cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulation of mouse oocyte maturation: involvement of cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase and calmodulin.

Abstract A decrease in mouse oocyte cAMP occurs during commitment to resume meiosis ( R. M. Schultz, R. R. Montgomery, and J. R. Belanoff, 1983 , Dev. Biol. 97, 264–273). Experiments described in this report were performed to ascertain if oocyte cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) is involved in this decrease. PDE activity was found in extracts of mouse oocytes. The activity appeared soluble and not membrane bound. For each of three different PDE inhibitors, a positive correlation was found between the ability of increasing concentrations of each compound to inhibit PDE in oocyte extracts and to inhibit germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD). Moreover, the more potent the PDE inhibitor, the more effectively it inhibited GVBD. The possibility that calmodulin (CaM) plays a role in maturation was examined since CaM modulates PDE activity in other systems. About 0.3% of total oocyte protein is CaM as determined by radioimmunoassay and activation of exogenous PDE. A CaM-dependent step in maturation was suggested since the CaM inhibitors trifluoperazine and calmidizolium inhibited GVBD in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, the CaM inhibitors W7 and W13 inhibited GVBD at lower concentrations than the less-active corresponding congeners W5 and W12. Oocyte extracts contained a CaM-modulated PDE. Activity was inhibited about 50% by addition of EGTA, and fully restored by addition of exogenous CaM and excess calcium. cAMP hydrolysis was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by either trifluoperazine, calmidizolium, or W7; maximal inhibition was also about 50%. CaM-modulated PDE, however, did not appear to be the target for the effects of CaM inhibitors on GVBD, since concentrations of W7 that inhibited maturation did not inhibit cAMP hydrolysis in the oocyte. Results from these studies suggest that oocyte PDE is involved in the decrease in cAMP associated with resumption of meiosis, but that the CaM-dependent step occurs subsequent to or concurrently with the drop in cAMP.
Predicting Developmental Status from 12 to 24 Months in Infants at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Preliminary Report

The study examined whether performance profiles on individual items of the Toddler Module of the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule at 12 months are associated with developmental status at 24 months in infants at high and low risk for developing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). A nonparametric decision-tree learning algorithm identified sets of 12-month predictors of developmental status at 24 months. Results suggest that identification of infants who are likely to exhibit symptoms of ASD at 24 months is complicated by variable patterns of symptom emergence. Fine-grained analyses linking specific profiles of strengths and deficits with specific patterns of symptom emergence will be necessary for further refinement of screening and diagnostic instruments for ASD in infancy.
Oral interpretation as a training method for increasing perspective‐taking abilities

This study poses the question of whether basic oral interpretation course work can serve as a training method to increase perspective‐taking abilities. A task was designed to assess changes in the perspective‐taking abilities of control, regular, and experimental classes. The results suggest that regular oral interpretation course work had no effect on measured perspective‐taking abilities but an oral interpretation course specifically designed to increase perspective‐taking abilities had the predicted effect.
MORPHOLOGY-DEPENDENT RESONANCES OF AN INFINITELY LONG CIRCULAR CYLINDER ILLUMINATED BY A DIAGONALLY INCIDENT PLANE WAVE OR A FOCUSED GAUSSIAN BEAM

The S matrix for scattering a diagonally incident focused Gaussian beam by an infinitely long circular cylinder is calculated, and the diagonal and off-diagonal elements of the matrix are physically interpreted. In addition, the TE and TM morphology-dependent resonances of the cylinder for plane-wave incidence are examined, and it is found that the cylinder size parameter at resonance increases as the angle of incidence of the plane wave increases. The size parameter increase is explained in terms of the heuristic model of morphology-dependent resonances. The presence of both TE and TM resonances in each of the ∊-polarized and μ-polarized partial-wave scattering amplitudes is discussed. This mixing is interpreted in terms of successive polarization-preserving and cross-polarized total internal reflections of the morphology-dependent-resonance wave inside the cylinder. Finally, some novel properties of morphology-dependent resonances produced by Gaussian-beam incidence are predicted.
Statin Therapy Is Associated With Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes and Levels of Inflammatory Markers in Patients With Heart Failure

Abstract Background We wished to determine whether the addition of statins affect cardiovascular events and markers of inflammation in patients with heart failure. Methods and Results A total of 446 patients with heart failure and ejection fraction ≤35% were followed in a prospective, nonrandomized fashion and were classified according to treatment with a statin. We determined all-cause mortality, cardiovascular morbidity, and serum markers of inflammation over a 24-month period. Statin therapy in patients with heart failure was associated with decreased all-cause mortality at 2 years compared with those not on statin therapy (15% versus 33%, P P = .001) and nonfatal myocardial infarction (11% versus 15%, P P = .001), interleukin-6 (13.3 ± 0.8 versus 17.3 ± 1.4 ng/dL, P = .001), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha receptor II (24.3 ± 1.0 versus 34.5 ± 3.0 ng/dL, P = .001). Conclusion The use of statin therapy in this nonrandomized trial was associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality and cardiac morbidity. In addition, the improvement in levels of several serum inflammatory markers with statin therapy suggests in part possible mechanisms by which these agents may exert their benefits.
Anxiogenic effects of CGRP within the BNST may be mediated by CRF acting at BNST CRFR1 receptors.

Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) acting within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) increases anxiety as well as neural activation in anxiety-related structures, and mediates behavioral stress responses. Similar effects have been described following intra-ventricular as well as intra-BNST infusions of the stress-responsive neuropeptide, corticotropin releasing factor (CRF). Interestingly, CGRP-positive terminals within the lateral division of the BNST form perisomatic baskets around neurons that express CRF, suggesting that BNST CGRP could exert its anxiogenic effects by increasing release of CRF from these neurons. With this in mind, the present set of experiments was designed to examine the role of CRFR1 signaling in the anxiogenic effects of CGRP within the BNST and to determine whether CRF from BNST neurons contributes to these effects. Consistent with previous studies, we found that 400 ng CGRP infused bilaterally into the BNST increased the acoustic startle response and induced anxiety-like behavior in the elevated plus maze compared to vehicle. Both of these effects were attenuated by 10 mg/kg PO of the CRFR1 antagonist, GSK876008. GSK876008 alone did not affect startle. An intra-BNST infusion of the CRFR1 antagonist CP376395 (2 μg) also blocked increases in acoustic startle induced by intra-BNST infusion of CGRP, as did virally-mediated siRNA knockdown of CRF expression locally within the BNST. Together, these results suggest that the anxiogenic effects of intra-BNST CGRP may be mediated by CRF from BNST neurons acting at local CRFR1 receptors.
ESR spectral line intensity ratios of tetragonally distorted trivalent chromium in magnesium oxide

Abstract An apparent anomaly is reported in the relative line intensity ratios of certain ESR transitions due to trivalent chromium ions located at tetragonally symmetric sites in single crystals of magnesium oxide. The effect is manifested best when the Zeeman field vector is so directed as to be perpendicular to the fourfold axis of rotational symmetry of this center, a crystal cube edge, while being parallel to a second cube edge. At such an orientation a parallel and two perpendicular spectra are observed. Of these, the latter two fail to yield identical relative line intensity ratios. Further, it is observed that these ratios are dependent upon the polarization of the perturbing oscillatory magnetic field. A description and analysis is provided.
Adrenocortical steroid therapy and chemotherapy in acute, faradvanced toxic pulmonary tuberculosis; a preliminary report.

Abstract 1. 1. Four cases of acute, far-advanced pulmonary tuberculosis with organisms susceptible to antimicrobial agents and complicated by persistence of toxicity, fever, and failure to show improvement, or worsening, or standard antimicrobial therapy, are reported. One case had definite adrenocortical hypofunction. 2. 2. Adrenocortical steroids were given as adjunctive therapy to these cases, following which there appeared to be an accelerated improvement, clinically, radiographically, and hematologically in all four cases, and bacteriologically in three, There was one death in the series and it is possible that steroid therapy may have been a contributory factor. 3. 3. The pertinent literature is reviewed.
Antiplatelet Agents for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Diabetes Mellitus

Patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) have accelerated atherothrombotic disease of coronary, cerebral, leg, and other vessels. The major cause of death is cardiovascular, and the risk for a myocardial infarction (MI) in a patient with DM who has never had a MI is the same as a nondiabetic individual who has already had one. In this paper, we review the major reasons for a prothrombotic state in patients with DM: alterations in the intrinsic coagulation and fibrinolytic systems and many abnormalities of platelet function. Increased platelet thromboxane production as well as activation of platelet receptors for fibrinogen and or adenosine diphosphate (ADP) are often present, and can be treated with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) and/or receptor blockers. Review of the major primary prevention trials in DM indicates that a significantly reduced risk for MI or major cardiovascular events may be obtained by enteric-coated aspirin, 81-325 mg/day. There is emerging consensus that this is recommended strategy in adult (aged >30 years) patients with DM who are at high vascular risk. Surveys suggest that this includes virtually every patient with type 2 DM in the US, as well as many patients with complicated type 1 DM. These recommendations are also appropriate for secondary prevention. Data supporting the use of clopidogrel as an alternative drug in the case of aspirin allergy or other contraindications are reviewed. Evidence is presented in support of using aspirin plus clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes (ACS), and a meta-analysis of six trials of platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors and aspirin in diabetic patients with ACS establishes this regimen as an effective choice. Although bleeding episodes are more common with combined antiplatelet therapy for ACS than for aspirin alone, the benefit of a significant reduction in 30-day mortality appears to outweigh the risk of major bleeding. It is concluded that major advances in our understanding of the prothrombotic state in DM have been made. Evidence from controlled clinical trials supports the use of enteric-coated aspirin, 81-325 mg/day, as a primary and a secondary prevention strategy in adults with DM with high vascular risk. In ACS, combination therapy with aspirin plus clopidogrel or alternatively, aspirin plus a platelet GP IIb/IIIa inhibitor is supported by prospective trial data. These approaches should be added to the other multifactorial preventive strategies directed at lowering the risk for major vascular events in patients with DM.
Diamond anvil cell measurement of high-pressure yield strength of vanadium using in situ thickness determination

The pressure dependence of the quasistatic yield strength of vanadium in polycrystalline foils and powders has been measured up to 90 GPa at room temperature using an implementation of a nonhydrostatic diamond-anvil cell technique, an extension of the technique of Meade and Jeanloz [C. Meade and R. Jeanloz, J. Geophys. Res. 93, 3261 (1988)]. A feature present in this work is the use of an in situ determination of the sample thickness and pressure profile using synchrotron x-ray techniques, allowing a determination of the strength at each point across the sample. Following an initial increase in the strength with pressure, a decrease in the strength of vanadium was observed starting at $\ensuremath{\sim}40--50\text{ }\text{GPa}$. The softening of the yield strength of vanadium at high pressure is quite surprising and unusual, following the trend of an unusual softening of the shear modulus associated with a subtle phase transition from body-centered-cubic-to-rhombohedral structure in a recent x-ray diffraction experiment.
Types of callosally projecting nonpyramidal neurons in rat visual cortex identified by lysosomal HRP retrograde labeling.

Callosally projecting neurons, labeled following injection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) into the 17/18a border of the contralateral hemisphere, have been examined by light and electron microscopy. These neurons exhibit two types of horseradish peroxidase labeling: either a diffuse, Golgi-like labeling, or a granular, punctate labeling. The punctate type of HRP-labeling is the predominant form in nonpyramidal neurons, while pyramidal neurons frequently display either diffuse or punctate labeling. Only punctately labeled neurons have been examined in this study. Light microscopic analyses of 1-μm sections show that in the heavily labeled zone at the area 17/18a border approximately 9% of all of the cells in layer II/III are callosally projecting nonpyramidal cells, and 70% of them are callosally projecting pyramidal cells. Light and electron microscopic examinations indicate that the nonpyramidal neurons are a heterogeneous group which consists of small multipolar neurons, large multipolar neurons, small bipolar neurons, and large bipolar neurons. To investigate the ultrastructural appearance of the punctate HRP labeling, selected neurons have been examined in thin sections. In the electron microscope, the tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) reaction product appears as electron-dense crystals, while the diaminobenzidine (DAB) reaction product appears as dark, electron-dense material which fills the lysosomes. These lysosomes occasionally have a halo of reaction product, but often they are not morphologically distinguishable from dark lysosomes present within neurons from control animals in which the darkening results from staining the thin sections with lead citrate and uranyl acetate. However, labeled neurons possess more dark lysosomes than neurons from control animals. These additional dark lysosomes presumably contain the HRP reaction product visible by light microscopy.
Earthquakes: slow down for safety

In December 1992, part of the San Andreas fault ruptured. No damage was caused, because instead of lasting for a few seconds, this earthquake sequence took a week. So why are other earthquakes fast?
Pain: the overlooked symptom in gastroparesis.

OBJECTIVE: Abdominal pain has not been reported generally as a significant feature of the clinical presentation of patients with gastroparesis. METHODS: Using a standardized questionnaire, we analyzed the clinical features of 28 consecutive patients referred with established or suspected gastroparesis over a 4-yr period. The diagnosis of gastroparesis was supported by abnormalities in gastric emptying studies (GES), electrogastrography (EGG), or upper endoscopy (EGD). Diagnostic tests were reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 12 male (mean age 39.5 yr) and 18 female patients (mean age 39.6 yr) were included in this study. These patients had been symptomatic for an average of 37.8 months before their referral to our center. Seven of these patients had insulin-dependent diabetes. Idiopathic gastroparesis was present in more than half of the patients. The symptom profile of the 28 patients was as follows: nausea, 92.9%; abdominal pain, 89.3%; early satiety, 85.7%; and vomiting, 67.9%. The pain was described as burning, vague, or crampy in nature. Only 36% localized to the upper abdomen. In all, 60% of patients complained of postprandial pain, whereas 80% complained of nocturnal pain that interfered with their normal sleeping pattern. In general, pain responded poorly or not at all to prokinetic agents. CONCLUSIONS: Nausea and abdominal pain are the most common complaints of patients with gastroparesis. In 80% of patients, GES and EGG correlated positively.
American Indian migration and economic opportunities.

This article examines interstate migration and labor force participation among White American Indian and intermarried Indian/White couples in the US. The results show that endogamous American Indian couples are much less likely to change states of residence than are the other 2 groups of couples. The effect of interstate migration on labor force participation does not vary across the 3 groups of couples. The implications of these results for the assimilation and internal colonial models of race relations and for federal Indian policy are discussed (authors)
Two-dimensional discrete breathers: construction, stability, and bifurcations

We develop a methodology for the construction of two-dimensional discrete breather excitations. Application to the discrete nonlinear Schroedinger equation on a square lattice reveals three different types of breathers. Considering an elementary plaquette, the most unstable mode is centered on the plaquette, the most stable mode is centered on its vertices, while the intermediate (but also unstable) mode is centered at the middle of one of the edges. Below the turning points of each branch in a frequency-power phase diagram, the construction methodology fails and a continuation method is used to obtain the unstable branches of the solutions until a triple point is reached. At this triple point, the branches meet and subsequently bifurcate into the final state of an extended phonon mode. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Techniques for Teaching Projective Assessment.

(1984). Techniques For Teaching Projective Assessment. Teaching of Psychology: Vol. 11, No. 2, pp. 103-105.
Characterization of anti-channel catfish IgL σ monoclonal antibodies

This study characterizes three monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) developed against the constant (C) region of the immunoglobulin light (IgL) sigma chain isotype of the channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus. Microsphere bead assays and Western blot analyses utilizing different recombinant (r) proteins show that these anti-catfish IgL sigma chain mAbs each specifically recognize the denatured form of IgL sigma. Importantly, Western blotting of catfish sera using the anti-IgL sigma mAbs also identified an IgL chain-sized immunoreactive band(s) of approximately 27kDa. It is anticipated that these mAbs in combination with the already existing anti-catfish Ig heavy (H) and IgL chain mAbs will be useful in future studies examining the functional roles of the different catfish IgL isotypes.
Distribution constraints on resource allocation of PEV load in the power grid

Social and economic pressures are inducing the proliferation of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) in the market. As the power grid has a limited supply of electricity, this problem can be formulated as a resource allocation problem, minimizing costs of charging. In this paper we model the PEV charging problem to minimize the total cost of charging, taking into account distribution constraints. These constraints model the maximum power that distribution-lines can carry as a function of time. Moreover, we develop an algorithm to schedule the PEVs aiming at minimizing the total charging cost, subject to these instantaneous distribution constraints. Although the proposed algorithm is a suboptimal one, it is of a polynomial complexity in the number of PEVs in the system.
Coherent And Non-Coherent Far Infrared Calibration

Coherence in radiometry, or the radiometry of radiation in any state of coherence has had a short and checkered history. So short, in fact, that the very subject needs definition, elucidation, and bounds. In this article I would like to outline several specific areas in which coherence theory of some sort and radiometry come into contact. The twain meet and in several different ways. The first has to do with the noise equivalent power (NEP) of thermal and photon detectors. The second has to do with the theory of partial coherence and extended definitions of radiance, radiant emittance, radiant intensity, etc. The third deals with the conjunction of radar theory and the measurement of "coherent" returns from specific objects.© (1975) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
MW-dependent ramp rate modeling for electricity markets

This paper proposes a simple, yet rigorous, model for MW dependent ramp rates. The model is formulated as mixed linear integer constraints, and is appropriate for Unit Commitment and multi-interval dispatch formulations used by Independent System Operators (ISO) and self-scheduled generators in electricity markets. 5-bus examples are used to demonstrate the value of the proposed model, as it guarantees the optimality and feasibility of the solution.
Electrostatic and aromatic microdomains within the binding-site crevice of the D2 receptor: contributions of the second membrane-spanning segment.

The binding-site of the dopamine D2 receptor, like that of other homologous G protein-coupled receptors, is contained within a water-accessible crevice formed among its seven membrane-spanning segments. Using the substituted cysteine accessibility method (SCAM), we previously mapped the residues in the third, fifth, sixth, and seventh membrane-spanning segments that contribute to the surface of this binding-site crevice. We have now mutated to cysteine, one at a time, 22 consecutive residues in the second membrane-spanning segment (M2) and expressed the mutant receptors in HEK 293 cells. Eleven of these mutants reacted with charged, hydrophilic, lipophobic, sulfhydryl-specific reagents, added extracellularly, and 9 of these 11 were protected from reaction by a reversible dopamine antagonist, sulpiride. We infer that the side chains of the residues at the 11 reactive loci (D80, L81, V83, V87, P89, W90, V91, V92, L94, E95, V96) are on the water-accessible surface of the binding-site crevice and that 9 of these are occluded by bound antagonist. The pattern of accessibility suggests an R-helical conformation. A broadening of the angle of accessibility near the binding site is consistent with the presence of a kink at Pro89. On the basis of the enhanced rates of reaction of positively charged sulfhydryl reagents, we infer the presence of an electrostatic microdomain composed of three acidic residues in M2 and the adjacent M3 that could attract and orient cationic ligands. Furthermore, based on the enhanced reactivity of the hydrophobic cation-containing reagent, we infer the presence of an aromatic microdomain formed between M2, M3, and M7.
Therapeutic Vaccines and Immunotherapy in Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: Current Progress and Clinical Applications

Results of recent clinical trials have intensified interest in immunotherapy for cancer. Among the most promising candidates for immunotherapy are patients with prostate cancer. Results of therapeutic vaccine clinical trials in this population have suggested statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in overall survival, with substantially fewer side effects than with chemotherapy. Of particular interest are sipuleucel-T, the first U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved therapeutic cancer vaccine, and PSA-TRICOM (PROSTVAC), a therapeutic cancer vaccine in phase III testing. The immune checkpoint inhibitor ipilimumab is also stirring considerable interest, with two phase III trials ongoing in prostate cancer. This article highlights data emerging from these trials and addresses remaining questions and practical clinical implications of this therapeutic strategy.
Characteristics of Black Agricultural Economists

Black scientists in the United States, in general, are far below parity with the nonblack scientist population. The National Science Foundation (NSF) reports that 1.6% of nearly two million scientists are black. In economics, of 54,000 economists, only 2.6% are black. While the proportion of all economists that hold Ph.D. degrees is around 20%, the number of black economists that hold Ph.D. degrees is around 7%. The situation with blacks in agricultural economics is likely to be even less favorable. Strauss and Tarr report that 1.8% of the membership to the American Agricultural Economics Association is black. Only 1.3% of the Ph.D. holders is black and another 1.9% of Ph.D. candidates is black. Although blacks represent a larger share of membership holding masters and bachelors degrees, the percentage does not exceed 4%. Furthermore, of the membership that holds no degree, 50% is black.
The wounded researcher: Making a place for unconscious dynamics in the research process.

I make the case that an approach to research that makes a place for the unconscious subjectivity of a researcher is the next logical step in a line of development, from psychology as natural science through it as a human and hermeneutic science, that has made a place for the subjectivity of the researcher in research. The process of research that arises from this approach begins with acknowledging that research is a vocation in which a work claims a researcher through his or her complex unconscious ties to the work as much as he or she consciously chooses it. I then describe the process of transference dialogues based on Jung's procedure of active imagination whereby a researcher differentiates his unconscious ties to a work from the work itself and becomes in that process as much an agent for the unfinished business in the work as its author. I conclude the article with a description of the method that flows organically from the approach and its process and that makes a place for a researcher's dreams, s...
Anger expression and natural killer cell activity in family caregivers participating in a physical activity trial.

Associations between psychological functioning and natural killer cell activity (NKA) were examined in 23 older (62.2 ± 7.5 years) family caregivers randomized to a moderate intensity four-month exercise program or to a wait-list control condition. At baseline, although NKA was related to anger-control (r = –.42; trend p < .06) and anger-out (r = .50; p < .03), it was not related to depression, anxiety, perceived stress, or caregiver burden. After controlling for baseline NKA, changes in anger-control explained 14 percent of the variance in NKA four months later. Decreases in anger-control predicted increases in NKA. Group assignment (exercise vs control) was unrelated to changes in NKA over the four-month period; however, the study was not powered to detect this effect. These results are consistent with reported relationships of anger expression with other physiological measures, and extend the importance of anger expression to immune functioning in older family caregivers.
Optical model analysis of quasielastic (p, n) reactions at 22.8 Mev☆

Quasielastic (p, n) differential cross sections have been measured for 29 nuclei ranging from 9Be to 208Pb at an energy of 22.8 MeV in approximately 7.5° steps from 10° to 152°. The results have been analysed with a distorted-wave Born approximation in terms of the generalized optical model due to Lane. Starting with a complex isospin interaction form factor, U1, deduced from the Becchetti-Greenlees global set of proton optical parameters, the shape of the surface-peaked, imaginary part of U1 was varied until good fits to the data were obtained. The shape of the real part of U1 and the ratio of the real to imaginary well depths were kept fixed at the Becchetti-Greenlees values. The resulting best-fit form factors had overall strengths 20–30 % less than the Becchetti-Greenlees value. Further, the resulting imaginary part of U1 was found to peak at a decreasing radius relative to the real part of U1 with an increasing width as A increased. A smoothed parameterization of the best-fit U1 is given for all nuclei with A > 40. The individual best-fit U1 is used to generate self-consistent neutron optical potentials from the Becchetti-Greenlees proton optical potentials as prescribed by the Lane model. Neutron elastic scattering angular distributions and reaction cross sections predicted by these self-consistent potentials are in good agreement with observed neutron scattering data.
Vacuum condensation and vacuum stability in 1+1 dimensional QCD

Abstract Vacuum condensation and vacuum stability are investigated in the non-Abelian Schwinger model.
Gel probe photocurrent measurement of cuprous oxide films

Abstract We describe a new method and gel probe for measuring photocurrent action spectra of cuprous oxide thin films, without the need for assembling solar cells or using a liquid electrolyte cell. Thus, external quantum efficiency of photoactive films can be measured directly without coating a transparent conducting oxide layer or using metal evaporation for contacts. With an aqueous gel, we observe dissolution of the CuO and Cu 2 O layers, causing photocurrent decay. Replacement of the aqueous gel electrolyte with a non-aqueous gel electrolyte significantly stabilized photocurrents. A mechanism is proposed to account for all the electrochemical observations.
Female serial killers in the United States: means, motives, and makings

Most studies that have focused on female serial killers (FSKs), although informative, have examined limited sample sizes. We consulted mass media reports of demographics, motives, methods, mental health, and victim characteristics of 64 FSKs who committed their crimes in the US from 1821 to 2008. Consistent with other studies, our data showed that FSKs were typically White, educated, have been married, and held a caregiving role (e.g. mother, health care worker). Nearly 40% of FSKs in this sample experienced some form of mental illness. Their most common motive for murder was financial gain, and their most common method of killing was poisoning. FSKs knew all or most of their victims, and most were related to their victims. In all cases, FSKs targeted at least one victim who was a child, elderly, or infirm – those who had little chance of fighting back. We interpret these killers’ behaviors from clinical and evolutionary angles.
783-4 Follow-up Results of Transvenous Occlusion of Patent Ductus Arteriosus with the Adjustable Buttoned Device

During a 4-year period ending July 1994, 81 patients underwenttranscatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) with the adjustable buttoned device at 22 institutions around the world under an IRB-approved custom-made device protocol. The device is a modified version of the Sideris’ buttoned device for atrial septal defect closure. The patients were 11 mo to 65 years (median. 7.0 years) with weight range of 7.2 to 90 kg (median. 19 kg) The PDAs measured 1 to 15 mm (median, 4 mm) at the narrowest diameter; fifteen were larger than 8 mm and three larger than 10 mm with a Qp:Qs range of 1.3 to 3.2. They were occluded with devices measuring 15 to 35 mm; all but 10 were delivered via #7-French sheaths. Ten devices ≥ 25 mm were delivered to the implantation site via #8-French sheaths. 78 of 81 (96%) were implanted at first attempt. In all three with device dislodgment, the device was retrieved via the sheath and two of these underwent PDA occlusion with larger devices and third patient had elective surgical closure of PDA. Small residual shunts detected by color Doppler were present in 31 (39%) patients. Forty-one patients were followed for 1 to 24 months (8 ± 7 mo) with clinical, chest x-ray and echo-Doppler evaluation. None required repeat intervention. The device was found intact on chest x-ray and echo. No evidence for thromboembolism, endocarditis or hemolysis was found nor was there evidence for descending aortic or left pulmonary artery obstruction. Percent incidence of residual shunt by color Doppler gradually decreased and was 39,21.15.13 and 0% respectively at 1 day. 1.6,12 and 24 months following device implantation. Based on these data it is concluded that 1) transvenous occlusion of PDA is feasible, effective and safe, 2) small-sized sheaths (7-French in most, 8French in some) are adequate for all ductus sizes, 3) all types of PDAs (conical, tubular and short) and both long and short PDAs can be occluded because of the adjustable button loop design of the device. 4) further improvementlminiaturization may eventually result in extending the procedure to neonates and premature infants.
Potencies of the gonad-forming area in the chick as tested in chorio-allantoic grafts.

1. This report deals with an analysis by chorio-allantoic grafting of the developmental potentialities of the gonad-forming areas of stages prior to the genital ridge in the chick embryo. The stages tested include a) those prior to the formation of the germinal epithelium (donors having from 29 to 34 somites) and b) those in which a germinal epithelium is visibly differentiated (donors having from 35 to 41 somites). In all of these stages germ-cells are present in the gonadforming areas. 2. a) In 34% of the 77 grafts histologically examined a gonad of specific sex has differentiated. Prior to the origin of the germinal epithelium such a gonad arises in 23.9% of the grafts whereas after its formation in 48.4% of the grafts; according to a former report (WILLIER '27) when the genital ridge stage is reached it forms in approximately 100% of the grafts. b) A gonad-like body of undetermined sex forms commonly (60%) in the grafts of the gonad-forming area whereas it rarely does so in grafts of the genital ridge. Prior to the 31-somite stage this type of gonad only has thus far formed. Several grades of organization of these bodies are recognized. c) The gonad-forming area yields somewhat frequently multiple gonads whereas a well-defined genital ridge gives as a rule a single gonad. d) The size of the gonad of specific sex which arises from the gonad-forming area is smaller than one from the genital ridge. It is thus evident that a progressive change in the developmental potentialities of the gonad-forming area occurs as it transforms into a genital ridge. This is interpreted as indicating that the gonad-forming area during its initial development exhibits an ascending organization which finally attains at the genital ridge stage a fully "determined" condition. 3. In the majority of the grafts of the gonad-forming area masses of germinal-cells are found external to the gonad in the mesenchyme or spaces within it. In such positions the germ-cells merely undergo repeated multiplication, exhibiting no tendency to form a gonad. If by chance germ-cells come to be situated in the wall of either the Wolffian or Mullerian duct, the overlying coelomic epithelium thickens into a layer simulating a germinal epithelium, yet the essential components of an avian gonad, namely, the sexual cords, fail completely to invaginate. The origin and differentiation of the germinal epithelium, on the contrary, is apparently independent of primordial germ-cells since a sterile gonad forms in grafts of whole blastoderms of early somite stages following the removal of the "germ-cell crescent" ofSWIFT. 4. Germ-cells in the mesenchyme remain cytologically undifferentiated, like the primordial germ-cells, whereas those which come to be situated in the sexual cords undergo specific differentiation. The conclusion is reached, therefore, that the germ-cell is dependent upon the specific tissue environment of the sexual cord for its sexual differentiation.
Concordance Between Patient Reports of Cancer-Related Symptoms and Medical Records Documentation

Abstract Context Two sources of symptom data, patient report and medical records documentation, have been used in studies focusing on chronic conditions. The concordance of patient-reported cancer-related symptoms and clinician reports as documented in the medical records needs to be evaluated. Objectives To compare patient reports with medical record documentation of 12 disease- and treatment-related symptoms for women with advanced breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for cancer control. Methods Women (n=384) were recruited from 13 oncology clinics in the midwestern U.S. They completed telephone interviews at intake, five, and 11 weeks, where they reported the presence of 12 symptoms using a checklist. Medical records were abstracted when women completed the study. The concordance between patient reports and medical record documentation was assessed using percent agreement, kappa statistics, and McNemar's tests. Administration of medication for symptoms and patient characteristics were investigated in relation to the agreement of the two sources of data. Results Poor to slight agreement was found, and disagreement was significant for all 12 symptoms. The concordance between symptom presence in the medical record and administration of medication for the management of those symptoms was moderate. Patient characteristics were not associated with agreement, except for age. The agreement was higher for older women for the symptom of mouth sores. Conclusion Medical records may not provide adequate documentation of symptoms, and collection of patient-reported symptom data from women with advanced breast cancer is critical to quality clinical management.
The symmetric tridiagonal eigenvalue problem on a transputer network

Abstract In this paper we present an implementation of multisection and parallel bisection method on a transputer network for finding the eigenvalues and corresponding eigenvectors of a symmetric tridiagonal matrix which lie in a specified interval ( a , b ). Although several similar studies in the literature have been reported significant speedups over the sequential versions of the algorithms, it remains to be determined which multiprocessor configuration is the most advantageous for these problems.
A model for change classification of geographical data based on four hierarchal factors

A growing number of organizations and individuals improve efficiency by utilizing geographical data. When the geographical data are updated, the changed information must be transferred to the end-users to keep their client-databases current. Distinguishing and identifying the change types of the geographical objects is the premise of transferring the change information. But now the methods for classifying changes have some limitation. So in order to identity the change typology of the geographical objects, we propose a new classification model of change classification based on the four hierarchal factors. The model can be described as Change = F (OO, PP, SS, RR). The four factors are the geographical object (denoted as ‘OO’), the property of geographical object (denoted as ‘PP’), the state of geographical object and geographical object property (denoted as ‘SS’), and the result of calculation on the property values (denoted as ‘RR’). According to the model, there are three steps to identify change types. The three steps can identify all change types of the geographical objects. Based on the new method proposed in this work, we established software for automatic extracting change information and publishing them. The practical application effect indicated that this new method is satisfied to the requirements of many spatial data producers.
Bacterial P450-catalyzed polyketide hydroxylation on a microfluidic platform

The incorporation of a multicomponent, cofactor-dependant P450 into a microfluidic biochip is demonstrated. The PikC hydroxylase Streptomyces venezuelae was incorporated into a PDMS-based microfluidic channel. The enzyme was immobilized to Ni-NTA agarose beads via in situ attachment following the addition of the beads to the microchannel. The enzyme loading was approximately 6 microg per mg of beads resulting in a microchannel loading of 10.7 mg/mL. This high enzyme loading enabled the rapid hydroxylation of the macrolide YC-17 to methymycin and neomethymycin in about equal amounts with a conversion of >90% at a flow rate of 70 nL/min. This high reactivity allowed rapid hydroxylation reactions to be performed with short residence times, which is critical for complex enzymes with limited inherent stability.
Evaluation of an Internet virtual world chat room for adolescent smoking cessation.

Abstract The goal of this longitudinal study was to test an innovative approach to smoking cessation that might be particularly attractive to adolescent smokers. The study was a participatory research effort between academic and school partners. The intervention used an Internet-based, virtual reality world combined with motivational interviewing conducted in real-time by a smoking cessation counselor. Participants were 136 adolescent smokers recruited from high schools randomized to the intervention or a measurement-only control condition. Those who participated in the program were significantly more likely than controls to report at the immediate post-intervention assessment that they had abstained from smoking during the past week ( p ≤ .01), smoked fewer days in the past week ( p ≤ .001), smoked fewer cigarettes in the past week ( p ≤ .01), and considered themselves a former smoke ( p ≤ .05). Only the number of times quit was statistically significant at a one-year follow-up assessment ( p ≤ .05). The lack of longer-term results is discussed, as are methodological challenges in conducting a cluster-randomized smoking cessation study.
Nanocarrier-based therapies for CNS tumors.

SUMMARY: Current chemotherapeutic strategies for tumors of the CNS are largely ineffective. This is due, in part, to the lack of robust drug delivery systems. The blood–brain barrier hinders the passage of systemically delivered therapeutics, and the brain extracellular matrix limits the distribution and longevity of locally delivered agents. Drug-loaded nanocarriers represent a promising strategy to overcome these barriers. Due to their small size and versatile design, nanocarriers can be finely tuned to address specific drug delivery challenges. Here, we review the major advances in development of nanocarrier-based therapeutics for tumors of the CNS, with an emphasis on polymeric nanoparticles.
QUADRATIC B-MODE AND PULSE INVERSION IMAGING OF THERMALLY-INDUCED LESIONS IN VIVO

Ultrasound is a leading image-guidance modality for noninvasive surgery using high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Its low cost and portability, together with its high frame rates, are among its well-known advantages. However, ultrasound's poor soft-tissue contrast continues to limit the specificity of image feedback on local tissue changes due to the application of HIFU beams. This limitation is being addressed by developing nonlinear pulse-echo imaging methods for monitoring of lesion formation with HIFU. In this paper, we provide the first in vivo results from an investigation of two nonlinear methods for this purpose. Specifically, pulse inversion (PI) and quadratic B-mode (QB-mode) are compared with standard B-mode imaging. An integrated system employing a HIFU transducer and a diagnostic scanner was used. Beam-formed RF data was acquired in real-time before, during, and after HIFU-lesion formation and processed off-line to produce B-mode, PI-mode, and QB-mode images for comparison. The imaging target was a LNCaP Pro 5 human prostate tumor implanted in the hind limb of nude mice and carefully positioned at the intersection of the imaging plane and the HIFU focus. The results show clearly that both QB-mode and Pi-mode improve the lesion contrast compared to standard B-mode (6 dB or more for typical lesions). The results also show that QB-mode offers the advantage of improved dynamic range when compared to Pi-mode imaging (by 30 dB or higher). These in vivo results show that QB-mode imaging offers a guidance modality with high sensitivity and specificity to tissue changes at the therapeutic HIFU focus without loss in spatial resolution
Hemodynamic Determinants of Perivascular Collateral Development in Swine Renal Artery Stenosis

Renal artery stenosis (RAS), characterized by a reduction in renal blood flow (RBF), is a common cause of secondary hypertension and deterioration of renal function,1 which may progress to ischemic nephropathy and end-stage renal disease. Atherosclerosis coexisting with RAS (ARAS) is associated with even poorer outcomes than nonatherosclerotic RAS in terms of renal and cardiovascular disease.2 When a major arterial vessel is occluded, periarterial collateral vessel recruitment and formation may develop in order to bypass the obstruction and restore blood supply to the distal ischemic territory. Myocardial collateral vessels can emerge by increased flow through recruitment of native nonfunctional collaterals (that are already present)3 or by vasculogenesis of new vessels stimulated by ischemia. In the renal artery, a significant occlusion leads to rapid endothelial cell replication within as little as 1 day, with angiographically detectable collaterals becoming evident in 10 days.4 Inflammation, ischemia, or changes in shear stress are likely the dominant mechanisms underlying development of extra-renal peristenotic collateral pathways4 that have been demonstrated in RAS rats.5 In addition to neovascularization outside the kidney, ischemic nephropathy or inflammation of the stenotic kidney may also trigger intra-renal compensatory mechanisms aimed at preserving normal kidney function. We have previously shown that inflammation due to hypercholesterolemia (HC), a surrogate for early atherosclerosis, leads to intra-renal microvascular proliferation, which contributes to sustain renal perfusion.6 Therefore, proliferation of extra-renal conduits may also theoretically contribute to sustaining renal perfusion in HC superimposed on RAS. However, the renal hemodynamic forces that determine the extent of collateral circulation in RAS and the efficacy of this mechanism have not been fully described. Therefore, this study was designed to test the hypothesis that kidney function is preserved by development of collaterals around a stenosis in the renal artery. We also examined whether collateral formation is affected by coexisting HC. For this purpose we used multidetector computed tomography to measure single-kidney function in a swine model of unilateral RAS with and without superimposed HC and to assess the degree of corresponding collateral circulation growth.