cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Amidase and urease activities in plants

Foliar fertilization has received considerable attention in recent years. Because of the importance of amides and urea as N sources, this work was carried out to study the enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of these compounds in plant leaves. The methods developed for assay of these enzymes in plants involve determination by steam distillation of the NH4 +−N produced by amidase or urease activity when plant materials are incubated at 37°C with buffered (0.1M THAM pH 8.0) amide solution or buffered (0.1M THAM pH 7.5) urea solution, respectively. Amidase and urease were detected in 21 diverse plants in the families of Gramineae and Leguminosae. Results showed that amidase and urease have optimum activities at buffer pH values of 8.0 and 7.5, respectively. Both amidase and urease activities were decreased significantly upon freezing or air-drying of plant samples before enzyme assay. These differences were proportional to the original activities of fresh plant materials. Studies on the effect of temperature on amidase and urease activities showed that these enzymes are inactivated at temperatures above 60 and 70°C, respectively. The energy of activation of the reaction catalyzed by amidase and urease in plants, expressed in kJ·mole−1, ranged from 44.0 to 51.2 (avg.=47.1) and from 43.1 to 56.5 (avg.=51.2) when formamide and urea were used as substrates, respectively. The apparent Km constants of these enzymes varied among the plant samples studied. By using the Lineweaver-Burk plot, the Km values for amidase when formamide was used as a substrate ranged from 2.0 to 9.4 (avg.=5.8 mM) and for urease ranged from 0.4 to 1.6 (avg.=0.8 mM). The Vmax values of 7 plant samples, expressed in μg of NH4 +−N produced/0.1 g of plant materials/2h, ranged from 137 to 514 for amidase and from 29 to 123 for urease. The importance of these enzymes in application of amides and urea to plant leaves is discussed.
Relationships between Water Attenuation Coefficients Derived from Active and Passive Remote Sensing: A Case Study from Two Coastal Environments

Relationships between the satellite-derived diffuse attenuation coefficient of downwelling irradiance (K(d)) and airborne-based vertical attenuation of lidar volume backscattering (α) were examined in two coastal environments. At 1.1 km resolution and a wavelength of 532 nm, we found a greater connection between α and K(d) when α was computed below 2 m depth (Spearman rank correlation coefficient up to 0.96), and a larger contribution of K(d) to α with respect to the beam attenuation coefficient as estimated from lidar measurements and K(d) models. Our results suggest that concurrent passive and active optical measurements can be used to estimate total scattering coefficient and backscattering efficiency in waters without optical vertical structure.
Understanding validity and fairness issues in high-stakes individual testing situations

– This policy brief discusses validity and fairness issues that could arise when test-based information is used for making “high stakes” decisions at an individual level, such as, for the certification of teachers or other professionals, or when admitting students into higher education programs and colleges, or for making immigration-related decisions for prospective immigrants. To assist test developers, affiliated researchers and test users enhance levels of validity and fairness with these particular types of test score interpretations and uses, this policy brief summarizes an “argument-based approach” to validation given by Kane. , – This policy brief is based on a synthesis of conference proceedings and review of selected pieces of extant literature. To that synthesis, the authors add practitioner-friendly examples with their own analysis of key issues. They conclude by offering recommendations for test developers and test users. , – The authors conclude that validity is a complex and evolving construct, especially when considering issues of fairness in individual testing contexts. Kane's argument-based approach offers an accessible framework through which test makers can accumulate evidence to evaluate inferences and arguments related to decisions to be made with test scores. Perspectives of test makers, researchers, test takers and decision-makers must all be incorporated into constructing coherent “validity arguments” to guide the test development and validation processes. , – Standardized test use for individual-level decisions is gradually spreading to various regions of the world, but understandings of validity are still uneven among key stakeholders of such testing programs. By translating complex information on test validation, validity and fairness issues with all concerned stakeholders in mind, this policy brief attempts to address the communication gaps noted to exist among these groups by Kane.
The nonrandom occurrence of visits to the emergency department

Study objectives: We determine whether variation in the frequency of emergency department (ED) visits is beyond what would be expected by chance after adjusting for known confounders such as calendar and weather variables. Methods: The Poisson goodness-of-fit test was used to determine whether emergency visits in a Midwestern teaching hospital occurred randomly over time. Total visits, as well as selected diagnoses, were analyzed. Final diagnosis was determined using the physicians' final chart diagnosis, which was assigned an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision code by one of the investigators. Data on appendicitis were obtained for 6 years to check for randomness of distribution; only cases of operatively confirmed appendicitis were included in the analysis. We also looked at the distribution of specific diagnoses that might be expected to occur randomly (eg, atrial fibrillation, urinary retention, headache). Multivariable Poisson regression was used to control for calendar and weather variables. Autocorrelation coefficients were used to detect "contagion" from one period to the next. Results: There were 24,100 ED visits in 1998, with 2,054 distinct final diagnoses. Forty-six visits were laboratory tests only, and 5 records were lacking a final diagnosis. The most common diagnoses were "abdominal pain" (643 visits), upper respiratory infection (548 visits), and open wound of finger (544 visits). Overall, visits did not occur randomly, even after controlling for time of day, day of week, academic calendar, season, and weather variables ( P Conclusion: ED visits did not occur randomly over time. Most diagnoses that would be expected to occur randomly did so, but a few exhibited nonrandom variation. ED staff should be alert to nonrandom occurrence of disease as a mechanism for finding unsuspected causes or associations of different diseases.
Technology as Environment: From Collections to Connections

When technology is used as an environment for learning rather than as an instrument of learning, it begins to look, feel, smell, and act like a pretechnology library.
Apoptotic morphology of dentate gyrus granule cells following experimental cortical impact injury in rats: possible role in spatial memory deficits

Loss of hippocampal neurons as a result of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is thought to contribute to the observed spatial memory deficits. Using a rodent model of experimental brain injury, we have examined the nature of hippocampal cell death following TBI. Light microscope examination of stained sections showed the presence of a large number of hyperchromatic and dystrophic neurons in the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus. These cells appeared to be undergoing nuclear condensation. Electron microscope examination demonstrated the presence of cell shrinkage, condensed chromatin, nuclear segmentation, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Detection of a DNA ladder and in situ labeling (TUNEL) were also consistent with the process of apoptosis. However, in some dystrophic neurons these morphologies were also accompanied by the presence of swollen mitochondria and a lack of distinctive rough endoplasmic reticulum which are typically associated with necrosis. These findings show that cortical impact injury produces cell death in the hippocampus which has both apoptotic and necrotic features.
A rhythmic motor pattern activated by circumferential stretch in guinea-pig distal colon

Simultaneous intracellular recordings were made from pairs of circular muscle (CM) cells, at the oral and anal ends of a segment of guinea-pig distal colon, to investigate the neuronal mechanisms underlying faecal pellet propulsion. When a minimum degree of circumferential stretch was applied to sheet preparations of colon, recordings from CM cells revealed either no ongoing junction potentials, or alternatively, small potentials usually 5 mV) oral EJPs were linearly related to the amplitudes of anal IJPs occurring 20 mm apart. In the absence of an L-type Ca2+ channel blocker, action potentials occurred on each large oral EJP. Synchronized discharges of stretch-activated EJPs and IJPs were preserved following pretreatment with capsaicin (10 μm), were unaffected by nifedipine (1 μm) and did not require the mucosa or submucous plexus. EJPs and IJPs were abolished by hexamethonium (300 μm) or tetrodotoxin (1 μm), but persisted in the presence of pyridoxal phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulphonic acid (PPADS; 10 μm) or an NK3 tachykinin receptor antagonist (Neurokinin A 4-10; 100 nm to 5 μm). In summary, maintained circumferential stretch of the distal colon activates a population of intrinsic mechanosensory neurons that generate repetitive firing of ascending excitatory and descending inhibitory pathways to CM. These mechanosensory neurons, which may be interneurons, are stretch sensitive, rather than muscle tension sensitive, since they are resistant to muscular paralysis. We suggest the synchrony in onset of oral EJPs and anal IJPs over large regions of colon is due to synchronous synaptic activation of ascending and descending interneurons.
Mode and mechanisms of plateau uplifts

The mode and mechanisms of plateau uplifts are reported, based on discussions which occurred as part of a conference on plateau uplifts sponsored by the Inter-Union Commission on Geodynamics and the Lunar and Planetary Institute. Major plateaus and high plains of the world are discussed with emphasis on the Colorado Plateau, which possesses a shield-like crust 45 km thick and occupies most of eastern Utah and parts of Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico. Several uplift mechanisms are described, including thermal expansion due to a deep mantle plume or hot spot, and hydration reactions such as serpentinization. It is concluded that uplifts are most commonly associated with either subduction and its direct effects, or deep-seated thermal disturbances.
Serum thyroxine, free T4, triiodothyronine, and reverse-T3 in diphenylhydantoin-treated patients

In order to determine the effects of the administration of diphenylhydantoin (DPH) on various parameters of thyroid function, serum samples from 47 male adults receiving therapeutic doses of DPH and 45 euthyroid control subjects were analyzed for total thyroxine (T4) and an index of free T4 concentration, using both a competitive protein-binding assay (CPBA) and a solid-phase radioimmunoassay (RIA), total 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine (T3), 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine (reverse-T3, rT3), and TSH, each measured by specific RIA. Mean total T4 by both methods was depressed in the DPH group to 0.78 of the control level. Free T4 Index by RIA was decreased on the average in DPH-patients exactly in proportion to the depression in total T4. By the CPBA, the difference between two groups in Free T4 Index was less marked but still significant (DPH/controls = 0.86, p < 0.01). The concentrations of total T3 were virtually identical in the DPH and the control groups. The average T3T4 ratio was significantly higher in the DPH patients than in the controls (0.0178 versus 0.0132, p < 0.001). Serum rT3 was depressed by DPH-treatment in approximately the same proportion to the decrease in total T4. None of the DPH-patients had an elevated serum TSH. The above findings are interpreted as indirect evidence in support of the view that DPH stimulates T4 metabolism, particularly the conversion of T4 to T3. The normal level of free T3 may help to maintain a euthyroid state in spite of the decrease in free T4. The data also define the “euthyroid” ranges for total and free T4 levels by these methods in patients receiving DPH.
The determinants of sexual segregation in the scalloped hammerhead shark,Sphyrna lewini

Female scalloped hammerhead sharks move offshore at a smaller size than do males to form schools composed primarily of intermediate size female sharks. This movement results in smaller females feeding more on pelagic prey than do males and with greater predatory success. It is contended that this change in habitat causes females to grow more rapidly to reproductive size. Intermediate size females grow at a more rapid rate than males. Female scalloped hammerhead sharks mature at a size larger than males. For many elasmobranch species, females: (1) occupy a different habitat, (2) grow more rapidly prior to maturity and continue growth following maturation, (3) feed on different prey with increased feeding success, and (4) reproduce at a size larger than males. It is suggested that female segregation increases fitness, resulting in more rapid growth for the former sex. The females reach maturity at the larger size necessary to support embryonic young, yet similar age to males, matching the female reproductive lifetime to that of males.
Enthalpies of transfer for proteins from aqueous to water-alcohol solutions: a test for models of residues exposed to solvent.

The enthalpies of transfer of proteins from aqueous solution to alcohol–water solutions are used as probes of solvent-accessible surface for these proteins. Enthalpies of transfer to 10 wt% ethanol solutions are determined calorimetrically for the native proteins ribonuclease A, lysozyme, and ovalbumin. Ribonuclease A and lysozyme are reduced and carboxamidomethylated to produce configurations in which interior residues of the native protein are exposed to the solvent; enthalpies of transfer are determined for these species. These data are then compared with enthalpies of transfer for the constituent amino acids of the proteins. The enthalpies of transfer for the residues are used to generate a maximal enthalpy of transfer that can be compared with the enthalpies of transfer for the reduced, carboxamidomethylated proteins. The residue amino acid enthalpies are coupled with probabilities that each residue is an exterior residue to predict an enthalpy of transfer for the native protein that can be compared with the observed enthalpy. The probabilities developed by Wertz and Scheraga and Lee and Richards, and Chothia are then compared on their ability to predict the native enthalpies of transfer for the protein. The Wertz–Scheraga model gives the better fit of this data in all cases.
Integration of depression and primary care: barriers to adoption.

Objective: Despite the prevailing consensus as to its value, the adoption of integrated care models is not widespread. Thus, the objective of this article it to examine the barriers to the adoption...
N'-Isopropylnornicotine in Burley Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum)

(1979). N′-Isopropylnornicotine in Burley Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) Agricultural and Biological Chemistry: Vol. 43, No. 10, pp. 2205-2206.
Solubilization in good yield of active opiate binding sites from mammalian brain.

Abstract Active opiate binding sites have been solubilized from mammalian brain cell membranes. The presence of 0.5–0.1 M NaCl during treatment of membranes from rat brain, human frontal cortex, and bovine corpus striatum with glycodeoxycholate or digitonin resulted in the extraction of active opiate binding sites in yields ranging up to 43%. The criteria for solubility of the sites were their inability to sediment at 10 5 × g after 2 hr and their apparent molecular weight of 3–4 × 10 5 as determined by gel filtration. The receptors in solution resemble the membrane-bound sites with respect to saturability, stereo-specificity, sensitivity to heat and reagents, and high affinity for opioid ligands. The interaction of solubilized sites with immobilized lectins was used to demonstrate the glycoprotein nature of the opiate receptor. Soluble receptors from all species studied were retained by wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-agarose and could be specifically eluted with N-acetylglucosamine. No retention of solubilized material was observed with eight other lectins examined, including horseshoe crab lectin, a sialic acid specific agglutinin. The receptor protein eluted from WGA columns was enriched 25–50-fold over the crude soluble fraction.
Rectangular dualization and rectangular dissections

Rectangular dualization refers to finding a dual of a planar graph, that can be drawn in the form of a rectangular dissection; it has applications in architectural design and in the floorplanning of VLSI ICs. The authors present properties of rectangular dissections and discuss two related topics: (1) a problem of enumerating without repetitions all rectangular duals of a graph; and (2) transformations of rectangular dissections. The authors have developed a fast algorithm for enumerating rectangular duals that is based on a limited set of possible local changes in the structure of a rectangular dissection. A second procedure for systematically generating all rectangular duals of a graph is developed from the notion of partitioning the sets of rectangular dissections into disjoint subsets. >
HoxA10 Influences Protein Ubiquitination by Activating Transcription of ARIH2, the Gene Encoding Triad1

HoxA10 is a homeodomain transcription factor that is maximally expressed in myeloid progenitor cells. An increase in HoxA10 expression correlates with poor prognosis in human acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Consistent with this scenario, HoxA10 overexpression in murine bone marrow induces a myeloproliferative neoplasm that advances AML over time. Despite the importance of HoxA10 for leukemogenesis, few genuine HoxA10 target genes have been identified. The current study identified ARIH2, the gene encoding Triad1, as a HoxA10 target gene. We identified two distinct HoxA10-binding cis elements in the ARIH2 promoter and determined that HoxA10 activates these cis elements in myeloid cells. Triad1 has E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, and we found that HoxA10-overexpressing myeloid cells exhibited a Triad1-dependent increase in protein ubiquitination. Therefore, these studies have identified the regulation of protein ubiquitination as a novel function of Hox transcription factors. Forced overexpression of Triad1 has been show previously to inhibit colony formation by myeloid progenitor cells. In contrast, HoxA10-overexpressing myeloid progenitor cells exhibited increased proliferation in response to low doses of various cytokines. We found that Triad1 knockdown further increased cytokine-induced proliferation in HoxA10-overexpressing cells. Therefore, these studies have identified a HoxA10 target gene that antagonizes the overall influence of overexpressed HoxA10 on myeloproliferation. This result suggests that the consequences of HoxA10 overexpression reflect a balance between the target genes that facilitate and antagonize proliferation. These results have implications for understanding the mechanisms of leukemogenesis in AML with Hox overexpression.
Electron-scattered ion coincidence measurements of heavy ion-atom systems

Abstract Investigations of the energies of electrons emitted as a result of collisions between very heavy ions and atoms show that a significant number of the electrons have a continuous spectrum of energies that is difficult to associate with separated atom levels. This has caused speculation as to the origin of some of these electrons: ideas include the possibility of autoionization occurring during the collision while the molecular potentials are changing, autoionization involving more than two electrons and autoionization from a multiplicity of poorly defined states interacting at a specific distance of closest approach. The present measurements detect the continuum electrons in coincidence with ions scattered to a specific angle, thereby determining the impact parameter dependence of the underlying excitation mechanism.
Experimentally guided structural modeling and dynamics analysis of Hsp90-p53 interactions: allosteric regulation of the Hsp90 chaperone by a client protein.

A fundamental role of the Hsp90 chaperone system in mediating maturation of protein clients is essential for the integrity of signaling pathways involved in cell cycle control and organism development. Molecular characterization of Hsp90 interactions with client proteins is fundamental to understanding the activity of many tumor-inducing signaling proteins and presents an active area of structural and biochemical studies. In this work, we have probed mechanistic aspects of allosteric regulation of Hsp90 by client proteins via a detailed computational study of Hsp90 interactions with the tumor suppressor protein p53. Experimentally guided protein docking and molecular dynamics structural refinement have reconstructed the recognition-competent states of the Hsp90–p53 complexes that are consistent with the NMR studies. Protein structure network analysis has identified critical interacting networks and specific residues responsible for structural integrity and stability of the Hsp90–p53 complexes. Coarse-grai...
Experimental Stress Analysis and the Personal Computer

Because of its small size, versatility, and comparatively low cost, the personal computer (PC) provides specific advantages for experimental stress analysis. Programs can be written and stored to perform the calculations for a variety of stress-analysis methods. Correction factors can be easily included for best accuracy. Least-squares methods can be used in a straightforward manner to include excess data and information. Graphics can be used to show functional relationships and vividly display the results. This presentation will show how the PC can be used to determine the state of strain and stress from strain gages as shown in Fig. 1. Two-, three-, or four-gage rosettes are used. Calculations are general for the gages with different gage factors and transverse sensitivities for the rosette elements. General rosette-element angles are also used. Leastsquares is used for the four-element rosette. Stress calculations include the solution for safety factor using the Tresca and von Mises failure (yield) criteria. Principal strain directions are shown with respect to the rosette elements and the state of stress is shown graphically with respect to the yield surfaces for the two different failure criteria. Stress analysis is described using brittle coatings. Coating failure is shown in Fig. 2 for different combinations of surface stress. State of stress is determined using brittle coatings. Specimen loading and coating failure are shown graphically. Birefringent coatings are used for analysis of surface stress. Oblique incidence is included, as is the factor of safety. Correction factors for coating thickness are included for plane loading, as well as for torsion, bending and pressure vessels. Calculations include solutions for optimum coating thickness. Treatments of correction factor for coating thickness and of factor of safety include graphics. Calculations are described for photoelastic stress analysis. The state of stress is determined in a region of interest in a photoelastic model. Stress-optical equations are used together with the stress-equilibrium equations and the static-equilibrium conditions. An excess of information is used to find a “best” solution with the assistance of leastsquares. Results are displayed graphically. A booklet will be available at the session entitled, “Calculations for Experimental Stress Analysis (Using the Personal Computer),” which will contain the notes for the presentation.
Metalized Polypropylene Film in Capacitors: Characterization and The Effect of Interfacial Pressure on the Dielectric Strength

Metalized polypropylene film used in high energy density capacitors has been mechanically characterized to determine its elastic constants. The out of plane coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the orthotropic film is 10 times as large as the smaller in plane CTE. The out of plane modulus is twice as large compared to one of the in plane moduli. The effect of interfacial pressure on the dielectric breakdown is also studied for the same film. It is observed that the dielectric strength of the film decreases at first and then increases above 4 MPa of compressive stress.
A brief introduction to growth curve models

Methods that capture growth or change in variables over time are becoming progressively more important across many areas of psychology. This paper offers a brief introduction to growth curve modelling, an increasingly popular method for analysing change over time. Several different aspects of growth curve modelling are reviewed, including the differences between fixed and random effects, between- versus within-person variation, and practical considerations such as data setup and basic model estimation. Finally, a series of recommended readings are provided for those interested in learning more about growth curve modelling.
Pro: standard CABG is the procedure of choice for myocardial revascularization.

The standard CABG operation, which was developed by Favalaro and colleagues in 1967,1 has today reached the stature of being regarded as one of the best tested, most proved interventions of any type in the history of medicine. The standard CABG represents the gold standard of the first order against which any new approaches to coronary revascularization need to be critically compared. It provides a completely controlled surgical field, permits complete revascularization, produces excellent relief of angina, in both the short and long term, prolongs life in important subgroups and can improve left ventricular function in patients with impaired baseline function.2 Thus, standard CABG meets the goals that could reasonably be set for the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease. It is today being accomplished with excellent, reproducible results in surgical centers all over the world. It can be performed by the average cardiac surgeon and has the lowest operative mortality and morbidity of any operation for ischemic heart disease. It goes without saying that a major surgical endeavor like CABG has some adverse effects. But over the decades it has become evident that cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is generally well tolerated. Devastating complications are rare and most adverse effects are mild and recoverable. The concept of off-pump CABG (OPCAB) is not new. It was described in 19673 and continued to be performed by a few surgeons. With CPB becoming more safe and refined, OPCAB became nearly obsolete. However, in recent years, there has been an upsurge of interest in OPCAB in an attempt to avoid the deleterious effects of CPB. Enthusiasts for OPCAB emphasize broad views on the systemic inflammatory response, neurologic and renal damage and cost benefits. This importance of cost control in medicine has become a driving force in the pursuit of alternatives to standard CABG. OPCAB is now possible. But is it better? There is no consensus. This article examines a number of pertinent issues regarding comparative merits and demerits of the standard CABG and OPCAB. For the purposes of the current discussion, standard CABG will be compared with the technique of performing CABG using a midline sternotomy but without the use of CPB.
Influence of p53 on herpes simplex virus type 1 vectors for cancer gene therapy

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV 1) vectors are under investigation for use in gene therapy for colorectal cancer liver metastases. Approximately 60% of colorectal cancers possess p53 mutations, and p53 mutations can cause tumor cell resistance to radiation therapy and chemotherapy. p53 is also known to colocalize with at least one HSV 1 protein and influence HSV 1 gene expression. The purpose of this study was to determine if the loss or mutation of p53 in tumor cells alters the cytotoxicity of HSV 1 vectors. HSV 1 vector-mediated in vitro cytotoxicity assays were performed using stable transfectants of SAOS-2-LM2 cells and WiDr cells that express no p53, wild-type p53, mutant p53, or both wild-type p53 and mutant p53. All stable transfectants were equally susceptible to HSV 1 vector cytotoxicity, and cell lines with mutant p53 were not resistant to HSV 1 vectors. These results provide additional rationale for the application of HSV 1 vector gene therapy for colorectal cancer.
The Morphology of Partially Ordered Sets

DEFINITION. XC gn is called a set of incomparable elements if A, B E X and A C B imply A = B. Then Sperner’s Theorem -maxx / X 1 = (,J,,), where X ranges over all sets of incomparable elements in .?3,, . The standard proof of Sperner’s theorem (see Harper-Rota [lo]) is based upon two properties of an , unimodality and matching. By unimodality we mean that (3, the number of k-subsets of an n-set, increases to a maximum and then decreases. By matching we mean that the bipartite graph whose vertices are the k-subsets and (k + I)-subsets respectively have a matching in the sense of P. Hall. Tbe conjunction of matching and unimodality imply that an may be partitioned into chains, each chain containing one [n/2]-subset. Any set X of incomparable elements can intersect each chain in at most one element. The injection of X into the [n/2]-subsets thus defined proves the theorem. In 1945 Erdiis improved Sperner’s theorem to give the maximal cardinality of any set XC .G@,, which has no more than k members lying on any chain as C’1’ ( 1 0 [cn+nr,,z,), the sum of the k largest binomial coefficients. In 1951 de Bruijn et al. developed a variant of Sperner’s theorem for the lattice of divisors of n. In the meantime Sperner’s theorem has been reproved in a number of ways, but by far the most elegant proof is due to Lubell. In 1967 Rota pointed out the possibility of extending Sperner’s theorem to the lattice of partitions of an n-set. The author’s plan in attacking Rota’s conjecture has been to build up an arsenal of theoretical weapons sufficient
Strain Differences in Maternal Behavior in Rats

Bei drei Rattenstammen wurden Unterschiede im Verhalten der Mutter zu ihrem Wurf wahrend der ersten Lebenswoche festgestellt. Long Evans-Haubenratten erziehlten durchweg statistisch hohere Werte als die weissen Wistars und ebenfalls weissen Sprague-Dawleys im Zusammentragen der Jungen, im Kontaktmachen mit den Jungen und im aktiv sich einstellen wahrend der Saugens. Junge, die von Muttern verschiedener Stammen aufgezogen worden waren, gaben in erwachsenem Zustande keine Unterschiede in Emotionalitat, wie gemessen in Sogenannten "offenen Felde" (d.h. in einem ungewohnten, leren, Behalter) Versuch an hand der Laufaktivitat und Anzahl der Kotentleerungen. Nur in einem Fall (Long Evans ♀♀ aufgezogen von Long Evans- oder Sprague Dawleys Muttern) wurde ein Unterschied festgestellt (von Sprague Dawleys Muttern aufgezogen Long Evans ♀♀zeigten eine grossere Anzahl der Kotentleerungen). Im allgemeinem aber kann nicht gesagt worden, dasz das mutterliche Verhalten die Emotionalitat erwachsener Jungen mitbestimmt.
Foundational Concepts for Conducting Program Evaluations

Evaluation is one of the critical steps in the process of performance improvement. Evaluation feeds evidence-based information back to the next cycle of performance improvement. However, organizations often neglect to conduct comprehensive evaluations on their programs due to environmental barriers or the lack of practitioners’ evaluation expertise. This article presents some of the foundational evaluation-related concepts and procedures that would help human performance improvement practitioners when conducting comprehensive systematic and systemic evaluations of the interventions implemented in organizations: (a) evaluation versus research, (b) front-end evaluation versus back-end evaluation, (c) definition of program evaluation, (d) types of program stakeholders, (e) development of program logic models, (f) formative evaluation versus summative evaluation, (g) merit versus worth, and (h) development of evaluation dimensions. Such foundational knowledge is just one of the first steps to prevent evaluations from being neglected or mistaken with simple measurements through administering instruments such as smiley sheets.
Kinetic and thermodynamic control of protein adsorption

Control of nonspecific protein adsorption is very important for the design of biocompatible and biomimetic materials as well as drug carriers. Grafted polymer layers can be used to prevent protein adsorption. We have studied the molecular factors that determine the equilibrium and kinetic control of protein adsorption by grafted polymer layers. We find that polymers that are not attracted to the surface are very effective for kinetic control but not very good for equilibrium reduction of protein adsorption. Polymers with attractions to the surface show exactly the opposite behavior. The implications for molecular design of biocompatible materials also are discussed in this paper.
Recovery of Blood Lead Concentration and of Red Cell 8-Aminolevulinic Acid Dehydrase Activity in Dogs Following Return to Normal Diets after 75 Weeks of Lead Feeding

Blood lead concentration and red cell 5-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (ALAD) activity were determined at intervals for eight months after symptom-free dogs, which had received 100 ppm or 500–1000 ppm of lead, by weight, in their diets for 75½ weeks, were returned to a lead-free diet. Statistical treatment of the data disclosed a linear relationship between the the logarithm of blood lead concentration or of ALAD activity and the logarithm of time (experimental week) during the recovery period. The calculated regressions predict that recovery of ALAD will occur before recovery of the blood lead concentration. Predicted recovery times depend on the levels selected as those which must be attained for recovery to be complete, as well as on the dosage of lead. The logarithm of the slope of the ALAD recovery regression of the individual dog has a linear relation to the percentage reduction in ALAD due to the lead, the regression accounting for 92% of the variance in the recovery rates. The slope of the blood le...
SU-E-J-169: 4D-PET for Abdominal Tumor Target Volume Generation.

Purpose: To examine the impact of 4D‐PET on target volume delineation of upper‐abdominal tumors, versus conventional un‐gated PET.Methods: Four patients with upper‐abdominal tumors underwent respiratory‐correlated FDG PET/CT scanning (4D‐PET) as part of a continuing IRB‐approved research protocol. Internal target volumes of FDG‐avid tumors were contoured on the 4D‐PET and conventional un‐gated PET by a radiation oncologist who is a specialist in gastro‐intestinal tumors. To create the 4D‐PET ITV, the end‐inhale and end‐exhale 4D‐PET phases were used. The relative volumes and volumetric overlaps of the 4D and un‐gated target volumes were examined. Additionally, 4D‐PET was used to measure the motion of the tumors.Results: Of the four patients who were imaged, one showed minimal motion (〈 3 mm in any direction) and one showed minimal FDG avidity; these were removed from further analysis. Of the two tumors which showed significant motion and FDG uptake, 4D‐PET volumes were 28% and 21% larger than un‐gated PET volumes. The un‐gated PET volumes were almost entirely contained within the 4D‐PET volumes (95% and 93% for the two tumors).Tumors appeared to deform as well as translate with breathing, although this could be due to varying intra‐gate motion rather than actual physiological deformation. The superior‐inferior borders of the tumors exhibited the most motion, with displacements of 5.6 mm and 6.4 mm. Conclusions: 4D‐PET can be used to estimate the motion of FDG‐avid upper‐abdominal tumors. Use of 4D‐PET increases the size of target volumes compared to un‐gated PET in a subset of upper‐abdominal cancer patients. Direct measurement of tumor motion and deformation by 4D‐PET imaging could allow the use of patient‐specific margins rather than population‐based margins, potentially leading to increased target coverage and reduced normal tissue irradiation.
Information Processing of Trauma.

Abstract This article presents a neuropsychosocial model to explain a victimization experience. It surveys the relation of sensation, perception, and cognition as a systematic way to provide a framework for studying human behavior and to describe human response to traumatic events. This framework is an information processing approach. The goal of information processing investigations is to identify how incoming external stimuli or intentially engendered stimuli enter the central nervous system and eventuate in some kind of final response.
Durability, Transit Lags, and Optimality of Inventory Management Decisions

Two laboratory experiments on a single-echelon inventory task show that inventory durability interacts with transit lags to create order volatility that exceeds demand volatility. Thus, inventory durability and transit lags cause managers to deviate from inventory decision optimality. Durability creates a large increase in order volatility because players adjust orders insufficiently to reflect current inventory and backlogs, much as they adjust orders insufficiently to reflect holding and backlog costs in newsvendor studies (e.g., Schweitzer and Cachon 2000). Transit lags exacerbate non-optimal ordering by interfering with players' ability to correct prior errors. Our results suggest that non-optimal inventory decisions can be driven by inventory and supply chain characteristics, even in the absence of the coordination and information sharing problems studied by Croson et al. (2005) and Sterman (1989a,b). We also examine the influence of features related to personality. We find little evidence that the interactive effects of durability and transit lags are altered by need for cognition, impulsiveness, or locus of control, suggesting that these features make supply chain management extremely difficult. These results imply that retailers and their upstream partners must consider the characteristics of their product and supply chains when interpreting demand signals received from downstream partners.
Individual differences in attentional processes as a function of age and skill level

Abstract Developmental and skill level differences in attentional skills were examined in the present study. The multifaceted approach to attention explored differences in sustained attention, flexible deployment of attention, and selective attention in bright and low average 2nd, 4th, and 6th graders. Developmental differences consistently emerged on all tasks. Skill level differences were less consistent. When differences in intelligence were controlled for between bright and low average children, attentional problems were observed only on selective attention tasks. The developmental and educational implication of the findings are discussed in terms of attention capacity theory.
Effect of mental arithmetic on gastric secretion.

Gastric secretions of 12 fasting male subjects between the ages 20 and 27 years were collected by continuous manual syringe aspiration for two hours. In seven trials, the subjects rested for one hour and did mental arithmetic during the second hour. In seven other trials, the arithmetic hour preceded the rest hour. The mean milliequivalents of HCl secreted during the 14 arithmetic hours was significantly different from the mean milliequivalents secreted during the 14 rest hours (one tailed t= 2.28; p < .05). The volume of juice secreted during the arithmetic hour also decreased (one tailed t= 2.35; p < .05).
Prospects for osteoprogenitor stem cells in fracture repair and osteoporosis.

Purpose of review Bone regeneration and fracture repair are the complex processes of mesenchymal stem cell invasion, chondrogenesis, osteogenesis and angiogenesis. The coordinated actions of these principal processes result in the reconstruction of a normal bone and restoration of a structural unit. However, these normal bone regenerative mechanisms breakdown during fracture repair failure and postmenopausal osteoporosis. Recent findings Recent discoveries of circulating multipotent stem cells with mixed characteristics of endothelial cell and osteogenic capacity have raised interest in new and potentially breakthrough therapies for fracture and pathologic bone loss. The cooperative actions of other mesenchymal stem cell lineage such as adipocytes and processes such as angiogenesis in bone repair could also serve as novel therapeutic targets. Recent data suggest that anabolic parathyroid hormone therapy, already approved for the treatment of osteoporosis, may recruit osteoprogenitor cells and also have a role in fracture repair. Summary The present review will highlight recent information on stem cells and bone repair and examine potential avenues for future research.
Adults undergoing cardiac surgery at a children's hospital: an analysis of perioperative morbidity.

Background Limited data exist regarding the perioperative morbidity profile of adults who have cardiac operations at pediatric facilities. Methods A retrospective review (January 2000 to December 2004) of patients (aged 18 years or older) who underwent cardiac surgery at our pediatric institution was performed. Results There were 149 cardiac operations performed in 135 patients. There were 2 early deaths. There were 70 preoperative noncardiac morbidities in 49 patients (36%) and 140 preoperative cardiac morbidities in 78 patients (58%). Preoperative arrhythmia (n = 76) and moderate or greater ventricular systolic dysfunction (n = 24) were most common. There were 51 postoperative adverse noncardiac events in 32 patients (24%). Renal insufficiency (> 0.5 mg/dL baseline change; n=8) was most common. There were 53 postoperative adverse cardiac events in 44 patients (33%). Ventricular tachycardia (n = 13) was most common. Risk factors for postoperative adverse noncardiac events included preoperative histories of New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or greater ( p p = 0.04), and psychiatric disorder ( p = 0.002). Risk factors for postoperative adverse cardiac events included older patient age ( p = 0.001), preoperative functional single ventricle ( p = 0.006), NHYA class III or greater ( p = 0.003), atrial fibrillation/flutter ( p p = 0.04). Conclusions Postoperative adverse events occur frequently when adults undergo cardiac operations at children's hospitals. Older patient age, preoperative arrhythmias, and preoperative NHYA class are predictors of postoperative adverse cardiac events.
Probabilistic structure matching for visual SLAM with a multi-camera rig

We propose to use a multi-camera rig for simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), providing flexibility in sensor placement on mobile robot platforms while exploiting the stronger localization constraints provided by omni-directional sensors. In this context, we present a novel probabilistic approach to data association, that takes into account that features can also move between cameras under robot motion. Our approach circumvents the combinatorial data association problem by using an incremental expectation maximization algorithm. In the expectation step we determine a distribution over correspondences by sampling. In the maximization step, we find optimal parameters of a density over the robot motion and environment structure. By summarizing the sampling results in so-called virtual measurements, the resulting optimization simplifies to the equivalent optimization problem for known correspondences. We present results for simulated data, as well as for data obtained by a mobile robot equipped with a multi-camera rig.
Diversification with American Depository Receipts: The Dynamics and the Pricing Factors

This paper studies the role of American Depository Receipts (ADRs) in international diversification by using a sample of 113 ADRs from eight foreign countries over 1980–1994. We find that investing in ADRs offers significant improvement in the risk-return trade-off. The effectiveness of ADRs as a vehicle for long-term international diversification is further examined by performing cointegration analysis between ADR and the respective market portfolios. Consistent with Webb, Officer and Boyd (1995), we also find that the movements of ADR and the foreign market are highly correlated. Moreover, the pricing factors of ADRs are further investigated in a GARCH framework.
The gene-specific codon counting database: a genome-based catalog of one-, two-, three-, four- and five-codon combinations present in Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes.

A codon consists of three nucleotides and functions during translation to dictate the insertion of a specific amino acid in a growing peptide or, in the case of stop codons, to specify the completion of protein synthesis. There are 64 possible single codons and there are 4096 double, 262 144 triple, 16 777 216 quadruple and 1 073 741 824 quintuple codon combinations available for use by specific genes and genomes. In order to evaluate the use of specific single, double, triple, quadruple and quintuple codon combinations in genes and gene networks, we have developed a codon counting tool and employed it to analyze 5780 Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes. We have also developed visualization approaches, including codon painting, combination and bar graphs, and have used them to identify distinct codon usage patterns in specific genes and groups of genes. Using our developed Gene-Specific Codon Counting Database, we have identified extreme codon runs in specific genes. We have also demonstrated that specific codon combinations or usage patterns are over-represented in genes whose corresponding proteins belong to ribosome or translation-associated biological processes. Our resulting database provides a mineable list of multi-codon data and can be used to identify unique sequence runs and codon usage patterns in individual and functionally linked groups of genes. Database URL: http://www.cs.albany.edu/~tumu/GSCC.html
A least biased fuzzy clustering method

A new operational definition of cluster is proposed, and a fuzzy clustering algorithm with minimal biases is formulated by making use of the maximum entropy principle to maximize the entropy of the centroids with respect to the data points (clustering entropy). The authors make no assumptions on the number of clusters or their initial positions. For each value of an adimensional scale parameter /spl beta/', the clustering algorithm makes each data point iterate towards one of the cluster's centroids, so that both hard and fuzzy partitions are obtained. Since the clustering algorithm can make a multiscale analysis of the given data set one can obtain both hierarchy and partitioning type clustering. The relative stability with respect to /spl beta/' of each cluster structure is defined as the measurement of cluster validity. The authors determine the specific value of /spl beta/' which corresponds to the optimal positions of cluster centroids by minimizing the entropy of the data points with respect to the centroids (clustered entropy). Examples are given to show how this least biased method succeeds in getting perceptually correct clustering results. >
An inverse method of estimating parameter distributions based on a heat muscle model

The authors present a method for estimating parameters on a nonlinear system that would otherwise be difficult to measure directly. The method is based on an extended backpropagation technique where the evolution of the measured field variables over time is mapped to an artificial neural network. The connections within the network are defined by the mathematical model that represents the system. The model is then used to run forward simulations and inverse refinements iteratively until errors are within acceptable bounds. As an example, the performance of this method on a simulated 2-D myocardial tissue is investigated. A modified FitzHugh-Nagumo model was used where both the electrical potential and the generalized current were described over time. The task assigned to the method was to determine the cell-to-cell coupling or diffusion coefficients of the simulated tissue. >