cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Substance Use and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among White, African American, and Latina Women

The existing literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) does not paint a consistent portrait of the impact of race/ethnicity. In addition, although research has clearly demonstrated that there is a relationship between substance use and IPV, the temporal ordering of these variables is not clearly established. This article seeks to examine the temporal ordering of IPV victimization and drug use using longitudinal data with a nationally representative racially and ethnically diverse sample. Data from Wave III (2001-2002) and Wave IV (2007-2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health) will serve as Time 1 and Time 2, respectively, to answer three research questions. First, does substance use during early young adulthood (Time 1) predict IPV victimization during young adulthood (Time 2) among women? Second, does IPV victimization during early young adulthood predict substance use during young adulthood for women? Finally, do these bidirectional relationships vary by race/ethnicity (i.e., White, African American, and Latina)? Four different forms of IPV (minor violence, major violence, rape/sexual coercion, and injury) are investigated along with binge drinking, marijuana use, and other drug use. Understanding not only the temporal relationship between substance use, trauma, and IPV but also the racial and ethnic differences in these relationships is critical to developing and refining culturally sensitive trauma-informed prevention and treatment services for women.
Tonometry in the Dog and Cat

— A review is presented of the methods, procedure and value of the use of tonometry in the dog and cat. Resume— L'auteur passe en revue les methodes, les techniques et la valeur de l'emploi de la tonometric chez le chien et le chat. Zusammenfassung— Es wird eine Ubersicht uber die Methoden, das Verfahren und die Bedeutung der Tonometrie bie Hund und Katze gegeben.
Ondine's Curse and Neurocristopathy

A newborn with congenital neuroblastomas, Ondine's curse (central hypo ventilation) and Hirschsprung's disease is presented. All lesions may be re lated embryologically and might fall under the general heading of neuro cristopathy.
Inhibition of Human Collagenase Activity by Antisense Oligonucleoside Methylphosphonates

Oligodeoxyribonucleoside methylphosphonates (d-OMP) were synthesized whose sequences are complementary to sequences found in the mRNA coding for the 72-kDa (MMP-2) or 92-kDa (MMP-9) forms of human ...
Homage to Information Returns

One of the most important administrative features of the nation's tax system involves the issuance of information returns (such as Form W-2s and Form 1099s). Most studies indicate that such returns are pivotal in causing taxpayers to be forthright in their reporting practices. These same studies indicate that in the absence of such returns, taxpayer compliance plummets. To close the tax gap -- the difference between what taxpayers owe and what they actually pay -- Congress should ask itself the following question: without causing undue administrative burdens, can Congress expand the issuance of the information returns to encompass an even broader array of taxable events and transactions?
Deep Impact: Effects of Mountaintop Mining on Surface Topography, Bedrock Structure, and Downstream Waters

Land use impacts are commonly quantified and compared using 2D maps, limiting the scale of their reported impacts to surface area estimates. Yet, nearly all land use involves disturbances below the land surface. Incorporating this third dimension into our estimates of land use impact is especially important when examining the impacts of mining. Mountaintop mining is the most common form of coal mining in the Central Appalachian ecoregion. Previous estimates suggest that active, reclaimed, or abandoned mountaintop mines cover ∼7% of Central Appalachia. While this is double the areal extent of development in the ecoregion (estimated to occupy <3% of the land area), the impacts are far more extensive than areal estimates alone can convey as the impacts of mines extend 10s to 100s of meters below the current land surface. Here, we provide the first estimates for the total volumetric and topographic disturbance associated with mining in an 11 500 km2 region of southern West Virginia. We find that the cutting o...
SnapshotDx Quiz: March 2016

Editorial note: Welcome to the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) SnapshotDx Quiz. In this monthly online-only quiz, the first question (“What is your diagnosis?”) relates to the clinical image above, while additional questions concern the findings reported in a JID article that provides new information about that disease entity. The quiz questions may be found in the menu bar on the right-hand side of this page. A list of references relevant to the quiz appears below. Questions 2 & 3 refer to the article by Li et al. (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jid. 2015.12.003) Detailed answers are available as Supplementary Material linked to this article.
Connecting gene and hormone action to form, pattern and organogenesis: biophysical transductions

Morphological effects of mutations and hormones in shoots and flowers are common. Hence the causal chain between genome and phenotype must contain biophysical steps which link soluble control compounds to the production of specific solid tissue configuration. Extension of cylindrical form results from the iterated directional expansion of cell and 'organ surface. This is thought to be based on transverse microfibril and microtubule (MT) alignment in cells. It is proposed that the key biophysical link is a dynamic «self-cinching» process involving shear between adjacent cortical MTs in a ring. The MT array is maximally stable when the MTs are transverse. Gene products and hormones could act on form by influencing this minimal energy process
Effects of Community Transition Teams on Interagency Collaboration for School and Adult Agency Staff

This study examined change in indicators of high-quality interagency collaboration after 1 year of establishing a community transition team and compared school and adult agency staff participants. ...
Prediction of direction of chewing from cranial and dental characters in Thomomys pocket gophers

Three lines of evidence were used independently to predict directionality of chewing in the nine extant species of Thomomys pocket gophers. Cranial morphometrics identified T. bulbivorus and T. bottae as having the broadest (platycephalic morphology) and narrowest (dolichocephalic) skulls, respectively, in the genus. Using Merriam's (1895) skull-shape approach, chewing in T. bulbivorus was predicted to be transverse/oblique, whereas T. bottae was expected to chew propalinally. Orientation of tooth scars and enamel bands suggested that all nine Thomomys species studied chew propalinally. To determine whether skull morphology or dental features were better indicators of directionality of chewing, live specimens of T. bulbivorus and T. bottae were collected and their chewing modes evaluated by external observation and cineradiography both species (and presumably all members of the genus) chew propalinally. Therefore, dental features better reflect masticatory mode than does skull morphology.
Determination of 2,3,5,4′-four hydroxyl styrene-2-O-β-D-glucosaminidase in Qizhi Jiaonang by RP-HPLC

Objective To establish an RP-HPLC method to determine 2,3,5,4′-four hydroxyl styrene-2-O-β-D-glucosaminidase in Qizhi Jiaonang.Methods Thermo C18(200 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)column was used.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water=13∶87,the detective wavelength was 320 nm,and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.Results The linear range of 2,3,5,4′-four hydroxyl styrene-2-O-β-D-glucosaminidase was within 0.017 36-0.173 6 μg,r=0.999 9,and the average recovery was 99.6%.Conclusion This method is repeatable,flexibile and highly sensitive,which can be used for the quality control of Qizhi Jiaonang.
Cancer-related TTP and considerations of plasma exchange.

The diagnosis and therapy of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) have advanced dramatically in the past 25 years, with increasing diagnostic awareness spurred on by the discovery of plasma exchange as an effective therapy.
Superior surface hardening by cyclic-phase-change-diffusion (CPCD): Supersaturation of hard boride in titanium subsurface layer

Abstract This research demonstrates a novel concept of surface hardening, termed “cyclic-phase-change-diffusion (CPCD),” where cyclic phase transitions were induced at the surface by thermal cycling across the phase transition temperature along with diffusion of surface hardening atoms. Specifically, boron was diffused through the surface of titanium during thermal cycling across the α-β phase transition temperature. The CPCD method is shown to result in an unusually deeper (~ 125 μm) and richer boride layer, on titanium, compared that obtained by isothermal diffusion either at the equivalent temperature or at a higher temperature. This concept is quite promising for superior surface hardening of titanium and its alloys.
Which Is Better Local Therapy for HCC, RFA or TACE?

Loco-regional therapies such as radiofrequency ablation and transarterial chemoembolization have been used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma not suitable for resection and have proven to increase survival. To improve outcomes, it is important to identify patient populations who can be appropriately treated with these modalities.
The need for interdisciplinary undergraduate research

In 2009, the ACM/SIGGRAPH Education Committee established an Undergraduate Research Alliance [Undergraduate Research Alliance] to foster the development of undergraduate research, in computer graphics and interactive techniques, across all related disciplines. Since its inception, the Alliance has hosted sessions at the annual SIGGRAPH conferences to allow educators and other the chance to discuss what they have accomplished and what still needs to be done. If we in the SIGGRAPH community wish to continue to expand the envelope of knowledge, it is necessary that we engage students in the exploration of new ideas as early as possible in their education. The purpose of this poster, therefore, is to present a case study for undergraduate research with the hopes that it spurs others to join in this endeavor.
Semigroups with Zero Cohomology

Like other cohomology theories, commutative semigroup cohomology gives rise to the following problem:
Comparison of Line stress predictions with measured electromigration failure times

Reliability of today's interconnect lines in microelectronic devices is critical to product lifetime. The metal interconnects are carriers of large current densities and mechanical stresses, which can cause void formation or metal extrusion into the passivation leading to failure. The modeling and simulation of stress evolution caused by electromigration in interconnect lines and vias can provide a means for predicting the time to failure of the device. A tool was developed using MathCAD for simulation of electromigration-induced stress in VLSI interconnect structures using a model of electromigration induced stress. This model solves the equations governing atomic diffusion and stress evolution in one dimension. A numerical solution scheme has been implemented to calculate the atomic fluxes and the evolution of mechanical stress in interconnects. The effects of line geometries and overhangs, material properties and electromigration stress conditions have been included in the simulation. The tool has been used to simulate electromigration- induced stress in pure Cu interconnects and a comparison of line stress predictions with measured electromigration failure times is studied. Two basic limiting cases were studied to place some bounds on the results. For a lower bound estimate of the stress it was assumed that the interface can be treated like a grain boundary in Cu. For an upper bound estimate it was assumed that the interface can be treated like a free surface of Cu. Existing data from experimental samples with known structure geometries and electromigration failure times were used to compare the electromigration failure times with predicted stress build-up in the interconnect lines.
The Evo-Devo of Vocal Communication: Insights From Marmoset Monkeys

The vocal behavior of marmoset monkeys reveals that they exhibit developmental processes strikingly similar to early human vocal development. These processes include babblinglike vocal output and a role for social feedback in changing this output into mature-sounding vocalizations. We show how the rhythmicity of the autonomic nervous system may be part of the physiological mechanisms for how the early vocalizations are produced and how they are shaped by social feedback. We then propose that humans and marmosets may have converged on this similar vocal development trajectory because they both adopt a cooperative breeding strategy. While the similar behaviors are the result of convergent evolution (ie, Old World nonhuman primates do not exhibit them), the neural circuits underlying the behavior in marmoset monkeys and humans may be identical as mechanisms for neural development are highly constrained.
High energy, high repetition rate Nd:Glass laser technology

Nd:Glass lasers enable high energy, ultra high intensity pulses with 10PW peak power. Lasers technology with active cooling provides orders of magnitudes improved over previous shots rates will be discussed.
Dual-Regression Approach for High-Spatial-Resolution Infrared Soundings

The dual-regression (DR) retrieval algorithm is a fast computational procedure designed to maximize the information content; minimize the propagation of noise; and retrieve the most probable atmospheric profiles, cloud properties, and surface properties from satellite-observed high-spectral-resolution radiance measurements. DR is based on linear regression and includes geophysical classification and threshold tests to account for the nonlinearity of the retrieval problem. This algorithm can be used in real-time applications like convective storm forecasting and to provide profiles for their assimilation into numerical weather prediction (NWP) models. Here, the DR algorithm and the vertical dealiasing approach are described, and various case studies are presented.
The Essential Fact of Capitalism: On the Divergence of Hayekian and Schumpeterian Thought

Beyond private ownership of the means of production, what is the most important, or essential, fact of capitalism? Friedrich A. Hayek thought it was the economy of knowledge with which the system operated, whereas for Joseph A. Schumpeter it was the process of creative destruction. To our knowledge, the divergence of thought between these two Austrian-born economists on this fundamental question has gone unheralded in the vast literature devoted to them. In this paper we explore connections between this divergence and the thoughts they had about business cycles, and, ultimately, on the answers they gave to the question: Can capitalism survive?
Anesthesia for Open AAA

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) affect approximately 9% of men and 2% of women, with a strong predilection in adults >65 years old and smokers. The mortality of ruptured AAA approaches 90% and it is the 15th leading cause of death in adults 60 years and older. Endovascular aneurysm repair has quickly replaced open repair for infra-renal AAA, accounting for over 80% of all AAA repairs in the US. Compared to endovascular treatment options, open repair remains the definitive treatment, with proven long-term risk reduction of aneurysm rupture. Careful preoperative optimization is required to reduce perioperative morbidity and mortality. Special attention is given to pre-existing cardiovascular, renal, pulmonary, and neurologic co-morbidities. Invasive cardiovascular monitoring and large bore intravenous access are required in anticipation of rapid hemodynamic shifts during the critical stages of aortic clamping and unclamping.
The Role of Antiandrogens in the Treatment of Sex Offenders

The purpose of this chapter is to present data and discussion pertaining to the use of an antiandrogenic hormone, in combination with psychologic counseling, in the treatment of sex offenders.
Three Tesla Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Comparison of Performance with and without Endorectal Coil for Prostate Cancer Detection, PI-RADS™ version 2 Category and Staging with Whole Mount Histopathology Correlation.

Purpose:We investigated the performance of 3 Tesla multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging with and without an endorectal coil to detect prostate cancer with a whole mount histopathology referen...
Experimentally induced nostalgia reduces the amplitude of the event-related negativity

To initiate a neuroscientific approach to the science of nostalgia, we conducted an experiment testing distinct hypotheses involving the effects of nostalgia on the event-related negativity (ERN). ...
A longitudinal study of event related potentials and correlations with psychosocial functioning and clinical features in first episode psychosis patients.

Abstract Background Deficits in auditory event-related potentials (ERPs), brain responses to stimuli indexing different cognitive processes, have been demonstrated widely in chronic schizophrenia (SZ) patients though much less is known about these responses across the early course of psychosis. The present study examined multiple ERP components in first episode psychosis (FEP) patients longitudinally and investigated the relationships between ERPs, psychosocial functioning, and clinical features over time. Methods N1, P2, P3a, and P3b ERPs were elicited using a three-stimulus (novelty) auditory oddball paradigm. FEP patients included SZ-spectrum and psychotic bipolar disorder (BD) diagnoses. Data were collected from 41 patients at baseline, 20 patients at 12-month follow-up, 14 at 24-month follow-up, and 29 healthy control subjects. Results N1 and P2 ERPs were intact across the early stages of psychosis. Baseline P2 was significantly larger in BD than SZ patients. Reduced P3a and P3b ERPs were found in patients followed longitudinally and are stable over time. ERPs tracked distinct aspects of symptomology and medication, though specific associations were inconsistent across time. Baseline P3a amplitude predicted later psychosocial functioning. The pattern of correlations between ERP components in patients differed from controls. Discussion Baseline P3a ERP, and PANSS general score were significant and independent predictors of later MCAS functioning at 12-month. Overall, individuals with worse functioning and greater symptomology produced smaller amplitudes. Our results highlight the heterogeneity within the FEP population. Correlation patterns among ERPs are similar between patients and controls. P3a and P3b amplitudes appear to link with higher-order cognitive and psychosocial functioning.
Low-Income Black and Hispanic Children's Neighborhood Food Environments and Weight Trajectories in Early Childhood.

ABSTRACT Background High obesity rates among young black and Hispanic children place them at a higher risk for adult obesity and its co-morbidities. Neighborhoods with predominately racial and ethnic minority residents have fewer healthful food options, which may contribute to obesity disparities. Yet few studies have assessed the relationship between neighborhood food environments and obesity in this population. Methods Electronic health records from two pediatric primary care clinics serving predominately low-income, black and Hispanic children were used to create a cohort of 3,724 2-5 year-olds, encompassing 7,256 visits from 2007 to 2012 (mean 1.9 visits per patient, range: 1-5 visits per child). Longitudinal regression was used to model the association of mean body mass index z-score (BMI-z) over time and 3 measures of the neighborhood food environment: healthful food availability, availability of stores accepting the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) benefits, and fast food availability. Results Compared to peers in neighborhoods with no or few stores accepting WIC, children in neighborhoods with many WIC stores had higher BMI-z at age 2 years (average difference of 0.272 95% CI 0.041 – 0.503; p=0.021). No relationship was found for healthful food or fast food availability. Although children in neighborhoods with low fast food availability did not have statistically significantly different BMI-z at age 2 as compared to children in areas with high fast food availability, they did have a statistically significantly higher change in average BMI-z over time (0.006 per month, 0.000 – 0.012, p=0.024). Conclusions Access to WIC stores was associated with lower obesity rates and more healthful average BMI-z over time and represents a potentially important neighborhood food environment characteristic influencing racial/ethnic disparities in childhood obesity among young black and Hispanic children. More studies are needed to assess what aspects of WIC stores may underlie the observed association.
Risk Factors for Failed Closed Reduction of Pediatric Distal Radius Fractures

Purpose Distal radius fractures (DRFs) are common pediatric injuries typically treated with closed reduction and casting. A substantial number of these fractures fail nonsurgical management, occasionally requiring surgical intervention. Risk factors associated with an unsuccessful initial closed reduction (UIR) attempt or loss of reduction (LOR) after a successful closed reduction remain poorly characterized. Methods This was a retrospective investigation of pediatric patients with displaced DRFs treated by closed reduction and casting at a single children’s hospital from 2013 to 2017. Patient factors (age, sex, and body mass index) and radiographic measurements (fracture type, fracture displacement, associated ulna fracture, and cast index) were evaluated to determine risk factors for UIR and LOR. Results We identified 159 children (118 boys, mean age, 11 ± 3 years) with DRFs who underwent closed reduction and casting. An initial acceptable reduction was achieved in 81% of patients, and LOR occurred in 21.7%. Higher initial fracture translation in the sagittal or coronal plane and higher initial angulation in the coronal plane were associated with higher fluoroscopy times. Higher initial translation in the sagittal plane was independently associated with UIR. After closed reduction, residual translation in the sagittal plane and cast index were independent predictors for LOR. Fractures that were completely displaced in the sagittal plane were 6.2 times less likely to undergo an acceptable initial reduction, and fractures with any residual postreduction translation in the sagittal plane were 4.7 times more likely to demonstrate LOR. Conclusions The most important factors predicting failure of nonsurgical management of pediatric DRFs are translation in the sagittal plane and cast index greater than 0.80. To optimize patient outcomes, these variables should be recognized by the treating provider and emphasized during simulation training of orthopedic and plastic surgery residents. Type of study/level of evidence Prognostic III.
Role Assignment for Energy-Efficient Data Gathering Using Internet of Underwater Things.

This paper addresses the problem of minimizing a network-wide energy consumption in Internet of underwater things (IoUT) devices which are given a mission to survey an underwater area of interest by letting each device in the IoUT act as a sensor, an aggregator, a relay, or an inactivate device. A framework is provided, in which a role is assigned to each device in the IoUT. In this framework, we formulate an optimization problem to minimize the total energy consumption with constraints over binary role assignment decision variables. A genetic algorithm (GA) is devised to solve the formulated optimization problem. Simulation results show that the proposed framework can significantly save energy compared to a baseline approach, where there is no data aggregation. Results also illustrate that the proposed GA provides performance close to the optimal solution, which is obtained through exhaustive search.
Maternal Characteristics that Impact Postpartum Weight Retention: Results from the 2016 Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Follow-Up Study.

To identify maternal characteristics associated with 24-month postpartum weight retention. Data were collected from the 2016 Los Angeles Mommy and Baby (LAMB) Follow-Up Survey, a population-based prospective cohort study that assesses maternal and infant health in Los Angeles County. In 2014, LAMB initially surveyed 6035 women 6 months following a live birth. The 2016 LAMB Follow-Up reevaluated this same cohort after the index child’s second birthday. 2679 women completed 2016 LAMB Follow-Up (52% adjusted response rate). The final sample size was 1524 after excluding subjects with subsequent pregnancies after the index child and missing information for postpartum weight. Eight predictors were included in this analysis: gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy BMI, exercise, depressed mood since having child, age, race, education, and job loss during pregnancy. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses were performed using SAS 9.3. Two years after delivery, women with postpartum weight retention weighed on average of 15.3 lb. more than before the index pregnancy. Women were more likely to retain postpartum weight when they exceeded gestational weight gain guidelines (AOR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.40–2.93), did not exercise (AOR = 3.32, CI = 1.85–5.98), were between ages 20–29 (AOR = 1.54, CI = 1.01–2.36), were Hispanic (AOR = 1.51, CI = 1.02–2.24), completed high school only (AOR = 1.77, CI = 1.15–2.73), or lost a job during pregnancy (AOR = 2.62, CI = 1.39–4.93). Modifiable risk factors and sociodemographic characteristics can impact maternal weight retention 24 months after pregnancy. Understanding postpartum weight retention is essential for guiding future public health research, programming, and policy. Tailoring appropriate public health interventions may help women sustain healthy weight during their reproductive years and beyond.
Identification of Elastic Properties of Composites by Inversion of Ultrasonic Guided Wave Data

Given the inherent manufacturing variabilities and potential for in-service damage of composite parts, the identification of the elastic properties of composites is important to ensuring the safety and the proper performance of the part. The primary objective of this manuscript is to determine, nondestructively, the elastic properties of composite parts, whether as in-situ components that are part of a larger system, or as laboratory coupons. The proposed technique is based on multimode and dispersive ultrasonic guided waves propagating along a single direction, and the inversion of their phase velocity dispersion curves. The inversion procedure utilizes an efficient Semi-Analytical Finite Element method to solve the forward problem, and a Simulated Annealing algorithm as the optimization tool. The method is particularly well-suited for the characterization of composite laminates. In particular, the manuscript presents experimental evidence of the effectiveness of this technique, that was suggested earlier in a solely numerical work previously conducted by the authors. The test results show that reasonable accuracy can be obtained in the identification of four in-plane and three out-of-plane engineering constants of a quasi-isotropic laminate and a highly anisotropic laminate utilizing the single wave propagation direction. Non-obvious sensitivities of certain wave modes to particular constants are explained on the basis of stress coupling phenomena that are revealed by the SAFE wave propagation models. The study gives experimental evidence of the suitability of ultrasonic guided wave inversion schemes to identify the engineering constants of laminated composites, with the potential to properly characterize parts in-situ, because of the insensitivity of guided waves to boundary conditions located outside of the transmitter–receiver path.
Tuna: A Static Analysis Approach to Optimizing Deep Neural Networks.

We introduce Tuna, a static analysis approach to optimizing deep neural network programs. The optimization of tensor operations such as convolutions and matrix multiplications is the key to improving the performance of deep neural networks. Many deep learning model optimization mechanisms today use dynamic analysis, which relies on experimental execution on a target device to build a data-driven cost model of the program. The reliance on dynamic profiling not only requires access to target hardware at compilation time but also incurs significant cost in machine resources. We introduce an approach that profiles the program by constructing features based on the target hardware characteristics in order. We use static analysis of the relative performance of tensor operations to optimize the deep learning program. Experiments show that our approach can achieve up to 11x performance compared to dynamic profiling based methods with the same compilation time.
Intelligent Computation of Presentation Documents

Intelligent presentation of data requires flexibility of expression based on user needs and data content, both of which evolve. This flexibility is not offered by the current generation of database management systems. To address this problem systematically we are developing editing tools to quickly build intelligent, user-tailored presentation systems for databases.
Purification, Properties, and Regulation of Glutamic Dehydrogenase of Bacillus licheniformis

Cell-free extracts of Bacillus licheniformis and B. cereus were found to contain high specific activities of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADP)-dependent-l-glutamate dehydrogenase [EC 1.4.1.4; l-glutamate: NADP oxidoreductase (deaminating)]. Maximum specific activities were found in extracts of cells during the late exponential phase of growth when ammonium ion served as the sole source of nitrogen. Extremely low specific activities were detected throughout the growth cycle when l-glutamate or Casamino Acids served as the source of carbon and nitrogen. The enzyme was purified 55-fold from crude extracts of B. licheniformis, and apparent kinetic constants were determined. Sigmoidal saturation kinetics were not observed, and various adenylates had no effect on the enzyme. Repression of enzyme synthesis during growth on l-glutamate or Casamino Acids was partially overcome by additions of glucose or pyruvate, and this apparent derepression was totally abolished by inhibitors of ribonucleic acid and protein synthesis. Similarly, additions of l-glutamate or Casamino Acids to cells growing on glucose-ammonium ion resulted in strong repression of enzyme synthesis. It is suggested that the enzyme serves an anabolic role in metabolism. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase activity was not detected in five species of Bacillus, irrespective of nutritional conditions or of the physiological age of cells.
L-Asparaginase Production by Erwinia aroideae

Maximum yields of 1,250 IU (international unit)/g (dry weight of cells) of L-asparaginase were obtained in 8 hr from Erwinia aroideae NRRL B-138. Partial purification and concentration of the extracted L-asparaginase yielded a preparation with an activity of 275 IU/ml. Only one L-asparaginase was present as determined by electrophoresis, and the enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 7.5 and a Km of 3 × 10-3 M.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α as a Genetic Determinant of Cardiac Hypertrophic Growth

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) occurs in response to a long-term increase in hemodynamic load related to a variety of physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The cardiac hypertrophic response is considered to be purely adaptive during postnatal growth stages and in response to exercise training. In contrast, pathological forms of LVH, such as that caused by hypertension, often enter a phase of pathological remodeling that leads to contractile dysfunction and ultimately to heart failure. These observations suggest that certain components of the pathological cardiac hypertrophic response are maladaptive, contributing to a pathological remodeling response. Previous studies have demonstrated that left ventricular (LV) mass is a risk factor for future cardiac events in patients with pathological forms of LVH.1,2⇓ Of interest is the fact that clinical studies also have revealed significant variability in LV mass, independent of blood pressure, among individuals with LVH, suggesting that the hypertrophic response is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.3,4⇓ See Circulation . 2002;105:950–955. Despite evidence for genetic determinants of the LVH phenotype in humans, little is known about the specific genes involved. The results of previous studies have suggested a role for the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) insertion/deletion genotype as a predictor of the cardiac hypertrophic response.5,6⇓ Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is caused by mutations in genes encoding a variety of sarcomeric proteins, providing another potential genetic link.7 However, convincing evidence for genetic modifiers of the ventricular hypertrophic response due to common diseases such as hypertension generally is lacking. In the February 26, 2002, issue of Circulation , the report by Jamshidi et al8 demonstrates a potential link between the gene encoding the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and the magnitude of LVH in humans. Jamshidi et al8 found that a single-nucleotide polymorphism within intron 7 of the PPARα gene (PPARα-GC) …
Plant Cell Division and its Unique Features

In plant cells, mitosis involves many of the same ancestral components found in other eukaryotic cells, and the fundamental mitotic stages are similarly conserved. However, during the 1600 million years since plants and animals last shared a common ancestor, evolution has resulted in the appearance of unique (derived) features that reflect the evolutionary trajectory of plants. Unlike animal cells, plant cells are constrained by a cellulosic wall that largely precludes cell migration during overall development of the plant. Not only is cell migration limited by the wall, but this rigid matrix affects the character of the cytokinetic apparatus, which functions in a centrifugally expanding manner, rather than in a centripetally furrowing fashion. Another unique feature of plant cytokinesis involves the early determination (in G2) of the placement of the new cell plate, which has a long-lasting impact on plants cells, tissues and organs in the developing plant. Key Concepts: The formation of the bipolar spindle involves multiple pathways. Although plant cell division has several derived features, plants make use of a highly conserved set of tools that are used by all eukaryotes during cell division. The preprophase band is a mitotic structure unique to plants (and some green algae) that functions in the formation of the prophase spindle and presages the location of the future cell plate at cytokinesis. Flowering plants lack centrioles and focused microtubule organising centres, but nonetheless, a bipolar spindle is assembled in most plant cells at prophase. Cytokinesis involves the construction of a new cell plate that is constructed in a centrifugal fashion by the phragmoplast (which arises from the remnants of the anaphase spindle). Keywords: cell division; plants; cytoskeleton; development; microtubules; preprophase band; phragmoplast
Diurnal Variation in Cerebrospinal Fluid Prolactin Concentration of the Rhesus Monkey

PRL immunoreactivity in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of the rhesus monkey was found to undergo a diurnal variation. Hourly samples of CSF from four adult male rhesus monkeys showed a mean peak PRL immunoreactivity of 6.30 ± 2.53 ng±ml at 0200 h and a mean minimum concentration at 1500 h of 3.15 ± .68 ng/ml. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a significant diurnal variation in the concentration of an anterior pituitary peptide hormone in CSF. (J Clin Endocrlnol Metab 52: 857, 1981)
Traumatic wound breakdown following baha™ implant.

OBJECTIVES To highlight the importance of recognizing and managing severe peri-operative and post-operative soft tissue complications of baha™ osseointegrated implants. To discuss a patient with severe post-traumatic peri-operative and post-operative scalp complications following baha™ surgery, including management options. STUDY DESIGN Case report and literature review of post-operative soft tissue complications of baha™ osseointegrated implants. METHODS (CASE SUMMARY): A patient presented with a severe right sided mixed hearing loss and was treated with a baha™ osseointegrated implant. Post-operatively, the patient suffered trauma to the site and developed a severe traumatic wound infection, with complete dehiscence of the split thickness skin graft. The patient was treated with oral antibiotics and meticulous, aggressive local wound care. Operative management was considered but not implemented. Full healing with ability to use the device successfully was achieved. RESULTS The patient healed completely and did not require revision surgery. He now has serviceable hearing after benefiting from the baha™ implant. CONCLUSIONS Although post-operative complications following baha™ surgery are infrequent and commonly mild, the surgeon will rarely be encountered by a severe soft tissue complication as described. Aggressive local wound care included culture-guided antibiotic therapy is indicated prior to performing revision surgery.
A comparative study of mandibular growth patterns in seven animal models

The use of nonhuman primate experimental models has helped make significant contributions toward the clinical and surgical management of patients with craniofacial disorders. With concerns such as increasing cost, however, alternative models will have to be identified. The present comparative study describes baseline, age-related changes in mandibular growth patterns for seven commonly used animal models. The data was obtained from 144 serial and cross-sectional lateral head radiographs of unoperated control animals from a number of previous craniofacial growth studies. The sample consisted of 26 rats, 21 rabbits, 21 domestic cats, 23 domestic dogs, 17 baboons, 16 rhesus monkeys, and 20 chimpanzees. Comparative human data were taken from the Bolton Standards. The samples were divided into three age categories: infant, juvenile, and adult. Mandibular growth measurements included overall mandibular length, ramal height, and body height. Comparative analysis consisted of the calculation of percent increase from the infant condition. For all measurements, three major clusters could be discerned: 1) humans, chimps, and rhesus monkeys; 2) dogs and baboons; and 3) cats, rats, and rabbits. Results suggested that for the dimensions studied, long-term mandibular growth was best modeled by short-faced primates, and in particular, the chimpanzee. In addition, dogs and rats showed similar relative percent changes in different regions from juvenile through adulthood stages, which suggests that these animals may be acceptable, inexpensive alternatives to primates in certain experimental situations.
Beyond the Proxy Vote: Dialogues between Shareholder Activists and Corporations

The popular view of shareholder activism focuses on shareholder resolutions and the shareholder vote via proxy statements at the annual meeting, which is treated as a “David vs. Goliath” showdown between the small group of socially responsible investors and the powerful corporation. This article goes beyond the popular view to examine where the real action typically occurs – in the Dialogue process where corporations and shareholder activist groups mutually agree to ongoing communications to deal with a serious social issue. Use of the capitalized word “Dialogue” is intended to distinguish this formal process between corporations and shareholders from all the other forms of dialogue or two-way communication exchanged between a corporation and its stakeholders. The phenomenon of Dialogue between a corporation and dissident shareholders has not been analyzed in the academic literature or in the popular press because it occurs behind the scenes and out of sight from media scrutiny. Yet this is where a great deal of social change initiated by shareholder activists is negotiated. This article contributes both theoretically and empirically to the study of Dialogues between shareholder activists and corporations. We explain how Dialogues occur in the context of the shareholder resolution process and examine two Dialogues that focus on international labor issues in two industries. Then data on Dialogues during the period, 1999–2005, from the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility are analyzed. This research contributes to knowledge about the Dialogue process and the emerging literature on corporation–stakeholder engagement.
Ion transporter and channel mutations in Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes of inherited hypokalemic alkalosis

The use of modern molecular genetics techniques in defining the pathogenesis of classic diseases in clinical nephrology is exemplified by a recent description of the molecular basis of Bartter's and Gitelman's syndromes. A series of recent studies has identified specific mutations in 4 different genes, each of which causes hypokalemic alkalosis, salt wasting and hypotension. The importance of these gentic studies in understanding renal physiology and the regulation of blood pressure, and in developing new therapeutic strategies, is discusseds.
Magnetic microstructures and their dynamics studied by X-ray microscopy.

Full-field soft X-ray microscopy in combination with X-ray magnetic circular dichroism as contrast mechanism is a powerful technique to image with elemental specificity magnetic nanostructures and multilayered thin films at high lateral resolution down to 15 nm by using Fresnel zone plates as X-ray optical elements. Magnetization reversal phenomena on a microscopic level are studied by recording the images in varying external magnetic fields. Local spin dynamics at a time resolution below 100 ps can be addressed by engaging a stroboscopic pump-and-probe scheme taking into account the time pattern of synchrotron storage rings. Characteristic features of magnetic soft X-ray microscopy are reviewed and an outlook into future perspectives with regard to increased lateral and temporal resolution is given.
Origin of Cholesterol in Myelin

We review some of the older literature concerning metabolic turnover of cholesterol in the nervous system. The overall picture is that incorporation of radioactive precursors into brain cholesterol is roughly proportional to the rate of myelination and that, once incorporated, radioactive cholesterol is relatively stable metabolically. We outline a strategy for demonstrating the source (local synthesis or uptake from circulation) of cholesterol in brain. The experimental design involves determining the rate of accumulation of cholesterol; this is calculated as the increasing amounts of sterol in brain at successive time intervals during development. The rate of appearance of newly synthesized cholesterol is determined from incorporation of radioactivity from 3H20 (injected i.p. several hours prior to sacrifice) into cholesterol. The radioactivity associated with the sterol fractions and the specific activity of body water determined from the serum can be used to calculate the absolute amount of sterol newly synthesized during the time when 3H20 was present. The results obtained demonstrated that all of the bulk cholesterol accumulating in brain can be accounted for by newly synthesized cholesterol. None of the radioactive cholesterol came from the circulation, since cholesterol feeding suppressed cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver and specific radioactivity of circulating cholesterol was negligible. Thus, almost all cholesterol accumulating in brain during development is locally synthesized.
Effect of estradiol and progesterone on long chain fatty acyl-coenzyme A levels in the rat uterus

Abstract Fatty acyl-CoAs are potential in vivo inactivators of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD). Ovariectomized mature rats ( n = 74) were given 5 μg of estradiol intravenously, then killed 0, 24, 36, 48 and 72 h later. Control levels of myristoyl-, palmitoyl-, stearoyl-, arachidonoyl-, oleoyl- and linoleoyl-CoA were 0.6, 3.2, 4.7, 3.4, 2.4 and 3.0 μg/uterus and were increased 39, 110, 146, 100, 84 and 69% at 36–48 h, respectively. Levels of fatty acyl-CoAs in the rat uterus become elevated 36 h after estradiol treatment. At the same time G6PD changes from a stable enzyme to one that is irreversibly inactivated, possibly due to being rapidly degraded. Progesterone (2 mg subcutaneously every 12 h, n = 30), administered beginning at either 24 or 36 h after estradiol treatment, had no effect on estradiol-induced changes in myristoyl-, palmitoyl-, or stearoyl-CoA. Compared to the groups of rats treated with estradiol alone, animals treated with combinations of estradiol and progesterone exhibited higher levels of arachidonoyl-CoA after 48 h, and oleoyl-CoA and linoleoyl-CoA were greater after 72 h. Progesterone increased the estradiol-induced levels of unsaturated fatty acyl-CoAs suggesting that progesterone may induce uterine fatty acid desaturase activity and/or uptake of dietary fatty acids. Addition of fatty acyl-CoAs, at concentrations seen in vivo at 36–48 h after estradiol, to purified G6PD, causes irreversible G6PD inactivation.
Oriented Aggregation: Formation and Transformation of Mesocrystal Intermediates Revealed

Oriented aggregation is a special case of aggregation in which nanocrystals self-assemble and form new secondary single crystals. This process has been suggested to proceed via an intermediate state known as the mesocrystal, in which the nanocrystals have parallel crystallographic alignment but are spatially separated. We present the first direct observations of mesocrystals with size and shape similar to product oriented aggregates by employing cryo-TEM to directly image the particles in aqueous suspension. The cryo-TEM images reveal that mesocrystals not only form but also transform to the final single crystal product while in the dispersed state. Further, high-resolution cryo-TEM images demonstrate that the mesocrystals are composed of spatially separated and crystallographically aligned nanocrystals.
Micro-reaction chamber electrodes for neural stimulation and recording

Biocompatible electrodes with smaller geometric area are preferred to improve the selectivity of the neural recording and stimulation applications. We introduce the concept of a micro-reaction chamber (μRC) in which a volume within the electrode back plane is used to confine and sequester the electrochemical reactions used for charge passage. The URC electrode design helps decrease impedance and improves the charge storage capacity without altering the geometry of the active site. Here we demonstrate that μRC electrodes fabricated from 50 μm diameter microwire have significantly improved charge storage capacity and lowered impedance at physiologically relevant frequencies in phosphate buffered saline solution compared with other designs.
Interface Trap Density and Mobility Characterization of Silicon Carbide MOSFET Inversion Layers

Silicon Carbide (SiC) based metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFETs) were fabricated and characterized using gated hall measurements with different p-type substrate doping concentration (7.2X1016cm-3 and 2X1017 cm-3). An interface trap state density of 5X1013 cm-2eV-1 was observed nearly 0.1 eV above the conduction band edge leading to the conclusion that these states are present in the silicon dioxide rather than the interface. The Hall mobility of the MOSFETs decreased from 26.5 to 20 cm2/Vs as the doping was increased from 7.2X1016 to 2X1017cm-3. The decrease in mobility is primarily due to an increase in the surface electric field that causes an increase in surface roughness scattering. The inversion layer mobility when plotted as a function of average surface electric field is not independent of doping concentration as is the case in silicon MOSFETs because the dominant scattering mechanism is not phonon scattering.