cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of germline PTEN mutations in endometrial cancer patients

Abstract Background and Objective Cowden Syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by multiple hamartomas, increased risks of breast and thyroid cancers, and possibly endometrial carcinoma. Susceptibility to Cowden syndrome is conferred by germline mutation of the PTEN tumor suppressor gene, and somatic mutations of PTEN are common in sporadic endometrial carcinomas. The aim of this study was to test whether a substantial proportion of endometrial cancers are associated with germline mutations of the PTEN gene, not necessarily in association with clinically overt Cowden syndrome. Methods A retrospective cohort of 240 consecutive patients with pathologically confirmed endometrial carcinoma diagnosed at our institution from 1999 to 2002 was ascertained for study. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood lymphocytes and the entire PTEN coding region and exon–intron junctions were screened for mutations by single strand conformation polymorphism analysis. Potential variants were subjected to direct sequence analysis. Results No clearly deleterious PTEN sequence variant was identified in this screened cohort of endometrial cancer patients. One patient harbored a 5-bp deletion in the intronic region adjacent to the splice acceptor site of PTEN exon 4, but this variant has been previously classified as a rare polymorphism. Conclusions Although these data do not preclude the possibility of an increased risk of endometrial cancer in association with the Cowden syndrome, they indicate that germline PTEN mutations do not account for a significant proportion of genetic attributable risk for endometrial carcinoma.
High-pressure reactions. III. Hydrolysis of polyacrylonitrile

Polyacrylonitrile prepared from γ-irradiated monomer was found to react readily with water over a pressure range of 5,130–34,200 atm. to yield polyacrylamide, while polymer prepared by conventional free-radical catalysts will not hydrolyze under the same conditions. Reaction rates at 85°C. were measured; hydrolysis was extremely rapid at higher temperatures. Results are presented to indicate the radical nature of the reaction. Addition of a free-radical source increases the amount of hydrolysis. Pressure has an effect on the properties of the resulting polyacrylamide.
Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment of Oral Florid Papillomatosis

Oral florid papillomatosis is an uncommon condition that has been treated with various forms of therapy in the past. This lesion is considered to be premalignant by most authors, and surgical therapy has ranged from local excision to radical resection. A case of oral florid papillomatosis involving the entire hard palate and extending over the superior alveolar ridge into the buccal-gingival sulcus is presented. This patient was successfully treated by a two-stage carbon dioxide (CO2) laser excision with excellent functional results and minimal morbidity.
Failure of Metric Regularity for Major Classes of Variational Systems

Abstract The paper is devoted to the study of metric regularity, which is a remarkable property of set-valued mappings playing an important role in many aspects of nonlinear analysis and its applications. We pay the main attention to metric regularity of the so-called parametric variational systems that contain, in particular, various classes of parameterized/perturbed variational and hemivariational inequalities, complementarity systems, sets of optimal solutions and corresponding Lagrange multipliers in problems of parametric optimization and equilibria, etc. On the basis of the advanced machinery of generalized differentiation, we surprisingly reveal that metric regularity fails for certain major classes of parametric variational systems, which admit conventional descriptions via subdifferentials of convex as well as prox-regular extended-real-valued functions.
Pilot study of DCE-MRI to predict progression-free survival with sorafenib therapy in renal cell carcinoma.

Background: The investigation of angiogenesis inhibitors is of particular interest in renal cell carcinoma (RCC), in which dysregulated blood vessel formation has been correlated with shortened survival. Sorafenib is a novel RAF and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. We conducted this study to (a) determine if sorafenib is anti-angiogenic, and (b) to relate anti-angiogenic effect to outcome. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients with metastatic RCC underwent dynamic- contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI). DCE-MRI was used to calculate the gadolinium exchange constant between blood and tumor interstitial tissue, Ktrans. Results: Four patients achieved partial response by WHO criteria (ORR 24%). Median time to progression (TTP) was 12.9 months. Ktrans decreased significantly during treatment with sorafenib (60.3% decline, 95% CI 46.1-74.6%). The percent decline in Ktrans and change in tumor size by CT scan were significantly associated with progression-free survival (p=0.01and 0.05...
Abstract 4154: Exosomal microRNAs: mediators for cell-cell communications

Background: Exosomes are 30-100nm membrane vesicles of endocytic origin, mediating diverse biological functions including tumor-cell invasion, cell-cell communication and antigen presentation through transfer of proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs to neighboring or distant cells. MicroRNAs are small regulatory non-coding RNA molecules that regulate protein-coding genes. Recent evidence suggests that microRNAs can be released through ceramide-dependent secretory machinery regulated by neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (nSMase2) enzyme expressed by smpd3 gene that triggers exosome secretion. In this study, we investigated the exosome-mediated microRNA transfer among various types of cells, the regulation of exosome-mediated microRNA secretion and functional role of these exosomal microRNAs inside the recipient cell after uptake. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from culture media of cells by serial centrifugation, filtration and ultracentrifugation method. Isolated exosomes were stained with PKH26 dye and then observed for cellular uptake in different cells by confocal microscopy after counterstaining with Hoechst stain. In addition, this uptake was also shown by exosome isolated from stable 293T cell line overexpressing the pCDH-CD63-GFP fusion protein. To determine the effect of nSMase2 on exosome secretion, stable cell lines were established with smpd3 gene. Levels of microRNAs secreted in media were determined by real time PCR. To validate the function of exosomal microRNA in the recipient cells, we determined the protein level of microRNA target genes by western blot. Results: We first showed that exosomes can be transferred among different cell lines through direct uptake. We found that miR-10b is highly expressed in metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells as compared to non-metastatic breast cells; it is actively secreted into medium. For example, nSMase2 promoted the exosome-mediated miR-10b secretion whereas ceramide inhibitor suppressed this secretion. Importantly, western blot revealed that upon uptake, miR-10b can still reduce the protein level of its target genes such as Bim, indicating its functional significance. Conclusion: We found that the exosomes secreted from cancer cells containing microRNA can be taken up by other cells and have functional role in the recipient cells suggesting the importance of exosome-mediated microRNA transfer in tumor microenvironment. Our results collectively suggest that a set of specific microRNAs may play an important role in modulating tumor microenvironment through exosomes. Thus, a better understanding of this process may aid in the development of novel therapeutic agents. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4154. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4154
Electronic office hours: a component of distance learning

Abstract This paper describes a technique to blend distance learning with traditional educational methods using Electronic Office Hours. Electronic Office Hours can connect the teacher and students outside the classroom by using existing computer mediated communication tools and techniques. The teacher and students have a choice as to the times and locations of the meetings. Short descriptions are presented along with advantages and disadvantages of each technique. The descriptions are based on the authors’ experiences over a period of 18 years of use in the classroom.
Agglutination of Bacteria by Lymphoid Cells in Vitro.

SummaryIt has been demonstrated that certain lymphoid cells of antibody forming lymph nodes agglutinate on their surface in vitro the bacteria with which the animals were immunized. The agglutinating cells which could be identified belonged to the plasma cell series, whereas typical small lymphocytes failed to show the phenomenon. These observations seem to show that it is the plasma cell rather than the lymphocyte which elaborates agglutinins.
Historical structure and composition of ponderosa pine and mixed-conifer forests in south-central Oregon

We summarized structure and composition of dry forests from a 90-year-old timber inventory collected by the Bureau of Indian Affairs on the former Klamath Indian Reservation (now part of the FremontWinema National Forest). This analysis includes data from 424,626 conifers P15 cm dbh on 3068 transects covering 6646 ha. The data represent a 10–20% sample of 38,651 ha of forest growing on sites that are classified as ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and mixed-conifer habitat types distributed within the 117,672 ha of the study area. Large, drought- and fire-tolerant ponderosa pine dominated these forests. Large tree (>53 cm dbh) basal area (13 ± 7 m 2 /ha) contributed 83 ± 16% of total basal area; 81 ± 20% of the large-tree basal area was ponderosa pine. Composition and structure of forests on mixed-conifer sites were very similar to those on ponderosa pine sites. Variability in composition and structure was recorded on all habitat types and was highest on moist mixed-conifer sites. Stand densities (trees per hectare, tph) have more than tripled over the past 90 years from 68 ± 28 tph to a current density of 234 ± 122 tph recorded in Current Vegetation Survey data collected by the United States Forest Service. Mean basal area, however, increased by less than 20%. Basal area of large trees (>53 cm dbh) has declined by >50%, and the abundance of large trees as a proportion of the total number of trees per hectare has decreased by more than a factor of five. This landscape-level record of historical forest conditions allows inferences about structure and composition across tens of thousands of hectares. A historical landscape emerges which supports current working hypotheses that frequent, low- to moderate-severity wildfires maintained a predominantly low-density forest dominated by large, fire- and drought-tolerant ponderosa pines across a significant moisture and productivity gradient from the driest ponderosa pine to the mixed-conifer habitat types.
Scattering from a Layered Medium Connected with Rough Interfaces: Matrx Doubling Method

A theoretical scattering model is developed that computes the scattered and transmitted intensities from an inhomogeneous layered medium above the half-space. A matrix doubling method technique is extended to handle multilayer scattering problems of which each scattering layer of spherical particles has rough boundary interfaces. Incoherent scattering is assumed in the formulation so that the Stokes vector representations are used to calculate the polarimetric multiple scattering effects. The scattering coefficients are computed for a two-layered Rayleigh scattering medium with a rough boundary. The developed scattering model of a radiative transfer approach is useful for scattering computations dealing with a random medium often encountered in active and passive microwave remote-sensing problems.
Fault diagnosis for an HVDC system: a feasibility study of an expert system application

Abstract This paper discusses techniques to determine the type of fault in an HVDC system. These techniques are computationally fast and economical. Possible methodologies to develop knowledge-based systems using hypothesized methods for the pattern matching are presented. It was determined that more than one discriminant must be used to reach a desirable and reliable decision regarding the type of disturbance. In addition, a method for improving the resolution of the discriminants is discussed. Further, the influence of the sampling rate on the discriminant values is reported. Sixty-four samples/cycle over the duration of interest for calculating the discriminants was found to be good enough to provide the necessary information.
Bad guys: Why the public supports punishing white-collar offenders

Until the latter part of the 1960s, the American public was inattentive to the problem of crime in the upperworld. Due to a confluence of events (e.g., Watergate affair, Vietnam War, civil rights movement), concern about this lawlessness rose precipitously in the 1970s. Public attention toward and willingness to punish white-collar crime has persisted into the twenty-first century. We argue, however, that due to a series of recent scandals (e.g., Enron, WorldCom), public opinion about upperworld offenders has been transformed qualitatively. High-profile offenders are now seen not as respected community citizens but as “bad guys” whose crimes reflect inordinate greed and a disturbing lack of concern for victims. This typification is conducive to the prosecution of white-collar offenders but may have the unanticipated consequence of deflecting attention away from structural sources of corporate illegal enterprises.
Weber’s The Protestant Ethic as Hypothetical Narrative of Original Accumulation

In this article, I address the ‘hypothetical’, ‘self-referential’ and ‘constructed’ nature of Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the ‘Spirit’ of Capitalism. In particular, I argue that complaints of ...
The bushy cells in the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the cat. A study with the electron microscope

Abstract The bushy cells in the anterior division of the anteroventral cochlear nucleus of the cat were studied with the electron microscope. In the anterior part of the anterior division, profiles of bushy cells and their processes are easily identified, since few cells of other types are found in this region. In the posterior and posterodorsal parts of the anterior division, the bushy cells are intermingled with stellate and small cells but can be identified on the basis of light-microscopic descriptions and comparisons with the results from the anterior part. Bushy cells are large, spherical cells with a centrally located nucleus enveloped by sheets of rough endoplasmic reticulum. Thin proximal dendrites jut abruptly from the cell body and contain a relatively pale cytoplasm. The distal dendrites contain few organelles other than numerous, very large mitochondria. The cell soma and proximal dendrites, as well as the axon hillock, receive numerous synaptic terminals, but the distal dendritic processes are contacted by relatively few endings. At least four types of terminals form synaptic contacts with the bushy cells. Very large terminals, containing large, spherical synaptic vesicles and forming multiple asymmetrical contacts, correspond to the end-bulbs of Held from the cochlea. These terminals disappear after cochlear ablations, but the other three types remain. The most numerous of these is a large terminal that contains flattened synaptic vesicles and forms long, nearly symmetrical contacts with the soma and dendrites of bushy cells. The second type of non-cochlear terminal is smaller and contains small, pleiomorphic synaptic vesicles that are not flattened. The third type occurs mainly on bushy cell dendrites, contains small, spherical synaptic vesicles, and forms moderately asymmetrical contacts. The bushy cells probably correspond to the primarylike units described in electrophysiological studies of the anterior division. Primarylike units respond to activity in auditory nerve fibers in a one-to-one manner, a finding compatible with the observation that much of the surface of the soma and dendrites of the bushy cells is contacted by auditory nerve terminals (end-bulbs of Held). Neither the origins nor the functions of the several types of non-cochlear inputs to the bushy cells are known. Further analysis of these inputs and of the other neuronal types in the anterior division, when correlated with physiological and biochemical data from the same cell types, could clarify the functional significance of the observed patterns of synaptic organization.
Simulation: A tool for design and pre-implementation testing of large scale software systems

This paper discusses the application of simplified, surrogate (simulated) software systems in the pre-implementation, design and evaluation of large scale software systems.In earlier research a theoretical framework for an interactive computer language for financial planning has been postulated.10 This paper discusses the utilization of a surrogate computer system as a tool to test the feasibility of such an interactive planning system. This surrogate system is programmed in APL and serves both as a validation of a planning theory and as an ex-ante device for the prediction and evaluation of expected system performance.Surrogate systems are held to be a most useful methodology in developing and analyzing large scale systems.
An improved technique for particle size measurement

In this study we have demonstrated that the line start technique can be used with the Horiba centrifugal particle size distribution analyzer to obtain high-quality particle size and size distribution data over a range of sizes in the micrometer and submicrometer range. The line start technique yields much better accuracy and reproducibility than the uniform distribution technique previously used with this machine. Reasons for this are enumerated in the text. Equipment needed to perform the analysis of particle size with the Horiba machine using the line start technique is now available from the Horiba subsidiary located in North America.
Treatment of ocular cicatricial pemphigoid with tacrolimus (FK 506)

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of tacrolimus (FK 506) therapy in patients with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid (OCP). Methods: In a cohort study, six patients with OCP, in whom the disease was not controlled by conventional immunosuppressive agents administered in high doses for an appropriate period of time, were treated with FK 506. The FK 506 was administered orally at the daily dose of 8 mg. Final clinical response to FK 506 was divided into three categories based on the difference between severity of conjunctival inflammation before and after FK 506 therapy. "Total control" of disease activity was defined as residual inflammatory activity of 0.5 or less in the final examination and an inflammation decrement of at least 0.5 between initial and final examination. "Partial control" was defined as final disease activity 1.0 or 1.5 and at least 0.5 decrement of disease activity between initial and final examination. "Uncontrolled inflammation" was defined as final disease activity above 1.5 or no improvement between initial and final activity. Results: The average age of the patients was 67.5 years (range 50–75 years). Male to female ratio was 1:1. The average duration of OCP prior to beginning of FK 506 treatment was 6.25 years (range 3–12.5 years). The average duration of treatment with FK 506 was 11 months (range 5–18 months). The average disease activity prior to the administration of FK 506 was 2.6 (range 2.0–3.0). The average disease activity at the time when FK 506 was stopped was 2.0 (range 1.0–2.5). In four patients (67%) FK 506 failed to control activity of OCP, and in two patients (33%) the activity was controlled partially. Conclusions: Although FK 506 was not used in a prospective randomized trial and although we used the drug only in patients with OCP refractory to conventional immunosuppressive agents, it is likely that FK 506 is incapable of controlling the activity of OCP and inducing a remission.
Inhibition of aftercontractions and phasic calcium release by yohimbine in ferret papillary muscle.

Phasic release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum occurs in all mammalian cardiac preparations when the intracellular calcium concentration is sufficiently high. The phasic calcium release is often sufficient to trigger electrophysiological responses and aftercontractions. These can be detrimental to normal cardiac function. We induced phasic calcium release in ferret papillary muscles loaded with the calcium indicator aequorin. Development of phasic calcium release was associated with an increase in resting and peak [Ca2+]i. Inhibiting sodium channels with yohimbine reduced resting [Ca2+]i and prevented phasic calcium release. We propose a mechasism where by reduced [Na+]i, and the subsequent increased efflux of calcium via sodium/calcium exchange reduced [Ca2+]i.
Effect of cycloheximide and actinomycin D on carbon tetrachloride hepatotoxicity

Abstract The effect of the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, and the RNA synthesis inhibitor, actinomycin D, on CCl4 hepatotoxicity was investigated in rats. CCl4 administration produced elevations in both serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and hepatic triglyceride concentrations and a decrease in hepatic cytochrome P-450 content at 24 hr. Administration of cycloheximide 30 min prior to CCl4 prevented the increase in both SGOT and hepatic triglycerides caused by CCl4: the destruction of cytochrome P-450 was not prevented. Actinomycin D, administered 30 min before CCl4, reduced the release of GOT but did not prevent either the destruction of cytochrome P-450 or the accumulation of hepatic triglycerides. These observations support the concept that protein synthesis plays an active role in the production of cellular damage produced by CCl4.
Thin layer chromatography of Dansyl amino acid derivatives.

Abstract Dansyl derivatives of amino acids can be easily separated by thin layer chromatography. Dansyl derivatives of all naturally occurring amino acids can be identified in two-dimensional chromatographic separations. For their orientation in an unknown mixture the following combination of solvents was most useful on Dilicagel G: 1st run: benzene—pyridine—acetic acid (16:4:1), 2nd run: chloroform—benzyl alcohol—acetic acid (70:30:3).
Declining Faculty Availability to Students Is the Problem—But Tenure Is Not the Explanation:

This article challenges the argument that tenure fosters indifference to student learning. It draws extensively on Department of Education data to advance the contrary view that inadequate faculty involvement with students primarily reflects the declining numbers of tenure track faculty relative to the increasing numbers of students. The author presents data to show, further, that full-time tenure track faculty are more productive—that is, spend more time with students and contribute more to student success than their less expensive part-time or nontenure track replacements. Contrasting the ideal access to faculty afforded students in well-endowed independent colleges and universities with the poorer access afforded by public institutions, the author concludes that declining public funding, not tenure, explains diminished student opportunity.
Confidentiality issues in the adolescent population

Strong evidence supports the notion that perceived lack of confidentiality on the part of the health care provider is a barrier to the effective use of health care services by adolescents. This article reviews the recent literature surrounding confidentiality issues in adolescent health care. Issues highlighted include confidentiality in school-based health centers, primary care services, and more specifically, in gynecologic and obstetric services. Finally, general principles surrounding the maintenance of confidentiality are reviewed.
Expression, induction and regulation of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system in the rat glioma C6 cell line

The cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system consists of NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase (P450 reductase) and cytochromes P450, which can catalyze the oxidation of a wide variety of endogenous and exogenous compounds. P450 reductase transfers reducing equivalents from NADPH to P450, which in turn catalyzes metabolic reactions. In previous studies, we have used the rat glioma C6 cell line as an in vitro model system and identified the presence of P450 reductase and of cytochrome P450 1A1, 1A2, 2A1, 2B1/2, 2C7, 2D1-5 and 2E1 by reverse transcription followed by polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In C6 cells, the induction of P450 1A1 and 2B1/2 at mRNA level after BA (benzo(a)anthracene) or PB (phenobarbital) treatments was detected. In this study, analysis of microsomal preparations of glioma C6 cells was utilized to demonstrate the presence of P450 2B and P450 reductase at the protein level. ELISAs showed that PB induced P450 2B proteins 12-fold. These experiments further establish that the rat glioma C6 cell line contains an active cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system that can be induced by P450 inducers. We also found that the mRNAs of P450 1A1 and 2B1/2 from glioma C6 cells do not bind to the oligo(dT)-based separation techniques efficiently, suggesting that they may have very short poly(A) tails. The half-lives of P450 1A1 and 2B1/2 mRNA in glioma C6 cells are 1/10 and 1/3 of that in liver, respectively. This may partly contribute to the low expression level of P450s in glial cells. The induction of P450s by BA or PB did not change their mRNA half-lives, indicating the induction may be due to transcriptional regulation. In summary of this study, we believe the presence of the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system in glial cells of the brain may be important in chemotherapy and carcinogenesis of brain tumors.
The dimensionality of the PRCA‐24: An explication of context dimensions

This article empirically addresses the dimensional structure of the PRCA‐24. Data from 656 respondents were factor analyzed and yielded inconclusive results for the most appropriate dimensional structure. The single factor solution most commonly espoused was viable; however, four specific characteristics of the data suggested an alternative underlying structure. An analysis of individual subject's patterns of context‐specific subscores revealed an interesting context effect that argues for treating the PRCA‐24 as a four dimensional assessment instrument.
Linear stability analysis of acoustically driven pressure oscillations in a lean premixed gas turbine combustor

The dynamic response of a turbulent premixed flame to acoustic velocity perturbations was experimentally determined in a swirl-stabilized lean-premixed gas turbine combustor. CH* chemiluminescence intensity and the twomicrophone method were used to measure heat release rates and inlet velocity fluctuations, respectively. Using the n-τ formulation, gain and phase of flame transfer functions were incorporated into an analytic thermoacoustic model to predict instability frequencies and modal structures. Self-excited instability measurements were performed to verify eigenfrequencies predicted by the thermoacoustic model. Instability frequency predicted by the model is supported by experimental results. Results show that the self-excited instability frequency of ∼ 220 Hz results from the fact that the flames amplify flow perturbations with f = 150 ∼ 250 Hz. The other instability frequency of ∼ 350 Hz occurs because the whole combustion system has an eigenfrequency corresponding to the ¼-wave eigenmode of the mixing section.
Magnetic vortex resonance in patterned ferromagnetic dots

We report a high-resolution experimental detection of the resonant behavior of magnetic vortices confined in small disk-shaped ferromagnetic dots. The samples are magnetically soft Fe-Ni disks of diameter 1.1 and $2.2\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}$ and thickness 20 and 40 nm, patterned via electron-beam lithography onto microwave coplanar waveguides. The vortex excitation spectra were probed by a vector network analyzer operating in reflection mode, which records the derivative of the real and the imaginary impedance as a function of frequency. The spectra show well-defined resonance peaks in magnetic fields smaller than the characteristic vortex annihilation field. Resonances at 162 and 272 MHz were detected for disks of 2.2- and $1.1\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{diameter}$ with thickness 40 nm, respectively. A resonance peak at 83 MHz was detected for 20-nm thick, $2\text{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{m}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{diameter}$ disks. The resonance frequencies exhibit weak field dependence and scale as a function of the dot geometrical aspect ratio. The measured frequencies are well described by micromagnetic and analytical calculations that rely only on known properties of the dots (such as the dot diameter, thickness, saturation magnetization, and exchange stiffness constant) without any adjustable parameters. We find that the observed resonance originates from the translational motion of the magnetic vortex core.
TH‐C‐BRC‐04: Hierarchical Real‐Time Respiratory Motion Prediction: A Divide‐and‐Conquer Scheme for Application‐Oriented Optimality

Purpose: Motion management applications differ in their measurement rates and prediction length requirement: it is unlikely to find a Universityersally optimal predictor. This study develops a divide‐and‐conquer scheme, by partitioning the operation region and assigning proper predictor to each sub‐ region. Such hierarchical fusion architecture achieves application‐dependent optimal prediction performance. Method and Materials: We parameterize the overall operation region of real‐time prediction in terms of (measurement rate, prediction length) to parameterize the configuration and requirement of various motion management systems. The region of study is set to be [5Hz, 30Hz]*[200ms,600ms], spanning the full scope from non‐ tomographic to tomographic measurement, and for both gating and tracking controls. Four predictor candidates are examined: (a) adaptive linear (b) interactive multiple linear (MLM) (c) KDE (d) local circular motion (LCM); and it is determined that LCM is optimal for low measurement rates and short prediction lengths, while KDE is superior for medium‐to‐high measurement rate and medium‐to‐long prediction length. An operation‐ region specific hybrid model is developed and compared with the individual predictors. Prediction performance is quantified by nRMSE between predicted value and retrospective observations. Normalization with data deviation ensures meaningful population‐based statistics. Results: The proposed method outperforms all individual benchmark methods uniformly. The nRMSE was controlled to be under 0.15 for 200ms prediction and 0.4 for 600ms prediction, translating to sub‐mm prediction accuracy for typical respiratory motions. Conclusion: We have developed a hybrid predictor that adapts to specific motion management applications. This hybrid predictor combines the simplicity of the LCM model under low data rate condition, and the flexibility of the nonparametric KDE approach for long prediction lengths. The general methodology of divide‐and‐conquer extend to incorporate other predictors naturally, should they offer better performance in a sub‐region. The resulting hierarchical predictor uniformly outperforms individual methods, and provides an ideal motion management module for motion‐adaptive radiotherapy.
Automatic processing of periapical films

Abstract A simple, reliable, and effective means of automatically processing any number of exposed periapical dental films, using a modified Rinn plastic film mount and standard emulsions such as the Kodak periapical Radia-Tized films (Estar base) or Dupont Cronex, is described. The advantages to a busy clinic, hospital, or office are clearly obvious.
Cross-Movement Coalition Formation: Bridging the Labor-Environment Divide*

Relations between the labor and environmental movements exist within a complex web of clashing interests, electoral politics, and attempts to form enduring blue-green coalitions. Unions and other labor organizations are often portrayed as solely interested in economic growth. Environmental organizations are often seen as solely interested in preserving the natural world at the expense of economic growth, thus creating a direct conflict between the interests of labor and environmental organizations. Despite these perceived differences, efforts to bridge the divide between the two movements are increasingly common. This article examines the formation of a collective identity shared by workers and environmentalists participating in the coalition. I develop this argument through an ethnographic analysis of the formation of a blue-green coalition, the Alliance for a Healthy Tomorrow, using in-depth interviews, observations, and content analyses. I demonstrate how coalition leaders and bridge brokers work to bridge and consolidate the identities of labor and environmental groups to campaign for environmental health regulatory changes in Massachusetts.
Hexokinase “New Hyde Park”: A low activity erythrocyte isozyme in a chinese kindred

Chronic hemolytic anemia in a 7-year-old Chinese boy was found to be associated with decreased activity of erythrocyte hexokinase (approximately 20% of appropriate control values). Alterations in kinetics, stability, pH optimum, or electrophoretic patterns could not be demonstrated with proband hexokinase, but subtle differences between maternal and paternal hexokinase characteristics suggested that two separate mutant isozymes were involved and that the proband was heterozygous for each. Comparisons with previously reported cases of hexokinase deficiency demonstrate the broad genetic heterogeneity that characterizes this disorder.
The Proximity Compatibility Principle: Its Psychological Foundation and Relevance to Display Design

In this report we describe the concept of the proximity compatibility principle (PCP) and demonstrate its relevance to display design: Displays relevant to a common task or mental operation (close task or mental proximity) should be rendered close together in perceptual space (close display proximity). Different forms of task proximity are discussed, as are the different information-processing mechanisms that underlie the effects of the several different design manipulations of display proximity. Experimental data that support this process-based elaboration of PCP are then reviewed in design contexts relating to aviation, graphs, display layout, and decision aiding.
Several approaches for improving user cordiality in the design of on-line systems for novice users

This paper presents several factors to be considered when designing a novice user-machine interface for an on-line system. These include user objectives, current procedures for processing the data, tutorial aids, database organization and human factors issues related to ease of terminal use. Various examples from recent experience are given to illustrate some of these points.
Choice test of the averaging hypothesis for information integration

Abstract The averaging hypothesis of information integration was tested in two experimental tasks. Both supported the averaging hypothesis and infirmed the adding hypothesis. In Experiment I, Ss judged the likableness of persons described by personality-trait adjectives, then rated the importance of one or all of the individual traits. These importance ratings suggested that differential weighted averaging could account for a certain nonadditivity that has obtained with negative traits. In Experiment II, Ss chose which of two personality descriptions would be more likable. This critical test supported the averaging model, which predicted that adding moderately favorable to highly favorable information would produce a less favorable response.
Electroporation: The population distribution of macromolecular uptake and shape changes in red blood cells following a single 50 μs square wave pulse☆

Abstract We describe a method of using flow cytometry for determining the distribution of electroporation effects within a statistically significant cell population. Here we illustrate basic aspects of the method by investigating the electroporation of red blood cells, which have been widely used by others in previous investigations of electroporation, including studies of reversible electrical breakdown, and molecular uptake or release associated with a transient high permeability state. We make two measurements on each cell in a population of 10,000 or more cells: (1) light scatter to indicate changes in cell morphology, and (2) fluorescence to determine the uptake of a fluorescence-labeled macromolecule (FITC-dextran; 70,000 dalton). Computer processing of the single cell data allows construction of statistical distributions which reveal how electroporation occurs within a large cell population. Using this method we find that after a single 50 μs square pulse of optimal magnitude about 30% have formed spherical ghosts because of electroporation, and that two distinct ghost subpopulations occur. One subpopulation (about 10% of analyzed cells) has negligible uptake, while the second subpopulation (about 20%) consists of ghosts which have taken up significant amounts of the test macromolecule. Two interesting findings are the high frequency-of-occurrence of electroporation due to a single, optimal pulse, and the implication, because of the two distinct ghost subpopulations, that there is a significant variation in pore sizes.
Molecular and Microscopic Evidence of Viruses in Marine Copepods

As dominant members of marine mesozooplankton communities, copepods play critical roles in oceanic food webs and biogeochemical cycling. Despite the ecological significance of copepods, little is known regarding the causes of copepod mortality, and up to 35% of total copepod mortality cannot be accounted for by predation alone. Viruses have been established as ecologically important infectious agents in the oceans; however, viral infection has not been investigated in mesozooplankton communities. Here we used molecular and microscopic techniques to document viral infection in natural populations of the calanoid copepods Acartia tonsa (Dana) and Labidocera aestiva (Wheeler) in Tampa Bay, FL. Viral metagenomics revealed previously undocumented viruses in each species, named Acartia tonsa copepod circo-like virus (AtCopCV) and Labidocera aestiva copepod circo-like virus (LaCopCV). LaCopCV was found to be extremely prevalent and abundant in L. aestiva populations, with up to 100% prevalence in some samples and average viral loads of 1.13 × 105 copies per individual. LaCopCV transcription was also detected in the majority of L. aestiva individuals, indicating viral activity. AtCopCV was sporadically detected in A. tonsa populations year-round, suggesting temporal variability in viral infection dynamics. Finally, virus-like particles of unknown identity were observed in the connective tissues of A. tonsa and L. aestiva by transmission electron microscopy, demonstrating that viruses were actively proliferating in copepod connective tissue as opposed to infecting gut contents, parasites, or symbionts. Taken together, these results provide strong independent lines of evidence for active viral infection in dominant copepod species, indicating that viruses may significantly influence mesozooplankton ecology.
Differential Effects of Feeding on the Ultradian Variation of the Growth Hormone (GH) Response to GHReleasing Hormone in Normal Subjects and Patients With Obesity and Anorexia Nervosa

Nutritional status and metabolic fuels are factors involved in the regulation of GH secretion and GH responses to GHRH. The effects of feeding on GHRH-induced GH release were studied in 13 normal women, 14 obese women, and 9 women with anorexia nervosa. GHRH-(l–44) (50 μg, iv) was administered at 0900 h after an overnight fast or at 1300 h after a normal meal at 0800 h, and at the same times 45 min after a 800-Cal meal on different days. The mean peak plasma GH responses to GHRH administered before a meal at 0900 h were 52.8 ± 5.6 (±se) μg/L in normal women, 8.2 ± 1.3 μg/L in obese women, and 53.2 ± 7.7 μg/L in anorexic women. When GHRH was administered before a meal at 1300 h, the mean peak plasma GH levels were lower than those at 0900 h; this reduction was −64.2% in normal women, −64.9% in obese women, and −55.8% in women with anorexia nervosa. After feeding, the plasma GH responses to GHRH were blunted in normal women at 0900 h (−60.9%) and 1300 h (−34.6%) compared with the fasting peak responses. In ...
Correlation Effects in Hopping Conduction: A Treatment in Terms of Multi-Electron Transitions,

The problem of impurity conduction at moderate compensation has been treated using the concept of multielectron single-phonon transitions. The problem was treated in the region of density, temperature, and compensation where two- (or many-) electron transitions begin to be important. A compensation of 0.5 is used with a temperature range of 1 to 5 K and an average majority impurity separation of 200 to 600 \AA{} in germanium. The problem is treated by comparing the transition rates of one- and multielectron transitions of the localized electron system where the one-electron transition defines the critical impedance in a percolation path at low densities and high temperatures. It is found that two- and three-electron effects may account for the lowering of the "activation energy" seen experimentally as the density of impurities is raised. Comparison to currently available experimental data is made.
A general baseline-recognition and baseline-flattening algorithm

Abstract An algorithm is described which permits fully automatic computer correction of baselines of digitized spectra. Any smoothly varying artifact can be removed, provided it is noticeably broader than the broadest cluster of overlapping spectral lines. In some cases, the usable sensitivity of existing data-collection instrumentation can be extended by the use of this algorithm.
Surface Characterization of Nanoscale TiO2 Film by Sum Frequency Generation Using Methanol as a Molecular Probe

Sum frequency generation (SFG) vibrational spectroscopy is applied to study the surface characteristics of a film composed of nanoscale TiO2 particles, in which methanol is employed as a molecular probe. The SFG signal from methanol adsorbed on the TiO2 film surface in the CH region consists of four primary peaks located at 2828, 2855, 2935, and 2968 cm-1. The peaks at 2855 and 2968 cm-1 arise from molecular methanol; the other two are attributed to methoxy produced by dissociative chemisorption of methanol on TiO2. Changes in the SFG features with methanol pressure and with surface temperature provide the first direct proof of methoxy generation on nanoparticulate films. In comparison with molecular methanol, methoxy sits more perpendicularly on the surface. The chemisorption is barrierless, and a Langmuir constant of (2.13 ± 0.14) × 103 is derived from the adsorption isotherm. Moreover, UV pretreatment of the TiO2 film substantially increases the methoxy signal. Changes in SFG intensity are in good agre...
The Barnum Effect and Chaos Theory: Exploring College Student ACOA Traits

The literature both supports and challenges the notion that adult children of alcoholics are a distinct and homogenous group. College students (n = 200) were placed into one of four categories: Adult Children of Alcoholics, Adverse Childhood Event Group, Alcohol and Adverse Childhood Event Group, and the No Adverse Event Group. Participating college students then completed instruments that measured drug and alcohol use, adult children of alcoholics traits, defensiveness, impulsivity, and resistance to change. Differences surfaced on two instruments, the Drug Abuse Screening Inventory and the Children of Alcoholics Scale. Adult children of alcoholics were overrepresented as CAST+ and underrepresented as CAST–. The Alcohol and Adverse Event groups were underrepresented in the DAST+ category.
On the evolution of female mating preferences as pleiotropic byproducts of adaptive evolution

Although evidence is mounting that female mating preferences evolve at least in part as inciden tal (pleiotropic) consequences of alleles favored by natural selection, it is less clear how such pref erences can evolve when they are initially maladaptive, as by delaying reproduction. I extend a previous model by Tomlinson and O'Donald (1996) to investigate how dominance, sex-linkage, and sex-limitation affect the evolution of a costly new female preference. I find that recessivity of the new female preference can allow it to spread as a pleiotropic byproduct of adaptive evolution even when the novel preference is initially extremely detrimental. Further, three predictions of this model are satisfied by empirical data on the genetics of female mating preferences in Drosophila. Taken together, these findings suggest that incidental association of novel female preferences with alleles under selection could be a potent force in the origin and evolution of novel female mating preferences.
Phospholipid methylation in brain membrane preparations: Kinetic mechanism

Abstract The methylation reactions which convert phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) to phosphatidylcholine (PC) have been studied kinetically using exogenously added intermediates and crude membrane preparations from brain. The addition of exogenous PE resulted in no change in the methylation rates compared to that of endogenous PE. The addition of the two intermediates, monomethylphosphatidylethanolamine (PMME) and dimethylphosphatidylethanolamine (PDME), resulted in significantly increased rates of methylation and allowed the kinetic analysis of these latter two methylation reactions. The mechanism for this enzyme appears to be similar to human RBC (Reitz et al. (1989) J. Biol. Chem. 264, 8097–8106) which was a rapid-equilibrium random Bi-Bi sequential mechanism. There were some slight differences between the brain enzyme and that from the RBC, but there is little reason to suggest a fundamentally different mechanism. It is more likely that the differences may relate to an additional dead-end complex for the enzyme from brain such that saturation with AdoMet cannot eliminate AdoHcy inhibition. The KM values for the two phospholipid substrates were 41–44 μM and 39 μM for the methylation of PMME and PDME, respectively. The KM for S-adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) was 7–9 μM with PMME and 4 μM with PDME as the other substrates. The Ki(lipid) varied from 54 μM with PMME to 225 μM with PDME, and the Ki(AdoMet) was 11 μM with PMME and 21 μM with PDME. The product from the use of AdoMet, S-adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy), was shown to be a noncompetitive inhibitor of both lipid substrates as well as AdoMet. The methylation of PMME was somewhat higher in cerebellum and brain stem compared to cortex and striatum, but the methylation of PDME was similar in cerebellum, brain stem and cortex.