cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Why the Earth Charter Matters to (Multi)Cultural Educators Everywhere: A Rejoinder

Bowers’ and Stables’ responses to “A Foucauldian Analysis of Environmental Education: Toward the Socioecological Challenge of the Earth Charter” could not have been more different. While Bowers analyzes, deepens, and extends arguments from the Foucauldian analysis, and helps to clarify the kind of cultural thinking all educators must undertake, Stables, in a seemingly ironic philosophical stance, questions whether, in a “postmodern” world, educators should bother to take theoretical and political stands at all. I will comment on both authors’ contributions toward the end of this rejoinder. However, since neither author paid it much attention (Stables less than Bowers), I first want to return to the Earth Charter and update readers on the status of what Bowers in his response calls a “remarkable document” that “should be the basis of a transformative discourse” (p. 225). The Earth Charter, I wish to emphasize, represents a momentous, cross-cultural political achievement that can challenge the work of education (environmental or otherwise) in the Foucauldian tradition, and that can help bridge socially and ecologically critical perspectives toward culture and education.
Additive Antitumor Effect of Aromatase Inhibitor Letrozole and Antiestrogen Fulvestrant in a Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Model

Blocking estrogen receptors with antiestrogens and blocking estrogen synthesis with aromatase inhibitors are two strategies currently being used for reducing the effect of estrogen in postmenopausal estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer patients. To optimize these treatment strategies, we have investigated whether tumor progression can be delayed by combining the pure antiestrogen fulvestrant with the nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitor letrozole. These studies were done in ovariectomized, athymic mice bearing tumors of estrogen receptor-positive human breast cancer cells stably transfected with the aromatase gene (MCF-7Ca). Groups of mice with equivalent tumor volumes were injected s.c. daily with vehicle (control; n = 6), fulvestrant (1 mg/d; n = 7), letrozole (10 microg/d; n = 18), or letrozole (10 microg/d) plus fulvestrant (1 mg/d; n = 5). All treatments were effective in suppressing tumor growth compared with controls (P < 0.001). Tumor volumes of the fulvestrant-treated group had doubled in 10 weeks. After 19 weeks of letrozole (10 microg/d) treatment when tumors had nearly doubled in volume, mice (n = 18) were assigned to second-line therapy with letrozole (100 microg/d; n = 6), tamoxifen (100 microg/d; n = 6), or remained on letrozole treatment (10 microg/d; n = 6). However, tumors continued to increase in volume in these groups. Tumors of animals treated with the combination of letrozole plus Faslodex regressed over 29 weeks of treatment by 45%. Thus, the combination of letrozole plus fulvestrant was more effective in suppressing tumor growth than either letrozole or fulvestrant alone or sequential therapies with tamoxifen or a higher dose of letrozole (100 microg/d).
Stimulation of cell growth and DNA synthesis by peripheral benzodiazepine.

The effects of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands on cell proliferation were evaluated. PK11195 increased the growth rate of C6 glioma cells by 20–30% in the nanomolar range in serum free medium. [3H]thymidine incorporation into C6 glioma cells also were increased 22% and 25% after treatment by PK11195 and Ro5-4864, respectively. The effect of PK11195 as a mitogenic agent was estimated by [3H]thymidine incorporation using Swiss 3T3 cells. PK11195 increased DNA synthesis 170% over control at 10 nM. Higher concentrations of benzodiazepines showed inhibition of the DNA synthesis. Peripheral benzodiazepine binding sites underwent downregulation after exposure to serum free medium or to 10 nM PK11195. These findings suggest that peripheral benzodiazepines may be involved in the regulation of cell proliferation as a growth factor in lower concentration and as a antiproliferative agent in higher concentration.
Microwave imaging of the breast with incorporated structural information

Microwave imaging for biomedical applications, especially for early detection of breast cancer and effective treatment monitoring, has attracted increasing interest in last several decades. This fact is due to the high contrast between the dielectric properties of the normal and malignant breast tissues at microwave frequencies ranging from high megahertz to low gigahertz. The available range of dielectric properties for different soft tissue can provide considerable functional information about tissue health. Nonetheless, one of the limiting weaknesses of microwave imaging is, unlike that for conventional modalities such as X-ray CT or MRI, it cannot inherently provide high-resolution images. The conventional modalities can produce highly resolved anatomical information but often cannot provide the functional information required for diagnoses. We have developed a soft prior regularization strategy that can incorporate the prior anatomical information from X-ray CT, MR or other sources, and use it in a way to exploit the resolution of these images while also retaining the functional nature of the microwave images. The anatomical information is first used to create an imaging zone mesh, which segments separate internal substructures, and an associated weighting matrix that numerically groups the values of closely related nodes within the mesh. This information is subsequently used as a regularizing term for the Gauss-Newton reconstruction algorithm. This approach exploits existing technology in a systematic way without making potentially biased assumptions about the properties of visible structures. In this paper we continue our initial investigation on this matter with a series of breast-shaped simulation and phantom experiments.
Perceiving communication conflict

Two experiments were undertaken to test the independent and interactive effect of cognitive complexity and information load on the perception of communication conflict and ratings of conflict severity. Results provide support for hypotheses derived from information processing theory which predict that high complexity decoders, under optimal conditions of information load, are better able to perceive conflict and record higher estimates of conflict severity than low complexity decoders under these same communication conditions. Information processing theory was deemed an appropriate theoretical point of departure for assembling a theory of conflict perception.
Marital disruption and poverty: The role of survey procedures in artificially creating poverty

The economic well-being of widows is a growing public concern. Though widowhood undoubtedly precipitates major changes in economic well-being we show that its role in increasing poverty especially in the short term may be seriously overstated by traditional data-collection methods. Using longitudinal [U.S.] data that allow us to follow women as wives and widows we find that the income of husbands is systematically excluded from the income reported by women widowed during or after the income reference year. This exclusion not only exaggerates the rise in poverty immediately following widowhood but also overstates the percentage of widows who leave poverty in the next reporting period. (EXCERPT)
Total resonant sextet benzenoid hydrocarbon isomers and their molecular orbital and thermodynamic characteristics

Abstract The more stable strain-free total resonant sextet isomers of benzenoid hydrocarbons are predicted to be probable combustion pollutants. These benzenoid hydrocarbons have been enumerated, and their topological characteristics examined. Total resonant sextet benzenoid isomers make up less than 1% of all the benzenoid hydrocarbons having formulas with Nc divisible by 6. There is a thermodynamic preference for the larger and more highly condensed polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecule. The Huckel molecular orbital (HMO) and thermodynamic parameters of these total resonant sextet benzenoid hydrocarbons have been computed and tabulated.
An analysis of errors in a technique for the combined use of multiple radioisotopes.

Abstract The ability to maintain a small error was uncertain in a technique which involved the simultaneous use of five radioisotopes. A systematic in vitro investigation was undertaken to assess the technical errors and the total error in the technique. Technical errors in counting activity, pipetting samples, and measuring tracer volumes were determined separately. Sixty-eight determinations of five known volumes of water were made to evaluate the total error. The results of the in vitro volume estimates were submitted to statistical analysis. Four questions were asked. (1) Was there a significant difference between the estimated volumes obtained by the five isotopes and the known volumes? (2) Was there a significant difference between the estimated volume obtained with each isotope and that obtained with the other isotopes? (3) Were all the volume levels studied estimated with the same degree of accuracy by either of the five isotopes? (4) Can changes in volume of ten percent, at levels of 2 1. and 10 1., be estimated with sufficient accuracy to enable quantitative statements to be made about estimates of equivalent changes in physiological volumes? The technical errors in the technique were small resulting in an average total error of 0·85 percent between the known and estimated volumes using pooled data. Either isotope was found to be equally as accurate as the other isotopes in estimating any of the volumes studied. This in vitro assessment of errors indicates the techniques to be sufficiently accurate and reproducible to be utilized in a quantitative estimate of changes in physiological volumes.
Elasto-plastic stress analysis of a CT specimen using method of lines

The elastic formulation for the Method of Lines is extended to include the small scale plasticity effects. The Von-Mises criterion, isotropic hardening and the Prandtl-Reuss equations are used. A set of coupled nonlinear ordinary differential equations are derived and applied to compact tension specimen. The resulting set of equations are solved iteratively by using a combination of a recurrence relations method and the successive elastic solution method. A load versus crack mouth opening displacement diagram obtained numerically is compared with experimental results. The J-integral values are also calculated for different paths through the specimen at several locations through the thickness. The J values were found to be significantly path dependent for paths near the crack tip at loads well above that producing incipient yielding. It was found that the enhanced version of the Method of Lines yields very good results
The problems of estimating a fatigue service life with a low probability of failure

Abstract An extensive collection of actual fatigue life data of certain qualified structural airframe components is used to show the inability of the standard life distributions to predict early failures. The difference between the fitted distribution and the real data occurs in the tails of the distribution. This disparity will be amplified in any calculation of the time to first failure in a large fleet of such components. A new family of distributions, called ξ-normal and facilitating the comparison of log-life with the cumulative normal distribution, is introduced. It is derived from consideration of the principles of fracture mechanics in crack advance from the time of initiation until ultimate size is reached. The family contains three parameters: location, scale and flexure. For the type of distribution exemplified by the data, the flexure parameter cannot be estimated by the usual statistical estimation techniques and must be calculated from the frequency of initial flaws. When the flexure is known, maximum likelihood equations are derived, the solution of which yields estimates of the location and scale parameters even when the data is truncated.
Defining Goals of Resuscitation in the Critically Ill Patient

There is still no "universal" consensus on an optimal endpoint for goal directed therapy (GDT) in the critically ill patient. As in other areas of medicine, this should help providers to focus on a more "individualized approach" rather than a protocolized approach to ensure proper patient care. Hemodynamic optimization needs more than simply blood pressure, heart rate, central venous pressure and urine output monitoring. It is essential to also monitor flow variables (cardiac output/stroke volume) and dynamic parameters of fluid responsiveness whenever available. This article will provide a review of current and trending approaches of the goals of resuscitation in the critically ill patient.
Defining City Limits

The conclusion that cities are unable to engage in redistributive policies, as Peterson forcefully articulated in City Limits, tests on an image of citizens and officials pursuing self-evident interests through an objectively determined environment In this article the author proposes a more active view of the relationship between people and their interests-one in which political actors are seen as aggressively and continually reinterpreting and redefining their interests in an uncertain and undetermined world - and sketches the analytic, empirical, and normative implications of this alternative view.
Sugar binding properties of various metal ion induced conformations in concanavalin A.

Concanavalin A is known to undergo a first-order conformational transition when metals are added to the demetallized protein at pH 5.6 (Brown, R.D., III, et al. (1977) Biochemistry 16, 3883--3896). The rate constants for this process, which wer have measured using a polarographic technique, are identical when zinc, cobalt, or manganese occupies S1 and calcium occupies S2. The reducible sugar, p-nitrophenyl alpha-D-mannopyranoside, binds only to the locked conformational structure which is formed upon the addition of metals. The affinity of the protein for sugars is dependent upon occupancy of S1 and S2 and quite sensitive to the identity of the metal in S2. The metals may be removed from the locked protein structure and the protein temporarily retains its ability to bind with sugars but with a considerably lower affinity. The locked form of concanavalin A is unstable at a pH near 2 and unfolds to the unlocked structure with a half-life of 25 min resulting in simultaneous loss of metal and sugar binding.
Signal expressions and initial design for a 3D ORAM radiation dosimeter reader

Three-dimensional optical memories which utilize two-photon processes have been proposed for use as a radiation dosimeter. The 'bits' stored by the optical memory are altered by the passage of radiation and can yield information about the dose and energy. In this work, the 'write' process of a two-photon optical memory is examined. This process uses a crossed-beam excitation scheme. By considering the spatial and temporal properties of the excitation sources used to drive the two- photon transitions, conditions are derived under which the number of absorption events due to the crossed-beams acting together outnumber the background events.
Improved matrix reasoning is limited to training on tasks with a visuospatial component

Abstract Recent studies (e.g., Jaeggi et al., 2008 , Jaeggi et al., 2010 ) have provided evidence that scores on tests of fluid intelligence can be improved by having participants complete a four week training program using the dual n-back task. The dual n-back task is a working memory task that presents auditory and visual stimuli simultaneously. The primary goal of our study was to determine whether a visuospatial component is required in the training program for participants to experience gains in tests of fluid intelligence. We had participants complete variations of the dual n-back task or a short-term memory task as training. Participants were assessed with four tests of fluid intelligence and four cognitive tests. We were successful in corroborating Jaeggi et al.'s results, however, improvements in scores were observed on only two out of four tests of fluid intelligence for participants who completed the dual n-back task, the visual n-back task, or a short-term memory task training program. Our results raise the issue of whether the tests measure the construct of fluid intelligence exclusively, or whether they may be sensitive to other factors. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for conceptualizing and assessing fluid intelligence.
Presence of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph1) in pokeweed mitogen stimulated lymphocytes during chronic phase of Chronic Myelocytic Leukemia (CML)

Abstract There has been a lack of direct cytogenetic studies on lymphocytes in the chronic phase of chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from seven patients in the chronic phase and one in the blastic phase of Ph 1 -positive CML were cultured in the presence of phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM). Preparations adequate for analysis were obtained from eight PHA and five PWM stimulated cultures. Cytogenetic studies on the PWM stimulated cultured cells revealed, in one patient, the presence of the Philadelphia chromosome (Ph 1 ) in 2325 metaphases. The PHA stimulated lymphocytes from the same patient were all Ph 1 negative. Lymphocytes from PHA and PWM stimulated cultures from the other six patients in the chronic phase and the one patient in blastic crisis were all Ph 1 negative. The one positive result suggests that some B lymphocytes contain the Ph 1 and that there is a common hematopoietic stem cell for B lymphocytes as well as the myeloid, erythroid, and megakaryocytic series.
CHEMICAL CHANGES IN STORED TOASTED CRUDE CANOLA AND SESAME SEED OILS

‘Alto’canola seed and sesame seed were toasted at 180, 200, 220, 240, and 260C, for 8 min or 10 min. As temperature increased, minor changes in fatty acid composition were observed. Darkness and blueness in canola oil increased with toasting temperatures up to 240C, and then decreased. The darkness, greenness and yellowness of sesame seed oil increased with increasing toasting temperature. The overall color of canola oil was significantly darker than that of sesame seed oil (α 0.05). 2-Thiobarbituric acid (TBA) numbers for both oils increased as toasting temperature increased. TBA numbers of the canola oil increased with extended storage time up to 4 weeks and then decreased. For sesame seed oil, TBA numbers also were influenced by storage time, but less change was observed than for canola oil. 2-Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) content of canola oil was significantly higher than that for sesame seed oil when TBA numbers were compared to the same treatment.
A Theoretical Model of a Bank's Motives for Becoming a Multinational Bank and Conditions for its Lending Abroad Substituting or Supplementing its Domestic Loan Business

Multinational Bank management is facing great challenges as the 21st century unfolds. Mergers and acquisitions within national boundaries and across international borders are creating new entities covering an ever wider range of activities. The large, multinational banks are affected by economic and political events that are having effects well beyond their localized origin. American and European banks were reminded of this fact by the Asian and Russian banking and economic crises in the late 1990s. Because there are greater complexities involved in multinational banking than in "regular domestic" banking, it is often difficult to treat in a single study all the problems related to the multinational bank. This study concentrates on some aspects of asset diversification by such a bank. Specifically, this paper presents a theoretical framework for analyzing some of the bank's motives for holding assets in more than on country (its home country). Some of the earlier studies suggest risk reduction through portfolios diversification as the motivation for a bank (or an MNC in general) to do business overseas, but their findings contradict other studies that find very significant risks in overseas business of the MNC, and others plainly point to the need for better theory of the MNC. Moreover, significantly less has been published on the theory of the multinational bank. Specifically, there is a gap in the literature in explaining how domestic and overseas banking business interact and how they affect each other in the multinational bank. This paper fills the gap. It also differs from earlier studies by proposing a particular perspective: A model driven by supplementation and substitution of business motivation. While these two elements by themselves are not new to economic theory, their application to the multination bank, as is done in this paper, offers a useful perspective, driven by new business development motive. The conditions for going abroad to enhance the bank's domestic business (supplementation motive) are different from those that motivates the bank to substitute international business for domestic business (substitution motive), and this paper shows how they differ. Implications for regulatory policies are then examined. The model is capable of providing analytical insights concerning the effects of regulatory intervention.
High-Gain, High Transmissibility PZT Displacement Amplification Using a Rolling-Contact Buckling Mechanism and Preload Compensation Springs

A novel design concept of piezoelectric actuators producing large displacement while transmitting a significant amount of energy is presented. A rolling-contact buckling mechanism with a novel preload mechanism can amplify the PZT stack's displacement on the order of 100 times while transmitting several times larger work output than conventional flexure-type displacement amplification mechanisms. Existing displacement amplification mechanisms are analyzed in terms of transmissibility and are characterized with two lumped-parameter elements: serial and parallel compliances. The maximum transmissibility is attained when the parallel stiffness and the serial compliance are zero. An existing flexure mechanism using structural buckling, that produces a large displacement but a low transmissibility, is replaced by a rolling-contact mechanism that approaches the maximum criterion. Furthermore, a mechanism is presented to apply a constant preload to each PZT stack despite their movement. A prototype has been built to implement the design concept and verify the theoretical results. Experiments using the prototype demonstrate that it produces a 4.2 mm free displacement with over 60% transmissibility.
Abstract 2132: Personalized prevention of colorectal rectal trial (PPCCT)

We previously reported from the Tennessee Colorectal Polyp Study that high total intakes of calcium or magnesium may only be related to a reduced risk of colorectal adenoma or hyperplastic polyp when the calcium/magnesium intake ratio was below 2.8. Furthermore, we found that calcium/magnesium intake ratio significantly interacted with the common Thr1482Ile polymorphism (rs8042919, GA) in the TRPM7 gene, in relation to both adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. The TRPM7 gene is involved in magnesium and calcium re(absorption) and homeostasis. Compared to those with the GG genotype, we found that people who carry A allele(s) were at 60% and 85% increased risks of adenoma and hyperplastic polyp, respectively, if they also consumed diets with calcium/magnesium intake ratio >2.8; and the corresponding risks increased by 345% and 1500% among those with the AA genotype. The risk was not increased among those who carried the A allele(s) if they consumed diets low in calcium/magnesium ratio ( Citation Format: Qi Dai, Martha J. Shrubsole, Xinqing Deng, Xiangzhu Zhu, Eugene Shubin, Tiffany McCray, Wei Zheng, Harvey Murff, Douglas Seidner, Reid M. Ness, Chang Yu. Personalized prevention of colorectal rectal trial (PPCCT). [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2132. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2132
Application of the techniques of mental chronometry to the study of learning disabilities

Abstract This investigation applied the techniques of mental chronometry to the study of learning disabilities (LDs). Twenty-five children with reading disability (RD) were compared with 25 nondisabled children (matched for gender and age) on elementary cognitive tasks (ECTs) with no symbolic content and different degrees of requisite processing complexity. After adjustment for nonverbal intelligence, no significant differences were found between groups on any of the ECT parameters. A significantly greater proportion of children with RD were unable to resolve an inspection time (IT), however. In addition, the correlation between intelligence and IT for children with RD was +0.44, compared with −0.44 for nondisabled children. Implications of these results for theory relating LDs to deficiencies in the speed and efficiency of elemental cognitive processes are discussed.
Recalling Our Roots: The Joy of College Student Psychotherapy

To the outside observer, our campus based student counseling centers may reflect a curious mix of disparate activities: burgeoning wait rooms, ringing phones, pedestrian movement up and down aisles...
The clinical significance of the reoxygenation injury in pediatric heart surgery

Significant advances have been made in the technical performance of operations for infants and neonates with congenital heart disease. However, postoperative organ dysfunction is a frequent problem, particularly in hypoxic (cyanotic) infants. We review both our experimental and subsequent clinical experience with the injury caused by abrupt reoxygenation of the hypoxic patient and examine the modalities of gradual reoxygenation and leukodepletion in limiting this injury, thereby improving operative outcomes for cyanotic lesions. As a result of our experimental and clinical experience we conclude that: (1). reoxygenation injury is a real source of postoperative cardiac and pulmonary dysfunction; (2). white blood cells play an integral role in the production of oxygen-free radicals that are responsible for the damage; and (3). this injury can be modified and possibly ameliorated by changes in the intraoperative management of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Some properties of a mitochondrial malic enzyme from the flight muscle of the tsetse fly (Glossina)

Abstract An active malic enzyme [ l -malate-NAD+-oxidoreductose (decarboxylating)] has been isolated from flight muscle mitochondria of the tsetse fly (Glossina Morsitans). The enzyme utilizes NAD+ preferentially as a hydrogen acceptor and is activated by low concentrations of Mn2+ or higher concentrations of Mg2+. The enzyme exhibits oxaloacetate decarboxylase activity and is inhibited by pyruvate, oxalate, malonate, oxaloacetate, ATP, and ADP. In some the nature of the inhibition depends on the concentration of Mn2+. The inportance of this enzyme in the pathway of proline metabolism is discussed.
Growth hormone alters methionine and glutathione metabolism in Ames dwarf mice

Reduced signaling of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)/insulin pathway is associated with extended life span in several species. Ames dwarf mice are GH and IGF-1 deficient and live 50-64% longer than wild type littermates (males and females, respectively). Previously, we have shown that Ames mice exhibit elevated levels of antioxidative enzymes and lower oxidative damage. To further explore the relationship between GH and antioxidant expression, we administered GH or saline to dwarf mice and evaluated components of the methionine and glutathione (GSH) metabolic pathways. Treatment of dwarf mice with GH significantly suppressed methionine adenosyltransferase (40 and 38%) and glycine-N-methyltransferase (44 and 43%) activities (in 3- and 12-month-old mice, respectively). Growth hormone treatment elevated kidney gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase protein levels in 3- and 12-month-old dwarf mice. In contrast, the activity of the GSH degradation enzyme, gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, was suppressed by GH administration in heart and liver. The activity of glutathione-S-transferase, an enzyme involved in detoxification, was also affected by GH treatment. Taken together, the current results along with data from previous studies support a role for growth hormone in the regulation of antioxidative defense and ultimately, life span in organisms with altered GH or IGF-1 signaling.
Oxidation of Low Molecular Weight Chloroalkanes by Cytochrome P450CAM

Cytochrome P450CAM from Pseudomonas putida G786 oxidized chlorinated ethanes and 1,2-dichloropropane. The rate of NADH oxidation decreased with decreasing chlorine substitution. The single detectable oxidation products of 1,1,1-trichloroethane and 1,2-dichloropropane were 1,1,1-trichloroethanol and chloroacetone, respectively. Organic product formation was largely uncoupled from NADH oxidation.
Effects of interleukin-2 administration on platelet function in cancer patients

Platelet function in 16 patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma and melanoma was studied sequentially over the first 96 hr of treatment with moderate and high-dose interleukin-2 (IL-2). During the first 96 hr of therapy, an increased ex vivo platelet maximal aggregation (MA) response to ADP, epinephrine, and arachidonic acid was paralleled by a decrease in the peripheral platelet count. Plasma specimens from patients receiving the moderate dose schedule showed a significant IL-2 induced secretory response of the platelet alpha-granule components beta-thromboglobulin (BTG) and platelet factor 4 (PF4) and the eicosanoid thromboxane B2 (TBX2) as measured by RIA. The increase in TXB2 was highly correlated with MA when analyzed by bivariate regression analysis, whereas the addition of PF4 to TXB2 in a multiple regression analysis further increased their correlation to MA. The observed decrease in peripheral platelet count correlated significantly with MA and PF4 secretion. High-dose IL-2-treated patients showed a statistically significant increase in the percentage of large platelets exceeding 12 fl in diameter and platelet responsiveness to hypotonic shock. These observations suggest that IL-2 therapy results in a reduced peripheral platelet pool, with an increased proportion of the remaining pool of platelets larger, more viable, and activated.
Effect of repeated novel stressors on depressive behavior and brain norepinephrine receptor system in Sprague-Dawley and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats

This study compared the effects of repeated novel stressors on ‘depressive behaviors’, defined by the forced-swim and open-field tests, in Sprague-Dawley (S-D) and Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats. Since stress appears to alter brain norepinephrine (NE) activity, this study also investigated the effects of the stressors on β-adrenoceptors (β-ARs),α2-adrenoceptors (α2-ARs) and NE transporter (NET) sites in S-D and WKY rats. Stress did not alter125I-iodopindolol (125I-PIN) binding to β-ARs, nor [3H]idazoxan ([3H]IDAZ) binding toα2-ARs in S-D rats, compared to non-stressed controls. However, WKY-stressed rats showed a significant reduction in125I-IPIN binding to β-ARs in the cortex, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus, and a reduction in [3H]IDAZ binding toα2-ARs in the amygdala. [3H]nisoxetine ([3H]NIS) binding to NET sites in WKY-stressed rats was also reduced in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala. When both strains were compared, the most surprising finding was a significantly higher density of NET sites in the hippocampus and amygdala in WKY rats compared to S-D rats. The results of this study indicate that stress, not only exacerbates depressive behavior in WKY rats, but also selectively alters β-ARs,α2-ARs and NET sites in limbic brain regions. Thus, the WKY strain may serve as a useful animal model for depressive behavior and for the investigation of novel antidepressant drugs.
Hippocampectomy and Behavior Sequences

Four monkeys with bilateral hippocampal lesions were trained to respond sequentially to visual stimuli, presented with an automated discrimination apparatus. Two different sequential tasks were presented. The experimental animals were significantly inferior on both problems to six control animals. Since no impairment appeared on simple visual discriminations presented with intertrial intervals from 5 seconds to 6 minutes, simple sensory deficits and "short-term" memory impairments appear unlikely. The results strengthen the interpretation that bilateral hippocampal lesions interfere with the acquisition of those behaviors which involve the execution of sequential responses.
The Application of a Digital Computer to the Control and Monitoring of a Proton Linear Accelerator

Preliminary design studies have been carried out on the control system for an 800-Mev proton linear accelerator based on the use of an on-line digital computer as the main controlling element. The accelerator system is divided into fifty-two subsections or modules. A module has complete control of all the equipment associated with it. Selected data and monitoring signals are transmitted on a time-shared basis to a central control computer. The functions which the computer performs in the control of the accelerator may be classified into Operational Control, Operational Supervision, and Data Monitoring and Handling. The operator gives instructions to the computer through interrupt lines. Commands to the modules and displays for the operator time-share a common channel in the computer output system. Synchronization of the input and output data flow is controlled by the computer through a timing unit. A comparison has been made of the computer-based control system with a possible alternate system which does not use a computer. The computer replaces much of the control and data handling equipment required by the alternate system. As a result, the costs of the two systems are comparable. However, the computer-based system is preferable since it has many functional advantages over the alternate system.
Reconstruction of the time-dependent monoenergetic neutron flux from moments

The solution to the monoenergetic time-dependent neutron transport equation in infinite spherical geometry with isotropic scattering is reconstructed from moments. By application of the transformation between spherical and cylindrical geometry, the corresponding solutions is obtained directly. In addition, the form of the solution allows generalization to the anisotropic scattering case.
Ion channel sequestration in central nervous system axons

Na+ and K+ channel localization and clustering are essential for proper electrical signal generation and transmission in CNS myelinated nerve fibres. In particular, Na+ channels are clustered at high density at nodes of Ranvier, and Shaker-type K+ channels are sequestered in juxtaparanodal zones, just beyond the paranodal axoglial junctions. The mechanisms of channel localization at nodes of Ranvier in the CNS during development in both normal and hypomyelinating mutant animals are discussed and reviewed. As myelination proceeds, Na+ channels are initially found in broad zones within gaps between neighbouring oligodendroglial processes, and then are condensed into focal clusters. This process appears to depend on the formation of axoglial junctions. K+ channels are first detected in juxtaparanodal zones, and in mutant mice lacking normal axoglial junctions, these channels fail to cluster. In these mice, despite the presence of numerous oligodendrocytes, Na+ channel clusters are rare, and when present, are highly irregular. A number of molecules have recently been described that are candidates for a role in the neuron-glial interactions driving ion channel clustering. This paper reviews the cellular and molecular events responsible for formation of the mature node of Ranvier in the CNS.
Global Bifurcation of Periodic Solutions to Ordinary Differential Equations

Abstract General homotopy continuation and bifurcation results are discussed and proved for a class of semiflows. These results and further Conley homotopy index methods are applied to obtain a type of global bifurcation for periodic solutions of second order ordinary differential equations.
Alpha spectrum profiling of plutonium in leached simulated high-level radioactive waste-glass

Low-geometry x-ray spectra from /sup 239/Pu and /sup 237/Np, incorporated into simulated high-level radioactive waste-glass, were transformed into depth distributions for these elements. Changes in the depth profiles were observed for a series of static leachings in 75/sup 0/C water. Radiochemical assay of the leach solutions revealed that little neptunium or plutonium was leached, and that the amount leached was independent of leaching time. The depth profiles of the leached specimens showed that there was selective leaching of nonradioactive components of the glass, concentrating the remaining neptunium and plutonium in a broad zone near (but not at) the glass surface. Eventual redeposition of nonradioactive material onto the glass surface inhibited further leaching. Since the depth profiles exhibit uniform concentrations of plutonium and neptunium in undisturbed simulated waste-glass, the depth of attack by the solution can be inferred by departures from the uniform concentrations. A different mechanism was observed in leaching the simulated waste-glass by room temperature 0.03 M NaHCO/sub 3/. There was no evidence for selective leaching or invasion of the glass by the leaching solution. There was, however, a steady buildup of plutonium (but not neptunium) upon the surface of the glass. 4 figures, 3 tables.
Vision-based on-board collision avoidance system for aircraft navigation

This paper presents an automated classification system for images based on their visual complexity. The image complexity is approximated using a clutter measure, and parameters for processing it are dynamically chosen. The classification method is part of a vision-based collision avoidance system for low altitude aerial vehicles, intended to be used during search and rescue operations in urban settings. The collision avoidance system focuses on detecting thin obstacles such as wires and power lines. Automatic parameter selection for edge detection shows a 5% and 12% performance improvement for medium and heavily cluttered images respectively. The automatic classification enabled the algorithm to identify near invisible power lines in a 60 frame video footage from a SUAV helicopter crashing during a search and rescue mission at hurricane Katrina, without any manual intervention.
Questioning the relationship between cochlear otosclerosis and sensorineural hearing loss: a quantitative evaluation of cochlear structures in cases of otosclerosis and review of the literature.

Background: The literature provides conflicting information regarding the prevalence and cause of sensorineural hearing loss (HL) in individuals with otosclerosis. Objective: The purpose of this study was to further evaluate the association between involvement of the cochlear endosteal layer with otosclerosis and sensorineural HL. Study Design: Retrospective case review. Methods: Temporal bones and audiograms from five individuals with otosclerosis were evaluated. The cochlear elements were quantified. The location and extent of the cochlear element loss was correlated with the location and extent of endosteal involvement with otosclerosis. Results: A reduction in the population of cochlear elements was observed in most individuals; however, the reduction was not proportional to the extent of endosteal involvement with otosclerosis. The cochlear elements remained normal adjacent to some areas of endosteal involvement with otosclerosis. One individual with extensive cochlear otosclerosis had normal hearing and predominantly normal cochlear elements. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a variable amount of degeneration of the cochlear elements in individuals with otosclerotic involvement of the endosteum. The reduction in the population of cochlear elements was not related to the extent and location of endosteal involvement with otosclerosis. These findings suggest that factors that limit the effect of otosclerotic endosteal involvement on the cochlear elements or processes that effect the cochlear elements directly and are independent of bone involvement may be present.
Statistical Algorithms for Designing Geophysical Surveys to Detect UXO Target Areas

The U.S. Department of Defense is in the process of assessing and remediating closed, transferred, and transferring military training ranges across the United States. Many of these sites have areas that are known to contain unexploded ordnance (UXO). Other sites or portions of sites are not expected to contain UXO, but some verification of this expectation using geophysical surveys is needed. Many sites are so large that it is often impractical and/or cost prohibitive to perform surveys over 100% of the site. In such cases, it is particularly important to be explicit about the performance required of the surveys. This article presents the statistical algorithms developed to support the design of geophysical surveys along transects (swaths) to find target areas (TAs) of anomalous geophysical readings that may indicate the presence of UXO. The algorithms described here determine (1) the spacing between transects that should be used for the surveys to achieve a specified probability of traversing the TA, (2) the probability of both traversing and detecting a TA of anomalous geophysical readings when the spatial density of anomalies within the TA is either uniform (unchanging over space) or has a bivariate normal distribution, and (3) the probability that a TA exists when it was not found by surveying along transects. These algorithms have been implemented in the Visual Sample Plan (VSP) software to develop cost-effective transect survey designs that meet performance objectives.
Chemical reactivity predictions from molecular structures and properties. Perturbation approaches to electronic and structural rearrangements

Abstract Many molecular phenomena are unmasked as low-order perturbations by transforming from cartesian coordinates to bond-order coordinates. Starting from a general expression for bond-dissociation, it is shown that the simplest set of constraints requires Pauling's bond-order equation as the link between bond-distances, bond energies and stretching force-constants. The Morse equation is another consequence. More general constraints lead to other potential functions (e.g., Lennard-Jones) and “bond-order” transformations. With the bond-order transformation, one bond-dissociation is expressed as a perturbation of another, leading to universal scaling relationships which map energies and interatomic distances onto a “universal” bond-dissociation curve. Potential energy surfaces expressed in cartesian coordinates frequently require high-order terms, but bond-order transformations can reduce them to low-order. The low-order acts as a constraint and leads to Marcus-like relationships between the reaction barrier and the reaction thermodynamics. These Marcus-like relationships factor out the effects of thermodynamic driving force on the barrier height and permit comparisons of the remaining intrinsic contributions arising from interactions absent in the isolated reactants and products. The transferability of intrinsic contributions between different reactions highlights the low-order nature of many chemical reactions, and is useful for constructing new potential energy surfaces from existing calculations and experimental data.
Magnetic susceptibility of dilute solutions of Fe in Cu: Al alloys

Abstract The magnetic susceptibility of dilute Fe in CuAl alloys has been measured from 114°K to 298°K. The susceptibility varied according to the Curie law with the Bohr magneton number of the iron impurity decreasing with increasing Al concentration.
Incarcerated Fathers: Exploring the Dimensions and Prevalence of Parenting Capacity of Non-Violent Offenders

This study explored the level and multi-dimensional nature of parenting capacity, defined as the personal and psychological qualities associated with positive parenting behaviors, in a sample of 196 fathers incarcerated in one state minimum-security facility. The non-violent offender fathers in this study reported knowledge about parental empathy and beliefs about corporeal punishment parallel to what would be expected in the general population. A majority identified with and valued their fatherhood role. However, these fathers also reported depression, psychological difficulties, and personal adjustment problems that could diminish effective parenting and put them at risk for subsequent child abusing behaviors. Race and amount of contact with child during imprisonment were major factors associated with different parenting capacity dimensions. Research limitations and practice implications are discussed.
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND GIS IN URBAN GEOGRAPHY: THEN AND NOW

(1997). QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS AND GIS IN URBAN GEOGRAPHY: THEN AND NOW. Urban Geography: Vol. 18, No. 2, pp. 95-99.
Effects of Moment Arm Variations on the Joint Stiffness Characteristics of a Musculo-Tendon Driven Joint

Passive joint compliance is a key feature of the human hand that plays an important role in realizing dexterous, precise and graceful movements. Our goal is to study the role of passive compliance in the human hand joints and develop ways for implementing human-like passive compliance in a robotic form. While a variety of factors influence joint stiffness in a tendon-driven system the focus of this paper is on investigating the effects of variation in moment arms, defined by the joint shape, on the joint stiffness characteristics. We present a method for analyzing the effects of variable moment arms on the joint stiffness variations and a mathematical technique to synthesize joint shapes based on the stiffness requirements. We study the role of variable passive stiffness by analyzing energy consumption and dynamic response with system models. We validate our theoretical results in shape synthesis with an experimental platform involving a single degree of freedom tendon driven joint. The analysis and results of our work have implications in the design of various robotic systems, including robotic hands, that seek to incorporate human-like joint stiffness characteristics.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Intrasexual chemical communication and social responses of captive female African elephants, Loxodonta africana

In matrilineal societies, competition between females can occur within and between social units. Dominance hierarchies reduce costly conflicts when reliable cues of status are available, and reproductive condition may alter individual or group status. Female African elephants live in matriarchal groups with linear dominance hierarchies occurring within and between groups; elephants use chemical signals to mediate social interactions. If reproductive condition has important implications for inter- or intragroup behaviour, then females should discriminate between chemical signal sources that reveal reproductive condition. We examined whether trunk-tip contacts between females within a social group were related to phase of oestrus. Observations were conducted on 21 reproductively viable females at nine zoological facilities in North America. Females in the follicular phase received contacts to the urogenital region at a higher rate than did luteal phase females, and contacts increased with approaching ovulation. This supports the existence of an oestrous signal. We also examined whether an oestrous signal was evident by female investigation of urine collected from the luteal and follicular phases of unfamiliar conspecifics. Elephants responded to unfamiliar urine more than to the control, but response rates to the urine types did not differ. Females within a social unit detected differences in oestrus, but they did not show such discrimination to urinary signals from unfamiliar females. Further evaluation of the existence of a female-to-female oestrous pheromone requires assessing responses to urine from familiar individuals. Understanding the relationship between oestrous condition and dominance status can shed light on the adaptive value of sociality.