cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of diazepam on a belief-updating task.

This study examined the effects of a minor tranquilizer, diazepam, on a cognitive task that involved the updating of beliefs. On this task, subjects are first asked to express their strength of belief in a hypothesis and then to update this on the basis of new evidence. Past research has shown that revision of beliefs can be affected by many variables including the strength with which the initial belief is held, whether new information is perceived as positive or negative vis-a-vis the hypothesis, and the order in which evidence is processed. The purpose of this study was to assess whether a tranquilizer, diazepam, would affect the updating of beliefs, and specifically whether it would dampen the extent to which people revise their opinions. 12 healthy subjects participated in four experimental sessions, in which they received diazepam (0.14 mg/kg) or placebo and completed an updating task in which they received information in either of two orders, positive-negative or negative-positive. In each session, subjects saw a different experimental stimulus determined by a Latin-square design, and also completed pre- and postdrug mood questionnaires. Analysis showed order of presentation induced a recency effect similar to that obtained in previous studies, and the diazepam produced significant tranquilizer-like effects on self-report questionnaires. However, the diazepam had no effect on the updating task. These findings indicate that previously reported order effects in the belief updating task are robust and unaffected by a drug that has known sedative and memory-impairing properties.
Experimental Investigation of the High-Temperature Performance of High-Strength Steel Suspension Bridge Wire

Abstract Quantification of the mechanical properties of suspension bridge main cables during fire hazards is a vital part of holistic safety assessment of infrastructure. While some researchers hav...
Reshaping the murine immunoglobulin heavy chain repertoire with bovine DH genes

Having a limited number of VH segments, cattle rely on uniquely long DH gene segments to generate CDRH3 length variation (3 ~ 70 aa) far greater than that in humans or mice. Bovine antibodies with ultralong CDRH3s (> 50 aa) possess unusual structures and abilities to bind to special antigens. In this study, we replaced most murine endogenous DH segments with bovine DH genes, generating a mouse line termed B-DH. The use of bovine DH genes significantly increased the length variation of CDRH3 and consequently the Ig heavy chain repertoire in B-DH mice. However, no ultralong CDRH3 was observed in B-DH mice, suggesting that other factors, in addition to long DH genes, are also involved in the formation of ultralong CDRH3. The B-DH mice mounted a normal humoral immune response to various antigens, although the B cell developmental paradigm was obviously altered compared with wild type mice. Additionally, B-DH mice are not predisposed to the generation of autoantibodies despite the interspecies DH gene replacement. The B-DH mice reported in this study provide a unique model to answer basic questions regarding the synergistic evolution of DH and VH genes, VDJ recombination, and BCR selection in B cell development.
Application of Fireworks Algorithm in Gamma-Ray Spectrum Fitting for Radioisotope Identification

Identification of radioisotopic signature patterns in gamma-ray spectra is of paramount importance in various applications of gamma spectroscopy. Therefore, there are several active research efforts to develop accurate and precise methods to perform automated spectroscopic analysis and subsequently recognize gamma-ray signatures. In this work, the authors present a new method for radioisotope identification in gamma-ray spectra obtained with a low resolution radiation detector. The method fits the obtained spectrum with a linear combination of known template signature patterns. Coefficients of the linear combination are evaluated by computing the solution of a single objective optimization problem, whose objective is the Theil-1 inequality coefficient. Optimization of the problem is performed by the Fireworks Algorithm, which identifies a set of coefficients that minimize the Theil-1 value. The computed coefficients are statistically tested for being significantly different than zero or not, and if at least one is found to be zero then the Fireworks Algorithm is used to reiterate fitting using the non-zero templates. Fitting iterations are continued up to the point that no linear coefficients are found to be zero. The output of the method is a list that contains the radioisotopes that have been identified in the measured spectrum. The method is tested on a set of both simulated and real experimental gamma-ray spectra comprised of a variety of isotopes, and compared to a multiple linear regression fitting, and genetic algorithm Theil-1 based fitting. Results demonstrate the potentiality of the Fireworks Algorithm based method, expressed as higher accuracy and similar precision over the other two tested methodologies for radioisotope signature pattern identification in the framework of gamma-ray spectrum fitting.
Quantum Density Matrix and Entropic Uncertainty

A discussion of the determination of the quantum density matrix from realistic measurements using the maximum entropy principle is presented.
Constitutive and stability behavior of soils in microgravity environment

The constitutive behavior of soils such as strength, stiffness, and localization of deformations are to a large extent derived from interparticle friction transmitted between solid particles and particle groups. Interparticle forces are highly dependent on gravitational body forces. At very low effective confining pressures, the true nature of the Mohr-Coulomb strength envelope, which is the criterion most frequently used, is unclear both with respect to interparticle friction and cohesion. Because of the impossibility of eliminating gravitational body forces on earth, the weight of soil grains develops interparticle compressive stresses which mask true soil constitutive behavior even in the smallest samples of models. Therefore the microgravity environment induced by near-earth orbits of spacecraft provides unique experimental opportunities for testing theories related to the mechanical behavior of soils. Such materials may include cohesionless soils, silt, clay, industrial powders, crushed coal, etc. Th...
Reconnecting Knowledge Utilization and School Improvement: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

Concerned about the lack of attention currently being given to dissemination and knowledge utilization in school reform, Karen Seashore Louis’ main purpose in this chapter is to ‘reconnect’ knowledge utilization and school improvement. In addressing her theme, she reviews the current “state of the art” in knowledge utilization theory, and discusses how it is connected both to school effectiveness and improvement research. In the second section of the chapter some new perspectives, that have the potential for altering the way in which we understand knowledge utilization, are considered. In concluding, Seashore Louis outlines an emerging model that reconnects knowledge utilization and school improvement theory, as well as identifying implications for practice.
Allonursing and Cooperative Birthing Behavior in Yellowstone Bison, Bison bison

We document allonursing and cooperative birthing behavior in wild Bison near Yellowstone National Park in the western United States. During spring 2007, two female Bison nursed each other’s newborn calves and mutually cleaned both calves and consumed expelled birth material. Intensive cooperative birthing behavior has never been documented in wild Bison before. This observation of allonursing might be explained by kin selection and reciprocal altruism.
Opportunities for Obtaining and Using Litigation Reserves and Disclosures

In late 1975, the accounting and legal professions reached an accord that led to three new professional standards: (1) a new financial accounting rule for contingencies, (2) an auditing standard addressing the requirement that an auditor obtain evidence about an audit client's contingent liabilities to determine whether the client has properly treated those items in its financial statements, and (3) the American Bar Association's Statement of Policy Regarding Lawyers' Responses to Auditors' Requests for Information under that auditing standard. The Commentary that accompanied the Statement of Policy explicitly stated that the organized bar's expectation that communications between lawyers and auditors in accordance with the Statement of Policy would not prove prejudicial to clients engaged in or facing adversary proceedings. If developments occurred to negate that expectation, the Statement of Policy recognized that the American Bar Association may need to review and revise both the Statement of Policy and the accord. Using several recently settled cases as examples, this article shows that existing law often allows litigation opponents access to significant information about the evaluations of an enterprise's management, auditor, and attorneys about the enterprise's exposure in the litigation, potentially evidenced by amounts that the enterprise has already accrued as an expense under the financial accounting rules. Since the accord and the Statement of Policy, three important developments have significantly changed the then-present legal landscape: the enhanced federal securities law disclosures in the Management's Discussion and Analysis requirements, the Supreme Court's 1984 opinion in United States v. Arthur Young & Co., and the "economic performance" requirement that the Tax Reform Act of 1984 added to Section 461(h) of the Internal Revenue Code. Given those developments, the article calls for a review of the accord and the Statement of Policy. Pending such review, this article also proposes a new rule of evidence that, similar to Rule 411 of the Federal Rules of Evidence on liability insurance, would allow the discovery of information about litigation reserves, but generally bar such information from admission into evidence at trial.
Synthesis of Norbornenyl Telechelic Polyphosphazenes and Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization Reactions

Mono- and ditelechelic linear polyphosphazenes, functionalized with a norbornene end group, were synthesized through the termination of living poly(dichlorophosphazene) with norbornenyl phosphoranimines. These materials were employed as macromonomers for the synthesis of graft copolymers via the ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of the terminal norbornenyl component. Norbornenyl monotelechelic polyphosphazenes with various molecular weights yielded un-cross-linked graft copolymers when subjected to ROMP. The ditelechelic polyphosphazenes yielded branched or cross-linked materials due to the multiple reactive sites. In addition, the 5-norbornene-2-methoxy phosphoranimine was polymerized via ROMP to yield materials that consisted of a polynorbornene backbone with phosphoranimine pendent side groups.
Evaluating health-care needs of the poor: A community-oriented approach

Purpose Concern has arisen over the provision of health care for the poor. In a project sponsored by a local community hospital, we conducted a telephone survey to determine unmet health-care needs of low-income families living in Orange County, California, and made recommendations to address those needs. Methods The survey assessed demographic characteristics and access to medical care of 652 adults and their families. Results In general, we found that the poor (incomes below 125% of the poverty level), the uninsured, and the Latino respondents had lower access measures than the nearly poor (incomes between 125% and 200% of the poverty level), insured, and Anglo subjects. However, insurance status was the strongest predictor of access in this low-income population. Important unmet health-care needs included prenatal care and preventive care. In response to our findings, the sponsoring hospital has instituted new health-care programs to help meet these needs. Conclusions This community-oriented approach for improving problems of access to medical care for the poor may be appropriate for other localities.
Current management and clinical outcome of hemangiopericytomas.

Abstract Hemangiopericytoma is a rare vascular tumor with variable malignant potential. We report perioperative embolization of a hemangiopericytoma and review the Virginia Mason Clinic experience with six patients during the period 1975 to 1990 with respect to demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome. Our experience suggests that hemangiopericytomas have a variable but predictable malignant potential based on histology and clinical behavior. Three of six patients died of their disease. The remainder were alive and well at 1, 3.5, and 12 post-operative years. These tumors can be specifically and completely delineated preoperatively using magnetic resonance imaging and angiography, the diagnostic procedures of choice. Hemangiopericytomas are highly vascular and amenable to preoperative transarterial embolization. Our most recent case was performed without blood transfusion. This differs from literature reports of massive transfusion requirements and two cases of exsanguination following resection. Finally, recent literature has reported these tumors to respond to greater than 4,500 cGy of local postoperative radiotherapy. We conclude that this interval review of hemangiopericytomas is both timely and relevant with respect to recent developments in imaging and catheter technology. We recommend routine angiography and perioperative embolization prior to wide excision and postoperative radiotherapy.
Location of hydrogen adsorbed on palladium (111) studied by low-energy electron diffraction

Low-energy-electron-diffraction (LEED) I-V curves have been measured for H adsorbed on Pd(111) in the (\ensuremath{\surd}3 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} \ensuremath{\surd}3 )R30\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}-2H structure, which occurs at a coverage \ensuremath{\Theta}=(2/3. The measurements are compared to calculations using dynamical LEED techniques. Twenty-one distinct geometry types were investigated, each one with metal-interlayer relaxations allowed and the distance of the H atom above (or below) the top Pd layer varied. The metal-interlayer spacings that we find are within error bars of those of the clean surface. Agreement between theory and experiment was achieved for structures with one of the two H atoms in the unit mesh in a threefold hollow surface site, above third-layer metal atoms (denoted ``A+''). The second H resides either in the same type of site or in another type of threefold site, such as the hollow surface site above second-layer metal atoms B+ or the subsurface sites between first- and second-layer metal atoms, A- or B-. We find that good reliability factors R are achieved for subsurface occupation fractions up to 60%. The results are consistent with the embedded-atom-method prediction of substantial subsurface H and with previous electron-stimulated desorption measurements.
Kinematics of densely flowing granular mixtures.

We measure the kinematics of segregating granular mixtures in dense free-surface boundary-layer flow in a rotated drum. We find that in a segregating mixture, the different components move with roughly the same velocities, except for a relatively small segregation velocity perpendicular to the direction of flow. On the other hand, the mean variance of the velocities---often associated with a granular temperature---may differ for the two components. In the majority of the high-density boundary layer, the difference is driven by relative particle size and may be understood considering a geometrically motivated model. In the low-density region at the top of the boundary layer, the difference is driven by relative particle mass, similar to observations in more energetic systems.
Implementing Lessons Learned for NOAA's Emergency Response Division

ABSTRACT NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration Emergency Response Division (ERD) is committed to continually improving their response capabilities to hazardous material releases that affect lif...
Preschool prediction: Orthographic and phonological skills, and reading.

Because of the research demonstrating the roles of phonological awareness, serial naming speed, and orthographic processing in reading, a test of each of these skills was added to a preschool screening battery. The main aim of the study was to determine whether these measures would contribute to the prediction of reading. The 118 subjects were first tested six months before kindergarten entry and were followed up 19 and 24 months later. Each additional screening test made a significant, independent contribution to the prediction of early first grade word reading/spelling, after the contributions of a parent rating of preschool reading ability (PRA), verbal IQ, socio-economic status (SES), and chronological age were accounted for. With letter naming and PRA, the additional tests were responsible for 62 percent of the variance. The orthographic test made the largest single contribution (32%) to the variance in word reading/spelling.
Effective treatment of autoimmune disease and progressive renal disease by mixed bone-marrow transplantation that establishes a stable mixed chimerism in BXSB recipient mice

Male BXSB mice spontaneously develop autoimmune disease with features similar to systemic lupus erythematosus. To determine whether this autoimmune disease can be treated as well as prevented by bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) and, at the same time, whether the immunity functions of lethally irradiated recipients can be reconstituted fully, male BXSB mice were engrafted with mixed T cell-depleted marrow (TCDM) both from fully allogeneic autoimmune-resistant BALB/c mice and from syngeneic autoimmune-prone BXSB mice, after the onset of autoimmune disease in the recipient mice. BMT with mixed TCDM from both resistant and susceptible strains of mice (mixed BMT) established stable mixed chimerism, prolonged the median life span, and arrested development of glomerulonephritis in BXSB mice. BMT with mixed TCDM also reduced the formation of anti-DNA antibodies that are observed typically in male mice of this strain. Furthermore, mixed BMT reconstituted the primary antibody production in BXSB recipients impressively. These findings indicate that transplantation of allogeneic autoimmune-resistant TCDM plus syngeneic autoimmune-prone TCDM into lethally irradiated BXSB mice can be used to treat autoimmune and renal disease in this strain of mice. In addition, this dual bone-marrow transplantation reconstitutes the immunity functions and avoids the immunodeficiencies that occur regularly in fully allogeneic chimeras after total body irradiation. This report describes an effective treatment of progressive renal disease and autoimmunity by establishing a stable mixed chimerism of TCDM transplantation from allogeneic autoimmune-resistant BALB/c mice plus syngeneic autoimmune-prone BXSB mice into BXSB mice.
Melanocytes and Iris Color: Light Microscopic Findings

Objective: To systematically evaluate morphologic differences in iris stroma that contribute to clinically perceptible differences in iris color, using immunohistochemical identification of stromal melanocytes and fluorescence microscopy. Methods: Paraffin-embedded sections from 51 human irides were stained with S100a and fluorescein isothiocyanate. Cells were counted and scored as melanocytes or other. Melanocyte number, proportion, and density were determined for light-colored (blue), medium-colored (hazel) and dark-colored (brown) irides and compared. Results: No statistically significant difference was observed for mean total cellularity or mean melanocyte number among the three color groups. Mean total stromal cell count was 1177±259 (mean±SEM), and mean melanocyte number was 778±196 per 5-μm section. In human irides, 65.9% of the iris stroma is composed of melanocytes. Melanocyte density (number of cells per square millimeter) is not related to iris color. Conclusion: The number of melanocytes, the proportion of melanocytes, and iris stromal cellularity are not major contributors to iris color.
Capital investment timing and convertible debt financing

Abstract We provide preliminary evidence that firms time capital investment decisions in a manner consistent with prescriptions from the real options literature. A prominent model of investment timing implies that firms with high-expected growth, high volatility, and low capital costs should defer investment longest. We examine capital expenditure patterns for a sample of 719 firms following issuance of convertible bonds because of the hypothesized role of these instruments in sequential investment. The findings are consistent with predictions: i.e., firms exhibiting high-growth prospects, high volatility, and low capital costs tend to defer subsequent investment longer.
The Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial: Current Status

ABSTRACTPurpose: The rationale, design considerations and current status of the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial (PCPT) are presented.Materials and Methods: The design considerations for a prevention study involving finasteride were reviewed. Most notable was the end of study biopsy planned for all participants to eliminate any detection bias caused by the effect of finasteride on prostate specific antigen.Results: During a 3-year period 18,882 men were randomized in the PCPT. The final end of study biopsy is planned for May 2004. The study was closed 15 months before the final anticipated participant biopsy by the independent Data and Safety Monitoring Committee due to a 24.8% reduction in prostate cancer with finasteride.Conclusions: The extraordinary accrual of PCPT of healthy men in a prospective study to test an intervention for prostate cancer prevention illustrates the potential for future studies. The positive results of the trial as well as many observations that have been made of the study popul...
Hormonal control of female sexual behavior in the rat

Abstract Graded amounts of estradiol benzoate (ranging from 0.48 to 500 μg/kg) were administered to ovariectomized, adrenalectomized female rats in order to analyze the effects of estrogen on the qualitative and quantitative aspects of female reproductive behavior in this species. The interaction of hormone dose and copulatory stimulation was also investigated. In this study, soliciting behavior and lordosis responses were broken down into subcategories. There were three main results. First, it was found that the responses were hierarchically arranged such that, with increasing doses of hormone, the common elements of sexual responding appeared in the same order across individual females. Second, the chronic endocrine background of the female influenced the degree of her receptivity following an acute injection of estrogen. Third, repeated elicitation of lordosis by copulatory stimulation facilitated the subsequent occurrence of lordosis.
Quasi-group-velocity matching using integrated-optic structures

We propose a device to compensate for group-velocity mismatch (GVM) effects that limit the efficiency–bandwidth product in nonlinear frequency-mixing devices. Integrated wavelength-dependent delay lines are introduced periodically in a waveguide containing a series of quasi-phase-matching (QPM) gratings. Appropriate choice of the time delays can compensate for GVM. We have demonstrated a two-stage device in a periodically poled lithium niobate waveguide. Two approximately 150-fs-long pulses generated 6 ps apart by second-harmonic generation in two QPM gratings were resynchronized by a fixed delay line, and their relative phase was fine controlled by temperature tuning. This technique, which can be iterated to more than two segments, permits optical frequency mixers with a higher efficiency–bandwidth product than would be possible in a single grating short enough to avoid GVM effects.
Affective science and health: the importance of emotion and emotion regulation.

Objective: The goal of this article is to provide insight into how recent findings from affective science may be translated into the health arena. Methods: We first review definitional issues related to the key concepts of emotion and stress. We then review relevant research that informs our understanding of the affect–health relationship. Subsequently, we highlight findings that are the most informative and also ripe for translation into the domains of health and health-related behaviors. Results: We identify several domains of affect-relevant processes (e.g., emotion-regulation, stress response) that would benefit from increased elaboration. Three themes may guide how best to broaden our understanding across multiple domains: the need to use a differentiated emotion-based approach, the need to consider potential synergistic and oppositional effects of emotion that can occur in parallel, and the need to examine the impact of emotions with respect to regulation and coping at both the intra- and interindividual levels. Building on insights derived from these themes, we suggest a broad integrative framework for use with future investigations. This framework categorizes potential emotion-related effects on health according to whether they influence health directly (e.g., shaping physiological responses) or indirectly (e.g., guiding decision making and behavior). Using this approach will allow researchers to examine systematically the often simultaneous and sometimes opposing influences of emotion on distinct health-relevant cognitive and physiological mechanisms, and to integrate across potentially disparate findings. Conclusions: We conclude by suggesting opportunities for future work that we see as most fruitful based on the presented framework.
Kinetics of platelet density subpopulations in splenectomized mongrel dogs

Autologous /sup 51/Cr-platelet kinetic studies were performed in splenectomized mongrel dogs. Mean survival time of PRP-platelets was 5.4 +/- 1.5 (SD) days (n . 6). The curves, though slightly curvilinear, showed mostly a linear type of decay, denoting that platelet removal from the circulation is mainly determined by aging of the cells. High-density (HD) and low-density (LD) platelet cohorts were isolated in Stractan gradients from samples drawn daily after infusion of labeled platelets. Specific radioactivity in HD cohorts declined rapidly postinfusion (T1/2 . 1.3 days), but specific radioactivity in LD platelets increased for 2 days and steadily declined for 4 days thereafter (n . 6). Labeled HD platelets, comprising 11.7% of the total population, lived significantly longer in circulation than LD platelets (19.1% of the total population) (n . 3). The patterns of decay of the radioactivity, however, do not have all the characteristics of pure age-cohort survival curves; 3.7 days after the infusion of labeled HD platelets, the specific radioactivity in LD cohorts was six times higher than on day 1, but attained only 20% of the initial specific radioactivity in HD platelets. After the infusion of labeled LD platelets no radioactivity was recovered in circulating HD cohorts. Thesemore » findings indicate that mongrel dog platelets decrease in density with aging, but also that platelet density heterogeneity is in part determined during the thrombopoietic process. These data are consistent with those of other authors in rabbits and rhesus monkeys, but contrast with the observations that platelets in humans, baboons, and Macaca fascicularis monkeys increase in density with age, suggesting that the displacement of platelets toward compartments of either higher or lower density depends on the species under study.« less
The Art of Contemplative and Mindfulness Practice: Incorporating the Findings of Neuroscience into Pastoral Care and Counseling

This article draws on recent neuroscientific research evidence that demonstrates the plasticity and malleability of the human brain to make the case for greater use of contemplative and mindfulness practices in pastoral care and counseling. It explores the negativity bias of the brain as it has evolved and argues that mindful awareness practices have the ability to work against this bias in favor of less fearful and anxious perspectives on life, including interpersonal relationships. Contending for a higher evaluation of Christian practices than beliefs, it specifically targets the doctrine of original sin as a contributor to this negativity bias, and advocates the use of Christian meditative practices, especially the Centering Prayer, as a means to foster brain resculpting that is integral to the experience of becoming aware of oneself as a new creation.
Universal scaling law for energy and pressure in a shearing fluid.

Using nonequilibrium molecular-dynamics simulation, we study the shear-rate dependence of pressure and potential energy in a liquid metal subjected to shear. We show that both thermodynamic properties vary according to a power law ${\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}}^{\ensuremath{\beta}}$ of the shear rate $\stackrel{\ifmmode \dot{}\else \.{}\fi{}}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, in which the exponent $\ensuremath{\beta}$ is a simple linear function of temperature and density. Moreover, we establish that the coefficients for this linear law are the same as those previously obtained for a Lennard-Jones fluid by Ge et al. [Phys. Rev. E 67, 061201 (2003)]. This is a strong indication that these coefficients, as well as the linear law for $\ensuremath{\beta}$, could be applicable to any atomic fluid. It is also an important step toward the determination of a nonequilibrium equation of state, which would predict the value of pressure and energy of a shearing fluid for any state point and any value of the applied shear rate.
Carcinoid tumors of the ovary

Carcinoid tumors of the ovary are uncommon, but 150 cases of primary ovarian carcinoids and 40 cases of carcinoid tumors metastatic to the ovary have been reported.
Study design in the evaluation of breast cancer imaging technologies.

Rationale and Objectives . Bringing a new imaging technology to market is a complex process. Beyond conceptualization and proof of concept, obtaining U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for clinical use depends on the documented experimental establishment of safety and efficacy. In turn, safety and efficacy are evaluated in the context of the intended use of the technology. The purpose of this study was to examine a conceptual framework for technology development and evaluation, focusing on new breast imaging technologies as a highly visible and current case in point. Materials and Methods . The FDA views technology development in terms of a preclinical and four clinical phases of assessment. With a concept of research and development as a learning model, this phased-assessment concept of regulatory review against intended use was integrated with a five-level version of a hierarchy-of-efficacy framework for evaluating imaging technologies. Study design and analysis issues are presented in this context, as are approaches to supporting expanded clinical indications and new intended uses after a new technology is marketed. Conclusion . Breast imaging technologies may be intended for use as replacements for standard-of-care technologies, as adjuncts, or as complementary technologies. Study designs must be appropriate to establish claims of superiority or equivalence to the standard for the intended use. Screening technologies are ultimately judged on their demonstrated effectiveness in decreasing cause-specific mortality through early detection, but they may be brought to market for other uses on the basis of lesser standards of efficacy (eg, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and stage of disease detected).
THE SYNTHESIS, PHYSICAL, AND SPECTRAL PROPERTIES, AND SOME REACTIONS OF A NEW STABLE bis-α-LACTAM (AZIRIDINONE) WITH A TERPENE SKELETON

A synthesis of a new stable bis-α-lactam, cis-1,1′(p-menth-1,8-ylene) bis(3-tert-butyl-2-azirididone) (4), derived from p-menthane, is described. Complete spontaneous thermal decomposition required 1h of reflux in boiling n-decane (b.p. 174°C) and the products are 2,2-dimethylpropanal (pivalaldehyde) (6) and 1,8-diisocyano-p-menthane (7). Reaction with benzylamine yielded the unexpected bis-benzylamide (13a), while reaction with sodium methoxide gave the bis-α-amino acid ester (14).
Inhibition of Spindle Elongation by Taxol

During anaphase B spindle elongation, interzonal microtubules lengthen to accomplish pole-pole separation, while at the same time remaining highly dynamic [Shelden and Wadsworth, J. Cell Sci. 97:273-281, 1990]. To further examine the role of microtubule polymerization and dynamics during spindle elongation, cells have been treated with taxol, which induces microtubule polymerization and stabilizes microtubules. Taxol was added to PtK1 cells 3 minutes after initial chromatid separation, so that the effect on anaphase B could be observed with minimal disruption to anaphase A movement. In 20 microM taxol, the rate and extent of pole-pole separation, measured from time-lapse video records, are reduced to 4% and 9.5% of controls, respectively. The organization of microtubules in taxol treated cells was examined using tubulin immunofluorescence and confocal fluorescence microscopy. Taxol induces a dramatic reorganization of interzonal microtubules resulting in a narrow gap, which is nearly completely lacking in MTs, across the center of the interzone. Furthermore, microtubules in taxol treated cells are resistant to nocodazole induced microtubule disassembly. Our results reveal that taxol rapidly inhibits anaphase B spindle elongation; inhibition is accompanied by a depletion of interdigitated interzonal microtubules and a reduction in microtubule dynamic behavior.
Pulling-into-step equations solved

By means of the “differential analyzer,” the equations describing the pulling-into-step transients of a synchronous motor can be solved readily and accurately. The results of such solutions give a rather complete analysis of pulling-into-step phenomena, and thus make possible the determination of the performance of practically any synchronous motor. Practical application of the study is illustrated by a numerical example.
Compressibility of Thin Film Lubricants Characterized Using Atomistic Simulation

Compressibility of thin lubricating films remains incompletely understood. Molecular dynamics simulations of a polymeric fluid confined in a nanoscale channel are used to investigate the effects of pressure and temperature on a thin film’s response to compression. The observed trends are analyzed and compared to predictions of traditional, bulk fluid compressibility models. At ambient temperatures and pressures, molecular dynamics and bulk fluid models predict consistent trends for both the volume ratio and the bulk modulus. However, small deviations between the models suggest that molecular-scale confinement may, under some conditions, affect a fluid’s compressibility such that it is not necessarily predictable using bulk fluid theories.
REDUCTION OF SERUM LIPIDS FOLLOWING PORTACAVAL TRANSPOSITION IN DIABETIC DOGS.

Abstract In alloxan diabetic dogs, the serum lipid concentrations vary inversely with the insulin dosage, but it was not possible to give sufficient insulin to maintain normal (Prediabetic) lipid concentrations. This appeared to be because carbohydrate metabolism is more responsive to insulin, and hypoglycemia develops before blood lipid concentrations are restored to normal. FFA concentrations were not restored to normal despite control of diabetes. Transposition of the portal vein and vena cava in diabetic dogs was followed by decline of blood lipid concentrations to or below normal without distortion of hepatic function. After these operations, FFA concentrations were reduced to normal when the diabetes was controlled. Possible clinical application of these findings is discussed.
Reperfusion injury to endothelial cells after cold storage of rat livers: protection by mildly acidic pH and lack of protection by antioxidants

Lethal reperfusion injury to sinusoidal endothelial cells occurs after cold ischemic storage of livers and may be responsible for liver graft failure from storage injury. Here, we evaluated potential mechanisms underlying this reperfusion injury. In rat livers stored in Euro-Collins solution for 24 h and reperfused with Krebs-Henseleit bicarbonate buffer, nonparenchymal cell killing showed periportal predominance as assessed by nuclear staining with trypan blue. In livers reperfused in the retrograde direction, the lobular distribution of cell killing was reversed, indicating that cell killing was more rapid in oxygenrich upstream regions. However, antioxidants, including allopurinol, desferrioxamine, catalase, superoxide dismutase, superoxide dismutase plus catalase, and U74006F, did not reduce cell killing. Similarly, reperfusion with anoxic buffer did not prevent lethal injury. Antioxidants and anoxic reperfusion also did not improve cell viability in livers stored in UW solution. Nevertheless, superoxide generation, as identified by formazan formation from nitroblue tetrazolium, was increased in Kupffer cells after lives storage and reperfusion as compared to unstored livers. Acidification of the reperfusion buffer from pH 7.4 to pH 7.15 reduced overall nonparenchymal cell killing from about 40% to 10%. Moreover, a pH gradient developed across the liver lobule during reperfusion with the effluent 0.2–0.4 pH units more acidic than the influent. This intralobular pH gradient appears to account for the relative sparing of cells in more acidic downstream regions of the lobule. Lower temperatures of reperfusion also reduced lethal injury. In conclusion, Kupffer cells generated superoxide after perfusion of stored rat livers, but formation of oxygen free radicals did not appear to contribute to lethal reperfusion injury to endothelial cells. Rather, mildly acidotic pH was protective against lethal injury. Thus, hydrogen ion concentration may be a critical determinant of reperfusion injury to sinusoidal endothelial cells.
The impact, control, and mitigation of off-road vehicle activity in Hungry Valley, California

Hungry Valley, and arid basin situated within the Transverse Ranges of Southern California, has been utilized by off-road vehicles (ORVs) since 1971. Loss of vegetation, severe soil erosion and gullying, alluvial fan formation, and increased sediment discharge are the direct results of ORV activity in the valley. These hydrologic-geologic effects have been documented and monitored utilizing sequential aerial photographs, ground surveys, and sediment transport measurements. Despite the increased usage of ORVs on public lands, and the well-documented short-term physical environmental impacts, little data exists on erosion or sediment transport rates in disturbed vs. adjacent undisturbed areas, the ability of natural vegetation to re-establish itself, or the feasibility of site rehabilitation techniques or methods.
Development and Pathophysiological Basis of Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Myocardial Infarction: Part III, 1981–1985 Registries of Intracoronary Thrombolytic Therapy and Experimental Reperfusion Studies

The angiographic results of intracoronary thrombolysis were correlated with various outcome parameters in three registries. The West German Registry (n = 232) showed that mortality and improvement of left ventricular function were related to recanalization and prevention of reocclusion. This registry became the core database for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of thrombolytic agents for myocardial infarction in 1982. The European Registry (n = 414) analyzed changes in left ventricular ejection fraction further. A continuous model suggested that the functional benefit of reperfusion decreases rapidly and in a nonlinear fashion with delays in treatment during the first 3 hours. Reperfusion after > 6 hours was still associated with a significant benefit, which appeared to be related to collateral flow to the infarct zone. Myocardial salvage in experimental reperfusion studies and the reperfusion injury controversy are reviewed. In experimental studies performed by our group, it was found that thrombolytic agents did not exacerbate myocardial hemorrhage or increase infarct size. The Goettingen Registry (n = 152) demonstrated that reperfusion resulted in a steeper slope of the regression line between infarct size determined by ventriculography and cumulative serial creatine kinase release. Furthermore, reperfusion was associated with transient loss of R waves and transient development of Q waves. The implications of these findings regarding the reperfusion injury controversy and assessment of infarct size are discussed. Other analyses of the Goettingen data found that flow patterns to the infarct zone at preintervention angiography correlated with the duration of angina pectoris, incidence of antianginal therapy, and baseline ejection fraction. Assessment of the reliability of the admission ECG showed that half of the patients with infarction due to occlusion of the circumflex artery lacked diagnostic changes. The Goettingen Registery followed the first group of 70 patients ever treated with intracoronary thrombolytic therapy for 3 years. Mortality was low by the standards of the time. Reperfusion was associated with sustained improvement of left ventricular function and often dramatic clinical stabilization not seen before.
Host genotype overrides fungal endophyte infection in influencing tiller and spike production of Lolium perenne (Poaceae) in a common garden experiment

Leaves of many cool-season grasses are infected by endophytic fungi that can impact their populations. A common garden experiment with Lolium perenne was established in a lawn in New Jersey, USA, to investigate the impact of endophyte infection and host genotype on tiller and spike production over three years. Infected (E+) and uninfected (E-) plants of each genotype were monitored every 2-3 mo. Infection intensity within plants varied significantly among genotypes and years, but there was no evidence of directional change over time. Tiller production varied significantly among genotypes and was affected by endophytes: E+ plants of several genotypes produced more tillers than E- plants during the third year. E+ plants had greater aboveground biomass, but host genotype explained a far greater proportion of variation in tiller production, number, and biomass than infection. Plant survival, percentage flowering, flowering date, number of spikes, and mean tiller mass were unaffected by endophytes. However, the last three variables showed significant variation among host genotypes. Although studies have demonstrated a positive growth effect of endophytes on several grass hosts, in this experiment host genotype accounted for far more of the variation in tiller and spike production and in biomass of Lolium perenne than endophyte infection.
Steered Beam and LMS Interference Canceler Comparison

The performance of two kinds of interference cancelers is compared, namely, a constrained steered beam interference canceler (CSBIC) and a least mean square interference canceler (LMSIC). For simplicity, this is done for a two-element array. In our comparison we use the array output desired signal-to-interference power ratio (SIR) and the desired signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). These power ratios are obtained for the CSBIC and LMSIC under two sets of conditions: 1) The error in the assumed angle of incidence for the CSBIC is small, and the LMSIC operates in a codetracking mode. 2) The error in the assumed angle of incidence for the CSBIC is large, and the LMSIC operates in a code-acquisition mode. Comparison of the corresponding power ratios obtained under these two sets of conditions then establishes the condition under which it is more desirable to use a CBSIC as compared with an LMSIC.
Adsorption of copper onto goethite in aqueous systems

The adsorption of copper(II) onto goethite was studied as a function of pH, total dissolved copper concentration, surface area of goethite, and ionic strength. The adsorption of copper was similar to that of other hydrolyzable metals. A tenfold increase in goethite surface area had a significant effect on the adsorption edge, but a tenfold increase in the ionic strength of the medium did not effect the adsorption edge. The distribution coefficients increase sharply with increase in pH and ranged from 10 to 60,000 ml/g over a range of two and half pH units, depending on the goethite surface area and copper concentration. A tenfold decrease in ionic strength as well as a tenfold increase in surface area of goethite did not have any effect on the magnitude of distribution coefficients. Distribution coefficients were used to calculate the number of protons released per mole of copper adsorbed during the adsorption process. The average number of protons released per mole of copper adsorbed was estimated to be 1.40 ± 0.10.
Spatial effects of reservoirs on fish assemblages in great plains streams in Kansas, USA.

Reservoirs are important components of modern aquatic ecosystems that have negative impacts on native aquatic biota both up- and downstream. We used a landscape-scale geographic information system (GIS) approach to quantify the spatial effects of 19 large reservoirs on upstream prairie fish assemblages at 219 sites in Kansas, USA. We hypothesized that fish assemblage structure would vary with increasing distance from a reservoir and that the abundance of reservoir fishes in upstream reaches would decline with distance from a reservoir. Ordination of sample sites showed variation in fish assemblage structure occurred primarily across river basins and with stream size. Variance partitioning of a canonical ordination revealed that the pure effect of reservoir distance explained a small but significant (6%; F = 4.90, P = 0.002) amount of variability in fish assemblage structure in upstream reaches. Moreover, reservoir species catch per unit of effort (CPUE) significantly declined with distance from a reservoir, but only in fourth- and fifth- order streams (r2 = 0.32, P < 0.001 and r2 = 0.49, P < 0.001, respectively). Finally, a multivariate regression model including measures of stream size, catchment area, river basin, and reservoir distance successfully predicted CPUE of reservoir species at sites upstream of Kansas reservoirs (R2 = 0.45, P < 0.001). Overall, we found significant upstream effects of reservoirs on Kansas stream fish assemblages, which over time has led to a general homogenization of fish assemblages because of species introductions and extirpations. However, characteristic reservoir species are present throughout these systems and the importance of spatial proximity to reservoirs is probably dependent on the availability of suitable habitat (e.g. deep pools) in these tributary streams. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Melanin, a Possible Pigment for the Photostable Electrical Responses of the Eye

Some kinds of biological tissues generate fast electrical responses to intense light and both stable and unstable responses have been detected. The unstable response is known to be associated with visual pigments. The possibility that melanin may be responsible for the photostable response is supported by a study of electrical photoresponses from various tissues.