cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Central effects of RDS-127: Sexual behavior after intracerebroventricular administration and in vitro receptor binding studies

Abstract RDS-127, in a dose-related manner, induced seminal emission ex copula after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration. In mating tests initiated 6 min after i.c.v. administration, RDS-127 induced decreases in ejaculation latency and intromission frequency, with some rats ejaculating on the initial intromission. Additionally, penile reflexes were eliminated by 150 μg and 600 μg, but not by an intermediate dose. In in vitro radioligand binding studies, RDS-127 potently displaced [ 3 H]DPAT binding to 5-HT 1A sites in rat cortex ( K i = 14 ± 4 nM) and was only moderately effective in displacing [ 3 H]spiperone binding to dopaminergic D 2 sites in rat striatum. RDS-127 was essentially ineffective at 5-HT 1B sites labeled by [ 3 H]5-HT in rat striatum ( K i = 13000 ± 4000 nM). These data demonstrate that centrally administered RDS-127 mimics the previously reported alterations in sexual behavior after systemic treatment and that RDS-127 is a high affinity 5-HT 1A agent with low affinity at the 5-HT 1B binding site.
System level power and performance modeling of GALS point-to-point communication interfaces

Due to difficulties in distributing a single global clock signal over increasingly large chip areas, a globally asynchronous, locally synchronous design is considered a promising technique in the system on a chip (SoC) era. In the context of today's increasingly complex SoCs, there is a need for design methodologies that start at higher levels of abstraction. Much of the previous work has been devoted to design of asynchronous communication schemes such as mixed clock FIFOs and pausible clocks for globally asynchronous, locally synchronous systems, but at low levels of abstraction, such as circuit level. To enable early design evaluation of such schemes, this paper proposes to use a SystemC-based modeling methodology for the asynchronous communication among various locally synchronous islands. The modeling framework encompasses various levels of abstraction and enables system-level validation of circuit or RT level hardware descriptions, as well as their impact on high-level design decisions.
Ventriculoperitoneal shunt externalization during laparoscopic prostatectomy

Ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement is the standard treatment for patients with hydrocephalus or increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Many patients with ventriculoperitoneal shunts require subsequent surgery. Increasingly, this surgery is performed laparoscopically. We describe externalizing the ventriculoperitoneal shunt outside the abdomen in a patient undergoing extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
Sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) lethal factor: Purification by recycling on m-aminophenyl boronic acid acrylic beads

Abstract Experiments were performed to define the best isolation method for isolating Chrysaora fishing tentacle nematocyst organelles in order to minimize non-nematocyst contaminating proteins and proteases and stabilize crude nematocyst venom lethal activity. Techniques employed to disrupt the tentacles included autolysis, homogenization, or digestion using either trypsin or collagenase. Sephacryl-200 gel-filtration chromatography separated two lethal fractions. An immobilized serine protease inhibitor column, m-aminophenyl boronic acid acrylic beads, which reversibly bound one of the two lethal factors, was used in the second and third purification steps. By this means, a 105,000 mol wt. protein was purified, as judged by silver stained SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Lethal activity was inhibited by exposure to the serine protease inhibitor, l -1 chloro 3[4-tosylamido]-7-amino-2-heptanone-HCl, after purification. Although this lethal factor has some characteristics of a serine protease, it is not proteolytically active.
Effect of time of mating relative to ovulation on morphological diversity of swine blastocysts.

The effect of time of mating relative to ovulation on the amount of embryonic diversity was investigated in 37 mature crossbred gilts. Ovulation was induced by injecting proestrous gilts with 1000 IU of hCG. Gilts were naturally mated once at 24-32 (control), 41, or 43 h after hCG injection (n = 10, 9, and 18, respectively). Blastocysts were collected surgically 288 h posthCG from gilts mated at 24-32 h post-hCG, from those mated at 41 h post-hCG, and from 8 of those mated at 43 h post-hCG. Collection of blastocysts was performed at 295 h in 10 gilts mated at 43 h post-hCG. Blastocysts within the ranges 1.0-4.0, 4.57.0, 7.5-10.0, 10.5-15.0, and 15.5-40.0 mm and those > 40.0 mm were classified morphologically as small, medium, and large spheres and as ovoidal, tubular, and filamentous, respectively. Blastocysts were incubated for 6 h to quantify secretion of estradiol17 (estradiol). Morphological diversity (standard deviation of size) did not differ among blastocysts of treatment groups. Delaying the time of mating reduced (p < 0.07) the subsequent size and estradiol secretion of blastocysts. Waiting until 295 h after hCG to evaluate blastocysts of gilts mated at 43 h resulted in blastocyst size and estradiol secretion similar to that of concepti of controls. Estradiol secretion by medium and large spherical blastocysts of gilts mated at 43 h post-hCG and evaluated at 288 h was lower (p < 0.05) than that by blastocysts of the same classifications from controls. Delaying mating, relative to ovulation, decreased size and estradiol secretion of blastocysts but did not affect the extent of their morphological diversity.
Automatic and subsequent dissolution and precipitation process in inorganic macroionic solutions.

We report an interesting phenomenon in the NaCl-containing aqueous solution of {Mo72Fe30} macroions, where dissolution and precipitation processes of hydrophilic macroions automatically and subsequently occur without changing external conditions or chemical reactions. Our previous work indicates that {Mo72Fe30} macroions tend to slowly self-assemble into single-layer, vesicle-like “blackberries”. Such macroions have two solute states in solutions: the entropy-favored general state (homogeneous distribution) and the free-energy favored second solute state (blackberries). With additional salts, the originally stable blackberries become less stable due to their shortened screening length, and they tend to further aggregate and precipitate at much lower concentrations. Therefore, in such a solution, we can observe a subsequent process: crystal solids → homogeneous single macroion solution → homogeneous blackberry solution → precipitates containing noncrystalline solids. In other words, we observed the behav...
Biochemical genetics of Chinese hamster cell mutants with deviant purine metabolism. VI. Enzymatic studies of two mutants unable to convert inosinic acid to adenylic acid

Ade−H and ade−I are two auxotrophic mutants of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells which specifically require adenine as the purine source to grow. The enzymatic defects of these mutants were examined in cell-free extracts. It was found that ade−H did not have any detectable adenylosuccinate synthetase activity and ade−I was defective in the adenylosuccinate lyase enzyme. The relevance of adenine-requiring mutants to the study of the regulation of purine metabolism in mammalian cells is discussed.
Roles of Nitric Oxide in Surgical Infection and Sepsis

Recent advances in nitric oxide (NO) research have begun to elucidate the roles of NO in sepsis and infection. Although adequate levels of NO production are necessary to preserve perfusion and carry out cytoprotective functions in sepsis, overproduction appears to contribute to hemodynamic instability and tissue damage. These observations have led to the development of strategies to inhibit NO synthesis or scavenge excess NO in patients with septic shock. Local expression of the inducible NO synthase also has antimicrobial functions. The combination of NO with superoxide forms peroxynitrite which participates in bacterial killing in the peritoneal cavity. The capacity of red blood cells and hemoglobin to remove NO most likely accounts for the adjuvant effect of blood in peritonitis. This review will summarize the pathobiology of NO in surgical sepsis and infection.
Coping with rejection concerns in romantic relationships: An experimental investigation of social anxiety and risk regulation

Abstract Social anxiety tends to be examined from an intrapersonal perspective. Only recently have researchers started to explore social anxiety in the context of close relationships. In the current study, we investigated whether people with greater social anxiety respond defensively when the threat of being rejected by one׳s romantic partner becomes salient. Confronted with possible rejection, we hypothesized that people with greater social anxiety would devalue their partners to minimize the impact of the rejection. Fifty one couples participated in a laboratory interaction with one member assigned to a rejection condition—led to believe that their partner was listing excessive negative characteristics about them; the other member was assigned to a neutral condition in which they received an innocuous filler task. Results revealed a positive association between social anxiety and rejection concerns that could not be attributed to depressive symptoms, rejection sensitivity, attachment styles, or trust. People with greater social anxiety coped with these concerns by devaluing romantic partners following the rejection condition; in the neutral condition, they adopted an overly positive/enhanced perception of partners. Our findings illustrate the defensive, risk management strategies used by people with greater social anxiety in aversive relational contexts.
Highly stable, diode-pumped, cavity-dumped Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier for the OMEGA laser fusion facility

A new highly stable, diode-pumped, cavity-dumped, compact Nd:YLF regenerative amplifier (regen) of continuously shaped nanosecond pulses with a gain of ~109 has been developed for the front-end laser system of the OMEGA laser fusion facility. High output energy, long-term energy and temporal pulse shape stability, and high-quality beam profile have been demonstrated. Reliability, simplicity, modular design, and compactness are key features of a new OMEGA diode-pumped regen.
VOTING STATUS LIFE TABLES FOR THE UNITED STATES, 1968-1980

Using current and retrospective voting data from the November Current Population Surveys of Presidential election years, this study modifies and applies demographic accounting and increment-decrement life table methods to construct voting status life tables for three recent election periods. The paper shows how to combine a continuously occurring process (mortality) with a process that is active only at discrete times (voting transitions) within a multistate life table. Empirical results pertain to the number of Presidential elections an individual is expected to vote in at ages 0 and 18, the typical life course pattern of transitions between voting and not voting statuses, sex and race differentials, changes across the three election periods, and cohort effects.
Vectorial Modulational Instability in a Bismuth Fiber

Vectorial modulational instability peaks are observed in a low-birefringence bismuth-oxide fiber. These peaks grow 1.9 THz away from the pump and their state of polarization is orthogonal to the pump.
Generation of light with orbital angular momentum in optical fiber via acousto-optic interaction

We examine acousto-optic interaction in optical fiber from the perspective of co-propagating optical and acoustic vortex modes. Calculation of the coupling coefficient between different optical modes shows independent conservation of spin and orbital angular momentum of the interacting photons and phonons. We show that orbital angular momentum of the acoustic vortex can be transferred to a circularly polarized fundamental optical mode to form a stable optical vortex in the fiber carrying orbital angular momentum, thus providing a useful way of generating stable optical vortices in the fiber medium.
Undergraduate digital laboratories

Digital circuits are rapidly replacing analog circuits in many areas of electrical engineering. The undergraduate curriculum in electrical engineering has reflected these changes by including more course work in the digital area. The availability of low cost integrated circuit logic elements and minicomputers has made it possible to provide a digital system laboratory program that allows the student to undertake the design of realistic digital systems. This paper discusses the organization of such a laboratory program and the facilities needed to carry out this program.
Effect of hormonal manipulation on human fallopian tubal epithelium in vitro.

Purpose Estradiol (E2)induced ciliogenesis has been demonstrated in several mammalian species. There is no consensus as to what extent, if any, this occurs in humans. The aim of this study was to determine whether hormonal manipulation could limit deciliation and/or stimulate ciliogenesis using human tubal epithelium in vitro.
The role of parathyroidectomy in JAK2 mutation negative polycythemia vera

The relationship between polycythemia vera (PV) and primary hyperparathyroidism is not well understood. Remission or improvement of PV following parathyroidectomy in the setting of primary hyperparathyroidism has previously been described; however, long-term outcomes are not well characterized. We describe a patient with JAK2 mutation negative PV and primary hyperparathyroidism, with a dramatic, but ultimately transient, improvement in hemoglobin following resection of a parathyroid adenoma. While screening for hyperparathyroidism may be useful in the setting of PV, indications for parathyroidectomy should be driven by symptomatology or established criteria, not the desire to affect the clinical course of PV.
Examining the Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Workplace Deviance: A Self-Regulatory Perspective

The causes of workplace deviance are of increasing interest to organizations. We integrate psychological and neurocognitive perspectives to examine the effects of sleep deprivation on workplace dev...
DIFFERENCES IN ENZYME CONTENT OF AZUROPHIL AND SPECIFIC GRANULES OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES : I. Histochemical Staining of Bone Marrow Smears

Histochemical procedures for PMN granule enzymes were carried out on smears prepared from normal rabbit bone marrow, and the smears were examined by light microscopy. For each of the enzymes tested, azo dye and heavy metal techniques were utilized when possible. The distribution and intensity of each reaction were compared to the distribution of azurophil and specific granules in developing PMN. The distribution of peroxidase and six lysosomal enzymes (acid phosphatase, arylsulfatase, β-galactosidase, β-glucuronidase, esterase, and 5'-nucleotidase) corresponded to that of azurophil granules. Progranulocytes contained numerous reactive granules, and later stages contained only a few. The distribution of one enzyme, alkaline phosphatase, corresponded to that of specific granules. Reaction product first appeared in myelocytes, and later stages contained numerous reactive granules. The results of tests for lipase and thiolacetic acid esterase were negative at all developmental stages. Both types of granules stained for basic protein and arginine. It is concluded that azurophil and specific granules differ in their enzyme content. Moreover, a given enzyme appears to be restricted to one of the granules. The findings further indicate that azurophil granules are primary lysosomes, since they contain numerous lysosomal, hydrolytic enzymes, but the nature of specific granules is uncertain since, except for alkaline phosphatase, their contents remain unknown.
PARTISAN COMMITMENT: A Research Note

The commitment of respondents to their answers to the National Election Studies party identification question is examined in a nationwide experiment using the traditional wording and two variant wordings. About two-thirds of the sample were found to be committed to their responses. Leaners and pure independents were particularly uncommitted. Committed independents were much closer to the classical image than those identified as independents by the traditional measure. Leaners are not entirely consistent either with the view that they are disguised partisans or with the view that they are mostly independent with a tendency to lean toward a party. Of particular theoretical importance were the one-fifth of the sample who, when given the chance, indicated that they did not think of themselves in either partisan or independent terms. We suggest that the standard question on party identification should be supplemented with periodic monitoring of the extent of nonconforming answers.
Toxins selective for subunit interfaces as probes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor structure.

Abstract The pentameric structure of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor with two of the five subunit interfaces serving as ligand binding sites offers an opportunity to distinguish features on the surfaces of the subunits and their ligand specificity characteristics. This problem has been approached through the study of assembly of subunits and binding characteristics of selective peptide toxins. The receptor, with its circular order of homologous subunits (αγαδβ), assembles in only one arrangement, and through mutagenesis, the residues governing assembly can be ascertained. Selectivity of certain toxins is sufficient to readily distinguish between sites at the αγ and αδ interfaces. By interchanging residues on the γ and δ subunits, and ascertaining how they interact with the α-subunit, determinants forming the binding sites can be delineated. The α-conotoxins, which contain two disulfide loops and 12–14 amino acids, show a 10 000-fold preference for the αγ over the αγ subunit interface with αe falling between the two. The waglerins, as 22–24 amino acid peptides with a single core disulfide loop, show a 2000-fold preference for αe over the αγ and αδ interfaces. Finally, the 6700 Da short α-neurotoxin from N. mossambica mossambica shows a 10 000-fold preference for the αγ and αδ interfaces over αe. Selective mutagenesis enables one to also distinguish α-neurotoxin binding at the αγ and αδ subunits. This information, when coupled with homology modeling of domains and site-directed residue modification, reveals important elements of receptor structure and conformation.
Investigation of HgCdTe surface films and their removal

We have examined the formation and removal of native surface films on Hg1−xCdxTe (n-type, x=0.2). Samples were etched with a Br-based solution and then characterized by spectroscopic ellipsometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A second set of measurements was acquired after these samples were exposed to air. The results confirm the formation of a surface layer consisting primarily of oxide(s) following an etch of the samples. It also appears that elemental Te may be a component of the postetch film. We presently believe that the predominant components of the oxide are TeO2 and CdO. Following the formation of the native oxide we examined its solubility by immersing the samples in several common liquids. While isopropanol and acetone had little effect, de-ionized water, methanol and ethylene glycol each removed significant portions of the HgCdTe surface oxide. Atomic force microscope images suggest that the removal of the surface film may not be entirely uniform. Additionally, it was shown that storage in de-ionized water, methanol, or isopropanol essentially preserves the postetch surface properties.
Design for a GeV/m laser-driven electron accelerator

We propose a dielectric-based, multistaged, laser-driven electron linear accelerometer microstructure operating in a vacuum that is capable of accelerating electrons to 1 TeV in one kilometer. Our study shows that a GeV/m gradient is achievable using two 100 fsec focused crossed-laser-beams, repeated every 300 micrometers , operated at a peak power of 0.2 GW and an energy density of less than 2J/cm2 on the accelerator structure.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Factors that predict the benefit of lowering intraocular pressure in normal-tension glaucoma.

A NDERSON AND ASSOCIATES , IN AN ARTICLE IN this issue of THE JOURNAL, present a further analysis of data from the Collaborative Normal-tension Glaucoma (NTG) study and attempt to identify “factors that predict the benefit of IOP lowering in NTG.” The Collaborative Normal-tension Glaucoma study found that the intraocular pressure influences the course of disease, with a reduced rate of visual field loss in cases with at least
What is the role of obesity in hypertension and target organ injury in African Americans

Hypertension is the most common reversible risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is especially common in African Americans. One of the factors that may contribute to the high rates of hypertension and target organ injury in African Americans is obesity. Hypertension and obesity are common among African Americans. Obesity is particularly common in African American women. About 75% of African American women are obese. Regulation of both body weight and blood pressure are complex, involving an interaction of genetic and environmental factors. Most research thus far has focused on blood pressure control systems studied in other forms of hypertension, including the sympathetic nervous system, the renin angiotensin system, and metabolic factors-primarily insulin resistance. Proposed mechanisms that are unique to obesity-associated hypertension include: 1) intrarenal physical forces associated with obesity-induced changes in the renal medulla; 2) genetic/metabolic factors; and 3) metabolic effects of abdominal visceral fat. The Jackson Heart Study provides a unique opportunity to address unresolved questions in the relationship of body weight, blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.
Estimation of Microbial Populations in Frozen Concentrated Orange Juice using Automated Impedance Measurements

Automated impedance measurements were used to classify samples of frozen concentrated orange juice as acceptable ( 104 CFU/ml). Calibration curves relating initial microbial concentration to impedance detection time were generated for several orange juice isolates. Cut-off times of 10.2 hr for bacteria and 15.8 hr for yeasts were adopted. More than 96% of 468 retail samples were correctly classified using automated impedance measurements. This technique has several advantages over other automated systems, including lower cost and reduced demand for technician time, and it provides reliable results much quicker than does the agar plate count.
Inner-city gatekeepers: an exploratory survey of their information use environment

This article describes the information use environment (IUE) of African-American gatekeepers in Harambee, an inner-city neighborhood in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In-depth one-on-one interviews were held with a purposive sample of 20 gatekeepers identified through community-based organizations between April and May 1997. Findings indicated that the gatekeepers were slightly better educated and earned more than the average Harambee resident. The most prevalent information needs experience related to race relations, crime and family, and their sources of unmet needs were lack of awareness of or access to existing information or resources. Interpersonal sources were preferred over all other sources because of concerns about trustworthiness and credibility of information. The implications of these findings for professional information services are discussed.
Influence of combined visual and vestibular cues on human perception and control of horizontal rotation

Measurements are made of manual control performance in the closed-loop task of nulling perceived self-rotation velocity about an earth-vertical axis. Self-velocity estimation is modeled as a function of the simultaneous presentation of vestibular and peripheral visual field motion cues. Based on measured low-frequency operator behavior in three visual field environments, a parallel channel linear model is proposed which has separate visual and vestibular pathways summing in a complementary manner. A dual-input describing function analysis supports the complementary model; vestibular cues dominate sensation at higher frequencies. The describing function model is extended by the proposal of a non-linear cue conflict model, in which cue weighting depends on the level of agreement between visual and vestibular cues.
Cardiac Syndrome X and Endothelial Dysfunction: New Concepts in Prognosis and Treatment

Cardiac syndrome X (CSX), or angina with no flow-limiting stenosis on coronary angiogram, has been regarded as a condition with an excellent prognosis despite variable symptomatic improvement. Newer data show that patients with CSX with endothelial dysfunction have an increased risk for future adverse cardiac events. Current hypotheses of CSX pathophysiology emphasize a dysfunctional vascular endothelium that leads to microvascular ischemia. Treatments that target improving endothelial function, such as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, estrogen, and lifestyle modification, are promising additions to treatment regimens for CSX. The goal of this article is to provide information for improved diagnosis, risk stratification, and therapy for the population with CSX.
An option‐based approach for pricing perishable services assets

The concept of option pricing is used to develop an alternative model for pricing services that have a fixed availability and expiration. The binomial option pricing model and abandonment theory are financial models used to demonstrate that the option to cut price contributes positively to a service’s expected profitability. Pricing of hotel rooms is used to demonstrate in a marketing context the use of this option model approach. Airline seats, events, and vacation house rentals are some of the many other alternative applications among consumer services, as broadcast time is a similar example among industrial services.
System For The Digitization, Display And Archiving Of Radiographs: Design And Early Experience

In this paper we describe a system for the digitization, display, and storage of radiographic images. The system was set up to support a project to assess the clinical impact of matrix size on teleradiology, defined for our purposes as the electronic recording and transmission of radiographs. The system consists of two separate facilities, one for image digitizing and the other for image display, interpretation, and archiving. The image digitizing laboratory uses a solid state scanner interfaced to a dedicated, general-purpose minicomputer. The display facility consists of a general-purpose, multi-user minicomputer with large main memory and disk capacity and a 1280 by 1024 display subsystem with three separate image memories. The two facilities communicate via magnetic tape. This paper documents the characterization of the image data base used for the project, the design and operational features of the two facilities, technical problems encountered in the digitizing and display of radiographs, and some logistical and managerial considerations involved in generating and maintaining a large digital image archive. Since many of the functions of the system we have set up are common to picture archiving and communication systems, we have, where possible, compared the performance of the system we have developed with the requirements that would have to be satisfied by a system intended for clinical use. We leave for future reports the discussion of the conduct of the image reading experiments and the results of those experiments.
Serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonists prevent cisplatin-induced emesis in Cryptotis parva: a new experimental model of emesis

The aim of this manuscript is to introduce Cryptotis parva (the least shrew) as a new experimental emesis model. The chemotherapeutic agent, cisplatin, caused a dose-dependent increase in the number of animals exhibiting vomiting and retching behaviours with ED50 values of 6.43 ± 1 and 7.9 ± 1.2 mg/kg, respectively. The frequencies of these parameters were also dose-dependent. Intraperitoneal administration of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists (tropisetron or MDL 72222) prevented cisplatin-induced emesis and retching behaviours in the least shrew by a dose-dependent mechanism with respective ID50 values of 4.28 ± 2.8 and 2.05 ± 2 for emesis, and 2.71 ± 4.5 and 2.52 ± 2.59 for retching. Intraperitoneal injection of selective and nonselective 5-HT3 receptor agonists potently, and in a dose-dependent fashion, induced emesis in the least shrew with the following ED50 potency order: 2-methyl 5-HT ≈ 5-HT (p > 0.05) <5-HTQ (p < 0.01) <mCPBG (p < 0.001). As with other established experimental animal emesis models, the present data indicate that cisplatin causes emesis by activating 5-HT3 receptors indirectly via release of 5-HT.
The ever-increasing complexities of the exon junction complex

Over the past decade many studies have revealed a complex web of interconnections between the numerous steps required for eukaryotic gene expression. One set of interconnections link nuclear pre-mRNA splicing and the subsequent metabolism of the spliced mRNAs. It is now apparent that the means of connection is a set of proteins, collectively called the exon junction complex, which are deposited as a consequence of splicing upstream of mRNA exon-exon junctions.
Promotion of hematopoietic stem cell differentiation in vitro by a soluble mediator, allogeneic effect factor.

This study was designed to investigate the effects of allogeneic effect factor (AEF), a soluble mediator derived from short-term mixed lymphocyte cultures (MLC) of in vitro alloantigen-primed T cells, on cultures of murine bone marrow cells. Cultures established under suboptimal conditions namely, in the absence of a pre-established adherent cell layer as required in conventional Dextertype cultures–declined and lost their stem cell activity rapidly. In contrast, supplementation of these cultures, at initiation and thereafter, with AEF, but not with T cell growth factor (TCGF), induced cell growth and proliferation for several weeks. Such AEF-supplemented cultures exhibited cellular heterogeneity and stem cell activity for significantly longer periods than the control cultures. Even in conventional Dexter cultures, established under optimal conditions, AEF had a beneficial effect on cellular growth and proliferation and myeloid progenitor cell (CFU-C) activity. Furthermore, cells capable of synergizing with suboptimal numbers of mature T cells in con A-induced mitogenic responses, shown by others to be pre-T cells, were detected in the AEF-supplemented cultures for several weeks.
The human gut sterolbiome: bile acid-microbiome endocrine aspects and therapeutics

The human body is now viewed as a complex ecosystem that on a cellular and gene level is mainly prokaryotic. The mammalian liver synthesizes and secretes hydrophilic primary bile acids, some of which enter the colon during the enterohepatic circulation, and are converted into numerous hydrophobic metabolites which are capable of entering the portal circulation, returned to the liver, and in humans, accumulating in the biliary pool. Bile acids are hormones that regulate their own synthesis, transport, in addition to glucose and lipid homeostasis, and energy balance. The gut microbial community through their capacity to produce bile acid metabolites distinct from the liver can be thought of as an “endocrine organ” with potential to alter host physiology, perhaps to their own favor. We propose the term “sterolbiome” to describe the genetic potential of the gut microbiome to produce endocrine molecules from endogenous and exogenous steroids in the mammalian gut. The affinity of secondary bile acid metabolites to host nuclear receptors is described, the potential of secondary bile acids to promote tumors, and the potential of bile acids to serve as therapeutic agents are discussed.
Multi-beam techniques for deriving wind fields from airborne doppler radars

Two techniques for deriving horizontal and vertical air motions using vertically scanning airborne Doppler radar data are presented and discussed. These techniques make use of the scanning ability of the NOAA P-3 tail-mounted radar antenna to view a region of space from at least two vantage points during a straight-line flight track. The scanning methodology is termed the “Fore/Aft Scanning Technique” or FAST because the antenna is alternately scanning forward and then aft of the flight track. The major advantages of FAST over flying two quasi-orthogonal flight tracks with the antenna scanning normal to the flight track are that the data are collected in roughly half the time and the aircraft does not have to execute a right-angle turn. However, accuracy of the resulting wind field is compromised slightly because the beam intersection angle is reduced from 90° to about 50°. The reduction of area covered because of large drift angles is also discussed.
The joint contribution of tumor phenotype and education to breast cancer survival disparity between Hispanic and non-Hispanic white women

Some studies suggest that Hispanic women are more likely to have ER− and triple-negative (ER−/PR−/HER2−) tumors and subsequently poorer prognosis than non-Hispanic white (NHW) women. In addition, only a handful of studies have examined period-specific effects of tumor phenotype and ethnicity on breast cancer survival, leaving the time-varying effects of hormonal status and ethnicity on breast cancer survival poorly defined. This study describes short and long-term breast cancer survival by ethnicity at 0–5 years and 5+ years post-diagnosis using data from the New Mexico Health, Eating, Activity, and Lifestyle cohort of Hispanic and NHW women ages 29–88 years newly diagnosed with stages I–IIIA breast cancer. The survival rate for Hispanics at 0–5 years was 82.2 % versus 94.3 % for NHW. Hispanics were more likely to have larger tumors, more advanced stage, and ER− phenotypes compared to NHW women. There was a significantly higher risk of breast cancer mortality in Hispanics over 5 years of follow-up compared to NHW (HR = 2.78, 95 % CI 1.39–5.56), adjusting for age, tumor phenotype, stage, and tumor size. This ethnic difference in survival, however, was attenuated and no longer statistically significant when additional adjustment was made for education, although a >1.5-fold increase in mortality was observed. In contrast, there was no difference between ethnic groups for survival after 5 years (HR = 1.08, 95 % CI 0.36–3.24). Our results indicate that the difference in survival between Hispanic and NHW women with breast cancer occurs in the first few years following diagnosis and is jointly associated with tumor phenotype and socio-demographic factors related to education.
Finite Element Analysis of In Vivo Radiocarpal Contact Mechanics Resulting From Scapholunate Ligament Injury

Secondary osteoarthritis (OA) as a result of joint injury is a significant problem. For the wrist in particular, scapholunate dissociation, resulting from injury to the scapholunate interosseous ligament (SLIL), is a commonly occurring pathology. SLIL tears can lead to scapholunate joint instability due to abnormal motion and load transfer through multiple carpal joints. If left untreated, SLIL injury has been known to progress to scapholunate advanced collapse (or SLAC wrist) with radiocarpal OA [1]. While the pathomechanics leading to the onset of OA are not clearly understood, changes in kinematics and contact mechanics with injury are believed to be causative factors. Of particular importance are joint contact pressures and pressure distributions, which are considered to be important mechanical factors. Comparing changes in joint mechanics between normal and injured wrists may help us better understand the progression of OA and improve the efficacy of corrective measures. Several techniques exist to evaluate joint mechanics. Of these, 3D image-based computational modeling is very useful to determine in vivo joint mechanics. Finite element modeling (FEM) is the most common and widely used computational method because of the ability to obtain 3D stresses and strains, and due to software availability. Therefore the objective of this study was to compare radiocarpal joint mechanics (contact forces, contact areas, contact locations, peak and average contact pressures) from FEM between normal and injured wrists. We hypothesized that peak contact pressures and average contact pressures would be higher in the injured wrists.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
The Relationship Between Child Characteristics and Placement in Specialized Versus Inclusive Early Childhood Programs

This study examined early childhood placement as a function of child characteristics in terms of chronological age, severity of disability, developmental status, functional abilities, and behavioral characteristics. The study sample consisted of 162 children (69 in specialized programs and 93 in inclusive settings) ranging in age from 11 to 102 months (M = 47.5 months). Children were assessed on the Battelle Developmental Inventory (BDI), the ABILITIES Index, and the Carolina Record of Individual Behavior (CRIB). In general, children enrolled in inclusive programs were found to be more mildly disabled and functioning at higher levels than their counterparts enrolled in programs designed exclusively for children with disabilities. A discriminant function analysis revealed that overall agreement between actual and predicted placement based on child characteristics was 75%, suggesting that other factors may have affected placement decisions for some children. The interaction between chronological age and typ...
Adaptive nonlinear control for end-effector position tracking of multi-link flexible manipulators with embedded active materials

It is well known that the dynamics of multi-link flexible arm from the join actuators to the tip position are non-minimum phase. Therefore, many available adaptive nonlinear control techniques are not applicable to flexible manipulators. In this paper, utilization of extra actuation along the flexible links is considered. Addition of piezoceramic sensors and actuators at proper locations of the arm will yield a minimum phase system. This will allow application of nonlinear feedback methodologies available in the literature. In this paper, experimental results on vibration suppression and end-effector position tracking for a flexible manipulator with embedded piezoceramics are presented. Experimental setups have been developed at Control/Robotics Research Laboratory (CRRL) to study modeling issues and control design approaches for flexible structures with embedded (or surface-mounted) piezoceramics. >
Expectancy theory in developing nations: Motivating Botswana public servants

The degree to which individuals are motivated to apply themselves depends in part on how far they expect to be able to achieve given goals. This study, based on interviews of local government administrators in Botswana, not only stresses the importance of expectancy in motivation but reports the importance of altruistic goals among these administrators. Among those interviewed there was a strong desire to advance their own careers, both by developing themselves in the job they currently hold, and by advancing through the organizational hierarchy. Employees, however, were also anxious to accomplish concrete objectives in their current jobs and thus to contribute to the development of the nation. Here unless officials have the expectancy of being able to achieve these goals their motivation is affected. Thus emphasis is placed in this article on the need to supplement traditional attention to pay and promotion as devices to improve motivation with a concern to remove road blocks to development. The enquiry thus strengthens the case for the performance improvement programme of the United Nations.
In situ enzymatic oligonucleotide amplification of hepatitis C virus-RNA in liver biopsy specimens (reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction) after orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatitis C-related liver disease.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C infection recurs after orthotopic liver transplantation for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related end-stage liver disease. Overlapping histopathologic features may present difficulties in differentiating recurrent HCV in the allograft from other conditions, especially rejection. METHODS In this study, we evaluated the presence of HCV-RNA by reverse transcriptase in situ polymerase chain reaction (RT in situ RCR) in hepatic tissue, after orthotopic liver transplantation for HCV-related liver disease. Further, detection of HCV-RNA was correlated with the serum HCV-RNA levels, histopathology, and clinical outcome. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were part of this study. Seventeen patients were transplanted for HCV cirrhosis and eight for an underlying disease other than HCV. None of the patients in the non-HCV group had in situ RT-PCR detection of HCV-RNA. Positive RT in situ PCR for HCV was found in 9 of 17 HCV patients, and the patients had a clinical course consistent with recurrent hepatitis C disease. Four of these nine patients had an initial histologic diagnosis of rejection. The other eight patients in the HCV group had negative RT in situ PCR, and none of them had a course compatible with recurrent HCV disease, although four patients were histologically diagnosed as having chronic C hepatitis. The mean HCV-RNA level (log/mL) in the patients who had in situ detection of HCV-RNA was 7.01+/-0.26. Although RT-PCR was negative in 8 of 17 HCV patients, the patients were serologically viremic and the mean HCV-RNA level was 6.05+/-0.33 (P=0.03). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate that the HCV in situ RT-PCR assay may be helpful in the differentiation of recurrent hepatitis C disease from rejection. This may further help in the adjustment of immunosuppression.
Social Movements, Party Organization, and Populism: Insights from the Bolivian MAS

The Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) emerged in Bolivia’s Chapare region in the 1990s. Born of a rural social movement of coca growers, it spread to the cities and became the country’s dominant political force as its leader, Evo Morales, was elected to the presidency in 2005. This article argues that the MAS is a hybrid organization whose electoral success has been contingent on the construction of a strong rural-urban coalition, built on the basis of different linkages between the MAS and organized popular constituencies in rural and urban areas. Whereas the MAS’s rural origins gave rise to grassroots control over the leadership, its expansion to urban areas has fostered the emergence of top-down mobilization strategies. The analysis also reveals how much popular sectors allied with the MAS have pressured the Morales government from below and held it accountable to societal demands.
Elementary School Teachers' Comprehension of Data Displays.

This study investigated elementary school teachers’ comprehension of data displays. Assessment, interview, and observation data were analyzed to determine their level of comprehension. Results revealed that the teachers were proficient at “reading the data” and computation types of “reading between the data” questions, but were unsuccessful with questions that assessed higher levels of graphical comprehension. Many of the difficulties exhibited by the teachers appear to be attributable to a lack of exposure to the content. Implications for teacher preparation, professional development, and curricula development are discussed.
Marine Cyanobacterial Fatty Acid Amides Acting on Cannabinoid Receptors

Lipids are utilized by diverse organisms, which suggests an evolutionarily conserved role of this class of compounds.[1] Indeed, lipidomics is emerging as a crucial field of research because of the key role of lipid biomolecules in a wide array of physiological functions.[2] Research has also uncovered some vital lipid-protein interactions where lipid molecules can bind to specific protein domains to mediate physiological effects. The endocannabinoid system is a representative example, where two characterized G-protein coupled cannabinoid receptors CB1 and CB2 are modulated by endogenous lipids known as endocannabinoids. Importantly, this system has been implicated in various pathophysiologies, including neurodegenerative diseases, eating disorders, pain, inflammation and cancer.[3–7] Therefore, a better understanding of this system has become of significant interest, and the cannabinoid receptors have been viewed as possible targets for different diseases.[1, 5] The classical concept that all agonists at a given GPCR induce a similar repertoire of downstream events is now uncertain, and the latest experimental evidence supports the existence of ligand-specific functional selectivity at the cannabinoid receptors.[3] Consequently, the identification of new structural scaffolds that can bind to the cannabinoid receptors remains an essential tool to dig further into this complex system.
Microstructure of hardened and softened zirconia after xenon implantation

Ion-channeling and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques were used to examine the microstructure of single-crystal Y2O3 stabilized cubic zirconia (YSZ) after implantation with 240 keV Xe+ ions. The observed microstructure was related to Knoop indentation hardness measurements. These measurements showed an increase in hardness for low ion-doses, reaching some maximum value, then a decrease in hardness at higher doses. In the hardening regime, below 7.5 × 1015 Xe+/cm2, point defects and dislocation networks were observed by TEM. Ion-channeling showed a corresponding increase in damage as a function of ion-dose. For doses between 7.5 × 1015 and 3 × 1016 Xe+/cm2 the hardness falls, and the amount of damage, measured with ion-channeling, reaches a limiting value at less than complete damage. In this dose range the Xe concentration continues to increase beyond the dose where the amount of damage saturates. For high doses, greater than 3 × 1016 Xe+/cm2, where softening of the zirconia occurs, additional reflections appear in the electron diffraction pattern that are consistent with the lattice parameter of solid Xe. A diffuse ring is also visible; this is believed to be due to the presence of fluid Xe. Both ion-channeling and TEM show that a significant amount of monocrystalline zirconia remains even up to doses of 1 × 1017 Xe+/cm2. There is also evidence for the presence of recrystallized zirconia at the high doses. Since so much crystalline material remains, it seems that amorphization of the zirconia is not the dominant cause of the softening at high doses.
LASER AND LED PHOTOBIOLOGY

At an LLLT Congress some years ago, the speaker proclaimed that LLLT was effective at reducing high blood pressure. In the so-called clinical trial, the patient came in and had his blood pressure taken. Then various areas around the patient's neck were irradiated with a laser, whose wavelength I don't remember. Then they measured the patient's blood pressure again, and low and behold, the blood pressure was lower. Was this another magical success for LLLT? NO!
Incompressibility and global inversion

Given a local diffeomorphism $f\colon \mathbb{R}^n\to \mathbb{R}^n$, we consider certain incompressibility conditions on the parallelepiped $Df(x)([0,1]^n)$ which imply that the pre-image of an affine subspace is non-empty and has trivial homotopy groups. These conditions are then used to establish criteria for $f$ to be globally invertible, generalizing in all dimensions the previous results of M. Sabatini.