cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict Scale Comparing Factor Structures between Developmental Periods

This study provides additional data on the measurement of children's and adolescents' appraisals of interparental conflict using the Children's Perception of Interparental Conflict (CPIC) Scale (Grych, Seid, & Fincham, 1992). Data from the original sample of early adolescents (N = 222) on which the CPIC Scale was developed and the authors' own data from late adolescents (N = 483) are compared using confirmatory factor analyses at both the item and subscale levels. The results indicate that the factor structure at the item level of analysis is similar across early and late adolescents, indicating that the nine theoretically derived subscales are separate aspects of interparental conflict for both developmental groups. In addition, the subscales are found to produce five factors for both early and late adolescents. Implications of these findings for cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of interparental conflict and child/adolescent outcomes are discussed.
Kinetic analysis of flash photolysis data for sequential first and second order reactions: The photoreduction of triplet fluorenone by dabco

Abstract In studying reactions of triplet states by flash photolysis, particularly with laser techniques, one frequently encounters the kinetic problem of an initial pseudo-first order triplet reaction overlaid by a second order decay of products. A simple algorithm is given, adaptable to a desk-top calculator, for treatment of experimental data to obtain rate constants and total product yields (or absorptions) in this situation. The procedure is illustrated in the case of the photoreduction of fluorenone triplet by 1,4-diazabicyclo(2.2.2) octane, a reaction which yields a pair of radical-ions.
DNA packaging steps in bacteriophage lambda head assembly.

Abstract Petit λ is an empty spherical shell of protein which appears wherever λ grows. If phage DNA and petit λ are added to a cell-free extract of induced lysogenic bacteria, then phage particles are formed that contain the DNA and protein from the petit λ. Petit λ is transformed, without dissociation, into a phage head by addition of DNA and more phage proteins. The products of ten genes, nine phage and one host, are required for λ head assembly. Among these, the products of four phage genes, E, B, C , and Nu3 and of the host gene groE are involved in the synthesis of petit λ, consequently these proteins are dispensable for head assembly in extracts to which petit λ has been added. The products of genes A and D allow DNA to combine with petit λ to form a head that has normal morphology. In an extract, DNA can react with A product and petit λ to become partially DNAase-resistant, as if an unstable DNA-filled intermediate were formed. ATP and spermidine are needed at this stage. This intermediate is subsequently stabilized by addition of D product. The data suggest a pathway for head assembly.
Tracking control design for non-standard nonlinear singularly perturbed systems

Tracking control laws for a general class of nonlinear singularly perturbed systems are developed. No assumptions concerning the nonlinearity of the system is made. The effect of the different speeds of controllers and nonlinear actuator dynamics is studied and asymptotic stabilization is shown using Lyapunov methods. Design procedure and performance of the proposed technique is evaluated against composite control method. Results indicate that the proposed technique applies both to standard and non-standard forms of singularly perturbed systems.
The development of an imaging infrared surrogate seeker

AbstractOptical techniques have been developed to provide a relatively simple but effective homing heads for guided weapons over the last five decades. The original approaches tended to use single detectors operating around "two microns" in the infrared. Improvements in detector technology have enabled significant enhancements to the performance of such seekers.Development of focal-plane array technology provided an opportunity to design and develop imaging seeker technology. This type of seeker technology appears to be resilient to conventional optical countermeasure techniques. This paper describes the development of an imaging infrared seeker to investigate potential infrared countermeasure techniques to defeat mechanisms.
Benefits of influenza vaccination for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk senior citizens.

Background: Vaccination rates for healthy senior citizens are lower than those for senior citizens with underlying medical conditions such as chronic heart or lung disease. Uncertainty about the benefits of influenza vaccination for healthy senior citizens may contribute to lower rates of utilization in this group. Objective: To clarify the benefits of influenza vaccination among low-risk senior citizens while concurrently assessing the benefits for intermediate- and high-risk senior citizens. Methods: All elderly members of a large health maintenance organization were included in each of 6 consecutive study cohorts. Subjects were grouped according to risk status: high risk (having heart or lung disease), intermediate risk (having diabetes, renal disease, stroke and/or dementia, or rheumatologic disease), and low risk. Outcomes were compared between vaccinated and unvaccinated subjects after controlling for baseline demographic and health characteristics. Results: There were more than 20 000 subjects in each of the 6 cohorts who provided 147 551 person-periods of observation. The pooled vaccination rate was 60%. There were 101 619 person-periods of observation for low-risk subjects, 15 482 for intermediate-risk, and 30 450 for highrisk subjects. Vaccination over the 6 seasons was associated with an overall reduction of 39% for pneumonia hospitalizations (P,.001), a 32% decrease in hospitalizations for all respiratory conditions (P,.001), and a 27% decrease in hospitalizations for congestive heart failure (P,.001). Immunization was also associated with a 50% reduction in all-cause mortality (P,.001). Within the risk subgroups, vaccine effectiveness was 29%, 32%, and 49% for high-, intermediate-, and low-risk senior citizens for reducing hospitalizations for pneumonia and influenza (for high and low risk, P#.002; for intermediate risk, P = .11). Effectiveness was 19%, 39%, and 33% (for each, P#.008), respectively, for reducing hospitalizations for all respiratory conditions and 49%, 64%, and 55% for reducing deaths from all causes (for each, P,.001). Vaccination was also associated with direct medical care cost savings of $73 per individual vaccinated for all subjects combined (P = .002). Estimates of cost savings within each risk group suggest that vaccination would be cost saving for each subgroup (range of cost savings of $171 per individual vaccinated for high risk to $7 for low risk), although within the subgroups these findings did not reach statistical significance (for each, P$.05). Conclusions: This study confirms that healthy senior citizens as well as senior citizens with underlying medical conditions are at risk for the serious complications of influenza and benefit from vaccination. All individuals 65 years or older should be immunized with this vaccine. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158:1769-1776
A Process for Multi‐level Copper‐polyimide High Density Interconnect Structures, Flex Circuits and TAB Tape

This paper describes a process for fabricating high density multilayer polyimide‐metal interconnect structures for packaging applications such as multichip carriers, flex circuits and multiconductor TAB tape. The process combines the advantages of a semi‐additive via process, such as the uniformity of the electroplated vias and the ability to produce vertical stacked‐up vias, with a processing sequence that does not require a temporary plating mask for vias or a planarisation/via‐top‐exposure step. The key idea behind the process is the fact that all of the circuitry in a multilayer interconnect is electrically connected to the upper conductor layer. This allows building the interconnect upside down on a temporary substrate using a continuous bottom level metallisation as an electrode for plating all level vias. This layer eventually becomes the upper conductor. After the processing is complete, the multilayer interconnect structure is either released from the temporary substrate, resulting in a multilevel multichip interconnect. After the multilevel structure is released, the continuous metal, which was on the bottom, is patterned with the upper conductor pattern, isolating the individual circuits. As an example, a process sequence for building a three‐metal‐layer substrate with 5 ?m by 30 ?m copper conductors, 50 ?m by 50 ?m square vias with 15 ?m interlayer polyimide is presented along with electrical test data. The process can be extended to producing mixed‐geometry multiconductor tape structures for TAB that result in tape frames with controlled conductor properties, and offer the potential for finer geometries for TAB fingers than are now available through conventional TAB tape processes.
Structural alterations of the porcine heterograft after various durations of implantation

Morphologic changes in six glutaraldehyde-fixed porcine heterografts recovered from five patients were studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. Light microscopy showed minimal changes in the valves recovered after 2 months of implantation. Fibrin deposits, red blood cell trapping, disruption of the valve matrix and interstitial edema were noted in heterografts 2 months and 2 years after implantation. In valves examined with scanning electron microscopy, 6 hours after implantation the surface changes varied from normal to patchy disruptions. Two months after inplantation, subendothelial fibers were conspicuous and the geometry of endothelial cells was changed. In valves examined after 6 months in place, many nuclei were burst and fibrin strands were seen over the surfaces. Bacterial infection was observed in two cases. The endothelial cells in the valve implanted for 2 years were completely obscured and some areas were densely covered with fibrillar material where blood cells were trapped in the mesh.
Status of Musl-2, the Second Microtron Using a Superconducting Linac

A second racetrack microtron, MUSL-2, is being assembled in the area previously occupied by the 300 MeV betatron. It uses a Van de Graaff to inject electrons at about 2 MeV, a 6 meter, 1.3 GHz superconducting linac made for us at the Stanford High Energy Physics Laboratory as the accelerating section and the magnets from MUSL-1 for recirculation1. A digital control console has been installed to operate the linac and the injection and recirculation systems. The CTI 1400 helium liquefier together with the low pressure heat exchanger from MUSL-1 maintains the linac at about 2 K. Beams of 10 microamperes with energies up to 14 MeV with a resolution of 0.2% are being used for nuclear experiments. Continuous beams up to 72 MeV will be available after the installation of the 6 pass system is completed. Present plans for moving toward higher energies involve the use of MUSL-2 to inject electrons with energies up to 72 MeV into a second superconducting linac in a microtron operating at ?=1. With return orbits separated by 7.35 cm relatively small magnets in the second system can accommodate 18 additional passes. At 12 MeV per pass electrons would reach a final energy of 288 MeV.
Negative emotional reactivity and regulation in 12‐month‐olds following emotional challenge: Contributions of maternal–infant emotional availability in a low‐income sample

Nous avons predit que la qualite du jeu mere-bebe telle qu'elle est mesuree par les Echelles de Disponibilite Emotionnelle (ici abregees EA, Biringen, Robinson & Emde, version 1993) serait tres fortement associee a la regulation de l'emotion du bebe bien plus qu'a la reaction emotionnelle du bebe envers un evenement presentant un defi emotionnel. Quarante cinq bebes et leurs meres ont participe a une seance de jeu et a un protocole concu pour declencher une reaction emotionnelle du bebe et une regulation de l'emotion. La reaction emotionnelle (reponse initialle negative au stress) a ete conceptualisee comme refletant le temperament du bebe alors que la regulation de l'emotion etait censee etre associee a l'EA. Les dyades ont essentiellement consiste en meres et enfants noirs americains (72%), celibataires (93%), et pauvres. Lorsqu'il fut compare a la plupart des etudes sur les echelles EA, cet echantillon etait caracterise par des niveaux plus eleves de disponibilite emotionnelle non-optimale a la fois chez les enfants et chez les meres. Le fait que la disponibilite emotionnelle pourrait etre liee a la regulation emotionnelle du bebe a ete confirmee. Une hostilite maternelle plus grande etait particulierement associee a la difficulte du bebe a reguler la detresse dans les conditions post-defi, bien plus que ne l'etait l'impact de la reaction emotionnelle. Nous avons aussi decele des tendances chez les bebes de la part des dyades moins disponibles emotionnellement a etre moins a meme de rencontrer des difficultes dans la regulation de l'emotion durant et apres la condition de defi emotionnel que chez les bebes de dyades plus disponibles emotionnellement, bien plus que la reaction.
Monetary Analysis in Italy

(3) If, however, the public uses the released funds for financing new expenditure, such borrowing will indeed be indicative of an inflationary process. The origin of the inflationary impulse must then be attributed to the private sector of the economy. (4) Borrowing by the Treasury from the commercial banking system for the purpose of financing expenditure has, by itself, exactly the same inflationary character as borrowing from the central bank. (5) Borrowing by the Treasury from the public by issue of short-term debt for the purpose of financing expenditure can be actually, and is at least potentially, of an inflationary character. Such borrowing can fundamentally be justified only if serving to counteract the undesirable deflationary effects of spontaneous hoarding in the private sector of the economy. Mr. Chairman, I am very grateful to you that you have taken the initiative for this panel discussion and that you have been so kind as to ask me to tell this illustrious gathering something about the methods the Nederlandsche Bank has been using to unravel the mystery of inflationary and deflationary developments. I do not claim that this method gives any final answer to the problem. I do believe, however, that it can be instrumental in attaining a better understanding of the strictly monetary aspects of the inflationary and deflationary process. Thus it may, perhaps, be helpful to both central banks and treasuries in better adapting their policies to fighting that curse of slow but persistent inflation that seems to be upon our present day world and to the lifting of which all our efforts should be dedicated.
Sarcomas of the breast: a clinicopathologic analysis of ten cases.

The clinical and pathologic features of ten mammary sarcomas are discussed. Tumor size, contour, degree of cellular atypia, and mitotic activity were specifically evaluated to determine if they are important indices of clinical behavior. Results indicate that infiltrating margins, 2-3 + stromal atypia, and eight or more mitoses per 10 HPF are characteristics of neoplasms associated with a poor prognosis. Tumor size was an unreliable criterion. A classification of breast sarcomas is presented with an appeal to avoid use of the term “stromal sarcoma” as a specific pathologic diagnosis. Since a diagnosis based upon cell of origin and correlated with the above morphologic features is fundamental to an intelligent therapeutic approach to this rare group of neoplasms, future reports dealing with this subject should include these details.
Was there a retained spinal catheter

Abstract The 28-gauge catheter supplied by Kendall Healthcare Products Company (Mansfield, MA) for continuous spinal anesthesia has two important characteristics. The ink used for the centimeter calibration marks and to identify the tip of the catheter "washes off" while it is inserted in the patient. In addition, the catheter has a tendency to stretch while it is in the patient or being removed. These two characteristics produced a situation in which it was impossible to determine whether a catheter fragment had been left in a patient. This predicament had a serious impact on the postoperative management of the patient. A computerized tomographic scan and spine films were negative, while other evidence suggested that a fragment was left behind. When the patient developed a postdural puncture headache, the authors felt that an epidural blood patch was contraindicated. The patient's headache did resolve with 48 hours of conservative therapy.
Business ethics, society, and Adam Smith: Some observations on the liberal business ethos

Abstract In this essay, a critique is presented of the liberal business ethos. The narrow normative prescriptions of the liberal business ethos have become the dominant framework for business ethics in American society today, but as is demonstrated in this essay, this ethical framework is built on a number of inaccurate assumptions and misunderstandings. It distorts American history and character, it assumes a simplistic and inaccurate caricature of human nature, it ignores the individual's moral relationship with society and the role of shared social norms in regulating economic exchanges, and it badly misinterprets the moral philosophy of Adam Smith. As humans and as members of society, business managers both possess a moral sense and are subject to the moral demands made by society, both of which rightly exert meaningful normative influence on management decision making. As a corrective for the limiting ethical vision of the liberal business ethos, this paper concludes with a suggestion for an alternative ethical framework that explicitly recognizes the issues addressed in this essay.
Percolation of the minority spins in high-dimensional Ising models

We present some new results on the region in theβ-h plane where the + spins percolate for the nearest neighbor Ising model. In particular, it is shown that in high enough dimensionsd there is percolation of the minority spins at inverse temperaturesβ βc, for whichβ+/gbc≥1/2log(cd),c a constant.
A novel method for fitting spatio-temporal models to data, withapplications to the dynamics of Mountain Pine Beetle

We develop a modular landscape model for the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) infestation of a stage-structured forest of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Douglas). Beetle attack dynamics are modeled using response functions and beetle movement using dispersal kernels. This modeling technique yields four model candidates. These models allow discrimination between four broad possibilities at the landscape scale: whether or not beetles are subject to an Allee effect at the landscape scale and whether or not host selection is random or directed. We fit the models with aerial damage survey data to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area using estimating functions, which allows for more rapid and complete parameter determination. We then introduce a novel model selection procedure based on facial recognition technology to compliment traditional nonspatial selection metrics. Together with these we are able to select a best model and draw inferences regarding the behavior of the beetle in outbreak conditions.
Scalable multiple global network alignment for biological data

Advances in high-throughput technology has led to an increased amount of available data on protein-protein interaction (PPI) data. Detecting and extracting functional modules that are common across multiple networks is an important step towards understanding the role of functional modules and how they have evolved across species. A global protein-protein interaction network alignment algorithm attempts to find such functional orthologs across multiple networks.In this article, we propose a scalable global network alignment algorithm based on clustering methods and graph matching techniques in order to detect conserved interactions while simultaneously attempting to maximize the sequence similarity of nodes involved in the alignment. We present an algorithm for multiple alignments, in which several protein-protein interaction networks are aligned. We empirically evaluated our algorithm on several real biological datasets. We find that our approach offers a significant benefit both in terms of quality as well as speed over the state-of-the-art.
Comparative spermicidal performance of iodinated and non-iodinated contraceptive formulations of nonoxynol-9 co-precipitated with polyvinylpyrrolidone

The objective of this study was to evaluate the spermicidal qualities of various combinations of nonoxynol-9 (N-9; whole molecule = oligomers 1-18) and its isolated fractions (oligomers 8-10, 4-6 and 1-3), co-precipitated with non-iodinated and/or iodinated (Io) polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as possible vaginal contraceptives. Spermicidal qualities of known equimolar concentrations of various combinations of PVP/N-9 and PVP-Io/N-9 were tested via a modified Sander-Cramer test (SCT) using human spermatozoa. Spermicidal agents and semen samples were mixed 1:1 (v/v) and evaluated for sperm viability. Spermicidal activity was reported as the minimal concentration (microgram/mL) of spermicide capable of killing all spermatozoa within 20 sec after exposure to the spermicide. The spermicidal activity of PVP/N-9 and PVP-Io/N-9 preparations containing N-9 oligomers 1-18 and/or 8-10 was similar, and these preparations were more efficient in killing the spermatozoa than the ones containing N-9 oligomers 4-6 and 1-3. Polyvinyl-pyrrolidone proved to be an effective vehicle for PVP/N-9 and PVP-Io/N-9 preparations, especially those containing N-9 oligomers 4-6 and 1-3. Incorporation of Io into the spermicidal preparations brought about additional efficacy. The current findings could be of clinical significance in future studies when preparing and delivering those selected co-precipitates vaginally.
Surface-functionalized CdSe quantum dots for the detection of hydrocarbons

CdSe semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with surface modifying groups to enhance their response towards the detection of aromatic hydrocarbons. The sensing characteristics of unmodified QDs using trioctyl phosphine oxide (TOPO) plus stearic acid (SA) surface groups were compared with QDs with additional benzoic (BA) or pentafluorobenzoic acid (FBA) surface modifying groups. The unmodified and surface-modified QDs were encapsulated into poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) thin films by drop coating QD-PMMA solutions onto silicon substrates. Reversible enhancement and quenching of the photoluminescence (PL) upon film exposure to toluene and xylene vapors were both observed for the QD-SA, BA and FBA systems. PL enhancement was observed at low target gas concentrations, with the onset of the quenching process for each of the films being dependent on the target gas type and its concentration. Unmodified QD/PMMA films had detection limits for xylenes and toluene of 250 and 500 ppm, respectively in a balance of nitrogen. While detection limits of 15 ppm xylenes and 50 ppm toluene in a balance of nitrogen were achieved with the FBA- and BA-modified QD/PMMA films. The surface-modified QDs were found to provide a factor of 16 and 10 sensing enhancement, respectively, for the detection of xylenes and toluene, over the unmodified QDs.
Testing the Error Components Model with Non-Normal Disturbances

This paper derives the limit distribution of the test statistics for the error components model proposed by Breusch and Pagan under the assumption of non-normal disturbances and under a sequence of local alternatives, and shows that the Breusch-Pagan tests are robust to non-normal disturbances. The paper also points out that the Breusch-Pagan tests do not make full use of the information provided by the one-sided alternative. And it proposes a one-sided alternative test for the case where time effects are absent from the model. The newly proposed test dominates the Breusch-Pagan test in the above case.
Purkinje cell dendritic alterations after transient developmental injury of the external granular layer

To examine the influence of granule cell axons on morphogenesis of their major synaptic target, the Purkinje cell dendrites, a transient injury of the external granular layer of developing rat cerebellum was induced by injecting 10 mg/kg methylazoxymethanol acetate on postnatal days 1, 2, 3 and 4. The antiproliferative action of the drug resulted in a diminution of the mitotic population which slowed the expansion of the internal granular and molecular layers. This was followed by a reconstitution of a thicker than normal external granular layer and a late phase of extensive growth. Perturbations of Purkinje cell dendritic morphology induced by this altered timing of granule cell accumulation were studied with Golgi-Cox impregnation techniques. Systematic observation were made of a number of defined abnormalities of Purkinje cells which included somas positioned below the normal monolayer; elongated dendrites; multiple somatic dendrites; S-shaped dendrites; dendrites disoriented away from the radial direction; and portions of dendrites below the soma of origin. The results indicated that most of these 'abnormalities' occur to a small extent in normal cerebellum but that these experimental conditions induced a bias in favor of their appearance. Some dendritic abnormalities, i.e., dendrites tilted out of the sagittal plane, dendrites directed toward the white matter, and apical dendrites growing vertically between cells of the external granular layer, were not noted in normal cerebellum and we attribute these particular changes to unique developmental possibilities occuring only after a more or less severe injury. This analysis of bias in dendritic morphology subsequent to subtle developmental injury provides informat on on processes of normal development and on the genesis of phylogenetic variants of Purkinje cell morphology.
The regiospecific synthesis of N-substituted pyrazoles. I. 1- and 2-substituted indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones

The reaction of the enaminoketones (2 or 5) of 2-acyl-1,3-indandiones with unsymmetrical hydrazines results in the regiospecific synthesis of 1,3- or 2,3-disubstituted indeno[1,2-c]pyrazol-4(1H)-ones (4 or 7). The synthesis of the enaminoketones (2 or 5) is accomplished by way of amine addition to the 2-acyl-1,3-indandiones 8a-c or by reduction of the indenoisoxazole 9. The structural assignment of the isomeric indenopyrazoles 4 and 7 is based upon 1H-nmr chemical shifts.
The World Bank and public sector management: what next?

The new World Bank strategy on Public Sector Management (PSM) has to be judged against the magnitude of the problems it faces. Two of these are what to do about failed and failing states and what t...
Dicarboxylate transport by rhizobia

Soil bacteria collectively known as rhizobia are able to convert atmospheric dinitrogen to ammonia while participating in a symbiotic association with legume plants. This capability has made the bacteria an attractive research subject at many levels of investigation, especially since physiological and metabolic specialization are central to this ecological niche. Dicarboxylate transport plays an important role in the operation of an effective, nitrogen-fixing symbiosis and considerable evidence suggests that dicarboxylates are a major energy and carbon source for the nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. The dicarboxylate transport (Dct) system responsible for importing these compounds generally consists of a dicarboxylate carrier protein, DctA, and a two component kinase regulatory system, DctB/DctD. DctA and DctB/D differ in the substrates that they recognize and a model for substrate recognition by DctA and DctB is discussed. In some rhizobia, DctA expression can be induced during symbiosis in the absence of DctB/DctD by an alternative, uncharacterized, mechanism. The DctA protein belongs to a subgroup of the glutamate transporter family now thought to have an unusual structure that combines aspects of permeases and ion channels. While the structure of C4-dicarboxylate transporters has not been analyzed in detail, mutagenesis of S. meliloti DctA has produced results consistent with the alignment of the rhizobial protein with the more characterized bacterial and eukaryotic glutamate transporters in this family.
Highlights from the scientific abstracts presented at the Society of Abdominal Radiology 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course

The Society of Abdominal Radiology 2013 Annual Scientific Meeting and Postgraduate Course consisted of scientific abstract presentations and educational lectures, workshops, and optional training courses on subjects related to gastrointestinal radiology and genitourinary radiology. This article highlights the selected scientific abstracts presented at the meeting (Abdom Imaging 38:623–629, 2013).
Effects of "binge" pattern cocaine on stereotypy and locomotor activity in C57BL/6J and 129/J mice.

This study characterized the behavioral response to cocaine in two strains of mice, the C57BL/6J and 129/J strains, commonly utilized as host strains for transgenic and “knockout” mice. The psychomotor stimulating effects of four doses of cocaine (2.5, 5.0, 10.0, and 15.0 mg/kg/injection) with a saline control, administered in a “binge” pattern (three equal injections at hourly intervals) for 3 days were examined in adult male C57BL/6J and 129/J mice. Behavioral stereotypy in the home cage, was rated 15, 30, and 45 min following each injection. Spontaneous locomotor activity in the home cage was also monitored. Cocaine, at doses of 10.0 or 15.0 mg/kg, produced behavioral stereotypy in both C57BL/6J mice (p < 0.0001) and 129/J mice (p < 0.0001), whereas lower doses did not. The magnitude of stereotypy was significantly lower in 129/J mice than in C57BL/6J mice receiving identical doses of cocaine. C57BL/6J mice also demonstrated a dose-dependent cocaine-induced stimulation of locomotor activity following administration of 10.0 or 15.0 mg/kg of cocaine (p < 0.0005). In contrast, 129/J mice did not exhibit increased locomotion in response to any dose of cocaine tested. These results demonstrate that strain differences in drug-induced behavior may be more pronounced in one measure (i.e., locomotor activity) than in another (i.e., stereotypy) and indicate the importance of multiple behavioral measures.
An Equational Axiomatization for the Disjoint System of Post Algebras

It is shown that the class of Post algebras of finite order n is equationally definable where the only unary operators are the disoint operators C i , i = 0, 1,..., n -1.
The HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir increases lipoprotein production and has no effect on lipoprotein clearance in mice

This study examined the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitor therapy on lipoprotein production and catabolism in vivo. The HIV protease inhibitor ritonavir was given to C57BL/6 mice fed either a basal low-fat diet or a Western type high-fat diet. Fasted mice were injected with Triton WR1339 followed by hourly blood collection to monitor lipoprotein production. Results showed that ritonavir increased VLDL triglyceride production by 30% over a 4 h period when mice were fed the low-fat basal diet. The ritonavir effect was more pronounced under high-fat feeding conditions, with a 2-fold increase in VLDL triglyceride production rate. Ritonavir did not alter hepatic expression levels of diacylglycerol acyltransferase or microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, but increased hepatic apolipoprotein B (apoB) secretion rates under both low- and high-fat dietary conditions. In contrast to its effect on lipoprotein production, ritonavir did not alter triglyceride-rich lipoprotein clearance from circulation under either dietary condition. Taken together, these results indicate that the hyperlipidemic effect of HIV protease inhibitors is a direct result of increased hepatic lipoprotein production. The mechanism appears to be related to their role in preventing proteasome-mediated degradation of apoB and activated sterol regulatory element binding proteins in the liver.
Initial treatment regimen and risk of hospitalization in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Study Objectives. Compare hospitalization risk of various initial treatment regimens for COPD. Design. Retrospective observational cohort design. Setting. Patients enrolled in 24 different managed care plans across the United States during 1997–2000. Patients. Aged at least 45 years with a primary diagnosis of COPD identified. Initiation date was the date the first inhaler was dispensed. Patients were required to have filled this prescription within 60 days of the first documented COPD diagnosis in the database. Interventions. Five therapy cohorts were identified 1) ipratropium alone or in combination with albuterol (IPR), 2) long‐acting beta agonists (LABA), 3) inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), 4) ICS + IPR and 5) ICS + LABA. Measurements. Subjects were observed for 12 months or until a COPD‐related hospitalization was observed, whichever came first. A sensitivity analysis was conducted by varying the observation period from > 60, > 90 and > 180 days to determine if this would impact the results. Results. 36...
Pharmacodynamic-Guided Modified Continuous Reassessment Method–Based, Dose-Finding Study of Rapamycin in Adult Patients With Solid Tumors

Purpose Pharmacodynamic studies are frequently incorporated into phase I trials, but it is uncommon that they guide dose selection. We conducted a dose selection study with daily rapamycin (sirolimus) in patients with solid tumors employing a modified continuous reassessment method (mCRM) using real-time pharmacodynamic data as primary dose-estimation parameter. Patients and Methods We adapted the mCRM logit function from its classic toxicity-based input data to a pharmacodynamic-based input. The pharmacodynamic end point was skin phospho-P70 change after 28 days. Pharmacodynamic effect was defined as at least 80% inhibition from baseline. The first two dose levels (2 and 3 mg) were evaluated before implementing the mCRM, and the data used to estimate the next dose level based on statistical modeling. Toxicity-based boundaries limited the escalation steps. Other correlates analyzed were positron emission tomography (PET) and computed tomography, pharmacokinetics, phospho-P70 in peripheral-blood mononuclea...
A novel surface-based geometric approach for 3D dendritic spine detection from multi-photon excitation microscopy images

Determining the relationship between the dendritic spine morphology and its functional properties is a fundamental while challenging problem in neurobiology research. In particular, how to accurately and automatically analyze meaningful structural information from a large microscopy image dataset is far away from being resolved. In this paper, we propose a novel method for the automated neuron reconstruction and spine detection from fluorescence microscopy images. After image processing, backbone of the neuron is obtained and the neuron is represented as a 3D surface. Based on the analysis of geometric features on the surface, spines are detected by a novel hybrid of two segmentation methods. Besides the automated detection of spines, our algorithm is able to extract accurate 3D structures of spines. Comparison results between our approach and the state of the art shows that our algorithm is more accurate and robust, especially for detecting and separating touching spines.
Modeling of precipitate formation in precursor droplets injected axially into an oxygen/acetylene combustion flame

A computational heat and mass transfer model of ceramic precursor solution containing droplets injected into a combustion flame is presented. Upon heat-up and vaporization, the precursor in droplets precipitate and ultimately form the ceramic material. Temperature and solute concentration distributions were computed to estimate the precipitation zones within droplets based on a simple homogeneous nucleation hypothesis. Effects of droplet size, injection velocity and injection angle were studied parametrically. High relative velocity between the droplets and the hot gas medium results in rapid heat-up and vaporization rates. Consequently, the solute concentration near the droplet surface increases rapidly. It is predicted that small droplets form nearly solid spherical particulates whereas larger droplets form shells and interconnected cenospheres. Predicted morphologies are supported by experimental evidence of shell-type structures and spherical particles in the combustion flame experiments performed earlier.
Extinction-to-backscatter ratios of lofted aerosol layers observed during the first three months of CALYPSO measurements

Case studies from the first three months of the Cloud and Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Spaceborne Observations (CALIPSO) measurements of lofted aerosol layers are analyzed using transmittance [Young, 1995] and two-wavelength algorithms [Vaughan et ah, 2004] to determine the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratios at 532 and 1064 nm. The transmittance method requires clear air below the layer so that the transmittance through the layer can be determined. Suitable scenes are selected from the browse images and clear air below features is identified by low 532 nm backscatter signal and confirmed by low depolarization and color ratios. The transmittance and two-wavelength techniques are applied to a number of lofted layers and the extinction-to-backscatter ratios are compared with values obtained from the CALIPSO aerosol models [Omar et ah, 2004]. The results obtained from these studies are used to adjust the aerosol models and develop observations based extinction-to-backscatter ratio look-up tables and phase functions. Values obtained by these techniques are compared to Sa determinations using other independent methods with a goal of developing probability distribution functions of aerosol type-specific extinction to backscatter ratios.
Biliverdin protects against acute Tnf-α-induced fulminant hepatitis in vivo and hepatocyte cell death in vitro

Abstract Background. Hepatic failure can occur as a consequence of multiple disease processes. These disease processes also involve the upregulation of “protective genes” such as the stress-inducible enzyme heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). HO-1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the breakdown of heme into biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. Biliverdin gets reduced by biliverdin reductase (BVR) to bilirubin, which is subsequently oxidized back into biliverdin. This sets up a powerful antioxidant cycle and thus biliverdin can serve to protect against oxidative stress. We hypothesized that biliverdin administration to mice prevent TNF-α-induced hepatitis in vivo and protects against hepatocyte apoptosis in vitro. Methods. Mice were treated with TNF-α/D-galactosamine (0.3 μg/8 mg/mouse, i.p., respectively) to induce hepatitis. Groups of mice were pretreated 16 h prior to TNF/D-Gal with biliverdin (5 mg/kg, i.p), or vehicle control. Mice were sacrificed 6 h later and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was measured. Primary mouse and human hepatocytes were treated with TNF-α (10 ng/ml) and Actinomycin-D (200 ng/ml) to induce hepatocyte cell death. One group of hepatocytes was pretreated with biliverdin (0–500 μM) 16 h prior to the addition of TNF/ActD. Another group of biliverdin-treated human hepatocytes was pretreated 36 h with either an adenovirus containing an siRNA against human BVR or a control adenovirus (ψ5; 30 MOI). Hepatocyte viability was then assessed 12 h later via crystal violet staining. Results. TNF/D-Gal treatment of mice resulted in elevated serum ALT values (600 ± 200 IU/ml). Treatment with biliverdin resulted in significantly reduced ALT values of 23 ± 8 IU/ml ( P In vitro , biliverdin pretreatment significantly protected against TNF-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. TNF/ActD decreased hepatocyte viability to 34.0% in rat and 59% in human cell cultures. Biliverdin (250 μM) pretreatment increased viability to 68 and 78% in rat and human hepatocytes, respectively ( P Conclusions. Biliverdin protects against acute fulminant hepatitis and hepatocyte death. This appears to be dependent on BVR expression. Biliverdin/BVR may prove to be useful clinical adjuncts in the treatment of liver injury.
Nutrient limitation of phytoplankton growth in Central Plains reservoirs, USA

Historically, phosphorushasbeenconsideredto betheprimary nutrientlimiting phytoplanktongrowth in freshwater ecosystems. We tested this hypothesis in 19 Kansas reservoirs located within the Central Plains region, USA. Bioassay experiments were conducted to assess growth-rate limitation by nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and nitrogen and phosphorus (N and P). The addition of P alone rarely increased phytoplankton growth with only 8% of the total bioassay experiments indicating P-limitation. In contrast, limitation by N (16%) and co-limitation by N and P (63%) were more commonly observed. Results from the bioassay experiments were also used to test the hypothesis that nutrient limitation could beinferredfrom thewater columntotal nitrogen : totalphosphorus (TN: TP) ratio.Wefound thatthere was a classificationrange of TN: TP ratios thatcorrectly predicted nutrient limitation inthe majority of reservoirs. Generally, reservoirs that were N limited had water column TN : TP ratios 65. Overall, theseresults suggest that management efforts should focus on both N and P decreases to control phytoplankton growth. Furthermore, the water column TN : TP ratio can be an effective tool for assessing potential nutrient limitation in the Central Plains region using the TN : TP classification values provided above.
Virulence and drug resistance roles of multidrug efflux systems of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Drug efflux systems play a major role in resistance to a wide range of noxious compounds in several Gram negative species. Here, we report the drug resistance and virulence phenotypes of Salmonella mutants defective in either resistance-nodulation-division (RND)-type systems and/or in drug efflux systems belonging to the major facilitator (MFS), multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE), and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) superfamilies. We determined that nine potential drug transporters contribute to drug resistance of Salmonella and found that the Salmonella-specific MdsABC system conferred resistance to a variety of toxic compounds. The RND-type MdsAB system could function with either MdsC, which is encoded in the same operon, or TolC as the outer membrane component. Although the Salmonella EmrAB, MdfA and MdtK are 90% identical in their amino acid sequences to their Escherichia coli homologues, the drug specificity of Salmonella transporters was different from that reported for equivalent E. coli transporters. Deletion of the macAB genes attenuated Salmonella virulence and a strain lacking all drug efflux systems was avirulent when mice were inoculated by the oral route. The promoter region of the macAB drug efflux system genes harbours a binding site for the response regulator PhoP, which functions to repress macAB transcription. The PhoP/PhoQ two-component system is a major regulator of Salmonella virulence, which underscores the connection between drug efflux systems and virulence.
Pupal remodeling and the evolution and development of alternative male morphologies in horned beetles

How novel morphological traits originate and diversify represents a major frontier in evolutionary biology. Horned beetles are emerging as an increasingly popular model system to explore the genetic, developmental, and ecological mechanisms, as well as the interplay between them, in the genesis of novelty and diversity. The horns of beetles originate during a rapid growth phase during the prepupal stage of larval development. Differential growth during this period is either implicitly or explicitly assumed to be the sole mechanism underlying differences in horn expression within and between species. Here I focus on male horn dimorphisms, a phenomenon at the center of many studies in behavioral ecology and evolutionary development, and quantify the relative contributions of a previously ignored developmental process, pupal remodeling, to the expression of male dimorphism in three horned beetle species. Prepupal growth is not the only determinant of differences in male horn expression. Instead, following their initial prepupal growth phase, beetles may be extensively remodeled during the subsequent pupal stage in a sex and size-dependent manner. Specifically, male dimorphism in the three Onthophagus species studied here was shaped not at all, partly or entirely by such pupal remodeling rather than differential growth, suggesting that pupal remodeling is phylogenetically widespread, evolutionarily labile, and developmentally flexible. This study is the first to document that male dimorphism in horned beetles is the product of two developmentaly dissociated processes: prepupal growth and pupal remodeling. More generally, adult morphology alone appears to provide few clues, if any, as to the relative contributions of both processes to the expression of alternative male morphs, underscoring the importance of developmental studies in efforts aimed at understanding the evolution of adult diversity patterns.
Image segmentation by spatially adaptive color and texture features

An image segmentation algorithm that is based on spatially adaptive color and texture features is presented. The proposed algorithm is based on a previously proposed algorithm but introduces a number of new elements. We use a new set of texture features based on a steerable filter decomposition. The steerable filters combined with a new spatial texture segmentation scheme provide a finer and more robust segmentation into texture classes. The proposed algorithm includes an elaborate border estimation procedure, which extends the idea of Pappas (1992) adaptive clustering segmentation algorithm to color texture. The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated in the domain of photographic images, including low resolution compressed images.
Cosmological constraints from large-scale structure growth rate measurements

We compile a list of 14 independent measurements of a large-scale structure growth rate between redshifts $0.067\ensuremath{\le}z\ensuremath{\le}0.8$ and use this to place constraints on model parameters of constant and time-evolving general-relativistic dark energy cosmologies. With the assumption that gravity is well modeled by general relativity, we discover that growth-rate data provide restrictive cosmological parameter constraints. In combination with type Ia supernova apparent magnitude versus redshift data and Hubble parameter measurements, the growth rate data are consistent with the standard spatially flat $\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Lambda}}\mathrm{CDM}$ model, as well as with mildly evolving dark energy density cosmological models.