cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
WHITHER PSYCHOANALYSIS IN COMPUTER CULTURE

The computer as an “object to think with” enters into how people think about their minds in several ways. First, it serves as a model of mind, both historically and in contemporary neuroscience and neuropsychology. Second, the computer enters into our thinking about mind through our everyday interactions with computational objects. In recent years, people have embarked on a range of new “intersubjective” relationships, some of which, albeit problematically, have taken machines as subjects. Understanding these forms of interaction—on eo n one with computers, on the Internet, in virtual realities, and with robotic creatures—calls for psychodynamic modes of understanding. New computational objects in the culture serve as “objects to think with” for a revitalized psychoanalytic discourse. Over 20 years ago, as a new faculty member at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), I taught an introductory class on psychoanalytic theory. For one meeting, early in the semester, I had assigned Freud’s chapters on slips of the tongue from The Psychopathology of Everyday Life (1901/1960b). I began class by reviewing Freud’s first example: The chairman of a parliamentary session begins the meeting by declaring it closed. Freud’s analysis centered on the possible reasons behind the chairman’s slip—for example, he might be anxious about what the parliamentarians had on their agenda. Freud’s analysis turned on trying to uncover the hidden meaning behind the chairman’s remark. The theoretical effort was to understand his mixed emotions, his unconscious ambivalence.
A Simple Proof of Descartes's Rule of Signs

(2004). A Simple Proof of Descartes's Rule of Signs. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 111, No. 6, pp. 525-526.
Measurement of shielding effectiveness of electrically-small enclosures

In the following we propose a technique for determining the shielding effectiveness of an electrically small enclosure with an electrically small aperture. In particular, we use this technique to explore the shielding characteristics of rectangular boxes used to shield devices. Measurement and simulation results are presented in order to validate the technique and to show that, when a source is placed inside the box, different aperture shapes on the face of the enclosure will produce different internal and external field patterns, and have different shielding characteristics.
Photolithographic imaging of computer-generated holographic optical elements

A new photo-lithographic imaging (PLI) method to produce high efficiency volume phase-only CGH has been developed. PLI technique utilizes Du Pont proprietary materials and processes to replicate a binary intensity CGH, recorded on a chrome photomask-master, into a dry photopolymer. By changing the refractive index of the photopolymer in the imaged areas the intensity modulated pattern in the chrome photomask-master is converted into a volume phase modulated pattern with a single lithographic step. This technique was used to fabricate a variety of computer generated holographic optical element (CGHOE), such as on-axis and off- axis Fresnel zone plates and array illuminators. Diffraction efficiencies up to 98% were observed for a CGHOE consisting of a 10 X 10 array of off-axis Fresnel zone plates. Such CGHOEs can be fabricated on a variety of substrates and in different configurations, providing substantial technological and economical advantages over existing conventional manufacturing techniques for diffractive binary CGHOEs.
Gel trapping of dense colloids.

Abstract Phase density differences in sols, foams, or emulsions often lead to sedimentation or creaming, causing problems for materials where spatial uniformity over extended periods of time is essential. The problem may be addressed through the use of rheology modifiers in the continuous phase. Weak polymer gels have found use for this purpose in the food industry where they appear to be capable of trapping dispersoid particles in a three-dimensional matrix while displaying water-like viscosities at low shear. Attempts to predict sedimentation stability in terms of particle properties (size, shape, density difference) and gel yield stress have led to qualitative success for suspensions of large particles. The effect of particle size, however, in particular the case in which colloidal dimensions are approached, has not been investigated. The present work seeks to determine useful stability criteria for colloidal dispersions in terms of readily accessible viscoelastic descriptors. Results are reported for systems consisting of 12 μm poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) spheres dispersed in aqueous gellan gum. Monovalent salt concentration is varied to control rheological properties, and sedimentation/centrifugation experiments are performed to determine dispersion stability. Necessary conditions for stability consist of a minimum yield stress together with a value of tan δ less than unity.
Linear spectral problems, non-linear equations and the δ-method

It is known that a number of non-linear partial differential equations and systems can be linearised, in principle, by solving an inverse scattering problem for an associated linear equation or system. The formal inverse scattering problem in one or several dimensions can generally be formulated precisely as a delta -problem. The authors concentrate on the delta method and the closely related features of the inverse scattering transform.
Why anti-Bcl-2 clinical trials fail: a solution

The alteration in expression of B cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) family of protein members in cancer is involved mainly in the regulation of apoptosis. Bcl-2 family proteins are currently used as major targets in the development of methods to improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients that underwent clinical trials. Although many agents have been developed for targeting Bcl-2 in the past decade, some previous attempts to target Bcl-2 have not resulted in beneficial clinical outcome for reasons unknown. Here, we propose that this was due in part for not considering the cellular level of a different antiapoptotic protein, i.e., galectin-3 (Gal-3). Gal-3 is a member of the β-galactoside binding protein family and a multifunctional oncogenic protein which regulates cell growth, cell adhesion, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. Gal-3 is the sole protein that contains the NWGR anti-death motif of the Bcl-2 family and inhibits cell apoptosis induced by chemotherapeutic agents through phosphorylation, translocation and regulation of survival signaling pathways. It is now established that Gal-3 is a candidate target protein to suppress antiapoptotic activity and anticancer drug resistance. In this review, we describe the role and relevance of Gal-3 and Bcl-2 protein family in the regulation of apoptosis and propose a novel combination therapy modality. Combination therapy that targets Gal-3 could be essential for improvement of the efficacy of Bcl-2 targeting therapy in cancers and should be studied in future clinical trials. Otherwise, not considering Gal-3 cellular level could lead to trial failure.
Epiphora in infants.

Summary Epiphora has been defined and itsvaried etiology discussed. A plea is made for early diagnosis and immediate institution of therapy, preferably before the infant reaches 3 months of age. This opinion has been reiterated by numerous authorities. 12–15 Unfortunately too many physicians still delay active treatment for months. Conservative therapy is a nuisance and a constant source of anxiety to the parents. Although patients do respond satisfactorily to this management, it should not be continued for indefinite periods of time. To permit blockage of the lacrimal system to persist, allows secondary changes to occur in the mucosa. After no more than two months of conservative treatment without success, probing should be carried out immediately. Ephiphora indicates stasis, and stasis predisposes to infection. Since infection about the eye is so potentially dangerous, it is unwise to assume this risk by delaying adequate relief of this condition. As pediatricians learn that dacryocystitis of infancy can be cured so readily, they will not prolong conservative treatment needlessly, but will send the infant to the ophthalmologist earlier.
Quantitative Analysis of the Evolution of Surface Growth Morphology in LEEM

We describe Monte Carlo simulations and diffusion equation analysis which are useful in deriving kinetic parameters from low energy electron microscopy experiments. An analysis of the etching of the Si(001) surface with molecular oxygen is made, illustrating the power of these techniques.
Irreversible thermostructural transformations in amorphous As 2 S 3 films: A light-scattering study

Polarized spectra of evaporated thin films of ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ glass have been recorded before and after annealing at the glass transition temperature and compared with the corresponding spectrum of the bulk glass. The spectra of virgin films consist of several sharp molecular bands superposed on a networklike continuum which is characteristic of the bulk glass, whereas annealed films yield only the bulk glass spectrum albeit with some indication of residual nonstoichiometry. These results are direct evidence that irreversible thermostructural transformations (or equivalent photostructural transformations) in evaporated ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ films proceed through polymerization of a metastable molecular glass as suggested by deNeufville, Moss, and Ovshinsky. The polarized Raman spectra of the vapors over ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ liquid have been obtained and indicate the presence of serveral gaseous molecular species. The molecular constituency of the evaporated amorphous film is also complex but distinct from that of the vapor, an indication that deposition itself introduces some structural alterations.
Highly-Efficient, Widely-Tunable, Mid-IR Cr:ZnS and Cr:ZnSe CW Lasers Pumped by 1685 nm InP Laser Diode

We demonstrate compact, highly-efficient, widely-tunable, CW Cr2+:ZnSe and Cr2+:ZnS lasers (35% and 44% slope efficiencies, 2200-2650 nm, and 2100-2650 nm tuning ranges, respectively) pumped by a single-emitter 1.5 W 1685 nm InP semiconductor laser diode.
X-Ray Structure Determination of the First Insect Skeletal Muscle Myosin II

Skeletal muscle myosin class II proteins are molecular machines that convert the chemical energy derived from the hydrolysis of ATP into mechanical work used to power muscle contraction. The three-dimensional structure of the truncated head from an embryonic body wall myosin isoform (EMB) of the common fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, is reported at 2.2 A resolution. The histidine-tagged recombinant protein was expressed in and purified from the indirect flight muscles of an engineered fly line (Caldwell et al., Methods, 2012). The purified histidine-tagged EMB myosin retains ATPase activity similar to that of the untagged EMB isoform. EMB myosin subfragment 1 (S1), contains the myosin heavy chain motor domain (MD) and the essential light chain (ELC). Crystals of the complex belong to space group P212121 with the unit cell parameters of a = 108.5 A, b = 148.5 A, and c = 148.7 A. Two copies of the molecule were resolved in the asymmetric unit and these have slight conformational differences. Interestingly, a number of the domains encoded by alternative exons are in contact between the two molecules, suggesting potential isoform-specific interactions that may be relevant in vivo. While the nucleotide-binding site had some ligand electron density, the ligand was not resolved. The enzymatic conformational state of the myosin cross-bridge cycle was determined as post-rigor by comparisons with known myosin structures. Amino acid residue orientations are currently being compared between EMB S1 and other myosins, particularly in the alternatively-encoded regions, to gain insights into structure-function relationships that define isoform-specificity.
Risk of contraceptive discontinuation among adolescents

Abstract This prospective study assesses a simple of adolescent oral contraceptive users for correlates of continued use of birth control. Data were collected by interview at both an initial family planning clinic visit and 3 months later. Half of the sample did not return to the clinic for follow-up. Among those contacted by phone, all had discontinued the use of a contraceptive, and 69% were at risk for an unintended pregnancy. Least likely to continue to use the pill were adolescents who perceived substantial health-related problems associated with oral contraceptive use, felt their own risk of pregnancy was less than that of other teenagers, and had poor problem-solving skills. Among the most common problems experienced were the side effects associated with oral contraceptive use and difficulty remembering to take a pill every day. Suggested interventions aimed at supporting continued and effective use of birth control are provided.
Proteolytic N-terminal truncation of cardiac troponin I enhances ventricular diastolic function.

Besides the core structure conserved in all troponin I isoforms, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) has an N-terminal extension that contains phosphorylation sites for protein kinase A under β-adrenergic regulation. A restricted cleavage of this N-terminal regulatory domain occurs in normal cardiac muscle and is up-regulated during hemodynamic adaptation (Z.-B. Yu, L.-F. Zhang, and J.-P. Jin (2001) J. Biol. Chem. 276, 15753–15760). In the present study, we developed transgenic mice overexpressing the N-terminal truncated cTnI (cTnI-ND) in the heart to examine its biochemical and physiological significance. Ca2+-activated actomyosin ATPase activity showed that cTnI-ND myofibrils had lower affinity for Ca2+ than controls, similar to the effect of isoproterenol treatment. In vivo and isolated working heart experiments revealed that cTnI-ND hearts had a significantly faster rate of relaxation and lower left ventricular end diastolic pressure compared with controls. The higher baseline relaxation rate of cTnI-ND hearts was at a level similar to that of wild type mouse hearts under β-adrenergic stimulation. The decrease in cardiac output due to lowered preload was significantly smaller for cTnI-ND hearts compared with controls. These findings indicate that removal of the N-terminal extension of cTnI via restricted proteolysis enhances cardiac function by increasing the rate of myocardial relaxation and lowering left ventricular end diastolic pressure to facilitate ventricular filling, thus resulting in better utilization of the Frank-Starling mechanism.
A mouse model of dual infection with influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae

Abstract Background: A lethal synergism exists between influenza virus and Streptococcus pneumoniae accounting for excess mortality during influenza epidemics. A small animal model of dual infection with these organisms would be useful for study of pathogenic mechanisms underlying this interaction. Methods: Groups of mice were infected with either mouse adapted influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1), S. pneumoniae strain D39, both simultaneously, or pneumococcus following influenza virus. Weight loss, as a measure of morbidity, and mortality were followed. Blood cultures were collected 24 h after infection. Results: Mice infected simultaneously with both influenza virus and pneumococcus exhibited gradual weight loss and mortality commensurate with expectations for an additive process. In contrast, mice infected with pneumococcus 7 days following infection with influenza virus uniformly died in less than 24 h and were highly bacteremic. Discussion: A mouse model of sequential infection with influenza virus and S. pneumoniae has been developed. Mice infected with pneumococcus seven days after infection with influenza virus exhibit a synergistic lethality caused by overwhelming sepsis. This model will be useful for study of the mechanisms involved in pathogenic interactions between influenza virus and pneumococcus.
Validation of Ex Vivo Lymphatic Mapping in Hematoxylin-Eosin Node-Negative Carcinoma of the Colon and Rectum

Background: Substantial evidence supports that detailed analysis of the regional lymphatics will identify previously unrecognized micrometastatic disease in colorectal cancer. In order to determine whether the sentinel lymph node(s) (SLNs) harvested by ex vivo lymphatic mapping in node-negative colorectal cancer (CRC) are the most likely node(s) to harbor micrometastatic disease, we examined all nodes in CRC specimens in an identical fashion.
Ethics curriculum for emergency medicine graduate medical education.

Abstract Background Ethics education is an essential component of graduate medical education in emergency medicine. A sound understanding of principles of bioethics and a rational approach to ethical decision-making are imperative. Objective This article addresses ethics curriculum content, educational approaches, educational resources, and resident feedback and evaluation. Discussion Ethics curriculum content should include elements suggested by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education, Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, and the Model of the Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. Essential ethics content includes ethical principles, the physician-patient relationship, patient autonomy, clinical issues, end-of-life decisions, justice, education in emergency medicine, research ethics, and professionalism. Conclusion The appropriate curriculum in ethics education in emergency medicine should include some of the content and educational approaches outlined in this article, although the optimal methods for meeting these educational goals may vary by institution.
Synergistic enhancement of the potency and selectivity of small molecule transcriptional inhibitors.

In spite of their considerable therapeutic potential, the development of highly potent and selective transcriptional inhibitors has proven elusive. We demonstrate that combinations of transcription...
Nitric oxide synthesis and the effect of aminoguanidine and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine on the onset of diabetes in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat

Nitric oxide (NO) synthesis and the effect of aminoguanidine (AG) and NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (NMMA) (inhibitors of NO synthase) on the onset of diabetes were studied in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat. To measure in vivo NO production, 20 male 50-day-old diabetes-prone BB (BBdp) rats and age-matched non-diabetes-prone BB (BBn) rats were individually placed in metabolism cages. The animals had free access to a casein-based semipurified diet and deionized and double-distilled water. Urine excretion was collected every other day for 70 days, and urinary excretion of nitrate was measured as an index of in vivo NO synthesis. The urinary excretion of nitrate was enhanced by 150-200% in BBdp rats 4-6 days before the onset of diabetes, compared with aged-matched BBn rats. There was no difference in urinary excretion of nitrate between BBn rats and those BBdp rats that did not develop diabetes by the age of up to 120 days. To determine a role of NO in the development of spontaneous diabetes, 40-day-old male BBdp rats (30 rats per group) received daily subcutaneous injections of NMMA (acetate salt) (5 mg/kg body wt) or equal amounts of acetate (control) or oral administration of AG (0 or 3 g/l of drinking water) for 80 days. Both NMMA and AG delayed the onset of diabetes in BBdp rats by 13-15 days without altering the rate of incidence of diabetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Tapping the wisdom tradition: Essential elements to mentoring students of color.

The relevance of race, ethnicity, and culture in the mentormentee relationship is the essence of thisarticle. The authors argue that diversity education for those mentoring students of color merits anadditional level of required expertise in the following key areas: culture and academia, shared/assumedexistential posture, racial discrimination, race and ethnic self-awareness, and relationship and process.With support from APA publications, the authors highlight specific academic and professional concernsfor students of color, to work toward effective mentoring of culturally diverse students. For prospectivementors of students of color, the authors make recommendations related to engagement, instruction, andintegration of personal and professional identity. Further, the authors make recommendations for themanagement of experiences with discrimination and the recognition of racial identity and racial aware-ness in the mentormentee relationship.Keywords: mentoring, students of color, graduate education, diversity education, racial and ethnicawareness
Performance Tradeoffs Posed by Moving Magnet Actuators in Flexure-Based Nanopositioning

Moving magnet actuators (MMAs) are direct-drive, single-phase electromagnetic linear actuators that provide frictionless and backlash-free motion over a range of several millimeters. This paper investigates the feasibility of using MMAs to simultaneously achieve large range, high speed, and high motion quality in flexure-based nanopositioning systems. Component and system level design challenges and associated tradeoffs in meeting the aforementioned nanopositioning performance are discussed and derived. In particular, it is shown that even as the overall size of a traditional MMA is varied, the actuation force remains directly proportional to the square root of the actuator's moving magnet mass and the square root of power consumed. This proportionality constant, identified as the dynamic actuator constant, serves as a figure of merit for MMAs. When an MMA is employed in a flexure-based nanopositioning system, this constant directly impacts the system-level positioning performance in terms of range, resolution, speed, and temperature rise. This quantitative determination highlights the significance of incorporating a thermal management system for heat dissipation, minimizing noise and harmonic distortion in the current driver, and improving the force-stroke uniformity of the actuator. Based on this understanding, a single-axis nanopositioning system, which simultaneously achieves 10 mm range, 4 nm resolution, open-loop natural frequency of 25 Hz, and temperature rise of less than 0.5 °C, is designed, fabricated, and tested. Preliminary controller design and closed-loop operation highlight the potential and limitations of MMAs in large-range, high-speed nanopositioning.
Theory of protoplanetary disks

The evolution of protoplanetary disks around young stars is briefly reviewed. The most important physical mechanisms that drive the mass accretion are gravitational, magnetic, and thermal convective instabilities. These mechanisms are dominant in different regions of the disk and at different evolutionary epochs.
Observation of magnetic-field-induced delocalization: Transition from Anderson insulator to quantum Hall conductor.

We report the first experimental observation of a magnetic-field-induced transition from an Anderson insulator to a quantum Hall conductor in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) system. With sufficiently strong disorder, the 2DEG is an Anderson insulator with a divergent resistance at B=0. The 2DEG is transformed into a quantum Hall conductor with a vanishing resistance as T\ensuremath{\rightarrow}0 and a quantized Hall resistance when the lowest Landau level is filled. The observations demonstrate the magnetic-field-induced delocalization and are consistent with a recently proposed global phase diagram.
Acid rain: Simultaneous observations of a natural marine background and its acidic sulfate aerosol precursor

Rainwater samples collected on the northwestern coast of Washington State have excess sulfate concentrations which are similar to other remote marine sites. Simultaneous sampling of submicrometer aerosol particles and rainwater in meteorologically selected marine air masses shows that the sulfuric acid component of these particles is sufficient to account for the observed rainwater sulfate via the process of nucleation scavenging based on an effective liquid water content (L/sub eff/); its small range and realistic magnitude support this conclusion. Equilibrium modeling based on aerosol sulfate and L/sub eff/ predicts a rainwater pH of 5.2 compared to the measured pH to 5.1 copyright American Geophysical Union 1988
Ischemic stroke subtype and presence of sleep-disordered breathing: the BASIC sleep apnea study.

Background Little is known about the prevalence of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) across ischemic stroke subtypes. Given the important implications for SDB screening, we tested the association between SDB and ischemic stroke subtype in a population-based study. Methods Within the Brain Attack Surveillance in Corpus Christi Project, ischemic stroke patients were offered SDB screening with the ApneaLink Plus (n = 355). A neurologist assigned Trial of the ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment subtype (with an additional category for nonlacunar infarctions of unknown etiology) using hospital records. Unadjusted and adjusted (demographics, body mass index, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, diabetes, history of stroke/transient ischemic attack) logistic and linear regression models were used to test the association between subtype and SDB or apnea–hypopnea index (AHI). Results Median age was 65%, and 55% were men; 59% were Mexican American. Median time from stroke onset to SDB screen was 13 days (interquartile range [IQR] 6, 21). Overall, 215 (61%) had SDB (AHI ≥ 10). Median AHI was 13 (IQR 6, 27). Prevalence of SDB by subtype was cardioembolism, 66%; large-artery atherosclerosis, 57%; small-vessel occlusion, 68%; other determined, 50%; undetermined etiology, 58%; and nonlacunar stroke of unknown etiology, 63%. Ischemic stroke subtype was not associated with SDB in unadjusted (P = .72) or adjusted models (P = .91) models. Ischemic stroke subtype was not associated with AHI in unadjusted (P = .41) or adjusted models (P = .62). Conclusions In this population-based stroke surveillance study, ischemic stroke subtype was not associated with the presence or severity of SDB. Sleep-disordered breathing is likely to be present after ischemic stroke, and the subtype should not influence decisions about SDB screening.
The pregnancy that doesn't stay: The practice and perception of abortion by Ekiti Yoruba women

Ekiti Yoruba village women in southwest Nigeria make use of traditional and 'patent' medicines as abortifacients as well as D&Cs performed in urban centers to terminate unwanted pregnancies. This paper examines present day abortion practices and attitudes and relates them to traditional beliefs about conception, fetal development and infertility. These beliefs, along with factors of economy and access, help to explain the continued use of abortion as a form of birth control, despite the presence of other options. The paper concludes with a discussion of the current debate about legalizing abortion in Nigeria and a recommendation consonant with everyday village practice.
Influence of indoor combustion sources on indoor air quality

Etude de la qualite de l'air dans des maisons individuelles se chauffant au bois ou au kerosene. Etude aussi des polluants issus de la fumee de cigarette
Imputing continuous data under some non-Gaussian distributions

There has been a growing interest regarding generalized classes ofdistributions in statistical theory and practice because of their ﬂexibil-ityinmodelformation.Multipleimputationundersuchdistributionsthatspan a broader area in the symmetry–kurtosis plane appears to havethepotentialofbettercapturingrealincompletedatatrends.Inthisarti-cle, we impute continuous univariate data that exhibit varying charac-teristicsundertwowell-knowndistributions,assesstheextenttowhichthisprocedureworksproperly,makecomparisonswithnormalimputa-tion models in terms of commonly accepted bias and precision mea-sures, and discuss possible generalizations to the multivariate caseand to larger families of distributions.
Inference of mental states in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Introduction. The ability to determine what someone thinks or knows often requires an individual to infer the mental state of another person, an ability typi cally referred to as one's “theory of mind”. The present study tests this ability in patients with mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods. Three theory of mind tests and three standardised neuropsychological tests were presented to a group of patients with AD (n = 25) and a group of healthy elderly controls (n = 15). Results. On the first two theory of mind tasks, the performance of the AD patients was nearly perfect and did not differ from that of the controls: AD patients showed no difficulties in either attributing a false belief to another person, or in recognising their own previous false beliefs. On the third theory of mind task, where the key information was embedded in a story narrative, AD patients per formed significantly worse than controls. However, their performance on this task was similar to the control condition, which use...
The Interdomain Connector Loop of Human PCNA Is Involved in a Direct Interaction with Human Polymerase δ

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is required for processive DNA synthesis catalyzed by DNA polymerase delta (pol delta) and polymerase epsilon. We have shown that the epitope of a human PCNA inhibitory monoclonal antibody (74B1), which inhibits the PCNA stimulation of DNA synthesis catalyzed by pol delta, maps to residues 121-135, which overlap the interdomain connector loop of PCNA (residues 119-133). We have mutagenized residues 122-133 of human PCNA. The mutant proteins were expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to near-homogeneity. The interactions of the mutants with antibody 74B1 were examined; mutation of Gly-127 abolished the recognition by antibody 74B1 in a Western blot analysis, confirming the epitope assignment of 74B1. Mutations of Val-123, Leu-126, Gly-127, and Ile-128 affected the ability of PCNA to stimulate DNA synthesis by pol delta in several different assays. These mutations affected the interactions between PCNA and pol delta as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. These mutants were also affected in their abilities to form a ternary complex with a DNA template-primer, as determined by electrophoretic mobility gel shift assays. The findings show that the interdomain connector loop region is involved in binding of pol delta. This same region is involved in the binding of p21, and our findings support the view that the mechanism of inhibition of DNA synthesis by p21 is due to a competition for PCNA binding to pol delta.
Phenytoin, levetiracetam, and pregabalin in the acute management of refractory status epilepticus in patients with brain tumors

Background There were nearly 700,000 patients in the United States in 2010 living with brain tumor diagnoses. The incidence of seizures in this population is as high as 70% and is historically difficult to control. Approximately 30–40% of brain tumors patients who present with status epilepticus (SE) will not respond to typical therapy consisting of benzodiazepines and phenytoin (PHT), resulting in patients with refractory status epilepticus (RSE). RSE is usually treated with anesthetic doses of propofol or midazolam infusions. This therapy can have significant risk, particularly in patients with cancer.
Intensity of midlife crisis on responses to the Death Concern Scale.

The relationships that exist between the intensity of midlife crisis and individual items on Dickstein's (1972) Death Concern Scale were explored. The question of whether the intensity of a crisis could be used to predict responses to items on the scale was also investigated. A group of 235 person, 30-60 years of age, completed the scale. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients indicated relationships for 7 of the 30 items on the scale. Using forced-entry regression, with intensity of crisis as the independent variable and the items on the scale as dependent variables, I found 8 scale items with reportable beta scores of .10 or above. The relationships and predictors reflected cognitive and emotional aspects of death.
IL-15 deficient Tax mice reveal a role for IL-1α in tumor immunity

IL-15 is recognized as a promising candidate for tumor immunotherapy and has been described as both a promoter of cancer and a promoter of anti-cancer immunity. IL-15 was discovered in cells transformed by HTLV-1, the etiologic agent of adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL) and the human retrovirus that carries the Tax oncogene. We have developed the TAX-LUC mouse model of ATL in which Tax expression drives both malignant transformation and luciferase expression, enabling non-invasive imaging of tumorigenesis in real time. To identify the role of IL-15 in spontaneous development of lymphoma in vivo, an IL-15−/− TAX-LUC strain was developed and examined. The absence of IL-15 resulted in aggressive tumor growth and accelerated mortality and demonstrated that IL-15 was not required for Tax-mediated lymphoma but was essential for anti-tumor immunity. Further analysis revealed a unique transcriptional profile in tumor cells that arise in the absence of IL-15 that included a significant increase in the expression of IL-1α and IL-1α-regulated cytokines. Moreover, anti-IL-1α antibodies and an IL-1 receptor antagonist (Anakinra) were used to interrogate the potential of IL-1α targeted therapies in this model. Taken together, these findings identify IL-15 and IL-1α as therapeutic targets in lymphoma.
Ethanol-induced hydrolysis of brain sialoglycoconjugates in the rat: effect of sialic acid in antagonizing ethanol intoxication.

Several reports indicate that acute ethanol promotes the cleavage of brain sialoglycoconjugates (SGC). We attempted to confirm this effect by monitoring cleavage of sialic acid (SA) that had been radiolabeled by pretreatment with the specific precursor of SA, N-[3H]acetyl-D-mannosamine, injected intracerebroventricularly into rats 20 h prior to ethanol injection (2 or 3 g/kg, given four times in a simulated "binge drinking" protocol). Analysis of the residual labeled material revealed a significant reduction of radiolabel (p less than 0.01), as compared to saline controls. A dose of 3 g/kg diminished the total labeled SGC by half. Brain sialidase activity was not affected by the ethanol treatment. Since ethanol intoxication is associated with enhanced SA cleavage, one hypothesis needing testing is that loss of SA might help to cause intoxication. If so, pretreatment with SA might antagonize intoxication, presumably by offsetting loss due to cleavage of SA. Consistent with our earlier results, we found that when sialic acid was given i.p. (25 mg/kg), 1, 6, or 24 h prior to ethanol injection (4 g/kg, i.p.), the sleep time was reduced by 35-40% and the performance on rotorod was significantly enhanced (p less than 0.01). When ethanol was replaced by pentobarbital (40 mg/kg), the sleep time was increased (approximately 30%) at 6 h after injection with either 25 or 100 mg/kg sialic acid, whereas at the 24 h postinjection it was decreased (approximately 20%) at both doses. The results suggest that sialic acid is a key component in mediating ethanol effects and perhaps also, in a different way, anesthetic effects.
Pilot Feasibility Study of the Method of Water Infusion Without Air Insufflation in Sedated Colonoscopy

One study in sedated patients demonstrated a reduction in pain score but not midazolam dosage when warm water infusion was used to manage colonic spasm. We describe pilot data with a modified warm water infusion technique. We tested the hypothesis that patients receiving even only half of the usual dose of sedation medications would have acceptable cecal intubation and tolerate the procedure well, based on retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a single Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center. Group 1 included 32 consecutive patients who received full-dose and group 2 included 43 consecutive patients who received half-dose premedication. Insertion of colonoscope was aided by warm water infusion in lieu of air insufflation. Pain scores during insertion, cecal intubation rate, and total amount of medications were monitored. The novel technique permitted equal cecal intubation rate at reduced total dose of medications. Pain scores were not significantly different. The uncontrolled nonrandomized observational nature of the data is one limitation. The nonsignificant difference in pain scores may be affected by a type II error. These pilot data suggest that insertion is feasible without air when water infusion is used. The novel technique may be a useful adjunct for minimizing the dosage of sedation medications without adversely affecting cecal intubation. Further study is needed to compare air insufflation and water infusion with regard to patient tolerance and success, particularly in the presence of an on-demand sedation policy.
Polymerization of conducting polymers confined to free surfaces : a comparison of the Langmuir-Blodgett polymerizations of 3-alkyl pyrroles and 2-alkyl anilines

Abstract The Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) polymerization of two monomers, 2-pentadecyl aniline and 3-hexadecyl pyrrole, is compared. Both monomers reacted to form polymers at air-aqueous interfaces. The aniline monomer showed autoacceleration upon polymerization and polymerized much faster as the applied surface pressure increased. The pyrrole monomer polymerized faster than the aniline, but showed little dependence on applied surface pressure. A new LB polymerization experiment where the monomers were pre-oriented in a double compartment trough before chemical polymerization is introduced. The differences in the polymerization behaviour of the two monomers are discussed in terms of their conformation.
4,4′-Bis(Dimethylamino)Thiobenzophenone as a 2-Chloroethylethylsulfide Vapor-Sensing Coating for Optical Based Microsensors

Abstract The chromogenic detector reagent, 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)thiobenzophenone (TMK), has been studied as a solid-state coating for sensing 2-chloro-ethylethylsulfide (CEES) vapor. The type of solid reaction support is a critical factor affecting both the stability and performance of the coating; alumina is the preferred support. When monitored with a fiber-optic spectrophotometer, the TMK coating on an alumina support was found capable of detecting CEES at concentrations down to the low ppm level. Unstabilized TMK coatings were found to be highly susceptible to photodegradation. Photostability was improved significantly by including 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol in the coating formulation.
Cognates of personal control: Locus of control, self-efficacy, and explanatory style

Abstract Theories of personal control are extremely popular in contemporary psychology. What are the relationships among such apparently similar notions as locus of control, self-efficacy, and explanatory style? Although these cognates have similar correlates, they are not necessarily interchangeable. Our conceptual analysis suggests that they exist at different levels of abstraction and generality. They interact with one another to influence behavior. They are not simply alternative ways of talking about the same phenomenon. “Personal control” should be regarded as multidimensional.
Brain androgen and progesterone metabolizing enzymes: biosynthesis, distribution and function

Abstract This review summarizes the biosynthesis, cell type-distribution and function of brain aromatase cytochrome P450 (P450aro) and 5α-reductase enzymes. This overview covers the impact of the steroid products of the P450aro and 5α-reductase enzymes in establishing sexually dimorphic brain structures, specifically the sexually dimorphic nucleus of the preoptic area (SDN) and the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). Additionally, since metabolites of the P450aro and 5α-reductase enzymes are known to regulate the calcium-binding protein, calbindin (CALB), CALB is reviewed in relationship to its potential role in determining sexually dimorphic brain structures. Finally, recent reports indicate that phytoestrogens inhibit P450aro and 5α-reductase activities in peripheral tissue sites, therefore, the effects of phytoestrogens on brain P450aro and 5α-reductase are briefly considered and the impact of consuming a high vs. a low phytoestrogen diet on visual spatial memory in male and female rats is presented.
Properties of Faults and Criticalities of Values under Tests for Combinational Networks

This correspondence discusses the properties of faults in combinational networks and their relationships with fault-detection and fault-location test sets.
Reactive Growth of Nanoscale MgO Films by Mg Atom Deposition onto O2 Multilayers

Nanometer thick layers of Mg metal vapor deposited onto a polycrystalline gold substrate at 22 K with and without O2 multilayers were examined after annealing. Auger electron spectroscopy and temperature-programmed desorption of N2 were used to determine the Mg oxidation state and the surface area of the deposits immediately after deposition at 22 K, and following annealing. Deposited on 20 layers of O2, Mg oxidizes and forms an MgO film having a high surface area (∼700 m2/g). The surface area decreases upon annealing, approaching that of a well-ordered MgO(100) surface by 500 K. On thinner O2 multilayers, both oxidized and metallic Mg are observed at 22 K. Mild thermal annealing (200−400 K) results in transport of the excess metallic Mg to, and alloy formation with, the underlying Au substrate. MgO films annealed to 1000 K display a narrow distribution of N2 binding sites, similar to well-ordered MgO(100). The film sublimes above 1000 K when heated.
Control Charts for Monitoring Field Failure Data

One responsibility of the reliability engineer is to monitor failure trends for fielded units to confirm that pre-production life testing results remain valid. This research suggests an approach that is computationally simple and can be used with a small number of failures per observation period. The approach is based on converting failure time data from fielded units to normal distribution data, using simple logarithmic or power transformations. Appropriate normalizing transformations for the classic life distributions (exponential, lognormal, and Weibull) are identified from the literature. Samples of size 500 field failure times are generated for seven different lifetime distributions (normal, lognormal, exponential, and four Weibulls of various shapes). Various control charts are then tested under three sampling schemes (individual, fixed, and random) and three system reliability degradations (large step, small step, and linear decrease in mean time between failures (MTBF)). The results of these tests are converted to performance measures of time to first out-of-control signal and persistence of signal after out-of-control status begins. Three of the well-known Western Electric sensitizing rules are used to recognize the assignable cause signals. Based on this testing, the ―X-chart with fixed sample size is the best overall for field failure monitoring, although the individual chart was better for the transformed exponential and another highly-skewed Weibull. As expected, the linear decrease in MTBF is the most difficult change for any of the charts to detect. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Humidity-Induced Phase Transitions in Ion-Containing Block Copolymer Membranes

The phase behavior of ion-containing block copolymer membranes in equilibrium with humidified air is studied as a function of the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air, ion content of the copolymer, and temperature. Increasing RH at constant temperature results in both disorder-to-order and order-to-order transitions. In-situ small-angle neutron scattering experiments on the open block copolymer system, when combined with water uptake measurement, indicate that the disorder-to-order transition is driven by an increase in the partial molar entropy of the water molecules in the ordered phase relative to that in the disordered phase. This is in contrast to most systems wherein increasing entropy results in stabilization of the disordered phase.
Asymmetric distribution of arteriovenous crossings in the normal retina

Background: Recently, there has been renewed interest in the orientation of the crossing retinal vessels at arteriovenous intersections, particularly as it relates to the risk of branch vein occlusion. Little is known about the distribution of the two types of crossings in the normal retina. Methods: The authors studied standard fundus photographs of 51 subjects without retinal disease. Arteriovenous crossings were analyzed for fundus location and relative orientation of the crossing vessels (vein-posterior or vein-anterior). Findings: In the superotemporal quadrant, crossings were distributed closer to the optic disc ( P P = 0.01) than in the inferotemporal quadrant. As a result, within a 3-disc diameter (DD) radius of the optic disc, there were significantly more vein-posterior crossings in the superotemporal than in the inferotemporal quadrant ( P Conclusion: These findings further define normal retinal vascular anatomy and may explain the predilection for branch retinal vein occlusions to occur in the superotemporal quadrant.
A False Vision of Black Problems

“Heirs of the Wizard” is a rather shallow attempt to dismiss the contributions of Walter E. Williams, Thomas Sowell, and Shelby Steele to issues surrounding race. Clarence E. Walker's misunderstanding of issues discussed by Sowell and Williams is captured by his phrase “practices that raise questions about Williams's faith in the market.” Speaking for myself, and probably Sowell, it is not a faith in the market as much as evidence about the market upon which we rely.
The economic content of security

The economic content of security, i.e. to what extent security is influenced by economic variables, is a difficult and widely debated one. There has been a tendency, to broaden the concept of security to include certain purely economic interests. The paper is concerned with a precise understanding of the difference between a narrow and territorial definition of security, and a broader definition of security encompassing economic interests. The first section defines security and its economic ramifications and the second discusses the subject within the context of a general equilibrium model. The policy dilemmas of security are then considered at the conceptual level, including the dilemmas in the general equilibrium model.
Graphite lubricates fault zones

Graphite is known to be a low-friction material, and rocks rich in graphite are often found in fault zones. Oohashi et al. conducted laboratory studies to determine how much graphite is needed to reduce the frictional strength of a fault. Their experiments included samples with various mixtures of graphite and quartz, as well as pure quartz and pure graphite, and they covered large displacements (up to 100 meters), a range of slip rates (from 200 micrometers per second to 1.3 meters per second), and a range of shear strains (up to several tens of thousands).
Complexity versus conflict in communication

Equilibrium models of costless strategic communication provide four insights, which can be summarized informally by: failure to communicate is always possible; perfect communication is not possible when conflict of interest exists between the informed Sender and the uninformed Receiver; whenever non-trivial communication is possible, there are multiple equilibrium outcomes; the quality of information communicated in equilibrium and the potential benefits of communication increase when the conflict between the Sender and Receiver decreases. I will review these insights and point out that parallel properties emerge in a new model of strategic communication when the Sender and Receiver must make costly investments that determine their abilities to encode and decode (respectively) messages. That is, there is a parallel foundation to the economic theory of strategic communication in which the reason for limited communication is complexity rather than conflicting interests.