cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Party and Ideology in American Local Government: An Appraisal

For decades, research on US local politics emphasized the distinctiveness of local government, but that has begun to change. In recent years, new data on partisanship and ideology have transformed ...
Prison Rehabilitation: The Sociological, Physiological, and Psychological Effects of Animal-Assisted Interventions

This paper examines animal-assisted interventions as a new form of rehabilitation in the prison setting. It focuses specifically on the multiple benefits that this form of therapy/intervention can bring to inmates, such as the reduction in recidivism and the acquirement of new skills....
Improving rates of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in multiple myeloma patients on immunomodulatory drugs through a pharmacy-based system

IntroductionImmunomodulatory drugs used to treat multiple myeloma carry an increased risk of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease. Previously published guidelines outline consensus opinion on how to...
Bioconductor toolchain for reproducible bioinformatics pipelines using Rcwl and RcwlPipelines.

Summary The Common Workflow Language (CWL) is used to provide portable and reproducible data analysis workflows across different tools and computing environments. We have developed Rcwl, an R interface to CWL, to provide easier development, use, and maintenance of CWL pipelines from within R. We have also collected more than 100 pre-built tools and pipelines in RcwlPipelines, ready to be queried and used by researchers in their own analysis. A single-cell RNA sequencing preprocessing pipeline demonstrates use of the software. Availability Project website: https://rcwl.org (Rcwl: https://bioconductor.org/packages/Rcwl; RcwlPipelines: https://bioconductor.org/packages/RcwlPipelines). Supplementary information Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Comparison and impact of COVID-19 for patients with cancer: a survival analysis of fatality rate controlling for age, sex and cancer type.

OBJECTIVES: Prior research has reported an increased risk of fatality for patients with cancer, but most studies investigated the risk by comparing cancer to non-cancer patients among COVID-19 infections, where cancer might have contributed to the increased risk. This study is to understand COVID-19's imposed HR of fatality while controlling for covariates, such as age, sex, metastasis status and cancer type. METHODS: We conducted survival analyses of 4606 cancer patients with COVID-19 test results from 16 March to 11 October 2020 in UK Biobank and estimated the overall HR of fatality with and without COVID-19 infection. We also examined the HRs of 13 specific cancer types with at least 100 patients using a stratified analysis. RESULTS: COVID-19 resulted in an overall HR of 7.76 (95% CI 5.78 to 10.40, p<10-10) by following 4606 patients with cancer for 21 days after the tests. The HR varied among cancer type, with over a 10-fold increase in fatality rate (false discovery rate ≤0.02) for melanoma, haematological malignancies, uterine cancer and kidney cancer. Although COVID-19 imposed a higher risk for localised versus distant metastasis cancers, those of distant metastases yielded higher overall fatality rates due to their multiplicative effects. DISCUSSION: The results confirmed prior reports for the increased risk of fatality for patients with COVID-19 plus hematological malignancies and demonstrated similar findings of COVID-19 on melanoma, uterine, and kidney cancers. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the heightened risk that COVID-19 imposes on localised and haematological cancer patients and the necessity to vaccinate uninfected patients with cancer promptly, particularly for the cancer types most influenced by COVID-19. Results also suggest the importance of timely care for patients with localised cancer, whether they are infected by COVID-19 or not.
State Secrets, Open Justice, and the Criss-Crossing Evolution of Privilege in the United States and the United Kingdom

This essay argues that the state secrets privilege in the United States and the corresponding public interest immunity in the United Kingdom have evolved in exactly the opposite direction. Thus in the United States, the state secrets privilege has evolved from a common law privilege that allowed for meaningful judicial review to a potentially sweeping constitutional privilege that crowds out any consideration of the plaintiff's interest in access. But in the United Kingdom, public interest immunity evolved from a robust immunity with no meaningful judicial review to a much weaker immunity with significant judicial oversight and consideration of the plaintiff's interest in access to justice.This essay compares the contemporary applications of the two privileges directly, by examining how courts treated the privileges in two very similar cases – Binyam Mohamed's case in both countries arising out of his extraordinary rendition and torture.
The History of Pelvic Tumor Surgery

The field of pelvic tumor surgery began over 100 years ago with attempts to resect tumors and tuberculosis. The initial morbidity and mortality of these procedures were prohibitively high, and positive patient outcomes were rare. Later advances in the definition and natural history of sarcomas coupled with improved anesthetic techniques and imaging ushered in the modern era of pelvic tumor treatment. Key developments in this area included the development of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to accurately define tumor extent and also to reliably rule out metastatic disease. Modern treatment provides for limb salvage for many patients with pelvic tumors, and even patients with locally advanced disease can safely and reliably undergo surgical treatment.
Emerging investigator series: photocatalytic membrane reactors: fundamentals and advances in preparation and application in wastewater treatment

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs) are a promising treatment technology for degradation of organic compounds discharged from wastewater treatment facilities. This review presents information about TiO2 nanoparticles, which are the widely used photocatalyst semiconductor in PMRs, and how doping can be used to make TiO2 able to absorb part of the visible spectrum. Then, many examples are presented showing PMR applications for various feedwater types ranging from dyes, oils, pharmaceuticals, and antibiotic resistant bacteria, either in simulated wastewater or water from real matrices. Although the results are dependent on the feed, photocatalyst, and type of reactor, the PMR technology can achieve removal efficiency higher than 95% for some situations. PMRs have also shown antimicrobial properties in removing 99.9% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in one study presented. Additionally, PMRs have demonstrated antifouling properties due to their surface modification – resulting in their reuse and extended lifespan. Although photocatalytic membrane reactors can achieve quantitative removal in some feed water types, more development is needed before employing them for more widespread wastewater treatment. In this sense, the article ends with a perspective section where some possible advances in the photocatalyst and reactor design are suggested which can expand the range of PMR applications.
The Criminal-Civil Distinction and the Utility of Desert

The communist Chinese have distinct criminal and civil systems, as do the democratic Swiss, and the monarchist Saudis.1 The criminal-civil distinction also is a basic organizing device for Islamic Pakistan, Catholic Ireland, Hindu India, and the atheistic former Soviet Union, industrialized Germany, rural Papua New Guinea, the tribal Bedouins, wealthy Singapore, impoverished Somalia, developing Thailand, newly organized Ukraine, and the ancient Romans. Apparently every society sufficiently developed to have a formal legal system usesthe criminal-civil distinction as an organizing principle. Why? Why has every society felt it necessary to create a system to impose criminal liability distinct from civil liability?
Management of Complicated Vitreoretinal Cases in Children

Pediatric vitreoretinopathies pose unique challenges to the retinal surgeon because of the distinct anatomic and physiological differences from adult retinal diseases. The pars plana, through which the vitreoretinal instrumentation may be safely introduced, is not fully formed until approximately the age of 8 or 9 months, thereby necessitating entry through the pars plicata when a posterior approach is desired in the newborn eye [17]. The vitreous gel, which is well formed and firm in normal newborn eyes, may be optically empty or abnormally syneretic in various pediatric diseases. The vitreoretinal adhesion is stronger in children than in adults, making the surgical induction of posterior vitreous detachment relatively difficult [19, 44]. The biochemistry of the newborn eye is influx, with rising and falling levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor 1, tumor growth factor-b, and other cytokines, which may affect the progression or stabilization of pediatric vitreoretinopathies [10, 47, 54]. To operate safely, the pediatric vitreoretinal surgeon must understand the characteristics that define diseases, such as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR), persistent fetal vasculature syndrome (PFVS), congenital x-linked retinoschisis (CXLRS), and Coats disease. Here we discuss key features of the surgical approach to complicated pediatric vitreoretinopathies.
Binding of Adenosine Diphosphate by Isolated Membranes from Human Platelets

Abstract Binding of adenosine diphosphate by isolated membranes from human platelets has been demonstrated. The process was reversible, temperature-dependent, supported by calcium or magnesium ions, and influenced by the integrity of membrane protein sulfhydryl groups. Prior exposure of the isolated membranes to trypsin, chymotrypsin, or pronase resulted in significant inhibition of [14C]ADP uptake. Extraction of the bound radioactivity and subsequent thin layer chromatographic analysis revealed that the ADP was unchanged. GDP at relatively high concentrations interfered with ADP binding, whereas cyclic AMP, α,β-methylene ADP, adenosine, and PGE1 had no effect. AMP, ATP, and 2-chloroadenosine, known inhibitors of platelet aggregation, significantly blocked [14C]ADP binding. Mersalyl (10-4 m), an inhibitor of actomyosin-type ATPase activity, interfered with [14C]ADP binding by the membrane particles. Scatchard plot analysis suggested that there are approximately 100,000 binding sites per platelet.
Scale Adhesion, Sulfur Content, and TBC Failure on Single Crystal Superalloys

The scale adhesion of single crystal superalloys was studied as a function of sulfur content. Cyclic oxidation tests of as-received PWA 1480 (6 ppmw S) at 1100°C resulted in severe scale spallation and produced weight losses of >30 mg/cm after 500 1-h cycles. However, samples des Ifurized by hydrogen annealing ( 2000 h by geometric modifications that avert standard edge delamination and buckling failure modes.
On cost-sharing mechanisms in cognitive radio networks

We present a framework and pertinent formulations for a coalition of secondary cognitive radios that are willing to lease inactive spectrum band from a primary system through auctioning and to share the received bandwidth and the associated cost among themselves using multiple access techniques. We cast this scenario to submodular class of games and show how a link can be established between the truthful auctioning mechanism and the cost-sharing algorithm. Simulation results verify that the deployed cost-sharing technique leads to encouraging the secondary cognitive radios to truthfully announce their bids. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
An emergent model of orientation selectivity in cat visual cortical simple cells

It is well known that visual cortical neurons respond vigorously to a limited range of stimulus orientations, while their primary afferent inputs, neurons in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN), respond well to all orientations. Mechanisms based on intracortical inhibition and/or converging thalamocortical afferents have previously been suggested to underlie the generation of cortical orientation selectivity; however, these models conflict with experimental data. Here, a 1:4 scale model of a 1700 microns by 200 microms region of layer IV of cat primary visual cortex (area 17) is presented to demonstrate that local intracortical excitation may provide the dominant source of orientation-selective input. In agreement with experiment, model cortical cells exhibit sharp orientation selectivity despite receiving strong iso-orientation inhibition, weak cross-orientation inhibition, no shunting inhibition, and weakly tuned thalamocortical excitation. Sharp tuning is provided by recurrent cortical excitation. As this tuning signal arises from the same pool of neurons that it excites, orientation selectivity in the model is shown to be an emergent property of the cortical feedback circuitry. In the model, as in experiment, sharpness of orientation tuning is independent of stimulus contrast and persists with silencing of ON-type subfields. The model also provides a unified account of intracellular and extracellular inhibitory blockade experiments that had previously appeared to conflict over the role of inhibition. It is suggested that intracortical inhibition acts nonspecifically and indirectly to maintain the selectivity of individual neurons by balancing strong intracortical excitation at the columnar level.
A New Wide Field Electrographic Camera as an Optimum Detector for Schmidt-Type Telescopes

The electrographic (E.G.) camera is one of the most powerful modern detectors having high sensitivity, extended spectral response, extreme spatial resolution, low background, no threshold, good linearity and large dynamic image. A combination of highly uniform electric and magnetic fields produces distortion-free and extremely sharp images which are recorded by electron sensitive emulsions [1] (Figure 1).
Mitogenic responsiveness of caprine mammary epithelial cells to endocrine and cytokine factors.

Mammary cell mitogenic responsiveness was evaluated with an established nontransformed caprine mammary epithelial cell line (CMEC). As expected, the cells responded to insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), insulin, and hydrocortisone with an increased number of cells after 3 and 5 d in culture. In combination, insulin and hydrocortisone augmented each other. A proliferation response was also observed for transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), but not for fibroblast growth factor a (FGFa), FGFb, IGF-2, bovine somatotropin, or prolactin. Comparison of mitogenic potential for these growth factors with cells grown on plastic substratum indicated that hydrocortisone was most potent, followed by TGF-α in inducing a proliferative response measured by 3H-thymidine incorporation assay. Hydrocortisome augmented proliferation by 149% and TGF-α stimulated proliferation by 126% relative to the media control (p<0.01). EGF, which binds to the same receptor as TGF-α in other species, induced a modest 35% increase in proliferation. Comparison of culture conditions with plastic, fibronectin, and type I collagen suggests that extracellular matrix/stroma influences the magnitude and effective concentration for cytokine-mediated growth response. Studies on responsiveness to ovarian steroids estradiol 17-β (E2) and progesterone (P4) showed a modest proliferation response to E2 only in combination with triiodio-l-thyronine (T3), and no response to P4 or T3 either alone or in combination when grown on plastic.
Correlation of the structure of the transmembrane domain of the neu oncogene-encoded p185 protein with its function.

Abstract The human homologue of the neu oncogene is frequently found in human tumors. Certain amino acid substitutions at position 664 in the transmembrane domain of the neu oncogene-encoded p185 protein product are known to cause malignant transformation of cells. Using conformational energy analysis based on ECEPP (empirical conformational energies for polypeptides program), we have previously determined the preferred three-dimensional structures for the transmembrane domain of the p185 protein with a transforming (glutamic acid) and a nontransforming (valine) substitution at the critical position 664 and found that the global minimum-energy conformation of this region in the nontransforming protein contains a sharp bend, whereas the global minimum-energy conformation for this region from the transforming protein is entirely alpha-helical. We now demonstrate that this result holds for other known nontransforming (glycine, histidine, tyrosine, and lysine) and transforming (glutamine) substitutions at position 664. Furthermore, a simple statistical thermodynamic analysis of the results indicates that approximately 85% of each of the nontransforming sequences exist with the bend at positions 664 and 665, while approximately 90% of each of the transforming sequences exist as an alpha-helix. About 9% of the nontransforming sequences exist as the alpha-helix. These results suggest that if the intracellular concentration of the normal protein is increased at least 10-fold, thereby increasing the alpha-helical form by this factor, cell transformation should result. This conclusion is directly supported by genetic experiments in which this level of overexpression of the normal protein was achieved with attendant cell transformation.
Avoidance reactions of domestic dogs to unfamiliar male and female humans in a kennel setting

Abstract Most kennel owners and veterinarians prefer women assistants because these animalcare professionals assume that women elicit less avoidance from domestic animals than men. To evaluate this assumption, 10 male and 10 female dogs were given two human-reaction tests to assess their behavior in the presence of an unfamiliar man or woman in a commercial kennel setting. Female dogs showed little reluctance to approach and make contact with the unfamiliar human, regardless of the person's gender. In contrast, male dogs were much less likely to approach and make body contact with the unfamiliar man.
Male Pseudohermaphroditism Secondary to an Abnormality in Leydig Cell Differentiation

We present the first case of a prepubertal male with an abnormality in Leydig cell differentiation resulting in male pseudohermaphroditism. There was no plasma androgen response to im administration of hCG. Leydig cells were not apparently by either light or electron microscopy in tissue obtained from a biopsy of the right testis 96 h after the last dose of hCG. In addition, LH-hCG saturation analyses performed on membrane preparations from the testicular tissue revealed no binding. An expanded classification for male pseudohermaphroditism is presented.
Consumer Preferences for Group Practice Medical Services in Rural Areas

Public initiatives are promoting the development of group medical practices in rural areas despite the fact that little information regarding consumer preferences for group practice medical services is available. In this paper, survey data are used to investigate these preferences, as evidenced in the choice of a usual source of care. In the rural area of central Wisconsin studied, consumers tended to choose a multispecialty group in preference to alternative providers, given equal travel costs. Variations in travel costs were found to be an important determinant of this choice. This suggests that consumer acceptance of multispeciality group practices in rural areas will depend to a large extent on their locational convenience. Additional research is needed to determine how consumer preferences for multispecialty group services, particularly as they are reflected in the acceptance of higher travel costs, are dependent on the size and characteristics of the group.
A Mechanism of Synergistic Lung Damage by Ozone and a Respirable Aerosol

A bitberto unexpected synergism between the oxidant air pollutants ozone or nitrogen dioxide and a respirable-sized aerosol of ammonium sulfate was previously observed during controlled exposures of rats to these substances. In this paper we examine biochemical and morphometric changes in lungs of rats exposed for 3, 7, or 14 days to ozone (0.64-0.96 ppm), with or without an accompanying aerosol (≈1 μm mass median aerodynamic diameter) of ammonium sulfate (5 mg/m3). After 3 days of exposure to the mixture of pollutants, rat lung macrophage and macrophage precursors (monocytes) were increased 2- to 3-fold, fibroblasts were increased 2-fold, and apparent collagen synthesis rates were increased 2.5-fold, as compared with values from animals exposed to ozone alone. Continued exposure to ozone alone for 7 or 14 days seemed to mimic changes seen at 3 days with the mixture of pollutants. Total number of lesions per lung was the same for ozone exposure with and without accompanying aerosol; lesions were larger in...
The FeIIFeIV and FeIIIFeV manifolds in an expanded world of Gif chemistry

Abstract The species responsible for hydrocarbon activation and formation of alkyl chlorides in the FeII and FeIIIH2O2 and tert-butyl hydroperoxide systems are identified. The importance of the FeIIFeIV manifold in providing a mechanism which permits the selective functionalization of saturated hydrocarbons by ionic trapping with chloride, azide, and other anions is made manifest. Comparison is made with the FeIIIFeV manifold where ionic trapping is never seen.
Methods of measuring wind stress over a water surface — Discussions of displacement height and von Karman constant

Experiments were conducted in a wind-wave tank to study the long-standing discrepancy between wind stresses over a water surface determined with the profile and eddy-correlation methods. Inasmuch as the eddy-correlation method measures the turbulence flux directly, such a discrepancy is considered as an ‘error’ in the way the profile data are analyzed. Uncertainties in selections of the zero reference plane for the logarithmic velocity profile and of the value for the von Karman constant are suggested to be major sources of the error. To match the results obtained with two methods, the displacement height needs to vary with wave conditions, and the value of the von Karman constant is also discussed.
Price uncertainty and the exchange-rate risk premium

Abstract This paper develops a simple two-country portfolio model of the exchange-rate risk premium which incorporates price uncertainty in both countries. It is shown how the risk premium depends on the world shares of outside assets and wealth, as well as on the variance-covariance matrix of prices and the exchange rate. In particular, when purchasing power parity holds, the distribution of world wealth has no effect on equilibrium asset prices.
Critical currents in sputtered copper molybdenum sulphide

Critical currents in a sputtered Chevrel-phase copper molybdenum sulfide have been measured at 4.2 K as a function of applied magnetic field. Self-field critical-current values up to 10 to the 9th A/sq m were found, decreasing to 10 to the 8th A/sq m at 3 T. Graphs of pinning forces versus field were found to be independent of field direction, and the pinning mechanism is sample independent. Critical-current densities for sputtered lead molybdenum sulphide are estimated to be about 10 to the 8th A/sq m at 26 T based on a scaling law for pinning.
Present Practices in Health Instruction in California Secondary Schools

(1953). Present Practices in Health Instruction in California Secondary Schools. Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 392-400.
Modulation of Gonadotropin Secretion by Corticosterone: Interaction with Gonadal Steroids and Mechanism of Action*

The effects of corticosterone (B) on pituitary responsiveness to LHRH and on gonadal steroid modulation of gonadotropin secretion were investigated using primary cultures of rat pituitary cells. Cultures were treated for 2 days with steroids and then challenged with LHRH for 4 h. B inhibited LH secretion, increasing the EC50 for LHRH from 1.40 to 4.96 nM. The reduction in LH release was accompanied by an increase in cell LH, so that the total amount of LH present in the cultures was unchanged. The EC50 for the effect of B on LH secretion was 0.57 μM. B increased the total amount of FSH present in the cultures. At high concentrations of B (10–100 μM), this effect was associated with an increase in FSH secretion. Testosterone inhibited LH secretion in both the absence and the presence of B. B had no effect in the presence of maximal concentrations of testosterone but augmented the inhibitory effect of lower concentrations. Estradiol (E) stimulated LH secretion in both the absence and the presence of B. Howe...
Understanding and Diagnosing Shift Work Disorder

A significant proportion of the workforce in industrialized countries (16%) are employed as shift workers. These workers may be susceptible to shift work disorder (SWD), a circadian rhythm sleep disorder, particularly those who work at night or on early-morning shifts. Shift work disorder remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated problem among this population. Patients with SWD have difficulty initiating sleep and waking up. Often, these patients have excessive sleepiness during their work shift. Shift work disorder has been associated with decreased productivity, impaired safety, diminished quality of life, and adverse effects on health. Several tools have been validated to assess excessive daytime sleepiness and are often used to assess excessive nighttime sleepiness, such as that experienced in patients with SWD, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. The criteria for diagnosing SWD as established by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and published in the International Classification of Sleep Disorders-Second Edition (ICSD-2) were most recently updated in 2005 and thus do not contain newer agents approved for use in patients with SWD. The symptoms of SWD can be treated using behavioral, prescription, and nonprescription therapies. Current treatment guidelines suggest nonpharmacologic interventions, such as exercise and exposure to light. In addition, medications that contain melatonin or caffeine may have clinical benefits in some patients with SWD. However, modafinil and armodafinil are approved by the US Food and Drug Administration to improve wakefulness in patients with excessive sleepiness associated with SWD, and recent data suggest a clinical benefit. The use of these therapies can significantly improve sleep, performance, and quality of life for patients with SWD.
Magnetic filter type plasma source for ground-based simulation of low earth orbit environment

Simulation of the low Earth orbit (LEO) plasma environment in ground-based vacuum facilities is important for studies of spacecraft interaction with ionospheric plasmas. In this paper we describe the design and performance of a magnetic filter-equipped plasma source. Experimental data collected in the expanding plasma downstream of the source suggest it is a good candidate for use as a LEO plasma simulator in that the expanding plasma has a very low electron temperature and contains streaming ions—the plasma environment encountered by satellites in LEO. Adjustable plasma source operating conditions of flow rate, discharge current and discharge voltage enable production of plasma electron temperatures over the range from 0.17 to 0.35 eV and streaming ion energies over the range from 1 to 4 eV.
Short-term stability of the molecular forms of prostate-specific antigen and effect on percent complexed prostate-specific antigen and percent free prostate-specific antigen

Abstract Differences in stability of the free and complexed molecular forms of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) may influence the clinical utility of assays for these forms, as well as the calculated ratios to total PSA (tPSA), such as percent free PSA (fPSA) and percent complexed PSA (cPSA). The objective of this study was to directly compare the short-term stability of fPSA and cPSA under different storage conditions. Specimens (3 with prostate cancer, 3 biopsy-negative without cancer, 2 normal) from 8 men were analyzed at baseline within 2 hours of collection, and at 4 hours, 8 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours, and 1 week after storage at room temperature, 4°C, or −20°C. Serum specimens were analyzed in duplicate on the Bayer Immuno 1 analyzer (tPSA, cPSA) and on the Beckman Coulter Access analyzer (tPSA, fPSA Tandem assays). Baseline tPSA values ranged from 0.7 to 62.0 ng/mL, with a median of 7.9 ng/mL (Immuno 1). Overall, all forms of PSA were stable up to 24 hours at the 3 temperatures, with the exception of fPSA and percent fPSA, which decreased when stored at 4°C. After 1 week, tPSA levels decreased when stored at room temperature and at 4°C, as did cPSA stored at room temperature. Over the 7 days, percent cPSA was stable at room temperature, but increased at 4°C. There were no significant changes in any PSA form or calculated ratio with storage at −20°C for up to 1 week. In summary, in the short term (
A fully integrated digital pulse rate doubler

A new, simple, fully integrated digital pulse rate doubling circuit that requires no passive energy storage elements is reported. The integrated circuit has been realized in a standard bipolar technology using only n-p-n and p-n-p transistors and diffused resistors.
Intelligence and Susceptibility to Persuasion Under Conditions of Active and Passive Participation.

Abstract An experiment was conducted to test the prediction that verbal intelligence facilitates opinion change induced by active participation (improvising arguments). Seventy-one subjects were randomly assigned to improvise arguments or read persuasive messages advocating the same point of view (passive, control condition) about one of three topics. A short test of verbal intelligence was administered during the experiment; also, American College Test scores were obtained from the files of all subjects for whom they were available. Analysis of variance (with subjects partitioned into high and low intelligence groups) and correlational analyses supported the above prediction. There was some evidence that quality of the arguments improvised mediated the relationship between intelligence and opinion change, but the results were not totally consistent.
The role of the CXCR4 cell surface chemokine receptor in glioma biology

CXCR4, a cell surface chemokine receptor, mediates cellular dissemination, invasion, and proliferation in a wide range of cancers including gliomas. It is over-expressed in glioma progenitor cells, and its protein ligand, CXCL12, has been shown to mediate a specific proliferative response in these cells thereby implicating a role for CXCR4 in glioma initiation and renewal. Given the failure of currently employed therapies to meaningfully impact prognosis in patients with high-grade gliomas, the CXCR4–CXCL12 axis represents a novel biologically relevant mechanism that could be specifically targeted for therapy. From this perspective, this review summarizes the biological effects of CXCR4 activity and its implications for glioma pathogenesis. Ultimately, the development of effective treatment approaches for malignant glioma must be based on a rational mechanistic understanding of tumor cell biology. As such, this article presents such a framework with regard to the CXCR4 pathway in glioma thereby supporting the further investigation of CXCR4 as a therapeutic target in patients with this disease.
Sapere Aude! The Importance of a Moral Education in Kant's Doctrine of Virtue

The misunderstanding of philosopher Immanuel Kant's principle of morality—the categorical imperative—by journalism professionals, professors, and students comes in many forms. To better understand Kant's ethical theory, however, one must go beyond Kant's Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Morals and study his Doctrine of Virtue: Part 2 of The Metaphysics of Morals; to apply the categorical imperative, one must also understand the importance Kant placed on moral education.
Direct measurement of Raman tensor in solids

Abstract It is argued that the measurement of absorption of electromagnetic radiation at optical frequencies induced by an electric field at a different frequency provides a valid and convenient way to obtain an absolute measure of the Raman scattering tensor of optical phonons in solids.
Importance of Counteranions on the Hydration Structure of the Curium Ion

Using density functional theory based ab initio molecular dynamics and metadynamics, we show that counterions can trigger noticeable changes in the hydration shell structure of the curium ion. On the basis of the free energies of curium–water coordination, the eight-fold coordination state is dominant by at least 98% in the absence of counteranions and in the presence of chloride and bromide counteranions. In addition, the solvent hydrogen bond (HB) lifetimes are relatively longer. In contrast, the solvent hydrogen bond (HB) lifetimes are relatively shorter in the presence of perchlorate counteranions, with the nine-fold and eight-fold states existing in an 8/2 ratio, which is in good agreement with the reported ratio measured by X-ray scattering experiments. To our knowledge, this is the first time that molecular simulations have shown that counteranions can directly affect the first hydration shell structure of a cation.
Effectiveness of state trauma systems in reducing injury-related mortality: a national evaluation.

BACKGROUND: Regional trauma systems were proposed 2 decades ago to reduce injury mortality rates. Because of the difficulties in evaluating their effectiveness and the methodologic limitations of previously published studies, the relative benefits of establishing an organized system of trauma care remains controversial. METHODS: Data on trauma systems were obtained from a survey of state emergency medical service directors, review of state statutes and a previously published trauma system inventory. Injury mortality rates were obtained from national vital statistics data, whereas motor vehicle crash (MVC) mortality rates were obtained from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System. Mortality rates were compared between states with and without trauma systems. RESULTS: As of 1995, 22 states had regional trauma systems. States with trauma systems had a 9% lower crude injury mortality rate than those without. When MVC-related mortality was evaluated separately, there was a 17% reduction in deaths. After controlling for age, state speed laws, restraint laws, and population distribution, there remained a 9% reduction in MVC-related mortality rate in states with a trauma system. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that a state trauma system is associated with a reduction in the risk of death caused by injury. The effect is most evident on analysis of MVC deaths.
Syntheses and Activities of New C10 β-Turn Peptidomimetics

A program to identify small molecules that mimic or disrupt protein−protein interactions led us to design the peptidomimetics 1−3. Solid-phase syntheses of 1−3 were developed. The purities of the crude materials isolated from the resin tend to be highest for the S- and N-compounds 2 and 3 and better than in the corresponding syntheses of peptidomimetics A. The particular dipeptide units incorporated were chosen to correspond with the turn regions of the neurotrophins (e.g., nerve growth factor {NGF} and the neurotrophin factor-3 {NT-3}). Preliminary studies were performed to access the binding of these analogues to Trk receptors and their ability to induce cell survival (just as NGF and NT-3 do). Several active compounds were identified. However, poor water solubilities of some of the other compounds preclude reliable testing. Consequently, solid-phase modifications to the synthetic procedures were investigated to provide access to the derivatives 12−14 in which the aromatic nitro group is replaced by ami...
Reply by Author to I. Beckwith

points. He concludes: "The appearance of the Prandtl-Meyer function in the solution of a three-dimensional flow is believed to be a new result." Again this relation was apparently first derived in Ref. 2 and also by Beckwith [Eq. (A9), Ref. 3] who termed the integral of 6 the "total expansion angle" by analogy with the Prandtl-Meyer turning angle in two-dimensional flow. Sivells noted this expansion angle in spherical radial flow is onehalf the Prandtl-Meyer expansion angle in two-dimensional flow. ReddallV generalization to real gases was first developed and used by Johnson et al. Thus, all of ReddalFs "new results" have been recognized and used by fluid mechanicians for many years. Nevertheless, it is gratifying to see old results derived by a fresh approach and used in new applications.
Regional neurotransmitter responses after acute and chronic electroconvulsive shock.

Regional neurotransmitter changes after acute and chronic electroconvulsive shock (ECS) were studied using the technique of repeated microdialysis. Microdialysis was carried out on alternate sides of the brains of anaesthetised rats before and during the first and the eighth ECS or sham (control) treatments. Extracellular fluid release of monoamines and their metabolites was measured in the frontal cortex, striatum and nucleus accumbens using HPLC with electrochemical detection. The first ECS produced selective regional responses, shown by increased concentrations of noradrenaline (NA) and dopamine (DA) in frontal cortex, by unchanged DA content in striatum, and by a small rise in NA and a fall in DA concentrations in nucleus accumbens. Concentrations of metabolites increased after ECS in all regions studied, and for homovanillic acid and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, the temporal pattern of these changes did not resemble that of DA. Comparison of neurotransmitter responses as per cent of baseline release after the first and eighth ECS treatments showed they were identical. Basal release of monoamines and metabolites before the first ECS or sham treatment was similar in all regions studied. Prior to the eighth treatment, basal release of NA in the frontal cortex and DA in the striatum was elevated in the ECS-treated animals, while basal release of NA in the nucleus accumbens was reduced in both ECS-and sham-treated animals. These data suggest that acute and chronic ECS have different and region-specific effects on neurotransmitter release, although the overall pattern of these responses is not changed by chronic treatment. The catecholamine-releasing actions of ECS, and the changes in basal release of neurotransmitters seen after chronic treatment may contribute to its therapeutic effects.
Effects of Stability Balls on Children's On-Task Behavior, Academic Achievement, and Discipline Referrals: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective We used a randomized controlled design to investigate whether using stability balls during the school day was associated with higher levels of on-task behavior and academic achievement and fewer discipline referrals. Method Over 9 mo, students in 2 second-grade classrooms in a southeastern rural elementary school used stability balls as chairs while students in 2 control classrooms used chairs as usual. We collected measures of on-task behavior, standardized measures of literacy and mathematics achievement, and discipline referrals. Results We found similar levels of on-task behavior and achievement in treatment and control classrooms and a downward trend in disruptive behaviors in treatment classrooms. Conclusion This study did not find use of stability balls for entire general education classrooms to be a practical use of resources for schools. More research with rigorous controlled designs is needed to support the use of stability balls for the general education population.
Histamine-induced prolonged depolarization in rat supraoptic neurons: G-protein-mediated, Ca2+-independent suppression of K+ leakage conductance

Abstract Ionic mechanisms responsible for histamine-induced prolonged depolarization in supraoptic nucleus neurons were investigated using whole-cell patch recordings in horizontally prepared brain slices from adult male rats. Bath application of histamine (1–10 μM) in control medium induced membrane depolarization in nine of 12 phasically firing, putative vasopressin cells, but not in continuous firing, putative oxytocin cells (none of five cells). Depolarization, usually accompanied by increased firing rate, started within 20 s after histamine reached the slices, lasting for 3–13 min, after which they repolarized, and this was repeatable upon washout. Chelation of intracellular Ca 2+ with 11 mM 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane- N,N,N′,N′ -tetra-acetate and perfusion of slices with Ca 2+ -free medium blocked neither histamine-induced membrane depolarizations nor increased firing rates in 24 of 30 cells recorded. Depolarizations were always associated with decreases in membrane conductance. Following treatment with promethazine (H 1 receptor antagonist) in six cells excited previously by histamine, subsequent application induced neither membrane depolarization nor increased firing. H 1 receptor agonists mimicked histamine-induced depolarization (four of six cells) but the H 2 receptor agonist, dimaprit (10 μM), had no effect (all of nine cells). In medium containing 0 mM Ca 2+ , 2 mM Co 2+ and 1–2 μM tetrodotoxin, with internal Ca 2+ chelation, bath application of histamine induced an apparent inward current in 15 of 20 supraoptic neurons tested. The peak of inward current evoked by 1–10 μM histamine at holding potentials around −50 mV varied from 10 to 50 pA (27.3 ± 0.3 pA, mean ± S.E.M.). Ramp voltage tests revealed that this inward current decreased as membrane potential was hyperpolarized and had a reversal potential of −90.1 ± 3.8 mV ( n = 10). Subtraction of current obtained before from that during histamine application revealed a current that was linear against membrane potential. Increasing external K + concentration or introduction of K + channel blockers in the medium attenuated or abolished histamine-induced inward current at membrane potentials close to −50 mV. When external Cl − concentration was reduced, histamine-induced inward current was still seen in five of seven supraoptic cells tested. Neither inward current nor change in conductance was observed following bath application of histamine in 11 of 12 neurons recorded using patch pipettes containing guanosine 5′- O -(2-thiodiphosphate), and in seven of eight neurons using pipettes containing guanosine 5′- O -(3-thiotriphosphate). These results suggest that histamine depolarizes supraoptic neurons, at least in part, by inhibiting a K + leakage current mediated by H 1 receptors linked to GTP-binding proteins and Ca 2+ -independent pathways. This study provides initial evidence for the second messengers regulating K + leakage current.
Lead and the Last Franklin Expedition

Abstract Claims that poisoning by lead—specifically lead from the solder of the cans of food carried—was a major factor in the loss of the last Franklin expedition have been examined. It is suggested that the high incidence of environmental lead in 19th-century Britain, the known behaviour of lead on ingestion by adults, the electrolytic protection by tin and iron of lead in food cans (which is confirmed by published analyses of very old cans of food), simple calculations from the published lists of provisions carried by the expedition, and alternative interpretations of the lead isotope data, lead to a number of questions which must be answered before the hypothesis is acceptable. In the meantime, it is concluded that the contribution of canned foods to body loads of lead or to any incipient ill health in Franklin's crews was trivial.
The Role of Cell Adhesion Molecules inDrosophilaHeart Morphogenesis:Faint Sausage, Shotgun/DE-Cadherin, andLaminin AAre Required for Discrete Stages in Heart Development

Abstract Heart development in the Drosophila embryo starts with the specification of cardiac precursors from the dorsal edge of the mesoderm through signaling from the epidermis. Cardioblasts then become aligned in a single row of cells that migrate dorsally. After contacting their contralateral counterparts, cardioblasts undergo a cytoskeletal rearrangement and form a lumen. Its simple architecture and cellular composition makes the heart a good system to study mesodermal patterning, intergerm layer signaling, and the function of cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) during morphogenesis. In this paper we focus on three adhesion molecules, faint sausage (fas), shotgun/D E-cadherin ( shg/D E-Cad), and laminin A (lam A), that are essential for heart development. fas encodes an Ig-like CAM and is required for the correct number of cardioblasts to become specified, as well as proper alignment of cardioblasts. shg/D E-Cad is expressed and required at a later stage than fas; in embryos lacking this gene, cardioblasts are specified normally and become aligned, but do not form a lumen. Additionally, cardioblasts of shg mutant embryos show a redistribution of phosphotyrosine as well as a loss of Armadillo from the membrane, indicating defects in cell polarity. The shg phenotype could be phenocopied by applying EGTA or cytochalasin D, supporting the view that Ca 2+ -dependent adhesion and the actin cytoskeleton are instrumental for heart lumen formation. As opposed to cell–cell adhesion, cell–substrate adhesion mechanisms are not required for heart morphogenesis, but only for maintenance of the differentiated heart. Embryos lacking the lam A gene initially developed a normal heart, but showed twists and breaks of cardioblasts at late embryonic stages. We discuss our findings in light of recent results that elucidate the function of different adhesion systems in vertebrate heart development.
Sampling nanoparticles for chemical analysis by low resolution electrical mobility classification.

The use of electrostatic classification to collect samples of aerosol nanoparticles for chemical analysis is discussed. Our technique exposes the aerosol to negative ions in a unipolar charger with subsequent mobility classification at low resolution and high sampling rate. The negative unipolar charger produces high charged fractions. The low-resolution mobility classifier enables the delivery of high mass concentrations in a well-defined mobility range. The mobility-classified particles are collected by electrostatic precipitation. We summarize experimental and computational work on the performance of the unipolar charger, and we describe the performance of the overall system when used to sample atmospheric particles. For a size distribution measured in Atlanta during a new particle formation event, calculated mass sampling rates of ∼8 nm particles were about 150 pg/h.