cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of spinal cord lesions on cutaneously elicited reflexes in the decerebrate cat. Tonic bulbospinal and spinobulbar inhibitory systems.

Abstract Regulation of polysynaptic reflexes (ipsilateral extensor, flexor, and digital) in forelimbs and hind limbs was studied in 19 decerebrate cats. Clinical pattern, reflexogenous zones, modality of the eliciting stimulus, and relationship to extensor tone were explored. The location of tonic descending inhibitory and excitatory pathways was investigated by making bilateral and unilateral spinal cord lesions. The Schiff-Sherrington effect on the forelimbs was investigated, and an attempt was made to separate ascending pathways responsible for inhibition of extensor tone from those responsible for inhibition of polysynaptic reflexes, by dorsal and ventral hemisections at T-8 and C-2. Polysynaptic reflexes (both extensor and flexor) in response to pinch were inhibited all over the body, although they were more easily obtained from certain reflexogenous zones than from others. Responses to touch, pressure, and stroke were readily elicited from the perineum but were inhibited from other areas. Tonic bulbospinal inhibitory pathways were located in the dorsal part of the lateral funiculi and facilitatory pathways in the ventral funiculi and ventral parts of the lateral funiculi. Both increased extensor tone and decreased flexor reflex activity of the forelegs after thoracic transection (Schiff-Sherrington phenomenon) were due to the interruption of ascending inhibitory fibers of spinal origin which act upon brain stem centers. The tonic spinobulbar pathways which have the effect of inhibiting brain stem centers responsible for decerebrate inhibition of polysynaptic reflexes ascend through the dorsal part of the lateral funiculi. The fibers inhibiting the brain stem inhibitory centers for extensor tone ascend in more ventral pathways.
Infective endocarditis in the injection drug user

Although infective endocarditis is certainly not the most common infection seen in injecting drug users, it is the infection that clinicians most commonly think of when they consider infectious complications of injected drug use. The microbiology of infective endocarditis in injection drug users has remained relatively stable over the last several decades. Tricuspid valve endocarditis has been associated most frequently with injection drug use, but recent reports have suggested that involvement of left-sided valves is seen more often now than in the past. The use of transesophageal echocardiography has greatly advanced the ability to diagnose infective endocarditis and the cardiac complications of valvular infection.
Isolation and characterization of a synergistic enzyme from the capsule of a granulosis virus of the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta

Abstract A synergistic factor than enhances the infection of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus in the armyworm, Pseudaletia unipuncta, was isolated from the occlusion body (capsule) of a granulosis virus of the armyworm. Disc electrophoresis indicated that the purified factor was a single homogeneous compound. Chemical identification and amino acid analysis showed that it was a simple protein, with a molecular weight of 152,000–163,000. Proteolytic enzymes did not markedly reduce the activity of the factor. It could be stored at −20°C or lyophilized. The synergistic factor displayed properties of an enzyme. It enhanced the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl esters of fatty acids with an optimum of pH 9.0. The relative hydrolytic activity increased with increase in number of carbon atoms in the fatty-acid chain from 2 to 8 and gradually decreased with the number of carbon atoms from 10 to 18. Copper sulfate markedly and mercuric chloride completely prevented enhancement of the hydrolysis of butyrate. When the synergistic factor was fed to larvae with mercuric chloride, it did not enhance the nuclear polyhedrosis virus.
Exploratory regression analysis: A tool for selecting models and determining predictor importance

Linear regression analysis is one of the most important tools in a researcher's toolbox for creating and testing predictive models. Although linear regression analysis indicates how strongly a set of predictor variables, taken together, will predict a relevant criterion (i.e., the multiple R), the analysis cannot indicate which predictors are the most important. Although there is no definitive or unambiguous method for establishing predictor variable importance, there are several accepted methods. This article reviews those methods for establishing predictor importance and provides a program (in Excel) for implementing them (available for direct download at http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2480715/ERA.xlsm?dl=1) . The program investigates all 2(p) - 1 submodels and produces several indices of predictor importance. This exploratory approach to linear regression, similar to other exploratory data analysis techniques, has the potential to yield both theoretical and practical benefits.
A systematic review of musculoskeletal pain among bariatric surgery patients: implications for physical activity and exercise.

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) can play an integral role in protecting the success of bariatric surgery by promoting weight loss and preventing weight regain. Although engagement in PA before surgery predicts postoperative PA levels, this may be undermined by weight-related co-morbidities. The importance of preoperative and postoperative musculoskeletal pain as a limitation to PA is unknown. The objective of this study was to review evidence on preoperative and postoperative pain in bariatric surgery patients, summarize the relationship between musculoskeletal pain and PA, and discuss areas of future research. Methods The MEDLINE database was searched for published articles on musculoskeletal pain in bariatric surgery patients from January 1946 through December 2012. Outcomes of interest included preoperative pain prevalence, postoperative pain prevalence and incidence, and preoperative to postoperative changes in pain. Results Preoperative musculoskeletal pain is highly common among candidates for bariatric surgery. Most individuals with presurgical pain experience significant improvement postoperatively. However, the characteristics of pain sufferers vary and few risk factors have been identified. New pain issues that present postsurgically are limited primarily to neurologic complications and are not common. To date, no study has tested the hypothesis that pain is a barrier to PA levels in bariatric surgery patients. Conclusions Gaps in knowledge regarding pain in bariatric surgery patients may present challenges for clinicians and exercise professionals on how to best advise patients about increasing their PA. Future research should include prospective evaluation of musculoskeletal pain via validated measures at multiple time points. This data will inform the time course of pain resolution, potential onset, and correlation with surgical weight loss.
Normal Ligand Binding and Signaling by CD47 (Integrin-associated Protein) Requires a Long Range Disulfide Bond between the Extracellular and Membrane-spanning Domains

CD47 is a unique member of the Ig superfamily with a single extracellular Ig domain followed by a multiply membrane-spanning (MMS) domain with five transmembrane segments, implicated in both integrin-dependent and -independent signaling cascades. Essentially all functions of CD47 require both the Ig and MMS domains, raising the possibility that interaction between the two domains is required for normal function. Conservation of Cys residues among CD47 homologues suggested the existence of a disulfide bond between the Ig and MMS domains that was confirmed by chemical digestion and mapped to Cys(33) and Cys(263). Subtle changes in CD47 conformation in the absence of the disulfide were suggested by decreased binding of two anti-Ig domain monoclonal antibodies, decreased SIRPalpha1 binding, and reduced CD47/SIRPalpha1-mediated cell adhesion. Mutagenesis to prevent formation of this disulfide completely disrupted CD47 signaling independent of effects on ligand binding, as assessed by T cell interleukin-2 secretion and Ca(2+) responses. Loss of the disulfide did not affect membrane raft localization of CD47 or its association with alpha(v)beta(3) integrin. Thus, a disulfide bond between the Ig and MMS domains of CD47 is required for normal ligand binding and signal transduction.
Catalytic reduction of ethyl chloroacetate by cobalt(I) salophen electrogenerated at vitreous carbon cathodes

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry, controlled-potential electrolysis, and electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry have been employed to investigate and characterize the catalytic reduction of ethyl chloroacetate (ECA) by cobalt(I) salophen, [Co(I)L] − , electrogenerated at a carbon cathode in dimethylformamide containing tetramethylammonium tetrafluoroborate. For the catalytic reduction of ECA by [Co(I)L] − , which proceeds via an ethoxycarbonylmethylcobalt(III) salophen complex, [RCo(III)L], the principal products are ethyl acetate, ethanol, and 1,2,3-cyclopropane tricarboxylic acid triethyl ester. In addition, we have found that, during the catalytic reduction of ECA by [Co(I)L] − , a new cobalt(I) species, [Co(I)LR] 2− , can be formed which is catalytically active toward ECA and which has an ethoxycarbonylmethyl moiety bound to the imino carbon atom of the salophen ligand.
Summary of the Publishing Trends of the Journal of Human Factors from 1988-1997

Continuing prior analysis to determine the characteristics of HFES publications, this paper provides a descriptive investigation of the articles contained within Human Factors, the official journal of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society between the years of 1988–1997. No attempt was made by the authors to determine the quality of the 511 articles included in the analysis but provided is a descriptive summary along the following characteristics: period of publication, year of publication, institution classification of lead author, affiliation of lead author, country from which lead author resides, and the topical area of the article. The results are compared to a similar analysis examining the same variables for the presentations at the HFES Annual Meeting for the same period (Hitt, 1998).
A Commentary on ‘Publish or Perish: Is this Really a Viable Set of Options?'

Mathews (2007) addresses an alleged potential problem with a lack of adequate accounting publication outlets in Australia due to an increase in the number of faculty required to publish in that cou...
Assessing community health needs of elderly populations: comparison of three strategies

Three research strategies for assessing the community health needs of the elderly population of an urban neighbourhood are described. Two primary research strategies, survey and ethnography, are contrasted with the types of health-related information available from the Census of Population and Housing. Different types of data emerged from each research strategy with census and survey data providing a global portrait of the community, and ethnographic data yielding more detail about the place of health in the lived experience of older residents.
SAVING THE PHOTONS: MAPPING X-RAYS BY POSITION-TAGGED SPECTROMETRY

Since the early years of X-ray spectrometry in electron microscopes, mapping the locations of chemical elements has been important. The X-rays needed in large numbers for this are rare, owing to poor production efficiency compared with electron signals, and at risk of loss by many mechanisms such as missing the limited solid angle of the detector, absorption before reaching the detector and pulse pile-up conventional digital mapping hardware reduces the information contained in the X-ray spectrum at each pixel to the itegrated counts from a few regions of interest.The acquisition technique of position-tagged spectrometry eliminates the conflict between the desire to see full frame X-ray images quickly versus the analytical advantages of having complete spectra for each pixel. As the beam is scanned rapidly relative to traditional X-ray mapping, photons are counted in a virtual 3-D multichannel analyser on disk, preserving both spatial and spectral information. Along with the sophisticated post-processing allowed by storing an entire spectrum per pixel, a unique degree of dynamic interaction with the developing data is made possible by integrating many short scans instead of using a single long dwell time at each pixel.
Molecular Weight Profile of Fat Globule Membrance Proteins

Abstract Fat globule membrane material, isolated by churning cream that had been washed four times, was extracted sequentially with .6 M potassium chloride and centrifuged to yield pellet and supernatant fractions. Compositional data indicated that lipid components were removed preferentially into the supernatant fractions. Electropherograms of the pellet and supernatant fraction in 10% and 5% sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing polyacrylamide gels revealed that the protein species originally present in the membrane associated into higher molecular weight species concomitant with the removal of lipid moieties. Thus, a contribution of the lipid moiety to membrane integrity is suggested. Approximately 17 protein-stained zones, ranging in molecular weight from 13,500 to 208,000 daltons, were observed in gels of the membrane material.
Improvements in the Information Content of Nonfinancial Forward‐Looking Performance Measures: A Taxonomy and Empirical Application

In this paper, we study empirical refinements that increase the information content of nonfinancial performance measures (NFPMs) regarding future financial performance. We synthesize these refinements into a taxonomy that includes: (1) measurement, (2) timing, (3) interaction, (4) functional form, and (5) mediation. We classify recent work that uses these refinements to examine variations in NFPM information content. We also present an empirical application of the refinements taxonomy—using a NFPM previously shown to be valued by the market for Internet retailers, i.e., website stickiness—to further illustrate how theoretically driven choices of specific refinements can improve NFPM information content. The chosen refinements in this setting increase the adjusted R2 of our empirical specification, predicting one‐quarter‐ahead Return on Assets from 52 percent to a maximum of 78 percent. More important, these refinements reveal important new insights about website stickiness. In particular, website stickine...
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of SiO 2 -Si interfacial regions: ultrathin oxide films

The composition and width of the interfacial region formed between thin thermally-grown oxide films and single-crystal Si substrates were nondestructively characterized by means of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Data obtained from variations in core-level binding energies, from variations in photoelectron line intensities, and from variations in photoelectron linewidths indicate the presence of a nonstoichiometric oxide-Si transition region. The composition and width of this region are dependent upon substrate orientation, but are invariant with change in other oxidation processing parameters. Transition regions formed on 〈100〉 oriented substrates are narrower and more completely oxidized than those formed on 〈111〉 oriented substrates. Although both Si-Si bonds and SiO-Si groups are present in this nonstoichiometric region, they do not appear to be a mixture of Si and SiO2. Instead, a continuous distribution of Si tetrahedra, Si-(O)x(Si)4-x, are formed, in which x changes from 0 to 4 as one proceeds from the substrate to the stoichiometric SiO2 film.
Binary Relations as Lattice Isomorphisms (

In 1963, Zaretskiį established a one-to-one correspondence between the setBX of binary relations on a set X and the set of triples of the form (W, ϕ, V) where W and V are certain lattices and ϕ: W→V is an isomorphism. We provide a multiplication for these triples making the Zaretskiį correspondence a semigroup isomorphism. In addition, we consider faithful representations ofBX by pairs of partial transformations and also as the translational hull of its rectangular relations. Using these triples, we study idempotents, regular and completely regular elements and relationsH-equivalent to some relations with familiar properties such as reflexivity, transitivity, etc.
Brain source imaging of focal and multifocal epileptiform EEG activity

Summary Brain electric source analysis (BESA) of the scalp EEG has been used to identify multiple equivalent current sources in the brain during during interictal spikes and seizure onset. To obviate the need for fitting dipole sources to every EEG segment, a new method has been developed on the basis of multiple fixed dipoles, each designed to emphasize functional imaging of particular cortical areas. “FOCUS” can quickly display EEG in various montages including new “sources montages” which provide a high sensitivity for source currents near each dipole while largely suppressing contributions from other brain areas. By comparing this “source EEG” to routine digital EEG in patients with complex partial epilepsy, we have observed that “FOCUS” can more readily determine whether an epileptiform discharge is consistent with a discrete or multifocal generator, characterize likely cerebral source(s), diffentiate between spikes and seizures of mesio-basal versus lateral temporal or frontal origin, and estimate the presence and direction of propagation from source potential timing differences. Improved non-invasive EEG evaluations of partial epilepsy will undoubtedly result from this advance.
Caveolin-1 potentiates estrogen receptor α (ERα) signaling. Caveolin-1 drives ligand-independent nuclear translocation and activation of ERα

Estrogen receptor α (ERα) is a soluble protein that mediates the effects of the gonadal estrogens such as 17β-estradiol. Upon ligand binding, a cytoplasmic pool of ERα translocates to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcription factor, driving the expression of genes that contain estrogen-response elements. The activity of ERα is regulated by a number of proteins, including cytosolic chaperones and nuclear cofactors. Here, we show that caveolin-1 potentiates ERα-mediated signal transduction. Coexpression of caveolin-1 and ERα resulted in ligand-independent translocation of ERα to the nucleus as shown by both cell fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopic studies. Similarly, caveolin-1 augmented both ligand-independent and ligand-dependent ERα signaling as measured using a estrogen-response element-based luciferase reporter assay. Caveolin-1-mediated activation of ERα was sensitive to a well known ER antagonist, 4-hydroxytamoxifen. However, much higher concentrations of tamoxifen were required to mediate inhibition in the presence of caveolin-1. Interestingly, caveolin-1 expression also synergized with a constitutively active, ligand-independent ERα mutant, dramatically illustrating the potent stimulatory effect of caveolin-1 in this receptor system. Taken together, our results identify caveolin-1 as a new positive regulator of ERα signal transduction.
A single point mutation (Trp72 → Arg) in human apo(a) kringle 4-37 associated with a lysine binding defect in Lp(a)

Abstract Human lipoprotein(a) or Lp(a) binds, like plasminogen, to lysine Sepharose. However, contrary to plasminogen in which kringles 1 and 4 have been implicated, the binding site or sites on apo(a), the specific glycoprotein of Lp(a), have not been determined. For the first time we now report the occurrence of a human Lp(a) that has a mutant form of apo(a) where Arg has replaced Trp in position 72 of kringle 4-37 and is unable to bind to lysine Sepharose. This observation suggests that Trp72 of apo(a) kringle 4-37 may play a dominant role in lysine binding. Lysine binding has been associated with the thrombogenic potential of Lp(a). Thus, the Trp72 → Arg mutation may render Lp(a) ‘benign’ from the cardiovascular viewpoint.
The Myosin Filament: XI Filament Assembly

Abstract The critical parameters required for the assembly of myosin filaments with a length distribution comparable to that for native myosin filaments were examined. It was found that: a) Two steps are required in the dilution of a myosin solution from 0 .6M KC1 to 0.15M KC1. In Step I the KC1 concentration is reduced from 0.6 to 0.3M KC1 and in Step II from 0.3 to 0.15M KC1. b) The rate of change of KC1 required for Step I is different than that required for Step II. c) Increasing the total time of dilution in either Step I or II alone leads to an increase in length and a broadening of the length distribution. In Step I assembly of myosin molecules into non sedimentable units occurs. These may be the basic units from which the filaments are assembled in Step II. d) Rapid dilution in Step I alone has no effect on the length distribution obtained at 0.15M KC1, but rapid dilution in Step II alone leads to short filaments (about 0.6 urn), e) Increasing the time of dilution in Step II alone to 3 hrs or 6 hr...
Receptor-activated modulation in rat cortical slices as measured with a K-sensitive electrode

Abstract The effects of a variety of presynaptic receptor-activating modulating agents on potassium efflux have been investigated using a potassium (K)-sensitive extracellular electrode in rat brain cortical slices that are electrically stimulated. Purinergic, α 2 -adrenergic, opioid and muscarinic drugs all increased K outflow. When these agents were used in combination at maximal concentrations, only morphine promoted a further increase in K efflux, suggesting that it utilized a different K channel or acted on cellular elements different from those of the other modulators.
An in vitro clonal assay for bladder cancer: Studies of the biologic potential of the urothelium and determination of in vitro sensitivity to cytotoxic agents

We have applied an in vitro colony-forming assay system to the study of primary urothelial explants obtained transurethrally by bladder barbotage and tumor biopsy from 91 patients. Urothelial cells obtained by bladder barbotage from patients with bladder cancer and from a "control" group of individuals exhibit differential capacity to clone in agar. Of samples from bladder cancer patients, 88% formed colonies, whereas only 27% of these from a "control" group did so. Of samples from a "suspicious" patient group, 70% formed colonies. In vitro drug sensitivity studies of cells obtained by biopsy of solid tumors demonstrate a spectrum of drug sensitivity to cytotoxic agents.
Vitamin C Derivative Ascorbyl Palmitate Promotes Ultraviolet-B-Induced Lipid Peroxidation and Cytotoxicity in Keratinocytes

Among the preventative and protective strategies against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation to the skin is the application of antioxidants. Ascorbic acid has been shown to protect against sunburn, delay the onset of skin tumors, and reduce ultraviolet-B-radiation-induced skin wrinkling. In this work, we sought to determine the antioxidative properties of a lipid-soluble derivative of ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid-6-palmitate. We found that ascorbic acid-6-palmitate reduced cellular levels of reactive oxygen species following ultraviolet B irradiation. Treatment of keratinocytes with ascorbic acid-6-palmitate inhibited ultraviolet-B-mediated activation of epidermal growth factor receptor, extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2, and p38 kinase because of its ability to prevent reduced glutathione depletion and scavenge hydrogen peroxide. Ascorbic acid-6-palmitate strongly promoted ultraviolet-B-induced lipid peroxidation, c-Jun N-terminal kinase activation, and cytotoxicity, however. End products of lipid peroxidation, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, have been reported to mediate stress-activated protein kinase activation and cell toxicity in epithelial cells. The lipid component of ascorbic acid-6-palmitate probably contributes to the generation of oxidized lipid metabolites that are toxic to epidermal cells. Our data suggest that, despite its antioxidant properties, ascorbic acid-6-palmitate may intensify skin damage following physiologic doses of ultraviolet radiation.
A pilot study of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation using related donors stimulated with G-CSF

Growth factor administration to donors prior to bone marrow (BM) harvesting results in an enrichment of the graft for myeloid precursors. In animals, growth factor-primed BM has a higher repopulating ability than untreated BM. Ten patients received an HLA-identical sibling, allogeneic transplant using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-stimulated BM. Stimulation consisted of G-CSF at 10 μg/kg/day for 2 days prior to harvest. Patients were transplanted for various benign and malignant hematological conditions. The GVHD prophylaxis consisted of cyclosporine, methotrexate and/or prednisone. Compared to untreated historical control BM, stimulated BM infusions contained similar number of nucleated cells (mean ± s.d.: 3.5 ± 1.5 vs 4.0 ± 0.9 × 108/kg), CD34+ cells (mean ± s.d.: 7.5 ± 3.0 vs 9.4 ± 6.7 × 106/kg), and CD3+ cells (mean ± s.d.: 129 ± 30 vs 190 ± 59 × 106/kg) but higher numbers of granulocyte–macrophage colony-forming units (mean ± s.d.: 20 ± 12 vs 96 ± 34 × 104/kg). Patients receiving stimulated BM had prompt and stable engraftment of white cells and platelets. On average they attained an ANC of ⩾1 ×109/l 9 days earlier and a platelet count of ⩾20 × 109/l 6 days earlier than historical controls receiving unstimulated HLA-identical sibling BM. Hospitalization was shortened by a mean of 10 days and transfusion requirements were modest. None of the patients developed severe GVHD or disease relapse. Two patients died of severe VOD post-BMT and thus were unevaluable for platelet engraftment. A third patient died of TTP on day 76 post-BMT. Seven patients are alive and well 49–585 days post-BMT. Stimulated BM may provide a valuable alternative to allogeneic BM and PBSC transplants. Ideal stimulation regimens need to be investigated.
The influence of small for gestational age status on outpatient bronchopulmonary dysplasia outcomes.

The influence of small for gestational age status on outpatient bronchopulmonary dysplasia outcomes
Effect of metallic aluminum particles on oysters and clams

The effect of powdered aluminum, used in photogrammetric studies of water currents, on the eastern oyster,Crassostrea virginica, and the soft-shell clam,Mya arenaria, was studied under laboratory conditions. Although the metal particles were removed by filtering activity of the organisms, no increase in aluminum was detected in the tissues and no increase was observed in water samples. These aquatic invertebrates apparently react to aluminum particles as they would to any other inorganic material in the same size range.
Interventional Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes

Percutaneous coronary intervention is an effective treatment for a range of coronary syndromes. Although the success rate of the interventions has increased in recent years to more than 90%, percutaneous coronary procedures are still associated with short-term and long-term complications. The most common angiographic short-term complication of balloon angioplasty is acute vessel closure. Clinically, periprocedural non-Q wave myocardial infarctions are common during or immediately following the percutaneous intervention. These complications are associated with adverse clinical prognosis. Formation of platelet-rich thrombi plays a major role in the pathophysiology of acute complications of balloon angioplasty. Potent platelet inhibition with glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors reduces the incidence of periprocedural death and myocardial infarctions, a benefit that persists at long-term follow-up. The long-term complication of percutaneous interventions is restenosis, which frequently requires repeated revascularization because of ischemic pain. Most pharmacological therapies have proved ineffective for the prevention of restenosis. This may not be surprising, as new evidence shows that the primary mechanism of restenosis may be arterial remodeling. Implantation of coronary stents prevents lumen narrowing due to the remodeling process, and coronary stenting significantly reduces the need for target vessel revascularization. Restenosis is not completely eliminated, however, and new treatment modalities aimed at prevention of in-stent stenosis are actively being sought.
Molecular Mechanisms of Connective Tissue Abnormalities in the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is one of a group of inherited connective tissue dis orders which has been the object of an increasing number of investigations during the last several years (Hollister, 1978; PinnelI, 1978; Bornstein and Byers, 1980). As a result of detailed dinical, biochemical, ultrastructural and genetic studies what was thought initially to be a homogeneous dis order is now recognized to be at least eight identifiable conditions (Table I). The first true molecular defect in collagen metabolism Iysyl hydroxyl ase deficiency, was identified in an individual with a form of the Ehlers Danlos syndrome (EDS), now known as EDS VI (Pinnell et al. , 1972). As additional dis orders in collagen structure, biosynthesis, post-translation al modification, and secretion have been recognized, the role that investigations of such inherited collagen dis orders can play in understanding a variety of basic problems in collagen biology has become dear. In addition to providing the basis for dinical dassification, thus darifying some of the problems of inheritance pattern, apparent dinical heterogeneity and variability in expression, such studies have suggested avenues of therapy, and have provided single gene prob es of the structure and function of certain collagen and pro collagen molecules, of the manner in which gene expression is regulated, of the control of secretion and intracellular transport of collagen molecules and of the role of post-translational feedback mechanisms in the control of procollagen synthesis. In this brief review we will present the current state of understanding of the molecular mechanisms of each of the Ehlers-Danlos types, the dinical features of the dis orders, how the study of each has contributed to a greater understanding of collagen biology in general, and wh at questions remain and what approaches might be taken to answer them.
Empirical recovery of response time decomposition rules. I: sample-level decomposition tests

Abstract E. N. Dzhafarov and R. Schweickert (1995, Journal of Mathematical Psychology , 39 , 285–314) developed a mathematical theory for the decomposability of response time (RT) into two component times that are selectively influenced by different factors and are either stochastically independent or perfectly positively stochastically interdependent (in which case they are increasing functions of a common random variable). In this theory, RT is obtained from its component times by means of an associative and commutative operation. For any such operation, there is a decomposition test, a relationship between observable RT distributions that holds if and (under mild constraints) only if the RTs are decomposable by means of this operation. In this paper, we construct a sample-level version of these decomposition tests that serve to determine whether RTs that are represented by finite samples are decomposable by means of a given operation (under a given form of stochastic relationship between component times, independence or perfect positive interdependence). The decision is based on the asymptotic p -values associated with the maximal distance between empirical distribution functions computed by combining in a certain way the RT samples corresponding to different treatments.
Where It's At: Exploring African American Women's Resolute Love Poetry through New Literacies

Abstract This essay provides an overview of how the author used new literacies with a group of African American women to inquire into their expressions of romantic heterosexual love. The author shares an artifact from the inquiry —a collaborative poem — and points to the ways the women's literacies and fragmented selves advanced the group's understanding of love, partnership, and integral self-worth. The author considers how creative writing advanced epistemological development among the group.
Mitigating NBTI Degradation on FinFET GPUs through Exploiting Device Heterogeneity

Recent experimental studies reveal that FinFET devices commercialized in recent years tend to suffer from moresevere NBTI degradation compared to planar transistors, necessitating effective techniques on processors built with FinFET for endurable operations. We propose to address this problem by exploiting the device heterogeneity and leveraging the slower NBTI aging rate manifested on the planar devices. We focus on modern graphics processing units in this study due to their wide usage in the current community. We validate the effectiveness of the technique byapplying it to the warp scheduler and demonstrate NBTIdegradation is considerably alleviated with slight performance overhead.
Impacts of chemistry-aerosol coupling on tropospheric ozone and sulfate simulations in a general circulation model

[1] We have implemented fully interactive tropospheric gas-phase chemistry and sulfate aerosol modules into the new generation state-of the-art Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) modelE general circulation model (GCM). The code has been developed with a unique flexibility to perform simulations in coupled or off-line (decoupled) mode. Both modes use identical chemical calculations, but the decoupled simulation relies on previously saved off-line oxidant and aerosol concentration fields whereas the coupled simulation is fully interactive. Here we describe the application of the model to isolate the impacts of the two-way chemistry-aerosol coupling on the predictions of sulfate aerosol and ozone pollution and to provide insights into the mechanisms that drive the different predictions between coupled and off-line models. On annual and global scales, the differences between the coupled and off-line simulations are small, but larger deviations do occur on regional and seasonal scales. The chemistry-aerosol coupling leads to ∼20% increases in surface sulfate over SO2 source regions in the northern hemisphere summer due to higher H2O2 levels and aqueous-phase oxidation rates in the coupled model. Compensating sulfate decreases occur in downwind regions and in the upper troposphere due to depleted SO2. At middle to high tropospheric altitudes in the northern hemisphere, ozone and OH are increased in the coupled model relative to the off-line model by ∼10% due to reductions in sulfate loading and subsequent suppression of N2O5 heterogeneous hydrolysis. The use of off-line versus coupled models has implications for the simulation of the intercontinental transport of pollutants and their precursors.
Effects of hippocampal lesions on heart rate in aversive classical conditioning

Abstract Groups of hippocampal-lesioned, neocortical-control and sham operated rats received shock on alternate trials during a 10-day classical conditioning period. Heart rate during prestimulus, stimulus and post-shock periods was evaluated. Hippocampal rats did not show prestimulus heart rate patterning resulting from the shock-no shock sequence of trials as did the other two groups. The tachycardic response to the stimulus, however, was the same in all groups. During 5 days of extinction, all groups showed a reduced response to the stimulus and the prestimulus rates for the 3 groups were equivalent. Since these findings were not accompanied by differences in heart rate response to the shock or in activity, it may be concluded that the effect of hippocampal lesions was to reduce the animal's sensitivity to the reinforcement schedule while not affecting heart rate response attenuation during extinction.
Medicare assignment rates and carrier practices: a national study.

Abstract Acceptance of assignment by physicians influences the amount of health insurance protection that is provided to the aged by Medicare and the financial burden on the elderly. Assignment rate has been noted as a major issue for health policy. This study uses national data to analyze the effect of socioeconomic variables and carrier discretionary practices on assignment rates. The socioeconomic environment in the carrier territories was taken into account by use of variables from the Area Resource File and the AMA. The principal variables of interest were claims investigation, denial, and reduction rates, and processing speed. Additionally, discretionary practices concerned with pricing in the absence of information needed to develop reasonable charges in the standard manner were tested. Factor analysis was used for data reduction. The results explained 41% of the variance for all carriers but more was explained when Blue and non-Blue carriers were separated. Variables from the health economy and from carrier practices entered the equations. High investigation and denial rates were associated with low assignment rates. While the response of individual physicians to the socioeconomic environment and to certain discretionary practices is not fully explained by analysis on aggregated data at the carrier level, the responsiveness of medical doctors to carrier aggressiveness in claims control is an important finding for Medicare administration.
Fluxonium: single Cooper pair circuit free of charge offsets

The promise of single Cooper-pair quantum circuits based on tunnel junctions for metrology and quantum information applications is severely limited by the influence of offset charges: random, slowly drifting microscopic charges inherent in many solid-state systems. By shunting a small junction with the Josephson kinetic inductance of a series array of large-capacitance tunnel junctions, thereby ensuring that all superconducting islands are connected to the circuit by at least one large junction, we have realized a new superconducting artificial atom that is totally insensitive to offset charges. Yet its energy levels manifest the anharmonic structure associated with single Cooper-pair effects, a useful component for solid-state quantum computation.
Music Composition in the High School Curriculum: A Multiple Case Study.

Student and teacher perceptions regarding composition instruction were investigated using case study techniques in two high school music programs: a general music program providing accelerated instruction to gifted musicians in small classes and a typical performance-based band program. Students in both programs participated in a composition instruction program. Qualitative data included student and teacher interviews, observation, and participant journals. Quantitative data included administration of a composition attitude survey and assessment of student compositions. Analysis of band director perceptions revealed themes identifying challenges to implementing composition instruction: performance culture traditions, time, class setting, teacher preparation, and lack of student fundamental musical knowledge. Teachers in both programs identified benefits as development of student potential, importance of exposure to composition, and increased musical understanding. In the band program, student attitude tow...
Bycatch of Sturgeons along the Southern Atlantic Coast of the USA

Abstract Information on incidental capture of shortnose sturgeons Acipenser brevirostrum and Atlantic sturgeons A. oxyrhynchus in commercial fisheries was derived from four studies conducted in South Carolina and Georgia. In a Georgia study, 97 of 1,534 tagged juvenile Atlantic sturgeons and 12 of 551 tagged shortnose sturgeons were reported recaptured in commercial nets. Gill-net fisheries for American shad Alosa sapidissima accounted for 52% of Atlantic sturgeons and 83% of shortnose sturgeons recaptured, and the trawl fishery for shrimp Penaeus spp. was responsible for 39% of Atlantic sturgeon and 8% of shortnose sturgeon recaptured. In the other three studies, catch-per-unit-effort estimates for the American shad gill-net fishery varied from 0.003 to 0.137 sturgeons per 91.4 m of gill net per hour. Most Atlantic sturgeons were less than 150 cm in total length (juveniles), and most shortnose sturgeons exceeded 55 cm in total length (mature or nearly so). The ratio of shortnose to Atlantic sturgeons in ...
On Intermediate Models for Stratified Flow

Abstract Intermediate models contain physics between that in the primitive equations and that in the quasigeostrophic equations. The specific objective here is to investigate the absolute and relative accuracy of several intermediate models for stratified flow by a comparison of numerical finite-difference solutions with those of the primitive equations (PE) and with those of the quasigeostrophic (QG) equations. The numerical experiments involve initial-value problems for the time-dependent development of an unstable baroclinic jet on an f plane in a doubly periodic domain with flat bottom. Although the geometry is idealized, the problem is set up so that the dynamics should be similar to that of the baroclinic jet observed off the northern California coast in the Coastal Transition Zone (CTZ) field program. Three numerical experiments are conducted where the flow fields are characterized by local Rossby numbers that range from moderately small to O(1). The unstable jet develops finite amplitude meanders ...
Lengthening contractions differentially affect p70s6k phosphorylation compared to isometric contractions in rat skeletal muscle.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine if p70s6k phosphorylation is dependent on the mode of resistance exercise (e.g. isometric vs. lengthening). Two groups (n = 5 each) of Female Sprague Dawley rats, ∼12 weeks old, were tested. Rats were anesthetized and indwelling electrodes used to stimulate the right hind limb muscles via the sciatic nerve. The tibialis anterior (TA) muscle of Group 1 rats were exposed to three sets of ten isometric resistance contractions while the TA of Group 2 rats were exposed to three sets of ten resistance contractions that involved lengthening. Contralateral TA muscles served as non-exercised controls. The TA muscle was harvested 6 h post exercise and then the rat was euthanized. Muscle samples were processed to compare p70s6k phosphorylation between groups. A single bout of TA contractions that involved muscle lengthening resulted in significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of phospho-p70s6k six hours post exercise compared to controls and isometric contractions. The differences in total p70s6k six hours post exercise were not significantly different between groups. Results suggest that signal transduction pathways activated by isometric exercise may differ (i.e., a non-p70s6k activation pathway) from that activated by lengthening exercise.
Evaluation of phase change materials for improving thermal comfort in a super-insulated residential building

Abstract The demand for high performance buildings is on the rise. As a result, several new building standards have emerged including the Passive House Standard, a rigorous energy-use standard based on a super-insulated and very tightly sealed building envelope. A common challenge with passive house designs is that they tend to overheat. This study explores the use of phase change materials (PCMs), which store heat as they melt and release heat as the solidify, to reduce the number of overheated hours and improve thermal comfort for a case study passive house duplex located in Portland, Oregon, USA. In this study, a newly constructed passive house duplex was thoroughly instrumented to monitor indoor environmental quality metrics and building energy use. One unit of the duplex was outfitted with 130 kg of PCM while the other unit served as a control. The performance of the PCM was evaluated through analysis of observed data and through additional computer simulation using an EnergyPlus whole-building energy simulation model validated with observed data. The study found that installation of the PCM had a positive effect on thermal comfort, reducing the estimated annual overheated hours from about 400 to 200.
A phase II trial of Doxorubicin HCl Liposome Injection in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma

We conducted a phase II study with doxorubicin encapsulated in a liposomal preparation (Doxorubicin HCl Liposome Injection) at a dose of 75 mg/m2 administered as a one hour infusion once every three weeks. Sixteen patients were entered to the trial and 15 are evaluable for response. Hematologic toxicity was significant. The median white blood count was 1.6×103/μl (range: 0.1–9.5), median absolute neutrophil count 0.6×103/μl (range: 0–5.8) and median platelet count was 142.0×103/μl (range: 20–327). Gastrointestinal toxicity was generally mild. Despite two minor responses in liver metastases with a significant decrease in CEA in one of these patients, no major responses were observed, excluding with 95% confidence, a response rate in excess of 20%.
An in vitro mouse model of congenital cytomegalovirus-induced pathogenesis of the inner ear cochlea

Congenital human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the leading nongenetic etiology of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) at birth and prelingual SNHL not expressed at birth. The paucity of temporal bone autopsy specimens from infants with congenital CMV infection has hindered the critical correlation of histopathology with pathogenesis. Here, we present an in vitro embryonic mouse model of CMV-infected cochleas that mimics the human sites of viral infection and associated pathology. There is a striking dysplasia/hyperplasia in mouse CMV-infected cochlear epithelium and mesenchyme, including organ of Corti hair and supporting cells and stria vascularis. This is concomitant with significant dysregulation of p19, p21, p27, and Pcna gene expression, as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) protein expression. Other pathologies similar to those arising from known deafness gene mutations include downregulation of KCNQ1 protein expression in the stria vascularis, as well as hypoplastic and dysmorphic melanocytes. Thus, this model provides a relevant and reliable platform within which the detailed cell and molecular biology of CMV-induced deafness may be studied.
Iridium clusters in KLTL zeolite: Synthesis, structural characterization, and catalysis of toluene hydrogenation and n-hexane dehydrocyclization

Abstract Iridium clusters incorporating about six atoms each, on average, were prepared in KLTL zeolite by decarbonylation (in H 2 at 400°C) of iridium carbonyl clusters formed by treatment of adsorbed [Ir(CO) 2 (acac)] in CO at 1 atm and 175°C. The supported species were characterized by infrared and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies. The iridium carbonyls formed from [Ir(CO) 2 (acac)] were predominantly [HIr 4 (CO) 11 ] − with a small amount of [Ir(CO) 4 ] − . The synthesis chemistry of iridium carbonyls in the basic KLTL zeolite parallels that in basic solutions. Shifts of the ν CO bands of the iridium carbonyl clusters relative to those of the same clusters in solution indicate strong interactions between the clusters and zeolite cations. The decarbonylated sample, approximated as Ir 6 /KLTL zeolite, is catalytically active for toluene hydrogenation at 60–100°C, with the activity being approximately the same as those of Ir 4 and Ir 6 clusters supported on metal oxides, but an order of magnitude less than that of a conventional supported iridium catalyst consisting of aggregates of about 50 atoms each, on average. The catalyst is also active for conversion of n -hexane+H 2 at 340–420°C, but the selectivity for aromatization is low and that for hydrogenolysis is high, consistent with earlier results for conventionally prepared (salt-derived) iridium clusters of about the same size supported in KLTL zeolite. The zeolite-supported iridium clusters are the first prepared from both salt and organometallic precursors; the results indicate that the organometallic and conventional preparation routes lead to supported iridium clusters having similar structures and catalytic properties.
Initiative to Promote the Retention of Campus Residents Enrolled in Learning Support

Learning Support probation results in the loss of financial aid, tuition, housing revenues, and lowering of both retention and graduation rates. Because of these consequences, an initiative was for...