cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNA-9 and microRNA-326 regulate human dopamine D2 receptor expression, and the microRNA-mediated expression regulation is altered by a genetic variant.

The human dopamine receptor D2 (DRD2) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Most antipsychotic drugs influence dopaminergic transmission through blocking dopamine receptors, primarily DRD2. We report here the post-transcriptional regulation of DRD2 expression by two brain-expressed microRNAs (miRs), miR-326 and miR-9, in an ex vivo mode, and show the relevance of miR-mediated DRD2 expression regulation in human dopaminergic neurons and in developing human brains. Both miRs targeted the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of DRD2 in NT2 (neuron-committed teratocarcinoma, which endogenously expresses DRD2) and CHO (Chinese hamster ovary) cell lines, decreasing luciferase activity measured by a luciferase reporter gene assay. miR-326 overexpression reduced DRD2 mRNA and DRD2 receptor synthesis. Both antisense miR-326 and antisense miR-9 increased DRD2 protein abundance, suggesting an endogenous repression of DRD2 expression by both miRs. Furthermore, a genetic variant (rs1130354) within the DRD2 3′-UTR miR-targeting site interferes with miR-326-mediated repression of DRD2 expression. Finally, co-expression analysis identified an inverse correlation of DRD2 expression with both miR-326 and miR-9 in differentiating dopaminergic neurons derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and in developing human brain regions implicated in schizophrenia. Our study provides empirical evidence suggesting that miR-326 and miR-9 may regulate dopaminergic signaling, and miR-326 and miR-9 may be considered as potential drug targets for the treatment of disorders involving abnormal DRD2 function, such as schizophrenia.
Molecular genetic studies of cellular senescence

Abstract The limited doubling potential of normal cells in culture was first proposed as a model for cellular aging by Hayflick in 1961. This phenomenon of in vitro cellular senescence is now well documented for a number of different normal human cell types. In an attempt to determine whether random events or programmed genetic processes were responsible for cellular aging, we performed a series of cell fusion studies. We determined that hybrids from fusion of normal with immortal human cells had limited proliferative potential, indicating that senescence is a dominant phenotype. We exploited the fact that immortality was recessived to assign a large number of different immortal human cell lines to four complementation groups for indefinite division. More recently, we have determined that the introduction of a single normal human chromosome 4 into HeLa (cervical carcinoma) cells by microcell fusion induced senescence in this immortal line. The results of these whole cell and microcell fusion studies support the hypotheses that propose senescence results from active, genetic mechanisms.
Genetic interplays between Msx2 and Foxn1 are required for Notch1 expression and hair shaft differentiation

Hair shafts are produced from stem cells located in the bulge. Our knowledge of the genetic pathways regulating cell fate acquisition in the immediate descendents of these stem cells, and fate maintenance in their committed progeny, is still incomplete. One pathway involved in fate maintenance within the hair matrix is the Notch pathway. Here we use compound genetic mutants to demonstrate that two transcription factors, Msx2 and Foxn1, are both required to maintain Notch1 expression in the hair follicle matrix. In their absence, Notch1 is markedly reduced in hair matrix; as a consequence, medulla and inner root sheath (IRS) differentiation is impaired. Our studies also suggest that Foxn1 is a direct activator of the Notch1 promoter activity through one or more putative Foxn1 consensus binding sites located within the 4.7 kb of mouse Notch1 promoter. Since recombinant human BMP4 can induce Foxn1 expression in Msx2-deficient hair follicles, and that their effect on cortical keratin expression appears synergistic, we suggest that these two genes function in parallel pathways downstream of BMP signaling and upstream of Notch1. Independent from their role in Notch activation, Msx2 and Foxn1 also contribute to the expression of several cortical and cuticle keratins. The impact of these additional defects is the complete loss of all visible external hairs, not seen in Notch1 mutants. Our results position Msx2 and Foxn1 upstream of Notch1 within the hair matrix and demonstrate that together these factors play a pivotal role in IRS, cortex and medulla differentiation.
SN 1987A Constraints on Large Compact Dimensions

Recently there has been a lot of interest in models in which gravity becomes strong at the TeV scale. The observed weakness of gravitational interactions is then explained by the existence of extra compact dimensions of space, which are accessible to gravity but not to standard model particles. We consider graviton emission into these extra dimensions from a hot supernova core. The phenomenology of SN 1987A places strong constraints on this energy loss mechanism, allowing us to derive a bound on the fundamental Planck scale. For the case of two extra dimensions we obtain a very strong bound of $M\ensuremath{\gtrsim}50\mathrm{TeV}$, which corresponds to a radius $R\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.3\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$.
How Do Ethnicity and Primary Language Spoken at Home Affect Management Practices and Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With Asthma

Background Lower rates of preventive medication use and higher rates of hospitalization and emergency department use have been documented among Latino children and adolescents with asthma. However, little is known about how language barriers influence asthma management practices and outcomes. Objective To examine the effects of language on asthma management practices and asthma-related outcomes. Design Cross-sectional survey of asthma management practices, perceived efficacy, asthma knowledge, family functioning, and health-related quality of life in 405 white non-Latino, African American non-Latino, and Latino children and adolescents from English- and Spanish-speaking homes. Results Latino children and adolescents from Spanish-speaking homes had lower rates of goal setting and peak flow monitoring, poorer asthma knowledge, and greater negative family impact than white children and adolescents ( P P >.16 for all). Management practices and outcomes for non-Latino African American children and adolescents closely approximated those of white children and adolescents. Conclusions Language barriers seem to contribute to poorer asthma management practices and knowledge among Latino children and adolescents. Efforts to increase knowledge in this group may enhance asthma self-care and limit the morbidity associated with asthma.
Distribution of copper, zinc, and phosphorus in coastal plain soils receiving repeated liquid biosolids applications

Continuous N-based application of biosolids contributes to a gradual increase of trace elements and P in soils. The objectives of this study were to assess the accumulation and vertical transport of Cu, Zn, C, N, and P within the profile of two coastal plain soils. Liquid (6-8% total solids) biosolids were applied to an Acredale silt loam (fine silty, mixed, thermic typic Ochraqualfs) and Bojac loamy sand (coarse loamy, mixed, thermic typic Hapludult) annually from 1984 to 1998. The repeated applications supplied 70, 204, and 3823 kg ha(-1) of Cu, Zn, and P, respectively, to the Acredale and 81, 225, and 4265 kg ha(-1) of Cu, Zn, and P, respectively, to the Bojac. The total C and N contents were not different than background levels in the Bojac soil and were slightly higher in the Acredale soil 7 years after cessation of biosolids application. Phosphorus, Cu and Zn are still concentrated in the top 0.25 m of the Acredale soil. Enrichment of P, Cu, and Zn were detected to the deepest soil increment in the coarse-textured Bojac soil. Approximately 20 to 40% of the Cu and Zn applied in the biosolids could not be accounted, which was likely due to a combination of leaching and incomplete extraction. Excessive Mehlich 1-P concentrations and a high degree of P saturation were found in amended soil, raising the potential for P release to runoff or leaching water.
Chemical–mechanical wellbore instability model for shales: accounting for solute diffusion

Abstract A model that combines chemical effects with mechanical effects and provides a quantitative tool for evaluating wellbore stability is presented. In the past, wellbore stability models have introduced chemical effects by adding an osmotic potential modified by a membrane efficiency to the pressure acting at the wellbore wall [Fonseca, C.F., 2000. Chemical–mechanical modeling of wellbore instability in shales. Proceeding of ETCE 2000 and OMAE 2000 Joint Conference: Energy for the New Millenium, Feb. 14–17, 2000, New Orleans, LA.]. In this paper, an entirely different approach is adopted. The fluxes of water and ions into and out of the shale are accounted for. The pressure profiles obtained using our model differ significantly from the error function decline in pressure that is predicted by earlier models. As a consequence of this near wellbore pore pressure profile, wellbore failure can now occur inside the shale not just at the wellbore wall (as predicted by earlier models). The onset of instability now depends not only on the activity of the water but also on the properties of the solutes.
Relationships of the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System and Sodium Balance to Blood Pressure Regulation in Chronic Renal Failure of Polycystic Kidney Disease

Abstract In 5 patients with polycystic kidney disease and creatinine clearances ranging from 4 to 40 ml/min, relationships between changes in blood pressure, sodium balance, body fluid compartments, plasma renin activity (PRA), urinary aldosterone excretion, and plasma aldosterone concentrations were studied during periods of low, medium, and high sodium intake. Total body water (TBW), total exchangeable body sodium (TEBS), and extracellular volume (ECV) were measured by isotope dilution techniques, plasma volume with Evan's blue dye, and PRA and aldosterone by radioimmunoassay. Low sodium intake reduced kidney function, blood pressure, and serum sodium, while PRA reached its highest levels. Subsequent increases in sodium intake improved kidney function and increased blood pressure. Plasma volume increased slightly and ECV markedly, while PRA dropped to 15% of the value noted after the low sodium intake. TBW and TEBS showed inconsistent changes. Aldosterone changes correlated closely with PRA. Blood pressure showed a negative correlation with PRA, but a positive one with body weight and cumulative sodium balance, and with plasma and extracellular volumes. It is suggested that whereas renin and aldosterone are involved in the maintenance of circulatory homeostasis during sodium loss, sodium retention causes an increase in blood pressure by concomitant changes in body fluids.
Current management of the adolescent varicocele

Adolescents with varicoceles represent a large and heterogeneous group. This patient population has rapidly changing hormonal levels and may present at different stages of physical and pubertal development. At the same time, the adolescent varicocele is becoming a more widely appreciated and diagnosed entity with an estimated incidence of 15% to 29%. Although research into the pathophysiology and appropriate management is evolving, the implications of this disease for this age group are difficult to ascertain. Specifically, it remains unclear which patients need intervention and when the optimal time is to intervene. This review aims to clarify some of the controversy and to provide the most contemporary understanding of this disease entity.
Control of Reaction Selectivity via Surface Oxygen Coverage: Thermal Decomposition of Azomethane on Rh(111)

The thermal decomposition of azomethane on clean and oxygen-covered Rh(111) has been investigated using a combination of temperature-programmed reaction, high-resolution electron energy loss and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. On clean Rh(111), azomethane adsorbs molecularly in the trans conformation and is stable on the surface up to 250 K. Above 300 K azomethane reacts exclusively by nitrogen−nitrogen bond scission, yielding gaseous HCN, H2, N2, and C2N2. HCN is evolved in four peaks between 300 and 600 K. Adsorbed CN reacts via two competing pathways: recombination to cyanogen and dissociation to adsorbed N, which recombines to gaseous N2 above 600 K. Adsorbed oxygen inhibits NN bond breaking, leading to the carbon−nitrogen bond dissociation products CO, CO2, and formaldehyde. On Rh(111)-p(2×1)-O (θO = 0.5 monolayers), ∼77% of the azomethane reacts via carbon−nitrogen bond scission. The C−N bond breaking is proposed to occur via adsorbed CH2NNCH3, based on vibrational and temperature-progra...
The RealIty of Tense

I argue for a version of tense-logical realism that privileges tensed facts without privileging any particular temporal standpoint from which they obtain.
Clinical impact of the baseline echocardiogram in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia†

Background It is common practice to hold anthracycline induction chemotherapy in children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR-ALL) until an echocardiogram is performed and interpreted. It is unclear whether withholding therapy in HR-ALL children is justified by echocardiogram findings. We reviewed the initial echocardiograms in a cohort of children with HR-ALL to determine the incidence of contraindications for anthracycline treatment. Procedure We identified 50 consecutive children (<21 years old) with HR-ALL presenting at our institution over a 10-year period. One didn't have an initial echocardiogram, 39 had pre-therapy studies, and 10 were studied within 6 days of beginning chemotherapy. These 49 studies were reviewed to determine the incidence and clinical significance of abnormalities. Results All 49 patients had normal cardiac function. Initial echocardiogram findings had no impact on induction chemotherapy administration in any patient. However, only 22(45%) of the studies were completely normal. Echocardiographic abnormalities included pericardial effusion (17/49), trivial or mild mitral or aortic insufficiency (13/49), left ventricular enlargement (3/49), and structural heart disease (4/49). Twelve percent of the children had a patent foramen ovale. None of the cardiac findings required therapeutic intervention other than repositioning of indwelling lines (6/49) due to intracardiac positioning. Conclusions In our experience, findings on echocardiograms in childhood HR-ALL did not impact anthracycline administration. This study suggests that induction chemotherapy should not be delayed for an echocardiogram. However, whenever possible, a pre-therapy echocardiogram is still recommended for determining baseline function and to identify associated problems like pericardial effusions which were common in this study. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 227–230. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pedagogic Discourse and Equity in Mathematics" When Teachers' Talk Matters

In this paper, we discuss the role and nature of pedagogic discourse. We argue that teachers’ talk plays a much more important role in students’ learning than is often considered—particularly in the learning of racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse students. We present one teacher who has a record of assisting her fifth grade Latino students to make significant academic gains in mathematics, and we examine the way she uses her talk in teaching and how students in her class develop control over the mathematics discourse. To help make our point, we contrast this teacher with another teacher whose instructional talk is not as mathematically rich.
Chicken red blood cell adenylate deaminase: purification and comparison with the enzymes from chicken brain and muscle.

Abstract 1. 1. Lysates of erythrocytes from adult chickens were found to contain fifteen to twenty times as much adenylate deaminase acvitivy as lysates prepared from an equivalent volume of rabbit red blood cells, whereas erythrocytes from 1-day-hatched chicks had activities comparable to mammalian erythrocytes. 2. 2. The adult avian enzyme was purified 750-fold and some of its catalytic, physical and immunological properties were compared to the adenylate deaminases from chicken brain and muscle. 3. 3. The data suggest that at least three forms of adenylate deaminase are present in varying proportions in different chicken tissues.
The Political Economy of Reform in Egypt

The Egyptian economy has deteriorated since the early 1980s. In response to periods of economic crisis, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and actors within the Egyptian government have been pushing President Hosni Mubarak to reform the economic system. Similar, but less obvious, efforts at reform are found throughout Egyptian society; private organizations are providing services–education, job training, health care, and day care–in the face of governmental unwillingness or inability to make these services available as promised
DH and JH usage in murine fetal liver mirrors that of human fetal liver

In mouse and human, the regulated development of antibody repertoire diversity during ontogeny proceeds in parallel with the development of the ability to generate antibodies to an array of specific antigens. Compared to adult, the human fetal antibody repertoire limits N addition and uses specifically positioned VDJ gene segments more frequently, including V6-1 the most DH-proximal VH, DQ52, the most JH-proximal DH, and JH2, which is DH-proximal. The murine fetal antibody repertoire also limits the incorporation of N nucleotides and uses its most DH proximal VH, VH81X, more frequently. To test whether DH and JH also follow the pattern observed in human, we used the scheme of Hardy to sort B lineage cells from BALB/c fetal and neonatal liver, RT-PCR cloned and sequenced VH7183-containing VDJCμ transcripts, and then assessed VH7183-DH-JH and complementary determining region 3 of the immunoglobulin heavy chain (CDR-H3) content in comparison to the previously studied adult BALB/c mouse repertoire. Due to the deficiency in N nucleotide addition, perinatal CDR-H3s manifested a distinct pattern of amino acid usage and predicted loop structures. As in the case of adult bone marrow, we observed a focusing of CDR-H3 length and CDR-H3 loop hydrophobicity, especially in the transition from the early to late pre-B cell stage, a developmental checkpoint associated with expression of the pre-B cell receptor. However, fetal liver usage of JH-proximal DHQ52 and DH-proximal JH2 was markedly greater than that of adult bone marrow. Thus, the early pattern of DH and JH usage in mouse feta liver mirrors that of human.
Review paper: The naples stazione zoologica and its impact on the emergence of American marine biology

One of the most impressive stages in the development of American biology was the spectacular growth of the biology community at the end of the nineteenth century that catapulted the American work from a relatively poorly developed state to a position of international stature.' To illustrate this growth, we have only to look at the American biology community in 1875 and compare it to the state of biology in 1910. In 1875, there were no graduate programs in biology; Louis Agassiz's death (in 1873) had led to the virtual cessation of biological work at the Museum of Comparative Zoology, the major center of biological activity in the United States; and William Keith Brooks received his Ph.D. in zoology from Harvard, only the third such degree awarded by an American university, and the first from Harvard. Only thirty-five years later, well-developed graduate programs in biology characterized the major American universities, the number of graduate students had soared almost twenty-fold over the earlier period, and Edmund B. Wilson, Thomas Hunt Morgan, and other American cytologists were developing sophisticated research programs that ultimately would lead to the chromosome theory of inheritance.2 The immediate question is, "What were the influences that can explain the rapid developments in American biology?"
Incidence graphs of convex polytopes

This paper introduces the notion of the (r, s) incidence graph of an n-polytope P as the bipartite graph whose nodes correspond to the r-faces and the s-faces of P with an edge joining two nodes iff one of the corresponding faces contains the other. Various types of connectivity are defined for incidence graphs and bounds for these connectivities are established as functions of r, s, and n. It is shown that these bounds are also valid for a large class of cell-complexes.
Ethnic Chinese networks and international investment: evidence from inward FDI in China

This paper studies the role of business and social networks in international investment by examining the effects of ethnic Chinese networks on foreign direct investment (FDI) in China. After controlling for a variety of economic determinants of FDI, this study finds a significant positive role in inward FDI of ethnic Chinese networks proxied by the population share of ethnic Chinese in the investing country.
Activation of suppressor T-cells following thermal injury is B-cell and not accessory cell/macrophage-mediated

Abstract We have previously reported that B-cells participate in the generation of suppressor T-cells in thermal injury patients, leading to specific abrogation of cell-mediated response. Since the lymphocyte subpopulations isolated and used to reach this conclusion have contained a significant macrophage population, the present studies were designed to determine if an accessory cell/macrophage might instead be responsible for suppressor T-cell generation. When accessory cells were eliminated from normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes by means of a Sephadex G-10 column, however, the generation of suppressor cells was unchanged, thus adding support to the interpretation that B-cells do indeed participate in the cellular sequence leading to immunosuppression following thermal injury.
Iterates of fuzzy circulant matrices

Abstract The iterates of circulant matrices under the max-min product is investigated in this article. It is shown that if the first row of a fuzzy circulant matrix is in decreasing order, then the iterates of the circulant converge and if the first row is in increasing order, then the iterates oscillate. In both cases a complete description of the iterates is obtained. As an application, this yields an O(n) algorithm for computing the transitive closure of a certain type of fuzzy relation; viz. relations whose adjacency matrices are fuzzy circulants with decreasing first row.
Structure and expression of glycoproteins controlled by the Qa-1a allele.

The alloantigen controlled by the Qa-1a allele is a glycoprotein that exists in two forms. The first, an intracellular molecule of apparent Mr of 44 000 daltons, appears to be a kinetic precursor of the second, a cell-surface molecule with an apparent size of 47 000 daltons. The intracellular form of Qa-1 is distinct from that of the TL glycoprotein in two ways: (1) its polypeptide backbone is approximately 5000 daltons shorter, and (2) it possesses three sites of high-mannose carbohydrate attachment, while TL has only one. In the cell-surface form of Qa-1, all three carbohydrate chains are processed to structures that resist endoglycosidase H digestion, presumably complex-type oligosaccharides. Concomitant with these late carbohydrate-processing steps is the formation of stable complexes between Qa-1 and β2-microglobulin. The timing of this association provides a further contrast between Qa-1 and TL, which is associated with β2-microglobulin shortly after its synthesis. The Qa-1 glycoproteins have been identified genetically by their synthesis in B6-TL+ (Qa-1a/Tlaa) splenocytes but not in splenocytes of congenic 136K1 and B6.K2 (Qa-Ib/Tlab) mice, and by their absence from the products of BALB/c (Qa-Ivb/Tlac) splenocytes. The cells synthesizing Qa-1 are at least as prevalent in Ig+ spleen-cell populations as in T-cell-enriched splenic Ig− populations. Thus, active Qa-1 synthesis appears to take place at a high rate in normal splenic B cells without mitogenic stimulation.
Abstract 2625: Proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib increases anti-cancer activity of novel anti-inflammatory anti-androgen Compound A

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Signaling by the steroid hormone receptors plays a pivotal role in the development of prostate cancer. Androgens and the androgen receptor (AR) promote prostate tumorigenesis. In contrast, the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) plays tumor suppressive role in the prostate. The major molecular mechanisms underlying GR anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects are similar and based on GR transrepression that involves negative interaction between GR and other transcription factors. We anticipated that anti-inflammatory anti-androgens hold a great potential for prostate cancer treatment. Thus, we identified the potential AR/GR ligands with this functional profile by screening of selective GR activators (SEGRA) recently synthesized in USA and Europe as anti-inflammatory GR ligands with reduced side effects. The lead identified compound is Compound A (CpdA), a synthetic analogue of a hydroxyphenyl aziridine precursor isolated from the Namibian shrub Salsola Botschantzev. We and others showed that CpdA inhibits AR function, prevents GR dimerization and transactivation, but strongly enhances GR transrepression. It is known that proteasome inhibitors tightly control GR and AR degradation and function. We show here that the exposure of prostate cancer cells expressing endogenous AR and GR to proteasome inhibitor Bortezomib (BZ) resulted in strong degradation of AR and accumulation of GR. The androgen DHT prevented AR destabilization induced by BZ. In contrast to androgen, CpdA cooperated with BZ to decrease AR expression and function. In addition, BZ modified the functional profile of GR in a ligand-dependent fashion. In the presence of GR modulator CpdA, BZ did not induce GR transactivation but augmented CpdA effect on GR transrepression measured by the inhibition of several transcription factors such as NF-kB, AP-1 and STAT1. Finally we revealed a strong cooperation between CpdA and BZ in activation of apoptosis and endoplasmic reticular stress in prostate cancer cells. Overall, our data suggest that combination of BZ with steroid receptor modulators such as CpdA, has a high potential for PC therapy. Work is supported by RO1CA118890 (to IB) and ACS IL grant #160185 (to AY). Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2625.
Electronic orthotics shoe: Preventing ulceration in diabetic patients

The improvement in processor performance through continuous breakthroughs in transistor technology has resulted in the proliferation of lightweight embedded systems. Advances in wireless technology and embedded systems have enabled remote healthcare and telemedicine. Continuous and real-time monitoring can discretely analyze how a patient's lifestyle affects his/her physiological conditions and if additional symptoms occur under various stimuli. Diabetes is one of most difficult challenges facing the healthcare industry today. One of the primary afflictions of diabetic patients is peripheral neuropathy (loss of sensation in the foot). As a direct result of this condition, the likelihood of ulcer increases which in many cases leads to to amputation. We have developed a wireless electronic orthotics composed of lightweight embedded systems and non-invasive sensors which can be used by diabetic patients suffering from peripheral neuropathy. Our proposed system monitors feet motion and pressure distribution beneath the feet in real-time and classifies the state of the patient. The proposed system detects the conditions that could potentially cause a foot ulcer. This system enables a continuous feedback mechanism for instance in case of an undesired behavior or condition a preemptive message wirelessly to the patient and the patient's caregiver.
REMARKS ON THE WILANSKY PROPERTY

Abstract A separable FK-space E has the Wilansky Property if whenever F is an FK-space contained and dense in E with Fβ = Eβ then F = E. In 1987 G. Bennett and W. Stadler independently showed that if E and EB are both Bk—AK spaces then E has the Wilansky Property. In 1990 D. Noll relaxed the AK condition by arguing if E, Ef are Bk—Ad spaces and if Eβ is separable then E has the Wilansky Property. In this note we show that Noll's result is in fact equivalent to the original Bennett/Stadler result.
U-series dating of impure carbonates: An isochron technique using total-sample dissolution

Abstract U-series dating is a well-established technique for age determination of Late Quaternary carbonates. Materials of sufficient purity for nominal dating, however, are not as common as materials with mechanically inseparable aluminosilicate detritus. Detritus contaminates the sample with extraneous Th. We propose that correction for contamination is best accomplished with the isochron technique using total sample dissolution (TSD). Experiments were conducted on artificial mixtures of natural detritus and carbonate and on an impure carbonate of known age. Results show that significant and unpredictable transfer of radionuclides occur from the detritus to the leachate in commonly used selective leaching procedures. The effects of correcting via leachate-residue pairs and isochron plots were assessed. Isochrons using TSD gave best results, followed by isochron plots of leachates only.
Causative factors in cerebral palsy.

Causative factors in cerebral palsy (CP) vary to some degree according to gestational age group and clinical CP subtype. Such catastrophes of birth as placental abruption, cord prolapse, and uterine rupture sharply heighten risk of CP. These conditions are fortunately uncommon, and are sometimes not
On the detection of clustering and anisotropy using binary data from a lattice patch

A method i s suggested for detecting spatial pattern of disease data on a rectangular lattice. One first classifies all pairs of points by their distance and orientation of separation and then counts the number of pairs of points in each distanceorientation type for which both points show the disease. A log-linear model is proposed for these counts. Methods of fitting to it are suggested that furnish tests of clustering and of anisotropy. Empirical sarnpling results show that the tests are reasonably powerful against certain alternatives and verify that nominal levels of simificances are approximately correct. The method is given in detail for a single four by five plot and is then adapted for combining data from many such plots. Examples are given of such counts and of the calculations used to analyze them.
Orienting minority students

Meeting the needs of minority students is more a matter of understanding and sensitivity to the historical and societal context within which these students attend college than a matter of special orientation programs and activities.
A systematic approach to vertically excited states of ethylene using configuration interaction and coupled cluster techniques

A systematic sequence of configuration interaction and coupled cluster calculations were used to describe selected low-lying singlet and triplet vertically excited states of ethylene with the goal of approaching the all electron, full configuration interaction/complete basis set limit. Included among these is the notoriously difficult, mixed valence/Rydberg 1B1u V state. Techniques included complete active space and iterative natural orbital configuration interaction with large reference spaces which led to variational spaces of 1.8 × 109 parameters. Care was taken to avoid unintentionally biasing the results due to the widely recognized sensitivity of the V state to the details of the calculation. The lowest vertical and adiabatic ionization potentials to the 2B3u and 2B3 states were also determined. In addition, the heat of formation of twisted ethylene 3A1 was obtained from large basis set coupled cluster theory calculations including corrections for core/valence, scalar relativistic and higher order correlation recovery.
The Effect of Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass on Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic debilitating disorder affecting 3–5% of the US population. Treatment of this disorder is a challenge. The incidental finding of improvement of fibromyalgia following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass stimulated us to study this phenomenon. A retrospective chart review of patients with fibromyalgia who underwent laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Postoperative decrease in median of BMI from 49.4 to 29.7 was significant (p value = 0.0010). This was associated with statistically significant improvement in median of pain score (p value = 0.0010) and median points of tenderness (p value = 0.0010). Significant weight loss following laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is associated with resolution or improvement of fibromyalgia. Consequently, the bariatric surgeon should be a member of the multidisciplinary team approach for treating fibromyalgia.
Assessment of DNA damage and repair in Mycobacterium terrae after exposure to UV irradiation.

Aim: Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for drinking water treatment was examined for inactivation and subsequent dark and photo-repair of Mycobacterium terrae. Methods and Results: UV sources tested were low pressure (monochromatic, 254 nm) and medium pressure (polychromatic UV output) Hg lamps. UV exposure resulted in inactivation, and was followed by dark or photo-repair experiments. Inactivation and repair were quantified utilizing a molecular-based endonuclease sensitive site (ESS) assay and conventional colony forming unit (CFU) viability assay. Mycobacterium terrae was more resistant to UV disinfection compared to many other bacteria, with approximately 2-log reduction at a UV fluence of 10 mJ cm−2 ; similar to UV inactivation of M. tuberculosis. There was no difference in inactivation between monochromatic or polychromatic UV lamps. Mycobacterium terrae did not undergo detectable dark repair. Photo-repair resulted in recovery from inactivation by ∼0·5-log in less than 30 min for both UV lamp systems. Conclusions: Mycobacterium terrae is able to photo-repair DNA damage within a short timeframe. The number of pyrimidine dimers induced by UV light were similar for Escherichia coli and M. terrae, however, this similarity did not hold true for viability results. Significance and Impact of the Study: There is no practical difference between UV sources for disinfection or prevention of DNA repair for M. terrae. The capability of M. terrae to photo-repair UV damage fairly quickly is important for wastewater treatment applications where disinfected effluent is exposed to sunlight. Finally, molecular based assay results should be evaluated with respect to differences in the nucleic acid content of the test micro-organism.
Light absorption by phytoplankton, photosynthetic pigments and detritus in the California Current System

Abstract Pigment-specific absorption by total particulates, detritus and phytoplankton was measured throughout the euphotic zone at > 275 stations on three cruises off California in late 1991 and early 1992. A new spectral fluorescence method for assessing photosynthetically active absorption in natural samples was developed and applied. Spatial variability in specific absorption coefficients at the mesoscale was found to be as high as previously observed between mid- and high latitudes, while differences between cruises were very low. In surface waters, the highest values of specific absorption were found in warm, low-pigment surface waters offshore and in the Southern California Bight. Vertical sections reveal that low values occur near the surface only where the pycnocline and nitracline slope toward the sea surface. The highest values of phytoplankton specific absorption occurred at shallow optical depths for stations with deep nitraclines, whereas the lowest values always occurred close to or below the depth of the nitracline. Specific absorption generally increased with increasing temperature, but there were large differences in the relationships between cruises. In the context of previous laboratory observations, these results imply that nutrient availability plays a greater role than direct temperature effects in controlling natural variance in phytoplankton specific absorption. Specific absorption of photosynthetically active phytoplankton pigments was found to be less variable than that of total phytoplankton and showed no systematic trends with temperature, optical depth, or distance from the nitracline. This result leads to a new version of a bio-optical model for primary production which is based only on the photosynthetically active component rather than total phytoplankton absorption.
Multimarket Effects of Technological Change

A technological change associated with the production of one commodity can affect the production and price of that commodity as well as related commodities. Hence, the impact of a technological change can spill over into other markets through price effects on inputs, outputs, complements, and substitutes. This article examines the impacts of technological changes in related markets. An empirical application of the analytical framework is applied to the U.S. beef and pork sectors. Cross-market effects of technological change for these commodities are important. These results imply that research allocation decisions should take cross-market effects into account.
Monte Carlo simulation of a many-fermion study

The Metropolis Monte Carlo method is used to sample the square of an antisymmetric wave function composed of a product of a Jastrow wave function and a number of Slater determinants. We calculate variational energies for $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ and several models of neutron matter. The first-order Wu-Feenberg expansion is shown always to underestimate the energy, sometimes seriously. The phase diagram for ground-state Yukawa matter is determined. There is a class of Yukawa potentials which do not lead to a crystal phase at any density.
Removal of elemental phosphorus from electric furnace sludges of various origins

A method developed by researchers at the University of Alabama has successfully eliminated the toxic and flammable characteristics of elemental phosphorus from by-product sludges produced from operations of electric furnaces at widely separated facilities. The removal process is first order with respect to elemental phosphorus concentration with a rate constant of 0.02 min{sup {minus}1}. The residuals produced contain cadmium, chromium, and lead concentrations above the TCLP limit and thus will require further treatment. 7 refs., 8 figs., 3 tabs.
Monopolistic Competition and General Equilibrium

Traditional general equilibrium theory, as exemplified in Walras (1874–7) and Hicks (1939), was concerned only with perfect competition, though it was preceded by Cournot’s theory of oligopoly (1838), where perfect competition is only a limiting case of oligopoly. Walras (1874–7, p. 431) admitted that perfect competition is not the only possible system of economic organization and that we must consider the effects of other systems, such as those of monopolies, in order to make a choice between perfect competition and the other systems, as well as to satisfy our scientific curiosity. His theory of monopoly, however, remains a partial equilibrium analysis and no general equilibrium model is developed for an economy which contains monopolies. Hicks was more explicit in excluding monopolies from general equilibrium theory. He insisted that ‘a universal adoption of the assumption of monopoly, must have very destructive consequences for economic theory’ (1939, p. 83). The effect of an increase in demand on price is indeterminate, if the expansion of the firm is stopped not by rising costs, as in the case of competition, but by the limitation of the market, as in the case of monopoly.
Generating and remembering passwords

A survey evaluating the generation and use of passwords revealed that students have 8.18 password uses. With 4.45 different passwords to cover these functions, the average password has 1.84 applications. Two thirds of passwords are designed around one's personal characteristics, with most of the remainder relating to relatives, friends or lovers. Proper names and birthdays are the primary information used in constructing passwords, accounting for about half of all password constructions. Almost all respondents reuse passwords, and about two thirds of password uses are duplications. Passwords have been forgotten by a third of respondents, and over half keep a written record of them. We found empirical confirmation of some ‘bad password practices’ discussed in the literature, and provide suggestions for password construction and use. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A generalization of the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality and an application to finite sequences of zeros and ones

We generalize the arithmetic-geometric mean inequality to a new class of polynomials and give a combinatorial application.
Dimensions of tasks: influences on information‐seeking and retrieving process

Purpose – Previous research has demonstrated that task is the driving force for information retrieval (IR). However, few studies investigate how people engaged in work and search tasks define their decisions and behaviors in the IR process. The purpose of this paper is to investigate how dimensions of tasks affect the information‐seeking and retrieving process.Design/methodology/approach – In total, 40 participants are recruited for the two studies conducted in a corporate setting as well as an academic setting. Multiple methods are applied to collect data related to participants' tasks and the information‐seeking and retrieving process: web surveys, questionnaires, diaries, and telephone interviews. Both qualitative and quantitative data are analyzed.Findings – This paper identifies nature (routine, typical, and unusual), stages (pre‐focus, formation, and post‐focus), and timeframe (extremely urgent, urgent, and non‐urgent) as dimensions of work tasks as well as origination (self‐generated and assigned),...
Stimulation of ribonucleic acid polymerase activity in mouse kidney.

As part of an ongoing study to determine the mechanisms that differentiate between the agonistic and antagonistic effects of steroids, several natural and synthetic compounds that bind to the androgen receptor were evaluated for their effects on renal nuclear RNA polymerase I and II activities. The androgenic progestin 6α-methyl-progesterone (6MP) as well as the antiandrogens cyproterone acetate (6-chloro-17α-acetoxyl-l,2α-methylene-4,6-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) and flutamide (4′-nitro-3′-trifluoromethylisobutyrylanilide) and ineffective steroids 17α-hydroxy-6MP and progesterone were studied using normal and Tfm/Y mice, which lack effective androgen receptors. In normal mice, a single dose of 6MP stimulated a biphasic pattern of early (30 min) and late (16–24 h) increases in the activities of RNA polymerase I and II, which was similar to the responses induced by testosterone and medroxyprogesterone acetate (6α-methyl-17α-acetoxy-4-pregnene-3,20-dione). Cyproterone acetate stimulated an early increase in pol...
Current management of traumatic thoracic aortic injury.

Traumatic aortic rupture is a devastating injury that is difficult to manage because of the need to approach aortic repair, often in concert with management of complex associated injuries to nonvascular organ systems. Traditional open repair, while effective in the long-term, is associated with a periprocedural mortality between 10% and 20%, along with a 5% risk of stroke and up to a 5% risk of spinal chord ischemia. The advent of endovascular stent graft repair has allowed single centers to cut periprocedural mortality in half and decrease the risk of major neurologic events to
Investigation of electrothermal plasma pellet launcher optimization for fusion fueling

Deep fueling for large-scale tokamak fusion reactors requires the use of high-velocity fuel pellet injectors. The fuel pellets consist of deuterium or deuterium-tritium ice. Electrothermal plasma guns can be used to launch fuel pellets into the fusion plasma at a range of velocities. The plasma guns can be used to launch pellets at the velocities required for fusion reactor deep fueling or for the control of edge localized modes. Electrothermal plasma guns use a capillary tube where plasma is sparked, called the source, and an acceleration barrel. The plasma is sparked inside the source using a capacitor bank that is charged to 10 kV. A liner material inside the source is ablated and forms plasma that draws up to 40 kA of current over 100 microseconds and can propel a pellet to velocities exceeding 3 km/s. Using a one dimensional computer code called ETFLOW, a variety of computational predictions can be made on the plasma as well as the pellet as it moves through the barrel. Using this code, different geometric configurations of the source have been simulated using an input current pulse with a current peak of approximately 20 kA. The geometries studied varied in source length and source radius. To compliment these studies, the same geometries have been simulated with different input current pulses. These input current pulses have maximum currents of 10 kA, 30 kA, and 40 kA. The results from all four current pulses are presented, and computed pellet velocities are correlated to source geometry and plasma parameters. Pellet exit velocities of up to 4.4 km/s were computed. This is an increase of 10% from previous computational studies.
Tissue and ultrastructural localization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in the tissues of Ascaris suum with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry of immunoreactive structures.

Abstract Martin R. E. and Donahue M. J. 1989. Tissue and ultrastructural localization of 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) in the tissues of Ascaris suum with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry of immunoreactive structures. International Journal for Parasitology19: 585–596. Muscle, hypodermis and gastrointestinal epithelial cells from adult female Ascaris lumbricoides var. suum were found to contain serotonin based upon glyoxylic acid induced histofluorescence and indirect immunolabeling with an antiserotonin monoclonal antibody conjugated to protein A-colloidal gold. Histofluorescence indicated that muscle-hypodermis and intestinal epithelial cells contained significant concentrations of 5-hydroxytryptamine while fluorescence was absent in the nerve cord and cuticle. Immunolabeling at the ultrastructural level indicated that serotonin was sequestered in electron-opaque patches, dense vesicles and mitochondria of the muscle-hypodermis and intestinal tissue. Perfusion of whole worms and isolated tissues with 104 M -serotonin further indicated: ( 1 ) immunolabeled patches and dense vesicles were often associated with cytoskeletal elements, (2) serotonin did not appear to enter the intestinal or muscle cells by endocytosis, (3) immunolabeled patches examined with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (X-ray microanalysis) were found to contain iron at concentrations approximately double that of the surrounding cytoplasm.