cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors that affect the arrest decision in domestic violence cases

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine domestic violence calls for service data in one Florida county for a two-year period from July 2004 through July 2006. Design/methodology/approach – Data for this study include information gathered on domestic violence calls for service during a two-year period (n=3,200). This secondary data were analyzed by logistic regression to determine statistically significant predictor variables. Findings – This study found that severity of crime, presence of children, presence of an injunction, and victim injury increased the likelihood of an arrest. Victim race, location of call, victim alcohol use, and length of relationship did not affect likelihood of arrest. Research limitations/implications – Use of secondary data precluded examination of additional relevant variable information. Practical implications – The research shows clear law violations and seriousness of the acts correlate to an increased likelihood of an arrest. Arrest research should inform police t...
Substituent effects in chemical carcinogenesis: Methyl derivatives of the benzacridines

An explanation for the different carcinogenic potencies observed among methyl derivatives of the angular benzacridines is given in terms of the tendencies of these compounds to undergo specific metabolic activating reactions analogous to those of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Theoretical reactivity indices representing these reactions correlate with the carcinogenic activities of these compounds.
Study of diketone/metal ion complexes by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry: influence of keto-enol tautomerism and chelation

The formation and collisionally activated dissociation (CAD) behavior of a series of complexes containing cyclic or linear diketone ligands and alkali, alkaline earth, or transition metal ions are investigated. Electrospray ionization (ESI) is utilized for introduction of the metal ion complexes into a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The proximity of the carbonyl groups is crucial for formation and detection of ion complexes by ESI. For example, no metal ion complexes are observed for 1,4-cyclohexanedione, but they are readily detected for the isomers, 1,2-and 1,3-cyclohexanedione. Although the diketones form stable doubly charged complexes, the formation of singly charged alkaline earth complexes of the type (nL + M2+ − H+)+ where L = 1,3-cyclohexanedione or 2,4-pentanedione is the first evidence of charge reduction. CAD investigations provide further evidence of charge reduction processes occurring in the gas-phase complexes. The CAD studies indicate that an intramolecular proton transfer between two diketone ligands attached to a doubly charged metal ion, followed by elimination of the resulting protonated ligand, produces the charge reduced complex. For transition metal complexation, the preference for formation of doubly charged versus singly charged complexes correlates with the keto-enol distribution of the diketones in solution.
Concerning apparent similarity of structures of fluoropolymer surfaces exposed to an argon plasma or argon ion beam.

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) C(sub 1s) spectra of fluoropolymers exposed to either an argon plasma or argon ion beam show remarkable similarity, implying that the surface-modification reactions for these two processes likely proceed through comparable mechanisms, revolving predominantly ion-surface interactions. The importance of working with a monochromatized x-ray source for XPS analysis of the surface-modified fluoropolymers is once again emphasized.
Motion planning for formations of mobile robots

Abstract This paper is concerned with planning the motion of mobile robots in formation, which means certain geometrical constraints are imposed on the relative positions and orientations of the robots throughout their travel. Specifically, a method of planning motion for formations of mobile robots with non-holonomic constraints is presented. The kinematic equations developed allow a certain class of formations to be maintained while the group as a whole exhibits motion. The work was validated using the Stanford Micro-Autonomous RoverS Testbed.
Evidence for an equality heuristic in social decision making

Abstract Subjects read a story in which five business partners needed to allocate the profits and expenses of the partnership in a fair and reasonable manner. Each of the partners worked independently and produced different gross incomes between $140 and $285. The gross incomes were to be divided into expenses and profits. Subjects were asked to fill in fair allocations in an accounting ledger. Three factors were manipulated: the target of the allocation task (either the expenses or the profits), the causal attributions for the differences in gross incomes (internal, external, or both), and whether the subjects were asked to fill in both columns (expenses and profits) or just one. The results supported the hypothesis that the subjects heuristically used equality to make their allocations. Over 70% of the subjects allocated at least one column equally (although the frequency of equality use varied as a function of both the target of the allocation and the attribution given). Subjects allocated the target columns equally more often than non-target columns, even though equality for one column implied inequality for the other. The use of equality was also sensitive to the attribution given for the performance differences. Differences due to external factors, i.e., the number of people showing up at the market, produced the most equal allocations of profits (with unequal expenses) while the internal attribution produced the highest proportion of equal expense allocations (with unequal profits).
Effects of processing variables on the magnetic properties of melt-processed YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract Samples of YBa 2 Cu 3 O x (Y123) with excess Y 2 BaCuO 5 (Y211) in the molar ratio of 5:1 (Y123/Y211) were processed using the SLMG (‘solid-liquid melt growth’) technique. The effects of precursor particle size, thermal pretreatment, and substrate choice were examined. Particle size was shown to accelerate degradation of the BaCuO 2 precursor. Thermal pretreatment resulted in reduction of porosity in the samples and hence improved magnetic properties. Contamination by carbon and magnesium from the substrates was also examined and eliminated by using BaZrO 3 substrates.
Impact of Noncorrosive Forage Stabilizers on Digestibility of Alfalfa Hay and Lactation Performance of Dairy Cows

Abstract Four experiments examined the impact on digestibility of alfalfa hay and performance of dairy cows of applying a low acid stabilizer and a Lactobacillus fermentation product to moist hay. Treatments evaluated were alfalfa baled at: 15 to 20% moisture (dry control); 20 to 25% moisture with addition of 1.8 and 3.6 kg/909kg of a low concentration acid or 77 ml/909kg of a Lactobacillus fermentation product; and 20 to 25% moisture (wet control). In Experiments 1 and 3 (digestion trials), intake of DM by cows was not affected by addition of forage stabilizers to moist hay. Digestibility of DM, ADF, cellulose, and nitrogen was similar for cows consuming dry control than for cows consuming moist forages. Digestibility of NDF was highest for cows consuming low concentration acid-treated forage compared with dry control or Lactobacillus fermentation product treated hay in one of two experiments. Digestibility of hemicellulose was highest for cows consuming low concentration acid-treated forage, intermediate for cows consuming Lactobacillus fermentation product treated hay, and lowest for cows consuming dry control hay in one of two experiments. Nitrogen retention was highest for cows consuming dry control hay compared with those consuming moist forages in one of two experiments. Milk production and milk components were unaffected by including moist hay treated with forage stabilizers in lactation diets. Lactating cows consuming stabilizer-treated forage gained more weight than cows consuming dry control hay in one of two experiments.
Selective DA2 versus DA1 antagonist activity of domperidone in the periphery.

Abstract Relative activity of domperidone as an antagonist of the two peripheral dopamine (DA) receptors, DA 1 and DA 2 , was studied in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. Renal vasodilation produced by intra-arterial injection of DA into the phenoxybenzamine-pretreated renal vascular bed was the DA 1 -mediated response, while femoral vasodilation induced by dipropyl dopamine injected into the femoral artery with intact nerve supply was the DA 2 -mediated response. Domperidone, 0.5–5 μg/kg intravenously, inhibited the DA 2 response by 15–75%. In contrast, doses up to 5 mg/kg had no effect on DA 1 -mediated or bradykinin-induced renal vasodilation. Domperidone has thus proved to be more selective than other DA 2 antagonists, differentiating between the two peripheral DA receptors by a margin of greater than 10 4 . Furthermore, domperidone was found to be selective as a DA 2 versus α 2 -adrenergic antagonist as studied on the dog cardioaccelerator nerve, thus, enhancing its value as a selective DA 2 antagonist.
Sulfur chelates 36. Structural characterization of the Trans isomers of the O-ethylphenyldithiophosphonates of Pd(II) and Pt(II), M[S2P(OC2H5)C6H5]2. Cis-Trans isomerization of the planar Pd(II) complex

Abstract Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of O-ethylphenyldithiophosphate, [S2P(OEt)C6H5]−, crystalize as trans products although the MS4 coordination about the metal is square planar. Isomerization occurs in organic solvents to produce essentially (by NMR) equal amounts of cis and trans isomers. The rate of isomerization decreases Ni ⪢ Pd > Pt. The isomerization of trans-Pd[S2P(OEt)C6H5]2 has been studied quantitatively in various solvents. In benzene Ea ≅ 18 kcal/mole with ΔHDG ≅ 18 kcal/mole and ΔS‡ ≅ −17 e.u. The rearrangement appears to be solvent assisted. CS2 increases the isomerization rate by a factor of five. The X-ray crystal structures of the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes are described in detail. The MS distances are approximately 2.34 A in both complexes, although the space groups are different.
Thymus-antigen- and immunoglobulin-positive cells in lymph-nodes, thymus, and malignant lymphomas of nzb/nzw mice.

Abstract Lymph node and thymic architecture in NZB/NZW mice at a range of ages was examined by light microscope histology and by immunofluorescence techniques capable of detecting cell-associated immunoglobulin and thymus antigen. Lymph nodes undergo progressive and extensive hyperplasia involving lymphocytes of both types as well as some cells lacking either surface antigen. However, two transplantable lymphomas, which developed in association with these sites of lymphoid hyperplasia, contained exclusively immunoglobulin-positive and thymus-antigen-negative cells and were interpreted as B cell tumors.
Biological therapies: A novel approach to the treatment of autoimmune disease

Biological therapies for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) make use of molecules (including derivative and recombinant forms) produced by cells of the immune system or by cells that participate in inflammatory reactions. Development of monoclonal antibodies against cell-surface structures that are lineage or subset specific has led to trials of anti-T-cell reagents in RA, but results thus far must be regarded as a significant therapeutic disappointment. A monoclonal antibody designed to interfere with the action of a cytokine, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), has been studied in both open and controlled trials. Treatment with this antibody resulted in marked changes in indices of inflammation, but duration of responses may be limited by the eventual development of antibodies to the anti-TNF-alpha antibody. Immunomodulatory strategies that use the immune system to regulate autoimmune activity have been developed based on animal studies, and evaluation of oral collagen as a treatment in RA is currently underway. If successful, this approach would represent a new direction in the treatment of human autoimmune disease. In the future, use of gene therapy directed to the joint could be a powerful approach to treatment of RA. Rational use of biological therapies in RA will depend, in part, on improved understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition.
Food Acquisition Strategies, Food Security, and Health Status among Families with Children Using Food Pantries:

Social workers working with families must consider the relationship between food insecurity and health. Low-income households often have limited food options and rely on food acquisition strategies to stretch food dollars. This study included 532 adults with children who completed surveys at one of 40 food pantries in 26 counties. This study highlights the ways families acquired food to meet their needs, what health issues were prevalent, and the relationship between food acquisition strategies and food security. Despite using multiple acquisition strategies, 74% were in food-insecure households and 80% were overweight or obese. This study provides evidence that food security and health should be considered when conducting assessments, testing interventions, and developing policies across practice settings.
Adult Offspring of Alcoholic Women as Family History Informants

Eighteen years after their mothers had been hospitalized for alcoholism, adult offspring were asked if any of their 1st-degree relatives had ever had a drinking problem. Proband and informant characteristics that affect the validity of reports of maternal drinking problems given by adult offspring of alcoholic women were identified. A history of alcohol-related medical problems in the mother was associated with reporting maternal alcoholism. Being African-American, having a history of suicide attempts in the mother, and having a good maternal posttreatment outcome were associated with false-negative reports. Adding multiple offspring informants increased sensitivity to 86%. Female alcoholic offspring tended to underreport maternal alcoholism.
Highly enriched preparations of cultured myocardial cells for biochemical and physiological analyses

Cultures of enzyme-dissociated myocardial cells contain myocytes as well as other cell types (e.g. fibroblasts); therefore, cell separation is necessary to interpret accurately biochemical measurements of substances or physiological measurements of processes common to more than one type of cell. Previous methods of cell separation have resulted in cultures enriched with, at most, about 80% myocytes. In the present study, a monoclonal antibody to cell-surface adhesion factors, CSAT, was used to obtain four highly enriched preparations: cultures of 7-day embryonic chick ventricular cells that contained either 99.1 +/- 0.2% (n = 10) myocytes or 96.5 +/- 0.8% (n = 6) fibroblasts; and cultures of 17-day chick cells that contained 99.1 +/- 0.2% (n = 11) myocytes or 92.5 +/- 0.8% (n = 8) fibroblasts. Following the removal of CSAT from myocyte-enriched cultures, 96.9 +/- 0.4% (n = 7) of the myocytes obtained from 7-day embryos and 93.8 +/- 1.4% (n = 6) of the myocytes obtained from 17-day embryos attached to culture dishes. Using these four preparations, we found the sialic acid content of myocytes to be significantly less than that of fibroblasts at both 7 and 17 days of development. In fact, the sialic acid content of myocytes did not change during this period, whereas that of fibroblasts increased significantly. These differences underscore the necessity of using highly enriched cell preparations. The antibody/differential adhesion method described provides an opportunity to evaluate and correlate the biochemical, physiological and pharmacological properties of myocytes without interference from other cell types.
Valproic Acid–Induced Eosinophilic Pleural Effusion: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT Objective To report a case of valproic acid–induced eosinophilic pleural effusion and to review the existing literature. Case Summary A 25-year-old African-American man receiving valproic acid, 250 mg/d, had a moderate-sized right pleural effusion. Pleural fluid analysis revealed 75% eosinophils. The patient had no evidence of parasitic infection, hemothorax, or pneumothorax. One month after valproic acid was discontinued, there was no evidence of a pleural effusion by both chest radiography and thoracic ultrasonography. Discussion Valproic acid–induced pleural effusions have been reported in the medical literature in 5 case reports. Pleural fluid eosinophilia is almost always related to pneumothorax, hemothorax, parasitic infection, or drug toxicity; therefore, when the first 3 causes have been eliminated, a drug should be suspected. Only a few medications are known to cause pleural fluid eosinophilia, one being valproic acid. The Naranjo probability scale rated this adverse reaction as probably drug-related. Conclusions In all 6 patients discussed in this review, the pleural effusions resolved after discontinuation of the valproic acid. None of these patients had associated pulmonary infiltrates. Valproic acid eosinophilia may be associated with peripheral blood eosinophilia. Valproic acid should be added to the list of medications that can cause an eosinophilic pleural effusion.
Validation of the finite-difference time-domain method for near-field bioelectromagnetic simulations

Validations of the accuracy of the FDTD method for near-field simulations are critical at this time to assess the accuracy of the FDTD method for the simulation of personal communication devices. Excellent comparisons between the FDTD method and analytical or measured results are shown for a dipole antenna next to a layered half-space, a layered box, and a sphere, and also an infinitesimal dipole near a sphere. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 16: 341–345, 1997.
Marine Ostracoda From the Western North Atlantic Ocean: Labrador Sea, Gulf of St. Lawrence and Off Nova Scotia 1 )

Dreizehn Arten und eine Unterart von podocopiden Ostracoden sind im Labrador-Meer, im Golf von St. Lawrence und bei Nova Scotia gefunden worden. Zwei neue Arten, Bythocythere bilobatus und Elofsonella granulata, und eine neue Unterart von Eucytheridea punctillata werden beschrieben. Das Vorkommen amphiatlantischer Arten wird diskutiert.
Primary Versus Secondary Distal Femoral Arthroplasty for Treatment of Total Knee Arthroplasty Periprosthetic Femur Fractures

Current methods of fixing periprosthetic fractures after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are variable, and include open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) via plating, retrograde nailing, or revision using standard revision TKA components or a distal femoral arthroplasty (DFA). The purpose of this study is to compare patients who failed plating techniques requiring subsequent revision to DFA to patients who underwent primary DFA. Of the 13 patients (9.2%) who failed primary ORIF, causes included nonunion (53.8%), infection (30.8%), loosening (7.7%), and refracture (7.7%). There were significantly more surgical procedures for ORIF revision to DFA compared to primary DFA. Complications for patients who underwent primary reconstruction with DFAs included extensor mechanism disruption (8.3%), infection (5.6%), and dislocation (2.8%). Primary reconstruction via ORIF is beneficial for preserving bone stock, but primary DFA may be preferred in osteopenic patients, or those at high risk for nonunion.
Effects of simulated short-term road salt exposure on lotic periphyton function

Road salt application and resulting entrance of salt-laden runoff into streams are common winter events, yet little information exists about their influence on lotic periphyton function. We measured extracellular enzyme and photosynthetic activities of natural winter lotic periphyton communities under various short-term laboratory salt exposures. Short-term exposure to increased concentrations of salt reduced the photosynthetic activity of the periphyton but photosynthetic activity was restored by replacing salt-amended water with ambient stream water. Salt exposure also reduced periphytic β-glucosidase activity but not the activity of phosphatase or leucine aminopeptidase. Elevated, but realistic, short-term salt exposures reduced the functioning of lotic periphyton communities. Further work will be necessary to understand the long-term effects of increased salt concentrations on periphyton and extracellular enzyme activity.
Multiple immunoglobulin switch region homologies outside the heavy chain constant region locus.

Somatic rearrangement of gene segments enables higher organisms to generate additional genetic diversity from an essentially limited and otherwise linear genome. The only known example of this powerful mechanism in vertebrates is the immune system, in which active genes are somatically assembled from distant pieces of DNA1–3. This process operates both in V–J (light chain) or V–D–J (heavy chain) joining, to form novel variable region genes from widely separated coding segments4–9, and in heavy chain class switching, whereby assembled variable region genes are switched from one heavy chain gene to another10–14. The latter process correlates with the sequential appearance of the same V region in association with different heavy chains during B-cell development15–22. Conserved sequences adjacent to these genes may be required for the two processes4–6,23–28. In the case of the heavy chain class switch from the μ to the α gene, such sequences involve 2–3-kilobase (kb) segments characterized by tandem pentanucleotide and higher-order repeats24–26,28. We have previously shown that this region has been selectively conserved in both mouse and man and therefore changed little during the 70 Myr since these species have diverged28. Using the switch segment as a hybridization probe, we now show that approximately 15 switch-like regions are present in germ-line DNA and that only one is deleted during the μ–α switch that has occurred in the IgA-producing cell line, S107. As the heavy chain constant region locus from μ through e is deleted in this cell line (including all the other known heavy chain genes), we conclude that the remaining switch-like signals lie outside this region.
VICTIMIZATION RISKS AND ROUTINE ACTIVITIES: A Theoretical Examination Using a Gender- Specific and Domain-Specific Model

This paper examines female and male victimization risks in general and in three domains: home, work, and leisure/public. In doing so, the analysis is based on a popular victimization model: the routine activities/lifestyle theory of victimization. There are several critiques of the routine activities/lifestyle theory research at present. Most tests of this theory use a sample of victims that does not distinguish between specific populations. Further, research on victimization risks needs domainspecific models of victimization because lifestyle can encompass a large variety of behaviors in several different settings, all of which do not have the same risk of victimization (Lynch, 1987). Analyses using data from the National Crime Survey’s Victim Risk Supplement (1983) indicate the importance of analyzing specific populations and domains in any evaluation of routine activities/lifestyle victimization theory because the determinants of victimization are not identical between men and women or between the domains of home, work, and leisure/public.
Recent methods for polygenic analysis of genome-wide data implicate an important effect of common variants on cardiovascular disease risk

Traditional genome-wide association studies are generally limited in their ability explain a large portion of genetic risk for most common diseases. We sought to use both traditional GWAS methods, as well as more recently developed polygenic genome-wide analysis techniques to identify subsets of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that may be involved in risk of cardiovascular disease, as well as estimate the heritability explained by common SNPs. Using data from the Framingham SNP Health Association Resource (SHARe), three complimentary methods were applied to examine the genetic factors associated with the Framingham Risk Score, a widely accepted indicator of underlying cardiovascular disease risk. The first method adopted a traditional GWAS approach - independently testing each SNP for association with the Framingham Risk Score. The second two approaches involved polygenic methods with the intention of providing estimates of aggregate genetic risk and heritability. While no SNPs were independently associated with the Framingham Risk Score based on the results of the traditional GWAS analysis, we were able to identify cardiovascular disease-related SNPs as reported by previous studies. A predictive polygenic analysis was only able to explain approximately 1% of the genetic variance when predicting the 10-year risk of general cardiovascular disease. However, 20% to 30% of the variation in the Framingham Risk Score was explained using a recently developed method that considers the joint effect of all SNPs simultaneously. The results of this study imply that common SNPs explain a large amount of the variation in the Framingham Risk Score and suggest that future, better-powered genome-wide association studies, possibly informed by knowledge of gene-pathways, will uncover more risk variants that will help to elucidate the genetic architecture of cardiovascular disease.
The stability of a fluid layer subjected to a step change in temperature: Transient vs. frozen time analyses

Abstract The linearized behavior of a fluid layer subjected to a step change in surface temperature is examined using two different conceptual approaches. The first approach uses initial value techniques while the second employs two common versions of the “frozen-time” hypothesis. Both surfaces are taken as rigid and conducting. Galerkin's method is used to obtain the approximate solutions, while “exact” solutions are obtained via numerical integration for certain cases. It is shown that, while the first version of the frozen time model (the marginal state analysis) is not applicable to the transient system, the second version (quasi-static analysis) is valid for large time but is of limited usefulness for most cases of interest. The effects of various initial conditions, on the velocity and temperature perturbations, are clarified and discussed. The results presented here complement those available for a semi-infinite fluid with the same boundary conditions at he top surface.
Glucose injections into the medial septum reverse the effects of intraseptal morphine infusions on hippocampal acetylcholine output and memory

Abstract Morphine infusions into the medial septum produce memory deficits which can be attenuated by concurrent intraseptal injections of glucose. The mnemonic deficits following intraseptal morphine injections may be due, in part, to opioid inhibition of cholinergic neurons projecting to the hippocampus, with glucose reducing this effect. The present experiment determined whether glucose injections into the medial septum attenuate the effects of intraseptal morphine injections on hippocampal acetylcholine release and on memory. Samples of extracellular acetylcholine levels were assessed at 12-min intervals using in vivo microdialysis with high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Intraseptal morphine injections (4.0 nmol) reduced acetylcholine output starting at 12 min and lasting up to 72 min post-injection. Glucose (18.3 nmol) injected concomitantly with morphine reversed the morphine-induced decrease in acetylcholine output. Several days after microdialysis testing, rats received drug infusions in the septum 20 min prior to spontaneous alternation testing. Intraseptal morphine infusions reduced alternation scores; this behavioral effect was reversed by concurrent glucose infusions. The effects of drugs infused into the septal area on spontaneous alternation performance and acetylcholine output were positively correlated. These findings suggest that memory deficits induced by intraseptal morphine injections may result, at least partially, from a decrease in the activity of cholinergic neurons and that this effect is reversed by glucose.
The essentials of the complete skin examination.

LOOK: to ascertain by the use of one's eyes. To exercise the power of vision upon: EXAMINE SEE: to perceive by the eye … to perceive the meaning or importance of: UNDERSTAND 6 The skin is distinguished among the body's organs not only in that it is the largest organ, but also in that it can be visualized in its entirety. As a result, the skin examination is often thought to be a simple procedure, requiring nothing more than "looking at the skin." Looking at the skin does not guarantee that what is there will be seen. The eyes and the mind must work together to ensure that what is present on the skin is actually observed and that its significance is appreciated. The same can be said of viewing artwork; anyone can look at a painting, but not everyone can appreciate the intricacies of the work. As with most aspects of the physical examination, training and, ideally, experience are required to ensure that normal and abnormal findings are recognized and distinguished. The complexity of this task is appreciated by those who have spent years in training dedicated to the understanding of this superficial organ. Skin diseases are prevalent among all ages and races, and as the responsibility for medical care shifts back to the primary care realm, it is becoming increasingly important for all physicians to be able to perform a competent skin examination. Some physicians will, most likely, do this better than others, just as some individuals better appreciate fine artwork. The basic essentials of the skin examination can be learned by any willing physician. A trained eye and an open mind are recommended.
Neurotoxic, Inflammatory, and Mucosecretory Responses in the Nasal Airways of Mice Repeatedly Exposed to the Macrocyclic Trichothecene Mycotoxin Roridin A: Dose-Response and Persistence of Injury

Macrocyclic trichothecene mycotoxins encountered in water-damaged buildings have been suggested to contribute to illnesses of the upper respiratory tract. Here, the authors characterized the adverse effects of repeated exposures to roridin A (RA), a representative macrocyclic trichothecene, on the nasal airways of mice and assessed the persistence of these effects. Young, adult, female C57BL/6 mice were exposed to single daily, intranasal, instillations of RA (0.4, 2, 10, or 50 microg/kg body weight [bw]) in saline (50 microl) or saline alone (controls) over 3 weeks or 250 microg/kg RA over 2 weeks. Histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and morphometric analyses of nasal airways conducted 24 hr after the last instillation revealed that the lowest-effect level was 10 microg/kg bw. RA exposure induced a dose-dependent, neutrophilic rhinitis with mucus hypersecretion, atrophy and exfoliation of nasal transitional and respiratory epithelium, olfactory epithelial atrophy and loss of olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). In a second study, the persistence of lesions in mice instilled with 250 microg/kg bw RA was assessed. Nasal inflammation and excess luminal mucus were resolved after 3 weeks, but OSN loss was still evident in olfactory epithelium (OE). These results suggest that nasal inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and olfactory neurotoxicity could be important adverse health effects associated with short-term, repeated, airborne exposures to macrocyclic trichothecenes.
A Virtual Nursing Simulator with Haptic Feedback for Nasotracheal Suctioning

Presently, there are a myriad of virtual reality applications being devised for the full spectrum of disciplines. Of particular interest are military and healthcare applications. The importance of simulators for training becomes clear for critical tasks such as flight or surgery. Moreover, there is merit to be found in simulators that educate nurses for critical procedures, especially for procedures that have the potential to cause serious pain and injury. The application presented in this paper is nasotracheal suctioning. This application trains and evaluates in an intuitive way, using force feedback, an elaborate visual interface, and a variety of auditory cues (sounds and verbal instructions). It allows the practitioner to perform this procedure repeatedly in a safe environment before conducting it on a live patient.
Software aspects of the Na59 experiment

The NA59 experiment on the CERN SPS-H2 beamline took data during the summers of 1999 and 2000, to investigate the creation of circularly polarized photons starting from unpolarized electrons. The computational hub for the experiment was Northwestern University, where two clusters of computers served for the Monte Carlo simulation of the experiment, the production of the data summary tapes, and the offline data analysis. After reconstructing about half a million e/sup +/e/sup -/ pairs and comparing the results with the theoretical predictions, our experiment was first to show the birefringence property of the crystals for the photons in the 30-170 GeV range. This paper presents the newly developed methods in the event reconstruction and offline data analysis.
Performance evaluation of CMOS low drop-out voltage regulators

This paper compares the performance of three low drop-out (LDO) voltage regulators (simple LDO, LDO with common-source, and LDO with source-follower) in load regulation and transient response. The regulators are designed in 1.6 /spl mu/m technology with three different error amplifier designs to investigate the regulating performance. The performance of each architecture is verified by simulation results.
Hybrid Intercalated Duct Lesion of the Parotid: Diagnostic Challenges of a Recently Described Entity with Fine Needle Aspiration Findings

Intercalated duct lesions (IDL) of the salivary glands are recently described, and encompass both hyperplasia and benign neoplasms that remain incompletely understood. IDLs have been linked to various benign and low-grade malignant salivary gland neoplasms. We herein present a case of a 77 year old woman with an IDL of the parotid composed of both a hyperplastic and an adenomatous component and report, for the first time, the fine needle aspiration findings of such a lesion. This case illustrates the morphologic spectrum of an IDL, as well as challenges in rendering an accurate cytological and histologic diagnosis. The potential diagnostic pitfalls presented by the hybrid pattern of this lesion are also discussed.
Role of 4π charged-particle detector arrays in lifetime measurements by Doppler-shift attenuation methods: the Microball

The effects introduced by 4π charged-particle detector arrays such as the Microball on lifetime measurements by Doppler-shift attenuation techniques are discussed. The effect originates from the lower efficiency for detecting charged particles at backward angles. Procedures for correcting for such “bias” are described.
Human Cytomegalovirus-Encoded pUL7 Is a Novel CEACAM1-Like Molecule Responsible for Promotion of Angiogenesis

Persistent human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection has been linked to several diseases, including atherosclerosis, transplant vascular sclerosis (TVS), restenosis, and glioblastoma. We have previously shown that factors secreted from HCMV- infected cells induce angiogenesis and that this process is due, at least in part, to increased secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6). In order to identify the HCMV gene(s) responsible for angiogenesis promotion, we constructed a large panel of replication- competent HCMV recombinants. One HCMV recombinant deleted for UL1 to UL10 was unable to induce secretion of factors necessary for angiogenesis. Fine mapping using additional HCMV recombinants identified UL7 as a viral gene required for pro- duction of angiogenic factors from HCMV-infected cells. Transient expression of pUL7 induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and ERK1/2 MAP kinases and production of proangiogenic factors, including IL-6. Addition of recombinant pUL7 to cells was suffi- cient for angiogenesis and was again associated with increased IL-6 expression. Analysis of the UL7 structure revealed a con- served domain similar to the immunoglobulin superfamily domain and related to the N-terminal V-like domain of carcinoem- bryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1). Our report therefore identifies UL7 as a novel HCMV-encoded molecule that is both structurally and functionally related to cellular CEACAM1, a proangiogenic factor highly expressed during vasculogenesis. IMPORTANCE A hallmark of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is its ability to modulate the host cellular machinery, resulting in the secretion of factors associated with long-term diseases such as vascular disorders and cancer. We previously demonstrated that HCMV infection alters the types and quantities of bioactive proteins released from cells (designated the HCMV secretome) that are involved in the promotion of angiogenesis and wound healing. A key proangiogenic and antiapoptotic factor identified from a proteomic-based approach was IL-6. In the present report, we show for thefirst time that HCMV UL7 encodes a soluble molecule that is a structural and functional homologue of the CEACAM1 proangiogenic cellular factor. This report thereby iden- tifies a critical component of the HCMV secretome that may be responsible, at least in part, for the vascular dysregulation associ- ated with persistent HCMV infection.
Engineering in society [education]

A workshop is discussed which presents a circular structure that includes an engineering design core from the first to fourth years of an engineering program of study. This set of four courses builds basic understanding of the engineering design process, develops increasingly mature design skills, and couples social issues and communications with design. Participants learn the structure and methods of instruction used in the curriculum through team exercises which model classroom activities with graduated levels of maturity associated with each of the four courses. >
Constant Connectivity: Just Because You Can Doesn't Mean You Should

The Netcraft annual Web server survey indicates more than 56 million Web servers were active at the end of 2004, and an average of 911,000 new sites are added each month. This doesn't include computers connected to the Internet as clients. Software developers continue to take advantage of this widespread connectivity. If developers can reduce that 56 million to only those systems that really need Internet access, they'd significantly reduce the probability of security holes due to mistakes and oversights. The author urges system architects to evaluate if the system they are designing really needs to be accessible via the Internet. They should ask themselves, Is providing information over the Internet really a core mission for my application, or is it just an "extra feature" that's inexpensive to add? The author also urges network engineers to consider laying two network drops when they run a LAN: one for a secure internal LAN and one for an open LAN connected to the Internet through a firewall.
Automated analysis of coronary lesions from cineangiograms using vessel tracking and iterative deconvolution techniques

An integrated approach to automated analysis of coronary lesions from cineangiograms is being developed. A vessel segment between two selected endpoints is tracked with a sector-search method. Tracking points in the vessel are located by examination of the pixel values along a box perimeter over a limited range defined by an angular sector which is oriented toward one of the endpoints. Tracked points are fitted by a polynomial curve that yields a smooth vessel centerline, which is used for generation of a straightened vessel image. The image is then corrected for the nonuniform background in the cine image, which is estimated by a two-dimensional fit of the region surrounding the vessel. For each line in the corrected image, the vessel size is determined by the iterative deconvolution technique, which takes into account the line-spread function of the imaging system. With this integrated approach, stenotic lesions can be assessed accurately, even in the presence of complicated vascular anatomy, such as bifurcations, branches, or overlapping vascular structures. >
Factor Interaction and Linkage in Evolution

Reasons are presented for the view that linkage disequilibrium is of only secondary importance in the general theory of evolution although of primary importance in the theory for particular organisms. It is pointed out that the pattern of factor interaction that is significant in evolution is that which pertains to the mean selective value of populations. The three-phase shifting balance theory of evolution, proposed by the author in 1931, is reviewed briefly as a basis for deciding which sort of interaction system is most pertinent. Some of the misinterpretations of this theory are discussed. It is concluded that the overwhelmingly most important pattern of factor interaction is that in which selection is directed toward an optimum that is never far from the middle of the range of variability. This pattern is characterized by a great many selective peaks. The number rises rapidly with the number of interacting loci and the number of alleles. The effects of linkage in simple two and three factor cases of this optimum model are treated mathematically. The effect is to make the saddles shallower without obliterating them, unless a certain amount of overdominance with respect to selective value is superimposed. The roles of the three phases (random processes within demes as a trigger for intrademic selection toward a new peak, the latter as a trigger for interdemic selection) are illustrated in a hypothetical case with six selective peaks. This indicates a possible interpretation of the 'area effects' of Cain & Currey.
An internet-based application for electronics assemblies components selection

The use of such EACS promises substantial benefits but its successful implementation is hampered by the lack of a suitable formalism, particularly where, as is often the case, participants are geographically separated. The work presented in this paper is focused on how to implement EACS, where the participants may be remote, in a formal and systematic way. An Internet network based application is described that uses the Internet to support EACS, and an example is used to illustrate the implementation.
ATP activates P2x receptors and requires extracellular Ca++ participation to modify outer hair cell nonlinear capacitance

Intracochlear ATP is an important mediator in regulating hearing function. ATP can activate ionotropic purinergic (P2x) and metabotropic purinergic (P2y) receptors to influence cell functions. In this paper, we report that ATP can activate P2x receptors directly to modify outer hair cell (OHC) electromotility, which is an active cochlear amplifier determining hearing sensitivity and frequency selectivity in mammals. We found that ATP, but not UTP, a P2y receptor agonist, reduced the OHC electromotility-associated nonlinear capacitance (NLC) and shifted its voltage dependence to the right (depolarizing) direction. Blockage of the activation of P2x receptors by pyridoxalphosphate-6-azophenyl-2',4'-disulfonic acid (PPADS), suramin, and 4,4'-diisothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS) could block the ATP effect. This modification also required extracellular Ca(++) participation. Removal of extracellular Ca(++) abolished the ATP effect. However, chelation of intracellular Ca(++) concentration by a fast calcium-chelating reagent 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA, 10 mM) did not affect the effect of ATP on NLC. The effect is also independent of K(+) ions. Substitution of Cs(+) for intracellular or extracellular K(+) did not affect the ATP effect. Our findings indicate that ATP activates P2x receptors instead of P2y receptors to modify OHC electromotility. Extracellular Ca(++) is required for this modification.
A sampling hyperbelief optimization technique for stochastic systems

Uncertainty plays a dramatic role not only on the quality of the optimal solution of POMDP system, but also on the computational complexity of finding the optimal solution, with a worst case running time that is exponential in the length of the time horizon for the exact solution. However, given the importance of finding optimal or nearly optimal solutions for systems subject to uncertainty, numerous researchers have developed approaches to approximate POMDP systems to overcome this limitation (refer to [22, Ch. 15 & 16] for a survey of such approaches). The majority of these methods are for discounted, infinite-horizon problems. Moreover, many of these techniques must reperform all the computational effort when the objective function changes.
Specific Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Regulate Human Osteosarcoma Cells In vitro

Inhibitors of specific tyrosine kinases are attractive lead compounds for development of targeted chemotherapies for many tumors, including osteosarcoma. We asked whether inhibition of specific tyrosine kinases would decrease the motility, colony formation, and/or invasiveness by human osteosarcoma cell lines (TE85, MNNG, 143B, SAOS-2, LM-7). An EGF-R inhibitor reduced motility of all five cell lines by 50% to 80%. In contrast, an IGF-1R inhibitor preferentially reduced motility by 42% in LM-7 cells and a met inhibitor preferentially reduced motility by 80% in MNNG cells. The inhibitors of EGF-R, IGF-1R, and met reduced colony formation by more than 80% in all tested cell lines (TE85, MNNG, 143B). The EGF-R inhibitor reduced invasiveness by 62% in 143B cells. The JAK inhibitor increased motility of SAOS-2 and LM7 cells without affecting colony formation or invasiveness. Inhibitors of HER-2, NGF-R, and PDGF-Rs did not affect motility, invasiveness, or colony formation. These results support the hypothesis that specific tyrosine kinases regulate tumorigenesis and/or metastasis in osteosarcoma.
Distributed Spectrum Sharing for Video Streaming in Cognitive Radio Ad Hoc Networks

A distributed joint routing and spectrum sharing algorithm for video streaming applications over cognitive radio ad hoc networks is proposed in this article. The proposed cross-layer control scheme dynamically allocates routes, spectrum and power to maximize the network throughput under the constraints posed by delay-sensitive video applications. The algorithm evaluates the expected delay of competing flows in single-hop and two-hop networks considering the time-varying spectrum condition and occupancy, traffic characteristics, and the condition of queues at intermediate nodes. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm significantly reduces the packet loss rate and improves the average peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) of the received video streams.