cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of oral THC pretreatment on marijuana cue-induced responses in cannabis dependent volunteers.

Abstract Background The current study tested whether oral Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC: 0-, 10-, and 20-mg) pretreatment would attenuate polysensory cue-induced craving for marijuana. Methods Cannabis dependent participants (7 males and 7 females, who smoked on average 5.4 ± 1.1 blunts daily) completed 3 experimental sessions (oral THC pretreatment dose; counterbalanced order) using a placebo-controlled within-subject crossover design. During each session, participants completed a baseline evaluation and were first exposed to neutral cues then marijuana cues while physiological measures and subjective ratings of mood, craving, and drug effect were recorded. Results Following placebo oral THC pretreatment, marijuana ( vs. neutral) cues significantly increased ratings of marijuana craving (desire and urge to use, Marijuana Craving Questionnaire (MCQ)-Compulsivity scale), anxious mood and feeling hungry. Males also reported feeling more “Down” during marijuana cues relative to females. Pretreatment with oral THC (10-mg and/or 20-mg vs. placebo) significantly attenuated marijuana cue-induced increases in craving and anxiety but not hunger. Oral THC attenuation of the cue-induced increase in MCQ-Compulsivity ratings was observed in females only. Oral THC produced statistically (but not clinically) significant increases in heart rate and decreases in diastolic blood pressure, independent of cues. Conclusions These marijuana-cue findings replicate earlier results and further demonstrate that oral THC can attenuate selected effects during marijuana multi-cue exposure, and that some of these effects may be sex-related. Results of this study suggest oral THC may be effective for reducing marijuana cue-elicited (conditioned) effects. Further study is needed to determine whether females may selectively benefit from oral THC for this purpose.
Seasonal occurrence of marine algae on an oyster reef in Burton’s Bay, Virginia

In a survey of macroscopic, benthic, marine algae, the known distributions ofDesmotrichum undulatum, Dictyosiphon foeniculaceus, Striaria attenuata, andCallithamnion roseum along the Atlantic Coast of North America have been extended southward to Accomack County, Va. In the same region of this survey, there is a markedly seasonal alternation of species. The winter flora is composed predominantly of members in the division Phaeophyta and the summer flora is composed of a majority of species in the division Rhodophyta.
Strategies for stability in quadrupedal stance

Summary form only given. Kinematic and kinetic analyses in the cat are used to determine how the central nervous system simplifies the problem of maintaining stance. Cats were trained to stand quietly on four triaxial force plates (each 6*6 cm) mounted on a movable support surface (45*25 cm). The distance between the forepaws and the hindpaws in the sagittal plane (F-H distance) could be adjusted by changing the placement of the force plates. The force responses of cats were recorded during linear ramp-and-hold translation of the support surface in each of 16 different directions in the horizontal plane. Ground reaction forces and positions of the body segments were recorded during quiet stance. It is shown that standing cats exhibit certain preferred body segment orientations related to paw placement. During perturbations of stance, ground reaction forces are controlled for efficient restoration of stability. >
Energy Release in Earthquakes

Summary The notion of applying methods of static elasticity to the study of energy differences in two states of a given structure was extended by Starr to yield the solution to problems involving the propagation of cracks in shear fields. This technique may be modified to include the solution of the problem of the energy release upon the introduction of a tear fault, such as the San Andreas fault, into an otherwise homogeneous medium subjected to a uniform shear stress. The idealized properties of such a fault are a structure elongated compared with its depth and a strike-slip motion along the fault. This configuration, by symmetry, may be imaged in the Earth's surface so that the problem is reducible to that of a strip fault of infinite length in a homogeneous, isotropic, elastic, infinite medium. The medium is subjected to a uniform shear stress at infinity and the shear stress is assumed to vanish upon the strip. This two-dimensional problem has a vector solution rather than a tensor one, and thus it has an analogue in the electrical problem of a perfectly conducting strip placed in a uniform electric field or that of a strip obstacle placed in a uniform hydrodynamic stream field. The stress distribution and the relative motion throughout the medium before and after faulting can be obtained. For the case of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, this model yields an energy difference of the shear fields before and after faulting of 4 × 1023 ergs. This value must exceed the elastic wave energy.
Intranuclear compartmentalization of DNA-dependent RNA polymerases: association of RNA polymerase I with nucleolar organizing chromosomes.

The compartmentalization of chromatin-bound RNA polymerases was examined with HeLa chromosomes fractionated according to their size in sucrose/glycerol gradients. There was a good correlation between the enrichment of nucleolus-organizing chromosomes, i.e., D and G group chromosomes, and the level of chromosome-associated RNA polymerase form I activity. A profile of DEAE-Sephadex chromatography of enzymes solubilized from chromosome fractions also supported the view that form I was associated with D and G group chromosomes. The amount of form I associated with unfractionated chromosomes was nearly identical to that of nuclei, indicating that this enzyme is probably quantitatively conserved even when chromatin undergoes extensive condensation. Since the chromatin-bound form I enzyme can be reactivated with heparin, it seems that this enzyme is in the initiated state, probably being bound to rDNA throughout the mitotic cycle. Thus, the absence of rRNA synthesis in mitosis is due to neither unavailability of enzyme to rDNA nor to the release of some factors necessary for transcriptional processes. Form II enzyme was associated uniformly with all chromosome fractions. Taken together, the present findings suggest that the intranuclear compartmentalization of RNA polymerases persists not only in interphase stages, but also in mitosis, during which most other nuclear proteins are released into the cytoplasm.
Racial differences in parathyroid hormone dynamics

Elevations in PTH levels have been reported in black subjects. Such observations have not been consistent, however, and seem paradoxical in view of the known bone-resorptive action of this hormone and the fact that black subjects have a higher bone mineral density and fewer fractures than their white counterparts. In this study, we used dynamic stimulation of the calcium-PTH axis to fully characterize potential racial differences in PTH dynamics. We, therefore, defined the inverse sigmoidal curve that describes the relationship between serum ionized calcium concentration and intact PTH levels in six normal white and six normal black volunteers and determined the four parameters that characterize this relationship. An elevation in any one of these parameters can result in hyperparathyroidism. Black subjects had higher maximal and minimal PTH responses to hypo- and hypercalcemia (mean intact PTH levels of 9.2 +/- 13 and 0.7 +/- 0.1 pmol/L respectively) than white subjects (6.9 +/- 0.6 and 0.3 +/- 0.1 pmol/L...
The general problem of ill conditioning and its role in statistical analysis

Abstract The notion of a conditioning analysis of a general, nonlinear set of relations is defined along with an associated definition of ill conditioning. From these, one may identify at least three different kinds of conditioning analyses of interest in statistics and econometrics: data, estimator, and criterion conditioning. While these three coincide in the OLS/linear case, they can and do diverge otherwise. The absence of a general mathematical solution for a conditioning analysis points to computer-intensive alternatives, one of which is suggested and illustrated.
Psychological Stress and Susceptibility to Upper Respiratory Infections

The biologic plausibility of a link between psychological states and host resistance is discussed. Although there is substantial evidence for the association between psychological stress and both cellular and humoral immune response, these data do not necessarily suggest increased susceptibility to infectious agents among stressed persons. Epidemiologic and viral-challenge studies suggest that psychological stress is a risk factor for upper respiratory infections with the strongest evidence provided by recent well-controlled, prospective viral-challenge trials. However, there is still little direct evidence for the nature of neuroendocrine, immune, or behavioral pathways through which stress might alter susceptibility.
154: Pre-lung transplant immunosuppression assessment of candidates with risk of possible hepatitis C (HCV) post-transplantation

Purpose: There is no consensus on evaluation of patients with HCV infection for lung transplantation. Immunosuppressive challenge (IC) was done to help predict which patients could be transplanted with minimal risk of post-transplant HCV sequelae. Methods and Materials: Patients who presented for lung transplant evaluation with possible risk of HCV disease post transplant were given a 6-week trial of Tacrolimus 2 mg bid and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) 1000 mg bid. Outcome measures included changes in viral load, HCV RNA quantitative, bDNA, and evidence of hepatitis. Results: Patient 1: 64 year-old woman with emphysema and history of acute liver failure 22 years earlier with positive HCV antibody and no detectable viral load. Viral load was undetectable after IC and 1.5 years post transplant. Patient 2: 53 year-old man with lung fibrosis, positive HCV antibody and prior history of acute hepatitis B had undetectable viral load after IC and 11 months post transplant. Patient 3: 57 year-old man with emphysema, positive HCV antibody, viral load of 157,000 copies/ml, and no evidence of liver disease. With IC, viral load increased to 11.8 million copies/ml with abnormal liver function tests (LFT). Viral load and LFT returned to baseline post IC. Patient was transplanted at another institution. Viral load increased from 33,900 preto 4 million copies/ml 3-months post-transplant. Patient 4: 57 year old man with lung fibrosis, positive HCV antibody, viral load of 439,000 copies/ml, mild LFT abnormalities, and Grade II inflammation on liver biopsy. After MMF and prednisone treatment was initiated for lung disease, viral load increased to 64 million copies/ml associated with hepatitis. Patient was not offered transplant. Patient 5: 54 year-old man with emphysema and history of successful treatment of HCV hepatitis. No viral load elevation before or after IC. Patient awaiting transplant. Conclusions: Pre-transplantation immunosuppression may help determine which patients are at minimal risk of HCV disease following lung transplant.
Breast Health Promotion: Behaviors of Midlife Women

The breast is one of the leading sites of invasive cancer. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between health locus of control, perceived self-efficacy, demographic health characteristics, and the degree to which they explain the current and future practice of breast self-exam and mammography screening. Data were collected during 1992. Eighty-six women participating in a clinical breast exam and mammography screening program at an ambulatory women's center in a large metropolitan teaching hospital in the Midwest voluntarily completed four questionnaires. Hierarchical regression and discriminant analysis demonstrated that perceived self-efficacy was a significant predictor of health-promotion behavior, and health-promoting lifestyle and locus of control were the most influential predictors of intent for breast self-examination and ongoing mammography.
Two-Step Tuberculin Skin Testing in Drug Users

To assess the utility of booster testing and to identify factors associated with a positive booster test, two-step tuberculin testing was performed in drug users recruited from methadone treatment. Participants also received a standardized interview on demographics and testing for HIV and CD4+ lymphocyte count. Of 619 enrollees completing the protocol, 174 (28%) had a positive PPD and 24 of the remaining 445 (5%) had a positive booster test. On multivariate analysis, boosting was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 2.38/decade, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-4.22), history of using crack cocaine (ORadj 2.61, 95% CI 1.10-6.18) and a history of working as a home health aide (ORadj 4.23, 95% CI 1.39-12.86). Two-step tuberculin skin testing increased the proportion of participants with latent tuberculosis infection from 22% to 25%. Given the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis, booster testing should be considered when drug users are screened for tuberculosis infection.
Nuclear cardiac troponin and tropomyosin are expressed early in cardiac differentiation of rat mesenchymal stem cells

Nuclear actin - which is immunologically distinct from cytoplasmic actin - has been documented in a number of differentiated cell types, and cardiac isoforms of troponin I (cTnI) and troponin T (cTnT) have been detected in association with nuclei of adult human cardiac myocytes. It is not known whether these and related proteins are present in undifferentiated stem cells, or when they appear in cardiomyogenic cells following differentiation. We first tested the hypothesis that nuclear actin and cardiac isoforms of troponin C (cTnC) and tropomyosin (cTm) are present along with cTnI and cTnT in nuclei of isolated, neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in culture. We also tested the hypothesis that of these five proteins, only actin is present in nuclei of multipotent, bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) from adult rats in culture, but that cTnC, cTnI, cTnT and cTm appear early and uniquely following cardiomyogenic differentiation. Here we show that nuclear actin is present within nuclei of both ventricular cardiomyocytes and undifferentiated, multipotent BM-MSCs. We furthermore show that cTnC, cTnI, cTnT and cTm are not only present in myofilaments of ventricular cardiomyocytes in culture but are also within their nuclei; significantly, these four proteins appear between days 3 and 5 in both myofilaments and nuclei of BM-MSCs treated to differentiate into cardiomyogenic cells. These observations indicate that cardiac troponin and tropomyosin could have important cellular function(s) beyond Ca(2+)-regulation of contraction. While the roles of nuclear-associated actin, troponin subunits and tropomyosin in cardiomyocytes are not known, we anticipate that the BM-MSC culture system described here will be useful for elucidating their function(s), which likely involve cardiac-specific, Ca(2+)-dependent signaling in the nucleus.
Some remarks on the theory of homogeneous production functions

This issue of the recently established and rapidly growing Lecture Notes Series arose (as the author states) from an amalgamation of research on homogeneous production functions, published during the past two years in a variety of journals. It is here put together in a connected form to provide a rigorous and carefully formulated account of a theory for an important class of production functions. Although the exposition is mathematical, it is clearly and understandably put forth with many examples, enabling a limitedly skilled reader of mathematics to easily comprehend the definitions, assumptions and deductions made, yet being a significant account for mathematical economists. Turning now to the specific content of these lecture notes, E i c h h o r n prepares the way for his treatment of homogeneous production functions by an introductory chapter on the fundamental notions which underlie the subsequent exposition. Two alternatives are open to him for interpretation of the production function: "Conception A", where the allocated inputs of the factors of production are necessarily fully applied, and "Conception B", where excess inputs of some factors relative to those of others are disposable. At some places he chooses the first alternative, in the tradition of German production theorists. The axioms for the concept of a production function are quite general, requiring only that the output set for an input vector be bounded and that there exists a cubic subdomain of the nonnegative input vectors within which outputs are nondecreasing for nondecreasing input vectors, thus permitting the production function to be decreasing (by set inclusion or scalar value) when some inputs are increased excessively relative to others. The choice of "Conception A" is not trivial for the theoretical structures which will result. The preference of the reviewer is for "Conception
Photoinjected currents in liquid ammonia

Abstract The time evolution of currents following a 10 ns laser pulse on a Ag photocathode has been determined for pure liquid NH 3 . The potential dependence of the integrated photoyield follows the “two-slope” pattern characteristic of polar liquids. The decay of the current depends on the potential as well. The increased yield above the second threshold (the “second slope”) is found to be the result of a rapid increase in the duration of the current pulse. Decay constants of several milliseconds are observed. These results are compared with a model of the density of states in polar fluids.
Footprints by deep sequencing

Deep sequencing of DNase I–treated yeast DNA yields genome-wide information on chromatin transitions as well as protein binding in these regions.
Comparison of Ballard catheter bronchoalveolar lavage with bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage

Background Bronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in mechanically ventilated patients requires a large endotracheal tube, physician expertise, expensive equipment, and support staff. Methods The Ballard BAL catheter is a disposable coude tip 16F device that can be attached to the endotracheal tube and ventilator circuit without loss of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and also allows supplemental delivery of oxygen between the 12F inner and outer catheters. The catheter is directed into the selected bronchus. The inner catheter with mushroom tip is then advanced until it wedges by feel. Thirteen patients at a tertiary care, university hospital, had BAL performed through both the bronchoscope and Ballard BAL catheter using five aliquots of 20 mL of normal saline solution each. The return was quantified and submitted for blinded, paired laboratory investigations, including Gram stain and quantitative culture, and special stains and cultures as clinically appropriate. Results The procedure was well tolerated in all patients with no difference between devices in oxygen saturations; however, air leaks occurred in patients undergoing bronchoscopy and compromised safety in one. Two patients required reintubation to facilitate passage of the bronchoscope. The bronchoscopic BAL return averaged 49 mL (range, 5 to 85 mL) while BAL catheter averaged 37 mL (range, 18 to 70 mL) both being sufficient for all desired investigations except one patient who had undergone bronchoscopy. All were of excellent quality based on microscopy. The BAL results were concordant in nine patients: two Pneumocystis carinii , one Candida, one Streptococcus agalactiae , one Streptococcus pneumoniae , and no infection in four. Diagnoses of tuberculosis and Enterococcus (confirmed by blood culture) were obtained by the Ballard BAL catheter only. Kaposi's sarcoma and metastatic histiosarcoma were visualized by bronchoscope only. Two patients had compassionate plea use of the Ballard BAL catheter because of a small endotracheal tube. Hemorrhage secondary to lupus was documented in one and nosocomial infection was excluded in the other. Conclusions The Ballard BAL catheter allows easy, safe BAL, without loss of diagnostic yield, when visualization is not required in mechanically ventilated patients. The Ballard BAL catheter allows maintenance of PEEP when used with the supplied adapter and can be used with small endotracheal tubes.
Prolonged elevation of alphafetoprotein and detectable acetylcholinesterase after death of an anomalous twin fetus.

Persistence of elevated alphafetoprotein (AFP) levels and the presence of an acetylcholinesterase (AChE) band in amniotic fluid have been reported to occur up to 11 weeks following intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) of one twin (Bass et al., 1986). We now report a case where such prolongation of these findings was observed in a case of unrecognized monochorionic, monoamniotic twinning, in which case cord entanglement resulted in IUFD at an estimated 10–12 weeks and 25–26 weeks. The fetus suffering early demise (Fetus B) had multiple congenital anomalies, including a neural tube defect. The presence of this defect and/or fetal demise and bleeding into the amniotic sac is entertained as continuing sources of documented elevated AChE and AFP 9–11 weeks after the initial fetal death. We re-emphasize the possibility of unrecognized twinning as a cause of abnormal maternal serum and amniotic fluid study results in the face of one apparently normal fetus.
Quadratic filters for object classification and detection

We present a new class of non-linear correlation filters that produce arbitrary quadratic decision surfaces. These new filters first linearly combine the output from other linear or non-linear filters using complex-valued weights. These linear combinations are then passed through a square- law function and again linearly combined to produce these decision surfaces. The linear correlation filters are designed separately form the non-linear fusion parameters. The output from this new algorithm is thresholded to allow tradeoffs between probability of detection and the probability of false alarms to be made. This algorithm is numerically very efficient as it reduces the number of correlation operations required. It is optically and electronically implementable.
Characterization of a Novel Europium Doped Gallium Oxide Electroluminescent Device

Thin film electroluminescent devices based on the red emission of Ga2O3:Eu were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition. Time dependent electrical and optical measurements were used to characterize device performance and behavior.
Characterization of charge storage in redox-active self-assembled monolayers

Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiol-derivatized alkyl ferrocenes and Zn tetraarylporphyrins on a gold surface have been characterized under open circuit conditions using fluorescence imaging microscopy and a varietyof electrochemical methods. The fluorescence of the neutral form of the Zn tetraarylporphyrin SAM and the electrode cell potential are monitored simultaneously after oxidation of the SAM and subsequent establishment of an open circuit condition. These experiments capitalize on the fact that the neutral Zn tetraarylporphyrin SAM is fluorescent whereas emission from the oxidized Zn tetraarylporphyrin SAM is quenched. Accordingly, the fluorescence recovery after disconnection from an oxidizing potential provides an independent measure of the change in oxidation state of the porphyrin SAM as a function of time after the cell is open-circuited. This measurement demonstrates that the porphyrin SAM remains oxidized for an extended period (hundreds of seconds) even though the electrochemical cell potential decays rapidly to the open circuit potential (OCP). Cyclic voltammetry was used to confirm the electrochemical properties of the redox SAMs and to determine the surface coverage of the redox-active molecules. A new method, designated open circuit potential amperometry, was used to read the charge of the oxidized SAM at the OCP after charging currents have decayed away. Additionally, open circuit potential voltammetry yields a sigmoidal response with a characteristic half-wave potential identical to that observed with cyclic voltammetry, indicative of a Nernstian process. Collectively, these studies show that the electrochemical cell discharges to the OCP quickly, that the SAM remains oxidized under these conditions, and that these methods can be used to quantitatively determine the amount of stored charge in the SAM.
Genome sequence analysis of La Crosse virus and in vitro and in vivo phenotypes.

La Crosse virus (LACV), family Bunyaviridae, is a mosquito-borne virus recognized as a major cause of pediatric encephalitis in North America with 70–130 symptomatic cases each year. The virus was first identified as a human pathogen in 1960 after its isolation from a 4 year-old girl who suffered encephalitis and died in La Crosse, Wisconsin. The majority of LACV infections are mild and never reported, however, serologic studies estimate infection rates of 10–30/100,000 in endemic areas. In the present study, sequence analysis of the complete LACV genomes of low-passage LACV/human/1960, LACV/mosquito/1978, and LACV/human/1978 strains and of biologically cloned derivatives of each strain, indicates that circulating LACVs are genetically stable over time and geographic distance with 99.6–100%, 98.9–100%, 97.8–99.6%, and 99.2–99.7% amino acid identity for N, NsS, M polyprotein, and L proteins respectively. We identified 5 amino acid differences in the RNA polymerase and 4 nucleotide differences in the non-coding region of the L segment specific to the human virus isolates, which may result in altered disease outcomes. All three wild type viruses had similar in vitro growth kinetics and phenotypes in mosquito C6/36 and Vero cells, and similar levels of neurovirulence and neuroinvasiveness in Swiss Webster mice. The biologically cloned derivative of LACV/human/1960 was significantly less neuroinvasive than its uncloned parent and differed in sequence at one amino acid position in the GN glycoprotein, identifying this residue as an attenuating mutation.
Constitutive modeling of the effects of oxygen on the deformation behavior of silicon

A systematic theory is presented that models the effects of interstitial oxygen on the deformation behavior of silicon. The theory is based on calculation of the dependence of the dislocation velocity on the applied stress in the crystal and determination of the locking and unlocking stresses for dislocation motion. Internal stresses in the oxygen-hardened crystals are modeled by the superposition of the unlocking stress, a back stress due to the interaction between mobile dislocations, and an internal stress that arises from the interaction between a dislocation and the oxygen cloud around other dislocations. The initiation of dislocation multiplication is modeled as a two-step thermally activated process; the first step is the unlocking of the dislocation and the second step is the formation of jogs along the dislocation line. The coupled model for oxygen transport and dislocation motion is used to simulate crystal deformation in dynamic experiments and to reproduce stress-strain curves. The predictions of the initial stage of deformation are in good agreement with the experimental data of Yonenaga et al. [J. Applied Phys. 56, 2346 (1984)].
Affordances of a scaffolded‐social learning network

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the development and use of a scaffolded‐social learning network (S2LN) called Remix World. The local aim is to increase understanding of how Remix World is integrated into programmatic and curricular structures as a way to support learning. The broader aim is to contribute to conversations about learning opportunities that S2LNs afford for participants.Design/methodology/approach – Remix World was integrated into the Digital Youth Network (DYN) in‐school and after‐school digital arts curriculum. DYN used Remix World to display and comment on media, artifacts and designs, and to post original work. Two of the authors were given accounts on Remix World, where they logged in to respond to comments and note site activities and conversations.Findings – The data suggest that students across the grade levels regularly used Remix World to post commentary, post media, and critique peers. Students used Remix World across ecologies (home, after school, and school day). Mentors' e...
Mesenteric Vein Thrombosis

Mesenteric vein thrombosis, an uncommon but important clinical entity, can cause ischemia or infarction of the small intestine. Mesenteric vein thrombosis was first described nearly a century ago, but
Quaternary salts of 2, 4-bis(dialkylaminoalkoxy)quinazolines. Potential curaremimetics

Bis-quaternary salts of 2, 4-bis(dialkylaminoalkoxy)quinazolines were prepared from the corresponding bis-tertiary amines as potential curaremimetic agents.
Histiocytic medullary reticulosis following acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A 2-year-old male with acute lymphocytic leukemia died with histiocytic reticulosis 19 weeks later. A comparison with previously reported cases is made, and the relationship of ALL and HMR is discussed.
Strategies of data base utilization in sequential pattern recognition

Strategies for sequential variable selection and classification are presented for a data base consisting of a network of causally related events. A system for diagnostic consultation in medicine has been developed applying these strategies.
Film and Literature: an introduction and reader (2nd edition)

Film and Literature: an introduction and reader (2nd edition) TIMOTHY CORRIGAN (Ed.) Abingdon and New York, Routledge, 2012 xvii+470 pp., illus., bibliography, index, $135.00 (cloth), $44.95 (paper...
Evaluation of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children in Two Samples of American Adolescents

Two studies addressed the psychometric properties of the Self-Efficacy Questionnaire for Children (SEQ-C) when used in studies with American youths. A sample of 697 middle and high school students completed the SEQ-C along with measures of life satisfaction and psychopathology. Exploratory factor analysis procedures supported the existence of three factors representing emotional, social, and academic self-efficacy. Criterion-related validity was established through correlations, in the expected directions, between the domains of self-efficacy and psychological functioning. The study was repeated with a sample of 318 high school students. Both studies provide support for use of the SEQ-C with early and late American adolescents from the Southeast.
On the capacity of asynchronous code-division multiplexing systems

In this letter the capacity of asynchronous code-division multiplexing systems with unquantized output is considered. The minimax capacity is evaluated and the reliability function is briefly discussed.
Raman Spectroscopic Studies of THF Clathrate Hydrate

Raman spectra were collected for tetrahydrofuran (THF) hydrate, a structure II clathrate hydrate (CH) that was prepared from THF and a dilute solution of D2O in H2O (5% D2O) in a 17:1 ratio. The vibrational modes observed include (1) the uncoupled O−D vibrational modes of HDO in H2O between 10 and 170 K and (2) the THF ring breathing mode (predominantly C−C−C−C stretches) between 10 and 170 K. The low-frequency host lattice modes and the THF C−H stretching modes at 10 K are also presented. The spectral line attributed to the C−C−C−C vibrational mode of the enclathrated THF molecules broadened, and a pronounced shoulder developed on the low-frequency side as the temperature decreased. This anomalous behavior is attributed to the inhibition of rapid reorientational motion of the enclathrated THF molecules at T < 100 K. Analysis of the uncoupled O−D vibrations indicates that the frequency increases (and thus the hydrogen bond strength decreases) with increasing temperature. The vibrational frequency of the u...
Guanine-Nucleotide Exchange Factor RCC1 Facilitates a Tight Binding between the Encephalomyocarditis Virus Leader and Cellular Ran GTPase

The leader (L) protein of encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) shuts off host cell nucleocytoplasmic trafficking (NCT) by inducing hyperphosphorylation of nuclear pore proteins. This dramatic effect by a nonenzymatic protein of 6 kDa is not well understood but clearly involves L binding to cellular Ran GTPase, a critical factor of active NCT. Exogenous GDP and GTP are inhibitory to L-Ran binding, but the guanine-nucleotide exchange factor RCC1 can relieve this inhibition. In the presence of RCC1, L binds Ran with a KD (equilibrium dissociation constant) of ≈ 3 nM and reaches saturation within 20 min. The results of fluorescently tagged nucleotide experiments suggest that L-Ran interactions affect the nucleotide-binding pocket of Ran.
Recent progress in quantum well infrared photodetectors and imaging arrays

A review of the recent progress in III-V quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) for focal plane arrays (FPAs) staring infrared imaging system applications is presented in this paper. A discussion of the device physics of the intersubband absorption and hot-carrier transport processes for different types of bound-to-continuum (BTC) and bound-to-miniband (BTM) transition QWIPs is given. The performance parameters such as dark current, spectral responsivity, and detectivity of III-V QWIPs having different structures and materials are discussed. Design of the grating couplers for efficient coupling of normal incidence IR radiation into the quantum wells of n-type QWIPs will be addressed. In addition, a new class of normal incidence p-type strained-layer III-V QWIPs with high BLIP temperature will be depicted. Finally, a discussion of the high sensitivity large area (128x 128) focal plane arrays using GaAs QWIPs for the staring infrared imaging system will also be given.
How Bacteria Consume Their Own Exoskeletons (Turnover and Recycling of Cell Wall Peptidoglycan)

Summary: The phenomenon of peptidoglycan recycling is reviewed. Gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli break down and reuse over 60% of the peptidoglycan of their side wall each generation. Recycling of newly made peptidoglycan during septum synthesis occurs at an even faster rate. Nine enzymes, one permease, and one periplasmic binding protein in E. coli that appear to have as their sole function the recovery of degradation products from peptidoglycan, thereby making them available for the cell to resynthesize more peptidoglycan or to use as an energy source, have been identified. It is shown that all of the amino acids and amino sugars of peptidoglycan are recycled. The discovery and properties of the individual proteins and the pathways involved are presented. In addition, the possible role of various peptidoglycan degradation products in the induction of β-lactamase is discussed.
Semiautonomous Medical Image Segmentation Using Seeded Cellular Automaton Plus Edge Detector

Segmentations of medical images are required in a number of medical applications such as quantitative analyses and patient-specific orthotics, yet accurate segmentation without significant user attention remains a challenge. This work presents a novel segmentation algorithm combining the region-growing Seeded Cellular Automata with a boundary term based on an edge-detected image. Both single processor and parallel processor implementations are developed and the algorithm is shown to be suitable for quick segmentations (2.2 s for 256×256×124 voxel brain MRI) and interactive supervision (2–220 Hz). Furthermore, a method is described for generating appropriate edge-detected images without requiring additional user attention. Experiments demonstrate higher segmentation accuracy for the proposed algorithm compared with both Graphcut and Seeded Cellular Automata, particularly when provided minimal user attention.
Reactivity of Nitroxyl-Derived Sulfinamides

Sulfinamide [RS(O)NH2] formation is known to occur upon exposure of cysteine residues to nitroxyl (HNO), which has received recent attention as a potential heart failure therapeutic. Because this modification can alter protein structure and function, we have examined the reactivity of sulfinamides in several systems, including a small organic molecule, peptides, and a protein. Although it has generally been assumed that this thiol to sulfinamide modification is irreversible, we show that sulfinamides can be reduced back to the free thiol in the presence of excess thiol at physiological pH and temperature. We have examined this sulfinamide reduction both in peptides, where a cyclic intermediate analogous to that proposed for asparagine deamidation reactions potentially can contribute, and in a small organic molecule, where the mechanism is restricted to a direct thiolysis. These studies suggest that the contribution from the cyclic intermediate becomes more important in environments with lower dielectric c...
Use of Image Analysis Software as a Tool to Visualize Non-Radioactive Signals in Plant in Situ Analysis

In situ hybridization (ish) allows the visualization of gene expression in tissues at high microscopic resolution. Interference by plant tissue pigments generally confers higher sensitivity to radioactiveish, relative to non-radioactiveish using hapten labeled probes. The increased resolution is partially due to image acquisition methods in radioactiveish experiments. However, radioactiveish has many drawbacks including short probe life, safety concerns associated with the use of radioactive materials, and slow development of signal. In this report, we show how commercially available image analysis software can be used to extract data from non-radioactiveish images to gain a substantial increase in resolution. We provide a comparison between detecting a probe (CELLULOSE SYNTHASE) that is expected to produce a consistent, detectable signal in all growing tissues with detection of a probe (LEAFY)that is expected to produce a signal only in specific tissues.
Semiconductor Nanocrystals formed in SiO2 by Ion Implantation

Nanocrystals of group IV (Si, Ge and SiGe), III-V (GaAs), and II-VI (CdSe) semiconductor materials have been fabricated inside SiO2 by ion implantation and subsequent thermal annealing. The microstructure of these nanocrystalline semiconductor materials has been studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocrystals form in near-spherical shape with random crystal orientations in amorphous SiO2 Extensive studies on the nanocrystal size distributions have been carried out for the Ge nanocrystals by changing the implantation doses and the annealing temperatures. Remarkable roughening of the nanocrystals occurs when the annealing temperature is raised over the melting temperature of the implanted semiconductor material. Strong red photoluminescence peaked around 1.67 eV has been achieved in samples with Si nanocrystals in SiO2.
On sediment accumulation rates and stratigraphic completeness: Lessons from Holocene ocean margins

Stratigraphic completeness is a fundamental consideration when deciphering the mass accumulation history of sediments and the geologic record of earth and ocean processes. In this study, stratigraphic completeness was examined in the context of late Holocene sedimentary successions using published sediment accumulation rates for five ocean margin systems (Amazon shelf, Hudson estuary, northern California shelf, Mid-Atlantic slope, Santa Monica Bay). Plots of mass accumulation rate versus time span of averaging were used to determine how rates scale with measurement period, and to estimate levels of stratigraphic completeness for comparison within and among margin systems. Statistically significant inverse correlations between accumulation rate and time span of averaging are indicated for all but one of these systems— most of the sedimentary records examined are stratigraphically incomplete. At the 10 3 -yr level of resolution, completeness is 20–48% for strongly tidal estuarine (Hudson estuary) and deltaic shelf (Amazon shelf) sites, 51–91% for accretionary shelves (northern California shelf) and slopes (Mid-Atlantic slope), and 85–100% for a sediment-starved slope (Santa Monica bay). Mass accumulation rates converge to a relatively narrow range (0.01–0.1 g cm � 2 yr � 1 ) at the 10 4 -yr level of resolution, consistent with the notion that there are universal controls on sediment accumulation rate, i.e., rate of sea-level rise and sediment supply. Among sites on the Amazon and northern California shelves, within-system completeness varies by � 10–20% on account of site-specific sedimentary processes that preferentially trap or disperse suspended sediment. Overall, stratigraphic completeness increases with water depth shelf-to-slope, yet depth is not a robust predictor of completeness in general owing to differences in strata-forming processes among shallow-marine environments. Significantly, completeness varies inversely with instantaneous deposition rate as the most sediment-rich systems tend to exhibit the most incomplete sedimentary records. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering time span and fidelity when interpreting the accumulation history of modern and Holocene sedimentary strata. r 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Dopaminergic Modulation of Aldosterone Secretion in Man is Unaffected by Glucocorticoids and Angiotensin Blockade

This study examines the mechanism of dopaminergic modulation of aldosterone secretion in normal man. Nine normal male volunteers in metabolic balance at 100 meq sodium/ day and 60 meq potassium/day constant intake received metoclopramide (10 mg iv) with 5% dextrose (vehicle), with dopamine (3 eg/kg-min, with saralasin (10 eg/kg-min), or after 4 days of dexamethasone (2 mg orally every 6 h) or placebo. Metoclopramide in the presence of vehicle increased plasma aldosterone concentrations from 12.5 ± 1.2 to a maximum of 25.0 ± 2.5 ng/dl (P < 0.01) and serum PRL concentrations from 10.0 ± 1.1 to a maximum of 74.9 ± 8.6 ng/ml. The aldosterone and PRL responses displayed a parallel time course, with significant responses of both occurring 5 min after metoclopramide administration. A significant rise (P < 0.05) in plasma renin activity (PRA) from 2.7 ± 0.4 ng/ml h−1 to 4.5 ± 1.0 ng/ml h−1 was observed only at the 30-min sampling time. Dopamine infusion suppressed the aldosterone, PRL, and PRA responses to metocl...
TrueKeys: identifying and correcting typing errors for people with motor impairments

People with motor impairments often have difficulty typing using desktop keyboards. We developed TrueKeys, a system that combines models of word frequency, keyboard layout, and typing error patterns to automatically identify and correct typing mistakes. In this paper, we describe the TrueKeys algorithm, compare its performance to existing correction algorithms, and report on a study of TrueKeys with 9 motor-impaired and 9 non-impaired participants. Running in non-interactive mode, TrueKeys performed more corrections than popular commercial and open source spell checkers. Used interactively, both motor-impaired and non-impaired users performed typing tasks significantly more accurately with TrueKeys than without. However, typing speed was reduced while TrueKeys was enabled.
SOME MISLEADING CONCEPTIONS IN SENTENCING RESEARCH: An Example and a Reformulation in the Juvenile Court

Most studies of sentencing practices in both adult and juvenile courts have compared the relative power to predict dispositions of “legal” variables, such as the seriousness of offense and previous arrest record, and “extralegal” variables, such as race and social class. It is suggested that this is a misleading model for research on the decision-making process in juvenile courts. Instead, results presented here indicate that the juvenile court uses a model of substantive decision-making oriented toward the character and social environment of offenders. Social background variables are found to be more important determinants of disposition than either “legal” or “extralegal” variables.
Representing motion in a static image: constraints and parallels in art, science, and popular culture.

Representing motion in a picture is a challenge to artists, scientists, and all other imagemakers. Moreover, it presents a problem that will not go away with electronic and digital media, because often the pedagogical purpose of the representation of motion is more important than the motion itself. All satisfactory solutions evoke motionfor example, dynamic balance (or broken symmetry), stroboscopic sequences, affine shear (or forward lean), and photographic blurbut they also typically sacrifice the accuracy of the motion represented, a solution often unsuitable for science. Vector representations superimposed on static images allow for accuracy, but are not applicable to all situations. Workable solutions are almost certainly case specific and subject to continual evolution through exploration by imagemakers.
Interpretation of a vertical seismic profile conducted in the Columbia Plateau basalts

Seismic reflection data are often of poor quality when recorded in areas where volcanic rocks are present at or near the surface. In order to investigate this phenomenon, a vertical seismic profiling (VSP) experiment was conducted in the Columbia Plateau basalts so that the behavior of seismic energy in subsurface volcanic rocks could be observed directly, thus giving insight into data acquisition in volcanic terrains. The lithologic section at the VSP site consists of low‐velocity (400 m/s to 900 m/s) alluvium in the uppermost 50 m, beneath which are layers of high‐velocity (about 5800 m/s), high‐density basalts interbedded with clay layers with much lower velocities (about 1700 m/s) and densities. These large velocity and density contrasts dramatically influence wave generation and propagation. In spite of the small source‐borehole offset (61 m), large‐amplitude S waves are generated by the downgoing P waves when they reach a shallow (250 m) clay‐basalt boundary. These S waves, in turn, generate strong ...
More Choices Than You Might Think: A Review of Organization Theory Textbooks

The article presents reviews of many textbooks, including “Organizations: Theory and Analysis,” by A.G. Bedeian, “Organization Theory: Integrating Structure and Behavior,” by G. Dessler, and “Organizational Theory and Design: A Strategic Approach for Management,” by E.A Gerloff.
Coronary flow reserve measured during cardiac catheterization.

• The degree of arteriographically visualized narrowing in coronary arteries has been the most important criterion for evaluating coronary disease for more than 20 years. Increasing data, however, suggest that anatomy alone does not predict the physiologic consequence of individual stenoses. We have applied a new digital arteriographic method for measuring coronary flow reserve (CFR) in patients undergoing diagnostic, postbypass, and postangioplasty catheterizations. All vessels with high-grade stenoses (≥70%) were found to have lower CFRs than those of normal arteries (1.01 ± 0.15v1.84 ± 0.36). However, considerable CFR variability was found In vessels of lesser stenoses. Coronary arteries that had undergone successful bypass surgery or angioplasty had intermediate CFR levels (1.44 ± 0.18 and 1.51 ± 0.16, respectively). Our study suggests that CFR assessed during cardiac catheterization may be useful for evaluating intermediate coronary lesions and the efficacy of interventions. (Arch Intern Med1984;144:1773-1777)
Runtime Checking of UML Association-Related Constraints

UML class models are important design artifacts used as blueprints of software systems to be built. Yet, implementations are often inconsistent with their models. Although many techniques have been proposed to tackle this problem, some dynamic aspects of a class model are still hard to be verified using existing techniques. In this paper, we present an approach to checking the UML association-related constraints during a program's execution. Our approach instruments event notification mechanism into Java bytecode and verifies the constraints imposed by design-level associations (including compositions), when certain events occur. The empirical studies show that our approach can help efficiently detect inconsistencies between a UML class model and its implementation.