cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed hybrid control for multiple-pursuer multiple-evader games

Multiple-pursuer multiple-evader games raise fundamental and novel problems in control theory and robotics. In this paper, we propose a distributed solution to this problem that simultaneously addresses the discrete assignment of pursuers to evaders as well as the continuous control strategies for capturing individual evaders. The resulting hybrid control framework guarantees the mutual exclusion property of the final assignment for all initial conditions as well as capturing all evaders after exploring at most a polynomial number of assignments, dramatically reducing the combinatorial nature of purely discrete assignment problems.
Suicidal Behavior Among Youth

Adolescent suicide is a top 10 cause of death, and the number of youth who kill themselves is increasing around the world (Kutcher & Gardner, 2008). In 2006, there were 1,296 deaths due to suicide among individuals 18 and younger in the United States. That same year, suicide was the third leading cause of death among 10- to 24-year-olds, making it a significant public health problem in these age groups (http://www.cdc.gov). Firearms, hanging, and poisoning are the most common means for suicide completion in youth (Bridge, Goldstein, & Brent, 2006). Close to 10% of adolescents have attempted suicide, and 15–30% report having considered suicide (Bridge et al., 2006). Suicidal ideation and attempts are more common among adolescent females than males; however, the reverse is true for completed suicide (Bridge et al., 2006). Although historically, suicide rates have been lower among African American than Caucasian youth, the gap has narrowed recently (Bridge et al., 2006). The highest youth suicide rate is among Native Americans. Latino youth do not appear to be overrepresented among completed suicides. Rates among Asian American youth are the lowest. Keywords: intervention; risk; suicide; youth
Global cognitive scores do not predict outcome after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation.

Background Presence of dementia is a contraindication for DBS treatment of Parkinson's disease. Recent evidence suggests that borderline cognitive function, as measured with a common screening measure, the Mattis Dementia Rating Scale, has a negative impact on quality of life (QoL) after DBS of the STN. Methods We attempted to replicate and extend this finding in a larger group of patients with a wider range of preoperative global cognitive performance. Results Our data indicate that performance on the screening measure is not associated with QoL or medical outcomes, even with scores well below the cutoff for identifying dementia. Conclusions This cognitive screening measure lacks sufficient sensitivity to warrant its use in predicting which patients will show QoL benefit from DBS. © 2015 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Transformations of Random Variables and Random Vectors

The notion of distribution function is especially useful when dealing with continuous random variables. However, any random variable has a distribution function, as one can see below.
The causal direction between money and prices

Abstract Causality is viewed as a matter of control. Controllability is captured in Simon's analysis of causality as an asymmetrical relation of recursion between variables in the unobservable data-generating process. Tests of the stability of marginal and conditional distributions for these variables can provide evidence of causal ordering. The causal direction between prices and money in the United States 1950–1985 is assessed. The balance of evidence supports the view that money does not cause prices, and that prices do cause money.
Interaction of Ultrasonic Waves with Simulated and Real Fatigue Cracks

It is now well accepted that the partial contact of fracture surfaces can have significant effects on the ultrasonic response of fatigue cracks. The authors and colleagues1–4 have developed an approximate model for this effect in which the array of contacts is replaced by an equivalent distributed spring with stiffness per unit area, K. A result of this model, the frequency dependent transmission and reflection coefficients, has been verified by comparison to exact solutions for special cases.5,6 Of particular note is the comparison to the transmission and reflection at a periodic array of strip contacts, as analyzed by Angel and Achenbach7, which is in good agreement with that of the spring model when the wavelength is large with respect to the contact spacing. Comparison to static elasticity solutions allows K to be determined for a variety of interesting interfacial topographies.5,6
An Atlas of Mouse Mammary Gland Development

The mouse mammary gland is a complex tissue, which is continually undergoing changes in structure and function. Embryonically, the gland begins with invasion of the underlying fat pad by a rudimentary ductal structure. Postnatal growth occurs in two phases: ductal growth and early alveolar development during estrous cycles, and cycles of proliferation, differentiation, and death that occur with each pregnancy, lactation, and involution. The variety of epithelial structures and stromal changes throughout the life of a mammary gland makes it a challenge to study. The purpose of this histological review is to give a brief representation of the morphological changes that occur throughout the cycle of mouse mammary gland development so that developmental changes observed in mouse models of mammary development can be appreciated.
728-1 Determination of Stenosis Length by Magnetic Resonance Coronary Angiography

Magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRA) can identify significant stenoses ( g 50%) as regions with reduced signal intensity due to disturbed intraluminal flow. To determine whether MRA stenosis length reflects true lesion length by x-ray angiography (XA). 12 patients (10 male and 2 female: age 65 ± 8 years) underwent both MRA and XA with an average of 2.1 ± 1.7 days between procedures. MRA was performed with the patient prone on an elliptical spine coil using a fat suppressed. TurboFlash, breath hold, segmented k-space sequence during late diastole. MRA defects were quantified off-line by manual tracing of digital images. XA stenoses were analyzed from 35 mm cine films using an electronic caliper which reported defect length, stenosis diameter and area. Matched MRA-XA stenoses included 5 in the left anterior descending (LAD), 8 right coronary artery (RCA) and 2 left circumflex (LCX). MRA and XA results were highly correlated (r = 0.96). MRA reported a slightly longer stenoses length 9.65 ± 2.0 mm versus 8.32 ± 2.1 mm for XA (p l 0.05 paired t-test). The ratio (MRA stenosis length/XA stenosis length) was not dependent on stenosis severity, absolute stenosis lumen diameter or area (MANOVA). Thus, in addition to detecting the presence of coronary lesions. MRA allows quantification of stenosis length. Download : Download high-res image (91KB) Download : Download full-size image
Analysis of Size and Compositional Distributions of Pleomorphic Ensembles Arising from Clustering of Multivalent Biological Molecules

Pleomorphic ensembles are aggregates of molecules linked through multivalent low affinity binding sites. Several examples serve to illustrate the diversity and ubiquity of such systems in cells: Nephrin-Nck-NWasp, P-granules, mRNA granules, focal adhesions, postsynaptic density regions and the aggregation of receptor signaling platforms. The classical polymer physical chemistry theory developed by Flory and Stockmayer provides an analytical framework for treating multivalent interactions in systems with up to two types of molecules and binding sites. We describe and validate a numerical algorithm that extends the theory to accommodate systems more often encountered in biology, such as interactions among many types of molecule and binding sites, and involving cooperativity. The algorithm breaks each molecule into its smallest representative unit in order to deterministically predict the probability of bonds, or fraction of molecules in each state. The pairing of molecules is computed stochastically, followed by sorting of the resulting bonds into clusters of connected molecules. This hybrid treatment is more computationally efficient compared to fully stochastic methods. The method can be used to describe kinetic or equilibrium systems. We show that the occurrence of rings (intramolecular interactions) in the largest cluster is a robust numerical predictor for gelation (when the molecules in the system form macroscopic aggregates). We use published experimental data on the nephrin-Nck-NWasp system to illustrate how the method can be used to help characterize the type of interactions between molecules in biological systems of interest. This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grants TRO1DK087650, R01HL097431, R01GM095485 and P41GM103313.
Rapid detection of urushiol allergens of Toxicodendron genus using leaf spray mass spectrometry

A new ambient ionization method - leaf-spray mass spectrometry - is used to detect allergenic urushiols directly from poison ivy (T. radicans) leaves with no sample preparation. These simple measurements show all the urushiols previously reported using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry methods. Tandem mass spectrometry analysis of the leaf spray ions confirms the identifications. Enhanced detection of some urushiols was achieved in the negative mode with the addition of chloride anions to the spray solvent.
Is visceral fat involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome? Human model.

JENSEN, MICHAEL D. Is visceral fat involved in the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome? Human model. Obesity. 2006;14(Suppl 1):20S–24S. Objective: To review the evidence for and against the role of visceral adipose tissue as a major contributor to the metabolic complications of obesity through abnormal regulation of lipolysis. Research Methods and Procedures: Data from investigators in the field who have studied visceral adiposity and metabolic health and/or regional and systemic free fatty acid (FFA) release were considered. Results: Although visceral fat mass was positively correlated with adverse health consequences and excess FFA availability, visceral fat was not the source of excess systemic FFA availability. Upper body non-visceral fat contributes the majority of FFAs in lean, obese, diabetic, and non-diabetic humans. Increasing amounts of visceral fat probably result in greater hepatic FFA delivery. Discussion: Systemic, as opposed to hepatic, insulin resistance is unlikely to be caused by high rates of visceral adipose tissue lipolysis.
Phospholipids chiral at phosphorus: Synthesis of dioleoylthiophosphatidylcholine and stereospecificity of lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase

Abstract Chiral 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-thiophosphocholine (DOPsC) was synthesized from chiral 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-thiophosphocholine (DPPsC) via hydrolysis to sn-glycero-3-thiophosphatidylcholine followed by reacylation. Both DOPsC and DPPsC were used to probe the stereochemical requirement in the enzyme-substrate recognition of lecithincholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) from human plasma. In contrast to phospholipase A2, LCAT is totally insensitive to sulfur substitution or configuration at phosphorus and gives indistinguishable Km and Vmax values to Rp and Sp isomers of DOPsC and DPPsC and the corresponding natural substrates. The results suggest lack of stereospecific interaction between LCAT and the phosphate group of phospholipids.
Cerebellar corticonuclear fibers: evidence of zones in the primate anterior lobe.

Abstract The organization of cerebellar corticonuclear fibers of the primate anterior lobe into zone has been determined using a silver impregnation method. In Galago there are 6 ipsilateral zones: two in the vermis, three in the intermediate area and one in the lateral cortex. The evidence suggests that the individual cortical zones become progressively narrower in more rostral lobules and, collectively, they converge towards the midline. These results offer experimental corroboration for the study of Voogd [23] and provide new data on the organization of zones in the primate anterior lobe.
A preliminary sediment budget for the Winyah Bay estuary, South Carolina, USA

Abstract Winyah Bay, a 65-km2 coastal plain estuary in South Carolina, has an average freshwater input of 557 m3 s−1 and presently receives 0.43×106 t yr−1 of suspended sediments from its watershed, corresponding to a yield of 12.7 t km−2 yr−1. However, 20 dams have been constructed on the upper rivers, primarily on the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers, which serve to capture an additional 0.40×106 t yr−1 of sediment, implying a gross sediment yield of 24.5 t km2 yr−1 for the watershed although almost 50% never reaches the coast. Continuous dredging in the estuarine channels removes 0.107×106 t yr−1 of silt and clay from the estuary. Sediment coring and 210 Pb analysis indicate that the sedimentation rate in Mud Bay, a high accretion area in the lower estuary, is 5.5 mm yr−1, which together with previous estimates of marsh sedimentation rates of 2.7 mm yr−1 in the tidal marshes surrounding the estuary leads to a total estuarine mud sedimentation estimate of 0.24×106 t yr−1. Thus, 80% of the fine-grained sediment reaching Winyah Bay is either accumulating in adjacent marshes or on estuarine mud flats or is being dredged and deposited offshore. Although these budget calculations need further confirmation by direct measurements and additional coring, Winyah Bay apparently delivers only a minimal amount of suspended fine-grained sediments to the coastal ocean.
A Trajectory Shaping Approach for Suppressing the Fundamental Vibratory Mode in Strain Wave Gearing Mechanisms

While strain wave gearing mechanisms, such as harmonic drives, have many practical benefits when properly utilized, they also create challenging problems for control engineers. Namely, these flexible gear reduction mechanisms can create output vibrations which cannot be directly measured or controlled by the actuator. In this paper, an input shaping approach will be proposed to pre-compensate the desired output trajectory to account for the transmission dynamics such that the system’s actual output will follow the original desired trajectory. Several system parameters need to be empirically identified prior to using the proposed procedure. This identification process will also be outlined. Both simulation and experimental results on a 6 degree of freedom industrial robot will be provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Applications of VLSI technology in a massively parallel machine

NON-VON is a highly parallel non-von Neumann supercomputer presently under construction at Columbia University. The basis for NON-VON's significant cost/performance advantage lies in a highly unusual application of VLSI technology to the realization of massive computational parallelism. This paper outlines the manner in which the emerging technology of VLSI circuits is employed in NON-VON to achieve this advantage. Particular emphasis is given to novel aspects of the design, layout, and operation of the NON-VON processing element, eight of which are to be embedded within each integrated circuit chip.
Analysis of Eddy Current Data Using a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN)

To characterize flaws caused by intergranular attack (IGA) in steam generator tubes, the Babcock & Wilcox (BW Class 2 contained flaws with depths above 40% through-wall. Classification was based on the Bobbin coil peak voltage and the corresponding phase angle data at the three different excitation frequencies of 600, 400, and 200 kHz. The results were compared with results from destructive examination. The study showed that best results were obtained when only the peak voltages were used to train the neural network. Based on this approach, the network classified the flaws correctly 72% of the time. Two methods of improving the network performance are proposed.
Certifying Fitness for Duty for High-Functioning Amputees: A Review

In this review, the current evidence for objective outcome measures for working-age amputees and the usefulness of these measures in fitness for duty evaluations was examined. Although certain federal agencies have developed a process to evaluate amputees in specific job-task environments, this mechanism does not translate to more complex or physically demanding job environments, such as military, law enforcement, and firefighting. The medical standards for individuals with an amputation in federally regulated occupations as examples of current fitness standards for amputees, legal precepts, and current research on prosthetic outcomes were reviewed in an effort to identify criteria that could aid the examining physician in certifying an amputee as fit for duty for complex and/or physically demanding job environments. The need to develop criteria for a “well-managed amputee” is introduced.
Mutagen formation in a model beef boiling system. II. Effects of proteolysis and comparison of soluble fractions from several protein sources

Abstract Fried beef and commercial beef extracts contain Ames/Salmonella frameshift mutagens that form at relatively low temperatures (100–200°C). To investigate the types of natural components in beef muscle that give rise to frameshift mutagenic activity, we previously devised a model boiling system and demonstrated that all of the Salmonella TA1538 activity is formed from H2O‐soluble, < 500 molecular wt compounds that are present in round steak supernatant fractions (S1 and S2). S2 is derived from S1, the soluble fraction of homogenized beef, by a brief 30 min boil and centrifugation. We now report that proteolysis of beef S1 with papain, trypsin, or chymotrypsin (± carboxypeptidase A) increases the mutagenic activity of boiled S2 by 1.8–4.5 fold over the baseline range of 90–100 TA1538 revertants/108 bacteria/g dry beef/14 h at pH 4.0. Sequential treatment of beef S1 with chymotrypsin followed by carboxypeptidase A is the most efficient mutagen enhancing digestion (415 revertants/g dry beef or 7.7 rev...
Le bévacizumab a-t-il un effet protecteur sur l’hépatotoxicité induite par la chimiothérapie ?

Resume Le pronostic des patients atteints de metastases hepatiques d’un cancer colorectal (MHCR) a ete bouleverse par l’arrivee de nouvelles chimiotherapies comme l’oxaliplatine et l’irinotecan. Toutefois l’enthousiasme lie a l’efficacite evidente de ces drogues est tempere par les lesions histopathologiques chimio-induites (la steatohepatite et le syndrome d’obstruction sinusoidale) aux consequences cliniques preoccupantes. Le bevacizumab, agent anti-angiogenique inhibant le vascular endothelial growth factor , a une action antitumorale en inhibant l’angiogenese necessaire au developpement de la tumeur. Toutefois, le bevacizumab inhibe egalement l’angiogenese physiologique necessaire aux mecanismes de cicatrisation et de regeneration tissulaire et l’utilisation en phase peri-operatoire doit etre evaluee. Les premieres donnees cliniques ont confirme une meilleure reponse tumorale lorsque le bevacizumab etait associe aux agents cytotoxiques, mais ont egalement demontre un effet protecteur du bevacizumab sur les lesions de SOS dont on sait qu’elles sont associees a une augmentation du VEGF. Aucune consequence clinique n’a ete observee dans le cadre des resections hepatiques encadrees par une administration de bevacizumab. La securite des patients repose avant tout sur une evaluation precise des volumes hepatiques et sur une utilisation parcimonieuse des agents cytotoxiques en preoperatoire suivi d’un delai suffisant (5 semaines) avant la chirurgie.
Regulation of retinoblastoma protein functions by ectopic expression of human cyclins

The retinoblastoma susceptibility gene (RB) product, the retinoblastoma protein (pRb), functions as a regulator of cell proliferation. Introduction of the RB gene into SAOS-2 osteosarcoma cells, which lack functional pRb, prevents cell cycle progression. Such growth-suppressive functions can be modulated by phosphorylation of pRb, which occurs via cell cycle-regulated kinases. We show that constitutively expressed cyclins A and E can overcome pRb-mediated suppression of proliferation. pRb becomes hyperphosphorylated in cells overexpressing these cyclins, and this phosphorylation is essential for cyclin A- and cyclin E-mediated rescue of pRb-blocked cells. This suggests that G1 and S phase cyclins can act as regulators of pRb function in the cell cycle by promoting pRb phosphorylation.
Foxa2 Controls Vesicle Docking and Insulin Secretion in Mature β Cells

The winged-helix transcription factor Foxa2 regulates Pdx1 gene expression and fetal endocrine pancreas development. We show here by inducible gene ablation that Foxa2 inactivation in mature beta cells induces hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia in Foxa2(loxP/loxP),Pdx1-CreERT2 adult mice. Mutant beta cells exhibited a markedly increased pool of docked insulin granules, some of which were engaged in sequential or compound exocytosis, consistent with increased first-phase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Expression of multiple genes involved in vesicular trafficking, membrane targeting, and fuel-secretion pathways is dependent on Foxa2. In addition, impaired cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations and elevated intracellular cyclic AMP production accompanied this secretory defect and were likely contributors to the sensitization of the exocytotic machinery. Thus, in the absence of Foxa2, alterations in intracellular second-messenger signaling redistribute the insulin granules into the readily releasable pool. We conclude that Foxa2 is required for both fetal pancreas development and the function of mature beta cells.
Engaging Underrepresented Undergraduates in Engineering Through a Hands-On Automotive-Themed REU Program

Since the summer of 2006, the department of Mechanical Engineering at Oakland University (OU) has been organizing a research experience for undergraduates (REU) program that has been successful at recruiting underrepresented undergraduates in engineering — women in particular. Funded in 2006–2009 and in 2010–2013 through the National Science Foundation REU program and the Department of Defense ASSURE program, this summer REU program focuses on automotive and energy-related research projects. The main purpose of this paper is to share our 6-year experience of organizing and running a summer REU program and to report on the outcomes and short/medium-term assessment results of the program. Also included are some recommendations that we would make to further enhance the success of similar REU programs. We believe that this type of information could prove to be of value to other REU program directors and faculty seeking to organize similar programs.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Factors Determining the Extratropical Response to Equatorial Diabatic Heating Anomalies.

Abstract The steady linear response of a spherical baroclinic atmosphere to an equatorial diabatic heat source having a simple horizontal and vertical structure is examined. This source is imposed upon representative zonally symmetric as well as zonally varying flows during the boreal winter. Two climatologies are considered. One is a 6-year average of global observations analyzed at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The other is a 30-year average, taken from a general circulation model (GCM) run at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton. The extratropical response is found to be very sensitive to the basic state around which the governing primitive equations are linearized, and in the case of the ECMWF climatology, to the longitudinal position of the source with respect to the climatological waves. There is also some sensitivity to the vertical level of maximum heating, although again this is more evident in the case of the ECMWF basic state. These results ar...
Anaerobic biodegradation of vegetable oil and its metabolic intermediates in oil-enriched freshwater sediments

Anaerobic biodegradation of vegetable oil in freshwater sediments is strongly inhibited by high concentrations of oil, but the presence of ferric hydroxide relieves the inhibition. The effect of ferric hydroxide is not due to physical or chemical interactions with long-chain fatty acids (LCFAs) that are produced as intermediates during metabolism of vegetable-oil triglycerides. The anaerobic biodegradation of canola oil and mixtures of acetic and oleic acids, two important intermediates of vegetable-oil metabolism, were investigated using sediments enriched on canola oil under methanogenic and iron-reducing conditions to determine whether the effect of ferric hydroxide has a biological basis. Sediments enriched under both conditions rapidly and completely converted canola oil to methane when the initial oil concentration was relatively low (1.9 g oil/kg sediments), but the biotransformation was strongly inhibited in sediments enriched under methanogenic conditions when the initial concentration was 19 g/kg (<30% of the oil-derived electron equivalents were transferred to methane in a 420-day incubation period). Sediments enriched under iron-reducing conditions, however, completely transformed canola oil to methane in about 250 days at this initial oil concentration. The anaerobic biotransformation of mixtures of acetate and oleic acid followed a similar pattern: the rate and extent of conversion of these electron-donor substrates to methane was always higher in sediments enriched under iron-reducing than under methanogenic conditions. These results suggest that enrichment on canola oil in the presence of ferric hydroxide selects a microbial community that is less sensitive to inhibition by LCFAs than the community that develops during enrichment under methanogenic conditions.
Inference generation, story comprehension, and language skills in the preschool years

Several researchers have shown that children’s ability to make inferences is related to their reading comprehension. The majority of research on this topic has been conducted on older children. However, given the recent focus on the importance of narrative comprehension in prereaders, the current study examined the relationship between inference making and story comprehension in 4- to 5-year-olds. We examined children’s online inferences while narrating a wordless book as well as children’s story comprehension of a different storybook. We found that children’s total number of inferences was significantly related to their story comprehension. Three types of inferences were significantly related to story comprehension—characters goals, actions that achieved those goals, and character states. In a hierarchical regression controlling for children’s age and expressive vocabulary, a composite of these three inference types significantly predicted children’s story comprehension.
The communication of compliments in romantic relationships: An investigation of relational satisfaction and sex differences and similarities in compliment behavior

The present study examines the role of compliments in romantic relationships. Surveys designed to assess relational satisfaction and participants’ feelings about compliments in romantic relationships were administered to 163 participants currently involved in a heterosexual romantic relationship. Participants were also asked to complete a diary, recording (1) the first three compliments received from their partner, or (2) the first three compliments given to their partner. The final data set consisted of 528 compliments. Compliments reported as received or given were coded for the formulaic structure of compliment, the topic of compliment, and verbal responses to compliment. Results indicate that compliments in romantic relationships are not as likely to follow the formulaic structure of compliments as do compliments given by strangers or acquaintances reported in previous research; participants’ perceptions of their own and their partners’ compliment behavior are positively related to relational satisfac...
Genomic Maps and Comparative Analysis of Histone Modifications in Human and Mouse

We mapped histone H3 lysine 4 di- and trimethylation and lysine 9/14 acetylation across the nonrepetitive portions of human chromosomes 21 and 22 and compared patterns of lysine 4 dimethylation for several orthologous human and mouse loci. Both chromosomes show punctate sites enriched for modified histones. Sites showing trimethylation correlate with transcription starts, while those showing mainly dimethylation occur elsewhere in the vicinity of active genes. Punctate methylation patterns are also evident at the cytokine and IL-4 receptor loci. The Hox clusters present a strikingly different picture, with broad lysine 4-methylated regions that overlay multiple active genes. We suggest these regions represent active chromatin domains required for the maintenance of Hox gene expression. Methylation patterns at orthologous loci are strongly conserved between human and mouse even though many methylated sites do not show sequence conservation notably higher than background. This suggests that the DNA elements that direct the methylation represent only a small fraction of the region or lie at some distance from the site.
Cardiovascular responses to agency and communion stressors in young women

Abstract Theory and research ( Helgeson, 1994 ) suggest that women are particularly responsive to communion stressors (i.e., social relationship concerns) as opposed to agency (i.e., achievement and dominance concerns) and that women low in the trait of agency are vulnerable to stress. To test these hypotheses, 60 undergraduate women interacted with a pre-recorded partner; one-third provided support to an interaction partner (i.e., communion stressor), debated current events (i.e., agency stressor), or described a typical day (i.e., control task). Compared to controls, the debate task evoked greater systolic blood pressure and heart rate reactivity and related autonomic changes. Compared to controls, providing support evoked larger increases in cardiac sympathetic activation and reduced vascular resistance. Low levels of trait agency were associated with greater CVR overall. Hence, agency and communion stressors had distinct psychophysiologic effects. Although both tasks heightened reactivity, the agency task evoked cognitive and physiological responses consistent with threat, whereas the communion task evoked a pattern consistent with challenge.
Texture Formation and Grain Boundary Networks in Rolling Assisted Biaxially Textured Substrates and in Epitaxial YBCO Films on Such Substrates

Abstract Electron backscatter Kikuchi diffraction was used to study texture development and grain boundary networks in rolling-assisted-biaxially-textured-substrates, and the transfer of such a biaxial texture and preferential grain boundary network to epitaxial YBCO films grown on such substrates. It was found that the rolling texture in the Ni substrate is highly complicated, with most of the grains having orientations at and between the “B” and “S” orientations. No cube nuclei could be discerned in the etched, as-rolled sample. On recrystallization, a sharp {001}〈100〉, cube texture was imparted to the Ni substrate. It was found that the substrate was percolatively connected within 3°. Examination of epitaxial oxide layers on Ni showed that excellent epitaxy was obtained. At times, undesirable orientations nucleated during growth of the oxide layer, however, these were engulfed by the growing film (with correct orientation). Orientation image micrographs of an epitaxial YBCO film on a RABiT substrate with a J c of 1.6 MA/cm 2 at 77 K showed that most of the film was percolatively connected within 2°. A comparison of the spatially correlated and uncorrelated grain boundary misorientation distributions showed that local grain-to-grain correlations were present between the grains. Comparison of the data obtained for the YBCO film with those obtained for the underlying Ni substrate showed that both the macroscopic texture and the grain boundary networks were very similar in the two cases, implying excellent epitaxy of the multilayers.
Electron microscopic observations of neurosecretory granules, nerve and glial fibers, and blood vessels in the median eminence of the rabbit.

The median eminence of the rabbit has been studied electron microscopically and the neurosecretory granules in the nerve terminals of the external layer were shown to be smaller and have a denser central core than the granules composing Herring bodies which are generally larger and have a paler core which is finely granular or vesicular. It was proposed that the small dense granules, which may represent neurosecretory substances destined to reach the pars distalis via portal veins, reach the nerve terminals in the external layer via certain dilated fibers described in this paper which contain identical granules. Some may also arise from the small dense granules occasionally seen in Herring bodies. The demonstration of neurotubules within Herring bodies and the continuity of nerve fibers into Herring bodies, as well as the demonstration of myelin around some aggregates of large pale granules such as those seen in Herring bodies are further evidence that Herring bodies are dilated axons. Wide perivascular connective tissue spaces and interfibrillary spaces were generally seen in the external but not the internal layers. The absence of neurosecretory granules from the perivascular connective tissue spaces suggests that neurosecretory granules go into solution before entering the connective tissue space. Some fibers containing neurosecretory granules, however, penetrated through the basement membrane into the perivascular spaces and certain unidentified electron dense granules were seen beneath the basement membrane of blood vessels.
DEFORMATION MICROSTRUCTURES OF BARRE GRANITE: AN OPTICAL, SEM AND TEM STUDY

Abstract New scanning electron microscope techniques have been developed for characterizing ductile deformation microstructures in felsic rocks. In addition, the thermomechanical history of the macroscopically undeformed Barre granite (Vermont, U.S.A.) has been reconstructed based on examination of deformation microstructures using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The microstructures reveal three distinct events: 1. (1) a low-stress, high-temperature event that produced subgrains in feldspars, and subgrains and recrystallized grains in quartz; 2. (2) a high-stress, low-temperature event that produced a high dislocation density in quartz and feldspars; and 3. (3) a lowest-temperature event that produced cracks, oriented primarily along cleavage planes in feldspars, and parallel to the macroscopic rift in quartz. The first two events are believed to reflect various stages in the intrusion and cooling history of the pluton, and the last may be related to the last stages of cooling, or to later tectonism.
A QoS Evaluation Testbed for Mac Protocols for Wireless Camera Networks

Existing QoS metrics can only be used for wireless sensor networks when the capability of sensor nodes is limited to making simple measurements such as temperature, pressure, etc. These metrics do not capture the communication patterns encountered when sensing is more elaborate, as in wireless camera networks where the need for distributed computation of image data may result in highly bursty communications among the nodes in a cluster. Whether or not a wireless camera network can successfully engage in, say, an object tracking task depends on whether the MAC protocol allows for these communication patterns to succeed with high reliability. Our testbed characterizes a MAC protocol on the basis of the following three criteria: time-bounded parameter-estimation accuracy (TIBPEA), latency, and energy efficiency. (An example of TIBPEA would be the precision with which an object can be located in space in a time-bounded manner by a cluster of nodes in the presence of bursty communications entailed by collaborative computing.) Our testbed simulator models bursty communications by enhanced data broadcast rates as needed by a vision task. Our paper includes characterization of a well-known MAC protocol.
Phosphatic deposits along the margin of the Pourtalès Terrace, Florida

Abstract Dredging along the margin of the Pourtales Terrace, Florida Straits, during 1960–1962 by several organizations has revealed the presence of a large area of phosphatic sediments. This zone ranges in water depth from 130 to 280 fm. Phosphorite is found as bone, nodules and irregular masses with conglomeratic, laminated and dendritic internal structures. The principal mineral is francolite. The deposits may be of Miocene age.
Pattern of abdominal free fluid following isolated blunt spleen or liver injury in the pediatric patient

BACKGROUND This study correlated isolated, blunt liver or spleen injury with the presence, location, and amount of free fluid in the pediatric blunt trauma patient. METHODS The hospital trauma registry was reviewed for the period 1/89 to 12/99 for pediatric patients (age < or = 17 years) who sustained blunt, isolated spleen or liver injury and had an abdominal CT scan. Patients with other intraabdominal injuries or inadequate scans were excluded. CT scans were reviewed by two radiologists and the isolated liver or spleen injury confirmed and graded. The presence, location, and amount of free fluid were evaluated in the RUQ, LUQ, and pelvis. Free fluid was quantified as 0 = no fluid, 1 = small amount, 2 = moderate, and 3 = large for each area. RESULTS There were 134 pediatric patients with an isolated spleen (n = 66) or liver (n = 68) injury. Free fluid was noted in 101 patients (75%), more commonly with spleen (82%) than with liver (69%) injuries. As injury grade increased, so did frequency of patients with free fluid (grade 1 = 50% to grade 5 = 100%) and mean total volume (sum of fluid scores from each region) of free fluid (grade 1 = 0.75 to grade 5 = 6.5). The mean total volume of free fluid was greater for splenic injury (3.1) than for liver injury (1.7). The pelvis was the most common location for free fluid (liver 53%, spleen 71%) and had the greatest mean volume of free fluid (liver 0.9, spleen 1.5) of any single region. CONCLUSION There is a direct correlation between the severity of the isolated injury and the likelihood and volume of associated free fluid. The pelvis was the most common location to detect free fluid and had the greatest estimated fluid volume.
Binary X-ray sources

The present state of understanding of binary X-ray sources is surveyed. The observed properties of the luminous quasi-periodic oscillation sources are discussed, and a recently developed, unified model of low-mass X-ray binary behavior is described. The most up-to-date models of X-ray spectral states, horizontal branch oscillations, and normal branch oscillations are examined.
The Early Mother-Infant Relationship and Social Competence with Peers and Adults at Three Years

The impact of the early mother-infant relationship on social competence was investigated in Ss from a low-income population born in a public hospital in a large city. Assessments of the mother-infant relationship were made at three months and one year. Social competence was assessed in three-week day camp sessions when the children were about three years old. The mother's responsiveness at three months was related to the child's later social competence with adults, while the infant's responsiveness to mother at three months was not correlated with measures of social competence with either adults or with peers. Ainsworth's "strange situation" classification at one year was related to the success of bids for interaction, complexity of bids, and whether the child spent time near peers or near adults at three years, as well as to camp staff members' ratings of social competence with peers and with adults. Staff ratings of social competence with both peers and adults consistently correlated positively with more objective behavioral measures.
Diagnosis and management of pediatric closed head injury

Closed head injury in the pediatric population accounts for almost half of all new cases of traumatic brain injury. The incidence of severe brain injury appears to be less in children as compared to the adult population. Over the past several years, advances in recognition and treatment of traumatic brain injury have led to improved outcomes in both children and adults. It is imperative, therefore, for the pediatric surgeon dealing with head trauma to have an understanding of the common brain injuries in the pediatric population, their early recognition and initial management. In this article, early diagnosis and initial management of the most common forms of pediatric closed head injury are reviewed.
The relationship between CAM use and adherence to antiretroviral therapies among persons living with HIV.

Objective The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA) may undermine other adaptive illness management behaviors, such as treatment adherence. The present study tests the hypothesis that CAM use is associated with intentional lapses in adherence (e.g., "medication vacations"), perhaps due to negative beliefs about antiretroviral therapy (ART). Method Cross-sectional interviews with 116 PLWHA were completed using a computerized assessment of self-reported CAM use and ART adherence. Results Almost half of participants used CAM to treat or manage HIV-related health concerns in the past month, and 78% had used CAM since being diagnosed with HIV. Seventy-one percent of participants endorsed at least one domain of intentional nonadherence since starting HIV treatment. As hypothesized, CAM users did not differ from nonusers on overall ART adherence. Contrary to hypotheses, CAM users were less likely to report taking medication vacations or having stopped taking HIV medications without their doctor's approval compared with nonusers. CAM intensity was also related to intentional nonadherence, such that patients who engaged in more CAM tended to report fewer skipped doses and fewer nonprescribed adjustments to their medication regimen in the past month. Conclusions Findings suggest that PLWHA use CAM as an adjunct to ART and that CAM use does not undermine ART adherence. Needed now is longitudinal research to determine how a proactive, holistic approach to HIV care interacts with conventional HIV treatment over time, and whether CAM use impacts long-term quality of life and health outcomes.
Descending pathways to the spinal cord, IV: Some factors related to the amount of cortex devoted to the corticospinal tract.

In the companion paper to this one (Nudo and Masterton: J. Comp. Neurol. 296:559-583, 'go), we have presented data indicating that in each of 22 mammals, there are either 2 or 3 separate regions of neocortex contributing corticospinal fibers. In this paper, we describe the variation in the absolute size of these cortical regions, the total amount of neocortex contributing corticospinal fibers (CST cortex), and the total amount of neocortex (total cortex) in each of the animals. We then use strict statistical tests to examine the relationships between these measures and several other quantitative measures or descriptions of the animals' size, ancestral heritage, motor prowess, and ecological adaptation. The results show that the absolute amount of CST cortex is more closely related to the total amount of neocortex than to any other quantitative measure available. The further variationthat is, the variation in the amount of CST cortex relative to total neocortex-appears to have been random over the inferred ancestral lineages of most animals in the sample, but seems to have been almost absent along the anthropoid lineage. Because this constancy in the relative amount of CST cortex over a very long period of anthropoid ancestry is apparently unusual if not unique among mammals, it may contain a clue to the special role of the corticospinal tract among primates. Finally, the distribution of the CST among the 3 cortical regions in primates was found to be
Estrogen Receptor α and Activating Protein-1 Mediate Estrogen Responsiveness of the Progesterone Receptor Gene in MCF-7 Breast Cancer Cells

The progesterone receptor (PR) gene is activated by estrogen in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Although the human PR gene does not contain an estrogen response element (ERE), we have identified a putative activating protein-1 (AP-1) site at +90 in the PR gene that was hypersensitive to deoxyribonuclease I cleavage in genomic Southern analysis, bound purified Fos and Jun, formed a complex with Fos/Jun heterodimers present in MCF-7 nuclear extracts in gel mobility shift assays, and functioned as an estrogen-responsive enhancer in transient cotransfection assays. When the +90 AP-1 site was mutated in the context of the PR gene, estrogen responsiveness was significantly decreased. Purified estrogen receptor (ER) enhanced binding of Fos and Jun to the +90 AP-1 site and bound to an adjacent imperfect ERE half-site. Mutating this ERE half-site diminished the binding of ER, Fos, and Jun and decreased transcription. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated that the ER, Fos, and Jun were present at the +90 AP-1 site in the endogenous PR gene only after treatment of MCF-7 cells with estrogen. These studies suggest that the cooperative interaction of the ER with Fos and Jun proteins helps confer estrogen responsiveness to the endogenous PR gene.
The yin-yang in immunity

Comment on Borg et al, page [3267][1], and Zhang et al, page [3276][2] In this issue of Blood , the natural killer (NK) cell is described in terms of its dendritic cell immune synapse and its effector functions as regulated by the transcription factor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor
SU-E-T-564: End-To-End Test for LINAC-Based SBRT with Onboard Planar and Volumetric Imaging System

Purpose: The Varian TrueBeam, TM, STx linear accelerator is equipped with flattening filter free (FFF) mode (6 MV and 10 MV), high definition multileaf collimators (HDMLC), as well as onboard imaging (OBI) devices, making it ideal for SBRT delivery. The purpose of this work is to design an end‐to‐end test to determine the dosimetric and targeting accuracy achievable with the TrueBeam system. Methods: An anthropomorphic head phantom with a Ball Cube II insert and FilmQA software were used to evaluate the accuracy of TrueBeam image guidance and dose delivery. Laser cut Gafchromic EBT2 films with 0.15 mm accuracy were used. The phantom with previously irradiated films inserted was first scanned with a CT scanner, and imported into the planning system. Four RapidArc plans and five IMRT plans were created with different energies, target sizes and delivery modalities. Plans were then delivered on the TrueBeam using image guidance to locate the isocenter. Films were analyzed using FilmQA, TM, (3cognition) software. The film dose was compared with Eclipse v8.9 calculated dose, and was analyzed using a Gamma index criterion of 3%/1 mm and 3%/2 mm. The shifts required to align the film with the calculated dose after the auto registration was estimated to be the targeting accuracy. Results: Targeting accuracy was found to be within 1 mm in all three orthogonal directions. Gamma index (3%, 1 mm) for all the plans was found to be above 90% except the plans with the smaller targets (2 cm and 1 cm) and higher energy (15 MV). Gammas index (3%, 2 mm) for all the plans was found to be above 97%. Conclusions: An end‐to‐end test has been designed and found to be excellent in accessing the targeting and dosimetric accuracy of the overall delivery of the TrueBeam system.