cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional imaging of glucose-evoked rat islet activities using transient intrinsic optical signals.

We demonstrate intrinsic optical signal (IOS) imaging of intact rat islet, which consists of many endocrine cells working together. A near-infrared digital microscope was employed for optical monitoring of islet activities evoked by glucose stimulation. Dynamic NIR images revealed transient IOS responses in the islet activated by low-dose (2.75 mM) and high-dose (5.5 mM) glucose stimuli. Comparative experiments and quantitative analysis indicated that both glucose metabolism and calcium/insulin dynamics might contribute to the observed IOS responses. Further investigation of the IOS imaging technology may provide a high resolution method for ex vivo functional examination of the islet, which is important for advanced study of diabetes associated islet dysfunctions and for improved quality control of donor islets for transplantation.
Identification of a Novel Kindred with Familial Pancreatitis and Pancreatic Cancer

Background/Aims: Hereditary pancreatic cancer comprises about 10% of pancreatic cancer cases. Multiple causative mutations have been identified. Here we describe a pancreatitis/panc
A Call to Embrace Social Reading in Higher Education

Social reading can broadly be described as the experience surrounding the reading of electronic books, more commonly known as eBooks. Utilising eTextbooks and social reading at a university offers some powerful potential to engage students and help them succeed in their studies. A broad overview of the current landscape and recent initiatives toward the use of eBooks and social reading are highlighted. Then some challenges and opportunities are discussed. Finally, some recommendations are suggested that may help instructors in higher education begin to embrace the concept of welcoming social reading into their classrooms.
An evaluation of models of mixing and chemical reaction with a turbulence analogy

Five mechanistic models of mixing and chemical reaction having an analogy with isotropic turbulent mixing are evaluated. The turbulence analogies, based on matching variance decay laws of models and turbulence theory, provide a physical basis for the models and a means of estimating their micromixing parameters apriori. Experimental data for single second order liquid phase reactions provide strong support for the analogies. However, it is demonstrated that in spite of their success for single reactions, the models may predict grossly different selectivities in the case of competing reactions in a plug flow reactor. This emphasizes the importance of certain structural features of the models which are independent of the existence of a turbulence analogy, such as: (i) reacting regions which are rich in each of the reactants of a two feedstream reactor, and (ii) unmixed regions in the reaction mixture. The importance of obtaining data for competing reactions in a highly segregated plug flow reactor for the p...
Requirements for replication restart proteins during constitutive stable DNA replication in Escherichia coli K-12.

Constitutive stable DNA replication (cSDR) is a mechanism for replisome loading in Escherichia coli K-12. This occurs in a dnaA-independent fashion in an rnhA mutant. cSDR is dependent on recA, priA, and transcription. In this report, it is shown that dnaA rnhA mutants using cSDR for initiation of their DNA replication additionally require priB, but not priC, for viability. Two subtle priA missense mutations either eliminated the ability to grow using cSDR (priA301 C479Y) or resulted in very small colonies (priA300 K230R). DnaC809, a priA suppressor, failed to allow priA or priB mutants to grow using cSDR to initiate DNA replication. Furthermore, unlike dnaC+ strains, dnaC809 strains require priC for cSDR. DnaC809,820, a priC-independent suppressor of priA2::kan phenotypes, allowed priA and priC (but not priB) mutants to grow using cSDR to initiate DNA replication. It is also shown that rep and rnhA mutations are synthetically lethal. DnaC809 and dnaC809,820 mutations suppress this lethality. Rep is further shown to be required for cSDR in a dnaC809 strain. A model whereby these different sets of replication restart proteins interact preferentially with substrates associated with either RecA or SSB during replication restart and cSDR, respectively, is proposed.
Prolonged Bed Rest in the Treatment of the Dilated Heart

In addition to the clinical disadvantages of progressive congestive heart failure, thromboembolic phenomena, and rhythm disturbances there are hemodynamic effects of considerable magnitude that arise from cardiac dilatation. While fully cognizant of all these factors, we are also aware of the limitations of conventional therapy in effecting return of heart size to normal. Prolonged complete bed rest in conjunction with conventional forms of therapy is being utilized in patients with idiopathic myocardial disease and cardiac dilatation in an effort to unload the heart. It is thought that the minimization of cardiac work, a good diet, and avoidance of alcohol, pregnancy, infection, and the like have permitted recovery and return of heart size to normal in approximately half of the patients treated thus far. Continuation of therapy and close observation by the physician after ambulation and discharge from the hospital cannot be overemphasized.
Chromosome level assembly of the hybrid Trypanosoma cruzi genome

In contrast to the essentially fully assembled genome sequences of the kinetoplastid pathogens Leishmania major and Trypanosoma brucei the assembly of the Trypanosoma cruzi genome has been hindered by its repetitive nature and the fact that the reference strain (CL Brener) is a hybrid of two distinct lineages. In this work, the majority of the contigs and scaffolds were assembled into pairs of homologous chromosomes based on predicted parental haplotype, inference from TriTryp synteny maps and the use of end sequences from T. cruzi BAC libraries. Ultimately, 41 pairs of chromosomes were assembled using this approach, a number in agreement with the predicted number of T. cruzi chromosomes based upon pulse field gel analysis, with over 90% (21133 of 23216) of the genes annotated in the genome represented. The approach was substantiated through the use of Southern blot analysis to confirm the mapping of BAC clones using as probes the genes they are predicted to contain, and each chromosome construction was visually validated to ensure sufficient evidence was present to support the organization. While many members of large gene families are incorporated into the chromosome assemblies, the majority of genes excluded from the chromosomes belong to gene families, as these genes are frequently impossible to accurately position. Now assembled, these chromosomes bring T. cruzi to the same level of organization as its kinetoplastid relatives and have been used as the basis for the T. cruzi genome in TriTrypDB, a trypanosome database of EuPathDB. In addition, they will provide the foundation for analyses such as reverse genetics, where the location of genes and their alleles and/or paralogues is necessary and comparative genome hybridization analyses (CGH), where a chromosome-level view of the genome is ideal.
Barotrauma complicating duodenal perforation during ERCP

Diagnostic endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is a remarkably safe procedure in experienced hands. A series of complications directly related to both the manipulation and cannulation of the ampulla of Vater, as well as consequent to medication and cardiorespiratory events, has been described. Herein we report a case of severe barotrauma complication of diagnostic endoscopic cholangiography.
Hausdorff means and moment sequences

We prove Schur’s theorem on the complete symmetric functions by using Hausdorff means. This approach leads to a more general result and to some new properties of moment sequences.
The Computer Aversion, Attitudes, and Familiarity Index (CAAFI): A Measure for the Study of Computer-Related Constructs

The purpose of this study was to systematically develop an instrument to measure computer aversion, computer attitudes, and computer familiarity. The study is an extension of previous research (Sch...
Transgenerational solidarity: The expanding context of therapy and prevention.

Abstract This article searches for a common denominator for the requirements of that which therapy and prevention address in their broadest terms: 1) genuine criteria of autonomous individuation in the context of real relationships that have to be sorted out vis-a-vis random internal relations that inform the private epistemologies of each partner's idiosyncratic goals; 2) the dialogue of mutual self-definition anchored in the balance of inherent commitments to mutual self-validation through fair give and take—the basis of relational ethics, i.e., responsibility for consequences to others; 3) the systemic regulation of behavioral patterns of marriages, parent-child relationships, nuclear and extended families, and larger community networks; 4) an intrinsic tribunal of transgenerational solidarity as the basis of prevention and as the manifestation of human species survival, e.g., concern about environmental health; 5) negentropy as the “locomotive” of biological evolution and, via ethics of receiving thro...
Expression profiling of protein tyrosine kinases and their ligand activators in leiomyoma uteri.

The aim of this study is to compare the expression patterns of tyrosine kinases and their ligand activators between matched myometrium and leiomyoma tissues. Total RNA extracted from 42 pairs of matched leiomyomal and adjacent myometrial tissues were hybridized to a set of 840 customized oligonucleotide microarrays to compare the expression profiles of 244 selected human genes including 90 tyrosine kinases and 103 ligands. Among the 244 genes surveyed, 38 were found to exhibit differential expression between pairs of myometrium and leiomyoma tissues. Clustering analysis of the expression ratios of these 38 genes from 42 pairs of samples led to the subdivision of fibroid samples into three groups, based in principle on the expression ratios of two peptide ligands, CYR61 and EFNA4. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR measurements of an additional 32 pairs of samples further confirmed the three subgroups. The altered expression of ligand activators between myometrium and leiomyoma suggest that tyrosine kinases reg...
Ionisation Density and Critical Frequency

IN some recent papers1 on ionisation in the upper atmosphere, the theoretical relation between ionisation density N and critical frequency f has been taken to be. On the other hand, J. J. Thomson has, on various occasions, as have L. Tonks and I. Langmuir2 published formulae identical with this except that the coefficient 3/2 is replaced by unity.
Cyclic AMP in skin: effects of acute ischaemia.

SUMMARY The cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) content of pig skin was measured several seconds to minutes after removal of the skin from the body. It increased very rapidly, reached a maximum by 2 min after removal (4 times higher than the initial level), then decreased very slowly. Propranolol injected into the animal before or added after the removal of the skin did not suppress this phenomenon. The practical significance of this finding (increase of cyclic AMP level in skin after ischaemia) is obvious—in order to measure cyclic AMP level in vivo, the sample must be frozen immediately to avoid an ‘artificial’ increase in cyclic AMP.
Imaging spatial heterodyne spectroscopy : theory and practice

Spatial heterodyne spectroscopy (SHS) is a Fourier transform spectroscopy technique capable of very high spectral resolution with no moving parts. The original work described non-imaging SHS, and it became a true imaging spectroscopy technique without much fanfare. We describe the imaging technique and relate it to another 'image plane interferometer' described by Horton, called HEIFTS, which does not have heterodyned fringes. One configuration of a basic SHS is a two-beam Michelson interferometer with both mirrors replace by diffraction gratings operated in the Littrow configuration. To convert a parallel light SHS device to imaging, incoming light must be focused on the gratings, so that each grating receives a full image of the scene. To acquire 3D data cubes, the open field of view is scanned across the scene. Although the focal plane array sees both spatial and spectral information, they are not mixed, because information is encoded by optical path difference according to position on the focal plane.
Antioxidative Activities of Oolong Tea

While the antioxidative properties of green and black tea have been extensively studied, less attention has been given to these properties in oolong tea. The reducing powers, the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities, the amount of total phenolic compounds, the inhibitory effect on FeCl(2)/H(2)O(2) (Fenton reaction system)-induced DNA damage, and the inhibitory effect on erythrocyte hemolysis of an oolong tea water extract (OTE) were evaluated in the present study. The OTE was found to have strong antioxidative activities in all of the model systems tested. When the OTE was separated into different fractions according to molecular weight, it was found that the fractions with higher amounts of phenolic compounds (lower molecular weight) have stronger antioxidative activities. The present results support the concept that oolong tea contains several low molecular weight antioxidants that may have health promotion activities.
THEORETICAL MODELING OF ISO RESULTS ON PLANETARY NEBULA NGC 7027

We present a thermal and chemical model of the neutral envelope of planetary nebula NGC 7027. In our model, the neutral envelope is composed of a thin dense shell of constant density and an outer stellar wind region with the usual inverse-square law density profile. The thermal and chemical structure is calculated with the assumption that the incident radiation field on the inner surface equals 0.5×105 times Draine's fit to the average interstellar far-ultraviolet field. The rate coefficient for H2 formation on grains is assumed to be 1/5 the usual value to take into account the lower dust-gas mass ratio in the neutral envelope of NGC 7027. The calculated temperature in the dense shell decreases from 3000 to under 200 K. Once the temperature drops to 200 K, we assume that it remains at 200 K until the outer edge of the dense shell is reached, so that the observed intensities of CO J=16-15, 15-14, and 14-13 lines can be reproduced. The 200 K temperature can be interpreted as the average temperature of the shocked gas just behind the forward shock front in the framework of the interacting stellar wind theory. We calculate the intensities of the molecular far-infrared rotational lines by using a revised version of the escape probability formalism. The theoretical intensities for rotational lines of CO (from J=29-28 to J=14-13), CH+, OH, and CH are shown to be in good agreement with ISO observations. The H2 rovibrational line intensities are also calculated and are in agreement with available observations.
Successful therapy of metastatic embryonal carcinoma coexisting with gonadoblastoma in a patient with 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis (Swyer's syndrome)

A case of gonadoblastoma associated with metastatic embryonal carcinoma occurring in a phenotypic female with 46,XY pure gonadal dysgenesis is presented. Two years after treatment with surgery and combination chemotherapy the patient is disease free. This is the third reported case and first reported cure in the English-language literature over the past 25 years. Current management is reviewed.
A new technique for the production of 17F beams

Abstract We have demonstrated that radioactive beams of Al 17 F + can be produced with intensities as high as 3 × 10 8 ions/s using the conventional Isotope Separation On-Line (ISOL) technique employing fibrous HfO 2 target material and an external source of Al vapor. Commercially available HfO 2 cloth composed of Φ =4–6 μm fibers packed to ∼12% of the bulk density of HfO 2 , was irradiated with ∼2 μA of 44 MeV deuterons from the Oak Ridge Isochronous Cyclotron (ORIC). The target material (1.6 g/cm 2 ) was contained in a high-temperature reservoir which was coupled through a heated transfer line, to a conventional plasma ion source where the radioactive ion beam was extracted. During irradiation, a flux of elemental Al vapor was directed through the fibrous material forming a transportable molecule which was then extracted from the source as Al 17 F + . A detailed description of this technique is given and the results of this initial experiment are discussed. The target system was used to inject 17 F into the tandem electrostatic accelerator at the Holifield Radioactive Ion Beam Facility (HRIBF) and used to study the 17 F(p,p) 17 F excitation function in the 17 F energy range of 10–12 MeV.
Localized chain mobility and gas transport properties of thermoplastic aromatic polymers

Abstract The gas transport properties of some polyarylates, polysulfones, 3,3′,4,4′-biphenyltetracarboxylicdianhydride (BPDA)- and 4,4′-(hexafluoroisopropylidene)diphthalic anhydride (6FDA)-based polyimides were correlated to their respective dynamic–mechanical γ relaxation temperatures, Tγ. The CO2 and O2 permeability coefficients (P) at 35 °C increased with a decrease in Tγ, i.e. an increase in the localized chain mobility. A linear relationship between ln P and Tγ was observed, based on which a model for prediction of gas permeability was proposed. Within the ln P versus Tγ plot, best-fit curves for each polymer class resulted in a collection of parallel straight lines. For the polyarylates and polyimides, permeability correlations with Tγ were better or comparable to those obtained by correlations with fractional free volume, Vf. In fact, polyimide permeabilities exhibited no correlation at all with Vf. With the exception of polysulfones, no significant correlations were observed between Tγ and Vf. Thus, the correlation between P and Tγ is not a simple consequence of correlations between P versus 1/Vf and Tγ versus Vf.
Genetic analyses of gustation in the fowl

Preferences towards quinine sulfate (QS) and dextrose (DEX) were tested in purelines and reciprocal crosses of two lines of chickens that had undergone 22 generations of selection for high and low juvenile body weight. Parental line-F1 comparisons provided evidence for non-additive genetic variation for hedonic sensitivity towards QS and DEX, though in opposite directions. Additive genetic variation appeared to influence the preference ratios for both stimuli at super-threshold concentrations. These results are discussed with regard to their evolutionary implications.
Oxidative Addition of Dihydrogen to (η6-Arene)Mo(PMe3)3 Complexes: Origin of the Naphthalene and Anthracene Effects

In contrast to the benzene and naphthalene compounds (η6-PhH)Mo(PMe3)3 and (η6-NpH)Mo(PMe3)3, the anthracene complex (η6-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3 reacts with H2 to undergo a haptotropic shift and give the η4-anthracene compound (η4-AnH)Mo(PMe3)3H2. Density functional theory calculations indicate that the increased facility of naphthalene and anthracene to adopt η4-coordination modes compared to that of benzene is a consequence of the fact that the Mo−(η4-ArH) bonding interaction increases in the sequence benzene naphthalene ≈ anthracene.
Changes in accommodative and vergence responses when viewing through near addition lenses

It has been proposed that near addition lenses reduce the lag of accommodation and may slow myopia progression. In this study, we investigated the differences in accommodative response and near phoria in subjects with and without near addition lenses. Fourteen subjects (7 emmetropic and 7 myopic) participated in the study. Monocular and binocular accommodative responses to a target at 40 cm were measured with and without +2.00 diopter (D) lenses using a Canon R-1 optometer (Canon Europe N.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands). Near dissociated phoria was measured using 3 testing methods: Maddox rod, cover test, and Von Graefe technique. The differences in accommodative response and near phoria between the 2 viewing conditions with and without the near addition lens were significant (P < 0.0001). No significant differences were revealed in accommodative response and near phoria between refractive error groups. The average accommodative responses of all subjects were 2.03 ± 0.06 (SE) D (without +2.00 D lens) and 0.60 ± 0.07 D (with +2.00 D lens) under monocular viewing conditions and 2.11 ± 0.06 D (without +2.00 D lenses) and 0.77 ± 0.07 D (with +2.00 D lenses) under binocular viewing conditions. The average near phorias of all subjects were −2.08 ± 0.69 prism diopters (PD, without +2.00 D lenses) and −7.90 ± 0.68 PD (with +2.00 D lenses). We discuss the effect of near addition lenses on the defocus of the retinal image, accommodative response, and near phoria. In addition, we propose that the observed difference between binocular and monocular accommodation, when viewing through near addition lenses, is caused by an increased vergence accommodation.
Observation and thermal fixing of holographic gratings in lead barium niobate crystal.

We report what we believe to be the first observation of photorefractive gratings in lead barium niobate (Pb1-xBaxNb2O6; PBN). A diffraction efficiency of 9% and a beam-coupling coefficient of 9 cm-1 are obtained. After thermal fixing a grating of 0.5% is revealed at room temperature. We can improve this diffraction efficiency by optimizing fixing temperature, timing, and material parameters.
Infrared neural stimulation (INS) inhibits electrically evoked neural responses in the deaf white cat

Infrared neural stimulation (INS) has been used in the past to evoke neural activity from hearing and partially deaf animals. All the responses were excitatory. In Aplysia californica, Duke and coworkers demonstrated that INS also inhibits neural responses [1], which similar observations were made in the vestibular system [2, 3]. In deaf white cats that have cochleae with largely reduced spiral ganglion neuron counts and a significant degeneration of the organ of Corti, no cochlear compound action potentials could be observed during INS alone. However, the combined electrical and optical stimulation demonstrated inhibitory responses during irradiation with infrared light.
Prognostic factors and postoperative course following single-plate Molteno implantation

We evaluated potential preoperative and early postoperative prognostic indicators for chronic intraocular pressure control in 38 consecutive glaucoma patients undergoing single-plate Molteno implantation. Six months following surgery 22 patients had an intraocular pressure 18 mm Hg and were considered failures. Factors such as age, race, sex, type of glaucoma, phakic status, eye treated, intraocular pressure, bleb elevation, or number of glaucoma medicines were not significantly related to postoperative intraocular pressure control (p > 0.05). Postoperatively a significant difference in intraocular pressure was not observed between success and failure groups until three (13.8 +/- 5.4 versus 20.8 +/- 6.4 mm Hg, p = 0.010) and six (11.2 +/- 3.3 mm Hg versus 21.2 +/- 1.2 mm Hg, p 20 mm Hg and 75% of those who measured < 20 mm Hg at any given examination in the early postoperative period were controlled six months postoperatively. Patients controlled at six months maintained control for as long as 43 months postoperatively. This study indicates that in the early postoperative period after a single-plate Molteno implant some patients have an ocular hypertensive phase but may ultimately be controlled, whereas most patients with an intraocular pressure within the normal range maintain control long-term.
Nestmate discrimination in ants: effect of bioassay on aggressive behavior

Aggression assays are commonly used to study nestmate recognition in social insects. Methods range from detailed behavioral observations on small numbers of insects to counts of individuals fighting in group interactions. These assays vary in the equipment used and the intensity and duration of observations. We used the Argentine ant, Linepithema humile, to compare four aggression bioassays for consistency between replicates, similarity between assays, and ability to predict whole colony interactions. The assays included were 1 live – 1 dead ant interactions, live 1-1 battles, live 5-5 battles, and 1 ant introduced to a foreign colony. We tested six ant colonies in all pairwise combinations using four different assays and two to three scoring methods per assay. We also conducted a colony merging experiment to see which assays were capable of predicting this ecologically important event. We found that scoring methods within assays yielded very similar results, giving us no reason to favor observationally intense procedures, such as continuous scanning, over less observationally intense systems, such as snapshot surveys. Assays differed greatly in their consistency between replicates. No two replicates of the 1 live – 1 dead assay were significantly correlated. The live 5-5 and the colony introduction assays were the most consistent across replicates. The mean scores of the live 1-1, live 5-5 and colony introduction assays were all significantly correlated with each other; only the live 5-5 assay was significantly correlated with the 1 live – 1 dead assay. Assays that utilized the greatest number of live ants were the most likely to reveal high levels of aggression. The aggression scores of all but the 1 live – 1 dead assay were positively correlated with the number of ants that died during whole colony encounters and negatively associated with colony merging. We conclude that all live ant assays tested are useful tools for analyzing aggressive interactions between colonies, but that the pairing of a live and dead ant produced inconsistent results and generally lower levels of aggression. We found relatively low consistency between trials using the live 1-1 assay, but found that with sufficient replication its results were highly correlated with the assays using more interacting ants. We suggest that isolated aggressive acts in assays do not necessarily predict whole colony interactions : some colonies that fought in bioassays merged when the entire colonies were allowed to interact.
Software development worldwide: the state of the practice

A survey of 104 projects in India, Japan, Europe, and the US is yielding quantitative data about these countries' software development practices and performance, adoption of competing development models, and the practices' impact on performance. The findings are particularly relevant to firms that are considering the potential advantages or a greater use of outsourcing.
Changes in VA psychiatrists' attitudes about work environment and turnover during mental health service enhancement.

ObjectiveThe Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has undergone significant organizational transformation as part of a comprehensive strategic plan to enhance mental health services. Organizational change can create stress and decrease employee morale, even if the change is beneficial for patients and the organization. The study examined whether psychiatrists’ work satisfaction and work environment perceptions changed during a period of transformation. Facility-level turnover rate was also examined.MethodsData were analyzed from 7,218 psychiatrists who responded to an annual organizational survey between 2004 and 2010 (excluding 2005) conducted with 139 facilities. Survey ratings were regressed on individual and facility-level characteristics in a multilevel model. Adjusted mean scores for the measures were compared with Tukey post hoc tests to identify significant differences by year.ResultsMost satisfaction ratings on measures improved after the initial actions for strategic reform and stabilized in 200...
Electron Spin Echo Modulation Studies of Dipolar Hyperfine Interactions of Catalytic Reaction Intermediates Involving Transition Metal Ions on Oxide Surfaces

The application of electron spin echo modulation (ESEM) pulsed electron spin resonance methods to detect dipolar hyperfine interactions of catalytic reaction intermediates involving transition metal ions on oxide surfaces is described. This provides a method to determine critical aspects of the geometrical structure of such intermediates. One example involves catalysis of ethylene dimerization by paramagnetic Ni+ on silica. ESEM results show direct coordination of two and three ethylene molecules to Ni+ as reaction intermediates in ethylene dimerization, depending on the activation temperature of the catalyst pretreatment. A second example involves catalysis of ethylene dimerization by paramagnetic Pd+ in X—zeolite. ESEM results show direct coordination of successively one and two molecules of ethylene to Pd+ prior to dimerization. Thus ESEM methods provide a powerful tool to develop a molecular picture of the course of catalytic reactions on surfaces.
Recurrent subcutaneous emphysema as a consequence of bulimia nervosa.

Objective: Pneumomediastinum is a rare complica-tion of increased intrathoracic pressure. It is more likely to occur in individuals with nutritional deficiencies. Pneumomediastinum has been reported in some individuals with anorexia nervosa. Method: Case report. Results: Recurrent subcutaneous emphysema is probably secondary to recurrent pneumomediastinum in a woman with bulimia nervosa. Discussion: It is believed that increased intrathoracic pressure and nutritional deficiency associated with repeated induced vomiting contributed to this complication. This is the only case of recurrent subcutaneous emphysema. While in this case, and in most cases, the course was benign with eventual reabsorption of the subcutaneous air, pneumomediastinum can be a life-threatening complication of bulimia nervosa. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2013)
Quantification of Saint-Venant's principle for a general prismatic member

A method to quantify Saint-Venant's principle for general prismatic members is described. Finite elements are used to model the member cross-section to allow the analysis of arbitrary geometries, material properties, and nonhomogeneities. The variation in the structural response along the member's length, away from the loaded end, is modelled with an exponential decay which has been established in the literature to be the correct form. Many analytic results exist in the literature for special cases. Because of its ability to handle arbitrary cross sectional geometries, this semi-analytic finite element method can provide a firm footing for the utilization of Saint-Venant's principle for whole new classes of problems. Results for several typical problems are given.
Self-face recognition and theory of mind in patients with schizophrenia and first-degree relatives

Abstract Objective The hypothesized relationship between theory of mind (ToM) and self-face recognition as well as its potential genetic associations has not been previously explored in patients with schizophrenia and in first-degree relatives with schizotypal personality traits. Method Ten patients diagnosed with schizophrenia, 10 of their first-degree relatives and 10 healthy controls were included. To assess self-face recognition (SFR), participants were presented images of faces of themselves and others and asked to make rapid ‘unfamiliar’, ‘familiar’ and ‘self’ judgments. As a measure of ToM, subjects were administered the Revised Mind in the Eyes Test (MET [Baron-Cohen, S., Wheelwright, S., Hill, J., Raste, Y., and Plumb, I., 2001. The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test revised version: a study with normal adults, and adults with Asperger syndrome or high-functioning autism. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 42(2), 241–251.]). Schizotypal characteristics in relatives and controls were assessed using a modified version of the Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ [Raine, A., 1991. The SPQ: a scale for the assessment of schizotypal personality based on DSM-III-R criteria. Schizophrenia Bulletin 17(4), 555–564.]). Results Patients took longer and were less accurate on the SFR task than their relatives who in turn performed worse than healthy controls. Specific ToM deficits in schizophrenia were replicated. There was a relationship between accuracy rates on the MET and SFR tasks. High levels of schizotypal traits such as social anxiety, constricted affect and no close friends were important for both tasks. Conclusions Face recognition deficits and ToM deficits in schizophrenia are apparent. The critical influence of high levels of select schizotypal traits is also highlighted. A deficit in relatives of schizophrenia patients raises the possibility that ToM and face recognition deficits may be candidate endophenotypes for schizophrenia. Support for the hypothesized link between ToM and face recognition is provided.
Gas barrier improvement using vermiculite and mica in polymer films

Abstract The objective of this work was to develop a class of barrier materials based on filling a polymer film with impermeable plates aligned in the plane of the film. Mica and vermiculite fillers were developed for this application, and permeability reductions of more than two orders of magnitude were achieved in solvent cast films. The fillers will not survive extrusion but could provide the basis for high barrier coatings.
Environmental determinants of object manipulation by chacma baboons (Papio ursinus) in two southern African environments

Expressions of object manipulation activities by chacma baboons, Papio ursinus, are related to environmental conditions. Three baboon troops living in a desert river ravine share more object manipulation behavior patterns among themselves than they do with two troops living in a swampy environment. The basis of all differences, between troops and between populations of troops, may be based upon environmental differences. Economic conditions prevailing for each troop depend not only upon the availability of a resource exploited by a particular behavior pattern but also upon the availability and need to utilize alternative resources. The repertoire of social object manipulation activities is greater in the swamp environment where troops are larger, there is greater social mobility, and the number of potential social interactions is greater. Certain object manipulation activities were seen only once or a few times. Such observations show that more object manipulation activities are available than those which are routinely expressed. When such behavior patterns are rewarded they are probably incorporated into the object manipulation repertoire.
Linear and nonlinear acoustic velocity profiles over buried land mines

Acousto-to-seismic coupling has proven to be an extremely accurate technology for locating buried landmines. Most of the research to date has focused on linear acoustic techniques in which sound couples into the ground, interacts with the buried mine, and causes increased vibration of the ground above the mine. However, Donskoy has suggested that nonlinear acoustic techniques may be applicable to acoustic mine detection. This technique has recently been used with success in field tests at the University of Mississippi and US Army mine lanes. In the nonlinear acoustic technique, airborne sound is produced at two primary frequencies which couple in to the ground and a superimposed compressional wave interacts with the mine and the soil. Because the mine is compliant, contact between the soil and the mine is maintained during the compression phase of the wave, but they are separate during the tensile phase. This creates a bimodular oscillator that is inherently non-linear. This effect has been demonstrated on inert landmines at the University of Mississippi and at US Army test lanes. Results of these tests indicate that nonlinear measurements over buried landmines have more sensitivity than linear measurements. Non-compliant objects such as concrete disks do not exhibit nonlinear phenomena but can be located using linear techniques.
Cathepsins J and K: High molecular weight cysteine proteinases from human tissues

Abstract Human tissue extracts contained two high M r proteinases active in hydrolyzing the fluorogenic substrate Cbz-phe-arg-aminomethylcoumarin. By gel filtration chromatography, cathepsins J and K had apparent molecular weights of 230,000 and 650,000, respectively. Both enzymes were cysteine proteinases with optimum activity at pH 6.2 – 6.8; neither had aminopeptidase activity. Human kidney, lung and spleen were rich sources of these enzymes, while liver contained moderate amounts. Cathepsins J and K were partially characterized and appeared to differ from the mammalian high M r cysteine proteinases described in the literature. In rat liver and kidney and in mouse liver, cathepsin J was localized in the particulate fraction, whereas cathepsin K was not detected in these tissues.
Multispectral pattern projection range finder

Although many types of range finders have been developed recently, with most method it is difficult to implement actual equipment to measure small objects. So we developed a new range finder based on a color pattern projection method to measure small objects such as ball bumps of a BGA- package. The range finder consists of a LCD projector, a color CCD camera, and a PC with a video input/output interface. The projection pattern consists of color stripes whose color is continuously changed like rainbow-color. Calculation of range is derived from distortion of color stripes in the image obtained by the CCD camera. In general, in a color pattern projection method, it is known that the color of the object surface may give erroneous results in the measurement. We developed a method to cancel the error. Three kinds of projection patterns are prepared and they are projected in turns. These three patterns are phase shifted by 1/3 cycle form each other in turn. Three imags are taken by the CCD camera respectively at the time. The images taken while the three phase patterns are projected are backward phase shifted and synthesized into one image by pixel-wise addition. In our prototype equipment, the whole measuring area of the equipment is 32mm by 43mm by 22mm, where the height corresponds to the range. In this case, though a projection pattern has only one cycle, we can use repetitive projection patterns to improve the range accuracy. At that time the height of the measuring area is decreased according to the repetition count. For evaluation of range accuracy, we measured ceramic gage blocks whose thicknesses are known. The worst case range error was about 1 percent full-scale using 5.5 times repetitive patterns, and at this time the equipment had a measuring area of 4mm in height.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Monitoring of Seeded Batch, Semi‐batch, and Second Stage Emulsion Polymerization by Low Resolution Raman Spectroscopy

Low resolution Raman spectroscopy (LRRS) offers a convenient way to monitor many different polymerization processes and reactor environments. LRRS can be used as an additional tool for process control to determine the conversion inside the reactor in real time without disruption to the reaction. Critical to polymerization monitoring, the efficiency of LRRS eliminates the lag between taking samples and calculating conversion. For each system, the phenyl ring of styrene or polystyrene provides an internal reference, which can be used to eliminate fluctuations in laser intensity. This paper demonstrates that the LRRS system can monitor seeded emulsion homopolymerizations in batch and semi‐batch as well as second stage emulsion polymerizations with some acceptable level of confidence.
Differential expression of two genes for 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase in tomato fruits.

Abstract 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate synthase (ACC synthase; S-adenosyl-L-methionine methylthioadenosine-lyase, EC 4.4.1.14) is the regulated enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of the plant hormone ethylene. A full-length cDNA encoding this enzyme has been cloned from tomato fruits [Van Der Straeten, D., Van Wiemeersch, L., Goodman, H. M. & Van Montagu, M. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA (1990) 87, 4859-4863]. We report here the complete nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of a cDNA encoding a second isoform of ACC synthase from tomato fruits. The cDNAs coding for both isoforms contain highly conserved regions that are surrounded by regions of low homology, especially at the 5' and 3' ends. Gene-specific probes were constructed to examine the expression of transcripts encoding the two ACC synthase isoforms under two conditions of enhanced ethylene formation--namely, during fruit ripening and in response to mechanical stress (wounding). The level of mRNA encoding both isoforms, ACC synthase 1 and 2, increased during ripening. In contrast, wounding caused an increase in only the level of mRNA coding for ACC synthase 1. Blot analysis of genomic DNA digested with restriction enzymes confirmed that ACC synthase 1 and 2 are encoded by different genes.
P300 from identical twins

Abstract The P300 component was obtained from ten pairs of identical twins and matched control subjects with an auditory discrimination task. The event-related brain potentials (ERPs) from the identical twins were strikingly similar in amplitude and latency compared to control subjects pairs. The data suggest that individual variations in ERP waveform morphology are determined by the structure of the neurophysiological mechanisms responsible for P300 generation.
Mountain reduction, block matching, and applications in intensity-modulated radiation therapy

In this paper, we present a new geometric algorithm for the 3-D static leaf sequencing (SLS) problem arising in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), a modern cancer treatment technique. The treatment time and machine delivery error are two crucial factors for measuring the quality of a solution (i.e., a treatment plan) for the SLS problem. In the current clinical practice, physicians prefer to use treatment plans with the lowest possible amount of delivery error, and are also very concerned about the treatment time. Previous SLS methods in both the literature and commercial treatment planning systems either cannot minimize the error or achieve that only by treatment plans which require a prolonged treatment time. In comparison, our new geometric algorithm is computationally efficient; more importantly, it guarantees that the output treatment plans have the lowest possible amount of delivery error, and the treatment time for the plans is significantly shorter. Our solution is based on a number of novel schemes and ideas (e.g., mountain reduction, block matching, profile-preserving cutting, etc) which may be of interest in their own right. Experimental results based on real medical data showed that our new algorithm runs fast and produces much better quality treatment plans than current commercial planning systems and well-known algorithms in medical literature.
Zinc Finger–Based Knockout Punches for Zebrafish Genes

The ability to manipulate the genome is critical to develop and test hypotheses based on genetics. Knockdown strategies focused on RNAi and/or morpholinos are excellent genetic tools, but they come with substantial technical limitations. A new gene targeting approach employing synthetic zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) technology is a powerful and complementary approach to directly modify genetic loci for many diverse applications, notably enhancing Danio rerio (the zebrafish) as an experimental organism for understanding human disease. This ZFN-based technology to generate targeted knockouts in this aquatic animal opens the door to an array of new biological models of human disease and genetic testing.
The courage of their convictions

Sixteen landmark civil liberties cases and the stories of the ordinary Americans who had the courage to challenge the law and test the Constitution are re-created. Issues include: school prayer, sexual privacy, political protest, pregnancy and the right to work, acts of racial and religious discrimination, and more.
Are Park-and-Rides Saving the Environment or Just Saving Parking Costs?: Case Study of Denver, Colorado, Light Rail System

Rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have put public transit at the forefront of the push for more sustainable transportation. To improve transit accessibility and attract riders, agencies often build park-and-ride facilities on the periphery of cities. Through the provision of convenient parking facilities, agencies attempt to encourage drivers to shift modes and leave behind their cars to complete their journey by transit. Although park-and-rides are intended to increase transit ridership, such facilities may carry paradoxical environmental consequences. At issue is the degree to which such a multimodal car-to-transit trip actually offsets GHG emissions. The study reported in this paper examined single-occupancy vehicle (SOV) park-and-ride users in the Denver, Colorado, metropolitan area and evaluated the magnitude of GHG emissions saved from transit ridership. Through a comparison of a multimodal trip against a theoretical SOV drive-only trip, the effects from GHG emissions were weighed. In addition, ...
Failure of a repeat course of cyclooxygenase inhibitor to close a PDA is a risk factor for developing chronic lung disease in ELBW infants

The optimal treatment regimen or protocol for managing a persistent patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants has not been well established. This study was aimed at evaluating the failure rate of a cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor (COI) for PDA closure and to determine the incidence of a PDA requiring ligation in ELBW infants. We examined the clinical characteristics and risk factors that may predict the clinical consequences of failure of PDA closure by COI. Medical information on 138 infants with birth weight (BW) 48 hours was retrieved. Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients whose PDAs closed with COI were compared with those who did not close. Of the 138 patients, 112 survived to discharge. Eighty (71.4%) of those who survived received 1-3 courses of COI treatment for a symptomatic PDA. A total of 32 (40%) failed COI treatment and underwent PDA ligation. Multivariable logistic regression analysis suggests that the observed differences in the outcomes in infants with or without symptomatic PDA can be explained by the babies with symptomatic PDA being more immature and sicker. No significant difference was seen in the incidence of chronic lung disease (CLD) in infants whose PDA was treated medically versus those who failed medical treatment and then underwent ligation. However, after adjusting for disease severity and other known risk factors, the odds ratio of developing CLD for surviving babies with a persistent PDA compared to those whose PDA was successfully closed with 1-2 courses of COI is 3.24 (1.07-9.81; p = 0.038). When successfully treated, PDA in ELBW infants did not contribute significantly to the adverse outcomes such as CLD, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and age at discharge. This suggests that it is beneficial for a hemodynamically significant PDA to be closed. The failure of a repeat course of COI to close a PDA is a major risk factor for developing CLD in ELBW infants.