cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The save our sisters project : a social network strategy for reaching rural black women

Why are older black women screened less for breast cancer? What can be done to narrow the racial gap in mammography screening? These are the questions addressed by the Save Our Sisters (SOS) Project, a pilot demonstration study funded by the National Cancer Institute in a rural county of North Carolina. The target population is 2600 black women 50-74 years of age residing in the county. To assist these women to obtain annual mammograms, SOS has recruited and trained 64 black women who are "natural helpers" to serve as lay health advisors. The lay health advisors reach older black women through their existing kin, friendship, and job networks. Responses from 14 focus group interviews found that when it is a matter of older black women's health concerns, women turn to certain women for social support. Responses revealed factors related to the individual woman and her social network that influence rural black women's seeking breast cancer screening. These results were applied to the Social Change model for designing the training and three network intervention strategies: (1) providing social support (information and referrals, emotional caring, and tangible assistance) through interpersonal counseling with women in their social networks; (2) working as a group, planning and implementing breast cancer control and prevention activities through community-based organizations to which advisors belong (e.g., church groups, civic groups, and social groups); and (3) establishing themselves as a non-profit, community-based SOS Association to sustain project interventions after the funding period. The SOS Community Advisory Group and the advisors developed innovative methods of recruitment, implementation, and follow-up. The community programs they have initiated are: (1) the Adopt-A-Sister Program, which assists black women who cannot afford the cost of a mammogram; (2) a committee on understanding the health care system, which assists women in negotiating regulations and using health care providers; (3) a training committee, which recruits and trains additional advisors; (4) a support group for black women with diagnoses of breast cancer; and (5) a speakers bureau, which has produced a 10-minute video, brochure, and tee-shirts as community education materials.
Symbolic Attachment Security and Eudemonic Well-Being in Older Adults

According to attachment theory, the appraisal that an attachment figure is available, caring, and responsive facilitates psychological and social adjustment. Although the theory is regarded as a lifespan theory of development, little research has addressed the correlates of attachment in late adulthood. Symbolic attachment figures such as God may be particularly important for older adults because they have often lost loved ones, including former attachment figures. This study tested whether secure attachment to God was associated with psychological flourishing in older adults. A community sample of 106 adults (mean age = 75) completed measures of attachment to God and psychological well-being. In regression analyses controlling for age, sex, education, and self-rated religiosity, secure (non-anxious) attachment to God predicted positive relationships with others, self-acceptance, environmental mastery, and personal growth. Avoidant attachment did not predict any of the well-being indices. Results are discussed in the context of attachment theory and positive psychology.
Further developments in the noniterative method of solving PDE's in electron scattering

Abstract Our previous program to solve noniteratively two-dimensional (2D) partial differential equations (PDE's) using a 3-point second-order difference formula is generalized to apply to higher-dimensional PDE's using higher-order difference formulae. This has the effect of generalizing the basic matrix from block tridiagonal to a banded matrix whose width depends on the dimensionally and the difference order desired. The banded matrix is converted to a lower times an upper triangular matrix by a generalization of the original block tridiagonal technique. Thereafter the same methodology applies. The method is tested on an analytically solvable 3D model simulating electron diatomic molecular scattering including the vibrational degree of freedom.
Abundance of pathogens in the gut and litter of broiler chickens as affected by bacitracin and litter management

Clostridium perfringens, Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. are food-borne enteric pathogens that are commonly associated with poultry. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of supplemental bacitracin and litter management (fresh vs. reused) on the abundance of these pathogens in commercial broiler chickens. Specific quantitative PCR (qPCR) assays were used to quantify C. perfringens, virulent C. perfringens that carried the genes encoding α-toxin (cpa) and NetB-toxin (netB), Salmonella, and Campylobacter in samples of ileal mucosa, cecal content, and litter. Campylobacter was not detected in any of the samples collected. The abundance of Salmonella was not affected by either bacitracin or litter condition. Generic C. perfringens was detected in the ileal mucosa at very low level at 10 days of age but was much higher at 35 days. Chickens reared on reused litter tended to have a lower abundance of generic C. perfringens compared with those reared on fresh litter. In the ileal mucosa, no cpa or netB was detected at day 10 but was detected at day 35 in the chickens that were not fed supplemental bacitracin. Chicks fed supplemental bacitracin had reduced abundance of generic C. perfringens as well as the cpa and netB genes in the ileal mucosa, cecal content, and litters. A strong positive correlation was found between the abundance of all three measurements of C. perfringens. The abundance of Salmonella spp. and C. perfringens was also shown to be correlated. This is the first study that has examined the effect of dietary bacitracin and litter conditions on the prevalence of these three common enteric pathogens. Unless contaminated from previous flocks, reused litter may not necessarily contain significantly greater abundances of C. perfringens or Salmonella.
Synthesis of block copolymers based on the alternating anionic copolymerization of styrene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene

A series of poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene-alt-styrene)-containing block copolymers that exhibited predictable molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions were synthesized with various 1,3-cyclohexadiene contents (13−57 mol %). In situ FTIR spectroscopy in combination with the Mayo−Lewis graphical method was employed to determine the reactivity ratios for the anionic copolymerization of styrene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene. The reactivity ratios for 1,3-cyclohexadiene and styrene were 0.022 and 0.024, respectively, which indicated the formation of an alternating copolymer. The alternating copolymers served as suitable precursors for chemical modification and were either quantitatively aromatized or hydrogenated in a controlled fashion. The thermal stabilities of the modified copolymers were determined, and as expected, the hydrogenated copolymers exhibited improved thermal stability compared to that of poly(1,3-cyclohexadiene-alt-styrene)-containing block copolymers. However, the aromatized copolymers ...
Regional distribution of cholecystokinin receptors in macaque medial temporal lobe determined by in vitro receptor autoradiography.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) binding sites were localized in the hippocampus, amygdala, and medial temporal cortices of macaque monkeys by using techniques of in vitro receptor autoradiography. Binding sites were labeled with 3H-CCK-8 and 125I-CCK-33, and nonspecific binding was assessed in the presence of 1 μM CCK-8. Comparison of autoradiograms with Nisslstained sections allowed precise correlation of autoradiographic grain distribution with cytoarchitecture. CCK binding in the amygdala varied among nuclear subdivisions. It was dense in the lateral, basomedial, endopiriform, and cortical nuclei, in the parvicellular portion of the accessory basal nucleus, the periamygdaloid cortex, the cortical transition area, and in the amygdalohippocampal area. Labeling was sparse in the central, medial, and basolateral nuclei as well as in the magnocellular accessory basal nucleus. In the hippocampal formation, a single dense band of CCK binding was observed over the granule cell layer and adjacent few millimeters of the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus, while in the polymorph and remaining portions of this layer binding was of very low density. Prominent label over the pyramidal layer in the presubiculum clearly distinguished this region from the adjacent subiculum in which binding just exceeded background levels. Moderate to light label was observed in the hilus and stratum pyramidale of CA3, CA2, and CA1, while other hippocampal layers showed minimal specific binding. Variation in CCK binding in the medial temporal cortex showed close correspondence to cytoarchitectonic subdivisions. In entorhinal cortex, for example, binding was concentrated in layers III-VI while label in area 35 was prominent in all laminae except layer IV. Area TH of von Bonin and Bailey ('47) was distinguished from other regions by evenly distributed binding across all layers, while in area TF a bilaminar pattern of label in layers II and IV was observed. The highly specific patterns of CCK binding in amygdala and transitional cortices of the medial temporal lobe can be related to terminal fields of neo- and allocortical afferents to these regions, while label in the hippocampal formation coincides with the terminals of intrinsic neurons which ramify among the somata of cells that are targets of neocortical afferents. Thus, in all structures of the medial temporal lobe the disposition of peptidergic binding sites suggests that CCKergic systems may be important in the modulation of cortical afferents.
Predicting Cattle Rancher Wildlife Management Activities: An Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

Integrating wildlife management into routine livestock operations has become a priority of many wildlife conservation agencies and nongovernmental organizations because grazing lands occupy more than one-third of the United States. We surveyed 1,093 beef cattle ranchers by mail to predict cattle rancher intentions to consider wildlife management in routine cattle management activities. We framed our survey using the theory of planned behavior, whereby attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral controls explain behavioral intent. Our results indicated that attitudes and subjective norms best explained rancher intentions. Wildlife agency personnel and program planners can apply these results to design new or increase participation in existing cattle rancher wildlife conservation assistance programs by fostering positive attitudes regarding the integration of wildlife management in routine cattle operations and targeting key social groups of the ranching and conservation communities.
Behavioral effects of (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane, (DOI) in the elevated plus-maze test

Abstract The serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) system has consistently been implicated in the actions of (±)-1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and other hallucinogens. Recent evidence suggest that the 5-HT2A/2C receptor subtypes may be major targets for such drugs in the CNS. DOI-treated hooded rats (0.1–5.0 mg/kg) and DOI treated ICR mice (0.1–2.0 mg/kg), displayed aversions at lower doses and antiaversions at higher doses to the open arms of the plus-maze. Mianserin (0.5 mg/kg) and ketanserin (0.1 mg/kg) blocked the anti-aversive behavior, but only mianserin was effective at reversing the aversions produced by the higher doses of DOI in the ICR mice. DOI produced an intense aversion in the DBA/2 and anti-aversion in the C57/BL6 mice to the open arms of the plus-maze. These opposing actions of DOI in the plus-maze may be exploited in studying the neurobehavioral effects of hallucinogens. Since flumazenil was ineffective at blocking the DOI induced changes, it was concluded that the mechanism of DOI induced anxiolysis or anxiogenesis may not involve an action at the benzodiazepine receptors.
Impact of aging and age-related maculopathy on inactivation of the a-wave of the rod-mediated electroretinogram

This study examined the impact of aging and age-related maculopathy (ARM) on the inactivation of phototransduction in rod photoreceptors by measuring the recovery of the a-wave using a paired flash electroretinogram technique. Measurements were made on 32 older adults in normal retinal health, 25 with early ARM, 7 with late ARM, and 20 young adults for comparison purposes. ARM presence and severity were defined by the Wisconsin Age-Related Maculopathy Grading System based on grading of fundus photographs. The inactivation of rod phototransduction exhibited an aging-related slowing. Those with early ARM did not exhibit inactivation slowing over and above what would be expected based on normal retinal aging. Persons in the late stages of ARM exhibited dramatic slowing in inactivation kinetics.
Methodology for the 3D modeling and visualization of concurrency networks

One of the primary formalisms for modeling concurrency and resource contention in systems is Petri nets. The literature on Petri nets is rich with activity on applications as well as extensions. We use the basic Petri net formalism as well as several extensions to demonstrate how metaphor can be applied to yield 3D model worlds. A number of metaphors, including 3D-primitive and landscape are employed within the framework of VRML-enabled simulation. We designed a template for use in creating any Petri net model and then using the template, implemented an example model utilizing metaphors for both the structure and the behaviors of the model. We determined that the result is an effectively and efficiently communicated model with high memory retention. The modeling methodology that we employ was successfully implemented for Petri nets with the ability for model reuse and/or personalization with any aesthetics applied to the desired Petri net.
Social Work Practitioner Knowledge and Assessment of Late-Life Depression

Late-life depression has attracted considerable attention in the social work literature. This study examined levels of knowledge and self-efficacy (confidence) in evaluation of depression in late life among a random sample of social workers (N = 168) from the National Association of Social Workers. Relationships among knowledge on aging, job-related variables, and predictors of knowledge of geriatric depression were examined. Participants ranked depression as one of the most frequent clinical problems seen in practice, scored at the lower end on knowledge about aging, and experienced great difficulty on the items pertaining to suicide in the older adults.
Jimmy Takes Manhattan

What if you could design a robot to suit your own personality and behaviors, just as you can make apps to do just about anything your imagination can dream up? The Web extra at http://youtu.be/DjydM5cgBy8 is an audio recording in which author Brian David Johnson talks about taking the 3D printed exoskeleton of Jimmy, a 21st century robot, through New York City and interviews Dr. Simon Egerton, roboticist, academic, and professor at Manash University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene entubulation of the rabbit inferior alveolar nerve.

Abstract Objective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene conduit in the treatment of a 6.0-mm gap in the rabbit inferior alveolar nerve and compare the results with those of an autogenous interpositional tibial nerve graft. Study design. The inferior alveolar nerves of 5 adult New Zealand White female rabbits (10 nerves) were exposed bilaterally, and a 6-mm segment of each nerve was resected. On one side, chosen at random, the gap was immediately bridged through use of an 8.0 × 2.0-mm expanded polytetrafluoroethylene conduit; on the other side, the gap was grafted with an autogenous tibial nerve graft. Two randomly selected nerves served as sham-dissected controls. At 15 weeks after surgery, the animals were killed and the entire nerve segments were harvested and prepared according to standard fixation and embedding techniques. The sections were examined histomorphometrically to quantify the degree of axonal regeneration through definition of fascicular number, total fascicular surface area, axonal density, and mean axonal diameter at 3 locations along the repair site. Results. Light microscopic examination revealed the presence of disorganized neural tissue in both groups, with slightly more fibrovascular interfascicular tissue in the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene group. Histomorphometric analysis revealed no significant differences between groups for most of the measured variables. The mean axonal diameter varied between groups, and the fascicular number was greater in the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene group at the middle site. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that regeneration of the inferior alveolar nerve can occur across a 6.0-mm gap through an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene tube with results comparable to those of an autogenous nerve graft, significant donor site morbidity being avoided. The significant differences between groups were probably due to greater containment of regenerating axonal fibers in the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene group. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2000;89:292-8)
Reading for Democracy: Preparing Middle-Grades Social Studies Teachers to Teach Critical Literacy

The role of literacy instruction—and more specifically the ability to read critically—in democratic and Social Studies education has not been fully or explicitly explored. This gap is also striking...
558 COXSACKIE A (CA) ANTIGEN DETECTION BY ENZYME IMMUNOASSAY (EIA) IN SUSPECTED SEPSIS (SS)

Previous studies have documented the important association of non-polio enterovirus (E) isolation with SS in young infants. These studies relied on tissue culture alone to identify E. We utilized a double-antibody, solid-phase EIA for CA, in addition to standard methods, in the evaluation of 45 patients <3 months of age admitted to NCMC for SS from 6/1 to 10/31/83. No patient had an obvious focus of infection, abnormal chest roentgenogram, or history of previous antibiotics. 38 patients had a rectal temperature ≥37.8°C on admission, 4 were febrile by history, and 3 were evaluated for lethargy. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and rectal swabs were collected from all patients and urine from 39 for routine bacterial studies. CSF from 42 and nasopharyngeal, throat and rectal swabs from all patients were plated on rhesus monkey and human embryonic kidney cells for viral isolation. Echovirus (8), coxsackie-virus (10), untyped E (2) and parainfluenza (1) were identified by culture and CA antigen was detected in an additional 5 patients. All of the 26 patients with proven viral infections were suspected of having bacterial infections on clinical grounds and 25 were treated with anitbiotics despite negative bacterial cultures. These data support a major role for E in SS in the summer and fall. Further evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests for viruses and their role in preventing unnecessary antibiotic administration are warranted.
Statistical assessment of proton treatment plans under setup and range uncertainties.

Purpose To evaluate a method for quantifying the effect of setup errors and range uncertainties on dose distribution and dose–volume histogram using statistical parameters; and to assess existing planning practice in selected treatment sites under setup and range uncertainties. Methods and Materials Twenty passively scattered proton lung cancer plans, 10 prostate, and 1 brain cancer scanning-beam proton plan(s) were analyzed. To account for the dose under uncertainties, we performed a comprehensive simulation in which the dose was recalculated 600 times per given plan under the influence of random and systematic setup errors and proton range errors. On the basis of simulation results, we determined the probability of dose variations and calculated the expected values and standard deviations of dose–volume histograms. The uncertainties in dose were spatially visualized on the planning CT as a probability map of failure to target coverage or overdose of critical structures. Results The expected value of target coverage under the uncertainties was consistently lower than that of the nominal value determined from the clinical target volume coverage without setup error or range uncertainty, with a mean difference of −1.1% (−0.9% for breath-hold), −0.3%, and −2.2% for lung, prostate, and a brain cases, respectively. The organs with most sensitive dose under uncertainties were esophagus and spinal cord for lung, rectum for prostate, and brain stem for brain cancer. Conclusions A clinically feasible robustness plan analysis tool based on direct dose calculation and statistical simulation has been developed. Both the expectation value and standard deviation are useful to evaluate the impact of uncertainties. The existing proton beam planning method used in this institution seems to be adequate in terms of target coverage. However, structures that are small in volume or located near the target area showed greater sensitivity to uncertainties.
Macroscopic theory of the coupled dipole approximation method

Abstract The coupled dipole approximation method was formulated by Purcell and Pennypacker to treat scattering by irregular bodies, and it has gained considerable currency in the recent past. Since the heuristic formulation of the method has a semi-microscopic flavour, here it has been given a firm macroscopic foundation by connecting it with volume integral equations. This communication also serves as a mini-review of the recent developments of this numerical technique.
Monte Carlo simulation of multiple quantum well and superlattice infrared photodetectors

A Monte Carlo program for simulating multiple quantum well and superlattice IR detectors is described. The model is quasi-2D and uses an effective mass approximation for the superlattice minibands. These approximations make it possible to run the program with the computing power of a workstation. The average velocity of the electrons is computed as function of the bias voltage.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Average bending of convex pleated planes in hyperbolic three-space

If P is a pleated plane in 3-dimensional hyperbolic space H 3 and α a geodesic in its intrinsic metric we define B(P,α), the average bending of P in the direction α. We show that if P is a convex pleated plane embedded in H 3 then B(P,α)≤K for some universal K. Furthermore if PΓ is a boundary component of the convex hull of a quasi-Fuchsian group Γ then B(PΓ,α)=B(Γ) almost everywhere, where B(Γ) is a constant times the length of the bending lamination βΓ of the pleated surface X Γ=PΓ/Γ. We use these to prove a number of results about quasi-Fuchsian groups including a universal bound on the Lipschitz constant for the map to infinity and a bound on the length of βΓ by a constant times the Euler characteristic of X Γ.
Consumer response to theoretical role models in school psychology

Abstract This 1972 investigation analyzed differential perceptions and preferences of teachers, principals, and school psychologists to three models of interview style: clinical, phenomenological, and social learning. A simulated psychologist-teacher interview was videotaped for each model. A sample of principals, teachers, and school psychologists evaluated each type of interview with a Q sort of statements designed to represent theory-related practices revealed in psychologist behavior. Analysis of variance of Q sort items revealed significant (p.
Non-invasive estimation of afferent inputs for postural stability under low levels of alcohol

The maintenance of human equilibrium is a complex process. Several physiological systems provide afferent information for postural stabilization. This study describes a noninvasive methodology to estimate the relative roles of interacting afferent inputs relevant for postural control. A multiaxis force platform in conjunction with specially designed test procedure provided semi-quantitative insight into the roles of vision, proprioceptors and vestibular apparatus in controlling postural sway when it was perturbed by a central nervous system perturbator such as alcohol. Experiments were conducted on 10 male and 10 female subjects. The males did not show statistically significant increases in body sway at these low levels of alcohol. For the females, the present methodology could detect subtle changes in postural sway at low blood alcohol levels ranging between 0.015% and 0.03%. At these low levels of alcohol, the results from females show that when the vision was excluded and the proprioception was modified, the postural sway was most affected. The postural instability experienced in this condition is probably due to inappropriate responses to proprioceptive inputs and lack of vision. Both male and female subjects showed a strong “eyes by standing surface” interaction. The proprioceptor manipulation alone did not affect the postural stability.
Mother-child interaction in children with epilepsy: Relations with child competence

Abstract This study was designed to examine the relations among three dimensions of maternal behavior—emotional support, respect for child's autonomy, and quality of instruction and child competence—assessed outside of the mother-child relationship. Subjects were 20 children with epilepsy, between the ages of 8 and 11 years of age, and their mothers. Inclusion in the study required at least low average IQ and no degenerative neurological conditions. Significant relations were obtained between emotional support provided by mothers and child confidence, flexibility, positive affect, scholastic competence, and social acceptance, and between mother's respect for child's autonomy and child confidence, task involvement, flexibility, positive affect, dependence, and behavioral conduct. The results are discussed in regard to the association between parental behaviors and competence in children with epilepsy.
LOX-1 deletion and macrophage trafficking in atherosclerosis

Abstract Background Atherosclerosis is associated with macrophage accumulation. LOX-1 has been shown to induce macrophage attachment, and its deletion (LOX-1 knockout, KO) reduces atherosclerosis in LDLr KO mice fed a high cholesterol diet. We examined differences in macrophage trafficking in age-matched wild type, LOX-1 KO, LDLr KO, and LDLr/LOX-1 double KO mice. Methods Sections of aortas of mice fed high cholesterol diet were collected at weeks 0, 4, 8, 12 and 19 and analyzed by immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Results In the LDLr KO mice aorta, CD68 positivity (macrophage accumulation) increased over time up to 12 weeks, and then the accumulation fell modestly but significantly. The periaortal fat and adventitia showed more CD68 positivity than the media and intima. This pattern was also evident in the non-atherosclerotic areas. Importantly, LOX-1 KO and LDLr–LOX-1 double KO mice showed diminished CD68 positivity in comparison to wild type and LDLR KO mice, respectively. Further, macrophages from LOX-1 KO mice revealed a marked reduction in migration (vs. macrophages from wild type mice) in in vitro migration assay. Conclusions LOX-1 deletion translates into reduction in macrophage trafficking in the aorta of LDLr KO mice. Most of the macrophage trafficking appears in the subadventitial regions.
High risk behaviors in a sample of Mexican-American college students.

This study explored different types of high risk behaviors of Mexican-American college students attending a small university in south Texas. High risk behaviors for contracting HIV/AIDS examined in...
Synthesis and evaluation of peptidomimetics that bind DNA.

Abstract A peptidomimetic template, consisting of a hydrophobic scaffold, a dansyl fluorophore, and an Arg-His recognition strand, was tested as a simple mimic of zinc finger 2 of the Zif268 protein. Association constants (KA's) were on the order of 105 M−1 for complexes formed between the mimetic and duplexes d(CGGGAATTCCCG)2 and d(AAAAAAAAATTTTTTTTT)2. Modest selectivity was observed for the GC-rich DNA in a 0.5 M NaCl/buffer (0.1 M phosphate, pH 7.0) solution. Differences in KA's along with observed CD profiles suggest that the mimetic associated with the duplexes using different binding modes. The DNA duplexes had weaker interactions with the free Arg-His recognition strand, the dansyl functional group, and a scaffold that contained only glycines as the recognition strand. The scaffold most likely provides for greater van der Waal's interactions, a larger hydrophobic effect upon association, and reduces the freedom of motion of the side chains. This last effect was confirmed by molecular mechanics calculations and by the fact that the mimetic suffered a smaller loss of entropic energy upon association than the free recognition strand. These studies show that the synthetic scaffold is a promising platform in which peptides can be attached to increase their affinity and possibly selectivity for DNA targets.
Preparation and properties of luteinizing hormone (LH) subunits from the turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and their recombination with subunits of ovine LH.

Abstract Subunits of turkey luteinizing hormone (LH) were prepared from highly purified turkey LH by countercurrent distribution (CCD) and Sephadex G-100 chromatography. The material with the low partition coefficient was designated turkey LH-α and that with the high partition coefficient was designated turkey LH-β. The LH-α eluted from Sephadex G-100 with a Ve Vo ratio of 2.41, while the LH-β eluted at 2.33. The α-subunit had more lysine than arginine, the reverse is seen in the LH-β. The β-subunit has a higher content of leucine, proline, valine, and glycine than the α, but appears to contain no methionine and probably no histidine. Both subunits are high in half-cystine residues. The bulk of the carbohydrate was associated with LH-α (14.9%), while the LH-β had a low carbohydrate content (4.4%). The isolated subunits had very low immuno- and bioactivity, but activity in radioimmunoand radioreceptor assays was regenerated by coincubation of the turkey subunits. Hybridization of turkey LH subunits with those from ovine LH also generated radioreceptor activity. The hybrid prepared with ovine LH-α and turkey LH-β was quite active in an avian testes radioreceptor assay; the reciprocal recombinant was not. The recombinant formed by turkey LH-α and ovine LH-β was active in a mammalian radioreceptor assay. The recombinant formed from turkey LH-α and ovine LH-β was quite active in a Leydig cell testosterone production assay, the reciprocal recombinant was not. Turkey LH is thus shown to be made up of two dissimilar subunits, each of which has substantial chemical homology with those from ovine LH. The species specificity of these two tetropod luteinizing hormones appears to be associated with the β-subunit.
Pion production in hyperon and KoKo channels in π−p interactions and multipion photoproduction

Abstract Pions produced in Σ∓Ko, ΛKo, Ko K O and nπ+π− channels in π−p interactions and photoproduced from proton are shown to follow the quantum-number conserved WI(n) distribution which is thus a characteristic of high energy collisions (⩽900 GeV), including photon-nucleon interactions.
Psychological treatment of fearful and phobic special needs patients

Dental fears and phobias trouble patients with and without special needs, and they are a problem for dentists, as well. This article reviews current research and literature related to methods used to alleviate dental fear and concludes that while some important psychological methods are available, much work is left to be done in this area. It is clear that there is an important role for psychological and behavioral input to the dentist–patient interaction. While dental phobia represents a class of special needs itself, patients with other important disabilities (e.g., physical or cognitive impairments) are sometimes comorbidly phobic, a condition often missed or misdiagnosed by treating practitioners. Office-based techniques that focus on relaxation, breathing, imagery, hypnosis, and effective use of operatory language are described. The methods advocated here can be used with patients having mild or moderate cognitive impairments. Readings are recommended for the dentist or auxiliary practitioner interested in learning these techniques.
Superelastic semi‐active damping of a base‐isolated structure

A hybrid base isolation system that is composed of linear elastomeric bearings (EB), friction-pendulum bearings (FPB), shape memory alloy (SMA) wires, and magnetorheological (MR) dampers is proposed for the mitigation of seismic motions. Each subcomponent of the isolation system is employed for a unique task in managing superstructure response when ground motions are experienced. EB are provided to couple the superstructure and substructure in the vertical direction while partially decoupling the superstructure from lateral ground motion. FPB provide support for gravity loads and a restoring force when base drifts become large. SMA wires supply recoverable hysteretic behavior and serve as an additional restoring force. Finally, MR dampers provide variable viscous damping that can be altered in real time for intelligent amelioration of superstructure response. Neuro-fuzzy techniques are incorporated to model SMA and MR elements. A fuzzy logic controller is generated using a multi-objective genetic algorithm for optimal modulation of MR damper resistance levels. To evaluate performance of the proposed isolation system the Phase II, Part IV Base Isolation Benchmark Problem is adopted and standard performance metrics are considered. The nominal isolation system of the problem statement is augmented with SMA and MR devices. Hysteretic behavior of each device is analyzed and their complimentary behavior is identified. Results of several control cases are provided that include semi-active and passive operation of the MR dampers and several configurations of SMA wires. Results show that the proposed superelastic semi-active base isolation system can reduce base drifts by 18% and maintain favorable superstructure response. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Communities of algae in North Carolina streams and their seasonal relations

The material presented summarizes the results of a four-year study of the algae in the streams of North Carolina — one of the southeastern United States. Many small streams and eleven rivers in the Coastal Plain, Piedmont and Mountain areas were sampled at random and in some cases in a systematic manner. Important habitat factors were measured and numbers of plankton organisms in several rivers determined.
Thrombin, a mediator of cerebrovascular inflammation in AD and hypoxia

Considerable evidence implicates hypoxia and vascular inflammation in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Thrombin, a multifunctional inflammatory mediator, is demonstrable in the brains of AD patients both in the vessel walls and senile plaques. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α), a key regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia, is also upregulated in the vasculature of human AD brains. The objective of this study is to investigate inflammatory protein expression in the cerebrovasculature of transgenic AD mice and to explore the role of thrombin as a mediator of cerebrovascular inflammation and oxidative stress in AD and in hypoxia-induced changes in brain endothelial cells. Immunofluorescent analysis of the cerebrovasculature in AD mice demonstrates significant (p<0.01-0.001) increases in thrombin, HIF-1α, interleukin-6 (IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to controls. Administration of the thrombin inhibitor dabigatran (100 mg/kg) to AD mice for 34 wks significantly decreases expression of inflammatory proteins and ROS. Exposure of cultured brain endothelial cells to hypoxia for 6 h causes an upregulation of thrombin, HIF-1α, MCP-1, IL-6 and MMP2 and ROS. Treatment of endothelial cells with the dabigatran (1 nM) reduces ROS generation and inflammatory protein expression (p<0.01-0.001). The data demonstrate that inhibition of thrombin in culture blocks the increase in inflammatory protein expression and ROS generation evoked by hypoxia. Also, administration of dabigatran to transgenic AD mice diminishes expression of inflammatory proteins and ROS in the cerebromicrovasculature. Taken together, these results suggest that inhibiting thrombin generation could have therapeutic value in AD and other disorders where hypoxia, inflammation and oxidative stress are involved.
The roles of steroidogenic factor-1 in reproductive function

The cytochrome P450 steroid hydroxylases are expressed in a tissue-specific and developmentally regulated manner, and the orphan nuclear receptor steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) participates in both aspects of regulated expression. SF-1 is expressed in mouse embryos from the inception of adrenal and gonadal development, suggesting that SF-1 plays important roles in their differentiation. SF-1 is also expressed in the embryonic pituitary gland and ventral diencephalon, suggesting additional roles within the hypothalamic-pituitary-steroidogenic organ axis. To examine the roles of SF-1 in vivo, we used targeted gene disruption to "knock out" the mouse gene encoding SF-1. Analyses of these knockout mice established roles of SF-1 at levels of endocrine development that include adrenal and gonadal differentiation, pituitary gonadotrope function, and formation of the ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus. These results indicate that SF-1 plays multiple roles in endocrine development that are essential for reproduction.
Optimal Timing and Mode of Delivery After Cesarean with Previous Classical Incision or Myomectomy: A Review of the Data

Uterine rupture is an obstetrical emergency that can be catastrophic for the mother and fetus. Previous uterine surgery, including previous cesarean delivery or myomectomy, is an established risk factor, although the exact magnitude of the associated risk remains uncertain. We reviewed the literature related to uterine rupture after previous cesarean delivery with classical incision or myomectomy in an attempt to quantify outcomes associated with various management strategies. Although cesarean delivery with a classical incision is relatively uncommon (representing 0.3%-0.4% of deliveries), it presents a significant risk of rupture in subsequent pregnancies (1%-12% on the basis of published reports). Available data suggest that scheduled cesarean at 36-37 weeks optimizes both maternal and fetal outcomes in these cases. Patients with previous myomectomy are more frequently encountered in the obstetrical population. The risk of uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies in these women is substantially lower than those with a history of previous classical incision (0.5%-0.7% on the basis of published reports). Although less common, given the potentially devastating consequences of uterine rupture, scheduled delivery at 38 weeks is suggested in those women requiring cesarean delivery. Despite the lack of well-controlled studies, preferred management strategies can be gleaned from previously published data to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes in women with these risk factors.
A Simple Framework for Regulation of Biofuels

In this chapter, we develop a framework to regulate producers of biofuel-blended fuels using GHG emissions standards, while accounting for heterogeneity and uncertainty. To this end, we categorize the net GHG emissions caused by a regulated site into two parts: direct and indirect emissions. Direct emissions arise both at and away from the final regulated site but are directly attributable to the final output. Indirect emissions, on the other hand, are emissions not attributable to any single regulated entity, but are caused by the interaction of aggregate supply and demand. An example is emissions due to indirect land use change (ILUC). The two parts, i.e., direct and indirect emissions, are computed using the best available data. The sum of the site-specific direct emissions per unit of output and average indirect emissions per unit of output is, then, compared to the emission threshold or standard.
Anomalous Voltage Noise at the Superconducting Transition of Tin Films

We report voltage noise studies in the superconducting transition of thin Tin (Sn) films. Voltage noises are measured as a function of temperature and ac current. The noise spectral power S1/2 strongly depends on the temperature and current, with the peak temperature in S1/2 shifted down from that of dR/dT. Comparison with the dc noise measurement shows the S1/2 is much larger with ac current than dc. I–V characteristics and voltage noises are measured simultaneously to reveal the nature of the excess noises. The noise dependence on voltage strongly suggests the nature of vortex shot noise with a characteristic \(\sqrt{V}\) dependence for small V and reduction of S1/2 due to strong correlation of vortices at large V.
The Rotator Interval of the Shoulder: Anatomy, Biomechanics, and Repair Techniques

The role of the rotator interval (RI) in maintaining stability of the shoulder joint remains controversial. Defined as the triangular-shaped space between the supraspinatus and subscapularis tendons, the RI is an area of complex anatomy that contains the superior and middle glenohumeral ligaments, the coracohumeral ligament, the long head of the biceps, and a thin layer of capsule. The RI has frequently been touted as an area that is important in preserving stability of the shoulder because an incompetent RI has been implicated in various conditions of shoulder instability. Biomechanical research suggests that surgical repair of the RI improves the overall stability of the shoulder joint predominantly in the anterior and potentially inferior directions. With the advent of arthroscopic techniques for the treatment of shoulder instability, the differences between an arthroscopic and open RI closure have been delineated. The purposes of this review were to investigate the anatomy and biomechanical function of the RI in shoulder instability, to review the techniques of surgical repair, and to describe the effect of RI closure on glenohumeral kinematics. Additionally, some of the controversies regarding the indications for RI closure will be discussed.
Sodium-induced rise in blood pressure is suppressed by androgen receptor blockade.

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that1) a high Na (HNa, 3%) diet would increase blood pressure (BP) in male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive Y chromosome (SHR/y) rat strain...
Observation opinion and obiter dicta

(1961). Observation Opinion and Obiter Dicta. The Journal of Business Education: Vol. 36, No. 8, pp. 322-323.
Cis and Trans Effects of the Myotonic Dystrophy (DM) Mutation in a Cell Culture Model

′′-UTR) of the DM protein kinase gene (DMPK), but the mechanism(s) of pathogenesis remain unknown. Studies using DM patient materials have often produced confusing results. Therefore, to study the effects of the DM mutation in a controlled environment, we have established a cell culture model system using C2C12 mouse myoblasts. By expressing chimeric reporter constructs containing a reporter gene fused to a human DMPK 3′-UTR, we identified both cis and trans effects that are mediated by the DM mutation. Our data show that a mutant DMPK 3′ ′′-UTR, with as few as 57 CTGs, had a negative cis effect on protein expression and resulted in the aggregation of reporter transcripts into discrete nuclear foci. We determined by deletion analysis that an expanded (CTG) n tract alone was sufficient to mediate these cis effects. Furthermore, in contrast to the normal DMPK 3′-UTR mRNA, a mutant DMPK 3′-UTR mRNA with (CUG) 200 selectively inhibited myogenic differentiation of C2C12 myoblasts. Genetic analysis and the Cre-loxP system were used to clearly demonstrate that the myoblast fusion defect could be rescued by eliminating the expression of the mutant DMPK 3′ ′′-UTR transcript. Characterization of spontaneous deletion events mapped the inhibitory effect to the (CTG) n expansion and/or the 3′ end of theDMPK 3′ ′′-UTR. These results provide evidence that the DM mutation acts in cis to reduce protein production (consistent with DMPK haploinsufficiency) and in trans as a ‘riboregulator’ to inhibit myogenesis.
Swelling properties of hyaluronic acid ester membranes

Abstract Swelling equilibrium and kinetics of swelling for hyaluronic acid (HA) benzyl ester membranes were examined in media of different pH and ionic strength, and for varying percent esterification of the polymers. The equilibrium swelling properties for polymers with an intermediate (75–85%) degree of esterification in different media can be explained by the Donnan equilibrium theory. However, this theory does not apply to the swelling behaviors of membranes with high ( > 85%) and low (
Simple and Rapid High-pressure Liquid Chromatographic Simultaneous Determination of Aspirin, Salicylic Acid, and Salicyluric Acid in Plasma

A rapid and sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic assay was developed for aspirin, salicylic acid, and salicyluric acid in plasma. The procedure involves the solvent extraction of these compounds from plasma and separation using a reversed-phase column eluted by acidified aqueous acetonitrile. Small quantities of aspirin can be assayed directly in the presence of a large quantity of salicylic acid. The assay is also free from blank interference.
Adverse effects of risperidone on spatial working memory in first-episode schizophrenia.

Context Working memory impairments are a central neurocognitive feature of schizophrenia. The nature of these impairments early in the course of illness and the impact of antipsychotic drug treatment on these deficits are not well understood. The oculomotor delayed response task is a translational spatial working memory paradigm used to characterize the neurophysiologic and neurochemical aspects of working memory in the primate brain. Objective To examine oculomotor delayed response task performance in patients with first-episode schizophrenia before and after antipsychotic drug treatment. Design, Setting, and Participants Twenty-five antipsychotic drug–naive, acutely ill patients with first-episode schizophrenia performed an oculomotor delayed response task at baseline before any drug treatment and again after 6 weeks of risperidone treatment. Twenty-five matched healthy controls were studied in parallel. Main Outcome Measure Accuracy for remembered spatial locations on an oculomotor delayed response task. Results Before treatment, patients demonstrated baseline impairment in the ability to maintain spatial location information in working memory at longer delay-period durations (8 seconds), when maintenance demands on working memory were greatest. After 6 weeks of risperidone treatment and significant clinical improvement, this pretreatment impairment worsened such that patients were uniformly impaired across all delay period durations (1-8 seconds). This occurred in the absence of any generalized adverse effect on oculomotor systems or significant extrapyramidal adverse effects. Conclusions Deficits in the maintenance of spatial information in working memory are present early in the course of illness. Risperidone treatment exacerbated these deficits, perhaps by impairing the encoding of information into working memory. Studies with nonhuman primates performing oculomotor delayed response tasks suggest that the apparent adverse effect of risperidone might result from treatment-related changes in modulatory functions of prefrontal D 1 receptor systems.