cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A goal-oriented framework for rapid integral-equation-based simulation of borehole resistivity measurements of 3D hydraulic fractures

ABSTRACTWe have developed a goal-oriented framework for fast integral-equation-based simulation of low-frequency borehole resistivity measurements of 3D arbitrarily shaped hydraulic fractures. The framework explores the possibility of applying various approximate integral-equation methods to simulate borehole electromagnetic (EM) measurements acquired in the vicinity of 3D hydraulic fractures generated with electrically conductive proppant. It includes four approximate methods that are progressively more accurate, costly, and rigorous. Each method is used to approximate the method-of-moments solution of the integral equation and to evaluate/extract quantities of interest, e.g., bucked signals detected at receivers. When compared with rigorous fast Fourier transform (FFT)-accelerated method-of-moments solutions, the numerical results obtained with the four methods indicate the following (1) All of the approximate methods capture the main features of the quantities of interest, e.g., the shape of detected s...
The use of fluoroquinolones as antiinfective transition-therapy agents in community-acquired pneumonia.

The newer quinolone antibiotics, including levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin, offer coverage of the likely pathogens in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and have been shown to be safe and effective treatments for CAP. Two of these agents, levofloxacin and gatifloxacin, have pharmacokinetic and antibacterial properties that are similar in both oral and intravenous formulations. As such, they may be excellent candidates for transition therapy involving early switch from intravenous to oral therapy followed by early hospital discharge for patients with CAP.
Examining Theoretical Predictors of (Mis)perceived Alcohol Norms.

Objective:This study examined the association between perceived alcohol norms (descriptive and injunctive) and theoretical predictors of normative (mis)perceptions. Based on models of social norms,...
Stockholm Syndrome in Athletics: A Paradox

While it may, at first, appear absurd to associate Stockholm syndrome with situations other than those involving kidnapping or hostage relationships, it is quite tenable to do so. In fact, research has shown that a variety of different psychological issues and forms of captivity are best explained as instances of Stockholm syndrome. Originally, Stockholm syndrome was typified as a disorder resulting from situations involving negative face-to-face contact between captors and captives. The resulting environment is one of extreme fright or terror to victims, rendering them helpless and, over time, totally subservient to their perpetrators. Typification helps to shed light on the connection between abusive athletic coaches and consequential victimisation of young athletes, which can lead to Stockholm syndrome. This correlation supports the view that Stockholm syndrome relates to victimisation of young athletes in a paradoxical, but very real way. This concept paper addresses the potential for domain expansion of Stockholm syndrome into the area of youth athletics. It develops the theory that once youth begin to rationalise the actions of abusive athletic coaches, they begin to sympathise and defend the actions of the abusive coach leading to a pattern of events which can be labelled as indications of Stockholm syndrome.
Computational Perspectives on Social Good and Access to Opportunity

Computational techniques show immense promise to both deepen our understanding of socioeconomic inequality and inform interventions to alleviate it. With the increased prevalence of collaborations across disciplines and the availability of large data-sets, there is a wealth of areas in which nuanced questions and novel techniques can reveal powerful observations and point towards innovative solutions. In this piece, we highlight ways for using algorithmic, computational, and network-based techniques, in conjunction with insights from the social sciences, to improve access to opportunity for historically disadvantaged and under-served communities. We underline opportunities for work at the interface of these disciplines using examples from health, housing, and economic inequality.
Foraging Agent Swarm Optimization with Applications in Data Clustering

This paper proposes a novel method of swarm optimization called Foraging Agent Swarm Optimization (FASO). FASO is designed to converge on multiple optima in both gradient and point-based search spaces. FASO also operates well in situations where “field optima” are desired, rather than single-point optima. The utility and effectiveness of FASO in a non-gradient search space is demonstrated in the context of data clustering, where we present Foraging Agent Swarm Clustering (FASC). FASC provides several benefits over conventional clustering, such as the ability to automatically determine the number of clusters, and strong performance in both noisy and sparse data sets. FASC is demonstrated to outperform existing methods of clustering in a variety of situations. Positive results by FASC in data clustering suggest that FASO has a promising future in other optimization applications as well.
Is There an App for That? The Pros and Cons of Diabetes Smartphone Apps and How to Integrate Them Into Clinical Practice

IN BRIEF Diabetes applications for electronic devices (apps) leverage the computing power and wireless connectivity of smartphones to offer unique advantages over more traditional tools such as paper logbooks and glucose meters. As these apps and the devices they connect with continue to evolve, health care providers play an important role in guiding patients by recommending specific apps, demonstrating best practices on their usage, and cautioning against their limitations.
Synergistic and additive interactions among components of food‐based baits underlie female fruit fly attraction

Attraction of tephritid fruit flies to some food sources can be enhanced by the presence of ammonia derivatives, compounds that are perceived as volatile cues for protein‐rich food sources. Using a comparative approach, we (1) evaluated the behavioral responses of females of three invasive fruit fly species, Bactrocera (Zeugodacus) cucurbitae (Coquillett), Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) (all Diptera: Tephritidae) to trub (a protein‐rich waste brewer’s yeast product generated during the production of beer), Concord grape juice (a protein‐deficient material), and ammonium acetate, and (2) identified synergistic and additive interactions between low‐ and high‐attractiveness materials and ammonium acetate. We established the attractiveness of fresh trub, grape juice, and ammonium acetate when tested singly to females of all three fly species. Although ammonium acetate did not enhance significantly the response of females of any species to fresh trub, the most attractive material, ammonium acetate, did significantly enhance females’ level of response to aged trub (a comparatively less attractive material) and to grape juice. Our research found a synergistic interaction between diluted grape juice and ammonium acetate for B. cucurbitae, as well as between aged trub and ammonium acetate for B. dorsalis. For C. capitata, additive effects among food attractants and ammonium acetate were identified. Our findings increase our understanding of fruit fly female olfactory‐driven behavior in response to food‐based materials and the extent to which ammonium acetate modulates female response to protein‐rich and protein‐deficient materials.
A common binding motif in the ET domain of BRD3 forms polymorphic structural interfaces with host and viral proteins

Summary The extra-terminal (ET) domain of BRD3 is conserved among BET proteins (BRD2, BRD3, BRD4), interacting with multiple host and viral protein-protein networks. Solution NMR structures of complexes formed between BRD3-ET domain with either the 79-residue murine leukemia virus integrase (IN) C-terminal domain (IN329-408), or its 22-residue IN tail peptide (TP) (IN386-407) alone, reveal similar intermolecular three-stranded β-sheet formation. 15N relaxation studies reveal a 10-residue linker region (IN379-388) tethering the SH3 domain (IN329-378) to the ET-binding motif (IN389-405)-ET complex. This linker has restricted flexibility, impacting its potential range of orientations in the IN - nucleosome complex. The complex of the ET-binding peptide of host NSD3 protein (NSD3148-184) and BRD3-ET domain includes a similar three-stranded β-sheet interaction, but the orientation of the β−hairpin is flipped compared to the two IN : ET complexes. These studies expand our understanding of molecular recognition polymorphism in complexes of ET-binding motifs with viral and host proteins. Highlights The BRD3 ET domain binds to key peptide motifs of diverse host and viral proteins. These complexes reveal conformational plasticity in molecular recognition. NMR studies demonstrate restricted interdomain motion in the IN CTD / ET complex. A cost-effective approach is described for producing isotopically-labeled peptides. Etoc Blurb We address structurally how the MLV Integrase (IN) usurps the host function of the BET protein through comparative studies of the IN : Brd3 ET complex with that of the host NSD3. MLV integration and thus its pathogenesis is driven through protein interactions of the IN : BET family.
Stem cell models help crack regional oncohistone codes driving childhood gliomas.

Summary In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Funato et al. (2021) and Bressan et al. (2021) use stem cells as models to define functions of the histone H3.3 G34R mutation in childhood gliomas. Both studies find strong regional specificity to oncohistone activity and implicate specific elements of an aberrantly locked-in neural progenitor transcriptional circuitry.
Food animal clinical course evaluations are influenced by student career goals

In response to concerns expressed by faculty members that the preponderance of students interested in small animal practice negatively impacts results of food animal course evaluations, a study was undertaken to examine the relationship between student career goals and student evaluations of courses and course content. All student evaluations available for a food animal medicine, surgery and production medicine clinical course taught at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine from January 23, 2002 to June 7, 2005 were compiled. One component of the survey was student perceptions of the course and course content. These perceptions were linked to student career goals. Median scores for course content differed significantly among students with small animal, mixed animal and large animal career goals (P=0.002). Specifically, the grade for course content differed among students with an expressed career in small animal practice and students with an expressed career in large animal practice (P 0.05).
Claiming chaos narrative, emerging from silence

In The Wounded Storyteller, Arthur Frank proposed three types of narrative told by people attempting to reclaim their voice and the body made alien by illness. In restitution narrative the medical ...
Getting in the flow: adolescent test-takers, motivation, and optimal performance

The validity of inferences made with test results depends on meeting the assumptions of the test users, one of which is the presumption of optimal performance (i.e., test-takers are doing their best). Flow theory identifies the conditions under which optimal performance is achieved and can be used to inform test users about the degree to which optimal performance has been attained. This sequential explanatory mixed-methods study examined the presence of flow in 159 middle-school test-takers during a high-stakes standardized test of math and reading achievement. Strong evidence was obtained for multiple facets of validity for measuring flow, including internal consistency reliability; structural validity via confirmatory factor analysis; concurrent and predictive validity via correlations among state and trait flow, test anxiety, and test performance; and convergent validity via structured participant interviews. Flow theory provides a road map to test stakeholders for fostering motivation and optimal performance in adolescent test-takers.
Predictors of intention to turnover in behavior technicians working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder

Abstract Employee turnover has deleterious effects on clinical services such that it hinders service quality, damages the therapeutic relationship, and compromises company infrastructure. However, little is known about predictors of turnover for behavior technicians (BTs) who implement behavioral interventions with individuals with autism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify factors that serve as predictors of intention to turnover and provide a bedrock for direct assessment of strategies to reduce turnover among BTs. A total of 96 BTs from 19 different agencies in Southern California completed the entire online survey. We found that level of satisfaction with training, supervision, and pay (not their actual hourly pay), along with satisfaction with different aspects of the job (e.g., opportunities for advancement, praise for doing a good job) predicted BTs’ intent of turnover. We discussed the potential implications of our findings for researchers interested in examining methods to minimize turnover and increase continuity of behavioral care for individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Review: Targeting the Hedgehog pathway in cancer:

The Hedgehog (Hh) pathway is a major regulator of many fundamental processes in vertebrate embryonic development including stem cell maintenance, cell differentiation, tissue polarity and cell proliferation. Constitutive activation of the Hh pathway leading to tumorigenesis is seen in basal cell carcinomas and medulloblastoma. A variety of other human cancers, including brain, gastrointestinal, lung, breast and prostate cancers, also demonstrate inappropriate activation of this pathway. Paracrine Hh signaling from the tumor to the surrounding stroma was recently shown to promote tumorigenesis. This pathway has also been shown to regulate proliferation of cancer stem cells and to increase tumor invasiveness. Targeted inhibition of Hh signaling may be effective in the treatment and prevention of many types of human cancers. The discovery and synthesis of specific Hh pathway inhibitors have significant clinical implications in novel cancer therapeutics. Several synthetic Hh antagonists are now available, several of which are undergoing clinical evaluation. The orally available compound, GDC-0449, is the farthest along in clinical development. Initial clinical trials in basal cell carcinoma and treatment of select patients with medulloblastoma have shown good efficacy and safety. We review the molecular basis of Hh signaling, the current understanding of pathway activation in different types of human cancers and we discuss the clinical development of Hh pathway inhibitors in human cancer therapy.
γ-Amino Butyric Acid Type B Receptors Stimulate Neutrophil Chemotaxis during Ischemia-Reperfusion

Serine/threonine kinase Akt, or protein kinase B, has been shown to regulate a number of neutrophil functions. We sought to identify Akt binding proteins in neutrophils to provide further insights into understanding the mechanism by which Akt regulates various neutrophil functions. Proteomic and immunoprecipitation studies identified γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) type B receptor 2 (GABA B R2) as an Akt binding protein in human neutrophils. Neutrophil lysates subjected to Akt immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting with anti-GABA B R2 demonstrated Akt association with the intact GABA B R. Similar results were obtained when reciprocal immunoprecipitations were performed with anti-GABA B R2 Ab. Additionally, GABA B R2 and Akt colocalization was demonstrated by confocal microscopy. A GABA B R agonist, baclofen, activated Akt and stimulated neutrophil-directed migration in a PI3K-dependent manner, whereas CGP52432, a GABA B R antagonist blocked such effects. Baclofen, stimulated neutrophil chemotaxis and tubulin reorganization in a PI3K-dependent manner. Additionally, a GABA B R agonist failed to stimulate neutrophil superoxide burst. We are unaware of the association of GABA B R with Akt in any cell type. The present study shows for the first time that a brain-specific receptor, GABA B R2 is present in human neutrophils and that it is functionally associated with Akt. Intraventricular baclofen pretreatment in rats subjected to a stroke model showed increased migration of neutrophils to the ischemic lesion. Thus, the GABA B R is functionally expressed in neutrophils, and acts as a chemoattractant receptor via an Akt-dependent pathway. The GABA B R potentially plays a significant role in the inflammatory response and neutrophil-dependent ischemia-reperfusion injury such as stroke.
A moving‐window least squares fitting method for crack detection and rigidity identification of multispan bridges

SUMMARY In this study, a moving-window least squares fitting method is proposed for rapid identification of cracks and flexural rigidities in multispan bridges. First, the dynamic deflections of a continuous bridge were locally measured under a dynamic point load. Their integrations over time, referred to as ‘integration-over-time deflections’, were used to derive ‘integration-over-time slopes’. These virtually static measurements over a short segment of the bridge were then fitted into a cubic curve in the least squares sense. Finally, the coefficient of the square term of the fitted curve was used to determine both the magnitude and location of local flexibility because of cracking and/or changing in flexural rigidity of the bridge. For multispan continuous bridges, an iterative procedure was developed to ensure that the end moments of various spans are compatible with the identified cracks and rigidity changes. To illustrate the proposed method, prismatic girder bridges with multiple cracks of various depths or non-prismatic girder bridges were analyzed. Sensitivity analysis was conducted on the effects of weighting factor, noise level, load type, window length, and bridge discretization. Numerical results demonstrated that the proposed method can accurately detect cracks and identify the change in flexural rigidity. The five-point equally weighted algorithm is recommended for practical applications. The spacing of two discernible cracks is equal to the window length. The identified results are insensitive to noise because of integration of the dynamic measurements. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Role Of Software Engineering In Systems For Design And Process Control

Nearly four years ago I spoke at the Second World Conference on Integrated Design and Process Technology in Austin; and now I am speaking to the Fifth World Conference, at which SDPS is joined by a sister society, the Software Engineering Society. On both occasions, I have relied upon technology — appearing not in material form but as mind, that is to say, not by physical transport but represented by disembodied words. As I am going to take up my remarks where I left off on the final theme of my talk of four years ago, and as the computer on which I am drafting these remarks has probably never been turned off in the intervening years, this may represent one of the longest speeches in history. I don’t know whether that is a record to be proud of or not, but it might make me eligible for the Guiness Book of Records.
[18F]–NHC–BF3 adducts as water stable radio-prosthetic groups for PET imaging

The radiofluorination of N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) boron trifluoride adducts affords novel [18F]–positron emission tomography probes which resist hydrolytic fluoride release. The labelling protocol relies on an 18F–19F isotopic exchange reaction promoted by the Lewis acid SnCl4. Modification of the NHC backbone with a maleimide functionality provides access to a model peptide conjugate which shows no evidence of defluorination when imaged in vivo.
IDENTIFICATION DECISIONS: WHO IS THE MOST CONSISTENT?

In an attempt to analyze the assumption that a multidisciplinary team approach is necessary for identification and evaluation of LD students, this study was designed to a) examine the type of judgments on LD characteristics rendered by different team members, and b) explore which of the groups typically repre- sented on a staffing team was most homogeneous in making decisions on LD students. A sample of 420 professionals and 30 parents were asked to complete a component disability instrument developed for the purpose of obtaining subjective judgments from each of the professional groups and the parents. The consistency of judgment among groups found in this study indicated that the judgments of the groups were comparable when making judgments on LD and non-LD character- istics. Thus, the findings were supportive of the multidisciplinary approach to identification and evaluation of LD children and youth.
Midlatitude Synoptic Scale Systems: Their Kinetic Energy Budgets and Role in the General Circulation

Abstract The kinetic energy budgets of several examples of synoptic scale systems are reviewed. Included are systems containing a major cyclone development, the immediate cyclone vicinity, and the anticyclone preceding the cyclone development. These are then considered in terms of their role in the general circulation of the middle latitudes. Results show that the cyclone system and cyclone vicinity are respectively about two and five times more active energetically than the general circulation. Further, when averaged with results of Petterssen and Smehye, the resulting mean cyclone system accounts for about one-third of the energetic activity of the middle latitudes. On the other hand, circulations associated with the anticyclone case exhibit much less intense energetic properties.
Fit with what? The influence of multiple self-concept images on organizational attraction

This study tests the applicability of image congruity theory to the employment decision-making process. A sample of workers from a variety of jobs/organizations (N = 193) read a series of job advertisements presenting unique organizational personalities, rated the extent to which these personalities matched their self-concept perceptions, and reported evaluations of organizational attraction. In accordance with the tenets of image congruity theory, results suggest prospective job seekers are attracted to organizations with personalities they perceive as similar to their own actual and ideal self-concepts. Actual congruence exerted a greater influence on organizational attraction than did ideal congruence. However, both ideal and actual image congruence explained significant unique variance in organizational attraction.
Toward the use of speech and natural language technology in intervention for a language-disordered population

We describe the design of Simone Says an interactive soft- ware environment for language remediation that brings to- gether research in speech recognition, natural language pro- cessing and computer-aided instruction. The underlying technology for the implementation and the system?s even- tual evaluation are also discussed.
Conditions for Microdensitometer Linearity

A simple microdensitometer system is analyzed using the principles and analytical techniques of the theory of partial coherence. A specification of the physical conditions under which the instrument is linear is obtained, for incoherent illumination. The illuminating mutual intensity is then generalized, by the Van Cittert–Zernike theorem, and conditions on the partial coherence of the preslit illumination necessary for effective incoherence are determined. The new conditions determine a mode of linear operation for the microdensitometer for which an optical transfer function may be unambiguously defined.
Flux quantization for a vortex in two-gap superconductor

Contrary to recent theoretical prediction, we show that the magnetic flux of a vortex in the SU(2) model of a two-gap superconductor is quantized in units of $2\ensuremath{\pi}∕g$, not $4\ensuremath{\pi}∕g$. For the U(1) version of this model, the flux is quantized in units of $2\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{\alpha}∕g$ where $0l\ensuremath{\alpha}l1$. The parameter $\ensuremath{\alpha}$ depends on the masses and concentrations of the Cooper pairs in the two condensates.
Revisioning Information Literacy for Lifelong Meaning

Information literacy is a broader capacity than current practices would suggest. In addition to critical thinking, information literacy includes information processes that explicitly address meaning, motivation, and the quality of life. A more robust notion of the concept delivers significant opportunities for libraries and instructional programs.
Reversibility of the Hard‐to‐Cook Defect in Dry Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata)

The hard-to-cook defect, assumed to be a permanent condition in legume seeds, can be reversed. Dry beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) and cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) which had developed the hard-to-cook defect when stored at 29°C, 65% RH had progressively shorter cooking times after additional storage at 6.5°C, 71% RH. This would suggest that the mechanism(s) leading to development of the defect should be easily reversed. The ability to reverse the hard-to-cook defect in legume seeds would provide several economic and nutritional benefits.
Bristles induce bracts via the EGFR pathway on Drosophila legs

A long-standing mystery in Drosophila has been: how do certain bristles induce adjacent cells to make bracts (a type of thick hair) on their proximal side? The apparent answer, based on loss- and gain-of-function studies, is that they emit a signal that neighbors then transduce via the epidermal growth factor receptor pathway. Suppressing this pathway removes bracts, while hyperactivating it evokes bracts indiscriminately on distal leg segments. Misexpression of the diffusible ligand Spitz (but not its membrane-bound precursor) elicits extra bracts at normal sites. What remains unclear is how a secreted signal can have effects in one specific direction.
Kainic acid induces apoptosis in neurons

Growing evidence suggests that non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation may contribute to neuronal death in both acute and chronic neurological diseases. The intracellular processes that mediate this form of neuronal death are poorly understood. We have previously characterized a model of kainic acid neurotoxicity using cerebellar granule cell neurons in vitro and we sought to determine the mechanism of kainic acid-induced neuronal degeneration. We found DNA laddering by agarose gel electrophoresis, cellular DNA fragmentation by in situ end labeling of DNA, and chromatin condensation using a fluorescent DNA intercalating dye, in cerebellar granule cells following exposure to kainic acid (100 microM). Aurintricarboxylic acid protected cerebellar granule cells from kainic acid-induced death. While the morphological and biochemical features of neuronal death induced by kainic acid resembled low K(+)-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule cells, the time interval from the institution of the death promoting condition to neuronal death was shorter with kainic acid and did not require new protein or RNA synthesis. These results demonstrate that kainic acid receptor activation can induce transcription-independent apoptosis in neurons. This in vitro model should be useful in identifying the intracellular pathways that link kainic acid receptor activation with apoptosis.
The Arizona radio observatory: A new 12-M telescope and other developments

The Arizona Radio Observatory (ARO) operates two radio telescopes in the millimeter and sub-millimeter wavelength region. Recently, one of these instruemnts, the aging, former NRAO 12 meter telescope on Kitt Peak, was replaced with one of the 12 m ALMA prototype antennas. The high performance design of this new instrument, including its 20 microns surface and sub-arcsecond pointing, will expand observational capabilites at the ARO. New receivers and backends are also in development at ARO. A dual polarization sideband separating SIS mixer covering the 0.7 mm atmospheric windw, ranging from 385 GHz to 500 GHz, has been installed as a facility instrument on the Sub-Millimeter Telescope (SMT) on Mount Graham. A prototype Band 2 receiever, based on HEMT amplifier technology, has been built and tested on the sky. These new additions and other developments will be presented.
Environment, cooking strategies and containers

This paper is an exercise in theory building that explores container form, function, and distribution. Using ethnographic data, environmental reconstructions, and archaeological information, containers are examined within the framework of the container complex, the group of containers used within a system. The results reveal a robust patterning between stone boiling and direct fire boiling and environmental thresholds. It also shows that container fabric used in these cooking strategies patterns by environmental variables. The results are models of the distribution of cooking strategies and the container fabrics used for cooking that can then be applied to the archaeological record.
A Computerized Intervention to Decrease the Use of Calcium Channel Blockers in Hypertension

Objective To determine whether a computer-assisted reminder would alter prescribing habits for the treatment of hypertension in accordance with current clinical guidelines in a general internal medicine clinic.
Detection of welding flaws from radiographic images with fuzzy clustering methods

Abstract Manual interpretation of radiographic weld images is subjective, inconsistent, labor intensive, and sometimes biased. This paper presents a welding flaw detection methodology based on fuzzy clustering methods. The methodology processes each weld image line by line. For each line, 25 features are selected. The performance of two fuzzy clustering methods, i.e. fuzzy k nearest neighbors (K-NN) and fuzzy c-means, are studied and compared. It is found that the fuzzy K-NN classifier outperforms the fuzzy c-means classifier with the best results of 6.01% missing rate and 18.68% false alarm rate. Issues related to the selection of features and training examples are also discussed.
Opioid and tachykinin peptides, and their precursors and precursor-processing enzymes, in human cerebrospinal fluid.

Opioid and tachykinin neuropeptides, which were derived from two biological sources (intact, and released from their corresponding precursors by the action of human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) neuropeptidases), were characterized in human CSF by using a combination of post-high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) detection techniques. Peptides were separated using gradient and isocratic reversed-phase HPLC. Radioimmunoassay measured immunoreactivity corresponding to several different individual neuropeptides including methionine enkephalin, leucine enkephalin, substance P and β-endorphin. Commercial enzymes (trypsin, car☐ypeptidase B) were used to release methionine- and leucine-enkephalin from precursors. Human CSF also served as a source of endogenous neuropeptidases. Mass spectrometry produced fragment ions that corroborated the amino acid sequence of methionine enkephalin and of substance P derived from both sources (intact, from precursors). These results demonstrated the presence of endogenous intact neuropeptides, several different neuropeptide-containing precursors and appropriate precursor-processing enzymes in human CSF for precursors of methionine enkephalin, leucine enkephalin, β-endorphin1–31 and substance P.
Targeting the epigenome in ovarian cancer.

Epithelial ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecological cancers, largely owing to the development of recurrent intractable disease. Only a small number of distinct genetic mutations are known to contribute to ovarian carcinogenesis. Furthermore, understanding mechanistic genotype–phenotype links is complicated by frequent aneuploidy. Epigenetic deregulation is even more prominent, and ovarian cancers are replete with such aberrations that repress tumor suppressors and activate proto-oncogenes. Epigenetic therapies are emerging as promising agents for resensitizing platinum-resistant ovarian cancers. These drugs may also have the potential to alter epigenetic programming in cancer progenitor cells and provide a strategy for improving therapy of ovarian cancer.
Relationships between childhood abuse and neglect experience and HIV risk behaviors among methadone treatment drop-outs ☆

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between childhood abuse/neglect experiences (sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and child neglect) and adult life functioning among Methadone Maintenance Treatment Program (MMTP) drop-outs. Method: 432 subjects who dropped out of MMTP were recruited in New York City in 1997–1999. Adult life functioning was measured by HIV drug and sex risk behaviors, Addiction Severity Index (ASI) composite scores, and depression. The χ2 tests, t tests, correlation, and multiple logistic regressions were performed to examine the relationships between abuse experiences and adult life functioning. Results: The prevalence of child abuse/neglect history was high among MMTP drop-outs: sexual abuse—36%; physical abuse—60%; emotional abuse—57%; child physical neglect—66%; all four experiences—25%. As assessed via ASI composite scores, those who had been abused in childhood had significantly more medical, legal, relationship, and psychological problems than those who had not. Overall, several significant associations were found between the abuse experiences and HIV risk behaviors. Those who had experienced child neglect were more likely to be HIV positive. In multivariate analyses, childhood physical abuse was a significant predictor of having multiple sex partners while depression was significantly related to injection drug use in adulthood (p<.05). There were trends for the relationships between childhood sexual abuse and HIV sex risk behavior (p<.10) and between gender and injection drug use (p<.10). Conclusions: The findings support a need for drug treatment programs that include specialized therapies for those who suffered childhood abuse and neglect experiences.
Thermochemiluminescence as a technique for radio frequency radiation dosimetry

Abstract Radio frequency radiation (RFR) dosimetry is based on the rate of absorbed energy (specific absorption rate: SAR) per unit mass. It is most conveniently measured by acquiring changes in temperature per unit time and converting the results to joules per second (watts) per kilogram, based on the specific heat of the biological material interacting with the RFR. To date, SAR has been predicted by modeling based on the dielectric properties of tissues, or measured by infrared (IR) thermography or with macroscopic high-resistance thermistors or thermofluorescent macroscopic point probes. Thermochemiluminescence (TCL) was invented to provide a high degree of continuous spatial and temporal thermal resolution in phantoms. It is defined as the steady-state emission of visible light from a peroxidizing mixture based on the temperature of the mixture. The best material for this purpose, to date, is diazoluminomelanin (DALM). Unfortunately, standardization of the synthesis (chemical composition) of this polymer and its thermal response constant (thermal quantum efficiency) has been difficult. This paper presents a biosynthetic method for the large-scale production of the polymer and a computational method for directly determining the SAR from the luminescence.
Economic comparison of open pond raceways to photo bio-reactors for profitable production of algae for transportation fuels in the Southwest

Abstract As energy prices climb there is an increasing interest in alternative, renewable energy sources. One possible source of renewable bio-fuel is algae. This research uses a multi-year, Monte Carlo financial feasibility model to estimate the costs of production and chance of economic success for commercial size algal biofuel facilities in the Southwest. Capital and operating costs and productivity information from Davis et al. were used to develop parameters to define and simulate two types of algae production systems; open pond and photo-bioreactor (PBR). The financial feasibility of PBRs is substantially lower than for open ponds. In the base case, average total costs of production for lipids, including financial costs, were $12.73/gal and $31.61/gal for open ponds and PBRs, respectively. The chance of economic success for the base situation was zero for both open ponds and PBRs. The financial feasibility analysis showed that the only way to achieve a 95% probability of economic success in the PBR system was to reduce CAPEX by 80% or more and OPEX by 90% or more. For the open pond system there were several options that could return a 95% or greater chance of economic success, for example, reducing CAPEX by 60% and OPEX by 90%.
Linker histone interaction shows divalent character with both supercoiled and linear DNA.

The interaction of linker histone H1 with both linear and superhelical double-stranded DNA has been investigated at low ionic strengths. Gel mobility retardation experiments demonstrate strikingly ...
Emulsion scintillation spectroscopy of mixed alpha and beta particle emitters: Radiochemical assays of 212Pb(10.6 h) and 212Bi(1.01 h)

Abstract Emulsified samples in conventional liquid scintillation counters have been used to quantitate mBq amounts of beta-emitting 212 Pb in the presence of various progeny activities—alpha and beta-emitting 212 Bi, alpha-emitting 212 Po (0.3 μs) beta-emitting 208 Tl (3.05 min). Photon emission induced by monoenergetic alpha particles in 1:1, organic:aqueous emulsions was readily distinguished from photon emission induced by energetically distributed beta-particles. Theoretical Fermi beta-particle energy spectra correlated with experimental spectra of sources contained in alpha particle absorbers of various geometries. Micro computer based pulse-height analyzer upgrades were added to older instrumentation to do this work.
Conditions for uniqueness in simultaneous impact with application to mechanical design

We present a collision resolution method based on momentum maps and show how it extends to handling multiple simultaneous collisions. Simultaneous collisions, which are common in robots that walk or climb, do not necessarily have unique outcomes, but we show that for special configurations—e.g. when the surfaces of contact are orthogonal in the appropriate sense—simultaneous impacts have unique outcomes, making them considerably easier to understand and simulate. This uniqueness helps us develop a measure of the unpredictability of the impact outcome based on the state at impact and is used for gait and mechanism design, such that a mechanism's actions are more predictable and hence controllable. As a preliminary example, we explore the configuration space at impact for a model of the RHex running robot and find optimal configurations at which the unpredictability of the impact outcome is minimized.
Key parameters for fast Ni dissolution during electromigration of Sn0.7Cu solder joint

This paper discusses the key parameters for fast Ni dissolution induced electromigration (EM) damage during reliability EM test of Sn0.7Cu solder joints. The results confirm that Sn grain orientation plays the important role on Ni dissolution, which has been reported in literatures. More important, efforts have been made to understand what the key parameters that can modulate the Sn grain orientation distribution of multiple solder joints during solder joint assembly process are. Statistic Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) analyses are used to characterize the Sn grain orientation distribution changes. A critical angle between Sn grain c-axis and substrate normal has been defined based on the statistical analyses. It is found that fast Ni dissolution mainly happens when the angle ranged from 0° to 40° during EM reliability testing. With this understanding, the impacts of solidification cooling rate and Cu column dissolution during assembly reflow have been studied. It is concluded that fast cooling rate will increase the chance of Sn grain c-axis align with substrate normal and promote Ni dissolution during EM. On the other hand, Cu column dissolving during reflow can increase the Cu concentration in solder joint and decrease the possibility of c-axis along with substrate normal. Besides Sn grain orientation, it is interesting to find that solder joint height can also impact Ni dissolution during EM. Longer solder joint height can induce faster Ni dissolution.
Die Néron-Tate'schen quadratischen formen auf der rationalen Punktgruppe einer elliptische Kurve

Abstract The logarithmic height on the group A K of rational points of an abelian variety A over a global field K was shown by Neron and Tate to be equivalent to the sum of a quadratic form and a linear form. In the present paper a modified definition of the quadratic form is given and discussed in the special case of an elliptic curve A over an algebraic function field K . The quadratic form is obtained as the limit of a certain function d on A K that was already used by Manin. It then turns out to be possible to derive the basic properties of the quadratic form in an elementary manner from the corresponding properties of the function d . This approach yields in particular an elementary valuation-theoretic proof of the theorem of Neron and Tate. Since the function d is explicitly accessible it appeared to be desirable to characterize the case in which the quadratic form is identical with d .
Estrogen increases GAP-43 (neuromodulin) mRNA in the preoptic area of aged rats

Estrogen has been shown to affect the growth, differentiation, and survival of brain neurons and to modulate processes involved in synapse formation and connectivity. These trophic effects are diminished with aging as secretion of estrogen declines. The growth associated protein GAP-43 is found concentrated in axonal growth cones and is implicated in neuronal growth and regeneration. Previous studies have established that expression of GAP-43 can be modulated by estrogen in the preoptic area of developing and adult rat brain. This study was undertaken to determine whether this estrogenic regulation of GAP-43 mRNA is retained in aged rat brain. Young (3 months) and aged (24 months) rats were ovariectomized to remove endogenous estrogen and GAP-43 mRNA in the preoptic area was evaluated using in situ hybridization to compare estrogen and vehicle treatments between age groups. The results demonstrate an age-related decline in GAP-43 mRNA hybridization signal that can be restored to levels comparable to that seen in young animals with estrogen treatment.
Maximum-likelihood estimation of a multivariate Gaussian rating model with excluded data

Abstract This paper describes the maximum-likelihood fitting of a bivariate (more generally, multivariate) Gaussian signal-detection model for rating data. The model applies whenever pairs of detection ratings are recorded under several stimulus conditions. The underlying representation is a bivariate Gaussian distribution with orthogonal cutpoints determining the responses. Each stimulus condition is potentially represented by a separate Gaussian distribution, but the same cutpoints are used throughout. Parameters of the Gaussian distribution can be equated across stimuli and linear hypotheses about their values tested. The estimation algorithm applies to incomplete tables, thus permitting certain cells to be excluded from influencing the parameter estimates. The procedure combines methods drawn from (1) conventional rating-scale detection experiments, (2) a general multidimensional recognition model, (3) the analysis of the polychoric correlation coefficient, and (4) estimation in an incomplete table.
An analysis of biaxial stretching of a flat sheet

Biaxial stretching of a flat sheet is analyzed on the basis of assumptions previously used for the study of tensile deformation. The problem is idealized into three phases: (I) homogeneous deformation up to maximum load; (II) deformation localization under constant load; and (III) necking with a prescribed neck geometry. Results from this analysis can be compared with the right-hand portion of the forming limit diagram; such comparisons are given for the well-documented material A-K steel and for 1100-H19 aluminum.
Enhancing Hoogsteen Interactions: A Pyrrole-Containing Purine Nucleoside That Competes with Guanosine Self-Assembly

A pyrrole-appended purine nucleoside 1 is described that can form an “extended” three-point Hoogsteen-type interaction due to the stabilization of the donor−acceptor−acceptor (DAA) motif. Nucleoside 1 is shown to bind guanosine 10 (a classic ADD motif) to form ensemble I. This interaction competes effectively with guanosine self-assembly and, as such, is capable of disrupting guanosine quadruplex formation.
On the development of an interstitial radiation protocol for a multicenter consortium. Experience with permanent low-dose rate and temporary high-dose rate125I implants in 'failed' and 'newly diagnosed' glioblastoma patients: Quality assurance methodology and a possible future adjuvant for therapeutic enhancement

Three interstitial implant trial groups (one permanent low-dose rate125I and two temporary high-dose rate125I implants) in glioblastoma patients (‘newly diagnosed’ and ‘failed’) were compared to non-randomized similar control groups for efficacy. The results formed the basis for the BTCG 87-01 national implant trial. The ‘pilot’ trial demonstrated: 1) the effectiveness of a temporary high-dose rate125I implant in ‘failed’ and ‘newly diagnosed’ patients; 2) the ability of a multicenter consortium to adhere to a standard protocol; 3) a methodology to insure quality assurance; and 4) the possibility of the future adjuvant application of hyperthermia using a single catheter system.
Polynomial matrix-fraction representations for linear time-varying systems

Abstract This paper deals with the existence and associated realization theory of skew polynomial fraction representations for linear time-varying discrete-time systems. It is shown that the time-varying analog of the polynomial model always has a free state-space. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of Bezout factorizations are obtained in terms system theoretic properties of state-space realizatios.
Trauma centers: a pragmatic approach to need, cost, and staffing patterns

Based on the recommendations of the Health Services Administration and the Committee on Trauma of the American College of Surgeons, optimal staffing patterns for a trauma center are unrealistic in cost and personnel needs for all but a few large, urban teaching hospitals. As an alternative, the staffing pattern for a trauma program for a nonuniversity community hospital consists of one general surgeon, an anesthesiologist and one emergency physician. In addition, surgical subspecialists in thoracic surgery, urology, obstetrics and gynecology, ophthalmology, otolaryngology and plastic surgery would be on call within 30 minutes. A paid, part-time program director and paid coordinator of nursing and allied health personnel would be on staff. Need for trauma centers versus trauma programs can be assessed by using 5% of the number of motor vehicle accidents in an area to forecast the number of traumatic injuries. This is done in California as an example.
Sodium pump isozymes are differentially expressed in electrically dissimilar regions of colonic circular smooth muscle.

Abstract Molecular analyses of Na,K-ATPase abundance and alpha-subunit isoform distribution were performed to determine whether pump expression varies at different points through the thickness of the circular layer of colonic smooth muscle. The mRNA and polypeptides of Na,K-ATPase alpha 1 and beta subunits were twice as abundant in the submucosal region of the circular layer, which has previously been shown to generate large pump potentials. Sodium pump activity directly correlated with the relative abundance of the alpha 1 polypeptide. These data show that sodium pump expression varies in electrically dissimilar regions of the circular layer.