cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spin-vibrational coupling in the far-infrared spectrum of Mn 12 -acetate

We report the far-infrared vibrational spectra of the high-spin molecular magnet $[{\mathrm{Mn}}_{12}{\mathrm{O}}_{12}({\mathrm{CH}}_{3}\mathrm{COO}{)}_{16}({\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}{)}_{4}]$$\ensuremath{\cdot}2{\mathrm{CH}}_{3}\mathrm{COOH}\ensuremath{\cdot}4{\mathrm{H}}_{2}\mathrm{O}$ as a function of temperature (4\char21{}40 K) and applied magnetic field (0\char21{}30 T). The new data confirm previously reported field-dependent line-shape changes of features at 284, 306, and $409{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1},$ as well as the field dependence of several new, smaller peaks between 315 and $375{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}.$ Initially, these features grow linearly with applied field, but they tend toward saturation at 30 T, indicating a nonlinear coupling of these structures to the magnetic field. There is a strong similarity between variable-temperature and variable-field effects; the field-induced features are a subset of the temperature-induced structures. Based on a line-shape analysis of the $284{\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ structure as well as a comparison between temperature and field effects over the full far-infrared frequency regime, we ascribe the field-dependent absorptions to a coupling between intramolecular vibrations and the spin system. Some plausible mechanisms, which can account for this coupling as well as the possible contribution of the coupled vibrational modes to the fourth-order anisotropy Hamiltonian, are briefly discussed.
Lecithinase reaction of Staphylococcus aureus strains of different origin on Baird‐Parker medium

Staphylococcus aureus produces one or more enzymes with lipolytic activity, but differences between strains have been reported (Owens and John 1975; O'Toole 1987; Rollof et al. 1987). The biological and biochemical properties of these enzymes have been investigated and results were recently reviewed (Kotting et al. 1984). Baird-Parker medium (Baird-Parker 1962) is a selective medium commonly used for the isolation of Staph. aureus. The presence of egg yolk in this medium permits the detection of two reactions due to lipolytic activity of staphylococci: (1) Lecithinase reaction, a zone of precipitate in the medium surrounding the colonies; and (2) Lipase reaction or 'pearly layer', an iridescent film in and immediately surrounding colonies, visible by reflected light (iridescent sheen or 'oil in water'). In this study, human and bovine strains, previously biotyped according to the scheme of Devriese et al. (1984), were compared for production of a zone of precipitation, lecithinase reaction, on Baird-Parker medium. Bovine and human strains of Staph. aureus were compared for production of the egg yolk reaction (lecithinase reaction) on Baird-Parker medium and the results were related to their biotypes and site of origin of the sample. Human strains and strains biotyped as human biotypes had higher percentage of positive results than bovine isolates and/or biotypes. However, all strains isolated from body sites of heifers produced a positive reaction regardless of the biotype.
THE DISTRIBUTION OF EDAPHIC DIATOMS ALONG ENVIRONMENTAL GRADIENTS OF A LOUISIANA SALT MARSH1

Edaphic (sediment-associated) diatoms were collected from five sites along a gradient from slightly brackish to saline marsh on 30 November 1977 and 29 April 1978. Several environmental factors change along this gradient in addition to salinity, including tidal flushing and percent organic content of the soil. A total of 112 taxa were identified, with Amphora exigua Greg., Navicula phyllepta Kutz., N. salinarum Grun., and N. tripunctata (Mull.) Bory being among the five most abundant taxa on both sampling dates. The taxonomic composition of the diatom flora was very similar to those observed for other salt marshes located along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Diatom taxa were generally euryhaline and distributed continuously along the gradient from brackish to saline marsh. Species diversity (H1) and the number of taxa in a sample (S) were also similar to those reported for other North American salt marshes. The number of taxa in a sample was higher in the saline than in the brackish area on both sampling dates while species diversity was greater in the saline area only in April.
Image processing on encoded video sequences

This paper presents a novel approach to processing encoded video sequences prior to complete decoding. Scene changes are easily detected using DCT coefficients in JPEG and MPEG encoded video sequences. In addition, by analyzing the DCT coefficients, regions of interest may be isolated prior to decompression, increasing the efficiency of any subsequent image processing steps, such as edge detection. The results are currently used in a video browser and are part of an ongoing research project in creating large video databases. The procedure is detailed with several examples presented and studied in depth.
The emotions of systems developers: an empirical study of affective events theory

The role of emotions in the workplace has received increasing attention from management theorists in recent years [2], yet information technology (IT) researchers have failed to consider the role of emotions on IT professionals. Many researchers approach IT from a human resources perspective that focuses on job outcomes such as stress, turnover, burnout, and satisfaction [3-6]. This study explores the emotions of IT professionals by addressing the research question: How can emotions help explain the job outcomes of IT workers?Affective Events Theory (AET) forms the theoretical foundation of this study. It argues that job outcomes can result from both affect or judgment-based processing. Attitudes are important in this process, but some outcomes result directly from emotions. Also, emotions are responses to work events that employees experience every day of their work lives. This potentially elevates the mundane events on the job as predictors of job outcomes.The study of AET in the IT domain uses an event-contingent experience sampling method. The subjects are senior-level IS undergraduate students engage in a semester long IS development project for their capstone Information Systems (IS) course. In addition to the daily emotion tracking data, the subjects completed questionnaires describing their levels of stress, burnout, and trust in their teammates. These methods and this theory hold promise in explaining job outcomes in the IT workplace.
Null-plane dynamics of particles and fields

Abstract The focus of this review of null-plane dynamics is the fundamental principle of quantum theory that states must form a linear manifold with a positive scalar product. The intent is to provide an integrated overview of diverse aspects of null-plane dynamics of particles and fields. Hamiltonian particle dynamics is based on the construction of nontrivial representations of the Poincare group on finite tensor products of single-particle spaces, and on finite direct sums of such tensor products. The structure of the space of states and the representations of a kinematic subgroup are independent of the dynamics. The dynamics is specified by Hamiltonian operators which are the Poincare generators outside the kinematic subgroup. Fock-spaces are infinite direct sums of tensor products of single particle spaces. Fock-space representations of Lagrangean field theories can be formulated as limits of Hamiltonian many-body dynamics. The required cutoff can preserve the symmetry of the kinematic subgroup but destroys the full Poincare invariance. The nontrivial questions involve the existence of limits as the cutoff is removed. Covariant wave functions arise either as solutions of covariant wave equations, or as matrix elements of products of covariant field operators. The linear manifold of states is a manifold of equivalence classes of covariant functions. The dynamics appear in the nontrivial inner product and all Poincare transformations are kinematic. Null-plane restrictions of the covariant functions may provide a unitary map of the covariant constraint dynamics into null-plane Hamiltonian dynamics.
Illusions of Subtlety: Bernhard Schlink’s Der Vorleser and The Moral Limits of Holocaust Fiction

In presenting the case of SS guard Hanna Schmitz from the perspective of her young lover, Bernhard Schlink’s award-winning Der Vorleser would seem to represent that cutting edge of Holocaust literature interested in depicting per-petrators in a more nuanced fashion. However, this gesture toward complexity – a welcome trend in itself – is not ultimately supported by the text, which insistently obscures Hanna’s role in a series of crimes against humanity. The likeable narrator’s attempt to come to terms with the Holocaust, which is espoused as exemp-lary, proves in the end to rely on a problematic conception of dual victimisation: of Hanna as victim of circumstance, and of himself as victim of Hanna. This essay draws liberally upon reception data in order to discover the manner in which the novel exploits a number of entrenched assumptions on the part of readers. Chief among these are 1) the diffuse sense that confronting the Holocaust presents a demanding burden, rendering present day observers as victims of a sort; and 2) the presupposition that moral sophistication – an attribute with which Der Vorleser has been frequently credited – is tantamount to indecision or undecidability. The real ‘limits’ to Holocaust fiction are thus found to inhere within both the critical climate and the unfulfilled ambitions of the novel.
The state-of-the-art of “comprehensive” planning

“Planning” occurs as a part of governmental operations wherever “decision-making” happens. For US metropolitan areas, the locuses of decision-making are multiple, ranging in scale from very small jurisdictions up through the hierarchy to state and federal levels, and in function from general governments to many special-purpose agencies — transportation, health care, education, etc. Almost all might affect or be affected by urban transportation decisions and actions. Since no one of these units of government is comprehensive in authority and activity, there is no single, centralized planning operation that is truly “comprehensive.” “Pluralistic planning” is increasingly trying to foresee and to accommodate the interactions among the various levels and functions. Instead of fragmenting, with the fragments pulled apart and insulated, we need to move toward partitioning, not merely to delimit boundaries but also to identify interfaces. This movement is hampered by the differentials in the development of the “state-of-the-art” of the technical planning process now used by the several levels and functional units of government. This is most advanced, and most effective, for small, homogeneous suburban jurisdictions primarily concerned with guiding and controlling physical development; it is in disarray in central cities trying to cope with social and economic problems as well as with physical deterioration; at the metropolitan scale it is highly developed technically but not very influential. There is a trend toward a network of planning activities that recognizes and facilitates interrelationships and interactions, both vertically among functional boundaries and horizontally across geographical-scale distinctions — a trend toward the “comprehensive” —but we have a very long way to go.
Oratorical Encounters: Selected Studies and Sources of Twentieth-Century Political Accusations and Apologies

Foreword by Edward P. J. Corbett Preface Introduction Oratorical Encounters Apology as Attack: Senators La Follette vs. Robinson on Freedom of Speech by Carl R. Burgchardt The Scopes Trial: "Darrow vs. Bryan" vs. "Bryan vs. Darrow" by Thomas M. Lessl Accusations and Apologies from a General, a Senator, and a Priest by Susan Schultz Huxman and Wil A. Linkugel Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin vs. King Edward VIII by Halford Ross Ryan President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the "Purge" by G. Jack Gravlee President Harry S. Truman and General Douglas MacArthur: A Study of Rhetorical Confrontation by Bernard K. Duffy Senator Richard M. Nixon's Apology for the "The Fund" by Halford Ross Ryan In the Matter of J. Robert Oppenheimer by Rachel L. Holloway Nikita S. Krushchev vs. Dwight D. Eisenhower by Lawrence W. Haapanen Senator John F. Kennedy Encounters the Religious Question: "I Am Not the Catholic Candidate for President" by David Henry Eight Alabama Clergy vs. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Ronald K. Burke Senator Edward M. Kennedy and the Chappaquiddick Tragedy by William L. Benoit President Richard M. Nixon and the Watergate Scandal by Craig Allen Smith Gerald R. Ford Encounters Richard Nixon's Legacy: On Amnesty and the Pardon by Bernard L. Brock CBS vs. Mobil Oil: Charges of Creative Bookeeping in 1979 by George N. Dionisopoulos and Steven L. Vibbert The Media and the Catholic Church vs. Geraldine Ferraro by Richard J. Jensen Elie Wiesel vs. President Ronald Reagan: The Visit to Bitburg by Robert V. Friedenberg President Ronald Reagan's Apologia on the Iran-Contra Affair by D. Ray. Heisey Glossary of Rhetorical Terms Speaker and Speech Index Subject Index
A stress and coping perspective on health behaviors: theoretical and methodological considerations

Health behaviors such as eating and exercising have been linked to stress in many studies, and researchers suggest that these links are in large part due to the use of health behaviors to cope with stress. However, health behaviors in the context of coping have received relatively little research attention. In this paper, we briefly survey the literature linking stress, coping, and health behaviors, noting that very little research has explicitly examined health behaviors as coping with stress. We address critical theoretical and methodological issues that arise in applying a stress and coping perspective to health behaviors. We conclude with potential directions for interventions, including the need for conceptually solid and methodologically rigorous research and the development of new measures, and with suggestions for future research. The concepts of self-regulation and stress management and their implications in health behavior research and interventions are also discussed.
Work satisfaction, burnout, and turnover among social workers in Israel: a causal diagram

This study developed a causal diagram addressing the predictors of work satisfaction, burnout and turnover among professional social workers in Israel. A random sample of 218 social workers completed self-administered surveys. Multiple regression and canonical correlation analyses were conducted to estimate a causal model that best predicts work satisfaction, burnout, and turnover among social workers. The results indicated that higher satisfaction, lower burnout, and lower turnover were a function of higher collegial relationship, greater supervision, adequate working conditions, greater opportunities for promotion, and Jewish ethnicity. In addition, higher satisfaction and lower burnout were a function of higher education and greater autonomy, whereas higher turnover was related to a lower salary and the social worker's relative youth. Limitations of the study and recommendations are discussed.
Ecological stoichiometry in benthic food webs: Effect of light and nutrients on periphyton food quantity and quality in lakes

To quantify the effect of light and nutrients on periphyton food quantity and quality, a series of experiments, consisting of full light and shade treatments, was conducted in 2003 in 11 lakes differing in nutrient status and turbidity. Periphyton chlorophyll a, C : P, and benthic macroinvertebrate biomass were measured on rocks or artificial substrates (glass slides) or both. Periphyton biomass increased and periphyton C: P decreased as total phosphorus increased. Periphyton biomass and C: P were higher in light than in shade. Benthic macroinvertebrate biomass was higher with high periphyton biomass and low periphyton C : P. Both turbidity and nutrient concentrations in natural water bodies are altered by human-driven and natural processes; therefore we expect periphyton biomass and C: P to increase in lakes as clarity increases and nutrient content decreases, resulting in high-quantity but low-quality benthic food.
Classification of children referred for emotional and behavioral problems: A comparison of PL 94-142 SED criteria, DSM III, and the CBCL system

Abstract This study examines and compares the use of three major classification systems of child psychopathology—Public Law 94-142 seriously emotionally disturbed (SED) guidelines, the DSM III (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) system, and investigates the feasibility, reliability, and validity of using DSM III in the school setting. The sample consists of 38 boys between the ages of 6 and 11 years (x = 7 1 2 ) who were referred because of suspected emotional or behavioral disturbance. Psychoeducational evaluations were conducted by the psychological and diagnostic staff of a school district, and each boy, if appropriate, was classified by PL 94-142. Each boy's file then was reviewed by two graduate student raters trained in the use of DSM III, and a DSM III Axis I diagnosis was assigned, if appropriate. Each boy then was classified by the CBCL system as having an internalizing, an externalizing, a mixed, or no behavior disorder. The procedures devised to apply DSM III to psychoeducational evaluations are easy to use but only moderately reliable. The three classification systems identify different percentages of the sample as emotionally or behaviorally disturbed (DSM III>CBCL>PL 94-142 SED) and agree on which boys are and which are not disturbed in only 37% of the cases. Findings regarding the validity of DSM III are discussed.
Disruption of canine jejunal interdigestive myoelectrical activity by artificial ileocolonic sphincter - Studies of intestinal motor response to surgically fashioned sphincter substitute

We studied the effects of an ileocolonic sphincter substitute on canine small intestine motor activity. Recordings of fasting and postprandial myoelectrical activity were performed in three groups of animals in whom the following procedures had been performed: (1) electrode placement alone, intestinal continuity undisturbed (controls); (2) ileocolonic sphincter substitute fashioned in mid-jejunum; and (3) transection and reanastomosis at a similar location in mid-jejunum. Transection alone resulted in a decrease in slow-wave frequency, a shortening of the period of the interdigestive myoelectrical complex (IDMEC) and a prolongation of phase III of the IDMEC in the jejunum distal to the site of transection. The IDMEC period was also shorter at proximal electrode sites, but the incidence of IDMEC phase III complexes was similar on either side of the transection. However, in those animals in whom a sphincter substitute had been fashioned at the site of the transection, the incidence of IDMEC phase III complexes was significantly suppressed in the proximal intestine; IDMEC phase III frequency per hour (mean +/- SD transection vs sphincter substitute) was 0.59 +/- 0.20 vs 0.23 +/- 0.24, P less than 0.002; 0.61 +/- 0.24 vs 0.28 +/- 0.30, P less than 0.006; 0.61 +/- 0.24 vs 0.29 +/- 0.30, P = 0.008, at electrodes 10, 35, and 85 cm proximal to the sphincter substitute, respectively. In addition, the sphincter-substitute animals alone demonstrated, during fasting, recurrent propagated bursts of spike clusters and occasional prolonged spike bursts in electrodes proximal to the sphincter substitute.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha activation of the JCV promoter: role in the pathogenesis of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy

Activation of viral promoter transcription is a crucial event in the life cycle of several viruses. Hypoxia inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is an inducible transcription factor whose activity is dependent on environmental conditions, most notably oxygen levels and cellular stress. HIF-1α has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several viruses, including HIV-1, HHV-8 and RSV. Under hypoxic conditions or oxidative stress, HIF-1α becomes stable and translocates to the nucleus, where it modulates gene transcription. The objective of the present study was to investigate a possible role for HIF-1α in the activation of JCV. Glial cell cultures infected with JCV demonstrated a significant increase in the levels of HIF-1α, in where it is located to the nucleus. Immunohistochemical studies corroborated upregulation of HIF-1α in JCV infected oligodendrocytes and astrocytes in clinical samples of PML compared with normal glial cells from the same samples in which HIF-1α expression is weak. CAT assays performed in co-transfected glial cells demonstrated activation of the JCV early promoter in the presence of HIF-1α. This activation was potentiated in the presence of Smad3 and Smad4. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays demonstrated the binding of HIF-1α to the JCV control region. These results suggest a role for HIF-1α in the activation of JCV; understanding of this pathway may lead to the development of more effective therapies for PML, thus far an incurable disease.
Maternal Care and Infant Transfer in Two Species of Colobus Monkeys

Three infantColobus guereza and twoColobus polykomos were observed during their first 3 months, when infant transfer between females was prevalent. Such mother-infant relations as nipple contact, time on the mother, infant returns to the mother, infant resting on the mother, and the mother's retrieval of the infant were recorded. Maternal behaviors and interactions between non-mothers and the infant were also noted. Additionally a description of infant pelage change during this period was described. Inter-relationships of these behaviors were discussed. During early development, non-mothers performed more maternal behaviors and transferred and carried the infant more than its mother. With infant recognition of its mother and increased locomotor abilities after 3–5 weeks, less transfers occurred and the infant spent more time on its mother's nipple. A period of high nipple contact, reminiscent of an infant regressive period, occurred. Male-infant interactions were highest at 4–9 weeks. Finally, the existence of infant transfers in Colobinae and its relationship to “aunt” behavior in Cercopithecinae was discussed. Female motivations during transfers and the possible functions of the behavior were also discussed.
Update on active chem-bio sensing

The US Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) is the leader in development of military systems for chemical and biological defense, in collaboration with all Services, other Government laboratories, academia, and industry. Chemical and biological optical sensing principles, unique capabilities, state-of-the-art sensors, and emerging technologies will be discussed. In order to acquire highly quantified data, study the effects of variables such as particle size distribution on backscatter coefficients, perform iterative aerosol algorithm development, and characterize breadboards, a novel "windowless" Vortex Chamber utilizing air curtains was developed and built at ECBC. The chamber has been successfully shown to contain a cloud of known size, concentration, and particle size distribution for 10-15 minutes. Near-term plans are focused on characterization of breadboards for standoff bio discrimination and deducing absolute backscatter coefficients from Vortex Chamber data.
The Soviet concept of truth

There are two words for ‘truth’ in Russian: istina and pravda. Pravda is truth as a norm or value for both thinking and acting. Istina is truth in the context of theory of knowledge. We deal here exclusively with istina.
Buckling and postbuckling behavior of steep compressible arches

Abstract The bifurcation buckling and postbuckling behavior of steep, compressible, circular arches is examined. The arches are loaded with a uniform constant directional pressure and may be either pinned or clamped. The development is based on Koiter's theory. Two different arch theories are used so as to facilitate a study of bending in the prebuckling state. It is shown that clamped arches are always unstable after bifurcation, while pinned arches exhibit a transition from unstable to stable behavior as a semi-circular arch is approached. The results are also compared to results obtained using shallow arch theory and the comparison is reasonably good for moderately steep arches. The effect of middle surface extensibility (compressibility) and of the prebuckling bending is virtually undetectable.
Asymptotic behavior of global recovery in SRM

The development and deployment of a large-scale, wide-area multicast infrastructure in the Internet has enabled a new family of multi-party, collaborative applications. Several of these applications, such as multimedia slide shows, shared whiteboards, and large-scale multi-player games, require reliable multicast transport, yet the underlying multicast infrastructure provides only a best-effort delivery service. A difficult challenge in the design of efficient protocols that provide reliable service on top of the best-effort multicast service is to maintain acceptable performance as the protocol scales to very large session sizes distributed across the wide area. The Scalable, Reliable Multicast (SRM) protocol [6] is a receiver-driven scheme based on negative acknowledgments (NACKs) reliable multicast protocol that uses randomized timers to limit the amount of protocol overhead in the face of large multicast groups, but the behavior of SRM at extremely large scales is not well-understood.In this paper, we use analysis and simulation to investigate the scaling behavior of global loss recovery in SRM. We study the protocol's control-traffic overhead as a function of group size for various topologies and protocol parameters, on a set of simple, representative topologies --- the cone (a variant of a clique), the linear chain, and the binary tree. We find that this overhead, as a function of group size, depends strongly on the topology: for the cone, it is always linear; for the chain, it is between constant and logarithmic; and for the tree, it is between constant and linear.
P50 sensory gating and attentional performance

Sensory gating refers to the preattentional filtering of irrelevant sensory stimuli. This process may be impaired in schizotypy, which is a trait also associated with cigarette smoking. This association may in part stem from the positive effects of smoking on sensory gating and attention. The relationship among sensory gating, smoking, schizotypy and attention was examined in 39 undergraduates. Sensory gating was indexed by the P50 suppression paradigm, and attention was measured by the Attention Network Test (ANT) and a Stroop task. Results showed sensory gating to be positively correlated with performances on ANT and Stroop reflected in better alerting, less conflict between stimuli, faster reaction time, and greater accuracy. Smokers showed a pattern of a greater number of significant correlations between sensory gating and attention in comparison to non-smokers, although the relationship between sensory gating and attention was not affected by schizotypy. The majority of significant correlations were found in the region surrounding Cz. These findings are discussed relative to the potential modifying influence of smoking and schizotypy on sensory gating and attention.
Meson spectra in a quark potential model with relativistic kinematics

We calculate the masses of light and heavy mesons using a potential in two different wave equations incorporating relativistic kinematics. The potential includes spin-spin, spin-orbit, and tensor terms. We find that we obtain rather good results for heavy mesons, but that the masses of light mesons are quite sensitive to the form of the wave equation used.
A Bach2 Link between Pre-B Cell Receptor Checkpoint and Pre-B Cell ALL

Bach2 is a transcription factor required for affinity maturation of B cells. A recent study reveals, quite unexpectedly, that Bach2 also plays a key role in the pre-B cell receptor checkpoint and functions as a tumor suppressor in pre-B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia.
Ileorectal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis. Results in 27 patients.

Hr: PAST rzw DECADES have brought many changes in the surgical treatment of ulcerative colitis. At one time appendicostomy and cecostomy were performed to permit antiseptics, such as Dakin's solution, and mercurial solutions, to be flushed through the inflamed colon. Later, ileostomy, to "put the colon at rest'"by diverting the fecal stream, was preferred. When many patients continued to have active disease in the colon and acute toxic flareups of ulcerative colitis despite ileostomy, most surgeons advised that after ileostomy colectomy be performed when the patient's condition had improved. However, many patients waited for further surgery until an acute toxic flareup had occurred, and such operations had a high mortality. /leostomy alone in the patient in an acutely toxic condition was found to have a high mortality--of 2'4-66 per cenO, ~ or more. From the reports of results of ileostomy alone for ulcerative colitis it became evident that this operation did not "put the colon at rest," cure the disease, or prevent subsequent complications and acute flareups. We observed that carcinomas developed in patients with ileostomies; and in one patient, a carcinoma actually extended through the ileostomy stoma, z The next improvement in surgical therapy for ulcerative colitis was the practice of performing ileostomy and subtotal colectorny at the same time in the patient in an acutely toxic condition. Ferguson and Stevens 4 stated: "The patients are too sick not to be operated upon." Crile and Thomas -° stated: "Removal of the colon, as completely, and as quickly as possible, appears to be the safest method of treating patients with acute toxic ulcerative colitis." Crile and Thomas -° reported one death in 7 such patients subjeered to subtotal colectomy, an improvement over the mortality in patients receiving medical treatment for the condition and an improvement over the mortality in those treated surgically by ileostomy alone.
An AMPK-Independent Signaling Pathway Downstream of the LKB1 Tumor Suppressor Controls Snail1 and Metastatic Potential

The serine/threonine kinase LKB1 is a tumor suppressor whose loss is associated with increased metastatic potential. In an effort to define biochemical signatures of metastasis associated with LKB1 loss, we discovered that the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factor Snail1 was uniquely upregulated upon LKB1 deficiency across cell types. The ability of LKB1 to suppress Snail1 levels was independent of AMPK but required the related kinases MARK1 and MARK4. In a screen for substrates of these kinases involved in Snail regulation, we identified the scaffolding protein DIXDC1. Similar to loss of LKB1, DIXDC1 depletion results in upregulation of Snail1 in a FAK-dependent manner, leading to increased cell invasion. MARK1 phosphorylation of DIXDC1 is required for its localization to focal adhesions and ability to suppress metastasis in mice. DIXDC1 is frequently downregulated in human cancers, which correlates with poor survival. This study defines an AMPK-independent phosphorylation cascade essential for LKB1-dependent control of metastatic behavior.
Evaporation Effects on Oxygen and Hydrogen Isotopes in Deep Vadose Zone Pore Fluids at Hanford, Washington

Stable isotopes of oxygen and hydrogen were measured in pore fluid extracted from a sediment core located in a relatively undisturbed area in the Hanford site near the S-SX Tank Farms. Pore fluids from most of the 70-meter thick vadose zone section have ?18O values that are shifted to higher values than those for winter precipitation (and Columbia River water) by 3 to 4?. The shift of ?18O, and the ?18O-?D slope of about 4 in the deep vadose zone pore fluids is attributed to partial evaporation during residence in the upper meter of the soil section. A model relating the isotopic shift to recharge and soil properties suggests that the shift should be inversely proportional to recharge, and larger for coarser soils with lower water retention. When applied to Hanford soils and precipitation patterns, the model predicts that vadose zone pore fluids at Hanford should typically be shifted by +2? to +6? in ?18O relative to the values in wet season precipitation, even for relatively high values of annual net infiltration (up to 100 mm/yr or 60% of annual precipitation). The model has implications for groundwater as well as vadose zone ?18O. The effects of vegetation are not included,more » so only upper limit values for the net infiltration flux can be inferred from vadose zone ?18O. The shifted ?18O of natural pore fluids allows identification of the presence of subsurface water that comes from industrial discharges at the Hanford site. An example is provided by a low-?18O, high water content horizon at a depth of 44m in the core, which is interpreted as industrial water that was transported laterally above a capillary barrier as a result of a nearby, near-surface point discharge that happened within the past 50 years.« less
Equivalence and Reduction of Expansive Tree Grammars

The equivalence of nonterminals of an expansive tree grammar is considered. Algorithms are presented for constructing sets of equivalent nonterminals for an expansive tree grammar, for reducing the grammar, and for determining whether two grammars generate the same language.
Increased Fatigue Resistance of Skeletal Muscle with Elevated 2-Deoxy-ATP following Ribonucleotide Reductase Overexpression

Skeletal muscle myosin can use a variety of nucleotides to varying effectiveness as substrates for contraction. We previously demonstrated that complete replacement of ATP with 2 deoxy-ATP (dATP) in activation solutions increases contraction of demembranated rabbit skeletal muscle and that enhanced performance results from increased myosin binding and cycling kinetics, especially during sub-maximal calcium activation. Here we report on a transgenic mouse (Tg-RR) that overexpresses the enzyme, ribonucleotide reductase, which converts ADP to dADP (that is rapidly phosphorylated to dATP). This results in a ∼10x increase in dATP content of skeletal muscle, which still constitutes ≤ 1% of the adenosine triphosphate nucleotide pool. We are examining the contractile and metabolic properties of skeletal muscle in this transgenic model. Preliminary data indicates the phosphocreatine to ATP (PCr:ATP) ratio of Tg-RR mice is significantly elevated relative to wild type (Tg-WT) mice, suggesting the Tg-RR mice may have an energetic advantage due to increased high energy phosphate reserves. Furthermore, the Tg-RR mice ran for a longer period of time at increased speed and for longer distances in a graded exercise test. Direct in situ stimulation of the gastrocnemius muscle indicates improved resistance to fatigue, consistent with both the exercise and the metabolic (PCr:ATP) findings. Interestingly, our preliminary experiments suggest the Tg-RR mice produce significantly less peak force and show signs of atrophy. Ongoing experiments are examining changes in mitochondrial content and function as well as contractile properties of isolated muscles to determine the mechanisms underlying the increased fatigue resistance of the Tg-RR mice. These results suggest a new direction for developing interventions to improve exercise tolerance in human patients. Supported by HL11197 (MR).
A Stator Turn Fault Tolerant Strategy for Induction Motor Drives in Safety Critical Applications

A turn fault in the stator windings of an induction motor (IM) causes a large circulating current to flow in the shorted turns and generates excessive heat. Without limiting the heat, which is proportional to the square of the circulating current, the fault generally develops into catastrophic phase. In this paper, it is shown that the circulating current in the shorted turns is strongly related to the stator line-neutral voltage. Also, it is observed that with an appropriate adjustment to the rotating magnetic flux, the stator line-neutral voltage can be reduced, resulting in a significant reduction in the circulating current. Based on these principles, a stator turn fault tolerant strategy for IM drives is proposed. This strategy does not require any change in the standard drive configuration and most importantly, does not result in the complete loss of availability of an IM drive in the presence of a stator turn fault. Simulation and experimental results are provided to validate the proposed strategy.
Redefining lumbosacral transitional vertebrae (LSTV) classification: integrating the full spectrum of morphological alterations in a biomechanical continuum

In light of advancements in imaging techniques and basic science studies, this study proposes modifications in the existing Castellvi's classification for better clinical and biomechanical correlation of LSTV subtypes. LSTVs are commonly occurring variations of the lower spine. The current system does not include functionally important structural variations of the neural arch components and sacral auricular surfaces induced by LSTV afflictions within the classification. This study is an attempt to integrate vital biomechanical correlates into the proposed modification. Emerging diagnostic and clinical evidence also point out the need of understating subdivisions within LSTV anomalies as distinctly stratified entities to get a better correlation with the biomechanical continuum involved with LSTV associated low back pain. Important neural arch element and sacral auricular surface alterations associated with each LSTV subtypes were studied from a large number of osseous samples and data available from published LSTV related clinical and morphological studies. Sacralisation and lumbarisation were designated separate stratifications in the proposed revision, with arrangement of the LSTV subtypes as members of a LSTV anatomical 'array' extending cranio-caudally at the lumbo-sacral junction. The proposed modification is capable of identifying LSTV associated structural defects (in anterior and posterior elements), their exact level of occurrence and status of facet and auricular surface morphologies. Coding for the inclusion of biomechanically important alterations associated with LSTV types within the proposed new classification would probably be helpful in better clinical correlation of LSTV.
Neural Stem Cells: From Fly to Vertebrates

Our goal in this review is to explore the relationship between Drosophila and vertebrate neural stem cell development by comparing progress in each system with the aim of answering several central questions in stem cell biology: (a) How are stem cells formed? (b) Do stem cells divide symmetrically or asymmetrically? (c) How is stem cell fate maintained? (d) How is stem cell differentiation initiated? (e) How are different stem cell fates determined? (f) How “plastic” are different neural stem cell fates? (g) How do neural stem cells produce different progeny? and (h) What regulates stem cell proliferation versus quiescence? Not surprisingly, research in Drosophila and vertebrate systems each have their own biases, strengths, and weaknesses; we hope that by directly comparing progress in each field, new experiments and interpretations in both vertebrate and Drosophila research will become apparent. It has become increasingly clear that vertebrates and Drosophila share many fundamental mechanisms of neurogenesis, validating a comparative approach. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 36: 111–127, 1998
A one-year school-based diet/exercise intervention improves non-traditional disease biomarkers in Mexican-American children

Abstract School-based interventions are an effective way to treat childhood obesity. The purpose of the present study was to biologically validate an established school-based intervention designed to reduce standardised body mass index (zBMI) over a period of 12 months. This intervention focused on a subset of Mexican-American children who were participating in a larger clinical weight loss study. Plasma samples were analysed from self-identified Mexican-American children (12-14 years) who were randomised to either a school-based intervention (IN, n = 152) or self-help control (CN, n = 69). Treatment was 4 days week⁻¹ of exercise (45 min day⁻¹) and 1 day week⁻¹ of nutritional counselling for 6 months. Fasting (>8 h) blood samples were collected at baseline, 6 months (end of active intervention) and 12 months (6 months after the end of the active intervention). Plasma resistin, adiponectin and leptin concentration were measured using a multiplex assay. Separate linear mixed models and a P < 0.05 were used to test for significance. Significant group × time interactions were found for resistin (P < 0.0001), adiponectin (P = 0.001) and leptin (P = 0.013). For resistin, IN was 12% lower at 6 months than CN. Adiponectin concentration in IN was greater at 6 months (26%) and 12 months (8%) than CN. Leptin concentration was 22% lower for IN at 12 months than CN. We have previously reported that our school-based intervention reduced zBMI and now reported alterations in biologically relevant disease biomarkers. Some of the observed changes were only present at the end of the active intervention (resistin), while others persisted until 12 months (leptin and adiponectin). These changes underscore the effectiveness of our school-based intervention at not only improving zBMI but also at reducing disease risk.
A Multivariate Study of Determinants of Vigorous Physical Activity in a Multicultural Sample of College Students

The authors investigated and then compared associations between 16 variables and vigorous physical activity in a minority student population. The sample (N = 347) drawn from six universities with minority representation ranging from 3% to 17% consisted of African-American (62%), Asians (29%) and Hispanics (9%). No significant differences emerged between race and physical activity levels; however, African-American respondents reported more regular physical activity habits than Asians or Hispanics. Significant (p<.001) differences emerged by gender, with males reporting more vigorous and regular physical activity than females. The regression model accounted for 36% of the variance in physical activity. The strongest individual relationships, explaining 34% of the variation, included gender, benefits, participation in high school varsity sports, participation in youth sports, and barriers. The findings contribute information regarding activity characteristics by race and gender.
The Bethesda System 2001 recommendation for reporting of benign appearing endometrial cells in Pap tests of women age 40 years and older leads to unwarranted surveillance when followed without clinical qualifiers

Abstract Objectives. The purpose of this study is to determine the impact of the Bethesda System 2001 recommendation of reporting cytologically benign appearing endometrial cells (BEC) seen in Papanicolaou (Pap) tests of all women age 40 years and older, and to determine the significance of such finding. Methods. Pap tests of women age 40 years and older containing BEC outside of the first half of menstrual cycle reported before and after the Bethesda System 2001 implementation were included. 300 postmenopausal women without BEC were included as control group. Clinical follow-up was reviewed and significant endometrial pathology was defined as simple hyperplasia or a higher diagnosis. Results. BEC reporting rate increased from 0.17% to 0.49% before and after the Bethesda System 2001 ( P = 0.0001), due to reporting in women with premenopausal status. Significant endometrial pathology was detected in 14 of 121 (11.6%) postmenopausal patients compared to 7 of 300 (2.3%) in the control group ( P =0.0002, relative risk=4.96, 95% confidence interval 2.05–11.98), and in none of premenopausal patients. 12 of 14 women with significant endometrial pathology had either postmenopausal bleeding or hormone replacement therapy use. Conclusions. The Bethesda System 2001 led to increased reporting of BEC only in premenopausal women, leading to biopsies performed solely for BEC in these women with no pathology detected. Presence of BEC in Pap tests of postmenopausal women warrants a thorough clinical review, and immediate biopsy is a valid consideration. Presence of hormone therapy or postmenopausal bleeding may be modifiers of risk.
Infanticide in chimpanzees: Review of cases and a new within-group observation from the Kanyawara study group in Kibale National Park

A prolonged attack on a mother and 2-year-old infant that resulted in the death of the infant was observed in the Kanyawara study group in Kibale National Park. The mother was a border-area resident who was first observed associating with unit-group males six years previously. The attackers were an adult male and an adult female with a 6-week-old infant clinging ventrally to her. The attack was unusual in several respects: it is the first time a male and a female chimpanzee have been observed cooperating closely in an infanticidal attack; the adult female initially attempted to intervene in the victim's behalf, but later joined in the attack after receiving aggression from the male; and the episode was longer in duration than other reported cases. In the year following the incident, the mother did not increase her association with community males, but was seen with the male who killed her infant. The relevance of these observations to sexual selection-based explanations for infanticide in chimpanzees is discussed.
Insensitivity to Negative Dependence of the Asymptotic Behavior of Precise Large Deviations

Since the pioneering works of C.C. Heyde, A.V. Nagaev, and S.V. Nagaev in 1960's and 1970's, the precise asymptotic behavior of large-deviation probabilities of sums of heavy-tailed random variables has been extensively investigated by many people, but mostly it is assumed that the random variables under discussion are independent. In this paper, we extend the study to the case of negatively dependent random variables and we find out that the asymptotic behavior of precise large deviations is insensitive to the negative dependence.
Multiple object tracking and occlusion handling by information exchange between uncalibrated cameras

We introduce a novel and robust method for multi-object tracking from multiple uncalibrated cameras. This method improves consistent labeling by incorporating the field of view lines and location information exchange between cameras by using the projective invariants in P/sup 2/. Each camera keeps its own tracks for each target object. This provides improved tracking as well as distributed processing, in which each camera is operated by a separate CPU that performs its own tracking and labeling. The tracking in each camera view is performed by using a two-level hierarchical structure. The main novelties of the proposed method include: a) the ability to communicate between the cameras at any time to improve and update the tracks of an object instead of tracking in each view independently, and to perform this without camera calibration; b) updating the track of an object without interruption and without any need for an estimation of the moving speed and direction, even if the object is totally invisible. The proposed method recovered 90% of the full occlusion cases. The hierarchical tracking structure makes the algorithm computationally efficient and, after background elimination, the first-level tracking runs at about 62 fps on a 2 GHz Celeron machine without code optimization. We present results obtained from the PETS2001 database, which show the success of the camera communication in partial and complete occlusions.