cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparative distribution, excretion and metabolism of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in rats, dogs and miniature pigs

Abstract Di-(2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) was administered in the diet to male Sprague-Dawley rats, beagle dogs and miniature swine of the Hormel strain in doses of 50 mg/kg/day for 21–28 days before administration of a single dose of [14C]DEHP at 50 mg/kg. The animals were then killed at various times, and tissues, organs, urine and faeces were analysed for distribution of radioactivity. Approximately 84% of the [14C]DEHP radioactivity was excreted in the urine and faeces of rats during the first 24 hr; in dogs and pigs, excretion during this time was 67 and 37%, respectively. Elimination of 14C was rapid in rats, slightly prolonged in dogs and least rapid in pigs; excretion in all three species was virtually complete in 4 days. Faecal excretion (75%) predominated in dogs, and urinary excretion (79%) predominated in pigs. Thin-layer chromatography showed the presence of at least four radioactive substances in rat urine, three in dog urine and five in pig urine. No more than a trace of unmetabolized DEHP was found in the urine of rats, dogs or pigs. In all three species, bile contained some metabolites that differed from those in urine, although some metabolites appeared to be common to both. Bile from rats and dogs contained a substance that, when hydrolysed under slightly acidic conditions, yielded a substance that migrated like mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in the chromatographic system used.
Turnover of myosin heavy and light chains in cultured embryonic chick cardiac and skeletal muscle

Abstract The relative rates of synthesis and breakdown of myosin heavy and light chains were studied in primary cell cultures of embryonic chick cardiac and skeletal muscle. Measurements were made after 4 days in culture, at which time both skeletal and cardiac cultures were differentiated and contracted spontaneously. Following a 4-hr pulse of radioactive leucine, myosin and its heavy and light chains were extracted to 90% or greater purity and the specific activities of the proteins were determined. In cardiac muscle, myosin heavy chains were synthesized approximately 1.6 times the rate of myosin light chains, and in skeletal muscle, heavy chains were synthesized at approximately 1.4 times the rate of light chains. Relative rates of degradation of muscle proteins were determined using a dual-isotope technique. In general, the soluble and myofibrillar proteins of both types of muscle had decay rates proportional to their molecular weights (larger proteins generally had higher decay rates) based on analyses utilizing sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A notable exception to this general rule was myosin heavy chains, which had decay rates only slightly higher than the myosin light chains. Direct measurements on purified proteins indicated that the heavy chains of myosin were turning over at a slightly greater rate (approximately 20%) than the myosin light chains in both cardiac and skeletal muscle. The reasons for the apparent discrepancy between these measurements of myosin heavy and light chain synthesis and degradation are discussed.
Solid state structure of 4,4,6,6-tetraphenylcyclohex-2-en-1-one

Synchrotron data allowed the crystal structure determination of 4,4,6,6-tetraphenylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (1). The cyclohexenone ring is in a half-chair conformation 3H2violating the planarity of a conjugated π-system. The geometry of 1 optimized with semiempirical and density functional theory calculations is in good agreement with the experimental data. Compound 1 crystallizes in triclinic space group \(P\overline 1\) with unit cell parameters a = 9.7995(19) A, b = 10.5263(32) A, c = 12.2001(37) A, α = 96.916(10)°, β = 112.971(10)°, γ = 102.589(10)°, V = 1100.86(17) A3, and Z = 2.
Suffering and Healing, Subordination and Power: Women and Possession Trance

This article is an argument that for women, possession trance constitutes a psychodynamic response to powerlessness by providing them a means for the gratification of wishes ordinarily denied to them. Powerful alters enable them to act out wishes they cannot express directly. Possession serves both as an idiom of distress and of indirect self-assertion, facilitated by ritualized, culturally structured dissociation.
Comparison of low-rank tensor expansions for the acceleration of quantum chemistry computations

Low-rank spectral expansion and tensor hypercontraction are two promising techniques for reducing the size of the two-electron excitation tensor by factorizing it into products of smaller tensors. Both methods can potentially realize an O(r4) quantum chemistry method where r is the number of one-electron orbitals. We compare the two factorizations in this paper by applying them to the parametric 2-electron reduced density matrix method with the M functional [D. A. Mazziotti, Phys. Rev. Lett. 101, 253002 (2008)]10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.253002. We study several inorganic molecules, alkane chains, and potential curves as well as reaction and dissociation energies. The low-rank spectral expansion, we find, is typically more efficient than tensor hypercontraction due to a faster convergence of the energy and a smaller constant prefactor in the energy optimization. Both factorizations are applicable to the acceleration of a wide range of wavefunction and reduced-density-matrix methods.
Lysophosphatidic acid stimulates actomyosin contraction in astrocytes

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is an extracellular signaling molecule that can enter the central nervous system following injury or diseases that disrupt the blood-brain-barrier. Using a combination of time-lapse microscopy, immunocytochemistry, and biochemical techniques, we demonstrate that LPA stimulates profound changes in astrocyte morphology that are due to effects on the actomyosin cytoskeleton. Flat astrocytes in primary culture display prominent actin stress fibers. Treatment with the myosin light chain kinase inhibitor, ML-9, causes stress fiber dissolution and dramatic morphology changes including rounding of the cell body and the formation of processes. LPA can stabilize actin stress fibers and inhibit the morphology changes in ML-9-treated cells. Furthermore, this activity is dependent upon activation of the GTP-binding protein Rho as evidenced by the ability of C3 exoenzyme, a specific inhibitor of Rho, to block the effect. Phosphorylation of the regulatory light (RLC) chain initiates conformational changes in myosin II that result in the formation of myosin filaments and the recruitment of actin into contractile stress fibers. LPA-induced stabilization of stress fibers is accompanied by increases in phosphorylation of the RLC of myosin. Furthermore, astrocytes grown on flexible silicone undergo rapid contraction in response to LPA treatment. The forces generated by these cells manifest themselves as increased wrinkling in the silicone. The observed contraction and accompanying increases in regulatory light chain phosphorylation suggest that LPA-induced signaling cascades in astrocytes regulate actin/myosin interactions.
Predicates in perspective

A familiar strategy of argument to the effect that natural-language predicates are semantically context dependent rests on constructing what I term Travis cases: different contexts for the use of a predicate are imagined in which its semantic (typically, truth-conditional) properties are claimed to differ. I propose an account of the semantic properties of predicates that give rise to Travis cases; I then argue that the account underwrites a genuine alternative to the standard explanations of Travis cases to be found in the literature; I close with a brief sketch of the connections, required by a fuller development of my account, among the semantic notion of a predicate’s content, the metaphysical notion of a property’s instantiation, and the cognitive notion of a language user’s perspective in using a predicate.
TagMe: an easy-to-use toolkit for turning the personal environment into an extended communications interface

In this paper we present an end-user toolkit for easy creation of responsive objects and environments. TagMe consists of a wearable device that recognizes the object or surface the user is touching. The user can make everyday objects come to life through the use of RFID tag stickers, which are read by a RFID bracelet whenever the user touches the object. We present a novel approach to create simple and customizable rules based on emotional attachment to objects and social interactions of people. Using this simple technology, the user can extend their application interfaces to include physical objects and surfaces into their personal environment, allowing people to communicate through everyday objects in very low effort ways. This paper discusses different applications for this type of technology as well as the implementation of the bracelet prototype and the supporting smartphone application.
Cooking and sensory properties of pork crumbles as affected by pregelatinized potato starch, crumble diameter and fat content

Pork crumbles were processed at two fat levels (15, 40%) with or without addition of modified pregelatinized potato starch and into two sizes (0.95 cm, 1.90 cm diameters). Following precooking and reheating, large-diameter crumbles were softer and more juicy than small crumbles. Those with 40% fat were less firm and had lower precooking yields, but they still received high juiciness scores even when processed without modified pregelatinized potato starch. Potato starch provided improvements in precooking yields, and reduced fat retention during precooking and reheating.
Irreversible inactivation of the membrane-bound enzyme IIlac of the lactose phosphotransferase system of Staphylococcus aureus by triton X-100 and protection by substrates

Abstract Enzyme IIlac, the membrane-bound component of the lactose phosphotransferase system of Staphylococcus aureus, catalyzes the phosphorylation-transport reaction below: (The sugar can be lactose or one of its analogs.) The effects of the non-ionic detergents Triton X-100, Brij 35, and Tween 40 on the activity of Enzyme IIlac were studied. Especially striking effects were observed using Triton X-100, a detergent previously used to solubilize and isolate this enzyme. A systematic study of Triton effects over a range of concentrations and temperatures demonstrated three aspects of Triton-membrane interaction. At 0.1% Triton and 25° C Enzyme IIlac is activated, but remains particulate. At 0.5% Triton and 25° C, it is almost completely solubilized, with good retention of activity. At 0.5% Triton and 37° C, it is rapidly and irreversibly inactivated. Sugar substrates and inhibitory sugar analogs protect Enzyme IIlac against inactivation; the effect is specific for β-galactosides. The other substrates of Enzyme IIlac, phospho-Factor IIIlac, does not affect Triton inactivation, and the product analog galactose 6-phosphate slightly enhances the inactivation rate.
Mediation of the transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy in hemibiotrophic plant pathogens by secreted effector proteins.

Hemibiotrophs, such as Phytophthora infestans, exhibit distinct phases of their life cycle: an early asymptomatic biotrophic phase and a late necrotrophic stage that is characterized by tissue degradation and disease symptoms. To date, little is known of the molecular mechanisms that promote each distinct phase, nor those that mediate the transition between the two. We hypothesized that these phytopathogens might secrete distinct classes of effector proteins that first suppress plant defense responses and associated programmed cell death (PCD), and later induce large scale necrosis. To this end, we have identified proteins that are secreted by P. infestans early or late in the infection cycle. Recently we described the characterization of SNE1, which is specifically expressed during early biotrophic growth in the host plant tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). We found that SNE1 suppresses the action of necrosis-inducing effectors (Nep1-like proteins), including PiNPP1.1 and PsojNIP, which are secreted by P. infestans and P. sojae, respectively, during necrotrophic growth, as well as PCD mediated by a broad spectrum of Avr-R protein interactions. This suggests that SNE1 and PiNPP1.1 act antagonistically, thereby providing a highly regulated means to control the transition from biotrophy to necrotrophy.
Application of Active Contours on Metallurgical Microstructures

Employing computer algorithms for finding and outlining the boundaries between phases or grain boundaries (referred to as edge detection) is a widely used technique employed as an intermediate step in microstructure analysis. Having an outlined region of interest enables the user to extract data about the region or use it in the reconstruction of three-dimensional models. Because traditional edge detection relies on a user-selected threshold value, the results often are subjective. Furthermore, traditional edge detection frequently results in outlines that are incomplete, requiring additional processing steps, such as edge linking and spur removal. Active contouring is an edge-detection-based technique that typically yields results superior to that of a traditional edge detector. High noise tolerance and built-in flexibilities of active contours make the technique desirable to use across a broad range of applications. Although initially used for meteorological applications, several uses of active contours are presented for metallurgical microstructural data obtained using optical and electron microscopies to demonstrate robustness and the range of applications that can employ active contours.
A laboratory in experimental psychology using the TRS-80

Twenty-three BASIC language programs have been written to allow the TRS-80 and other microcomputers to perform most of the classical experiments normally used in teaching a laboratory course in experimental psychology. Most programs allow experiments to be run as though the computer was the specialized apparatus normally used. This facilitates a realistic and interactive learning experience for the students.
Development and comparison of high-performance liquid chromatographic methods with tandem mass spectrometric and ultraviolet absorbance detection for the determination of cyclobenzaprine in human plasma and urine

Sensitive assays for the determination of cyclobenzaprine (I) in human plasma and urine were developed utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with tandem mass spectrometric (MS-MS) and ultraviolet (UV) absorbance detections. These two analytical techniques were evaluated for reliability and sensitivity, and applied to support pharmacokinetic studies. Both methods employed a liquid-liquid extraction of the compound from basified biological sample. The organic extract was evaporated to dryness, the residue was reconstituted in the mobile phase and injected onto the HPLC system. The HPLC assay with MS-MS detection was performed on a PE Sciex API III tandem mass spectrometer using the heated nebulizer interface. Multiple reaction monitoring using the parent-->daughter ion combinations of m/z 276 --> 215 and 296 --> 208 was used to quantitate I an internal standard (II), respectively. The HPLC-MS-MS and HPLC-UV assays were validated in human plasma in the concentration range 0.1-50 ng/ml and 0.5-50 ng/ml, respectively. In urine, both methods were validated in the concentration range 10-1000 ng/ml. The precision of the assays, as expressed as coefficients of variation (C.V.) was less than 10% over the entire concentration range, with adequate assay specificity and accuracy. In addition to better sensitivity, the HPLC-MS-MS assay was more efficient and allowed analysis of more biological fluid samples in a single working day than the HPLC-UV method.
Regionally restricted developmental defects resulting from targeted disruption of the mouse homeobox gene hox-1.5

Gene targeting in mouse embryo-derived stem cells has been used to disrupt the homeobox gene hox-1.5. Mice heterozygous at the hox-1.5 locus appear normal, whereas hox-1.5-/hox-1.5- mice die at or shortly after birth. These homozygotes are athymic, aparathyroid, have reduced thyroid and submaxillary tissue and exhibit a wide range of throat abnormalities. In addition, they often feature defects of the heart and arteries as well as craniofacial abnormalities. These deficiencies are remarkably similar to the pathology of the human congenital disorder DiGeorge's syndrome.
Structure Tensor Based Image Interpolation Method

Abstract Feature preserving image interpolation is an active area in image processing field. In this paper a new direct edge directed image super-resolution algorithm based on structure tensors is proposed. Using an isotropic Gaussian filter, the structure tensor at each pixel of the input image is computed and the pixels are classified to three distinct classes; uniform region, corners and edges, according to the eigenvalues of the structure tensor. Due to application of the isotropic Gaussian filter, the classification is robust to noise presented in image. Based on the tangent eigenvector of the structure tensor, the edge direction is determined and used for interpolation along the edges. In comparison to some previous edge directed image interpolation methods, the proposed method achieves higher quality in both subjective and objective aspects. Also the proposed method outperforms previous methods in case of noisy and JPEG compressed images. Furthermore, without the need for optimization in the process, the algorithm can achieve higher speed.
Cities, Tax Revenues, and a State's Fiscal Future: The Value of Major Urban Centers

Competition among core cities or urban centers and suburban and rural areas besets numerous states. The competition often occurs amid a political environment in which suburban and rural areas enjoy a political majority in the state legislature, a majority that directs state investments to their areas. With Ohio as a case study, the issues that have created the urban–suburban–rural trichotomy are reviewed and an analysis of the tax returns, by area, to state investments is presented. The findings illustrate that urban centers produce more tax dollars per dollar of state investment than other areas, implying that state underinvestment in urban areas harms overall state tax revenues.
Empirical descriptions of mental patient syndromes and types

Used a cluster analytic procedure to describe mental illness. Data for 2,600 mental patients from a research record system were clustered into six symptom and four antecedent dimensions. The patients were typed into seven antecedent and seven symptom types according to their patterns of scores over these dimensions. The types were related to diagnostic data, the antecedent and symptom dimensions, impairment ratings, outcomes and biodata. Significant relationships of the types with all the classes of data are reported. The relationships of the types with four diagnostic classes and the merits of typing as a means of defining mental illnesses are discussed.
Rac2 GTPase deficiency depletes BCR-ABL+ leukemic stem cells and progenitors in vivo

Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is a clonal myeloproliferative disease (MPD) initiated by p210-BCR-ABL-mediated transformation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs). Inhibition of the ABL kinase alone is not sufficient to eradicate leukemic stem cells (LSCs). We have previously shown that the deficiency of Rac2 GTPase signaling, but not Rac1, in p210-BCR-ABL-transduced hematopoietic cells prolonged survival of mice with MPD. Here we demonstrate that absence of Rac2 GTPase prolongs survival of HSC-initiated, inducible Scl/p210-BCR-ABL (Scl/p210) binary transgenic mice, it induces apoptosis, and, unlike in normal HSC and progenitor (HSC/P), impairs LSC and progenitor (LSC/P) proliferation in vivo. As a result, Rac2 deficiency causes functional exhaustion of the LSC pool in vivo. This defect is not due to impaired interaction with the hematopoietic microenvironment as reflected by its unaltered adhesion, migration, and homing to recipient organs. In summary, Rac2 deficiency exhausts the LSC pool in vivo through impairment of oncogene-induced proliferation and survival signals.
Supramolecular aggregates of photoreactive aromatics. Structure, photophysics and photochemistry of stilbene and azobenzene phospholipids

Abstract Stilbene and azobenzene-derivatized phospholipids have been synthesized as building blocks to study H-aggregate formation, structure and properties in both bilayer vesicles and LB films. The observed H-aggregates in bilayers display similar spectral characteristics to that in LB films and a strong induced circular dichroism spectrum. Studies of interconversion between H-aggregates and monomers or dimers have established relatively small, integral numbers for aggregate sizes. Based on these results as well as molecular cooling simulation, chiral cyclic pinwheel structures are proposed for these H-aggregates. Single crystal structure of a trans -stilbene derivative ( 4 ) has been obtained, and its remarkable similarity in structure to compressed monolayer obtained from molecular simulation and almost identical spectra to H-aggregate of stilbene support the proposed herringbone lattice for these aggregates. The very large arrays of aggregates may consist of a “mosaic” of small aggregates. The presence of aggregates as either stable or metastable entities has special consequences for microscopic as well as macroscopic properties of the medium in which they are generated. The aggregates of azobenzene in DPPC vesicles promote reagent release much more efficiently than the correspondent monomer and dimer. Trans—cis photoisomerization of azobenzene aggregates opens a convenient way to establish photoregulatable membrane and related materials.
Electric Field Patterning of Organic Nanoarchitectures with Self-Assembled Molecular Fibers

We discuss the manipulation of self-assembled semiconducting molecular nanofibers with electric fields of various geometries under photoexcitation. The nanofibers behave as electric dipoles, with the dipole moments arising from the spatial separation of photoexcited charge carriers in an external field. We utilized this interaction mechanism to align the nanofibers along electric field lines and position them between a specific pair of electrodes using a spatially inhomogeneous field. This approach enables high-precision and high-yield fabrication of advanced nanoarchitectures for organic molecular electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic devices.
PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS OF FEMALE CHIEF ACADEMIC OFFICERS IN EVANGELICAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: PART I

Women account for over 50% of all undergraduates, and one third of all faculty in the United States (American Council on Education, 2000; National Center for Educational Statistics, 2000). But in 1995 women held only slightly more than 16% of chief executive positions in higher education in the U.S. (L. Knopp, 1995). B. D. Cejda, W. B. Bush, and K. L. Rewey (2002) reported that 14% of chief academic officers in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) were women, whereas women chief academic officers in non-CCCU institutions totaled 26%. The research reported in Part I of this paper describes personal characteristics and experiences of female chief academic officers in selected Christian institutions of higher learning. Variables in the study included demographic background, early socialization, education, feminine roles, and tokenism. The majority grew up in two-parent families, participated in extracurricular activities during high school, and identified mentors who contributed in sign...
The binding and spectral alterations of oxidized flavin mononucleotide by bacterial luciferase.

Abstract The binding of oxidized flavin mononucleotide (FMN) to bacterial luciferase was studied by equilibrium dialysis. A Scatchard plot of the data indicates a single FMN binding site per luciferase molecule, with a dissociation constant of 2.4 × 10 −4 M at 2° in 0.05 M Bis-Tris, 0.2 M NaCl, pH 7.0. The visible absorbance spectrum of luciferase-bound FMN is altered considerably relative to the spectrum of free FMN. The spectrum of the bound flavin shows an apparent splitting of the 443-nm peak yielding well-defined maxima at 458 nm and 434 nm.
An integrated strategy for analyzing the unique developmental programs of different myoblast subtypes.

An important but largely unmet challenge in understanding the mechanisms that govern the formation of specific organs is to decipher the complex and dynamic genetic programs exhibited by the diversity of cell types within the tissue of interest. Here, we use an integrated genetic, genomic, and computational strategy to comprehensively determine the molecular identities of distinct myoblast subpopulations within the Drosophila embryonic mesoderm at the time that cell fates are initially specified. A compendium of gene expression profiles was generated for primary mesodermal cells purified by flow cytometry from appropriately staged wild-type embryos and from 12 genotypes in which myogenesis was selectively and predictably perturbed. A statistical meta-analysis of these pooled datasets—based on expected trends in gene expression and on the relative contribution of each genotype to the detection of known muscle genes—provisionally assigned hundreds of differentially expressed genes to particular myoblast subtypes. Whole embryo in situ hybridizations were then used to validate the majority of these predictions, thereby enabling true-positive detection rates to be estimated for the microarray data. This combined analysis reveals that myoblasts exhibit much greater gene expression heterogeneity and overall complexity than was previously appreciated. Moreover, it implicates the involvement of large numbers of uncharacterized, differentially expressed genes in myogenic specification and subsequent morphogenesis. These findings also underscore a requirement for considerable regulatory specificity for generating diverse myoblast identities. Finally, to illustrate how the developmental functions of newly identified myoblast genes can be efficiently surveyed, a rapid RNA interference assay that can be scored in living embryos was developed and applied to selected genes. This integrated strategy for examining embryonic gene expression and function provides a substantially expanded framework for further studies of this model developmental system.
Clinicians’ Perception of Patient Readiness for Treatment: An Emerging Theme in Implementation Science?

Despite a training program to help veterans administration (VA) clinicians implement evidence-based psychotherapies (EBPs) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), uptake has been limited. To understand clinicians’ implementation challenges, we performed thematic analysis of semi-structured telephone interviews guided by the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services framework. Our sample included 22 psychotherapists in VA PTSD clinics in one region. We identified a theme not captured by our implementation framework: clinicians’ perceptions about their patients’ readiness for treatment. Clinician perception of patient readiness may be important to the uptake of EBPs and should be considered in mental health implementation work.
Scene interpretation approach to high-level target tracking

High-level algorithms are needed to take tracking sensor reports as input and produce continuous, labeled, target tracks as output. These algorithms will aid human track analysts in sorting through ever-increasing numbers of sensors and targets. The action of such a system is similar to that of computer vision systems; that is, it performs intelligent reasoning about sensed data to infer the characteristics of a spatially organized set of objects. Some of the issues that must be resolved in such a system are knowledge representation, control schemes, uncertainty management, and timeliness. Although progress has been made in establishing a framework for such a system, further work is necessary before a totally automated track analysis system is realized.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Radiotherapy-induced common carotid pseudoaneurysm presenting with initially occult upper airway hemorrhage and successfully treated by endovascular stent graft

Abstract Radiation induced carotid vasculopathy may present as steno-occlusive disease or less commonly as a pseudoaneurysm. The latter most often presents with a pulsatile mass but is a potential cause of life threatening hemorrhage. We present a case of a small common carotid artery (CCA) pseudoaneurysm that was initially dismissed as the cause of the patients presenting epistaxis given its small size and location. After standard bilateral internal maxillary artery embolizations failed to prevent significant subsequent pharyngeal and tracheal blood loss and serial imaging demonstrated a progressive enlargement of the pseudoaneurysm, a stent graft was successfully placed across the lesion. At five months post stenting, follow-up imaging of the neck showed a stable obliteration of the pseudoaneurysm, good arterial patency, and the patient remained free of recurrent hemorrhage. This case demonstrates that even a small carotid pseudoaneurysm, can present with pharyngeal hemorrhage and should be treated aggressively - with endovascular stent grafting being a preferred treatment modality for arterial lesions in the irradiated neck.
An agarose-in-plug bridge method to study chemotaxis in the Archaeon Halobacterium salinarum

A simple agarose-in-plug bridge method was developed to study chemotaxis in the Archaeon Halobacterium salinarum. Preheated liquid agarose solution with chemoeffectors is pipetted in the middle of a microscope slide bridge, constructed by placing two plastic strips 16 mm apart. A coverslip is immediately placed over the agarose. The solidified agarose plug is completely encircled with the halobacterial cell suspension. Within a certain time concentrated halobacteria were seen as a ring at the edge of the agarose plug containing attractant amino acids and the control growth medium. Chemotaxis mutant Pho60 cells do not accumulate either around the attractants or around the growth medium. The kinetics of the ring formation can be readily videotaped or photographed using either phase-contrast or dark-field microscopy.
African Americans' Perceptions of Psychotherapy and Psychotherapists

Although psychologists are aware of the differential pattern of use and response to mental health services among ethnic clients, the in-depth understanding that would permit development of appropriate responses and programs is limited. Psychologists often struggle with whether, when, and how efforts to address issues of race, ethnicity, and culture will affect mental health attitudes and therapeutic response. The focus group is a qualitative research strategy that uses a semistructured discussion format to elicit a more in-depth understanding of the attitudes, values, and beliefs that affect behavior (Stewart & Shamdasani, 1990). Although this strategy sacrifices the rigor and precision of quantitative studies, it is a useful preliminary strategy that allows members of communities to share their insights on relevant issues and their opinions about how needs and concerns might be addressed. The current study represents a preliminary effort to understand what values and concerns may affect African American mental health attitudes and service use, as well as what efforts by the psychological community may prove beneficial in promoting an image of multicultural sensitivity and competence. African Americans have been identified as a group that uses mental health services inconsistently (Kessler et al., 1994; D. W.
The Cardiovascular Aspects of Marfan's Syndrome: A Heritable Disorder of Connective Tissue

Clinically, Marfan's disease behaves as an abiotrophy of some connective tissue element. Cardiovascular manifestations result from defective aortic media, defective valve cusps, interatrial communication, and pectus excavatum. The defect of the aortic media manifests itself by dissecting aneurysm, diffuse aneurysm of the ascending aorta or a combination. Subacute bacterial endocarditis in a patient with Marfan's disease is described. Interatrial septal defect is less frequent than previously believed. Cardiac symptoms in severe pectus excavatum must be evaluated in light of possible Marfan's disease. Fifty families in which at least one bona fide instance of Marfan's disease has occurred were collected.
The human mutation rate is increasing, even as it slows

Substitution rates vary between species, and many explanations regarding the causes of this variation have been proposed. Here we consider how new genomic data on the per-generation mutation rate impinge on proposed hypotheses for substitution rate variation in primates. We propose that the generation-time effect as it is usually understood cannot explain the observed rate variation, but instead that selection for decreased somatic mutation rates can. By considering the disparate causes underlying mutation rate changes in recent human history, we also show that the per-generation mutation rate is increasing even as the per-cell-division rate is decreasing.
Comparison of butterfly communities and abundances between marginal grasslands and conservation lands in the eastern Great Plains

The alteration and fragmentation of native tallgrass prairie in the Midwestern United States has created a need to identify other land types with the ability to support grassland butterfly species. This study examines butterfly usage of marginal grasslands, which consist of semi-natural grasslands existing within in a larger agricultural matrix, compared to grasslands managed for conservation of prairie species. Using generalized linear mixed models we analyzed how land purpose (marginal vs. conservation grasslands) affected butterfly abundance. We found grassland butterfly species to be significantly more common on conservation grasslands, whereas generalist species were significantly more common on marginal grasslands. Results of ordination analyses indicated that while many species used both types of habitats, butterfly species assemblages were distinct between habitat types and that edge to interior ratio and the floristic quality index of sites were important habitat characteristics driving this distinction. Within conservation grasslands we examined the relationship between butterfly abundance and the planting diversity used in restoring each site. We found higher diversity restorations hosted more individuals of butterflies considered habitat generalists, as well as species considered to be of conservation concern.
Application of computer simulation to improve the optical performance of liquid crystal displays

Modeling of a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes two parts: one is the calculation of the LC director deformation profile inside the cell and the other is the LCD optics computation. For the LC director deformation profile calculation, it is usually assumed that all the LC molecules within a pixel respond together uniformly to a driving voltage. This one-dimensional (l-D) simulation is a good approximation for most cases. However, due to the finite size of the pixel, the pixel fringe field may drive the LC molecules near the pixel edge to tilt in a direction different from those in the center of the pixel. To understand the detailed LC director structures inside the pixel and their effect on the display performances (especially for the small pixel), the two-dimensional (2-D) or sometimes the three-dimensional (3-D) simulation is required. The l-D, 2-D, and 3-D simulations of the LC director deformation profile are reviewed. For the LCD optics, besides the 4 x 4 matrix method, an alternative method is also discussed. Finally, examples using the 1 -D, 2-D, and 3-D LCD simulations for improving the display optical performances are illustrated.
Family Physicians and Referral for Psychotherapy

This study examines the factors influencing family physicians' patient referrals for psychotherapy. A questionnaire designed from a pilot study of the full-time family practice faculty at Wright State University was mailed to all members (154) of the voluntary family practice faculty at Wright State University with a 63 percent return rate. Results indicated the most important factors in determining whether a patient is referred for psychotherapy include the severity of the problem, the threat of suicide, and the need for specialized treatment. The most important therapist characteristics looked for by a family physician are ability, availability, appreciation of the person as a whole, interaction skills, and experience. The article also discusses the ways in which family physicians find a psychotherapist, the feedback desired by the family physician from a psychotherapist, and type of psychotherapist discipline preferred by the family physician for handling various patient situations.
STRINGENT X-RAY CONSTRAINTS ON MASS LOSS FROM PROXIMA CENTAURI

We have analyzed data from two Chandra imaging observations of Proxima Centauri, searching for an X-ray halo arising from charge exchange between highly charged ions in its stellar wind and neutral gas in the surrounding interstellar medium. Based upon our model of Proxima Cen's charge exchange emission, the absence of any detectable charge exchange signal places a statistical 3 σ upper limit of ~3 × 10-13 M☉ yr-1 (14☉) on the mass-loss rate (9☉ for the 2 σ limit and 4☉ for 1 σ), with a model uncertainty of roughly a factor of 3. This is orders of magnitude smaller than the upper limits that have been placed on late-type dwarf stars using radio observations, and it supports a recent mass-loss result for Proxima Cen based on Lyα absorption profiles. We have also studied the coronal spectrum, both in quiescence and during a prominent flare. Results are consistent with those obtained in previous X-ray observations, but a firm determination of coronal metal abundances remains elusive.
Hematopoietic cells maintain hematopoietic fates upon entering the brain.

Several studies have reported that bone marrow (BM) cells may give rise to neurons and astrocytes in vitro and in vivo. To further test this hypothesis, we analyzed for incorporation of neural cell types expressing donor markers in normal or injured brains of irradiated mice reconstituted with whole BM or single, purified c-kit+Thy1.1loLin−Sca-1+ (KTLS) hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and of unirradiated parabionts with surgically anastomosed vasculature. Each model showed low-level parenchymal engraftment of donor-marker+ cells with 96–100% immunoreactivity for panhematopoietic (CD45) or microglial (Iba1 or Mac1) lineage markers in all cases studied. Other than one arborizing structure in the olfactory bulb of one BM-transplanted animal, possibly representing a neuronal or glial cell process, we found no donor-marker–expressing astrocytes or non-Purkinje neurons among >10,000 donor-marker+ cells from 21 animals. These data strongly suggest that HSCs and their progeny maintain lineage fidelity in the brain and do not adopt neural cell fates with any measurable frequency.
Differential reduction in corneal nerve fiber length in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Aim To examine the relationship between corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL) and diabetic neuropathy (DN) status in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods In this cross-sectional study, we examined 25 diabetic patients without DN, 10 patients with mild DN, 8 patients with severe DN, and 9 controls without diabetes. DN status was assigned based on a combination of clinical symptoms, signs, and electrophysiological testing. Patients underwent corneal confocal microscopy (CCM) of the sub-basal nerve plexus. Post-hoc analysis of the CCM images was performed to quantify the average CNFL, and ANOVA was used to assess for differences in CNFL. Results All 25 subjects without DN had type 1 DM, and subjects with DN had type 2 DM. Participants with severe DN had significantly lower CNFL (12.5±6.1mm/mm 2 ) compared to controls (20.7±2.2mm/mm 2 ) (p=0.009). However, lower CNFL was also found in participants with type 1 DM who did not have DN (15.1±4.7mm/mm 2 ) relative to controls (p=0.033). Conclusions CCM of the sub-basal nerve plexus may be an indicator of early peripheral nerve degeneration in type 1 DM. Type of diabetes, in addition to degree of neuropathy, may influence the extent of corneal nerve damage.
The Effects of Angle of Incidence and Temperature on Latchup in 65 nm Technology

Single event latchup (SEL) in a 65 nm CMOS technology is examined with respect to strike angle of incidence and variations in device temperature. A significant difference in device sensitivity is observed with a change in the orientation of grazing angle strikes. The impact of an extremely high aspect ratio sensitive volume on SEL rate is discussed. It is suggested that SEL experiments should be conducted at various lateral orientations when near-grazing beam angles are tested.
The International Law and Politics of Climate Change Ratification of the United Nations Framework Convention and the Kyoto Protocol

A considerable challenge for the creators of international environmental agreements is how to design mechanisms that deter defection without deterring participation. Relatively ``soft'' law often g...
Filopodia and actin arcs guide the assembly and transport of two populations of microtubules with unique dynamic parameters in neuronal growth cones.

We have used multimode fluorescent speckle microscopy (FSM) and correlative differential interference contrast imaging to investigate the actin–microtubule (MT) interactions and polymer dynamics known to play a fundamental role in growth cone guidance. We report that MTs explore the peripheral domain (P-domain), exhibiting classical properties of dynamic instability. MT extension occurs preferentially along filopodia, which function as MT polymerization guides. Filopodial bundles undergo retrograde flow and also transport MTs. Thus, distal MT position is determined by the rate of plus-end MT assembly minus the rate of retrograde F-actin flow. Short MT displacements independent of flow are sometimes observed. MTs loop, buckle, and break as they are transported into the T-zone by retrograde flow. MT breakage results in exposure of new plus ends which can regrow, and minus ends which rapidly undergo catastrophes, resulting in efficient MT turnover. We also report a previously undetected presence of F-actin arc structures, which exhibit persistent retrograde movement across the T-zone into the central domain (C-domain) at ∼1/4 the rate of P-domain flow. Actin arcs interact with MTs and transport them into the C-domain. Interestingly, although the MTs associated with arcs are less dynamic than P-domain MTs, they elongate efficiently as a result of markedly lower catastrophe frequencies.
Citation Rates of Award-Winning ASCE Papers

AbstractCitation data is increasingly being used to assess quality and importance. By this criterion, a paper that is not cited is automatically assumed to lack both quality and significance. This paper examines the validity of this hypothesis by reviewing citation rates of award-winning ASCE papers over a 25-year period from 1978–2002. In the study, citation data for seven civil engineering subdisciplines were obtained from the Science Citation Index developed by the Thomson Institute for Scientific Information (ISI). The analysis showed that nearly 25% of the award-winning papers were never cited with over 30% cited just once. Citations were higher in subdisciplines that are science based and lower in those that are more applied or specialist. These findings indicate that although citations provide a quantitative measure of use, they are imperfect indicators of quality and significance.
The molecular ecologist's guide to expressed sequence tags

Genomics and bioinformatics have great potential to help address numerous topics in ecology and evolution. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) can bridge genomics and molecular ecology because they can provide a means of accessing the gene space of almost any organism. We review how ESTs have been used in molecular ecology research in the last several years by providing sequence data for the design of molecular markers, genome-wide studies of gene expression and selection, the identification of candidate genes underlying adaptation, and the basis for studies of gene family and genome evolution. Given the tremendous recent advances in inexpensive sequencing technologies, we predict that molecular ecologists will increasingly be developing and using EST collections in the years to come. With this in mind, we close our review by discussing aspects of EST resource development of particular relevance for molecular ecologists.
Rapid desensitization for hypersensitivity reactions to paclitaxel and docetaxel: a new standard protocol used in 77 successful treatments.

Abstract Objective Administration of paclitaxel is associated with hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) in up to 9% of patients despite premedication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a standardized desensitization protocol in patients with HSRs to taxanes, based on our experience with carboplatin desensitization. Methods We analyzed seventeen consecutive patients with documented HSRs to taxanes who required continued treatment with a taxane agent. The patients were treated with either paclitaxel or docetaxel using the 6- to 7-h standard desensitization protocol. Results Seventeen patients who previously had severe taxane HSRs successfully completed 77 planned cycles of desensitization to paclitaxel or docetaxel, 72 of which were without reactions. Four patients developed HSRs during the desensitization protocol that were much less severe than their original HSRs and tolerated the re-administration of infusions without further reactions. Of these four patients, the first had palmar erythema 8 h after her 1st desensitization. The second patient had mild abdominal pain during her 1st cycle, and the third patient developed mild chest burning during her 2nd and 4th cycles. These three patients also completed subsequent desensitization cycles without reactions. The fourth patient developed a delayed urticaria reaction and gastrointestinal symptoms 6 h after completing her 1st desensitization. She elected to be treated with an alternative chemotherapy and did not receive additional courses of desensitization. Conclusion The rapid standard desensitization protocol provides a safe and effective strategy for the re-administration of paclitaxel or docetaxel even after severe HSRs.
Selenium and Prostate Cancer Prevention: What Next—If Anything?

Chemopreventive effects of the essential trace element selenium against prostate cancer have been shown in preclinical models and human observational studies, but results from clinical trials have been disappointing. It appears that there is a threshold selenium (Se) status below which improvement will decrease prostate cancer risk, but above which supplemental Se may be deleterious. Different forms of selenium have different effects, and genetic and other factors modify selenium's chemopreventive potential. Identification of men most likely to benefit from Se status improvement could have significant public health benefits.