cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WOMEN IN THE OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE: THE EXPERIENCE OF TOKENISM

Women are more prominent today in Oklahoma politics than in days past, yet the state's long heritage of social conservatism and traditionalism remains an impediment to women's success in legislative politics. As a result, women in the Oklahoma Legislature face the kind of performance pressures that organizational scholar Rosabeth Moss Kanter describes as "tokenism" (Kanter, 1977).
Aspergillus flavus-secreted proteins during an in vivo fungal-cotton carpel tissue interaction

Abstract Cotton bolls ( Gossypium hirsutum ) were inoculated with Aspergillus flavus to investigate extracellular hydrolases produced during infection. Fungal proteins from the infection site were isolated and analyzed by SDS-PAGE. Protein bands were excised and analyzed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We identified several proteins including an exoglucanase 1 precursor (AFL2G_03805), a hypothetical protein similar to rhamnogalacturonan lyase A (AFL2G_05136), and a hypothetical protein similar to pectate lyase A (AFL2G_05954). We also matched three peptides to an oryzin precursor protein (AFL2G_01995). Our findings support the conclusion that glucanase, pectinolytic, and proteolytic proteins are important for fungal maceration of cotton carpel tissue during infection.
Disasters and Social Inequalities

In this article, I review recent research on the relationship between social inequalities and disasters, focusing on the areas of social vulnerability to disaster and social inequalities in disaster recovery. I highlight how race, class, and gender structure the disaster experience such that marginalized populations are most vulnerable to the negative consequences of a disaster and face significant challenges in recovery. Then, I discuss the next steps for advancing disaster studies. First, scholars should work to develop improved methodologies for disaster research. Second, theoretical work on defining, theorizing, and classifying disasters is needed. Finally, the field should incorporate other intersectional dimensions of social inequality into the study of disasters.
Using Sociological Theory to Defuse Anti-Arab/Muslim Nativism and Accelerate Social Integration

For three days after the 9/11 attacks, hundreds of angry suburbanites gathered to surround and lay siege to the bounded neighborhood hosting the Mosque Foundation in Bridgeview, Illinois. I concluded from a two and one-half year ethnographic study of the post-9/11 experience of Arab Muslims in metropolitan Chicago that the underlying sociological conditions giving rise to these post-9/11 events were racialized and nativist understandings held by a significant proportion of southwest suburban whites that positioned Arab and Muslim Americans as cultural threats to their communities. Armed with this knowledge, I designed a research project, outlined here, that included a social action component with the objective of expediting the social and civic integration of Arab and Muslim Americans in metropolitan Chicago.
Management Earnings Forecast Bias and Insider Trading: Comparison of Distressed and Non-Distressed Firms

This study investigates the association between bias in earnings forecasts released by managers of financially distressed firms and subsequent insider trading. Prior studies have documented optimism in such forecasts. Given this finding, this study investigates whether this optimism is systematically related to opportunistic management behavior or a sincere belief (by management) that their firm's financial situation is going to get better. Abnormal insider trading in the post management forecast period is examined to test these alternative explanations. The findings for the full sample are consistent with the opportunistic view, however the trading activity of non-managerial insiders seems to be the primary driver.
Long-term care planning and preferences among Japanese American baby boomers: Comparison with non-Japanese Americans

Aims Nikkei (Japanese American) communities are known to be forerunners for building culturally sensitive long-term care (LTC) services and programs. Existing literature highlights evolving cultural shifts among Nikkei communities as well as the baby boomers from the previous aging cohort. The present study's primary purpose was to examine Japanese American (JA) boomers' perceptions about their LTC planning compared with their non-JA counterparts. JA's residential and care preferences were also examined. Methods The study applied survey methodology with a total of 499 “boomers” (age 51–71 years) in the state of Washington. Data obtained from JA (n = 264) were compared with the data from non-JA Washingtonians (non-JA, n = 235). Data from an additional subset of questions asking JA's preferences for retirement/LTC facilities were also analyzed. Results The findings showed similarities and differences between the two groups. No group differences were found with regard to caregiving experiences, exposure to LTC, expectation of requiring future LTC or physical proximity to their adult children. JA boomers, however, showed more knowledge about LTC-related facts, stronger preference to avoid becoming dependent on their families and a higher rate of LTC insurance purchases. JA boomers ranked higher preferences on culturally universal elements (e.g. transportation services, Internet access) for their retirement and LTC facilities over Japanese cultural-specific elements. JA boomers also preferred to reside with a mixture of racial/ethnic residents. Conclusions The present study suggests that the LTC industry including JA communities should accommodate boomers' retirement plans and preferences with a multicultural selection of services and settings. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2016; 16: 1074–1084.
Rousseau, Bataille, et le principe de l'utilité classique

L'A. essaie ici de degager certains moments de la reflexion politique et anthropologique de Rousseau qui puissent se preter a un eclaicissement et/ou a une critique dans l'optique de la pensee de Bataille.
Basal cell adenoma of prostate

A case of basal cell adenoma originating in the prostate is presented. This lesion might develop from proliferation of basal epithelial cells of the prostate gland under unknown mechanism.
What do “eating peptides” really control? Potent stimulation of food acquisition by AgRP

motivated or goal-directed behaviors are characterized by two principal phases. In the appetitive phase, organisms show increased activity, including the execution of learned behavior sequences that will bring them in contact with an appropriate goal object. This phase is often, but not always,
Unspeakable Spaces racisms past and present on exhibit in Stockholm, or the unaddressable addressed

The denials, displacements, and collective amnesia often associated with Sweden's widespread cultural racism are explored through bringing three unspeakable spaces into conjunction and tension with one another: a "wax cab' inet and anatomical museum" in Stockholm during the 1890s; a resurrection of that same exhibition during 1999; and Stockholm's principal downtown square, which in 1999 was being considered for radical architectual redesign in order to make it more "human." In each instance the taken for granted, the for gotten, the taboo–laden, the literally unsay able, and the absolutely appalingare shown to be mutually enmeshed. [Cultural racism, dis(re)membering, popular imagination, stereotypes, the taken for granted).
Osmoregulation inThiobacillus ferrooxidans: Stimulation of iron oxidation by proline and betaine under salt stress

The osmoregulatory mechanisms of chemolithotrophs have not previously been investigated. We tested glutamic acid, proline, and betaine as potential osmorprotectants for the acidic chemolithotrophThiobacillus ferrooxidans. Salt stresses were imposed by NaCl, KCl, Na2SO4, and K2SO4 in separate experiments. Proline enhanced rates of iron oxidation in all saltstressed cultures, whereas betaine acted as an osmoprotectant only in sulfate-salt-stressed cultures and in cultures severely stressed by NaCl (0.3–0.4M). Glutamic acid inhibited iron oxidation in all cases.
The effect of thymosin on murine lymphocyte responses and corticosteroid levels during acute reovirus type 3 infection of neonatal mice.

Abstract The effect of thymosin on murine lymphocytes was studied in neonatal mice infected with reovirus type 3 (reo-3). Neonatal mice (24- to 36-hr-old) infected by intraperitoneal injection of reo-3 were treated with thymosin at age 7 days. The maturation of thymic lymphocytes of treated and normal mice was measured 1 and 7 days later using the spleen cell transformation response to concanavalin A and phytohemagglutinin P and the delayed type hypersensitivity response to oxazolone. Although thymosin administered to 7-day-old infected mice resulted in a substantial enhancement of survival, these mice failed to exhibit increased T-cell responses to concanavalin A or phytohemagglutinin P or elevated delayed hypersensitivity to oxazolone sensitization. Normal 7-day-old mice treated in an identical manner with thymosin exhibited an increase in spleen-lymphocyte response to concanavalin A and an increase of the delayed hypersensitivity. Thymosin injected into reo-3-infected mice resulted in a decrease in the relatively high plasma corticosterone levels.
Antibiotic resistance in ICUs: a multifaceted problem requiring a multifaceted solution.

Antibiotics are a remarkable class of drugs and have had a major impact on public health.1 Early in this century, infectious diseases were among the most common causes of death. Deaths from these diseases have since decreased dramatically in the US population, largely because of antibiotics. Unfortunately, some of these same diseases are reemerging, largely because the agents that cause them have developed resistance to antibiotics.2 Controlling antibiotic resistance is exceedingly important. Newer agents are almost always more costly. If resistance has occurred to the drug of choice, alternative choices often are more toxic, eg, antituberculous agents. However, we are now faced with the loss of efficacy of antibiotics-something we have not really faced since their introduction as a class of drugs. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become essentially untreatable in a large percentage of cases.3 What is the way out of this pressing problem? We no longer can rely on pharmaceutical companies to bail us out of this predicament. Antibiotic drug discovery waned in the late 1980s. Bringing a new drug to market is an enormous expense-one that has to be profitable for the company.4 From a business standpoint, money spent on antibiotic drug discovery might be better spent on other classes of pharmaceuticals. Think about it. What other class of new drugs loses efficacy the moment the drugs are released for widescale use? Signs are developing that the industry has increased their antibiotic discovery efforts, in some cases dramatically, but we are years away from seeing the fruits of these labors. Indeed, drug companies cannot guarantee they will find a new class of antibiotics to heal what ails our patients. Since the introduction of quinolones in the 1980s, no new class of antibiotics has been introduced. Recent reports have shown that resistance to quinolones occurred with alarming swiftness.5,6 The problem of antibiotic resistance in hospitals cannot be solved solely by the repetitive introduction of new antibiotics. That strategy would be too costly and ultimately would fail.
Probing the structures of redox polymers

Insoluble, macroporous styrene-divinylbenzene copolymers bearing functional groups of two general types were synthesized. Oxidizing functional groups include N-halosulfonamides and N-alkyl-N-halosulfonamides. Both of these subtypes can disinfect water and perform oxidations expected of positive halogen. Methods for analyzing the active halogen content are discussed. The reducing functional groups include mercapto and sulfonylhydrazine. The thiolated polymers can remove heavy metals from water while the sulfonylhydrazine polymers can combine with carbonyl compounds and serve as a source of diimine. The sulfonylhydrazine group is readily quantified by oxidizing it with hypochlorite. Analysis of the mercapto group content presents some difficulties owing to the inability of all the SH groups to form disulfide linkages in highly crosslinked polymers. Alternative methods of analysis are presented.
Fragrance material review on 3,4,5,6,6-pentamethylheptan-2-ol

Abstract A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 3,4,5,6,6-pentamethylheptan-2-ol when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. 3,4,5,6,6-Pentamethylheptan-2-ol is a member of the fragrance structural group branched chain saturated alcohols. The common characteristic structural elements of the alcohols with saturated branched chain are one hydroxyl group per molecule, and a C 4 –C 12 carbon chain with one or several methyl side chains. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to this individual fragrance ingredient and is not intended as a stand-alone document. A safety assessment of the entire branched chain saturated alcohol group will be published simultaneously with this document; please refer to Belsito et al. (2010) for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all other branched chain saturated alcohols in fragrances.
Modified Zener Model for Ferromagnetism in Transition Metals and Alloys—Model Calculations of T C

An essential feature of the modified Zener model for ferromagnetism in transition metals and alloys is the coupling of an itinerant $d$ electron to a localized spin in accordance with Hund's rule. In contrast to the Stoner-Wohlfarth model for ferromagnetism, this model takes into account the Hund's-rule effects and the orbital degeneracy of the $d$ electrons. The exchange-enhanced dynamic susceptibility is calculated, and from its singularity in the static long-wavelength limit, the Curie temperature ${T}_{C}$ is calculated as a function of bandwidth, the exchange interactions, and the number of itinerant $d$ electrons per atom where a fcc tight-binding density of states is assumed. The results of the model calculation of ${T}_{C}$ are compared to results for a pure itinerant-electron ferromagnet of the Stoner-Wohlfarth type and compared to experimental results for ${T}_{C}$ as a function of pressure. The calculated ${T}_{C}$ is found consistent with the experimental data. The unusual excitation spectrum for the modified Zener model is also discussed.
Race, Marriage, and Sovereignty in the New World Order

Racially restrictive marriage laws lay at the intersection of state claims of domestic sovereignty and federal obligations to protect the constitutional rights of citizens. In 1948, California overturned its antimiscegenation law, citing, in addition to the Fourteenth Amendment, the United Nations Charter. This decision sparked a contentious discussion about the relationship of human rights norms to racial conventions in the United States, and triggered a debate about the peril of international law that resulted in an effort to amend the Constitution and limit the treaty-making powers of the president. Both the constitutional and the international logics of individual human rights threatened local custom and energized political opposition. American stigmatization of international human rights norms and treaties was rooted directly in the civil rights struggles in the United States and reflected the potential of international organizations to assault domestic racial conventions at their foundations.
The Four Founding Lineage Hypothesis for the New World: A Critical Reevaluation

Abstract It has been proposed that all native American mitochondrial DNA variation in the New World can be attributed to divergence from four “founding lineages” which entered the New World in three waves of migration from across the Bering Strait (T. G. Schurret al.,1990,Am. J. Hum. Genet.46: 613–623; A. Torroni and D. C. Wallace, 1995,Am. J. Hum. Genet.56: 1234–1236; A. Torroniet al.,1994,Am. J. Hum. Genet.54: 303–318; A. Torroniet al.,1994,Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA91: 1158–1162; A. Torroniet al.,1994,Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.93: 189–199; A. Torroniet al.,1993a,Am. J. Hum. Genet.53: 563–590; A. Torroniet al.,1993b,Am. J. Hum. Genet.53: 591–608; Wallace and A. Torroni, 1992,Hum. Biol.64(3): 403–416). Torroniet al.(1993a) believe that only one haplotype from each of these four founding lineages arrived in the New World via migration, and all the additional variation arose in the New World. Any other types were attributed to Caucasian admixture. G. Baillietet al.(1994,Am. J. Hum. Genet.55: 27–33), N. O. Bianchi and F. Rothhammer (1995,Am. J. Hum. Genet.56: 1236–1238), and D. A. Merriwether (1994,Experientia50: 592–601; 1995,Am. J. Phys. Anthropol.98(4): 411–430) suggest that multiple variants of each lineage entered the New World, and that additional unrelated lineages also entered. We present the distribution of multiple variants of the four founding lineages, plus two additional lineages which we call X6 and X7, throughout the New World, Siberia, and Asia. These distributions are strong evidence that at least nine different founding lineage haplotypes entered the New World. Further, we find these distributions among Native Americans best fit a single wave of migration into the New World.
Integrity of the CBL gene in mature B-cell malignancies.

To the editor: Identification of biomarkers for response to novel therapeutic agents is an essential step for the success of tailored treatments in cancer. Preliminary data from clinical trials indicate that inhibitors of the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) may be efficacious in subsets of diffuse
Anomaly-induced amplitudes of new gauge bosons.

The amplitudes Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Z\ensuremath{\gamma} and Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}ZZ in models with an additional U'(1) gauge group beyond the standard SU(2)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1) electroweak theory are induced via fermion loops of ordinary states u, d, e, \ensuremath{\nu}, etc., and heavy exotic states which will not cancel among themselves though the anomaly condition is satisfied. An ${\mathrm{E}}_{6}$ model is used as an example for the illustration. The new heavy neutral gauge boson Z' could decay into Z\ensuremath{\gamma} and ZZ with branching ratios \ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Z\ensuremath{\gamma})/ \ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${e}^{+}$${e}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$)\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}6}$ and \ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}ZZ)/\ensuremath{\Gamma}(Z'\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${\mathrm{e}}^{+}$${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$)\ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5}$.
Measuring the Wage Costs of Limited English Issues With Using Interviewer Versus Self-Reports in Determining Latino Wages

Scholars have found that poor English proficiency is negatively associated with wages using self-reported measures. However, these estimates may suffer from misclassification bias. Interviewer rati...
Internalized oppression as a barrier to effective group work with black women

Abstract Manifestations of internalized oppression within Black women's group process and ways to address it are discussed. Special artention is given to the Black female group leader.
Calcium-dependent transmitter secretion from fibroblasts: Modulation by synaptotagmin I

Abstract Following endocytic uptake of acetylcholine (ACh), CHO fibroblasts exhibit Ca 2+ -dependent spontaneous quantal ACh release and depolarization-evoked ACh release, as detected by a whole-cell voltage-clamped myocyte in contact with the fibroblast. CHO fibroblasts transfected with synaptotagmin 1, an integral membrane protein of synaptic vesicles, showed a reduced spontaneous quantal ACh release and an enhanced Ca 2+ -evoked ACh release, as compared with control cells. Biochemical and ultrastructural studies of endocytic activity using horseradish peroxidase as a marker further confirmed the inhibitory action of synaptotagmin I on spontaneous vesicular exocytosis and on elevated exocytosis induced by Caz+. Through inhibition of exocytosis at the resting intracellular concentration of Ca 2+ and removal of the inhibition upon depolarization-induced Ca 2+ entry, synaptotagmin 1 could enhance the efficiency of excitation-secretion coupling.
Depth-Averaged Two-Dimensional Model of Unsteady Flow and Sediment Transport due to Noncohesive Embankment Break/Breaching

AbstractA depth-averaged two-dimensional model has been developed in this study to simulate the unsteady flow and noncohesive sediment transport due to embankment break and overtopping breaching. The model adopts the generalized shallow-water equations that consider the effects of sediment transport and bed change on the flow, thus leading to coupled calculations of these processes. It computes the non-equilibrium total-load sediment transport and considers the noncohesive embankment slope avalanching. The model solves the governing equations using an explicit finite-volume method on a rectangular grid, with the Harten, Lax and van Leer (HLL) approximate Riemann solver to handle the mixed-regime flows generated by embankment break/breaching and the monotonic upstream scheme for conservation laws (MUSCL) piecewise reconstruction method to reach second-order accuracy in space. It uses a varying time step length that satisfies both the Courant-Friedrichs-Lewy condition and the limitation that the bed change ...
Exploring the evolution of internal control structure using digital enzymes

The Digital Enzyme model of control is based on the bottom-up, reactive process of signal transduction found in cells. An earlier study applied a specific instance of the this model to the foraging problem. Here, we extend the system and use it to explore a fundamental question in both biology and evolutionary computation, namely, whether environmental complexity is a driving factor for an organism''s internal control structure. To address this question, we extended the original system to allow the open-ended evolution of the unique programs, instructions, and threads within each controller. With the extended model, we were able to evolve successful foraging strategies that nearly doubled the performance of strategies found in the earlier work. In response to increasing environmental complexity, we discovered a high degree of variation for the number of programs, threads, and instructions that produced successful strategies. These results imply that environmental complexity does not require evolutionary search methods to explore regions of the search space characterized by parallel and distributed control. However, strategies found within these regions were as successful as strategies governed by a single program and thread, highlighting the importance of evolutionary search techniques that enable the open-ended evolution of key internal control components.
Experimental Autoimmune Myocarditis Produced by Adoptive Transfer of Splenocytes After Myocardial Infarction

One possible mechanism for neurohumoral activation after myocardial infarction may be the generation of an immune response against cardiac self-antigens. We hypothesize that if there is a T cell-mediated reaction to self-antigens, the transfer of splenic lymphocytes from postinfarct rats into syngeneic rats with normal hearts should result in a T cell-mediated autoimmune myocarditis in the healthy syngeneic rats. Rats were killed 6 weeks after coronary ligation. Splenocytes from animals with large and small infarcts were purified from spleens, activated with concanavalin A, and injected in varying doses into normal syngeneic rats. These recipient rats were killed 6 weeks later, and histopathological studies were performed. Our results demonstrate in vivo evidence of lymphocyte-mediated myocardial injury by adoptive transfer of sensitized lymphocytes from rats who developed congestive heart failure after acute myocardial infarction. The amount of infiltrate and necrosis in the recipient rats appeared directly related to the size of the infarct from the donor rats. This suggests that larger infarcts lead to a greater inflammatory response as well as a greater propensity for alteration of cardiac surface antigens or the emergence of previously sequestered antigens. None of the other organs (kidney, liver, lung, or brain) had evidence of infiltrates. Two-dimensional echocardiography did not reveal systolic dysfunction. This study provides direct evidence of autoimmune myocardial injury produced by adoptive transfer of concanavalin A-activated splenocytes after myocardial infarction. We propose that neurohumoral activation early in the postinfarction period triggers a series of specific inflammatory and immunological events that lead to formation of specific clones of T cells. When these are activated and transferred into normal rats, cardiac-specific cellular infiltration occurs, occasionally accompanied by myocardial necrosis. This model should help to further explore the link between neurohumoral activation after myocardial infarction and the subsequent immune alterations that might be associated with the development and/or progression of congestive heart failure. Additionally, this might be a useful model in which to study other immune-mediated cardiomyopathies.
STAS Domain Structure and Function

Pendrin shares with nearly all SLC26/SulP anion transporters a carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic segment organized around a Sulfate Transporter and Anti-Sigma factor antagonist (STAS) domain. STAS domains of divergent amino acid sequence exhibit a conserved fold of 4 β strands interspersed among 5 α helices. The first STAS domain proteins studied were single-domain anti-sigma factor antagonists (anti-anti-σ). These anti-anti-σ indirectly stimulate bacterial RNA polymerase by inactivating inhibitory anti-σ kinases, liberating σ factors to direct specific transcription of target genes or operons. Some STAS domains are nucleotide-binding phosphoproteins or nucleotidases. Others are interaction/transduction modules within multidomain sensors of light, oxygen and other gasotransmitters, cyclic nucleotides, inositol phosphates, and G proteins. Additional multidomain STAS protein sequences suggest functions in sensing, metabolism, or transport of nutrients such as sugars, amino acids, lipids, anions, vitamins, or hydrocarbons. Still other multidomain STAS polypeptides include histidine and serine/threonine kinase domains and ligand-activated transcription factor domains. SulP/SLC26 STAS domains and adjacent sequences interact with other transporters, cytoskeletal scaffolds, and with enzymes metabolizing transported anion substrates, forming putative metabolons. STAS domains are central to membrane targeting of many SulP/SLC26 anion transporters, and STAS domain mutations are associated with at least three human recessive diseases. This review summarizes STAS domain structure and function.
Preliminary shape definition of structural components using a prototype knowledge-based expert system

A prototype dual-purpose expert system for automatic preliminary shape synthesis of structural components has been developed. The developed prototype is intended to emulate the conceptual-design/preliminary-redesign phases of the engineering design process. The dual purpose of this expert system is to generate preliminary designs which can be used either for basic engineering or as an initial solution to an optimization scheme. Both design phases have been modularized and developed under adequate computational shells. Heuristics are applied in the conceptual design phase to produce an initial definition of the geometric domain. A set of rules was programmed into the inference mechanism for the redesign phase. These rules focus on molding the geometric domain. Modules requiring heuristic support are implemented in a LISP/KEETM environment, those which are computer intensive being C subroutines. The two-dimensional problems of a fillet in a tension bar and of a connecting link are used to illustrate the system. This is part of an ongoing project at the Center for Computer Aids for Industrial Productivity (CAIP) in New Jersey.
Vitamin E deficiency in the monkey. I. Muscular dystrophy, hematologic changes, and the excretion of urinary nitrogenous constituents.

Eight young rhesus monkeys were fed a purified diet devoid of vitamin E. After from 6 to 13 months of feeding, all the animals developed signs of vitamin E deficiency. The signs of vitamin E deficiency in the monkey include muscular dystrophy, elevated excretion of creatine, allantoin, and free amino acids and decreased excretion of creatinine. The vitamin E-deficient monkeys all developed anemia and granulocytosis. Anemia was the first sign of vitamin E deficiency which was observed. All of these signs of vitamin E deficiency were reversed by treatment with α-tocopherol.
Fideliine Phylogeny and Classification Revisited (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae)

Abstract The recent completion and publication of a revision of the Old World Fideliini (Megachilidae: Fideliinae) has provided new taxa and information for this little known tribe of bees. In this light, the data matrix for fideliine relationships is revised to include the newly described species as well as some corrections. Analysis of the data matrix for all fideliine species results in a single set of relationships, congruent with the previous hypothesis. An updated classification of the fideliines is provided, incorporating the new species. Fideliopsis is returned to generic rank, resulting in the following new combinations: Fideliopsis hessei (Whitehead and Eardley), F. fasciata (Whitehead and Eardley), and F. borearipa (Whitehead and Eardley). Keys are provided for the identification of all supraspecific taxa in Fideliini (with two new subtribes: Fideliina, new status, and Neofideliina, new subtribe) and a catalog of the species included. The expanded phylogeny and new floral information is used to...
Piezoelectric properties and temperature stability of poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluorethylene) copolymers

Piezoelectric measurements were made on several copolymers of vinylidene fluoride and trifluorethylene having a vinylidene fluoride concentration in the range of 65-70%. The hydrostatic g constant showed only a slight dependence on pressure, and pressures up to 35 MPa caused no apparent loss of the piezoelectric activity. A significant increase in the value of the hydrostatic g constant was observed both at temperatures above and considerably below the room temperature. The anomalous result obtained upon cooling below the room temperature can be attributed to the glass transition temperature of the trifluoroethylene comonomer. Temperature aging studies were performed at high temperatures using films of these copolymers. A significant loss of piezoelectric activity occurred after long-time exposure. Isothermal studies at various aging temperatures revealed that this decay continued over a long time span. The aging behavior characteristically followed a linear dependence on the logarithm of aging time. >
Body Mass Index as a Predictor of 1-year Outcome in Gastric Bypass Surgery

Background The aim of this study was to determine if presurgery (T1), post-surgery (T2), or the change in body mass index (BMI) between these time points are useful predictors for predicting longer-term (T3) outcome in gastric bypass surgery.
Use of sequence-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to determine the protozoan parasite antigen recognized by nonspecific cytotoxic cells.

The antigen on the protozoan parasite Tetrahymena pyriformis recognized by catfish nonspecific cytotoxic cells (NCC) is a 46- to 48-kDa protein referred to as NKTag. The complete cDNA-derived amino acid sequence of NKTag has been obtained. The antigenic determinant of NKTag corresponding to the NCC binding site has been determined with synthetic peptides in target cell competition experiments. To more directly characterize the mechanism of parasite:effector cell interaction, we applied NKTag sequence-specific antisense oligodeoxynucleotides to Tetrahymena in vitro. NKTag mRNA translation by Tetrahymena was blocked by specific antisense (AS) oligodeoxynucleotides. 5′-3′ sense (S) oligodeoxynucleotide sequences were synthesized corresponding to the first 17 N-terminal amino acids of NKTag (in addition to −2 untranslated codons plus the start codon). Complimentary AS oligodeoxynucleotides were likewise synthesized. To determine the optimum in vitro conditions for AS treatment, we tested parasites at various phases of their growth cycle for the effects of a single AS treatment. At 9 h post-AS treatment (during the linear phase of the growth curve), maximum reduction in membrane expression of NKTag was observed. Eighty-five percent of Tetrahymena were positive for expression of NKTag at 0 time post-AS treatment versus 13% positive at 9 h. Membrane expression of AS-treated parasites returned to normal levels by 24 h post-treatment. In cold target inhibition experiments, the reduced NKTag expression by Tetrahymena at 9 h AS treatment was confirmed by observing a complete inability (compared with S-treated parasites) to compete with IM-9 cells for binding with NCC. These data demonstrated a unique experimental in vitro system to define the antigen determinant on target cells responsible for recognition by cytotoxic effector cells that participate in innate immune responses.
Multiscale modeling of high-strength fibers and fabrics

Using a combination of electronic structure calculations, molecular dynamics simulations, and finite-element analysis, we examine the physical mechanisms governing the performance of Kevlar®/carbon composite fibers over a variety of length scales. To begin, we use electronic structure calculations to examine the molecular structure of Kevlar polymers, and quantitatively compare the intramolecular interactions to the non-bonded intermolecular interactions. We then quantify the potential energy landscape between polymers, and fit this data to a potential function for use in molecular dynamics simulations. From molecular dynamics simulations, we calculate the stiffness and elastic modulus of pristine Kevlar fibrils and Kevlar/carbon composite fibrils. We then use a finite-element model of Kevlar fabric to examine how changes in the mechanical properties of the fibers affect the ballistic response of the fabric. These findings provide insight into how carbon fragments, which influence the nanostructure of the polymer, can enhance the ballistic performance of Kevlar fabric layers.
Integration of impulsivity and positive mood to predict risky behavior: Development and validation of a measure of positive urgency.

In 3 studies, the authors developed and began to validate a measure of the propensity to act rashly in response to positive affective states (positive urgency). In Study 1, they developed a content-valid 14-item scale, showed that the measure was unidimensional, and showed that positive urgency was distinct from impulsivity-like constructs identified in 2 models of impulsive behavior. In Study 2, they showed that positive urgency explained variance in risky behavior not explained by measures of other impulsivity-like constructs, differentially explained positive mood-based risky behavior, differentiated individuals at risk for problem gambling from those not at risk, and interacted with drinking motives and expectancies as predicted to explain problem drinking behavior. In Study 3, they confirmed the hypothesis that positive urgency differentiated alcoholics from both eating-disordered and control individuals.
SECTION OF BIOLOGICAL AND MEDICAL SCIENCES: PROGESTERONE: ROLE IN LIMITATION OF OVULATION AND SEX BEHAVIOR IN MAMMALS*

The role of progesterone in limiting the period of mating and in determining the time of ovulation for both the rat and hamster in reference to 4-day cycles is examined. Studies in the rat have demonstrated that if estrogen remains below some critical level progesterone acts as the fine tuner which adjusts levels of receptivity and also determines length of the estrous period. If estrogen exceeds this critical level the progesterone mechanism is blocked and receptivity is maintained by estrogen alone. In the spayed hamster in contrast to the rat normal receptivity cannot be induced by estrogen alone. Progesterone treatment following estrogen priming is essential for induction of a normal heat period. It maintains heat for about 24 hours. The hamster is 10 times more sensitive to progesterone than the rat. Heat can be advanced in the hamster by 24 hours but heat in the rat can be advanced only about 12 hours. Experiments are discussed which illustrate why progesterone does not seem to effectively advance ovulation. It can effect LH release only around the time of the critical period due presumably to intrinsic neural changes in sensitivity which are most likely entrained by the dark-light cycle. Although the hamster is more sensitive to progesterone than the rat it shows a greatly decreased neural sensitivity to estrogen. The facilitation of LH release occurs only if progesterone has been present for no more than 6-12 hours. If progesterone is in the system longer ovulation is blocked for 24 or 48 hours. The relationship is identical in respect to estrous behavior.
Isolation and structural studies of porcine, ovine and murine thymosin β4 by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) procedures have been used to isolate and characterize thymosin β 4 from different species. Crude extracts termed thymosin fraction 5A were prepared from porcine and ovine thymus glands as well as murine spleen. Each fraction 5A preparation was then fractionated by HPLC on a μBondapak C 18 reversed-phase column. Porcine and ovine thymus fraction 5A, and murine spleen 5A, each yields a predominant peak at a retention time similar to that of bovine thymosin β 4 . Amino acid analysis as well as HPLC tryptic peptide mapping of these peaks indicate that they have homologous sequences to bovine thymosin β 4 . Chromatographic analysis of fresh murine thymus and spleen tissues also revealed protein peaks at the position of bovine β 4 , suggesting that thymosin β 4 is the native protein present in the animal tissues.
The Politics of Duplicity: Controlling Reproduction In Ceaufeşcu's Romania

The Politics of Duplicity: Controlling Reproduction In Ceaufescu's Romania. GAIL KLIGMAN. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1988. xv. 358 pp., photographs, figures, tables, notes, appendix, bibliography, index.
Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of β-carotene and retinoic acid oxidation products

Abstract Synthesis of the β-carotene oxidation product, 2,3-dihydro-5,8-endoperoxy-β- apo -carotene-13-one ( 1 ) was achieved in six steps starting from β-ionone. Photo-oxygenation of all trans -retinoic acid ( 8 ) and 13- cis -retinoic acid ( 9 ) produced a mixture of 5 S *,8 S *-epidioxy-5,8-dihydroretinoic acid ( 10 ) and 13- cis -5 S *,8 S *-epidioxy-5,8-dihydroretinoic acid ( 11 ). Methylation of the crude photo-oxygenation mixture afforded the corresponding methyl esters 12 and 13 , respectively, both of which underwent ready aerial oxidation yielding hitherto unknown oxidation products of retinoic acid identified as methyl 5 S *,8 S *-epidioxy-9,10β-epoxy-5,8,9,10-tetrahydroretinoate ( 14 ) and methyl 13- cis -5 S *,8 S *-epidioxy-9,10β-epoxy-5,8,9,10-tetrahydroretinoate ( 15 ). Evaluation of 1 , all trans -retinoic acid ( 8 ), 13- cis -retinoic acid ( 9 ), and the photo-oxygenation products 10 – 15 in a panel of five cancer cell lines showed 1 to be inactive and that 11 is significantly cytotoxic compared with the other retinoic acid analogs suggesting the requirement of the carboxylic acid moiety and the cis -geometry of the 13(14) double bond for cytotoxic activity.
Empowering communities through public work, science, and local food systems: revisiting democracy and globalization.

Communities are the foundation of our society and of our overall well-being. Unfortunately they are experiencing rapid transformations that may significantly erode their capacity to remain viable and sustainable both domestically and internationally. Issues of empowering communities are examined in regard to social justice, challenges to democracy, and globalization of the economy and other sectors of society. It is argued that the ways in which we view and structure work, generate and disseminate knowledge through science and technology, and produce, distribute, and consume food are essential factors affecting our self-identity and the empowerment of our communities. How we shape decisions and actions around work, science and technology, and food, as well as other key factors affecting our communities, is crucial to achieving a just and sustainable agenda for the future. Finally, it is proposed that all citizens be engaged in a procedural process called discourse ethics, which is guided by the principles of justice, recognition, respect, and accountability.
Stereoselective synthesis of 9β-hydroxytaxanes via reduction with samarium diiodide

Abstract Reaction of baccatin III and paclitaxel with samarium diiodide yielded the corresponding 10-deacetyl-9β-hydroxy derivatives. When 10-deacetylbaccatin III and docetaxel were subjected to the same reaction conditions the corresponding 9β-hydroxy and 10-dehydroxy-9β-hydroxy analogues were isolated.
Taking the long view: the prenatal environment and early adolescent overweight.

The purpose of this study was to assess the independent effects of the prenatal environment and cumulated social risks on the likelihood of being overweight at age 12/13 years. Maternal prepregnancy weight and smoking during pregnancy were the measures of prenatal exposures. Average lifetime per capita income and mother's lifetime marital status were the measures of cumulative social risks. Analysis of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth's Child–Mother file indicated that exposures to tobacco smoke in utero, maternal prepregnancy overweight/obesity, and maternal unmarried status were significant risks for adolescent overweight. The risk for overweight was reduced by breastfeeding if the mother was overweight/obese prepregnancy. Prenatal and early life factors were related to adolescent overweight, providing an important window for intervention. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 30: 297–307, 2007
Determining cysteine oxidation status using differential alkylation

Abstract Oxidative damage to proteins plays a major role in aging and in the pathology of many degenerative diseases. Under conditions of oxidative stress, reactive oxygen and nitrogen species can modify key redox sensitive amino acid side chains leading to altered biological activities or structures of the targeted proteins. This in turn can affect signaling or regulatory control pathways as well as protein turnover and degradation efficiency in the proteasome. Cysteine residues are particularly susceptible to oxidation, primarily through reversible modifications (e.g., thiolation and nitrosylation), although irreversible oxidation can lead to products that cannot be repaired in vivo such as sulfonic acid. This report describes a strategy to determine the overall level of reversible cysteine oxidation using a stable isotope differential alkylation approach in combination with mass spectrometric analysis. This method employs 13 C -labeled alkylating reagents, such as N-ethyl-[1,4- 13 C 2 ]-maleimide, bromo-[1,2- 13 C 2 ]-acetic acid and their non-labeled counterparts to quantitatively assess the level of cysteine oxidation at specific sites in oxidized proteins. The differential alkylation protocol was evaluated using standard peptides and proteins, and then applied to monitor and determine the level of oxidative damage induced by diamide, a mild oxidant. The formation and mass spectrometric analysis of irreversible cysteine acid modification will also be discussed as several such modifications have been identified in subunits of the mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes. This strategy will hopefully contribute to our understanding of the role that cysteine oxidation plays in such chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, where studies in animal and cell models have shown oxidative damage to mitochondrial Complex I to be a specific and early target.
An holistic concept of health and illness: A tricentennial goal for medicine and public health

Abstract This nation recently celebrated its Bicentennial as the most technologically advanced society on Earth. Although particular gains have been made in medicine, a crisis exists, nevertheless, with ramifications for health and its attainment. To be sure, incredible progress has been made over the past two centuries in understanding the biological aspects of disease and in the prevention, control and cure of innumerable maladies which had previously either plagued man or progressed unabated. However, replacing the earlier epidemic and environmentally-related diseases are a multitude of chronic degenerative, malignant and emotionally-related conditions which predominate today, as well as some new and old problems with infectious and environmental diseases. The net effect has been a remarkable control of disability and decrease in overall mortality but medical progress has been slow against many frightening chronic diseases. Concern or disenchantment with current approaches to health and medical care is growing [1–4]. It seems to result largely from the mounting prevalence of chronic diseases, their heavy economic burden, and high public expectations of the curative powers of medical science and its ability to contribute to good health. Past and present medical trends indicate the need for an holistic concept of health and illness as a blueprint for research, teaching and care in a rapidly changing world [5–7].
Synthesis of the First Poly(pyrazolyl)borate Complex of Germanium(II): Solid State Structure of [HB(3,5-Me(2)pz)(3)Ge]I.(1)/(2)CH(2)Cl(2).

The reaction of K[HB(3,5-Me2pz)3] and GeCl2(dioxane) in THF solution yields the ionic complex [HB(3,5-Me2pz)3Ge]Cl. Metathesis with NaI yields [HB(3,5-Me2pz)3Ge]I. The solid state structure of [HB(3,5-Me2pz)3Ge]I·1/2CH2Cl2 shows well-separated, three-coordinate, germanium-based cations and iodide anions. The cation [HB(3,5-Me2pz)3Ge]+ represents the first stable germanium poly(pyrazolyl)borate complex and the first poly(pyrazolyl)borate complex of germanium(II).
The true incidence of atrial fibrillation after an atrial flutter ablation with continuous monitoring

aspiration first group (TIMI flow 1 in 6 patients, 2 in 4 patients, 3 in 29 patients) (χ, Pb.021). Conclusion: Improvement of TIMI flow by local abciximab administration is more effective when using the abciximab first strategy compared to using thrombus-aspiration first strategy. The abciximab first strategy seems to be more effective to achieve optimal final TIMI flow than the thrombus-aspiration first strategy.
Borrower attributes and the risk of default of conventional mortgages

Using a nationwide sample of 9,000 conventional mortgages, this paper examines their default based on a set of key borrower and loan characteristics. The results of a maximum likelihood failure time model show that the default risk is higher for small mortgages with a high loan-to-value ratio and for borrowers with low income and many dependents. The results also suggest that default is negatively correlated with the age of the property and the borrower's disposable income net of monthly financial obligations.