cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
YOUTH GANGS AND THEIR FAMILIES: EFFECT OF GANG MEMBERSHIP ON FAMILY'S SUBJECTIVE WELL-BEING

ABSTRACT Using a quasi-experimental design and self report methodology, this paper examines the effects of youth gang membership on families’ subjective well-being. Two groups of families consisting of 57 families with children in gangs or at risk of being in gangs and 57families with children not involved in gangs and not identified as at-risk of joining gangs are compared to (1) analyze differences in the levels of satisfaction and subjective well-being of families with and without children in gangs and (2) investigate the effect of the number of children in gangs on parental well-being. The families are matched on variables of (1) responding parents age (+/− 2 years); (2) the number of children a family had; (3) ages of children (+/− 1 year); (4) child's grade in school (+/− 1 grade); (5) family's socioeconomic status measured by total annual income (+/− $3000); (6) family structure; (7) church attendance; and (8) gender of the child in the program. The findings showed that parents with children in gan...
Randomization and Failure Detection: A Hybrid Approach to Solve Consensus

We present a Consensus algorithm that combines randomization and unreliable failure detection, two well-known techniques for solving Consensus in asynchronous systems with crash failures. This hybrid algorithm combines advantages from both approaches: it guarantees deterministic termination if the failure detector is accurate, and probabilistic termination otherwise. In executions with no failures or failure detector mistakes, the most likely ones in practice, Consensus is reached in only two asynchronous rounds.
Characterization and hormonal regulation of protein synthesis by the murine epididymis.

Protein synthesis and secretion were examined in vitro by incubating minced tissue with [35S]methionine. The incorporation of label into tissue plus medium was linear for the 5 h of incubation. The percentage of avail� able label incorporated into protein increased with the weight of tissue used. Approximately 13% of the label incorporated appeared in the medium after 5 h of incubation. Release of radioactive protein into the medium was characterized by an initial slow release (1-2 h) followed by a more rapid linear release between 3 and 5 h. Polyacrylamide gel electropboresis revealed that the pattern of radioactive proteins present in the medium was different from and less complex than the tissue proteins. Substantial differences in protein patterns from different epididymal regions could be detected. The caput epididymidis was particularly active in secreting proteins characteristic of this region, whereas the corpus and cauda synthesized and secreted similar proteins. At least one of these proteins characteristic of the caput is stabilized by disulpbide bonds. Short-term (9 day) castration resulted in reduced synthesis and secretion of several of these epididymal proteins. Testosterone administered after 9 days of castration reinitiated synthesis of some but not all of these epididymal proteins.
SU-GG-I-52: Kerma Area Product and Energy Incident on Patients in X-Ray Imaging

Purpose: To quantify the total x‐ray energy incident on a patient undergoing an x‐ray exposure using the Kerma Area Product. Method and Materials: Knowledge of the x‐ray beam spectrum permits the total energy in the x‐ray beam (mJ) and the corresponding Kerma Area Product (KAP, unit: Gy‐cm2) to be determined. For each x‐ray beam spectrum, conversion factors between the total energy incident on the patient and the KAP were determined (mJ/Gy‐cm2). We investigated mono‐energetic x‐ray beams and x‐ray spectra of interest in diagnostic x‐ray imaging. For the latter, we determined the importance of x‐ray tube voltage (kV), x‐ray beam filtration (mm Al), x‐ray tube anode angle (°), and voltage ripple (%). Results: Energy incident per unit KAP increases from 6.71 mJ per Gy‐cm2 for 30 keV photons to 43.5 mJ per Gy‐cm2 for 100 keV photons. For 3 mm Al filtration beams, increasing the x‐ray tube voltage from 50 kV to 100 kV increased the energy incident per unit KAP from 7.0 mJ per Gy‐cm2 18.5 mJ per Gy‐cm2. At 80 kV, increasing the x‐ray tube filtration from 1 to 5 mm Al increased the energy incident per unit KAP from 9.0 mJ per Gy‐cm2 17 mJ per Gy‐cm2. The x‐ray tube anode angle and voltage ripple had very little effect (< 20%) on energy incident per unit KAP conversion coefficients. Conclusion: Energy incident on the patient, determined from the Kerma Area Product, can be combined with absorbed fraction values to quantify energy imparted to patients.
Comparison of multilevel runlength and fixed-length modulation for optical data storage

This paper compares fixed and variable length marks for multilevel recording and gives the relative advantages and disadvantages of both.
Seasonal performance of a wetland constructed to process dairy milkhouse wastewater in Connecticut

Constructed wetlands are gaining increased attention for treatment of nonpoint sources of water pollution. Although constructed wetlands have been utilized for wastewater treatment in warm climates, their performance in cold climates has been questioned. A surface-flow wetland, designed to treat 2.65 m3 d−1 of milkhouse wastewater, was constructed on the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus in 1994. The purpose of the project was to determine the efficiency of the system in reducing nitrogen, phosphorus, five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total suspended solids (TSS), and fecal coliform bacteria (FC). The wetland was designed to process an estimated BOD5 loading rate of 7.3 g m−2 d−1, which was less than half of the average actual loading rate. The overall percentage of mass retention was 94, 85, 68, 60 and 53% for TSS, BOD5, total phosphorus, nitrate–nitrite and total Kjeldahl-nitrogen, respectively. Although the wetland became a net source of ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N) following plant die back in fall 1994, NH3–N outflow concentrations have gradually declined over time. Mass retention was significantly greater (P<0.05) during the summer than during the winter for all variables except FC. Denitrification rates measured using the acetylene block method have shown denitrification to be a minor removal mechanism (<1%) for nitrogen in this wetland. The mass balance indicated that settling and increased storage was the largest removal mechanism. The treatment of wastewater in this wetland did not meet design outflow concentration criteria, most likely due to BOD5 overloading.
Cyclin-dependent kinase TPK2 is a critical cell cycle regulator in Toxoplasma gondii

Summary The Apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii replicates by endodyogeny, an unusual form of binary fission. We tested the role of TPK2, a homologue of the CDC2 cyclin-dependent kinases, in cell cycle regulation. TPK2 tagged with HA epitope (TPK2-HA-wt) was expressed in mammalian cells as confirmed by Western blot analysis using HA tag and PSTAIRE antibodies. TPK2-HA-wt phosphorylated a peptide from Histone H1, proving that TPK2 is a functional kinase. TPK2-HA-wt coimmunoprecipitated with mammalian cyclins A, B1, D3 and E. Despite being a functional kinase, TPK2 did not rescue Schizosaccharomyces pombe cdc2 and Saccharomyces cerevisiae cdc28 mutant strains. Overexpression of a dominant-negative mutant of TPK2 (TPK2-HA-dn) in T. gondii tachyzoites arrested replication. FACS analysis of tachyzoites expressing TPK2-HA-dn revealed an increase in the fraction of cells in S-phase when compared with TPK2-HA-wt transfected parasites. Expression of TPK2-HA-wt did not arrest tachyzoite replication. No discernable G2 cell cycle block was evident suggesting that cell cycle checkpoints differ in T. gondii from most other eukaryotic cells. These data suggest that TPK2 executes an essential function in T. gondii cell cycle and is likely to be the T. gondii CDC2 orthologue.
Vincent Ferrer's Beati Petri Apostoli: Canonical and Apocryphal Sources in Popular Vernacular Preaching

Vincent Ferrer was born in Valencia on January 23, 1350 and died at Vannes (Brittany) on April 5, 1419. He grew up in a devout family, and by 1367 had joined the Order of Preachers in Valencia. As a member of the Dominican Order, Vincent Ferrer underwent extensive academic and pastoral training from 1370 to 1378 in preparation for a life of scholarly teaching and preaching. He was a teacher of logic at Lleida (1370–71), philosophy at Barcelona (1375), and he completed his formal training at Toulouse (1376–78). These academic activities reflect only one aspect of his intellectual background.
Shifts in diagnostic frequencies during the years 1975-1999.

Data on discharge diagnoses was obtained from a state-supported mental hospital located in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States for the years 1975 through 1999. Results indicated that frequencies of diagnosis of major mental disorders changed significantly during this interval, with reciprocal changes between schizo-affective and affective disorders and schizophrenia. Percentages of total discharge diagnoses of major affective disorders increased threefold, diagnoses of schizoaffective disorders increased fivefold, and schizophrenia diagnoses decreased threefold during the interval of study. Several of these trends were contemporaneous with changes in successive editions of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Additional factors that may have contributed to changes in diagnostic rates include increased access to disability payments, changes in third-party payment policies and institutional funding priorities, access to improved medications, paradigm shifts, and changes in actual incidence of the disorders. Consistent with changed social policies, length of stay decreased for all groups during the interval 1975-1999.
Cationic Liposomes and DNA Delivery

AbstractLiposome technology offers several potential advantages for delivering functioning DNA to cells in intact animals. A particular advantage of cationic liposomes is simplicity. The use of chargecharge interaction as a device for forming DNA-liposome complexes circumvents the necessity to incorporate DNA into the liposome during process of manufacturing the liposomes. In addition, cationic liposomes complexed to DNA may behave differently in. vivo than other liposomes. In the lungs, transgenes can be expressed following either intravenous or airway delivery of cationic liposome-DNA complexes. Aerosol delivery of such complexes may prove a particularly useful clinical approach. The ability to target liposomes to particular cell populations by incorporating into the liposome proteins with affinities for different cells may be a particularly useful strategy for selective delivery of DNA to sub-populations of cells in the lungs and other organs. The fact that cationic liposomes can effectively deliver tr...
Cardiovascular activities of intravenous methionine-enkephalin-ARG6-PHE7 and methionine-enkephalin-ARG6-GLY7-LEU8 in the conscious dog

The preproenkephalin A molecule from the adrenal medulla contains the opioid peptides methionine-enkephalin (Met-ENK), leucine-enkephalin (Leu-ENK), methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 (heptapeptide), and methionine-enkephalin-Arg6-Gly7-Leu8 (octapeptide). In the conscious, chronically instrumented dog, Met-ENK and Leu-ENK simultaneously increase heart rate and systemic arterial pressure following intravenous administration. In 19 of 23 dogs, heptapeptide produced a response identical to Met-ENK and Leu-ENK, which was inhibited by naloxone but unaffected by the dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase inhibitor SQ20881. However, in four dogs, heptapeptide produced only a fall in systemic pressure associated with an increase in heart rate despite characteristic Met-ENK responses in the same dogs; naloxone did not appear to alter this hypotensive response. Octapeptide produced slight increases in systemic pressure and heart rate. These data suggest that heptapeptide may possess intrinsic cardiovascular activity at opiate receptors; however, in certain dogs, non-opiate mechanisms, perhaps histamine release, may predominate.
The Relationship between Socio-demographic Characteristics, Family Environment, and Caregiver Coping in Families of Children with Cancer

The factors that influence caregiver coping mechanism preferences after a child’s diagnosis with cancer are not fully understood. This study examines the relationship between caregivers’ socio-demographic characteristics and the coping strategies they use to adapt to childhood cancer. Sixty caregivers of pediatric cancer patients completed a socio-demographic questionnaire, the Family Environment Scale, and the COPE inventory. There were no significant differences in family environment by income or education. Caregiver educational attainment was positively associated with use of planning and active coping styles, while income was not associated with caregiver coping style. Mothers were more likely than fathers to use active coping, instrumental support, religious coping, and emotional support. Men with lower education engaged in greater substance use coping and lower planning. The findings show that educational attainment and caregiver gender influence caregiver coping styles following a pediatric cancer diagnosis and suggest that educational attainment rather than financial resources drive the association between SES and coping. Programs that address educational gaps and teach caregivers planning and active coping skills may be beneficial for parents with lower educational attainment, particularly men.
Requirement of bromodeoxyuridine for the maintenance of "transformed" characteristics in bromodeoxyuridine dependent cells.

A bromodeoxyuridine (BUdr) dependent cell line, called B4, which requires BUdr not only for optimal growth but also for the maintenance of the non-contact inhibited state was described previously. We have now shown that contact inhibition in the B4 cells in the absence of BUdr is associated with a marked decrease in the percent of cells synthesizing DNA. The transition to the contact inhibited state in the absence of BUdr does not seem to be due to changes in cyclic AMP levels. It has also been shown that several but not all of the characteristics which distinguish transformed from untransformed cells also distinguish B4 cells grown in the presence of BUdr from B4 cells grown in the absence of BUdr. In addition to being contact inhibited, B4 cells grown in the absence of BUdr have a higher serum requirement, grow less well in soft agar, and are less agglutinable by wheat germ agglutinin than B4 cells grown in the presence of BUdr. Agglutinability by concanavalin A, however, is the same for B4 cells grown in the presence and absence of BUdr. Dependent cells maintained in the presence of BUdr do not form tumors and it is not yet clear how the transformed characteristics of the dependent cells are related to malignancy.
Elevated hypermutation levels in HIV-1 natural viral suppressors.

Mutations in the HIV-1 proviral genomes delay the progression of the disease. We compared the mutation status in full-length proviral genomes of 23 HIV-infected patients with undetectable viral loads in the absence of therapy named natural viral suppressors (NVS) or Elite Controllers with 23 HIV-infected controls (10 patients on HAART treatment and 13 untreated patients). Provirus DNA was extracted from PBMC for amplification and sequencing to determine the mutation status. Nine (39 %) of the 23 NVS patients had defective proviral genomes, compared to 4 of the treated controls (40%, p=0.96) and only one of the untreated controls (8%, p=0.059). Most of the defective genomes resulted from Gto-A hypermutation. Among patients with hypermutation, the rate ratio for mutation was significantly higher for the NVS compared to treated controls (p=0.043). Our data suggests that inactivation of the virus through the APOBEC3G system may contribute to the NVS phenotype.
Zinc-deficiency in intermetallics with the NaZn13 type: Re-determination of the crystal structure and physical properties of EuZn13−x (x = 0.25(1))

Abstract Reported are the synthesis from zinc flux, crystal structure re-determination from single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and magnetic properties of EuZn 13− x ( x = 0.25(1)). It crystallizes in the cubic NaZn 13 type (Pearson's symbol cF 112, space group F m 3 ¯ c , No. 226) with unit cell parameter a = 12.1651(17) A, determined at 120 K. The structure has two crystallographically unique zinc sites, one of which is partially occupied. This finding is consistent with previous experimental and theoretical work on related Zn-rich networks that suggests an optimal electron count of 27 electrons per formula unit. Temperature-dependent magnetization measurements confirm that the Eu ions in EuZn 12.75(1) are divalent as evidenced from the effective magnetic moment of 7.98 μ B .
Mass spectroscopy of hydroxamic acids: Fragmentation by the loss of the hydroxylamino oxygen

The mass spectra of three dihydroxamic acids have shown in each case prominent [M – 16]+· and [M – 32]+· ions. The spectrum of biosynthetically labeled rhodotorulic acid indicates that these ions arise from the sequential, specific loss of the hydroxylamino oxygens.
Plant Nitrogen Accumulation Dynamics in Rice in Response to Nitrogen Management

This study investigates the effect of rice nitrogen (N) management on the dynamics of plant nitrogen accumulation (PNA) during internodal elongation (IE) in relation to grain yield. Four field experiments were conducted in two soils with six preflood N treatments. The PNA was monitored for 3 weeks, starting at the beginning of IE (BIE). The PNA explained 54–72% of yield variability. The effect of midseason N application on yield varied with fields, indicating a need for assessing midseason N requirement for each field. One week after BIE was a better time to assess the N requirement of rice crop. The greatest grain yields in Cocodrie and Wells cultivars corresponded to PNA of 10.9 and 11.1 g m−2 at BIE. A midseason application of 50 kg N ha−1 as urea at 7–10 days after BIE increased the rice yield in the Glossaqualfs field when the PNA at BIE was less than 8.3 g m−2.
Identification and Initial Characterization of a Putative Mycoplasma gallinarum Leucine Aminopeptidase Gene

Aminopeptidases (APN) may play a role in host colonization of M. gallinarum. Characterization of endogenous APN activity suggests that the leucine APN (LAP) of M. gallinarum is a metallo-aminopeptidase activated by Mn2+ and is present in the cytosol and possibly associated with the inner leaflet of the membrane. A 1.36-kb open reading frame (ORF) identified from overlapping genomic phage clones showed 68% nucleotide identity and 51% amino acid identity with the M. salivarium LAP gene. This ORF is expressed as a 1.5-kb monocistronic transcript and is present as a single copy in M. gallinarum. This gene sequence was modified to account for codon usage, and expression in E. coli produced a 51-kDa protein, which compares well with the product predicted from the ORF. This ORF is a strong candidate for contributing the LAP activity of M. gallinarum protein extracts.
Improved PCR/NcoI method for the molecular diagnosis of medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency using dried blood samples: Two-stage amplification using two different sets of primers improves accuracy and sensitivity

A 985A→G transition is the single prevalent mutation representing 89% of all variant medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (MCAD) alleles that causes MCAD deficiency. We and others previously devised a molecular method for the detection of the 985G allele that involves PCR coupled with NcoI digestion. The method has been widely used. However, when used for the analysis of dried blood samples, it sometimes produced ambiguous results with weak target bands in the presence of numerous artifact bands. An improved version of the method has been developed here, involving two stages of amplification using two different sets of primers. In the first stage, the entire exon-11 was amplified. A small aliquot (5 μl) of the first PCR products were directly used as a template for the second PCR amplification. The second PCR is similar to the original method, but utilizes a pair of primers encompassing a smaller section within exon-11. The upstream primer incorporates a substitution at 981, so that a NcoI site involving 985G is introduced in the copies of the variant allele, as in the original PCR/NcoI method. The improved2-stage method produces an intense target band with a very high sensitivity, yet devoid of artifacts, providing clean, unequivocal results.
Linear sections of the general linear group: a geometric approach

In this paper we investigate the subset ϑ(n,q) of the general linear group Gl(n+1) consisting of all elements which have no nontrivial fixed points. In particular we show that there is a bijection between this set and the set of n-dimensional subspaces of the projective space PG(2n+1,q) which satisfy the intersection property of being skew to three given spaces which are themselves pairwise disjoint. We obtain this bijection by associating to each A∈ϑ(n,q) first the row space of the row echelon matrix [I A] and then the projectivization of this space obtained by identifying scalar multiples and discarding the vector 0. Classical results for PG(3, q) then provide the basis for a recurrence relation which expresses ϑ(n,q) in terms of ϑ(n−1,q) and ϑ(n−2,q). Because the development of this recurrence is constructive it provides, as an application, an efficient method for not only enumerating but for exhibiting all the nonsingular linear transformations A∈Gl(n+1) such that A + id is nonsingular as well.
RNA metabolism during cytodifferentiation in the cellular slime mold Polysphondelium pallidum

Abstract 1. Studies of the cellular slime molds have demonstrated the appearance and disappearance of specific developmentally regulated macromolecules. In order to investigate whether the control mechanism(s) resides at the transcription level, a study of RNA metabolism was undertaken. 2. The data show that a considerable proportion of the RNA originally present in the vegetative amoebae is degraded during the developmental sequence and that resynthesis occurs at an appreciable rate throughout. A major portion of the nascent material appears to be ribosomal RNA (rRNA). No difference could be detected between the newly formed ribosomes in differentiating cells and the ribosomes of vegetative amoebae in respect to physicochemical properties, base composition, protein associations, or hybridization tests. The significance of ribosome biosynthesis is discussed.
Juvenile hormone and a protein associated with the larval diapause of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella

Abstract Pre-diapausing larvae of the southwestern corn borer, Diatraea grandiosella, were found to store an electrophoretically discrete protein fraction which makes up about 20% of the soluble proteins of the fat body of newly diapaused individuals. This fraction appears to be restricted to the larval fat body and haemolymph. It accumulates in the fat body of pre-diapausing larvae and reaches a maximum titre in newly diapaused individuals. The protein is utilized gradually during diapause so that only traces of it remain after diapause has terminated. The protein fraction was found to accumulate in the fat body of non-diapausing larvae which had been treated with a juvenile hormone (JH) mimic. This treatment induces a diapause-like state. The involvement of JH in the accumulation and utilization of the protein was investigated by examining the proteins of the fat body after larvae had been allatectomized, or had received a JH mimic application, or had received both treatments. The results showed that non-diapausing larvae began to accumulate the protein fraction within 8 days of receiving a single application of JH mimic. Allatectomy of pre-diapausing larvae was shown to suppress the accumulation of the protein. This suppression was partially reversed by a topical application of JH mimic. JH mimic treatments and allatectomy of diapausing larvae were also shown to cause a decrease in the titre of most of the proteins of the fat body including the diapause-associated protein. The diapause-associated protein has a molecular weight of about 41,000, and contains 15–17 different amino acid residues, of which aspartate, leucine, lysine, and glutamate predominate, comprising about 43, 37, 35 and 32 residues per molecule, respectively. We suggest that diapauselin is a suitable name for this protein. Our findings provide the necessary framework for undertaking a more detailed analysis of the hormonal regulation of diapauselin synthesis and utilization.
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in Caregivers of Clinically-Referred Youth: Psychometric Properties and Mediation Analysis

This paper presents the psychometric evaluation of the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; Diener et al. in J Personal Assess 49:71–75, 1985) used with a large sample (N = 610) of caregivers for youth receiving mental health services. Methods from classical test theory, factor analysis, and item response theory were utilized. Additionally, this paper investigated whether caregiver strain mediates the effect of youth symptom severity on caregiver life satisfaction (N = 356). Bootstrapped confidence intervals were used to determine the significance of the mediated effects. Results indicated that the SWLS is a psychometrically sound instrument to be used with caregivers of clinically-referred youth. Mediation analyses found that the effect of youth symptom severity on caregiver life satisfaction was mediated by caregiver strain but that the mediation effect differed based on the type of youth symptoms: caregiver strain was a partial mediator when externalizing symptoms were measured and a full mediator when internalizing symptoms were measured. Implications for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Local effects of ovary on uterus after combined intrasplenic autotransplantation in castrated rats.

The main question for this investigation was whether the hypertrophic ovary which results from intrasplenic transplantation in castrated rats is really also stronglyfunctional. A secondary question was whether an endocrine organ can have an effect on a neighboring target organ without benefit of the systemic circulation as a connecting link.Specifically, if a piece of uterus be placed in the spleen of a castrated animal togetherwith functioning ovary, will the splenic uterus be stimulated? A total of 38 immature female rats and 7 adult females were employed. In 10 of the former at the time of castrationa picee of ovary and a segment of the uterus were implanted in the spleen. Thirty days later the splenic uteri were greatly enlarged, by contrast with the nearly atrophic uteri in situ. The difference in weight was highly significant (P<0.001). Histologic evidence of estrogenic stimulation was also apparent in the splenic uterus.
Nicotine preconditioning antagonizes activity-dependent caspase proteolysis of a glutamate receptor.

Abstract Neuronal excitation is required for normal brain function including processes of learning and memory, yet if this process becomes dysregulated there is reduced neurotransmission and possibly death through excitotoxicity. Nicotine, through interaction with neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, possesses the ability to modulate neurotransmitter systems through numerous mechanisms that define this critical balance. We examined the modulatory role of nicotine in primary mixed cortical neuronal-glial cultures on activity-dependent caspase cleavage of a glutamate receptor, GluR1. We find that GluR1, but not GluR2 or GluR3, is a substrate for agonist (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazole-4-propionic acid)-initiated rapid proteolytic cleavage at aspartic acid 865 through the activation of caspase 8-like activity that is independent of membrane fusion and is not coincident with apoptosis. Dose-dependent nicotine preconditioning for 24 h antagonizes agonist-initiated caspase cleavage of GluR1 through a mechanism that is coincident with desensitization of both nAChRα4β2 and nAChRα7 receptors and the delayed activation of a caspase 8-like activity. The modulation of GluR1 agonist-initiated caspase-mediated cleavage by nicotine preconditioning offers a novel insight into how this agent can impart its numerous effects on the nervous system.
BOLD fMRI of the visual cortex: quantitative responses measured with a graded stimulus at 1.5 Tesla.

Purpose To measure and quantitatively characterize an activity generated by the neurons of the visual cortex (VC) in response to graded luminous intensity contrast stimuli using a 1.5 Tesla scanner. Materials and methods Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of the vc with the intrinsic blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) mechanism was performed by using a paradigm with a 5 x 5 flashing checkerboard pattern flickering eight times per second at eight luminance contrasts presented in a randomized order. The changes of the luminance contrast were obtained by varying the luminance intensity of the white checkerboard squares. Each of eight trials, corresponding to eight luminance contrasts, consisted of six "rest" and six "activation" epochs, repeated five times, amounting to 60 measurement periods per trial. During each epoch, 10 contiguous oblique axial-to-coronal slices covering the calcarine fissure region and parallel to a line through the anterior-posterior commissure (AC-PC) markers were acquired using a gradient-recalled echo planar imaging (GRE-EPI) sequence. Results The measurements showed changes in the activation extent in the VC following the stimulus' rising luminance intensity contrast. In addition, the fMRI signal in those activated areas present throughout all eight trials, referred to as "common" voxels in this report, showed an increasing trend as a function of the rising luminance intensity contrast. Conclusion These results suggest that the processes of the neuronal recruitment that affects the extent and number of activated neurons, and the neuronal enhancement that defines the magnitude of the neuronal activation are dependent on the luminance intensity contrast. These changes can be visualized and quantified using BOLD fMRI at 1.5 Tesla.
A Complete Notation for Dual Velocity

A notation is developed which specifies a dual velocity without ambiguity. The point of interest, the moving body, the reference body, and the system of unit vectors in which a dual velocity is expressed are all clearly indicated. The equivalence between the equation of transformation and the coordinate-transformation matrix formulation is shown. Equations are developed to enable calculation of the dual velocity at a point in a body given the dual velocity at any other point, to change the system of unit vectors in which a dual velocity is expressed, and to calculate relative velocities. Use of these equations is demonstrated in an example using the spatial four-bar mechanism which is specialized to the Cardan joint and the wobble-plate mechanism, and the effect of some tolerance errors on output velocity is shown.
A rapid method for determining ATP by the firefly luciferin-luciferase system.

Eine schnelle Methode zur Bestimmung von ATP in picogramm-Mengen wird beschrieben. Die Grundlage fur die Methode ist eine Reaktion zwischen ATP und einem Inkubationsansatz, der Luciferin, Mg2+ und partiell gereinigte Luciferase enthalt, und ist zur Bestimmung von ATP in biologischem Material von unterschiedlicher Beschaffenheit (Bakterien, Pflanzen-und Tiergewebe) geeignet.
Calcium and fibrin gel structure

Calcium ions (Ca), when present in the gel forming system, were shown to influence liquid permeation of the gels formed, as judged from the Ks-values (permeability coefficients) of the final gels. On increasing Ca concentration, the Ks-values for Fibrin I and Fibrin II gels increase and a maximum is reached at about 10-20 mM for gels formed at ionic strengths between 0.18 and 0.24. For both gels, clotting times (Ct) were shortened on increasing Ca concentration and the shortening was accompanied by increase in Ks. Magnesium also shortened Ct but had no appreciable effect on Ks. The rate of activation of fibrinogen (release of FPA and FPB) was not much affected by Ca, but the activation required for gelation at Ct, decreased with increasing Ca concentration. After the gels were formed, the removal of Ca by EDTA did not change the flow properties. Our results showed that Ca is of importance for formation of the fibrin gel structure, but it may be of minor importance for preservation of the gel structure after its formation. There is a difference between Fibrin I and Fibrin II gels with regard to Ca dependence. The role of calcium in gelation as well as its physiological implications is discussed.
Nekton Habitat Quality at Shallow Water Sites in Two Rhode Island Coastal Systems

We evaluated nekton habitat quality at 5 shallow-water sites in 2 Rhode Island systems by comparing nekton densities and biomass, number of species, prey availability and feeding, and abundance of winter flounderPseudopleuronectes americanus. Nekton density and biomass were compared with a 1.75-m2 drop ring at 3 sites (marsh, intertidal, and subtidal) in Coggeshall Cove in Narragansett Bay and two subtidal sites (eelgrass and macroalgae) in Ninigret Pond, a coastal lagoon. We collected benthic core samples and examined nekton stomach contents in Coggeshall Cove. We identified 16 species of fish, 16 species of crabs, and 3 species of shrimp in our drop ring samples. A multivariate analysis of variance indicated differences in total nekton, invertebrates, fish, and winter flounder across the five sites. Relative abundance of benthic invertebrate taxa did not match relative abundance of prey taxa identified in the stomachs. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling plots showed groupings in nekton and benthic invertebrate prey assemblages among subtidal, intertidal, and marsh sites in Coggeshall Cove. Stepwise multiple regression indicated that biomass of macroalgae was the most important variable predicting abundance of nekton in Coggeshall Cove, followed by elevation and depth. In Rhode Island systems that do not experience chronic hypoxia, macroalgae adds structure to unvegetated areas and provides refuge for small nekton. All sites sampled were characterized by high abundance and diversity of nekton pointing to the importance of shallow inshore areas for production of fishes and decapods. Measurements of habitat quality should include assessment of the functional significance of a habitat (this can be done by comparing nekton numbers and biomass), some measure of habitat diversity, and a consideration of how habitat quality varies in time and space.
Effects of cilostazol on human venous smooth muscle.

In this study, we evaluated the effect of therapeutic doses of cilostazol on human venous smooth muscle. Saphenous vein rings (two to four per patient sample) were suspended in tissue baths for isometric tension recordings. At the beginning of the experiment, optimal tension for isometric contraction was achieved for each ring in a stepwise fashion in the presence of norepinephrine (10−2 M). Norepinepherine was then added cumulatively in half-molar increments and isometric tension developed by the rings was measured, thereby obtaining a dose-response curve. Following washout and reequilibration, the rings were precontracted with a 30-50% submaximal dose of norepinepherine determined from the dose-response curve and allowed to contract until a stable plateau was reached. Cilostazol was then added in a cumulative manner (680-2,720 μg/L), and the tension generated was recorded. A total of 76 venous rings were tested, and all relaxed in the presence of cilostazol. The amount of relaxation increased as the concentration of cilostazol increased. Relaxation of 15 ± 1.9% (mean ± SEM) at low cilostazol doses (680 μg/L) to 37±3% at high cilostazol doses (2,720 μg/L) was demonstrated. A second finding of this study was demonstrated when the patient samples were divided according to the presence or absence of risk factors for arteriosclerosis. The specific risk factors examined included diabetes mellitus, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertension. The presence or absence of hypertension (n = 52) or hypercholesterolemia (n = 18) did not affect the amount of relaxation of the venous rings. Smokers (n = 46) had less relaxation 16 ± 2.4% (680 μg/L) to 41 ± 3.6% (2,720 μg/L) compared to nonsmokers (n = 53) who relaxed 22 ± 3.5% (680 μg/L) to 48 ± 5.7% (2720 μg/L). This did not reach statistical significance at any concentration cilostazol (p = 0.11-0.18). Diabetics (n = 53) did have statistically significantly less relaxation at every concentration of cilostazol compared to nondiabetics (n = 11, p < 0.05). All venous rings relaxed in the presence of cilostazol. Veins of nondiabetics relaxed statistically significantly more than those of diabetics. Smokers had less relaxation than non-smokers, but this was not statistically significant. We are the first to demonstrate that human venous smooth muscle cells undergo relaxation when exposed to therapeutic concentrations of cilostazol.
Phenomenological model of thermal shock propagation in ceramic monolith

A discrete model is used to study the behavior of shock propagation, crack formation, and crack propagation of a thin ceramic plate. This plate represents a wall of a channel in a monolithic structure. The model involves a spring-node formulation on a rectangular geometry, which approaches the continuum model correctly when the Poisson ratio is taken as 0.25. Viscous damping is also included. Shock waves originate from perturbations due to local ignition (hot spots), sudden quenching or other changes in operating and driving conditions. The shock wave propagates from the perturbed region. Internodal displacements are used to calculate strains, and the values are compared to a maximum strain associated with failure. Spring constants are set to zero when the maximum strain is exceeded. Reflection of compressional waves from free boundaries as tensional waves leads to enhanced crack formation near the free boundary. Shock waves attenuate much faster when the plate is precracked. Propagation velocities are lower for precracked plates, due to a decrease in (effective) Young's modulus. Velocities of pure compressional and shear waves compare quite well with theoretical values.
When Is a Treasury Security On‐the‐Run?

The literature contains two conflicting definitions of the on-the-run period for Treasury securities. We address the conflict by empirically examining the implications of the two definitions. We conclude that it is important that researchers clearly understand the implications of each definition. Our results suggest that on-the-run activity spans different auction calendar time in T-notes and T-bills.
Declines in summer bat activity in central New England 4 years following the initial detection of white-nose syndrome

White-nose syndrome (WNS) was first reported in a hibernating bat population in central New York State in February 2006. Since 2006, WNS has been reported from bat hibernacula across much of eastern United States and adjacent Canada and has been associated with a dramatic decline in the populations of hibernating bats in the northeastern U.S. We are only beginning to discover how these declines are manifest in changes in summer bat abundance and activity at local scales. A 3-year (2004–2006) acoustic survey showed that the forested watershed of the Quabbin Reservoir in central Massachusetts supported an abundant and species-rich summer bat community. In 2010, 4-years following the initial occurrence of WNS, a re-survey of the same habitats and sites found a 72% reduction in bat activity on the watershed. This is the identical rate of decline reported from cave hibernacula surveys (73%). This decline in summer activity levels is most likely a consequence of WNS-caused mortality. The impacts of population losses of this magnitude of a once widespread and abundant taxa are unknown but are presumed to be ecologically significant.
Immunization against Pseudomonas in Infection after Thermal Injury

Three hundred twenty-two patients with injuries involving burns over 20% of their total body surface areas have been actively immunized with a polyvalent vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa at the University of Cincinnati Burn and Trauma Unit and the Cincinnati Shriners Burns Institute during the five-year period preceding April 1973. Of a similar group of 75 consecutive unvaccinated controls treated between March 1967 and April 1968, 14.7% died from pseudomonas infection, and 18.7% died from pseudomonas bacteremia. With an increase in dose and in duration of vaccination, the incidence of pseudomonas bacteremia declined to 6%. Of 96 patients who were immunized with the maximal dose, 3.1% died, but none of the last 186 vaccinated pateints, for whom hyperimmune y-globulin to Pseudomonas was used as adjunctive treatment of pseudomonas bacteremia, has died. These clinical observations have been accompanied by a variety of immunologic studies, which confirmed that immunization with the polyvalent vaccine induced production of an immune IgG antibody. Invasive infection with P. aeruginosa is accompanied or preceded by a variety of immunologic deficiencies that can be compensated for by the administration of immune IgG antibody. Predominant among these deficiencies are abnormalites of the alternate pathway of complement and of the antibacterial function of neutrophils. Our results strongly suggest that patients with major thermal injuries should be actively vaccinated against Pseudomonas, and that hyperimmune y-globulin to Pseudomonas is an effective adjunctive measure for the treatment of life-threatening infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
On the Relation Between Theology and Art In the Work of Gordon D. Kaufman

n order to appreciate the bearing that Gordon Kaufman's recent work has for a reconceptualization of the relations between theology and art, it is necessary to be quite clear about the claims he makes for the cultural basis of the theological enterprise. Theology is inevitably cultural, in the first place, because it derives its terms from, and grounds its criteria on, concepts and categories that are part of the common cultural endowment. Because of the cultural sources of its language and standards, theology cannot therefore be supposed to have any privileged starting point, either doctrinally or experientially. Theology has a cultural basis, in the second place, because it represents the attempt to challenge and revise such notions of the "world" or of "reality" as culture has transmitted to us. On this account theology is a form of cultural criticism, inasmuch as its essential task is to reformulate our culturally inherited notions or the "world" or "reality" in light of that more ultimate point of reference beyond them traditionally called "God."
Selective Removal of Methanol from Humid Air Streams Using a Water-Vapor-Purged Membrane Separator

Methanol is an unwanted byproduct of kraft pulping in the pulp and paper industry. More than 50 million tons of kraft pulp is produced in the United States per year, and methanol releases are on the order of pounds per ton of pulp produced. Methanol is released in low concentrations with humid air streams from many sources in a kraft pulp mill. Membrane vapor separation was tested for selective removal of low concentrations of methanol from a humid air stream. The separation studied in this paper was driven by a water-vapor purge stream on the permeate side of a poly(ether amide) block copolymer (PEBAX 2533) membrane. The separation characteristics of the membrane were essentially unchanged when the water-vapor-purge mode was compared to previous single-component measurements. Modeling based on the experiments and for another possible target membrane material is discussed.
Reflections on Behavior Analysis and Coercion

Coercion is defined as the control of behavior through: (a) punishment or the threat of punishment, or (b) negative reinforcement-the removal of punishment. The question under discussion is whether coercion is an effective and a desirable basis for applied behavior analysis. Because coercive control has always been characteristic of society in general, the problem requires consideration of all facets of our culture. Behavior analysts who use or recommend coercive techniques of therapy, behavior modification, teaching, parenting, and so on, must be viewed in that context. In many areas of society, the practice of coercion has been refined and perfected to an extent that applied behavior analysis has never approached. Applied behavior research therefore contributes nothing new when it applies coercive methodology. Also, coercion produces side effects that may be even less desirable than the original problem behavior. The occasional need to use coercion to deal with emergencies does not justify the advocacy of coercion as a principle therapy. What basic and applied behavior analyst can offer that is new and constructive are positive reinforcement techniques for teaching new behavior and stimulus-control techniques for establishing cognitive repertoires.
Role of the sympathetic nervous system in the pupillary response to darkness.

Abstract Two hypotheses concerning the mechanism of pupillary dilation have been suggested: (a) the sympathetic nervous system actively contributes to dilation of the pupil in response to decreased illumination; and (b) the sympathetic nervous system does not respond to changes in illumination, but merely contributes tonus to the iris, while decreased activity of parasympathetic fibers enables the pupil to dilate. In the present experiment, measurements of cats' pupils were made from photographs taken in light and darkness. Atropine was instilled into the eye in order to block parasympathetic action. It was found that the atropinized pupil is capable of a small, but significant, dilation in darkness. Unilateral sympathectomy abolishes a significant portion of this dilation. We conclude that the sympathetic nervous system plays an active role in maintaining pupillary dilation in darkness.
Utility of normal tissue-to-tumor α/β ratio when evaluating isodoses of isoeffective radiation therapy treatment plans.

Purpose To achieve a better understanding of the effect of the number of fractions on normal tissue sparing for equivalent tumor control in radiation therapy plans by using equivalent biologically effective dose (BED) isoeffect calculations. Methods and Materials The simple linear quadratic (LQ) model was assumed to be valid up to 10 Gy per fraction. Using the model, we formulated a well-known mathematical equality for the tumor prescription dose and probed and solved a second mathematical problem for normal tissue isoeffect. That is, for a given arbitrary relative isodose distribution (treatment plan in percentages), 2 isoeffective tumor treatment regimens (N fractions of the dose D and n fractions of the dose d) were denoted, which resulted in the same BED (corresponding to 100% prescription isodose). Given these situations, the LQ model was further exploited to mathematically establish a unique relative isodose level, z (%), for the same arbitrary treatment plan, where the BED to normal tissues was also isoeffective for both fractionation regimens. Results For the previously stated problem, the relative isodose level z (%), where the BEDs to the normal tissue were also equal, was defined by the normal tissue α/β ratio divided by the tumor α/β times 100%. Fewer fractions offers a therapeutic advantage for those portions of the normal tissue located outside the isodose surface, z, whereas more fractions offer a therapeutic advantage for those portions of the normal tissue within the isodose surface, z. Conclusions Relative isodose-based treatment plan evaluations may be useful for comparing isoeffective tumor regimens in terms of normal tissue effects. Regions of tissues that would benefit from hypofractionation or standard fractionation can be identified.