cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of an MMPI Short Form with Literate and Illiterate Patients

An Improved Readability Form (IRF) of the MMPI was orally administered to 100 literate and 119 illiterate patients, and 140 literate patients were given the full MMPI with standard instructions. Profile comparisons of the MMPI with the IRF given to literates or extracted from the full MMPI yielded only small differences. The much larger differences in the IRF profiles of the illiterates were removed by controlling statistically for sex, race, age, and education. The IRF, when given to literate patients, was a good substitute for the full MMPI in predicting Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale scores. For the illiterates, the two most salient relationships with scores on the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale were preserved, but several weaker associations were qualitatively altered. When the IRF is administered to illiterate patients, the pattern of clinical correlates may differ from those obtained with literate patients given the IRF or MMPI.
Septal lesions and avoidance behavior: genetic, neurochemical and behavioral considerations.

Abstract Previous research found that the effects of septal lesions on active and passive avoidance behavior were dramatically determined by the genotype of the mouse employed. We present here a series of experiments which attempted to described how septal lesions affect these lines as reflected in behaviors known to be sensitive to such brain damage and how such changes might relate to those seen in avoidance behavior. We examined turnover rates and levels of catecholamines and changes in sensory/motor reactivity in a series of 5 experiments. Although many of our measures were markedly altered by interactions between genotype and lesion, a simple predictive relationship between such changes and avoidance behavior was not observed. Our results emphasize the critical need to establish extensive behavioral “profiles” which take into account task and genotypic considerations in the analysis and interpretation of the impact which brain damage has on behavior.
Tracker Readout ASIC for Proton Computed Tomography Data Acquisition

A unique CMOS chip has been designed to serve as the front-end of the tracking detector data acquisition system of a pre-clinical prototype scanner for proton computed tomography (pCT). The scanner is to be capable of measuring one to two million proton tracks per second, so the chip must be able to digitize the data and send it out rapidly while keeping the front-end amplifiers active at all times. One chip handles 64 consecutive channels, including logic for control, calibration, triggering, buffering, and zero suppression. It outputs a formatted cluster list for each trigger, and a set of field programmable gate arrays merges those lists from many chips to build the events to be sent to the data acquisition computer. The chip design has been fabricated, and subsequent tests have demonstrated that it meets all of its performance requirements, including excellent low-noise performance.
The role of discursive features in SLA modeling and grammatical frequency – a response to Cheng, Lu and Giannakouros

Initial studies on the acquisition of two Spanish copulas, ser and estar, emerged from a research agenda exploring whether second language (L2) development was driven by universal mechanisms manifested in stages rather than an accumulation of entities (Rutherford, 1987). Concerning the Spanish copulas, the stages of acquisition through which Spanish L2 learners pass seem – with a few exceptions – to be largely uniform (e.g. estar + locative, ser/estar + adjective; VanPatten, 1987; Ryan & Lafford, 1992; Geeslin, 2000). Cheng, Lu and Giannakouros provide one of the first studies which partially test the assumption of universality, examining Mandarin Chinese speakers' copula behaviors over different levels of development. The work of Geeslin as well as Cheng, Lu and Giannakouros is valuable not so much because it provides insights into copula development but rather because this work is building a model for predicting the interaction in general terms between aspectual, semantic, and pragmatic factors and the acquisition of both grammatical and lexical L2 phenomena.
Transfer of Gases at Natural Air-Water Interfaces

Abstract The natural exchange of gases across an air-water interface is an important mechanism that can be quantified. The mass-transfer coefficients characterizing the liquid phase can be predicted using certain models representing the liquid phase turbulence. Methods have been developed to approximate the necessary input parameters. Predictions of the models yielded liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficients well within an order of magnitude of experimental data at air-water interfaces.
Strain differences between albino and pigmented rats in monoamine-synthesizing enzyme activities of brain, retina and adrenal gland.

The present study compared the activities of some of the monoamine synthesizing enzymes in several brain regions, the retina as well as adrenal gland of albino Sprague-Dawley (SD) and Long-Evans hooded (LE) rats. Brainstem, hypothalamic and retinal tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity were significantly higher in LE than in SD. In addition to higher enzyme activity, a larger number of TH-immunoreactive perikarya as well as a higher concentration of TH-immunoreactive processess were observed in the retina of LE rats. There was no strain difference in TH activity of caudate nucleus (CN) and substantia nigra (SN). In contrast to brain regions and retina, adrenal TH activity was markedly higher in SD than in LE animals. AromaticL-amino acid decar☐ylase (AADC) activity of both the brainstem and adrenal gland in the LE strain was lower than in SD animals. No differences in the AADC activity of hypothalamus, SN and CN were found between LE and SD strains. Phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT) activity of the hypothalamus, retina and adrenal gland of LE strains was significantly lower than in SD rats. In spite of the difference in the enzyme activity, there were no marked morphological changes observed in PNMT-immunostaining patterns between the retina of LE and SD rats. Tryptophan hydroxylase activity of both the brainstem and hypothalamus did not exhibit strain differences. Our results indicated that (1) there are significant differences in catecholamine synthesizing enzyme activities of various brain regions, retina and adrenal gland between pigmented and albino rat strains; (2) thus strain differences in TH enzyme activity paralleled the morphological changes in retinal TH staining; and (3) positively correlated with the presence of pigment.
Product Binding to the Diiron(III) and Mixed-Valence Diiron Centers of Methane Monooxygenase Hydroxylase Studied by 1,2H and 19F ENDOR Spectroscopy

The binding of ethanol and 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol (TFE) to both the Hmv and Hox forms of soluble methane monooxygenase (sMMO) in solution has been studied by Q-band (35 GHz) CW and pulsed ENDOR spectroscopy of 1H, 2H and 19F nuclei of exogenous ligands. As part of this investigation we introduce 19F, in this case from bound TFE, as a new probe for the binding of small molecules to a metalloenzyme active site. The Hmv form was prepared in solution by chemical reduction of Hox. For study of Hox itself, frozen solutions were subjected to γ-irradiation in the frozen solution state at 77 K, which affords an EPR-visible mixed-valent diiron center, denoted (Hox)mv, held in the geometry of the diiron(III) state. The 19F and 2H ENDOR spectra of bound TFE together with 1,2H ENDOR spectra of bound ethanol indicate that the alcohols bind close to the Fe(II) ion of the mixed-valence cluster in Hmv and in a bridging or semi-bridging fashion to Hox. DMSO does not affect the binding of either of the ethanols or of methan...
Origins of opposite absolute stereoselectivities in proline-catalyzed direct Mannich and aldol reactions.

The first computational studies to elucidate the stereoselectivity of the proline-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction have been performed using density functional theory (B3LYP/6-31G*). The transition states for the proline-catalyzed direct Mannich reaction of the proline enamine of acetone with the N-phenyl imine of acetaldehyde are reported here. The computed transition states provide a general model that explains the origin of the opposite stereoselectivities of proline-catalyzed Mannich and aldol reactions.
Adiponectin and negative mood in healthy premenopausal and postmenopausal women

Negative mood and stress are associated with cardiovascular and metabolic disease. There are likely many physiological mechanisms underlying the poor health outcomes. The relationship of psychological states (negative mood, life stress, and stress-responsive hormones) and adiponectin, an adipokine that promotes insulin sensitivity, was investigated in two separate studies. The two groups of participants included 52 healthy, premenopausal women, and 63 postmenopausal women with a range of stress levels. The relationship between adiponectin and psychological state (perceived stress and negative mood) was examined cross-sectionally in both groups of participants, but also prospectively (1 year later) in the group of postmenopausal women. In premenopausal women, negative mood and nocturnal urinary epinephrine were significantly related to adiponectin, independent of BMI. In postmenopausal women, negative mood was not associated with adiponectin cross-sectionally, but negative mood was a significant predictor for lower levels of adiponectin 1 year later, independent of initial adiponectin concentrations and changes in body mass index. Lastly, having a depressive disorder was related to lower adiponectin. As adiponectin levels are associated with insulin resistance, obesity, and diabetes mellitus, these findings suggest there may be an adiponectin-mediated pathway explaining in part how negative mood affects metabolic health. Mechanistic studies are needed to explore this potential relationship further.
Primary amines and chloroquine inhibit cytotoxic responses to Shigella toxin and permit late antibody rescue of toxin treated cells

Abstract The effect of lysosomotropic agents and primary amine inhibitors of transglutaminase on Shigella toxin activity in HeLa cells was determined by measuring cytotoxicity and late antibody rescue. All agents tested resulted in significant antibody rescue, but only ammonium chloride, dansylcadaverine, putrescine, bacitracin, serine/borate buffer, and chloroquine were inhibitory in the absence of added antibody. These compounds appear to be acting within the endocytic vacuole and/or inhibiting translocation of toxin from the cell surface to the cytosol. These data are consistent with a mechanism of translocation of ST from the cell surface to the cytosol by the process of receptor mediated endocytosis.
A Double-Blind Trial of Fluoxetine in Pathologic Skin Picking

Background Our objective was to determine the efficacy of fluoxetine in the treatment of pathologic skin picking in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial. Method Twenty-one adults with chronic pathologic skin picking agreed to participate and received 10 weeks of placebo or fluoxetine with a flexible dosing schedule up to 80 mg/day. Three skin-picking measures were employed: the Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I) scale, the Skin Picking Treatment Scale (SPTS), and a visual analog scale of self-rated change (VAS). In addition, depression, anxiety, and obsessions-compulsions were rated using the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D), the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAM-A), the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) for the duration of the study. Results Seventeen subjects (6 treated with fluoxetine and 11 treated with placebo) completed the trial, at a mean fluoxetine dose of 55 mg/day. Fluoxetine was significantly superior to placebo in the treatment of skin picking according to two of the three measures for the completer analysis and to one of the three measures for the intent-to-treat analysis. Neither baseline level nor change in depression, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive symptoms was significantly related to change in skin picking. Conclusion This first controlled trial of the treatment of pathologic skin picking suggests that fluoxetine may be of therapeutic benefit. Larger controlled studies are warranted.
Meta-regression with DisMod-MR: how robust is the model?

Abstract Background The Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2010 (GBD 2010) required age-specific prevalence estimates for over 300 outcomes for all countries. Results of systematic reviews were often very sparse and noisy, so DisMod-MR was frequently used to combine all available data and create estimates. We investigated the robustness of this approach by comparing the negative binomial rate model to alternative rate models using out-of-sample predictive validity. Methods We compared all disease and injury models analysed with DisMod-MR from GBD 2010 with more than four prevalence data points in western Europe. For each disease/injury model, western European prevalence data were partitioned into random 75/25% train/test splits for 1000 replicates. We fitted an age-specific rate model to the training data and used the results to predict values for the test data for each replicate. We compared the bias, median absolute error (MAE), and percent coverage for each replicate to determine if the negative binomial, binomial, normal, or lognormal rate model was superior for each condition. Findings Each metric has its own superior rate model. The lognormal model had the most replicates with smallest bias. The binomial model had the most with minimum MAE. The negative binomial model had the percent coverage closest to the target coverage of 95%. Interpretation Depending on the metric, different rate models are superior. The negative binomial model provides an appealing balance of accuracy, precision, and calibration. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Advances in fetal surgery

Abstract Fetal surgery, until recently, only had a role for those fetuses with a very poor prognosis who were likely to die without intervention. With advances in imaging, endoscopic techniques, anaesthesia and novel interventions, fetal surgery is becoming a realistic option in some conditions with less severe prognoses where the aim is now to improve quality of life rather than simply allow survival. This article uses examples that outline the field's embryogenesis and point to its promising infancy and future.
The response of the thyroid gland in normal human subjects to the administration of thyrotropin, as shown by studies with I131.

The actions of thyrotropin in various laboratory animals have been studied in considerable detail. Following its administration the thyroid gland becomes hypertrophied and hyperplastic, the content of protein-bound iodine decreases, but there is an increase in the inorganic iodine fraction. The circulating protein-bound iodine and the basal metabolic rate are elevated. An increased capacity of the gland to fix iodine has been demonstrated by the use of I131. Since none of these methods has been generally applicable to the study of normal human beings, and since relatively pure preparations of the hormone have not been readily available, little information has accumulated regarding the actions of thyrotropin in man. In the present study radioiodine methods originally designed for demonstrating the action of thyroid inhibiting substances were adapted to study the influence of single doses of thyrotropin on the several phases of iodine metabolism in the normal human thyroid gland.
CO2 Inhibits Respiration in Leaves of Rumex crispus L.

Curly dock (Rumex crispus L.) was grown from seed in a glasshouse at an ambient CO2 partial pressure of about 35 pascals. Apparent respiration rate (CO2 efflux in the dark) of expanded leaves was then measured at ambient CO2 partial pressure of 5 to 95 pascals. Calculated intercellular CO2 partial pressure was proportional to ambient CO2 partial pressure in these short-term experiments. The CO2 level strongly affected apparent respiration rate: a doubling of the partial pressure of CO2 typically inhibited respiration by 25 to 30%, whereas a decrease in CO2 elicited a corresponding increase in respiration. These responses were readily reversible. A flexible, sensitive regulatory interaction between CO2 (a byproduct of respiration) and some component(s) of heterotrophic metabolism is indicated.
Contributions of the individual hydrophobic clefts of the Escherichia coli β sliding clamp to clamp loading, DNA replication and clamp recycling

The homodimeric Escherichia coli beta sliding clamp contains two hydrophobic clefts with which proteins involved in DNA replication, repair and damage tolerance interact. Deletion of the C-terminal five residues of beta (beta(C)) disrupted both clefts, severely impairing interactions of the clamp with the DnaX clamp loader, as well as the replicative DNA polymerase, Pol III. In order to determine whether both clefts were required for loading clamp onto DNA, stimulation of Pol III replication and removal of clamp from DNA after replication was complete, we developed a method for purification of heterodimeric clamp proteins comprised of one wild-type subunit (beta(+)), and one beta(C) subunit (beta(+)/beta(C)). The beta(+)/beta(C) heterodimer interacted normally with the DnaX clamp loader, and was loaded onto DNA slightly more efficiently than was beta(+). Moreover, beta(+)/beta(C) interacted normally with Pol III, and stimulated replication to the same extent as did beta(+). Finally, beta(+)/beta(C) was severely impaired for unloading from DNA using either DnaX or the delta subunit of DnaX. Taken together, these findings indicate that a single cleft in the beta clamp is sufficient for both loading and stimulation of Pol III replication, but both clefts are required for unloading clamp from DNA after replication is completed.
Excessive oxygen or glucose supply does not alter the blood flow response to somatosensory stimulation or spreading depression in rats

We investigated the influence of hyperoxia (arterial pO2 446 +/- 43 mmHg) and hyperglycemia (blood glucose 19.4 mmol/l) on somatosensory stimulation (whisker deflection) employing laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Our aim was to test the hypothesis that a possible substrate-sensing mechanism for glucose and oxygen contributes to the coupling between cortical activity and regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in order to match increased demand with substrates. In addition, we looked at the influence of hyperglycemia (blood glucose 17.9 mmol/l) and hypercapnia (arterial pCO2 62 mmHg) on rCBF (LDF) and regional cerebral blood oxygenation changes (rCBO) in the even stronger metabolic stimulus of cortical spreading depression (CSD). For the latter we employed the new non-invasive technique of near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). All experiments were done using chloralose/urethane-anesthetized rats. Somatosensory stimulation increased rCBF by about 20% of baseline, in the case of both norm- and hyperoxia as well as both normo- and hyperglycemia. The blood-flow response to CSD consisted of a temporary sharp increase in rCBF to more than 400%. At the same time, the concentration of oxyhemoglobin [HbO2] increased, while deoxyhemoglobin [Hb] decreased, indicating excessive oxygenation. Hyperglycemia altered neither the rCBF nor the rCBO response. Preexisting hypercapnia, however, produced reductions in both hyperperfusion (rCBF) and hyperoxygenation (rCBO) during CSD. We found that, for experimental hyperglycemia, i.v. may be superior to i.p. application of glucose because of the latter's side effects in connection with blood flow. Our findings cannot support the hypothesis of a substrate sensing mechanism in coupling.
Concomitant use of warfarin and cotrimoxazole or ciprofloxacin increased risk for admission for upper GI hemorrhage

Source Citation Fischer HD, Juurlink DN, Mamdani MM, Kopp A, Laupacis A. Hemorrhage during warfarin therapy associated with cotrimoxazole and other urinary tract anti-infective agents: a population...
Identification and reporting of child maltreatment by Head Start personnel: attitudes and experiences.

A two-part questionnaire was administered to 143 Head Start personnel in order to determine how personal characteristics of the Head Start workers and the characteristics of the families they serve, affect the identification and reporting of child maltreatment. Of additional interest was whether some forms of maltreatment, once identified, would be more likely to be reported than other forms of maltreatment. The results support the efficacy of educational programs in child maltreatment for increasing the identification and reporting of maltreatment by workers. They also indicate that there are complex interactions between certain characteristics of the reporter (e.g., educational level) and prior training in maltreatment identification. Finally, neglect, although more frequently identified by the workers, appears to be least likely of all forms of maltreatment to be reported to official sources. Results are discussed in light of their implications for future research and practical application.
International arbitrage pricing theory: Relating risk premia

Abstract It is elementary that in a world of certain exchange rates, the factor risk premia of different economies must be identical. Using standard arbitrage arguments, this paper demonstrates that when exchange rates become uncertain, the factor risk premia not only must be different, but more importantly, risk premia (of different economies) associated with the same underlying factor must differ by a particular amount. There are three immediate implications of this result: (1) the slopes of the CAPM (capital- asset-pricing-model) lines in different economies must be different, (2) no factor risk, including exchange-rate risk, can have a zero price in more than one economy, and (3) when making cost-of- capital comparisons, simply adjusting for differences in riskfree rates and comparing risk premia is not sufficient; one must also take into account these arbitrage-determined differences between the factor risk premia.
Assessment of the irradiated brain by quantitative computerized tomography scan analysis-I: Sampling methods and concepts.

Abstract An investigation was initiated, aimed at evaluating quantitative computerized tomography (CT) analysis of the irradiated brain in an effort to differentiate recoverable from non-recoverable damage. This segment is the first part of a 2 part preliminary report and describes the methods used in sampling and analyzing parenchyma and ventricular volume. A statistical analysis of normal patient data served to determine the 90% confidence interval for the range of CT numbers for unirradiated tissue. Data derived from 3 patients (described in detail in Part II), implies that there may be sufficient difference to detect varying degrees of injury.
Change in Presidential Policy Initiatives

LICY TYPOLOGIES suggest that differences occur among policies according to such characteristics as roles of participants or the relative impact of issues on target groups or society. Theodore Lowi (1964) developed the most popular and widely adopted typology. (Examples of this utilization include Ripley and Franklin 1980; Chandler et al. 1974; Vogler 1977; Uslaner and Weber 1975; Kessel 1977; Mann 1975; Hayes 1978; Fry and Winters 1970.) Lowi suggested that policymakers perceive policies as falling into three major categories, distributive, regulatory, or redistributive depending upon the "likelihood and applicability" of coercion.1 He also advanced the argument that policy objectives act as independent variables affecting politics. Lowi (1964) asserted that the differing types of policies condition actor focus and subsequent behavior. Critics of Lowi's work contend that such categories cannot precede behavior, but are relevant only after the process begins (Greenberg et al. 1977: 1538). A useful typology should allow the deduction of important hypotheses and provide a "basis for stating conditions under which a given proposition is applicable" (Lowi 1972: 307). Lowi goes further in suggesting his typology will "convert phenomena into variables," "capture features of government that are politically significant," "build ... toward whole models," and provide " the beginning of orderly control and prediction" (1972: 299,307). These claims are quite ambitious, but the lack of rigorous empirical tests has not yet allowed confirmation of these goals.2 This research begins the task of assessing the discriminating value of the Lowi classification scheme for presidential initiatives to Congress. Such initiatives are important indicators of the policy role of the Chief Executive.3 While they do not provide a complete picture, they reflect
Empirical bayes tests in a positive exponential family with partial information on priors

We investigate an empirical Bayes testing problem in a positive exponential family having pdf f{x/θ)=c(θ)u(x) exp(−x/θ), x>0, θ>0. It is assumed that θ is in some known compact interval [C1, C2]. The value C1 is used in the construction of the proposed empirical Bayes test δ* n. The asymptotic optimality and rate of convergence of its associated Bayes risk is studied. It is shown that under the assumption that θ is in [C1, C2] δ* n is asymptotically optimal at a rate of convergence of order O(n−1/n n). Also, δ* n is robust in the sense that δ* n still possesses the asymptotic optimality even the assumption that "C1≦θ≦C2 may not hold.
Detection of Shiga Toxins by Lateral Flow Assay

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) produce shiga toxins (Stxs) that can cause human disease and death. The contamination of food products with STEC represents a food safety problem that necessitates rapid and effective detection strategies to mitigate risk. In this manuscript, we report the development of a colorimetric lateral flow assay (LFA) for the rapid detection of Stxs in <10 min using a pair of monoclonal antibodies that bind epitopes common to Stx1 and six Stx2 variants. This LFA provides a rapid and sensitive test for the detection of Stxs directly from STEC culture supernatants or at risk food samples with a 0.1 ng/mL limit of detection (LOD) for Stx2a. This Stx LFA is applicable for use in the rapid evaluation of Stx production from cultured E. coli strains or as a tool to augment current methods as part of food safety testing.
Test for Generalized Variance in Factor Analysis Model

We derive a likelihood ratio test for generalized variance a in factor analysis model. The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic follows chi-square distribution with one degree of freedom from a general theory of likelihood ratio test.
All-weather perception for small autonomous UGVs

For the TARDEC-funded Daredevil Project, iRobot Corporation is developing capabilities that will allow small UGVs to navigate autonomously in adverse weather and in foliage. Our system will fuse sensor data from ultra wideband (UWB) radar, LIDAR, stereo vision, GPS, and INS to build maps of the environment showing which areas are passable (e.g. covered by tall grass) and which areas must be avoided (i.e. solid obstacles). In Phase I of this project, we demonstrated that UWB radar sensors can see through precipitation, smoke/fog, and foliage and detect solid obstacles. In Phase II, we are integrating all of these sensors with an iRobot PackBot. By the end of Phase II, we will demonstrate a fully-autonomous Daredevil PackBot that can avoid obstacles, build maps, and navigate to waypoints in all-weather conditions and through foliage.
An instability in the flow of molten polymers

In the flow of molten high polymers through capillaries, an instability occurs at shear stresses near 106 dynes/cm2. The instability results in emerging streams of irregular shape. Several explanations have been proposed:Reynolds' turbulence, buckling during elastic recovery of the emerging stream, and rupture or fracture of the molten polymer at the entrance to the capillary. The first two are found not to apply. The latter appears correct on the bases of experimental observations and rheological considerations.
Differences in mortality associated with dementia in U.S. blacks and whites.

Objectives: To test the hypothesis that the geographic pattern of mortality with dementia coded on the death certificate varies according to race and that racial differences vary according to geography in the United States. Design: Analysis of the U.S. multiple-cause-of-death files for 1999 to 2004. Setting: United States. Participants: Decedents with dementia coded as underlying or contributing cause of death on the death certificate. Measurements: Age-adjusted death rates for U.S. Census geographic divisions for blacks and whites aged 65 and older. Results: From 1999 to 2004, the U.S. age-adjusted annual death rate per 100,000 for dementia was 628 in blacks and 647 in whites. The difference between rates in blacks and whites ranged from -130 deaths per 100,000 (-36%) in the Middle Atlantic region to +55 (+8%) in the South Atlantic division. Blacks had higher rates in three divisions and whites in five. In the Middle Atlantic and in the United States as a whole, blacks were relatively more likely to receive a diagnosis of unspecified dementia or senility (66%) than Alzheimer's disease (30%) than whites (58% and 41%, respectively). Conclusion: Although overall rates were similar, geographic variation in racial differences in rates of death with dementia occurred between U.S. regions. Further research is needed to assess geographic and racial variation in artifacts of certification versus biological variation as possible causes of variation to enhance utility of mortality data for disease monitoring and health-disparities research.
Immobilisation of gating charge by a substance that simulates inactivation.

THE ionic pores of nerve membranes have voltage-sensitive gates which control not only ion movements through the pores, but also the access of various drugs to receptors or blocking sites within the pores. One blocking agent with a gate-protected receptor is the quaternary nitrogen compound pancuronium. As shown by Yeh and Narahashi1, it can enter and block sodium pores when applied internally, but it can only equilibrate with its receptor if the pore is activated. Equilibration requires an appreciable fraction of a millisecond, so that pores allow passage transiently before they are blocked. Once in an open pore, a pancuronium ion has a ‘foot in the door’ action and prevents closing of both the activation and inactivation gate of the pore for as long as it remains in its blocking site. Yeh and Narahashi made their observations by studying ionic current through sodium pores. It is also possible to obtain information about sodium channel gates by measuring gating current, which is a small current generated by movement within the membrane of the charged structures that open and close the pores2. We carried out the studies reported here to ascertain whether pancuronium had the effect on gating current that would be anticipated from its action on INa, and we report here that it does. ‘On’ gating current, which occurs as the channels are opening and before pancuronium enters, is unaffected, whereas ‘off’ gating current is slowed by the ‘foot in the door’ effect, and consequently reduced in amplitude. Our results provide additional evidence that gating current is in fact associated with gating of the sodium pores. Also, they provide a good clue to the nature of that component of the gating current which does not inactivate.
The ubiquitous nature of the progesterone receptor binding factor-1 (RBF-1) in avian tissues.

The avian oviduct receptor binding factor-1 (RBF-1) is a 10 kDa nuclear matrix protein that was originally identified through its ability to effect high affinity interaction of activated progesterone receptor (PR) with chromatin. In the present study, the RBF-1 is shown to not be restricted to reproductive tissues (e.g., oviduct) but present in all avian tissues examined by Western blot analysis with a monoclonal antibody prepared against purified RBF-1. The heart and pancreas had the highest and lowest RBF-1 levels, respectively; the concentration ranging by approximately 50-fold in these tissues. The 10 kDa size of the RBF-1 detected in all tissues suggests no significant tissue-specific differences in the protein. This was consistent with the finding that purified hepatic and oviductal RBF-1 have identical amino-terminal sequence. Using a recently isolated cDNA to RBF-1, the levels of RBF-1 mRNA were found to correlate well with the ubiquitous presence of the protein as well as tissue-specific differences in concentration. The presence of RBF-1 in non-progesterone responsive tissues suggests the possibility that RBF-1 may not be specifically involved in PR-DNA interactions but may play a more diverse role, possibly involving other steroid receptors such as the glucocorticoid receptor.
The increasing risks and responsibilities of the bank director's role

Abstract Important changes in the competitive and regulatory environment have made the bank director's job more complex and uncertain. Nervous directors can learn from the difficulties of their peers, however, and protect themselves and their institutions from legal action and from financial failure.
Interactions of gonadal steroids and pesticides (DDT, DDE) on gonaduct growth in larval tiger salamanders, Ambystoma tigrinum.

In view of the current worldwide decline in amphibian populations, exploratory studies are needed to assess the potential for environmental contaminants to act as endocrine disrupters of the amphibian reproductive system. The present study investigated the effects of DDT dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (DDE) on the development of amphibian gonaducts. Larval male and female tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum), with immature gonads, were immersed in a sublethal solution ofp,p′-DDE or technical-grade DDT (80%p,p′-DDT and 20%o,p′-DDT). Additionally, larvae were injected with the steroid hormones estradiol or dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Morphometrics were used to analyze the effects and interactions of steroid and pesticide treatments on larval gonaducts. Estradiol and DHT stimulated cell proliferation and hypertrophy of the mullerian duct epithelium in both sexes. Wolffian duct epithelium, however, was stimulated only by DHT treatment. The pesticide DDT antagonized the estrogenic actions of the steroid treatments, andp,p′-DDE acted as an estrogen on the mullerian ducts of females only. The mullerian ducts of males, and the wolffian ducts of both sexes, were unaffected by DDT or DDE alone. While confirming the previously reported estrogenic actions of estradiol and DHT on urodelean gonaducts, the results contradict the expected estrogenic actions of DDT and antiandrogenic actions ofp,p′-DDE. Instead, inA. tigrinum,technical-grade DDT had an antiestrogenic action andp,p′-DDE an estrogenic action.
DIMENSIONS OF LITERACY: A CONCEPTUAL BASE FOR TEACHING READING AND WRITING IN SCHOOL SETTINGS. Stephen Kucer . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 2001. Pp. x + 304. $59.95 cloth, $29.95 paper. NEGOTIATING CRITICAL LITERACIES IN CLASSROOMS. Barbara Comber and Anne Simpson (Eds.) . Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum, 2001. Pp. xxii + 290. $79.95 cloth, $29.95 paper.

Preservice kindergarten through university teachers will benefit from these books' overview of the field and their carefully weighed claims about what counts as literacy practices in language arts and English classrooms. Though geared more toward a general audience of literacy teachers, the books do have sections and chapters that would appeal to preservice second language teachers. The straightforward writing in both books will be easily accessible to students for whom this may be the first encounter with literacy and classroom research. Taking different tacks on literacy research, the books complement each other well: Where Kucer's survey stops, the Comber and Simpson collection picks up.
Fabrication of Electrically Conducting Polypyrrole-Poly(ethylene oxide) Composite Nanofibers

Electrically conducting polypyrrole-poly(ethylene oxide) (PPy-PEO) composite nanofibers are fabricated via a two-step process. Pirst, FeCl 3 -containing PEO nanofibers are produced by electrospinning. Second, the PEO-FeCl 3 electrospun fibers are exposed to pyrrole vapor for the synthesis of polypyrrole. The vapor phase polymerization occurs through the diffusion of pyrrole monomer into the nanofibers. The collected non-woven fiber mat is composed of 96 ± 30 nm diameter PPy-PEO nanofibers. FT-IR, XPS, and conductivity measurements confirm polypyrrole synthesis in the nanofiber.
“One Day I’m Going to be Really Successful”: The Social Class Politics of Videos Made for the “It Gets Better” Anti-Gay Bullying Project:

The author examines the “It Gets Better” (IGB) anti-gay bullying project, focusing particular attention on social class narratives in videos made for the campaign. Results, based on a content analysis of 128 videos, indicate that individuals most commonly began by describing negative experiences during adolescence before shifting to a narrative of progress, emphasizing how their life had improved since high school. In doing so, the makers of the videos drew on class-based standards of success such as traveling, attending college, and moving to a big city. At the same time, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people sometimes stigmatized the bullies in classist ways. Thus, as IGB encourages makers of the videos to underscore their financial success and to condemn the perpetrators of anti-gay bullying, the project reinforces the cultural elements of neoliberalism.
Spectral difference method for compressible flow on unstructured grids with mixed elements

This paper presents the development of a 2D solver for inviscid and viscous compressible flows using the spectral difference (SD) method for unstructured grids with mixed elements. A mixed quadrilateral and triangular grid is first refined using one-level h-refinement to generate a quadrilateral grid while keeping the curvature of boundary edges. The SD method designed for quadrilateral meshes can subsequently be applied for the refined unstructured grid. Results obtained with the SD method for both inviscid and viscous compressible flows compare well with analytical solutions and other published results.
Social learning effects on trial and adoption of cigarette smoking in children: The Bogalusa heart study☆

An investigation of cigarette smoking in children and adolescents was initiated in a total biracial community, Bogalusa, Louisiana, as part of a major program on cardiovascular risk factors in children. The objective of this cigarette smoking study was to collect reliable and valid data within a conceptual structure incorporating principles of diffusion-adoption and social learning. The principles can be construed as decision-making under uncertainty. This study tests one aspect of the diffusion adoption model at an early age in a community setting. During 1976–1977 a survey was conducted on 3,014 children, ages 8–17 years, to determine factors associated with trial and later adoption of cigarette smoking. Parental, sibling, and peer smoking behaviors were combined into one environmental scale. The scale was higher among children who tried smoking than among those who did not (1.44 vs −0.99, p < 0.001). Beliefs about social influences such as peer acceptance or parental approval contribute to current behavior after trial. The mean sources for a social reinforcement scale were 1.38 for current smokers, 0.87 for noncurrent smokers, and 0.69 for “never” smokers (P < 0.001). Distinct race and sex differences were seen, which reinforce the impact of social learning on attitudes and beliefs toward cigarette smoking. White children demonstrate a greater parental effect while black boys and girls show a greater peer and sibling effect. Thus, the number of people who smoke in a child's environment influences trial while beliefs about the rewards of smoking influence current behavior. A better understanding of the diffusion-adoption principle should help in developing rational methods for intervention in cigarette smoking or prevention of cigarette smoking at an early age.
Radiation grafting of vinyl monomers onto wood pulp cellulose. Part I

The effect of radiation dose rate and beating time on the mutual radiation grafting of styrene to unbleached and bleached kraft wood pulp was studied. Companion studies on the effect of beating time, peroxidation grafting, and order of monomer addition on the preirradiation graft copolymerization of acrylamide and diethylaminoethyl methacrylate were conducted on bleached wood pulp. The grafting rate of styrene increased with dose rate, but the kinetics suggests a significant diffusional resistance to the observed grafting rate. The per cent graft measured at fixed grafting conditions decreased markedly as pulp beating (effected prior to grafting) was increased. It is suggested that the decrease in grafting with beating is due to an increase in the accessibility and swelling of the beaten fibers. Dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate appeared to inhibit the grafting of acrylamide, and double grafting had to be used to graft both hydrophilic polymers to the pulp. The mechanical properties of high-yield pulp and groundwood were improved by the addition of the grafted pulps. The double grafts appeared to show promise as fibrous beaten additives for dry strength improvement. The styrenegrafted pulps were found not to respond at all to the beating process.
VITAL PROBLEMS OF INTERNATIONAL LIBRARIES

Libraries grow in an ever‐increasing number around international organizations. New buildings arise and existing ones are adapted. Great sums are spent out of the budget of organizations or by foundations in order to put better working facilities at the disposal of international organizations. But if we compare what is being spent for national and international libraries it is striking that the results achieved at the international level, at great cost in many cases, do not come up to expectations. As the means needed have been made available—though often, it must be admitted, not in good time—it is the organizations themselves that carry the blame for the often poor results; there again it is largely a problem of staff. Many of us think that it is primarily the librarians, and not the books, on whom finally the value of a library depends. If this analysis also applies on an international level, the questions we need to elucidate here are: Are the right people chosen for international libraries and, if on...
Approximate analysis of a shared-medium ATM switch under bursty arrivals and nonuniform destinations

Abstract In this paper, we present an approximate analysis of a generic shared-medium ATM switch with input and output queueing. Input traffic is assumed to be bursty and is modelled by an Interrupted Bernoulli Process (IBP). Three different bus service policies are analyzed: Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), Cyclic, and Random. The output links may have constant or geometric service time. The analysis is based on the notion of decomposition whereby the switch is decomposed into smaller sub-systems. First, each input queue is analyzed in isolation after we modify its service process. Subsequently, the shared medium is analyzed as a separate sub-system utilizing the output process of each input queue. Finally, each output queue is analyzed in isolation. The results from the individual sub-systems are combined together through an iterative scheme. This method permits realistic system characteristics such as limited buffer size, asymmetric load conditions, and nonuniform destinations to be taken into consideration in the analysis. The model's accuracy is verified through simulation.
Genome Survey for Loci That Influence Successful Aging: Sample Characterization, Method Validation, and Initial Results for the Y Chromosome

OBJECTIVE A systematic genome survey was initiated to identify loci that affect the likelihood of reaching age 90 with preserved cognition. This communication describes the clinical characterization and comparison of the experimental groups, validation of the experimental method, and results for the Y chromosome. METHODS The genome survey was conducted at 10 cM resolution for simple sequence tandem repeat polymorphisms (SSTRPs) that identify genes for successful aging by virtue of linkage disequilibrium. Efficiency was enhanced by genotyping pools of DNA from 100 cognitively intact elders (50 men/50 women) and 100 young (age 18–25 years) adults matched for sex, race, ethnicity, and geographic location. RESULTS Elders (94 nonagenarians, 6 centenarians) manifested preserved cognition, as reflected by clinical and psychometric assessments; “good” average capacity to carry out their activities of daily living; and the majority were living independently despite multiple medical conditions. None had a history of mental disorders in early or middle adulthood, only one was a current smoker, and 80% consumed alcohol less than once each month. The genome survey method detected the expected elevation of the APOE ɛ2 allele frequency, and reciprocal reduction in the ɛ4 frequency, among the elders, compared with the young adults. It also detected significant differences in the allelic distributions of DYS389 and DYS390, which are separated by only 2.6 Mb near the centromere of Yq. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that several behavioral and genetic factors may contribute to the likelihood of achieving exceptional longevity with preserved cognition.
Identification and Functional Analysis of the Vision-Specific BBS3 (ARL6) Long Isoform

Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is a heterogeneous syndromic form of retinal degeneration. We have identified a novel transcript of a known BBS gene, BBS3 (ARL6), which includes an additional exon. This transcript, BBS3L, is evolutionally conserved and is expressed predominantly in the eye, suggesting a specialized role in vision. Using antisense oligonucleotide knockdown in zebrafish, we previously demonstrated that bbs3 knockdown results in the cardinal features of BBS in zebrafish, including defects to the ciliated Kupffer's Vesicle and delayed retrograde melanosome transport. Unlike bbs3, knockdown of bbs3L does not result in Kupffer's Vesicle or melanosome transport defects, rather its knockdown leads to impaired visual function and mislocalization of the photopigment green cone opsin. Moreover, BBS3L RNA, but not BBS3 RNA, is sufficient to rescue both the vision defect as well as green opsin localization in the zebrafish retina. In order to demonstrate a role for Bbs3L function in the mammalian eye, we generated a Bbs3L-null mouse that presents with disruption of the normal photoreceptor architecture. Bbs3L-null mice lack key features of previously published Bbs-null mice, including obesity. These data demonstrate that the BBS3L transcript is required for proper retinal function and organization.