cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to repeated low-level formaldehyde in rats increases basal corticosterone levels and enhances the corticosterone response to subsequent formaldehyde.

Low-level exposure to volatile organic compounds may produce symptoms in humans reporting multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) through altered hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis functioning. We determined whether repeated formaldehyde (Form) exposure would alter corticosterone (CORT) levels in a rat model of MCS. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given acute chamber exposures to Air or Form (0.7 or 2.4 ppm), and trunk blood was collected 20 or 60 min later. All groups showed increased CORT levels above naive basal levels at 20 min and a return to baseline by 60 min, with no differences between treatment groups. The second experiment examined the effect of repeated Form exposure (1 h/day x 5 days/week x 2 or 4 weeks) on basal CORT levels and after a final challenge. Basal CORT was increased above naive values after 2 week exposure to Air or 0.7 ppm Form. By 4 week, CORT levels in the Air group returned to naive values, but remained elevated in the 0.7 ppm Form group. There were no differences in basal CORT levels among either 2.4 ppm exposed groups. After a final Air or Form challenge, the 2 and 4 week Air and 0.7 ppm Form groups had elevated CORT levels similar to their acute response, while the 2 and 4 week 2.4 ppm Form groups had elevated CORT levels compared to their acute response, indicating enhanced reactivity of the HPA axis to subsequent Form. These findings suggest that altered HPA axis functioning occurs after repeated low-level Form exposure, and may have implications for mechanisms mediating MCS in humans.
Soil chemistry effects and flow prediction in electroremediation of soil

This work addresses processes occurring during the removal of contaminants from soils using electric fields. Laboratory experiments and mathematical modeling are used to study the changes in the flows of ions and pore liquid during the process; these flows are directly related to the removal of charged and uncharged contaminants by electromigration and electroosmosis, respectively. Soil properties are explored by electrophoresis measurements, acid/base titrations, and elemental analyses of pore solutions, then incorporated into an electrochemical transport model, and compared to electroremediation experiments. It is found that a soil chemistry model involving cation exchange and aluminum chemistry must be included to describe the process accurately. Varying electroosmotic flow is suc cessfully predicted, but only until the development of a low ionic strength region in the medium. The insight gained allows the mechanisms of electroosmotic flow reversal and cessation to be identified. As importantly, this i...
Syntheses and Crystal Structures of a Linear-Chain Uranyl Phenylphosphinate UO2(O2PHC6H5)2 and Layered Uranyl Methylphosphonate UO2(O3PCH3)

Two extended uranyl organophosphorus compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized. Linear-chain uranyl bis(phenylphosphinate), UO2(O2PHC6H5)2, was synthesized at 60 °C, and its structure was solved by single-crystal methods. UO2(O2PHC6H5)2 crystallizes in the triclinic space group P1 with unit cell parameters a = 5.648(1) A, b = 8.115(2) A, c = 9.171(2) A, α = 64.97(3)°, β = 80.59(3)°, γ = 83.34(3)°, and Z = 1. The geometry of the uranium atom is tetragonal bipyramidal, and the neighboring uranyl ions are bridged by pairs of phenylphosphinate anions. The phenyl groups form two rows pointing in opposite directions of each chain, and neighboring chains arrange in a staircase fashion. Layered uranyl methylphosphonate, UO2(O3PCH3) (UPMe), was synthesized hydrothermally at 200 °C, and its structure was solved by powder pattern X-ray methods and refined by the Rietveld method. UPMe crystallizes in space group P1 with unit cell parameters a = 6.4027(3) A, b = 6.6912(3) A, c = 7.0983(3) A, α =...
Interphase between nanoparticles and molten polymeric matrix: pressure–volume–temperature measurements

The pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) dependence of commercial polymers (viz. poly-e-caprolactam, PA-6, polystyrene, PS, polypropylene, PP, and epoxy), and of nanocomposites based on these resins, was studied in the molten state. Incorporation of 2-wt% organoclay decreases the specific volume by about 1.0%. The Simha–Somcynsky (S–S) lattice-hole theory provided excellent description of the PVT behavior. Congruence between the theory and experiment yielded an explicit measure of the free volume. It has been found that in polymeric nanocomposites (PNC) the reduction of the free volume, Δh, correlated with the degree of clay dispersion (e.g. expressed as the interlayer spacing, d 001), or more precisely with total clay surface area accessible to macromolecules. The free volume reduction originates in adsorption and solidification of macromolecules on the high-energy clay surface – the phenomenon observed in the Surface Force Analyzer. The solidification offers consistent explanation for several reported puzz...
Ventriculostomy: Frequency, length of stay and in-hospital mortality in the United States of America, 1988-2010

Ventriculostomy is a common neurosurgical procedure. We evaluated a large national sample of data regarding epidemiologic trends in neurosurgical practice relating to ventriculostomy. The USA Nationwide Inpatient Sample (1988 to 2010) provided retrospective data on patients hospitalized who underwent a ventriculostomy procedure. We categorized ventriculostomy procedures as the principal procedure performed for definitive treatment or as any other procedure. We identified 101,577 relevant hospital admissions with an estimated national volume of 507,762 hospital admissions from 1988 to 2010. For all patients, the mean age was 45.0 years and 46.5% were female. The three most common individual principal diagnoses were subarachnoid hemorrhage (19.1%), intracerebral hemorrhage (14.9%), and obstructive hydrocephalus (3.8%). The three most common principal procedures were other excision or destruction of lesion or tissue of brain (16.0%), clipping of aneurysm (13.5%), and temporary tracheostomy (10.8%). Mean length of stay was 20.8 days and in-hospital mortality was 24.5%. In-hospital mortality was associated with emergency admission (multivariate odds ratio 1.98; 95% confidence interval 1.92-2.05), age 45 years or greater (mean of data set) (1.91; 1.85-1.98), multiple ventriculostomies (1.55; 1.44-1.67), and ventriculostomy as a principal procedure (1.39; 1.35-1.44). A total of 32.7% of patients were discharged to home. Most (94.3%) hospitalizations had one, 5.0% had two, and 0.7% multiple (three or more) ventriculostomies performed. Neurosurgeons must be aware of the association of in-hospital mortality, especially during the first days of admission, particularly when ventriculostomy is the principal procedure performed for definitive treatment during the hospitalization.
Cytokine Dysregulation and Increased Oxidation Is Prevented by Dehydroepiandrosterone in Mice Infected with Murine Leukemia Retrovirus

The effects of murine leukemia retrovirus infection on production of cyto- kines was investigated in mice fed different doses of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). Young C57BU6 female mice were injected with LP-BMS murine retrovirus or were kept as uninfected controls. Two weeks later, each group was divided into sub- groups: fed unsupplemented AIN 93 diet as the control, or diets supplemented with 0.02% DHEA (0.9 mg/mouse/day) or 0.06% DHEA (2.7 mg/mouse/day). The uninfected mice supplemented with 0.06% DHEA showed a significant (P< 0.05) increase in interleukin-2 (IL-2) and y-interferon (IFN-y) production, and hepatic vitamin E levels. Retroviral infection induced severe oxidative stress that was reduced by DHEAS supplementation in retrovirally infected mice. DHEA supplementation prevented the retrovirus-induced loss of cytokines (IL-2 and IFN-y) secretion by mitogen stimulated spleen cells. DHEA also suppressed the production of cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-a) by T helper 2 (Th2) cells which were otherwise stimulated by retrovirus infection. Thus, immune dysfunction and increased oxidation induced by murine retrovirus infection were largely prevented by DHEA. (P.S.E.B.M. 1997, Vol 2161
Abstract 2829: Patient-derived primary melanoma cells that differentially express melano-specific antigens as a model for vaccines.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Transformation of pigment producing melanocytes into melanoma is a complex multi-step process involving the generation and/or over expression of various immunotherapeutic antigens. Several of these melanoma associated antigens (MAAs) are directly involved in melanin biosynthesis and melanosome biogenesis. The precise contribution of proteins involved in melanin synthesis to the MAA associated immune response is poorly understood. To this end, we have developed primary cell lines from human patients and xenograft models to analyze melanin synthesis and antigen expression. In vitro, from the perspective of melanin production, these primary cell lines express essential proteins associated with melanin synthesis, namely tyrosinase, Trp-1, Trp-2, and gp100, all of which are immunotherapeutic targets in melanoma. When grafted in nude mice, these cell lines were capable of producing solid pigmented tumors in vivo. However, three out of the five cell lines that produced melanin in vivo failed to produce melanin in vitro, even when cultured with supplementation of either α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), or matrigel. Despite expression of tyrosinase, Trp-1, Trp-2, and gp100, two of the five cell lines failed to grow in nude mice or produce melanin in vitro. These patient derived primary cells and xenografts were also analyzed for expression of various other significant MAAs, which included MART-1 (Melan-A), MAGE-A1, and NY-ESO-1 as well as antigens not classified as MAAs but essential for tumor progression such as CD71 (transferring receptor) and CD146 (MCAM or melanoma cell adhesion molecule). All of the antigens analyzed in our cell lines, such as gp100, NY-ESO-1, MART-1, MAGE-A1, have been the targets of clinical trials but our results clearly indicate that these antigens are differentially expressed by our primary melanoma cells. Therefore, we believe that in order to develop a clinically effective immunotherapeutic vaccine, multiple cell lines expressing a combination of melano-specific antigens and a repertoire of MAAs that allows for minimal immune evasion may be necessary. To this end, we are exploring a vaccinia virus antigen retrieval technology, which incorporates multiple primary cell lines to develop such a pan-antigen melanoma vaccine. Citation Format: Robert Suriano, Andrea L. George, Shilpi Rajoria, Jan Geliebter, Raj K. Tiwari, Marc Wallack. Patient-derived primary melanoma cells that differentially express melano-specific antigens as a model for vaccines. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2829. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2829
Magnetoplasmon excitations in double-quantum-well systems in a parallel magnetic field.

The magnetoplasmon dispersion relation is obtained in the random-phase approximation for a double-quantum-well structure, where the magnetic field is parallel to the planes and only the two lowest tunneling states are included in the formalism. Analytic closed-form results are presented in the quasiclassical limit when tunneling between the quantum wells is included to lowest order. The cases when the Fermi level is above, within, or below the gap are presented. Numerical results are given for plasmon propagation parallel and perpendicular to the applied magnetic field. When the plasmon wave vector is parallel to the magnetic field, there is only one branch for the symmetric mode of plasmon excitation but the antisymmetric modes have two branches when the Fermi level is above or within the gap. For plasmon propagation perpendicular to the magnetic field, a coupling of the symmetric and antisymmetric modes is obtained. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Cellular adaptation to mechanical stress: role of integrins, Rho, cytoskeletal tension and mechanosensitive ion channels

To understand how cells sense and adapt to mechanical stress, we applied tensional forces to magnetic microbeads bound to cell-surface integrin receptors and measured changes in bead displacement with sub-micrometer resolution using optical microscopy. Cells exhibited four types of mechanical responses: (1) an immediate viscoelastic response; (2) early adaptive behavior characterized by pulse-to-pulse attenuation in response to oscillatory forces; (3) later adaptive cell stiffening with sustained (>15 second) static stresses; and (4) a large-scale repositioning response with prolonged (>1 minute) stress. Importantly, these adaptation responses differed biochemically. The immediate and early responses were affected by chemically dissipating cytoskeletal prestress (isometric tension), whereas the later adaptive response was not. The repositioning response was prevented by inhibiting tension through interference with Rho signaling, similar to the case of the immediate and early responses, but it was also prevented by blocking mechanosensitive ion channels or by inhibiting Src tyrosine kinases. All adaptive responses were suppressed by cooling cells to 4°C to slow biochemical remodeling. Thus, cells use multiple mechanisms to sense and respond to static and dynamic changes in the level of mechanical stress applied to integrins.
Challenges and Potential Solutions to Educating Learners About Pediatric Complex Care

Abstract Objective To identify existing challenges and potential strategies for providing complex care training to future pediatricians from a national group of educators. Methods Data were collected from pediatric educators involved in complex care at the Pediatric Educational Excellence Across the Continuum national meeting. Participants completed an anonymous 15-item survey adapted from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Best Practices for Better Care initiative and participated in a focus group to understand the challenges and potential solutions to pediatric complex care education. Data were analyzed using grounded theory. Results Of the 15 participants, 9 (60%) were in educational leadership positions. All participants provided care to children with medical complexity (CMC), although 80% (n = 12) reported no formal training. Thematic analysis revealed learners' challenges in 2 domains: 1) a lack of ownership for the patient because of decreased continuity, decision-making authority, and autonomy, as a result of the multitude of care providers and parents' distrust; and 2) a sense of being overwhelmed as a result of lack of preparedness and disruptions in work flow. Participants suggested 3 mitigating strategies: being candid about the difficulties of complex care, discussing the social mandate to care for CMC, and cultivating humility among learners. Conclusions Residency education must prepare pediatricians to care for all children, regardless of disease. Training in complex care involves redefining the physician's role so that they are better equipped to participate in collaboration, empathy and advocacy with CMC. This study is the first to identify specific challenges and offer potential solutions to help establish training guidelines.
Optical absorption of EuTe in high magnetic fields

Abstract For the first time, the optical absorption edge of the magnetic semiconductor europium telluride has been studied at low temperature (1.7 K) as a function of magnetic field in the high field range 0 ≤ H ≤ 9.5 Tesla, and related to the magnetic phase diagram of this material. The exponential absorption edge has been parameterized using a magnetic field dependent extension of Urbach's rule, and the observations are found to be consistent with a simple dependence of the gap parameter on polarization and magnetic field.
Deployment of High-Resolution Real-Time Distribution Level Metering on Maui

In order to support the ongoing Maui Smart Grid demonstration project advanced metering has been deployed at the distribution transformer level in Maui Electric Company's Kihei Circuit on the Island of Maui. This equipment has been custom designed to provide accurately time-stamped Phasor and Power Quality data in real time. Additionally, irradiance sensors have been deployed at a few selected locations in proximity to photovoltaic (PV) installations. The received data is being used for validation of existing system models and for impact studies of future system hardware. Descriptions of the hardware and its installation, and some preliminary metering results are presented. Real-time circuit visualization applications for the data are also under development.
Structure-Function Relationships in Human Testis-determining Factor SRY AN AROMATIC BUTTRESS UNDERLIES THE SPECIFIC DNA-BENDING SURFACE OF A HIGH MOBILITY GROUP (HMG) BOX

Human testis determination is initiated by SRY, a Y-encoded architectural transcription factor. Mutations in SRY cause 46 XY gonadal dysgenesis with female somatic phenotype (Swyer syndrome) and confer a high risk of malignancy (gonadoblastoma). Such mutations cluster in the SRY high mobility group (HMG) box, a conserved motif of specific DNA binding and bending. To explore structure-function relationships, we constructed all possible substitutions at a site of clinical mutation (W70L). Our studies thus focused on a core aromatic residue (position 15 of the consensus HMG box) that is invariant among SRY-related HMG box transcription factors (the SOX family) and conserved as aromatic (Phe or Tyr) among other sequence-specific boxes. In a yeast one-hybrid system sensitive to specific SRY-DNA binding, the variant domains exhibited reduced (Phe and Tyr) or absent activity (the remaining 17 substitutions). Representative nonpolar variants with partial or absent activity (Tyr, Phe, Leu, and Ala in order of decreasing side-chain volume) were chosen for study in vitro and in mammalian cell culture. The clinical mutation (Leu) was found to markedly impair multiple biochemical and cellular activities as respectively probed through the following: (i) in vitro assays of specific DNA binding and protein stability, and (ii) cell culture-based assays of proteosomal degradation, nuclear import, enhancer DNA occupancy, and SRY-dependent transcriptional activation. Surprisingly, however, DNA bending is robust to this or the related Ala substitution that profoundly impairs box stability. Together, our findings demonstrate that the folding, trafficking, and gene-regulatory function of SRY requires an invariant aromatic "buttress" beneath its specific DNA-bending surface.
The leucine-rich repeat domain in plant innate immunity: a wealth of possibilities

The innate immune system of both plants and animals uses immune receptors to detect pathogens and trigger defence responses. Despite having distinct evolutionary origin, most plant and animal immune receptors have a leucine-rich repeat (LRR) domain. The LRR domain adopts a slender conformation that maximizes surface area and has been shown to be ideal for mediating protein-protein interactions. Although the LRR domain was expected to be a platform for pathogen recognition, the NB-LRR class of plant innate immune receptors uses its LRR domain to carry out many other roles. This review discusses the domain architecture of plant LRRs and the various roles ascribed to this motif.
Naloxone and Naltrexone: Application in COPD

The narcotic antagonists naloxone and naltrexone were used as respiratory stimulants in two patients failing traditional medical therapy for COPD. Both patients demonstrated improvement while receiving the drugs, but developed respiratory failure when they were discontinued abruptly. In selected patients with COPD, narcotic antagonists may offer an additional mode of therapy.
Effects of macrophyte growth forms on invertebrate communities in saline lakes of the Wyoming High Plains

In saline lakes, areal cover and both species and structural diversity of macrophytes often decline as salinity increases. To assess effects of the loss of certain macrophyte growth forms, we characterized benthic and epiphytic invertebrates in three growth forms (thin-stemmed emergents, erect aquatics, and low macroalgae) in oligosaline lakes (0.8–4.2 mS cm−1) of the Wyoming High Plains, USA. We also measured the biomass and taxonomic composition of epiphytic and benthic invertebrates in two erect aquatics with very similar structure that are found in both oligosaline (Potamogeton pectinatus) and mesosaline (9.3–23.5 mS cm−1) (Ruppia maritima) lakes. Although total biomass of epiphytic invertebrates varied among oligosaline lakes, the relative distribution of biomass among growth forms was similar. For epiphytic invertebrates, biomass per unit area of lake was lowest in emergents and equivalent in erect aquatics and low macroalgae; biomass per unit volume of macrophyte habitat was greatest in low macroalgae. For benthic invertebrates, biomass was less beneath low macroalgae than other growth forms. Taxonomic composition did not differ appreciably between growth forms for either benthic or epiphytic invertebrates, except that epiphytic gastropods were more abundant in erect aquatics. Total biomass of epiphytic and benthic invertebrates for the same growth form (erect aquatic) did not differ between oligosaline (Potamogeton pectinatus) and mesosaline (Ruppia maritima) lakes, but taxonomic composition did change. In the oligosaline to mesosaline range, direct toxic effects of salinity appeared important for some major taxa such as gastropods and amphipods. However, indirect effects of salinity, such as loss of macrophyte cover and typically higher nutrient levels at greater salinities, probably have larger impacts on total invertebrate biomass lake-wide.
The assessment of suicide risk in the general hospital

Abstract The assessment of suicide risk is a central activity of the general hospital psychiatrist for patients admitted following a suicide attempt and others who are identified after admission as being potentially suicidal. While biologic and psychosocial measures have some long-term predictive value, there is no valid measure to predict acute suicide risk. The lack of a valid measure does not, however, relieve the clinician of the obligation to perform an appropriate assessment. Pertinent appellate case law decisions note that the evaluation and record keeping must be “adequate”, though no definition for adequate standards is provided. This paper presents issues that are considered so fundamental for suicide assessment that failure to obtain and record such information would potentially constitute inadequate practice. These areas include: the patient's statement regarding current suicidal ideation and planning, the presence or absence of delirium, psychosis and depression, what the patient says it makes sense to do, confirmation by a third party, and global formulation. The guidelines in this paper are presented with the intention of establishing the basis for optimal clinical care and for minimizing legal vulnerability in the evaluation of the potentially suicidal patient in the general hospital.
URINARY CYCLIC ADENOSINE MONOPHOSPHATE AS AN AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERPARATHYROIDISM

Abstract 24-hour urinary excretion of 3',5'- cyclic adenosine monophosphate (CA.M.P.) in twenty-four patients with hyperparathyroidism did not differ from that of sixty-five controls. Correction for urinary creatinine excretion improved segregation, but significant overlap of the two groups remained. Best segregation of the two groups resulted by calculation of a simple discriminant function: ψ = 3·37 (μmole CA.M.P./g. creatinine) — (μmole CA.M.P./24hr). No hyperparathyroid subjects and 91% of the controls had values of ψ less than 11·0; 91% of hyperparathyroid patients (but only 4% of controls) had ψ values greater than 12·0.
Song recognition learning and stimulus-specific weakening of neural responses in the avian auditory forebrain

Learning typically increases the strength of responses and the number of neurons that respond to training stimuli. Few studies have explored representational plasticity using natural stimuli, however, leaving unknown the changes that accompany learning under more realistic conditions. Here, we examine experience-dependent plasticity in European starlings, a songbird with rich acoustic communication signals tied to robust, natural recognition behaviors. We trained starlings to recognize conspecific songs and recorded the extracellular spiking activity of single neurons in the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), a secondary auditory forebrain region analogous to mammalian auditory cortex. Training induced a stimulus-specific weakening of the neural responses (lower spike rates) to the learned songs, whereas the population continued to respond robustly to unfamiliar songs. Additional experiments rule out stimulus-specific adaptation and general biases for novel stimuli as explanations of these effects. Instead, the results indicate that associative learning leads to single neuron responses in which both irrelevant and unfamiliar stimuli elicit more robust responses than behaviorally relevant natural stimuli. Detailed analyses of these effects at a finer temporal scale point to changes in the number of motifs eliciting excitatory responses above a neuron's spontaneous discharge rate. These results show a novel form of experience-dependent plasticity in the auditory forebrain that is tied to associative learning and in which the overall strength of responses is inversely related to learned behavioral significance.
DIURNAL FLUCTUATIONS IN MATING-INDUCED OXYTOCINERGIC ACTIVITY WITHIN THE PARAVENTRICULAR AND SUPRAOPTIC NUCLEI DO NOT INFLUENCE PROLACTIN SECRETION

Previous studies have implicated oxytocin (OT) in the control of surge-type PRL secretion in the pregnant and pseudopregnant rat. The present studies examined the relationship between mating-induced activation of OT neurons in the paraventricular (PVN), supraoptic (SON), and anterior commissural (ACN) nuclei and PRL secretion. Activity within OTergic neurons, as measured by increased c-fos expression, was examined immediately and 5 days following mating in ovariectomized, estrogen-plus-progesterone-treated rats at the time when nocturnal PRL surges are expressed (0600 h) and at an intersurge time (2400 h). Females received fifteen intromissions (15I), 15 mounts-without-intromission (MO), or no stimulation (homecage, HC) from a sexually experienced male. Receipt of 15I at 0600 h induced significantly higher numbers of OT immunoreactive (OT-IR) cells and FOS/OT-IR double-labeled cells in the parvocellular division of the PVN (PVNparv) and in the SON than did 15I at 2400 h. Numbers of OT-IR and FOS/OT-IR cells in the ACN and in the magnocellular compartment of the PVN (PVNmag) were not influenced by mating at either time. In contrast, acute PRL secretion induced within 5-30 min by 15I was not influenced by whether mating occurred at 1800 h (diurnal surge), 2400 h, or 0600 h, nor were plasma OT levels elevated during the 1 h following 15I or MO at these times. Examination of FOS-IR cells throughout the hypothalamus across the two times of day revealed previously unreported differences between 15I and control MO treatments in the PVN, SON, and the ventrolateral part of the arcuate nucleus (ARCvl). On day 5 post mating, numbers of OT-IR and FOS/OT-IR cells in the PVN, SON, and ACN were very low and were similar between 0600 h and 2400 h and between females that showed (15I) or did not show (MO) mating-induced PRL surges characteristic of pregnancy. The results of these studies demonstrate that intromissive but not mounts-only stimulation from males induces a rapid increase in OT-IR staining and OT neuron activation in the PVNparv and the SON. These mating-induced responses in OT neurons occurred within 1 h after mating only at 0600 h, suggesting a diurnal fluctuation in sensitivity to intromissive stimulation. Changes in OTergic function were not seen in response to mating at other times of day, nor at the time of the nocturnal PRL surge 5 days after mating. We conclude that OT activity induced by mating does not act to stimulate PRL secretion directly, but may be involved in the process(es) by which genitosensory stimulation initiates surge-type PRL secretion.
Broch's 1903: Esch oder die Anarchie: Desiring the Abject Outside

This article focuses on Hermann Broch's 1903: Esch oder die Anarchie, the second part of his 1930 trilogy Die Schlafwandler. Concentrating on the philosophical notion of a “decline of values” that Broch articulates in the text, the analysis reads Esch through the lens of current gender theory, examining the intersection between desire and subjectivity by focusing on the trajectories of desire connecting the protagonist, Esch, with the characters around him, particularly Bertrand, a homosexual character who comes to function as Esch's double. The analysis suggests that, with in the framework of the protagonist's search for direction and stable identity in a society devoid of a stable system of values, homosexual desire becomes representative of an “other” position that, while potentially liberating, is sacrificed in service of the ordering-though out-dated-heterosexual value system.
An explanation for the Kauzmann ‘paradox’ and its relation to relaxation times

Abstract A plausible explanation is given to avoid the Kauzmann ‘paradox’ when the extrapolated entropy of super-cooled liquids falls below that of the corresponding crystalline solids (at the Kauzman temperature, T K ). The explanation is that there would be a change of behavior of the ‘equilibrium’ liquid specific heat (hence entropy), before the paradox could be realized. The basis of the argument is that the spread in values of ‘equilibrium’ separations of fundamental units (atoms, molecules, ions) in the liquid allows some distances to become so small as T K is approached that further reduction in temperature cannot allow the equilibrium structure to continue to shrink as at high temperatures. Of course the glass transition intervenes (at T g ), preventing (quasi-) equilibration and the decrease in volume is reduced simply because the relaxation becomes local. The relevance of ‘blocking’ rates to mechanical relaxation means that relatively unusual situations with very high barrier heights (small separations) also further slow transport as the same temperature is approached, a reasonable explanation of the correlation between T K and T 0 in Vogel-Fulcher representations of the viscosity. The explanation is compatible with those of many other features of the glass transition, including the dependencees of T g on pressure, P , on system size, L , (and various correlations) which attribute these observed phenomena to a strong variability in individual transition rates.
The Ionization of Sulphur Dioxide by Electron Impact

The mass-spectrograph previously described has been used to study ionization by electron impact in S${\mathrm{O}}_{2}$. S${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{+}$ ions appear at 13.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 volts, S${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ ions at 16.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5 and ions of mass 32, either ${\mathrm{S}}^{+}$ or ${\mathrm{O}}_{2}^{+}$ appear at 16.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.7 and increase sharply at 22.3\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0. No ${\mathrm{O}}^{+}$ ions are observed. The probable processes of formation of these ions are discussed.
Glucocorticoid binding to receptor-like proteins in rat brain and pituitary: ontogenetic and experimentally induced changes.

Summary Cytosol binding of [ 3 H]corticosterone and [ 3 H]dexamethasone was measured in various brain areas and the pituitary of perfused rats 12 h and 72 h, respectively, after adrenalectomy (ADX). A considerable regional heterogeneity was found 12 h post ADX representing differences of the normal cytosol binding capacities between various areas. When the second phase of the adrenalectomy-induced increase in binding capacity was allowed to develop (72 h post ADX), the cytosol binding of all regions increased to various extents. The highest percentage increases werefound in those areas with the highest glucocorticoid binding capacity, namely the hippocampus and the septum. The ontogeny of the cytosol glucocorticoid binding macromolecules was investigated in the hippocampus, hypothalamus and pituitary using [ 3 H]corticosterone and [ 3 H]dexamethasone. The concentration of corticosterone binding sites is lowest in all three areas around day one and then increases by a factor of 2–3 reaching adult levels around day 32. For [ 3 H]dexamethasone a similar pattern was observed in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. In the pituitary, however, the concentration of binding sites was slightly higher at day 1 than at any later developmental stage. Interruption of the fimbria in 3-day-old rats did not affect the development of the binding sites in the hippocampus. In an attempt to interfere with the normal glucocorticoid binding of the hippocampus as well as with the postadrenalectomy increase of the cytosol binding sites, bilateral transection of the fimbria was performed either 3 days or 80 days before ADX. In neither case did fimbria transection prevent the increase of the binding sites. The intrinsic (12 h post ADX) cytosol binding capacity of the hippocampus was also not affected by this lesion.
Anaerobic stimulation of root exudates and disease of peas

The relationships between root exudation, root disease and anaerobic root stresses were investigated. Sand culture and mist chamber studies demonstrated that low O2 and high CO2 reduced plant growth and increased the exudation of ethanol, amino acids, and sugars by pea roots. The relative loss of ethanol by roots was much greater in treatments with atmospheres of N2 containing 30% CO2 than in treatments of air containing 30% CO2 or N2. Ethanol was not detected in the nutrient solution of aerated plant roots. Atmospheres of N2 plus 30% CO2 caused 500% greater mycelial growth ofFusarium solani f. sp.pisi and 400% more disease of inoculated pea roots. Relative losses of four amino acids and four sugars were much greater in atmospheres of N2 plus 30% CO2 than in N2 or air.
Growth in global energy demand and contribution of alternative supply systems

Abstract Growth in global energy demand since the end of World War II has been nearly constant at a rate of 5.3% each year. When energy demand is projected into the future, the basic question is how long such an exponentially growing global energy use can continue, and a more accurate analysis than projecting exponential growth indefinitely into the future is certainly desirable. In this analysis, nine political/geographical segments are used and it is shown that the less developed countries will grow much more rapidly than the industrialized countries. Analyses of individual nations- or at least small sub-divisions of the nine segments—based on factors such as population growth, availability of resources, capability of food production, potential for formation of capital, and prospects for political stability are necessary in order to achieve reasonable accuracy in projections. Such concepts of growth suggest very strongly that fifty years from now the global energy demand will be approximately 31 TW, with over half the total coming from the developing world. This will present unusual opportunities for employing alternative energy supply systems. In rapidly growing situations, market penetration of new technologies is easier, but, in any event, the magnitude of the effort required is enormous if alternative supply systems are to make major contributions to the total. As a target , the 17 TW demand in AD2025 from the developing world might be met by the following supply system: TW Solar Heating (water and air) 1.5 Biomass (firewood, charcoal, alcohol) 3.5 Wind 0.8 Hydro and Geothermal 2.2 Fission 0.5 Fossil fuels (oil, gas, coal) 8.5 Total 17.0 To place these in perspective and to indicate the size of the task involved, note that the total world energy demand in 1975 was only 7.3 TW. The target calls for alternative supply systems in the developing world alone to exceed the present world total within 50 yr. Contributions from hydro and geothermal sources (in the developing world) approach the present total energy demand in North America—one-third of the world's total. Biomass as a supply system is targeted for 1.5 times the present N. American total. While this is a formidable target, I believe that if economic growth throughout the world is to continue and if the gap between the rich and poor countries is to shrink, it is, in fact, a modest social goal.
Health status and health insurance coverage of women with live-born infants: an opportunity for preventive services after pregnancy.

Most women in the US have access to health care and insurance during pregnancy; however women with Medicaid-paid deliveries lose Medicaid eligibility in the early postpartum period. This study examined the association between health insurance coverage at the time of delivery and health conditions that may require preventive or treatment services extending beyond pregnancy into the postpartum period. We used 2008 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data from 27 states (n = 35,980). We calculated the prevalence of maternal health conditions, including emotional and behavioral risks, by health insurance status at the time of delivery. We used multivariable logistic regression to assess the association between health insurance coverage, whether Medicaid or private, and maternal health status. As compared to women with private health insurance, women with Medicaid-paid deliveries had higher odds of reporting smoking during pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 1.85, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.56–2.18), physical abuse during pregnancy (AOR: 1.73, 95 % CI: 1.24–2.40), having six or more stressors during pregnancy (AOR: 2.48, 95 % CI: 1.93–3.18), and experiencing postpartum depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.24, 95 % CI: 1.04–1.48). There were no significant differences by insurance status at delivery in pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity, pre-pregnancy physical activity, weight gain during pregnancy, alcohol consumption during pregnancy, or postpartum contraceptive use. Compared to women with private insurance, women with Medicaid-paid deliveries were more likely to experience risk factors during pregnancy such as physical abuse, stress, and smoking, and postpartum depressive symptoms for which continued screening, counseling, or treatment in the postpartum period could be beneficial.
Perceptions of social climate among participants in token economy and non-token economy cottages in a juvenile correctional institution

A revised version of Moos' Social Climate Scale (SCS) was used to measure the effects of a token economy on social climate as perceived by staff and residents in a state training school for delinquents. Significant mean differences between token economy cottages and non-token economy cottages on most social climate variables were found among both staff and residents. Implications of these results for the effects of token economies on social climate are discussed, and possible effects on the validity of the measurements are examined.
Structural alterations in the DNA ahead of the primer terminus during displacement synthesis by reverse transcriptases.

Abstract Unlike most DNA polymerases, reverse transcriptases can initiate DNA synthesis at a single-strand break and displace the downstream non-template strand simultaneously with extension of the primer. This reaction is important for generation of the long terminal repeat sequences in the duplex DNA product of retroviral reverse transcription. Oligonucleotide-based model displacement constructs were used to study the interaction of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and Moloney murine leukemia virus reverse transcriptases with the DNA. Under conditions where the DNA is saturated with enzyme, there is no protection against DNase I cleavage of the 5′ single-stranded extension that would correspond to the already-displaced strand. However, the DNase I footprint on the non-template strand extends from the +1 to the +9 position for the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enzyme and from +1 to +7 or +8 for the Moloney enzyme. This extent of protection on the non-template strand is similar to what was observed previously for the template strand downstream from the primer terminus. Use of potassium permanganate as a probe for unpaired bases in the region ahead of the primer terminus reveals that the two base-pairs immediately in front of the enzyme are melted by the bound enzyme. These findings are consistent with a displacement mechanism in which the reverse transcriptase plays an active role in unpairing the DNA ahead of the translocating polymerase. The results are interpreted in light of a recent crystal structure showing the nature of the protein-DNA contacts with the template strand ahead of the primer terminus.
Corrosion mechanisms relevant to high-level waste repositories

Abstract Corrosion is the destructive reaction of metals with their environment. The environment associated with a waste container is an extremely complex one, creating many possibilities for corrosion of the waste container. The different basic types of corrosion are governed by different equations and reactions. Schematic drawings and photographs illustrate the mechanisms of corrosion and factors which influence the forms of corrosion are outlined. There are techniques for testing the susceptibility to certain types of corrosion, and some standard test procedures have been developed. Predictive models have been proposed for crevice corrosion, stress corrosion cracking and scale formation. Existing models and extrapolations are all subject to limits on their applicability.
Inhibition of Leptin Regulation of Parasympathetic Signaling as a Cause of Extreme Body Weight-Associated Asthma

Summary Impaired lung function caused by decreased airway diameter (bronchoconstriction) is frequently observed whether body weight is abnormally high or low. That these opposite conditions affect the airways similarly suggests that the regulation of airway diameter and body weight are intertwined. We show here that, independently of its regulation of appetite, melanocortin pathway, or sympathetic tone, leptin is necessary and sufficient to increase airway diameter by signaling through its cognate receptor in cholinergic neurons. The latter decreases parasympathetic signaling through the M 3 muscarinic receptor in airway smooth muscle cells, thereby increasing airway diameter without affecting local inflammation. Accordingly, decreasing parasympathetic tone genetically or pharmacologically corrects bronchoconstriction and normalizes lung function in obese mice regardless of bronchial inflammation. This study reveals an adipocyte-dependent regulation of bronchial diameter whose disruption contributes to the impaired lung function caused by abnormal body weight. These findings may be of use in the management of obesity-associated asthma.
The software engineering capstone: structure and tradeoffs

One of the largest challenges facing educators teaching undergraduate software engineering courses is providing the students with meaningful experiences they will find useful when they complete their undergraduate education. Those experiences should include all phases of the software development process, and to be as realistic as possible they should also include the uncertainty and continual change present in any real project. In addition, those experiences need to include working with others in a team, which can affect the morale of some students and also poses challenges to the professor when the time to assign grades arrives. In this paper we discuss how we have tailored the software engineering capstone sequence at the U.S. Air Force Academy to address these issues.
Histologic Response to Tooth Movement in the Laboratory Rat Procedure and Preliminary Observations

SINCE theclassic workofOppenheim,l ourknowledge ofthehistologic response oftheperiodontium andalveolar bonetostress hasadvanced considerably.2-8 Oppenheimdemonstrated thatthereaction ofthesupporting structures to stress wasnotduetotheelasticity, compressibility, orextensibility ofthebone, ashadbeenwidely held.Instead, heshowedaseries ofchanges in thebonecharacterized byareas ofresorption anddeposition, mediated bytension andosteoblastic activity ontheonehandandbypressure andosteoclastic activity ontheother. Inhisstudies, orthodontic appliances wereplaced onbaboon teeth, andthereaction ofthetissues wasascertained after varying lengths oftime hadelapsed. Thorough asthese andother investigations havebeen, theyhave involved elaborate technics andhavebeenlimited torelatively fewandlarge animals (dogs, monkeys, andhumanbeings) whichposecertain problems with regard tocontrol ofgenetic andother variables, factors whicharepractically impossible toruleoutinstudies onhumanmaterial. Toovercome these limitations, asimple methodhasbeendevised usingthelaboratory ratastheexperimentalanimal.9 Thistechnic affords increased possibilities forexperimental control andtheuseofrelatively large numbers ofanimals.
The Collective Bargaining Process: A Human Relations Analysis, II

Once there was a president of a small unorganized company who believed firmly in labor unions. He was therefore gratified when his employees notified him that they were joining a union and wished to bargain collectively with him. The negotiating committee submitted its demands in advance and the president studied them carefully. As he compared those demands with contracts in other companies in his industry, he could find nothing that seemed unreasonable. The employees were simply asking for conditions that would put them in line with those existing in plants which had been organized for several years. So when the negotiating committee came in to bargain, he simply told them that he was prepared to accept their terms in full and sign a contract at once. Such a magnanimous attitude, he thought, would establish a firm basis for harmonious relations.
Failure of PTH, Calcitonin, or Vitamin D Metabolites to Influence Calcium Transport in the Maturation Stage Enamel Organ

Eleven-day-old rat maxillary first molar explants were removed by microdissection and incubated in vitro to determine the direct effects of parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitonin (CT), 1,25(OH)2D3, 24.25(OH) 2D3, and a combination of PTH and vitamin D 3metabolites on calcium uptake in the mineralizing enamel of the explants. None of the agents had a statistically significant effect. These results are in contrast to those observed on explants from six-day-old rats, where PTH + 24,25(OH)2D3caused a significant increase in net calcium transport. The findings are consistent with the hypothesis that the transcellular transport of calcium through the secretory stage and the maturation stage ameloblasts occurs by different mechanisms.
Migrant HIV Education in the Wake of the AIDS Crisis

Migrant farm workers are characterized as transient in their quest for employment, poor by conditions not of their own choosing, and prone to excessive health risks. These are the people who work at providing many of the agricultural products which form the basis of the American diet. Yet their humbled circumstances do not keep them from engaging in risk behaviors that may lead to exposure to HIV, nor has their isolation kept them from contact with the myths and stories that have become an integral part of the legacy of AIDS.