cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mediation Analysis: A Retrospective Snapshot of Practice and More Recent Directions

R. Baron and D. A. Kenny's (1986) paper introducing mediation analysis has been cited over 9,000 times, but concerns have been expressed about how this method is used. The authors review past and recent methodological literature and make recommendations for how to address 3 main issues: association, temporal order, and the no omitted variables assumption. The authors briefly visit the topics of reliability and the confirmatory-exploratory distinction. In addition, to provide a sense of the extent to which the earlier literature had been absorbed into practice, the authors examined a sample of 50 articles from 2002 citing R. Baron and D. A. Kenny and containing at least 1 mediation analysis via ordinary least squares regression. A substantial proportion of these articles included problematic reporting; as of 2002, there appeared to be room for improvement in conducting such mediation analyses. Future literature reviews will demonstrate the extent to which the situation has improved.
Arachidonic acid has a dominant effect to regulate lipogenic genes in 3T3-L1 adipocytes compared to omega-3 fatty acids

Background : The effects of long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the regulation of adipocytes metabolism are well known. These fatty acids are generally consumed together in our diets; however, the metabolic regulation of adipocytes in the presence of these fatty acids when given together is not known. Objective : To investigate the effects of n-3 PUFA and arachidonic acid (AA), an n-6 PUFA, on the regulation of adipogenic and lipogenic genes in mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Methods : 3T3-L1 adipocytes were incubated in the presence or absence of 100 µM of eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA; docosahexaenoic acid, DHA; docosapentaenoic acid, DPA and AA, either alone or AA+n-3 PUFA; control cells received bovine serum albumin alone. The mRNA expression of adipogenic and lipogenic genes was measured. The fatty acid composition of adipocytes was analyzed using gas chromatography. Results : Individual n-3 PUFA or AA had no effect on the mRNA expression of peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor-γ; however, AA+EPA and AA+DPA significantly increased ( P <0.05) the expression compared to control cells (38 and 42%, respectively). AA and AA+EPA increased the mRNA expression of acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 ( P <0.05). AA treatment decreased the mRNA expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD1) ( P <0.01), while n-3 PUFA, except EPA, had no effect compared to control cells. AA+DHA and AA+DPA inhibited SCD1 gene expression ( P <0.05) suggesting a dominant effect of AA. Fatty acids analysis of adipocytes revealed a higher accretion of AA compared to n-3 PUFA. Conclusions : Our findings reveal that AA has a dominant effect on the regulation of lipogenic genes in adipocytes. Keywords : adipocytes; arachidonic acid; lipogenesis; omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (Published: 20 March 2015) Citation: Food & Nutrition Research 2015, 59 : 25866 - http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/fnr.v59.25866
Metal atom lability in polynuclear complexes.

The asymmetric oxidation product [((Ph)L)Fe3(μ-Cl)]2 [(Ph)LH6 = MeC(CH2NHPh-o-NHPh)3], where each trinuclear core is comprised of an oxidized diiron unit [Fe2](5+) and an isolated trigonal pyramidal ferrous site, reacts with MCl2 salts to afford heptanuclear bridged structures of the type ((Ph)L)2Fe6M(μ-Cl)4(thf)2, where M = Fe or Co. Zero-field, (57)Fe Mossbauer analysis revealed the Co resides within the trinuclear core subunits, not at the octahedral, halide-bridged MCl4(thf)2 position indicating Co migration into the trinuclear subunits has occurred. Reaction of [((Ph)L)Fe3(μ-Cl)]2 with CoCl2 (2 or 5 equivalents) followed by precipitation via addition of acetonitrile afforded trinuclear products where one or two irons, respectively, can be substituted within the trinuclear core. Metal atom substitution was verified by (1)H NMR, (57)Fe Mossbauer, single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, and magnetometry analysis. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that the Co atom(s) substitute(s) into the oxidized dimetal unit ([M2](5+)), while the M(2+) site remains iron-substituted. Magnetic data acquired for the series are consistent with this analysis revealing the oxidized dimetal unit comprises a strongly coupled S = 1 unit ([FeCo](5+)) or S = 1/2 ([Co2](5+)) that is weakly antiferromagnetically coupled to the high spin (S = 2) ferrous site. The kinetic pathway for metal substitution was probed via reaction of [((Ph)L)Fe3(μ-Cl)]2 with isotopically enriched (57)FeCl2(thf)2, the results of which suggest rapid equilibration of (57)Fe into both the M(2+) site and oxidized diiron site, achieving a 1:1 mixture.
Phonon behavior and disorder mechanism in NaClO3

The dielectric constant of sodium chlorate has been analyzed on the basis of a Mason-Debye-type relaxation formula. A consistent description of the temperature dependence of the phonon structure and the dielectric-constant behavior as a function of frequency and temperature is obtained for this nonferroelectric order-disorder crystal. The fluctuation mechanism responsible for the dielectric relaxation behavior is identified as that of the apex reversal of the chlorate ion as one approaches the transition temperature.
Can morbidly obese patients safely lose weight preoperatively

Background Preoperative weight loss is often suggested as a means of reducing operative risk in obese patients requiring laparotomy but there are no large studies documenting that this is feasible or helpful. Although several commercial products are available that provide high levels of protein with low levels of carbohydrates in convenient liquid preparations, recommendations regarding the extent to which weight loss can be pursued preoperatively are not available. Purpose To determine whether it is practical and safe to have obese patients lose weight pre-operatively. Patients and methods We asked 100 severely obese patients requesting gastric bypass surgery to diet before their operations. Seventy patients agreed to diet by consuming a 420 Kcal, 70 g protein liquid diet daily for at least 1 month. Results Forty-seven patients lost at least 7.5 kg (mean ± SD 17.1 ± 0.7). The patients who successfully lost weight preoperatively (dieters group) were significantly heavier than patients (nondieters group) who did not lose weight (251% ± 45% of ideal body weight [IBW]versus 229% ± 33% IBW, respectively; P Conclusion These results suggest that a preoperative diet program appeals more to certain subgroups of severely obese patients than to others. An aggressive preoperative weight loss program that encourages patients to lose an average of 17 kg is safe and can be accomplished practically using available commercial products.
Protocol Testing of SCPS-TP over NASA's ACTS Asymmetric Links

As the transport layer protocol of the Space Communication Protocol Standard (SCPS) suite, SCPS-Transport Protocol (SCPS-TP) is actually transmission control protocol (TCP), with a set of extensions aimed at improving TCP performance in space communications. Some work has been done on the performance evaluation of SCPS-TP in comparison with TCP. However, those works have been done by testing SCPS-TP via emulation test-beds. We present the file transfer experimental work of testing the SCPS protocol stack over NASA's geostationary orbit (GEO) Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS). Considering that space communication channels in practice are frequently asymmetric in terms of channel bandwidth, our work is concentrated on the evaluation of the effectiveness of SCPS-TP in coping with channel rate asymmetry. We conclude that SCPS-TP is better suited than TCP over long-delayed, asymmetric, satellite channels with a throughput advantage of over 30 Kbyte/s for the transmission of a 10 Mbyte file. A hybrid of the channel rate control and acknowledgment frequency reduction mechanisms makes significant contributions to the performance enhancement of SCPS-TP over asymmetric space channels.
Superconductivity and structure of single crystal YBa2Cu3Ox

Abstract We report superconductivity at 91.5 K in single crystals of the compound YBa2Cu3Ox, Debye-Scherrer X-ray patterns shows an orthorhombic structure with a=3.82 A , b=3.88 A , c=11.67 A .
LINEAR MODELING OF STEADY‐STATE BEHAVIORAL DYNAMICS

The observed steady-state behavioral dynamics supported by unsignaled periods of reinforcement within repeating 2,000-s trials were modeled with a linear transfer function. These experiments employed improved schedule forms and analytical methods to improve the precision of the measured transfer function, compared to previous work. The refinements include both the use of multiple reinforcement periods that improve spectral coverage and averaging of independently determined transfer functions. A linear analysis was then used to predict behavior observed for three different test schedules. The fidelity of these predictions was determined.
Assessment of the human coronary circulation using a doppler catheter

Arteriographic estimates of stenosis severity can fail to reflect the impact of an individual stenosis on delivery of blood to the myocardium. Whether a coronary stenosis is truly flow-limiting can be determined by measuring hyperemic blood flow or coronary flow reserve; however, until recently, the tools needed to measure coronary flow reserve in humans—namely, a method of quantitating coronary blood flow in individual arteries and another method for producing maximal microvascular vasodilation—were not available. Over the last 8 years, our laboratory group has developed a catheter for measuring coronary blood flow velocity in humans, using the Doppler principle, and studied the effects of microvascular vasodilators. These studies have enabled us to measure coronary flow reserve in humans and to characterize some of the effects of focal and diffuse atherosclerosis on the coronary circulation. In addition, we have used flow reserve measurements in the diagnosis of microvascular dysfunction in patients with chest pain and normal coronary arteries and as a means of assessing noninvasive methods for detecting focal coronary artery disease.
A Study of Chromobacterium typhiflavum from the Rat

Summary Two strains of an organism possessing unusual morphological features have been isolated from the rat. Aggregations of individual cells into discrete spherical ‘large bodies’ are found. These bodies appear in chain forms. The nature of the matrix binding the cells is not known. Individual young cells are motile by peritrichous flagella, swarm in soft agar and are Gram negative. Sections of cells show a typically Gram negative cell wall and mode of division. The cell surface appears convoluted in the Gram negative manner. Well defined buds continuous with the cell wall have been demonstrated and many cells contain crystalloid and peripheral bodies. The organisms ferment a wide variety of carbohydrates and are aerobic and facultative anaerobes. These organisms appear to fit the description of Chromobacterium typhiflavum; however the ability to form regular aggregates, containing cells distinct from the ‘vegetative’ form, and to form buds would indicate that this organism should be placed in a new genus.
Flow Cytometry Antifungal Susceptibility Testing of Pathogenic Yeasts other than Candida albicans and Comparison with the NCCLS Broth Microdilution Test

Candida species other than Candida albicans frequently cause nosocomial infections in immunocompromised patients. Some of these pathogens have either variable susceptibility patterns or intrinsic resistance against common azoles. The availability of a rapid and reproducible susceptibility-testing method is likely to help in the selection of an appropriate regimen for therapy. A flow cytometry (FC) method was used in the present study for susceptibility testing of Candida glabrata, Candida guilliermondii, Candida krusei, Candida lusitaniae, Candida parapsilosis, Candida tropicalis, and Cryptococcus neoformans based on accumulation of the DNA binding dye propidium iodide (PI). The results were compared with MIC results obtained for amphotericin B and fluconazole using the NCCLS broth microdilution method (M27-A). For FC, the yeast inoculum was prepared spectrophotometrically, the drugs were diluted in either RPMI 1640 or yeast nitrogen base containing 1% dextrose, and yeast samples and drug dilutions were incubated with amphotericin B and fluconazole, respectively, for 4 to 6 h. Sodium deoxycholate and PI were added at the end of incubation, and fluorescence was measured with a FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson). The lowest drug concentration that showed a 50% increase in mean channel fluorescence compared to that of the growth control was designated the MIC. All tests were repeated once. The MICs obtained by FC for all yeast isolates except C. lusitaniae were in very good agreement (within 1 dilution) of the results of the NCCLS broth microdilution method. Paired t test values were not statistically significant (P = 0.377 for amphotericin B; P = 0.383 for fluconazole). Exceptionally, C. lusitaniae isolates showed higher MICs (2 dilutions or more) than in the corresponding NCCLS broth microdilution method for amphotericin B. Overall, FC antifungal susceptibility testing provided rapid, reproducible results that were statistically comparable to those obtained with the NCCLS method.
CAUSE AND CORRELATION: ONE MORE TIME '

Summary.-The distinction between correlational studies and correlational statistics is crucial to an understanding of the type of inferences that can be drawn from research. The complementary nature of correlational and experimental research in theory building is discussed. Silvestri (2) has pointed out that confusion continues to plague the literature and textbooks on experimental design regarding the distinction between correlational statistics and correlational design in research. Sadly, he is right. His point deserves expansion. The time honored and often misunderstood dictum that "correlation does not show cause" continues to be misinterpreted and misapplied. Silvestri, quite correctly, states that that aphorism was intended to caution against interpreting observational, nonexperimentally derived data regarding the relations among variables as implying a causal link. Proper interpretation of causality must rest on a controlled experimental design with manipulated variables. The mere observation of nonorthogonal variables that exist, naturally, does not allow the inference that they are causally related. The term "correlational" is, often, applied to this latter type of study, in which the scientist observes the occurrences of relations in the "real world" as opposed to creating an environment in which variables are controlled and manipulated. Correlational statistics can be applied to either class of observation; in fact, they usually are. Any inferential statistic designed to test a null hypothesis of orthogonality is, basically, correlational in nature. And, the inference of causality rests not on the statistic chosen, but on the type of design. Correlational statistics do not limit such inferences. In fact, proper application of correlational statistics (such as path analytic techniques) can compare causal models, disconfirming some and lending at least indirect support to others, even when they are applied to nonexperimental studies. Moreover, there is another point related to this issue that should be emphasized. As an earlier article on correlational design (1) emphasized, correlational studies are not merely second-rate experiments in which manipulation was
Comparative study of cytochromes between virus-transformed and untransformed cells.

Abstract Tissue culture cells of virus-transformed and untransformed cell lines had low contents of cytochromes in the respiratory chain, measured per cell or per mg protein of the cells, in comparison to the cytochrome contents of liver cells in vivo. In the virus-transformed cells the contents of cytochromes aa3, b and possibly c1 were significantly lower than those in the untransformed cells, while the content of cytochrome c was found to be the same or even increased in the transformed cells. Thus, a markedly high ratio of cytochromes c aa 3 was observed in the transformed cells. Polarographic measurements of the oxygen uptake have shown a generally low rate of both endogenous respiration and respiration in the presence of glucose and vitamin K3 in the transformed cells. The present study indicates that there is a quantitative and possibly qualitative alteration of the respiratory chain components in the transformed cells.
The inverse list length effect: A challenge for pure exemplar models of recognition memory

When multiple items from a category are presented at study during a recognition memory procedure, false alarms to lures drawn from the same category increase. Distributed exemplar models of recognition assume that these effects occur because the representations of related lures are similar to the representations of studied items thus increasing the global matching strength of these items. We show that if list length is manipulated by keeping the number of categories constant, but increasing the number of exemplars in each category, then the unrelated false alarm rate decreases – thus inducing an inverse list length effect. Furthermore, if category structure is made less obvious by distributing items from a category through the list rather than presenting them in a blocked fashion the effect of length is less pronounced. This pattern suggests that it is subjects’ awareness of the categories on the list that is responsible for both related and unrelated false alarms. Simulations demonstrate that pure exemplar models such as the original version of the Retrieving Effectively from Memory model (Shiffrin & Steyvers, 1997, REM) are not capable of accounting for the results. Rather a representation of the studied categories that subjects can use to reject unrelated lures must be formed. We show how a version of the Bind Cue Decide Model of Episodic Memory (Dennis & Humphreys, 2001, BCDMEM) can account for the data using a category representation of this kind.
Charles T. Horngren: Mentor, Role Model, Colleague, and Friend

This expresses the feeling of inadequacy of doing justice to the life and career of Charles Thomas Horngren. Chuck, the son of William and Grace Horngren, was born on October 28, 1926, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His father worked for over 40 years as a railway mail clerk on the Milwaukee Road. His father was an avid baseball fan, a passion he passed on to his son. Chuck often reminisced about his dad taking him to the baseball games and meeting many of the day’s baseball luminaries. He also had a collection of baseball memorabilia, including Yogi Berra’s autograph in his book, Yogi: It Ain’t Over. . . , co-written by Chuck’s close friend, Tom Horton. Chuck graduated from Washington High School in 1944 and joined the Army. The Army sent him to pre-engineering classes at Ripon College and to engineering classes at what is today known as Texas A&M University. After over two years in the Army, Chuck enrolled at Marquette University and was elected to Beta Alpha Psi. While at Marquette he gained an appreciation for teaching after tutoring basketball players and disabled veterans. He graduated from Marquette as valedictorian in 1949 and remained very loyal to Marquette throughout his life. Upon graduation, he joined Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now part of KPMG) as a staff auditor. A year later, he taught full time at Spencerian College, a commercial business college,
Intrinsic piezobirefringence of AlSb

Abstract We have measured the intrinsic stress-induced birefringence of AlSb in the 0.4–1.7 eV range. The measurements were performed at room temperature for stresses along the [111] and the [100] directions up to 4 × 109 dyn/cm2. The results are compared with those obtained for Ge, Si, and GaAs. An attempt is made to fit the observed piezobirefringence with the sum of three dispersion processes: the energy gap at k = 0 (E0, E0 + Δ0), the E1, E1 + Δ1 gap, and a strong dispersion center at higher energies (either E01 or E2).
Abstract 4514: Targeted liposomes to pancreatic cancer are effective in controlling the tumor load in mice.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths. Targeted drug delivery to pancreas will increase the drug efficacy especially in inoperable tumors and reduce its toxicity. In this study we prepared targeted liposomes to SLC7A11 transporter which is upregulated in pancreatic cancers as our previous work has shown. The objective of our work was to evaluate the antitumor effect of targeted liposomes loaded with daunorubicin (DNR) in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Mice C57BL/6 were injected subcutaneously with 1x 106 PanO2 cells. When the tumors became palpable the mice were injected with different targeted or non targeted liposomal formulations of DNR. There were 5 groups: group A, saline; group B, free DNR; group C,DNR encapsulated in non-targeted liposomes; group D, DNR encapsulated in targeted liposomes; group E; DNR encapsulated in targeted liposomes with PEG. DNR dose was 5mg/kg once a week for the first two weeks. Another set of group of mice received a single dose. We measured the tumor size from the day of treatment until the animals were euthanized. On the day of autopsy, tumors were removed, sectioned and placed in a microscope to observe the DNR accumulation. Animals treated with targeted liposomes containing DNR had a significantly lower tumor load compared to those received DNR in nontargeted liposomes. The average body weight of animals that received free DNR shows a decrease which may be due to drug toxicity. Fluorescent images of tumor sections showed that the tumors treated with DNR in targeted liposomes had more fluorescence than tumors treated with free DNR or DNR encapsulated in nontargeted liposomes.The results indicate that DNR encapsulated in the targeted liposomes was more effective in reducing the tumor load compared to free DNR or DNR encapsulated in nontargeted liposomes. Citation Format: Lavanya Kondapalli, Maria P. Lambros, Ying Huang. Targeted liposomes to pancreatic cancer are effective in controlling the tumor load in mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4514. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4514
Central projections of a homoeotic regenerate, antennapedia, in a stick insect, Carausius morosus (Phasmida).

Homoeotic appendages provide a system for the analysis of neuronal pathfinding in which the appendage is mismatched with its segmented ganglion. Central projections of sensory neurons from homoeotic antennapedia regenerates induced by antennal amputation in the stick insect, Carausius morosus, are described. The majority of afferent axons project to the olfactory lobe as in the normal antennal nerve, but they do not give rise to compact glomeruli. Nor does the form of the projection resemble that of leg sensory nerves in thoracic ganglia. The projection of antennapedia regenerate neurons in Carausius resembles the antennapedia mutant of Drosophila except that some primary afferents bypass the olfactory lobe and take several courses through the brain, sometimes reaching distant contralateral areas. It appears that these wandering fibers, having bypassed the olfactory lobe, tend to follow established tracts and to arborize or to deviate at circumscribed synaptic areas. The behavioral evidence for sensory input from antennapedia regenerates is equivocal.
Burn repetitions in Ghanaian children: prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and socioenvironmental factors

Abstract This paper reports the prevalence, epidemiological characteristics and socioenvironmental factors for burn repetitions in Ghanaian children newborn to 5 years old using a population-based survey. Mothers of children identified in a survey with burn scars were interviewed to obtain information on each child's demographics and the burn event, among others. Burn repeaters were compared with non-repeaters (children burned just once). Of 630 children identified with burns, 20 (3.2 per cent) had been burned twice. This statistic is significantly lower than expected from the known burn prevalence of 6.1 per cent in the region (P
LASER LIGHT SCATTERING BY SHOCK WAVES

Scattering of coherent light as it propagates parallel to a shock wave, formed in front of a bluff cylindrical body placed in a supersonic stream, is studied experimentally and numerically. Two incident optical fields are considered. First, a large diameter collimated beam is allowed to pass through the shock containing flow. The light intensity distribution in the resultant shadowgraph image, measured by a low light CCD camera, shows well-defined fringes upstream and downstream of the shadow cast by the shock. In the second situation, a narrow laser beam is brought to a grazing incidence on the shock and the scattered light, which appears as a diverging sheet from the point of interaction, is visualized and measured on a screen placed normal to the laser path. Experiments are conducted on shocks formed at various free-stream Mach numbers, M, and total pressures, P(sub 0). It is found that the widths of the shock shadows in a shadowgraph image become independent of M and P(sub 0) when plotted against the jump in the refractive index, (Delta)n, created across the shock. The total scattered light measured from the narrow laser beam and shock interaction also follows the same trend. In the numerical part of the study, the shock is assumed to be a 'phase object', which introduces phase difference between the upstream and downstream propagating parts of the light disturbances. For a given shape and (Delta)n of the bow shock the phase and amplitude modulations are first calculated by ray tracing. The wave front is then propagated to the screen using the Fresnet diffraction equation. The calculated intensity distribution, for both of the incident optical fields, shows good agreement with the experimental data.
Long-Range Electronic Coupling between Ferrocene and Gold in Alkanethiolate-based Monolayers on Electrodes

High-speed cyclic voltammetry was used to measure rates for ferrocene oxidation/reduction in a series of self-assembled monolayers formed by coadsorption of N-(mercaptoalkyl)ferrocenecarboxamide ((C5H5)Fe(C5H4)CONH(CH2)nSH where n = 7−10, and 15) with mercapto alcohol (HO(CH2)n+1SH where n = 7−10, and 15) on gold. Standard electron-transfer rate constants were obtained as a function of chain length and from these rate constants, a β value (describing the exponential decay of rate with adsorbate chain length) of 1.1 methylene-1 or 0.85 A-1 was obtained. The rate data were also used to estimate coupling factors, |VAB|, describing the long-range electronic coupling between the immobilized ferrocene groups and the underlying gold electrode. Electronic coupling factors varied from a low of 0.06 cm-1 for the long-chain monolayer (18 bonds in the pathway linking ferrocene to the electrode) to a high of 6.5 cm-1 for the short-chain monolayer (10 bonds linking ferrocene to the electrode). The latter value is in go...
Magnetic resonance characterization of blood coagulation in vitro. Effect of platelet depletion.

To optimize magnetic resonance (MR) methods of characterizing thrombi, further studies of biologic determinants of spinlattice (T1) and spin-spin (T2) relaxation times of thrombi are needed. As a step toward evaluating the influence of thrombus cellular composition on MR properties, the authors evaluated the effect of platelet depletion on MR relaxation times of in vitro blood clots. Blood from 13 fasting normal men was collected into sodium citrate (3.8%) and centrifuged ( [10,000 X g] X 5-10 minutes). Platelet-poor specimens (less than 20,000 per mm3) were reconstituted from the plasma and packed erythrocytes to match precentrifugation hematocrit levels. T1 and T2 measurements were made at 20 MHz within three to six hours of initiating clotting. The mean T1 value for platelet-rich (normal) specimens was 1117 +/- 86 mseconds versus 1119 +/- 68 mseconds for the platelet-poor specimens (P greater than .90). The mean T2 value for platelet-rich (normal) specimens was 616 +/- 130 mseconds versus 434 +/- 79 mseconds for the platelet-poor specimens (P less than .001). The mean water content in the platelet-rich (normal) specimens was 79.5% +/- 1.2% versus 80.0% +/- 1.2% in the platelet-poor specimens (P greater than .50). In summary, platelet depletion by buffy coat removal significantly shortens MR T2 values of in vitro clot. These data suggest that thrombus cellular composition, other than erythrocytes, alters MR relaxation times of clotted blood.
Response to Multiple Radiation Doses of Fibroblasts Over-Expressing Dominant Negative Ku70

Purpose To evaluate the response of cells over-expressing dominant negative (DN) Ku70 to single and multiple small radiation doses. Methods and Materials Clones of fibroblasts over-expressing DNKu70, DNKu70-7, DNKu70-11, and parental Rat-1 cells were irradiated under oxic or hypoxic conditions with single or multiple doses. Cells were trypsinized 0 or 6 h after irradiation to determine surviving fraction (SF). Results Oxic DNKu70-7 or -11 cells trypsinized 6 h after irradiation were 1.52 or 1.25 and 1.28 or 1.15 times more sensitive than oxic Rat-1 at SF of 0.5 and 0.1, respectively. Hypoxic DNKu70-7 or -11 cells trypsinized 6 h after irradiation were 1.44 or 1.70 and 1.33 or 1.51 times more sensitive than hypoxic Rat-1 at SF of 0.5 and 0.1, respectively. To the multiple doses, oxic and hypoxic DNKu70-7 or -11 cells were 1.35 or 1.37 and 2.23 or 4.61 times more sensitive than oxic and hypoxic Rat-1, respectively, resulting in very small oxygen enhancement ratios. Namely, enhancement caused by DNKu70 under hypoxia after multiple doses was greater than that under oxic conditions and greater than that after single dose. Conclusions Over-expression of DNKu70 enhances cells' response to radiation given as a single dose and as multiple small doses. The enhancement after multiple doses was stronger under hypoxic than under oxic conditions. These results encourage the use of DNKu70 fragment in a gene-radiotherapy.
Sensitization to cocaine stimulation in mice

Repeated administration of cocaine to B6AF1/J mice increased their running response to 20 mg/kg cocaine as much as four-fold over the response to the first injection. After four daily injections, the extent of the increase was proportional to the dose of cocaine that was used for pretreatment. Sensitization persisted for as long as 2 months after the last injection of cocaine. Cocaine-pretreated mice did not show an increased running response to either morphine or d-amphetamine. The response to cocaine was increased two-fold by treatment with morphine, and three-fold by pretreatment with d-amphetamine. Pretreatment with either imipramine or reserpine did not produce sensitization to cocaine. There was no correlation between cocainesensitization and whole-brain catecholamine levels. There were marked differences in both the running response to cocaine and the extent of cocaine sensitization between the parental strains, C57B1/6J and A/J. Experiments with recombinant-inbred lines, derived from C57Bl/6By and BALB/cBy mice, suggest that the initial response to cocaine and the development of sensitization are controlled by different genetic determinants.
QUANTUM ENERGY SPECIFICITY OF SIMPLE PHOTORECEPTOR UNITS

THE compound lateral eye of Limulus polyphemus has been useful in basic visual function research1,2. Limulus ommatidia share similarities in photopigment3, scotopic luminosity function4, lateral neural inhibition2, and other functions with the scotopic mammalian retina. Light excitability of Limulus functional visual receptor units may be modified reversibly by doses of X-rays smaller than required for visual cell pathology5. X-ray excitation of Limulus ommatidia6 and vertebrate retinae7 has been reported.
State-of-the-Art FDG-PET Imaging of Lung Cancer

The d-glucose analog 2-(fluorine-18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) is the most commonly used radionuclide in positron emission tomography (PET) of lung cancer. FDG-PET is a molecular imaging technique that images the preferential accumulation of FDG in malignant tissues with increased metabolism. Although FDG-PET is sensitive in the detection of lung cancer, FDG is not tumor specific and may accumulate in a variety of nonmalignant conditions. Occasional false-negative results may also occur. Whole body FDG-PET is a useful noninvasive technique to stage known or suspected non-small-cell lung cancer. The results allow more efficient use of invasive methods for histopathological staging. The combined use of CT and PET in dual imaging increases the number of patients with correctly staged non-small-cell lung cancer. CT/PET is also useful in the assessment of recurrent or residual disease. Future imaging agents are being developed which may allow more selective accumulation of radiopharmaceutical in malignant tissues.
Effects of initial soil moisture on rainfall generation and subsequent hydrologic response during the North American monsoon.

Abstract Through the use of a mesoscale meteorological model and distributed hydrologic model, the effects of initial soil moisture on rainfall generation, streamflow, and evapotranspiration during the North American monsoon are examined. A collection of atmospheric fields is simulated by varying initial soil moisture in the meteorological model. Analysis of the simulated rainfall fields shows that the total rainfall, intensity, and spatial coverage increase with higher soil moisture. Hydrologic simulations forced by the meteorological fields are performed using two scenarios: (i) fixed soil moisture initializations obtained via a drainage experiment in the hydrologic model and (ii) adjusted initializations to match conditions in the two models. The scenarios indicate that the runoff ratio increases with higher rainfall, although a change is observed from a linear (fixed initialization) to a nonlinear response (adjusted initialization). Variations in basin response are attributed to controls exerted by ra...
Comparative analysis of binary logistic regression to artificial neural networks in predicting precursor sequence cleavage

Bioinformatic predictions of neuropeptides resulting from enzymatic cleavages of precursors enable a range of follow-up studies that are aided by accurate predictions. A comparative study of the performance of complementary cleavage prediction models has been undertaken. Binary logistic and artificial neural network (ANN) models were created using various strategies and trained and tested on bovine and rat precursors with experimental cleavage information. Multiple criteria were used to compare 4 logistic regression models with varying properties and 8 ANN with varying structures. All models had high specificity (>90%) and sensitivity ranged from 68% to 100%. ANN based on well-represented amino acid locations performed similarly or slightly worse than networks based on all amino acid locations. Logistic parameter estimates aided in the identification of amino acids associated with cleavage. No model was superior across data sets and thus, prediction of neuropeptides should rely on multiple model specifications and comprehensive training data sets.
Some variables in auditory pattern discrimination learning.

Abstract Twelve rhesus monkeys learned auditory frequency and pattern discriminations more rapidly than 6 cats in the same conditioned avoidance situation. The same 12 monkeys learned the same frequency and pattern discriminations much more rapidly than 4 monkeys trained under conditions of orange juice reinforcement. Five additional monkeys learned the same auditory pattern discrimination as that learned by the 12 monkeys in fewer trials when the pattern task was one of 3 or 4 auditory pattern discriminations learned simultaneously. The data from the multiple pattern monkeys offer insight into the role of pattern structure in the rate of pattern discrimination learning.
NOx Reduction on Fully Formulated Lean NOx Trap Catalysts Subjected to Simulated Road Aging: Insights from Steady-State Experiments

Abstract Fully formulated lean NO x trap (LNT) catalysts of the type Pt/Rh/BaO/Al 2 O 3 were prepared with and without incorporation of CeO 2 -ZrO 2 in the washcoat, and their NO x reduction behavior was evaluated in steady-state, continuous flow experiments. In the fresh state, CeO 2 -ZrO 2 addition was found to exert little effect on NO x reduction activity using H 2 , CO, and NH 3 as the reductants. However, after simulated road aging, NO x reduction activity was significantly impaired for the CeO 2 -ZrO 2 -free catalyst, whereas the performance of the CeO 2 -ZrO 2 -containing analog was affected to only a minor degree. These differences are explained on the basis of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy measurements showing that Pt supported on CeO 2 -ZrO 2 remained highly dispersed after aging, whereas Pt supported on BaO/Al 2 O 3 underwent significant sintering. In addition, the Pt/CeO 2 -ZrO 2 component did not accumulate sulfur during aging, unlike Pt/BaO/Al 2 O 3 for which significant sulfation of the Ba phase occurred. For both catalysts, selectivity to NH 3 in NO and NO 2 reduction by H 2 increased after catalyst aging, indicative of a change in the relative surface coverages of N and H ad-atoms on the precious metal sites.
Glucose Biosensors: 40 Years of Advances and Challenges

Forty years have passed since Clark and Lyons proposed the concept of glucose enzyme electrodes. Excellent economic prospects and fascinating potential for basic research have led to many sensor designs and detection principles for the biosensing of glucose. Indeed, the entire field of biosensors can trace its origin to this glucose enzyme electrode. This review examines the history of electrochemical glucose biosensors, discusses their current status and assesses future prospects in connection primarily to the control and management of diabetes.
Induced Strain of Actuation of Surface Bonded Piezoceramic Patches: A Numerical and Experimental Study

The induced strain of actuation of surface bonded piezoceramic patches was ex amined using numerical and experimental techniques. Specifically, a commercially available finite element package was used to examine these induced strains. The piezoceramic patches were actuated in the model via a specified thermal expansion or contraction dependent on the free e-field/strain re sponse of the piezoceramic patches. Moire interferometry was used to examine the induced strains on the plate surface near-to and far-from a patch edge. These experimental results compare favorably with the numerical results, indicating that the numerical approach is a valid analysis technique. Results indicate relatively large in-plane and out-of-plane tensile stresses as well as large shear stresses in the regions surrounding a patch edge. These large stresses are not statically significant but will likely cause long term fatigue problems.
Electronic-structure changes for ``π-bonded'' CO chemisorbed on Cr(110)

Synchrotron photoemission measurements of carbon monoxide chemisorbed in lying-down (``\ensuremath{\pi}-bonded'') and terminally bonded configurations on Cr(110) have revealed significant binding-geometry-dependent differences in the CO(ads) valence electronic structure, including an anomalous 0.8-eV increase in the CO 4\ensuremath{\sigma} binding energy for the lying-down molecules relative to that of the terminally bonded CO.
An evaluation of lexicalization in parsing

In this paper, we evaluate a two-pass parsing strategy proposed for the so-called 'lexicalized' grammar. In 'lexicalized' grammars (Schabes, Abeille and Joshi, 1988), each elementary structure is systematically associated with a lexical item called anchor. These structures specify extended domains of locality (as compared to CFGs) over which constraints can be stated. The 'grammar' consists of a lexicon where each lexical item is associated with a finite number of structures for which that item is the anchor. There are no separate grammar rules. There are, of course, 'rules' which tell us how these structures are combined.A general two-pass parsing strategy for 'lexicalized' grammars follows naturally. In the first stage, the parser selects a set of elementary structures associated with the lexical items in the input sentence, and in the second stage the sentence is parsed with respect to this set. We evaluate this strategy with respect to two characteristics. First, the amount of filtering on the entire grammar is evaluated: once the first pass is performed, the parser uses only a subset of the grammar. Second, we evaluate the use of non-local information: the structures selected during the first pass encode the morphological value (and therefore the position in the string) of their anchor; this enables the parser to use non-local information to guide its search.We take Lexicalized Tree Adjoining Grammars as an instance of lexicalized grammar. We illustrate the organization of the grammar. Then we show how a general Earley-type TAG parser (Schabes and Joshi, 1988) can take advantage of lexicalization. Empirical data show that the filtering of the grammar and the non-local information provided by the two-pass strategy improve the performance of the parser.
Synchronization of mitosis in Physarum polycephalum by coalescence of postmitotic and premitotic plasmodial fragments.

Nach Fusion von promitotischen mit postmitotischen Fragmenten des SchleimpilzesPhysarum polycephalum (Zahlenverhaltnis von postmitotischen zu promitotischen Kernen: 1/1) teilten sich die Kerne der so hergestellten Plasmodien synchron.
Generation of a phase-conjugate wave in the forward direction with thin Na-vapor cells.

A phase-conjugate wave A exp(−iϕ) exp[i(ky − ωt)] was generated in the forward direction in physically thin Na-vapor cells by a pump wave and a signal wave A exp(iϕ) with either pulsed or continuous laser radiation near the Na D line. High-order nonlinearities were readily observed with pulsed radiation, and waves with phase exp(Im ϕ) were observed up to m = ±8.
Surveying the Present and an Imagined Future The Quest for a Bright Future in the Textiles and Apparel Professions

Toward the effort of planning for the future, this article begins by summarizing current national and global contexts in which the textiles/apparel/retail complex and related education professions exist. These current contexts affect us as consumers, citizens, and professionals and will frame our individual and collective futures. The author uses these conditions as the foundation from which a work of fiction, told from the perspective of an elderly retired textiles and apparel professor in the year 2050, unfolds. The author emphasizes that the endeavors of neither education nor industry in the textiles and apparel fields exist outside global political, economic, and environmental circumstances and that these are key considerations in planning for the future.
Co-Kurtosis and Capital Asset Pricing

This paper examines the impact of co-kurtosis on asset pricing using a four-moment capital asset pricing model. It is shown that, in the presence of skewness and kurtosis in asset return distribution, the expected excess rate of return is related not only to the systematic variance but also to the systematic skewness and systematic kurtosis. Investors are compensated in higher expected return for bearing the systematic variance and the systematic kurtosis risks. Investors also forego the expected excess return for taking the benefit of increasing the systematic skewness.
Relationship between routine multi-detector cardiac computed tomographic angiography prior to reoperative cardiac surgery, length of stay, and hospital charges

While multi-detector cardiac computed tomography angiography (MDCCTA) prior to reoperative cardiac surgery (RCS) has been associated with improved clinical outcomes, its impact on hospital charges and length of stay remains unclear. We studied 364 patients undergoing RCS at Washington Hospital Center between 2004 and 2008, including 137 clinically referred for MDCCTA. Baseline demographics, procedural data, and perioperative outcomes were recorded at the time of the procedure. The primary clinical endpoint was the composite of perioperative death, myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and hemorrhage-related reoperation. Secondary clinical endpoints included surgical procedural variables and the perioperative volume of bleeding and transfusion. Length of stay was determined using the hospital’s electronic medical record. Cost data were extracted from the hospital’s billing summary. Analysis was performed on individual categories of care, as well as on total hospital charges. Data were compared between subjects with and without MDCCTA, after adjustment for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons score. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. MDCCTA was associated with shorter procedural times, shorter intensive care unit stays, fewer blood transfusions, and less frequent perioperative MI. There was additionally a trend towards a lower incidence of the primary endpoint (17.5 vs. 24.2 %, p = 0.13) primarily due to a lower incidence of perioperative MI (0 vs. 5.7 %, p = 0.002). MDCCTA was also associated with lower median recovery room [$1,325 (1,250–3,302) vs. $3,217 (1,325–5,353) p < 0.001] and nursing charges [$6,335 (3,623–10,478) vs. $6,916 (3,915–14,499) p = 0.03], although operating room charges were higher [$24,100 (22,300–29,700) vs. $23,500 (19,900–27,700) p < 0.05]. Median total charges [$127,000 (95,000–188,000) vs. $123,000 (86,800–226,000) p = 0.77] and length of stay [9 days (6–19) vs. 11 days (7–19), p = 0.21] were similar. Means analysis demonstrated a strong trend towards lower mean total hospital charges [$163,000 (108,426) vs. $192,000 (181,706), p = 0.06] in the MDCCTA group. In conclusion, preoperative MDCCTA is associated with a number of improved perioperative outcomes and does not significantly effect the length of stay or total hospital charges during the index hospitalization.
GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 mRNA, protein, and glucose transporter activity in cultured fetal and adult hepatocytes

To understand glycogenesis in the fetal hepatocyte, we examined glucose transport in cultured fetal and adult male rat hepatocytes. GLUT-1 mRNA was detected in fetal hepatocytes at isolation but in adult hepatocytes only after culture. GLUT-1 mRNA was more abundant in fetal than in adult hepatocytes (P < 0.005). GLUT-1 protein paralleled its message. GLUT-2 mRNA was more abundant in adult than in fetal hepatocytes (P < 0.05), and abundance did not change during culture, but GLUT-2 protein was discordantly regulated. There was more GLUT-2 protein in fetal hepatocytes at 45 h (P < 0.025). An Eadie-Hofstee plot of 3-O-methylglucose transport appeared to have two linear components. One component was presumed to be GLUT-1 [variable Michaelis constant (Km) approximating 6-8 mM, maximal uptake rate (Vmax) for fetal vs. adult hepatocytes 106 vs. 35 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1], and a second was presumed to be GLUT-2 (Km of 23 mM, Vmax for fetal vs. adult hepatocytes 198 vs. 92 nmol.min-1.mg protein-1). Early phosphorylation of 2-deoxyglucose was greater in fetal than in adult hepatocytes, but transport was always greater than phosphorylation. Increased expression of both GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 by fetal hepatocytes permits greater glucose uptake and positions the fetal rat hepatocyte for efficient glycogenesis at low plasma glucose concentration.