cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological training of emergency medical technicians: an evaluation.

One of the strategies in community psychology for expanding mental health manpower has been to identify groups of individuals at the "psychological frontlines" and to train them in psychological intervention skills (Bard, 1976; Cowen, 1982). Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) may be such a group because they respond immediately to unpredictable psychological crises and are the authority figures responsible for managing these unforseen events. Survey data from five metropolitan areas of Georgia suggest that behavioral or emotional problems account for 15 to 40% of EMT emergency responses (Hampton, 1980). Despite the potential benefits of training EMTs in psychological intervention skills, EMTs typically are not taught how to respond to individuals in psychological crisis. Scheib (Note 1) has suggested that failure to provide this experience is the major weakness in the training of EMTs. If psychological training is to be offered to EMTs it must be very brief since it will have to compete timewise with many nonpsychological programs (Morando, Note 2). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to develop, implement, and empirically evaluate a replicable training program that could be taught to EMts within two 4-hour evening sessions.
Ureotelism in the slug, Limax flavus Linné.

The slug, Limax flavus, excretes both urea and purines. 1 Urea and purines account for up to 59 and 41% of the excretory nitrogen, respectively. 2 Of the purines excreted uric acid predominates (64%) with quanine (22%) and xanthine (14%) usually being voided in lesser amounts. Neither adenine or hypoxanthine was detected. 3 Urea was excreted in urine while the purines were deposited irregularly, as semi-solid, yellowish nubs.
Parallel changes in vivo in microsomal inorganic pyrophosphatase, pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase and glucose 6-phosphatase activities.

Abstract 1. 1. Three enzymatic activities, glucose 6-phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.9), microsomal inorganic pyrophosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase, have been measured in liver and kidney preparations from normal rats and from rats subjected to fasting and to a number of endocrine changes. 2. 2. The three activities, measured in either whole homogenates or microsomal fractions of liver, were found to change in an exactly parallel fashion in all cases studied. The enzymes were comparably elevated after cortisone administration, approximately doubled after an 18-h fast, and increased about 4-fold in alloxan-diabetic rats. Insulin administration or adrenalectomy, in diabetic rats, reduced hepatic enzymatic activities to approximately normal levels. The level of the three activities was somewhat low in livers from rats in late pregnancy and nearly absent in 18- to 21-day-old fetal livers. 3. 3. Comparable levels of the three activities were present in kidney and liver homogenates from normal rats, but the kidney enzyme was somewhat less responsive to changes in vivo than was the liver enzyme. 4. 4. In each of the metabolic states studied, changes in the inorganic pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities were parallel to changes in glucose 6-phosphatase activity. The constant ratios of the three enzymatic activities, under a variety of physiological conditions, provide further evidence for our earlier conclusion, based on kinetic evidence, that the three enzymatic activities are catalyzed by a single microsomal enzyme.
Robust Controller Design for AQM Router

This paper designs a robust active queue management (AQM) controller for IP routers based on the robust mu-analysis. Specifically, we synthesize the controller by modeling the uncertainty of the TCP/AQM system in the form of an uncertainty weight, and by approximating the mu-optimal control problem with the Hinfin S/T/U MSP (Mixed Sensitivity Problem). We also analyze the NP (Nominal Performance), the RS (Robust Stability) and the RP (Robust Performance) of the TCP/AQM system
Freeze tolerance and cryoprotection in caterpillars of the giant leopard moth (Ecpantheria scribonia Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Abstract 1. The giant leopard moth ( Ecpantheria scribonia ) caterpillars were collected during October in Pennsylvania (USA) in order to measure indicators of cold hardiness. 2. The supercooling point rose 2–4 °C with cold acclimation (3 °C) but this change missed statistical significance ( P = 0.0653 ). Hemolymph osmolality and glycerol also rose over 50% and 4.5×, respectively. 3. All caterpillars initially survived freezing at −3 °C for 5 days but just under 30% survived to adulthood. 4. Ecpantheria scribonia may have a lower level of cold hardiness than other arctiid moth caterpillars (e.g. Pyrrharctia isabella ), reflecting interspecific latitudinal distribution patterns.
Differential expression of pro- and antiangiogenic factors in mouse strain-dependent hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization

Clinical observations suggest that genetic factors may influence heterogeneity of angiogenic responses in cardiovascular disease, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and neoplasia. Experiments among mouse strains using a corneal micropocket assay indicate that extent of angiogenesis may be genetically determined. Here, we established the strain-dependence of hypoxia-induced retinal angiogenesis in multiple mouse strains which paralleled the rank order found for bFGF-induced corneal angiogenesis. Using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, strain-related gene expression differences in retina/choroid between C57BL/6J and 129S3/SvIM, inbred strains with relatively low and high levels of angiogenesis, respectively, after 0, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 h hypoxia were determined for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), angiogenic ligands potently induced by hypoxia, and for pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), endogenous broad-spectrum antiangiogenic factors. Indirect ELISA was used to correlate VEGF and PEDF protein levels with mRNA expression. At the onset of hypoxia, both PEDF and TSP-1 levels were increased over 15-fold and VEGF was increased over 10-fold compared to Ang-2 in both strains. At the onset of neovascularization (48 h), both VEGF and Ang-2 mRNA levels were increased in the more angiogenic 129S3/SvIM strain (P < 0.02), which was not observed among developmental control animals. PEDF expression was higher in the less angiogenic C57BL/6J strain at 6, 12, 24, and 96 h hypoxia (P < 0.03), while TSP-1 expression was higher in C57BL/6J throughout the entire time course of hypoxia (4 days) compared to 129S3/SvIM (P < 0.02). Among developmental control animals, PEDF and TSP-1 expression was also increased at P14 and P16 in C57BL/6J strain compared to 129S3/SvIM (P < 0.02). Strain-dependent expression of both pro- and antiangiogenic growth factors may determine heterogeneity in the angiogenic response and potentially, susceptibility to angiogenesis-dependent diseases.
On k-pairable regular graphs

Let k be a positive integer. A graph G is said to be k-pairable if its automorphism group contains an involution @f such that d(x,@f(x))>=k for any vertex x of G. The pair length of a graph G, denoted as p(G), is the maximum k such that G is k-pairable; p(G)=0 if G is not k-pairable for any positive integer k. Some new results have been obtained since these concepts were introduced by Chen [Z. Chen, On k-pairable graphs, Discrete Mathematics 287 (2004) 11-15]. In the present paper, we first introduce a new concept called strongly induced cycle and use it to give a condition for a graph G to have p(G)=k. Then we consider the class G(r,k) of prime graphs which are r-regular and have pair length k. For any integers r,k>=2, except r=k=2, we show that the set G(r,k) is not empty, determine the minimum order of a graph in G(r,k), and give a construction for such a graph with the minimum order. With this approach, we also obtain the minimum order of an r-regular graph with pair length k for any integers r,k>=2. Finally, we post an open question for further research.
Dynamic compensation of measurable disturbances in non-linear multivariable systems

This paper concerns multivariable nonlinear systems with measurable disturbance inputs. For such systems, we address the problem of eliminating the effect of the disturbance inputs on the outputs and achieving a well-characterized linear input/output behaviour in the closed-loop system. Necessary and sufficient conditions are derived under which dynamic feedforward/static state feedback laws solve the above problem, and explicit synthesis formulas are developed.
Anxiety sensitivity: selective review of promising research and future directions.

Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is the fear of anxiety and arousal-related sensations [1]. AS, or the fear of fear, has been conceptualized as a trait-like cognitive predisposition. When anxious, individu...
Urban Employment and the Mismatch Dilemma: Accounting for the Immigration Exception

This essay tests key components of the mismatch hypothesis with a sample of inner-city men that includes four ethnic or racial groupings — whites, Blacks, Puerto Ricans, and Mexican immigrants. The findings provide limited support to mismatch. Key components of mismatch, such as human capital attributes and access to automobile commuting, do appear to influence employment likelihoods among native disadvantaged minorities, but have little effect on immigrants. The latter consistently exhibit high employment rates. The interpretation offered rests on two factors. First, the data support the idea that immigrants' social networks largely underlie their impressive work records. In addition, the data provide limited support to the explanation, strongly indicated in the literature, that immigrants are favored by employers for their exploitability and that such preferences are expressed via hiring techniques that utilize the immigrants' social networks.
Cell population kinetics of excised roots of Pisum sativum.

The cell population kinetics of excised, cultured pea roots was studied with the use of tritiated thymidine and colchicine to determine (1) the influence of excision, (2) the influence of sucrose concentration, (3) the average mitotic cycle duration, and (4) the duration of mitosis and the G1, S, and G2 periods of interphase.1 The results indicate that the process of excision causes a drop in the frequency of mitotic figures when performed either at the beginning of the culture period or after 100 hours in culture. This initial decrease in frequency of cell division is independent of sucrose concentration, but the subsequent rise in frequency of division, after 12 hours in culture, is dependent upon sucrose concentration. Two per cent sucrose maintains the shortest mitotic cycle duration. The use of colchicine indicated an average cycle duration of 20 hours, whereas the use of tritiated thymidine produced an average cycle duration of 17 hours.
DNA methylated in vitro by a monofunctional alkylating agent as a substrate for a specific nuclease from Micrococcus lysodeikticus.

Abstract Coliphage T7 DNA was alkylated with methyl methanesulfonate to give an alkali-stable product with about 16 added methyl groups per molecule. This methylated DNA was attacked by an extract from Micrococcus lysodeikticus which made single strand breaks in methylated but not in control DNA. The breaks occurred at or near the site of the methylation. Bacillus subtilis extracts also attacked methylated DNA but in contrast to the M. lysodeikticus preparations were unable to attack ultraviolet-treated DNA, suggesting that separate enzymes recognize the different types of damage. Methylation per se converts DNA into a substrate for a specific nuclease.
Successful transition to buprenorphine in a patient with methadone-induced torsades de pointes

A 56-year-old-man presented with syncope and torsades de pointes secondary to methadone-induced QT prolongation. After transition from methadone to buprenorphine, a partial μ-opiate-receptor agonist and a κ-opiate-receptor antagonist, the QT normalized and ventricular arrhythmias resolved. Buprenorphine should be used for opiate dependence and chronic pain in patients with methadone-induced QT prolongation and as first line therapy in patients with risk factors for torsades de pointes.
Influences of Diet and Nutrition on Clinical Pharmacokinetics

The human diet represents a complex and variable mixture of nutrients, many of which have the potential for altering the disposition of drugs. This review highlights progress from a number of laboratories illustrating nutrient influences on drug dispositions and actions. Emphasis is placed on nutritional effects on hepatic drug metabolism studied in humans. Data from animals have sometimes been difficult to extrapolate to humans, as illustrated by reports on the influences of starvation, dietary lipids, and ascorbic acid. From studies in healthy subjects it is now clear that a number of specific dietary factors can influence drug metabolism by the mixed function oxidase system and conjugating enzymes. These include dietary protein, cruciferous vegetables, charcoal-broiled beef containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and methylxanthines. The effects of such dietary components have been demonstrated for only a limited number of drug substrates for these enzyme systems. Effects of food on bioavailability have been more widely studied, and depend greatly upon the type of drug. Malnutrition can be associated with variable but potentially important effects on the bioavailability, binding, hepatic metabolism, and renal clearance of drugs. In malnourished patients it is generally difficult to recognise the roles of individual nutrient deficiencies on drug disposition, and clinical predictors of altered pharmacokinetics for various drugs in such patients are not well defined. It is likely that many important interrelationships between nutrition and new or already marketed drugs remain to be recognised, and therefore warrant further research. Nutritional effects on drug metabolising enzymes also have implications for endogenous substances such as hormones and environmental toxins and carcinogens which are metabolised by the same or related enzyme systems, and for diseases likely to be related to the actions of such chemicals.
Shifts in broadcast policy and the value of television licenses

Abstract This paper examines how the FCC's deregulation of cable television, the changes in multiple ownership rules in broadcasting, and other reforms, have been capitalized in the market prices paid for television stations during the period from 1969 through 1987. Switching regression models indicate the existence of scarcity rents accruing to television stations during the period of intense cable regulation (1969 to 1976). Indeed, broadcast interests knew what they were protecting, because as deregulation proceeded, these regulatory-induced rents appear to have declined for a period of years. In contrast, the removal of ownership restrictions favored the industry by expanding the pool of bidders in the market, and produced a substantial increase in the value of licenses. Further, this study identifies the sources of price variations due to market size and station characteristics, revealing the presence of substantial distributional effects of regulatory policy.
Characterization of the Adhesive Properties of the Type IIb Subfamily Receptor Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases

AbstractReceptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) have cell adhesion molecule–like extracellular domains coupled to cytoplasmic tyrosine phosphatase domains. PTPμ is the prototypical member of the type IIb subfamily of RPTPs, which includes PTPρ, PTPκ, and PCP-2. The authors performed the first comprehensive analysis of the subfamily in one system, examining adhesion and antibody recognition. The authors evaluated if antibodies that they developed to detect PTPmu also recognized other subfamily members. Notably, each antibody recognizes distinct subsets of type IIb RPTPs. PTPμ, PTPρ, and PTPκ have all been shown to mediate cell-cell aggregation, and prior work with PCP-2 indicated that it can mediate bead aggregation in vitro. This study reveals that PCP-2 is unique among the type IIb RPTPs in that it does not mediate cell-cell aggregation via homophilic binding. The authors conclude from these experiments that PCP-2 is likely to have a distinct biological function other than cell-cell aggregation.
Scatter-and clump-dispersal and seedling demography: hypothesis and implications.

Fruit-eating animals deposit viable seeds in patterns that determine the conditions under which seeds and seedlings live or die. Many tree species are scatter-dispersed by birds, bats, or other small frugivores that regurgitate, defecate, or drop seeds singly or in pairs. These scatterdispersed plant species normally recruit as isolated individuals, and are unlikely to evolve exceptional resistance to herbivores, pathogens, or to other sources of density-dependent seed or seedling mortality. Other tree species are clump-dispersed by larger terrestrial or arboreal frugivores that defecate seeds in masses which produce bouquets of seedlings. Because their seeds invariably germinate in close proximity to other seedlings, clump-dispersed species necessarily evolve chemical or mechanical defenses against seed predators, pathogens, and herbivores that act in a densitydependent manner.Population and genetic attributes should reflect this basic dichotomy in the conditions of seedling recruitment. I predict that seedlings of scatter-dispersed species rarely survive near parents or in dense aggregations under frugivore roosts. Seed dispersal should be mandatory, often to light gaps or other special habitats. Outbred adults and juveniles are expected to exist at low densities in loose aggregations or random distributions. Seedlings of clump-dispersed trees are pre-adapted for survival in dense aggregations near parents, as well as in fecal clumps. Substantial recruitment of juveniles and young adults should occur from undispersed seeds under and near parent trees. Such species should be common, highly aggregated, and show strong genetic family structure. Because recruitment requires dispersal, scatter-dispersed plant species should be especially vulnerable to loss of dispersal agents. Because offspring consistently recruit near parents, clump-dispersed plants should be less vulnerable to temporary loss of dispersal agents.
A novel instrument to delineate varietal and harvest effects on blueberry fruit texture during storage.

BACKGROUND: Firmness is an important quality index for blueberries. It is the major factor that determines consumer acceptability, storability and resistance to injury and diseases during storage and fresh marketing. Blueberry cultivars vary in their firmness, with southern highbush cultivars usually softer than Rabbiteye blueberries. In this study, varietal and harvest effects on blueberry firmness were measured by the Firmtech II and laser air-puff instruments. This was the first time that the laser air-puff, a non-contact food firmness tester, had been used for firmness testing of small fruit, such as blueberry. RESULTS: Two southern highbush cultivars (Sweet Crisp and Emerald) and two Rabbiteye cultivars (Vernon and Savory) were used for varietal effect measurement, while a Rabbiteye cultivar (Premier) that was both machine and hand harvested was used for harvest effect observation. Fifty berry samples per replicate and four replicates were tested by two instruments at harvest and after 7, 14, or 21 days of storage. The laser air-puff tester successfully delineated the difference in firmness due to cultivar characteristics and harvest methods, as well as the firmness loss over 21 days of postharvest cold storage (4 °C). The firmness index derived from the laser air-puff tester achieved a significant correlation with the firmness values measured by the Firmtech (R2 = 0.80). A new texture index, springiness, was developed from the laser air-puff, which largely reflects the varietal differences in elasticity of fruit. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the efficacy of the laser air-puff instrument for blueberry firmness measurement. This non-contact instrument not only provides an alternative method of firmness measurement, but also offers a new index for fruit elasticity evaluation and better texture evaluation for blueberries. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry
Stria Vascularis of Deaf Hedlund Mink: Light and electron micioscopic studies of vascular insufficiency

The stria vascularis of deaf Hedlund mink is atrophic and its vascular supply is abnormally sluggish. Its vascular pattern is simpler than normal because many normal connecting vessels disappear during maturation. Ferritin particles provide a convenient means of studying vascular transport by electron microscopy. Injected ferritin does not enter strial vessels in Hedlund mink. Intravascular clotting and endothelial swelling were observed in these vessels.
Initial design and validation of packaging directional antennas for structural health and road condition monitoring

This paper presents an effort that is aimed at addressing two challenges in the monitoring of some bridges and roads: poor wireless signal transmission and low real-world survivability of wireless sensors. A product is proposed; a prototype is designed and made to protect some off-the-shelf wireless sensors and improve their performance. The design is based on numerical simulations of the electromagnetic field including using finitedifference time-domain method. To protect the wireless sensors and all other components, basic structural analysis is exercised to obtain an enclosure design that tends to optimize the load-carrying capacity given the design constraints. All materials used for the enclosure have low electrical conductivities limiting or nullifying their negative imprint on wireless communication. Off-the-shelf components are utilized as often as possible to minimize the overall cost and expedite the manufacturing process. The problem encountered in the real-world testing of the design is presented, analyzed and solved.
A Digital Video Acquisition System For Extraction Of Subvisual Information In Diagnostic Medical Imaging

A system has been developed to allow single frame acquisition of superior quality digitized video images. The system consists of a high-quality x-ray image intensifier coupled to a high-resolution, low-noise video system. The output video signal is fed to a digital memory having 512 x 512 pixels and 8-bit accuracy. The memory output is directly interfaced to a PDP 11/70 image processing facility to allow computer controlled acquisition of video imagery as well as real-time visualization of computer processed images. Computer pro-cessed images are returned to the memory for display. Techniques and examples of processed radiological images will be discussed, and examples shown. Additional digital memories are under construction for 12-bit dynamic range.
Two-dimensional echographic observations in major detachment of a prosthetic aortic valve.

5. Daoud FS,‘Reeves JT, Kelly DB: Isoproterenol as a potential pulmonary vasodilator in primary pulmonary hypertension. Am J Cardiol 42:817, 1978. Sato M, Nagano ‘T, Yamaguchi I, Nakajima H, Kiyomoto A: Pharmacological studies on a new l,&benzothiazepine derivative (CDR-401). Arzneim Forsch :!1:1338, 1971. Wagenvoort CA, Wagenvoort N: Primary pulmonary hypertension: A pathologic study of thle lung vessels in 156 clinically diagnosed cases. Circulation 42:1163, 1970. Yasue H, Omoto S, Takizawa A, Nagano M, Miwa K, Tanaka S: Exertional angina pectoris caused by coronary arterial spasm: Effects of various drugs. Am J Cardiol 43:647, 1979. Walcott G, Burclhell MB, Brown AL Jr: Primary pulmonary hypertension. Am J Med 49:70, 1970.
Insulin-like growth factor binding protein production by bovine and human vascular smooth muscle cells: production of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-6 by human smooth muscle.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) secretory profiles were determined for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) derived from bovine aorta and human aorta, pulmonary artery, and coronary artery. The bovine cells produced IGFBP-4, IGFBP-3, and an IGFBP-3 protease. IGF-I stimulated messenger RNA (mRNA) and media levels of IGFBP-3. The human cells produced IGFBP-3, IGFBP-4, and IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4 proteases. The three human cells also produced a 30K IGFBP, shown to be IGFBP-6, based on increased affinity for IGF-II vs. IGF-I, size decrease when treated with O-glycanase, but not N-glycanase, reactivity with IGFBP-6 antiserum, presence of a 1.3-kilobase pair mRNA that hybridized to IGFBP-6 specific complementary DNA, and N-terminal amino acid sequence corresponding to IGFBP-6. In the human cells, IGF-I increased media levels of IGFBP-3 through stimulation of IGFBP-3 mRNA and dissociation of cell bound IGFBP-3, and decreased IGFBP-4 via potentiation of IGFBP-4 proteolysis. Neither the bovine nor th...
Adult Children of Divorce and Intimate Relationships: A Review of the Literature.

Research that focuses on the long-term effects of divorce indicates a lower sense of well-being and overall quality of life as well as relationship problems for those who experience the divorce of ...
Nature of the surface involved in fly ash adhesion on boiler steel

Abstract Adhesion strength tests were performed in order to test whether the adhesion of slag drops to an oxidized steel surface was due to chemical compatability with the surface or due to a mechanical anchoring in the micropores of the oxide. Since adhesion was negligible or weak on a reduced microporous surface it was concluded that the adhesion was due to chemical compatibility with oxide not mechanical anchoring in microporosity.
Photoresist Latent and Developer Images as Probed by Neutron Reflectivity Methods

Photoresist materials enable the fabrication of advanced integrated circuits with ever-decreasing feature sizes. As next-generation light sources are developed, using extreme ultraviolet light of wavelength 13.5 nm, these highly tuned formulations must meet strict image-fidelity criteria to maintain the expected performance gains from decreases in feature size. However, polymer photoresists appear to be reaching resolution limits and advancements in measurements of the in situ formed solid/solid and solid/liquid interface is necessary. This Review focuses on the chemical and physical structure of chemically amplified photoresists at the lithographic feature edge at length scales between 1 nm and 100 nm. Neutron reflectivity measurements provide insight into the nanometer-scale composition profiling of the chemical latent image at an ideal lithographic line-edge that separates optical resolution effects from materials processing effects. Four generations of advanced photoresist formulations were examined over the course of seven years to quantify photoresist/photoacid and photoresist/developer interactions on the fidelity of lithographic features. The outcome of these measurements complement traditional resist design criteria by providing the effects of the impacts of the photoresist and processing on the feature fidelity. These physical relations are also described in the context of novel resist architectures under consideration for next-generation photolithography with extreme-ultraviolet radiation.
Switching induced complex dynamics in an extended logistic map

Abstract Switching strategies have been related to the so-called Parrondian games, where the alternation of two losing games yields a winning game. We can consider two dynamics that, by themselves, yield different simple dynamical behaviors, but when alternated, yield complex trajectories. In the analysis of the alternate-extended logistic map, we observe a plethora of complex dynamic behaviors, which coexist with a super stable extinction solution.
Role of disulfide bonds in the stability of recombinant manganese peroxidase.

Phanerochaete chrysosporium manganese peroxidase (MnP) [isoenzyme H4] was engineered with additional disulfide bonds to provide structural reinforcement to the proximal and distal calcium-binding sites. This rational protein engineering investigated the effects of multiple disulfide bonds on the stabilization of the enzyme heme environment and oxidase activity. Stabilization of the heme environment was monitored by UV−visible spectroscopy based on the electronic state of the alkaline transition species of ferric and ferrous enzyme. The optical spectral data confirm an alkaline transition to hexacoordinate, low-spin heme species for native and wild-type MnP and show that the location of the engineered disulfide bonds in the protein can have significant effects on the electronic state of the enzyme. The addition of a single disulfide bond in the distal region of MnP resulted in an enzyme that maintained a pentacoordinate, high-spin heme at pH 9.0, whereas MnP with multiple engineered disulfide bonds did not...
Solubilization of monoamine oxidase by octylglucoside and triton X-100.

Abstract The suitability of octyl-β- d -glucoside as a solubilizing agent for human platelet monoamine oxidase from the outer mitochondrial membrane was investigated and compared to Triton X-100. The properties measured were the effect of the detergents on storage, stability, activity measurements, and solubility of monoamine oxidase, which was measured by pargyline titration. Comparisons on the types of proteins solubilized were also determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing. Our results demonstrated that octyl-β- d -glucoside was equivalent to purified Triton X-100 and is probably the better detergent for enzyme characterization because of its well-defined chemical composition and its ease of removal by dialysis.
Automatic Image Cropping using Visual Composition, Boundary Simplicity and Content Preservation Models

Cropping is one of the most common tasks in image editing for improving the aesthetic quality of a photograph. In this paper, we propose a new, aesthetic photo cropping system which combines three models: visual composition, boundary simplicity, and content preservation. The visual composition model measures the quality of composition for a given crop. Instead of manually defining rules or score functions for composition, we learn the model from a large set of well-composed images via discriminative classifier training. The boundary simplicity model measures the clearness of the crop boundary to avoid object cutting-through. The content preservation model computes the amount of salient information kept in the crop to avoid excluding important content. By assigning a hard lower bound constraint on the content preservation and linearly combining the scores from the visual composition and boundary simplicity models, the resulting system achieves significant improvement over recent cropping methods in both quantitative and qualitative evaluation.
A prospective comparison of total protein/creatinine ratio versus 24-hour urine protein in women with suspected preeclampsia

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the value of the protein/creatinine ratio in prediction of 24-hour urine total protein among women with suspected preeclampsia. Study design Women who were evaluated for suspected preeclampsia at ≥24 weeks of gestation were studied prospectively if there was no concurrent diagnosis of chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or preexisting renal disease. A protein/creatinine ratio was obtained, which was followed by the initiation of a 24-hour urine evaluation. Positive and negative predictive values and sensitivity and specificity of the protein/creatinine ratio for significant (≥300 mg) and severe proteinuria (≥5000 mg) that were based on 24-hour urine total protein were calculated. Results A total of 220 women were evaluated; 43.2% of the women were black, and 80% of the women had government insurance. Mean maternal and gestational ages were 26.1 years and 36.5 weeks, respectively. Significant and severe proteinuria on 24-hour urine evaluation were identified in 76.4% and 8.2% of cases, respectively. Regression analysis of protein/creatinine ratio and 24-hour urine total protein level showed a poor correlation ( r 2 = 0.41). Receiver operator characteristic analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.80, but the shoulder value of 390 mg/g carried a high false-negative rate (45.2%). With a more conservative cutoff value, a protein/creatinine ratio of ≥300 mg/g had a poor negative predictive value (47.5%), a specificity for significant proteinuria (55.8%), with a positive predictive value of 85.5%, and a sensitivity of 81%. For severe proteinuria, a protein/creatinine ratio of ≥5000 mg/g had a poor positive predictive value (61.9%) and sensitivity (72.2%), with a negative predictive value of 97.5%, and a specificity of 96.0%. Conclusion Protein/creatinine ratio does not exclude adequately the presence of significant proteinuria or predict severe proteinuria and should not be used as an alternative to 24-hour total protein evaluation.
The need for standards development in corrosion‐fatigue testing with precracked specimens

Corrosion‐fatigue testing using precracked specimens has, in recent years, become an important means of evaluating structural alloys for service in corrosive environments. The recent emphasis towards the use of precracked specimens for corrosion‐fatigue testing is based upon several factors. First, there is the general recognition that metallic structures of all types are prone to contain cracks and that the growth of such cracks can play a crucial role in overall structural performance; and secondly, a fracture mechanics technology basis has been developed for quantitatively assessing crack growth phenomena. The coexistence of a visible problem area and a means of attacking the problem has stimulated considerable activity in this field of endeavour.
Fatal juvenile xanthogranuloma presenting as a sellar lesion: case report and literature review

Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is a histiocytic condition in the spectrum of non-Langerhans histiocytosis that preferentially affects children. Rarely this condition can involve the central nervous system (CNS) with devastating consequences. The authors report the unique case of an 11-year-old child who initially presented with a sellar lesion without evidence of the cutaneous stigmata typical of JXG. She was later discovered to have JXG following initial diagnosis of granulomatous hypophysitis, with development of widespread intracranial disease and subsequent neurological deterioration. She underwent subtotal resection of her sellar lesion followed by whole brain radiation and systemic chemotherapy; however, she succumbed to her disseminated disease within 1 month of the JXG diagnosis. This is a rare case of fatal disseminated intracranial JXG without cutaneous manifestations. Additionally, the initial presentation as a sellar lesion is particularly unusual and seldom described in the literature.
Learning and transfer of identity-difference relationships by infants*

Seven-month-old infants were presented three successive two-choice discrimination learning problems in which the stimuli were pairs of toys. On each trial, one pair of two identical toys and one pair of two different toys were presented. The infants were reinforced for fixating the positive pair by hearing a tape-recorded story. The relationship (either identity or difference) among the members of the positive pair was constant for the first two problems, and the percentage of total fixation time directed to the positive pairs increased over trials. Infants for whom the positive intrapair relationship was reversed for Problem 3 experienced an immediate decrease in their level of performance, whereas no such decrement occurred for the others. These results were interpreted as indicating that the infants had learned to attend and respond to intrapair relationships.
Sources of error in nutritional index studies of insects on artificial diet

Abstract An electronic spreadsheet was utilized to calculate nutritional indices and to demonstrate the algebraic magnification of purposefully introduced errors. Experimental errors are often made in calculating the initial percentage dry matter of the food source, the amount of food eaten, and the weight of faeces produced. Small errors in these measurements substantially alter the calculated values of food utilization efficiencies. The nutrition of the black cutworm has been studied on artificial diet and was used as a model system for our experiments. Magnification of introduced errors was far greater when the larvae ate only a small fraction of the food. Acceptable results were consistently obtained when the insects consumed at least 80% (dry weight) of the food available during the experiment.
Measuring aerobic and anaerobic metabolism of benthic infauna under natural conditions

Some species of invertebrates, particularly benthic infauna, show extreme metabolic fluctuations, from a truly basal metabolic rate while quiescent in anaerobic mode to higher rates as a result of physical activity whether they are anaerobic or aerobic. The fluctuations may be random or cyclic, endogenous, induced by experimental conditions, or by natural changes in environmental conditions; they are readily seen and quantified by direct calorimetry. Biochemists studying anaerobic metabolism sometimes find large quantitative variations in metabolite concentration between individual test organisms. One source of variability may be the variability in the metabolic activity of the control and experimental animals. Information contained in heat flow recordings could be useful in normalizing data and making more precise correlations between actual metabolic rates and chemical measures of metabolism. Theoretical enthalpy changes from known anaerobic end products and results of direct calorimetry do not agree at present. Continual comparisons, leading to consistent agreement or satisfactory explanation of their discrepancy, are necessary to demonstrate full understanding of anaerobic metabolism.
Functional identification of rice syn‐copalyl diphosphate synthase and its role in initiating biosynthesis of diterpenoid phytoalexin/allelopathic natural products

Summary Rice produces a number of phytoalexins, and at least one allelopathic agent, from syn-copalyl diphosphate (CPP), representing the only known metabolic fate for this compound. Thus, the class II terpene synthase that converts the universal diterpenoid precursor geranylgeranyl diphosphate to syn-CPP catalyzes the committed step in biosynthesis of these natural products. Here the extensive sequence information available for rice was coupled to recombinant expression and functional analysis to identify syn-copalyl diphosphate synthase (OsCPSsyn). In addition, OsCPSsyn mRNA was found to be specifically induced in leaves by conditions that stimulate phytoalexin biosynthesis. Therefore, transcription of OsCPSsyn seems to be an important regulatory point for controlling the production of these defensive compounds. Finally, alignments carried out with OsCPSsyn revealed that class II terpene synthases exhibit a sequence conservation pattern substantially different from that of the prototypical class I enzymes. One particularly notable feature is the specific conservation of the functionally cryptic ‘insertional’ sequence element in class II terpene synthases, indicating that this region is important for the corresponding cyclization reaction.
MR, CT AND CLINICAL FEATURES FROM FOUR DOGS WITH NASAL TUMORS INVOLVING THE ROSTRAL CEREBRUM

The clinical findings and computed tomographic and magnetic resonance images from four dogs with nasal tumors that invaded the central nervous system were revlewed. There were minimal or no clinical signs related to nasal disease. Brain imaging with magnetic resonance or computed tomography demonstrated antemortem involvement of brain and nasal structures. Magnetic resonance imaging was optimal for demonstrating this involvement and showed more detailed anatomic features of the mass and secondary pathologies attributed to the mass.
Resequencing delay for a queueing system with two heterogeneous servers under a threshold-type scheduling

In service centers with multiple-parallel servers, jobs may complete their service in a different order from the one in which they enter the center. In order to reestablish the original order, resequencing protocols need to be implemented. It is shown that under a threshold-type policy, the resequencing delay depends on the strategy by which customers are selected and dispatched to the servers. Two selection strategies are developed, and the delay characteristics corresponding to the two strategies are studied. Existing methods for finding the sequencing delay are extended to cover the threshold-type policy. Closed-form solutions for the resequencing delay distributions under both selection policies are derived. To characterize the performance of the system under the two policies, two optimization criteria are introduced, namely, the fraction of customers that experience resequencing delay and the mean resequencing delay. These quantities are calculated explicitly, and their comparison reveals that the optimal decision is independent of the load on the system. The selection of the optimal policy under the first criterion depends only on the service rates, whereas for the second criterion the optimal selection depends on the threshold value and the ratio of the service rates. >
“The Chords of the German Soul are Tuned to Nature”: The Movement to Preserve the Natural Heimat from the Kaiserreich to the Third Reich

In the early 1930s, Dr. Konrad Guenther, a longtime advocate of nature conservation, was exhorting the German people to return to “the soil of the homeland.” In the past, according to Guenther, whenever the German people had been forced to respond vigorously to the pressure of hard times, they had returned to their “natural” roots. He called on the population to learn about the Heimat (homeland) and its natural environment, ‘not only through reason alone, but with the entire soul and personality; for the chords of the German soul are tuned to nature. Let us allow nature to speak, and let us be happy to be German!” The stakes were high, for if the German people failed in this way to unite into a strong, “natural” community, they would become “cultural fertilizer for other nations.” Following the fall of the Weimar Republic and the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Guenther became one of the most vocal exponents of the notion that conserving nature would aid in the cultural unification and “racial cleansing” of Germany. Indeed, Guenther and his fellow conservationists saw their longstanding dream of a nationwide conservation law at last fulfilled under the Third Reich. The 1935 Reich Conservation Law guaranteed state protection of “the nature of the Heimat in all its manifestations”—if necessary through police measures.
Sperm transport through the rete testis in anesthetized rats: role of the testicular capsule and effect of gonadotropins and prostaglandins.

An intact testicular capsule was not necessary for flow of rete testis fluid in anesthetized rats fitted with efferent duct cannulae. Flow was unaffected by i.v. injections of FSH, LH or prolactin, or by intratesticular injections of prostaglandin E/sub 1/, E/sub 2/ or A/sub 1/. However, small increases in intratesticular pressure resulting from injection of 2 to 20 ..mu..l saline resulted in transient (3 to 7 min) increases in flow rate, while PGF/sub 2..cap alpha../ increased rete testis fluid flow 2 to 3-fold over a 20 to 40 min period. PGF/sub 2..cap alpha../ effect was reduced or eliminated when the testicular capsule was cut open. Sperm concentration in the rete fluid was unaffected by any of the treatments mentioned above, suggesting that spermiation was unaffected. In hypophysectomized rats given replacement androgens for 8 weeks (2.5 to 25 mg testosterone propionate/day), sperm concentration in rete fluid was similar to normal, although rate of fluid flow, and therefore sperm output rates, were significantly reduced. These data suggest a link between testicular fluid production and sperm release in the rat.
Minimizing file download time in stochastic peer-to-peer networks

The peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing applications are becoming increasingly popular and account for more than 70% of the Internet's bandwidth usage. Measurement studies show that a typical download of a file can take from minutes up to several hours depending on the level of network congestion or the service capacity fluctuation. In this paper, we consider two major factors that have significant impact on average download time, namely, the spatial heterogeneity of service capacities in different source peers and the temporal fluctuation in service capacity of a single source peer. We point out that the common approach of analyzing the average download time based on average service capacity is fundamentally flawed. We rigorously prove that both spatial heterogeneity and temporal correlations in service capacity increase the average download time in P2P networks and then analyze a simple, distributed algorithm to effectively remove these negative factors, thus minimizing the average download time. We show through analysis and simulations that it outperforms most of other algorithms currently used in practice under various network configurations.
A timed semantics of Orc

Orc is a kernel language for structured concurrent programming. Orc provides three powerful combinators that define the structure of a concurrent computation. These combinators support sequential and concurrent execution, and concurrent execution with blocking and termination. Orc is particularly well-suited for task orchestration, a form of concurrent programming with applications in workflow, business process management, and web service orchestration. Orc provides constructs to orchestrate the concurrent invocation of services while managing time-outs, priorities, and failures of services or communication. Our previous work on the semantics of Orc focused on its asynchronous behavior. The inclusion of time or the effect of delay on a computation had not been modeled. In this paper, we define an operational semantics of Orc that allows reasoning about delays, which are introduced explicitly by time-based constructs or implicitly by network delays. We develop a number of identities among Orc expressions and define an equality relation that is a congruence. We also present a denotational semantics in which the meaning of an Orc program is a set of traces, and show that the two semantics are equivalent.
A Consistent, Hybrid-Dynamical-System, Lumped-Parameter Model of Tire–Terrain Interactions

This paper establishes the internal mathematical and energetic consistency of a hybrid-dynamical-system, lumped-parameter, planar, physical model for capturing transient interactions between an elastically deformable tire and an elastically deformable terrain as a baseline result for more realistic models that account for permanent deformation, shear failure, and three-dimensional contact conditions. The model accounts for radial and circumferential deformation of the tire as well as normal and tangential deformation of the terrain. It captures the onset and loss of contact as well as localized stick and slip phases for each of the discrete tire elements by a suitable evolution of a collection of associated internal state variables. The analysis characterizes generic transitions between distinct phases of contact uniquely in forward time and proves that all internal state variables remain bounded during compact intervals of contact. The behavior of the model is further illustrated through an analytical and numerical study of two instances of tire-terrain interactions under steady state condition.