cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A note on the tau-method approximations for the Bessel functions Y0(z) and Y1(z)

Abstract This paper is to complete and improve the work reported in [1,2], using the Lanczos τ-method (in Coleman's version) to approximate the Bessel functions Y 0 ( z ) and Y 1 ( z ). We introduce symbolic representations of the scaled Faber polynomials on any fan-shaped section of the complex plane. These Faber polynomials are used as the perturbation terms in the τ-method. Numerical comparison among the power series, the Chebyshev series and the τ-method are conducted to show the accuracy improvement achieved by this new version of the τ-method. Some concluding remarks and suggestions on future research are given.
Growth hormone normalizes hepatic lipase in hypothyroid rat liver

The effects of growth hormone (GH) administration on hepatic lipase (HL) activity and mRNA levels were studied in pair-fed hypothyroid rats. In the hypothyroid state, liver HL mRNA levels and liver and postheparin plasma HL activities were decreased. In hypothyroid rats, GH normalized HL mRNA levels and HL activity in postheparin plasma; GH also increased the activity of HL in the liver, which remained lower than that in controls. These data indicate that at least part of the decrease of HL activity during hypothyroidism is due to the concomitant GH deficiency, and that GH rather than thyroid hormone may regulate HL mRNA levels.
Cloud Motion as a Calibration Cue

We propose cloud motion as a natural scene cue that enables geometric calibration of static outdoor cameras. This work introduces several new methods that use observations of an outdoor scene over days and weeks to estimate radial distortion, focal length and geo-orientation. Cloud-based cues provide strong constraints and are an important alternative to methods that require specific forms of static scene geometry or clear sky conditions. Our method makes simple assumptions about cloud motion and builds upon previous work on motion-based and line-based calibration. We show results on real scenes that highlight the effectiveness of our proposed methods.
Secular changes in the stature of adults and the secular trend of the modern sugar consumption.

1. Remembering the correlation between the secular trend of sugar consumption and secular trend of acceleration of growth pointed out in my monograph a patho-physiological hypotheses is shortly mentioned. 2. The correlation between secular changes in sugar consumption and secular changes in stature of adults is demonstrated and analysed in the example of different countries, such as Netherland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and England. At the same time an answer is given to the question why the Japanese and Italians grow taller in the USA than in their own country and why the secular increase in stature of the New-Zealanders is higher than that of Englishmen. 3. The influence of sugar also on the diseases of welfare is discussed with the purpose to show that the secular increase of stature of the modern adult may be dangerous.
Local variation of Euler products

We determine how big an Euler product can be at $s_2$, when its size at $s_1$ is known, and apply this via Halasz's method to bound the mean value of a multiplicative function in terms of the size of the generating Dirichlet series.
Decoration, self-transcendence, and spiritual expression: stakeholder cooperation and the creation of joint value in the workplace

This paper explores recent empirical findings that highlight the importance of decoration, particularly in forms that may be described as a kind of spirituality or spiritual expression, and the significance these findings have for thinking about how stakeholders cooperate to create value. We highlight how this phenomenon may become important for thinking about organizations – especially how spirituality may play a role in fostering stakeholder relations that generate more value for all those involved as well as limit transaction costs. Given our focus in exploring this phenomenon and highlighting decoration’s relevance, we focus on its core findings, outline connections to the spirituality and stakeholder theory literatures, and note promising directions for future research.
Detection of Candida albicans mRNA from Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Mouse Tissues by Nested Reverse Transcription-PCR

Histopathology archives represent a vast source of infectious disease specimens that can be used to elucidate important disease processes. In this report, we describe a method to detect Candida albicans gene expression from infected, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded mouse tissue. By use of glass beads to break open the fungal cells and proteinase K treatment, RNA was extracted routinely from tissue sections that had been fixed for up to 72 h. Upon reverse transcription of the RNA and nested PCR, the procedure detected C. albicans “housekeeping” and putative virulence genes.
Efficient pumping schemes for high average brightness collisional x-ray lasers

Advances in transient collisional x-ray lasers have been demonstrated over the last 5 years as a technique for achieving tabletop soft x-ray lasers using 2 - 10 J of laser pump energy. The high peak brightness of these sources operating in the high output saturation regime, in the range of 1024 - 1025 ph. mm-2 mrad-2 s-1 (0.1% BW) -1, is ideal for many applications requiring high photon fluence in a single short burst. However, the pump energy required for these x-ray lasers is still relatively high and limits the x-ray laser repetition rate to 1 shot every few minutes. Higher repetition rate collisional schemes have been reported and show some promise for high output in the future. We report a novel technique for enhancing the coupling efficiency of the laser pump into the gain medium that could lead to enhanced x-ray inversion with a factor of ten reduction in the drive energy. This has been applied to the collisional excitation scheme for Ni-like Mo at 18.9 nm and x-ray laser output has been demonstrated. Prelimanry results show lasing on a single shot of the optical laser operating at 10 Hz and with 70 mJ in the short pulse. Such a proposed source would have higher average brightness, ~1014 ph. mm-2 mrad-2 s-1 (0.1% BW) -1, than present bending magnet 3rd generation synchrotron sources operating at the same spectral range.
Pain and fatigue management: results of a nursing randomized clinical trial.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES Through a randomized clinical trial, to compare patients undergoing an initial course of chemotherapy who report pain and fatigue at baseline and who are receiving conventional care alone with those receiving conventional care plus a nursing intervention on outcomes reported at 20 weeks. SETTING Chemotherapy clinics of two comprehensive and two community cancer centers. METHODS Interviews were conducted at baseline and 10 and 20 weeks. An 18-week, 10-contact nursing intervention utilizing problem-solving approaches to symptom management and improving physical functioning and emotional health was implemented. SAMPLE The sample consisted of 53 patients in the experimental arm and 60 in the control arm who reported pain and fatigue at baseline. VARIABLES Pain and fatigue, numbers of other symptoms, and physical role impact and social-functioning subscales from the Medical Outcomes Study 36 Short Form. FINDINGS Patients who received the intervention reported a significant reduction in the number of symptoms experienced and improved physical and social functioning. Fewer patients in the experimental arm reported both pain and fatigue at 20 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Behavioral interventions targeted to patients with pain and fatigue can reduce symptom burden, improve the quality of the daily life of patients, and demonstrate the "value-added" role of nursing care for patients undergoing chemotherapy. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING These data support the "value-added" role of nursing interventions for symptom management and improved quality of life during the course of cancer treatment.
Neuroprotective effect of testosterone treatment on motoneuron recruitment following the death of nearby motoneurons

Motoneuron loss is a significant medical problem, capable of causing severe movement disorders or even death. We have previously shown that motoneuron death induces marked dendritic atrophy in surviving nearby motoneurons. Additionally, in quadriceps motoneurons, this atrophy is accompanied by decreases in motor nerve activity. However, treatment with testosterone partially attenuates changes in both the morphology and activation of quadriceps motoneurons. Testosterone has an even larger neuroprotective effect on the morphology of motoneurons of the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB), in which testosterone treatment can completely prevent dendritic atrophy. The present experiment was performed to determine whether the greater neuroprotective effect of testosterone on SNB motoneuron morphology was accompanied by a greater neuroprotective effect on motor activation. Right side SNB motoneurons were killed by intramuscular injection of cholera toxin-conjugated saporin in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Animals were either given Silastic testosterone implants or left untreated. Four weeks later, left side SNB motor activation was assessed with peripheral nerve recording. The death of right side SNB motoneurons resulted in several changes in the electrophysiological response properties of surviving left side SNB motoneurons, including decreased background activity, increased response latency, increased activity duration, and decreased motoneuron recruitment. Treatment with exogenous testosterone attenuated the increase in activity duration and completely prevented the decrease in motoneuron recruitment. These data provide a functional correlate to the known protective effects of testosterone treatment on the morphology of these motoneurons, and further support a role for testosterone as a therapeutic agent in the injured nervous system.
Estimation of travel times for source location in a laterally heterogeneous Earth

Abstract A method is presented to obtain travel times from estimates of tectonically regionalized P-wave tau functions and slowness-dependent source and receiver corrections (Tralli and Johnson). A quadratic programming algorithm interpolates the tau estimates constrained by the analytical properties of tau and the statistical uncertainties. The regionalized travel-time estimates are used to locate seismic sources in the epicentral distance range 15–95°. Since all the information on lateral velocity variations is contained in the tau functions, seismic sources in a laterally heterogeneous Earth are located without explicitly defining a laterally varying velocity model. The formulation is efficient in that the travel-time estimates and corrections are obtainable for any source and receiver pair on the globe and requires minimal computation time. The P travel-time data are provided by the Bulletin of the ISC. Twenty-eight disclosed nuclear explosions at Nevada Test Site (NTS) allow estimation of a travel-time baseline bias. Azimuthal corrections for NTS events are also obtained. Nuclear explosions at NTS are then located, as are events in Eastern Kazakh and Novaya Zemlya in the Soviet Union, and in the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. Three earthquakes along the San Andreas fault zone in west central California are also relocated for comparison with hypocentral parameters provided by local seismographic networks. All events are also located using the Jeffreys-Bullen P Tables and PREM (Dziewonski and Anderson) with a set of azimuthal station corrections (Dziewonski). A comparison of the reduction in sample variances of travel-time residuals provides a measure of the ability of tectonically regionalized tau functions to characterize lateral variations in mantle and crustal P velocities. Mean epicentral mislocations for NTS events are about 3 km whereas mislocations using J-B and PREM are about 7 km. For NTS and particularly Eastern Kazakh, the tau formulation yields consistently smaller sample variances, with a mean reduction of 30% compared to using J-B and 15% compared to using PREM.
Inhibition of Sindbis Virus Replication in HeLa Cells by Poliovirus

Concomitant infection of HeLa cells with poliovirus and Sindbis (SB) virus allowed replication of poliovirus only. The poliovirus-induced interference with the replication of SB virus was dependent partially on the multiplicity of SB virus used for infection. The observed interference was not sensitive to guanidine. Translation, but not replication of poliovirus, appears to be needed for the restriction of SB virus. Superinfection of SB virus-infected cultures with poliovirus was followed by inhibition of protein, but not by viral ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis. Polyribosomes present in SB virus-infected cells were disaggregated subsequent to superinfection. The nascent SB viral RNAs synthesized in cells subsequent to superinfection were not associated with the ribosomal structures. These results indicate that the block in protein synthesis, possibly at the level of initiation, may be the basis of the observed interference.
Regulation of quiescence in lymphocytes

Cellular quiescence is a state characterized by decreased cell size and metabolic activity. In quiescent nai;ve lymphocytes, antigen recognition with appropriate co-stimulation triggers exit from G0 phase of the cell cycle, increased size and metabolism and progression through the cell cycle. Recent studies have shown that quiescence in lymphocytes is an actively maintained state rather than a default pathway in the absence of signal. Certain transcription factors appear to act as master regulators of gene expression patterns that enforce the quiescent phenotype. Here, we discuss candidate lymphocyte quiescence factors and their potential target genes and mechanisms of action.
Positional hypoxaemia following post-traumatic pulmonary insufficiency.

The effect of body position on ventilatory function was evaluated in a patient with unilateral lung disease. The patient’s pulmonary dynamics were examined in the supine, right, and left decubitus positions under conditions of positive pressure ventilation with zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) and 5 cm H2O (0.9 kPa) positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP).
PI-3k-Akt axis inhibits apoptosis in normal human megakaryoblasts and is efficiently activated by thrombopoietin

Abstract While optimizing a clinical protocol for ex vivo expansion of human megakaryocytic progenitor cells (CFU-Meg) we found that megakaryocytic cells gradually undergo apoptosis upon prolonged culture or decrease in optimal concentrations of growth factors. Hence, we become interested in the anti-apoptotic influence of several megakaryopoietic stimulators (TPO, IL-6, IL-11 and SDF-1). Megakaryoblasts were expanded ex vivo in serum free liquid cultures from CD34 + cells. When necessary cells were further purified by immunoselection (final purity >95% of α IIb /β 3 + cells), and then exposed to TPO, IL-6, IL-11 or SDF-1. We focused on i) influence of these factors on survival of megakaryocytic cells and ii) correlation with activation of different intracellular signaling pathways (phosphorylation of AKT, MAPK p42/44 and JAK-STAT proteins) with antiapoptotic effects. We found that TPO only, and not IL-6, IL-11 or SDF-1 i) protected human megakaryoblasts from undergoing apoptosis (Annexin-V binding, PARP and MTT assays and activation of caspase-3) and ii) activated the JAK-STAT, MAPK p42/44 and PI-3K-AKT pathway (Table). We also found that blocking PI-3K activity with wortmanin or Ly 294002 induced apoptosis in human megakaryoblasts. In contrast inhibiting MAPK p42/44 activity by PD980092 did not induce apoptosis in these cells. This suggests that the PI-3K-AKT axis plays an important role in inhibiting apoptosis in megakaryocytic cells. Interestingly, while the PI-3K-AKT axis was stimulated in normal human megakaryoblasts by both TPO and SDF-1, only TPO inhibited apoptosis. We conclude that i) PI-3K-AKT axis plays an important anti-apoptotic role in normal human megakaryoblasts, and ii) TPO in contrast to SDF-1 efficiently activates pathways downstream from AKT or parallel to the PI-3K-AKT pathway. Activation of this cascade appears to prevent normal human megakaryocytic cells from undergoing apoptosis.
Is deep hypothermia necessary for unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion during circulatory arrest? A magnetic resonance study in a pig model.

Objective: Localized 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was used to investigate whether unilateral antegrade cerebral perfusion (U-ACP) could maintain normal energy metabolism and intracellular pH (pHi) in both hemispheres of the brain during deep (15°C) and moderate (28°C) hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA). Methods: Eleven pigs were exposed to 120 min of U-ACP during HCA at 15°C (group I, n=6) or 28°C (group II, n=5), followed by 60 min of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at 37°C. Localized 31P MR spectra were acquired every 30 min. Histopathology was performed at the completion of each experiment. Results: MR recorded no changes in energy metabolites (phosphocreatine and ATP), or pHi during U-ACP in either group, and no significant differences were found in any of the energy metabolites or pHi between the left and right hemispheres. Histopathology showed no significant morphological changes in the neurons. Conclusions: During either deep or moderate HCA, unilateral ACP through the right axillary artery prevents ischemic events in both hemispheres of normal pig brains. Deep hypothermia may not be necessary when using U-ACP.
Initial Results of Image-Guided Percutaneous Ablation as Second-Line Treatment for Symptomatic Vascular Anomalies

The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, safety, and early effectiveness of percutaneous image-guided ablation as second-line treatment for symptomatic soft-tissue vascular anomalies (VA). An IRB-approved retrospective review was undertaken of all patients who underwent percutaneous image-guided ablation as second-line therapy for treatment of symptomatic soft-tissue VA during the period from 1/1/2008 to 5/20/2014. US/CT- or MRI-guided and monitored cryoablation or MRI-guided and monitored laser ablation was performed. Clinical follow-up began at one-month post-ablation. Eight patients with nine torso or lower extremity VA were treated with US/CT (N = 4) or MRI-guided (N = 2) cryoablation or MRI-guided laser ablation (N = 5) for moderate to severe pain (N = 7) or diffuse bleeding secondary to hemangioma–thrombocytopenia syndrome (N = 1). The median maximal diameter was 9.0 cm (6.5–11.1 cm) and 2.5 cm (2.3–5.3 cm) for VA undergoing cryoablation and laser ablation, respectively. Seven VA were ablated in one session, one VA initially treated with MRI-guided cryoablation for severe pain was re-treated with MRI-guided laser ablation due to persistent moderate pain, and one VA was treated in a planned two-stage session due to large VA size. At an average follow-up of 19.8 months (range 2–62 months), 7 of 7 patients with painful VA reported symptomatic pain relief. There was no recurrence of bleeding at five-year post-ablation in the patient with hemangioma–thrombocytopenia syndrome. There were two minor complications and no major complications. Image-guided percutaneous ablation is a feasible, safe, and effective second-line treatment option for symptomatic VA.
Linguistic and psychometric factors in propositional reasoning

An experiment is reported which demonstrates the effects of linguistic and psychometric factors on adults' performance on a propositional reasoning task. The three linguistic factors were the semantic content in which the logical rule was embedded, the linguistic form of the logical rule, and the polarity of the major premise of the logical arguments. The two psychometric factors were the mode of response and the order of presentation of the different types of content. The results showed that the linguistic factors had a pronounced effect on adults' propositional reasoning abilities, whereas the influence of the psychometric factors was negligible. These findings are discussed in relation to operational and interpretational factors in reasoning.
Immunocytochemical and biochemical characterization of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins in mammalian spermatozoa.

Abstract Polyclonal antisera directed against conserved and subtype-specific peptide sequences of the α-subunits of guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory proteins (G proteins) were used to characterize the nature of mammalian sperm G proteins and to determine whether their localization was consistent with their proposed roles in mediating ZP3-induced acrosomal exocytosis. Mouse and guinea pig sperm exhibit positive immunofluorescence in the acrosomal region using an antiserum directed against a peptide region common to all α-subunits of G proteins (Gα). The immunofluorescence disappears after sperm have undergone the acrosome reaction, suggesting that the immunoreactive material is associated with the plasma membrane/outer acrosomal membrane region overlying the acrosome. The presence of G proteins in this region is confirmed by the presence of a Mr 41,000 substrate for pertussis toxin (PT)-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylation in purified plasma membrane/outer acrosomal membrane hybrid vesicles obtained from acrosome-reacted guinea pig sperm. Immunoprecipitation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of PT-catalyzed [32P]ADP-ribosylated protein(s) using anti-peptide antisera generated against sequences unique to Giα1, Giα2, and Giα3 confirm the existence of all three Gi subtypes in mouse sperm extracts. Indirect immunofluorescence using an antiserum directed against a peptide region present in Gzα, a PT-insensitive G protein, demonstrates positive immunoreactivity in the postacrosomal/lateral face region of the mouse sperm head. This immunoreactivity is retained during acrosomal exocytosis in response to solubilized ZP and then disappears subsequent to this exocytotic event. These data demonstrate that Gi protein α-subunits are present in the acrosomal region of mammalian sperm, consistent with their postulated role in regulating ZP3-mediated acrosomal exocytosis, and that PT-insensitive Gzα is found in a region of the sperm head distinct from that of the Giα subunits.
Pathway to health: Cluster-randomized trail to increase fruit and vegetable consumption among smokers in public housing

OBJECTIVES Examine the effectiveness of an intervention to increase fruits and vegetables (FV) consumption among smokers. DESIGN Cluster-randomized trial of 20 public housing developments; 10 randomly assigned to an FV intervention and 10 to a smoking cessation intervention. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Usual (past 7 days) and past 30 days change in daily FV intake at 8 weeks and 6 months postbaseline. RESULTS Greater increases were seen in the FV group. At Week 8 and Month 6, the FV group had consumed 1.58 (p = .001) and 0.78 (p = .04), respectively, more daily FV servings in the past 7 days than the cessation group. At the same time points, the FV group had consumed 3.61 (p = .01) and 3.93 (p = .01), respectively, more FV servings in the past 30 days than the cessation group. Completing more motivational interviewing sessions (p = .02) and trying more recipes (p = .02) led to significantly greater increases at Month 6 among FV participants. CONCLUSIONS Motivational interviewing counseling and lifestyle modification through trying out healthy recipes may be effective in helping a high-risk population increase their FV intake.
Long-term follow-up after total lymphoid irradiation in pediatric heart transplant recipients.

Abstract Background Total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) is used to treat recurrent allograft rejection. Short-term success and complication rates have been reported in pediatric and adult cardiac transplant populations. We report the long-term efficacy and safety of TLI in treating intractable rejection in pediatric patients. Methods Eight pediatric patients were treated with TLI (7 for recurrent rejection, 1 for risk of medication non-compliance). Therapy consisted of a mid-plane dose of 8 Gy administered with a 6-MeV linear accelerator using an anterior–posterior opposed technique. We reviewed outcomes for a total of 40 patient-years of follow-up. Results We encountered rejection (>Grade 2 by International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria) in 56.7% ± 34.7% of biopsies performed within 90 days before TLI. Rejection rates dropped to 3.1% ± 8.8% within the first 90 days ( p p 3 years) of 5 patients demonstrated a continuing low incidence of rejection. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was diagnosed in 1 of 8 patients, graft coronary artery disease in 4 of 8 patients, and restrictive cardiomyopathy in 1 of 8 patients after TLI. Conclusions Total lymphoid irradiation is an effective treatment for recurrent rejection and has short- and long-term efficacy. Morbid events may include cancer, graft coronary artery disease, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Learning analytics as interpretive practice: applying Westerman to educational intervention

In Westerman's [12] disruptive article, "Quantitative research as an interpretive enterprise: The mostly unacknowledged role of interpretation in research efforts and suggestions for explicitly interpretive quantitative investigations," he invited qualitative researchers in psychology to adopt quantitative methods into interpretive inquiry, given that they were as capable as qualitative measures in producing meaning-laden results. The objective of this article is to identify Westerman's [12] key arguments and apply them to the practice of Learning Analytics in educational interventions. The primary implication for Learning Analytics practitioners is the need to interpret quantitative analysis procedures at every phase from philosophy to conclusions. Furthermore, Learning Analytics practitioners and consumers must critically examine any assumption that suggests quantitative methodologies in Learning Analytics are inherently objective or that Learning Analytics algorithms may replace judgment rather than aid it. Lastly we propose a method for making observational data in virtual environments concrete through nested models.
Electronic transport properties of LaAl and CaAl metallic glasses

Abstract Electronic transport properties including electrical resistivity and transverse magnetoresistivity have been measured for both La-Al and Ca-Al metallic glasses over a wide temperature range and in a magnetic field up to 15T. The experimental results are analyzed in terms of the incipient localization effect, the electron interaction theory, and other transport theories.
Hypnotic control of peripheral skin temperature: a case report.

In an exploratory study on the specificity of autonomic control, subjects attempted to simultaneously change the skin temperature of their two hands in opposite directions. Subjects who were trained in hypnosis were successful in achieving this bilateral difference, while waking control subjects were not. These findings demonstrate the powerful influence that cognitive processes can exert on the autonomic nervous system and also suggest the possibility of more effective therapeutic control of psychosomatic problems.
Mitogen- and antigen-responsive milk lymphocytes.

Abstract Bovine and canine milk contained lymphocytes that responded to the nonspecific mitogens; phytohemagglutinin (PHA), concanavalin A (Con A), pokeweed mitogen (PWM) and gram negative bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). It also was found that animals specifically sensitized with tuberculin or infected with infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBR) had antigen sensitive lymphocytes in their milk. In general, the responses of the milk lymphocytes from an individual animal were not identical to responses for the blood lymphocytes. Marked variation was observed in the daily responses of cells from milk samples from different quarters of the same animal, and between animals. The implications of antigen and mitogen responsive milk lymphocytes are discussed, in relation to their possible role in protective immunity.
Recruiting and Retaining Older Adults in Volunteer Programs: Best Practices and Next Steps

The baby boomer generation has begun to reach retirement age. What this highly-educated and racially-diverse cohort does in its retirement years has implications for the boomers, their communities, and society. Formal volunteering has been suggested as a mechanism for engaging older adults, as it has been associated with physical and emotional health benefits. However, older adults from underrepresented groups are not as likely to engage in formal volunteer activities and may miss out on these benefits. A review of the literature identifies seven best practices for engaging older adults, including those from minority groups, in formal volunteer activities. These include: personal invitation, role flexibility, stipends, social interaction, support from staff, meaningfulness, and recognition. Using the framework of the Strengths Perspective, identifying and utilizing the strengths of individuals and communities and volunteer goal setting are suggested as additional best practices that may be particularly relevant in attracting a diverse set of older adult volunteers.
The Arts in Conflict in Ronsard's Des peintures contenues dedans un tableau

Jean Plattard once suggested that, like all the major French poets of the midsixteenth century, Pierre de Ronsard overwhelmingly preferred the narrative-type,1 historical and mythological painting produced at the Chateau de Fontainebleau by artists such as Il Rosso and Primaticcio to the concurrent genre of courtly portraiture practiced by painters such as Francois Clouet and Corneille de Lyon: "Les poetes donnaient naturellement a ces peintures historiques et mythologiques la preference sur les portraits." 2 The appeal, Plattard believed, was two-fold. On the one hand, there was "l'ampleur de la conception" (p. 492) of narrative painting-its conceptual magnitude, or ability to represent multiple (yet related) subject matters in a single frame. On the other hand, there was its "hardiesse et . . . liberte de l'imagination" (p. 492)-its imaginative boldness, as demonstrated by the ability of narrative painting to give form to the purely conceptual truths of ideal Nature (to borrow the Neoplatonic terminology of the period). For Plattard, Ronsard considered these qualities "comme caracteristiques du genie de la poesie et des arts en general" (p. 492).
Delineating Alzheimer's disease progression with MGAT3, a biomarker for improved prognosis and personalized therapy.

Blood biomarkers have been based either on biochemical tests, such as plasma cytokine antibody assays, which require ana lysis of 18 signaling proteins [4], or functional tests, such as Ab phagocytosis and mRNA transcription by flow cytometry [5]. ApoE4 is a well-known risk factor for AD [6], and plasma apoE levels are decreased but not in all studies [7]. The multiple mechanisms common to neurodegenerative diseases, including inflammation, oxidative stress and dyslipidemia, render the goal of a specific protein blood biomarker elusive. In the brain, the defects in neuronal autophagy [8] and the retromer sorting pathway [9] are considered the crucial neuronal mechanisms leading to AD. The mechanisms are postulated to include the disruption of substrate proteolysis within autolysosomes in the former and abnormal amyloid-precursor protein processing in the latter. However, these mechanisms cannot be examined in living patients by biochemical ana lysis, limiting their diagnostic value. Here, we discuss an alternative approach based on a hypothesis that the immune system has a high sensitivity for the disease process, including abnormal degradation of Ab in lysosomes. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are defective in phagocytosis and degradation of Ab [5,10]. In the AD brain, the distinction between macrophages and microglia is not clear but both appear to originate from the blood in pathological states (histochemistry shows macro phages migrating across a vessel wall [11] and mouse studies show the microglia to have bone-marrow origin [12]). The defects of AD macrophages also involve their trafficking – inability to emigrate across the blood–brain barrier and apoptotic death of macrophages engorged with Ab around brain vessels contributing to congophilic angiopathy [13]. According to this Studies of the neuronal mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) have discovered new therapeutic targets but not biomarkers for personalized medicine of AD. Exploitation of immune responses to amyloid-b (Ab) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells led to the discovery of two biomarkers: phagocytosis of amyloid-b and transcription of MGAT3 (GnT‐III). A pilot study suggests these two markers will be valuable for AD diagnosis, prognosis and therapy by vitamin D3 and curcuminoids [1].
Pairing symmetry signatures of T 1 in superconducting ferromagnets

We study the nuclear relaxation rate $1∕{T}_{1}$ as a function of temperature for a superconducting ferromagnetic coexistent system using a $p$-wave triplet model for the superconducting pairing symmetry. This calculation is contrasted with a singlet $s$-wave previously studied. We see for the $s$-wave case that there is a Hebel-Slichter peak, albeit reduced due to the magnetization, and no peak for the $p$-wave case. We then compare these results to a nuclear relaxation rate experiment on ${\mathrm{UGe}}_{2}$ to determine the possible pairing symmetry signatures in that material. It is seen that the experimental data are inconclusive to rule out the possibility of $s$-wave pairing in ${\mathrm{UGe}}_{2}$.
Systematic reviews and meta-analysis for the surgeon scientist

Background: Understanding of data-reporting methods is imperative for correct interpretation of the medical literature as well as for proper performance of future clinical research. Recent developments in biostatistics have greatly changed the types of statistical analyses used and the minimum quality standards that must be maintained. Method: Different types of review are described, including systematic review with and without meta-analysis. Minimum reporting standards, sources of bias, both quantitative and qualitative, and references are discussed. Results and Conclusion: Meta-analysis has become a clearly defined technique, with reporting standards for both randomized controlled trials and observational studies. It is assuming a wider role in the surgical literature. Although many sources of bias exist, there are clear reporting standards and readers should be aware of these when studying the literature. Copyright © 2006 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Assessment of Ritanserin Exposure in the Developing Chicken: Lack of Toxicity at Effective Doses

Abstract The 5-HT 2 antagonist ritanserin (RIT) is undergoing Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of substance abuse disorders. RIT has also shown preclinical therapeutic potential for attenuating or blocking lethal and/or toxic effects of exposure to cocaine or the selective 5-HT 2 agonist dimethoxyiodophenyl-aminopropane (DOI) in the developing chicken. To assess the potential toxicity (“side effects”) of RIT itself during development, we exposed chicken embryos to 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.9, or 2.7 mg RIT/kg egg by injecting the drug into eggs with 14-day-old embryos (E14). Voltage generated by spontaneous embryonic activity (motility) was measured on E15 to assess short-term effects of RIT; none were observed. There was no overall effect of these RIT doses on hatchability, though sample sizes were small ( n = 13–15 per group). One to 2 weeks after hatching, chicks’ acquisition of a detour learning response was tested. There were no observable effects of any RIT dose on detour learning. To assess potential effects of RIT on responsiveness to stress, some chicks were exposed to isolation stress approximately 3 weeks after hatching and killed 15 min later. Blood was assayed for serum corticosterone. There was no effect of any embryonic RIT dose on corticosterone concentrations in nonstressed subjects. Although corticosterone was elevated in all stressed groups, the group exposed to the highest embryonic RIT dose (2.7 mg/kg egg) showed a stress-induced elevation greater than other groups. Thus, except for the highest RIT dose (six to seven times greater than a therapeutically effective dose used in earlier work), embryonic RIT exposure on E14 had no effect on embryonic behavior, hatchability, posthatch learned behavior, and basal serum corticosterone concentrations. At a supraefficacious dose it appears to have modified the responsiveness of the neuroendocrine axis to mild stress.
Toward a fully integrated positive-pressure driven microfabricated liquid analyzer

A versatile integrated analyzer with a flow-programmed injection strategy and multiwavelength detection is described with applications toward sampling, flow injection analysis, and capillary separations. Continuous near-real-time sampling is a major benefit of the flow-programmed injection technique. Injection volumes ranging from 250 pL to several microliters were made without electrophoretic flow. Multiwavelength grating light reflection spectroscopy (GLRS) and transmission absorbance spectroscopy were performed simultaneously in a detection volume of 150 pL. The utility of these detection methods for refractive index (RI) and absorbance detection in capillary channels is demonstrated through analysis of salt, indicator, and dyes. GLRS is a unique, selective, and path-length-independent technique for probing RI, absorbance, and other optical properties. A limit of detection (LOD) of 170 μM was achieved for GLRS interferometric detection of FD&C Red #3, which corresponded to 2.6 fmol of analyte in the 15...
Entry, exit, and performance in airline markets

Abstract Data from the airline industry indicate that: (1) entry generally is not induced by price levels substantially above the norm; (2) entry reduces fares and increases output, and exit increases fares and reduces output; and (3) incumbents cut price and maintain output in response to entry, and survivors increase both price and output in response to exit. These findings cast doubt on the ability of entry to prevent or reverse price increases from anticompetitive mergers.
Titania polymorphs by soft chemistry : is there a common structural pattern?

The structural aspects of a soft chemical route1 employed to obtain nitrogen-doped brookite, rutile, or anatase fine crystallite powders are revealed by total X-ray diffraction and atomic pair dist...
A modifed optical flow approach for robotic tracking and acquisition

A robotic system that can visually track and intercept an arbitrary object which is traveling in 2-D at an unknown velocity on a conveyor is to be presented. An eye-in-hand vision system developed by the Robotics and Intelligent Systems Laboratory at NCSU is used as an integral part of the entire tracking and acquisition system. The eye-in-hand system is employed to characterize the object trajectory in real time via a modified optical flow approach. A control strategy has been developed which utilizes the kinematic data that is extracted by the tracking algorithm to intercept the moving object. An overall system configuration and its basic principles are described. The demonstration of the experimental results is presented.
Rare earth elemental concentrations in some Pacific Northwest rivers

Abstract Soluble rare earth element (REE) concentrations have been measured for five Pacific Northwest rivers (Columbia, Fraser, Klamath, Rogue, and Sacramento) using radiochemical neutron activation analysis. The relative abundances of the REE in river water resemble the REE abundance pattern in average sedimentary type rocks. The La material balance in the oceans is discussed.
The scintigraphic murphy sign

Focal gallbladder tenderness is the most important physical finding in suspected acute cholecystitis. We describe a technique using palpation of the abdomen with the placement of a radioactive marker on the point of maximum tenderness. Correlation of the marked area to the location of the gallbladder fossa is made. This integration of palpation and scintigraphy might enhance the cholescintigraphic diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.
Hispaniolan Hemilophini (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae, Lamiinae)

The Tribe Hemilophini (Lamiinae) is reviewed for Hispaniola and an identification key is provided. Fifteen species are now known from the island, including one new species of Adesmus (Adesmus fortunei from Pedernales and La Vega Provinces, Dominican Republic), one new species of Oedudes (Oedudes anulatus from Peravia and La Vega Provinces, Dominican Republic), and five new species of Calocosmus (Calocosmus contortus from San Cristobal Province, Calocosmus punctatus from Peravia Province, Calocosmus rawlinsi from Elias Pina Province, Calocosmus robustus from La Vega Province, and Calocosmus thonalmus from La Altagracia Province, all in the Dominican Republic). Oedudes and Adesmus are new island and country records for Hispaniola and Dominican Republic, respectively. Calocosmus holosericeus Gahan is a new synonym of Calocosmus janus Bates. In addition to the new species, five new country records and four new island records are presented for Calocosmus.
A Case Study in Vocabulary Balance in News Prose

Computerized word frequency data from a 104,737 word sample of Associated Press wire news are used to test Zipf's “law” of vocabulary balance, an equation predicting statistical regularity between word frequency and word ranking in written English. The wire news word frequencies are plotted in logarithmic coordinates and compared with the slope produced by a newspaper language sample of 44,000 words used by Zipf to illustrate his model. The two slopes follow roughly the predicted slope of 45 degrees, but the computerized AP news data fit the standard slope less well than the smaller sample. This suggests the need for further research using computerized frequency lists from large samples of news prose and mathematical modifications of Zipf's equation before stochastic models of language behavior are developed from his work in vocabulary balance.
A SIMPLE HPLC METHOD WITH SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC DETECTION FOR THE SIMULTANEOUS ASSAY OF NIFEDIPINE AND VERAPAMIL IN RAT PLASMA

A simple, specific, and accurate HPLC assay method is presented for the simultaneous measurement of the calcium antagonists nifedipine and verapamil in rat plasma. The plasma sample was deproteinized by treatment with an equivalent volume of an internal standard solution (nicardipine hydrochloride in acetonitrile containing 0.1% of perchloric acid), followed by brief centrifugation. A 50 μL aliquot of the clear supernatant was analyzed on a Microsorb-MV C18, 5 μm, column using a mixture of acetonitrile-methanol-0.01 M phosphate buffer pH 5.2 (55:15:30) as the mobile phase. At a flow rate of 1 mL/min and detection at 235 nm, nifedipine, verapamil, and nicardipine were observed to elute at about 3.4 min, 6.4 min, and 9.8 min, respectively. Detector responses were linearly related to concentrations of nifedipine in the range 0.2–1 μg/mL, and of verapamil between 0.4–2 μg/mL. As little as 0.05 μg/mL of nifedipine and 0.08 μg/mL of verapamil were accurately measured by the proposed method. Mean drug recoveries...
Dietary disaccharides in experimental atherosclerosis in rhesus monkeys

Abstract Rhesus monkeys were given atherogenic diets whose carbohydrate content was starch alone or with sucrose and lactose partially substituted. Study 1 retrospectively compared starch 44% versus the combination starch 15%, sucrose 10%, and lactose 15% fed for 17 months. Without greater hypercholesterolemia, the sugar-fed monkeys. had more fibrous connective tissue, extracellular lipid, and mineralization. Study 2 compared starch 47% and the combination starch 22% and sucrose 25% fed for 9 weeks. Intergroup plasma lipids were similar but aortic lesions differed: After starch there were more lipid-filled cells; after sucrose, more myointimal cells were seen. In Study 3 the diet combinations of Study 2 and the additional combination starch 22% and lactose 25% were fed for 18 weeks. Hypercholesterolemia occurred in the order lactose > sucrose > starch. In aorta greater foam cell accrual obscured regimen distinctions; in iliac arteries lesions of starch and sucrose groups were readily distinguished; those of the lactose group had intermediate characteristics. Differences in carbohydrate formulation in diet-induced experimental atherosclerosis evoke lesion differences in early atherogenesis that are not attributable to differences in hyperlipidemia; the data further suggest that dietary disaccharides may cause more advanced late lesions than dietary starch.
Rat vasopressin response to insulin-induced hypoglycemia.

The effect of insulin-induced hypoglycemia upon plasma arginine vasopressin measured by a specific and sensitive RIA has been studied in unanesthetized male Sprague-Dawley rats. Hypoglycemia caused a 5-fold rise in plasma arginine vasopressin to a maximum of 28.0 ±9.1 pg/ml (mean ± SD). This response was associated with a 2% fall in plasma osmolality, a rise in plasma sodium of less than 1%, a 10% fall in estimated blood volume, and no significant change in mean arterial blood pressure. PRA was increased 5-fold by hypoglycemia. However, β-adrenergic blockade with propranolol completely prevented the renin response without altering the rise in vasopressin. In contrast, water loading abolished and hypertonic saline loading enhanced the effect of hypoglycemia on plasma vasopressin. We conclude that insulin-induced hypoglycemia stimulates vasopressin secretion by some as yet unrecognized primary mechanism whose responsiveness can be altered by changes in osmolality.
A Review of Outcome Studies on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Reducing Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Among Individuals With Chronic Pain

In the last two decades, emerging research has focused on advancing the explanations of how chronic pain becomes disabling. The fear-avoidance model of pain suggests that fear of reinjury in chronic pain patients leads to avoidance of certain movements that subsequently results in more pain and disability from that lack of movement. The literature supporting this model of pain and disability has allowed specific therapeutic interventions to be developed aimed at reducing pain-related fears in an attempt to reduce the physical symptoms and disability of chronic pain. Studies using cognitive-behavioral interventions to reduce fear-avoidance beliefs are reviewed and the treatments are evaluated based on the studies’ effectiveness. The author concludes that graded exposure in vivo appears to be the most effective treatment for chronic pain in individuals with increased fear and avoidance.
Finite clusters of fast-rotating spinless bosons in a harmonic trap

Abstract Rapidly rotating two-dimensional ultracold Bose–Einstein condensates of spinless bosons in a harmonic trap have attracted considerable interest during the recent years. It is expected that, in the fast-rotation limit, the system of bosons will exhibit collective behavior similar to that of two-dimensional electrons in the fractional quantum Hall effect regime. It is predicted that the most robust correlated bosonic state in this regime will be the Bose Laughlin state at a half filling factor. An exact treatment of such a state is generally a formidable task due to the inherent many-particle nature of the wave function. We report in this work that a transformation to Jacobi coordinates allows one to obtain much desirable exact analytic closed-form expressions for various quantities of interest corresponding to a Bose Laughlin wave function for various finite systems of particles.