cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of nonionic versus ionic contrast media on complications of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

To evaluate the effect of contrast agents on percutaneous transluiminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) complications, 913 patients undergoing 1,058 separate PTCA procedures were prospectively randomized to receive either nonionic iopamidol (Isovue-370®) [n = 507 PTCA procedures] or ionic contrast media, meghimine sodium diatrizoate (Renografin-76®) [n = 551 PTCA procedures]. Angioplasty operators, technicians, nurses and patients were blinded to the agent used. All patients were pretreated with 0.6 mg of atropine sulfate intravenously before any contrast injections. Hypotension (mean arterial pressure <65 mm Hg associated with contrast injections) occurred during 8.5% of PTCA procedures in which the patients were receiving iopamidol and during 9.5% of the procedures in which the patients were given diatrizoate (difference not significant). Bradycardia (heart rate of <40 beats/min associated with contrast injections) developed during 5.7% of procedures when patients were given iopamidol and during 5.1% of procedures when patients were given diatrizoate (difference not significant). The need for additional atropine or temporary pacing during the procedure was similar for patients given iopamidol and diatrizoate. The overall incidence of ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation, or both, during the procedure occurred less frequently when iopamidol was used compared with diatrizoate (1 vs 2.5%, p = 0.045). These serious ventricular arrhythmias were attributable to contrast injections in 0.6% of the PTCA procedures when iopamidol was given and in 2.0% of the cases in which diatrizoate was the contrast agent (p = 0.09). Only 1 patient had an allergic reaction to the contrast agent, and this was in a patient who received iopamidol. There were no differences in hospital complications (myocardial infarction, emergency coronary artery bypass grafting, or death) between the 2 groups. It is concluded that in patients undergoing PTCA, iopamidol (Isovue-370®), compared with meglumine sodium diatrizoate (Renografin-76®), reduces the overall incidence of serious ventricular arrhythmias but not the frequency of myocardial infarction, the need for surgery, or death.
Thermoluminescence kinetics in systems more general than the usual 1st and 2nd order kinetics

Abstract Thermoluminescence kinetic equations, including the one from which the usual 1st and 2nd order kinetics are derived, and a more general set, which describes glow curves with more than one peak and allows for interactions between different types of traps, appear to describe numerous anomalous TL observations.
Origins and manifestations of oocyte maturation competencies.

Abstract Mammalian oocytes acquire a series of competencies during follicular development that play critical roles at fertilization and subsequent stages of preimplantation embryonic development. These competencies involve remodelling of chromatin and the cytoskeleton in the oocyte at critical stages of folliculogenesis when gametes and somatic cells communicate by paracrine and junctional mechanisms. While the detailed steps involved in bi-directional signalling between oocytes and granulosa cells remain unknown, studies from mice bearing targeted deletions in essential ‘communication' genes reveal selective disturbances in oocyte maturation competencies that compromise the oocyte's developmental potential. Recent data are reviewed that illustrate the general principle that competencies acquired at sequential stages of oogenesis are manifest during oocyte growth, maturation, or following fertilization. The recognition that oocyte-specific genes are called into play at key developmental transitions in mammalian embryogenesis emphasizes the importance of monitoring genetic and epigenetic determinants when using current assisted reproductive technologies manipulations.
Antidepressants and neuroplasticity

Objective: We review the literature on the cellular changes that underlie the structural impairments observed in brains of animals exposed to stress and in subjects with depressive disorders. We discuss the molecular, cellular and structural adaptations that underlie the therapeutic responses of different classes of antidepressants and contribute to the adaptive plasticity induced in the brain by these drugs. Methods: We review results from various clinical and basic research studies. Results: Studies demonstrate that chronic antidepressant treatment increases the rate of neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus. Studies also show that antidepressants up-regulate the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and the neurotrophin signaling pathways involved in plasticity and survival. In vitro and in vivo data provide direct evidence that the transcription factor, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and the neurotrophin, brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are key mediators of the therapeutic response to antidepressants. Conclusions: These results suggest that depression maybe associated with a disruption of mechanisms that govern cell survival and neural plasticity in the brain. Antidepressants could mediate their effects by increasing neurogenesis and modulating the signaling pathways involved in plasticity and survival.
Double stranded scission of DNA directed through sequence-specific R-loop formation

Abstract R-loop formation with short (100 nt) RNAs provides a highly flexible and stringent method to achieve sequence-specific separation of target DNA at any given sequence. After stabilization of R-loops with glyoxal and removal of the RNA through RNase treatment the remaining single-stranded DNA bubble provides a highly favorable substrate for attenuated micrococcal nuclease. We investigated this method for sequence-specific scission of double-stranded DNA and achieved quantitative scission of 3-5 kb plasmids. The applicability to larger size DNA is demonstrated through specific excision of the intervening segment between two R-loops from a P1 plasmid of approximately 120 kb.
Evaluating Group Use of the Information Commons

Evaluating the effectiveness of an information commons has been discussed in many venues since the concept was first implemented. The Harold B. Lee Library at Brigham Young University confronted this same struggle. After two years of activity, the information commons had not been assessed to see whether the purposes for which it was planned were being fulfilled. This paper describes its first assessment. Measuring the number of groups who used the information commons over the period of two years, the assessment showed that indeed the commons is being used to a great extent for group work, one of the goals set for the creation of the information commons.
Soliton–soliton interaction with dual-power law nonlinearity

Abstract The intra-channel collision of optical solitons, with dual-power law nonlinearity, is studied in this paper by the aid of quasi-particle theory. The perturbation terms that are considered in this paper are of Hamiltonian type. The suppression of soliton–soliton interaction, in presence of these perturbation terms, is acheived. The numerical simulations support the quasi-particle theory.
How the binding of human transferrin primes the transferrin receptor potentiating iron release at endosomal pH

Delivery of iron to cells requires binding of two iron-containing human transferrin (hTF) molecules to the specific homodimeric transferrin receptor (TFR) on the cell surface. Through receptor-mediated endocytosis involving lower pH, salt, and an unidentified chelator, iron is rapidly released from hTF within the endosome. The crystal structure of a monoferric N-lobe hTF/TFR complex (3.22-Å resolution) features two binding motifs in the N lobe and one in the C lobe of hTF. Binding of FeNhTF induces global and site-specific conformational changes within the TFR ectodomain. Specifically, movements at the TFR dimer interface appear to prime the TFR to undergo pH-induced movements that alter the hTF/TFR interaction. Iron release from each lobe then occurs by distinctly different mechanisms: Binding of His349 to the TFR (strengthened by protonation at low pH) controls iron release from the C lobe, whereas displacement of one N-lobe binding motif, in concert with the action of the dilysine trigger, elicits iron release from the N lobe. One binding motif in each lobe remains attached to the same α-helix in the TFR throughout the endocytic cycle. Collectively, the structure elucidates how the TFR accelerates iron release from the C lobe, slows it from the N lobe, and stabilizes binding of apohTF for return to the cell surface. Importantly, this structure provides new targets for mutagenesis studies to further understand and define this system.
Attending to web pages

The paper explores how visual information is organized in a web page based on an eye tracking study.
Identifying and Locating Surface Defects in Wood: Part of an Automated Lumber Processing System

Continued increases in the cost of materials and labor make it imperative for furniture manufacturers to control costs by improved yield and increased productivity. This paper describes an Automated Lumber Processing System (ALPS) that employs computer tomography, optical scanning technology, the calculation of an optimum cutting strategy, and a computer-driven laser cutting device. While certain major hardware components of ALPS are already commercially available, a major missing element is the automatic inspection system needed to locate and identify surface defects on boards. This paper reports research aimed at developing such an inspection system. The basic strategy is to divide the digital image of a board into a number of disjoint rectangular regions and classify each independently. This simple procedure has the advantage of allowing an obvious parallel processing implementation. The study shows that measures of tonal and pattern related qualities are needed. The tonal measures are the mean, variance, skewness, and kurtosis of the gray levels. The pattern related measures are those based on cooccurrence matrices. In this initial feasibility study, these combined measures yielded an overall 88.3 percent correct classification on the eight defects most commonly found in lumber. To minimize the number of calculations needed to make the required classifications a sequential classifier is proposed.
Observations and numerical simulation of the evolution of the tropical planetary boundary layer during total solar eclipses

Abstract Two convective boundary layer experiments were concluded in the tropics during total solar eclipses, one at Raichur, India on 16 February 1980 and the other at Tanjung Kodok, Java, Indonesia on 11 June 1983. Period of totality was about 3 min at Raichur and 5 min at Java. With the partial phase of the eclipse extending over a combined period of about 2-h before and after totality, there was sufficient time in these experiments for the atmospheric boundary layer to react to changes in solar radiation. Results from the Indian experiment indicated significant changes in the atmospheric stability during the eclipse with slightly stable conditions present after the second contact. Java observations showed similar results but with smaller effects. Changes in stability also caused changes in turbulence structure. In this paper, we present the observations made during these two experiments, as well as the results of numerical simulations using a one-dimensional, second-order closure PBL model. In terms of location, the Raichur site with approximately homogeneous conditions was better suited for the model simulations than Tanjung Kodok, which was located about 1 km downwind from the ocean.
Women of color and the selection of IT academic programs

Reasons for the selection of IT fields by women of color were investigated. The factors of interest were high school & college IT courses (defined as math, sciences and computer sciences), GPAs and perceived student-teacher access. The lack of IT field selection was significantly driven by the intensity of math & science requirements. Some of the recommendations to encourage girls' and women's interests in IT fields are mentioned.
Cingulate cortex of the rhesus monkey: II. Cortical afferents.

Cortical projections to subdivisions of the cingulate cortex in the rhesus monkey were analyzed with horseradish peroxidase and tritiated amino acid tracers. These projections were evaluated in terms of an expanded cytoarchitectural scheme in which areas 24 and 23 were divided into three ventrodorsal parts, i.e., areas 24a-c and 23a-c. Most cortical input to area 25 originated in the frontal lobe in lateral areas 46 and 9 and orbitofrontal areas 11 and 14. Area 25 also received afferents from cingulate areas 24b, 24c, and 23b, from rostral auditory association areas TS2 and TS3, from the subiculum and CA1 sector of the hippocampus, and from the lateral and accessory basal nuclei of the amygdala (LB and AB, respectively). Areas 24a and 24b received afferents from areas 25 and 23b of cingulate cortex, but most were from frontal and temporal cortices. These included the following areas: frontal areas 9, 11, 12, 13, and 46; temporal polar area TG as well as LB and AB; superior temporal sulcus area TPO; agranular insular cortex; posterior parahippocampal cortex including areas TF, TL, and TH and the subiculum. Autoradiographic cases indicated that area 24c received input from the insula, parietal areas PG and PGm, area TG of the temporal pole, and frontal areas 12 and 46. Additionally, caudal area 24 was the recipient of area PG input but not amygdalar afferents. It was also the primary site of areas TF, TL, and TH projections. The following projections were observed both to and within posterior cingulate cortex. Area 29a-c received inputs from area 46 of the frontal lobe and the subiculum and in turn it projected to area 30. Area 30 had afferents from the posterior parietal cortex (area Opt) and temporal area TF. Areas 23a and 23b received inputs mainly from frontal areas 46, 9, 11, and 14, parietal areas Opt and PGm, area TPO of superior temporal cortex, and areas TH, TL, and TF. Anterior cingulate areas 24a and 24b and posterior areas 29d and 30 projected to area 23. Finally, a rostromedial part of visual association area 19 also projected to area 23. The origin and termination of these connections were expressed in a number of different laminar patterns. Most corticocortical connections arose in layer III and to a lesser extent layer V, while others, e.g., those from the cortex of the superior temporal sulcus, had an equal density of cells in both layers III and V.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Critical sedimentation and viscosity studies on calf thymus sodium desoxyribonucleate

Abstract Sedimentation data for sodium desoxyribonucleate collected on the Spinco ultracentrifuge at 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30°C. at 50,773 r.p.m, using 0.2 M NaCl as solvent have been corrected to 20°C. with water as solvent. When the S 20 value was extrapolated mathematically to zero concentration, significant differences were obtained in the values calculated from data collected at 20°, 25°, and 30°C. There were no significant differences in the values of S 20 at zero concentration for data collected at 20°C. but at different speeds of rotation, 59,733, 50,773, and 39,466 r.p.m. Intrinsic viscosities were obtained by means of the Ostwald capillary viscometer and the Brookfield rotational viscometer. No significant difference was detected in the partial specific volume determined at 15°, 20°, 25°, and 30°C. on two concentrations of the nucleate. Molecular weights for the nucleate were calculated using the average value of S 20 , 14.79 S ; average value of partial specific volume, 0.514; and the volume intrinsic viscosities determined on the capillary and rotational viscometers, 2887 and 3906.6, respectively. The molecular weight was found to be 1.4–1.6 × 10 6 . If we assume a cylindrical model, the diameter is 1.85–1.87 mμ, and the length is 445–523 mμ.
On the Voronoi estimator for the intensity of an inhomogeneous planar Poisson process

SUMMARY The Voronoi estimator may be defined for any location as the inverse of the area of the corresponding Voronoi cell. We investigate the statistical properties of this estimator for the intensity of an inhomogeneous Poisson process, and demonstrate it is approximately unbiased with a gamma sampling distribution. We also introduce the centroidal Voronoi estimator, a simple extension based on spatial regularization of the point pattern. Simulations show the Voronoi estimator has remarkably low bias, while the centroidal Voronoi estimator has slightly more bias but much less variability. The performance is compared to kernel estimators using two simulated data sets and a dataset consisting of earthquakes within the continental United States.
Interpenetrating‐Lattice‐Structured Magnets Exhibiting Anomalous Magnetic Properties

Cubic[Ru 3 (O 2 CMe)4] 3 [Cr(CN 3 ] prepared from water has two interpenetrating lattices and exhibits anomalous magnetic hystensis, saturation magnetization, out of phase alternating current (AC) susceptibility, Χ 2 (T), and zero-field-cooled field-cooled temperature-depndent magnetization data with respect to either the material prepared from acetonitrile or the layered two-dimensional (2D) [Ru-(O 2 -CBu') 4 ] 3 [Crt(CN) 6 ]-2H 2 O prepared from water. These unexpected properties are attributed to the presence of the interpentrating latticer and raveal that, albeit uncommon, interpenetrating-latice-structured materials can stailize new cooperative magnetic behavior.
Evidence-Based Techniques for Evaluating Cyber Protection Systems for Critical Infrastructures

Assessing the risk of malevolent attacks against large-scale critical infrastructures requires modifications to existing methodologies. Existing risk assessment methodologies consider physical security and cyber security separately. As such, they do not accurately model attacks that involve defeating both physical protection and cyber protection elements (e.g., hackers turning off alarm systems prior to forced entry). Previous research has developed a risk assessment methodology that accounts for both physical and cyber security, while preserving the traditional security paradigm of detect, delay and respond and accounting for the possibility that a facility may be able to recover from or mitigate the results of a successful attack before serious consequences occur. This research is focused on evidence-based techniques (which are a generalization of probability theory) for evaluating the security posture of the cyber protection systems typically found in critical infrastructure facilities. It presents category-based approaches to characterizing both cyber threats and security primitives such as authentication and network access control. A path-based approach is then used wherein various security primitives protect each link (e.g., attack step) in a given path. The end goal is to evaluate the conditional risk that a given adversary category can traverse an attack path and thereby cause a given consequence of concern. This paper's examples focus on cyber-based attack paths.
Extraction of properties of condensed outgassed species by thermogravimetric analysis

This paper describes progress in the development of a new contamination prediction code, The Aerospace Satellite Contamination Model Evaluator (ASCME). This paper provides fitted parameters for Langmuire evaporation models of contaminants from 15 materials based upon kinetic testing according to the ASTM E1559-93 procedure. It is shown that the evaporation rate parameters, p 1 and p 2 , derived from the E1559 TGA testing do not always agree with corresponding parameters calculated from published vapor pressure data. The uncertainty in extracting p 1 and p 2 parameters due to experimental scatter is estimated to be about ±5.6% and ±4%, respectively. It is demonstrated that m desorption profiles can vary significantly, depending upon the originating source material. It is shown that evaporation rate parameters depend strongly on the test method, static vs. kinetic.
New parallel randomized algorithms for the traveling salesman problem

Abstract We recently developed a new randomized optimization framework, the Nested Partitions (NP) method. This approach uses partitioning, global random sampling, and local search heuristics to create a Markov chain that has global optima as its absorbing states. This new method combines global and local search in a natural way and it is highly matched to emerging massively parallel processing capabilities. In this paper, we apply the NP method to the Travelling Salesman Problem . Preliminary numerical results show that the NP method generates high-quality solutions compared to well-known heuristic methods, and that it can be a very promising alternative for finding a solution to the TSP. Scope and purpose The traveling salesman problem involves finding the shortest route between a number of cities. This route must visit each of the cities exactly once and begin and finish in the same city. As easy as it is to describe, this problem is notoriously difficult to solve. It is widely believed that there is no efficient algorithm that can solve it accurately. On the other hand, this problem is very important since it has many applications in such areas as routing robots through automatic warehouses and drilling holes in printed circuit boards. We present a new method, the Nested Partitions method, for solving the traveling salesman problem. The method is very flexible in that it is capable of finding good solutions rapidly and given enough time will identify the optimal solution. This new method is also highly matched with parallel processing capabilities.
Ciência em movimento: o que as pesquisas científicas pós-coloniais podem oferecer

In the last 30 years, Science and Technology Studies (STS) have deconstructed the foundation of diffusion models of science, by showing that science and society are inextricably linked. Nevertheless, STS has rarely ventured into cross-cultural trans-national analyses of techno-scientific research. In recent times postcolonial science studies has attempted to shift the STS to trans-national domain, particularly in relation to impact of colonialism. This paper is in line with these efforts at analyzing techno-scientific research. I have analyzed Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) research and development in the United States, India, and the United Kingdom in order to put into broad relief the hierarchical global topography of techno-science. I have shown how colonialism continues to undergird analyses of techno-scientific research. I have argued that in the first instance we need a ‘decolonization of imagination’ if we need to move beyond dualist categories of west/non-west, developed/developing, north/south, and so on, which are parasitic to some conception of ‘lack’ of the non-west.
Left Wing, Right Wing, Everything: Xenophobia, Neo-totalitarianism, and Populist Politics in Bulgaria

The Ataka party plays up ethnic and religious intolerance to garner far-right support for its far-left political agenda.
Elastic properties of lung parenchyma: The effect of pressure-volume hysteresis on the behavior of large blood vessels

Abstract The elastic constants of lung parenchyma were measured for states of uniform expansion. The bulk modulus was determined from small quasistatic pressure-volume (PV) perturbations, and the shear modulus was determined by indentation tests at fixed transpulmonary pressures. During full inflation-deflation PV maneuvers, both linear elastic constants were unique functions of transpulmonary pressure and were independent of the volume, which differed at the same pressure owing to PV hysteresis. Large-deformation solutions for the symmetric inflation of a cylindrical hole in the parenchyma were computed using a second-order strain-energy function for which the elastic constants were linear functions of the pressure. The solutions were used to explain changes in diameter of large intraparenchymal arteries when transpulmonary and vascular pressures were varied. Estimates of perivascular pressure (the pressure acting on the outside of intraparenchymal arteries) were obtained for both inflation and deflation limbs of the PV curve.
The Children's Apperception Test: puzzle and regular form.

Summary To see whether more apperceptive responses could be elicited, the Children's Apperception Test (CAT) was used in a way which required the child to become motorically involved with the pictures. It was found that more children give significantly more apperceptive responses to a puzzle form of the CAT than to the regular form. Therefore, it was felt that the puzzle form was a more valuable instrument. It was suggested that any projective technique for very young children should be designed so that the response from the child results from his being actively involved in the situation.
Phytochrome-mediated swelling of etiolated leaf protoplasts and its possible biological significance

Red light, mediated by the photoreceptor phytochrome, induces maize leaf unrolling as well as leaf expansion. Protoplasts prepared from maize leaves still in the rolled condition swell in a red-far red photoreversible manner indicating that phytochrome mediates this phenomenon. To determine if protoplast swelling is related to leaf unrolling, leaf expansion, or both, we compared red-light induced swelling of protoplasts from rolled maize leaves to protoplasts prepared from tissues that are known to grow in response to light but do not unroll. We also compared the swelling response of protoplasts from rolled vs. unrolled leaves. In all cases, we found that swelling correlated with the unrolling response and not leaf expansion.
CHORIONIC VILLUS SAMPLING

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) has been used a successful and safe first-trimester prenatal diagnostic technique for over 12 years. Developed to avoid the medical and psychological complications of later prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis, CVS rapidly has become a primary tool for the diagnosis of fetal cytogenetic, molecular, and biochemical disorders. In addition, its development has led to an improved understanding of several biological processes, including confined placental mosaicism and uniparental disomy.
Bone is functionally impaired in dystrophic mice but less so than skeletal muscle

Abstract The primary purpose of this study was to determine if tibial bone strength is compromised in dystrophic mice and if so, what geometric and material properties contribute. Results of three-point bending tests showed that tibia of mdx and dko (dystrophin- and utrophin-deficient) mice had up to 50% lower strength and stiffness compared to wild-type mice. Micro-computed tomography indicated that dystrophic tibia had reductions of 6–57% in cortical cross-sectional moment of inertia and cross-sectional area. Metaphyseal trabecular bone morphometry was also altered up to 78% in dystrophic mice. Bone-to-muscle functional ratios (i.e., three-point bending measures:muscle strength) indicated that bone strength was relatively high in 7-week-old dystrophic mice compared to muscle strength, but ratios were similar to wild-type mice by 24months of age. Young dystrophic mice have compromised bone strength; these models may be useful for designing therapeutic regimens aimed at improving the skeleton.
SECONDARY COSMIC-RAY PHOTONS BELOW CASCADE ENERGY

Investigations with small unshielded scintillation crystals carried through the atmosphere by balloons, show large fluxes of photons in the energy region 30 to 300 kev in equilibrium with the primary cosmic ray beam. At 90 g ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ depth the flux is about 22 photons ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ compared with a charged particle flux determined from a Geiger tube of 1.9 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at this same depth. The photon flux at zero depth, taken to be the albedo of this secondary cosmic-ray component, has been estimated by extrapolation to be 8 photons ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ ${\mathrm{sec}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ greater than 30 kev.
Anthropogenic Seismicity Rates and Operational Parameters at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field

Geothermal power is a growing energy source; however, efforts to increase production are tempered by concern over induced earthquakes. Although increased seismicity commonly accompanies geothermal production, induced earthquake rate cannot currently be forecast on the basis of fluid injection volumes or any other operational parameters. We show that at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, the total volume of fluid extracted or injected tracks the long-term evolution of seismicity. After correcting for the aftershock rate, the net fluid volume (extracted-injected) provides the best correlation with seismicity in recent years. We model the background earthquake rate with a linear combination of injection and net production rates that allows us to track the secular development of the field as the number of earthquakes per fluid volume injected decreases over time.
Abstinence-Contingent Reinforcement and Engagement in Non-drug Related Activities among Illicit Drug Abusers

Methadone-maintained cocaine abusers (n = 78) were randomly assigned to a 52-week intervention of either (1) usual care only (UC), (2) take-home methadone doses contingent on cocaine- and opiate-negative results (THM), or (3) take-home methadone doses for cocaine- and opiate-negative results and monetary-based vouchers contingent on cocaine-negative urinalysis results (THM+V). Cocaine use was assessed by urinalysis on a thrice-weekly schedule. Frequency and enjoyability of non-drug related activities were assessed with the Pleasant Events Schedule (PES) at baseline, mid-, and end-of-treatment. The THM+V condition achieved the greatest abstinence from cocaine and opiate use, followed by the THM and UC conditions. The THM+V condition had the highest PES Frequency ratings at mid- and end-of-treatment, followed by the THM and UC conditions. There were significant differences between the THM+V and UC conditions on 10 of 12 PES subscales. Analyses revealed that abstinence mediated the effects of treatment condition on frequency ratings. There were no significant differences in Enjoyability ratings. These results suggest that when contingency-management interventions increase abstinence from drug abuse they also increase engagement in non-drug related activities in naturalistic settings.
Chronic cortical electrode array for seizure investigation

Localization of seizure focus if surgical extirpation is contemplated is critical. It is routine to use cortical recording and stimulation for this purpose but the limited time available in the operat
Prevention of chemically induced changes in synaptosomal membrane order by ganglioside GM1 and α-tocopherol

Synaptosomal membrane order has been studied by analysis of light depolarization by fluorescent dyes intercalated within membranes following exposure to various environmental toxicants. Two probes were explored: 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH), signaling predominantly from the lipid-rich membrane core, and 1-[4-(trimethylamino)phenyl]-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (TMA-DPH), reporting from the more hydrophilic membrane surface. Chlordecone, a neurotoxic insecticide, decreased the anisotropy of either dye and this change could be prevented by prior treatment of synaptosomes with ganglioside GM1 but not alpha-tocopherol. Exposure to an iron-ascorbic acid oxidizing mixture enhanced synaptosomal membrane order and this effect was blocked by preincubation with alpha-tocopherol but not ganglioside GM1. While these interactions may have partially reflected additive anisotropy changes, the protective agents were also effective at concentrations where they did not in themselves modulate membrane order. Methyl mercuric chloride at concentrations up to 100 microM had no discernable effect upon membrane order. It is suggested that these changes in membrane order may underlie some of the previously reported variations in the content of ionic calcium and in the leakiness of synaptosomes.
Security factors as linear combinations of economic variables

Abstract A new framework is proposed to find the best linear combinations of economic variables that optimally forecast security factors. In particular, we obtain such combinations from Chen et al. (Journal of Business 59, 383–403, 1986) five economic variables, and obtain a new GMM test for the APT which is more robust than existing tests. In addition, by using Fama and French's (1993) five factors, we test whether fewer factors are sufficient to explain the average returns on 25 stock portfolios formed on size and book-to-market. While inconclusive in-sample, a three-factor model appears to perform better out-of-sample than both four- and five-factor models.
Endovascular Therapy for Subclavian Artery Rupture in von Recklinghausen Disease

Vascular anomalies are extremely rare in patients with von Recklinghausen disease. This report presents a case of an acute spontaneous subclavian artery rupture in a patient with von Recklinghausen disease. A 44-year-old woman with a history of neurofibromatosis type 1, multiple sclerosis, and aortic valve replacement experienced a ''popping sensation'' in her neck. An emergent angiogram via a right brachial artery approach revealed active extravasation of contrast from the proximal part of the right subclavian artery between the vertebral and axillary arteries. An 8 mm × 5 cm endoprosthesis stent graft was placed across the area of extravasation via the brachial sheath. Completion angiography revealed brisk flow through the stent graft with resolution of the area of extravasation and no residual stenosis. Arterial rupture, aneurysm formation, stenosis, and dissection can be fatal in patients with neurofibromatosis. Further research is needed to determine screening guidelines and management algorithms for this patient population.
The structure of sodium trisilicate glass via molecular dynamics employing three-body potentials

Molecular dynamics simulations (MD) employing multibody potentials were used to simulate sodium trisilicate glass (Na2O • 3SiO2). A multibody term has been added to a pair potential in order to incorporate the bond directionality which is expected for the partially covalent silicate structure. The structure of the glass was analyzed and results were compared to those found using two-body potentials and molecular statics, as well as to experimental results found using x-ray diffraction, XPS, NMR, and EXAFS. Current results compared favorably to experiment and showed improvement over results obtained using two-body potentials. Nearest neighbor distances and coordination numbers agreed well with published data. Although two-body potentials normally show overcoordinated silicon (>4.3) and broad O-Si- 0 tetrahedral angle distributions, in this study all silicon exhibited tetrahedral coordination (4.0) and the O-Si- 0 bond angle distribution was markedly sharpened. The number of nonbridging oxygens was shown to be nearly equal to the number of sodium ions present, and a reasonable distribution of Qi species was found. The overall structure closely resembled the modified network structure of glass proposed experimentally, with silicon tetrahedra remaining intact and sodium ions breaking up the network through the creation of nonbridging oxygens.
A plea for a uniform surveillance schedule after radical cystectomy.

Purpose: The types of surveillance recommended after radical cystectomy and the degree of patient compliance are not well characterized. We identified the pattern of post-cystectomy surveillance recommended in the oncologic community and assessed compliance to a predetermined schedule among a small group of urologists.Materials and Methods: A survey was sent inquiring about the number of patients followed after cystectomy, physician specialty, type of practice, whether the followup schedule was stage dependent, the frequency of office visits and the type of tests. To assess noncompliance to a strict followup schedule we analyzed the records of 647 patients who underwent radical cystectomy.Results: The overall response rate to the survey was 37% (123 of 330). Of the respondents 96% were urologists, with 72% from United States academic centers, 13% from non-United States academic centers and 14% in private practice. In addition, 21% reported following yearly more than 100 patients after cystectomy, 29% betw...
Development and evaluation of carbon and binder loading in low-cost activated carbon cathodes for air-cathode microbial fuel cells

Activated carbon (AC) air cathodes were constructed using variable amounts of carbon (43–171 mg cm−2) and an inexpensive binder (10 wt% polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE), and with or without a porous cloth wipe-based diffusion layer (DL) that was sealed with PDMS. The cathodes with the highest AC loading of 171 mg cm−2, and no diffusion layer, produced 1255 ± 75 mW m−2 and did not appreciably vary in performance after 1.5 months of operation. Slightly higher power densities were initially obtained using 100 mg cm−2 of AC (1310 ± 70 mW m−2) and a PDMS/wipe diffusion layer, although the performance of this cathode decreased to 1050 ± 70 mW m−2 after 1.5 months, and 1010 ± 190 mW m−2 after 5 months. AC loadings of 43 mg cm−2 and 100 mg cm−2 did not appreciably affect performance (with diffusion layers). MFCs with the Pt catalyst and Nafion binder initially produced 1295 ± 13 mW m−2, but the performance decreased to 930 ± 50 mW m−2 after 1.5 months, and then to 890 ± 20 mW m−2 after 5 months. Cathode performance was optimized for all cathodes by using the least amount of PTFE binder (10%, in tests using up to 40%). These results provide a method to construct cathodes for MFCs that use only inexpensive AC and a PTFE, while producing power densities similar to those of Pt/C cathodes. The methods used here to make these cathodes will enable further tests on carbon materials in order to optimize and extend the lifetime of AC cathodes in MFCs.
The Effect of Defocussing the Image on the Perception of the Temporal Order of Flashing Lights

The temporal interval between flashing lights that is required to perceive nonsimultaneity decreases as the refractive error increases from 0 to +2 diopters. The interval then remains constant with further increases to 3 and 4 diopters. The results are discussed in terms of the relative increase of transient to sustained visual channels and of the increase in apparent movement.
The actin-myosin cytoskeleton mediates reversible agonist-induced membrane blebbing

Suprastimulation of pancreatic acinar cells with specific agonists inhibits zymogen secretion and induces the formation of large basolateral blebs. Currently the molecular mechanisms that mediate this dramatic morphologic response are undefined. Further, it is unclear if blebbing represents a terminal or reversible event. Using computer-enhanced video microscopy of living acini we have found that these large blebs form rapidly (within 2–3 minutes) and exhibit ameboid undulations. They are induced by small increases in agonist concentration and require an energy-dependent phosphorylation event. Remarkably, the blebs are rapidly absorbed when agonist levels are reduced, indicating that blebbing is a reversible response to a physiological stimulus, not a terminal event. Morphological methods show that these dramatic changes in cell shape are accompanied by a marked reorganization of actin and myosin II at the basolateral domain. During 30 minutes of suprastimulation, both basolateral actin and myosin II gradually increase to form a ring centered at the necks of the blebs. Immunocytochemical and biochemical studies with a phospho-specific antibody to the myosin regulatory light chain reveal an activation of myosin II in suprastimulated acini that is completely absent in resting cells. Studies using cytoskeletal antagonistic drugs indicate that bleb formation and motility require actin remodeling concomitant with an activation of myosin II. This aberrant activation and reorganization of the actin-myosin cytoskeleton is likely to have detrimental effects on acinar cell function. Additionally, this mechanism of bleb formation may be conserved among other forms of physiological blebbing events.
VERTEBRATE MINERALIZED MATRIX PROTEINS: STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

The mineralized matrices of enamel, cementum, dentin, calcified cartilage and bone are similar in their ability to form a microenvironment that facilitates deposition of hydrox-yapatite. However, they are not identical, as witnessed by the nature of apatite crystals that are formed. Enamel is devoid of collagen, and is composed of enamelins, amelo-genins, tuftelin and ameloblastic first described at this meeting. Cementum, dentin and bone matrices are composed primarily of type I collagen, however, each matrix may also contain unique moieties. The exact composition of cementum is not fully known, but in dentin there are unique matrix proteins, phosphophoryn (dentin phosphoprotein, DPP), a distinctive dentin matrix protein (DMP-1), and dentin sialoprotein (DSP). In bone, dentin and cementum, the matrix proteins include proteoglycans (versican, decorin, biglycan) and hyaluronan, glycoproteins which are often phosphorylated and sulfated (osteonectin, RGD-containing proteins) and gla-containing proteins (matr...
Substance misuse among older patients in psychiatric emergency service

Abstract Objective To determine the prevalence of substance misuse among older patients presented to a psychiatric emergency service (PES) on involuntary bases. Method At the time of initial presentation to the PES, all patients received a comprehensive assessment that included a urine toxicology screening. The screening consisted of six substances: barbiturate, benzodiazepine, cocaine, opiate, phencyclidine and amphetamine. Charts of elderly patients (aged 65 and above) with positive urine toxicology were reviewed to ensure that the results were not due to (1) home medications and (2) medications given in the PES. Results During the 2-year study period (2006–2007), there were 5914 patients under the age of 65 and 104 patients aged 65 and above. Our findings indicated that 471 (8.0%) and 14 (13.4%) urine toxicology screens were not collected during the PES visits in younger and older patients, respectively ( P =.04). The positive urine toxicology rate was 31.5% (1716/5443) and 26.7% (24/90) for younger and older patients, respectively ( P =.33). Conclusions Substance misuse in the older population presenting with psychiatric emergency is prevalent in the PES. Urine toxicology screens, as well as patient or collateral report of substance usages, should be obtained from this group of patients to ensure quality of care delivered at the PES.
Inequality, Democracy, and the Environment

This article sets forth a new theoretical model that holds that local, regional, and global environmental crises are to a significant degree the product of organizational, institutional, and networ...
Compact storage of correlated data for content based retrieval

Image databases, medical records and geographical information systems contain data that is intrinsically correlated, i.e. elements within a single single record show a high degree of correlation. Content based retrieval is a common technique for querying such databases. The query specifies an image or components that the record is expected to contain or be similar to.We propose a technique for compact storage of such correlated data that is used for content based retrieval . Our method utilizes the machinery of compressive sensing, which allows an under determined system of equations to be approximately solved by l 1 -minimization if the data is a sparse linear combination of an appropriate set of basis vectors. Such sparsity is seen in these correlated databases. If the sparsity is high or if some distortion is permitted in the retrieved data, the data can be retrieved by a reconstruction operation with a constant storage cost independent of the number of records stored. If exact retrieval is needed, some additional storage is required for each record, much smaller than the size of the original record. We illustrate the performance of this method with a database of remote sensing images.
Commentary on "Endoscopically directed middle meatal cultures versus maxillary sinus taps in acute bacterial maxillary rhinosinusitis: a meta-analysis".

The following commentary refers to the above-named article by Benninger, Payne, Ferguson, et al, which appeared in the January 2006 edition of this Journal. See vol. 134, no. 1, pp. 3–9.
Development of Tumors in Hamsters inoculated in the Neonatal Period with Vacuolating Virus SV40.

SummaryIntracerebral and subcutaneous injection into newborn hamsters of vacuolating virus, SV40, grown in renal cell cultures of grivet monkey resulted in single or multiple fibrosarcomas at site of injection which were histologically of varying degree of malignancy. These occurred 3 1/2 to 8 months post-inoculation and in both sexes. Animals injected with appropriate control materials or held uninoculated failed to develop tumors. Tests to exclude mouse polyoma virus as a factor were clearly negative. Evidence for the role of SV40 virus as a primary oncogenic agent was provided by recovery of the virus from the tumor and by demonstration of SV40 antigen in tumors by fluorescent antibody staining. The agent appeared to be localized in the tumors since the virus was not detected in blood or excretions, since antibody response was minimal or lacking, and since gross metastases were lacking. Transplantation and serial passage of SV40-induced tumors were accomplished with ease. The data represent the first d...
Voting in Canadian Communities: A Taxonomy of Referendum Issues

Although relatively little attention has been devoted to the political characteristics of referendums in Canadian or American communities, such elections have occupied a prominent position in the development of some psychological or sociological theories. In particular, the numerous defeats suffered by local issues have often been interpreted as reflecting a sense of "alienation" or a feeling of estrangement and disaffection from the political process. The notion of alienation or similar ideas has been associated with the rejection of various referendum proposals including fluoridation,' school bonds,2 and metropolitan government.3 The value of alienation or related concepts for explaining the results of referendums has rested on two sets of circumstances. Initially, regular participation in city politics usually has been restricted to a small group of residents with relatively high socioeconomic status, who can afford the economic and social costs of civic innovations.4 In addition, referendums have provided an opportunity for large numbers of voters with only a marginal interest in local issues to register their dissatisfaction with community policies. A combination of high voter turnout and a low vote in support of civic proposals, therefore, has seemed to contain the necessary conditions for detecting symptoms of alienation in referendum results. In fact, this association generally has been found in city elections. As a broad survey of the literature on local voting behaviour concluded, "The higher the turnout, the less the probability of a favorable vote."5 At least one case study of electoral participation and referendum results in a single community, which sought to test the model of the alienated voter failed to confirm, however, the association between a large turnout and the defeat of