cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relationship between Cognitive Status and Behavioral Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease and Mixed Dementia

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cognitive and behavioral impairments in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to examine whether the addition of cerebrovascular disease modifies that relationship. Design: Correlational analysis. Setting: An outpatient dementia clinic. Patients: An autopsy-confirmed series of 28 patients with AD and 16 patients with mixed Alzheimer and vascular dementia (MIX). Measurements: Neuropsychological and behavioral tests during life: Mini-Mental State (MMS), Blessed Dementia Scale (BDS), Haycox Dementia Behavior Scale (HDBS), and two non-cognitive functional scales derived from the BDS and HDBS. Results: In the AD group, MMS scores correlated significantly with scores on the BDS, HDBS, and two non-cognitive functional scales. In the MIX group, however, no significant relationship was observed between MMS scores and scores on any of the behavioral measures. Conclusions: These observations suggest that in AD, cognitive and behavioral impairments progress simultaneously. However, with the addition of a vascular component to the dementing process, cognitive and behavioral impairments may progress more independently.
Bayesian estimation of optical properties of the human head via 3D structural MRI

Knowledge of the baseline optical properties of the tissues of the human head is essential for absolute cerebral oximetry, and for quantitative studies of brain activation. In this work we numerically model the utility of signals from a small 6-optode time-resolved diffuse optical tomographic apparatus for inferring baseline scattering and absorption coefficients of the scalp, skull and brain, when complete geometric information is available from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We use an optical model where MRI-segmented tissues are assumed homogeneous. We introduce a noise model capturing both photon shot noise and forward model numerical accuracy, and use Bayesian inference to predict errorbars and correlations on the measurments. We also sample from the full posterior distribution using Markov chain Monte Carlo. We conclude that ~ 106 detected photons are sufficient to measure the brain's scattering and absorption to a few percent. We present preliminary results using a fast multi-layer slab model, comparing the case when layer thicknesses are known versus unknown.
A survey of tools for the validation and verification of knowledge-based systems: 1985–1995

Abstract This paper presents the findings of a survey of software tools built to assist in the verification and validation of knowledge-based systems. The tools were identified from literature sources from the period 1985–1995. The tool builders were contacted and asked to complete and return a survey that identified which testing and analysis techniques were utilised and covered by their tool. From these survey results it is possible to identify trends in tool development, technique coverage and areas for future research.
Identifying the Learning Capabilities of Older Adults: Associative and Priority Learning

Effective search performance is determined by two important factors: memory load and display load. Memory load factors can be reduced by “associative learning” where memory-set elements become unitized and the stimuli are compared as a “category” rather than serially. Display-load effects can be reduced by target-distractor differentiation, a process referred to as “priority learning”. In this paper we describe a three-phased experiment conducted to examine how those factors affected search performance for young and old subjects (mean ages, 24 and 71). Subjects were first trained in two varied mapping (VM) conditions (Phase 1): (1) Associative - allowed unitization of the stimulus sets; (2) Nonassociative - inhibited unitization. In Phase 1 all subjects unitized the associative sets thus implying maintenance of associative learning. In Phase 2, the stimuli were consistently mapped (CM) thus allowing the opportunity for priority learning. Following CM training young adults' performance was qualitatively su...
Alteration by estrogen of the nucleoli in nerve cells of the rat hypothalamus

Estrogen is accumulated from the blood by nerve cells in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus and can facilitate female reproductive behavior by acting on this region of the brain. This cell group was examined in ovariectomized female rats, given estrogen or control treatment, by use of light and electron microscopy. A significantly greater portion of the nerve cells in the estrogen-treated animals had protuberances on their nucleolar surfaces, apparent under the light microscope. The fine structure of such protuberances included dense, aggregated material, which is shown to contain DNA by the sodium tungstate staining technique. Because increased numbers of such protuberances were found in nuclei of cells of the experimental group where previous studies demonstrated a significant increase in ultrastructural signs of biosynthetic activity, they may be associated with increased RNA synthesis. Thus, they could indicate, ultrastructurally, increased synthetic rates for RNA in nerve cells through which estrogen promotes reproductive behavior.
Raven's Progressive Matrices: Validity, Reliability, and Norms

(1972). Raven's Progressive Matrices: Validity, Reliability, and Norms. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 82, No. 2, pp. 253-257.
A photolithographic process for investigation of electrode reaction sites in solid oxide fuel cells

Electrode kinetics greatly influence the overall performance of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), especially at low temperatures. Yet little is known about the nature of SOFC electrode reactions. In this study, patterned electrodes of well-defined geometry were successfully deposited on YSZ (Y0.08Zr0.92O2−δ) electrolyte substrates through microfabrication techniques. Patterned LSM (La0.8Sr0.2MnO3) microelectrodes were capped with a TiO2 insulating layer in order to block the transport of ionic and electronic species across the surface thereby allowing separation of different reaction sites. The study confirms the feasibility of selectively blocking certain reaction sites in order to investigate complex electrochemical reaction mechanisms.
The fragmentation of the ions of nonan‐4‐one: A study by triple quadrupole mass spectrometry

Abstract : The fragmentation of the ions of the compound nonan-4-one were studied in detail with low-energy collision-induced dissoiciation (CID) in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Ions of the sample molecule created in an EI source are mass selected by a quadrupole mass filter, dissociated by low-energy collision with neutral molecules in a quadrupole collison chamber, and the dissociation products are mass-selected by a second quadrupole mass analyzer. The normal EI mass spectrum of nonan-4-one shows 47 fragment ions. A fragmentation spectrum is obtained for each of the ions from the EI source. The result is the positive identification of over 400 parent-daughter pairs. This compares with a total of 47 observed pairs (37 confirmed) from all previous metastable ion studies. Normal alkanone fragmentations are observed: Alpha-cleavage, loss of CO or C2H4 from Alpha-cleavage ions, and McLafferty rearrangement in the long chain. The relative abundances of the short chain and long chain Alpha-cleavage fragments are demonstrated to depend on the fragmentation energy available with the long chain fragment predominating at lower energies. The fragmentations observed are grouped for discussion. A number of parent-daughter structures and fragmentation mechanisms are confirmed and some new ones are proposed. New graphical representations of the fragmentation patterns have been devised to accommodate the large amount of information produced in this study. (Author)
KETOCONAZOLE HIGH DOSE IN MANAGEMENT OF HORMONALLY PRETREATED PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE METASTATIC PROSTATE CANCER

Ketoconazole high dose (H.D.) effectively reduces the testosterone production in both adrenals and testes. Its use in the management of (metastatic) prostate cancer has been advocated. Even in relapsing patients, after previous hormonal therapy, ketoconazole H.D. could be of value. Twenty-eight relapsing patients, of whom 15 were evaluable at three months, have been treated with ketoconazole H.D. As could be expected, objective response was seen in only a small number of patients followed up till nine months. Subjective improvement, however, was noticed in the majority of symptomatic patients. The side effects and toxicity of the therapy remain a major limitation for the use of ketoconazole, be it as first line treatment or as therapy for relapsing patients.
Catechol O-methyltransferase val158met genotype and neural mechanisms related to affective arousal and regulation.

Context CatecholO-methyltransferase (COMT),the major enzyme determining cortical dopamine flux, has a common functional polymorphism (val158met) that affects prefrontal function and working memory capacity and has also been associated with anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Objectives To examineCOMTval158met effects on corticolimbic circuitry reactivity and functional connectivity during processing of biologically salient stimuli, as well as the relationship to the temperamental trait of novelty seeking. Design Within-subject functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Setting National Institute of Mental Health, Genes, Cognition, and Psychosis Program, Bethesda, Md. Patients One hundred one healthy subjects of both sexes. Results We found that the met allele was associated with a dose-dependent increase in hippocampal formation and ventrolateral prefrontal cortex activation during viewing of faces displaying negative emotion. In met/met homozygotes, limbic and prefrontal regions showed increased functional coupling. Moreover, in these same subjects, the magnitude of amygdala-orbitofrontal coupling was inversely correlated with novelty seeking, an index of temperamental inflexibility. Conclusions Our results indicate that heritable variation in dopamine neurotransmission associated with the met allele of theCOMTpolymorphism results in heightened reactivity and connectivity in corticolimbic circuits. This may reflect a genetic predisposition for inflexible processing of affective stimuli, a mechanism possibly accounting for aspects of arousal and behavioral control that contribute to emotional dysregulation previously reported in met/met individuals.
The Relative Effectiveness of Four Strategies for Teaching Disjunctive Concepts in Mathematics.

Several studies have been made of the relative effectiveness of different strategies for teaching concepts. Those studies in mathematics have provided a little information, but the majority of the findings have indicated no significant differences exist between the different strategies studied (Henderson & Rollins, 1967; Rector & Henderson, 1970). One possible reason for this is that these studies have not gone beyond the point of studying strategies for teaching concepts, as compared to strategies for teaching different types of concepts. That is to say, they have neglected to take into account the different logical forms of concepts. A classification scheme for concepts was proposed by Jerome Bruner in A Study of Thinking (Bruner, Goodnow, & Austin, 1956). He divided the class of concepts into the following three subsets: conjunctive concepts, disjunctive concepts, and relational concepts. These three types of concepts are determined by the manner in which their defining conditions are combined in order to decide what may serve as an exemplar of the concept. A conjunctive concept is one determined by the joint occurrence of the appropriate values of its defining attributes. It is characterized by the use of the logical term and. The concept of a prime number is a conjunctive concept. To be a prime number, a number must be a natural number and greater than one and have no natural number factors other than one and itself.
MANAGEMENT OF THE NECK IN THYROID CANCER

The management of thyroid cancer presents a continuing controversy in the surgical literature. 7,8,21 The major issues include diagnostic work-up, extent of surgery, and management of neck nodes. It is estimated that approximately 17,200 new patients with thyroid cancer will be seen in 1998, with a mortality of 1200 patients in the United States. 10 Thyroid cancer has generated considerable debate with an average of more than 2000 peer reviewed papers in the literature every year. This is a disease that presents with a wide spectrum of clinical behavior. On one hand, papillary and follicular carcinoma of the thyroid have excellent survival (in the low-risk group, the survival exceeds 95% to 98%), 22 whereas at the other end of the spectrum, the patient may present with anaplastic thyroid cancer with virtually no survival in long-term follow-up. The understanding of thyroid cancer has improved considerably in the last two decades with identification of prognostic factors such as "age, grade of the tumor, size of the tumor, extrathyroidal extension, and presence or absence of distant metastasis." 1,2,3,5,13,16,19,23,24 Interestingly, the presence of cervical lymph node metastasis has not been an important prognostic factor. 4,15,17,18,20 This is the only tumor in the human body where the presence of nodal metastasis has no bearing on the long-term survival. In all other human cancers, regional nodal metastasis decreases the survival to approximately half. The incidence of regional nodal metastasis in thyroid cancer varies between 40% to 70%, depending on the extent of lymph node dissection. 23 It is also interesting to note that the highest incidence of nodal metastasis is noted in young individuals, who on the other hand have excellent prognosis. There has been no randomized prospective trial in the management of regional lymph nodes in thyroid cancer and one is not likely to occur. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer is such an indolent disease that a randomized prospective trial is unlikely because the outcome differences are so small and the patients need to be followed for a long period of time. In the absence of such a prospective trial, the majority of the decisions are made based on the available retrospective data. Well-differentiated thyroid cancer represents approximately 90% of thyroid cancers, including papillary, follicular, and follicular with Hurthle cell variety. The rare varieties, such as medullary and anaplastic thyroid cancer, represent approximately 5% each.
Symmetry group analysis of Benney system and an application for shallow-water equations

Abstract In this study we analyze symmetry group properties of the Benney system in the Eulerian description, which is in the form of the system of the coupled nonlinear integro-differential equations. We, first, find symmetry groups and obtain reduced forms, and then seek some similarity solutions to the reduced forms of the Benney equations. In addition, it is shown that one may transform solutions of the reduced forms of the Benney system into solutions of the reduced form of the one-dimensional shallow-water equations.
Aging related alterations in GABAA receptor subunit mRNA levels in Fischer rats.

Abstract The influence of aging on the binding of ligands to picrotoxin binding sites as well as steady state levels of mRNA for various α subunits of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor complex was investigated in male Fischer F-344 rats. In aged rats, the binding of [ 35 S ]t- butyl-bicyclophosphorothionate (TBPS) was significantly reduced. This decrease in TBPS binding derived from a reduced density of binding sites, rather than from affinity changes, in both cerebral cortex and cerebellum. In aged rats, α1 mRNA level decreased approximately 70% between age 6 months and 24 months in the cerebral cortex (P
Photovoltaic Cells Involving the Nonconjugated Conductive Polymer, Iodine-Doped Poly(β-pinene)

Novel photovoltaic cells involving a nonconjugated conductive polymer have been fabricated using titanium dioxide/doped poly(β-pinene)/carbon on ITO glass-substrates. Photocurrents and photo-voltages for different intensities of light (emission at 300-700 nm) have been measured. Use of iodine-doped nonconjugated conductive polymer (poly(β-pinene)) film has led to significant enhancement of photocurrent compared to previous reports involving undoped polymer in a different device-structure. A photocurrent density of about 0.03 mA/cm2 and a photo-voltage of 0.65 V have been measured for a light intensity of ∼5 mW/cm2. These cells being the first generation of its kind the results are promising for applications.
Elements of the yeast pheromone response pathway required for filamentous growth of diploids

Transmission of an external signal from receptors to downstream targets is often mediated by a conserved set of protein kinases that act in sequence (a kinase cascade). In haploid strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a signal initiated by peptide pheromones is transmitted through this kinase cascade to a transcription factor STE12, which is required for the expression of many mating-specific genes. Here it was shown that in diploids some of the same kinases and STE12 are required for filamentous growth, but the pheromone receptors and guanosine triphosphate-binding protein are not required for filament formation. Thus, a similar kinase cascade is activated by different signals in haploids and diploids and mediates different developmental outcomes in the two cell types.
Properties of the OH Adducts of Hydroxy-, Methyl-, Methoxy-, and Amino-Substituted Pyrimidines: Their Dehydration Reactions and End-Product Analysis

Reactions of hydroxyl radicals (•OH) with 2-amino-4-methyl pyrimidine (AMP), 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine (ADMP), 2-amino-4-methoxy-6-methyl pyrimidine (AMMP), 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-methyl pyrimidine (AHMP), 4,6-dihydroxy-2-methyl pyrimidine (DHMP), 2,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxy pyrimidine (DMHP), 6-methyl uracil (MU), and 5,6-dimethyl uracil (DMU) have been studied by pulse radiolysis and steady-state radiolysis techniques at different pH values. The second-order rate constants of the reaction of •OH with these systems are of the order of (2−9) × 10^9 dm^3 mol^(-1) s^(-1) at near neutral pH. The difference in the spectral features of the intermediates at near neutral pH and at higher pH (10.4) obtained with these pyrimidines are attributed to the deprotonation of the OH adducts. The G(TMPD•+) obtained at pH ∼ 6, from the electron-transfer reactions of the oxidizing intermediates with the reductant, N,N,N‘,N‘-tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (TMPD), are in the range (0.2−0.9) × 10^(-7) mol J^(-1) which constituted about 3−16% oxidizing radicals. These yields were highly enhanced at pH 10.5 in the case of AHMP, DHMP, DMU, and MU (G(TMPD^(•+)) = 3.8−5.5 ≅ 66−95% oxidizing radical). On the basis of these results, it is proposed that a nonoxidizing C(6)-ylC(5)OH radical adduct is initially formed at pH 6 which is responsible for the observed transient spectra. The high yield of TMPD•+ at higher pH is explained in terms of a base-catalyzed conversion (via a dehydration reaction) of the initially formed C(6)-ylC(5)OH adduct (nonoxidizing) to C(5)-ylC(6)OH adduct which is oxidizing in nature. Among the selected pyrimidines, such a dehydration reaction was observed only with those having a keto (or hydroxy) group at the C(4) position of the pyrimidine ring. Qualitative analyses of the products resulting from the OH adducts of DHMP (at pH 4.5) and DMHP (at pH 6) were carried out using HPLC-ES-MS and a variety of products have been identified. Glycolic and dimeric products were observed as the major end-products. The product profiles of both DHMP and DMHP have shown that the precursors of the products are mainly the C(6)-ylC(5)OH and the H adduct radicals. The identified products are formed mainly by disproportionation and dimerization reactions of these radicals. The mechanistic aspects are discussed.
Glucocorticoid receptor in clonal osteosarcoma cell lines: A novel system for investigating bone active hormones

Summary Cytosol from cultured osteogenic sarcoma cells contains a high affinity (K d =1.4×10 −9 M) triamcinolone(TRM) binding component which adsorbs to DNA-cellulose. The TRM binding molecule sediments at 4S in 0.3M KC1-sucrose gradients, but appears as a 6–7S species when sodium molybdate is present. The concentration of TRM binder is 100fmol/mg cytosol protein (∼ 60,000 receptors/cell) and it displays the classical hierarchy of glucocorticoid potency in competition experiments. Thus, osteogenic sarcoma possesses a typical glucocorticoid receptor. This osteoblast-like malignant bone cell should serve as a model for studying the actions and interactions of glucocorticoids, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and other bone active hormones.
Invasive monitoring of limbic epilepsy using stereotactic depth and subdural strip electrodes: surgical technique.

BACKGROUND In spite of advances in noninvasive localization of seizure foci, some cases of intractable limbic epilepsy still require invasive recordings in order to identify the site of seizure onset. This necessitates a safe and reliable method for placing depth and subdural electrodes in the mesial temporal and orbitofrontal regions. The University of Florida has devised a system that utilizes CRW-based stereotactic placement of bitemporal depth electrodes in conjunction with placement of subdural strips over the inferolateral temporal lobe and orbitofrontal cortex. This report describes the surgical technique and initial clinical experience using this method. METHODS Depth electrodes are placed along the long axis of the hippocampi via an occipital approach. A CRW-based stereotactic system was developed that incorporates both computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for selection of target and entry sites and displaying the electrode trajectory. Subdural strip electrodes are placed over the inferolateral temporal and orbitofrontal regions through burr holes. RESULTS This method has been used in 18 patients (depth electrodes only in three patients and depth electrodes with subdural strips in 15 patients). This information lead to surgical resections in 15 patients. No resection was recommended in three patients (two with bitemporal onset and one with no seizures after 6 weeks). Complications were limited to an unplanned removal of one electrode and an asymptomatic lateral temporal lobe contusion in one patient. CONCLUSIONS This method provides a safe and effective way to sample bilateral mesial temporal and orbitofrontal regions in cases of intractable limbic epilepsy.
American governors since 1915

This study was suggested by an article which appeared i n the NATIONAL MUNICIPAL REVIEW in November, 1927, which covered the governors from 1900 to 1910. Since 1910, the office of governor has increased in importance and new powers have been added, so that it is not surprising that the conclusions of this study do not agree entirely with those of the November, 1927, article.
Simple and complex learning in rats reared socially or in isolation

Male rats made hyperactive and sexually inept by rearing in isolation showed higher rates of response in a single response task and lower proficiency in a competing response situation than did normal, socially-reared litter-mates. These results and a marked reduction in errors on the competing response task by Ss of both rearing conditions which were more experienced in the conditioning situation confirm Spence’s (1958), 1964) drive-anxiety theory.
An unmanned ground vehicle for landmine remediation

Anti-tank (AT) landmines slow down and endanger military advances and present sizeable humanitarian problems. The remediation of these mines by direct human intervention is both dangerous and costly. The Intelligent Systems & Robotics Group (ISRG) at New Mexico Tech has provided a partial solution to this problem by developing an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) to remediate these mines without endangering human lives. This paper presents an overview of the design and operation of this UGV. Current results and future work are also described herein. To initiate the remediation process the UGV is given the GPS coordinates of previously detected landmines. Once the UGV autonomously navigates to an acceptable proximity of the landmine, a remote operator acquires control over a wireless network link using a joystick on a base station. Utilizing two cameras mounted on the UGV, the operator is able to accurately position the UGV directly over the landmine. The UGV houses a self-contained drill system equipped with its own processing resources, sensors, and actuators. The drill system deploys a neutralizing device over the landmine to neutralize it. One such device, developed by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), employs incendiary materials to melt through the container of the landmine and slowly burn the explosive material, thereby safely and remotely disabling the landmine.
Geochemical factors complicating the use of aufwuchs as a biomonitor for lead levels in two New Jersey reservoirs

Abstract Material accumulating on glass slides was sampled monthly from two reservoirs for 1 year. Monthly changes in lead concentration in these samples were correlated with fluctuations in associated iron plus manganese concentration. Correlation with changes in algal cell density was also significant ( α = 0.05), yet not as important in the statistical model as iron plus manganese concentration. Upon microscopic examination, it was evident that the majority of the material removed from the slides was a rust-colored matrix. X-ray analysis revealed that the majority of the lead in the material scraped from the slides was associated with this iron and manganese-rich matrix surrounding the microflora, not with the microflora itself. As a result the material scraped from the slides (often defined as aufwuchs in biomonitoring efforts) could not be considered a valid biomonitor of lead levels in these reservoirs. The local geochemistry, not the biota, was the dominant factor affecting the lead concentrations in the material accumulating on the glass slides. The findings of this study indicate a potential for misinterpretation of biomonitoring efforts employing procedurally defined aufwuchs .
Thermal oxidation of cobalt disilicide

The thermal oxidation kinetics of cobalt disilicide on Si substrates have been investigated in the temperature range of 650–1100 °C in dry oxygen and wet oxygen. A surface layer of SiO2 grows parabolically with time. The growth rate is independent of the substrate orientation (〈111〉 or 〈100〉) and thickness of the CoSi2 layer. We surmize that the oxidation mechanism is dominated by the diffusion of an oxidant through the growing SiO2. Activation energies for the dry and wet oxidation are 1.49±0.05 eV and 1.05±0.05 eV, respectively. The kinetics is exactly the same as for NiSi2 oxidation which suggest that the same mechanism controls the oxidation of these two similar suicides.
Controversies: Nasal mass in a pediatric patient

The consultants agreed that the differential diagnosis should focus on congenital masses, including an encephalocele, glioma, dermoid, hamartoma, hemangioma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neurofibroma, and nasolacrimal duct cyst. There was some disagreement as to which is the best way to evaluate the mass, ranging from an MRI (Dr. Reilly), to CT scan (Dr. Cotton), to both MRI and CT (Dr. Koopman). Blood tests to evaluate pituitary function could be indicated if there was a sphenoid defect (Dr. Reilly). None of the experts would biopsy this lesion. All would proceed with a definitive resection. One surgeon would defer surgery for several months and then perform the resection via a biocoronal craniotomy (Dr. Reilly). A combined anterior craniotomy and external ethmoidectomy would be planned by another (Dr. Koopman). The third consultant would combine an anterior craniotomy with a mid-face degloving, external rhinoplasty, or lateral rhinotomy approach (Dr. Cotton). Routine perioperative antibiotics would only be used by two of the surgeons (Drs. Reilly and Koopman). If a CSF leak were encountered there are several options. A small lesion could be allowed to close on its own (Dr. Reilly). If the leak occurred while the bicoronal incision was still open or if the leak were large, it could be repaired from above (Drs. Reilly and Koopman). One surgeon would proceed with a repair from above even if the leak were encountered during the intranasal approach (Dr. Cotton). Only one surgeon would restrict postoperative activity with intubation and sedation or paralysis (Dr. Koopman). Regarding follow-up, no one was concerned about the final pathology report.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fueling the caries process: carbohydrate metabolism and gene regulation by Streptococcus mutans.

The nature of the oral cavity and host behaviors has mandated that the oral microbiota evolve mechanisms for coping with environmental fluctuations, especially changes in the type and availability of carbohydrates. In the case of human dental caries, the presence of excess carbohydrates is often responsible for altering the local environment to be more favorable for species associated with the initiation and progression of disease, including Streptococcus mutans . Some of the earliest endeavors to understand how cariogenic species respond to environmental perturbations were carried out using chemostat cultivation, which provides fine control over culture conditions and bacterial behaviors. The development of genome-scale methodologies has allowed for the combination of sophisticated cultivation technologies with genome-level analysis to more thoroughly probe how bacterial pathogens respond to environmental stimuli. Recent investigations in S. mutans and other closely related streptococci have begun to reveal that carbohydrate metabolism can drastically impact pathogenic potential and highlight the important influence that nutrient acquisition has on the success of pathogens; inside and outside of the oral cavity. Collectively, research into pathogenic streptococci, which have evolved in close association with the human host, has begun to unveil the essential nature of careful orchestration of carbohydrate acquisition and catabolism to allow the organisms to persist and, when conditions allow, initiate or worsen disease. Keywords: carbohydrate transport; sugar phosphotransferase system; dental caries; biofilms; catabolite repression (Published: 5 September 2014) Citation: Journal of Oral Microbiology 2014, 6 : 24878 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/jom.v6.24878
Wetting and dynamics of structured liquid films

The stability of a sufficiently thin, supported, homopolymer film against the development of local thickness fluctuations which can become amplified, eventually leading to structural destabilization of the film, is typically determined by long and short-range intermolecular forces. In A-B diblock copolymers, the connectivity between the blocks, the preferential attraction of one block to an external interface, combined with an incompatibility between the A-B segments, the situation is very different. Two cases, largely dictated by χN, wher χ is the Flory-Huggins interaction parameter and N is the degree of polymerization, can arise in thin copolyme films. When χN is large, thin films exhibit comparatively stable topographical structures, where the dimensions of the topographies normal to the substrate reflect a natural length-scale associated with phase separation in the material. In the other situation, where χN is sufficiently small, the copolymer bulk structure is homogeneous. An ordered structure can be induced into the otherwise compositionally homogeneous structure in the vicinity of a substrate. Here, depending on film thickness, a series of transient and stable topographies can develop. Wetting, early stage structural destabilization dynamics leading to the formation of droplets, and late stage coarsening of the droplets are discussed. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 2219–2235, 2003
A Technique for Comparing Wall Pressure Distributions in Steady Flow Through Rigid Versus Flexible Patient-based Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Phantoms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) represent permanent, localized dilations of the abdominal aorta. Here, we describe a procedure for noninvasively measuring the flow-induced wall pressure distribution in both effectively rigid, thick-wall and flexible, thin-wall phantoms under perfusion conditions dynamically simulating the in vivo abdominal aorta. Both phantoms accurately replicated the shape of patient AAAs including the renal and iliac arteries, and the flexible phantoms reflected patient tissue mechanical properties as well. As an example of their use, wall pressure distributions measured in rigid and flexible phantoms derived from one representative patient under flow conditions emulating the aorta at rest are presented. In both phantoms, there was a net pressure decrease from the upstream end of the bulge to the downstream end. However, there was a five times larger variation of wall pressure magnitude along the bulge region of the flexible phantom than along the rigid phantom, 6–7 mmHg versus more than 30 mmHg. In addition, in the rigid phantom, pressure signal fluctuations were of the same order of magnitude as the pressure transducer inherent noise level. In the flexible phantom, they were approximately 10 times the noise level in the absence of flow, suggesting that flow in the flexible phantom was unstable even at Reynolds number 500.
Disaster Policies Some Implications for Public Finance in the U.S. Federation

Although major disasters like the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes are infrequent, they dominate empirical loss distributions, as illustrated by a statistical analysis of flood losses in Louisiana. Extra...
Race Bias Tracks Conception Risk Across the Menstrual Cycle

Although a considerable body of research explores alterations in women's mating-relevant preferences across the menstrual cycle, investigators have yet to examine the potential for the menstrual cycle to influence intergroup attitudes. We examined the effects of changes in conception risk across the menstrual cycle on intergroup bias and found that increased conception risk was positively associated with several measures of race bias. This association was particularly strong when perceived vulnerability to sexual coercion was high. Our findings highlight the potential for hypotheses informed by an evolutionary perspective to generate new knowledge about current social problems—an avenue that may lead to new predictions in the study of intergroup relations.
Extending PML absorbing boundary condition to truncate microstrip line in nonuniform 3D FDTD grid

The Berenger's perfectly matched layer (PML) absorbing boundary condition is applied to terminate a microstrip line with metal strip and multilayer dielectric media extending into the PML regions. In order to handle the inhomogeneous properties of the PML layers better, the integral form of the Maxwell's equations, approximated by central-difference expressions instead of exponential-difference expressions, are utilized to deduce the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) equations for updating field components inside PML media. The derived formulas are proven to be flexible and convenient for generating and handling the PML layers in a nonuniform FDTD grid. Simulation results show that the proposed multilayer PML boundary condition can effectively absorb the outgoing wave with at least -80-dB reflection coefficient under a complicated boundary situation.
Low-level laser therapy reduces time to ambulation in dogs after hemilaminectomy: a preliminary study.

Objectives A prospective study to determine if low-level laser therapy and surgery for intervertebral disk herniation encourage ambulation faster than surgery alone. Methods Thirty-six dogs with acute paraparesis/paraplegia due to acute intervertebral disk herniation were evaluated and given a modified Frankel score. Dogs with scores 0 to 3 were included in the study. Dogs were assigned to the control group (1) or the laser treatment group (2) based on alternating order of presentation. All dogs underwent surgery for their herniated disk. Dogs in group 2 were treated postoperatively with low-level laser therapy daily for five days, or until they achieved a modified Frankel score of 4. A 5×200-mW 810-nm cluster array was used to deliver 25 W/cm2 to the skin. All dogs were scored daily by the investigators using the modified Frankel scoring system. Results The time to achieve a modified Frankel score of 4 was significantly lower (P=0·0016) in the low-level laser therapy group (median 3·5 days) than the control group (median 14 days). Clinical Significance Low-level laser therapy in combination with surgery decreases the time to ambulation in dogs with T3-L3 myelopathy secondary to intervertebral disk herniation.
Cytotoxicity of concanavalin A-activated hamster lymphocytes.

The ability of hamster lymphoid cells to become cytotoxic in vitro to xenogeneic human cells after stimulation with concanavalin A (ConA) was investigated by using the cell-mediated 51Cr release test. Cytotoxicity developed by 12 to 16 hr with peak values acquired within 24 hr of stimulation with ConA. The cytotoxicity was found to be mediated by the lymphoid cells themselves rather than by soluble substances. Spleen cells were more efficient than lymph node cells in releasing radioactivity from human cells. The concentration of mitogen was found to be critical in the development of cytotoxicity. ConA concentrations of 12.5 μg or less per culture conferred upon the lymphoid cells the capacity to release 51Cr from target cells whereas higher concentrations were ineffective and even inhibitory. The cell-mediated cytotoxicity could be reversed by methyl α-d-glucopyranoside, but only during the first 8 to 12 hr of stimulation. The lytic reaction did not require the presence of ConA.
Pharmacological reversal of cognitive bias in the chick anxiety-depression model

Abstract Cognitive bias presents in clinical populations where anxious individuals adopt a more pessimistic interpretation of ambiguous aversive stimuli and depressed individuals adopt both a more pessimistic interpretation of ambiguous aversive stimuli and a less optimistic interpretation of ambiguous appetitive stimuli. These biases have been reversed by anxiolytics and antidepressants. In the current study, chicks exposed to an isolation stressor of 5-min to induce an anxiety-like state or 60-min to induce a depressive-like state were tested in a straight alley maze to a series of morphed ambiguous appetitive (chick silhouette) to aversive (owl silhouette) cues. Chicks in the depression-like state displayed more pessimistic-like and less optimistic-like approach behavior to ambiguous aversive and appetitive cues, respectively. Both forms of cognitive bias were reversed by 15.0 mg/kg imipramine. Chicks in anxiety-like state displayed more pessimistic-like approach behavior under the ambiguous aversive stimulus cues. However, 0.10 mg/kg clonidine produced modest sedation and thus, was ineffective at reversing this bias. The observation that cognitive biases of more pessimism and less optimism can be reversed in the depression-like phase by imipramine adds to the validity of the chick anxiety–depression model as a neuropsychiatric simulation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Anxiety and Depression’.
Mathematics via Symmetry

We state the defining characteristic of mathematics as a type of symmetry where one can change the connotation of a mathematical statement in a certain way when the statement's truth value remains the same. This view of mathematics as satisfying such symmetry places mathematics as comparable with modern views of physics and science where, over the past century, symmetry also plays a defining role. We explore the very nature of mathematics and its relationship with natural science from this perspective. This point of view helps clarify some standard problems in the philosophy of mathematics.
Effect of Dopants on the Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide on Ceria Surfaces.

High-surface-area nanosized CeO2 and M-doped CeO2 (M=Cu, La, Zr, and Mg) prepared by a surfactant-templated method were tested for CO2 adsorption. Cu, La, and Zr are doped into the lattice of CeO2, whereas Mg is dispersed on the CeO2 surface. The doping of Cu and La into CeO2 leads to an increase of the CO2 adsorption capacity, whereas the doping of Zr has little or no effect. The addition of Mg causes a decrease of the CO2 adsorption capacity at a low Mg content and a gradual increase at a higher content. The CO2 adsorption capacity follows the sequence Cu-CeO2>La-CeO2>Zr-CeO2≈CeO2>Mg-CeO2 at low dopant contents, in line with the relative amount of defect sites in the samples. It is the defect sites on the surface, not in the bulk of CeO2, modified by the dopants that play the vital role in CO2 chemisorption. The role of surface oxygen vacancies is further supported by an in situ IR spectroscopic study of the surface chemistry during CO2 adsorption on the doped CeO2.
Sequential Evolution of a Symbiont Inferred From the Host: Wolbachia and Drosophila simulans

This study aims to unravel the biogeography of a model symbiont/host system by exploiting the prediction that a symbiont will leave a signature of infection on the host. Specifically, a global sample of 1,442 Drosophila simulans from 33 countries and 64 sampling localities was employed to infer the phylogeography of the maternally inherited alpha-proteobacteria Wolbachia. Phylogenetic analyses, from three symbiont genes and 24 mtDNA genomes (excluding the A + T-rich region), showed that each of four Wolbachia strains infected D. simulans once. The global distribution and abundance of the Wolbachia strains and the three mtDNA haplogroups (D. simulans siI, siII and siIII) was then determined. Finally, network analyses of variable regions within siI (584 bp from seven additional lines) and siII (1,701 bp from 383 lines) facilitated a detailed biogeographic discussion. There is little variation in siIII and the haplogroup is restricted in its distribution. These data show how the history of an infection can be mapped by combining data from the symbiont and the host. They say little about the organismal history of the host because the mtDNA genome is a biased representation of the whole genome.
Initiating and Institutionalizing Software Product Line Engineering: From Bottom-Up Approach to Top-Down Practice

A software-intensive company generally grows from one of its remarkable software products. Different approaches adopted by a company will contribute to its future evolution. The approach employed by FISCAN, a leading manufacturer of security inspection system in China, is Software Product Line Engineering (SPLE). This paper reviews the initiation and institutionalization of SPLE by FISCAN. This is a process started with a bottom-up approach from application engineering to domain engineering, and realized by a top-down practice from domain engineering back to application engineering.Eventually, a closed loop which connects domain engineering and application engineering is ready to accelerate core asset development and product development continuously. This paper offers a roadmap for the initiation and institutionalization of SPLE as it was developed at FISCAN, including establishing a core team of product line champions, formalizing Matrix Product Line Model (MPLM), developing core asset library and product lines and creating compatible process model.
Modeling of Cellular Metabolism and Microcirculatory Transport

Oxygen and other substrates, waste products, hormone messengers, and cells and other particles of the immune system are all transported in a closed-loop circulatory system in vertebrates, within which pumped blood travels to within diffusion distances of practically every cell in the body. Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the pulmonary capillaries and absorption of nutrients in the gut provide the circulating blood with biochemical reactants to sustain bioenergetic processes throughout the body. Inputs and outputs transported by the microcirculation are necessary to drive the open-system nonequilibrium chemical reactions of metabolism that are essential for cellular function. In turn, metabolically derived signals influence microcirculatory dynamics. Indeed, the microcirculation is the key system that ties processes at the whole-body level of the cardiovascular system to subcellular phenomena. This tight integration between cellular metabolism and microcirculatory transport begs for integrative simulations that span the cell, tissue, and organ scales.
What the Progressives Had in Common

When Professor Benjamin Parke De Witt of New York University sat down to write the first history of the progressive movement in 1915, he promised “to give form and definiteness to a movement which is, in the minds of many, confused and chaotic.” Apparently it was a fool's errand, because confusion and chaos continued to plague historians of early twentieth-century reform long after Professor De Witt laid his pen to rest. The maddening variety of reform and reformers in the early twentieth century has perpetually confounded historians' efforts to identify what, if anything, the progressives had in common. Back in the 1950s, Richard Hofstadter charitably allowed that progressives were “of two minds on many issues,” whereas Arthur Link argued that “the progressive movement never really existed” because it pursued so many “contradictory objectives.” In the 1960s, Robert Wiebe concluded that the progressives, if they constituted a movement at all, showed “little regard for consistency.” In the 1970s, Peter Filene wrote an “obituary” for progressivism by reasserting Link's claim that the movement had “never existed” because it was so divided and diffuse. In the 1980s, Daniel Rodgers tried to recast the “ideologically fluid” progressive movement as a pastiche of vaguely related rhetorical styles. By the 1990s, so many competing characterizations of progressivism had emerged that Alan Dawley wondered if “they merely cancel each other out.” In 2002, Glenda Elizabeth Gilmore declared emphatically that “historians cannot agree” on progressivism. In 2010, Walter Nugent admitted that “the movement's core theme has been hard to pin down” because progressivism had “many concerns” and “included a wide range of persons and groups.”
Lobbying Strategies, Venue Selection, and Organized Interest Involvement at the U.S. Supreme Court:

When and why will organized interests choose to lobby the U.S. Supreme Court by submitting amicus curiae briefs? This article argues that organized interests are most likely to lobby the Court when conditions increase their expectation of influencing the Court’s policy outputs. However, when deciding which policy venue to lobby, organized interests that rely on membership support will also have to consider the effect of their lobbying decisions on their ability to attract and retain members. Analysis of the amicus curiae brief filings of 579 organized interests suggests that an interest is more likely to submit amicus briefs at the Supreme Court when the Court is receptive to the positions advocated by the interest and the interest has participated at the Court in the past. The results also indicate that membership-based groups will take into account the extent to which relevant cases have been covered by the media when choosing whether to lobby the Court.