cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Looking after Constituency Interests: The Utilisation of MP Expenses and Early Day Motions to Craft Constituency Service Home Styles

Taking advantage of the new data available from the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority, I examine whether members of the House of Commons can craft a reputation for constituency service with how they allocate their office allowances and the types of Early Day Motions (EDMs) they sponsor. Combining information on the costs of holding surgeries and the sponsorship of constituency service EDMs with the fourth wave of the 2015 British Election Study, I find that increased attention to constituency service through more spending on surgeries and sponsoring constituency EDMs helps MPs build positive reputations among citizens as constituent servants.
Improving Acute Kidney Injury-Associated Outcomes: From Early Risk to Long-Term Considerations

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after pediatric cardiac surgery in children and is associated with adverse outcomes including increased risk of death. The purpose of this review is to discuss the contemporary prevention and management considerations for children with critical cardiac disease who are at risk for and have experienced AKI. Despite numerous clinical trials, there has been little success in preventing or treating AKI. In adults and children, implementation of electronic health care alerts and care bundles have been shown to reduce AKI incidence, but the effect on long-term outcomes is variable. Follow-up with nephrology after an episode of AKI may reduce the risk for long-term complications. Prevention and treatment of AKI are paramount to reducing the risk for long-term complications which may be improved by primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention strategies. Follow-up clinics should become routine across pediatric centers to survey the development of chronic kidney disease and implement measures to mitigate progression.
A 650- μ W 4-Channel 83-dBA-SNDR Speech Recognition Front-End With Adaptive Beamforming and Feature Extraction

A speech recognition front-end combines a four-channel adaptive beamformer and a 40-feature Mel frequency extractor. The prototype processes the bitstream outputs of third-order delta–sigma modulators with a robust generalized sidelobe canceller (RGSC) for accurate steering. For a given steering vector, the beamformer adaptively places a null in the direction of the noise. Hardware sharing and DSP clock optimization reduce area and power consumption. The prototype is fabricated in 40-nm CMOS and occupies an active area of 0.89 mm2. The prototype beamformer improves speech recognition accuracy in noisy conditions from 64% to 90%.
Quantitation of reduced IL-33 levels in human serum: mitigating interference from endogenous binding partners.

Aim: IL-33 is a potential therapeutic target but commercially available assays for the quantitation of systemic IL-33 have poor reliability. Results: In commercial IL-33 kits, interference from end...
Reducing runtime for Monte Carlo estimates to Partial Differential Equations

This paper discusses multiple methods available for reducing the run time for Monte Carlo estimates to Partial Differential Equations (PDEs). PDEs appear extensively in mathematical modeling across the sciences, but they are often very difficult to solve analytically. Monte Carlo approaches provide a robust approach for generating estimates for the solutions of PDEs by simulating many random walks that travel through the domain of the specific problem. These random walks can be performed using a discrete time Markov Chain transition matrix. Two specific properties of Markov Chains can then be used to reduce the computation time, namely raising the matrix to a higher power and the independence of the random walk. When combined with parallel processing, dramatic reductions in runtime for a simulation can be achieved. This paper uses the 2D Laplace equation on a square domain as an example problem and implements all three of the techniques to reduce the computation time by a factor of nearly 150. The techniques described can be applied to other PDEs and allow researchers to either obtain results faster than the baseline, or achieve a higher accuracy in a given amount of time.
Rational selection of training and test sets for the development of validated QSAR models.

Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models are used increasingly to screen chemical databases and/or virtual chemical libraries for potentially bioactive molecules. These developments emphasize the importance of rigorous model validation to ensure that the models have acceptable predictive power. Using k nearest neighbors (kNN) variable selection QSAR method for the analysis of several datasets, we have demonstrated recently that the widely accepted leave-one-out (LOO) cross-validated R2 (q2) is an inadequate characteristic to assess the predictive ability of the models [Golbraikh, A., Tropsha, A. Beware of q2! J. Mol. Graphics Mod. 20, 269-276, (2002)]. Herein, we provide additional evidence that there exists no correlation between the values of q2 for the training set and accuracy of prediction (R2) for the test set and argue that this observation is a general property of any QSAR model developed with LOO cross-validation. We suggest that external validation using rationally selected training and test sets provides a means to establish a reliable QSAR model. We propose several approaches to the division of experimental datasets into training and test sets and apply them in QSAR studies of 48 functionalized amino acid anticonvulsants and a series of 157 epipodophyllotoxin derivatives with antitumor activity. We formulate a set of general criteria for the evaluation of predictive power of QSAR models.
Functional Genomics in Plants

The overall goal of genomics is to identify all of the genes in an organism, and then to determine the functions of these genes within the organism. Genomic technologies are mostly not new, but involve a highly increased scale applied to traditional genetic and molecular approaches. Structural genomics, for instance, involves identifying all of the genes within a single species by the sequencing of large collections of complementary DNAs (cDNAs) and/ or total genome sequencing. Understanding the actions and roles of all of the genes in an organism is a much more daunting task that will occupy biologists for many decades to come. Functional genomics refers to a suite of genetic technologies that will contribute tremendously to a comprehensive understanding of gene function, as will concurrent studies in other areas of biology (e.g. physiology, biochemistry, ecology, etc.). Many plant species are receiving some genomic characterization. This array of genomic characterizations, and comparisons with results from other biological kingdoms, will allow a uniquely valuable set of insights into what genetic functions are shared by eukaryotes, which are shared only by plants, and which are unique to individual lineages or species.
The common good, public subsistence and the functions of public undertakings in the European internal market

Despite the fact that ours are market societies, the common good – bonum commune – plays a surprisingly important role, not only in the Member States of the European Union but also in Community law. As stated in the Communication from the Commission of 20 September 2000, services of public interest are a key element in the European model of society. The new Article 16 in the EC treaty now confirms their place among the shared values of the Union and their role in promoting social and territorial cohesion. It stipulates that the Community and the Member States ... shall take care that such services operate on the basis of principles and conditions which enable them [the services] to fulfil their missions. On the other hand, as the Community is committed to the principle of free and fair competition (Art. 3g/4 EC), there is bound to be at least a certain tension between this principle and the concepts of common good or public subsistence. Economists point out that the “enemies of an open society” follow “their own interests under the cover of the common good”. Bonum commune – this “sounds like something that has been given a-priori precedence, something that calls for republican civic virtue and that would seem to place obligations above individual rights”. But the European Commission sees no contradictions here. An earlier Communication stated that “far from being incompatible, services of general economic interest, internal market and Community competition policy were complementary in the pursuit of the fundamental objectives of the Treaty. Their interplay must benefit individual citizens and society as a whole.” It is therefore consistent for Article 16 EC to state that Articles 73, 86 and 87 EC (transport / application of competition rules to public undertakings / regulations governing state aid) continue to apply fully and without prejudice.
Household technology adoption in a global marketplace: Incorporating the role of espoused cultural values

This paper extends prior research in household technology adoption by incorporating the role of espoused cultural values. Specifically, we theorize that espoused cultural values---individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity, power distance, uncertainty avoidance, and long-term orientation--play an important role in affecting consumers' behaviors by altering consumers' belief structures--attitudinal beliefs, normative beliefs, and control beliefs. Our theoretical model predicts that the impact of consumers' belief structures on household technology adoption intention varies across consumers with different cultural values. Propositions are provided to explain how different cultural mechanisms moderate the relationships between consumers' beliefs and household technology adoption intention. The paper concludes with theoretical implications, future research directions, and practical implications.
A Computational Model Relating Structure and Reactivity in Enantioselective Oxidations of Secondary Alcohols by (−)-Sparteine−Pd^(II) Complexes

The key interactions responsible for the unique reactivity of (−)-sparteine−PdX_2 complexes (X = chloride, acetate) in the enantioselective oxidation of secondary alcohols have been elucidated using quantum mechanics (B3LYP DFT with the PBF polarizable continuum solvent model). From examining many possible pathways, we find the mechanism involves: (1) substitution of the alcohol in place of an X-group, (2) deprotonation of the bound alcohol by the deposed anion and free sparteine, (3) β-hydride elimination through a four-coordinate transition state in which the second anion is displaced but tightly associated, (4) replacement of the ketone product with the associated anion. The enantioselectivities observed under base-rich reaction conditions follow directly from calculated energies of diastereomeric β-hydride elimination transition states incorporating (R) and (S) substrates. This relationship reveals an important role of the anion, namely to communicate the steric interaction of the ligand on one side of the PdII square plane and the substrate on the other side. When no anion is included, no enantioselectivity is predicted. Locating these transition states in different solvents shows that higher dielectrics stabilize the charge separation between the anion and metal and draw the anion farther into solution. Thus, the solvent influences the barrier height (rate) and selectivity of the oxidation.
An improved rendering technique for active-appearance-model-based automated age progression

Age progression is the process of creating images that suggest how a person may appear in a certain amount of time based on the effects of the aging process. Traditionally these images have been created manually by forensic artists who use both art and science to guide how representations appear, whether drawn or photo-manipulated. Automated age-progression seeks to use algorithmic methods to create accurate images of how the individual in a photo could appear after aging effects. It is still a fairly young area of research, but one promising technique suggested so far has been to use parametrically driven face models such as Active Appearance Models to modify the face appearance in an image based on a data-driven model of face aging. These can be successful but tend to suffer from reconstructed texture artifacts.
Richard Peterson and the sociology of art and literature

Abstract This essay analyzes the contributions of Richard A. Peterson to the sociology of the arts. Using an approach that converges with his orientation to the arts, it contextualizes his contribution within the state of American sociology, which, at the time, was reluctant to pay serious attention to that field. The institutional climate itself is shown to converge with American ambivalence toward the arts. By opening up a new area of research, he helped to legitimize the field for the fine arts and commercially based production, especially music. Initiator of the American study of the production of culture, he has made equally important contributions to its reception, notably through his concepts of omnivore and univore. He has helped to institutionalize the arts as a disciplinary field by his active participation in professional associations, in the United States and Europe.
Attention and the frontal cortex as examined by simultaneous temporal processing

The brain mechanisms involved in attention and memory were examined by testing rats in temporal discriminations designed to emphasize these cognitive processes. Normal rats were able to time each of two stimuli whether they were presented alone or together. Rats with lesions of the frontal cortex (FC) or nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM) were able to time each stimulus when it was presented alone, but not when it was presented together with another stimulus. Rather, these rats timed only the intruding stimulus and ignored the other, demonstrating a failure of divided attention. Rats with lesions of the fimbria-fornix (FF) or medial septal area (MSA) performed the divided attention task normally, but failed to remember the duration of a stimulus that had been terminated temporarily earlier in the trial, demonstrating a failure of working memory. These results provide another informative dissociation between the functions of the frontal and hippocampal systems, emphasizing frontal involvement in attention, and hippocampal involvement in working memory.
SUBSURFACE ENERGY STORAGE AND TRANSPORT FOR SOLAR-POWERED GEYSERS ON TRITON

The location of active geyser-like eruptions and related features close to the current subsolar latitude on Triton suggests a solar energy source for these phenomena. Solid-state greenhouse calculations have shown that sunlight can generate substantially elevated subsurface temperatures. A variety of models for the storage of solar energy in a subgreenhouse layer and for the supply of gas and energy to a geyser are examined. 'Leaky greenhouse' models with only vertical gas transport are inconsistent with the observed upper limit on geyser radius of about 1.5 km. However, lateral transport of energy by gas flow in a porous N2 layer with a block size on the order of a meter can supply the required amount of gas to a source region about 1 km in radius. The decline of gas output to steady state may occur over a period comparable with the inferred active geyser lifetime of 5 earth years. The required subsurface permeability may be maintained by thermal fracturing of the residual N2 polar cap. A lower limit on geyser source radius of about 50 to 100 m predicted by a theory of negatively buoyant jets is not readily attained.
Estimativa de Curva de Phillips para o Brasil com preços desagregados

Este artigo realiza estimativas de Curvas de Phillips para o Brasil a partir de dados de precos desagregados utilizando-se o metodo de minimos quadrados em tres estagios. Dessa forma e possivel aliviar o problema da baixa disponibilidade de dados disponivel para a economia brasileira e realizar uma analise mais detalhada da dinâmica da inflacao. As regressoes sao realizadas com a utilizacao da capacidade da industria, tal como divulgada pela FGV, como proxy para o efeito do ciclo economico sobre a inflacao, evitando, assim, o problema normalmente encontrado de baixa significância do parâmetro para o hiato do produto. Sao estimadas as variacoes do modelo basico com vistas a testar o efeito de algumas das diferentes opcoes de modelagem realizadas pela literatura, como a imposicao de verticalidade de longo prazo da Curva de Phillips e a modelagem de coeficiente de repasse nao-linear, entre outras, alem de testar o efeito da instabilidade politica no segundo semestre de 2002 sobre a dinâmica da inflacao, entre outros aspectos. Um dos resultados e que de forma geral nao e possivel rejeitar a hipotese de verticalidade de longo prazo, de forma que esta parece ser uma boa hipotese de trabalho ao se analisar a economia brasileira.
The pokemon of user support: "gotta catch 'em all!"

This paper looks at the phenomenon of Pokemon and draws parallels between the game and User Services. Various Pokemon types are discussed and their correlation to users in an academic environment.
Stimulated Thermal Scattering of Short Light Pulses

The theory of stimulated thermal scattering of trains of short light pulses is developed. Peculiar new effects are predicted for forward scattering, especially a critical dependence on the angle between scattered light and pump light. Particular emphasis is directed to the problem of pure thermal scattering. The dominant contribution to the stimulated scattering is in general due to density variations, no matter how short the light pulses are. Only under specific conditions is the density variation eliminated, allowing the observation of the pure thermal effect.
Different types of piezoceramic-structure interaction models using electro mechanical impedance technique: a review

Piezoceramic transducers (PZTs) have been successfully employed for electromechanical impedance (EMI) technique based models of structural health monitoring (SHM) in the recent past. In the EMI models, the PZTs are generally surface bonded or embedded inside the host structure, and then subjected to actuation so as to interrogate the structure for the desired frequency range. The interrogation results in the prediction of electro-mechanical (EM) admittance signatures. These EM signatures serve as indicator of the health/integrity of the structure. However to effectively monitor structural health, understanding interaction mechanism of PZT with host structure is essential. Interaction of surface bonded PZT is different from that of an embedded PZT. This paper presents an over view of all the one, two and three dimensional interaction mechanisms considering different actuation of the PZT in the presence of electric field. Additionally it presents the existing single and multiple PZTs and their mathematical relationships.
Combinations of modulators trained with the same and different target stimuli

In two autoshaping experiments, pigeons received training of several modulators with each of two target excitors. Experiment 1 used a conditioned-facilitation (A−/XA+) procedure, and Experiment 2 used a conditioned-inhibition (A+/XA−) procedure. In the first procedure, the X modulators promoted responding to A, whereas in the second they depressed responding to A. Pairs of the X modulators were then presented in conjunction with a novel target stimulus, B. The ability of those pairs to modulate responding to B was greater when the modulators in a pair had both been trained with the same A stimulus rather than with different A stimuli. That suggests an involvement of the original training targets in the transfer of modulators to a novel target.
Ligand-bound quantum dots for intracellular imaging of neural receptors

Quantum dots (QDs) may serve as improved platforms for the complex modulation and ultra-sensitive imaging of molecular signaling in cells. The time course and spatial localization of activated ligand-receptor complexes and their trafficking within cells is becoming increasingly understood as vital for propagating cell signals. However, the movement and fate of ligand-receptor pairs inside cells is difficult to define with current technologies. We have studied the intracellular trafficking of TrkA receptors using QDs conjugated with nerve growth factor, a neuropeptide ligand critical for nervous system development and regulation. We find that NGF-QDs bind and activate TrkA surface receptors in PC12 neurons. Spatiotemporal maps of TrkA-NGF-QD endocytosis and translocation can be directly visualized with single QD resolution. Moreover, single molecule tracking experiments indicates that QDs complexes are actively shuttled over long distances within newly-sprouted neuronal processes. These results indicate that QDs can serve as effective high-resolution probe to track ligand-receptor function in the interior of cells.
A TOCA/CDC-42/PAR/WAVE functional module required for retrograde endocytic recycling.

Endosome-to-Golgi transport is required for the function of many key membrane proteins and lipids, including signaling receptors, small-molecule transporters, and adhesion proteins. The retromer complex is well-known for its role in cargo sorting and vesicle budding from early endosomes, in most cases leading to cargo fusion with the trans-Golgi network (TGN). Transport from recycling endosomes to the TGN has also been reported, but much less is understood about the molecules that mediate this transport step. Here we provide evidence that the F-BAR domain proteins TOCA-1 and TOCA-2 (Transducer of Cdc42 dependent actin assembly), the small GTPase CDC-42 (Cell division control protein 42), associated polarity proteins PAR-6 (Partitioning defective 6) and PKC-3/atypical protein kinase C, and the WAVE actin nucleation complex mediate the transport of MIG-14/Wls and TGN-38/TGN38 cargo proteins from the recycling endosome to the TGN in Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results indicate that CDC-42, the TOCA proteins, and the WAVE component WVE-1 are enriched on RME-1–positive recycling endosomes in the intestine, unlike retromer components that act on early endosomes. Furthermore, we find that retrograde cargo TGN-38 is trapped in early endosomes after depletion of SNX-3 (a retromer component) but is mainly trapped in recycling endosomes after depletion of CDC-42, indicating that the CDC-42–associated complex functions after retromer in a distinct organelle. Thus, we identify a group of interacting proteins that mediate retrograde recycling, and link these proteins to a poorly understood trafficking step, recycling endosome-to-Golgi transport. We also provide evidence for the physiological importance of this pathway in WNT signaling.
The membrane locus of Ca-stimulated K transport in energy depleted human red blood cells.

Energy depleted human red cells subsequently exposed to iodoacetate (IAA) develop, upon the addition of Ca, a marked increase in K permeability, while Na permeability is unaltered. The kinetic characteristics of this augmented K permeability indicate that the transport process is membrane mediated. Thus, the inward and outward rate constants for K increase as the concentration of external K is increased reaching maximum values between 2 to 5mm; further increases in external K results in a partial reduction of the rate constants. In addition, the Ca-stimulated K transport system displays counterflow of42K during its influx when a large gradient of39K exists (inside high, outside low). Furthermore, the Ca-induced K transport is inhibited by ouabain. The sensitivity of the Ca-induced system to ouabain parallels the action of ouabain on the Na−K pump. At least part of the increased K transport occurs through a preexisting pathway since ouabain bound to cells before exposure to Ca and IAA results in an inhibition of K outflux. Since ouabain does not alter the affinity of the cells for Ca, it is concluded that at least a portion of the increased K transport results from Ca acting to increase the turnover rate of the same system which serves as the Na−K pump in normal red cells.
Long-range restriction maps of Plasmodium falciparum chromosomes: Crossingover and size variation among geographically distant isolates

Abstract Homologous chromosomes from the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exhibit striking size polymorphism from isolate to isolate. To examine the structural basis for these variations, we have determined full-length restriction maps of chromosome 4 from three P. falciparum clones. Two clones, HB3 and 3D7, are derived from geographically distant strains, while the third, XP5, is the product of an HB3 3D7 cross. The restriction maps show that, while the overall structure and organization of chromosome 4 from each clone are similar, large-scale variations occur within a few hundred kilobase pairs of the chromosome ends. An apparent crossover between the 3D7 and the HB3 parent chromosomes accounts for a chromosome of intermediate size in clone XP5. Similar restriction studies extended to other parasite chromosomes will ultimately yield a long-range physical map of the P. falciparum genome.
Grating and recognition acuities of pediatric patients

Acuities for gratings obtained by preferential looking (PL) that differed from expectations based upon the ophthalmologic examination prompted this study. Older pediatric patients (124 patients; mean age, 6.5 years) were tested by the PL grating test and a test of recognition acuity (pictures or letters). On the average, grating acuity was better than recognition acuity. In patients with dense amblyopia or foveal abnormalities, very large discrepancies between grating and recognition acuities were found. In nonamblyopic patients, acuities were no more discrepant than for children with normal eyes. Amblyopia was less dense by grating acuities than by recognition acuities; grating acuities were sensitive, however, to refractive and organic amblyopia but not to strabismic amblyopia. Possible explanations include the heterogeneity of patients' eye disorders, single vs. linear acuity, stimulus size and relative complexity of stimuli. These results can aid in evaluating PL grating acuities of preverbal patients, and suggest modifications of stimuli to investigate amblyogenesis.
Negligent Liability and the Foreseeability Factor: A Critical Issue for School Counselors

Negligent liability suits involving school counselors are not common, but such litigation seems to be increasing. In most of the cases cited, the defendant's alleged negligence emanated from his or her failure to provide reasonable care to individuals who were later injured or killed. Reasonable care is the standard of conduct that a reasonable and prudent person maintains in protecting those to whom he or she owes a duty of care from unreasonable risks. The author emphasizes the role that the element of foreseeability plays in determining the outcome of negligence cases and indicates those areas of responsibility that are most subject to litigation.
Fast, long-lived renaming improved and simplified

Abstract In the long-lived M-renaming problem , N processes repeatedly acquire and release names ranging over {0, …, M − 1}, where M N . It is assumed that at most k ⩽ M processes concurrently request or hold names. Efficient solutions to the long-lived renaming problem can be used to improve the performance of applications in which processes repeatedly perform computations whose time complexity depends on the size of the name space containing the processes that participate concurrently. In this paper, we consider wait-free solutions to the long-lived M -renaming problem that use only read and write instructions in an asynchronous, shared-memory multiprocessor. A solution to long-lived renaming is fast if the time complexity of acquiring and releasing a name once is independent of N . We present a new fast, long-lived ( k(k + 1) 2 ) renaming algorithm that significantly improves upon the time and space complexity of similar previous algorithms, while providing a much simpler solution. We also show that fast, long-lived (2 k − 1)-renaming can be implemented with reads and writes. This result is optimal with respect to the size of the name space.
Adaptive False Alarmrm Regulation in Double Threshold Radar Detection

In practical situations the false alarm probability in double threshold radar detection, sometimes known as binary integration with sliding window detection, is dependent on the nonstationarity and azimuthal correlation of the clutter which is present. Control of the false alarm probability can be achieved, to a certain extent, by the adjustment of the second threshold in the detection process. In this study two adaptive control techniques which are based on the statistical characteristics of the data are compared. Comparing the results for a technique based on first-order statistics with one based on second-order statistics, it is shown that the second-order, or correlation sensitive, technique can give a reduction of 30 to 45 percent in the false alarm probability with no corresponding loss in the detection probability. An interesting aspect of the results is the fact that the effects of the size of the sample area and the bias in the correlation estimator are clearly evident.
Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide Responses and Glucose Turnover Rates after Natural Meals in Type II Diabetic Patients

Gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) has insulinotropic actions in the presence of hyperglycemia. However, its extrapancreatic effects on glucose homeostasis are controversial. We have studied the relationships between GIP and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and glucose turnover rates (D3H-3 glucose technique) in five poorly controlled type II diabetic patients and five normal subjects before and after a breakfast containing 500 kcal including 42 g sucrose. Mean fasting serum glucose levels and glucose responses were significantly (P less than 0.001) higher in the diabetic patients than in normal subjects. Mean basal serum IRI levels were similar in both groups [12.8 +/- 2.9 (SEM) vs. 11.8 +/- 2 microU/ml, P = NS]. After meal ingestion, mean IRI levels rose significantly to a peak at 20 min in the normal subjects but the responses were blunted in the diabetic patients (74 +/- 10 vs. 24 +/- 6 microU/ml, P less than 0.001). At all other times studied (60-180 min), mean serum IRI levels were similar in the diabetic patients and the normal subjects except at 180 min. Mean basal serum GIP levels were similar in the diabetic patients and the normal subjects (538 +/- 100 vs. 400 +/- 50 pg/ml, P = NS). After meal ingestion, mean GIP levels rose between 0-60 min but were significantly higher in the diabetic patients only at 20 min (1200 +/- 190 vs. 566 +/- 76 pg/ml, P less than 0.01). Mean basal hepatic glucose output was higher (P less than 0.01) in the diabetic patients. However, the mean basal MCR values were similar. After meal ingestion, total splanchnic glucose output and rates of glucose utilization (RU) were significantly higher in the diabetic patients compared with the normal subjects (P less than 0.001, and P less than 0.001, respectively). Postmeal MCR values were not statistically different in both groups. There were significant positive correlations between postmeal splanchnic glucose output and both IRI (r = 0.805, P less than 0.005) and GIP (r = 0.749, P less than 0.02) in the diabetic patients but not in the normal subjects (r = 0.10, P = NS for both). Whereas no relationships existed between RU and IRI in either group, RU correlated strongly with GIP (r = 0.810, P less than 0.005) only in the diabetic patients. We hypothesize that GIP may play a compensatory role to improve both impaired beta-cell insulin release and peripheral glucose utilization which are the recognized pathogenetic mechanisms underlying type II diabetes mellitus.
Total rate of body turnover of selenium-75 in rats.

THE biological significance of selenium as an essential micronutrient and toxic agent provides great impetus to the studies of its metabolism1. The distribution of selenium in the various organs of the body has been established2, and its metabolism—as determined by methods based on its excretion in faeces, urine and exhaled air—has been reported2–6. Isotopically labelled selenium (75Se) offers two methods for studying the metabolism of this element: direct measurement of radiation coming from an animal, and the difference between the injected dose and the cumulative activity in the excreta. The latter method is generally less satisfactory because of the errors caused by the inaccuracy in collecting the excreta in quantity.
Personality correlates of patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction

Abstract A study was conducted to compare the personality characteristics of a group of patients with temporomandibular joint problems with a control group. Results indicated that a number of the characteristics tested could be identified with the problem group. From the standpoint of the dentist treating a patient with TMJ problems, the importance of recognizing psychologic factors cannot be overemphasized. This study shows that the responsibility of the dentist is not discharged merely by treating occlusal and habit patterns. The dentist should recognize the problems of his patients and should refer them to competent therapists for adjunctive treatment. The involvement of trained medical and dental personnel, aware of the interrelationship of the psychophysiologic problems in this and other dental difficulties, can serve to improve treatment. An attempt will be made with a population of clinical patients to further refine the determination of those factors which differentiate the TMJ patient from ‛nor-mal” patients. It is the ultimate hope to provide the dentist with a means by which pertinent personality factors can be determined as a corroboration of other characteristics of the TMJ dysfunction syndrome.
Inhibition of thymidylic acid kinase by 5-substituted pyrimidines.

Abstract 2-Mercapto-5-( p -chlorobenzyl) orotic aldehyde (MCBOA) inhibits the incorporation of labeled thymidine into TTP and DNA in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells in vitro . MCBOA inhibits phosphorylation of TMP to TDP by high-speed supernatants of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma and regenerating rat liver, and the inhibition is of the competitive type. MCBOA does not affect thymidine kinase, TDP kinase or the phosphorylation of uridine to UTP in high-speed supernatants of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma. Pyrimidines with bulky groups at the C-5 position inhibit TMP kinase.
A nonparametric approach to region-of-interest detection in wide-angle views

We model motion patterns using distribution of 3D structure tensor-based features.We use a nonparametric approach to learn the distribution of features.The approach detect both spatial and temporal regions-of-interest in videos.Qualitative and quantitative experiments show the effectiveness of the approach. We propose a tracking-free method to detect the regions of interest (ROI) in a wide-angle video stream. A region is defined as a statistical outlier among occurrences of motion patterns, and is detected in an unsupervised manner. Based on 3D structure tensors, the activity at any site is modeled by the probability distribution of distances between structure tensors. The distribution is estimated using a nonparametric kernel density estimator. The detection of regions is determined by observing a long period of low-probability motion occurrences. Experiments performed with real-world datasets indicate that the proposed algorithm can detect both spatial ROIs and spatio-temporal ROIs, and outperforms other nonparametric methods.
A new model for the coarsening of cocontinuous morphologies

The coarsening of fluorescently labeled polystyrene/ styrene-ran-acrylonitrile copolymer symmetric blends with cocontinuous morphologies was studied with 3D imaging. Blends with three different interfacial tensions were analyzed. Two regimes of coarsening were observed: a linear growth of the characteristic size followed by a gradual decrease of the rate of coarsening. Only the linear regime was explained by the classical analysis of phase separating systems by Siggia (Phys. Rev. A, 1979, 20, 595). Here, we propose a new model which considers both the characteristic size and the interfacial curvature. This model is a generalization of Siggia's analysis, after including the contribution of the local curvature on the capillary pressure within the interconnected domains. Our capability to compute curvature data from 3D images of the blend microstructure allowed us to test our model. Additionally, a general expression for the coarsening rate proposed by Scholten et al. (E. Scholten, L. M. C. Sagis and E. van der Linden, Macromolecules, 2005, 38, 3515) was, for the first time, assessed here. Both early and late stages of coarsening were predicted with the new model, while Scholten et al. and Siggia's expressions are able to adequately describe only one stage. A crossover between the two regimes of coarsening took place at a single value of capillary number (Ca ∼ 0.003) for all three blends, as predicted by our new expression.
MICROSTRUCTURE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL FROM HIGH-LIME FLY ASH AND RPET

Tests on composite material from high-lime (ASTM class C) fly ash and recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) were conducted to investigate the physiomechanical properties and microstructure features. Composite specimens with varying fly ash concentrations were tested in compression and tension, immersed in water to measure water absorption, and observed for shrinkage during manufacturing. Theoretical equations from modulus of elasticity and tensile strength were derived with values compared to portland cement concrete. Microstructural features associated with crack propagation during compression loading and the RPET binding mechanism were studied utilizing scanning electron and polarized reflective light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The results of this investigation showed that the fly ash concentration contributed significantly to both the strength of composite material and the crystallinity of the RPET binder. Based on the evidence, it was concluded that the composite material i...
Effect of chelating agents and superoxide on human neutrophil NAD(P)H oxidation

Abstract NAD(P)H oxidation is frequently measured to assay the activity of the neutrophil O2−-generating oxidase. It was found that 10−4 m ethylene glycol bis (β-aminoethyl ether)-N-N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) increased NAD(P)H oxidation by the 27,000g granule fraction of resting and stimulated human neutrophils without altering net O2− production. The commonly used chelating agents EDTA and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid had similar effects. The addition of superoxide dismutase eliminated the effect of the chelating agents and thus demonstrated that the stimulated reaction was dependent upon O2−. KCN and bathophenanthroline disulfonate, an iron-chelating agent, prevented O2−-dependent NADPH oxidation by neutrophil granule fractions in the presence of EGTA. In contrast, bathocuproine disulfonate, a copper-chelating agent, mimicked the EGTA effect. The effects of both bathophenanthroline disulfonate and bathocuproine disulfonate were completely abolished when the agents were saturated with iron and copper, respectively. All the chelating agents studied, except bathophenonthroline disulfonate, also promoted O2−-dependent NADPH oxidation in a system wherein O2− was generated by xanthine oxidase. Thus, commonly used chelating agents, by interacting with available iron and copper, may after the apparent stoichiometry of the neutrophil O2−-generating oxidase and artifactually increase NADPH oxidation in other systems where O2− is present.
Enhanced Visualization of Intravascular and Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus with the Use of a Thrombus-Targeting Ultrasonographic Contrast Agent (MRX-408A1): In Vivo Experimental Echocardiographic Studies

Echocardiographic evaluation for the recognition of intravascular and left atrial appendage thrombus remains a difficult problem. A thrombus-specific ultrasonographic contrast agent has the potential for an alternative approach for their delineation. The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of thrombus-specific contrast agent MRX-408A1 for the detection of acute experimentally created intravascular and intracardiac thrombus. In the first study, we created inferior vena cava thrombus in 9 dogs. With the use of fundamental 2-dimensional echocardiography imaging, we recorded images of the inferior vena cava thrombus at baseline (n = 9), with the thrombus-specific contrast agent MRX-408A1 (n = 9), and with nonspecific contrast agent MRX-113 (n = 6). In the second study, we created a left atrial appendage thrombus in 8 dogs. We imaged left atrial appendage thrombus at baseline and during MRX-113 and MRX-408A1 infusion. Thrombus was successfully created in all dogs in study 1 and in 6 of 8 dogs in study 2. MRX-408A1 produced a visually apparent increase in ultrasonographic contrast enhancement of the thrombus in all cases in which thrombus was found on autopsy. In both studies, MRX-408A1 increased the videointensity of the thrombus significantly compared with baseline images and images obtained during MRX-113 infusion. The size of the visually detectable thrombus on the image was also significantly larger during MRX-408A1 infusion than at baseline and during MRX-113 infusion. These data provide in vivo demonstration of the efficacy of a thrombus-specific contrast agent, MRX-408A1, in the detection of acute intravascular and intracardiac thrombus. It has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography for the detection of acute thrombi at various cardiovascular sites in the clinical setting.
3D Tracking of Cellular Nanoscale Dynamics with Sub-Millisecond Temporal Resolution

The study of highly dynamic cellular processes is leveraged by microscopic techniques with high temporal resolution. Especially for diffusive processes, where particle displacements can exceed 100 nm/ms, sub-millisecond temporal resolution is often required in addition to precise three-dimensional localization.We have developed a novel particle tracking microscope capable of observing fast 3D trajectories of fluorescently tagged intracellular objects with 300 μs temporal resolution [1]. Combining scanning-free biplane detection [2] with optimized beam steering, we were able to demonstrate 3D tracking of single fluorescent particles at speeds of up to 150 nm/ms over several seconds and large volumes. Maximum detection efficiency and minimal laser irradiation are guaranteed by focused excitation of only the particle of interest and by exploiting the high quantum efficiency of an EM-CCD camera. Limiting detection to a small subarea of the CCD chip improves speed and reduces background fluorescence. Combined with the absence of sample movement, these features ensure high live-sample compatibility.Here, we present recent improvements of the setup using fast adaptive optics for axial scanning. This enhances response times and eliminates mechanical coupling of moving components to the sample. We also show data from recent live-cell experiments. We have tracked actin-driven motion of GFP-labeled HIV-like particles on the cytoplasmic membrane. This “surfing” is involved in retroviral cell-to-cell spread [3] and precedes endocytosis. Fast 3D particle tracking has the potential to contribute to the understanding of the underlying mechanism.[1] M. F. Juette and J. Bewersdorf, Nano Lett., 10(11), 4657-4663 (2010).[2] M. F. Juette et al., Nat. Methods, 5(6), 527-529 (2008).[3] W. Mothes et al., J. Virol., 84(17), 8360-8368 (2010).
302 Fetal Lung Cells: A Paracrine Competence Growth Factor Active on Type II Cells

During the process of organogenesis lung mesenchyme affects the differentiation of the epithelium in an organ-specific fashion. In the present study we examined whether mesenchymal-epithelial interactions also play an important role in epithelial cell growth. We found that the mesenchyme elaborates a factor which stimulates the proliferation of fetal Type II cells. The production of the factor by the mesenchyme was organ-specific, agedependent but inhibited by glucocorticosteroids. Incubation of quiescent Type II cells with competence (PDGF) and progression (EGF + SMC, platelet poor plasma) factors in the presence or absence of fibroblast derived mitogen revealed that fetal lung fibroblasts produce a competence growth factor (FPGF: Fibroblast Pneumonocyte Growth Factor) which is capable of acting on adjacent epithelial Type II cells. These results indicate that cellular interactions within the lung influence its growth as well as its differentiation during fetal life. This study supported by grants from the ALA and NIH-HL-33069.
Critical behavior of a new class of statistical-mechanical models with continuous variables and discretely valued interactions

We formulate a new type of classical statistical-mechanical models with continuous variables but discretely valued interactions, and determine, via exact solutions and high-temperature series expansions, the critical behavior of several such models.
Acceptability of Animal-Assisted Therapy: Attitudes toward AAT, Psychotherapy, and Medication for the Treatment of Child Disruptive Behavioral Problems

ABSTRACTAnimal-assisted therapies (AATs) are not widely promoted in routine mental healthcare but represent a viable treatment option given positive perceptions of pets and growing evidence that animals provide meaningful contribution to psychological wellbeing. Relatively little is known about the general public's attitude toward AATs, especially in relation to more commonly used alternatives. This study compared the acceptability of four different treatment options (AAT, medication, psychotherapy, and no active treatment) for common externalizing behaviors in children. Parents from a community sample (N = 189) were presented with vignettes describing a child with symptoms of an externalizing behavior disorder and were asked to rate the acceptability of the four different treatment options. Participants rated AAT as a highly acceptable form of treatment and more acceptable than no active treatment and medication. However, AAT was rated as less acceptable than psychotherapy. Experiences with animals (both...
The video assessment of simulated encounters-revised (VASE-R) : Reliability and validity of a revised measure of motivational interviewing skills

The video assessment of simulated encounters-revised (VASE-R) is a video-based method, administered in individual or group settings, for assessing motivational interviewing (MI) skills. The 18-item instrument includes three video-based vignettes, in which actors portray substance abusers, with each vignette followed by questions that prompt examinees to write responses that are then scored against MI standards. The VASE-R was administered to two independent samples: (1) substance abuse practitioners participating in a study of MI training methods, and (2) MI training facilitators with a high level of MI skill and expertise. This multi-study report describes basic VASE-R psychometric properties – including scoring reliability, internal consistency, concurrent validity, and sensitivity to the effects of training – and then presents proficiency standards based on administration to a sample of MI training facilitators (MI Experts). The findings indicate excellent inter-rater reliability using intra-class correlations for the full-scale score (.85) and acceptable levels for subscales (.44 to .73). The instrument displayed strong concurrent validity with the Helpful Responses Questionnaire (HRQ) and a behavioral sample of clinician behavior with a standardized patient scored using the MI Treatment Integrity (MITI) system, as well as good sensitivity to improvement in MI skill as a result of training. The findings provide an empirical basis for suggesting VASE-R benchmarks for beginning proficiency and expert MI practice.