cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Binary Signed-Digit Integers and the Stern Polynomial

The binary signed-digit representation of integers is used for efficient computation in various settings. The Stern polynomial is a polynomial extension of the well-studied Stern diatomic sequence, and has itself has been investigated in some depth. In this paper, we show previously unknown connections between BSD representations and the Stern polynomial. We derive a weight-distribution theorem for $i$-bit BSD representations of an integer $n$ in terms of the coefficients and degrees of the terms of the Stern polynomial of $2^i-n$. We then show new recursions on Stern polynomials, and from these and the weight-distribution theorem obtain similar BSD recursions and a fast $\mathcal{O}(n)$ algorithm that calculates the number and number of $0$s of the optimal BSD representations of all of the integers of NAF-bitlength $\log(n)$ at once, which then may be compared.
A Review of Abortion, Medicine, and the Law

The first Abortion, Medicine, and the Law was a 1967 special issue of the Case Western Law Review. This third edition collects 16 articles that address the legal, medical, and ethical issues in the ongoing abortion debate. Repeat articles include those by the late Dr. Alan F. Guttmacher on the beginnings of the abortion movement and by Daniel Callahan on the ethical issues concerning abortion. The new articles are written from the viewpoints of educators, physicians, lawyers, psychiatrists, and politicians who are well-known and outspoken on the subject of abortion, such as President Ronald Reagan.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) and curcumin inhibit the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a group 1 carcinogen.

Background Curcumin, a polyphenolic chemical constituent derived from turmeric (Curcuma longa), has been shown to prevent gastric and colon cancers in rodents. Many mechanisms have been proposed for the chemopreventative effects, although the effect of curcumin on the growth of Helicobacter pylori has not been reported. H. pylori is a Group 1 carcinogen and is associated with the development of gastric and colon cancer. Materials and methods A methanol extract of the dried powdered turmeric rhizome and curcumin were tested against 19 strains of H. pylori, including 5 cagA+ strains. Results Both the methanol extract and curcumin inhibited the growth of all strains of H. pylori in vitro with a minimum inhibitory concentration range of 6.25-50 micrograms/ml. Conclusion These data demonstrate that curcumin inhibits the growth of H. pylori cagA+ strains in vitro, and this may be one of the mechanisms by which curcumin exerts its chemopreventative effects.
Polypodium leucotomos as an Adjunct Treatment of Pigmentary Disorders.

Introduction: Extracts of the tropical fern Polypodium leucotomos appear to possess beneficial properties for the skin attributed to the presence of numerous compounds within the extract that have antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Orally administered Polypodium leucotomos may provide protection against the detrimental photoaging effects of sunlight and can also help reduce the frequency and severity of polymorphous light eruption. Polypodium leucotomos has also been shown to be beneficial for the prevention and potential treatment of several aesthetically relevant conditions. Objective: The purpose of this review is to investigate the beneficial role of Polypodium leucotomos as an adjunct treatment for vitiligo, melasma, and postinflammatory hyperpigmentation. Results: Based on a review of relevant literature including the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled study, the oral administration of Polypodium leucotomos significantly improved the severity of melasma in women after 12 weeks. Three randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studies have demonstrated significant improvements in vitiligo when oral Polypodium leucotomos therapy was combined with psoralens plus ultraviolet A and narrowband ultraviolet B. No controlled studies have assessed the efficacy of Polypodium leucotomos for the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation; however, its known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and demonstrated effectiveness for melasma support its use for treating this condition. No adverse events have been associated with the use of Polypodium leucotomos. Conclusion: In addition to preventing many harmful effects associated with sunlight exposure, orally administered Polypodium leucotomos also appears to provide adjunctive benefits in treating vitiligo, melasma, and may have the potential to help with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Regionalization of a birth defects prevention clinic

Screening programs to detect the carrier state of Tay-Sachs disease have been established in many large urban areas. A regionalized program has been established in the middle-Tennessee area to permit smaller communities to benefit from such programs. The numerical and psychosocial results of this program are discussed. The general concept of regionalization of health care delivery as related to birth defects screening programs is presented. Through such regionalized programs, obstetricians may be provided with new information concerning diagnostic and screening tests for genetic diseases.
Employment Decisions Supporting Organizations of Autonomous Agents

A key aspect of organization is that one or more agents perform tasks at the direction of another, supervising, agent. We model a set of individual actors using intelligent agents. These agents self-interestedly choose products to produce and to consume. Our initially-identical autonomous agents self-interestedly form organizations, with the employing and employed agents performing separate value computations. Use of agents, rather than statistical demand and supply functions, enables direct computation of every action by every agent, permitting the tracing of activity to the boundedly rational behavior of intelligent agents. Actions which incur costs, such as choosing others with whom to transact, that are often modeled using equation-based quantities in other work, are here performed by the computer code needed to achieve the desired result. A key feature of this work is that these self-reflective agents balance thinking about what they will do with actually doing it.
ASSESSING AND INCREASING PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Increasing physical activity is a crucial component of any comprehensive approach to combat the growing obesity epidemic. This review summarizes recent behavioral research on the measurement of physical activity and interventions aimed at increasing physical activity and provides directions for future research.
Implementation of real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography for mitral balloon valvuloplasty.

Background Transthoracic (TTE) and intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) have both been established as modalities for imaging guidance in mitral balloon valvuloplasty (MBV). Real-time three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT3D-TEE) improves depth resolution, characterization of pathology and visualization of interventional catheters and devices. Three-dimensional imaging should enhance catheter navigation but improvements in procedural outcomes are not easily quantified. Using time from transseptal puncture to balloon inflation, procedure time and radiation exposure as surrogates for improvements linked to image guidance, we describe our early experience in implementing RT3D-TEE during MBV, a prototypical left-sided structural intervention. Methods Using a dedicated interventional procedures database, we reviewed the clinical and procedural variables of 70 consecutive cases of MBV utilizing either RT3D-TEE or TTE combined with ICE from 12/2004 to 4/2009. Results The clinical characteristics of both groups were well matched and there was no difference in mean gradient reduction or complication rates. Fluoroscopy times (TTE/ICE 26.7 ± 5.6 min. vs. RT3D-TEE 23.3 ± 6 min. P = 0.02) and radiation dose-area product (TTE/ICE 216.2 ± 96.6 vs. RT3D-TEE 171.5 ± 63.9) were lower with the RT3D-TEE cohort. Time from 1st transseptal puncture attempt to 1st balloon inflation was found to be lower in the RT-3DTEE cohort (TTE/ICE 36 ± 8 min vs. 28 ± 8 min P <0.01) Conclusion RT3D-TEE is associated with expedited transseptal puncture and balloon catheter navigation as reflected in the decreased transseptal to balloon time. RT3D-TEE is associated with less reliance on fluoroscopic navigation as compared to using TTE/ICE. This series demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of implementing RT3D-TEE for MBV. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Constructive Unilateralism: US Leadership and International Taxation

In recent years, various US international tax proposals have been advanced on the basis that we should follow the lead of our major trading partners. For example, it has been argued that we should adopt a “territorial” tax system (really, an exemption for dividends from controlled subsidiaries of US multinationals) because most of our trading partners have done so, or that we should adopt a “patent box” because some EU countries have one. But is this an adequate policy argument? Historically, most of the advances in international taxation occurred because the US led, not because it has followed. This paper reviews the history of instances in which other countries followed US international tax reforms, and then argues that positive results can be expected if the US maintains its leadership by “constructive unilateralism”.
The case for mental imagery

Preface Chapter 1. Mental imagery and mental representation Chapter 2. Evaluating propositional accounts Chapter 3. Evaluating experiment artifact accounts Chapter 4. Depictive representations in the brain Chapter 5. Visual mental images in the brain: Overview of a theory Chapter 6. Science and mental imager Appendix: Review of neuroimaging studies of visual mental imagery References
Development of a soft tissue stabilization plate

The purpose of this study was to develop a soft tissue reattachment device capable of sustaining normal physiological loads during healing of soft tissue bony insertions. Clinical applications of this device include stabilization of tissues that have been resected or damaged as a result of trauma. More specifically this study focused upon stabilization of the tibial tuberosity following total knee arthroplasty. Five mechanical tests in addition to a biological test involving cellular response were conducted in order to evaluate the efficacy of the device. Mechanical tests included bending fatigue testing from `20 to `200N at 40Hz, torsion to failure at 1o/s, as well as cantilever bending and shear to failure at 25mm/min. The device sustained a static shear load of XXXN and is compared to tibial tuberosity failure loads cited in the literature [458.2N]. [1] Ultimate rotation and bending of the device was found to be XX degrees and XX mm, respectively. These values exceed those found in normal physiological loading. The device maintained mechanical integrity and functionality in fatigue up to 1 million cycles. The biologic simulation test was completed under sterile conditions and employed the use of 3T3-Swiss albino fibroblasts. The results yielded that the unique use of porosity holes aided in cell in-growth. The in-growth, coupled with the mechanical performance of the device, provides an effective technique for tuberosity fixation and post surgical healing.
Laser probe excitation in spectrochemical analysis. II: investigation of quantitative aspects

A study has been made of quantitative analysis by a laser probe with spark excitation of the sample vapor. Random errors come largely from variations in laser energy and from photometric errors. The parameters of the spark circuit affect the line intensities; however, these factors are well controlled. Correlations have been established between the energy of the laser beam, the size of the pit formed, and spectral intensities. For most purposes, single-spike laser operation has been found to be preferable to multiple-spike operation. At present, the coefficients of variation for analysis are 15% to 40%.
Failure-to-success ratios, transition probabilities and phase lengths for prophylactic vaccines versus other pharmaceuticals in the development pipeline

Research and development of prophylactic vaccines carries a high risk of failure. In the past, industry experts have asserted that vaccines are riskier to produce than other pharmaceuticals. This assertion has not been critically examined. We assessed outcomes in pharmaceutical research and development from 1995 to 2011, using a global pharmaceutical database to identify prophylactic vaccines versus other pharmaceuticals in preclinical, Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III stages of development. Over 16 years of follow-up for 4367 products (132 prophylactic vaccines; 4235 other pharmaceuticals), we determined the failure-to-success ratios for prophylactic vaccines versus all other products. The overall ratio of failures to successes for prophylactic vaccines for the 1995 cohort over 16 years of follow-up was 8.3 (116/14) versus 7.7 (3650/475) for other pharmaceuticals. The probability of advancing through the development pipeline at each point was not significantly different for prophylactic vaccines than for other pharmaceuticals. Phase length was significantly longer for prophylactic vaccines than other pharmaceuticals for preclinical development (3.70 years vs 2.80 years; p<.0001), but was equivalent for all 3 human clinical trial phases between the two groups. We conclude that failure rates, phase transition probabilities, and most phase lengths for prophylactic vaccines are not significantly different from those of other pharmaceutical products, which may partially explain rapidly growing interest in prophylactic vaccines among major pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Wishful Thinking of Turgor Revisited: The Mechanics of Fungal Growth

Abstract Money, N. P. 1997. Wishful thinking of turgor revisited: The mechanics of fungal growth.Fungal Genetics and Biology21,173–187. Does the classical model of turgor-driven expansion apply to fungal growth and morphogenesis? Experiments on hyphae and sporangiophores reveal an intimate relationship between turgor and wall compliance in the region of surface expansion. This is consistent with the idea that when cells are pressurized, the resulting tensile forces within the wall perform work in expanding the cell surface. However, the standard mechanical model does not accurately predict the growth rate of individual cells because it negates the degree to which the cell controls its own rate of wall synthesis, modifies the mechanical properties of its existing surface, and interacts with countless other factors such as nutrient availability and oxygen concentration. More startling is the observation that certain oomycete fungi can grow without measurable turgor pressure. It is argued that turgor does not play any fundamental role in determining either the rate of fungal growth or the exquisite patterns of hyphal mophogenesis.
Dupont critical care lecture: Role of ultrashort-acting β-blockers in the perioperative period

Abstract β-blockade can result in extreme bradycardia, significant conduction problems, bronchospasms, or left ventricular dysfunction. For this reason, the use of long-acting β-blockers is of limited value in the perioperative period. Esmolol, due to its ultrashort action and cardioselective properties, has been shown to be safe and effective for use in treatment of tachycardia and hypertension. Doses of up to 300 μg/kg/min for up to seven hours have been used with a return to baseline parameters within 30 minutes of discontinuation of the infusion. It can also be safely used in treatment of the asthmatic patient with tachycardia or hypertension with no clinically significant increases in airway resistance. 24,25 Studies using esmolol during general anesthesia have also demonstrated that it appears to have no significant interaction with various anesthetic agents. 8–10,12–14
SHRINKAGE, PALATABILITY AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DRY‐CURED COUNTRY HAM AS AFFECTED BY SKINNING PROCEDURE

60 hams of approximately number 3 quality (Wisconsin Score) were divided into three groups of 20 hams each. Group 1 was unskinned, group 2 was normally skinned and group 3 was fully skinned. All hams were processed by standard dry-cure procedures and weighed at each processing step. 30 hams, including 10 from each group, were evaluated organoleptically and tested for peroxide values, salt content and moisture content, after 1 months’ aging and the remaining 30 after 3 months’ aging. The skinned hams had significantly higher skinning loss, shrinkage, salt content and shear values than the normally skinned or unskinned hams. The unskinned hams had the highest tenderness scores and lowest shear values and salt content. The normal skinned hams were scored highest for flavor. Overall eating satisfaction and rancidity values appeared to be unaffected by skinning.
Thy-1 antigen: A ganglion cell specific marker in rodent retina

Abstract A monoclonal antibody, 2G12, has been produced against a rat cerebral cortex glycoprotein fraction. It interacts with Thy-1 based on both the tissue distribution of its reactivity and the blocking of its binding by pretreatment with a rabbit anti-Thy-1 serum. In rat retina this antibody labels only cell bodies in the ganglion cell layer, optic nerve fibres and the inner plexiform layer. That the cell-body labelling was confined to ganglion cells was confirmed by double-labelling experiments. Ganglion cells were distinguished by retrograde transport of flourescent markers injected into the superior colliculi. The retinas were dissociated into single cells and the cell suspension was labelled with 2G12. There was almost complete coincidence of the two labels. A monoclonal antibody against mouse Thy-1.2 gave an essentially identical pattern of labelling. In both rats and mice Thy-1 was also found on the vitreal surface of the inner limiting membrane in a pattern reminiscent ofthat formed by the Muller cell endfeet, although these cells do not express Thy-1.
Preparation, structure and spectroscopic studies of the palladium mercaptides Pd8(S-nPr)16 and Pd6(S-nPr)12

Abstract Various palladium salts react with n-propane thiol to form a mixture of the cyclic mercaptides Pd8(S-nPr)16 (I) and the known Pd6(S-nPr)12 (II). I is described as an octagonal toroid, containing a planar ring of palladium atoms, each being bridged by four mercapto groups in approximately square planar geometry. The pendant n-propyl groups radiate outward in approximately axial and equatorial orientations with respect to the ring, which was also observed in solution by 1H and 13C NMR. Crystal data: space group C2/c, a=22.251(15), b=27.623(6), c=14.621(17) A, β=116.35°(4), V=8053(4) A3. Least-squares refinement based on 3103 observed reflections led to an R value of 0.078. I and II failed to complex any appropriate guest species, as evidenced by the UV-Vis spectra. I was found to have a reversible oxidation wave at E/2= 0.77 V, and a irreversible oxidation wave of 1.09 V. II displayed two irreversible peak potentials at 0.77 and 1.09 V. In each case, the waves were one electron processes, in which the reversibility was not enhanced at low temperatures.
Bias‐stress‐induced stretched‐exponential time dependence of charge injection and trapping in amorphous thin‐film transistors

The threshold voltage instabilities in nitride/oxide dual gate dielectric hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film transistors are investigated as a function of stress time, stress temperature, and stress bias. The obtained results are explained with a multiple trapping model rather than weak bond breaking model. In our model, the injected carriers from the a‐Si:H channel first thermalize in a broad distribution of localized band‐tail states located at the a‐Si:H/aSiNx:H interface and in the a‐SiNx:H transitional layer close to the interface, then move to deeper energies in amorphous silicon nitride at longer stress times, larger stress electric fields, or higher stress temperatures. The obtained bias‐stress‐temperature induced threshold voltage shifts are accurately modeled with a stretched‐exponential stress time dependence where the stretched‐exponent β cannot be related to the β=TST/T0 but rather to β≂TST/T0*−β0 for TST≤80 °C; for TST≥80 °C, the β is stress temperature independent. We have al...
LAMINAR FLOW AND CONJUGATE HEAT TRANSFER IN RIB ROUGHENED TUBES

A numerical study of fluid flow and heat transfer in circular tubes roughened with an internal circumferential rib is presented. Laminar flow with constant wall temperature is considered while the influence of heat conduction in the tube wall is also incorporated in the analysis. It was found that heat transfer is affected by the ratio of thermal conductivity of the wall to that of the fluid. Significant increase in heat transfer is achieved only for high Prandtl number fluids in the ribbed tube. The higher pressure drop in a ribbed tube should also be considered in a cost-effective design. There are no experimental results available in the open literature to compare with the present computations.
Children Learn When Their Teacher's Gestures and Speech Differ:

Teachers gesture when they teach, and those gestures do not always convey the same information as their speech. Gesture thus offers learners a second message. To determine whether learners take advantage of this offer, we gave 160 children in the third and fourth grades instruction in mathematical equivalence. Children were taught either one or two problem-solving strategies in speech accompanied by no gesture, gesture conveying the same strategy, or gesture conveying a different strategy. The children were likely to profit from instruction with gesture, but only when it conveyed a different strategy than speech did. Moreover, two strategies were effective in promoting learning only when the second strategy was taught in gesture, not speech. Gesture thus has an active hand in learning.
Changes in the levels of abscisic acid and its metabolites in excised leaf blades of Xanthium strumarium during and after water stress.

The time course of abscisic acid (ABA) accumulation during water stress and of degradation following rehydration was investigated by analyzing the levels of ABA and its metabolites phaseic acid (PA) and alkalihydrolyzable conjugated ABA in excised leaf blades of Xanthium strumarium. Initial purification was by reverse-phase, preparative, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) which did not require prior partitioning. ABA and PA were purified further by analytical HPLC with a muBondapak-NH(2) column, and quantified by GLC with an electron capture detector.The ABA content of stressed leaves increased for 4 to 5 hours and then leveled off due to a balance between synthesis and degradation. Since PA accumulated at a constant rate throughout the wilting period, it was concluded that the rate of ABA synthesis decreased after the first 4 to 5 hours stress. Conjugated ABA increased at a low rate during stress. This is interpreted to indicate that free ABA was converted to the conjugated form, rather than the reverse.Following rehydration of wilted leaves, the ABA level immediately ceased increasing; it remained constant for 1 hour and then declined rapidly to the prestress level over a 2- to 3-hour period with a concomitant rise in the PA level. In contrast to the rapid disappearance of ABA after relief of stress, the high PA content of rehydrated leaves declined only slowly. The level of conjugated ABA did not change following rehydration, indicating that conjugation of ABA was irreversible.Detached Xanthium leaves that were subjected to a wilting-recovery-rewilting cycle in darkness, responded to the second wilting period by formation of the same amount of ABA as accumulated after the first stress period.
Picolinic acid-induced direct somatic embryogenesis in sweet potato

Somatic embryos are being considered as an alternative material for in vitro germplasm conservation of sweet potato [(Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.)]. Picolinic acid was tested for somatic embryo production in sweet potato apical meristem tip cultures. Low level (0.2 mgl-1) of picolinic acid combined with kinetin or 6-benzylamino purine (6-BAP) (1.0 and 2.0 mgl-1) suppressed shoot growth and induced callus proliferation. Increased amount of picolinic acid (2 and 3 mgl-1) in combination with kinetin (0.25 and 1.0 mgl-1) induced direct somatic embryogenesis from apical meristem tips of variety Regal but not in Jewel. The primary embryos matured and germinated bipolarly yielding whole plantlets and unipolarly producing embryogenic hyperhydrated-fasciated shoots. The hyperhydrated-fasciated shoots, when cultured in picolinic and kinetin-enriched medium, produced secondary embryos. The secondary embryos also germinated bipolarly and unipolarly, resulting in subsequent cycles of embryogenesis. This recurrent embryogenesis ensures maintenance and proliferation of embryogenic tissues. Somatic embryos were also formed in mannitol-induced hyperhydrated shoots in response to picolinic acid and kinetin or 6-BAP treatment. Embryogenesis did not occur in non-hyperhydrated leaf, petiole, and internode sections.
New multiblock copolymers of sulfonated poly(4'-phenyl-2,5-benzophenone) and poly(arylene ether sulfone) for proton exchange membranes. II

Abstract Rigid-rod poly(4′-phenyl-2,5-benzophenone) telechelics were synthesized by Ni(0) catalytic coupling of 2,5-dichloro-4′-phenylbenzophenone and the end-capping agent 4-chloro-4′-fluorobenzophenone. The degree of polymerization was determined by 13C NMR. The telechelics produced were selectively sulfonated by concentrated sulfuric acid at 50 °C. The degree of sulfonation was controlled by varying the reaction time and was determined by titration. The nucleophilic step copolymerization of the fluoroketone activated sulfonated poly(4′-phenyl-2,5-benzophenone) oligomer (Mn=3.05×103 g/mol) with hydroxyl terminated biphenol based polyarylethersulfone (Mn=4.98×103 g/mol) afforded an alternating multiblock sulfonated copolymer that formed flexible transparent films, in contrast to the high molecular weight rigid rod homopolymers. They were tested for water absorption and proton conductivity by specific impedance. The synthesis and characterization of these multiblock copolymers are reported.
Paternal occupational exposure to pesticides and risk of neuroblastoma among children: a meta-analysis

Epidemiological data relating paternal pesticide exposure in occupational settings with higher risk of neuroblastoma are inconsistent. Since most studies included a small number of cases, lack of power is a potential reason for observed inconsistencies. We conducted a meta-analysis of published studies that investigated the association of paternal occupational pesticide exposure with childhood neuroblastoma. We identified published studies up to October 2009 on paternal pesticide exposure and neuroblastoma using online databases and extracted relative risk estimates for the association. Summary relative risk estimates were calculated using the fixed effects inverse variance weighting method. To account for heterogeneity, we used Shore-corrected confidence intervals and the random effects method. Subgroup analyses were conducted according to study design, location, and exposure ascertainment method. The meta-analysis included seven case–control and two cohort studies with a combined total of 1,426 cases. Overall, between-study heterogeneity was low (p = 0.46), and the fixed effects, random effects, and Shore-adjusted confidence intervals were similar. The summary risk ratio was 1.07 (95% CI 0.79–1.46, two-sided p value = 0.65). Results of the subgroup meta-analyses were robustly null. Findings from current published studies do not support an association between paternal occupational pesticide exposure and childhood neuroblastoma.
Endocytic mechanism of internalization of dietary peptide lunasin into macrophages in inflammatory condition associated with cardiovascular disease.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States. Diet influences risk factors associated with CVD and atherosclerosis, a major vascular disease that arises from inflammation. Lunasin, a peptide derived from plant foods such as soybeans, contains a unique Arg-Gly-Asp cell-adhesion motif and inhibits the pathways involved in the inflammatory cascade. The objective was to determine the mechanism by which lunasin is internalized into human THP-1 macrophages, investigate the expression of endocytic membrane proteins in inflammatory conditions and to identify the pathways involved. While lipopolysaccharide (10 nM), vitronectin (130 nM) and a combination of these two molecules enhanced lunasin uptake and increased basal αVβ3 integrin expression, lunasin reduced αVβ3 expression by 25.5, 26.8 and 49.2%, respectively. The pretreatment of cells with brefeldin A (71 µM), an inhibitor of protein trafficking, inhibited lunasin internalization by up to 99.8%. Lunasin increased caveolin-1 expression by up to 204.8%, but did not modulate clathrin. The pretreatment of macrophages with nystatin (54 µM), an inhibitor of caveolae-dependent endocytosis, reduced lunasin internalization. The presence of amantadine (1 mM) and amiloride (1 mM), inhibitors of clathrin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis, abolished lunasin cell entry. Lunasin elicited a transient reduction in intracellular levels of Ca2+ in LPS-induced macrophages. The results suggest that internalization of lunasin into macrophages is amplified in inflammatory conditions and is primarily mediated by endocytic mechanisms that involve integrin signaling, clathrin-coated structures and macropinosomes. Lunasin may be responsible for attenuation of CVD risk factors by interacting with pathways involved in endocytosis and inflammation.
BRADYKININ-STIMULATED CHANGES IN INOSITOL PHOSPHATE MASS IN RENAL PAPILLARY COLLECTING TUBULE CELLS

polyphosphates in renal papillary collecting tubules was investigam. w-inositol phosphate mass was determined by means of an enzymatic, fluorometric assay. Bradykinin induced increases in mya-inositol mono-, bis-, and trisphosphate which were both time and concentration dependent. Furthermore, the magnitude of the chemical levels of w-inositol monophosphate formed were unlikely to be accounted for solely by the formation and degradation of myo-inositol trisphosphate. These observations are consistent with the concomitant hydrolysis of phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate. This study also confirms, in freshly isolated renal tubules, observations regarding bradykinin-induced phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate hydrolysis made previously in radiolabeled cultures.
Geometrically nonlinear finite element analysis of tapered beams

Abstract A novel finite element methodology is developed capable of analyzing the geometrically nonlinear behavior of thin-walled framed structures composed of non-prismatic members. The pertinent element matrices are formulated on the basis of a modified version of the variational theorem of Hellinger and Reissner. Finite geometry changes are consistently described by using an updated Lagrangian (U.L.) formulation. Validity, accuracy and reliability of the proposed scheme are examined on the basis of several well-selected test examples.
Cell death and inhibition of population growth of marine unicellular algae by pesticides

Abstract The marine diatom, Skeletonema costatum, was exposed to the pesticides hexachlorocyclopentadiene, EPN, chlorpyrifos, carbophenothion, and Atrazine and examined for death of cells with Evans blue, a mortal stain. All pesticides caused death of cells, but significant mortality occurred only at concentrations greater than the EC50 calculated from population growth studies. The insecticide, Amdro®, did not kill the marine algae S. costatum, Thalassiosira pseudonana, Isochrysis galbana, Chlorella sp., or Dunaliella tertiolecta. However, Amdro was very inhibitory to algal population growth at low concentrations, i.e. EC50 values at 48 h were between 0.14 ppb for T. pseudonana and 10.3 ppb for D. tertiolecta. EC50 values were lowest after 48 h of exposure in tests conducted for 96 h. By 96 h after exposure, maximum growth rates of treated cultures were approximately those of control cultures. It is recommended that, because of problems associated with the fate of toxicants, algal laboratory toxicity tests be conducted for 48 to 72 h instead of the usual 96 h or longer.
A new technique for determining 3-D joint angles: the tilt/twist method.

Abstract Objective . To develop a new method of representing 3-D joint angles that is both physically meaningful and mathematically stable. Design . The two halves of a joint are modeled as overlapping cylinders. This simple physical model is easily understood and yields mathematically stable angle equations. Background . Two currently-used methods are the Euler/Cardan (joint coordinate System) method and the projection angle method. Both of these methods approach a singularity at 90 ° that limits their use. The helical angle (attitude vector) method is mathematically stable but has limited physical meaning and is difficult to communicate. Methods . Calculation of the tilt/twist angles is described. Tilt/twist angles are compared to Euler/Cardan, projection, and helical angles in terms of behavior and stability. Results . Through a small range of angulation, tilt/twist angles match the specific projection and Euler/Cardan angles previously found to be appropriate for describing spinal motion. Through larger ranges, tilt/twist angles do not match the other angles studied. Although not as stable as helical angles, tilt/twist angles are twice as stable as Euler/Cardan and projection angles, reaching a singularity only at 180 °. Conclusions . Because of their mathematical stability and simple physical interpretation, tilt/twist angles are recommended as a standard in describing angular joint motion.
Statin inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase: a 3-dimensional view

Statins act by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase and thereby reducing cholesterol synthesis. In X-ray crystallographic studies, we have determined the structures of the catalytic portions of the enzyme in complex with statin molecules. These studies show that the HMG-like moiety of statin molecules occupy the HMG binding site of the enzyme, with the hydrophobic groups of the statins occupying a binding site exposed by movement of flexible helices in the enzyme catalytic domain. In addition to bonds formed by the HMG-like moiety, statins exhibit different types and numbers of binding interactions in association with structural differences. Type 1 statins (e.g., simvastatin) exhibit binding via a decalin ring structure, and type 2 statins (e.g., rosuvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin) exhibit additional binding via their fluorophenyl group. Rosuvastatin and atorvastatin exhibit hydrogen bonds absent from other type 2 statins; rosuvastatin exhibits a unique bond via its electronegative sulfone group. Differences in statin structure and binding characteristics may partially contribute to differences in potency of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition and other pharmacologic properties.
The role of the unfolded protein response in the heart

The misfolding of nascent proteins, or the unfolding of proteins after synthesis is complete, can occur in response to numerous environmental stresses, or as a result of mutations that de-stabilize protein structure. Cells have developed elaborate protein quality control systems that recognize improperly folded proteins and either refold them or facilitate their degradation. One such quality control system is the unfolded protein response, or the UPR. The UPR is a highly conserved signal transduction system that is activated when cells are subjected to conditions that alter the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in ways that impair the folding of nascent proteins in this organelle. Recent observations indicate that in the heart, the UPR is activated during acute stresses, including ischemia/reperfusion, as well as upon longer term stresses that lead to cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Moreover, certain aspects of the UPR are activated during, and are required for proper heart development. This review summarizes recent studies of the UPR in the heart, focusing on the possible roles of the UPR in contributing to, or protecting from ischemia/reperfusion damage.
Canonical Transformations and Commutators in the Lagrangian Formalism

In this paper we clarify a number of questions connected with the Lagrangian formulation of canonical transformations and commutator brackets. We make a distinction between "regular" and "singular" theories, the latter having such a structure that the Euler equations cannot be solved uniquely with respect to the accelerations. For "regular" theories we show that the introduction of the Poisson bracket by Peierls, which is based on a variation of the Lagrangian, and the infinitesimal canonical transformations introduced by Bergmann and Schiller lead to equivalent results. For "singular" theories we show first that constants of the motion do not necessarily generate invariant transformations and that, generally speaking, the relationship between transformations and generators is not unique in either direction. Then we show that by restricting ourselves to invariant transformations and their generators we can define commutators between constants of the motion unambiguously. The resulting bracket expressions vanish whenever at least one of the commuted constants of the motion vanishes (is a secondary constraint). It turns out that these commutator brackets in the Lagrangian formalism are equivalent not to Poisson brackets but to (generalized) Dirac brackets. A possible quantization procedure is sketched in the concluding section.
Early Parental Separation and Adult Depression

• In a comparison with 300 matched controls, significantly more of 300 patients with nonendogenous depression had experienced permanent separation (not due to death) from their mother before both 11 and 17 years of age and significantly more had experienced permanent separation from their father (not due to death) before both 11 and 17 years of age. The results suggest that (1) early permanent separation from mother is a risk factor for nonendogenous depression but occurs in only about 6.7% of these patients before 11 years of age and in about 10% before 17 years of age and (2) early permanent separation from father is also a risk factor for nonendogenous depression and occurs in about 9.3% of these patients before 11 years of age and in about 16.7% before 17 years of age.
Ontogeny of γ-hydroxybutyric acid. I. Regional concentration in developing rat, monkey and human brain

Abstract Steady state levels of γ-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) were measured in whole brain and discrete regions of brain in developing and adult rat, monkey, and human brain. Postmortem changes in concentration of GHB in rat and human brain were also assessed. There were no significant postmortem changes of GHB under the conditions which the ontogeny experiments were done. The concentration of GHB was uniformly higher in the immature brains of the 3 species studied. In the rat the highest concentration was in immature hypothalamus and cortex with a significant decrease occurring between postnatal day 12 and 14. In human, the highest concentration was in fetal cerebellum and adult hypothalamus. Comparison of these data with published ontogeny data for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) suggest that there may be a source of GHB in brain other than GABA.
The Road Less Travelled: Institutional Aspects of Data and their Influence on Empirical Estimates with an Application to Tests of Forward Rate Unbiasedness

The difference between data used in empirical studies and that envisioned in the theory can influence empirical estimates, sometimes by enough that the direction of future research is altered. This paper illustrates how, in the context of tests of forward rate unbiasedness, a lack of articulation about the mechanics underlying foreign exchange market speculation and about the institutional aspects governing spot and forward rate contracts leads to sampling of the data in a way that is not consistent with the theory. The authors find that the sampling problems account for some but not all of the bias in the coefficient on the forward premium. Copyright 1996 by Royal Economic Society.
Stressors and close relationships during childhood and dissociative experiences in survivors of sexual abuse among inpatient psychiatric women

The purpose of this study was to examine which childhood events were associated with more extensive use of adult dissociative states in 90 female inpatients with histories of sexual abuse. The study found that childhood stressors of maltreatment (physical neglect, witnessing sexual abuse, and witnessing physical abuse) were associated with higher levels of dissociative symptoms. In contrast, childhood stressors of loss (parental separation and death of a close relative) were not related to increased severity of dissociative symptoms. The study also demonstrated that a close relationship with either a parent, sibling, extraparental adult, or friend did not have a mediating effect on the degree of adult dissociative symptoms. Directions for future research are presented.
Attention and vigilance: performance and skin conductance response changes.

The skin conductance response component of the orienting reflex was used to measure changes in attention during vigilance performance in order to test several hypotheses which have related aspects of vigilance performance to the occurrence and habituation of orienting or observing responses. Subjects detected irregularly presented visual signals among similar visual events during two 30-min tasks. Skin conductance responses were analyzed in epochs of time immediately preceding and following signals and in nonsignal-related time epochs. Magnitudes of skin conductance responses declined in both signal-related epochs (pre and post), but this decrement was correlated with performance changes only in the post-signal epoch. There was no decrement in SCR magnitudes during the nonsignal-related epochs. Skin conductance response magnitudes were significantly larger both before and after detected signals compared to misses. The data support the hypothesis that changes in vigilance performance over time are related to habituation of the orienting reflex evoked by signals. They also suggest that attentional processes preceding signals are related to successful detections.
Augmenting the power of LSI in text retrieval: Singular value rescaling

This paper presents an analysis of several different LSI (latent semantic indexing) query approaches and proposes a novel rescaling technique, namely singular value rescaling (SVR). Experiments on a standardized TREC data set confirmed the effectiveness of SVR, showing an improvement ratio of 5.9% over the best conventional LSI query approach. In addition, we also compared SVR with another scaling technique in text retrieval called iterative residual rescaling (IRR). Experiments on TREC data set show that SVR performs better than IRR.
Relativistic Effects in the Hyperfine Structure ofSn117,119

The atomic-beam magnetic-resonance technique has been used to measure the magnetic-dipole hyperfine-interaction constants $A$ for the 8613-${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ $^{1}D_{2}$ metastable atomic state of ${\mathrm{Sn}}^{117,119}$. The results are $A({\mathrm{Sn}}^{117},^{1}D_{2})=\ensuremath{-}1269.650(3)$ MHz and $A({\mathrm{Sn}}^{119},^{1}D_{2})=\ensuremath{-}1328.745(4)$ MHz. These results, together with the previous measurements of $A$ for the $^{3}P_{1}$ and $^{3}P_{2}$ states, are considered (a) nonrelativistically, (b) relativistically, with Casimir correction factors, and (c) with relativistic Hartree-Fock radial wave functions. Procedure (c) is shown to be relatively successful in accounting for the hfs observations, and leads to a predicted mixing coefficient for the states $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{1}D_{2}$ which is within 13% of the mutually consistent values found (i) by consideration of the $^{3}P_{2}\ensuremath{-}^{1}D_{2}$ energy separation and (ii) from the precisely measured ${g}_{J}$ values for the $^{3}P_{2}$ and $^{1}D_{2}$ states.
Neural networks for matched filter selection and synthesis

Neural networks are investigated for real-time matched filter selection in an optical correlator system. The input to the neural network is a sample space of the optical Fourier transform and the output is a pointer to the correct matched filter. Smaller feedforward network models were ported to analog neural hardware. Simulation and hardware results are discussed. Some architecture recommendations are suggested, specifically an associative memory for filter synthesis.
Group Consensus Evaluation: A Procedure for Gathering Qualitative Data.

Group Consensus Evaluation, a course evaluation procedure based on qualitative data-gathering techniques, can provide an effective alternative to traditional course evaluation forms. Using this procedure, students come to agreement, first in small groups, then in the class as a whole, on the things they would like to keep the same in a course, the things they would like to see changed, and how that change might occur. This procedure provides the instructor with a single class view rather than a series of conflicting views while providing a forum for students to separate their individual problems with a course from those that are shared with their fellow students.
Retroaortic epicardial course of the left circumflex coronary artery and anteroaortic intramyocardial (ventricular septum) course of the left anterior descending coronary artery: An unusual coronary anomaly and a proposed classification based on the number of coronary ostia in the aorta

Abstract In recent years a number of articles and books have focused on various coronary anomalies. 1–4 One of the least frequent coronary anomalies is the combination of retroaortic epicardial course of the left circumflex (LC) coronary artery and anteroaortic intramyocardial course of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Herein, we describe another such case and provide a classification for such cases based on the present and previously published cases.
The Rock Elm meteorite impact structure, Wisconsin: Geology and shock-metamorphic effects in quartz

The Rock Elm structure in southwest Wisconsin is an anomalous circular area of highly deformed rocks, ∼6.5 km in diameter, located in a region of virtually horizontal undeformed sedimentary rocks. Shock-produced planar microstructures (PMs) have been identified in quartz grains in several lithologies associated with the structure: sandstones, quartzite pebbles, and breccia. Two distinct types of PMs are pres ent: P1 features, which appear identical to planar fractures (PFs or cleavage), and P2 features, which are interpreted as possible incipient planar deformation features (PDFs). The latter are uniquely produced by the shock waves associated with meteorite impact events. Both types of PMs are oriented parallel to specific crystallographic planes in the quartz, most commonly to c (0001), ξ{11\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\overline{2}\) \end{document}2}, and r / z {10\batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \(\overline{1}\) \end{document}1}. The association of unusual, structurally deformed strata with distinct shock-produced microdeformation features in their quartz-bearing rocks establishes Rock Elm as a meteorite impact structure and supports the view that the presence of multiple parallel cleavages in quartz may be used independently as a criterion for meteorite impact. Preliminary paleontological studies indicate a minimum age of Middle Ordovician for the Rock Elm structure. A similar age estimate (450–400 Ma) is obtained independently by combining the results of studies of the general morphology of complex impact structures with estimated rates of sedimentation for the region. Such methods may be applicable to dating other old and deeply eroded impact structures formed in sedimentary target rocks.