cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crisis Intervention and Enhancement of Adaptive Coping Using Hypnosis

Abstract Crisis intervention as a therapeutic modality is widely accepted, yet little attention has been directed to integrating this therapeutic modality and hypnosis. Hypnosis is compatible with the goals and structure of crisis intervention by: (a) helping clients to attain a relaxed milieu for therapy that counters many of the negative effects of the crisis state, (b) potentiating the effects of a range of therapeutic techniques associated with various therapeutic orientations, and (c) providing additional techniques unique to hypnosis that are useful in facilitating adaptive crisis resolution. Hypnosis enhances adaptive coping while catalyzing client progress toward the primary goal of crisis intervention: the restoration of client functioning to at least a precrisis level as quickly as possible.
Ceramic-ceramic composites with reaction bonded matrices☆

Reaction bonded ceramic matrix composites offer the potential of improved, reliable high temperature properties with near net-shape processing. Reaction bonded CMCs consolidate by filling the void space within the green part with reaction product, rather than shrinking as occurs during conventional sintering, so sintering aids are not required to relieve stresses through particle/reinforcement rearrangements. The absence of sintering aids in the grain boundaries gives superior high temperature and corrosion properties. Even though processing temperatures are lower than those used in conventional sintering processes, times are long and the internal atmosphere is active with respect to the reinforcement phase. It is particularly critical to avoid degrading the loadbearing reinforcements or their protective coatings in the porous, low modulus matrices. Recently developed high strength, oxidation resistant, reaction bonded Si3N4 that reacts to completion in unusually short, low temperature nitriding cycles, makes these composites feasible for the first time.
Linear programming by nested decomposition : the primal decomplex method

A new algorithm for linear programming, based on nested decomposition principles, is presented and illustrated. The method, labelled the primal Decomplex method (from DECOMposition and simPLEX), is distinct from other well known linear programming algorithms in that a sequence of extreme points is generated which is neither all primally nor all dually feasible. Rather, primal feasibility to only pars of the constraint set is enforced at each instant. A distinguishing feature of the method is its relative simplicity : an m-row linear program is decomposed into m sub-problems each consisting of a single (transformed) constraint and a convexity row.
Hairy is a cell context signal controlling Notch activity.

Notch signaling regulates cell fate determination and many developmental processes. Here we report that lateral inhibition, a major mechanism for Notch activity, is modulated by Hairy, a bHLH-WRPW protein. In Xenopus, Notch can have from inhibitory, permissive to enhancing roles in muscle or neural differentiation. These cell context-dependent effects correlate with Hairy expression levels from high to low, respectively, in the cells. Moreover, Notch effects can be altered upon manipulation of Hairy expression. We propose that Hairy provides a cell context in which a cell can interpret Notch and other extrinsic signals by controlling responsiveness of its target genes; this mode of Hairy–Notch interaction may apply in other systems.
Normalizing emotion in organizations: Making the extraordinary seem ordinary

Abstract Organizations use various means of regulating socially undesirable emotions, including normalizing. We define normalizing as institutionalized processes by which extraordinary situations are rendered seemingly ordinary. Four means of normalizing are discussed: (1) diffusing, where undesired emotions are dissipated or their impact is reduced; (2) reframing, where emotions or the situation are recast such that the emotions are forestalled, redefined, or rendered more acceptable; (3) adaptation, where repeated exposure to a situation reduces its emotional impact; and (4) ritualism, where the enactment of standardized procedures provides a sense of control and a momentum of means, thereby reducing emotions. We conclude that because normalizing often has a strong “as if” or pretend quality—requiring ongoing and mutual face-work, often supported by symbolic management—it is an inherently fragile practice that is easier to sustain in groups than as individuals.
The clustering on the Pseudomonas putida chromosome of genes specifying dissimilatory functions.

Two previously demonstrated linkage groups containing genes with catabolic function inPseudomonas putida have been shown to cotransduce with a third cluster of catabolic genes, namely those specifying enzymes of nicotinic acid dissimilation. Thus enzymes of the following dissimilatory pathways are coded by genes clustered in one small (10-15% of the chromosome) genetic region:p-hydroxy-benzoic, quinic, shikimic, benzoic, mandelic, phenylacetic, and nicotinic acids; and histidine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. We propose that this clustering is a consequence of the selection, in natural populations of bacteria, of gene arrangements which permit simultaneous transfer of the genetic determinants of a variety of dissimilatory pathways.
Degradation of 4-Chlorophenol, 3,4-Dichloroaniline, and 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene in an Electrohydraulic Discharge Reactor

An electrohydraulic discharge (EHD) process for the treatment of hazardous chemical wastes in water has been developed. The liquid waste in a 4-L EHD reactor is directly exposed to high-energy pulsed electrical discharges between two submerged electrodes. The high-temperature (>14 000 K) plasma channel created by an EHD emits ultraviolet radiation and produces an intense shockwave as it expands against the surrounding water. The oxidative degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP), 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), and 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in an EHD reactor was explored. The initial rates of degradation for the three substrates are described by dC/dN = −k1Ci − k0, where dC/dN is the change in concentration per discharge; Ci is the initial substrate concentration; k0 is the zero-order term that accounts for direct photolysis; and k1 is the first-order term that accounts for oxidation in the plasma channel region. For 4-CP in the 4-L reactor, the values of these two rate constants are k0 = 0.73 ± 0.08 μM disc...
Determination of minimum flaw size detectable by ultrasonics in titanium alloy plates

Abstract Titanium alloys, due to their light weight, high strength, and corrosion resistant properties, are employed in many structural applications. For design purposes it is important to determine the limit of sensitivity of ultrasonic crack detection techniques for these alloys. This paper demonstrates that it is possible to detect electronic discharge mill (EDM) slots as small as 0.025 mm deep in thick plates, using commercial ultrasonic instrumentation. The effect of grain size, frequency and orientation of the flaw upon the limit of detection is also discussed.
Identification of a Novel Skin Penetration Enhancement Peptide by Phage Display Peptide Library Screening

Skin is an important site for local or systemic application of drugs. However, a majority of drugs have poor permeability through the skin’s topmost layer, stratum corneum (SC). The aim of this study was to identify safe and smaller peptides that could enhance the skin penetration of drug molecules. By screening phage display peptide library, we have identified a T2 peptide (LVGVFH), which enhanced the penetration of bacteriophages (∼800 nm long bacterial viruses) across porcine and mouse skin. Pretreating the skin with synthetic T2 peptide at pH 4.5 resulted in significant penetration enhancement of hydrophilic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) across skin. FTIR spectroscopy showed that the T2 peptide interacted with skin lipids to enhance the skin penetration. Pretreating the skin with T2 peptide enhanced the partitioning of small molecules with different lipophilicities (5-FU, fluorescein isothiocyanate, and rhodamine 123 hydrochloride) into skin. Fluorescence studies showed that T2 peptide enhanced the diffu...
Cytomorphology of male breast lesions: Diagnostic pitfalls and clinical implications

Because lesions of the male breast have been exceeded in number by those of the female breast, marginal attention was given to these lesions in the past. Fortunately, this has changed over the years leading to an increased awareness about male breast cancer. Although male breast cancer constitutes only about 1% of all diagnosed breast cancer cases, an increased mortality is seen in this patient population. This is probably caused by late diagnosis as a consequence of low level of concern about breast cancer among male patients. However, the vast majority of lesions of the male breast are benign, gynecomastia being the number one cause of unilateral or bilateral breast mass. Since it is important to avoid unnecessary surgical treatment without missing malignancy, accurate diagnostic tools are necessary in order to triage these patients. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy has demonstrated excellent accuracy in the diagnosis and management of breast lesions in female patients. In addition, several authors have proven the value of this technique in the evaluation of lesions of the male breast. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy permits accurate diagnosis in many lesions arising in the male breast. It also allows gathering cytological material that can be used for ancillary studies which enhances the diagnostic value of this technique. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Blindness in infants.

During the past two years, approximately 25 infants have been seen in neuro-ophthalmologic consultation because a serious loss of vision was suspected. This experience has shown that the differential diagnosis of neurologic blindness in children is large. Furthermore, the problems presented by blindness in infants less than three years of age have been quite different from those seen in older children. The findings are sum­ marized in Table 1. The purpose of this report is to illustrate the diversity of lesions causing neurologic blindness under the age of three years with a few selected cases, to point out the seri­ ousness of associated anomalies often seen in these children and to emphasize the clini­ cal usefullness of two objective tests in such infants—the electroretinogram (ERG) and the evoked electro-occipitogram (EVOG), particularly when used in the same patient. At the outset, it is important to note that infants in whom loss of vision is suspected must be initially subdivided on the basis of the ocular findings. After complete ophthalmologic evaluation, such infants may usually be placed into one of three groups (table 2 ) . Group I is best illustrated by cortical blindness as in hydranencephaly in which the globes may be quite normal. Group II is a problem unto itself, for pallor of the optic disc may be seen with both ocular and neu­ rologic disease. It may be quite difficult, for example, to differentiate optic atrophy due
Vitamin A deficiency and retinoid repletion regulate the antibody response to bacterial antigens and the maintenance of natural killer cells

Vitamin A (VA) deficiency still exists in parts of the developing world where it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preschool-aged children. In the present studies, the young rat has been used as a model to investigate the effects of VA deficiency and retinoid repletion on antibody responses to a variety of bacterial antigens. In VA-deficient rats, antibody responses following immunization with capsular polysaccharides or protein antigens were very low, whereas responses to lipopolysaccharides were normal. In all cases of low antibody response, retinol treatment before immunization restored antibody production to control levels. The numbers of B and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in VA-deficient rats were only modestly reduced, but both natural killer (NK) cell number and NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity were decreased substantially. Even in VA deficiency, antibody responses and NK cell cytotoxicity could be markedly stimulated by certain biological response modifiers.
Large duplication in MTM1 associated with myotubular myopathy

Myotubular myopathy is a subtype of centronuclear myopathy with X-linked inheritance and distinctive clinical and pathologic features. Most boys with myotubular myopathy have MTM1 mutations. In remaining individuals, it is not clear if disease is due to an undetected alteration in MTM1 or mutation of another gene. We describe a boy with myotubular myopathy but without mutation in MTM1 by conventional sequencing. Array-CGH analysis of MTM1 uncovered a large MTM1 duplication. This finding suggests that at least some unresolved cases of myotubular myopathy are due to duplications in MTM1, and that array-CGH should be considered when MTM1 sequencing is unrevealing.
Periodic flow of a viscous liquid in a thick-walled elastic tube

Arterial blood flow is analyzed on the basis of a realistic model consisting of a viscous liquid contained in a thick-walled viscoelastic tube. Approximate forms of the Navier-Stokes and continuity equations are derived for this model and solved in conjunction with the equations of motion of an elastic solid. Expressions are found for the displacement of the tube wall, velocity distribution, volume flow rate and phase velocity of the pressure wave. Changes in the shape of the pressure wave caused by damping and dispersion are determined, and the effect of viscoelasticity is assessed. Numerical results are presented which correspond to observed parameters of the circulatory systems of living animals.
Peanut Fungicides: Effect on Survival and Development of the Corn Earworm, Fall Armyworm, and Velvetbean Caterpillar1

Abstract The fungicides chlorothalonil, tebuconazole, and propiconazole commonly used for control of peanut diseases were evaluated for activity against the corn earworm [Helicoverpa zea (Boddie)], fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)], and velvetbean caterpillar (Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner). Chlorothalonil most adversely affected early establishment and survival of neonates of all three insect species on peanut terminal buds. Chlorothalonil also decreased the weight of larvae of all three species at 10 d and extended the time to pupation for fall armyworm and velvetbean caterpillar larvae. Similarly, tebuconazole adversely affected early survival and establishment, decreased 10-d weight and extended time to pupation of corn earworm and velvetbean caterpillar larvae, but had little effect on fall armyworm larvae. Propiconazole had no effect on establishment and survival of corn earworm and fall armyworm larvae on peanut terminals, and actually increased the weight of 10-d-old larvae for al...
Structural and functional effects of acoustic exposure in goldfish: evidence for tonotopy in the teleost saccule

Mammalian and avian auditory hair cells display tonotopic mapping of frequency along the length of the cochlea and basilar papilla. It is not known whether the auditory hair cells of fishes possess a similar tonotopic organization in the saccule, which is thought to be the primary auditory receptor in teleosts. To investigate this question, we determined the location of hair cell damage in the saccules of goldfish (Carassius auratus) following exposure to specific frequencies. Subjects were divided into six groups of six fish each (five treatment groups plus control). The treatment groups were each exposed to one of five tones: 100, 400, 800, 2000, and 4000 Hz at 176 dB re 1 μPa root mean squared (RMS) for 48 hours. The saccules of each fish were dissected and labeled with phalloidin in order to visualize hair cell bundles. The hair cell bundles were counted at 19 specific locations in each saccule to determine the extent and location of hair cell damage. In addition to quantification of anatomical injury, hearing tests (using auditory evoked potentials) were performed on each fish immediately following sound exposure. Threshold shifts were calculated by subtracting control thresholds from post-sound exposure thresholds. All sound-exposed fish exhibited significant hair cell and hearing loss following sound exposure. The location of hair cell loss varied along the length of the saccule in a graded manner with the frequency of sound exposure, with lower and higher frequencies damaging the more caudal and rostral regions of the saccule, respectively. Similarly, fish exposed to lower frequency tones exhibited greater threshold shifts at lower frequencies, while high-frequency tone exposure led to hearing loss at higher frequencies. In general, both hair cell and hearing loss declined as a function of increasing frequency of exposure tone, and there was a significant linear relationship between hair cell loss and hearing loss. The pattern of hair cell loss as a function of exposure tone frequency and saccular rostral-caudal location is similar to the pattern of hearing loss as a function of exposure tone frequency and hearing threshold frequency. This data suggest that the frequency analysis ability of goldfish is at least partially driven by peripheral tonotopy in the saccule.
Substituent effect analysis in organocobalt corrinoids: binding constants for cyanide, azide and the pendent 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole nucleotide

Binding constants for cyanide ion to eight alkylcobinamides (including four β-alkylcobinamides in which the organic ligand is in the ‘upper’ axial ligand position and four α-alkylcobinamides in which the organic ligand is in the ‘lower’ axial ligand position) have been determined. Unlike all other alkylcobinamides investigated, which undergo rapid cyanolysis to form dicyanocobinamide in the dark, these eight complexes were sufficiently stable towards cleavage by cyanide to permit accurate measurement of the binding constants. The values obtained vary by 6.4×104-fold from 4.33 M−1 for β-ethylcobinamide to 2.79×105 M−1 for β-cyanomethylcobinamide. In contrast, these alkylcobinamides are stable in the presence of excess azide ion, but bind this ligand much more weakly, the binding constants varying from <1 M−1 for β-ethylcobinamide to 15.8 M−1 for β-cyanomethylcobinamide. A multiparameter substituent effect equation, including inductive, resonance and steric terms, has been successfully used to correlate the intramolecular equilibrium constants for the coordination of the pendent 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole nucleotide to the metal atom in a series of ten alkylcobalamins. The significance of this correlation with respect to similar correlations recently obtained for alkylcobaloximes is discussed.
Causes of death in elderly nursing home residents

Objectives According to previous studies, 20% to 24% of deaths in the United States occur in nursing homes. This number is increasing. Overall vital statistics document that the leading causes of death in the United States remain cardiovascular/cerebrovascular and cancer, with Alzheimer's disease seventh as of 2004. However there are few statistics on causes of death specifically in the nursing home population. The objective of this study was to determine the most common causes of death in one nursing home in our practice, and specifically to see how common it was to die of dementia in the nursing home. Design, setting, and participants To improve on these inadequate data, we conducted a retrospective chart review study of all patients who died in a Philadelphia nursing home during a 6-month period from May to October 2006. The 2 authors manually extracted select data from individual charts including site, date and cause of death, patient age and comorbidities, and whether the patient was on hospice or had an advance directive. There was no intervention related to the study. Measurements/results Thirty-nine patients expired in the nursing facility during the 6-month study time period. The primary cause of death was determined to be Alzheimer's/dementia in 14 cases (36%), cardiac/cerebrovascular (30%), 9 pulmonary (23%), 3 hematologic and other malignancies (7%), and 1 ESRD. There were 66% patients on hospice and 89% had advance directives usually including a DNR/DNH order. None received resuscitation in the nursing home, and none had autopsies. Conclusion The single most common cause of death occurring within the nursing home was Alzheimer's, with most dying appropriately on hospice care. This is markedly different from the general population, where the most common causes of death are cardiac, pulmonary, renal, malignancies, infections, and accidents. However the true cause of death in the nursing home resident is often difficult to specify when patients often have little workup before they die and seldom have autopsies.
The semantics of second-order lambda calculus

Abstract In the second-order (polymorphic) typed lambda calculus, lambda abstraction over type variables leads to terms denoting polymorphic functions. Straightforward cardinality considerations show that a naive set-theoretic interpretation of the calculus is impossible. We give two definitions of semantic models for this language and prove them equivalent. Our syntactical “environment model” definition and a more algebraic “combinatory model” definition for the polymorphic calculus correspond to analogous model definitions for untyped lambda calculus. Soundness and completeness theorems are proved using the environment model definition. We verify that some specific interpretations of the calculus proposed in the literature indeed yield models in our sense.
Anticipatory 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations are associated with escalated alcohol intake in dependent rats.

Abstract Rats emit 50 kHz ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in situations of increased motivation, such as during the anticipation of palatable food or drugs of abuse. Whether the same holds true for the anticipation of alcohol intake remains unknown. Alcohol drinking in a nondependent state is thought to be mediated by its rewarding effects (positive reinforcement), whereas drinking in the dependent state is motivated by alcohol's stress-relieving effects (negative reinforcement). Here, we measured context-elicited 50 kHz USVs in alcohol-dependent (alcohol vapor-exposed) and nondependent rats immediately before operant alcohol self-administration sessions. Dependent rats showed escalated levels of alcohol intake compared with nondependent rats. Overall, dependent and nondependent rats showed similar levels of anticipatory 50 kHz USVs. However, the number of anticipatory USVs was positively correlated with alcohol intake in dependent rats but not nondependent rats. Additionally, dependent rats with higher alcohol intake displayed increased anticipatory 50 kHz USVs compared with rats that had lower alcohol intake, whereas no difference was observed between rats with high and low alcohol intake in the nondependent group. Increased 50 kHz USVs were specific for the anticipation of alcohol self-administration and did not generalize to a novel environment. These findings suggest that anticipatory 50 kHz USVs may be an indicator of context-elicited negative reinforcement learning.
Imaging of congenital kaposiform retroperitoneal hemangioendothelioma associated with Kasabach-Merritt syndrome

Abstract An unusual case of kaposiform retroperitoneal heman-gioendothelioma initially detected in utero and subsequently imaged in the neonate is described.
Exploring the potential for using results-based financing to address non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries

The burden of disease due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is rising in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and funding for global health is increasingly limited. As a large contributor of development assistance for health, the US government has the potential to influence overall trends in NCDs. Results-based financing (RBF) has been proposed as a strategy to increase aid effectiveness and efficiency through incentives for positive performance and results in health programs, but its potential for addressing NCDs has not been explored. Qualitative methods including literature review and key informant interviews were used to identify promising RBF mechanisms for addressing NCDs in resource-limited settings. Eight key informants identified by area of expertise participated in semi-structured interviews. The majority of RBF schemes to date have been applied to maternal and child health. Evidence from existing RBF programs suggests that RBF principles can be applied to health programs for NCDs. Several options were identified for US involvement with RBF for NCDs. There is potential for the US to have a significant impact on NCDs in LMICs through a comprehensive RBF strategy for global health. RBF mechanisms should be tested for use in NCD programs through pilot programs incorporating robust impact evaluations.
Future expectations in digestive endoscopy: Competition with other novel imaging techniques

Digestive endoscopy has been evolving from primary diagnostic to extensive therapeutic modalities in the management of gastrointestinal diseases. The present endoscopic imaging includes (A) standard endoscopy alone and /or with adjunct technologies such as point enhancement, e.g. confocal endomicroscopy and field enhancement technologies such as chromoendoscopy, NBI and FICE and (B) endoscopic ultrasound. Other novel imaging technologies including virtual colonoscopy or CT/MR colonography, CT or MRI enterography and capsule endoscopy have also been developed. This article reviews the diagnostic and therapeutic role of digestive endoscopy and future directions of digestive endoscopy are discussed. Digestive endoscopy is also compared with emerging novel imaging techniques in gastrointestinal diseases such as capsule endoscopy and CT colonography. The fact that digestive endoscopy has become a multidisciplinary specialty combining advances in all fields (radiology, bioengineering, surgery and gastroenterology) is highlighted.
Geostationary earth observatory remote sensing instruments

The results of conceptual studies conducted of several remote sensing instruments for the development of the geostationary earth observatory element of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth program are presented. Remote sensing instruments provisionally identified to provide the required measurements include imagers, sounders, radiometers, and other passive instruments suited for geostationary orbit. A number of the instruments defined purposely parallel the wavelength or channel specifications to ensure direct intercomparisons of the differing but complementary temporal and spatial measurements.
Poloxamer 407 increases soluble adhesion molecules, ICAM‐1, VCAM‐1 and E‐selectin, in C57BL/6 mice

Objectives Soluble shedded forms of cell adhesion molecules (sCAMs) found in plasma are regarded as surrogate markers for the cellular expression of CAMs. The presence of oxidised low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) cholesterol and fatty acids in the plasma, hypertriglyceridaemia and reduced plasma concentrations of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) are all thought to stimulate an increase in the cellular expression of CAMs such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and E-selectin. Our objectives were to determine how plasma levels of the soluble CAMs were modulated in a mouse model of dyslipidaemia induced chemically with poloxamer 407, and how these changes might be related to changes in the plasma concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-C, non-HDL-C and triglycerides. Methods C57BL/6 mice were given a single intraperitoneal dose of poloxamer 407 (0.5 g/kg) and plasma concentrations of lipid fractions and sCAMs were measured at predetermined time points thereafter. Key findings The plasma concentrations of each sCAM were significantly increased in our mouse model of atherogenic dyslipidaemia compared with control mice administered saline, although the temporal relationship between the plasma sCAM concentration-time profiles and the plasma lipid concentration-time profiles were not coincident. Conclusions The atherogenic profile in our mouse model was associated with increases in the plasma concentrations of sICAM-1, sVCAM-1 and sE-selectin. These changes precede the formation of atherosclerotic lesions shown in previous work. This suggests the use of these sCAMs as biomarkers of future atheroma formation in this particular animal model.
The long form of the leptin receptor regulates STAT5 and ribosomal protein S6 via alternate mechanisms.

The action of leptin via the long form of its receptor (LepRb) is central to the control of body energy homeostasis and neuroendocrine function, but the mechanisms by which LepRb regulates intracellular signaling have remained incompletely understood. Here we demonstrate that leptin stimulates the phosphorylation of STAT5 and ribosomal protein S6 in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus in mice. In cultured cells, we investigate the mechanisms by which leptin regulates each of these pathways. Our analysis reveals a dominant role for LepRb Tyr1077 (which we demonstrate to be phosphorylated during receptor activation) and a secondary role for LepRb Tyr1138 in the acute phosphorylation of STAT5a and STAT5b. Tyr1138 and STAT3 attenuate STAT5-dependent transcription over the long-term, however. In contrast, Tyr985 (the LepRb phosphorylation site required for ERK activation) mediates the phosphorylation of the ribosomal S6 kinase (RSK) and S6, as well as cap-dependent translation. Thus, these data demonstrate the phosphorylation of Tyr1077 on LepRb during receptor activation, substantiate the hypothalamic regulation of STAT5 and S6 by leptin, and define the alternate LepRb signaling pathways that mediate each of these signals and their effects in cultured cells. Dissecting the contributions of these individual pathways to leptin action will be important for our ultimate understanding of the processes that regulate energy balance in vivo.
Analysis of multiplicity moments for hadronic multiparticle data

Abstract We show that rapidity-bin factorial moments contain a large combinatoric contribution from two-particle correlations. In addition, the higher-order correlations are nonnegligible and increase with energy. The analysis is completely general and also applies for the case where the moments scale. We find that the linked-pair approximation (LPA) for higher correlations is valid for UA1 and UA5 data, with coefficients that are approximately independent of energy and somewhat smaller than for the negative binomial distribution.
Estimates for bilinear approximations of the classes $ S_{{p,\theta}}^{\varOmega }B $ of periodic functions of two variables

We obtain exact-order estimates for the best bilinear approximations of the classes $ S_{{p,\theta}}^{\varOmega }B $ of periodic functions of two variables in the space L q for some relations between the parameters p, q, and θ.
Growth Dynamics of the Cotton Plant during Water‐Deficit Stress

Information on the differential growth response of roots and shoots to water-deficit stress will better describe root growth within the soil for purposes of modeling plant growth and assessment of drought resistant traits. Our aim was to investigate leaf expansion and changes in root elongation for field and growth-chamber cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during drought. Plants were grown in rhizotron containers and subjected to 6 d of water-deficit stress followed by 6 d of recovery and compared with a well-watered control. The stress period commenced when the plants were 55 to 65 d old. Leaf expansion was more sensitive to stress than root elongation, with curtailed growth after 2 d of withholding water compared with 6 d with roots. Stress reduced root elongation and root volume
A New Approach to Natural Science

calaureate Education," required the efforts of over 50 persons to reach its present status. The project has resulted in a 2-year course in Natural Science. The first year is designed to be taught by a physical scientist, the second, by a life scientist. The title, Natural Science, is one which, as we remarked earlier, has been used frequently in the past. We believe, however, that this course is different. We have forsaken the usual procedure of surveying the "facts" of nature. Instead, we have attempted to trace the historical and philosophical development of science and its accompanying technological advances. We have also attempted to stress the unity of th natural sciences. We have done this
High frequency of Epstein Barr virus latent membrane protein-1 30 bp deletion in a series of pediatric malignancies in Argentina.

Epstein Barr virus widely infects human populations and remains mostly asymptomatic; however, it has been associated with several malignancies. The EBV-encoded latent membrane protein-1 has been involved in neoplasic transformation; a 30-bp deletion and several mutations in the COOH-terminal domain have been associated with histopathological and clinical disease features.
An Algorithm for Real-Time Blind Image Quality Comparison and Assessment

This research aims at providing means to image comparison from different image processing algorithms for performance assessment purposes. Reconstruction of images corrupted by blur and noise requires specialized filtering techniques. Due to the immense effect of these corruptive parameters, it is often impossible to evaluate the quality of a reconstructed image produced by one technique versus another. The algorithm presented here is capable of performing this comparison analytically and quantitatively at a low computational cost (real-time) and high efficiency. The parameters used for comparison are the degree of blurriness, information content, and the amount of various types of noise associated with the reconstructed image. Based on a heuristic analysis of these parameters the algorithm assesses the reconstructed image and quantify the quality of the image by characterizing important aspects of visual quality. Extensive effort has been set forth to obtain real-world noise and blur conditions so that the various test cases presented here could justify the validity of this approach well. The tests performed on the database of images produced valid results for the algorithms consistently. This paper presents the description and validation (along with test results) of the proposed algorithm for blind image quality assessment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ijece.v2i1.112 Full Text: PDF
A modular set of Flp, FRT and lacZ fusion vectors for manipulating genes by site-specific recombination

Site-specific recombinases can serve as powerful tools to target genetic manipulations to specific cell populations in culture and in the organism. A series of vectors for engineering gene activation, deletion and integration in mammalian cells using Flp recombinase is described here. The vectors are modular in design so that specific cassettes can be linked depending on the application. Using these vectors, efficient Flp-mediated lacZ activation and beta-galactosidase (beta Gal) detection has been demonstrated in mammalian cell culture. These vectors should facilitate using Flp to mark cell populations, as well as to activate, remove or mutate genes in culture and in the mouse.
Intercomparison of two tunable diode laser spectrometers used for eddy correlation measurements of methane flux

Tunable diode laser spectroscopy has, in the last few years, become an important technique for the measurement of atmospheric trace gases and pollutants. This technique is useful not only for concentration monitoring of a particular species, but can be used to measure the flux of trace gas species released or absorbed by an area. At the present time, mainly tow types of instruments are being manufactured and used. In the summer of 1993, the Center for Laser Analytical Studies of Trace Gas Dynamics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln made an intercomparison of these two types of tunable diode laser spectrometers as used to measure the flux and concentration of naturally produced methane. Fluxes were measured using the eddy correlation method. This method requires both a high sensitivity to the species being measured, and a fast instrument response and so was deemed a stringent test of instrument performance. The study was conducted at a prairie wetland site near Valentine, Nebraska in late July and early August, 1993. The two instruments compared were built by Unisearch Associates Inc. of Concord, Ontario, and by Campbell Scientific Inc. of Logan, Utah and were representative of the two main types in general use. The study showed that both instruments exhibited similar detectabilities, and had almost identical noise characteristics when measuring both fluxes and concentrations. The study also brought out the need for careful calibration procedures and precise thermal management of the instruments to achieve optimal performance.
Isopiestic Determination of the Osmotic Coefficients of an Aqueous MgCl2 + CaCl2 Mixed Solution at (25 and 50) °C. Chemical Equilibrium Model of Solution Behavior and Solubility in the MgCl2 + H2O and MgCl2 + CaCl2 + H2O Systems to High Concentration at (25 and 50) °C

This paper, written in celebration of Professor Robin H. Stokesʼ 90th birthday anniversary, describes isopiestic measurements and the development of a thermodynamic model for the highly important MgCl2 + CaCl2 + H2O system at (25 and 50) °C. The isopiestic method has been used to determine the osmotic coefficients of the mixed solutions from low to high concentrations. Sodium chloride and sulfuric acid solutions have been used as isopiestic reference standards. The isopiestic results obtained have been combined with all other experimental thermodynamic quantities available in the literature (osmotic coefficients, water activities, calcium and magnesium chloride mineral’s solubilties) to construct a chemical model that calculates solute and solvent activities and solid−liquid equilibria in the MgCl2 + H2O and MgCl2 + CaCl2 + H2O systems. The mixed solution model created here used CaCl2 + H2O system parametrization established in our previous study (Christov and Moller, GCA 2004b, 68, 3717). The model incor...
Thermodynamics of Solutions with Liquid Crystals Solvents. VII. A Mixture of Cholesteryl Chloride and Cholesteryl Myristate

Abstract Gas-liquid chromatography (glc) was used in a theimodynamic investigation of solubility in a 1.743:1.000 (weight: weight) mixture of Cholesteryl chloride and Cholesteryl myristate. This mixture exhibits a β cholesteric phase (increasing pitch with increasing temperature) at low temperatures, a “nematic point” at 42°C, and an α cholesteric phase (decreasing pitch with increasing temperature) up to 62°C, where a transition to the isotropic liquid takes place. Infinite dilution activity coefficients and partial molar enthalpies of solution were obtained for 16 diverse nonmesomorphic solutes in the β and α phases. The results are interpreted in terms of a statistical thermodynamic model2 of solution in anisotropic solvents. Comparison of solubility behavior in the α and β phases suggests a pronounced difference in the molecular packing of the two phases. Evidence is presented that the β→α transition may involve a higher order thermodynamic phase transition at the “nematic point”.
Cognitive function during nicotine withdrawal: Implications for nicotine dependence treatment

Nicotine withdrawal is associated with deficits in neurocognitive function including sustained attention, working memory, and response inhibition. Several convergent lines of evidence suggest that these deficits may represent a core dependence phenotype and a target for treatment development efforts. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying withdrawal-related cognitive deficits may lead to improve nicotine dependence treatment. We begin with an overview of the neurocognitive effects of withdrawal in rodent and human models, followed by discussion of the neurobehavioral mechanisms that are thought to underlie these effects. We then review individual differences in withdrawal-related neurocognitive effects including genetics, gender, and psychiatric comorbidity. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this research for developing improved therapies, both pharmacotherapy and behavioral treatments, that target cognitive symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled 'NIDA 40th Anniversary Issue'.
The small-scale production of [U-14C]acetylene from Ba14CO3: Application to labeling of ammonia monooxygenase in autotrophic nitrifying bacteria

A small-scale method has been adapted from an established procedure for the generation of [U-14C]acetylene from inexpensive and commonly available precursors. The method involves the fusing of Ba14CO3 with excess barium metal to produce Ba14C2. The BaC2 is reacted with water to generate acetylene which is then selectively dissolved into dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The results presented demonstrate the effect of Ba:BaCO3 ratio on the concentrations of various gases released during the hydrolysis reaction and quantify the selectivity of the DMSO-trapping process for each gas. [U-14C]Acetylene generated by this method has been used to inactivate ammonia monooxygenase in three species of autotrophic nitrifying bacteria: Nitrosomonas europaea, Nitrosococcus oceanus, and Nitrosolobus multiformis. Our results demonstrate that acetylene inactivation of this enzyme in all three species results in the covalent incorporation of radioactive label into a polypeptide of apparent Mr of 25,000-27,000, as determined by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and fluorography.
A Robust Approach to Channel Estimation and Detection for Multicarrier Systems

Block transmission techniques have received much research interest recently for their ability to eliminate the inter-symbol interference problem associated with continuous transmission. Numerous detection schemes for single carrier and multi-carrier have been proposed. While these schemes may be derived from different principles, they usually rely on some prior estimate of the channel. However, channel estimation is usually affected by errors and most of existing detection schemes are known to be sensitive to such errors. In this paper, we develop a robust detection scheme that explicitly accounts for channel estimation error by optimizing the worst-case performance over a properly selected bounded uncertainty set. Although the prior channel estimation error is generally not bounded, we show that it is beneficial to refine the channel estimate over a properly chosen bounded uncertainty set of the channel centered on the prior channel estimate. Numerical results show an improved performance using the proposed robust approach over the one that ignores the prior estimation errors.
The Effect of Reminiscence Therapy on Family Coping

The purpose of this pretest-posttest experimental study was to determine if participating in six reminiscence therapy sessions would increase family coping strategies of individuals with chronic re...
A New Scintillator for Fast Neutron Detection: Single-Crystal ${\rm CeCl}_{3}({\rm CH}_{3}{\rm OH})_{4}$

A new scintillator material for the detection of fast neutrons that consists of a methanol adduct of cerium trichloride with the composition CeCl3(CH3OH)4 has been characterized using 14.1 MeV neutrons from a deuterium-tritium neutron generator and fast neutrons from a bare instrumented 252Cf source. The timing resolution of the scintillator for fast neutrons was found to be 1~ ns. Neutron interactions in the CeCl3(CH3OH)4 composition were simulated using the MCNP-PoliMi code. These simulations indicate that proton recoils account for most of the deposited energy in CeCl3(CH3OH)4. The crystalline molecular adduct CeCl3(CH3OH)4 represents a rare-earth metal-organic scintillator that can be applied to both fast neutron and gamma-ray detection.
Serine kinase activity of a Bacillus subtilis switch protein is required to transduce environmental stress signals but not to activate its target PP2C phosphatase

The RsbT serine kinase has two known functions in the signal transduction pathway that activates the general stress factor sigmaB of Bacillus subtilis. First, RsbT can phosphorylate and inactivate its specific antagonist protein, RsbS. Second, upon phosphorylation of RsbS, RsbT is released to stimulate RsbU, a PP2C phosphatase, thereby initiating a signalling cascade that ultimately activates sigmaB. Here we describe a mutation that separates these two functions of RsbT. Although the mutant RsbT protein had essentially no kinase activity, it still retained the capacity to stimulate the RsbU phosphatase in vitro and to activate sigmaB when overexpressed in vivo. These results support the hypothesis that phosphatase activation is accomplished via a long-lived interaction between RsbT and RsbU. In contrast, RsbT kinase activity was found to be integral for the transmission of external stimuli to sigmaB. Thus, one route by which environmental stress signals could enter the sigmaB network is by modulation of the RsbT kinase activity, thereby controlling the magnitude of the partner switch between the RsbS-RsbT complex and the RsbT-RsbU complex.
Time-reversal waveform preconditioning for clutter rejection

A time-reversal implementation of a transmit waveform preconditioning scheme for optimal clutter rejection in radar imaging is presented. Waveform preconditioning involves determining a map on the space of transmit waveforms, and then applying this map to the waveforms before transmission. Our work applies to antenna arrays with an arbitrary number of transmit-and receive elements, and makes no assumptions about the elements being co-located. Waveform preconditioning for clutter rejection achieves efficient use of power and computational resources by distributing power properly over a frequency band and by eliminating clutter filtering in receive processing. By our time-reversal implementation we avoid the need to obtain an explicit model for the environment in order to compute the preconditioning operator.
Metallic microwave conductivity in shock-loaded rutile

Electron spin resonance (ESR) has been used to characterize the paramagnetic defects present in both single crystal and powder rutile (TiO/sub 2/) subjected to explosive shock loading and preserved for post-shock study. The Ti/sup +3/ defect concentration produced by the shock process is an order of magnitude larger than values reported for vacuum-reduced rutile. The ESR lineshape is characteristic of a conducting material, and the estimated microwave resistivity in the shock-loaded powder is more than an order of magnitude lower than the minimum dc value measured in vacuum-reduced rutile. It appears that shock-wave loading leaves the rutile in a defect state not achieved in prior work.
Phosphocreatine kinetics at the onset of contractions in skeletal muscle of MM creatine kinase knockout mice

Phosphocreatine (PCr) depletion during isometric twitch stimulation at 5 Hz was measured by (31)P-NMR spectroscopy in gastrocnemius muscles of pentobarbital-anesthetized MM creatine kinase knockout (MMKO) vs. wild-type C57B (WT) mice. PCr depletion after 2 s of stimulation, estimated from the difference between spectra gated to times 200 ms and 140 s after 2-s bursts of contractions, was 2.2 +/- 0.6% of initial PCr in MMKO muscle vs. 9.7 +/- 1.6% in WT muscles (mean +/- SE, n = 7, P < 0.001). Initial PCr/ATP ratio and intracellular pH were not significantly different between groups, and there was no detectable change in intracellular pH or ATP in either group after 2 s. The initial difference in net PCr depletion was maintained during the first minute of continuous 5-Hz stimulation. However, there was no significant difference in the quasi-steady-state PCr level approached after 80 s (MMKO 36.1 +/- 3.5 vs. WT 35.5 +/- 4.4% of initial PCr; n = 5-6). A kinetic model of ATPase, creatine kinase, and adenylate kinase fluxes during stimulation was consistent with the observed PCr depletion in MMKO muscle after 2 s only if ADP-stimulated oxidative phosphorylation was included in the model. Taken together, the results suggest that cytoplasmic ADP more rapidly increases and oxidative phosphorylation is more rapidly activated at the onset of contractions in MMKO compared with WT muscles.