cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation and Translocation of Rho (and ADP Ribosylation Factor) by Insulin in Rat Adipocytes APPARENT INVOLVEMENT OF PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL 3-KINASE

Insulin reportedly (Standaert, M. L., Avignon, A., Yamada, K., Bandyopadhyay, G., and Farese, R. V. (1996) Biochem. J. 313, 1039-1046) activates phospholipase D (PLD)-dependent hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine (PC) in plasma membranes of rat adipocytes by a mechanism that may involve wortmannin-sensitive phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase. Because Rho and ADP ribosylation factor (ARF) activate PC-PLD, we questioned whether these small G-proteins are regulated by insulin and PI 3-kinase. We found that insulin provoked a rapid translocation of both Rho and ARF to the plasma membrane and increased GTP loading of Rho. Wortmannin and LY294002 inhibited Rho translocation in intact adipocytes, and the polyphosphoinositide, PI 4,5-(PO4)2, stimulated Rho translocation in adipocyte homogenates. On the other hand, wortmannin did not block GTP loading of Rho. Guanosine 5′-3-O-(thio)triphosphate stimulated both Rho and ARF translocation and activated PC-PLD in homogenates. C3 transferase, which inhibits and depletes Rho, inhibited PC-PLD activation by insulin in intact adipocytes. C3 transferase also inhibited insulin stimulation of [3H]2-deoxyglucose uptake. Our findings suggest that: (a) insulin translocates Rho by a PI 3-kinase-dependent mechanism, but another factor is responsible for GTP loading of Rho; (b) both Rho and ARF may contribute to PC-PLD activation during insulin action; and (c) Rho may be required for insulin stimulation of glucose transport.
Health literacy and adherence to glaucoma therapy.

Purpose To describe the health literacy of subjects with open angle glaucoma and to investigate the hypothesis that low health literacy is associated with poor glaucoma medication adherence. Design Cross-sectional patient survey and concomitant chart review. Methods One hundred and ninety-seven subjects with open angle glaucoma participated in a survey which included basic demographic information such as age, gender, ethnicity, and level of education completed, and a test of heath literacy, the Rapid Assessment of Adult Literacy in Medicine. Information was collected regarding visual field tests and prescribed medication. The subjects' pharmacies were contacted to ascertain the number of refills requested over the previous six months. Results Although 146 subjects (74%) reported completing high school, only 94 subjects (48.0%) read at or above a ninth grade level; 23 (11.7%) read at a level of third grade or below. The mean number of refills requested by a subject in the preceding six months was not predicted by race ( P = .27,) gender ( P = .31), age ( P = .92), mean deviation of the visual field ( P = .36), or level of education ( P = .58). There was a positive relationship between health literacy and the number of refills obtained ( P = .003). Conclusions Many patients with open angle glaucoma may have poor health literacy. The subjects in our study with low literacy were less adherent with their glaucoma medications than those with a higher level of literacy. Interventions specifically targeting patients with low literacy may improve medication adherence.
Long-term effects of almitrine bismesylate on oxygenation during wakefulness and sleep in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Abstract Hypoxemia in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) becomes more pronounced during sleep and can result in a number of serious consequences. Almitrine bismesylate is a peripheral chemoreceptor agonist that improves arterial oxygen tension (PaO 2 ) in patients with COPD during wakefulness. Studies conducted for up to six months suggested the agonist may be useful in the management of nocturnal hypoxemia. In this double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled study, patients with COPD received 50 mg of almitrine bismesylate (n = 9) or placebo (n = 11) twice a day for one year. Almitrine bismesylate increased PaO 2 by 8.1 ± 2.1 mm Hg (mean ± SEM), decreased arterial carbon dioxide tension by 3.0 ± 0.7 mm Hg (mean ± SEM), and increased minute ventilation by 3.1 ± 0.5 liters/minute (mean ± SEM) during wakefulness. All of these changes were statistically significant. Five patients in the almitrine bismesylate group and eight patients in the placebo group completed sleep studies prior to and after 56, 180, and 360 days of almitrine bismesylate or placebo administration. Relative to placebo, almitrine bismesylate significantly increased oxygen saturation during sleep without any significant changes in the quantity or quality of sleep.
Solvation Response Along the Reaction Coordinate in the Active Site of Ketosteroid Isomerase

A light-activated reaction analog has been developed to mimic the catalytic reaction cycle of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase to probe the functionally relevant protein solvation response to the catalytic charge transfer. Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase from Pseudomonas putida catalyzes a C−H bond cleavage and formation through an enolate intermediate. Conversion of the ketone substrate to the enolate intermediate is simulated by a photoacid bound to the active site oxyanion hole. In the ground state, the photoacid electrostatically resembles the enolate intermediate while the low pKa excited state resembles the ketone starting material. Time-resolved fluorescence experiments with photoacids coumarin 183 and equilenin show the active site of Δ5-3-ketosteroid isomerase to be largely unperturbed by the light-activated reaction. The small solvation response for the photoacid at the active site as compared with a simple solvent suggests the active site does not significantly change its electrostatic environment during ...
Some physical-chemical properties of chicken γ-globulins and their pepsin and papain digestion products

Abstract Chicken γ-globulin has been purified and subjected to physical-chemical and to enzymatic degradation studies. The normal γ-globulins have a molecular weight near 206,000, have an isoelectric point near 5·2, and contain near 3·1 per cent hexose. Electrophoretic “fast” and “slow” components are produced with both papain and pepsin. The papain fast components retain some antigen combining activity. It is suggested that the normal chicken γ-globulins are more similar to the γA- than to the γG-globulins of mammalian species.
Car following models and the fundamental diagram of road traffic

THE VOLUME of vehicular traffic in the past several years has become so vast that it has almost outstripped the capacity of the nation’s highways and has therefore made it desirable for traflic engineers to arrive at a better understanding of the dynamics of trafhc flow. This great problem has attracted a large group of investigators and theoreticians of diversified backgrounds who have endeavored to construct mathematical models to explain observed phenomena in road trafEc. Pipes (1953) analyzed the movements of vehicles in a line when it is postulated that they must obey a certain “law of separation”. This study was soon followed by a similar study by Chandler et al. (1958) and Herman et al. (1959). These investigations come under the category of “car-following and control-system models” for the investigation of the dynamics of trafhc motion. Many other investigators have contributed to the literature. An excellent s ummary of these researches will be found in the bibliography compiled by Haight (1964). Pipes (1965) and Pipes and Wojcik (1966) reviewed the wave theories of traffic flow. It is the purpose of this paper to present a brief review of several types of car-following models and to discuss the types of fundamental diagrams that they imply. A new model which appears to have some merit is also presented.
Artificial Intelligence in business I: Applications, representation, acquisition and explanation

The purpose of this paper is to review the use of knowledge-based systems and artificial intelligence (AI) in business. Part I of this paper examines domain applications, the use of different knowledge representations, unique contributions for knowledge acquisition from the development of systems for business applications, and models of explanation for systems developed for business. In addition, the paper discusses the use of both normative and descriptive AI systems to model business judgments. Finally, the paper provides a summary of publication sources and meetings on business systems.
Toward a more quantitative measure to assess severity of dysphonia: preliminary observations.

Rating scales to determine the severity of dysphonia have shown considerable inter-rater variability. The objective of this study, therefore, was to investigate a more quantitative measure to perceptually rate the severity of dysphonia. The study was conducted on 10 participants with abuse-related dysphonia in two conditions, spontaneous speech, and paragraph reading. Four speech-language pathologists, who had experience with voice disorders, and one trained student counted the frequency of the nondysphonic syllables during the above two conditions. The voice samples were both recorded and transcribed for simultaneous analysis. All the recordings were randomized when presented to the raters. The raters circled the nondysphonic syllables while listening to each participant's recording. The nondysphonic syllables were counted, and a percentage of dysphonic severity was calculated for each participant to obtain a dysphonic severity percentage. Specific characteristics (eg, breathiness, noise, strain) were not specifically addressed, as they were components of the percentage of dysphonia obtained. The Cronbach's alpha revealed very high inter-rater reliability and high correlations among the raters for both spontaneous speech and paragraph reading, indicating reduced variability in raters' perceptions. This method appeared to be a more quantitative measure of perceptual ratings than current scales, which use general gradations of dysphonic severity. In addition, a naive rater was successfully trained to use this method. This technique has the potential to be used in both pre- and posttherapy analysis, as well as during therapy, to determine progress.
Stimulation of substantia nigra pars reticulata enhances dentate granule cell excitability.

Abstract We studied the effects of electrical and chemical stimulation of the substantia nigra (SN) on the dentate granule cell (DGC) response to perforant path stimulation. Studies were carried out in both pentobarbital anesthetized and awake freely moving rats. Chemical stimulation was achieved by microinjection ofN-methyl- d,l -aspartate (NMDA), an excitatory amino acid. Electrical preconditioning stimulation applied to the area of the SN, but not dorsal to SN, increased the excitability of DGCs. Intracerebral microinjection of NMDA into the contralateral SN pars reticulata (SNR), but not into SN pars compacta or cerebral peduncle, also produced a marked and reversible enhancement of DGC excitability. In both instances, the increased DGC excitability consisted of increased amplitude of the perforant path evoked population spike without change in the slope of the population excitatory postsynaptic potential (pEPSP). We interpret the data to indicate that increasing the output of the SNR increases the excitability of the DGCs, a limbic neuronal population regulating information transfer through hippocampal pathways. Together with our previous finding that decreasing the output of SNR suppressed limbic seizures, these data demonstrate that the SNR exerts a powerful influence on limbic system excitability. Delineating the anatomic pathway mediating this influence could provide valuable insight into the mechanisms underlying basal ganglia-limbic interactions in both physiologic and pathologic conditions.
Individual Differences in Self-Conception: A Multivariate Approach:

The present study investigated the determinants of the affective and denotative semantic structures in the process of self-conception. Three-mode data of semantic differential ratings of 11 ego-related concepts on a representative set of scales were obtained from a homogeneous group of 29 male college sophomores. Results for the scale mode indicated that after Osgood's three affective components were recaptured, three other orthogonal dimensions were interpretable denotative features. The concept mode consisted of five distinctive factors representing the multidimensional nature of self concepts. Differences among four types of subjects in their interactions between meaning systems and concept factors were highlighted by the rotated core matrix. Characteristics of subject-type homogeneities were further identified by regressions of their factor coefficients on a set of variables representing personality development, social behaviors, and attitudes.
Additions of carbon nucleophiles to acyclic imine complexes of the chiral rhenium Lewis acid [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3]+: controlling factors in 1,3-asymmetric induction and syntheses of non-racemic organic amines

Abstract Reactions of the racemic or enantiomerically pure benzaldehyde-derived imine complex [(η 5 - C 5 H 5 ) Re ( NO )( PPh 3 ) (η 1 - N -( CH 3 )= C ( H ) C 6 H 5 ] + TfO − ; ( 1 + RFO − ; 95.5 E/Z N = C isomers) and RLi (THF, − 100°C) give amido complexes (η5-C5H5)Re(NO)-(PPh3)(N(CH3)CH(R)C6H5) (5) ( R = a/CH 3 , b / C CSi ( CH 2 CH 3 ) 3 , e /CH 2 Si(CH) 3 ) 3 ) in quantitative NMR yields as 74-72:26–28 mixtures of Re,C configurational diastereomers. These labile adducts and TfOH react to give amine complexes [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)- (NH(CH3)CH(R)C6H5)]+TfO− (6+TFO−). Reaction of 6a+TfO− (prepared from (R)- 1 + TfO − ) and Et4N+CN− yields the cyanide complex (R)-(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(CN) (85%, >98% ee) and amine (R)-NH(CH3)CH(CH3)C6 H5 (81%, 46% ee). Reactions of 1+TfO− and CN− give similar amido complexes (85-84:15-16 Re,C diastereomers), but appear reversible, with additions of CH3OTf affording 1+TfO−. Reactions of the acetophenone-derived complex [(η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3)(η1-N (CH3)=C(CH3)C6H5)]+TfO−4+TfO−) with C6H5CH2MgCl and (CH3)3SiCH2Li give 41 and >99% deprotonation to the enamido complex (η5-C5H5)Re(NO)(PPh3) ( N ( CH 3 ) C ( C 6 H 5 = CH 2 . Some addition occurs with C6H5CH2MgCl, and CN−, NMR spectra (− 100°C) show ReN=rotamers of 1,4+TfO−, and mechanisms of 1,3-asymmetric induction are analyzed in detail.
Intensity-difference limens predicted from the click-evoked peripheral N1: The mid-level hump and its implications for intensity encoding

Abstract The intensity-difference limen (DL) for an acoustic click rises at moderate click levels, a feature called the ‘mid-level hump’. It has long been hypothesized that, because a click does not evoke sustained firing in any primary afferent, the DL must therefore originate from the initial burst of synchronized spikes in the eighth nerve. That burst causes the N 1 component of the peripheral compound action potential (CAP). It should therefore be possible to predict click DLs from N 1 potentials. Here, a Signal Detection model, using a series expansion, was used to derive equations in N 1 for the level-dependence of the DL. The first-order equation predicts a dependence on the standard deviation of N 1 , and an inverse dependence on the rate-of-growth of the mean N 1 . The second-order equation is more complicated. Both approximations were applied to N 1 s from the cat. Both produced a mid-level hump; at its peak, the DLs from the second-order approximation were the smaller ones, and were of the same order of magnitude as the empirical DLs. Overall, the computations show that the rate-of-growth of the mean N 1 , not the standard deviation of N 1 , determines the hump in the empirical DL.
Unstable backward beam patterns and internal beam configurations in a photorefractive cat phase conjugator

We have observed that reflected beams termed rectangular spires distributing in a layer inside the phase conjugator produce nonstationary, band-like beam patterns. The diameter of the incident beam determines the thickness of the layer which directly affects the dimension of the pattern. The incident position influences the angle between fanning loops and incident beam, therefore changes the coupling between lights.
Predation by Neomysis mercedis: effects of temperature, Daphnia magna size and prey density on ingestion rate and size selectivity

SUMMARY 1. Neomysis mercedis predation rates on Daphnia magna were determined under laboratory conditions. There were generally no consistent differences between the number of Daphnia ingested at 10 and 14°C. 2. At each temperature, the number of prey consumed increased with mysid size and decreased with Daphnia size. 3. For small prey the relationship between ingestion rate and prey density represented a Type II functional response. However, for larger prey there was no significant relationship between density of prey and consumption by mysids. 4. The pattern of size-selective predation by Neomysis was studied to test the optimal foraging hypothesis. For prey populations with mixed size classes, the smallest size of prey was consumed most frequently but intermediate size prey provided the greatest biomass. These observations are contrary to our predictions based on calculations of profitability of different sizes of prey.
Peptide-bond synthesis in higher plants. II. Studies on the mechanism of synthesis of γ-glutamylcysteine

Abstract An enzyme has been purified some 50-fold from wheat germ extracts which will catalyze the synthesis of γ-glutamylcysteine from glutamic acid and cysteine. The system has an absolute requirement for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and for magnesium and potassium ions. No other univalent or bivalent metals could be found to effectively replace magnesium and potassium. The enzyme alone does not catalyze any signifycant exchange of orthophosphate-P 32 with ATP, but rapidly catalyzes such an exchange in the presence of glutamate. Cysteine reduces this glutamate-induced exchange. Conversely, ADP 32 exchanges with ATP in the presence of the enzyme alone, with the amino acids having only a slight inhibitory effect on this exchange. The enzyme also catalyzes the exchange of cysteine-S 35 with γ-glutamylcysteine in the absence of ATP. The nature of the phosphate exchange would seem to preclude the formation of a glutamyl phosphate as an intermediate in the peptide synthesis, but is consistent with the formation of enzyme-bound intermediates.
Decadose effects of cisplatin on squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract. I: Histoculture experiments

There is substantial laboratory and clinical evidence that solid tumors rapidly acquire cellular resistance to cisplatin. Experiments with human carcinoma cell lines and clonogenic assays indicate that resistance is usually mild to moderate and can be circumvented with higher concentrations of drug. The purpose of this investigation was to test this hypothesis with a histoculture assay of human upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) carcinomas. Using a sponge-gel supported histoculture, 43 tumor specimens from patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the UADT were grown and exposed to cisplatin. Growth inhibition by the drug, in concentrations equivalent to peak therapeutic doses (1.5 micrograms/mL) and concentrations 10 and 25 times greater (15 and 37.5 micrograms/mL), were measured in specimens from patients with previously untreated and recurrent lesions. In vitro, the overall rate of sensitivity of the tumor samples to cisplatin concentrations of 1.5, 15, and 37.5 micrograms/mL were 22%, 62%, and 83%, respectively. In patients with previously untreated disease, the respective rates were 25.9%, 63.3%, and 79.3%, as compared with 10.0%, 55.6%, and 85.6%, respectively, for patients with recurrent disease. The response difference between cisplatin concentrations of 1.5 and 15 micrograms/mL was statistically significant. The "decadose" effect of cisplatin on growth inhibition was 2.44-fold for untreated lesions and 5.56-fold for recurrent tumors. The results indicate that resistance to standard doses of cisplatin by SCC of the UADT can be substantially overcome with a decadose (standard dose x 10) increase and is more pronounced in tumors from patients with recurrent disease. Progress toward improving survival of patients may be possible by incorporating decadose cisplatin therapy into a multimodality treatment plan.
Study of the effects of quantization noise on magnetic resonance image quality

The affects of quantization noise in magnetic resonance images (MRI) were studied, and simple modifications are shown to give significant improvement in subjective image quality and in some quantitative measurements. A liver phantom based on a MR liver image was created to simulate the effects of quantizing the MR signal. The MR signal which would be generated by this phantom was characterized and used to study quantization effects as well as to help in developing a more efficient quantization scheme. Uniform quantization of the signal was simulated to determine the effects of quantization noise on the liver phantom. Quantitative measurements using SNR and detectability were made and used as a basis of comparison for similar measurements utilizing other quantizers including uniform quantization with quantizer overload and logarithmic quantization. Quantitative measurements were again made and compared to the full range uniform quantizer. Simulations were performed without additive noise, and results are given in the form of graphs, tables, and actual images. Simulations were also performed with noisy data but are not reported in detail in this paper. Q uantitative measurements were consistent in most cases and agreed well with subjective evaluations. It was found that uniform quantization noise can significantly affect image quality. It was also determined, by using a logarithmic quantizer or by simple overloading of the uniform quantizer, that significant improvements in image quality can be achieved. The results are extensible to other image collection systems, particularly those with high dynamic range.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pulmonary disorders in athletes.

Exercise is rarely limited by pulmonary causes in normal individuals. Cardiac output and peripheral muscle disease are usually the limiting factors. Although minute ventilation rises steeply during exercise, normal individuals maintain a substantial breathing reserve. Exercise in patients, however, can be limited by pulmonary disorders. Acute pulmonary causes (exercise-induced bronchospasm, vocal cord dysfunction, exercise-induced anaphylaxis, and exercise-induced urticaria) or chronic disorders (obstructive and restrictive lung disorders) reduce exercise tolerance. Exercise testing has proved the mainstay for diagnosis and treatment of these disorders.
Marine multichannel seismology workshop

Rapid advances in the understanding of fundamental geologic processes have been achieved, in part, through the use of marine multichannel seismic (MCS) reflection techniques over the past decade. Academic MCS studies have provided new insights into the formation and evolution of the oceanic lithosphere by revealing, in a few places, magma chambers under oceanic spreading centers and by documenting major crustal thinning under fracture zones in the western Atlantic. At rifted continental margins, MCS data have greatly advanced studies of the deep structure and evolution of sedimentary basins and the development of sedimentary sequences and their relation to paleoenvironments and eustatic sea level changes. At convergent margins, MCS data have provided critical information on the development of modern for-earcs and accretionary wedges that are the submarine analogues of the fold and thrust belts of ancient orogenic belts.
Simulation of Freeway Weaving Areas

The operation of freeway weaving sections is characterized by intense lane-changing maneuvers and complex vehicle interactions that often create bottlenecks along freeway facilities. The CORSIM microscopic simulation model was applied to simulate the operation of eight realworld weaving sites in California under a wide range of operating conditions. The results indicate that CORSIM with default parameter values underpredicts the speeds in the weaving section by about 19% on average. Numerous simulation runs were made with different values of the model parameters. The following parameters were found to significantly affect the CORSIM results: (a) car-following sensitivity factor, (b) lane-changing aggressiveness factor, and (c) percentage of freeway through vehicles that yield to merging traffic. The calibrated CORSIM model reasonably replicated observed traffic operations at all test sites. The predicted average speeds were within ±5 mph for most test sites. Good agreement between measured and predicted v...
Establishing a physiological basis to multiple sclerosis—related fatigue: A case report

Abstract Objective: Although fatigue is a common debilitating complaint in multiple sclerosis (MS), its relationship to the cardiopulmonary exercise response has yet to be defined. Design: A patient with MS manifested primarily by profound fatigue undergoes complete pulmonary function testing and a maximal incremental cycle ergometry study with gas exchange measurements and determination of ejection fractions. Setting: Outpatient, community hospital pulmonary function laboratory. Results: The patient is found to have respiratory muscle weakness and a severely depressed exercise performance. The latter was associated with an early anaerobic threshold but a normal central cardiovascular response (radionuclide ventriculography), implying problems in peripheral O 2 distribution/utilization. The respiratory muscle involvement, although substantial, was nonlimiting to the exercise performance. Conclusions: Despite its central neuropathophysiology, MS as it relates to fatigue may be associated with an abnormal peripheral exercise response, namely, problems in peripheral O 2 utilization. Such a concept could prove invaluable as it would provide a physiological basis for defining the severity and therapy of "MS fatigue."
The effect of temperature on tolerance to ischemia in experimental free flaps.

Extended groin flaps in rats were used to explore the relationship of time and temperature of ischemic storage to the ultimate survival of free flaps. The maximum period of ischemia with 100% survival was found to be six hours for storage at a normothermic range (20- 25- C) and 48 hours for storage at a hypothermic range (0- 5 C). This study confirms the findings of others that cooling of tissue increases the interval of ischemic storage in which composite tissue can withstand and still survive.
Current status of CF gene therapy

RICHARD C. BOUCHER rbouch~med.unc.edu CF~Tta.~o.x~Y tlk-~_~Ta .~xo T~a3~_~,T C~'¢ffa, SCHOOL OF ,~NE, T~ UNr~.srrr OF Normt CAROUNA AT CHmEt HILt, CH~.PEt HiLL NC T/599-7248, USA. Studies of gene therapy for the treat- ment of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung dis- ease have been under way ha the lab- oratory for approximately five years and in clinical trials for the past two years. In this commentary, I shall review the goals for CF gene therapy, predinical data and results of human clinical trims, and directions for the future. Because most oftbe published data relate to adenoviral vectors, the emphasis will be on these vectors, although more limited, but interest- ing, experiments with other vectors will also be cited. Goals of CF gene theral~ In general, CF lung disease can be viewed as a failure of airway defense against bacterial infection. The goal of gene therapy in young children is to prevent the generation of infectious lung disease, whereas the realistic goal in CF patients with established lung disease is to prevent a further loss of lung function. A pressing problem in CF research is that the pathophysiology of CF air- way infection has not been eluci- dated. The simplest .scenario is that the loss of function of the cystic fi- brosis transmembrane conductance regulator (C.~I'R) protein, due to a mutation in the CFTR gene, perturbs the salt and water composition of secretions, slows the mucociliary clearance of airways and promotes infection. This ~co.nario does not explain the predilection for infection in CF with
Cation Disordering in the Tl-2122 Superconductors

We have examined several crystals belonging to the Tl-2122 structure type (Tl{sub 2}CaBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 2}O{sub 8} with c = 29{angstrom}), and have shown that cation solid solution occurs. Such cation disorder appears to be responsible for the observed small differences in lattice parameters reported by various investigators and to contribute towards the substantial variation in the superconducting transition temperatures. 10 refs., 2 tabs.
Hypothesis and the Principle of Closure: The Effect of Frequency and Recency

(1952). Hypothesis and the Principle of Closure: The Effect of Frequency and Recency. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 113-125.
Histogram-based template matching for object detection in images with varying contrast

Our challenge was to develop a semi-automatic target detection algorithm to aid human operators in locating potential targets within images. In contrast to currently available methods, our approach is relatively insensitive to image brightness, image contrast and object orientation. Working on overlapping image blocks, we used a sliding difference method of histogram matching. Incrementally sliding the histograms of the known object template and the image region of interest (ROI) together, the sum of absolute histogram differences was calculated. The minimum of the resultant array was stored in the corresponding spatial position of response surface matrix. Local minima of the response surface suggest possible target locations. Because the template contrast will rarely perfectly match the contrast of the actual image contrast, which can be compromised by illumination conditions, background features, cloud cover, etc., we perform a random contrast manipulation, which we term 'wobble', on the template histogram. Our results have shown increased object detection with the combination of the sliding histogram difference and wobble.
New atomic resolution insights into dynamic protein-carbohydrate interactions enabled by high-performance computing

Protein-carbohydrate interactions are a critical component of cellular structure and function. However, the inherent flexibility of biological carbohydrate polymers and the microheterogeneity resulting from their non-template-based biosynthesis complicate their study using experimental methods. Therefore, simulation approaches, and all-atom explicit-solvent molecular dynamics (MD) simulations in particular, provide an enabling technology for advancing the understanding of protein-carbohydrate interactions at the atomic level of resolution. Here, we detail our recent MD studies on the CD44 receptor performed using the highly-parallel NAMD MD engine with the CHARMM all-atom force field on the Kraken supercomputer. With these technologies, simulation time lengths of hundreds of nanoseconds are routinely reached. Combining both regular unbiased MD and advanced MD methods that bias sampling to important degrees of freedom, new insights are obtained into the function of CD44, which is both a receptor for large carbohydrate molecules in the extracellular matrix and whose own function is modulated by covalent attachment of branched carbohydrates to make CD44 a glycoprotein. In particular, the simulations explain, for the first time, the molecular mechanism of the experimentally-observed order-to-disorder transition in CD44 that is known to enhance its carbohydrate binding affinity. Additionally, the simulations explain, again for the first time, the molecular mechanism through which particular monosaccharides in branched carbohydrates covalently attached to CD44 have been experimentally observed to block CD44 binding to extracellular matrix carbohydrates. These insights expand the understanding of how CD44 performs its biological functions, which include cell adhesion, migration, and vascular trafficking. Importantly, these new insights enabled by leading-edge simulation and computing technologies have not been accessible by existing experimental methods.
Ultrasonic Measurement of Orthotropic Elastic Constants of Bovine Femoral Bone

Using a pulse transmission ultrasound method, we have determined the elastic properties of bone samples taken from along the length and around the periphery of a bovine femur. Twenty specimens, in the form of 5-mm cubes, were tested. All nine of the orthotropic elastic constants were determined for each specimen. Analysis of our data indicate that there are statistically significant variations from the usual assumption of transverse isotropy.
AN ENHANCED EXCHANGE HEURISTIC FOR RESOURCE CONSTRAINED SCHEDULING

In a paper published in 1987, an exchange heuristic for developing efficient makespans for resource constrained scheduling problems was presented. It has since been successfully applied to other types of scheduling problems including generalized job shop scheduling and project scheduling with limited resources. The increased flexibility of the heuristic is becoming reaped. As such, several modifications of the exchange heuristic to increase the performance of developing efficient makespans are now presented. Empirical results of implementing these extended heuristics to problems in general job shop scheduling and their comparison to the original heuristic are also presented. Results show that the extended heuristics produce better makespan schedules on average than the original heuristic though there is a price of increased computational time
Optimal Information Processing and Bayes's Theorem

Abstract In this article statistical inference is viewed as information processing involving input information and output information. After introducing information measures for the input and output information, an information criterion functional is formulated and optimized to obtain an optimal information processing rule (IPR). For the particular information measures and criterion functional adopted, it is shown that Bayes's theorem is the optimal IPR. This optimal IPR is shown to be 100% efficient in the sense that its use leads to the output information being exactly equal to the given input information. Also, the analysis links Bayes's theorem to maximum-entropy considerations.
Microscopic Based Density Matrix Treatments of Electron-Transfer Reactions in Condensed Phases

Several non-phenomenological density matrix treatments of electron-transfer (ET) reactions in condensed phases are developed and examined. The methods consider the donor and acceptor system (the solute) under the influence of the surrounding fluctuating solvent. The main emphasis is placed on semiclassical methods, where the starting point is the Hamiltonian of the quantum mechanical electronic states of the solute. The diagonal elements of the Hamiltonian include the fluctuations of the solute electronic energies as a result of the interaction between the solute and the field from the classically moving solvent molecules. The fluctuating Hamiltonian is used to construct a Liouville equation, which is treated by three approaches. The first method is based on a direct numerical integration of the relevant Liouville equation. The second involves the use of a second-order Liouville equation, and the third involves the use of a Redfield type equation. The methods are examined by simulating electron transfer b...
The Richness of Family: Expanding the Family History

14 Family history is a powerful predictor of the development of diseases in fi rst-degree family members. A family history increases risk for many common conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) and is so strongly clustered in families with CVD, for example, that about 15% of families account for more than 70% of all cases of CVD occurring before age 60. Tragically, more than half of unaffected relatives who have CVD risk factors are not aware of their own risk factors. The family history should include not only the age, gender, and cause of death but also the age of onset of the diseases of the family member and all the disease risk factors of that family member. It is vital to include not only genetic risk factors (eg, cholesterol disorders, diabetes, hypertension) but also other critical family variables—for example, the behaviors in a family such as (secondhand) smoking, sedentary lifestyle, nutrition, and more. These are vital because not only does family history of disease cluster in families, but chronic disease risk factors, behaviors, environmental factors, and important social and cultural variables are also available through the history. Attention to family history and effi cient methods to collect these crucial data are necessary and have been encouraged for many years. But science and practice, like a democracy, are slow to change. Time has always been a limiting factor. In this issue of the journal, Dr Michael Crouch provides an elegant and important method for obtaining a complete family history that would benefi t medical practice—the genogram. Although the genogram has been available as a tool for some time, Crouch presents the utility of the genogram in practice and methods to effi ciently use the genogram in practice, including the electronic medical record. Crouch demonstrates that the genogram provides important information that can improve and promote health and prevent disease, and it is vital for comprehensive patient care. The genogram demonstrates that there are methods to gain much more information from families than just the age
Force-Velocity Relationship of Cat Cardiac Muscle, Studied by Isotonic and Quick-Release Techniques

Contractions of isolated cat papillary muscle were studied using a lever system with an electromagnetic load which allowed an on-line computer to control the experiment and to process all the data. Isotonic force-velocity curves were determined in 17 cat papillary muscles; the curves were not hyperbolic. Force-velocity curves at constant time in the contraction and constant contractile element length were obtained with a systolic quick-release technique in 9 muscles. The velocity of shortening after release to low force was almost always less than the maximum recorded following release to slightly higher force. When quick-release force-velocity curves determined at different times in the contraction were compared, the maximum velocity occurred at approximately 60% of the time to peak isometric force. The fall in velocity at lower forces was more marked later in the contraction. The shape of the quick-release force-velocity curves was found to depend on muscle length. At a constant time of release, and ignoring the low force end of the curves, the quick-release force-velocity relationships were not hyperbolic at muscle lengths appreciably below optimum, but near the optimal length the curves were hyperbolic. When these quick-release force-velocity curves were corrected for the presence of an elastic element in parallel with the contractile and series elastic elements, it was found that none of the contractile element force-velocity curves was hyperbolic.
Evidence supports a faster growth rate and/or earlier transformation to clinically significant prostate cancer in black than in white American men, and influences racial progression and mortality disparity.

Purpose: The incidence of prostate cancer is approximately 60% higher and the mortality rate is 2 to 3 times greater in black than in white American men. We propose that a more rapid prostate cancer growth rate and/or earlier transformation from latent to aggressive prostate cancer in black than in white men contribute to this disparity.Materials and Methods: We evaluated entirely embedded prostate glands on autopsy from 1,056 black and white men who died of causes other than prostate cancer. We also reviewed data from our radical prostatectomy database and from the Detroit Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database.Results: Autopsy data indicated that subclinical prostate cancer in black and white men starts at early age and clinical characteristics do not differ by race at early ages. Radical prostatectomy specimen data revealed that prostate cancer volume and Gleason grade were greater in black than in white men. Advanced or metastatic prostate cancer occurred at a 4:1 ratio in black and white...
Nanoparticle targeting to neurons in a rat hippocampal slice culture model

We have previously shown that CdSe/ZnS core/shell luminescent semiconductor nanocrystals or QDs (quantum dots) coated with PEG [poly(ethylene glycol)]-appended DHLA (dihydrolipoic acid) can bind AcWG(Pal)VKIKKP(9)GGH(6) (Palm1) through the histidine residues. The coating on the QD provides colloidal stability and this peptide complex uniquely allows the QDs to be taken up by cultured cells and readily exit the endosome into the soma. We now show that use of a polyampholyte coating [in which the neutral PEG is replaced by the negatively heterocharged CL4 (compact ligand)], results in the specific targeting of the palmitoylated peptide to neurons in mature rat hippocampal slice cultures. There was no noticeable uptake by astrocytes, oligodendrocytes or microglia (identified by immunocytochemistry), demonstrating neuronal specificity to the overall negatively charged CL4 coating. In addition, EM (electron microscopy) images confirm the endosomal egress ability of the Palm1 peptide by showing a much more disperse cytosolic distribution of the CL4 QDs conjugated to Palm1 compared with CL4 QDs alone. This suggests a novel and robust way of delivering neurotherapeutics to neurons.
Feedback steganalysis decision making system

In this article, we present a new sensitive data detection feedback system. The basic components of this system are: a) localization of hidden data techniques and b) common and the new decision making techniques. The decision making statistical tests include: chi-square, parametric chi, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and F-test. Computer simulations will show that the proposed method provides a good localization for both randomly and sequentially embedded sensitive data. Finally, the presented system may work for both: compressed and non-compressed cases. Comparison with common existing steganalysis methods will also be presented.
Theory-Guided Evidence-Based Reflective Practice: An Orientation to Education for Quality Care

This column weaves a discussion of the authors' experiences, nursing theory, evidence, and a call for a sea change in nursing education informed by knowledge from the discipline of nursing.
Induction of Immunoglobulin Heavy-Chain Transcription through the Transcription Factor Bright Requires TFII-I

Bright/ARID3a/Dril1, a member of the ARID family of transcription factors, is expressed in a highly regulated fashion in B lymphocytes, where it enhances immunoglobulin transcription three- to sixfold. Recent publications from our lab indicated that functional, but not kinase-inactive, Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) is critical for Bright activity in an in vitro model system, yet Bright itself is not appreciably tyrosine phosphorylated. These data suggested that a third protein, and Btk substrate, must contribute to Bright-enhanced immunoglobulin transcription. The ubiquitously expressed transcription factor TFII-I was identified as a substrate for Btk several years ago. In this work, we show that TFII-I directly interacts with human Bright through amino acids in Bright's protein interaction domain and that specific tyrosine residues of TFII-I are essential for Bright-induced activity of an immunoglobulin reporter gene. Moreover, inhibition of TFII-I function in a B-cell line resulted in decreased heavy-chain transcript levels. These data suggest that Bright functions as a three-component protein complex in the immunoglobulin locus and tie together previous data indicating important roles for Btk and TFII-I in B lymphocytes.
Clinically isolated syndrome — Rethinking the diagnosis

A diagnostic lacuna in clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) is the prognostic uncertainty of approximately 20% of patients who do not meet the radiological criteria based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain. A study by Tintore et al. noted that 23% of patients who had normal MRI findings but had oligoclonal bands (OCBs) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) developed clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS), compared with 4% who had normal MRI findings but no OCBs in CSF (Tintore et al. 2008). Since a diagnosis of CIS cannot be made if MRI data are equivocal, the opportunity for early treatment is lost if non-radiological data are not taken into diagnostic consideration. In this article, a case for inclusion of cerebrospinal fluid data in the diagnosis of CIS is made, and a distinction is drawn in certain patient cohorts based on ethnicity, that demands urgent research. Certain ethnic cohorts such as African Americans (AAs) may have a higher risk of delayed diagnosis if CSF data are ignored. At the current time, the diagnosis of CIS continues to favor clinical and radiological evidence and this article aims to change that perspective.
Brief Report: The Temporal Stability of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status Effort Index in Geriatric Samples

The Effort Index (EI) of the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) was developed to identify inadequate effort. Although researchers have examined its validity, the reliability of the EI has not been evaluated. The current study examined the temporal stability of the EI across 1 year in two independent samples of older adults. One sample consisted of 445 cognitively intact older adults (mean age = 72.89; 59% having 12-15 years of education) and the second sample consisted of 51 individuals diagnosed with amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (mean age = 82.41; 41% having 12-15 years of education). For both samples, the EI was found to have low stability (Spearman's ρ = .32-.36). When participants were divided into those whose EI stayed stable or improved versus those whose EI worsened (i.e., declining effort) on retesting, it was observed that individuals with lower baseline RBANS Total scores tended to worsen on the EI across time. Overall, the findings suggest low temporal stability of the EI in two geriatric samples. In particular, individuals with poorer cognition at baseline could present with poorer effort across time. These findings also suggest the need to further examine the temporal stability of other effort measures.
Effect of cAMP on TGFβ1-induced corneal keratocyte-myofibroblast transformation.

Purpose TGFβ is the major mediator to induce myofibroblast differentiation in the corneal wound-healing process. Elevated cAMP can reduce TGFβ-induced fibrosis in other tissues. This study was conducted to determine whether elevated cAMP can inhibit TGFβ1-induced rabbit corneal keratocyte–myofibroblast transformation.
Interactive Algorithms 2005 with Added Appendix

A sequential algorithm just follows its instructions and thus cannot make a nondeterministic choice all by itself, but it can be instructed to solicit outside help to make a choice. Similarly, an object-oriented program cannot create a new object all by itself; a create-a-new-object command solicits outside help. These are but two examples of intrastep interaction of an algorithm with its environment. Here we motivate and survey recent work on interactive algorithms within the Behavioral Computation Theory project.