cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A memory-reduction scheme for the FFT T-matrix method [EM wave scattering applications]

We present a memory-reduction technique for the fast Fourier transformation (FFT) T-matrix method. The technique exploits the configuration- and Fourier-space symmetry relations of the transverse spherical multipole translation coefficients whose storage drives the memory requirement. The technique is capable of reducing the memory requirement by a factor of 6/spl sim/16 depending on the number of modes used and the spatial distribution of scatterers and is simple to implement in an existing FFT T-matrix code. We establish its accuracy and effectiveness by applying the technique to compute the RCS of aggregates of dielectric spheres.
Effect of protein and(or) carbohydrate fractions of dried whey on performance and nutrient digestibility of early weaned pigs.

One hundred eighty 3-wk-old pigs (initial weight 4.8 kg) were utilized in a 35-d growth trial to determine the effects of the carbohydrate and(or) protein fraction of dried whey on pig performance. In addition, 30, 3-wk-old pigs (initial weight 4.9 kg) were used in two digestion trials to study the effects of the whey fraction on nutrient digestibility. Dietary treatments included a corn-soybean meal diet (control), control + 20% dried whey, control + 14.4% lactose, control + 2.1% lactalbumin, control + 14.4% lactose + 2.1% lactalbumin, and control + 8.4% whey protein concentrate. Pelleted diets containing equal lysine concentrations were fed. Lactose and lactalbumin were added at the same levels as provided by a 20% dried whey diet. Pigs fed diets containing milk products exhibited superior (P less than .05) ADG and efficiency of feed utilization and greater (P less than .05) apparent digestibilities for DM, energy and N compared with pigs fed the control diet. Including either lactose or lactalbumin in the diet for the early weaned pig resulted in similar gain, feed efficiency and nutrient digestibility. These results indicate that both the carbohydrate (lactose) and protein (lactalbumin) fractions of dried whey are important in explaining the beneficial response to dried whey elicited in the weanling pig.
Communal voices: An ethnographic view of social interaction and conversation

Books reviewed COMMUNAL WEBS: COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE IN CONTEMPORARY ISRAEL. By Tamar Katriel. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1991. pp. vi + 226. $59.50; paper $19.95. HE‐SAID‐SHE‐SAID: TALK AS SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AMONG BLACK CHILDREN. By Marjorie Harness Goodwin. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1990. pp. x + 371. $49.95; paper $19.95. STORIES, COMMUNITY, AND PLACE: NARRATIVES FROM MIDDLE AMERICA. By Barbara Johnstone. Bloomington and Indianapolis: Indiana University Press, 1990. pp. vii + 148. $22.50. WESTERN APACHE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE: ESSAYS IN LINGUISTIC ANTHROPOLOGY. By Keith H. Basso. Tucson: University of Arizona Press, 1990. pp. xx + 195. $32.50.
Identification, isolation, and characterization of a novel cytotoxin in murine cytolytic lymphocytes

Murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes contain, in addition to the cytotoxic pore-forming protein perforin, another cytolytic factor localized in both cytoplasm and granules. Like perforin, this CTL cytotoxin lyses a variety of tumor cells; unlike perforin, it is stable in the presence of calcium, requires several hours to induce maximal lytic activity, and is antigenically related to the previously described tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and lymphotoxin (LT). However, it differs from TNF and LT in a number of biochemical and functional properties. TNF- and LT-specific cDNA probes did not hybridize with any CTL-specific message, indicating that the CTL cytotoxin is distinct from those two factors. It has an apparent Mr of 50 and 70 kd under reducing and nonreducing conditions, respectively, is secreted by secretagogue-stimulated CTLs, and causes DNA fragmentation in several targets, a phenomenon previously attributed to target cell damage by CTLs. These results suggest that killing by lymphocytes may encompass multiple mechanisms and polypeptides.
Polarization observables in vector meson photoproduction

The photoproduction of vector mesons (\ensuremath{\rho},\ensuremath{\omega},\ensuremath{\varphi}) is of renewed interest because intense high energy beams of polarized electrons and photons are under development. These beams and also polarized targets make it possible to explore the dynamics of basic baryon structure. As a step toward that goal, an analysis of all possible polarization observables for the case of vector meson photoproduction from a nucleon target is presented. The question of which observables are needed to determine completely the basic photoproduction amplitudes and the relationships between spin observables are addressed. Such theorems are most readily demonstrated by representing all observables as bilinear products of helicity amplitudes and using known properties of Dirac gamma and spin-1 matrices. The general angular dependence of spin observables, especially near thresholds and resonances, is examined for the vector meson case. The criteria for a complete set of observables and the relationships between observables are then presented. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Dispersed fluorescence spectroscopic study of the ground electronic state of silver trimer

Abstract Dispersed fluorescence spectra of Ag 3 have been recorded for the first time. The experimental data provide the first clear determination of the fundamental vibrational frequencies of the trimer in its ground electronic state, i.e. ν 1 ≈ 180 cm −1 and ν 2 ≈ 67 cm −1 , and also lead to a reassignment of previous Raman work on the molecule. Evidence of significant Jahn—Teller activity in Ag 3 is clearly demonstrated by the observation of a progression in the nominally degenerate bending vibrational mode, ν 2 , in both the excitation and dispersed fluorescence spectra. Our observations are consistent with ab initio calculations which have predicted that the triangular 2 E′ ground electronic state should undergo significant Jahn—Teller distortion.
Deep-Current Variability near the Sigsbee Escarpment in the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Observations of deep currents, from a closely spaced array deployed at the base of the Sigsbee Escarpment, south of the Mississippi Delta, are dominated by energetic, short-period (∼10 days) topographic Rossby waves. Over a 2-yr interval, distinct trains of waves occurred, with differing characteristic periods, wavelengths, and horizontal energy distribution, usually initiated with a burst of large-amplitude current fluctuations that slowly decay over the next 2–3 months. Two of the wave trains were associated with the shedding and westward passage of major Loop Current anticyclones; however, one event occurred when upper-layer currents were quiescent. This latter wave train showed that bottom-trapped topographic wave motions can be traced to within 300 m of the surface in a 2000-m water column. Ray tracing showed that a likely source region of the short-period waves was the west side of an extended Loop Current. The data and ray paths suggest that, through refraction and reflection, the steep es...
Effect of sodium selenite and methyl methanesulfonate or N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene co-exposure on sister-chromatid exchange production in human whole blood cultures ☆

Abstract Sodium selenite (Na 2 Se0 3 ) was tested for its sister-chromatid exchange (SCE)-inducing ability in human whole blood cultures and for the effect of its co-exposure with methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) or N -hydroxy-2-acetyl aminofluorene (N-OH-AAF) on SCE frequency. Long exposure times (77 h and 96 h) to 3.95 × 10 -6 M Na 2 SeO 3 resulted in cell death as measured by mitotic indices, but mitotic figures were present after exposure to higher concentrations for a shorter time (19 h). High Na 2 SeO 3 concentrations (7.90 × 10 −6 and 1.19 × 10 −5 M) resulted in a three-fold increase in the SCE frequency above background level (6–7 SCEs/cell). Exposure of lymphocytes to 1 × 10 −4 M MMS for the last 19 h of culture yielded an average SCE frequency of 30.17 ± 0.75 while a similar exposure to 2.7 × 10 −5 M N-OH-AAF resulted in 13.61 ± 0.43 SCEs/cell. Simultaneous addition of the high Na 2 Se0 3 concentrations and MMS or N-OH-AAF to the cultures resulted in SCE frequencies that were 25–30% and 11–17%, respectively, below the sum of the SCE frequencies produced by the individual compounds.
Long-term variability in surface UV-B radiation across the United States

The USDA UV-B Monitoring and Research Program maintains a network of Yankee Environmental Systems surface UVB meter instruments at stations throughout the United States. We analyzed the temporal behavior of UV-B at eight stations that were selected because of their early deployment (years beginning in 1995-1997 and ending in 2003). Though calibration methodologies differed before and after 1998, we accounted for variations among instruments and long-term drift in a consistent manner, and estimated a total calibration uncertainty of 7%. We computed mean annual and mean monthly irradiances for each month of the year for each station, and investigated temporal patterns. At Nunn, Colorado, mean annual UV-B irradiance increased by 3.4%, less than the calibration uncertainty. However, UV-B trends in five months exceeded the calibration uncertainty, with the maximum increase occurring in April (28%). Mean annual irradiances increased at all but one of the other seven sites, though only two exceeded the 7% uncertainty.
Epigenetic factors in information processing.

Summry.-A perceptual coding test was administered to 106 boys and girls. The performance scores were analyzed in an attempt to identify factors which are believed to be antecedent elements that facilitate informarion processing. Four such factors were identified and interpreted in terms of the available psychological and neurological knowledge. Human information transmission involves transformation at two stages: first, when the physical stimuli are transformed into neural impulses and, second when these impulses are organized into units that help S overcome the limits imposed by his channel capacity. Transformations at all levels of complexity are spoken of as encoding (Underwood & Keppel, 1963). Perceptual coding, as it is used in the present paper, refers to the second form of transformation. The organizational aspect of information transmission has received considerable attention in recent years (Miller, 1956% 1956b; Tulving, 1962; Battig, 1966; Johnson, 1970). Most of these studies have assumed that perceptual coding is a nonrandom operation that results in certain predictable outcomes. Brunet's ( 1957a) conception of "models" that organisms construct to represent their environment is an e:rample. Further, Bruner seems to imply that these models could exist in the form of traces, schemata, or structures. Miller, Galanter, and Pribram (1960) prefer the word "Plan" and have defined it as "any hierarchical process in the organism that can control the order in which a sequence of operations is to be performed." The Geneva school uses the term "operative schemes" to indicate the codes utilized in the memorization processes (Inhelder, 1969). Berlyne (1965), after reviewing some of these labels, employs the word "rule" to denote learing outcomes. Compared to these designations, "perceptual coding" places relatively greater emphasis on the processing of information than on the product, even though a distinction between these cwo aspects of information transmrssion, as the preceding review shows, is hard to maintain. The purpose of the pIesent investigation is to identify epigenetic factors involved in the perceptual coding process. Epigenetic factors are deemed to represent antecedent experiences that facilitate and promote subsequent learning. For example, perception of redundancy of certain feanues in the stimulus could possibly be an antecedent factor that is of tremendous importance in the subsequent coding operations. The adult is able to process more information than the child, not because he uses different strategies, but because, as Gibson ( 1969)
Ant clustering with locally weighted ant perception and diversified memory

Ant clustering algorithms are a robust and flexible tool for clustering data that have produced some promising results. This paper introduces two improvements that can be incorporated into any ant clustering algorithm: kernel function similarity weights and a similarity memory model replacement scheme. A kernel function weights objects within an ant’s neighborhood according to the object distance and provides an alternate interpretation of the similarity of objects in an ant’s neighborhood. Ants can hill-climb the kernel gradients as they look for a suitable place to drop a carried object. The similarity memory model equips ants with a small memory consisting of a sampling of the current clustering space. We test several kernel functions and memory replacement schemes on the Iris, Wisconsin Breast Cancer, and Lincoln Lab network intrusion datasets. Compared to a basic ant clustering algorithm, we show that kernel functions and the similarity memory model increase clustering speed and cluster quality, especially for datasets with an unbalanced class distribution, such as network intrusion.
Abstraction and use of categorical and physical information: a developmental study.

Children in nursery school and Grades 1, 3, and 5 (total N equal to 75) were asked to match one of two picture choices to a previously presented stimulus. Two types of matches were based upon the physical information in the stimuli and two types of matches were based upon categorical information. A comparison of mean reaction time for the two physical matches indicated a large change between nursery school and Grade 1 in the ability to use specific visual information in the matching of pictures of familiar objects. The efficiency of matches based upon category information showed a steady increase across the ages tested. Category matches based upon pictorial information were as efficient as category matches based upon verbal information for all groups.
Confined Mixing of Multiple Jets

Abstract : The study deals with the transfer of kinetic energy from an array of primary jets to a surrounding secondary stream. It explores the basic features of such flows and examines to what extent the results of single jet research may be applied to multiple jet configurations. It presents an analytical technique for estimating the performance of multiple jets and examines in a special multiple - jet test facility the validity of the assumptions used in the analysis. (Author Modified Abstract)
Sensor array for carbohydrates and amino acids based on electrocatalytic modified electrodes

The operation and advantages of a four-element chemical sensor array, comprising carbon paste electrodes doped with different metal oxide catalysts, are described. The Cu[sub 2]O-, RuO[sub 2]-, NiO-, and CoO-modified surfaces exhibit distinctly different catalytic properties toward carbohydrates or amino acids. By coupling the unique sensor array response patterns with various statistical regression techniques, it is possible to determine individual carbohydrates or amino acids in different sample mixtures. For two- and three-component mixtures,the partial least squares (PLS) calibration method yields an average relative prediction error of 2.3%. Such multicomponent quantification is accomplished in amperometric flow injection experiments. The response is highly stable and linear, as desired by the mathematical models. 13 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
Using solid-phase microextraction gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection to analyze fluorescent derivatives of the biogenic amines creatine and creatinine

Abstract To develop a method whereby polar biological metabolites can be analyzed using readily available GC instrumentation and enhance detection limits of small water‐soluble amines as a potential clinical diagnostic method for analyzing both biologically produced amines as well as synthetic pharmaceutical compounds, we have investigated two derivatization techniques for biogenic amines employing fluorescent compounds, namely 9‐fluorenylmethyl chloroformate (FMOC) and 1‐pyrenyldiazomethane (PDAM). Both compounds provide a stable, non‐polar element to the derivatized amines that facilitates the use of GC‐MS methods for analysis as well as allow for the use of fluorescence detection, which increases overall sensitivity. The study presented herein is an application of these derivatization techniques to the simple biogenic amines creatine and creatinine, followed by analysis using GC‐MS with ECD detection and HPLC with both UV and fluorescence detection. Results will show that the coupling of creatine to PD...
Post-synaptic Density-95 (PSD-95) Binding Capacity of G-protein-coupled Receptor 30 (GPR30), an Estrogen Receptor That Can Be Identified in Hippocampal Dendritic Spines

The estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2) modulates dendritic spine plasticity in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of the hippocampus, and GPR30 (G-protein coupled estrogen receptor 1 (GPER1)) is an estrogen-sensitive G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that is expressed in the mammalian brain and in specific subregions that are responsive to E2, including the hippocampus. The subcellular localization of hippocampal GPR30, however, remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate that GPR30 immunoreactivity is detected in dendritic spines of rat CA1 hippocampal neurons in vivo and that GPR30 protein can be found in rat brain synaptosomes. GPR30 immunoreactivity is identified at the post-synaptic density (PSD) and in the adjacent peri-synaptic zone, and GPR30 can associate with the spine scaffolding protein PSD-95 both in vitro and in vivo. This PSD-95 binding capacity of GPR30 is specific and determined by the receptor C-terminal tail that is both necessary and sufficient for PSD-95 interaction. The interaction with PSD-95 functions to increase GPR30 protein levels residing at the plasma membrane surface. GPR30 associates with the N-terminal tandem pair of PDZ domains in PSD-95, suggesting that PSD-95 may be involved in clustering GPR30 with other receptors in the hippocampus. We demonstrate that GPR30 has the potential to associate with additional post-synaptic GPCRs, including the membrane progestin receptor, the corticotropin releasing hormone receptor, and the 5HT1a serotonin receptor. These data demonstrate that GPR30 is well positioned in the dendritic spine compartment to integrate E2 sensitivity directly onto multiple inputs on synaptic activity and might begin to provide a molecular explanation as to how E2 modulates dendritic spine plasticity.
Characterization of E-rosette-positive Fc-receptor-bearing cells by flow cytometry.

Abstract A subpopulation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells which have the capacity to form spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes (E+) have been observed to also express a receptor for the Fc portion of immune complexed IgG. In this study quantitative flow cytometry is used to investigate the binding of human IgG to human E+ cells and to determine the relationship of these IgG-binding cells to the subsets of cells defined by OKT3 and OKM1 monoclonal antibodies. It was observed that a number of E+ cells bear an Fc receptor for monomeric human IgG; that all subclasses of IgG can bind to this subpopulation; that this subset overlaps with the T cell identified with rosetting techniques; and that virtually all of these E+ Fc receptor-positive cells binding monomeric IgG are phenotypically OKM1+ and OKT3−.
The Impact of Qualitative Respiratory Cultures on Mortality in Critically III Patients with Hospital-Acquired Pneumonia:

This retrospective cohort study evaluated differences in all-cause mortality associated with quantitative versus qualitative cultures in critically ill patients with suspected hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP). Patients were included if lower respiratory tract (LRT) cultures were obtained and were stratified by culture strategy: invasive (bronchial alveolar lavage [BAL] or nonbronchoscopic BAL) or noninvasive (endotracheal tube aspirate or sputum culture). Mortality data and secondary endpoints were compared between groups. A total of 113 patients met inclusion criteria (invasive = 72, noninvasive = 41). No significant difference in all-cause mortality was detected between the groups (37.5% and 31.7%, respectively; P = 0.54). Secondary endpoints were similar; however, patients in the invasive group had greater mean total antibiotic days of therapy compared to the noninvasive group (21.2 ± 13.5 days vs 15.5 ± 8.3 days, P = 0.01). The present study suggests that using invasive methods to obtain LRT cultures...
The superior mesenteric artery fat plane: is obliteration pathognomonic of pancreatic carcinoma?

Abstract Obliteration of the fat plane surrounding the superior mesenteric artery has been described as characteristic of pancreatic carcinoma. To determine the specificity of this and other computed tomography findings in the pancreas and peripancreatic region, scans of 86 patients were reviewed without clinical history. Diagnoses included pancreatitis (26 patients); pancreatic adenocarcinoma (14 patients); lymphoma (17 patients); metastatic non-pancreatic carcinoma (14 patients); and normal findings (15 patients). Confluent adenopathy could not be reliably differentiated from a pancreatic mass except when adenopathy separated the common bile duct from the duodenum. Retrocrural adenopathy was unusual with pancreatic carcinoma. The fat plane surrounding the superior mesenteric artery was obliterated with pancreatic carcinoma (36%), nonpancreatic carcinoma (29%), and lymphoma (24%), but not with pancreatitis, although perivascular edema was seen in 19%. Evaluation of the celiac axis was less rewarding. Obliteration of the superior mesenteric artery fat plane is a sign of malignancy, but it is not specific for pancreatic carcinoma. We propose that the superior mesenteric: artery origin be considered within a paraaortic space, separate from the anterior pararenal space. This explains its characteristics lak of involvement by pancreatitis.
Wide-angle mechanical velocity selection for scattered neutrons in inelastic neutron spectrometers

Abstract We have analyzed the performance of the proposed mechanical device suitable for wide-angle velocity selection of neutrons scattered at the sample position in inelastic neutron spectrometers. The proposed wide-angle velocity selector (WAVES) is essentially a collimator that rotates about the vertical axis passing through the sample position, whose blades are not radial, but instead shaped to optimize the transmission of neutrons of the targeted velocity. The rotation phase of the selector does not need to be synchronized with the incident beam pulses, as long as the incident neutrons can reach the sample position, which greatly simplifies the selector control and makes it suitable for neutron spectrometers at both pulsed and steady sources. We discuss applications of the proposed selector in various types of the inverted-geometry neutron spectrometers.
Polarization Modulation Effects in Infrared–Infrared Four-Level Double Resonance in13CH3F and15NH3

Abstract The elements of the Jones matrices for an optically pumped sample have been derived and used to predict four-level double resonance absorption coefficients that are functions of the velocity component of the molecules in the direction of the pump beam for different polarizations of the probe beam. When a saturating pump and weak probe are used in four-level double resonance experiments under population modulation conditions, these absorption coefficients are found to depend only on the first three statistical tensor ranks:n= 0 (population), 1 (orientation), and 2 (alignment). It is also found that for polarization modulation experiments with plane-polarized radiation, the absorption coefficient depends only on the alignment of them-state populations. Similarly, for polarization modulation with circularly polarized radiation, the absorption coefficient depends only on the orientation. The theory was used to interpret double-resonance polarization modulation experiments in13CH3F and15NH3in order to examine the effects of collisions on the initial anisotropy of the projection ofJon a space-fixedZaxis. The four-level double-resonance lineshapes were fit by least squares to absorption coefficients predicted by the theory. The collisional effects were modeled by a sum of Keilson–Storer collision kernels. The results of the fits were much improved when the value of the effective rate constant for the transfer of then= 0 tensor from the upper level of the pump to the lower level of the probe was larger than the values of the effective rate constants for the transfer of then= 1 and 2 populations. The best ratio of the rate constant forn> 0 to that forn= 0 is about 2/3 for13CH3F and 1/3 for15NH3. Additional analysis of the lineshapes showed the importance of long-range dipole–dipole interactions, elastic realignment and reorientation, and V–V mechanisms for collision-induced rotational energy transfer in13CH3F and15NH3.
Conflict and depression predict maternal sensitivity to infant cries.

We used Signal Detection methodology to examine how mothers' actual sensitivity to infant distress (crying) is influenced by psychosocial factors. Fifty-five mothers of 4- to 6-month-old infants participated in a signal detection task in which they were asked whether they could detect differences between a standard cry and variants of that cry. Cry variants differed from the standard cry in small, systematic changes in fundamental frequency. Home/work conflict, marital happiness, and maternal depression predicted sensitivity (the mother's ability to discriminate small differences in cries varying in fundamental frequency). This finding indicates how mothers' psychological state and social environment may affect mother-infant interaction. It also suggests the use of intervention strategies which focus on helping mothers attend to infant signals.
Genetic variants in ARID5B and CEBPE are childhood ALL susceptibility loci in Hispanics

Recent genome-wide studies conducted in European Whites have identified novel susceptibility genes for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We sought to examine whether these loci are susceptibility genes among Hispanics, whose reported incidence of childhood ALL is the highest of all ethnic groups in California, and whether their effects differ between Hispanics and non-Hispanic Whites (NHWs). We genotyped 13 variants in these genes among 706 Hispanic (300 cases, 406 controls) and 594 NHW (225 cases, 369 controls) participants in a matched population-based case–control study in California. We found significant associations for the five studied ARID5B variants in both Hispanics (p values of 1.0 × 10−9 to 0.004) and NHWs (p values of 2.2 × 10−6 to 0.018). Risk estimates were in the same direction in both groups (ORs of 1.53–1.99 and 1.37–1.84, respectively) and strengthened when restricted to B-cell precursor high-hyperdiploid ALL (>50 chromosomes; ORs of 2.21–3.22 and 1.67–2.71, respectively). Similar results were observed for the single CEBPE variant. Hispanics and NHWs exhibited different susceptibility loci at CDKN2A. Although IKZF1 loci showed significant susceptibility effects among NHWs (p < 1 × 10−5), their effects among Hispanics were in the same direction but nonsignificant, despite similar minor allele frequencies. Future studies should examine whether the observed effects vary by environmental, immunological, or lifestyle factors.
Overcorrection as an Academic Remediation Procedure: A Review and Reappraisal

Overcorrection procedures traditionally were designed to reduce the behavioral excesses of persons with mental retardation. However, beginning with a study of Foxx and Jones (1978), it became clear that variations of the procedure could be used to enhance academic proficiency in students with average intelligence, borderline intelligence, learning disabilities, and various levels of mental retardation. Studies were reviewed in this article that have used overcorrection procedures to enhance academic proficiency, and it was concluded (a) that overcorrection, alone or combined with positive reinforcement, significantly increased the academic proficiency of the students, and (b) that the label "overcorrection" is inappropriate, given that the procedures described in these studies did not meet the criteria for overcorrection procedures. It was suggested that overcorrection procedures used for academic remediation be called directed rehearsal in the future to reflect more accurately the procedures actually used.
URETHRA IS MORE SENSITIVE TO ISCHEMIA THAN BLADDER: EVIDENCE FROM AN IN VITRO RAT STUDY

Purpose: Experimental studies have demonstrated that ischemia may induce significant bladder dysfunction. Because multiple causes leading to bladder ischemia also decrease urethral perfusion, we assessed the effect of in vitro ischemia on the contractile responses of the rat bladder and urethra. We evaluated the hypothesis that neurogenic dysfunction in urethral ischemic injury occurs before myogenic dysfunction is present. We also compared contractile responses of the rat bladder and urethra to in vitro ischemia followed by reoxygenation.Materials and Methods: Isolated strips of rat bladder detrusor muscle and prostatic urethra were incubated in normal physiological medium and stimulated electrically and chemically. In vitro ischemia was produced by incubating tissue in ischemic medium for 30 or 60 minutes. The maximal tension and maximal rate of tension generated were analyzed digitally before ischemia and after ischemia followed by reoxygenation.Results: We demonstrated that after 30 minutes of ischemi...
Critical role for calcium mobilization in activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome

The NLRP3 (nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-repeat-containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3) inflammasome mediates production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-1β and IL-18, and as such is implicated in a variety of inflammatory processes, including infection, sepsis, autoinflammatory diseases, and metabolic diseases. The proximal steps in NLRP3 inflammasome activation are not well understood. Here we elucidate a critical role for Ca2+ mobilization in activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome by multiple stimuli. We demonstrate that blocking Ca2+ mobilization inhibits assembly and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome complex, and that during ATP stimulation Ca2+ signaling is pivotal in promoting mitochondrial damage. C/EPB homologous protein, a transcription factor that can modulate Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum, amplifies NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thus linking endoplasmic reticulum stress to activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Our findings support a model for NLRP3 inflammasome activation by Ca2+-mediated mitochondrial damage.
PERIAPICAL STATUS OF ENDODONTICALLY TREATED TEETH IN RELATION TO THE TECHNICAL QUALITY OF THE ROOT FILLING AND THE CORONAL RESTORATION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of the quality of the coronal restoration and of the root canal obturation on the radiographic periapical status of endodontically treated teeth. Full-mouth radiographs from randomly selected new patient folders at Temple University Dental School were examined. The first 1010 endodontically treated teeth restored with a permanent restoration were evaluated independently by two examiners. Post and core type restorations were excluded. According to a predetermined radiographic standard set of criteria, the technical quality of the root filling of each tooth was scored as either good (GE) or poor (PE), and the quality of the coronal restoration similarly good (GR) or poor (PR). The apical one-third of the root and surrounding structures were then evaluated radiographically and the periradicular status categorized as (a) absence of periradicular inflammation (API) or (b) presence of periradicular inflammation (PPI). The rate of API for all endodontically treated teeth was 61.07%. GR resulted in significantly more API cases than GE, 80% versus 75.7%. PR resulted in significantly more PPI cases than PE, 30.2% versus 48.6%. The combination of GR and GE had the highest API rate of 91.4%, significantly higher than PR and PE with a API rate of 18.1%.
Hierarchical Multiscale Modeling Method for Head/Disk Interface

Multiscale modeling opens a new paradigm by providing a novel methodology of establishing molecular design criteria and potentially gives several orders of magnitude advances in nanotechnology. The head/disk interface (HDI) in the hard disk drive system investigated here can be used as a benchmark for multiscale modeling. Our approach, stemmed from the novel middle-out approach in modern multiscale modeling using the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) as the centerpiece formulation, marches towards continuum level (top) and molecular level (bottom). This approach will become an extremely valuable tool in generating design criteria of HDI.
Modeling Sorption Kinetics of Carbon Dioxide in Glassy Polymeric Films Using the Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics Approach

The nonequilibrium thermodynamics of glassy polymers (NET-GP) approach (Macromolecules 2005, 38, 10299.) has been applied to the development of a one-dimensional transport model aimed at describing...
Relationships of Locus of Control to Academic Ability, Academic Performance, and Performance-Related Attributions.

For 223 college students, scores on the Rotter (1966) I-E scale were correlated with scores on the verbal subtest of the College Qualification Test, cumulative grade point average, and attributions of performance to ability, effort, course difficulty, and luck. The I-E scores were unrelated to either verbal ability or grade point average. Students exibiting and external orientation attributed their performance more to luck than did students displaying an internal orientation.
`Carlotta!': Changing Images of Hispanic-American Women in Daytime Soap Operas

Utilisant les feuilletons televises a l'eau de rose diffuses en journee aux Etats-Unis comme barometres de la continuite et du changement, l'A. examine les differents roles distribues aux femmes Hispano-Americaines. Il identifie et analyse les stereotypes dominants et comment ils influencent la perception des Latinas par le public americain. En depit d'efforts limites pour incorporer des personnages Hispano-Americains dans leurs scenarios, les feuilletons melos continuent a les marginaliser. Certes, des choses ont evolue depuis trente ans, mais il ressort neanmoins que tous les personnages feminins Hispano-Americains apparaissent comme victimes de la culture dominante
Dopamine D2S and D2L receptors may differentially contribute to the actions of antipsychotic and psychotic agents in mice

Regulation of dopamine D2 receptor (D2) function plays an important role in alleviating either the motor deficits of Parkinson's disease or psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia. D2 also plays a critical role in sensorimotor gating which can be measured by monitoring the prepulse inhibition of the startle response. Alternative splicing of the D2 gene generates two isoforms, D2S and D2L. Here we investigated the role of D2S and D2L in the mechanisms of action of dopaminergic drugs, using mice lacking D2L (D2L(-/-)) but expressing D2S as a model system. We found that the typical antipsychotic raclopride was much less potent in inhibiting locomotor activity and eliciting catalepsy (or parkinsonism) in D2L(-/-) mice, whereas the atypical antipsychotic clozapine was equally effective in D2L(-/-) and wild-type mice. These suggest that the deletion of D2L diminishes drug-induced parkinsonism. Furthermore, two dopamine agonists, amphetamine and apomorphine, reduced prepulse inhibition to a similar degree in D2L(-/-) and wild-type mice. These results together suggest that D2S alone can mediate the action of clozapine and the dopamine agonist-induced disruption of prepulse inhibition. The differential binding affinities of these agents for D2S vs D2L were not sufficient to explain the divergent effects of typical vs atypical antipsychotics in D2L(-/-) mice. These findings suggest that D2S and D2L may differentially contribute to the therapeutic actions and side effects of antipsychotic agents, and may have implications for developing better antipsychotic agents.
The 14C record in bristlecone pine wood of the past 8000 years based on the dendrochronology of the late C. W. Ferguson

When, in 1950, Willard Libby and his coworkers obtained their first radiocarbon ( 14 C) dates, C. W. Ferguson at the University of Arizona Tree Ring Laboratory was working on establishing a continuous tree ring series for the newly discovered bristlecone pine Pinus aristata . Before his untimely death in 1986, he had extended the series nearly 8000 years into the past. From the Ferguson series I obtained for 14 C determinations wood samples grown at various times. Also, two other laboratories obtained such samples. For B.C. times in particular, our measured 14 C-values that deviated consistently from those calculated from tree rings, and the deviations increased with age. This general trend was observed by other laboratories, but the presence of deviations from these trends, of the so-called ‘wiggles’, was questioned by other workers. To me these wiggles indicated the existence of a most interesting geophysical parameter valid for the whole terrestrial atmosphere. Fourier spectra obtained at my request by Kruse in 1972, and by Neftel, demonstrated the consistency of the results, and supported my contention that the secular variations of 14 C in atmospheric CO 2 are related to variations of solar activity.
Female genital cutting and HIV transmission: is there an association?

Female Genital Cutting (FGC) refers to the practice of surgically removing all or part of the female external genitalia for non-medical purposes. It is a common practice in many countries in Africa, the Middle East, and to a lesser extent, Asia. Over 130 million women worldwide have undergone this procedure, and over 2 million women and girls are subject to it every year. Various complications have been described, including infection, hemorrhage, genitourinary and obstetric complications, as well as psychological sequelae. Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic, a few reports have also described a potentially elevated risk of HIV transmission among women with FGC. In this report, we aim to review the evidence and identify unanswered questions and research gaps regarding a potential association between FGC and HIV transmission.
Professionalism in Residency Training: Is There a Generation Gap?

Background: Teaching and evaluating professionalism is part of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's training requirements for postgraduate education. Defining what constitutes professional behavior is the first step in this endeavor. Difficulty in teaching and evaluating professionalism may stem from generational differences between teachers and trainees in their definition of professional behavior. Purpose: We sought to explore the magnitude of generational differences by asking faculty and residents to evaluate behaviors along a continuum of professionalism. Methods: A questionnaire composed of 16 vignettes describing unprofessional behaviors was distributed to a sample of internal medicine trainees and faculty. For each specific behavior described, participants were asked to rate the severity of the infraction on a 4-point scale. Results: Within each group, responses were distributed across severity categories for most vignettes. There were no significant differences in the respon...
Prostate brachytherapy: Improvements in prostate volume measurements and dose distribution using interactive ultrasound guided implantation and three-dimensional dosimetry

Improvements in prostate volume measurements and in dose distribution have led to an increase in the use of brachytherapy for prostate cancer. The addition of interactive ultrasound and three-dimensional dosimetry has also enhanced the treatment plan. We investigated the effect of these changes on implant outcome in patients with localized carcinoma of the prostate who were treated with these new techniques. Two hundred twenty-one men with an elevated prostate specific antigen (PSA) or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) had transrectal ultrasound evaluation and needle biopsy of the prostate. Prostate volume was determined by ellipsoid and planimetry techniques. Differences of at least 5%, 10%, 15%, 25%, and 50% between the two techniques were found in 170 (77%), 130 (59%), 102 (46%), 53 (24%), and 11 (5%), respectively. In addition, the ellipsoid measurements, which approximate the caliper measurements of the open retropubic implants, were found to underestimate gland volume by 10% in 47 patients (21%), 15% in 39 (18%), 25% in 28 (13%), and 50% in 8 (4%). In 75 patients who had 125I implant the dose to 90% (D90) of the gland increased from 7,619 to 15,806 cGy (P < 0.02) by distributing the majority (70%) of the activity in the periphery and by increasing the total implanted activity by 35%. Despite this peripheral dose placement and increased activity, there was no increase in dose to the anterior rectal wall. We conclude that accurate prostate gland determinations (by planimetry), a peripheral activity distribution, and a 35% increase in implanted activity are necessary in order to ensure adequate dose coverage to the prostate gland when implanting 125I. These changes also may be accomplished without an increase in rectal dose and subsequent radiation proctitis. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A piezoelectric bimorph deformable mirror concept by wafer transfer for ultra large space telescopes

Future concepts of ultra large space telescopes include the telescopes with segmented silicon mirrors and inflatable polymer mirrors. Primary mirrors for these systems cannot meet optical surface figure requirements and are likely to generate over several microns of wavefront errors. In order to correct for these large wavefront errors, high stroke optical quality deformable mirrors are required. The deformable mirror in this paper consists of an optical quality membrane mirror backed by a piezoelectric unimorph actuator array. A fabrication technology has been recently developed for transferring an entire wafer-level mirror membrane from one substrate to another. A thin membrane, 100 mm in diameter, has been successfully transferred without using adhesives or polymers. The measured peak-to-valley surface figure error of a wafer-level transferred and patterned membrane (1 mm × 1 mm × 0.016 mm) is only 9 nm. The mirror element actuation principle is based on a piezoelectric unimorph. A voltage applied to the piezoelectric layer induces stress in the longitudinal direction causing the film to deform and pull on the mirror connected to it. The advantage of this approach is that the small longitudinal strains obtainable from a piezoelectric material at modest voltages are thus translated into large vertical displacements. Modeling is performed for unimorph membranes consisting of clamped rectangular membranes with piezoelectric layers with variable dimensions. The membrane transfer technology combined with the piezoelectric unimorph actuator concept constitutes the successful demonstration of high quality, compact, large stroke continuous deformable mirror devices, resulting in compact AO systems for use in ultra large space telescopes.
Aberrant BAF57 signaling facilitates prometastatic phenotypes.

Purpose: BAF57, a component of the switching-defective and sucrose nonfermenting (SWI/SNF) chromatin-remodeling complex conglomerate, modulates androgen receptor activity to promote prostate cancer. However, the molecular consequences of tumor-associated BAF57 expression have remained undefined in advanced disease such as castration-resistant prostate cancer and/or metastasis. Experimental Design: Clinical human specimens of primary and metastatic prostate cancer were immunohistochemically examined for tumor-grade association of BAF57 expression. Global gene expression analyses were conducted in models mimicking tumor-associated BAF57 expression. Aberrant BAF57-dependent gene expression changes, bypass of androgen-mediated signaling, and chromatin-specific SWI/SNF complex alterations with respect to cytoskeletal remodelers such as integrins were validated. Cell migration assays were used to profile the biologic phenotypes conferred under conditions simulating tumor-derived BAF57 expression. Results: Immunohistochemical quantitation of primary human specimens revealed that BAF57 was significantly and aberrantly elevated as a function of tumor grade. Critically, gene expression analyses showed that BAF57 deregulation circumvented androgen-mediated signaling, elicited α2 integrin upregulation, and altered other SWI/SNF complex components at the α2 integrin locus. BAF57-dependent α2 integrin induction conferred a prometastatic migratory advantage, which was attenuated by anti-α2 integrin antibody blockade. Furthermore, BAF57 was found to be markedly upregulated in human prostate cancer metastases of the lung, lymph node, and dura. Conclusion: The findings herein, identifying tumor-associated BAF57 perturbation as a means to bypass androgen-signaling events that facilitate novel prometastatic phenotypes, link BAF57 upregulation to tumor dissemination. These data thereby establish BAF57 as a putative marker of metastatic potential that could be leveraged for therapeutic intervention. Clin Cancer Res; 19(10); 2657–67. ©2013 AACR .
Relationship Between Frequent Episodes of Peritonitis and Altered Immune Status

A 60-year-old Native American diabetic female patient had a history of nine episodes of peritonitis (both relapsing and persistent) during the year that she was treated with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). At the start of CAPD the patient had an inverted CD4 to CD8 ratio that decreased from 0.97 to 0.50 in 1 year. This finding was due to a decrease in CD4 + cells and an increase in CD8 + cells that were also positive for CD57 (Leu-7) and HLADR (la) antigen, suggesting a state of activation. The serology indicated a cytomegalovirus immunoglobulin G titer of 1:2,048. The patient also had significantly increased natural killer cells. These alterations suggest the presence of a chronic viral infection that may have caused the patient to be immunosuppressed, thereby predisposing her to repeated episodes of peritonitis.
Examining Readiness for Learning Two-Word Utterances by Children With Specific Expressive Language ImpairmentDynamic Assessment Validation

Dynamic assessment examines how children respond to cues presented hierarchically from least to most supportive. The hypothesis is that children's responsiveness reflects readiness to learn a new behavior; that is, responsiveness to the least supportive cuing indicates a readiness for immediate learning (Vygotsky, 1978). A dynamic assessment procedure was employed with 15 preschool children with specific expressive language impairment to determine their readiness for producing two-word utterances. Three types of validation were examined for the dynamic assessment procedure: construct, predictive, and concurrent. The results supported construct validity in that the subjects were able to produce more two-word utterances correctly with the more supportive cuing than they produced with the least supportive cuing. The results also supported predictive validity in that subjects who demonstrated responsiveness to the cuing hierarchy generally demonstrated greater language change during the 9-week study period th...