cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Relations between short-term memory deficits, semantic processing, and executive function

Background: Previous research has suggested separable short-term memory (STM) buffers for the maintenance of phonological and lexical-semantic information, as some patients with aphasia show better ability to retain semantic than phonological information and others show the reverse. Recently researchers have proposed that deficits to the maintenance of semantic information in STM are related to executive control abilities. Aims: The present study investigated the relationship of executive function abilities with semantic and phonological short-term memory (STM) and semantic processing in such patients, as some previous research has suggested that semantic STM deficits and semantic processing abilities are critically related to specific or general executive function deficits. Method & Procedures: A total of 20 patients with aphasia and STM deficits were tested on measures of short-term retention, semantic processing, and both complex and simple executive function tasks. Outcome & Results: In correlational ...
Histological effects of tazarotene 0·1% cream vs. vehicle on photodamaged skin: a 6-month, multicentre, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study in patients with photodamaged facial skin

Summary Background Topical tazarotene has been shown to offer efficacy in ameliorating multiple effects of photodamage. Objectives To evaluate the histological effects of tazarotene cream on photodamaged skin. Methods In this multicentre, double-blind, randomized, vehicle-controlled study, 50 patients with photodamaged facial skin (at least mild fine wrinkling and mottled hyperpigmentation, with at least one of these being moderate) were randomized to apply tazarotene 0·1% cream or vehicle cream to their face, once daily for 24 weeks. Results Blinded assessments showed that tazarotene was less likely than vehicle to be associated with an increase in keratinocytic and melanocytic atypia, and more likely than vehicle to be associated with a reduction in atypia. Between-group comparisons in distribution of change from baseline categories of severity were in favour of tazarotene (P = 0·055 for keratinocytic atypia, P = 0·034 for melanocytic atypia, and P < 0·001 for the number of granular cell layers). Compared with vehicle, tazarotene was associated with an increase in epidermal polarity (P = 0·008) and epidermal thickness (P = 0·012), and a tendency for stratum corneum compaction. Tazarotene was also associated with widened intercellular spaces (reported as epidermal oedema) relative to vehicle (P < 0·001). Conclusions Treatment of photodamaged skin with tazarotene is associated with an amelioration of keratinocytic and melanocytic atypia, an improvement in epidermal polarity, and an increase in epidermal thickness.
Robotic assistance provides excellent outcomes during the learning curve for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: results from 100 robotic-assisted gastric bypasses

Abstract Background Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) has a reported learning curve of 100 cases. Robotic-assisted surgery decreases the learning curve in complex laparoscopic surgeries. We hypothesize that robotic-assisted, hand-sewn gastrojejunostomy during a LRYGB will improve results during the initial 100 cases when compared with the literature. Methods Our first 100 robotic-assisted gastrojejunostomies performed during LRYGB were reviewed from a prospective database. Patient demographics, operative times, length of stay, reoperations, anastomotic leak, pulmonary embolus, and death were all evaluated. Results The mean age and body mass index were 42 and 50, respectively. Operative times ranged from 148 minutes to 437 minutes (mean = 254). There were no leaks or deaths. Four patients had complications, including reoperation (1), incisional hernia (1), pulmonary embolus (1), and recurrent umbilical hernia (1). Conclusions Robotic-assisted LRYGB is feasible and safe, as evidenced by the excellent outcomes from this series during the initial learning curve for LRYGB.
Integration of Culture-Based and Molecular Analysis of a Complex Sponge-Associated Bacterial Community

The bacterial communities of sponges have been studied using molecular techniques as well as culture-based techniques, but the communities described by these two methods are remarkably distinct. Culture-based methods describe communities dominated by Proteobacteria, and Actinomycetes while molecular methods describe communities dominated by predominantly uncultivated groups such as the Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, and Acidimicrobidae. In this study, we used a wide range of culture media to increase the diversity of cultivable bacteria from the closely related giant barrel sponges, Xestospongia muta collected from the Florida Keys, Atlantic Ocean and Xestospongia testudinaria, collected from Indonesia, Pacific Ocean. Over 400 pure cultures were isolated and identified from X. muta and X. testudinaria and over 90 bacterial species were represented. Over 16,000 pyrosequences were analyzed and assigned to 976 OTUs. We employed both cultured-based methods and pyrosequencing to look for patterns of overlap between the culturable and molecular communities. Only one OTU was found in both the molecular and culturable communities, revealing limitations inherent in both approaches.
Pathologic tumor size and lymph node status predict for different rates of locoregional recurrence after mastectomy for breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant versus adjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract Purpose: To compare the pathologic factors associated with postmastectomy locoregional recurrence (LRR) in breast cancer patients not receiving radiation who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NEO) vs. adjuvant chemotherapy (ADJ). Methods and Materials: We retrospectively analyzed the rates of LRR of subsets of women treated in prospective trials who underwent mastectomy and received chemotherapy but not radiation. These trials were designed to answer chemotherapy questions. There were 150 patients in the NEO group and 1031 patients in the ADJ group. In the NEO group, 55% had clinical Stage IIIA or higher vs. 9% in the ADJ group ( p Results: Despite the more advanced clinical stage in the NEO group, the pathologic size of the primary tumor and the number of positive lymph nodes (+LNs) were significantly less in the NEO group than in the ADJ group ( p p = 0.001, log—rank). The 5-year risk for LRR was higher in the NEO patients for all pathologic tumor sizes: 0–2 cm (18% vs. 8%, p = 0.011), 2.1–5 cm (36% vs. 15%, p 5 cm (46% vs. 28%, p = 0.028). The risk of LRR by the number of +LNs was similar in the NEO and ADJ groups, except for the subset of patients with ≥4 +LNs (53% vs. 23%, p p = 0.016). Most failures in this NEO subgroup had clinical Stage III disease. In a subset of NEO and ADJ patients matched for clinical stage, no significant differences were found in the rates of LRR according to primary tumor size and number of +LNs when these variables were analyzed independently. Again, however, differences were found in the subgroup of patients with tumors pathologically measuring 2.1–5.0 cm with 1–3 +LNs (32% NEO vs. 8% ADJ, p = 0.030). Conclusion: The rates of postmastectomy LRR for any pathologic tumor size are higher for patients treated with initial chemotherapy than for patients treated with initial surgery. Radiotherapy should be offered to all patients with ≥4 +LNs, tumor size >5 cm, or clinical Stage IIIA or greater disease, regardless of whether they receive neoadjuvant or postoperative chemotherapy. The information assessing LRR rates in patients with clinical Stage II disease who receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy, particularly if 1–3 lymph nodes remain pathologically involved, is insufficient to determine whether these patients should receive radiotherapy.
The nondarcy regime for vertical boundary layer natural convection in a porous medium

Abstract This paper reports similarity solutions for vertical boundary layer natural convection near a solid wall adjacent to a fluid-saturated porous medium, in the case where the pore Reynolds number is high enough for the Darcy flow model to break down. Based on scaling arguments, it is shown that the departure from the Darcy flow model is dictated by the dimensionless number G = (v/K)(bgβΔT) − 1 2 , with G → 0 representing the high pore Reynolds number limit, and with G → ∞ representing the Darcy flow limit. Similarity solutions are reported for flow and heat transfer in the following cases: (1) the nonDarcy limit G = 0 near an isothermal wall and near a constant-heat-flux wall, and (2) the intermediate regime G = 0(1) for natural convection near an isothermal wall. It is shown that the heat transfer results differ fundamentally from those known from traditional Darcy flow studies.
REGENDERING DELIVERY: THE FIFTH CANON AND THE MATERNAL RHETOR 1

Abstract This article contributes to ongoing feminist efforts to regender the rhetorical canons, in particular, by exploring how the fifth canon of delivery changes once the assumed male at the center of the rhetorical tradition is replaced by a woman who is both a mother and a speaker. Delivery—which conventionally focuses upon the speaker's use of voice, expression, and gesture—is usually considered the most material of the canons. However, once viewed from the perspective of nineteenth‐century maternal rhetors, distinctive corporeal, ideological, and performance issues become apparent, all indicative of significant gender differences in men's and women's delivery. More broadly, this study illustrates how recasting the canons by recognizing and incorporating the experiences of previously marginalized groups promises to produce a more comprehensive, complex, and compelling understanding of the history and practice of rhetoric.
The Attraction of Property Crimes to Suburban Localities: A Revised Economic Model:

The economic analysis of crime is further developed by extending Becker's model of criminal behaviour to the spatial distribution of property crimes in Suburbia. The results suggest that where wealthier suburbs are located close to major urban areas they will be 'importers' of crime from the adjacent urban centres, regardless of their expenditure on police protection. In such cases the community tax base rather than police expenditure seems to be the major determining factor.
Indigenous ecological knowledge as social capital: How citizen science can help us replenish the bank

In our increasingly urban world, indigenous knowledge of local ecology is declining rapidly, because survival in industrialized urban environments does not depend on knowing the details of local flora, fauna, or phenologies. While traditional ecological knowledge has been documented since 1980s, this is has been largely descriptive, e.g., ethnobotany of sacred groves, cultivation practices, or use of medicinal plants. Until recently, conservation biologists and managers of protected areas have followed western models of conservation that exclude local people and often abandon local ecological knowledge. However, many scientific studies of local ecosystems would not have been possible without the knowledge-base of indigenous people helping researchers. Yet, careful scientific analysis of such knowledge systems is scarce, except in some commercial applications such as forestry or fisheries. Further, even in rare instances when park managers have recruited knowledgeable locals as partners in PA management, the bureaucracy ended up dissipating ecological knowledge rather than sustaining it. The challenge therefore is to understand the epistemology of ecological knowledge, especially the costs and benefits to local people, to help create novel management regimes which provide new incentives for sustaining such knowledge even as traditional dependencies on natural resources are transformed for long-term sustainability of biodiversity. This paper reviews the literature on indigenous ecological knowledge in South Asia, to establish a baseline for systematic epistemological analyses. Examples include the Bihari bird-trappers assisting the Bombay Natural History Society's bird-ringing projects, Irulas helping snake research at Madras Crocodile Bank, Kanis supporting a variety of research projects, including our own, in Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve over the past two decades, and the modern day settlers in Andaman Islands who have turned from over-harvesting and poaching to sustainable cultivation of Edible-nest Swiftlets. We argue that indigenous knowledge is useful not only for monitoring ecosystems or determining use of natural resources, but more importantly for generating fundamental scientific insights, and adding to the knowledge part of our collective social capital. Even as indigenous knowledge is being lost, volunteer-based Citizen Science projects are recruiting amateur naturalists, especially in urban areas, to monitor and study local biodiversity. Such approaches need to be extended into genuinely participatory research programs where indigenous people are engaged in generating and sustaining ecological knowledge, from traditional and modern scientific perspectives, to become well-informed stewards of the socio-ecological systems we inhabit from local to global scales. This is a crucial step towards slowing the loss of biodiversity by reversing our collective loss of knowledge of biodiversity.
Unusual root migration through bone

Abstract A case demonstrating an unusual migration of a root fragment through bone, with a concurrent sinus tract also in bone, has been presented. So far as I know, this is the first time that this particular condition has been reported.
ARE EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS IN GOVERNMENT TRANSFER POLICIES SELF‐DEFEATING IN POLITICAL EQUILIBRIUM?*

This paper studies an election game between two politicians, in which each provides income transfers to special-interest groups in return for political contributions. It is shown that a move to a more inefficient form of transfers may lower the total excess burden created by these transfers, because the politicians are induced to reduce their provision of transfers. For the case in which the income transfers are indirectly provided as trade protection to import-competing industries, a switch from production subsidies to tariffs as the form of protection reduces the equilibrium level of excess burden and makes both politicians better off.
Comparison of the Cardioglide, Crosswalk, and Treadmill Walking in Development of Cardiovascular Endurance, Dynamic Strength, and Flexibility in Middle-Aged Men and Women

The purpose of this study was to estimate association of exercise on the CardioGlide, CrossWalk, or treadmill with changes in cardiovascular endurance, dynamic strength, and flexibility and to ascertain if there was any advantage of training with one type of equipment compared to the others. 67 sedentary men and women participated. Fitness components were assessed at baseline and following the intervention. Subjects trained three days per week increasing exercise duration and intensity to 30 minutes at 80% of age-predicted maximum heart rate. Analysis showed that training was associated with significant improvements in all of the measured components of fitness; however, there was no advantage to using one exercise machine over the others.
ECOLOGY AND ESCHATOLOGY: SCIENCE AND THEOLOGICAL MODELING

Abstract. The possibility of in-breakings of God in science is discussed. A realist philosophy of science is used as a framework in which new paradigms are seen as providing ever better approximations to the true underlying structure of nature, which will be revealed in the eschaton. It is argued that ecology–the study of the earth as a whole–cannot be treated as a natural science because there can be no paradigms for understanding the earth as a whole. Instead technology is used as a means for interacting with God through nature.
Mucosal Immunity Induced by Parenteral Immunization with a Live Attenuated Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis Virus Vaccine Candidate

Induction of a mucosal immune response is generally thought to require introduction of an immunogen directly onto the mucosal surface. It has been observed, however, that live, attenuated mutants of the alphavirus, Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE), induce protection from virulent challenge at the respiratory mucosa even after parenteral inoculation. In this report, we propose a mechanism by which subcutaneous immunization with a molecularly cloned, attenuated double mutant of VEE is able to stimulate the production of mucosal anti-VEE IgA. Our results showed that the immunizing virus spread to, and replicated within, lymphoid tissues throughout the mouse. Several tissues known to be inductive sites of the mucosal immune system were found to be positive for the presence of VEE RNA by 48 hr postimmunization. Moreover, this mucosal lymphotropism resulted in the production of virus-specific IgA antibody detectable in vaginal secretions of immunized mice.
Electron inity of 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene determined by the kinetic method

The kinetic method is used to determine the electron inity (EA) of 1,3,5,7-cyclooctatetraene (COT), a compound that undergoes a significant structural change upon electron attachment. Collision-induced dissociation of anionic clusters of COT with a set of reference compounds (Ref), [COT·Ref]−·, at various collision energies, allowed deconvolution of the relative enthalpies and entropies of the competitive reactions. The adiabatic EA of COT is determined to be 0.58±0.10 eV, in good agreement with the value, 0.58±0.04 eV, of Wentworth and Ristau (J. Phys. Chem. 1969, 73, 2126) determined by thermal electron detachment as well as the more recent value, 0.55±0.02 eV, of Kato et al. (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1997, 119, 7863) determined by equilibrium electron transfer with molecular oxygen. A large entropy difference, 25.6±10.0 e.u. (J mol−1 K−1), is observed between the two dissociation channels. This entropy difference corresponds to a negative 14.7±13.0 e.u. change for the dissociation of the dimer to give COT−· and the neutral reference compound and a positive 10.9±8.4 e.u. entropy change for the dissociation of the dimer to give Ref−· and neutral COT.
Stochastic Analysis of a Single-Degree-of-Freedom Nonlinear Experimental Moored System Using an Independent-Flow-Field Model

Stochastic characteristics of the surge response of a nonlinear single-degree-of-freedom moored structure subjected to random wave excitations are examined in this paper. Sources of nonlinearity of the system include a complex geometric configuration and wave-induced quadratic drag. A Morison-type model with an independent-flow-field formulation and a three-term-polynomial approximation of the nonlinear restoring force is employed for its proven excellent prediction capability for the experimental results investigated. Wave excitations considered in this study include nearly periodic waves, which take into account the presence of tank noise, noisy periodic waves that have predominant periodic components with designed additive random perturbations, and narrow-band random waves. A unified wave excitation model is used to describe all the wave conditions. A modulating factor governing the degree of randomness in the wave excitations is introduced. The corresponding Fokker.Planck formulation is applied and numerically solved for the response probability density functions (PDFs). Experimental results and simulations are compared in detail via the PDFs in phase space. The PDFs portray coexisting multiple response attractors and indicate their relative strengths, and experimental response behaviors, including transitions and interactions, are accordingly interpreted from the ensemble perspective. Using time-averaged probability density functions as an invariant measure, probability distributions of large excursions in experimental and simulated responses to various random wave excitations are demonstrated and compared. Asymptotic long-term behaviors of the experimental responses are then inferred.
Constructing a theory of the triple typology: Some (second) thoughts on nomothetic and idiographic approaches to personality

Our fundamental scientific task is to convert observations of particular persons behaving in particular ways in particular situations into assertions that certain kinds of persons will behave in certain kinds of ways in certain kinds of situations, that is, to construct triple typologies or equivalence classes-of persons, of behaviors, and of situations-and to fashion theories of personality that relate these equivalence classes to one another. It is argued that the different approaches to the study of personality are distinguished from one another not by whether they are idiographic or nomothetic but by the strategies they employ for constructing-or ignoring-each of these three types of equivalence classes. The likely attributes of a successful interactional theory of personality-one that would embrace the entire triple typology-are proposed and discussed.
Development of a new hollow sucker rod family for rotating pumping (progressive cavity pump systems)

Abstract Conventional solid sucker rods according to API 11B specification are widely used for rotating pumping, particularly to drive PCP Systems (progressive cavity pump systems) during the oil production. However, these products have been developed to work under axial alternating loads, and not under torsional loads. Thus, the use of these rods for rotating pumping has several limitations and disadvantages like a low yielding torque, insufficient backspin and fatigue resistance, showing low performance and resulting in high operative costs for artificial lift systems. Furthermore, the PCP System requires higher torque to work efficiently. For that reason, it is suitable to develop a new product with better performance to be used for this pumping system. This paper presents the development of a family of innovative products called “Hollow Sucker Rod” as a technical solution for PCP System. The development consisted of (i) design of the connection, (ii) manufacture of prototypes, (iii) full scale lab tests, and (iv) field trials. Some advantages of this new technology are: (i) high torque load to yielding, (ii) good fatigue resistance, (iii) high backspin resistance, (iv) less tubing wear, (v) increase in pumping rates, (vi) possibility to inject different kind of fluids by the inside of the “Hollow Sucker Rod”, and (vii) easy to make up and install (conventional pulling ring).
Serum withdrawal leads to reduced aryl hydrocarbon receptor expression and loss of cytochrome P4501A inducibility in PLHC-1 cells

Abstract Changes in the expression of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) have been documented in several systems and in response to a variety of treatments. The significance of these findings is unclear, because the effects of such changes on subsequent responses to AHR ligands seldom have been measured. We tested the ability of changes in serum used in cell culture medium to alter expression of the AHR and induction of cytochrome P4501A (CYP1A) in PLHC-1 teleost hepatoma cells. Culture of early-passage cells in serum-free medium for 2 days led to a loss of CYP1A inducibility by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). In contrast, culture in 10% delipidated calf serum increased the TCDD-induced levels of both CYP1A protein and enzymatic activity relative to levels in cells cultured in 10% complete calf serum. These effects were consistent between 8 and 24 hr post-treatment, indicating that the kinetics of induction were unaffected. In cells cultured in serum-free medium for 1 and 2 days there was a progressive loss of CYP1A inducibility. This loss of response paralleled a time-dependent decline in AHR protein, as measured by specific binding of [ 3 H ]TCDD. Using an operational model for AHR action in PLHC-1 cells, the measured reduction in AHR could be shown to predict the loss of CYP1A induction. Expression of AHR protein was unaffected by culture in 10% delipidated serum. The effects of serum-free medium and delipidated serum were found only in early-passage cells; inducibility of CYP1A and expression of AHR protein in late-passage cells were unaffected by serum withdrawal. Comparison of early- and late-passage cells revealed a 2-fold greater rate of proliferation in the latter, suggesting that a growth advantage is coincident with loss of the serum-dependency of AHR expression. These results provide a quantitative link between changes in receptor expression and a downstream response, establishing a foundation for future studies of receptor expression and sensitivity to toxic responses in vitro and in vivo.
Evidence for stem cells in cultures of mouse prostate epithelial cells

BACKGROUND Primary cultures of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were studied to identify cells having stem cell characteristics. METHODS Culture conditions supporting the growth of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were identified. Immunostaining identified cells expressing cytokeratin 5 (K5), cytokeratin 8 (K8), and bcl-2. Cells with clonogenic capacity were identified by replating dissociated cells from primary colonies. RESULTS Only 2–4% of prostatic epithelial cells that were plated formed colonies. Most cells cultured for 2–4 days expressed bcl-2, K5, and K8. After 6 days in culture, colonies had two distinct phenotypes, star- or disc-shaped. In colonies of both phenotypes, only a few cells expressed K5 and bcl-2, while all cells expressed K8. Upon replating, two-thirds of star-shaped colonies gave rise to a single colony; of 29 disc-shaped colonies, none gave rise to new colonies. CONCLUSIONS Colonies deriving from putative prostatic epithelial stem cells are identified. These cells express K5 and bcl-2 and are clonogenic. Prostate 50: 46–53, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Physicians and the Roman imperial aristocracy: the patronage of therapeutics.

L'A. demontre comment la medecine fonctionnait dans le systeme de protection romain et grec qui animait le monde mediterraneen dans l'antiquite, du point de vue diagnostic et soins
Shuttering of the superior mesenteric artery during fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair

Objective Shuttering occurs when a scallop or fenestration does not align perfectly with the target vessel ostium and is potentially minimized by stenting. The current United States Food and Drug Administration-approved fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (f-EVAR) device is most commonly configured with an unstented superior mesenteric artery (SMA) scallop, thereby subjecting the SMA to risk of partial coverage. We aimed to describe the incidence, severity, and clinical effect of SMA shuttering during f-EVAR. Methods Patients undergoing f-EVAR using the commercially available Zenith (Cook Medical, Bloomington, Ind) fenestrated stent graft system containing an SMA scallop at our institution between September 2012 and January 2014 were included for analysis. Corrected multiplanar reformatted images on postoperative computed tomographic angiography were reviewed to measure SMA shuttering, defined as the percentage of scallop misalignment relative to the SMA ostial diameter. Results Of the 28 f-EVAR cases performed at our institution during the study period, 18 patients (78% male) had an SMA scallop and were included in this analysis. The median age was 78 years (interquartile range [IQR], 72-81 years), and the median abdominal aortic aneurysm size was 61 mm (IQR, 56-64 mm). Fifty-one vessels were targeted (18 SMA scallops, 32 renal fenestrations, 1 renal snorkel), with covered stents placed in all fenestrations. Target vessel catheterization and successful branch stent deployment was achieved in 100% of patients. SMA shuttering measured on postoperative computed tomographic angiography of any amount occurred in 50% of patients (range of SMA shuttering, 12%-40%). The severity of SMA shuttering varied: one patient had 11% to 20%, four had 21% to 30%, and four had 31 to 40%. When compared with patients without shuttering, patients with any SMA shuttering were noted to have a shorter infra-SMA neck length (17 vs 25 mm; P = .007), higher volume of intraprocedural contrast administration (100 vs 66 mL; P = .001), and had a trend toward longer procedural durations (240 vs 188 minutes; P = .09). No association was found between SMA shuttering and the preoperative measured clock position of the visceral vessels, percentage of device oversizing, number of target vessels per patient, aortic diameter at the SMA or seal zone, aneurysm neck morphology, infrarenal neck length, scallop width, or SMA ostial diameter. No acute or chronic events of mesenteric ischemia were noted during a median clinical follow-up period of 11 months (IQR, 5-14 months). Conclusions Even with the custom design of currently available fenestrated technology, shuttering of the SMA occurred in one-half of the patients in our cohort, although no clinical events were noted. Further details of the incidence, magnitude, and tolerance of SMA shuttering during f-EVAR are warranted to fully understand the clinical implication of this radiographic finding. Future design considerations for advanced EVAR should take into account SMA shuttering to further refine operative planning.
Activation of the Proapoptotic Bcl-2 Protein Bax by a Small Molecule Induces Tumor Cell Apoptosis

The proapoptotic Bcl-2 protein Bax by itself is sufficient to initiate apoptosis in almost all apoptotic paradigms. Thus, compounds that can facilitate disruptive Bax insertion into mitochondrial membranes have potential as cancer therapeutics. In our study, we have identified small-molecule compounds predicted to associate with the Bax hydrophobic groove by a virtual-screen approach. Among these, one lead compound (compound 106) promotes Bax-dependent but not Bak-dependent apoptosis. Importantly, this compound alters Bax protein stability in vitro and promotes the insertion of Bax into mitochondria, leading to Bax-dependent permeabilization of the mitochondrial outer membrane. Furthermore, as a single agent, compound 106 inhibits the growth of transplanted tumors, probably by inducing apoptosis in tumors. Our study has revealed a compound that activates Bax and induces Bax-dependent apoptosis, which may lead to the development of new therapeutic agents for cancer.
Production of pectinases and cellulase by six Pythium species isolated from necrotic strawberry roots.

Polygalacturonase and polymethylgalacturonase activity was detected in filtrates ofPythium irregulare, P. perniciosum, P. sylvaticum, andP. dissotocum but not in filtrates ofP. rostratum andP. acanthicum. OnlyP. irregulare, P. perniciosum andP. dissotocum elaborated pectin methyl esterase and in trace amounts. None of the species produced detectable pectintrans-eliminase and “macerating enzyme” activity.P. sylvaticum was the only species of four tested which produced cellulase.
Nonparametric Stepwise Multiple Comparison Procedures

Abstract Nonparametric multiple comparisons are discussed, with particular emphasis given to stepwise procedures. Nonparametric analogs of the stepwise all-subset procedure of Einot and Gabriel are presented, along with an ad hoc nonparametric analog of the Newman—Keuls procedure. These new procedures are compared among themselves and with nonstepwise procedures based on Type I error levels and comparisonwise power. It is shown that these stepwise nonparametric procedures control Type I error levels, and that they have superior pairwise power compared to the commonly used nonstepwise procedures.
Driving Simulator Validation for Nighttime Construction Work Zone Devices

Research was conducted to ascertain the validity of a driving simulator in determining the effectiveness of temporary traffic control devices in a work zone at night. The research was conducted through a field study and a simulator study. The field study examined speeds at six sites. The simulator study involved 127 human subjects. Spot speeds were observed at three locations in a freeway work zone. Locations of the speed studies were at the beginning of the work zone near the transition area, in the middle of the work zone, and at the end of the work zone near the downstream taper. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine whether participants of the study performed differently in the simulator, compared with in the field. Research results established that because of the motorist's perceived risk of work zones, driving simulators may not replicate mean speeds observed in the field.
Evaluation of fluent and disfluent speech segments by stutterers and nonstutterers

Abstract This study investigated the severity ratings given by stutterers, speech pathologists, and unsophisticated listeners to videotaped speech segments of stutterers. The results showed that both stutterers and speech pathologists were more critical of milder disfluencies than were unsophisticated listeners. Practice effects indicated that although severity ratings for all groups increased with viewing, stutterers were still the most critical about their own milder disfluencies.
Formal modeling and automated analysis of the LAPD protocol

Abstract Of particular importance to the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) concept is the standardization of network protocols. For data link control and communication ISDN uses a protocol called LAPD (Link Access Procedure “D”). LAPD evolved from LAPB (used in the X.25 protocol) and is a subset of HDLC, with some extensions. In this paper, we present and discuss Petri net models of some important LAPD procedures. We also discuss the use of some general purpose tools for automated analysis aimed at logical correctness as well as at connection-establishment performance. First we describe the communication between two entities as defined by LAPD and then we discuss our Petri net models and associated analysis methods and results.
Preventive interventions for preterm children: effectiveness and developmental mechanisms.

This article provides an integrative review of the effectiveness of and possible developmental mechanisms associated with preventive interventions for preterm children. An analysis of randomized clinical trials carried out within the last 15 years was framed within a contemporary developmental model empha- sizing the role of parental adjustments to preterm children's characteristics. Evidence suggested positive outcomes could be understood in terms of improvements in developmental pathways associated with paren- tal sensitive-responsiveness and child participation in intensive intervention-oriented child care. Implications for the critical role of the Medical Home model for preventive interventions for preterm children were discussed. (J Dev Behav Pediatr 33:352-364, 2012) Index terms: preterm birth, intervention effectiveness, developmental mechanisms. The adverse neurodevelopmental consequences of preterm birth remain major concerns worldwide. De- spite the identification of risk factors contributing to preterm birth, preventive efforts have not been effec- tive. 1 Moreover, increased survival of very preterm in- fants in particular has added substantially to this burden as the severity of the impact of preterm birth on chil- dren's social and cognitive competence increases in an almost linear fashion with decreasing gestational age. 2- 4 It is also the case that follow-up of children at low biomedical risk (30 -34 wk gestational age) without ap- parent disabilities has revealed an increased risk for many minor but nevertheless developmentally signifi- cant problems. 5,6 Even late preterm children (34 -37 wk gestational age) manifest poorer developmental out- comes than do full-term children. 7-9 Increased risks for sensory and motor problems create additional complex- ities for these children. 3
Use of landslides for paleoseismic analysis

In many environments, landslides preserved in the geologic record can be analyzed to determine the likelihood of seismic triggering. If evidence indicates that a seismic origin is likely for a landslide or group of landslides, and if the landslides can be dated, then a paleo-earthquake can be inferred, and some of its characteristics can be estimated. Such paleoseismic landslide studies thus can help reconstruct the seismic history of a site or region. In regions that contain multiple seismic sources and in regions where surface faulting is absent, paleoseismic ground-failure studies are valuable tools in hazard and risk studies that are more concerned with shaking hazards than with interpretation of the movement histories of individual faults. Paleoseismic landslide analysis involves three steps: (1) identifying a feature as a landslide, (2) dating the landslide, and (3) showing that the landslide was triggered by earthquake shaking. This paper addresses each of these steps and discusses methods for interpreting the results of such studies by reviewing the current state of knowledge of paleoseismic landslide analysis.
Fiscal Crisis and the Decline of Spain (Castile)

Earl J. Hamilton's multiple theses on the price revolution, the decline of Spain, and the birth of capitalism have all placed American silver (and gold) at the forefront. This essay supports Hamilton's emphasis on the impact of New World treasure on the decline of Castile, but from a different angle. Mining profits rather than the quantity of imports supported the empire. When the profits dwindled, as was inevitable, international superiority was begrudgingly surrendered to the emerging powers of the north.
Bose-Einstein condensation temperature of a homogeneous weakly interacting Bose gas: Path integral Monte Carlo study

Using a finite-temperature path integral Monte Carlo simulation (PIMC) method and finite-size scaling, we have investigated the interaction-induced shift of the phase-transition temperature for Bose-Einstein condensation of homogeneous weakly interacting Bose gases in three dimensions, which is given by a proposed analytical expression ${T}_{c}={T}_{c}^{0}{1+{c}_{1}a{n}^{1∕3}+[{c}_{2}^{\ensuremath{'}}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ln}(a{n}^{1∕3})+{c}_{2}^{\ensuremath{''}}]{a}^{2}{n}^{2∕3}+\mathrm{O}({a}^{3}n)}$, where ${T}_{c}^{0}$ is the critical temperature for an ideal gas, $a$ is the $s$-wave scattering length, and $n$ is the number density. We have used smaller number densities and more time slices than in the previous PIMC simulations [Gruter et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 3549 (1997)] in order to understand the difference in the value of the coefficient ${c}_{1}$ between their results and the (apparently) other reliable results in the literature. Our results show that ${({T}_{c}\ensuremath{-}{T}_{c}^{0})∕{T}_{c}^{0}}∕(a{n}^{1∕3})$ depends strongly on the interaction strength $a{n}^{1∕3}$ while the previous PIMC results are considerably flatter and smaller than our results. We obtain ${c}_{1}=1.32\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.14$, in agreement with results from recent Monte Carlo methods of three-dimensional O(2) scalar ${\ensuremath{\phi}}^{4}$ field theory and variational perturbation theory.
Lubrication of polycrystalline silicon MEMS via a thin silicon carbide coating

Abstract The contacting surfaces of a microfabricated polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) double-clamped beam adhesion test structure have been modified with a thin ultra-hard, wear-resistant, and conformal silicon carbide (SiC) film. Adhesion forces in SiC-coated interfaces as a function of apparent area of contact have been determined quantitatively and compared with those in uncoated polysilicon contacts. Furthermore, contact reliability studies have been carried out by following the changes in physicochemical properties of the surfaces after >100 billion contact cycles. The results highlight the tribological benefits of SiC coating as a solid lubricant in devices undergoing cyclic contacts.
Major depression in patients with panic disorder: factors associated with course and recurrence.

The relationship between anxiety and depressive disorders has been the subject of considerable interest and controversy. In this study, the occurence and course of affective illness was systematically examined in 63 patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria for panic disorder. Forty (63%) of the patients had experienced at least one major depressive episode. Of these, 13 (32.5%) experienced their first depressive episode prior to the onset of panic disorder, 15 (37.5%) experienced their first depressive episode after the onset of panic disorder, and in 12 (30.0%) the onset of the disorders was concurrent. Patients with agoraphobia had comparable rates of depression (68%) to patients without agoraphobia (53%, P=NS), and they had similar temporal patterns of depressive illness. Comorbidity with social phobia was associated with an increased longitudinal likelihood of major depression compared to patients without this comorbird diagnosis (P<0.05). Patients with longer duration of illness, early onset depression, melancholic depression, or family histories of anxiety or depression had an increased likelihood of having experienced recurrent depression. These findings are discussed in the context of current theories regarding the development of affective illness in patients with anxiety disorders.
Evaluating usability in an information product

To thoroughly test a new information delivery product, usability personnel should employ a variety of methods to gather user feedback. Learning how to gather accurate customer feedback from a variety of sources can dramatically impact the effectiveness of your information and the usability of your information delivery product. Effectively dealing with development teams when proposing changes to their product is essential. Gaining great rewards, not only when improving the usability of a product, but in the experience of getting to know our customers on a more personal level make the job enjoyable and effective.
Genetic alterations in mouse lung tumors: Implications for cancer chemoprevention

Specific genetic alterations affecting known tumor suppressor genes and proto-oncogenes occur during mouse lung tumorigenesis. These include mutational activation of the K-ras gene, commonly seen at a frequency of about 80% in both spontaneously occurring and chemically induced adenomas and adenocarcinomas of the lung, suggesting that it is an early event that persists into malignancy. Allelic loss of the p16 tumor suppressor gene also is a frequent event, occurring in about 50% of mouse lung adenocarcinomas, but rarely in lung adenomas, suggesting that it may play a role in malignant conversion or progression of lung tumors. Other genetic alterations detected in mouse lung tumors include reduced expression of Rb and p16, and increased c-myc expression. Alterations of these genes are also common in the genesis of human lung cancer. Genetic linkage analysis to identify human lung cancer susceptibility genes is difficult due to the genetic heterogeneity and exposure to environmental risk factors. The mouse lung tumor model has become a valuable alternative for identifying such genes. Recently, loci responsible for mouse lung tumor susceptibility have been mapped to chromosomes 6, 9, 17, and 19, while those linked to lung tumor resistance have been mapped to chromosomes 4, 11, 12, and 18. Known candidate susceptibility or resistance genes include the K-ras proto-oncogene on chromosome 6, and the p16 tumor supressor gene on chromosome 4. With evidence of considerable overlap between the genetic alterations that underlie human and mouse lung tumorigenesis, the mouse lung tumor model has been expanded to include pre-clinical screening of chemopreventive agents against human lung cancer. Studies on the modulation of genetic defects in mouse lung tumors by known and potential chemopreventive agents should further the goal of developing an effective prevention and treatment of lung cancer. J. Cell. Biochem. Suppls. 28/29:49–63. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Selective maintenance modeling for industrial systems

In many industrial environments, systems are required to perform a sequence of operations (or missions) with finite breaks between each operation. During these breaks, it may be advantageous to perform repair on some of the system’s components. However, it may be impossible to perform all desirable maintenance activities prior to the beginning of the next mission due to limitations on maintenance resources. In this paper, a mathematical programming framework is established for assisting decision‐makers in determining the optimal subset of maintenance activities to perform prior to beginning the next mission. This decision‐making process is referred to as selective maintenance. The selective maintenance models presented allow the decision‐maker to consider limitations on maintenance time and budget, as well as the reliability of the system. Selective maintenance is an open research area that is consistent with the modern industrial objective of performing more intelligent and efficient maintenance.
Path specification and path coherence

This paper presents an interactive method for specifying a path in space and time through a three-dimensional environment. A sequence is generated by showing the series of views along the path. The sequence is previewed on a vector scope, and after it is interactively refined, each frame is rendered on a raster device. The path is represented by a B-spline to provide smooth, continuous motion. The timing along the path is also defined by a B-spline so that changes in velocity are smooth. The use of “path coherence” is introduced. The utilization of the available data from the a priori temporal and spatial path definition holds great promise for frame to frame coherence. The path coherence can be used to reduce the number of polygons which need to be considered in a viewed environment. This reduction makes the previewing of complex environments appear less cluttered. Furthermore, the computational expense of the culling and sorting operations in the visible line/surface determination is reduced. One sample usage of this is a tree-structured partitioned environment where the priority ordering of the environment must be changed only when the path crosses a partition boundary.
Monopolar protrusive activity: a new morphogenic cell behavior in the neural plate dependent on vertical interactions with the mesoderm in Xenopus.

We compared the type and patterning of morphogenic cell behaviors driving convergent extension of the Xenopus neural plate in the presence and absence of persistent vertical signals from the mesoderm by videorecording explants of deep neural tissue with involuted mesoderm attached and of deep neural tissue alone. In deep neural-over-mesoderm explants, neural plate cells express monopolar medially directed motility and notoplate cells express randomly oriented motility, two new morphogenic cell behaviors. In contrast, in deep neural explants (without notoplate), all cells express bipolar mediolateral cell motility. Deep neural-over-mesoderm and deep neural explants also differ in degree of neighbor exchange during mediolateral cell intercalation. In deep neural-over-mesoderm explants, cells intercalate conservatively, whereas in deep neural explants cells intercalate more promiscuously. Last, in both deep neural-over-mesoderm and deep neural explants, morphogenic cell behaviors differentiate in an anterior-to-posterior and lateral-to-medial progression. However, in deep neural-over-mesoderm explants, morphogenic behaviors first differentiate in intervals along the anteroposterior axis, whereas in deep neural explants, morphogenic behaviors differentiate continuously from the anterior end of the tissue posteriorly. These results describe new morphogenic cell behaviors driving neural convergent extension and also define roles for signals from the mesoderm, up to and beyond late gastrulation, in patterning these cell behaviors.