cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is there a g factor for fitness

Biological fitness is a directly observable quantity with well-known causal components, in contrast to the latent 'g' factor of psychometrics. The study of the causes of variation in fitness should therefore be simpler than the study of variation in mental abilities, but a paucity of data has kept the nature of genetic variation in fitness obscure. We can define an 'f' factor as variation creating positive correlations among components of fitness. There is little doubt that such f factor exist. Perturbations of populations such as mutation or environmental change create such patterns of positive correlation. However, natural selection will tend to minimize variation in any f factor, so it is much less clear whether f causes quantitatively substantial genetic variation within populations. Experimental data are consistent with variation in an f factor within some natural populations. As predicted, f is less important in populations where natural selection has had more opportunity to reshape the correlation matrix. Although one can incorporate variation in g into a study of variation in human fitness, the pace of change in our environment suggests that the results would neither reflect the conditions under which g evolved nor predict future evolutionary changes in g.
A Cross-cultural, Comparative Analysis of the Domestic Violence Policies of Nicaragua and Russia

This is a cross-cultural comparative analysis of the domestic violence policies of Nicaragua and Russia. While these two countries have striking differences, they both had socialist revolutions that established workers and farmers governments. The Soviet Union was the main economic and political support for Nicaragua following the 1979 Frente Sandinista Para Liberacion Nacional (FSLN - Sandinista Front for National Liberation) revolution. This article examines the domestic violence policies of post-Soviet Russia and Nicaragua. While both countries have serious domestic violence problems, only Nicaragua is taking an aggressive stance to eradicate the problem. The Russian government barely even acknowledges that there is a problem. My thesis is that the Nicaraguan government has a more progressive approach to ending domestic violence because there is a strong, independent woman's movement in Nicaragua, which is lacking in Russia.
Texture-based techniques for interpretation of seismic images

Seismic techniques are among the most popular and successful methods for imaging the Earth's subsurface. Consequently, these techniques play an important role in the exploration for hydrocarbon deposits within the Earth. Seismic data are typically displayed as a two-dimensional image of stacked traces placed side-by-side. The vertical direction of such a display is time, which can be converted to depth once the signal velocities are known. The horizontal direction is linear distance on the surface of the Earth. The interpretation of a seismic image involves, among other things, the recognition of certain geologic patterns such as faults, salt domes, strong reflectors, etc. Some of this can be achieved by identifying large zones of common signal texture. Such zones, are often associated with major geologic events related to the depositional environment of the constituent sediments. As such, their identification is an important part of the overall interpretation task. In this paper, the authors describe three knowledge-based segmentation techniques and compare their performance on a real offshore seismic section from the Gulf of Mexico. The first technique is based on a run-length statistics algorithm extended by a decision process, which incorporates heuristic rules to influence the interpretation. The second and third techniques are based on texture energy measures algorithms augmented by two knowledge-based classification processes. The knowledge-based process of the second technique is controlled by a parallel region growing algorithm and that of the third technique is controlled by an iterative quadtree splitting algorithm.
Use of computers in the labor and delivery suite: An overview

Abstract Some simple computers for fetal monitoring are already commercially available. These systems are designed to alarm when abnormalities reflected by the fetal heart are detected during labor. Unfortunately, the problems of fetal heart rate/intrauterine pressure data analysis have been oversimplified. An “ideal” obstetric computer-based data management system would begin, as the clinician should, with the assessment of risk from the patient's past history, pregnancy course, and labor progress as a basis for analyzing the condition of the fetus during labor. Systems available now are of limited scope, expensive, and of unproved clinical value. Premature attempts at clinical computerization will accomplish little, except to give computers a bad name. Let the buyer beware!
Comparing and Exploring Frontier Myth and Reality in Latin America

Frontiers around the world have long attracted attention, both scholarly and popular, owing to their exoticism and often ‘larger-than-life’ qualities. In Latin America, scholars have deployed a range of concepts to convey the realities and complexities of frontier life. Frontiers have given rise to a wide range of often contradictory myths and images which complicate the search for their true nature. Looking at and comparing conceptual frameworks for interpreting frontiers and the variety of myths they have engendered illuminates our understanding of the interplay between myth and social reality across time and space.
CT tumor volume measurement in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer: Performance characteristics of an emerging clinical tool.

Rationale and Objectives Determine inter- and intraobserver variability of computed tomography (CT) tumor volume measurements in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated in a Phase II clinical trial using chest CT. Materials and Methods Twenty-three advanced NSCLC patients with a total of 53 measurable lung lesions enrolled in a Phase II, multicenter, open-label clinical trial of erlotinib were retrospectively studied with institutional review board approval. Two radiologists independently measured the tumor size, volume, and CT attenuation coefficient using commercially available volume analysis software. Concordance correlation coefficients (CCCs) and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess inter- and intraobserver agreement. Results High CCCs (0.949–0.990) were observed in all types of measurements for interobserver agreement. The 95% limits of agreements for volume, unidimensional, and bidimensional measurements were (−26.0%, 18.6%), (−23.1%, 24.4%), and (−34.0%, 48.6%), respectively. Volume measurement had slightly higher CCC and narrower 95% limits of agreement compared to uni- and bidimensional measurements. CCCs for intraobserver agreement were high (range, 0.946–0.996) with CCC for volume being slightly higher than CCCs of uni- and bidimensional measurements. The smaller the tumor volume was, the larger the interobserver difference of CT attenuation. Location, morphology, or adjacent atelectasis had no significant impact on inter- or intraobserver variability. Conclusion CT tumor volume measurement in advanced NSCLC patients using clinical chest CT and commercially available software demonstrated high inter- and intraobserver agreement, indicating that the method may be used routinely in clinical practice.
Heterogeneous MPI Application Interoperation and Process Management under PVMPI

Presently, different vendors' MPI implementations cannot interoperate directly with each other. As a result, performance of distributed computing across different vendors' machines requires use of a single MPI implementation, such as MPICH. This solution may be sub-optimal since it cannot utilize the vendors' own optimized MPI implementations. PVMPI, a software package currently under development at the University of Tennessee, provides the needed interoperability between different vendors' optimized MPI implementations. As the name suggests PVMPI is a powerful combination of the proven and widely ported Parallel Virtual Machine (PVM) system and MPI. PVMPI is transparent to MPI applications thus allowing intercommunication via all the MPI point-to-point calls. Additionally, PVMPI allows flexible control over MPI applications by providing access to all the process control and resource control functions available in the PVM virtual machine.
Polymer-bound meso-chlorin e6 for PDT (Invited Paper)

Two types of N-(2-hydroxypropyl)methacrylamide (HPMA) copolymer containing meso- chlorin e6 monoethylene diamine disodium salt (Mce6) were synthesized. The Mce6 was bound via pendant enzymatically degradable oligopeptide side chains (G-F-L-G) in one copolymer and was attached through noncleavable side chains (G) in the other. Preliminary experiments have been undertaken to compare their localization/retention behavior and their tumorcidal activity in vivo (A/J mice; C1300 neuroblastoma). Results of localization/retention experiments indicated that the Mce6 bound to the noncleavable copolymer was retained in the tumor and other tissues for a prolonged time period compared with free Mce6 or the Mce6 bound to the cleavable copolymer. Light activation of the Mce6 from the cleavable copolymer rendered a substantially more potent biological response in vivo than did the permanently bound Mce6. It is hypothesized and indirectly supported by photophysical data that both of the polymer-photosensitizer complexes are aggregated (or conformationally altered) under physiological conditions due to their hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties. In buffer at pH 7.4, the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation by free Mce6 is three-fold higher than by the Mce6 bound to a noncleavable copolymer; adding detergent (CTAB), increased the quantum yield of singlet oxygen generation to a value consistent with that of the free Mce6. In vivo, if a sufficient time lag is allowed after drug administration for tumor cell lysosomal enzymes to cleave the Mce6 from the polymer containing degradable side chains, the Mce6 would be released in free form and behave with properties akin to the free drug. Due to the difference in cellular uptake mechanisms for free and bound drugs (and the targeting potential of the copolymer), a much higher local concentration in the tumor compared with surrounding tissue can be achieved with the polymer bound drug than the free photosensitizer. Side effects characteristics of current PDT treatment such as light ultrasensitivity in skin may be reduced by improving localization selectivity.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Cenozoic range‐front faulting and development of the Transantarctic Mountains near Cape Surprise, Antarctica: Thermochronologic and geomorphologic constraints

[1] The Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) define the western flank of the West Antarctic rift system. Cape Surprise, near the Shackleton Glacier in the central TAM, is the only location along the range's >3500 km length where upper Paleozoic Beacon Supergroup strata are down-faulted to near sea level. Previous studies have inferred a range front master normal fault accommodates extension and rock uplift across the TAM front in this region. The history of rock uplift is debated, suggested as early as Mesozoic, typically Cenozoic, or even Pliocene or younger. Structural observations, apatite fission track (AFT) thermochronology, and geomorphologic mapping undertaken within the TAM front east of the Shackleton Glacier indicate extension, faulting, and denudation was mostly late Eocene–late Oligocene and likely into the early Miocene. An exhumed AFT partial annealing zone is found at the coast and traced >50 km inland. The base of that exhumed partial annealing zone indicates denudation accelerated at ∼40 Ma near the coast and at 30–35 Ma on the inland side of the TAM front. Vertically offset AFT isochrones across the TAM front reveal a step-faulted architecture rather than a single master fault. The cumulative vertical offset of the 55 Ma isochrone is 2.3–2.7 km, compared to 2.4–2.6 km offset of Beacon strata, indicating that all significant normal faulting is Cenozoic, and not related to Mesozoic extension within the West Antarctic rift system. Denudation from <26 Ma to ∼14 Ma produced a locally preserved erosion surface within the TAM front. Erosion surface remnants indicate the TAM front has undergone minimal internal deformation and only 290–790 m of surface uplift along offshore faults since the middle Miocene.
Safety of daily ethanol locks for urinary catheters in critically ill children: A pilot study

Catheter-associated urinary tract infections represent a significant medical burden in critically ill children. Ethanol locks have been shown to be effective and safe for central line-associated bloodstream infection prevention and we propose utilizing this strategy for urinary catheters. Because this has never been done, we evaluated its safety with a pilot study hypothesizing that ethanol locks in urinary catheters would result in negligible alcohol absorption and negligible irritation of the bladder.
Chapter 15 Probing Molecular Characteristics of Ion Transport Proteins

Publisher Summary A variety of strategies are being developed for the identification and characterization of membrane proteins involved in the transit of ions and other solutes across the apical plasma membrane of epithelial cells. This chapter describes two of these strategies. In the first strategy, the advantage of the hydrophobic properties of membrane proteins to find a proteolipid (lipophilic protein) in renal brush borders is discussed that binds inorganic phosphate with high affinity and selectivity. A protein, phosphorin, is introduced as a likely candidate for the phosphate-binding component of Na+-dependent phosphate transport in renal brush borders. In the second strategy, the advantage of the specificity of amiloride for the Na+ channel in a high resistance epithelium is discussed to help define the involvement of a carboxyl residue and a nucleophile in the normal function of the sodium channel and in the mechanism with which amiloride locates and inhibits the Na+ channel with selectivity.
Planar waveguide optical filters and polarization transformers for compensating dispersive effects

Signal distortions in optical fibre systems arise from dispersive effects such as group velocity dispersion (GVD) and polarization mode dispersion (PMD). Dispersive optical filters offer the opportunity to completely compensate GVD. For PMD, adaptive polarization transformers in addition to 2/spl times/2 polarization-dependent filters are needed. Multi-stage 2/spl times/2 filters incorporating optical all pass filters are discussed that can compensate arbitrary polarization-dependent amplitude and phase responses across a desired bandwidth. To mitigate time-varying dispersion-induced impairments, adaptive filters are required, and control signals are needed to set the filter parameters to achieve the desired performance. Recent results are reviewed for planar waveguide device implementations with applications to tunable chromatic dispersion compensation, compensation of arbitrary phase responses, GVD and PMD monitoring, polarization transformers, and PMD compensation.
Pulse radiolysis studies of U(VI) complexes in aqueous media

The rate constants for the reaction between the hydrated electron and dioxouranium(VI) complexes with carbonate IMDA, NTA, oxalate and chloride ion range from 2 to 4 × 1010 M−1 sec−1. The insensitivity of the reaction rate to formal charge, potential, and number of water molecules in the equatorial coordination sphere of uranium is interpreted in terms of an electron tunneling mechanism for the reaction. Spectroscopic and structural data are cited to provide evidence consistent with such a mechanism.
Disparities in childhood asthma hospitalizations: A spatial analysis of contextual effects

Transportation and health inequities have been subjects of study by scholars from various disciplines, but the linkages among traffic exposure, race, class, and asthma is neither sufficient nor conclusive. Previous studies suggest that the relationships are multifaceted and geographically specific. We investigate neighborhood social and transportation impacts on childhood asthma disparities in Tarrant County, Texas, using geographical information systems. Results reveal distinctive socio-demographic characteristics of the patients; clear spatial patterns of neighborhoods with and without asthma hospitalizations; and significant contextual effects of traffic density, race, and class on neighborhood childhood asthma hospitalizations. The findings generally support the notion of contextual effects.
Theoretical relationship between maximum value of the post‐sunset drift velocity and peak‐to‐valley ratio of anomaly TEC

[1] Theoretical study of electron density distribution in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere shows that linear relationships with statistically significant correlation coefficients exist between the maximum value of the post-sunset plasma drift velocity and the peak-to-valley ratio of anomaly TEC. The study is based on the low-latitude density model of Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and the obtained relationships are valid for the longitudinal sector of Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar whose drift velocity measurements are used. The significance of this finding lies in the fact that the maximum value of the post-sunset vertical plasma drift velocity is an important parameter for determining both the intensity and the latitudinal distribution of equatorial scintillation. When the parameter is not available from any direct measurement, the linear relationships may be used to estimate it from the measured peak-to-valley ratio of anomaly TEC.
Electrical characteristics of imploding thin film plasma atom cells

Abstract A detailed study of the electrical properties of imploding thin film plasmas was performed. A method for the determination of circuit resistance and inductance values from an underdamped discharge current waveform is summarized and discussed in detail. The effects of plasma tube length, charging voltage, circuit inductance and resistance were investigated with respect to both plasma and discharge circuit power dissipation properties. Peak power-densities > 1 MW cm 3 were observed for all discharge conditions, but significant differences in circuit energy transfer efficiencies and the temporal distribution of plasma power dissipation were apparent. The most efficient energy transfer properties were observed with discharges performed with no added inductance or resistance; these discharges also delivered the greatest amount of energy to the plasma in the shortest period of time. Critically-damping the discharge by the addition of a 900 mΩ external resistance decreased the energy transfer efficiency significantly, but also produced a unipolar current waveform demonstrating characteristics which may allow both efficient sample atomization and excitation.
Finite-time tracking using sliding mode control

Abstract Finite-time stability involves dynamical systems whose trajectories converge to an equilibrium state in finite time. In this paper, we consider a general class of fully actuated mechanical systems described by Euler–Lagrange dynamics and the class of underactuated systems represented by mobile robot dynamics that are required to reach and maintain the desired trajectory in finite time. An approach known as the terminal sliding mode control (TSMC) involves non-smooth sliding surfaces such that, while on the sliding surface, the error states converge to the origin in finite time thus ensuring finite-time tracking. The main advantage of this control scheme is in fast converging times without excessive control effort. Such controllers are known to have singularities in some parts of the state space and, in this paper, we propose a method of partitioning the state space into two regions where the TSMC is bounded and its complement. We show that the region of bounded TSMC is invariant and design an auxiliary sliding mode controller predicated on linear smooth sliding surface for the initial conditions outside this region. Furthermore, we extend these results to address TSMC for underactuated systems characterized by the mobile robot dynamics. We demonstrate the efficacy of our approach by implementing it for a scenario when multiple dynamic agents are required to move in a fixed formation with respect to the formation leader. Finally, we validate our results experimentally using a wheeled mobile robot platform.
The molecular and cellular basis of radiosensitivity: implications for understanding how normal tissues and tumors respond to therapeutic radiation.

We have provided an overview of recent studies that have greatly expanded our knowledge of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that determine the sensitivity or resistance to ionizing radiation. Much of this knowledge was obtained by studying tumor and nontumor cell types that under- or overexpress proteins involved in the regulation of the DNA damage response, cell cycle progression, growth factor signal transduction, and apoptosis. These findings may ultimately be useful in devising new strategies to improve the therapeutic ratio in cancer treatment. Despite the rapid advances in knowledge of cellular functions that affect radiosensitivity, we still cannot account for most of the clinically observed heterogeneity of normal tissue and tumor responses to radiotherapy; nor can we accurately predict which individual tumors will be locally controlled and which patients will develop more severe normal tissue damage after radiotherapy. However, several candidate genes for which deletion or loss of function mutations may be associated with altered cellular radiosensitivity (e.g., ATM, p53, BRCA2) have been identified. Some of the differences in normal tissue sensitivity to radiation may occur because of mutations with milder effects, heterozygosity, or polymorphisms of these genes. Finally, molecular mechanisms linking genetic instability, radiosensitivity, and predisposition to cancer are being examined.
Dyslipidemia in the Metabolic Syndrome in Children

The high triglyceride/low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol phenotype is a component of the metabolic syndrome. The obesity epidemic has increased the prevalence of this abnormality. Recognition of this dyslipidemia is increasingly common in pediatric practice. Treatment includes weight management, including the prevention of future excess weight gain, and exercise. Pharmacologic management is rarely required.
Exciton and biexciton signatures in femtosecond transient absorption of π-conjugated oligomers

The authors report femotosecond transient-absorption studies of a five-ring oligomer of polyphenylenevinylene (PPV) prepared in two different forms: as solid-state films and dilute solutions. Both types of samples exhibit a photoinduced absorption (PA) band with dynamics which closely match those of the stimulated emission (SE), demonstrating unambiguously that these features originate from the same species, namely from intrachain singlet excitons. Photo-chemical degradation of the solid-state samples is demonstrated to dramatically shorten the SE dynamics above a moderate incident pump fluence, whereupon the dynamics of the SE and the long-wavelength PA no longer coincide. In contrast to solutions, solid-state films exhibit an additional short-wavelength PA band with pump-independent dynamics, indicating the efficient formation of non-emissive inter-chain excitons. Correlations in the subpicosecond dynamics of the two PA features, as well as the pump intensity-dependence provide strong evidence that the formation of inter-chain excitons is mediated by intrachain two-exciton states. At high pump levels, the authors see a clear indication of interaction between excited states also in dilute solutions. This is manifested as a superlinear pump-dependence and shortening of the decay dynamics of the SE. They attribute this behavior to the formation of biexcitons resulting from coherent interaction between two excitons on a single chain.
Measurement of the overall modulation transfer function of desert atmospheres

Based on a unique experimental technique, measurement results are presented on the passive, remote sensing of the optical modulation transfer function of desert atmospheres (MTFA), including the dc, low, and high spatial cutoff frequency components which are attributed to contrast, aerosol, and turbulence, respectively. In particular, use of this technique has made it possible, for the first time, to directly measure the low spatial frequency cutoff of the aerosol component. This technique is based on utilizing digital image processing of remote video scenes which include two, optically identical, castellated targets which are located at different distances and are contrasted against the horizontal sky. Ratios of apparent contrast and FFT calculations are used to determine the MTFA components, including the spatial cutoff frequencies of the aerosol and turbulence components, independent of the imaging system and actual properties of the targets. The experimental technique is described along with current MTFA component measurements.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
KEVIN BACON AND GRAPH THEORY

ABSTRACT The interconnected world of actors and movies is a familiar, rich example for graph theory. This paper gives the history of the “Kevin Bacon Game” and makes extensive use of a Web site to analyze the underlying graph. The main content is the classroom development of the weighted average to determine the best choice of “center” for the graph. The article concludes with additional student activities and some responses to the material.
Imaging of the Seronegative Spondyloarthopathies

The seronegative spondyloarthropathies are a diverse group of conditions most commonly affecting the axial spine, often presenting with back pain of an inflammatory nature. The primary unifying feature of these disorders is sacroiliitis. The distinction between subtypes of spondyloarthritis is based on genotype (HLA-B27 positivity as in ankylosing spondylitis), peripheral manifestations of disease (psoriatic and reactive arthritis), and factors such as age, gender, and comorbidity. Although radiography has long been used to diagnose the spondyloarthropathies, advanced imaging with magnetic resonance is better able to diagnose these disorders at their earliest stages and monitor disease-modifying therapies.
Late Social and psychological aftereffect of pregnancy in adolescence.

Pregnancy in midadolescence may continue to affect social and psychological competence long after the pregnancy ends. Most studies report the effects on the children of these young mothers while only a few have examined the mothers who kept their babies and none have looked past the first decade after the birth. Twenty men and women who became parents in midadolescence were interviewed 17 to 24 years later. All were first seen because of family discord and the breakdown of parent-child relationships due to the rebellious behavior during the adolescence of the child born in their own adolescence. All of these adolescents had been well-be-haved in childhood, but, having begun to date, were viewed by the parents as being troublesome and in danger of repeating the parental “mistake”. Mothers were found to overtly spy on their daughters and expressed distrust of their heterosexual relationships. Fathers were distant and distrustful of their children and doubtful of their own abilities to control behavior. All parents were unable to discuss sexuality with their children. Pregnancy in midadolescence may significantly affect parental relationships with the subsequent children, especially when those children become adolescents.
Termolecular recombination rate, microscopic reversibility and faddeev theory

Abstract Exact Faddeev theory and microscopic reversibility are applied to the description of termolecular recombination in a model system of three helium-like atoms. Our results indicate that experimentally determined values of k3(T) can be reproduced.
An Organoplatinum(II) Complex of a Bitopic, Propylene-linked Bis(pyrazolyl)methane Ligand

The reaction of the third-generation, bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligand 1,1,5,5-tetra(1-pyrazolyl)pentane, [CH(pz)2]2(CH2)3 (pz = 1-pyrazolyl), with the dimer [Pt(p-tolyl)2(μ-SEt2)]2 yields the complex {μ-[CH(pz)2]2(CH2)3}[Pt(p-tolyl)2]2. The complex crystallizes in the space group P $$ \bar{1} $$ with unit cell dimensions a = 11.9461(5) A, b = 12.1475(5) A, c = 16.0665(7) A; α = 102.424(1)°, β = 104.413(1)°, γ = 102.140(1)°. The platinum centers adopt a square planar coordination geometry where each bis(pyrazolyl)methyl group binds in a cis bidentate fashion. The complex {μ-[CH(pz)2]2(CH2)3}[Pt(p-tolyl)2]2 (pz = 1-pyrazolyl) has been prepared by the reaction between the bis(pyrazolyl)methane ligand [CH(pz)2]2(CH2)3 and [Pt(p-tolyl)2(μ-SEt2)]2. Daniel L. Reger*, Russell P. Watson, and Mark D. Smith Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA,reger@mail.chem.sc.edu
Whole Mouse Cryo-Imaging

The Case cryo-imaging system is a section and image system which allows one to acquire micron-scale, information rich, whole mouse color bright field and molecular fluorescence images of an entire mouse. Cryo-imaging is used in a variety of applications, including mouse and embryo anatomical phenotyping, drug delivery, imaging agents, metastastic cancer, stem cells, and very high resolution vascular imaging, among many. Cryo-imaging fills the gap between whole animal in vivo imaging and histology, allowing one to image a mouse along the continuum from the mouse → organ → tissue structure → cell → sub-cellular domains. In this overview, we describe the technology and a variety of exciting applications. Enhancements to the system now enable tiled acquisition of high resolution images to cover an entire mouse. High resolution fluorescence imaging, aided by a novel subtraction processing algorithm to remove sub-surface fluorescence, makes it possible to detect fluorescently-labeled single cells. Multi-modality experiments in Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Cryo-imaging of a whole mouse demonstrate superior resolution of cryo-images and efficiency of registration techniques. The 3D results demonstrate the novel true-color volume visualization tools we have developed and the inherent advantage of cryo-imaging in providing unlimited depth of field and spatial resolution. The recent results continue to demonstrate the value cryo-imaging provides in the field of small animal imaging research.
EGTA-extractable calmodulin in platelet membrane is lower in alcoholics than in controls.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine calmodulin distribution in platelets of alcoholics. Eight alcoholics were diagnosed by DSM-III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition) criteria prior to admission to the Alcohol Unit, VA Hospital, San Antonio, TX. Whole blood was drawn after a five day washout period, and again after 30 days of disulfiram treatment. Platelets were prepared from the whole blood, suspended in Ringer's-citrate-dextrose buffer (RCD), divided into 2 aliquots, then sonicated and centrifuged (100K × g). Supernatants were assayed for calmodulin content by RIA. The pellets were resuspended by sonication in 1 mM EGTA in RCD or 1% (w/v) Lubrol-PX in RCD, then centrifuged at 100K × g. Calmodulin was measured in the EGTA and Lubrol supernatants. EGTA-extractable calmodulin in pre-disulfiram, post-disulfiram, and control subjects was 5.07±2.2 (SD), 5.19±1.7 (SD), and 10.5±6.7 (SD) ng calmodulin/mg whole platelet protein. The EGTA-extractable calmodulin was significantly lower in alcoholics pre- or post-disulfiram than in controls ( p
Hypoxia in murine atherosclerotic plaques and its adverse effects on macrophages

Hypoxia has been found in the atherosclerotic plaques of larger mammals, including humans. Whether hypoxia occurs in the plaques of standard mouse models with atherosclerosis has been controversial, given their small size. In this review, we summarize the findings of a recent report demonstrating that direct evidence of hypoxia can indeed be found in the plaques of mice deficient in apolipoprotein E (apoE-/-mice). Furthermore, studies in vitro showed that hypoxia promoted lipid synthesis and reduced cholesterol efflux through the ABCA1 pathway, and that the transcription factor HIF-1α mediated many, but not all, of the effects. These results are discussed in the context of the literature and clinical practice.
Historical development of the Newton-Raphson method

This expository paper traces the development of the Newton-Raphson method for solving nonlinear algebraic equations through the extant notes, letters, and publications of Isaac Newton, Joseph Raphson, and Thomas Simpson. It is shown how Newton's formulation differed from the iterative process of Raphson, and that Simpson was the first to give a general formulation, in terms of fluxional calculus, applicable to nonpolynomial equations. Simpson's extension of the method to systems of equations is exhibited.
Design of the SAFER Emergency Gate Using LS-DYNA

In recent years, NASCAR and the Indy Racing League have improved the safety of their racetracks through the installation of the Steel And Foam Energy Reduction barrier (SAFER). The new barrier consists of a high-strength, tubular steel skin that distributes the impact load to energy-absorbing foam cartridges in order to reduce the severity of the impact, extends the impact event, and provides the occupant of the race car additional protection. During installation of the SAFER barrier, the designers realized that certain race tracks were designed with the emergency track exit in the outside of the corner. Because the SAFER barrier needed to be installed in these corners, a gate mechanism had to be designed for the barrier that would provide access to the track while retaining the safety performance of the system. Full-scale crash testing of the first SAFER gate design showed that the gate did not posses sufficient capacity to handle the loads experienced during a worst-case impact scenario. Non-linear finite element analysis was then used to redesign the gate mechanism. The original gate design was simulated using LS-DYNA in order to validate the computational model. Modifications to increase the capacity of the gate mechanism were designed and analyzed until suitable results were obtained through simulation. Finally, the redesigned SAFER gate was successfully full-scale crash tested.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Description of the prototype diagnostic residual gas analyzer for ITERa)

The diagnostic residual gas analyzer (DRGA) system to be used during ITER tokamak operation is being designed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to measure fuel ratios (deuterium and tritium), fusion ash (helium), and impurities in the plasma. The eventual purpose of this instrument is for machine protection, basic control, and physics on ITER. Prototyping is ongoing to optimize the hardware setup and measurement capabilities. The DRGA prototype is comprised of a vacuum system and measurement technologies that will overlap to meet ITER measurement requirements. Three technologies included in this diagnostic are a quadrupole mass spectrometer, an ion trap mass spectrometer, and an optical penning gauge that are designed to document relative and absolute gas concentrations.
How do price-based sales affect market basket prices? Evidence for fresh food products in German grocery stores

Abstract Sales of fresh food products are a predominant feature in retail pricing around the world. Price-based sales offer significant price cuts in products for a limited time and are the most popular form of promotional sales in Europe. From a consumer perspective, it is of interest to determine whether such price-based sales are reflected in the price of typical market baskets, or whether they are financed by price increases for other products as suggested by the loss- leader hypothesis. Competitive market theories suggest that a sale signals a reduction in market basket price. Within this setting, this article empirically examines the implications of sales for the market basket prices. Results are drawn from analysis of a unique data set for fresh food items in German grocery stores over the period from 1995 to 2000. Results indicate that in the short-run the market basket price for fresh food decreases with the number of fresh food product sales, consistent with competitive pricing. However, over ti...
Two-Stage Chi Square Goodness-of-Fit Test

Abstract Consider sampling in two stages for testing a simple hypothesis about a population whose elements may be classified into a finite number of classes. The joint asymptotic distribution of the two Pearson X2 statistics based on the first and combined samples is derived and used to construct a two-stage test. The advantage of this test relative to the conventional one-stage test is discussed in terms of its asymptotic power. Tables of critical values for 1 percent and 5 percent level tests for 1–10 degrees of freedom are given as well as modifications for cases involving unknown parameters.
Propagation distances of surface electromagnetic waves on Ni, Pd, Pt, and W metal surfaces.

Abstract The propagation distances, L x , of surface electromagnetic waves (SEW) on Ni, Pd, Pt, and W were measured using the two-prism coupling technique at wavelengths from 9.3 to 10.6 microm. Metal samples consisted of films, deposited on glass substrates by electron beam deposition, and metal foils. The measured L x values for the Pd and Pt firms and Pt foil agree to within 20% of the calculated values from the two-media dispersion relation. The measured values of the propagation distance for the Ni film and foil and the W foil agree to within 50% of the calculated L x . Scanning electron microscope (SEM) photographs and Auger analysis indicate that film imperfections and foil surface roughness contributed to the lower propagation distances observed for Pt and Pd while imperfections, roughness, and oxidation contributed to the disagreement between measured and calculated propagation distance for Ni and W.
Resonance Raman spectrum of [Ru(bipyridine)3]2+ in water, acetonitrile and their deuterated derivatives: the possible role of solvent in excited-state charge localization

Resonance Raman spectra excited at 458 and 476 nm are reported for [Ru(bipyridine)3]2+ in water, acetonitrile and their perdeuterated derivatives. Raman intensities of [Ru(bipyridine)3]2+ are about a factor of two greater in H2O than D2O for all vibrational modes, but are independent of solvent isotopomer in acetonitrile. Solvent dynamics apparently contribute more strongly to the dephasing dynamics in water than in acetonitrile. Mode-specific dephasing rates seem to cause different depolarization ratios for different observed vibrations which can lead to a potentially misleading interpretation of the depolarization ratios. We speculate that a static complex between [Ru(bipyridine)3]2+ and water influences the excited-state dynamics. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Maternal child feeding practices and obesity: a discordant sibling analysis

Background The relationship between maternal feeding practices and weight status of 7–12 year-old obese and nonobese siblings was evaluated in 18 families using a discordant sibling design. Method Mothers completed measures of concern and perception of children's weight and eating behavior, their control over child feeding, and maternal eating behavior. Results Intraclass correlations suggested similarity between obese and nonobese siblings in maternal control over feeding. Mothers perceived differences between their obese and nonobese children's eating regulation. Mothers' weight status was positively associated with disinhibition of their own eating as well as concern about both their obese and nonobese children's weight and health. Discussion These findings fail to support the hypothesis that maternal control over child feeding is related to childhood obesity, but highlight the impact of maternal weight history and eating habits on her impression of children's future weight and health independent of the child's weight status. © 2000 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 27: 459–463, 2000.
From the mainframe to the internet: the evolution of Moore's Extended Nutrient (MENu) database

Moore's Extended Nutrient (MENu) database first had its beginnings at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center as The Extended Table of Nutrient Values (ETNV) in 1990, having originated in the early 1960s as one of the first computerized nutrient databases in the US. The ETNV received its prominence in the scientific community as the database of the long-term Bogalusa Heart Study. In 1993, its movement from a mainframe designed computerized nutrient database system to a PC-based system was initiated. During the early to late 1990s the MENu database supported two NIH-funded clinical applications, DELTA (Dietary Effects on Lipids and Thrombogenic Activity) and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension); it was used for menu design in these feeding trials. This database has undergone many changes over the years to meet the needs of researchers at Pennington and those needs identified by collaborators in federally funded projects. Over the past few years, Pennington has been involved in several different types of military nutrition research projects. One such project involved the need to access the MENu database components from remote locations via the internet. Several security issues needed to be dealt with since we were working with the Department of Defense. The system access was designed to deal with these issues and yet support use from any remote location with internet access. Dietitians and other military nutrition professionals were issued the client software along with individual logon IDs and passwords. They accessed the recipe entry and menu design applications, in addition to the entire nutrient composition files which includes the USDA Standard Reference and Survey Databases and other special user foods, including the special formulations used by the military. The tree design of the MENu database allows for the ease of location of menus and recipes by the military nutrition division personnel and facilitates the revision/entry of other items needed. Efforts are currently underway to address additional internet-based application development, including dietary assessment modules.
Commercialization of Thermoelectric Technology

Thermoelectric technology capable of solid state electric power generation and cooling has been has been known for almost 180 years. Only in the past 50 years has this technology found its way out of the laboratory and into niche military, space, and commercial products. Most of the profitable commercial products have made their appearance in the past decade. Many of you are working hard to advance the state of the art in thermoelectric materials, and I am sure that you do not want to wait another 180 years, 50 years, or even another decade to commercialize your results. There are many potential ways to commercialize this technology, but the area that I think represents the biggest market is the automotive industry. There are over 17 million automobiles sold in the US each year and over 60 million worldwide. With the possible exception of the electric power industry, I know of no other market segment that is even close to the potential of the automotive industry for using a high volume of thermoelectric materials. Every vehicle produced has an electrical system supplied by a one to two kilowatt generator with increasing power demand as electrical features are added. A high percentage of vehicles have air conditioning systems with 3 to 5 kilowatts of cooling. Sufficiently advanced thermoelectric materials can be the heart of systems that supplement or replace the mechanical or electro-mechanical devices performing these functions today. This paper addresses the boundary conditions for the function, quantity, and value needed to commercialize thermoelectric technology. Timing to introduce subsystems with this technology is also addressed. Thermoelectric technology has to compete with the existing technologies and other emerging technologies to be successfully commercialized. While it seems out of reach today, there is even the potential that sufficiently advanced thermoelectric materials and device construction could one day replace the internal combustion engine and even rival fuel cells in energy conversion efficiency.
Adhesive Interactions of Platelets and Their Blockadea

Formation of thrombi, which constitute the main mechanism of occlusive cardiovascular diseases, is mediated by blood platelets and fibrinogen. At least three stimulatory pathways can activate platelets, yet only one is sensitive to inhibition by aspirin (cyclooxygenase). Aspirin-insensitive pathways, mediated by protein kinase C and myosin light-chain kinase, lead to a change of platelet shape, with an attendant striking increase in their surface (pseudopods) followed by exposure of receptors for fibrinogen and vWf on GPIIb-IIIa. Another receptor for vWf (GPIb), independent of known pathways of platelet activation, seems to function primarily in vessels with a high shear rate. The multistep processes of platelet activation can be circumvented by the blockade of platelet receptors for adhesive molecules, present in subendothelium and in plasma. However, platelet receptors exposed on GPIIb-IIIa share common structural features with the endothelial receptor for vitronectin. Blockade of platelet GPIIb-IIIa with synthetic peptides containing the RGD sequence, or with certain monoclonal antibodies, may inadvertently cause detachment, or prevent attachment, of endothelial cells in a zone of vascular injury. The peptide analogs of human fibrinogen gamma chain sequence 400-411 possess high selectivity for platelet GPIIb-IIIa because they do not cause detachment of endothelial cells. Thus, endothelial regrowth in the zone of vascular injury following thrombolysis and/or angioplasty will go unperturbed. The significance of adhesive proteins interacting with their receptors transcends the issue of the fundamental mechanism of platelet aggregation of platelet thrombus formation. A molecular model of the adhesive interaction between fibrinogen domains and GPIIb-IIIa will probably be the most amenable to construction. Once such a model is established and its allosteric regulation is unraveled, its utility for further development of improved antiplatelet receptor blockers as antithrombotic drugs, that are both selective and potent will become a reality.