cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control, Denial, and Heightened Sensitivity Reactions to Personal Threat: Testing the Generalizability of the Threat Orientation Approach

The threat orientation model proposes three dispositional responses to threats: control, heightened sensitivity, and denial. Two studies explored the psychometric properties of the previously developed threat orientation scales and the relationship between the orientations and the responses to a variety of threats. Study 1 found that the control-based and heightened sensitivity–based scales are reliable and were related to perceptions of health, financial, and terrorist threats with a nationally representative sample. Findings held across gender, age, and ethnic groups. Furthermore, Study 1 suggested two types of denial processes: optimistic denial and avoidance denial. Study 2 used a diverse sample to gain additional evidence for two processes of denial and developed measures of each type.
Current perspectives on the management of hypertriglyceridemia.

Abstract Background Observational studies have demonstrated that triglycerides are an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease. Atherothrombosis may be mediated by uptake and incorporation of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins by macrophages and through an association with small, dense LDL and HDL particles. There are considerable data that lowering LDL cholesterol reduces cardiovascular events. However, the importance of triglyceride lowering remains elusive. Methods A summary of major arteriographic and clinical end point trials is reviewed. Studies evaluating various strategies, including dietary and hygienic measures as well as pharmacologic therapies, are discussed. Results Dietary reduction of saturated fat, coupled with aerobic activity, reduces triglyceride levels approximately 20% to 24%. Omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce triglyceride levels appreciably. Effective pharmacologic therapies that lower triglyceride levels include nicotinic acid (20% to 40%), fibrates (20% to 55%), and statins (10% to 30%). Nevertheless, an independent benefit of triglyceride lowering on coronary event rate has not been demonstrated. Conclusions There are little data that triglyceride reduction improves cardiovascular event rate. In contrast, lowering LDL cholesterol and, more recently, raising HDL cholesterol are proven therapies in coronary heart disease prevention. As such, these modalities remain the top priority in the management of dyslipidemia with triglyceride reduction as an adjunctive consideration. (Am Heart J 2000;140:232-40.)
Latino health: an annotated research guide

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a guide to significant primary and secondary resources relevant to the study of Latino health in the USA. It builds on prior scholarship to reflect the most valuable resources published from 1997 to 2007.Design/methodology/approach – Many materials were identified through bibliographies, online catalogs, and the worldwide web. Citation analysis, supported by book reviews published in professional and academic journals, was used to determine impact. All resources were annotated by the author after personal examination.Findings – The paper introduces each resource, describing its content and relevance to the study of Latino health.Originality/value – Latinos are among the fastest growing minorities in the USA. Although several guides address multicultural health care, few focus solely on the specific needs and issues of Latino health. Moreover, existing resource guides, both on multicultural health care and on Latinos, are at least 12 years old. This guide highlights th...
Using vascular quality initiative as a platform for organizing multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trials: OVERPAR trial.

Background We describe the organization of a prospective, randomized, multicenter trial comparing the effectiveness of open popliteal artery aneurysm repair (OPAR) and endovascular popliteal artery aneurysm repair (EPAR) of asymptomatic popliteal artery aneurysms (PAAs) as an example for how to use the Vascular Quality Initiative (VQI) framework. Given that many centers participate in the VQI, this model can be used to perform multicenters' prospective trials on very modest budget. Methods VQI prospectively collects data on many vascular procedures. These data include many important perioperative, intraoperative, and postoperative details regarding both patients and their procedures. We describe a study where minimal changes to the collected data by participating centers can provide level-1 evidence regarding a significant clinical question. Data will be collected using modified VQI forms within the existing VQI data reporting structure. We plan to enroll 148 patients with asymptomatic PAAs into the open and endovascular surgery cohorts. Patients from participating VQI centers will be randomized 1:1 to either OPAR or EPAR and will be followed for an average of 2.5 years. Our primary hypothesis is that major adverse limb event–free survival is lower in the EPAR cohort and that EPAR is associated with more secondary interventions, improved quality of life, and decreased length of stay. The budget for this trial is fixed at $10,000/year for the course of the study, and the trial is judged to be feasible because of the functionality of the VQI platform. Conclusions Using the existing VQI infrastructure, Open versus Endovascular Repair of Popliteal Artery Aneurysm will provide level 1 data for PAA treatment on a modest budget. The proposed trial has an adequately powered comparative design that will use objective performance goals to describe limb-related morbidity and procedural reintervention rates.
Statistical and fractal analysis of Chinese earthquake time series

In this study, we report statistical and fractal analysis on the time series of the earthquake records of China. Our results show that the Korcak exponents for the time series of Chinese earthquakes are different from the Japanese earthquake time series.
Fluctuation in electrolyte solutions: the self energy.

We address the issue of the self energy of the mobile ions in electrolyte solutions within a general Gaussian renormalized fluctuation theory using a field-theoretic approach. We introduce the Born radii of the ions in the form of a charge distribution allowing for different Born radii between the cations and anions. The model thus automatically yields a theory free of divergences and accounts for the solvation of the ions at the level of continuous dielectric media. In an inhomogeneous dielectric medium, the self energy is in general position dependent and differences in the self energy between cations and anions can give rise to local charge separation in a macroscopically neutral system. Treating the Born radius a as a smallness parameter, we show that the self energy can be split into an O(a^(−1)) nonuniversal contribution and an O(a^0) universal contribution that depends only on the ion concentration, valency, and the spatially varying dielectric constant. For a weakly inhomogeneous dielectric medium, the nonuniversal part of the self energy is shown to have the form of the Born energy with the local dielectric constant. This self energy is incorporated into the Poisson-Boltzmann equation as a simple means of including this local fluctuation effect in a mean-field theory. We illustrate the phenomenon of charge separation by considering cations and anions of difference sizes and valencies in a periodic dielectric medium.
Cyclic polynomials and the multiplication matrices of their roots

Abstract Let D be an integrally closed, characteristic zero domain, K its field of fractions, m⩾2 an integer and P(x)=∑ k=0 m c k x k =∏ i=0 m−1 (x−θ i )∈ D [x] a cyclic polynomial. Let τ be a generator of Gal ( K [θ 0 ]/ K ) and suppose the θi are labeled so that τ(θi)=θi+1 (indices mod m). Suppose that the discriminant discr K [θ 0 ]/ K (θ 0 ,θ 1 ,…,θ m−1 ) is nonzero. For 0⩽i,j⩽m−1, define the elements a i,j ∈ K by θ 0 θ i =∑ j=0 m−1 a i,j θ j . Let A=[ai,j]0⩽i,j K [A] and how to construct A in terms of the coefficients ci. We give methods to construct matrices A, with entries in K , such that the characteristic polynomial of A belongs to D [x] , is cyclic and has A as the multiplication matrix of its roots. One of these methods derives from a natural composition of multiplication matrices. The other method gives matrices A that are generalizations of matrices of cyclotomic numbers of order m, whose characteristic polynomials have roots that are generalizations of (real and complex) Gaussian periods of degree m. As applications we construct families of polynomials with cyclic and dihedral Galois group over Q and with cyclic Galois groups over quadratic fields.
Mixtures of endocrine disruptors: how similar must mechanisms be for concentration addition to apply?

Must molecular mechanisms be the same for concentration addition to predict the effect of a mixture or is it sufficient for compounds to affect similar pathways or common outcomes? Does concentration addition provide a closer approximation to observations than alternative models such as independent action? Suppose effects are mediated by hormone A through receptor R, synthesis of A is reduced by compound B, and that C is a competitive antagonist to A. Both B and C reduce levels of the receptor–ligand complex AR but via different specific mechanisms. Are combinations of B and C concentration additive? We used simple pharmacodynamic models, deriving mathematical models using equilibrium binding and mass balance. Assume A binds the receptor at one site of R with effects proportional to the concentration of AR. Let C act as a competitive antagonist via the Gaddum equation. Let B affect synthesis of A via a function g(B). We derive a model describing the joint response surface of B and C, and a function describing its isoboles. Under concentration addition, the isoboles must be negatively sloped straight lines. We show that linearity of the isoboles depends crucially on g(B). The mixture is concentration additive if g″(B), the second derivative of g(B) with respect to B, is always zero. Responses are greater than concentration additive if g″(B) is always positive and less than concentration additive if g″(B) is always negative. We describe functions g(B) that lead to all three cases as well as one that is greater than concentration additive in some regions and less than concentration additive in others. At least in this simple model, concentration addition cannot be assumed: mixtures of competitive antagonists and compounds that alter hormone synthesis can lead to results that are concentration additive, greater than concentration additive or less than concentration additive. Nevertheless, concentration addition appears to provide a closer approximation to the pharmacodynamic model examined here than independent action. Care needs to be taken in extrapolating to other situations, but analysis of simple pharmacodynamic models appears to be a useful strategy.
Identifying potential adverse effects using the web: A new approach to medical hypothesis generation

Medical message boards are online resources where users with a particular condition exchange information, some of which they might not otherwise share with medical providers. Many of these boards contain a large number of posts and contain patient opinions and experiences that would be potentially useful to clinicians and researchers. We present an approach that is able to collect a corpus of medical message board posts, de-identify the corpus, and extract information on potential adverse drug effects discussed by users. Using a corpus of posts to breast cancer message boards, we identified drug event pairs using co-occurrence statistics. We then compared the identified drug event pairs with adverse effects listed on the package labels of tamoxifen, anastrozole, exemestane, and letrozole. Of the pairs identified by our system, 75-80% were documented on the drug labels. Some of the undocumented pairs may represent previously unidentified adverse drug effects.
Strong consistency of infinitesimal perturbation analysis for tandem queueing networks

Strong consistency of infinitesimal perturbation analysis for the sojourn times in a class of tandem queueing networks is proved. Service times at the queues are correlated, and they are affine functions of the variable parameters. Differentiability of the average sojourn times is not assumed, but proved. The analysis is not based on assumptions of regenerative cycles of the networks but on stability and ergodicity of the queueing processes involved. The proof of strong consistency is based on a set of abstract conditions, described in terms of properties of the sample performance functions. These conditions are first shown to be sufficient for strong consistency, and then their validity for the networks in question is proved.
Phosphoregulation of the WAVE regulatory complex and signal integration

The WAVE2 regulatory complex (WRC) induces actin polymerization by activating the actin nucleator Arp2/3. Polymerizing actin pushes against the cell membrane and induces dramatic edge protrusions. In order to properly control such changes in cell morphology and function, cells have evolved multiple methods to tightly regulate WRC and Arp2/3 activity in space and time. Of these mechanisms, phosphorylation plays a fundamental role in transmitting extracellular and intracellular signals to the WRC and the actin cytoskeleton. This review discusses the phosphorylation-based regulatory inputs into the WRC. Signaling pathways that respond to growth factors, chemokines, hormones, and extracellular matrix converge upon the WAVE and ABI components of the WRC. The Abl, Src, ERK, and PKA kinases promote complex activation through a WRC conformation change that permits interaction with the Arp2/3 complex and through WRC translocation to the cell edge. The neuron-specific CDK5 and constitutively active CK2 kinases inhibit WRC activation. These regulatory signals are integrated in space and time as they coalesce upon the WRC. The combination of WRC phosphorylation events and WRC activity is controlled by stimulus, cell type, and cell cycle-specific pathway activation and via pathway cross-inhibition and cross-activation.
Partially Coherent Scattering in Stellar Chromospheres. V. Analytic Approximations Including Background Continuum Absorption

The comoving-frame partially coherent scattering (CPCS) approximation is a heuristic approach to modeling partially coherent resonance-line scattering. It is analytic, conceptually motivated, and easy to apply, while generally maintaining roughly 20% accuracy. Here, it is extended to include the effects of continuum or dust absorption. As usual for resonance lines, a key process is Doppler diffusion, whereby photons created in the line core reach wing frequencies via the gradual accumulation of thermal Doppler shifts over many scatterings. This complex process can be idealized to yield semiquantitative results by using the "single longest excursion" escape model included in the CPCS approach, as described in earlier papers in this series. This paper extends the CPCS scheme by allowing the partial frequency redistribution to be truncated by continuous absorption during propagation. The result is a semianalytic approximation that reveals the mechanisms by which background opacity alters resonance-line formation and profile diagnostics. This is relevant for understanding shifts in the slope of the Wilson-Bappu effect, resonance-line profiles in quasar models, and resonance scattering in any highly opaque low-density environment with appreciable continuous absorption.
Demand Uncertainty, Inventories, and Resale Price Maintenance

We show that a manufacturer facing uncertain demand and selling through a competitive retail market may wish to support adequate retail inventories by preventing the emergence of discount retailers. In our model, discounters offer low prices made possible by low probability of being saddled with unsold inventories in the event of slack demand. Full-price retailers are compensated for a higher probability of unsold inventories by a higher retail price when they sell. We show that preventing discounting increases the manufacturer's wholesale demand and profits, and we delineate demand conditions under which equilibrium inventory holding and consumer welfare increase.
Ultrastructure of meiosis in the hollyhock rust fungus,Puccinia malvacearum I. Prophase I — Prometaphase I

A thoroughly documented account of the ultrastructure of the meiotic spindle pole body (SPB) cycle in a rust (Basidiomycota, Uredinales) is presented for the first time. The three-dimensional structure of the SPB and spindle during meiosis in the hollyhock rust fungusPuccinia malvacearum is analyzed from serial sections of preselected stages. This paper covers prophase I to prometaphase I. At late prophase I, the nucleolus disperses and does not reappear until the end of meiosis. The SPB at late prophase I consists of two, 4-layered discs, 0.8–1.0 μm in diameter, connected by a middle piece (MP). The SPB is associated with a differentiated region of the nuclear envelope and nucleoplasm. At late diplotene to diakinesis, each disc generates a half spindle as it inserts into an otherwise intact nuclear envelope. The MP connecting the interdigitating half spindles elongates and eventually splits transversely during subsequent spindle elongation. Each half MP, which is attached to a SPB disc, becomes inserted in a sheath-like extension of the nuclear envelope. The intranuclear late prometaphase I spindle always becomes oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis and sagittal plane of the metabasidium. There are 200–290 spindle microtubules (MTs) at each SPB at late prometaphase. The nonkinetochore MTs form a coherent central spindle around which the kinetochore MTs and bivalents are spread. A metaphase plate is absent. The results are compared with SPB behavior and spindle structure in early meiosis of other basidiomycetes and ascomycetes.
The placebo effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation.

Abstract The placebo effect of transcutaneous electrical stimulation was studied in 93 patients in a double-blind cross-over trial using a genuine stimulator and a placebo machine. Placebo analgesic effects occurred in 32% of trials, as compared with 48% for actual stimulation. The placebo effect of the transcutaneous electrical stimulator is similar to the placebo effect that is noted in other double-blind studies in which medicationms are used.
Co-activation of Atrial Natriuretic Factor Promoter by Tip60 and Serum Response Factor

Tat-interactive protein 60 (Tip60) is a member of the MYST family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). In addition to its HAT domain, Tip contains a heterochromatin-associated protein 1-like chromodomain and a zinc finger-like domain. Several alternative splice variants of Tip60 have been characterized, including full-length Tip60α, Tip60β (which lacks exon V encoded by the Tip60 gene), and Tip55 (which encodes a novel 103-amino-acid C terminus). We report here that isoproteins recognized by a pan-Tip60 antibody are strongly and transiently expressed between embryonic days 8 and 11 in the embryonic mouse myocardium. A functional role for Tip60 isoproteins in cardiac myocyte differentiation is suggested by immunoprecipitation experiments showing that Tip60α, Tip60β, and Tip55 can bind serum response factor (SRF) and by transient transfection assessments showing that Tip60 and SRF cooperatively activate the atrial natriuretic factor promoter. Although this combinatorial activity is inhibited by histone deacetylase 7, it was unexpectedly enhanced by point mutation of the HAT domain. Ablation of the chromodomain from Tip60β caused derepression. These findings suggest that Tip60 modulates expression of SRF-dependent cardiac genes.
Increased IgG 3:4 ratios in adolescent antisocial females: evidence of Th1/Th2 imbalance?

Abstract Female antisocial behavior in adolescence and late childhood has been associated with low basal cortisol levels. Because low cortisol has also been correlated with T helper cell Type 1 (Th1) predominance and suppression of T helper cell Type 2 (Th2), we investigated whether adolescent antisocial girls demonstrated this immunologic profile. Using plasma levels of IgG3 and IgG4 as markers for Th1 and Th2 activity, we studied IgG 3:4 ratios in 16-year-old girls with conduct disorder (CD) (n = 42) or no psychiatric disorder (normal controls (NC)) (n = 35). The mean IgG 3:4 ratio was higher in the CD group; this relationship remained significant after controlling for the effects of other variables. These data indicate that immunologic abnormalities are present in adolescent antisocial girls. Future studies should measure cytokine levels and investigate the clinical implications of these findings.
Genetics: CALR mutations and a new diagnostic algorithm for MPN.

Between 2005 and 2007, mutations in JAK2 and MPL were described in most patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). These seminal discoveries have forever changed our diagnostic approach to MPN. In December 2013, mutations in CALR were reported in MPN wild-type for JAK2 and MPL. These mutations provide additional diagnostic and prognostic tools in MPN.
The framing of atrocities: Documenting and exploring wide variation in aversion to Germans and German-related activities among holocaust survivors

Interviews with 29 Holocaust survivors indicate wide variation in degree of aversion to Germans and activities associated with Germany. For some survivors, aversion is limited to those closest to the Nazi perpetrators; for others aversion includes anyone with German ancestry and any situation or product linked to contemporary Germany. This wide range of aversion following horrific experiences is not easily explained by known psychological mechanisms, and has important implications for understanding and ameliorating ethnopolitical conflict. Possible sources of variation in aversion are explored with measures of personality differences and differences in Holocaust experience. Results indicate that degree of trauma during the Holocaust is not significantly related to aversion, and that strong predictors of aversion are degree of blame of Germans not directly involved in the Holocaust, religiosity, and German origin. Aversion to Germans is strongly related to aversion to contemporary Arabs and Muslims.
Effect of ureteral stent on urinary tract infections in renal transplantation

A retrospective study was carried out to determine the effect of ureteral intubation during renal transplantation. We noted urinary tract infections in 76 per cent of those patients whose ureters were intubated during transplantation, as opposed to 45 per cent in those transplant recipients without ureteral stents. The incidence of recurrent urinary tract infections also increased from 18 to 34 per cent with the use of ureteral catheters. Ten separate episodes of bacteremia, indirectly related to indwelling catheters, are noted.
Male dominance hierarchies and women's intrasexual competition

In their competition for higher-status men, women with higher socioeconomic status use indirect forms of aggression (ridicule and gossip) to derogate lower-status female competitors and the men who date them. Women's greater tendency to excuse their aggression is arguably a cultural enhancement of an evolutionarily based sex difference and not solely a cultural construction imposed by patriarchy.
Cost-Effectiveness of Injectable Extended-Release Naltrexone Compared With Methadone Maintenance and Buprenorphine Maintenance Treatment for Opioid Dependence.

ABSTRACT. Background: The aim of this study was to estimate the cost-effectiveness of injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) compared with methadone maintenance and buprenorphine maintenance treatment (MMT and BMT, respectively) for adult males enrolled in treatment for opioid dependence in the United States from the perspective of state-level addiction treatment payers. Methods: A Markov model with daily time cycles was used to estimate the incremental cost per opioid-free day in a simulated cohort of adult males aged 18–65 over a 6-month period from the state health program perspective. Results: XR-NTX is predicted to be more effective and more costly than methadone or buprenorphine in our target population, with an incremental cost per opioid-free day gained relative to the next-most effective treatment (MMT) of $72. The cost-effectiveness of XR-NTX relative to MMT was driven by its effectiveness in deterring opioid use while receiving treatment. Conclusions: XR-NTX is a cost-effective medicat...
Traveling waves connecting equilibrium and periodic orbit for reaction–diffusion equations with time delay and nonlocal response

Abstract A class of reaction–diffusion equations with time delay and nonlocal response is considered. Assuming that the corresponding reaction equations have heteroclinic orbits connecting an equilibrium point and a periodic solution, we show the existence of traveling wave solutions of large wave speed joining an equilibrium point and a periodic solution for reaction–diffusion equations. Our approach is based on a transformation of the differential equations to integral equations in a Banach space and the rigorous analysis of the property for a corresponding linear operator. Our approach eventually reduces a singular perturbation problem to a regular perturbation problem. The existence of traveling wave solution therefore is obtained by the application of Liapunov–Schmidt method and the Implicit Function Theorem.
The Major Intrinsic Protein Family of Arabidopsis Has 23 Members That Form Three Distinct Groups with Functional Aquaporins in Each Group

Aquaporins, proteins that enhance the permeability of biological membranes to water, are widely distributed in living organisms. They are 26- to 29-kD proteins that belong to the major intrinsic protein (MIP) family of channels. By searching the Arabidopsis thaliana expressed sequence tag database and by using the polymerase chain reaction with oligonucleotides to conserved plant aquaporin domains, we identified 23 expressed Arabidopsis MIP genes. Eight of these had been previously identified as active aquaporins, and two additional ones are now reported to have water-transport activity in Xenopus laevis oocytes. One of these is highly expressed in suspension-cultured cells. On a dendrogram these 23 MIP sequences cluster into three groups: the first group has 11 members and contains the plasma membrane aquaporins, the second group also has 11 members and contains the tonoplast aquaporins, and the third group has only a single member. This MIP protein, provisionally called At-NLM1, is most closely related to the Gm-NOD26 protein that is found in the bacteroid membranes of soybean (Glycine max L.) nodules; At-NLM1 is an active aquaporin when expressed in oocytes. With a semiquantitative slot-blot analysis technique, we determined the expression levels of 22 MIP genes in the various organs. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to determine the effects of various stress treatments on the expression of NLM1.
Age-related changes of noncalcified collagen in human cortical bone.

It is well known that osteoid, which contains a noncalcified collagenous matrix, is formed during the initial stage of bone formation during the bone remodeling process. Thus, synthesis of defective collagen molecules in osteoid may cause abnormal bone formation, thereby leading to changes in bone quality. The objective of this study was to investigate age-related changes in noncalcified collagen molecules in os- teoid and its likely effects on the mechanical integrity of hu- man cortical bone. Thirty human cadaveric femurs were di- vided into three age groups: young adults, middle age, and the elderly, respectively. A novel high performance liquid chroma- tography approach was employed to quantify the denaturation of noncalcified collagenous matrix in addition to mechanical tests of bone. Bulk concentrations of both enzymatic and non- enzymatic collagen cross links in bone also were measured. Moreover, the number of newly formed osteons per unit area and the bony area fraction of these osteons were estimated. The results of this study indicate that denaturation of the noncalci- fied collagenous matrix in bone increases with increasing age. In addition, such collagen denaturation in osteoid exhibited a correlation with nonenzymatic collagen cross links as well as the strength and toughness of bone. These results suggest that age-related changes in the noncalcified collagenous matrix in- duced by bone remodeling may have likely effects on bone quality. © 2003 Biomedical Engineering Society. @DOI: 10.1114/1.1623488#
High levels of inflammatory chemokines and cytokines in joint fluid and synovial tissue throughout the course of antibiotic-refractory lyme arthritis.

Objective To investigate the possible role of chemokines and cytokines in the pathogenesis of Lyme arthritis. Methods Using cytometric bead array and flow cytometry techniques, chemokine and cytokine levels were determined in 65 synovial fluid (SF) samples and 7 synovial tissue (ST) samples from 17 patients with antibiotic-responsive Lyme arthritis and 35 patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis seen during the past 18 years. In the ST samples, expression of chemokine receptors was measured using immunohistochemistry. Results Before or during antibiotic therapy, when the majority of patients had positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results for Borrelia burgdorferi DNA, SF from patients with antibiotic-refractory arthritis contained exceptionally high levels of Th1 chemoattractants and cytokines, particularly CXCL9 and interferon-γ (IFNγ). Compared with the patients whose arthritis was responsive to antibiotic treatment, those with antibiotic-refractory arthritis had significantly higher levels of CXCL9 and CXCL10 (both P ≤ 0.001) and CCL3, CCL4, CXCL8, IFNγ, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 (all P ≤ 0.01). During the post-antibiotic period, when the results of PCR for B burgdorferi DNA in SF and ST were uniformly negative, patients with antibiotic-refractory arthritis continued to exhibit high SF and ST levels of these chemokines and cytokines. In addition, synovial samples showed marked expression of the receptors for T cell or macrophage chemokines, CXCR3 and CCR5. Conclusion Patients with antibiotic-refractory Lyme arthritis have high synovial fluid levels of proinflammatory chemokines and cytokines, especially CXCL9 and IFNγ, throughout the illness. Thus, even when antibiotic treatment reduces or completely clears the infection in these patients, the inflammatory response in synovium persists.
Investigation of interfacial peptide-lipid interactions by optical second harmonic generation from tryptophan

The adsorption of pentapeptides to lipid monolayers spread at the air-water interface is investigated by optical second harmonic generation (SHG) in the reflection geometry. The nonlinear optical response of the tryptophan side chain present in each of the synthetic peptide sequences chosen was insufficient to allow determination of its molecular orientation within the surface layer at the surface densities obtain by adsorption from the subphase. A difference in the character of peptide adsorption to lipid monolayers of various compositions was observed which depends on the nature of the monolayer interface accessible to the peptides. Results from crude and purified synthetic peptides are compared to point out the impact of potential hydrophobic impurities on the surface properties of the monolayer and on the measured second harmonic signal intensity. SHG studies of peptides and proteins adsorbed to membrane-mimetic lipid and phospholipid monolayers may suggest differences in the chemical nature of the monolayers which impact the ability of peptides and proteins to penetrate and interact with the membrane surface.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Improving predictions using aggregate information

In domains such as consumer products or manufacturing amongst others, we have problems that warrant the prediction of a continuous target. Besides the usual set of explanatory attributes we may also have exact (or approximate) estimates of aggregated targets, which are the sums of disjoint sets of individual targets that we are trying to predict. Hence, the question now becomes can we use these aggregated targets, which are a coarser piece of information, to improve the quality of predictions of the individual targets? In this paper, we provide a simple yet provable way of accomplishing this. In particular, given predictions from any regression model of the target on the test data, we elucidate a provable method for improving these predictions in terms of mean squared error, given exact (or accurate enough) information of the aggregated targets. These estimates of the aggregated targets may be readily available or obtained -- through multilevel regression -- at different levels of granularity. Based on the proof of our method we suggest a criterion for choosing the appropriate level. Moreover, in addition to estimates of the aggregated targets, if we have exact (or approximate) estimates of the mean and variance of the target distribution, then based on our general strategy we provide an optimal way of incorporating this information so as to further improve the quality of predictions of the individual targets. We then validate the results and our claims by conducting experiments on synthetic and real industrial data obtained from diverse domains.
Interstrain variation of murine arylsulfatase c.

A method has been developed for the assay of arylsulfatase C in tissue extracts containing arylsulfatases A and B. Significant variation of enzyme activity was observed among 26 inbred murine strains. Activity differences were apparent at all stages evaluated between 1 and 70 days postnatal age. Arylsulfatase C from representative high- and low-activity strains exhibited similar Michaelis constants, temperature optima, pH optima, thermostabilities and inhibitor profiles.
Developmental differences in reactions to children labeled mentally retarded

Abstract In an attempt to examine age-related differences in response to the mental retardation label, 48 4th and 5th graders and 48 11th and 12th graders were told of a child of their own age and sex who was either labeled mentally retarded or unlabeled and who performed either competently or incompetently in giving a report. Incompetent target children were viewed more negatively than competent ones at both grade levels. The mental retardation label had less generalized impacts, leading girls but not boys (a) to cite lack of ability as the reason for a retarded child's failure, and (b) to hold low expectations that retarded targets would hold jobs, marry, or have children. A developmental shift in responses to the label was evident only on a trait perception measure; younger children stigmatized retarded targets, while older children granted special dispensation of a failing retarded child by viewing him or her more positively than a similarly incompetent but unlabeled child. Since only adolescent boys showed special dispensation, even though girls were more generally attentive to the label, both sex and age differences warrant further examination.
From Tusko to Titin: the role for comparative physiology in an era of molecular discovery.

As we approach the centenary of the term “comparative physiology,” we reexamine its role in modern biology. Finding inspiration in Krogh's classic 1929 paper, we first look back to some timeless co...
Preclinical pharmacology of the antitumor agent O-6-methylguanine in CDF1 mice.

O-6-methylguanine (O6-mG), a guanine analog recently shown to be a potent inhibitor of alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase, has been found to potentiate the antitumor activity of nitrosoureas, in particular, carmustine (BCNU), in resistant cell lines (HT-29 mer+) and is targeted for development as a modulating agent with chloroethyl nitrosoureas. A high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay of O6-mG in plasma has been developed using a μC18 reverse-phase column. O6-mG and the internal standard deoxyguanosine (dGuo) were eluted with a linear gradient of from 15% to 35% methanol in 0.5M ammonium acetate (pH 6.5) at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. The assay was linear over a 4-log concentration range with a detection limit of 0.1 μg/ml. The within-run and between-run coefficients of variation (CV) were found to be 8.1% and 9.3%, respectively. The pharmacokinetics (PK) of O6-mG were investigated in healthy CDF1 mice following separate i.v. and i.p. administrations. At 20 mg/kg i.v., plasma O6-mG gave a biexponential profile with a terminal half-life (t1/2) of 24 min and a total clearance (CLT) of 23.7 ml min−1 kg−1. Higher doses (40–80 mg/kg) revealed a fluctuating third phase, probably due to enterohepatic cycling. Dose-dependent kinetics as measured by CLT and area under the plasma-concentration curve (AUC) values were also seen. Following i.p. dosing, O6-mG was completely absorbed and available to the circulation. No acute toxicity was observed in the animals, except for mild sedation, a possible side effect of the 10% ethanol used in the formulation. Studies on the cellular metabolism of highly purified [3H]-O6-mG have shown that the compound is not anabolized by a human lymphoblastoid cell line (CEM). Biochemistry studies have shown that the parent molecule is inactivating the alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT), thus exerting its pharmacological effect.
Sex differences in nicotine's effects on consummatory behavior and body weight in rats.

Nicotine administration and cessation have greater effects on body weight and eating behavior in female than in male rats. These generalizations are based on studies of body weight and eating behavior for 2–3 week periods before, during, and after nicotine administration. Therefore, the sex differences may reflect differences in sensitivity to nicotine or simply differences in the time course of nicotine's effects. The present research was designed to replicate these previous studies and to examine long-term effects of nicotine cessation on body weight. Nicotine or saline was administered SC to female and male Sprague-Dawley rats for 16 days. Body weight, food consumption, and water consumption were measured before, during, and after nicotine administration. In addition, body weight was measured for 4 months after cessation of nicotine. There was an inverse relationship between nicotine and body weight. Also, there was an inverse relationship between nicotine and general consummatory behavior for females but not for males. The body weight of females that had received nicotine were indistinguishable from controls up to 4 months after cessation of nicotine. The body weight of males that had received 12 mg nicotine per kg per day remained lower than controls.
Equilibrium Measures for Coupled Map Lattices:¶Existence, Uniqueness and Finite-Dimensional Approximations

We consider coupled map lattices of hyperbolic type, i.e., chains of weakly interacting hyperbolic sets (attractors) over multi-dimensional lattices. We describe the thermodynamic formalism of the underlying spin lattice system and then prove existence, uniqueness, mixing properties, and exponential decay of correlations of equilibrium measures for a class of Holder continuous potential functions with a sufficiently small Holder constant. We also study finite-dimensional approximations of equilibrium measures in terms of lattice systems (ℤ-approximations) and lattice spin systems (ℤd-approximations). We apply our results to establish existence, uniqueness, and mixing property of SRB-measures as well as obtain the entropy formula.
MECHANISM OF PRECOCIOUS PUBERTY IN GIRLS WITH McCUNE-ALBRIGHT SYNDROME (MAS)

We studied 7 girls, ages 1.3 to 10 yrs., with precocious puberty associated with MAS. In 6 of the 7 girls, basal and LHRH-stimulated gonadotropins and bioactive LH were prepubertal. In one girl, gonadotropins and bioactive LH were in the pubertal range. Ovarian volumes (mean 6.4, range 1.4 - 12.9 ml) were increased in all 7 girls compared to prepubertal girls (nl < 0.9 ml - Radiology 125:477(1977)). The girls with MAS had greater asymmetry in ovarian volume than did girls with true precocious puberty (TPP) (R to L difference 5.9 ± 1.9 ml vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 ml in TPP; p<0.05). The logarithm of plasma estradiol correlated significantly with ovarian volume (p< 0.05). Ovarian volumes and plasma estradiol fluctuated markedly over time. LHRH-analog treatment, given to 6 of the 7 girls, failed to suppress menses, ovarian cyst volume, or estradiol levels in the five girls who had low gonadotropins. The girl who had true puberty responded to LHRH-analog treatment. She had a bone age of 13.5 years, which is within the range when puberty normally occurs. Thus, we cannot exclude the possibility that her gonadotropins were also low when secondary sex characteristics first appeared. We conclude that the mechanism of precocious puberty in the majority of girls with MAS is intermittent ovarian estrogen secretion independent of pubertal hypothalamic-pituitary activation.
Capillary electrophoretic separation of enantiomers in a high-pH background electrolyte by means of the single-isomer chiral resolving agent octa(6-O-sulfo)-γ-cyclodextrin

The new, alkali-stable, single-isomer, sulfated γ-cyclodextrin, the sodium salt of octa(6-O-sulfo)-γ-cyclodextrin (OS) was used for the first time to separate the enantiomers of non-ionic, acidic, basic and ampholytic analytes by capillary electrophoresis in high-pH aqueous background electrolytes. The effective mobilities and separation selectivities were found to follow trends similar to those observed earlier in acidic aqueous background electrolytes. OS proved to be a broadly applicable chiral resolving agent and afforded adequate peak resolution values with short separation times for a number of non-ionic, weak acid, weak base and ampholytic analytes.
Determination of selenium by the ring oven technique

A simple semi-quantitative fluorometric method for selenium analysis has been developed which employs the reagent 2,3-diaminonaphthalene and the ring oven technique. By this procedure selenium can be determined to 10 ppb; the optimum working range is 20–80 ppb. The concentration of selenium is ascertained by visual observation of the rings under long wavelength UV light.
Working with Culture

Organizational culture determines much of what we can do as we attempt to manage change. Effective change strategies and interventional practices will both reflect culture and eventually modify it. Change occurs in and by culture. Change, therefore, must be culturally sensitive. Practitioners need to not only appreciate what organizational culture is and is not, but also to appreciate how alternative types of change are related to culture and the roles that can be performed. This is the thrust of this article.
Using Chatbots to Teach Socially Intelligent Computing Principles in Introductory Computer Science Courses

Teaching "socially intelligent computing" concepts in introductory computer science courses is possible through curricular projects that involve students developing their own collaborative chat bots. Chat bots are programs that interact with users in a conversational context. Introductory CS students can write these types of programs using a framework of Peer-to-Peer (P2P) libraries presented in this poster paper. When the students build chat bots that collaborate with one another, the students are introduced to a branch of machine intelligence called socially intelligent computing.
Nonlinear stress-strain and strength response of axisymmetric bimodulus composite material shells

Bimodulus materials are those which exhibit different material response when stressed in compression rather than tension. Strength predictions of laminated composites can be affected by bimodulus material response and nonlinear stress-strain behavior in individual laminae. Most applications of phenomenological failure models to laminated composites assume that lamina yield and ultimate lamina strength are the same. In addition, bimodulus material response is frequently neglected when applying failure models to predict laminate strength. This paper presents an investigation of the effects which two bimodulus material models have on strength predictions for graphite-epoxy composites. Nonlinear response of composite laminae are modeled in an approximate manner by employing piecewise linear and spline representations for transverse compression and shear stress-strain curves. The Tsai-Wu and Sandhu failure criteria are applied to. predict failure of thin, laminated shells. The strength predictions are based on numerical solutions to Sanders' axisymmetric nonlinear shell equations. Numerical predictions for the strength and stress-strain response of internally pressurized rings are compared to experimental data cited from the literature.
Calcium preconditioning, but not ischemic preconditioning, bypasses the adenosine triphosphate-dependent potassium (KATP) channel.

Background, Recent evidence has implicated the K ATP channel as an important mediator of ischemic preconditioning (IPC). Indeed, patients taking oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents (i.e., K ATP channel inhibitors) for treatment of diabetes mellitus are resistant to the otherwise profoundly protective effects of IPC. Unfortunately, many cardiopulmonary bypass patients, who may benefit from IPC, are chronically exposed to these agents. Calcium preconditioning (CPC) is a potent form of similar myocardial protection which may or may not utilize the K ATP channel in its mechanism of protection. The purpose of this study was to determine whether CPC may bypass the K ATP channel in its mechanism of action. If so, CPC may offer an alternative to IPC in patients chronically exposed to these agents. Methods. Isolated rat hearts (n = 6-8/group) were perfused (Langendorff) and received K ATP channel inhibition (glibenclamide) or saline vehicle 10 min prior to either a CPC or IPC preconditioning stimulus or neither (ischemia and reperfusion, I/R). Hearts were subjected to global warm I/R (20 min/40 min). Postischemic myocardial functional recovery was determined by measuring developed pressure (DP), coronary flow (CF), and compliance (end diastolic pressure, EDP) with a MacLab pressure digitizer. Results. Both CPC and IPC stimuli protected myocardium against postischemic dysfunction (P 0.05 vs CPC alone). Conclusions. (1) Both IPC and CPC provide similar myocardial protection; (2) IPC and CPC operate via different mechanisms; i.e., IPC utilizes the K ATP channel whereas CPC does not; and (3) CPC may offer a means of bypassing the deleterious effects of K ATP channel inhibition in diabetic patients chronically exposed to oral sulfonylurea hypoglycemic agents.
Hypoglycemia and glycogen deficits in fetuses of hypothyroid pregnant rats.

SummaryMaternal hypothyroidism, when induced by surgical thyroidectomy with parathyroid hormone replacement, results in fewer live fetuses and smaller fetuses at the 22nd day of gestation. The hypothy-roid mother shows the ability to mobilize adequate amounts of glucose even at the expense of her own reserves but the supply of glucose to the fetus appears to be impaired. These fetuses have subnormal skeletal muscle and liver glycogen and are severely hypoglycemic. The impaired development of these fetuses may result from alterations of either transplacental carbohydrate transport or placentofetal carbohydrate metabolism.