cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hope Above Racial Discrimination and Social Support in Accounting for Positive and Negative Psychological Adjustment in African American Adults: Is “Knowing You Can Do It” as Important as “Knowing How You Can”?

In the present study, we examined the role of racial discrimination, social support (viz., family and friends), and hope (viz., agency and pathways) in accounting for negative psychological adjustment (viz., anxious and depressive symptoms) and positive psychological adjustment (viz., vitality and life satisfaction) in a sample of 249 African Americans. Overall, results of conducting a series of hierarchical regression analyses provided some evidence for the role of racial discrimination and social support in accounting for both negative and positive psychological adjustment. Noteworthy, the inclusion of hope was found to significantly augment the prediction models of psychological adjustment. Within the hope set, agency was consistently found to uniquely account for adjustment. In contrast, pathways was only found to uniquely account for vitality. Beyond affirming the importance of racial discrimination and social support, the present findings highlight the added value of considering hope, especially agency, in understanding positive and negative psychological adjustment in African Americans. Implications of the present findings for understanding the role of racial discrimination, social support, and hope in the psychological adjustment of African American adults are discussed.
Functional disconnection between the visual cortex and right fusiform face area in schizophrenia.

Abstract Patients with schizophrenia show impairment in processing faces, including facial affect and face detection, but the underlying mechanisms are unknown. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to characterize resting state functional connectivity between an independent component analysis (ICA)-defined early visual cortical network (corresponding to regions in V1, V2, V3) and a priori defined face-processing regions (fusiform face area [FFA], occipital face area [OFA], superior temporal sulcus [STS] and amygdala) using dual regression in 20 schizophrenia patients and 26 healthy controls. We also investigated the association between resting functional connectivity and neural responses (fMRI) elicited by a face detection paradigm in a partially overlapping sample (Maher et al., 2016) that used stimuli equated for lower-level perceptual abilities. Group differences in functional connectivity were found in right FFA only; controls showed significantly stronger functional connectivity to an early visual cortical network. Functional connectivity in right FFA was associated with (a) neural responses during face detection in controls only, and (b) perceptual detection thresholds for faces in patients only. The finding of impaired functional connectivity for right FFA (but not other queried domain-specific regions) converges with findings investigating face detection in an overlapping sample in which dysfunction was found exclusively for right FFA in schizophrenia during face detection.
Developmental Outcomes of Extremely Preterm Infants Under State Supervision at Hospital Discharge

BACKGROUND: The number of children under state (Child Protective Services (CPS)) supervision is increasing. Approximately 20% are < 2 years of age, a vulnerable time for brain growth and development. There are limited data on high risk preterm infants under CPS supervision. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that EPT infants < 27wks gestational age (GA) discharged from the hospital under CPS supervision will have lower Bayley III (BSID III) cognitive and language scores compared to non-CPS infants at 2 years of age. METHODS/DESIGN: …
Performance of lymphadenectomy for apparent early stage malignant ovarian germ cell tumors in the era of platinum-based chemotherapy.

Abstract Objectives To investigate the patterns of use and impact of lymphadenectomy (LND) on overall survival (OS) of patients with apparent early stage malignant ovarian germ cell tumors (MOGCTs). Methods Patients with apparent stage I MOGCT diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 were drawn from the National Cancer Database. The performance of LND was assessed from the pathology report. OS was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier curves, and compared with the log-rank test. A multivariate Cox analysis was performed to control for confounders. Results A total of 2774 patients were identified; 1426 (51.4%) underwent LND. The median number of lymph nodes (LN) removed was 9 (range 1–81); 48.3% of patients had at least 10 lymph nodes removed. The rate of regional lymph node metastasis was 10.3% (147 patients). There was no difference in OS, between patients who did (n = 1287) and did not (n = 1210) undergo LND, p = 0.81; 5-yr OS rates were 96.5% and 97.6% respectively. After controlling for patient age, insurance status, histology, presence of medical comorbidities, and receipt of chemotherapy, the performance of LND was not associated with better survival (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 0.82, 2.14). Conclusions While LN metastasis is common in apparent early stage MOGCTs, the performance of LND was not associated with a survival benefit.
Robust Hybrid Approach of Vision-Based Tracking and Radio-Based Identification and Localization for 3D Tracking of Multiple Construction Workers

AbstractInformation of construction entity identity and real-time location reveals where specific construction resources are at any given time and thus is a critical prerequisite to the context-awa...
Effects of undiluted and diluted amiodarone on defibrillation and haemodynamics in a ventricular fibrillation pig model

Objective Amiodarone was diluted to release the side effect of hypotension in clinic, but this maybe unsuitable during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). This study was designed to observe the effects of undiluted amiodarone, diluted amiodarone, and CPR alone on ventricular fibrillation (VF) in a pig model. Methods VF was induced in 21 pigs. The animals were randomly (random mumber) divided into 3 groups after VF 3 min.① CPR group ( n= 7): standard CPR; ② undiluted amiodarone group ( n= 7): undiluted amiodarone (5 mg/kg)bolus within 3 s, then 20 mL saline flush into the peripheral vein, CPR was started after observed 30 s; ③ diluted amiodarone group ( n = 7): amiodarone was dissolved in 20 mL saline and bolus with 30 s. Defibrillation was attempted at VF 5 min. Results The restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) of CPR and undiluted amiodarone groups were higher than diluted group (85.7％ vs. 71.4％ vs. 42.9％), but the differences were not significant (all P ＞0.05). The defibrillation energy and times of CPR group were higher than that of undiluted amiodarone (P= 0.009) and diluted group ( P = 0. 170). The mean arterial pressure of undiluted amiodarone were lower than diluted and CPR groups at ROSC 10 min (all P ＜0.05), but the differences of undiluted and diluted groups were not significant after ROSC 0.5 h. Conclusions In this study, undiluted amiodaronecan effectively reduced the defibrillation times and energy. Although diluted amiodaronecan release the side effect of hypotension which was transient, it didn't significantly improved cardiac electric activity and delayed to start CPR. Key words: Cardiac arrest; Ventricular fibrillation; Cardiopulmonary resuscitation; Amiodarone; Haemodynamics; Defibrillation energy; Defibrillation times; Pig
Gene Expression Profile and Acute Gene Expression Response to Sclerostin Inhibition in Osteogenesis Imperfecta Bone.

Sclerostin antibody (SclAb) therapy has been suggested as a novel therapeutic approach toward addressing the fragility phenotypic of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). Observations of cellular and transcriptional responses to SclAb in OI have been limited to mouse models of the disorder, leaving a paucity of data on the human OI osteoblastic cellular response to the treatment. Here, we explore factors associated with response to SclAb therapy in vitro and in a novel xenograft model using OI bone tissue derived from pediatric patients. Bone isolates (approximately 2 mm3) from OI patients (OI type III, type III/IV, and type IV, n = 7; non-OI control, n = 5) were collected to media, randomly assigned to an untreated (UN), low-dose SclAb (TRL, 2.5 μg/mL), or high-dose SclAb (TRH, 25 μg/mL) group, and maintained in vitro at 37°C. Treatment occurred on days 2 and 4 and was removed on day 5 for TaqMan qPCR analysis of genes related to the Wnt pathway. A subset of bone was implanted s.c. into an athymic mouse, representing our xenograft model, and treated (25 mg/kg s.c. 2×/week for 2/4 weeks). Implanted OI bone was evaluated using μCT and histomorphometry. Expression of Wnt/Wnt-related targets varied among untreated OI bone isolates. When treated with SclAb, OI bone showed an upregulation in osteoblast and osteoblast progenitor markers, which was heterogeneous across tissue. Interestingly, the greatest magnitude of response generally corresponded to samples with low untreated expression of progenitor markers. Conversely, samples with high untreated expression of these markers showed a lower response to treatment. in vivo implanted OI bone showed a bone-forming response to SclAb via μCT, which was corroborated by histomorphometry. SclAb induced downstream Wnt targets WISP1 and TWIST1, and elicited a compensatory response in Wnt inhibitors SOST and DKK1 in OI bone with the greatest magnitude from OI cortical bone. Understanding patients' genetic, cellular, and morphological bone phenotypes may play an important role in predicting treatment response. This information may aid in clinical decision-making for pharmacological interventions designed to address fragility in OI. © 2020 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
The Metabolic Basis of Immune Dysfunction Following Sepsis and Trauma

Critically ill, severely injured and high-risk surgical patients are vulnerable to secondary infections during hospitalization and after hospital discharge. Studies show that the mitochondrial function and oxidative metabolism of monocytes and macrophages are impaired during sepsis. Alternatively, treatment with microbe-derived ligands, such as monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), peptidoglycan, or β-glucan, that interact with toll-like receptors and other pattern recognition receptors on leukocytes induces a state of innate immune memory that confers broad-spectrum resistance to infection with common hospital-acquired pathogens. Priming of macrophages with MPLA, CPG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODN), or β-glucan induces a macrophage metabolic phenotype characterized by mitochondrial biogenesis and increased oxidative metabolism in parallel with increased glycolysis, cell size and granularity, augmented phagocytosis, heightened respiratory burst functions, and more effective killing of microbes. The mitochondrion is a bioenergetic organelle that not only contributes to energy supply, biosynthesis, and cellular redox functions but serves as a platform for regulating innate immunological functions such as production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and regulatory intermediates. This review will define current knowledge of leukocyte metabolic dysfunction during and after sepsis and trauma. We will further discuss therapeutic strategies that target leukocyte mitochondrial function and might have value in preventing or reversing sepsis- and trauma-induced immune dysfunction.
A Coupling-Insensitive X-Type IPT System for High Position Tolerance

The output characteristic of an inductive power transfer (IPT) system is highly susceptible to variations in magnetic coupling. In this article, a primary-side X-type compensation topology is proposed to acquire stable output characteristics against a wide range of magnetic coupling without resorting to tight control and coil design. By introducing the concept and derivation principle for the coupling-insensitive compensation topologies, the X-type network is presented to provide self-regulation ability for primary coil current against variable coupling, thereby enabling steady power transfer in a highly dynamic environment. The design considerations for the passive parameters are elaborated, followed by the comparison with regular compensation methods. Owing to its unique structure and design flexibility, the X-type compensation exhibits a stable output characteristic that is beneficial in enhancing the tolerance to position shifts. Moreover, it also features a wide soft-switching range and more flexible design for the output level range than previous topologies. Experimental results show stable power transfer over a coupling factor of 0.14–0.28, where the power fluctuation is less than 20%. The presented method is seen as a potential solution for low power IPT systems, where high mobility is demanded.
Chronicling the Boko Haram Decade in Nigeria (2010-2020): distinguishing factions through videographic analysis

Boko Haram videos are among the only windows into the group leadership’s ideology. However, previous studies of Boko Haram videos treated the group monolithically and neither distinguished between ...
Metamorphosis and the impact of contaminants on ecological subsidies

Animals with complex life histories such as aquatic insects and amphibians link freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems when they transition from water to land during development. This transition requires metamorphosis from juvenile to adult life stages. Metamorphosis is a stressful and ecologically sensitive life history event. Exposure to contaminants during juvenile development (before or during metamorphosis) can disrupt the complex process of metamorphosis, thereby altering the flow of organisms from water to land. This chapter reviews how ecological stressors impact the timing and success of metamorphosis. Key ideas include: (1) metamorphosis is a key event in the movement of subsidies from water to land, (2) mortality during metamorphosis is enhanced in the presence of contaminants, and (3) juvenile responses to contaminants may not predict adult responses, due to death during metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is a critical life history stage that should be accounted for in ecotoxicological studies.
Human mesenchymal stem cell-engineered length scale dependent rheology of the pericellular region measured with bi-disperse multiple particle tracking microrheology.

Abstract Biological materials have length scale dependent structure enabling complex cell-material interactions and driving cellular processes. Synthetic biomaterials are designed to mimic aspects of these biological materials for applications including enhancing cell delivery during wound healing. To mimic native microenvironments, we must understand how cells manipulate their surroundings over several length scales. Our work characterizes length scale dependent rheology in a well-established 3D cell culture platform for human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). hMSCs re-engineer their microenvironment through matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) secretions and cytoskeletal tension. Remodeling occurs across length scales: MMPs degrade cross-links on nanometer scales resulting in micrometer-sized paths that hMSCs migrate through, eventually resulting in bulk scaffold degradation. We use multiple particle tracking microrheology (MPT) and bi-disperse MPT to characterize hMSC-mediated length scale dependent pericellular remodeling. MPT measures particle Brownian motion to calculate rheological properties. We use MPT to measure larger length scales with 4.5 µm particles. Bi-disperse MPT simultaneously measures two different length scales (0.5 and 2.0 µm). We measure that hMSCs preferentially remodel larger length scales measured as a higher mobility of larger particles. We inhibit cytoskeletal tension by inhibiting myosin-II and no longer measure this difference in particle mobility. This indicates that cytoskeletal tension is the source of cell-mediated length scale dependent rheological changes. Particle mobility correlates with cell speed across length scales, relating material rheology to cell behavior. These results quantify length scale dependent pericellular remodeling and provide insight into how these microenvironments can be designed into materials to direct cell behavior.
The Effect of Results-Based Intergovernmental Transfers in the Educational Accountability System: An Examination of the Race to the Top Program

Results-based intergovernmental transfers have recently attracted attention from both scholars and practitioners. In contrast to other types of grants, the results-based approach can lead to improv...
Peridynamic model for microballistic perforation of multilayer graphene

Abstract The peridynamic theory of solid mechanics is applied to the continuum modeling of the impact of small, high-velocity silica spheres on multilayer graphene targets. The model treats the laminate as a brittle elastic membrane. The material model includes separate failure criteria for the initial rupture of the membrane and for propagating cracks. Material variability is incorporated by assigning random variations in elastic properties within Voronoi cells. The computational model is shown to reproduce the primary aspects of the response observed in experiments, including the growth of a family of radial cracks from the point of impact.
Alternative RNA Splicing in Fatty Liver Disease.

Alternative RNA splicing is a process by which introns are removed and exons are assembled to construct different RNA transcript isoforms from a single pre-mRNA. Previous studies have demonstrated an association between dysregulation of RNA splicing and a number of clinical syndromes, but the generality to common disease has not been established. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver disease affecting one-third of adults worldwide, increasing the risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this review we focus on the change in alternative RNA splicing in fatty liver disease and the role for splicing regulation in disease progression.
Using Differential Equations to Model Phoretic Parasitism as Part of SCUDEM Challenge

The SIMIODE Challenge for Undergraduates in Differential Equation Modelling (SCUDEM) offers students the opportunity to improve their mathematical capacity, ability to think critically, and communication skills through researching, developing, and presenting on a differential equations model for a natural phenomenon. During the fall 2019 SCUDEM, we chose to model population dynamics of phoretic parasitism through chemical espionage of anti-aphrodisiacs by parasitic wasps. Additionally, we modelled the dispersion of anti-aphrodisiac pheromones from impregnated butterflies and the propagation of resultant action potentials in wasps due to stimulation of olfactory receptor neurons from these pheromones. This article displays a summary of our undergraduate student team’s response to a provided prompt in SCUDEM IV. This article additionally shares personal testimonies from three students about the modelling challenge to highlight the benefits of participating in differential equation modelling challenges.
Reappraising stress arousal improves affective, neuroendocrine, and academic performance outcomes in community college classrooms.

The field experiment presented here applied a stress regulation technique to optimize affective and neuroendocrine responses and improve academic and psychological outcomes in an evaluative academic context. Community college students (N = 339) were randomly assigned to stress reappraisal or active control conditions immediately before taking their second in-class exam. Whereas stress is typically perceived as having negative effects, stress reappraisal informs individuals about the functional benefits of stress and is hypothesized to reduce threat appraisals, and subsequently, improve downstream outcomes. Multilevel models indicated that compared with controls, reappraising stress led to less math evaluation anxiety, lower threat appraisals, more adaptive neuroendocrine responses (lower cortisol and higher testosterone levels on testing days relative to baseline), and higher scores on Exam 2 and on a subsequent Exam 3. Reappraisal students also persisted in their courses at a higher rate than controls. Targeted mediation models suggested stress appraisals partially mediated effects of reappraisal. Notably, procrastination and performance approach goals (measured between exams) partially mediated lagged effects of reappraisal on subsequent performance. Implications for the stress, emotion regulation, and mindsets literatures are discussed. Moreover, alleviating negative effects of acute stress in community college students, a substantial but understudied population, has potentially important applied implications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Observational Supervision for Medical Image Classification Using Gaze Data.

Deep learning models have demonstrated favorable performance on many medical image classification tasks. However, they rely on expensive hand-labeled datasets that are time-consuming to create. In this work, we explore a new supervision source to training deep learning models by using gaze data that is passively and cheaply collected during a clinician’s workflow. We focus on three medical imaging tasks, including classifying chest X-ray scans for pneumothorax and brain MRI slices for metastasis, two of which we curated gaze data for. The gaze data consists of a sequence of fixation locations on the image from an expert trying to identify an abnormality. Hence, the gaze data contains rich information about the image that can be used as a powerful supervision source. We first identify a set of gaze features and show that they indeed contain class-discriminative information. Then, we propose two methods for incorporating gaze features into deep learning pipelines. When no task labels are available, we combine multiple gaze features to extract weak labels and use them as the sole source of supervision (Gaze-WS). When task labels are available, we propose to use the gaze features as auxiliary task labels in a multi-task learning framework (Gaze-MTL). On three medical image classification tasks, our Gaze-WS method without task labels comes within 5 AUROC points (1.7 precision points) of models trained with task labels. With task labels, our Gaze-MTL method can improve performance by 2.4 AUROC points (4 precision points) over multiple baselines.
Cross-validation of the Booth Scale.

Abstract A study was conducted to attempt a cross-validation of the Booth Scale as a measure of competitive spirit. Six football teams and a non-athlete group failed to demonstrate any differences either on mean scale scores or on the frequency of good and poor scale-rated competitors. Item analysis likewise produced little evidence in support of cross-validation.
Human factors issues and approaches in the spatial layout of a space station control room, including the use of virtual reality as a design analysis tool

Human Factors Engineering support was provided for the 30% design review of the late Space Station Freedom Payload Control Area (PCA). The PCA was to be the payload operations control room, analogous to the Spacelab Payload Operations Control Center (POCC). This effort began with a systematic collection and refinement of the relevant requirements driving the spatial layout of the consoles and PCA. This information was used as input for specialized human factors analytical tools and techniques in the design and design analysis activities. Design concepts and configuration options were developed and reviewed using sketches, 2-D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings, and immersive Virtual Reality (VR) mockups.
A History of Inner Asia: The Uighur kingdom of Qocho

The ninth century was marked in Transoxania, as we have said, by a de facto reaffirmation of Central Asian identity at the expense of the Arab conquerors. For the time being, this identity, while Islamic religiously and culturally, was chiefly Iranian, despite the strengthening of Turkic elements. In Sinkiang, on the other hand, there occurred the first of the events that opened the gate toward the eventual Turkicization of the greater part of Inner Asia. It was triggered by another event in Mongolia whose importance lay mainly in setting this process in motion. The Uighur qaghanate of Mongolia was in 840 overthrown by the Kyrgyz, a Turkic people who at that time lived in southern Siberia along the upper Yenisei and in what is today the republic of Tuva, where the Yenisei has its sources. Most of the Uighurs then moved west, chiefly to two areas: to the Chinese province of Kansu, where they became known as Yellow Uighurs but otherwise did not leave much trace; and to eastern Sinkiang, where they founded the Uighur kingdom of Qocho, which would last for four centuries (850–1250). As we have said in the introductory chapter, Qocho is today an archeological site, situated about 30 kilometers to the east of Turfan; Turfan, in turn, is flanked on the west by another ruin, a still older city known by its Chinese name of Chiao-Ho (“City [between] two rivers”) and, later, by its Turco-Mongol name Yar-khoto (“Cliff city”).
Performance-driven OPC for mask cost reduction

With continued aggressive process scaling in the subwavelength lithographic regime, resolution enhancement techniques (RET) such as optical proximity correction (OPC) are an integral part of the design to mask flow. OPC adds complex features to the layout, resulting in mask data volume explosion and increased mask costs. Traditionally the mask flow has suffered from a lack of design information, such that all features (whether critical or non-critical) are treated alike by RET insertion. Gupta et al. (2003) proposes to exploit design information (timing slacks) to reduce OPC data volume, but has a number of impractical aspects. In this paper, we propose an implementable flow that drives model-based OPC explicitly by timing constraints, with the objective of reducing mask data volume and OPC runtime. We apply a mathematical programming based slack budgeting algorithm to determine edge placement error (EPE) tolerance budgets for all polysilicon gate geometries. These tolerances are then enforced by a commercial OPC tool to achieve up to 24% MEBES data volume and 41% OPC runtime reductions on a suite of six testcases implemented in Artisan TSMC 0.13 /spl mu/m libraries.
Frequency-shaped implicit force control of flexible link manipulators

A frequency-shaped implicit force control scheme for flexible link manipulators is considered in this article. The frequency shaping dependence is included to eliminate deleterious effects associated with control and observation spillover. The control effort is comprised of both a feedforward and feedback term. The feedback component regulates the joint coordinate error perturbations through the minimization of a linear quadratic, frequency-shaped cost functional. The feedforward component provides the torque required to compensate the underlying rigid arm dynamics along a prespecified reference trajectory. Numerical simulations are performed on a two link rigid-flexible manipulator to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Active filter hardware design & performance for the DIII-D plasma control system

The digital plasma control system (PCS), currently in operation on the DIII-D tokamak, requires inputs from a large number of sensors. Due to the nature of the digitizers and the relative noisy environment from which these signal are derived, each of the 32 signals must be conditioned via an active filter. Two different types of filters, Chebyshev and Bessel with fixed frequencies: 100 Hz Bessel was used for filtering the motional Stark effect diagnostic data. 800 Hz Bessel was designed to filter plasma control data and 1200 Hz Chebyshev is used with closed loop control of choppers. The performance of the plasma control system is greatly influenced by how well the actual filter responses match the software model used in the control system algorithms. This paper addresses the various issues facing the designer in matching the electrical design with the theoretical.
Gonaden: Entwicklung und Funktion des Fortpflanzungssystems

Moderne Genetik und experimentelle Embryologie haben bewiesen, das die zahlreichen Unterschiede zwischen mannlich und weiblich bei den hoher organisierten Lebewesen von einem einzigen Chromosom (Y-Chromosom) und einem einzigen Paar endokriner Strukturen (Testes bzw. Ovarien) abhangen. Die praenatale Differenzierung der primitiven Gonaden ist beim Menschen genetisch determiniert, aber die Ausbildung der mannlichen Genitale hangt von der Anwesenheit funktionsfahiger Testes ab. Es bestehen Hinweise dafur, das auch das spatere sexuelle Verhalten und die Gonadotropin-Sekretion des Mannes durch die Wirkung mannlicher Geschlechtshormone auf das Gehirn in einem fruhen Entwicklungsstadium beeinflust wird. Nach der Geburt entwickeln sich die Gonaden bis zur Pubertat nicht weiter, bis sie durch Gonadotropine des Hypophysen-Vorderlappens aktiviert werden. Die von den Gonaden zu diesem Zeitpunkt sezernierten Hormone fuhren zu der Ausbildung der typischen mannlichen oder weiblichen Merkmale und zum Beginn des Menstruationscyclus bei der Frau. Beim Mann bleiben die Gonaden von der Pubertat an mehr oder weniger aktiv. Bei der Frau nimmt die Ovarfunktion nach einer gewissen Zeit ab und der Menstruationscyclus hort auf (Menopause). Bei beiden Geschlechtern haben die Gonaden eine Doppelfunktion: Produktion der Keimzellen (Gametogenese) und Sekretion der Sexualhormone. Androgene sind maskulinisierend, Oestrogene dagegen feminisierend wirkende Steroidhormone. Beide Hormonarten werden normalerweise bei beiden Geschlechtern gebildet. Die Testes sezernieren grose Mengen an Androgenen (im wesentlichen Testosteron), aber auch geringe Mengen an Oestrogen; das Ovar sezerniert grose Mengen an Oestrogenen und geringe an Androgenen. Androgene und wahrscheinlich geringe Mengen an Oestrogenen werden bei beiden Geschlechtern ebenfalls von der Nebennierenrinde sezerniert. Das Ovar sezerniert auch Progesteron, ein Steroid, das spezielle Aufgaben bei der Vorbereitung des Uterus auf die Schwangerschaft erfullt. Wahrend der Schwangerschaft bilden die Ovarien ferner eine Gruppe von Polypeptiden (Relaxin), welche die Ligamente der Symphyse lockern und die Cervix weicher machen, um den Geburtsvorgang zu erleichtern.
Caspase inhibitor blocks human immunodeficiency virus 1-induced T-cell death without enhancement of HIV-1 replication and dimethyl sulfoxide increases HIV-1 replication without influencing T-cell survival.

Abstract Objectives.—To determine the relationship, if any, between reagents that modulate survival of T-cells and replication of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) and to determine the effects of the solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and drugs such as cyclosporin A and all-trans retinoic acid on HIV-1 replication. Design.—To first establish the direct effects of solvent alone (ie, DMSO) at various concentrations on HIV-1 replication, followed by the ability of various compounds such as the caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-val-ala-asp-fluoromethylketone (z-VAD-fmk), cyclosporin A, and all-trans retinoic acid on HIV-1 replication. Next, to determine if HIV-1 induces T-cell apoptosis using TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling) assays and DNA fragmentation and poly-(ADP-ribose)-polymerase (PARP) cleavage, and then to examine how the various compounds influence T-cell survival after HIV-1 exposure. Methods.—The human T-cell line, CEM cells, were exposed to HIVIIIB and viral replication m...
In Vivo and In Vitro Synthesis of Human Rhinovirus Type 2 Ribonucleic Acid

HeLa cells infected with human rhinovirus type 2 synthesize a mixture of single-and double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA). The RNA synthesized by the membrane-bound RNA polymerase complex in vitro is also a mixture of single- and double-stranded RNA, whereas the deoxycholate-treated RNA polymerase complex synthesized only double-stranded RNA. Although twice as much cell-associated viral RNA is synthesized in vivo at 34 C than at 37 C, there is no difference in the rate of RNA synthesized in vitro at 34 C and 37 C by the polymerase complex. The RNA polymerase complex, after treatment with deoxycholate, sediments as a broad peak with an average sedimentation value of 120S.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression in Health Care Providers Returning from Deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan

ABSTRACT Objective: This study examines risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and mental health care use among health care workers deployed to combat settings. Methods: Anonymous surveys were administered to previously deployed workers at a military hospital. PTSD and depression were assessed by using the PTSD Checklist and the Patient Health Questionnaire depression scale, respectively. Deployment exposures and perceived threats during deployment were also assessed. Results: There were 102 respondents (36% response rate). Nine percent (n = 9) met the criteria for PTSD and 5% (n = 5) met the criteria for depression. Direct and perceived threats of personal harm were risk factors for PTSD; exposure to wounded or dead patients did not increase risk. Those who met the criteria for PTSD were more likely to seek mental health care after but not before their deployment. Conclusions: For health care workers returning from a warfare environment, threat of personal harm may be the mos...
The Medical Aspects of Urolithiasis: An Overview

AbstractAn overview of the medical aspects of urolithiasis is presented. The physicochemical factors in the formation of a stone within the urinary tract are reviewed, including supersaturation, nucleation sites and mechanisms of crystal formation and retention, and modifiers of crystal formation, including promoters and inhibitors. Finally, some directions for future research in urolithiasis are identified.
GROWTH PLATE PATHOLOGY IN FELINE MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS VI

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) are a family of lysosomal storage diseases that result from the accumulation of partially catabolized glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within lysosomes. A characteristic of most affected individuals is radiographic evidence of symmetrical epiphyseal dysplasia, with short stature and degenerative joint disease. Although there is evidence of epiphyseal dysfunction, little is known of the changes that occur at the morphological level. The growth plate of the femoral head was studied by light and electron microscopy in five cats with MPS VI (Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome, arylsulfatase B deficiency) and 12 normal cats. Compared with the normals, the MPS VI cat growth plates exhibited poorly organized proliferative zones, an almost total loss of column formation in the hypertrophic zone, an uneven chondro-osseous junction, a disorganized calcifying cartilage zone, and abnormal or reduced numbers of osteoclasts. By electron microscopy, the cytoplasm of affected cat chondrocytes was filled with membrane-bound vacuoles. Together these findings indicate that the MPS diseases cause major changes in growth plate structure and function.
On a polynomial approximation problem

Let F be a closed subset of the unit circle T and let f@?C(F). We investigate the problem of uniform approximation of f on F by polynomials P"n which are uniformly bounded on the unit disk @D. In a particular case when F is a closed arc of T, the problem was solved by L. Zalcman in 1982, who has also pointed out the possibility of considering more general approximation sets instead of an arc. The present paper gives a necessary and sufficient solution of the above problem. In fact we show that the (simple) description of f given by Zalcman for the case of an arc also holds in the general case.
Illusory correlation in the perception of performance by self or a salient other

Abstract Past research has shown that judges overestimate the degree of relative association between a salient group target and an infrequent behavior. However, judges also overestimate the degree of relative association between a salient individual target and a frequent behavior. The present study investigated judgments when either the self or a salient individual was one of the targets. Subjects either performed a knowledge task along with three other participants or they observed the performance of four participants, one of whom was made salient. The knowledge task was presented as either important or unimportant. In addition, in one condition, all the participants succeeded on 70% of the trials. In the other condition, all the participants failed 70% of the time. Results in the salient individual target condition replicated previous results, in that the salient target was perceived as more strongly associated with the frequent behavior than were the nonsalient targets. This pattern of illusory correlation was also obtained for the self, with one exception: When the self and the other participants predominantly failed and the outcome was important, no such illusory correlation was shown. The results are interpreted in terms of motivational processes that are engaged by threats to the self. These motivational processes counteract or supplant the cognitive biases that typically lead to the illusory correlation based on the perception of relatively greater association between a salient individual target and the frequent behavior. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to self-perception processes, social comparison, and research on attributional biases.
Intention to oppose animal research: The role of individual differences in nonconformity

Using animals to test cosmetic products is controversial, but little research has explored its social and psychological influences. Relationships between two personality constructs related to nonconformity (independence and anticonformity) and attitudes toward animal testing were studied using data from a survey of 418 students. The Independence Orientation and Nonconformity Orientation Scales (Ringness, 1970) were used to measure independence and anticonformity. Results showed that behavioral intentions were unrelated to age, women were more likely to get involved in antitesting behavior than were men, holding antitesting attitudes predicted intended action, and higher levels of anticonformity were associated with opposition as well, even when the effects of the other variables were held constant.
Cosmogenic 3He exposure ages of Pleistocene debris flows and desert pavements in Capitol Reef National Park, Utah

Abstract The Quaternary history of the Capitol Reef area, Utah, is closely linked to the basaltic-andesite boulder deposits that cover much of the landscape. Understanding the age and mode of emplacement of these deposits is crucial to deciphering the Quaternary evolution of this part of the Colorado Plateau. Using cosmogenic 3 He exposure age dating, we obtained apparent exposure ages for several key deposits in the Capitol Reef area. Coarse boulder diamicts capping the Johnson Mesa and Carcass Creek Terraces are not associated with the Bull Lake glaciation as previously thought, but were deposited 180±15 to 205±17 ka (minimum age) and are the result of debris flow deposition. Desert pavements on the Johnson Mesa surface give exposure ranging from 97±8 to 159±14 ka and are 34–96 kyears younger than the boulder exposure ages. The offset between the boulder and pavement exposure ages appears to be related to a delay in pavement formation until the penultimate glacial/interglacial transition or periodic burial and exposure of pavement clasts since debris flow deposition. Incision rates for the Capitol Reef reach of the Fremont River calculated from the boulder exposure ages range from 0.40 to 0.43 m kyear −1 (maximum rates) and are some of the highest on the Colorado Plateau.
On observability of stochastic discrete-time dynamic systems☆

Abstract Observability is defined for stochastic discrete-time dynamic systems as the existence of conditions on the system state vector estimates such that the error-covariance matrices have certain specified asymptotic properties. It is shown that stochastic observability can be characterized in terms of certain rank conditions which are generalizations of the well-known rank condition that characterizes the observability of deterministic linear time-invariant systems. As a by-product in the investigation of the asymptotic behavior of error covariance matrices, new upper and lower bounds are obtained on the error covariance matrices of the state vector estimates of linear discrete-time stochastic systems. Some information theoretic interpretations of the observability condition are also offered for the results obtained.
“Descending” neuronal units in the commissure of the crayfish central nervous system; and their integration of visual, tactile and proprioceptive stimuli†

The integrative properties of “descending” neuronal units in respect to visual, tactile and proprioceptive stimuli were studied at the commissure level of the crayfish central nervous system and 41 entities were established, bringing the total number of established descending entities at this level to 69. All but three of these are interneurons, over half of which have an entirely homolateral input. Altogether 227 interneurons have so far been established in the crayfish central nervous system, 73 of which extend through more than one of the studied levels. Compared to the thoracic-abdominal level, interneurons transmitting both anteriorly and posteriorly are very scarce. The properties of high order interneurons are discussed. In addition to those which respond to visual stimuli, or are multimodal, a number react only to mechanorecptive stimulation, and some of this latter type have peripheral sensory fields exclusively posterior to the recording level. A few interneurons, both visual and non-visual, exibit inhibitory phenomena of various kinds, again mirroring the findings in the mammalian central nervous system. Visual interneurons were shown to respond to specific types of optic stimulation such as movement of objects or changes in light intensity in correspondence with units found in the optic nerves of other decapod crustaceans.
Emergence of Broadly Neutralizing Antibodies and Viral Coevolution in Two Subjects during the Early Stages of Infection with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1

Delineating the key early events that lead to the development of broadly neutralizing anti-HIV-1 antibodies during natural infection may help guide the development of immunogens and vaccine regimens to prevent HIV-1 infection. In this study, we monitored two HIV-1-positive subjects, VC20013 and VC10014, over the course of infection from before they developed broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) activity until several years after neutralizing breadth was detected in plasma. Both subjects developed bNAb activity after approximately 1 year postinfection, which ultimately mapped to the membrane-proximal external region (MPER) in VC20013 and an epitope that overlaps the CD4 receptor binding site in VC10014. In subject VC20013, we were able to identify anti-MPER activity in the earliest plasma sample that exhibited no bNAb activity, indicating that this epitope specificity was acquired very early on, but that it was initially not able to mediate neutralization. Escape mutations within the bNAb epitopes did not arise in the circulating envelopes until bNAb activity was detectable in plasma, indicating that this early response was not sufficient to drive viral escape. As bNAb activity began to emerge in both subjects, we observed a simultaneous increase in autologous antienvelope antibody binding affinity, indicating that antibody maturation was occurring as breadth was developing. Our findings illustrate one potential mechanism by which bNAbs develop during natural infection in which an epitope target is acquired very early on during the course of infection but require time and maturation to develop into broadly neutralizing activity. IMPORTANCE One major goal of HIV-1 vaccine research is the development of a vaccine that can elicit broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs). Although no such vaccine exists, bNAbs develop in approximately 20% of HIV-1-infected subjects, providing a prototype of the bNAbs that must be reelicited by vaccine. Thus, there is significant interest in understanding the mechanisms by which bNAbs develop during the course of infection. We studied the timing, epitope specificity, and evolution of the bNAb responses in two HIV-1-positive patients who developed bNAb activity within the first several years after infection. In one subject, antibodies to a broadly neutralizing epitope developed very early but were nonneutralizing. After several months, neutralizing activity developed, and the virus mutated to escape their activity. Our study highlights one mechanism for the development of bNAbs where early epitope acquisition followed by sufficient time for antibody maturation drives the epitope-specific antibody response toward broadly neutralizing activity.
A Free-Particles-Based Technique for Boiling Heat Transfer Enhancement in a Wetting Liquid

Abstract An easy-to-implement technique for pool boiling heat transfer enhancement is proposed and evaluated through an experimental investigation. This free-particle technique brings about nucleate boiling at a low degree of superheat by means of metal particles that are not fixed to the heated surface, but rather are free to move with respect to the surface. The effects of copper particles with sizes ranging from tens of nanometers to 9 mm on nucleate boiling heat transfer and critical heat flux (CHF) of the wetting dielectric fluid FC-72 are investigated. Visualizations of the bubble nucleation characteristics due to the free particles are presented. Experimental results show that the introduction of microscale free particles onto a superheated surface effectively facilitates bubble nucleation and thus increases the nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficients. Millimeter-sized as well as nanoscale free particles do not have a strong effect on the boiling heat transfer performance of this wetting fluid. Introduction of a large quantity of microscale free particles reduces CHF by increasing the resistance to liquid replenishment and vapor departure; however, by properly selecting particle size and quantity, an improvement in both nucleate boiling heat transfer and CHF is observed. For the case where 0.2 g of 10 μm-diameter free particles are placed on a polished copper surface, corresponding to a particle layer thickness of approximately 67 μm, the average nucleate boiling heat transfer coefficient is enhanced by 76.3% over the heat flux range of 10 to 159 kW/m2, while CHF is increased by 10%.
Acute pelvic pain in adolescents

The patient is a 12-year-old girl who presents to the emergency department with a 10-day history of abdominal pain. Initially her pain was 5/10, achy and intermittent, but then decreased after 2 days. She remained achy. Then today her pain significantly increased and she experienced some nausea. Upon presentation to the ED she denies nausea or vomiting, but states she had intermittent diarrhea over the last 10 days. She denies any fever or chills, dysuria, or hematuria. She started her periods six months ago and they have been monthly with a 7-day flow without dysmenorrhea. She started her menses yesterday. She denies sexual activity when asked in private. She is otherwise healthy and her review of systems is only positive for constipation, which is a long standing issue. Upon examination her vital signs are stable, her temperature is 37oC. Her abdomen is soft with tenderness to deep palpation in the right lower quadrant. There is no rebound or guarding. Bowel sounds are present. Pelvic examination is deferred and rectal exam revealed no clear masses or blood.