cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Mechanism of Action of Adrenocorticotropic Hormone

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the relationship of the structure of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) to its function and the pathway of adrenal cortical biosynthesis. A series of remarkable achievements in protein chemistry have led to the isolation and purification of ACTH, the determination of its primary structure, and its synthesis. The biochemical synthesis of adrenal corticosteroids with its many complexities is explained in the chapter. The influence of ACTH on the adrenal cortex is not limited to the stimulation of corticosteroid production; the maintenance of the structure of the adrenal cortex is also dependent upon this hormone. The removal of the pituitary gland from rats resulted in the atrophy of the adrenal cortex and that the transplantation of the pituitary to hypophysectomized animals caused a return of adrenal cortical weight toward normal. The synthesis of glucocorticoids in the adrenal cortex is accomplished by a series of enzymes situated in different organelles. The evidence indicates that the first substrate, cholesterol, enters the mitochondrion where it is transformed into pregnenolone. Pregnenolone leaves the mitochondrion and is converted into progesterone in the cytoplasm. Progesterone, in turn, is transformed into deoxycorticosterone by an enzyme system in the microsomal fraction of the cell. Corticosterone is produced finally from deoxycorticosterone that has reentered the mitochondrion.
Introduction: The Challenge of Family Therapy

The introduction of a new way of thinking about and treating psychiatric problems is fraught with difficulties and resistances. A profession becomes wedded to one approach, and the tendency is to stay with that one. For a member of a profession to consider and accept new ideas might undermine long-established and cherished beliefs and practices. These new ideas could represent a threat to what the individual has been doing all along. This is not very attractive to those who have devoted lifetimes to the acquisition of concepts and therapeutic techniques whose prior assumptions are now being questioned. As a psychiatrist colleague said, “Let’s face it, I have too much at stake in this thing to change now. I have helped a lot of people over the years, so I must have been doing something right.”
The Helio: A Study of Membrane Potentiometers and Long Force Sensing Resistors for Musical Interfaces

This paper describes a study of membrane potentiometers and long force sensing resistors as tools to enable greater interaction between performers and audiences. This is accomplished through the building of a new interface called the Helio. In preparation for the Helio's construction, a variety of brands of membrane potentiometers and long force sensing resistors were analyzed for their suitability for use in a performance interface. Analog and digital circuit design considerations are discussed. We discuss in detail the design process and performance scenarios explored with the Helio.
Ultradian metabolic cycles in yeast.

Abstract Budding yeast are capable of displaying various modes of oscillatory behavior. Such cycles can occur with a period ranging from 1 min up to many hours, depending on the growth and culturing conditions used to observe them. This chapter discusses the robust oscillations in oxygen consumption exhibited by high-density yeast cell populations during continuous, glucose-limited growth in a chemostat. These ultradian metabolic cycles offer a view of the life of yeast cells under a challenging, nutrient-poor growth environment and might represent useful systems to interrogate a variety of fundamental metabolic and regulatory processes.
Steering algorithms for a heavy-ion recirculating accelerator

For inertial-fusion applications, the beam in proposed recirculating heavy-ion accelerators must complete fifty to one hundred laps around lattices that are between two and four killmeters in circumference. Frequent monitoring and correction of the beam-centroid position is essential to avoid unrealistic tolerances on dipole strengths and quadrupole alignment, the beam centroid. Analytic and numerical estimates are made of the beam-centroid displacement due algorithms for both time-dependent and time-independent beam steering are presented. An envelope-code simulation is used to demonstrate their effectiveness.
ACUTE MEIGS' SYNDROME SECONDARY TO OVARIAN STIMULATION WITH HUMAN MENOPAUSAL GONADOTROPINS.

T H E availability of potent gonadotropic preparations of human origin has led to a renewed interest in the use of these substances in the treatment of amenorrhea and infertility. In some instances a marked hyperstimulation of the ovary occasionally leading to serious complications has been observed. The case to be reported here is an example of such massive reaction of the ovaries to the treatment with human menopausal gonadotropin. Because of the serious nature of the complications as well as the rather unique and intriguing chain of physiologic events which ensued, it was felt that a detailed report of the case was warranted.
People, Plants, and Landscapes: Studies in Paleoethnobotany

People, Plants, and Landscapes: Studies in Paleoethnobotany. Kristen J. Gremillion. ed. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1997. $29.95 Paperback.
Effective Interaction for Charge-Exchange Analogs of Gamow-Teller Transitions

Ratios of cross sections for $^{7}\mathrm{Li}(p, n)^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ leading to the ground and first excited states of $^{7}\mathrm{Be}$ have been measured at 24.8, 35, and 45 MeV. An analysis of these ratios yields the ratio of spin-flip to spin-nonflip strength, ${|\frac{{V}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\tau}}}{{V}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}}|}^{2}$, free of many of the uncertainties usually associated with distorted wave analyses for such light nuclei. The ratio increases by about 60% in the observed energy range. A comparison with known values of ${V}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ yields ${V}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}\ensuremath{\tau}}$. The isovector tensor force is also obtained.
Luminescence of Cr3+ in mullite transparent glass ceramics

Abstract Detailed spectroscopic studies of Cr in mullite ceramics are presented. An enormous broadening of absorption and emission spectra, highly nonexponential luminescence decays and luminescence line narrowing suggest a large inherent inhomogeneity of this material. An attempt is presented to quantitatively describe this effect by introducing statistical distribution of sites available for Cr. A reasonably good reproduction of experimental results is achieved.
FDTD Modeling Applications in Ultrahigh-Speed Interconnects and Electromagnetic Compatibility of Complex Packages

This manuscript presents details of finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling for applications at Intel Corporation in ultrahigh-speed interconnects and electromagnetic compatibility of complex packages. First, an experimental and computational study of substrate integrated waveguides (SIWs) optimized for use as ultrahigh-speed bandpass waveguiding digital interconnects is reported. The novelty of the present work resides in the successful design, fabrication, and testing of low-loss SIWs that achieve 100% relative bandwidths. These SIWs could in principle using standard circuit board technology provide bandpass operation at center frequencies approaching 200 GHz and data rates of 200 Gb/sec. These data rates meet or exceed those expected eventually for proposed silicon photonic technologies. The second FDTD modeling application involves characterizing and solving electromagnetic compatibility problems arising in ultracompact portable electronic devices, such as cellphones operating with mixes of high-speed digital and microwave signals. For this work, an ultra high-resolution full-vector 3D FDTD model of a complete compact portable electronic device is desired. In pursuit of this goal, a sample integrated circuit package is first modeled using 343 million grid cells. As future work, additional components within a sample portable electronic device will be modeled, including the circuit board and its layering details.
Regulating the Private Relations of Adults with Mental Disabilities: Old Laws, New Policies, Hollow Hopes

Recent legislative reforms have aimed to help people with mental disabilities pursue more “normal” lives. Yet, current laws regulating the mentally disableds' private relations continue to disenable them. Social scientists have asserted that people with mental disabilities vary widely in their individual competencies. Yet, laws tend to forgo an individualized approach to the mentally disabled in favor of broad restrictions on their rights to engage in sexual, marital, and parental relationships. Reviews of cases also show that when they challenge these restrictions, the mentally disabled tend to be required to demonstrate a higher level of morality and functioning than non-disabled. Reforming these restrictive legal rules requires an unlikely, but possible, concordance between social science and the law.
Electrical Characterization of ZrN

We have investigated reactively sputtered ZrN, the most thermally stable of the refractory metal nitrides, for its applicability as a submicron gate electrode. One would require for such gate electrode in addition to the lowest possible resistivity, a metal work function that will tailor the threshold voltage of metal/oxide/semiconductor (MOS) field effect transistor in such a way as to minimize the channel implant. Having these requirements in mind, we have measured the temperature dependence of resistivity, its dependence on the annealing temperature and work function of ZrN films. Our best films have resistivity, ρ of 20 µΩ-cm, comparable to TiSi2. We find that ρ of as-deposited films being nearly stoichiometric, decreases about 20% after 1000°C anneal. Such anneal does not significantly alter the average grain size, which remains about 300 A even at this temperature. The temperature dependence of ρ at low temperatures indicates phonon scattering mechanism and we suggest that small amounts of oxygen are responsible for residual resistance. The films undergo superconducting transition at 7.5–8 K and this transition provides an additional check on the compositonal homogeneity of the films. The work function, determined from the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics of ZrN capacitors with various thicknesses of SiO2, has value φm = 4.6 Volts, at the midgap between n+ and p+ polysilicon and thus is applicable to 0.5 µm N-MOS and submicron C-MOS.
Crystallization Behavior of Ni–P Alloy Films on Co and Cu Seed Layers

The effect of P content and seed layer on the crystallization process was studied in electroless Ni-P films containing 6-20 atom % P. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) data indicate that Ni-P films on both Co and Cu seed layers have uniform P distribution throughout the thickness of the film. Films with 20 atom % P are amorphous as deposited, and face-centered cubic Ni and tetragonal Ni 3 P crystallize at ∼ 350°C. Films containing 6-12 atom % P have Ni present as deposited, and Ni 3 P crystallizes at temperatures ranging from 350-410°C. An atomic level model is proposed to explain the crystallization behavior.
Induction and properties of rabbit secretory γA antibody directed to group a streptococcal carbohydrate

Abstract Secretory γA antibodies were induced in the colostrum of New Zealand Red rabbits by inejection of Group A streptococcal vaccine into the mammary glands. Colostral antibodies were purified by elution from Group A cells used as solid immunoadsorbent. Antibodies of both secretory γA and γG class were obtained upon elution with 5 per cent N-acateyl glucosamine (NAG) or pH 2·5 buffer. The eluates were filtered through Sepharose 6B to separate the 11 S γA from the 7 S γG antibodies. From 4·2 to 13·1 μg of γA per ml of original colostrum was obtained by elution with 5 per cent NAG and from 20·4 to 208·8 μg of γA per ml original colostrum was obtained by elution with pH 2·5 buffer. The amount of γG antibody obtained in these eluates varied greatly, ranging from 90 to 10 per cent of the total antibody recovered. Purified γA anti-NAG antibodies isolated from a single rabbit exhibited the following properties: (1) They agglutinated Group A cell was. (2) They bound to Group A cell was as demonstrated by indirect fluorescent antibody straining using monospecific fluorescin-labeled goat anti-rabbit γA. (3) They failed to precipiate with Group A carbohydrate under conditions in which the γG anti-NAG antibody was found to precipitate. (4) Secretory γA antibodies, however, inhibited the precipitation of the γG antibodies with Group A carbohydrate. (5) They contained secretory component as detected by gel diffusion tests. (6) The secretory γA antibodies bound triated p-nitrophenyl-β-N-acetyl glucosaminide in equilibrium dialysis experiments. A plot of r vs c for the binding of the hapten by γA antibodies shows that r increased with increasing hapten concentration and that there was a plateau as r approached 4, indicating that secretory γA may have a valence of 4. An association constant of the order of 10 5 l/m could be estimated from the data; however, because of the low association constant there was considerable sctter of points. The association constant for γG anti-NAG, isolated from the same colostrum was about one log lower when tested with the same hapten. Neither γA or γG antibodies bound detectable amounts of triated N-acetyl glucosamine, suggesting that the β-linkage makes an important contribution to binding. Many of properties of described for secretory γA antibody can be explained by a preference of this antibody to bind most of its combining sites to a single molecule of possessing multiple identical antigenic determinants as opposed to cross-linking two or more such molecules. This property, termed monogamous polyvalency, could significantly enhance certain biologic functions of secretory γA.
Root Volatile Components of Red Clover: Identification and Bioassay with the Clover Root Borer (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Extracts from diseased red clover roots ( Trifolium pratense L.) were fractionated and bioassayed for attractiveness to the clover root borer ( Hylastinus obscurus Marsham). Twenty volatile components were identified in fractions attractive to the borer using Tenax trapping and direct solvent extraction. These and previously identified foliar compounds were bioassayed in the laboratory for attractiveness to the borer. Of 21 foliar compounds, only methyl salicylate evoked a positive response. Of 15 root compounds, 10 were attractive to the borer. None of the attractive compounds was competitive with crude extracts of diseased roots when tested individually. Certain combinations of ethyl laurate, ethyl benzoate, methyl salicylate, eugenol, hexadecanal, and chavicol were competitive with crude extracts of diseased root in laboratory tests. Adult borers were not attracted to individual compounds or mixtures in preliminary field tests.
Adhesion mutants of Dictyostelium discoideum lacking the saccharide determinant recognized by two adhesion-blocking monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract A mutant of Dictyostelium discoideum, strain HL260, was isolated based on its failure to bind d-41, a monoclonal antibody that blocks developmentally regulated cell-cell adhesion. The mutant fails to normally acquire cell-cell adhesion as assayed with cells shaken in 10 mM EDTA, but aggregates and constructs fruiting bodies. Other mutant strains, HL216 and HL220, previously shown to have impaired cell-cell adhesion, also lack the determinant that binds d-41. The three strains all carry mutations in a gene designated mod B, which directs a post-translational modification of several developmentally regulated D. discoideum glycoproteins. Diploids formed between independent mod B mutant haploid strains also lack this determinant and show marked impairmant of cell-cell adhesion in EDTA, indicating that mutations in mod B, rather than other mutations not shared by the haploid strains, are related to the adhesion defect. The results are consistent with other evidence that an oligosaccharide carried on several developmentally regulated glycoproteins plays an essential role in EDTA-resistant cell-cell adhesion in D. discoideum. However, this type of adhesion is not essential for morphogenesis in that the only defect detected thus far in mod B mutant strains is that they construct relatively smaller fruiting bodies that contain fewer spores.
Intraoperative Radiation Therapy in the Management of Gynecologic Malignancies.

Objective The aim of this study was to review the experience with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) in the treatment of gynecologic cancers at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Methods From January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2011, 32 patients were treated with IORT at Massachusetts General Hospital. Hospital, pathology, and office medical records and radiation oncology records were reviewed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to generate disease-free survival and overall survival (OS) data. Results In 27 patients (84.4), surgical resection margins were microscopically positive. In 5 patients (15.6%), margins were grossly positive. For patients with microscopic disease, 5-year disease-free survival was 40.9% (57 mo), compared with 9.1% (23 mo) for those with gross residual disease (P=0.001). Five-year OS was also statistically improved for patients with microscopic residual disease, when compared with OS among patients with gross residual disease, 77.3% (93 mo) and 54.5% (40 mo), respectively (P=0.001). The risk of distant metastases in patients with gross residual disease was 87%, compared with 28% in patients with microscopic disease (P=0.02). Conclusions Volume of residual disease before IORT is an important prognostic indicator. Local recurrence and distant metastases were more common among patients with gross residual disease left in situ at time of IORT. Our institutional experience with IORT further supports the importance of complete surgical resection.
Genetic interactions associated with 12-month atrophy in hippocampus and entorhinal cortex in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative

Missing heritability in late onset Alzheimer disease can be attributed, at least in part, to heterogeneity in disease status and to the lack of statistical analyses exploring genetic interactions. In the current study, we use quantitative intermediate phenotypes derived from magnetic resonance imaging data available from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, and we test for association with gene-gene interactions within biological pathways. Regional brain volumes from the hippocampus (HIP) and entorhinal cortex (EC) were estimated from baseline and 12-month magnetic resonance imaging scans. Approximately 560,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were available genome-wide. We tested all pairwise SNP-SNP interactions (approximately 151 million) within 212 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways for association with 12-month regional atrophy rates using linear regression, with sex, APOE e4 carrier status, age, education, and clinical status as covariates. A total of 109 SNP-SNP interactions were associated with right HIP atrophy, and 125 were associated with right EC atrophy. Enrichment analysis indicated significant SNP-SNP interactions were overrepresented in the calcium signaling and axon guidance pathways for both HIP and EC atrophy and in the ErbB signaling pathway for HIP atrophy.
Coenzyme Q10 in the Human Retina

Purpose To determine the concentration of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) in the human retina. Methods Eye tissues were lyophilized and exhaustively extracted with heptane. The extracts were analyzed for CoQ10 by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results The average concentration of CoQ10 in the retina was 42+/-11 nanomoles/g dry retina for donors younger than 30 years of age and 24+/-13 nanomoles/g dry retina for donors older than 80 years of age. The average concentrations of CoQ10 in the choroid was 27+/-16 nanomoles/g dry choroid for donors younger than 30 age and 18+/-11 nanomoles/g dry choroid for donors older than 80. Conclusions CoQ10 levels in the retina can decline by approximately 40% with age. This decline may have two consequences: a decrease in antioxidant ability and a decrease in the rate of ATP synthesis in the retina and, as such, this decline may be linked to the progression of macular degeneration.
Simultaneous quantification of opiates, cocaine, and metabolites in hair by LC-APCI-MS/MS

A quantitative LC-APCI-MS/MS method for simultaneous measurement of opiates, cocaine, and metabolites in hair was developed and validated. Cocaine and opiates were extracted from pulverized hair via sonication in methanol at 37 °C for 3 h. Samples were cleaned up using solid-phase extraction. LC separation was achieved in 20 min with identification and quantification by selected reaction monitoring. Calibration by linear regression analysis utilized deuterated internal standards and a weighting factor of 1/x (R2 > 0.998). Limits of quantification (LOQ) ranged from 17 to 50 pg/mg for cocaine and metabolites and were 83 pg/mg for opiates. Standard curves were linear from the LOQ to 5000 pg/mg for cocaine and metabolites, except benzoylecgonine (2500 pg/mg). Opiate standard curves were linear from the LOQ to 12500 pg/mg. Accuracy ranged from 84 to 115% for all quantitative analytes. Precision, % relative standard deviation, was less than 11.0% for all analytes. Methanolic sonication produced less than 5% hyd...
Abstract B80: Timing of radiation therapy for rectal cancer improves survival for select racial/ethnic groups

Background: Radiation therapy has an established role in the multimodal management of rectal cancer. Despite consensus on the benefit of radiation therapy, the optimal timing of radiation administration—neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant—has been much debated and is not yet established. Our group has recently shown that race and ethnicity correlate with rectal cancer outcomes. Our objective was to investigate the impact that race and ethnicity may have on rectal cancer outcomes in relation to timing of radiation therapy. Methods: We used the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program (CSP) to identify patients who underwent curative surgical resection for rectal adenocarcinoma from 1988-2006. Patients were stratified by race and ethnicity (white, black, Hispanic, and Asian) and timing of radiation therapy (neoadjuvant or adjuvant). Clinical and pathologic characteristics were compared and survival curves were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method. Results: Of the 7,908 surgically resected patients identified from CSP, 39% (n=3,107) received radiation therapy. Among the patients receiving radiation therapy, the majority of patients received adjuvant radiation therapy (58%; n=1,789). Stratified by race and ethnicity (white, n=1,613; black, n=283; Hispanic, n=608; Asian, n=435), there was no difference in overall survival based on neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant timing of radiation therapy for black patients (median survival [MS] 4.1 vs. 4.9 years, respectively; p=NS) and Hispanic patients (MS 7.6 vs. 6.9 years, respectively; p=NS). However, overall survival was significantly improved for neoadjuvant vs. adjuvant timing of radiation therapy in Asian patients (MS 10.6 vs. 6.5 years; p Conclusions: This is the first report to identify racial and ethnic differences in benefit derived from radiation therapy for rectal cancer. We observed that neoadjuvant radiation compared to adjuvant radiation selectively improved survival in white and Asian patients, but not Hispanic and black patients. The reasons for these differences in treatment efficacy between racial and ethnic groups warrant further investigation to optimize timing of therapy and achieve maximum therapeutic benefit in patients with rectal cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B80.
Strategies for Dealing With the Issue of Subjectivity in Evaluation

Our customary strategies for protecting ourselves against the charge of subjectivity in our reports often prevent us from addressing phenomena of central importance: the expec tations, fears, belie...
Cyclophosphamide plus tumor necrosis factor-α chemoimmunotherapy cured mice: Life-long immunity and rejection of re-implanted primary lymphoma

Changes in functionally and phenotypically definable splenocyte subsets in aging mice which had been rendered tumor-free in early life by immunochemotherapy (cyclophosphamide plus tumor necrosis factor-alpha) were studied in the syngeneic EL4 lymphoma-C57BL/6 murine model. Treatment-induced long-term survivors (LTS) surviving rechallenge are termed "immune-LTS". On day 120 (day 0, initial tumor inoculation), splenocytes from day 60 rechallenged immune-LTS developed significantly greater specific anti-EL4 cytolytic activity in an ex vitro assay than those from non-rechallenged LTS. Splenocytes from combination-treated groups developed significantly higher activity than those from cyclophosphamide-induced immune-LTS. The splenic effector precursor was a CD8+ T cell. The specific anti-EL4 effector cell from the cyclophosphamide-induced immune-LTS was CD4- CD8+; however, approximately 50% of those from combination-treated immune-LTS appeared to be CD4+CD8+. On day 520 immune-LTS were randomized into 2 groups. One group was re-implanted with EL4 tumor; all mice survived. The other group was killed and, even though their splenocytes developed considerable anti-EL4 activity, their allogeneic responsiveness was as reduced as that of age-matched controls. Phenotypic analysis, compared with splenocytes from young and age-matched controls, revealed changes in the makeup of each T-cell subset, except the CD4+CD8+, and all subsets, except the CD4-CD8-, had increases in CD44 positivity. On day 625, the age of these mice was equivalent to the median life-span of C57BL/6 mice; nevertheless, their splenocytes developed high anti-EL4 activity. Phenotypic analysis indicated that, compared to day 520, there was a major decrease in CD4-CD8+ splenocytes; we suggest that these cells had migrated to the site of tumor eradication.
Sensitivity of the sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers to the microinjection of monensin.

Abstract Sodium efflux in barnacle muscle fibers is stimulated by internal application of monensin. Pretreatment of fibers with ouabain leads to marked enhancement of the response of the Na efflux to monensin. This response though independent of the Ca 2+ gradient can be augmented by protonation of a bathing medium free of HCO 3 − .
Teardrop-shaped red cells in autoimmune hemolytic anemia

The presence of teardrop-shaped red cells in peripheral blood has traditionally been felt to reflect altered marrow architecture, namely myelofibrosis. We evaluated two patients with splenomegaly, moderately severe hemolytic anemia due to warm-reactive IgG anti-red cell autoantibody, and bone marrow erythroid hyperplasia without myelofibrosis. A striking predominance of teardrop-shaped red cells was noted upon examination of their blood films. Removal of a spleen containing extramedullary hematopoiesis in one and resolution of splenomegaly in the other were accompanied by disappearance of these cells. Our observations support a role for the spleen and for extramedullary hematopoiesis in the pathogenesis of this distinctive red cell morphologic abnormality.
Hypaxial Motor Patterns and the Function of Epipubic Bones in Primitive Mammals

Since the first description of epipubic bones in 1698, their functions and those of the associated abdominal muscles of monotremes and marsupial mammals have remained unresolved. We show that each epipubic bone is part of a kinetic linkage extending from the femur, by way of the pectineus muscle, to the epipubic bone, through the pyramidalis and rectus abdominis muscles on one side of the abdomen, and through the contralateral external and internal oblique muscles to the vertebrae and ribs of the opposite side. This muscle series is activated synchronously as the femur and contralateral forelimb are retracted during the stance phase in locomotion. The epipubic bone acts as a lever that is retracted (depressed) to stiffen the trunk between the diagonal limbs that support the body during each step. This cross-couplet kinetic linkage and the stiffening function of the epipubic bone appear to be the primitive conditions for mammals.
Density, Viscosity, and Thermal Conductivity of Aqueous Benzoic Acid Mixtures between 375 K and 465 K

The density, viscosity, and thermal conductivity of benzoic acid + water mixtures were measured at temperatures between 375 K and 465 K and concentrations ranging from 5 mass % benzoic acid to 100 mass % benzoic acid. Because the benzoic acid + water system exhibits a liquid−liquid immiscibility region at lower temperatures, care was exercised to ensure that the conditions chosen were in the single-phase region of the phase diagram. The data were correlated over the entire concentration range using the generalized corresponding states principle (GCSP).
In vivo intermolecular double‐quantum imaging on a clinical 1.5 T MR scanner

A novel MRI method based on the intermolecular double-quantum coherence (DQC) for soft tissues is described. DQC images of human brain were obtained for the first time on a whole-body 1.5 T scanner. The combination of quantum and classical formalisms was used to characterize multiple-quantum coherences, and to aid in the design of a DQC imaging sequence. The theoretical analysis suggests that signals from the intermolecular DQCs have higher sensitivity than those from the zero-quantum coherence (ZQC) for human brain, and the sensitivity increases with increased field strength. The DQC signal may provide a new form of contrast for MRI.
Using kernel correlation filters and class redundant feature analysis (CFA) with support vector machines on face recognition grand challenge (FRGC) phase-2 data for enhanced holistic face recognition

The Face Recognition Grand Challenge (FRGC) dataset is one of the most challenging datasets in the face recognition community, in this dataset we focus on the hardest experiment under the harsh un-controlled conditions. In this paper we compare how other popular face recognition algorithms like Direct Linear Discriminant Analysis (D-LDA) and Gram-Schmidt LDA methods compare to traditional eigenfaces, and fisherfaces. However, we also show that all these linear subspace methods can not discriminate faces well due to large nonlinear distortions in the face images. Thus we present our proposed Class dependence Feature Analysis (CFA) method which we demonstrate to produce superior performance compared to other methods by representing nonlinear features well. We perform this by extending the traditional CFA framework to use Kernel Methods and propose a proper choice of kernel parameters which improves the overall face recognition performance is significantly over the competing face recognition algorithms. We present results of this proposed approach on a large scale database from the Face Recognition Grand Challenge (FRGC)v2 which contains over 36,000 images focusing on Experiment 4 which poses the harshest scenario containing images captured under un-controlled indoor and outdoor conditions yielding significant illumination variations.
Social Security and Divorce or Death Benefits Storyboard (S2D2BS): An Interactive Participant Learning Exercise

Using the concept of an interactive or living storyboard, the author discusses the use of seven case narratives constructed for the sole purpose of teaching introductory gerontology or geriatric students about the distribution of Social Security benefits after spousal death. Additional information is included pertaining to Social Security benefits payable to divorced persons after the death of the former spouse, including the status of married same-sex couples. Narratives include representations of a male breadwinner model couple, a two-earner couple who have similar/dissimilar earnings prior to retirement, a divorced couple with a remarriage after a death, a gay couple with and without children, and a female primary breadwinner couple. Updated information from the Social Security Administration, as well as information on game preparation, scripts, and debriefing questions are included.
The need for power, brain norepinephrine turnover, and memory

Subjects were classified according to whether they were high or low in the need for Power and high or low in gain in 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG), a putative index of brain norepinephrine (NE) turnover, after engaging in some tasks that involved memory for story content. Subjects who were high inn Power and in the index of brain NE turnover showed better recall of power-related facts than subjects low on both these characteristics, confirming an earlier finding, which suggests that the need for Power is subserved by a noradrenergic reward system in the brain.
Optimization of shock response within a military vehicle space frame

Space frames are usually used to enhance the structural strength of a vehicle while reducing its overall weight. The space frame of a military vehicle is subjected to significantly different loading than what is experienced in civilian vehicles, such as projectile impact or mine blast. In this work, a finite element (FE) model for the upper half of an armored vehicle with internal space frame is developed. The behavior of the vehicle is studied when subjected to a high impact load that simulates a projectile impact. The objective of this work is to minimize shocks at identified critical locations on the space frame while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the vehicle. Several variables that can affect shock propagation are identified including, the cross-sectional parameters of the internal space frame and outer armor. The optimization problem is solved using the Successive Heuristic Quadratic Approximation (SHQA) technique, which combines successive quadratic approximation with an adaptive random search while varying the bounds of the search space. The entire optimization process is carried out within the MATLAB environment. The results show that a significant reduction in the shock can be achieved using this approach.
Influence of forage fish and dietary lipid supplements on egg quality and fry production in channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) × blue catfish (Ictalurus furcatus) hybridization

Hybrid catfish (channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus × blue catfish Ictalurus furcatus) display characteristics that are favourable to aquaculture production. Low hatch percentages are a principal reason this hybrid is not used widely in the catfish industry. This study was conducted to determine whether additional food source rich in lipids may lead to a higher quality egg production. A 10-week feed trial was conducted in ponds in Auburn, AL. A total of 219 female Kansas Select channel catfish were stocked into nine ponds, 0.04 ha in size. Three dietary treatments were randomly allocated to the ponds. Diet-1 was a standard 60 g kg−1 lipid floating catfish feed. Diet-2 was the same feed supplemented with forage fish at ∼28 kg ha−1. The third diet was the aforementioned catfish feed topcoated with 20 g kg−1 lipid [10 g kg−1 menhaden fish oil, 5 g kg−1 high docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) oil and 5 g kg−1 high arachidonic acid oil]. Results indicate that brood fish fed the high lipid diet spawned larger egg masses and had larger eggs both in weight and in diameter, with increased complements of fatty acids such as DHA, eicosapentaenoic acid and total n-3 fatty acids. The neutral and polar lipid fractions are also presented.
Hydrologic effects of Mount St. Helens' 1980 eruptions

The May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens caused an immediate destruction of life and property and profoundly changed the local environment. Hydrologic effects of the event persist to this day and may have additional drastic impacts on property and, perhaps, life in the years ahead. The most serious and potentially persistent hydrologic problem is the sedimentation in the Toutle and Cowlitz river systems initiated by volcanically generated mudflows and aggravated by massive erosion in the devastated area. This sedimentation has drastically reduced the carrying capacity of these streams. Flood flows this winter and spring, whether caused by rainfall, snowmelt, outbreaks from debris-dammed lakes, or by volcanically induced snowmelt, may not be contained within river channels. Ash deposits and developing drainage systems provide a continuing source of sediment flow. Destruction of forests and burial of the forest litter under ash has changed the infiltration characteristics of drainage basins near the mountain.
Power Consumption Reduction in Java-enabled, Battery-powered Handheld Devices through Memory Compression

Mobile/wireless services have been developed using Java technology on Java-enabled, battery-powered handheld devices. These services such as games, web browser, audio/video players, are easily accessible, but consume a huge amount of power. The handheld devices typically last for 5 to 6 hours in running the Java applications. A new technique for low power consumption is to be developed. Using runtime power control in Java-enabled, battery-powered handheld devices. The technique improves in-memory compression to minimize memory consumption and a memory bank partitioning technique to cluster memory banks into active banks and inactive banks are powered off dynamically. The runtime power control is integrated into a Java runtime environment (JREPC) using a hardware/software codesign technique. The JREPC is studied and examined with benchmark applications (web, email, audio/video, game, M- commerce). The in-memory compression reduces more than 50 % of memory consumption. Only half of the memory may be activated. The time overhead due to the in-memory compression is negligible using a hardware de/compressor. We believe that the in-memory compression with the memory bank partitioning technique is a key to achieving low power consumption in the Java-enabled, battery-powered handheld devices.
Human Natural Killer T Cells Infiltrate into the Skin at Elicitation Sites of Allergic Contact Dermatitis

The purpose of this study is to identify invariant natural killer T cells (NKT cells) in cellular infiltrate of human allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) skin challenge sites. Skin biopsy specimens were taken from positive patch test reactions from 10 different patients (9 different allergens) and studied by immunochemistry, real-time PCR, nested PCR, and in situ hybridization to identify NKT cells and the cytokines associated with this cell type. Invariant NKT cells were identified in all the 10 skin biopsy specimens studied, ranging from 1.72 to 33% of the cellular infiltrate. These NKT cells were activated in all cases, as they expressed cytokine transcripts for IFN-γ and IL-4. Invariant NKT cells are present in ACD, regardless of the allergen that triggers the reaction, and are in an activated state. We conclude that innate immunity plays a role in late phases of type IV hypersensitivity reactions and may be responding to self-lipids released during allergic inflammation. These data complement the previous work by other investigators that suggest that NKT cells are important in the early cellular response during primary immune responses to allergens. Herein, it is demonstrated that NKT cells are constantly present during the late elicitation phase of human type IV hypersensitivity reactions.
NMR study of the electronic properties of AlCuFe and AlCuRu quasicrystals

27Al and 63Cu Knight shift (K) and relaxation rates (T1−1) are compared for the quasicrystalline (QC) phase and the crystalline (C) phase of Al65Cu23Fe12, and for quasicrystals of Al85−xCuxRu15 with x = 17, 20. The 27Al K is small (K = 0.013 ± 0.003%) and temperature independent. Within error, no differences were found between QC- and C-phases of AlCuFe, nor between AlCuRu samples with x = 17, 20. 27Al and 63Cu T1−1 vs T in AlCuRu displays Korringa-like behavior in the range 5 < T < 50 K with T1T independent of composition. The NMR results are compared with specific heat data which change as a function of concentration x, suggesting large changes of density of states (DOS) at the Fermi level. The two sets of measurements could be reconciled by separating the s-band and d-band effects but the possibility that some of the observed effects are due to disorder modes cannot be ruled out.
Distribution of viral and bacterial pathogens in a coastal canal community

Abstract Significant concentrations of human enteric viruses and bacteria were found to be present in the water and sediment of a coastal canal community into which secondarily treated sewage was being discharged.
Design of an Underactuated Robotic End-Effector With a Focus on Power Tool Manipulation

End-effectors require careful design considerations to be able to successfully hold and use power tools while maintaining the ability to also grasp a wide range of other objects. This paper describes the design of an end effector for a humanoid robot built for disaster response scenarios. The end effector is comprised of two independently actuated fingers with two opposing stationary rigid hollow pylons built to allow the pinching of objects and to provide protection for the opposing fingers when retracted and not in use. Each finger has two degrees of freedom (DOF) and is actuated with one servo motor through the use of an underactuated four bar linkage. Using only two fingers and two actuators the end-effector has the ability to hold a power tool while also being able to simultaneously actuate the trigger of the tool independently. The combination of compliant fingers and rigid pylons along with the careful design of the palm structure creates a strong robust dexterous end-effort that is simple to control.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
A new mechanism for flow-mediated vasoprotection? Focus on “Lung endothelial cell proliferation with decreased shear stress is mediated by reactive oxygen species”

flow-originated unidirectional laminar shear stress is an essential physiological protector of vascular integrity. It exerts beneficial effects via an array of cellular responses, such as upregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene expression and nitric oxide formation ([23][1]),
Salicylate-induced cochlear impairments, cortical hyperactivity and re-tuning, and tinnitus

High doses of sodium salicylate (SS) have long been known to induce temporary hearing loss and tinnitus, effects attributed to cochlear dysfunction. However, our recent publications reviewed here show that SS can induce profound, permanent, and unexpected changes in the cochlea and central nervous system. Prolonged treatment with SS permanently decreased the cochlear compound action potential (CAP) amplitude in vivo. In vitro, high dose SS resulted in a permanent loss of spiral ganglion neurons and nerve fibers, but did not damage hair cells. Acute treatment with high-dose SS produced a frequency-dependent decrease in the amplitude of distortion product otoacoustic emissions and CAP. Losses were greatest at low and high frequencies, but least at the mid-frequencies (10-20 kHz), the mid-frequency band that corresponds to the tinnitus pitch measured behaviorally. In the auditory cortex, medial geniculate body and amygdala, high-dose SS enhanced sound-evoked neural responses at high stimulus levels, but it suppressed activity at low intensities and elevated response threshold. When SS was applied directly to the auditory cortex or amygdala, it only enhanced sound evoked activity, but did not elevate response threshold. Current source density analysis revealed enhanced current flow into the supragranular layer of auditory cortex following systemic SS treatment. Systemic SS treatment also altered tuning in auditory cortex and amygdala; low frequency and high frequency multiunit clusters up-shifted or down-shifted their characteristic frequency into the 10-20 kHz range thereby altering auditory cortex tonotopy and enhancing neural activity at mid-frequencies corresponding to the tinnitus pitch. These results suggest that SS-induced hyperactivity in auditory cortex originates in the central nervous system, that the amygdala potentiates these effects and that the SS-induced tonotopic shifts in auditory cortex, the putative neural correlate of tinnitus, arises from the interaction between the frequency-dependent losses in the cochlea and hyperactivity in the central nervous system.
Concerns about aging and a drive for thinness: A factor in the biopsychosocial model of eating disorders?

Objective: Examine the association between concerns about aging and a drive for thinness. Method: Two groups were studied: (1) randomly selected nonclinical subjects (77 men, M ± SD age: 44.4 ± 18.3 years; 140 women, M ± SD age: 41.9 ± 15.3 years) from Ann Arbor, Michigan (replication of an earlier shopping mall-based survey); and (2) women (N = 54) who were concerned about their aging appearance (18 women with mild to moderate skin aging, M ± SD age: 41 ± 4 years; 36 women with moderate to severe skin aging, M ± SD age: 62 ± 6 years) and had volunteered for 24-week, prospective, controlled studies evaluating the efficacy of topical retinoic acid versus placebo for the treatment of aging skin. All subjects rated their aging-related concerns on previously developed scales, and completed the Drive for Thinness (DT) and Body Dissatisfaction (BD) subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI). Result: In the random community survey there was a direct correlation between both concerns about the effect of aging on the appearance (men: r = .28, p < .05; women: r = .32, p < .01) and concerns about the cutaneous stigmata of aging (men: r = .38, p < .01; women: r = .28, p < .01) and DT (EDI). In the aging skin study both DT (EDI) and BD (EDI) were lower (p < .01) at 24 weeks posttherapy, in the retinoic acid (n = 32) but not the placebo (n = 22) group. Discussion: Concerns about an aging appearance can be associated with a drive for thinness and excessive dieting, factors that are important in the development of eating disorders. © 1995 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Amyloid beta-protein as a substrate interacts with extracellular matrix to promote neurite outgrowth.

Abstract Progressive deposition of amyloid beta-protein (A beta) in brain parenchyma and blood vessels is a characteristic feature of Alzheimer disease. Recent evidence suggests that addition of solubilized synthetic A beta to medium may produce toxic or trophic effects on cultured hippocampal neurons. Because soluble A beta may not accumulate in significant quantities in brain, we asked whether immobilized A beta peptide as a substrate alters neurite outgrowth from cultured rat peripheral sensory neurons. This paradigm may closely mimic the conditions in Alzheimer disease brain tissue, in which neurites contact insoluble, extracellular aggregates of beta-amyloid. We detected no detrimental effects of A beta substrate on neurite outgrowth. Rather, A beta in combination with low doses of laminin or fibronectin enhanced neurite out-growth from these neuronal explants. Our results suggest that insoluble A beta in the cerebral neuropil may serve as a neurite-promoting matrix, perhaps explaining the apparent regenerative response of neurites observed around amyloid plaques in Alzheimer disease. Moreover, in concert with the recent discovery of A beta production by cultured neurons, our data suggest that A beta plays a normal physiological role in brain by complexing with the extracellular matrix.
Probabilistic analysis of an impulsively loaded deep‐based structure

A deep-based (i.e. deeply buried) structure subjected to stress wave loading is analyzed probabilistically. The finite element method, coupled with a fast probability integration technique, is used to perform the analysis. Randomness due to uncertainties in loading and stratum material properties is addressed. The results presented, although for an idealized linear elastodynamic problem, clearly demonstrate that more realistic probabilistic analyses of impulsively loaded deep-base structures are feasible.