cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measures of line jaggedness and their use in foods textural evaluation

The jaggedness of signatures, such as the force-displacement curves of brittle cereal-based foods, can be a manifestation of physical processes. Consequently, it should be regarded as an inherent property of the system rather than noise that should be discarded. Changes in the degree of jaggedness can provide useful information on the system's performance or on how it is affected by external conditions, such as exposure to moisture. Quantitative assessment of the degree of jaggedness can be done by methods that include statistical analysis, conversion of the record into a Fourier power spectrum, and determination of its apparent fractal dimension. Most can be performed with microcomputers and commercially available software. It is recommended that the jaggedness of any experimental curve or signature be determined by at least two methods or algorithms simultaneously for mutual verification. The magnitude of any single measure of jaggedness is determined by the signature's fluctuations amplitude and frequency. While the amplitude effect can be accounted for by normalization, the frequency cannot. Consequently, only curves having about the same number of points at the pertinent interval can be meaningfully compared. There is, however, a mathematical method, at this time still empirical, that allows meaningful comparison of the jaggedness of signatures obtained at different sampling rates. When several or numerous jagged signatures are recorded simultaneously, as in the case of brittle particulates compressed in bulk, the resulting combined signature is considerably smoothed. This is primarily the result of averaging caused by mutual cancellation of peaks in different directions and reducing the relative weight of any large peak. However, there are mathematical methods, some partly empirical, that enable restoration of the jaggedness of the original signatures.
Image Similarity Measures for Video Processing

It is obvious that image histograms are of very limit use in video analysis. For example, two images containing the same objects at different positions are mapped to the same histograms. We show that a simple extension of image histograms to include the position information of the centroids of histograms bins leads to a useful representation for video analysis. This extension must be done carefully in order to obtain a representation that is stable with respect to noise. Moreover, the carefully extended histograms also add stability and reliability to the retrieval of still images.
Politics & technology: U.S. polices restricting unmanned aerial systems in agriculture

Abstract Many industry observers foresee that agriculture worldwide is posed to substantially benefit from the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), commonly known as drones. Industry special interests predict that 80% of domestic sales of UASs in the U.S. will be for agriculture. However, some fear that the public anxiety of the UAS operating in U.S. airspace could stall their introduction, a move that would potentially place some of American farmers’ production practices at an economic disadvantage. Currently, this public policy controversy is influencing UAS integration into U.S. agriculture, with the potential of spilling over internationally. This project examines the nature of the current debate surrounding the UAS within the U.S., analyzes the impact on agriculture from the legislation considered, discusses policy options to ameliorate the controversy, and describes the factors that will likely determine UAS operations within the U.S. The information was obtained from government documents, academic research, industry studies, nonprofit organizations, and media reports. An analysis was done using these data on how UAS legislation may affect agriculture. Popularized images of the silent-kills overseas using militarized UASs, safety concerns, and a fear of privacy invasions were found to generate intense opposition to their domestic integration. Spurred by the FAA’s congressional mandate to fully integrate UASs into the nation’s airspace, a significant number of bills, particularly in state legislatures, have been introduced in an attempt to regulate UAS use. Although geared toward privacy protection and law enforcement, some laws may adversely affect agriculture because they create legal uncertainty and/or they sweepingly ban or highly curtail local UAS operations. Possible solutions have been proposed: (1) reducing the legal uncertainty regarding UASs, (2) adopting an industry Code of Conduct and Safe Practices, and (3) producing a consensus on UAS regulations among diverse groups through an open discussion of how to balance UAS operations with safeguards on privacy and property rights. The perceived economic potential of the UAS, particularly in agriculture, combined with the lobbying power of the UAS industry, strongly suggest that policy will eventually be developed that will allow the use of this technology for agriculture in U.S. airspace.
Laboratory quality assessment procedures for serum dioxin and furan measurements: U.S. Air Force Ranch Hand and Centers for Disease Control Vietnam veteran, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health chemical workers, and Seveso, Italy, studies

Abstract An overview of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Quality Assurance program, focusing on data quality assessment procedures for serum dioxin/furan measurements, is presented.
SOURCES OF VARIATION IN JOB SATISFACTION: JOB SIZE EFFECTS IN A SAMPLE OF THE U. S. LABOR FORCE

Survey data were used to examine hypotheses about job size and satisfaction in a broad spectrum of jobs. Job size, higher-order need importance, urban-rural residence, and blue- or white-collar job category were tested as predictors of satisfaction (N= 2,094). Job size, need importance, and job category all related to job satisfaction. In constrast to earlier findings among blue-collar workers, there was no evidence that either the urban-rural variable or need importance moderated the job size-satisfaction relation. Job category did not moderate these results, indicating that the present results extend to white-collar workers. It was possible to control for income in a subsample (N= 753). Controlling for income's effect, job size, need importance, and job category still related to satisfaction; again, no moderating effects were observed. Results are discussed in terms of three potential sources of variation in satisfaction: job, person, and interaction of job and person.
A campus-wide solution to supporting rich media capture, conversion, & production: the media conversion lab at the University of Michigan

Increasing numbers of faculty are making assignments involving rich digital media, and the use of audio, video, and digital images is becoming de rigueur in student projects. Although we see demand for the use of digital media coming from all across the university, support for media editing and production was too often supported only at the departmental level, if at all. GroundWorks, the Media Conversion Lab at The University of Michigan , was created to meet this demand, and does so by providing a self-serve media and computing lab staffed by experienced professional staff and knowledgeable student consultants. The expense and complexity of supporting media production justifies a more centralized approach, and this lab was developed as a resource available to the entire university community. The lab is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, and makes available video editing workstations, a "Virtual Room" (a soundproof audio recording booth with adjustable acoustics), document and slide scanners, and even a large-format printer. The most-used aspects of the lab are the Conversion Racks. These racks hold a multitude of audio and video decks, supporting nearly every format of video (including international formats) and audio. A touch screen interface is used to connect any two devices in the racks, allowing a faculty member to easily convert an old VHS tape to DVD, or allowing a music student to copy the miniDisc recording of a recital to an audio CD, for example. This paper will provide an overview of the technology, staffing, and support of the lab.
ROOM-TEMPERATURE STEADY-STATE FLUORESCENCE PROPERTIES OF POLY(dG-dC).SPOLY(dG-dC)

— We report the steady-state fluorescence properties of the alternating polynucleotide poly(dG-dC).poly(dG-dC) in low-salt solution at room temperature for excitation at the Hg lines 265, 280 and 297 nm. Its fluorescence spectrum peaks at about 325 nm and, within the experimental error, its shape does not change significantly with the excitation wavelength. The fluorescence anisotropy is found to decrease strongly for short-wavelength excitation, a behavior which is very similar to that exhibited by free guanine. In view of the fact that the anisotropy for free cytosine is virtually constant at the aforementioned three excitation wavelengths, the results suggest that in this polynucleotide the emission stems from guanine. The values of the fluorescence quantum yield for the three excitation wavelengths are found to be very low, 0.8 times 10-5 0.8 times 10-5 2.8 times 10-5 respectively; these are compatible with transfer of energy from the lower-energy electronic state of guanine, before vibronic relaxation is established, to cytosine. Upon denaturation, the fluorescence spectrum becomes very broad and the fluorescence quantum yield increases; these observations support the authenticity of the emission from the nondenatured polynucleotide.
Obstructive acute renal failure by a gravid uterus: a case report and review.

Acute renal failure caused from an obstruction by the gravid uterus is a rare complication of pregnancy. Only 13 cases have been reported. We report a case of obstructive acute renal failure in a patient at 34 weeks' gestation with a twin pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios. The serum creatinine peaked at 1,078 µmol/L (12.2 mg/dL), higher than in the previously reported patients. The striking feature of her clinical course was the immediate resolution of anuria following amniotomy, thus avoiding the need for dialysis, ureteral stenting, or immediate surgical delivery. This patient illustrates the potential importance of increased uterine pressure on the ureters as a cause of significant obstructive renal failure during pregnancy.
Oxygen tensions in lesions of experimental atherosclerosis of rabbits

Abstract Experimental atheromata were induced in rabbits by a combination of injury and high cholesterol diet. Oxygen tensions were measured in the atheromata 2 and 5 weeks after injury. The over-all profile of transmural oxygen tension was markedly different from normal, showing a progressive fall from adventitia to intima with no gradient due to diffusion from the lumen. The lowest mean values were recorded immediately adjacent to the lumen and were 22 mm Hg at 2 weeks and 18 mm Hg at 5 weeks compared with the mean low point of 22 mm Hg measured 60% of the distance from the outer surface in normal aortas. Individual low point values reached as low as 10 and 12 mm Hg in experimental atheromata, far lower than any measured in normal aorta.
SU-E-T-178: Can a Portal Monitor Be Used for Screening of Population from Radiological Terrorism Events?

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to obtain physics characteristics of a portal monitor and to study the feasibility of its use in a radiological emergency, more specifically from radiological dispersal devices (RDDs).Methods: Two Cs‐137 sources with activity of 0.953 &#956;Ci and 1.50 mCi were used. Two physics characteristics were investigated: (a) angular dependence outside of the portal monitor, and (b) distance dependence from sources outside of the portal monitor. Queue theory was applied to the physics characterization measurements in order to evaluate the utility of the portal monitor in a radiological emergency. Results: The portal monitor detected the low activity source outside of the portal monitor at various angles at distances between 0.2 m and 0.3 m. It also detected the low activity when it was 0.25 m from the center of the portal monitor. This measurement was repeated with the 1.50 mCi Cs‐137 source. We found that the 1.50 mCi Cs‐137 source could be detected 3.0 m from the center of the portal monitor and the exposure rate was measured to be 30 &#956;R/hr at the center of the portal monitor. Assuming collective contamination with 100 mCi of Cs‐137 in the RDD scenario, the portal monitor would have to be placed approximately 40 m away from people waiting to be scanned. Additionally, portal monitors should be 10 m from each other if multiple are used Conclusions: The portal monitor is designed for the detection of small amount of contamination (∼1 &#956;Ci) for screening employees in commercial nuclear facilities. The portal monitor could be improved by adding shielding and collimation around the detectors and by decreasing the sensitivity for RDD applications. Without these improvements, the portal monitor cannot be deployed in a radiological emergency in urban areas because of the space needed to avoid false positive readings.
Metabolism of sedoheptulose-C14 in plant leaves.

Abstract 1. 1. Sedoheptulose-C14 in leaves in the light and in air is rapidly converted to sucrose. In similar experiments in the dark the sedoheptulose is metabolized to respiratory products such as glutamic, aspartic, and succinic acids. 2. 2. By short-time experiments in the light and in a nitrogen atmosphere, major early products formed from sedoheptulose-C14 are alanine, glyceric acid, and a 4-carbon sugar phosphate. The data suggest cleavage of sedoheptulose to a triose and a tetrose. 3. 3. Sedoheptulosan-C14 is not metabolized in barley leaves.
Consolidation of the packing material in chromatographic columns under dynamic axial compression III. Effect of the nature of the packing solvent on the consolidation and performance of axial compression columns

Consolidation characteristics were studied for axial compression columns packed with five different solvents. All the columns were packed with nearly the same amount of the same packing material. Their lengths were close to each other. HETP curves were measured with acetone as the probe and methanol as the eluting solvent. The experiments reported here confirmed previous ones carried out with heptane and methanol. The consolidation process appears to depend on the nature of the solvent. The bed obtained is more compact with heptane than with methanol. The other three solvents give packing densities close to the density obtained with methanol. However, using methanol, isopropanol, or acetone as packing solvent produces better columns than using acetonitrile or heptane. No obvious correlation was found between the packing density and the efficiency of the columns.
Tyrosine kinase activation in response to fungal spores is primarily dependent on endogenous reactive oxygen production in macrophages.

Abstract Studies from our laboratory (Shahan, T. A., Sorenson, W. G., and Lewis, D. M. (1994) Environ. Res. 67, 98–104) demonstrated that spores from different fungal species differentially activate rat alveolar macrophages as detected by the measurement of superoxide anion and cytokine production (Shahan, T. A., Siegel, P. D., Sorenson, W. G., Kuschner, W. G., and Lewis, D. M. (1998) Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 18, 435–441). Spores from Aspergillus candidusstimulated production of the highest levels of superoxide anion (5.2 nmol/1.0 × 106 alveolar macrophages (AMs)/30 min), followed by those from Aspergillus niger (2.4 nmol/1.0 × 106 AMs/30 min) and Eurotium amstelodami (0.4 nmol/1.0 × 106 AMs/30 min). The mechanism of this differential activation was studied. Our data demonstrate that the tyrosine kinases p56Hck, p72Syk, p77Btk, p62Yes, p56Lck, and p59Fyn were specifically activated in response to spores from A. candidus, whereas spores from either A. niger or E. amstelodami activated p56Hck, p72Syk, and p77Btk. Kinetic analysis of specific tyrosine kinases demonstrated that p56Hck, p72Syk, and p77Btk were activated faster and to a greater extent by spores from A. candidus as compared with spores from E. amstelodami. These data suggest a relationship between reactive oxygen species and tyrosine kinase activation. Treatment of AMs with H2O2 (1 mm) caused the activation of p72Syk only, whereas treatment with superoxide dismutase and catalase before treatment with the spores had no effect on tyrosine kinase activation. Incubation with NADPH oxidase inhibitors inhibited both superoxide anion production and the activation of p56Hck, p72Syk, and p77Btk in response to fungal spores. These data indicate that endogenous reactive oxygen species are necessary for the activation of p56Hck, p72Syk, and p77Btk by spores; they also indicate that some species of spores are capable of activating tyrosine kinases independent of superoxide anion.
Having E-Journal Title and ISSN Problems? Have Some PIE-J!

PIE-J [Presentation and Identification of E-Journals] is a set of developing National Information Standards Organization–recommended practices that tries to resolve some of the “pain points” associated with electronic journals. Regina Reynolds, at the Mississippi State University Libraries eResource & Emerging Technologies Summit in August 2012, presented these pain points and the attempts of PIE-J to overcome the obstacles.
Sequential methotrexate and 5-Fluorouracil in advanced ovarian carcinoma

Experimental studies have demonstrated that the combined effects of methotrexate and 5-FU may be optimized in schedules of administration where the antifolate is administered prior to the fluoropyrimidine. Seventeen patients with ovarian carcinoma refractory to standard chemotherapy were treated with a sequence of moderate dose MTX (200 mg/m2) and 5-FU. No responses were seen, although the hematologic and gastrointestinal toxicity which was observed was very mild. Because of prior nephrotoxic chemotherapy and the frequent presence of large amounts of "third space" fluid in the form of malignant ascites, patients with ovarian cancer are at high risk for MTX toxicity. In this study, eight patients with significant ascites had higher plasma MTX concentrations measured at 48 and 72 hr following drug administration than nine similar patients without ascites. This suggested delayed excretion of MTX in patients with ascites although this difference was not statistically significant. MTX concentrations in ascites exceeded those in plasma between 6 and 12 hr and remained near 1 microM for 24 hr. Although the lack of response is disappointing, the modest toxicity encountered with the careful drug level monitoring and the favorable pharmacologic findings suggest that this combination of drugs each with established activity in untreated ovarian cancer deserves further study in primary treatment.
Effects of signal intensity and reinforcer intensity on detection of electrical brain stimulation

The effects of intensity of signal and intensity of reinforcer on “yes/no” discrimination behavior were studied using electrical brain stimulation of one site for the signal and of another, contralateral site for the reinforcer. Accuracy declined as signal intensity declined, whereas accuracy was greatest with middle values of reinforcers. There was no statistical interaction between intensity of signal and intensity of reinforcer, indicating that processing of the aftereffects of the signals was not differentially influenced by intensity of reinforcers. Analysis of the detection behavior suggests that reinforcer level influenced decision criteria rather than sensitivity to the signal.
Dendritic-Linear Miktoarm Star Polymers from Orthogonal Protected Initiators

The synthesis of miktoarm dendritic−linear star copolymers in a tandem “core-in”/“core-out” approach is described. This synthetic approach is enabled by rational design and synthesis of an orthogonal protected compound containing six sites arranged in an alternating fashion for attachment of dendrimers and atom transfer radical polymerization of linear polymer chains. The judicious choice of the dendrimer surface functionality coupled with the properties of the monomer used in the linear chain allows the creation of amphiphilic molecules capable of supramolecular assembly. 1H NMR and SEC studies of the block copolymers confirmed that the targeted polymer structures were achieved with low polydispersities and good yields. The nature and the size of the arms and dendrons had a significant influence on the hydrodynamic radii (Rh) measured by dynamic light scattering. Some of these macromolecules microphase-separated after annealing.
Combinatorial approach to the development of fluorescent sensors for nanomolar aqueous copper

Abstract New fluorescent sensors for aqueous copper ions were developed via screening of metal ligand libraries. Identified ionophores were linked to a dansyl fluorophore reporter, affording copper ion sensors based on fluorescence quenching. Simple chemical modification of identified ionophores generated sensors responsive to a broad range of copper ion concentrations (10 nM–35 μM).
Development of a neural network model to predict daily solar radiation

Many computer simulation models which predict growth, development, and yield of agronomic and horticultural crops require daily weather data as input. One of these inputs is daily total solar radiation, which in many cases is not available owing to the high cost and complexity of the instrumentation needed to record it. The aim of this study was to develop a neural network model which can predict solar radiation as a function of readily available weather data and other environmental variables. Four sites in the southeastern USA, i.e. Tifton, GA, Clayton, NC, Gainesville, FL, and Quincy, FL, were selected because of the existence of longterm daily weather data sets which included solar radiation. A combined total of 23 complete years of weather data sets were available, and these data sets were separated into 11 years for the training data set and 12 years for the testing data set. Daily observed values of minimum and maximum air temperature and precipitation, together with daily calculated values for daylength and clear sky radiation, were used as inputs for the neural network model. Daylength and clear sky radiation were calculated as a function of latitude, day of year, solar angle, and solar constant. An optimum momentum, learning rate, and number of hidden nodes were determined for further use in the development of the neural network model. After model development, the neural network model was tested against the independent data set. Root mean square error varied from 2.92 to 3.64 MJ m−2 and the coefficient of determination varied from 0.52 to 0.74 for the individual years used to test the accuracy of the model. Although this neural network model was developed and tested for a limited number of sites, the results suggest that it can be used to estimate daily solar radiation when measurements of only daily maximum and minimum air temperature and precipitation are available.
Analysis of change in ultracentrifugal lipoprotein profiles following heparin and ethyl-p-chlorophenoxyiso-butyrate administration

Abstract Changes in human serum lipoprotein distribution following heparin and ethyl-p-chlorophenoxyisobutyrate administration in vivo are evaluated by application of a computerized technique for analysis of ultracentrifugal films. Flotation rate ranges within which concentration changes occur are delineated for the two agents.
Sucrose consumption enhances the analgesic effects of cigarette smoking in male and female smokers

Nicotine has analgesic actions in experimental animals and humans. Moreover, the analgesic properties of nicotine in experimental animals are increased by intake of sweet-tasting nutritive fluids. It is important to determine if the effects of diet on nicotine-induced analgesia are limited to experimental animals, or if these effects can be translated from the laboratory to clinical research situations. This study investigated whether intake of a sweet-tasting sucrose solution would enhance the pain relieving actions of nicotine, administered in the form of cigarette smoking, in male and female college-aged students. The effects of smoking and sucrose intake on mood were also examined. Using the cold pressor test, pain thresholds and pain tolerance were determined in 24 male and 25 female smokers. Each participant was tested 4 times. On 2 of the test days, participants drank a sucrose-containing beverage, and on 2 of the days, drank water. Twenty-five minutes later, participants either smoked a cigarette or did not smoke. Participants were tested 5 min later for their responses on the cold pressor test. To determine if mood was altered by smoking or sucrose intake, the Profile of Mood Scale was administered immediately preceding and following experimental manipulations. Cold threshold and cold tolerance were greater when participants were allowed to smoke than when they were not allowed to smoke. While men and women responded in a similar manner to the experimental manipulations, men displayed significantly greater cold threshold and cold tolerance than women. Sucrose consumption augmented the effects of smoking on cold threshold, but not on cold tolerance. Men reported feeling significantly more vigorous and less angry, and women reported feeling significantly less tense after they had smoked than when they had not smoked. Sucrose consumption did not alter self-reports of mood in either men or women. These findings suggest that sucrose augments the analgesic properties of nicotine in humans, as well as in experimental animals, and suggest that diet could serve as an adjunct in the control of pain.
An ab Initio Investigation of Halocarbenes

Gaussian-2 and QCI theory with basis sets up to 6-311+G(3df,2p) have been employed to obtain information about the carbenes (methylenes) CH2, CHBr, CHCl, CHF, CHI, CBr2, CBrCl, CBrF, CBrI, CCl2, CClF, CClI, CF2, and CI2. Geometries and vibrational frequencies for the singlet and triplet states, and the singlet−triplet splittings, have been characterized and are discussed in the context of the electronegativities of the substituents. Isodesmic reactions were used to derive a consistent set of enthalpies of formation for the 14 halocarbenes. Where there are measurements, the computed results compare well, and substantial gaps in the current literature are filled.
Probing Exocytosis In Blood Platelets

Exocytosis, a fundamental process for information exchange among cells including neurons, has been extensively studied based on its critical role in many physiological processes. The recent application of techniques such as microelectrochemistry has enabled measurement of individual secretion events, facilitating a mechanistic understanding of the secretion process and chemical messenger storage. In the work presented herein, microelectrochemistry methods are used to study the exocytosis process in blood platelets for the first time. Exocytosis is utilized by platelets as a signaling pathway to accomplish their role in primary hemostasis, the arrest of bleeding. Because platelet exocytosis is similar in many ways to exocytosis in neurons, platelets have been historically treated as an easily obtainable neuronal model. Our work gives the first experimental evidence of quantal secretion from platelets, resulting from exocytosis of one type of specialized granule from platelets, dense-body granules, by employing fast-scan cyclic voltammetry and amperometry at carbon-fiber microelectrodes. While cyclic voltammograms confirm that the released molecules are serotonin, amperometry provides not only the first evidence of quantal secretion of serotonin from platelets, but also a real-time record of the secretion events. Individual platelets secrete an average of ∼15 serotonin-containing granules, each with a serotonin concentration of ∼0.6M and a secretion time course of ∼7 ms. By combining experimental data with simulation results, we conclude that serotonin, along with other small molecules, is stored in the dense-body granules as a protein-free macromolecular complex rather than in a free solution state. This finding is in stark contrast to storage mechanisms proposed for other cell types where a proteinacious matrix is usually present. This work also examines the effects of variations in physiologically relevant extracellular conditions such as osmolarity, pH, temperature and cholesterol concentrationl, on serotonin secretion.This study is supported by the Searle Scholars Program.
Beyond Unions and Collective Bargaining

Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed ten justices to the U.S. Supreme Court - more than any president except Washington - and during his presidency from 1933 to 1945, the Court gained more visibility, underwent greater change, and made more landmark decisions than it had in its previous 150 years of existence. FDR challenged, confronted, and ultimately transformed the Supreme Court from a conservative, anti-interventionist institution opposed to government involvement in the economy to a liberal, activist Court that expanded government powers, protected civil liberties, and promoted civil rights. This collection of ten essays examines FDR's influence on the Supreme Court and the Court's growing influence on American life during his presidency. Subjects include the court-packing fight of 1937, the impact of the New Deal on the Court, key FDR appointments (Hugo Black, Felix Frankfurter, and William O. Douglas), and the Roosevelt Court's enduring legacy.
Finite element prediction of aerothermal-structural interaction of aerodynamically heated panels

A finite element approach is used to study the aerothermal-structural interaction of aerodynamically heated panels. The Navier-Stokes equations for laminar compressible flow are solved together with the energy equation and quasi-static structural equations of the panel. Interactions between the flow, panel heat transfer and deformations are studied for a thin stainless steel panel aerodynamically heated by a Mach 6.6 flow and for a convectively cooled panel heated by a shock-boundary layer interaction.
Predictors of medical examinations following child and adolescent rapes in a national sample of women.

Childhood rape occurs frequently in our society and is associated with adverse consequences. Despite the severity of these outcomes, there appear to be many obstacles for children to receive postrape medical care. To date, it is unclear what proportion of childhood rape victims receive postrape medical examinations or what factors predict receipt of this medical care. This study investigated the factors predicting immediate medical care for women who were raped during childhood. Data for the study were obtained from the final wave of the 2-year, longitudinal National Women's Study. Results indicated that the majority of women did not receive medical care following their childhood rape. Although women raped as adolescents were more likely to receive a postrape exam, logistic regression analyses indicated that rape characteristics (e.g., reporting the assault, concerns about sexually transmitted diseases [STDs]) mediated the relationship between age of victimization and receipt of medical care. Implications of these findings are discussed.
Exploring repositories of scientific workflows

Scientific workflows are gaining popularity, and repositories of workflows are starting to emerge. In this paper we present some initial experiences of information discovery in repositories of scientific workflows. In the first part of the paper we consider a collection of VisTrails workflows, and explore how this collection may be summarized when workflow modules are used as features. We present a hierarchical browsable view of the repository in which categories are derived using frequent itemset mining or latent Dirichlet allocation. We demonstrate that both approaches may be used for effective data exploration. In the second part of the paper we focus on a collection of Taverna workflows from myExperiment.org, and consider how these workflows may be browsed using modules and tags as features. Finally, we outline some interesting challenges and describe conditions under which these techniques work well for repositories of scientific workflows, and conditions under which additional work is needed for effective data exploration.
Predicting novel herbivore–plant interactions

As human-aided range expansions and climate change alter the distributions of plants and their herbivores, predicting and addressing novel species interactions will become increasingly pressing for community ecologists. In this context, a key, surprisingly understudied question is: when an exotic plant is introduced, which herbivores will adopt this new potential host? Whether the plant is a weed, an ornamental, or a crop, the development versus non-development of a novel plant – insect interaction can have profound eff ects for both economic and conservation applications. In this paper, we sketch mechanistic and statistical frameworks for predicting these interactions, based on how plant and herbivore traits as well as shared evolutionary history can infl uence detection, recognition, and digestion of novel plants. By emphasizing mechanisms at each of these steps, we hope to clarify diff erent aspects of novel interactions and why they may or may not occur. We also emphasize prediction and forecasting, as a major goal is to know in advance which interactions will develop from the many plant or insect introductions that occur in natural and man-made systems.
TRAUMA, SOUL MURDER, AND CHANGE

The author discusses trauma, particularly in relation to childhood events, as well as one of its possible sequelae, soul murder (Shengold 1989, 1999). Negative interactions with parental figures can have long-term implications for the developing child, sometimes persisting into adulthood, and yet even the most loving parents cannot always behave toward the child in an optimal manner. The profound effect of change on the human psyche is also discussed, and two clinical vignettes are presented to illustrate the author's points.
17β-Estradiol (E-2) administration to male (NZB × SWR)F1 mice results in increased IdLNF1-reactive memory T-lymphocytes and accelerated glomerulonephritis

While it has been shown that estradiol treatment accelerates the onset of lupus nephritis with autoantibody production and kidney damage in both male and female lupus-prone mice, the specific mechanism(s) involved are unknown. Our previous work has shown that alterations in Id(LN)F(1)-reactive T cells and Id(LN)F(1)+ antibodies correlated closely with the onset of autoimmune nephritis in female F(1) progeny of SWR and NZB (SNF(1)) mice, supporting a critical role for the Id(LN)F(1) idiotype in the development of disease. Since male SNF(1) mice normally do not develop nephritis, we tested whether administration of 17β-estradiol (E-2) to male SNF(1) mice would increase Id(LN)F(1) IgG levels and autoreactive T cells, and further, induce nephritis. We found that E-2-treated male SNF(1) mice developed nephritis with the same time course and mean survival as normal female SNF(1) mice. Moreover, it appeared that the mechanism involved increased serum Id(LN)F(1)(+)IgG and its deposition in kidney glomeruli, preceded by a striking twofold increase in T-lymphocytes expressing the memory phenotype (CD44(+)CD45RB(lo)) predominantly in the Id(LN)F(1)-reactive T-cell population. In addition, we noted that cells with this phenotype were increased in the nephritic kidneys of treated mice, suggesting a direct involvement of those cells in the renal pathology. E-2 treatment also induced increased numbers of pathogenic Id(LN)F(1)+ antibody-producing B cells and elevated presentation of pathogenic Id(LN)F(1)+ peptide. Taken together, these results suggest a mechanism of E-2-induced acceleration of autoimmune disease in lupus-prone mice may involve expansion of autoreactive idiotypic T and B-cell populations.
The relation of personal resources, participation, influence, interpersonal relationships and coping strategies to occupational stress, job strains and health: A multivariate analysis

Abstract The relation of personal resources, participation, influence, interpersonal relationships and coping strategies to occupational stress, job strains and health: a multivariate analysis
Diffusion tensor smoothing through weighted Karcher means

Diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) quantifies the spatial distribution of water Diffusion at each voxel on a regular grid of locations in a biological specimen by Diffusion tensors- 3 × 3 positive definite matrices. Removal of noise from DTI is an important problem due to the high scientific relevance of DTI and relatively low signal to noise ratio it provides. Leading approaches to this problem amount to estimation of weighted Karcher means of Diffusion tensors within spatial neighborhoods, under various metrics imposed on the space of tensors. However, it is unclear how the behavior of these estimators varies with the magnitude of DTI sensor noise (the noise resulting from the thermal e!ects of MRI scanning) as well as the geometric structure of the underlying Diffusion tensor neighborhoods. In this paper, we combine theoretical analysis, empirical analysis of simulated DTI data, and empirical analysis of real DTI scans to compare the noise removal performance of three kernel-based DTI smoothers that are based on Euclidean, log-Euclidean, and affine-invariant metrics. The results suggest, contrary to conventional wisdom, that imposing a simplistic Euclidean metric may in fact provide comparable or superior noise removal, especially in relatively unstructured regions and/or in the presence of moderate to high levels of sensor noise. On the contrary, log-Euclidean and affine-invariant metrics may lead to better noise removal in highly structured anatomical regions, especially when the sensor noise is of low magnitude. These findings emphasize the importance of considering the interplay of sensor noise magnitude and tensor field geometric structure when assessing Diffusion tensor smoothing options. They also point to the necessity for continued development of smoothing methods that perform well across a large range of scenarios.
Progressive cerebral ischemia antedates cerebrovascular symptoms by two years

Prospective longitudinal cerebral blood flow values were serially plotted over a four-year interval against the course of cerebral ischemia before, during, and after onset of clinical symptoms. Of 161 normal subjects (mean age, 62 years), 86 were risk free and 75 had hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or hyperlipidemia. Twenty-one subjects developed cerebrovascular symptoms during the prospective trial. Mean hemispheric cerebral blood flow values were significantly lower for at risk than for risk-free subjects. Symptomatic subjects showed lower values than those in either of the two asymptomatic groups at every session. Statistical analysis of cerebral blood flow values for symptomatic patients compared one and two years prior to onset of symptoms, at the onset of symptoms, and 1 year later showed reductions compared to asymptomatic risk-factored subjects tested in a similar prospective manner. Measurable declines in cerebral perfusion accompany development and progression of aortocerebral atherosclerosis prior to clinical appearance of signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease. If confirmed, these observations should permit the institution of preventive medical and/or surgical interventive measures and an evaluation of their outcome.
The Framingham Disability Study: relationship of various coronary heart disease manifestations to disability in older persons living in the community.

The relation between coronary heart disease and disability was examined in 2,576 community-dwelling women and men ages 55-88 years. These Framingham Study participants were originally recruited in 1948-51 for an examination of cardiovascular disease. Twenty-seven years later, remaining members of the cohort were interviewed to ascertain physical abilities, and a score on a disability scale was assigned. Multivariate logistic analyses examined disability in relation to uncomplicated angina pectoris (AP), complicated AP, and coronary heart disease other than AP, controlling for possible confounders. In younger and older women and men, uncomplicated and complicated AP were associated with disability. Coronary heart disease other than AP was associated with disability only in the younger men. Congestive heart failure predicted disability only in the women. These results suggest that onset of AP should be recognized as a critical point in the development of disability and that AP is a better predictor of disab...
Ganglion Cells in the Turtle Retina Contain the Neuropeptide LANT-6

This study investigated the presence of the neurotensin-related hexapeptide, LANT-6, in retinal ganglion cells and their central projections in the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans. Immunocytochemical techniques demonstrated that many of the cells in the ganglion cell layer of the turtle retina could be labeled with an antiserum specific for LANT-6. Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic analysis confirmed the presence of LANT-6-related peptides in retina, as well as brain. Several molecular forms of LANT-6 were observed, some larger than LANT- 6. Characterization of the cells labeled in the ganglion cell layer in terms of their cell body size and their dendritic arborization patterns revealed that at least 6 specific LANT-6-positive cell types were present in the ganglion cell layer. Morphologically, the LANT-6- positive cells strongly resembled turtle ganglion cells, as previously described. In addition, two other lines of evidence supported this interpretation. First, double-label studies were performed in which retinal ganglion cells projecting to the tectum were retrogradely labeled by HRP injected into the tectum (using a cobalt chloride color- modified DAB reaction product) and immunocytochemically labeled with DAB using the antiserum against LANT-6. These double-label studies revealed that many of the LANT-6-positive cells in the ganglion cell layer in the portion of the retina labeled retrogradely by the HRP injection did project to the tectum. Within the retrogradely labeled portion of the retina, LANT-6-positive cells that were not labeled retrogradely, as well as neurons labeled retrogradely that did not contain LANT-6 were also observed. Second, the central projections of LANT-6-positive cells of the ganglion cell layer were examined by studying the effects of monocular enucleation on the distribution of LANT-6-positive fibers in the central projection targets of the turtle retina. Two to 8 weeks after enucleation, a substantial reduction in LANT-6-positive fibers was observed in all retinal target areas contralateral to the enucleated eye. Radioimmunoassay and chromatographic studies confirmed the presence of LANT-6-related peptides in the turtle brain and corroborated the reduction of LANT-6 observed in the contralateral tectum following monocular enucleation. Previous studies have demonstrated that LANT-6-related material is present in cells of the ganglion cell layer in a variety of vertebrates. The present results indicate that LANT-6 is in ganglion cells and that it may play a role in neurotransmission between retinal ganglion cells and their central target areas.
Newer Dopamine Agonists in the Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome

OBJECTIVE:To review the use of newer dopamine agonists, pramipexole and ropinirole, in the treatment of restless legs syndrome (RLS).DATA SOURCES:Biomedical literature was accessed through MEDLINE (1990–June 2000); key terms included restless legs syndrome, pramipexole, ropinirole, and dopamine agonists. References cited in those articles were also evaluated.DATA SYNTHESIS:A number of small clinical studies of short duration have examined the use of pramipexole and ropinirole in the treatment of RLS. Patients treated with either agent demonstrated marked improvement in RLS symptoms with minimal adverse effects. Recent postmarketing surveillance of the use of these drugs for Parkinson's disease reported problems with daytime somnolence; thus, patients should be counseled appropriately.CONCLUSIONS:Although the published trials show promising results for efficacy of pramipexole and ropinirole in the treatment of RLS, they are subject to many limitations. At present, these agents can be considered a reasonabl...
Identity Concerns Following a Severe Relational Transgression: The Role of Discovery Method for the Relational Outcomes of Infidelity

Extant evidence suggests that dating infidelity is a relatively common occurrence. Yet, despite infidelity's status as an unacceptable relational behavior and a prototypical relational transgression, there seems to be considerable variance in its relational impact. In this investigation, we use an identity management framework to argue that the method of infidelity discovery plays an important role in predicting subsequent relational outcomes. One-hundred fifteen college students who had experienced infidelity in a dating relationship completed measures assessing the method of discovery and the infidelity's impact on the relationship. The results generally support the utility of an identity management framework, but also suggest several potentially fruitful avenues for future investigations.
The Center for Integrative Biomedical Computing: advancing biomedical science with open source

The Scientific Computing and Imaging Institute at the University of Utah has created the new Center for Integrative Biomedical Computing (CIBC) whose mission is to produce high performance image analysis, simulation, and visualization software in support of biomedical research. Software at the CIBC is developed in close collaboration with scientists to satisfy real needs within the community. We use an agile software process that is fully open source and integrates the best of the open-source tools for biomedical image analysis with our own expertise in image processing, scientific visualization, and modeling. This paper describes some of the research collaborations driving our work, our software development process, and some initial results at the Center.
Deforestation Drivers in Southwest Amazonia: Comparing Smallholder Farmers in Iñapari, Peru, and Assis Brasil, Brazil

Broad interpretation of land use and forest cover studies has been limited by the biophysical and socio-economic uniqueness of the landscapes in which they are carried out and by the multiple temporal and spatial scales of the underlying processes. We coupled a land cover change approach with a political ecology framework to interpret trends in multi-temporal remote sensing of forest cover change and socio-economic surveys with smallholders in the towns of Inapari, Peru and Assis Brasil, Brazil in southwest Amazonia. These adjacent towns have similar biogeophysical conditions, but have undergone differing development approaches, and are both presently undergoing infrastructure development for the new Interoceanic highway. Results show that forest cover patterns observed in these two towns cannot be accounted for using single land use drivers. Rather, deforestation patterns result from interactions of national and regional policies affecting financial credit and road infrastructure, along with local processes of market integration and household resources. Based on our results we develop recommendations to minimise deforestation in the study area. Our findings are relevant for the sustainability of land use in the Amazon, in particular for regions undergoing large-scale infrastructure development projects.