cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Ozone on Stretched Rubber

Abstract The similarity of the results obtained under various tensions in sunlight and in an atmosphere containing ozone is striking and may be significant of some progressive change in the structure of the rubber which renders it at a certain point unusually susceptible. The study here outlined is incomplete, but is presented in the hope that it may give other investigators an added method of studying problems connected with the structure or with the oxidation of rubber.
Leptomeningeal Metastasis from Non-small Cell Lung Cancer: Survival and the Impact of Whole Brain Radiotherapy

Introduction: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM), or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, is a devastating complication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the optimal therapeutic approach remains challenging. A retrospective review was carried out to assess the impact of whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT), intrathecal therapy (IT), and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) on outcomes. Methods: Patients with newly diagnosed LM from NSCLC from January 2002 to December 2009 were identified through institutional databases and medical records reviewed. Survival was assessed by Kaplan-Meier and landmark analyses by administered treatment to minimize selection bias. Results: We identified 125 patients (45 men, 80 women) with LM from NSCLC, median age 59 years (range, 28–87 years). Almost all (123 [98%]) patients have died and median overall survival was 3.0 months (95% confidence interval, 2.0–4.0). No differences in survival were seen between patients who were treated with WBRT (n =46) and those who were not (n =59, p =0.84) in a landmark analysis. In the seven patients selected to receive IT chemotherapy, median survival was 18 months (range, 5–33 months) and appeared superior to those not selected for this treatment (p =0.001) in a landmark analysis. The median survival of the nine patients with known EGFR mutations (all of whom received TKIs at some point) was 14 months (range, 1–28 months). Conclusions: This retrospective study, the largest published series, demonstrates the poor survival of LM from NSCLC. In this study, survival was not improved by WBRT. The survival of patients selected for IT chemotherapy and those with EGFR mutations treated with TKIs highlights the importance of developing novel agents.
BLOOD PRESSURE IN YOUNG ADULTS AS INFLUENCED BY DIET, ANTHROPOMETRICS, CALCIUM STATUS, AND SERUM LIPIDS.

Abstract A sample of 197 males and 174 females between the ages of 19 to 35 yr were assessed for blood pressure, health and exercise status, family history of heart disease, use of food supplements, and anthropometrics, Systolic and diastolic pressures were summed and ranked from highest to lowest for each sex. From this sample, a subsample of individual with blood pressure above (elevated blood pressure group; 11 males, 10 females) the 80th and below (low were recalled to assess the relationship of diet, calcium status, blood lipids, and other variables with blood presure. Individuals selected in the elevated blood pressure group were normotensives and matched to the low blood pressure group for age, and smoking and alcohol habits. Calcium status was assessed by use of 3-day diet records, fasting total serum calcium levels, serum ionized calcium lipids (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides) did not differ (p>0.05) by blood pressure groups for either sex. However, males in the elevated blood pressure group did have greater calcium excretion compared to the males with lower blood pressure (p≤0.01). This relationship was not observed for females. Wt:ht was greater in the elevated blood pressure groups for both sexes (p≤0.01). Most of the subjects in the subsample appeared to have adequate calcium status.
Ethical Considerations in Clinical Neuroscience Current Concepts in Neuroclinical Trials

Background Ethical decision making in clinical trials has become increasingly emphasized at many levels of the review process. Summary of Review Ethical concepts applicable to neuroclinical trials are reviewed. The discussion is directed toward ethical concerns that investigators must consider and justify prior to institutional review board submission. Risk-benefit analysis, methodology (randomization, placebo, design), and consent (informed, deferred, waived) are reviewed and guidelines of the Office for Protection From Research Risk are described. Conclusions Investigators proposing neuroclinical trials face increasing ethical scrutiny by institutional review boards. Attention to ethical issues early in the trial planning process is recommended.
Validation of a New Aluminum Honeycomb Constitutive Model for Impact Analyses

A new constitutive model for large deformation of aluminum honeycomb has been developed. This model has 6 yield surfaces that are coupled to account for the orthotropic behavior of the cellular honeycomb being crushed on-axis and off-axis. Model parameters have been identified to fit uniaxial and biaxial crush test data for high density (38 lb/ft3) aluminum honeycomb. The honeycomb crush model has been implemented in the transient dynamic Presto finite element code for impact simulations. Simulations of calibration and validation experiments will be shown with model predictions compared with test data. Also, the honeycomb model's predictions will be compared with the older Orthotropic Rate Model predictions.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Tuning chemotactic responses with synthetic multivalent ligands.

Abstract Background: Multivalent ligands have been used previously to investigate the role of ligand valency and receptor clustering in eliciting biological responses. Studies of multivalent ligand function, however, typically have employed divalent ligands or ligands of undefined valency. How cells respond to multivalent ligands of distinct valencies, which can cluster a signaling receptor to different extents, has never been examined. The chemoreceptors, which mediate chemotactic responses in bacteria, are localized, and clustering has been proposed to play a role in their function. Using multivalent ligands directed at the chemoreceptors, we hypothesized that we could exploit ligand valency to control receptor occupation and clustering and, ultimately, the cellular response. Results: To investigate the effects of ligand valency on the bacterial chemotactic response, we generated a series of linear multivalent arrays with distinct valencies by ring-opening metathesis polymerization. We report that these synthetic ligands elicit bacterial chemotaxis in both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis . The chemotactic response depended on the valency of the ligand; the response of the bacteria can be altered by varying chemoattractant ligand valency. Significantly, these differences in chemotactic responses were related to the ability of the multivalent ligands to cluster chemoreceptors at the plasma membrane. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that ligand valency can be used to tune the chemotactic responses of bacteria. This mode of regulation may arise from changes in receptor occupation or changes in receptor clustering or both. Our data implicate changes in receptor clustering as one important mechanism for altering cellular responses. Given the diverse events modulated by changes in the spatial proximity of cell surface receptors, our results suggest a general strategy for tuning biological responses.
X-ray optics and diagnostics for first experiments on the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS)

The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) is a 1.5 to 15 {angstrom}-wavelength free-electron laser (FEL), currently proposed for the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center (SLAC). The photon output consists of high brightness, transversely coherent pulses with duration < 300 fs, together with a broad spontaneous spectrum with total power comparable to the coherent output. The output fluence, and pulse duration, pose special challenges for optical component and diagnostic designs. We discuss some of the proposed solutions, and give specific examples related to the planned initial experiments.
Short-range axonal/dendritic transport by myosin-V: A model for vesicle delivery to the synapse

Myosin-V is a versatile motor involved in short-range axonal/dendritic transport of vesicles in the actin-rich cortex and synaptic regions of nerve cells. It binds to several different kinds of neuronal vesicles by its globular tail domain but the mechanism by which it is recruited to these vesicles is not known. In this study, we used an in vitro motility assay derived from axoplasm of the squid giant axon to study the effects of the globular tail domain on the transport of neuronal vesicles. We found that the globular tail fragment of myosin-V inhibited actin-based vesicle transport by displacing native myosin-V and binding to vesicles. The globular tail domain pulled down kinesin, a known binding partner of myosin-V, in affinity isolation experiments. These data confirmed earlier evidence that kinesin and myosin-V interact to form a hetero-motor complex. The formation of a kinesin/myosin-V hetero-motor complex on vesicles is thought to facilitate the coordination of long-range movement on microtubules and short-range movement on actin filaments. The direct interaction of motors from both filament systems may represent the mechanism by which the transition of vesicles from microtubules to actin filaments is regulated. These results are the first demonstration that the recombinant tail of myosin-V inhibits vesicle transport in an in vitro motility assay. Future experiments are designed to determine the functional significance of the interaction between myosin-V and kinesin and to identify other proteins that bind to the globular tail domain of myosin-V.
Differences in self- and other-induced Mu suppression are correlated with empathic abilities

Abstract Recent research suggests a role of the human mirror neuron system in empathic processing. Electroencephalographic (EEG) mu suppression in the 8–13 Hz band-range has been proposed to reflect mirror-like activation of sensorimotor cortices. We therefore investigated the relationship between suppression in the 8–13 Hz range and empathic abilities as measured by the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). Based on previous work showing significant differences between execution- and observation-related mu suppression and on theories of empathy pointing to the importance of discriminating self from other, we predicted that the size of this difference within individuals would correlate with participants' perspective-taking abilities. Larger differences in execution- and observation-induced mu suppression were associated with greater scores on the perspective-taking subscale of the IRI. The current data are therefore consistent with the claim that neural activity reflected in mu suppression is related to empathic abilities.
Women's Midlife Journey: If Not Now, When…?

The transition into menopause can be a time of apprehension and uncertainty; it can also be a time experienced as an emotional upheaval brought on through changes in hormonal levels. However, menopause with the appropriate attitude and motivation can be a time of freedom and rebirth. Menopause invites a powerful review of women's lives and a chance to move forward with a renewed energy to the beginning of the second half of life. Menopause is a time for choices. It is an opportunity to discover our possibilities and our potential and to self-determine our future, our daughters' future and the glorious possibilities available to women.
Lumpability and Observability of Linear Systems

Large scale dynamic system models are plagued by problems of dimensionality and limitations of measurement. It is common practice in applications to lump similar system state components together to get a reduced number of aggregate states. An example of this approach is the PONA scheme for modelling catalytic cracking of oil. The thousands of chemical species involved in this process are lumped into four groups: paraffins. olefins, naphthenes, and aromatics (PONA). For a survey of the use of lumping in the cracking problem, the reader is referred to Weekman [ 14971. Attention has focused on conditions under which such lumping preserves structural properties of the system dynamics. In particular, when do the lumped states of a linear system satisfy linear dynamics? If this occurs, the system is said to be exactly lumpable. For finite dimensional systems, this issue has been resolved [2, 1.51, but in practice the conditions specified are almost never satisfied. In this paper, we show that it is fruitful to consider the lumped variables as observations of the original system. To our knowledge, this viewpoint has not been taken previously. We establish a relationship between lumpability and observability of the lumped observation system for both finite and infinite dimensional linear systems. This relationship allows us to deduce the existence of a minimal size system which gives a true representation of the dynamics of the lumped variables. Definitions of observability and lumpability are given in Sections 2 and 3, including extensions to infinite dimensional systems. The relationship between these two concepts is discussed and we establish the main result concerning lumpability in Section 4 in the case of finite dimensional systems. In Section 5 this discussion is carried over to infinite dimensional systems. A summary and discussion follow in Section 6.
Epilepsy surgery in infants.

Summary: Purpose: We report 12 infants who had frontal (n = 3), temporal (n = 2), or temporoparieto-occipital (n = 2) resection or functional hemispherectomies (n = 5) at age 2.5–29 (mean 15.3) months for catastrophic epilepsy due to focal cortical dysplasia (n = 5), Sturge-Weber syndrome (n = 3), ganglioglioma (n = 3), or hemimegalencephaly (n = 1). Seizures began at 1 day to 14 months (mean, 4.0 months) after birth, occurred frequently (often many times per day, and were refractory to antiepileptic drugs. Patients were evaluated for surgery at 2.5–24 (mean 12.4) months of age. Seven patients had hemiparesis and eight had slowed cognitive development. Seizures were characterized by arrest or marked reduction of behavioral motor activity with unclear level of consciousness (n = 4, with temporal or temporoparietal EEG seizures), focal clonic activity (n = 3, with perirolandic EEG seizures), generalized tonic stiffening (n = 3, with temporoparieto-occipital, parietal, or frontal EEG seizures), or infantile spasms and hypsarrhythmia (n = 2, with a frontal tumor or temporoparieto-occipital cortical dysplasia). Methods: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the epileptogenic lesion in all but two patients, both with cortical dysplasia localized by interictal positron-emission tomography (PET) and other clinical or EEG features and confirmed on histopathologic examination of resected tissue. Results: At follow-up 4-86 (mean 32) months after surgery, six patients were seizure free (Engel outcome class I), three had rare seizures with none in at least the previous 6 months (Engel class II), and two had worthwhile improvement (Engel class III). Except for the severely developmentally delayed infant with hemimegalencephaly, several patients had marked “catch-up” developmental progress after class I, 11, or III outcome. Postoperative complications included subdural hematoma over the contralateral hemisphere (one patient) and entrapment and enlargement of the ipsilateral temporal horn (one patient) after hemispherectomy, both corrected uneventfully with a second surgical procedure. One patient died of unexplained causes several hours after frontal lobectomy. No patients had new neurologic deficits after surgery, and one patient had resolution of progressive fluctuating hemiparesis after resection of temporoparieto-occipital cortical dysplasia. Conclusions: Our results agree with previous reports that epilepsy surgery can provide relief from catastrophic epilepsy in carefully selected infants.
Integrating economic input–output life cycle assessment with risk assessment for a screening-level analysis

The paper describes the integration of the economic input–output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) model and the environmental fate and transport model (CHEMGL) with a risk assessment tool. Utilizing the EIO-LCA, instead of a traditional LCA, enables a rapid, screening-level analysis of an emerging chemical of concern, decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE). The risk assessment in this study is evaluated based on the mass of chemical released, estimated concentrations, exposure, and chemical toxicity. The relative risk from ten economic sectors identified within the EIO-LCA model, 55 chemicals utilized in those sectors and DecaBDE along with four potential DecaBDE breakdown products, were evaluated for the life cycle stages and exposure pathways. The relative risk (expressed as toluene equivalents) of the different chemicals, sectors, and life cycle stages were compared to assess those representing the greatest overall relative risks to humans (via inhalation and ingestion) and fish. The greatest overall risk to human health resulted from the manufacturing and production stages. For fish, the manufacturing stage represented virtually all of the risk. Of the 56 chemicals evaluated, DecaBDE represented the majority of the total risk to humans. However, DecaBDE posed the least risk compared to its potential breakdown products. The risk to humans from ingestion, which represented the greatest risk, from the production, manufacturing, and consumption stages can be controlled and reduced through various safety precautions in the workplace. Additionally, the increasing concentration of DecaBDE in anaerobic compartments represents a threat to humans and fish via the higher risk DecaBDE breakdown products. Overall, the manufacturing and production life cycle stages pose the greatest risk to humans and fish. The sediment compartment received the highest DecaBDE concentration for the production, manufacturing, and consumption stages. This case study demonstrates that the integrated EIO-LCA with risk assessment is suitable for screening-level analysis of emerging chemicals due to rapid life cycle inventory analysis. The production and manufacturing stages allow for greater industry control and government regulation, compared to the consumption stage, because there are fewer point sources. This integrated life cycle methodology may allow chemical designers to evaluate each stage and assess areas where risks can be minimized.
Invariant imbedding and optimal control theory

A method for directly converting an optimal control problem to a Cauchy problem is presented. No use is made of the Euler equations, Pontryagin's maximum principle, or dynamic programming in the derivation. The initial-value problem, in addition to being desirable from the computational point of view, possesses stable characteristics. The results are directly applicable in the study of guidance and control and are particularly useful for obtaining numerical solutions to control problems.
Early carotid artery stenting and angioplasty in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To determine the safety of early percutaneous endovascular carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS) after an ischemic stroke. Methods The neurointerventional database was reviewed for patients who underwent CAS after an acute ischemic stroke in two university hospitals. Clinical and radiological data were reviewed. Outcomes were worsening stroke, new stroke, or stroke-related death up to 30 days after the procedure. Procedure-related complications were also documented. Results A total of 38 patients with 39 procedures were identified. The mean age was 67 +/- 15 years; 31 of 38 patients were Caucasian and 24 were female. Hypertension was found in 21 patients, peripheral vascular disease in 12, diabetes in 13, and coronary artery disease in 18. The median initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8. The carotid artery showed severe to high-grade stenosis in 28 patients, dissection was present in 6, and the rest had an acute occlusion treated with thrombolysis followed by CAS. The mean time from stroke onset to CAS was 55 +/- 34 hours. The mean degree of stenosis at baseline was 86 +/- 11%. In 37 procedures, complete recanalization was achieved, defined as less than 10% residual narrowing; in 2 procedures, the residual stenosis was mild (10-20%). Neurological deterioration occurred after three procedures (7.7%), with minor nondisabling stroke in two and death from intracranial hemorrhage in one. Conclusion If deemed necessary and in certain circumstances, early CAS seems to be safe after acute ischemic stroke if infarction volume is small and neurological deficit is mild.
Helium ion-induced fission of 197Au from 41·1 MeV to 26·8 MeV

A study has been made of the helium ion-induced fission of 197Au at excitation energies of 40·2 MeV, 33·3 MeV, 27·9 MeV and 25·9 MeV. The fission fragment mass distribution curves at these levels of excitation are symmetrical gaussian distribution whose width at half maximum, W12, appears to have an energy independent value of 15 ± 1 mass units. Charge distribution effects are shown to be negligible and the cross-sections for fission determined from the mass distribution curves need not be corrected for charge distribution effects. It was also observed that second chance fission is not a favourable process, and the chance of neutron evaporation from the compound nucleus drops rapidly with Esp∗, the energy of the fissioning species aa the saddle point. The cross sections for fission at the four excitation energies of 40·2 MeV, 33·3 MeV, 27·9 MeV and 25·9 MeV are 0·43, 0·030, 0·0052, and 0·0014 mbarns respectively.
Evaluation of cerebral oximetry during endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistula

Endovascular treatment of carotid cavernous fistula is done routinely in our institution. We have been monitoring these patients with transcranial cerebral oximetry. The transcranial cerebral oximeter is a reliable, low-cost, non-invasive device that provides real-time evaluation of regional brain oxygen saturation during and after endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases. We used the INVOS 3100A (Somanetics, Troy, MI) in our study. We discuss seven patients with carotid-cavernous fistulas treated by endovascular balloon occlusion, each monitored continuously before, during, and after the procedure with transcranial cerebral oximetry. The cerebral oxygen saturation depicted was directly related to the side of the venous drainage of the fistula, with the brain oxygen saturation 15 - 20% higher on the side of the venous drainage. Following endovascular occlusion of the fistula, oxygen saturation gradually became equal on both sides. In our patients treated for carotid-cavernous fistula, we evaluated the sensitivity and usefulness of cerebral oximetry as an important non-invasive monitoring tool for the endovascular treatment of carotid-cavernous fistula.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Implementation of evidence-based humanitarian programs in military-led missions: part I. Qualitative gap analysis of current military and international aid programs.

BACKGROUND: A recent Department of Defense instruction mandates country-specific assessments, identification of interventions, and development of guidance for Department of Defense to plan, train, and prepare for the provision of humanitarian assistance in stability operations. It also directs the use of outcome-based measures of effectiveness and the establishment of processes facilitating transparency of information. Whereas this would align military-led projects closer to the standards of the international aid community, how this process will be developed and implemented within the military has not yet been determined. METHODS: To begin developing an evidence-based program for military-led humanitarian aid, we conducted a qualitative gap analysis comparing information from a Web search of Department of Defense medical after-action reports, lessons learned, and expert interviews with the internationally accepted standards in humanitarian assistance impact assessment. RESULTS: There is a major gap in the ability of the Department of Defense to assess the impact of humanitarian assistance in stability operations compared with international development standards. Of the 1000 Department of Defense after-action reports and lessons learned reviewed, only 7 (0.7%) reports refer to, but do not discuss, impact assessment or outcome-based measures of effectiveness. CONCLUSIONS: This investigation shows that the Department of Defense humanitarian assistance operations are, historically, recorded without documentation using quantifiable health data identifying which aid activities contributed directly to desired outcomes or favorable public opinion, and rarely are analyzed for effectiveness. As humanitarian assistance operations assume an ever greater role in US military strategy, it is imperative that we investigate useful impact assessment models to meet mission directives and, more important, to maximize coordination in a necessarily integrated and cooperative development environment. These findings provide baseline knowledge for the implementation of an evidence-based impact assessment process to validate future Department of Defense humanitarian assistance operations. Language: en
Encoding isotopic watermarks in molecular electronic materials as an anti-counterfeiting strategy: Application to porphyrins for information storage

An approach for information storage employs tetrapyrrole macrocycles as charge-storage elements attached to a (semi)conductor in hybrid chips. Anti-counterfeiting measures must cohere with the tiny amounts of such electroactive material and strict constraints on composition in chips; accordingly, the incorporation of typical anti-counterfeiting taggants or microcarriers is precluded. The provenance of the tetrapyrroles can be established through the use of isotopic substitution integral to the macrocycle. The isotopic substitution can be achieved by rational site-specific incorporation or by combinatorial procedures. The formation of a mixture of such macrocycles with various isotopic composition (isotopically unmodified, isotopologues, isotopomers) provides the molecular equivalent of an indelible printed watermark. Resonance Raman spectroscopic examination can reveal the watermark, but not the underlying molecular and isotopic composition; imaging mass spectrometry can reveal the presence of isotopologues but cannot discriminate among isotopomers. Hence, deciphering the code that encrypts the watermark in an attempt at forgery is expected to be prohibitive. A brief overview is provided of strategies for incorporating isotopes in meso-substituted tetrapyrrole macrocycles.
Multi‐impulsive Personality Disorder and Multiple Substance Abuse: evidence from members of self‐help groups

Summary Lacey & Evans (1986) suggest the presence of a subgroup of substance abusers characterized by disorders of impulse control. Utilizing S. B. G. Eysenck et al.s' Impulsivity Questionnaire (1-7) members of a self-help group with a history of multiple serial addictions were tested for the trait of impulsivity. It was predicted that impulsivity scores would be higher for this group than for similar individuals in the same self-help group with histories of addiction to single substances. These results were found, suggesting support for Lacey & Evans' theory of a clinical core of impulsive persons being at high risk for multiple addictions.
The adsorption of benzene on H/W(110) and CO/W(110) layers

Abstract The adsorption of benzene (Bz) on partial and full hydrogen and CO layers on W(110) indicates that H or CO block benzene chemisorption. The Bz vs. CO coverage curve shows two linear regimes, with different extrapolated maximum Bz coverages, suggesting that for CO/W>0.3 Bz is adsorbed (at least in part) tilted rather than flat on the surface. The adsorption of Bz on H/W(110) layers suggests that the effective blocking area of H atoms is 5×10 −16 cm 2 , i.e. 0.69 of the area per W atom. Bz chemisorption decreases the work function by 1.5 eV at maximum coverage, 2.5×10 14 molecules/cm 2 on clean W(110). In the presence of CO |Δ φ | values are smaller for the same Bz coverage than on clean W(110), suggesting electronic CO–Bz interaction. In the case of Bz/H/W(110) there is also a decrease in |Δ φ | but only at high H coverages. Bz physisorption is different on saturated H/W(110) from that on saturated CO/W(110) layers. In the former case the various thermal desorption peaks seen for physisorbed Bz on chemisorbed Bz on W(110) or on O/W(110) are present, while on CO/W(110) the so-called α 1 peak at 160 K is absent, indicating that physisorbed Bz is more weakly bound on CO 0.7 /W(110) than on clean or O covered W(110).
The implicit theories of early childhood teachers

(1988). The implicit theories of early childhood teachers. Early Child Development and Care: Vol. 38, No. 1, pp. 13-31.
A specific radioimmunoassay for [Leu] and [Met]enkephalin applied to a HPLC separation of human CSF.

Abstract Highly specific antisera have been raised to [Leu]enkephalin and applied in a radioimmunoassay that is sufficiently sensitive and precise for the measurement of enkephalin pentapeptides in body fluids. Extraction of CSF by Sep-pak cartridges, followed by reverse-phase HPLC to separate [Leu] and [Met] enkephalin prior to assay, has assessed their concentrations as 59–170 pmol/l and 0.5–30 pmol/l, respectively, in three patients with chronic pain. The reproducibility of the HPLC separation step was checked by adding to the sample a synthetic analogue of very low cross-reactivity in UV detectable quantities. The assay procedure described is generally applicable to the assessment of [Leu] and [Met]enkephalin concentrations in CSF.
Extracting actin fibers in 3D cell fluorescence microscope images

Extracting 3-D position of actin fibers is an important task in bio-medical research, since it can lead to a quantitative description of cell structure, motion and development. In this paper, we present a new approach to automatically extract these fibers from a 3-D stack of cell images obtained by three-dimensional fluorescence microscopy. Our algorithm incorporates two stages. First, the computer vision technique of depth-from-focusing is used to construct the 2-D best focused pseudo-image and the depth map from the original images. Second, we track actin fibers using the 2-D pseudo-image and the depth map based on a dense local filtering strategy and continuity constraints. A group of specially designed local line feature filters and continuity constraints are used to guide the tracking. Also we applied a backtracking strategy to refine the fiber searching when ambiguities occur. Finally, the systematic method of searching for all fibers in an image is presented.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Protein Kinase C-δ mRNA Is Down-regulated Transcriptionally and Post-transcriptionally by 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

Activation of protein kinase C-δ (PKC-δ) by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) is followed by a gradual decrease in detectable protein 12–24 h later in the mouse B lymphoma cell line A20. Down-regulation is associated with TPA-induced proteolysis and a 50–86% decrease in PKC-δ mRNA 0.5-24 h post-treatment which is due to both a 50% decrease in transcription and accelerated degradation of PKC-δ mRNA as determined using the pulse-chase method. Destabilization of PKC-δ mRNA is also observed when actinomycin D is added to cells pretreated with TPA for 2 h; however, addition of actinomycin D or cycloheximide prior to TPA treatment blocks destabilization. Addition of PKC inhibitors to TPA-treated cells also blocks destabilization of PKC-δ mRNA. Cells treated with TPA for 4 h contain an activity not found in control cells which destabilizes PKC-δ mRNA but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase mRNA in vitro. Addition of TPA to control extracts fails to increase degradation of PKC-δ mRNA in vitro, suggesting that treatment of intact cells is required to induce the synthesis of a factor(s) that destabilizes PKC-δ mRNA. This factor(s) then acts along with transcriptional and post-translational regulatory mechanisms to down-regulate PKC-δ.
Effect of dietary biotin on reproduction of the house fly.

Sterilizing activity of biotin was demonstrated with adults of the house fly, Musca domestica L. Diets containing as little as 0.25% biotin reduced egg hatch by about 50%, but continuous feeding on 2% biotin in food was necessary to effect complete sterility of females. Male flies were only slightly affected at a 2% dosage, and morphological changes in the testes were not apparent. Mortality increased with time but had not reached 50% in either sex at the end of a 15-day period. Females fed this medium for short intervals of 2–10 days were able to produce small numbers of viable eggs when returned to standard diet and mated with untreated males. Flies found normal food more palatable than biotin-treated medium. However, indications were that the sodium hydroxide solution used as the solvent for biotin was the principal cause of this response.
Variation in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) interference among common cocklebur (Xanthium strumarium L.) accessions

Common cocklebur is an annual dicotyledonous weed that is extremely competitive with agronomic crops, and known to be variable for traits such as leaf and bur morphology, biomass production, and photosynthetic rate. The purpose of this study was to determine if variability of this species was manifested in its ability to reduce soybean yield. Seven common cocklebur accessions from different regions of the United States were compared over three growing seasons at Urbana, Illinois. Plots were established with each common cocklebur accession planted between soybean rows at a density of one plant per metre of row. Averaged over all accessions, soybean yield reductions were 48% and 20% in 1999 and 2001, respectively, relative to weed-free control plots. No yield reduction by common cocklebur was observed in 2000. Accession and year, but not the year by accession interaction, were significant (P<0.05) sources of variation in the 1999 and 2001 combined ANOVA for soybean yield reduction and for aboveground common cocklebur dry matter. Averaged over 1999 and 2001, soybean yield reductions ranged from 25% to 42%, depending on the accession. The amounts by which common cocklebur accessions reduced soybean yield were highly correlated (r=0.92) with their aboveground dry matter production. Variability in soybean yield-reduction potential among common cocklebur accessions makes it more difficult to develop accurate economic thresholds for managing this weed.
Plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase expression in the human lens.

Abstract The focus of the study was to characterize plasma membrane calcium-ATPase pump (PMCA) isoform expression in the human lens and cultured lens epithelial cells as a basis for future studies of calcium homeostasis in the lens. Proteins and mRNA expression were analysed using Western Immunoblotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), respectively. Clear human lenses from the Kentucky Lions Eye Bank and an immortalized human lens epithelial cell line (HLE B-3) were used. RT-PCR products of PMCA1, PMCA2, and PMCA4 primers were detected at 429, 557, and 849 bp, respectively. All these products were identified as PMCA isoforms by sequence analysis. Protein bands at approximately 130, 115, and 135 kDa were detected by Western blot analysis for PMCA1, PMCA2 and PMCA4, respectively. PMCA3 was not detected at protein or mRNA level in any human lens sample or cell culture, but was detected in the rat brain cortex used as a control. Several bands with lower molecular weights, especially for PMCA2, were detected in the epithelial samples and probably represent break down products of PMCA2. No PMCA proteins or breakdown products were detected in the nuclear or cortical fractions from human lenses. PMCA1, 2, and 4 proteins and mRNAs are expressed in human lens epithelium and cultured epithelial cells; PMCA3 is not. PMCA was not detected at all in the lens fibre cells. The calcium pump must be selectively processed, independent of other membrane proteins such as the Na–K-ATPase pumps, because the distribution of the Na–K-ATPase pump is asymmetrical in the epithelium and present throughout the lens whereas the calcium pumps are not. The findings of this study provide a basis for further studies to examine the role and modulation of PMCA isoforms in calcium homeostasis and in the development of cataract.
Age and gambling behavior: A declining and shifting pattern of participation

The relationship between age and gambling has received relatively little attention in the social sciences. An aging American population might have a fundamental effect on gambling behavior suggesting that such research is needed. A random telephone survey of 1,011 Iowa residents was conducted. Chronological age was found to be negatively related to gambling behavior in this study. Within this trend, however, people of different ages were also found to be participating in different types of gambling. The general decline in gambling across age categories can be conceptualized as a result of an age decline in experimentation with gambling for self-identity, self-presentation, as well as an historical increase in the social acceptance of gambling. The differential rates of participation in different types of gambling could result from differential needs and resources related to different stages of development and thus age categories.
The Golden Rule and Business Ethics: An Examination

The phenomenon of globalization of markets has been accompanied by calls for a globalization of ethical norms. One principle often referred to in such calls is the so-called Golden Rule. The rule, often stated as “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you,” has long been used and referenced in the business literature. But those who use it often do so without full realization of the rule itself and what it stands for. This paper examines the history, meaning, and problems of the rule and attempts to show, through a case analysis, how these problems surface when using the rule in a business context. In so doing it attempts to clarify exactly what the rule means and how it can fit into a universal code of morality.
The Effects of Attitudes, Subjective Norms, Attributions, and Individualism-Collectivism on Managers' Responses to Bribery in Organizations: Evidence from a Developing Nation

The goal of this study was to introduce a model explaining how managers’ attitudes, subjective norms, attributions, and the individualism–collectivism cultural dimension affect the way managers’ deal with employee bribery in organizations. Twenty-six internal and external attributions related to bribery were identified through a series of structured interviews with 65 subject matter experts. These attributions, together with the other variables in the model, were evaluated by 354 (n = 354) Ecuadorian managers. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that attitudes and external attributions significantly predicted managers’ intentions to discipline employees who accepted a bribe. In addition, external attributions mediated the relationship between individualism–collectivism and intent to discipline corrupt employees. Implications for the management of bribery in Latin American organizations are discussed.
Performance, cardiovascular, and health behavior effects of an inhibitory strength training intervention

Female undergraduates were assigned to one of three groups, two involving regulatory training and one not. Training participants performed for 2 weeks tasks that required strong behavioral restraint (Strong Training) or weak behavioral restraint (Weak Training). Later, they took part in (1) a laboratory session in which they performed tasks with inhibitory components, and (2) a follow-up week in which they provided health behavior reports and used designated dental supplies. No Training participants took part only in the session and follow-up week. As expected, laboratory performance was improved for Strong- relative to No Training participants, with performance for Weak Training participants falling in between. Also as expected, Strong Training participants used more floss in the follow-up week than did the No Training participants, with floss for Weak Training participants falling between. Contrary to expectation, Strong Training participants used less toothpaste and reported having brushed less than the No Training participants. In addition, Strong Training participants evinced exaggerated—rather than diminished—cardiovascular responses during the laboratory tasks. The performance and floss use data support the suggestion that inhibitory system strength can be increased through use. The brushing and cardiovascular findings may be interpretable in inhibitory strength terms.
Size and Local Democracy: Scale Effects in City Politics

As James Madison would not hesitate to tell us, the scale of a polity or jurisdiction is one of the most basic factors organizing political life. By scale, I refer to the number of inhabitants (or, alternately, constituents or voters) in a political unit, although geographic size may also shape political behavior. Large jurisdictional scale implies that candidates for office must campaign in larger constituencies, necessitating more use of paid media, more fundraising effort, and professional campaign advice. To residents of large-scale polities, government often seems distant, remote, and bureaucratic, and the intercession of interest groups, lobbyists, or organized protest activity may be more necessary to access or influence public officials. In these and other ways, the incentives, constraints, and opportunities facing politicians and citizens alike tend to differ systematically depending on a jurisdiction's scale.
Certain Uncorrelated Statistics

Abstract It is proved that an odd location statistic and an even location-free statistic are uncorrelated when sampling from a symmetric distribution. It is of interest to note the relative simplicity of the proof of this theorem, which is a generalization of two special results of Ostle and Steck.
Inference for Cox’s regression models via adjusted empirical likelihood

The Cox’s regression model is one of the most popular tools used in survival analysis. Recently, Qin and Jing (Commun Stat Simul Comput 30:79–90, 2001) applied empirical likelihood to study it with the assumption that baseline hazard function is known. However, in the Cox’s regression model the baseline hazard function is unspecified. Thus, their method suffers from severe defect. In this paper, we apply a variant of plug-in empirical likelihood by estimating the cumulative baseline hazard function. Adjusted empirical likelihood (AEL) confidence regions for the vector of regression parameters are obtained. Furthermore, we conduct a simulation study to evaluate the performance of the proposed AEL method by comparing it with normal approximation (NA) based method. The simulation studies show that both methods produce comparable coverage probabilities. The proposed AEL method outperforms the NA method based on power analysis.
A set of strongly coupled, upwind algorithms for computing flows in chemical nonequilibrium

Two new algorithms have been developed to predict the flow of viscous, hypersonic, chemically reacting gases over three-dimensional bodies. Both take advantage of the benefits of upwind differencing, Total Variation Diminishing (TVD) techniques and of a finite-volume framework, but obtain their solution in two separate manners. The first algorithym is a time-marching scheme, and is generally used to obtain solutions in the subsonic portions of the flow field. The second algorithm is a much less expensive, space-marching scheme and can be used for the computation of the larger, supersonic portion of the flow field. Both codes compute their interface fluxes with a new temporal Riemann solver and the resulting schemes are made fully implicit including the chemical source terms.
Indicators of glial activation and brain oxidative stress after intraventricular infusion of endotoxin

Glial activation and oxidative stress are both consequences of brain aging. To investigate whether glial activation causes oxidative stress or not, the immune activator, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), was intraventricularly injected into the rat brain. The expression of candidate genes were examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISHH) combined with immunohistochemistry for glial markers over a period of time up to 24 h after the LPS injection. The mRNA for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) was elevated around the injection site by 2 h, and the volume of elevated expression spread to the entire brain after 6 h, with higher levels present in the injected hemisphere. The level of inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase (i-NOS) mRNA increased in a punctate-like pattern in the region of the injection by 6 h and this response spread to the entire brain after 12 h. These results indicate that the glia are activated for at least 24 h after a single LPS injection. The mRNAs for a heat-shock protein (HSP70) and for the manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) were elevated in the ipsilateral hemisphere as early as 2 h post-injection, but these responses subsided nearly to basal levels by 4 h. These levels of mRNAs for these genes increased again after 6 h of the LPS injection; thus, the earlier increases of the messages appeared to be associated with the survival surgery procedure. With microautoradiographic analysis, scattered OX-42 positive cells expressed i-NOS mRNA after 6 h post-injection, but elevation of Mn-SOD mRNA was not detected in either microglia or astrocytes at any time point examined. The level for Cu/Zn-SOD mRNA did not alter at any time point. The beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) mRNAs were elevated beginning at 6 h. These results indicate that chronic glial activation leads to a condition of oxidative stress in the brain. The data also suggest that LPS injection could be used to study the effects of chronic glial activation on the survival of neuronal populations that could be at risk from oxidative stress.
Reversal of orphenadrine-induced ventricular tachycardia with physostigmine.

Abstract A 3-year-old boy developed confusion, generalized tonic-Tonic seizures, and sustained ventricular tachycardia following ingestion of an unknown quantity of orphenadrine (Norflex). Although refractory to precordial thump, synchronous cardioversion, and lidocaine, the ventricular tachycardia was reversed by intravenous admiinistration of the tertiary acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. We discuss the underlying physiology and manifestations of anticholinergic overdose, the specific manifestations of orphenadrine overdose, and the current recommendations refarding the utilization and toxicity of physostigmine in the treatment of anticholinergic syndromes and orphenadrine intoxication.
Comparison of EEG correlates of reinforcement, internal inhibition and sleep.

Summary 1. Electrocortical synchronization in cats was studied during various active and quiescent behavioral states. A similar pattern of synchronization occurs in the cortex during the following behaviors: the consumption of milk following the successful performance of a lever-pressing task, ad lib milk consumption, grooming, and drowsiness. This pattern is localized over the dorsal aspect of the lateral (marginal) gyrus and has a dominant frequency of 4–8 c/sec. 2. During various learned behavioral inhibitions, a different pattern of synchronization occurs. This activity is localized over the sensori-motor cortex with a dominant frequency of 12–16 c/sec. The same parameters were found to be characteristic of sleep spindles. 3. Synchronization during slow wave sleep occurs over the entire cortex and is characterized by large 4–12 c/sec activity. 4. These findings suggest that more than one active synchronigenic substrate exists in the brain. The mechanisms involved are operant in both behaviorally active and quiescent states.