cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Vitro Contraction of Lobster (Homarus) Ovarian Muscle: Methods for Assaying Contraction and Effects of Biogenic Amines

The ovary of the lobster, Homarus americanus, is encased by a nonstriated muscu- lar wall that is thought to contract and extrude the oocytes at spawning. The cells of this lobster ovarian muscle (LOM) are unconventional in that their contractile apparati contain extensive arrays of microtubules in addition to actin and myosin. In this study, we introduce two assays to measure LOM contraction in vitro. One assay ranks the distinct morphological changes that a contracting LOM muscle strip progresses through to quantify the extent of contraction. In the other assay, the distances that the edges of LOM strips travel during contraction are measured from a video monitor to calculate a rate of contraction. Using these assays, we found that compounds that elevate intracel- lular CAMP (IBMX, forskolin, and dbcAMP) inhibit LOM contraction. The biogenic amines octopamine (OCT), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT1, and dopamine (DA) were tested for their ability to stimulate LOM contraction in vitro. Octopamine (10 p6-10 p4 M) significantly stimulates contraction in a dose- dependent manner, and 5-HT (10 -5-10p3 M) mildly stimulates contraction. Dopamine has no effect on contraction. The opposing effects of forskolin and OCT on LOM contraction indicate that OCT stimulation is not mediated through class two OCT receptors. Therefore, LOM appears to be controlled by either class one OCT receptors or a novel class of OCT receptors. o 1992 WiIey-Liss, Inc. In the lobster, Homarus americanus, the ovaries are shaped like an upper case "H; four tubular lobes are joined via a crosspiece (Fig la; Talbot, '81). The outer wall of the ovary consists primarily of con- tractile cells, which we refer to as the lobster ovarian muscle (LOM) (Howard, '91). The most mature follicles line the interior side of the muscle. These peripheral follicles develop in synchrony, and their oocytes are spawned as a cohort. Morphological stud- ies on the ovary of Homarus americanus suggest that the main function of the muscular ovarian wall is to cause extrusion of the oocytes during spawn- ing (Herrick, '11; Talbot, '81). In recent studies of LOM, we have found that these muscle cells are unusual in several respects (How- ard, '91). First, whereas most crustacean muscle cells, including those of the gut, are striated (Hux- ley, 1880; Clarke; '73), LOM cells show no evidence of striation (Herrick, '11; Talbot, '81; Howard, '91). This lack of striation also distinguishes LOM from insect ovariolar and oviducal muscles, both of which are striated (Miller, '73; Huddart, '85). Most signifi- cantly, LOM cells differ from typical smooth mus- cle in that their cytoplasm contains numerous microtubules that are required for contraction (Tal- bot, '81; Howard, '91). Morphological studies show that actin filaments are also distributed throughout
A new parallel simulation technique

We develop a ''semi-parallel'' simulation technique suggested by Pretorius and Lehner, in which the simulation spacetime volume is divided into a large number of small 4-volumes that have only initial and final surfaces. Thus there is no two-way communication between processors, and the 4-volumes can be simulated independently and potentially at different times. This technique allows us to simulate much larger volumes than we otherwise could, because we are not limited by total memory size. No processor time is lost waiting for other processors. We compare a cosmic string simulation we developed using the semi-parallel technique with our previous MPI-based code for several test cases and find a factor of 2.6 improvement in the total amount of processor time required to accomplish the same job for strings evolving in the matter-dominated era.
Applied superconductivity and superfluidity for the exploration of the Moon and Mars

We discuss how superconductivity and superfluidity can be applied to solve the challenges in the exploration of the Moon and Mars. High sensitivity instruments using phenomena of superconductivity and superfluidity can potentially make significant contributions to the fields of navigation, automation, habitation, and resource location. Using the quantum nature of superconductivity, lightweight and very sensitive diagnostic tools can be made to monitor the health of astronauts. Moreover, the Moon and Mars offer a unique environment for scientific exploration. We also discuss how powerful superconducting instruments may enable scientists to seek answers to several profound questions about nature. These answers will not only deepen our appreciation of the universe, they may also open the door to paradigm-shifting technologies.
Slow temporal summation of pain for assessment of central pain sensitivity and clinical pain of fibromyalgia patients.

Background In healthy individuals slow temporal summation of pain or wind-up (WU) can be evoked by repetitive heat-pulses at frequencies of ≥.33 Hz. Previous WU studies have used various stimulus frequencies and intensities to characterize central sensitization of human subjects including fibromyalgia (FM) patients. However, many trials demonstrated considerable WU-variability including zero WU or even wind-down (WD) at stimulus intensities sufficient for activating C-nociceptors. Additionally, few WU-protocols have controlled for contributions of individual pain sensitivity to WU-magnitude, which is critical for WU-comparisons. We hypothesized that integration of 3 different WU-trains into a single WU-response function (WU-RF) would not only control for individuals’ pain sensitivity but also better characterize their central pain responding including WU and WD. Methods 33 normal controls (NC) and 38 FM patients participated in a study of heat-WU. We systematically varied stimulus intensities of.4 Hz heat-pulse trains applied to the hands. Pain summation was calculated as difference scores of 1st and 5th heat-pulse ratings. WU-difference (WU-Δ) scores related to 3 heat-pulse trains (44°C, 46°C, 48°C) were integrated into WU-response functions whose slopes were used to assess group differences in central pain sensitivity. WU-aftersensations (WU-AS) at 15 s and 30 s were used to predict clinical FM pain intensity. Results WU-Δ scores linearly accelerated with increasing stimulus intensity (p NC) from WD to WU. Slope of WU-RF, which is representative of central pain sensitivity, was significantly steeper in FM patients than NC (p<.003). WU-AS predicted clinical FM pain intensity (Pearson’s r = .4; p<.04). Conclusions Compared to single WU series, WU-RFs integrate individuals’ pain sensitivity as well as WU and WD. Slope of WU-RFs was significantly different between FM patients and NC. Therefore WU-RF may be useful for assessing central sensitization of chronic pain patients in research and clinical practice.
MIDCOURSE SPACE EXPERIMENT VERSUS IRAS TWO-COLOR DIAGRAMS AND THE CIRCUMSTELLAR ENVELOPE-SEQUENCE OF OXYGEN-RICH LATE-TYPE STARS

We present Midcourse Space Experiment (MSX) two-color diagrams that can be used to characterize circumstellar environments of sources with good quality MSX colors in terms of IRAS color regions for oxygen-rich stars. With these diagrams, we aim to provide a new tool that can be used to study circumstellar environments and to improve detection rates for targeted surveys for circumstellar maser emission similar to the IRAS two-color diagram. This new tool is especially useful for regions in the sky where IRAS was confused, in particular in the Galactic plane and bulge region. Unfortunately, using MSX colors alone does not allow one to distinguish between carbon-rich and oxygen-rich objects. An application of this tool on 86 GHz SiO masers shows that for this type of masers an instantaneous detection rate of 60% to 80% can be achieved if target sources are selected according to MSX color (region). Our investigations may have revealed an error in the MSX point source catalog version 2.3. That is, the photometry of the 21.3 μm (MSX E filter) band for most weak 8.28 μm (or MSX A filter) band sources seems off by about a factor 2 (0.5-1 mag too bright).
Augmented Lagrangian method for constraining the shape of velocity profiles at outlet boundaries for three-dimensional finite element simulations of blood flow

In three-dimensional blood flow simulations of the cardiovascular system, velocity and pressure fields in the computational domain are highly affected by outlet boundary conditions. This fact has motivated the development of novel methods to couple three-dimensional computational domains with one-dimensional numerical models or, alternatively, with zero-dimensional or one-dimensional analytic models. In all such methods described to date, whether they are explicit or implicit, the relationship between flow and pressure at the outlet boundary is enforced weakly. This coupling does not include any constraints on the shape of the velocity profiles nor on the distribution of pressure at the interface. As a result, there remain some classes of problems that are, at best, difficult to solve, and at worst, intractable, with current numerical methods for simulating blood flow. These include problems with significant flow reversal during part of the cardiac cycle or geometric complexity in the proximity of the outlet of the computational domain. We have implemented a novel method to resolve these challenging problems whereby an augmented Lagrangian method is used to enforce constraints on the shape of the velocity profile at the interface between the upstream computational domain and the downstream analytic domain. These constraints on the shape of the velocity profile are added to the Coupled Multidomain Method in order to implicitly couple the computational domain with downstream analytic models. In this study, an axisymmetric profile is imposed after ensuring that each constrained outlet boundary is circular. We demonstrate herein that including constraints on the shape of the velocity profile does not affect velocity and pressure fields except in the immediate vicinity of the constrained outlet boundaries. Furthermore, this new method enables the solution of problems which diverged with an unconstrained method.
An experience with managing cancer patients reportedly previously informed of the absence of additional available antineoplastic therapeutic options.

Over the past 5 years, a small group of cancer patients who stated their physicians had determined there were no additional available antineoplastic therapeutic options (including potential investigational strategies) were seen for a ‘second opinion' in a cancer hospital-based oncology program and subsequently experienced what can reasonably be characterized as having achieved meaningful ‘clinical benefit' (functioning at a fairly high level for a minimum 1 year in the work, home, and/or family environments) following the further delivery of a variety of treatment approaches. While recognized to be limited (or even simply ‘anecdotal'), this experience emphasizes several clinically relevant conclusions, including the overall utility of a ‘second-opinion' strategy and the potential that the reported statement of an individual practitioner or cancer program that all rational options have been attempted may be inaccurate.
The Molding of Engelbert Dollfuß as an Agrarian Reformer

Engelbert Dollfuss has not been enshrined in history as a popular political figure. The National Socialists vilified him as a Satanic evildoer who embodied everything they hated. Dollfus's widow and two children found it imperative to flee to Switzerland immediately after the Anschluss and eventually went to Canada, where Mrs. Dollfus and their daughter remained until 1956. Their son still lives there.
CONTROL SYSTEM PERFORMANCE OF AN UNMANNED WIND-PROPELLED CATAMARAN

Abstract Recent experimental testing of an unmanned autonomous marine surface vehicle has demonstrated several key advances in control system performance for a wind propelled platform. The HWT X-1 is a winged catamaran based on a modified conventional sailing vessel intended for use as a surveillance and sensor platform in either littoral or unprotected waters. Using GPS and an off- the-shelf commercial Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS) as the primary sensors, in integrated control architecture has been implemented that has demonstrated closed loop control about a figure-8 course while under wind propulsion. A speed regulation control system maintains a minimum speed on course using a combination of electric drive motors and wind propulsion, reducing power on the drive motors as the wing-sail accelerates the vehicle. Trajectory control is accomplished with line acquisition and line tracking controllers. The line acquisition control uses a line-of-sight guidance law, and acquires the line within 100m. The line tracking controller demonstrated an ensemble mean of 1.0m and a standard deviation of 0.7m for sheltered waters, and mean of 1.6m and a standard deviation of 1.2m for open waters.
An MHC interaction site maps to the amino-terminal half of the T cell receptor α chain variable domain

Abstract We have used cloned T cell receptor (TCR) genes from closely related CD4 T cell lines to probe the interaction of the TCR with several specific major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 11 ligands. Complementarity determining region 3 (CDR3) equivalents of both α and β TCR chains are required for antigen-MHC recognition. Our data provide novel information about the rotational orientation of TCR-MHC contacts in that exchange of the amino terminal portion of the TCR α chain containing the putative CDR1 and CDR2 regions results in both gain and loss of MHC class II specificity by the resulting receptor. These two TCRs differ primarily in recognition of polymorphisms in the second hypervariable region of the MHC class II α chain. These results document the involvement of CDR1 and/or CDR2 of the TCR α chain in MHC recognition and suggest a rotational orientation of this TCR to its MHC ligand.
A New Explanation of Sexual Repression in Ireland

One theory of sexual repression in Ireland describes how it operated to increase the prosperity of the small family farm and the social mobility of the family. A second theory asserts that Irish Catholic dualistic asceticism and Church power are responsible for sexual repression. In this article, general systems theory and cultural ecology are used to demonstrate that the aspects of Irish culture affecting sex were generated by colonial and neocolonial relations.
Mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and spreading on microwave plasma-nitrided titanium alloy

Improved methods to increase surface hardness of metallic biomedical implants are being developed in an effort to minimize the formation of wear debris particles that cause local pain and inflammation. However, for many implant surface treatments, there is a risk of film delamination due to the mismatch of mechanical properties between the hard surface and the softer underlying metal. In this article, we describe the surface modification of titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V), using microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition to induce titanium nitride formation by nitrogen diffusion. The result is a gradual transition from a titanium nitride surface to the bulk titanium alloy, without a sharp interface that could otherwise lead to delamination. We demonstrate that vitronectin adsorption, as well as the adhesion and spreading of human mesenchymal stem cells to plasma-nitrided titanium is equivalent to that of Ti-6Al-4V, while hardness is improved 3- to 4-fold. These in vitro results suggest that the plasma nitriding technique has the potential to reduce wear, and the resulting debris particle release, of biomedical implants without compromising osseointegration; thus, minimizing the possibility of implant loosening over time.
THE ETIOLOGY AND TREATMENT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

The abuse of alcohol and other drugs (AOD) has become one of the most important social problems in modern society. AOD abuse causes untold personal anguish to the abusers and their families, is associated with high levels of crime, and the health consequences include death and disability. Billions are spent on treatment, prevention, and incarceration. The papers in this special issue focus on two key issues in the study of AOD abuse: etiology and treatment. Etiology is a key factor because it is the foundation for prevention and treatment programs. If the etiology of AOD abuse can be unraveled, abuse can be prevented and treatment can be effectively targeted. But, effective treatment also requires an understanding of how treatment works.
Native iron in the continental lower crust: petrological and geophysical implications.

Lower crustal granulite xenoliths recovered from a kimberlite pipe in western Africa contain native iron (Fe(0)) as a decomposition product of garnet and ilmenite. Magnetic measurements show that less than 0.1 percent (by volume) of iron metal is present. Data from geothermometry and oxygen geobarometry indicate that the oxide and metal phases equilibrated between iron-wustite and magnetite-wustite buffers, which may represent the oxidation state of the continental lower crust, and the depleted lithospheric upper mantle. Ferromagnetic native iron could be stable to a depth of approximately 95 kilometers and should be considered in the interpretation of long-wavelength static magnetic anomalies.
SELF-REGULATION OF LUMINANCE BY ALBINO RATS

The reinforcing properties of the brief onset of dim light contingent upon bar-pressing are well established (Kish, 1955; Marx, Henderson, & Roberts, 1955). While current theory tends to attribute the reinforcement to the change in stimulation, it is possible that the absolute luminance produced by the change is important. If this were the case, rats allowed operant control of cage luminance should show a preference for a restricted range. If stimulus change alone governs the operant, no orderly distribution of selected luminances should result. This report describes a pilot study in which rats could regulate cage luminance for long periods of time. Method.-Three female Sprague-Dawley rats were raised in constant light except one, which by chance experienced about one month of a 12-ht. light-dark cycle. An 18-in. diameter light-tight cage had a translucent glass top 12 in. above the floor. An array of 15 incandescent bulbs above the glass top provided 16 different cage luminances from 2 log mL down to -5 log mL in half-log steps; then darkness followed -5 log mL. Luminances were measured from a Macbeth test plate on the cage floor. Opposite the continuously available food and water were 4 levers: Up, Middle, Down, and End. Up increased cage luminance l/z log unit each time pressed; Down similarly decreased it (cf. Stein & Ray, 1959). Middle and End were dummy levers connected only to counters. Rat A was introduced into the apparatus and left undisturbed for 77 days, B for 77 days, and C for 40 days. Resalts.-Table 1 shows the mean daily operant level on each lever
Combined use of computed tomography coronary calcium scores and C-reactive protein levels in predicting cardiovascular events in nondiabetic individuals.

Background— The South Bay Heart Watch is a prospective cohort study designed to appraise the value of coronary calcium and risk factors for predicting outcomes in asymptomatic adults. Two factors that may be related to subsequent cardiovascular events are coronary calcium (CAC, a manifestation of subclinical atherosclerosis) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP, a measure of chronic inflammation). Methods and Results— Between December 1990 and December 1992, 1461 participants without coronary heart disease underwent baseline risk factor screening, computed tomography for CAC, and measurement of CRP. Participants were followed up for 6.4±1.3 years. Cox regression analyses were conducted for the 967 nondiabetics with CRP levels ≤10 mg/L to estimate the risk-factor–adjusted relative risks of CAC and CRP for the occurrence of (1) nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI) or coronary death and (2) any cardiovascular event (MI, coronary death, coronary revascularization, or stroke). CAC was a predictor of bot...
Synapsin I-like immunoreactivity in nerve fibers associated with lingual taste buds of the rat

Immunoreactivity to synapsin I, a neuronal phosphoprotein, was localized in free-floating tissue sections prepared from lingual tissue of rats. Many nerve fibers within the tissue exhibited clear immunoreactivity including motor endplates on striated muscle, autonomic fibers innervating blood vessels or glands, and sensory fibers innervating muscles or the lingual epithelium including taste buds. Numerous immunoreactive fibers occurred within each taste bud, with fewer, fine fibers being dispersed in the epithelium between taste buds. The majority of the intragemmal immunoreactive fibers extended throughout the taste buds most of the distance outward from the basal lamina toward the surface of the epithelium. Fine, perigemmal fibers reached nearly to the epithelial surface. Ultrastructural analysis of the immunoreactive sensory fibers revealed that synapsin I-immunoreactivity occurred diffusely throughout the cytoplasm, and heavily in association with microvesicles. The synaptic vesicles at the taste receptor cell-to-afferent fiber synapse were, however, not immunoreactive for synapsin I, although these vesicles fall into the size class shown to be immunoreactive in other systems. This absence of synapsin I may be a common property of vesicles in axonless short receptor cells.
Assessing microscale heterogeneity in batches of reference materials using microbeam XRF

Principal component analysis (PCA), microbeam X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µXRF), and Monte Carlo simulations are used to illustrate a methodology for assessing the sample microheterogeneity for large sets of materials. PCA is demonstrated to determine a minimum sample size that can be used without concern that sample heterogeneity is contributing significantly to measurement uncertainty. Sampling methodology is critical for constructing an accurate PCA model of material heterogeneity, and the amount of data required is discussed using both empirical data and simulated data generated using a Monte Carlo approach. Random data collection is compared to rastering across a sample as typically done with microanalytical techniques. The use of random data collection is shown to reduce analysis time by one order of magnitude for some samples without significantly reducing the quality of data for estimating minimum sample size. Examples are shown for Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1635a Trace Elements in Coal (subbituminous) and SRM 1729 Tin Alloy (97Sn-3Pb) with estimated minimum sample sizes of 2 mg and 640 µg, respectively. Published 2011. This article is a US Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
FREE BANKING AND FRACTIONAL RESERVES: REPLY TO PASCAL SALIN

Salin claims that under 100-percent-reserve banking "there is not a perfect certainty that money holders can get their money back, since the issuer of money substitutes may go bankrupt" (p. 61 ). This observation is entirely correct. Yet no advocate of 100-percent reserves has ever claimed that this system would exclude business failures. The argument is that it leads to fewer bankruptcies than does fractional-reserve banking. The very existence of fractional reserves implies an additional source of bankruptcy, that is, a source of failure that is absent from 100-percent-reserve systems. For the same reason, Salin's statement that under 100-percent reserves "the issuer of money substitutes necessarily fails, except if he can find some means to make people pay for the services he offers them" (p. 61 ) is also true but irrelevant. For this is the definition of failure. Every business fails if the entrepreneur does not manage to make people patronize his services. No particular feature of 100-percent reserves is involved here. On the problem of how a note-issuing bank can make people pay for the cost of gold storage, Salin states that "notes issued at different dates would have different gold prices and would no more be perfect substitutes, so that their liquidity would be lowered" (p. 62). It is true that 100-percent reserves would in praxi mean that most small and medium-size payments would be effectuated in specie and that most people would store their money by themselves rather than pay banks for storage services. Salin's observation suggests that bank notes would, in most cases, be used on ly once and only for large-scale payments. Yet is there really any problem involved? Is it an end in itself that bank notes be used? Only if this were the case would Salin's objection hold true.
Integrity of mGluR-LTD in the Associative/Commissural Inputs to CA3 Correlates with Successful Aging in Rats

The impact of aging on cognitive capabilities varies among individuals ranging from significant impairment to preservation of function on par with younger adults. Research on the neural basis for age-related memory decline has focused primarily on the CA1 region of the hippocampus. However, recent studies in elderly human and rodents indicate that individual differences in cognitive aging are more strongly tied to functional alterations in CA3 circuits. To examine synaptic plasticity in the CA3 region, we used aged rats behaviorally characterized in a hippocampal-dependent task to evaluate the status of long-term potentiation and long-term depression (LTP and LTD) in the associative/commissural pathway (A/C→CA3), which provides the majority of excitatory input to CA3 pyramidal neurons. We found that, unlike in CA1 synapses, in A/C→CA3 LTP is minimally affected by age. However, two forms of LTD, involving NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR), are both greatly reduced in age-impaired rats. Age-unimpaired rats, in contrast, had intact mGluR LTD. These findings indicate that the integrity of mGluR-LTD at A/C→CA3 inputs may play a crucial role in maintaining the performance of CA3 circuitry in aging.
Approximate Direct and Inverse Relationships for Thermal and Stress States in Thick-Walled Vessels Under Thermal Shock

Approximate solutions were derived for the transient through steady-state thermal-stress fields developed in thick-walled vessels subjected to a potentially arbitrary thermal shock. In order to accomplish this, Duhamel’s integral was first used to relate the arbitrary thermal loading to a previously derived unit kernel for tubular geometries. Approximate rules for direct and inverse Laplace transformations were then used to modify the resulting Volterra equation to an algebraically solvable and relatively simple form. The desired thermoelastic stress distributions were then determined using the calculated thermal states and elasticity theory. Good agreement was seen between the derived temperature and stress relationships and earlier analytical and finite-element studies of a cylinder subjected to an asymptotic exponential heating on the internal surface with convection to the outer environment. It was also demonstrated that the derived relationships can be used to approximate the more difficult inverse (deconvolution) thermal problem for both exponential (monotonic) and triangular (non-monotonic) load histories. The use of polynomial of powers tn∕2 demonstrated the feasibility of employing the method with empirical data that may not be easily represented by standard functions. For any of the direct and inverse cases explored, the resulting relationships can be used to verify, calibrate, and/or determine a starting point for finite-element or other numerical methods.
Construction and Instrumentation of Geosynthetically Stabilized Secondary Road Test Sections

Nine instrumented flexible pavement test sections were constructed in a rural secondary road in southwest Virginia. The nine test sections, each 15 m (50 ft) long, were built to examine the effects of geogrid and geo-textile stabilization. Three test sections were constructed with a geogrid, three were built with a geotextile, and three were nonstabilized. The test section base course thicknesses ranged from 10.2 cm (4.0 in.) to 20.3 cm (8.0 in.), and the hot-mix asphalt (HMA) thickness averaged 8.9 cm (3.5 in.). Geosynthetic stabilization was placed on top of the subgrade layer. The pavement test sections were heavily instrumented with two types of pressure cells, soil and HMA strain gauges, thermocouples, and soil moisture cells. In addition, strain gauges were installed directly on the geogrid and geotextile. An extensive instrumentation infrastructure was constructed to locate all instrumentation, cabling, and data acquisition facilities underground. Instrument survivability has ranged from 6 percent ...
Reduced successive quadratic programming strategy for errors-in-variables estimation

Abstract Parameter estimation problems in process engineering represent a special class of nonlinear optimization problems, because the maximum likelihood structure of the objective function can be exploited. Within this class, the errors in variables method (EVM) is particularly interesting. Here we seek a weighted least-squares fit to the measurements with an underdetermined process model. Thus, both the number of variables and degrees of freedom available for optimization increase linearly with the number of data sets. Large optimization problems of this type can be particularly challenging and expensive to solve because, for general-purpose nonlinear programming (NLP) algorithms, the computational effort increases at least quadratically with problem size. In this study we develop a tailored NLP strategy for EVM problems. The method is based on a reduced Hessian approach to successive quadratic programming (SQP), but with the decomposition performed separately for each data set. This leads to the elimination of all variables but the model parameters, which are determined by a QP coordination step. In this way the computational effort remains linear in the number of data sets. Moreover, unlike previous approaches to the EVM problem, global and superlinear properties of the SQP algorithm apply naturally. Also, the method directly incorporates inequality constraints on the model parameters (although not on the fitted variables). This approach is demonstrated on five example problems with up to 102 degrees of freedom. Compared to general-purpose NLP algorithms, large improvements in computational performance are observed.
A finite-difference solution to an inverse problem for determining a control function in a parabolic partial differential equation

A finite-difference solution is demonstrated for an inverse problem of determining a control function p(t) in the parabolic partial differential equation ut=uxx+pu+f(x,t), 0<x<1;0<t<or=T.
Acute myeloid leukemia with an unusual histologic pattern mimicking metastatic carcinoma in bone marrow: a diagnostic pitfall

We describe two cases of acute myeloid leukemia with an unusual histological pattern mimicking metastatic non-hematopoietic neoplasm, leading to diagnostic difficulties. Both patients presented with pancytopenia and absence of circulating blasts. Bone marrow aspirations were not successful. Bone marrow core biopsies contained neoplastic cells arranged in cohesive sheets or single file patterns with prominent myxoid stroma resembling metastatic carcinoma. The accompanying bone marrow touch imprints showed clusters of immature cells with monocytoid features. The cell lineage was further revealed by immunohistochemical analysis of bone marrow core biopsy sections. The neoplastic cells showed strong reactivity for myeloperoxidase, CD33, CD43, CD45, and CD68, indicating a myeloid cell origin with monocytic differentiation. One patient (age, 39 years) received standard chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia, which resulted in remission of bone marrow disease. The other patient (age, 85 years) died with multiple organ failure before treatment. Failure to recognize these unusual histological features of acute myeloid leukemia could result in misdiagnosis from bone marrow biopsy.
The effects of weak or non-carcinogenic polycyclic hydrocarbons on 7, 12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene and benzo[a]pyrene skin tumor-initiation*

Summary Benzo[ e ]pyrene (B[ e ]P) inhibited 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene (DMBA) skin tumor-initiation in mice by 84%, whereas pyrene and fluoranthene inhibited DMBA initiation by 50 and 34%, respectively. However, B[ e ]P, pyrene and fluoranthene had either no significant effect or a slight enhancing effect on benzo[ a ]pyrene (B[ a ]P) skin tumor-initiation. In addition, B[ e ]P had essentially no effect on the initiating ability of (±)B[ a ]P-7 β ,8 α -diol-9 α ,10 α -epoxide. As a tumor-initiator, B[ e ]P was found to have very weak activity at a 252 μ g/level (0.4 papillomas/mouse at 40 weeks) and no activity at 100 μ g. When given at a dose of 100 μ g twice weekly, B[ e ]P induced 2.1 papillomas/mouse at 30 weeks, and 25% of the mice had carcinomas at 40 weeks. However, B[ e ]P carcinogenic activity is weak when compared to B[ a ]P, which can induce a comparable tumor response at a dose of 5 μ g twice weekly. When B[ e ]P was tested as a tumor promoter at a dose of 100 μ g twice weekly after DMBA initiation, it induced 4.5 papillomas/mouse at 30 weeks and a 45% carcinoma incidence at 40 weeks, which was approximately twice as effective as B[ e ]P alone. The data show that B[ e ]P is a very weak tumor initiator, a weak complete carcinogen, a moderate tumor promoter, possibly a weak co-tumor-initiator when given with B[ a ]P, and a potent anti-tumor-initiator when given with DMBA. The anti-tumor initiating and co-tumor-initiating effects of B[ e ]P appear to be related to its ability to modify the conversion of the tumor initiator into an electrophilic intermediate(s) which are capable of covalently binding to DNA. In addition, B[ e ]P induced epidermal cellular proliferation which may be related to its promoting ability.
Construction of some iterative methods for solving boundary element linear systems

Abstract Some general types of iterative methods for solving linear systems of algebraic equations are discussed. The methods are applied to linear systems, as arising from boundary element methods, in which known and unknown components of a vector are treated together. The structure of the vector is to be preserved. Some SOR-type and conjugate gradient-type iterative methods are proposed and compared. The effect of the locations of the known components of the solution vector on the rate of convergence is also investigated. Results demonstrate that the conjugate gradient-type methods can be superior to the SOR-type methods with respect to rate of convergence.
Medicolegal aspects of screening mammography.

The opportunity to intercept a malignant process before it manifests itself clinically is the essence of any screening effort. The usefulness of a properly performed and interpreted mammographic examination in detecting such preclinical lesions in the breast has been documented repeatedly, but perhaps most convincingly in the recently completed evaluation of the Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project [1 ]. Furthermore, the results of the 1 963 New York Health Insurance Plan (HIP) study [2] evidenced a reduction in mortality from breast cancer due to periodic clinical and mammographic screening. With such a groundwork, the impetus to screen large populations for breast cancer has been recognized for some time by the medical community and more recently by reimbursement institutions. Following the lead of several states, the recently passed congressional Catastrophic Health Plan provides federal reimbursement for screening mammography beginning in 1990 [3]. Attendant to such opportunities are the increased professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities of the imaging cornmunity. Types of practices vary in this effort as do the medicolegal consequences of such practices. Although “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” ignorance of the legal consequences of medical practice may be even more dangerous for the practicing radiologist. This report should serve as a primer for the radiologic community, drawing attention to basic legal considerations affecting the nature of mammographic practice. Statutory and Common Law
Study of Chromosome 12 Copy Number in Breast Cancer Using Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization

Trisomy 12 is the most frequent numerical chromosomal abnormality reported in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Its significance in other cancers, however, has not been extensively investigated until recently. Less than 20 cases of polysomy for chromosome 12 have been studied thus far. The most recent data in the literature suggest that gain of chromosome 12 may be a recurrent and sometimes early event in breast carcinogenesis. To test the hypothesis that a subset of breast cancer may be characterized by chromosome 12 trisomy, we conducted a retrospective study of 40 specimens. Of these, ten were stage I, ten were stage II, ten were stage III, and ten were stage IV. Out of the total sample, 12 cases (30%) were found to be presumably trisomic, if a conservative cutoff point of greater than or equal to 15% cells with three signals is adopted. Furthermore, some, but not all, of the 12 cases were found to be likely triploid, when data from a control chromosome 17 probe were taken into account. Thus, our data support the hypothesis that a subset of breast cancer exists which is characterized by an abnormal copy of chromosome 12, in either a diploid or a triploid background.
Feeding ecology of the ascoglossan opisthobranch Aplysiopsis enteromorphae (Cockerell & Eliot): patterns of distribution and impact on tidepool-dwelling green algae

The ecological role of mesoherbivores, particularly ascoglossan ( = sacoglossan) opisthobranchs, in marine rocky shore communities is not well known. From May 1990 to September 1991, the specialized association of the oligophagous ascoglossan sea slug Aplysiopsis enteromorphae (Cockerell & Eliot) with filamentous green algae (Chaetomorpha linum (Muller) Kutzing and Cladophora columbiana Collins) was examined in high intertidal, saline pools along the central coast of Oregon, USA. In 1990, Aplysiopsis recruitment peaked in June to July with sea slugs inhabiting ≈50% of the pools with, on average, 20 to 30 individuals per occupied pool. In 1991, ascoglossan abundance was considerably lower. Sites without Aplysiopsis had luxuriant Chaetomorpha growth and a preponderance of Chaetomorpha pools relative to sites with the ascoglossan. In laboratory experiments, Aplysiopsis feeding caused significantly greater mass loss to green algal hosts than did feeding by coexisting prosobranch snails, gammarid amphipods, and isopods on a biomass and individual basis. Estimates of summer population densities and grazing intensities of different mesoherbivores, however, indicated that herbivory by the small, abundant snail Littorina scutulata accounted for >;90% of the Chaetomorpha mass loss whereas feeding by the large, sparse Aplysiopsis accounted for <5%, even on a local scale. In winter, littorine snails comprised 74 to 99% of the mesoherbivore assemblage at each site whereas the ascoglossans were absent. Thus, despite the specialized diet of and extensive algal damage produced by individual Aplysiopsis, the seasonal ascoglossan played a minor role in structuring pool-dwelling macroalgal communities.
Therapeutic options in the management of renal cell carcinoma.

Abstract Approximately 31,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are diagnosed in the United States each year and 30% to 40% of these will eventually become metastatic disease. The primary tumor often grows to considerable size before symptoms are apparent, which could explain the high rate of metastatic RCC (mRCC). The median survival of mRCC after diagnosis is 8 to 12 months and the 5-year survival is less than ideal. Traditionally, surgery has been the treatment of choice for mRCC. Chemotherapeutic agents tested so far have been disappointing, perhaps because of a high expression of the multidrug resistance gene or the high content of glutathione in RCC cells. However, the spontaneous regression of mRCC in some cases suggests that these tumor cells are responsive to immunologic mechanisms. Initial interest has focused on two cytokines, interferon-α (IFN-α) and interleukin-2 (IL-2), with response rates ranging from 15% to 20%. Both IL-2 and IFN-α are pleiotropic compounds with specific effects on many leukocyte subsets, in addition to directly affecting tumor proliferation, angiogenesis, and antigen expression. The mechanisms by which these immunoenhancing cytokines exert antitumor effects are still unknown. However, many agree that activation of T cells and natural killer cells is a pivotal part of the antitumor efficacy. For example, some investigators have found that pretreatment levels of natural killer cells and T cells predict a response to IL-2 and IFN-α in mRCC. Others report a relationship between activation of peripheral blood lymphocytes and response to cytokine therapy. Expansion of activated T cells in blood during treatment with these two cytokines seems to relate to clinical efficacy in patients with RCC. Semin Oncol 29 (suppl 7):41-46. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Sceince (USA). All rights reserved.
Technique for the evaluation of wall interference at transonic speeds

Any streamsurface of an inviscid flow can be taken to be a solid boundary. Consequently, the streamlines shown in Fig. 3 can be used to generate new lifting body shapes. These shapes are called waveriders as they develop lift because of the shock wave they "ride" upon. By choosing streamlines such as shown in Fig. 3, bodies can be developed which have winglike surfaces that fair smoothly into the rest of the body. Closed aerodynamic shapes can be achieved in a variety of ways. Figure 4 shows sketches of possible shapes that derive from the streamlines in Fig. 3 and planes parallel to the freestream velocity. These waveriders efficiently integrate volumetric, propulsive, and aerodynamic requirements and could be the basis for a new generation of maneuverable supersonic/hypersonic vehicles. The analytical solutions developed herein are particularly attractive in that they allow the effects of Mach number, angle of attack, and crosssectional shapes to be evaluated in closed form.
Cyanide, Peroxide and Nitric Oxide Formation in Solutions of Hydroxyurea Causes Cellular Toxicity and May Contribute to Its Therapeutic Potency

Hydroxyurea (HU) is a potent remedy against a variety of ailments and an efficient inhibitor of DNA synthesis, yet its pharmacology is unclear. HU acts in Escherichia coli by the same mechanism as it does in eukaryotes, via inhibition of ribonucleotide reductase. When examining a controversy about concentrations of HU that prevent thymineless death in E. coli, we found instability in HU solutions that avoided prior detection due to its peculiar nature. In contrast to freshly dissolved HU, which did not affect respiration and was bacteriostatic, 1-day-old HU solutions inhibited respiration and were immediately bactericidal. Respiration was inhibited by two gases, hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and nitric oxide (NO), whose appearance we detected in "aged" HU stocks by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry; however, neither gas was bactericidal. While determining the cause of toxicity, we found that HU damages DNA directly. We also demonstrated accumulation of peroxides in HU solutions by enzymatic assays, which explains the toxicity, as both NO and HCN are known to kill bacteria when combined with hydrogen peroxide. Remarkably, we found that bactericidal effects of NO+H(2)O(2) and HCN+H(2)O(2) mixtures were further synergistic. Accumulation of decomposition products in solutions of HU may explain the broad therapeutic effects of this drug.
Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Sexuality of a Group of Elderly

Abstract Staff of long-term care facilities and other agencies working with the elderly need to be sensitive to the sexual needs and concerns of their residents. Little is known, however, about what this population knows about sexuality, their attitudes about sexual expression and how they want professionals to respond to their needs and concerns. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge and attitudes of a group of elderly toward sexuality and staff practices related to the expression of elderly sexuality in a long-term care setting. Responses to 159 items divided among four forms were solicited from 68 elderly people living in long-term care facilities or attending a senior center. Information about the subjects' educational level, ethnicity, religiosity, political preferences, marital status, health, and importance of intimacy and sexuality was collected. Items related to masturbation, family issues, and personal issues were left unanswered more than other items. As a group the respond...
Quantifier probability logic and the confirmation paradox

Exhumation and study of the 1945 paradox of confirmation brings out the defect of its formulation. In the context of quantifier conditional-probability logic it is shown that a repair can be accomplished if the truth-functional conditional used in the statement of the paradox is replaced with a connective that is appropriate to the probabilistic context. Description of the quantifier probability logic involved in the resolution of the paradox is presented in stages. Careful distinction is maintained between a formal logic language and its semantics, as the same language may be outfitted with different semantics. An acquaintance with sections 1– 5 of Hailperin (2006) covering the sentential aspects of probability logic is assumed as background information for quantifier probability logic.
Cross-linked filamentous phage as an affinity matrix

Filamentous phage can be cross-linked to make a hydrophilic aggregate that is pelleted by low-speed centrifugation. The aggregate is stable at near-neutral pHs, and withstands exposure to the acid buffers (pH down to 2.2) that are often used as eluents in immunoaffinity purification. If a peptide epitope is genetically fused to a coat protein on the virion surface, the aggregate serves as an effective affinity matrix for absorbing and affinity-purifying antibodies that bind the peptide. When the peptide epitope is first obtained in this form by selection from large phage display libraries, this ability to fashion an affinity matrix directly from the selected phage represents a significant streamlining of research and development.
A comparison of self-report measures of nicotine dependence among male drug/alcohol-dependent cigarette smokers.

This study examined the psychometric properties and validity of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ), the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), and the Heaviness of Smoking Index (HSI) when used as self-report measures of nicotine dependence among male drug/alcohol-dependent smokers (n=191 participants in a large stop-smoking study). All three measures had fairly low internal consistency. The FTQ and FTND had similar two-factor structures, but the FTND factor structure accounted for a greater percentage of the item variance. All three measures were significantly correlated in the expected directions with several independent self-report and biochemical indicators of nicotine dependence (e.g., cigarette pack-years, cotinine) and with baseline measures of smoking topography. The FTND outperformed the FTQ on several correlations, and the HSI outperformed both the FTQ and the FTND. Results concerning correlations between each of the three measures and indicators of compensation in response to reductions in nicotine availability were equivocal. The HSI and FTND were predictive of at least 4 weeks of biochemically verified postquit abstinence among a subsample of individuals receiving smoking treatment (n=93). All three measures had mediocre psychometric properties, and the magnitudes of their relationships with independent indicators were generally modest. All three measures appeared to be valid as self-report measures of nicotine dependence among male drug/alcohol-dependent individuals. The HSI appeared to be the best of the three measures; thus, studies of drug/alcohol-dependent smokers should be sure to report the results from this measure. Efforts to develop self-report measures of nicotine dependence with better properties and performance in this population should continue to be pursued.