cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Background Subtraction: Theory and Practice

Background subtraction is a widely used concept for detection of moving objects in videos. In the last two decades there has been a lot of development in designing algorithms for background subtraction, as well as wide use of these algorithms in various important applications, such as visual surveillance, sports video analysis, motion capture, etc. Various statistical approaches have been proposed to model scene backgrounds. The concept of background subtraction also has been extended to detect objects from videos captured from moving cameras. This book reviews the concept and practice of background subtraction. We discuss several traditional statistical background subtraction models, including the widely used parametric Gaussian mixture models and non-parametric models. We also discuss the issue of shadow suppression, which is essential for human motion analysis applications. This book discusses approaches and tradeoffs for background maintenance. This book also reviews many of the recent developments in background subtraction paradigm. Recent advances in developing algorithms for background subtraction from moving cameras are described, including motion-compensation-based approaches and motion-segmentation-based approaches. For links to the videos to accompany this book, please see sites.google.com/a/morganclaypool.com/backgroundsubtraction/ Table of Contents: Preface / Acknowledgments / Figure Credits / Object Detection and Segmentation in Videos / Background Subtraction from a Stationary Camera / Background Subtraction from a Moving Camera / Bibliography / Author's Biography
Creating and Maintaining Machine-Generated Taxonomies in Human Organizations: Contributions from Research and Practice

This position paper presents a hybrid view of the creation and maintenance of machine-generated taxonomies. We analyze and propose challenges in areas where information systems overlap with human social systems, and we also bring two types of experience to address the theme of the workshop. We combine a relatively conventional, formal research approach based on user studies of taxonomies in organizations with our practical experience over the past 18 months. We are subject matter experts working with machine-generated taxonomies, and we consult to customers and business partners who are creating taxonomies for their own organizations (Pohs, Thiel, Earley, & White, 2001) We hope that this hybridization (Muller, 2003) of theory and practice provides insights and reveals problems that would not be apparent if we were writing from only one of our two perspectives.
Prenatal exposure to drugs and early development

This article employs concepts from the field of child development to evaluate recent findings on the developmental impact of prenatal drug exposure on infants and young children. The importance of the caretaking environment in mediating and moderating the effects of prenatal drug exposure is emphasized. The implications of these findings for professionals working with drug‐abusing mothers and their children are discussed.
Portfolio Assessment in Aerodynamics

A new way of assessing student learning in an aerodynamics course through the use of portfolios is presented. The approach is portable to any engineering course, with a few modifications depending on content. The main idea is to allow students more responsibility for their own learning. Instead of having everyone in the class perform identical activities (homework, experiments, projects, tests, etc.), a cadre of assignments is made available to them. Students choose and perform (within reason) the ones that suit them better in terms of their own strengths and learning styles. The ultimate goal is for each student to demonstrate a minimum level of competence in analytical, computational, experimental, design, communication, and team skills, while pursuing excellence in at least one from the first four categories. The paper describes the various assignments and options the students have for achieving the learning objectives of the course. It also discusses my observations on the effects of this approach to student learning, the impact on faculty time, and the response from the students. The results from the first two offerings of the course with portfolios show promise for improving student motivation and learning.
Simulating the Influence of Ca on the Na Channel Excitability

Abstract Information processing in the brain results from the spread and interaction of electrical and chemical signals within and among neurons. The equations that describe brain dynamics generally do not have analytical solutions. The recent expansion in the use of simulation tools in the field of neuroscience has been encouraged by the rapid growth of quantitative observations that both stimulate and constrain the formulation of new hypotheses of neuronal function. The purpose of this research is to study, simulate and analyze the influence of Ca concentration on the Na channel. Ca deviation from its normal levels show major clinical problems resulting from the decreased (increased) excitability of neurons as fatigue, depression, confusion, cardiac arrhythmias etc. become evident. We simulate the sensitivity of the Na channel to the concentration of Ca and its “stabilizing” effect on nerve and muscle excitability. Our research is based on Hodgkin and Huxley research, Moore-Cox model of the Na channel as well as NEURON simulation environment. The latter is a powerful and flexible tool for implementing biologically realistic models of electrical and chemical signalling in neurons while adding the necessary expansion and modifications required by the stated goals.
Role of cholecystokinin in the intestinal fat- and acid-induced inhibition of gastric secretion.

Abstract This study was designed to determine the role of cholecystokinin (CCK) in the inhibition of gastric HCl secretion by duodenal peptone, fat and acid in dogs with chronic gastric and pancreatic fistulas. Intraduodenal instillation of 5% peptone stimulated both gastric HCl secretion and pancreatic protein secretion and caused significant increments in plasma gastrin and CCK levels. L-364,718, a selective antagonist of CCK-A receptors, caused further increase in gastric HCl and plasma gastrin responses to duodenal peptone but reduced the pancreatic protein outputs in these tests by about 75%. L-365,260, an antagonist of type B receptors, reduced gastric acid by about 25% but failed to influence pancreatic response to duodenal peptone. Addition of 10% oleate or acidification of peptone to pH 3.0 profoundly inhibited acid secretion while significantly increasing the pancreatic protein secretion and plasma CCK levels. Administration of L-364,718 reversed the fall in gastric HCl secretion and significantly attenuated pancreatic protein secretion in tests with both peptone plus oleate and peptone plus acid. Exogenous CCK infused i.v. in a dose (25 pmol/kg per h) that raised plasma CCK to the level similar to that achieved by peptone meal plus fat resulted in similar inhibition of gastric acid response to that attained with fat and this effect was completely abolished by the pretreatment with L-364,718. We conclude that CCK released by intestinal peptone meal, containing fat or acid, exerts a tonic inhibitory influence on gastric acid secretion and gastrin release through the CCK-A receptors. significantly the plasma gastrin response to intestinal peptone meal but the application of L-364,718 caused a significant elevation of plasma gastrin over the level recorded with the combination of CCK and intestinal meal. Similar effects of L-364,718 on plasma gastrin were observed in tests with intestinal peptone plus fat. These results reinforce our conclusion that endogenous CCK exerts a tonic inhibitory influence on both gastric acid secretion and gastrin release and these effects are mediated by type A CCK receptors.
Aromatase inhibition causes increased amplitude, but not frequency, of hypothalamic-pituitary output in normal women.

Objective To better understand the site and mode of action of aromatase inhibitors. Design Prospective study. Setting Academic research environment. Patient(s) Five eumenorrheic (without polycystic ovary syndrome), early follicular phase women with a normal body mass index (mean: 20.47 ± 0.68 kg/m2), and 12 normal weight, midreproductive aged, early follicular phase women with a normal body mass index (mean: 20.8 ± 1.7 kg/m2) as historical controls. Intervention(s) 2.5 mg letrozole daily for 7 days, with daily urine collection (first morning void), thrice weekly blood sampling, and 4 hours of blood sampling every 10 minutes. Main Outcome Measure(s) Serum luteinizing hormone (LH) measured by a well-characterized immunofluorometric assay with LH pulse characteristics compared between treated and control groups using t tests. Result(s) Mean LH and LH pulse amplitude more than doubled in the women who had taken letrozole compared with the controls, but the LH pulse frequency did not differ between the women taking letrozole and the controls. Conclusion(s) These results indicate that the release of negative feedback inhibition of estradiol on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in normal women by aromatase inhibitors creates an amplitude-related increase in endogenous hypothalamic-pituitary drive. The finding that the mean LH and LH pulse amplitude, but not the frequency, increased after letrozole suggests a possible pituitary site of action.
Further characterization of Pasteurella haemolytica-like bacteria isolated from swine enteritis

DNA-DNA hybridization studies were conducted on six Pasteurella haemolytica-like (PHL) organisms recovered from cases of swine enteritis. Chromosomal-enriched fractions of PHL organisms served as the source of DNA for Southern blots or as whole-chromosomal DNA probes. Under stringent hybridization conditions, chromosomal DNA probes of a prototype PHL (strain 6213A) organism distinguished other PHL organisms from Pasteurella haemolytica types A1 and T3, Pasteurella multiocida types A:1 and A:3, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae type 1, and Salmonella cholerasuis. The guanine-cytosine content of the DNA of three PHL strains was 41.2 to 42.8 mol % as calculated from the thermal denaturation midpoint temperatures. The PHL strains are Gram-negative, nonmotile, beta-hemolytic, pleomorphic, oxidase-positive, urease- and indole-negative, fermentative rods with the key characteristics of the species Pasteurella haemolytica. None of the PHL strains reacted with the type-specific antisera of P. haemolytica types 1 through 12 as tested by an agglutination procedure. These swine strains differed in their biochemical differentiation from P. haemolytica types A1 and T3 in that all produced acid from M-inositol and failed to grow on MacConkey agar. Acid production from trehalose and L-arabinose was variable with PHL strains. Leukotoxicity of PHL strains was evaluated by a colorimetric micro-titration assay. Sterile culture supernatants of three of five PHL strains were toxic to bovine neutrophils. Results of these studies suggest that the PHL organisms may belong to a new group of organisms under the genus Pasteurella.
On the numerical methods for the singular parabolic equations in fluid dynamics

Abstract The concern here is with the numerical methods for the well-known singular parabolic equations in unsteady boundary-layer flows behind a moving shock and the development of boundary-layers on a semi-infinite plate impulsively set into motion. These equations can be derived with a semisimilar transformation by which the domains of solution are mapped on to [0, 1]. It is shown that this class of singular parabolic equations can be elegantly and accurately solved by using the successive-overrelaxation method normally applied to elliptic equations. No artificial viscosity or numerical attenuation is required. Details of the computational procedures are given. Salient natures of the numerical method are analyzed. Results of the analysis show that as far as the stability of computations is concerned, the sign of the diffusivity is not important; however, to obtain convergent solution, the “initial” conditions have to be specified consistently.
Cooperative effects of v-myc and c-Ha-ras oncogenes on gap junctional intercellular communication and tumorigenicity in rat liver epithelial cells

Abstract The objective of this study was to isolate and partially characterize several rat liver epithelial cell clones containing myc, ras and myc/ras oncogenes in order to study their roles in apoptosis and to test the hypothesis that gap junctional intercellular communication is necessary for apoptosis in solid tissues and that the loss of junctional communication leads to tumorigenesis. The co-transfection of the myc and ras oncogenes in the normal rat liver epithelial cell line (WB-F344) resulted in a loss of functional channels and normal growth regulation; cell–cell communication was significantly decreased and tumorigenicity determined in adult male F344 rats was induced. We examined cell growth properties, gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC), using the scrape-loading–dye transfer and fluorescence-redistribution-after-photobleaching assays, and tumorigenicity in a series of normal and v-myc-, c-Ha-ras- and v-myc/c-Ha-ras-transfected WB-F344 cell lines. The c-Ha-ras- and the v-myc/c-Ha-ras-transduced cell lines appeared distinctly different from the other lines, having spindle-shaped morphology, shorter generation time and contact insensitivity. On the other hand, the normal WB-F344 cell line and the v-myc-transduced cell line showed excellent GJIC. Moreover, the c-Ha-ras-transduced cell lines displayed decreasing levels of GJIC associated with their increasing tumorigenicity. The v-myc/c-Ha-ras-transformed cell lines showed the lowest levels of GJIC and were also the most tumorigenic. These findings suggest that the reduction of GJIC in c-Ha-ras- and v-myc/c-Ha-ras-transformed WB-F344 cells is linked to their tumorigenic potential. These cell lines should provide valuable tools to study the role of GJIC in apoptosis during tumorigenesis.
Endothelial Insights: The Florian Dialectic

In heart healing, engineering technology has driven translation by bridging biology and medicine.
Intranasal lining flaps

This article summarizes various surgical techniques useful in restoring intranasal lining required during reconstruction of full thickness nasal defects. Bipedical vestibular skin advancement flaps may be used for lining defects of the nostril that do not have a vertical height greater than 1.0 cm. Lining defects larger than 1.0 cm in vertical height are best repaired with an ipsilateral septal mucoperichondrial hinge flap. If this by itself is insufficient, a contralateral dorsal septal mucoperichondrial flap may be used to provide additional lining to the nasal sidewall and middle nasal vault. For full-thickness defects of the nasal tip or dorsum, some form of a septal composite chondromucosal pivotal flap may be necessary for lining the nasal passages. Inferior and middle turbinate mucoperiosteal flaps may on occasion supplement any of the septal mucosal flaps.
Medico-Legal Aspects of Asbestos-Induced Pleural Plaques: The Issue of Worker's Compensation

As pleural plaques are the most frequent sequela found in individuals formerly exposed to asbestos, and as asbestos is a known carcinogen, there is debate as to whether they are an occupationally related condition which should be com pensated. In order to get an idea on how the issue of compensation is dealt with in a series of European countries, we have carried out an enquiry by questionnaire. Those responding included not only the Scandinavian coun tries but also British, French, German, Austrian and Italian Institutions. With the exception of Great Britain, all the countries accept asbestos-induced pleu ral plaques (APP) as occupationally related. However, compensation is only paid in those cases where there is significant clinical impairment. This means a restrictive disease with a loss of pulmonary volume of at least 20%; a situa tion which is extremely rare in individuals with APP. All those countries who responded to our questionnaire, except Norway and Sweden, are undertaking a legal survey of th...
GaAs deep-center stimulated-emission at 1.5µm

Room-temperature stimulated-emission, optical gains larger than known significant losses, and single-pass laser action from GaAs deep-centers are demonstrated at low electrical injection in cw mode at 1.3–1.5µm. Fast hole capture maintains the population inversion.
Works in progress - Gaming, fine art, and familiar strangers

For this issue's Works in Progress, we have six abstracts in the areas of pervasive gaming, interactive entertainment, and interpersonal interactions. Three of the abstracts cover gaming systems that combine physical and virtual environments. These discuss new development frameworks and toolkits, analyze how users interact in gaming environments, and evaluate new technology for these environments. Two abstracts discuss interactive digital art: a system that observes and interacts with dancers and a methodology, and a toolkit for designing new digital art systems. The final abstract describes a system for helping individuals better understand the subtle interactions that they have with the people around them ("familiar strangers").
Estimation of optimal dynamic treatment regimes.

BackgroundRecent advances in medical research suggest that the optimal treatment rules should be adaptive to patients over time. This has led to an increasing interest in studying dynamic treatment...
Identification of antitumor sulfonylurea binding proteins of HeLa plasma membranes.

Abstract Plasma membranes of cultured HeLa S cells bound the tritiated antitumor sulfonylurea [3H]LY181984 with high affinity (Kd of about 25 nM). The number of binding sites, estimated to represent 30 to 35 pmol/mg protein, would represent a low abundance protein of the total plasma membrane proteins. The binding proteins appeared to contain one or more thiols in the binding site as high affinity binding of [3H]LY181984 was reduced by treatment with the covalent thiol blocking reagent, N-ethylmaleimide (NEM), or by oxidation with dilute hydrogen peroxide but was protected by glutathione or dithiothreitol. Elimination of binding of [3H]LY181984 by NEM was prevented by excess unlabeled LY181984 (an active sulfonylurea) but less so by excess LY181985 (an inactive sulfonylurea). The binding proteins were specifically labeled with thiol reagents following reaction of unprotected thiols with unlabeled thiol reagents. Binding proteins at ca. 34 kDa were labeled. Plasma membrane proteins after solubilization with SDS under strongly reducing conditions still bound sulfonylurea. [3H]LY181984 binding to plasma membrane proteins resolved on SDS-PAGE correlated as well with proteins in the 30–40 kDa range.
The Prostatic Acid Phosphatase (ACPP) Gene Is Localized to Human Chromosome 3q21-q23

Human prostatic acid phosphatase (ACPP) has been used as a diagnostic marker for prostate cancer. It is synthesized under androgen regulation and secreted by the epithelial cells of the prostate gland. We have confirmed the previous assignment of the ACPP gene to chromosome 3 by probing a panel of 25 human-Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids, and we have further localized the ACPP gene to chromosome 3q21-q23 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.
Sub-100 nm 3D Detection Volumes by Total Internal Reflection STED Microscopy

Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy (1–2) has revolutionized far-field fluorescence microscopy by breaking the classical diffraction limit: 25 nm resolution and better are routinely achieved in the focal plane.Fig. 1. 20 nm fluorescent bead imaged in confocal and STED mode. The profile across the white box demonstrates <26 nm resolution.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint SlideWhile comparable axial resolution values have been obtained using two opposing objectives, single-objective STED microscopy can usually not realize values on this size scale.Here we present results obtained with a recently realized STED variant that combines total internal reflection excitation for ∼70 nm axial sectioning capabilities with stimulated depletion for ∼50 nm lateral super-resolution.TIRF STED microscopy represents an attractive super-resolution alternative for live cell microscopy featuring fast scanning with sub-100 nm 3D detection volumes and reduced photo-damage through TIRF excitation.References:1. Hell, S. W., and J. Wichmann. 1994. Opt. Lett. 19:780–782.2. Toomre, D., and J. Bewersdorf. 2010. Annu. Rev. Cell. Dev. Biol. 26:285–314.3. Schmidt, R., C. A. Wurm, S. Jakobs, J. Engelhardt, A. Egner, and S. W. Hell. 2008. Nat. Methods 5:539–544.4. Gould, T. J., J. R. Myers, and J. Bewersdorf. 2011. Opt. Express. 19:13351–13357.
Developmental evidence for foraging traditions in wild bottlenose dolphins

Patterns of social learning in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.) may help explain behavioural variants and selection pressures favouring cultural evolution, but evidence for social transmission derived from field observations is controversial. The dolphins of Shark Bay, Australia are known for diverse, individually specific foraging behaviours, including tool use with marine sponges. We examined the relative contributions of habitat, maternal foraging and foraging behaviours of associates to the use of seven foraging tactics by bottlenose dolphin calves (Tursiops sp.). Three tactics were predicted by maternal foraging, one was predicted by water depth, one was weakly predicted by several factors, and two tactics were not predicted by any variable. Our findings provide support for the social learning of foraging behaviours in wild dolphins, illustrate the diverse pathways of foraging development, and offer insight into conditions that are likely to favour reliance on social information The evidence for vertical social learning (mother-to-offspring) indicates the dominance of a ‘do what mother does’ strategy, rather than copying the foraging behaviour of associates. However, since not all foraging behaviours were predicted by whether a calf's mother used them, dolphins may only use social information in some contexts, perhaps for more difficult tactics. This study provides unprecedented support for socially learned foraging tactics in wild dolphins by simultaneously addressing multiple factors during behavioural development, and thus illustrates the benefits of using multivariable techniques on ontogenetic data to identify social learning in wild animals.
Bifurcation and collapse analysis of stringer and ring-stringer stiffened cylindrical shells with cutouts

Results for cylindrical configurations using the STAGS computer program were presented. Discontinuities were imposed upon the shell's skin by incorporating symmetrical cutout openings. In addition, the surface is stiffened with both stringer and ring-stringer arrangements. The cutout problem has been shown to be highly nonlinear for smooth surface shells, but it was found that bifurcation and collapse loads are close when one is considering stiffened skin configurations. In order to arrive at this conclusion, it was necessary to evaluate the following: (1) comparison between smeared and discrete stiffener theory for linear solutions, (2) numerical finite difference convergence as directed toward buckling determination, (3) collapse load results with the various skin stiffeners. A linear bifurcation study relating to stiffening effects around cutout areas present within stringer and ring-stringer shell surfaces was included. Comparisons were made between a variety of geometric positions considering cutout frame and thickened skin additions.
The concentrator location problem with variable coverage

Abstract This paper deals with the problem of locating concentrators in a computer communications network where the terminals have varying concentrator coverage. A mathematical programming model is developed. The objective is to minimize communication costs as well as set up and operating costs for the concentrators subject to capacity constraints. A solution procedure which makes use of a relaxation of the problem is presented. Computational results indicate that this solution procedure is very effective.
Inflammation promotes a cytokine response and disrupts the cervical epithelial barrier: a possible mechanism of premature cervical remodeling and preterm birth

Objective An inflammatory challenge disrupts the cervical epithelial barrier and promotes cervical remodeling. Study Design Immortalized ectocervical and endocervical cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and soluble E-cadherin (SECAD) were assessed. Cells were then pretreated with dexamethasone prior to LPS exposure, and IL-6, IL-8, and SECAD levels were again assessed. The integrity of the epithelial cell barrier was determined using a permeability assay. Results LPS significantly increased IL-6 and IL-8 levels, and SECAD was significantly increased at 24 hours. LPS induced inflammation increased permeability for both cell lines. Dexamethasone pretreatment prior to LPS exposure significantly decreased IL-6 and IL-8 levels in both cell lines. There was no reduction in SECAD levels with dexamethasone pretreatment. Permeability decreased in the presence of dexamethasone for ectocervical cells only. Conclusion These studies demonstrate an inflammatory challenge to cervical epithelial cells promotes a cytokine release and functionally alters the cervical epithelial barrier.
High-yielding, two-step 18F labeling strategy for 18F-PARP1 inhibitors.

Positron emission tomography (PET) of labeled metabolites, drugs, proteins and nanomaterials[1-3] is rapidly emerging as a powerful imaging tool to detect and stage disease, to study human biology, to investigate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of new drugs, or to measure treatment efficacy in clinical trials.[4-8] 18F is one of the most commonly used isotopes for clinical imaging given its half-life, ease of production, wide availability, and compatibility with microfluidics syntheses.[9] Despite extensive use and well established procedures of labeling some small molecules, facile 18F platform-type universally adaptable labeling strategies are still largely missing. This is especially true for rapid labeling of small molecules that emerge from high throughput screens or for optimizing hybrid and modular imaging agents. Bioorthogonal chemistries represent one avenue to develop such generic labeling platforms.
A Monte Carlo Investigation of the Robustness of T 2

Abstract The robustness of T2 for samples of size 5, 10 and 20 from several bivariate distributions is investigated. Samples are presented from bivariate normal, uniform, exponential, gamma, lognormal and double exponential distributions. Related observations on the one sample t and paired t are also given. Highly skewed distributions resulted in too many extreme values of T2 Other distributions gave conservative results. The use of the t-test and non-simultaneous techniques gave large overall levels of significance.
A Synonymous Change in the Influenza A Virus Neuraminidase Gene Interferes with PCR-Based Subtyping and Oseltamivir Resistance Mutation Detection

Rapid detection of the emergence of oseltamivir-resistant influenza A virus is critically important for both public health surveillance and the selection of appropriate antiviral therapy. The most common oseltamivir-resistant influenza A (H1N1) 2009 virus genotype is a cytosine-to-thymine mutation
The Dictionary of National Biography and Its Early Editors and Publisher

The Dictionary of National Biography (or DNB as it is commonly called and as it will be referred to in this paper) is a classic. Depending on whether a library owns an original edition published by Smith, Elder and Company or a reprint edition published by Oxford University Press, sixty‐three brown volumes or twenty‐two blue volumes and supplements loom bulkily from the shelves. It would be an odd, ill‐trained reference librarian, historian, or scholar of English literature who has never heard of the DNB, let alone used and perused it. But mere bulk does not explain the lasting fame and staying power of this reference work, whose first volume appeared in January 1885 over a century ago.
Congruency in homonymous hemianopia.

t r d a s t n this issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology, edar and associates 1 challenge one of the basic tenets f diagnostic neuro-ophthalmology: that lesions of the etrochiasmal visual pathway may be reliably localized nteroposteriorly based on the congruity of the resultant omonymous visual field defects (as long as the homnymous defects are incomplete; complete hemianopias ay arise from any location along the retrochiasmal athway and are nonlocalizing anteroposteriorly). In ore than 500 patients, they retrospectively correlated euroimaging evidence of lesion location with visual field ndings to test the hypothesis that greater congruity of the isual field defects is associated with more posterior toward the occipital lobes) location in the visual pathway. heir results remind us that even the most basic assumpions in medical teaching must bear careful scrutiny; in this ase, a standard dictum is shown to require important xceptions. The concept of maintenance of retinotopic organizaion of visual pathway axonal fibers from retina to striate ortex is supported by early anatomic studies2,3; in ontrast, there is surprisingly little similar anatomic vidence documenting the degree of association of the bers subserving corresponding retinal points and how his varies in anterior vs posterior visual pathway esions. However, several early authors4,5 documented, y clinical correlation of brain lesion location with isual field defects, that incongruity was present more ommonly in anterior visual radiations injury and that ongruity was present more commonly in posterior (occiptal cortex) injury. The assumption was that fibers subservng corresponding retinal points from the two eyes were eparated more widely in the anterior radiations, becoming rogressively more closely associated toward the striate ortex. Harrington6 confirmed these studies, and although is early papers did not include the optic tract in the nalysis, his later studies7 added a number of cases of optic ract lesions that also demonstrated marked incongruity. In heir current study, Kedar and associates confirm the eneral rule that the likelihood of congruity increases with rogressively more posterior central nervous system leions, but they present two striking exceptions: 1) congru-
Fluorescence quenchers for hydrazone and oxime orthogonal bioconjugation.

We describe the synthesis and properties of new fluorescence quenchers containing aldehyde, hydrazine, and aminooxy groups, allowing convenient bioconjugation as oximes or hydrazones. Conjugation to oligonucleotides proceeded in high yield with aniline as catalyst. Kinetics studies of conjugation show that, under optimal conditions, a hydrazine or aminooxy quencher can react with aldehyde-modified DNA to form a stable hydrazone or oxime adduct in as little as five minutes. The resulting quencher-containing DNAs were assessed for their ability to quench the emission of fluorescein in labeled complements and compared to the commercially available dabcyl and Black Hole Quencher 2 (BHQ2), which were conjugated as phosphoramidites. Results show that the new quenchers possess slightly different absorbance properties compared to dabcyl and are as efficient as the commercial quenchers in quenching fluorescein emission. Hydrazone-based quenchers were further successfully incorporated into molecular beacons and sho...
Cloning and characterization of the calmodulin-encoding gene from Pneumocystis carinii

Complete cDNA and genomic clones for the CaM gene encoding calmodulin (CaM) from Pneumocystis carinii have been isolated from rat and characterized. The nucleotide (nt) sequence contains an open reading frame interrupted by three introns, that encodes a protein of 152 amino acids. The predicted CaM protein of P. carinii shares a high degree of homology with other known CaM proteins.
Narcissism, Sex Roles, and Self-Functioning.

This study examined the relationship between gender, sex role, and narcissism. Two hundred and three students completed the Bem Sex Role Inventory, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, and the Narcissistic Personality Disorder Scale, along with several measures of self-esteem and depression. Overall, the data indicated that males and masculine individuals were not higher in their levels of maladaptive narcissism, that an adjusted narcissism was more obvious in males and in masculine subjects, and that femininity appeared to inhibit the display of an unhealthy exploitive self-concern. Androgyny failed to appear as the healthiest sex role, although multiple regression analyses suggested that future research may need to further explore this possibility.
Fluorescence behaviour of human arterial tissue

Total fluorescence from arterial tissue is influenced by three factors: the absorption coefficient of tissue at a specific excitation wavelength, the laser excitation power and the fluorescence coefficient which is related to chemical species in tissue. These various influences were demonstrated by the following experimental results in vitro: (1) the effect of increasing power on fluorescence intensity, (2) the total fluorescence intensity in normal aorta and plaque and (3) the effect of a chromophore such as β-carotene on total fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence intensity of normal artery is an incremental function of laser excitation power, and the fluorescence emission from normal artery compared to fluorescence emission from plaque is significantly different at the same excitation power. The total fluorescence of normal artery was measured to be twice as great as that of atheromatous plaque (relative mean ratio of 2.58±0.46 compared to unity,p<0.0002 at 488 nm; relative mean ratio of 2.57±0.51 compared to unity,p<0.0009 at 514 nm). The total fluorescence emission decreases with the increase of β-carotene content in arterial tissue (R=0.97). These emission differences, when intensified by an exogenous chromophore of β-carotene, may provide an improved guidance signal for diagnosis of plaque from normal artery during laser angioplasty procedures.
A case-control study of maternal alcohol consumption and intrauterine growth retardation.

PURPOSE: Heavy maternal drinking during pregnancy causes fetal alcohol syndrome, but whether more moderate alcohol consumption is associated with such adverse pregnancy outcomes as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) remains controversial. METHODS: Using data from a case-control study, we examined the association between maternal alcohol consumption and risk for IUGR among 701 case and 336 control infants born during 1993-1995 in Monroe County, New York. RESULTS: Our results provide no evidence of an independent association between moderate maternal alcohol consumption (<14 drinks per week) and risk for IUGR. The risk for IUGR among heavy drinkers (⩾14 drinks per week) around the time of conception was OR = 1.4 (95% CI 0.7–2.6) for IUGR ⩽ 5th percentile and OR = 1.4 (95% CI 0.7–2.8) for IUGR 5th–10th percentile. For heavy drinkers during the first trimester, the OR was 1.3 (95% CI 0.4–4.5) for IUGR ⩽ 5th percentile and OR = 1.3 (95% CI 0.4–4.8) for IUGR 5th–10th percentile. CONCLUSIONS: Since IUGR is a heterogeneous outcome with a possible multifactorial origin, further studies are needed to examine the combined effects of alcohol and other environmental and genetic factors on IUGR risk for subgroups of IUGR.
Phagocytosis by trabecular meshwork cells: sequence of events in cats and monkeys.

Trabecular meshwork cells have well-established phagocytic properties. However, the sequential stages of this process have not been studied in detail. Zymosan particles, yeast cell walls 3 μm in diameter, were either injected or perfused into the anterior chambers (AC) of cats and monkeys. Glutaraldehyde (3%) was then infused into the AC at 1-, 6-, 17-, 30- and 60 min and the fate of the particles observed by transmission electron microscopy. After contact with zymosan particles, trabecular meshwork cells demonstrated short cytoplasmic extensions at contact sites and a increased number of cytoplasmic organelles. Internalization of the particles occurred by 6 min in the cat and by 17 min in the monkey. In both species similar events occurred follwoing internalization of zymosan: trabecular cells, laden with particles, rounded up, detached from their underlying collagenous beams and migrated towards Schlemm's canal or the aqueous plexus. By 1 hr the individual trabecular cells completed the entire sequence of phagocytic events although some cells were always observed in earlier stages of the process. These data document for the first time the timing of the cellular events that take place during zymosan particle phagocytosis by trabecular meshwork cells.
Low salivary cortisol levels and externalizing behavior problems in youth

Research linking basal cortisol levels with internalizing and externalizing behavior problems in youths has yielded inconsistent results. We hypothesize that the high moment to moment variation in adrenocortical activity requires an analytical strategy that separates variance in cortisol levels attributable to "stable traitlike" versus "state or situationally specific" sources. Early morning saliva samples were obtained from 724 youths (M age = 13.5 years; range = 6-16 years in Year 1) on 2 successive days 1 year apart. Latent state-trait modeling revealed that 70% of the variance in cortisol levels could be attributed to statelike sources, and 28% to traitlike sources. For boys only, higher levels of externalizing problem behaviors were consistently associated with lower cortisol attributable to traitlike sources across 3 years of behavioral assessment. The inverse association between individual differences in cortisol and externalizing problem behavior has previously only been reported in studies of at-risk or clinical groups. The present findings suggest the relationship is a stable phenomenon that spans both normative and atypical child development. Studies are needed to reveal the biosocial mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of this phenomenon, and to decipher whether individual differences in this hormone-behavior link confers risk or resilience.
Phase-space finite element methods applied to the first-order form of the transport equation

The application of the finite element method to the first-order form of the neutron transport equation is reviewed. The general theoretical foundation of the finite element application is summarized, including a derivation of the weak form, a discussion of the treatment of all boundary conditions as natural boundary conditions and a few remarks concerning convergence.. Results of the 1-D application are presented including a description of the discontinuous phase-space finite elements. The 2-D application is discussed and its application to the classic ray effect problem is examined. It is concluded that the finite element method does alleviate the ray effect but at the considerable expense of computational time and memory requirements. To address this concern, a new 'segmentation' scheme for the 2-D application is described. This scheme yields satisfactory results for the ray effect problem while reducing the computational cost by nearly an order of magnitude. Finally a few remarks are presented concerning the time-dependent application and the paper concludes with some general comments concerning the overall application of the finite element method to the first-order equation and comparison with alternative methods.
Gradual learning of science in a CSCL environment and the quest of epistemologically sophisticated learners

We have implemented an instructional design for teaching mechanics that combines a Computer Supported Collaborative Learning (CSCL) environment with traditional instruction. We detected superior performance compared with traditional teaching alone and found evidence in favor of the position that certain kinds of epistemological beliefs held by students can inhibit the full realization of CSCL environments' potential. Our research points to the need of addressing instructionally students' epistemological beliefs in order to increase the efficiency of many modern learning environments.
THE POLITICS OF TEACHING SOCIOLOGIES OF CRIME

The politics, morals and ethics of teaching sociologies of crime within contemporary university settings are described in this paper. My hope is to cause reflection on teaching sociologies of crime and sociologists’ participation in such. The possibilities for critical distancing from current punitive, sate-driven policies and mandates, and on advancing vastly different curriculums to impact both education and crime control strategies. Also addressed are moral and political concerns for educators who (although perhaps with a good intentions) participate in advancing a crime control industry that remains class and race biased and based on rational-legal, force, and repression.
Cutting Edge: Low-Affinity, Smith Antigen-Specific B Cells Are Tolerized by Dendritic Cells and Macrophages

Polyclonal B cell activation promotes immunity without the loss of tolerance. Our data show that during activation of the innate immune system, B cell tolerance to Smith Ag Sm is maintained by dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages (MΦ). TLR4-activated myeloid DCs and MΦ, but not plasmacytoid or lymphoid DCs, repressed autoreactive B cells through the secretion of soluble mediators, including IL-6. Although IL-6 promotes plasma cell differentiation of B cells acutely stimulated by Ag, we show that it repressed cells that were chronically exposed to self-Ag. This mechanism of tolerance was not limited to Smith Ag-specific B cells as hen egg lysozyme- and p-azophenylarsonate-specific B cells were similarly affected. Our data define a tolerogenic role for MΦ and DCs in regulating autoreactive B cells during activation of the innate immune system.
Age effects on brain oxygenation during hypercapnia.

Previous studies showed that the cerebrovasodilation response to hypercapnia is attenuated with aging. The purpose of this study was to determine if normal aging attenuates increases in brain oxygenation during hypercapnia. Prefrontal cortex oxyhemoglobin (OHb) and deoxyhemoglobin (HHb) concentrations were measured in 13 healthy subjects ages 26 to 59 years using a frequency domain tissue oximeter. Measurements were obtained under the following conditions: (1) subject awake breathing spontaneously, (2) during mask ventilation with 21% oxygen, (3) mask ventilation with 100% oxygen, (4) 100% oxygen in a rebreathing circuit to increase end-tidal CO2. Under baseline conditions breathing room air, there was a negative correlation between baseline OHb and age (r=−0.60, P<0.05). Ventilation with 100% oxygen increased OHb without a change in total hemoglobin and no affect of age. During mask rebreathing, end-tidal CO2 increased from 39.5±5.0 mm Hg (millimeters of mercury) to 56.5±5.7 mm Hg, which produced significant increases in OHb and total blood volume that were negatively correlated with age (r=−0.67, P<0.05) and positively correlated to baseline OHb (r=0.60, P<0.05). These results indicate that OHb concentrations decreased with age, consistent with attenuated cerebral vasodilation during hypercapnia.
Infant mortality from congenital malformations in the United States, 1970-1997.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We examined a trend in infant mortality caused by congenital malformations in the United States, particularly for the racial disparity between whites and nonwhites. METHODS: We used US annual summary data on cause-specific infant mortality for 1970–97 and detailed birth and infant death linked data for 1985–87, 1989–91, and 1995–97. RESULTS: Congenital malformations became a more prominent cause of infant mortality in 1997 and accounted for 22.1% of all infant deaths compared with 15.1% in 1970. Congenital malformations of nervous, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems accounted for more than 60% of all malformation deaths. Malformations incompatible with life (anencephaly, encephalocele, hypoplastic lungs, renal agenesis, and trisomies 13 and 18) were the cause of one-third of all malformation deaths. In 1970–71, infant mortality caused by congenital malformations in nonwhites was lower, 2.6 (confidence interval [CI] 2.5, 2.7) per 1000, compared with whites, 3.1 (CI 3.0, 3.1) per 1000. However, in 1996–97, the rate of congenital malformation-specific infant mortality was higher in nonwhites, 1.7 (CI 1.7, 1.8) per 1000, compared with whites, 1.6 (CI 1.5, 1.6) per 1000. This trend was most pronounced with central nervous system malformations. Although whites had an almost two-fold higher infant mortality rate from central nervous system malformations compared with nonwhites in 1970–71, this disparity was no longer present by 1996–97. CONCLUSION: Congenital malformations have become a leading cause of infant mortality in the 1990s. Over the last several decades, this mortality declined more slowly in nonwhites than in whites.
Electrodeposition of Mesoporous Silica on 3-D Scaffolds as Templates for 3-D Porous Metal Electrodes

Supercapacitors and advanced batteries capable of rapid charge and discharge need conductive three dimensional porous electrodes. The high conductivities of porous metal electrodes are attractive. However, the surface areas of such electrodes are still well short of those achievable in carbon. One approach to formation of high surface area porous metal electrodes is to electrodeposit metal into nanostructured templates on 3-D scaffolds such as nickel foam. By careful control of composition and voltage thin films of mesoporous silica can be deposited onto these 3-D templates. Removal of the templating surfactant produces a very high surface area mesoporous coating. Metal can then be plated into the mesoporous silica, which, after removal of the silica, leaves a high surface area 3-D porous electrode.
Interleukin-10 prevents early cytokine release in severe intraabdominal infection and sepsis.

Abstract Early release of macrophage-derived proinflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF), interleukin (IL)-1, and IL-6, are important in the pathogenesis of septic shock and multisystem organ failure in various models of sepsis. IL-10 is a mediator that inhibits cytokine release from activated macrophages. The aim of this study was to determine if IL-10 would decrease serum cytokine elevation in a murine model of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). CLP in animals is a model that closely mimics the physiologic changes seen in human sepsis. Four groups of 14 female Swiss–Webster mice were used. Group 1 underwent laparotomy alone. groups 2, 3, and 4 underwent laparotomy and CLP. Groups 1 and 2 received intraperitoneal (IP) saline injections to serve as control vehicle. Group 3 (prophylactic) received 10,000 U IP IL-10 1 hr prior to CLP and every 3 hr thereafter. Group 4 (therapeutic) received 10,000 U IP IL-10 1 hr following CLP and every 3 hr thereafter. Animals were sacrificed at 3 and 9 hr following CLP. Serum TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). CLP produced a significant rise in serum TNF, IL-6, and IL-1 in untreated controls. Prophylactic or therapeutic administration of IL-10 significantly attenuated this early rise in serum cytokines. These results support the hypothesis that (1) CLP produces an early systemic rise in macrophage-derived cytokines and (2) IL-10 given either before or after the onset of CLP-induced intraabdominal infection and sepsis is able to inhibit this early release of macrophage-derived systemic mediators. IL-10 has potential clinical benefits in the therapeutic management of intraabdominal infection and sepsis.