cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Irreversible Binding of cis-(+)-3-Methylfentanyl Isothiocyanate to the δ Opioid Receptor and Determination of Its Binding Domain (∗)

Binding of cis-(+)-3-methylfentanyl isothiocyanate (SUPERFIT) to cloned opioid receptors stably expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells was characterized. SUPERFIT inhibited [3H]diprenorphine binding with much higher affinity for the delta than the mu or kappa receptor. Pretreatment with SUPERFIT followed by extensive washing reduced delta binding with an IC50 value of 7.1 nM, yet it did not affect mu and kappa binding up to 0.1 microns. The reduction in delta binding by SUPERFIT pretreatment was due to a decrease in Bmax with no change in Kd. These results indicate that SUPERFIT is a highly selective delta irreversible ligand. We then determined the region in the delta receptor that confered binding selectivity for SUPERFIT by examining its binding to six mu/delta chimeric receptors. SUPERFIT bound to delta, mu/delta 1 (amino acids mu 1-94/delta 76-372), delta/mu 3 (delta 1-134/mu 154-398), and delta/mu 4 (delta 1-187/mu 207-398) receptors with high affinity but to mu, delta/mu 1 (delta 1-75/mu 95-398), mu/delta 3 (mu 1-153/delta 135-372), and mu/delta 4 (mu 1-206/delta 188-372) receptors with low affinity. Pretreatment with SUPERFIT potently inhibited [3H]diprenorphine binding to delta, mu/delta 1, delta/mu 3, and delta/mu 4 but affected binding to mu, delta/mu 1, mu/delta 3, and mu/delta 4 only at much higher concentrations. Thus, the segment from the beginning of the first intracellular loop to the middle of the third transmembrane helix of the delta receptor is important for selective binding of SUPERFIT.
Gβγ-mediated Prostacyclin Production and cAMP-dependent Protein Kinase Activation by Endothelin-1 Promotes Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Hypertrophy through Inhibition of Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3

Endothelin-1 (ET1) is a vasoactive peptide that stimulates hypertrophy of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) through diverse signaling pathways mediated by G(q)/G(i)/G(13) heterotrimeric G proteins. We have found that ET1 stimulates the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) in VSMC as profoundly as the G(s)-linked beta-adrenergic agonist, isoproterenol (ISO), but in a transient manner. PKA activation by ET1 was mediated by type-A ET1 receptors (ETA) and recruited an autocrine signaling mechanism distinct from that of ISO, involving G(i)-coupled betagamma subunits of heterotrimeric G proteins, extracellular signal-regulated kinases ERK1/2, cyclooxygenase COX-1 (but not COX-2) and prostacyclin receptors. In the functional studies, inhibition of PKA or COX-1 attenuated ET1-induced VSMC hypertrophy, suggesting the positive role of PKA in this response to ET1. Furthermore, we found that ET1 stimulates a Gbetagamma-mediated, PKA-dependent phosphorylation and inactivation of glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3), an enzyme that regulates cell growth. Together, this study describes that (i) PKA can be transiently activated by G(i)-coupled agonists such as ET1 by an autocrine mechanism involving Gbetagamma/calcium/ERK/COX-1/prostacyclin signaling, and (ii) this PKA activation promotes VSMC hypertrophy, at least in part, through PKA-dependent phosphorylation and inhibition of GSK3.
Banner-tailed kangaroo rat burrow mounds and desert grassland habitats

Abstract In this study, the density of banner-tailed kangaroo rat ( Dipodomys spectabilis ) mounds across a range of habitat types near Las Cruces, New Mexico was determined. Mound density varied four-fold between sites. Mound, vegetation and soil characteristics that might explain mound density variation were examined. Mounds influenced vegetation and soil characteristics by altering plant cover, and this effect varied between sites. Mound density, and soil and vegetation characteristics varied substantially between sites, but the two types of variation were not strongly related. Soil particles > -032 mm diameter tended to correlate positively with mound density. Banner-tailed kangaroo rat density, measured as mound density, may be positively associated with abundance of annual grasses and forbs.
Effect of time to infusion of autologous stem cells (24 vs. 48 h) after high-dose melphalan in patients with multiple myeloma.

High-dose melphalan (HD-Mel) is considered the current standard of care among the preparative regimens used in autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (SCT) for multiple myeloma (MM), but optimal time and schedule of administration is not defined. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes and toxicities of HD-Mel administered on day -2 vs. day -1 before autologous stem cells infusion. A total of 138 consecutive MM patients treated at Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute between 2007 and 2010 were included in this study. No difference in time to hematopoietic recovery, common SCT-related toxicities, and clinical outcomes was seen between patients who received HD-Mel on day -2 (group A, n = 47), and those who received it on day -1 (group B, n = 91). Prompt and full hematopoietic recovery occurred even when stem cells were infused between 8 and 24 h after completion of chemotherapy. In the absence of prospective and randomized data, we conclude that a single I.V. infusion of HD-Mel on day -1 is a safe and effective practice, and the so-called 'day of rest' before the transplant appears not to be necessary.
Acquisition information spectrum for evaluating sonographic quality

We are developing a first-principles task-based approach to the optimal design and evaluation of ultrasonic imaging systems. Examining five clinical features related to breast lesion diagnosis, we quantified information flow at several stages in the image formation process. We found that the diagnostic performance of a given system configuration will vary with the patient feature, sometimes significantly. Our analysis expresses diagnostic performance of an imaging system for a specific clinical task as a function of patient properties that are separable from instrument properties. Hence it is possible to show how image quality metrics, like spatial and contrast resolution, combine with patient features to determine feature discriminability. In this paper, we describe an information theoretic approach to diagnostic performance evaluation that has given us a new quantity, the acquisition information spectrum (AIS). Like NEQ in radiography, AIS in sonography provides a foundation for medical ultrasonic imaging system design.
How Many Orai's Does It Take to Make a CRAC Channel?

CRAC (Calcium Release-Activated Calcium) channels represent the primary pathway for so-called “store-operated calcium entry” – the cellular entry of calcium induced by depletion of intracellular calcium stores. These channels play a key role in diverse cellular activities, most noticeably in the differentiation and activation of Tcells and in the response of mast cells to inflammatory signals. CRAC channels are formed by members of the recently discovered Orai protein family, with previous studies indicating that the functional channel is formed by a tetramer of Orai subunits. However, a recent report has shown that crystals obtained from the purified Drosophila Orai protein display a hexameric channel structure. Here, by comparing the biophysical properties of concatenated hexameric and tetrameric human Orai1 channels expressed in HEK293 cells, we show that the tetrameric channel displays the highly calcium-selective conductance properties consistent with endogenous CRAC channels, whilst the hexameric construct forms an essentially non-selective cation channel.
Evidence for the existence of multipotential lympho-hematopoietic stem cells in the adult rat†

Rats were given near-lethal doses of x-ray to produce clones of hemic cells marked by radiation-induced chromosome abnormalities. Subsequently, bone marrow from these rats was injected into lethally irradiated mice to form erythropoietic spleen colonies; and peripheral blood lymphocytes from the same rats were stimulated to proliferate in a mixed lymphocyte interaction (MLI), an immunological response to histocompatibility isoantigens. Chromosome markers indicated that in several instances the cells of an erythroid spleen colony and a proportion of the lymphocytes reacting in the MLI were progeny of the same stem cell in the donor rat. In addition, lymphocytes of the same radiation-marked clone were shown to proliferate in response to several different histocompatibility isoantigens. The data indicate the presence in the adult rat of a primitive lymphohematopoietic stem cell capable of yielding both erythroid and lymphoid progeny. The findings also suggest that immunological specificity is determined during lymphoid differentiation, subsequent to the stem cell stage.
Growth inhibition of androgen-insensitive human prostate carcinoma cells by a 19-norsteroid derivative agent, mifepristone

Mifepristone, also known as RU 486, is a 19-norsteroid derivative. Currently, mifepristone is being tested in clinical trials on meningioma and breast cancer. In this study we analyzed whether mifepristone could inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells including androgen-insensitive (PC-3 and DU145) and androgen-sensitive (LNCaP) cell lines. At 1-nM concentration, mifepristone exhibited a marginal stimulatory action on LN-CaP and PC-3 cells. Nevertheless, a dose-dependent growth inhibition on those same cell lines was observed at concentrations of 1 microM and 10 microM. Twenty-day exposure to the clinically achievable concentration of 1 microM mifepristone resulted in consistent inhibition of all three cell lines studied. Furthermore, this in vitro growth inhibition was reflected in an in vivo nude mouse system. Mifepristone at the dosage of 4 mg/100 g body weight completely suppressed the growth of PC-3 tumors for 21 days, although this was followed by a growth rate similar to that of the control tumor. To understand the possible mechanism of mifepristone inhibition, PC-3 cells were exposed to mifepristone in comparison with dexamethasone (Dex), progesterone, and 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), each at 1-microM concentration. The results demonstrated that while both DHT and Dex alone had essentially no effect on cell growth, progesterone alone resulted in a 20% growth inhibition, while mifepristone had more than 60% inhibition with a 16-day exposure. At an equal concentration, the degree of growth inhibition of PC-3 cells by mifepristone or progesterone was partially diminished by simultaneous exposure to Dex. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that the growth of androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cells can be directly inhibited by mifepristone in cultures. This in vitro inhibition is reflected in xenografted tumors.
Behavioral management training for families of emotionally handicapped and/or developmentally delayed children.

A major deficit exists in the delivery of mental health services to developmentally delayed and/or emotionally handicapped children and their families. Individuals well seasoned in child psychiatry and related fields recognize that it is impossible to effectively treat children and maintain behavioral gains without family involvement and follow-up. Unfortunately, statistics suggest that most treatment of developmentally delayed/emotionally handicapped children focuses only on the child.The incorporation of family members in the treatment process is essential and can be accomplished by teaching families to use basic behavioral management prinicples. Psychiatric clinical nurse specialists, and other nurses proficient in behavior management, can provide the training and intervention needed to assist families in managing the children.Nurses at the Children's Mental Health Unit (CMHU), University of Florida have developed a family training program to help meet the needs of families who must interact regularly ...
Protein Design Provides Lead(II) Ion Biosensors for Imaging Molecular Fluxes around Red Blood Cells

Metalloprotein design and semiconductor nanoparticles have been combined to generate a reagent for selective fluorescence imaging of Pb2+ ions in the presence red blood cells. A biosensor system based on semiconductor nanoparticles provides the photonic properties for small molecule measurement in and around red blood cells. Metalloprotein design was used to generate a Pb2+ ion selective receptor from a protein that is structurally homologous to a protein used previously in this biosensing system. Parameters for the Pb2+ ion binding site were derived from crystallographic structures of low molecular weight Pb2+ ion complexes that contain a stereoactive lone pair. When the designed protein was produced and attached to ZnS-coated CdSe nanoparticles, two Pb(NO3)2-associated binding events were observed (2-fold emission decrease; KA1 = 1 × 109 M−1; KA2 = 3.5 × 106 M−1). The fluorescence response had a 100 pM Pb(NO3)2 detection limit, while no response was observed with Ca2+ ions (10 mM), Zn2+ ions (100 μM), o...
The Influence of Maternal Body Mass Index on Myometrial Oxytocin Receptor Expression in Pregnancy

Obese pregnant women have higher rates of dysfunctional labor patterns, need for oxytocin augmentation, labor induction, postdates pregnancy, and cesarean delivery compared to normal weight pregnant women. We tested the hypothesis that myometrial oxytocin receptor (OXTR) gene and protein expression are affected by obesity in pregnancy. Myometrial samples were obtained at the time of cesarean delivery from the upper aspect of the uterine hysterotomy incision and processed for real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blot. There were 63 myometrial samples available for analysis. The median body mass index (BMI) at delivery was 31.0 kg/m2 (interquartile range, 26.0, 40.0 kg/m2), and the median gestational age at delivery was 38.0 weeks (interquartile range, 33.0, 39.1 weeks). The OXTR gene expression did not correlate with maternal BMI at delivery by linear regression, and the median OXTR gene expression did not differ between women with a BMI ≤ 30 kg/m2 and those with a BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. The OXTR protein expression was also not affected by maternal BMI. Myometrial OXTR gene expression appears to be independent of BMI at the time of delivery. Dysfunctional labor patterns and increased oxytocin utilization seen in obese women may not be due to differences in OXTR expression, though functional studies are required.
Comparison of histologic diagnosis between stereotactic core needle biopsy and open surgical biopsy.

Background: This study correlates the histologic findings of stereotactic core needle biopsy (SCNB) with open surgical biopsy (OSB) and identifies which lesions can be treated definitively based only on the SCNB histology.
The fluctuation-imposed limit for temperature measurement

In experimental sciences, random processes often place a fundamental limit on the achievable measurement resolution. A well known example is the Johnson noise voltage across a resistor. In this paper, we describe observations of the spontaneous transfer of heat in two equilibrium systems: one consisting of a thermometer linked to a reservoir, the other consisting of two thermometers connected to each other and linked to a reservoir for the purpose of temperature stabilization. In the second system, we find anti-correlations between the temperature fluctuations of the two thermometers at intermediate frequencies. We also find that the low frequency temperature noise density of the thermometers, in units of $$K/\sqrt {Hz} $$ , is given by $$\sqrt {4Rk_B T^2 } $$ , whereR is the thermal resistance of the link between the thermometer and the reservoir. This implies that for noise reduction purposes,R is the only available engineering parameter to adjust. In a recent thermometer design, we have reduced R to achieve a low frequency temperature noise density of 5×10−11 $$K/\sqrt {Hz} $$ at 2.18 K.
Development of a novel image processing method: the LPED method

Local polar-edge detection (LPED) is a novel image processing method the author used in several computerized image systems in the last 3 years. It uses a novel edge-detection approach to detect the boundary points of a group of temperature-selected objects embedded in a large IR image frame. Then it uses a 2-D clustering method to group all boundary points into N sub-groups with each sub-group representing one particular high-temperature object. It will then be followed by finding the center of mass point, or CMP, of each sub-group. From each sub- group, the program will immediately find 36 radial distances between the CMP and the boundary. A 36-dimension analog vector can then be constructed from these 36 radial distances. This 36D analog vector is the ID vector to identify the object that has this particular boundary. This ID vector is independent of the object location and independent of the object orientation. But it is a unique property from object to object. Therefore it can be used to track and target any particularly shaped object, especially when the object is moving and the focusing is not very sharp. All these image-processing steps are automatically carried out in a super-fast speed, once when the IR- image is loaded into the program. Because of the super-short time used to implement the novel algorithm, automatic tracking and automatic targeting can therefore be carried out in real-time.
A Web-based platform for experimental investigation of electric power auctions

Abstract This paper describes the architecture and uses of an Internet-based software platform called PowerWeb. PowerWeb was designed and implemented as a simulation environment for evaluating various power exchange auction markets through experimental investigation. It is designed to host simulations of a competitive `day-ahead' electric energy market in which the participants interact by submitting bids or offers into a market via a web-based user interface. The PowerWeb environment is meant to be flexible so as to allow investigation of various market mechanisms. In this paper we describe its interactive, distributed and web-based character.
Cinematic Presupposition, Race, and Epistemological Twist Films

One of the more intriguing aspects of George O. Wilson's main examples of what he calls epistemological twist films—Fight Club (David Fincher, 1999) and The Others (Alejandro Amenabar, 2001)—is that their revelatory narrative turns (or twists, as Wilson calls them) near story's end disclose unanticipated psychological complexities concerning their main characters. Jack (Edward Norton), the narrator of Fight Club, eventually realizes, as do the viewers, that he is the victim of a form of mental illness, the effects of which he was unaware, and that lie at the root of the narrative's unreliability. In contrast, The Others reveals that its main character, Grace (Nicole Kidman), has been operating under a unique form of supernatural self-deception: she does not realize until the very end of the film that she and her children are the ghosts in the story, and that the intruding "others" are actual flesh-and-blood human beings attempting to move into the house that she and her sun-shy offspring haunt. These films' narrative turns involve insightful character twists that depend crucially on how human beings (or creatures like them) can be deluded about themselves or the world around them. Moreover, the analysis of such turns can expose surprising features of how cinematic narrative may deceive us. In this article, I explore whether the character Sal (Danny Aiello) in Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing (1989) is deceived in ways similar to those exhibited by the characters above about his own beliefs concerning the African Americans who frequent his pizzeria, and whether a viewer's sudden realization of Sal's beliefs constitutes an epistemological twist. To accomplish this task, I extend Wilson's theory by considering its implications for the idea of race. Doing so, I argue, clarifies the function of certain presumptions regarding this vexing concept insofar as they operate in mainstream commercial film. Such an investigation also adds to the idea of an epistemological twist film in a plausible, if perhaps unexpected way, while permitting a more reasoned and detached exploration of troubling matters that touch us all. Section I outlines the features of Wilson's theory that are relevant to my investigation. Section II argues for a kind of epistemological twist film beyond the two types Wilson describes, one that does not depend on unreliable narrative but instead relies on what might be broadly termed "misperceived narrative." Sections III and IV consider what theorizing this third kind of epistemological twist film means for our understanding of cinematic presuppositions, spectatorship, and imagined seeing in cinematic narrative, particularly with regard to viewer sensibilities involving race. In the last two sections, I also briefly speculate about the possible implications of such matters for our broader experience of the world.
Stable-isotope dilution measurement of zinc and lead in rat hippocampus and spinal cord

Abstract Zinc and lead concentrations in hippocampus and spinal cord of rats were measured using the highly-accurate method of stable isotope dilution mass-spectrometry. In hippocampus, average zinc concentration was 72.7 ppm (dry weight), average lead, 0.053 ppm; in spinal cord, zinc averaged 26.1 ppm, lead, 0.018 ppm. Possible explanations for apparent overestimations of rat CNS metal content in previously publisjed work were discussed.
Modification of the disulfide bridge in cyclic melanotropins

We have prepared a cyclic analog containmg a thiomethylene bridge in place of the disulfide bridge in order to further analyze the importance of a cyclic structure for the biological activity of ct~MSH (u-melanotropin, a-melanocyte stimulating hormone) and to determine if the biological activity of [Cys4,Cysl0J~a-MSH is related to disulfide interchange. The carba analog was based on the highly potent Ac-[Cys4,Cysl0]-a-MSH4_13-NHj fragment analog in which cysteine in residue 4 was replaced by j-rnercaptopropanolc acid (Mpa). This carba analog was slightly less active than the disulfide bridged compound in both ill vitro bioassay systems tested (frog and lizard skin systems). Oxidation of the carba analog to the sulfoxide led to a moderate loss of activity in both assays. We also reduced the 4-13 disulfide-containing compound [Mpa", Cysl0J~a-MSH4_13-NH2and examined the reduced analog for melanotropic activity. It was found that opening of the disulfide led to a large loss of potency. The bis-sulfhydryl compound may have been non-specifically bound to, and/or internalized inside the tissue, but did not show any inhibitory activity.
On optimality criteria for dynamic programs with long finite horizons

This paper is concerned with dynamic programs in which the horizon length ,V is long and$nz’t~ As stressed by Hinderer [I I] and Hinderer-Hiibner [12], it is important to distinguish between infinite horizons and long finite horizons, since, contrary to popular belief, optimal solutions to the former do not always lead to useful approximate solutions to the latter. That phenomenon is primarily due to the “weakness” of the usual infinite horizon criteria (see (l), (2), (3.) and (4) below), which can be particularly critical when the state space is infinite. A counterexample illustrating that appears at the end of this section. In Sections 2, 3, and 4, strong infinite horizon optimality criteria are introduced, which represent more accurately the “worth” of policies over long finite horizons. To simplify the exposition, attention is restricted to systems where the state space S is countable and the action space ;Z isJinite, though many of our results apply to more general situations. Our formulation of the Markovian decision model follows Blackwell [I, 21. Periodically, at times n = 1, 2,..., one observes the current state s E S and selects an action a E -4. The result is (i) an immediate income i(s, a) and (ii) a transition to a new state s’ with probability Q(S’ 1 s, a), (s’ E S). The incomes are assumed bounded. The problem is to control the system for a prescribed horizon length N, which may be finite or infinite. A decision rule or policy r specifies for each integer 1 ,( n 1. For finite LV, the expected A--stage return under r at s equals V’(s, r) = $, rj(s, r); then a policy rr* . IS said to be X-stage optimal if I7”‘(s, +) = s-C(s) = sup, V(s, n), (s E S). For infinite N, the expected total returns need not be well defined and finite,
General entropy of general measures

The concept of entropy is an important part of the theory of additive measures. In this paper, a definition of entropy is introduced for general (not necessarily additive) measures as the infinum of the Shannon entropies of "subordinate" additive measures. Several properties of the general entropy are discussed and proved. Some of the properties require that the measure belongs to the class of so-called "equientropic" general measures introduced and studied in this paper. The definition of general entropy is extended to the countable case for which a sufficient condition of convergence is proved. We introduce a method of "conditional combination" of general measures and prove that in that case the general entropy possesses the "subset independence" property.
Role of Retinoic Acid in the Imprinting of Gut-Homing IgA-Secreting Cells

Abstract Antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) lodging in the mucosa of the small intestine are derived from activated B cells that are thought to arise in gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). Upon leaving the GALT, B cells return to the blood where they must express the gut-homing receptors α4β7 and CCR9 in order to emigrate into the small bowel. Recent evidence indicates that gut-associated dendritic cells (DCs) in GALT induce gut-homing receptors on B cells via a mechanism that depends on the vitamin A metabolite retinoic acid (RA). In addition, although ASC associated with other mucosal tissues secrete IgA in an RA-independent fashion, the presence of high levels of RA in intestine and GALT can promote B cell class switching to IgA and thus, boost the production of IgA in the intestinal mucosa. Here, we discuss the role of RA in the imprinting of gut-homing ASC and the evidence linking RA with the generation of intestinal IgA-ASCs.
A proper role and realistic expectations for science

S c i e n c e should be above criticism; indeed, criticism is central the n o t to m e t h o d of science. But criticism from outsiders is no t always readily received. In venturing some criticisms of science and scientists, I want to clarify one point f rom the outset. There is no question but that we are seeing today irrational or thoughtless attacks on science coming f rom nonscientists in the academy; certainly the barbarians are sur rounding the citadel. But, if I were a scientist, I would be looking a round me quite carefully to discover those o f my fellows who were preparing to open the gates to the invaders. Not all of science's problems today can be blamed on external critics, however u n i n f o r m e d their opinions. Science is being politicized f rom the inside as well. For example, in mid-September 1994, newspapers a round the country once again headlined global warming. The occasion was the release of a "new report" by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). "Emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases pose a serious threat to the world's climate and should be urgently addressed by governments and industries a round the world, a panel of leading scientists warned yesterday," the Washington Post a n n o u n c e d ) This kind of warning is hardly even news anymore. But another side of this story is also, apparently, not newsworthy: the item in the Post was not really true. From 12 to 15 September, a working group of IPCC scientists met to finalize five of six chapters for an IPCC special report on radiative forcing and emission scenarios, and to make sure that a "Summary for Policy Makers" that was being prepared was consistent with those chapters. Certain IPCC officials had prepared what they called a backgrounder press release well in advance of the meeting, embargoed until 15 September, about the meeting 's conclusions. Thus, the basis for the news stories was a press release that both pre judged the meeting's ou tcome and was in some respects only tenuously connected to what had actually been discussed. Many of the delegates--to their c red i t -were outraged. Their reaction may explain why, in a later story in the New York Times, Sir John Houghton , one of those responsible for the press release, was at pains to say he was speaking only for himself. Perhaps the delegates were prepared to be outraged by the fact that these same officials had pressed them, in violation of IPCC rules, to approve the Summary for Policy Makers without their having even seen the science chapters it was purpor tedly summarizing-hardly an example of the scientific me thod at work.
Patterns of local breast cancer recurrence after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction

Background Local recurrence rates after skin-sparing mastectomy and immediate reconstruction are similar to recurrence rates after conventional mastectomy. We investigated the pattern of local recurrences and risk factors associated with them.
Does psychology make a significant difference in our lives

The intellectual tension between the virtues of basic versus applied research that characterized an earlier era of psychology is being replaced by an appreciation of creative applications of all research essential to improving the quality of human life. Psychologists are positioned to "give psychology away" to all those who can benefit from our wisdom. Psychologists were not there 35 years ago when American Psychological Association (APA) President George Miller first encouraged us to share our knowledge with the public. The author argues that psychology is indeed making a significant difference in people's lives; this article provides a sampling of evidence demonstrating how and why psychology matters, both in pervasive ways and specific applications. Readers are referred to a newly developed APA Web site that documents current operational uses of psychological research, theory, and methodology (its creation has been the author's primary presidential initiative): www.psychologymatters.org.
Holstein model in infinite dimensions.

Monte Carlo simulations are performed to examine superconductivity and charge-density-wave fluctuations in the infinite-dimensional electron-phonon Holstein model. The electron-phonon system interpolates between an attractive, static, Falicov-Kimball model that always exhibits charge-density-wave order and an attractive, instantaneous, Hubbard model that always superconducts as a function of phonon frequency. The maximum charge-density-wave transition temperature at half-filling is an order of magnitude smaller than the effective electronic bandwidth and is virtually independent of the phonon frequency. The maximum superconducting transition temperature depends strongly on phonon frequency and is bounded from above by the maximum charge-density-wave transition temperature. The exact solution is compared to both weak-coupling expansions and strong-coupling expansions. The effective phonon potential becomes anharmonic and develops a double-well structure that deepens as the electron-phonon interaction increases.
Density functional theory investigation of surface-stress-induced phase transformations in fcc metal nanowires

We use density functional theory (DFT) and the tight-binding (TB) method to study the relaxation of narrow Cu, Ni, Au, Pt, and Ag nanowires originally oriented in the ⟨001⟩ direction with a fcc structure. For a small enough diameter $(dl2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm})$ each nanowire, under the compressive influence of its own surface stress, spontaneously relaxes to either a ⟨110⟩ orientation (Cu, Ni, Ag) or to a bct ⟨001⟩ orientation (Au, Pt), both of which are characterized by a compression of the wire axis of at least 30%. To analyze the stability of bct structures, we calculate the elastic constants for the bct phases of these metals under bulk, slab, and nanowire conditions. DFT predicts that only the bct phase in Pt is stable with respect to shear distortions in both the bulk and in nanowires. We find that the surface contribution to the elastic constant for shear, ${C}_{66}$, helps stabilize the bct phase in Au which would otherwise be unstable under bulk conditions. A large stabilization contribution from the surface also occurs in Ni and Cu, but not enough to overcome the shear instability in the bulk, and these nanowires do not transform to bct, although Cu is nearly stable for very narrow nanowires of width $\ensuremath{\sim}1\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$. We discuss the interplay of surface and edge effects in the phase change or reorientation of these nanowires and implications of these results on pseudoelasticity or shape memory in fcc metals.
The role of toll-like receptors in systemic autoimmune disease

Abstract The AM14 B cell receptor, derived from an autoimmune Fas-deficient mouse, is a rheumatoid factor specific for IgG2a. B cells expressing the AM14 receptor have been effectively activated by immune complexes (ICs) consisting of IgG2a associated with endogenous TLR ligands that essentially serve as autoadjuvants. One source of endogenous ligand is DNAse-sensitive material, presumably chromatin, released from dead/dying mammalian cells. The chromatin response was blocked by endosome acidification inhibitors, eliminated in MyD88-deficient cells and markedly reduced, in TLR9-deficient cells; residual activity appeared to depend on a TLR(s) other than TLR9. Sources of TLR9-reactive mammalian DNA have been explored. AM14 B cells also responded to ICs consisting of IgG2a bound to RNA-associated autoantigens. These responses were eliminated in MyD88-deficient cells but unaffected by TLR9 deficiency. Thus, activation depends on BCR-directed delivery of the ICs to vesicular compartments that contain an appropriate TLR. Intriguingly, such BCR/TLR co-engagement leads to the expression of gene products not elicited by independent activation of the BCR (anti-IgM F(ab′)2) or TLR9 (CpG s-ODN) alone. The effects of nucleic acid-associated ICs on both B cells and antigen presenting cells indicate that the TLR9 subfamily may be a key target for therapeutic intervention in patients with systemic autoimmune diseases.
Fracture of fibrous metal matrix composites—I. Experimental results

Abstract An experimental investigation of plastic zone geometry, plastic strain magnitudes, and fracture strength was conducted on unidirectionally reinforced boron-aluminum specimens with a center notch. The results indicate that long, discrete plastic shear zones grow from the notch tip in the fiber direction well before fracture. However, no plastic zones were detected along the fracture surface. The plastic zones blunt the notch and cause a significant stress redistribution in the notched specimens. A model is proposed for evaluation of the resulting stress fields. The companion Part II of the paper describes an analysis of the model and its use in fracture strength predictions.
New minimal higher derivative supergravity coupled to matter

Abstract We consider quadratic invariants in the new minimal formulation of N = 1, 4D supergravity, and obtain a simpler form of the Gauss-Bonnet combination. When added to the Einstein lagrangian, these new multiplets propagate different states than those in the old minimal formulation. In particular, the R + αR2 theory is shown to be equivalent to standard supergravity coupled to a massive vector multiplet. Our result shows the non-uniqueness of minimal supersymmetrizations of higher derivative theories.
Neuropsychological training in American psychological association-accredited and nonaccredited school psychology programs ☆

Abstract The American Psychological Association has accredited school psychology programs for almost two decades. This article considers whether APA-accredited and nonaccredited programs differ in their views and offerings of neuropsychological training. Of 72 programs surveyed, 59% of the APA-accredited programs and 53% of the nonaccredited programs offered course work in neuropsychology. Additional information was collected concerning instructors' neuropsychological training, student internships, and employment opportunities. Although the data indicated that students viewed neuropsychological training as an asset, this view was shared by some but not all school psychology professors. While caution is certainly warranted in this area, evidence favoring a neuropsychological perspective in school psychology seems to be growing.
Losing Small Wars: British Military Failure in Iraq and Afghanistan

The literature of war has always included both personal accounts and analytical works. Rarely, however, have the two genres been combined effectively in a single tome. Losing Small Wars is a refres...
Notch Signaling Modulates MUC16 Biosynthesis in an In Vitro Model of Human Corneal and Conjunctival Epithelial Cell Differentiation

Purpose. Notch proteins are a family of transmembrane receptors that coordinate binary cell fate decisions and differentiation in wet-surfaced epithelia. We sought to determine whether Notch signaling contributes to maintaining mucosal homeostasis by modulating the biosynthesis of cell surface-associated mucins in an in vitro model of human corneal (HCLE) and conjunctival (HCjE) epithelial cell differentiation.
ASTRAC-I Study of an orthogonal-function communications system

This paper describes the use of a fast iterative analog computer to study a sophisticated communications system. This system uses amplitude modulated orthogonal polynomial waveforms as carrier signals. The Arizona Statistical Repetitive Analog Computer (ASTRAC-I) setup includes the polynomial waveform generator and a matched filter receiver. Accuracy and crosstalk are measured using a sample-hold-memory-pair module. The system is also tested with additive Gaussian noise with the aid of the ASTRAC-I hybrid analog-digital statistics computer (sample averaging unit and distribution analyzer).
Investigation of bi-phasic tumor oxygen dynamics induced by hyperoxic gas intervention: A numerical study.

This study intends to explore the underlying principle of the bi-phasic behavior of increases in oxygenated hemoglobin concentration that was observed in vivo from rat breast tumors during carbogen/oxygen inhalation. We have utilized the Finite Element Method (FEM) to simulate the effects of different blood flow rates, in several geometries, on the near infrared measurements. The results show clearly that co-existence of two blood flow velocities can result in a bi-phasic change in optical density, regardless of the orientation of vessels. This study supports our previous hypothesis that the bi-phasic tumor hemodynamic feature during carbogen inhalation results from a well-perfused and a poorly perfused region in the tumor vasculature.
Successful Management of Highly Innovative and Urgent Projects: Analyzing Project Management Practices to Reveal Strategic Directions

This study addresses managerial differences and similarities between highly urgent and innovative projects versus routine projects with low urgency. The project management body of knowledge (PMBOK) does not differentiate between distinct contextual dependent project management approaches and leaves the appropriate adaptation open to its users. For this reason, we are drawn to this area of research to gain new understanding. Using data from 192 diverse projects collected in the US, we analyze the question of whether the management approach for managing successfully urgent and innovative projects differs from routine projects. Several empirical and well confirmed key success factors are analyzed for perspective on intra and inter group differences. By identifying the differences between extreme groups of projects, we can provide results which lead to recommendations about how highly urgent, highly innovative and regular projects should be managed differently.
Netilmicin in Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections

Netilmicin, a new semisynthetic aminoglycoside, was used in the treatment of 42 patients with serious gram-negative bacterial infections. Of the 40 evaluable patients, 24 (60%) were cured, and 8 (20%) had a favorable clinical response, for a total clinical response rate of 80%. Eight patients failed to respond; of these, three had undrained abscesses and two had severe granulocytopenia. Three of the patients who failed had organisms in which resistance to netilmicin developed during therapy, and in two of these three netilmicin was the only aminoglycoside to which resistance developed. Of the 37 patients evaluable for toxicity, 8 (22%) developed renal insufficiency. Two patients had mild but persistant elevation in serum creatinine. Three patients had nephrotoxicity while on gentamicin in the past. Pre- and posttherapy audiograms were done on 26 patients; none had hearing loss. Four patients had mild, transient asymptomatic elevations in alkaline phosphatase. The pretreatment clinical isolates were tested for in vitro susceptibility. The median minimal inhibitory concentration of netilmicin, gentamicin, and tobramycin ranged between 0.5 and 2 mug/ml. The median minimal inhibitory concentration of amikacin was approximately twofold higher. No clear in vitro superiority of one aminoglycoside over another was observed.
Superoxide radical anion adduct of 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO). 2. The thermodynamics of decay and EPR spectral properties.

The formation of the superoxide radical anion (O2•-) adduct of the nitrone 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) as detected by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is one of the mo...
Advances in windowed gas cells for in-situ TEM studies

Abstract In-situ TEM under gaseous environment is a powerful tool for various nanomaterial-based technologies, such as efficient energy conversion, transportation, food production and environmental protection. The practical information obtained from in-situ TEM observations of gas–solid interactions promises new insights into the growth, properties, and functionality of nanomaterials such as catalysts, fuel cells and biological molecules. Either windowed gas cell or differential pumping approach is used to realize in-situ TEM observations under gaseous environment. The windowed gas cell approach has various advantages over the latter, including a much thinner gas path length, a better resolution, a higher pressure limit, much more rapid thermal response, more rapid stabilization of specimen drift, and a much lower cost, etc. However, a comprehensive review of windowed gas cells for in-situ TEM observations is missing to summarize the achievements to date in this field. This article serves to fill this gap.
Comparison of the effects of calcium and magnesium on the conformation of tetra cycline in Me2SO solution

Abstract The effects of anhydrous Ca(NO 3 ) 2 on the 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (nmr) and circular dichroism spectra of tetracycline in Me 2 SO-d 6 solution have been investigated in order to make a comparison with the results of a previous study in which the effects of Mg(NO 3 ) 2 were determined under the same conditions. The results of experiments described in this article provide strong evidence that Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ bind tetracycline at the same sites in Me 2 SO and that both ions induce the same change in molecular conformation of tetracycline upon binding. The Ca 2+ complex, in contrast to the Mg 2+ complex, has a lifetime that is short on the nmr time scale.
Performance monitoring in a Myrinet-connected SHRIMP cluster

Performance monitoring is a crucial aspect of parallel programming. Extracting the best possible performance from the system is the main goal of parallel programming, and monitoring tools are often essential to achieving that goal. A common tradeoff arises in determining at which system level to monitor performance information and present results. High-level monitoring approaches can often gather data directly tied to the software programming model, but may abstract away crucial low-level hardware details. Lowlevel monitoring approaches can gather fairly complete performance information about the underlying system, but often at the expense of portability and flexibility. In this paper we discuss a compromise approach between the portability and flexibility of high-level monitoring and the detailed data awareness of low-level monitoring. We present a firmware-based performance monitor we designed for a Myrinet-connected Shrimp cluster. This monitor combines the portability and flexibility typically found in software-based monitors, with detailed, low-level information traditionally available only to hardware monitors. As with hardware approaches, ours results in little monitoring perturbation. Since it includes a software-based global clock, the monitor can track inter-node latencies accurately. Our tool is flexible and can monitor applications with a wide range of communication abstractions, though we focus here on its usage on shared virtual memory applications. The portability and flexibility of this firmware-based monitoring strategy make it a very promising approach for gathering low-level statistics about parallel program performance.
Coupling prediction of HF antennas mounted on helicopter structures using the NEC code

The moment method-based NEC code is a well-known and widely-used low frequency code. We apply the NEC code to complex structures at high frequencies. At HF, the electrical size of the structural elements become very small, compared to the wavelength. Moreover, these small elements are necessary to represent the geometrical complexity of a structure so that they cannot be ignored in geometry modeling. Thus, at HF, the NEC code has to deal with electrically small elements near its lower limits, which requires careful geometry modeling to minimize numerical inaccuracy. In addition, the prediction of antenna coupling involves near-field calculations that need extra care during the computation process. We discuss geometry modeling guidelines for complex structures. Using these rules, model two HF antennas mounted on an Apache helicopter airframe. We then analyze the coupling effects between the two antennas in terms of radiation patterns, maximum coupling factors and input impedance.
How Simple Cells Are Made in a Nonlinear Network Model of the Visual Cortex

Simple cells in the striate cortex respond to visual stimuli in an approximately linear manner, although the LGN input to the striate cortex, and the cortical network itself, are highly nonlinear. Although simple cells are vital for visual perception, there has been no satisfactory explanation of how they are produced in the cortex. To examine this question, we have developed a large-scale neuronal network model of layer 4Ca in V1 of the macaque cortex that is based on, and constrained by, realistic cortical anatomy and physiology. This paper has two aims: (1) to show that neurons in the model respond like simple cells. (2) To identify how the model generates this linearized response in a nonlinear network. Each neuron in the model receives nonlinear excitation from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). The cells of the model receive strong (nonlinear) lateral inhibition from other neurons in the model cortex. Mathematical analysis of the dependence of membrane potential on synaptic conductances, and computer simulations, reveal that the nonlinearity of corticocortical inhibition cancels the nonlinear excitatory input from the LGN. This interaction produces linearized responses that agree with both extracellular and intracellular measurements. The model correctly accounts for experimental results about the time course of simple cell responses and also generates testable predictions about variation in linearity with position in the cortex, and the effect on the linearity of signal summation, caused by unbalancing the relative strengths of excitation and inhibition pharmacologically or with extrinsic current.