cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generals and goles: assessing the connection between the military and soccer in Argentina

(1990). Generals and goles: assessing the connection between the military and soccer in Argentina. The International Journal of the History of Sport: Vol. 7, No. 1, pp. 120-130.
A second‐generation wavelet framework for super‐resolution with noise filtering

The use of second-generation wavelets to attain super-resolution with noise filtering is described for a captured sequence of low-resolution frames without any assumptions on grid (sampling lattice) structure. The approach is based on 2D methods. The procedure allows the incorporation of the more general projective camera motion model into the framework, instead of only displacement and rotational models. Several simulations that compare the implementations of the algorithm presented here with other related approaches help illustrate the suitability of SGWs (coupled with hard or soft thresholding) in the task of image sequence superresolution with simultaneous noise filtering. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 14, 84–89, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.20011
Amphiphilic ferrocene alcohols as electroactive probes in micellar solutions and microemulsions

2-Ferrocenyl-2-decanol (FcOHC 10 ), 2-ferrocenyl-2-tetradecanol (FcOHC 14 ), and 2-ferrocenyl-2-octadecanol (FcOHC 18 ) were synthesized and evaluated as electrochemical probes for the behavior of alcohols in micellar solutions and microemulsions. One-electron oxidations of the ferrocene moieties were nearly reversible and controlled by diffusion in microemulsions. The electrode reactions were more complex in micellar solutions and were influenced by diffusion, adsorption onto the electrode, and possibly chemical reactions coupled to electron transfer. Amphiphilic ferrocene alcohols were reasonably informative electrochemical probes in bicontinuous microemulsions made with cationic and anionic surfactants. Apparent diffusion coefficients suggested that the alcohols are distributed between the oil-water interfaces and the oil phase of the microemulsions, with increases in chain length favoring binding at this interface. Little evidence was found for adsorption of any ferrocene alcohols at any electrode-microemulsion interface. In comparison to microemulsions of cationic surfactants, the ferrocene alcohols were more easily and rapidly reduced in an SDS microemulsion. This may be attributed to Coulombic interactions between the ferricinium oxidation product and dodecyl sulfate.
Safety of invasive procedures in end-stage liver disease patients

Patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) are predisposed to bleeding complications due to thrombocytopenia, reduced synthesis of coagulation factors, and increased fibrinolytic activity. The exact incidence of vascular access site and bleeding complications related to cardiac catheterization in this group remains unknown. Eighty-eight consecutive patients with ESLD who underwent left-sided cardiac catheterization from August 2004 to February 2007 were identified. Eighty-one patients without known liver disease matched for age, gender, and body mass index who underwent left-sided cardiac catheterization during the same period were chosen as the control group. Vascular complications were defined as hematoma >5 cm, pseudoaneurysm, arteriovenous fistula, or retro-peritoneal bleeding. Patients with ESLD had lower baseline mean hematocrit (32.3 ± 6.0% vs 39.2 ± 6.2%, p <0.001) and mean platelet count (90.1 ± 66.3 vs 236.1 ± 77.1 X 10 9 /L, p <0.001) compared with controls. They also had higher mean serum creatinine (1.9 ± 1.7 vs 1.2 ± 0.8 mg/dl, p = 0.002) and mean international normalized ratio (1.6 ± 0.7 vs 1.1 ± 0.2, p <0.001). There were more complicated pseudoaneurysms in the patients with liver failure (5.7% [5 of 88]), compared with 0% in controls (p = 0.029). Patients with ESLD had lower starting hemoglobin levels and greater reductions in hemoglobin after cardiac catheterization, resulting in greater need for packed red blood cell transfusion (16% vs 4%, p = 0.008), fresh frozen plasma (51.7% vs 1.2%, p <0.001), and platelet transfusions (48.3% vs 1.2%, p <0.001). Major bleeding was higher in the ESLD group (14.8% vs 3.7%, p = 0.014), driven mainly by the need for blood transfusion. In conclusion, despite severe coagulopathy, left-sided cardiac catheterization may be performed safely in this patient population, with correction of coagulopathy and meticulous attention to procedural technique.
Transcriptome analysis of a barley breeding program examines gene expression diversity and reveals target genes for malting quality improvement

Advanced cycle breeding utilizes crosses among elite lines and is a successful method to develop new inbreds. However, it results in a reduction in genetic diversity within the breeding population. The development of malting barley varieties requires the adherence to a narrow malting quality profile and thus the use of advanced cycle breeding strategies. Although attention has been focused on diversity in gene expression and its association with genetic diversity, there are no studies performed in a single breeding program examining the implications that consecutive cycles of breeding have on gene expression variation and identifying the variability still available for future improvement. Fifteen lines representing the historically important six-rowed malting barley breeding program of the University of Minnesota were genotyped with 1,524 SNPs, phenotypically examined for six malting quality traits, and analyzed for transcript accumulation during germination using the Barley1 GeneChip array. Significant correlation was detected between genetic and transcript-level variation. We observed a reduction in both genetic and gene expression diversity through the breeding process, although the expression of many genes have not been fixed. A high number of quality-related genes whose expression was fixed during the breeding process was identified, indicating that much of the diversity reduction was associated with the improvement of the complex phenotype "malting quality", the main goal of the University of Minnesota breeding program. We also identified 49 differentially expressed genes between the most recent lines of the program that were correlated with one or more of the six primary malting quality traits. These genes constitute potential targets for the improvement of malting quality within the breeding program. The present study shows the repercussion of advanced cycle breeding on gene expression diversity within an important barley breeding program. A reduction in gene expression diversity was detected, although there is diversity still present after forty years of breeding that can exploited for future crop improvement. In addition, the identification of candidate genes for enhancing malting quality may be used to optimize the selection of targets for further improvements in this economically important phenotype.
Flotation technique for laboratory calibration of low-level accelerometers.

References 1 Brace, L. EL, Spencer, N. W., and Dalgarno, A., "Detailed Behavior of the Mid Latitude Ionosphere from the Explorer XVII Satellite," Planetary and Space Science, Vol. 13, 1965, pp. 647-666. 2 Brace, L. H., Reddy, B. M., and Mayr, H. G., "Global Behavior of the Ionosphere at 1000 km Altitude," The Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 72, 1967, pp. 265-284. 3 Dalgarno, A., McElroy, A. M. B., and Walker, J. C. G., "The Diurnal Variation of Ionospheric Temperatures, ' Planetary and Space Science, Vol. 15, 1967, pp. 331-345. 4 Hanson, W. B., McKibbin, D. C., and Sharp, G. W., "Some Ionospheric Measurements with Satellite Borne Ion-Traps," The Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 69, 1964, pp. 2747-2763. 5 Kmg-Hele, D. G., "The Rotational Speed of the Upper Atmosphere Determined from Changes in Satellite Orbits," Note Space 59, Feb. 1964, Royal Aircraft Establishment. 6 Mott-Smith, H. M. and Langmuir, M. S., "The Theory of Collectors in Gaseous Discharge," The Physical Review, Vol. 28, 1926, pp. 727-763. 7 Sagalyn, R. C., Smiddy, M., and Bhargava, Y. N., "Satellite Measurements of the Diurnal Variation of Electron Temperature in the F Region," Space Research V, North-Holland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1965, pp. 189-206. 8 CIRA, COSPAR International Reference Atmosphere, NorthHolland, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 1965. 9 Sagalyn, R. C. and Smiddy, M., "Electron Density and Temperature Measurements in the Ionosphere," Sounding Rocket Research Technique Instrumentation Manual No. 9, edited by K. Maeda, Committee on Space Research of the International Council of Scientific Unions, Feb. 1967. 10 Sagalyn, R. C. and Smiddy, M., "Positive Ion Sensing System for the Measurement of Spacecraft Pitch and Yaw, Air Force D-10 Experiment," Air Force Surveys in Geophysics No. 201, AFCRL 67-0158, Air Force Cambridge Research Labs., Dec. 1967.
Electroactivity of Cu2+ at a thin film assembly of gold nanoparticles linked by 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid

Abstract Core-shell nanoparticles are emerging advanced materials for developing novel electroanalytical platforms. This paper describes the results of an investigation of the electroactivity of Cu 2+ ions on electrodes coated with thin films assembled from thiolate-encapsulated gold nanoparticles of 2 nm core size (Au 2-nm ) and a carboxylic functionalized alkyl thiol linker, i.e. 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA). The high surface-to-volume ratio and the 3-D ligand network properties are potentially useful as sensitive and selective nanomaterials for the monitoring and removal of environmental heavy metals. The nanostructured MUA–Au 2-nm film is sensitive to Cu 2+ below 1 ppm. The selectivity of the electroactivity is also probed using mixed-metal systems such as Cu 2+ and Fe 3+ and Cu 2+ and Zn 2+ . Issues related to the electrochemical activity of these metal ions are also discussed.
Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Acute Leukemia: The Contribution of CT to Early Diagnosis and Aggressive Management

Over 80 percent of patients with invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (EPA) undergoing intensive antileukemic chemotherapy in a recent two-year period survived the pulmonary infection as a result of early diagnosis and aggressive therapy with high-dose amphotericin B and 5-fluorocytosine. CT played an important role in establishing the early diagnosis of IPA and affected management. Since our original communication describing the CT findings of IPA, we have added ten new cases, each subsequently substantiated by lung biopsy (two), autopsy (two), and/or positive cultures of sputum or extrapulmonary sites (seven). The CT halo sign, or zone of lower attenuation surrounding a pulmonary mass, was present in eight of nine patients with early CT scans obtained during bone marrow aplasia. Characteristic CT progression from multiple fluffy masses to cavitation or air crescent formation suggested IPA in five of seven patients with serial CT scans. CT directly affected patient management in seven of ten cases. Scan findings were one criterion for increasing to high-dose amphotericin B or for adding 5-fluorocytosine. CT characteristics of healing IPA lesions were similar to resolving pulmonary infarcts and were used to monitor disease activity in patients on long-term amphotericin B and prior to retreatment chemotherapy.
SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS OF CVD

The use of toxic materials in many CVD processes means that careful attention to safety procedures in handling and using these materials is essential. This paper addresses the safety aspects of the CVD process as a whole and then discusses two particular areas in more detail. The possibility of using less hazardous materials in processes is considered and illustrated by recent developments in MOCVD. Techniques for scrubbing waste gases from CVD effluent is also reviewed and some of the key issues discussed.
Lophotoxins: Irreversible active‐site‐directed inhibitors of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors

The lophotoxins are a family of structurally-related neurotoxins that can be isolated from various species of marine soft coral. Like many other naturally occurring neurotoxins, they inhibit nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, resulting in neuromuscular paralysis. However, they are unlike other nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonists in several respects. For instance, they do not contain a positive charge common to most cholinergic antagonists; they are conformationally constrained; they react covalently with a specific amino acid (Tyr190) in the a-subunit of the receptor; and they inhibit both neuronal and muscle subtypes of the receptor. These features make the lophotoxins useful probes for understanding the structure and function of neuronal and muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Their unique activity may also prove to be useful in a variety of clinical applications.
Deep-Level Comprehension of Science Texts: The Role of the Reader and the Text.

Many students from elementary school through college encounter difficulty understanding their science textbooks, regardless of whether they have language disorders. This article discusses some of the particular difficulties associated with science text comprehension and possible remedies for facilitating and enhancing comprehension of challenging expository text materials. Specifically, we focus on the difficulties associated with generating inferences needed to comprehend science texts. The successful generation of inferences is affected by factors such as students' prior knowledge and reading strategies, and the manner in which science texts are written. Many students lack the necessary prior knowledge and reading strategies to generate inferences and thus comprehend science texts only poorly. Further, science texts are typically "low-cohesion" texts, which means that they require readers to generate many inferences and fill in conceptual gaps. Remedies for overcoming comprehension difficulties include matching texts to students' knowledge level and providing explicit instruction aimed at teaching students to use reading comprehension strategies for comprehension monitoring, paraphrasing, and elaborations. The computer-supported tool iSTART (Interactive Strategy Training for Active Reading and Thinking) is introduced as a technological support to assist students and teachers in the teaching/learning enterprise.
Meeting ACGME requirements for a pediatric radiology training program.

Developing the essential components and meeting the ACGME requirements for a pediatric radiology training program is a time-consuming, yet important process. Numerous resources are available for those who are charged with the task. A curriculum in pediatric radiology was published in 1995. The Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR) has published additional material on non-interpretive radiologic issues. Examples of goals/objectives/curriculum/expectations and evaluations developed by our department are given in this article to be used as a baseline by other departments. During development, faculty members within the department should be consulted for input to insure successful implementation of the program.
Design and implementation of an audit trail in compliance with US regulations.

Background Audit trails have been used widely to ensure quality of study data and have been implemented in computerized clinical trials data systems. Increasingly, there is a need to audit access to study participant identifiable information to provide assurance that study participant privacy is protected and confidentiality is maintained. In the United States, several federal regulations specify how the audit trail function should be implemented.Purpose To describe the development and implementation of a comprehensive audit trail system that meets the regulatory requirements of assuring data quality and integrity and protecting participant privacy and that is also easy to implement and maintain.Methods The audit trail system was designed and developed after we examined regulatory requirements, data access methods, prevailing application architecture, and good security practices.Results Our comprehensive audit trail system was developed and implemented at the database level using a commercially available ...
A measurement technique to quantitate fugitive dust emission from handling of granular products

Abstract This presentation describes the results of several years' study to develop a dust measurement chamber to determine the fugitive dust emission resulting from handling granular products. Because the test is both simple and reproducible, it has been possible to quantitate accurately the effect that product type and product variables have on their dust emission rates. Coating agents are prime examples of a product variable and they are being studied in detail to obtain an understanding of how, and how well, they reduce dust emissions. The measured upper size of the generated dust is controlled by a vertical elutriation section which allows a total ‘suspended dust’-type measurement to be made independently of other test variables. Special large particle impactors have been used to determine the size distribution of the generated dust. Results from a few materials clearly show distinct differences in the size distribution of dust generated from various products. Because the test chamber is both quantitative and flexible, dust emission rates from about 0.0001 kg metric ton−1 to over 1 kg metric ton−1 can be measured.
Inverse VIX Futures ETNs: Caveat Emptor

This article examines the performance of 11 inverse volatility exchange-traded notes (ETNs) and 11 portfolios, consisting of an ETN and the S&P 500 Index, resulting in a total of 22 portfolios. Using risk-adjusted returns, actual wins versus expected wins, and two holding periods, the results establish that only the XXV consistently produces higher risk-adjusted returns than the S&P 500 regardless of the testing criteria. The SVXY also stands out as superior but underperforms the S&P 500 when the holding period is lengthened. The XIV is a strong performer relative to the S&P, but weaknesses are noted when the ranking criteria, holding period, or portfolio construction are altered. Finally, the benefits of portfolio diversification are found to be insufficient to outperform the S&P 500 for 10 of the 11 constructed portfolios. The pattern of the funds’ returns is such that it causes a reduction in, or even a reversal of, the benefits of portfolio diversification, regardless of the timeframe or ranking criteria applied.
Diminished Surface Clustering and Increased Perinuclear Accumulation of Large Conductance Ca2+-activated K+ Channel in Mouse Myometrium with Pregnancy

Large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels play a critical role in regulating myometrium contractility. Their current density, mRNA, and total protein are greatly diminished in myometrium of late pregnant rats versus nonpregnant animals. Opposite to rats, in mice, channel mRNA and total protein increase in late pregnancy, but current density decreases as in rats. Here, we investigated the mechanism of these differences. Real time PCR and Western blots demonstrate that, in late pregnancy, channel transcript quantities and total protein were diminished in rats but up-regulated in mice. High resolution confocal microscopy of single myocytes showed that, in nonpregnant mice, channels were expressed in clusters at the surface membrane. In late pregnancy, although there was an overall increase in channel protein, its majority was accumulated in perinuclear organelles, and channel clustering practically disappeared from the surface membrane. This contrasts with rat myometrium, where there is a reduction of channel transcripts and overall protein levels including the surface membrane. We conclude that large conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel surface expression is reduced in both rat and mouse late pregnant myometrium. However, in rats, the main mechanism for the reduced channel expression at the cell surface is a diminished transcription, whereas in mice, it is an altered traffic to the surface.
Automatic generation of intelligent agent programs

One cause for excitement about agent oriented AI is the belief that it is easier to write programs for many narrow, autonomous systems than for fewer, broader, user-driven systems. A related cause for excitement is the primary message of these comments: it is also easier to automatically generate agent programs. The artificial life, machine learning, and automatic programming literature already describes many experiments in which systems with agent-like properties have been automatically generated. Although most of the previously generated systems have been too simple to perform helpful tasks for actual users, recent advances suggest that useful intelligent agents will soon be within reach of these techniques. The paper focuses on one particular technology, genetic programming, but related points should apply to other automatic programming technologies.
The beneficial effect of intermittent total fasts on the glucose tolerance in obese diabetic patients.

Abstract Intermittent total fasts of 10 to 12 days in obese diabetic patients exerted beneficial effects on the results of the glucose tolerance tests. This improvement is attributed to (1) the fasting hyperketonemia, known to occur during total fasts in obese subjects, and which is believed to increase production of insulin plus (2) optimal sensitivity of the insulin probably due to low concentrations of growth hormone. The obese nondiabetic and obese patient with borderline or latent diabetes experienced a deterioration of the glucose tolerance by the end of the fast, presumably caused by decreased insulin sensitivity from increasing amounts of growth hormone. Premature feeding of obese diabetic persons decreased the serum ketones and decreased sugar tolerance.
Dynamic positron tomographic imaging with nitrogen-13 glutamate in patients with coronary artery disease: Comparison with nitrogen-13 ammonia and fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose imaging

This study was designed to test the usefulness of nitrogen-13 (N-13) glutamate imaging with positron emission tomography in defining myocardial ischemia in humans. Seventeen patients who had undergone coronary arteriography were studied with N-13 glutamate at peak supine exercise using a bicycle ergometer, as well as with the flow tracer N-13 ammonia at peak exercise during a second similar exercise test. Six of the patients also underwent imaging with N-13 glutamate at rest before exercise testing; in the remaining 11 patients imaging with fluorine-18 (F-18) fluorodeoxyglucose was performed to assess glucose metabolism after the second exercise test. Seven patients had classic metabolism-flow mismatches consistent with ischemia (that is, decreased N-13 ammonia uptake in a region with relatively increased F-18 fluorodeoxyglucose uptake). There was no evidence of increased N-13 glutamate uptake in the ischemic mismatched regions in any of these patients. In all 17 patients, the uptake of N-13 glutamate during exercise paralleled the uptake of N-13 ammonia during exercise, suggesting that N-13 glutamate behaves as a flow tracer rather than as a metabolic marker of ischemia in humans.
Accessibility analysis for the automatic inspection of mechanical parts by coordinate measuring machines

An overall strategy for inspection planning is discussed, and attention is focused on local and global accessibility cones and on algorithms for computing and clustering them. The direction-cone clusters serve to generate a minimal set of directions for inspecting a part. The algorithms are based primarily on the computation on Gaussian images and Minkowski (or sweeping) operations. Applications to computer vision and automatic machining are briefly presented. >
One bacterial effector with two distinct catalytic activities by different strains.

The causative agent of Legionnaires' disease, Legionella pneumophila , is a master manipulator of various eukaryotic hosts ranging from unicellular amoebae to mammals [1]. This intracellular pathogen, which invades macrophages in mammalian hosts, evades the default endosome–lysosome pathway and remodels the phagosome, enclosing it in an endoplasmic reticulum‐derived Legionella ‐containing vacuole (LCV). L. pneumophila facilitates this by hijacking a myriad of eukaryotic cellular functions through translocation of around 300 effectors into the host cell by the Dot/Icm type IVB secretion apparatus. More than 70 of the injected effector proteins contain eukaryotic‐like domains, including the ankyrin repeat, Sel1, F‐box, SET, U‐box and leucine‐rich repeats, which suggests L. pneumophila hijacks and manipulates various eukaryotic processes through molecular mimicry. Elegant work by Rolando et al [2] and Li et al [3] described a new effector, designated RomA or LegAS4, respectively, which exhibits molecular mimicry of host SET‐domain‐containing histone methyltransferases to hijack host transcriptional programming by methylating histones on specific lysine residues [2,3]. Histone methylation has a crucial role in epigenetic control of gene transcription. Prior to these findings, no intracellular pathogen had been shown to directly affect chromatin architecture to alter the host cell transcriptional landscape. Rolando and Li both show that RomA/LegAS4 is a histone methyltransferase, but that the functional phenotype of RomA/LegAS4 is different in the two strains of L. pneumophila used in the two studies. Rolando et al primarily used the …
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor: a molecular pathway for the environmental control of the immune response

Environmental factors have significant effects on the development of autoimmune diseases. The ligand-activated transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is controlled by endogenous and environmental small molecules. Hence, AHR provides a molecular pathway by which endogenous and environmental signals can influence the immune response and the development of autoimmune diseases. AHR also provides a target for therapeutic intervention in immune-mediated disorders. In this review, we discuss the role of AHR in the regulation of T-cell differentiation and autoimmunity.
The effect of manipulations of freshwater sediments on responses of benthic invertebrates in whole‐sediment toxicity tests

Manipulations of freshwater sediment were performed to remove indigenous organisms prior to conducting toxicity tests with three species of benthic invertebrates. The effects of these treatments on end points in bioassays were compared within and between two sediments, i.e., a “clean” sediment and a “contaminated” sediment. In addition, the effects of manipulations on the physicochemical structure of the two sediments and the presence of metals, PAHs, and PCBs in the contaminated sediment were examined. The amphipod Hyalella azteca was most sensitive to the manipulations and had low survival in sediment that was sterilized. Growth (milligrams dry weight per individual) was affected by the presence of contaminants. Survival of Chironomus riparius was not affected by any manipulation but was reduced by contaminants as well as indigenous organisms. Growth of C. riparius was higher in autoclaved sediment but lower in sediment containing endemic tubificid worms. Production of young by Tubifex tubifex increased in sediment that was irradiated, possibly due to increased detrital material. Particle size distribution, metals, nutrients, and PAHs varied little as a function of manipulation; however, sieving of sediment through 250-μm mesh did reduce percent total organic carbon (TOC), percent loss on ignition (LOI), and concentrations of some PCBs in either clean or contaminated sediment. Manipulation of sediments to remove endemic species should be determined on a case-by-case basis and is specific to the organisms used in toxicity tests.
Thoracic neurosecretory structures in brachyura. II. Secretory neurons.

Abstract The major neurohemal complex in the crab thorax, the pericardial organ-anterior ramifications (PO-AR), receives fibers from three kinds of secretory neurons: B-cells and C-cells located in the central thoracic nerve mass, and PO or AR cells located in the PO-AR complex. There are about 25 segmentally arranged B-cells on each side. Axonic branches from three to five B-cells run toward the PO-AR complex in each of the first seven paired segmental nerves. A clump of about 200 C-cells on each side is located dorso-laterally at the level of the first and second thoracic segments. Granule-containing C-cell axon branches run in segmental nerve one to the PO-AR complex. Both B-cells and C-cells send dendrites into the central neuropile. There is probably one secretory neuron in the AR. It is similar to the three neurons located in the anterior region of the PO. These four cells apparently contribute secretory fibers to the PO-AR complex. About twenty smaller neurons occur in the posterior bars of the PO. Fresh C-cells may show iridescent colors under darkfield or incident illumination. These were not observed in other cells of the thoracic mass and are attributed to submicroscopic cytoplasmic regularities associated with production of secretory granules. Fresh anterior PO cells of many species usually contain a dense refracting material which renders them brilliant milky white under darkfield illumination. No other neurons in the thorax showed such opacity. Posterior PO cells are transparent. Fresh B-cells were not identified, but many fixed and stained B-cells are characterized by massive inclusions of presumed secretory material. On the basis of differences in the supposed sites of synthesis one may suggest that at least three distinct neurosecretory products are stored and/or released from the PO-AR complex. A lateral intersegmental tract of six fibers runs within the loose inner connective tissue sheath of the thoracic ganglia. Each fiber apparently contributes a peripheral branch to each of six thoracic segments, and one contral branch to the neuropile of segment four, five, six, or seven. The tract is not obviously concerned with neurosecretion and its function is unknown.
Coronary blood flow assessment with xenon and rubidium

A critical review is made of the methods using 133 Xe and 84 Rb for the determination of coronary blood flow. Although coronary blood flow has been measured in man for over 25 yr, an ideal clinically applicable method has not yet been established. The major problem in the xenon method arises when flow is not uniform throughout the heart, as is certainly the case in coronary artery disease. Then the calculation of flow from multiexponential decay curves is problematic. Another difficulty is the dependence of the numerical flow value on the tissue-blood partition coefficient and its possible changes in a diseased state. An additional disadvantage is the requirement of catheterization of the coronary arteries; however, this permits separation of flow through right and left coronary circulation and correlation of flow values directly to anatomic findings obtained on coronary arteriography. The use of 133 Xe also makes the determination of regional flow distribution and measurement of collateral flow possible. The main limitation of the 84 Rb coincidence-counting system lies in its inaccuracy of absolute quantification at high flow rates. Although the determination of nutritional blood flow by the rubidium clearance technique underestimates very high flow rates, it reflects an accurate estimate of directional changes in myocardial blood flow. It is a non-invasive method requiring only venous and arterial punctures. Every area of the myocardium, regardless of the degree of perfusion, contributes to the numerical value of the measurement.
Long-range across metal 1H-1H coupling in organometallic derivatives

Abstract Long-range “across metal” coupling has been observed in vinyl- and propenyl-mercury derivatives. In Hg(C 2 H 3 ) 2 6 J tt = 0.6, 6 J cc = 0.4 and 6 J ct = 0.2 Hz. 5 J and 4 J in this compound are less than 0.2 Hz. In CH 3 HgC 2 H 5 , 5 J t = 0.33, 5 J c = 0.15 and 4 J = 0.07 Hz. These assignments have been confirmed by an investigation of CH 3 Hg cis -C 3 H 5 , CH 3 Hg trans -C 3 H 3 and CH 3 Hg gem -C 3 H 5 .
Are female guppies more likely to flee when approached by two males

Female guppies Poecilia reticulata often flee when approached by a single courting male but observations show fleeing is more likely when two males approach simultaneously. This may represent a response to a greater cost of being courted by two males.
Multispectral endoscopic imaging of colorectal dysplasia in vivo.

Light provides a broad range of colors in the visible and near-infrared (400–900 nm) spectrum that can be used to transmit information about molecular expression in normal and diseased tissues. The absorbance spectrum of hemoglobin, the primary chromophore in tissue, is shown in Fig. 1A. Genetic changes that occur in cancer transformation can be heterogeneous, and several signaling pathways may be activated concurrently.1 Moreover, molecular activity levels may vary between individual patients, at different time points, and within the tumor. Thus, a single genetic mutation is unlikely to characterize most disease processes over a general population. Unfortunately, most endoscopic imaging methods are sensitive to only one molecular parameter.2 Thus, a methodology that can image multiple molecular targets simultaneously is better suited to address the heterogeneity of cancer and achieve disease detection with high sensitivity and specificity desired for efficient surveillance. In addition, these multiplexed strategies can potentially visualize the interactions between signaling pathways and allow for better understanding of disease pathogenesis on a systems level. Figure 1 A) The visible and near-infrared spectrum of light provides a broad range of colors to generate molecular images from digestive tract mucosa that can be collected with a B) 1.6 mm diameter multispectral scanning fiber endoscope. C) Excitation is delivered ... Recently, significant progress has been made in advancing new methods of endoscopic imaging to target disease in the digestive tract, including the development of novel instruments and specific contrast agents.3 In this video journal, we aim to demonstrate the application of a novel, multispectral endoscope that uses a scanning fiber to image multiple targets at the same time. Fluorescence imaging can be achieved with high target-to-background ratios, and allow us to see the different target expression patterns in an Apc-mutation dependent mouse model of spontaneous colorectal adenomas using multiple peptides as targeting ligands.4
Discovering temporal relations in molecular pathways using protein-protein interactions

The availability of large-scale protein-protein interaction data provides us with many opportunities to study molecular pathways involving proteins. In this paper we propose to mine temporal relations in molecular pathways by protein-protein interaction data. In particular, we model the assembly pathways of protein complexes with interval graphs and determine the temporal order of joining the pathway for proteins by ordering the vertices in the interaction graph. We develop a tool called Xronos to perform such a computation. We then apply Xronos to the ribosome assembly pathway and present validation results for the obtained ordering. The results are promising and show the potential usage for Xronos in the study of molecular pathways.
Window factor analysis: Theoretical derivation and application to flow injection analysis data

Window factor analysis (WFA) is a self-modeling method for extracting the concentration profiles of individual components from evolutionary processes such as flow injection, chromatography, titrations and reaction kinetics. The method takes advantage of the fact that each component lies in a specific region along the evolutionary axis, called the window. Theoretical equations are derived. The method is used to extract the concentration profiles and spectra of seven bismuth species from data obtained by Gemperline and Hamilton, who injected bismuth perchlorate into a flowing stream of hydrochloric acid.
Retinoic acid resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia

Primary resistance of PML-RARα-positive acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) to the induction of clinical remission (CR) by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is rare but markedly increases in frequency after ≥2 relapses from chemotherapy-induced CRs. Nevertheless, even in de novo cases, the primary response of ATRA-naive cases is variable by several measures, suggesting involvement of heterogeneous molecular elements. Secondary, acquired ATRA resistance occurs in most patients treated with ATRA alone and in many patients who relapse from combination ATRA chemotherapy regimens despite limited ATRA exposure. Although early studies suggested that an adaptive hypercatabolic response to pharmacological ATRA levels is the principal mechanism of ATRA resistance, recent studies suggest that molecular disturbances in APL cells have a predominant role, particularly if disease relapse occurs a few months after discontinuing ATRA therapy. This review summarizes the systemic and APL cellular elements that have been linked to clinical ATRA resistance with emphasis on identifying areas of deficient information and important topics for further investigation. Overall, the subject review strongly supports the hypothesis that, although APL is an infrequent and nearly cured disease, much can be gained by understanding the complex relationship of ATRA resistance to the progression and relapse of APL, which has important implications for other leukemias and malignancies.
Primary alcohol versus primary drug use among adolescents: An examination of differences

Examination of differences between primary alcohol and drug abusing adolescents can provide valuable direction to intervention efforts, though little research in this area has been conducted. The current study compared primary alcohol and primary drug abusing runaway adolescents who were randomly assigned to family therapy or treatment as usual. Baseline differences, as well as response to treatment, were examined separately for alcohol and drug use and by gender. Although few baseline differences were found, hierarchical linear modeling indicated that alcohol and drug abusing male and female adolescents responded differently to therapy. Primary drug using males showed poorer alcohol use outcomes than did primary alcohol abusers. Specifically, alcohol use increased for primary drug using males receiving family therapy, while drug use decreased in all groups. Findings suggest that alcohol and drug use outcomes might be improved at treatment planning through consideration of client's gender and primary alcohol versus drug use.
Wheat embryogenesis and haploid production in wheat × maize hybrids

Embryogenesis was analyzed in wheat × maize hybrids using paraffin sectioning. Embryogenesis in wheat × maize hybrids is different from that in self-pollinated wheat plants. Development of the embryo is not accompanied by the formation of an endosperm. The endosperm nuclei remain free in the cytoplasm, fail to advance into the cellular stage, and degenerate at a later time. The antipodal cells quickly degenerate in the fertilized ovaries of wheat × maize hybrids similar to self-pollinated ovaries. The antipodal cells remain normal in unpollinated ovaries. The pre-embryo will abort if it is allowed to develop on the plant, because of a nutritional shortage in the absence of an endosperm. Therefore, embryo rescue is necessary for haploid production from a wheat × maize hybrids. Haploid polyembryos were obtained from spikelet culture of wheat × maize hybrids. The formation of polyembryos is due to the cleavage of the pre-embryo and the effect of 2,4-D. The frequency of haploid embryo production and plant regeneration is affected significantly by maize genotypes, but not by wheat genotypes. The concentration of 2,4-D affects only the size of the embryo.
Effects of intravenously administered propranolol on wall motion abnormalities

Abstract Although propranolol is frequently utilized as therapy for angina pectoris in patients with previous myocardial infarction, its effects on wall motion abnormalities in such patients have not been adequately defined. Accordingly, using external wall motion video tracking, we studied 18 patients with previous myocardial infarction and wall motion disorders and 5 normal subjects before and after administration of propranolol, 5 mg intravenously. Systolic time intervals, heart rate and left heart size (measured by the distance between the mid-line and left heart border in an X-ray film triggered at end-diastole after a standard inspiration) were also measured before and after administration of propranolol. In each instance propranolol produced a reduction in the amplitude and velocity of wall motion in areas of normal movement, hypokinesis and paradox, resulting in decreased outward bulging. In the normal subjects, the amplitude and velocity of wall motion also decreased. In the patients with previous myocardial infarction, propranolol increased the ratio of the preejection period to the left ventricular ejection time from a mean of 0.377 ± 0.03 (standard error of the mean) to 0.409 ± 0.03 (P
Oxidation of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide by melanin

Abstract Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide is rapidly oxidized in the presence of melanin. One atom of oxygen is consumed per mole of coenzyme oxidized. The reduced melanin is subsequently autoxidized producing melanin and H2O2. The stable free radical property of melanins may serve a metabolic function in the melanocyte.
Next-Generation Treatments for Mental Disorders

There has been a steady retreat by the private sector away from developing medications for mental disorders. This retreat comes just as research is identifying new molecular targets, new clinical targets, and new uses of current treatments that may serve as the basis for the next generation of treatments for mental disorders.
Economic Aspects of Adulteration and Imitation

Introduction, 1. — I. Definition of terms, 2. — II. Reactions to a falsified good: (1) the genuine is displaced, 8; (2) both remain in use, 11; (3) the falsified disappears, 13; (4) the demand for both falls, 13; (5) the demand for both increases, 16. — Importance of knowledge, 17. — III. Effect of conditions of production, 20; of elasticity of supply, 21. — IV. Effect of legal enactments: labelling, 23; grading, 25. — V. Effect upon the national economy and the final user, 26. — Waste, 27. — Introduction of novelties, 30. — Expense for protection, 31.
Can cervical dysplasia and cancer be prevented with nutrients

Invasive cervical cancer accounts for 11.6% of all cancers worldwide and is the second most common cancer among women. It is the most common cancer among women living in less developed countries. Although infection with oncogenic-type human papillomaviruses (HPV) is associated with most cases of cervical cancer, HPV infection alone is an insufficient cause of cervical cancer. Research from the last two decades suggests a role for nutrients in the prevention of cervical cancer. However, results from phase III folic acid and β-carotene chemoprevention trials have been negative. Potential reasons for the lack of treatment effect are discussed within the context of cervical carcinogenesis.
Size vs. power-to-weight ratio in integrated actuation

Investigates whether there exists some universal trend such that an actuator utilizing the same kind of energy source but having a small size will have an intrinsic advantage in terms of power-to-weight ratio (PWR). The results indicate that this trend does not exist in general. In fact it is found that the maximum PWR of most electric motors is independent of motor size even though their force-to-weight ratio (FWR) may vary, except that the PWR of striated muscles of vertebrates increases with muscle size. Therefore, the advantage of integrated actuation must come from other aspects such as flexibility in controlling shape, velocity and force, robustness, etc.
Silk Degumming: I. Degradation of Silk Sericin by Alkalies

The chemical properties of sericin are reviewed. When alkalies or soap react upon sericin a progressive degradation of the sericin particle takes place in solution after the sericin leaves the silk...
HandJabber: an enactive framework for collaborative creative expression

HandJabber is a movement-based interactive sound installation and research environment for exploring collaborative creative expression. HandJabber utilizes the emergence of semantic meanings from gesture and interpersonal behavior as a single interface for music performance by responding to an individual participant's hand and arm gestures, and reacting to the non-verbal interpersonal behavior between two participants. Within this context, we explore three major areas of non-verbal behavior, (a) metaphoric hand and arm gesture, (b) interpersonal space, and (c) body orientation. Our poster presents results from informal user and case studies.
FDTD calculation of scattering from frequency-dependent materials

An efficient method to include frequency-dependent materials in finite difference time domain calculations based on the recursive evaluation of the convolution of the electric field and the susceptibility function has previously been presented. The method has been applied to various materials, including those with the Debye, Drude, and Lorentz forms of complex permittivity, and to anisotropic magnetized plasmas. Previous demonstrations of this approach have been confined to total field calculations in one dimension. In this paper the recursive convolution method is extended to three-dimensional scattered field calculations. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by calculating scattering from spheres of various sizes composed of three different types of frequency-dependent materials. >
A Kernel of Truth? The Impact of Television Storylines Exploiting Myths About Organ Donation on the Public's Willingness to Donate

In this study, 580 participants viewed one of the 30 full-length entertainment television episodes. Fifteen of these episodes centered on an organ donation storyline (ODS) where facts about the process were portrayed inaccurately; the remaining 15 were matched by program, but did not feature organ donation, and served as controls. Results indicated nondonors were significantly impacted by negative organ-donation-related content. ODSs produced more negative attitudes, less accurate knowledge, and perceptions of social and descriptive norms less supportive of organ donation among nondonors. However, participants who had already declared a willingness to donate organs after death were not significantly impacted by entertainment television's depiction of myths about donation.
Inbreeding depression in two populations of Arenaria uniflora (Caryophyllaceae) with contrasting mating systems

I used parallel family-structured crossing designs to investigate the relative performance of self and outcross progeny in selfing and predominantly outcrossing populations of the annual plant Arenaria uniflora. The selfer population experienced much lower inbreeding depression (da0.05 a 0.02 SE) than the outcrossers (da0.19 a 0.02 SE). The negative association between genetic load and selfing rate suggests that purgable partially recessive alleles are the primary source of inbreeding depression, as does its late expression in both populations. Inbreeding depression in the selfer population, which naturally consists of highly inbred lines, was used to calculate the mean dominance (ha0.33) and incidence rate (Ua0.30) of deleterious mutations. In the outcrosser population, significant variation among individuals in the expression of inbreeding depression may reflect lineage-specific diAerences in inbreeding history or, more probably, random variation in mutational load. The low (0.5) inbreeding depression of outcrossers suggests that the maintenance of a mixed mating system in some A. uniflora populations and the evolution of nearly cleistogamous self-pollination in others may reflect local pollinator-mediated selection for selfing rather than the constant 3:2 genetic advantage invoked by many models.