cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Partition of isomeric dipeptides in poly(ethylene glycol)/magnesium sulfate aqueous two-phase systems.

A series of isomeric dipeptides, i.e., those containing identical residues but in different order such as Trp-Gly versus Gly-Trp, was partitioned in a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)/magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) aqueous two-phase system. Dipeptides having a more hydrophobic character favored the upper (PEG) phase. Moreover, the partition coefficients for isomeric dipeptides are different, with the partition coefficients for dipeptides containing the more hydrophobic residue in the C-terminal position being, in general, greater than the partition coefficients for corresponding isomers which contain the more hydrophobic residue in the N-terminal position. These observations can be attributed to the different interactions that the isomers have with specific two-phase systems.
Carboxypeptidase E does not mediate von Willebrand factor targeting to storage granules.

Abstract Sorting of von Willebrand factor precursor (pro-vWf) from the trans-Golgi network to secretory granules (Weibel-Palade bodies) is critical for its conversion to the biologically active highly multimeric form, as well as for regulated secretion by the endothelial cells. When expressed in hormone-secretory cells, vWf is also recognized as a stored protein and is directed to storage granules. Recently, carboxypeptidase E (CPE) was proposed as a granular sorting receptor for prohormones (Cool et al., Cell 88: 73, 1997). To explore whether CPE is also involved in pro-vWf sorting, we initially examined its expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. A specific message for CPE and the protein itself were detected making it a plausible candidate as a targeting receptor for vWf in endothelium. To investigate this possibility, we used mice lacking CPE. The highly multimeric forms, subunit composition and plasma levels of vWf in CPE-deficient mice were similar to those of their wild-type Iittermates. vWf was also found in α-granules of platelets and in Weibel-Palade bodies of endothelial cells obtained from the CPE-deficient mice. Furthermore, vWf was released from the cultured CPE-deficient endothelial cells after stimulation with a secretagogue. We conclude that CPE is not essential for sorting vWf to the regulated secretory pathway. Thus, a CPE-independent mechanism must exist for protein sorting to storage granules.
Coexistence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis and SAPHO syndrome

Joint Bone Spine - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since samedi 1 juin 2013
An indefensible budget

If a half-trillion dollar military budget lands on Capitol Hill and no one seems to hear, does it make a sound? You bet.
In Silico Elucidation of the Molecular Mechanism Defining the Adverse Effect of Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators

Early identification of adverse effect of preclinical and commercial drugs is crucial in developing highly efficient therapeutics, since unexpected adverse drug effects account for one-third of all drug failures in drug development. To correlate protein–drug interactions at the molecule level with their clinical outcomes at the organism level, we have developed an integrated approach to studying protein–ligand interactions on a structural proteome-wide scale by combining protein functional site similarity search, small molecule screening, and protein–ligand binding affinity profile analysis. By applying this methodology, we have elucidated a possible molecular mechanism for the previously observed, but molecularly uncharacterized, side effect of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). The side effect involves the inhibition of the Sacroplasmic Reticulum Ca2+ ion channel ATPase protein (SERCA) transmembrane domain. The prediction provides molecular insight into reducing the adverse effect of SERMs and is supported by clinical and in vitro observations. The strategy used in this case study is being applied to discover off-targets for other commercially available pharmaceuticals. The process can be included in a drug discovery pipeline in an effort to optimize drug leads and reduce unwanted side effects.
A comparison of student spring break and their "normal" behaviors: is the hype justified?

Student spring break behaviors have been a topic that has received a fair amount of scrutiny in the academic literature. This research takes another look at the topic, with the main focus of the current study a comparison of student spring break behaviors with benchmarked student behaviors exhibited during the balance of the school year. The psychographic concept of sensation seeking is applied to help better understand these behaviors. The research suggests that student spring break behavior is substantially unchanged from their "normal" behavior, and that those who engage in risky spring break behaviors are the students the sensation-seeking literature would indicate are most likely to do so, regardless of their vacation setting.
THE HUMAN GENOME : INFORMATION CONTENT AND STRUCTURE

At a length of two meters and a width of two billionths of a meter, the genome amounts to a library whose code letters carry complete instructions for building and maintaining a human. Until recently, the code was modified only by mutation and natural selection. Today, however, we possess the technology to read and write DNA. The consequent knowledge is already changing medical practice.
The Experience of Family Caregivers of Older Korean Americans With Dementia Symptoms

Despite the rapid growth of the older ethnic minority population, knowledge about dementia care for this population is limited. This study examined the experience of dementia caregiving among Korean Americans. We conducted four focus groups with 23 family caregivers of older Korean Americans with dementia symptoms and identified eight themes: (a) struggling and overwhelmed; (b) keeping the cultural roles and responsibility; (c) doing it by themselves; (d) family as a source of stress; (e) limited knowledge and misconceptions; (f) learning as they go; (g) undiagnosed dementia and misunderstandings about medical care; and (h) barriers to use of services and need for culturally responsive services. The findings underscore that Korean Americans need dementia caregiver programs that are linguistically and culturally responsive.
Wakeby distribution for representing annual extreme and partial duration rainfall series

In this study, to measure the upper right tail estimate performances for representing annual extreme and partial duration precipitation series at 31 stations in the northeastern and southeastern United States, the results of five-parameter Wakeby-L moments distribution were compared to those by beta-κ, and beta-P distributions. The statistics of modified Anderson-Darling and average deviation (AD) and the bootstrap resampling to extrapolate the right tail beyond the data showed that the Wakeby distribution gave mostly better results than beta-κ and beta-P, and sometimes it produced comparable results to those by beta-κ and beta-P. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
Exact BPF and FBP algorithms for nonstandard saddle curves

A hot topic in cone-beam CT research is exact cone-beam reconstruction from a general scanning trajectory. Particularly, a nonstandard saddle curve attracts attention, as this construct allows the continuous periodic scanning of a volume-of-interest (VOI). Here we evaluate two algorithms for reconstruction from data collected along a nonstandard saddle curve, which are in the filtered backprojection (FBP) and backprojection filtration (BPF) formats, respectively. Both the algorithms are implemented in a chord-based coordinate system. Then, a rebinning procedure is utilized to transform the reconstructed results into the natural coordinate system. The simulation results demonstrate that the FBP algorithm produces better image quality than the BPF algorithm, while both the algorithms exhibit similar noise characteristics.
Differential regulation of TRPC4 in the vasopressin magnocellular system by water deprivation and hepatic cirrhosis in the rat

Transient receptor potential canonical subtype 4 (TRPC4) is expressed in the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. In this study, the regulation of TRPC4 expression was investigated in water deprivation and hepatic cirrhosis. We used laser capture microdissection technique for precise dissection of pure AVP cell population in the PVN and SON followed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR, and immunodetection techniques by Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Bile duct ligation elevated TRPC4 transcripts in the SON but not PVN with correlated changes in the protein expression in these regions, as well as increased colocalization with AVP in the SON, with no changes in the PVN. Water deprivation resulted in increased TRPC4 mRNA expression in the PVN, while it decreased channel expression levels in the SON. In both of these regions, protein expression measured from tissue punches were unaltered following water deprivation, with no changes in the number of TRPC4-positive cells. Thus, TRPC4 expression is differentially regulated in physiological and pathophysiological models of vasopressin release.
Model-based point matching

In this paper, we describe an algorithm for estimating the camera position and orientation (pose) from which a rigid, 3D solid model is viewed. The algorithm consists of two stages. In the hypothesis stage, using a bounded error criterion, maximal sets of corresponding model and image points are found that are consistent with a camera pose. In the verification stage, the local noise statistics and the probability that a visible model point may not be detected are used in pooling responses from individual image regions to decide whether or not to accept the match.
Peer Groups as a Context for the Socialization of Adolescents' Motivation, Engagement, and Achievement in School

Examining the extent, nature, and scope of peer group influence on academic outcomes is an important direction for future research to enrich our understanding of adolescent motivation, engagement, and achievement. Conceptual and methodological issues involved in studying peer groups are discussed. Existing research that addresses the influence of peer groups on academic outcomes is reviewed. Processes of how peer groups socialize achievement beliefs and behaviors are considered. Promising directions for future research are discussed.
The effects of coalification and paleoenvironment on aliphatic and aromatic CH contents in the Lower Kittanning coal seam

Absorption spectra for 33 whole-seam channel samples and 24 vitrinite concentrates of the Lower Kittanning coal seam in western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio were obtained by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis. Absorption areas for aliphatic and aromatic functional groups were calculated and compared to selected parameters of coalification in bivariate and multivariate statistical analyses. The aliphatic CH3 and lone CH contents show weak correlations with coalification, whereas the correlations for aliphatic CH2 and all aromatic CH groups are stronger. A secondary paleoenvironmental control over the concentrations of aliphatic CH3, CH2 and CH is suggested by trends on isopleth maps which show lateral variability of these components. These maps suggest that paleotopography, which influenced the distribution of marine and fresh-water sediments and their associated flora, was an important control in aliphatic concentrations. Statistical analysis indicates that the variability of aromatic CH may be entirely rank-controlled.
Abstract 4936: Promoter methylation in prostate cancer: A pilot study

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among men in the United States. The current method used for the screening for prostate cancer, the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, has poor specificity and sensitivity. This has lead to the search for new biomarkers that can improve the prostate cancer screening, either by themselves or in combination with established markers. Epigenetic modifications, believed to occur early during tumorgenesis are one of the new measurements that could aid in improving prostate cancer screening. We conducted a case-control study to determine the association of promoter methylation of p16 INK4a and GSTP1 and prostate cancer risk. Twenty seven histologically confirmed prostate cancer patients were matched by age and ethnicity to twenty four controls. DNA was extracted from plasma, and percentage of DNA methylation was determined by pyrosequencing. We found that methylation levels were consistently higher in cases than in controls, but this difference was not statistically significant (p16 INK4a OR (95%CI)=2.38 (0.75-7.50); GSTP1 OR (95%CI)=2.57 (0.79-8.40). Methylation levels in these regions were also investigated in tumor and normal adjacent tissue samples from cases. Promoter regions of these genes are hypermethylated in prostatic tumors (7.2% for p16INK4a and 95.8% for GSTP1). Hypermethylation of both regions is statistically significantly associated with tumor status with OR p16INK4a =5.0, 95%CI: 1.3-19.1 and ORGSTP1=22.9, 95%CI: 2.7-198.6, respectively. The correlations of GSTP1 and p16INK4a methylation levels in matched tissue and plasma samples were also determined. Pearson's correlation coefficient was 0.46 for GSTP1 methylation when comparing tumor tissue and plasma (p=0.037). However, the tissue-plasma correlation for p16INK4a methylation levels was not statistically significant. Our samples size is small, but our results are encouraging suggesting that plasma DNA methylation levels at the promoter regions of p16INK4a and GSTP1 are relevant in the etiology of prostate cancer and may be useful as markers of the onset of prostate cancer. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4936.
Cholesterol, Primary and Secondary Prevention, and All-Cause Mortality

Clinical trials of cholesterol lowering in apparently healthy persons (primary prevention) and in persons with known coronary disease (secondary prevention) routinely show a decrease in the incidence of nonfatal and fatal coronary events. Primary prevention trials, however, generally have failed to show a beneficial effect of cholesterol lowering on total mortality, because of both low overall death rates and a disturbingly high number of deaths from noncoronary causes in the treatment groups. Studies of secondary prevention give more clear-cut evidence of benefit. The rate of death from coronary heart disease is extremely high in these studies, overwhelming the rates for other causes of death. Thus, a possible increase in noncoronary deaths is of much less concern in secondary prevention studies. A possible link between cholesterol lowering and noncoronary causes of death should be explored using dose-response analyses of existing data sets, in both individual studies and aggregate meta-analysis; such analyses should be similar to those that have been done to study the relation between cholesterol lowering and coronary events. These analyses would greatly assist us in developing safe, efficacious ways to prevent coronary heart disease.
Frequency bandwidth extension by use of multiple Zeeman field offsets for electron spin-echo EPR oxygen imaging of large objects.

Purpose: Electron spin-echo (ESE) oxygen imaging is a new and evolving electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) imaging (EPRI) modality that is useful for physiological in vivo applications, such as EPR oxygen imaging (EPROI), with potential application to imaging of multicentimeter objects as large as human tumors. A present limitation on the size of the object to be imaged at a given resolution is the frequency bandwidth of the system, since the location is encoded as a frequency offset in ESE imaging. The authors’ aim in this study was to demonstrate the object size advantage of the multioffset bandwidth extension technique.Methods: The multiple-stepped Zeeman field offset (or simply multi-B) technique was used for imaging of an 8.5-cm-long phantom containing a narrow single line triaryl methyl compound (trityl) solution at the 250 MHz imaging frequency. The image is compared to a standard single-field ESE image of the same phantom.Results: For the phantom used in this study, transverse relaxation (T2e) electron spin-echo (ESE) images from multi-B acquisition are more uniform, contain less prominent artifacts, and have a better signal to noise ratio (SNR) compared to single-field T2e images.Conclusions: The multi-B method is suitable for imaging of samples whose physical size restricts the applicability of the conventional single-field ESE imaging technique.
Normal Values of Prosthetic Valve Doppler Echocardiographic Parameters: A Review

Doppler echocardiography plays an important role in the evaluation of patients with prosthetic valves. The evaluation of flow velocities across prosthetic valves is more complicated compared with native valves, and flow velocities are specific for various types, positions, and sizes of prostheses. Because all prosthetic valves are at least mildly stenotic and a significant proportion is regurgitant, information regarding normally functioning prosthetic valves is important. Eighteen studies resulting in data on 1105 patients with normally functioning prosthetic valves were reviewed. Significant differences among the various types and sizes of prosthetic valves were found in both the aortic and mitral positions. The results are summarized in tables and figures that can be used for reference in a clinical laboratory.
The evolution of design and material criteria for polymeric structural materials

The purpose of this communication is to trace the evolution of the polymeric structural composites technology and provide a perspective on some of the issues influencing the expanded utilization of this technology. I will present this discussion in a lecture format as a statement of my personal experiences and their integration. for increased specific stiffness and strength characteristics with less demanding corrosion and fatigue control requirements. Technology demonstration programs and early design and production applications have shown that either graphite composites versus aluminium or glass composites versus aluminium: will yield weight savings of c. 20 to 25%. We have entered the age of composite materials.
Marker-based image recognition of dynamic content for the visually impaired

The access to information displayed in public spaces is a challenge faced by visually impaired people for which image processing techniques have the potential to deliver satisfactory solutions. However, object recognition algorithms must initially locate possible candidates in the images, which is a hard task in complex scenes. In this article, we introduce an image processing technique that relies on the incorporation of markers to panels and boards with fixed layouts displaying dynamic content. The markers allow: a) locating the objects to be recognized; b) correcting perspective in the input images; c) limiting the training set size for supervised learning; and d) guiding the visually impaired by indicating how they should position their devices for adequate pictures. The proposed technique can be used for automatic recognition of texts and images and is suitable for deployment on mobile devices, providing more independence to the citizens. Results of preliminary tests on vending machines show that this method is robust enough to be used in practice.
PRIMARY STRESS MEASUREMENTS AT EISENHOWER MEMORIAL TUNNEL, COLORADO

The in-situ stresses at Eisenhower Memorial Tunnel, Colorado were measured by the overcoring stress relief method. The tunnel bears east-west and penetrates the ridge of the continental divide, which locally trends n 20 e. The stresses are: (1) 900 plus or minus 200 psi (63 plus or minus 14 kg/sq cm) acting vertically; (2) 400 plus or minus 200 psi (28 plus or minus 14 kg/sq cm) acting horizontally parallel to the ridge, and (3) 100 plus or minus 200 psi (7 plus or minus 14 kg/sq cm) acting horizontally perpendicular to the ridge. The vertical stress correlates well with that expected due to a static overburden. The relation between the ridge orientation and the horizontal stress orientations suggests that the horizontal stresses depend on local topography. /Author/TRRL/
Mullahs, Martyrs, and Men Conceptualizing Masculinity in the Islamic Republic of Iran

A core component of the Islamic Revolution’s ideology was reformulation of gender discourse wrapped around an Islamic hypermasculinity. Attention has been focused on women’s roles and rights in the Islamic Republic, and men are assumed to universally have benefited from the regime’s policies. This hypermasculinity of the Republic has revised prerevolutionary ideals promoting new ideals of manhood. Mullahs are the sage interpreters of the Qur’an and Shari‘at. The young men who bide the dictates of the mullahs and sacrifice themselves for the Republic are martyrs. Then there are the ordinary men. The Shari‘at favors them at the family and civil society, but such a blanket vision ignores the costs paid by all men depending on their social class. High unemployment, inflation, oppression, and rampant drug abuse assail all men. They all pay for gender discrimination against all women in general and women of their social group in particular.
Calculating three-dimensional flows around structures and over rough terrain☆

Abstract A computing technique for low-speed fluid dynamics has been developed for the calculation of three-dimensional flows in the vicinity of one or more block-type structures. The full time-dependent Navier-Stokes equations are solved with a finite-difference scheme based on the Marker-and-Cell method. Effects of thermal buoyancy are included in a Boussinesq approximation. Marker particles that convect with the flow can be used to generate streaklines for flow visualization, or they can diffuse while convecting to represent the dispersion by turbulence of particulate matter. The vast amount of data resulting from these calculations has been rendered more intelligible by perspective-view and stereo-view plots of selected velocity and marker-particle distributions.
Accessing Legal and Regulatory Information in Internet Resources and Documents

SUMMARY The quantity of legal and government information accessible through online delivery has increased tremendously. Information technology has revolutionized the way much of this information is disseminated by government and the way that researchers access it. The increase in publication can be attributed to two factors: the government's efforts to create a virtual depository of publications and the capability of Internet technology to provide personalized “feeds” of topic-specific information through Web logs and RSS news aggregators. In this article, finding tools, primary and secondary sources of legal and regulatory government information will be identified and described including search engines and guides.
Regulation of CCAAT/enhancer binding proteinα (C/EBPα) gene expression by thiazolidinediones in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Thiazolidinediones are a class of antidiabetic drugs that induce preadipocyte differentiation by binding and activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma 2. Although thiazolidinediones are commonly thought of as insulin-sensitizing agents, these drugs have opposing and antagonistic effects to that of insulin on CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBP alpha) gene expression in fully differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Thiazolidinediones induce expression of C/EBP alpha mRNA and protein, while insulin stimulates a rapid decline in C/EBP alpha mRNA and protein. When added in combination, thiazolidinediones block the suppression of C/EBP alpha mRNA by insulin; however, thiazolidinediones do not block the insulin-induced decline in GLUT4 mRNA, indicating that repression of C/EBP alpha mRNA is not required for insulin to suppress expression of a C/EBP alpha-responsive gene such as GLUT4. Instead, insulin may regulate GLUT4 mRNA by inactivating C/EBP alpha through dephosphorylation as well as by inducing the expression of the dominant-negative form of C/EBP beta (liver inhibitory protein), since both of these processes occur in the presence of thiazolidinediones.
Exchange of an obstructed loop nephrostomy catheter: technical note.

Straightening of the distal loop of an obstructed self-retaining “Cope” style nephrostomy catheter may be impossible when the retaining thread is fixed by concretions. We describe a transcatheter technique using an 18 gauge Turner biopsy needle to place a 0.038 inch exchange guidewire for retaining access to the collecting system.
Practitioner Perceptions of the Importance, Function, and Actual Utilization of Dialogic Internet Tools and Institutional Resources at American Colleges

A survey of American college public relations professionals sheds light on perceptions of the importance, function, and actual utilization of Internet features. The practitioners clearly delineated the functions of the website and new media tools; providing information emerged as the most important function for college/university websites and engaging and interacting with publics emerged as the most important function of new media tools. Differences exist among features perceived as important and features actually offered. The respondents also indicated that they do not believe that they receive adequate time, training, staff, resources, and support to effectively maintain dialogic web-based practices.
Self-propelled, phage-based magnetoelastic biosentinels for detection of pathogens in liquid

This paper presents the concept of self-propelled magnetoelastic (ME) biosentinels that seek out and capture pathogenic bacteria in stagnant liquids. These biosentinels are composed of a free-standing, asymmetric-shaped ME resonator coated with a filamentous landscape phage that specifically binds with a pathogen of interest. When a time-varying magnetic pulse is applied, the ME biosentinels can be placed into mechanical resonance by magnetostriction. The resultant asymmetric vibration then generates a net force on the surroundings and hence generates autonomous motion in the liquid. As soon as the biosentinels find and bind with the target pathogen through the phage-based biomolecular recognition, a change in the biosentinel’s resonant frequency occurs, and thereby the presence of the target pathogen can be detected. In order to actuate the ME biosentinels into mechanical resonance of a desired mode, modal analysis using the three-dimensional finite element method was performed. In addition, the design of a magnetic chamber that can control the orientation and/or translation of a biosentinel is discussed.
Evaluating the Strength of Clinical Recommendations in the Medical Literature: GRADE, SORT, and AGREE

The medical community relies on scientific evidence to guide clinical practice. Evidence from systematic reviews, randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs), case–control or cohort studies, observational studies, and expert opinions are used to make disease-specific practice recommendations. More than 100 grading systems are used to rate the strength of these recommendations (West et al., 2002). A centralized and transparent method for evaluating and comparing these studies with the goal of translating evidence-based medicine to clinical practice guidelines is the cornerstone of two such validation scales: the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) and Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT).
Expression of Pro- and Anti-Apoptotic Proteins during Placental (Trophoblast) Differentiation

Expression of Pro- and Anti-Apoptotic Proteins during Placental (Trophoblast) Differentiation
Gynaecological short communication: A study of long term use of polyvinyl chloride ring pessaries without frequent change

SummaryIn a prospective study of 312 polyvinyl chloride pessaries to support genital prolapse over a period of 18 months, without removing the pessaries for inspection either of the pessary or of the vaginal tissue, only four needed temporary removal for superficial tissue damage or infection. There was no significant difference from a similar number where the pessaries were removed for inspection and replaced by a new one.
Toward an RFID Scheme for Secure Material Flow Tracing and Verification in Supply Chains

Radio Frequency Identification RFID is an important wireless communication and pervasive computing technique used for automatic item identification and data capture. In this paper, we present a scheme for securely tracing material flow in supply chains using the inherent RFID authentication and data logging capability. The scheme provides not only an overall path tracing and verification through the entire supply chain, but also the product identification within the scope of a supply chain partner. RFID tags and readers are deployed to ensure that only authorized supply chain partners can identify the tagged items in a secure and private way. The authors develop tag-reader authentication protocols to ensure the authenticity of RFID tags and readers. Their approach avoids the single point failure of the supply chain server-there is no need for each supply chain partner to communicate with the server for every material flow. Therefore, it minimizes the risks caused by system interruptions due to network failures or server unavailability.
Determination of Major Cations in Milk by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract Milk samples analyzed for major cations by atomic absorption spectrophotometry showed standard deviations for various elements, as follows: calcium, 0.019 g/liter, or 1.6%; magnesium, 0.002 g/liter, or 1.6%; potassium 0.029 g/liter, or 1.9%; and sodium, 0.010 g/liter, or 2.4%. Recoveries of added calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in milk were quantitative, and reproducibility of analytical results was satisfactory. Comparison of results obtained with this method and those obtained by flame photometry, direct titration of milk with EDTA, and oxalatepermanganate titration indicated that calcium was significantly higher at α = 0.05. Anaysis of data by separation means, however, revealed that the calcium content in whole milk did not vary significantly between methods, whereas for skimmilk, two of the four samples showed higher results with atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Measured values were within the required accuracy. Determination of magnesium by this method was particularly satisfactory, and results were more reliable than those obtained by direct titration of milk; results for potassium and sodium were comparable to those obtained by flame photometry.
College Students’ Perceptions of Peers Who Cheat1

Two studies investigated the efficacy of 3 theoretical models in explaining college students judgments of peers who cheat and of accomplices who assist cheaters. The value pluralism model predicted that accomplices who acted for money would be judged more harshly than those who acted from friendship; the attributional model predicted that cheaters whose actions were caused by internal controllable factors would be judged more harshly than those who actions were caused by external uncontrollable factors, and the relative preference model predicted that students who saw themselves as more likely to act as the cheater and accomplice did would make less harsh judgments. Overall, the results provided the best support for the relative preference model.
Adrenocorticotropin Immunoactivity in Monkey Hypophyseal Portal Blood

ACTH was measured with both C-terminal and midportion antibodies in monkey hypophyseal portal plasma, and compared to levels in monkey peripheral plasma, medial basal hypothalamus, and anterior pituitary. In nine female monkeys, mean hypophyseal portal blood C-terminal ACTH immunoactivity was 5290 +/- 2010 (SEM) pg/ml, whereas the mean midportion ACTH level was 949 +/- 178 pg/ml. These immunoactivities were not lower in two monkeys that were completely hypophysectomized 30 min before portal blood collection. The ratio of C-terminal to midportion ACTH immunoactivity was 4:1 in two monkey medial basal hypothalami, and 1:1 in four monkey anterior pituitary glands. Gel filtration of hypophyseal portal plasma extract and of medial basal hypothalamus showed that the C-terminal ACTH immunoactivity eluted in the same position as the corticotropin-like-intermediate lobe peptide standard. The similarity of the C-terminal to midportion ACTH ratios in monkey medial basal hypothalamus and portal blood, and the observation that ACTH immunoactivity was not significantly lower in two hypophysectomized monkeys suggests that portal blood C-terminal ACTH immunoactivity is of hypothalamic rather than pituitary origin. We conclude that monkey hypophyseal portal blood contains high levels of a C-terminal fragment of ACTH, which coelutes with corticotropin-like intermediate lobe peptide on gel filtration, and which is secreted from the brain directly into the portal circulation.
On the temperature distribution at the vicinity of dynamically propagating cracks in 4340 steel

Abstract T he heat generated due to plastic deformation at the tip of a dynamically propagating crack in a metal causes a large local temperature increase at the crack tip which is expected to affect the selection of failure modes during dynamic fracture and to thus influence the fracture toughness of the material. The distribution of temperature at the tips of dynamically propagating cracks in two heat treatments of AISI 4340 carbon steel was investigated experimentally using an array of eight high speed indium antimonide, infrared detectors. Experiments were performed on wedge loaded, compact tension specimens with initially blunted cracks, producing crack speeds ranging from 1900 to 730 m/s. The measurements provide the spatial distribution of temperature increase near the crack tip on the specimen surface. Temperature increases were as high as 465° C over ambient and the region of intense heating (greater than 100° C temperature rise) covered approximately one third of the active plastic zone on the specimen surface. The observed temperature increase profiles clearly show the three-dimensional nature of the fracture process near the specimen surface and provide valuable information regarding the dynamic formation of shear lips and their role in the dissipation of energy during dynamic crack growth. Preliminary temperature measurements performed on side-grooved specimens are also reported.
Ground states of baryoleptonic Q-balls in supersymmetric models

In supersymmetric generalizations of the standard model, all stable Q-balls are associated with some flat directions. We show that, if the flat direction has both the baryon number and the lepton number, the scalar field inside the Q-ball can deviate slightly from the flat direction in the ground state. We identify the true ground states of such nontopological solitons, including the electrically neutral and electrically charged Q-balls.
An attention theory of discrimination learning

Abstract Consideration of the data on the Overlearning Reversal Effect (ORE) suggests that attention is an important variable in discrimination learning. A linear model is proposed for such learning in which one of three responses occurs: (a) the subject attends and makes a correct choice; (b) the subject attends and makes an error; or (c) the subject does not attend (and is successful with probability 1 2 ). A 3-vector of response probabilities is introduced and linear transformations of this vector are proposed corresponding to the four possible experimental events. The expected mean learning and extinction curves are found, and the expected number of total errors in learning is computed. For appropriate parameter values, an ORE is predicted in terms of total errors, and in terms of probability of correct.
Thermisch regenerierbare Brennstoffzellen für die Erzeugung elektrischer Energie aus Wärme

Thermisch regenerierbare Brennstoffzellen stellen eine interessante neue Moglichkeit der Umwandlung von thermischer in elektrische Energie dar. Fur einen thermodynamischen Vergleich solcher Systeme untereinander und mit anderen Warmekraftmaschinen werden deren Temperatur-Entropie-Diagramme diskutiert. Die bisher fur die Verwendung in thermisch regenerierbaren Brennstoffzellen untersuchten chemischen Systeme lassen sich auf drei Grundtypen zuruckfuhren. Fur einige spezielle Systeme werden Arbeitsdaten mitgeteilt.
Infrared spectra and density functional calculations of triplet pnictinidene N÷ThF3, P÷ThF3 and As÷ThF3 molecules

Thorium atoms react with NF3, PF3, and AsF3 to produce the first actinide triplet state pnictinidene molecules, N÷ThF3, P÷ThF3, and As÷ThF3, which are trapped in solid argon and identified from infrared spectra and comparison to computed vibrational frequencies. Density functional theory calculations for these lowest energy triplet state products converge essentially to C3v symmetry structures. Spin density calculations show that the two unpaired electrons are mostly localized in nitrogen 2p, phosphorus 3p, or arsenic 4p orbitals. Although thorium has a small spin density, the weak degenerate πα molecular orbitals are populated entirely from the terminal N, P, or As based on DFT natural bond orbital analysis. This is in contrast with HC÷ThF3, which contains degenerate πα molecular orbitals with 81% C and 19% Th character.
The mechanisms of lipoxygenase inhibitor-induced apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

Abstract Previous experimental studies have shown that high dietary fat intake is associated with mammary carcinogenesis. In the current study, the effect of 5-LOX or 12-LOX inhibitors on human breast cancer cell proliferation and apoptosis, as well as the possible mechanisms were investigated. The LOX inhibitors, NDGA, Rev-5901, and baicalein all inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in MCF-7 (ER+) and MDA-MB-231 (ER−) breast cancer cell in vitro. In contrast, the LOX products, 5-HETE and 12-HETE had mitogenic effects, stimulating the proliferation of both cell lines. These inhibitors also induced cytochrome c release, caspase-9 activation, as well as downstream caspase-3, caspase-7 activation, and PARP cleavage. LOX inhibitor treatment also reduced the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 and increased the levels of the pro-apoptotic protein bax. In conclusion, blockade of both 5-LOX and 12-LOX pathways induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells through the cytochrome c release and caspase-9 activation, with changes in the levels of Bcl-2 family proteins.
Nutritional requirements for an oral strain of Lactobacillus acidophilus.

The relation of acid production by bacteria present in the oral cavity to the etiology of dental caries has received attention for a long period (1). More recently a number of publications have described the kinds of aciduric organisms in oral cavities (2, 3), while others have assayed the frequencies with which various species occur (4, 5, 6). Considerable information has been accumulated regarding the nutritive factors necessary for the growth of bacteria of various species (7-12). For some organisms, such as Lactobacillus case, it has been shown that the quantity of acid produced is correlated with the process and the extent of growth (13). This relation has become the basis of analytical methods for measuring the quantities of certain vitamins (14) and amino acids (15) in artificial media. Quantitative data regarding the chemical factors necessary for the nutrition of any of the aciduric organisms present in the oral cavity are almost nonexistent. Hill and Kniesner (16, 17) have stated that pantothenic acid and dextrose are necessary for the growth of Lactobacillus acidophilus. These are the only reports on the nutrition of oral bacteria of which we are aware. Therefore, it seemed desirable to acquire as much information as possible regarding the growth requirements of a typical microorganism from the human mouth for any contribution which such a study might make to the important problem of dental caries. It was thought too, that such an investigation might lead to information as to the usefulness of this microorganism in biochemical assay. For the initial study the organism selected was Lactobacillus acidophilus. The strain used has been identified bacteriologically and has been grown repeatedly on synthetic media in which the constituents are largely known chemical substances.
Prefabricated sensor panels for smart-civil-structures instrumentation

Installation of fiber optic sensors into large civil structures entails either embedding or attaching the sensors to some structural member. While we have performed sensor installations on numerous types and sizes of civil structures, this process is frequently quite labor- and time-intensive -- both of which can potentially conflict with construction site practices. In instances where it is desirable to install many sensors in close proximity, it may prove very beneficial to prefabricate panels of sensors and then install the panel into the structure. However, issues such as the effect of the panels on the structural integrity of the building may arise. In this paper we discuss this matter as well as the panel interconnect and sensor interrogation issues. Examples of prefabricated sensor panels designed for installation into a new wing of the Medical Center Hospital of Vermont are then presented.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dispelling the Myth

UNTIL we know more about speech psychology, applied linguistics, and the ultimate processes of language study, it is doubtful whether we can embody in the form of a set of concrete principles the subject treated in this paper. The following considerations are submitted with a certain pique caused by the naivete about linguistic pedagogy among the lay public and even in our own profession. There still exists a related group of harmful and persistent myths about the relative difficulty and values in learning certain foreign languages. Some of the major contributors to and even perpetrators of these myths are many of our own American teachers of German and French. We refer here to the notions so often expounded by these teachers that German, for instance, is harder to learn than Spanish and, therefore, that it must be taught in a different way. Another is that German is, per se, such a difficult and complex language that even the native Germans cannot write it well. Still another and perhaps the most harmful is the myth that German is more important and, consequently, a better language to study with regard to literature, history, and science. Those who hold to the last notion often go so far as to say that the world's best literature, philosophy, drama, history, art, science, etc. is written in French or German. These myths even include our foreign language students in their assumptions. It is often surmised that only the brighter students take these languages of "diplomacy" and "science," while the less intelligent ones take an "easier" language like Spanish or Italian. To avoid attempting too broad a scope for a short paper, most of the examples and comparisons from this point on will be between German and Spanish and limited mostly to the linguistic aspects of the prob em. It is our purpose here to see if we can bring ome of the sacred cows of our modern language studies into a more reasonable perspective or perhaps even into clear focus, and also to make some resulting suggestions toward a better methodology. A good place to start might be with the linguistic aspects of the teaching of German as compared to the teaching of Spanish to speakers of American English. It is a well-established linguistic and commoi-sense fact that the Eskimo language is not difficult for the Eskimos, Russian is not a hard language to learn for the Russians, and so on down the list of the approximate 5000 languages of the world. Since it is a distinguishing mark of the Homo sapiens to communicate orally, what the linguist must make of the above fact is that no one particular language is more difficult to learn than any other for normally-functioning human beings. Indeed, linguists have long argued that no single language is more primitive 23
Hydrocarbon combustion at high oxygen coverage on palladium: a model study on Pd(100)

Hydrocarbon combustion on Pd(100) was studied using temperature-programmed reaction spectroscopy (TPRS) at high oxygen coverages up to 1.1 oxygen atom per palladium atom. The hydrocarbons studied included both alkenes (propene, 1-butene, and 1,3-butadiene) and arenes (benzene, toluene, and styrene). Alkanes (pentane and cyclohexane) were also studied, but no reaction was detected. It was found that even at 1.1 O/Pd, efficient combustion reactions occur at 350–650 K for all the alkenes and arenes studied. It appears that higher chemisorption energies of hydrocarbon on the surface (butadiene > butene > propene; styrene > toluene > benzene) lead to lower activation energies and higher combustion yields. As the oxygen coverage increases from 0.25 O/Pd, the activation energies for the combustion reactions increase, and the combustion yields pass through a maximum, presumably due to a blocking effect of O(a) on hydrocarbon adsorption.
An approach for quasi 1-D MPD analysis

A means of analyzing magnetoplasmadynamic acceleration in a quasi one-dimensional channel is presented. Slowly changing area and small curvature effects can be considered. Most importantly, this method exposes the Hall effect on gasdynamic and magnetosonic choking. A means of relating experimentally measured current stream lines to ohmic dissipation is described.
Performance analysis of linear regulators with non-Gaussian Markovian disturbances†

Abstract Due to the complexity of non-Gaussian design, most control systems are designed via assumptions of Gaussian disturbances, oven for cases of non-Gaussian disturbances. Similarly, performance evaluations of systems designed via a Gaussian assumption when inputted with non-Gaussian disturbances are most difficult and rarely made. The present paper therefore presents a method for analysing such performances by deriving output probability structures for cases of input disturbances belonging to a class of non-Gaussian Markovian processes that are common to many chemical engineering processes. The analysis is based on considering the Chapman—Kolmogorov and the Fokker-Planck equations related to a two-state Markov process and its results are compared with the ease of Gaussian disturbances to facilitate the determination of the discrepancy between the performance expected by the Gaussian assumption and the actual performance.
Estimates for the classical parametrix for the Laplacian

We consider the integral operators which were used classically to give a parametrix and remainder for the Laplacian on a Riemannian manifold. Their kernels are defined in terms of the distance function. These operators are shown to be bounded operators on the L2 Hilbert spaces of differential forms, under the hypotheses that the manifold be complete and of finite volume, and that it satisfy curvature bounds. Furthermore, the remainder is shown to be compact.
Eating disorders: A primer for the substance abuse specialist: 1. Clinical features

The eating disorders of anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are no longer rare or esoteric syndromes. Because they affect about 5% of young adult women in westernized societies, and because there is a greater than chance co-morbidity with substance abuse disorders, it has become increasingly important for the substance abuse specialist to be knowledgeable about AN and BN. This paper will describe the epidemiologic, clinical, diagnostic, and prognostic features of the two eating disorders; a subsequent paper will examine theories of etiology and approaches to treatment, and discuss the special considerations that pertain when co-morbidity with substance abuse is indeed present.