if LXA 4 acted directly on neutrophils, blood and peritoneal leukocytes were taken from CLP rats 1h after surgery and incubated ex vivo with and without LXA 4 . LXA 4 (1nM) increased phagocytosis in blood neutrophils without affecting apoptosis or free radical production. Ex vivo LXA 4 had no effect on peritoneal neutrophils which suggests that LXA 4 enhanced peritoneal neutrophil phagocytic ability in vivo by an indirect mechanism. The results suggest that LXA 4 reduced neutrophil migration, but increased neutrophil bacteria clearing function without excessive free radical production. This phenotype was associated with reduced blood bacteria load.
Modulation of IL-8 mRNA expression and production in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) stimulated human alveolar epithelial cells by budesonide and montelukast

Abstract Rationale Pediatric bronchiolitis and the subsequent development of asthma can be triggered by RSV infection. Alveolar epithelial cell stimulation by RSV leads to cytokine release and can damage the airway epithelium. IL-8 is a potent neutrophil chemoattractant expressed in RSV stimulated human bronchial epithelium. Budesonide and montelukast both have a potential role in regulating IL-8 in human alveolar epithelial cells. Methods Human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells (1×10 6 cells/ml) were assessed for IL-8 production and expression at 17 and 48 hours using a quantitative colorimetric ELISA and a gene-specific quantitative mRNA assay. Cells were incubated in the presence of 265 μg/ml of RSV antigen and/or 100 U/ml of IL-1β and treated with 50 μM of montelukast or 1×10 −7 M of budesonide. Results A549 cells stimulated with RSV, IL-1β, and RSV+IL-1β showed a significant increase in the production and expression of IL-8 at 17 (p Conclusion Treatment of A549 cells stimulated with RSV and IL-1β with montelukast and budesonide resulted in a decrease in production and expression of IL-8. This suggests that budesonide and montelukast may play a role in regulating IL-8, an important mediator of inflammation in the human airway and asthma.
Preparation and long-term cultivation of porcine tracheal and lung organ cultures by alternate exposure to gaseous and liquid medium phases.

Conventional methods of organ culture have proved unsatisfactory for mammalian lung because of the rapid collapse of the tissue and the loss of its normal structure. In an effort to circumvent this problem and to provide a means for visualizing the cellular relationships throughout the culture period, respiratory organs consisting of trachea and lungs of fetal or hysterectomy-derived 1- to 4-week-old pigs were embedded in warm 3% Noble agar in phosphate buffer silicone solution and cooled to firmness. By use of a described cutting device, the respective organs were sliced into thin, 0.5- to 1.0-mm tracheal ring or lung explants. These organ sections then were cultured by exposure to alternate gaseous and liquid-medium phases by rotation (12 rev per hr) in sealed Leighton tubes fitted in a described rotator. In short-term culture experiments, explants were best maintained in a culture-support medium containing Eagle's minimal essential medium, 20% fetal bovine serum, 0.5% lactalbumin hydrolysate, and other supplements in a pH range of 6.5 to 8.2, and a NaCl concentration of 0.1m or less. By bright-field and scanning-electron microscopy, tracheal ring and lung explant cultures incubated for 2 months showed intact, uniform and active ciliated epithelial surfaces which compared favorably with those of fresh preparations. The lung cultures showed alveoli that remained expanded, and the cellular integrity of the tissues remained normal in appearance. This new method provides respiratory organs as continuous records with exceptional cellular clarity and readily available for histological processing. The organ cultures lend themselves well to pathogenesis studies in which subtle cellular changes or a sequence of changes induced in pulmonary tissues are difficult to observe in the host.
Energy correlations in perturbative quantum chromodynamics: A conjecture for all orders

Abstract The hadronic energy produced in high-energy electron-positron annihilation has an angular correlation which can be computed by the asymptotically free perturbation theory of quantum chromodynamics. In finite orders, the correlation is not well behaved as the detectors become anti-collinear. We have calculated the leading behaviour to fourth order and conjecture an exponential expression for the sum of all orders. This expression obeys a non-trivial sum rule which lends support for its validity.
Obesity in middle age and future risk of dementia: a 27 year longitudinal population based study

Abstract Objective To evaluate any association between obesity in middle age, measured by body mass index and skinfold thickness, and risk of dementia later in life. Design Analysis of prospective data from a multiethnic population based cohort. Setting Kaiser Permanente Northern California Medical Group, a healthcare delivery organisation. Participants 10 276 men and women who underwent detailed health evaluations from 1964 to 1973 when they were aged 40-45 and who were still members of the health plan in 1994. Main outcome measures Diagnosis of dementia from January 1994 to April 2003. Time to diagnosis was analysed with Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, race, education, smoking, alcohol use, marital status, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, stroke, and ischaemic heart disease. Results Dementia was diagnosed in 713 (6.9%) participants. Obese people (body mass index ≥ 30) had a 74% increased risk of dementia (hazard ratio 1.74, 95% confidence interval 1.34 to 2.26), while overweight people (body mass index 25.0-29.9) had a 35% greater risk of dementia (1.35, 1.14 to 1.60) compared with those of normal weight (body mass index 18.6-24.9). Compared with those in the lowest fifth, men and women in the highest fifth of the distribution of subscapular or tricep skinfold thickness had a 72% and 59% greater risk of dementia, respectively (1.72, 1.36 to 2.18, and 1.59, 1.24 to 2.04). Conclusions Obesity in middle age increases the risk of future dementia independently of comorbid conditions.
Commentary: Can We Increase Bicycle Use Rates in the United States Safely?

This commentary responds to a recent report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) presenting statistics on bicyclists and other cyclists. The author considers the barriers involved in safely increasing bicycle use rates in the United States. The author outlines the numerous reasons why it is valuable to encourage more cycling, including the environmental benefits of bicycling, cardiovascular benefits, economical advantages of bicycling over automobile ownership, and the reduced need for parking space. The commentary continues by considering some of the risks of bicycling and how each could be mitigated. The author calls for efforts to be made in several different categories, including community outreach and education, environmental modification, engineering, and legislation. Throughout the article, the author encourages efforts in the United States to equal those that have proven successful in Europe for rejuvenating interest in bicycle travel.
Previous-crop effects on sugarcane responses to nitrogen fertilization

Nitrogen fertilizer recommendations have been developed for sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) based on numerous fertility trials, with the primary variables affecting those recommendations being soil type and crop age. Cropping history influences subsequent crop responses to N fertilization, but such effects have not been determined for sugarcane. The objective of this research was to evaluate previous-crop effects on sugarcane growth and response to N fertilization. Eight 2-yr previous-crop treatments consisted of N-fertilized and unfertilized corn (Zea mays L.), sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.); unfertilized soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]; and fallow. These treatments were followed by sugarcane grown for 3 yr at four different levels of N fertilizer application. Previous-crop treatments containing corn and sorghum contributed more biomass back to the soil than cotton or soybean. None of the crops grown prior to sugarcane responded to N fertilization, resulting in 90% of the N fertilizer applied remaining in the soil. Sugarcane yield and quality in the plant-cane crop were affected primarily by previous-crop treatments, in the first ratoon by both previous crop and N fertilizer application, and in the second ratoon primarily by N fertilizer application. Sugarcane responses to N fertilization were generally lowest following those treatments which had the most N returned from plant residue, or the most measured residual N. Inorganic soil N measurements correlated better with sugarcane responses to N in the plant cane crop, while mineralizable soil N levels correlated better with sugarcane responses to N in the first ratoon crop. Soybean resulted in low inorganic and mineralizable soil N, yet sugarcane following soybean failed to respond to N fertilizer application, indicating that N following soybean is less readily released but does later become available.
Dendritic spines containing μ-opioid receptors in rat striatal patches receive asymmetric synapses from prefrontal corticostriatal afferents

Prefrontal corticostriatal afferents to the caudate-putamen nucleus (CPN) have been implicated in motor and cognitive functions that are subject to opioid modulation through the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). We examined the cellular basis for this modulation by combining anterograde transport of biotinylated dextran amine (BDA) following injections into the rat prefrontal cortex with immunocytochemical detection of MOR in patch compartments of the CPN. The BDA-labeled neurons in deep layer V and layer VI of the dorsal part of the anterior cingulate cortex and the medial agranular cortex projected bilaterally, with an ipsilateral predominance, to MOR-enriched patches in the dorsomedial and dorsocentral CPN, respectively. BDA-labeled terminals often apposed MOR-immunoreactive dendrites and perikarya but formed exclusively asymmetric, excitatory-type synapses mainly with dendritic spines. Of the total anterogradely labeled axon terminals forming asymmetric synapses, 40% (151 of 377) were with MOR-labeled spines, and 58% (220 of 377) were with unlabeled dendritic spines. In addition, immunogold-silver particles for MOR were seen in 14% (134 of 938) of all BDA-labeled axons and axon terminals. These dually labeled axon terminals also formed asymmetric synapses with dendritic spines that contained MOR immunoreactivity. The proportions of BDA-labeled axon terminals forming asymmetric synapses with MOR-labeled or unlabeled spines were similar in the CPN ipsilateral and contralateral to the cortical injections. These results suggest that, in patch compartments of the CPN, MOR plays a critical role in postsynaptic response to, but also in presynaptic modulation of, prefrontal corticostriatal excitation.
Use of Soft X-Ray Band Spectra for Determining Molecular Orbital Structure. I. Vanadium Octahedral and Tetrahedral Sites

A molecular orbital model is used as the basis for interpreting the metal ion K and LII, III x-ray spectra and the oxygen K spectra for both octahedral and tetrahedral vanadium–oxygen compounds Specific electronic transitions are assigned to each intensity maximum in both emission and absorption spectra. It is shown that by combining the information contained in all the spectra a complete molecular-orbital (MO) energy level diagram can be empirically deduced for each compound. Individual MO's can be accurately placed with respect to each other making the x-ray technique a most powerful experimental tool for probing the electronic structure of simple compounds.
Piloting an Online Art Therapy Course

THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES the development and assessment of a graduate level online art therapy class. An introduction briefly defines art therapy and the need for distance learning in this field. The challenges inherent in teaching art therapy online, including working with art media and developing appropriate interpersonal skills and group processes among prospective art therapists are explained, as well as strategies used to meet such challenges. The focus of the article lies in exploring whether and how students can learn art therapy online, a discipline that traditionally requires face-to-face instruction. Visual and verbal examples of student work demonstrate how art therapy techniques were used to meet course objectives and to support a learning community. An objectives-oriented approach (Worthen & Sanders, 1987) was used in the summative evaluation. Conclusions and recommendations based on successful pedagogical strategies are given.
The ecological, economic, and social importance of the oceans

Abstract The oceans have long been recognized as one of humanity’s most important natural resources. Their vastness has made them appear to be limitless sources of food, transportation, recreation, and awe. The difficulty of fencing and policing them has left them largely as open access resources to be exploited by anyone with the means. However, in recent times we have begun to reach the limits of the oceans and must now begin to utilize and govern them in a more sustainable way. This paper summarizes emerging information on the interrelated ecological, economic, and social importance of the oceans, and on developing institutions for their sustainable governance. In addition to their traditional importance as sources of primary and secondary production, and biodiversiy, the importance of the oceans in global material and energy cycles is now beginning to be better appreciated. Integrated models of the global ocean–atmosphere–terrestrial biosphere system reveal the critical role of the oceans in atmospheric gas and climate regulation, and for water, nutrient, and waste cycling. Recent estimates of the economic value of the marketed and non-marketed ecosystem services of the oceans indicate a huge contribution to human welfare from the functions mentioned above plus raw materials, recreational, and cultural services. The oceans have been estimated to contribute a total of ∼21 trillion US$/year to human welfare (compared with a global GNP of ∼25 trillion US$), with ∼60% of this from coastal and shelf systems and the other 40% from the open ocean, and with the oceans contributing ∼60% of the total economic value of the biosphere (Costanza et al., 1997. The value of the world’s ecosystem services and natural capital. Nature 387, 253-260). The social importance of the oceans for global transportation and as a unifying element in the cultures of many coastal countries cannot be overestimated. However, the cultural traditions of open access must be replaced with more appropriate property rights regimes and governance structures. Some alternative sustainable governance ideas are briefly discussed, emphasizing the need for an expanded deliberative process to develop a shared vision of a sustainable use of oceans.
A biomechanical approach to Ediacaran hypotheses: how to weed the Garden of Ediacara

Flume experiments and analytical approaches are undertaken to determine the stability of flat-lying Ediacaran organisms in fluid flow. Organisms such as Dickinsonia would not have been viable if reconstructed as free-living worms or syncytia. Models of flat-lying Ediacarans occupying a range of densities well beyond those of suggested modern analogs were dislodged by fluid flow taken as typical of Ediacaran paleoenvironments. Analytical tests suggest that parameters such as thickness of the organism and its coefficient of friction have little effect over the range of flows being considered here. These results lead to four non-exclusive interpretations of fossils of flat-lying Ediacarans: (1) The organisms have been transported from a quieter environment (in which case their pristine preservation is similarly puzzling); (2) they had a density approaching that of a flatfish; (3) they were secured to the substrate in some manner; (4) they lived partially or wholly beneath the substrate surface.
Bimodal Regulation of the Human H1 Histamine Receptor by G Protein-coupled Receptor Kinase 2

The H1 histamine receptor (H1HR) is a member of the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily and regulates numerous cellular functions through its activation of the Gq/11 subfamily of heterotrimeric G proteins. Although the H1HR has been shown to undergo desensitization in multiple cell types, the mechanisms underlying the regulation of H1HR signaling are poorly defined. To address this issue, we examined the effects of wild type and mutant G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs) on the phosphorylation and signaling of human H1HR in HEK293 cells. Overexpression of GRK2 promoted H1HR phosphorylation in intact HEK293 cells and completely inhibited inositol phosphate production stimulated by H1HR, whereas GRK5 and GRK6 had lesser effects on H1HR phosphorylation and signaling. Interestingly, catalytically inactive GRK2 (GRK2-K220R) also significantly attenuated H1HR-mediated inositol phosphate production, as did an N-terminal fragment of GRK2 previously characterized as a regulator of G protein signaling (RGS) protein for Gαq/11. Disruption of this RGS function in holo-GRK2 by mutation (GRK2-D110A) partially reversed the quenching effect of GRK2, whereas deletion of both the kinase activity and RGS function (GRK2-D110A/K220R) effectively relieved the inhibition of inositol phosphate generation. To evaluate the role of endogenous GRKs on H1HR regulation, we used small interfering RNAs to selectively target GRK2 and GRK5, two of the primary GRKs expressed in HEK293 cells. A GRK2-specific small interfering RNA effectively reduced GRK2 expression and resulted in a significant increase in histamine-promoted calcium flux. In contrast, knockdown of GRK5 expression was without effect on H1HR signaling. These findings demonstrate that GRK2 is the principal kinase mediating H1 histamine receptor desensitization in HEK293 cells and suggest that rapid termination of H1HR signaling is mediated by both the kinase activity and RGS function of GRK2.
ASSOCIATION OF A FREE‐LIVING EUGLENA WITH A COLONIAL ROTIFER

Euglena agilis (syn. Euglena pisciformis) is a free-living euglenoid found in brackish or fresh water. This species can be identified by its fusiform shape, single long flagellum, and prominent anterior eyespot. It can be distinguished from other euglenoids in part by its two to three large chloroplasts that run parallel to the length of the body, each with a single pyrenoid capped on two sides by paramylon. Euglena agilis is commonly found in our collecting ponds in central New Jersey. In two consecutive summers, we have found large numbers of these cells living symbiotically with the colonial rotifer Conochilus unicornis. We do not know if either organism benefits or is harmed in this relationship. For example, while we've seen the rotifers of the colony ingest other algae, we have not seen predation of the E. agilis (neither those embedded in the mucilaginous secretions of the rotifer nor swimming outside of the colony). This association is interesting for several reasons: 1) E. agilis is normally free-living. 2) There are few known symbiotic relationships between euglenoids and rotifers. 3) E. agilis lose their long single flagellum when in the colony. We plan to use light and electron microscopy to investigate the ultrastructure of the E. agilis and its relationship to the rotifer colony.
REPRODUCTIVE HORMONE PROFILES IN CAPTIVE MALE ORANGUTANS : IMPLICATIONS FOR UNDERSTANDING DEVELOPMENTAL ARREST

For many years researchers have described some male orangutans as "subadult." These males are of adolescent to adult age and are reproductive, but have little to no secondary sexual trait development. Until now the only endocrine study of this arrest of secondary sexual trait development was performed by Kingsley (1982, 1988). She found that "subadult" or arrested males have lower testosterone levels than similar age developing adolescents or adult males. In this study, urine samples were collected over a two-year period from 23 captive male orangutans in order to more fully define male endocrine profiles. Three study males were juveniles, seven were arrested adolescents, six were developing adolescents, and seven were mature adults. Morning samples were analyzed by radioimmunoassay for levels of testicular steroids and gonadotropins and group hormone profiles were compared by analysis of variance. Results illustrate that arrested adolescent orangutans have significantly lower testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels than developing adolescents, but significantly higher levels than juveniles. Luteinizing hormone (LH) levels also differed between arrested and developing adolescents, with arrested males having lower levels. However, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were similar in both morphs of adolescent male. The overall hormone profiles for arrested and developing adolescent male orangutans suggest that arrested males lack levels of LH, testosterone, and DHT necessary for development of secondary sexual traits. However, they have sufficient testicular steroids, LH, and FSH to fully develop primary sexual function and fertility. These endocrine data help define alternative developmental pathways in male orangutans. The authors discuss the relationship between these developmental pathways and male orangutan reproductive strategies, and hypothesize about their prepubertal socioendocrine determination.
Interaction of Host Cell microRNAs with the HCV RNA Genome during Infection of Liver Cells

It has remained an enigma how hepatitis C viral (HCV) RNA can persist in the liver of infected patients for many decades. With the recent discovery of roles for microRNAs in gene expression, it was reported that the HCV RNA genome subverts liver-specific microRNA miR-122 to protect its 5′ end from degradation by host cell exoribonucleases. Sequestration of miR-122 in cultured liver cells and in the liver of chimpanzees by small, modified antisense RNAs resulted in dramatic loss of HCV RNA and viral yield. This finding led to the first successful human trial in which subcutaneous administration of antisense molecules against miR-122 lowered viral yield in HCV patients, without the emergence of resistant virus. In this review, the authors summarize the molecular mechanism by which miR-122 protects the HCV RNA genome from degradation by exoribonucleases Xrn1 and Xrn2 and discuss the application of miR-122 antisense molecules in the clinic.
Content Validation of Teacher Subject Matter Test Ratings of Knowledge and Skill Statements by Teachers vs Teacher-Trainers:

An investigation was conducted of differences between ratings provided by Florida practicing public school teachers and teacher trainers on knowledge and skill statements used in the development of teacher subject matter knowledge tests for initial teacher certification in the fields of (a) elementary education, (b) English,(c) gifted, and (d) specific learning disability. Respondents rated each statement on 5-point Likert scales on three dimensions: (a) job relatedness, (b) frequency of use, and (c) importance for initial certification. Surveys for each of the four fields were sent to Florida practicing teachers and to teacher training faculty. A two-stage cluster PPS sampling yielded eight response rates which ranged from 41% to 63% across the four fields. Statistically significant differences on 29 of the 60 factor comparisons were obtained between the two major group of raters (teachers vs teacher-trainers). Generally, teacher trainers registered higher ratings than did practicing teachers on all vari...
Designing algorithms in linear algebra for different computer architectures

Architectures of future machines promise to offer a profusion of computing environments. The existing forerunners have already given many software developers cause to reexamine the underlying algorithms for efficiency sake. However, it seems to be an unnecessary waste of effort to recast algorithms with only one computer in mind, regardless of how fast that one may be. With such a wide variety of computer systems and architectures in use or proposed, the challenge for people designing algorithms is to develop algorithms and ultimately software that are both efficient and portable. In this talk we will discuss implementations and performance of a few standard algorithms from linear algebra on high performance computers, such as the CRAY 1, CRAY X-MP, Fujitsu VP-200, Hitachi S-810/20 and Denelcor HEP based on the use of high-level modules. High-level modularity facilitates portability and aids in attaining performance efficiency on a wide variety of environments spanning scalar, vector, and certain parallel computers.
The Ins and Outs of the Self: Contrasting Role Exits and Role Entries as Predictors of Self-concept Clarity

A variety of role exits and role entries were examined as potential predictors of self-concept clarity. Using a large, nationally-representative sample of adults, we assessed the number of role exits and role entries each respondent had experienced in the past year. Although both role exits and role entries were negatively correlated with self-concept clarity, subsequent analyses indicated that only role exits significantly predicted self-concept clarity when controlling for demographics, physical health, and self-esteem. Additionally, we found moderate support for a model in which these patterns of results are mediated by increased social isolation and reduced stability of behavioral routines. We discuss the implications of these findings for our understanding of major life transitions and the psychological impact of social roles.
Move Your Practice to New Heights with Down-To-Earth Hiring Techniques

Like preparing for intricate surgery, successful staffing requires preparation, mastery of the subject matter, and skill. The employees who work in veterinary practices form the basis of the business and reflect the owners' own values. Giving attention to what you want your practice to be, whom you want working with you, and how the environment keeps the staff productive matters. Identifying the right culture, hiring people who find congruence with the practice's culture, and consistently applying these principles will help your practice soar to new heights.
Metachronous Cancer Diagnosis in Men With Prostate Cancer and the Risk of Prostate Cancer-specific Mortality: A Competing Risks Analysis

Metachronous Cancer Diagnosis in Men With Prostate Cancer and the Risk of Prostate Cancer-specific Mortality: A Competing Risks Analysis K.L. Mirabeau-Beale, M. Chen, L. Sun, and A.V. D’Amico; Harvard Radiation Oncology Program, Boston, MA, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Bethesda, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA
Mapping rule-based systems onto multicomputers using simulated annealing

Abstract In this paper, we present a static load balancing method for mapping production rules in an expert system onto processors of a message-passing multicomputer. The method uses simulated annealing to achieve a nearly optimal allocation of production rules onto processor nodes. The approach balances the initial rule distribution to avoid higher communication demand among processor nodes at run time. A formal mapping model is developed and a new cost function is defined for the annealing process. New heuristic swap functions and cooling policies are provided to ensure the quality of the annealing process. A software load balancing package, SIMAL, was implemented on a SUN workstation to carry out the benchmark experiments. The overhead associated with this mapping method is O(m In m), where m is the number of rules in the production system. Two benchmark production systems, Toru-waltz and Tourney, are mapped onto a hypercube computer with 32 nodes. Experimental benchmark results verify the effectiveness of the rule mapping method. The method can be applied for distributed artificial intelligence processing or for the parallel execution of cooperating expert systems on a message-passing multicomputer.
The Kulturkampf and Historical Positivism

The crisis in the relations of the church and state in Prussia in the seventies, the so-called Kulturkampf, became acute with the passage of the May Laws in 1873. These laws climaxed a series of measures which had curtailed clerical freedom of speech (Kanzelparagraph), abolished the Catholic Section of the Ministry of Worship, suppressed the Jesuits, and limited ecclesiastical influence over the schools (Schulaufsichtsgesetz). The primary objective of the May Laws, according to the Minister of Worship (Kultusminister), Adalbert Falk, was “to secure the indispensable rights of the state while rejecting interference in purely ecclesiastical affairs.”
FOXD3 Is a Mutant B-RAF–Regulated Inhibitor of G1-S Progression in Melanoma Cells

The forkhead box transcription factor FOXD3 is a stemness factor that prevents the production of melanocyte progenitors from the developing neural crest; however, its role in human cancers is not known. Transformation of melanocytes gives rise to melanoma. In two thirds of melanomas, the serine/threonine kinase B-RAF is mutated to a constitutively active form. Here, we show that FOXD3 levels are upregulated following attenuation of B-RAF and mitogen-activated protein/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) kinase (MEK) signaling in mutant B-RAF harboring human melanoma cells. This effect was selective because FOXD3 was not upregulated following MEK inhibition in wild-type B-RAF melanoma cells and mutant B-RAF thyroid carcinoma cells. Ectopic FOXD3 expression potently inhibited melanoma cell growth without altering mutant B-RAF activation of ERK1/2. Inhibition of cell growth was due to a potent G1 cell cycle arrest and was associated with p53-dependent upregulation of p21Cip1. FOXD3-induced cell cycle arrest was prevented by p53 depletion and, to a lesser extent, p21Cip1 depletion. These studies show that FOXD3 is suppressed by B-RAF, uncover a novel role and mechanism for FOXD3 as a negative cell cycle regulator, and have implications for the repression of melanocytic lineage cells. Cancer Res; 70(7); 2891–900
Tactics of graphic design: A review of Tufte's The Visual Display of Quantitative Information

For many scientists, statistics and mathematics have become the ultimate authorities on the significance and universality of scientific statements. Most scientific journals, therefore, demand that authors adhere to strict rules of data treatment in satisfying the requirements of statistical significance. Yet both mathematics and statistics are changing disciplines. Of late, some basic views in the world of mathematics and statistics have changed, leading to some new and rather innovative techniques that might be useful for behavior analysts. In mathematics, several fundamental principles have been questioned. The controversy is whether logical and mathematical principles describe firm and readily apparent empirical tendencies (mathematical empiricism) or reflect purely rational tendencies, independent of empirical verification (mathematical apriorism) (e.g., Kitcher, 1983; Kline, 1980). The recent trend toward mathematical empiricism stresses that elementary truths are acquired through ordinary perception and through learning about practical experiences with objects and events over many generations. Indeed, the new approach makes contact with Gibson's perception theory of ecological realism (Kitcher, 1983; cf. Costall, 1984). The implication for the practicing scientist may be that mathematics could be used as a way to effectively communicate how the scientist interacts with the subject matter. This view contrasts with
Testing contagion of the 1997–98 crisis in Asian stock markets with structural breaks and incubation periods

Abstract This study tests for the existence of financial contagion, using a method that allows an incubation period before contagion takes effect. We define contagion as an increase in cross-market linkages following shocks. With daily data on Asian stock markets during the 1997–98 crisis, we find significant upward shifts in the linkages between the Asian markets of both crisis and non-crisis countries. The upward shifts are maintained even after controlling for heteroskedasticity and common world and regional factors, providing strong evidence for financial contagion.
Identity Shift in Computer-Mediated Environments

The present study uses a public commitment framework to examine how computer-mediated self-presentations can alter identities. Participants were asked to present with one of two traits, extroversion or introversion, in public or private computer-mediated communication. Public presentations were online, whereas private presentations took place in a text document. Only participants that presented themselves publicly internalized the trait presentation, suggesting that identity shift took place. Public self-presentations also contained more certain and definite forms of language than private self-presentations, suggesting that audiences evoke a more committed form of self-presentation. The findings in this research have important implications for the self-construction of identity online, particularly for individuals that use the Internet as a tool for public self-presentation, such as dating sites, social network sites, or blogs. Also, the findings highlight opportunities for theoretical development on ident...
Alternative Agriculture: Selected Information Sources- Part I:

An annotated bibliography of selected sources of information in alternative agriculture. Part I cites and describes databases, abstracts and indexes, periodicals, and newsletters and newspapers that include full or partial coverage of alternative agriculture. The sources chosen represent a diversity of approaches and viewpoints regarding alternatives to conventional agriculture.
The anti-cancer peptide, PNC-27, induces tumor cell lysis as the intact peptide

Purpose PNC-27, a peptide that contains an HDM-2-binding domain from p53 attached to a membrane-penetrating peptide on its carboxyl terminal end, is cytotoxic to cancer, but not normal, cells. It forms transmembrane pores in the cancer cell membrane. Our purpose is to determine if the whole peptide or critical fragments induce pore formation in cancer cells.
A Mössbauer Study of the Interaction of Chitosan and d-Glucosamine with Iron and Its Relevance to Other Metalloenzymes

The interaction of iron with water-soluble polymer chitosan and monomer d-glucosamine is investigated by Mossbauer spectroscopy. The 4.2 K Mossbauer spectrum of Fe−water-soluble chitosan complex indicates the presence of a magnetic pattern and a quadrupole doublet, and analysis of the spectral data leads to the conclusion that an Fe(II) state is partially stabilized in this system. Fe−glucosamine (monomer of chitosan) complex, on the other hand, clearly stabilizes the Fe(II) state in the acidic pH range as evidenced from the isomer shift extracted from the Mossbauer spectra. The oxidation state of the metal ion in the complex is found to be pH dependent. Indirect evidence supporting the involvement of amino group in the bonding with the metal ion is discussed. From the analysis of the experimental data under varying experimental conditions, it is concluded that the metal ion in the complex is at least tetracoordinated and at most hexacoordinated with O/N ligands of the polymer or monomer and thus corrobor...
Characterization of warm season convective systems over US in terms of Cloud to Ground lightning, cloud kinematics, and precipitation

Abstract Convective systems are tracked for two summer months over the continental USA and their properties at different stages of life are investigated in terms of Cloud to Ground (CG) lightning flashes, cloud kinematics, and precipitation. The study employs lightning data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) along with 1/2-hourly satellite Infrared observations, and hourly rainfall accumulation fields from the nationwide WSR-88D radar network. Results show strong dependence of the amount of CG lightning flashes with the stage of the storm's life cycle. The highest number of CG lightning flashes and highest area expansion rates are also seen to be during the growth stage of the systems. The stronger the lightning density, or cloud top area expansion rate, of the storms at their initiation stage is the longer is shown to be their life duration. The average rainfall yield per flash in the growing, mature and dissipation stages of storms with duration greater than 4 h is 4.7, 12.5 and 8.5 10 7 kg, respectively. The temporal evolution of the storms' area and CG flash rate are shown to correlate well with the evolution of rainfall parameters, such as storm's rainfall yield (m 3 ), conditional mean rainfall rate, and the fraction of rain area. The consideration of the kinematics and CG lightning flashes of convective systems and the knowledge of their life cycle stage demonstrate a potential for drawing information useful in rain rate retrievals and their variability.
Electrically conducting polymers containing substituted phenylene and heterocycle repeat units

Abstract A series of polymers containing alternating biheterocycle and p -phenylene repeat units has been synthesized and studied. When the heterocyclic unit is thiophene, the materials demonstrate electrochemical properties similar to those found for polythiophenes and retain the synthetic flexibility for substitution found in phenylene compounds. The monomers were substituted at the 2- and 5-positions of the phenylene ring with methyl, methoxy, heptoxy, dodecyloxy and hexyl groups. The electronic properties were found to depend on both the electron donating ability and the steric effects of the substituents. PRDDO and ab initio calculations were carried out to correlate the molecular structure with the observed electronic properties. Optoelectrochemical and solution doping results revealed the presence of bipolaron species in the oxidized state and the optical band gap was compared with extended Huckel calculations. The monomers and polymers were characterized using a variety of FT-NMR and FT-IR techniques.
Minimal field bending modes in hot accretion disks

Abstract In a configuration that can simulate hot accretion disks where both a toroidal and a poloidal component of the magnetic field are present, a new class of modes is found that minimizes the bending of the magnetic field lines and involves a novel effect related to (the square of) the rotation frequency gradient. These modes, which co-rotate with the plasma at the radius around which they are localized and depend explicitly on the radial width of localization, have the lowest threshold among the various types of mode that are possible as the parallel, to the field, component of the relevant mode number is decoupled from the magnitude of the height of the disk. The new effect and driving factor is related to the gradient of the Doppler shifted frequency ω − n 0 Ω(R) , where Ω(R) is the rotation frequency, n0 the toroidal mode number and ω the mode frequency. The contribution of a previously known driving factor, identified first by Velikhov and associated with the linear contribution of d Ω d R to the perturbed toroidal field, remains important. These modes that depend on the plasma temperature being finite, survive the inclusion of relevant dissipative effects and can be expected to persist in collisionless regimes where the adopted fluid description is to be reconsidered.