cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temperature-and-Field Emission of Electrons from Metals

Both the current density and the distribution in energy of electrons emitted from metals are calculated for various combinations of temperature, applied surface electric field, and work function. A wider range of those variables than previously achieved is made possible by use of numerical integration. The integrand is the usual function based on the free-electron theory of metals and the wave-mechanical barrier transmission coefficient of Sommerfeld and Bethe which assumes a classical image force and a plane surface. Results, which are presented in graphical form, are consistent with the Fowler-Nordheim field emission equation for low temperatures, and with the Richardson thermionic emission formula at low fields. Predicted emission at temperatures up to 3000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K is compared with cold emission at fields between ${10}^{7}$ and ${10}^{8}$ v/cm. A qualitative comparison is made between the present results and previous experiments on the transition between field emission and the vacuum arc.
Mineral Binding Characteristics of Lignin, Guar Gum, Cellulose, Pectin and Neutral Detergent Fiber under Simulated Duodenal pH Conditions

Effective stability constants (Kcff) and amount of Fe bound by lignin, cellulose, guar gum, low and high methoxy pectin and NDF were determined under simulated duodenal pH conditions. Guar gum bound 8.4 μmol Fe per g fiber with the greatest affinity (Kcff= 6.27 × 106) of any of the fibers studied; NDF, high methoxy pectin, and one of the binding sites of lignin bound 5.0. 5.0, and 19.5 μmol Fe, respectively. per g fiber, with a Kcff > 105, and cellulose bound Fe so weakly that an effective stability constant could not be calculated. Lignin had two distinct binding sites for Fe, Zn, and Cu with the high affinity sites binding in the following order: Fe > Cu > Zn, but with twice as much Cu bound as either Fe or Zn.
Morel-Lavallée lesion of the thigh: characteristic findings on US.

A 12-year-old boy presented for evaluation 3 weeks after an ATV accident. Although no traumatic injury was initially noted, he developed progressive left thigh swelling and blisters 2 weeks after the injury. US identified a collection in the subcutaneous tissues with hyperechoic material (arrowheads) along the wall (Fig. 1). Serous collections were drained at surgery; cultures were negative. Because of continued drainage of lymphatic-appearing fluid, the child was treated with Sotradechol foam injection and doxycycline twice, with improvement. The Morel-Lavallee lesion is an internal degloving type of injury with separation of the hypodermis from the underlying deep fascia. This results in disruption of the vascular and lymphatic plexus and a cavity is created, filling with blood, lymph, liquefied fat and necrotic debris [1]. US demonstrates a collection in the subcutaneous region with hyperechoic nodules corresponding to remnants of fat. If there is history of shear injury to the soft tissue with chronic recurrent fluid collection and imaging features of subcutaneous collection with fat lobules along the wall, the diagnosis of Morel-Lavallee lesion should be suspected. Treatment options include serial aspiration and, if unsuccessful, sclerodesis. Early identification is important, as delay can increase incidence of infection-related morbidity.
A kinetic model for glutamate dehydrogenase

Abstract A model for the glutamate dehydrogenase reaction has been obtained that contains the reported intermediates suggested by binding and equilibrium isotope exchange methods. Calculated steady state-initial velocity rates using this model are quantitatively consistent with a wide range of nonlinear experimental data in both directions.
Analytical procedures for a cryptic messenger RNA that mediates translational control of prostaglandin synthase by glucocorticoids.

Abstract Expression of the enzyme prostaglandin H synthase in cultured vascular smooth muscle cells required epidermal growth factor (EGF) and type β transforming growth factor (TGF-β) and was inhibited by cycloheximide but not actinomycin D. Preincubation with the glucocorticoid dexamethasone (0.5 μ m ) blocked the EGF-induced expression of prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase. Following dexamethasone addition, levels of hybridizable mRNA for PG synthase were reduced by over 90% within 1 h. After dexamethasone was removed, PG synthase mRNA recovered within 3 h by a process that was not inhibited by actinomycin D. These observations, together with other findings, suggested that the mRNA was being converted into some nonextractable and nontranslated form, probably by binding of a glucocorticoid-induced protein to the conserved 3′ untranslated region. In order to investigate further the nature of this phenomenon, seven different literature procedures were evaluated for extracting and determining the PG synthase mRNA. Five of the seven procedures failed to detect hybridizable PG synthase mRNA in glucocorticoid-treated cells. Two procedures, however, recovered mRNA in both glucocorticoid-treated and control cells. A comparison of the protocols indicated that only those methods that incorporate a cationic detergent (sodium N -lauroylsarcosine), instead of anionic detergents in the lysis or homogenization buffers, successfully extract the glucocorticoid-suppressed PG synthase mRNA. Based upon these results two procedures are described, one that optimizes the extraction and determination of the glucocorticoid-suppressed (cryptic) form of the mRNA, and another which optimizes the analysis of normal mRNA without extracting the cryptic form. The results indicate that translational control of PG synthase by glucocorticoids is regulated by converting the mRNA into a cryptic form that is more firmly tissue bound than normal mRNA.
Modal controllability and observability of general mechanical systems

Controllability and observability are studied for general mechanical systems with combined effects ofdamping, gyroscopic and circulatory forces. A new modal analysis is proposed to represent the system transfer functions by the nonorthogonal eigenvectors that are associated with the original equations of motion. Investigation of linear independence of the rows and columns of the transfer functions yields the modal controllability and observability conditions. Because of their explicit relationships with the vibration modes, the controllability and observability tests require less computation than the conventional criteria, avoid trial and error in selection and positioning of actuators and sensors, and can be applied to systems with unidentified parameters. Moreover, the closed-loop root locus sensitivity coefficients are examined to give insights into modal controllability and observability, and to provide useful guidance for active controller design.
Creating a New Welfare Reality: Early Implementation of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program

This article describes the new welfare reality that has emerged since the passage of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. The author focuses on four key dimensions of this new system: conditional availability of cash assistance, the promotion of rapid entry into the labor market, an increased emphasis on the provision of work supports, and limited expansion of services for nonworking Temporary Assistance for Needy Family (TANF) recipients. Stringent work mandates reinforced with tough financial penalties for noncompliance and limits on the number of months families can receive assistance have created a cash assistance system that requires significantly more of families than the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program. Although it is true that more is expected of families, many states have also substantially increased the support provided to families as they make the transition to paid employment.
Importin-11, a nuclear import receptor for the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, UbcM2

Importins are members of a family of transport receptors (karyopherins) that mediate the nucleocytoplasmic transport of protein and RNA cargoes. We identified importin-11 as a potential new human member of this family, on the basis of limited similarity to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae protein, Lph2p, and cloned the complete open reading frame. Importin-11 interacts with the Ran GTPase, and constitutively shuttles between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. A yeast dihybrid screen identified UbcM2, an E2-type ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme, as a binding partner and potential transport cargo for importin-11. Importin-11 and UbcM2 interact directly, and the complex is disassembled by Ran:GTP but not by Ran:GDP. UbcM2 is constitutively nuclear and shuttles between the nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments. Nuclear import of UbcM2 requires Ran and importin-11, and is inhibited by wheatgerm agglutinin, energy depletion or dominant interfering mutants of Ran and importin-β. These data establish importin-11 as a new member of the karyopherin family of transport receptors, and identify UbcM2 as a nuclear member of the E2 ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme family.
Review of MR image segmentation techniques using pattern recognition.

This paper has reviewed, with somewhat variable coverage, the nine MR image segmentation techniques itemized in Table II. A wide array of approaches have been discussed; each has its merits and drawbacks. We have also given pointers to other approaches not discussed in depth in this review. The methods reviewed fall roughly into four model groups: c-means, maximum likelihood, neural networks, and k-nearest neighbor rules. Both supervised and unsupervised schemes require human intervention to obtain clinically useful results in MR segmentation. Unsupervised techniques require somewhat less interaction on a per patient/image basis. Maximum likelihood techniques have had some success, but are very susceptible to the choice of training region, which may need to be chosen slice by slice for even one patient. Generally, techniques that must assume an underlying statistical distribution of the data (such as LML and UML) do not appear promising, since tissue regions of interest do not usually obey the distributional tendencies of probability density functions. The most promising supervised techniques reviewed seem to be FF/NN methods that allow hidden layers to be configured as examples are presented to the system. An example of a self-configuring network, FF/CC, was also discussed. The relatively simple k-nearest neighbor rule algorithms (hard and fuzzy) have also shown promise in the supervised category. Unsupervised techniques based upon fuzzy c-means clustering algorithms have also shown great promise in MR image segmentation. Several unsupervised connectionist techniques have recently been experimented with on MR images of the brain and have provided promising initial results. A pixel-intensity-based edge detection algorithm has recently been used to provide promising segmentations of the brain. This is also an unsupervised technique, older versions of which have been susceptible to oversegmenting the image because of the lack of clear boundaries between tissue types or finding uninteresting boundaries between slightly different types of the same tissue. To conclude, we offer some remarks about improving MR segmentation techniques. The better unsupervised techniques are too slow. Improving speed via parallelization and optimization will improve their competitiveness with, e.g., the k-nn rule, which is the fastest technique covered in this review. Another area for development is dynamic cluster validity. Unsupervised methods need better ways to specify and adjust c, the number of tissue classes found by the algorithm. Initialization is a third important area of research. Many of the schemes listed in Table II are sensitive to good initialization, both in terms of the parameters of the design, as well as operator selection of training data.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Admissions of African Americans to state psychiatric hospitals

This investigation examines the admissions of African-Americans to state psychiatric hospitals in Virginia. It compares admissions of African-Americans primarily with European-Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. Data spanning the 20-year period from 1970 to 1990 from nine state psychiatric hospitals were analysed to determine the relationship of race to number of admissions, to primary diagnosis at admission and to length of stay. Compared to European-Americans, African-Americans were significantly more likely to be admitted to state psychiatric hospitals, had longer lengths of stay and were likely to be given more severe diagnoses. Key policy implications are provided.
Probabilities for survival of glassy-winged sharpshooter and olive fruit fly pests in urban yard waste piles.

Glassy-winged sharpshooter (Homolodisca coagulate) and olive fruit fly (Bactrocera oleae) were introduced into unturned, chipped yard waste piles to evaluate their survival with time and depth within the piles. In all three trials, no pests lasted more than 14 d, and in no trial did pests survive more than 4 d at the 30 and 100 cm depths. No survivors were found after 14 d in any of the treatments at any depth. Neither of the pests survived 100 cm after 2 d. A mathematical model for describing pest survival probabilities is described. The model modifies time according to the Arrhenius equation in order to include heat effects on pest survival and can be used to determine exposure times necessary to eliminate these pests with a determined statistical probability. Model projections suggest that for conditions similar to this study, there is 99% confidence that all glassy-winged sharpshooter eggs would be eliminated from 1000 infected leaves in 6.1 d at 15 cm depth and in 4.8 d at 30 cm or below. Olive fruit fly larvae at these depths would require 4.8 and 4.1 d, respectively, for 1000 infected olive fruits. Projected elimination times at the surface were longer, 6.5 d for sharpshooter eggs and 14.3 d for fruit fly larvae.
Behavioral thermoregulation in the study of drugs affecting body temperature

A method of measuring thermoregulatory behavior in the rat has been developed, which allows analysis of the mechanism of action of drugs which modify body temperature. The test measures the amount of time a rat will remain exposed to an infrared heat source before making an escape and this evidence has been used to divide drugs into those which act on the central thermostats and those which act on effector systems. A peripherally acting hypothermic drug (N-methyldiphenhydramine) increased the time of exposure to the heat lamp. Tri-iodothyronine increased body temperature and decreased exposure to the heat lamp. Intraventricular oxotremorine caused hypothermia but a decreased exposure to heat suggesting it acts to lower the set-point of the central thermostats. Both effects were blocked by atropine. The possibility that central cholinergic mechanisms in the hypothalamus have a function in determining the setting of the central thermostats is discussed.
On separable cyclic extensions of rings

The quaternion algebra of degree 2 over a commutative ring as defined by S. Parimala and R. Sridharan is generalized to a separable cyclic extension B [ j ] of degree n over a noncommutative ring B . A characterization of such an extension is given, and a relation between Azumaya algebras and Galois extensions for B [ j ] is also obtained.
Lung cancer screening using low-dose CT: The current national landscape

Abstract Objectives Although the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) lauds the efficacy of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) at reducing lung cancer mortality, it has not been widely used for population-based screening. By examining the availability of U.S. LDCT screening centers, and underlying rates of lung cancer incidence, mortality, and smoking prevalence, the need for additional centers may be determined. Materials and methods Locations of 203 LDCT screening centers from the Lung Cancer Alliance Screening Centers of Excellence database, a list of active NLST and International Early Lung and Cardiac Action Program (I-ELCAP) screening centers, and an independently conducted survey of Society of Thoracic Radiology members were geocoded and mapped. County-level rates of lung cancer incidence, mortality, and smoking prevalence were also mapped and overlaid with the locations of the 203 LDCT screening centers. Results and conclusions Results showed the majority of LDCT screening centers were located in the counties with the highest quartiles of lung cancer incidence and mortality in the Northeast and East North Central states, but several high-risk states had no or few identified screening centers including Oklahoma, Nevada, Mississippi, and Arkansas. As guidelines are implemented and reimbursement for LDCT screening follows, equitable access to LDCT screening centers will become increasingly important, particularly in regions with high rates of lung cancer incidence and smoking prevalence.
Hilltopping behaviour and mating success of the tarantula hawk wasp, Hemipepsis ustulata (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae), at a high elevation peak

Some males of the pompilid wasp Hemipepsis ustulata defend perch territories high on ridgetops and peaks. Although these territories appear to be defended strictly as mate-encounter sites, there have been few observations of matings on hilltops. One possible explanation for this result is that previous studies have not been conducted on the highest peaks, where most copulations might occur. Our study of a population of wasps on the top of Usery Peak refutes this hypothesis. The frequency of observed matings was no greater here than lower on the ridge in previous years. In addition, the size distribution of males on the peak in 1987 was similar to that recorded at lower elevation sites in 1980 and 1981. On Usery Peak, large body size does confer a competitive advantage in territorial contests as shown by the tendency for relatively large males to hold the perch territories most consistently occupied by males during the flight season. However, unusually large males are not concentrated at the peaktop, sugge...
Hormone induced spawning of red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus.

Abstract Red snapper, Lutjanus campechanus , were induced to ovulate following injections of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG). Females were injected initially with 1.1 IU/g body weight. When subsequent injections were necessary, 0.55 IU/g of body weight was used. Ovulation occurred between 42 and 56 h following injection. Eggs were wet stripped and fertilized simultaneously with sperm from two males. Initial mitosis was detected 30 min post fertilization. Hatching occurred in 20 h at 27°C.
Menin and RNF20 recruitment is associated with dynamic histone modifications that regulate signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1)-activated transcription of the interferon regulatory factor 1 gene (IRF1)

Background Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) activation of gene expression is both rapid and transient, and when properly executed it affects growth, differentiation, homeostasis and the immune response, but when dysregulated it contributes to human disease. Transcriptional activation is regulated by alterations to the chromatin template. However, the role of histone modification at gene loci that are activated for transcription in response to STAT signaling is poorly defined.
A Method of Achieving Fully Automatic Frequency Management for HF Systems

This paper describes the automatic frequency management system (AFMS) approach which is currently being developed and tested by Rockwell to satisfy new and evolving requirements to make HF communications systems more self-adaptive to the channel requirements and less operator-intensive. Most modern HF systems currently utilize digital data modulation in conjunction with digitized or analog voice modulation to transfer information across secure or non-secured links. The established trend is toward all digital networks in which record traffic, facsimile, and synthesized or real time (digital) voice modes are accommodated by digital signal processing (DSP) techniques to transfer data in a significantly more robust fashion than was possible prior to the advent of DSP technology. The AFMS system described here will ultimately exploit this trend toward digitized data by extracting from normal communications the link quality information needed to measure the channel. The measurement data currently being tested is extracted from advanced link quality analyzer (ALQA) test transmissions and is reduced to a single MOF value for each measured link by a MOF determination algorithm. This algorithm allows n measured links to provide the MOF data necessary to adequately forecast the MUF on m unmeasured links, where n is much less than m. The forecasting technique is based on providing near-real time updates (pseudo SSN) to the well known MINIMUF 3.5 model. The measurement and forecasting process is carried out continuously and automatically allowing the updates to the in-place frequency plan.
Calcium/phosphatidylserine-stimulated protein phosphorylation in bone: effect of parathyroid hormone.

The calcium/phosphatidylserine (PS)-stimulated phosphorylation of endogenous proteins in the 100,000 × g particulate fraction from neonatal mouse calvaria was investigated. EGTA selectively inhibited the phosphorylation of a 20K protein. The phosphorylation of this 20K protein was stimulated by calcium and by PS. The combination of calcium plus PS increased the phosphorylation of the 20K protein more markedly than either calcium or PS alone. Parathyroid hormone (PTH) (100 nM) treatment of calvaria rapidly altered the phosphorylation of the 20K protein in a time-dependent manner. The PTH treatment time course demonstrated that after 5 minutes the in vitro phosphorylation of the 20K protein was markedly enhanced, after 15 minutes the 20K protein was not as heavily phosphorylated, and after 30 minutes the in vitro phosphorylation of the 20K was less than control. Our results demonstrate the presence of calcium/PS-stimulated phosphorylation in bone tissue and a rapid effect of PTH on this phosphorylation.
Class war? What Americans really think about economic inequality, by Benjamin I. Page and Lawrence R. Jacobs

Class war? What Americans really think about economic inequality, by Benjamin I. Page and Lawrence R. Jacobs, Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 2009, xiii + 142 pp., US$13.00 (paperback), ISBN ...
Situating Adolescent Gender and Self‐Esteem with Personal Memories

To identify social schemas that are associated with self-esteem in adolescence, the contents of approximately 1,400 memories from a longitudinal sample of 41 males and 43 females were correlated with a Q-sort measure of self-esteem. Each memory concerned an important or problematic encounter, and was coded for social motive, affect, and identity of significant other. For young women, memories about wanting to help female friends were associated with chronically high and increasingly high levels of self-esteem from ages 14 to 23. For young men, memories about successfully asserting oneself with male friends were associated with chronically high and increasingly high levels of self-esteem. Low self-esteem in women, both chronic as well as decreasing, was associated with memories about failing to get approval from friends. Decreasing self-esteem for males was associated with memories about wanting love from female friends. The results confirm and refine prior findings that adolescent self-esteem is localized in relationships with peers rather than parents, and is based on different relational schemas for females than for males. The findings may help to identify contexts for preventative interventions to enhance adolescent self-esteem.
In Vitro Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Ocular Toxicology Testing

Chemical substances, including household products, industrial chemicals, and cosmetics, must be tested for ocular toxicity or irritancy so that the public can be assured of their safety or warned of dangers associated with their use. The in vivo Draize test is the standard method used to meet this requirement; however, this test is coming under increasing criticism on scientific and ethical grounds. This has led to the development of a large number of proposed in vitro tests, some of which are routinely used to screen chemicals in toxicology laboratories. This review addresses regulations governing ocular irritancy testing and the current status of the movement toward use of alternative methods. Such methods include the use of cultured cells, hen's eggs, isolated animal eyes and corneas, human corneal epithelial cell lines, and the recently developed in vitro corneal equivalent models. The protocols for these methods are outlined, and their endpoints are described with respect to prediction of in vivo responses. The tests are evaluated in the context of the outcomes of validation studies and acceptance by regulatory agencies. While several of these tests yield useful information concerning ocular irritancy, to date, no in vitro alternative test has been validated as a replacement for the Draize test. If the goal of replacing the in vivo test while protecting the public from chemical eye injury is to be achieved, further development and improvement of alternative tests, as well as establishment of a human ocular toxicity data base, are required.
A Step Towards Efficient Bayesian Signal Reconstruction

This paper presents a theoretical basis for a set of optimal filters for the reconstruction of piecewise-continuous one-dimensional signals, drawing from Bayesian networks and Kaiman filters. Results are presented for synthetic and real data, using both the optimal filters and a sub-optimal implementation. The results compare well with linear space invariant filtering or facet fitting approaches, and present a basis for the design of image restoration algorithms.
Methodology in diagnostic virology

Selection of proper assays and appropriate interpretation of results can be a challenge to the veterinary clinician. Assays vary in methodology, sensitivity, and specificity. These assays can be invaluable in attaining the correct diagnosis, but a clear understanding of the assay and the results is essential. To this end, communication with the laboratory personnel is crucial. Optimal sample selection, shipping recommendations, assay selection, and interpretation should be discussed with the laboratory staff.
PETER OCHS: PHILOSOPHY IN THE SERVICE OF GOD AND WORLD

As theologian, Ochs adopts C. S. Peirce's notions of “thirdness” to find an alternative to the dichotomies particular/universal, traditional/modern, individual/community that plague modern thought and theology. In the difficult attempt to walk this fine line between the dichotomies of contemporary thought, Ochs often finds himself misunderstood by the two camps on either side of him. Thus, we see that Batnitzky accuses him of being too universalistic and Lamberth of being too particularistic. Ochs's reply to his critics on both the modernist or traditionalist sides is that both are wrong because they employ the same dichotomist logic. Each is a mirror image of the other. Ochs argues that operative in scripture is a “logic of thirdness,” which provides the key both to the repair of modern theology and the repair of the world.
Modeling and simulation of the dynamic behavior of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

The focus of this paper is to develop a mathematical model for investigating the dynamic performance of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. The model in this work is based on physical laws having clear significance in replicating the fuel cell system and can easily be used to set up different operational strategies. Simulation results display the transient behavior of the voltage within each single cell, and also within a number of such single cells combined into a fuel cell stack system. A linear as well as a nonlinear analysis of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system has been discussed in order to present a complete and comprehensive view of this kind of modeling. Also, a comparison of the two kinds of analysis has been performed. Finally, the various characteristics of the fuel cell system are plotted in order to help us understand its dynamic behavior. Results indicate that there is a considerable amount of error in the modeling process if we use a linear model of the fuel cell. Thus, the nonlinearities present in the fuel cell system should be taken into account in order to obtain a better understanding of the dynamic behavior of the fuel cell system.
The complexity of problems on probabilistic, nondeterministic, and alternating decision trees

This work generalizes decision trees in order to study lower bounds on the running times of algorithms that allow probabilistic, nondeterministic, or alternating control. It is shown that decision trees that are allowed internal randomization (at the expense of introducing a small probability of error) run no faster asymptotically than ordinary decision trees for a collection of natural problems. Two geometric techniques from the literature for proving lower bounds on the time required by ordinary decision trees are shown to be special cases of one unified technique that, in fact, applies to nondeterministic decision trees as well. Finally, it is shown that any lower bound on alternating decision tree time also applies to alternating Turing machine time.
Osteoarthritis year 2011 in review: imaging in OA – a radiologists’ perspective

With major technological advances and application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to large longitudinal osteoarthritis (OA) studies the role of imaging has become increasingly important for OA research over the last years. Currently, radiography, MRI and ultrasound are the most established imaging tools applied in a research setting. MRI assessment of OA features can be morphologic, compositional and can be applied in non-loaded and loaded conditions. Morphologic assessment includes semiquantitative and quantitative analyses. Novel semiquantitative scoring methods for knee, hip and hand OA using MRI were introduced. A series of key reports were published this year, reviewing the importance of radiography and MRI as a research tool. Although radiography is insensitive for the detection of OA-related structural pathology when compared to MRI, it still has been widely used for subject inclusion in observational and interventional studies due also to a straight forward disease definition that was established more than 50 years ago. In an attempt to generate an MRI-based definition of structural disease, a Delphi exercise was performed to develop a testable MRI definition of structural OA. This presentation reviews publications related to imaging of OA, published in English between September 2010 and October 2011, excluding animal studies or in vitro data. This is not a systematic or comprehensive review and the selection of papers included is based on the expert opinions of the presenter, from a musculoskeletal radiologist's perspective.
Differences in the composition of the polypeptides deposited in the axon and the nerve terminals by fast axonal transport in the garfish olfactory nerve

Abstract Proteins transported by the fast wave of axonal transport have been shown to be deposited both in the axon and in the nerve terminals. Differences in the nature of the molecules deposited in these two areas were studied in the garfish olfactory system. In order to avoid analysis of transported molecules in two different types of tissue like the olfactory nerve and the olfactory bulb, the study was conducted (1) by comparing the composition of the moving crest of radioactivity at two different points along the nerve: when the crest enters the axon and when it reaches a distance of approximately 5 cm from the nerve endings, (2) by determining the composition of the molecules remaining in the axon behind the moving crest. Three subcellular fractions (two membranous fractions and a mitochondrial pellet) were investigated. In both membranous fractions the majority of the polypeptides deposited in the axon ranged from 50 to 150,000 daltons. No outstanding peak of radioactivity was found in either fraction. Radioactivity was relatively evenly distributed among the various polypeptides. In the lightest membranous fraction, however, a peak (mol. wt., 54–58,000) was more particularly deposited in the axon. The opposite situation was found for the molecules moving toward the synapses: transported radioactivity was concentrated in a few distinct polypeptides, while the others were significantly less labeled. Three peaks were found in the lightest membranous fraction (mol. wt., 35,000, 54–58,000 and 126,000). Only two peaks were determined in the heaviest fraction (mol. wt., 58,000 and 126,000). The 126,000 mol. wt. peak increases with distance in both membranous fractions from 9 to 12 % of the total radioactivity and moves mainly toward the synapses. The 35,000 mol. wt. polypeptide presented some interesting properties: it was found in larger quantities in the lightest membranous fraction; labeling was very poor in the heaviest membranous fraction, and finally this polypeptide appeared to be largely transported to the synapses. Results concerning the polypeptide composition and the composition of the transported molecules indicated that the lightest fraction may contain more synaptosomal material. From this study it appears that most transported polypeptides are distributed in both the axon and the nerve terminals, but that the percentage delivered to each area varies. A few distinct polypeptides on the contrary are more selectively transported to the synapses and are even differently localized in subcellular fractions.
Fluorescent Sensitized Photomultipliers for Heterochromatic Photometry in the Ultraviolet

Photomultipliers sensitized to the extreme ultraviolet by coating with a layer of a fluorescent material were found satisfactory for the measurement of radiation intensities at least down to 850 angstroms. The relative spectral quantum efficiencies of sodium salicylate, pump oil, anthracene, calcium and cadmium tungstates, and Eastman ultraviolet fluorescing lacquer were measured by comparison against a thermocouple, using a vacuum monochromator. Sodium salicylate was found to be the best suited for sensitizing a photomultiplier, since it had high sensitivity to the extreme ultraviolet and low sensitivity to long wavelength stray light. Heterochromatic photometry can be carried out with this combination, since the quantum efficiency of sodium salicylate was approximately independent of wavelength over the range 900–2300A. The properties of stilbene, phenanthane, and several miscellaneous phosphors were also measured.
A GIS‐based traffic analysis zone design: technique

The main purpose of this paper is to develop an efficient method to design traffic analysis zones (TAZs), which is necessary for implementing a planning process with Geographic Information System (GIS) for Transportation (GIS‐T), using statistical spatial data analyses and GIS technology. The major roles of GIS in this method are: (1) to produce basic spatial units (BSUs) with topological data structure; (2) to integrate various procedures during the TAZ generation including computer program routines; and (3) to visualize the output of each TAZ generation. One of the most significant reasons for obtaining well‐defined TAZs is the fact that they are defined at the outset of transportation demand modeling, used from trip generation to trip assignment, and will ultimately affect transportation policy decisions. Toward obtaining well‐defined TAZs, this paper concentrates on two important constraints: homogeneity and contiguity. Iterative partitioning technique is adopted to promote the optimum homogeneity of ...
Managing dyspepsia: what do we know and what do we need to know?

Top of pageAbstract Objective: The conceptual revolution concerning the role of Helicobacter pylori in the pathogenesis of peptic ulcer disease has raised the larger question of how to integrate this new information into the management of patients with dyspepsia. The aim of this research was to critically evaluate current knowledge about dyspepsia and its management. Methods: Relevant articles on dyspepsia were identified from MEDLINE searches and from the bibliographies of identified articles. Studies that contained information on the prevalence of dyspepsia, endoscopic findings, and evaluations of alternative management strategies were reviewed. Results: By coupling H. pylori serological testing with clinical factors such as age and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug use, strategies have been developed that identify patients with organic disease. Although the use of these strategies can reduce the volume of endoscopies, their effects on dyspepsia symptoms are unknown. Computerized decision analysis models have been used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of alternative strategies. The indirect evidence obtained from these models suggests that empiric therapy, guided by H. pylori testing, may be the preferred approach. However, the models have been hampered by the lack of information concerning dyspepsia symptoms, the primary health outcome of the majority of patients seen in primary practice settings. Conclusions: Currently, the knowledge needed to integrate H. pylori tests and antimicrobial therapies into the management of patients with dyspepsia in primary practice settings has not been developed. A pressing need exists for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate alternative management strategies. In conducting such a trial, valid, reliable instruments for measuring dyspepsia will be needed.
A universal algorithm for fast and automated charge state deconvolution of electrospray mass-to-charge ratio spectra

This article describes a new algorithm for charge state determination and deconvolution of electrospray ionization (ESI) mass-to-charge ratio spectra. The algorithm (ZSCORE) is based on a charge scoring scheme that incorporates all above-threshold members of a family of charge states or isotopic components, and deconvolves both low- and high-resolution mass-to-charge ratio spectra, with or without a peak list (stick plot). A scoring weight factor, log (I/I0), in which I is the signal magnitude at a calculated mass-to-charge ratio, and I0 is the signal threshold near that mass-to-charge ratio, was used in most cases. For high-resolution mass-to-charge ratio spectra in which all isotopic peaks are resolved, the algorithm can deconvolve overlapped isotopic multiplets of the same or different charge state. Compared to other deconvolution techniques, the algorithm is robust, rapid, and fully automated (i.e., no user input during the deconvolution process). It eliminates artifact peaks without introducing peak distortions. Its performance is demonstrated for experimental ESI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass-to-charge ratio spectra (both low and high resolution). Charge state deconvolution to yield a "zero-charge" mass spectrum should prove particularly useful for interpreting spectra of complex mixtures, identifying contaminants, noncovalent adducts, fragments (N-terminal, C-terminal, internal), and chemical modifications of electrosprayed biomacromolecules.
Measles Outbreak Epidemiology in the United States, 1993–2001

To evaluate the extent of measles virus circulation and populations at risk in the United States, we reviewed measles outbreaks during 1993-2001. A total of 120 measles outbreaks, constituting 1804 outbreak-related cases, were reported during this period. The maximum outbreak size decreased from 233 cases in 1993-1995 to 119 cases in 1996-1998 and 15 cases in 1999-2001. The maximum outbreak duration decreased from 127 days in 1993-1995 to 65 days in 1999-2001. The majority of outbreaks resulted from documented spread from an internationally imported case (42%) or had a strain of measles virus not endemic in the United States (12%). Outbreaks in which adults were the predominant age group affected accounted for 35% of all outbreaks, compared with 29% of outbreaks predominantly affecting preschool children, 30% predominantly affecting school-aged children and adolescents, and 6% with no predominant age group. The extremely limited size and duration of measles outbreaks indicates very high population immunity to measles and suggests that measles is no longer endemic in the United States.
Genuine power curves in forgetting: A quantitative analysis of individual subject forgetting functions

Wixted and Ebbesen (1991) showed that forgetting functions produced by a variety of procedures are often well described by the power function, at−b, where a and b are free parameters. However, all of their analyses were based on data arithmetically averaged over subjects. R. B. Anderson and Tweney (1997) argue that the power law of forgetting may be an artifact of arithmetically averaging individual subject forgetting functions that are truly exponential in form and that geometric averaging would avoid this potential problem. We agree that researchers should always be cognizant of the possibility of averaging artifacts, but we also show that our conclusions about the form of forgetting remain unchanged (and goodness-of-fit statistics are scarcely affected by) whether arithmetic or geometric averaging is used. In addition, an analysis of individual subject forgetting functions shows that they, too, are described much better by a power function than by an exponential.
Simulation model development in information security education

The value of modeling and simulation for education, training, and testing in information security has been documented in several studies. In this paper, we suggest that it is important not only to include the general use of simulation in various courses of the security curriculum, but also to include the theory and development of simulation models. We describe briefly the general features of simulation models and tools for model development that we are using in computing education.A collection of educational simulation tools have been created in the OOPsim project, for developing discrete-event simulation models. The principal goal of this project is to develop newer simulation tools and approaches for education in computing. The Object Oriented Simulation Language, OOSimL, was recently developed with partial support from an NSF CPATH grant.Two object-oriented simulation models are discussed as typical examples discussed in a simulation course on security: a model of a distributed denial of service (DDoS) and a model of simple firewall system. These models were developed with educational simulation tools created in OOPsim project. We have also developed a course that emphasizes an approach to early introduction to object-oriented discrete-event simulation.The DDoS simulation model is implemented using the OOSimL simulation language. The Firewall simulation model was implemented in Java with the PsimJ2 object oriented simulation package; other models have been implemented in C++ using the Psim3 object oriented simulation package. The simulation tools and model development are very useful for educating and training students and professionals in information security, computer science, software engineering, information technology, and in other related disciplines.
An Asymmetric Synthesis of 1,2,4-Trioxane Anticancer Agents via Desymmetrization of Peroxyquinols through a Brønsted Acid Catalysis Cascade

The desymmetrization of p-peroxyquinols using a Bronsted acid-catalyzed acetalization/oxa-Michael cascade was achieved in high yields and selectivities for a variety of aliphatic and aryl aldehydes. Mechanistic studies suggest that the reaction proceeds through a dynamic kinetic resolution of the peroxy hemiacetal intermediate. The resulting 1,2,4-trioxane products were derivatized and show potent cancer cell-growth inhibition.
Trauma-hemorrhage delays wound healing potentially by increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines at the wound site.

Abstract Background: Studies indicate impaired wound healing after trauma. The underlying mechanism remains unknown. Methods: Mice were subjected to midline laparotomy, and polyvinyl alcohol sponges were implanted subcutaneously before hemorrhage (35 ± 5 mmHg for 90 minutes, resuscitated) or sham operation. Wound exudate cells from the sponges were harvested on the first, third, and fifth postoperative day and cultured for 24 hours. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β were determined in the supernatants. IL-1β and IL-6 were measured in the wound fluid. Results: Hemorrhage decreased collagen deposition in the wound. TGF-β release was significantly decreased on the first and third postoperative days after hemorrhage, whereas IL-1β and IL-6 release was increased at 3 and 5 days after hemorrhage. Similarly, IL-1β and IL-6 in the wound fluid were significantly increased at 3 days after hemorrhage. Conclusions: Because increased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and decreased amounts of TGF-β have been reported to impair the process of wound healing, the increased release of IL-1β and IL-6 and the decreased release of TGF-β after hemorrhage might contribute to the decreased collagen production in those animals. Thus, attempts to locally change the ratio of those cytokines in trauma victims might be useful for improving wound healing in those patients. (Surgery 1999;126:279-85.)
Scattering photometer for measuring single ice crystals and evaporation and condensation rates of liquid droplets

A scattering photometer for measuring the relative differential scattering cross section of single highly volatile droplets and of single irregularly shaped particles is described. The evaporation rate of a single water droplet and the phase function of single ice crystals are measured. The ice data plainly show the scattering that, in the atmosphere, gives rise to the 22° and 46° halos.
The Missing Victims of Health Care Fraud

Over the past few decades, combating criminal health care fraud has become one of the highest priorities of federal law enforcement, which views and treats it as a financial crime that causes vast economic losses to the government and private insurers. But the crime also causes, or threatens, physical harms to individual health care patients, a class of victims that the criminal justice system often fails to recognize. This Article is the first to explore how structures and hidden levers of power within the criminal justice bureaucracy lead agents and prosecutors to select—and ignore—particular harms and victims and, more importantly, what drives their selections. The implications extend beyond health care fraud. Questions about this form of prosecutorial discretion are surprisingly absent in the scholarly literature. Through the lens of health care fraud, I show that features of statutory frameworks and sentencing guidelines can have an outsized influence on the selection of harms and victims in complex cases, often in unintended ways that merit greater scrutiny. Internal dynamics within the criminal justice bureaucracy, including those driven by governmental interests as well as the interests of agents and prosecutors themselves, also play a significant role. These factors combine to spur our criminal justice system to treat health care fraud as just another flavor of fraud, devaluing victims and skewing punishments of offenders who exploit patients as a means to enrich themselves.
Development of an immunocompetent human skin tissue model using three dimensional (3D) freeform fabrication

We report on the development of a novel in vitro, multi-compartmental, three-dimensional, Human Skin Tissue Experimental Model (HISTEM) using three-dimensional free form fabrication (3DFFF). The availability of this model is expected to positively impact the development of transdermal vaccines and immunomodulators for infectious diseases and autoimmune disorders. Our studies demonstrate the biological and structural equivalence of HISTEM with ex vivo human skin.