cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peroxidase-dependent metabolism of benzene's phenolic metabolites and its potential role in benzene toxicity and carcinogenicity

The metabolism of two of benzene's phenolic metabolites, phenol and hydroquinone, by peroxidase enzymes has been studied in detail. Studies employing horseradish peroxidase and human myeloperoxidase have shown that in the presence of hydrogen peroxide phenol is converted to 4,4'-diphenoquinone and other covalent binding metabolites, whereas hydroquinone is converted solely to 1,4-benzoquinone. Surprisingly, phenol stimulates the latter conversion rather than inhibiting it, an effect that may play a role in the in vivo myelotoxicity of benzene. Indeed, repeated coadministration of phenol and hydroquinone to B6C3F1 mice results in a dramatic and significant decrease in bone marrow cellularity similar to that observed following benzene exposure. A mechanism of benzene-induced myelotoxicity is therefore proposed in which the accumulation and interaction of phenol and hydroquinone in the bone marrow and the peroxidase-dependent formation of 1,4-benzoquinone are important components. This mechanism may also be responsible, at least in part, for benzene's genotoxic effects, as 1,4-benzoquinone has been shown to damage DNA and is shown here to induce multiple micronuclei in human lymphocytes. Secondary activation of benzene's phenol metabolites in the bone marrow may therefore play an important role in benzene's myelotoxic and carcinogenic effects.
The relationship between remembering and knowing: a cognitive neuroscience perspective.

Cognitive neuroscience has provided strong support for the idea that there are multiple memory systems. Recent evidence suggests that remembering and knowing may be two types of recognition with different neural substrates. The remember/know distinction is not equivalent to the explicit/implicit distinction because both remembering and knowing are impaired after damage to medial temporal lobe structures. A number of converging lines of evidence suggest that the relationship between remembering and knowing is one of redundancy, with “knowing” processes also active during remembering. Remembering appears to depend additionally on frontal lobe functioning. PsycINFO classification: 2343; 2520
Single-crystal Raman spectra of paraelectric (NH4)2SO4

Abstract The single-crystal Raman spectra of (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 in the settings z ( ij ) x , z ( ij ) y and y ( ij ) x are reported. All observed frequencies have been assigned according to the D 2 h symmetry of the unit cell and by type of mode. Librational modes for NH 4 + are observed at 358 cm −1 ( B 3 g ) and 375 cm −1 ( A g ). The spectra are discussed in relationship to previous results for isomorphous sulfates and for (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 in both paraelectric and ferroelectric phases. Comparison with spectra of the ferroelectric phase suggest an increase in the barrier to rotation below T c , probably caused by strengthening of NH…O bonding.
Structure of the Systems of Orthogonal Projections Connected with Countable Coxeter Trees

The paper is devoted to the investigation of representations of Temperley–Lieb-type algebras generated by orthogonal projections connected with countable Coxeter trees. The theorem on the structure of these systems of orthogonal projections is proved. Some examples are presented.
Linear Thermal Expansion Coefficient of the NaCl Phase of CsCl

The linear thermal-expansion coefficient of the lowtemperature phase of CsCl, alpha (T) = DELTA l/l(T) DELTA T, where T is the average temperature in the interval DELTA T, was determined to be 4.78 x 10/sup -5/ (C deg )/sup -1/ between 50 and 150 deg C. The average expansion coefficient between 570 and 590 deg C in the NaCl phase was 5.1 x 10/sup -5/ (C deg )/sup -1/ with an estimated error of 10% based on the reproducibility. Just below the phase change the lattice parameter expansion coefficient is 6.6 x 10/sup -5/ (C deg )/sup -1/ and the NaCl phase is seen to have a lower expansion coefficient than the more closely packed CsCl phase. (P.C.H.)
Repeated Aqueous Flooding from the Cerberus Fossae: Evidence for Very Recently Extant, Deep Groundwater on Mars

The geomorphology and topography of the Cerberus Plains region of Mars show three spatially and temporally distinct, young, aqueous flood channel systems. Flood geomorphology in each of these channels, as seen in Mars Orbiter Camera images, consists of streamlined forms, longitudinal lineations, and a single occurrence of transverse dunes, features similar to those in the flood-carved terrain of the Channeled Scabland in the northwestern United States. As additional geomorphic evidence of flooding, small cones (interpreted as phreatic) are found preferentially in the channels or at their distal ends. Glaciers, lava flows, and CO2-charged density flows are each inconsistent with these geomorphic features. Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter data show two of the three channel systems (Athabasca Valles and an unnamed northern channel system) emanating from the Cerberus Fossae; we suggest that the third channel system (Marte Vallis) also originated at the fissures. The discharges for two of the three systems (Athabasca Valles and Marte Vallis) have been estimated from surface topography to have been on the order of 10 6 m 3 /s. Crater counts indicate that the channels are not only young (extreme Late Amazonian), but also were carved asynchronously. Geomorphic evidence suggests that two of the channels (Athabasca and Marte Valles) experienced more than one flood. Emanation from volcanotectonic fissures instead of chaotic terrain distinguishes these Cerberus Plains channels from the larger, older circum-Chryse channels. Groundwater must have collected in a liquid state prior to flood onset to flow at the estimated discharge rates. Lack of large-scale subsidence near the channels’ origination points along the Cerberus Fossae indicates that this groundwater was at least several kilometers deep. c � 2002 Elsevier Science (USA)
Mineral composition of kenhy tall fescue as affected by nutrient solution concentrations of Mg and K

Abstract Four greenhouse sand culture experiments were conducted with Kenhy tall fescue, a Lolium multiflorum X Festuca arundinacea hybrid derivative. These experiments were conducted to characterize mg accumulation and the chemical composition of Kenhy under various combinations of Mg, K, and N solution concentrations. Of primary interest was the shape and magnitude of response of tissue Mg concentration to solution K levels and potential for Mg accumulation that exists in Kenhy under low solution K levels. Analyses were made for Mg, K, Ca, Na, N, and nitrate. Increased Kg concentrations were observed with increased solution Mg. Increased solution K was in all cases associated with lower concentrations of Mg. Under conditions of low solution K (0.125 mM) and adequate Mg (0.25 mM), Mg accumulation exceeded 1.0%. Increased solution N was associated with decreased Mg concentrations. Both the linear and quadratic components of Mg solution concentration contributed significantly to increased tissue Mg. Haweve...
The effects of maternal employment and non‐maternal infant care on development at two and four years

Differences in maternal employment during children's first year of life and children's entry into non-maternal care before the age of 1 year failed to predict differences in cognitive and socioemotional development at 2 and 4 years of age, after family background variables were controlled. Two samples were studied: a population sample of 1100 Bermudian children and a smaller subsample of children most of whom were determined to be at risk for developmental problems. To assess the effects of maternal employment, we compared infants with mothers who worked 20 or more hours a week to infants with mothers who worked less than 20 hours a week. To assess the effects of entry into non-maternal care before the age of one, we compared infants who were placed in regular non-maternal care before the age of one versus infants who did not experience regular non-maternal care before the age of one. The results revealed that family background variables frequently predicted many child outcome measures in both the total sample and the smaller research sample. After controlling for family characteristics, no differences were found between children whose mothers worked 20 or more hours a week when they were infants and children with mothers who worked less than 20 hours a week in either sample. In addition, age of entry into non. maternal care before the age of one did not significantly predict any child outcome measures.
Contribution Patterns in Major U.S. Marital and Family Therapy Journals: 1992 Through 2002

The institutional sources of articles published between 1992 and 2002 in five major family therapy journals—the American Journal of Family Therapy, Contemporary Family Therapy, Family Process, Journal of Family Psychology, and the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy were reviewed. Noteworthy similarities and differences as compared to earlier reviews were found. While no single institution dominated in numbers of publications, six of the top 10 institutions found between 1980 and 1995 were also found to be within the top 10 most productive institutions between 1992 and 2002. Patterns and changes in contributions from international sources, as well as from institutions with a COAMFTE-accredited program are discussed. Contributions from private practitioners and clinicians are also addressed.
A study of the mechanical behaviour and microstructure of a mixed starch—egg-white protein gel

Abstract The mechanical behaviour of a composite gel consisting of washed gelatinized starch granules embedded in an egg-white protein gel matrix has been investigated. The shear modulus of the composite gel is dependent on the shear modulus of the matrix, the relative deformabilities of particle and matrix and the volume fraction occupied by the particles. The strength of this gel is affected by stress localization at the filler—matrix interface. Mixed starch—egg-white protein gels contain solubilized amylose, the immiscibility of the amylose and protein also affecting mechanical behaviour.
Gingival vasculature around erupting deciduous teeth of dogs and cats.

Abstract The presence of plaque and of overt inflammation, occurring with eruption of deciduous teeth in dogs and cats 2–14 weeks old, were related to the concomitant gingival vascular morphology, using vital microscopy, perfusion and histological techniques. Although localised, acute inflammation accompanied plaque formation at the time of weaning, it seldom developed into chronic inflammation. The onset of overt chronic inflammation was not related to tooth eruption or to events associated with formation of the gingiva. Infiltration of gingival tissue by chronic inflammatory cells occurred in only a few specimens and was associated with increased plaque and replacement of the gingival vessel network by loop patterns.
Fast computation of symmetries in Boolean functions

Symmetry detection in completely specified Boolean functions is important for several applications in logic synthesis, technology mapping, binary decision diagram (BDD) minimization, and testing. This paper presents a new algorithm to detect four basic types of two-variable symmetries. The algorithm detects all pairs of symmetric variables in one pass over the shared BDD of the multioutput function. The worst case complexity of this method is cubic in the number of BDD nodes, but on typical logic synthesis benchmarks the complexity appears to be linear. The computation is particularly efficient when the functions have multiple symmetries or no symmetries. Experiments show that the algorithm is faster than other known methods, and in some cases achieves a speedup of several orders of magnitude.
Diffuser Transmission Functions And Far-Zone Speckle Patterns

A model for the transmission of light through a thin diffuser is presented which accounts for the angle of incidence of an input plane wave. This model is then used to make several illustrative calculations of the spectral intensity of the light scattered by the diffuser for arbitrary correlation lengths. In these calculations, it is assumed that the diffuser roughness is represented by a jointly normal random process. The spectral intensity is evaluated analytically for a triangular correlation function and arbitrary diffuser roughness. Experimental curves are also presented of the radiation patterns of ground glass for a wide range of illumination angles with the output angle 0 being swept over the range ± 90°.
Context-Aware Duplicate Detection in Semi-structured Data Streams

State-of-the-art in duplicate detection in semi-structured data obtains significant improvement by exploiting the schema-related knowledge. Such schema-bound duplicate detection approaches, however, have severe limitations when dealing with multi-sourced, heterogeneous, high-velocity data streams. In this paper, we propose a novel context-aware duplicate detection system which is workload- and complexity-aware, and is adaptable to the underlying computing platform. The system operates in schema-oblivious manner, and relies upon information theory based heuristic and data shaping technique for efficient, and scalable duplicate detection in multi-sourced, heterogeneous data sets. Experiments with real-world data sets show speed up of up to 8X over state of-the-art schemes, while maintaining upto 92 percent accuracy. In addition, our data shaping technique for GPGPU processing speeds up the duplicate detection throughput by up to two orders of magnitude.
Robert Steinberg, 1922–2014

I have had a good life (Ik heb een goed leven gehad) This quotation (in English and Dutch) was exactly how Tonny Springer, a famous mathematician from Utrecht in Holland and one of Robert Steinberg’s closest friends both personally and mathematically, wanted his life described after his death. It is also a perfect description of Robert Steinberg’s life. Robert Steinberg. Image courtesy of David Weisbart. Bob was born on 25 May 1922, in Soroki, Bessarabia, Romania (present day Soroca, Moldova) and came to settle in Canada with his parents when he was still very young. He was a student of Richard Brauer in Toronto, receiving his PhD in 1948, and he joined University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1948, where he stayed until the end. He had 12 PhD students complete their dissertations with him. He married Maria Alice nee Weber in 1952 and settled down in Pacific Palisades, a small suburban community of Los Angeles near the Pacific Ocean. They … [↵][1]1Email: vsv{at}math.ucla.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Planning for Resiliency: Evaluation of State Hazard Mitigation Plans under the Disaster Mitigation Act

State mitigation plans play a critical role in supporting disaster loss reduction and long-term resiliency of human communities. The Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 requires all states to prepare mitigation plans. Based on six principles of plan quality, we content analyzed a sample of 30 coastal state plans to determine how well they support mitigation. Findings indicate that although plans scored moderate to low for all plan quality principles, plan quality has modestly improved over the past decade. In addition, some states scored low for one principle, which can undermine implementation of otherwise high-scoring plans for the remaining principles. Recommendations are offered on how plan quality evaluation can be used to guide and monitor state development of hazard mitigation plans.
Determinants of the rod-and-frame effect: Role of organization and subjective contour

In Experiment 1, performance on a conventional (full) rod and frame was compared with that on three other displays. These included a closure condition in which only the corners of a luminous frame were present, a subjective contour condition in which the rod was seen against ablack square subjective surface, and a pattern condition in which four luminous disks were arranged to form the corners of a square pattern. In all cases, a square-like form was perceived. The rod-and-frame effect (RFE) was greatest on the full frame, which differed significantly from all the rest. Closure produced the next greatest influence, while the responses to subjective and pattern conditions did not differ from each other. Experiment 2 showed that a subjective frame was no more effective than the subjective surface of Experiment 1, and verified the importance of 90-deg corner elements in the rod-and-frame display. The conclusion drawn was that equivalent form organizations are not sufficient to produce equivalent levels of the RFE, but certain luminance-difference contours appear to be essential.
Regulation of promoter-proximal transcription elongation: enhanced DNA scrunching drives λQ antiterminator-dependent escape from a σ70-dependent pause

During initial transcription, RNA polymerase remains bound at the promoter and synthesizes RNA without movement along the DNA template, drawing downstream DNA into itself in a process called scrunching and thereby storing energy to sever the bonds that hold the enzyme at the promoter. We show that DNA scrunching also is the driving force behind the escape of RNA polymerase from a regulatory pause of the late gene operon of bacteriophage λ, and that this process is enhanced by the activity of the Qλ antiterminator. Furthermore, we show that failure of transcription complexes to escape the pause results in backtracking and arrest in a process analogous to abortive initiation. We identify a sequence element that modulates both abortive synthesis and the formation of arrested elongation complexes.
Metal ion concentration, time, and pH dependence of metal ion binding to a transferrin metalloprotein affinity chromatography (MAMC) matrix

The adsorption of transition metal, lanthanide, and actinide ions to ovotransferrin (conalbumin) immobilized to sepharose (via the cyanogen bromide method) has been examined. Adsorption of ions as a function of time and adsorption isotherms at pH 8 have been determined and analyzed using the Freundlich model. Distribution coefficients between the pH values 2 and 9 have been measured. The results indicate that immobilization of the protein has little effect on its interactions with metal ions compared with the protein in solution, an important prerequisite for use of this matrix in metalloprotein affinity metal chromatography (MAMC).
Novel digital unsharp masking algorithm for color images

A Digital Unsharp Masking algorithm is proposed for enhancing color image in color reproduction systems. The proposed Digital Unsharp Masking filter uses variable enhancement gain to adapt to edge and tone features of the image. By including edge and white/black color detection mechanisms, the new Digital Unsharp Masking algorithm is able to perform detail enhancement without increasing graininess. The tone detection enables the proposed Digital Unsharp Masking to control the sharpness of different tone regions, i.e., highlight, midtone, and shadow, in the scanned image separately. A luminance channel is used as an unsharp channel in the algorithm. The color shift problem faced by existing digital unsharp masking algorithm is eliminated.
Pathogenicity of coccidia in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica)

Coccidia were recovered from a field outbreak in commercially raised Japanese quail from South Carolina. After propagation in unmedicated quail, the culture was identified as a mixture of approximately 65% Eimeria uzura, 33% E. tsunodai, and 2% E. taldykurganica. Several pure cultures of E. uzura were obtained by single oocyst isolation. A micropyle was not present in all oocysts; thus, it is not a reliable taxonomic characteristic for identification of E. uzura. Neither the mixed culture nor the E. uzura isolates were infective for Bobwhite quail, Chukar partridge, pheasants, chickens, or turkeys. Seventeen-day-old quail were inoculated with various doses of sporulated oocysts ranging from 5 x 10(2) to 5 x 10(5) of the mixed culture and 1 x 10(3) to 1 x 10(6) of E. uzura. The rate of weight gain was depressed at 3 or 4 days postinoculation (DPT) with as few as 5 x 10(2) oocysts/quail of the mixed culture. As few as 1 x 10(3) oocysts of E. uzura produced a weight loss. Some individual quail had depressed packed cell volume and plasma pigment compared with levels in the uninoculated controls. Plasma protein was not affected. Young quail (3 days old at inoculation) were more susceptible than 17-day-old quail. Infection did not adversely affect body weights of adult quail, although egg production was reduced. Mortality was seen only with the mixed culture (100 and 8% in 3- and 17-day-old quail given 5 x 10(5) oocysts, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chicken cerebrospinal fluid as affected by fasting, sulfonylurea administration and pancreatectomy

Abstract Investigation of proteinaceous components of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and possible hormone-barrier characteristics was made in adult female chickens. 1. 1. Fasting for periods up to 72 hr caused mainly a decrease in immunoglobulin levels (G and M), minor transferrin and ultimately major transferrin. Fasting was without significant impact on plasma or CSF glucose and insulin levels. 2. 2. Tolbutamide effected early increases in plasma insulin levels, and to a lesser degree in CSF insulin levels, which subsequently led to a marked hypoglycemia. The transferrin moieties (both) of the disc gel patterns appeared most altered by Tolbutamide in both plasma and CSF. 3. 3. Removal of 99% of the pancreas results four days later in a prominent rise in both plasma and CSF insulin levels. Also, pancreas removal causes alterations in transferrin (both) and IgM in both plasma and CSF.
At the Core: How We Steer Our Course

"The force that through the green fuse drives the flower drives my green age..."--Dylan Thomas (1952). The beautiful evocative words of Dylan Thomas speak to the driving life force that pulses through all creation. So what, then, drives our organization, the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA)? What underlying stream can we tap into to provide the energy, power, and vitality we need to go on being in a meaningful and productive fashion? And, what internal compass can we rely on to steer us in the right direction, to guide us in how we function as an organization? My purpose here is to consider how we formulate our objectives, determine our priorities, make decisions, and insure, as best we can, that we are pursuing that which is meaningful and essential, not veering drastically off course. To do this, I would like to focus briefly on the current organizational structure of AGPA, then examine the use of a strategic planning process, review our accomplishments, and lastly explore hopes and dreams for our future as the premier group psychotherapy organization in the United States.
Fluoride varnish with community-based oral health promotion may reduce surface-level caries risk in preschool children.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Surface-specific efficacy of fluoride varnish in caries prevention in the primary dentition: results of a community randomized clinical trial. Divaris K, Preisser JS, Slade GD. Caries Res 2012;47(1):78-87. Reviewer Jaana Gold, DDS, PhD Purpose/Question To determine the surface-specific caries-preventive effect of a 2-year community-based oral program with fluoride varnish (FV) applications in the primary teeth of 3- to 5-year-old children Source of Funding Government: Australian National Health and Medical Research Council grant No. 320858. For-profit company: Colgate-Palmolive Pty Limited-provided free supplies of Duraphat varnish and low-cost toothbrushes and toothpaste for the program Type of Study/Design Cluster Randomized Clinical trial Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade N/A
Ultrastructural localization of tyrosine hydroxylase-like immunoreactivity in the rat hippocampal formation

The light and electron microscopic localization of antigenic sites for a polyclonal antiserum directed against the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), was examined in the hippocampal formation of the rat brain with a double-bridged peroxidase-antiperoxidase method. By light microscopy, the majority of varicose processes with intense TH-like immunoreactivity (LI) were contained in the hilus of the dentate gyrus (DG) and strata radiatum and lacunosum-moleculare of the CA3 region of the hippocampus. Only a few immunoreactive fibers were observed in the molecular and granule cell layers of the DG, in strata oriens and pyramidale of CA3, and in all layers of CA1. Electron microscopy confirmed that these labeled processes were primarily axons and axon terminals. Terminals with TH-LI were 0.4-1.1 micron in diameter and contained many small clear vesicles and from 0 to 3 larger dense-core vesicles. The number and types of associations formed by terminals with TH-LI were remarkably similar in the DG and hippocampus proper despite known differences in intrinsic cells and function. In both regions, the majority of terminals with TH-LI formed junctions on small (distal dendrites (52% of 112 in the DG; 67% of 116 in CA3) and dendritic spines (30% in the DG; 18% in CA3) that were both asymmetric and symmetric. In the DG, axosomatic junctions (2% of 112) were symmetric and occurred exclusively on the perikarya of granule cells, whereas junctions on large (proximal) dendrites were more numerous (16%), exhibited symmetric as well as asymmetric membrane specializations, and were of both granule (molecular layer) and nongranule (hilus) cell origin. In CA3, synaptic contacts on perikarya (5% of 116) and large (proximal) dendrites (10%) of both pyramidal cell and nonpyramidal cell origin were few and all symmetric. The distribution and types of synaptic associations formed by terminals with TH-LI in the CA1 region paralleled that seen in the CA3 region. In both the dentate and hippocampus proper, 10% of the terminals with TH-LI were observed closely apposed to unlabeled terminals that formed asymmetric synapses with dendrites and dendritic spines. In rare instances, TH-immunoreactive terminals were found in close association with the basement membrane of blood vessels, astrocytic processes, or with other unlabeled terminals not forming recognizable junctions. In addition TH-LI was occasionally detected within the cytoplasm of a minority of astrocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
On the immersion of digraphs in cubes

We consider some problems concerning generalizations of embeddings of acyclic digraphs inton-dimensional dicubes. In particular, we define an injectioni from a digraphD into then-dimensional dicubeQ n to be animmersion if for any two elementsa andb inD there is a directed path inD froma tob iff there is a directed path inQ n fromi(a) toi(b). We further define the immersion to bestrong iff there is a way of choosing these paths so that paths inQ n corresponding to arcs inD have disjoint interiors, and we introduce a natural notion of “minimality” on the set of arcs of a digraph in terms of its paths. Our main theorem then becomes:Every (minimal) n-element acyclic digraph can be (strongly) immersed in Q n. We also present examples ofn-element digraphs which cannot be immersed inQ n−1 and examples of 9n-element non-minimal digraphs which cannot be strongly immersed inQ10n −1. We conclude with some applications.
Physical activity promotion among churchgoing Latinas in San Diego, California: Does neighborhood cohesion matter?:

This study examined the reciprocal relationship between Latinas' leisure-time physical activity and neighborhood cohesion following the implementation of a 6-month promotora-delivered pilot intervention. A one-group study design was used to promote leisure-time physical activity and build neighborhood cohesion among 143 churchgoing Latinas in San Diego, California. Using a three-wave autoregressive cross-lagged panel model, leisure-time physical activity and neighborhood cohesion (assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months) were analyzed. Leisure-time physical activity and neighborhood cohesion increased across time. Neighborhood cohesion at 3 months predicted leisure-time physical activity at 6 months. A promotora model in the context of a faith-based setting may be appropriate to promote Latinas' leisure-time physical activity and make socioenvironmental improvements. Language: en
Improving learning in robot teams through personality assignment

Abstract This paper presents two reinforcement learning algorithms, which are inspired by human team dynamics, for autonomous robotic agent applications. These algorithms entail strictly local credit assignments to individual agents and hence promote team scalability. The first algorithm is termed the Golden Rule Learner (GRL) and incorporates agent self-reward for completion of altruistic actions in addition to self-reward when completing team goals. The second algorithm is termed the Personality Adjusted Learner (PAL), which extends the GRL algorithm by using the human-oriented Myers–Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as the inspiration for assigning weights to the local rewards earned by PAL agents, simulating individual agent personality preferences for types of tasks. In this way, it contributes to the wider research goal of creating a real-life computational equivalent of the human mind by providing a mathematical mechanism for encoding and processing personality preferences that can be described by systems such as the MBTI, and are a critical aspect of human interaction. The work presented in this paper tests the hypothesis that the assignment of MBTI preferences improves the agents’ team performance over the baseline and GRL teams for a given task. A resource gathering scenario was simulated using teams of agents. These scenarios include: a baseline team of nonaltruistic locally rewarded agents, GRL agents, or a team of PALs to gather resources. When the resources were scarce, at least one possible combination of PAL personalities showed superior performance over the baseline and GRL agents. This is an indicator that the MBTI specification of PAL agents can be used to optimize team performance.
Minimization of the truncation error by grid adaptation

A new grid adaptation strategy, which minimizes the truncation error of a pth-order finite difference approximation, is proposed. The main idea of the method is based on the observation that the local truncation error associated with discretization on nonuniform meshes can be minimized if the interior grid points are redistributed in an optimal sequence. The method does not explicitly require the truncation error estimate and at the same time, it allows one to increase the design order of approximation by one globally, so that the same finite difference operator reveals superconvergence properties on the optimal grid. Another very important characteristic of the method is that if the differential operator and the metric coefficients are evaluated identically by some hybrid approximation the single optimal grid generator can be employed in the entire computational domain independently of points where the hybrid discretization switches from one approximation to another. Generalization of the present method to multiple dimensions is presented. Numerical calculations of several one-dimensional and one two-dimensional test examples demonstrate the performance of the method and corroborate the theoretical results.
Aligning managers with strategies: Management development versus selection

Several articles have recently been published stressing the importance of matching managerial talent with organizational strategy. These have generally relied on selection to ‘fit’ the manager to the strategy. This paper proposes the use of management development as an alternate means of achieving manager—strategy alignment. Management development is defined, its role in strategy implementation is discussed, and its benefits and costs are identified. These are contrasted with the costs, benefits and strategic role of selection. It is suggested that choice of alignment method (i.e. management development versus selection) is contingent upon particular strategic, structural, and cultural factors. These contingency relationships are presented as a series of research propositions.
Frequency-Selective Exocytosis by Ribbon Synapses of Hair Cells in the Bullfrog's Amphibian Papilla

The activity of auditory afferent fibers depends strongly on the frequency of stimulation. Although the bullfrog's amphibian papilla lacks the flexible basilar membrane that effects tuning in mammals, its afferents display comparable frequency selectivity. Seeking additional mechanisms of tuning in this organ, we monitored the synaptic output of hair cells by measuring changes in their membrane capacitance during sinusoidal electrical stimulation at various frequencies. Using perforated-patch recordings, we found that individual hair cells displayed frequency selectivity in synaptic exocytosis within the frequency range sensed by the amphibian papilla. Moreover, each cell's tuning varied in accordance with its tonotopic position. Using confocal imaging, we observed a tonotopic gradient in the concentration of proteinaceous Ca2+ buffers. A model for synaptic release suggests that this gradient maintains the sharpness of tuning. We conclude that hair cells of the amphibian papilla use synaptic tuning as an additional mechanism for sharpening their frequency selectivity.
Reconsidering the effects of monosodium glutamate: a literature review.

Purpose: This article reviews the literature from the past 40 years of research related to monosodium glutamate (MSG) and its ability to trigger a migraine headache, induce an asthma exacerbation, or evoke a constellation of symptoms described as the “Chinese restaurant syndrome.” Data sources: Literature retrieved by a search using PubMed, Medline, Lexis-Nexus, and Infotrac to review articles from the past 40 years. Conclusions: MSG has a widespread reputation for eliciting a variety of symptoms, ranging from headache to dry mouth to flushing. Since the first report of the so-called Chinese restaurant syndrome 40 years ago, clinical trials have failed to identify a consistent relationship between the consumption of MSG and the constellation of symptoms that comprise the syndrome. Furthermore, MSG has been described as a trigger for asthma and migraine headache exacerbations, but there are no consistent data to support this relationship. Although there have been reports of an MSG-sensitive subset of the population, this has not been demonstrated in placebo-controlled trials. Implications for practice: Despite a widespread belief that MSG can elicit a headache, among other symptoms, there are no consistent clinical data to support this claim. Findings from the literature indicate that there is no consistent evidence to suggest that individuals may be uniquely sensitive to MSG. Nurse practitioners should therefore concentrate their efforts on advising patients of the nutritional pitfalls of some Chinese restaurant meals and to seek more consistently documented etiologies for symptoms such as headache, xerostomia, or flushing.
Postoperative hypercoagulability and deep-vein thrombosis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Patients who undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) are operated on under general anesthesia, in a reverse Trendelenburg position, with 12–15-mmHg pneumoperitoneum. All of these factors can induce venous stasis of the legs, which may lead to postoperative deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). The objectives of this study were to assess the degree of hypercoagulability and to determine the rate of postoperative DVT in a group of 100 patients in whom LC was completed. Whole-blood thrombelastography (TEG) and plasma-activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) determination were carried out preoperatively and on the 1st postoperative day. All patients received pre-, intra-, and postoperative graduated compression stockings and sequential pneumatic compression devices until fully ambulatory. Twenty-six percent of the patients with a risk score >4, or a postoperative TEG index >+5.0, received subcutaneous heparin (5,000 units b.i.d.), beginning in the postoperative period and continuing for 4 weeks as an outpatient. A complete venous duplex scan of both legs was performed on the 7th postoperative day, at the time of their office visit.
2,7-Diiodo-9-diazofluorene: a potential reagent for photolabeling.

— The photochemistry of 2,7-diiodo-9-diazofiuorene was studied to examine its suitability as a photolabeling agent of hydrophobic sites in biological assemblies. Irradiation of the diazo compound generates 2,7-diiodofluorenylidene. The carbene was detected by laser transient absorption spectroscopy and characterized by its chemical and physical properties. Like fluorenylidene, the triplet is the ground state of 2,7-diiodofluorenylidene. However, the substituted triplet carbene does not reform its higher energy, electrophilic singlet state fast enough for reactions of the upper state to compete with the irreversible consumption of the triplet. Thus, the products from the reactions of diiodofluorenylidene contain a higher proportion of those characteristic of the triplet carbene than occurs in the reactions of fluorenylidene. This will limit the utility of this diazocompound as a photolabeling agent.
AP-S Distinguished Lecturer Program for 2011

The full abstracts of the Distinguished Lecturers' talks as well as the biographies of the Distinguished Lecturers appeared in the April 2011 issue of the Magazine. An updated listing of this material may also be found on the AP-S Web site by visiting http://www.ieeeaps.org/distlectureres.html.
Development of a novel mindfulness and cognitive behavioral intervention for stress-eating: A comparative pilot study

Stress-related eating is increasingly cited as a difficulty in managing healthy eating behaviors and weight. However few interventions have been designed to specifically target stress-related eating. In addition, the optimal target of such an intervention is unclear, as the target might be conceptualized as overall stress reduction or changing emotional eating-related thoughts and behaviors. This pilot study compared the effects of three interventions targeting those components individually and in combination on stress-related eating, perceived stress, and weight loss to determine whether the two intervention components are effective alone or are more effective when combined. Fifty-three overweight participants (98% female) who reported elevated levels of stress and stress-eating and were at risk for obesity were randomly assigned to one of three six-week interventions: a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) intervention, a cognitive behavioral stress-eating intervention (SEI), and a combined intervention that included all MBSR and SEI components. All three interventions significantly reduced perceived stress and stress-eating, but the combination intervention resulted in greater reductions and also produced a moderate effect on short term weight loss. Benefits persisted at six week follow-up.The pattern of results preliminarily suggests that the combination intervention (MBSR+SEI) may yield promise in the treatment of stress-related eating.
Postoperative Refraction in the Second Eye Having Cataract Surgery

Introduction. Previous cataract surgery studies assumed that first-eye predicted and observed postoperative refractions are equally important for predicting second-eye postoperative refraction. Methods. In a retrospective analysis of 173 patients having bilateral sequential phacoemulsification, multivariable linear regression was used to predict the second-eye postoperative refraction based on refractions predicted by the SRK-T formula for both eyes, the first-eye postoperative refraction, and the difference in IOL selected between eyes. Results. The first-eye observed postoperative refraction was an independent predictor of the second eye postoperative refraction (P < 0.001) and was weighted more heavily than the first-eye predicted refraction. Compared with the SRK-T formula, this model reduced the root-mean-squared (RMS) error of the predicted refraction by 11.3%. Conclusions. The first-eye postoperative refraction is an independent predictor of the second-eye postoperative refraction. The first-eye predicted refraction is less important. These findings may be due to interocular symmetry.
The Effects of Poverty Environments on Elders' Subjective Well-being: A Conceptual Model

This article presents a conceptual model, the Urban Ecological Model of Aging, to be used by researchers to assess the impact of living in neighborhoods of concentrated and prolonged poverty on elderly residential satisfaction and subjective well-being. Specifically, the suprapersonal environment characteristics, or aggregated people characteristics, of impoverished urban neighborhoods are explicated and included in a predictive model of community-dwelling elders' affective state, i.e., positive and negative affect. Demographic and personal characteristics are also included in the model as predictors.
State expenditure from a Marxist perspective

Abstract An overview of a Marxist approach to the theory of State expenditure is presented. This theory locates the problem of State expenditure in relation to the development of capitalism, without falling into reductionist or functionalist formulations. Military spending, education, and welfare and unemployment compensation are used as examples. The uneven development of capital and the growing problem of capitalist crisis offer an explanation of the recent growth of State expenditures in advanced capitalist countries. The neoclassical account of public spending overlooks links between State spending and capitalist production that the Marxist approach illuminates.
Pineal function in hamsters bearing melatonin antibodies.

Abstract Adult male hamsters were immunized with a melatonin-thyroglobulin conjugate emulsified in Freund's adjuvant; control animals were injected with Freund's adjuvant only or were untreated. Blinding of control animals resulted in marked testicular atrophy. The testes of sighted, antibody-bearing hamsters exhibited testicular atrophy and blinding appeared to exacerbate the degree of involution. These results suggest that the pineal gland may secrete a substance which, under conditions of diminished or absent circulating levels of biologically active melatonin, is antigonadotropic and whose secretion may be enhanced by dark-induced stimulation of the pineal gland.
In vivo aromatization of [3H]testosterone in high and low mating lines of Japanese quail.

Abstract Japanese quail selected bidirectionally for adult mating frequency were utilized to study in vivo aromatization of testosterone (T) in relation to masculine copulatory behavior. Functionally castrated high (HM) and low mating (LM) line quail were injected with 75 μCi of [3H]T. One hour after the injection, all radioactivity recovered in telencephalic-diencephalic brain tissue was in the form of T, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or estradiol (E2). Neither the total 3H nor the [3H]T metabolite radioactivity differed between the two genetic lines. Of all [3H]T metabolite radioactivity, [3H]E2 represented 45 ± 6% in the HM line and 46 ± 6% in the LM line, indicating that the line difference in mating frequency was not due to a corresponding difference in aromatase activity. Inasmuch as both the HM and LM line birds actively converted T to E2, these results implicate a neural mechanism involving E2-receptor interactions as the cause of the behavioral differences between the HM and LM lines.
Elucidating tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway using a functional gene identification approach.

Functional identification of genes is an efficient way to study many biological processes in lower eukaryotes. However, an effective approach in mammalian cells is still under development. We designed a functional gene identification procedure and applied it in a study of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-induced cell killing. This procedure employed a specially designed retroviral vector that allows random truncation of genes, efficiently selecting clones in which a gene was disrupted and quickly identifying disrupted genes. We have identified several novel genes by a preliminary test of this approach and confirmed by reconttitution that the genes we identified are required for TNF cytotoxicity in L929 cells. Because of the efficient identification of these components in TNF-induced cell killing, we have already been able to outline the killing pathway of TNF in L929 cells. Application of this method could be widespread because it can be used in studying any cellular responses if a specific selection assay can be set up.
THE STRENGTHENING MECHANISM IN NEUTRON IRRADIATED COPPER SINGLE CRYSTALS AFTER MILD ANNEALING.

Abstract The thermally activated rate controlling mechanism for slip in neutron irradiated copper single crystals given post-irradiation annealing at 306°C has been investigated. Measurements are made of the temperature dependence of the flow stress at constant strain rate, and the strain rate dependence of the flow stress at constant temperature. The activation enthalpy for slip is determined as a function of effective stress, and the results indicate that H0, the enthalpy at zero effective stress, is independent of the annealing at 306°C. The stress dependence of both the activation enthalpy and the activation volume in the post-irradiation annealed crystals is in agreement with Fleischer's theory for strengthening by tetragonal distortions. A low temperature athermal deformation process is observed in these crystals, and this observation helps to explain some of the previous conclusions regarding the deformation mechanism in post-irradiation annealed crystals. It is concluded that the post-irradiation annealing at 306°C does not change the thermally activated rate controlling slip mechanism. In addition, the effective obstacle size remains constant, independent of the annealing.
Nitrogen Diluted Jet Flames in the Presence of Coflowing Air

The purpose of this study is to observe methane jet flames under varying levels of nitrogen dilution and coflowing air. The jet flames were examined in order to determine the conditions for which liftoff and blowout occur under conditions that strain the flame. Methane flow rates were varied, corresponding to intermediate lifted positions to blowout. A sequence of images were taken at each level of dilution and coflow, and were used to determine the lowest radial and axial position of the flammability limit. These flammability regions were compared to the lean flammability limit. It was observed that flame shape and liftoff were considerably more influenced by the effects of the coflowing air compared to the presence of the diluents, and that flames under coflow lost the trailing diffusion flame earlier, which has been shown to be a marker for flame blowout.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Endothelial Glycocalyx: Permeability Barrier and Mechanosensor

Endothelial cells are covered with a polysaccharide rich layer more than 400 nm thick, mechanical properties of which limit access of circulating plasma components to endothelial cell membranes. The barrier properties of this endothelial surface layer are deduced from the rate of tracer penetration into the layer and the mechanics of red and white cell movement through capillary microvessels. This review compares the mechanosensor and permeability properties of an inner layer (100-150 nm, close to the endothelial membrane) characterized as a quasi-periodic structure which accounts for key aspects of transvascular exchange and vascular permeability with those of the whole endothelial surface layers. We conclude that many of the barrier properties of the whole surface layer are not representative of the primary fiber matrix forming the molecular filter determining transvascular exchange. The differences between the properties of the whole layer and the inner glycocalyx structures likely reflect dynamic aspects of the endothelial surface layer including tracer binding to specific components, synthesis and degradation of key components, activation of signaling pathways in the endothelial cells when components of the surface layer are lost or degraded, and the spatial distribution of adhesion proteins in microdomains of the endothelial cell membrane.