cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrated psychosocial treatment for negative symptoms

Negative symptoms, including restricted affect, diminished emotional range, poverty of speech, decreased motivation and interests, diminished sense of purpose, and diminished social drive, contribute substantially to lost productivity, poor quality of life, social deficits, poor occupational and educational attainment, and generally poor outcomes observed for many individuals with schizophrenia. Although these symptoms may develop from neurobiological factors or as reactions to overstimulation in the acute psychotic phase, they are thought to be maintained by a confluence of biological, cognitive, behavioral, and environmental factors that are not adequately addressed by available treatments. We have developed a multicomponent set of intervention strategies to address persistent negative symptoms called the motivation and engagement (MOVE) program. MOVE builds on research on emotional processing as well as techniques from a variety of behavioral and skill-building approaches to specifically target a broad...
Electrophysiology studies on the cardiac non-function mutation in the mexican axolotlAmbystoma mexicanum

Le mutant homozygote d'Ambystoma mexicanum qui n'a pas d'activite cardiaque myogenique, est aussi refractaire aux modifications chimiques et electriques des potentiels membranaires et de la frequence cardiaque. Il differe en cela de l'animal normal au meme stage de developpement embryonnaire.
On the melting of solids to non-Newtonian fluids

Abstract Techniques developed are applicable to the design of industrial melters when the melted material is a time-independent non-Newtonian liquid of Power Law type. Average heat transfer coefficients are presented in terms of characteristic parameters relevant to the melting of solid slabs on an inclined plane surface with constant plate temperature. Heat-balance integral methods are utilized in the analysis, which is restricted to laminar flow of the melt; the suitability of the laminar flow assumption is discussed, together with the results of two previous analyses.
Structural characterization of environmentally relevant ternary uranyl citrate complexes present in aqueous solutions and solid state materials

Organic acids are important metal chelators in environmental systems and tend to form soluble complexes in aqueous solutions, ultimately influencing the transport and bioavailability of contaminants in surface and subsurface waters. This is particularly true for the formation of uranyl citrate complexes, which have been utilized in advanced photo- and bioremediation strategies for soils contaminated with nuclear materials. Given the complexity of environmental systems, the formation of ternary or heterometallic uranyl species in aqueous solutions are also expected, particularly with Al(III) and Fe(III) cations. These ternary forms are reported to be more stable in aqueous solutions, potentially enhancing contaminant mobility and uptake by organisms, but the exact coordination geometries of these soluble molecular complexes have not been elucidated. To provide insight into the nature of these species, we have developed a series of geochemical model compounds ([(UO2)2Al2(C6H4O7)4]6− (U2Al2), [(UO2)2Fe2(C6H4O7)4]6− (U2Fe2-1) and [(UO2)2Fe2(C6H4O7)4(H2O)2]6− (U2Fe2-2) and [(UO2)2Fe4(OH)4(C6H4O7)4]8− (U2Fe4)) that were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and vibrational spectroscopy. Mass spectroscopy was then employed to compare the model compounds to species present in aqueous solutions to provide an enhanced understanding of the ternary uranyl citrate complexes that could be relevant in natural systems.
Heterogeneous Producers Facing Common Shocks: An Overlapping-Generations Example

Abstract An analytically tractable model of a competitive, full-information economy is provided in which, for some parameter values, entry and exit over the course of the business cycle is concentrated among small firms. This model is intended to make the logical point that the relatively high sensitivity of small firms to business-cycle fluctuations does not necessarily indicate the presence of informational or incentive constraints in financial markets.
ASSESSMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL EFFECTIVENESS: CAREER STUDENT OUTCOMES

This paper describes the methodology and results of annual one‐year and three‐year follow‐up studies of career program completers and their employers as components of an institutional effectiveness assessment program. The purposes of these studies were to conduct evaluations of college programs and services and to gain insights into career and educational experiences after leaving the college. Results indicated that the majority of respondents had achieved their educational objectives, progressed in their careers, and improved a variety of coynitive and noncognitive behaviors as a result of their college experiences.
CASE STUDIES IN DEVELOPMENT OF MASCULINITY AND FEMININITY IN MALE CHILDREN

Summary.-This paper presents case data on the fathers of boys who display feminine behavior and who express the wish, fantasy or desire to become little girls. Although not physically absent from the home, these fathers were nonparticipants psychologically. The quality of their relationship with their boys, their own personality needs, and the nature of the relationship between mother and child provide the major basis for the boys' difficulty in achieving an adequate masculine identity and displaying feminine behavior and interests. This paper examines how fathers may contribute to the development of masculinity and femininity in their sons. We consider four physically normally male boys who nonetheless have been reported as showing feminine behavior by the mother, the father, or the community. The boys and their fathers who are discussed in this paper show family characteristics, as well as reported, and observed, precursors of "transsexual" symptoms in the son. In previously published studies (Stoller, 1968) the conditions were described which contribute to the disturbances in masculine and feminine behavior in men and women and in the development of what has been called transsexualism (Green & Money, 1969). In an earlier study, other authors have observed certain qualities in the family lives of the boys and in the behavior observed in the mothers of men who were described as transsexuals. We but briefly summarize them below (Green, 1968, 1970; Green, Newman, & Stoller, 1972). It was observed that the mother showed an early history of bisexuality. These mothers frequently described themselves as being "tomboys" who really did not wholeheartedly pursue feminine behavior until the onset of puberty. With puberty these mothers but reluctantly commenced wearing dresses and assuming a more conventional feminine role. The mothers of our uanssexual Ss also reported extreme and extended physical and psychological closeness between the mother and the son during the child's first 2 yr. of life. The observed closeness was one in which the son and the mother existed almost as if they were a single physical entity. The child was frequently carried and kept in a constant physical contact with the mother and lived almost as a "phallic-like" extension of the mother. Their psychological unity very frequently was reflected by the mother when she would refer either to the child or herself as "we," reflecting little psychological distance between the child and herself. Some of the Ss examined by us had an older sister who played an active role in the boy's transsexual behavior and contributed and assisted in his dressing in feminine clothing.
The different effects of apoptosis and DNA repair on tumorigenesis.

Complex multicellular organisms have evolved mechanisms to ensure that individual cells follow their proper developmental and somatic programs. Tumorigenesis, or uncontrolled cellular proliferation, is caused by somatic mutations to those genetic constraints that normally operate within a tissue. Genes involved in DNA repair and apoptosis are particularly instrumental in safeguarding cells against tumorigenesis. In this paper, we introduce a stochastic framework to analyse the somatic evolution of cancer initiation. Within this model, we study how apoptosis and DNA repair can maintain the transient stability of somatic cells and delay the onset of cancer. Focusing on individual cell lineages, we calculate the waiting time before tumorigenesis in the presence of varying degrees of apoptosis and DNA repair. We find that the loss of DNA repair or the loss of apoptosis both hasten tumorigenesis, but in characteristically different ways.
La memoria in piazza: Monumenti risorgimentali nelle città lombarde tra identità locale e nazionale

In her introductory essay to La memoria in piazza, Catherine Brice asks: ‘Why (still) study public monumentality?’ Brice then proceeds to answer the question, responding to critics who claim that t...
Longitudinal changes in lung function and somatic growth in children with sickle cell disease.

Background We studied the changes in the patterns of lung function and somatic growth over time in children and adolescents (10.6 ± 3.5 years at first test) with hemoglobin SS (Hb-SS) sickle cell disease (SCD). Methods Lung function and somatic growth were measured twice with an interval of 42.3 ± 23.3 months in 45 children (25 females and 20 males) with Hb-SS SCD. Results The lung volumes slightly decreased but remained borderline normal in both tests. All spirometric indices were within the normal range but significantly decreased (P < 0.001) at the time of the second test indicating development of lower airway obstruction (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1): 87 ± 21 vs. 80 ± 15; FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC): 89 ± 7 vs. 85 ± 6; FEF25–75: 89 ± 32 vs. 76 ± 24). “Normal” pattern of lung function was initially found in 56% of the patients, but in only 29% in the second test. In contrast, those with “obstructive” pattern increased from 22 to 44%, and those with “restrictive” pattern from 22 to 27%. There was no association between history of asthma and pattern of lung function. “Normal” Body Mass Index (BMI) was found in 64% of the patients, whereas 13% had “High” BMI and 22% “Low” BMI. The two latter patterns were associated with abnormal lung function but only patients with normal BMI showed actual decline overtime. Conclusion SCD is characterized by a predominantly obstructive pattern of lung function that increases in prevalence over time. There was no apparent causal relationship between the pattern of somatic growth and the pattern of lung function. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2007; 42:483–488. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Separation and quantitation of hydralazine metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography

A selective high-performance liquid chromatographic assay for the separation and quantitation of the proposed hepatic microsomal metabolites of hydralazine (HP), phthalazine, phthalazinone, s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, 3-methyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine and 3-hydroxymethyl-s-triazolo[3,4-a]phthalazine, is described. An extraction technique was developed for the removal of HP from hepatic microsomal samples in order to minimize the measurement of products resulting from the chemical degradation of HP. The effects of pH and composition of the mobile phase on the retention times and resolution of the five compounds were examined. The methods presented are accurate and reliable, permitting the baseline separation of five HP metabolites with reasonable analysis time and sensitivity.
Hydrothermal synthesis of transition metal oxides under mild conditions

Abstract A notable development in mild (≤ 200°C) hydrothermal synthesis in the past few years has been the extension of the synthesis technique from zeolites and metal phosphates to binary and ternary transition metal oxides. This low-temperature technique is critical to the formation of metastable phases not obtainable using traditional high-temperature methods. New phases, as well as known materials, of the oxides of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium and manganese have been formed, often in highly crystalline form. One enhancement of the technique is microwave heating, which appears to accelerate nucleation, producing very uniform particles in a few hours.
RNA synthesis in two species of anopheline mosquitoes

Abstract . 1. 1. A method is described for the extraction of adult mosquito nuclear RNA. The RNA is tightly bound to nuclear components. The nuclei were dispersed by the use of sodium chloride and urea of high ionic strength. 2. 2. Deproteinization of the cytoplasmic minus mitochondria fraction resulted in the separation of a high molecular weight RNA. The RNA is derived from a polynucleotide precursor in the nucleus and transported to the cytoplasm. 3. 3. The rate of RNA synthesis in Anopheles quadrimaculatus and A. albimanus was measured by the incorporation of radiolabelled adenine into RNA. The radioactive precursor was presumably converted to the adenine nucleotide by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase. 4. 4. The conversion of adenine nucleotides to guanine nucleotides was essentially the same in the two species, however, differences were found in the specific activities of RNA purines. 5. 5. Cellulose powder and DEAE profiles of nuclear and cytoplasmic RNAs from the two species were compared.
Display station utilization in a PACS serving the medical intensive care unit of the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

In 1987, a prospective study was done in an intensive care unit comparing a digitized-film picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) with a conventional-film management and display system. At that time a 512 X 512 X 8 bit display station was used only for about 30 of the cases. The display was upgraded to a 2560 X 2048 X 12 bit unit and a second prospective study again showed utilization for 30 of the cases. Then the image resolution was reduced to 1024 X 1024 in order to decrease the display writing time from 12 to 3.5 seconds. The user interface was also simplified. A recent prospective study showed that the display was utilized for all of the cases. For certain diagnostic categories such as ''check tube position'' it was used for primary reading while for more complicated categories such as ''rule out pneumonia'' it was used mainly for review.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Discrimination of Speed Distributions: Sensitivity to Statistical Properties

Two experiments examining the ability of human observers to detect differences in the statistical properties underlying velocity distributions were conducted. A four-alternative forced-choice methodology, using four simultaneous velocity distributions, was used in both experiments. In the first experiment the value of one statistical moment (mean, variance, skewness, or kurtosis) was manipulated while the others were held constant. The subjects task was to determine which of four velocity distributions contained the dissimilar value. In the second experiment only the latter three moments were examined. A similar procedure was used, however feedback was given after each trial to maximize observer performance. The results from both experiments indicate that human observers can reliably detect differences in both mean and variance information underlying velocity distributions. The results of this research has important implications for image segmentation and the detection of heading from optic flow.
Simplifying spline models

Abstract We present a new approach for simplifying models composed of spline patches. Given an input model, the algorithm computes a new approximation of the model in terms of cubic triangular Bezier patches. It performs a series of geometric operations, consisting of patch merging and swapping diagonals, and makes use of patch connectivity information to generate C-LODs (curved levels-of-detail). Each C-LOD is represented using cubic triangular Bezier patches. The C-LODs provide a compact representation for storing the model. We also present techniques to quantify the error introduced by our algorithm. Given the C-LODs, the tessellation algorithms can generate polygonal approximations using static and dynamic tessellation schemes. The simplification algorithm has been implemented and we highlight its performance on different models.
Systems ecology and environmentalism: Getting the science right

Abstract Problems of environmentalism—environmental protection, conservation, and preservation—are now widely appreciated as important to human enterprise and destiny. Called to attention by advances in descriptive empirical ecology, the new problems are too complex for this same ecology to solve without further expansion of basic knowledge. Environmentalism needs an ecological science of complex systems, but its development is hindered by over-commitment of attention and resources to the applied problems. Certain aspects of environmentalism may run against the grain of how nature works; it is important to get the science right. A selection of ecological and environmental topics is reviewed from a systems ecology perspective. The ecological topics include system dynamics (linearity vs. nonlinearity, steady vs. non-steady state behavior) and indirect effects. The environmental topics are global change, overpopulation, biodiversity, and sustainability. A comprehensive hypothesis is formulated to emphasize that two kinds of science are needed, one empirical focusing on what is immediate and tangible, and the other theoretical dealing with what is indirect and intangible. Empirically based environmentalism is attentive to only the first. The hypothesis has the following elements: (1) Living processes degrade their immediate and nearby environments. (2) A maximum power principle holds that this degradation should be as quick and complete as possible. (3) By direct harnessing of maximum power, biota perform work to maximize their fitness (Type I, biological), at the cost of degraded environments. The life–environment relationship therefore becomes win–lose. (4) Maximum power also contributes to a network property, dominant indirect effects, giving rise to (5) network synergism that converts proximate interactions, mainly (+, −), and negative ones (−,−) to predominantly positive (+, +) relations, which become quantitatively dominant. (6) In following the indirect line from maximum power to network synergism, biota do work that maximizes both their own and their environment's fitness (Type II, biological and ecological). By this, the life–environment relationship becomes win–win. (7) This hypothesis has a built-in paradox: the invisible positive benefits deriving from the network synergism → Fitness-II line are (i) proportional to, and (ii) greater in magnitude than, the negative costs generated by the tangible, immediate, maximum power → Fitness-I line. (8) Therefore, environmental programs designed to power down to reduce environmental degradation will reduce not only Fitness-I, but also Fitness-II by foregoing the network synergism benefits that exceed the maximum power costs. (9) Misguided environmentalism could then produce the worst case of a lose–lose life–environment relationship. (10) Environmentalism must resolve and manage this apparent conflict, and ecology as its foundational science must expand to provide the knowledge to do so.
A validated low-cost training model for suprapubic catheter insertion.

Objective To describe an anatomically correct simulator for use in suprapubic catheter (SPC) insertion training. Methods A scale reproduction of an adult male pelvis with bony landmarks and a subcutaneous fluid-filled reservoir was created using platinum cured silicone rubber. This model was evaluated by 6 expert urologists for content validity with a 16-item 5-point rating scale used to evaluate domains relevant to the simulator—physical attributes, realism of experience, realism of materials, and global rating. The simulator was used by 25 general surgeons from rural practices participating in a 2-day comprehensive specialized surgical skills course. Results The domains were scored between 1 and 5; 1 being "not at all realistic" and 5 being "highly realistic, no changes needed." The average expert ratings of the domains were 3.9 (physical attributes), 4.3 (realism of experience), and 3.9 (realism of materials). The simulator was rated more valuable as a training tool (4.5) compared with a testing tool (3.8) with an average global rating of 4.1. Conclusion Experts and trainees reported high satisfaction with their experience using this simulator. Preliminary evidence suggests this simulator is a useful tool that can be integrated into training programs to facilitate learning this necessary urologic skill.
Intergroup conflict, law, and the concept of labor market discrimination

This article begins by reviewing problems that arise in attempts to operationalize standard social scientific definitions of labor market discrimination. It then argues that some of these problems occur because conventional studies of discrimination pay insufficient attention to the role of cultural contests and social and political conflict in disputes over what constitutes fair treatment in the labor market. It proposes a way to reconceptualize “labor market discrimination” that takes conflict into account and suggests that much could be learned about labor market discrimination by examining how such conflict is expressed in legal disputes occurring under the equal employment opportunity laws. The examination of such conflict also provides a way to link political struggle with labor market outcomes.
Pascal's wager and conomics in a hotter time

Abstract In wrestling with the problem of the existence of God, Blaise Pascal proposed a line of reasoning at once prudent and self-interested. His reasoning is instructive to policy makers now facing the prospect of global warming. In contrast to some economists and the findings of the Adaption Panel of the National Academy of Sciences, Pascal's logic would lead us to minimize greenhouse gas emissions for reasons of both prudence and self-interest.
Digital angular position sensor using wavelength division multiplexing

Future aircraft will use fly-by-light control systems with fiber-linked optical sensors for such measurands as temperature, pressure, and linear and angular position. A digital optical sensor is described which was developed to transmit the angular position of such slowly rotating parts as a throttle of fuel flow control valve on an aircraft. The sensor employs a reflective code plate with ten channels providing a resolution of 0.35 degrees. Two light-emitting diodes with overlapping spectra are used as light sources. A single microoptic multiplexer-demultiplexer composed of a GRIN rod lens and a miniature grating is used to disperse the spectrum and recombine the spectral components from each channel after reflection by the code plate. The results of preliminary environmental tests of this unit are discussed. The sensor has been operated for brief periods of time between -60 C and +125 without adverse effects. Preliminary vibration tests indicate that the unit will work properly at the maximum vibration levels expected in a jet-engine environment.
Recurrences and formulae in an extension of the Eulerian numbers

In this paper, the author develops a general formula for numbers which are extensions of the Eulerian numbers. A"m^tn, r) is defined to be the number of n-permutations with r rises of magnitude at least m. Intermediate steps in the derivation include a vertical recurrence relation. recurrence relations of the diagonals both as numbers and as polynomials, and recurrences and formulae strictly on the diagonals.
Altered intramuscular lipid metabolism relates to diminished insulin action in men, but not women, in progression to diabetes.

Whether sex differences in intramuscular triglyceride (IMTG) metabolism underlie sex differences in the progression to diabetes are unknown. Therefore, the current study examined IMTG concentration and fractional synthesis rate (FSR) in obese men and women with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) vs. those with prediabetes (PD). PD (n = 13 men and 7 women) and NGT (n = 7 men and 12 women) groups were matched for age and anthropometry. Insulin action was quantified using a hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp with infusion of [6,6−2H2]-glucose. IMTG concentration was measured by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and FSR by GC/combustion isotope ratio MS (C-IRMS), from muscle biopsies taken after infusion of [U−13C]palmitate during 4 h of rest. In PD men, the metabolic clearance rate (MCR) of glucose was lower during the clamp (4.71 ± 0.77 vs. 8.62 ± 1.26 ml/kg fat-free mass (FFM)/min, P = 0.04; with a trend for lower glucose rate of disappearance (Rd), P = 0.07), in addition to higher IMTG concentration (41.2 ± 5.0 vs. 21.2 ± 3.4 µg/mg dry weight, P ≤ 0.01), lower FSR (0.21 ± 0.03 vs. 0.42 ± 0.06 %/h, P ≤ 0.01), and lower oxidative capacity (P = 0.03) compared to NGT men. In contrast, no difference in Rd, IMTG concentration, or FSR was seen in PD vs. NGT women. Surprisingly, glucose Rd during the clamp was not different between NGT men and women (P = 0.25) despite IMTG concentration being higher (42.6 ± 6.1 vs. 21.2 ± 3.4 µg/mg dry weight, P = 0.03) and FSR being lower (0.23 ± 0.04 vs. 0.42 ± 0.06 %/h, P = 0.02) in women. Alterations in IMTG metabolism relate to diminished insulin action in men, but not women, in the progression toward diabetes.
THE EFFECT OF INTERACTIVE‐IMAGE ELABORATION ON THE ACQUISITION OF FOREIGN LANGUAGE VOCABULARY

Interactive-image mnemonics were used by college age men and women to learn the meanings of German words. One experimental treatment provided ready-made interactive pictures and the other a procedure by which Ss could generate their own mental mnemonic pictures. The two control treatments included a repetition group and one which received no prescribed learning strategy. The two experimental groups remembered approximately twice as many words as either of the control groups, both on an immediate recall test and a delayed-retention test two weeks later. Data from self-reports suggested that over 75 per cent of the words which were remembered by Ss across all treatment conditions (including the control groups) were learned by elaborative strategies. These results suggest that the use of elaborative devices, either spontaneously or by design, is a natural and effective way for Ss to approach this kind of task.
Higher order farfield drag minimization for a subcritical wing design code

A higher order Trefftz plane model of the undistorted interacting wing wakes of two symmetric subsonic planforms has been developed and integrated with an existing vortex lattice wing design code. The Trefftz plane calculation provides continuous, piecewise quadratically varying bound circulations, which are then interpolated in the nearfield vortex lattice representation of the wing. Integration of the surface slopes for a specified chord loading function provides the design wing camber surfaces. This paper outlines the theoretical development and presents comparisons between results obtained using the present theory and (1) previous exact solutions for minimum induced drag and (2) previous wing designs obtained using a discrete vortex wake moded.
Non‐peptide antagonists, CP‐96,345 and RP 67580, distinguish species variants in tachykinin NK1 receptors

The potency of the non-peptide antagonists CP-96,345 and RP 67580 on NK1 receptor-stimulated [3H]-inositol phosphate accumulation in cell lines or tissue from three different species has been examined. 2. We have used: UC11 cells, derived from a human astrocytoma, and rat LRM55 glial cells, both of which express large numbers of functional NK1 receptors, and the well characterized guinea-pig ileum which expresses both NK1 and NK3 receptors. 3. RP 67580 has an approximately 25 fold lower affinity for NK1 receptors in human UC11 cells (Kd = 194 nM) than in rat LRM55 cells (Kd = 7.9 nM), in contrast CP-96,345 has an approximately 200 fold lower affinity in rat LRM55 cells (Kd = 210 nM) relative to human UC11 cells (Kd = 0.99 nM). The pharmacological profile of CP-96,345 and RP 67580 in guinea-pig ileum was similar to that observed in human UC11 cells. 4. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that previously reported species differences in binding affinities for the non-peptide NK1 antagonists, CP-96,345 and RP 67580, are also observed in inhibition of NK1 receptor stimulated hydrolysis of inositol phospholipids.
Propensities and probabilities

Abstract Popper's introduction of “propensity” was intended to provide a solid conceptual foundation for objective single-case probabilities. By considering the partly opposed contributions of Humphreys and Miller and Salmon, it is argued that when properly understood, propensities can in fact be understood as objective single-case causal probabilities of transitions between concrete events. The chief claim is that propensities are well-explicated by describing how they fit into the existing formal theory of branching space-times, which is simultaneously indeterministic and causal. Several problematic examples, some commonsense and some quantum-mechanical, are used to make clear the advantages of invoking branching space-times theory in coming to understand propensities.
Predicting long-term outcomes for women physically abused in childhood: contribution of abuse severity versus family environment.

Abstract Objective: Child sexual abuse (CSA) has been associated with adverse adult psychosocial outcomes, although some reports describe minimal long-term effects. The search for explanations for the heterogeneous outcomes in women with CSA has led to an examination of a range of CSA-related factors, from the severity of individual CSA incidents to the childhood family environment. This study compares three factors for predicting adult outcomes: a multidimensional CSA Severity Scale, the presence or absence of CSA, and family environment. Methods: The effect of CSA on adult outcomes was examined among 290 community-dwelling women raised in intact families. Standardized measures and a focused interview were used to collect data, with siblings as collateral informants. Results: Comparison of a multidimensional CSA Severity Scale to a dichotomous measure of the presence or absence of CSA showed that the Severity Scale did not have greater predictive value for adult outcomes than the dichotomous measure, nor was it as parsimonious. Childhood family environment scales added significantly to the predictive ability of the dichotomous measure. Conclusion: The specific characteristics of a CSA experience may be less important than the occurrence of CSA and the family environment of women for predicting long-term outcomes.
Methyl-β-carbolinium analogs of MPP+ cause nigrostriatal toxicity after substantia nigra injections in rats

Abstract Eleven β-carbolinium compounds (βC + s) and MPP + were stereotaxically injected (40–200 nmol in 5 μl of vehicle) unilaterally into the substantia nigra of anesthetized adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were sacrificed after three weeks. The ipsilateral striatum was analyzed for dopamine and DOPAC levels with HPLC. The brainstem injection site was fixed and cut coronally. The largest lesion area in each animal was measured using NIH IMAGE. Three βC + s produced lesions whose mean areas were nearly as large as that produced by MPP + (defined as 100%): 2,9-Me 2 -harman (94%), 2-Me-harmol (74%), and 2,9-Me 2 -norhaman (57%). Three other compounds produced somewhat smaller lesions: 2-Me-harmaline (34%), 6-MeO-2-Meharman (29%), and 2-Me-harmine (25%). The remaining compounds were ineffective (⩽ 12%): norharman, 2-Me-norharman, 2-Me-harman, harmine, and 2-Me-6-MeO-harmalan. A 40 nmol dose of MPP + reduced ipsilateral striatal dopamine to 0.6% of control. None of the βC + s approached this, although several did significantly reduced striatal dopamine at doses of either 40 nmol (2,9-Me 2 -harman (37%), 2,9-Me 2 -norharman (42%), and 2-Me-harman (63%)) or 200 nmol (2-Me-harmaline (23%), norharman (63%), and 2-Me-norharman (64%)). There was a moderate negative correlation between lesion size and dopamine level ( r = −0.65). There were also moderately strong correlations ( r = 0.39−0.78) between the βC + nigral lesion area or striatal dopamine level potencies and their previously described IC50 values for inhibiting mitochondrial respiration or their toxicity to PC12 cells in culture. Interestingly, our correlation analysis revealed a remarkably strong correlation between βC + K i MAO-A values and their toxicity to PC12 LDH release ( r = −0.84) or PC12 protein loss ( r = 0.79). Although βC + s appear to be less specific toxins than MPP + , their levels in human substantia nigra are 8–20-fold higher than in cortex, making their role as relatively selective nigral toxins in Parkinson's disease plausible.
The effect on Raman spectra of extraction of peripheral proteins from human erythrocyte membranes

Abstract We compare the Raman spectra of intact erythrocyte membranes with spectra of membranes from which essentially all peripheral proteins have been extracted. The results indicate that the extraction procedure causes considerable alteration in the environment of peptide bonds and a marked change in the environment of the phenylalanine and tryptophan ring moieties of the integral membrane proteins. We infer from our data that the lipid portion of the bilayer is little affected by extraction. Finally, we have observed that the total decrease in the heights of the protein-associated peaks of the extracted vesicles is generally less than that expected from the mass of protein removed by extraction.
Risk factors for early hospital readmission after cardiac operations.

Abstract Objective: Early hospital readmissions after cardiac procedures are both costly and harmful to patients. We investigated the factors that predispose to readmission to develop strategies to minimize this problem. Methods: As part of a prospective data collection, patients having cardiac procedures at our institution are routinely tracked for 30 days after their discharge from the hospital. We reviewed 2650 patients in our cardiac database who underwent operations over the past 5 years. We used univariate and multivariate statistical techniques to identify risks for readmission. Results: Of 2574 discharged patients, 252 (9.8%) required readmission. The most common causes of readmission are cardiac (42%), pulmonary (19%), gastrointestinal (10%), extremity complications (6.7%; deep vein thrombophlebitis, peripheral arterial vascular disease, and saphenous vein harvest site problems), sternal wound problems (7.5%), and metabolic problems (4%). Of more than 70 variables studied, only 6 are significant multivariate predictors of readmission: female sex ( P =.002); diabetes ( P =.001); chronic lung problems ( P =.011); increased distance between home and hospital ( P >.001); preoperative atrial fibrillation ( P =.002); and preoperative chronic renal insufficiency ( P =.002). Type of operation, redo procedures, and other intraoperative and postoperative variables are not important multivariate predictors of readmission. Prolonged hospital length of stay for the initial procedure did not cause more frequent readmission. The costs of initial hospitalization (operating room costs combined with postoperative in-hospital costs) were not significantly increased in those patients who required readmission. Conclusions: The high-risk patient for readmission is a woman with diabetes, chronic lung disease, renal insufficiency, and preoperative atrial fibrillation who lives at a distance from the hospital. Readmission does not depend on periprocedural variables (eg, cardiopulmonary bypass time) or on postoperative complications. High procedural costs from the initial hospitalization do not predispose to readmission. These results suggest interventions that may reduce readmission. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;122:278-86
Spatial sampling by dendritic trees in visual cortex

Kittens were reared in vertically or horizontally striped cylinders. After rearing exposures of 400-500 h, responses of single neurons were determined as a function of orientation of a square wave grating stimulus. These data suggest that the rearing environment did alter orientation preference in some of the kittens. The visual cortices of the stripe-reared kittens and of control kittens were impregnated according to a Golgi-Cox method. Dendrites of layer IV stellate cells were tracked and analyzed in three dimensions by a computer-microscope. Four methods of analyzing the spatial distribution of dendrites are described and discussed. Two methods previously described in the literature were not sufficiently sensitive to detect any differences among kittens exposed to vertical or horizontal stripes or to a control environment. Two newly developed methods were able to provide initial evidence for rearing effects on dendritic trees in visual cortex. The more detailed of these new methods describes the angular location of dendritic segments, with respect to standard brain axes, as a function of distance from the cell body. Data obtained by means of this method of dendritic angular distribution (DAD) plots suggests a number of conclusions. Rearing animals in a striped environment may influence the way in which dendrites of layer IV stellate cells of visual cortex distribute themselves in the neuropil. The effect of selective rearing on dendritic distribution does not appear to extend back to those portions of the dendritic tree closest to the cell body. This influence of rearing in a selective environment may be explained by hypothesizing that during development dendrites distribute themselves in ways that tend to maximize the effects of spatiotemporal summation for the postsynaptic neurons.
Effects of wetting on the compression creep behaviour of metals containing low melting intergranular phases

The creep behaviour of several metallic alloys containing low melting intergranular phases has been characterized in experiments performed in uniaxial compression. The alloys included Al-3% Bi-0.35% Ti, Al-8.4% Sn, Al-33% Sn, and Cu-10% Bi. By performing creep tests above and below the melting point, it was found that melting of the intergranular phase has virtually no effect on the creep behaviour of the first three materials (the aluminium alloys); they creep in a manner very similar to that of pure aluminium, and generally behave as if no second phase were present at all. On the other hand, significant changes in behaviour occur in the Cu-10% Bi alloy. Melting of the intergranular phase both enhances the rate of creep and promotes tertiary creep and failure. The creep characteristics of the materials are discussed in terms of the wetting of the liquid phase on the solid grain boundaries and the fractional area of the boundary occupied by the liquid. It is suggested that a significant portion of the grain boundary area, in excess of 70%, must be wet before the liquid influences the compression creep behaviour in a significant way.
Effects of extreme environmental oxygen tensions on periosteal proliferation of mouse femora.

SummaryIt is concluded from the present H3TDR autoradiographic study of mouse femora that 5% oxygen leads to suppression of proliferation in an intact periosteum and cessation of proliferation when the periosteum is injured. The deleterious effects of 100% oxygen on the proliferation of cells are not realized at the fracture site, perhaps because of the protection afforded by the existing anoxia. In the intact limb there is evidence to show an early deleterious effect of 100% oxygen.
Top 10 Research Questions Related to Physical Activity and Bone Health in Children and Adolescents.

Evidence strongly supports a positive, causal effect of physical activity on bone strength and suggests long-term benefits of childhood physical activity to the prevention of osteoporosis. The contribution of healthy bone development in youth is likely to be as important to fracture prevention as the amount of late adulthood bone loss. Families, schools (particularly physical education), and communities are key settings for health promotion focused on bone-enhancing physical activity. However, little research has explored the topic of health promotion and physical education as they pertain to bone health, so best practices are not known. Based on our understanding of the literature, we present the top 10 research questions in health promotion and physical education that should be answered to advance bone-enhancing physical activity in children and adolescents.
High-solids mar resistant clearcoats prepared from an isophthalate-based oligoester and a melamine resin. Study and characterization of mar resistance with scanning probe microscopy method

A new series of high-solids [low-VOC (volatile organic compound)content] mar resistant clearcoats (CL-series) were prepared upon crosslinking of a new-synthesized hydroxyl-terminated isophthalate-based liquid oligoester (L-311) with an hexakis(methoxymethylol)melamine (HMMM) resin, via an acid-catalyzed etherification reaction. The chemical, physical, and mechanical properties of the CL-clearcoats were compared to those of a reference clearcoat (CRO). An attempt was made to investigate the effect that the amounts of catalyst and melamine resin had on the clearcoats' physical, chemical, and mechanical properties, and moreover, to correlate these properties to the films chemical structures. The new-formulated high-solids clearcoats (CL-series) presented enhanced processability and higher NVW values (lower VOC content) than the reference clearcoat CRO, and their properties (pencil hardness, knoop hardness, adhesion, impact resistance, solvent and gasoline resistance, mar resistance, and flexibility) were better or comparable to those of the CRO. More specifically, the mar resistance of the CL-clearcoats series was investigated by applying both the crockmeter test and a novel method that employed a modified scanning probe microscope. In addition, we identified and characterized the different responses of the CRO and certain CL-clearcoats to marring stress. The experimental data regarding the mar resistance of the new-formulated clearcoats fully justified our polymer design strategy, verifying our expectations for the possibility of preparing glossy, high-solids mar-resistant clearcoats that could present enhanced processability and solvent resistance, relatively high pencil hardness, and at the same time very good elastic recovery to marring stress. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 83: 1317–1333, 2002
Stability of group I intron RNA in Escherichia coli and its potential application in a novel expression vector

Intron RNA excised from the primary transcript of the phage T4 td gene was found to be unusually stable in vivo. In contrast to the average half-life of about 1.5 min for a typical Escherichia coli mRNA at 37 degrees C, the half-life of the excised group-I td intron ranged from 12 to 19 min for the linear form and from 22 to 33 min for the circular form. A 631-nucleotide region of the intron that is not essential for splicing was replaced by the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) structural gene (cat). Although the presence of the foreign sequence reduced intron stability several-fold, the half-life of the resulting intron-cat hybrid RNA was found to be twice that of the normal cat mRNA. The increase in stability was accompanied by a five- to eight-fold increase in CAT production above that seen with transcriptional activation from the strong Ptac promoter alone. The over-production was both temperature-dependent and partially splicing-dependent. This type of intron fusion represents a novel method of transcript stabilization, which is of potential use to augment other means of increasing gene expression for purposes of product amplification.
The phytotoxicity of mercury vapor

Seed germination and early growth were unexpectedly resistant to Hg-vapor at air saturation levels (14 μg L−1). Among 15 species and cultivars tested, inhibition of shoot or root growth in excess of 50% was not seen, but occasional stimulation was noted. During extended (70 to 75 days) cultivation at Hg-vapor saturation, inhibitory effects on growth increased with time, and later effects on abscission and necrosis were more severe. Seven days exposures confirmed juvenile resistance at air saturation levels and mature plant sensitivity, expressed by massive abscission at 0.05 μg L−1. It is suggested that Hg-vapor accelerates senescence-related processes via elevated ethylene production. Evidence suggests that elemental Hg, not ionic Hg, is the active toxicant. An ecophysiological role for Hg-vapor in volcanically active regions is suggested.
Effect of melengestrol acetate on growth and reproduction in rats.

Abstract Effects of melengestrol acetate on reproductive performance of 48 female rats and 20 of their female progeny were evaluated in two experiments. Treatments of 0, .01, and .1 mg in .1 ml of propylene glycol were given three groups of 16 rats for 7 days. From day 7 following sperm detection (10-day breeding period), half from each group received .1 mg per day for 14 days. Experiment 2 tested performance of 10 progeny exposed or unexposed to in utero treatment. Cyclic changes in Experiment 1 were inhibited only in animals receiving daily initial treatment of .1 mg. Estrus was detected in 61.5% of animals within 48 h of treatment withdrawal. Synchronization caused no significant changes in conception rates or postbreeding results of treatment. Treatment during gestation lowered weight gain for dams, increased gestation length, and decreased number of pups per litter. Treatment lowered mean weight per litter and weight per pup. It also caused high mortality among pups. In Experiment 2, there were no differences between progeny groups in gestation length, litter size, weight per litter, weight per pup, or mortality rate.
Astrophysics: a whirling dervish.

Vega is a fundamental reference star for astronomers. But it seems that our perceptions of it have been misconceived — rather than spinning slowly, the star is a rapid rotator seen pole-on. Vega, the second brightest star visible in the northern hemisphere, is used by astronomers as a standard against which other stars are calibrated. The intensity of light throughout its spectrum is known precisely, linking brightness and energy output. But there have been problems with conclusions drawn from such comparisons, leading to suggestions that Vega is a distorted, rapidly rotating star seen pole-on. Peterson et al. now report that Vega is indeed rapidly rotating, and is seen almost pole-on. This resolves the earlier problems, but adds uncertainty to Vega's age and raises the possibility that its debris disk could be much older than was thought.
The matrix stick-breaking process for flexible multi-task learning

In multi-task learning our goal is to design regression or classification models for each of the tasks and appropriately share information between tasks. A Dirichlet process (DP) prior can be used to encourage task clustering. However, the DP prior does not allow local clustering of tasks with respect to a subset of the feature vector without making independence assumptions. Motivated by this problem, we develop a new multitask-learning prior, termed the matrix stick-breaking process (MSBP), which encourages cross-task sharing of data. However, the MSBP allows separate clustering and borrowing of information for the different feature components. This is important when tasks are more closely related for certain features than for others. Bayesian inference proceeds by a Gibbs sampling algorithm and the approach is illustrated using a simulated example and a multi-national application.