cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic ethanol intoxication enhances the production of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 by hepatocytes after human immunodeficiency virus-1 glycoprotein 120 vaccination

Abstract Chemokines are implicated in the pathogenesis of alcoholic liver disease and human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection. Thus, this work examined the regulation of chemokines — i.e., cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC) and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) — produced by hepatocytes after HIV-1 glycoprotein 120 (gp120) vaccination in Wistar rats fed with ethanol for 30 weeks. HIV-1 gp120 in complete Freund's adjuvant was given by intrainguinal route at a dose of 5 μg/kg, followed by two booster shots in incomplete Freund's adjuvant at a weekly interval. Samples were taken 1 week after the last injection was given. Results show that anti-HIV-1 gp120 antibody titer was suppressed by 40% in the ethanol-fed rats, compared with findings in the parallel controls. However, serum CINC and MIP-2 levels were more elevated in the ethanol-fed rats than in the pair-fed group. The likely sources of these chemokines are the hepatocytes. After HIV-1 gp120 treatment, isolated hepatocytes obtained from the ethanol-fed group produced more CINC and MIP-2 than did those of pair-fed rats. Concomitantly, mRNA expression for these two chemokines and hepatic sequestration of neutrophils were upregulated. Ethanol feeding alone suppressed chemokine release, but it did not alter mRNA expression in isolated hepatocytes. Administration of Freund's adjuvant (without HIV-1 gp120) did not induce chemokine release in vivo and did not prime isolated hepatocytes for enhanced chemokine production in vitro. These results show that chronic ethanol intoxication affects the ability of the host to respond to HIV-1 gp120 vaccination.
Alternate day fasting with or without exercise: Effects on endothelial function and adipokines in obese humans

Summary Objective Alternate day fasting (ADF; which consists of an ad libitum “feed day” alternated with a 75% energy restriction “fast day”) combined with exercise improves several coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors. However, the effect of this combination therapy on endothelial function, and the role that adipokines play in mediating this effect, is unknown. Accordingly, this study examined the effect of ADF combined with exercise on brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) and plasma adiponectin and leptin. Research methods and procedures Sixty-four obese subjects were randomized to 1 of 4 groups: 1) combination (ADF + endurance exercise), 2) ADF, 3) exercise, or 4) control, for 12 weeks. Results Body weight decreased ( P P P P P P Conclusions These findings suggest that ADF alone is an effective intervention to improve vascular endothelial function. However, the role of adipokines in mediating this effect is still unclear.
Locomotor behavior of decerebellated arboreal mammals — Monkey and raccoon

Total and partial cerebellectomies were carried out on 36 arboboreal animals, 15 racoons and 21 rhesus monkeys. The animals were evaluated pre- and post-operatively for ability to swim, walk-run, leap, and climb. Tone, reflexes, strength and other aspects of behavior were also studied. Both species exhibited rapid recovery from the procedure and were self-sufficient shortly after surgery. Adult racoons and monkeys rapidly regained their ability to climb, and six months after surgery were able to do so normally except for mild residual ataxia when hurried. Ability to walk or run was regained at a much slower rate and was incomplete at six months, although at one year monkeys were not greatly incapacitated in walking. These differences indicated greater impairment of physiological extensor muscle groups than of flexors following cerebellectomy. The vestibular aspect of cerebellar deficit appeared to be related to recovery to a lesser extent. Swimming was very little altered by cerebellectomy. Muscular strength was recoverable in the monkey following cerebellar ablation. Power and force were measured before and after cerebellectomy. The latter was evaluated by food reinforcement to occasion pulling a weighted lever by selected trained monkeys. Recovery of power, which involved return of rapid, effective movements was slower, but could also occur completely. Careful histological examination conducted on all deceased animals indicated that the anticipated removals were accomplished without significant brain stem injury. Hydrocephalus was observed to develop in a significant number of animals following cerebellectomy. This factor has not been excluded in many previous reports, and may have contributed to failure to achieve effective compensation.
Theorizing world culture through the New World: East Indians and creolization

This article is an ethnographic inquiry into the production of theory. In it, I specifically ask why the concept “creole” has assumed such significance today for theorists working outside the Caribbean for interpreting the dynamics of cultural change globally. Relocating “creole” in its historical and regional context, I analyze how and why interculturation, an essential feature of creolization that is championed by global theorists, is transformed into acculturation when creolization theory is applied to East Indians in Trinidad. I argue that creolization fails as theory with respect to East Indians because of its ontology as a schizophrenic theory, that is, one in which theory and ideology are conflated. I call for a reconceptualization of creolization theory by first recognizing the limitations imposed by such instances of epistemological collapse.
A LABORATORY METHOD FOR THE STUDY OF MARINE BENTHIC DIATOMS1

Effects of light intensity and of exposure to desiccation on the vertical distribution and growth of populations of marine benthic diatoms were investigated in a laboratory model ecosystem and a respirometer chamber. The diatom flora that developed in the ecosystem was similar to that from field stations in lower Yaquina Bay, Oregon. The vertical distribution of many species was closely related to light intensity and period of exposure to desiccation. Biomass accumulated most rapidly on substrates subjected to high light intensities, without exposure to desiccation. Communities acclimated to different light intensities and periods of desiccation responded differently to changes in light intensity in the respirometer chamber. Results of these experiments show that the laboratory apparatus described can be useful in the study of simplified intertidal communities.
Reducing the stresses and tensions of the vocational counselor in the 1980s through the use of ret techniques

The vocational counselor's role in our society is conspicuous, well-established and indispensable. Pressure to perform is exerted on the vocational counselor from several sources, including: counselor-training programs, society, clients, supervisors and vocational counselors, themselves. This article discusses the sources of stress and tension and provides a partial solution based upon the principles of Rational-Emotive Therapy (RET). The relationship between irrational thoughts and stress is explored and a structure for thinking more rationally and feeling better is provided. A brief overview of RET and 12 typical irrational beliefs held by vocational counselors are included.
Reductive Transformation of Dioxins: An Assessment of the Contribution of Dissolved Organic Matter to Dechlorination Reactions

The susceptibility of dioxins to dissolved organic carbon (DOC)-mediated dechlorination reactions was investigated using 1,2,3,4,6,7,9-heptachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (HpCDD), Aldrich humic acid (AHA), and polymaleic acid (PMA) as model compounds. The dechlorination yields were on the order of 4--20% which, when normalized to phenolic acidity, was comparable to yields observed in the presence of the humic constituents catechol and resorcinol. Based on the ratio of dechlorination yields as a function of phenolic acidity and electron transfer capacity, differences in electron transfer efficiency to dioxins are likely combined effects of specific interactions with the functional groups and nonspecific hydrophobic interactions. Hexa- and pentaCDD homologues were dominant in all incubations, and diCDD constituted the final product of dechlorination. The rates of appearance of lesser chlorinated products were similar to those observed in sediment systems and followed thermodynamic considerations as they decreased with a decrease in level of chlorination. Generally, both absolute and phenolic acidity-normalized rate constants for AHA-mediated reactions were up to 2-fold higher than those effected by PMA. These results indicate that the electron shuttling capacity of sediment DOC may significantly affect the fate of dioxins, in part through dechlorination reactions.
Negotiating the Fate of People with Mental Illness: The Police and the Hospital Emergency Room

Police contacts with people with mental illness have been studied extensively. However, relatively little is known about police activity in the emergency room as such persons are transferred from the street to the hospital. In order to explore this issue, two studies were conducted. In 1973, a state hospital's psychiatric admissions were examined. A follow-up study was conducted in 2005. In 1973, people with mental illness were taken directly to the state hospital. In 2005, most people with mental illness were screened in general hospital emergency rooms. Because of mental health policies, admissions to state hospitals fell by almost two thirds. However, police involvement in psychiatric admissions remained the same: 25% to 30% of police contacts in 1973 and 2005 resulted in emergency room admissions. Therefore, despite changes in mental health policies, the police play a significant, and undiminished, role in psychiatric admissions.
The thymus and immunocompetence: the target cell of the thymic factor.

SummaryIn vitro studies utilizing techniques which separate adherent macrophage and nonadherent lymphocyte populations of cells from the spleens of normal and neonatally thymectomized mice, have permitted the definition of the target cell of the thymic factor concerned in the development of immunocompetence. The thymic factor is essential for the normal functioning of the antibody-producing lymphocytes and not for the initial “processing” of antigen by macrophages.We thank Dr. G. E. Foley, Dr. S. Malkiel, and Mr. H. Lazarus for their advice and criticism.
Therapeutic and prognostic considerations in catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome

Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rapidly progressive life-threatening disease that causes multiple organ thromboses in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies. High index of clinical suspicion and careful investigation are required to make an early diagnosis so that treatment with anticoagulation, corticosteroids, and plasma exchange or intravenous immunoglobulins can be initiated. Despite this multi-modal treatment, CAPS is associated with high mortality; evidence-based management recommendations do not exist due to the rarity of the condition and the lack of controlled studies. This article reviews the therapeutic and prognostic controversies that were addressed during the 1st International Symposium on CAPS.
Editorial Board: Additions and Subtractions

Editor in Chief Gabriel Taubin introduces new board members and thanks parting board members.
Face perception and within-category discrimination in prosopagnosia

Prosopagnosics are impaired at face recognition, but unimpaired, or relatively less impaired, at common object recognition. It has been suggested that this dissociation results simply from the greater difficulty of face recognition compared to object recognition, or from the greater need to discriminate visually similar members of a single category in face recognition compared to object recognition. We tested these hypotheses using the performance of normal subjects in an 'old/new' recognition paradigm to establish the true relative difficulty of face and object recognition, and required both normal subjects and a prosopagnosic subject to discriminate both faces and visually similar exemplars of nonface object categories. In two different experiments, the prosopagnosic patient performed disproportionately poorly with faces. These results disconfirm the hypotheses described above, and imply that prosopagnosia is an impairment of a specialized form of visual recognition that is necessary for face recognition and is not necessary, or less necessary, for the recognition of common objects.
Indoor radon risk potential of Hawaii

A comprehensive evaluation of radon risk potential in the State of Hawaii indicates that the potential for Hawaii is low. Using a combination of factors including geology, soils, source-rock type, soil-gas radon concentrations, and indoor measurements throughout the state, a general model was developed that permits prediction for various regions in Hawaii. For the nearly 3,100 counties in the coterminous U.S., National Uranium Resource Evaluation (NURE) aerorad data was the primary input factor. However, NURE aerorad data was not collected in Hawaii, therefore, this study used geology and soil type as the primary and secondary components of potential prediction. Although the radon potential of some Hawaiian soils suggests moderate risk, most houses are built above ground level and the radon soil potential is effectively decoupled from the house. Only underground facilities or those with closed or recirculating ventilation systems might have elevated radon potential.
Unsolved problems for self-awareness theory: A reply to Wicklund

Wicklund's reply to our paper contains five major critical points, each of which is countered here. It is concluded (1) that Wicklund misinterprets drive theory, and (2) that his elucidation of the distinction between drive theory and self-awareness theory makes it clearer than before that our experiment does not support self-awareness theory as presently formulated. Questions remain which require further research.
A NEW NON-INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR THE LOCALIZATION OF THE SITE OF LEFT VENTRICULAR OUTFLOW TRACT OBSTRUCTION (LVOTO)

A new multiple crystal echocardiographic instrument designed by Bom was utilized to obtain real time motion studies of sagittal cross-sectional anatomy of the LVOT and ascending aorta. Thirty patients with various forms of LVOTO were studied: valvar aortic stenosis (VAS) n = 15, supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) n = 6, discrete subaortic stenosis (DSAS) n = 3, and IHSS n = 6. In the VAS group the method detected post stenotic aortic dilatation in fourteen, thickened aortic cusp tissue in nine, and increased superior-inferior cusp excursion with poor lateral mobility (doming) in six. In six patients with SVAS the localized constriction of the ascending aorta was identified easily. Localized thickening of the intervenrricular septum at its insertion into the anterior aortic wall was observed in all pts with DSAS as well as post stenotic aortic dilatation and aortic valve thickening. All pts with IHSS showed increased septal thickness, a septal bulge, decreased total mitral excursion and systolic anterior motion. Thus, even in pts with mild LVOTO this new non-invasive method allows anatomic definition similar to that obtained angiographically. Significant advantages exist with regard to accuracy and ease of interpretation when compared to single crystal ultrasound techniques.
The prevalence of area-under-a-curve and anti-derivative conceptions over Riemann sum-based conceptions in students’ explanations of definite integrals

This study aims to broadly examine how commonly various conceptualizations of the definite integral are drawn on by students as they attempt to explain the meaning of integral expressions. Previous studies have shown that certain conceptualizations, such as the area under a curve or the values of an anti-derivative, may be less productive in making sense of contextualized integrals. On the other hand, interpreting the integral using Riemann sum-based conceptions proves much more productive for understanding contextualized integrals. This study investigates how frequently students from a US calculus population drew on these three conceptualizations (as well as others) to interpret the meaning of definite integrals. The results were achieved by asking a large sample of students from two US colleges (n = 150) four open-ended questions regarding the underlying meaning of definite integrals. Data from the student responses show a high prevalence of area and anti-derivative ideas and a relatively low occurrence...
Improved hardness and wear properties of B-ion implanted polycarbonate

Polycarbonate (Lexan) was implanted with 100 and 200 keV B+ ions to doses of 0.26, 0.78, and 2.6 × 1015 ions/cm2 at room temperature (<100 °C). Mechanical characterization of implanted materials was carried out by nanoindentation and sliding wear tests. The results showed that the hardness of implanted polycarbonate increased with increasing ion energy and dose, attaining hardness up to 3.2 GPa at a dose of 2.6 × 1015 ions/cm2 for 200 keV ions, which is more than 10 times that of the unimplanted polymer. Wear properties were characterized using a reciprocating tribometer with nylon, brass, and SAE 52100 Cr-steel balls with 0.5 and 1 N normal forces for 10000 cycles. The wear mode varied widely as a function of ion energy, dose, wear ball type, and normal load. For given ion energy, load, and ball type conditions, there was an optimum dose that produced the greatest wear resistance and lowest friction coefficient. For polycarbonate implanted with 0.78 × 1015 ions/cm2, the nylon ball produced no wear after 10000 cycles. Moreover, the overall friction coefficient was reduced by over 40% by implantation. The results suggest that the potential of ion-beam technology for improving polycarbonate is significant, and that surface-sensitive mechanical properties can be tailored to meet the requirements for applications demanding hardness, wear, and abrasion resistance.
Carcinogenesis bioassay of allyl isothiocyanate

Allyl isothiocyanate is a food additive present in many foods and a constituent of oil of mustard and mustard, and is generally considered safe for human consumption. This study was undertaken to determine the carcinogenic potential of food grade allyl isothiocyanate. Allyl isothiocyanate was administered at 12 or 25 mg/kg in corn oil five times per week by gavage to groups of 50 Fischer 344 rats and 50 B6C3F1 mice of each sex for 103 weeks. Groups of 50 rats and 50 mice of each sex received corn oil alone and served as vehicle controls. Transitional-cell papillomas in the urinary bladder occurred in dosed male rats with a statistically significant trend (p<0.05; controls, 0/49, 0%, low-dose, 2/49, 4%; high-dose, 4/49, 8%). This tumor has not been observed among 568 untreated male control F344 rats at this laboratory. The prevalence of transitional-cell papillomas in male vehicle control and untreated control rats in all laboratories in the NCI/NTP Bioassay Program2 is only 1/994 (0.1%) and 5/3888 (0.1%) respectively. Administration of allyl isothiocyanate also increased the prevalence of epithelial hyperplasia of the urinary bladder in male rats. Leukemia occurred in dosed male rats with a statistically significant positive trend (p<0.05; controls, 2/50, 4%; low-dose, 6/50, 12%; high-dose, 8/50, 16%). However, because the incidence of leukemia in dosed male rats is similar to the mean historical control rate at this laboratory, this increase was not considered to be related to the administration of allyl isothiocyanate. Fibrosarcomas in the subcutaneous tissue occurred in female rats with a statistically significant positive trend (p<0.05; controls, 0/50, 0%; low-dose, 0/50, 0%; high-dose, 3/50, 6%), but the prevalence in the high-dose group was not significant when compared with that in the control group. Thus, the evidence for allyl isothiocyanate causing this tumor was considered equivocal. Evidence of an association between administration of allyl isothiocyanate and increased tumor incidence was not seen in mice. However, an increased prevalence of cytoplasmic vacuolization in the liver of dosed male mice was related to administration of allyl isothiocyanate (controls, 2/49, 4%; low-dose, 8/49, 16%; high-dose, 13/50, 26%). In large doses, food grade allyl isothiocyanate produces a slight but statistically significant increase in benign urinary bladder tumors (a rare neoplasm) in male F344 rats.
The Future of Regional Science: Remarks Prompted by Professors Alonso and Teitz

Little-known remarks of William Alonso are presented in this article. They are seminal to the question addressed by the author of whether regional science is a discipline or field of study appropriate for departmental or equivalent status.
Fracture mechanics analysis of a rail-end bolt hole crack

Abstract Analytic and experimental investigations were conducted to establish the cause of a peculiar ridge feature observed on the fracture surface of a railroad rail-end bolt hole fatigue crack. Calculations are performed which indicate that the ridges were caused by the change in stress caused by the thermal expansion of the rails during each day of fatigue. The ridge features were closely reproduced by a novel laboratory experiment on a four-hole compact tension specimen.
Nursing students' perceptions of a holistic nursing conference: empowerment, self-care, and application to practice.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe nursing students' perceptions of their experiences at the 2007 annual conference of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA), and identify benefits of professional conference attendance as an educational strategy for undergraduate nursing students. Method: Sixteen nursing students attended the 2007 AHNA annual conference and made daily journal entries about their perceptions of the conference. Using a descriptive qualitative approach, researchers analyzed their journal entries for recurring themes. Findings: Themes suggested that nursing students gained knowledge about holistic nursing and felt empowered through personal interactions with national holistic nursing leaders. They felt motivated to incorporate holistic nursing principles into practice and self-care. In addition, they expressed an appreciation for the importance of lifelong learning and maintaining clinical competency through attendance at a professional conference. Implications for Edu...
Coding of repetitive transients by auditory cortex on posterolateral superior temporal gyrus in humans: an intracranial electrophysiology study.

Evidence regarding the functional subdivisions of human auditory cortex has been slow to converge on a definite model. In part, this reflects inadequacies of current understanding of how the cortex represents temporal information in acoustic signals. To address this, we investigated spatiotemporal properties of auditory responses in human posterolateral superior temporal (PLST) gyrus to acoustic click-train stimuli using intracranial recordings from neurosurgical patients. Subjects were patients undergoing chronic invasive monitoring for refractory epilepsy. The subjects listened passively to acoustic click-train stimuli of varying durations (160 or 1,000 ms) and rates (4–200 Hz), delivered diotically via insert earphones. Multicontact subdural grids placed over the perisylvian cortex recorded intracranial electrocorticographic responses from PLST and surrounding areas. Analyses focused on averaged evoked potentials (AEPs) and high gamma (70–150 Hz) event-related band power (ERBP). Responses to click trains featured prominent AEP waveforms and increases in ERBP. The magnitude of AEPs and ERBP typically increased with click rate. Superimposed on the AEPs were frequency-following responses (FFRs), most prominent at 50-Hz click rates but still detectable at stimulus rates up to 200 Hz. Loci with the largest high gamma responses on PLST were often different from those sites that exhibited the strongest FFRs. The data indicate that responses of non-core auditory cortex of PLST represent temporal stimulus features in multiple ways. These include an isomorphic representation of periodicity (as measured by the FFR), a representation based on increases in non-phase-locked activity (as measured by high gamma ERBP), and spatially distributed patterns of activity.
Design of a fractional phase locked-loop frequency synthesiser using a Motorola based microcontroller

A Motorola M58HC11EVB board [1] is used in the design of a frequency synthesiser using a fractional phase-locked loop technique which synthesises frequencies that are integer plus fractional times higher than the reference frequency. The method uses a 68HC11 microprocessor to generate very stable reference frequencies [1]. A software program is designed to give great flexibility in selecting the reference over a desired operating range of frequencies. The ability to operate at low reference frequencies (≈10 Hz) enables the system to step in 1 Hz increments. A frequency synthesiser over the bands of 10–150 Hz, 100–1500 Hz, 1–15 kHz, and 10–150 kHz in steps of ±1 Hz, ±10 Hz, ±100 Hz and ± 1 kHz, respectively, is accomplished. The spectrum purity of the waveform for different frequencies is measured. Sideband frequencies of up to 50 dB below the synthesised frequency are observed.
On the rate of convergence of the innovation representation of a moving average process

SUMMARY A moving average process of order q can be written as a linear combination of the (q+ 1) most recent innovations. We show that if the moving average polynomial has roots on the unit circle, then the coefficients of the innovations tend to the true moving average coefficients, the difference between the two being O(l/t), where t is the number of observations we consider. The results are extended to mixed autoregressive moving average models and multivariate models.
The Performer's Reactions to Procedural Injustice: When Prosocial Identity Reduces Prosocial Behavior1

Considerable research has examined how procedural injustice affects victims and witnesses of unfavorable outcomes, with little attention to the “performers” who deliver these outcomes. Drawing on dissonance theory, we hypothesized that performers' reactions to procedural injustice in delivering unfavorable outcomes are moderated by prosocial identity—a helping-focused self-concept. Across 2 experiments, individuals communicated unfavorable outcomes decided by a superior. Consistent with justice research, when prosocial identities were not primed, performers experienced greater negative affect and behaved more prosocially toward victims when a superior's decision-making procedures were unjust. Subtly activating performers' prosocial identities reversed these reactions. Results highlight how roles and identities shape the experience and delivery of unfavorable outcomes: When procedures are unjust, prosocial identity can reduce prosocial behavior.
On the origin of deformation twinning in electrodeposits and the phenomenon of cross-twinning

On observe des morphologies de macles interessantes avec des intersections de macles multiples dans des echantillons de depots electrolytiques de palladium
Reduction of platelet serotonin content in depressed patients treated with either paroxetine or desipramine

Drugs thought to be selective inhibitors of either the uptake of serotonin (5-HT) or norepinephrine (NE) are known to be effective antidepressants. In general, a relative selectivity for NE vs. 5-HT uptake inhibition greater than 50-fold in vitro is thought to be sufficient to maintain such selectivity in vivo. To explore this issue, we carried out a study in which depressed patients were treated with either the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) paroxetine or the selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) desipramine. Patients were treated with either drug or placebo for 6 wk. Drug levels in plasma and platelet 5-HT content were measured 12 times during the treatment period using HPLC procedures. Both drug treatments caused a significant reduction of platelet 5-HT content. Paroxetine reduced platelet 5-HT content to approx. 1% of pretreatment levels ( n = 3). The inhibition of 5-HT uptake by paroxetine appeared to be immediate and complete. Desipramine reduced platelet 5-HT content to 38.7±6.2 % of pretreatment levels ( n = 5) at a mean plasma level of 195 ng/ml. The percent reduction of platelet 5-HT content after 6 wk of drug treatment was proportional to the steady state plasma level of desipramine. The IC50 value of desipramine to reduce platelet 5-HT was 135 ng/ml. These results demonstrate that therapeutic concentrations of the SNRI desipramine as well as the SSRI paroxetine inhibited serotonin uptake in platelets of depressed patients. If such effects occur in the brain, desipramine might have some component of its therapeutic effects due to actions on the uptake of 5-HT.
Effects of video digitization of ultrasound images in predicting pubic arch interference for prostate brachytherapy

Prostate brachytherapy is an effective treatment for localized prostate cancer. It has been recently shown that prior to surgery a transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) study of the prostate and pubic arch can effectively assess pubic arch interference (PAI), a major stumbling block for the brachytherapy procedure. This study involved the use of digital images acquired directly from an ultrasound (US) machine. However, not all US machines allow the saving or transfer of digital image data. To allow PAI assessment regardless of US platform, we need to digitize the images from the US video output when there is no direct digital saving/transfer capability. During video digitization, the internal digital images go through a D/A and A/D conversion process, introducing quantization errors and other noises. To show that PAI assessment is still viable on the digitized images, we evaluated and refined a PAI assessment algorithm to predict the location of the pubic arch on both digital images and those captured after digitization. These predicted arch locations were statistically compared to each other. Based on the results from 33 patients, we conclude that the ability to assess PAI from TRUS images is not affected by video digitization.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Active constraint strategy for flexibility analysis in chemical processes

Abstract It is shown in this paper that by exploiting properties of limiting constraints for flexibility in a design, problems for flexibility analysis can be formulated as mixed-integer optimization problems. Formulations are derived when control variables are present or not, and when equalities are eliminated or handled explicitly. These formulations do not rely on the assumption that critical parameter values are vertices, nor do they require exhaustive vertex searches. The case of linear constraints reduces to standard MILP problems, while for the nonlinear case a novel active constraint strategy is proposed and its theoretical properties are analyzed. Examples are presented for both rigorous and screening calculations.
Correcting for Sampling Bias in the Measurement of Welfare and Poverty in the Cote d'Ivoire Living Standards Survey

The sampling aspects of a household data set are important to analysts. The early years of the Cote d'Ivoire Standards Survey (CILSS) had a sampling bias, which seriously affected estimates of population statistics such as household size. The bias arose from sampling procedures that overrepresented larger dwellings. Assuming that samples drawn in later years were unbiased, a correction procedure is applied that uses weights based on household size. Results from the weighted data are then compared with the unweighted findings to assess the seriousness of the bias. Estimates of household expenditure per capita in the early years of the survey are found to be significantly underestimated, resulting in an overestimation of poverty. The sampling bias also resulted in an underestimation of the upward trend in poverty during 1985-88. The CILSS has been a popular and fruitful data set for policy analysis. These findings, however, cast doubt on the robustness of earlier work. Thus, the effort to trace sampling information is particularly worthwhile for policy-oriented applied research.
Monocyte complement stimulator: a T-lymphocyte product which stimulates synthesis of the second complement component (C2).

Abstract Monocyte complement stimulator (MCS), a lymphokine previously shown to increase the rate of synthesis of the second complement component (C2) by human monocytes, is produced by sensitive T lymphocytes when exposed to antigen. MCS production requires cooperation of T lymphocytes with monocytes during the first 24 hr of exposure to antigen; both cell types must be capable of synthesizing protein during this time. MCS was found to differ from MIF in two ways: First, antigen-stimulated B lymphocytes and monocytes produce MIF but not MCS and second, MCS is destroyed by heating to 56 °C for 30 min while MIF retains its activity
Complex I deficiency in Parkinson's disease frontal cortex

A study of complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase) activity in Parkinson's disease (PD) brain has identified loss of activity only in substantia nigra although loss of activity of this enzyme has been identified in a number of non-brain tissues. We investigated this paradox by studying complex I and other complexes of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in frontal cortex from PD and aged control brain using a variety of assay conditions and tissue preparations. We found increasingly significant losses of complex I activity in PD frontal cortex as increasingly pure mitochondria were studied. Complexes II, III, and IV were comparable in PD and controls. Inclusion of bovine serum albumin in the assay increased enzyme activity but lessened discrimination between PD and controls. Complex I deficiency in PD brain is not confined to substantia nigra. Methodological issues are critical in demonstrating this loss of activity.
Mitochondrial Respiratory Pathways Inhibition in Rhizopus oryzae Potentiates Activity of Posaconazole and Itraconazole via Apoptosis

The incidence of mucormycosis has increased drastically in immunocompromised patients. Also the array of targets whose inhibition results in Mucorales death is limited. Recently, researchers identified mitochondria as important regulators of detoxification and virulence mechanisms in fungi. In this context, targeting the mitochondrial respiratory chain may provide a new platform for antifungal development. We hypothesized that targeting respiratory pathways potentiates triazoles activity via apoptosis. We found that simultaneous administration of antimycin A (AA) and benzohydroxamate (BHAM), inhibitors of classical and alternative mitochondrial pathways respectively, resulted in potent activity of posaconazole (PCZ) and itraconazole (ICZ) against Rhizopus oryzae. We observed cellular changes characteristic of apoptosis in R. oryzae cells treated with PCZ or ICZ in combination with AA and BHAM. The fungicidal activity of this combination against R. oryzae was correlated with intracellular reactive oxygen species accumulation (ROS), phosphatidylserine externalization, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and increased caspase like activity. DNA fragmentation and condensation assays also revealed apoptosis of R. oryzae cells. These apoptotic features were prevented by the addition of the ROS scavenger N-acetyl-cysteine. Taken together, these findings suggest that the use of PCZ or ICZ in combination with AA and BHAM makes R. oryzae exquisitely sensitive to treatment with triazoles via apoptosis. This strategy may serve as a new model for the development of improved or novel antifungal agents.
Treatment Integrity Assessment of a Daily Report Card Intervention A Preliminary Evaluation of Two Methods and Frequencies

Although intuitively appealing, teacher self-report of treatment integrity is not currently recommended as a method for collecting treatment integrity data. Education researchers have not, however, evaluated features of a treatment integrity self-reporting system that may facilitate accurate self-report. In this preliminary investigation, four treatment integrity assessment conditions were investigated: (a) weekly verbal self-report, (b) weekly written self-report, (c) daily verbal self-report, and (d) daily written self-report. Results indicated that teachers who reported treatment integrity daily had the highest overall treatment integrity levels, but neither the frequency nor method of treatment integrity assessment significantly influenced the teachers’ level of treatment integrity. However, results suggested that frequency and method of treatment integrity self-report may be related to accuracy of teacher report.
Structural Analysis and Optimization of a Composite Fan Blade for Future Aircraft Engine

This report addresses the structural analysis and optimization of a composite fan blade sized for a large aircraft engine. An existing baseline solid metallic fan blade was used as a starting point to develop a hybrid honeycomb sandwich construction with a polymer matrix composite face sheet and honeycomb aluminum core replacing the original baseline solid metallic fan model made of titanium. The focus of this work is to design the sandwich composite blade with the optimum number of plies for the face sheet that will withstand the combined pressure and centrifugal loads while the constraints are satisfied and the baseline aerodynamic and geometric parameters are maintained. To satisfy the requirements, a sandwich construction for the blade is proposed with composite face sheets and a weak core made of honeycomb aluminum material. For aerodynamic considerations, the thickness of the core is optimized whereas the overall blade thickness is held fixed so as to not alter the original airfoil geometry. Weight is taken as the objective function to be minimized by varying the core thickness of the blade within specified upper and lower bounds. Constraints are imposed on radial displacement limitations and ply failure strength. From the optimum design, the minimum number of plies, which will not fail, is back-calculated. The ply lay-up of the blade is adjusted from the calculated number of plies and final structural analysis is performed. Analyses were carried out by utilizing the OpenMDAO Framework, developed at NASA Glenn Research Center combining optimization with structural assessment.
Mössbauer Parameters of Iron(II) Naphthyridine Complexes1

Abstract Dear Sir: We wish to report the Mossbauer parameters and magnetic moment for the only authenticated2 eight-coordinate iron(II) complex, tetrakis (1,8-naphthyridine) iron(II) perchlorate,3 and to propose that the Mossbauer data for the compound in solution and after exposure to moisture can be rationalized in terms of a change in ligands with retention of eight-coordination (Table I). Tentative values for the six-coordinate 2,7-dimethyl-1,8-naphthyridine complex are given since we have been unable to prepare the pure material. The spectrum for this compound contains two overlapping doublets with Mossbauer parameters indicative of a mixture of high-spin iron (II) and iron(III) species.
SU-FF-T-131: An Analytic Approach to Film Based Absolute Dosimetry for IMRT

Purpose: To analyze the uncertainties in film based absolute dosimetry for patient specific quality assurance in IMRT.Method and Materials: In our institution, we use EDR2 film for the planar dose quality assurance measurements in patient specific IMRT. Our film dosimetry system was calibrated using a step wedge pattern for the linac and a step valley pattern for HiArt Tomotherapy machine. The dose to each step was measured using a calibrated ion chamber. All films were processed using a Kodak processor and subsequently scanned using the VXR‐16 Vidar scanner driven by the RIT software. The film optical density to dose response curves for six months were collected and analyzed. A fitting equation was derived and a systematic analysis was performed to evaluate whether a film calibration needs to be performed daily for the film dosimetry system. Results: Absolute dosimetry with film is subject to machine output fluctuations, film processing, film scanning and other sources of uncertainty. Based on our analysis, we found that the film processing error can be up to 7% (1SD), which corresponds to 1% (1SD) error in absolute dose (as determined from film dosimetry). The film scanner number can be correlated to absolute dose using a logarithmic fit to our measured data. Several step‐and‐shoot and TomoTherapy IMRT QA plans were evaluated using this method. The QA compares very well against the daily film calibration technique. Conclusion: Absolute film dosimetry for IMRT is feasible, and when the processor is properly maintained, a less than 3% error can be achieved in the calculation of dose. Once several dose response curves for the film are collected, an analytical fitting curve can be used in lieu of daily film calibration.
Perinatal infection, fetal inflammatory response, white matter damage, and cognitive limitations in children born preterm.

Only sparse information is available about a possible association between antenatal infection outside the brain and subsequent cognitive limitations among preterm infants. Based on published studies, we provide a theoretical schema that links them via the fetal inflammatory response and neonatal white matter damage. We conclude that the relationship between antenatal infection and cognitive limitations deserves much further attention by researchers interested in the prevention of this undesirable outcome of prematurity.
Governing climate change adaptation in the Ganges basin: assessing needs and capacities

The Ganges basin shared by India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and China is the most heavily populated river basin in the world. It sustains approximately 500 million people. Even though people living in the basin have coped with and adapted to change in climate for centuries, they are finding it increasingly difficult, as both the frequency and magnitude of climate-induced extreme weather events have increased over the years. Both market and non-market impacts of climate change are increasing, and increasing quite significantly. In 2007, floods resulting from monsoon rains killed over 2000 people and displaced more than 20 million people in Bangladesh, India, and Nepal. As traditional coping mechanisms are proving to be increasingly insufficient, improvement in climate change adaptation planning and practices in the basin is becoming increasingly urgent. This paper makes an attempt to assess the effectiveness of climate information system, infrastructure, and institutions, which are considered as three important pillars of successful climate change adaptation. The needs and capacities of agencies and institutions to observe, collect, disseminate climate information products and early warning, and existing physical and institutional structures’ robustness and flexibility in responding to climatic change and climate-induced extreme events are evaluated.
Toddler Spiritual Formation and the Faith Community

This article explores how physiological and cognitive changes, intra-psychic and interpersonal changes, moral development and social location affect the spiritual lives of children who are 12-36 months old. It considers how the development of autonomy in toddlers relates to the theological concept of free will, discusses language acquisition and its importance for religious expression, and shows how both cognitive capabilities and social location shape religious interpretation. It focuses particular attention on the relationship of intuitive intelligence to religious enculturation, the development of moral consciousness, and the development of a God-concept, drawing on the work of Brueggemann, Colaruso, Erikson, Kagan, Mahler, Piaget, Rizzuto, Sroufe, Stern, van der Ven, and Winncott. It moves across major religious traditions, although the author's primary personal commitment is as a Christian systematic theologian and religious educator, and utilizes years of participatory-observational research in the ...
Simulating γ–γ coincidences of β-delayed γ-rays from fission product nuclei

Abstract Analyzing radiation from material that has undergone neutron induced fission is important for fields such as nuclear forensics, reactor physics, and nonproliferation monitoring. The γ-ray spectroscopy of fission products is a major part of the characterization of a material׳s fissile inventory and the energy of incident neutrons inducing fission. Cumulative yields and γ-ray intensities from nuclear databases are inputs into a GEANT4 simulation to create expected γ-ray spectra from irradiated 235 U. The simulations include not only isotropically emitted γ-rays but also γ–γ cascades from certain fission products, emitted with their appropriate angular correlations. Here γ singles spectra as well as γ–γ coincidence spectra are simulated in detectors at both 90° and 180° pairings. The ability of these GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulations to duplicate experimental data is explored in this work. These simulations demonstrate potential in exploiting angular correlations of γ–γ cascades in fission product decays to determine isotopic content. Analyzing experimental and simulated γ–γ coincidence spectra as opposed to singles spectra should improve the ability to identify fission product nuclei since such spectra are cleaner and contain more resolved peaks when compared to γ singles spectra.
Review of unsteady transonic aerodynamics: Theory and applications

Abstract Unsteady transonic flow theory is reviewed and classical results from the nonlinear asymptotic theory are combined with new results from computational fluid dynamics. The emphasis is on applications to the field of aeroelasticity and on clarifying the limitations of linearized theories in problems involving mixed subsonic–supersonic flows. The inherent differences between nonlinear transonic aerodynamics and linear subsonic and supersonic aerodynamics are considered from a theoretical and computational standpoint, and the practical implications of these differences in formulating suitable aerodynamic models for aeroelastic stability calculations are discussed. Transonic similarity principles are reviewed and their relevance in understanding flutter, divergence, and control reversal phenomena of transonic aircraft is illustrated through practical examples.
Environmental temperature effects on the thermoregulatory response to systemic and hypothalamic administration of morphine

Abstract The effect of morphine on body temperature regulation was studied in the rat under extreme as well as thermoneutral environmental temperatures. When injected either systematically or directly into the anterior hypothalamus, morphine produced hypothermia and hypertermia in animals placed in cold and hot ambient temperatures, respectively, i.e. a loss of ability to regulate core temperature. Hypothermia was not observed at thermoneutrality (24°C). The results do not support the suggestion that morphine causes a lowering of the hypothalamic set point and emphasize the importance of using different environmental temperatures when studying either systemic or local intracranial drug effects on thermoregulation.