cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Survey of salt iodine content and analysis of its appropriate level for the general population in Enshi Autonomous prefecture, Hubei province

Objective To work out the suitable iodine content in iodized salt among general population in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,Hubei province by determination of the iodine content in salt.Methods The method of direct titration was used to determine the iodine content in salt samples collected from residents in natural villages sampled from four directions of east,west,south and north in each township which was sampled from five directions of east,west,south,north and center in each city(county) in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,and salt samples were collected in Hubei Salt Industry Group Co.,Limited.Enshi Branch in 2011.The method of three-days weighing was used to estimate the resident's daily per capita intake of iodized salt.The appropriate iodine content for general population in salt was worked out according to the iodine content in salt from households and enterprises in Enshi Autonomous prefecture,the amount of iodine loss in iodized salt,the amount of per capita daily intake of iodized salt and the national iodine nutrition monitoring results.Results The median of iodine content in salt from residents and the production enterprises in 2011 was 33.5 mg/kg and 34.7 mg/kg,respectively.The residents' per capita salt intake was 10.9 g,actual intake of iodine wss 335.0 μg/d.Iodine content in iodized salt was 20 mg/kg ±30％ for the general population,actual intake of iodine was 149.4-250.4 μg/d.Conclusions The residents iodine intake is higher in Enshi Autonomous prefecture.Considering the comprehensive factors,including food iodine,water iodine,and iodine cooking loss,that affect the intake of salt iodine,the appropriate iodine content in iodized salt is 20 mg/kg ± 30％ for the general population. Key words: Salt iodine; Intakes; Outcome assessment
School Nurses' Perspectives on Components of Asthma Programs to Address Pediatric Disparities.

Objective To use a community engaged, collaborative approach with school nurses working within an urban community, to develop recommendations for future school-based interventions targeting pediatric asthma disparities. Methods Open-ended survey data were collected from 33 nurses (77% of nurses in the school district) during a face-to-face monthly health services meeting. Questions asked nurses to estimate the proportion of students with asthma with the necessary forms and medications at school and to describe perceived barriers to having such forms and medications, and potential initiatives that could be implemented. A 30-min asthma education class was also piloted with school nurses, who then rated its acceptability and feasibility. Open-ended survey data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results Nurses estimated that 12% of students with asthma had an asthma action plan, 19% had a medication release form, and 15% had medications at school (i.e. inhalers). Four themes emerged regarding barriers to asthma management in schools and strategies for promoting asthma management in schools: coordination of care, asthma education, access to care, and medication adherence. Nurses noted the need for education focused specifically on teaching inhaler technique, and better communication between schools, providers, and families. Conclusions School nurses provided valuable information regarding specific barriers, as well as approaches to addressing these barriers in a future intervention. Findings suggest that a school-based intervention needs to address coordination among schools, parents, and medical providers, and will be optimally effective if it also addresses structural barriers.
Solution studies of staphylococcal nuclease H124L. 2. 1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shift assignments for the unligated enzyme and analysis of chemical shift changes that accompany formation of the nuclease-thymidine 3',5'-bisphosphate-calcium ternary complex.

Accurate 1H, 15N, and 13C chemical shift assignments were determined for staphylococcal nuclease H124L (in the absence of inhibitor or activator ion). Backbone 1H and 15N assignments, obtained by analysis of three-dimensional 1H-15N HMQC-NOESY data [Wang, J., Mooberry, E.S., Walkenhorst, W.F., & Markley, J. L. (1992) Biochemistry (preceding paper in this issue)], were refined and extended by a combination of homo- and heteronuclear two-dimensional NMR experiments. Staphylococcal nuclease H124L samples used in the homonuclear 1H NMR studies were at natural isotopic abundance or labeled randomly with 2H (to an isotope level of 50%); nuclease H124L samples used for heteronuclear NMR experiments were labeled uniformly with 15N (to an isotope level greater than 95%) or uniformly with 13C (to an isotope level of 26%). Additional nuclease H124L samples were labeled selectively by incorporating single 15N- or 13C-labeled amino acids. The chemical shifts of uncomplexed enzyme were then compared with those determined previously for the nuclease H124L.pdTp.Ca2+ ternary complex [Wang, J., LeMaster, D. M., & Markley, J.L. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 88-101; Wang, J., Hinck, A.P., Loh, S. N., & Markley, J.L. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 102-113; Wang, J., Hinck, A.P., Loh, S.N., & Markley, J.L. (1990) Biochemistry 29, 4242-4253]. The results reveal that the binding of pdTp and Ca2+ induces large shifts in the resonances of several amino acid segments. These chemical shift changes are interpreted in terms of changes in backbone torsion angles that accompany the binding of pdTp and Ca2+; changes at the binding site appear to be transmitted to other regions of the molecule through networks of hydrogen bonds.
Lamin microaggregates lead to altered mechanotransmission in progerin-expressing cells

The nuclear lamina is a meshwork of intermediate filament proteins, and lamin A is the primary mechanical protein. An altered splicing of lamin A, known as progerin, causes the disease Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. Progerin-expressing cells have altered nuclear shapes and stiffened nuclear lamina with microaggregates of progerin. Here, progerin microaggregate inclusions in the lamina are shown to lead to cellular and multicellular dysfunction. We show with Comsol simulations that stiffened inclusions causes redistribution of normally homogeneous forces, and this redistribution is dependent on the stiffness difference and relatively independent of inclusion size. We also show mechanotransmission changes associated with progerin expression in cells under confinement and cells under external forces. Endothelial cells expressing progerin do not align properly with patterning. Fibroblasts expressing progerin do not align properly to applied cyclic force. Combined, these studies show that altered nuclear lamina mechanics and microstructure impacts cytoskeletal force transmission through the cell.
A carbon nanotube structure for an EUV window with differential pumping

We report on a large-area, high-aspect-ratio, carbon nanotube (CNT) forest structure produced at BYU acting as a window/separator for a hollow cathode EUV lamp. The structure has large-surface-area, high light trans-mission, and differential pumping. CNT fabrication allows for variable dimensions, which allows various EUV distributions and pressure gradients to be possible. Theory is presented for predicting such distributions and gradients. Several structures have been fabricated; their dimensions, properties, and predicted distributions and gradients are given.
The risk of depression among racially diverse people living with HIV: the impact of HIV viral suppression.

Understanding the correlates of depression in HIV patients can help identify groups whose members are at increased risk for depression. We conducted a cross-sectional retrospective study among raci...
Social support in multiple sclerosis: Associations with quality of life, depression, and anxiety

Abstract Objective Social support plays a role in the well-being of persons with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). The aims of this study were to compare social support in PwMS with relapsing versus progressive disease, examine the relationships with patient reported outcomes (PROs), and investigate social support longitudinally. Methods For this study, we have performed an analysis of data routinely collected from subjects enrolled in the CLIMB at the Partners MS Center. Subjects (n = 789) completed measures of social support, quality of life (QOL), depression, and anxiety. Relapsing and progressive PwMS were compared using a two sample t-test, and linear regression was used to adjust for other variables. Correlations between social support and PROs were assessed using partial Pearson's correlation coefficient. A random intercept and slope model with a linear trend with time estimated the change over time. Results Subjects with relapsing MS reported higher overall social support than subjects with progressive disease (difference in means = −6.7; 95% CI: −10.3, −3.1) as well as higher levels of 3 of the 4 dimensions of social support measured. These differences remained after adjusting for age and gender only, but were attenuated adjusting for age, gender, and depression (adjusted difference in means = −1.2; 95% CI: −5.0, 2.6). Higher overall social support was associated with higher QOL (r = 0.16–0.27), lower depression (r = −0.36), and lower state (r = −0.27) and trait (r = −0.29) anxiety. Social support was mostly stable over time. Conclusion Social support was associated with QOL, depression, and anxiety in PwMS.
Two Gauss–Bonnet and Poincaré–Hopf theorems for orbifolds with boundary

Abstract We generalize the Gauss–Bonnet and Poincare–Hopf theorems to the case of orbifolds with boundary. We present two such generalizations, the first in the spirit of Satake, in which the local data (i.e. integral of the curvature in the case of the Gauss–Bonnet theorem and the index of the vector field in the case of the Poincare–Hopf theorem) is related to Satake's orbifold Euler–Satake characteristic, a rational number which depends on the orbifold structure. For the second pair of generalizations, we use the Chen–Ruan orbifold cohomology to express the local data in a way which can be related to the Euler characteristic of the underlying space of the orbifold.
Electrocatalytic Multielectron Nitrite Reduction in Water by an Iron Complex

Catalytic reduction of nitrite by an iron complex in water near neutral pH to form hydroxylamine and ammonium is reported. The catalyst is an iron center coordinated by the pentadentate macrocycle ...
The Disadvantages of African American and Somali Males in the Criminal Justice System

It is well documented that African American men are unfairly treated when encountering the U.S. criminal justice system. They also are disproportionately from a lower socio-economic background. Systemic racial and class biases forge frameworks of inequality from arrest to sentencing. Similarly, Somali men are treated with the same disdain when they encounter the U.S. criminal justice system. This occurs based on the racial categorization of Somalis as black. Additionally, resettled Somali refugee men are saddled with the label of refugee as they encounter the criminal justice system. This identifies refugees as cultural outsiders and non-citizens; even more so, refugees from Somalia are perceived as terrorists. Consequently, when Somali men encounter the U.S. criminal justice system, they enter with similar, and arguably more disadvantages than African American men. This initial analysis seeks to provide a foundational discussion for exploring the similarities and differences of African American and Somali men as they maneuver through the U.S. criminal justice system.
“Are We All in This Together?”: Brand Opportunism in COVID-19 Cause Related Marketing and the Moderating Role of Consumer Skepticism

This study examined how the roles of perceived brand-social cause fit (i.e., functional fit and image fit) and consumer skepticism in influencing consumers’ perception of brand opportunism and its ...
How We Got Where We Are in Blood Pressure Targets

While we started clinical trials evaluating the benefit of lowering systolic BP’s >160 mm Hg and diastolic BPs of <130 mm Hg, the latest guideline suggests a target of <130/80 mm Hg in those with hypertension. This article summarizes exactly how we got to where we are looking over the last half-century. Our understanding of systolic and diastolic blood pressure targets to improve cardiovascular outcomes has changed substantially over the past 5 decades. Regarding diastolic blood pressure targets to improve cardiovascular outcomes, initially the VA1 in 1967 had set the goal to <115 mmHg. Over time, several studies including the VA2, Hypertension Optimal Treatment (HOT), and United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study Group 38 (UKPDS38) highlighted even greater cardiovascular benefit with lower diastolic targets <80 mmHg, especially in diabetic patients. Of equal importance, multiple studies have focused the attention to systolic blood pressure targets. Starting in 1948 with the Framingham study, passing through the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP), Syst-Eur and Syst-China trials, all have set the systolic blood pressure goal <150 mmHg. Most recently, the Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes (ACCORD) trial showed an improved cardiovascular outcome with a systolic blood pressure target <140 mmHg in patients with type 2 diabetes, while the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT) in non-diabetic patients moved it closer to 120 mmHg. There is “no one size fits all” when it comes to blood pressure targets to improve cardiovascular outcomes. To progress our understanding of individual blood pressure goals, future studies might develop a more standardized approach to highlight characteristics such as design and end point definitions while allowing clinical practitioners greater latitude to adapt guideline recommendations to individual patient characteristics and clinical needs.
Use of Indoor Tanning Diagnosis Codes in Claims Data

The International Classification of Diseases: 10th Revision (effective from October 2015) included indoor tanning diagnosis codes for the first time. The majority of data on indoor tanning is self-reported. We used a large claims dataset to investigate the patients and settings in which indoor tanning International Classification of Diseases: 10th Revision codes are being used. We included encounters with the International Classification of Diseases: 10th Revision indoor tanning codes in Truven Health MarketScan data 2016–2018, which contain deidentified commercial insurance claims data for approximately 43 million patients. We used descriptive statistics to evaluate patient and encounter characteristics and normalized results using outpatient dermatology encounters. A total of 4,550 encounters were identified, 99.0% of which were outpatient, and 72.3% were with dermatology. Patients were majority female (85.0%) with ages ranging from 7 to 93. The Midwest region had the most indoor tanning encounters. Destruction of a premalignant lesion was performed in 15.1%, and biopsies were performed in 18.4% of encounters, suggesting that encounters may have been for skin cancer surveillance. Increased usage of indoor tanning International Classification of Diseases: 10th Revision codes in the coming years may strengthen the indoor tanning literature. Claims data are a potential tool to better understand patients who have a history of exposure to indoor tanning and their associated risk factors, comorbidities, behaviors, and healthcare utilization.
Long-Term Hydrothermal Aging of Carbon-Epoxy Materials for Rehabilitation of Civil Infrastructure

Abstract This paper presents results of long-term (upto 5 years) hydrothermal aging of wet layup carbon-epoxy composites and the unreinforced resin used for the rehabilitation of civil infrastructure. Accelerated aging as determined through moisture uptake and dynamic mechanical characterization is enabled through elevated temperatures of immersion. A two-stage model based on diffusion and relaxation/deteriorative mechanism dominated mechanisms was used to characterize moisture uptake which was correlated with effects of cure progression, moisture induced plasticization, water-molecular network interactions, fiber-matrix debonding and microcavitation type damage through changes in glass transition temperature, loss tangent peak heights and shape, and storage moduli. Effects are noted to be lower than those predicted through short-term exposures. The use of long-term exposure provides significant insight not possible previously with the traditionally used short periods and allows for the elucidation of competing mechanisms that need to be understood for the prediction of long-term response of such materials in the field.
Nonlinear potentials and trace inequalities

Characterizations of trace inequalities for Sobolev spaces of the type and their generalizations are considered; here ω is a Borel measure on a domain Ω ⊂ R n , and ∇ m is the gradient of order m. A survey of the known results is presented which reflects the pioneering work of V. Maz’ya on this problem. Recent developments involving nonlinear potentials are discussed. In particular, a simple proof of the Kerman-Sawyer theorem for q = p, and a new characterization of trace inequalities for 0 1, in the case Ω = R n are given.
Human gingival mast cells. Effects of chronic inflammation.

The literature concerning changes in mast cell populations in human gingiva associated with inflammation is contradictory. No reports of the effects of therapy on these populations have been published.This study was designed to determine whether gingival mast cell populations are altered by inflammation and whether these populations change following routine therapy. Twenty systemically healthy patients, age 20 to 40, ten with normal gingiva and ten with periodontitis of similar severity bilaterally, were selected for study. Biopsies of interdental papillae from premolar regions were utilized. In the periodontitis group, one papilla was obtained prior to therapy, the second from the ipsilateral quadrant two weeks after root planing and curettage. Mast cell populations were determined from frozen sections stained with EACNAS-GBC Hematoxylin (Hall, 1966). Granule estimates were obtained from photographic negatives of frozen sections stained with EACNAS-GBC alone, using a photoelectric assaying device. Mast cell counts and granule estimates were made separately for beneath col and beneath keratinized tissue. Results show a larger mast cell population and a greater granule estimate under keratinized tissue than beneath the col. Mast cell counts and granule estimates show a decrease during periodontitis and a return to “normal” limits following routine therapy. These results support the concept that mast cell numbers are decreased in the presence of chronic inflammation but return to “normal” levels following resolution of the inflammatory process.
Studies of mechanisms of antibody formation. III. Effects of 5-bromodeoxyuridine upon normal and neoplastic B-lymphocyte function.

Abstract Although 5-bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) does not interfere with the rate of proliferation, or with total protein, DNA, or RNA synthesis in normal mouse spleen B cells exposed to specific antigenic excitation or to polyclonal activators, this agent has the capacity to block the appearance of IgM antibody-forming cells (AFC) in response to antigenic challenge in vitro with sheep red blood cells (sRBC), as well as the generation of anti-sRBC or 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonate-AFC in the course of polyclonal expansion. The effect of BrdU can be blocked competitively by a 10-fold excess of thymidine (TdR). CsCl density equilibrium analysis indicates that B cells with 55% BrdU substitution of TdR in a single DNA strand could participate in at least one additional division cycle, resulting in a double DNA strand substitution. BrdU substitution in a single DNA strand was sufficient, however, to block antibody secretion in B cells (unifilar dominance). When cells with single-strand BrdU substitution were allowed to proliferate in the presence of a 10-fold excess of TdR, the cells regained the capacity to synthesize and secrete specific antibody, demonstrating the reversibility of the inhibitory effect of BrdU upon this specialized B-cell function. Cells stimulated with LPS in the presence of BrdU exhibited higher rates of synthesis of total RNA as well as of the RNA species of the translation machinery (28, 18, and 5S and tRNA), measured by the rate of incorporation of radioactive precursors at the time of peak proliferation. Exposure to BrdU blocked the secretion of μ and light chains, although such cells had high levels of membrane IgM (mIgM) and were able to regenerate mIgM after enzymatic stripping. The regeneration of mIgM could be suppressed with α-amanitine and by actinomycin D, suggesting that the incorporation of BrdU into DNA does not affect the transcripition of nucleotide sequences for mIgM. MOPC 315 and 70 plasmocytoma cells cultured in the presence of BrdU for 60 hr regularly incorporated BrdU into one and two DNA strands. There was a 55–60% substitution of BrdU in single DNA strands. This situation produces complete inhibition of the production of IgM, μ, or light chains in normal cells. In contrast, plasmocytoma cells treated with BrdU secreted as many α, γ, and light chains as the corresponding control cells grown in the presence of TdR. This result points to possibly profound differences in the regulation of transcripition of Ig nucleotide sequences in lymphocytes which have undergone malignant transformation.
Electronic structure of CeRhIn 5 : de Haas-van Alphen and energy band calculations

The de Haas--van Alphen effect and energy-band calculations are used to study angular-dependent extremal areas and effective masses of the Fermi surface of the highly correlated antiferromagnetic material ${\mathrm{CeRhIn}}_{5}.$ The agreement between experiment and theory is reasonable for the areas measured with the field applied along the (100) axis of the tetragonal structure, but there is disagreement in size for the areas observed with the field applied along the (001) axis where the antiferromagnetic spin alignment is occurring. Detailed comparisons between experiment and theory are given.
Milk production in Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows grazing common bermudagrass or endophyte-infected tall fescue

Milk yield and quality were measured on 139 Angus, Brahman, and reciprocal-cross cows grazing common bermuda grass or endophyte-infected tall fescue for 4 yr to evaluate interactions of direct and maternal breed effects and heterosis for these traits with forage environment. Milk yield was estimated by method of milking machine, and milk fat, protein, and somatic cell counts were evaluated in a commercial dairy laboratory. Monthly estimates were made beginning on an average d 61 of lactation and continued monthly for six estimates in 3 yr and five estimates in 1 yr. Data were averaged over month within year, and the model included sire breed, sire in sire breed, dam breed, forage, and age averages. Somatic cell counts were transformed using natural logarithms prior to analyses. Forage effects for milk yield were dissimilar among sire breed x dam breed subclasses (P < .10), resulting in higher levels of heterosis on common bermuda grass than on tall fescue. Maternal breed effects for milk yield favored Angus on bermuda grass (P < .05) but not on tall fescue, whereas direct breed effects were similar on both forages and favored Brahman. Milk fat was reduced on tall fescue compared to bermuda grass by an average of .6% (P < .01), and direct breed effects were similar across forages and averaged 1.04% (P < .01) in favor of Brahman. Heterosis and maternal breed effects for milk fat were not important. There was little evidence of direct and maternal breed effects or heterosis for milk protein or somatic cell counts. These data suggest that heterosis for milk yield is larger on common bermuda grass than on tall fescue and that grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue is detrimental to milk fat.
Biomass Gasification and Pyrolysis

This article discusses fundamentals of gasification and pyrolysis and associated technologies in detail. Also discussed are challenges and solutions pertaining to syngas cleanup, bio-oil upgrading, and product utilization for gasification and combustion. Keywords: pyrolysis; syngas; gasification; bio-oil; fuel
Forgiveness, Mercy, and Retributivism

Much has been made about whether or not punishment is the state’s duty, instead of being its mere right. However, it need not be shown by the retributivist that the state has a duty to punish. For retributivism itself does not entail such a view, though some versions of retributivism (e.g., Immanuel Kant’s) espouse the claim that punishment is the perfect duty of the state. But as Jeffrie G. Murphy argues, all that needs to be shown by the retributivist (or by the utilitarian, if I am correct) is that the punishment of criminals is the state’s right, i.e., that it is justified for the state to exercise hard treatment on duly convicted criminals if it so chooses.1 This is sufficient to ground both the institution of punishment as well as the practices of particular forms of punishment. The retributivist need not be committed to the position that each and every crime must be punished (a claim entailed by the view that the state has a perfect duty to punish offenders) in order to be justified in inflicting punishment on offenders. Instead, retributivists might argue, as I do, that not every crime must be punished, perhaps because of practical considerations of resource capability. This is not to say, however, that the state forgives crimes it does not punish; it simply chooses not to punish them because of its lack of sufficient resources, ceteris paribus.
Costuming Potential: Accommodating Unworn Clothes

Mindful of theoretical discourses developed in anthropology, folklore, and material culture studies, this article uses preliminary findings from an ethnographic case study conducted in Bloomington, Indiana amongst recent college graduates to examine not only the "why" of keeping unworn clothing in America, but more importantly the "how." Previous studies of kept clothing—as well as of saved belongings more generally—have almost exclusively highlighted the positive emotional and existential benefits of keeping for owners. This article complicates that picture by focusing on objects characterized by their owners as burdens. By attending closely to the historical, geographical, and socially-situated reality of its subjects, this exploratory investigation offers new insights into practical strategies for manipulating normative values attached to clothing and easing feelings of ambivalence connected with their continued accommodation.
A genetic programming application in virtual reality

Genetic programming techniques have been applied to a variety of different problems. In this paper, the authors discuss the use of these techniques in a virtual environment. The use of genetic programming allows the authors a quick method of searching shape and sound spaces. The basic design of the system, problems encountered, and future plans are all discussed. >
Lumbosacral Lipoma with Acute Deterioration during Infancy

Recommendations concerning the timing of surgery for lumbosacral lipomas have been inconsistent. Proponents of delay of operation until 5 to 6 years of age in patients without neurologic deficits claim that the procedure is made technically easier by allowing growth and maturation of intraspinal structures.1,2 However, the frequency of eventual neurologic deficits in unoperated patients has led others to recommend prompt surgery, even in infancy.3,4 Because these deficits are usually insidious in onset, most clinicians are unaware that the patient with a lumbosacral lipoma can deteriorate acutely. We wish to report a patient with a lumbosacral lipoma who suffered two episodes of acute deterioration in early infancy, and is left with severe neurologic residua.
Fusion can mask the relationships between fundus torsion, oblique muscle overaction/underaction, and A- and V-pattern strabismus.

Purpose To evaluate relationships between fundus torsion, A- or V-pattern strabismus, and oblique muscle over- or underaction, and to explore the influence of stereopsis on these relationships. Methods The medical records of patients with A or V patterns and/or abnormal ocular torsion seen at a single institution over nearly 30 years were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected were age, objective fundus torsion (estimated by indirect ophthalmoscopy), horizontal deviations in up- and downgaze, oblique muscle over- or underaction, and stereopsis. Results A total of 396 patients were included. A patterns were observed in 121 patients (30.6%); V patterns in 90 (22.7%). Of the A-pattern patients, 73.6% had superior oblique muscle overaction, whereas 71.1% of the V-pattern patients had inferior oblique muscle overaction ( P r = 0.71), increasing to 78.6% and 86.3%, respectively, for patients without stereopsis ( r = 0.78). Of the patients with fundus intorsion, 78.7% had superior oblique muscle overaction, whereas 74.4% of those with fundus extorsion had inferior oblique muscle overaction ( P r = 0.79), increasing to 83.5% and 82.8%, respectively, for patients without stereopsis ( r = 0.82). Fundus intorsion occurred in 76% of the A-pattern patients, whereas fundus extorsion occurred in 71.1% of the V-pattern patients ( P r = 0.73), increasing to 78.6% and 86.3%, respectively, for patients without stereopsis ( r = 0.79). Conclusions Strong correlations were found between fundus intorsion, superior oblique muscle overaction, and A patterns, and between fundus extorsion, inferior oblique muscle overaction, and V patterns. These correlations increased in patients without stereopsis, suggesting that the presence of binocular fusion can partially interfere with the close correlation of these parameters.
The association between a genetic polymorphism of coproporphyrinogen oxidase, dental mercury exposure and neurobehavioral response in humans

Abstract We previously described a polymorphism in exon 4 of the gene encoding the heme biosynthetic pathway enzyme, coproporphyrinogen oxidase (CPOX4), which significantly modifies the effect of mercury exposure on urinary porphyrin excretion in humans. Here, we examined potential consequences of this polymorphism (“CPOX4”) on performance within neurobehavioral domains, symptoms, and mood that are known to be affected by elemental mercury (Hg°) exposure in human subjects. A behavioral test battery was administered on the day of urine and buccal cell collections for 194 male dentists (DDs) and 233 female dental assistants (DAs) occupationally exposed to Hg° for an average of 19 and 10 years, respectively. Subjects had no history of health disorders and were employed for a minimum of 5 years in the dental profession. Respective mean urinary mercury (HgU) levels in DDs and DAs were 3.32 (4.87) μg/l and 1.98 (2.29) μg/l. Corresponding indices of chronic occupational Hg° exposure, weighted for historical exposure, were 27.1 (20.6) and 15.2 (12.3). The frequencies of the homogygous common (A/A), heterozygous (A/C), and homozygous polymorphic (C/C) genotypes were 75%, 23% and 2% for DDs and 73%, 25%, and 2% for DAs, respectively. DDs and DAs were evaluated separately. Regression analyses controlled for age, premorbid intelligence, alcohol consumption, and education. Statistically significant associations with HgU ( p Forward and Backward , WMS-R Visual Reproduction N Correct , BEES Symbol Digit Rate , BEES Finger Tapping Dom/Non-dom , and Alternate Partialed , Hand Steadiness Factor1 , and BEES Tracking), and eight measures among DAs (BEES Digit Span Forward , BEES Symbol Digit Rate , BEES Pattern Discrimination Rate , BEES Trailmaking B, BEES Finger Tapping Dom/Non-dom, and Alternate Partialed , Hand Steadiness Factor1 , and Vibration Sensitivity Hits ). CPOX4 status was associated with four measures in DDs (BEES Spatial Span Forward , BEES Pattern Memory N Correct , BEES Symbol Digit Rate , and BEES Vigilance Hit ) and five measures in DAs (BEES Digit Span Forward , WMS-R Visual Reproductions N Correct , BEES Symbol Digit Rate , BEES Simple and Choice Reaction Time Move . Both groups experienced an additive effect (no interaction term) for HgU and the CPOX4 polymorphisms on the Digit Rate whereas DAs also had additive effects for BEES Digit Span Forward and for Beck's Depression factor ‘Worthlessness’. These exploratory findings suggest that the CPOX4 polymorphism may affect susceptibility for specific neurobehavioral functions associated with mercury exposure in human subjects.
Aftershock source mechanisms from the June 9, 1994, Deep Bolivian Earthquake

The Mw 8.3 Bolivia earthquake occurred on June 9, 1994, at a depth of 636 km. This is the largest deep event in recorded history and ruptured a portion of the down-going Nazca slab unknown to have ruptured previously. We recorded the main shock and aftershocks on the BANJO and SEDA portable, broadband seismic arrays deployed in Bolivia during this event. Myers et al. (this issue) identified and located 36 aftershocks (M>2) for the 10-day period following the main shock. We use a grid search technique to determine focal mechanisms for 12 of these aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 2.7 to 5.3. We compare the observed P to SV and SH ratios to a series of synthetics that represent different fault plane orientations. We find consistent focal mechanisms with the T-axis roughly horizontal and oriented approximately east-west, and the P-axis predominantly vertical. The aftershock focal mechanisms indicate a rotation of the P-axis within the slab from down-dip compression prior to the main shock to a near-vertical direction afterwards. This observation is consistent with the release of shear stress on the near-horizontal rupture plane and the subsequent rotation of the maximum compressive stress to a fault -normal orientation.
Evidence for a rabbit luteal ADP-ribosyltransferase activity which appears to be capable of activating adenylyl cyclase.

Abstract 1. 1. An ADP-ribosyltransferase activity which appears to be capable of activating adenylyl cyclase was identified in a plasma membrane fraction from rabbit corpora lutea and partially characterized by comparing the properties of the luteal transferase with those of cholera toxin. 2. 2. Incubation of luteal membranes in the presence of GTP and varying concentrations of NAD resulted in concentration-dependent increases in adenylyl cyclase activity. 3. 3. Stimulation of adenylyl cyclase by NAD and cholera toxin plus NAD was observed in the presence of GTP but not in the presence of guanosine-5′-0-(2-thiodiphosphate) or guanyl-5′-yl imidodiphosphate. 4. 4. NAD or cholera toxin plus NAD reduced the Kact values for luteinizing hormone to activate adenylyl cyclase 3- to 3.5-fold. 5. 5. NAD or cholera toxin plus NAD increased the extent to which cholate extracts from luteal membranes were able to reconstitute adenylyl cyclase activity in S49 cyc mouse lymphoma membranes. 6. 6. It was necessary to add ADP-ribose and arginine to the incubation mixture in order to demonstrate cholera toxin-specific ADP-ribosylation of a protein corresponding to the a subunit of the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory component (αGs). 7. 7. Treatment of luteal membranes with NAD prior to incubation in the presence of [32P]NAD plus cholera toxin resulted in reduced labeling of αGs. 8. 8. Endogenous ADP-ribosylation of gaGs was enhanced by Mg but was not altered by guanine nucleotide, NaF or luteinizing hormone and was inhibited by cAMP. 9. 9. Incubation of luteal membranes in the presence of [32P]ADP-ribose in the absence and presence of cholera toxin did not result in the labeling of any membrane proteins.
Mesothelial cells give rise to hepatic stellate cells and myofibroblasts via mesothelial–mesenchymal transition in liver injury

In many organs, myofibroblasts play a major role in the scarring process in response to injury. In liver fibrogenesis, hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are thought to transdifferentiate into myofibroblasts, but the origins of both HSCs and myofibroblasts remain elusive. In the developing liver, lung, and intestine, mesothelial cells (MCs) differentiate into specific mesenchymal cell types; however, the contribution of this differentiation to organ injury is unknown. In the present study, using mouse models, conditional cell lineage analysis has demonstrated that MCs expressing Wilms tumor 1 give rise to HSCs and myofibroblasts during liver fibrogenesis. Primary MCs, isolated from adult mouse liver using antibodies against glycoprotein M6a, undergo myofibroblastic transdifferentiation. Antagonism of TGF-β signaling suppresses transition of MCs to mesenchymal cells both in vitro and in vivo. These results indicate that MCs undergo mesothelial–mesenchymal transition and participate in liver injury via differentiation to HSCs and myofibroblasts.
Exposants de Lyapounov pour opérateurs de Schrödinger discrètes quasi-périodiques

Resume On considere des operateurs de Schrodinger H sur Z de la forme H=Hλ,x,ω=λv(x+nω)δn,n′+Δ ou v est une fonction reelle analytique non-constante sur le tore d-dimensionnel T d (d⩾1) et Δ le Laplacien discret sur Z . Denotons Lω(E) l'exposant de Lyapounov, considere comme fonction de l'energie E et du vecteur de rotation ω∈ T d . Pour |λ|>λ0(v), on a la minoration L ω (E)> 1 2 log |λ| uniforme pour toute E et ω. Pour tout λ et ω, Lω(E) est une fonction continu de E. En plus, Lω(E) est continu comme fonction de (ω,E) en tout point (ω 0 ,E 0 )∈ T d × R tel que k·ω0≠0 pour tout k∈ Z d ⧹{0} . Pour citer cet article : J. Bourgain, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 335 (2002) 529–531.
Cholesterol vehicle in experimental atherosclerosis part IV. Influence of heated fat and fatty acids

Summary Rabbits maintained on diets containing cholesterol (2 %) dissolved in corn oil (6 %) by heating display more severe atheromata than do rabbits fed cholesterol suspended in corn oil. This effect is independent of the source of the corn oil. It is believed that the increased atherogenicity is due to the higher level of free fatty acids present in the heated corn oil. These acids arise from hydrolysis of the corn oil which occurs during heating. Feeding rabbits 2 % cholesterol suspended in 5.75 % corn oil to which 0.25 corn oil fatty acids have been added also leads to more severe atheromata than in the absence of the fatty acids. The same effect is observed when linoleic or stearic acids are substituted for the corn oil fatty acids. Suspension of cholesterol in corn oil which has been heated previously also yields a more atherognc diet. The mechanism by which fatty acids exert this effect is not known.
Linear optimal control via output feedback

Existence of real-time output, feedback solution u(t)=-Ky (t) to linear quadratic optimal regulators is presented on the basis of operator factorization and range inclusion lemma. Several applicable, necessary and sufficient, conditions and explicit expressions for the feed-back operators K are given for finite dimensional systems and some class of distributed parameter systems.
Studies on the supracallosal mesial cortex of unanesthetized, conscious mammals. II. Monkey. C. Frequency analysis of responses from the olfactory bulb.

Abstract 1. 1. This study featured a frequency analysis of responses from the olfactory bulb in the unanesthetized monkey. 2. 2. Sharp, penetrating odors from substances of low molecular weight had primarily an inhibitory effect on the background rhythm. The major effect of smoke, mechanical stimulation and many odors generally regarded as pleasant-smelling, especially from essential oils, was to produce increased activity with a peak-frequency characteristic of the given stimulus. It seems possible that each odor has its own characteristic pattern of increased or decreased activity of the background rhythm. 3. 3. A direct inspection of the unanalyzed oscilloscopic recording of the excitatory burst-response from cigarette smoke and from various essential oils showed a gradual decrease in the frequency within a given burst. This decrease in frequency validates the data obtained by temporal analysis of the four peak-frequencies in the response to smoke. This analysis shows that the fastest frequency-component appeared most prominently in the early portion of the response and the lower frequency-components appeared later in the burst.
Rocker bottom soles alter the postural response to backward translation during stance

Shoes with rocker bottom soles are utilized by persons with diabetic peripheral neuropathy to reduce plantar pressures during gait. This population also has a high risk for falls. This study analyzed the effects of shoes with rocker bottom soles on the postural response during perturbed stance. Participants were 20 healthy subjects (16 women, 4 men) ages 22–25 years. Canvas shoes were modified by the addition of crepe sole material to represent two forms of rocker bottom shoes and a control shoe. Subjects stood on a dynamic force plate programmed to move backward at a velocity that produced an automatic postural response without stepping. Force plate data were collected for five trials per shoe type. Sway variables for center of pressure (COP) and center of mass (COM) included: mean sway amplitude, sway variance, time to peak, anterior and posterior peak velocities, functional stability margin, and peak duration time. Compared to control, both the experimental shoes had significantly larger COP and COM values for mean sway amplitude, sway variance and peak duration. The functional stability margins were significantly smaller for the experimental shoes while their anterior and posterior peak velocities were slower and time to peaks were significantly longer. In young healthy adults, shoes with rocker bottom soles had a destabilizing effect to perturbed stance, thereby increasing the potential for imbalance. These results raise concerns that footwear with rocker bottom sole modifications to accommodate an insensate foot may increase the risk of falls.
A Patient with Psoriatic Arthritis Imaged with FDG-PET/CT Demonstrated an Unusual Imaging Pattern with Muscle and Fascia Involvement: A Case Report

We describe the case of a patient with known history of psoriasis that presented with 1 year of unexplained fever, muscle weakness and marked weight loss, suspicious for B symptoms of a malignant origin. [18F]-Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-computed tomography (FDG-PET/CT) scans demonstrated an unusual serpiginous pattern of uptake in the fascia and muscles as well as lymph node activity. Multiple histological samples, including a final PET-probe guided lymph node surgical resection, excluded malignancy and confirmed the diagnosis of reactive inflammatory changes, with a plausible diagnosis of autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome with associated lymphadenitis, fasciitis and myositis, possibly mediated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitor. To our knowledge, there is no evidence of a previously reported FDG uptake pattern of fascia and muscle involvement in psoriatic arthritis.
The Role of Foot Structure in Teaching Vowel Length Distinctions in Japanese

The present study explores the possibility of using foot structure as a cue to teach vowel length distinctions in Japanese. While it has been said that the primary cue to such distinctions is duration (Fujisaki et al, 1975), Hirata (2004) has found that the duration of short vowels and that of long vowels overlap significantly across various speaking rates, implying that duration does not provide a reliable cue. The present study first demonstrates that different vowel lengths in minimal pairs correlate with different foot structures, and suggests that we use the difference in foot structure in order to correct learners’ pronunciation errors. This approach is then applied to words that are not in minimal pairs.
Social problem solving strategies and posttraumatic stress disorder in the aftermath of intimate partner violence

Social factors are often associated with the development or maintenance of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the aftermath of interpersonal traumas. However, social problem solving strategies have received little attention. The current study explored the role of social problem solving styles (i.e., rational approaches, impulsive/careless strategies, or avoidance strategies) as intermediary variables between abuse exposure and PTSD severity among intimate partner violence survivors. Avoidance problem solving served as an intermediating variable for the relationship between three types of abuse and PTSD severity. Rational and impulsive/careless strategies were not associated with abuse exposure. These findings extend the current understanding of social problem solving among interpersonal trauma survivors and are consistent with more general avoidance coping research. Future research might examine whether avoidance problem solving tends to evolve in the aftermath of trauma or whether it represents a longstanding risk factor for PTSD development.
Basal and regulated secretion of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins in osteoblast-like cells is cell line specific.

Local secretion of insulin-like growth factor binding proteins (IGFBPs) may modulate the effects of IGF-I and IGF-II on bone cell metabolism and proliferation. Several osteoblast-derived cell lines are currently used as interchangeable models to study IGFBP production, although it is unknown whether findings in one cell line can be extrapolated to another cell line or to normal human osteoblasts. In this study, we examined by Western ligand blotting both basal and regulated secretion of IGFBPs in vitro in 1) normal human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells cultured from explants of human trabecular bone; 2) an SV40-transformed hOB (HOBIT) cell line; and 3) several human (U-2, MG-63, TE-85) and rat (ROS 17/2.8 and UMR-106-01) osteosarcoma cell lines. Constitutively, hOB and HOBIT cells produced a similar pattern of IGFBPs, while all other cell lines produced their own unique pattern of IGFBPs. The two rat cell lines differed from the human cell lines as well as from each other. The response to hormonal stimulation...
Explanation in morphophonemics: Changes in provençal and Spanish preterite forms

The degree of autonomy of a word is the extent to which a word is likely to have its own lexical representation. Autonomy is determined by semantic complexity, word frequency, and morphophonemic irregularity, such that the semantically simpler, more frequent, and more irregular words are more autonomous. In morphological systems, nonautonomous words are derived from autonomous words by rule. Dynamic data from psycholinguistics and diachrony are presented in support of this hypothesis. The diachronic discussion centers around the person forms of the preterite in Provencal and Spanish, where the third singular and the first singular are the most autonomous. There is considerable dialectal evidence that one or both of these forms can serve as the morphophonemic base(s) from which the other person forms of the preterite are derived.
Volunteers add excellence to in-home respite services

The authors share the experience of one of the country's most recognized and respected volunteer programs. They give an overview of the day care and in-home respite model, discussing volunteer recruitment, training, activities, and retention. They make avail able resources for review and utilization.