cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Incorporating Case Conceptualization Drawing in Counselor Group Supervision: A Grounded Theory Study

While the counseling community embraces the use of creative approaches in counseling and supervision, few researchers have attempted to empirically describe the process of including an art-based technique into counselor group supervision. A grounded theory design guided the exploration of including a case conceptualization drawing technique into six counselor supervision groups. Six doctoral-level supervisors, who were trained in an art-based technique, introduced the method to their group supervisees who were completing a practicum or internship. Data collection methods included individual and focus-group interviews, observations of visual case presentations, document reviews of visual case drawings, and journal-prompted inquiries. Results indicated that supervisor training in an art-based technique is a condition for yielding positive outcomes for counselor trainee development, client treatment, and the supervision group process.
ASCAT observations of downdrafts from mesoscale convective systems

Downdrafts of air cooled by evaporating raindrops are an essential component of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). Here we use surface wind observations from the Advanced SCATterometer (ASCAT) to identify MCS downdrafts over the western equatorial Pacific Ocean as regions of horizontal wind divergence exceeding 10−4 s−1. More than 1300 downdrafts are identified over the observation period (2009–2014). The downdraft signal in the surface winds is validated with satellite measurements of brightness temperature and rainfall rate, and surface buoy measurements of air temperature; composite analysis with these measurements indicates that ASCAT detects downdrafts that lag the peak convection by 8–12h. While ASCAT resolves mesoscale downdrafts in regions of light rain, a composite against buoy air temperature indicates that ASCAT fails to resolve the stronger convective-scale downdrafts associated with heavy rainfall at squall fronts. Nevertheless, the global observations by the satellite scatterometer open a new avenue for studying MCSs.
The role of endogenous opioids in the stress- and estrogen-induced activation of prolactin release☆

Abstract Previously, we demonstrated that morphine (MOR) and opioid peptides inhibit the turnover of dopamine (DA) in the tuberoinfundibular pathway (TIP) in a dose-dependent, naloxone (NAL)-reversible manner. Subsequent studies showed that tolerance to both the effects of MOR on PRL release and DA turnover in the median eminence (ME) develops during the same period of chronic MOR treatment, which supports the idea that opioids increase the rate of PRL release by inhibiting the activity of the DA neurons of the TIP, which inhibit the release of PRL. We now report that cross-tolerance develops between the effects of ether stress and MOR on plasma PRL levels, which strongly supports the idea that endogenous opioids are involved in the stress-induced activation of PRL release. However, our data do not support the idea that opioid pathways are involved in the estrogen-induced activation of PRL release. The evidence against opioid mediation of estrogen's action on the release of PRL follows. 1.) The effects of 17-β-estradiol (EB) and of a maximally effective dose of MOR on plasma PRL concentration are additive, which suggests that these agents act by different mechanisms. 2.) EB increases the rate of DA turnover in the ME of ovariectomized (OVX) rats treated for 3 days with 20 μg/kg of EB per day, while MOR inhibits DA turnover in this group and all other groups studied. 3.) Although NAL decreases EB-elevated plasma PRL levels at one of two time points that were studied, it also inhibits the effect of α-methyl-ϱ-tyrosine (AMT) on the concentration of PRL in the plasma, and AMT acts by a non-opioid mediated mechanism to activate the release of PRL.
How bacteriophage came to be used by the Phage Group

Historique de la fondation d'un groupe de recherche scientifique ,nomme groupe de phage utilisant le bacteriophage comme materiel de choix dans leur investigation
A note on the relation of size to ecological value of some wetlands

Marshes located on the Mayo Peninsula between the South and Rhode rivers, Maryland, were measured to determine acreage per tract, total upland and seaward edge lengths. For these marshes, 54% of the total area is associated with tracts of less than 5 acres. Of total upland edge length, 68% is along tracts less than 5 acres, while 72% of seaward edge length is associated with these smaller tracts. Comparison of edge length to area ratios shows that tracts of 1 acre or less have significantly higher edge length than tracts of 5 acres or more. While this should be extrapolated to other geographic regions with care, the findings suggest that regulatory agencies revise wetland management principles to include greater protection and enhanced survival of small tracts.
Primordial Knowledge and Rationality

Summary The author argues that there is a kind of knowledge which is fundamental or basic in the sense that it is certain, is not open to justification or doubt, and yet is – in a certain sense – based upon experience. The paper attempts to give a characterization of such knowledge, in particular showing how it differs from straightforward examples of empirical knowledge. The author's views resemble those of Wittgenstein in Uber Gewissheit, but unlike Wittgenstein, he holds that such knowledge is language-game absolute, i.e., it underlies all rational practices that involve inquiries into the nature of the world, such as history and science. Resume Ľauteur montre qu'il y a un type de connaissance qui est fondamental en ce sens qu'il est certain, ne necessite aucune justification, ne donne pas prise au doute et pourtant est – en un certain sens – base sur ľexperience. Cet article tente de caracteriser une telle connaissance, montrant en particulier qu'elle differe ?on;exemples banals de connaissance experimentale. La these de ľauteur ressemble a celle de Wittgenstein dans Uber Gewissheit, mais en differe en ce que la connaissance definie est absolue par rapport aux jeux de langage, c'est-a-dire qu'elle sous-tend toutes les pratiques rationnelles qui, telles ľhistoire et la science, supposent des recherches sur la nature du monde. Zusammenfassung Der Verfasser versucht zu zeigen, dass es eine Art von Erkenntnis gibt, die insofern fur grundlegend zu gelten hat, als sie gewiss ist, d.h. weder einer Rechtfertigung bedarf noch einem Zweifel unterworfen werden kann, und trotzdem in einem gewissen Sinne auf Erfahrung beruht. Diese besondere Erkenntnis wird naher charakterisiert, indem gezeigt wird, wodurch sie sich von anderen Beispielen offensichtlich empirischer Erkenntnis unterscheidet. Die Ansicht des Verfas-sers erinnert an diejenige von Wittgenstein in Uber Gewissheit, aber – anders als dieser – halt er dafur, dass solche Erkenntnis Sprachspiel – absolut sei, d.h. dass sie alien rationalen Handlun-gen unterliegt, die Untersuchungen uber die Natur der Welt betreffen – seien diese geschichtlich oder wissenschaftlich.
Coherence experiments- in a random color center laser system

We measured spatial and temporal coherence of stimulated emission from color centers in alumina nanopowder. Spectral quenching, exponential output and increased coherence length above the inversion threshold result from random amplification by point defects
Characterization of the outgassing of spacecraft materials

Equations which describe material outgassing in spaceflight conditions are integrated over temperatures up to 125 C and with outgassing kinetic energies up to 40 kcal/mole. The outgassing rate is noted to be formulated as an expression of sublimation and evaporation, and can be a function of the materials of the outgassing process. The predicted mass loss rates for various materials are compared with mass loss rates from materials with known activation energies, e.g., silicone and solar panel samples, held at different temperatures and for varying time lengths. The comparisons are made for first order and more complex outgassing kinetics. The technique is concluded to be useful for a quick characterization of candidate materials for spaceflight considerations when contamination is a significant factor.
Purging and isolating pluripotent cells, “sweet” dreams become true?

The formation of an adult organism could be viewed as a hierarchical process in which the initial totipotent cell, the zygote, progressively loses “potency” by differentiating into pluripotent, multipotent and unipotent states until the final terminally differentiated cells comprising tissues and organs are derived. Such a unidirectional concept trembled when four transcription factors were shown to “revert” the identity of differentiated somatic cells and reprogram them into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) 1. These findings rapidly fed clinical expectations for regenerative medicine purposes as well as for disease modeling and drug discovery studies 2. Though this discovery represented a promising breakthrough, the technologies applied raised several concerns, as thoroughly discussed in other reports 3. Importantly, and regardless of the methodology used for reprogramming, the lack of efficient differentiation protocols opened the possibility that mixed populations could interfere during in vitro studies. Furthermore, experimental assessment of pluripotency involves the formation of benign tumors, called teratomas. Thus, residual pluripotent stem cells need to be eliminated prior to transplantation in order to reduce the risk of malignant transformations 3. Up to date, efficient selection of residual pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) relied on the use of antibodies recognizing known pluripotency-related surface markers as well as tissue-specific fluorescence reporters combined with sorting procedures 4. Additionally, suicide gene strategies have also been described 5. Yet, such methods can lead to undesired cellular modifications due to antibody binding and/or alteration of the host genome.
The metabolism of selenite by intact rat erythrocytes in vitro.

Abstract 75 Se-labeled selenite was used to study its metabolism by intact rat erythrocytes in vitro. Utilizing both N -ethylmaleimide and excess selenite to lower erythrocyte GSH concentrations it was shown that the uptake and subsequent metabolism of selenite was dependent upon GSH. The secondary release of Se by rat erythrocytes had no relation to the erythrocyte transport of GSSG. While fluoride depressed and chromate increased GSSG transport, chromate, a glutathione reductase inhibitor, decreased Se release. This was consistent with the concept that the release was secondary to a reaction catalyzed by glutathione reductase. The similarity of the I 50 values for chromates' irreversible inhibition of glutathione reductase and for the inhibition of Se release further suggested a relationship between these two events. These results supported the hypothesis that H 2 Se or a similar product of GSSeSG reduction by glutathione reductase was the final product of selenite metabolism by rat erythrocytes.
Treatment options for localized prostate cancer: quality-adjusted life years and the effects of lead-time

Abstract Objectives The purposes of this study were to estimate the difference in quality-adjusted life-years between conservative management and prostatectomy or radiotherapy (RT) by clinical Gleason score (2 to 4, 5 to 6, 7, and 8 to 10) for patients aged 55 years and older with clinically localized prostate cancer and to adjust for and explore the effects of lead-time. For localized prostate cancer, it is not known whether treatment (prostatectomy or RT) results in longer quality-adjusted survival than conservative management. Observed survival benefits after treatment may be biased by the lead-time resulting from early diagnosis with prostate-specific antigen screening. Methods A Markov simulation was developed, and transition probabilities were derived from a review of published studies. Utility weights were measured in male volunteers older than 60 years. Estimates of disease progression during conservative management were adjusted for lead-time. Sensitivity analyses were performed on all parameters (including estimates for lead-time). Results For Gleason score 2 to 4 cancer, conservative management yielded the greatest number of quality-adjusted life-years. For Gleason score 5 to 6 cancer, any of the options appeared beneficial, depending on the estimates for disease progression. For Gleason score 7 to 10 cancer, prostatectomy and RT resulted in more quality-adjusted life-years than conservative management; with a lead-time adjustment of greater than 10 years, the outcomes with conservative management and prostatectomy were similar. The choice between prostatectomy and RT was sensitive to estimates of disease progression after treatment. Conclusions Conservative management is a reasonable option for Gleason score 2 to 4 cancer and for some patients with Gleason score 5 to 6 cancer. Prostatectomy or RT is recommended for Gleason score 7 to 10 cancer. The survival benefits after treatment were not explained by the lead-time alone.
Tectonic development of the northeast part of the Rio Puerco fault zone, New Mexico

The major structural features of the northeast part of the Rio Puerco fault zone are (1) north- to northwest-trending folds, (2) northeast-trending normal faults, and (3) north-trending normal faults. These structures formed in response to an older north-oriented shear couple and a younger east-west-oriented tension. Laramide orogenic movements of late Paleocene through Eocene age resulted from a north-trending, right-shift force couple related to northeast shift of the Colorado Plateau. The folds and the northeast-trending normal faults formed in response to the right-shift couple, and the faults are interpreted as tensional fractures that developed at 45° to the trend of the couple. Miocene to Holocene tectonism is dominated by north-trending, east-dipping normal faults related to the development of the Rio Grande rift. Many southeast-dipping normal faults of Laramide origin were rejuvenated during Miocene and younger rifting.
Molecular Predictors of Local Tumor Control in Early-Stage Breast Cancer

Advances in surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic therapy have resulted in substantial improvements in local and distant tumor control in early-stage breast cancer, which in turn have improved breast cancer-specific and overall mortality. Although outcomes after breast-conserving therapy may be estimated using clinical and pathologic risk factors, more robust predictors of local tumor recurrence are necessary. Recent molecular profiling studies have shown that the risk of local and distant recurrence varies across different molecular subtypes of breast cancer. In addition, several molecular assays have emerged as promising prognostic and predictive markers of local and distant recurrence. The ability to use such molecular markers may allow for better tailoring of therapy and further reduction of recurrence rates and mortality in breast cancer. This is a rapidly evolving field, and prospective validation studies as well as the identification of new markers are needed.
HIV in the neonate

Mother-to-infant transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a worldwide problem. Between 7 and 40% of infants born to HIV-positive mothers become infected. The prognosis of these infants is poor, with most developing early and rapidly progressive disease. A number of advances in diagnosis and therapy offer opportunities to reduce the rate of vertical transmission and to improve the outlook of infected infants. Antiretroviral therapy during pregnancy and the neonatal period can markedly reduce the risk of mother-to-infant transmission. Recognition that 50% or more of infections are transmitted peripartum offers scope to further reduce the rate of transmission. However there is currently no consensus on the optimal management of pregnancy in HIV-infected women, and there is an urgent need for large randomized controlled trials. The development of polymerase chain reaction and p24 antigen assays has greatly facilitated the diagnosis of neonatal HIV infection, thereby enabling earlier supportive and anti-retroviral therapy. The place of zidovudine in paediatric HIV infection is now well-established, but the future will undoubtedly bring combination anti-retroviral therapy. Optimism about the prospects for developments in the prevention and treatment of paediatric acquired immunodeficiency syndrome must be tempered by the fact that the majority of cases occur in countries where patients have little or no access to medical care.
Pigment Dispersion Syndrome in Pseudophakic Corneal Transplants

We observed the pigment dispersion syndrome in two patients after keratoplasty with posterior chamber intraocular lenses. In addition to a heavily pigmented trabecular meshwork and iris transilluminating defects, an inferior linear pigmented endothelial line was seen in both patients. One patient developed glaucoma, which was well controlled with medication. Pigment dispersion syndrome in patients with penetrating keratoplasty should not be confused with an allograft reaction but should alert the transplant surgeon that a different process is occurring.
A Simplified Guide for Arranging 30° Pilkington Turner Posterior Denture Teeth in a Balanced Occlusion

A simple technique is presented for achieving balanced occlusion when setting 30 degrees Pilkington-Turner teeth. This technique involves the rotation of the mandibular posterior teeth around three axes: the vertical axis, to align the grooves and embrasures with the lateral path of the movement of the cusps; the mesio-distal axis, to achieve the Curve of Wilson; and the bucco-lingual axis, resulting in the Curve of Spee.
Cities Today: A New Frontier for Major Developments

The article examines several major structural trends contributing to the shift from the Keynesian routinized city to the strategic city that begins to emerge in the 1980s. Among the trends examined is the growth of the firm-to-firm economy, which includes corporate and industrial services as well as “urban manufacturing.” These kinds of services tend to be produced in cities, even when the firms being served are nonurban, such as mines, steel plants, or large factories. A second key, and counterintuitive, trend is the ongoing importance of spatial centrality for our most advanced economic sectors. The more globalized and digitized a sector becomes, the more its firms suffer from incomplete knowledge about their markets. Urban centrality enables the making of what the author calls urban knowledge capital: a collective production that is more than the sum of the knowledge of the professionals and the firms present in a city.
A near-optimal packet scheduler for QoS networks

A packet scheduler in a quality-of-service (QoS) network should be sophisticated enough to support stringent QoS constraints at high loads, but it must also have a simple implementation so that packets can be processed at the speed of the transmission link. The earliest-deadline-first (EDF) scheduler is the optimal scheduler for bounded-delay services in the sense that it provides the tightest delay guarantees of any scheduler, but an implementation of EDF requires the sorting of packets, a complex operation that is not practical for high-speed networks. In this study we present the design, implementation and analysis of the novel rotating-priority-queues/sup +/ (RPQ/sup +/) scheduler that is near-optimal in the sense that it can approximate EDF with arbitrary precision. The RPQ/sup +/ scheduler uses a set of prioritized FIFO queues whose priorities are rearranged (rotated) periodically to increase the priority of waiting packets. We derive admission control tests for RPQ/sup +/ and show that it has the following desirable properties: its implementation requires operations independent of the number of queued packets, it can provide worst-case delay guarantees, and its efficiency is "between" that of EDF and static-priority (SP) schedulers. We use numerical examples, including examples based on MPEG video, to show that in realistic scenarios RPQ/sup +/ can closely approximate EDF even for infrequent queue rotations.
A Defect-Tolerant Memory Nanoarchitecture Exploiting Hybrid Redundancy

Nanoelectronic devices have emerged as the potential fabrics for future computing systems as well as memories. However, due to the imperfect fabrication process, the excessively high defect rates prevent nano memories from being practically feasible. In this paper, we propose a defect-tolerant memory nanoarchitecture for nanowire crossbar memories. By using soft redundancy (runtime utilization of spatial/temporal access locality) in combination with hardware redundancy (redundant columns and rows), the proposed technique can achieve effective defect tolerance while reduce the cost as compared to the existing defect mapping techniques and ECC-based designs. Simulation results on memory systems running SPEC CPU2000 benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness in defect tolerance and cost efficiency of the proposed approach.
Dynamic liquefaction of Jurassic sand dunes: processes, Origins, and implications

Soft-sediment deformation occurs in ancient eolian dune deposits, but understanding its extent and the conditions and forces behind the deformation often remains elusive. Here we gain insight into the aerial extent and environmental conditions related to intense soft-sediment deformation, based on an exceptional three dimensional (3D) exposure of eolian dune deposits and preserved geomorphic landscape expressions in the Jurassic Navajo Sandstone at White Pocket, Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona. Deformation features include elongate northeast trending decameter-scale mounds and raised ridges cored by deformed and upturned eolian dune sets, overlain by a massive blanket sandstone with breccia blocks. The geomorphic mounds display ~40–60 m spacing, roughly perpendicular to the southerly paleoflow dune foreset directions. The geometry of the deformation is imaged by oblique aerial photography using cameras mounted on a remote control airplane and high resolution panoramas with a robotic camera mount. We interpret the exquisitely preserved deformation features as liquefaction-induced ground failure, consistent with theoretical and laboratory studies of deformation in saturated sand. A shallow water table affected by differential dune loading facilitated lateral spreading and failure. The transition to steady-state flow liquefaction near the top of the shallow water table destroyed original sedimentary structure, creating a massive sand blanket that entrained brecciated blocks ripped up during flow. The water-pressurized, upwelled sediment created the mounds (a relief inversion). In underlying deformed dune sets, deformation was intense but sedimentary structure was not obliterated as deformation progressed from initial cyclic mobility to strain-softening, but ceased prior to steady-state flow liquefaction. The spatial extent, topographic relief, and intensity of dynamic deformation suggest an origin of strong ground motion driven by long-duration surface waves of a large earthquake (> Mw 7–8), possibly related to back arc thrusting from Jurassic subduction of the Pacific plate under North America. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of paired helical filaments by scanning transmission electron microscopy.

Paired helical filaments (PHFs) are abnormal twisted filaments composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. They are found in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders designated as tauopathies. They are a major component of intracellular inclusions known as neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The objective of this review is to summarize various structural studies of PHFs in which using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) has been particularly informative. STEM provides shape and mass per unit length measurements important for studying ultrastructural aspects of filaments. These include quantitative comparisons between dispersed and aggregated populations of PHFs as well as comparative studies of PHFs in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Other approaches are also discussed if relevant or complementary to studies using STEM, e.g., application of a novel staining reagent, Nanovan. Our understanding of the PHF structure and the development of PHFs into NFTs is presented from a historical perspective. Others goals are to describe the biochemical and ultrastructural complexity of authentic PHFs, to assess similarities between authentic and synthetic PHFs, and to discuss recent advances in PHF modeling. Microsc. Res. Tech. 67:126–140, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Functional interplay between cohesin and Smc5/6 complexes

Chromosomes are subjected to massive reengineering as they are replicated, transcribed, repaired, condensed, and segregated into daughter cells. Among the engineers are three large protein complexes collectively known as the structural maintenance of chromosome (SMC) complexes: cohesin, condensin, and Smc5/6. As their names suggest, cohesin controls sister chromatid cohesion, condensin controls chromosome condensation, and while precise functions for Smc5/6 have remained somewhat elusive, most reports have focused on the control of recombinational DNA repair. Here, we focus on cohesin and Smc5/6 function. It is becoming increasingly clear that the functional repertoires of these complexes are greater than sister chromatid cohesion and recombination. These SMC complexes are emerging as interrelated and cooperating factors that control chromosome dynamics throughout interphase. However, they also release their embrace of sister chromatids to enable their segregation at anaphase, resetting the dynamic cycle of SMC-chromosome interactions.
Compensatory Interactions between Sir3p and the Nucleosomal LRS Surface Imply Their Direct Interaction

The previously identified LRS (Loss of rDNA Silencing) domain of the nucleosome is critically important for silencing at both ribosomal DNA and telomeres. To understand the function of the LRS surface in silencing, we performed an EMS mutagenesis screen to identify suppressors of the H3 A75V LRS allele. We identified dominant and recessive mutations in histones H3, H4, and dominant mutations in the BAH (Bromo Adjacent Homology) domain of SIR3. We further characterized a surface of Sir3p critical for silencing via the LRS surface. We found that all alleles of the SIR3 BAH domain were able to 1) generally suppress the loss of telomeric silencing of LRS alleles, but 2) could not suppress SIN (Swi/Snf Independent) alleles or 3) could not suppress the telomeric silencing defect of H4 tail alleles. Moreover, we noticed a complementary trend in the electrostatic changes resulting from most of the histone mutations that gain or lose silencing and the suppressor alleles isolated in SIR3, and the genes for histones H3 and H4. Mutations in H3 and H4 genes that lose silencing tend to make the LRS surface more electronegative, whereas mutations that increase silencing make it less electronegative. Conversely, suppressors of LRS alleles in either SIR3, histone H3, or H4 also tend to make their respective surfaces less electronegative. Our results provide genetic evidence for recent data suggesting that the Sir3p BAH domain directly binds the LRS domain. Based on these findings, we propose an electrostatic model for how an extensive surface on the Sir3p BAH domain may regulate docking onto the LRS surface.
BODY-IMAGE DISTORTION IN NORMAL-WEIGHT COLLEGE WOMEN

20 normal-weight college women were tested for body-image distortion and given the Eating Disorder Inventory and the Tennessee Self-concept Scale. Body-image distortion was present in one-half of the sample and seemed to be related to cognitive factors. There was no evidence of perceptual abnormalities in the subjects, and body-image distortion was not correlated with body weight or low self-esteem.
Managing dynamic reconfiguration overhead in systems-on-a-chip design using reconfigurable datapaths and optimized interconnection networks

This research examines the role of dynamically reconfigurable logic in systems-on-a-chip (SoC) design. Specifically we study the overhead of storing and downloading the configuration code bits for different parts of an application in a dynamically reconfigurable coprocessor environment. For SoC designs the different configuration bit-streams will likely need to be stored on chip, thus it becomes crucial to reduce the storage overhead. In addition, reducing the reconfiguration time overhead is crucial in realizing performance benefits. This study provides insight into the granularity of the reconfigurable logic that is appropriate for the SoC context. Our initial study is in the domain of multimedia and communication systems. We first present profiling results for these using the MESCAL compiler infrastructure. These results are used to derive an architecture template that consists of dynamically reconfigurable datapaths using coarse grain logic blocks and a reconfigurable interconnection network. We justify this template based on the constraints of SoC design. We then describe a design flow where we start from an application, derive the kernel loops via profiling and then map the application using the dynamically reconfigurable datapath and the simplest interconnection network. As part of this flow we have developed a mapping algorithm that minimizes the size of the interconnection network and thus the overhead of reconfiguration, which is key for systems-on-a-chip. We provide some initial results that validate our approach.
Effects of Estrogen, Progesterone, and Combination Exposure on Interleukin-1β-Induced Expression of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM, and E-Selectin by Human Female Iliac Artery Endothelial Cells

The cardioprotective effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in healthy, postmenopausal women is well documented. Little work has been performed on the effect of HRT in peripheral arteries. Recent work suggests that HRT may adversely affect the patency of peripheral grafts. This study investigates the in vitro effects of estrogen and/or progesterone exposure on adhesion molecule expression by normal human female iliac artery endothelial cells (HIAEC). Control and interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-stimulated HIAEC monolayers were labeled with fluorescent-tagged antibodies against the adhesion molecules VCAM-1, ICAM-1, PECAM, and E-selectin. FACS analysis was used to measure antibody-labeled adhesion molecule expression. ICAM-1 and PECAM were found to be constitutively expressed. VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression were significantly upregulated by IL-1β, while E-selectin was neither constitutively expressed nor upregulated by IL-1β. Pretreatment with estrogen or progesterone alone decreased IL-1β-stimulated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression, but not to statistically significant levels. Combined hormone exposure significantly decreased, in an additive fashion, the expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in stimulated cells. This study supports extension of the beneficial effects ascribed to HRT to include the peripheral arterial endothelium of healthy women.
CAPTCHA Challenge Tradeoffs: Familiarity of Strings versus Degradation of Images

It is a well documented fact that, for human readers, familiar text is more legible than unfamiliar text. Current-generation computer vision systems also are able to exploit some kinds of prior knowledge of linguistic context: for example, many OCR systems can use known lexica (word-lists, such as of commonly occurring English words) to disambiguate interpretations. It is interesting that human readers can exploit various degrees of familiarity: for example, strings of characters which, while not found in dictionaries, are similar to spelled words: e.g. "pronounceable" strings, or strings made up of frequently occurring character n-grams. In contrast to this, computer vision technologies for exploiting such poorly characterized constraints (absent an explicit, complete lexicon) are not yet well developed. This gap in ability may allow us to design stronger CAPTCHAs. We measure the familiarity of challenge strings generated by four methods (described by Bentley and Mallows) and we use the ScatterType CAPTCHA to degrade challenge images. We report the results of a human legibility trial which supports the hypothesis that more familiar strings are indeed more legible in CAPTCHAs. Our measurements may enable engineering CAPTCHAs with a more uniform distribution of difficulty by balancing image degradations against familiarity.
The influence of emotions in embodied agents on human decision-making

Acknowledging the social functions that emotions serve, there has been growing interest in the interpersonal effect of emotion in human decision making. Following the paradigm of experimental games from social psychology and experimental economics, we explore the interpersonal effect of emotions expressed by embodied agents on human decision making. The paper describes an experiment where participants play the iterated prisoner's dilemma against two different agents that play the same strategy (tit-for-tat), but communicate different goal orientations (cooperative vs. individualistic) through their patterns of facial displays. The results show that participants are sensitive to differences in the facial displays and cooperate significantly more with the cooperative agent. The data indicate that emotions in agents can influence human decision making and that the nature of the emotion, as opposed to mere presence, is crucial for these effects. We discuss the implications of the results for designing human-computer interfaces and understanding human-human interaction.
A prospective study of the onset of sexual behavior and sexual risk in youth perinatally infected with HIV.

Perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) youth are surviving into adolescence and young adulthood. Understanding the sexual development of PHIV+ youth is vital to providing them with developmentally appropriate HIV-prevention programs. Using pooled data (N = 417) from two longitudinal studies focused on HIV among youth (51% female; 39% HIV+) and their caregivers (92% female; 46% HIV+), the rate of sexual onset during adolescence across four youth–caregiver combinations was compared: PHIV+ youth with HIV+caregivers (12%), PHIV+ youth with HIV– caregivers (27%), HIV– youth with HIV+caregivers (34%), and HIV– youth with HIV– caregivers (27%). Youth with HIV– caregivers were more likely than other youth–caregiver groups to have had their sexual onset. Youth with HIV+ caregivers reported a slower rate of onset of penetrative sex across the adolescent years. Findings are discussed by highlighting the role that both youth and caregiver HIV status play in the onset of sexual behavior across adolescence.
An Investigation in the Variance in Particle Surface Interactions and Their Effects in Gas Turbines

This paper presents the results of a study conducted to investigate particle surface interaction characteristics and their effects on the particle dynamics and blade erosion in axial flow gas turbines. The particle restitution velocities measured experimentally using Laser Doppler Velocimetry in a special tunnel are analyzed using statistical methods. The resulting distribution functions of the rebounding particle velocities after surface impacts are introduced in the particle trajectory simulations through the turbine blade passages, suing a methodology that combines particle dynamics computations in a probabilistic model. The presented results for the simulated ash particle dynamics demonstrate the effect of the experimentally measured variance in the particle restitution characteristics on the particle surface impacts, and the associated blade erosion in an axial flow turbine.
Mice lacking CD21 and CD35 proteins mount effective immune responses against Borrelia burgdorferi infection.

CD21/35−/− mice, deficient in CD21 and CD35 (complement receptors 2 and 1, respectively), were infected with Borrelia burgdorferi to assess the role of these receptors in a chronic bacterial infection. Although CD21/35−/− mice on both C57BL/6 and BALB/c backgrounds produced less B. burgdorferi-specific antibodies than did wild-type mice, spirochete levels and arthritis severity were similar.
Mutagenicity of nitrosocarbaryl and other methylating nitrosamides as related to uptake in haemophilus influenzae

Differences greater than 6,000-fold in the mutagenic potency of three nitro-samides that are methylating agents [N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU), N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and N-nitrosocarbaryl (NC)] could be accounted for in part by differences in their uptake into the Haemophilus influenzae cells. Uptake was roughly correlated with the octanol/water partition coefficient. The most potent mutagen, NC, was concentrated by the cells. The least potent, MNU, was essentially excluded from the bacteria. Uptake was a linear function of concentration, whereas induction of novobiocin-resistant mutations followed higher-order kinetics. The effective dose of chemical to the bacteria (number of molecules taken up) under conditions of mutagenesis could be calculated.
Control of leech swimming activity by the cephalic ganglia

We investigated the role played by the cephalic nervous system in the control of swimming activity in the leech, Hirudo medicinalis, by comparing swimming activity in isolated leech nerve cords that included the head ganglia (supra- and subesophageal ganglia) with swimming activity in nerve cords from which these ganglia were removed. We found that the presence of these cephalic ganglia had an inhibitory influence on the reliability with which stimulation of peripheral (DP) nerves and intracellular stimulation of swim-initiating neurons initiated and maintained swimming activity. In addition, swimming activity recorded from both oscillator and motor neurons in preparations that included head ganglia frequently exhibited irregular bursting patterns consisting of missed, weak, or sustained bursts. Removal of the two head ganglia as well as the first segmental ganglion eliminated this irregular activity pattern. We also identified a pair of rhythmically active interneurons, SRN1, in the subesophageal ganglion that, when depolarized, could reset the swimming rhythm. Thus the cephalic ganglia and first segmental ganglion of the leech nerve cord are capable of exerting a tonic inhibitory influence as well as a modulatory effect on swimming activity in the segmental nerve cord.
Antipsychotic Dose-Sparing Effect with Addition of Memantine

OBJECTIVE:To describe a case of an antipsychotic-sparing effect achieved after the addition of memantine to the regimen of a patient with severe Alzheimer's disease and aggressive behavioral disturbances.CASE SUMMARY:A 78-year-old white man with severe Alzheimer's disease was receiving risperidone 2 mg 3 times daily for persistent aggressive and dangerous behavioral disturbances. Memantine was initiated, and the dose was titrated to 10 mg twice daily. The patient's response included improvement in functional status and resolution of problematic behaviors, allowing repeated reduction of the risperidone dose and ultimate discontinuation.DISCUSSION:Antipsychotics are often employed to treat behavioral disturbances for patients with Alzheimer's disease; however, the adverse effect potential of these agents remains a significant concern. Adjunctive medications that maintain or improve behavioral symptoms yet allow an antipsychotic-sparing effect are attractive. Such experiences have previously been described w...
Sensibilidad a las contingencias cambiantes: una función de las disposiciones de personalidad y de las instrucciones

Este estudio examino los efectos que ejercen las disposiciones de personalidad y las instrucciones sobre la sensibilidad de los sujetos a las contingencias cambiantes en un programa multiple. De acuerdo con los resultados obtenidos en la aplicacion de una prueba de personalidad que media "Rigidez" se seleccionaron 24 sujetos con calificaciones altas y 24 con calificaciones bajas. Todos los sujetos fueron expuestos a un programa de reforzamiento multiple RDB4"/RF18. La mitad de los sujetos que calificaron alto o bajo en "rigidez" recibieron instrucciones precisas sobre el programa, la otra mitad recibio instrucciones minimas. Despues de dos sesiones de reforzamiento, el programa se sustituyo subrepticiamente por uno de extincion. Los resultados mostraron que tanto las disposiciones de personalidad de los sujetos Como las instrucciones afectaron la sensibilidad al programa. Los sujetos con calificaciones alias en "rigidez" mostraron significativamente menos sensibilidad a las contingencias cambiantes que los que obtuvieron calificaciones bajas en rigidez. Ademas, los sujetos que recibieron instrucciones precisas mostraron menos sensibilidad at cambio en las contingencias que los sujetos que recibieron instrucciones minimas, lo que sugiere que la ejecucion con instrucciones aparenta estar bajo el control del programa, pero de hecho esta gobernada por reglas. Este estudio evidencia la utilidad que tiene evaluar las "disposiciones de personalidad" cuando se estudia la conducta humana en el laboratorio operante. Los repertorios conductuales preestablecidos que la gente trae consigo a Ia situacion merecen ser tornados en cuenta, ya que no se pueden controlar con facilidad, ni tampoco se les puede eliminar, e interactuan significativamente con las variables independientes manipuladas durante el experimento.
Cyber-physical interdependency in dynamic software-defined optical transmission networks

Software-defined networking (SDN) has been proposed as a next-generation control and management framework, facilitating network programmability to address emerging dynamic application requirements. The separation of control and data planes in SDN demands the synergistic operation of the two entities for globally optimized performance. We identify the collaboration of the control plane and the data plane in software-defined optical transmission systems as a cyber-physical interdependency where the "physical" fiber network provides the “cyber” control network with means to distribute control and signaling messages and in turn is itself operated by these "cyber" control messages. We focus on the cyber-physical interdependency in SDN optical transmission from a network robustness perspective and characterize cascading failure behaviors. Our analysis suggests that topological properties pose a significant impact on failure extensibility. We further evaluate the effectiveness of optical layer reconfigurability in improving the resilience of SDN controlled optical transmission systems.
Dimensional Reduction Techniques for Multiplex Analyses

Modern engineering analyses often require the use of complex mathematical models and thus are computationally intensive to execute. Given the move towards multidisciplinary and probabilistic methods, the required number of evaluations of these complex mathematical models can greatly exceed the reasonable amount of time given for an analysis. Increasing the computing power of the equipment used for the analysis isn’t always possible so reducing the amount of model evaluations is usually considered and is done so by reducing the amount of dimensions to be considered. Several approaches for reducing the dimensionality are outlined in this paper including, single response approaches using deterministic and non-deterministic information, spatial reduction techniques using both deterministic and non-deterministic information, and a multi-response technique using non-deterministic information. Each of these approaches are described as applied to a turbine blade failure model and their relative merit described.
Indian and Western Political Thought: Coalescence or Clash?.

American political scientists are still teaching courses labeled “Comparative Government” with little or no attention to the government and politics of the largest states of the world today, and they are still teaching something called “Political Theory” or “History of Political Thought” with no more than casual reference to the ideas underlying non-Western civilizations. The neglect of Indian polity is particularly striking and particularly serious, for apart from Western political thought it comprises probably the most extensive and most important body of political philosophy. Moreover, it is an integral part of the Hindu civilization of the past and the present. That civilization, as Radha-krishnan and Toynbee, among others, have pointed out, is alien to Western civilization, although there are many similarities; and the present encounter between the two civilizations comes at a time when both are in a period of crisis and transition. Such considerations are basic to an understanding of the stresses and strains in the relations of India with the Western world. Behind the tensions that arise between the United States and India, for example, lie differences in views of life and modes of thought and conduct, complicated by uncertainty, inner struggle, sensitivity, misunderstanding, and inexperience in playing new and difficult roles.
Proof without words: Every triangle has infinitely many inscribed equilateral triangles

(2002). Proof Without Words: Every Triangle Has Infinitely Many Inscribed Equilateral Triangles. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 75, No. 2, pp. 138-138.
The effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on child development

Prenatal exposure to alcohol can be the cause of a growing child's learning and behavior problems, since alcohol is a teratogen. Exposure to large quantities of alcohol before birth can lead to the developmental disability and medical diagnosis of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), and there may be a ran
Prostaglandin synthesis by the porcine corpus luteum: effect of tumor necrosis factor-α

The porcine corpus luteum (CL) displays delayed sensitivity to PGF-2α (luteolytic sensitivity, [LS]) until days 12 to 13 of cycle. The control of LS is unknown, but it is temporally associated with macrophage (which secrete tumor necrosis factor-α; TNF-α) infiltration into the CL. Other studies showed that TNF-α induces LS in vitro and that prostaglandins (PGs) may be involved in this mechanism. In experiment 1, PGF-2α and PGE secretion by luteal cells (LCs) was measured on days 4 to 14 of the estrous cycle, and the expression of PTGFS/AKR1B1 and PTGES/mPGES-1, determined by Western blot, before (day 7) vs after (day 13) the onset of LS. Results showed that the PGF-2α:PGE ratio increased significantly (P < 0.05) from day 4 to 13-14, and PTGFS/AKR1B1 and PTGES/mPGES-1 were significantly increased (P < 0.05) on day 13 (vs day 7). In experiment 2, LCs were collected from porcine CL at early (∼days 4-6) or mid (∼days 7-12) stages of the estrous cycle and cultured with 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 ng/mL TNF-α. Results showed that TNF-α significantly increased (P < 0.05) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and mPGES-1 but not AKR1B1. TNF-α had no significant effects on AKR1B1 or mPGES protein abundance. TNF-α significantly increased (P < 0.05) PGE-2 but had no effect on PGF-2α secretion or on the PGF-2α:PGE2 ratio. In conclusion, although TNF-α increased COX2 and mPGES-1 mRNA, and PGE-2 secretion in vitro, it did not increase the PGF-2α:PGE2 ratio. Studies are currently directed toward exploring other pathways (eg, FP receptor signaling) by which TNF-α induces LS in the porcine CL.