cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Model for Policy Analysis Applied to the Goodridge Case

SUMMARY Judicial decisions, especially Supreme Court decisions, are becoming, more than ever, major contributors to social policy creation. The political implications of such decisions have far reaching implications for policy analysts, advocates, systems, and individuals. In the case of Goodridge vs. Department of Public Health(2003), the state asked the court to limit the civil rights of a certain group of people because of their sexual orientation. Despite the impact court decisions have on policy, there are few models designed to be used to connect the impact of court decisions to the societal and personal values that underlie them. This paper describes a new model designed by the author to analyze judicial decisions, one that includes a value critical approach, and shows its application to the Goodridge(2003) ruling granting same sex couples the right to legally marry in Massachusetts.
Sensitization to brain antigens after stroke is augmented by lipopolysaccharide.

After stroke, the blood–brain barrier is transiently disrupted, allowing leukocytes to enter the brain and brain antigens to enter the peripheral circulation. This encounter of normally sequestered...
Reference levels in electron‐excited and X‐ray‐excited Auger spectra

Auger spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy have evolved using different reference levels for electron energy measurement. Electron-excited Auger spectra are referenced to the vacuum level, and X-ray-excited Auger spectra are referenced to the Fermi level. This can cause confusion, especially when both are recorded in the N(E) mode in the same instrument.
Alexithymia in women and men hospitalized for psychoactive substance dependence

Self-report alexithymia, depression, and anxiety inventories were completed by 204 (84 women and 120 men) psychoactive substance-dependent patients during their first week of hospitalization. Eighty-five of the 204 patients (41.7%) scored in the alexithymic range on the revised Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Women's average alexithymia, depression (Beck Depression Inventory [BDI]), and anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State [STAI-S]) scores were higher than men's average scores. Ethnic (Hispanic whites v non-Hispanic whites) and diagnostic (alcohol v drug v mixed-substance dependence) group differences were not significant. To examine the interrelationships among alexithymia, depression, and anxiety, a causal model confirmed in medical students was tested. The model was reconfirmed; state anxiety predicted depression and alexithymia, and depression predicted alexithymia. These findings are consistent with previous research and compatible with the view that a state of alexithymia can result from severe anxiety and depression.
GENDER AND PUBLISHING IN SOCIOLOGY

As in other fields, scholarly publication in sociology is not only the key to career success but also the route by which feminist analyses and perspectives become known to others in the discipline. A growing literature has analyzed women's and men's rates of publication, but the gender politics of the prepublication production of research and gender differences in reputation building after publication remain underexplored. This report reviews the current state of knowledge about sociological publishing at three phases: prepublication, the publication-seeking phase, and postpublication. It concludes with critical questions to be addressed in developing a comprehensive model of gender effects on sociological publishing.
Predictive discomfort and seat-to-head transmissibility in low-frequency fore-aft whole-body vibration

A predictive discomfort measure considering the combined neck and trunk is introduced in this work and compared with the seat-to-head transmissibility and subjective reported discomfort due to fore-aft whole-body vibration of seated subjects under two sitting postures. Five subjects were tested using discrete sinusoidal frequencies in the range of 0.5-12 Hz. All files were run at a constant acceleration of 0.8 m/s2. The subjects were tested with back support and without back support, and their subjective discomfort measure was reported based on the Borg CR-10 scale. The results have demonstrated that the predictive discomfort was invulnerable to the measurement locations and has shown consistency with the subjective discomfort for both sitting conditions. The seatto-head transmissibility showed less consistency with the subjective discomfort and was sensitive to the locations of the output point on the head and to the components of the motion included in the transmissibility calculation at these locations.
Seismic Evidence of Partial Melt Within a Possibly Ubiquitous Low-Velocity Layer at the Base of the Mantle

Three source regions show evidence of a low-velocity layer that is less than 15 kilometers thick on top of the core-mantle boundary and require about a 3:1 ratio of shear-to-compressional velocity reduction, which is consistent with partial melt. Layer thickness is correlated with travel time residuals of the seismic phases that are most sensitive to the lowermost mantle velocity. These observations suggest that the layer is thinned beneath downwellings but is present everywhere along the core-mantle boundary. Low viscosity accompanying partial melt can localize the upwelling of warmed mantle, making the low-velocity layer a plausible source of mantle plumes.
Thermal fluctuations in high-temperature superconductors

The effect of fluctuations and anisotropy on the transition from the normal to the superconducting state are studied. Neglecting magnetic fluctuations, which is justified as long as the Ginzburg-Landau parameter κ≫1, the critical behavior belongs to thexy-universality class including superfluid helium. Since κ(t)=κ0 t 2/3, wheret=1-T/T c , upon approachingT c further, the intrinsic fluctuating magnetic field might change the nature of the transition. Concentrating on thexy-regime, we derive with the aid of the helicity modulus a universal relation betweenT c and the amplitudes of the phase correlation length and penetration depth. We also extend the universal critical point amplitude relations to the case of superconductors with uniaxial mass anisotropy. Our analysis of recent specific heat and excess dc conductivity measurement suggest that for both static and dynamic properties three-dimensional critical behavior has been observed. The λ-like specific heat singularity points to criticalxy-behavior. Further evidence is provided in terms of the universal amplitude relations, providing estimates for the amplitudes of the correlation lengths for the magnitude and phase of the order parameter and the London penetration depth. We find remarkable agreement with experiment and the correlation volume is comparable to that in superfluid helium.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension: New insights and new hope

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a devastating disorder characterized by abnormal increased vasoconstriction and vascular remodelling. In this review we discuss the pathophysiology, genetic basis and clinical features of this disorder. Current therapy of PAH is based on an understanding of its pathogenesis, and we review current treatment options based on the pathophysiology of the disease. We discuss three promising novel therapies studied in animal models and human tissue. All three therapies appear to prevent and reduce pulmonary arterial medial hyperplasia through their anti-proliferative and/or pro-apoptotic effects: serotonin transporter inhibitors by blocking serotonin uptake; dichloroacetate by activating voltage-gated potassium channels; and simvastatin by preventing activation of small GTPases.
THE EFFECT OF POROSITY AND PORE INTERCONNECTION ON THE THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY AND ELECTRICAL RESISTIVITY OF TUNGSTEN

Abstract Measurements of the thermal conductivity and electrical resistivity of porous tungsten at room temperature are reported. The resistivity was found to vary with porosity, P, according to the equation ρ = 29.9 P2 + 10.2P + 5.57. The conductivity varied as k = 0.127P2-0.64 P + 0.409. It is shown that the reduced conductivity and reduced resistivity are dependent on the degree of pore interconnection. The results appear to conform to Euler's theory on the effect of porosity material constants. The Wiedeman-Franz relationship is found to apply with the experimental results satisfying the equation k = 0.58 · 10−2T/ρ + 0.10.
Role of eukaryotic-type functional domains found in the prokaryotic enhancer receptor factor σ54

Abstract E. coli σ 54 protein confers on promoters containing its recognition sequence the ability to be activated from distant DNA sites. Its functional domains include two leucine zipper motifs, an acidic region, and a glutamine-rich domain. Several domains were disrupted and the assembly of mutant transcription complexes was probed in vivo by footprinting. Promoter recognition was seen to depend on a C-terminal region containing a prokaryotic helix-turn-helix motif. Within the resulting stable closed complex, two leucine zipper motifs assist in positioning the σ 54 polymerase near the DNA region that must be meited upon activation. Finally, DNA opening depends on the σ 54 acid domain. The uncoupling of promoter recognition from DNA melting, mediated by the unusual domain structure of this prokaryotic protein, may be responsible for σ 54 's ability to mediate activation from distant sites.
Selective deuterium labeling of the sphingoid backbone: facile syntheses of 3,4,5-trideuterio-d- erythro -sphingosine and 3-deuterio-d- erythro -sphingomyelin

Deuteration at C-4 and C-5 of sphingosine was achieved via a hydrogen–deuterium exchange reaction of a β-ketophosphonate intermediate catalyzed by ND4Cl in D2O/tetrahydrofuran. To install deuterium at C-3 of sphingosine and sphingomyelin, sodium borodeuteride reduction/cerium(III) chloride reduction of an α,β-enone in perdeuteromethanol was used.
The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase LAR promotes R7 photoreceptor axon targeting by a phosphatase-independent signaling mechanism

Receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) control many aspects of nervous system development. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), regulation of synapse growth and maturation by the RPTP LAR depends on catalytic phosphatase activity and on the extracellular ligands Syndecan and Dally-like. We show here that the function of LAR in controlling R7 photoreceptor axon targeting in the visual system differs in several respects. The extracellular domain of LAR important for this process is distinct from the domains known to bind Syndecan and Dally-like, suggesting the involvement of a different ligand. R7 targeting does not require LAR phosphatase activity, but instead depends on the phosphatase activity of another RPTP, PTP69D. In addition, a mutation that prevents dimerization of the intracellular domain of LAR interferes with its ability to promote R7 targeting, although it does not disrupt phosphatase activity or neuromuscular synapse growth. We propose that LAR function in R7 is independent of its phosphatase activity, but requires structural features that allow dimerization and may promote the assembly of downstream effectors.
A numerical study of the motion of a viscoelastic fluid past rigid spheres and spherical bubbles

Numerical solutions are obtained for an Oldroyd-type fluid in streaming flow past a rigid sphere and a spherical bubble. Both co-rotational and co-deformational time derivatives are considered for Weissenberg numbers in the range O</Wi</1. Detailed comparisons are made with analytical “retarded motion” solutions for the streamlines and lines of constant stress and vorticity, and an attempt is made to understand the computed results in terms of the known behavior of the model fluid in simple viscometric and extensional flows. Comparisons with experimental data cannot yet be made for a sufficiently wide range of dynamic and model parameters to allow a definitive conclusion about the suitability of the constitutive model for this class of flows, but initial indications do not seem particularly encouraging.
Effects of aging on the structural and permeability characteristics of cerebrovasculature in normotensive and hypertensive strains of rats

This study demonstrates that markedly different patterns of age-related changes in blood pressure and body weight occur among normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In addition, a variety of age-related structural alterations occurred in the walls of arterioles, capillaries, and venules of the frontal cortex. These changes include: (1) an increase in the thickness of the vascular wall by deposits of collagen and basal lamina which, in some cases, extended into the surrounding neuropil; (2) the presence of a flocculent material in the adventitia of intracerebral arterioles; (3) vesicular inclusions in perivascular macrophages, pericytes and smooth muscle cells which were labelled with i.v. administered horseradish peroxidase (HRP); (4) fragmentation of smooth muscle cells; and (5) accumulation of lipofuscin-like pigments in perivascular glial processes. The hypertensive rats exhibited these changes, but they were more advanced and more widely distributed throughout the cerebral cortex. The aged hypertensive rats occasionally had large bundles of 10 nm diameter, intermediate filaments in the endothelial cells. Whereas no change in blood-brain barrier permeability to HRP was observed in the aged normotensive rats, all age groups of the hypertensive rats exhibited increased permeability to HRP in the initial segment of penetrating arterioles in laminae I and II of the cerebral cortex.
Effects of Acetazolamide on Cerebral Ischemia and Infarction After Experimental Occlusion of Middle Cerebral Artery

Acetazolamide was given to five of ten cats for 48 to 54 hours after extradural occlusion of a middle cerebral artery (MCA). At seven to eight days later, measurements of regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and estimates of the sizes of the ischemic and infarcted areas of the brains were made. Neurological deficits were more severe and the ischemic and infarcted regions were larger in the cats given acetazolamide. Cerebral edema (brain swelling) was present and reactive hyperemia was common in the treated cats, even one week after MCA occlusion. The hypercapnia and decreases of pH of nonischemic brain tissue that are caused by acetazolamide are harmful for ischemic brain tissue, presumably because of vasodilatation in nonischemic brain tissue with resultant increases of intracranial pressure and decreases of CBF of ischemic regions.
Gradient-Index Polymer Fibers Prepared by Extrusion

A closed extrusion process was developed to prepare gradient index polymer fibers by mutual diffusion of monomers (benzyl and methyl methacrylate) with different refractive indices in a host polymer (poly(methyl methacrylate)). The compositions of BzMa and MMA inside the fiber, imaging radius and distribution constant are estimated from the refractive index distribution
Solar flares and coronal mass ejections are aspects of same event

Solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the Sun are intertwined aspects of the same event, rather than two separate events, it was announced at an 18 June news briefing. The briefing was held as part of a meeting of the American Astronomical Society's Solar Physics Division. The finding resolves “a chicken-and-egg type of problem as to which came first,” according to Peter Gallagher, solar physicist with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He said that the problem had been debated for several decades. Gallagher is research scientist for two of the three spacecraft involved with the findings: NASA's Reuven Ramaty High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI), and NASA's Transition Region and Coronal Explorer, (TRACE). The third spacecraft is the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory spacecraft (SOHO), which is a cooperative effort of NASA and the European Space Agency.
Computer program for localization of disulfide bonds in proteins.

A Fortran computer program to aid in disulfide bond analysis in proteins has been developed. The program evaluates amino acid analysis data from isolated cystine-containing peptides by comparing it with known sequences around pairs of half-cystine residues in the primary structure of a protein and recording all matches. The method involves presetting upper and lower bounds for each amino acid present in a cystine-containing peptide by considering both partial degradation during acid hydrolysis and contamination sources for certain amino acids. Initially, limiting path terminals for each half-cystine residue in the primary structure are determined by examining the surrounding sequences in both directions for “alien” amino acid residues, not present in the composition of a given cystine-containing peptide. Subsequently, pairwise examination proceeds through several cycles incorporating minimal path and upper bound routines with intermittent revision of path ends. Finally, all pairs of half-cystines whose surrounding sequences fall within the preset bounds for this peptide are listed. If too many possible pairs or none are found, the bounds are revised. The lists for all available cystine-containing peptides are graphed to facilitate final determination of disulfide bond positions in the native protein. The computer program provided finite disulfide bond assignments for ovine lactogenic hormone and human growth hormone. In the case of hen egg-white lysozyme, a considerable reduction was obtained from the large number of theoretically possible disulfide bond combinations to a few alternatives, and one of the four disulfide bonds was unequivocally determined. To assign the positions of the other three disulfide bridges, additional considerations, not included in the program, were applied, such as specificity of the enzymes used in digesting the protein and electrophoretic mobility of the ensuing cystine-containing peptides
Comparison of optical resolution with digital and standard fiberoptic cystoscopes in an in vitro model.

Abstract Objectives To compare two different distal sensor flexible endoscopes with standard fiberoptic cystoscopes for optical resolution. Distal video sensor flexible endoscopy may represent the cusp of a new endoscopic revolution. Methods Twenty-three participants evaluated the optical resolution capabilities of six flexible cystoscopes. The two presently available distal sensor flexible cystoscopes, ACMI DCN-2010 digital flexible cystoscope and Olympus CYF-V EndoEYE flexible video cystoscope, were compared with the four leading fiberoptic cystoscopes, ACMI ACN-2 fiberoptic cystoscope, Olympus CYF-4 Cystofiberscope, Karl Storz 11272CU1 Flexible Cystoscope, and Richard Wolf Flexible Fibre Urethro-Cystoscope, in an in vitro model. The participants recorded the numerical digits they were able to visualize through five solutions with progressively increasing concentrations of hematoxylin dye (C1 to C5). The cystoscopic images were viewed on a 13-in. medical grade Olympus monitor with an Olympus Visera camera system. Results No differences were detected among the cystoscopes at the lowest concentrations of hematoxylin dye (C1 and C2). At C3 to C5, the mean percentage of visualized numbers for the ACMI and Olympus distal sensor flexible cystoscopes was significantly greater than for all fiberoptic cystoscopes (P Conclusions The results of this in vitro study suggest that cystoscopes with distal sensor technology improve visibility in a simulated challenging working environment compared with fiberoptic cystoscopes.
TSH and dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP stimulation of hormone release from rat thyroid glands in vitro.

The release of hormones from thyroid glands in vitro was observed by incubating the whole thyroid lobes taken from rats which had been injected 3 hr previously with 131I. The release of free 131I-T3 and T4 from 131I-thyroglobulin that occurred in the tissues during 2 hr incubations was measured by paper chromatographic analysis of the tissues and media. TSH (50–500 mU/ml) increased the free T3, T4 content of the incubated specimens by 2- to 4-fold. Cyclic-AMP, ATP and AMP were without effect, but dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP (3 mm) stimulated T3, T4 release in a TSH-like manner. Furthermore, incubation with TSH led to prompt increases in the cyclic-AMP content of the thyroid lobes. These findings provide another example of a TSH action which may be mediated by the adenyl cyclase-cyclic AMP system. (Endocrinology 86: 271, 1970)
A simple polymer based electrochemical transistor for micromolar glucose sensing

Abstract A simple and inexpensive glucose sensor with micromolar sensitivity is demonstrated. The sensor utilizes a poly(3,4-ethyelenedioxythiphene) poly(styrene sulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) based electrochemical transistor in which all the electrodes and the channel were made with the same polymer. The sensor was fabricated in a one step fabrication process using inexpensive and rapid xurography technique and is able to detect glucose concentrations from approximately 1 μM to 10 mM and showed adequate change for glucose levels in the range of human saliva (8–210 μM) without utilizing any external electron mediators.
Kantian Non-conceptualism

There are perceptual states whose representational content cannot even in principle be conceptual. If that claim is true, then at least some perceptual states have content whose semantic structure and psychological function are essentially distinct from the structure and function of conceptual content. Furthermore the intrinsically “orientable” spatial character of essentially non-conceptual content entails not only that all perceptual states contain non-conceptual content in this essentially distinct sense, but also that consciousness goes all the way down into so-called unconscious or subpersonal mental states. Both my argument for the existence of essentially non-conceptual content and my theory of its structure and function have a Kantian provenance.
Active transport of uridine through a liquid organic membrane mediated by phenylboronic acid and driven by a fluoride ion gradient

Abstract Phenylboronic acid simultaneously co-transports the ribonucleoside, uridine, and fluoride ion through an organic liquid membrane. The transport mechanism involves self-assembly of a lipophilic ion-pair comprising of phenylboronic acid, flouride ion, uridine and tetralkylammonium cation. Active uridine transport (i.e. uphill transport against a concentration gradient) occurs in the direction of a fluoride ion concentration gradient.
Impact of Genetic Diagnosis on Clinical Management of Patients With Congenital Heart Disease Cilia Point the Way

The first Blalock-Taussig shunt surgery in 1945 changed major congenital heart disease (CHD) from a universally lethal condition into a survivable one.1 In the 50 years that followed, rapid progress in anatomic diagnosis via echocardiography and dramatic improvement in surgical and catheterization techniques resulted in survival to adulthood and greatly improved quality of life for many individuals with CHD. Despite this, continuing progress in caring for individuals with the most complex forms of CHD has become incremental. One of the particularly frustrating aspects of managing patients with very complex CHD is that the outcomes are highly variable, even when accounting for surgical skill and anatomic complexity. In this issue of Circulation , Nakhleh et al2 show that a subset of patients with CHD and heterotaxy have airway ciliary dysfunction that may account for increased morbidity and mortality independently of the complexity of the CHD. This finding highlights a critical point that will surely affect patient care in the years to come; improving our understanding of the genetic origin of CHD is likely to affect response to therapy. The hope is that individualized therapy for CHD based on the underlying genetics will contribute to the next major improvement in outcome. Article see p 2232 Heterotaxy is defined as any arrangement of organs across the body's left-right axis that differs from complete situs solitus and complete situs inversus. CHD is one of the hallmarks of heterotaxy and is characterized by a wide range of highly complex cardiac anatomy,3,4 including but not limited to anomalous systemic and pulmonary venous return, complex atrioventricular canal, functionally single ventricle, and a range of abnormalities of the outflow tract (Table). Thus, the cardiac lesions associated with heterotaxy represent a significant surgical challenge; however, the surgical outcome in heterotaxy patients remains significantly …
Automatically detecting deceptive criminal identities

The criminal mind is no match for some of the latest technology designed to determine fact from fiction in suspect identities.
Identifying hexagonal boron nitride monolayers by transmission electron microscopy

Multislice simulations in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to examine changes in annular-dark-field scanning TEM (ADF-STEM) images, conventional bright-field TEM (BF-CTEM) images, and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns as atomically thin hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) samples are tilted up to 500 mrad off of the [0001] zone axis. For monolayer h-BN the contrast of ADF-STEM images and SAED patterns does not change with tilt in this range, while the contrast of BF-CTEM images does change; h-BN multilayer contrast varies strongly with tilt for ADF-STEM imaging, BF-CTEM imaging, and SAED. These results indicate that tilt series analysis in ADF-STEM image mode or SAED mode should permit identification of h-BN monolayers from raw TEM data as well as from quantitative post-processing.
The impact of computer information systems on dairy farm management decisions.

This study focuses on whether information systems improve farm management. Fifty New York dairy farms were selected based on their use of computerized information systems. Each computer user was matched with a non-computer-using farm. On-farm interviews and business summaries were analyzed. Information systems provided the ability to do sensitivity analysis on planning decisions. Their speed of processing and accuracy contributed to control functions. Farmers with information systems spent more time on management tasks, but were more likely to delegate routine decisions. Farmer perceptions were that the systems had produced benefits that were equal to or exceeded costs.
Plenary talk: Performance bounds and suboptimal policies for multi-period investment

We consider dynamic trading of a portfolio of assets in discrete periods over a finite time horizon, with arbitrary time-varying distribution of asset returns. The goal is to maximize the total expected revenue from the portfolio, while respecting constraints on the portfolio such as a required terminal portfolio and leverage and risk limits. The revenue takes into account the gross cash generated in trades, transaction costs, and costs associated with the positions, such as fees for holding short positions. Our model has the form of a stochastic control problem with linear dynamics and convex cost function and constraints. While this problem can be tractably solved in several special cases, such as when all costs are convex quadratic, or when there are no transaction costs, our focus is on the more general case, with nonquadratic cost terms and transaction costs. We show how to use linear matrix inequality techniques and semidefinite programming to produce a quadratic bound on the value function, which in turn gives a bound on the optimal performance. This performance bound can be used to judge the performance obtained by any suboptimal policy. As a by-product of the performance bound computation, we obtain an approximate dynamic programming policy that requires the solution of a convex optimization problem, often a quadratic program, to determine the trades to carry out in each step. While we have no theoretical guarantee that the performance of our suboptimal policy is always near the performance bound (which would imply that it is nearly optimal) we observe that in numerical examples the two values are typically close. Joint work with Mark Mueller, Brendan O'Donoghue, and Yang Wang.
Real-Time Refractivity Retrieval using the Magnetron-based CASA X-band Radar Network During the Spring 2008 Campaign

A real-time refractivity retrieval platform for the CASA IP-1 [1] testbed is currently being developed at the University of Oklahoma. From our previous efforts in the 2007-2008 KTLX/KFDR refractivity experiment [2], a software module to produce refractivity products has been developed and is ported over to the IP-1 testbed this year. One of the challenges for refractivity using the IP-1 radars is the use of X-band systems, which results in more rapid phase wrapping across ranges. In this work, a theoretical explanation will be presented to show that X-band is not a limiting factor to refractivity retrieval. Another significant challenge is the use of magnetron-based transmitter, which changes the effective wavelength being applied for measuring the propagation phase. This question remains open but it will be shown that through the use of differential refractivity technique, scan-to-scan refractivity can still be useful in practice.
Family Members' Experiences With Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR)

This qualitative study describes the experience of family members making do-not-resuscitate (DNR) decisions for an imcompetent, terminally ill family member. Terminally ill was defined as a debilitating condition that is medically incurable and expected to cause death. The essence of the experience was gathered through in-depth unstructured interviews. Interviews were then analyzed using qualitative analysis procedures. Three broad theme categories were identified: (a) making the decision, (b) the companion of stress, and (c) the perception of feeling supported or nonsupported. Within each category, theme clusters developed. Theme clusters under “making the decision” delineated areas decision makers considered before arriving at the DNR decision. Theme clusters under “companion of stress” and “perception of feeling supported or nonsupported” portrayed the needs of family members surrounding the decision-making process. The fulfillment or nonfulfillment of identified needs had a direct relationship with fa...
Abnormal affective startle modulation in individuals with psychogenical movement disorder

Despite recent advances, psychogenic movement disorder (PMD) remains a poorly understood phenomenon. Emotional functioning and responsiveness to stress are believed to play a role in the development of psychogenic symptoms, but empirical studies examining emotional responsiveness in PMD and other conversion disorders are lacking. We investigated modulation of the startle eyeblink reflex by affective pictures in 12 patients with PMD and 12 age- and education-matched control participants. Participants viewed positive, neutral, and negative pictures, while eyeblink responses to white noise bursts were recorded. Control participants showed the expected pattern of startle modulation, with significant potentiation by negative pictures and slight (nonsignificant) inhibition by positive pictures. In the PMD group, however, both positive and negative pictures yielded significantly greater startle responses than neutral pictures. Depression and anxiety symptomatology did not correlate with startle modulation, and the two groups did not differ in self-reported emotional reactions to the pictures. Our findings suggest that individuals with PMD show aversive physiological reactions to positive as well as negative stimuli. Abnormal affective startle modulation may be used to help distinguish between malingering and PMD. Future studies using larger samples are needed to better understand the role of emotions in conversion disorder. © 2007 Movement Disorder Society
The effect of SAR imaging conditions on classification algorithms

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is used for a variety of missions and many of these missions require higher resolutions, larger scene sizes, and a variety of platform flight paths. All these factors affect the signature of the vehicles and cause the signature of the same vehicle to look significantly different even if the vehicle is at the same azimuth and elevation angle with respect to the center of the synthetic aperture, and even if the radar has the same bandwidth and coherent integration angle. Vehicle signatures are compared both qualitatively and quantitatively using long integration times, different flight paths, and different image locations with respect to scene center. The images are quantitatively compared using a metric based on previously successful SAR classification approaches. It is shown that the classifier must account for these signature differences to achieve reasonable performance.
Fibroblast‐mediated collagen gel contraction does not require fibronectin‐α5β1 integrin interaction

Fibroblasts cultured within free-floating collagen gels can bind to and reorganize the surrounding collagen fibrils into a more dense and compact arrangement. Collagen gel contraction provides an in vitro model for studying fibroblast-collagen interactions important in wound healing, fibrosis, scar contraction, and connective tissue morphogenesis. We have assessed the role of fibronectin and its interaction with the alpha 5 beta 1 "high affinity" fibronectin-specific integrin receptor in collagen gel contraction. A variety of agents, which specifically inhibit fibronectin-alpha 5 beta 1 interactions, were tested for their abilities to inhibit fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction. These included anti-alpha 5 beta 1 monoclonal antibodies, the synthetic peptide GRGDSP, the cell adhesive fragment of fibronectin, and an antibody against the cell adhesive region of fibronectin. None of these agents inhibited collagen gel contraction. Therefore, it is concluded that fibronectin-alpha 5 beta 1 interactions are not necessary for collagen gel contraction. However, collagen gel contraction is dependent on a member or members of the beta 1 subfamily of integrin matrix receptors. A polyclonal antiserum and a monoclonal antibody, both directed against the beta 1 subunit of integrin matrix receptors, inhibited the spreading of fibroblasts in the collagen gel and inhibited collagen gel contraction. This study demonstrates that fibroblast-mediated collagen gel contraction is independent of fibronectin-alpha 5 beta 1 interactions but dependent on an interaction of beta 1 integrin matrix receptors with collagen fibers.
A general method for the quantitative analysis of functional chimeras: applications from site-directed mutagenesis and macromolecular association.

Chimeras, in which parts of one biological macromolecule are grafted onto another, are widely applied in structure/function analysis. The substituted pieces may vary from single amino acids to large domains. It has gradually been recognized that the quantitative effects that a given mutation evokes depend on the framework in which it is introduced. For example, the phenotype of a mutation X → Y, may depend on whether a neighboring residue is W or Z; that is, on the context of the background in which the mutation is introduced. Wells (1990) noted that the cumulative effect of mutations is generally additive where the two sites of substitution are well separated but frequently not so where they are spatially adjacent. The free energy of interaction between independent mutations can be addressed quantitatively by the double-mutant cycle method of Horovitz and Fersht (1990), who introduced Equation (1) to describe the free energy of interaction between two sites of mutation, A and B: 1 This method, while theoretically powerful, requires either very precise experimental data or that the interrogated ΔΔGint values be large (Pons et al. 1999). The rapidly expanding accumulation of protein sequences has revealed a vast number of homologous proteins with substantial sequence identity and varying functions that are controlled by relatively few differences. The question addressed in this manuscript is: What is the relationship between the effect of a substitution SA → B in framework A and that of SB → A in a homologous framework B (Scheme 1 ▶)? That is, to what extent are the replacements context independent? Theory is presented for a quantitative evaluation of the context dependence of such sets of exchanged substitutions. The treatment is general and includes single mutations as well as domain swaps and, in principle, may encompass whole-molecule replacements in macromolecular assemblies. This novel approach is illustrated by analyses of three sets of data covering a wide range of chimera sizes: original data for single and double amino acid swaps in the active sites of aspartate (AATase)4 and tyrosine aminotransferases (TATase) that partially dictate dicarboxylic versus aromatic ligand specificity; literature data (Henzl et al. 1998) on quasi domain switching of two Ca+2 binding sites in oncomodulin; and a set of Tat-TAR interactions (Smith et al. 1998) that extend the treatment to macromolecular interaction. Figure 8 Scheme 1. Schematic framework for the analysis of chimeric constructs. Ensembles A and B share sufficient similarity such that functional chimeras can be constructed. Identical substructure(s) (e.g., amino acids, nucleotides, or domains) at a position ...
Extrinsic Photosystem II Carbonic Anhydrase in Maize Mesophyll Chloroplasts

One form of carbonic anhydrase (CA) has been observed in maize ( Zea mays ) thylakoids and photosystem II (PSII)-enriched membranes. Here, we show that an antibody produced against a thylakoid lumen-targeted CA found in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii reacts with a single 33-kD polypeptide in maize thylakoids. With immunoblot analysis, we found that this single polypeptide could be identified only in mesophyll thylakoids and derived PSII membranes, but not in bundle sheath thylakoids. Likewise, a CA activity assay confirmed a large amount of activity in mesophyll, but not in bundle sheath membranes. Immunoblot analysis and CA activity assay showed that the maximum CA can be obtained in the supernatant of the PSII-enriched membranes washed with 1 m CaCl 2 , the same procedure used to remove all extrinsic lumenal proteins from PSII. Because this CA reacts with an antibody to lumen-directed CA in C. reinhardtii , and because it can be removed with 1m CaCl 2 wash, we refer to it tentatively as extrinsic CA. This is to distinguish it from another form of CA activity tightly bound to PSII membranes that remains after CaCl 2 wash, which has been described previously. The function of extrinsic CA is not clear. It is unlikely to have the same function as the cytoplasmic CA, which has been proposed to increase the HCO 3 − concentration for phospho enol pyruvate carboxylase and the C 4 pathway. We suggest that because the extrinsic CA is associated only with thylakoids doing linear electron flow, it could function to produce the CO 2 or HCO 3 − needed for PSII activity.
Expression of KIT (CD117) in Neoplasms of the Head and Neck: An Ancillary Marker for Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is an indolent salivary gland malignancy that is associated with a poor long-term prognosis. The distinction of adenoid cystic carcinoma from other head and neck neoplasms can occasionally be problematic, particularly in small biopsies. Recent studies suggest that KIT (CD117) might be useful as an ancillary marker for adenoid cystic carcinoma; however, the expression of KIT in other benign and malignant head and neck neoplasms, including those that might mimic adenoid cystic carcinoma, has not been well studied. Here we use two different antibodies against KIT to evaluate its expression in a series of 66 adenoid cystic carcinomas compared with its expression in 98 other neoplasms of the head and neck. Overall, 94% (n = 62) of adenoid cystic carcinomas from various anatomic sites and of various histologic subtypes were positive for at least one of the KIT antibodies, and 77% (n = 50) of adenoid cystic carcinoma cases were positive for both antibodies. This contrasted with only 8% (n = 8) of other head and neck neoplasms that were positive for both KIT antibodies (P .05). The overall sensitivity of the two KIT antibodies for adenoid cystic carcinoma was 82–89%, and the specificity was 87–88%. The findings in this study support the potential use of KIT immunoexpression for distinguishing adenoid cystic carcinoma from many other benign and malignant head and neck neoplasms.
Neighborhood Racial-Composition Preferences: Evidence from a Multiethnic Metropolis

America's major urban centers are becoming increasingly multiethnic. Despite this increase in racial and ethnic diversity, extreme Black-White residential segregation remains the common pattern. As one of the most racially, ethnically, and culturally diverse cities in the world—and one of the most residentially segregated—Los Angeles represents the changing face of urban America. A multiracial sample of adults (N = 4025) is employed to examine neighborhood racial composition preferences—an important, individual-level explanation for residential segregation—and address three shortcomings in existing research. First, I assess composition preferences in a multiracial manner with an innovative replication and expansion of the Farley-Schuman showcard methodology used in the 1976 and 1992 Detroit Area studies. Second, I extend analysis of the cause of preferences beyond racial stereotypes to include parenting, homeownership, perceptions of social class difference, and common fate identity. Third, I test, directly, the effects of these factors on preferences for same-race neighbors. Results lend strong support to race-based explanations of preferences. As stereotypes toward out-groups become more negative, preferences for integration decrease; Blacks are consistently perceived in unfavorable terms, and are, consensually, the least preferred out-group neighbors. There is also limited support for so-called class-based explanations of preferences; homeowners prefer fewer Black neighbors. Generally, results suggest both greater resistance to integration with Blacks than previously thought, but more openness to integration than currently exists.
Quantitative Multiprobe PCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection and Identification to Species Level of Bacterial Pathogens

We describe a novel adaptation of the TaqMan PCR assay which potentially allows for highly sensitive detection of any eubacterial species with simultaneous species identification. Our system relies on a unique multiprobe design in which a single set of highly conserved sequences encoded by the 16S rRNA gene serves as the primer pair and is used in combination with both an internal highly conserved sequence, the universal probe, and an internal variable region, the species-specific probe. A pre-PCR ultrafiltration step effectively decontaminates or removes background DNA. The TaqMan system described reliabAly detected 14 common bacterial species with a detection limit of 50 fg. Further, highly sensitive and specific pathogen detection was demonstrated with a prototype species-specific probe designed to detect Staphylococcus aureus. This assay has broad potential in the clinical arena for rapid and specific diagnosis of infectious diseases.
Perceptions of state administrators toward combined alcoholism and drug abuse services

Abstract In an attempt to assess the empirical realities of the emerging efforts to combine drug abuse and alcoholism programming, the administrative directors of the fifty state alcoholism and drug abuse programs were surveyed about their attitudes toward the potential impact of merging these two fields. Grouping the sample of respondents into administrators of combined state programs, administrators of alcoholism-specific state programs, and administrators of drug abuse-specific state programs, the three groups of program administrators were compared in terms of their perceptions of the potential impact of reorganization in six different areas. Generally, there were consistent differences among the groups both in rank and direction; the directors of combined programs see the potential impact of reorganization most favorably, followed by the directors of drug abuse-specific programs, while the directors of alcoholism programs evaluate the potential impact the least favorably.
An enzyme-mediated assay to quantify inoculation volume delivered by suture needlestick injury: two gloves are better than one.

Background Acquiring a blood-borne disease is a risk of performing operations. Most data about seroconversion are based on hollow-bore needlesticks. Some studies have examined the inoculation volumes of pure blood delivered by suture needles. There is a lack of data about the effect of double-gloving on contaminant transmission in less viscous fluids that are not prone to coagulation. Study Design We used enzymatic colorimetry to quantify the volume of inoculation delivered by a suture needle that was coated with an aqueous contaminant. Substrate color change was measured using a microplate reader. Both cutting and tapered suture needles were tested against five different glove types and differing numbers of glove layers (from zero to three). Results One glove layer removed 97% of contaminant from tapered needles and 65% from cutting needles, compared with the no-glove control data. Additional glove layers did not significantly improve contaminant removal from tapered needles (p > 0.05). For the cutting needle, 2 glove layers removed 91% of contaminant, which was significantly better than a single glove (p = 0.002). Three glove layers did not afford statistically significant additional protection (p = 0.122). There were no statistically significant differences between glove types (p = 0.41). Conclusions With an aqueous needle contaminant, a single glove layer removes contaminant from tapered needles as effectively as multiple glove layers. For cutting needles, double-glove layering offers superior protection. There is no advantage to triple-glove layering. A surgeon should double-glove for maximum safety. Additionally, a surgeon should take advantage of other risk-reduction strategies, such as sharps safety, risk management, and use of sharpless instrumentation when possible.
Bringing "engineering forward" to the high schools: one University's experience in starting an engineering summer camp program

The concept of "engineering forward" has proven successful in increasing freshman engineering retention, despite the heavy course loading in mathematics, chemistry and physics, which are typically taught by faculty outside of engineering. Under this doctrine, students are engaged early in their college stay through innovative courses with the aim of establishing an engineering identity. The success of this model can be seen in that most engineering curricula now employ some form of the engineering forward concept. The author, however, contends that the full potential of this approach lies not only with the engineering freshmen but also at the high school level, where a similar set of imposed mandates has shaped the curricular offerings. To address this problem, many universities have instituted an engineering camp. This paper presents a description of the objectives, planning, methodology, administration and statistical results for the Engineering Summer Camps offered at Widener University. Although many engineering camps exist, this paper is intended to relate how one University, with limited resources, was able to meet this challenge.