cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Instructive signals for motor learning from visual cortical area MT

Sensory error signals have long been proposed to act as instructive signals to guide motor learning. Here we have exploited the temporal specificity of learning in smooth pursuit eye movements and the well-defined anatomical structure of the neural circuit for pursuit to identify a part of sensory cortex that provides instructive signals for motor learning in monkeys. We show that electrical microstimulation in the motion-sensitive middle temporal area (MT) of extrastriate visual cortex instructs learning in smooth eye movements in a way that closely mimics the learning instructed by real visual motion. We conclude that MT provides instructive signals for motor learning in smooth pursuit eye movements under natural conditions, suggesting a similar role for sensory cortices in many kinds of learned behaviors.
Kinetic Analysis of Controlled/“Living” Radical Polymerizations by Simulations. 2. Apparent External Orders of Reactants in Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization

Simulations of atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) have been used to examine the kinetics of these reactions. Because ATRP is subject to the persistent radical effect, the apparent external...
Lipoprotein abnormalities in galactosamine hepatitis: a model of experimental lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase deficiency.

D-galactosamine (GalN) produces, in the rat, an acute hepatitis, LCAT deficiency, and plasma lipoprotein abnormalities similar to those of human liver disease. Rats were sacrificed at intervals up to 24 h after a single ip injection of GalN, 750 mg/kg. No alpha band was found by plasma lipoprotein electrophoresis 12-24 h after GalN. Plasma LCAT activity was decreased 45% at 6 h and was < 10% of normal at 24 h. Cholesteryl esters decreased to 36% of total cholesterol at 12 h (control 70%) and at 24 h after GalN were only 15% of total cholesterol. Fractionation of plasma phospholipids at 24 h revealed lecithin increased to 68% of total phospholipid (control 46%), and lysolecithin decreased to 12% (control 25%). The increase of the lecithin/lysolecithin ratio to 5.6 after GalN (control 1.8) may reflect decreased LCAT activity. Arachidonyl esters accounted for only 9% of cholesteryl esters after GalN compared to 64% in controls. Lipoproteins were isolated by sequential ultracentrifugation: VLDL (d < 1.006); L...
Assessing the predictive performance of risk‐based water quality criteria using decision error estimates from receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis

Field data relating aquatic ecosystem responses with water quality constituents that are potential ecosystem stressors are being used increasingly in the United States in the derivation of water quality criteria to protect aquatic life. In light of this trend, there is a need for transparent quantitative methods to assess the performance of models that predict ecological conditions using a stressor–response relationship, a response variable threshold, and a stressor variable criterion. Analysis of receiver operating characteristics (ROC analysis) has a considerable history of successful use in medical diagnostic, industrial, and other fields for similarly structured decision problems, but its use for informing water quality management decisions involving risk-based environmental criteria is less common. In this article, ROC analysis is used to evaluate predictions of ecological response variable status for 3 water quality stressor–response data sets. Information on error rates is emphasized due in part to their common use in environmental studies to describe uncertainty. One data set is comprised of simulated data, and 2 involve field measurements described previously in the literature. These data sets are also analyzed using linear regression and conditional probability analysis for comparison. Results indicate that of the methods studied, ROC analysis provides the most comprehensive characterization of prediction error rates including false positive, false negative, positive predictive, and negative predictive errors. This information may be used along with other data analysis procedures to set quality objectives for and assess the predictive performance of risk-based criteria to support water quality management decisions. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2012; 8: 674–684. © 2012 SETAC
Imhoff Cone Determination of Sediment in Irrigation Runoff

There is a need to rapidly quantify erosion from irrigated farmland. The prevailing method consists of collecting runoff samples, then filtering, drying, and weighing them to determine sediment concentration. Labor cost and slow data availability prompted development of a faster, less expensive technique. Sediment settling volume in a graduated vessel was expected to correlate well with total mass of suspended sediment. Eight soils varying in texture, mineralogy, and organic-matter content were sampled, fragmented, and air dried. A series of 1-L suspensions was prepared with sediment concentrations from 1 to 30 g L-1. Samples were either hand shaken for 30 s or mechanically blended for 60 s. Suspensions were decanted into graduated Imhoff cones and allowed to settle for 0.5 h (1800 s). The series was repeated three times for each soil. Settling volume was regressed against sediment concentration (total sediment, g L-1 ). Field calibrations for two soils were developed from furrow runoff samples. Laboratory regressions had a mean r2 of 0.99. Field regressions of two soils had r2 of 0.94 or higher. Cone design did not permit accurate volume estimates of the first 1 mL, causing slopes and intercepts to very among field regressions for sediment concentrations <1.0 g L-1. These samples, however, represent negligible erosion, and therefore have little value. Slope and intercept of field regressions corresponded closely to 30-s-shaken laboratory regressions but different statistically at P ? 0.05. The technique provided a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate suspended-sediment determination in the field for concentrations >1.0 g L-1. Several settling-volume predictions based on textural components and organic-matter content had r2 > 0.60. Laboratory 30- s hand-shaken calibrations may be adequate for diagnostic purposes, but individual field calibrations should be performed for research purposes
Analytic solution of the transient behavior of radiation-backscattering heat shields

An analytic solution of the material response to combined radiative and convective heating is presented. The solution includes the equations of radiative transfer (within the material), coupled to a transient energy equation that contains both radiative and convective terms. The analysis allows for unlimited spectral detail, but assumes that within the range of applicability, the various material properties do not vary significantly with temperature. To facilitate development of the analytic solution, it is also assumed that scattering within the material dominates absorption, and that the exposed surface of the material does not ablate. The exposed surface boundary condition includes convective heating and spectral radiation, some of which is absorbed by the surface and some of which penetrates the surface.
Volume-targeted modes of modern neonatal ventilators: how stable is the delivered tidal volume?

Objective Volume-targeted modes are designed to deliver a constant tidal volume (Vt) at lowest possible pressure independently of changes in compliance, resistance, and leak of the respiratory system. We examined whether these volume-targeted modes respond rapidly enough to sudden changes in respiratory mechanics (e.g., selective intubation, surfactant administration, endotracheal tube kinking, de-kinking, obstruction), resulting in insufficient or excessive Vt delivery.
Characterization of network parameters for UHMWPE by plane strain compression.

Abstract Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) is used as a bearing material for total joint replacement prostheses since it is a tough, wear-resistant semicrystalline polymer. Despite its high resistance to wear, PE components have shown measureable wear in vivo, which can cause wear-particle induced osteolysis. Crosslinking of PE using ionizing radiation has been shown to increase wear resistance since both chemical crosslinks and physical entanglements provide high resistance to wear. Molecular characterization of crosslinked PEs is usually conducted using equilibrium swelling or by quantifying gel content. In this study, we compared crosslink densities and molecular weight between crosslinks derived from equilibrium swelling to those obtained by applying the Gaussian and Eight-Chain model to describe plane strain compression of the PE melt. The latter approach has the advantage of accounting for contributions of entanglements to the overall crosslink density, which solvent-based techniques largely neglect. As expected, the crosslink density calculated from model fitting increased monotonically with increase in radiation dose in a 0–200 kGy dose range, with a corresponding monotonic decrease in molecular weight between crosslinks, but provided higher values of crosslink density and correspondingly lower values of molecular weight between crosslinks compared to the equilibrium swelling technique.
Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA Packaging Proteins Encoded by UL6, UL15, UL17, UL28, and UL33 Are Located on the External Surface of the Viral Capsid

Studies to localize the herpes simplex virus 1 portal protein encoded by UL6, the putative terminase components encoded by UL15, UL 28, and UL33, the minor capsid proteins encoded by UL17, and the major scaffold protein ICP35 were conducted. ICP35 in B capsids was more resistant to trypsin digestion of intact capsids than pUL6, pUL15, pUL17, pUL28, or pUL33. ICP35 required sectioning of otherwise intact embedded capsids for immunoreactivity, whereas embedding and/or sectioning decreased the immunoreactivities of pUL6, pUL17, pUL28, and pUL33. Epitopes of pUL15 were recognized roughly equally well in both sectioned and unsectioned capsids. These data indicate that pUL6, pUL17, pUL28, pUL33, and at least some portion of pUL15 are located at the external surface of the capsid.
Blow-up rate for the heat equation with a memory boundary condition

In this paper, we study the heat equation with a memory boundary condition . We show that every nonnegative solution blows up in finite time, and blow-up occurs only on the boundary. We also establish upper and lower bounds on the blow-up rate.
Bayesian interim analysis of lifetime data

In hypothesis testing involving censored lifetime data that are independently distributed according to an accelerated-failure-time model, it is often of interest to predict whether continuation of the experiment will significantly alter the inferences drawn at an interim point. Approaching the problem from a Bayesian viewpoint, we suggest a possible solution based on Laplace approximations to the posterior distribution of the parameters of interest and on Markov-chain Monte Carlo. We apply our results to Weibull data from a carcinogenesis experiment on mice. Lorsque Ton desire tester une hypothese a partir de durees de vie censurees dans le cadre d'un modele a temps de panne accelere, il peut œtre interessant de se demander si les conclusions suggerees par l'experience a un moment donne seraient susceptibles d'ětre modifiees de facon significative si on la prolongeait. Les auteurs abordent ce probleme d'un point de vue bayesien. Us proposent une solution faisant appel a des approximations de Laplace de la loi a posteriori des parametres d'interět, ainsi qu'a des methodes de Monte-Carlo s'appuyant sur des chaines de Markov. Leurs resultats sont illustres a l'aide de donnees de type Weibull portant sur la duree de vie de souris canceruses.
Refinement of motion correction strategies for lower-cost CT for under-resourced regions of the world

This paper describes a recently developed post-acquisition motion correction strategy for application to lower-cost computed tomography (LCCT) for under-resourced regions of the world. Increased awareness regarding global health and its challenges has encouraged the development of more affordable healthcare options for underserved people worldwide. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, intermediate level medical facilities may serve millions with inadequate or antiquated equipment due to financial limitations. In response, the authors have proposed a LCCT design which utilizes a standard chest x-ray examination room with a digital flat panel detector (FPD). The patient rotates on a motorized stage between the fixed cone-beam source and FPD, and images are reconstructed using a Feldkamp algorithm for cone-beam scanning. One of the most important proofs-of-concept in determining the feasibility of this system is the successful correction of undesirable motion. A 3D motion correction algorithm was developed in order to correct for potential patient motion, stage instabilities and detector misalignments which can all lead to motion artifacts in reconstructed images. Motion will be monitored by the radiographic position of fiducial markers to correct for rigid body motion in three dimensions. Based on simulation studies, projection images corrupted by motion were re-registered with average errors of 0.080 mm, 0.32 mm and 0.050 mm in the horizontal, vertical and depth dimensions, respectively. The overall absence of motion artifacts in motion-corrected reconstructions indicates that reasonable amounts of motion may be corrected using this novel technique without significant loss of image quality.
An analysis of visual-motor problems in learning disabled children

The nature of visual-motor problems in learning disabled children was examined in four conditions designed to determine whether more errors were made by learning disabled children, and whether the errors were primarily perceptual, conceptual, motoric, or some combination of these in nature. The same two groups of children were used in each condition. One group contained 20 children (mean age = 10 years, 7 months) who had been diagnosed as learning disabled. The control group contained 20 children who were matched with the learning disabled children on age, sex, IQ, and SES. The learning disabled children evidenced visual-motor problems under a visual-motor condition that was modeled after the Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test. In three other conditions, the visual-perceptual, perceptual-conceptual, and motor-coordinative components of the visual-motor condition were examined separately. The results of these conditions indicated that the visual-perceptual and perceptual-conceptual components of the visual-motor system were intact for the learning disabled children; however, both the motor-coordinative component and the integration between the visual-perceptual and the motor-coordinative components were disturbed. The implications of these results for the visual-motor problems of learning disabled children were discussed.
Cohen-Macaulay Seminormalizations of Unions of Linear Subspaces

This paper is concerned with the unions of subspaces of an afIine space regarded as affine varieties. Let R denote the co-ordinate ring of such a union. Then according to a theorem of Orecchia’s [S], the seminormaliza- tion S of R can be represented as the section ring (or pull-back) of the sheaf d of the co-ordinate rings on the intersection poset X of the subspaces. In this paper, we give a homological condition on X and d equivalent to S being Cohen-Macaulay (Theorem 4.3). Two particular cases of this result have been known before. The Reisner Theorem [6] covered the case of co-ordinate subspaces (when R = S is the face ring of a complex) and Geramita and Weibel [2] soIved the problem for planes. The main idea of the proof is to construct a resolution C of S consisting of S-modules of a known depth and then estimate the depth of S by the length of C. This idea was applied in [7] to the section rings of flasque sheaves. Since in this paper the sheaves are not necessarily flasque, the con- struction of C is a bit more complicated and involves the local Tech cohomology of X with coefficients in &. A drawback of the method is that it gives very little information about R itself when it is not seminormal. This paper is organized as follows. In Section 1, the terminology and background of sheaves on posets is given, In Section 2, we study the (Tech) cohomology of a covering of a poset with coefficients in a sheaf. The next section is technical. In it we compare the depth of the rings of sections on certain closed subsets with their depth as modules over the ring of global sections. In Section 4, we prove the main result of the paper. Finally, Section 5 contains examples and some unsolved problems.
Binding of the influenza A virus NS1 protein to PKR mediates the inhibition of its activation by either PACT or double-stranded RNA

A major component of the cellular antiviral system is the latent protein kinase PKR, which is activated by binding to either double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) or the cellular PACT protein. Activated PKR phosphorylates the translation initiation factor eIF2, thereby inhibiting viral and cellular protein synthesis and virus replication. To evade the antiviral effects of PKR, many viruses, including influenza A virus, have evolved multiple mechanisms. For influenza A virus, the non-structural (NS1A) protein plays a major role in blocking activation of PKR during virus infection. The mechanism by which the NS1A protein inhibits PKR activation in infected cells has not been established. In the present study, we first carried out a series of in vitro experiments to determine whether the NS1A protein could utilize a common mechanism to inhibit PKR activation by both PACT and dsRNA, despite their different modes of activation. We demonstrated that the direct binding of the NS1A protein to the N-terminal 230 amino acid region of PKR can serve as such a common mechanism and that this binding does not require the RNA-binding activity of the NS1A protein. The lack of requirement for NS1A RNA-binding activity for the inhibition of PKR activation in vivo was established by two approaches. First, we showed that an NS1A protein lacking RNA-binding activity, like the wild-type (wt) protein, blocked PKR activation by PACT in vivo, as well as the downstream effects of PKR activation in cells, namely, eIF2 phosphorylation and apoptosis. In addition, we demonstrated that PKR activation is inhibited in cells infected with a recombinant influenza A virus expressing NS1A mutant protein that cannot bind RNA, as is the case in cells infected with wild-type influenza A virus.
Metal concentrations in selected brands of canned fish in Nigeria: estimation of dietary intakes and target hazard quotients

The concentrations of metals (Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn) were determined in selected brands of canned mackerel, sardine, and tuna in Nigeria with a view to providing information on the dietary intakes of metals and lifelong health hazards associated with the consumption of these products. The concentrations of metals were determined by using atomic absorption spectrometry after acid digestion. The mean concentrations of metals in canned mackerel, sardine, and tuna were found as 0.04-0.58, 0.06-0.44, 0.32-0.83 μg/g for Cd; 0.05-2.82, 0.70-2.98, 0.23-2.56 μg/g for Pb, 1.33-11.33, <0.20-17.53, nd-34.2 μg/g for Ni, 0.49-3.79, 0.22-1.89, 0.66-14.39 μg/g for Cr, 0.33-0.92, 0.03-1.51, <0.08-1.31 μg/g for Cu, 0.11-2.17, nd-0.75, 0.14-0.50 μg/g for Co, 6.45-26.90, 6.06-53.54, 3.06-95.78 μg/g for Fe, 2.30-3.84, 0.95-21.78, 1.65-2.33 μg/g for Mn, 1.15-7.19, 3.60-17.88, 1.21-5.35 μg/g for Zn, respectively. The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Fe in some of these brands of canned fish were above their permissible limits while other metals occurred at levels below their permissible limits. The estimated daily intakes of metals from consumption of 20.8 g fish per day by a 60 kg body weight adult were below the provisional tolerable daily intakes for Cd, Pb, Ni, Cr, and Cu and recommended daily intakes for Co, Fe, Mn, and Zn. The estimated target hazard quotients of the examined metals were less than 1 in the majority of the samples indicating no long-term health hazard at the present circumstance.
Mononuclear Indoline Complexes. 2. Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity of [(Cymene)Ru(η1-N-indoline)(CH3CN)2](OTf)2

The complex [(cymene)Ru(η1-indoline)(CH3CN)2](OTf)2, 1, has been synthesized by the reaction of [(cymene)Ru(OTf)2]x with indoline in acid solution and characterized by an X-ray diffraction study. Bond distances for the indoline ligand are compared to those reported recently for other η1- and η6-indoline complexes. Complex 1 rearranged to [(cymene)Ru(η6-indoline)](OTf)2 when heated in dichloromethane solution. The titration of an aqueous solution of 1 has been carried out, and the pKa of the coordinated ligand was determined to be 5.2. The value is similar to that reported for the indolinium ion. Ligand-exchange reactions of 1 have been studied. Deprotonation of the η1-indoline ligand in 1 results in dehydrogenation of the ligand to form free indole and ruthenium hydride products. The deprotonation of 1 in the presence of an alkene has been found to result in a hydrogen-transfer reaction to form alkane. Characteristics of the hydrogen-transfer reactions are discussed.
Adult Caregiver Reports of Adolescents’ Food Security Do Not Agree Well With Adolescents’ Own Reports

The accuracy of national statistics on children's food insecurity depends on the reliability of interview responses by adults. In this study of 395 adolescents ages 15 to 17 in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, adolescents’ self-reported food insecurity was more common than, and only weakly associated with, adult proxy reports of those adolescents’ food insecurity. Adolescents’ dietary quality as measured by the Healthy Eating Index was best when both reports indicated food security, worst when both indicated food insecurity, and intermediate with no systematic difference between the 2 groups when reports disagreed, leaving unanswered the question of which report is more reliable.
The understanding and treatment of childhood hyperactivity: Old problems and new approaches

Abstract Current research findings as well as both public protests and lawsuits by parent groups demonstrate the increasing dissatisfaction with prevailing approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome termed “childhood hyperactivity.” First, this study summarizes a comprehensive review of research about the syndrome, and elaborates the research and practice issues that give rise to the contemporary controversy. Then, a promising, comprehensive new theory of child development, psychopathology, and treatment — intrapsychic humanism — is applied to the psychosocial treatment of children labelled hyperactive and their families in mental health, educational, and child welfare settings.
Identity Statuses Based on 4 Rather Than 2 Identity Dimensions: Extending and Refining Marcia's Paradigm

Four identity dimensions (Commitment Making, Identification with Commitment, Exploration in Depth, and Exploration in Breadth) were used to derive identity statuses by means of cluster analysis in a sample of late adolescents. This strategy resulted in both a qualitative refinement and a quantitative extension of Marcia's (1966) model. Five clusters were retained. Four of those (the Achievement, Moratorium, Foreclosure, and Diffused Diffusion Cluster) bore a striking resemblance to Marcia's original identity statuses in terms of their definition and their associations with criterion variables. Adolescents in the fifth cluster, the Carefree Diffusion Cluster (low to moderate on both commitment dimensions and low on both exploration dimensions), scored as high as the 2 high Commitment Making clusters (i.e., the Achievement and Foreclosure Cluster) on several indicators of adjustment. Personality characteristics further differentiated these clusters in accordance with theory. The advantages of expanding the identity status paradigm, through additional distinctions that pertain to both commitment and exploration, are discussed and practical implications are outlined.
That's Incredible!

Seeing the brain as "a belief engine," Shermer discusses cognitive tools that lead us to "reinforce our beliefs as truths."
Using GIS tools to improve transit ridership on routes serving large employment centers: The Boston South End Medical Area case study

Abstract One potential application of Geographic Information System (GIS) in transit management and operation is ridership analysis on transit routes. Large employment centers need to be conveniently served by transit routes in order to reduce traffic congestion and minimize the need for parking spaces. Transit planners, when designing bus mutes, consider demographic factors such as the number of employers, the number of residences, and residents' income levels in order to determine the type and characteristics of the service to be provided. The usual unit of analysis in these studies is fairly aggregate geographically. The advance of computer technologies, and specifically GIS, coupled with rapidly increasing availability of detailed data, provide new tools for designing better transit routes. This paper describes how planning transit routes can be transformed into a more proactive process, and how GIS technologies can be used to reach that goal. Our methodology includes using the address-matching capabilities of GIS to pinpoint the residences of the employees of large employers and to map these locations with respect to existing transit lines and employment sources. A statistical analysis of current accessibility is then completed. This application of GIS technology aids in diagnosing major gaps with existing services to major centers and in proposing improvements to these services. To provide a concrete example, we use data from three large medical institutions in the South End Medical Area of Boston. These employers currently claim to be underserved by public transport. We examine how well the existing lines are serving these institutions.
Methods for Estimating Kidney Disease Stage Transition Probabilities Using Electronic Medical Records

Chronic diseases are often described by stages of severity. Clinical decisions about what to do are influenced by the stage, whether a patient is progressing, and the rate of progression. For chronic kidney disease (CKD), relatively little is known about the transition rates between stages. To address this, we used electronic health records (EHR) data on a large primary care population, which should have the advantage of having both sufficient follow-up time and sample size to reliably estimate transition rates for CKD. However, EHR data have some features that threaten the validity of any analysis. In particular, the timing and frequency of labratory values and clinical measurements are not determined a priori by research investigators, but rather, depend on many factors, including the current health of the patient. We developed an approach for estimatating CKD stage transition rates using hidden Markov models (HMMs), when the level of information and observation time vary among individuals. To estimate the HMMs in a computationally manageable way, we used a “discretization” method to transform daily data into intervals of 30 days, 90 days, or 180 days. We assessed the accuracy and computation time of this method via simulation studies. We also used simulations to study the effect of informative observation times on the estimated transition rates. Our simulation results showed good performance of the method, even when missing data are non-ignorable. We applied the methods to EHR data from over 60,000 primary care patients who have chronic kidney disease (stage 2 and above). We estimated transition rates between six underlying disease states. The results were similar for men and women.
Surface-Rolling Molecules

Design, syntheses, and testing of new, fullerene-wheeled single molecular nanomachines, namely, nanocars and nanotrucks, are presented. These nanovehicles are composed of three basic components that include spherical fullerene wheels, freely rotating alkynyl axles, and a molecular chassis. The use of spherical wheels based on C60 and freely rotating axles based on alkynes permits directed nanoscale rolling of the molecular structure on gold surfaces. The rolling motion observed by STM resembles the same motion performed by macroscopic entities in which rolling occurs perpendicular to the axles. A new synthesis methodology, in situ ethynylation of fullerenes, was developed for the realization of the fullerene-wheeled molecular machines. Four generations of the fullerene-wheeled structures were developed, and the latest fourth generation nanocar, 3b, along with three-wheeled triangular compounds, 4a and 4b, provided definitive evidence for fullerene-based wheel-like rolling motion, not stick-slip or sliding...
Mental Decline in Normal Aging: A Review:

A considerable degree of mental decline is evident in most persons of advanced age. This article argues that this is due to a life-span deterioration, beginning in early adulthood, and that it is not an artifact of motor or mental slowness or educational disadvantage in the elderly; nor is it attributable to a cohort effect. The decline is seen not as natural but as a subclinical dementia that is produced by small pathological changes in the brain due to various medical/pathological conditions, some of which are treatable.
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans detected in bivalve samples from the NOAA National Status and Trends Program.

Abstract Bivalve samples from 142 sites were analyzed to determine the concentration and toxicity equivalents (TEQ) of dioxins and furans (D/F) as part of the NOAA National Status and Trends Program. The total concentration of 17 D/F ranged from not detected to 203 pg/g wet weight of tissue. Octachlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin, OCDD, had a concentration range from not detected to 189 pg/g and a mean concentration of 8.65 pg/g. OCDD was the dominant D/F compound detected and accounted for, on average, over 70% of the total D/F concentration. The TEQ (compared to 2,3,7,8-TCDD) ranged from 0.12 to 7.32 pg TEQ/g. The TEQ for 39% of the bivalves analyzed were below 0.238 pg TEQ/g. TEQ above human consumption advisory concentration of 1.2 pg TEQ/g were found in 9.3% of the samples analyzed. TEQ for D/F indicate very limited human health concerns from consumption of bivalves at most of the locations sampled.
On invariant solutions of the Korteweg-deVries equation

Abstract Possible invariant (similar) solutions of the Korteweg-de Vries (KdV) equation u t + uu x + u xxx =0 are studied by means of infinitesimal transformations of Lie theory. The permissable groups are constructed and the associated group invariants (similar variables) are obtained. Invariant solutions are shown to satisfy a third order nonlinear differential equation.
Solute concentration effects on the expression of cellular heterogeneity of anchorage-independent growth among spontaneously transformed balb/c3T3 cells

Clones were derived in culture from a tumor initiated by spontaneously transformed 3R3 cells and tested for their colony-forming efficiency in agar (CFEag). Incubation of petri dish cultures was done in subsaturation humidity to minimize mold contamination. There was great variation in CFEag between clones but also, under certain conditions, within clones. The most prominent condition that generated phenotypic diversity in CFEag was partial evaporation of the medium, which may occur during the protracted development of mass a population from a single cell. Evaporation was disproportionately great in 35-mm dishes and peripheral wells of multiwell plates. If the supraphysiological solute concentration resulting from evaporation was greater than 133% of normal, there was progressive suppression of cell growth in the succeeding transfer in agar or on plastic, even if isotonic medium was substituted 1 d before transfer. The effect of supraphysiological concentrations of all the solutes of the medium could be reproduced by simply increasing the NaCl concentration. Damaged cells were restored to their full growth potential after 3 d in isotonic medium. When nontransformed cells were chronically exposed to increased salt, irreversible increases in 2-deoxyglucose uptake were produced. With continued exposure of these cells to high salt, they became morphologically transformed, produced colonies in agar with high efficiency, and formed sarcomas when inoculated into nude mice.
Primary oat cell carcinoma of the larynx: An ultrastructural study

An extrapulmonary oat cell carcinoma arising in the larynx is described. Ultrastructurally the tumor is identical to the oat cell carcinoma of pulmonary origin. The pressure of neurosecretory granules in our case strongly suggests that the tumor is derived from Kulchitsky-like cells, a histogenesis previously proposed for oat cell carcinoma of the lung.
Analysis of maize alcohol dehydrogenase by native-SDS two dimensional electrophoresis and autoradiography

Alcohol dehydrogenase isozyme proteins were characterized by visualization on two dimensional polyacrylamide gels. Native first dimension electrophoresis separates isozymes by size and charge, while preserving enzyme activity and subunit interactions. SDS electrophoresis in the second dimension breaks subunit interactions and separates polypeptides primarily by molecular weight. Results revealed that ADH2 monomers are larger in molecular weight than ADH1 monomers. An EMS induced Adhl mutant was found to produce ADH1 monomers of reduced molecular weight. Autoradiography revealed that only a few proteins (five or six) including ADH1 and ADH2 actively incorporate labelled amino acids after prolonged anaerobiosis.
Pre-rheumatoid arthritis: predisposition and transition to clinical synovitis

Multiple proven and potential risk factors for the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have been identified, and represent interactions between genes and the environment. Proven risk factors include genetic influences on the function of the innate and adaptive immune systems, smoking, anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs), and rheumatoid factors (RF). Potential risk factors include epigenetic control of gene expression, the microbiome and other environmental factors, Toll-like receptors, cytokines, and Fc receptors. Preclinical abnormalities such as circulating RF and ACPAs may occur more than 10 years prior to the onset of clinical disease. However, the precise mechanisms whereby these risk factors lead to clinical disease remain unclear. It is possible that, combined with activation of the innate immune system, a subset of ACPAs initiates the disease in the cartilage or synovium after binding to endogenous citrullinated proteins. Subsequent engagement of Fc receptors and complement activation would lead to secondary inflammation in the synovium with induction of a perpetuating cycle of chronic synovitis.
Making social competence a habit

We took a decidedly behavioral approach to solving this problem involving adolescent social-skills deficits. Following a functional assessment of both skill deficits and environmental contingencies, we would address the social problems presented in this case as if they were a persistent habit. Treatment would incorporate elements of simplified habit reversal technology, an empirically supported package of techniques for treating persistent habits. After teaching the client to detect, describe, and self-monitor each of the relevant aspects of both appropriate and inappropriate social behaviors, both natural and artificial supporting contingencies would be arranged to teach new or strengthen existing replacement behaviors in appropriate contexts.
Effects of poly(vinyl alcohol) on fiber cement interfaces. Part I: Bond stress-slip response

Abstract This is the first part of a two-part article describing the effects of adding poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to a cement based matrix to improve the bond at the fiber-matrix interface. Two types of fibers were used, steel and brass fibers (simulating brass-coated steel fibers) in a series of pull-out tests where the load versus global slip up to complete pull-out was recorded. The measured slips was that at the section where the fiber penetrates the matrix. The first article describes the mechanical effects of the addition of PVA, while the second article presents the microscopic observations. Correlation between the two studies is pointed out in the second part and conclusions are drawn. In particular, it is observed that the addition of PVA in the amount of 1.4% by weight of cement matrix leads to a significant improvement in the bond strength as well as in the frictional resistance, thus pull-out work, after the peak load.
Teaching controversial issues in criminal justice: Using historical material to overcome student resistance

Although the teaching of controversial issues in criminal justice can be a lively and rewarding experience, it can also be extremely challenging. Unlike subject matter in other disciplines, the subject matter of criminal justice is to some extent familiar to most reasonably well-informed citizens. Thus students in criminal justice classes will possess an awareness of many of the discipline's controversial issues, such as the value of capital punishment and the utility of the Miranda rules, and have their own views regarding these issues. Unfortunately, many of these views are strongly held, and students are sometimes unreceptive to critical examination of such issues because of the strength of their convictions. This paper describes an approach to overcome this obstacle to critical scrutiny of controversial issues in criminal justice. The general approach relies upon the use of historical material as a tool to make it easier for the student to master the important problems, concepts, and data which pertain to current justice system controversies.
Molecular Cloning and Characterization of a Novel Retinoic Acid-inducible Gene That Encodes a Putative G Protein-coupled Receptor

Abstract The effects of retinoids such as all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis are thought to be mediated by nuclear retinoid receptors, which are involved in ligand-dependent transcriptional activation of target genes. Using differential display, we identified the cDNA of a novel gene, designated retinoic acid-inducible gene 1 (RAIG1), which was induced by ATRA in the squamous carcinoma cell line UMSCC-22B. Two RAIG1 transcripts of 2.4 and 6.8 kilobase pairs, respectively, have the same ORF that encodes a 357-amino acid polypeptide. RAIG1 mRNA is expressed at high level in fetal and adult lung tissues. Induction of RAIG1 expression by ATRA is rapid (within 2 h) and dose-dependent in the range between 1 nm to 1 μm. The constitutive RAIG1 mRNA levels, which were low in three of five head and neck and four of six lung cancer cell lines, increased after ATRA treatment in most cell lines. The deduced RAIG1 protein sequence contains seven transmembrane domains, characteristic of G protein-coupled receptors. A fusion protein of RAIG1 and the green fluorescent protein was localized in the cell surface membrane and perinuclear vesicles in transiently transfected cells. RAIG1 was mapped to chromosome 12p12.3-p13. Our results provide novel evidence for a possible interaction between retinoid and G protein signaling pathways.
A perspective on catalysis in sub- and supercritical water

This article provides an overview of the field of catalysis in sub- and supercritical water. Contributions that are particularly important, either for historical or scientific reasons, are highlighted. Areas where additional research is needed are identified. Work in this field is categorized into three major areas: chemical synthesis, waste treatment, and biomass processing. Given the opportunities that catalysis in supercritical water provides for advances in green chemistry/engineering and sustainable energy, one can expect even more research and development activity in this growing field.
Biogeochemical reactive-diffusive transport of heavy metals in Lake Coeur d'Alene sediments

Abstract Decades of runoff from precious-metal mining operations in the Lake Coeur d’Alene Basin, Idaho, have left the sediments in this lake heavily enriched with toxic metals, most notably Zn, Pb and Cu, together with As. The bioavailability, fate and transport of these metals in the sediments are governed by complex biogeochemical processes. In particular, indigenous microbes are capable of catalyzing reactions that detoxify their environments, and thus constitute an important driving component in the biogeochemical cycling of these metals. Here, the development of a quantitative model to evaluate the transport and fate of Zn, Pb and Cu in Lake Coeur d’Alene sediments is reported. The current focus is on the investigation and understanding of local-scale processes, rather than the larger-scale dynamics of sedimentation and diagenesis, with particular emphasis on metal transport through reductive dissolution of Fe hydroxides. The model includes 1-D inorganic diffusive transport coupled to a biotic reaction network including consortium biodegradation kinetics with multiple terminal electron acceptors and syntrophic consortium biotransformation dynamics of redox front. The model captures the mobilization of metals initially sorbed onto hydrous ferric oxides, through bacterial reduction of Fe(III) near the top of the sediment column, coupled with the precipitation of metal sulfides at depth due to biogenic sulfide production. Key chemical reactions involve the dissolution of ferrihydrite and precipitation of siderite and Fe sulfide. The relative rates of these reactions play an important role in the evolution of the sediment pore-water chemistry, notably pH, and directly depend on the relative activity of Fe and SO4 reducers. The model captures fairly well the observed trends of increased alkalinity, sulfide, Fe and heavy metal concentrations below the sediment–water interface, together with decreasing terminal electron acceptor concentrations with depth, including the development of anoxic conditions within about a centimeter below the lake bottom. This effort provides insights on important biogeochemical processes affecting the cycling of metals in Lake Coeur d’Alene and similar metal-impacted lacustrine environments.
The Moral Justification for a Compulsory Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program

Compulsory human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination of young girls has been proposed as a public health intervention to reduce the threat of the disease. Such a program would entail a symbiotic relationship between scientific interests in reducing mortality and morbidity and philosophical interests in promoting morality. This proposal raises the issue of whether government should use its police powers to restrict liberty and parental autonomy for the purpose of preventing harm to young people. I reviewed the scientific literature that questions the value of a HPV vaccination. Applying a principle-based approach to moral reasoning, I concluded that compulsory HPV vaccinations can be justified on moral, scientific, and public health grounds.
Synthesis and structure–activity relationships of a new series of 2α-substituted trans -4,5-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine as μ-selective opioid antagonists

Abstract Structure–activity relationships at the 2α-position of the piperidine ring of the trans-4,5-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine μ-opioid antagonist series were investigated. This study showed that only small linear alkyl groups (methyl, propyl) are tolerated at the 2α-position of the piperidine ring of this series.
Laterally converging flow. Part 1. Mean flow

Laterally converging flow occurs between two parallel surfaces with an exit hole formed in one. The present study examines the flow at a distance from the exit as a means of investigating an accelerating radial internal flow induced by the lateral convergence and satisfying the boundary-layer approximations. The measurements range from laminar to turbulent conditions, including the intermediate stage referred to by some investigators as laminarizing or laminarescent. The acceleration parameter K v = (ν/ V 2 ) dV / dr ranges from 2·6 × 10 −8 to 2·2 × 10 ×4 and the local Reynolds number varies from 210 to 6·8 × 10 4 for the data reported; the relation between the Reynolds number and the acceleration parameter was varied by adjusting the convergence angle or the plate spacing. For the main experiment the accelerating region is 86 plate spacings in length. Comparison with numerical predictions for laminar and turbulent flow leads to identification of flow regimes in terms of popular acceleration parameters K v , K p = (ν/ρ u 3 * ) dp / dr and K τ = (ν/ρ u 3 * ) (∂τ/∂ z ) w . Results demonstrate that a potentially turbulent entry flow subjected to accleration due to lateral convergence shows features common to laminarization in accelerating turbulent boundary layers in other geometries. Application of the function A + ( K p ) for a modified van Driest wall-region model is examined briefly for the intermediate regime.
Predischarge coronary angiography was better than exercise testing for reducing hospital use after low-risk chest pain

Source Citation deFilippi CR, Rosanio S, Tocchi M, et al. Randomized comparison of a strategy of predischarge coronary angiography versus exercise testing in low-risk patients in a chest pain unit:...
Capacitative Ca2+ entry is graded with degree of intracellular Ca2+ store depletion in bovine vascular endothelial cells

1. In endothelial cells, release of Ca2+ from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ stores activates Ca2+ influx via the capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE) pathway. In cultured bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells, we investigated the relationship between intracellular Ca2+ store load and CCE activity, as well as the kinetics of CCE activation and deactivation, by simultaneously measuring changes in [Ca2+]i and unidirectional manganese (Mn2+) entry through the CCE pathway. 2. Submaximal concentrations of ATP caused quantal release of Ca2+ from the ER, resulting in a dose-dependent depletion of Ca2+ stores and acceleration of Mn2+ entry. Mn2+ entry rate, as a measure of CCE activity, was graded with the amount of released Ca2+. Maximal activation of CCE did not require complete store depletion. 3. Slow depletion of the ER by exposure to the ER Ca2+ pump inhibitor cyclopiazonic acid resulted in a delayed activation of CCE, revealing a temporal dissociation between release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores and activation of CCE. 4. During [Ca2+]i oscillations, at frequencies higher than 0.5 spikes min-1, each Ca2+ spike resulted in a progressive acceleration of CCE without leading to oscillations of Ca2+ entry. In contrast, low frequency [Ca2+]i oscillations were paralleled by transient CCE that was activated and deactivated with each Ca2+ spike, resulting in an oscillatory pattern of Ca2+ entry. 5. It is concluded that CCE is a rapidly activating process which is graded with store depletion and becomes fully activated before complete depletion. The duration of CCE activation correlates with the degree of store depletion and the time that is required to refill depleted stores. Overall, a mechanism of graded CCE prevents exhaustion of intracellular Ca2+ reserves and provides an efficient way to respond to variable degrees of intracellular store depletion.