cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Winter Adaptations of Male Deer Mice (Peromyscus maniculatus ) and Prairie Voles (Microtus ochrogaster) That Vary in Reproductive Responsiveness to Photoperiod

Individuals of many nontropical rodent species restrict breeding to the spring and summer. Seasonal reproductive quiescence putatively reflects the energetic incompatibility of breeding and thermoregulatory activities. However, so-called "out-of-season" breeding occurs in virtually all rodent populations examined, suggesting that the incompatibility can be resolved. Both reproductive inhibition and development of energy-saving adaptations are mediated by environmental photoperiod, but some individuals do not inhibit reproduction in short days. In order to assess the costs and benefits of winter breeding, the present study examined the extent to which male prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster) and deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) that maintained summer reproductive function in winter-simulated daylengths also maintained summer thermoregulatory adaptations. Circadian locomotor activity patterns, basal metabolic rate, capacity for nonshivering thermogenesis, nest building, body mass, and daily food consumption were compared among short-day (LD 8:16) regressed males, short-day (LD 8:16) nonregressed males, and long-day (LD 16:8) males. Short-day nonregressed deer mice resembled long-day conspecifics in terms of body mass and nest-building activities; however, the locomotor activity pattern of short-day nonregressed deer mice was similar to that of their short-day regressed conspecifics. Short-day nonregressed prairie voles had body masses similar to those of long-day conspecifics. Regardless of their reproductive response to photoperiod, short-day prairie voles reduced their daily food consumption and wheel-running activity, compared to long-day voles. These results suggest that winter breeding has energetic costs, most likely resulting from maintaining a "summer-like" body mass relative to that of reproductively regressed animals. These costs may be ameliorated to some extent by the reduction in locomotor activity and nest-building behavior emitted by short-day animals, regardless of reproductive response to short days. Thus, the occurrence of winter breeding may be the result of sufficient numbers of reproductively photoperiod-nonresponsive morphs in the population and sufficiently mild ambient conditions to permit survival of these larger animals.
Sources of Moral Obligation to non-Muslims in the "Jurisprudence of Muslim Minorities" ( Fiqh al-aqalliyyāt ) Discourse

This article surveys four approaches towards moral obligation to non-Muslims found in Islamic legal thought. I refer to the first three approaches as the "revelatory-deontological," the "contractualist-constructivist" and the "consequentialist-utilitarian." The main argument is that present in many contemporary works on the "jurisprudence of Muslim minorities" ( fiqh al-aqalliyyāt ) is an attempt to provide an Islamic foundation for a relatively thick and rich relationship of moral obligation and solidarity with non-Muslims. This attempt takes the form of a fourth "comprehensive-qualitative" approach to political ethics that appeals not to juridical reasoning of the type "is x permissible and in which conditions?" but rather to Islamic ideals of what it means to live a good life, of what believing, normatively-committed Muslims want to pursue in this world. This meta-ethical approach builds on and goes beyond the first three. This fourth "comprehensive-qualitative" approach to moral obligation to non-Muslims is novel, emergent and not found in the writings of outright reformers but in those of conservative, "neo-classical," sharī'a -minded—even Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated—Muslim scholars. What adds to the force of this argument is that the other meta-ethical discourses, particularly of contract and utility ( maslaha ), already get these scholars quite far towards a doctrine of "loyal resident alienage" in non-Muslim societies. That even orthodox Muslim scholars go further shows that they have some interest in giving a theological or principled foundation to a much thicker and richer form of moral obligation to non-Muslims, a relationship which involves recognizing non-Muslims qua non-Muslims and contributing to their well-being.
Testing Theories of State Policy-Making: The Case of Air Quality Regulation

Comparative state policy studies have traditionally relied on one of three explanations of policy influence, classified here as the economic, political, and group influence models. Each of these tr...
A Content Analysis of Women's Career Choices in Film.

A feminist content analysis of 81 films was conducted as a means to assist mental health practitioners in guiding the career choices of young women and to explore the possibilities for change through this medium. The review of the 117 lead female characters revealed themes including: the idea that relationships should be secondary to careers in women's lives, women are secondary to men in the workplace, women in power are depicted in isolation, women are portrayed in traditional careers more than nontraditional careers, and regardless of career choice women are often depicted in a negative light.
Toward a general theory of information aggregation

Abstract Information aggregation is a pervasive issue in the field of decision making. In this paper we begin an attempt to develop a comprehensive theory of this process. We investigate the use of a penalty function to help guide in the aggregation process. It is suggested that an aggregated value which violates a given piece of data is charged a penalty. The problem of aggregation can be seen as finding the aggregated value with the least penalty. We show that logical inference systems are characterized by infinite penalty functions. This implies that deviation from the data are not easily accepted. Probability theory is characterized by equal finite penalty costs. Nonmonotonic logics appear to be characterized by a case in which we have at least two different levels of penalties of differing magnitudes. We discuss the relationship between the relevance or bearing a piece of data has on the problem and the penalty cost associated with it. We see the central role of the intersection operation.
Generosity and Property in Aristotle's Politics

Etymology might encourage us to begin a discussion of Aristotle on philanthropy with a discussion of philanthropia; and it is instructive to see why this is not quite the right place to look. The Greek term initially refers to a generalized attitude of kindness and consideration for a human being. The gods accuse Prometheus of being a ‘human-lover’, intending the term in an unfavorable sense, when he confers on human beings the benefits that should have been confined to the gods. Aristotle uses the abstract noun only once, to refer to sympathetic fellow-feeling (Rhet. 1390a18–23); and he mentions our feeling of kinship with other human beings to explain our approval of the philanthropos person (Eth. Nic. 1155a16–21). Philanthropia is the attitude of a kind and considerate person, even if she lacks material resources, and it can be displayed without the transfer of material resources.
Nanophase Alumina/Poly(L-Lactic Acid) Composite Scaffolds for Biomedical Applications

Three-dimensional composites of nanophase alumina and poly(L-lactic acid) with an interconnected porous network and an overall porosity in excess of 90% are cytocompatible. Osteoblast proliferation on the nanophase ceramic/polymer composites is a function of time of cell culture and of nanoceramic loading in the biomaterial substrates.
Embryos, Stem Cells, and the "Strategic" Element of Public Moral Reasoning

(2002). Embryos, Stem Cells, and the 'Strategic' Element of Public Moral Reasoning. The American Journal of Bioethics: Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 56-57.
Anticipatory control of head posture

Objective We tested a hypothesis on two patterns of anticipatory postural adjustments (APAs) in neck muscles, reciprocal and co-activation, that may be used in a task-specific way. We also explored possible relation of APAs in leg and trunk muscles to head stabilization.
Comparison of near and far infrared spectral data for the water molecule

Abstract Differences of the pure rotational energy levels of the water molecule obtained from high-resolution near infrared data (i.e., the combination relations) are compared with appropriate sums or differences of pure rotational transitions obtained from high-resolution far infrared data. The comparison indicates no inconsistency between the near and far infrared data. A sample calculation by least squares method demonstrates that significant improvements in the determination of the pure rotational energy levels of the water molecule are possible.
The effect of vertebral fracture on the early neurologic recovery in patients with central cord syndrome.

To compare early changes in the ASIA Motor Score (AMS) between patients with central cord syndrome (CCS) from an acute fracture to patients without a fracture. Patients with CCS were identified and stratified based on the presence of a fracture. The AMS through the first week of the patients’ hospitalization was obtained. Initial injury severity as well as early neurologic recovery was measured using the AMS. Analysis of variance was performed to determine if age, gender, rectal tone at presentation, congenital stenosis, or surgery within 24 h significantly effected the change in AMS. A strong trend (p = 0.0504) towards a more severe initial neurologic injury in patients with a fracture (AMS 59.7) than in patients without a fracture (AMS 70.2) was identified. However, in the week after injury, patients with a fracture had an improvement in their neurologic function (ΔAMS +4.8) while patients without a fracture demonstrated neurologic decline (ΔAMS −5.9). The change in AMS between patients with and without a fracture was nearly significant (p = 0.06). Patients with central cord syndrome present with similar symptoms, but injuries with and without a fracture may be associated with a different early neurologic recovery. Patients with a fracture have a more severe injury at initial presentation, but tend to have neurologic improvement in the first week; conversely patients without a fracture have a less severe initial neurologic injury, but tend to have a slight decline in neurologic function over the first week.
Pharmacology of pyrazoles. I. Structure elucidation of metabolites of 4-methylpyrazole.

Abstract The metabolism in mice of 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP), a potent inhibitor of alcohol dehydrogenase, has been investigated using gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry techniques. Radioactive 4-MP was synthesized to aid in the isolation of the metabolites. Of the administered radioactivity, 84% was recovered in the urine 24 hours after treatment. Analysis of the urine revealed the presence of several metabolites including 4-hydroxymethylpyrazole, 4-carboxypyrazole and 4-methylpyrazole-N-glucosiduronic acid, along with the parent compound, 4-methylpyrazole.
The new Sandia light ion microbeam

Abstract The Ion Beam Laboratory of Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) was recently relocated into a brand new building. The 6 MV High Voltage Engineering (HVE) tandem accelerator (hosting the heavy ion microbeam and several analytical beam lines) and the 350 kV HVE implanter with a nanobeam were moved to the new building. There were several new pieces of equipment acquired associated with the move, among them a new high brightness 3 MV Pelletron accelerator, a high resolution light ion microbeam, a nanoimplanter, and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) connected to the tandem accelerator. In this paper this new facility will be described, and initial results of the new microbeam will be presented.
The molecular weight and detergent binding of bovine rhodopsin.

Abstract The molecular weight and the Triton X-100 binding of bovine rhodopsin have been measured by means of analytical ultracentrifugation. A molecular weight of 35 000 was found for the delipidated protein. Binding studies indicated a maximum of 362 sites and the intrinsic association constant gave a free energy of binding of −4·52 kcal/mol Triton X-100 bound, as compared with a free energy for detergent self association of −3·52 kcal/mol monomer. Studies on the detergent concentration dependence of rhodopsin extraction permitted estimation of the maximum total free energy membrane lipid binding to rhodopsin as −406 kcal/mol rhodopsin. Knowledge of the maximum number of binding sites made possible an estimate of the molecular surface area, and this parameter, combined with the molecular volume permitted the calculation of the molecular dimensions for various models.
Vacancy Coalescence during Oxidation of Iron Nanoparticles

In the present work, we analyze the geometry and composition of the nanostructures obtained from the oxidation of iron nanoparticles. The initial oxidation of iron takes place by outward diffusion of cations through the growing oxide shell. This net material flow is balanced by an opposite flow of vacancies, which coalesce at the metal/oxide interface. Thus, the partial oxidation of colloidal iron nanoparticles leads to the formation of core−void−shell nanostructures. Furthermore, the complete oxidation of iron nanoparticles in the 3−8 nm size range leads to the formation of hollow iron oxide nanoparticles. We analyze the size and temperature range in which vacancy coalescence during oxidation of amine-stabilized iron nanoparticles takes place. Maghemite is the crystallographic structure obtained from the complete oxidation of iron nanoparticles under our synthetic conditions.
fcc helium-4: Synchrotron X-ray measurements of atomic vibrations, point defects, and phase transformations

Atomic vibrations in fcc4He crystals have been measured using synchrotron X-rays, from the dependence of integrated Bragg intensities up to wave vectors of 91 nm−1 and from the diffuse scattering between Bragg peaks. Observed raw Bragg x-ray integrated intensities cover an extraordinary range, greater than 100,000. Amplitudes of atomic motion were thereby determined. In addition, thermal vacancy content has been estimated from an x-ray comparison with macroscopic melting parameters. Finally, direct x-ray structural studies of phase transformations between the fcc and hcp phases were made in large crystals.
Advanced Biomimetic Nanodevice Using Nanotechnology Addressable Lipid Rafts Nanoarrays Toward Advanced Nanomaterials

In recent years, a new paradigm of nanobiomedical devices combining miniaturization and integration has been exploited in areas such as combinational chemistry, biotechnology, engineering, proteomics and clinical diagnostics. One of the critical issues in the development of nanobiomedical system is how to differentiate signal-to-noise ratio per very small amount of signal. Biocompatible integrated nanopattern requires the fabrication of appropriately designed nanomatrix for high sensitivity homogenous assays, which are capable of ultimately mimic the physiological environment. We reported the nanomatrix geometry of a well-oriented nanowell array derived from nanofabrication technology which can easily be employed for digital detection with a high S/N ratio, miniaturization, integrated assays and single molecule analysis. In this present, we describe a nano(submicro) array of tethered lipid bilayer raft membranes comprising a biosensing platform.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Safe zone for the placement of medial malleolar screws.

Background: Hardware placement for fracture fixation can put soft-tissue structures at risk for injury or abutment. The prominence of the hardware is a frequent cause of pain after the fixation of ankle fractures. This study was designed to assess the risk of injury or abutment of the posterior tibial tendon with the placement of medial malleolar screws. Methods: Ten unmatched cadaveric limbs that had been disarticulated at the knee were used, and the medial malleolus was exposed by dissection of the skin. With use of fluoroscopy and direct visualization of the deep fascia, three Kirschner wires were placed through the tip of the medial malleolus and directed parallel to the medial articular surface. The first wire was placed in the center of the anterior colliculus. Two additional wires were placed parallel and posterior to the initial wire at 5-mm intervals. The wires were overdrilled, and 4.0-mm screws were inserted over the Kirschner wires. The specimens were dissected to inspect for trauma and the proximity of the screws to the posterior tibial tendon. The medial malleolus was divided into three zones on the basis of anatomic landmarks. Zone 1 is the anterior colliculus; Zone 2, the intercollicular groove; and Zone 3, the posterior colliculus. Results: Screws placed in Zone 1 (the anterior colliculus) did not contact the posterior tibial tendon in any specimens. Screws placed in Zone 2 (the intercollicular groove) were, on the average, 2 mm from the posterior tibial tendon. Screws placed in Zone 3 (the posterior colliculus) resulted in tendon abutment in all ten specimens and in tendon injury in five of the ten specimens. Conclusions: Screws inserted posterior to the anterior colliculus place the posterior tibial tendon at significant risk for injury or abutment. Clinical Relevance: On the basis of these results, we recommend direct visualization of the posterior tibial tendon prior to the placement of screws in the medial malleolus when they are inserted posterior to the anterior colliculus.
Effect of Gamma Irradiation on Cellular ATP of Escherichia coli

Bacterial suspensions were gamma-irradiated at dose rates of 1795 to 1840 rads/min at room temperature. A recovery test was performed by growing the irradiated samples in nutrient broth for 24 hrs followed by plate incubation for 48 hrs before cell counts were performed. Quantitative extraction of cellular ATP was performed and the concentration of ATP was determined. Results indicated that although the cellular ATP showed a slight increase at relatively small doses, no significant change in the cellular ATP concentration could be observed throughout the dose range in spite of a decrease in the survival fraction. (HLW)
Moderate-intensity, premeal cycling blunts postprandial increases in monocyte cell surface CD18 and CD11a and endothelial microparticles following a high-fat meal in young adults.

High-fat meals promote transient increases in proatherogenic factors, implicating the postprandial state in cardiovascular disease (CVD) progression. Although low-grade inflammation is associated w...
How community organizations moderate the effect of armed conflict on migration in Nepal

This study analyses micro-level variability in migration during armed conflict in Nepal. The analysis is based on a multi-dimensional model of individual out-migration that examines the economic, social, and political consequences of conflict and how community organizations condition the experience of these consequences and systematically alter migration patterns. Detailed data on violent events and individual behaviour during the Maoist insurrection in Nepal and multi-level event-history analysis were used to test the model. The results indicate that community organizations reduced the effect of conflict on out-migration by providing resources that helped people cope with danger, as well as with the economic, social, and political consequences of the conflict. The evidence suggests that the conflict caused the population to be systematically redistributed in a way that will probably affect its future socio-demographic composition—the extent of the redistribution depending on the resources available in ea...
A new assay for glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase☆

Abstract A new method for continuously measuring glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) activity is described. Oxaloacetate produced by GOT from aspartate is condensed with acetyl CoA to form citrate and CoA in a system coupled with citrate synthase. The CoASH formed is measured by its reaction with DTNB. The chromophore formed has a high molar extinction coefficient and absorbs at 412 nm. This method is more sensitive than the usual methods for GOT and produces a visible change in color.
Linkages between CO2, climate, and evolution in deep time

The most recent assessment report from the Intergovernmental Panel of Climate Change (IPCC) clearly illustrates the links between atmospheric CO2 and climate (1) and the impacts of climate change on life (2). The geologic record contains a treasure trove of “alternative Earths” that allow scientists to study how the various components of the Earth system respond to a range of climatic forcings. These past examples illustrate how ecosystems function, and often they provide constraints for predicting the magnitude and impact of future climate change. Multiple independent methods for reconstructing ancient levels of atmospheric CO2 have been developed over the past two decades: these include the distribution of stomatal pores in fossil leaves, the δ13C of carbonate minerals from fossil soils, the δ13C of marine phytoplankton, and the δ11B of marine carbonate (3). Records of paleo-CO2 from these methods as well as calculations of CO2 from geochemical models (4) generally correlate well with independent records of temperature. Over the past 450 million years (Myr), CO2 was low when extensive, long-lived ice sheets were present (≈330–290 Myr ago and 35 Myr ago to the present day) and moderately high to high at other times (5, 6). However, some intervals in Earth's past fail to show any consistent relationship. One conspicuous example is the Miocene (23.0–5.3 Myr ago), an Epoch where multiple advances of the Antarctic ice sheet are juxtaposed with a period of global warmth ≈15 Myr ago (7). Most CO2 records during this period are low [<300 ppm by volume (ppmv)] and do not covary with temperature (8–10) (Fig. 1). These records imply that other radiative forcings such as changes in paleogeography or meridional heat transport were disproportionately more important than CO2 at this time. In this issue of PNAS, Kurschner et al. (11) present new data that overturn this notion and provide important insights into the climatic linkages during this Epoch.
Testing for Statistical Discrimination by Race/Ethnicity in Panel Data for Depression Treatment in Primary Care

In the Institute of Medicine (IOM) (2003)Unequal Treatment report, “discrimination” refers to a health care provider's treatment of patients with similar health care needs differently due to the patient's race or ethnicity. Investigators have studied three types of discrimination—affective bias, cognitive stereotyping, and statistical discrimination (Hilton and von Hippel 1996; Fiske 1998; Dovidio 1999; Balsa and McGuire 2003; IOM 2003; Escarce 2005; Fennell 2005), noting that each type of discrimination has distinct implications for appropriate remedial actions (Balsa and McGuire 2003). Statistical discrimination appears to be a potent (if more difficult to observe) source of discrimination in health care use (Balsa, McGuire, and Meredith 2005; Lutfey and Ketcham 2005; Werner 2005). In statistical discrimination, providers apply correct information about a group to reduce their clinical uncertainty about an individual patient. While discrimination stemming from affective bias and cognitive stereotyping is generally expected to reduce treatment of minorities in comparison with whites, statistical discrimination may or may not exacerbate race/ethnicity gaps in treatment (Balsa and McGuire 2001). Statistical discrimination can be in the minority patient's best interest if physicians use reliable group differences in the absence of reliable data about the individual. Nonetheless, if physician must rely less on individual level information, treatment for minority patients is less likely to be matched well to their individual needs. When poor communication exacerbates clinical uncertainty, providers give undue weight to group-based generalizations, taking the form of diminished responsiveness to the circumstances of an individual patient. Prior research has documented worse communication between white providers and minority patients compared with white patients (see, for example, Cooper-Patrick et al. 1999). Because providers primarily rely on patient report to judge the severity of depression, effective communication is particularly important for the physician to allocate severity-appropriate treatment resources for this condition. The objective of this paper is to test the hypothesis that providers employ statistical discrimination in treating depressed patients over time. Specifically, we assess whether treatment intensity changes as depression severity changes comparably over 2 years for minority and white patients.
The use of organometallic group-V sources for the metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy growth of In0.48Ga0.52P/GaAs and In0.53Ga0.47As/InP heterojunction bipolar device structures

This paper describes the use of tertiarylbutylarsine (TBA) and tertiarylbutylphosphine (TBP) as replacements for arsine and phosphine in MOMBE/CBE for the production of device structures with state-of-the-art performance. The growth system used for this work is based on the use of elemental group-III and dopant sources, and embryos thermal crackers for the low pressure precraking of TBA and TBP. Device structures fabricated in the In 0.48 Ga 0.52 P/GaAs material system include single- and double-heterojunction bipolar transistor (SHBTs and DHBTs)
Trauma exposure, posttraumatic stress, and comorbidities in female adolescent offenders: findings and implications from recent studies

Background: While males constitute the majority, female adolescent offenders are a sizeable minority of the overall delinquent population. Further, those females who become involved in delinquent activities appear to be doing so at a younger age, and they are involved in a wide range of criminal activities, including violent offenses. Objective: The goal of this article is to consolidate an empirical base for our current knowledge about female juvenile offenders’ trauma-related mental health and rehabilitation issues. Method: We searched for studies using PILOTS, PsycLIT, PsycINFO, and EBSCOhost electronic databases. Results: Accordingly, we present a review of findings from 33 recent studies showing consistently high rates of trauma exposure, PTSD, and common comorbidities among female adolescent offenders. We also examined recent literature on risk and protective factors for female delinquency, as well as treatments for offenders, and found that there was some early representation of trauma and PTSD as important variables to be considered in etiology and treatment. Conclusion: Future plans for addressing the mental health needs of female offenders should be better informed by these recent findings about widespread trauma exposure and related psychological consequences. Keywords: delinquency; PTSD; female juvenile offenders; risk and protective factors; violence exposure (Published: 31 May 2012) Citation: European Journal of Psychotraumatology 2012, 3 : 17247 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/ejpt.v3i0.17247 For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files in the column to the right (under Reading Tools)
Fidelity of image restoration by partial phase conjugation through multimode fibers

Abstract We investigate the fidelity of image restoration under conditions of partial phase conjugation through a random medium. For the first time, the conjugated image-to-background ratio is experimentally measured as an evaluation of the phase conjugate mirror's fidelity. Output signal-to-noise ratio and information throughput are also considered as functions of aperture limitations at the various planes of the optical system.
Anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left anterior descending artery: case report and review of the literature.

Abstract The anomalous origin of the right coronary artery (RCA) as a branch of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is a very rare variation of single coronary artery. At least 36 cases have been described previously in the literature. The vast majority of previous reports have described a single anomalous vessel with its origin after the first septal perforator of the LAD, which courses anterior to the right ventricular outflow tract to reach territory normally served by the right coronary artery. Of 35 cases in structurally normal hearts, 19 (54%) patients had > 50% narrowing in one or more epicardial coronary arteries (54%), at least 14 (40%) of whom required revascularization. Thirteen cases (37%) did not have significant coronary artery disease, while the remaining 3 cases were unclear. The current report reviews previous reports of this anomaly and describes a patient with an anomalous RCA from the mid-LAD, in whom heart block, back pain and dyspnea was the initial manifestation of ischemia. On heart catheterization, there was significant coronary artery disease in the LAD proximal to the origin of the anomalous artery. The patient was successfully revascularized with a unique sequential left internal mammary artery bypass to the anomalous vessel and LAD.
Recent Efforts in Earthquake Prediction (1990 — 2007)

From an emergency-management and hazard-preparedness perspective, long-term seismic risk analysis of a region is of utmost importance. There have been a good number of efforts during the past 15 years or so in earthquake prediction, and this paper is an attempt to present a state-of-the-art review of the subject. The most significant recent efforts in predicting the three earthquake parameters, namely, the time of occurrence, epicentral location, and the magnitude of future earthquakes are reviewed. Prediction studies can be broadly grouped based on the basic approach, which vary from purely theoretical geophysics, to genetic mutations and biology, to statistical, mathematical, and computational modeling of earthquake parameter data recorded in historical catalogs of seismic regions. The papers reviewed in this article are classified into two groups: (1) studies based on recording and analyzing earthquake precursors (seismic monitoring); and (2) studies based on historic earthquake data analysis. The complexity of the earthquake prediction problem notwithstanding, the authors believe that the scientific community should pursue research on the subject vigorously. It is hoped that this article fuels additional interest in the subject.
Eurocentrism in Social Work Education: From Race to Identity Across the Lifespan as Biracial Alternative

• Summary: Consequent to Eurocentric hegemony race has been erroneously validated as the standard identity construct by social work education as well as much of Western science. For example, the approach utilized in this study includes reference to the literature of biologists and medical personnel who contend that race is scientifically meaningless.• Findings: The findings suggest that for those who are biracial, living in the midst of race constructionists encourages a life of identity conflict. That conflict is more often irrelevant to monorace subjects who by skin color are assigned to a single race category. This is an important notion for those, such as social workers, working in the human services.• Applications: The application proposes a human development across the lifespan construct to serve as an ecological alternative to the pathologizing influences of race. Although race and other Eurocentric constructs may have had their place at one time, the rapidly changing demographic dynamics of Wester...
Effects of intrauterine 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin on the development and function of the gonadotrophin releasing hormone neuronal system in the male rat ☆

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) is an environmental disrupter that continues to be generated from numerous industrial processes. In utero and lactational exposure of rats to levels of TCDD similar to those encountered by human populations have profound and persistent effects on growth, the reproductive axis and spatial learning and memory. TCDD is thought to act through the aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which displays crosstalk with estrogen-mediated genomic activation. An in vitro superfusion system was used to evaluate the effects of TCDD exposure on GnRH-release from hypothalamic explants at three developmental time points in male rats. Pregnant dams were treated with 5 μg/kg TCDD on gestational day 15, and male offspring displayed a marked reduction in GnRH release. However, total mediobasal hypothalamus/preoptic area (MBH/POA) GnRH content was significantly greater in dioxin-exposed animals. These results suggest deficits in release rather than production of GnRH. Confocal microscopy was used to characterize anatomical features of individual GnRH-positive neurons, as well as the organization of the neuronal network governing GnRH release. Differences in cellular structures were apparent in discrete regions of the GnRH neural network, specifically the lateral preoptic area and septal region. We propose that developmental reproductive effects in males treated in utero and lactionally with dioxin, results from a suppressive effect of TCDD on mechanisms governing GnRH release. These effects coincide with changes in growth and development, indicating that TCDD may induce a syndrome of effects by modifying hypothalamic structures regulating growth and reproductive development.
Nutrition Practice Guidelines and Neonatal Outcomes in Elbw Infants.

Early nutritional intervention, both parenteral and enteral, is becoming a standard of care for the extremely low birth weight infant (ELBW) in many neonatal intensive care units (NICU) across the country. However, there are no published or widely accepted guidelines regarding nutrition support strategies for this population. Most NICU's have developed their own guidelines and nutritional practices vary widely. In an effort to standardize our practice, we implemented nutrition support guidelines for ELBW infants, initiating both total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and minimal enteral feedings (MEFs) within the first 24 hours of life whenever possible. Objectives: 1) Evaluate the adherence to the nutritional guidelines and 2) Compare pre- and post-guideline outcomes. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted at a Level III NICU from January 2002 until February 2003. Charts of 70 infants born ≤1250gms were reviewed as part of a quality assurance project to monitor adherence to the newly established guidelines. Another 23 charts of ELBW infants who were admitted and cared for in the NICU prior to the initiation of the nutritional guidelines were reviewed as a control group. Student t-tests were used to compare selected clinical outcomes between infants started on early nutrition support (≤24 hours of life) versus those who were started later. Results: 61.4% and 52.9% of eligible infants were started on TPN and MEF's, respectively within 24 hours of life. The average time to start TPN was 21.9 hours after the adoption of the guidelines as opposed to 64.4 hours prior to guideline implementation (p<0.01). In the post-guideline group, MEF's were initiated at mean 27.3 hours of age versus 80.3 hours in the pre-guideline group (p<0.01). Those who were started on early TPN and MEF's reached full enteral feedings significantly sooner (mean:12.8 and 13.3 days vs. 45.8 and 45.8 days, respectively; p<0.01). Early nutrition support also resulted in earlier regain of birth weight (mean day 12.7 vs. 16.0 for early vs. late TPN; p<0.01 and mean day 13.8 vs. 16.0; p<0.04 for early vs. late MEF's). While not statistically significant, infants who received earlier nutrition support showed trends toward greater overall weight gains in weeks 2–3 and 3–4 of life and a lower incidence of elevated serum blood glucose for infants who received earlier nutrition support. Conclusions: The implementation of early Nutrition support guidelines influenced the timeliness of initiating nutrition support in our unit. Early initiation of TPN and MEF's in ELBW infants produces a more rapid regain of initial weight loss, improves weight gain and, enhances earlier achievement of full enteral feedings.
Spectral sensitivity of mollies: comparing surface‐ and cave‐dwelling Atlantic mollies, Poecilia mexicana

The visual pigments of cones and rods in three species of mollies, Poecilia mexicana, Poecilia latipinna and their asexual hybrid Poecilia formosa, were examined using microspectrophotometry. In P. mexicana, populations from extreme photic habitats were used: one population originated from a clear water habitat, one from a milky water habitat and another from a completely dark cave. Ultraviolet-sensitive cones were found in all species. Differences in the lmax values of the visual pigments were small between species and among the three P. mexicana populations, but dark-reared cave fishes showed appreciably higher variance. The hybrid species P. formosa showed a highly variable long wavelength cone absorbance, ranging from 528! 9 to 598! 5 nm, suggesting multiple opsin expression or chromophore mixing. # 2006 The Authors Journal compilation # 2006 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
Tradition with a Twist A Survey of Bangladeshi Journalists

Modeled partly after American journalist surveys, this study taps Bangladeshi journalists’ perceptions of the importance of certain libertarian and development press functions as well as their actual practice of these functions. It also puts to empirical test ‘theoretic’ factors of libertarian and development functions suggested by Ramaprasad and Kelly to assess their reproducibility in Bangladesh. The study finds that Bangladeshi journalists consider libertarian functions more important than development functions and that there is a gap between perceived importance and actual practice for most functions. The ‘theoretic’ factors replicate quite well and where they are different they provide an opportunity to refine press theory.
MODIS cloud mask: current situation and its improvements

The 36 channel Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) offers the opportunity for multispectral approaches to cloud detection. The MODIS cloud mask developed at the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies (CIMSS) uses several cloud detection tests to indicate a level of confidence that the MODIS is observing clear skies. The MODIS cloud mask algorithm identifies several conceptual domains according to surface type and solar illumination, including land, water, snow/ice, desert, and coast for both day and night. The updated cloud mask has many improvements, such as improved cloud/surface discrimination over desert regions, sun glint processing and thin cirrus detection. For non-snow-covered land areas, a clear sky confidence of 0.96 (probably clear) will be assigned if thresholds are met for three tests: 3.9-11 μm and 3.75-3.9 μm brightness temperature differences and a 1.24/0.55 μm reflectance ratio test. Values of these must be 2.0, respectively. A change has been made to the NIR (band 2) reflectance test for sun glint processing. The updated method is to calculate a cloud threshold as a linear function of sun-glint angle in three separate ranges. A new clear-sky restoral test was added where the ratio of band 17/18 reflectance is utilized to discriminate between low clouds and water surfaces. The thin cirrus thresholds using corrected band 26 (1.38 μm) reflectances were also modified.
Bimetallic effects in the hydrodeoxygenation of meta-cresol on γ-Al2O3 supported Pt–Ni and Pt–Co catalysts

The hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of meta-cresol, a typical phenolic compound in bio-oils, is investigated in the vapor-phase on γ-Al2O3-supported Pt catalysts at near atmospheric hydrogen pressure. The HDO reaction yields two major hydrocarbons: toluene and methylcyclohexane. The deoxygenation of meta-cresol proceeds through two consecutive steps: hydrogenation of the aromatic ring on the Pt metal followed by dehydration reactions of the produced alcohol intermediates on the alumina support. Phenolic ring saturation is proposed to be slower than its sequential dehydration steps on Pt/γ-Al2O3. This is in a good agreement with the higher selectivity of toluene compared to that of the hydrogenated cyclic hydrocarbon, methylcyclohexane, because toluene formation requires fewer ring hydrogenation steps than its counterpart. The additions of Co and Ni into Pt not only improve the overall HDO conversion, but also modify the product distribution. The enhancement in the overall HDO activity is related to the better hydrogenation activity of bimetallic Pt–Co and Pt–Ni catalysts and the generation of additional sites for alcohol dehydration. Consequently, more saturated cyclic hydrocarbon product, methylcyclohexane, is observed on bimetallic catalysts with respect to the monometallic Pt catalyst.
Phospholipid membrane‐associated brush border myosin‐I activity

Brush border myosin-I (BBMI) is associated with the membrane of intestinal epithelial cells where it probably plays a structural role. BBMI also has been identified on Golgi-derived vesicles in intestinal epithelial cells where it may translocate vesicles into the brush border. However, the mechanochemical activity of BBMI bound to a phospholipid membrane has not been described. This study reports that phospholipid membrane-associated BBMI displays ATPase activity when bound to phospholipids, but does not move actin filaments when associated with a phospholipid bilayer. BBMI does not bind significantly to brush border membrane lipids, which contain about 16% phosphatidylserine (PS), in either a pelleting or planar membrane assay. Similarly, planar membranes containing 20% PS do not bind a significant amount of BBMI. Increasing the concentration of PS to 40% does result in the binding of BBMI to both vesicles and planar membranes. This binding is enhanced with increased Ca2+ concentrations. BBMI retains its ATPase activity when bound to phospholipid vesicles containing 40% PS. However, BBMI attached to a phospholipid bilayer surface does not move actin filaments, even though the amount of BBMI bound to the lipid surface, as reflected by the number of actin filaments associated with bilayer-bound BBMI, is sufficient to observe motility in control experiments. When membrane fluidity is reduced by adding cholesterol to the membrane lipids containing 40% PS, BBMI still binds to the membrane, but again no actin filament motility is observed. The lack of binding by BBMI to brush border membrane lipids and the absence of membrane-associated BBMI mechanical activity suggest that factors in addition to membrane lipids are necessary for membrane-associated myosin-I motility. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The automated tutoring of introductory computer programming

The methodologies of artificial intelligence and the knowledge of cognitive psychology can be used to automatically generate fine-grain tutorial interactions, rather than having to program them manually.
Trait anxiety modulates supraliminal and subliminal threat: Brain potential evidence for early and late processing influences

Analysis of threat is thought to involve a “quick and dirty” stage in conjunction with slower processing that is more complete. We investigated both types of threat analysis by recording brain potentials in response to threat and neutral words. Personality testing was used to identify participants who were either high or low in trait anxiety (TA). An observed enhancement of occipital P1 potentials to threat words during an emotional Stroop task was interpreted as a signal of unconscious processing, since it was early, independent of whether word exposure was subliminal or supraliminal, and more prominent the higher the level of TA. Later positive potentials were also enhanced for threat versus neutral words, but the amplitude enhancement increased with higher TA only in the subliminal condition. These results suggest that unconscious analysis of threat is intensified in those prone to anxiety, as is a later stage of threat processing subject to dynamic interactions between automatic and strategic influences.
Prediction of Properties from Simulations: Free Energies of Solvation in Hexadecane, Octanol, and Water

Monte Carlo (MC) statistical mechanics simulations have been carried out for more than 200 organic solutes, including 125 drugs and related heterocycles, in aqueous solution. The calculations were highly automated and used the OPLS-AA force field augmented with CM1P partial charges. Configurationally averaged results were obtained for a variety of physically significant quantities including the solute−water Coulomb and Lennard-Jones interaction energies, solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and numbers of donor and acceptor hydrogen bonds. Correlations were then obtained between these descriptors and gas to liquid free energies of solvation in hexadecane, octanol, and water and octanol/water partition coefficients. Linear regressions with three or four descriptors yielded fits with correlation coefficients, r2, of 0.9 in all cases. The regression equation for log P(octanol/water) only needs four descriptors to provide an rms error of 0.55 for 200 diverse compounds, which is competitive with the best fr...
Witnessing intimate partner violence as a child does not increase the likelihood of becoming an adult intimate partner violence victim.

Objectives To determine whether adults who witnessed intimate partner violence (IPV) as children would have an increased rate of being victims of ongoing IPV, as measured by the Ongoing Violence Assessment Tool (OVAT), compared with adult controls who did not witness IPV as children. The authors also sought to determine whether there were differences in demographics in these two groups. Methods This was a cross sectional cohort study of patients presenting to a high-volume academic emergency department. Emergency department patients presenting from November 16, 2005, to January 5, 2006, during 46 randomized four-hour shifts were included. A confidential computer touch-screen data entry program was used for collecting demographic data, including witnessing IPV as a child and the OVAT. Main outcome measures were witnessing IPV as a child, ongoing IPV, and associated demographics. Assuming a prevalence of IPV of 20% and a clinically significant difference of 20% between adults who witnessed IPV as children and adult controls who did not witness IPV as children, the study was powered at 80%, with 215 subjects included. Results A total of 280 subjects were entered; 256 had complete data sets. Forty-nine percent of subjects were male, 45% were Hispanic, 72 (28%) were adults who witnessed IPV as children, and 184 (72%) were adult controls who did not witness IPV as children. Sixty-three (23.5%) were positive for ongoing IPV. There was no correlation of adults who witnessed IPV as children with the presence of ongoing IPV, as determined by univariate and bivariate analysis. Twenty-three of 72 (32%) of the adults who witnessed IPV as children, and 39 of 184 (21%) of the adult controls who did not witness IPV as children, were positive for IPV (difference, 11%; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2% to 23%). Significant correlations with having witnessed IPV as a child included age younger than 40 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.2; 95% CI = 1.7 to 9.1), income less than $20,000/year (OR, 5.1; 95% CI = 1.6 to 12.5), and abuse as a child (OR, 9.1; 95% CI = 4.2 to 19.6). Other demographics were not significantly correlated with having witnessed IPV as a child. Conclusions Adults who witnessed IPV as children were more likely to have a lower income, be younger, and have been abused as a child, but not more likely to be positive for ongoing IPV, when compared with patients who had not witnessed IPV. Language: en