cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-Term Effects of Free Fatty Acids on the Regulation of Fatty Acid Biosynthesis in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells

Fatty acid biosynthesis in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was studied in vitro by measuring the incorporation of 3H2O into saponifiable lipids. Glucose was found to be a much better substrate for fatty acid synthesis than acetate, β-hydroxybutyrate, or amino acids. Enzyme assays using Ehrlich cell cytosol preparations demonstrated the presence of the de novo biosynthetic enzymes, acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase and fatty acid synthetase. The distribution of 3H between various fatty acids separated using gas-liquid chromatography suggested, however, that both de novo synthesis and chain elongation occur in intact Ehrlich cells. The existence of an elongation pathway was confirmed by demonstrating that considerable amounts of radioactivity were present in fatty acids longer than palmitate when cells were incubated with palmitate-1-14C. Total fatty acid synthesis was inhibited when stearate, palmitate, oleate, or linoleate was added to incubation media containing bovine serum albumin. Stearate produced the largest effect, as much as 85% inhibition under certain conditions. By contrast, myristate had little effect on and laurate actually stimulated total fatty acid synthesis. In agreement with these observations, both laurate and lauroyl coenzyme A stimulated acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase in an Ehrlich cell homogenate, while stearate and stearoyl coenzyme A inhibited the enzyme. These findings indicate that, as in nonmalignant cells, fatty acid synthesis in the Ehrlich cell is subject to short-term regulation by extracellular free fatty acids.
Representations of the Poincare group

Abstract Because wave functions play a central role in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, one method of combining quantum mechanics and special relativity takes the form of efforts to construct relativistic wave functions. This paper outlines how it is now possible to construct harmonic oscillator wave functions without time-like excitations which form the vector spaces for the unitary irreducible representations of the Poincare group. Some experimental verifications for the validity of this wave function are summarized.
Relation of electrocardiographic R-wave amplitude to changes in left ventricular chamber size and position in normal subjects

Although exercise-induced changes in electrocardiographic R-wave amplitude have been ascribed to changes in left ventricular (LV) size, QRS axis, heart rate and ischemia, the physiologic mechanism remains unclear. To clarify the relation between R-wave amplitude and changes in LV size and position, simultaneous 9-lead electrocardiograms and targeted M-mode echocardiograms were recorded from 15 normal subjects. Recordings were made at rest, during Valsalva maneuver and during methoxamine infusion. LV diastolic dimension increased with methoxamine and decreased with Valsalva maneuver (p less than 0.001). R-wave amplitude in leads V5 and V6 varied directly with LV dimensions (p less than 0.001). The correlation coefficient between the change in R-wave amplitude in V5 or V6 and the change in LV dimension was 0.81 (p less than 0.01). No significant changes in R-wave amplitude were seen in electrocardiographic leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF or V1. Distance from the chest wall to the LV posterior wall correlated with change in R-wave amplitude (r = 0.79, p less than 0.001). Change from supine to left lateral position moved the left ventricle closer to the lateral chest wall in association with a 41 +/- 8% increase in R-wave amplitude in V5 and V6 (p less than 0.001). In conclusion, there is a direct and a dynamic relation between R-wave amplitude and LV chamber size. Chamber size and distance from the left ventricle to leads V5 or V6 interact as major determinants of R-wave amplitude.
(N-[11C]-Methyl)doxepin: Synthesis of a radiotracer for studying the histamine H-1 receptor

Doxepin (3-dibenz [b,e] oxepin - 11(6H) - ylidene - N,N - dimethyl - 1 - propanamine), a potent H1 histamine antagonist, was labeled with 11C-iodomethane by N-alkylation of normethyldoxepin. The synthesis, purification, and formulation were performed in approximately 20 minutes with an average specific activity of 1630 mCi/μmol (EOS).
Efficacy and patterns of failure for locally advanced cancer of the cervix treated with celebrex (celecoxib) and chemoradiotherapy in RTOG 0128.

Purpose To determine the efficacy and patterns of initial failure for oral celecoxib, intravenous cisplatin, and 5-fluorouracil and concurrent pelvic radiotherapy in patients with locally advanced cancer of the cervix. Methods and Materials Patients were treated with concurrent 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin chemotherapy and pelvic radiotherapy and brachytherapy. Celecoxib was prescribed at a dose of 400 mg twice daily for 1 year beginning on the first day of radiotherapy. The overall and disease-free survival rates were determined. Results A total of 84 patients were accrued, of whom 78 were eligible. The estimated 2-year disease-free survival and overall survival rate was 69% and 83%, respectively. Of the 78 patients, 24 had treatment failure: 3 with persistent local disease, 9 local only, 2 regional, 4 distant, 1 regional and distant, 1 local and distant, and 2 with local, regional, and distant disease, and 1 had died of cervical cancer without a reported site of first failure and 1 without evidence of disease. Conclusion At 2 years, the estimated disease-free survival and overall survival rate for patients with advanced cervical cancer who underwent a combination of chemoradiotherapy and celecoxib treatment was 69% and 83%, respectively. Recurrent disease developed in 24 patients, and, of those patients, 18 had a component of locoregional failure as a site of first failure. Thus, locoregional control continues to be problematic after chemoradiotherapy as delivered in our study. The identification of more active biologically targeted therapies is warranted for the treatment of advanced cancer of the cervix.
Cloning and Characterization of the Human Protein Kinase C-η Promoter

Protein kinase C-η (PKC-η) is predominantly expressed in epithelial tissue, including lung, intestine, and skin. In skin, PKC-η expression is limited to keratinocytes in the upper layers of the epidermis. To investigate regulation of cell type-specific expression of PKC-η, we cloned the 5′-segment of the PKC-η gene from a P1 genomic library. A 9.4-kilobase pair fragment encompassing the 5′-flanking region, first exon, and first intron, was localized on human chromosome 14 (14q22–23). Two major transcription initiation sites identified by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, primer extension, and S1 nuclease mapping, were located approximately 650 base pairs upstream from the translation start site. The human PKC-η proximal promoter region lacks canonical TATA and CAAT boxes and GC-rich regions. A 1.6-kilobase pair 5′-flanking region displayed maximal promoter activity. This promoter was active in human keratinocytes but not human skin fibroblasts, in accord with endogenous PKC-η gene expression. Stepwise 5′ deletion analysis revealed the presence of adjacent regulatory regions containing silencer and enhancer elements located 1821–1702 base pairs and 1259–1189 base pairs upstream of the transcription initiation site. Deletion of the proximal PKC-η promoter rendered the enhancer element inactive. Both the silencer and enhancer elements regulated heterologous promoters in keratinocytes but not fibroblasts. Electrophoretic mobility shift analysis demonstrated specific protein binding to Ets/heat shock factor and Ets/activator protein-1 consensus sequences in the enhancer and silencer regions, respectively. Mutations of the Ets/heat shock factor binding sites caused loss of functional enhancer activity. These data elucidate transcriptional regulation and tissue-specific expression of the PKC-η gene.
Stereospecific reduction of 5β-reduced steroids by human ketosteroid reductases of the AKR (aldo-keto reductase) superfamily: role of AKR1C1-AKR1C4 in the metabolism of testosterone and progesterone via the 5β-reductase pathway.

Active sex hormones such as testosterone and progesterone are metabolized to tetrahydrosteroids in the liver to terminate hormone action. One main metabolic pathway, the 5β-pathway, involves 5β-steroid reductase (AKR1D1, where AKR refers to the aldo-keto reductase superfamily), which catalyses the reduction of the 4-ene structure, and ketosteroid reductases (AKR1C1–AKR1C4), which catalyse the subsequent reduction of the 3-oxo group. The activities of the four human AKR1C enzymes on 5β-dihydrotestosterone, 5β-pregnane-3,20-dione and 20α-hydroxy-5β-pregnan-3-one, the intermediate 5β-dihydrosteroids on the 5β-pathway of testosterone and progesterone metabolism, were investigated. Product characterization by liquid chromatography–MS revealed that the reduction of the 3-oxo group of the three steroids predominantly favoured the formation of the corresponding 3α-hydroxy steroids. The stereochemistry was explained by molecular docking. Kinetic properties of the enzymes identified AKR1C4 as the major enzyme responsible for the hepatic formation of 5β-tetrahydrosteroid of testosterone, but indicated differential routes and roles of human AKR1C for the hepatic formation of 5β-tetrahydrosteroids of progesterone. Comparison of the kinetics of the AKR1C1–AKR1C4-catalysed reactions with those of AKR1D1 suggested that the three intermediate 5β-dihydrosteroids derived from testosterone and progesterone are unlikely to accumulate in liver, and that the identities and levels of 5β-reduced metabolites formed in peripheral tissues will be governed by the local expression of AKR1D1 and AKR1C1–AKR1C3.
New terphenylphenoxides of group 13 and 14 elements

Abstract The reaction of the sterically hindered terphenol Ar ∗ OH ( Ar ∗ = C 6 H 3 - 2 , 6 ( C 6 H 2 - 2 , 4 , 6 - Pr 3 i ) 2 ) with trimethylaluminum or trimethylgallium in ether led to the isolation of the corresponding ether-coordinated monophenoxide species Ar*OM(CH 3 ) 2 (Et 2 O) (M = Al ( 1 ) or Ga ( 2 )). The reaction of the lithium salt of the related bulky terphenol Ar ′ OH ( Ar ′ = C 6 H 3 - 2 , 6 ( C 6 H 3 - 2 , 6 - Pr 3 i ) 2 ) with the divalent species MCl 2 (M = Ge, Sn) afforded the novel germanium (II) and tin (II) mono- and bisphenoxides [{Ar′OGeCl}(dioxane)] · toluene (3 · toluene), Ge(OAr′) 2 ( 4 ) and Sn(OAr′) 2 ( 5 ). The compounds were characterized by 1 H, 13 C and 119 Sn NMR ( 5 ) spectroscopy, and by IR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.
Theoretical model for gene-gene, gene-environment, and gene-sex interactions based on congenic-strain analysis of blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats

There is a significant literature describing quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling blood pressure (BP) in the Dahl salt-sensitive (S) rat. In studies to identify the genes underlying BP QTL it ...
Enhancement of tubulin assembly as monitored by a rapid filtration assay

Abstract The early kinetics of microtubule formation from lamb brain tubulin isolated by affinity chromatography can be followed by a newly developed filter assay. The rapid collection of microtubules on glass fiber filters permits the calculation of the moles of tubulin polymerized. The filter assay gives both a rate and extent of polymerization that are identical to those obtained by turbidity or sedimentation analysis, respectively. The microtubules trapped by the filter are readily depolymerized by cold (t12= 3 min) and slowly by colchicine (t1/2= 32min). Tubulin purified by affinity chromatography requires a high protein concentration (>4 mg/ml) for polymerization. Although 5 m glycerol allows polymerization to occur at tubulin concentrations below 2 mg/ml, the maximum amount of microtubule formation is observed at low tubulin concentration when microtubule-associated proteins are present. These proteins are not retained by the affinity resin; however, they can be eluted from diethylaminoethyl-Sephadex by solutions containing 0.3 m KCl. Microtubule-associated proteins enhance both the rate of polymerization and the total amount of tubulin polymerized as assessed by the filter assay, suggesting that they are involved in both initiation and elongation of microtubules.
Polarimetric scattering characteristics of simple radar targets using Hertz's vector potentials

Hertz's vector potential is used to compute the co-and cross-polarized scattered fields due to simple targets like an arbitrarily oriented wire, an arbitrarily oriented loop of wire, and an infinite cylinder. The monostatic cross-polarization properties of these targets are studied with different radar and target parameters. Important conclusions are summarized. It is found that under certain combinations of parameters, the cross-polarization radiation is significant even for simple targets.
Comparison of the Phase III Clinical Trial Designs of Novel Oral Anticoagulants Versus Warfarin for the Treatment of Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation: Implications for Clinical Practice

Although vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) have been the backbone of thromboprophylaxis in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, their limitations have encouraged the development of a new generation of oral anticoagulants. This review compares the different designs and procedures used to conduct four phase III trials that tested dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban versus VKAs. Although pharmacologic characteristics and results of the main trials are briefly discussed, this review mainly focuses on study designs, enrollment criteria, populations studied, quality metrics, and transition strategies between oral anticoagulants. While each of the trials was of high quality, performed independently, and led by independent academic groups, substantial differences exist in terms of drug pharmacology and trial characteristics. Caution is advised when comparing results across trials as practicing clinicians strive to personalize anticoagulation treatments for their individual patients. We believe that the differences in the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of the available novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), coupled with substantial heterogeneity in the trial populations and designs and procedures used to conduct the trials, support an important role for each of the NOACs dependent upon the specific clinical scenario faced by the practicing clinician.
Observation of O + ( 2 P 0 - 2 D 0 )λ7,319Å emissions in the twilight and night airglow

TEN years ago Dalgarno and McElroy1 suggested that the 2P0 → 2D0 transition of the atomic oxygen ion would be produced in the upper atmosphere through the simultaneous photoionisation and excitation of atomic oxygen atoms by solar ultraviolet radiation.
Long-wave instabilities of heated falling films: two-dimensional theory of uniform layers

A layer of volatile viscous liquid drains down a uniformly heated inclined plate. Long-wave instabilities of the uniform film are studied by deriving an evolution equation for two-dimensional disturbances. This equation incorporates viscosity, gravity, surface tension, thermocapillarity, and evaporation eifects. The linear theory derived from this describes the competition among the instabilities. Numerical solution of the evolution equation describes the finite-amplitude behaviour that determines the propensity for dryout of the film. Among the phenomena that appear are the tendency to wave breaking, the creation of secondary structures, and the preemption of dryout by mean flow.
Effects of laparoscopic vs laparotomy treatment of E. coli peritonitis on hemodynamic responses in a porcine model.

Background: Laparoscopic surgery is being used now for increasingly diverse clinical applications, including diagnosis and treatment of appendicitis and bacterial peritonitis. However, some concerns and controversies exist regarding the effectiveness of laparoscopic irrigation of the abdominal cavity compared with that achieved during laparotomy. Of no less importance is concern that establishing a CO2 pneumoperitoneum in patients with cardiopulmonary insufficiency or endotoxemic shock may compromise hemodynamic function. The objective of this randomized, controlled study was to determine the effects of laparoscopic versus laparotomy intervention on hemodynamic and outcome measurements using a porcine model of Escherichia coli peritonitis.
Ascariasis: a family disease.

Summary Ascaris was detected in 10 per cent and trichuris in 8 per cent of 146 children in 64 urban and rural lower income families. Pinworms were present in 20 per cent of 78 children. Ascaris infections were found to cluster in families; 82 per cent of siblings of children with ascaris also had ascaris infection. Optimal management of ascariasis should include examination and/or treatment of siblings for ascaris.
Electroshocking and PIT Tagging of Juvenile Atlantic Salmon: Are There Interactive Effects on Growth and Survival?

Abstract Electroshocking and tagging of fish with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags are two commonly used methods for conducting mark–recapture studies in freshwater environments and are frequently used in combination. We conducted an experiment to test for the effects of electroshocking, tagging, and a combination of electroshocking plus tagging on the growth and survival of Atlantic salmon Salmo salar parr. We used five treatments that included the presence or absence of PIT tags and electroshocking at 300 or 500 V plus a control group. Fish were measured, weighed, and electroshocked on four occasions separated by approximately 2-month intervals. The average (±1 SD) fork length was 62.1 ± 1.9 mm and the average weight was 2.5 ± 0.3 g at the start of the experiment; at the end of the experiment, length averaged 120.5 ± 11.6 mm and weight averaged 20.9 ± 6.1 g. We did not detect any significant effects of electroshocking on growth or survival over the course of the experiment. However, there was e...
Forced serial processing of words and letter strings: A reexamination

Words and nonword strings, three and seven letters long, were displayed serially (i.e., one letter at a time) or simultaneously, with or without a backward mask following display of each letter or string. Recognition of words, and of individual letters within words, was markedly impaired in the masked serial condition relative to the unmasked serial, unmasked simultaneous, and masked simultaneous conditions. Analogous differences were smaller or nonexistent for seven-letter nonwords; however, three-letter nonwords produced relatively “wordlike” data. Implications for the issue of spatially serial vs. parallel processing in word recognition are discussed.
Administrative Days in Acute Care Facilities: A Queueing-Analytic Approach

After acute care services are no longer required, a patient in an acute care hospital often must remain there while he or she awaits the provision of extended care services by a nursing home, through social support services, or by a home health care service. This waiting period is often referred to as "administrative days" because the time is spent in the acute facility not for medical reasons, but rather for administrative reasons. In this paper we use a queueing-analytic approach to describe the process by which patients await placement. We model the situation using a state-dependent placement rate for patients backed up in the acute care facility. We compare our model results with data collected from a convenience sample of 7 hospitals in New York State. We conclude with a discussion of the policy implications of our models.
Cancer in the elderly: is it preventable?

An unavoidable consequence of aging is the increased risk of cancer. The association between aging and malignant transformation is a complex one, but not entirely irreversible. Any discussion of cancer prevention in the elderly must at the very least address two key principles, which together provide justification for screening and interventional programs in the elderly. First is the increased incidence of cancer with age, which justifies continued cancer screening in the elderly, who in fact have the best yield in cancer detection with current tests. Second is the increased susceptibility of older persons to carcinogens, which supports promoting healthy living even in the very old. With appropriate primary and secondary preventive measures, over half the cases of common tumors can be averted. Smoking cessation is the single most beneficial public health intervention in diminishing lung and other cancers of the elderly. Other health measures, such as daily exercise, dietary interventions, and chemoprevention, correlate with lower cancer risk, though exact mechanisms are still being investigated. Efforts to implement widespread screening practices, however, have been disappointing, and cancer mortality has changed little over the past 2 decades. The medical community has focused on treatment of symptomatic conditions. To positively impact this potentially treatable facet of aging, primary care providers must play a more enthusiastic role in prevention and health maintenance. Whether preventing cancer will improve the quality of life of the elderly or simply increase the prevalence of other chronic debilitating illnesses has been debated, but diminishing the devastating impact of cancer in older persons, which has yet to realize its full potential, is a definite step toward antiaging and aging successfully.
Licensing lessons learned: if I knew then what I know now.

Technology transfer professionals stress the importance of communication, staying informed and having flexible expectations.
An earmarked fossil fuels to save the rain forests

In recent years the public, policy analysts, and politicians have shown increasing interest in two related environmental problems of global concern: climate change caused by the "greenhouse effect" and deforestation of the tropics. Many scientists believe that the increasing concentration of carbon dioxide and other gases in the atmosphere may be trapping solar energy, just as glass traps it in a greenhouse, to alter global climate patterns [MacDonald, 1988].1 Because it threatens the world's genetic wealth of species, deforestation of the tropics deserves our concern for its own sake. It also merits attention because it contributes to the greenhouse effect by reducing the capacity of the biosphere to absorb carbon dioxide. One approach for beginning to deal with these problems is the establishment of an earmarked fossil fuel tax to fund "rent" payments on marginal tropical forest land.
Measurement of parts per million levels of potassium hydroxide in polyether polyol streams

Abstract An automated reverse flow injection (FI) based continuous analyzer for KOH in polyols is presented. A solution of bromocresol green (BCG) in 2-propanol, with or without added mineral acid, is injected into the sample polyol stream in a single-line FI manifold maintained at 110°C (dispersion factor of 25 and 50 for a dilute aqueous stream at room temperature with 30 and 10 μl of solution injected) and the blue indicator dianion formed upon reaction with KOH is measured at 605 nm by a light emitting diode (LED) — fiber optic based absorbance detector. Injections of 10 μl of 10 mM BCG and 30 μl of 15 mM BCG, 50 mM HCl were respectively chosen to cover desired ranges of 0–20 and 20–120 mg KOH/kg polyol (ppm KOH). The absorbance signal is linear with KOH concentration (r2=0.9949 in both cases). Measurements could be made in the present system every 4 min. Deliberate alteration of water content of the polyol stream in the range of interest was found to have no discernible effect on the measurement.
Dose-dependent effect of octreotide on nitrogen retention and glucose homeostasis in response to endotoxemia in parenterally fed rats.

This study compared the effect of different doses of octreotide on glucose and protein homeostasis in rats receiving concomitant lipopolysaccharide and parenteral nutrition infusions.Sixty-six male Sprague Dawley rats (185 to 220 g) were randomized to receive parenteral nutrition only (PN), PN plus continuous infusion of Escherichia coli 026:B6 lipopolysaccharide at 6 mg/kg/day (LPS), PN plus LPS plus octreotide at 10 micrograms/kg/day (LPS + Oct 10), 100 micrograms/kg/day (LPS + Oct 100), or 1000 micrograms/kg/day (LPS + Oct 1000) for 48 hours. Prior to randomization all animals received isocaloric and isonitrogenous PN (170 kcal/kg/day as glucose and 1.1 g N/kg/day) and were kept nil per os except for water ad libitum. Nitrogen balance, urinary 3-methylhistidine/creatinine ratio, serum glucose concentration, and incidence of glycosuria were compared between groups. Serum urea nitrogen (SUN) changes were incorporated into the cumulative 48 hour nitrogen balance. ANOVA, Duncan's multiple range test, and F...
Relationship of age, sex, and procedure type to extubation outcome after heart surgery

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To identify the relationship of age, sex, and type of procedure to extubation outcome (≤ 8 hours or > 8 hours), and to identify barriers to extubation after heart surgery. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, prospective study. SETTING: Ten-bed cardiothoracic intensive care unit. SAMPLE: Sixty-two consecutive patients undergoing heart surgery. OUTCOME MEASURES: Early (≤ 8 hours) versus delayed (> 8 hours) extubation. RESULTS: Patients in the delayed extubation group were older (69.1 ± 11.3 years) than the patients in the early extubation group (59.6 ± 8.0 years, p = 0.01). Univariate logistic regression comparing age ( CONCLUSIONS: Age is a powerful predictor of delayed extubation after heart surgery. Only postoperative somnolence distinguished barriers to extubation in younger and older patients.
TH-D-213A-04: Application of Supervised Spectral Clustering for PET Tumor Delineation: A Phantom Study

Purpose:Spectralclustering is a powerful technique for image segmentation. This study investigated the feasibility of using the supervised spectralclustering technique for PETtumor delineation. Method and Materials: A phantom was constructed with six spheres filled with 11 C featuring simulated tumors of varying size ranged from 0.5ml to 20ml situated in a cylindrical container filled with 18 F ‐FDG. The phantom was scanned for 120 minutes in a PET/CT scanner. For every 2 minute scan, 6 images were reconstructed by using the iterative OSEM algorithm with 5mm‐FWHM Gaussian smoothing filter and followed with an anisotropic filtering. The supervised spectralclustering algorithm using normalized cut was then applied to segment the filtered images.Spectralclustering uses the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of a similarity matrix (based on both proximity and intensity) to partition pixels into clusters. Its segmentation performance was evaluated with two metrics: area detection error and area overlap metric. Results: The supervised spectralclustering technique partitions the image to a designated number of regions according the measure of the pair‐wise affinities between pixels. The spectralclustering has a rather steady segmentation performance of greater than 85% area overlap for images with S/B ratios ⩾ 5. The detected area is enclosed in the true area until the S/B ratio drops to the lowest level of 2. Conclusion: The preliminary results demonstrate the potential of the supervised spectralclustering method for PETtumor segmentation. Compared with other PETtumor delineation techniques, it segments the PETimage with minimal human intervention and is instrument independent.
CSI: crash scene investigation

Prior work proposes inexpensive, tunable tracing of acyclic paths and callsite coverage to enhance post-failure memory dumps. To better understand this data, current work investigates the benefit of each piece of traced data independently, their interplay, future low-cost data to collect, and further analysis uses of the post-mortem data.
Optical Communications For Deep Space Missions

Some initial considerations are given for an Earth-orbiting relay system using optical data links from deep space and RF links to ground. The advantages of such a system are presented, and some preliminary design concepts and modulation formats are proposed. The tracking and pointing problem is discussed with some indication of capabilities and limitations.
MotionSearch: Context-Based Video Retrieval and Activity Recognition in Video Surveillance

This talk will explore the use of motion information in video surveillance. We will focus primarily on retrieval and activity recognition of motion events in video and sensor databases characterized by multiple interactive motion trajectories. We will present a framework based on tensor decomposition for indexing and retrieval of multiple motion trajectories in video databases. An efficient method for extraction and insertion of partial information in video databases used for multiple motion trajectory representation based on high-order singular value decomposition of tensors will also be provided. We will present a solution to classification and activity recognition of multiple interactive motion trajectories by deriving an extension of hidden Markov models to multiple dimensions. A closed-form solution for the training and classification - general forward-backward, expectation-maximization, and Viterbi algorithms - for multiple dimensions will be provided for causal systems. An approach to multiple motion trajectory classification and activity recognition based on distributed multi- dimensional hidden Markov models will be presented for non-causal systems. We will finally introduce a new approach to view-invariance of motion trajectories for unknown and moving cameras based on a null-space matrix representation of motion trajectory information. We will also extend the null-space representation to tensors for view-invariant indexing and retrieval of multiple motion trajectories from unknown and moving cameras. A method for extraction and insertion of partial information into a video database of multiple motion trajectories represented based on null-space tensors is finally presented.
Improving sensitivity in micro-free flow electrophoresis using signal averaging

Microfluidic free-flow electrophoresis (μFFE) is a separation technique that separates continuous streams of analytes as they travel through an electric field in a planar flow channel. The continuous nature of the μFFE separation suggests that approaches more commonly applied in spectroscopy and imaging may be effective in improving sensitivity. The current paper describes the S/N improvements that can be achieved by simply averaging multiple images of a μFFE separation; 20–24-fold improvements in S/N were observed by averaging the signal from 500 images recorded for over 2 min. Up to an 80-fold improvement in S/N was observed by averaging 6500 images. Detection limits as low as 14 pM were achieved for fluorescein, which is impressive considering the non-ideal optical set-up used in these experiments. The limitation to this signal averaging approach was the stability of the μFFE separation. At separation times longer than 20 min bubbles began to form at the electrodes, which disrupted the flow profile through the device, giving rise to erratic peak positions.
How Do Office Workers Learn About Computing

Quotes recent (1994) literature suggesting that workers receive more training and support in their local work area than from a centralized management information systems (MIS) group. Suggests that there is therefore little knowledge about how users learn the computing skills necessary for them to achieve their tasks. Explores the issues. Presents four case studies, two having a central MIS training and support functions and two having none. Observes that in four work groups members depended on locally emerging arrangements for training and support.
Three tumor-suppressor regions on chromosome 11p identified by high- resolution deletion mapping in human non-small-cell lung cancer

Non-small-cell lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death for men and women in the industrialized nations. Identification of regions for genes involved in its pathogenesis has been difficult. Data presented here show three distinct regions identified on chromosome 11p. Two regions on 11p13 distal to the Wilms tumor gene WT1 and on 11p15.5 between the markers HBB and D11S860 are described. The third region on the telomere of 11p15.5 has been previously described and is further delineated in this communication. By high-resolution mapping the size of each of these regions was estimated to be 2-3 megabases. The frequency of somatic loss of genetic information in these regions (57%, 71%, and 45%, respectively) was comparable to that seen in heritable tumors such as Wilms tumor (55%) and retinoblastoma (70%) and suggests their involvement in pathogenesis of non-small-cell lung cancer. Gene dosage analyses revealed duplication of the remaining allele in the majority of cases in the 11p13 and the proximal 11p15.5 region but rarely in the distal 11p15.5 region. In tumors with loss of heterozygosity in all three regions any combination of duplication or simple deletion was observed, suggesting that loss of heterozygosity occurs independently and perhaps at different points in time. These results provide a basis for studies directed at cloning potential tumor-suppressor genes in these regions and for assessing their biological and clinical significance in non-small-cell lung cancer.
Remote Paper Prototype Testing

To test paper prototypes of mobile applications, we have been experimenting with remote paper prototype testing as an approach and tool for enabling a designer to wizard a paper prototype from afar while a user tests the prototype out of the lab. This paper presents a system for remote paper prototype testing that consists of (1) a video camera placed over a paper prototype, which streams a live audio-visual feed via Google Hangouts to a tester, and (2) Google Glass on the tester, which streams a live audio-visual-data feed to the facilitator and wizard. Results from a pilot study found that remote paper prototype testing helped designers gain valuable insights through use in realistic scenarios.
mTOR complex 1: a key player in neuroadaptations induced by drugs of abuse

The mammalian (or mechanistic) target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1) is a serine and threonine kinase that regulates cell growth, survival, and proliferation. mTORC1 is a master controller of the translation of a subset of mRNAs. In the central nervous system mTORC1 plays a crucial role in mechanisms underlying learning and memory by controlling synaptic protein synthesis. Here, we review recent evidence suggesting that the mTORC1 signaling pathway promotes neuroadaptations following exposure to a diverse group of drugs of abuse including stimulants, cannabinoids, opiates, and alcohol. We further describe potential molecular mechanisms by which drug-induced mTORC1 activation may alter brain functions. Finally, we propose that mTORC1 is a focal point shared by drugs of abuse to mediate drug-related behaviors such as reward seeking and excessive drug intake, and offer future directions to decipher the contribution of the kinase to mechanisms underlying addiction. Recent studies suggesting that exposure to diverse classes of drugs of abuse as well as exposure to drug-associated memories lead to mTORC1 kinase activation in the limbic system. In turn, mTORC1 controls the onset and the maintenance of pathological neuroadaptions that underlie several features of drug addiction such as drug seeking and relapse. Therefore, we propose that targeting mTORC1 and its effectors is a promising strategy to treat drug disorders.
Increasing the Social Behavior of Young Children with Autism Using Their Obsessive Behaviors

This study systematically asked whether individual topics or themes on which children with autism perseverated across a variety of settings (often called obsessions) could be used to create the theme for a socially appropriate game. Data collected within the context of a multiple baseline design revealed very low levels of social interaction during play periods in the baseline condition. In contrast, when the children with autism were taught a socially appropriate game (e.g., one child who perseverated on maps was taught a tag game played on a giant outline of a US map), the percent of social interactions increased dramatically and continued to be high during follow-up measures. Generalization measures indicated that following intervention, the children also demonstrated increases in social interaction during other play activities. The results are discussed in terms of incorporating obsession themes into common games to create intrinsically reinforcing appropriate activities for increasing social interact...
The Age of Independence

This timely and engaging book integrates evidence from the Census and General Social Survey (GSS) data with interviews with same-sex and inter racial couples to argue the centrality of a new independent lifestage in the increasing prevalence of alternative family forms and to offer hope for the future social and legal standing of same-sex couples. By deftly mining Census data, Rosenfeld is able to bust popular myths about historical and contemporary changes in the family while theoretically and empirically bolstering the arguments of past scholars who have tried to pinpoint the forces underlying family changes of the last half-century. The primary thesis of the book is that an independent lifestage falling between the late teens and early 30s has developed since the 1960s. The independent lifestage is a time in the lifecourse when young people are physically and socially separated from parents and are able to explore a variety of partnerships outside of familial control. Faced with popular arguments positing the rise of independence with the Industrial Revolution and the wane of independence in current generations, Rosenfeld marshals more than 100 years' worth of Census data to show (to the contrary) that an age of independence did not accompany the Industrial Revolution but, instead, emerged post-1960. In addition to bringing data to bear on the question, Rosenfeld offers a rich textual description of how rigid family government prevented such independence in colonial times, but how his toric events from the Great Depression to World War II began to pave the way for the emergence of the independent lifestage circa 1960. He applies a particularly insightful analysis to the so-called boomerang phe nomenon?contemporary young adults returning to live with their parents at higher rates than in the past?which seems to indicate a decrease in the independence of young adults. According to Rosenfeld, this phenomenon has been misinterpreted. In fact, the reason that contemporary young adults are more likely to remain in or return to the feathered nest is because they are less likely to be married. Rosenfeld shows that among
Learning to pose cognitively demanding tasks through letter writing

We have used letter writing as a means for preservice teachers (PSTs) to develop ability to design effective tasks, in terms of eliciting high levels of cognitive activity from students. Studies on student-dependent task analyses, by assessing the levels of cognitive demand indicated in students’ responses, have demonstrated significant growth among PSTs over the course of letter-writing exchanges. We examine growth with a qualitative analysis of two PSTs who became effective at designing tasks that elicited high levels of cognitive activity. In particular, we examine how those PSTs accounted for tasks that did not elicit the kinds of activity they expected and how they adjusted their tasks to elicit higher levels of activity. We found disparity between the two PSTs’ apparently successful approaches: one that fit the larger goals of the project and one that fit only the descriptions specified in the project rubric. The study affirms the potential value of letter-writing projects while introducing a concern that has implications for all professional development projects.
Supramolecular Networks Using Ferrocenyl Ditriazole and Diimidazole Bridges

Supramolecular coordination networks showing redox activity were obtained by reacting ferrocene-based bidentate ligands, 1,1‘-bis[(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methyl]ferrocene (1) and 1,1‘-bis{[1H-(2-methyl)imidazol-1-yl]methyl}ferrocene (2), with AgNO3, CdCl2, and ZnCl2 using a layering technique. The resulting extended networks display a variety of different conformations, which highlights the flexibility of the bridging ligand: 1·AgNO3 (3), 1-D helical array; 12·CdCl2 (4), 1-D cross-linked network; 1·ZnCl2 (5), 1-D zigzag array; and 2·ZnCl2 (6), 1-D zigzag array.
Solvent losses in gas absorption. Solubility of methanol in compressed natural and synthetic gases

Experimental results are reported for the solubility of methanol in compressed nitrogen, methane, ethane and carbon dioxide in the region −45° to +10°C and 17 to 62 bars. New and previously published experimental data are used to obtain (or estimate) second virial coefficients for all binary pairs in mixtures containing hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, ethane, propane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and methanol. These coefficients, combined with experimental data for the vapor pressure of methanol and with Henry's constants, partial molar volumes and Margules coefficients for dissolved gases in methanol, yield a correlation for calculating solvent losses as a function of temperature, pressure and gas composition. For a large-scale natural-gas absorption process, these losses may represent a significant economic factor in plant design.
Voxel-based statistical analysis of uncertainties associated with deformable image registration

Deformable image registration (DIR) algorithms have inherent uncertainties in their displacement vector fields (DVFs).The purpose of this study is to develop an optimal metric to estimate DIR uncertainties. Six computational phantoms have been developed from the CT images of lung cancer patients using a finite element method (FEM). The FEM generated DVFs were used as a standard for registrations performed on each of these phantoms. A mechanics-based metric, unbalanced energy (UE), was developed to evaluate these registration DVFs. The potential correlation between UE and DIR errors was explored using multivariate analysis, and the results were validated by landmark approach and compared with two other error metrics: DVF inverse consistency (IC) and image intensity difference (ID). Landmark-based validation was performed using the POPI-model. The results show that the Pearson correlation coefficient between UE and DIR error is rUE-error = 0.50. This is higher than rIC-error = 0.29 for IC and DIR error and rID-error = 0.37 for ID and DIR error. The Pearson correlation coefficient between UE and the product of the DIR displacements and errors is rUE-error × DVF = 0.62 for the six patients and rUE-error × DVF = 0.73 for the POPI-model data. It has been demonstrated that UE has a strong correlation with DIR errors, and the UE metric outperforms the IC and ID metrics in estimating DIR uncertainties. The quantified UE metric can be a useful tool for adaptive treatment strategies, including probability-based adaptive treatment planning.
Natural Hybridization Between Silphium Laciniatum and Silphium Terebinthinaceum

After examination of several hundred herbarium specimens borrowed from several major herbaria2 of the United States, and observation of several collections cultivated in the research garden at the Ohio State University, it has become evident that there is a great deal of taxonomic confusion in regard to several taxa in the genus Silphiunm (Compositae). This paper deals primaril3 with natural hybridization between S. terebinthinaceum Jacq. and S. laciniatum L. The major emphasis has been an attempt to analyze data obtained by mass collection of populations in Illinois and Indiana. Silphium terebinthinaceum, and S. laciniatumn are generally quite distinct. and taxonomically "good" species. Silphiwrnt terebinthinaceunt is characterized by large ovate-oblong or cordate-oblong leaves with petioles longer than the blades; the upper stems are branched, leafless, and glabrous. Silphium laciniatum possesses large sinuate, pinnatifid or bipinnatifid leaves with blades longer than the petioles; the upper stems are hispid, generally unbranched, often leafy. The flowering period of the two species overlaps although S. laciniatum generally begins flowering about two weeks prior to S. terebinthinaceum. Since these extreme leaf shapes exist, any plants intermediate for this character are readily detected. During the summer of 1954, a number of intermediates between S. terebinthina,ceu?m and S. laciniatum were discovered in a mixed population 4 miles north of Switz City, Indiana. Since that time several other putative hybrids have been found in edaphic prairie habitats in which both the above mentioned parental species were growing. In most taxonomic manuals these hybrids were fo,und to fit the description of S. terebinthinaceum var. pinnatifidunm (Ell.) A. Gray, originally described by Stephen Elliott (1824) from material collected in western Georgia and eastern Alabama. The type specimen of S. pinnratifidun Ell. has not yet been located, but from examination of herbarium material collected in the vicinity of the type localitv, it appears that the plant described by Elliott may be a hybrid between S. laciniatum L. and another species in the southeastern portion of its range, possibly S. crompositumn Michx. Such a plant might resemble a hybrid between S. terebinthinaceum Jacq. and S. laciniatum L. It appears from evidence presented in the present paper that S. terebinthinaceum Jacq. and S. la,ciniatum L. hybridize occasionally, but their hybrid is presumably not identical with S. pinnatifidum Ell. although the latter may be of hybrid origin. Elliott's plant, even if a hybrid, is not demonstrably related to S. terebinthinaceurm, and the name S. t. var. pinnatifidum, although nomenclaturally valid, is biologically inappropriate. Land (1900) reported a chromosome number of 2n = ea 16 in S. terebinthinaceeu,m and S. laciniatum. This number has never been found in these species during-the course of this investigation. Instead, a chromosome number of n 7 has been repeatedly observed in both the parents and the hybrids. Meiotic figures
Safe Schools through Strategic Alliances: How Assessment of Collaboration Enhances School Violence Prevention and Response.

In order to effectively address the complex issue of school safety, school and community partnerships are being formed with greater frequency and intensity. Collaboration between educational, law enforcement, and mental health personnel is now widely considered to be the most effective means for addressing issues of school safety (Dryfoos, 1998; Research Triangle Institute, 2003) and all school violence prevention programs can be improved through meaningful evaluation (Flannery, 1998; Gajda, 2004). This article defines the essential characteristics of inter-organizational collaboration and offers a process that has been utilized nationwide to evaluate and strengthen school violence prevention efforts through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative.
Amnion-derived pluripotent/multipotent stem cells

Amniotic epithelium is derived from the epiblast by approx 8 d after fertilization. Other parts of the placenta are derived from extraembryonic tissue. In addition to this developmental difference, amniotic epithelial (AE) cells are known to have unique characteristics, such as low level expression of major histocompatibility complex antigens, and a less restricted differentiation potential. The differentiation of the AE cells to the neural lineage is well documented. Recently, we reported that AE cells from term placenta express several stem cell surface markers that are commonly found on pluripotent stem cells such as embryonic stem cells, and that in culture, AE cells differentiate into cell types from all three germ layers. In this review, we describe the unique characteristics of the AE stem cells and summarize previous work concerning the stem cell nature of cells from amnion.