cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Linear Approximation Using MOTAD and Separable Programming: Should It Be Done?

Linear approximation techniques have often been applied to nonlinear mathematical programming models for computational efficiency reasons. Price-endogenous agricultural sector models and risk models have found numerous applications. This article addresses the issue of approximation efficiency. Based on computational experience with a series of moderate and large-scale sector and risk models, it is concluded that direct nonlinear solution is more efficient than using linear approximations for sector and risk models having objective function nonlinearities. On the other hand, the experimental results indicate that approximation should continue in case of models with nonlinearities in their constraints.
Saccade launch site as a predictor of fixation durations in reading: Comments on Hand, Miellet, O’Donnell, and Sereno (2010).

An important question in research on eye movements in reading is whether word frequency and word predictability have additive or interactive effects on fixation durations. A fair number of studies have reported only additive effects of the frequency and predictability of a target word on reading times on that word, failing to show significant interactions. Recently, however, Hand, Miellet, O'Donnell, and Sereno (see record 2010-19099-001) reported interactive effects in a study that included the distance of the prior fixation from the target word (launch site). They reported that when the saccade into the target word was launched from very near to the word (within 3 characters), the predictability effect was larger for low frequency words, but when the saccade was launched from a medium distance (4-6 characters from the word) the predictability effect was larger for high frequency words. Hand et al. argued for the importance of including launch site in analyses of target word fixation durations. Here we describe several problems with Hand et al.'s use of analyses of variance in which launch site is divided into distinct ordinal levels. We describe a more appropriate way to analyze such data-linear mixed-effect models-and we use this method to show that launch site does not modulate the interaction between frequency and predictability in two other data sets.
When less is more: apoptosis during acute kidney injury

The paper by Ma and Devarajan suggests that the subtle apoptotic events that occur in the distal nephron after acute kidney injury might have a greater than expected impact on the adjacent proximal tubules and kidney function. Understanding these events might facilitate development of therapeutic means to ameliorate acute kidney injury.
Adapted morphing model for 3D volume reconstruction applied to abdominal CT images

The purpose of this study was to develop a 3D volume reconstruction model for volume rendering and apply this model to abdominal CT data. The model development includes two steps: (1) interpolation of given data for a complete 3D model, and (2) visualization. First, CT slices are interpolated using a special morphing algorithm. The main idea of this algorithm is to take a region from one CT slice and locate its most probable correspondence in the adjacent CT slice. The algorithm determines the transformation function of the region in between two adjacent CT slices and interpolates the data accordingly. The most probable correspondence of a region is obtained using correlation analysis between the given region and regions of the adjacent CT slice. By applying this technique recursively, taking progressively smaller subregions within a region, a high quality and accuracy interpolation is obtained. The main advantages of this morphing algorithm are 1) its applicability not only to parallel planes like CT slices but also to general configurations of planes in 3D space, and 2) its fully automated nature as it does not require control points to be specified by a user compared to most morphing techniques. Subsequently, to visualize data, a specialized volume rendering card (TeraRecon VolumePro 1000) was used. To represent data in 3D space, special software was developed to convert interpolated CT slices to 3D objects compatible with the VolumePro card. Visual comparison between the proposed model and linear interpolation clearly demonstrates the superiority of the proposed model.
Arteriovenous Malformations in the Brain.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are a leading cause of intracerebral hemorrhage, especially among the young. Because they pose a lifelong risk of serious bleeding, definitive treatment to obliterate the AVM should be pursued in the majority of patients. Microsurgical resection of a small AVM located in the superficial or noneloquent brain achieves high cure rates with low morbidity, and is the recommended choice for such lesions. Radiosurgery with gamma knife, linear accelerator, or heavy ion beam irradiation is an alternative therapy for AVM treatments less than 3 centimeters in diameter located in brain regions where surgery is likely to produce major neurologic deficits, or for patients unable or unwilling to undergo craniotomy and resection. Cure rates are lower than with microsurgery, and obliteration of the lesion may take 2 to 3 years, during which time the patient remains at risk for hemorrhage. Because rates of recurrent hemorrhage are higher than rates of initial bleeding, radiosurgery may be a good option for patients who have not yet had an intracranial hemorrhage. Endovascular embolization as sole therapy is curative only in a small percentage of cases, but is recommended as part of a multimodal approach to reduce the size of a large AVM, and decrease bleeding risk of lesions with multiple or inaccessible feeding vessels or associated aneurysms prior to surgery or radiotherapy. Currently, treatment decisions must rely solely on Class III evidence from case series and expert opinion. Randomized clinical trials are needed to provide objective guidelines for the future management of patients with an AVM.
Psychometric properties of the Wolpe-Lazarus assertiveness scale with community-dwelling older adults

The psychometric properties of the Wolpe-Lazarus Assertiveness Scale (WLAS) were examined with an older community-dwelling, nonclinical, adult population. Three hundred twenty-seven older adults (ages, 57–96; mean, 75.68) who were not psychiatrically impaired completed a demographic questionnaire and the WLAS. Fifty-seven of the 327 subjects also filled out the WLAS on a repeated basis after 3 or 4 weeks in order to determine the test-retest reliability. Results indicate that the WLAS has an adequate internal consistency (Cronbach'sα=.75) and test-retest reliability (r=.81). WLAS cutoff scores of 14 and under identify unassertiveness. Older adults who are (1) African-American or (2) of lower SES tend to be significantly less assertive. Also, five factors emerged from a principal-components analysis accounting for 34.7% of the total variance.
Impact of Neurocognitive Function on Academic Difficulties in Pediatric Bipolar Disorder: A Clinical Translation

Background Previous research has demonstrated that academic and neuropsychological functions are compromised in pediatric bipolar disorder (PBD). Investigation of the degree to which neuropsychological deficits might contribute to those academic problems is needed to aid in the recognition and intervention for school achievement difficulties in PBD. Methods A sample of 55 children and adolescents with PBD with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (PBD group, n = 28; PBD+ADHD group, n = 27) were tested with a computerized neurocognitive battery and standardized neuropsychological tests. Age range of subjects was 7–17 years, with the mean age of 11.97 (3.18) years. Parents completed a structured questionnaire on school and academic functioning. Results Logistic regression analyses indicated that executive function, attention, working memory, and verbal memory scores were poorer in those with a history of reading/writing difficulties. A separate logistic regression analysis found that attentional dysfunction predicted math difficulties. These relationships between neuropsychological function and academic difficulties were not different in those with PBD+ADHD than in those with PBD alone. Conclusions In PBD neuropsychological deficits in the areas of attention, working memory, and organization/problem solving skills all contribute to academic difficulties. Early identification and intervention for these difficulties might help prevent lower academic achievement in PBD.
The Increase in Spanish in Michigan

Author's summary.— In view of the rapid changes brought about by the war much of the data presented here has but an historical value; it is published as a record which may be of use in making comparisons when schools and colleges have settled down into new patterns or have returned to “normal.” The report presents data on enrollments; teacher supply; motivations for the increase in Spanish; mortality after the first year; and some miscellaneous data.
Survival by histologic subtype in stage IV nonsmall cell lung cancer based on data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and end results program

Background: The role of histology in the targeted management of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has garnered renewed attention in recent years. We provide contemporary population-based estimates of survival and an assessment of important prognostic factors in stage IV NSCLC by major histologic subtype.
Single-Layer Model To Predict the Source/Sink Behavior of Diffusion-Controlled Building Materials

Building materials may act as both sources of and sinks for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. A strategy to characterize the rate of absorption and desorption of VOCs by diffusion-controlled building materials is validated. A previously developed model that predicts mass transfer between a flat slab of material and the well-mixed air within a chamber or room is extended. The generalized model allows a nonuniform initial material-phase concentra tion and a transient influent gas-phase concentration to be simultaneously considered. An analytical solution to the more general model is developed. Experimental data are obtained by placing samples of vinyl flooring inside a small stainless steel chamber and exposing them to absorption/desorption cycles of n-dodecane and phenol. Measured values for the material−air partition coefficient and the material-phase diffusion coefficient were obtained previously in a series of completely independent experiments. The a priori model predictions are in close...
Library Value in the Classroom: Assessing Student Learning Outcomes from Instruction and Collections

Abstract What is the value of library services and resources in the college classroom? How do library instruction and collections contribute to academic teaching and learning outcomes? A chemistry instructor, instruction librarian, and technical services librarian collaborated to answer these questions by combining chemistry education and information literacy pedagogy to assess student learning. The authors developed curriculum units that teach information literacy skills and scientific literature research in a General Chemistry Laboratory course for Honors students. Their study extends beyond examining library instruction and collections assessment in isolation. Rather, their research protocol intends to contribute to student learning outcomes assessment research. The authors propose that an embedded, mixed-methodology, and longitudinal approach can be used to collect data and assess outcomes in terms that describe and measure the value of library services and resources.
High-resolution lithography with a vacuum STM

Abstract The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) is demonstrated to be a useful low-energy e-beam lithographic tool and a valuable probe of resist materials. Lithography with a vacuum STM and a 10 nm 50 kV e-beam has been performed on identically prepared and processed films of a state-of-the-art high-resolution negative resist (SAL-601 from Shipley). On bulk substrates (Si and GaAs), resist films up to 50 nm thick have been patterned, developed and observed in a scanning electron microscope. A resist thickness of 50 nm is sufficient to withstand a reactive ion etch. On Si, the minimum feature size observed with the 50 kV e-beam was 95 nm. In contrast, the STM lithography defined features observed in the developed resist to have linewidths down to 23 nm. The variation of feature size with exposure dose, exposure voltage and resist thickness has been studied. The STM lithography has shown that SAL-601 is inherently capable of sub 25 nm resolution and that low voltage e-beam lithography can produce smaller minimum feature sizes than lithography with a 10 nm 50 kV e-beam.
A model for 18O/16O variations in CO2 evolved from goethite during the solid-state α-FeOOH to α-Fe2O3 phase transition

Abstract “Plateau” δ 18 O values of CO 2 that evolved from the Fe(CO 3 )OH component during isothermal vacuum dehydrations (200–230 °C) of 18 natural goethites range from 8.2 to 28.1‰. In contrast, the measured δ 18 O values of the goethite structural oxygen range from −11.3 to 1.7‰. The results of this study indicate that the apparent oxygen isotope fractionation factor ( 18 α app ) between plateau CO 2 and initial goethite is systematically related to the rate of isothermal vacuum dehydration. The nonlinear correlation and the magnitudes of the 18 α app values are predicted by a relatively simple mass balance model with the following assumptions: (1) the rate of isothermal vacuum dehydration of goethite (for the interval from 0 to ∼60 to 80% loss of structural hydroxyl hydrogen) can be reasonably well represented by first-order kinetics and (2) isotopic exchange between evolving H 2 O vapor and solid occurs only in successive, local transition states. The generally good correspondence between the model predictions and the experimental data seems to validate these assumptions. Thus, the 18 O/ 16 O ratios of the evolved CO 2 can act as probes into the transient processes operating at the molecular level during the solid-state goethite-to-hematite phase transition. For example, the activation energy for the rate constant associated with the transition state, oxygen isotopic exchange between solid and H 2 O vapor, is tentatively estimated as 28 ± 11 KJ/mol. Such knowledge may be of consequence in understanding the significance of 18 O/ 16 O ratios in hematites from some natural environments (e.g., Mars?). Kinetic data and δ 18 O values of CO 2 are routinely obtained in the course of measurements of the abundance and δ 13 C values of the Fe(CO 3 )OH in goethite. The observed correlation between 18 α app and dehydration rates suggests that plateau δ 18 O values of evolved CO 2 may provide complementary estimates of the δ 18 O values of total goethite structural oxygen (O, OH, CO 2 ) with an overall precision of about ±1‰. However, because of isotopic exchange during the dehydration process, δ 18 O values of the evolved CO 2 do not reflect the original δ 18 O values of the CO 2 that was occluded as Fe(CO 3 )OH in goethite.
Some antiphospholipid antibodies recognize conformational epitopes shared by β2‐glycoprotein I and the homologous catalytic domains of several serine proteases

Objective To test the hypothesis that some antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) recognize a conformational epitope shared by beta2-glycoprotein I (beta2GPI; the major autoantigen for the antiphospholipid antibodies) and the homologous catalytic domains of several serine proteases (such as thrombin, activated protein C [APC], and plasmin) involved in hemostasis. Methods We generated 4 new IgG monoclonal aPL (2 screened against beta2GPI, 1 against thrombin, and 1 against protein C) from 2 APS patients. The monoclonal antibodies (mAb) were analyzed for binding to beta2GPI, thrombin, APC, and plasmin, as well as for anticardiolipin antibody (aCL) activity. To demonstrate a shared epitope between beta2GPI and a serine protease, 1 mAb was studied by cross-inhibition analysis. Results Both of the IgG anti-beta2GPI mAb bound to thrombin, APC, and plasmin. On the other hand, the 1 anti-thrombin mAb and the 1 anti-protein C mAb also bound to beta2GPI. Moreover, the binding of 1 cross-reactive mAb to beta2GPI was inhibited by alpha-thrombin (which contains only the catalytic domain of thrombin). All 4 mAb displayed aCL activity. Conclusion Taken together with the findings that some aCL bind to several serine proteases that participate in hemostasis and share homologous catalytic domains, these data demonstrate that some aCL in APS patients recognize one or more conformational epitopes shared by beta2GPI and the catalytic domains of disease-relevant serine proteases.
Fully relativistic calculations of and fits to 1s ionization cross sections

The range of conditions for which inclusion of the generalized Breit interaction is important in calculating the scattering matrix elements for 1s ionization is explored within the relativistic distorted-wave approximation. This approach is applied to the calculation of 1s ionization cross sections for a variety of ions with one to four bound electrons and nuclear charge Z in the range of $10l~Zl~92.$ These data are then interpolated with simple, but accurate, fit formulas. The resulting expressions are readily integrated over a relativistic Maxwellian electron distribution function to obtain rate coefficients for plasma modeling. A discussion of the high energy behavior of the cross sections for large Z is also given.
Prefrontal Cortex Activity During Walking While Multitasking An fNIR Study

Previous work has demonstrated that walking while carrying out secondary cognitive tasks (e.g., talking on a cell phone) can lead to decrements in performance on both tasks. Studying these decrements in an ecologically valid setting has generally been limited to behavioral data (e.g., error rates, task completion times). Recently, the advent of portable neuroimaging technology – specifically, functional Near-Infrared spectroscopy (fNIR) – has made it possible to measure cortical activity while a participant is walking. We conducted an experiment using fNIR to measure cortical blood flow (in dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) while participants walked and carried out cognitive tasks of varying difficulty. Participants walked 25 feet on each trial, and performed either a low-load condition (counting backward by 1), or a high-load condition (counting backward by 7). Participants in the high load condition walked more slowly and performed the counting task more slowly and with more errors than those in the low l...
Traditionality and the Discriminating Effect of Expectations of Occupational Success and Occupational Values for Women within Math-Oriented Fields

Abstract Success expectations and vocational values have been identified as important features of women's career pursuits. Also, examination of differences among women pursuing traditionally and nontraditionally open fields has proven illuminating. Nonetheless, the women compared in such studies often pursued fields requiring vastly different competencies, interests, and training. This study investigated possible differences between women majoring in math-oriented fields in a traditionally closed area, engineering, and those in a traditionally open area, math education, with respect to success expectations in such fields and to the importance of various vocational outcomes. Success expectations for traditional and nontraditional occupations distinguished between the two groups, as did values for a number of vocational outcomes. In understanding women's career choices, the findings support the role of success expectations, the little studied role of outcome desirability, and the value of examining within-group occupational orientations within fields differing in traditionality but requiring similar skills, training, and interests.
A Graphical Framework for Contextual Search and Name Disambiguation in Email

Similarity measures for text have historically been an important tool for solving information retrieval problems. In this paper we consider extended similarity metrics for documents and other objects embedded in graphs, facilitated via a lazy graph walk. We provide a detailed instantiation of this framework for email data, where content, social networks and a timeline are integrated in a structural graph. The suggested framework is evaluated for the task of disambiguating names in email documents. We show that reranking schemes based on the graph-walk similarity measures often outperform base-line methods, and that further improvements can be obtained by use of appropriate learning methods.
T-Cell Immunity: How γδ T cells make a living

Abstract New evidence indicates that γδ T cells, like αβ T cells, provide immunity to infectious diseases; but the two cell types may differ in that MHC molecules may not play a critical role in antigen presentation to most γδ T cells.
The present status of phrenic nerve paralysis in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Temporary phrenic paralysis is occasionally indicated in certain selected cases in the modern treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. This should only be performed following a consideration of the patient's long-range plan of therapy and possible future major surgical requirements. Permanent phrenic paralysis has very little place in the present-day treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. However, the fact must be borne in mind that a definite percentage of attempted temporary phrenic paralyses will result in some degree of permanent impairment of diaphragmatic function.
Effects of seed-cuttting dates on yields of various potato varieties

The effects of dates of seed cutting on the yields and stands of 3 potato varieties were tested in 1955 in Maine and of 8 varieties in 1956 in Maine, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
Transition Radiation Detectors for the Third Millennium (TRD2003 workshop summary)

Much of the discussion at the Second Workshop on Transition Radiation Detectors for the Third Millenium concerned large, new detectors for astrophysics (i.e., cosmic ray) measurements in space; the progress and problems associated with upcoming accelerator experiments; and the validity and accuracy of simulation programs. I will review those discussions briefly here.
Nucleoside transport sites in a cultured human retinal cell line established by SV-40 T antigen gene

Adenosine, an important neuromodulatory compound in the brain and retina, is a potent vasodilator in most vascular beds throughout the body. Its actions are potentiated by inhibitors of nucleoside transport into cells. Knowledge of the existence of specific adenosine uptake systems in mammalian retina and the inhibition of the uptake by nitrobenzylthioinosine (NBMPR), a potent inhibitor of nucleoside transport, raises the possibility that the associated nucleoside transport system may be of pharmacological importance in retinal function. We have characterized the binding of the nucleoside transporter probe, [3H]NBMPR, to a cultured human retinal cell line established by transfection of SV-40 T antigen plasmid-DNA. The binding was specific, saturable and reversible. Scatchard analysis of the saturation data revealed that NBMPR binds to a homogeneous population of high affinity binding sites (KD = 0.65 ± 0.22 nM; Bmax = 466 ± 157 fmol/mg protein) characteristically similar to the binding sites in human reti...
The use of split-thickness dermal grafts to resurface full thickness skin defects

Coverage of large burns may be difficult when skin graft donor sites are limited. This study explored the use of the split-thickness dermal graft (STDG), as an alternative to the standard split-thickness skin graft (STSG). STSGs and STDGs were compared experimentally by their ability to resurface full thickness skin defects in a pig model. Both types of grafts were harvested from the backs of six pigs and placed on full thickness wounds. From the same donor site a 0.012in. thick STSG and another two 0.012in. thick STDGs were harvested. Thus the deep surface of grafts measured 0.012, 0.024 and 0.036in. from the skin surface, respectively. All grafts were placed on 6cmx6cm full thickness wounds. The donor areas healed at 1 week. Epithelialization of the STDGs, was assessed by computerized planimetry, and was 100% at 4 weeks. Graft biopsies revealed that STSGs were significant thinner than STDGs at 1 week (P=0.0422, 0.0135), 2 weeks (P=0.0240) and 4 weeks (P=0.0516, 0.0425). We conclude that STDGs my provide definitive coverage of full thickness skin deficits in a pig wound model.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA TECHNICAL COLLEGE SYSTEM

The South Carolina Technical College System was started in 1964 to draw industry to the state. The South Carolina Technical Colleges have consistently played a valuable role in attracting major industry to the state. Over the last 30‐plus years, the system has grown to 16 colleges that are distributed throughout the state. The colleges offer both technical and transfer courses. They also provide training for new companies and a full range of continuing education classes. The colleges today are governed by the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education. They have seen significant growth over the last 5 years. The system provides easy access to higher education. The colleges today are faced with many challenges, including decreased funding, limited equipment funds, and increased reporting requirements. The colleges are challenged to do more with less. They must relate effectively to all levels of education and continue to support the state's growth and development.
Dual targeting of mTORC1/C2 complexes enhances histone deacetylase inhibitor-mediated anti-tumor efficacy in primary HCC cancer in vitro and in vivo.

Background & Aims The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) plays a pivotal role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Previous studies indicated that inhibition of mTORC1 enhanced histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACis)-mediated anti-tumor activity, accompanied with feedback activation of AKT. Therefore, dual targeting of mTORC1/C2 should be more efficient in suppressing AKT activity and in enhancing the anti-tumor activity of HDACi in HCC. Methods The interactions between mTOR kinase inhibitors (mTORKis) (i.e., Pp242, AZD8055, OSI027) and HDACis (i.e., SAHA, LBH589) were examined in vitro using HCC cell lines and in vivo using patient-derived primary HCC xenografts on SCID mice. Results mTORKis significantly enhanced HDACi-induced apoptosis in HCC cells. The inhibition of both mTORC1/2 not only efficiently blocked mTORC1 signaling, but also abrogated AKT-feedback activation caused by selective mTORC1 inhibition. The co-treatment of mTORKi and HDACi further inhibited AKT signaling and upregulated Bim. Dysfunction of mTORC2 by shRNA significantly lowered the threshold of HDACi-induced cytotoxicity by abrogating AKT activation. Knockdown of AKT1 sensitized Pp242/HDACi-induced apoptosis and ectopic expression of constitutively active AKT1 abrogated the combination-induced cytotoxicity, indicating AKT plays a vital role in the combination-induced effects. Knockdown of Bim prevented Pp242/HDACis-induced cytotoxicity in HCC. Lastly, in vivo studies indicated that the combination of AZD8055 and SAHA almost completely inhibited tumor-growth, without obvious adverse effects, by abrogating AKT and upregulating Bim; while either agent alone shows only 30% inhibition in primary HCC xenografts. Conclusions Our findings suggest that a combining-regimen of mTORKi and HDACi may be an effective therapeutic strategy for HCC.
The influence of store environment on quality inferences and store image

The study reported here examines how combinations of specific elements in the retail store environment influence consumers’ inferences about merchandise and service quality and discusses the extent to which these inferences mediate the influence of the store environment on store image. Results show that ambient and social elements in the store environment provide cues that consumers use for their quality inferences. In addition, store environment, merchandise quality, and service quality were posited to be antecedents of store image—with the latter two serving as mediators—rather than components of store image (as they are typically treated in the store image literature). Theoretical and managerial implications of the findings are discussed, and future research directions are proposed.
Unrelenting Innovation—G.J. Tellis. (Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, a John Wiley and Sons Imprint, 332 pp., 2013, $34.95). Reviewed by John E. Ettlie

Gerald Tellis, a professor of marketing at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA, has just published a look at a problem long-recognized but unresolved in the field of innovation: Why is it that incumbent firms that come to dominate their markets fail to maintain their strong market positions very long? His thesis is that corporate culture is both the cause and the cure for the innovation challenge. Prof. Tellis gives numerous examples of companies that have fallen from on high in their markets like Sony, Kodak, Research in Motion (Blackberry), Nokia in mobile phones, Sears, and the list goes on and on. Many other experts have written about this problem, among them Clay Christensen and Michael Tushman, but Prof. Tellis has a unique view of the underlying causes of this problem and the potential solutions which make this book worth reading. Tellis offers a fresh view, building on much prior research. The book presents the causes for the challenge of maintaining a dominant position through innovation. Prof. Tellis argues that the root cause of the problem is the "incumbent curse," which is a "self-destructive culture that results from their prior success". The leading incumbents fear cannibalizing their current successful products and respond too late to competitors to save themselves.
Effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on neuronal development: selective actions on central and peripheral catecholaminergic pathways.

Abstract The effects of prenatal nicotine exposure on development of catecholaminergic pathways were examined through measurements of transmitter turnover and levels in both the central and peripheral nervous system. Administration of nicotine (3 mg/kg SC, twice daily) to pregnant rats on gestational days 3 through 20 resulted in growth retardation which did not spare the brain and which did not resolve until after weaning. Nicotine exposure produced an elevation in transmitter turnover in central noradrenergic pathways with a regional selectivity reflecting the timetable of cellular development: the most profound effects were seen in late-developing regions (cerebellum), intermediate effects were found in earlier-developing areas (cerebral cortex) and the least effect was obtained where maturation occurs earliest (midbrain + brainstem). Dopaminergic pathways were much less vulnerable than was the noradrenergic system. Effects on the peripheral sympathetic nervous system also were targeted toward specific neuronal populations: renal, cardiac and adrenal pathways were activated by prenatal nicotine exposure, whereas sympathetic innervation of the lung showed reduced activity. All the peripheral effects appeared only after the second postnatal week. These results indicate that prenatal nicotine exposure produces profound alterations in transmitter disposition which are targeted toward specific neuronal populations and which may depend upon generalized effects on cellular development of specific brain regions. Because altered peripheral nerve activity was seen only after the onset of central control of sympathetic tone, actions on central regulation may play a role in the relatively more profound effects in the autonomie nervous system.
New participants in SmartGrids and associated challenges in the transition towards the grid of the future

Different concepts for the long term evolution of electricity networks have been proposed. Visions of large scale, continent-wide interconnections, local scale independent distribution network cells and networks integrating other forms of energy have emerged. The inclusion of new classes of network participants, e.g. prosumers, services providers, transportation applications, regulators and the increase of the number of distributed generators is a common feature of all these frameworks. A series of challenges result from this evolution: the need to coordinate distributed participants, the need to harmonize standards and procedures, as well as the need to overcome a series of obstacles to change. This contribution reviews emerging network concepts and the associated challenges. Series compensation, reconfigurable power electronic systems and wide-scale use of phasor measurement units are early examples for these emerging solutions.
Federal and State Assistance Expectations among Local Policymakers: A Case of Water Resource Management

(1981). Federal and State Assistance Expectations among Local Policymakers: A Case of Water Resource Management. The Journal of Environmental Education: Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 9-13.
Spectral Sensitivity Modeling and Nighttime Scene Brightness Perception

ABSTRACTBrightness perception under different light sources is an important visual response, because it is related to perceptions of safety. A growing number of studies have been conducted to assess perceptions of scene brightness under light sources differing in spectral content, including results consistent with a role of melanopsin-containing, intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells in scene brightness. Data from recent studies of scene brightness perception at light levels experienced under nighttime driving conditions are used to compare different models of brightness perception. The data support a role of increased short-wavelength sensitivity for scene brightness perception and a provisional spectral sensitivity model that takes into account the possible influence of melanopsin-containing, intrinsically photoreceptive retinal ganglion cells is suggested as a basis for further investigation. The implications of such a model on brightness perception under several light sources used in tra...
Evaluation of fat saturation technique for T2-weighted MR imaging of the spine

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of fat saturation for performance of T2-weighted imaging of the spine. Eighteen consecutive patients underwent MR imaging of the cervical (n = 7) or lumbar (n = 11) spine with proton density/T2-weighted sequences (TR 2200 ms, TE 30 80 ms) performed with and without fat saturation. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of images was conducted to compare tissue contrast, myelographic effect, presence of artifacts, and ability to delineate important anatomic structures on conventional and fat suppressed sequences. Images obtained with fat saturation demonstrated improved myelographic effect and increased contrast between vertebral body and disk, and between CSF and nerve roots/spinal cord. Image quality and most artifacts were equal on both sequences, though fat suppressed images had reduced image uniformity. Quantitative measurements of tissue contrast indicated improved contrast between vertebral bodies and CSF, disk, and spinal cord/nerve roots on fat saturation images.
Florid cutaneous papillomatosis.

F lorid cutaneous papillomatosis (FCP) is a disease consisting of the rapid onset of numerous warty papules indistinguishable clinically from viral warts.1-5 These lesions develop on the trunk and extremities. FCP has been described in association with malignant acanthosis nigricans (MAN) and internal malignancy. In fact, FCP appears to be an obligatory paraneoplastic syndrome in that it has been always associated with an internal malignancy. The cancer, which is usually intraabdominal and most often gastric in origin, evolves parallel with the FCP.
Helping: The Importance of Cost/Reward Considerations on Likelihood to Help:

The circumstances under which an individual would “help” another have been explored intensively over the past two decades. A variety of models have been proposed. Many of these have been interpreted within a cost/reward context. The present study used a questionnaire regarding a variety of costs and rewards to examine the relative importance of various considerations in deciding whether to help. Analysis indicates that the 37 respondents attributed little importance to all except three statements: (1) “It is the right thing to do,” (2) “It would make me feel good about myself,” (3) “I might get hurt.”
Barriers and Bridges to Positive Cross-Ethnic Relations African American and White Parent Socialization Beliefs and Practices

African American and White parents who expressed interest in their youth's cross-ethnic peer relations discussed barriers that contributed to cross-ethnic avoidance and their efforts to bridge those barriers in their youth. African American parents routinely used discussion, efforts to create positive contact situations, modeling, and explicit statements in response to their perception that cross-ethnic relations were stymied by discrimination and a lack of grounding in African American culture. White parents relied primarily on the school and inaction to overcome barriers of an ethnically homogeneous social context, socioeconomic status differences, and a lack of understanding of African American culture. Parents' socialization efforts appeared to occur in response to parents' position as members of cultural and numerical majority versus minority groups and were further responsive to formal and informal practices of the school and peer group influences.
The convergence of several algorithms for solving integral equations with finite part integrals. II

We establish the uniform convergence and obtain convergence rates for several algorithms for solving a class of Hadamard singular integral equations. These results improve on the mean square convergence shown in [2].
Multimodal model integration for sentence unit detection

In this paper, we adopt a direct modeling approach to utilize conversational gesture cues in detecting sentence boundaries, called SUs, in video taped conversations. We treat the detection of SUs as a classification task such that for each inter-word boundary, the classifier decides whether there is an SU boundary or not. In addition to gesture cues, we also utilize prosody and lexical knowledge sources. In this first investigation, we find that gesture features complement the prosodic and lexical knowledge sources for this task. By using all of the knowledge sources, the model is able to achieve the lowest overall SU detection error rate.
Yeast homotypic vacuole fusion requires the Ccz1–Mon1 complex during the tethering/docking stage

The function of the yeast lysosome/vacuole is critically linked with the morphology of the organelle. Accordingly, highly regulated processes control vacuolar fission and fusion events. Analysis of homotypic vacuole fusion demonstrated that vacuoles from strains defective in the CCZ1 and MON1 genes could not fuse. Morphological evidence suggested that these mutant vacuoles could not proceed to the tethering/docking stage. Ccz1 and Mon1 form a stable protein complex that binds the vacuole membrane. In the absence of the Ccz1–Mon1 complex, the integrity of vacuole SNARE pairing and the unpaired SNARE class C Vps/HOPS complex interaction were both impaired. The Ccz1–Mon1 complex colocalized with other fusion components on the vacuole as part of the cis-SNARE complex, and the association of the Ccz1–Mon1 complex with the vacuole appeared to be regulated by the class C Vps/HOPS complex proteins. Accordingly, we propose that the Ccz1–Mon1 complex is critical for the Ypt7-dependent tethering/docking stage leading to the formation of a trans-SNARE complex and subsequent vacuole fusion.
Metabolism of fatty acids in rat brain microsomal membranes.

Using a technique in which substrate fatty acids are incorporated into microsomal membranes followed by comparison of their rates of desaturation with those of exogenous added fatty acids, it has been found that the desaturation rate may be greater for the membrane-bound substrate than for the added fatty acid. Moreover, the product of the membrane-bound substrate is incorporated into membrane phospholipid whereas the product of the exogenous substrate is found in di- and triacyl glycerols and in free fatty acids, as well. These and other findings point to a normal sequence of reaction of membrane lipids with membrane-bound substrate involving transfer of fatty acid from phospholipid to the coupled enzyme systems without facile equilibration with the free fatty acid pool.
Low noise stabilized chirped pulse Theta laser for photonic ADC

A semiconductor-based 100 MHz Theta cavity design laser using a fiberized Fabry-Perot etalon with an intra-cavity modified Hansch-Couillaud scheme is presented. AM noise spectra reveal suppression of the supermode noise spur by >30 dB.
Determining optimal threshold for statins prescribing: individualization of statins treatment for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.

Rationale, aims and objectives The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) statin guidelines recommend that people with risk of cardio-vascular disease (CVD) ≥7.5% over 10 years should be treated with statins. This recommendation ignores individual patient CVD risks and preferences. We compared the ACC/AHA guidelines to the following management strategies a) individualized statins treatment based on Framingham Risk Score (FRS), b) treat none, c) treat all. Methods We employed regret-based decision curve analysis to evaluate the optimal treatment strategy. We used data on 5013 participants from the second generation of the Framingham Heart Study. We assessed regret of each treatment strategy [treat according to FRS vs. treat none vs. treat all] as a function of emotionally felt loss of treatment benefits and incurred treatment harms. We calculated the difference between regret associated with one strategy compared with the other and expressed it as Net Expected Regret Difference (NERD). Two strategies are identical if NERD = 0. Results Treatment according to ACC/AHA guidelines represents the optimal strategy only if the patient values avoiding heart disease 12 times more than harms related to statins. For values of benefit/harms (B/H) <12, treatment according to FRS represents the optimal strategy. For B/H <3, ‘treat none’ represents equally acceptable strategy. Adopting a threshold of 10% recommended by other professional organizations would decrease over-treatment by more than 60% without significantly affecting under-treatment. Conclusion Under most realistic scenarios, individualizing statins treatment, or not recommending statins at all, represents the optimal strategy for primary prevention of heart disease.
Evidence for different angiotensin II receptors in rat adrenal glomerulosa and rabbit vascular smooth muscle cells. Studies with competitive antagonists.

Angiotensin II (AII) acts as both an endogenous vasoconstrictor agent and a specific trophic hormone that controls aldosterone secretion. The characteristics of vascular and adrenal receptors for AII were examined in vitro by comparing stimulation and blockade induced by two structural analogues of AII. The adrenal response was assessed on the basis of corticosterone and aldosterone production by isolated rat glomerulosa cells; isolated rabbit aortic strips provided an index of the response of vascular smooth muscle. Threshold sensitivity to AII in both tissues was 0.3-1.0 ng/ml with a peak response at about 300 ng/ml. PII3 (I-Sar-8-Ala-AII) was a competitive antagonist in both systems; 1-10 ng/ml of PII3 produced a significant parallel shift of the All dose-response curve (P < 0.01). The maximum response was not reduced; increasing doses of AII overcame the blockade, and the responses to other agonists were not influenced. PII3 did not stimulate either tissue. P4T8 (4-Phe-8-Tyr-AII) was a partial agonist in the rabbit aorta; 100 ng/ml of P4T8 induced competitive blockade, and contraction followed doses above 1,000 ng/ ml. Conversely, P4T8 neither stimulated nor blocked the adrenal receptors, despite very high concentrations. Thus, the results of this study reveal functional differences in the All receptors in the two systems and provide an approach to designing therapeutic agents that might block only one of its two major biological effects.
Chiral symmetry and medium modifications of nucleon properties

Abstract Chiral symmetry constraints on scale changes of the nucleon in a nuclear medium are investigated within the framework of a chiral non-linear meson theory. The proton and neutron charge radii increase with density, whereas the magnetic radii remain virtually unchanged. The electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon are quenched within nuclei. We also find a quenching of the axial vector coupling constant gA and an effective nucleon mass M N ∗ (p 0 )∽ 0.8 M N , with p0 the nuclear matter density.
A nuclear factor in B cells and beyond.

Michael J. Mayhttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/177/11/7483J Immunol€2006; 177:7483-7484; ;Referenceshttp://www.jimmunol.org/content/177/11/7483.full#ref-list-1This article cites 23 articles, 4 of which you can access for free at: Subscriptionshttp://jimmunol.org/subscriptionsInformation about subscribing to The Journal of Immunology is online at: Permissionshttp://www.aai.org/ji/copyright.htmlSubmit copyright permission requests at: Email Alertshttp://jimmunol.org/cgi/alerts/etocReceive free email-alerts when new articles cite this article. Sign up at:
V2V Wireless Communication Protocol for Rear-End Collision Avoidance on Highways

More than 23% of annual vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions, which provides an important test-case for enhanced collision avoidance approaches based on v2v wireless communications. In this work, we propose and study the impact of a 802.11 based multi-hop MAC protocol that propagates an emergency warning message (EWM) down a platoon of cars on a highway. The design objective is to ensure reception of this message with stringent (low) delay constraints so as to provide drivers with requisite available maneuver time (AMT) to avoid rear-end collision. We provide realistic simulation studies of protocol performance within ns-2 environment for various topology (1 lane and 3 lanes) and background traffic scenarios, as well as different protocol parameter settings, to highlight the potential of this approach for effective collision avoidance or mitigation.
A Literature Survey on Interfaces Thin Dielectric Films and Surfaces - 1965

The bibliography contains 181 references on thin dielectric films, interfaces and surfaces. A brief commentary on each entry is included. The references are grouped according to the following subject areas: Fabrication, Measurement Techniques, Propersies, Models, and Surface States.
Lower Extremity Kinematics During a Drop Jump in Individuals With Patellar Tendinopathy

Background:Patellar tendinopathy (PT) is a common degenerative condition in physically active populations. Knowledge regarding the biomechanics of landing in populations with symptomatic PT is limi...
Ultrastructure of Human Enamel Specimens Prepared by Ion Micromilling

Ion-thinning techniques for the preparation of transmission electron microscope samples of mature enamel were used to examine ultrastructural details that included crystallite size and orientation in relation to the enamel rod geometry. The three-quarter arcade of the sheath is visible as the perimeter of the keyhole. Diffraction studies indicate a preferred orientation in the c axis of the crystallites in the head and tail of the keyhole and in other directions in the head region.