cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Rapid position estimation and tracking for autonomous driving

A method is presented for determining the position and orientation of a vehicle from a single, color video taken from the hood of the vehicle, for the purpose of assisting its autonomous operation at very high speeds on rural roads. An implicit perspective transformation allows estimation of the vehicle's orientation and cross-road image features. From these, an adaptive road model is built and the horizontal position of the vehicle can be estimated. This method makes very few assumptions about the structure of the road or the path of the vehicle. In a realistic, simulated environment, good road model construction and vehicle position estimation are achieved at frame rates suitable for real-time high speed driving.
Self-Actualization as a Moderator of the Relationship Between Attitude Similarity and Attraction

Summary It was hypothesized that self-actualization (SA) assessed by scores on the Personal Orientation Inventory should affect the salience of interpersonal stimuli and moderate the attitude similarity/dissimilarity relationship. Fifty–six American college students (28 males and 28 females), aged 18–21, were used as subjects. In Experiment I SA and proportion of attitude similarity were varied by use of Byrne's attraction paradigm in a between–Ss design. The personality variable failed to affect attraction. In Experiment II SA and proportion of attitude similarity were manipulated in a within–Ss design. SA Ss rated the stranger significantly higher in attraction at high levels of similarity and significantly lower in attraction at low levels of similarity when compared to non–SA individuals (p < .05). The results were discussed in terms of design differences in personality research and the potential mechanism (self–ssteem) by which SA affects attraction.
An approach for specification construction using property-preserving refinement patterns

This paper proposes a refinement method based on a set of formal refinement patterns for software architecture design using Software Architecture Model (SAM). First, an approach for specification construction through property-preserving refinement patterns is discussed. The refinement patterns are categorized into connector refinement, component refinement and high-level Petri nets refinement. Then, modeling and refining a life insurance system is used to demonstrate how to applying the refinement patterns for software architecture design using SAM. The results demonstrate that a refinement method is an effective way to develop a high assurance system. Our result can be easily generalized to other formal methods as well.
Morphologic and electrophysiologic characterization of isolated pregnant human myometrial cells

Abstract Myometrium was obtained from pregnant volunteers by biopsy of the upper margin of the uterine incision at the time of cesarean section. A multistep enzymatic digestion with collagenase, trypsin, protease, and deoxyribonuclease yielded viable cells capable of contraction. Primary monolayer culture was carried out in the presence of human pregnant serum. Electron microscopic examination of freshly isolated and cultured cells revealed an ultrastructure indicative of smooth muscle cells. Intracellular microelectrode studies were performed on freshly isolated cells. Passive membrane properties were: resting membrane potential, −49.4 mV; specific membrane resistance, 6.06 kohms-cm 2 ; specific membrane capacitance, 1.57 microfarad per square centimeter. Outward-going rectification was observed in response to depolarizing current pulses. Regenerative action potentials were not observed; however, transient voltage responses were elicited after depolarizing, but not hyperpolarizing, current pulses. These studies characterize a human tissue preparation that is applicable to electrophysiologic investigation of the control of uterine function.
Simultaneous reduction on the sarcolemmal and SR calcium ATPase activities and gene expression in cardiomyopathic hamster

Altered calcium regulation is a prominent feature in the hereditary cardiomyopathy of the Syrian hamster. However, the activity of the two systems necessary for intracellular calcium homeostasis in the heart, the sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase pumps, have not been correlated. Using age- and pair-matched myopathic and control hamsters, a simultaneous reduction in gene expression and enzyme activity for these two pumps has been demonstrated. The concomitant alteration in gene expression as early as 1 month of age, preceding noticeable myocytolysis suggests that the depressed activity in these two calcium ATPase systems is not due to cell necrosis but at least in part due to reduction in their mRNA levels. Reduced capacity of the calcium pumps would result in calcium overload as well as impaired contractility that leads to the eventual heart failure in this animal model.
Dynamic Managerial Capabilities Review and Assessment of Managerial Impact on Strategic Change

The dynamic managerial capabilities literature has developed over the past decade to the point where a review and synthesis of relevant literature can move the scholarly conversation forward. The concept of dynamic managerial capabilities—the capabilities with which managers create, extend, and modify the ways in which firms make a living—helps to explain the relationship between the quality of managerial decisions, strategic change, and organizational performance. We clarify theoretical constructs and their relationships, review and synthesize empirical research on the role and impact of managerial capabilities directed toward strategic change, and suggest avenues for future research. Our review begins with an overview of theoretical conceptions of dynamic managerial capabilities. Then we organize the remainder of the review around the three core underpinnings of dynamic managerial capabilities: managerial cognition, managerial social capital, and managerial human capital. In our review, we examine evide...
BCS mechanism and the interacting boson model

Abstract Some consequences of the BCS mechanism in nuclei are studied in the effective sigma-model formalism. With adaptations to finite systems, the O(6)-O(5) symmetry breaking chain in the interacting boson model is reproduced reasonably well both in magnitude and form. The same holds to a lesser degree for the U(3)-O(3) chain. Supersymmetry aspects of the model are also discussed.
Absolute linearity measurement of photodetectors using sinusoidal modulated radiation

A method is presented for characterizing the linearity of photodetectors based on time-domain analysis of response to sinusoidal excitation. Nonlinearity is quantified solely from the output distortion. Relative response is converted to absolute response by including two calibration points. For low signal level, one calibration point is required, while using dark current as the second point. The response is mapped over a wider range using a series of overlapping sinusoids for calibration transfer. The method is demonstrated with a relatively linear photodiode and a nonlinear phototransistor. A Michelson interferometer is used to generate sinusoidal modulation of a laser source. Results demonstrate the potential of the proposed technique.
Religious Polities as Institutions

Application de la theorie neo-institutionnelle aux organisations religieuses en insistant sur la maniere dont les mythes et les rituels institutionnalises de l'autorite ecclesiale influencent le comportement des membres envers la politique organisationnelle. Les recherches effectuees sur les politiques religieuses hierarchiques et decentralisees revelent des processus differentiels d'information. Les institutions hierarchiques favorisent la connaissance de la politique organisationnelle (reconnaissance des mythes et rituels de l'autorite ecclesiale) alors que les institutions decentralisees (mythes et rituels centres sur l'autonomie locale) dependent de la motivation externe des membres pour une conscience de la politique organisationnelle
Neuromuscular plasticity and rehabilitation of the ocular near response.

ABSTRACTThe near response is composed of cross-coupled interactions between convergence and other distance-related oculomotor responses including accommodation, vertical vergence, and cyclovergence. The cross-coupling interactions are analogous to the body postural reflexes that maintain balance. Ne
Consensus and Ancestral State HIV Vaccines

The review by B. Gaschen et al . (”Diversity considerations in HIV-1 vaccine selection,” 28 June, p. [2354][1]) describes two computational methods (consensus and ancestral state) being considered for developing vaccine antigens against HIV. These methods attempt to minimize the amount of
Line shape model for describing infrared absorption by water vapor.

A complete representation of water vapor IR absorption as a function of frequency, partial pressure, and temperature is accomplished by a semiempirical total line shape model. Water vapor dimer models accounting for continuum absorption are found to be unnecessary.
Safety, pharmacokinetics and use of the novel NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant (CereniaTM) for the prevention of emesis and motion sickness in cats

The present study characterizes the safety, pharmacokinetics, and anti-emetic effects of the selective NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant in the cat. Safety of maropitant was determined following 15 days of subcutaneous (SC) administration at 0.5-5 mg/kg. Maropitant was well tolerated in cats at doses that exceeded the efficacious anti-emetic dose range of the drug by at least a factor of 10 and adverse clinical signs or pathological safety findings were not noted at any dose.The pharmacokinetics of maropitant in cats were determined following single dose oral (PO), intravenous (IV) and SC administration. Maropitant had a terminal half-life of 13-17 h and a bioavailability of 50 and 117% when administered PO and SC, respectively. Efficacy was determined against emesis induced either by xylazine or by motion. A dosage of 1 mg/kg maropitant administered IV, SC or PO prevented emesis elicited by xylazine. The compound had good oral antiemetic activity and a long (24 h) duration of action. Maropitant (1.0 mg/kg) was highly effective in preventing motion-induced emesis in cats. These studies indicate that the NK-1 receptor antagonist maropitant is well tolerated, safe and has excellent anti-emetic properties in cats.
GC-clamp primer batches yield 16S rRNA gene amplicon pools with variable GC clamps, affecting denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis profiles.

Fingerprinting methods such as denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of 16S rRNA gene pools have become a popular tool for comparisons between microbial communities. The GC-clamp portion of primers for DGGE amplicon preparation provides a key component in resolving fragments of similar size but different sequence. We hypothesized that repeat syntheses of identical 40-base GC-clamp primers lead to different DGGE profiles. Three repeat syntheses of the same GC-clamp primer and two different GC-clamp primers directed at the V3–5 region of the 16S rRNA gene were compared. Genomic DNA of two separate soil bacterial communities and three bacterial species was amplified and resolved by DGGE. The DGGE profiles obtained with repeat-synthesized primers differed among each other as much as with alternate primers, for both soil DNA and pure single species. The GC-clamp portion of members of amplicon pools varied among each other, deviating from the design sequence, and was the likely cause for multiple bands derived from a single 16S rRNA gene sequence. We recommend procuring an oligonucleotide batch large enough to conduct an entire project. This should help to avoid any DGGE profile variations due to performance differences between repeat syntheses of GC-clamp oligonucleotide primers.
An update on pediatric anesthesia liability: a closed claims analysis.

BACKGROUND:Respiratory complications were associated with half of pediatric malpractice claims from the 1970s to 1980s in the ASA Closed Claims Database. Advances in pediatric anesthesia practice have occurred in the 1980s and 1990s and may be reflected in liability trends.METHODS:We reviewed 532 pe
Eyes in the sky—watching for weapons work

Commercial satellites can be used to pick up many of the telltale signs of fissile material production.
Common sense and the common morality in theory and practice.

The unfinished nature of Beauchamp and Childress’s account of the common morality after 34 years and seven editions raises questions about what is lacking, specifically in the way they carry out their project, more generally in the presuppositions of the classical liberal tradition on which they rely. Their wide-ranging review of ethical theories has not provided a method by which to move beyond a hypothetical approach to justification or, on a practical level regarding values conflict, beyond a questionable appeal to consensus. My major purpose in this paper is to introduce the thought of Bernard Lonergan as offering a way toward such a methodological breakthrough. In the first section, I consider Beauchamp and Childress’s defense of their theory of the common morality. In the second, I relate a persisting vacillation in their argument regarding the relative importance of reason and experience to a similar tension in classical liberal theory. In the third, I consider aspects of Lonergan’s generalized empirical method as a way to address problems that surface in the first two sections of the paper: (1) the structural relation of reason and experience in human action; and (2) the importance of theory for practice in terms of what Lonergan calls “common sense” and “general bias.”
Flame-Based Technologies and Reactive Spray Deposition Technology for Low-Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells: Technical and Economic Aspects

The economic and technical breakthroughs in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) for commercial success still depend on high-quality manufacture, reliability, efficiency, and must have an acceptable cost when compared to competing technologies. The application of flame-based technologies as a one-step deposition technique for SOFC component manufacture has potential to reduce both cost and production time. In this article, cells produced by flame processes have been reviewed with emphases placed on the Reactive Spray Deposition Technology technique. Various experimental methods and examples for the synthesis of porous electrodes and dense electrolytes are reviewed. The studies focus on determining the range of the flame conditions under which each of the individual cell components for low temperature SOFC applications ~600 °C could be successfully deposited.
Acidification of “dry” caustic peeling waste by lactic acid fermentation

The wurpeel process used by the potato industry produces a peel waste of high solids. This material is easily handled and collected, but due to the caustic used for peel release it has high residual alkalinity. This waste when acidified to neutralize the excess alkali yields a useful feedstuff for cattle. A method for neutralization of the excess alkali by lactic acid fermentation is described.
Progesterone inhibits behavioral responses and estrogen increases corticosterone levels after acute cocaine administration.

Abstract Accumulating evidence suggests that estrogen and progesterone contribute to the sexually dimorphic behavioral response to cocaine. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that varying the level of estrogen or progesterone affects cocaine-induced locomotive behavior in female rats. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats received estrogen (0, 5, 10, 20, or 50 μg) 48 h or progesterone (0, 50, 100, 250, or 500 μg) 24 h before acute saline or cocaine (15 mg/kg) administration. Although estrogen did not affect cocaine-induced ambulatory and rearing behaviors, it affected stereotypic behaviors regardless of cocaine administration (animals receiving 50 μg had higher stereotypic counts than did the OVX group). In contrast, progesterone affected rearing activity dose-dependently: 50 and 500 μg of progesterone inhibited, whereas 100 μg and 250 μg stimulated, rearing in response to cocaine. That estrogen and progesterone did not affect overall baseline behavioral activity suggests their effects are mediated in part through interactions with cocaine. Progesterone administration did not affect corticosterone levels in saline- or cocaine-treated rats. Estrogen administration, however, affected levels of corticosterone both at baseline and after cocaine treatment. After accounting for baseline differences, we found that rats receiving 5 or 10 μg of estrogen and cocaine had higher percentage increases in serum corticosterone levels than did the control group that did not receive estrogen. On the basis of these observations, we suggest that progesterone fluctuations during the estrous cycle impact cocaine-induced behavioral responses, whereas estrogen may affect activity in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. Thus, dose-dependent effects of gonadal hormones may underlie some of the reported sex differences and reproductive cycle effects of cocaine.
Letter to the Editor: Overexpression of Myostatin2 in zebrafish reduces the expression of dystrophin associated protein complex(DAPC) which leads to muscle dystrophy.

I recently read “Overexpression of Myostatin2 in zebrafish reduces the expression of dystrophin associated protein complex (DAPC) which leads to muscle dystrophy” (Amali et al. Epub, May 6) with great interest, but also with some concern. The authors claim to have cloned for the first time a second myostatin homolog in zebrafish and partially characterized its function. However, the cDNA and genomic clones for this gene were reported in 2005 by two different research groups, including our own [1, 2], although these studies were not referenced by Amali et al. These sequences have also been publicly available since this time and are accessible from GenBank. In fact, all of the data presented in the first three figures of Amali et al. were formerly presented in part or, in some instances, in much greater detail. Readers should be made aware of this oversight for two very important reasons. Firstly, the gene nomenclature used by Amali et al. is incorrect as the entire subfamily’s nomenclature was revised last year [3]. Many of the fish gene names did not match the previously determined phylogenies [2, 4, 5] and as such, the revised nomenclature was accepted by the Mouse Genomic Nomenclature Committee and the Human Genome Organization (HUGO) Gene Nomenclature Committee, which subsequently revised their databases. This change was also propagated to other public databases including those managed by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Ensemble. The old and misleading nomenclature that misidentifies myostatin (MSTN)-1 with MSTN-2 (and vice versa) was used by Amali et al., further confuses the field and needs to be corrected. In fact, the phylogenetic analysis by Amali et al. includes several genes that are “misplaced” in the wrong clade, although this was not recognized by the authors. Secondly, and probably most importantly, appropriate credit and future references should be directed to the young scientists whose career advancements depend upon the recognition of their hard work [1, 2]. Amali et al. present some intriguing and novel data that are worthy of attention. However, identification of the second paralogous myostatin gene family as well as the characterization of the zebrafish clones was accomplished by Kerr et al. and Biga et al. in 2005 and not by Amali et al. in 2008.
Molecular Aspects of Polyene- and Sterol-Dependent Pore Formation in Thin Lipid Membranes

Amphotericin B modifies the permeability properties of thin lipid membranes formed from solutions containing sheep red cell phospholipids and cholesterol. At 10(-6)M amphotericin B, the DC membrane resistance fell from approximately 10(8) to approximately 10(2) ohm-cm(2), and the membranes became Cl(-)-, rather than Na(+)-selective; the permeability coefficients for hydrophilic nonelectrolytes increased in inverse relationship to solute size, and the rate of water flow during osmosis increased 30-fold. These changes may be rationalized by assuming that the interaction of amphotericin B with membrane-bound sterol resulted in the formation of aqueous pores. N-acetylamphotericin B and the methyl ester of N-acetylamphotericin B, but not the smaller ring compounds, filipin, rimocidin, and PA-166, produced comparable permeability changes in identical membranes, and amphotericin B and its derivatives produced similar changes in the properties of membranes formed from phospholipid-free sterol solutions. However, amphotericin B did not affect ionic selectivity or water and nonelectrolyte permeability in membranes formed from solutions containing phospholipids and no added cholesterol, or when cholesterol was replaced by either cholesterol palmitate, dihydrotachysterol, epicholesterol, or Delta5-cholesten-3-one. Phospholipid-free sterol membranes exposed to amphotericin B or its derivatives were anion-selective, but the degree of Cl(-) selectivity varied among the compounds, and with the aqueous pH. The data are discussed with regard to, first, the nature of the polyene-sterol interactions which result in pore formation, and second, the functional groups on amphotericin B responsible for membrane anion selectivity.
Educating the working computer scientist(A survey and analysis)

Due to the strong job market for recipients of Bachelor of Computer Science degrees, fewer graduates are immediately continuing with post-graduate education. These individuals will experience a need for graduate education later, at a time when they are less able to attend school on a full-time basis. This will lead to an increasing demand for part-time graduate programs, especially near centers of computer technology. This paper reports the results of an informal survey of existing part-time degree-granting graduate programs in computer science. Topics discussed include program format, student enrollment, source of faculty, and characteristics of students.
Oestrogen has neuroprotective effects and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease

Evidence from both animals and humans supports a neuroprotective role of oestrogen. Epidemiological studies showing that oestrogen improves cognitive performance in postmenopausal women, clinical trials showing effects of oestrogen on cognition and data suggesting that oestrogen reduces the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) led to the proposal that oestrogen may be effective for improving symptoms or slowing decline in women with AD. Studies evaluating oestrogen as a treatment for AD have been performed with mixed findings. While a few studies have found modest improvements, the results have largely been disappointing. However, many of the studies suffer from substantial methodological problems that leave the findings in question. The role of oestrogen for the prevention or treatment of AD is not yet clear, but large, well-controlled, ongoing trials should provide definitive answers to many questions in the near future.
Intravascular ultrasound technological advances and clinical applications

Abstract Intravascular ultrasound imaging, frequently referred to as IVUS, is an exciting and rapidly evolving technology capable of providing information of vessel morphology and composition that was previously obtainable only from histological studies. Early efforts to develop miniaturized transducers for intraluminal interrogation began in the early 1970s. Numerous in vitro studies have demonstrated a good correlation between histologic measurements of vessel walls and ultrasound. Many studies have been performed in adult humans but, for the most part, have been limited to evaluating coronary arteries and pulmonary arteries in a variety of diseases. Current technology has reduced the transducer size to about a 3.5 F (1.17 mm) diameter. Frequencies as high as 50 MHz are employed, which provide theoretic resolution in the axial plane of
Introduction to comets, 2nd ed., by John C. Brandt and Robert D. Chapman.

Book Review: Introduction to Comets, 2nd Edition, John C. Brandt, Robert D. Chapman. Cambridge University Press (2004).
Identification of novel protein kinases expressed in the myocardium of the developing mouse heart.

Abstract In Drosophila and Caenorhabditis, signal transduction pathways initiated by the activation of receptor-protein tyrosine kinases can mediate developmental fate decisions. In order to examine whether similar mechanisms are employed during mammalian embryogenesis, we undertook a search for novel protein kinases expressed during heart development in the mouse. The primitive mouse heart is formed between 7.75 and 8.5 days post cotium (dpc) and consists of myocardial ad endocardial cells. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction-based approach was used to amplify protein kinase specific products from cDNAs obtained from 8.5 dpc heart tissue. Twenty independent PCR products corresponding to either protein serine/threonine or tyrosine kinases were identified. In this report, we describe the characterization of two of the genes corresponding to the novel PCR products (designated Hek2 and msk). Hek2 encodes the mouse ortholog of human HEK2, a recently identified member of the eph receptor-protein tyrosine kinase gene family. Prior to and at the time of heart formation (7.5–8.0 dpc), Hek2 is expressed in the cranial (rostral) region of the embryo from which a subpopulation of cells will give rise to the rudimentary heart. Between 8.0 and 9.5 dpc, Hek2 mRNA expression is observed in myocardial cells, head mesenchyme and paraxial mesoderm. Hek2 transcripts are not detected in endocardial cells. After 9.5 dpc, Hek2 expression is downregulated. msk (for myocardial SNF1-like kinase) encodes a putative protein serine/threonine kinase most similar to the yeast gene SNF1. msk mRNA expression is restricted to myocardial cells and their progenitors in the 7.75–8.5 dpc developing heart. Subsequently, msk mRNA expression is rapidly downregulated. the patterns of Hek2 and msk expression suggest that these protein kinases may function during development of the primitive heart.
Pyridyloxobutyl adduct O6-[4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl]guanine is present in 4-(acetoxymethylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone-treated DNA and is a substrate for O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase.

The lung carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) is activated to reactive metabolites that methylate or pyridyloxobutylate DNA. Previous studies demonstrated that pyridyloxobutylated DNA interferes with the repair of O6-methylguanine (O6-mG) by O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT). The AGT reactivity of pyridyloxobutylated DNA was attributed to (pyridyloxobutyl)guanine adducts. One potential AGT substrate adduct, 2‘-deoxy-O6-[4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl]guanosine (O6-pobdG), was prepared. This adduct was stable at pH 7.0 for greater than 13 days and to neutral thermal hydrolysis conditions (pH 7.0, 100 °C, 30 min). Under mild acid hydrolysis conditions (0.1 N HCl, 80 °C), O6-pobdG was depurinated to yield O6-[4-oxo-4-(3-pyridyl)butyl]guanine (O6-pobG). O6-pobdG was hydrolyzed to 4-hydroxy-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and guanine under strong acid hydrolysis conditions (0.8 N HCl, 80 °C). O6-pobG was detected in 0.1 N HCl hydrolysates of DNA alkylated with the model pyridyloxobutylat...
The Entertainment Zone: Unplanned Nightlife and the Revitalization of the American Downtown

This paper describes informal, small-scale leisure and nightlife districts or entertainment zones (EZs) which have developed in or near the downtowns of mid-sized and large American cities in recent years. Occupying older vernacular buildings in marginal areas of downtown, the bars, cafes, restaurants, nightclubs and performance spaces of EZs have developed largely without the large-scale design, planning, government action or subsidy common in formal urban entertainment districts. EZs demonstrate the popularity, resilience and flexibility of small-scale, vernacular architecture and urbanism and its importance in generating a vibrant and diverse downtown. The paper documents the design and performative characteristics of EZs in American cities and locates these places within current urban design and development theory. The findings from a Milwaukee, Wisconsin, case study together with evidence from other entertainment zones indicate that EZs possess individuality and a vitality lacking in formal urban entertainment districts. The paper concludes with recommendations for designers, planners and policy makers to reform current urban entertainment development practices.
Correlation of visual field progression between eyes in patients with open-angle glaucoma.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the correlation of visual field progression between eyes in patients with chronic forms of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) and to determine risk factors for progression. Design Retrospective observational case series. Participants One hundred fifty-two patients seen between April and November 2000 undergoing bilateral treatment for at least 2 years for OAG and who were followed with standard automated perimetry at the University of Washington Medical Center Eye Clinic. Methods Visual field progression was defined using criteria modified from Anderson and Advanced Glaucoma Intervention Study (AGIS) scoring. Progression from a normal to an abnormal visual field required abnormality of two of three criteria (glaucoma hemifield test, corrected pattern standard deviation, and total deviation plot abnormality) on at least two consecutive fields. For abnormal visual fields, criteria for progression were modified from Anderson and were based on worsening observed at three adjacent points on the total deviation plot on at least two consecutive fields. Another definition of progression was a change in AGIS score of four or more points. Main outcome measures Visual field progression. Results The mean follow-up period was 7.5 ± 3.6 years. Fifty-four patients (35.5%) showed progression of the more severely affected of the two eyes (worse eye), and 37 patients (24.3%) had progression in the less affected fellow (better) eye. Among these patients, 24 (15.8%) had bilateral progression (44% and 65% of worse and better eyes with progression, respectively). The between-eye correlation for progression was statistically significant (chi-square with Yates' continuity correction; χ = 16.7, P = 0.00004; R = 0.348, P = 0.00001). The Kaplan-Meier estimates at 10 years for progression in the worse eye, the better eye, and both eyes was 44%, 33%, and 21%, respectively. Conclusions Between-eye correlation of visual field progression in patients with chronic OAG was statistically and clinically significant. Patient-specific factors may play an important role in visual field progression in OAG. Documented progression of visual field loss in one eye may prompt the physician to consider reducing the target intraocular pressure in both eyes.
Infrared inspection of bearings on slow-moving equipment

Bearing wear and the threat of downtime have plagued assembly lines for many years. Bearings on slow moving equipment, such as conveyors, are no exception to this problem. At the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant in Kansas City, Kansas, we are trying to find a solution to prevent these occurrences. Due to the slow moving nature of the production process, regular preventive maintenance has been the traditional method to regulate these problems. Now, with the aid of IR Thermography, we are able to find potential problems before they occur. The presentation will show visual and thermal images, before and after repairs, along with our reporting methods of any exceptions. This paper will touch on a few of our slow moving equipment finds.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Primary therapy of malignant melanomas : sentinel lymphadenectomy

Background Each melanoma is drained by one or, occasionally, several individual lymph nodes within the nearest lymph node region (sentinel lymph node). Objective By histopathologic examination of the removed sentinel lymph node (SLN), it is possible to select patients clinically according to stage I or II (UICC classification), but who, microscopically, represent stage III. Methods Sentinel lymphadenectomies (SLNEs) were performed initially by the vital blue dye technique, and later by γ-probe guidance only. The removed SLNs were examined by hematoxylin and eosin as well as immunohistochemical stains (S100, and HMB 45). Results We have performed 115 γ-probe-guided SLNEs in 100 patients. The SLN could be found in all cases. In pT3 + 4 melanomas, 27.5% of the SLNs were positive; in only one patient with a pT2 tumor were micrometastases found. Conclusionsγ-Probe-guided SLNE is a reliable procedure with minimal complications that should be performed in all pT3 + 4 (intraoperative frozen section histology) melanomas without clinically evident metastases.
A relaxation method for reconstructing objects from noisy X-rays

An algorithm is presented for estimating the density distribution in a cross section of an object from X-ray data, which in practice is unavoidably noisy. The data give rise to a large sparse system of inconsistent equations, not untypically 105 equations with 104 unknowns, with only about 1% of the coefficients non-zero. Using the physical interpretation of the equations, each equality can in principle be replaced by a pair of inequalities, giving us the limits within which we believe the sum must lie. An algorithm is proposed for solving this set of inequalities. The algorithm is basically a relaxation method. A finite convergence result is proved. In spite of the large size of the system, in the application area of interest practical solution on a computer is possible because of the simple geometry of the problem and the redundancy of equations obtained from nearby X-rays. The algorithm has been implemented, and is demonstrated by actual reconstructions.
Bending and circularization of site-specific and stereoisomeric carcinogen-DNA adducts

The potent tumorigen and mutagen (+)-7(R),8(S)-dihydroxy-9(S),10(R)-epoxy-7,8,9,10-tetrahydrobenzo[a]pyrene ((+)-anti-BPDE) is a metabolite of benzo[a]pyrene that binds predominantly to the exocyclic amino group of guanine residues in DNA in vivo and in vitro. While the (−)-7S,8R,9R,10S enantiomer, (−)-anti-BPDE, also reacts with DNA to form similar covalent N2-deoxyguanosyl adducts, this diol epoxide is nontumorigenic and its mutagenic activities are different from those of (+)-anti-BPDE. In this work, T4 ligase-induced cyclization methods have been employed to demonstrate that the (+)-anti-[BP]-N2-dG lesions (G*) cause significantly greater amounts of bending and circularization of the one-base overhang undecamer duplex 5‘-d(CACAT[G*]TACAC)·d(TGTACATGTGG) than the stereoisomeric oligonucleotide duplex with G* = (−)-anti-[BP]-N2-dG. In the case of the (+)-anti-BPDE-modified oligonucleotides, the ratio of circular to linear DNA multimers reaches values of 8−9 for circle contour sizes of 99−121 base pairs,...
Materials chemistry: Crystals in a flash

If laser light is shone on a solution, the crystal structure that forms depends on the light polarization, and the more intense the laser, the greater the probability of crystal nucleation. The challenge now is to work out why this is.
Binding causes the remote [5'-3H]thymidine kinetic isotope effect in human thymidine phosphorylase.

The remote 5‘-3H V/K kinetic isotope effect (KIE) observed in human thymidine phosphorylase (6.1%) is significantly larger than can be explained by the reaction chemistry. One hypothesis connects the 5‘-3H KIE in purine nucleoside phosphorylase to that enzyme's SN1 transition state. The transition state of thymidine phosphorylase, however, is an SN2 nucleophilic displacement. Here we report equilibrium binding isotope effects sufficiently large to explain the presence of this substantial KIE in thymidine phosphorylase.
DIFFUSION OF WATER IN CRYSTALLINE AND GLASSY OXIDES: DIFFUSION-REACTION MODEL

Diffusion of water in oxides is modeled as resulting from the solution and diffusion of molecular water in the oxide. This dissolved water can react and exchange with the oxide network to form immobile OH groups and different hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in the oxide. The model agrees with many experiments on water diffusion in oxides. The activation energy for diffusion of water in oxides correlates with the structural openness of the oxide, suggesting that molecular water is the diffusing species.
Non-gatherable triples for non-affine root systems

This paper contains a complete description of minimal non-gatherable triangle triples in the lambda-sequences for the classical root systems, F4 and E6. Such sequences are associated with reduced decompositions (words) in affine and non-affine Weyl groups. The existence of the non-gatherable triples is a combinatorial obstacle for using the technique of intertwiners for an explicit description of the irreducible representations of the (double) affine Hecke algebras, complementary to their algebraic-geometric theory.
Oral breathing increases Pth and vocal effort by superficial drying of vocal fold mucosa.

Oral breathing superficially dehydrates the airway lumen by decreasing the depth of the sol layer in humans and animals. Conversely, nasal breathing can increase the humidity of inspired air. We compared the effects of short-term oral and nasal breathing on Pth and perceived vocal effort in 20 female subjects randomly assigned to two groups: oral breathing (N = 10, age 21–32 years); nasal breathing (N = 10, age 20–36 years). We hypothesized that short-term oral breathing, but not nasal breathing, would increase Pth, and that subjects would perceive this change as an increase in vocal effort. Following 15 minutes of oral breathing, Pth increased at comfortable and low pitch (p < 0.01) with 6 of 10 subjects reporting increased vocal effort. Nasal breathing reduced Pth at all three pitches (p < 0.01), and 7 of 10 subjects reported decreased vocal effort. Over all subjects, 49% of the variance in treatment-induced change in Pth was accounted for by change in vocal effort (R = 0.70). We posit that obligatory oral breathing places healthy subjects at risk for symptoms of increased vocal effort. The facilitatory role of superficial hydration on vocal fold oscillation should be considered in biomechanical models of phonation and in the clinical prevention of laryngeal dryness.
Competition of Electrostatic and Hydrophobic Interactions between Small Hydrophobes and Model Enclosures

The binding affinity between a probe hydrophobic particle and model hydrophobic plates with different charge (or dipole) densities in water was investigated through molecular dynamics simulation free-energy perturbation calculations. We observed a reduced binding affinity when the plates are charged, in agreement with previous findings. With increased charge density, the plates can change from “hydrophobic like” (pulling the particle into the interplate region) to “hydrophilic like” (ejecting the particle out of the interplate region), demonstrating the competition between hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The reduction of the binding affinity is quadratically dependent on the magnitude of the charge for symmetric systems, but linear and cubic terms also make a contribution for asymmetric systems. Statistical perturbation theory explains these results and shows when and why implicit solvent models fail.
Introduction: Advisors and the Dissertation Proposal

supplements what departments provide to their own students. At a minimum, from these efforts, students would be able to learn of a variety of perspectives, some of which might be different from those to which they had already been exposed by their own advisors and other faculty with whom they have studied. One area of particular importance and interest is the preparation of dissertation proposals. The dissertation follows the dissertation proposal and is dependent on it in important ways. Thus we thought that it would be useful to seek the views of several
Regulation of the Development of Mesencephalic Dopaminergic Systems by the Selective Expression of Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Their Targets

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has been shown to protect and restore dopamine (DA) neurons in injury models and is being evaluated for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, little is known of its physiological role. We have shown that GDNF suppresses apoptosis in DA neurons of the substantia nigra (SN) postnatally both in vitro and during their first phase of natural cell death in vivo . Furthermore, intrastriatal injection of neutralizing antibodies augments cell death, suggesting that endogenous GDNF plays a role as a target-derived factor. Such a role would predict that overexpression of GDNF in striatum would increase the surviving number of SN DA neurons. To test this hypothesis, we used the tetracycline-dependent transcription activator (tTA)/tTA-responsive promoter system to create mice that overexpress GDNF selectively in the striatum, cortex, and hippocampus. These mice demonstrate an increased number of SN DA neurons after the first phase of natural cell death. However, this increase does not persist into adulthood. As adults, these mice also do not have increased dopaminergic innervation of the striatum. They do, however, demonstrate increased numbers of ventral tegmental area (VTA) neurons and increased innervation of the cortex. This morphologic phenotype is associated with an increased locomotor response to amphetamine. We conclude that striatal GDNF is necessary and sufficient to regulate the number of SN DA neurons surviving the first phase of natural cell death, but it is not sufficient to increase their final adult number. GDNF in VTA targets, however, is sufficient to regulate the adult number of DA neurons.
Intratype variation in 12 human papillomavirus types: a worldwide perspective.

In this study, we have examined intratype human papillomavirus (HPV) sequence variation in a worldwide collection of cervical specimens. Twelve different HPV types including HPV-18, HPV-33, HPV-35, HPV-39, HPV-45, HPV-51, HPV-52, HPV-58, HPV-59, HPV-68 (ME180), MM9/PAP238A (recently designated HPV-73), and a novel partial genomic HPV sequence designated MM4/Wl3B were analyzed in this study. Cervical specimens were collected as part of epidemiological investigations conducted in New Mexico and an international study of invasive cervical cancer (IBSCC). Specimens from several countries including Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Benin, Cuba, Colombia, Chile, Germany, Mali, Panama, Paraguay, Spain, Algeria, Uganda, Guinea, Tanzania, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and the United States were evaluated. Specimen DNAs were subjected to amplification with the MY09/11 L1 consensus PCR system. The PCR products were cloned, and an approximately 410-bp region in the L1 open reading frame was sequenced from 146 specimens (approximately 60,000 bp). Within a single HPV type, nucleotide diversity varied between 0.2 and 2.9% (i.e., between any pair of variants) and the majority of nucleotide changes were synonymous (amino acid conserving). These data provide information pertinent to HPV diagnostic probe development and are potentially relevant to future rational vaccine strategies. Similarly, amino acid diversity varied between 0 and 5.1%. Some of these amino acid changes may represent markers of intertype evolutionary relationships. Presuming that HPVs have evolved under the same constraints as their corresponding hosts, the limited genetic diversity observed for all HPVs studied to date may reflect an evolutionary bottleneck occurring in both virus and host populations.
Using phylogeographic analyses of gene trees to test species status and processes

A gene tree is an evolutionary reconstruction of the genealogical history of the genetic variation found in a sample of homologous genes or DNA regions that have experienced little or no recombination. Gene trees have the potential of straddling the interface between intra- and interspecific evolution. It is precisely at this interface that the process of speciation occurs, and gene trees can therefore be used as a powerful tool to probe this interface. One application is to infer species status. The cohesion species is defined as an evolutionary lineage or set of lineages with genetic exchangeability and/or ecological interchangeability. This species concept can be phrased in terms of null hypotheses that can be tested rigorously and objectively by using gene trees. First, an overlay of geography upon the gene tree is used to test the null hypothesis that the sample is from a single evolutionary lineage. This phase of testing can indicate that the sampled organisms are indeed from a single lineage and therefore a single cohesion species. In other cases, this null hypothesis is not rejected due to a lack of power or inadequate sampling. Alternatively, this null hypothesis can be rejected because two or more lineages are in the sample. The test can identify lineages even when hybridization and lineage sorting occur. Only when this null hypothesis is rejected is there the potential for more than one cohesion species. Although all cohesion species are evolutionary lineages, not all evolutionary lineages are cohesion species. Therefore, if the first null hypothesis is rejected, a second null hypothesis is tested that all lineages are genetically exchangeable and/or ecologically interchangeable. This second test is accomplished by direct contrasts of previously identified lineages or by overlaying reproductive and/or ecological data upon the gene tree and testing for significant transitions that are concordant with the previously identified lineages. Only when this second null hypothesis is rejected is a lineage elevated to the status of cohesion species. By using gene trees in this manner, species can be identified with objective, a priori criteria with an inference procedure that automatically yields much insight into the process of speciation. When one or more of the null hypotheses cannot be rejected, this procedure also provides specific guidance for future work that will be needed to judge species status.