cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic analysis of a tod-lux bacterial reporter for toluene degradation and trichloroethylene cometabolism.

Kinetics of toluene and trichloroethylene (TCE) degradation and bioluminescence from the bioreporter Pseudomonas putida B2 and TVA8 were investigated utilizing batch and continuous culture, respectively. Degradation was modeled using a Michaelis-Menten expression for the competition of two substrates for a single enzyme system, and bioluminescence was modeled assuming a luciferase enzyme saturational dependence on toluene as the inducer and growth substrate. During the batch experiments, bioluminescence increased at approximately 90 namp/min for initial toluene concentrations of 10 to 50 mg/L, but more slowly at higher toluene concentrations, suggesting maximum promoter induction at below 10 mg/L and toxic effects above 50 mg/L toluene. TCE degradation did not occur until toluene depletion, presumably due to competition between toluene and TCE for the toluene dioxygenase enzyme. During continuous culture, bioluminescence transiently increased, then gradually decreased in response to increasing step changes in toluene feed concentration. Bioluminescence in the CSTR appeared to be limited by growth substrate and/or inducer.
SOME STILL-CURRENT DIMENSIONS OF APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS

Twenty years ago, an anthropological note described the current dimensions of applied behavior analysis as it was prescribed and practiced in 1968: It was, or ought to become, applied, behavioral, analytic, technological, conceptual, effective, and capable of appropriately generalized outcomes. A similar anthropological note today finds the same dimensions still prescriptive, and to an increasing extent, descriptive. Several new tactics have become evident, however, some in the realm of conceptual analysis, some in the sociological status of the discipline, and some in its understanding of the necessary systemic nature of any applied discipline that is to operate in the domain of important human behaviors.
Calcium transport and buffering in neurons

Abstract Calcium ions serve as a signal for numerous neuronal functions. This requires a very low, modulated, resting cytosolic free Ca 2+ concentration, and diverse mechanisms to regulate the time course and spatial distribution of transient Ca 2+ increases, so that Ca 2+ can separately activate multiple processes within the same neuron. The interplay of several systems that release Ca 2+ into the cytosol, and multiple mechanisms that buffer Ca 2+ in the cytosol, sequester Ca 2+ in intracellular organelles, and extrude Ca 2+ across the plasmalemma, provide the requisite control. These mechanisms are utilized differently in different neurons to meet specific demands such as variations in excitation patterns.
Pharmacological analysis of the tachycardia produced by histamine and specific H1-and H2-receptor agonists in anesthetized dogs.

A study was designed to investigate the mechanism(s) of the tachycardia produced by histamine and specific H1- and H2-receptor agonists in anesthetized dogs. I.v. administration of histamine, 2-methylhistamine, and 4-methylhistamine caused a fall in blood pressure and an increase in heart rate. Prior administration of mepyramine, a histamine H1-receptor antagonist, significantly antagonized the depressor and positive chronotropic effects of histamine and completely abolished the cardiovascular actions of 2-methylhistamine, whereas responses to 4-methylhistamine were not affected. Subsequent administration of metiamide, a specific H2-receptor antagonist, completely abolished the remaining cardiovascular effects of histamine and the hypotension and tachycardia observed after 4-methylhistamine were also antagonized. In another series of experiments, bilateral vagotomy significantly attenuated the tachycardia and subsequent removal of cardiac sympathetic nerve supply completely abolished it without affecting the depressor effects of these agents. Pharmacological blockade of muscarinic receptors with atropine in another group of animals also significantly attenuated the positive chronotropic effect which was completely prevented by further treatment with propranolol. The hypotension produced by histamine agonists was not affected by atropine and propranolol. These results demonstrate that in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, the tachycardia produced by histamine and specific H1- and H2-receptor agonists are due to reciprocal alterations in cardiac autonomic activity as a result of the fall in the arterial pressure. Activation of cardiac histamine receptors does not seem to account for the positive chronotropic effects of these compounds in intact dogs.
Action potentials occur only on lumen surface of tunicate myoendothelial cells

Abstract 1. 1. The apical and luminal surface resistances of the heart wall were determined by an intracellular microelectrode and transwall currents. 2. 2. Only the luminal surface was capable of generating an action potential and initiating contraction. 3. 3. Isosmotic KCl depolarized either surface but contractures occurred only with luminal surface depolarization. 4. 4. Myofibrils are found only near the luminal surface.
Use of Thematic Mapper Imagery to Identify Mineralization in the Santa Teresa District, Sonora, Mexico

Integrated multispectral, geologic, mineralogic, and geochemical studies of the Santa Teresa district, Sonora, Mexico, were used to map the lithology and identify zones of alteration characteristic of known gold deposits within the area. Forty sedimenthosted, bulk-mineable, leachable, fine-grained, disseminated gold prospects have been identified. These deposits vary in size and grade from 1.5 million tons of ore averaging up to 2.8 grams Au/ton to less than 2,000 tons of ore averaging less than 1.0 gm Au/ton. A variety of deposit types exist in the district, having the characteristics of hot-spring sinter, skarns, epithermal high-level veins, bonanza silver veins, granite and porphyry-related mineralization, and sedimenthosted disseminated deposits. The latter is presently the most important economically and is characterized by decalcification, silicification, argillic alteration, and anomalous Au, Ag, As, Hg, and Te. Digital image processing techniques were used with Landsat 5 Thematic Mapper data to en...
Novel syntheses of enantiopure hexahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolines and tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolin-1(5H)-ones via iminium cation cyclizations

Condensations of chiral diamines 11a−c with benzotriazole and formaldehyde gave benzotriazolyl intermediates 12a−c; similar condensations of α-amino-amides 10a−c with benzotriazole and paraformaldehyde gave 14a−c. Subsequent treatment of 12a−c and 14a−c with AlCl3 led to enantiopure tricyclic 1,2,3,5,10,10a-hexahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolines 1a−c and 2,3,10,10a-tetrahydroimidazo[1,5-b]isoquinolin-1(5H)-ones 15a−c, respectively, via Lewis acid promoted iminium cation cyclizations.
Quantitative evaluation of the depth of the western Mediterranean before, during and after the Late Miocene salinity crisis

Quantitative geophysical calculations which take into consideration the isostatic loading of sediment overburden, the overlying water cover, and the thermal cooling history of the continental edge, and its adjacent oceanic lithosphere, demonstrate the foundering of the margins of the western Mediterranean had already commenced in the Aquitanian stage of the early Miocene. The calculations are based on magnitudes and rates of sediment accumulation observed along a profile of three commercial boreholes into the subsurface of the continental shelf of southern France. By the time of the late Miocene (Messinian) salinity crisis, the depth of the seafloor within the Balearic basin exceeded 2.5 km. Sea-level fluctuations induced by evaporitic draw-down permitted the exposure of large tracts of the former submerged continental margins to subaerial processes. The measured magnitude of sediment removal by erosion and channel incision near the outer shelf of the modern Gulf of Lion surpasses 1 km. The subsidence history of this shelf platform south of France provides new evidence that the continental lithosphere behaves as if it is rigidly coupled to its oceanic counterpart commencing with the initial phase of the pull-apart. No major vertical fault displacements have subsequently offset their overlying crustal layers. The sedimentary shaping and construction of the margin seaward of the Rhone delta resulted in a pronounced shelf edge migration and slope progradation during the pre-salinity crisis Miocene. It has taken 5 million years of predominant upbuilding to establish a new equilibrium profile similar in cross-section to the precrisis depositional surfaces created by outbuilding.
Seeding of Colloidal Au Nanoparticle Solutions. 2. Improved Control of Particle Size and Shape

New fields of research in chemistry and physics require improved synthetic techniques for colloidal metal particles. This paper reports a generally applicable technique for synthesizing colloidal Au particles of mean diameters between 20 and 100 nm that exhibit improved monodispersity relative to previously published methods. In this approach (called “seeding”) Au3+ is reduced on the surface of preformed 12-nm-diameter Au nanoparticles by introduction of boiling sodium citrate, producing particles highly uniform in size and shape. A similar procedure, utilizing the reductant NH2OH at room temperature, produces two populations of particles; the larger population is even more spherical than citrate-reduced particles of similar size, while the smaller population is very distinctly rod-shaped.
Survival of spotted salamander eggs in temporary woodland ponds of coastal Maryland

Abstract Temporary ponds on the Atlantic Coastal Plain in maryland were characterized according to water chemistry, rain input, phytoplankton, zooplankton and use by the spotted salamander Ambystoma maculatum during March–October 1983–1984. Neither the number of egg masses per unit of pond surface (abundance) nor the survival of spotted salamander embryos was significantly correlated ( P > 0·05) with pond pH. Rainfall during May–July significantly increased the hydrogen ion concentration of 5 of 11 ponds evaluated for the impact of rainfall during the previous 48h and the previous week. Survival of egg masses transferred among eight ponds with pH3·66–4·45 and one pond with pH5·18 was significantly reduced ( P ≤ 0·05) only at pH 3·66. Embryonic survival was negatively correlated ( P ≤ 0·05) with the concentration of aluminium in the pond water. The abundance of egg masses was positively correlated ( P ≤ 0·05) with water temperature magnesium concentration, and total chlorophyll during the larval period. Yearly variability of pond characteristics (e.g. water chemistry, pond longevity) and amphibian reproduction make it difficult to determine the effects of acidic deposition on the spotted salamander. At the present time, pond longevity, water temperature and possibly, oxygen content, seem more important to spotted salamander reproduction than chemical changes caused by annual acidic deposition.
Relaxation phenomena near the sol‐gel transition

Near the sol-gel transition, relaxation phenomena exhibit a form of critical slowing down that is manifest in a variety of microscopic and macroscopic dynamical phenomena. For example, quasielastic light scattering studies (QELS) of the relaxation of thermally induced density fluctuations in critical silica sol-gels reveal a self-similar dynamics wherein decay processes occur on all time scales (fractal time), and average decay times diverge. Likewise, time- and frequency-dependent viscoelastic phenomena of critical gels are described by power laws and both the viscosity and recoverable equilibrium creep compliance diverge. These unusual relaxation phenomena appear to be associated with the connectivity divergence that occurs at the sol-gel transition. Light scattering studies of this sol-gel transition reveal fractal clusters whose size diverges as a power law, in reasonable accord with the predictions of percolation theory. Based on these structural observations, we have developed a scaling description of the dynamics that relies on a length-scale-dependent viscosity and the geometrical self-similarity of the sol-gel transition. When percolation exponents are used in these expressions, a good description of the viscoelastic phenomena and the relaxation of density fluctuations near the gel point is obtained. Finally, it is shown that the dynamic scaling treatment of the viscoelastic properties can be summarized in a Time-Cure Superposition principle, which predicts certain universal axes for frequency- or time-dependent properties near the gel point.
Factors which influence alterations of phosphates and pH in exercising human skeletal muscle: Measurement error, reproducibility, and effects of fasting, carbohydrate loading, and metabolic acidosis

Previous studies have shown considerable variability in the metabolic response of human skeletal muscle during a standardized exercise protocol. The goal of these studies was to investigate the factors responsible for the broad range of metabolic changes produced by fatiguing exercise. Experiments were performed to quantitate the measurement error of 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of human muscle, the reproducibility of changes within a single subject, and the effects of fasting, carbohydrate loading, and metabolic acidosis. The results show that none of these factors appear to be responsible for the wide variation between subjects. However, the effects of training and genetic factors were not investigated and are likely to be responsible for the substantial variability between subjects.© 1995 John Wiley &Sons, Inc.
The Class Nature of Globalization in the Age of Imperialism

This article examines the relationship between globalization and imperialism, the dynamics, contradictions, and crisis of global capitalism, and its political-military arm the imperial state, the developing and maturing class struggle, and the prospects for social change and transformation of global capitalism. It examines these within the context of the globalization of capital in the 20th century and draws out the political implications of this process for the future course of capitalist development on a world scale. The article drives home the point that contemporary neoliberal globalization is in fact an advanced stage of capitalist imperialism, and that the contradictions of 21st century globalization are thus a projection of the contradictions of capitalism on a global scale, with all its inherent exploitative characteristics and conflicts that will lead to the revolutionary transformation of capitalist society.
Nutritional support: a prophylaxis against stress bleeding after spinal cord injury.

Summary The incidence of upper gastrointestinal (UG /) bleeding and the effect of nutritional support was studied retrospectively in 166 spinal cord injured patients. Sixty six patients included in group 1 were started on oral diet when 'clinically ready' which resulted in a haphazard manner for provision of nutrition. One hundred patients in group 2 were treated according to an organised nutrition protocol. The protocol initiates total parental nutrition (TPN) If the patient is not tolerating an oral diet by day 5. All group 2 patients met their total energy requirements (TER) within 48 hours after initiating caloric supplementation. The overall incidence of acute acid peptic ulceration leading to significant bleeding or perforation was 4%. Five of the 66 group 1 patients (7.5'jo) and 2 of the 100 group 2 patients (2%) developed acute ulcerations. While the exact mechanism remains unclear, this significant (p < 0·05) reduction indicates that a nutritional regimen that meets a patients TER decreases the likelihood of acid peptic complica­ tions after spinal cord injury.
Comparison of 13CαH and 15NH backbone dynamics in protein GB1

This study presents a site-resolved experimental view of backbone CαH and NH internal motions in the 56-residue immunoglobulin-binding domain of streptococcal protein G, GB1. Using 13CαH and 15NH NMR relaxation data [T1, T2, and NOE] acquired at three resonance frequencies (1H frequencies of 500, 600, and 800 MHz), spectral density functions were calculated as F(ω) = 2ωJ(ω) to provide a model-independent way to visualize and analyze internal motional correlation time distributions for backbone groups in GB1. Line broadening in F(ω) curves indicates the presence of nanosecond time scale internal motions (0.8 to 5 nsec) for all CαH and NH groups. Deconvolution of F(ω) curves effectively separates overall tumbling and internal motional correlation time distributions to yield more accurate order parameters than determined by using standard model free approaches. Compared to NH groups, CαH internal motions are more broadly distributed on the nanosecond time scale, and larger CαH order parameters are related to correlated bond rotations for CαH fluctuations. Motional parameters for NH groups are more structurally correlated, with NH order parameters, for example, being larger for residues in more structured regions of β-sheet and helix and generally smaller for residues in the loop and turns. This is most likely related to the observation that NH order parameters are correlated to hydrogen bonding. This study contributes to the general understanding of protein dynamics and exemplifies an alternative and easier way to analyze NMR relaxation data.
Insoluble γ-Tubulin–Containing Structures Are Anchored to the Apical Network of Intermediate Filaments in Polarized Caco-2 Epithelial Cells

We have previously shown that a thin (∼1 μm) layer of intermediate filaments located beneath the apical membrane of a variety of simple epithelial cells participates in the organization of apical microfilaments and microtubules. Here, I confirmed the apical distribution of γ-tubulin–containing structures (potential microtubule-organizing centers) in CACO-2 cells and demonstrated perfect colocalization of centrosomes and nearly 50% of noncentrosomal γ-tubulin with apical intermediate filaments, but not with apical F-actin. Furthermore, the antisense-oligonucleotide–mediated downregulation of cytokeratin 19, using two different antisense sequences, was more efficient than anticytoskeletal agents to delocalize centrosomes. Electron microscopy colocalization suggests that binding occurs at the outer boundary of the pericentriolar material. Type I cytokeratins 18 and 19 present in these cells specifically coimmunoprecipitated in multi-protein fragments of the cytoskeleton with γ-tubulin. The size and shape of the fragments, visualized at the EM level, indicate that physical trapping is an unlikely explanation for this result. Drastic changes in the extraction protocol did not affect coimmunoprecipitation. These results from three independent techniques, indicate that insoluble γ-tubulin–containing structures are attached to apical intermediate filaments.
The UK Government and the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda

The genocide that took place in Rwanda in 1994 will remain, for our generation, the enduring failure to intervene in the face of massive human-rights abuse. The genocide lasted for three months, and during that time an estimated one million people were killed. The killing was organized in advance; it was the direct result of a deliberate government policy and was carried out according to an explicit strategy. The combination of revelations about the scale and the intensity of the genocide, the failure to intervene to prevent it or to stop its progression country-wide, and the suppression of information about what was actually happening is a shocking indictment not just of the UN Security Council but of governments and individuals who knew what was happening and who chose to remain silent. The failure of UN policy toward Rwanda, a policy devised by members of the Security Council, had a decisive effect on events. It merits precise documentation. The focus of this article is the role of the British government led by Prime Minister John Major. While the United Nations has shown its willingness to uncover how and why it reacted the way it did, in the United Kingdom there continues to be a reluctance to try to account for Britain’s policies toward Rwanda. Neither press nor Parliament has shown any enthusiasm to scrutinize this particular part of history or to explain why the United Kingdom, a country with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, should have chosen to influence events in the way it did. Britain, far from taking a back seat, was instrumental in shaping the UN response to the crisis, and this leaves unanswered a central question: Was the United Kingdom, a country with special power and privilege in the Security Council, impotent or unwilling to implement the 1948 UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (UNCG), either to prevent the occurrence of genocide in Rwanda or, once it began, to stop it from spreading? In the United Kingdom, a country where secrecy pervades most aspects of government, the issue of Rwanda is particularly sensitive. There are continuing attempts to obscure individual responsibility in the decision-making process. There is even a claim that, in the archives of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in Whitehall, the paper trail on Rwanda, 1990–1994, has been weeded. There is resistance to release any of the diplomatic cables that passed between the policy makers in London and Britain’s UN mission in New York. Some officials involved at the time are reluctant even to discuss Rwanda, a reluctance bolstered by the ongoing failure of press and Parliament to examine this episode in British foreign policy. In the writings and memoirs of those concerned, there is hardly a relevant word—in John Major’s case, the genocide has completely vanished from the public version of his period in office.
Radiotherapy in the management of localized primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma.

The optimal therapy and radiation dose for patients with localized primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma (PCBCL) are unknown. We retrospectively identifi ed 23 patients with localized (T1 – T2) PCBCL treated with defi nitive radiation to doses ranging from 30 to 44 Gy (median, 36 Gy). With a median follow-up of 4.8 years, the 5-year overall survival rate was 100%, the relapsefree survival rate was 71% (95% confi dence interval, 46 – 86%) and there were no local recurrences, suggesting that radiotherapy to a dose of 30 Gy may be suffi cient for cure.
Structural and functional neuroimaging correlates of depression in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Abstract Depression is commonly experienced among persons with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Although evidence exists implicating dysfunction of distributed neural structure and circuitry among depressed persons without epilepsy, little is known regarding the neural correlates of depression in TLE. We examined the relationship between self-reported depression severity and both structural MRI volumetry and [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET)-measured resting metabolism of the amygdala and hippocampus of 18 patients with TLE. Significant positive relationships were noted between right and left amygdala volumes and depression. No other significant relationships were observed between amygdala PET measures, hippocampal volumes, or hippocampal PET measures and degree of depressive symptomatology. These findings indicate that both right and left amygdala volumes are associated with depression severity among persons with TLE. Future studies examining the potential role of extended neural regions may clarify the observed structural relationship between depressive symptoms and the amygdala.
Distance measurements between the metal-binding sites in thermolysin using terbium ion as a fluorescent probe.

Abstract A single terbium ion has been introduced into thermolysin replacing two of the four calcium ions, and the fluorescence properties of the protein-bound terbium have been studied. The fluorescence of Tb+3 is tremendously enhanced (∼7 × 103) upon binding and is significantly quenched when divalent cobalt is substituted for the zinc ion normally found in the enzyme. By use of the Forster equation for energy transfer the distance between the protein-bound Tb+3 and Co+2 in the active site was calculated to be 13.6±0.5 A. This agrees closely with the value of 13.9 A obtained from the crystal structure and suggests that energy transfer between the two metal ions bound to the protein takes place by a dipole-dipole mechanism.
Every topological surface can be knit: a proof

We develop a mathematical model for idealized knitting in terms of rubber-sheet topology. The model describes only those objects that can be knitted with a single (mathematical) strand of yarn, and we describe the actual knitting procedures that correspond to (and do not correspond to) this ideal. This model is then used in conjunction with the standard classification of topological surfaces to show that any topological surface can be knit. A representative sampling of surfaces are knit as evidence that the model translates to the reality of knitting. In addition, we discuss the geometric considerations that informed the knitting constructions used in the proofs of the main results.
Biochemical Characterization of Pathogenic Mutations in Human Mitochondrial Methionyl-tRNA Formyltransferase

N-Formylation of initiator methionyl-tRNA (Met-tRNAMet) by methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (MTF) is important for translation initiation in bacteria, mitochondria, and chloroplasts. Unlike all other translation systems, the metazoan mitochondrial system is unique in using a single methionine tRNA (tRNAMet) for both initiation and elongation. A portion of Met-tRNAMet is formylated for initiation, whereas the remainder is used for elongation. Recently, we showed that compound heterozygous mutations within the nuclear gene encoding human mitochondrial MTF (mt-MTF) significantly reduced mitochondrial translation efficiency, leading to combined oxidative phosphorylation deficiency and Leigh syndrome in two unrelated patients. Patient P1 has a stop codon mutation in one of the MTF genes and an S209L mutation in the other MTF gene. P2 has a S125L mutation in one of the MTF genes and the same S209L mutation as P1 in the other MTF gene. Here, we have investigated the effect of mutations at Ser-125 and Ser-209 on activities of human mt-MTF and of the corresponding mutations, Ala-89 or Ala-172, respectively, on activities of Escherichia coli MTF. The S125L mutant has 653-fold lower activity, whereas the S209L mutant has 36-fold lower activity. Thus, both patients depend upon residual activity of the S209L mutant to support low levels of mitochondrial protein synthesis. We discuss the implications of these and other results for whether the effect of the S209L mutation on mitochondrial translational efficiency is due to reduced activity of the mutant mt-MTF and/or reduced levels of the mutant mt-MTF.
Measurement of Pilocarpine and Its Degradation Products by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

An assay method for pilocarpine using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography is presented. This method also measures isopilocarpine, the stereoisomer of pilocarpine, and the degradation products pilocarpic acid and isopilocarpic acid. Maximum sensitivity was obtained with optical absorbance at 216 nm.
A study of a hereditary cataract in the mouse.

This report presents a study of cataracts seen in a random-bred strain of Swiss mice with Balb/c mice used as a control group. The embryonic development, and histological and slit lamp observations of the lenses in the two groups of animals are contrasted. The cataract is dominant in its inheritance (Tissot, '62). It appears either unilaterally or bilaterally as a dense white opacity in the lens substance. The earliest sign of abnormal formation occurs at 14 days of embryonic development. This is associated with a defect in the primary lens fibers formation. Progressive degeneration of these fibers occurs until they are reduced to a mass of cellular debris seen at the last day of gestation. The secondary fibers are also laid down in an abnormal manner. The normal lamellar arrangement of the secondary fibers is not seen in cataractous lenses. The abnormal lens fiber development leads to progressive vacuolization. The mature cataract seen in the adult is filled with many vacuoles, the largest ones occurring at the equatorial region. The nuclear region consists of a clumpy eosinophilic mass with scattered calcified areas. The rate of growth of the secondary fibers is different from that of the normal group. Most of the mature cataracts in the adult contain a vascularized epithelium. There are three possible areas of primary involvement which may lead to the development of the cataract. This are: (1) A defect in the development of the primary lens fibers; (2) A defect in the development of the secondary lens fibers; (3) An abnormal lens epithelium which may interfere with nutrition of the lens and thus initiate cataract formation.
Let's See More Empirical Studies on Value-Added Modeling of Teacher Effects: A Reply to Raudenbush, Rubin, Stuart and Zanutto, and Reckase

The insightful discussions by Raudenbush, Rubin, Stuart and Zanutto (RSZ) and Reckase identify important challenges for interpreting the output of VAM and for its use with test-based accountability. As these authors note, VAM are statistical models for the correlations among scores from students who share common teachers or schools during the years of schooling when testing occurs. We follow the convention in this literature of using the phrase "teacher effects" to describe the source of correlation among scores from students who shared a teacher, but teachers are not the only source of this correlation, and the estimated "effects" do not necessarily correspond to any well defined causal effect or attribute of the teacher. Many factors including the causal effects of teachers and schools identified by Raudenbush and RSZ as well as context effects, noneducational inputs, and the characteristics of tests all contribute to these correlations. As Reckase points out careful consideration of testing alone suggests that these statistical models will need to be highly complex to adequately describe the likely correlation structure in longitudinal student test data. In our article, we developed a model for these correlations that is more flexible than those currently used for VAM. Our model can estimate features of the data that other models cannot, and it provides a framework for understanding the similarities and differences of various approaches that have been used or suggested for VAM. Furthermore, our analytic evaluations identified circumstances that cause This research was supported by Grant B7230 from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The statements made and views expressed are solely the responsibility of the authors.
Design and implication of a bionic pectoral fin imitating cow-nosed ray

Pectoral foil structure and motion discipline of cow-nosed ray as nature prototype is analyzed. A bionic pectoral fin is designed according to the analysis results. Propulsion performance of the bionic fin at sinusoidal motion law is studied experimentally on a towing platform, at the oscillating frequency from 0.2 Hz to 2 Hz and amplitude from 2.5° to 30°. Well driving ability is obtained, and maximal average thrust of 2.75N is achieved by a single bionic fin expressed at towing speed of 10 cm/s. A biomimetic fish utilizing the kind of bionic fin is developed, and swimming speed of 0.9BL (body length) in maximum can be reached.
Evidence for degenerative and regenerative changes in neostriatal spiny neurons in Huntington's disease

Golgi impregnations of neostriatum from deceased Huntington's disease patients and controls were examined. In all cases of Huntington's disease the morphology of dendrites of medium-sized spiny neurons was markedly altered by the appearance of recurved endings and appendages, a decrease or increase in the density of spines, and abnormalities in the size and shape of spines. Pathological changes were rarely observed in medium-sized and large aspiny neostriatal neurons. The findings provide evidence for simultaneous degeneration and growth of spiny neurons in Huntington's disease and support the view that a specific population of neostriatal neurons is selectively involved in its pathogenesis.
Technical Note-Probability of Success in the Search for a Moving Target

The probability of detection in the search for a randomly moving target is calculated for the case of a target whose motion is a diffusion process and known searcher path. The probability of detection can be calculated by solving a backward diffusion equation. Corwin Corwin, T. 1980. On multiplicative functionals on diffusion processes. SIAM J. Appl. Math.38 112-119. gives a solution of the backward equation for a special case. In general, exact solutions do not exist and other methods are needed. In this paper, the backward equation is solved approximately by using a formal asymptotic method, valid when the intensity of the random motion is small. The general solution is illustrated for the case of spatially homogeneous drift and diffusion coefficients. In this case, the asymptotic solution can be evaluated analytically.
Hormone depletion-insensitivity of prostate cancer cells is supported by the AR without binding to classical response elements.

In hormone depletion-insensitive prostate cancer, the androgen receptor supports hormone-depletion insensitive growth by non-classical mechanisms of action on target genes.
Modified balanced iterative reducing and clustering using hierarchies (m-BIRCH) for visual clustering

In modern visual clustering applications where datasets are large and updates with new data may be ongoing, methods of online clustering are extremely important. Online clustering algorithms incrementally cluster the data points, use a fraction of the dataset memory, and update the clustering decisions when new data comes in. In this paper we adapt a classic online clustering algorithm called balanced iterative reducing and clustering using hierarchies (BIRCH) to incrementally cluster large datasets of features commonly used in visual clustering, e.g., 840 K color SIFT descriptors, 1.09 million color patches, 60 K outlier corrupted grayscale patches, and 700 K grayscale SIFT descriptors. We use the algorithm to cluster datasets consisting of non-convex clusters, e.g., Hopkins 155 3D motion segmentation dataset. We call the adapted version modified-BIRCH (m-BIRCH). BIRCH was originally developed by the database management community, but has not been used in computer vision. Modifications made in m-BIRCH enable data-driven parameter selection and effectively handle varying density regions in the feature space. Data-driven parameter selection automatically controls the level of coarseness of the data summarization. Effective handling of varying density regions is necessary to well represent the different density regions in the data summarization. Our implementation of the algorithm provides a useful clustering tool and is made publicly available.
Increasing antiviral treatment through integrated hepatitis C care: A randomized multicenter trial

Most individuals infected with the hepatitis C have not received antiviral treatment, with mental health and substance abuse problems being the primary barrier. Interventions have been developed to address these barriers among HCV patients considered "high-risk" for antiviral treatment. We present the design and methods of a prospective, randomized controlled multisite trial being conducted in the Veterans Affairs Healthcare System. The study employed a parallel design and the three study sites randomized a total of 364 VA patients with HCV to either Integrated Care (IC) or Usual Care (UC). The IC intervention consisted of a mental health provider (MHP) performing a) brief interventions to address risk factors; b) collaborative consultation with the HCV treatment clinicians; and c) case management prior to and during antiviral treatment. Clinical outcomes were abstracted from patient medical records and self-report questionnaires were completed at baseline, 4-months, 16-months, and 22-months after enrollment. The primary outcome of the study was sustained viral response (SVR). Secondary clinical outcomes were HCV treatment initiation and completion rates. Other secondary outcomes included substance use, depression, PTSD symptoms, quality of life, healthcare satisfaction, and healthcare utilization. The Integrated Care intervention has the potential to transform HCV antiviral treatment by increasing the number of HCV-infected individuals that can be successfully treated.
Major histocompatibility complex class I molecules modulate embryonic neuritogenesis and neuronal polarization

Abstract We studied cultured hippocampal neurons from embryonic wildtype, major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) heavy chain-deficient (KbDb−/−) and NSE-Db (which have elevated neuronal MHCI expression) C57BL/6 mice. KbDb−/− neurons displayed slower neuritogenesis and establishment of polarity, while NSE-Db neurons had faster neurite outgrowth, more primary neurites, and tended to have accelerated polarization. Additional studies with s2M−/− neurons, exogenous s2M, and a self-MHCI monomer suggest that free heavy chain cis interactions with other surface molecules can promote neuritogenesis while tripartite MHCI interactions with classical MHCI receptors can inhibit axon outgrowth. Together with the results of others, MHCI appears to differentially modulate neuritogenesis and synaptogenesis.
Imaging of Cardiac Autonomic Innervation with SPECT and PET

Heart failure (HF) is a condition with high mortality and morbidity. A major component of HF pathophysiology is the body’s neurohormonal response that includes activation of the sympathetic nervous system. Imaging of cardiac sympathetic innervation with a radionuclide tracer, such as the extensively studied norepinephrine analogue 123I-meta-iodiobenzylguanidine (123I-mIBG), provides unique insights into a patient’s condition. Cardiac uptake of 123I-mIBG, measured as a heart to mediastinal ratio (H/M), has consistently been shown to correlate with poor outcome and predisposition to cardiac arrhythmias independent of conventional clinical, laboratory, and heart function parameters. 123I-mIBG imaging promises to help monitor a patient’s clinical course and response to therapy, and shows potential to improve patient selection for advanced therapies such as ICDs, LVADs, and transplant. Imaging regional abnormalities, although less studied, shows promise for more precisely identifying patients at risk for arrhythmias, and higher resolution PET tracers such as 11C-HED and 18 F-LMI1195 show potential.
p1,p4‐Diadenosine 5′‐tetraphosphate induces the uptake of arginine and citrulline by a pore on the plasma membrane of bovine aortic endothelial cells

Abstract We have previously demonstrated that p 1 ,p 4 -diadenosine 5′-tetraphosphate (Ap 4 A) induces the release of nitric oxide (NO) and modulates the uptake of extracellular L -arginine ( L -Arg) and L -citrulline ( L -Cit) by bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) [Hilderman, R.H. and Christensen, E.F. (1998) FEBS Lett. 427, 320–324 and Hilderman, R.H., Casey, T.E. and Pojoga, L.H. (2000) Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 375, 124–130]. In this communication we report that extracellular Ap 4 A enhances the uptake of L -Arg and L -Cit through a pore on the plasma membrane of BAEC that is selective for these two amino acids. We also demonstrate that Ap 2 A, which induces NO release, enhances L -Arg uptake while Ap 5 A, a vasoconstrictor, does not enhance the uptake of L -Arg. The potential physiological significance of the uptake of these two amino acids in relation to NO synthesis is discussed.
Rank kriging for characterization of mercury contamination at the East Fork Poplar Creek, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

The spatial interpolation method of kriging, originally developed for estimation of ore reserves in mining and prediction in meteorology, is an important geostatistical tool for characterization of a Superfund site. Point kriging uses an estimated variogram to compute the best linear unbiased estimates (BLUE) of contaminant concentration at an unsampled location. When the contaminant concentration data is heavily skewed, the data are typically log-transformed and kriging is performed on the transformed data. The results obtained from kriging the log-transformed data are then back-transformed. This back-transformation formula involves not only the estimated log-transformed values but also their kriging standard deviations (ksd). This method of kriging, referred to in the geostatistical literature as log-normal kriging, was initially used to characterize the East Fork Poplar Creek (EFPC) Superfund site in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The back-transformed values for the EFPC site produced estimates of mercury contamination that were orders of magnitude higher than the maximum observed mercury concentration at the site. The method of rank variogram modeling/rank kriging was developed by the authors to estimate mercury contamination at the EFPC site. We present the method of rank variogram modeling/rank kriging, illustrate it with an example, and briefly describe the kriging results obtained for the EFPC site. The log-normal probability model is routinely applied in statistical analysis of contaminant concentration data as well. The upper confidence limit (UCL) for log-normally distributed data is typically calculated by using the H-statistics based formula. The UCL of the mean at times turns out to be orders of magnitude higher than the maximum observed contaminant concentration. An example is presented to illustrate this unreasonable behavior of the H-UCL formula.
Angiogenesis imaging with vascular-constrained particles: the why and how

Angiogenesis is a keystone in the treatment of cancer and potentially many other diseases. In cancer, first-generation antiangiogenic therapeutic approaches have demonstrated survival benefit in subsets of patients, but their high cost and notable adverse side effect risk have fueled alternative development efforts to personalize patient selection and reduce off-target effects. In parallel, rapid advances in cost-effective genomic profiling and sensitive early detection of high-risk biomarkers for cancer, atherosclerosis, and other angiogenesis-related pathologies will challenge the medical imaging community to identify, characterize, and risk stratify patients early in the natural history of these disease processes. Conventional diagnostic imaging techniques were not intended for such sensitive and specific detection, which has led to the emergence of novel noninvasive biomedical imaging approaches. The overall intent of molecular imaging is to achieve greater quantitative characterization of pathologies based on microanatomical, biochemical, or functional assessments; in many approaches, the capacity to deliver effective therapy, e.g., antiangiogenic therapy, can be combined. Agents with both diagnostic and therapy attributes have acquired the moniker “theranostics.” This review will explore biomedical imaging options being pursued to better segment and treat patients with angiogenesis-influenced disease using vascular-constrained contrast platform technologies.
Hyaluronidase‐bound membrane as a biomaterial for implantable fuel cells

A new biomaterial containing covalently bound hyaluronidase was prepared. An application of this enzyme membrane is to improve the performance of an implantable fuel cell. Hyaluronic acid is a contributor to the viscosity of tissue fluids but can be a potential fuel source because of its sugar content. The incorporation of immobilized hyaluronidase would not only contribute to a more available fuel supply by splitting hyaluronic acid but, perhaps more importantly, enhance the rate of mass transport of fuel, O2, and reaction products by reducing the viscosity near the electrode membranes. Hyaluronidase was bound to Sepharose gel and its thermoplastic membrane after activation by cyanogen bromide. Fourteen and 22% of the activities were recovered from the gel and membrane, respectively. The activity of the bound enzyme was stable for six months at 0 degrees C. The addition of hyaluronic acid, 1 mg/ml, to a typical implantable type bioautofuel cell in vitro increased external solution viscosity from 1.1 to 2.5-2.8 cP and reduced voltage output under 10 komega by 60% in 3 hr. When the hyaluronidase bound membrane was placed at the anode, viscosity of the glucose-hyaluronic acid solution was lowered to 1.8 cP and the cell output increased to the original level of a glucose-fueled cell in 3 hr. Glucosamine-equivalent released from hyaluronic acid at the electrode was 3.1 mg after 22.5 hr. This represents 90% of the theoretical consumption. Restoration of the cell output was probably a combination of the enhanced transport of fuel, O2 and products, and/or appearance of a new fuel, glucosamine-equivalent.
Forced convection of a power-law fluid in a porous channel : numerical solutions

A detailed numerical study of laminar forced convection in a porous channel which contains a fibrous medium saturated with a power-law fluid was performed. Hydrodynamic and heat transfer results are presented for a configuration that has uniform heat flux or uniform temperature heating at the walls. The flow in the porous medium was modeled using the modified Brinkman-Forchheimer-extended Darcy model for power law fluids in which the non-Darcy effects of inertia and boundary were considered. Parametric studies were conducted to examine the effects of Darcy number, power law index, inertia parameter and Prandtl number. The results indicate that when the power law index is decreased, the velocity gradient near the walls increases but these effects are reduced gradually as the Darcy number decreases until the Darcy regime (Da≤10−6) is reached in which case the effects of power law index become negligible. As the power law index is decreased, the thermal boundary layer thickness decreases significantly only in the non-Darcy regime. Consequently, as the power law index decreases, the fully developed Nusselt number increases considerably in the non-Darcy regime whereas in the Darcy regime the change in Nusselt number is very small. As the Prandtl number increases, the local Nusselt number increases and this effect is more significant for shear thinning fluids (n<1.0).
Variability of polymorphic cellular enzymes in medical students with different serum lipid levels: a preliminary survey.

Groups of male Caucasian medical students who had, relative to their classmates, eitherhigh or low lipid levels were screened for electrophoretic variants of haptoglobin, transferrin, and 10 polymorphic erythrocyte enzymes. Members of both the "high" and "low" lipid groups were found to be polymorphic at 7 genetic loci, 6 of which were enzymatic. Consistently, at most polymorphic loci the high lipid groups had somewhat higher frequencies of nonpredominant phenotypes (patterns other than the phenotype reported to occur most frequently in U.S.A. Caucasian populations). A higher frequency of the less common nonpredominant phenotypes (reported Caucasian population frequency less than 0.200) in the high lipid groups was primarily responsible for the observed variations in the phenotypic distributions. Gene frequency distributions were correspondingly skewed. In 14 comparisons between the high and low lipid groups the least common allele of the 7 polymorphic series had a higher frequency in the high lipid group 9 times and in the low lipid group only once. Collectively, our preliminary observations suggest quantitative and qualitative genetic trends related to serum lipid levels that warrant more extensive investigation.
Enkephalin blocks inhibitory pathways in the vertebrate CNS

Enkephalin markedly attenuates a variety of GABAergic inhibitory pathways in the CNS, but does not affect the action of GABA. The action of enkephalin is reversed by the specific opiate antagonist, naloxone. Thus, inhibitory interneurones may be primary targets for opioid peptide-containing pathways and disinhibition may be of general importance for opioid peptide action in the CNS.