cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nosology and Vital Statistics of Dementing Conditions of Elderly People

The nosology of dementing conditions of very old people, as described in the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) and reported in Vital Statistics of the United States, is examined. Methods included a questionnaire of state officials who oversee death certification that asked chiefly about death certificate entries that denote dementing conditions. Current nosology includes several dementing conditions that are commonly indistinguishable without a postmortem examination. Dementing conditions are grouped with other conditions of unrelated pathogenesis. The words "psychosis" and "dementia" are used interchangeably. The majority of state officials said that some death certificate entries denoting dementing conditions are acceptable as causes of death. The current system of nosology of dementing conditions probably results in the under-reporting of these conditions in vital statistics. The tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) classifies dementing conditions similarly to the ninth revision. An alternative system of nosology, based on dementia as a common characteristic, is suggested.
Volatile halocarbons in butter: elevated tetrachloroethylene levels in samples obtained in close proximity to dry-cleaning establishments.

In recent years materials not directly associated with food production, such as polychlorinated and brominated biphenyls, have been found in foods. According to the criteria to evaluate the likelihood for a chemical to contaminate food, the volatile halocarbons (VHCs) were selected as target compounds in an examination for potential contaminants in selected foods. The technique of multiple headspace extraction (MHE) was used in this study to minimize sample handling, and thereby reduce the potential for laboratory contamination and maximize throughput. Recently this laboratory reported findings of several VHCs in margarine, including PCE in four samples at levels above the usual background findings. Those samples had been obtained from a food store located immediately next to a dry-cleaning establishment. Follow-up investigation was conducted to determine the frequency of occurrence and levels of PCE that may be present in fatty foods purchased from stores located both near and distant from dry cleaners. Butter was chosen as a model food because it is a highly uniform product of very high fat content, which would be expected to act as a good absorber of the lipophilic VHCs. This paper presents results of these analyses and correlations between level of VHCs in butter and themore » proximity to dry cleaners of the food store where the butter was purchased.« less
Ground-based imaging of extrasolar planets using adaptive optics

The detection of extrasolar planets by direct imaging presents an extraordinary technical challenge. They must be identified against background light scattered from a star close by and about a billion times brighter. It has been supposed that a near-perfect space telescope would be required to avoid atmospheric blurring. But by using adaptive optics operating at fundamental performance limits, the new generation of large ground-based telescopes has the potential to detect planets orbiting nearby stars.
Post–liver transplant survival in hepatitis C patients is improving over time

Outcomes after orthotopic liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C have been reported to be worsening over the last 2 decades. We analyzed our center's experience over 15 years to identify trends in post-orthotopic liver transplantation survival in patients with and without hepatitis C virus infection. Patient survival and graft survival among adult primary orthotopic liver transplantation recipients who survived more than 90 days from January 1991 to June 2006 at the Baylor Regional Transplant Institute (n = 1901) were evaluated by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Those with or without hepatitis C virus infection were analyzed by era: era 1, 1991-1994 (n = 473); era 2, 1995-1998 (n = 421); era 3, 1999-2002 (n = 498); and era 4, 2003-2006 (n = 512). Differences in eras with disparate survivals were assessed by univariate and multivariable analysis. Overall, patient survival and graft survival were significantly lower among hepatitis C virus infection recipients compared to those without hepatitis C virus infection (P < 0.001). This difference was dependent on the era of transplantation, with progressive improvement in hepatitis C virus patient (P < 0.001) and graft (P < 0.001) survival in sequential eras. Several factors accounted for this improvement, notably better selection of hepatocellular carcinoma patients and fewer late cytomegalovirus infections. Improvement occurred despite an increase in the ages of both donors and recipients. In conclusion, posttransplant survival after orthotopic liver transplantation for chronic hepatitis C has improved significantly over the last 15 years despite demographic changes in patients and grafts that have been previously shown to impair survival. A major reason for this improvement is better selection of patients with concurrent hepatocellular carcinoma and fewer late cytomegalovirus infections, although other factors may play a role as well.
Effect of multimodal stimulus presentation on recall

This study was conducted to investigate how the mode of stimulus presentation affects recall in the classroom environment. 289 undergraduates were randomly assigned to one of 7 experimental groups. All subjects were presented the same stimuli in one of 7 possible modes: (1) Printed Word, (2) Spoken Word, (3) Picture, (4) Printed Word + Spoken Word, (5) Picture + Spoken Word, (6) Picture + Printed Word, and (7) Printed Word, Picture + Spoken Word. 30 words, 6 from each of 5 categories, were presented to each group. A new stimulus was presented every 5 sec. Subjects were to recall (in writing) as many stimuli as possible in 5 min. regardless of order. One-way between groups analyses of variance were conducted on recall and cluster index scores. A significant main effect of mode of presentation showed that recall was best for the Picture or multimodal group (Printed Word, Picture + Spoken Word). Groups receiving only the spoken or printed word showed significantly poorer recall than the multimodal groups. No statistically significant differences between groups were found on the cluster index score. It appears that the simultaneous presentation of redundant stimuli in multiple modalities does support the multiple-resource hypothesis by displaying enhanced recall when information is available from multiple attentional resources.
Free vibrations of a thin elastica by normal modes

In this work we investigate the existence, stability and bifurcation of periodic motions in an unforced conservative two degree of freedom system. The system models the nonlinear vibrations of an elastic rod which can undergo both torsional and bending modes. Using a variety of perturbation techniques in conjunction with the computer algebra system MACSYMA, we obtain approximate expressions for a diversity of periodic motions, including nonlinear normal modes, elliptic orbits and non-local modes. The latter motions, which involve both bending and torsional motions in a 2:1 ratio, correspond to behavior previously observed in experiments by Cusumano.
Comparison of gene expression during in vivo and in vitro postnatal retina development

Retina explants are widely used as a model of neural development. To define the molecular basis of differences between the development of retina in vivo and in vitro during the early postnatal period, we carried out a series of microarray comparisons using mouse retinas. About 75% of 8,880 expressed genes from retina explants kept the same expression volume and pattern as the retina in vivo. Fewer than 6% of the total gene population was changed at two consecutive time points, and only about 1% genes showed more than a threefold change at any time point studied. Functional Gene Ontology (GO) mapping for both changed and unchanged genes showed similar distribution patterns, except that more genes were changed in the GO clusters of response to stimuli and carbohydrate metabolism. Three distinct expression patterns of genes preferentially expressed in rod photoreceptors were observed in the retina explants. Some genes showed a lag in increased expression, some showed no change, and some continued to have a reduced level of expression. An early downregulation of cyclin D1 in the explanted retina might explain the reduction in numbers of precursors in explanted retina and suggests that external factors are required for maintenance of cyclin D1. The global view of gene profiles presented in this study will help define the molecular changes in retina explants over time and will provide criteria to define future changes that improve this model system.
Extending the treatment boundaries: Zoladex and add-back

Objective: To review the evidence that add-back hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can ameliorate the metabolic consequences of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist treatment in women with symptomatic endometriosis. Methods: A review of relevant literature. Results: Early studies suggested that add-back HRT maintained bone mineral density (BMD) without reducing the symptomatic benefit of GnRH treatment. Both high-dose progestogen and low dose progestogen plus cyclical etidronate are effective in maintaining BMD. Standard and low dose HRT add-back may be more effective in relieving the hypo-estrogenic side-effects of GnRH agonist therapy. Randomized controlled studies have shown that both low-dose and standard-dose add-back HRT reduce the side-effects of GnRH agonist therapy, and that this benefit extends to 12 months of treatment. Conclusions: GnRH agonist treatment with add-back HRT seems to offer the hope of improved treatment for women with endometriosis, but the optimum treatment duration and time to start HRT have yet to be defined.
Assessing Climate Change Impacts on Vernal Pool Ecosystems and Endemic Branchiopods

This study evaluated the hydrologic sensitivity of vernal pool ecosystems in the Central Valley of California to climatic changes projected for 2100. A vernal pool water-balance model was used to evaluate rain-fed vernal pools at four locations under future conditions projected by two contrasting global climate models. The potential for change in the duration of continuous inundation, frequency of reproductively suitable inundation events, and the seasonal distribution of inundation was quantified. The potential impact of hydrologic changes varied by species and by location. Three scales of response were identified: (a) At the regional scale, pools in the middle of the Central Valley near Merced were the most responsive to climatic changes. (b) At the local scale, smaller, shallower pools had the greatest potential to change the distribution of reproductively suitable habitat available to branchiopods. (c) At the individual pool scale, changes in precipitation will dominate changes in temperature, resulting in relatively linear responses in the duration of inundation. The ecological impact of these changes will be determined by a balance between the increasing suitability of vernal pools for branchiopod predators and the hydrologic improvement of currently marginal habitats.
Rapid serotonergic fiber sprouting in response to ibotenic acid lesion in the striatum and hippocampus

Serotonergic (5-HT) sprouting occurs after damage of neighboring 5-HT or non-5-HT fibers. The sprouting signals appear to originate from the target tissue where neural trophic factors are secreted. In order to determine the cellular source of the trophic signal we currently report that removal of local neurons with a neurotoxin, ibotenic acid (IB), triggered a vigorous sprouting of 5-HT fibers in the striatum as early as 3 days after the lesion, which lasted throughout the entire length (21 days) of our study. The 5-HT fiber density in the injection site increased 10-fold in the striatum compared to the contralateral side, and the density of 5-HT varicosities increased 4-fold of normal. The 5-HT level in the striatum correspondingly increased on the lesion side. Three clear morphological concentric zones were formed by the lesion: acellular, aneuronal and outer zones. These zones represent the characteristic reorganization of astrocytes and neurons following an injection of IB. Devoid of any cells, the small acellular zone in the center of the injection site contained few 5-HT fibers. Devoid of neurons, the aneuronal zone contained reactive astrocytes and an abnormally high density of 5-HT fibers with increased staining of S-100. Containing neurons and astrocytes, the outer zone had a normal 5-HT fiber density. The induced 5-HT sprouting in the aneuronal zone strongly suggests that local neurons could provide a trophic factor, but that astrocytes would be the most plausible candidate. This is not an isolated case, IB injections in the hippocampus also induce a similar phenomenon.
Sex, AGility, and the Regulation of Alternative Splicing

Alternative splicing is an important means of regulating the expression of eukaryotic genes and enhancing protein diversity. A detailed examination of the Drosophila Sex-lethal gene has led to two significant discoveries-the role of the splicing factor SPF45 in defining the site of exon ligation, and that alternative splicing can be regulated at the second step.
The demography of massive galactic black holes

Abstract This review describes dynamical evidence for massive black holes (BHs) at the centers of galaxies. BHs appear to be a common if not ubiquitous feature of local galactic spheroids, with a mean mass that is roughly 0.5% of the parent stellar spheroid mass. This mass is large enough that the formation and evolution of central BHs has had a significant influence on the inner stellar density profile. For example, low-density, core-type profiles may have been created by the scouring action of binary BH pairs, whose orbital decay ejects stars from the center of the galaxy. Or, BHs may have grown substantially by gas accretion, pulling in surrounding stars and creating the cuspy cores and power laws that are seen in spheroids. If BHs are ubiquitous in galactic spheroids at the above mass ratio, their total local mass density is comparable to that implied by the energy density of QSO photons, suggesting that these local BHs are the long-sought fossil BHs of QSO central engines. However, QSOs are much rarer per unit co-moving volume than local BHs, unless one equates them to just the massive BHs found in rare and massive local spheroids. The resultant BH masses exceed typical QSO BH mass estimates by nearly a factor of 10, suggesting that BHs have grown in mass by roughly that factor since the QSO era. At least some of that growth might have occurred as protogalaxies grew in mass by mergers, and their BHs also merged and grew apace.
Endothelial cell-seeding decellularized vein transplants: A novel arterial bypass conduit

Abstract Introduction. We investigate vein transplants decellularized with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as vascular tissue-engineering scaffolds. We hypothesize that these scaffolds remain intact until repopulated with autologous cells, cause nominal immunologic response, and provide a satisfactory luminal surface for endothelial cell seeding prior to implantation. Methods. In vivo study of the scaffold involved carotid interposition grafting in canines (n = 16). Grafts were evaluated biweekly with duplex ultrasound and explanted (2 weeks, 2 months) for gross, histological, and immunohistochemical examination. In vitro study involved seeding scaffolds with endothelial cells (ECs). Alteration in attachment time (30, 60, 120 min) and matrix precoating (fetal bovine serum, FBS) were investigated. Cell attachment was measured by cell count, DNA content analysis, and scanning microscopy. Results. Vein graft diameter at implantation (7.4 ± 0.7 mm) remained stable over 2 months (8.9 ± 1.7 and 6.5 ± 1.6 mm for autograft and decellularized allografts, respectively). Decellularized allografts showed reduced intimal hyperplasia and inflammatory infiltrate. Transmural repopulation of the scaffold was seen by 2 months postimplantation. Luminal thrombus was also seen, resulting in reduced patency compared with autografts (13/16 versus16/16 patent). Seeding studies demonstrated EC attachment at 30 min, with progressive improvement at 1 and 2 h (47, 72, and 89% attachment, respectively). DNA content analysis confirmed similar increases over time (155, 227, 245ηg/ml). Pre-coating with FBS significantly increased attachment. Scanning microscopy revealed both attachment and spreading of ECs on the luminal surface of decellularized vein by 2 h. Conclusion. Decellularized vein transplants remain strong in vivo and demonstrate reduced vascular rejection; however, they may be thrombogenic due to loss of their luminal endothelium. Luminal EC seeding of these transplants can be achieved in vitro, with near confluent attachment as early as 2 h following seeding. This technique may prove useful in improving the efficacy of decellularized vein transplants as arterial bypass grafts.
Thermalization of X-rays in evaporated tin and bismuth films used as the absorbing materials in X-ray calorimeters

We have investigated the use of evaporated tin and bismuth films as the absorbing materials in X-ray calorimeters. When the films were deposited directly on monolithic silicon calorimeters, the output signal from both Sn and Bi devices was strongly dependent on the location of the absorption event relative to the ion-implanted thermistors, presumably indicating thermistor sensitivity to a non-thermal spectrum of phonons. With Sn films we also observed that a component of the thermalization proceeded slowly, relative to a complete thermalization reference. The thermalization function could be modified by trapping magnetic flux within the film. In order to distinguish thermalization effects in the films from the thermistor sensitivity to energetic phonons, we deposited Sn and Bi films on thin Si substrates which we then affixed to calorimeters using epoxy. With glued Sn films, we were able to attain as good as 13.6 eV resolution of 6 keV X-rays with no excess broadening of the line beyond the width of the baseline, while similarly made Bi devices showed excess broadening.
AOTF polarization difference imaging

Recent work has indicated that polarization difference imaging has the potential to enhance the image quality of objects viewed in the presence of scattering media, such as fog and turbid water. We have utilized an AOTF spectro-polarimeter to implement this concept, and to expand its usefulness by incorporating real-time, adaptive, complex polarization and spectral filtering techniques into the system.
Surgical Pearl: the use of methylene blue temporary tattoos for tissue orientation in Mohs micrographic surgery.

M ohs micrographic surgery (MMS) allows the complete removal of cutaneous tumors while sustaining minimal loss of normal tissue.1 In this procedure, the identification of positive tumor margins on horizontal frozen sections is vital for complete elimination of all residual tumor. To maintain accurate tumor orientation during MMS, both the wound edge and the excised tissue are traditionally marked with partial-thickness cuts or hatch marks. This provides an accurate method of preserving orientation of the surgically excised specimen with the corresponding wound. However, hatch marks at the wound periphery may interfere with wound reconstruction. Our technique uses methylene blue dye as a temporary tattoo around the wound edges. This avoids any additional incisions on the patient’s skin while still allowing orientation of the excised tissue.
Protonation Switches in GPCR Activation: Physiologically Significant Rhodopsin Photointermediates

Rhodopsin is a paradigm for GPCRs, yet unlike other class A members, its bound chromophore's UV/vis absorbance provides excellent time-resolved information about GPCR activation steps. At least three species equilibrate on the millisecond time scale after rhodopsin photoexcitation in a membrane lipid environment. The first equilibrium is pH-independent and involves Meta I480, the visible absorbing, protonated Schiff base (PSB) species, and Meta IIa, the UV absorbing, deprotonated SB species. The second equilibrium, involving spectrally silent proton uptake by Meta IIa to produce Meta IIb, accounts for the fact that low pH causes anomalous disappearance of the protonated SB species, Meta I480. The equilibria affect production of the G protein-activating species R∗ and are of great interest. However they must be studied promptly because inactivation steps follow, and long illumination increases secondary photolysis of photoproducts. We used time-resolved absorbance measurements of bovine rhodopsin on the microsecond-to-hundred millisecond time scale to study kinetics of lumirhodopsin decay and the effect of membrane environment on the first equilibrium constant, K1, and on the pKa of the second equilibrium. Reconstituted membranes of rhodopsin with POPC, DOPC, or a mixture of DOPC and DOPE were studied at 30°C. We also extended previous 20°C studies of the pH dependence of the equilibria in the native disk membranes, to determine how increased temperature affects lumirhodopsin decay through the purely transient 380 nm absorbing species, Meta I380, into the final equilibrium mixture. Meta I380 has recently attracted substantial interest, since time-resolved circular dichroism measurements on the microsecond timescale suggest the chromophore has a different conformation than in later 380-nm photointermediates. Our results suggest SB deprotonation precedes other activating changes in the protein. Significant details are now emerging that give new insights into rhodopsin activation and complement FTIR and spin-label approaches.
Classroom Seating Effects: Environment or Self-Selection Neither, Either, or Both

Stires's (1982) critique of our study (Levine, McDonald, O'Neal, & Garwood, 1980) and Knowles's (1982) comment on the state of classroom research (both in this issue) are considered. Stires's statement that we interpreted our stud)' as supporting the self-selection rather than the environmental hypothesis is shown to be inaccurate. Instead, we contend that some variables are affected more by location, others by self-selection, and still others by an interaction between the two. Stires's (1980) results are reevaluated and found to be congruent With this View'. We found Knowles's discussion of Griffith's (1921) study and his comments on classroom research provocative, although the relevance to our study seems tangential We fully agree with Knowles about the paucity of theory in this area and suggest several limitations in the existing research that should be dealt with systematically within a theoretical framework.
Nicked-sleeve interface for two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis

We report an improved interface for two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis. This interface is based on capillary tubing and a Plexiglas chip, both of which were milled using a micro-dicing saw. The interface was evaluated and compared to a traditional interface design for both pseudo one-dimensional and two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis. We observe less than 70% transfer efficiency for the traditional design and greater than 90% transfer efficiency with this new interface.
The pathogenicity of Aeromonas strains relative to genospecies and phenospecies identification

The relative pathogenicity of 80 Aeromonas strains typed by biochemical (phenospecies) and genetic (genospecies) methods was assessed by determining the 50% lethal dose for each isolate in Swiss-Webster mice by intraperitoneal injection. Overall, the maximum difference in virulence potential observed between the least and most pathogenic strains was a four log (10 000-fold) difference. Results according to phenospecies designation supported previous investigations indicating that both A. hydrophila and A. sobria are inherently more pathogenic for mice than A. caviae. According to genospecies designation, the relative virulence of individual groups in decreasing order was as follows: HG 9 (A. jandaei) >HG 1 (A. hyrophila) and HG 12 (A. schubertii) >HG 10 (A. veronii binotype veronii) >HG 8 (A. veronii binotype sobria) >HG 11 (unnamed) >HG 2 (unnamed) >HG 3 (A. salmonicida), HG 4 (A. caviae) and HG 6 (A. eucrenophila) >HG 5 (A. meida) >HG 7A. sobria)
Self-handicapping by procrastinators: Protecting self-esteem, social-esteem, or both? ☆

Abstract Procrastinators have reported experiencing low self-esteem and high social anxiety. The present study explored whether these characteristics promoted the choice of an environmental performance obstacle more by procrastinators than nonprocrastinators as an attempt to protect social and self-esteems. Female procrastinators (n = 57) self-reported significantly lower self-esteem but not abstract for verbal thinking abilities than female nonprocrastinators (n = 63). Participants then were assigned randomly to one of four conditions, in which they could choose the presence of a distracting, debilitating noise when their performance on either a (bogus) diagnostic or nondiagnostic task was public or private to a female experimenter. Procrastinators (49.1%) were more likely than nonprocrastinators (30.2%) to self-handicap. Most procrastinators handicapped in public when the task was nondiagnostic of ability (69.2%) or in private when the task was diagnostic of ability (73.3%), as opposed to public-diagnostic (35.7%) or private-nondiagnostic (20.0%) conditions. There was no significant tendency across conditions to self-handicap by nonprocrastinators. Results were explained by self- and social-esteem protection motives employed by procrastinators.
A New Method of Differentiating Gentian Violet when used as a Somatic Chromosome Stain

The addition of 0.5% of picric acid crystals to the dehydrating alcohols makes possible a much better differentiation of gentian violet than has previously been obtainable. The final differentiation occurs in clove oil. The method was especially designed for use on the root tips of plants normally growing in arid regions.
Effect of Ta additions to bronze-processed Nb 3 Sn superconductors

The results of reaction between Nb(Ta) filaments and a Cu(Sn) matrix have been studied for filament compositions ranging from 0 to 34 at pct Ta. Microprobe measurements show that the Ta is fully incorporated into the reaction layer, producing (Nb,Ta) 3 Sn ternary A-15 compounds. High Ta concentrations lead to a decrease in reaction kinetics. Superconducting critical temperatures decrease with increasing Ta content more rapidly than reported earlier for powder samples. However, small Ta concentrations produce a decreased field dependence of critical currents and an increase in critical currents at high fields. These effects are believed to result from increased critical fields produced by a decreased electron mean free path, and may prove to be of technological significance for the production of high-field superconducting magnets.
The Pathoènicity of Two Strains of Tritrichomonas foetus for Mice

SYNOPSIS. The pathogenicity for mice and cell culture, and the growth rates in vitro of two strains of Tritrichomonas foetus were compared. A new strain of T. foetus (T. foetus“G”) which was isoated less than a year before use in the experiments described, was more pathogenic to mice but had a longer generation time than an old strain (T. foetus“M”). The old strain has been maintained in vitro for over five years. The characteristics observed for the strains of T. foetus examined resembled those of T. vaginalis rather than T. gallinae. In strains of the latter species there is a good correlation between growth rate and pathogenicity.
The interpretation of hard X-ray polarization measurements in solar flares

The significance of low hard X-ray polarization measurements for non-thermal models is discussed. Such a low polarization result, it is shown, can in fact occur in non-thermal models, and the ways in which the degree of X-ray polarization is correlated with the parameters of these models is discussed.
Recent advances in low‐cost carbon fiber manufacture from lignin

The confluence of two US energy policy mandates, the 2012 Corporate Average Fuel Economy Standards and Renewable Fuels Standard #2, provide the opportunity to examine the possibility of high-value materials from lignin with increased depth. In this case, the desire to provide lighter, low-cost materials for automobiles to reduce fuel consumption, and to improve the economics of biorefineries for fuel production, have led to an increased interest in low-cost carbon fiber manufacture from lignin. For this review the authors provide the context of subject matter importance, a cost comparison of potential low-cost carbon fibers, a brief review of historical work, a review of more recent work, and a limited technical discussion followed by recommendations for future directions. As the available material for review is limited, the author includes many references to publicly available government documents and reviewed proceedings that are generally difficult to locate. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 713-728, 2013
GABA and behavioral inhibition in the neonatal rat pup

The effects of the GABA agonist muscimol and GABA antagonist picrotoxin were examined in 3–4-day-old deprived rat pups under conditions of low (absence of milk) and high (milk presence) activity baselines. A low dose of muscimol was observed to have activating effects under low baseline conditions, whereas higher doses of muscimol were observed to depress milk-induced activity and mouthing. Picrotoxin treatment was observed to increase activation of these neonates under both baseline conditions. Taken together, these results provide evidence for a functional GABAergic inhibition of behavior in the neonate.
Neural adaptation for novel objects during dynamic articulation

Human observers readily identify objects with moving parts, and recognize their underlying structure even when the component parts undergo complex movement. This suggests the existence of neural representations that are invariant to motion and state of articulation, which together allow our visual system to maintain ‘object constancy’. Ventral temporal cortex has previously been implicated in object perception and in coding object identity, but it is unclear where this is achieved when objects undergo motion-driven shape changes. In the present study, we use fMRI adaptation to probe the neural response properties when subjects view dynamic novel objects. Our results reveal neural selectivity for novel objects in the LOC region of the occipito-temporal lobe, even when those objects are viewed as moving and articulating. We also identify a bilateral area of posterior fusiform outside of the LOC with neural populations invariant to changes in the articulatory state of an object, a critical feature of object constancy. These results demonstrate the functional importance of ventral temporal cortex in the perception of moving objects, and the existence of neural populations coding for object constancy across movement and articulation.
The MEK/ERK Pathway Acts Upstream of NFκB1 (p50) Homodimer Activity and Bcl-2 Expression in a Murine B-Cell Lymphoma Cell Line: MEK INHIBITION RESTORES RADIATION-INDUCED APOPTOSIS *

In a previously published report (Kurland, J. F., Kodym, R., Story, M. D., Spurgers, K. B., McDonnell, T. J., and Meyn, R. E. (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 45380–45386), we described the NFκB status for two murine B-cell lymphoma cell lines, LY-as (apoptosis-sensitive) and LY-ar (apoptosis-refractory) and provided evidence that NFκB1 (p50) homodimers contribute to the expression of Bcl-2 in the LY-ar line. In the present study, we investigated the upstream signals leading to p50 homodimer activation and Bcl-2 expression. We found that in LY-ar cells, ERK1 and ERK2 were constitutively phosphorylated, whereas LY-as cells had no detectable ERK1 or ERK2 phosphorylation. Treatment of LY-ar cells with the MEK inhibitors PD 98059, U0126, and PD 184352 led to a loss of phosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2, a reversal of nuclear p50 homodimer DNA binding, and a decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression. Similarly, activation of the MEK/ERK pathway in LY-as cells by phorbol ester led to Bcl-2 expression that could be blocked by PD 98059. Furthermore, treatment of LY-ar cells with tumor necrosis factor-α, an IκB kinase activator, did not alter the suppressive effect of PD 98059 on p50 homodimer activity, suggesting an IκB kinase-independent pathway for p50 homodimer activation. Lastly, all three MEK inhibitors sensitized LY-ar cells to radiation-induced apoptosis. We conclude that the MEK/ERK pathway acts upstream of p50 homodimer activity and Bcl-2 expression in this B-cell lymphoma cell system and suggest that the use of MEK inhibitors could be useful clinically in combination with ionizing radiation to treat lymphoid malignancies.
A medium for the impedimetric detection of yeasts in foods

Abstract A mycological medium, CBAS, was developed for the detection of yeasts in foods using polarization capacitance (Cpol) measurements. The signal obtained due to the growth of yeasts in CBAS provided earlier detections and stronger responses than the signals produced by these yeasts in other common media. Of several impedance components evaluated, Cpol provided the most useful signal for yeasts in CBAS. Further investigation showed that pH change was responsible for approximately 50% of the Cpol signal. Cpol detection times correlated highly with plate counts of a yeast isolated from orange juice when tested in CBAS (r = −0·99) and in a 1:10 dilution of orange juice in CBAS (r = −0.94). A concentration of 102 yeast cfu ml+1 in a 1:10 dilution of orange juice in CBAS was detected within 26 h by Cpol in contrast with a 3 to 5 day plate count.
Newton-Cotes integration for approximating Stieltjes (generalized Euler) constants

In the Laurent expansion ζ(s,a) = 1/s-1 + Σk=0∞ (-1)kγk(a)/k! (s-1)k, 0 1. We also conjecture that limk → ∞ (γk(1/2) + γk)/ζk = 0, a special case of a more general conjecture relating the values of γk(a) and γk(a + ½) for 0 0, we conjecture that for nonintegral r, γr is precisely (-1)r times the r-th (Weyl) fractional derivative at s = 1 of the entire function ζ(s) - 1/(s - 1) - 1. We also conjecture that g, now defined for all real arguments r > 0, is smooth. Our numerical method uses Newton-Cotes integration formulae for very high-degree interpolating polynomials; it differs in implementation from, but compares in error bounding to, Euler-Maclaurin summation based methods.
Responses of canine jugular veins and carotid arteries to hysterectomy: increased permeability and leukocyte adhesions and invasion.

Abstract Events which initiate postoperative deep venous thrombosis occur in the intraoperative or early postoperative period in patients undergoing major surgery. Also endothelial alterations and accumulation of blood cells and noncellular material were observed in canine veins 4 hr. after splenectomy, hysterectomy and intestinal anastomosis. In the present investigation we examined canine jugular veins and carotid arteries 1 hr. after hysterectomy. Hysterectomy increased the amount of plasma (as measured by 125 I-labeled protein) in interstitial space of veins and arteries 3.6-fold over control values. In control vessels mg plasma/gm vessel were: jugulars, 23 and carotides 14, and 1 hr. after hysterectomy: jugulars 78 and carotids 52. Differences were significant at the 0.02 level. Scanning electron microscopy showed that endothelium of control veins was smooth and free of adhering blood elements while endothelium of posthysterectomy dogs had extensive pseudopods, blebs and pits. Adhering and invading leukoctyes were found on all postsurgical veins singly or in small patches. Despite increased permeability postsurgical arteries were free of blood cells and little affected at the electron microscopic level. This model resembles clinical postoperative deep vein thrombosis in that vessels to be studied were distant from the surgical site and were not damaged directly. We suggest that the changes caused by blood born products of tissue injury may represent the venous lesion that contributes to the initiation and propagation of deep venous thrombosis, other conditions being favorable. Failure of blood elements to adhere to arteries may help explain their resistance to postoperative thrombosis.
The fractal dimension of the two-well potential strange attractor

Abstract The dimension of the Duffing—Holmes two-well potential strange attractor has been measured using both numerical solutions and experimental data from chaotic vibrations of a buckled beam. Using numerical simulation, the fractal dimension of the Poincare section of the strange attractor has been calculated as a function of damping using a correlation function technique. The dimension of the Poincare section is between one and two with higher damping resulting in a smaller dimensional attractor. An equivalent Cantor set for the attractor is defined. The dimension seems to be relatively insensitive to the phase of the Poincare section. An analytical expression for the dimension as a function of damping is proposed. The dimension algorithm is applied to experimentally generated Poincare maps from chaotic vibrations of a buckled beam. The calculation yields a dimension of the Poincare map between one and two and seems to be insensitive to the phase of the Poincare section.
BUBBLES AND FADS IN ASSET PRICES

The article considers the possibility that asset prices might deviate from intrinsic values based on market fundamentals. Three broad categories of theory are surveyed: (a) growing bubbles (b) fads and (c) information bubbles. 'Sunspot' theories are also discussed. The paper covers both theory and evidence, and directions for future research are discussed.
Deformable three-dimensional model architecture for interactive augmented reality in minimally invasive surgery

Surgical procedures have undergone considerable advancement during the last few decades. More recently, the availability of some imaging methods intraoperatively has added a new dimension to minimally invasive techniques. Augmented reality in surgery has been a topic of intense interest and research. Augmented reality involves usage of computer vision algorithms on video from endoscopic cameras or cameras mounted in the operating room to provide the surgeon additional information that he or she otherwise would have to recognize intuitively. One of the techniques combines a virtual preoperative model of the patient with the endoscope camera using natural or artificial landmarks to provide an augmented reality view in the operating room. The authors’ approach is to provide this with the least number of changes to the operating room. Software architecture is presented to provide interactive adjustment in the registration of a three-dimensional (3D) model and endoscope video. Augmented reality including adrenalectomy, ureteropelvic junction obstruction, and retrocaval ureter and pancreas was used to perform 12 surgeries. The general feedback from the surgeons has been very positive not only in terms of deciding the positions for inserting points but also in knowing the least change in anatomy. The approach involves providing a deformable 3D model architecture and its application to the operating room. A 3D model with a deformable structure is needed to show the shape change of soft tissue during the surgery. The software architecture to provide interactive adjustment in registration of the 3D model and endoscope video with adjustability of every 3D model is presented.
Identification of supernumerary ring chromosome 1 mosaicism using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

We report on a 15-year-old black boy with severe mental retardation, multiple congenital anomalies, and a supernumerary ring chromosome mosaicism. Fluorescence in situ hybridization with a chromosome 1 painting probe (pBS1) identified the ring as derived from chromosome 1. The karyotype was 46,XY/47,XY,+r(1)(p13q23). A review showed 8 reports of ring chromosome 1. In 5 cases, the patients had a non-supernumerary ring chromosome 1 resulting in partial monosomies of the short and/or long arm of chromosome 1. In 3 cases, the presence of a supernumerary ring resulted in partial trisomy of different segments of chromosome 1. In one of these cases of the supernumerary ring was composed primarily of the centromere and the heterochromatic region of chromosome 1, resulting in normal phenotype. Our patient represents the third report of a supernumerary ring chromosome 1 resulting in abnormal phenotype. 28 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.
Focus on oxidative stress in the cardiovascular and renal systems.

articles in this section were presented at the Cardiovascular Kidney Investigators Meeting at Amelia Island, Florida held on May 28–31, 2004. A discussion of the role of oxidative stress in the cardiovascular and kidney systems raises many important but still controversial issues. Current reviews
Two Inducers of Rapid Erythroblast Multiplication in vitro

Rapid erythroblast multiplication in vitro by incubation of rabbit blood buffy coat and marrow cells, giving autoradiographic results
Evaluation of the Detachment-Transport Coupling Concept in the WEPP Rill Erosion Equation

The rill erosion equation in the current Water Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) model is based on the coupled detachment and transport processes concept proposed by Foster and Meyer in 1972. The first-order detachment-transport coupling states that the rill detachment rate, D r , is proportional to the difference between transport capacity, T c , and sediment load, q s : D r = a (T c - q s ), where a is a rate control constant. A field experiment was designed to examine the validity of this model. Flow channels, 0.2 m wide, with clear water introduced at the upslope end were used in the study. Sediment delivery from different channel lengths and inflow rates was measured. Data were collected for three soils: Russell silt loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Typic Hapludalf), Saybrook silt loam (fine-silty, mixed, mesic Typic Argiudoll), and Sharpsburg silty clay (fine, montmorillonitic, mesic Typic Argiudoll). Results showed that rill detachment and transport are not coupled processes. In the upper reach of a channel, q s is limited by a soil-dependent detachment rate. For longer channels, transport capacity controls the sediment delivery. Experimental data supported the Meyer and Wischmeier model concept, in which detachment and transport processes are separated and sediment delivery is limited to the lesser of the two. A slight modification to the Meyer and Wischmeier concept is the inclusion of an overshoot situation (i.e., q s > T c ) when the sediment regime is shifted from a detachment-dominated to a transport-dominated condition. Additional work is required to expand the database to develop a validated rill detachment and transport model.
Embedded atom calculations of the Cu (001), (111), and (110) surface phonon spectra

Abstract The results of embedded-atom method (EAM) calculations of the phonon energies, polarizations, and interatomic-force-constant tensors of the clean Cu (001), (111), and (110) surfaces are presented. Using embedded-atom parameters fit to bulk properties, we find that the EAM provides an accurate and detailed description of the Cu surface lattice dynamics. In particular, our results suggest that the avoided crossing of surface modes is an important part of the phonon spectra of all three surfaces. We also find that the force-constant modifications on all three surfaces are modest, ranging from about a 10–15% softening (stiffening) of the nearest-neighbor intralayer (interlayer) force-constants.
The role of feedback and dot presentation format in younger and older adults’ number estimation

ABSTRACTNumerosity estimation, the rapid assessment of the number of items in a visual scene, is historically inaccurate. We assessed whether providing feedback regarding the correct numerosity on either 0%, 50%, or 100% of the trials would affect younger and older adults’ estimation accuracy for randomized, clustered (i.e., groups of 3 or 7 dots), and stacked (i.e., column) dot formats. Participants provided estimates and confidence ratings in six blocks, each containing 48 trials (16 numerosities shown in each format). Feedback frequency was manipulated between participants during blocks 1–4; no feedback was provided during blocks 5 and 6, which contained old and new numerosities and previously estimated presentations rotated 90°. Estimation accuracy was age equivalent across blocks despite younger adults initially being more accurate than older adults. Feedback improved both age groups’ accuracy. Stacked presentations were most accurately estimated but were more likely to be over-estimated than cluster...
Surface residual stress measurement using curvature interferometry

Surface roughness plays an important role in the delamination wear caused by rough surface contact. A recent dislocation model analysis predicts that nano-scale contacts of surface steps induce nucleation of dislocations leading to pro-load and anti-load dislocation segregation near the contact surface. Such dislocation segregation generates a sub-layer of tensile residual stress in a much thicker layer of compressive residual stress near the surface. The tensile sub-layer thickness is expected to be about 50 to 100 times the step height. In order to verify the predictions of the model analysis, contact experiments are carried out on polycrystalline aluminum surface to determine the existence of the tensile sub-layer. The variation of the residual stress along the thickness direction is measured using a newly developed high sensitivity curvature-measurement interferometer. The residual stress distribution measured with sub-nanometer spatial resolution indicates that contact loading leads to formation of a highly stressed sub-layer of tensile residual stress within a much thicker layer of compressive residual stress. Implications of tensile residual stress for delamination wear are discussed.
Palmitoylation Targets CD39/Endothelial ATP Diphosphohydrolase to Caveolae

Ectonucleotidases influence purinergic receptor function by the hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotides. CD39 is an integral membrane protein that is a prototype member of the nucleoside 5′-triphosphate diphosphohydrolase family. The native CD39 protein has two intracytoplasmic and two transmembrane domains. There is a large extracellular domain that undergoes extensive glycosylation and can be post-translationally modified by limited proteolysis. We have identified a potential thioester linkage site forS-acylation within the N-terminal region of CD39 and demonstrate that this region undergoes palmitoylation in a constitutive manner. The covalent lipid modification of this region of the protein appears to be important both in plasma membrane association and in targeting CD39 to caveolae. These specialized plasmalemmal domains are enriched in G protein-coupled receptors and appear to integrate cellular activation events. We suggest that palmitoylation could modulate the function of CD39 in regulating cellular signal transduction pathways.
Pressure drop correlation for laminar, mixed convection, aiding flow heat transfer in a vertical tube

Abstract Pressure drop is significantly affected by heat transfer in mixed convection situations. A semi-empirical correlation for pressure drop is developed from a theoretical base by first making use of the momentum integral solution to the heat and momentum equations for natural convection on a vertical surface. The boundary condition on the free-stream side of the boundary layer is changed to reflect the shear on that surface due to the forced convection, and empirical data are used to develop a formula useful in design and applications. The equation may be used with bulk fluid properties or film properties. The equation is valid for laminar, mixed convection conditions in vertical, internal, aiding flows with constant wall temperature boundary condition.