cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Acetaminophen–Aluminum Hydroxide Interaction in Rabbits

Acetaminophen-aluminum hydroxide interaction was investigated in a crossover study using six rabbits. Blood samples were collected at various time intervals for up to 6 hr following the oral administration of acetaminophen alone or in combination with aluminum hydroxide. Aluminum hydroxide at a 40-mg/kg dose did not appear to affect the rate and extent of acetaminophen absorption. The influence of aluminum hydroxide on gastric emptying could be compromised by gastric absorption of acetaminophen, resulting in a negligible effect on the overall bioavailability of acetaminophen.
Agent-based simulation for computational experimentation : Developing an artificial labor market

Abstract This paper discusses the creation of an artificial labor market (ALM) as an agent-based simulation model. We trace the development of the ALM by adapting the traditional simulation life cycle into two main parts: the model phase and the simulation phase. In the modeling phase of the life cycle, we focus upon agent representation and specification within the virtual world. In the simulation phase, we discuss the use of scenario planning as the experimentation vehicle. Throughout, we use military recruit market as an example to illustrate the methodology. The benefits of the ALM are (1) it provides a virtual world for continuous computational experimentation, (2) it supports market segmentation by allowing “drilldowns” to finer and finer levels of granularity, and (3) when connected via a common OLAP interface to a “real world” counterpart, it facilitates a tightly integrated, persistent, “sense and respond” decision support functionality.
Creating a Culture of Innovation in Ranching: A study of outreach and cooperation in west-central Colorado

A study of outreach and cooperation in west-central Colorado. DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v29i3_kennedy
A Gas-Phase Cell for Infrared Spectra of Sublimable Compounds

We have designed and constructed a novel gas cell for infrared spectroscopic studies. Detailed features of the cell are described. Gas-phase spectra have been obtained for N-methylacetamide, camphorolactam, and acetyl-L-alanine-N-methylamide at elevated temperatures and high vacuum. The results show highly resolved spectra for cis and trans amide bonds.
Consensus, Polarization and Clustering of Opinions in Social Networks

We consider a variation of the Deffuant-Weisbuch model introduced by Deffuant et al. in 2000, to provide new analytical insights on the opinion dynamics in a social group. We model the trust that may exist between like-minded agents through a trust function, which is a discontinuous (hard-interaction) non-increasing function of the opinion distance. In this model, agents exchange their opinions with their neighbors and move their opinions closer to each other if they are like-minded (that is, the distance between opinions is smaller than a threshold). We first study the dynamics of opinion formation under random interactions with a fixed rate of communication between pairs of agents. Our goal is to analyze the convergence properties of the opinion dynamics and explore the underlying characteristics that mark the phase transition from opinion polarization to consensus. Furthermore, we extend the hard-interaction model to a strategic interaction model by considering a time-varying rate of interaction. In this model, social agents themselves decide the time and energy that should be expended on interacting each of their neighbors, based on their utility functions. The aim is to understand how and under what conditions clustering patterns emerge in opinion space. Extensive simulations are provided to validate the analytical results of both the hard-interaction model and the strategic interaction model. We also offer evidence that suggests the validity of the proposed model, using the location and monthly survey data collected in the Social Evolution experiment over a period of nine months.
Longitudinal analysis in Plantago: strength of selection and reverse age analysis reveal age‐indeterminate senescence

1. Senescence is usually viewed as increased age-specific mortality or decreased age-specific fecundity due to the declining ability of natural selection to remove deleterious age-specific mutations with age. In herbaceous perennial plants, trends in age-specific mortality are often confounded by size. Age-indeterminate senescence, where accumulated physiological damage varies strongly with environment, may be a better model of senescence in these species. 2. We analysed trends in size and fertility in Plantago lanceolata, using a long-term demographic census involving >10 years and >8,000 individuals in 4 cohorts. We used elasticity and pairwise invasion analysis of life history function-parameterized age × stage matrices to assess whether the force of natural selection declined with age. Then, we used reverse age analysis of size and fertility to assess whether age-indeterminate senescence occurred. Reverse age analysis uses longitudinal data for individuals that have died to look at trait patterns as a function of both age and remaining time to death. We hypothesized that i) the strength of natural selection would decline strongly with age, and ii) physiological condition would deteriorate for several years prior to death. 3. Both elasticity and invasion analyses suggested that the strength of natural selection through mortality declined strongly with age once size was accounted for. Further, reverse age analyses showed that individuals shrank for ~3yrs prior to death, suggesting physiological decline. Inflorescence production declined with age, and also declined in the 3 years prior to death regardless of overall age.The hypothesis that plants escape senescence generally assumes that plants can continue to grow larger and increase reproduction as they get older. The results here show that size and reproduction decline with age and the rates of these declines toward death are lifespan- and age-dependent. Further research is needed to delineate the importance of age-determinate vs. age-indeterminate factors in senescence patterns across species.
Analysis of a Dryline during IHOP: Implications for Convection Initiation

Abstract A detailed analysis of a dryline that formed on 22 May 2002 during the International H2O Project (IHOP) is presented. The dryline was classified as a null case since air parcels lifted over the convergence boundary were unable to reach the level of free convection preventing thunderstorms from forming. A secondary dryline associated with a distinct moisture discontinuity developed to the west of the primary dryline. The primary dryline exhibited substantial along-frontal variability owing to the presence of misocyclones. This nonlinear pattern resembled the precipitation core/gap structure associated with cold fronts during one of the analysis times although the misocyclones were positioned within the gap regions. Radar refractivity has been recently shown to accurately retrieve the low-level moisture fields within the convective boundary layer; however, its use in forecasting the initiation of convection has been restricted to qualitative interpretations. This study introduces the total derivati...
Infection in home health care: Results from national Outcome and Assessment Information Set data.

Background Patients in home health care (HHC), the fastest growing health care sector, are at risk for infection. The existing research on infection in HHC is often limited by small sample sizes, local scope of inquiry, and a lack of current data. There is no national study examining agency-level infection rates. Methods This secondary data analysis used a 20% random sample of the 2010 national Outcome and Assessment Information Set (OASIS) data. An infection case was identified when the HHC patient was hospitalized or received emergency care for respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, intravenous catheter-related infection, wound infection, or deterioration. Proportions of infection cases out of the total number of patients were calculated for the whole sample and for each HHC agency. Results The final analysis included 199,462 patients from 8,255 HHC agencies. Approximately 3.5% of patients developed infections during their HHC stay, leading to emergency care treatment or hospitalization. Seventeen percent of unplanned hospitalizations among HHC patients were caused by infections. The agency-level infection rate ranged from 0%-34%, with an average of 3.5%. Conclusion To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the proportion of hospitalizations or emergency care treatment caused by infection in HHC and the agency-level infection rate at a national level by using OASIS data. These data demonstrate that infection is a serious problem in HHC, and infection rates varied between agencies. The variance in agency level rates may be caused by differences in infection control policies and practices. Better infection surveillance system in HHC is needed to benchmark quality of care.
Plasma Levels of 8-Methoxypsoralen Determined by High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography in Psoriatic Patients Ingesting Drug from Two Manufacturers

We have adapted a rapid and sensitive high-pressure liquid chromatographic technique (HPLC) to measure plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) in 22 psoriatic patients receiving photochemotherapy with 8-MOP and long-wave ultraviolet light (PUVA). In this procedure, 1ml plasma samples containing ammidin as an internal standard are extracted with benzene. After evaporation under nitrogen the residue is redissolved in methylenechloride:acetonitrile, 95:5, and chromatographed using a normal phase HPLC system with a 10 μ silica particle column and a UV detector at 254nm. The sensitivity of the method is 10ng/ml plasma. Plasma concentrations of 8-MOP were measured between 2 and 4 hr after ingestion of therapeutic doses of 8-MOP provided by 2 manufacturers. Mean 8-MOP plasma levels were 27±35ng/ml plasma 2hr after ingestion of the only drug presently available on the U.S. market, 8-MOP (Elder). These values were significantly below ( p
Incidence and management of enteric leaks after gastric bypass for morbid obesity during a 10-year period.

Abstract Background To describe the incidence, etiology, outcomes, and management of enteric leaks in patients who had undergone open or laparoscopic gastric bypass. Methods From November 1996 to November 2006, 1133 patients underwent primary gastric bypass at Columbia University, New York-Presbyterian Hospital. A retrospective review of our prospective bariatric surgery registry identified 17 patients (1.5%) who developed a clinically apparent enteric leak after surgery. The demographic and outcome data were studied. Results The mean body mass index was 52 kg/m 2 (range 35–65), and 15 (88%) of the 17 patients were women. The mean number of co-morbidities per patient was 1.3 and included hypertension in 11, diabetes in 9, and sleep apnea in 6. Ten patients had previously undergone abdominal surgery. The enteric leak was diagnosed by radiographic studies in 12 patients (9 of 12 by upper gastrointestinal series and 3 of 6 by computed tomography); the remaining 5 patients were diagnosed at re-exploration. Of the 17 patients, 12 (70%) were treated by laparoscopy and 5 (29%) by laparotomy. The mean time from completion of the index procedure to the diagnosis of the leak was 2 days (range 1–5) for patients treated by laparoscopy versus 4 days (range 1–6) for patients treated by laparotomy ( P P >.05). One of the laparoscopic patients (5.9%) died. Conclusion Enteric leak is a significant complication after gastric bypass. Prompt treatment should be based on clinical suspicion, because contrast and cross-sectional imaging studies might not be reliable diagnostic tests. A laparoscopic index procedure might be associated with an earlier diagnosis.
Statins and Downstream Inhibitors of the Isoprenylation Pathway Increase Type 2 Iodothyronine Deiodinase Activity

The type 2 iodothyronine selenodeiodinase (D2) is a critical determinant of local thyroid signaling, converting T4 to the active form T3 at the cytoplasmic face of the endoplasmic reticulum, thus supplying the nucleus with T3 without immediately affecting circulating thyroid hormone levels. Although inhibitors of the cholesterol synthesis/isoprenylation pathway, such as hydroxy-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) have been to shown to down-regulate selenoproteins via interruption of normal selenocysteine incorporation, little is known about the effect of statins on D2. Here, we report that statins and prenyl transferase inhibitors actually increase D2 activity in cells with endogenous D2 expression. Although we confirmed that lovastatin (LVS) decreases the activity of transiently expressed D2 in HEK-293 cells, the prenyl transferase inhibitors increase activity in this system as well. LVS treatment increases endogenous Dio2 mRNA in MSTO-211H cells but does not alter transiently expre...
Moisture-dependent changes in the mechanical properties of isolated wheat bran

Wheat bran strips were isolated from disks cut from individual wheat caryopses and conditioned at 100% relative humidity (hr) to facilitate bran removal. The mechanical properties of the isolated wheat bran strips were obtained from force-deformation curves using uniaxial tension tests. The strips were tested at 0, 45, 71 and 100% hr. The tensile strength (Su), percentage deformation to fracture (emax) and initial tangent modulus of elasticity (E) were similar for bran strips from radial and longitudinal orientations, suggesting that wheat bran is nearly isotropic in nature. There were no consistent differences in the mechanical properties of bran from hard or soft wheat classes, but some varietal differences in Su and emax were found. The Su and E values for bran strips equilibrated at 100% hr were only 37% and 10%, respectively, of the values obtained at 45% hr. The emax values were more than three times greater for bran equilibrated at 100% hr than at 45% hr. The energy required to break the sample was not affected by changes in hr. Elastic (De), residual (Dr) and total (Dt) deformation was measured in hysteresis tests performed at 0% and 100% hr Sample deformation was much higher at 100% hr, than at 0% hr. During five cycles of the hysteresis test, De remained relatively constant while Dr decreased with each cycle.
Ineffectiveness of selenium in the treatment of nutritional muscular dystrophy in the rabbit.

IT has been found recently that selenium is effective in the prevention of two experimental syndromes induced by feeding a vitamin E-deficient diet. These are exudative diathesis in the chick (Stokstad, E. L. R., private communication) and necrotic liver degeneration in the rat1. Factor III, an unidentified substance in addition to vitamin E and cystine having protective activity against liver necrosis, has been identified as selenium. These reports pose the question whether selenium may have tocopherol-replacing properties with respect to muscular dystrophy, the classical symptom of vitamin E deficiency in the young of most species.
A small angle X-ray scattering study of voids formed in oxygen-doped niobium due to 58Ni+ bombardment☆

Abstract The small angle X-ray scattering was measured from a series of oxygen-doped Nb single crystals which had been irradiated to 50 displacements per atom at 1050 and 1125 K with 4.0 MeV 58 Ni + ions. The diffraction results indicated less perfect ordering of the voids than would have been inferred from earlier transmission electron microscopy observations and this was attributed to a micro-domain structure for the void array. In addition, there was qualitative evidence that a significant portion of the observed small angle scattering resulted from a nearly random component of the microstructure; this was tentatively attributed to intrinsic voids and/or void-oxide complexes in the Nb matrix beyond the near-surface zone damaged by the heavy ion bombardment. This proposal is consistent with the observation of weak small angle scattering from unirradiated Nb-0.006% O single crystals. The mean void size and number density of voids were in fair agreement with published transmission electron microscopy results for Nb-0.006% O, but not in the case of Nb-0.5% O. For the higher oxygen concentration, void number densities lower by a factor of 40–70 were determined from the small angle scattering experiment.
Direct Visualization of Uridylate Deletion In Vitro Suggests a Mechanism for Kinetoplastid RNA Editing

Abstract Deletion of uridylates from the 3′-most editing site of synthetic ATPase 6 pre-mRNA can be visualized directly by coincubation of a radiolabeled substrate RNA and a synthetic gRNA in 20S fractions of T. brucei mitochondrial lysates. Substrate RNA cleavage is gRNA directed and occurs 3′ to the uridylates to be deleted. U residues appear to be sequentially removed from the 3′ end of the 5′ cleavage product prior to religation of the two pre-mRNA halves. gRNA/mRNA chimeric molecules are also produced. Time course experiments indicate that chimeras appear after cleavage intermediates and edited product. Furthermore, a mutant gRNA promotes formation of edited product but not detectable chimeras. Our results suggest a model for kinetoplastid RNA editing in which chimeric molecules are nonproductive end products of editing and not intermediates that serve as a repository for deleted U's.
Studies of the molecular mechanism of discrimination between cGMP and cAMP in the allosteric sites of the cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5).

Abstract The regulatory domain of the cGMP-binding cGMP-specific 3′:5′-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE5) contains two homologous segments of amino acid sequence that encode allosteric cyclic nucleotide-binding sites, referred to as site a and site b, which are highly selective for cGMP over cAMP. The possibility that the state of protonation in these sites contributes to cyclic nucleotide selectivity was investigated. The binding of cGMP or cAMP was determined using saturation and competition kinetics at pH values between 5.2 and 9.5. The total cGMP binding by PDE5 was unchanged by variation in pH, but the relative affinity for cGMPversus cAMP progressively decreased as the pH was lowered. Using site-directed mutagenesis, a conserved residue, Asp-289, in sitea of PDE5 has been identified as being important for cyclic nucleotide discrimination in this site. It is proposed that deprotonation of Asp-289 enhances the number and strength of bonds formed with cGMP, while concomitantly decreasing the interactions with cAMP.
Ambient Vibration Monitoring of a Highway Bridge Undergoing a Destructive Test

Developing a technique to continuously monitor in-service highway bridges is one of the major research focuses at the Connecticut Department of Transportation and the University of Connecticut. The goal has been to use ambient traffic loading as the force to excite a measurable parameter that is sensitive to overall structural integrity. In this study, the dynamic responses of a full-scale steel-girder highway bridge during the passage of a small truck were measured using a number of sensors that could be reasonably implemented on a network of in-service bridges. Measurements were taken before and during the staged introduction of a simulated crack in one of the main supporting girders. The crack was introduced in five stages until it extended through two-thirds of the depth of the girder. Accelerometers were placed at various locations on each girder. Frequency spectra for each stage of the testing were compared to those recorded before the introduction of the crack to determine which aspects of the spectra were sensitive to the change in stiffness. The results indicate that monitoring the amplitudes at the natural frequencies and the frequency response spectrum using the cross signature assurance criterion can be used as an indicator that significant cracks have developed in a multigirder highway bridge.
Microfabrication technologies for a coupled three-dimensional microelectrode, microfluidic array

Planar or two-dimensional (2D) microelectrode arrays (MEAs), which are used for in vitro culturing of neurons and tissue slices, have been in existence for over 30 years. However, in order to study complex network morphologies and tissue slices which contain substantial 3D neuronal structures, 3D MEAs with microfluidic ports are required. Integrated fabrication of 3D MEAs with embedded microfluidic ports for nutrient perfusion through these relatively thick tissues typically requires non-planar lithography, which is not easily accomplished. This paper reports a laser-scribing technique coupled with electroplating to fabricate 3D MEAs coupled with microfluidic ports. An excimer laser has been used to define patterns in a polymer mold layer that is conformally vapor-deposited on a 3D microfluidic SU-8 substrate. Metal is electroplated through this mold to fabricate electrodes at multiple heights. To demonstrate 3D MEAs, a standard design was chosen consisting of an array of three-dimensional protrusions ('towers') optionally with microfluidic functionality on which electrodes can be formed extending to the top of each tower. Additional electrodes are formed on the substrate resulting in a multi-level electrode structure. Since microfluidics can exist both in the substrate as well as along the towers, a coupled three-dimensional electrical and microfluidic functionality is achieved. The resulting 3D MEAs have been analyzed electrically using impedance spectroscopy and baseline noise measurements. They have further been evaluated fluidically using micro-particle image velocimetry measurements.
Liver cell carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: Nonepitheliogenic giant cells in diverse malignancies

Hepatocellular carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (hepatic giant cell carcinoma ([HGCC]) is a rare entity, with only three cases reported. The tumor is histologically similar to giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone, and the origin of the multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear stromal cells has not been determined. The purpose of this report is to present a case of this rare tumor and compare its ultrastructural and immunohistochemical features with those of a conventional GCT of bone. Histologically, the HGCC consists of sheets of osteoclast-like giant cells with a background of mononuclear cells. The giant cells lack the pleomorphism seen in hepatocellular carcinomas with anaplastic giant cells. At the light microscopic level, most of this tumor was nearly identical to a GCT of bone, but several microscopic fields (less than 5% of the tumor) had the histologic appearance of a “usual” hepatocellular carcinoma. The hepatic tumor was negative for HAM 56, epithelial cytokeratins, muramidase, and alpha-1-antitrypsin, with only focal positivity for chymotrypsin in mononuclear and giant cells. The GCT was strongly positive for alpha-1-antitrypsin and chymotrypsin in both the mononuclear and giant cells and showed focal, weak staining for AE1 and AE3 in the mononuclear stromal cells. Ultrastructurally, both mononuclear and giant cells of the HGCC showed features typical of hepatocellular carcinoma. Although the patient presented in this report died, the pattern of growth was different from most hepatocellular carcinomas. The overall histologic features of this tumor are distinctive and appear to justify separating this variant from other types of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Evaluation of the effectiveness of through-the-scope balloons as dilators of benign and malignant gastrointestinal strictures.

Although the true place of balloon dilators in our armamentarium of methods for the management of gastrointestinal strictures is not yet known, balloons are now widely used.26 Balloons have been used for a variety of gastrointestinal stenoses including esophageal,1-19 gastric,16-23 small intestinal,24 and colonic25,26 strictures. Balloon dilatation offers many theoretical advantages (safety, speed, and patient comfort) over dilatation with mercury-filled bougies or with the Eder-Puestow or Savary systems. Recently, the availability of large diameter balloon dilators (Fig. 1), which pass through the biopsy channel of standard endoscopes (through-the-scope or TTS balloons), has promised efficient direct-vision dilatation of strictures without the need of guide wires or fluoroscopy. We prospectively evaluated whether dilatation with TTS balloons actually achieved the expected luminal diameter in benign and malignant gastrointestinal strictures.
A Numerical Study of the Stochastic Cucker-Smale Flocking Model

We consider the influence of white noise on achieving consensus in a stochastic version of the well known Cucker-Smale model for flocking in multi-agent swarm systems. Our main results based on extensive numerical simulations suggest that while low intensity white noise has little appreciable effects on convergence to consensus in the system, the presence of high intensity white noise can fundamentally alter the flocking characteristics of the model. In particular, our results indicate that the numerical upper bound on a critical system parameter value that guarantees flocking in the deterministic model is no longer valid in the presence of high intensity white noise. In addition, the results also suggest that, interestingly, the influence of noise is independent of the number of agents in the swarm. Finally, we suggest a novel approach using the classical Fokker-Planck formalism as a direction of further analytical work aimed at validating our numerical results.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Book Review: From High School to College: Improving Opportunities for Success in Postsecondary Education:

Background:Two decades of elementary and secondary education reform (P-12) presumably affects programs and policies in higher education (P-16).Purpose:This article offers an essay review of the book, From High School to College. The book includes a report on a Stanford University project that investigated the policy articulation between P-12 and higher education.Research Design:The book reports case studies on six states with an additional chapter commenting on the status and future of community (2-year) colleges.Findings:Findings suggest that the case studies depend heavily on perceptual data from stakeholders. In addition, the editors and contributing authors do not address differences in the two sectors’ missions. Specifically, the P-12 system includes both open admissions and compulsory attendance requirements, whereas institutions of higher education (IHE), from 2-year to research institutions, wrestle with the tension between open and elite admissions and comparative rankings among the IHEs.
Evaluating mastery of biostatistics for medical researchers: need for a new assessment tool.

Research training has enabled academic clinicians to contribute significantly to the body of medical research literature. Biostatistics represents a critical methodological skill for such researchers, as statistical methods are increasingly a necessary part of medical research. However, there is no validated knowledge and skills assessment for graduate level biostatistics for academic medical researchers. In this paper, I review graduate level statistical competencies and existing instruments intended to assess physicians’ ability to read the medical literature and for undergraduate statistics for their alignment with core competencies necessary for successful use of statistics. This analysis shows a need for a new instrument to assess biostatistical competencies for medical researchers. Clin Trans Sci 2011; Volume 4: 448–454
Psychopathic State Inventory (PSI): development of a short test for measuring psychopathic states.

Six rational psychopathic state scales for Impulsivity, Egocentricity, Needs, Hypophoria (negative feeling states), Sociopathy, and High (search for “highs”) were revised by selecting items within a rational category which most highly differentiated psychopaths as exemplified by opiate addicts (N = 28) and alcoholics (N = 53) from normals (N = 54) and which also most highly correlated with the parent rational scale or correlated most highly with the differentiating items. These procedures were effective in deriving scales which more highly differentiated alcoholics and addicts from normals and which were more reliable in each criterion group. It is thought that the scales will be useful in the study of the prevalence of or changes in psychopathic states.
MO-D-I-609-08: Validation of PET Hypoxia Tracers by Autoradiography and Fluorescent Microscopy

Purpose: To develop a method for PET hypoxia tracer validation based on statistical analysis of the spatial correspondence between the intratumoral distributions of tracer uptake (assessed by digital autoradiography) and pimonidazole, an independent marker of hypoxia (assessed by immunofluorescent microscopy). The utility of the method was demonstrated by applying it to three PET hypoxia tracers, IAZGP, FMISO and Cu‐ATSM. Method and Materials: Eight rats bearing R3327‐AT tumors were divided into four groups of two animals each. Group♯1 was injected with 18F‐FMISO and sacrificed 2hr later. Group♯2 was injected with 124I‐IAZGP and sacrificed 3hr later. Groups♯3 and ♯4 were injected with 64Cu‐ATSM and sacrificed, respectively, 24hr or 1hr later. Pimonidazole was administered to all animals 2hr before sacrifice. Tumors were excised, frozen and sectioned. Digital autoradiograms of the tracer distribution were obtained from selected sections and co‐registered with images of pimonidazole‐associated immunofluorescence derived from adjacent sections. The statistical analysis of association between PET tracer uptake and pimonidazole immunofluorescent staining intensity was then performed on a pixel‐by‐pixel basis. Results: For rats from group♯1 correlation coefficients between pimonidazole‐associated immunofluorescent staining intensity and 18F‐FMISO uptake were 0.84 and 0.75. For group♯2 rats correlations between pimonidazole and 124I‐IAZGP were 0.85 and 0.77. For group♯3 (64Cu‐ATSM administered 24hr prior to sacrifice), the correlations with pimonidazole were 0.61 and 0.64. However, for group♯4 (64Cu‐ATSM administered 1hr prior to sacrifice), the correlation coefficients were −0.76 and −0.77, demonstrating that in this tumormodel64Cu‐ATSM uptake was not indicative of hypoxia at early times post injection. Conclusion: The proposed method enables evaluation of the degree of spatial correspondence between distributions of a PET tracer and alternative markers (either endogenous or exogenous) or tracers of the biological process under study. This method can be used for the in‐vivo validation of any nuclear medicine tracer.
The 5′→3′ polarity of the xenopus ribosomal RNA precursor molecule

Abstract Evidence is presented that in Xenopus laevis the 18S rRNA sequence is proximal to the 5′ end of the rRNA precursor molecule and the 28S sequence is proximal to the 3′ end. This assignment was made by digesting amplified ribosomal gene transcription complexes with EcoRI restriction endonuclease and spreading the cleaved transcription complexes for electron microscopy. From the known location of the EcoRI cutting sites within the transcribed region and the length of nascent chains on the cleaved transcription complexes, it was possible to make an unambiguous assignment of polarity.
Protocol for determining bioavailability and biokinetics of organic pollutants in dispersed, compacted and intact soil systems to enhance in situ bioremediation

The development of effective in situ and on-site bioremediation technologies can facilitate the cleanup of chemically-contaminated soil sites. Knowledge of biodegradation kinetics and the bioavailability of organic pollutants can facilitate decisions on the efficacy of in situ and on-site bioremediation of contaminated soils and determine the attainable treatment end-points. Two kinds of compounds have been studied: (1) phenol and alkyl phenols, which represent hydrophilic compounds, exhibiting high water solubility and moderate to low soil partitioning; and (2) polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons which are hydrophobic compounds with low water solubility and exhibit significant partitioning in soil organic carbon. Representative data are given for phenol and naphthalene. The results provide support for a systematic multi-level protocol using soil slurry, wafer and porous tube or column reactors to determine the biokinetic parameters for toxic organic pollutants. Insights into bioremediation rates of soil contaminants in compact soil systems can be attained using the protocol.
Compliance with follow-up in an inner-city population treated with intramuscular methotrexate for suspected ectopic pregnancy

Abstract Objective To evaluate compliance with follow-up among inner-city patients with ectopic pregnancy treated with methotrexate, in addition to assessing outcome. Methods Retrospective analysis of all patients evaluated for first-trimester bleeding and diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, New York, USA, from October 2007 to March 2011. Compliance and complications were evaluated for all patients who received medical treatment with methotrexate. Results Ninety-nine patients with hemodynamically stable ectopic pregnancies were identified. Therapy with methotrexate was effective in 87 (87.9%) cases. Only 10 (10.1%) patients were fully compliant during follow-up after methotrexate administration. There were no differences according to ethnicity. Number of follow-up visits after treatment significantly affected compliance. Conclusion Improvements in selection criteria for therapy and simplification of follow-up for patients with medically managed ectopic pregnancy are required.
Basal Ganglia-Thalamocortical Circuitry Disruptions in Schizophrenia During Delayed Response Tasks

Background Schizophrenia is characterized by executive functioning deficits, presumably mediated by prefrontal cortex dysfunction. For example, schizophrenia participants show performance deficits on ocular motor delayed response (ODR) tasks, which require both inhibition and spatial working memory for correct performance. Methods The present functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study compared neural activity of 14 schizophrenia and 14 normal participants while they performed ODR tasks. Results Schizophrenia participants generated: 1) more trials with anticipatory saccades (saccades made during the delay period), 2) memory saccades with longer latencies, and 3) memory saccades of decreased accuracy. Increased blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes were observed in both groups in ocular motor circuitry (e.g., supplementary eye fields [SEF], lateral frontal eye fields [FEF], inferior parietal lobule [IPL], cuneus, and precuneus). The normal, but not the schizophrenia, group demonstrated BOLD signal changes in dorsolateral prefrontal regions (right Brodmann area [BA] 9 and bilateral BA 10), medial FEF, insula, thalamus, and basal ganglia. Correlations between percentage of anticipatory saccade trials and BOLD signal changes were more similar between groups for subcortical regions and less similar for cortical regions. Conclusions These results suggest that executive functioning deficits in schizophrenia may be associated with dysfunction of the basal ganglia-thalamocortical circuitry, evidenced by decreased prefrontal cortex, basal ganglia, and thalamus activity in the schizophrenia group during ODR task performance.
Red Photoreceptor in Butterflies

IT has recently been suggested1 that modifications of the tracheoles beneath the photoreceptors of the compound eye of the butterfly Heliconius erato specifically reflect red light and that this increases the sensitivity of the eye to red light. Because H. erato has a red forewing patch which plays a role in the release of courtship activity, it was also proposed that the reflexions were related to the behavioural responsiveness of the animal to the colour red. We wish to comment on the behavioural and physiological implications of this observation.
Numerical predictions of tuned liquid tank structural systems

Abstract A fully nonlinear 2-D σ -transformed finite difference solver has been developed based on inviscid flow equations in rectangular tanks. The fluid equations are coupled to a linear elastic support structure. Nonoverturning sloshing motions are simulated during structural vibration cycles at and outside resonance. The wave tank acts as a tuned liquid damper (TLD). The TLD response is highly nonlinear when large liquid sloshing occurs. The solver is valid at any water depth except for small depth when shallow water waves and viscous effects would become important. Results of liquid sloshing induced by horizontal base excitations are presented for small to steep nonbreaking waves at tank aspect ratios, depth to length, h/b of 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125, representing deep to near shallow water cases. The effectiveness of the TLD is discussed through predictions of coupling frequencies and response of the tank-structural system for different tank sizes and mass ratios between fluid and structure. An effective tank-structural system typically displays two distinct frequencies with reduced structural response (e.g., h / b = 0.5 ). These eigenfrequencies differ considerably from their noninteracting values. Hardening or softening spring behavior of the fluid, known to be present in solutions of pure sloshing motion in tanks, does not exists in the coupled system response. Strongest interactions occur with only one dominating sloshing mode when the nth sloshing frequency is close to the natural frequency of the structure, as the mass ratio between fluid and structure μ → 0 . Inclusion of higher modes reduces the efficiency of the TLD. Good agreement is achieved between the numerical model and a first-order potential theory approximation outside the resonance region when the unsteady sloshing motions remain small. When the free-surface amplitudes become large in the coupled system, the numerical peaks are larger and the troughs become lower as time evolves (typical nonlinear effects) compared to the linear solution. Nonlinearities were found to reduce the system displacement significantly, e.g., system resonance shifted to beating response, compared to linear predictions. It was also found that the system response is extremely sensitive to small changes in forcing frequency. In conclusion, if strong interaction exists, the coupled system exhibits nonlinearity in structural and free-surface response, but the coupled eigenfrequencies compare well with the linear predictions. Furthermore, the solver removes the need for free-surface smoothing for the cases considered herein (maximum wave steepness of 1.2). The numerical model provides a quick and accurate way of determining system eigenfrequencies which can be hard to identify and interpret in physical experiments.
An Attachment and Affect Regulation Based Multiple Couple Group Intervention for Couples Transitioning to Marriage/Commitment

This article outlines a multiple couple group intervention (MCGI) for couples transitioning to marriage or commitment. The MCGI, based on attachment and affect regulation theories, aims to prevent or disrupt negative patterns of interacting and increase partners’ abilities to seek support and provide comfort in their relationships. The MCGI offers a process-oriented alternative to the current skills-based programs for couples. Preliminary evaluations of the manualized treatment indicate promise.
SOME CORRELATES OF MODE OF CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN IMPRESSION FORMATION

Summary.-The purpose of this research was to relate a number of personality and cognitive characteristics of the perceiver to the way in which an impression is formed from conflicting information about an object person. Instruments measuring 21 variables were administered to 101 Ss. Modes of conflict resolution determined from an impression formation task which presented 6 disparate and conflict-arousing personality traits were categorized as either integrated or unintegrated. The correlations of mode of conflict resolution with the ocher variables showed that the person who formed an integrated impression was most likely to be female; to have a father who had a greater amount of education; and to score high on construct fluency, thinking introversion, and cognitive differentiation. The intercorrelations among the personality and cognitive variables were also reported.
As Our Worlds Turn: The Birth and Rebirth of Cuban Serial Drama

Abstract The telenovela is one of the most successful—and functional—media genres in Latin America today. It owes its roots to Cuba. Until recently, however, relatively little has been written about Cuban telenovelas. This article explores the evolution of Cuban serial drama and its current role in the nation's popular culture.
SEDIMENT IN RELATION TO WATER QUALITY

The relation between sediment and water quality involves the individual relations between sediment and the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water as these characteristics determine the suitability of water for an intended use. Both the physical and chemical properties of fine-grained sediments must be considered in evaluating these relations, whereas only the physical properties of coarse-grained sediments are significant. Most of the literature concerning this subject has considered sediment only as a physical entity. In amount, it is the prime pollutant and is one of the major considerations in evaluating the suitability of water for an intended use. Losses in the United States from sediment and associated flood water damages are measured in billions of dollars annually. Sediments also indirectly affect water suitability through their (physical) influences on biological activity. Fine-grained sediments, that is, clay minerals and amorphous and organic materials, have chemically active surfaces. These sediments may either sorb ions from solution or release ions to solution depending upon the chemical environment. Unfortunately, not enough is known about the ternary system–sediment-water-dissolved chemical load–to adequately define its influence on either the biological characteristics of water or the suitability of water for various long-term uses. This paper attempts to define the problems concerning the role of sediment in this ternary system.
Confinement of high-density pellet-fueled discharges in TFTR

TFTR pellet injection results reported by Schmidt (1985) have been extended to higher density and n tau in plasmas limited by a graphite inner-wall belt limiter. Increased pellet penetration and larger density increases were achieved by operation at reduced plasma current (1.6 MA) and minor and major radius (70 cm and 235 cm). Under these conditions, beam heating results have been extended to 7 MW.
EFFECTS OF DRY FRICTION DAMPING ON THE OCCURRENCE OF LOCALIZED FORCED VIBRATIONS IN NEARLY CYCLIC STRUCTURES

A multi-harmonic balance method is applied to analyze the occurrence of strongly localized forced vibrations in a mistuned cyclic assembly of coupled, non-linear component structures under traveling wave excitation. In addition to considering the effects of the strength of coupling between and disorder among component systems, the study also investigates the relative effects of dry friction damping and viscous damping on the occurrence of strong localization. Results indicate that the degree of localization decreases as the amount of damping increases and that dry friction damped systems are more susceptible to localized vibrations than viscously damped ones. This multi-degree-offreedom system with many dry friction dampers is analyzed by a multi-harmonic frequency domain procedure. The issues of accuracy and convergence of the method when applied to systems with several strongly non-linear elements are discussed. This frequency domain solution technique is compared to time domain methods. In structural dynamics, the sensitivity to disorder is a major concern in the design and analysis of nominally periodic structures made of coupled component systems. It is now well known that the ratio of internal coupling strength to disorder strength is the key parameter governing the sensitivity to disorder. For small values of this ratio, small structural irregularities, which break the structure’s periodicity, may inhibit the propagation of vibration from the source of excitation and confine the vibration modes to a narrow geometric region-a phenomenon known as normal mode localization. A number of studies have provided analyses of localized free vibrations for a variety of nearly periodic structures such as chains of coupled pendulums [l-3], coupled beam assemblies [4], bladed-disk assemblies [5], and cyclic assemblies [6-81. All these studies led to the conclusion that the degree of localization of the mode shapes depends primarily upon the ratio of coupling to disorder. Nonetheless, besides coupling and disorder, the magnitude and type of damping and the type of excitation must be considered in the study of localized forced vibrations. Hodges and Woodhouse [2] and Pierre [4] investigated localized forced vibrations under a local source of excitation for chains of coupled pendulums and coupled beam assemblies, respectively. Kissel [9] also studied wave propagation and weak localization in disordered spring-mass chains, using a statistical approach. Wei and Pierre [7] demonstrated the occurrence of localized forced vibrations in mistuned assemblies with cyclic symmetry when all component systems are excited harmonically. However, the role of damping on the strength of localized forced vibrations has not been explored. Therefore, the primary objective of this paper is to investigate the effects of dry friction and viscous damping on the degree of forced vibration localization.
ATTACHMENT OF RIBOSOMES TO MEMBRANES DURING POLYSOME FORMATION IN MOUSE SARCOMA 180 CELLS

Addition of nutrients to starved mouse S-180 cells leads to rapid conversion of ribosomal monomers to polysomes. During this process, a portion of the ribosomes originally found in the 17,000 g (10 min centrifugation) supernatant of cell lysates becomes firmly attached to structures sedimenting at 500 g (5 min centrifugation). Electron microscopy of sections of the intact cells showed the change from randomly distributed ribosomal particles to clusters. Association with membranes also became evident. The material sedimenting at 500 g comprised nuclei enclosed in an extensive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) network. This fraction prepared from recovering cells showed numerous ribosome clusters associated with the ER network. The appearance of many of these clusters indicated that the ribosomal particles were not directly bound to the membranes. RNase treatment released about 40% of the attached ribosomes as monomers, and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid released 60% as subunits. It is suggested that during polysome formation a portion of the ribosomes becomes attached to the membranes through the intermediary of messenger RNA.
Stem Cells and Oxidants: Too Little of a Bad Thing

Oxidants are thought to damage cells, and stem cells are viewed as particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Now, a new study (Morimoto et al., 2013) suggests that the self-renewal of certain stem cells may actually require reactive oxygen species (ROS).