cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
III. Feminist Psychology, Hormones and the Raging Politics of Medicalization

Fervently involved in exploring, theorizing and interrupting the medicalization of women’s madness and sexuality, I have been feeling more than a little immobilized of late – struck by how, despite decades of feminist defiance, women remain continually subject to discourses, technologies and politics that continue to marginalize and pathologize our (raced, classed and sexed) distresses and desires. Simultaneously provoked and disheartened by this ongoing enactment of medicalization alongside our critiques, I am experiencing some sort of intellectual boundedness; it is as though we are moving in circles. Thus, I would like to use this brief space of commentary to fracture the light Jane Ussher (2010) shines on the medicalization of depression by attending to (some of) the politics and economics of the knowledges she critiques. In particular I shall direct our gaze toward a small handful of the assemblages through and with which the hormonal discourse of women’s distress circulates. I do this in the hope that it may help illuminate how this seductive system of medicalization is being continually repeated and I therefore imagine possibilities for how, as feminist psychologists, we might move to evoke change in approaches to women’s distress. Ussher argues that ‘the primary explanation put forward for reports of women’s higher rates of depression is reproductive hormones’ (2010: 4), which is supposedly evident in findings that depression is most prevalent around puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, early motherhood and menopause. She goes on to problematize this theory, by drawing upon studies that do not find any correlation between hormones and depression, that offer alternative explanations embedded in women’s social and relational contexts and that attend to the discursive construction of women’s experiences of distress as pathology. Yet, despite convincing counter-evidence such as this, the notion that women have distressing hormones remains the dominant ‘primary explanation’. Why? The continued enactment of this medicalization suggests that the hormonal discourse serves a function ‘bigger than’ representing the evidence. But what? And (perhaps more importantly) for whom?
A letter to the Master Clinician

In this commentary, the author writes a letter to the Master Clinician about his concerns regarding the teaching responsibilities of current faculty members during ward rounds. This short essay highlights the transition that has been noticed in medical training in the last decade.
Bases of power in relation to leader behavior: A field investigation

Hypotheses addressing the relationships between bases of power and transformational and transactional leadership, and propositions concerning the extent to which perceptions of leader power and behavior were shared by a leader's followers, were addressed in this study. Two hundred eighty employees reporting to 118 supervisors in 45 organizations provided data for the investigation. Results provided support for hypothesized relationships between personal power and transformational leadership as well as between positional power and transactional leadership. In addition, ratings of both leader power and leader behavior were found to be individually-based phenomena; that is, followers of a focal leader did not share perceptions about that leader's power or behavior. Implications for managerial practice and future research are discussed.
Lessons From the National Education Technology Plan

The National Education Technology Plan 2010, Transforming American Education: Learning Powered by Technology, has myriad lessons for hospital librarians (1). The plan focuses primarily on implement...
Progress Report on Testing of a 100-kV 125-mA Deuteron Injector

The Linear Accelerator to be used for the Fusion Materials Irradiation Test Facility (FMIT) will require an injection energy of 100 keV at a dc current level of 125 mA. Studies are being made on a pre-prototype version of this injector, including performance tests of both a single aperture reflexarc ion source and a cusp-field source. A single stage, high-gradient extraction system is used prior to mass analysis in a 90° bending magnet. A two-stage beam steering device to measure beam emittance under full beam power has been designed and constructed. To avoid production of neutrons, all prototype tests are run with H2+ ions rather than D+ ions.
Effectiveness of sodium benzoate as a freshwater low toxicity antifoulant when dispersed in solution and entrapped in silicone coatings.

The traditional solution for preventing organisms from attaching to submerged surfaces is to apply antifouling coatings or biocides. Based on the varied defence mechanisms exhibited by biofilms, the antifoulant needs to prevent bacterial attachment during the early stages of biofilm formation. The potential of benzoic acid and sodium benzoate (NaB) as antifoulants for deterring freshwater bacterial attachment was evaluated with the antifoulants dispersed in solution or entrapped in silicone coatings. Effectiveness was based on the decrease in microbial attachment, limited toxicity, and minimum alteration of the properties of the coatings. The optimal NaB concentration when dispersed in solution, 700 mg l−1, resulted in a biofilm surface coverage of only 3.34% after four weeks. The model silicone, Sylgard 184, demonstrated a better overall performance than the commercial coating, RTV11. Sylgard 184 containing sodium benzoate had 41 – 52% less biofilm in comparison to the control Sylgard 184, whereas both t...
Drug discovery: Reader's block

Protein factors can regulate gene expression by binding to specifically modified DNA-associated proteins. Small molecules that selectively interfere with such interaction may be of therapeutic value. See Article p.1067 & Letter p.1119 Small molecules that perturb chromatin proteins are an emerging focus of current biomedical research. Two groups reporting in this issue have targeted bromodomain-containing BET proteins that bind acetylated lysine residues during gene activation, arriving at cell-permeable small molecule compounds with similar structures based on fused triazole-diazepine rings. James Bradner and colleagues report the development of a compound named JQ1. The BET protein BRD4, with two bromodomains, is implicated in human squamous cell carcinoma. JQ1 inhibits the growth of BRD4-dependent tumours in mouse models. Alexander Tarakhovsky and colleagues' inhibitor, I-BET, is shown to interfere with the binding of certain BET family members to acetylated histones. It inhibits activation of pro-inflammatory genes in macrophages and has immunomodulatory activity in a mouse model of inflammatory disease.
SUBCELLULAR DEMONSTRATION OF PEROXIDATIC OXIDATION OF TYROSINE TO MELANIN USING DIHYDROXYFUMARATE AS COFACTOR IN MOUSE MELANOMA CELLS

Peroxidatic oxidation of tyrosine was directly demonstrated in tumor cells of Harding Passey mouse melanoma using dihydroxyfumarate (DHF) as cofactor: there was no evidence of oxidation of tyrosine by aerobic dopa oxidase ("tyrosinase") in these cells. Peroxidative oxidation of tyrosine was correlated with a positive benzidine reaction and peroxidase-dependent oxidation of dopa to melanin. Melanoma cells with peroxidase activity were designated as type A cells. Many of the type A cells also demonstrated oxidation of dopa to melanin which was mediated by aerobic dopa oxidase ("tyrosinase"). In cells with both enzymes, peroxidase activity was present in melanosomes, whereas aerobic dopa oxidase activity was present in both melanosomes and in the Golgi-associated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum (GERL). Without inhibitors, cells containing both enzymes showed reaction product in melanosomes and in the GERL after incubation in tyrosine, DHF, and hydrogen peroxide. After preincubation with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), new melanin was still formed in melanosomes, but was eliminated in the GERL; when catalase was present in the incubation medium, reaction product was completely eliminated in all areas. These results indicate that melanin in the GERL induced after incubation with tyrosine, DHF, and hydrogen peroxide was due to the action of dopa oxidase on dopa synthesized by peroxidase. Some larger, more heavily melanized tumor cells (type B cells) were present which had aerobic dopa oxidase activity, but no demonstrable peroxidase activity. These may represent end-stage cells in which aerobic dopa oxidase acts on dopa formed by previous peroxidase catalysis. Synergism of peroxidase and dopa oxidase may be a mechanism of melanogenesis in vivo.
Developments in in-situ ellipsometer monitoring of thin film growth during reactive ion-plating deposition

In situ ellipsometry is of interest for monitoring and control of growing films. Its extreme sensitivity to thin layers also allows the measurement of the interface film frequently formed between a growing film and the substrate. The installation and operation of an in situ system on two different vacuum coating machines is described. The system records 'F and measurements every 5 seconds during film growth. We present an algorithm for computing the thickness (d) and index (n'.ik) of a growing and an interface film on a known substrate from five Y and measurements at different times during film growth. Numerical solutions of the ellipsometer equations for d, n, and k performed using a 25 MHz 80386 microprocessor with an 80387 math co-processor require about 30 minutes. Additional solutions beyond the first five data sets require only two additional measurements. By taking data in repeated time intervals during the growth of a film, we obtain a depth profile of its optical properties.
Dynamic Pavement/Wheel Loading for Trucks with Tandem Suspensions

This paper presents measurements of the vertical loads imposed on the road by a heavy commercial vehicle with tandem suspensions, and also the vehicle ride accelerations induced by roughness. Measured characteristics of the vibrations are compared with those predicted using a two degree-of-freedom nonlinear vehicle model.
Finite-dimensional points of continuity of Lat

Abstract Associated with every linear transformation A on a finite-dimensional vector space V there is a collection Lat A of subspaces of V, namely the subspaces invariant under A. The collection lat A always contains the (trivial) subspace 0 and the (improper) subspace V. Since, moreover, it is closed under the formation of intersections and spans, it forms a lattice with respect to those operations (whence its name). The purpose of this paper is to interpret and to prove the following assertion: a necessary and sufficient condition that a linear transformation on a finite-dimensional complex vector space be a point of continuity of Lat is that it be non-derogatory. The assumption that the underlying coefficient field is the set of complex numbers is maintained throughout.
Up-regulation of CD14 in liver caused by acute ethanol involves oxidant-dependent AP-1 pathway.

Ethanol is known to cause both tolerance and sensitization to endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide). It is also known that ethanol modulates the expression and activity of several intracellular signaling molecules and transcription factors in monocytes and Kupffer cells, the resident hepatic macrophages. Expression of CD14, the endotoxin receptor, is up-regulated following chronic exposure to endotoxin and ethanol. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress is important in the regulation of transcription factor activation and cytokine production by Kupffer cells. Thus, it was hypothesized that acute ethanol increases CD14 expression through a mechanism dependent upon oxidant production. This hypothesis was tested by overexpression of superoxide dismutase via recombinant adenovirus. Mice were infected with adenovirus (3 × 109plaque-forming units, intravenously) containing either Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (Ad.SOD1) or β-galactosidase (Ad.lacZ), which caused significant expression of Cu,Zn-SOD in hepatocytes and Kupffer cells. Three days post-infection, mice were given saline or ethanol (5 g/kg, intragastrically). A significant increase in CD14 mRNA was observed 3 h after ethanol, and this increase was almost completely blocked in mice overexpressing Cu,Zn-SOD. Additionally, overexpression of SOD also blunted ethanol-induced activation of redox-sensitive transcription factors NFκB and AP-1 and production of cytokines. However, only inhibition of AP-1 with dominant-negative TAK1 but not NFκB by dominant-negative IκBα significantly blunted ethanol-induced increases in CD14, suggesting that AP-1 is important for CD14 transcriptional regulation. It is also shown here that NADPH oxidase is important in the increase in CD14 due to ethanol. Moreover, these data suggest that acute ethanol causes sensitization to endotoxin through mechanisms dependent upon oxidative stress.
Minor Groove Functional Groups Are Critical for the B-Form Conformation of Duplex DNA†

Two analogue bases are described: 3-deazaadenine is a derivative of adenine from which N3 has been deleted and 3-methyl-2-pyridone is a C-nucleoside that mimics thymine but lacks the O2 carbonyl. The dc(3)A-dm(3)2P base pair is similar to dA-dT but eliminates the polar functional groups in the minor groove. The presence of this base pair in dA-dT rich sequences results in destabilized duplexes or conformational preferences for monomolecular hairpins rather than bimolecular duplexes. When present in dG-dC rich sequences, no significant differences in helix stability are observed. These differences are explained on the basis of hydration effects, most notably, the elimination of the minor groove spine of hydration normally present in dA-dT rich sequences. CD spectra suggest that sequences with a fully modified core (four analogue base pairs) are more A-like helices than B-like helices. Sequences containing two analogue base pairs can be transformed to A-like helices under conditions of high salt, or 65% trifluoroethanol. These conformational changes are also explained in terms of a loss of hydration in the minor groove that normally stabilizes the B-form conformation. In the absence of such hydration, the helices are conformationally mobile and adopt a more A-like helix form.
SNR Concept in Underwater Optical Heterodyne Detection Systems

The SNR for an underwater optical heterodyne detection system is defined and an equation for this ratio is derived. The equation allows computation of the SNR when the fields to be mixed have nonuniform irradiance profiles and are partially coherent. Effects of backscattered light on the SNR are considered. Curves showing the effect of backscattered light on the SNR are presented.
Susceptible-infected-recovered epidemics in populations with heterogeneous contact rates

Heterogeneity of contact patterns is recognized as an important feature for realistic modeling of many epidemics. During an outbreak, the frequency of contacts can vary a great deal from person to person and period to period. Contact heterogeneity has been shown to have a large impact on epidemic thresholds and the final size of epidemics. We develop and apply a model which incorporates an arbitrary distribution of contact rates. The model consists of a low-dimensional system of ordinary differential equations which incorporates arbitrary heterogeneity by making use of generating functions of the contact rate distribution. We show further how this model can be applied to the study of simple intervention strategies, such as quarantine of public venues with probability proportional to size. The dynamic model allows us to investigate the effects of gradually implementing such strategies in response to an ongoing epidemic, and we investigate these strategies using data on the contact patterns within a large US city.
LUSH Shapes Up for a Starring Role in Olfaction

In the fruit fly Drosophila, odorant-binding proteins are secreted into the fluid that bathes olfactory neurons. Laughlin et al. (2008) now challenge the assumption that the odorant-binding protein LUSH passively transports its pheromone to a specific olfactory receptor. Instead, LUSH undergoes a conformational change upon pheromone binding that is sufficient for neuronal activation.
Polysaccharide of a mucoid E. coli isolated from a patient with cystic fibrosis.

PSEUDOMONADS isolated from patients with cystic fibrosis have been found to produce a highly viscous polysaccharide when grown on an artificial medium1. The polysaccharide was identified as a polymer of uronic acid resembling alginic acid2,3, a compound ordinarily isolated from brown seaweed. The isolation of a mucoid strain of E. coli as the dominant organism from a patient with cystic fibrosis4 prompted an investigation into the type of capsular material produced.
Apparent temperature verses true temperature of silicon crystals as a function of their thickness using infrared measurements

The very high intensity x-ray beams that will be present at the Advanced Photon Source and other third generation synchrotron sources will require that the first optical element in the beamline and, possibly, the second optical element as well, be cooled to remove the heat deposited by the x-ray beam. In many of the beamlines this heat will be in the 1 to 5 kW range, and any failure of the cooling system will require a quick response from safety control circuits to shut off the beam before damage is done to the optical element. In many cases, this first optical element will be a silicon diffraction crystal. Viewing the surface of objects subjected to high heat fluxes with an infrared camera or infrared sensor has proved to be a very effective method for monitoring the magnitude and distribution of surface temperatures on the object. This approach has been quite useful in studies of cooling silicon crystals in monochromators subject to high heat loads. The main drawback to this method is that single crystals of silicon are partially transparent to the infrared radiation monitored in most infrared cameras. This means that the infrared radiation emitted from the surface contains amore » component that comes from the interior of the crystal and that the intensity of the emitted radiation and thus the apparent temperature of the surface of the crystal depends on the thickness of the crystal and the kind of coating on the back (and/or the front) of the crystal. The apparent temperature of the crystal increases as the crystal is made thicker. A series of experiments were performed at Argonne National Laboratory to calibrate the apparent surface temperature of the crystal as measured with an infrared camera as a function of the crystal thickness and the type of coating (if any) on the back side of the crystal. A number of examples are given for data taken in synchrotron experiments with high intensity x-ray beams.« less
Attrition Resistance of Supports for Iron Fischer-Tropsch Catalysts

Seven commercially available aluminas and silicas were screened for their potential use as supports for preparing attrition-resistant iron Fischer-Tropsch (F-T) catalysts. First we used ultrasonic irradiation to determine the attrition resistance of these supports. Among the supports tested, one alumina support and two silica supports were found to possess adequate attrition resistance. These supports were then tested in a stirred tank slurry reactor (STSR) under nonreactive conditions, using N2 gas at 260 °C, 1.5 MPa, and 3 L(STP)/(g of catalyst)‚h. Particle size distributions of these supports provided a measure of attrition during simulated F-T synthesis runs. Particle size distributions allow us to infer the extent of fracture and erosion during attrition tests. Our work showed that the ultrasonic irradiation test was less severe than the STSR test in terms of generation of small (1-10 Im) particles (erosion).
Revised metamorphic history for the Chiwaukum Schist, North Cascades, Washington

A revised metamorphic history for the Chiwaukum Schist, North Cascades, Washington, consisting of dynamic contact metamorphism of Buchan style associated with the Mount Stuart batholith, followed closely by regional metamorphism of Barrovian style, is similar to that for rocks adjacent to the Sloan Creek intrusion 30 km to the north, and on the opposite (west) side of the Straight Creek/Fraser River fault system, to the Settler schist in the vicinity of the Spuzzum and Scuzzy intrusions 200–270 km north in British Columbia. The Late Cretaceous regional increase in lithostatic pressure implied by this history, whether caused by tectonic or magmatic processes, may be the same as that responsible for the crystallization of magmatic epidote in certain other intrusives in the North Cascades such as the Tenpeak. More radiometric crystallization ages as opposed to cooling ages are needed to resolve this point.
Expression of the rheumatoid factor cross-reactive idiotype in JRA : association with disease onset subtype, disease activity and disease severity

Ilowite NT, O'Reilly ME, Hatam L, Wedgwood JF, Bonagura VR. Expression of the Rheumatoid Factor Cross-reactive Idiotype in JRA: Association with Disease Onset Subtype, Disease Activity and Disease Severity. Scand J Rheumatol. 1992; 21: 51–4.We previously reported that approximately one-third of patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) express high concentrations of antibodies marked by the rheumatoid factor cross reactive idiotype (RCRI) in their sera (6). In order to determine if an expression of RCRI is associated with certain clinical features of the disease, we prospectively studied 49 patients with JRA over a six month period, and determined serum RCRI concentrations by inhibition ELISA. RCRI concentrations correlated significantly with the duration of morning stiffness (r =. 3866, p <.01), and the functional class (p<.001), but not with the number of active joints. Expression of RCRI was higher in patients with systemic onset disease (p<.03), compared to patients with pauciarticular or poly...
Eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome.

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by Ken Kulig, volume 2, pp 212–223, © 2005, Elsevier Inc.
NoEncap: overlay network virtualization with no encapsulation overheads

Overlay network virtualization quickly gains traction in today's multi-tenant data centers due to its ability to provide independent virtual networks, at scale, along with complete isolation from the underlying physical network. Despite the benefits, performance degradation due to the imposed perpacket encapsulation overhead is a serious impediment.Mitigation approaches are mostly hardware based and thus depend on costly networking gear upgrades and suffer from lesser flexibility and longer times to market, compared to software solutions. Software optimizations proposed so far are limited in scope, applicability, and interoperability.In this paper we present NoEncap, a software-only opt mization, capable of eliminating almost completely the overheads, while fully preserving the benefits of an overlay-based network virtualization.
A simplified method of determining the sizes of viruses in impure preparations

Abstract Sedimentation by one run in an angle centrifuge, without special precautions, in a series of sucrose concentrations, followed by assay of the solutions has been shown to yield reasonable sizes and, in some cases, densities of particles from 15 to 260 mμ in diameter.
Seed dispersal of the non-native invasive tree Ailanthus altissima into contrasting environments

Ailanthus altissima has a long history of invasion in urban areas and is currently spreading into suburban and rural areas in the eastern U.S. The objectives of our study were to (1) determine whether A. altissima seed dispersal distance differed between populations on the edges of open fields and intact deciduous forest, and (2) determine whether dispersal differed for north and south winds. We also assessed the relationship between seed characteristics and distance from source populations in fields and forests, and whether seeds disperse at different rates throughout the dispersal season. Using two fields, two intact forest stands, and one partially harvested stand, we sampled the seed rain at 10 m intervals 100 m into each site from October to April 2002–2003. We compared seed density in field and intact forests using a three-way ANOVA with distance from source, wind direction, and environmental structure as independent variables. To assess the accuracy of common empirical dispersal models, mean seed density data at each site were fitted with alternative regression models. We found that mean seed dispersal distance depended on environmental structure and wind direction, a result driven in large part by dispersal at a single site where seed density did not decline with distance. The two alternative regression models fit each site’s dispersal curve equally well. More seeds were dispersed early than in mid- or late-season. Large, heavy seeds traveled as far as small light seeds. Turbulent winds appear to be necessary for seed release, as indicated by a wind tunnel experiment. A. altissima is able to disperse long distances into fields and into mature forests, and can reach canopy gaps and other suitable habitats at least 100 m from the forest edge. It is an effective disperser and can spread rapidly in fragmented landscapes where edges and other high light environments occur. These conditions are increasingly common throughout the eastern U.S. and in other temperate regions worldwide.
Use of adsorbents in enhancement of drug dissolution II

A new approach is described for increasing the dissolution rates of relatively insoluble powders. It is based on the concept of increasing the surface available for contact with dissolution media. This is accomplished by equilibration of the drug in an organic solvent (e.g., acetone) on an insoluble excipient with an extensive surface (e.g., fumed silicon dioxide). The drugs studied included indomethacin, aspirin, sulfaethidole, griseofulvin, reserpine, chloramphenicol, oxolinic acid, probucol, and hydrochlorothiazide. The effects of pH, wetting agents, and agitation intensity were investigated in some systems. An increased rate of release from the minuscular drug delivery system was observed in all instances.
Amygdala lesions selectively impair familiarity in recognition memory

This study shows that lesioning a rat's amygdala affects only familiarity-based recognition, having no effect on recollection-based recognition, and further dissociates the role of medial temporal lobe structures mediating recognition memory.
Vitamin D Represses Dentin Matrix Protein 1 in Cementoblasts and Osteocytes

Calcium and phosphorus homeostasis is achieved by interplay among hormones, including 1,25(OH)2D3 (1,25D), parathyroid hormone, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23), and their interactions with other proteins. For example, mutations in dentin matrix protein 1 (DMP-1) result in increased FGF23 and hypophosphatemic rickets. 1,25D is reported to modulate FGF23; thus, we hypothesized that 1,25D may be involved in modulating DMP-1 in an intermediary step. Murine cementoblasts (OCCM-30) and osteocyte-like cells (MLO-Y4 and MLO-A5), known to express DMP-1, were used to analyze effects of 1,25D on DMP-1 expression in vitro. DMP-1 mRNA levels decreased by 50% (p < .05) in the presence of 1,25D in all cell types, while use of a vitamin D receptor (VDR) agonist (EB1089) and antagonist (23S,25S)-DLAM-2P confirmed that VDR pathway activation was required for this response. Further analysis showed that histone deacetylase recruitment was necessary, but neither protein kinase A nor C pathways were required. In conclusion, our results support the hypothesis that 1,25D regulates DMP-1 expression through a VDR-dependent mechanism, possibly contributing to local changes in bone/tooth mineral homeostasis.
Mechanisms of Immunologic Injury: Pemphigus and Bullous Pemphigoid

Our understanding of bullous skin disorders has increased enormously since the beginning of the century, when a patient with generalized blisters was firmly diagnosed as having pemphigus vulgaris only on his demise. Those fortunate patients that survived obviously did not have true pemphigus vulgaris, but likely had "pemphigus of the aged" or "bullous dermatitis herpetiformis." The key observations that defined these diseases more precisely were the careful histopathologic studies of Lever and the immunofluorescence microscopy studies of Beutner and Jordon 2 and Jordon et al. 3 The autoantibodies in pemphigus vulgaris and bullous pemphigoid (BP) that can be detected both bound in and around lesions and circulating in the serum samples of patients have proved to be not only crucial for the accurate diagnosis of these conditions, but appear to be of primary importance in the pathogenesis of the diseases as well. There is now substantial evidence that pemphigus autoantibodies
Subsurface configuration of the Orleans fault: Implications for deformation in the western Klamath Mountains, California

Geologic and geophysical evidence from western Klamath Mountains, California, provides quantitative information on the shape and regional subsurface extent of the Orleans fault. This major Jurassic thrust fault lies beneath all exposures of the western Paleozoic and Triassic belt within the study area and mainly dips gently or is subhorizontal. The regional extent of the juxtaposition of different units across the fault implies a minimum horizontal displacement of 110 km due to westward overthrusting. The fault cuts the Wooley Creek batholith, which indicates that thrusting took place after intrusion at 163±3 Ma. The shape of the fault near Condrey Mountain is consistent with post-thrusting Neogene uplift of the Condrey Mountain dome and suggests a minimum of 6 km of differential uplift.
Cyclic Enkephalin Analogues with Exceptional Potency and Selectivity for δ-Opioid Receptors

Superpotent and highly delta-opioid receptor selective cyclic peptides of the general formula H-Tyr-c[D-Pen-Gly-Phe(p-X)-Pen]-Phe-OH (where X = hydrogen or halogen) have been synthesized. In the binding assays the most selective and most potent compound is the p-bromophenyl-alanine-4 analogue (IC50 value = 0.19 nM, selectivity ratio = 21,000 for delta vs mu). In the GPI and MVD bioassays the most selective and most potent analogue is the p-fluoro-substituted analogue Tyr-[D-Pen-Gly-Phe(p-F)-Pen]-Phe-OH. In the MVD assay it has an exceptionally low IC50 value of 0.016 nM and a delta vs mu selectivity ratio of 45,000.
Joint venture research and development activity: an analysis of the international biotechnology industry

Abstract The research question we investigate is under what conditions will joint ventures engage in research and development (R&D) activity within the context of a global, high-technology environment. To explore this question, we examine the collective impact of initial conditions that influence the presence of R&D activity among joint ventures (JVs) formed in the global biotechnology industry. Our investigation is driven by two streams of research in joint ventures: transaction costs and initial conditions. Specifically, we examine whether business relatedness, cultural relatedness, country risk, and prior joint venture experience are related to R&D activity in joint ventures. Our results show that cultural relatedness and country risk factors do matter when it comes to R&D activity in biotechnology joint ventures. On the other hand, business similarities and prior JV experience between the parents do not seem to be as important as one might expect.
Matters of life and death: social, political, and religious correlates of attitudes on abortion

This article investigates the structure of attitudes toward abortion, using several demographic, political, and religious variables. The analysis is based on a 1978 survey of New Jersey's voting age population. Responses to questions on three aspects of the abortion issue—a constitutional ban on abortion, abortion on demand, and government funding of abortions—are combined to form a scale of support and opposition to abortion. We find that support for abortion is related to youth, high socioeconomic status, a liberal ideology, opposition to right-to-die legislation, and support for the Equal Rights Amendment. Additionally, we find that approval for abortion is not a function of religious preference, rather, attitudes on abortion are a function of intensity of religious adherence, regardless of specific religions.
Crosscultural comparison of writing standards: American ESL and Japanese EFL

ABSTRACT: This study compares the evaluative criteria which American ESL instructors and Japanese EFL instructors applied in rating ten compositions written by adult L1 Japanese EFL students. The instructors quantitatively rated the compositions and then stated their qualitative reasons for their ratings of each composition. The evaluative criteria of the two groups are assumed to indirectly reflect their respective instructional goals and emphases, and thereby reflect their respective societies’ theories of the uses and values of written English. In addition, the comparison may help Japanese and American English instructors to negotiate differences between the two educational contexts. In brief, the Japanese EFL teachers focused on matters of accuracy (content, word choice, and grammar), while the American ESL teachers focused on both intersentential features of the discourse and specific intrasentential grammatical features. The results also underscore an important methodological point: quantitative similarities in ratings may mask significant qualitative differences in the reasons for those ratings. That is, the American ESL and Japanese EFL instructors in this study, although agreeing substantially in their end-result ratings, followed different processes in arriving at those similar ratings and in fact disagree about what constitutes strong or weak writing.
On fractional Hadamard powers of positive definite matrices

Abstract Let A = (aij) be a real symmetric n × n positive definite matrix with non-negative entries. We show that Aα ≡ (aijα) is positive definite for all real α ⩾ n − 2. Moreover, the lower bound is sharp. We give related results for pairs of quadratic forms and discuss partial generalizations to the case in which A is a complex Hermitian matrix.
Mandelic acid antagonism to phenyllactic acid utilization in L. casei.

SummaryThe growth stimulatory and inhibitory action of several analogues of phenyllactic acid on L. casei were studied. DL-mandelic acid was found to be a potent inhibitor of phenyllactic acid utilization by this organism. The action was not competitive, except over a narrow range of inhibitor to nutrilite. Mandelic acid did not interfere with the functioning of phenylalanine.
On Symmetric Buckling of a Finite Flat-Lying Heavy Sheet

Une lame elastique de densite non negligeable et de longueur finie est posee horizontalement sur le sol. Les extremites sont fixees et soumises a des forces compressives. La lame est consideree comme «longue» ou «courte» suivant la force. la charge critique de flambage, redefinie comme la force au-dessous de laquelle la lame reprend sa position horizontale, est superieure a la charge de flambage de Euler d'une lame sans poids
Decision biases and persistent illicit drug use: an experimental study of distributed choice and addiction

This experiment tested the hypothesis that differences in drug use are correlated with differences in decision making. The subjects were 22 drug clinic patients who had used either opiates or stimulants for an average of 10 years, and 21 community residents who reported that they had rarely used illicit addictive drugs. The procedure consisted of a series of binary choices with two consequences; they earned money and determined the intervals that separated choice trials. Each choice earned the same amount of money, but one initiated a shorter delay to the next trial, whereas the other initiated a shorter delay as averaged over the next two trials. Shorter delays were advantageous in that they increased the overall rate of earnings and they reduced the time spent waiting for the next trial. Thus, one choice was better from the perspective of the current trial, while the other choice was better from the perspective of two or more consecutive trials. Drug-clinic patients were more likely to favor the one-trial solution compared with control subjects, who were more likely to favor the two-trial solution. There were five different choice games, with different versions varying in the magnitude of the advantage for switching from the two-trial to the one-trial solution. Drug clinic and control subjects differed most in the games in which the immediate advantage of the one-trial solution was larger, and all subjects were more likely to choose the global solution when the incentive for switching to the one-trial solution was lower. The results support the view that individual differences in decision making influence the course of illicit drug use.
Pathophysiology of isolated systolic hypertension in elderly patients: Doppler echocardiographic insights.

Abstract Systemic hemodynamics were evaluated with aortic pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography in 79 elderly subjects with isolated systolic hypertension participating in the Systolic Hypertension in the Elderly Program (SHEP) and were compared with the values in 39 normal age-matched subjects. Cardiac output was elevated (4.50 ± 1.13 L/min versus 3.94 ± 1.12 L/min, p −5 versus 2011 ± 553 dyn·sec/cm −5 , p = NS). The mean acceleration of blood during left ventricular ejection was similar in patients with isolated systolic hypertension in comparison with normals (12.6 ± 5.6 m/sec 2 versus 11.5 ± 3.5 m/sec 2 , p = NS). Patients with isolated systolic hypertension had significantly decreased arterial compliance, as measured by the stroke volume-to-pulse pressure ratio (0.77 ± 0.26 cm 3 /mm Hg versus 1.11 ± 0.30 cm 3 /mm Hg, p
Synthesis of a ligand–quencher conjugate for the ligand binding study of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor using a FRET assay

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that induces the adaptive responses upon binding to a wide range of exogenous chemicals in cells. The traditional method for studying AhR ligands is to determine their effect on transcriptional activities (e.g., luciferase expression) in cultured cells. In this paper, we sought to investigate the feasibility of studying the ligand binding with the AhR using a Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay—a novel approach. Two conjugates (βNFQ and 8) containing β-naphthoflavone and DABCYL (a quencher) with different linkers were therefore synthesized for evaluation. The luciferase expression and green fluorescent protein (GFP) expression assays showed that βNFQ is a partial AhR agonist. Simultaneous incubation of cultured cells containing expressed GFP-AhR fusion protein with βNFQ and a known AhR ligand 3-methylchloranthrene reduced the fluorescence of GFP-AhR to a lesser extent, suggesting that the reduction in fluorescence resulted from the competitive binding of ligands to GFP-AhR. Although the fluorescent quenching by βNFQ is modest, our results suggest that FRET could be a valuable tool for identifying AhR ligands with the use of a more efficient ligand–quencher.
Prediction of rotating stall and cavitation inception in pump turbines

The current development of modern pump storage plants aims towards a higher flexibility in operation, an extended operation range of the hydraulic machine, especially in the pumping mode, and a higher reliability. A major design target for state-of-the-art reversible Francis-type pump turbines is to find an optimal balance between pumping and generating performance. The pumping requirements are the crucial design drivers, since, even if the turbine mode performance is world class, the success of a project depends on the pump turbine delivering the required maximum pump head and starting reliably in pump mode. The proposed paper describes how advanced computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations can help the designer to evaluate his design with respect to hydraulic performance and dynamic phenomena occurring in pump turbines. A standard procedure today is to compute the flow by applying the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) on the steady-state flow in individual components or in multiple components which are coupled by mixing-plane interfaces (sometimes also called stage-interface). This standard approach gives fast turnaround times and is a good engineering tool. However, accuracy is limited due to necessary simplifications. Therefore methods are developed and evaluated which allow a more reliable prediction of the onset of rotating stall which is the operation limit of the pump under high heads and low flow rates. The behaviour a modern pump turbine design in this instability region is investigated in detail. Another important task in the design process is the proper prediction of cavitation phenomena in the runner. Predicting cavitating flows with multi-phase CFD computations is still a very challenging task. Some results of ongoing work in this field are presented and compared to single phase computations and results from model tests. The relevance and applicability of such computations is discussed. All the information gained from these kinds of simulations helps to provide an improved product with increased reliability despite the higher number of start and stop cycles that are typically required for modern pump storage power plants.
Molecular structure of [CpRu(PPh3)2(C6H11SH)]BF4·CH2Cl2

The structure of the [CpRu(PPh3)2(C6H11SH)]BF4·CH2Cl2 complex was determined by X-ray diffraction techniques; triclinic space group $$P\bar 1$$ ,a=12.567(1),b=13.409(1),c=14.733(1) A, α=95.380(7), β=111.041(7), γ=96.454(8)°,V=2278.5(4) A3,Z=2,R=0.056,R w=0.088. The Ru is attached to two triphenylphosphine ligands, a cyclopentadienyl and the S atom of the cyclohexylthiol. The Ru−S distance is 2.389(2) A and the S−H distance is 1.23 A.
Regulatory cells in the maintenance phase of tolerance in miniature swine: coculture cell mediated lympholysis assay as approach for a tolerance assay

that CM/IFA-injected animals grafted with MHC class II KO hearts experienced significant prolongation of heart survival as compared to untreated mice (11 1 d vs 24 2 d). We conclude that modulation of CM response can on its own achieve graft prolongation when CD4 alloresponse is oligoclonal, i.e. mediated via indirect allorecognition. Our findings have important implications for the design of future therapies in heart transplantation.
Quality assurance for drug prescribing.

This article reports the results of a critical analysis of English-language studies describing programs designed to improve physician prescribing behavior in primary care settings. Only 64% of studies met minimum research design standards, and are the basis for the results reported. The overall findings of the review confirm the conclusions of a previous evaluation of hospital-based studies. 1. The simple dissemination of printed educational materials had no detectable effect on prescribing practice when used alone in well-controlled studies. However, such educational materials do lay a necessary foundation for more personalized educational efforts. 2. Merely distributing computerized listings of patient-specific medication profiles, without specific recommendations for change, is ineffective in reducing overall drug costs or use of inappropriate drugs. Their lack of effect may be due to the large quantity and clinical irrelevance of such data. 3. Continuous computerized reminder systems have been shown to prevent omission of essential care, although such systems are effective only as long as reminders continue. This strategy has not been evaluated for its potential to reduce excessive or inappropriate drug prescribing. 4. Repeated feedback to physicians with specific suggestions for alternative agents has been shown to increase use of generic drugs in academic group practice settings. No adequate studies have tested whether this approach might reduce other types of misprescribing. Also in academic primary care settings, small group tutorials have been shown to improve use of antibiotics and hypertension treatment control. 5. A substantial literature in the U.S. and Canada supports the conclusion that brief, face-to-face educational outreach visits, conducted by either specially trained clinical pharmacists or physician “counsellors” and “opinion leaders”, are effective in reducing prescribing of inefficient or contraindicated drugs in pediatric and adult primary care settings. These face-to-face approaches emphasize a tactful, supportive and facilitative role; in some cases, emphasis is put on helping physicians overcome barriers to appropriate prescribing (e.g. patient demand or addiction to minor tranquilizers). Most effective programs also utilize professionally credible sponsors and high-quality educational materials. In addition to improving quality, some programs have been found to produce savings in drug use which exceed the operational costs of the program.
A linear evolution equation without a common dense core for the generators

There exists a family{A(t);t≥0} of unbounded operators in a Banach spaceX such that the initial value problem u'(t)=A(t)u(t),u(0)=ϕ('=d/dt) has a unique solution on [0, ∞) for each θ in a dense subset ofX, withu depending continuously on θ, and such that the intersection of the domain ofA(s) andA(t) is nowhere dense whenevers ≠ t.
The effects of stocking Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, in a Norwegian regulated river

Stocking is undertaken in the River Suldalslagen, western Norway, to compensate for an estimated annual loss of 20 000 Atlantic salmon smolts, Salmo salar L., caused by regulating the river for hydropower production. The annual contribution to angling catches from stocked hatchery fish varied from 7 to 334 kg, or <15% of the total number caught. Between 160 000 and 250 000 one-summer old fish were stocked, but only between 6 and 10 (<0.005%) were recaptured as adults in the river. Recaptured stocked fish never exceeded 0.03% by number, despite smolts dominating the stocking material in recent years. It is not certain whether the slight increase in catches comes in addition to or at the expense of natural reproduction. In most years more adults were used as parent stock than were caught as offspring. The lack of positive response to stocking is possibly due to lesser age, smaller size and later migration of hatchery smolts, and that seawater tolerance of hatchery smolts is poorly developed, all factors increasing mortality at sea.
Infrared electroluminescence from erbium-doped spark-processed silicon

Abstract The infrared (IR) electroluminescence (EL) of erbium-doped spark-processed silicon (sp-Si) was investigated. For this, a device was constructed which consisted of a silicon wafer on which an erbium layer was vapor deposited, followed by spark-processing and rapid thermal annealing for 15 min at 900 °C in air. The metallization consisted of a 200 nm Ag layer (above the spark-processed area) and a 50 nm thick Al film (on the “back side”), containing a window through which the light could escape. Maximal light emission occurred near 1.55 μm, that is, at a wavelength where commonly used fiber optical materials have their minimum in energy loss. The processing parameters for most efficient light emission were an Er thickness of 200–300 nm, a spark-processing time of about 30 s, an n-type Si wafer having a low (3–5 Ω cm) resistivity, an operating temperature near room temperature, and an operating voltage between 25 and 40 V under reverse bias. The results are interpreted by postulating an energy transfer from sp-Si to the Er 3+ ions involving the first excited state 4 I 13/2 to ground state 4 I 15/2 . Further, impact excitation and hot electrons that are accelerated into the erbium doped sp-Si by the applied field (100 kV/cm) are considered.