cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GBR-12909-induced self-injurious behavior: role of dopamine.

A regimen of repeated administration of GBR (10 or 20 mg/kg/day, i.p., for 4 days) to female Sprague-Dawley rats induced a dose-and time-related increase in the incidence of self-injurious behavior (SIB) that consisted of injury to body areas, paws and tail. The treatment regimen decreased striatal DA and DOPAC levels. Dopaminergic denervation with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or D1 DA antagonist, SCH-23390 or D2 DA antagonist, spiperone, blocked the GBR-induced SIB. Male rats were less sensitive than female rats to exhibit a comparable incidence of SIB. Taken together, the study reveals that repeated administration of GBR induces SIB that is dependent on the integrity of nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and the presence of D1 and/or D2 DA receptors.
On-Line, Digital Data Handling and Optimal Control Investigations at the Missouri University Research Reactor

An on-line, digital data handling and optimal control system based upon a PDP8s, general purpose, programmable digital computer, has been developed and tested at the Missouri University Research Reactor (MURR), a 5 megawatt, thermal, flux-trap type nuclear reactor. The instrumentation which has been successfully interfaced to the small digital computer includes a 100 channel, 250 Hz, randomly addressable reed scanner; a 10-bit, 100 kHz, analog-to-digital converter; a 60 Hz real time clock which provides a hardware interrupt every 16.7 milliseconds; and two relay contact outputs. Software which has been implemented includes a real-time executive which schedules eight different tasks in a specified priority and periodic scheme, a console utility package which allows direct, on-line, communication between computer core memory and the ASR-33 teletype, an analog signal input task, various control algorithms, an output task, and a systems log task. The automatic control algorithms are dependent upon the physical parameters of the reactor system. These parameters may be periodically identified by on-line dynamic testing and the control decision algorithm may be modified accordingly. Methods of z-transform analysis are applied in a linearized approach to the problem of representing each component of the closed-loop reactor, computer control system. The optimization theory based on the maximum principle of L. S. Pontryagin has been applied in an effort to improve the control calculations with respect to minimum time response. Testing methods used were hybrid computer simulation and on-line parameter input studies at the MURR.
Automatic speaker and language recognition

The speech signal conveys several levels of information beyond the words, such as information about the identity of the speaker and the language being spoken. These other levels are very useful for augmenting the word transcripts to produce rich transcripts for indexing and searching of audio archives. In this tutorial we will provide an overview of state-of-the-art techniques for extracting, modeling and evaluating speaker and language information from the speech signal. We will provide an overview of the area with some historical context and describe different applications that use speaker and language recognition technology. For both speaker and language recognition technology, we will discuss the theory and the practice of how these systems are designed, trained, and evaluated, from the extraction of features from the speech signal, to corpora used to gage performance. A summary of expected performance in recent NIST evaluations will show expected performance levels. We will finally discuss some of the critical challenging issues and future research directions.
Anesthetic Considerations for the Geriatric Patient

The geriatric patient presents an anesthetic challenge due to the physiologic alterations that occur during aging. The geriatric patient usually has an increased number of disease processes and does not possess the functional organ reserve capabilities compared to a younger patient. The geriatric patient seems more susceptible to the cardiopulmonary depressant effects of the preanesthetic and anesthetic agents in common use and, due to decreased hepatic function and other factors, may have a delayed recovery from these drugs. The preanesthetic and anesthetic drugs chosen for a geriatric patient will depend on that particular patient's physiologic status, the procedure to be done, and the experience of the veterinarian. Adequate fluid and monitoring support should always be provided for the geriatric patient.
Estimation for the three-parameter inverse gaussian distribution

The three-parameter inverse Gaussian distribution is defined and moment estimators and maximum likelihood estimators are obtained. The moment estimators are found in closed form and their asymprotic normality is proven. A sufficient condition is provided for the existence of the maximum likelihood estimators.
Rapid conversion of naive to effector T cell function counteracts diminished primary human newborn T cell responses.

The reduced incidence of graft versus host disease following the use of human cord blood as a source of stem cells for bone marrow reconstitution challenges our understanding of the immunocompetence of newborn T cells. Newborn CD4+ T cells express mainly the CD45RA phenotype and have been considered to respond comparably to adult CD4+ T cells exhibiting the CD45RA phenotype. We compared the in vitro kinetics of phenotypic conversion of newborn and adult CD4+CD45RA+ T cells to CD4+CD45RO+ T cells. The cytokine profile and B cell helper activity of the converted CD4+CD45RO+ T cell population were also determined. Newborn CD4+CD45RA+ T cells were converted to CD4+CD45RO+ with significantly faster time kinetics than adult CD4+CD45RA+ T cells, following either phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) or anti-CD2 activation. Freshly purified newborn naive T cells did not produce IL-2, IL-4 or interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) following stimulation, whereas adult naive T cells secreted IL-2 and adult-derived CD4+CD45RO+ T cells secreted all three cytokines under the same stimulatory conditions. However, newborn and adult CD4+CD45RA+ T cells, following primary stimulation and maturation in vitro, acquired the ability to secrete a Th1-type cytokine profile of IL-2 and IFN-γ after secondary stimulation. Newborn CD4+ naive T cells that acquired the CD45RO phenotype in vitro also gained B cell helper activity equivalent to that of adult in vitro matured CD4+ naive T cells. These findings suggest that newborn and adult CD4+CD45RA+ T cell subsets are differentially responsive to various stimuli. They show that newborn CD4+CD45RA+ naive T cells can transform more quickly than their adult counterparts into functionally equivalent CD4+CD45RO+ T cells, a process that may be important to counteract the immature immune environment which exists in the newborn.
Taste thresholds in college-age smokers and nonsmokers

Taste detection thresholds were measured for NaCl and Dulcin and recognition thresholds for NaCl, sucrose, HCl, and QSO4 in college-age smokers and nonsmokers. There were no consistent differences in thresholds for any compound between smokers and nonsmokers.
A Novel Gait and Foot Slip Detection Algorithm for Walking Robots

A novel gait and slip detection algorithm for walking robots using an inertial measurement unit was developed. An unscented Kalman filter was formulated with a simple dynamic model as a block on a slope without translations. Considerable prediction errors resulted when unmodeled dynamics (i.e., translation) occurred. These prediction errors were used in a binary Bayes filter to estimate the probability of gait and slip states. A proof of concept experiment was conducted with a monopedal walker under three floor conditions (nonslip, poly, and poly-oil) and three orientations (flat, uphill, and downhill). Realtime and offline detection at 100 Hz were successful. Continuous gait cycles were detected in proper order. Slip detection was successful except for very mild slips involving small jerk. The proposed algorithm provided a robust gait and slip detection method with a single set of parameters without knowledge of floor conditions and inclinations.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Amnesia, Partial Amnesia, and Delayed Recall among Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma

Abstract Clinical experience suggests that adult survivors of childhood trauma arrive at their memories in a number of ways, with varying degrees of associated distress and uncertainty and, in some cases, after memory lapses of varying duration and extent. Among those patients who enter psychotherapy as a result of early abuse, three general patterns of traumatic recall are identified: (1) relatively continuous and complete recall of childhood abuse experiences coupled with changing interpretations (delayed understanding) of these experiences, (2) partial amnesia for abuse events, accompanied by a mixture of delayed recall and delayed understanding, and (3) delayed recall following a period of profound and pervasive amnesia. These patterns are represented by three composite clinical vignettes. Variations among them suggest that the phenomena underlying traumatic recall are continuous not dichotomous. Future research into the nature of traumatic memory should be informed by clinical observation.
MFT trainee adjustment to program lifestyle stress: The TAPS scale

The 30-item Trainee Adjustment to Program Stress (TAPS) scale was developed to measure lifestyle stress of family therapy trainees. Initially, 70 items were generated from propositional statements based on four constructs. Following pilot testing, 329 out of 900 (37%) student members of the American Association for Mariage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) returned TAPS questionnaires. Internal consistency reliability analyses and principal components and factor analyses produced a final 30 item TAPS scale appropriate for use in family therapy training programs. Reliability and validity measures are reported.
Heuristic Reasoning in Chemistry: Making decisions about acid strength

The characterization of students’ reasoning strategies is of central importance in the development of instructional strategies that foster meaningful learning. In particular, the identification of shortcut reasoning procedures (heuristics) used by students to reduce cognitive load can help us devise strategies to facilitate the development of more analytical ways of thinking. The central goal of this qualitative study was thus to investigate heuristic reasoning as used by organic chemistry college students, focusing our attention on their ability to predict the relative acid strength of chemical compounds represented using explicit composition and structural features (i.e., structural formulas). Our results indicated that many study participants relied heavily on one or more of the following heuristics to make most of their decisions: reduction, representativeness, and lexicographic. Despite having visual access to reach structural information about the substances included in each ranking task, many stude...
Adsorption of Streptococcus mutans on Chemically Treated Hydroxyapatite

Adsorption of Streptococcus mutans on hydroxyapatite and chemically treated hydroxyapatite was studied. Zeta potentials of the surfaces were measured. Chemically treated hydroxyapatite gave higher zeta potentials and lower S mutans adsorption.
Identification of the tartaric acid oxidation products in the tartaric acid accelerated reaction between uranium (IV) and thallium (III)

Abstract When tartaric acid is oxidized by thallium (III) in the presence of uranium (IV), it is converted to glyoxal (C 2 H 2 O 2 ) and carbon dioxide. If sufficient thallium (III) is present all of the tartaric acid is oxidized. In the absence of uranium (IV) tartaric acid is oxidized only very slowly, but in the presence of uranium (IV) its oxidation rate is comparable to the rate of oxidation of uranium (IV) itself. It appears that U(IV)-tartaric acid complexes form which facilitate both the oxidation of tartaric acid and uranium (IV).
The metabolic effects of mild hypothermia on global cerebral ischemia and recirculation in the cat: comparison to normothermia and hyperthermia.

The metabolic effects of graded whole body hypothermia on complete global cerebral ischemia and recirculation was investigated in the cat. Hypothermia was induced to one of three levels prior to ischemia; T = 26.8° ± 0.5° (n = 4), T = 32.1° ± 0.2°C (n = 5), and T = 34.6° ± 0.3°C (n = 6), and maintained constant throughout 16 min of ischemia and 1.5–2 h of recirculation. Intracellular cerebral pH and relative concentrations of high-energy phosphate metabolites were continuously monitored, using in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Except for the first 4 min of ischemia, no significant differences were detected in the response of adenylate intensities and intracellular pH to ischemia and recirculation between the hypothermic groups. The three hypothermic groups were then pooled into one group, and the data compared to previously published data from a normothermic group, T = 38.4° ± 0.6°C (n = 14), and a hyperthermic group, T = 40.6° ± 0.2°C (n = 9), subjected to the identical ischemic ...
Development of substrate cycle enzymes in the hamster small intestine

Abstract A system of enzymes is required for the transport of reducing equivalents from reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) generated in the cytosol into the mitochondria by the substrate cycles. These substrate cycle enzymes are necessary for the flow of pyruvate derived from glucose into the mitochondria for oxidative decarboxylation and for the efficient production of adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) for the unique intestinal nutrient transport functions. The enzymes of the l -glycerol 3-phosphate and the l -malate/ l -aspartate substrate cycles are present before birth and increase significantly at the 7-day postnatal period of development. The key enzymes monitored in the intestinal subcellular fractions were NAD-linked l -glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, flavoprotein-linked l -glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, l -malate dehydrogenase, and l -glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase.
Bilateral Ureteroileostomy and Perineal Urinary Diversion in Dogs

The urinary bladder was excised, and the ureters were implanted into an isolated segment of distal jejunum and ileum in three experimental dogs. The isolated bowel loop was drawn through the pelvic canal within the external anal sphincter to exit ventral to the anus. The dogs were evaluated for urinary continence, urinary tract infection, and renal function for up to 6 months postoperatively. Urinary continence did not return. Continuous urine leakage caused perineal scalding. The cutaneous openings of the isolated bowel loops developed strictures. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen concentrations did not increase. Excretory urography and retrograde radiographic studies of the bowel loop were performed periodically. Unilateral hydronephrosis was observed in two dogs 2 weeks postoperatively. The remainder of the excretory urograms were normal. Ureteral reflux was observed commonly on retrograde contrast studies. Positive bacterial cultures were obtained from all bowel loops and kidneys at necropsy. Alpha-streptococcus, Escherichia coli, and Proteus spp. were isolated most frequently. Mild pyelitis was seen in histopathologic examination of the kidneys after necropsy. Urothelium replaced bowel mucosa near the site of ureteral implantation. This method of urinary diversion is not satisfactory for clinical use.
The pattern of exceptionality across domains in learning disabled children

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the intellectual, academic and behavioral competencies in learning disabled and normally achieving children. Fifty-eight pairs of children (LD and non-LD) in first, second, and third grade were administered the WISC-R and the PIAT; were observed with the SCAN Observational System in their regular classroom; and had teachers who filled out the Classroom Behavior Inventory. Results indicated that the LD children performed l less well on the WISC-R and the PIAT. There was no evidence of greater variability within the LD children nor was there a different pattern of performance in comparison to normally achieving children. The learning disabled children were consistently rated by their classroom teachers as displaying less desirable classroom behavior. The Observational System SCAN corroborated these results, indicating that LD children were more off-task than non-LD children. These result suggest that we re-examine the definition of learning disabilities in the public scholl to put more emphasis on behavioral indices and to refocus the interpretation of test scatter as an index of learning disabilities.
Crystal structures of the Dab homology domains of mouse disabled 1 and 2

Disabled (Dab) 1 and 2 are mammalian homologues of Drosophila DAB. Dab1 is a key cytoplasmic mediator in Reelin signaling that controls cell positioning in the developing central nervous system, whereas Dab2 is an adapter protein that plays a role in endocytosis. DAB family proteins possess an amino-terminal DAB homology (DH) domain that is similar to the phosphotyrosine binding/phosphotyrosine interaction (PTB/PI) domain. We have solved the structures of the DH domains of Dab2 (Dab2-DH) and Dab1 (Dab1-DH) in three different ligand forms, ligand-free Dab2-DH, the binary complex of Dab2-DH with the Asn-Pro-X-Tyr (NPXY) peptide of amyloid precursor protein (APP), and the ternary complex of Dab1-DH with the APP peptide and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins-1,4,5-P3, the head group of phosphatidylinositol-4,5-diphosphate (PtdIns-4,5-P2)). The similarity of these structures suggests that the rigid Dab DH domain maintains two independent pockets for binding of the APP/lipoprotein receptors and phosphoinositides. Mutagenesis confirmed the structural determinants specific for the NPXY sequence and PtdIns-4,5-P2 binding. NMR spectroscopy confirmed that the DH domain binds to Ins-1,4,5-P3 independent of the NPXY peptides. These findings suggest that simultaneous interaction of the rigid DH domain with the NPXY sequence and PtdIns-4,5-P2 plays a role in the attachment of Dab proteins to the APP/lipoprotein receptors and phosphoinositide-rich membranes.
Computer Projection Panels: Technology for the Classroom of the 1990s

Abstract In the classroom of the 1990s, a traditional tool for instruction—chalk—may become as obsolete as the slide rule became during the decade of the 1970s. Even overhead projectors may yield their position of pre-eminence to a new technology called the computer projection panel. A computer projection panel is an LCD display that functions as a surrogate computer monitor and combines the glitz of 33-mm slides with ease of use of an overhead projector. The purposes of this article are to introduce the computer projection panel, highlight the advantages and disadvantages of using it in the classroom, and suggest an integrative strategy for purchasing projection equipment.
Modeling distributed kinetics in isolated semiconductor quantum dots

A detailed modeling of recently observed nonexponential fluorescence intermittency in colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is presented. In particular, experiments have shown that both ``on''-time and ``off''-time probability densities generated from single-QD fluorescence trajectories follow an inverse power law, $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}/\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{f}})\ensuremath{\propto}1/{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{o}\mathrm{n}/\mathrm{o}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{f}}^{1+\ensuremath{\alpha}},$ over multiple decades in time, where the exponent $1+\ensuremath{\alpha}$ can, in general, differ for ``on'' versus ``off'' episodes. Several models are considered and tested against their ability to predict inverse power law behavior in both $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{on}})$ and $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{off}}).$ A physical picture involving electron tunneling to, and return from, traps located several nanometers away from the QD is found to be consistent with the observed $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{off}})$ but does not yield the inverse power-law behavior seen in $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{on}}).$ However, a simple phenomenological model based on exponentially distributed and randomly switched on and off decay rates is analyzed in detail and shown to yield an inverse power-law behavior in both $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{on}})$ and $P({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{off}}).$ Monte Carlo calculations are used to simulate the resulting blinking behavior, and are subsequently compared with experimental observations. Most relevantly, these comparisons indicate that the experimental $\mathrm{o}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{n}\mathrm{off}$ blinking kinetics are independent of excitation intensity, in contradiction with previous multiphoton models of on/off intermittency based on an Auger-assisted ionization of the QD by recombination of a second electron-hole pair.
Mapping quantitative trait loci associated with resistance to bacterial spot ( Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni ) in peach

Bacterial spot, caused by Xanthomonas arboricola pv. pruni (Xap), is a serious disease that can affect peach fruit quality and production worldwide. This disease causes severe defoliation and blemishing of fruit, particularly in areas with high rainfall, strong winds, high humidity, and sandy soil. The molecular basis of its tolerance and susceptibility in peach is yet to be understood. An F2 population of 63 genotypes derived from a cross between peaches “O’Henry” (susceptible) and “Clayton” (resistant) has been used for linkage map construction and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping. Phenotypic data for leaf and fruit response to Xap infection were collected over 2 years at two locations. A high-density genetic linkage map that covers a genetic distance of 421.4 cM with an average spacing between markers of 1.6 cM was developed using the International Peach Single Nucleotide Polymorphism Consortium (IPSC) 9K array v1. Fourteen QTLs with an additive effect on Xap resistance were detected, including four major QTLs on linkage groups (LG) 1, 4, 5, and 6. Major QTLs, Xap.Pp.OC-4.1 and Xap.Pp.OC-4.2, on LG4 were associated with Xap resistance in leaf; Xap.Pp.OC-5.1 on LG5 was associated with Xap resistance in both leaf and fruit, while Xap.Pp.OC-1.2 and Xap.Pp.OC-6.1 on LG1 and LG6, respectively, were associated with Xap resistance in fruit. This suggested separate regulation of leaf and fruit resistance for Xap in peach as well as participation of genes involved in general plant response to biotic stress. The potential for marker-assisted selection for Xap resistance in peach is discussed.
Effects of heel height on knee rotation and gait

Abstract A triaxial electrogoniometer was used along with a Locam camera to measure knee rotation and gait characteristics of nineteen female college students while walking on a treadmill under three experimental conditions (barefoot, running shoes and high heels). Range of valgus-varus, flexion-extension and internal-external rotation during the swing and support phases, and maximum flexion during the swing walking step phase were studied. Significant differences (p
Development of acetylcholinesterase activity in the lateral geniculate nucleus.

The pattern of acetylcholinesterase activity in the tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) undergoes a number of striking changes during postnatal development. The adult tree shrew LGN is made up of six cellular layers divided by relatively cell-free interlaminar zones. At birth, however, the nucleus appears unlaminated when processed with conventional Nissl-staining techniques. The cellular lamination appears during the first postnatal week. The eyes open much later, typically at the end of the third week after birth. In the adult tree shrew, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity is found throughout the nucleus (both within and between the six cellular layers). In most sections examined, reaction product is slightly more intense in the lateral cell layers (4, 5, and 6). This is in sharp contrast to the pattern at birth (postnatal day zero, or P0). The detectable AChE activity at this age is apparently found in inchoate layers 1-2 and 4-5. Within these pairs, areas innervated by the ipsilateral eye (i.e., incipient layers 1 and 5) appear to contain more reaction product. From P0 to P4, the density of AChE activity increases in layers 1-2 and 4-5 and becomes detectable in the barely evident layers 3 and (usually) 6 at this age. By the middle of the second postnatal week, after laminae are clearly apparent with a Nissl stain, AChE activity has increased and is mainly associated with each cellular layer in the nucleus. During the third week after birth this pattern undergoes a radical shift. The most intense AChE activity is now in the interlaminar zones. Finally, as the adult pattern emerges, AChE activity increases in the cellular layers and all areas of the nucleus exhibit relatively high levels of AChE activity. Superimposed on this changing laminar pattern of AChE activity are changes related to the retinotopic map within the nucleus. Portions of the LGN representing central vision develop their characteristic pattern of activity several days ahead of the regions representing more peripheral visual field locations. AChE activity is also found transiently in the optic tract near the LGN during the first 3 postnatal weeks. Two (possibly three) groups of AChE-carrying fibers can be traced from the optic chiasm to their apparent sites of termination (or origin) in the parabigeminal nucleus, ventral lateral geniculate nucleus, and dorsal LGN. The activity present in the optic tract disappears shortly after eye opening. These results suggest that AChE and/or its associated neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, may play a role in the sequential development of connections and lamination in the LGN. The observed shifting pattern of AChE activity is consistent with a morphogenetic role for the enzyme, as suggested by others. However, it may also simply reflect the establishment and neurochemical maturation of cholinergic synapses during development of the LGN.
VLF wave localization in the low‐altitude auroral region

Localized packets of electrostatic whistler emissions near the lower hybrid frequency have been observed in the low-attitude auroral region by sounding rockets and the Freja satellite. We present a model for wave localization that requires two ion species, O+ and H+, whereby the minority H+ ions control the localization process. The theoretical basis is that the plasma dispersion is dramatically affected by small changes in the H+ density and that the observed emissions would selectively heat H+. We show observational support for the proposed model.
Adoption in free-ranging red howler monkeys, Alouatta seniculus of Venezuela

This report describes three cases of infant adoption in red howler monkeys (Alouatta seniculus) of Venezuela. In one case, a lactating female adopted her infant granddaughter after the infant's mother disappeared and the infant survived for the next 25 months. In the second case, an adult female adopted her infant granddaughter for nine days while the infant's mother was still a group member. In the third case, a nulliparous female temporarily adopted an infant from a neighboring group. The details and the possible reasons for these adoption are described.
Improving academic success for students with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome

Students with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) often struggle to achieve academic success not only due to symptom interference, but also because educators may lack an understanding of the cognitive and learning deficits that accompany the illness. Traditional education research may lead teachers to employ less-than-effective strategies and accommodations to support students with this illness. Recent findings from neurocognitive research provide greater insight into the cognitive deficits that accompany ME/CFS and also suggest more effective classroom strategies. The purpose of this paper is to outline the cognitive and classroom challenges faced by students with ME/CFS, and to provide examples of sensible accommodations for those problems. These accommodations are intended to improve the academic success of students with this debilitating illness.
Four decades of structure determination by mass spectrometry: from alkaloids to heparin.

The early (1950’s and 1960’s) use of mass spectrometry in natural products chemistry and its evolution to the present significance in biochemistry is recounted. This methodology allowed the facile and speedy determination of the structure of a number of indole alkaloids, such as sarpagine, quebrachamine, and two groups isolated from the roots of Aspidosperma quebracho blanco. At the same time, the first strategy for the sequencing of small peptides by mass spectrometry was demonstrated. It slowly advanced, over a period of two decades, to an important alternative of the ubiquitous automated Edman degradation. Further advances in methodology and instrumentation established mass spectrometry as today’s indispensable tool for the characterization of proteins in biochemistry and biology. A new concept of the ionization of highly acidic compounds as the protonated complexes with basic peptides, which allows the accurate determination of the molecular weights of the former, a highly sensitive method for the sequencing of heparin fragments and related sulfated glycosaminoglycans was developed more recently.
Robust surface perception in range data

We present an autonomous, statistically robust, sequential function approximation approach to simultaneous parameterization and organization of (possibly partially occluded) surfaces in noisy, outlier-ridden (not Gaussian) range data. Unlike existing surface characterization techniques, our method generates complete surface hypotheses in parameter space. Given a noisy depth map of an unknown 3D scene, the algorithm first selects appropriate seed points representing possible surfaces. For each non-redundant seed it chooses the best approximating model from a given set of competing models using the Modified Akaike Information Criterion (MCAIC). With this best model, each surface is expanded from its seed over the entire image, and this step is repeated for all seeds. Those points which appear to be outliers with respect to the model in growth are not included in the (possibly disconnected) surface. Point regions are removed from each newly grown surface in the prune stage. Noise, outliers, or coincidental surface alignment may cause some points to appear to belong to more than one surface. These ambiguities are resolved by a weighted voting scheme within a 5 X 5 decision window centered around the ambiguous point. The isolated point regions left after the resolve stage are removed and any missing points in the data are filled by the surface having a majority consensus in an 8-neighborhood.
Sulofenur cytotoxicity and changes in cytosolic calcium and mitochondrial membrane potential in human colon adenocarcinoma cell lines

Abstract Sulofenur treatment (12.5 μM-1 mM) of colon adenocarcinoma cell lines resulted in dose- and time-dependent cell killing. LYc5 cells were viable longer than GC 3 c 1 , cells. Each concentration resulted in elevation of cytosolic calcium [Ca2+]i) for both cell lines. At lower doses, elevation was delayed for LYc5 cells. GC 3 C 1 cells after 1 mM treatment in Ca2+-free HBSS showed no rise of [Ca2+]i. GC 3 C 1 cells after carbonyl cyanide-m-chlorophenylhydrazone rapidly lost rhodamine 123 fluorescence from mitochondria; after 1 mM sulofenur, fluorescence faded slowly. Following treatment, cells became rounded, blebs formed and the cells died. Results suggest that elevated [Ca2+]i plays an important role in sulofenur cytotoxicity.
Transfer effects of word and letter training in reading

Summary The child's process of learning to read was simulated by teaching adults to read several Arabic words. The purposes of the study were to determine the transfer value of training with individual letters as opposed to whole words, and to investigate the role of grapheme-phoneme associations in reading. It was found that letter training had greater transfer value than word training. Knowledge of grapheme-phoneme correspondences was not necessary to read words, but was necessary for transfer to new words. The reason for the overall inferiority of word training was either that it did not direct as many subjects to learn grapheme-phoneme correspondences, or that not all subjects were capable of picking out these relationships when embedded in words.
CATALYTIC PROCESSING CATALYTIC PROCESSING OF HEAVY CRUDE OILS AND RESIDUALS I. CHARACTERIZATION AND KINETIC STUDIES

ABSTRACT In the past two decades, there has been a considerable effort directed towards the development of effective processes for upgrading heavy oil and residual feedstocks. These materials are more difficult to process than lighter feedstocks because of their large molecular size and heteroatom and metals content. A sound understanding of the chemical and physical properties of these materials is essential for the development of efficient upgrading schemes. By combining information gleaned from numerous studies, a better understanding of the chemistry of these materials is slowly developing. In this review article, the results from numerous characterization studies with heavy oil feedstocks are discussed. Because the molecular size of the constituents of these materials is an important characteristic in catalytic upgrading schemes, much of the work examined here involves efforts to determine effective molecular size. Results from various kinetic studies involving hydrodemetallation, hydrodesulfurizatia...
Femtosecond optical correlation using four-wave mixing

Abstract A matched-filter optical correlator was built using four-wave mixing in an air-stable degenerate ground state conjugated polymer. The four-wave mixing architecture results in a highly parallel optical computer which completes an image correlation in less than 160 fs. The images correlated were each 5000 pixels in size, resulting in a peak data processing rate of 3 × 10 16 operations per second. The results demonstrate the application of the large third order nonlinear optical susceptibilities of conjugated polymers in optical computing, achieving data processing rates that cannot be approached by current electronic computers.
A NEW FAMILY OF SERINE PROTEINASE INHIBITORS (SERPINS) EXPRESSED IN THE LUNG INHIBIT BOTH SERINE AND CYSTEINE PROTEINASES. † 1950

Lung injury can result from an imbalance between proteinases (e.g. neutrophil elastase, cathepsin G, cathepsin L, cathepsin S) and their specific inhibitors. Neutrophil elastase and cathepsin G are elastolytic serine proteinases that are released from the azurophilic granules of activated neutrophils. In addition, the cysteine proteinases cathepsin L and S are contained in the lysosomal compartment of human lung macrophages. Cathepsin S and L are two of the most potent elastolytic enzymes found in humans. Alpha 1-antitrypsin and secretory leukoproteinase inhibitor are serine proteinase inhibitors that partially protect the lung from proteolytic degradation, however these enzymes are easily inactivated by the highly oxidative environment at the mucosal surface.
Sludge dewatering with cyclodextrins

Cyclodextrins (CDs) increase the cake solids and drainage rate of belt-pressed biological or primary sludge when added to the sludge slurry along with conventional conditioning chemicals. These benefits are obtained at very low CD dosage. A 2.8 percentage point increase in cake solids was obtained in a full-scale trial with mixed primary and biological sludge from a paper mill. CDs also decrease the specific resistance to filtration and increase the capture rate of solids during belt pressing. Mechanistic studies showed that CDs increase the surface tension of c-PAM polymers in water and reduce the turbidity, indicating that they are able to aggregate the charged polymers, and, by inference, sludge particles treated with the polymer. A mechanism is proposed where CDs reduce excessively charged regions of the polymer-treated surface of the sludge, thereby facilitating its flocculation.
Life History of the Endangered Vermilion Darter (Etheostoma chermocki) Endemic to the Black Warrior River System, Alabama

ABSTRACT The endangered vermilion darter (Etheostoma chermocki) is endemic to the Black Warrior River system, Mobile Basin, Alabama. Collections of specimens obtained from October 1969 to January 2000 were evaluated to determine life history characteristics. Standard length was significantly correlated with body mass, gonad mass, and clutch size. Sex ratio (2:1) was in favor of females. Length frequency distribution and enumeration of otolith annuli revealed four different age classes (0 to 3). Vermilion darters matured at the end of the first year of life. Gonadosomatic index indicated reproduction occurred from March to June. Mean clutch size was 65 oocytes per female, and mean oocyte diameter was 1.14 mm. The vermilion darter is a generalist benthic invertivore, predominantly consuming larval chironomids, tipulids, and hydropsychids. Diet breadth was greatest during warmer months and least during colder months.
Multiple-scattering and nucleon-recoil effects in pion production by nucleons on nuclei

We consider multiple-scattering and nucleon-recoil effects in the production of charged pions by nucleons incident on complex nuclei at intermediate energies. We find that the general features of the results are similar to those obtained earlier with a simpler semiclassical model. The inclusion of nucleon recoil increases the number of low energy pions but not enough to explain the observed ..pi../sup -/ data. (AIP)
Training observers for receiver operating characteristic studies

In an ongoing, multi-reader, multi-project program dealing with the interpretation of radiological images, we have examined several issues of methodology which have not as yet been addressed that may impact on the determination of reader performance as measured by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. Among these are issues associated with the training of observers prior to such studies. We employed three types of observer training that we found to be necessary for the successful performance of such studies: 1) a general instructional session for observers on the study protocol and system operation; 2) practice with an interactive computerized feedback teaching file that demonstrates the imaging systems and familiarized readers with an idea of the types of cases that were used in the study along with their correct diagnoses; and 3) training sessions in which readers were taught the manner in which to distribute answer ratings over an ordinal confidence scale. The possible effect of such types of training on the performance and results of ROC studies should be carefully considered prior to their commencement.
Sex Differences in Stroke

Increasing evidence suggests that sex differences exist in the etiology, presentation, treatment, and outcome from stroke. The reasons for these sex disparities are becoming increasingly explored, but large gaps still exist in our knowledge. Experimental studies over the past several years have demonstrated intrinsic sex differences both in vivo and in animal models which may have relevance to our understanding of stroke in clinical populations. A greater understanding of the differences and similarities between males and females with respect to the risk factors, pathophysiology, and response to stroke will facilitate the design of future clinical trials and enhance the development of treatment strategies to improve stroke care in both sexes. This article reviews the current literature on sex differences in stroke with an emphasis on the clinical data, incorporating an analysis of bench research as it pertains to the bedside.
Isolated splenic metastasis from carcinoma of the breast: A Case Report

Breast carcinoma with visceral metastasis to the lungs, liver, and bone is common. However, isolated splenic metastases from breast carcinoma are rare. This has been rarely described in the medical literature. This case report presents a 48-year-old woman with newly diagnosed breast cancer and an isolated splenic metastasis diagnosed by ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Radiologic staging revealed no involvement of other organs, such as lungs, liver, or bone. The pathogenesis of rare single splenic metastasis and the diagnostic role of FNA on the spleen lesion are discussed. This case is being reported due to its rare metastatic initial presentation and the role of FNA in achieving the diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2013;41:914–916. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Rash and fever

n r. David McCann: Today’s case is that of a 20-yearld woman who presented to the Emergency Department ED) with complaint of an allergic reaction. The patient as in her usual state of health until 2 days prior, when he presented to an outside ED complaining of redness nd watery discharge of the eyes, swelling and pain of he lips, and sore throat. At that time, she was diagnosed ith an “allergic reaction” and was treated with acetminophen and oxycodone for pain and sent home. Since hat time, her symptoms worsened, and she developed loughing of the lips, purulent appearing discharge of the yes, mild cough, shortness of breath, fever to 38.3°C 101°F), and a rash. Review of systems was otherwise egative. Dr. Eric Nadel: Are there any questions about the atient’s history of present illness? Dr. Derek Barclay: Where did the rash start and was t pruritic or painful? Dr. McCann: The rash was first noted distally on the ands and arms, and then spread centripetally to the chest nd back. The rash was mildly pruritic and painless, lthough the sloughing on the lips was painful. Dr. Todd Listwa: Did the patient have any other edical history, any recent new medications, any sick ontacts, or any travel history? Dr. McCann: The patient reported that 3 weeks prior o the onset of symptoms, she had started to take an ver-the-counter diet pill. Additionally, she had her first ntra-muscular injection of medroxyprogesterone acetate
Effect of Ablation of Sensory Cortex upon the Threshold to Pain Reaction.

ConclusionAblation of the sensory cortex alone, or of the sensory and motor cortex, does not raise the threshold to pain reaction. In one animal massive unilateral ablation of the cortex made the animal more sensitive to painful stimuli applied to a body surface projected upon the ablated cortex.The authors wish to thank the Physiology Department of the College of Medicine for the use of space and of apparatus essential to the performance of these experiments.
Window-based development and evaluation platform for star identification algorithms

Star identification algorithms are difficult to develop, require much parameter adjustment, and are hard to evaluate for different sensor configurations or noise environments. We describe a software platform, star_X that was developed for the design and testing of star identification algorithms. It provides a user-friendly window environment, standardized evaluation routines, and a flexible sensor specification format to assist researchers in developing and evaluating star identification algorithms. We describe the software package and compare some existing star identification algorithms that are currently supported.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Finite Element Analysis of Adaptive-Stiffening and Shape-Control SMA Hybrid Composites

Shape memory alloy hybrid composites with adaptive-stiffening or morphing functions are simulated using finite element analysis. The composite structure is a laminated fiber-polymer composite beam with embedded SMA ribbons at various positions with respect to the neutral axis of the beam. Adaptive stiffening or morphing is activated via selective resistance heating of the SMA ribbons or uniform thermal loads on the beam. The thermomechanical behavior of these composites was simulated in ABAQUS using user-defined SMA elements. The examples demonstrate the usefulness of the methods for the design and simulation of SMA hybrid composites. Keywords: shape memory alloys, Nitinol, ABAQUS, finite element analysis, post-buckling control, shape control, deflection control, adaptive stiffening, morphing, constitutive modeling, user element
Sea ice in the western Antarctic Peninsula region : Spatio-temporal variability from ecological and climate change perspectives

Abstract The Antarctic Peninsula region is undergoing rapid change: a warming in winter of almost 6 °C since 1950, the loss of six ice shelves, the retreat of 87% of the marine glaciers, and decreases in winter sea-ice duration. Concurrently, there is evidence of ecosystem change along the western Antarctic Peninsula (wAP). Since the life histories of most polar marine species are synchronized with the seasonal cycle of sea ice, we assess how the seasonal sea-ice cycle is changing in the wAP region. Four new metrics of seasonal sea-ice variability were extracted from spatial maps of satellite derived daily sea-ice concentration: (a) day of advance, (b) day of retreat, (c) the total number of sea-ice days (between day of advance and retreat), and (d) the percent time sea-ice was present (or sea-ice persistence). The spatio-temporal variability describes distinct on-to-offshore and alongshore differences in ice–ocean marine habitats, characterized overall by a longer sea-ice season in coastal regions (6.8–7.9 months) versus a shorter sea-ice season over the shelf (4.1–5.3 months), with on-to-offshore differences increasing south-to-north. Large perturbations in the seasonality of the marine habitat occur in association with ENSO and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) variability. The local atmospheric response to these climate modes is largely a strengthening of the meridional winds during spring-to-autumn, which in turn affect the timing of the sea-ice retreat and subsequent advance. These perturbations are embedded in overall trends towards a later sea-ice advance, earlier retreat and consequently shorter sea-ice season, the impacts of which are expected to affect ecosystem functionality in the wAP region. A suite of ocean–atmosphere–ice interactions are described that are consistent with the amplified warming in late autumn, early winter.
Chromatin Assembly Factor I Mutants Defective for PCNA Binding Require Asf1/Hir Proteins for Silencing

Chromatin assembly factor I (CAF-I) is a conserved histone H3/H4 deposition complex. Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants lacking CAF-I subunit genes (CAC1 to CAC3) display reduced heterochromatic gene silencing. In a screen for silencing-impaired cac1 alleles, we isolated a mutation that reduced binding to the Cac3p subunit and another that impaired binding to the DNA replication protein PCNA. Surprisingly, mutations in Cac1p that abolished PCNA binding resulted in very minor telomeric silencing defects but caused silencing to be largely dependent on Hir proteins and Asf1p, which together comprise an alternative silencing pathway. Consistent with these phenotypes, mutant CAF-I complexes defective for PCNA binding displayed reduced nucleosome assembly activity in vitro but were stimulated by Asf1p-histone complexes. Furthermore, these mutant CAF-I complexes displayed a reduced preference for depositing histones onto newly replicated DNA. We also observed a weak interaction between Asf1p and Cac2p in vitro, and we hypothesize that this interaction underlies the functional synergy between these histone deposition proteins.