cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Probing the linearity and nonlinearity in DNA sequences

Abstract In this paper, we apply the principles of information theory that relate to the definition of nonlinear predictability, which is a measure that describes both the linear and nonlinear components of a system. By comparing this measure to a measure of linear predictability, one can assess whether a given system has a strong linear or a strong nonlinear component. This provides insights as to whether the system should be modeled by a nonlinear or a linear model. We apply these ideas to DNA sequences. Our results, which extend previous results on this issue indicate that all DNA sequences (coding and noncoding) exhibit strong nonlinear structure. At the same time the results provide insights to understand DNA structure and possible clues about evolutionary mechanisms.
Lymphatic appearance of DDT in thoracic or mesenteric lymph duct cannulated rats

Abstract Lymphatic absorption studies were conducted in rats using DDT (2,2-bis( P -chlorophenyl)1,1,1-trichloroethane; p,p-DDT) as a lymphatically absorbed model compound. The lymphatic appearance of DDT in either mesenteric or thoracic duct fistulated rats was followed after oral administration of 2 mg DDT in oleic acid (200 μl) per rat or intravenous administration of l mg DDT in Intralipid per rat. For the oral studies, 2 differing protocols were followed that were concerned with evaluating the effect of the timing of lymph duct cannulations on the subsequent lymphatic transport of DDT. The results of the study confirm that the lymphatic route is an important pathway for DDT absorption following oral dosing. Thoracic lymph was found to contain DDT absorbed directly into the lymph via the mesenteric lymph duct, as well as DDT absorbed via other routes, presumably portal blood. Significant amounts of DDT appeared in thoracic lymph following oral administration, even when the mesenteric lymph duct was occluded. Moreover, after intravenous administration, higher quantities of DDT appeared in thoracic lymph (3.6% of dose/24 h) than in mesenteric lymph (0.6% of dose/24 h). It appears, therefore, that collection of thoracic lymph overestimates the extent of direct intestinal lymphatic absorption of DDT after oral administration. The timing of the lymph duct cannulation with respect to the fasted state of the animal appears to effect the rate and extent of lymphatic absorption of orally administered DDT.
Selectivity coefficients for amperometric sensors.

Abstract Selectivity coefficients (k amp ij ) are introduced as well-defined measures of the selectivity of amperometric sensors. For any amperometric device the total current response in the presence of interfering species (j) can be described by the general equation; i t = K (C i + Σk amp ij C j ), where i is the target analyte. Equations are derived for k amp ij under different conditions common in amperometric sensing. Factors influencing the selectivity coefficients of amperometric probes, including the recognition and transduction mechanisms, the controlled-potential operating technique, and the transducer geometry are discussed. The selectivity coefficient strategy is illustrated experimentally with two widely used applications of amperometric devices, the anodic monitoring of dopamine at Nafion-coated electrodes and the biosensing of glucose at glucose-oxidase enzyme probes. It is anticipated that the selectivity coefficient strategy will become widespread in amperometric devices, and for chemical sensors in general, and will not be limited only to potentiometric probes.
The effects of computer-based instruction on college students’ comprehension of classic research

Our purpose in this research was to determine the extent to which computer-based instruction can replace conventional teaching in experimental psychology. In Experiment 1, students from an advanced cognition and thinking course participated in a simulation of Schallert’s (1976) study of the role of context in prose comprehension and in a simulation of Carpenter and Just’s (1975) study of sentence-picture verification latencies. Half of the students completed each experiment with the computer, and half were taught traditionally. Comprehension of the purpose and design of the experiments was tested immediately after the laboratory session and 1 month later during the final examination. There were no significant differences between the groups. Several students in Experiment 1 appeared to rush through the experiments and pay little attention to the explanations. In Experiment 2, we studied the effectiveness of computer-based instruction in experimental laboratory sections that did or did not require a follow-up assignment. The second variable was introduced so that some factor of seriousness or importance of the laboratory exercise could be measured. Results from this study indicated that, regardless of the perceived importance of a laboratory exercise, students who studied classic research in a traditional setting comprehended the purpose and design of the experiment better than did the students who worked on the computer. In addition, the students assigned to write up the experiment performed better than did the students who were given no follow-up assignment.
Danazol for the treatment of thrombocytopenia in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

Thrombocytopenia is a poor prognostic indicator in the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Treatment options for patients with symptomatic thrombocytopenia are limited. Danazol, an attenuated androgen, may have some efficacy in increasing the platelet count of patients with MDS. We retrospectively reviewed 33 patients with primary MDS who were treated with danazol for 6 or more weeks. After 6 weeks on danazol, the mean platelet count increased from 42 x 10(9)/L to 60 x 10(9)/L (P < 0.015), and 25 out of 33 patients (76%) had an increase in their platelet counts. Following 12 weeks of treatment, the mean platelet count increased to 67 x 10(9)/L (P < 0.005), and 21 out of 29 patients (72%) had an increase in their platelet counts. Seven out of nine patients no longer required platelet transfusions because bleeding stopped after 6 weeks on danazol. Mean duration of response was 10 months (range 2-68 months). Responses were seen in all French-American-British (FAB) subtypes and in all International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) scores. Therapy was well tolerated. Danazol may be effective in MDS patients who are thrombocytopenic.
Commensal Careers at Entry into Marriage: Establishing Commensal Units and Managing Commensal Circles:

Commensality is eating with others, and marriages are among the most significant commensal relationships. We collected qualitative data about commensality and entry into marriage from twenty couples using two in-depth interviews, the first at about the time couples entered marriage and the second about one year later. Commensal eating was an important component of the courtship process. Entry into marriage marked a transformation in people's commensal careers in which their marital relationship became their primary commensal unit. Meal commensality varied across the daily cycle: Many spouses skipped breakfast or ate breakfast separately, most ate lunch at work, and dinner was the main commensal meal. Greater marital commensality occurred on weekends than weekdays. Partners managed involvement in extra-marital commensal circles by combining their former eating networks. Kin were major participants in commensal circles, with friends, co-workers, and neighbors also included as eating partners. Overall, commensality was an important component of the way people ‘do marriage’.
Considerations in the hotel taxation process

Abstract This paper is intended to put the notion of hotel taxation into perspective providing a framework of elements which tax experts and hospitality specialists deem important. Included tax elements consist of economic considerations, tax incidence, tax progressivity and equity, and tax exportability. These elements are also examined as part of a process under conditions of inelastic and elastic demand. Finally, a brief discussion of taxation policy implications is provided.
Müllerian adenosarcoma arising from rectal endometriosis.

A Mullerian adenosarcoma is an extremely rare tumor characterized by a stromal component of usually low-grade malignancy and by a benign glandular epithelial component. A Mullerian adenosarcoma occurs mainly in the uterus, but also in extrauterine locations. Extrauterine Mullerian adenosarcomas are thought to arise from endometriotic deposits. A 36-year-old female presented to Daegu Catholic University Medical Center with a symptom of loose stool for several months. The imaging studies revealed a rectal mass, so she underwent a laparoscopic low anterior resection. Although extemporary pathology revealed an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, the final histologic diagnosis was a Mullerian adenosarcoma arising from rectal endometriosis. To our knowledge, except a concomitant rectal villotubular adenoma, cases of Mullerian adenosarcomas arising the rectal wall are rare. An adenosarcoma arising from endometriosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a pelvic mass, even one appearing in rectal wall, because ectopic endometrial tissue exists everywhere.
Preparation and mechanical characterization of a PNIPA hydrogel composite

A poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) hydrogel was synthesized by free radical polymerization and reinforced with a polyurethane foam to make a hydrogel composite. The temperature dependence of the elastic modulus of the PNIPA hydrogel and the composite due to volume phase transition was found using a uniaxial compression test, and the swelling property was investigated using an equilibrium swelling ratio experiment. The gel composite preserves the ability to undergo the volume phase transition and its elastic modulus has strong temperature dependence. The temperature dependence of the elastic modulus and swelling ratio of the gel composite were compared to the PNIPA hydrogel. Not surprisingly, the modulus and swelling ratio of the composite were less dramatic than in the gel.
Inhibition of bcr-abl in human leukemic cells with a coiled-coil protein delivered by a leukemia-specific cell-penetrating Peptide.

The oncoprotein Bcr-Abl is the cause of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).1 Current therapies target the tyrosine kinase domain of Bcr-Abl, but resistance to these drugs is common.2 Bcr-Abl homo-oligomerization via its N-terminal coiled-coil (CC) domain is required for tyrosine kinase activity.3 Our previous work has shown that it is possible to inhibit Bcr-Abl activity by targeting the CC domain with a peptidomemetic known as CCmut3, delivered as a plasmid.4 In this study, CCmut3 is delivered to cells as a protein by utilizing a leukemia-specific cell-penetrating peptide (CPP).5 Here, recombinant CPP-CCmut3 was expressed, purified, and tested for its antioncogenic activity. CPP-CCmut3 was able to enter two leukemic cell lines (K562 and Ba/F3–P210) and inhibit Bcr-Abl activity as shown by induction of necrosis/apoptosis via 7-AAD/Annexin V staining, reduction of oncogenic potential in colony forming assays, reduction of cell proliferation, and inhibition of Bcr-Abl phosphorylation (kinase activity). Further,...
Valuing the storm protection service of estuarine and coastal ecosystems

Abstract Recent concern over the loss of estuarine and coastal ecosystems (ECEs) often focuses on an important service provided by these ecosystems, their role in protecting coastal communities from storms that damage property and cause deaths and injury. Past valuations of this benefit have relied on the second-best replacement cost method, estimating the protective value of ECEs with the cost of building human-made storm barriers. A promising alternative methodological approach to incorporate these factors is using the expected damage function (EDF) method, which requires modeling the production of this protection service of ECEs and estimating its value in terms of reducing the expected damages or deaths avoided by coastal communities. This paper illustrates the EDF approach to value the storm protection service of ECEs, using the example of mangroves in Thailand to compare and contrast the EDF with the replacement cost approach to estimate the protective value of ECEs. In addition, the example of marshes in the US Gulf Coast is employed to show how the EDF approach can be combined with hydrodynamic analysis of simulated hurricane storm surges to determine the economic value of expected property damages reduced through the presence of marsh wetlands and their vegetation along a storm surge path.
The reduced neuropil hypothesis: a circuit based model of schizophrenia

In recent years, quantitative studies of the neuropathology of schizophrenia have reignited interest in the cerebral cortex and focused attention on the cellular and subcellular constituents that may be altered in this disease. Findings have ranged from compromised circuitry in prefrontal areas to outright neuronal loss in temporal and cingulate cortices. Herein, we propose that a reduction in interneuronal neuropil in the prefrontal cortex is a prominent feature of cortical pathology in schizophrenia and review the growing evidence for this view from reports of altered neuronal density and immunohistochemical markers in various cortical regions. The emerging picture of neuropathology in schizophrenia is one of subtle changes in cellular architecture and brain circuity that nonetheless have a devastating impact on cortical function.
Rapid Measurement of Molecular Transport and Interaction inside Living Cells Using Single Plane Illumination

The ability to measure biomolecular dynamics within cells and tissues is very important to understand fundamental physiological processes including cell adhesion, signalling, movement, division or metabolism. Usually, such information is obtained using particle tracking methods or single point fluctuation spectroscopy. We show that image mean square displacement analysis, applied to single plane illumination microscopy data, is a faster and more efficient way of unravelling rapid, three-dimensional molecular transport and interaction within living cells. From a stack of camera images recorded in seconds, the type of dynamics such as free diffusion, flow or binding can be identified and quantified without being limited by current camera frame rates. Also, light exposure levels are very low and the image mean square displacement method does not require calibration of the microscope point spread function. To demonstrate the advantages of our approach, we quantified the dynamics of several different proteins in the cyto- and nucleoplasm of living cells. For example, from a single measurement, we were able to determine the diffusion coefficient of free clathrin molecules as well as the transport velocity of clathrin-coated vesicles involved in endocytosis. Used in conjunction with dual view detection, we further show how protein-protein interactions can be quantified.
A Simple Surface Equation of State for the Phase Transition in Phospholipid Monolayers

Phospholipid monolayers at an oil/water interface are treated as two-dimensional regular solutions made up of three components, namely, singly dispersed phospholipid molecules, clusters of phospholipid molecules, and “empty” sites occupied by water and oil molecules. A simple surface equation of state is derived and used to explain the phase transition that occurs in the monolayer. The equation contains two terms: one is due to the two-dimensional mixing entropy and the other one arises from intermolecular interactions calculated in the nearest-neighbor approximation. The equation reduces to the two-dimensional van der Waals equation of state when no clustering occurs. The temperature-dependent interaction parameter is obtained by fitting the experimental data for 1,2-dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine at relatively large surface areas per molecule. Good agreement with experiment is obtained for 1,2-dimyristoyl (C14), 1,2-dipalmitoyl (C16), 1,2-distearoyl (C18), 1,2-diarachidoyl (C20), and 1,2-dibehenoyl (C...
Mass Transfer Parameters of O2 and N2 in Cyclohexane under Elevated Pressures and Temperatures: A Statistical Approach

The solubility, volumetric mass transfer coefficient, gas−liquid interfacial area, mass transfer coefficient, gas holdup, and bubble Sauter mean diameter for O2 and N2 in liquid cyclohexane were ob...
Lower temperature and orthophosphate control of alkaline phosphatase in a cold-requiring plant

Abstract The elevated activity of alkaline phosphatase observed in roots and shoots of Verbascum rosettes grown in vitro at 15 °C may be the result of a reduced supply of orthophosphate. The rosette reveals greater activities of this enzyme under conditions of lower external phosphate or chilling temperature. Either of these treatments gives lower amounts of endogenous phosphate. The stimulation of phosphatase in tissues having lower levels of phosphate is thus a possible feature of other plant species which also display freezing tolerance.
The reluctance to transmit bad news: private discomfort or public display?

Abstract People are reluctant to transmit bad news. In the current article, we note two explanations for this so-called MUM effect. One explanation attributes the reluctance to intrapsychic discomfort; a second characterizes the reluctance as a self-presentation. In a study designed to assess the explanations, subjects must tell a peer that the peer has either succeeded or failed at an intelligence test. Subjects who believe that they are visible to the peer take twice as long to deliver failure feedback as success feedback; those who believe that they are visible to no one deliver success and failure feedback with equal speed. These results imply that the reluctance to transmit bad news is a self-presentational display, not a product of intrapsychic discomfort.
Measured transverse-axis dosimetric parameters of the model STM1251 125I interstitial source

The recent popularity of permanent implants for treatment of prostate cancer has created a large demand for low energy seed sources. Vendors have introduced new source designs to meet this demand. The AAPM has recommended that all low energy interstitial brachytherapy seed sources be subjected to independent dosimetric evaluations, preferably using experimental measurements as well as Monte Carlo calculations. This work presents the results of Thermo-Luminescence Dosimeter (TLD) measurements of dosimetric parameters on the transverse axis of a new 125I seed source, the Source Tech Medical STM1251 125I seed. Experimental measurements were performed in a Solid Water phantom, with the results corrected to values for liquid water using Monte Carlo calculated correction factors. The parameters measured include the dose rate constant and values of the radial dose function at distances of 0.5 cm through 5 cm. The measured dose rate constant in liquid water for the STM1251 125I seed was 1.039 cGy/U-hr. Measured radial dose function values agreed with Monte Carlo calculated ones to within 10. These measurements therefore confirm the modeling and simulation of Monte Carlo calculations for this 125I source design, within the statistical uncertainties of the calculation and measurement techniques. 2002 American College of Medical Physics.
Effect of the Poly(Methyl Methacrylate) Molecular Weight on the Mechanical Properties BisGMA/TEGDMA Semi-interpenetrating Polymer Networks

Abstract The effect of poly(methyl methacrylate) [PMMA], with different molecular weights on the mechanical properties of a polymerized BisGMA/TEGDMA base monomer resin was investigated. With the aid of acetone solvent, PMMA could be readily dissolved in BisGMA/TEGDMA mixtures. The addition of PMMA can significantly improve the compressive strengths and decrease the Knoop hardness values of the BisGMA/TEGDMA/PMMA semi-IPNs. The thermal expansion coefficients rapidly increased before Tg, and decreased after T g. The observed properties could be attributed to the effect of the molecular weight of the PMMA on the phase structures of the semi-IPNs.
The Effect of Ethoxyquin and Vitamin E Supplementation on the Display Life of Beef Steaks

: Steaks from cattle supplemented with 150 ppm ethoxyquin, an antioxidant, plus 150 or 250 IU of vitamin E per day, or 500 IU of vitamin E per day were evaluated for display life versus control steaks. Readings of a* indicated supplementation with vitamin E with or without ethoxyquin increased the display life of steaks compared with the controls. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were measured following 0, 3, and 7 d of retail display. All treatments had similar TBARS values on Day 0. On Days 3 and 7 control steaks had more lipid oxidation than the other treatments, with 500 IU of vitamin E having the least amount of oxidation. These data indicate supplementation with vitamin E improved the display life of steaks with no apparent interaction between vitamin E and ethoxyquin.
The role of oxidized lipoproteins in atherogenesis

This article reviews our current understanding of the mechanisms of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and the potential role of oxidized lipoproteins in atherosclerosis. Studies in hypercholesterolemic animal models indicate that oxidation of LDL is likely to play an important role in atherogenesis. Epidemiological investigations further suggest that the dietary intake of antioxidants is inversely associated with the risk of vascular disease, suggesting that oxidized LDL may be important in human atherosclerosis. By activating inflammatory events, oxidized lipoproteins may contribute to all stages of the atherosclerotic process. Lipoprotein oxidation is promoted by several different systems in vitro, including free and protein-bound metal ions, thiols, reactive oxygen intermediates, lipoxygenase, peroxynitrite, and myeloperoxidase. Intracellular proteins that bind iron or regulate iron metabolism might also play an important role. The physiologically relevant pathways have yet to be identified, however. We assess recent findings on the effects of antioxidants in vivo and suggest potential strategies for inhibiting oxidation in the vessel wall.
Engineering Education Is Meeting the Challenge

By introducing new courses and new methods of instruction, engineering education is meeting the challenge of industry to teach engineers how to solve problems involving economic and social as well as engineering aspects. A few of the steps already taken or contemplated in this direction by several leading engineering colleges are outlined in this paper.
Topsoil Seed Bank of an Oak–Hickory Forest in Eastern Kentucky as a Restoration Tool on Surface Mines

Typical reclamation practices in the central Appalachian coal region often use compacted spoils as a topsoil replacement, and these soils are revegetated with aggressive grasses and legumes. This restoration approach results in an herbaceous-dominated landscape with limited natural succession by native flora. An alternative restoration method is to save topsoil prior to mining, stockpile it during mining, and then replace it on uncompacted spoils to “inoculate” the site with native plant species. In an effort to test this approach, vegetation assessments were performed at a relatively undisturbed forested site in Clay County, Kentucky, U.S.A. Eight 15 × 15–m plots were established, and soils from individual plots were used in seed bank studies both in the greenhouse and on loose-dumped mine spoils. Bulk soil samples were removed from the plots and subjected to cold stratification for 13 weeks, after which seeds were allowed to germinate under greenhouse conditions for 1 year. Additional topsoil (approximately 1.5 m3 from the upper 0–20 cm) was removed from the plots and replaced on fresh spoil in eight 2 × 5–m plots. Controls consisted of uncompacted spoil material substrate only. A total of 105 species emerged in the greenhouse from the seed bank. On the relocated topsoil, 69 species were recorded of which 39 were also observed in pre-mine vegetation surveys. Ten of the 17 most important pre-mine forested site species emerged from the relocated topsoil treatments on the mine site. Our results indicate that application of topsoil could enhance plant diversity and native species reestablishment on surface-mined lands.
Synergistic Interactions between Habitat Fragmentation and Fire in Evergreen Tropical Forests

: The growing prevalence of fragmentation and fire in tropical forests makes it imperative to quantify changes in these disturbances and to understand the ways in which they interact across the landscape. I used a multitemporal series of Landsat images to study the incidence and coincidence of fire and fragmentation in two areas of Para state in the eastern Brazilian Amazon: Tailândia and Paragominase. In both areas, deforestation and forest fires were quantified for time series of 6–10 years. The Tailândia study area typifies a landscape with the herringbone pattern of government-settled colonists, and the Paragominas area is dominated by large cattle ranches. In both areas, over 90% of the forests affected by fire were associated with forest edges. Although most burned forest occurred within 500 m of forest edges, some fires occurred in deep forest, several kilometers from any edge. The obvious synergism between forest fragmentation and fire poses serious risks to tropical ecosystems and has important implications for land management. Resumen: La creciente prevalencia de la fragmentacion y los incendios en bosques tropicales hacen imprescindible cuantificar los cambios en estas perturbaciones y entender las formas en las que estos interactuan a lo largo del paisaje. Utilice series multitemporales de imagenes de Landsat para estudiar la incidencia de incendios y la coincidencia de estos con la fragmentacion en dos areas del Estado de Para en la Amazonia Brasilena del Este: Tailâ·ndia y Paragominase. En ambas areas, la deforestacion y los incendios forestales fueron cuantificados para series de tiempos de 6–10 anos. El area de estudio de Tailâ·ndia tipifica un paisaje con un patron de ‘hueso de arenque’ poblado por colonizadores establecidos por el gobierno, mientras que el area de Paragominas esta dominada por establecimientos ganaderos grandes. En ambas areas, mas del 90% de los bosques afectados por incendios estuvieron asociados con los bordes del bosque. Aunque la mayoria de los bosques quemados se encontraban a menos de 500 m de la orilla del borde, algunos incendios ocurrieron en la profundidad del bosque, a varios kilometros adentro de cualquier borde. El sinergismo obvio entre la fragmentacion del bosque y los incendios presenta serios riesgos para los ecosistemas tropicales y tiene implicaciones importantes para el manejo de la tierra.
Effect of hydration state on the frictional properties of montmorillonite-based fault gouge

[1] We report on laboratory experiments examining the effect of hydration state on the frictional properties of simulated clay and quartz fault gouge. We tested four mixtures of Ca-montmorillonite and quartz (100, 70, 50, and 30% montmorillonite) at four hydration states: dry ( 16.0 wt% water). We controlled the hydration state using either oven drying (for 13 wt% H2O under conditions of controlled relative humidity). For each clay/quartz mixture and hydration state, we measured frictional properties over a range of normal stresses (5–100 MPa) and sliding velocities (1–300 μm/s). We observe a systematic decrease in the coefficient of friction (μ) with increasing water content, normal stress, and clay content. Values of μ for 50/50 mixtures range from 0.57 to 0.64 dry and decrease to 0.21–0.55 for the most hydrated cases (wet). For layers of 100% montmorillonite, μ ranges from 0.41–0.62 dry to 0.03–0.29 wet. As water content is increased from 0 to 20.0 wt%, the friction rate parameter a-b becomes increasingly positive. Variation in a-b values decreases dramatically as normal stress increases. If our experimental results can be applied to natural fault gouge, the combination of stress state, hydration state, and quartz content that facilitates unstable fault behavior implies that the onset of shallow seismicity in subduction zones is more complicated than a simple transition from smectite to illite.
Prevalence of Communication Disorders in Students with Learning Disabilities

The prevalence of communication disorders in a population of 242 children with learning disabilities between 8 and 12 years of age enrolled in a school system in Alabama was studied. The prevalence of articulation, language, voice, fluency, and hearing disorders was determined through an individual assessment program. A speech, language, or hearing problem was exhibited by 96.2% (233) of the 242 children studied. Language deficits were found in 90.5%, articulation deficits in 23.5%, voice disorders in 12%, and fluency disorders in 1.2% of the students with learning disabilities. Puretone hearing deficits were observed in 7.4% and middle ear function deficits were observed in 15.7% of the students. Only 6% of the children were receiving the services of a speech-language pathologist.
Activity of dentate granule cells during learning: Differentiation of perforant path input

Experiments were conducted which extended previous findings regarding the activity of the perforant path and its synaptic relationship to the granule cells of the dentate gyrus during conditioning. A differential conditioning paradigm was utilized in which rats were trained to respond to one of two different tone frequencies. Results demonstrated that (1) tone elicited averaged evoked potentials recorded from the perforant path terminal zone in the outer molecular layer of the dentate gyrus were similar for both the positive and negative tones regardless of frequency or reversal of the reinforcement condition; (2) extracellular unit discharge patterns of dentate granule cells were differentially associated with the positive and negative tones as demonstrated by post stimulus histograms (PSHs); (3) this differential pattern of unit discharges could be reversed following establishment of criterion differential behavioral responding after reversal of the reinforcement contingency between the two tone stimuli and (4) the differential unit discharge pattern was not present when behavioral responding was not differentiated to the two tone stimuli, e.g., immediately following reversal of the reinforcement contingency. The results are discussed within the context of other anatomically defined functional circuits within the hippocampus which could serve as the basis for alteration of the non differentiated excitatory perforant path input into a differential dentate granule cell discharge pattern for behaviorally relevant sensory stimuli.
Anisotropic constitutive equations and schur's lemma

Abstract The symmetry properties of a material impose restrictions on the form of the constitutive expressions employed to describe the response of the material. We employ the methods of group representation theory and Schur's lemma to obtain the general form of the constitutive expression which is consistent with the restrictions imposed by material symmetry.
Teaching from classic papers: Hill's model of muscle contraction

A. V. Hill's 1938 paper “The heat of shortening and the dynamic constants of muscle” is an enduring classic, presenting detailed methods, meticulous experiments, and the model of muscle contraction that now bears Hill's name. Pairing a simulation based on Hill's model with a reading of his paper allows students to follow his thought process to discover key principles of muscle physiology and gain insight into how to develop quantitative models of physiological processes. In this article, the experience of the author using this approach in a graduate biomedical engineering course is outlined, along with suggestions for adapting this approach to other audiences.
Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module for Depressed Mood: A Preliminary Investigation of Treatment-Related Effects

Positive affective functioning (PAF) is critical to the development, course and treatment of depressive symptoms. Targeting key features of PAF during treatment may provide a new angle through which to improve affective functioning and reduce symptoms. The current study was a treatment development trial for the Positive Affect Stimulation and Sustainment (PASS) Module. PASS is conceptualized as a means of capitalizing on positive events (e.g., planned through behavioral activation) by enhancing and sustaining positive affective states through savoring, and establishing positive attributions and expectancies. Participants were 27 female college students with dysphoric symptoms. There was a moderate effect of PASS on depressive symptoms. There was also a significant within session increase in positive affect from pre to post session among the PASS group, relative to active control; and a significant decrease in positive affect from pre (baseline) to post (follow-up) treatment among the control group, relative to PASS. Results provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy of the treatment module among young adults with depressed mood, and lay the foundation for future research.
Sex differences in the relation between math performance, spatial skills, and attitudes

Abstract Sex differences have been previously found in cognitive and affective predictors of math achievement, including spatial skills and math attitudes. It is important to determine whether there are sex differences not only in the predictors themselves, but also in the nature of their relation to math achievement. The present paper examined spatial skills and math attitudes as predictors of curriculum-based measures of math performance in middle-school students, specifically comparing the patterns of these predictive relations for boys and girls. The results of the current study showed that, despite similar levels of math performance for boys and girls, the significance of particular predictors varied as a function of sex. Specifically, spatial skills predicted math performance in boys, but not in girls. We suggest that sex differences in spatial reasoning in conjunction with the differential involvement of spatial reasoning in math problem solving may lead to later sex differences in math outcomes.
Internal coordinate formulation for the vibration‐rotation energies of polyatomic molecules. III. Tetrahedral and octahedral spherical top moleculesa)

The theory of vibration‐rotation interactions in tetrahedral and octahedral spherical top molecules has been developed using curvilinear internal coordinates for the vibrational degrees of freedom. Integral to the development has been a derivation of the vibrational kinetic energy for configurations away from equilibrium when redundant coordinates are present in the symmetry coordinate basis. General expressions for the inertial coefficients, Coriolis coupling coefficients, and vibrational kinetic energy anharmonicity coefficients have been derived for both the tetrahedral and octahedral molecules. A Van Vleck transformation is used to obtain both the diagonal and off‐diagonal theoretical vibration‐rotation and vibration anharmonic spectroscopic coefficients to second order. Comparisons with the earlier work on methane by Gray and Robiette are good. Application is made in the partial determination of the anharmonic potential energy coefficients for SF6 and CF4. As has been found in our previous work, the ...
Chest Dimensions in Young Adults with Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Chest dimensions measured from standard chest roentgenograms of 46 young adult patients with pneumothorax were compared with measurements from an age- and sex-matched control group. The ratio of men to women was 3:1. On the average, the male patients had longer chests and greater height-to-width ratios than the controls. The only significant difference between female groups was a diminished anteroposterior diameter in the patients with pneumothorax. The study suggests that the physical shape of the chest, probably because of stress distribution in the lungs, can play a major role in the development of spontaneous pneumothorax.
Biodiversity and ecosystem informatics

The field of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Informatics (BDEI) brings together computer scientists, biologists, natural resource managers, and others who wish to solve real-world challenges while advancing the underlying ecological, computer, and information sciences. The potential for synergies among these disciplines is high, because our need to understand complex, ecosystem-scale processes requires the solution to many groundbreaking technological problems. Fortunately, we are beginning to see increased support for applied computer science and information technology research in the context of environmental problem-solving. In July, 2001, the National Science Foundation (NSF), in collaboration with the United States Geological Survey (USGS), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), invited proposals for high-risk, small-scale planning and incubation activities to catalyze innovation and rapid advances in this new research community. The papers included in this special issue are selected, peer-reviewed summaries from principal investigators involved in this first NSF BDEI effort. These papers provide an overview of this emerging area and remind us that computer and information science and engineering play a crucial role in creating the technologies from which advances in the natural sciences evolve.
Tumor angiogenesis in primary and metastatic colorectal cancers

PURPOSE: Angiogenesis is needed to sustain growth of both primary and metastatic lesions; however, comparisons in microvessel density between a primary tumor and its metastases have not been widely performed. We studied microvessel density in primary colorectal cancers and their liver metastases. METHODS: Sections from 32 primary lesions and 53 hepatic metastases were immunostained with a monoclonal antibody for von Willebrand's factor, an endothelial cell marker. Blood vessels were quantified under X 100 magnification using both conventional light microscopy and computer-assisted image analysis. Primary and metastatic angiogenesis scores (AS),i.e.,vessel counts, were analyzed with respect to tumor size, hepatic multicentricity, synchronicity, resectability, and patient survival. Using computer-assisted calculations, the same analyses were performed using blood vessel to tumor surface area ratios, vessel wall thickness, and intensity of immunostaining. RESULTS: Angiogenesis scores were significantly lower in metastatic lesions compared with their primary tumors (P<0.0001). Primary AS did not correlate with metastatic tumor size, resectability, multicentricity, or patient survival. Metastatic AS strongly predicted patient survival (P<0.0009) but with a negative coefficient,i.e.,higher scores were associated with improved survival. Metastatic AS were higher in resectable than in nonresectable metastases and in solitary than in multiple metastases; however, these trends were not statistically significant. Metachronous liver lesions had significantly higher angiogenesis scores than synchronous metastases (P<0.04). Similar trends were seen using computer-assisted image analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that in presence of an established metastasis, there is a weak angiogenic relationship between a primary tumor and its metastasis. Heterogeneity in metastatic lesions cannot be explained solely by studying angiogenesis in primary tumors. Microvessel density in a primary tumor may not be useful as an independent prognostic indicator in late stages of disease. In such cases, assessment of microvessel density in a metastatic tumor whenever possible may be an indicator of prognosis.
Investigator-initiated, open-label trial of ustekinumab for the treatment of moderate-to-severe palmoplantar psoriasis.

Abstract Background: Palmoplantar psoriasis is a variant of psoriasis resistant to many forms of treatment. Methods: Twenty subjects with moderate-to-severe psoriasis of the palms and soles, 50% with pustules at baseline, were treated with ustekinumab at weeks 0, 4, and 16. All subjects had previously failed topical corticosteroids. Dosing was 45 mg subcutaneously for subjects weighing <100 kg and 90 mg for subjects weighing ≥100 kg. The primary endpoint was the percent of subjects achieving clinical clearance at week 16, defined as Palm–Sole Physician's Global Assessment ≤1. The study received Tufts Medical Center IRB approval. Results:After 16 weeks of treatment, 35% (7/20) of subjects achieved clinical clearance. Sixty percent (12/20) improved two or more points on the Palm–Sole Physician's Global Assessment scale. Sixty-seven percent (6/9) of those receiving the 90 mg ustekinumab dose achieved clinical clearance compared with nine percent (1/11) receiving 45 mg (p = 0.02). At 24 weeks, mean values sho...
Influence of commonly recorded variables on weaning weight of lambs — A necessary consideration before assessing the effects of subclinical disease on production

Abstract Data from a commercial sheep enterprise were used to derive correction factors to be applied to 120-day lamb weaning weights. These correction factors made use of information on lamb sex, weaning age, birth and rearing status, and age of dam. The factors obtained were compared with commonly used standard factors, and there was enough difference to justify development of within flock factors.
The Revised Naturalization Exam and Chinese Immigrants in the United States: Key Issues for Social Workers

In 2008, the United States government increased the importance of standardized English in the naturalization process. Using semistructured interviews, surveys, and participant observation data, this article explores language barriers to naturalization through a Chinese immigrant community in Southern California. As part of the nation’s fastest-growing racial group in the United States, Chinese immigrants are a significant piece of the immigration and naturalization picture. Recommendations for culturally responsive strategies for social workers are discussed. Since Chinese immigrants tend to underutilize services, social workers may play a central role in assisting immigrants through the naturalization process and thus accessing social services available to citizens.
M / G / c queueing systems with multiple customer classes: characterization and control of achievable performance under nonpreemptive priority rules

This paper considers an M/G/c queueing system serving a finite number J of distinct customer classes. Performance of the system, as measured by the vector of steady-state expected waiting times of the customer classes the performance vector, may be controlled by adopting an appropriate priority discipline. We show that the performance space, the set of performance vectors which are achievable under some nonpreemptive work conserving priority rule, is a polyhedron described by 2J-1 inequalities. The special polymatroidal structure of this polyhedron, nevertheless, allows for efficient OJ2 log J procedures to minimize any convex separable function of the performance vector. Linear objectives are shown to be minimized by absolute priority rules, thus generalizing a well-known result for M/G/1 systems. We also show that each point in the performance space may be achieved by a unique, generalized dynamic priority rule, specified by J-1 parameters, which may be determined by the recursive solution of J-1 single variable quadratic equations. This class of rules contains the absolute priority rules and the pure dynamic rules as special cases. Our results are accurate up to one, extremely accurate, approximation and completely exact for M/G/1 and M/M/c systems as well as in heavy traffic.
Spatial and temporal variability of outdoor coarse particulate matter mass concentrations measured with a new coarse particle sampler during the Detroit Exposure and Aerosol Research Study

The Detroit Exposure and Aerosol Research Study (DEARS) provided data to compare outdoor residential coarse particulate matter (PM10–2.5) concentrations in six different areas of Detroit with data from a central monitoring site. Daily and seasonal influences on the spatial distribution of PM10–2.5 during Summer 2006 and Winter 2007 were investigated using data collected with the newly developed coarse particle exposure monitor (CPEM). These data allowed the representativeness of the community monitoring site to be assessed for the greater Detroit metro area. Multiple CPEMs collocated with a dichotomous sampler determined the precision and accuracy of the CPEM PM10–2.5 and PM2.5 data. CPEM PM2.5 concentrations agreed well with the dichotomous sampler data. The slope was 0.97 and the R2 was 0.91. CPEM concentrations had an average 23% negative bias and R2 of 0.81. The directional nature of the CPEM sampling efficiency due to bluff body effects probably caused the negative CPEM concentration bias. PM10–2.5 was observed to vary spatially and temporally across Detroit, reflecting the seasonal impact of local sources. Summer PM10–2.5 was 5 μg m−3 higher in the two industrial areas near downtown than the average concentrations in other areas of Detroit. An area impacted by vehicular traffic had concentrations 8 μg m−3 higher than the average concentrations in other parts of Detroit in the winter due to the suspected suspension of road salt. PM10–2.5 Pearson Correlation Coefficients between monitoring locations varied from 0.03 to 0.76. All summer PM10–2.5 correlations were greater than 0.28 and statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). Winter PM10–2.5 correlations greater than 0.33 were statistically significant (p-value < 0.05). The PM10–2.5 correlations found to be insignificant were associated with the area impacted by mobile sources during the winter. The suspected suspension of road salt from the Southfield Freeway, combined with a very stable atmosphere, caused concentrations to be greater in this area compared to other areas of Detroit. These findings indicated that PM10–2.5, although correlated in some instances, varies sufficiently across a complex urban airshed that that a central monitoring site may not adequately represent the population's exposure to PM10–2.5.
Effect of once weekly treatment with 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine on schedule-controlled behavior in rats

The present study examined the effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), before and after once a week dosing, on the behavior of rats responding under a fixed ratio 20 schedule of reinforcement. Acutely, cumulative doses of MDMA dose-dependently decreased responding when compared to a series of water injections. Rats were then separated into two groups, one of which received only weekly MDMA ('paired') while the other received an additional injection of water each week ('unpaired'). Weekly dosing with MDMA resulted in significantly increased responding at low doses in the paired group but not in the unpaired group. When water injections were readministered there was a significant increase in responding in both groups. During the weekly regimen, locomotor activity also increased significantly over time after both water and MDMA injections. In conclusion, it appears that even weekly dosing with a small amount of MDMA can have long-lasting effects that are manifested in both operant and spontaneous behavior and that may be mediated by a conditioning mechanism.
Student Achievement and Preparation Program Accountability: A Study of Optional Approaches

Accrediting entities, the U.S. Department of Education, and policy makers in a number of states are advocating for teacher education accountability by linking students' performance on state-standardized tests to their teacher and the entity that prepared that teacher. Using student-level test data linked to new teachers and experienced teachers in the same school, the authors explored a number of different ways to organize, analyze, and interpret the findings relative to criteria emerging from current accountability systems for teacher education programs. Among the approaches, the authors introduce a model based on a construct of performance parity and discuss its implications for policy and teacher education programs within the context of today's climate of accountability.