cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
African american women, hair care, and health barriers.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to elucidate the prevalence of hair loss among African American women; explore the psychosocial impact of hair grooming difficulties; and examine both perceptions related to physician encounters in this group and the relationship between hair grooming, physical activity, and weight maintenance. Design: An anonymous retrospective and qualitative survey, the Hair Care Assessment Survey, is an 18-question novel survey instrument designed at the Henry Ford Hospital Department of Dermatology Multicultural Dermatology Center. Setting: The Hair Care Assessment Survey was distributed at church-related functions at predominantly African American metropolitan Detroit churches. Participants: Two hundred African American women from metropolitan Detroit, Michigan, aged 21 to 83. Measurements: The Hair Care Assessment Survey collected data relating to hair loss and hair care, psychosocial experiences relating to hair loss, and hair care as it relates to exercise and body weight management. Data was collected on doctor-patient hair-related medical visits and experiences with commercially available ethnic hair care products. Results: More than 50 percent reported excessive hair loss. Twenty-eight percent had visited a physician to discuss hair issues, but only 32 percent felt their physician understood African American hair. Forty-five percent reported avoiding exercise because of hair concerns, and 22 percent felt that their hair impeded maintaining healthy body weight. Conclusion: Hair loss affects a compelling number of African American women, and a significant number express dissatisfaction in hair-related physician encounters. Additionally, hair styling problems present a serious impediment to physical activity and weight management among this already high-risk population.
Peptide derivatives of three distinct lipopolysaccharide binding proteins inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha secretion in vitro.

Background. Bactericidal permeability increasing protein (BPI), Limulus anti-lipopolysaccharide factor (LALF), and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) are three distinct proteins that bind to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Intriguingly, binding of BPI and LALF to LPS results in neutralization of LPS activity, whereas the binding of LBP to LPS creates a complex that results in augmentation of LPS activity. Despite their different effector functions, we hypothesized that peptides based on the sequences of the proposed LPS-binding motif from each protein would neutralize LPS in vitro. Methods. Three peptide sequences, each 27 amino acids in length, of the proposed LPS-binding motif of BPI (BG38), LALF (BG42), and LBP (BG43) were synthesized. These peptides were then tested for their: (1) ability to inhibit macrophage secretion of TNF-α after stimulation by LPS derived from Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia marcescens; and (2) bactericidal activity against these same four gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Results. Synthetic peptides BG38 (BPI-derived), BG42 (LALF-derived), and BG43 (LBP-derived) but not control peptide significantly inhibited LPS-induced tumor necrosis factor-α secretion by macrophages and mediated the lysis of gram-negative bacteria in vitro. In addition, preincubation of LPS with peptide BG38 mediated complete protection subsequent to lethal endotoxin challenge. Conclusions. These data demonstrate that small peptides derived from BPI, LALF, and LBP retained significant endotoxin-netralizing and bactericidal activity against many different gram-negative bacteria in vitro. Identification of this conserved LPS-binding region within each protein may aid in the development of new immunomodulatory reagents for use as adjuvant therapy in the treatment of gram-negative bacterial sepsis.
The dilemma of credibility vs. speed

CoRRs implicitly constrained but officially open acceptance policy for submitted papers raises concerns about both censorship and credibility. To avoid refereeing incoming papers yet still help readers assess their merits, CoRR could use coordinated public comments and ratings in the manner of some online auctions and booksellers.
Modeling Strategies for Air Flow Through Perforated Tiles in a Data Center

Raised-floor data centers supply cold air to server racks through perforated tiles; hence, designing an efficient air delivery scheme requires better understanding of flow features through the tiles. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have been established as an important tool for examining the overall flow fields in data centers. The generally used model for air flow through the perforated tiles, the porous jump model, specifies a step pressure loss across the tile surface without affecting the velocity field across the tile. A recently proposed improvement in the porous jump model, the body force model, includes an additional momentum source above the tile surface to account for the acceleration of the flow through the pores. In both these models, geometrical details of the tile such as pore size, location, and shape are not included, which results in a significantly lower computational effort. However, to improve the solution accuracy, it is important to consider the geometrical details due to complex flow behavior through the tiles, such as flow acceleration through pores, jet–jet interactions, and downstream flow development, which simplified models may fail to capture. In this paper, we present a systematic approach to perforated tile flow modeling, with focus on consideration of geometrical details of the tile. First, different turbulence models are compared for the prediction of flow field through a sharp-edged orifice that is representative of a single pore of the tile. Comparison with the published experimental results suggests that a realizable $k{\hbox{-}}\varepsilon$ model is more appropriate for modeling flow through pores, as compared to the generally used standard $k{\hbox{-}}\varepsilon$ model. Flow characteristics through a single pore are analyzed next, and the balance between solution accuracy and grid coarsening is discussed. Subsequently, a full-scale tile model is presented, and it is observed that the elimination of plenum from the model significantly alters the flow field prediction. Body force model is compared with the full-scale tile model, and it shows promise for capturing the major features of flow-through tiles, with scope for further improvement.
Anhydrous tertiary alkanolamines as hybrid chemical and physical CO2 capture reagents with pressure-swing regeneration

Anhydrous DMEA, DEEA and DIPEA are found to absorb carbon dioxide under pressure via chemical binding and physical absorption. The chemical CO2-bound derivatives of these materials are zwitterionic alkylcarbonate salts which are characterized by high-pressure 13C NMR. DMEA, DEEA and DIPEA absorb 20 wt.%, 17 wt.% and 16 wt.% carbon dioxide, respectively, at 300 psig (20.6 ATM). An increasing chemical carbon dioxide uptake capacity trend of DMEA > DEEA > DIPEA is observed while the physical CO2 absorption trend is DIPEA > DEEA > DMEA. DMEA captures up to 45 mole % (20 wt.%) of CO2 at 500 psig via both chemical binding and physical absorption. The amount of chemically bound and physically absorbed CO2 is directly linked to the CO2 pressure over the liquid. The zwitterion DMEA-CO2 regenerates CO2 and DMEA upon depressurization, allowing for an economical pressure swing regeneration rather than thermal regeneration. DMEA absorbs/releases CO2 repeatedly with no decline in capacity.
Influence of median sternotomy on the psychosomatic outcome in coronary artery single-vessel bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES New less invasive surgical techniques for the treatment of coronary artery single-vessel disease have been developed by either avoiding median sternotomy or cardiopulmonary bypass or both, however, until now no prospective randomized trial has been carried out to compare these techniques to the conventional approach with special respect to the psychosomatical effects. METHODS In a prospective randomized trial four different surgical techniques were compared. Group 1: conventional technique (median sternotomy, cardiopulmonary bypass) in ten patients (eight male, two female, age 59.6 +/- 11.0 years); Group 2: off-pump coronary artery bypass with median sternotomy in nine patients (six male, three female, age 65.7 +/- 11.1 years); Group 3: lateral minithoracotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass in eight patients (five male, three female, age 62.3 +/- 9.9 years). Group 4: off-pump procedure and lateral minithoracotomy in nine patients (eight male, one female, age 63.8 +/- 11.3 years). All patients due to coronary artery single-vessel disease. The tests used for psychosomatic situation were post-traumatic stress disorders scale, pain behavior rating scale, pain visual analog scale, and 6' walking-distance. For detection of false results due to surgical technical failures 3-month follow-up was undertaken including echocardiography and coronary angiogram. RESULTS There were no deaths or major complications. Operative time was longer in lateral minithoracotomy procedures, but intensive care unit stay and hospitalization were equal in all groups. Pain visual analog scale and pain behavior rating scale showed a peak on post-operative day 4 in median sternotomy procedures. Post-traumatic stress disorder scale revealed higher values on post-operative day 4 and equalizing with lateral minithoracotomy procedures 1 month post-operatively. Six-minutes walking distance on post-operative day 4 was longer in the group with lateral minithoracotomy. Three-month follow-up revealed patency of all grafts. CONCLUSIONS Even if surgery is successful in all procedures, operative time is longer in lateral minithoracotomy procedures without compromising intensive care unit stay and hospital stay. More pain with multiple post-traumatic stress disorders is related to median sternotomy, and post-operative convalescence is superior for lateral minithoracotomy procedures.
Characterization of thoracic spinal neurons with noxious convergent inputs from heart and lower airways in rats

Abstract Respiratory symptoms experienced in some patients with cardiac diseases may be due to convergence of noxious cardiac and pulmonary inputs onto neurons of the central nervous system. For example, convergence of cardiac and respiratory inputs onto single solitary tract neurons may be in part responsible for integration of regulatory and defensive reflex control. However, it is unknown whether inputs from the lungs and heart converge onto single neurons of the spinal cord. The present aim was to characterize upper thoracic spinal neurons responding to both noxious stimuli of the heart and lungs in rats. Extracellular potentials of single thoracic (T3) spinal neurons were recorded in pentobarbital anesthetized, paralyzed, and ventilated male rats. A catheter was placed in the pericardial sac to administer bradykinin (BK, 10 μg/ml, 0.2 ml, 1 min) as a noxious cardiac stimulus. The lung irritant, ammonia, obtained as vapor over a 30% solution of NH4OH was injected into the inspiratory line of the ventilator (0.5–1.0 ml over 20 s). Intrapericardial bradykinin (IB) altered activity of 58/65 (89%) spinal neurons that responded to inhaled ammonia (IA). Among those cardiopulmonary convergent neurons, 81% (47/58) were excited by both IA and IB, and the remainder had complex response patterns. Bilateral cervical vagotomy revealed that vagal afferents modulated but did not eliminate responses of individual spinal neurons to IB and IA. The convergence of pulmonary and cardiac nociceptive signaling in the spinal cord may be relevant to situations where a disease process in one organ influences the behavior of the other.
Chromatin effector Pygo2 mediates Wnt-notch crosstalk to suppress luminal/alveolar potential of mammary stem and basal cells.

Summary Epigenetic mechanisms regulating lineage differentiation of mammary stem cells (MaSCs) remain poorly understood. Pygopus 2 (Pygo2) is a histone methylation reader and a context-dependent Wnt/β-catenin coactivator. Here we provide evidence for Pygo2's function in suppressing luminal/alveolar differentiation of MaSC-enriched basal cells. We show that Pygo2-deficient MaSC/basal cells exhibit partial molecular resemblance to luminal cells, such as elevated Notch signaling and reduced mammary repopulating capability upon transplantation. Inhibition of Notch signaling suppresses basal-level and Pygo2-deficiency-induced luminal/alveolar differentiation of MaSC/basal cells, whereas activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling suppresses luminal/alveolar differentiation and Notch3 expression in a Pygo2-dependent manner. We show that Notch3 is a direct target of Pygo2 and that Pygo2 is required for β-catenin binding and maintenance of a poised/repressed chromatin state at the Notch3 locus in MaSC/basal cells. Together, our data support a model where Pygo2-mediated chromatin regulation connects Wnt signaling and Notch signaling to restrict the luminal/alveolar differentiation competence of MaSC/basal cells.
Prevalence of osteonecrosis and associated risk factors in children before allogeneic BMT

Osteonecrosis (ON) is a debilitating long-term complication of allogeneic BMT (allo-BMT), but may begin before allo-BMT in some children because of their primary disease treatment. Therefore, to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors for ON before allo-BMT, we conducted a retrospective analysis of magnetic resonance (MR) studies of 118 children who underwent first allo-BMT at our institution between December 2000 and September 2007. Of the 118 consecutive patients, 107 (90.7%) underwent prospective MR studies irrespective of symptoms (69 males; median age at allo-BMT 12.9 years), and 11 underwent MR studies for symptoms. Among the 107 who had prospective imaging, 23 (21.5%) had ON; nearly 50% had at least 30% epiphyseal involvement. Knees were more frequently involved than were hips; severity of ON was greater in hips. ON prevalence before allo-BMT was 23.72% when all 118 patients were included in the denominator. Risk factor analysis, limited to MR studies performed irrespective of symptoms, revealed female gender (P=0.049) and age 10 years at the time of MR study (P=0.03) as significant risk factors, and primary diagnosis of lymphoid malignancies and aplastic anemia trended toward significance. ON before allo-BMT is a common occurrence in children.
Disaccharide production by glucoamylase in aqueous ether mixtures

Abstract Five α-linked diglucosyl disaccharides (isomaltose, nigerose, kojibiose, maltose, and α,β-trehalose) and two trisaccharides (isomaltotriose and panose) were produced in 90% aqueous solutions of 2-methoxyethyl ether, 2-ethoxyethyl ether, or triethylene glycol dimethyl ether by glucoamylase-catalyzed glucose condensation. Precipitation of the products and phase separation caused higher net production of disaccharides than expected by comparison with the same reactions occurring in solvent-free solutions. Glucoamylase was equally stable in water and in aqueous 90% 2-methoxyethyl ether, but was stabilized by further decreases of water concentration. Aqueous ethers neither modified the product specificity of glucoamylase nor changed the relative order of initial rates of disaccharide formation. Because of its broad specificity (five disaccharides and two trisaccharides), glucoamylase would not be a suitable biocatalyst for oligosaccharide synthesis.
Neutron reflectometry in biological applications

Neutron Reflectometry (NR) has long been used as a tool to study soft-condensed materials, including bio-related structures. For example, it has been applied to study model biomembranes to facilita...
Iterative Equation Solver for Bridge Analysis Using Neural Networks

In this paper, a technique for enhancing finite-element analysis equation solvers for particular problem domains (particular classes of structures such as highway bridges) is presented. The technique involves merging artificial neural networks, used as a domain knowledge-encoding mechanism, together with a preconditioned conjugate gradient iterative equation-solving algorithm. In the algorithm, neural networks are used to seed the initial solution vector and to precondition the matrix system using customizable and trainable neural networks. A case study is presented in which the technique is applied to the particular domain of flat-slab highway bridge analysis. Analytical load-displacement data is generated using finite-element analyses and subsequently used to train neural networks. Acting collectively, the neural networks approximately predict displacement patterns for flat-slab bridges under arbitrary loading conditions.
The effect of lung surfactant apolipoproteins B/C on the chemical shift anisotropy of sn-2-[1-13C]dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine.

Abstract Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to investigate the effect of the lung surfactant apolipoproteins B/C on dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine to address the mechanism by which the adsorption rate of phospholipids from the bulk to the air/water interface is enhanced. Apolipoproteins B/C were isolated from bovine lung and separated from associated lipids by lipophilic Sephadex column chromatography. Amino acid analysis indicated the presence of both apolipoproteins B and C. The 13 C chemical shift anisotropy of DPPC was determined as a function of temperature. Previous workers (Wittebort et al., Biochemistry , 20 (1981) 3487–3502) have concluded that the observed magnitude of the chemical shift anisotropy of the carbonyl group of the sn -2 acyl chain in pure DPPC is a result of rapid rotation about an axis along the length of the phospholipid both in the gel and liquid crystalline state. The orientation of the carbonyl group with respect to the axis of diffusion, however, undergoes an approximately 25–30° shift in passage from the gel to liquid crystalline state, with the intermediate, rippled (P β′ ) state composed of an exchange between these two orientations. The presence of physiological concentrations SP-B/C reduced the width of the anisotropy of DPPC below but had no effect on lipids above the main phase transition temperature. This suggests that SP-B/C has a general effect on the entire assembly of lipids. The temperature of the onset of the orientational change is lowered indicating a portion of the lipids are affected by the lung surfactant apolipoproteins.
The project officer's role in managing federal program evaluations

The project officer plays a pivotal role in managing the work of social scientists to serve the needs of federal policy makers.
An algorithm to assign eigenvalues in a Hessenberg matrix: Single input case

We propose a conceptually simple algorithm to assign eigenvalues in a Hessenberg matrix. The method is based on the evaluation of a simple recursive relation and it is extremely easy to program on a computer. Numerical experiments compare favorably to those of other methods recently proposed for the problem.
Applicability of alternative models of revertant variance to Ames-test data for 121 mutagenic carcinogens

Models of sampling variance in replicate revertant scores play a role in analyses of Ames-test data on mutagenicity in Salmonella, both in modeling the dose-response relation and in estimating initial dose-response slope or 'potency', e.g., for use in correlating mutagenic and carcinogenic potencies among different chemicals. Both generalized Poisson (GP) and negative binomial (NB) models of revertant variance have been applied in this way, but their empirical applicability has only been assessed using Ames-test data on a few chemicals. The applicability of these and related variance models was therefore assessed for 1905 such data sets pertaining to 121 putatively mutagenic carcinogens. Only approximately 50% of the data sets analyzed were found to involve a significantly positively correlated dose-response, and 75% among dose-response correlated data sets) were found to exhibit revertant variance consistent with both the GP and NB models; while the GP model was found to be somewhat more consistent with these data, the NB model more often gave a nominally better fit when both models were consistent. Implications of these results for the design of methods used to analyze Ames-test data are discussed.
Sources and Nature of Intolerance in the 1920s

IN approaching that seamy side of the national character which periodically displays broad-scale intolerance, prejudice, nativism, and xenophobia, many American historians have sought in recent years to draw upon the findings of scholars in related disciplines in their attempts at meaningful analysis. Especially suggestive in this area has been recent work in sociology, social psychology, cultural anthropology, and American studies.Differences exist, however, as to how such findings can actually aid the historian and the degree of reliance he can confidently place upon them. Given the fact that the average historian must work in a past context in which precise empirical research is impossible, particularly as it applies to a broad spectrum of public attitudes, and given the fact that modern social science studies draw the great body of their evidence from current materials, a question of relevance is raised. How safe is it for the historian to project such modern findings backwards in an attempt better to understand and grasp the tensions and pressures of a prior era? Are modern social science techniques reliable in the analysis of imprecise historical materials? Some members of the historical guild feel that such borrowing of either materials or techniques is too dangerous to be acceptable. Others at times have relied too heavily upon such interdisciplinary aids in order to validate general presumptions otherwise difficult of documentation. Still others have used such materials cautiously and carefully, so cautiously and so carefully that they have come to differ among themselves concerning their applicability. In the study of past intolerance, for example, there have been
SHARP: A multi-mission AI system for spacecraft telemetry monitoring and diagnosis

The Spacecraft Health Automated Reasoning Prototype (SHARP) is a system designed to demonstrate automated health and status analysis for multi-mission spacecraft and ground data systems operations. Telecommunications link analysis of the Voyager II spacecraft is the initial focus for the SHARP system demonstration which will occur during Voyager's encounter with the planet Neptune in August, 1989, in parallel with real-time Voyager operations. The SHARP system combines conventional computer science methodologies with artificial intelligence techniques to produce an effective method for detecting and analyzing potential spacecraft and ground systems problems. The system performs real-time analysis of spacecraft and other related telemetry, and is also capable of examining data in historical context. A brief introduction is given to the spacecraft and ground systems monitoring process at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. The current method of operation for monitoring the Voyager Telecommunications subsystem is described, and the difficulties associated with the existing technology are highlighted. The approach taken in the SHARP system to overcome the current limitations is also described, as well as both the conventional and artificial intelligence solutions developed in SHARP.
Spectral formulation of turbulent flame speed with consideration of hydrodynamic instability.

Effects of Darrieus-Landau (DL) instability on the structure and propagation of turbulent premixed flame fronts are considered. By first hypothesizing separation of time scales of instability and turbulence, we estimate whether the instability can develop in the presence of turbulence of given flow rms-velocity and integral length scale. As a result, we modify the standard turbulent premixed combustion regime diagram by introducing new boundaries, limiting the domain where the instability influences the global flame shape and speed. Based on this analysis, a ``turbulence-induced DL cutoff'' as a function of turbulence and instability parameters is introduced, which when combined with a turbulent flame speed without DL instability yields the turbulent flame speed accounting for the instability. The consumption turbulent flame speed for no DL instability is formulated from the spectral closure of the $G$ equation, thus accounting for the scale-dependent ``turbulent'' nature of the problem. Finally, an analytical form of the turbulent flame speed is derived, which is found to agree well with the corresponding experimentally measured turbulent flame speed from literature over wide ranges of normalized turbulence intensities and length scales.
Survival in patients declining implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Abstract Previous studies have suggested that the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) significantly prolongs survival in patients with malignant ventricular arrhythmias. 1–3 Design limitations inherent in studies without internal controls make results difficult to interpret. 4 Randomized trials would be ideal to define the benefits derived from ICDs, but there has been reluctance to initiate such trials. In this study, we used patients who declined ICD implant as a control population to assess results of ICD therapy.
Learning categories at different hierarchical levels: a comparison of category learning models.

Three formal models of category learning, the rational model (Anderson, 1990), the configural-cue model (Gluck & Bower, 1988a), and ALCOVE (Kruschke, 1992), were evaluated on their ability to account for differential learning of hierarchically structured categories. An experiment using a theoretically challenging category structure developed by Lassaline, Wisniewski, and Medin (1992) is reported. Subjects learned one of two different category structures. For one structure, diagnostic information was present along a single dimension (1-D). For the other structure, diagnostic information was distributed across four dimensions (4-D). Subjects learned these categories at a general or at a specific level of abstraction. For the 1-D structure, specific-level categories were learned more rapidly than general-level categories. For the 4-D structure, the opposite result was observed. These results proved highly diagnostic for evaluating the models—although ALCOVE provided a good account of the observed results, the rational model and the configural-cue model did not.
Photo-cross-linking of type I collagen gels in the presence of smooth muscle cells: mechanical properties, cell viability, and function

The effectiveness of photomediated cross-linking of type I collagen gels in the presence of rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC) as a method to enhance gel mechanical properties while retaining native collagen triple helical structure and maintaining high cell viability was investigated. Collagen was chemically modified to incorporate an acrylate moiety. Collagen methacrylamide was cast into gels in the presence of a photoinitiator along with RASMC. The gels were cross-linked using visible light irradiation. Neither acrylate modification nor the cross-linking reaction altered collagen triple helical content. The cross-linking reaction, however, moved the denaturation temperature beyond the physiologic range. A twelve-fold increase in shear modulus was observed after cross-linking. Cell viability in the range of 70% (n = 4, p > 0.05) was observed in the photo-cross-linked gels. Moreover the cells were able to contract the cross-linked gel in a manner commensurate with that observed for natural type I collagen. Methacrylate-mediated photo-cross-linking is a facile route to improve mechanical properties of collagen gels in the presence of cells while maintaining high cell viability. This enhances the potential for type I collagen gels to be used as scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Social skills training augments the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral group therapy for social anxiety disorder

Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy (CBGT) is the most widely researched intervention program for social anxiety disorder (SAD, also known as social phobia), with a number of studies demonstrating its effectiveness. Another common treatment, social skills training (SST), has also been shown to be efficacious for SAD. The present study compared the standard CBGT intervention with a protocol in which SST was integrated into CBGT. Participants met diagnostic criteria for the generalized subtype of SAD, and most also met criteria for avoidant personality disorder and other comorbid Axis I disorders. The results revealed improvement in a variety of outcome measures for both treatments, but significantly greater gains for the CBGT plus SST condition. In fact, the effect sizes obtained for this treatment were among the largest found to date in any study of SAD. Clinical implications are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.
At the Heart of the Matter An Overview of Adult Echocardiography for the Non–Cardiac Sonographer

Echocardiography is an excellent method for evaluating cardiac morphology and dynamic function. It has a long history of innovative thinking mixed with some degree of serendipity. Its early applica...
Aeroelastic airfoil smart spar

Abstract Aircraft wings and rotor blades are subject to undesirable bending and twisting excursions that arise from unsteady aerodynamic forces during high speed flight, abrupt manoeuvres or hard landings. These bending excursions can range in amplitude from wing-tip flutter to failure. A continuous-filament construction ‘smart’ laminated composite box-beam spar is described which corrects itself when subject to undesirable bending excursions or flutter. The load-bearing spar is constructed so that any tendency for the wing or rotor blade to bend from its normal position is met by opposite twisting of the spar to restore the wing to its normal position. Experimental and theoretical characterization of these spars was made to evaluate the torsion-flexure coupling associated with symmetric lay-ups. The materials used in this study were uniweave AS-4 graphite and a matrix comprised of Shell 8132 resin and U-40 hardener. Experimental tests were conducted on five spars to determine spar twist and bend as a function of load for 0, 17, 30, 45 and 60° fibre angle lay-ups. Symmetric fibre lay-ups do exhibit torsion-flexure couplings. Predictions of the twist and bend versus load were made for different fibre orientations in laminated spars using a spline function structural analysis. The analytical results were compared with experimental results for validation. Excellent correlation between experimental and analytical values was found.
Osteopontin and related phosphorylated sialoproteins: effects on mineralization.

Osteopontin is one of a family of phosphorylated sialoproteins found in the extracellular matrices of mineralized connective tissues. Solution studies from a variety of laboratories have shown that while some of these proteins (e.g., osteopontin, dentin sialoprotein) inhibit calcium phosphate production, others, such as bone sialoprotein, can act as a nucleator of calcium phosphate formation. The differences in the behaviors of these proteins can be related to their interactions with mineral crystal nuclei and crystal growth sites. The specificity of these interactions, in turn, can be related to differences in the primary structures of the sialoproteins and to the extent to which they are phosphorylated. In vitro systems for the study of osteopontins and osteopontin-related protein effects on mineral deposition are described, along with mechanisms explaining the contrasting abilities of the polyglutamate-containing bone sialoprotein to act as a nucleator, while the polyaspartate-containing osteopontin and dentin sialoproteins inhibit calcium phosphate formation and growth.
Conformation of Lac repressor tetramer in solution, bound and unbound to operator DNA.

We tested whether the Steitz et al. [(1974) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 71:593–597] model of lactose repressor (LacR) (14 × 6.0 × 4.5 nm) represented the shape of free or operator-bound LacR in solution. The model predicts a 14 nm length for bound LacR. Direct measurement, using Pt-C shadow width standards, was 9.6 ± 0.2 nm long. Using the Steitz model, we generated a distribution of measurements and converted them into a distribution of shadow widths using gold ball standards. Direct measurement of LacR produced a narrower shadow width distribution with a larger mean size than the Steitz model predicted. Measurement along two orthogonal axes of negatively stained LacR images generated a size distribution, also converted into a shadow width distribution using the gold ball standards. Since the experimental shadow width distribution exactly matched the shadow width distribution derived theoretically from negatively stained LacR, our negative-stained images are representative of LacR's conformation in solution. Approximately 56% of negatively stained LacR had a V-shaped fold around an axis orthogonal to its length, bringing the DNA binding domains of each dimer adjacent. This open end of the V binds single operator DNA. The other 44% of the LacR tetramer is in the extended form with its DNA binding sites at opposite ends. Although the V-shaped conformation has a closed hinge with the dimers associated along a side, the extended open-hinged state remains important since LacR must bind two distant operator sites for full repression. Our measurements predict the normal presence of both conformations in nearly equal amounts, suggesting that both are equally active in repressing the lac operon. Microsc. Res. Tech. 36:400–416, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
THE ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTS OF GONADAL STEROIDS ON SEXUALLY DIMORPHIC SPATIAL ABILITY

Numerous studies have provided evidence that both human and nonhuman males reliably outperform females on tasks that require spatial ability. Because most of the research on this topic has utilized hormonally normal adults as subjects, it is still not known to what extent, if any, sex differences in spatial ability can be attributed to hormonally organized dimorphisms in neural structures subserving cognitive function. The purpose of this paper is to address this critical issue in three areas: (1) Research that demonstrates that male rodents initially outperform females on maze tasks that utilize visuospatial representation will be reviewed. (2) New data which provide strong evidence for the organizational effects of gonadal steroids will be described. The timing of the sensitive period for hormone action, the specific hormones involved and their possible sites of action will be discussed. (3) The question of what behavioral processes hormones might be affecting to cause differential performance on spatial tasks will be examined. The studies described in this review suggest that gonadal steroids, probably the testosterone metabolite estradiol, cause organizational effects during perinatal development which have multiple effects on the associational-perceptual-motor biases that guide visuospatial navigation.
Stimulation of DOPA-14C incorporation into melanoma tissue by chlorpromazine and reserpine☆☆☆

Abstract Male mice bearing Harding-Passey melanomas were given ip injections of the investigated drugs once daily, for 7 days. On the fifth day of treatment, 1 μCi of DOPA- 14 C (3.93 mCi/m m ) was administered ip. The mice were decapitated 72 hours after the injection, and the tumors were excised and homogenized. The radioactivity in the melanosome-containing fraction (9000 g sediment) was measured by liquid scintillation procedures. Treatment with 5 mg/kg chlorpromazine or 0.5 mg/kg reserpine increased the specific activity of the melanosome-containing fraction. The specific activity of the melanosome-containing fractions from tumors in mice treated with 100 mg/kg phenobarbital, 25 mg/kg chlorpromazine sulfoxide, or 0.64 mg/kg yohimbine did not differ from control values. The rate of in vitro conversion of DOPA to melanin by tyrosinase present in the melanosome-containing fraction was not influenced by chlorpromazine pretreatment or by the addition of 10 −4 m chlorpromazine to the reaction mixture. Apparent kinetic constants for tyrosinase isolated from chlorpromazine-treated mice were identical with controls.
Medication Management in Assisted Living: A National Survey of Policies and Practices

Objective To obtain information about actual medication management practices in assisted living residences (ALRs). Design An online survey; data were collected and reported as frequencies. Operational definitions were provided for “assist with” and “administration of” medications. Setting All 50 states. Participants Members of the key assisted living professional and provider associations. Results More than half of ALRs (n = 547) administer medications to 80% to 100% of their residents. Almost half of ALRs use unlicensed assistive personal (UAP)/medication aides to administer medications, as permitted by state regulations. In those states where UAPs are not permitted, unlicensed staff may assist residents with their medications. More than half of ALRs have written policies regarding medication storage and documentation of administration. A slightly smaller percentage of ALRs have policies regarding medication administration by a UAP/med aide, quality improvement programs, and error reporting. As much as 30% of ALRs lack policies regarding drug regimen review and monitoring for adverse drug events (ADEs). Conclusion Intensive education for practitioners about appropriate prescribing is warranted, as is improved methods for assessment of an older adult's ability to safely self-administer medications. The role of Boards of Nursing in every state, and nationally, should take a leadership role in establishing the curriculum, training, competencies, and performance evaluation criteria of UAP/med aides.
Effects of chronic administration of phencyclidine on stereotyped and ataxic behaviors in the rat

Abstract After chronic administration of Phencyclidine (PCP) to rats, a high test dose (15 mg/kg) of PCP produced increases in stereotypic and ataxic behaviors, and a lower test dose of PCP (5 mg/kg) produced decreases in these behaviors, compared to behavioral responses of control rats. Rearing behavior in rats chronically administered PCP was increased at all test doses of the drug. Rats treated chronically with 15 mg/kg PCP for 9 days showed marked increases in most of these behaviors, whereas, rats receiving 5 mg/kg PCP for 9 days showed less change in several stereotypic and ataxic behaviors. Rats receiving 10 mg/kg PCP on a once-weekly schedule also exhibited more rearing and ataxic behavioral responses after the 3rd or 4th weekly PCP injection. Chronic PCP rats did not show more stereotypic or ataxic behavior after administration of apomorphine or amphetamine than control rats. These results suggest that chronic administration of PCP augments sensitivity to the stereotypic inducing effects of high doses, and decreases sensitivity to low doses of PCP.
Determination of the spin of the 6.92 MeV level of 25Al

Abstract The correlation geometry of Goldfarb and Seyler has been employed in the 24 Mg(p, p'γ) 24 Mg reaction for six laboratory proton energies between 4.7 and 5.3 MeV. A resonance observed in the correlation coefficients indicates a 3 2 assignment to the 6.92 MeV state in 25 Al.
Freezing and post-thaw apoptotic behaviour of cells in the presence of palmitoyl nanogold particles

The aim of this study was to evaluate the freezing response of HeLa and Jurkat cells in the presence of commercially available nanoparticles, NPs (Palmitoyl Nanogold®, Nanoprobes). The cells were incubated with NPs for either 5 min or 3 h, and a calorimeter technique was then used to generate the volumetric shrinkage response during freezing at 20 °C min−1. Concomitantly, we also examined the effect of a commonly used cryoprotectant, dimethylsulfoxide, DMSO (10% v/v ratio) on the freezing response of HeLa and Jurkat cells. By fitting a model of water transport to the experimentally determined volumetric shrinkage data, the reference hydraulic conductivity, Lpg, (μm/min-atm) and activation energy, ELp, (kcal mol−1) were obtained. For HeLa cells, the values of Lpg ranged from 0.08 to 0.23 µm/min-atm, while ELp ranged from 10.9 to 37.4 kcal mol−1. For Jurkat cells these parameter values ranged from 0.05 to 0.16 µm/min-atm and 9.5 to 35.9 kcal mol−1. A generic optimal cooling rate equation was then used to predict the optimal rates of freezing HeLa and Jurkat cells in the presence and absence of DMSO and NPs. The post-thaw viability and apoptotic response of HeLa and Jurkat cells was further investigated by cooling cells at three rates in the presence and absence of DMSO and NPs using a commercially available controlled rate freezer. Jurkat cells treated in this manner demonstrated an increase in their adhesive properties after 18 h incubation and adhered strongly to the bottom of the culture plate. This observation prevented further analysis of Jurkat apoptotic and necrotic post-thaw responses. There was no significant effect of NPs or DMSO alone on HeLa cell viability prior to freezing. The post-thaw results from HeLa cells show that the NPs increased the measured post-freeze apoptotic response when cooled at 1 °C min−1, suggesting a possible therapeutic use of NPs in cryodestructive procedures.
Organizational change capacity: the systematic development of a scale

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to systematically develop a reliable and valid construct that can facilitate and enhance the organizational change process by following Hinkin's suggestions for construct development. The “Organizational Capacity for Change” (OCC) construct provides a multi‐dimensional assessment tool to diagnose and guide organizational change.Design/methodology/approach – In the first empirical study, the paper provides details on the creation and refinement of the OCC instrument by reviewing the results of nearly 3,600 respondents in 161 organizational units in a wide variety of industries from 1999 to 2005. In the second empirical study, it tests the OCC instrument in a single industry to determine the validity of the measures.Findings – The result is a reliable and valid multi‐dimensional, 32‐item instrument which describes a new construct in the organizational sciences that can be used by executives to prepare for and enhance their organizational change process, or for scholars...
Some properties of solubilized human rhodopsin.

Abstract This investigation involved an examination of some properties of solubilized human rhodopsin. In confirmation of previous work, the spectral maximum was found to be at 493 nm at temperatures 5–10°C below 37·5°C. An increase in temperature to 37·5°C produced only a minor shift of 2–4 nm toward the blue. The opsin displayed the classic and typical stereospecificity of vertebrate visual pigments, regenerating a pigment at 493 nm with 11-cis retinal and an isopigment at 483 nm with 9-cis retinal. No regeneration occurred with either all-trans or 13-cis retinal. The chromophoric photosensitivity of human rhodopsin and of its 11-cis regenerated pigment was found to be the same at 13·2 × 10−17 cm2; that of the isopigment, at 4·5 × 10−17 cm2. The long-lived photoproduct of human rhodopsin at 475 nm (metarhodopsin-III) was found to be especially interesting because of its protracted growth following a brief (20 sec) light exposure of the pigment and because of its long decay time even at 27°C and higher. This property (growth and decay of metarhodopsin-III) was studied at temperatures ranging from 1·9 to 37·5°C. Though NH2OH (4·6 × 10−3 m ) was found to speed the decay of metarhodopsin-III, it did not prevent its presence during decay for minutes after the 20-sec bleach. It is clear that the human metarhodopsin-III is indeed a long-lived intermediate of bleaching and evidence from the literature, which is cited, suggests that this product persists for significant periods of time in the retinas of mammals, including that of man. This fact suggests the possible physiological role of metarhodopsin-III in some aspects of vertebrate vision.
The irrelevant-speech effect and children: Theoretical implications of developmental change.

The irrelevant-speech effect refers to the finding of impaired recall performance in the presence of irrelevant auditory stimuli. Two broad classes of theories exist for the effect, both allowing automatic entry of the distracting sounds into the processing system but differing in how attention is involved. As one source of evidence in the discussion of existing theories of the irrelevant-speech effect, the performance of children and adults on a visual serial recall task with irrelevant sounds (speech and tones) was examined. The magnitude of the effects of irrelevant sounds on performance decreased with age. The developmental differences were marked in the conditions with the greatest need for attentional control (words and especially changing words). The findings were interpreted with respect to current models of memory. Theories of the irrelevant-speech effect that include a role for attentional control were better suited to handle the results than those without a specified role for attention.
Towards a dynamic and composable model of trust

During their everyday decision making, humans consider the interplay between two types of trust: vertical trust and horizontal trust. Vertical trust captures the trust relationships that exist between individuals and institutions, while horizontal trust represents the trust that can be inferred from the observations and opinions of others. Although researchers are actively exploring both vertical and horizontal trust within the context of distributed computing (e.g., credential-based trust and reputation-based trust, respectively), the specification and enforcement of composite trust management policies involving the flexible composition of both types of trust metrics is currently an unexplored area.In this paper, we take the first steps towards developing a comprehensive approach to composite trust management for distributed systems. In particular, we conduct a use case analysis to uncover the functional requirements that must be met by composite trust management policy languages. We then present the design and semantics of CTM: a flexible policy language that allows arbitrary composition of horizontal and vertical trust metrics. After showing that CTM embodies each of the requirements discovered during our use case analysis, we demonstrate that CTM can be used to specify a wide range of interesting composite trust management policies, and comment on several systems challenges that arise during the composite trust management process.