cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Control of Precursor Maturation and Disposal Is an Early Regulative Mechanism in the Normal Insulin Production of Pancreatic β-Cells

The essential folding and maturation process of proinsulin in β-cells is largely uncharacterized. To analyze this process, we improved approaches to immunoblotting, metabolic labeling, and data analysis used to determine the proportion of monomers and non-monomers and changes in composition of proinsulin in cells. We found the natural occurrence of a large proportion of proinsulin in various non-monomer states, i.e., aggregates, in normal mouse and human β-cells and a striking increase in the proportion of proinsulin non-monomers in Ins2+/Akita mice in response to a mutation (C96Y) in the insulin 2 (Ins2) gene. Proinsulin emerges in monomer and abundant dual-fate non-monomer states during nascent protein synthesis and shows heavy and preferential ATP/redox-sensitive disposal among secretory proteins during early post-translational processes. These findings support the preservation of proinsulin's aggregation-prone nature and low relative folding rate that permits the plentiful production of non-monomer forms with incomplete folding. Thus, in normal mouse/human β-cells, proinsulin's integrated maturation and degradation processes maintain a balance of natively and non-natively folded states, i.e., proinsulin homeostasis (PIHO). Further analysis discovered the high susceptibility of PIHO to cellular energy and calcium changes, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and reductive/oxidative stress, and insults by thiol reagent and cytokine. These results expose a direct correlation between various extra-/intracellular influences and (a)typical integrations of proinsulin maturation and disposal processes. Overall, our findings demonstrated that the control of precursor maturation and disposal acts as an early regulative mechanism in normal insulin production, and its disorder is crucially linked to β-cell failure and diabetes pathogenesis.
The timing of food availability affects growth in chicks.

Three experiments challenged the ability of domestic chicks to grow normally by differentially restricting when and for how long food was available. In Experiments 1 and 2, food was available for six 1-hr, three 2-hr, two 3-hr, or one 6-hr (a.m., p.m.) periods/day over the first 3 posthatch weeks. Control groups received continuous access to food. In Experiment 3, different amounts of light surrounded the 6-hr feeding period. In Experiments 2 and 3, chicks composed their own diets from separate sources high in protein or carbohydrate. Except for the single 6-hr meal preceding dark, large meals at other times of day impaired growth--primarily because chicks consumed insufficient dietary protein and ate less earlier in the light phase. We conclude that both the amount eaten and the proportion of the diet consumed as protein at given times of the day are phylogenetically acquired strategies that fit the omnivorous, diurnal chicken to its niche, independent of its momentary requirements, and appear early in development.
Is Childbirth With Midwives Natural? The Gaze of the Feminine and the Pull of the Masculine

Joining the ongoing dialogue regarding the need for reflexivity in qualitative research, this tale of the author’s “natural” childbirth and subsequent research into the field of midwifery explores the tension between postmodern and modern aspects of her Self. The former accepts a lived experience of fragmented, separate selves and partial truth, whereas the latter wants an integrated, whole Self and absolute truth. Using introspection, this tension is understood in terms of two different forms of cultural patterning, the female gaze and the masculine pull. Moreover, the author believes that the term natural serves as a self-contained opposite that allows mothers and researchers to bridge these two cultural patterns.
The cleavage of Drosophila melanogaster DNA by restriction endonucleases

Drosophila melanogaster DNA, together with λ and E. coli DNAs as controls, was digested with three different restriction endonucleases: EcoRI, Hind, and Hae. The size distributions of the segments were characterized by gel electrophoresis. More than 85% of the D. melanogaster DNA was found in a broad distribution of segment lengths consistent with random location of restriction sites. However, some DNA was spared and recovered in very long (≥20500bp) segments. These segments proved to be mostly simple sequence DNA. No complex spared segments could be found in Hind and Hae digests, while 50% of the spared EcoRI segments had a complexity exceeding that of the E. coli DNA spared by this enzyme. These data do not support the hypothesis that chromomeres contain long regions of purely tandemly repeating sequences.
The Role of Radiology in the Identification of Human Remains: Report of a Case

The findings in a victim of homicide are described. The identification of the victim, for legal purposes, was made by comparison of the x-rays taken before and after death. The case illustrates the usefulness of radiology in the problems of identification.
Effects of hydrogen annealing on MOS oxides

The effects of annealing MOS oxides at high temperatures in hydrogen or deuterium have been studied. Annealing at temperatures above ≈800° C causes a dramatic increase in the radiation sensitivity of the oxide. High temperature annealing also appears to cause a decrease in the dielectric strength of the oxide. Secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) profiles of deuterium-annealed oxides reveal a substantial uptake of deuterium during the annealing. These results suggest that exposure of gate oxides to hydrogen at high temperatures should be avoided.
Development of a molecular imprinting thick film electrochemical sensor for cholesterol detection

Abstract A combined molecular imprinting and thick film electrochemical sensor for cholesterol concentration detection had been developed. The ferro-ferric cyanide coupled redox reaction was used as the means to quantify the cholesterol presented in the test medium. This electrochemical sensor employed a modified gold working electrode, a platinum counter electrode and an Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The alkanethiol was used to form the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the gold working electrode. The SAM was then used with the cholesterol as the template forming the molecular imprinting layer. This sensor prototype could detect cholesterol concentrations between 66 and 700 nM and only a 1 μL of the sample volume was required.
A stable alkyl hydride of a first row transition metal

Hydrogenolysis of a Cr(III) dialkyl precursor produced a binuclear chromium complex with a bridging hydride and a bridging alkyl; this structurally characterized organometallic compound is thermally very stable and does not undergo the expected reductive elimination of alkane.
Practice-based professional development and Self-Regulated Strategy Development for Tier 2, at-risk writers in second grade

In this randomized controlled study, we investigated implementation of Self-Regulated Strategy Development (SRSD) in story writing by 11 second grade teachers who first collaborated in practice-based professional development in SRSD. Students at-risk for failure in writing were randomly assigned to treatment and control conditions in each teacher’s classroom. Teachers implemented SRSD with small groups of students at-risk for failure in writing (referred to as Tier 2 intervention in the Response to Intervention, or RTI, model) in their classrooms; control students at-risk in writing received regular classroom instruction from their teachers. Integrity of strategies instruction and social validity were assessed among the participating teachers. Student outcomes assessed included inclusion of genre elements and story quality, generalization to personal narrative, and teacher perceptions of intrinsic motivation and effort for writing. Teachers implemented strategies instruction with high integrity; social validity was positive. Significant effects were found for inclusion of genre elements and story quality at both posttest and maintenance; effect sizes were large (.89–1.65). Intervention also resulted in significant generalization to personal narrative (effect sizes were .98 for elements and .88 for quality). Teachers reported significantly higher perceptions of both intrinsic motivation and effort (effect sizes were 1.09 and 1.07, respectively). Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Organic Carbon in Sediments of Lake George, New York: Relation to Morphology of Lake Bottom, Grain Size of Sediments, and Man's Activities

Lake George is in a rugged, densely wooded area in the eastern Adirondack Mountains of New York. Relict glacial sediment and modern sediment rich in organic matter floor the lake. The relict sediment includes Pleistocene varved lake clay containing iron-manganese nodules. Beneath a cover of modern organic-rich silty clay much of the lake is underlain by varved clay. A comparison of lake bottom morphology with both clay and organic matter content and sediment color shows that an interrelation exists between these variables. Sediment in the deeper parts of the lake is black, and clay and organic matter contents are generally high. In the shallower part of the lake sediment is brown in color, usually sandy, and low in organic matter. Tree bark, spore capsules, leaves, and needles compose much of the identifiable organic matter in the sandy near-shore bottom sediments. The organic material which enters the lake primarily in the fall is derived from vegetation in the drainage basin. The fabric of organic matter in the deeper parts of the lake cannot be identified because of advanced decomposition. The organic matter content of the bottom sediments of the southern basin of Lake George generally exceeds that of the northern basin, because pollution from permanent settlements along the shores of the southern basin accelerates accumulation of organic matter by enhancing phytoplankton productivity in the southern basin.
Osteoarthritis joint pain: The cytokine connection

Osteoarthritis is a chronic and painful disease of synovial joints. Chondrocytes, synovial cells and other cells in the joint can express and respond to cytokines and chemokines, and all of these molecules can also be detected in synovial fluid of patients with osteoarthritis. The presence of inflammatory cytokines in the osteoarthritic joint raises the question whether they may directly participate in pain generation by acting on innervating joint nociceptors. Here, we first provide a systematic discussion of the known proalgesic effects of cytokines and chemokines that have been detected in osteoarthritic joints, including TNF-α, IL-1, IL-6, IL-15, IL-10, and the chemokines, MCP-1 and fractalkine. Subsequently, we discuss what is known about their contribution to joint pain based on studies in animal models. Finally, we briefly discuss limited data available from clinical studies in human osteoarthritis.
Increased Incidence of Paraproteinemia and Autoantibodies in Patients With Normal-pressure Glaucoma

We assessed the incidence of paraproteins and autoantibodies in 44 patients (mean age, 65.3 ± 1.9 years) with normal-pressure glaucoma and 41 patients (mean age, 68.8 ± 1.8 years) with primary open-angle glaucoma. Serum monoclonal proteins occurred more often (P = .0047) in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma (eight of 44, 18%) than in control subjects with primary open-angle glaucoma (zero of 41, 0%). Autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens, most often Sjogren's syndrome A antigen (SSA[Ro]), were also found more frequently (P = .0022) in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma (13 of 44, 30%) than in control subjects (one of 41, 2%). Paraproteins and autoantibodies to extractable nuclear antigens generally occurred in different patients with an overall incidence of 20 of 44 (45%) patients with normal-pressure glaucoma. In contrast, no significant difference in the incidence of antinuclear antibodies existed between the groups. These findings suggest that humoral immune mechanisms may have a role in the pathogenesis of optic neuropathy in patients with normal-pressure glaucoma.
Opposite conditioned place preference responses to endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 in the mouse.

Abstract An unbiased conditioned place preference paradigm was used to evaluate the reward effect of selective endogenous μ-opioid ligands, endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2, in male CD-1 mice. Pre- and post-conditioning free-movement were measured on day 1 and day 5, respectively. Conditioning sessions were conducted twice daily from day 2 through day 4 consisting of the alternate injection of conditioning drug or vehicle. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of endomorphin-1 (0.3–10 μg) induced place preference in a dose-dependent manner; whereas, endomorphin-2 (1–10 μg) dose-dependently induced place aversion. Both endomorphin-1-induced place preference and endomorphin-2-induced place aversion were blocked by pretreatment i.c.v. with μ-opioid receptor antagonist, β-funaltrexamine. Selective δ-opioid receptor antagonist, naltrindole, co-administered i.c.v. with endomorphin-1 or endomorphin-2 did not affect reward effect. However, endomorphin-2-induced place aversion, but not endomorphin-1-induced place preference, was blocked by the i.c.v.-administered selective κ-opioid receptor antagonist, WIN 44,441-3. It is concluded that endomorphin-1 produces conditioned place preference, which is mediated by the stimulation of μ-, but not δ- or κ-opioid receptors, while endomorphin-2 produces conditioned place aversion, which is mediated by the stimulation of μ- and κ-, but not δ-opioid receptors.
Landsat 5/Landsat 7 underfly cross-calibration experiment

There was a one-time opportunity to obtain nearly coincident coverage from both Landsat 5 and Landsat 7 as Landsat 7 drifted to its final orbital position during the initialization and verification phase following launch. During the underfly period, Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+) data were collected using the U.S Landsat 7 ground station network and the solid-state recorder, while agreements were established with Space Imaging/EOSAT and various international ground stations to collect corresponding Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper (TM) data. Approximately 750 coincident scenes were collected during the underfly from 1-3 June 1999. Underfly data are intended to play a major role in developing cross-calibrations to bridge the results derived from historical Landsat 5 TM data with research performed with current Landsat 7 ETM+ data. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the underfly experiment, and to provide some early comparative results between Landsat 5 and 7 data sets. Initial results indicate that products produced using TM and ETM+ data are very similar.
The Transition to Incompressibility from Compressible Magnetohydroynamic Turbulence

On the basis of three-dimensional time-dependent numerical simulations, we find that compressible magnetohydrodynamic fluids describing super-Alfvenic, supersonic, and strongly magnetized space and laboratory plasmas decay progressively to a state of near-incompressibility, characterized by a subsonic turbulent Mach number. This transition is mediated dynamically by disparate spectral energy dissipation rates in compressible magnetosonic and shear Alfvenic modes. Dissipation leads to super-Alfvenic turbulent motions decaying to a sub-Alfvenic regime that couples weakly with (magneto-) acoustic cascades. Consequently, the supersonic plasma motion dissipates into highly subsonic motion and density fluctuations experience a passive convection.
Protective value of prophylactic antibiotic treatment of tick bite for Lyme disease prevention: an animal model.

Clinical studies have demonstrated that prophylactic antibiotic treatment of tick bites by Ixodes scapularis in Lyme disease hyperendemic regions in the northeastern United States can be effective in preventing infection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the Lyme disease spirochete. A large clinical trial in Westchester County, NY (USA), demonstrated that treatment of tick bite with 200mg of oral doxycycline was 87% effective in preventing Lyme disease in tick-bite victims (Nadelman, R.B., Nowakowski, J., Fish, D., Falco, R.C., Freeman, K., McKenna, D., Welch, P., Marcus, R., Aguero-Rosenfeld, M.E., Dennis, D.T., Wormser, G.P., 2001. Prophylaxis with single-dose doxycycline for the prevention of Lyme disease after an Ixodes scapularis tick bite. N. Engl. J. Med. 345, 79-84.). Although this excellent clinical trial provided much needed information, the authors enrolled subjects if the tick bite occurred within 3 days of their clinical visit, but did not analyze the data based on the exact time between tick removal and delivery of prophylaxis. An animal model allows for controlled experiments designed to determine the point in time after tick bite when delivery of oral antibiotics would be too late to prevent infection with B. burgdorferi. Accordingly, we developed a tick-bite prophylaxis model in mice that gave a level of prophylactic protection similar to what had been observed in clinical trials and then varied the time post tick bite of antibiotic delivery. We found that two treatments of doxycycline delivered by oral gavage to mice on the day of removal of a single potentially infectious nymphal I. scapularis protected 74% of test mice compared to controls. When treatment was delayed until 24 h after tick removal, only 47% of mice were protected; prophylactic treatment was totally ineffective when delivered ≥2 days after tick removal. Although the dynamics of antibiotic treatment in mice may differ from humans, and translation of animal studies to patient management must be approached with caution, we believe our results emphasize the point that antibiotic prophylactic treatment of tick bite to prevent Lyme disease is more likely to be efficacious if delivered promptly after potentially infectious ticks are removed from patients. There is only a very narrow window for prophylactic treatment to be effective post tick removal.
The photoluminescence excitation spectra of multicomponent media

With no restrictions on the value of optical density, we derive an equation that describes the photoluminescence excitation spectra of separate components with overlapping absorption bands in a multicomponent medium. Based on the equation obtained, we propose methods for measuring the ratios of absorption optical densities of the components and quantum yields of their luminescence. The applicability of the proposed methods is demonstrated by measuring the characteristics of coumarin and porphyrin dissolved in different proportions in ethanol. We have also measured the quantum yield and luminescence decay time of the radiationinduced color centers F3+ in the lithium fluoride crystal and calculated probabilities of radiative and nonradiative transitions from the first excited singlet state of these centers.
DEA Models for Identifying Critical Performance Measures

In performance evaluation, it is important to identify both the efficient frontier and the critical measures. Data envelopment analysis (DEA) has been proven an effective tool for estimating the efficient frontiers, and the optimized DEA weights may be used to identify the critical measures. However, due to multiple DEA optimal weights, a unique set of critical measures may not be obtained for each decision making unit (DMU). Based upon a set of modified DEA models, this paper develops an approach to identify the critical measures for each DMU. Using a set of four Fortune's standard performance measures, capital market value, profit, revenue and number of employees, we perform a performance comparison between the Fortune's e-corporations and 1000 traditional companies. Profit is identified as the critical measure to the performance of e-corporations while revenue the critical measure to the Fortune's 1000 companies. This finding confirms that high revenue does not necessarily mean profit for e-corporations while revenue means a stable proportion of profit for the Fortune's 1000 companies.
Laser decal transfer of freestanding microcantilevers and microbridges

Freestanding silver microcantilevers and microbridges were fabricated over trenches in Si substrates by the laser decal transfer process without the use of sacrificial layers or subsequent etch processes. Single laser pulses (355 nm, 30 ns FWHM) were used to directly transfer 200 nm thick silver nanopaste layers (5 ?m wide×25 ?m long) over prepatterned Si substrates with 15 ?m wide trenches. By adjusting the position of the laser spot over the substrate, it was possible to directly deposit freestanding microcantilevers 7 to 9 ?m in length or 15-?m long microbridges over the trenches. Subsequent oven curing at 250°C resulted in sintering of the Ag nanoparticles without greatly affecting the shape and form of the transfers. Laser vibrometry experiments yielded fundamental resonance frequencies in vacuum of ?1–2 MHz for the microcantilevers and ?3 MHz for the microbridges. The fitted Q-factors averaged 1500 for the microcantilevers and 1400 for the microbridges. Overall, the measured resonances of the microbridges deviated from theoretical predictions in a manner suggesting a tensile residual stress state.
Scattering of electrons by hydrogen atoms

The cross sections for elastic scattering and for excitation of hydrogen atoms by electron impact are calculated for energies in the range from 10.2 to 12.1 eV. The calculations are made variationally. A pseudostate expansion is employed to represent the target atom. Energies and widths of resonances are obtained. Results are compared with experiment.
Fifth-order analysis of GRIN lenses

A new fifth-order algebraic ray-tracing formula valid in any radial gradient is proposed. This leads to algebraic fifth-order aberration formulas for gradient-index (GRIN) rods or Wood lenses. Such formulas can be used for profiling GRIN rod lens samples.
Persistence over the first month of neurobehavioral differences in infants exposed to alcohol prenatally

Abstract Neonatal withdrawal and neurobehavioral differences have been reported in clinically normal infants of women drinking during pregnancy, with those exposed through the third trimester showing more serious deficits. Whether these are the transitory effects of withdrawal or indicative of persistent nervous system alterations is unclear since repeated neurobehavioral evaluations in early infancy have not been done previously with this population. To investigate whether there are persistent changes associated with prenatal alcohol exposure, 31 infants of women who (a) never drank, (b) continued drinking (13.34 oz, absolute alcohol [AA] per week) throughout pregnancy, or (c) stopped drinking (16.25 oz, AA) in the second trimester were assessed at 3 days, 14 days, and 30 days with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (BNBAS). Over the first month, differences were found among the groups in motor performance, autonomic regulation, and abnormal reflexive behavioral clusters with the performance of infants whose mothers continued to drink being less optimal. When a covariate analysis was done to examine changes over the first month associated with alcohol exposure when initial differences in performance were held constant, infants whose mothers continued to drink showed less improvement over time in these areas. Thus, there appear to be real and persistent nervous system differences during the first month in children exposed to alcohol prenatally.
US commercial air tour crashes, 2000-2011: burden, fatal risk factors, and FIA Score validation.

a b s t r a c t Introduction: This study provides new public health data concerning the US commercial air tour industry. Risk factors for fatality in air tour crashes were analyzed to determine the value of the FIA Score in predicting fatal outcomes. Methods: Using the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) General Aviation and Air Taxi Survey and National Transportation Safety Board data, the incidence of commercial air tour crashes from 2000 through 2010 was calculated. Fatality risk factors for crashes occurring from 2000 through 2011 were analyzed using regression methods. The FIA Score, Li and Baker's fatality risk index, was validated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: The industry-wide commercial air tour crash rate was 2.7 per 100,000 flight hours. The incidence rates of Part 91 and 135 commercial air tour crashes were 3.4 and 2.3 per 100,000 flight hours, respectively (relative risk (RR) 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-2.1, P = 0.015). Of the 152 air tour crashes that occurred from 2000 through 2011, 30 (20%) involved at least one fatality and, on average, 3.5 people died per fatal crash. Fatalities were associated with three major risk factors: fire (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 5.1, 95% CI 1.5-16.7, P = 0.008), instrument meteorological conditions (AOR 5.4, 95% CI 1.1-26.4, P = 0.038), and off-airport location (AOR 7.2, 95% CI 1.6-33.2, P = 0.011). The area under the FIA Score's ROC curve was 0.79 (95% CI 0.71-0.88). Discussion: Commercial air tour crash rates were high relative to similar commercial aviation operations. Disparities between Part 91 and 135 air tour crash rates reflect regulatory disparities that require FAA action. The FIA Score appeared to be a valid measurement of fatal risk in air tour crashes. The FIA should prioritize interventions that address the three major risk factors identified by this study. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Bifurcated flow from an upwelling center: a cold water source for Monterey Bay

Abstract AVHRR and CTD data from the Monterey Bay region during spring-summer 1989 show two basic hydrographic states, upwelling and relaxation. These occur in response to local wind forcing and are modified by interaction with a California Current meander. Upwelling at Pt An˜o Nuevo, north of Monterey Bay, is identified as the source of cold, salty near-surface water frequently seen in the Bay. No evidence is found in any available data to support the commonly held belief that the Monterey Submarine Canyon is responsible for the introduction of upwelled water to the Bay's euphotic zone. During wind relaxations, upwelling ceases and a persistent California Current meander translates shoreward. Data support the idea that upwelling centers are associated with coastal headlands. The flow of upwelled water from these centers is bifurcated, with one tongue trending offshore and one equatorward. We propose a conceptual model to explain this pattern of flow and its impact on the California Current.
The rate at which residents learn to use hand-held echocardiography at the bedside.

Abstract Purpose Because there is little information about the training that general internists require to perform hand-carried cardiac ultrasonography (HCU), we studied the rate of learning of a group of medical residents performing HCU after minimal formal training. Methods Medical residents on the inpatient services at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center received formal training in HCU consisting of 15-30 minutes of didactic instruction about the principles of echocardiography, followed by ongoing one-on-one instruction in performing HCU and subsequent ongoing one-on-one training from a certified echocardiography technician as they were doing scans. The residents were shown how to position the patient to obtain 2-dimensional echo images from the parasternal short and long axes and apical 4-chamber views, and how to obtain color-flow Doppler images across the mitral and aortic valves. Residents were asked to determine whether pericardial effusion was present and to assess left ventricular size, left ventricular function, and the mitral and aortic valves. The residents performed cardiac physical examination and HCU independently on patients who had a conventional transthoracic echocardiogram (CTTE) performed within 24 hours of the HCU. The residents' HCU results were compared with the CTTE results by a cardiologist specializing in echocardiography. The rates at which residents gained technical proficiency and skills in interpreting their studies were measured by linear regression to fit various outcome variables against their experience at scanning as gauged by the number of scans performed. Results Thirty medical residents performed a total of 231 HCU studies. Linear regression models showed that the residents' overall technical proficiency skills improved at the rate of 0.79 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53-1.04) points on an overall assessment index (0-3 scale) per 10 scans completed. Interpretation accuracy improved at a rate of 1.01 (95% CI 0.69-1.39) points per 10 scans as measured by an interpretation accuracy index (0-3 scale). Because scanning efforts and instruction in HCU occurred during residents' usual rotation duties, some residents gathered experience in HCU slowly and sporadically. Conclusion This study, the first prospective, experimental effort of its kind, shows that residents as a group learned important aspects of HCU scanning and interpretation at a reasonably rapid rate.
Sensitivity Analysis on Bio-op Errors in DNA Computing

We simulate the biological operations of a DNA computational algorithm for a combinatorial problem. We then perform sensitivity analysis in which we vary bio-op error rates to see which bio-ops affect the end result. Finally, we review three approaches to tune the algorithm in order to minimize significant error.
Guidelines for Managing Alzheimer's Disease: Part I. Assessment

Once the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease has been made, a treatment plan must be developed. This plan should include cholinesterase inhibitor therapy to temporarily improve cognition or slow the rate of cognitive decline, management of comorbid conditions, treatment of behavioral symptoms and mood disorders, provision of support and resources for patient and caregiver, and compliance with state-mandated reporting requirements for driving impairment and elder abuse. The primary caregiver can be a valuable ally in communication, management of care, and implementation of the care plan. Patient symptoms and care needs change as Alzheimer's disease progresses. In the early stage of the disease, the family physician should discuss realistic expectations for drug therapy, solicit patient and family preferences on future care choices, and assist with advance planning for future care challenges. In the middle stage, the patient may exhibit behavioral symptoms that upset the caregiver and are difficult to manage. When the patient is in the advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease, the caregiver may need support to provide for activities of daily living, help in making a difficult placement decision, and guidance in considering terminal care options. Throughout the course of the disease, routine use of community resources allows care to be provided by a network of professionals, many of whom will be specialists in Alzheimer's disease.
Classroom effects on student motivation: Goal structures, social relationships, and competence beliefs

Abstract Psychologists and educators have often conceptualized motivation as an individual difference variable, something that some students simply have more of than other students. This view of motivation can underestimate contextual influences. In this article we consider how characteristics of the school and classroom may influence student motivation, as well as the role of educators in shaping school and classroom climate. We describe three motivational perspectives: achievement goal theory, self-determination theory, and social-cognitive theory. The effects on motivation of social relationships with teachers and peers are also considered.
Cerebral Palsy: Prevalence, Predictability, and Parental Counseling

Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of severe physical disability in childhood, occurring in approximately 2 in 1,000 liveborn infants. Although the prevalence of CP appears to have stabilized in the past 2 decades, recent studies suggest that severe CP may be decreasing. Neuroimaging studies help identify abnormal neuroanatomic findings, which are found in most affected children. Neuropathology identified by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) corresponds well to clinical descriptions of motor impairment in children who have CP. Clinical risk factors, combined with imaging studies, can help identify a subpopulation of infants who are at high risk for poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Counseling caregivers on future adverse developmental risks can be challenging for the clinician in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), especially because the cause of CP remains unexplained in most cases and is typically diagnosed outside the neonatal period. Early counseling of families of at-risk neonates may function as the starting point for parental adaptation to a lifelong condition that requires ongoing services and adjustments to promote the overall health and well-being of their child.
Crystal structure and solution conformation of S,S′‐bis(Boc‐Cys‐Ala‐OMe): Intramolecular antiparallel β‐sheet conformation of an acyclic cystine peptide

The conformation of the acyclic biscystine peptide S,S'-bis(Boc-Cys-Ala-OMe) has been studied in the solid state by x-ray diffraction, and in solution by 1H- and 13C-nmr, ir, and CD methods. The peptide molecule has a twofold rotation symmetry and adopts an intramolecular antiparallel beta-sheet structure in the solid state. The two antiparallel extended strands are stabilized by two hydrogen bonds between the Boc CO and Ala NH groups [N...O 2.964 (3) A, O...HN 2.11 (3) A, and NH...O angle 162 (3) degrees]. The disulfide bridge has a right-handed conformation with the torsion angle C beta SSC beta = 95.8 (2) degrees. In solution the presence of a twofold rotation symmetry in the molecule is evident from the 1H- and 13C-nmr spectra. 1H-nmr studies, using solvent and temperature dependencies of NH chemical shifts, paramagnetic radical induced line broadening, and rate of deuterium-hydrogen exchange effects on NH resonances, suggest that Ala NH is solvent shielded and intramolecularly hydrogen bonded in CDCl3 and in (CD3)2SO. Nuclear Overhauser effects observed between Cys C alpha H and Ala NH protons and ir studies provide evidence of the occurrence of antiparallel beta-sheet structure in these solvents. The CD spectra of the peptide in organic solvents are characteristic of those observed for cystine peptides that have been shown to adopt antiparallel beta-sheet structures.
A ‘PolyORFomic’ Analysis of Prokaryote Genomes Using Disabled-homology Filtering Reveals Conserved But Undiscovered Short ORFs

Prokaryote gene annotation is complicated by large numbers of short open reading frames (ORFs) that arise naturally from genetic code design. Historically, many hypothetical ORFs have been annotated as genes in microbes, usually with an arbitrary length threshold (e.g. greater than 100 codons). Given the use of such thresholds, what is the extent of genuine undiscovered short genes in the current sampling of prokaryote genomes? To assess rigorously the potential under-annotation of short ORFs with homology, we exhaustively compared the polyORFome--all possible ORFs in 64 prokaryotes (53 bacteria and 11 archaea) plus budding yeast--to itself and to all known proteins. The novelty of our analysis is that, firstly, sequence comparisons to/between both annotated and un-annotated ORFs are considered, and secondly a two-step disabled-homology filter is applied to set aside putative pseudogenes and spurious ORFs. We find that un-annotated homologous short ORFs (uhORFs) correspond to a small but non-negligible fraction of the annotated prokaryote proteomes (0.5-3.8%, depending on selection criteria). Moreover, the disabled-homology filter indicates that about a third of uhORFs correspond to putative pseudogenes or spurious ORFs. Our analysis shows that the use of annotation length thresholds is unnecessary, as there are manageable numbers of short ORF homologies conserved (without disablements) across microbial genomes. Data on uhORFs are available from http://pseudogene.org/polyo
Visual Responses of Some Sugarbeet Insects to Sticky Traps and Water Pan Traps of Various Colors

The color responses of insects associated with sugarbeet were evaluated in the field. Palestriped flea beetle, Systena blanda Melsheimer, exhibited a strong visual response to yellow water pan traps as compared to blue, black, red, green, orange, and white but was rarely recovered from elevated sticky traps. The aster leafhopper, Macrosteles fascifrons (Stal), and the leafhoppers Aceratagallia uhleri (Van Duzee) and Balclutha neglecta (Delong and Davidson) generally responded most positively to orange sticky traps and water pan traps. The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvais) and the beneficials Chrysopa carnea Stephens and convergent lady beetle, Hippodamia convergens Guerin-Meneville, did not exhibit strong visual orientation to any color tested.
Healthcare Utilization for Acute and Chronic Diseases of Young, School-age Children in the Rural and Non-rural Setting

To determine the most frequently diagnosed conditions among rural and non-rural children age 5 to 9 and assess for environmental influences, data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (1996-2001) were used to examine frequencies of diagnoses in children age 5 to 9. Separately, we examined rural and non-rural outpatient physician visits in weighted multivariate logistic regression models. Overall, the most frequent diagnosis was routine health check, followed by several acute conditions. When analyzed separately, non-rural children were significantly more likely to visit a physician for routine health check (P = 0.002), asthma (P = 0.005), and acute upper respiratory infection (P = 0.037). Rural counterparts were significantly more likely to be seen for attention deficit disorder (P = 0.000), otitis media (P = 0.017), chronic rhinitis (P = 0.017) and influenza (P = 0.037). Children age 5 to 9 are healthy overall. When illness occurs, it is usually acute. Rural and non-rural, young, school-aged children exhibit many similarities in healthcare utilization, but differences occur. Most surprising is the difference in the diagnosis frequency of attention deficit disorder.
Did Nixon's wage and price controls set in motion the post-1970s decline in real wages?

Abstract This paper argues that President Nixon’s wage and price controls, in affect from August 1971 to April 1974, laid the groundwork for the post-1973 decline in U.S. production worker real wages.
Aspergillus nidulans Septin AspB Plays Pre- and Postmitotic Roles in Septum, Branch, and Conidiophore Development

Members of the septin family of proteins act as organizational scaffolds in areas of cell division and new growth in a variety of organisms. Herein, we show that in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulans, the septin AspB is important for cellular division, branching, and conidiation both pre- and postmitotically. AspB localizes postmitotically to the septation site with an underlying polarity that is evident as cytokinesis progresses. This localization at the septation site is dependent on actin and occurs before the cross-wall is visible. AspB localizes premitotically as a ring at sites of branching and secondary germ tube emergence. It is the only known branch site marker. In addition, AspB is found at several stages during the development of the asexual reproductive structure, the conidiophore. It localizes transiently to the vesicle/metula and metula/phialide interfaces, and persistently to the phialide/conidiospore interface. A temperature-sensitive mutant of AspB shows phenotypic abnormalities, including irregular septa, high numbers of branches, and immature asexual reproductive structures.
Estrogen-Induced Apoptosis of Breast Epithelial Cells Is Blocked by NO/cGMP and Mediated by Extranuclear Estrogen Receptors

Estrogen action, via both nuclear and extranuclear estrogen receptors (ERs), induces a variety of cellular signals that are prosurvival or proliferative, whereas nitric oxide (NO) can inhibit apoptosis via caspase S-nitrosylation and via activation of soluble guanylyl cyclase to produce cGMP. The action of 17β-estradiol (E(2)) at ER is known to elicit NO signaling via activation of NO synthase (NOS) in many tissues. The MCF-10A nontumorigenic, mammary epithelial cell line is genetically stable and insensitive to estrogenic proliferation. In this cell line, estrogens or NOS inhibitors alone had no significant effect, whereas in combination, apoptosis was induced rapidly in the absence of serum; the presence of inducible NOS was confirmed by proteomic analysis. The application of pharmacological agents determined that apoptosis was dependent upon NO/cGMP signaling via cyclic GMP (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase and could be replicated by inhibition of the phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase/serine-threonine kinase pathway prior to addition of E(2). Apoptosis was confirmed by nuclear staining and increased caspase-3 activity in E(2) + NOS inhibitor-treated cells. Apoptosis was partially inhibited by a pure ER antagonist and replicated by agonists selective for extranuclear ER. Cells were rescued from E(2)-induced apoptosis after NOS blockade, by NO-donors and cGMP pathway agonists; preincubation with NO donors was required. The NOS and ER status of breast cancer tissues is significant in etiology, prognosis, and therapy. In this study, apoptosis of preneoplastic mammary epithelial cells was triggered by estrogens via a rapid, extranuclear ER-mediated response, after removal of an antiapoptotic NO/cGMP/cGMP-dependent protein kinase signal.
Particle motion and the modelling of strain response in magnetic fabrics

SUMMARY Quantitative correlations between the magnetic fabric (magnetic susceptibility or remanent magnetic anisotropies), single mineral anisotropy , and preferred mineral orientation is investigated using computer modelling. The influences of various initial fabric patterns and imposed strain on the magnetic fabric are simulated using multiparticle systems represented by their magnetic anisotropy tensor. Each single mineral is numerically reoriented under coaxial deformation conditions using the strain response models of March and Jeffery/Gay. The calculated strain In (e,) versus magnetic fabric M, = In [k,/(k,,, . kinr . k,,,)1’3] curves show the following characteristics: (1) for initial randomly oriented distributions a log-linear correlation exists for strain magnitudes below 200 per cent. (2) For higher strains the curves asymptotically approach the M, value defined by the particle anisotropy. (3) The slope a of the correlation lines is a function of the particle anisotropy, the ellipsoid shape, and the strain response model. (4) Due to the prolate shape of particles, the maximum susceptibility axes are more sensitive to strain for initially anisotropic fabrics than the minimum axes. (5) The relationship between magnetic fabric and strain in multiparticle systems with known initial preferred orientations and single particle anisotropy shows a similar behaviour. Depending on the pattern and orientation of the initial fabric, the maximum axes show either a log-linear correlation to strain with a characteristic slope a or a kinked curve, with two almost linear parts.
Relative perturbation results for matrix eigenvalues and singular values

It used to be good enough to bound absolute of matrix eigenvalues and singular values. Not any more. Now it is fashionable to bound relative errors. We present a collection of relative perturbation results which have emerged during the past ten years.No need to throw away all those absolute error bound, though. Deep down, the derivation of many relative bounds can be based on absolute bounds. This means that relative bounds are not always better. They may just be better sometimes – and exactly when depends on the perturbation.
Zero Interest Rates in the United States Provoke World Monetary Instability and Constrict the US Economy

Under near zero US interest rates, the international dollar standard malfunctions. Emerging markets (EM) with naturally higher interest rates are swamped with hot money inflows. EM central banks intervene to prevent their currencies from rising precipitately. They lose monetary control and begin inflating. Primary commodity prices rise worldwide unless interrupted by an international banking crisis. This inflation on the dollar's periphery only registers in the US core consumer price index (CPI) with a long lag. The zero interest rate policy also fails to stimulate the US economy as domestic financial intermediation by banks and money market mutual funds is undermined.
Bioaccumulation dynamics and exposure routes of Cd and Cu among species of aquatic mayflies

Consumption of periphyton is a potentially important route of metal exposure to benthic invertebrate grazers. The present study examined the bioaccumulation kinetics of dissolved and dietary Cd and Cu in five species of mayflies (class Insecta). Artificial stream water and benthic diatoms were separately labeled with enriched stable metal isotopes to determine physiological rate constants used by a biokinetic bioaccumulation model. The model was employed to simulate the effects of metal partitioning between water and food, expressed as the bioconcentration factor (BCF), as well as ingestion rate (IR) and metal assimilation efficiency of food (AE), on the relative importance of water and food to metal bioaccumulation. For all test species, the contribution of dietary uptake of Cd and Cu increased with BCF. For a given BCF, the contribution of food to the body burden increased with k(uf) , the metal uptake rate constant from food that combined variation in IR and AE. To explore the relative importance of water and diet exposure routes under field conditions, we used estimated site-specific aqueous free-ion concentrations to model Cd and Cu accumulation from aqueous exposure, exclusively. The predicted concentrations accounted for less than 5% of the observed concentrations, implying that most bioaccumulated metal was acquired from food. At least for the taxa considered in this study, we conclude that consumption of metal-contaminated periphyton can result in elevated metal body burdens and potentially increase the risk of metal toxicity.
Traumatic transection associated with retrograde dissection and rupture of the aorta: recognition and management.

Abstract A case of traumatic transection of the aorta associated with retrograde medial dissection and rupture into the pericardium is presented. Mostly because of the rarity of this combination, the presence of the dissection was not suspected and was discovered only at operation. The importance of preoperative diagnosis is emphasized and the operative management is described.