cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assay of alkaline phosphatase isoenzymes by a convenient precipitation and inhibition methodology.

By combining the theophylline inhibition assay for placential isoenzyme analysis with the lectin precipitation procedure for bone isoenzyme detection, a new more complete method for alkaline phosphatase isoenzyme analysis was devised. Moreover, the method employs common clinical laboratory instruments and is easy to perform.After an examination of the method and its verification by electrophoretic methods with commercial control samples and clinical samples, a careful study was performed to determine the normal ranges. These results were then used as guidelines for placing patients in clinical categories. Verification of these categories by other clinical data on the patients confirmed the validity of the method.
Social Pathways in the Comorbidity between Type 2 Diabetes and Mental Health Concerns in a Pilot Study of Urban Middle- and Upper-Class Indian Women

Abstract This report describes preliminary findings about the connections between type 2 diabetes, mental health, and normative social roles among women living in Delhi, India. We conducted freelist interviews with 62 diabetic and nondiabetic women about women's roles, perceptions of diabetes, and “tension,” a common Hindi-language idiom used to express stress. Using the freelist results, we produced and then administered a questionnaire to a pilot sample of 33 diabetic women. Among the diabetic women, physical symptoms of diabetes predicted higher biomedical anxiety and “tension,” whereas difficulties achieving gender-specific social roles predicted higher biomedical depression. We conclude that both physical symptoms of diabetes and difficulties achieving socially important roles contribute to poor mental health among these diabetic women; further research will clarify the relationships among depression, anxiety, “tension,” and women's physically and socially mediated experiences of diabetes.
A genetic algorithm-based solution methodology for modular design

Combinatorial optimization problems usually have a finite number of feasible solutions. However, the process of solving these types of problems can be a very long and tedious task. Moreover, the cost and time for getting accurate and acceptable results is usually quite large. As the complexity and size of these problems grow, the current methods for solving problems such as the scheduling problem or the classification problem have become obsolete, and the need for an efficient method that will ensure good solutions for these complicated problems has increased. This paper presents a genetic algorithm (GA)-based method used in the solution of a set of combinatorial optimization problems. A definition of a combinatorial optimization problem is first given. The definition is followed by an introduction to genetic algorithms and an explanation of their role in solving combinatorial optimization problems such as the traveling salesman problem. A heuristic GA is then developed and used as a tool for solving various combinatorial optimization problems such as the modular design problem. A modularity case study is used to test and measure the performance of the developed algorithm.
Mechanical response of KD2xH2(1−x)PO4 crystals during nanoindentation

The deformation behavior of rapidly grown tetragonal KD2xH2(1−x)PO4 (KDP and DKDP) single crystals, with a deuteration degree x of 0.0, 0.3, and 0.6, is studied by nanoindentation with a 1 μm radius spherical indenter. Within experimental error, the deformation behavior is found to be independent of the deuterium content and different for (001) and (100) surfaces. Multiple discontinuities (so-called “pop-in” events) in force-displacement curves are observed during indentation loading, but not during unloading. Slip is identified as the major mode of plastic deformation in DKDP, and pop-in events are attributed to the initiation of slip.
Select Learning Organizations

Transformation is how adults make meaning from and interpret experiences. Transformation know-how is an important attribute to demonstrate while leading. This paper examines the transformational ability of leaders. It is generally perceived that since leaders have similar leadership skills, the perception of how they transform their organizations into learning organizations would be uniform. Expectations directly influence meaning and how the perspective changes to accommodate the new experience. This could be attributed to factors like a leaderâ€™s educational background, experience in a complex organization, or exposure to successful change efforts. This study attributes specific leadership experiences and perceptions toward the ability to transform an organization. Critical success factors are sound awareness of transformation, the courage to engage in a disoriented dilemma, to accept the knowledge that a perspective requires new understandings of those who lead at all levels within the organization, and the ability to articulate the strategic direction and gain the motivation and engagement from all stakeholders. Four leadership skills are found in the literature that acknowledges transformational leaders have similar skills and perceptions on transforming a traditional organization into a learning organization: a) sense of urgency, b) envision a new vision, c) catalyst for a cultural shift, and d) strategic thinking.
Fiber Quality Response of Pima Cotton to Nitrogen and Phosphorus Deficiency

Abstract Imposing a moderate level of nutrient deficiency may be an effective management strategy to limit vegetative growth and enhance maturity of Pima cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.). Whether such deficiency affects fiber quality of American Pima cotton, however, is not well known. A field study was conducted in 1991 and 1992 to determine the fiber quality responses of Pima cotton to nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization ranging between deficient and excess. Pima cotton cv. “S‐7” was treated with nitrogen rates ranging between 0 and 269 kg ha−1 in a factorial combination with phosphorus rates ranging between 0 and 44 kg ha−1. Fiber property measurements included fiber length, strength, fineness, elongation, and color properties. Increasing rate of applied nitrogen significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased fiber length, elongation, micronaire, and color characteristics and reduced fiber uniformity ratio in 1991. Increasing nitrogen rate significantly (P ≤ 0.10) increased fiber length, uniformity index, and ye...
Serotonin concentration and turnover in cerebelum and other brain regions of pcd mutant mice

Abstract The Purkinje cell degeneration ( pcd ) mutant mouse is characterized by loss of Purkinje cells in the cerebellum. Loss of granule cells occurs and is severe in pcd mutants after 9 months of age. Since Purkinje cells and granule cells represent two groups of target cells for serotonin neurons projecting from raphe nuclei and other brain areas, the content and turnover of serotonin in the cerebellum were determined in pcd mice aged 3–15 months. The content of serotonin was not decreased in pcd mouse cerebellum but tended to be slightly increased after 7 months. The ratio of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) to serotonin was significantly decreased in cerebellum at 7–15 months but not at 3 or 6 months. The decrease in this ratio is indicative of decreased serotonin turnover. Similar changes were not seen in brainstem or hypothalamus in mice up to 14 months old, but slight decreases were observed at 15 months. Another index of turnover, the accumulation of 5-HIAA after administration of probenecid to block its efflux from brain, was decreased by 46% in 7-month-old pcd mice in the cerebellum but not in the brainstem or hypothalamus. The decrease in serotonin turnover in pcd mouse cerebellum occurs subsequent to and perhaps due to the loss of the target Purkinje and granule cells.
Hierarchical methods and sampling design for conservation monitoring of tropical marine hard bottom communities

1. A 4-year study developed methods for annual monitoring of shallow-water tropical marine benthic communities to detect changes in spatial patterning and benthic diversity. Two low-relief sponge/octocoral communities were selected from natural colour photography to gain a broader perspective on spatial variability in the benthic community structure of similar community types. 2. Changes in benthic spatial patterning were studied using four methods: (i) substrata and lifeform coverage characterization, (ii) species inventories, (iii) belt quadrat measurements of taxa-level (algae, sponges, octocorals and stony corals) density, area coverage and size, and (iv) belt quadrat measurements of species-level density, area coverage and area per individual or colony. 3. A sampling hierarchy of multiple parameters was utilized to detect changes in benthic community diversity. Substrata and lifeform characterizations (at the taxa-versus species-level) were the least sensitive and serve as indicators of catastrophic change in community structure. 4. Changes in spatial patterning of the benthos that may be attributed to low-level, chronic anthropogenic disturbances can be best studied utilizing belt quadrat measurements. The use of multiple study sites and a sampling hierarchy was useful in minimizing Type II errors and to determine the level of monitoring necessary to segregate natural rates of change from anthropogenic impacts.
Bombardment induced cascade mixing and the importance of post-cascade relaxation

Abstract A molecular dynamics multiple interactions simulation computer code has been used to study the near-surface effect of cascade mixing due to ion bombardment. 90% of all moved atoms recoil forward or backward only one layer and 70% of all recoil atoms are displaced to their nearest neighbour positions. A comparison of the computed results and the results predicted from statistical theories indicates that both models would produce similar results if the lower limit in the energy threshold of the statistical theories were decreased sufficiently to include the movement of many more low energy recoils. A further comparison is made between the distributions of recoil-atom displacements at the end of the dynamic regime, and after the damaged crystallite has coalesced. There is a small degree of rearrangement, due to the collapse of collision spikes, but the resultant displacement distributions are similar.
Particle-size properties of oilwell cements

Abstract Particle size distribution (PSD) was measured by a sedimentation method for 27 oilwell cements that met API physical and compositional specifications. Cumulative mass distribution (CMD) curves had very similar shapes when plotted as a function of particle diameter from 0.4 to 100-μm. Particles μ m diameter accounted for from 19 to 40% of the total mass, depending upon the class of cement, and for from 63 to 76% of the total surface area. Detection of multimodal distributions was not possible because of the magnitude of the experimental error. A very high linear correlation was found between Blaine fineness (190 to 440 m 2 /kg) and surface area calculated from CMD.
Na,K-ATPase of cultured bovine lens epithelial cells: H2O2 effects

Abstract Na,K-ATPase function was studied in cultured bovine lens epithelial cells under confluent and non-confluent conditions. The affinity of the Na,K-ATPase for the cardiac glycoside, ouabain, differs between the confluent and non-confluent cultures. The confluent cells have a higher affinity for ouabain than do the non-confluent cells. The ouabain affinity of the confluent cells is similar to that for the Na,K-ATPase isolated from the bovine axolemma and the bovine lens cortex. The ouabain affinity of the non-confluent cells is similar to that for the Na,K-ATPase of the renal medulla and bovine lens epithelium. Similar results are not found with confluent and non-confluent MDCK cells. H 2 O 2 treatment of confluent and non-confluent lens epithelial cell cultures has differing effects on the Na,K-ATPase function. In the confluent cell preparations, H 2 O 2 affects K + -dependent dephosphorylation of the intermediate phosphoenzyme. In the non-confluent preparations, H 2 O 2 appears to inhibit K + -occlusion.
METALLOTHIONEIN-LIKE HEAVY METAL BINDING PROTEIN LEVELS IN ASIATIC CLAMS ARE DEPENDENT ON THE DURATION AND MODE OF EXPOSURE TO CADMIUM

Abstract The influence of duration and route of exposure to cadmium (Cd) on the levels of Cd and metallothionein (MT)-like heavy metal binding protein (HMBP) in soft tissues of the Asiatic clam Corbicula fluminea was assessed. Tissue concentrations of Cd and MT-like HMBP were highly correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.97) during a continuous 30-day exposure of clams to dissolved Cd (0.10 mg 1−1). Continuous exposure of Asiatic clams to dissolved Cd (0.10 mg 1−1) for 30 days in a second study revealed that gills, mantle and adductor muscles (collectively referred to as GMA) had higher concentrations of Cd and MT-like HMBP than visceral mass of the same organism. Ingestion of Cd-contaminated algae by C. fluminea (4 h day−1 for 15 days) resulted in higher concentrations of Cd and MT-like HMBP in visceral mass than GMA. These data indicate that the levels of Cd and MT-like HMBP in soft tissues of the Asiatic clam are dependent on the duration and mode of exposure to Cd.
A Review of Emerging Technology Trends in E-Commerce

After several years of growth, ecommerce has become mainstream and matured. However, the new challenges require that tomorrow’s ecommerce system move beyond the basic functions such as a static website with electronic catalog and/or a shopping cart towards an intelligent, dynamic, and secure commerce system. Businesses are expecting to streamline their business processes and have an efficient information system so that they can share information and maximize business investments and opportunities. This research project attempts to explore the emerging technologies that can solve these issues such as systems integration and information sharing. Specifically, the nascent technologies introduced include application services, web services, grid computing and their combinations. The potential factors that influence businesses to adopt ecommerce are discussed. Knowledge of these new technology trends will definitely help businesses in making strategic decisions and thus increase their business sustainability and competitiveness.
Trials and tribulations: Do clinical trials prove that irradiation increases cardiac and secondary cancer mortality in the breast cancer patient?

In this issue, the reader will find a number of articles which demonstrate the beneficial effect of radiation in the treatment of breast cancer. This benefit is reported for practically all stages of the disease. However, recent reports of the harmful and lethal effect of radiation in the treatment of breast cancer contradict the beneficial reports and confuse the entire gamut on oncologists. Is there in fact a harmful effect of radiation therapy for the breast cancer patient? A 1987 report in the medical literature based on metaanalysis of “randomized” clinical trials of adjuvant irradiation in the treatment of breast cancer claimed an increased mortality for patients treated with radiation (7, 8). This increased mortality was noted only after a period of 10 to 15 years. More recent reports of two of the individual trials included in the meta-analysis which contributed the majority of patients to the meta-analysis have also noted an increased mortality after 10 years ( 10, 12). All oncologists agree that adjuvant irradiation significantly decreases the incidence of local recurrences; however, because of these reports, many medical oncologists and radiation oncologists have ceased recommending adjuvant radiation therapy post-mastectomy even when indicated. Conceivably, these reports could also negatively affect the role of irradiation in the conservation treatment of breast cancer. There can be no question that irradiation can be carcinogenic and can produce serious acute and chronic damage in normal tissue, possibly leading to death. However, before discarding the use of radiation in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer, it is important to determine whether the increased mortality noted in these studies is predictive of all approaches to adjuvant irradiation of breast cancer or is caused by the radiation techniques used and/or possibly biased selection of patients. With these factors in mind, analysis of the recent update of the two trials included in the latest meta-analysis will help us to evaluate the applicability and validity of their findings to present-day statistical and radiotherapeutic techniques.
Wiring in uniform grids and two-colorable maps

Abstract We show how the concept of two-colorable maps can be used in order to obtain a systematic approach to wiring layouts in the octo-square grid (i.e., the square grid with the diagonals of 45° and 135°). The algorithms for obtaining the wiring of a layout run in time linear with respect to the area occupied by the layout. Furthermore, we show how to extend this approach to other uniform grids.
Pick Your Poison: Beg the Question or Embrace Circularity

According to Roderick Chisholm, there are three ways of responding to the Problem of the Criterion and they all leave something to be desired. Michael DePaul, Paul Moser, and Earl Conee have each proposed variations of a fourth way of responding to this problem that rely on reflective equilibrium. We argue that these four options for responding to the Problem of the Criterion leave one with a tough choice: accept one of the three that Chisholm describes or DePaul’s reflective equilibrium approach and beg the question or accept a reflective equilibrium response of the sort Conee and Moser propose and embrace epistemic circularity.
Conflicted Americanism: The case of the Sacco-Vanzetti affair

Why do Europeans, and especially the French, hate America? That question has been at the forefront of intellectual debate since the war in Iraq and other policies of the Bush administration led to a massive decline of American popularity in most European countries. Many commentators have come to argue that anti-Americanism has little to do with America itself, that it is first and foremost a self-referential discourse, which is little affected by the ebb and flow of transatlantic relations. In his new book on the international reception of the Sacco-Vanzetti affair, however, Moshik Temkin throws a very different light on this issue. In fascinating detail, Temkin shows how the mistrial of two poor Italian immigrants in 1921 reverberated in France and other European countries. He explains how it can be seen as evidence not simply of anti-Americanism, but of a ‘conflicted’ Americanism, which was very much affected by what American policy-makers did or did not do.
A Mechanism for Frequency Modulation in Songbirds Shared with Humans

In most animals that vocalize, control of fundamental frequency is a key element for effective communication. In humans, subglottal pressure controls vocal intensity but also influences fundamental frequency during phonation. Given the underlying similarities in the biomechanical mechanisms of vocalization in humans and songbirds, songbirds offer an attractive opportunity to study frequency modulation by pressure. Here, we present a novel technique for dynamic control of subsyringeal pressure in zebra finches. By regulating the opening of a custom-built fast valve connected to the air sac system, we achieved partial or total silencing of specific syllables, and could modify syllabic acoustics through more complex manipulations of air sac pressure. We also observed that more nuanced pressure variations over a limited interval during production of a syllable concomitantly affected the frequency of that syllable segment. These results can be explained in terms of a mathematical model for phonation that incorporates a nonlinear description for the vocal source capable of generating the observed frequency modulations induced by pressure variations. We conclude that the observed interaction between pressure and frequency was a feature of the source, not a result of feedback control. Our results indicate that, beyond regulating phonation or its absence, regulation of pressure is important for control of fundamental frequencies of vocalizations. Thus, although there are separate brainstem pathways for syringeal and respiratory control of song production, both can affect airflow and frequency. We hypothesize that the control of pressure and frequency is combined holistically at higher levels of the vocalization pathways.
Design of the Advanced LIGO recycling cavities

The current LIGO detectors will undergo an upgrade which is expected to improve their sensitivity and bandwidth significantly. These advanced gravitational-wave detectors will employ stable recycling cavities to better confine their spatial eigenmodes instead of the currently installed marginally stable power recycling cavity. In this letter we describe the general layout of the recycling cavities and give specific values for a first possible design. We also address the issue of mode mismatch due to manufacturing tolerance of optical elements and present a passive compensation scheme based upon optimizing the distances between optical elements.
Effect of rejuvenation hormones on spermatogenesis

Objective To review the current literature for the effect of hormones used in rejuvenation clinics on the maintenance of spermatogenesis. Design Review of published literature. Setting Not applicable. Patient(s) Men who have undergone exogenous testosterone (T) and/or anabolic androgenic steroid (AAS) therapies. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Semen analysis, pregnancy outcomes, and time to recovery of spermatogenesis. Result(s) Exogenous testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids suppress intratesticular testosterone production, which may lead to azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia. Therapies that protect spermatogenesis involve human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) therapy and selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). The studies examining the effect of human growth hormone (HGH) on infertile men are uncontrolled and unconvincing, but they do not appear to negatively impact spermatogenesis. At present, routine use of aromatase inhibitors is not recommended based on a lack of long-term data. Conclusion(s) The use of hormones for rejuvenation is increasing with the aging of the Baby Boomer population. Men desiring children at a later age may be unaware of the side-effect profile of hormones used at rejuvenation centers. Testosterone and anabolic androgenic steroids have well-established detrimental effects on spermatogenesis, but recovery may be possible with cessation. Clomiphene citrate, human growth hormone (HGH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and aromatase inhibitors do not appear to have significant negative effects on sperm production, but quality data are lacking.
Development of a practical complete-kill assay to evaluate anti-Acanthamoeba drugs.

DESIGN AND SETTING Isolates of Acanthamoeba strains (n = 15) evaluated in a clinical laboratory. An in vitro laboratory assay was created to determine whether polyhexamethylene biguanide, 0.02%, chlorhexidine digluconate, 0.02%, hexamidine diisethioonate, 0.1%, and voriconazole, 1.0%, were effective in completely killing 15 different isolates of Acanthamoeba at time points of 24, 48, and 72 hours in comparison with a saline control. Each 0.5-mL volume of drug was inoculated with 0.1 mL of Acanthamoeba cysts (range, 1-3 ×1 0 6 /mL) (determined with a hemacytometer) and allowed to incubate at 30°C. At the time points listed, 0.05 mL from each treatment group was inoculated onto nonnutrient agar overlaid with Enterobacter aerogenes. The plates were microscopically examined for growth 1 and 2 weeks after inoculation. At 2 weeks, all plates were subcultured onto a fresh medium. At another 7 days, the growth in subculture at each time point was graded “1” for growth and “0” for no growth. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The cumulative grades of 3 time points (range, 0-3) for each drug and isolate were nonparametrically compared to determine differences in growth between the drugs. The “kill” incidence rates over the 3 time points were also compared. RESULTS In vitro testing determined that antiacanthamoebal efficacy (determined by the median growth grade and the kill incidence rate) was more prominent for hexamidine diisethioonate (median growth grade, 0.0; kill incidence rate, 93% [14 of 15 isolates]) and polyhexamethylene biguanide (median growth grade, 0.0; kill incidence rate, 80% [12 of 15 isolates]) than for chlorhexidine digluconate (median growth grade, 1.0; kill incidence rate, 40% [6 of 15 isolates]), voriconazole (median growth grade, 2.0; kill incidence rate, 13% [2 of 15 isolates]), and saline (median growth grade, 3.0; kill incidence rate, 0% [0 of 15 isolates]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The complete-kill assay appears to provide separation in the effectiveness of different antiamoebic drug solutions. This assay may be helpful for guiding topical Acanthamoeba therapy and providing a practical method to evaluate and screen new anti-infectives in the treatment of Acanthamoeba keratitis.
Simple reservation policies can be harmful to profit margins

Abstract Reservation policies are used to maximize a hotel's economic profit. This article compares a simple reservation model with more complex models that consider segmentation due to time or market groups. Results indicate that the simple model may yield misleading information. Reservation managers should accurately identify the probability distributions for reservations of the hotel's markets before adopting an overbooking policy.
Regeneration of neurites on long-term cultures of sympathetic neurons deprived of nerve growth factor

Sympathetic neurons from newborn rats, cultured for 1 month or longer in the virtual absence of nonneuronal cells, were capable of regenerating neurites after neuritotomy. Regeneration occurred even after nerve growth factor was withdrawn from the cultures, although it was much less extensive and appeared limited to a few days following neuritotomy. Even after 29 days of nerve growth factor deprivation, reintroduction of the protein prompted a resumption of neurite growth. Possible roles of both nerve growth factor-independent and -dependent components in adult nerve regeneration are discussed.
Temporal and areal feeding behavior of the butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifascialis, at Johnston Atoll

The chevron butterflyfish, Chaetodon trifascialis, is found throughout the Indo-Pacific. It is a territorial, diurnal, corallivore found in close association with Acropora spp. corals. The feeding behavior of 33 individuals was studied over six seasons in three habitats. Chaetodon trifascialis spent one third of its active time feeding. However, there was much individual variation. Fish had significantly higher feeding rates during the early afternoon, and there were no significant differences in the feeding rates between the seasons. Feeding rates were significantly different between the three habitats. The Montipora-rich habitat had the highest feeding rates (x = 10.74 bites min−1 ± 0.87, all corals combined) and the Acropora-Montipora mixed habitat had the lowest feeding rates (x = 4.58 bites min−1 ± 0.63, all corals combined). Females fed significantly more than males. While C. trifascialis had been thought to only eat Acropora spp. corals, it occasionally fed on Montipora spp. and Pocillopora sp. corals when Acropora spp. were scarce. Chaetodon trifascialis exhibited patterns predicted by foraging theory of an energy maximizer. Territory sizes were inversely related to food density and feeding rates were inversely related to intruder rates. This is a promising system for future testing of foraging strategy models.
Oligodendrocyte-reactive O1, O4, and HNK-1 monoclonal antibodies are encoded by germline immunoglobulin genes

Natural or physiologic autoantibodies are present normally in serum, are polyreactive, are frequently of the IgM subtype, and are encoded by unmutated germline genes. We tested whether the oligodendrocyte-reactive O1, O4, A2B5, and HNK-1 IgM kappa monoclonal antibodies are natural autoantibodies by sequencing immunoglobulin (Ig) cDNAs and comparing these with published germline sequences. O1 VH was identical with unrearranged VH segment transcript A1 and A4. O4 VH had three and HNK-1 VH had six nucleotide differences from germline VH101 in the VH coding region. The D segment of O1 was derived from germline SP2 gene family. The D segments of O4 and HNK-1 were derived from DFL16 gene family. O4 JH and HNK-1 JH were encoded by unmutated germline JH4, whereas O1 JH was encoded by germline JH1 with one silent nucleotide change. O1 and O4 light chains were identical with myeloma MOPC21 except for one silent nucleotide change. HNK-1 V kappa was identical with germline V kappa 41 except for two silent nucleotide changes. O1 J kappa, O4 J kappa and HNK J kappa were encoded by unmutated germline J kappa 2. In contrast, A2B5 VH showed seven nucleotide differences from germline V1, whereas no germline sequence encoding A2B5 V kappa was identified. O1 and O4, but not A2B5 were polyreactive against multiple antigens by direct ELISA. Therefore, O1, O4 and HNK-1 Igs are encoded by germline genes, and have the genotype and phenotype of natural autoantibodies.
Pegylated interferon-2b-associated autoimmune thrombocytopenia in a patient with chronic hepatitis C.

Pegylated Interferon-2b-Associated Autoimmune Thrombocytopenia in a Patient With Chronic Hepatitis C
NUMERICAL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MRC METHOD FOR OBSTACLE SCATTERING PROBLEMS

The goal of this work is to show that the numerical solution of the obstacle scattering problem based on the modified Rayleigh conjecture (MRC) method is a competitive alternative to the boundary integral equations method, and that it has numerical advantages which may be especially important in three-dimensional scattering problems with non-smooth domains, for example, with domains whose boundaries contain corners. The MRC is formulated, the algorithm based on it is described and numerical results are presented.
A Statistical Characterization of the Finger Tapping Test: Modeling, Estimation, and Applications

Sensory-motor performance is indicative of both cognitive and physical function. The Halstead–Reitan finger tapping test is a measure of sensory-motor speed commonly used to assess function as part of a neuropsychological evaluation. Despite the widespread use of this test, the underlying motor and cognitive processes driving tapping behavior during the test are not well characterized or understood. This lack of understanding may make clinical inferences from test results about health or disease state less accurate because important aspects of the task such as variability or fatigue are unmeasured. To overcome these limitations, we enhanced the tapper with a sensor that enables us to more fully characterize all the aspects of tapping. This modification enabled us to decompose the tapping performance into six component phases and represent each phase with a set of parameters having clear functional interpretation. This results in a set of 29 total parameters for each trial, including change in tapping over time, and trial-to-trial and tap-to-tap variability. These parameters can be used to more precisely link different aspects of cognition or motor function to tapping behavior. We demonstrate the benefits of this new instrument with a simple hypothesis-driven trial comparing single and dual-task tapping.
Localization of connexin26 and connexin32 in putative CO2-chemosensitive brainstem regions in rat

Abstract Recent studies have suggested that cell-to-cell coupling, which occurs via gap junctions, may play a role in CO2 chemoreception. Here, we used immunoblot and immunohistochemical analyses to investigate the presence, distribution, and cellular localization of the gap junction proteins connexin26 (Cx26) and connexin32 (Cx32) in putative CO2-chemosensitive brainstem regions in both neonatal and adult rats. Immunoblot analyses revealed that both Cx subtypes were expressed in putative CO2-chemosensitive brainstem regions; however, regional differences in expression were observed. Immunohistochemical experiments confirmed Cx expression in each of the putative CO2-chemosensitive brainstem regions, and further demonstrated that Cx26 and Cx32 were found in neurons and Cx26 was also found in astrocytes in these regions. Thus, our findings suggest the potential for gap junctional communication in these regions in both neonatal and adult rats. We propose that the gap junction proteins Cx26 and Cx32, at least in part, form the neuroanatomical substrate for this gap junctional communication, which is hypothesized to play a role in central CO2 chemoreception.
Effects of intraventricular (III Ventricle) injections of 2-deoxy-D-glucose, glucose and xylose on feeding behavior of sheep

To study their effect on feeding behavior, glucose, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) and xylose were injected into the third brain ventricle of ad lib fed sheep. The three chemicals elicited a similar feeding response when injected at a dose of 530 μ moles/ml of synthetic CSF per animal (approx. osmolarity: 830 mOsm/l). Injections of 265 μ moles of 2-DG elicited feeding when dissolved in synthetic CSF (approx. osmolarity: 565 mOsm/l, p<0.01) but not when dissolved in distilled water (approx. osmolarity: 256 mOsm/l). Xylose, a non-utilizable sugar also elicited a feeding response directly related to the osmolarity of the solution injected. Glucose (265 μ moles/ml of CSF) caused a decrease in feed intake apparent 2 hr after the injection. The greatest feeding responses were obtained with equimolar concentrations (530 μ moles/ml of CSF/animal) of both glucose (339 ± 41 g, p<0.05) and 2-DG (356 ± 46 g, p<0.01) 2 hr after the injection. We postulate that the feeding response obtained in our experiments was more directly related to a change in tonicity of the cerebrospinal fluid at the level of the third ventricle, than to hypothalamic glucoprivation.
TH‐D‐351‐07: Evaluation of Automatic Volume Match Function for Kilovoltage Cone‐Beam CT (CBCT) Guided Patient Setup

Purpose: To evaluate the automatic volume match function provided by a commercial Cone‐beam CT(CBCT) guided patient setup system. Method and Materials:CBCTimages from 10 patients treated with stereotactic body radiotherapy for primary livercancers in the stereotactic frame were acquired by On‐board Imager (OBI, Varian Medical System) following initial treatment setup. Manual volume registration of CBCT to the planning CT was performed by physicians to adjust patient positioning. Retrospective automatic volume match was also performed for each dataset and compared to the manual registration. To further assess the automatic volume match, simulation of patient rotational offsets was generated. Automatic volume matching of the simulated data was used to investigate potential setup errors due to patient roll. Results: A total of 27 CBCT datasets were acquired and analyzed. The average differences between manual and automatic match are 2.4±1.7mm, 3.2±2.6mm and 1.8±1.6mm in the right‐left, superior‐inferior and anterior‐posterior directions, respectively. The simulation study demonstrated a significant limitation of the automatic 4 degrees of freedom (4DOF) correction mode with regard to the patient's rotational offset. This occurs because the 6 degrees of freedom (6DOF) registration algorithm is always internally applied, even in 4DOF shift calculation mode, although the two dimensions of pitch/roll offsets are not displayed. Our simulation revealed that this can cause patient setup error which becomes significant as the distance between the patient rotation axis and the treatment isocenter increases. Conclusion: Caution needs to be taken when using automatic volume match function for CBCT‐guided patient setup since the conventional treatment couch is only capable of translational and limited rotational shifts. Using the full degrees of freedom automatic volume match without caution can lead to significant error in patient treatment.
Mouse c-myc oncogene is located on chromosome 15 and translocated to chromosome 12 in plasmacytomas

Hybridization studies with viral oncogene probes indicate that c-myc, the cellular gene homologous to the transforming gene of avian myelocytomatosis virus, resides on mouse chromosome 15 and in many plasmacytomas is translocated to the antibody heavy chain gene locus on chromosome 12. The transcriptional orientation of the translocated c-myc sequence is opposite the orientation of the adjacent C alpha gene that codes for the heavy chain of immunoglobulin A. The translocated c-myc sequence is not the same oncogene detected in urine plasmacytomas by the NIH-3T3 cell transformation assay.
Stereo- and regioselectivity in iodo diol formation from acyclic allylic alcohols

Abstract Reaction of electrophiles with a variety of acyclic allylic alcohols was investigated. Both aqueous iodine and acetylhypoiodite convert certain alkenols into iodo diols and acetoxy iodo alcohols, respectively, with regio- and stereoselectivities as high as 99%. Protection of the alcohol group lowers the selectivity only slightly. Structural factors that control the regioselectivity ofiodohydrin formation in these substrates have been delineated. Some of the iodo diols have been deiodinated, illustrating a simple two step procedure for converting allylic alcohols into threo-1,3-diols.
State-to-state modeling of radiation coupled to vibration-translation relaxation and dissociation in nonequilibrium gas flows.

A radiation model is developed to obtain evolution of band intensities according to the state-to-state (STS) approach by considering vibration-translation and vibration-electronic jumps and dissociation. Investigation of the behavior of a nonequilibrium ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}$ gas flow behind a shock shows that the radiation intensity remains weak and the flow is far from radiative equilibrium. Similar intensities are predicted by pure STS and hybrid approaches based on existing radiation models. However, the coupling between physicochemical and radiative processes increases with radiation intensity.
Coe Receives 2007 Gilbert Award

Robert S. Coe received the 2007 William Gilbert Award at the 2007 AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco, Calif. The award recognizes outstanding and unselfish work in magnetism of Earth materials and of the Earth and planets.
Prognostic variables in mycosis fungoides

The prognostic importance of various factors was analyzed for 347 patients registered by the Mycosis Fungoides Cooperative Group (MFCG). Extent of skin involvement at the time of registration and number of sites of clinically enlarged lymph nodes were clearly the most important prognostic variables, and were combined into a single variable, TN stage, for adjusted analyses of other factors. Sex, history of tonsillectomy, immunoglobulin E, and telangiectasia did not significantly affect survival. The effects of race and allergic history were questionable and need further study. Age, pruritus, burning, alopecia, ulcers, and erosion were important when studied alone, but their effects were no longer statistically significant after adjustment for TN stage. Chills and malaise, the latter a symptom of debility, retained prognostic significance after such adjustment. This analysis demonstrates the importance of considering the joint effects of multiple prognostic factors rather than analyzing them one at a time.
Deque automata and a subfamily of context-sensitive languages which contains all semilinear bounded languages

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to define λ-linearly bounded deque automata and to establish some of the properties of the family of languages D accepted by the λ-linearly bounded deque automata. A deque automaton is basically a pushdown automaton which is capable of putting symbols on both the top and the bottom of the stack. We will first show that L 2 ⊊ D ⊆ L 1 . Then we will exhibit an ordered grammar associated with a deque automaton. Next we show that, given a deque language L , it is decidable whether or not L =0. Then the closure properties of D will be discussed and finally we will establish the fact that D contains all of the semilinear bounded languages. Basic definitions and results concerning ordered grammars and abstract families of languages can be found in Salomaa (1973). For the basics of bounded languages the reader is referred to Ginsburg (1966). The details of all of the omitted proofs may be found in Ayers (1982).
Anatomy of a new medium : literary and pedagogic uses of advanced linguistic computer structures

The availability of advanced function workstations makes possible a new medium for the manipulation of language which changes in kind as well as in degree the pedagogic and literary potential of the computer. This article presents a structural/functional analysis of the kind of system that, though still unrealized, is becominig increasingly possible to build: an Advanced Language System that includes natural language processing, knowledge representation, discourse structure, and narrative structure. Communicative language learning and the creation of computer-based fiction are both served by the emergence of this medium. Advanced language systems may include: “ako” links, semantic networks, query, “script,” “analogy,” and character/belief structures. For language learning advanced language systems offer greater error correction and research opportunities and more flexibility in presenting communicative and cultural exercises. For the creation of art, they offer the possibility of creating “round” instead of “flat” characters and “dynamic” rather than static plots. Programs which “learn” offer the possibility of creating literary formulae and even interpretive “traditions” on the computer. Literary invention will always be the key to making such systems effective as art or as aids to communicative learning.
The reactivity of tetracarbonylnickel encapsulated in zeolite X. A case history of intrazeolite coordination chemistry.

Abstract Zeolite X shows a high capacity for tetracarbonylnickel (up to 28 weight percent) such that complete pore filling with ‘liquid like’ material takes place. The adsorbed material may be removed simply by evacuation at room temperature. Partial decomposition of the Ni(CO) 4 occurs on standing at room temperature under N 2 . The resultant orange species is highly reactive and has spectroscopic properties consistent with a coordinatively unsaturated ‘Ni(CO) 3 ’. Complete and irreversible decomposition by heating to 200 °C in vacuo gives a black zeolite, with an undefined metal phase, which is unreactive towards carbon monoxide. Reaction of the zeolite supported Ni(CO) 4 with various phosphorus ligands is highly dependent on the original loading level as well as the physical size of the ligands involved. At low loadings two kinds of reactivity are observed: 1) With ligands too large to gain access to the zeolite crystal interior, reaction occurs only in solution and so drags the Ni(CO) 4 from the zeolite: 2) With smaller ligands, reaction takes place inside the zeolite cages leading to well-defined, encapsulated, ship-in-bottle complexes which have a stoichiometry dictated by the available space in the cages. At high loading levels, pore blocking phenomena lead to inhomogeneous distributions of encapsulated complexes wherein a complete shell of phosphorous ligand substituted nickel carbonyl species forms at the crystal surface layers and prevents further reaction deeper inside the crystal. The reactivity with large phosphines has been used to study the diffusion of Ni(CO) 4 from the zeolite. Monitoring the appearance of the Ni(CO) 3 L (where L = phosphine) by 31-P NMR of the supernatant solution shows that Ni(CO) 4 leaves the zeolite with a first order rate constant of at least 2 × 10 −2 sec −1 at 298 K.
The Psychotherapist's Skills Revisited

Like many psychotherapy researchers, I have been fascinated by the role of “specific” and “nonspecific” (or common) factors from the beginning of my career. For a long time K was erroneously believed that nonspecific factors required no skills on the part of the therapist whereas specific factors were equated with specialized training and expertise. Eventually, my fellow researchers at Vanderbilt and I concluded that the two terms are misnomers that have beclouded rather than clarified the basic issues. In the end, I became convinced that therapists’ skills contribute materially to the outcome of therapy and that these skills, rather than being specific techniques, are much more accurately described as the ability to manage the complex human relationship that is the essence of psychotherapy.
Global optimization for the phase and chemical equilibrium problem: Application to the NRTL equation

Abstract Several approaches have been proposed for the computation of solutions to the phase and chemical equilibrium problem when the problem is posed as the minimization of the Gibbs free energy function. None of them can guarantee convergence to the true optimal solution, and are highly dependent on the supplied initial point. Convergence to local solutions often occurs, yielding incorrect phase and component distributions. This work examines the problems when the liquid phase is adequately modeled by the Non-Random Two Liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient expression and the vapor phase is assumed to be ideal. The contribution of the proposed approach is two-fold. Firstly, a novel and important property of the Gibbs free energy expression involving the NRTL equation is provided. It is subsequently shown that by introducing new variables, the problem can then be transformed into one where a biconvex objective function is minimized over a set of bilinear constraints. Secondly, the Global OPtimization (GOP) algorithm is used to exploit these induced properties of the formulation to guarantee convergence to an e-global solution, regardless of the starting point. A geometrical interpretation is provided for a selected smaller, but challenging, example. Numerous examples are presented which demonstrate the broad applicability of the proposed approach.
Endothelin-A receptor inhibition after cardiopulmonary bypass: cytokines and receptor activation.

Background Basic studies have suggested that cross-talk exists between the endothelin-A receptor (ET-AR) and tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway. This study tested the hypothesis that administration of an ET-AR antagonist at the separation from cardiopulmonary bypass would alter the tumor necrosis factor activation in the early postoperative period. Methods Patients (n = 44) were randomly allocated to receive bolus infusion of vehicle, 0.1, 0.5, 1, or 2 mg/kg of the ET-AR antagonist (sitaxsentan), at the separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (n = 9, 9, 9, 9, and 8, respectively). Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 and 2 were measured. Results Compared with the vehicle group at 24 hours, plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-α and tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (indicative of receptor activation) were reduced in the 1 mg/kg ET-AR antagonist group (by approximately 13 pg/mL and approximately 0.5 ng/mL, respectively; p p p Conclusions This study demonstrated a mechanistic relationship between the ET-AR and tumor necrosis factor receptor activation in the post–cardiac surgery period. Thus, in addition to the potential cardiovascular effects, a selective ET-AR antagonist can modify other biological processes relevant to the post–cardiac surgery setting.
Refinements of the anteroposterior angled caudad view of the lumbar spine.

In a previous article describing the anteroposterior angled caudad view the authors described a technique to more clearly evaluate the posterior elements of the lumbosacral spine, especially the articular facets, using standard radiographic techniques. This article details the specific pathology which can be evaluated. Multiple cases and examples of the view are given and comments regarding calcifications of the capsule of the articular facets and findings in trauma and post-surgical changes are described.