cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of high and low responders to lipopolysaccharide in normal subjects: an unbiased approach to identify modulators of innate immunity

LPS stimulates a vigorous inflammatory response from circulating leukocytes that varies greatly from individual to individual. The goal of this study was to use an unbiased approach to identify differences in gene expression that may account for the high degree of interindividual variability in inflammatory responses to LPS in the normal human population. We measured LPS-induced cytokine production ex vivo in whole blood from 102 healthy human subjects and identified individuals who consistently showed either very high or very low responses to LPS (denoted lps(high) and lps(low), respectively). Comparison of gene expression profiles between the lps(high) and lps(low) individuals revealed 80 genes that were differentially expressed in the presence of LPS and 21 genes that were differentially expressed in the absence of LPS (p < 0.005, ANOVA). Expression of a subset of these genes was confirmed using real-time RT-PCR. Functional relevance for one gene confirmed to be expressed at a higher level in lps(high), adipophilin, was inferred when reduction in adipophilin mRNA by small interfering RNA in the human monocyte-like cell line THP-1 resulted in a modest but significant reduction in LPS-induced MCP-1 mRNA expression. These data illustrate a novel approach to the identification of factors that determine interindividual variability in innate immune inflammatory responses and identify adipophilin as a novel potential regulator of LPS-induced MCP-1 production in human monocytes.
Two sexually dimorphic cell groups in the human brain

A quantitative analysis of the volume of 4 cell groups in the preoptic- anterior hypothalamic area (PO-AHA) and of the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the human brain was performed in 22 age-matched male and female individuals. We suggest the term Interstitial Nuclei of the Anterior Hypothalamus (INAH 1–4) to identify these 4 previously undescribed cell groups in the PO-AHA. While 2 INAH and the SON were not sexually dimorphic, gender-related differences were found in the other 2 cell groups. One nucleus (INAH-3) was 2.8 times larger in the male brain than in the female brain irrespective of age. The other cell group (INAH-2) was twice as large in the male brain, but also appeared to be related in women to circulating steroid hormone levels. Since the PO- AHA influences gonadotropin secretion, maternal behavior, and sexual behavior in several mammalian species, these results suggest that functional sex differences in the hypothalamus may be related to sex differences in neural structure.
Local fluctuations in the nonequilibrium dynamics of a Lennard-Jones glass

We investigate local fluctuations in the out of equilibrium dynamics of a simple glass former, a binary Lennard-Jones system, after a quench to the glass state. Motivated by recent experiments that probe fluctuations in glassy materials at distance scales of the order of tens of nanometers, we define the local (i.e. averaged over a small region in the sample) two-time mean square displacement Δr(t,tw) and two-time intermediate scattering function Cr(t,tw). We study the probability distributions for the values of these local two-time functions as a function of both time variables. We discuss the connection between the scaling behavior of the probability distributions and a soft mode controlling the slow dynamics.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Customer value modelling: Synthesis and extension proposals

Customer lifetime value is a key concept in relationship marketing. This paper develops, synthesises and organises formulae for computing this lifetime value in a progressive manner and continues a research direction started some years ago. Calculations are organised using a double taxonomy: customer relationship behaviour models (retention and migration models) and algebraic and matrix computing methods. The formulae suggested allow for the explicit representation of recency-censored customer migration processes, the flexible integration of desynchronised financial flows and extend customer value optimisation procedures from the retention to the migration model.
Body-rocking and other habits of college students and persons with mental retardation

Prevalence of body-rocking in college students was assessed, and the characteristics of body-rocking of college students were compared to those of individuals with mental retardation. For college students, the prevalence depended on the restrictiveness of the method used and varied between 3% and 25%. Video samples showed that when compared with college students, a greater proportion of people with mental retardation engage in body-rocking, seem less sensitive to situational factors, demonstrate atypical collateral behaviors, engage in less leg-kicking, and execute their body-rocking with larger amplitudes. There were no differences in duration or number of individual rocks or bouts of body-rocking. We conclude that body-rocking is a "normal" behavior whose form of expression may become atypical.
‘On—off’ effects: the new challenge in parkinsonism

Abstract In the past ten years, a virtual epidemic of disabling motor disturbances has emerged among parkinsonians who, in the previous decade, were the grateful recipients of medication which dramatically rescued them from immobility. After several years of l-DOPA therapy, approximately half of parkinsonians will develop ‘on—off' effects. Though several clinical syndromes are subsumed under this terminology 10 , the disability incurred is best described by analogies that patients commonly offer: ‘freezing', ‘getting stuck', ‘running out of gas'. The problem of akinesia can be sudden and unpredictable, often appearing in patients well-controlled by medication at other times. ‘On—off' symptoms may fluctuate from minute to minute as well as on a longer time scale. Frequently, ‘on—off' effects appear in the context of other complications common with chronic l-DOPA therapy, such as declining efficacy, involuntary movements, and adverse psychiatric reactions. The ‘on—off' syndrome has been the subject of controversy and continuing study, and recent developments in therapeutics hold out promise for its amelioration and, possibly, prevention. Nevertheless, current knowledge of the interaction between parkinsonism and its therapy remains fragmentary and largely descriptive.
Hürthle cell neoplasms of the thyroid: are there factors predictive of malignancy?

OBJECTIVE: To determine if any preoperative or intraoperative factors can reliably predict malignancy in patients with Hurthle cell neoplasms. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Most experienced surgeons recommend total thyroidectomy for Hurthle cell carcinomas and reserve thyroid lobectomy for Hurthle cell adenomas. However, delineation between Hurthle cell adenoma versus carcinoma often cannot reliably be made either before or during surgery. METHODS: Medical records from 57 consecutive patients who underwent thyroid resections for Hurthle cell neoplasms between October 1984 and April 1995 at The Johns Hopkins Hospital were analyzed to determine if any factors were predictive of malignancy. RESULTS: Of the 57 patients with Hurthle cell neoplasms, 37 had adenomas and 20 had carcinomas, resulting in a 35% prevalence of malignancy. Patients with adenomas did not differ from those with carcinoma with respect to age, sex, or history of head and neck irradiation. However, patients with Hurthle cell carcinomas had significantly larger tumors (4.0 +/- 0.4 cm vs. 2.4 +/- 0.2 cm, p 4 cm), definitive resection involving both thyroid lobes should be considered because of the higher probability of malignancy.
Review: Parenteral Nutrition‐Related Bone Disease

Parenteral nutrition (PN)-related bone disease remains a problem in patients of all ages. Understanding of the pathogenesis of PN-related bone disease is complicated by the effect of underlying illnesses, therapeutic interventions, and pre-existing nutrition deficiencies before the initiation of PN therapy. Interrelation of various nutrients, for example, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, in their effects on bone mineralization, demands simultaneous assessment of the role of multiple nutrients and increases the difficulty in defining the role of a single nutrient in the development of bone disease. However, recent reports indicate that there exist a number of factors important in the development of PN-related bone disease and some factors such as increased mineral requirement are unique to growing infants whereas other factors such as aluminum toxicity may be common to both adult and pediatric populations. Nonnutritional factors, including chronic use of potent loop diuretics and altered acid-base status, can affect urine mineral loss, cell metabolism, and bone mineralization, particularly in small, preterm infants. Current evidence indicates that the cause of PN-related bone disease is multifactorial, and the prevention of PN-related bone disease awaits better delineation of the exact sequence of pathogenic events.
Clinicopathologic Characteristics of Premalignant and Malignant Melanocytic Lesions of the Conjunctiva

Abstract Primary acquired melanosis (PAM), a disease that affects mostly middle-aged white patients, is predominantly a proliferative condition of the melanocytes that normally populate the conjunctival epithelium. Primary acquired melanosis without atypia (low risk for the development of melanoma) is typically created by increased numbers of melanocytes restricted to the basilar region of the epithelium without nuclear hyperchromasia or prominence of the nucleoli. Primary acquired melanosis with atypia, a formal precursor of melanoma, is characterized by the proliferation of small polyhedral cells, spindle cells, large dendritiform melanocytes, or epithelioid cells that may: remain restricted to the basilar region (basilar nests); form nests at all levels of the epithelium; spread individually to all levels of the epithelium (pagetoid extension); or proliferate in a sheet-like fashion approximating a melanoma in situ. Lesions composed of epithelioid cells or exhibiting intraepithelial pagetoid extension have, respectively, a 75 or 90% chance of eventuating in invasive melanoma. Primary acquired melanosis in an adult should not be confused with “a junctional nevus”, which is almost always restricted to childhood. Invasive melanomas measuring less than 0.8 mm in thickness tend not to be associated with metastases; the tumor cells may be small polyhedral (in which case confusion with a compound nevus often arises), epithelioid, spindled, or ballooned. Nodules composed of spindle cells in part or in toto tend to have less metastatic potential at a given thickness measurement than comparable nodules composed of epithelioid or polyhedral cells. The clinical features, electron microscopic findings, and biologic principles underwriting clinical management are also presented.
Kidney cancer: Does hypothyroidism predict clinical outcome?

Hypothyroidism is a commonly reported side effect of treatment with sunitinib and sorafenib. A recent study has correlated development of subclinical hypothyroidism with clinical outcome, notably response rate and overall survival, in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma who are being treated with these drugs.
Results and correlations of multistage exercise tests in a group of clinically normal business executives

Abstract Multistage treadmill exercise tests were performed on 91 healthy business executives. Eleven of these subjects exhibited abnormal S-T-segment responses. Although no correlation was found between abnormal exercise responses and the coronary risk factors, the abnormal responders were older and had more abnormalities in the resting ECG. The predictive value of the maximal exercise test will be determined in the long-term follow-up of these individuals.
What Do Different Traffic Flow Models Mean for System-Optimal Dynamic Traffic Assignment in a Many-to-One Network?

A variety of macroscopic traffic flow models have been applied to formulate the link-based system optimal dynamic traffic assignment (SO-DTA) problem in a many-to-one network. It is expected that SO-DTA models based on various traffic flow models usually result in different optimal link traffic evolution patterns, but whether and how traffic flow models affect the minimal system cost and the corresponding optimal arrival pattern at the destination is unclear. Three traffic flow models—point-queue, spatial-queue, and cell-transmission—are examined, and their resulted minimal system cost in many-to-one networks is compared. It is proved that for three simple networks—a linear network with two sequential bottlenecks, a two-in-one-out merge network, and a one-in-two-out diverge network—the minimal system costs for the SO-DTA models based on these three traffic flow models are identical. Numerical experiments show that this property appears to be held for general many-to-one networks. The reason may be that al...
Interleukin 8 production and interleukin 8 receptor expression in human myometrium and leiomyoma

Abstract Objective: Interleukin 8 is a potent chemoattractant cytokine that is expressed in a variety of human tumors and is known to induce mitogenesis. We aimed to investigate the production of interleukin 8 and the expression of its receptor in myometrium and leiomyoma, in which we hypothesized that interleukin 8 may contribute to cellular proliferation. Study Design: Myometrial and leiomyoma tissue pairs (n = 14) were obtained from human uteri after hysterectomy conducted for leiomyomatous uterus. Expression of interleukin 8 and interleukin 8 receptor type A was identified in the leiomyomatous myometrium by means of specific antibodies directed against interleukin 8 and interleukin 8 receptor type A for immunohistochemical detection. Interleukin 8 production by cultured cells was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The regulation of interleukin 8 messenger ribonucleic acid expression was assessed by means of the Northern blot analysis after treatment of myometrial cells with interleukin 1α and tumor necrosis factor α. Myometrial cell proliferation was determined by means of colorimetric assay after cells were treated with interleukin 8 and antihuman interleukin 8 neutralizing antibody. Results: Immunostaining for both interleukin 8 and interleukin 8 receptor type A was stronger in the myometrium adjacent to leiomyoma compared with leiomyoma itself (2-fold, P P P Conclusion: Our demonstration of high levels of interleukin 8 and its receptor in myometrium immediately surrounding leiomyoma and the inhibition of cell proliferation when interleukin 8 is blocked by a neutralizing antibody suggest a potential role for interleukin 8 in the growth of myometrial tissue surrounding leiomyomatous tissue. This study could lead to a better understanding of potential involvement of cytokines in leiomyoma growth and in gonadatropin-releasing hormone agonist–induced regression. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:559-66.)
Replacement of Phragmites australis by Spartina alterniflora: The Role of Competition and Salinity

Effects of salinity, plant competition and shading on Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora were evaluated in greenhouse incubations of intact wetland sediments collected from natural plant stands. Salinity and competition had significant negative effects on growth of both species. Competition reduced growth of both species, but at higher salinity there was a disproportionately large reduction in P. australis growth compared to S. alterniflora. The result was observed in comparisons of both above ground biomass and underground recoverable reserves. The greater negative effect on growth of P. australis appears to result from its lower tolerance than S. alterniflora, to salinities typical of non-riverine New England salt marshes. Increased shading reduced growth of S. alterniflora at higher salinities, suggesting an additional factor potentially influencing its competition with P. australis. Findings agree with previous studies’ suggestions of the importance of interactions between stress tolerance and competition in determining wetlands plant species zonation. Enhancing competition with P. australis may provide another approach for Phragmites control. While current methods typically focus on removal of colonizing stands, parallel introduction of native species, such as S. alterniflora might also be considered, either via favorable habitat creation or through direct transplants, as a potentially means of faster replacement.
Enzymes involved in the reduction of ferulic acid to coniferyl alcohol during the aging of disks of swede root tissue

Abstract The enzymes involved in the reduction of ferulic acid to coniferyl alcohol, namely hydroxycinnamic acid CoA ligase, ferulyl CoA reductase and an aromatic alcohol dehydrogenase, have been resolved by gradient elution on columns of DEAE-cellulose. The ferulyl CoA reductase has been separated into two fractions which are both specific for NADPH 2 and have a high affinity for their substrate. The aromatic ADH was resolved into two fractions, the second of which shows partial separation into two subtractions in extracts of aged but not of initial disks. The two ADH fractions are both specific for NADP but the second fraction has markedly higher affinity for substrate than the first fraction. In comparing the activities isolated from initial and aged disks, it is clear that both forms of ferulyl CoA reductase are present in initial disks and the increase on aging is only two-fold. The activities of ADH 1 and 2 do not alter during aging but the qualitative composition of Fraction 2 appears to alter. The hydroxycinnamic acid CoA ligase, however, is present only in very low concentration in initial disks and increases very markedly during aging. It is suggested that the control of the activity of this reduction system during the aging of swede root disks is mainly centred on the level of activity of the ligase enzyme. In addition, a method for the preparation and purification of ferulyl CoA, the substrate for the reductase enzyme, is described.
Cuticular hydrocarbons of species which interact on four trophic levels : apple, Malus pumila Mill.; codling moth, Cydia pomonella L.; a hymenopteran parasitoid, Ascogaster quadridentata Wesmael; and a hyperparasite, Perilampus fulvicornis Ashmead

1. 1. Cuticular hydrocarbon compositions were determined for: fruit and seed coat of apple, larvae and adults of codling moth; male and female adult Ascogaster quadridentata and Perilampus fulvicornis (Hymenoptera). 2. 2. The major cuticular hydrocarbons of codling moth larvae were identical to those extracted from the cuticle of the fruit and seed coat of its host, apple, although the larvae were reared on artificial diet shown to have a very different hydrocarbon content. 3. 3. The cuticular hydrocarbon composition of A. quadridentata was similar to that of the adult of its host, codling moth. 4. 4. Pentacosene, a major component of the cuticular hydrocarbons of female P. fulvicornis was the dominant component in the surface lipids of its host, A. quadridentata.
Predicting protein folding rates from geometric contact and amino acid sequence

Protein folding speeds are known to vary over more than eight orders of magnitude. Plaxco, Simons, and Baker (see References) first showed a correlation of folding speed with the topology of the native protein. That and subsequent studies showed, if the native structure of a protein is known, its folding speed can be predicted reasonably well through a correlation with the "localness" of the contacts in the protein. In the present work, we develop a related measure, the geometric contact number, N (alpha), which is the number of nonlocal contacts that are well-packed, by a Voronoi criterion. We find, first, that in 80 proteins, the largest such database of proteins yet studied, N (alpha) is a consistently excellent predictor of folding speeds of both two-state fast folders and more complex multistate folders. Second, we show that folding rates can also be predicted from amino acid sequences directly, without the need to know the native topology or other structural properties.
Direct assay of enzymes in heme biosynthesis for the detection of porphyrias by tandem mass spectrometry. Uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase and coproporphyrinogen III oxidase.

We report new assays of enzymes uroporphyrinogen decarboxylase (UROD) and coproporphyrinogen III oxidase (CPO) in the heme biosynthetic pathway. The assays were developed for use in clinical diagnostics of inherited disorders porphyria cutanea tarda and hereditary coproporphyria, respectively. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry is used to monitor the decarboxylation of pentaporphyrinogen I or uroporphyrinogen III catalyzed by UROD and to determine the enzyme activity in human erythrocytes by measuring the production of coproporphyrinogen I or III. The Km value for pentaporphyrinogen I was measured as 0.17 ± 0.03 μM. A mass spectrometric assay was also developed for the two-step decarboxylative oxidation of coproporphyrinogen III to protoporphyrinogen IX catalyzed by CPO in mitochondria from human lymphocytes (Km = 0.066 ± 0.009 μM). The assays show good reproducibility, use simple workup by liquid−liquid extraction of enzymatic products, and employ commercially available substrates and inter...
The Family Contexts of Gender Development in Childhood and Adolescence

We review research on the family's role in gender development during childhood and adolescence. Our discussion highlights children's dyadic family relationship experiences with their parents and siblings; additionally, we describe ways in which the larger system of family relationships, including gendered dynamics in the marriage and the differential family experiences of sisters versus brothers may have implications for gender development. We also emphasize the significance of contextual factors—ranging from situational demands and affordances to forces emanating from the larger social ecology—in family gender socialization. We conclude that family experiences may have a more important impact on gender development than has previously been believed, and we highlight directions for future study. These include: (1) applying more complex models of parent socialization and family dynamics to the study of the family's role in gender development; (2) expanding on research directed at the socialization of sex differences to study how family dynamics are linked to individual differences in girls’ and boys’ gendered qualities and behaviors; and (3) further exploring how contextual factors exert an impact on gender socialization in the family.
Carotid chemoreceptor “resetting” revisited

Carotid body (CB) chemoreceptors transduce low arterial O2 tension into increased action potential activity on the carotid sinus nerves, which contributes to resting ventilatory drive, increased ventilatory drive in response to hypoxia, arousal responses to hypoxia during sleep, upper airway muscle activity, blood pressure control and sympathetic tone. Their sensitivity to O2 is low in the newborn and increases during the days or weeks after birth to reach adult levels. This postnatal functional maturation of the CB O2 response has been termed “resetting” and it occurs in every mammalian species studied to date. The O2 environment appears to play a key role; the fetus develops in a low O2 environment throughout gestation and initiation of CB “resetting” after birth is modulated by the large increase in arterial oxygen tension occurring at birth. Although numerous studies have reported age-related changes in various components of the O2 transduction cascade, how the O2 environment shapes normal CB prenatal development and postnatal “resetting” remains unknown. Viewing CB “resetting” as environment-driven (developmental) phenotypic plasticity raises important mechanistic questions that have received little attention. This review examines what is known (and not known) about mechanisms of CB functional maturation, with a focus on the role of the O2 environment.
An Interferometer Based Experimental Technique to Evaluate Large Strains and Springback on Sheet Metal

A technique was successfully developed to measure large tensile, compressive strains, springback and strain reversal effects on sheet metal bent to small radii. Vertical Scanning Interferometry (VSI) was used to measure three dimensional data from surfaces with sides varying from 160 nm to 2 mm. Software algorithms were utilized to determine surface topography maps from three-dimensional curved locations and to represent them in a two dimensional plane. Fine reference marks were engraved on both sides of sample. The sample was bent /unbent to small radii under a pure bending moment. Outer strains were calculated from VSI two-dimensional measurements of the original and final lengths between the reference marks. Strain gages, applied at locations close to the reference marks, gave additional information at the elasto-plastic range. Experimental data collected included bending moment as a function of strain, 3-D curvature profiles, springback and reverse bending effects. The technique was proved useful for the experimental evaluation and theoretical validation of bending and springback properties of sheet metal. Experimental results for aluminum and steel alloys are presented.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Ultrastructure of anterior sensory organs of the root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita

Second-stage larvae of Meloidogyne incognita were examined to determine the ultrastructure of the labial, cephalic, and accessory sensory organs. The labial organs occur on the external surface of the nematode as six pores that encircle the stoma opening. Internally, each pore is surrounded by a cuticular canal containing receptors that consist of two modified cilia. Each cilium is an anterior extension of an axon. These axons collectively form nerve bundles and extend posteriorly to the nerve ring. An extracellular space surrounding each ciliary segment is continuous with a similar space formed by a laminar membrane complex that extends posteriorly within hypodermal tissue. The cephalic sensory organs, which are peripheral to the labial organs, lie in the two subventral and two subdorsal sectors of the anterior region of the nematode. These structures, whose organization resembles that of the labial organs, are innervated by modified cilia that are anterior extensions of axons, limited by canals, surrounded by the hypodermal tissue, and associated with adjacent membrane complexes. However, in contrast to the structure of a labial organ, each cephalic receptor is innervated by a single axon whose canal terminates beneath the cuticle of the nematode. A number of less clearly defined accessory axons occur in the anterior region of the nematode. These receptors, which are not enclosed by a canal, terminate beneath the cuticle of the nematode. Observations pertaining to the cuticular pores associated with labial organs indicate that these receptors may have a chemoreceptive or secretive function, whereas the lack of cuticular openings associated with the cephalic and accessory receptors suggests that these latter structures may be tactoreceptive.
Relationship hindrance: why would consumers not want a relationship with a retailer?

Abstract Relationship marketing tactics, such as loyalty programs, company credit cards, and e-mail promotions, are becoming increasingly popular. Benefits offered to a consumer for engaging in relational exchanges include price decreases, special offers, personalized attention, and customized products. With such benefits, the assumption is that consumers will want to develop a relationship with an organization and be rewarded for their loyalty. However, consumers might patronize a retailer, be satisfied with the service and product delivery, and yet not want to develop a relationship with them. As such, the purpose of this study was to determine why seemingly satisfied customers do not want to engage in relationship marketing and loyalty enhancing programs with retailers.
Vapor pressures in the {Al(l) + Al2O3(s)} system: Reconsidering Al2O3(s) condensation

The vaporization behavior of the A1-O system has been studied on numerous occasions but significant uncertainties remain. The origin of this uncertainty must be understood before A1-O vaporization behavior can be accurately determined. The condensation of A12O3 and clogging of the effusion orifice is a difficult problem for the Knudsen effusion technique that influences the measured vaporization behavior but has only received limited attention. This study reconsiders this behavior in detail. A new theory for A12O3 condensation is proposed together with procedures that will improve the measured thermodynamic properties of A1-O vaporization.
Pharmacological effects of nonselective and subtype-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonists in animal models of persistent pain

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are longstanding targets for a next generation of pain therapeutics, but the nAChR subtypes that govern analgesia remain unknown. We tested a series of nicotinic agonists, including many molecules used or tried clinically, on a panel of cloned neuronal nAChRs for potency and selectivity using patch-clamp electrophysiology and a live cell-based fluorescence assay. Nonselective nicotinic agonists as well as compounds selective either for alpha4beta2 or for alpha7 nAChRs were then tested in the formalin and complete Freund's adjuvant models of pain. Nonselective nAChR agonists ABT-594 and varenicline were effective analgesics. By contrast, the selective alpha4beta2 agonist ispronicline and a novel alpha4beta2-selective potentiator did not appear to produce analgesia in either model. alpha7-selective agonists reduced the pain-related endpoint, but the effect could be ascribed to nonspecific reduction of movement rather than to analgesia. Neither selective nor nonselective alpha7 nicotinic agonists affected the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to antigen challenge. Electrophysiological recordings from spinal cord slice showed a strong nicotine-induced increase in inhibitory synaptic transmission that was mediated partially by alpha4beta2 and only minimally by alpha7 subtypes. Taken with previous studies, the results suggest that agonism of alpha4beta2 nAChRs is necessary but not sufficient to produce analgesia, and that the spinal cord is a key site where the molecular action of nAChRs produces analgesia.
Irlafarc! Surveying the Language of Legal Writing

Language, like law, is a living thing. It grows and changes. It both reflects and shapes the communities that use it. The language of the community of legal writing professors demonstrates this process. Legal writing professors, who stand at the heart of an emerging discipline in the legal academy, are creating new terms, or neologisms, as they struggle to articulate principles of legal analysis, organizational paradigms conventional to legal writing, and other legal writing concepts. This new vocabulary can be both beneficial and detrimental. It can be beneficial because it expands the substance of an emerging discipline. It also can be harmful, however, because not everyone understands the new terms, and that lack of understanding can hinder communication about legal writing. The challenge for legal writing professors becomes how to improve understanding and thereby enhance communication without limiting the expansion of the new discipline. One of the first steps in meeting that challenge is to study the state of the language of legal writing today. We need to know more about whether legal writing professors are creating a new professional vocabulary, and whether the language they use in teaching legal writing fosters the kind of sophisticated discourse about writing that will be helpful to other users of that language - students, lawyers, judges, and law professors. To that end, we created a survey to gather information about the language legal writing professors across the country use in their legal writing classes, and this article details the results.
Genetic screening by insurance carriers.

To the Editor. —The article by the American Medical Association's Council on Ethical and Judical Affairs on genetic testing by employers 1 and the accompanying article by Dr Juengst 2 raise important issues about the use of medical testing for decisions about employment. It is gratifying to see that both articles stress the value of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) in protecting individuals against adverse employment decisions based on an unwarranted use of and interpretation of medical information. However, both articles barely make mention of a glaring loophole in the ADA through which the results of genetic testing, or any other medical information unrelated to job assignment, will fall: the ADA does not prohibit insurance companies from denying health insurance coverage to individuals for "preexisting" conditions. 3 To underscore that point, the report of the House of Representatives committee that drafted the Act states: "[W]ith respect to group health
Dimensions of racial segregation, hypersegregation, and Black homicide rates

Prior research assessing the association between racial residential segregation and Black urban homicides has not considered each of the five dimensions of segregation or the phenomenon of hypersegregation. In this study, indicators of each of the five dimensions of segregation, as well as measures of severe segregation and hypersegregation were considered, in order to assess Black homicide rates across 201 metropolitan statistical areas. Four of the five indicators of segregation were found to predict the dependent variable, although some evidence of an empirical overlap between dimensions was uncovered. Additionally, two indicators of severe segregation (exposure and centralization dimensions) and two measures of hypersegregation (i.e., a dummy variable and a count of the number of dimensions of severe segregation that exist in a given metro area) were found to be associated with Black homicides. The findings were interpreted as supporting Massey and Denton's ideas about the consequences of hypersegregation and Wilson's notion of concentrated disadvantage as explanations for Black urban homicide rates.
Anomaly amplification for damage detection of periodic structures via piezoelectric transducer networking

Damage detection of spatially periodic structures using vibration responses is challenging as such structures may have clustered natural frequencies, which makes it difficult to ascertain the damage-induced change of an individual vibration frequency/mode. Moreover, the inevitable mistuning (i.e., substructure-to-substructure difference) in the structure further complicates the problem because it results in variations in natural frequencies/modes even under healthy conditions. In this paper, taking advantage of the unique characteristics of periodic structures, we explore the possibility of using piezoelectric networking to temporarily induce or intensify the vibration localization in a mistuned periodic structure. The intensified vibration localization will cause drastic change in the dynamic response patterns upon damage occurrence to highlight the damage effect. We integrate piezoelectric inductive circuits onto all substructures and couple the circuits with capacitance elements. All the electrical elements are designed to be of the same value to retain the nominal periodicity of the system. Through analytical studies and parametric investigations, the circuitry inductance and coupling capacitance values that lead to intensified vibration localization are identified. Our analysis indicates that this proposed scheme can significantly amplify the response anomaly for periodic structures when damage occurs. The benefit to damage detection is further analyzed using statistical analyses.
Central sympathomimetic activity of (+)-5-methyl-10, 11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo [a, d] cyclohepten-5, 10-imine(MK-801), a substance with potent anticonvulsant, central sympathomimetic and apparent anxiolytic properties

MK-801 at doses < 100 μg/kg given orally induced an ipsilaterally directed directed rotational response in rats with a unilateral nigrostriatal lesion produced by 6-hydroxydopamine. (+)-Amphetamine, amfonelic acid, and methylphenidate also evoked ipsilateral turning with their dose-response lines lying considerably to the right of that for MK-801. Rotations caused by a standard test dose of 50 μg/kg of MK-801 were reduced by pretreatment with haloperidol (ED50 = 0.068 mg/kg IP), clozapine (ED50 = 3.35 mg/kg IP), or prazosin (ED50 = 0.15 mg/kg SC). MK-801-induced turning was also inhibited by pretreatment with α-methyl-p-tyrosine (α-MPT) and blocked by reserpine. Locomotor activity in mice was increased by MK-801, amfonelic acid, (+)-amphetamine, and methylphenidate. Following administration p.o., MK-801 was the most potent in this regard and methylphenidate the least. Stimulation of locomotor activity by equivalent doses of the four compounds was differentially affected by pretreatment with α-MPT or reserpine, Reserpinization abolished the increase in activity usually produced by MK-801, amfonelic acid and methylphenidate, whereas (+)-amphetamine was only partially (36%) inhibited. Locomotor stimulation by (+)-amphetamine was, on the other hand, markedly reduced in α-MPT-pretreated mice, while the actions of the other three compounds were not singnificantly altered. The ability of all four compounds to increase motor activity was significantly antagonized by haloperidol, but prazosin at the dose (3 mg/kg SC) examined was an effective antagonist of only MK-801 and (+)-amphetamine. MK-801 has effects in rodents resembling indirect-acting central sympathomimetic substances such as amfonelic acid, (+)-amphetamine, and methylphenidate. The central sympathomimetic actions of MK-801 are mediated via catecholamine-dependent processes. Results from the drug-interaction studies in mice (locomotor activity) indicate that the precise mechanism of action of MK-801 differs from that of the other three compounds.
Glucagon treatment stimulates the oxidation of durohydroquinone by rat liver mitochondria.

1. ~tr~duction Recent work has indicated that brief treatment of intact rats and isolated hepatocytes with glucagon results in a stimulation of state 3 and uncoupled rates of respiration in subsequently isolated liver mitochondria oxidizing either NAD-linked substrates or succinate [l-6]. Yamazaki f
Quantitative electron and gas cloud experiments

Abstract Electrons can accumulate in and degrade the quality of positively charged beams. This is a well-known problem in proton storage rings. Heavy-ion rings are more frequently limited by gas pressure-rise effects. Both effects may limit how closely the beam radius can approach the beam-tube radius in a heavy-ion linac. We study beams of 1 MeV K + with currents of up to 180 mA in the High-Current Experiment (HCX), and compare our work with simulations. The theory and simulation results are discussed in a companion papers. We have developed the first diagnostics that quantitatively measure the accumulation of electrons in a beam [M. Kireeff Covo, A. Molvik, A. Friedman, J.-L. Vay, P. Seidl, G. Logan, D. Baca, J.L. Vujic, Phys. Rev. Lett. 97 (2006) 054801; M. Kireeff Covo, et al., Nucl. Instr. and Meth. A, 2007, in press, doi:10.1016/j.nima.2007.02.045.]. This will enable the particle balance to be measured for each source of electrons in a linac: ionization of gas, emission from walls surrounding the beam, and emission from an end wall coupled with electron drifts upstream through quadrupole magnets, and electron-trapping efficiencies can be determined. Experiments where the heavy-ion beam is transported with solenoid magnetic fields, rather than with quadrupole magnetic or electrostatic fields, are being initiated. We discuss plans for experiments using electrode sets (in the middle and at the ends of magnets) to either expel or to trap electrons within the magnets. We observe oscillations of the electron density and position in the last quadrupole magnet when we flood the beam with electrons from an end wall. These oscillations, near 6 MHz, are observed to grow from the center of the magnet while drifting upstream against the beam, in good agreement with simulations.
The questionable advantage of defense counsel in juvenile court

This article examines the issue of legal representation in serious juvenile delinquency matters in three diverse juvenile courts. The prevalence of legal counsel varied among felony referrals. Out-...
Post MVA TMD patients endorse more general symptoms than nontrauma TMD patients.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Radiographic and clinical features of temporomandibular dysfunction in patients following indirect trauma: a retrospective study. Grushka M, Ching VW, Epstein JB, Gorsky M. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2007;104(6):772-80. Level of Evidence Level 2 (Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence) Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable Purpose/Question The purpose of the study was to evaluate whether there are differences in clinical and radiographic findings between patients who presented with temporomandibular disorders (TMD) after a motor vehicle accident (MVA) and those who presented with TMD without such or other trauma. A second aim was to evaluate whether there are differences in clinical and radiographic findings between trauma patients who are in litigation and those who are not. Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Cross-sectional study (retrospective chart review)
On the intrinsic time variance of fast timing circuits using tunnel diodes

An analysis is presented for the intrinsic time variance originating from thermal noise and finite capacitances in high-speed timing circuits using tunned diodes. The nonlinear differential equation of the transition is solved numerically for a wide range of circuit parameters, and limitations On the minimum attainable time variance are derived.
Multiple Insect Tracking with Occlusion Sub-tunnels

Automated tracking methods greatly expedite the collection of data for studying social insects. However, due to the frequency of occlusions (due to interactions) and similarity in appearance and motion features, tracking could easily drift to the incorrect object as the affinity model is unable to discern between similar objects. Recently, a method to filter incorrect associations based on areas of occlusion was proposed. This method only filtered based on entrance and exit within a specific occlusion. In this paper, we propose to improve the tracking of multiple insects involving frequent occlusion by modeling the paths of possible movement within the occlusion tunnel which we call occlusion sub-tunnels. Using two datasets consisting of ants and termites, we demonstrate that the method filters 8% more incorrect associations on average resulting in a reduction of ID switches by 19% over all datasets.
A comparative analysis of perceived risks and substance abuse among ethnic groups

Abstract This study examined perceived risks and prevalence of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use among ethnic groups of Whites, Blacks, and Hispanics; compared the extent to which drug use varied among different ethnic groups; explored whether or not there were any age and gender differences in drug use among the ethnic groups; and made implications of the findings. Comparative analyses were conducted by using χ 2 to determine the association of independent variables (ethnicity, age, and gender) with the dependent variables (alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use) during lifetime, past year, and past month. Data were derived from the 1997 and 1996 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse. Our findings indicated that there are differences in perceived risks and reported use among ethnic groups, as well as in preferences for particular drugs. Whites are the least likely to perceive risks for substance abuse, however, they have the highest prevalence of lifetime drug use of most types of drugs (with the exception of crack cocaine and heroin), as compared with Blacks and Hispanics. The examination of past month categories of drug use shows that Whites had the highest prevalence rates of alcohol and smokeless tobacco use. Hispanics were more likely to binge, and reported higher prevalence of heavy alcohol use. Blacks were more likely than Whites or Hispanics to use crack and heroin in their lifetime. Implications were made for future research and drug prevention in ethnic populations.
On the Need of Computer Education for Management

Summary The purpose of the paper is to provide a framework for the study of educational programs for computing and information systems education for management. An analysis of the nature and the role of information systems is presented. The managerial positions which are related to or affected by information systems are discussed. The education necessary for the effective use of computers in organizations is described. On the basis of this analysis, proposals for educational programs may be advanced.
The friction and wear of hardened steel, phosphor bronze and cast iron under controlled sliding conditions

Abstract In many cases, traditional conclusions concerning the effectiveness of given sliding combinations represent the only information upon which the engineering designer can draw. One object of the following experimental investigations was therefore to eliminate as far as possible hydrodynamic effects [1, 3] and to ascertain the magnitudes of the frictional forces and rates of wear of several established combinations of metals under sliding contact conditions. Basic differences in wear trend are observed in sample sliding contacts, lubricating fluid influences are shown to be considerable and the effects of surface roughness include extreme wear rate changes in the bronzes. The results are interpreted as being of significance in the estimation of relative performance under service conditions.
Cognitive Differentiation in Women and Pioneer-Traditional Vocational Choices.

Abstract In order to test the hypothesis that women who went into male dominated fields (pioneers) were more cognitively complex in social relationships than women who went into female dominated fields (traditionals), 83 college seniors were classified and tested using a grid for cognitive complexity in their roles. As predicted, the pioneers were more differentiated ( p
Human-Inspired Control Logic for Automated Maneuvering of Miniature Helicopter

The maneuvering control logic that was developed to implement aerobatic maneuvers fully automatically on a miniature helicopter is described. The key component of this system is a state-machine maneuver execution logic that was inspired by an analysis of human pilot strategies. Conventional multivariable trim trajectory controllers were used before and on the exit from the maneuvers; bumpless transfer between these control modes was achieved through re-initialization of controller integrator states. Flight tests with this control logic demonstrated smooth maneuver entry, automatic recovery to a steady-state trim trajectory, and an ability to sequence maneuvers in a fully autonomous airshow-like sequence. This approach was flight tested with split-S, hammerhead, and 360-deg axial roll maneuvers, as well as a split-S-hammerhead maneuver sequence. The maneuvering control logic can be used to automate a variety of other maneuvers.