cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Preferences for pre-exposure prophylaxis among U.S. military men who have sex with men: results of an adaptive choice based conjoint analysis study

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) prevents human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, but its use remains low among U.S. military men who have sex with men (MSM), likely due to mis-matching with personal preferences. We conducted a study to characterize preferences to PrEP measures within this population. HIV-negative military MSM were recruited through a closed, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) military social media group. The survey was anonymous, and consisted of five experimentally varied attributes in service delivery: dosing method, provider type, visit location, lab work evaluation location, and dispensing venue. Relative importance and part-worth utility scores were generated using hierarchical bayes (HB) estimation, and the randomized first choice model was used to examine participation interest across eight possible PrEP program scenarios. A total of 429 participants completed the survey. Among the eight scenarios with varying attributes, the most preferred scenario featured a daily tablet, PrEP injection or implant, along with a military provider, smartphone/telehealth visit, and on-base locations for lab evaluation and medication pick-up. The results also emphasized the importance for providers to be familiar with PrEP prescription knowledge, and to provide interactions sensitive to sexual identity and mental health. A PrEP program consisting of daily tablet is preferred in military healthcare settings is preferred. Long-acting implants and injections are also desired.
Leveraging Integrated Student Support to Identify and Address COVID-19-Related Needs for Students, Families, and Teachers

As COVID-19 shuttered schools, it created widespread student and family needs and exacerbated challenges stemming from long-standing racial and economic inequities. Here, we examine how an evidence...
Mind the Gap: Sex Bias in Basic Skin Research

Given the recent National Institutes of Health proposal for balanced use of male and female cells and animals in preclinical studies, we explored whether sex bias exists in skin research. We surveyed 802 dermatological research articles from 2012 through 2013. No information about the sex of studied cells or animals was provided in 60% of papers. Among keratinocytes of known sex, 70% were male. Few studies compared male versus female cells or animals. Disclosure of sex and comparative studies contribute to our understanding of the biologic basis of sex differences. Addressing sex-speciﬁc differences in preclinical research informs subsequent clinical trial design and promotes individualized therapy.
An experimental investigation of news credibility : newspapers and the Internet

Abstract This study used an experiment to examine differences in credibility assigned to news read in paper form and the same news read on a web site. Subsequent to exposure to six identical news stories, randomly assigned newspaper treatment and Internet treatment groups rated the credibility of the stories they read, using standard credibility measures. Generally, news stories appearing on a web site were evaluated as less credible than their identical counterparts on paper.
Observation of 1300-nm gain in dysprosium doped chloride crystals

Summary form only given. We have recently demonstrated order-of-magnitude emission lifetime (quantum yield) improvements in several Pr-doped chlorides. Dy/sup 3+/ doped sulfide glasses have recently been proposed as 1300-nm amplifiers. Pr/sup 3+/ ions are difficult to pump directly but Dy/sup 3+/ possesses several strong candidate pump transitions. Spectroscopic characterization of various Dy/sup 3+/-doped chlorides showed that several possess useful 1300-nm emission bands, and absorption and emission spectra of Dy/sup 3+/:LaCl/sub 3/ are shown.
What is the role of exercise in inflammatory disease prevention and management

Background: The average contemporary lifestyle is largely comprised of inactivity and poor nutrition, which has been suggested as a generator of low-grade chronic inflammation.
Test vector omission with minimal sets of simulated faults

Test vector omission is a static test compaction procedure for functional test sequences that removes unnecessary test vectors from a sequence. The test vector omission procedure requires fault simulation for every test vector (or subsequence) that it considers for omission. It was noted earlier that it is possible to reduce the set of simulated faults based on the clock cycles where the faults are detected. However, this reduction is effective only for the later test vectors of a sequence. This paper defines a minimal set of faults that need to be simulated for the omission of a test vector by considering, in addition to detection clock cycles, also clock cycles where test subsequences start. The former are computed by a conventional sequential fault simulation process. For the latter, the paper introduces a sequential reverse order fault simulation process, and an approximation with a reduced computational complexity. Experimental results show significant reductions in the run time for test vector omission without affecting the level of compaction.
Status of Global QCD Analysis and the Parton Structure of the Nucleon

The current status of global QCD analysis of parton distribution functions of the nucleon is reviewed. Recent progress made in determining various features of the parton structure of the nucleon, as well as outstanding open questions are discussed. These include: the small-$x$ and large-$x$ behavior of the partons, particularly the gluon; the differentiation of $u$ and $d$ quarks; the strangeness sea ($s+\bar{s}$), the strangeness asymmetry ($s-\bar{s}$); and the heavy quark distributions $c$ and $b$. Important issues about assessing the uncertainties of parton distributions and their physical predictions are considered. These developments are all critical for the physics programs of HERA II, Tevatron Run II, RHIC, and LHC.
Alteration of Rat Liver Plasma Membrane Fluidity and ATPase Activity by Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride and its Metabolites

Abstract Chlorpromazine therapy frequently is complicated by asymptomatic alkaline phosphatase elevation and occasionally by cholestatic jaundice. To investigate the mechanism of this toxicity, we studied the effect of Chlorpromazine and several of its metabolites in vitro on rat liver plasma membrane ATPase activity and membrane fluidity, two factors of potential importance for normal bile formation. Liver plasma membranes were isolated by discontinuous sucrose ultracentrifugation and were enriched, compared with homogenate, 53-fold in NaK-ATPase, 23-fold in Mg-ATPase, and 28-fold in alkaline phosphatase, suggesting the presence of sinusoidal and lateral as well as canalicular hepatocyte membrane surfaces. Chlorpromazine and its metabolites caused an immediate, dose-dependent and reversible inhibition of NaK-ATPase activity over a 2–200 μM concentration range. Compared with the parent compound, relative inhibition of NaK-ATPase activity by Chlorpromazine metabolites varied—chlorpromazine sulfoxide was half as potent, 7-hydroxychlorpromazine equally potent, and 7,8-dihydroxychlorpromazine and 7,8-dioxochlorpromazine five times more active. Mg-ATPase activity was inhibited by Chlorpromazine and the 7-hydroxy and sulfoxide metabolites, but not by the 7,8-dihydroxy or 7,8-dioxo metabolites. The selective nature of this inhibition was further evidenced by the failure of chlorpromazine or its metabolites to inhibit the activity of 5′-nucleotidase, another liver plasma membrane enzyme. ATPase inhibition by 100 μM Chlorpromazine appeared to be noncompetitive. Chlorpromazine and each of its metabolites also altered liver plasma membrane lipid fluidity, as determined by fluorescence polarization, and the potency with which CPZ and its metabolites altered ATPase activity was closely related to their ability to alter lipid fluidity. These studies indicate that chlorpromazine-induced cholestasis may result from alteration of both physical and enzymatic properties of liver plasma membranes and further suggest that formation of more toxic metabolites in some individuals might account for their susceptibility to Chlorpromazine hepatotoxicity.
Measuring continuing medical education effectiveness and its ramification in a community hospital.

Background: Is multi-interventional continuing medical education (CME) effective in changing one or more health care outcomes? Method: In a noncontrolled study (noncontrolled because of lack of adequate funding and support) of 328 volunteer recruits, a health status questionnaire including measuring serum cholesterol was obtained. After having identified deficiencies in the health status indicators, CME interventions, including didactic lectures to physicians and allied health professionals, announcements of data in physician lounges and departmental meetings, letters to physicians, and patient education, were introduced. Approximately 6 months after the first survey, a second survey was carried out and was compared with the initial data. Results: Of 1,001 volunteers who were initially surveyed, only 328 returned for follow-up. Among seven relevant variables, the only change was an increase in dietary instruction by physicians and a reduction in serum cholesterol. Conclusion: In this noncontrolled multi-interventional CME study on the treatment of hyper-lipidemia, there were indications of improvement in physician instructions on diet and a reduction in serum cholesterol.
Genome scan linkage analysis comparing microsatellites and single-nucleotide polymorphisms markers for two measures of alcoholism in chromosomes 1, 4, and 7

We analyzed 143 pedigrees (364 nuclear families) in the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) data provided to the participants in the Genetic Analysis Workshop 14 (GAW14) with the goal of comparing results obtained from genome linkage analysis using microsatellite and with results obtained using SNP markers for two measures of alcoholism (maximum number of drinks -MAXDRINK and an electrophysiological measure from EEG -TTTH1). First, we constructed haplotype blocks by using the entire set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in chromosomes 1, 4, and 7. These chromosomes have shown linkage signals for MAXDRINK or EEG-TTTH1 in previous reports. Second, we randomly selected one, two, three, four, and five SNPs from each block (referred to as Rep1 – Rep5, respectively) to conduct linkage analysis using variance component approach. Finally, results of all SNP analyses were compared with those obtained using microsatellite markers. The LOD scores obtained from SNPs were slightly higher but the curves were not radically different from those obtained from microsatellite analyses. The peaks of linkage regions from SNP sets were slightly shifted to the left when compared to those from microsatellite markers. The reduced sets of SNPs provide signals in the same linkage regions but with a smaller LOD score suggesting a significant impact of the decrease in information content on linkage results. The widths of 1 LOD support interval of linkage regions from SNP sets were smaller when compared to those of microsatellite markers. However, two linkage regions obtained from the microsatellite linkage analysis on chromosome 7 for LOG of TTTH1 were not detected in the SNP based analyses. The linkage results from SNPs showed narrower linkage regions and slightly higher LOD scores when compared to those of microsatellite markers. The different builds of the genetic maps used in microsatellite and SNPs markers or/and errors in genotyping may account for the microsatellite linkage signals on chromosome 7 that were not identified using SNPs. Also, unresolved map issues between SNPs and microsatellite markers may be partly responsible for the shifted linkage peaks when comparing the two types of markers.
Section Review: Cardiovascular & Renal: Blood substitutes in development

‘Blood substitutes’ are products designed to be used when blood is either unavailable or in short supply. Three major classes of products are being developed and tested, including haemoglobin-based oxygen carriers, perfluorocarbon-based oxygen carriers, and liposome-encapsulated haemoglobin. Other novel products are in very early stages of development. None of the products perform all the functions of blood; neither do they persist in the circulation as long as human red blood cells. However, they all carry and transport oxygen to tissues and can support life temporarily until patients can either regenerate their own red cells or can be transfused with banked blood. In the past, the main obstacle to the development of blood substitutes has been in understanding their side-effects. Having overcome the most significant toxicities of each class of products, rather minor problems persist, but these will probably not prevent clinical acceptance and regulatory approval. An important consequence of the extensive...
DEVELOPMENTAL CYCLES IN SHOOT GROWTH OF MALE CYCAS CIRCINALIS

Cycles of development in several male shoots of Cycas circinalis were studied by counting sequences of foliage leaves, scale leaves, and cones by observation of either their scar pattems or vascular remains. Although male cones are always produced subsequent to a cycle of foliage leaves and are fairly regularly spaced there is no obvious correlation between their presence and the previous cycles of leaves. Ratios of foliage leaves to scale leaves in each cycle are variable. The primary diameter of the axis is obconical, but a conical stem form results from secondary growth. The result of concentric development of xylem and phloem is positively correlated with stem diameter rather than stem age.
Characterization of west nile virus persistent infections in genetically resistant and susceptible mouse cells. II. Generation of temperature-sensitive mutants.

Abstract Long-term persistent infections were established with the flavivirus, West Nile virus (WNV), strain E101, in embryofibroblast cultures derived from susceptible C3H/HE and congenic-resistant C3H/RV mice. Cultures were initially maintained by weekly subculture at 37°, but at passage 6 sister cultures were shifted to 32°. Virus progeny titers were observed to increase after the shift to 32° indicating the possible presence of temperature-sensitive mutants. Temperature-sensitive mutants were found to arise in cultures of both susceptible and resistant cells. However, only in the resistant cultures did temperature-sensitive virus become the majority population. Temperature-sensitive mutants did not appear to be essential for either initiation or maintenance of WNV-persistent infections. The resistant cells appear to provide an environment which is advantageous for the amplification of temperature-sensitive mutants.
A minimal intervention program and a problem-solving program for weight control

A clinical replication design was used with seven moderately obese women subjects to investigate the potential of a minimal intervention and problem-solving program in combination and separately. At the end of 1-year follow-up, clinically significant weight losses were achieved; three subjects (43%) reached their calculated ideal weight and the average weight loss was 25.31 pounds. Other major findings included the following: (a) Five subjects (71%) were able to lose weight during the minimal intervention program with little professional assistance; (b) homogeneous weight losses occurred during the problem-solving program (SD = 1.72) and measures of success in problem solving were significantly correlated with measures of weight loss; and (c) weight loss continued after treatment—six subjects (86%) lost weight at 3-month follow-up and three (43%) continued to lose weight at 12-month follow-up. It was concluded that the minimal intervention program might be used as an initial step in a stepped approach to weight management. Problem solving may be an important cognitive treatment component in behavioral weight control programs. Pounds lost may not be an accurate indication of the efficacy of a treatment program because asymptote can occur when a high proportion of subjects reach ideal weight, and therefore, percentage overweight should be considered the main dependent measure in weight-control studies.
Selective transfers of acetylenic acids to form lecithins

SUMMARY Although acetylenic acids are not normally found in mammalian tissues, octadecynoyl-CoA esters can serve as substrates for rat liver microsomal acyl-CoA: phospholipid acyltransferases. The relatively high rate of transfer to the 2-hydroxyl of I-acylglycerol-3-phosphorylcholine by the 5-, 9-, and I2-positional cis, tram and yne isomers of acids supports the concept that n-bonds at these positions facilitate esterification irrespective of configuration. The preferred positional isomers for transfer to the I-hydroxyl, however, are different for the cis and yne derivatives, indicating a sensitivity of the enzyme(s) to configuration. In the latter transfer, an alternating selectivity occurred with the acetylenic isomers between 8 to 13 that was opposite to the pattern for the cis-octadecenoyl transfers. 1NTRODUCTION Although unsaturated fatty acids may be generally regarded as desirable constituents of cellular lipids, the physicochemical properties that make them desirable are not clearly demonstrated. Acyl-CoA : phospholipid acyltransferases’ have relatively high selectivities’ for transfer to both the I- and 2-position of phosphoglycerides and these selectivities show a good correlation with the naturally-occurring distributions of acids between these positions3-‘. Since the two positions often contain saturated and unsaturated esters, respectively, the transferase activity forming the primary ester may select for some property of saturated acids and that forming the secondary ester for some properties of unsaturated acids. In our studies of the criteria by which an acyl chain may be selected for incorporation into phospholipids, we have examined positional isomers of cis-5,6 and trans-ethyleneic acids (ref. 7) as well as cis-cyclopropane derivatives*. A significant property of naturally-occurring saturated acids seems to be the absence of cis-9 or cis-I I configurations which are not favored by the transferase activity to the r-position. Unsaturated derivatives, that are normally esterified to the z-position, seem to have n-bonds at particular locations along the hydrocarbon chain with less regard
The SUMO isopeptidase Ulp2 prevents accumulation of SUMO chains in yeast.

The ubiquitin-related protein SUMO functions by becoming covalently attached to lysine residues in other proteins. Unlike ubiquitin, which is often linked to its substrates as a polyubiquitin chain, only one SUMO moiety is attached per modified site in most substrates. However, SUMO has recently been shown to form chains in vitro and in mammalian cells, with a lysine in the non-ubiquitin-like N-terminal extension serving as the major SUMO-SUMO branch site. To investigate the physiological function of SUMO chains, we generated Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that expressed mutant SUMOs lacking various lysine residues. Otherwise wild-type strains lacking any of the nine lysines in SUMO were viable, had no obvious growth defects or stress sensitivities, and had SUMO conjugate patterns that did not differ dramatically from wild type. However, mutants lacking the SUMO-specific isopeptidase Ulp2 accumulated high molecular weight SUMO-containing species, which formed only when the N-terminal lysines of SUMO were present, suggesting that they contained SUMO chains. Furthermore SUMO branch-site mutants suppressed several of the phenotypes of ulp2Δ, consistent with the possibility that some ulp2Δ phenotypes are caused by accumulation of SUMO chains. We also found that a mutant SUMO whose non-ubiquitin-like N-terminal domain had been entirely deleted still carried out all the essential functions of SUMO. Thus, the ubiquitin-like domain of SUMO is sufficient for conjugation and all downstream functions required for yeast viability. Our data suggest that SUMO can form chains in vivo in yeast but demonstrate conclusively that chain formation is not required for the essential functions of SUMO in S. cerevisiae.
Citizen Participation in Food Aid Planning and Implementation: A Successful Strategy in Ghana

For almost a decade, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been encouraging its members, national governments, institutions, health professions, as well as international agencies, to take measures to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to participate individually and collectively in die planning and implementation of health and other development programmes.' Even though it appears that this idea has virtually won universal acceptance, actual support for its inclusion as a main strategy in management decision-making has remained varied and fragmented. This situation has been partially explained by the lack of a universal blueprint. In addition, the WHO supports the view that the style and mechanism of involving citizens ought to be a dynamic expression of and be consistent with each country's specific social, cultural and economic conditions or patterns, as well as their political and administrative systems.. In keeping with these considerations, managers and planners of health and health-related programmes in third world countries are expected to devise ways and means of effectively and successfully involving citizens in decisions which affect their well-being. This participation should, however, go beyond peripheral levels to the point where local participants are considered as partners or collaborators working together to achieve specific objectives. This paper conceives of community participation as a strategy that can be utilised to influence and ultimately change the way management makes decisions about health or health-related programmes, especially when these programmes influence the outcomes of other social programmes. Part I will briefly describe the food shortage problem in Ghana, and its accompanying health effects, as well as the proposed solution. Part II will outline the strategy used to involve local communities in planning and implementing the programmes-as-solution; and the third section will discuss both the implementation of the project and factors that some comunity leaders and policy makers believe influenced successful outcomes. The principal aim of the paper is to describe how a two-tier system of citizen involvement, namely committees and action teams, was successfully used in Ghana, and to suggest that planners and managers of health or health-related projects in the developing world should continue to involve local communities in decision-making and implementation processes.
Replication and integration of a Vibrio cholerae cryptic plasmid linked to the CTX prophage

Summary We identified a 4.7 kb cryptic plasmid in all ctxAB a Vibrio cholerae strains we tested. An isolate of the V. cholerae classical biotype strain O395 that harbours the cryptic plasmid at high copy number was found. Hybridization analysis demonstrated that sequences highly related or identical to this plasmid exist in all toxigenic strains of V. cholerae but were notably absent in all non-toxigenic environmental isolates that lacked the genes for toxin-co-regulated pili and the filamentous CTX prophage. Accordingly, we have named the cryptic plasmid pTLC for toxin-linked cryptic. The complete nucleotide sequence of pTLC from the highcopy-number isolate was determined. The largest open reading frame in the plasmid is predicted to encode a protein similar to the replication initiation protein (pII) of Escherichia coli F-specific filamentous phages. The nucleotide sequence of pTLC also facilitated the structural characterization of the DNA homologous to pTLC in other strains of V. cholerae. pTLC-related DNA exists in these strains as both low-copy-number, covalently closed circular DNA and tandemly duplicated, chromosomally integrated DNA. Remarkably, the chromosomally integrated form of pTLC is adjacent to the CTX prophage. The strain distribution, chromosomal location and DNA sequence of pTLC suggests that it may be a genetic element that plays some role in the biology of CTXf, perhaps facilitating either its acquisition or its replication.
AN ALTERNATIVE TO EQUATING WITH SMALL SAMPLES IN THE NON-EQUIVALENT GROUPS ANCHOR TEST DESIGN

This study addresses the sample error and linking bias that occur with small and unrepresentative samples in a non-equivalent groups anchor test (NEAT) design. We propose a linking method called the synthetic function, which is a weighted average of the identity function (the trivial equating function for forms that are known to be completely parallel) and a traditional equating function (in this case, the chained linear equating function) used in the normal case in which forms are not completely parallel. Specifically, we compare the synthetic, identity, and chained linear functions for various-sized samples from two types of national assessments. One design uses a high reliability test and an external anchor, and the other uses a relatively low reliability test and an internal anchor. The chained linear equating functions derived from the total sample are used as the criterion equating function in both assessments. The results from each of these methods were compared to the criterion equating function with respect to linking bias and error. The study indicates that the synthetic functions might be a better choice than the chained linear equating method when samples are neither large nor representative.
If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them: Government Cleansings of Witches and Mau Mau in 1950s Kenya

During the mid-1950s British administrators in the Machakos District of Kenya enlisted categories of Kamba occult "experts"?"witchdoctors" and "cleansers"?to cleanse local "witches" and migrants from Nairobi who were believed to have taken the Mau Mau oath. A compendium of colonial documents concerning the "cleansing" campaigns illustrates how and why the socio-historical context of Mau Mau-era Machakos drove the colonial administration to break with its longstanding de facto policy of not officially combating supernatural challenges to state authority with supernatural means. The overwhelming disorder wrought by Mau Mau motivated state officials to break with precedent and to identify and employ Kamba "experts" to cleanse Mau Mau adherents and witches.1 The widespread and politicized nature of the violence occurring during Mau Mau, and its perceived linkages to the supernatural, precipitated the state's shift to the employment of Kamba experts to combat "witchcraft" and Mau Mau oathing. An anthro-historical approach to understanding Mau Mau in Machakos shows that, while the cleansings constituted a group of "critical moments" at which British colonial officials could argue that they had dealt with supernatural challenges to state authority by rendering them "knowable," the cleansings also demonstrated the
Unstructured grid applications on GPU: performance analysis and improvement

Performance of applications running on GPUs is mainly affected by hardware occupancy and global memory latency. Scientific applications that rely on analysis using unstructured grids could benefit from the high performance capabilities provided by GPUs, however, its memory access pattern and algorithm limit the potential benefits.In this paper we analyze the algorithm for unstructured grid analysis on the basis of hardware occupancy and memory access efficiency. In general, the algorithm can be divided into three stages: cell-oriented analysis, edge-oriented analysis and information update, which present different memory access patterns. Based on the analysis we modify the algorithm to make it suitable for GPUs. The proposed algorithm aims for high hardware occupancy and efficient global memory access. Finally, through implementation we show that our design achieves up to 88 times speedup compared to the sequential CPU version.
The use of neutral Cs vapor flow in a negative-ion sputter source

Abstract Neutral Cs vapor flowing onto the sputter target in an inverted negative ion Cs sputter source has been used to enhance the intensity of the negative ion beam.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Praseodymium–Adipate Framework Templated with 1,2-bis(4-Pyridyl)ethane: Host–Guest Interactions and Structural Survey

A new templated metal–organic framework has been synthesized and characterized: [Pr2(C6H8O4)3(H2O)2]·(C12H12N2). This structure represents the completion of a series of lanthanide–adipate metal–organic framework materials that have been templated with 4,4′-bipyridine-derived template molecules. Host–guest interactions have been qualitatively analyzed within this system along with previously templated systems. On the basis of these observations, a series of guidelines have been established to predict template occlusion. These guidelines include hard–soft acid–base considerations, hydrophobic–hydrophilic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and geometric considerations. These criteria may aide in the future utilization of templates in the topological control of metal–organic frameworks.
Yoga in an Urban School for Children with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders: A Feasibility Study

Increasingly, school-aged children present with challenging emotional and behavioral problems and may be resistant to traditional special education approaches (Smith et al., Behav Disorders 36(3):185–194, 2011). These programs do not take into consideration the specific needs of students with emotional and behavioral disorder (EBD). We examined the feasibility and potential for positive effects of yoga sessions within a school setting for children with EBD at an urban elementary school. Thirty-seven children with EBD in an urban school completed a yoga intervention in small groups (7–10 students) twice per week for 3 ½ months. Teachers, parents, and students completed a systematic pre- and post-intervention assessment, and yoga instructors completed attendance and behavior checklists. Average attendance for the yoga sessions was 90 %. Eighty percent of responders described being very satisfied with the intervention. Teachers reported improved attention in class (p = 0.01) and adaptive skills (p = 0.03) and reduced depressive symptoms (p = 0.03), behavioral symptoms (p = 0.01), and internalizing symptoms (p = 0.04). No significant changes were found in the parent data and no discernable trend was found in student reports. These data suggest that yoga administered in small groups in an urban school setting is a feasible school intervention for children with emotional and behavioral disorders and may be effective in reducing symptoms.
Primitivity and convergence to stability

An exact expression for the index of primitivity g of a Leslie matrix is obtained, which applies also to time-varying matrices which share an incidence matrix. Elapsed time (not time intervals) to primitivity is shown to depend only weakly on the discretization scheme used. A lower bound for speed of convergence to the stable (fixed or time-dependent as appropriate) state is given which depends sensitively on g.
Biodegradable Polymers for Sustained Drug Delivery

Most studies of the sustained release of drugs from subdermally implanted polymer devices have centered on the use of silicone rubber. However, the use of this polymer has serious limitations because of its nonbiodegradability. The depleted capsule has to be surgically removed if one is to eliminate potential problems associated with non-degradable foreign substances remaining in the body for an indefinite length of time. The development of polymer systems which combine the release properties of silicone rubber with biodegradability will represent a significant advance in the technique of controlled release of contraceptives. The polymer system selected for our investigations were polyesters comprising homo and copolymers of glycolide, dilactide, e-caprolactone, and e-decalactone. These polymers were found to undergo random hydrolytic degradation under in vitro and in vivo conditions. The polymers were characterized by their rates of biodegradation and their release parameters for contraceptive steroids. Long time release rates of steroids from monolithic and reservoir devices were determined. Especially poly(e-caprolactone) was found to come close to meeting the requirements of a biodegradable reservoir device for controlled drug delivery, with a useful lifespan approaching one year. Copolymers of e-caprolactone and racemic dilactide are more permeable than poly(e-caprolactone) and are of value for biodegradable devices with shorter than one year lifespan.
Negative Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometric Study on the Dissociative Electron Attachment to Halogenated Ethane

The temperature dependence for the formation of negative ions from Cl2BrC-CBrCl2, FClBrC-CBrF2, and ClBr2C-CF3 was studied using negative chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Halide ions and halogen molecular anions were observed. The intensity ratios between the halide ions and halogen molecular anions were almost equal to F2BrC-CBrF2. Halogen molecular anions are produced from halogen atoms presented by each C atom: the four-center elimination. The temperature dependence of the ion intensity ratios, Br-/Cl- and Br2-/BrCl-, suggests that the strength of the bonding energy of the C-Cl relative to C-Br increases in the order of Cl2BrC-CBrCl2<FClBrC-CBrF2<ClBr2C-CF3.
Maturational conversion of dendritic early endosomes and their roles in L1-mediated axon growth.

The function of endosomes is intricately linked to cellular function in all cell types, including neurons. Intriguingly, neurons express cell type-specific proteins that localize to endosomes, but little is known about how these neuronal proteins interface with canonical endosomes and ubiquitously expressed endosomal components, such as EEA1 (Early Endosomal Antigen 1). NEEP21 (Neuronal Early Endosomal Protein 21 kDa) localizes to somatodendritic endosomes, and downregulation of NEEP21 perturbs the correct trafficking of multiple receptors, including glutamate receptors (GluA2) during LTP and amyloidogenic processing of βAPP. Our own work implicated NEEP21 in correct trafficking of the axonal cell adhesion molecule L1/neuron–glia cell adhesion molecule (NgCAM). NEEP21 dynamically localizes with EEA1-positive early endosomes but is also found in EEA1-negative endosomes. Live imaging reveals that NEEP21-positive, EEA1-negative endosomes arise as a consequence of maturational conversion of EEA1/NEEP21 double-positive endosomes. Interfering with EEA1 function causes missorting of L1/NgCAM, axon outgrowth defects on the L1 substrate, and disturbance of NEEP21 localization. Last, we uncover evidence that functional interference with NEEP21 reduces axon and dendrite growth of primary rat hippocampal neurons on L1 substrate but not on N-cadherin substrate, thus implicating endosomal trafficking through somatodendritic early endosomes in L1-mediated axon growth.
Korean president Roh Tae‐Woo's 1988 inaugural address: Campaigning for investiture

On February 25, 1988, Roh Tae‐woo delivered an inaugural address as the newly elected president of the Republic of Korea. As the culmination of a difficult political campaign, it exemplifies campaign rhetoric that fuses deliberative and epideictic elements. As the first presidential inaugural following a peaceful transition of power in a nation with a democratic constitution, it manifests qualities that Campbell and Jamieson identify as typifying U.S. presidential inaugurals, but in ways linked to recent Korean political history. Moreover, consistent with Confucian tradition, Roh argued by indirection, intimating future policies by juxtaposing allusions, prompting the audience to make inferences that would legitimize his presidency and invest him in office. Finally, when compared to those of his predecessors, Roh's inaugural reflects the link between public discourse and the political system in which it emerges.
Coherent storage and retrieval of an image using a gradient echo memory in an atomic vapor

We experimentally demonstrate the storage of an image in the long-lived ground state coherence of a warm atomic rubidium ensemble using a gradient echo memory.
Developmental features and synthetic patterns of male germ cells ofUrechis caupo.

The process of spermatogenesis in the echiuroid marine wormUrechis caupo takes place in the coelomic cavity. The nuclei of primary spermatocytes become gradually condensed from the G1 to G2 stages. The autoradiographic results show that the rate of RNA synthesis in these cells decreases considerably; no appreciable RNA synthesis is detected in cells in the G2 stage, meiosis, and in various stages of spermiogenesis. Synthesis of proteins, such as histones, protamines and also acrosomal basic protein, occurs during spermatogenesis when little or no RNA is made.
Chemokine Receptors and Chemokines in HIV Infection

Suppression of HIV by chemokines represents a special case in virology and immunology where soluble molecules other than antibodies inhibit infection by a specific virus. The basis for this inhibition is that HIV has evolved to use certain chemokine receptors as “coreceptors” for entry into host cells. Human genotypes that reduce or prevent coreceptor expression are strongly associated with protection against infection and slower disease progression. We suggest that local production of certain chemokines can produce a similar modulation of coreceptor expression, and mounting evidence indicates that chemokine release is a major determinant of protection from HIV infection. Here we review this evidence and explore future avenues for investigating the role of chemokines in controlling HIV infection.
Aryl propanolamines: comparison of activity at human β3 receptors, rat β3 receptors and rat atrial receptors mediating tachycardia

The in vitro activity of four aryl propanolamines was compared to two prototypic β3 receptor agonists, CGP 12177 and CL316243 at the human β3 receptor, the rat β3 receptor in the stomach fundus and receptors mediating atrial tachycardia. L-739,574 was the most potent (EC50=9 nM) and selective agonist at the human β3 receptor with high maximal response (74% of the maximal response to isoproterenol). A phenol-biaryl ether analogue possessed modest affinity for the human β3 receptor (EC50=246 nM), but was highly efficacious with a maximal response 82% of the maximal response to isoproterenol. The other derivatives were intermediate in potency with low maximal responses. These agonists at the human β3 receptor did not activate the rat β3 receptor in the rat stomach fundus. In fact, the aryl propanolamines (10−6 M) inhibited CL316243-induced activation of the rat β3 receptor. Thus, agonist activity at the human β3 receptor translated into antagonist activity at the rat β3 receptor. L739,574 and the phenol biaryl ether increased heart rate via β1 receptors. Although CGP12177 produced atrial tachycardia, neither the indole sulphonamide nor biphenyl biaryl ether did, although both had high affinity for the human β3 receptor. Thus, the atrial tachycardic receptor was not identical to the human β3 receptor. These studies (a) characterized four aryl propanolamines with high affinity at the human β3 receptor, (b) found that they were antagonists at the rat β3 receptor, an observation with profound implications for in vivo rat data, and (c) established that the rodent atrial non-β1, β2 or β3 tachycardic receptor was also unrelated to the human β3 receptor. British Journal of Pharmacology (1999) 126, 1018–1024; doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0702364
Upregulation of CCR3 by age-related stresses promotes choroidal endothelial cell migration via VEGF-dependent and -independent signaling.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) accounts for 80% of legal blindness in a rapidly growing percentage of the U.S. population, that is, those older than 60 years of age.1 Outcomes have improved with anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment,2 but visual acuity still improves in only 40% of cases, and repeated intraocular injections pose serious ocular risks, including endophthalmitis and retinal detachment.3 Also, treatment benefit is lost after repeated intravitreal injections of VEGF antibody,4 raising a concern of potential retinal toxicity or recurrent choroidal neovascularization (CNV) caused by compensatory mechanisms through altered regulation of angiogenic and inhibitory growth factors or other signaling.5–8 Thus, considering pathways besides the VEGF pathway is important in the development of therapies for neovascular AMD. The G-protein–coupled receptor (GPCR), C–C chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3), was reported to be important in neovascular AMD.9 Additional evidence supports its role in CNV.10 However, a recent study reported that CCR3 was not important in CNV development when using a CNV gelatinous protein mixture (Matrigel; BD Biosciences, Franklin Lakes, NJ) model.11 Therefore, further study regarding the potential role of CCR3 in AMD is needed. AMD is a complex disease, influenced by environmental and genetic factors. In this study, we focused on the effects of environmental stresses associated with AMD on CCR3 expression in choroidal endothelial cells (CECs). We studied the mechanisms whereby CCR3 signaling activates CECs to migrate, a key event before the development of vision-threatening sensory retinal CNV. We obtained data from human donor eyes and used cultured human CECs and retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE). We also explored the hypothesis that CCR3 and VEGF work synergistically in triggering downstream signaling pathways. We report that the CCR3 ligand, chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 11 (CCL11), activates VEGF receptor 2 to trigger activation of the small GTPase Rac1, which we previously reported is necessary for CEC transmigration of the RPE.12–14
Patterning in synaptic knobs which connect with Mauthner's cell (Ambystoma mexicanum).

The Mauthner's cells (M-cells) of the young axolotl larva receive a rich afferent supply of synaptic knobs (club and bulb synapses). The knobs may be classified into at least five types according to their ultrastructure after direct fixation in OsO4. The different types are non-randomly arranged on the M-cell surface such that groups of knobs of the same type are frequently observed to form a cluster or patch. The M-cell surface pattern is thus a mosaic of such clusters. Different types of knobs may be restricted to different locations on the M-cell; one type is found almost exclusively with the M-cell lateral dendrites, and another two types with the axon hillock and axonal initial segment. The dorsal perikaryon is nearly devoid of knobs. This pattern is at least in part related to the pattern of fasciculation in the adjacent neural tissue, and it is likely that all or some of the distinctive types of knobs originate from different kinds of neurons. The pattern of distribution of the synaptic knobs appears to increase in complexity during development, and this can be related to the asymmetrical growth of the M-cell during its maturation. These observations are discussed with reference to theories of neuronal specificity.
Temperature-dependent development, cold tolerance, and potential distribution of Gratiana boliviana (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), a biological control agent of tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum (Solanaceae)

Abstract The leaf beetle Gratiana boliviana Spaeth (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was introduced from South America into the southeastern United States in 2003 as a classical biological control agent of tropical soda apple, Solanum viarum Dunal (Solanaceae). Temperature-dependent development and survival studies revealed that development was completed at temperatures >16°C and ≤34°C. The number of degree-days required to complete one generation was 341 and the estimated lower developmental threshold was 13.37°C. Using nonlinear regression, the upper lethal threshold was estimated to be 34–35°C. Cold tolerance studies revealed that the lethal time for 90% of adults (LT90) was 12.6 days at 5°C and 8.68 days at 0°C. Based on the developmental and cold tolerance data, a map predicting the areas of establishment and number of generations per year was generated, which suggests that the northern extent of the G. boliviana range in the USA will be near 32–33° north latitude. Fewer generations per year in more northe...
Copper C‐Nitroso Compounds: Activation of Hydroxylamines and NO Reactivity

Addition of nitrosobenzene to β-diketiminato and tris(pyrazolyl)borate copper complexes [[Me2NNF6]Cu(NCMe)] (2) and [iPr2TpCu(NCMe)] (3) gives the corresponding nitrosobenzene adducts [[Me2NNF6]Cu(η2-ONPh)] (5) and [iPr2TpCu{κ1-N(O)Ph}] (6). Backbonding to the nitrosoarene is strongest via the η2-ON binding mode, which is sterically inaccessible for the tris(pyrazolyl)borate complexes. The strength of the interaction is judged by the N–O bond length, the νNO stretching frequencies observed for 5 and 6, as well as by the DFT LUMO energies of 5-η2-ON, 5-κ1-N, 6-κ1-N, which range from highest to lowest. Nitrosoarene complexes 5 and 6 are also produced upon reaction of [[Me2NNF6]Cu(NCMe)] (2) and [iPr2TpCu(NCMe)] (3) with 2 equiv. N-phenylhydroxylamine (PhNHOH), though a considerable amount of the azoxybenzene PhN=N(O)Ph is observed along with 6. The addition of slight excess of NO to 5 and 6 results in the formation of copper(II) diazeniumdiolates [[Me2NNF6]Cu(κ2-O2N2Ph)] (7) and [iPr2TpCu(κ2-O2N2Ph)] (8), which exhibit square-planar and square-pyramidal geometries, respectively. These findings give insight into PhNO and PhHNOH reactivity at copper(I) and foreshadow possible transformations of considerably more reactive nitroxyl (HNO) and hydroxylamine (H2NOH) analogues.
Topical Corticosteroids in the Management of Bacterial Keratitis

Bacterial keratitis can cause significant morbidity from ulceration of the cornea and the resultant scarring. The use of steroids to decrease these complications is controversial, with arguments for and against their use. The SCUT (Steroids for Corneal Ulcers Trial) was initiated in 2006 to definitively determine whether steroids in bacterial keratitis were beneficial or harmful. While the SCUT showed no benefit or harm overall, subgroup analyses showed that larger, more central ulcers with very poor initial visual acuity may benefit. On the other hand, Nocardia ulcers that were treated with steroids had worse outcomes. The study did have some limitations, as the patient population was not typical for bacterial keratitis in the United States, and there were some criticisms of the therapeutic approach, so the question is still not definitively answered.
Olfactory learning in the rat immediately after birth: Unique salience of first odors.

An infant rat’s chance of survival is increased when it remains close to the nest. Early olfactory learning supports such adaptive behavior. Previous experiments indicated that non-associative odor exposure immediately after birth promoted later attachment to a similarly scented artificial nipple. The goal of the current experiments was to extend these findings on olfactory learning in the hours after birth by: exposing pups to more than one odor exposure (Exp. 1), dissecting the role of timing versus order of odor exposure (Exp. 2), testing the odor specificity of these effects (Exp. 3 and 4), and evaluating associative odor conditioning soon after birth (Exp. 5). Without explicit prior odor experience, pups only hours old do not respond much to a novel odor. Prior non-associative odor experience increases later motor activity to that same odor and to novel odors. Furthermore, these findings may be specific to certain amodal dimensions of the (in our case) lemon odor exposure. Single odor non-associative and associative conditioning was equally effective immediately after birth and during the third postnatal hour. Nevertheless, pups given two mere odor exposures responded to the first one more than the second at test, regardless of whether the exposures began immediately or two hours after birth. Possible mechanisms for these findings concerning early olfactory learning are discussed.