cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THE PASSAGE OF ENDOGENOUS ESTROGEN ACROSS THE PARABIOTIC UNION IN RATS1

WHEN an ovariectomized rat is united in parabiosis with a normal female rat, it is well known that FSH secreted by the pituitary of the ovariectomized rat soon passes over the parabiotic union and stimulates the ovaries of the second rat to secrete estrogen. Experiments reported previously (Zeckwer 1944) correlated the changes in the pituitary, mammary glands and ovaries of such rats over long periods up to 18 months after operation. In the late stages the pituitary, mammary glands and uterus of the ovariectomized partner (rat A) were of the castrate type, whereas the other partner (rat B) showed all the effects of long continued estrogen secretion. The parabiotic union was by suture of peritoneum, muscle and skin, but with no gross opening between the peritoneal cavities of the two rats. At the time of these experiments, it was not appreciated that at an early stage after parabiosis, estrogen passed from rat B to rat A temporarily so that there was a stage of estrus in the ovariectomized animal.
Characterization of Soil Microbial Population Dynamics in Newly Constructed Sand-Based Rootzones

Modern sand-based golf course putting greens are constructed for optimum soil physical properties. However, since they are sand based and synthetically prepared, it is often perceived that they support a less numerous and diverse microbial population than comparable native soils. This field study was conducted to monitor the microbial properties of five newly constructed sand-based rootzone mixtures planted to creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera var. palustris Huds. Farw.) during the first 2 yr of turfgrass establishment. Bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, and aerobic spore forming (Bacillus spp.) populations were determined on selective media. Nitrifiers and denitrifiers were estimated by a most probable number (MPN) technique. Within the first 6 mo after seeding, bacteria exceeded 10 8 cfu g -1 dry soil, similar to levels recorded in a mature sand-based putting green. Bacteria were most numerous followed by actinomycetes, fungi, and Bacillus spp., respectively. Temporal changes in microbial populations were observed only in year one. The nitrogen transforming populations were numerically smaller (<10 4 cfu g -1 dry soil) than total bacteria but followed a similar temporal trend. Rootzone amendments had minimal effects on microbial properties but environmental factors and an actively growing turfgrass root system may have a greater influence on microbial activity.
Disposition of Progabide and Valproic Acid Following Intraperitoneal Administration in Rhesus Monkey

The pharmacokinetic characteristics of progabide, a new gamma-aminobutyric acid-mimetic drug, were evaluated following single- and multiple-dose administration of a progabide suspension through a chronic intraperitoneal catheter. Several issues pertaining to the bioavailability of progabide were addressed: first-pass effect, incomplete dissolution, and dose and time dependency. Four male monkeys received five treatments: three intraperitoneal doses (50, 100, and 150 mg), one oral dose (50 mg), and one intravenous bolus dose (150 mg). Bioavailability following intraperitoneal administration was incomplete, consistent with a first-pass effect predicted from intravenous data. There were no significant differences between the absolute bioavailabilities of the three intraperitoneal doses, which ranged between 40 and 49%. The apparent half-life (t 1/2) observed after intraperitoneal administration was significantly longer than the elimination half-life by the intravenous route and tended to increase with dose. This behavior is consistent with dissolution rate-limited absorption. The bioavailability of the suspension administered orally was compared with that of the intraperitoneal route, and no difference was found. However, the apparent t 1/2 by the oral route was significantly longer than that of the intraperitoneal route. In multiple-dosing studies, four different dosing regimens (all intraperitoneal) were examined, including 50 mg every 2 or every 6 h, 20 mg every 2 h, and 40 mg every 4 h. In all these regimens, plasma levels exhibited an accumulation compared with single-dose predictions. Large oscillations in plasma levels were observed when the dosing interval was 6 h and side effects were observed when the dosing interval was 2 h.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
FTIR Study of the Adsorption and Thermal Behavior of Vinyltriethoxysilane Chemisorbed on γ-Al2O3

The adsorption and thermal stability of vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was studied on a γ-Al2O3 surface. Adsorption occurs near room temperature with the production of ethanol from the reaction with isolated surface AlOH groups, producing the surface species AlOSi(OC2H5)2CHCH2. As the surface is heated, decomposition of AlOSi(OC2H5)2CHCH2 occurs first via loss of the OC2H5 groups (starting at ∼520 K) and then with loss of the CHCH2 groups (starting at ∼820 K). Below 375 K, ethanol is the sole gas phase product produced, and near 520 K, both ethanol gas and ethylene gas are produced. At higher temperatures, ethanol decomposes on the surface and ethylene is the only gas phase species present. The thermal stability of ethoxy groups on the VTES-treated Al2O3 surface decreases considerably under strong hydrolysis conditions in water vapor. There is also a decrease in the stability of the vinyl groups under strong hydrolysis conditions. Above ∼525 K, SiOH infrared bands are observed to develop as AlOH groups disap...
NomaticBubbles: visualizing communal whereabouts

We describe the design of the NomaticBubbles, a visualization that provides cues of communal whereabouts. Unlike most location displays showing whereabouts on a geographical map, the NomaticBubbles depicts historical and aggregate traces of participants' whereabouts in an abstract and ambiguous manner. We describe the design of the NomaticBubbles, and discuss some early experiences and feedback we got, as well as future work.
Prevalence of antibodies to human parvovirus B19 nonstructural protein in persons with various clinical outcomes following B19 infection.

Persistent infections with human parvovirus B19 (B19) associated with debilitating chronic disease have been described, although evidence linking B19 to these more unusual clinical outcomes has been inconclusive. Recent reports have suggested that the development of antibodies to the B19 nonstructural protein (NS1) following B19 infection might be linked to development of severe arthropathy and chronic infection. To confirm these findings, the C-terminal region of the NS1 protein was expressed for use in Western blot assays for detection of anti-NS1 IgG antibodies in human serum. Among 91 persons tested, 0 of 20 not previously infected with B19, 9 (36%) of 25 with past B19 infection, and 5 (12.5%) of 40 with recent B19 infection, had detectable anti-NS1 antibodies. Of 6 persons with chronic B19 infection, 2 had detectable antibodies to NS1. The presence of anti-NS 1 antibodies did not appear to correlate with unusual clinical outcomes or chronic B19 infection.
MUSIC: Patterns of Care in the Radiographic Staging of Men with Newly Diagnosed Low Risk Prostate Cancer

Purpose: MUSIC is a statewide consortium of 42 urology practices that aims to improve the quality of prostate cancer care in Michigan. As an initial priority, we examined patterns of care in the radiographic staging of men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. We determined whether collaborative-wide data review and performance feedback would decrease the imaging rate in men with low risk prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Practices submitted standardized data, including the use and results of staging computerized tomography and bone scan, to a web based clinical registry of all men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. We identified all patients with low risk prostate cancer and compared imaging use patterns before and after practice level performance feedback and guideline review, which were provided at collaborative-wide meetings.Results: In MUSIC 813 patients were newly diagnosed with low risk prostate cancer during the 19-month study period. Of 410 patients diagnosed in the prefeedback period (ph...
Biguanide-induced mitochondrial dysfunction yields increased lactate production and cytotoxicity of aerobically-poised HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes in vitro

As a class, the biguanides induce lactic acidosis, a hallmark of mitochondrial impairment. To assess potential mitochondrial impairment, we evaluated the effects of metformin, buformin and phenformin on: 1) viability of HepG2 cells grown in galactose, 2) respiration by isolated mitochondria, 3) metabolic poise of HepG2 and primary human hepatocytes, 4) activities of immunocaptured respiratory complexes, and 5) mitochondrial membrane potential and redox status in primary human hepatocytes. Phenformin was the most cytotoxic of the three with buformin showing moderate toxicity, and metformin toxicity only at mM concentrations. Importantly, HepG2 cells grown in galactose are markedly more susceptible to biguanide toxicity compared to cells grown in glucose, indicating mitochondrial toxicity as a primary mode of action. The same rank order of potency was observed for isolated mitochondrial respiration where preincubation (40 min) exacerbated respiratory impairment, and was required to reveal inhibition by metformin, suggesting intramitochondrial bio-accumulation. Metabolic profiling of intact cells corroborated respiratory inhibition, but also revealed compensatory increases in lactate production from accelerated glycolysis. High (mM) concentrations of the drugs were needed to inhibit immunocaptured respiratory complexes, supporting the contention that bioaccumulation is involved. The same rank order was found when monitoring mitochondrial membrane potential, ROS production, and glutathione levels in primary human hepatocytes. In toto, these data indicate that biguanide-induced lactic acidosis can be attributed to acceleration of glycolysis in response to mitochondrial impairment. Indeed, the desired clinical outcome, viz., decreased blood glucose, could be due to increased glucose uptake and glycolytic flux in response to drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction.
Structure and Properties of N-Substituted Polyisoindoles

Abstract Polymers of N-methylisoindole, N-phenylisoindole and N-octylisoindole are synthesized by electrochemical polymerization. Effects of a fused benzene ring on N-substituted pyrroles and steric influence of the N-substituents are studied with respect to the oxidation potentials of pyrrole derivatives as well as conductivities and bandgaps of their polymers. It was found that the oxidation potentials of these N-substituted isoindoles are considerably lower than that of pyrrole. Conductivities of N-substituted polyisoindoles lie in the range of 10−3 to 10 −6 S/cm.
On flexible containment

Abstract The doctrine of containment has been a principal element of American foreign policy for four decades. But there has been a major change in the Communist world; it is no longer a monolithic bloc. Many Marxist governments, including some Communist regimes, are not satellites or allies of the Soviets. Indeed, some are more anti‐Soviet than many noncommunist states. Yugoslavia and China do not serve Soviet expansionism; their security and economic interests are closer to the West. More and more Communist regimes, faced with mounting social and economic difficulties, must turn to the West, which has so much more to offer in the economic and technological spheres. Consequently, differentiation and disintegration within the Communist alliances are inevitable. Pluralism in the Western democracies is a source of strength. In despotic countries and blocs, pluralism would sound the death knell of tyranny and of despotic centralization. The emergence of Gorbachev as a dynamic leader flexible in his relations...
Mineral Mysteries: The Jacksons Crossroads Enigma, Wilkes County, Georgia

The amethyst locality in Wilkes County, Georgia, known as Jacksons Crossroads has been famous since 2005 because it has produced some of the most beautiful amethyst specimens ever found anywhere in...
The emergence of team creative cognition: the role of diverse outside ties, sociocognitive network centrality, and team evolution

We introduce the concept of team creative cognition and discuss how it is transferred and infused within the team to enable the team's creativity. Specifically, we propose that diverse personal ties outside of the team shape and strengthen individual team member's ‘creative muscle,’ and that this individual creative cognition is infused within the team through modeling processes, ultimately resulting in team creative cognition. We further propose that team member centrality in the team's sociocognitive network, as well as the evolution of the entrepreneurial team, are critical to fully understanding the infusion process and the resulting emergence of team creative cognition. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
Effect of Intravenous Extracellular Gadolinium Based Contrast Medium on Renal Diffusion Weighted Images

Rationale and Objectives The aim of this study was to compare precontrast and postcontrast renal diffusion-weighted images for signal intensity (SI), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and lesion conspicuity. Materials and Methods In 62 patients (mean age, 54 ± 29; 29 men, 33 women) precontrast and postcontrast (0.1 mmol/kg of extracellular gadolinium-based contrast medium; mean, 3.3 ± 0.9 minutes], diffusion-weighted images at b values of 50 and 400 s/mm2 were compared (3 T). The SI, signal-to-noise ratio, and ADC of the renal cortex, medulla, and lesions were measured. Lesion contrast-to-noise ratios (against the medulla and cortex) were calculated. Results Postcontrast medullary SI decreased by 50% and cortical SI decreased by 33% and 39% on images at b = 50 s/mm2 and b = 400 s/mm2, respectively (P Conclusion Postcontrast diffusion-weighted imaging causes a significant decrease in renal parenchymal signal without a significant change in lesion signal, resulting in increased lesion conspicuity.
Efficient schema-based XML-to-Relational data mapping

Storing and querying XML documents using a RDBMS is a challenging problem since one needs to resolve the conflict between the hierarchical, ordered nature of the XML data model and the flat, unordered nature of the relational data model. This conflict can be resolved by the following XML-to-Relational mappings: schema mapping, data mapping and query mapping. In this paper, we propose: (i) a lossless schema mapping algorithm to generate a database schema from a DTD, which makes several improvements over existing algorithms, (ii) two linear data mapping algorithms based on DOM and SAX, respectively, to map ordered XML data to relational data. To our best knowledge, there is no published linear schema-based data mapping algorithm for mapping ordered XML data to relational data. Experimental results are presented to show that our algorithms are efficient and scalable.
Introduction effort, climate matching and species traits as predictors of global establishment success in non‐native reptiles

Aim Non-native reptiles are often detrimental to native communities and ecosystems and can be extremely difficult to manage once established. Thus, there is considerable interest in predicting the likelihood of establishment of non-native reptiles. We assessed three hypotheses describing possible factors contributing to the successful establishment of introduced reptiles in an effort to better identify potential invaders. Location Worldwide. Methods Using a global invasion database (1307 introductions of 398 species) and Bayesian generalized linear mixed models, we tested the relative importance of event-level (e.g. propagule pressure), location-level (e.g. climate matching) and species-level (e.g. parthenogenesis) factors in reptile establishment success. Results The factors that positively influenced establishment success included: (i) Event-level: longer time since initial introduction, greater number of introduction events and intentional introductions; (ii) Location-level: smaller differences in latitude between native and introduced ranges and the presence of native congeners in the introduced range; and (iii) Species-level: smaller body size, herbivores, larger native range size, parthenogenesis and high fecundity. Main conclusions We found that location-level factors were most important in describing reptile establishment success, followed by event- and species-level factors, respectively. This pattern matches closely with what others have found in a variety of vertebrate taxa. However, the importance of species traits may be underestimated considering the insufficient knowledge of reptile life history within introduced ranges. Importantly, individual variables from all three hypotheses contributed to global reptile establishment. Managers should be especially cognizant of small herbivorous and fecund reptiles that are frequently introduced into areas with a strong climate match to their native range. Further, parthenogenesis greatly facilitated establishment, indicating that obligate parthenogenetic species may become ubiquitous through modern globalized trade.
A Study Of Domain Boundary Structures In Lead Titanate Single Crystals

Domain boundary structures of flux-grown poly-domain lead titanate single crystals have been studied using transmission electron microscopy. 90° and 180° domain boundaries were seen in the crystals and were systematically analyzed under various diffraction conditions. Although 90° domain boundaries are supposely δ-type boundaries in BaTiO 3 , our results show that displacement plays an important role at boundaries and the extreme fringe contrast (EFC) behavior of 90° boundaries is of the mixed type. In the present work, an analysis based upon the two beam dynamical theory was conducted and a rule similar to stacking-fault contrast analysis was established to predict the geometric configuration of a 180° domain boundary using EFC behavior. Examples are given and verified by tilting experiments and electron diffraction. The results are consistent and offer a convenient way to distinguish between 90° and 180° boundaries.
Acute bacterial cholangitis

Acute bacterial cholangitis refers to a bacterial infection of the biliary tract. Choledocholithiasis is the most common cause of biliary obstruction, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp, and Enterococcus spp the most frequent biliary pathogens isolated in patients with cholangitis. Clinical presentation varies from mild illness to septic shock. The diagnosis of cholangitis is clinical and is supported by laboratory and radiographic findings. Initial treatment is supportive and includes antibiotics to cover the typical pathogens, but definitive treatment requires biliary drainage. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the preferred technique to achieve biliary decompression with placement of an internal or nasobiliary stent. In cases in which ERCP is unsuccessful or technically not feasible, percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) is preferred over surgery, which carries significant morbidity and mortality. In order to prevent post-ERCP cholangitis, prophylactic antibiotics are recommended in patients undergoing ERCP for known or suspected biliary obstruction.
Mechanisms for the Inhibition of HIV Replication by Interferons-α, -β, and -γ, in Primary Human Macrophages

Interferons (IFNs) inhibit the replication of a wide range of animal viruses by acting at various steps of the life cycle. Interferons display a particularly potent antiviral effect on HIV-1 replication in primary human macrophages. A high virus-to-cell multiplicity of infection was used to investigate which steps in a single replicative cycle in these primary human cells were affected by IFNs. Monocyte-derived macrophages from healthy seronegative donors were infected with HIV-1BaL. Virus production was assessed by immunoassay for p24 antigen. Viral DNA was detected by PCR while mRNA was detected specifically by RT-PCR with primers bracketing the 5' introns of HIV-1 to detect only spliced transcripts such as tat, rev, nef, and env mRNAs. Macrophages pretreated with IFN-alpha, -beta or -gamma had a reduced viral DNA signal while the spliced mRNA signal was essentially abolished. No virus was produced. To test whether IFNs could reduce HIV transcripts in cells with established productive infection, macrophages were infected and reinfection was then prevented by azidothymidine before starting interferon treatment. Under such conditions, the addition of interferons did not affect significantly the levels of HIV spliced transcripts. No intracellular accumulation of p24 antigen was observed. Therefore, the major effect of IFNs was at an early step of the virus life cycle and resulted in a reduced viral DNA synthesis.
Δk Lidar sensing of surface waves in a wave tank

The Δk lidar remote-sensing method is used in a laboratory wave tank demonstration to measure the frequency of surface waves as a function of their wavelength. The results clearly demonstrate the ability of the Δk lidar method to detect a single surface wave among an ensemble of waves present on the surface with a signal-to-noise ratio that agrees with the theory.
Essential Role of MeCP2 in the Regulation of Myofibroblast Differentiation during Pulmonary Fibrosis

DNA methylation is a key mechanism for repression of gene expression, including that of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) gene expression in fibroblasts. However, the trans-acting factors that interact with the methylated α-SMA gene to regulate its expression have not been identified. Using gel shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) was shown to bind to the α-SMA gene. Suppression of MeCP2 gene expression by siRNA or its deficiency in lung fibroblasts isolated from MeCP2 knockout mice caused significant reduction of α-SMA gene expression. In contrast, transient transfection of MeCP2 expression plasmid into fibroblasts enhanced α-SMA gene expression. Moreover, in vivo studies revealed that compared to their wild type littermates, MeCP2-deficient mice exhibited significantly decreased alveolar wall thickness, inflammatory cell infiltration, interstitial collagen deposition, and myofibroblast differentiation in response to endotracheal injection of bleomycin. Thus, MeCP2 is essential for myofibroblast differentiation and pulmonary fibrosis.
Juvenile hormone‐mediated reproduction in burying beetles: From behavior to physiology

The burying beetle, Nicrophorus orbicollis, is the first beetle exhibiting parental care for which endocrinological studies have been initiated. Burying beetles bury and prepare small vertebrate carcasses as a breeding resource for their offspring. After emergence as an adult, hemolymph titers of juvenile hormone and ovarian size increase in concert for 2–3 weeks, and both plateau until an appropriate resource is discovered. Upon finding a suitable carcass, titers of juvenile hormone increase extremely rapidly (<20 min), and within 18 h ovarian mass increases threefold and oviposition begins. This rapid reproductive development is hypothesized to be selected by the intense competition for these protein-rich but quickly deteriorating resources. Burying beetle females exhibit an additional juvenile hormone surge at the time young hatch. This peak in juvenile hormone is hypothesized to be associated with either the considerable behavioral demands which accompany care of young larvae or with a female's willingness to oviposit a replacement clutch should brood failure occur early in the care-giving phase. Parental care has evolved in at least 16 additional families within the Coleoptera. Comparative studies of nonparental and parental groups will be important for understanding how the physiology of ancestral groups affects the evolution of complex social behavior. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 35:479–490, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Operation and Maintenance of Fermilab's Satellite Refrigerator Expansion Engines

Fermilab’s superconducting Tevatron accelerator is cooled to liquid helium temperatures by 24 satellite refrigerators, each of which uses for normal operations a reciprocating “wet” expansion engine. These expanders are basically Process System (formerly Koch) Model 1400 expanders installed in standalone cryostats designed by Fermilab. This paper will summarize recent experience with operations and maintenance of these expansion engines. Some of the statistics presented will include total engine hours, mean time between major and minor maintenance, and frequent causes of major maintenance.
Recent developments in West Nile virus vaccine and antiviral therapy

West Nile virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is now posing a severe threat to public health in North America. Prevention and treatment of WNV and other emerging flaviviruses represent a global public health priority. This article will review (i) general features of WNV transmission and replication, (ii) strategies recently reported in the literature and patents for vaccine development against WNV infections and (iii) inhibitors reported to have anti-WNV activities. A number of approaches for antiviral drug discovery as well as strategies for improvement of the diagnosis of WNV infections are also suggested.
Study of Circular Reinforced Concrete Bridge Piers Subjected to Vehicular Collisions

Vehicle collisions with bridge piers are one of the leading causes of bridge failures throughout the United States. The damage in a bridge pier caused by a vehicle collision can result in loss of axial capacity in the pier, fracturing of the longitudinal reinforcement, and failure of the bridge. Different performance levels can be established based on the various levels of damage the pier experiences. For this paper, a detailed finite element model was developed. The model consisted of a single, circular, reinforced concrete bridge pier with an elastic foundation and a vehicle model representing a Ford F800 single-unit truck. Various validation studies were conducted to assure the accuracy and to provide confidence in the analytical results. A detailed study was conducted to observe the effects of transverse hoop reinforcement spacing on the performance level of a bridge pier subjected to vehicle collision.
BicD2 and Dynactin Convert a Non-Processive Cytoplasmic Dynein to an Ultra-Processive Directional Motor

Cytoplasmic dynein is the predominant minus-end directed microtubule motor in metazoan cells. Dynein transports diverse cargoes over long distances in neurons, and the motor is thought to be adapted for a myriad of cellular functions through the use of several accessory protein factors that impinge on its basic biophysical characteristics. One of these accessory factors is the multisubunit dynactin complex, which has been implicated in dynein-based cargo transport and the modulation of dynein processivity and directionality. While isolated dynein from Saccharomyces has been shown to be a strongly processive motor, dynein from other organisms displays weakly processive, bidirectional or diffusive motility. Here we show that, on its own, cytoplasmic dynein from humans and other metazoans is not a processive motor. Previous attempts to study dynein-dynactin co-complexes have found relatively modest effects on dynein processivity and directionality by dynactin. We utilize the evolutionarily conserved coiled-coil adapter protein BicD2 to strongly induce the formation of a stable dynein-dynactin-BicD2 (DDB) supercomplex that is over 2MDa in size. Using multicolor single-molecule microscopy, we have found that, remarkably, the purified DDB supercomplex is unidirectional and ultra-processive, displaying run-lengths that greatly exceed the previously observed enhancement of single dynein run-lengths by dynactin. The DDB supercomplex accumulates at microtubule minus-ends and displays characteristics expected of a processive cargo transport motor. Our data suggest that the dynein motor is more plastic that previously thought, able to transition from a non-processive motor to an ultra-processive mode of motility upon association with external regulatory factors.
An improved method of selecting and breeding for active vectors of hoja blanca virus.

A technique for selecting and breeding active vectors of the hoja blanca virus of rice resulted in production of a colony of Sogata orizicola Muir with a transmission rate near 100%. This method, requiring only 4–10 days, was superior to a former method requiring 20–26 days. With the new technique 2nd through 5th-instar nymphs are placed on 3- to 4-day-old rice plants. Active vectors obtained have 20–27 days of adult life left for utilization in transmission studies, although an active vector might not infect a plant in a given period. Active vectors caged for intervals of 1–3 days did not produce 100% infection.
Statistical analysis of polarization responses for land mines in various solar angles and backgrounds using airborne laser imagery

This paper establishes the class separability of mines in various backgrounds for the low sun angle using Dec. 2000 and June 2001 airborne 808nm laser imagery. Specifically, this paper provides the polarization distribution of mines and background types based on four statistics: in-plane (P); cross-plane (S); P-S, and degree of polarization (DoP = (P-S)/(P+S)). This study provides a first look at which polarization can benefit the performance for airborne minefield detection and under which background conditions for a particular time of the year (i.e. low sun angle scenarios). This study presenting the polarization class distribution provides a good basis for the algorithm development effort for an automatic mine/minefield detection system using 808nm laser imagery. This study used two subsets from the December 2000 and June 2001 airborne data collections collected with the Sci-Tech breadboard 808nm laser. To accurately represent the distribution of the mines and background, there are 24,000 mine and 144,000 background pixels were manually to ensure the perfect registration between pixels located in P and S images for the same mine or background.© (2002) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A computational approach to pre-align point cloud data for surface registration in image guided liver surgery

Image to physical space registration is a very challenging problem in image guided surgical procedures for the liver, due to deformation and paucity of prominent surface anatomical landmarks. Iterative closest point (ICP) algorithm, the surface registration method used for registering the intraoperative laser range scanner (LRS) data with the preoperative CT data in image guided liver surgery, requires a good starting pose to reduce the number of iterations. Currently anatomical landmarks such as vessel bifurcations are used for an initial registration. This paper presents a computational approach to obtain the initial alignment that would reduce contact with probes for registration during surgical procedures. A priori user information about the anatomical orientation of the liver is incorporated and used to orient the point clouds for segmented CT data and LRS liver data. Four points are computationally selected on the anatomical anterior surface of CT point cloud data and corresponding points are localized on the LRS data using the orientation information. These four points are then used to find the rigid transformation using the singular value decomposition method. Nine datasets were tested using the computational approach and the results were evaluated using the anatomical landmarks method as the "gold standard". Seven of the nine datasets converged to the same solution using both the methods. The computational method, being an approximated approach, may increase the number of iterations to converge to the solution. However since the method does not require precise localization of anatomical landmarks, it could potentially reduce OR time.
Growth rate of the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability at shocked interfaces.

We have found several cases in our numerical simulations where Richtmyer's prescription fails to give the correct growth rate for the Richtmyer-Meshkov instability in the linear regime. Another expression, due to Fraley [Phys. Fluids 29, 376 (1986)], agrees with our simulations. We discuss recent experiments and report two new types of perturbation freeze-out, single-shock and double-interface, which are quite distinct from the previously reported double-shock freeze-out.
The family as mediator of the impact of parent-youth acculturation/enculturation and inner-city stressors on Mexican American youth substance use.

Youth substance use was investigated in a sample of Mexican-origin mothers and youth (93 dyads totaling 186 individuals). We tested the hypotheses that both acculturation and inner-city risk factors impact substance use largely because they undermine family relationships. Mothers and youth completed self-report measures of acculturation and enculturation. Youth completed questionnaires of family relationships, inner-city risk factors, and substance use. Youth substance use was measured with an index of lifetime alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use based on the Youth Risk Behavior Survey. As predicted, mother-youth (dyadic) acculturation/enculturation, as well as exposure to violence, were significantly associated with substance use. Family cohesion mediated the impact of violence exposure on substance use. However, both cohesion and violence had unique and significant associations with substance use. Furthermore, family relationships did not mediate the link between substance use and mother-youth acculturation or mother-youth enculturation. Results underscore the need to develop and test hypotheses that link Latino youth substance use with both acculturation and inner-city contexts that do not solely rely on family relationships as mediators. Language: en
Biomimetic Leukocyte Adhesion: A Review of Microfluidic and Computational Approaches and Applications

Leukocyte rolling and adhesion are complex physiological processes that have received a great deal of attention over the past decade. Significant increases in the knowledge base related to how leukocytes adhere in shear flows have occurred as a result of the development of novel experimental and computational techniques. Micro- and nano-fabrication techniques have enabled the development of novel flow devices for studying leukocyte adhesion in simple and complex geometries. Improvements in computer technology have enabled simulations of complex flow processes to be developed. As a result of these advances in knowledge related to leukocyte adhesion, numerous novel devices have been developed that mimic the leukocyte rolling and adhesion process. Examples of these devices include cell separation and enrichment devices and targeted ultrasound contrast agents. Future advances related to leukocyte rolling and adhesion processes hold great promise for advancing our knowledge of disease processes as well as development of novel therapeutic devices.
Improvement of part quality in stamping by controlling blank-holder force and pressure

Abstract Predominant failure modes in stamping of sheet metal parts (deep drawing and stretch forming) are wrinkling or tearing. Wrinkling may occur at the flange as well as in other areas of the drawn part and is generated by excessive compressive stresses that cause the sheet to buckle locally. Fracture occurs in the drawn material that is under excessive tensile stresses. Failure is influenced by the blank-holder pressure (BHP), and local and instantaneous control can be achieved: (a) directly by various types of draw bead designs; or (b) indirectly by controlling the local pressure acting on the blank-holder ring. Modern mechanical presses are equipped with hydraulic cushions and various advanced multi-point pressure control systems. These systems allow the setting and control of the BHP over the periphery of the blank holder as a function of location and time (or press stroke). This paper summarizes the principles and applications of the latest BHF and BHP control schemes, especially those using multiple-point pressure application techniques, developed around the world. The information presented in this report was obtained from a literature review and industrial visits to selected press manufacturers.
Unmyelinated axons in the ventral roots of the cat lumbosacral enlargement

The ventral roots L7 and S1 of the cat spinal cord were examined with the light and electron microscopes. Differences in the morphology of Schwann cells associated with large myelinated fibers and with small myelinated or unmyelinated fibers were observed. The blood vessels were largely encircled by pericytes. The most noteworthy finding was that 29% of the axons in these roots were unmyelinated. These unmyelinated axons were greatly reduced in number proximal but not distal to a ventral rhizotomy. Furthermore, they were reduced in number following dorsal root ganglionectomy, but not after dorsal rhizotomy, sympathectomy or peripheral nerve section. It is concluded that the ventral roots of the lumbosacral enlargement contain a large population of unmyelinated fibers originating from dorsal root ganglion cells.
Vitamin D Receptor Mediates DNA Repair and Is UV Inducible in Intact Epidermis but Not in Cultured Keratinocytes

Abbreviations: CPD, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer; NER, nucleotide excision repair; VDR, vitamin D receptor
A Size-Based Probabilistic Assessment of PCB Exposure from Lake Michigan Fish Consumption

The state of Wisconsin has recently issued a fish consumption advisory that includes suggested consumption rates for Lake Michigan fish, based on fish size and PCB concentration. To evaluate the size-based exposure risk from Lake Michigan fish consumption, we estimated PCB exposure probabilities for five Lake Michigan fish species using two Bayesian models. The models confirm that very few individuals of any of the five species are likely to have PCB concentrations low enough to fall into the category in which consumption is unrestricted. Among smaller fish ( 60 cm). Eating meals from multiple individuals of some species results in a high probability that at least one of the meals will exceed 1.9 mg/kg, the upper PCB concentration recommended for consumption in the advisory.
Caregiving time in sickle cell disease: Psychological effects in maternal caregivers

Background Providing home care for a child with a chronic illness can be stressful for the family. The purpose of this paper is to examine patterns of caregiving and the associated psychological impact on maternal caregivers of children with sickle cell disease (SCD). Procedure Fourteen maternal caregivers of children with SCD were interviewed as part of a larger study of maternal caregivers of children with chronic illness. Forty-four caregivers of children with HIV and 36 caregivers of healthy children were included as comparison groups. Interviews included questions regarding amount of time spent providing care for the child (technical care, non-technical care, health care management), hospitalization, emergency room visits, illness stigma, and mental health of the caregiver. Results Children with SCD had significantly lower functional status and significantly more hospitalizations in the previous 3 months than children with HIV. Caregivers of children with SCD were more likely to work full-time and had higher incomes than caregivers of children with HIV. The three caregiving groups did not differ significantly on amount of total care, although caregivers of children with SCD and caregivers of children with HIV both reported significantly more time spent in technical care than caregivers of healthy children. Despite lower functional status of the children in the SCD group, when group comparisons on caregiving time variables were adjusted for child's functional status, the differences between groups increased. This appeared to be due to the fact that caregivers in the HIV group spent more time in all caregiving categories except skin, crisis, and other care. In terms of caregiver mental health, caregivers of children with HIV and SCD had significantly higher depressive mood scores than caregivers of healthy children but the groups did not differ on caregiving burden. Conclusions The perceived care burden of caregivers of children with SCD may be related to the unpredictable nature of the crisis care they provide. Additional attention is warranted to developing adequate resources for caregivers of children with SCD to mitigate the stress of unexpected crises. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;48:64–71. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HIGH RESOLUTION LIGHT MICROSCOPY IN RENAL PATHOLOGY

The purpose of this paper is to report the reliability, reproducibility, and usefulness of plastic embedding and metachromatic stains in diagnostic renal pathology. Six hundred consecutive renal biopsies were fixed in noncoagulant fixatives, embedded in epoxy resin, cut with glass knives, and stained with metachromatic dyes (Toluidine Blue or Paragon). Cell boundaries, intracellular organelles, basement membranes, the deposition of different substances, and other pathologic changes were readily recognized in these sections. It is concluded that this method is an excellent procedure for the light microscopic examination of renal biopsies. Its high resolution of detail supersedes paraffin embedding results. The method negates the need for special stains, and thus permits better utilization of more expensive techniques (i.e., electron microscopy).
DNA-binding properties of T4 UvsY recombination mediator protein: polynucleotide wrapping promotes high-affinity binding to single-stranded DNA

To carry out homologous recombination events in the cell, recombination proteins must be able to recognize and form presynaptic filaments on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) in the presence of a vast excess of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Therefore recombination machineries stringently discriminate between ssDNA and dsDNA lattices. Recent single-molecule studies of bacteriophage T4 recombination proteins revealed that, surprisingly, the UvsY recombination mediator protein binds stronger to stretched dsDNA molecules than to stretched ssDNA. Here, we show that for relaxed DNA lattices, the opposite is true: UvsY exhibits a 1000-fold intrinsic affinity preference for ssDNA over dsDNA at moderate salt concentrations. This finding suggests that UvsY preferentially loads UvsX recombinase onto ssDNA under physiological conditions. The biochemical basis for high-affinity UvsY-ssDNA binding was investigated by hydrodynamic and cross-linking methods. Results show that UvsY forms ring-like hexamers in solution, and that ssDNA binds to multiple subunits within each hexamer, consistent with ssDNA wrapping. The data support a model in which ssDNA wrapping by UvsY protein is important for the selective nucleation of presynaptic filaments on ssDNA versus dsDNA, and for the coordinated transfer of ssDNA from Gp32 (SSB) to UvsY (RMP) to UvsX (recombinase) during filament assembly.
Uncertainty and the neutrality of government financing policy

Abstract Some ideas from the theory of finance are applied to consider whether debt-financed tax cuts affect desired consumption. It is shown that government financing policy is a matter of indifference to infinitely-lived households, if a perfect substitute for public debt exists. The analysis allows for uncertainty about future taxes, and for missing markets in some kinds of assets. Income redistribution risk, and the public insurance aspects of an income tax scheme, qualify this neutrality result, but in general the net effect is ambiguous. The real resource costs of financial transacting, as well as government superiority in the intermediation process, may be one rationale for activist debt-management policy. A better understanding of functioning capital markets is essential to evaluate these arguments.
Prediction of permissible concentrations of copper from microcosm toxicity tests

Microcosm toxicity tests using naturally derived protozoan communities were used to estimate permissible concentrations of copper. In tests with copper sulfate, taxonomic richness of communities was adversely affected at concentrations ≧12.7 μg/L after 21 days. Colonization was also affected at ≧12.7 μg Cu/L. Concentrations affecting taxonomic composition, chlorophyll and biomass concentrations, and nutrient retention ranged from ≦6.6 to ≧59.5 μg Cu/L. A Cu concentration expected to affect only 5% of taxa (EC05) adversely was predicted from test data as 3.2 (1.6–4.8) μg Cu/L. A similar estimate of a 5% effect level based on single-species chronic toxicity test data was 4.9 (2.2ndash;7.1) μg Cu/L. Results of a test with combined effluents containing Cu were similar, with differences in colonization apparent at ≧18.0 μg Cu/L. Reductions in individual populations were apparent at 8.7 μg Cu/L. Estimates of permissible concentrations derived from these tests were reasonable when compared to the revised numerical water quality criteria (8.2 μg Cu/L at a hardness of 65 ppm). In addition, they fell above selected literature reports of Cu levels in clean systems ( 23 μg/L), thus seeming to be a reasonable basis for management decisions.
Finite difference calculation of current distributions at polarized electrodes

The changing geometry of electrodes undergoing electrodeposition or dissolution can be simulated by successive solutions of Laplace's equation with nonlinear boundary conditions. To overcome the instability in the finite-difference calculation caused by nonlinear boundary conditions, a weighting algorithm to compute the new surface potential on successive iterations has been developed.
Phospholipid bilayers as biological membrane models: the effect of N,N'-bis(dichloroacetyl)-1,12-diaminododecane.

N,N′-bis(dichloroacetyl)-1,12-diaminododecane is a potent inhibitor of microsomal drug metabolism and also uncouples succinate-linked mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, apparently by promoting a transient permeability to anions. When added in very small concentrations to synthetic phospholipid bilayers made from a 1∶4∶4 mixture of purified cardiolipin, phosphatidylcholine, and phosphatidylethanolamine, the drug causes a rapid, transient decrease in electrical resistance with a return to an end-resistance somewhat lower than the initial one. The magnitude of the decrease was related to drug concentration. However, the drug produced a nontransitory, i.e. permanent decrease in resistance of bilayers made from pure phosphatidylcholine or cardiolipin. The 1∶4∶4 mixture of lipids, which closely resembles the lipid composition of the inner mitochondrial membrane yielded drug effects most closely resembling those observed in intact mitochondria. Transference number measurements on the 1∶4∶4 bilayer with an impressed KCl gradient revealed that the drug-induced decrease in electrical resistance was caused by an increase in the fraction of current carried by the anions in the system. The 1∶4∶4 phospholipid bilayer thus mimics the mitochondrial inner membrane in its response to this drug and indicates that the lipid composition of the lipid bilayer is a major determinant of at least some of its physical characteristics. The effect of varying the structure of the drug was also examined.