cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bilateral posterior tenectomy of the superior oblique muscle for the treatment of A-pattern strabismus.

Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of bilateral posterior superior oblique tenectomy for the treatment of A-pattern strabismus due to superior oblique overaction regardless of the magnitude of the pattern. Methods The medical records of patients with A-pattern esotropia or exotropia in the presence of superior oblique overaction who underwent combined horizontal muscle surgery along with bilateral superior oblique posterior 7/8 tenectomy from 2003 to 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients with at least 3 months' follow-up were included. Results A total of 73 patients were included. Of these, 46 had esotropia; 27, exotropia. The preoperative A-pattern deviation for the study population was 19.6 Δ ± 11.4 Δ (range, 10-60), with a final postoperative patten collapse of 18.2 ± 3.6. Superior oblique overaction was 2.3 ± 0.7 preoperatively and 0.3 ± 0.7 postoperatively. Overall, 87.7% of patients had a successful collapse of their pattern to Δ following the initial bilateral superior oblique posterior tenectomy, with an additional 4.1% following a second procedure. Of patients with a pattern deviation of Δ , 87.9% had successful collapse of the pattern following 1 surgery, and 86.7% of patients who had a pattern of ≥25 Δ had successful collapse. Postoperatively, 7 patients demonstrated mild inferior oblique overaction. No surgical complications were noted. Conclusions A uniform dose of bilateral posterior 7/8 tenectomy surgery successfully collapses A-pattern deviations of all magnitudes.
Users plan optimization for participatory urban texture documentation

We envision participatory texture documentation (PTD) as a process in which a group of users (dedicated individuals and/or general public) with camera-equipped mobile phones participate in collaborative collection of urban texture information. PTD enables inexpensive, scalable and high quality urban texture documentation. We propose to implement PTD in two steps. At the first step, termed viewpoint selection, a minimum number of viewpoints in the urban environment are selected from which the texture of the entire urban environment (the part visible to cameras) with a desirable quality can be collected/captured. At the second step, called viewpoint assignment, the selected viewpoints are assigned to the participating users such that given a limited number of users with various constraints (e.g., restricted available time) users can collectively capture the maximum amount of texture information within a limited time interval. In this paper, we define each of these steps and prove that both are NP-hard problems. Accordingly, we propose efficient algorithms to implement the viewpoint selection and assignment problems. We study, profile and verify our proposed solutions comparatively by both rigorous analysis and extensive experiments.
Primary input cones based on test sequences in synchronous sequential circuits

When an output bi of a combinational circuit depends on a subset of inputs Ai, it is sufficient to specify values for inputs included in Ai during test generation for faults in the input cone of bi, which are detectable on bi. This property can be used to facilitate off-line and built-in test generation, and enhance test compaction, test data compression and test power reduction. In this work the authors investigate an analogous property of test sequences for synchronous sequential circuits. The authors demonstrate that a test subsequence for a target fault may need to specify values only for a subset of primary inputs, leaving the remaining primary inputs unspecified at all the time units of the test subsequence. Furthermore, test sequences obtained for different circuits by specifying different subsets of primary inputs in different parts of the sequence have certain common properties that are highlighted by the use of incompletely specified primary input vectors. These properties can be expressed in a circuit-independent form. The usefulness of these properties is demonstrated by using them as part of a simulation-based test generation procedure. The authors also discuss properties of the subsets of primary inputs that are useful in detecting target faults when their values are specified. These properties can be used to define primary input cones for a synchronous sequential circuit.
High- dose therapy with stem cell support in solid tumors

We describe some issues of ongoing studies and results in metastatic and high-risk breast cancer. Caution should be used to not over interpret the outcomes of these data given the patient selection. In other tumors with lesser developed studies, such as with ovarian cancer, non seminomatous germ cell tumors (NSGC), childhood sarcoma, melanoma and limited small cell carcinoma, promising outcomes in small phase II studies are identified and proposed or potential studies comparing high-dose therapy to conventional are outlined. High-dose therapy with either peripheral blood stem cell support (PBSC) or autologous bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) in Phase II studies on a diverse array of solid tumors shows exciting promise of long-term, disease-free survival. Comparative studies in early-stage patients are urgently needed to confirm these outcomes.
Measurement of the elastic modulus of porcine septal cartilage specimens following Nd:YAG laser treatment

In this study we measured the mechanical properties of porcine septal cartilage before and after Nd:YAG laser ((lambda) equals 1.32 micrometer, 21.22 W/cm 2 ) radiation using parameters and conditions encountered during laser-mediated cartilage reshaping. During laser irradiation, specimens were linearly translated at constant velocity while surface temperature was monitored radiometrically with a thermopile sensor. Irradiation was terminated when surface temperature reached approximately 70 degrees Celsius. Force versus displacement curves were generated in cantilevered specimens using a calibrated thin beam load cell and a single motorized micropositioner (velocity equals .762 mm/sec). Measurements were determined immediately before and after laser irradiation, and then following hydration in saline solution (40 minutes, 25 degrees Celsius). Elastic modulus was calculated using a model assuming linear viscoelastic behavior. Specimens boiled in saline (one hour, 100 degrees Celsius and then re-hydrated) were also evaluated as these tissues are completely denatured. The calculated moduli before and after irradiation were 4.86 plus or minus .145 and 1.166 plus or minus .055 Mpa respectively. Following re-hydration in saline, the modulus returned to near-baseline values (5.119 plus or minus .163 Mpa). In contrast, elasticity remained lower in specimens boiled and re-hydrated (3.25 plus or minus .130 Mpa). These findings suggest that cartilage matrix properties have not been significantly altered following laser irradiation and that the mechanical properties of the tissue are maintained.
Another Look at the Impact of the National Industrial Recovery Act on Cartel Formation and Maintenance Costs

Alexander's (1994) finding that the National Recovery Administration's Codes of Fair Competition led to a change in the critical concentration level during the 1930s is questioned. No regime switch is detected when a common industry sample is employed. Also, when industries with and without codes are analyzed, codes appear to have no effect on price–cost margins during the period. This absence of effect is postulated to be a result of the unenforceability of trade practice provisions contained in many codes. The empirical results of this paper suggest that the existence of codes was not sufficient to enable industries to overcome cartel formation costs. Only easily enforceable trade practice provisions appear to have affected the structure–performance relation in the period following repeal of the National Industrial Recovery Act.
WeeBot: A novel method for infant control of a robotic mobility device

A novel method for controlling a robotic mobility platform, the WeeBot, is presented. The WeeBot permits an infant seated on the robot to control its motion by leaning in the direction of desired movement. The WeeBot hardware and software are discussed and the results of a pilot feasibility study are presented. This study shows that after five training sessions typically developing infants ages six to nine months were able to demonstrate directed movement of the WeeBot.
Characterization of Damage Progression in SCS-6/TIMETAL 21S [0] 4 Under Thermomechanical Fatigue Loading

A detailed experimental investigation was performed at a single maximum cyclic stress (sigma max) level to physically characterize the progression of thermomechanical fatigue (lW) damage in continuously reinforced (0 deg) SCS-6/Timetal 21S, a titanium matrix composite. In-phase (IP) and out of-phase (OP) loadings were investigated at sigma max = 1000 MPa with a temperature cycle from 150 to 6500 C. Damage progression, in terms of macroscopic property degradation, was experimentally quantified through an advanced TMF test methodology which incorporates explicit measurements of the isothermal static moduli at the TMF temperature extremes and the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) as functions of the TMF cycles. Detailed characterization of the physical damage progression at the microstructural level was performed by interrupting multiple TMF tests at various stages of mechanical property degradation and analyzing the microstructure through extensive destructive metallography. Further, the extent of damage was also quantified through residual static strength measurements. Results indicated that damage initiation occurred very early in cyclic life (N less than 0.1Nf) for both the IP and OP TMF loadings. IP TMF damage was found to be dominated by fiber breakage with a physical damage progression in the microstructure which was difficult to quantify. OP TMF loadings produced matrix cracking exclusively associated with surface initiations. Here, damage progression was easily distinguished in terms of both the number of cracks and their relative inward progressions toward the outer fiber rows with increased cycling. The point at which the leading cracks reached the outer fiber rows (when localized fiber/matrix de-bonding and matrix crack bridging occurred) appeared to be reflected in the macroscopic property degradation curves.
Ndj1p-Dependent Epigenetic Resetting of Telomere Size in Yeast Meiosis

Telomeres are essential for the protection of chromosomes against nucleases and recombinases and for the addition of G+T-rich simple sequence by the ribonucleoprotein reverse transcriptase telomerase . Telomere size instability and loss of telomerase activity in somatic cells is strongly associated with both oncogenesis and aging . Yet, an understanding of the mechanisms that maintain telomere size and structure during meiosis is still in its infancy . We have investigated the stability of single elongated telomeres during yeast meiosis. We find that elongated telomeres undergo high rates of precise deletion to wild-type telomere size via an intrachromatid pathway that shares properties with mitotic telomere rapid deletion (TRD). Loss of Ndj1p, a telomeric protein necessary for meiotic bouquet structure formation , confers a severe reduction in deletion rates. Return-to-growth (RTG) experiments suggest that deletion occurs at or near the period of meiotic recombination in NDJ1/NDJ1, but not in ndj1Delta/ndj1Delta diploids . We propose that Ndj1p facilitates deletion by promoting telomeric interactions during meiosis, resulting in an effective increase in the concentration of limiting factors for deletion.
Necessary conditions for continuous parameter stochastic optimization problems

A maximum principle is derived for the problem where the system is the Ito equation \[dx = f(x,u,t)dt + \sigma (x,t)dz,\quad 0 \leqq t \leqq T,\] and the cost is of the form $Ex_0 (T) + Eh(x(T))$, where $x_0 (T)$ is the zeroth component of $x(T)$, and T is a real number. There are constraints of the type $E\tilde r_0 (x(0)) = 0$, $Er_i (x(t_i ),Ex(t_i )) = 0$, $i = 1, \cdots ,k$, $E\tilde q_i (x(t_i ),Ex(t_i )) \leqq 0$, $i = 0,1 \cdots ,k$, where $t_i $ are given real numbers. The paper adapts the general maximum principle of Neustadt to the above stochastic problem.
Optimizing Reservoir Resources: Including a New Model for Reservoir Reliability

Optimizing Reservoir Resources: Including a New Model for Reservoir Reliability is a fascinating blend of text and monograph with an unusual range of material. The first part is clearly textual and the second half reports on some very interesting research done for the Institute of Water Resources of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The successive chapters are evolutionary; one leads to another and offers a base for the subjects covered subsequently Part I contains five chapters on relatively established topics in water resources systems. These are the “text” chapters in the text-monograph combo referred to above.
Circulatory effects related to alterations of the ambient environment of the term fetal lamb.

The environmental temperature of term fetal lambs was altered by changing the temperature of water immersing the animals (Group I) or by release from warm water into room air (Group II). Circulatory changes suggesting sympathetic activation were observed with cooling by these methods (i.e., decreased peripheral blood flow, preservation of flow through the internal maxillary artery, tachycardia), accompanied by slight increase in adrenal secretion of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Since these effects were similar in both groups and only Group I lambs breathed vigorously with cooling, no circulatory factor was identified as vital in initiation of respiration in this manner.
Outdoor durability of a common type (tetrachlorophthalic acid-based) fire retardant glass fiber reinforced polyester (GRP) sheet

Fire retardant GRP sheets based on tetrachlorophthalic acid-modified polyester resin subjected to either artificial or natural weathering undergo two types of surface deterioration (breakdown at the glass-resin interface resulting in fibre prominence and surface microcracking) 2.5 to 3 times faster than conventional sheets. Exposure to humidity-temperature cycles produces fibre prominence at comparable rates for both types of GRP sheets, but does not induce formation of surface microcracking.
Educational software packages for the One Laptop Per Child (OLPC) XO laptop

The goal of the One Laptop Per Child program is "to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves." To stay true to this vision, educational software packages must be engaging and interactive. However, due to the XO Laptop's modest system components, the software must be very efficient in utilizing the laptop's resources.This paper describes the One Laptop Per Child program, the XO Laptop, and the steps that need to be taken to successfully develop an educational program using Python and Pygame and port it to the XO.
OXYBUTYNIN LOWERS ELEVATED RENAL PELVIC PRESSURES IN A RAT CONGENITAL UNILATERAL HYDRONEPHROSIS

AbstractWe investigated whether oxybutynin could lower elevated renal pelvic pressures measured in a rat with an inbred unilateral congenital hydronephrosis. Simultaneous renal pelvic and bladder pressures were measured in 8 hydronephrotic rats and compared to those of 10 hydronephrotic rats treated with intravenous injection of 1.6 mg./kg. oxybutynin. Pressures were recorded at different urinary flow rates and during bladder filling and emptying. Hydronephrotic rats not given oxybutynin showed significantly higher renal pelvic pressures (e.g. p-bladder at 50% capacity = 8.9 +/- 3.1 cm. H2 O, corresponding p-pelvis = 20.8 +/- 2.1 at very high urinary flow rates) than rats treated with oxybutynin. The latter had renal pelvic pressures similar to rats with normal non-hydronephrotic kidneys (e.g. p-bladder at 50% capacity = 10.1 +/- 3.5 cm. H2 O, corresponding p-pelvis = 6.3 +/- 1.1 at very high urinary flow rates). Renal pelvic pressures were, moreover, lower than corresponding bladder pressures in contrast...
Stimulation of the Rate of Acid Production by Lactobacilli in Media Containing a Capsular Substance from Micrococci

Abstract Acid production in milk by 13 of 14 lactobacilli isolated from Cheddar cheese was stimulated by the addition of capsular material from micrococci. Capsular preparations from 18 micrococci isolated from the same Cheddar cheese stimulated acid production of a Lactobacillus isolate. These capsular preparations also stimulated acid production by lactic streptococci as well as Streptococcus thermophilus . They contained sialic acid, N-acetylhexosamine and riboflavin. The stimulatory factor was heat stable.
Transferabilities of Urban Travel Demand Models

This paper presents an analysis of recent investigations on the transferability of passenger travel demand models under different empirical and policy conditions. The results of this study generally indicate that with proper selection of urban areas the transferability of demand models is possible under similar empirical and policy conditions. Specific findings of this study include: (1) “Universal” models accounted only for partial urban character and thus met only partial success; (2) the change of transportation policy variable at a small scale has no significant impact on the model transferability; (3) the change in base conditions of socio‐economic variables has profound influence on model transferability; (4) demand models are temporally stable over a period equal to or less than 12 years; and (5) the model transferability can be ranked in order of household models, zonal average models and zonal models. It is hoped that these study findings would make a significant contribution to travel demand est...
Laparoscopic repair of traumatic perforation of the urinarybladder

Laparoscopy as a diagnostic modality in trauma has been reported. However, therapeutic laparoscopy for trauma remains a controversial subject. We present a case of laparoscopic repair of a traumatic bladder rupture. A 25-year-old man was brought to the emergency room after a head-on collision. Physical examination was unremarkable with the exception of gross hematuria upon insertion of a urinary catheter. Computed tomography scan of the abdomen demonstrated a small amount of free intraperitoneal fluid. An anteroposterior cystogram was obtained which showed no intraperitoneal or extraperitoneal leak. Repeat examinations of the abdomen revealed a mild tenderness in the lower abdomen. Because of the presence of unexplained free intraperitoneal fluid and equivocal signs of peritoneal irritation, exploratory laparoscopy was performed. Three 5-mm ports and a 5-mm laparoscope were used. Laparoscopic examination of the abdomen revealed a 4-cm rupture at the dome of the bladder. The laceration was sutured in two layers using an intracorporeal technique. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day with indwelling urinary catheter. Eight days after the operation, a repeated cystogram revealed no evidence of leak. We believe that laparoscopic exploration for trauma in hemodynamically stable patients is feasible. The repair of simple intraabdominal injuries such as bladder rupture can be safely performed.
Consequences of erudite vernacular utilized irrespective of necessity: problems with using long words needlessly

Most texts on writing style encourage authors to avoid overly-complex words. However, a majority of undergraduates admit to deliberately increasing the complexity of their vocabulary so as to give the impression of intelligence. This paper explores the extent to which this strategy is effective. Experiments 1–3 manipulate complexity of texts and find a negative relationship between complexity and judged intelligence. This relationship held regardless of the quality of the original essay, and irrespective of the participants' prior expectations of essay quality. The negative impact of complexity was mediated by processing fluency. Experiment 4 directly manipulated fluency and found that texts in hard to read fonts are judged to come from less intelligent authors. Experiment 5 investigated discounting of fluency. When obvious causes for low fluency exist that are not relevant to the judgement at hand, people reduce their reliance on fluency as a cue; in fact, in an effort not to be influenced by the irrelevant source of fluency, they over-compensate and are biased in the opposite direction. Implications and applications are discussed. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The PPARγ agonist pioglitazone crosses the blood-brain barrier and reduces tumor growth in a human xenograft model.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), a member of the nuclear hormone receptor family, represents a target in glioma therapy due to its antineoplastic effects in vitro on human glioma cell lines. We investigate the antineoplastic effects of the PPARγ agonist pioglitazone (pio) in a human glioma xenograft model to define the minimal required dose to induce antineoplastic effects. Additionally, we assess the ability of pio to cross the blood–brain barrier by measuring brain parenchymal concentration after oral administration. Human LN-229 cells were injected into the striatum of Balb/cJHanHsd-Prkdc-scid mice. Tumor volumes, invasion, proliferation and parenchymal pio concentrations were measured in this xenograft model after continuous intracerebral drug administration through an osmotic pump or after oral administration. Continuous intracerebral or oral administration of pio reduced tumor volumes, invasion, and proliferation in vivo. To achieve a significant antineoplastic effect, pio needed to be dosed at 240 PPM in the oral group and >1 μM when delivered intracerebrally. After oral pio administration, the drug reached >1 nM levels in brain parenchyma. These data indicate that pioglitazone crosses the blood–brain barrier and has antineoplastic effects in this glioma xenograft model and may be of potential use in treatment of malignant gliomas.
Why are enzymes so big

Abstract The size of enzyme may be related to their need to have sufficient surface area to contain specific binding sites for their localization in a cell and for their integration into metabolic complexes.
Abstract 1401: SYK promotes tumor progression in ovarian cancer cell lines

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Identification of novel drug targets in ovarian cancers has focused on expression of genes in the tyrosine kinase family. We have previously shown that the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) gene was expressed in 73% of 55 ovarian cancer specimens, compared to 26% of 60 breast cancer specimens. Previous studies established the role of SYK in tumor progression. Among its many targets, SYK can bind microtubules and other molecules associated with the cytoskeleton. We found SYK to be expressed in 6 of 10 ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Because of the ability of SYK to bind to microtubules, we studied the relationship of SYK expression to cellular migration. We examined several ovarian cancer cell lines that variably express SYK to elucidate the potential effects of SYK on cell migration. Our results demonstrate that knockdown of SYK expression by siRNA resulted in a decreased capability of cells to migrate using a traditional wound scratch assay. The duration of this effect was dependant upon cell line used suggesting that additional protein targets may be involved in the migratory process. The potential effects of SYK expression on invasion are currently being investigated. We will evaluate potential upstream and downstream targets to elucidate the pathway(s) responsible for SYK effects and compare within the cell lines examined. Understanding the growth signals and proteins potentially responsible for invasion and metastasis in ovarian cancer cell lines and tumor samples may eventually lead to new therapeutic approaches for ovarian cancers. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1401. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-1401
Recognition and management of anaphylaxis to vaccines.

Anaphylaxis following immunization is very rare—about one case per 1.5 million doses of vaccine.1 However, immunizing pharmacists must be ready to respond quickly with each immunization, because anaphylaxis can occur without warning at any time. Classic anaphylaxis is mediated by a class of antibodies called immunoglobulin E. In such cases, the individual was exposed to one or more antigens in a vaccine dose earlier in life and became sensitized. However, the allergen does not have to be in the same form at reexposure. For example, an individual who is truly allergic to eggs (a rare situation) may have had an exposure to eggs in his/ her diet and then experience an anaphylactic reaction when receiving an influenza vaccine.
The role of external responsiveness in drinking restraint

The self-control processes governing the use of potentially addictive substances depend, at least in part, on the exercise of intentional self-restraint. Perhaps surprisingly, the extent of effort directed toward restraint may be associated positively, in some circumstances, with actual control failure. The present study examined the possible role of heightened responsiveness to external cues in the ineffective self-control efforts of some social drinkers. External responsiveness has been linked to severe self-control deficits, such as those evidenced by obesity and alcoholism. It was predicted that restrained drinkers (those who are preoccupied with control over alcohol consumption) would also show heightened responsiveness to external taste cues, moderating their self-control efforts in a delay-of-gratification paradigm. A sample of 62 restrained and 45 unrestrained social drinkers were offered a choice between immediate access to their nonpreferred beers and delayed access to their preferred beers. The taste differential (difference between preferred and nonpreferred beers) was varied. As predicted, the delay decisions of restrained drinkers were influenced significantly more by the taste differential compared with unrestrained drinkers. This effect occurred across light and heavy habitual drinking levels. Also, unlike unrestrained drinkers, restrained drinkers who chose the immediate gratification (and who, presumably, perceived their self-control efforts as having failed) increased their subsequent beer consumption. Implications of these findings for understanding self-control processes in alcohol consumption are discussed.
Spert-II: a vector microprocessor system

The Spert-II fixed point vector microprocessor system performs training and recall faster than commercial workstations for neural networks used in speech recognition research. We have packaged a prototype full custom vector microprocessor, TO, as the Spert-II (Synthetic Perceptron Testbed II) workstation accelerator system. We originally developed Spert-II to accelerate multiparameter neural network training for speech recognition research. Our speech research algorithms constantly change. Also, neural nets are often integrated with other tasks to form complete applications. We thus desired a general purpose, easily programmable accelerator that could speed up a range of tasks.
Ground simulation investigation of helicopter decelerating instrument approaches

In connection with the expansion of civil helicopter operations in the current era, the effect of helicopter flight and control characteristics on the flying qualities for instrument flight rules (IFR) flight have become a factor of concern, and a research program has been initiated to investigate IFR certification criteria. A description is presented of an experiment which is the sixth in a series of ground- and flight-simulation investigations. This piloted-simulator experiment was conducted to examine the influence of stability-control augmentation, display information format, and approach-task effects on helicopter flying qualities for terminal-area operations incorporating a deceleration in instrument meteorological conditions. Simulated test configurations were evaluated for precision approaches with an instrument deceleration from 60 to about 15 knots in both calm air and simulated moderate turbulence and wind shear.
Tone-Evoked Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Conductances of Primary Auditory Cortex Neurons

In primary auditory cortex (AI) neurons, tones typically evoke a brief depolarization, which can lead to spiking, followed by a long-lasting hyperpolarization. The extent to which the hyperpolarization is due to synaptic inhibition has remained unclear. Here we report in vivo whole cell voltage-clamp measurements of tone-evoked excitatory and inhibitory synaptic conductances of AI neurons of the pentobarbital-anesthetized rat. Tones evoke an increase of excitatory synaptic conductance, followed by an increase of inhibitory synaptic conductance. The synaptic conductances can account for the gross time course of the typical membrane potential response. Synaptic excitation and inhibition have the same frequency tuning. As tone intensity increases, the amplitudes of synaptic excitation and inhibition increase, and the latency of synaptic excitation decreases. Our data indicate that the interaction of synaptic excitation and inhibition shapes the time course and frequency tuning of the spike responses of AI neurons.
Calcium-Induced Release of 5-Hydroxytryptamine from Thyroid Lobes in Vitro and Accompanying Ultrastructural Changes in Parafollicular and Follicular Cells*

Biogenic amines, including serotonin (5- HT), have been shown to activate follicular cells of the thyroid. 5-HT is stored in bat's parafollicular cells. Previous radioautographical evidence indicates that this 5- HT is present in calcitonin granules. The present study was done to determine if Ca++, the natural stimulus to calcitonin release, would also release parafollicular cell 5-HT and, if so, whether this release would be accompanied by activation of follicular cells. Parafollicular cells were filled with labeled 5-HT by incubation of thyroid lobes of bats or mice with 5- [3H]hydroxytryptophan, the precursor of [3H]5-HT. Thyroid lobes were incubated vitro in Ca++-free medium containing a chelating agent and were then challenged with Ca++ (0-30 mM). Release of [3H]5-HT was detected beginning at 5 mM Ca++. [3H]5-HT release was roughly proportional to the Ca++ concentration. Calcium challenge also affected thyroid ultrastructure in bats. After 10-min exposure to 30 mM Ca++, there were an increased number...
Vaginal politics: Tensions and possibilities in The Vagina Monologues

Synopsis We are feminists in our 50s who first became activists in the women's health movement when we were in our 20s. In 2002 we performed in The Vagina Monologues and participated in the 2002 V-Day College Campaign to end violence against women. We use our experiences “then” in the women's health movement and “now” in the College Campaign as a lens through which to introduce a “worry” about “a culture of vaginas” that the play's author, Eve Ensler does not adequately address. Our focus is the differing ways that the body, and in particular the vagina, has been politicized in these two feminist eras. Our concern relates to what we see as the unproblematized tension between a celebration of the pleasures of the body and the politics that underlie the play and the movement it has spawned. We worry whether or not our sense of disquiet and recognition signals both a recapitulation of 1970s women's health politics and their limitations and a failure to learn from critiques of this form of “globalized” feminism.
Noble Gases in Ice Cores: Indicators of the Earth’s Climate History

Polar ice cores constitute excellent archives of past environmental conditions and provide us with glimpses into the Earth’s climatic history over hundreds of thousands of years. For the past two decades, noble gases, used as conservative tracers, have played a substantial role in extracting information from these archives. Noble gas analysis can be performed on two types of ice core samples. First, atmospheric air, trapped in bubbles in polar ice, can be extracted and analyzed for its noble gas composition. Variations in the isotopic and elemental composition of noble gases reveal changes in the composition of the paleoatmosphere or the impact of climate-related physical processes acting when the air was enclosed. For example, thermal fractionation allows for the creation of a ‘gas isotope thermometer’ in ice cores. Second, particles that were deposited on the surface snow and incorporated in the ice matrix can be analyzed for their noble gas isotope composition. These analyses reveal information about the input and origin of both terrestrial aerosols and extraterrestrial dust. The conservative nature of noble gases, ensuring that such fingerprints will be preserved over long periods of time, and the exceptionally good dating of polar ice cores make noble gas analysis of ice cores a versatile tool to study a wide spectrum of geochemical and paleoclimatic processes: from constraints on the magnitude of temperature changes during abrupt climate transitions in the Earth’s history, to determining the rate of Argon-40 degassing from the solid Earth over its history, or quantifying variations in the accretion of extraterrestrial dust on the Earth’s surface. Below, we present case studies to review some of the applications of noble gas analysis in the polar ice archive, both in trapped air bubbles and in particles incorporated in the ice matrix.
The role of meiotic drive in hybrid male sterility

Meiotic drive causes the distortion of allelic segregation away from Mendelian expected ratios, often also reducing fecundity and favouring the evolution of drive suppressors. If different species evolve distinct drive-suppressor systems, then hybrid progeny may be sterile as a result of negative interactions of these systems' components. Although the hypothesis that meiotic drive may contribute to hybrid sterility, and thus species formation, fell out of favour early in the 1990s, recent results showing an association between drive and sterility have resurrected this previously controversial idea. Here, we review the different forms of meiotic drive and their possible roles in speciation. We discuss the recent empirical evidence for a link between drive and hybrid male sterility, also suggesting a possible mechanistic explanation for this link in the context of chromatin remodelling. Finally, we revisit the population genetics of drive that allow it to contribute to speciation.
Deficiency of RecA-dependent RecFOR and RecBCD pathways causes increased instability of the (GAA*TTC)n sequence when GAA is the lagging strand template.

The most common mutation in Friedreich ataxia is an expanded (GAATTC)n sequence, which is highly unstable in human somatic cells and in the germline. The mechanisms responsible for this genetic instability are poorly understood. We previously showed that cloned (GAATTC)n sequences repli- cated in Escherichia coli are more unstable when GAA is the lagging strand template, suggesting erroneous lagging strand synthesis as the likely mechanism for the genetic instability. Here we show that the increase in genetic instability when GAA serves as the lagging strand template is seen in RecA-deficient but not RecA-proficient strains. We also found the same orientation-dependent increase in instability in a RecA + temperature-sensitive E. coli SSB mutant strain (ssb-1). Since stalling of replica- tion is known to occur within the (GAATTC)n sequence when GAA is the lagging strand template, we hypothesized that genetic stability of the (GAATTC)n sequence may require efficient RecA- dependent recombinational restart of stalled replica- tion forks. Consistent with this hypothesis, we noted significantly increased instability when GAA was the lagging strand template in strains that were deficient in components of the RecFOR and RecBCD pathways. Our data implicate defective processing of stalled replication forks as a mechanism for genetic instability of the (GAATTC)n sequence.
Improved merging of datapath operators using information content and required precision analysis

We introduce the notions of required precision and information content of datapath signals and use them to define functionally safe transformations on data flow graphs. These transformations reduce widths of datapath operators and enhance their mergeability. Using efficient algorithms to compute required precision and information content of signals, we define a new algorithm for partitioning a data flow graph consisting of datapath operators into mergeable clusters. Experimental results indicate that use of our clustering algorithm for operator merging based synthesis of datapath intensive designs, can lead to significant improvement in the delay and area of the implementation.
Demonstration of 5-hydroxytryptamine in blood platelets by a formaldehyde-induced fluorescence technique.

Blood smears from normal and reserpinized rabbits were dried in a desiccator and treated with gaseous formaldehyde. The normal blood smears showed an intense yellow fluorescence due to serotonin in platelets. Fluorescence was weak or absent in the smears of the reserpinized rabbits. A standard serotonin assay of the bloods confirmed a normal 5-hydroxytryptamine content in untreated rabbits while reserpinized rabbits had a low or zero 5-hydroxytryptamine level. This is a simple method for detecting the presence or absence of 5-hydroxytryptamine in the blood.
Data Analytics and Human Trafficking

Human trafficking is recognized internationally as an extreme form of violence against women, children, and men. Despite the fact that human trafficking is universally understood to be a burgeoning social problem, a paucity of data and insight into this issue exists. Data analytics has immense potential to elucidate trends in complex social data and inform future policy. We undertook a design science-inspired research approach to build datasets on human trafficking. Three prototypes are presented that describe the methodologies of human traffickers, display correlations between calls reporting suspected trafficking activity and various demographic data, and explicate the effectiveness of US anti-trafficking funding projects.
Effect of protein coating of flocked swabs on the collection and release of clinically important bacteria

Clinical swab heads are often coated with biopolymers to improve the recovery and survival of organisms. To assess the effect of swab head material coating, water absorption capacity and capture and release characteristics of four pathogenic bacteria from protein coated and uncoated flocked swabs were determined. Demonstration of no uniformly higher recovery of all test bacteria from coated swabs over their corresponding uncoated swabs suggest importance of physicochemical properties of swab tip material compared with biopolymer coating, for swab selection for clinical applications.
Systemic morphine produce antinociception mediated by spinal 5-HT7, but not 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors in the spinal cord

Background and purpose: The serotonergic system within the spinal cord have been proposed to play an important role in the analgesic effects of systemic morphine. Currently, seven groups of 5-HT receptors (5-HT1–7) have been characterized. One of the most recently identified subtypes of 5 HT receptor is the 5-HT7 receptor. We aimed to examine the role of spinal 5-HT7 receptors in the antinociceptive effects of systemic morphine. Experimental approach: The involvement of spinal 5-HT7 receptor in systemic morphine antinociception was compared to that of the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2 receptors by using the selective 5-HT7 receptor antagonist, SB-269970, the selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist, WAY 100635, the selective 5-HT2 antagonist ketanserin as well as the non-selective 5-HT1,2,7 receptor antagonist, metergoline. Nociception was evaluated by the radiant heat tail-flick test. Key results: I.t. administration of SB-269970 (10 μg) and metergoline (20 μg) completely blocked the s.c. administered morphine-induced (1, 3, 5 and 10 mg kg−1) antinociception in a time-dependent manner. Additionally, i.t. administration of SB-269970 (1, 3, 10 and 20 μg) and metergoline (1, 5, 10 and 20 μg) dose dependently inhibited the antinociceptive effects of a maximal dose of morphine (10 mg kg−1, s.c.). I.t. administration of WAY 100635 (20 μg) or ketanserine (20 μg) did not alter morphine-induced (1, 3, 5 and 10 mg kg−1, s.c.) antinociception. Conclusion and implications: These findings indicate that the involvement of spinal 5-HT7, but not of 5-HT1A or of 5-HT2 receptors in the antinociceptive effects of systemic morphine. British Journal of Pharmacology (2006) 149, 498–505. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706854
Magnetismus in ultradünnen Schichten: Auf dem Weg zum Datenspeicher der Zukunft

Die herausragende Bedeutung magnetischer Materialien fur unsere Zivilisation zeigt sich bei der Aufzeichnung von analogen und digitalen Daten in Form von Bandern zur Speicherung von Bild oder Ton oder als Festplatten oder Disketten in Computern. Kaum ein Bereich hat in den letzten Jahrzehnten eine ahnlich rasante Entwicklung durchgemacht, sowohl in technologischer und wirtschaftlicher, aber auch in wissenschaftlicher Hinsicht.
Role of glucan and surface protein BAD1 in complement activation by Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast.

Our previous studies showed that Blastomyces dermatitidis yeast activates the human complement system, leading to deposition of opsonic complement fragments onto the yeast surface. This report examines the influence of altered surface expression of glucan or BAD1 protein (formerly WI-1) on the yeast's ability to activate and bind C3. Compared to the wild type, a glucan-deficient mutant yeast delayed initiation of C3 deposition and reduced C3-binding capacity by 50%. Linkage of baker's-yeast β-glucan to the glucan-deficient yeast restored initial C3 deposition kinetics to the wild-type level and partially restored C3-binding capacity, suggesting that β-glucan is an initiator of complement activation and a C3 acceptor. The role of BAD1 in B. dermatitidis yeast-complement interaction was also assessed. BAD1 knockout yeast initiated faster C3 deposition and increased C3-binding capacity compared to the wild-type yeast or a BAD1-reconstituted yeast, suggesting either a lack of an intrinsic ability in BAD1 or an inhibitory role of BAD1 in complement activation and binding. However, both complement activation and the capacity for C3 binding by the wild-type yeast were enhanced in normal human serum supplemented with an anti-BAD1 monoclonal antibody (MAb) or in immune sera from blastomycosis patients. Microscopic analysis revealed that more initial C3-binding sites were formed on yeast in the presence of both naturally occurring complement initiators and exogenous anti-BAD1 MAb, suggesting that anti-BAD1 antibody enhanced the ability of B. dermatitidis yeast to interact with the host complement system. Thus, glucan and BAD1 have distinctly different regulatory effects on complement activation by B. dermatitidis.
The Effect of Chlorine Substitution on the Dermal Absorption of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract The fate of selected mono-, di-, tetra-, and hexachlorobiphenyls was investigated following single dermal administration (0.4 mg/kg) to determine the effects of chlorine substitution on the dermal absorption and disposition of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Single dermal doses of 14 C-labeled mono-, di-, tetra-, and hexachlorobiphenyls were administered to 1-cm 2 areas on the backs of F-344 male rats. Unabsorbed radioactivity was removed from the dose site either at euthanasia or 48 h postdose. Distribution of radioactivity in the dose site and selected tissues was determined by serial sacrifice at time points up to 2 weeks. Dermal penetration varied inversely with degree of chlorination and at 48 h ranged from ca. 100% for monochlorobiphenyl to ca. 30% for the hexachlorobiphenyl. Penetration rate constants correlated well with log K ow . PCBs were retained in the epidermis for up to 2 weeks postdose. The data from these studies suggest that systemic absorption of PCBs involves a combination of sequential processes including penetration across the stratum corneum, possibly metabolism in the epidermis and/or dermis, adsorption to proteins, and finally absorption into the systemic circulation. The skin favors the rapid absorption of less chlorinated PCBs, but the relatively rapid metabolism and elimination of these compounds would result in lower body burdens. More highly chlorinated PCBs penetrate less rapidly but remain in the site of exposure and slowly enter the systemic circulation. The dermal absorption of a commercial PCB mixture was modeled, and the results suggest that the net result of the differences in absorbance rates would be a greater body burden of higher chlorinated PCBs relative to those that have a lower chlorine content.
Intracranial pressure monitor in patients with traumatic brain injury

Background Brain Trauma Foundation (BTF) guidelines recommend intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring for traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8 or less with an abnormal head computed tomography, or a normal head computed tomography scan with systolic blood pressure ≤90 mm Hg, posturing, or in patients of age ≥40. The benefits of these guidelines on outcome remain unproven. We hypothesized that adherence to BTF guidelines for ICP monitoring does not improve outcomes in patients with TBI. Methods All TBI patients with an admission Glasgow Coma Scale ≤8 admitted to our level I trauma center over a 3-y period were identified. Adherence to the individual components of our institutional TBI Bundle (ICP monitoring, SpO2 ≥95%, PaCO2 30–39 mm Hg, systolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg, cerebral perfusion pressure ≥60 mm Hg, ICP ≤25 mm Hg, and temperature 36°C–37°C) was assessed. Patients were stratified into two groups as follows: patients with ICP monitoring (ICP) and patients without ICP monitoring (no-ICP). Outcome measures were survival and discharge disposition. Multivariate regression analysis was performed. Results We identified 2618 TBI patients, 261 of whom met the BTF criteria for ICP monitoring. After excluding those with nonsurvivable injuries (n = 67), 194 patients were available for analysis. The two groups were similar in demographics and severity of head injury. Survival rate was higher in the no-ICP group compared with that in the ICP group (98% versus 76%, P < 0.004). Non-monitored patients were discharged with higher levels of function per discharge location (28% home versus 4% home; P < 0.001). Patients without ICP monitoring were 1.21 times more likely to survive compared with that of patients with ICP monitoring (odds ratio: 1.21, 95% confidence interval [1.1–1.9], P = 0.01). In the ICP group, the overall compliance rate to the ICP and cerebral perfusion pressure goals as required by the BTF guidelines was poor. Conclusions Our data suggest that there is a subset of patients meeting BTF criteria for ICP monitoring that do well without ICP monitoring. This finding should provoke reevaluation of the indication and utility of ICP monitoring in TBI patients.
Families, Prisons, and Men with Death Sentences: The Human Impact of Structured Uncertainty

This article examines the impact on family members of the uncertainty surrounding the institutionalization of a loved one. Detailed observations and interviews were conducted with several men sentenced to death in Florida and with their families. The stresses of death row confinement for both the family and inmate are outlined. It is found that the stresses of death row have major consequences for family and friends, with some withdrawing and others reacting with renewed support. These reactions can in turn produce additional tension for the inmate. Conditions that inhibit a family's ability to cope with the situation are also discussed, such as restrictions on families talking with one another in the visiting room and the lack of opportunity to phone their incarcerated member.