cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decaying dark matter mimicking time-varying dark energy

A {Lambda}CDM model with dark matter that decays into inert relativistic energy on a time scale longer than the Hubble time will produce an expansion history that can be misinterpreted as stable dark matter with time-varying dark energy. We calculate the corresponding spurious equation of state parameter, w-tilde{sub {phi}}, as a function of redshift, and show that the evolution of w-tilde{sub {phi}} depends strongly on the assumed value of the dark-matter density, erroneously taken to scale as a{sup -3}. Depending on the latter, one can obtain models that mimic quintessence (w-tilde{sub {phi}>}-1), phantom models (w-tilde{sub {phi} }-1 at high redshift to w-tilde{sub {phi}<}-1 at low redshift. All of these models generically converge toward w-tilde{sub {phi}{approx_equal}-}1 at the present. The degeneracy between the {Lambda}CDM model with decaying dark matter and the corresponding spurious quintessence model is broken by the growth of density perturbations.
Pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas: A review of nine cases

Nine cases of pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma of the pancreas collected over a 26-year period are analyzed. The tumor presents a distinctive histology. The head of the pancreas appears to be the predominant site of the lesions in this study, and the cell origin is considered to be the ductal epithelium. Its clinical manifestation and rapid, fatal course of usually two months are almost indistinguishable from the more conventional pancreatic adenocarcinoma.
Searching for the stego-key

Steganalysis in the wide sense consists of first identifying suspicious objects and then further analysis during which we try to identify the steganographic scheme used for embedding, recover the stego key, and finally extract the hidden message. In this paper, we present a methodology for identifying the stego key in key-dependent steganographic schemes. Previous approaches for stego key search were exhaustive searches looking for some recognizable structure (e.g., header) in the extracted bit-stream. However, if the message is encrypted, the search will become much more expensive because for each stego key, all possible encryption keys would have to be tested. In this paper, we show that for a very wide range of steganographic schemes, the complexity of the stego key search is determined only by the size of the stego key space and is independent of the encryption algorithm. The correct stego key can be determined through an exhaustive stego key search by quantifying statistical properties of samples along portions of the embedding path. The correct stego key is then identified by an outlier sample distribution. Although the search methodology is applicable to virtually all steganographic schemes, in this paper we focus on JPEG steganography. Search techniques for spatial steganographic techniques are treated in our upcoming paper.
Resistance to Telodrin in the German Cockroach, Blattella germanica

Four strains of the German cockroach have been exposed to Telodrin® (1,3,4,5,6,7,R,8-octachloro-1,3,3a, 4, 7, 7a-hexahydro- 4, 7-methanoisobenzofuran) to determine if cross resistance to this material exists. The insects were exposed to the toxicant under standard conditions by a dipping technique. It has been shown that strains possessing resistance to DDT and/or the cyclodiene insecticides have cross resistance to Telodrin. In two strains the level of cross resistance was 100-fold or greater at LC50..
Immunochemical visualization and identification of rat liver proteins adducted by 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (BHT)

Several alkylphenols (e.g., 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol, BHT) form reactive quinone methide intermediates (e.g., 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylene-2,5-cyclohexadienone, BHT-QM) upon oxidation by cellular enzymes. In order to pursue the role of protein alkylation in alkylphenol toxicity, we used an immunochemical approach to identify protein targets alkylated by BHT. Synthetic BHT-N-acetylcysteine (BHT-NAC) was coupled to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and used as an antigen from which polyclonal antibodies were raised in New Zealand white rabbits. Rabbit serum contained an antibody which was highly specific for BHT-NAC, as determined by competitive ELISA. The BHT antibody was used as a probe to look for the presence of BHT-protein adducts in in vitro incubations with rat liver microsomes or tissue slices and also in vivo in liver tissue from male Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to BHT. Western blotting of protein gels revealed BHT-dependent protein alkylation over a wide molecular weight range. Prominent recurrent bands were observed at approximately 34.5, 52, 64.5, 74, and 97 kDa. Detection of adducts was inhibited in microsomal incubations by cytochrome P450 inhibitors, deuterated BHT, and the omission of NADPH. Similar protein alkylation patterns were observed in rat liver microsomes exposed to synthetically prepared BHT-QM as in the enzyme-mediated incubations. In rats gavaged with up to 1000 mg/kg BHT, the amount of protein alkylation observed was maximal at 24 h postdosing and was dose-dependent. Two alkylated proteins were isolated and identified by N-terminal sequencing: a mitochondrial beta-oxidation enzyme, enoyl-CoA hydratase, and a plasma membrane/cytoskeletal linker protein from the ezrin/moesin/radixin family.
The regulatory roles of the galactose permease and kinase in the induction response of the GAL network in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The GAL genetic switch of Saccharomyces cerevisiae exhibits an ultrasensitive response to the inducer galactose as well as the "all-or-none" behavior characteristic of many eukaryotic regulatory networks. We have constructed a strain that allows intermediate levels of gene expression from a tunable GAL1 promoter at both the population and the single cell level by altering the regulation of the galactose permease Gal2p. Similar modifications to other feedback loops regulating the Gal80p repressor and the Gal3p signaling protein did not result in similarly tuned responses, indicating that the level of inducer transport is unique in its ability to control the switch response of the network. In addition, removal of the Gal1p galactokinase from the network resulted in a regimed response due to the dual role of this enzyme in galactose catabolism and transport. These two activities have competing effects on the response of the network to galactose such that the transport effects of Gal1p are dominant at low galactose concentrations, whereas its catabolic effects are dominant at high galactose concentrations. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed the unexpected phenomenon of multiple populations in the gal1{Delta} strains, which were not present in the isogenic GAL1 background. This result indicates that Gal1p may play a previously undescribed role in the stability of the GAL network response.
Multiplex transport and detection of cytokines using kinesin-driven molecular shuttles.

The application of biomolecular active transport systems offers a potential route for downscaling multiple analyte assays for lab-on-a-chip applications. Recently, the capture and transport of a wide range of target analytes including proteins, virus particles, and DNA have been demonstrated using kinesin-driven molecular shuttles. The molecular shuttles consisted of microtubule (MT) filaments that were functionalized with either analyte-selective antibodies or complementary DNA, thus facilitating selective target capture and transport. In the present work, we have applied this microfluidic platform for the simultaneous detection of multiple target protein analytes. Multiplexing of molecular shuttles was achieved by immobilizing biotinylated antibodies against interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on biotinylated MTs using a streptavidin bridge. Nanocrystal quantum dots of different sizes and spectral emissions were functionalized with IL-2 and TNF-α antibodies to facilitate multiplexed detection. In this paper we discuss the results of selectivity and motility in single and multiplexed assays.
Augmenting motion sensing to improve detection of periods of unusual inactivity

Two sensing options are examined for their potential to improve the sensitivity of a system that detects periods of inactivity in the homes of elderly persons. A previous prototype used passive infrared motion sensors and door sensors combined with a learning algorithm to detect periods of unusual inactivity such as late wake-ups or the aftermath of a fall. This system worked as intended but suffered from low sensitivity, especially at nighttime, since the motion sensors were not able to distinguish a fall in the bedroom from a person getting into bed. Experiments with a worn accelerometer and with bed and chair occupancy sensors suggest that both can dramatically improve system sensitivity. The optimal solution may depend on the users' activity level, living area size, and willingness to wear a device.
Marine corrinoid-binding proteins for the direct determination of vitamin B12 by radioassay.

Abstract Under conditions of vitamin B12 deficiency the marine phytoplankton Thalassiosira pseudonana secretes into the growth medium a protein (Gm protein) that binds B12 specifically with an affinity constant of 2 × 1011 M−1. When Gm protein was used as a B12-specific binder in radioassays for the direct determination of the vitamin, the detection limit of the technique approached 5 pg B12/mL. In its natural state, Gm protein is oligomeric having molecular weight of over 400 kDa. Modification of the solution environment of this protein produces unique changes in its tertiary and quaternary structure. The amino acid and submit composition of the protein is reported.
The equivalence of Side-Angle-Side with Side-Side-Side and the general triangle inequality in the absolute plane

We show that if we start with an absolute plane, remove Side-Angle-Side as an axiom, and replace it with Side-Side-Side together with a weakened version of the triangle inequality as new axioms, then the new resulting axiom system is also an absolute plane. In particular, we show that Side-Angle-Side still holds in the new axiom system. In addition, we give a new proof of the two-circle theorem which does not depend on Side-Angle-Side, but instead uses Side-Side-Side and the weakened version of the triangle inequality.
The contact interface of a 120 kD CheA-CheW complex by methyl TROSY interaction spectroscopy.

During bacterial chemotaxis, the histidine autokinase CheA interacts with the chemotaxis receptors with the help of the coupling protein CheW. This interaction is typical of many macromolecular complexes where protein−protein interactions play an important role. In this case, a relatively small protein, CheW, becomes part of a much larger complex. Here we describe a new method to map the residues at a protein−protein interface for macromolecular complexes of molecular weight greater than 100 kD.
Simple fragment size and shape distribution formulae for explosively fragmenting munitions

Abstract Explosively fragmenting munitions produce complex loads on nearby targets. To characterize these loads, one needs a description of the fragment size, shape, and velocity distributions. This paper reviews current predictive theories and models for these distributions, and derives simpler but equally valid formulae for them. Correlations of the simpler formulae with fragment aspect ratio data from 1 50 th and 1 6 th scale BLU-109 experiments, and 1 5 th scale AN-Mk 1 AP 1600 bomb experiments, show promising agreement between the data and predictions. The above formulae predict approximate replica scaling behavior for the fragment size, shape, and velocity distributions, and therefore imply that a few small scale fragmentation tests would be sufficient to characterize a munition's fragmentation behavior at full scale. It is recommended that the above formulae be further tested against additional arena test data for a range of scales and steel properties.
Persistent diel rhythms in the chlorophyll fluorescence of marine phytoplankton species

The diel periodicities of in-vivo chlorophyll fluorescence and DCMU-enhanced chlorophyll fluorescence of 47 marine phytoplankton species were examined for 2 d in a 14 h L:10 h D light: dark cycle and then in continous light for another 2 to 3 d. Almost all phytoplankton species exhibit a more rapid increase in in-vivo fluorescence and DCMU-enhanced fluorescence during the light phase than during the dark phase. About one-half of the species examined exhibited persistent diel rhythms in continous light, indicating the operation of a biological clock. No phylogenetic or habitat related trends as to which species exhibited persistent rhythms were apparent. Of the phyla of eukaryotic phytoplankton adequately examined, none lacked biological clocks. Contrary to past hypotheses, some phytoplankton species maintain a persistent diel rhythm in a constant environment while reproducing at a rate greater than one division per day.
Separation of epidermal cells by density gradient centrifugation on a continuous colloidal silica (Percoll) gradient.

Abstract The epidermis, which is composed mainly of keratinocytes, undergoes continual proliferation and differentiation. Beginning as a basal cell, the keratinocyte matures and ascends through the spinous cell, granular cell, and horny cell layers. To study keratinocyte differentiation in vitro , it is necessary to separate the keratinocytes at their successive stages of maturation. A method for separation of epidermal keratinocytes is reported here. The method utilizes centrifugation on a continuous colloidal silica (Percoll) density gradient, which separates the keratinocytes according to their inherent density. The resulting arrangement of the keratinocytes in the centrifuge tube generally corresponds to their arrangement in situ , with basal cells at the bottom and the more differentiated cells above. There is a continuous decrease in the nuclear:cytoplasm ratio of keratinocytes as the cells mature. Using this technique, it was shown that the decrease in the nuclear:cytoplasm ratio corresponds to decreasing density of keratinocytes as they mature. Using hematoxylin and eosin staining and electron microscopic studies, it was shown that relatively pure fractions of basal cells, spinous cells, and granular cells are obtained by this method. The method is simple and reproducible, and should greatly facilitate biochemical analyses of the various maturation steps of epidermal keratinocytes.
The appropriateness of coronary artery bypass graft surgery in academic medical centers

Objective: To compare the appropriateness of use of coronary artery bypass graft [CABG] surgery in Academic Medical Center Consortium hospitals as judged 1) according to criteria developed by an ex...
Basic properties of auditory-nerve responses from a "simple' ear: the basilar papilla of the frog.

Abstract Spike discharges initiated by mammalian inner hair cells are produced by a complicated system involving both mechanical and neural components that normally operate in a bi-directional configuration involving multiple feedback loops. In contrast, the frog basilar papilla has the equivalent of inner hair cells, but lacks outer hair cells; it has no efferent system, and no basilar membrane. This suggests that the frog basilar papilla lacks some of the mechanical and neural feedback paths characteristic of the mammalian system. Detailed measurements of tuning curves, spontaneous activity and responses to tones an clicks reveal large parametric differences between frog and mammals in spontaneous rate, absolute refractory time, long-term adaptation and phase locking. Responses to tone bursts are qualitatively similar, but parametrically quite different. More focused examinations of these effects will be able to exploit the differences in morphology between mammals and frogs. For example, in the mammalian case, differences in adaptation to long- versus short-duration stimuli could be caused by depletion of afferent neurotransmitter or by activation of feedback loops involving the efferent system. In the basilar papilla, any differences in adaptation must result from changes in the afferent pathway alone.
The Potentiation of Erythromycin and Oxytetracycline Activity in Birds by Means of Terephthalic Acid

Abstract In a previous report, Peterson (1958), the inclusion of terephthalic acid (TPA) in a poultry feed was shown to potentiate the blood sera concentration of chlortetracycline (aureomycin) in chickens slightly more than four times, and was associated also with a four fold increase in clinical activity as measured against experimental cecal coccidiosis. The optimum concentration of TPA was estimated to be approximately 0.5 percent addition to the feed. The studies have been extended to include observations on the potentiation of erythromycin and oxytetracycline (terramycin), and to determine with greater precision the optimum feed concentration of TPA necessary for maximum potentiating effect. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND RESULTS Chicks from two to three weeks of age were medicated with arbitrary concentrations of the test antibiotic in a standard starter mash with and without the addition of TPA, and infected 24 hours later with cecal coccidiosis (Eimeria tenella). The birds were weighed at the …
Policy concerns in Bulgarian food distribution

The Bulgarian food distribution system, like those of its Central and East European neighbours, lags behind the West in critical performance areas. Previous research quantified Central and East European food distribution deficiencies on the basis of a five factor model. This study investigates the attitudes of 250 Bulgarian consumers using these same five factors: food processing, quality, cost, availability and retailing. The findings show that the Bulgarian food distribution system does not satisfy consumer wants as well as do systems in other former communist countries in four of the five factors. At the same time, Bulgarian consumers are more satisfied than UK and US consumers in the system's ability to make some foods available. The study also shows that Bulgarian consumers who use privatised shops perceive the system more positively than those who use state and cooperative outlets. The implications of these and other findings are discussed in terms of critical policy concerns for government and industry stakeholders.
Finding protein thermostability and spin-coupling constant using Bayesian statistics

This paper outlines the use of Bayesian statistics to find the thermostability and spin-coupling constant of protein. Thermostability is an important factor in protein efficacy; modeling it lets us find the mutation temperature of a protein. This is important since the temperature affects protein function. The spin-coupling constant provides high-level structure information about bond angles and rotation in a protein. We have used Bayesian statistics (MCMC) to find the unknown parameters for these two models. Predictive models using the parameters found with this method show good results.
Entropy of systems with internal variables

Two entropy functions are currently in use: the thermostatic entropy, defined by Caratheodory's theory, and the thermodynamic entropy, defined by the theory of irreversible processes. Both entropy concepts are confined to systems without internal variables, and both can be shown to be equal by substituting the respective balance of internal energy to which they are related by the integrating factor, 1/Θ. When irreversible internal phenomena are present, represented by internal coordinates and their conjugate affinities, they become part of the entropy production, but not of the energy balance, and the two entropies are no longer equal. It has been shown in the literature that by multiplication by a second integrating factor, an extended entropy function for systems with internal variables can be derived. It is the purpose of this paper to present a method for the determination of this integrating factor. Under certain conditions, the latter may be unity; such is shown to be the case with the Gibbs equation for gas mixtures.
Static shake-flask biotransformation of endothall

Laboratory biotransformation and biodegradation rate coefficients were determined for the aquatic herbicide, endothall. Concentrations of 0.5, 2.0 and 4.0 mg l−1 endothall were employed in a static shake-flask test containing reservoir water. A pseudo-first-order biotransformation rate coefficient of 0.083 day−1 and an aqueous half-life of 8.45 days were calculated for endothall from this study. Test results support endothall as an environmentally labile aquatic herbicide with respect to biotransformation which suggests that an adequate margin of safety exists for endothall application in aquatic environments.
Measurement of plasma vanillylmandelic acid by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Abstract A liquid chromatographic method with electrochemical detection is described for measuring plasma 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid (VMA). Plasma is deproteinized by gel filtration and VMA is extracted into ethyl acetate, which is evaporated. VMA is oxidized to vanillin, which is purified by toluene extraction and quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The recovery of VMA through the entire procedure is 52 ± 10% (mean ± S.D., n = 19). The plasma VMA concentration in healthy young volunteers varies between 4.39 and 14.6 ng/ml, a range that is in excellent agreement with data obtained with mass fragmentography.
Zeolitic Imidazole Framework-8 Catalysts in the Conversion of CO2 to Chloropropene Carbonate

The catalytic activity of zeolitic imidazole framework-8 (ZIF-8) and amine-functionalized ZIF-8 catalysts in the synthesis of chloropropene carbonate from CO2 and epichlorohydrin is demonstrated. In contrast to hitherto known catalysts, ZIF-8 catalysts displayed high epoxide conversions and moderate to high selectivities to chloropropene carbonate at reaction temperatures as low as 70 °C. No cocatalysts or solvents were required during the reaction. The incorporation of ethylenediamine in ZIF-8 enhanced its catalytic performance as a result of the higher CO2 adsorption capacity of the amine-functionalized samples. The ZIF-8 catalysts, however, lost their distinctive crystalline structure and superior catalytic performance when attempts were made to recycle them after use.
Nucleation fields of permanent magnets

Theories and experiments relating to reverse-domain nucleation and coercivity in hard magnetic materials are reviewed.
Regulation of the Ca2+ Gradient Across the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum in Perfused Rabbit Heart A 19F Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Study

Abstract —Myocardial contractility depends on Ca2+ release from and uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The Ca2+ gradient between the SR matrix and the cytosol (SR Ca2+ gradient) is maintained by the SR Ca2+-ATPase using the free energy available from hydrolysis of ATP. The activity of the SR Ca2+-ATPase is not only dependent on the energy state of the cell but is also kinetically regulated by SR proteins such as phospholamban. To evaluate the importance of thermodynamic and kinetic regulation of the SR Ca2+ gradient, we examined the relationship between the energy available from ATP hydrolysis (ΔGATP) and the energy required for maintenance of the SR Ca2+ gradient (ΔGCa2+SR) during physiological and pathological manipulations that alter ΔGATP and the phosphorylation state of phospholamban. We used our previously developed 19F nuclear magnetic resonance method to measure the ionized [Ca2+] in the SR of Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts. We found that addition of either pyruvate or isoproterenol resulted in an increase in left ventricular developed pressure and an increase in [Ca2+]SR. Pyruvate increased ΔGATP, and the increase in the SR Ca2+ gradient was matched to the increase in ΔGATP; ΔGATP increased from 58.3±0.5 to 60.4±1.0 kJ/mol ( P <0.05), and ΔGCa2+SR increased from 47.1±0.3 to 48.5±0.1 kJ/mol ( P <0.05). In contrast, the increase in the SR Ca2+ gradient in the presence of isoproterenol occurred despite a decline in ΔGATP from 58.3±0.5 to 55.8±0.6 kJ/mol. Thus, the data indicate that the SR Ca2+ gradient can be increased by an increase in ΔGATP, and that the positive inotropic effect of pyruvate can be explained by improved energy-linked SR Ca2+ handling, whereas the results with isoproterenol are consistent with removal of the kinetic limitation of phospholamban on the activity of the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase, which allows the SR Ca2+ gradient to move closer to its thermodynamic limit. Ischemia decreases ΔGATP, and this should also have an effect on SR Ca2+ handling. During 30 minutes of ischemia, ΔGATP decreased by 12 kJ/mol, but the decrease in ΔGCa2+SR was 16 kJ/mol, greater than would be predicted by the fall in ΔGATP and consistent with increased SR Ca2+ release and increased SR Ca2+ cycling. Because ischemic preconditioning is reported to decrease SR Ca2+ cycling during a subsequent sustained period of ischemia, we examined whether ischemic preconditioning affects the relationship between the fall in ΔGATP and the fall in ΔGCa2+SR during ischemia. We found that preconditioning attenuated the fall in ΔGCa2+SR during ischemia; the fall in ΔGCa2+SR was of comparable magnitude to the fall in ΔGATP, and this was associated with a significant improvement in functional recovery during reperfusion. The data suggest that there is both thermodynamic regulation of the SR Ca2+ gradient by ΔGATP and kinetic regulation, which can alter the relationship between ΔGATP and ΔGCa2+SR.
Stretching the blanket: Legal reforms affecting child witnesses

Abstract The author presents an overview of the changes in the rules of evidence that now govern criminal prosecutions of child sexual abuse and civil proceedings. The United States Supreme Court has issued six decisions that profoundly affect the receipt of children's testimony and expert testimony assaying the reliability of children's reported experiences. These cases as well as the Michaels prosecution in New Jersey have been catalysts for reform, exposing the pretrial investigative processes as the critical determinant of the reliability of trial evidence from children. She concludes that the next frontier is the application of social science research to the shaping of legislative standards and administrative guidelines aimed at minimizing the contamination of children's testimony during the pretrial staging of litigation.
Burkitt cell leukemia following therapy for Hodgkin disease.

Two adults with advanced Hodgkin disease — one treated with combination chemotherapy, and one with chemotherapy and radiation therapy — developed Burkitt cell leukemia four and seven years after diagnosis, proved by cytochemical and ultrastructural study. Acute lymphocytic leukemia must be considered in the evaluation of therapy-related leukemias.
Automated deduction in von Neumann-Bernays-Go¨del set theory

I present a new clausal version of NGB set theory, and compare my version with that first given by Boyer et al. [4]. A complete set of reductions for Boolean rings is given, derived from those of Hsiang [7]. I list over 400 theorems proved semiautomatically in elementary set theory, and supply the proofs of several of these, including Cantor's theorem. I present a semiautomated proof that the composition of homomorphisms is a homomorphism, thus solving a challenge problem given in [4]. Using the clauses and heuristics presented, there is no apparent obstacle to the semiautomated development of set theory through considerably more difficult theorems.
Mass spectrometer characterization of reactions in photoresists exposed to extreme ultraviolet radiation

The development of resists that meet the requirements for resolution, line edge roughness and sensitivity remains one of the challenges for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Two important processes that contribute to the lithographic performance of EUV resists involve the efficient decomposition of a photoacid generator (PAG) to yield a catalytic acid and the subsequent deprotection of the polymer in the resist film. We investigate these processes by monitoring the trends produced by specific masses outgassing from resists following EUV exposure and present our initial results. The resists tested are based on ESCAP polymer and either bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)iodonium perfluoro-1-butanesulfonate or bis(4-tert-butylphenyl)iodonium triflate. The components originating from the PAG were monitored at various EUV exposure doses while the deprotection of the polymer was monitored by baking the resist in vacuum and detecting the cleaved by-product from the polymer with an Extrel quadruple mass spectrometer.
The Influence of Professional License Type on the Outcome of Family Therapy

While research documents the effectiveness of marriage and family therapy (MFT) as a clinical practice, few studies have focused on the MFT profession. This study examined the influence of the MFT license on family therapy treatment effectiveness. Outcome measures included treatment dropouts, recidivism, and cost effectiveness. Data spanning 2001 to 2004 from CIGNA, a health care insurer in the United States, was examined. Provider types compared included medical doctors (MDs), nurses, psychologists, social workers, professional counselors, and marriage and family therapists. MFTs had the lowest dropout rates and recidivism and were more cost effective than psychologists, MDs, and nurses.
Mutation scan of the D1 dopamine receptor gene in 22 cases of bipolar I disorder.

In a previous study we found suggestive evidence of linkage between manic-depressive illness (MDI) in eight multiplex pedigrees and D5S62, a DNA marker mapping to the telomeric region of 5q. As the D1 dopamine receptor gene (DRDI) maps to this region and as alterations in dopaminergic neurotransmission have been indirectly implicated in the pathogenesis of MDI, we directly searched for mutations in the coding region of the DRDI gene in 22 unrelated cases of bipolar I (BPI) disorder derived from multiplex families. Using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, we did not observe any abnormal SSCP variants in the BPI cases that differed from controls. 30 refs., 1 fig.
Plasma-wave generation in the beat-wave accelerator.

We analytically study the generation of longitudinal plasma waves in an underdense plasma by two electromagnetic waves with frequency difference approximately equal to the plasma frequency, as envisioned in the plasma beat-wave accelerator concept of Tajima and Dawson (Phys. Rev. Lett. 43, 267 (1979)). The relativistic electron fluid equations describing driven electron oscillations with phase velocities near the speed of light in a cold, collisionless plasma are reduced to a single, approximate ordinary differential equation of a parametrically excited nonlinear oscillator. We give amplitude-phase equations describing the asymptotic solutions to this equation valid for plasma-wave amplitudes below wave breaking. We numerically compare the behavior of the asymptotic equations with that of the original equation and with particle-simulation results.
Incorporation of coal combustion residuals into calcium sulfoaluminate-belite cement clinkers

Abstract In recent years, calcium sulfoaluminate-belite (CSAB) cement has been promoted as a sustainable alternative to Portland cement due to lower energy used and less CO2 emitted during production, while providing comparable performance. However, a potential problem facing the widespread adoption and production of CSAB cement is the cost and availability of raw materials and it is therefore desirable to find alternative raw materials to keep costs competitive. In this study, two CSAB cement clinkers with a similar target phase composition were synthesized from combinations of natural and waste materials (coal combustion residuals). The two CSAB cement clinkers were compared against a CSAB clinker made from reagent-grade chemicals, enabling examination of the effects of impurities on performance. Cements made from the clinkers were examined for hydration rate, hydration product formation, dimensional stability, and compressive strength.
Assessment of coronary flow reserve and microcirculation: A clinical perspective

Myocardial perfusion imaging remains a powerful tool for evaluating the entire spectrum of severity in the natural history of coronary atherosclerosis. Although measures of ischemic burden (ie, perfusion defects) remain the primary endpoint of interest in the noninvasive evaluation of obstructive CAD, measures of MBF and coronary vasodilator reserve may be better suited for delineating populations at risk in preclinical stages of atherosclerosis. The data presented above demonstrate the value of measures of coronary vasodilator function for early detection of patients at risk for CAD and for monitoring the effects of therapeutic interventions. Detection of patients at risk may offer an opportunity for early medical intervention aimed at halting the progression of atherogenesis and ultimately lead to a reduction in cardiovascular events.
Penetration of vacuum deposited silver into octadecanethiol self-assembled monolayers studied with ISS

Abstract A study of the penetration of evaporated silver overlayers into an organized molecular assembly (OMA) of octadecanethiol (ODT)-CH 3 (CH 2 ) 17 SH self-assembled onto a gold substrate was conducted at room temperature using ISS. Spectra taken immediately after deposition show a concentration of silver at the surface of the OMA. Spectra taken after one hour after deposition of the silver show a decrease in the concentration of silver at the OMA surface. ISS spectra show no silver at the OMA surface after 16 h and a concentration of silver at the gold/thiol interface. These results not only confirm the previous work of Tarlov [Langmuir 8 (1992) 80], but also bracket the limits on the rate of penetration of the deposited silver through the ODT OMA.
Protein Digestibility Coefficients for Yearling Channel Catfish Fed High Protein Feedstuffs

Abstract Yearling (1 +) channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) were held in a regulated environment and fed high protein feedstuffs to determine apparent crude protein digestibility coefficients (ACPD). ACPD was determined by feeding semi-purified diets containing a sufficient non-protein energy source and substituting the test feedstuff at an isonitrogenous level. Feedstuffs tested were corn gluten meal, peanut meal, poultry by-product meal, soybean meal, menhaden fish meal, blood meal, and meat and bone meal. ACPD values ranged from 92% for corn gluten meal to 65% for poultry by-product meal. Mean ACPD from plant sources was higher than the mean ACPD from animal sources but may be an artifact of the feedstuffs tested.
SU-GG-J-148: Evaluation of Performance of a Conceptual Time-Resolved Proton Range Telescope for In-Room Respiration Monitoring Using Monte Carlo Simulations and 4DCT Patient Data

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility to perform and optimize a time‐resolved proton range telescope (TRRT) in localization of moving lungtumors and quantification of proton range variations. Method: A TRRT is designed to detect transmission protons and provide a fluoroscopic image showing tumor location and range perturbations prior to or during treatment. MCNPX code with a particle‐tracking feature was used to simulate and evaluate the TRRT performance, especially in visualizing and quantifying the proton range variations during respiration. Monoenergetic protons, 235 MeV in a 15cm × 15cm field, were tracked one by one as they pass through position detectors, 4DCT phantom, and finally scintillators that measured position and residual energies. Mass density and elemental composition of tissues were defined from a set of 4DCT of a lung patient. Radiological pathlength in the patient was determined by an energy‐range algorithm. Effects of multiple Coulomb scattering on image quality were determined by comparison with a pure ray‐tracing algorithm in Aqualyzer. Results: Interesting water equivalent length (WEL) maps for 10 respiratory phases were obtained to form fluoroscopic sequences. Appropriate color‐map windowing was used to visualize and measure tumor trajectories. The tumor trajectory extracted from the proton fluoroscopic simulation agreed with ground‐truth established by 4DCT to about 1mm. WEL difference maps were reconstructed to quantify respiration‐induced range changes. The maximum proton range pullback for the tumor target was measured to be 2.29 cm. Rejection of wide angle scatter events was found to effectively sharpen the image. Clinical applications to track the tumor during proton therapy using the range telescope are discussed. Conclusion: The performance of a TRRT is systematically studied and demonstrated by Monte Carlo simulations. When parameters are optimized, localization of a 2cm tumor is possible with an accuracy of about 1mm. Technical requirements for an operational device are discussed, including GPU acceleration.
Succinyl Coenzyme A Synthetase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a Broad Specificity for Nucleoside Triphosphate (NTP) Synthesis Modulates Specificity for NTP Synthesis by the 12-Kilodalton Form of Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase

Pseudomonas aeruginosa secretes copious amounts of an exopolysaccharide called alginate during infection in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. A mutation in the algR2 gene of mucoid P. aeruginosa is known to exhibit a nonmucoid (nonalginate-producing) phenotype and showed reduced activities of succinyl-coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase (Scs) and nucleoside diphosphate kinase (Ndk), implying coregulation of Ndk and Scs in alginate synthesis. We have cloned and characterized the sucCD operon encoding the α and β subunits of Scs from P. aeruginosa and have studied the role of Scs in generating GTP, an important precursor in alginate synthesis. We demonstrate that, in the presence of GDP, Scs synthesizes GTP using ATP as the phosphodonor and, in the presence of ADP, Scs synthesizes ATP using GTP as a phosphodonor. In the presence of inorganic orthophosphate, succinyl-CoA, and an equimolar amount of ADP and GDP, Scs synthesizes essentially an equimolar amount of ATP and GTP. Such a mechanism of GTP synthesis can be an alternate source for the synthesis of alginate as well as for the synthesis of other macromolecules requiring GTP such as RNA and protein. Scs from P. aeruginosa is also shown to exhibit a broad NDP kinase activity. In the presence of inorganic orthophosphate (P i ), succinyl-CoA, and either GDP, ADP, UDP or CDP, it synthesizes GTP, ATP, UTP, or CTP. Scs was previously shown to copurify with Ndk, presumably as a complex. In mucoid cells of P. aeruginosa , Ndk is also known to exist in two forms, a 16-kDa cytoplasmic form predominant in the log phase and a 12-kDa membrane-associated form predominant in the stationary phase. We have observed that the 16-kDa Ndk-Scs complex present in nonmucoid cells, synthesizes all three of the nucleoside triphosphates from a mixture of GDP, UDP, and CDP, whereas the 12-kDa Ndk-Scs complex specifically present in mucoid cell predominantly synthesizes GTP and UTP but not CTP. Such regulation may promote GTP synthesis in the stationary phase when the bulk of alginate is synthesized by mucoid P. aeruginosa .
Negative symptom improvement during cognitive rehabilitation: results from a 2-year trial of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy.

Abstract Cognitive rehabilitation has shown beneficial effects on cognition in patients with schizophrenia, which may also help to improve negative symptoms due to overlapping pathophysiology between these two domains. To better understand the possible relationship between these areas, we conducted an exploratory analysis of the effects of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) on negative symptoms. Early course schizophrenia outpatients ( n =58) were randomized to 2 years of CET or an Enriched Supportive Therapy (EST) control condition. Results revealed significant and medium-sized ( d =0.61) differential improvements favoring CET in overall negative symptoms, particularly social withdrawal, affective flattening, and motor retardation. Neurocognitive improvement was associated with reduced negative symptoms in CET, but not EST patients. No relationships were observed between improvements in emotion processing aspects of social cognition, as measured by the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, and negative symptoms. CET represents an effective cognitive rehabilitation intervention for schizophrenia that may also have benefits to negative symptoms. Future studies specifically designed to examine negative symptoms during the course of cognitive rehabilitation are needed.
Civic Engagement From a Communication Infrastructure Perspective

The purpose of this study is to articulate the concepts and assumptions of communication infrastructure theory (CIT) in its present stage of development and validation. As an ecological approach to communication and community, CIT claims that access to storytelling community resources is a critical factor in civic engagement. When embedded in a neighborhood environment where key community storytellers encourage each other to talk about the neighborhood, individual residents are more likely to belong to their community, to have a strong sense of collective efficacy, and to participate in civic actions. CIT framework offers a way to examine the ecological processes that concern the effects of communication resources on civic community.
Interference effects of intralist word relationships in verbal learning

Summary Six paired-associate lists, four constructed on the basis of associative strength and two on the basis of semantic distance of pairs of response members, were studied with regard to amount of intralist interference. A control list with response members remotely related with respect to these two variables was used for comparison. The types of relationships between six experimental response words were: (1) antonyms, (2) coordinate words, (3) strong direct associates in free association which are neither antonyms nor coordinates, (4) words which are not strong associates but which have high proportions of common responses in a free-association test, (5) connotatively, as well as denotatively, similar words, and (6) only connotatively similar words. The results showed that among the four association lists, only the lists of strong associates and antonyms were more difficult than the control list. Of the two semanticdistnace lists, only the synonym list was more difficult than the control list. Learning the control list first facilitated the learning of an experimental list significantly more than vice versa. The value of associative strength and semantic distance as predictors of interferences in paired-associate learning was discussed.
Dopamine agonist treatment of tourette disorder in children: Results of an open‐label trial of pergolide

This exploratory study was meant to determine the effect of the dopamine (DA) agonist pergolide on Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) in children and adolescents and to ascertain correlates of pergolide response. Thirty-two outpatients, aged 7-19 years, were systemically assessed in a neuropsychiatric clinic for the presence of GTS and comorbid disorders. After a 6-week open-label, fixed-flexible dosing schedule, response to pergolide on standard GTS severity outcome measures was assessed. Overall, 75% of patients (24/32) had a > 50% drop in their tic severity rating from baseline with a mean treatment dosage of 177 +/- 61 micrograms/day. Highly significant (p = 0.0001) baseline to week 6 differences were demonstrated in all tic symptom measures. The presence of restless legs syndrome (RLS) comorbidity (59%) was highly associated with a positive response. These results suggest DA agonism as a strategy, and pergolide in particular, may be a practical form of therapy for GTS. Response predictors of patient comorbid RLS argue for its further study with regard to GTS.
Quality of life of asymptomatic men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer on androgen deprivation therapy.

Purpose: We evaluate the quality of life of asymptomatic men with nonmetastatic prostate cancer who receive androgen deprivation therapy.Materials and Methods: Quality of life was longitudinally evaluated in a cohort of 144 men with locally advanced prostate cancer or prostate specific antigen relapse after local therapy who chose to receive (79 patients) or not to receive (65 patients) androgen deprivation therapy. Androgen deprivation therapy consisted of orchiectomy, leuprolide alone or leuprolide plus flutamide. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to test the effect of different treatment regimens on patient quality of life.Results: Men who received androgen suppression had more fatigue, loss of energy, emotional distress and a lower overall quality of life than men who deferred hormone therapy. Combined androgen blockade had a greater adverse effect on quality of life than monotherapy.Conclusions: Androgen deprivation therapy may significantly impair the physical and emotional health of asympt...
An algorithm for quadrisection and its application to standard cell placement

An efficient heuristic for hypergraph quadrisection is presented. A placement technique for standard cells based on quadrisection is also discussed in detail. Results show this method to be much superior to min-cut bisection, yielding improvements of up to 20% in area. It also compares favorably with simulated annealing, yielding improvements in area for most of the circuits under test. The placer runs about 100 times faster than a simulated-annealing based placement package. >
SSR markers for marker assisted selection of root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) resistant plants in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L)

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) cultivars highly resistant to the southern root-knot nematode (RKN) [Meloidogyne incognita (Kofoid and White) Chitwood] are not available. Resistant germplasm lines are available; however, the difficulty of selecting true breeding lines has hindered applied breeding and no highly resistant cultivars are available to growers. Recently, molecular markers on chromosomes 11 and 14 have been associated with RKN resistance, thus opening the way for marker assisted selection (MAS) in applied breeding. Our study aimed to determine the utility of these markers for MAS. Cross one was RKN resistant germplasm M240 RNR × the susceptible cultivar, FM966 and is representative of the initial cross a breeder would make to develop a RKN resistant cultivar. Cross two consists of Clevewilt 6 × Mexico Wild (PI563649), which are the two lines originally used to develop the first highly RKN resistant germplasm. Mexico Wild is photoperiodic. We phenotyped the F2 of cross one for gall index and number of RKN eggs per plant and genotyped each plant for CIR 316 (chromosome 11) and BNL 3661 (chromosome 14). From this, we verified that MAS was effective, and the QTL on chromosome 14 was primarily associated with a dominant RKN resistance gene affecting reproduction. In the first F2 population of cross two, we used MAS to identify 11 plants homozygous for the markers on chromosomes 11 and 14, and which also flowered in long days. Progeny of these 11 plants were phenotyped for RKN gall index and egg number and confirmed as RKN highly resistant plants. Generally about 7–10 generations of RKN phenotyping and progeny testing were required to develop the original RKN highly resistant germplasms. Our results show that commercial breeders should be able to use the markers in MAS to rapidly develop RKN resistant cultivars.
Surf and turf in depth: retrospectives on the North American Cretaceous seaway

Abstract Stratigraphy, depositional environments, and sedimentary tectonics of the western margin, Cretaceous western interior seaway (eds Nations, J. D. & Eaton, J. G.), Geological Society of America, Special Paper 2 6 0 , v+216 pp., 1991, ISBN 0-8137-2260; Evolution of the western interior basin (eds Caldwell, W.G.E. & Kauffman, E.G.), Geological Association of Canada, Special Paper 3 9 , vi+680 pp., 1993 [published 1994], ISBN 0-919216-52-8; and Perspectives on the eastern margin of the Cretaceous western interior basin (eds Shurr, G. W., Ludvigson, G. A. & Hammond, R. H.), Geological Society of America, Special Paper 2 8 7 , iv+264 pp., 1994, ISBN 0-8137-2287.