cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of Women's Empowerment on Place of Delivery in North Eastern and Western Kenya: A Cross-sectional Analysis of the Kenya Demographic Health Survey.

BACKGROUND Labor and delivery under the supervision of a skilled birth attendant have been shown to promote positive maternal and neonatal outcomes; yet, more than a third of births in Kenya occur outside a health facility. We investigated the association between measures of women's empowerment and health facility-based delivery in Northeastern and Western Kenya. METHODS Analysis of 2014 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey data was conducted. Logistic regression adjusting for demographic factors, contraceptive use, and comprehensive HIV knowledge was used to assess the influence of the validated African Women's Empowerment Index-East (AWEI-E) on the likelihood of women's most recent birth having occurred in a health facility versus at home. Additionally, we explored the mediating effect of contraceptive use on women's empowerment and health facility-based delivery. RESULTS Compared to respondents with low or moderate empowerment scores, those with high empowerment scores were more likely to have given birth at a health facility [odds ratio (OR) = 1.81; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.30, 2.51], although this effect was null in the adjusted model (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.58, 1.45). Respondents with a recent facility birth (n = 372/836) were more likely to have high household-level wealth (40.9% vs 8.6%, p < 0.001) and use a contraceptive method (44.9% vs 27.4%, p < 0.001) than those without facility-based delivery. Current contraceptive use mediated 26.8% of the effect of empowerment on the odds of facility-based delivery. CONCLUSION Women's empowerment, and its comprising three domains as measured by the AWEI-E, may be insufficient to overcome barriers to facility-based delivery for women in North Eastern or Western Kenya. High women's empowerment is strongly associated with current contraceptive use, which may inform pregnancy planning and location of delivery. Alternatively, higher empowered women who delivered at a facility may have been offered contraceptives at the time of delivery. Future research targeting these regions should explore culturally acceptable approaches to broadening access to skilled supervision of labor.
Numerical DWI phantoms to optimize accuracy and precision of quantitative parametric maps for non-Gaussian diffusion

Clinical applications of quantitative diffusion-weighted imaging (qDWI) require confidence intervals for derived diffusion parameters to aid differentiation of technical errors from tissue characteristics. This study outlines practical procedures to evaluate precision (uncertainty) and accuracy (bias) of parametric maps derived for non-Gaussian diffusion models using numerical DWI phantoms (digital reference objects (DROs)) generated for advanced qDWI clinical trial protocols. The generated DROs include simulated acquisition noise, DICOM scaling and clinically-relevant qDWI parameter ranges for perfusion-fraction intra-voxel incoherent motion, kurtosis and stretched exponential diffusion models. Evaluation of fit accuracy and precision is illustrated for unsupervised linear least-squares (LLS) versus nonlinear minimization (NLM) algorithms ignorant of noise. DRO application examples are shown for calibration of noise-induced uncertainty with a physical DWI phantom, retrospective model fidelity analysis for brain tumor data and prospective error mapping in renal tissue. Physical DWI phantom analysis confirms adequate DRO noise model and realistic predicted fit errors. Detection of step-like bias activation in fit parameter space, consistent with modeldependent signal truncation at the noise floor, is proposed based on differences in NLM versus LLS fit maps. For all diffusion models, noise-induced bias in diffusivity is anti-correlated to bias in the model-specific (non-diffusivity) parameter. For confident assessment of fit parameter precision, bias minimization through b-range constraints and bdependent averaging is advised prior to fit uncertainty mapping. For low bias, higher precision is achieved by LLS versus NLM, and for diffusivity versus model parameter. The described procedures allow efficient qDWI protocol optimization toward reduced acquisition and model-dependent errors.
Venous TOS: Early Postoperative Care

Comprehensive surgical management of subclavian vein thrombosis due to venous TOS begins with venography and thrombolysis, followed by anticoagulation and planning for surgery. Surgical treatment revolves around first rib resection and various approaches to achieve a patent subclavian vein, which has an important influence on postoperative care in recovery, rehabilitation, and follow-up. The main concerns during the immediate postoperative hospitalization include the most appropriate anticoagulation regimen, early recognition and intervention for subclavian vein thrombosis, detection and management of lymph leak, pain management, dietary recommendations, monitoring for and treatment of complications, and early implementation of physical therapy. Development and use of a consistent protocol for surgical treatment and early postoperative care is of great value to the surgeon and clinical team responsible for patients with venous TOS.
Interspecies recombination has driven the macroevolution of cassava mosaic begomoviruses

ABSTRACT Begomoviruses (family Geminiviridae, genus Begomovirus) significantly hamper crop production and threaten food security around the world. The frequent emergence of new begomovirus genotypes is facilitated by high mutation frequencies and the propensity to recombine and reassort. Homologous recombination has been especially implicated in the emergence of novel cassava mosaic begomovirus (CMB) genotypes, which cause cassava mosaic disease (CMD). Cassava (Manihot esculenta) is a staple food crop throughout Africa, and an important industrial crop in Asia, two continents where production is severely constrained by CMD. The CMD species complex is comprised of 11 bipartite begomovirus species with ample distribution throughout Africa and the Indian subcontinent. While recombination is regarded as a frequent occurrence for CMBs, a revised, systematic assessment of recombination and its impact on CMB phylogeny is currently lacking. We assembled datasets of all publicly available, full-length DNA-A (n=880) and DNA-B (n=369) nucleotide sequences from the 11 recognized CMB species. Phylogenetic networks and complementary recombination detection methods revealed extensive recombination among the CMB sequences. Six out of the eleven species have descended from unique interspecies recombination events. Estimates of recombination and mutation rates revealed that all species experience mutation more frequently than recombination, but measures of population divergence indicate that recombination is largely responsible for the genetic differences between species. Our results support that recombination has significantly impacted the CMB phylogeny and is driving speciation in the CMD species complex. IMPORTANCE Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is a significant threat to cassava production throughout Africa and Asia. CMD is caused by a complex comprised of 11 recognized virus species exhibiting accelerated rates of evolution, driven by high frequencies of mutation and genetic exchange. Here, we present a systematic analysis of the contribution of genetic exchange to cassava mosaic virus diversity. Most of these species emerged as a result of genetic exchange. This is the first study to report the significant impact of genetic exchange on speciation in a group of viruses.
Essential gene analysis in Acinetobacter baumannii by high-density transposon mutagenesis and CRISPR interference

ABSTRACT Acinetobacter baumannii is a poorly understood bacterium capable of life-threatening infections in hospitals. Few antibiotics remain effective against this highly resistant pathogen. Development of rationally designed antimicrobials that can target A. baumannii requires improved knowledge of the proteins that carry out essential processes allowing growth of the organism. Unfortunately, studying essential genes has been challenging using traditional techniques, which usually require time-consuming recombination-based genetic manipulations. Here, we performed saturating mutagenesis with dual transposon systems to identify essential genes in A. baumannii, and we developed a CRISPR interference (CRISPRi) system for facile analysis of these genes. We show that the CRISPRi system enables efficient transcriptional silencing in A. baumannii. Using these tools, we confirmed the essentiality of the novel cell division protein AdvA and discovered a previously uncharacterized AraC family transcription factor (ACX60_RS03245) that is necessary for growth. In addition, we show that capsule biosynthesis is a conditionally essential process, with mutations in late-acting steps causing toxicity in strain ATCC 17978 that can be bypassed by blocking early-acting steps or activating the BfmRS stress response. These results open new avenues for analysis of essential pathways in A. baumannii. IMPORTANCE New approaches are urgently needed to control A. baumannii, one of the most drug-resistant pathogens known. To facilitate the development of novel targets that allow inhibition of the pathogen, we performed a large-scale identification of genes whose products the bacterium needs for growth. We also developed a CRISPR-based gene knockdown tool that operates efficiently in A. baumannii, allowing rapid analysis of these essential genes. We used these methods to define multiple processes vital to the bacterium, including a previously uncharacterized gene regulatory factor and export of a protective polymeric capsule. These tools will enhance our ability to investigate processes critical for the essential biology of this challenging hospital-acquired pathogen.
A Content Analysis of Organizations’ Internal Whistleblowing Policies

Section 406 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX) requires that U.S. public firms disclose their adoption of a code of ethics that includes formal whistleblowing procedures. Public companies listed on NYSE or NASDAQ are also required to prepare this disclosure. Formal whistleblowing policies guide employees through the ethical decision-making process and promote reporting unethical behaviors. Authoritative bodies have prescribed whistleblowing guidelines, such as the Council of Europe Resolution 1729 (COER) and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Guidelines on Whistleblowing. However, there is no conclusive evidence of the effectiveness of firms’ whistleblowing policies on reporting behavior, and prior research calls for further investigations into the design and implementation of effective internal whistleblowing policies. Through a whistleblowing procedures framework, we performed a content analysis of 50 whistleblowing policies to analyze the content characteristics and linguistic characteristics of public firms’ whistleblowing policies. Results of this study identify trends and patterns within whistleblowing policies. Key findings include that firms prefer employees to report to their supervisor. However, there is little discussion of supervisors’ responsibilities after receiving reports. Also, the use of words expressing uncertainty is highest when companies describe disciplinary actions in response to wrongdoing. Further, readability analysis suggests that companies’ whistleblowing policies are difficult to read, and sections relating to investigation procedures, wrongdoer disciplinary actions, and anti-retaliation policies are relatively more difficult to read than the rest of the policy content. We discuss implications for firms with the aim of improving the effectiveness of stated whistleblowing procedures.
Does the Legal System Affect the Cost of External Financing?: Evidence From IPO Underpricing of Foreign Firms Listed in U.S. Stock Markets

To study the effect of the legal system on the cost of external financing, we examine the degree of underpricing of the IPOs by foreign companies listed in the U.S. We find that firms from highly corrupted countries have larger IPO underpricing. The quality of the home countries’ public law enforcement reduces the degree of IPO underpricing. In particular, the criminal sanction for violations of securities laws is the most significant factor in reducing underpricing. The evidence shows that even when a non-U.S. firm meets sophisticated U.S. regulations and goes public in a U.S. exchange, the degree of underpricing is still influenced by the legal and judicial system in the home country. Following La Porta et al. (2000a), we provide evidence against the functional convergence hypothesis (Coffee, 1999 and 2002).
Effects of Dicyclohexyl Phthalate Exposure on PXR Activation and Lipid Homeostasis in Mice.

Background: Exposure to plastic-associated endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in humans. However, the underlying mechan...
Genetic studies of Agastache

vii CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION 1 Dissertation organization 5 CHAPTER 2. AN OVERVIEW OP AGASTACHE RESEARCH 7 ABSTRACT 7 INTRODUCTION 8 MORPHOLOGY, CYTOGENETICS, AND TAXONOMY 9 BIOCHEMICAL STUDIES 14 USES 18 Essential oils 18 Flavorings, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals 20 Ornamental 24 CULTIVATION 27 SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK 29 LITERATURE CITED 30 CHAPTER 3. INHERITANCE OF AROMATIC OILS IN AGASTACHE FOENICULUM (PURSH) KUNTZE 45 ABSTRACT 45 INTRODUCTION 46 MATERIALS AND METHODS 48 Plant material 48 Sample preparation 49 Statistical analysis 50 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 50 Myrcene 51 Limonene 52
Disposition of levetiracetam in healthy adult horses.

Nine horses received 20mg/kg of intravenous (LEVIV); 30mg/kg of intragastric, crushed immediate release (LEVCIR); and 30mg/kg of intragastric, crushed extended release (LEVCER) levetiracetam, in a three-way randomized crossover design. Crushed tablets were dissolved in water and administered by nasogastric tube. Serum samples were collected over 48hr, and levetiracetam concentrations were determined by immunoassay. Mean +/- SD peak concentrations for LEVCIR and LEVCER were 50.72 +/- 10.60 and 53.58 +/- 15.94g/ml, respectively. The y-intercept for IV administration was 64.54 +/- 24.99g/ml. The terminal half-life was 6.38 +/- 1.97, 7.07 +/- 1.93 and 6.22 +/- 1.35hr for LEVCIR, LEVCER, and LEVIV, respectively. Volume of distribution at steady-state was 630 +/- 73.4ml/kg. Total body clearance after IV administration was 74.40 +/- 19.20mlkg(-1)hr(-1). Bioavailability was 96 +/- 10, and 98 +/- 13% for LEVCIR and LEVCER, respectively. A single dose of Levetiracetam (LEV) was well tolerated. Based on this study, a recommended dosing regimen of intravenous or oral LEV of 32mg/kg every 12hr is likely to achieve and maintain plasma concentrations within the therapeutic range suggested for humans, with optimal kinetics throughout the dosing interval in healthy adult horses. Repeated dosing and pharmacodynamic studies are warranted.
Calbindin-D28K is Increased in the Ventral Horn of Spinal Cord by Neuroprotective Factors For Motor Neurons

Slow glutamate-mediated neuronal degeneration is implicated in the pathophysiology of motor neuron diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The calcium-binding proteins calbindin-D28K and parvalbumin have been reported to protect neurons against excitotoxic insults. Expression of calbindin-D28K is low in adult human motor neurons, and vulnerable motor neurons additionally may lack parvalbumin. Thus, it has been speculated that the lack of calcium-binding proteins may, in part, be responsible for early degeneration of the population of motor neurons most vulnerable in ALS. Using a rat organotypic spinal cord slice system, we examined whether the most potent neuroprotective factors for motor neurons can increase the expression of calbindin-D28K or parvalbumin proteins in the postnatal spinal cord. After 4 weeks of incubation of spinal cord slices with 1) glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), 2) neurturin, 3) insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), or 4) pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), the number of calbindin-D28K-immunopositive large neurons (>20 μm) in the ventral horn was higher under the first three conditions, but not after PEDF, compared with untreated controls. Under the same conditions, parvalbumin was not upregulated by any neuroprotective factor. The same calbindin increase was true of IGF-I and GDNF in a parallel glutamate toxicity model of motor neuron degeneration. Taken together with our previous reports from the same model, which showed that all these neurotrophic factors can potently protect motor neurons from slow glutamate injury, the data here suggest that upregulation of calbindin-D28K by some of these factors may be one mechanism by which motor neurons can be protected from glutamate-induced, calcium-mediated excitotoxicity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Censored Sample Bias, Macroeconomic Factors, and Time on Market of Residential Housing

This paper reexamines the time on market (TOM) of residential housing. We use a larger sample of data to analyze the factors that effect TOM. The research provides evidence of the impact of macroec...
Health sciences library building projects : 1995 survey

The Medical Library Association's fifth annual survey of recent health sciences library building projects identified twenty-five libraries planning, expanding, or constructing new library facilities. None of the fifteen new library projects are free standing structures; however, several occupy a major portion of the project space. Ten projects involve renovation of or addition to existing space. Information regarding size, cost of project, type of construction, completion date, and other factual data was provided for twelve projects. The remaining identified projects are in pre-design or early-design stages, or are awaiting funding approval. Library building projects for three hospital libraries, three academic medical libraries, and an association library are described. Each illustrates how considerations of economics and technology are changing the traditional library model from a centrally stored information depository housing a wide range of information under one roof where users come to the information, into an electronic model gradually shifting from investment in the physical presence of resources to investment in creating work space for creditible information specialists who help in-house and distanced users to obtain information electronically from any place and at any time. This new model includes a highly skilled library team to manage, filter, and package the information to users trained by these resident experts.
A novel tetratricopeptide repeat (TPR) containing PP5 serine/threonine protein phosphatase in the malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum

Background The malarial parasite, Plasmodium falciparum (Pf), is responsible for nearly 2 million deaths worldwide. However, the mechanisms of cellular signaling in the parasite remain largely unknown. Recent discovery of a few protein kinases and phosphatases point to a thriving reversible phosphorylation system in the parasite, although their function and regulation need to be determined.
The Rx homeobox gene is essential for vertebrate eye development.

Development of the vertebrate eye requires a series of steps including specification of the anterior neural plate, evagination of the optic vesicles from the ventral forebrain, and the cellular differentiation of the lens and retina. Homeobox-containing genes, especially the transcription regulator Pax6, play a critical role in vertebrate and invertebrate eye formation. Mutations in Pax6 function result in eye malformations known as Aniridia in humans and Small eye syndrome in mice1,2,3. The Drosophila homologue of Pax6, eyeless, is also necessary for correct invertebrate eye development, and its misexpression leads to formation of ectopic eyes in Drosophila4,5. Here we show that a conserved vertebrate homeobox gene, Rx, is essential for normal eye development, and that its misexpression has profound effects on eye morphology. Xenopus embryos injected with synthetic Rx RNA develop ectopic retinal tissue and display hyperproliferation in the neuroretina. Mouse embryos carrying a null allele of this gene do not form optic cups and so do not develop eyes. The Rx gene family plays an important role in the establishment and/or proliferation of retinal progenitor cells.
Implantable devices for management of chronic heart failure: defibrillators and biventricular pacing therapy.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW With chronic heart failure already an epidemic in the USA, its prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the future. Despite improved survival with pharmacologic therapy, the morbidity and mortality of patients with heart failure remain high. The purpose of this review, therefore, is to present recent data on the non-pharmacologic, device-based treatment of patients with chronic heart failure. RECENT FINDINGS The implantable cardioverter-defibrillator has become standard treatment for the prevention of sudden, arrhythmic death. Recent well-designed clinical trials have led to device-based therapy as an important component in the management of patients with systolic left ventricular dysfunction (resulting from both ischemic and non-ischemic etiologies) and symptomatic chronic heart failure. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy alone (without biventricular pacing) results in a significant reduction in the overall mortality of patients with mild and moderate heart failure. Biventricular pacing (or cardiac resynchronization therapy) with or without a back-up implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, compared with optimal pharmacologic therapy, improves symptoms, quality of life, exercise tolerance, left ventricular function, and the survival of patients with advanced heart failure, a left ventricular ejection fraction of 35% or less, and intraventricular conduction delays (QRS > 120 ms), although up to approximately 30% of patients do not respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ongoing and planned studies should clarify which patients are most likely to respond to cardiac resynchronization therapy and elucidate its role in those with a normal (< 120 ms) QRS (approximately 70% of patients with heart failure). SUMMARY Device therapy (implantable cardioverter-defibrillator and cardiac resynchronization therapy) should be considered an integral, but adjunctive, part of the management of patients with chronic heart failure who are receiving appropriate medical therapy. The type of device used will depend on the individual patient's clinical characteristics.
Cerebellar Purkyně cell responses to inputs from sensorimotor cortex

The responses of single Purkyně cells in the pars intermedia of the anterior lobe were studied following stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex in the cat. The cortical inputs display the same kind of mossy fiber and climbing fiber duality as previously described for nerve inputs (Eccles et al., 1971 b). Stimulation of the cerebral cortex elicits short latency excitation (4–8 msec) and inhibition (8–12 msec) via the mossy fiber system and a longer latency climbing fiber excitation (12–19 msec). The response of a Purkyně cell may consist of any combination of these possible components and depends upon the cortical area stimulated. The mossy fiber system is activated by a single shock, is increased by a second volley, and follows relatively high repetition rates. On the other hand, the climbing fiber system has a higher threshold, and only follows repetition rates up to 5–20 Hz. Two or more volleys are needed for efficient transmission.
Temperature-Induced Changes in Neuromuscular Function: Central and Peripheral Mechanisms

Summary.-Three series of experimental tests were conducted on subjects under both elevated and depressed thermal conditions. Tripartite series consisted of whole-body immersion excepting the head, whole-body immersion excepting the head and response limb, and immersion of the discrete-response limb. Measures of physiological and behavioural responses were made at sequential .4"C changes during whole-body immersions and approximately 5°C changes of water temperature during the immersion of a limb only. Results suggested thar velocity of nerve conduction decreased with thermal depression. Premotor, motor, simple, and choice reaction times varied differentially as a function of the hot and cold conditions. Implications of these differential effects on neuromuscular function are examined with respect to person-machine performance in artificially induced or naturally occurring extremes of ambient temperature. The human operator is exposed periodically to non-optimal work conditions and on such occasions impinging environmental stressors can radically alter performance capability. Among the most frequently occurring and disruptive stressors are extremes of ambient temperature. Perturbations from normative or comfortable thermal values may be due to geographical location or the artificially generated by-product of manufacturing or storage processes. Depending upon their severity, such extremes may induce variation in either the peripheral or peripheral and deep body temperature of the exposed individual. While the physiological effects and potential thermal health hazards have been fairly well documented, concomitant variation in cognitive and psychomotor performance has remained a largely confused area of investigation. Recently, empirical analyses of these latter effects have been reported, with particular reference to efficiency in person-machine systems (Aird, Webb, & Hoare, 1983; Hancock & Dirkin, 1982). The present paper seeks to extend such research and reports variation of neuromuscular performance under systematically driven increments of both temperature elevation and depression. The effect of temperature upon simple neuromuscular abilities may be dichotomized into central (CNS) and peripheral (limb) components. The central element includes capacities such as signal detection, information processing, and response selection. Increases in CNS temperature results in enhanced brain blood flow, higher velocity of nerve conduction (CV), and elevated metabolic activity. Moderate changes in CNS temperature are accom
PROMPT GAMMA ACTIVATION ANALYSIS WITH THE TEXAS COLD NEUTRON SOURCE

A Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis (PGAA) facility is being developed at The University of Texas at Austin (UT). The UT-PGAA facility will utilize a focused cold-neutron beam from the Texas Cold Neutron Source (TCNS). the TCNS consists of a cold source cryostat and a curved neutron guide. the use of a guided focused cold-neutron beam will provide a high capture reaction rate and low background. The UT-PGAA facility will be used in the nondestructive determination of B, Cd, Gd and S in biological and environmental samples.
S41-01 Diagnosis and assessment of female sexual dysfunction(s)

The first challenge in diagnosing female sexual dysfunction(s) originates in our diagnostic system. The traditional model of classifying sexual dysfunction is anchored in the sexual response cycle: desire - arousal - orgasm - resolution. However, as some experts have pointed out, this classification may be problematic in the area of female sexuality. Both the diagnoses of female hypoactive sexual desire disorder (FHSDD) and female arousal disorder (FSAD) probably need to be redefined and refined. Examples include adding the lack of responsive desire to the FHSDD criteria and creating categories of subjective FSAD and genital FSAD. The second challenge in diagnosis female dysfunction is the lack of solid diagnostic instruments, diagnosis-specific laboratory assays and other specific testing. Specific measures of female sexual functioning, such as Female Sexual Functioning Index, Profile of Female Sexual Functioning, Sexual Function Questionnaire, Sexual Desire and Interest Inventory, and Female Sexual Distress Scale were mostly developed as outcome measures. No solid diagnostic instrument for sexual dysfunction exists, not even a version of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM sexual dysfunctions. The contribution of imaging techniques, such as ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging or thermography, to the diagnosis is unclear, and these techniques are far (if ever) from clinical use. Thus, a detailed comprehensive clinical interview combined with physical examination, possibly a gynecological examination, and in some cases laboratory hormonal testing remains the cornerstone of diagnosing and assessing female sexual dysfunctions.
Behavioral effects of enrichment on singly-housed, yearling rhesus monkeys: An analysis including three enrichment conditions and a control group.

Three cohorts of yearling rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were maintained in single cages for one year as part of a derivation program to produce a breeding colony of specific pathogen-free (SPF) monkeys. During this year of social restriction, subjects were provided with three different types of environmental enrichment (physical, feeding, and sensory) to counteract the known effects of social restriction and to quantify the effects of these different conditions of enhancement on their behavior. Focal animal observations were conducted on enriched and control subjects for all cohorts. Enrichment conditions were presented in a different order to each cohort. Monkeys provided with enrichment spent significantly more time playing and less time self-grooming than did control monkeys in unenriched cages, suggesting that the overall enrichment program was of some benefit to the monkeys, because these changes in behavior were in species-typical directions. Among enriched subjects only, there were significant differences in the amount of time spent drinking, grooming, feeding, playing, exploring, and using enrichment across the three enrichment conditions. Both the physical and feeding enrichment conditions led to species-appropriate changes in behavior, therefore enhancing psychological well-being as some define it. Sensory enrichment was of little benefit. The first cohort was housed indoors, received less stimulation from the environment outside of the single cage, and used enrichment more than did the other two cohorts housed outdoors. This suggests that the external environment influences behavior in the single cage and that enrichment may be most effective for animals housed indoors. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Electrospun Light-Emitting Nanofibers

We have electrospun light-emitting nanofibers from ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine)/polyethylene oxide mixtures. The electroluminescent fibers were deposited on gold interdigitated electrodes and lit in a nitrogen atmosphere. The fibers showed light emission at low operating voltages (3-4 V), with turn-on voltages approaching the band gap limit of the organic semiconductor. Because of the fiber size, emission from electrospun light-emitting nanofibers is confined to nanoscale dimensions, an attractive feature for sensing applications and lab-on-a-chip integration where highly localized excitation of molecules is required.
The Dole humor myth and the risks of recontextualizing rhetoric

What explains the conflict between the media spin, empirical studies, and the common characterization of Robert Dole's 1976 vice‐presidential debate in the communication field? This essay suggests that scholars have recontextualized Dole's 1976 debate performance and evaluated him in a context which differs markedly from the rhetorical situation he actually faced. By recontextualizing Dole's rhetoric, our field has judged his performance unfairly and has propagated what we shall call the “Dole humor myth.” The debunking of such myths is important if we are to maintain the integrity of communication scholarship.
Peak antifactor xa activity produced by dalteparin treatment in patients with renal impairment compared with controls.

Study Objective. To evaluate the relationship between impaired renal function and antifactor Xa activity in patients receiving dalteparin. Design. Open-label prospective study. Setting. Inpatient and outpatient units of a large teaching hospital. Subjects. Eleven patients with renal impairment and 11 control subjects with normal renal function. Intervention. Subjects were administered dalteparin at a dosage of approximately 100 U/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. Measurements and Main Results. Peak steady-state antifactor Xa levels were compared between the groups. Mean ± SD levels were similar for patients with and without renal impairment: 0.47 ± 0.25 and 0.55 ± 0.20 U/ml, respectively. A test of equivalency showed statistical significance (p=0.0001). Conclusion. No meaningful difference in peak antifactor Xa activity was found between patients with renal impairment and control subjects. To the extent that peak antifactor Xa levels can be used as markers for adjusting doses of dalteparin, these data suggest that such adjustments are not necessary for patients with renal impairment who are not receiving dialysis.
Evaluation of a Chlorous Experimental and Natural Acid-Chlorine Dioxide Teat Dip Under Experimental and Natural Exposure Conditions

A postmilking teat dip containing chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide was evaluated by experimental challenge and in two herds under natural exposure. The test product had an efficacy of 78.9% against Staphylococcus aureus and 52.5% against Streptococcus agalactiae in the experimental challenge trial. The product was compared with a 1% iodine product in a 15-mo natural exposure study. Post-dipping with chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide reduced incidence of udder infection by major mastitis pathogens 36.1% when data were combined from the two herds. The 1% iodine and the chlorous acid-chlorine dioxide products were not equivalent for major mastitis pathogens; the test product was more effective. Incidence of udder infection by environmental mastitis pathogens was reduced 36.8% in both herds combined. Efficacy of the two teat dips was equivalent for environmental pathogens.
Nitrogen-Activated Transitions, Level Repulsion, and Band Gap Reduction in GaAs 1-x N x with x < 0.03

We report electroreflectance spectra for a series of GaAs{sub 1{minus}x} N{sub x} samples with x{lt}0.03 . For all samples, the fundamental band gap transition (E{sub 0}) and the transition from the spin-orbit split-off valence band (E{sub 0}+{Delta}{sub 0}) are observed. For samples with x{ge}0.008 , an additional transition (E{sub +}) is observed. With increasing nitrogen content, the increase in E{sub +} is linear in, and nearly equal to, the band gap reduction indicative of a nitrogen-induced level repulsion. The directly observed E{sub +} transition may arise from either a nitrogen-related resonant level or a disorder-activated indirect transition. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital The American Physical Society}
Cell and molecular biology of the assembly and secretion of apolipoprotein B-containing lipoproteins by the liver.

Abstract Triglycerides are one of the most efficient storage forms of free energy. Because of their insolubility in biological fluids, their transport between cells and tissues requires that they be assembled into lipoprotein particles. Genetic disruption of the lipoprotein assembly/secretion pathway leads to several human disorders associated with malnutrition and developmental abnormalities. In contrast, patients displaying inappropriately high rates of lipoprotein production display increased risk for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Insights provided by diverse experimental approaches describe an elegant biological adaptation of basic chemical interactions required to overcome the thermodynamic dilemma of producing a stable emulsion vehicle for the transport and tissue targeting of triglycerides. The mammalian lipoprotein assembly/secretion pathway shows an absolute requirement for: (1) the unique amphipathic protein: apolipoprotein B, in a form that is sufficiently large to assemble a lipoprotein particle containing a neutral lipid core; and, (2) a lipid transfer protein (microsomal triglyceride transfer protein-MTP). In the endoplasmic reticulum apolipoprotein B has two distinct metabolic fates: (1) entrance into the lipoprotein assembly pathway within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum; or, (2) degradation in the cytoplasm by the ubiquitin-dependent proteasome. The destiny of apolipoprotein B is determined by the relative availability of individual lipids and level of expression of MTP. The dynamically varied expression of cholesterol-7α-hydroxylase indirectly influences the rate of lipid biosynthesis and the assembly and secretion lipoprotein particles by the liver.
Conditioned stimulus duration and delay of reward as variables in a lever pulling situation.

Abstract Ninety kindergarten children served as Ss in a lever-pulling experiment. They were randomly assigned to five experimental groups. A group (LIMI) receiving immediate CS offset and immediate marble delivery did not differ significantly on a starting speed measure from a group (LI) receiving only immediate CS offset. In contrast, Group LIMI was significantly superior to Group LI on a movement speed measure. These results were interpreted as being consistent with the contention that starting speed differences mainly reflect the effect of “dompeting responses”, while movement speed differences principally reflect effects of motivational variables. In another phase of the experiment, a factorial design (which included Group LIMI but excluded Group LI) utilizing two values of delay of marble reward and two values of delay of CS (“Black Light”) offset yielded results which indicate that delay of marble delivery affected starting speeds and that delay of CS offset affected movement speeds. Other results obtained indicate that children's performance on the first trial block was influeneed by watching E perform the same task during an initial demonstration trial, that the trial block to trial block starting speed correlations were positive but smaller in magnitude than corresponding positive movement speed correlations, and that the correlation between starting and movement time for 5-year, 7-month-old children was positive.
GROUP B COXSACKIEVIRUSES (CBV) USE BOTH DECAY ACCELERATING FACTOR AND A 50 KD PROTEIN AS RECEPTORS. • 1064

GROUP B COXSACKIEVIRUSES (CBV) USE BOTH DECAY ACCELERATING FACTOR AND A 50 KD PROTEIN AS RECEPTORS. • 1064
Leukaemia virus-induced alteration of leucocyte migration in vitro.

INFECTION of susceptible mice by a leukaemia virus generally suppresses the immune response at both the cellular and humoral levels1–8. Although the mechanism of such immuno-depression is not fully understood, it is widely recognized that normal functions of the reticulo-endothelial system are affected by the leukaemic process. Earlier studies in this laboratory of the effects of leukaemia virus on cellular immunity included the macrophage migration inhibition assay with lymphoid cells from normal and virus infected mice sensitized to mycobacterial antigens9. It was found, however, that spleen cells from leukaemia virus-infected mice failed to migrate normally in vitro, even in the absence of antigen. Studies with normal mice showed that cells from lymphoid tissues other than the spleen, such as the thymus, bone marrow and superficial lymph nodes, as well as from the peripheral blood, migrated readily from capillary tube cultures10. The effects of leukaemia virus infection on the in vitro migration pattern of lymphoid cells from various organs were determined by comparison of infected and non-infected cells.
A Remark on Gelfand Pairs of Finite Groups of Lie Type

Abstract We show how to deduce multiplicity one theorems for cuspidal representations of finite groups of Lie type from analogous results for p -adic groups. We then look at examples where the latter is known. One such example is the restriction of irreducible representations of SO ( n ) to SO ( n − 1) 9 . We show that the multiplicity of a cuspidal representation of the finite group SO ( n − 1) in the restriction of a cuspidal representation of SO ( n ) to SO ( n − 1) is at most one.
The Uneven Response of Different Snow Measures to Human-Induced Climate Warming

AbstractThe effect of human-induced climate warming on different snow measures in the western United States is compared by calculating the time required to achieve a statistically significant linear trend in the different measures, using time series derived from regionally downscaled global climate models. The measures examined include the water content of the spring snowpack, total cold-season snowfall, fraction of winter precipitation that falls as snow, length of the snow season, and fraction of cold-season precipitation retained in the spring snowpack, as well as temperature and precipitation. Various stakeholders may be interested in different sets of these variables. It is found that temperature and the fraction of winter precipitation that falls as snow exhibit significant trends first, followed in 5–10 years by the fraction of cold-season precipitation retained in the spring snowpack, and later still by the water content of the spring snowpack. Change in total cold-season snowfall is least detecta...
A Tripartite Array of Transcription Factor Binding Sites Mediates cAMP Induction of Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase Gene Transcription and Its Inhibition by Insulin

Transcription of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene is induced upon activation of protein kinase A by cAMP and phosphorylation of Ser-133 in the transcription factor, cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB), and this induction is inhibited by insulin. We show here that insulin does not act by dephosphorylating CREB or by affecting heterologous kinases that phosphorylate Ser-129 or Ser-142 in CREB. In addition, insulin inhibition of minimal PEPCK promoter activity induced by CREB-GAL4 + protein kinase A was equivalent to inhibition of basal transcription, and thus cAMP-independent. On the other hand, nearly complete insulin inhibition is observed with the full PEPCK promoter (-600/+69), indicating that other factors are involved. The additional promoter elements required for induction by protein kinase A lie within -271 nucleotides of the start site and correspond to putative binding sites for activator protein-1 and CAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP), first identified by Roesler et al. (Roesler, W. J., McFie, P. J., and Puttick, D. M., (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 3791-3796). This tripartite array of binding sites for CREB, C/EBP, and activator protein-1 (AP-1) factors forms a cAMP response unit that, together with the minimal promoter, can mediate both induction by cAMP and inhibition by insulin. Thus, for the PEPCK gene with a single CREB site, the CREB.CBP.RNA polymerase II complex cannot mediate either induction by cAMP or inhibition by insulin.
Is fifth-order MBPT enough?

Abstract Fifth- and higher-order MBPT results are reported for a series of examples, BH, Be2, HF and H2O, for which higher-order perturbation theory might be important. MBPT(5) differs from MBPT(4) by as much as 4.3 mh, and by constructing the size-extensive [2,1] Pade approximant, which is possible with E(5), one can get exceptional agreement with the full CI results. Variational perturbation results are also reported.
Dynamics of the Gribov horizon: A one-mode treatment

Abstract Properties of the Gribov horizon in Coulomb-gauge nonabelian Yang-Mills theory are studied in an approximation which retains global color symmetry but truncates the spin-space degrees of freedom of the transverse gauge field to a single mode. The facilities an explicit evaluation of the contribution of the Faddeev-Popov zeroes to the effective quantum potential, which is accomplished with a sturmian expansion in the zero modes of the inverse ghost propagator. In particular, the singularities of the one-mode hamiltonian at the horizon are isolated and analyzed for their effect on the spectrum. Quantizing on the compact manifold S3 and utilizing the hyperspherical techniques developed by Cutkosky, the formalism is applied to pure gluonic systems of long-wave-length modes. It is found that in the limit a cutoff on integration over ghost momenta is removed to infinity, the hamiltonian reduces to a trivial (quadratic) theory with a mass gap which is a simple multiplicative modification of the free-field result.
Sertoli Cells in Culture Release a Pregnancy Specific β1 Glycoprotein-like Substance

AbstractThe possibility that pregnancy-specific β1 glycoprotein (PSG) is released by Sertoli cells was investigated by using reverse hemolytic plaque assays which enable the visualization of release from individual cells in culture. We found that the proportions of cells releasing PSG increased gradually in 3-day old cultures prepared from animals of increasing age (10-, 20-, and 40-day old animals). The gradual appearance of PSG-releasing cells during this period differed markedly from that of transferrin (TF)-releasing cells, suggesting that the age-related development of PSG-releasing cells is regulated in a specific manner. PSG cells were also found in Sertoli cell cultures prepared from stage-associated seminiferous tubule segments of adult rat testes. The percentages of PSG plaque-forming cells differed from one stage-associated culture to another with maximal proportions associated with stages III–V and XIII, and minimal proportions found in stages VII, and IX–XI. The abundance of Sertoli cells tha...
Anatomic and electrocardiographic position of the heart.

Thirty-four patients were studied by electrocardiogram for electrical position of the heart, and by x-ray and angiocardiogram for anatomic position of the heart. A significant association between electrocardiographic and anatomic positions of the heart was found insofar as rotation about the anteroposterior and longitudinal axes is concerned. No association between electrocardiographic and anatomic positions was found with regard to rotation about the transverse axis.
A model study for a novel synthetic approach to 2-carboxyinosines☆

A model study for a novel approach to the synthesis of 2-carboxyinosines has been described. The synthesis of 9-benzyl-2-carboxyhypoxanthine (I), a model for 2-carboxyinosine, was achieved in four steps starting from 1-benzyl-5-nitroimidazole-4-carboxylic acid. Also reported is the synthesis of 9-benzyl-2,2-bis(ethoxycarbonyl)hypoxanthine (II).
Heterolytic H2 activation mediated by low-coordinate L3Fe-(μ-N)-FeL3 complexes to generate Fe(μ-NH)(μ-H)Fe species

The diiron μ-nitride complexes, {L3FeII(μ-N)FeIIL3}- and L3FeIII(μ-N)FeIIL3, heterolytically activate hydrogen (1 atm) at ambient temperature in solution (L3 = [PhB(CH2PPh2)3]-). These transformations lead to structurally unique {L3FeII(μ-NH)(μ-H)FeIIL3}- and L3FeIII(μ-NH)(μ-H)FeIIL3 products. X-ray data establish a marked reduction in the Fe−Fe distance upon H2 uptake, and spectroscopic data establish both FeIIFeII species to be diamagnetic, whereas the FeIIIFeII species, L3FeIII(μ-N)FeIIL3 and L3FeIII(μ-NH)(μ-H)FeIIL3, populate doublet ground states with thermally accessible higher spin states.
Plasmodium gallinaceum: induction of male gametocyte exflagellation by phosphodiesterase inhibitors.

Abstract The phosphodiesterase inhibitors, Squibb 20009, caffeine, and 8-bromo-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8-bromo-cAMP) are capable of stimulating gametogenesis, thus implicating cyclic nucleotides in the initiation of this process. Squibb 20009 and 8-bromo-cAMP stimulated gametogenesis at pH 8.0 but not at pH 7.4 whereas caffeine stimulated gametogenesis at pH 8.0 and 7.4.