cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
F-actin network formation in tethers and in pseudopods stimulated by chemoattractant.

Micropipets are used either to deliver a given concentration of the chemoattractant N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP) to a local region of a human neutrophil or to create a membrane tether. Pseudopods, which have a cylindrical shape and grow at a constant rate, are formed in either case. After reaching a maximum extension, they retract, even in the presence of chemoattractant. As a pseudopod grows, cell granules begin to penetrate the pseudopod region to a “boundary” that defines a distance to the pseudopod's leading edge that is almost constant. The exclusion of granules from this domain indicates that it is filled with a dense network. The formation of this network involves the plasma membrane because pseudopod growth ceases when a membrane tether is pulled away from the leading edge. The rate of pseudopod growth depends on fMLP concentration just as the number of occupied N-formyl peptide receptors depends on this concentration. The experimental data are explained by assuming that F-actin network is formed next to the plasma membrane. The newly formed network displaces the membrane and the dominant process in the network region then becomes F-actin depolymerization. The rate of pseudopod growth is determined by the rate of the process leading to network formation. This process is apparently an enzymatic type of reaction. It has a positive enthalpy change and, therefore, is endothermic. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Semiconductor surface spectroscopies: the early years

Abstract In the Fall of 1970, Chester Lee Balestra, a graduate student working in Harry Gatos' laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, observed a strong photovoltaic signal on CdS surfaces illuminated with a sub-bandgap light. Part of the photovoltage spectrum disappeared for surfaces cleaved in ultra-high vacuum and reappeared at higher ambient pressure, implying the involvement of surface states. A corresponding technique, “surface photovoltage spectroscopy”, was developed and used for studying a wide range of surface-related phenomena in semiconductors. Two decades later, the spin-off techniques are used on silicon IC fabrication lines for instantaneous, non-contact detection of metal contaminants with an astounding sensitivity of one part per quadrillion.
Resistivity of amorphous Fe-B alloys: Measurements and implications

Ribbons of amorphous alloys of composition ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{100\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{B}}_{x}$ ($15l~xl~22$) were prepared by rapid quenching from the melt. The temperature dependence of the resistivity is linear for $120\ensuremath{\lesssim}T\ensuremath{\lesssim}300$ K and quadratic for $20\ensuremath{\lesssim}T\ensuremath{\lesssim}100$ K; this behavior is qualitatively consistent with predictions based on recent extensions of the theory of resistivity for liquid transition metals. Within this theoretical framework, an electronic stability criterion for metallic glasses is found not to be satisfied for the Fe-B system. The experimentally determined stable composition regime ($x\ensuremath{\simeq}20$) agrees with predictions of random-packing models, where the boron atoms occupy voids inherent in such a structure. At the higher temperatures, the temperature coefficient of resistivity is positive and constant as a function of composition within experimental uncertainty. Based on these observations and a published structure factor for ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{84}$${\mathrm{B}}_{16}$, it is suggested that the most probable values for the number of electrons per atom contributing to conduction are: ${z}_{\mathrm{Fe}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1$ and $0\ensuremath{\lesssim}{z}_{\mathrm{B}}\ensuremath{\lesssim}1$.
Multicolor fluoroimmunoassays based on surface plasmon-coupled emission

We present a new method for multi-color fluoroimmunoassays based on directional surface plasmon-coupled emission (SPCE). SPCE is coupling of excited fluorophores with a nearby thin metal film (silver) resulting in strongly directional emission into the underlying glass substrate. The angle at which the radiation propagates through the prism depends on emission wavelength and makes possible measurement of multiple analytes using multiple emission wavelengths. We demonstrated this possibility using two antibodies labeled with different fluorophores, binding to an antigen protein immobilized on the silver surface. We observed independent emission at a different angle on the glass prism, resulting of the surface binding of each antibody. This methodology can be readily extended to 3 or more fluorophores. This technology presents opportunity to develop highly sensitive multiplex assay format for biological agents' detection.
Maternal Responsiveness and the Development of Directed Vocalizing in Social Interactions

For effective communication, infants must develop the phonology of sounds and the ability to use vocalizations in social interactions. Few studies have examined the development of the pragmatic use of prelinguistic vocalizations, possibly because gestures are considered hallmarks of early pragmatic skill. The current study investigated infant vocal production and maternal responsiveness to examine the relationship between infant and maternal behavior in the development of infants' vocal communication. Specifically, we asked whether maternal responses to vocalizations could influence the development of prelinguistic vocal usage, as has been documented in recent experimental studies exploring the relation between maternal responses and phonological development. Twelve mother–infant dyads participated over a six-month period (between 8 and 14 months of age). Mothers completed the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory when infants were 15 months old. Maternal sensitive responses to infant vocalizations in the previous months predicted infants' mother-directed vocalizations in the following months, rather than overall response rate. Furthermore, mothers' sensitive responding to mother-directed vocalizations was correlated with an increase in developmentally advanced, consonant–vowel vocalizations and some language measures. This is the first study to document a social shaping mechanism influencing developmental change in pragmatic usage of vocalizations in addition to identifying the specific behaviors underlying development.
Magnetic Tunnel Junction-Based Spintronic Logic Units Operated by Spin Transfer Torque

Magnetic tunneling junction (MTJ)-based programmable logic devices have been proposed and studied for future reconfigurable and nonvolatile computation devices and systems. Spin transfer torque (STT)-based switching has advantages in device scaling compared to the field-switching mechanism. However, the previously proposed MTJ logic devices have operated independently and, therefore, are limited to only basic logic operations. Consequently, the MTJ device has only been used as an ancillary device, rather than the main computation device. As a result, the full benefits of MTJ-based computation have not been explored. New designs are needed to accelerate the development of the MTJ-based logic devices. Specifically the realization of direct communication between the MTJ devices is crucial to fully utilize the MTJ devices in the circuits to implement more advanced logic functions. In this paper, new MTJ-based spintronic logic units (building blocks) for spintronic circuits using the STT switching mechanism have been proposed and investigated, which includes the designs of a basic STT-MTJ logic cell, a direct communication between the MTJ logic cells, a three-MTJ logic unit and a spintronic logic circuit acting as an arithmetic logic unit.
Development of a quality of patient-health care provider communication scale from the perspective of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives:To devise a patient-perspective driven measure of the quality of patient–health care provider communication and to evaluate the psychometric properties of this scale in a sample of 150 patients with rheumatoid arthritis.Methods:Items were developed from interviews with 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Two rheumatologists, a behavioral scientist, and a nurse researcher provided item feedback. Exploratory factor analysis with Oblimin rotation was used to examine the dimensionality of the newly developed Patient–Health Care Provider Communication Scale (PHCPCS). Cronbach’s alpha was computed to assess internal consistency. Test–retest reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Construct validity was tested by comparing the PHCPCS with the Perceived Involvement in Care Scale (PICS) using correlation analysis.Results:The PHCPCS measured two dimensions of the quality of patient–health care provider communication [Quality Communication (α = 0.94) and Negative Patien...
The Relationship between Academic Status and Future Expectations among Low-income Blacks:

The extent to which perceptions of present and future status vary as a function of sex and academic status in low- income Blacks was investigated. Using the interpretive framework of social comparison theory, it is hypothesized that the expectations of academically successful (AS) and unsuccessful (AU) Blacks represent realistic apprais als of their future status. Sixty low-income Black seventh- graders were given the Kilpatrick-Cantril scale, which assesses present and future status. The results indicate that, regardless of academic status, males possess higher expectations than females. The expectations of the AU females were the lowest of all the subjects. The results are discussed in terms of the effects of success and failure on future expectations and academic motivation.
Jose Marti and the Emigre Colony in Key West: Leadership and State Formation

Introduction The Odyssey of Marti Cuban Key West The Triumphant Arrival of Marti The Transfer of Leadership: I The Transfer of Leadership: II The Military-Intelligence Question Unauthorized Uprisings Depression and Party Finances A Style of Leadership Appendix: Documentary Survey Bibliography Index
Life's recurring challenges and the fundamental dimensions: An integration and its implications for cultural differences and similarities

We propose that two psychological dimensions, one relevant to relationships and group life (communion, C) and the other to skill acquisition, talent, and accomplishment (agency, A), aid people in interpreting their social worlds. Moreover, our analysis demonstrates the privileged nature of the C dimension and its relative stability compared to the A dimension across contexts and cultures. In Study 1 we use a standard compilation of culturally universal practices and show that the C dimension accounts for the majority of these universals, implying that the meaning of A traits varies more across cultures than that of C traits. In Studies 2 and 3, we provide evidence for this proposal using different judgment paradigms and cultural groups. The findings indicate that there is greater similarity and consensus in how people make sense of and judge information from the C than A dimension. We discuss the findings in terms of the recurring challenges people face over time as a result of living in groups. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Further Work on Verbalization of Discoveries

Sowder (1974) has reviewed some of the studies devoted to the question of verbalization influence on the retention of the ability to use discovered generalizations; thus, only a summary will be given here. On the basis of some rather loose, small-scale studies, Hendrix (1947) suggested that verbalizing a discovery might decrease later ability to use the discovery. Schwartz (1948) reported a study that indicated that unsuccessful verbalizing might destroy a recently formed concept. Both Hendrix and Schwartz worked with adults and required oral verbalizations. Hanson (1967), using programmed materials, found no statistical differences in the effects of a subject-written verbalization compared to no-verbalization between eighth graders and college students, although the differences for the college students alone favored the no-verbalization group. Indeed, Hanson asserts that "in fact, the evidence indicates that [verbalization] may even have inhibited the understanding slightly [p. 61]." Retzer (1969) also failed to find significant differences with eighth graders for the effects due to writing, reading, and no-verbalizing treatments via programmed materials. Again, differences favored the no-verbalization group. Finally, Sowder (1974) found no significant differences with college subjects in short-term retention effects due to treatments of no-verbalizing, writing, reading, listening-to, or speaking generalizations.
THE MECHANISM OF ACTION OF COLCHICINE : Binding of Colchincine-3H to Cellular Protein

The majority of the colchicine-3H bound by tissue culture cells (KB or Hela) was found to be present as a noncovalent complex with a macromolecule which appears in the soluble fraction after homogenization. Similar binding was demonstrated in vitro and was confined to a component of the soluble fraction. The binding-equilibrium constant and the kinetic constants were essentially the same in vivo and in vitro. Bound radioactivity was reisolated and shown to be present in a molecule with the same chromatographic behavior and specific antimitotic activity as colchicine. In vitro assay of binding activity of a variety of cells and tissues showed a correlation with the presence of microtubules. High binding activity was given by dividing cells, mitotic apparatus, cilia, sperm tails, and brain tissue. Binding to extracts of slime mold or to purified muscle proteins was very low or undetectable. The binding site had a sedimentation constant of 6S and it is suggested that the protein is a subunit of microtubules.
Compressive response of open cell foams part II: Initiation and evolution of crushing

Abstract Part II of this study is concerned with the understanding and modeling of the nonlinear aspects of the compressive response and crushing of open cell foam. The modeling is based on the anisotropic Kelvin foam developed in Part I assigned the same general geometric characteristics. It is demonstrated that the first knee observed in measured responses is associated with the onset of ligament buckling. Models involving either single or stacks of fully periodic characteristic cells are used to establish the critical stresses in the rise and transverse foam directions. In the rise direction the critical state involves a long wavelength mode whereas in the transverse direction the mode is local to the cell. Postbuckling calculations involving these modes showed the rise direction response to exhibit a limit load which is shown to be imperfection sensitive. The response in the transverse direction is monotonically increasing as observed in the experiments. The crushing response is evaluated by considering finite size microsections which allow localized deformation to develop. Localized crushing is arrested by contact between the ligaments of the buckled cells. Contact is approximated by limiting the amount a cell can collapse in the direction of the applied load. This arrests local collapse and causes it to spread to neighboring material at a nearly constant stress level as in the experiments. The stress picks up when the whole domain has crushed.
Model selection for selectivity in fisheries stock assessments

Abstract The choice of how to model selectivity differs among approaches to fisheries stock assessment. VPA tends to make only weak assumptions regarding (age-specific) selectivity (asymptotic selectivity and temporal stability of selectivity for the most recent years). In contrast, selectivity is more parametric in “integrated” methods, and can be age-, length-, and age- and length-based. The use of parametric selectivity functions tends to reduce estimation variation because fewer parameters have to be estimated, but incorrect choices for the functional form for selectivity can lead to bias. This paper illustrates effects of poor choices for selectivity on the outcomes of stock assessments, outlines methods for evaluating whether a particular choice for selectivity is appropriate using residual diagnostics, and summarizes current ways to select among alternative functional forms for selectivity. This paper also provides a synthesis of the results of past simulation studies which have explored the ability to correctly parameterize selectivity.
The tonotopic organization of the auditory thalamus of the squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus).

Abstract Single unit responses were recorded from the auditory thalamus of anesthetized squirrel monkeys. The microelectrode penetrations had an orientation perpendicular to the sagittal plane. The small cell division is tonotopically organized. The cells in the most lateral aspect of this division have their ‘best frequencies’ (BFs) in the low frequency range with a progressive shift in the BF toward the higher frequencies the further medially the sampling progressed. Dorsal to and extending ventromedially are large cells which are darkly stained. In addition there is a bulbous extension more ventrally of large cells less dense and perhaps less darkly stained. The large cells in these subdivisions did not always discharge spontaneously nor were they always responsive to tones. In the dorsal group, there is an initial low to high sequence of BF followed by one or more reversals in BF. Within the border region between the small cell division and both the ventromedial extension and bulbous extension of the large cells there starts a reversal, a high-to-low sequence which occurs within a comparatively short distance. Beyond the initial reversal, in both subdivisions, there are one or two additional reversals of BF.
ANY PLACE BUT HERE! MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES AS NOXIOUS NEIGHBORS

This paper describes an experimental study that attempts to uncover some of the reasons why community residents find mental health facilities undesirable as potential neighbors. Respondents were asked to evaluate a variety of public facilities by indicating how similar they are in terms of “noxiousness.'’They were also asked how close they would prefer to live to each of the different facility types. From the results of the study it is possible to suggest some alternative strategies for siting new mental health facilities, such as co-locating them with other human-service agencies or locating them within larger facilities.
Management attitudes and technology adoption in long-term care facilities

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the attitudes of nursing home administrators and key managerial staff toward health information technology (health IT). Design/methodology/approach – This research is exploratory in nature, and applies qualitative case-study methodology to further understand health IT adoption by nursing homes through multiple in-depth semi-structured interviews of management, and direct observations of employee behavior at each participating facility. A modified Technology Acceptance Model is used to examine the attitudes and perceptions of administrators. Findings – This study finds that there are differences in the level of health IT adoption by nursing homes. While some administrators are aware of health IT and are implementing or updating their IT systems in a gradual but haphazard manner, others exhibited a lack of interest in implementing change. Overall, there is a lack of systematic planning and decision-making toward health IT adoption. Adoption is not evidence-b...
Compensation of the soliton self-frequency shift with phase-sensitive amplifiers

We analyze the effect of Raman scattering and higher-order dispersion on the propagation of short (1-ps) pulses in a nonlinear optical fiber in which the loss is balanced by a periodic chain of phase-sensitive, degenerate parametric amplifiers. The analysis shows that the Raman scattering does not induce a continuous frequency downshift on the pulse but only a small, finite frequency shift. Pulse propagation is governed by a nonlinear fourth-order evolution equation that admits stable solutions that propagate with a small, constant, inverse velocity in the group-velocity rest frame.
The impact of postwar immigration on the demographic and social structure of Switzerland

Desde el fin de la Segunda Guerra Munidial, Suiza ha recibido gran afluencia de trabajadores extranjeros. Actualmente, eerca de un tercio del total de la poblacion economicamente activa y un 38% del total de la fuerza de trabajo empleada en sus fabricas, es extranjera.
A Q-sort study of the accuracy of clinical descriptions based on the MMPI

Abstract Nine clinical psychologists utilized Q-sort procedures to describe thirty male psychiatric patients solely from their MMPI profiles. The psychologists also provided Q-sort descriptions of their conceptions of a typical male psychiatric patient. The test-based descriptions corresponded more closely with criterion descriptions than did these typical patient descriptions. Accuracy of descriptions based on MMPI profiles varied considerably among the thirty cases, with accuracy being greatest for the less disturbed patients. Experience level of test judges, difficulty of descriptive statements, and type of Q-sort distribution did not directly affect accuracy of test-based descriptions. Judges were not very effective in judging overall psychiatric impairment from test profiles.
Hypertension: Ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring has arrived.

Lovibond and colleagues report that ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring is the cost-effective option for the diagnosis of hypertension. Room for refining this analysis exists, but the focus on cost-saving by avoiding unnecessary treatment is compelling and should receive due consideration by guideline writers.
Chemical In Situ Synthesis of Aluminum Alloy Composites

Aluminum alloys were reinforced with AlN particles using a novel chemical in situ technique. Thermodynamic analyses were made to identify the conditions for the in situ formation of the AlN in Al alloys. Experiments were conducted in the temperature range of 1173-1473 K by injecting ammonia gas. The composites with AlN quantity varying from 5 to 51 wt % were produced. Effect of process variables such as gas injection time, flow rate of ammonia gas and temperature of the alloy melt on the formation of AlN was studied. Increase in either injection time or flow rate of the ammonia gas increased the nitride content. AlN particles with an average size of 500 nm were produced. The measured Vickers hardness of the composites formed increased with increasing AlN content. The amount of AlN experimentally formed is in good agreement with the thermodynamically predicted data.
Development of a pure cryogenic positron plasma using a LINAC positron source

The development of a high density cryogenic pure positron plasma trap at the LLNL positron beam facility opens new possibilities for antihydrogen research. We discuss a planned measurement of the three-body collisional recombination rate in magnetized plasmas, a possible antihydrogen atomic beam experiment, and other applications of pure positron plasmas.
Bounds on the costs of data encodings

Any assessment of the “cost” of encoding one data structure in another must take into account, among other issues, the intended patterns of traversing the guest structure. Two such “usage patterns,” namely, worstedge traversal and all-edges-equally-likely traversal, are particularly significant, since any bounds on encoding costs relative to these patterns yield bounds relative to large classes of other patterns also. The foregoing remarks are formalized in this paper, and a number of techniques for bounding the costs of encodings relative to these special usage patterns are developed and exemplified. Specifically, data structures are represented here as undirected graphs; and a number of lower bounds on the costs of data encodings are derived by comparing various structural features of the guest and host graphs. Relevant features include both maximum and average vertex-degree, “volume,” and “exposure,” a measure of connectivity.
Overlapping domain decomposition algorithms for general sparse matrices

Domain decomposition methods for finite element problems using a partition based on the underlying finite element mesh have been extensively studied. In this paper, we discuss algebraic extensions of the class of overlapping domain decomposition algorithms for general sparse matrices. The subproblems are created with an overlapping partition of the graph corresponding to the sparsity structure of the matrix. These algebraic domain decomposition methods are especially useful for unstructured mesh problems. We also discuss some difficulties encountered in the algebraic extension, particularly the issues related to the coarse solver.
THE MEASUREMENT OF EMULSIFYING CAPACITY BY ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE

SUMMARY— A method was developed to objectively measure the emulsifying capacity (ECJ of meat and fish protein extracts by electrical resistance. The method of Swift et al. (1967) was modified to deliver oil at a constinuous rate at the point of blender agitation, thus forming an emulsion for testing the validity of the electrical resistance method. This modification reduced the variance of the end-point determination within samples. The precision of end-point determinations by electrical resistance was equivalent to the modified visual method, and had the advantages of being objective, having a finite end-point and providing a continuous record of the emulsion during formation and collapse. The EC of fresh muscle slurry extracts from fish were higher than those from beef and pork. However, the EC of fresh muscle supernatant extracts ranked from highest to lowest are beef, fish and pork, respectively. In all cases, the EC of supernatant and fresh muscle extracts was higher than the slurry and frozen muscle extracts, respectively.
Structural mimicry in bacterial virulence

An important mechanism underlying the strategies used by microbial pathogens to manipulate cellular functions is that of functional mimicry of host activities. In some cases, mimicry is achieved through virulence factors that are direct homologues of host proteins. In others, convergent evolution has produced new effectors that, although having no obvious amino-acid sequence similarity to host factors, are revealed by structural studies to display mimicry at the molecular level.
Delayed accumulation of intestinal coliform bacteria enhances life span and stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans fed respiratory deficient E. coli

Background Studies with the nematode model Caenorhabditis elegans have identified conserved biochemical pathways that act to modulate life span. Life span can also be influenced by the composition of the intestinal microbiome, and C. elegans life span can be dramatically influenced by its diet of Escherichia coli. Although C. elegans is typically fed the standard OP50 strain of E. coli, nematodes fed E. coli strains rendered respiratory deficient, either due to a lack coenzyme Q or the absence of ATP synthase, show significant life span extension. Here we explore the mechanisms accounting for the enhanced nematode life span in response to these diets.
The effect of plastic deformation on the transport of hydrogen in nickel

Abstract : The permeation of hydrogen into crystalline metals may occur in part by lattice diffusion, by grain boundary (or other short circuit) diffusion, or, in the case of specimens undergoing plastic deformation, by dislocation transport. In this work, electrochemical permeation measurements indicate that the apparent diffusivity of hydrogen is increased by several orders of magnitude when permeation specimens are plastically deformed and simultaneously charged with hydrogen. (Author)
Wave attenuation attributes as flow unit indicators

In this article we present a model-based interpretation algorithm to predict attenuation signatures associated with a reservoir's structure and its intrinsic properties. Scattering losses are caused by multiple reflections associated with the impedance contrast between different reservoir boundaries. Intrinsic losses are due to the fluids in the reservoir, the rock fabric, and the anisotropy due to vertical fractures. Because amplitude data are sensitive to these reservoir characteristics, we calculate the wave attenuation response of the reservoir in the frequency range of surface seismic, VSP, crosswell seismic, and borehole sonic. A model of a plane wave traveling in a poroelastic multilayer earth medium allows us to include anisotropy. The multilayer part of the model simulates elastic scattering; the poroelastic part of the model simulates fluid-flow effects in the reservoir; and the anisotropic part of the model simulates reservoir fractures.
The development of connectives

Abstract The general developmental processes common to the acquisition of connectives are described for a single child from age 15–36 months. These processes are defined on the basis of tracing systematic changes in the form, content, and use of language in a hand-recorded daily diary. Pragmatic and Piagetian concepts are combined to determine if there are common antecedents to the acquisition of connectives and similarities in the developmental process of emergence across individual connectives. Three general and sequential developmental steps were found: the conjoining of two thoughts in a single contexts of use
Implant-retained cantilever fixed prosthesis: Where and when

Abstract Statement of Problem. Many clinical situations are suitably treated with cantilevered implant-supported cemented fixed restorations. Purpose. This article details the indications for the restorative dentist to use a cantilever fixed prosthesis after insertion of ITI dental implants. Conclusion. The use of implants to support cantilevered fixed partial dentures has been successful in selected clinical situations. (J Prosthet Dent 2000;84:432-5.)
The Science of Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a common chronic widespread pain disorder. Our understanding of FM has increased substantially in recent years with extensive research suggesting a neurogenic origin for the most prominent symptom of FM, chronic widespread pain. Neurochemical imbalances in the central nervous system are associated with central amplification of pain perception characterized by allodynia (a heightened sensitivity to stimuli that are not normally painful) and hyperalgesia (an increased response to painful stimuli). Despite this increased awareness and understanding, FM remains undiagnosed in an estimated 75% of people with the disorder. Clinicians could more effectively diagnose and manage FM if they better understood its underlying mechanisms. Fibromyalgia is a disorder of pain processing. Evidence suggests that both the ascending and descending pain pathways operate abnormally, resulting in central amplification of pain signals, analogous to the "volume control setting" being turned up too high. Patients with FM also exhibit changes in the levels of neurotransmitters that cause augmented central nervous system pain processing; levels of several neurotransmitters that facilitate pain transmission are elevated in the cerebrospinal fluid and brain, and levels of several neurotransmitters known to inhibit pain transmission are decreased. Pharmacological agents that act centrally in ascending and/or descending pain processing pathways, such as medications with approved indications for FM, are effective in many patients with FM as well as other conditions involving central pain amplification. Research is ongoing to determine the role of analogous central nervous system factors in the other cardinal symptoms of FM, such as fatigue, nonrestorative sleep, and cognitive dysfunction.
Microbial degradation of hazardous wastes to non-toxic end-products

Abstract The generation of large quantities of toxic wastes in the form of phenolic compounds, halogenated hydrocarbons, and volatile organic chemicals has resulted in requirements for new and environmentally safe methods for elimination. One method used to reduce the volume of toxic waste chemicals is the construction of microbial reaction systems that are capable of degrading toxic chemicals and discharging non-toxic or less toxic products. The applicability of biological fermentation processes for the degradation of phenol, pentachlorophenol, and toluene to non-toxic end-products has been investigated for its potential use as a large-scale unit process. Acclimatization of the batch reactors has been achieved for phenol concentrations ranging from 50 mg/l to 300 mg/l, 1 mg/l pentachlorophenol, and a complex chemical mixture consisting of: 50 mg/l phenol, 1 mg/l pentachlorophenol, and 390 mg/l glucose. Decay rates for a reactor containing 350 mg/l phenol and 150 mg/l glucose have been established and compared to literature values for batch reactors containing 350 mg/l phenol. Future work includes determining decay rates for pentachlorophenol for a concentration of 5 mg/l, identification of the biodegradation end-products, and determination of a kinetic model for each toxicant.
Bolide impacts, acid rain, and biospheric traumas at the Cretaceous-Tertiary boundary

Two plausible projectiles are considered: an ice-rich long-period comet and a much smaller rock-metal asteroid. In the framework of a proposal addressed by Lewis et al. (1982), it is shown that, while the impact projectiles themselves do not shock-heat the atmosphere very extensively, the supersonic plume of water vapor and rock produced on impact does shock the atmosphere up to global scales and the shock is of sufficient intensity to produce abundant nitric oxide. For example, an ice-rich long-period comet with a mass of 1.25 x 10 to the 16th kg and a velocity of 65 km/s striking the earth would produce about 7 x 10 to the 40th molecules NO through shock-heating of the atmosphere by the high-velocity ejecta plume fragments. Specific attention is given to the fraction of the atmosphere shock-heated, the global circulation of the nitrogen oxides, the effects of the ejecta plume water on acid rain (AR) predictions, the effects of AR on continental soils, the relationship between AR production rates and the total amount of acid needed to acidify the surface oceans, and the longevity of the oceanic acidity event and the exhaled CO2 event and their implications for the environment in the first millenia or so after the impact.
Anomalous coronary arteries from the opposite sinus of Valsalva in asymptomatic siblings treated with pulmonary arterial translocation.

FIGURE 1. Diagnostic imaging of siblings with anomalous coronary arteries. tery (LCA) from the right coronary sinus with single origin. B, Echocardiogram coronary sinus with single origin. C, Computed tomographic scan of patient 2 ouflow; PSX, parasternal short axis view; PA, pulmonary artery. From the Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif; the Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital and Research Center Oakland, Oakland, Calif; and the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, Calif. Received for publication July 25, 2008; revisions received May 7, 2010; accepted for publication May 16, 2010 Address for reprints: Norman H. Silverman, MD, Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford University Medical Center, 750 Welch Rd, Suite 305, Palo Alto, CA 94304 (E-mail: Norm_Silverman@Stanford.edu). J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010;140:1430-2 0022-5223/$36.00 Copyright 2010 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2010.05.012
Perfect contextual information privacy in WSNs undercolluding eavesdroppers

We address the problem of preserving contextual information privacy in wireless sensor networks (WSNs). We consider an adversarial network of colluding eavesdroppers that are placed at unknown locations. Eavesdroppers use communication attributes of interest such as packet sizes, inter-packet timings, and unencrypted headers to infer contextual information, including the time and location of events reported by sensors, the sink's position, and the event type. We propose a traffic normalization technique that employs a minimum backbone set of sensors to decorrelate the observable traffic patterns from the real ones. Compared to previous works, our method significantly reduces the communication overhead for normalizing traffic patterns.
Glutathione S-transferase-mediated induction of GC-->AT transitions by halomethanes in Salmonella.

Halomethanes are among the most common mutagenic and carcinogenic disinfection by-products present in the volatile/semivolatile fraction of chlorinated drinking water. Recent studies have demonstrated that the mutagenicity of dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) and bromodichloromethane (BrCHCl2) can be mediated by a theta-class glutathione S-transferase (GSTT1-1). These studies used strain RSJ100 of Salmonella, which is a derivative of the base-substitution strain TA1535 (hisG46, rfa, δuvrB), into which has been cloned the GSTT1-1gene from rat. In the present report, we have ex tended these studies by demonstrating that the mutagenicity of two additional brominated trihalomethanes, bromoform (CHBr3) and chlorodibromomethane (ClCHBr2), are also mediated by GSTT1-1 in RSJ100. Using a Tedlar bag vaporization technique, the mutagenic potencies (revertants/ppm) for these two compounds as well as the compounds tested previously rank as follows: CHBr3 ≈ ClCHBr2 > BrCHCl2 ≈ CH2Cl2. To explore the mutational mechanism, we determined the mutation spectra of all four halomethanes at the hisG46 allele by per forming colony probe hybridizations of ∼100 revertants induced by each compound. The majority (96–100%) of the mutations were GC AT transitions, and 87–100% of these were at the second position of the CCC/GGG target. In contrast, only15% of mutants induced by CH2Cl2 were GC AT transitions in the absence of the GSTT1-1 gene in strain TA100 (a homologue of TA1535 containing the plasmid pKM101). The ability of GSTT1-1 to mediate the mutagenicity of these di- and trihalomethanes and the induction of almost exclusively GC AT transitions by these compounds suggest that these halomethanes are activated by similar pathways in RSJ100, possibly through similar reactive intermediates. The implications of these findings are discussed in relation to previous experimental work on the GST-mediated bioactivation of dihalomethanes, which includes the possible formation of GSH intermediates and/or GSH-DNAadducts. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 30:440–447, 1997 Published 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.1
Considerations of Culture and Social Class for Families Facing Cancer: The Need for a New Model for Health Promotion and Psychosocial Intervention

Cancer is a family experience, and family members often have as much, or more, difficulty in coping with cancer as does the person diagnosed with cancer. Using both family systems and sociocultural frameworks, we call for a new model of health promotion and psychosocial intervention that builds on the current understanding that family members, as well as the individuals diagnosed with cancer, are themselves survivors of cancer. We argue that considering culture, or the values, beliefs, and customs of the family, including their choice of language, is necessary to understand fully a family's response to cancer. Likewise, acknowledging social class is necessary to understand how access to, and understanding of, otherwise available interventions for families facing cancer can be limited. Components of the model as conceptualized are discussed and provide guidance for psychosocial cancer health disparities research and the development of family-focused, strength-based, interventions.
Fracture fillings and intrusive pyroclasts, Inyo Domes, California

Fractures containing juvenile magmatic pyroclasts were encountered during drilling into a 600-year-old feeder dike beneath the Inyo Domes chain, California. The Inyo Domes consist of a north-south trending, 10-km-long chain of domes, rhyolitic tuff rings, and phreatic craters. Boreholes were cored through the 51-m-diameter conduit of Obsidian Dome, the largest of the Inyo Domes, and through an unvented portion of the intrusion (dike) 1 km to the south. Pyroclast-bearing fractures were intersected in both holes: (1) 7- to 40-cm-thick fractures in welded basaltic scoria and quartz monzonite country rock are adjacent to the conduit at depths of 400–411 m and 492–533 m; they contain gray, clastic deposits, which show truncated cross bedding and convolute bedding; (2) adjacent to the dike, massive fracture fillings occur at depths of 289–302 m (129 m east of the dike) and 366–384 m (95–87 m east of the dike). The fracture fillings consist of mineral clasts derived from the quartz monzonite, quartz monozonitic and basaltic lithic clasts, and juvenile glass pyroclasts. Angular mineral components are present in the same ratio as in the surrounding quartz monzonite country rock. Juvenile glassy and hyalocrystalline pyroclasts make up from less than 1% up to 22% of the deposits. They consist of blocky obsidian clasts, equant, blocky glass pyroclasts with vesicularities of 0–30%, and small pumices with vesicularities of 30–40%. Intrusive pyroclasts differ from erupted pyroclasts in their generally lower vesicularity, higher crystallinity, and the presence of solution pits and clay coatings indicative of prolonged contact with water. The presence, orientation, and texture of fracture fillings strongly resemble those of propped, man-made hydrofractures. We interpret these fractures as naturally occurring hydrofractures. The apparently horizontal fracture orientations may have been controlled by perturbations of maximum principal stress by the dikes or by preexisting sheet fractures in the quartz monzonite country rock. Assumption of elastic moduli and fracturing properties for the Sierran basement rock allows calculation of fluid overpressures 5 to 9 MPa in excess of overburden stress. These overpressures are consistent with either vapor exsolution from decompressed magma or rapid heating of groundwater. However, the textural and chemical similarity of the pyroclasts to phreatomagmatic tephra that appears late in the explosive eruption sequence suggests that heating of groundwater by the dike/conduit caused the fracturing. Such fracturing around volcanic conduits may play an important role in the development of hydrothermal circulation.
The existence of an ubiquinone binding protein in the reconstitutively active cytochrome b-c1 complex.

Abstract A protein, tentatively named apo-Q-protein I, with molecular weight of 15,000 1 from the reconstitutively active cytochrome b-c 1 complex has been identified as being responsible for electron transfer between succinate dehydrogenase and ubiquinone. The identification was based on the chemical modification, proteolytic enzyme digestion, and isolation and purification of the protein to nearly pure form.
Bilateral tax treaties and US foreign direct investment financing modes

Though it is often claimed that bilateral tax treaties promote foreign direct investment (FDI), previous empirical studies do not support this view. Indeed, the literature provides mixed results where bilateral tax treaties have a positive impact on FDI flows in some studies and a negative impact in other studies. Using US FDI outflows disaggregated into financing modes, equity capital, reinvested earnings, and inter-company debt, we estimate fixed-effects quantile regression models that include controls for new tax treaties, existing treaties (in place prior to the start of the sample period), and the total number of tax treaties a host country has in effect. Results, in general, indicate that both new and existing US bilateral tax treaties are associated with lower FDI outflows to the host country, while the total number of treaties a host country has in place is associated with greater US FDI outflows to the host country. These results also hold for reinvested earnings flows and equity capital flows. For debt flows, however, existing treaties are associated with greater flows, while new treaties and the total number of host treaties show no consistent statistically significant effect.
Current trends in `artificial-nose' technology

Basic principles derived from biological olfaction, such as combining semiselective sensor arrays with pattern recognition, have been used to develop instrumentation capable of broad-band chemical detection and quantification. Commercially available instruments are useful in areas including quality control in the food, beverage and fragrance industries, environmental monitoring, chemical-purity and -mixture analysis, and medical diagnostics. Ongoing research is aimed at the development of more-advanced instruments that are smaller, cheaper, faster and more stable and reliable. These second-generation instruments are likely to find an increasing number of applications, including the on-line monitoring of fermentation and other bioprocesses.
A scene interpretation system

A scene interpretation system can be partitioned into three levels of processing: low level, mid level, and high level. We describe here a systematic approach to scene interpretation that embeds these three levels of processing in a structured hierarchical blackboard architecture. Each blackboard level contains modular knowledge sources which perform numeric and/or symbolic processing. The low level processing blackboard is embedded as one of the knowledge sources within the mid level processing blackboard which is in turn embedded as a knowledge source within the high level processing blackboard. The benefits of this scene interpretation system architecture are efficient bi-directional flow of control between processing levels, modularized multispectral/multisensor image processing, and information feedback for performance improvement and for spatial/temporal tracking.
OXYGEN CONSUMPTION OF SKIN AND HAIR GROWTH AFTER ADRENALECTOMY IN THE WHITE RAT

IT HAS BEEN pointed out elsewhere (Butcher, 1937) that hair growth is accelerated by bilateral adrenalectomy either in well fed or underfed rats. Since oxidative processes are believed to be important in favoring growth in active hair follicles (Butcher, 1943), and adrenal extract depresses the oxygen consumption of brain slices (Tipton, 1939) and decreases the oxy gen consumption of human beings under certain conditions (Hitchcock, et al., 1938), this accelerated growth after adrenalectomy may be due to increased respiration of the skin. To test the above hypothesis, determinations of the oxygen consumption of the skin were made using underfed rats at various intervals following adrenalectomy. Rats were weaned at the age of 22 days, and thereafter given 1 per cent NaCl solution as drinking water and the daily quota of 4 gm. of finely ground Purina dog chow.
Comprehensive MR imaging in the preoperative evaluation of living donor candidates for laparoscopic nephrectomy: initial experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the preoperative evaluation of potential living renal donors who are candidates for laparoscopic nephrectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight donor candidates who underwent subsequent laparoscopic nephrectomy were examined by using a torso phased-array coil at 1.5 T. Gadolinium-enhanced MR angiograms, MR venograms, and MR urograms were obtained in all patients by using an interpolated three-dimensional T1-weighted spoiled gradient-echo sequence (3.4–6.8/1.2–2.3 [repetition time msec/echo time msec], 25°–40° flip angle). Interpretation of the MR images was used to assess the arterial, venous, and ureteral anatomy, as well as parenchymal masses and scarring, and findings were compared with the surgical findings in all patients. Statistical evaluation was performed, with the surgical findings as the reference standard. RESULTS: At MR imaging, 31 of 32 renal arteries and one of three early-branching arteries were identified correctly....