cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The natural history of Peyronie's disease.

AbstractThe natural history of Peyronie’s disease was evaluated in 97 men by means of a questionnaire. Disease duration ranged from 3 months to 8 years. Questions addressed pain, bending, ability f...
Neural population coding in the auditory system.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses with neural population coding in the auditory system, where a population code comprises activity in multiple units with different thresholds, sensitivity functions, discharge patterns, and latencies. The different units in the population may be either excitatory or inhibitory. The sub-threshold activity of each individual target neuron that receives input from the population is seen as the changes in membrane potential or synaptic currents, which reflects the net effect of input from the entire population and can be thought of as a read-out of population activity. The target neuron produces an output only if the timing and nature of the combined input from the population is such that, the read-out causes the target neuron to be depolarized strongly and quickly to reach threshold. Different units respond with different latencies, which is the population code for any instantaneous set of information that is widely distributed in time. Many neural populations include sets of delay lines meaning that information from one point in time is constantly being integrated with or compared to information from another point in time. Delay lines allow the nervous system to perform operations similar to autocorrelation, as a mechanism for auditory pitch perception based on phase locked discharges. Neural systems operate in a dynamic, ever-changing environment; any neural representation of information must necessarily incorporate a time dimension, both at the input stage, and at the output stage. The significance of an individual neuron's output may be very different depending on which of its targets is considered.
Service with a smile

Abstract Organizations are increasingly taking a customer orientation in an attempt to enhance their competitive position. However, is this orientation an effective strategy? What effect does it have on employees? In practice, this approach often translates into asking service employees to be extra cheerful, friendly, and pleasant with customers. Many articles have suggested that this service with a smile emphasis has positive benefits; few suggest that it can also result in negative consequences. This paper examines two potential negative outcomes: sexual harassment by customers and the dysfunctional psychological effects of asking employees to display unfelt emotions.
p-Aminophenyl 1-thio-β-d-cellobioside: Synthesis and application in affinity chromatography of exo-type cellulases

Abstract p- Aminophenyl 1-thio-β- d -cellobioside (APTC) is shown to be a functional affinity ligand for the separation of exo-(cellobiohydrolases) and endo-(endoglucanases) acting cellulases. APTC is prepared by direct attachment of p-aminobenzenethiol to 2,3,6- tri -O- acetyl -4-O-(2,3,4,6- tetra -O- acetyl-β- d -glucopyranosyl)-(β- d -glucopyranosyl bromide, and subsequent deacetylation. APTC has been coupled to N-hydroxysuccinimide- activated agarose for affinity chromatography. Trichoderma reesei cellulases were used as representative enzymes. The behavior of these enzymes on APTC-affinity columns was essentially equivalent to that reported for the same enzymes on p- aminobenzyl 1-thio-β- d -cellobioside (ABTC)-columns; ABTC being the traditional ligand for affinity chromatography of exocellulase. The major cellobiohydrolases are retained on these columns, whereas the major endoglucanases are not. The cellobiohydrolases may be eluted from the columns by the addition of cellobiose to the mobile phase. The primary advantage of the APTC-ligand over other affinity ligands is its ease of preparation; the preparation of APTC requires approximately one-half the number of synthetic steps as required for the preparation of ABTC.
Regulatory circuit for responses of nitrogen catabolic gene expression to the GLN3 and DAL80 proteins and nitrogen catabolite repression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

We demonstrate that expression of the UGA1, CAN1, GAP1, PUT1, PUT2, PUT4, and DAL4 genes is sensitive to nitrogen catabolite repression. The expression of all these genes, with the exception of UGA1 and PUT2, also required a functional GLN3 protein. In addition, GLN3 protein was required for expression of the DAL1, DAL2, DAL7, GDH1, and GDH2 genes. The UGA1, CAN1, GAP1, and DAL4 genes markedly increased their expression when the DAL80 locus, encoding a negative regulatory element, was disrupted. Expression of the GDH1, PUT1, PUT2, and PUT4 genes also responded to DAL80 disruption, but much more modestly. Expression of GLN1 and GDH2 exhibited parallel responses to the provision of asparagine and glutamine as nitrogen sources but did not follow the regulatory responses noted above for the nitrogen catabolic genes such as DAL5. Steady-state mRNA levels of both genes did not significantly decrease when glutamine was provided as nitrogen source but were lowered by the provision of asparagine. They also did not respond to disruption of DAL80. Images
Introduction to Algorithm Design

What is an algorithm? An algorithm is a procedure to accomplish a specific task. An algorithm is the idea behind any reasonable computer program.
Blind high-resolution uplink synchronization of OFDM-based multiple access schemes

One of the major problems in OFDM-based multiple access schemes is uplink synchronization. In this paper, we propose an algorithm for the blind estimation of multi-user OFDM synchronization parameters. Our method assumes that all users employ the same pulse shaping filter and uses second-order statistics only. The proposed approach provides high-resolution estimates in the sense of being able to resolve closely spaced time-frequency offsets. Finally, we provide simulation results demonstrating the performance of our algorithm.
Emerging issues in the management of infections caused by multi-drug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli.

Background The past decade has witnessed the continued emergence and spread of multidrug resistance in gram-negative bacilli. Infections caused by multi-drug-resistant, gram-negative bacilli lead, in many instances, to increased morbidity and mortality, prolonged hospital stays, and the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Methods Recent literature from 1990 to the present is reviewed in order to put into perspective the effects of increasing incidences of multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli on patient care. Results Factors important in the emergence and spread of multi-drug-resistant gram-negative bacilli include increasing severity of illness in hospitalized patients, poor attention to infection control practices by healthcare personnel, and the large, often indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents. Unlike earlier iterations, there is no steady stream of newer antimicrobial agents in development to address the problem. The only broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent with activity against multi-resistant, gram-negative bacilli and with potential to be licensed in the foreseeable future is tigecycline. Tigecycline, the first member of a novel class of antimicrobials, the glycylcyclines, is a structural derivative of minocycline, with potent activity against most gram-positive, gram-negative (excepting Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus spp.) and anaerobic species. Phase 3 trials indicate that tigecycline is effective for treating both complicated skin and skin structure infections, and intra-abdominal infections in hospitalized patients. Conclusion Tigecycline promises to be an important addition to our monotherapy armamentarium, complementing essential efforts to promote compliance with good infection control measures and rational use of currently available antimicrobial agents.
Evidence for low-density lipoprotein-induced expression of connective tissue growth factor in mesangial cells.

Evidence for low-density lipoprotein–induced expression of connective tissue growth factor in mesangial cells. Background Although hyperlipidemia is a risk factor for the progression of renal damage, the relationship between increased plasma lipoproteins and glomerular injury is poorly defined. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is emerging as a key determinant of progressive fibrotic diseases and its expression is up-regulated by diabetes. To define the mechanisms through which low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) promote glomerular injury, we evaluated whether LDL can modulate the expression of CTGF and collagen I. Methods The effects of LDL on CTGF and collagen I expression were carried out in rat mesangial cells. Results Treatment of mesangial cells with LDL for 24 hours produced a significant increase in the protein levels of CTGF and collagen I compared to unstimulated controls. To explore if CTGF and collagen I are downstream targets for regulation by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), mesangial cells were treated with various concentration of TGF-β for 24 hours. TGF-β produced a concentration-dependent increase in the protein levels of CTGF and collagen I. The increase in CTGF and collagen I induced by LDL was significantly inhibited by neutralizing anti-TGF-β antibodies. Inhibition of p38 mapk or p42/44 mapk activities did not affect LDL-induced TGF-β1, CTGF, and collagen I expression, whereas inhibition of c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) suppressed LDL-induced TGF-β, CTGF, and collagen I expression. Conclusion These findings implicate JNK pathway and TGF-β1 as key players in LDL signaling leading to CTGF and collagen I expression in mesangial cells. The data also point to a potential mechanistic pathway through which lipoproteins may promote glomerular injury.
Urban Land Use and Superfund Cleanups

ABSTRACT:The federal Superfund program to clean up sites contaminated with hazardous substances has been long criticized for the high costs that it imposes on urban governments and other parties re...
Low Frequency Noise and Random Telegraph Signal in a Multiple Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector

Current-voltage, voltage-time, and noise measurements were taken on a three well, twenty period, InGaAs/A1GaAs quantum well infrared photodetector at low temperature and low constant current bias. Data from the voltage-time measurements exhibited random telegraph signal (RTS) which is a manifestation of a single electron capture/emission event. It thus contributes to generation-recombination noise of the device. A model is proposed that allows extraction of number of mobile carriers, continuum state electron mobility, electron emission times and trap activation energy from the RTS data. These parameters may then be utilized to predict the excess noise spectrum. Data from the noise spectral density measurements show 1/f like noise at frequencies below I kHz. It can be shown to be a sum of Lorenztian curves with various electron emission times. The model proposed predicts that the local number of mobile charge carriers in any barrier section is less than 5 (total in the device around 300), there is nearly ballistic electron transport (mobility values around 3×105cm2/Vs), and the traps causing the RTS are in the barriers of the device and there are two of them in the device tested. The model applies to the linear mode of operation and assumes that the well regions are electron reservoirs, i.e. contacts, for the resistive barrier regions. The device is thus divided into a number of resistive portions in series. Each resistive portion is statistically independent from the others at low temperatures since the time the electrons spend in the wells is long compared to intra-well scattering times. This allows the electrons to fully thermalize and lose any statistical information from their previous continuum state trajectory.
The enigmatic primitive streak: prevailing notions and challenges concerning the body axis of mammals

The primitive streak establishes the antero-posterior body axis in all amniote species. It is thought to be the conduit through which mesoderm and endoderm progenitors ingress and migrate to their ultimate destinations. Despite its importance, the streak remains poorly defined and one of the most enigmatic structures of the animal kingdom. In particular, the posterior end of the primitive streak has not been satisfactorily identified in any species. Unexpectedly, and contrary to prevailing notions, recent evidence suggests that the murine posterior primitive streak extends beyond the embryo proper. In its extraembryonic site, the streak creates a node-like cell reservoir from which the allantois, a universal caudal appendage of all amniotes and the future umbilical cord of placental mammals, emerges. This new insight into the fetal/umbilical relationship may explain the etiology of a large number of umbilical-associated birth defects, many of which are correlated with abnormalities of the embryonic midline.
Anatomy and physiology of the onset of auditory function.

Early cochlear microphonic and eighth nerve action potentials were recorded at the round window in fetal and young guinea pigs, kittens and puppies. Their cochkas were later studied by light and el...
Retrospective: very long instruction word archtectures and the ELI-512

In this paper I introduced the term VLIW. VLIW was motivated by a compiler technique, and, for many readers, this paper was their introduction to "region scheduling" as well. I had put forward the first region scheduling algorithm, called trace scheduling, a few years before. Since region scheduling is a compiler technique, it is of interest to fewer people, but it enables superscalars and VLIWs with lots of instruction-level parallelism (ILP). Because I could see the power of region scheduling, I first began to think about VLIWs. I was fortunate in that this allowed me to coin the term instruction-level parallelism, and to work out a lot of the original details and terminology of ILP, before many others believed it was important.
Control of blue mold decay of apple during commercial controlled atmosphere storage with yeast antagonists and sodium bicarbonate

Abstract A mixture of two yeast antagonists, Metschnikowia pulcherrima and Cryptococcus laurentii , originally isolated from apples and exhibiting greater biocontrol activity against blue mold of apple than either yeast applied alone, were used in combination with sodium bicarbonate (SBC) in a pilot test in which treated fruit were stored under commercial controlled atmosphere (CA) storage conditions. Conidia of Penicillium expansum , antagonists cells and SBC were added to the drench solution. The treatments were applied to apples by drenching entire bins filled with apples containing 100 wounded fruit evenly distributed among five positions in each bin. The treated fruit were stored in commercial CA storages for approximately six months in the 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 storage seasons and then evaluated for incidence of decay. In both years, the treatments with the antagonist alone or in combination with SBC were equally effective and reduced blue mold incidence by 84–97% in 2005–2006 and 73–82% in 2006–2007. SBC alone significantly reduced blue mold incidence compared to the non-treated control but was less effective than the antagonist alone or in combination with SBC. This pilot test showed that the combination of these two antagonists and SBC can be an effective decay control method under commercial CA conditions, confirming results from our earlier laboratory studies using similarly treated fruit stored under CA conditions.
Wages, Earnings, and Occupational Status: Did World War II Veterans Receive a Premium?

Abstract Over 16 million men served during World War II (WWII), and we know that veterans obtained more education and earned higher incomes than did non-veterans and that these premiums were more substantial for Blacks and less educated men. However, we know very little about the reasons for such veteran premiums. Using several distinct, yet connected, theoretical traditions that have been used to link military service to subsequent outcomes—theories of the life course, the status attainment perspective, relatively new conceptualizations of social capital, economic theories of human capital, and theories of selectivity—we seek to redress this lack of understanding. We use survey data from the National Longitudinal Study of Mature Men (NLSMM) to examine the long-term effects of military service during WWII on occupational and income attainments. We find that the effects associated with being a veteran of WWII are modest and are mostly limited to less advantaged veterans, and can be largely explained by differences in human capital investment or selectivity. The one finding that cannot be explained by differences in family background, human capital investments, and selectivity is a higher hourly wage rate associated with being a Black veteran.
Monitoring air and Land Surface Temperatures from remotely sensed data for climate-human health applications

This study proposes a methodology to infer maximum air temperature from space using observations from polar orbiting satellite MODIS. A previous study showed that minimum Land Surface Temperature (LST) derived from MODIS night-time images provides a good surrogate for minimum air temperature while the retrieval of maximum air temperature is less straightforward. The objective of this work is to estimate maximum air temperatures through the extrapolation of the minimum temperature derived from MODIS according to the diurnal cycle. The diurnal cycle parameters (i.e. phase and amplitude) which are used to estimate the maximum air temperature are determined locally using data from the WORDCLIM database. The proposed approach is applied over four different areas in Africa (Eritrea, Ethiopia, Botswana and Madagascar) based on measurements collected in 28 different stations over the period 2002–2008. An acceptable agreement between maximum air temperature estimated and observed temperatures was noticed. This implies that satellite imagery has an interesting potential in inferring maximum air temperature at an interesting temporal and spatial resolution.
The case for open-source PEV charge management data framework

The future growth of electrified transportation could be enhanced through interaction with smart grid system architectures. This paper summarizes current literature regarding plug-in electric vehicle — renewables integration and highlights areas of need to implement such integration at a multi-utility scale. Future smart grid implementations hold the key to transferring information and control parameters between distributed and centralized decision agents. The discussion highlights the opportunity to leverage federal investments in grid renovation and electric vehicle introduction to create system-wide value from improved reliability and reduced fossil fuel consumption. An approach to scaling a previously defined “green signal” methodology for electric vehicles will be detailed across a utility grid balancing region. The research will include a synopsis of the communications opportunities and challenges of coordinating the responses of many resources. The results are expected to show that, with some variation in the charge profiles of individual vehicles, the aggregate set can interface with grid management methods to significantly influence the ability to integrate distributed and centralized renewables to improve environmental quality.
Teenage Pregnancy and Associated Risk Behaviors Among Sexually Abused Adolescents

CONTEXT Previous research suggests a link between adolescent pregnancy and sexual abuse history, but most studies have used clinical samples of females only and single measures of abuse. METHODS Associations between pregnancy involvement, risk behaviors and sexual abuse were examined in sexually experienced teenagers from the Minnesota Student Surveys of 1992 (N = 29,187) and 1998 (N = 25,002). Chi-square tests assessed differences in pregnancy involvement and related risk behaviors among four groups of adolescents, categorized by type of abuse experienced: none, incest only, nonfamilial only or both. Odds ratios for pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors, adjusted for grade level and race, were calculated for each gender by using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Sexual abuse was reported by 6% of males and 27% of females in 1992, and by 9% and 22% in 1998. Reports of pregnancy involvement were significantly more common among abused adolescents (13–26% of females and 22–61% of males, depending on type of abuse) than among nonabused adolescents (8–10%). Abused adolescents were more likely than others to report risk behaviors, and teenagers reporting both abuse types had the highest odds of pregnancy involvement and risk behaviors. The differential in the odds of pregnancy involvement and most behaviors was larger between nonabused and abused males than between nonabused and abused females. CONCLUSIONS Teenage pregnancy risk is strongly linked to sexual abuse, especially for males and those who have experienced both incest and nonfamilial abuse. To further reduce the U.S. teenage pregnancy rate, the pregnancy prevention needs of these groups must be adequately addressed.
Ceramics for fusion devices

Ceramics are required for a number of applications in fusion devices, among the most critical of which are magnetic coil insulators, windows for RF heating systems, and structural uses. Radiation effects dominate consideration of candidate materials, although good preirradiation properties are a requisite. Materials and components can be optimized by careful control of chemical and micro structural content, and application of brittle material design and testing techniques. Future directions for research and development should include further extension of the data base in the areas of electrical, structural, and thermal properties; establishment of a fission neutron/fusion neutron correlation including transmutation gas effects; and development of new materials tailored to meet the specific needs of fusion reactors.
Immunohistochemical localization of bombesin-like peptides in the digestive tract of the bowfin, Amia calva

1. The distribution of bombesin-like immunoreactivity was determined in the gastrointestinal tract of the primitive holostean fish, the bowfin (Amia calva) using immunocytochemistry. 2. Immunostaining using two different antisera raised against frog skin bombesin revealed a population of apparent endocrine cells containing bombesin-like immunoreactivity in the epithelium of the antral mucosa in the stomach. 3. No bombesin-containing endocrine cells were present in any other segment of the gut. Bombesinergic nerves were not observed anywhere in the bowfin gastrointestinal tract. 4. The antral bombesin endocrine cells were of the open type and were distributed diffusely from the base to the tips of antral glands, with some tendency to cluster near the base of the glands. 5. These results suggest that a bombesin-like peptide may play an endocrine role in control of gastric functions such as regulation of acid secretion and gastric motility. These results support the hypothesis that bombesin serves a role in bony fish analogous to the role of antral cholecystokinin in amphibia and antral gastrin in amniotes.
ROUTINE SCREENING EYE EXAMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED FEEDING PROBLEMS IN PRETERM INFANTS. † 1168

ROUTINE SCREENING EYE EXAMS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED FEEDING PROBLEMS IN PRETERM INFANTS. † 1168
Relationship between auditory P300 amplitude and age of onset of schizophrenia in older patients

Abstract Auditory P300 amplitude reductions are well-established in young adults with schizophrenia. Little is known, however, regarding the P300 in older schizophrenia patients, especially those with late onset. We studied 28 middle-aged and elderly (mean age=62.7 years) patients [14 with early onset schizophrenia (EOS) and 14 with late onset schizophrenia (LOS)] and 14 normal comparison (NC) participants using an auditory oddball paradigm. Event-related potentials were recorded from 15 scalp electrodes and six non-scalp sites. There were no significant differences between EOS and LOS groups in neuroleptic dosage, symptom severity, reaction times, target-detection accuracy, or N100 and N200 ERP measures. The EOS, but not the LOS, group had significantly smaller auditory oddball P300 amplitudes than the NC group. Twelve of the 14 LOS patients had P300 amplitudes in the normal range. Smaller P300 amplitudes were associated with earlier age of onset ( r =0.48), longer duration of illness ( r =−0.49) and more severe alogia ( r =−0.50). We conclude that P300 abnormalities in schizophrenia may be a marker for a disease subtype with early onset and more severe information-processing deficits.
Rain‐induced turbulence and air‐sea gas transfer

=4 for a range of rain rates with broad drop size distributions. The hydrodynamic measurements elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the rain-enhanced k results using SF6 tracer evasion and active controlled flux technique. High-resolution k and turbulence results highlight the causal relationship between rainfall, turbulence, stratification, and air-sea gas exchange. Profiles of e beneath the air-sea interface during rainfall, measured for the first time during a gas exchange experiment, yielded discrete values as high as 10 �2 Wk g �1 . Stratification modifies and traps the turbulence near the surface, affecting the enhancement of the transfer velocity and also diminishing the vertical mixing of mass transported to the air-water interface. Although the kinetic energy flux is an integral measure of the turbulent input to the system during rain events, e is the most robust response to all the modifications and transformations to the turbulent state that follows. The Craig-Banner turbulence model, modified for rain instead of breaking wave turbulence, successfully predicts the near-surface dissipation profile at the onset of the rain event before stratification plays a dominant role. This result is important for predictive modeling of k as it allows inferring the surface value of e fundamental to gas transfer.
On electron-cyclotron wave resonance in inductively coupled HF discharges

The theory of Pfeiffer on electron‐cyclotron wave resonance phenomenon in inductively coupled hf ring discharges has been extended by Sager to include electron temperature, nonuniform density distributions, and the finite dimensions of a plasma of rectangular cross section. A scheme is herein proposed for adapting Sager's results to the experimentally important case of circular cross section. In order to test the scheme, an experiment was conducted in a low‐pressure hf (27 MHz) argon discharge of cylindrical geometry with plasma densities in the range (1.0–3.5)×1011/cm3 and static magnetic fields less than 60 G. The agreement between theory and experiment is found to be good and lends credence to the scheme as a means for predicting resonance values of the magnetic field in cylindrical hf discharges.
Model Validation, Sensitivity Analysis, and Utilization with Micro SAINT: A Case Study

This paper presents the preliminary results of validation, sensitivity analysis, and utilization efforts with Micro SAINT models of the Close-In Weapon System (CIWS) loading operation. In the absence of an external validation sample, an internal validation/verification was conducted to assess how adequately each model represented the data sample from which it was derived. The results of the validation showed that the simulation models were generally well validated by the methods used. Sensitivity analyses were conducted to estimate the effects of inaccurate parameter estimates and to evaluate the effects of shortened or lengthened activity elements on the simulation's output. Results of the sensitivity analyses indicated that, for the CIWS loading operation, changes in task and total completion times were relative to the percentage change in the individual activity element duration and proportional to the duration of the activity element duration. Utilization efforts involved manipulating existing models ...
β-Receptor Antagonist Cessation Resulting in Tako-Tsubo Cardiomyopathy in a Man With Quadriplegia

To the Editor: A 48-year-old man presented with sudden onset of shortness of breath and retrosternal chest pain. He had a 16-year history of quadriplegia due to a C3-4 spinal fracture, which occurred in a motor vehicle crash. The patient had been taking metoprolol (12.5 mg twice daily) to control hypertension; however, use of this drug had been discontinued 48 hours earlier because of low blood pressure. Elicitation of a detailed history showed no unusual physical or emotional stress. Physical examination revealed a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg, a regular heart rate of 98 beats/min, audible bi-basilar crackles, and an audible S3 but no murmurs or rubs. Electrocardiography showed a 1-mm ST-segment elevation in leads V2 through V5. The troponin T level was 1.20 ng/dL (to convert to μg/L, multiply by 1). Two-dimensional echocardiography revealed akinesis of the left ventricular anterior/anteroapical walls, with an ejection fraction of 15%. No obstructive coronary artery disease was evident on angiography. However, left ventriculography showed hyperkinesis of the basal walls and akinesis of the rest of the walls (Figure). FIGURE. Ventriculogram revealing apical ballooning during systole. Use of metoprolol was resumed, and 48 hours later the patient was asymptomatic. Crackles in both bases of the lungs had resolved, and the S3 had normalized. Findings on electrocardiography were normal. The patient was discharged. Six weeks later, two-dimensional echocardiography revealed normal left ventricular function, with an ejection fraction of 65%. Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by acute and reversible cardiac dysfunction without obstructive coronary artery disease.1 It is predominantly seen in elderly women and is typically precipitated by acute emotional or physical stress.2 Recently, excessive sympathetic stimulation has been suggested to play an essential role in the pathogenesis of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.3 However, even though studies have showed elevated plasma catecholamine levels in individuals with tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy, reflecting increased synthesis and reuptake or decreased removal of adrenergic hormones,4 no basic research has proved that the catecholamine signal pathway plays an important role in the development of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Also, β-receptor antagonists have not consistently prevented onset of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy. Long-term effects of β-receptor blockade could result in an up-regulated postreceptor signal transduction cascade, which increases either cardiac β-adrenergic receptor density or its sensitivity (threshold) to stress-induced cardiomyopathy. Abrupt discontinuation of β-blockade therapy can result in “hyperadrenergic syndrome” and cardiomyopathy. Rapid resolution of cardiac abnormalities in response to resumption of β-receptor antagonists also supports the causal link between the β-adrenergic receptor pathway and development of tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy.
The Influence of Ice on Southern Lake Michigan Coastal Erosion

Coastal ice does not protect the coast but enhances erosion by displacing severe winter wave energy from the beach to the shoreface and by entraining and transporting sediment alongshore and offshore. Three aspects of winter ice in Lake Michigan were studied over a 3-year period and found to have an important influence on coastal sediment dynamics and the coastal sediment budget: (1) the influence of coastal ice on shoreface morphology, (2) the transport of littoral sediments by ice, and (3) the formation of anchor and underwater ice as a frequent and important event entraining and transporting sediment. Coastal lake ice includes a belt of mobile brash (ice blocks) and slush and a dynamic nearshore ice complex consisting of an icefoot, a lakeward sequence of wave-generated ice ridges, and intervening ice lagoons. Our studies indicate that the nearshore ice complex contains a sediment load (0.2 - 1.2 t/m of coast) that is roughly equivalent to the average amount of sand eroded from the coastal bluffs and to the amount sand ice-rafted offshore to the deep lake basin each year. Up to 0.28 t/m of coast can be entrained by ice in a single anchor-ice event, and separate events occurred on 15 days in January 1991. The brash/slush belt is the most important system component responsible for ice-induced sediment transport. Estimates of longshore ice drift, ice volume, and ice-borne sediment load suggest that 0.36 to 4.14 × 103 t/d are transported alongshore.
Absolute dating of dedolomitization and the origin of magnetization in the Cambrian Morgan Creek Limestone, central Texas

Goethite associated with dedolomite in the Morgan Creek Limestone in central Texas carries a chemical remanent magnetization (CRM). The pole position (88°N, 96°W; k =67, α 95=2.7), which is close to that of the modern pole, and the fact that only normal directions are present suggest that the component is a post-Brunhes (<700,000 yr) CRM. Dedolomite is common in the Morgan Creek and consists of calcite rhombohedra with relict dolomite. Goethite occurs surrounding the rhombs and in rhombic zones within the crystals. The goethite precipitated when iron was released from ferroan dolomite during the dedolomitization process. The paleomagnetic data, therefore, date the dedolomitization process as modern. Dedolomitization is probably related to surface weathering of the Morgan Creek. In addition to goethite associated with dedolomite, the Morgan Creek contains hematite replacing fossils and glauconite, and detrital hematite. The Morgan Creek also contains three other magnetic components. One of these components is a viscous remanent magnetization aligned with the present magnetic field. Another component is a Triassic/Jurassic CRM residing in hematite. A fourth component in the Morgan Creek is an early Paleozoic magnetization residing in hematite and minor magnetite and represents the vector addition of a detrital remanent magnetization and one or more CRMs. The results of this study demonstrate that paleomagnetic and petrographic techniques can be used to date a diagenetic event and also illustrate the complex nature of magnetization in a sedimentary unit.
7-Alkylcarbonyloxymethyl prodrugs of theophylline: topical delivery of theophylline

Abstract Five members of an homologous series of 7-n-alkylcarbonyloxymethyl (ACOM) prodrugs (C1 to C5, acetyl- to hexanoyloxymethyl) of a potential topical antiproliferative drug, theophylline (Th, 1) have been synthesized, characterized and evaluated for their abilities to deliver Th into and through hairless mouse skin from suspensions in isopropyl myristate (IPM). The synthesis used a tertiary amine quaternary salt of the ACOM chlorides (2) as the alkylating agent to give about twice the percent yields as previously reported. Although all of the members of the 7-ACOM-Th prodrugs (C1 to C5, 3a to 3e) were more soluble in IPM than Th (10–200 times), the most water soluble members (C1 and C3, acetyl- and butyryloxymethyl) were only about 0.25 times as soluble as Th; C2 (propionyloxymethyl) was only about 0.1 times as soluble. In addition to being almost as water soluble as C1, C3 was almost 10 times more lipid soluble than C1 or C2. Thus, the C3 prodrug exhibited the best biphasic solubility properties in the series. In the diffusion cell experiments, the C3 prodrug was the only member that was significantly (2 times) more effective than Th at delivering total Th species (Ji). In addition, all of the prodrugs of the series delivered significant amounts of intact prodrug through the skin (Jp): Jp/Ji for C1=47%, C2=29%, C3=32%, C4=7% and C5=1%. None of the prodrugs delivered as much Th into the skin (Cs) as Th itself. Fluxes of Th from propylene glycol (Jj) subsequent to the initial application of prodrug or Th/IPM were all of a similar magnitude, so that the differences in Ji were not caused by differences in damage to the skins from the initial applications. 7-Hydroxymethyltheophylline (7-HOCH2-Th, 4) which was as lipid soluble as C1 and C2, but 10 times more water soluble than Th gave a Ji which was 2 times that of Th and a Cs value that was 2 times that of Th. 7-HOCH2-Th was the best prodrug studied for increasing the delivery of Th.
Synthesis and storage of a nerve growth protein in mouse submandibular glands.

A series of experiments were designed to determine the origin of a nerve growth promoting protein found in high concentration in the tubular portions of the submandibular glands of adult male mice. This protein is necessary for the growth and development of immature sympathetic nerve cells. The quantities of this protein can be increased in the glands of female mice to levels found in the submandibular glands of adult male mice by injecting testosterone into preadolescent or adult female mice. When testosterone was given to young mice or to adult female mice together with an antiserum prepared against the nerve growth factor (NGF), the NGF content of the testosterone-treated mice increased in the same manner as in testosterone- and normal serum-treated mice. Although antiserum against the nerve growth protein could be demonstrated in the sera of mice during the course of the entire experiment, the antiserum had no effect on the content of NGF in the submandibular glands. After the intravenous injection of NGF in large quantities, it could not be localized in liver, spleen or submandibular gland cells of the mouse as determined by fluorescent antibody techniques. The results suggested that the nerve growth promoting protein found in high concentration in the submandibular glands of adult male mice and in testosterone-treated female mice is synthesized and stored in cells of the tubular portion of these glands.
Subclinical Eating Disorders in Female Athletes

(2000). Subclinical Eating Disorders in Female Athletes. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 71, No. 7, pp. 23-29.
On large sets of projective planes of orders 3 and 4

Abstract In 1850, Cayley (1850) [4] proved by a brief argument that a large set of Fano planes does not exist. In 1978, Magliveras conjectured that a large set of projective planes of order n will exist for all n ≥ 3 , provided that n is the order of a projective plane. In 1983, Chouinard II (1983) [5] constructed such large sets for n = 3 by prescribing an automorphism of order 11 which acts semiregularly on the set of 55 planes. In this article, we construct new large sets of projective planes of order 3 by prescribing an automorphism of order 13. We classify all such large sets and determine their full automorphism groups. Moreover, we prove that the full automorphism group of any large set of projective planes of order 3, which is not isomorphic to the ones constructed thus far, is of order at most 5. Finally, in our effort to construct a large set of projective planes of order 4, which would consist of 969 planes, we construct 912 mutually disjoint projective planes of order 4 by prescribing C 19 9 as an automorphism group.
Nucleolar Proteins Suppress Caenorhabditis elegans Innate Immunity by Inhibiting p53/CEP-1

The tumor suppressor p53 has been implicated in multiple functions that play key roles in health and disease, including ribosome biogenesis, control of aging, and cell cycle regulation. A genetic screen for negative regulators of innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans led to the identification of a mutation in NOL-6, a nucleolar RNA-associated protein (NRAP), which is involved in ribosome biogenesis and conserved across eukaryotic organisms. Mutation or silencing of NOL-6 and other nucleolar proteins results in an enhanced resistance to bacterial infections. A full-genome microarray analysis on animals with altered immune function due to mutation in nol-6 shows increased transcriptional levels of genes regulated by a p53 homologue, CEP-1. Further studies indicate that the activation of innate immunity by inhibition of nucleolar proteins requires p53/CEP-1 and its transcriptional target SYM-1. Since nucleoli and p53/CEP-1 are conserved, our results reveal an ancient immune mechanism by which the nucleolus may regulate immune responses against bacterial pathogens.
A Review of Absenteeism and Truancy: Interventions and Universal Procedures.

Implementing and utilizing functional behavioral assessments (FBAs) for truancy and chronic absenteeism grew in acceptance in the 1990s in an attempt to better understand why students choose to miss school (Lauchlan 2003). As Lauchlan notes, the primary rationale for utilizing FBAs is to identify a primary cause or causes for missing school and subsequently focusing on this perceived cause for the individual student as a means to construct programs to reduce truancy. This method serves as the basis of the book, which also includes a section on intervention procedures that may reduce truancy school-wide. Studies examining early interventions have found that implementing school-wide interventions among at-risk students significantly reduces truancy and absenteeism (Marvul 2012). There are also some studies supporting community or group interventions at reducing absenteeism over individualized treatments (Fantuzzo et al. 2005). Similarly, interventions that include the family as well as the student suggest lower rates of truancy than other comparable individualized interventions (Skola and Williamson 2012). Clearly, by combining the options of both individualized and group treatments, a majority of students can experience reductions in absenteeism. Behavioral treatment packages aimed at reducing truancy have also been found to be relatively effective (Enea and Dafinoiu 2009). This indicates that, for students who do not demonstrate a specific cause of truancy, a combination of treatments may be effective at reducing absenteeism. Other factors such as race may also be associated with the reasons why students are absent from school. Thomas et al. (2011) found that individualized treatments were most effective with Caucasian students, so the group- or family-style treatments may be best suited for minority students. Thus, race can be another factor to consider as practitioners select treatments for students and develop new packages and procedures.
A note on a proposed student t approximation

Abstract Li and De Moor (1999, Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 29, 213–216) suggested a simple approximation to the distribution function of the student t family. This note observes that the Gaver–Kafadar approximation (1984, Amer. Statist. 38, 308–311) is of the same type, and it ought to be preferred to the Li–De Moor approximation on the grounds of accuracy and convenience.
Large angle scattering of 16O by 24,25,26Mg by detecting the heavy mass recoil

Abstract Large angle scattering of 16O by 24,25,26Mg has been observed by measuring the reactions 24,25,26Mg(16O,24,25,26Mg) 16O in the forward direction. Although the cross section magnitudes for 24Mg are 5 to 10 times larger than for 25,26Mg, excitation functions for all three elastic scattering reactions show similar resonance-like gross structure for incident energies between 45 and 59 MeV.
Decays of Baryon Resonances in an O(3.1) Model

The notion of dynamical groups [1] has been introduced into hadron physics in order to relate amplitudes of particles of many different spins. In particular the O(3.1)-model of BARUT and KLEINERT [5a, 6] gives the pseudoscalar form factors of all the strange and non-strange baryons in terms of a few adjustable coupling constants and claims that they furnish a good approximation in the region of not too large physical momentum transfers. Here we report on an extensive comparison of this O(3.1)-model with experimental information. For one such comparison we take the known partial decay widths [7] of baryon resonances into members of the nucleon and pseudoscalar meson octet. The fit which we obtain is quite good and the SU(3) symmetry breaking is described in much better agreement with experiment than in an approach which, instead of O(3.1)-form factors, takes only the correct threshold behavior into account. Further we look at baryon decays with two final mesons and calculate theoretical Dalitz-plots. Very good agreement with some recent results on Δ(1920) Δ Kπ is achieved. Finally we give some closed functional form for the form factors which approximate the complicated O(3.1) form factors well in the region relevant for phenomenological calculations.
Conservation and family planning in Tanzania: the TACARE experience

Community-based distribution (CBD) programs present an alternative way of effectively reaching people in rural areas of developing countries where conventional methods of delivery do not exist or fail. This paper reviews the experience and findings from the Jane Goodall Institute’s (JGI) TACARE program in the Kigoma region of Tanzania. It focuses on the family planning CBD program and its integration within the TACARE program to meet the broader mission of JGI’s conservation efforts. Both qualitative and survey data suggest that the CBD program meets the needs for contraception in participating rural communities and is a complementary and acceptable strategy to ultimately contribute to reduce population pressure on the villages around Gombe National Park.
Repeat-induced epigenetic changes in intron 1 of the frataxin gene and its consequences in Friedreich ataxia

Friedreich ataxia (FRDA), the most common hereditary ataxia, is caused by mutations in the frataxin (FXN) gene. The vast majority of FRDA mutations involve expansion of a GAA•TTC-repeat tract in intron 1, which leads to an FXN mRNA deficit. Bisulfite mapping demonstrates that the region adjacent to the repeat was methylated in both unaffected and affected individuals. However, methylation was more extensive in patients. Additionally, three residues were almost completely methylation-free in unaffected individuals but almost always methylated in those with FRDA. One of these residues is located within an E-box whose deletion caused a significant drop in promoter activity in reporter assays. Elevated levels of histone H3 dimethylated on lysine 9 were seen in FRDA cells consistent with a more repressive chromatin organization. Such chromatin is known to reduce transcription elongation. This may be one way in which the expanded repeats contribute to the frataxin deficit in FRDA. Our data also suggest that repeat-mediated chromatin changes may also affect transcription initiation by blocking binding of factors that increase frataxin promoter activity. Our results also raise the possibility that the repeat-mediated increases in DNA methylation in the FXN gene in FRDA patients are secondary to the chromatin changes.
Creatine-Creatinine Metabolism in Older Patients with Benign Prostatic Enlargement1

THE DISTURBED RELATIONSHIPS of androgens and II estrogens has from time to time been suggested as an important factor in the etiology of benign prostatic enlargement. To date, no convincing evidence has appeared to support this hypothesis. In the present report, the creatine retention test has been utilised as a possible measure of the effective androgen level in man. Benign prostatic enlargement occurs more frequently after middle age, usually between 55 and 65 years of age and in these years of life sexual potency may diminish, even to the degree of complete impotence. This experience led many workers to conclude that since benign enlargement and loss of sex power occurred at about the same time, they were both due to the same cause, mainly a change in testicular or androgenic function, or to a change in balance of estrogens and androgens.
Atlantic Creoles in the Age of Revolutions

The most recent monographs published by Jane Landers and Christopher Schmidt-Nowara contribute to a renewed understanding of the Atlantic world from two intertwined perspectives. One is geographic,...