cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Breakup reactions of the halo nuclei 11Be and 8B.

We calculate the nuclear induced breakup of {sup 11}Be and {sup 8}B using a more realistic treatment of the diffraction and stripping processes than in previous work. The breakup is treated in the eikonal approximation with a profile function calculated from a realistic optical potential at low energies and from free nucleon-nucleon cross sections at high energies. This treatment gives a good description of measured breakup cross sections, as well as the longitudinal momentum distribution of the corelike fragments, which is narrower than predicted in the transparent limit. The real part of the potential is found to be significant and enhances the diffractive breakup at low energies. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Differential effects of apolipoproteins E3 and E4 on neuronal growth in vitro

Apolipoprotein E4 (apoE4), one of the three common isoforms of apoE, has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The effects of apoE on neuronal growth were determined in cultures of dorsal root ganglion neurons. In the presence of beta-migrating very low density lipoproteins (beta-VLDL), apoE3 increased neurite outgrowth, whereas apoE4 decreased outgrowth. The effects of apoE3 or apoE4 in the presence of beta-VLDL were prevented by incubation with a monoclonal antibody to apoE or by reductive methylation of apoE, both of which block the ability of apoE to interact with lipoprotein receptors. The data suggest that receptor-mediated binding or internalization (or both) of apoE-enriched beta-VLDL leads to isoform-specific differences in interactions with cellular proteins that affect neurite outgrowth.
Myoendothelial junctions in human brain arterioles.

The purpose of this work was to determine whether myoendothelial junctions were present in human brains.We examined vessels of approximately 30-70 microns i.d. from the brains of five autopsied adult patients. Myoendothelial junctions were found in vessels throughout this range, in both surface arterioles and penetrating arterioles, and were classified into three types. The number of myoendothelial junctions, expressed per unit length of vessels, was five times greater in the smallest than in the largest vessels. Thus, we found 1.62 junctions per millimeter length in arterioles less than 60 microns diameter and 0.31 junctions per millimeter length in arterioles greater than 220 microns diameter.These findings provide an anatomic basis for communication between endothelial cells and smooth muscle of brain microvessels in humans. The function of this intercellular communication is not yet known; however, findings in animals suggest that endothelium may be required for propagated constriction in brain vessel...
Origins and microenvironments of bacteria mediating fecal pellet decomposition in the sea

The fecal pellets of zooplankton are thought to be major carriers of organic matter from surface to deeper waters of the oceans. As the pellets descend, they release soluble components, partially due to breakdown by associated microorganisms. Previous laboratory work of other investigators has suggested that the surface of a fecal pellet rapidly acquires bacteria, which increase in abundance until they and their protozoan consumers disrupt the pellet membrane, spilling contents into the water. In contrast, our field collections of fecal pellets from free-floating particle interceptor traps (from the “Vertex” project off Central California in 1980 and off Mexico in 1981), suggest that microbial decomposition probably is initiated in the sea from inside the fecal pellets. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy indicate that bacterial populations are most abundant in the interior of fecal pellets obtained from the sea, but that the same pellets will acquire the surface bacterial lawn typically observed in laboratory studies if maintained aboard ship. If the fecal pellets are decomposed from the inside, then the principal agents are enteric bacteria or ingested, digestion-resistant bacteria, or both. Such bacteria may differ metabolically from those that colonize the fecal pellet surfaces. Further-more, the abundance of healthy-appearing bacteria inside the pellets suggests that their metabolic activities may produce microhabitats of reduced oxygen tension that could differ considerably from that of the pellet exteriors. Decomposition in these semi-enclosed microenvironments may proceed in a manner not yet predicted by models that attribute decomposition to well-aerated, surface-dwelling bacterial populations on fecal pellets in the sea.
Remote sensing applications for monitoring rangeland vegetation

Remote sensing techniques hold considerable promise for the inventory and monitoring of natural resources on range‐lands. A significant lack of information concerning basic spectral characteristics of range vegetation and soils has resulted in a lack of rangeland applications. To use remote sensing technology for measuring vegetation and soil changes on rangelands, certain things must be accomplished. First, the spectral characteristics of scene components must be determined for the various vegetation types. Second, determinations must be made of the appropriate kinds of remotely sensed data that should be used for the task. And finally, procedures must be outlined for acquiring the remotely sensed data that will measure changes in the range vegetation and soils. The interpretation of the remotely sensed data for such monitoring purposes will depend upon the use of various vegetation indices, pixel modelling and appropriate statistical tests. The parameters of interest for range condition must be identifi...
Optical wavelet transforms from computer-generated holography

An optical implementation of a wavelet transform is presented. Optical Haar wavelets are created by the use of computer-generated holography. Two different holographic techniques are explored: (1) interferogram and (2) detour-phase. A discrete representation of a continuous wavelet transform is obtained by the optical correlation of an image with a Haar mother wavelet. Experimental results are compared with their digital simulations.
Intestinal metaplasia and histogenesis of carcinoma in human stomach. Light and electron microscopic study.

Mucosal changes and carcinoma cells from 60 cancerous and 86 benign stomachs were studied by light and electron microscopes. In addition to the fully developed metaplastic glands, lesser degrees of metaplasia and cells with mixed characteristics of normal foveolar and metaplastic cells in a single gland were observed, indicating a similar cellular origin. Similar lines of differentiation were also noted in cases showing anaplasia and malignancy involving both metaplastic and non-metaplastic cells. Most tumor cells, however, showed increased numbers of well-developed microvilli and large pale mucin granules seen in benign metaplasia.
Harmonic imaging improves sensitivity at the expense of specificity in the detection of patent foramen ovale.

Contrast echocardiography using agitated saline is widely employed to detect right to left shunt in patients with suspected patent foramen ovale (PFO). The sensitivity of fundamental transthoracic echocardiography (FTTE) is often limited by poor far-field resolution. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the test characteristics of harmonic imaging during transthoracic echocardiography (HTTE) for the detection of PFO. Methods: Sixty-four patients referred for transesophageal echo (TEE) for clinical indications underwent FTTE and HTTE during saline contrast injections. Results: TEE identified nine PFOs. For FTTE, the sensitivity was 78% and the specificity was 100%. For HTTE, the sensitivity was 100% and the specificity was 82%. All ten false positives with HTTE occurred after five cardiac cycles, suggesting transpulmonary transit of the bubbles. Conclusion: In the detection of PFO, HTTE improves sensitivity at the expense of specificity, particularly if the timing of contrast appearance in the left heart is ignored. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 21, January 2004)
Rapid, efficient production of homozygous transgenic tobacco plants with Agrobacterium tumefaciens: a seed-to-seed protocol

An optimized complete protocol was developed forAgrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cultivar SR1), producing T1 flowering plants homozygous for the inserted T-DNA as verified by kanamycin resistance in T2 seedlings in 6 to 7 months from the time of cocultivation withAgrobacterium. Previous protocols require up to 9 to 12 months to obtain similar results. Procedures unique and important to this protocol include; a modified “whole-leaf” transformation coupled with a long duration of cocultivation, resulting in high rates of transformation, high levels of kanamycin in selection media resulting in few escapes, and extensive rooting of regenerants prior to a greenhouse hardening procedure. Once in the greenhouse, primary regenerants were maintained in small containers with long day photoperiod and high light levels, greatly shortening the time to seed set. Flowers from primary transformants were bagged to allow self pollination, and seed capsules harvested and dried prior to normal maturation on the plant. T1 and T2 seeds were plated and selected on kanamycin media by an improved seed plating technique which eliminates the need for the placement of individual seeds, saving time and improving selection homogeneity. Using this protocol, over 130 independent tobacco lines from six separate gene constructs have been generated in a very short time period. Of these 130, nearly 60 percent segregated 3∶1 for kanamycin resistance: susceptibility, indicating single transgene insertion events.
The National Cancer Data Base 10-year survey of breast carcinoma treatment at hospitals in the United States

BACKGROUND The National Cancer Data Base (NCDB), a joint project of the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer and the American Cancer Society, is a cancer management and outcome data base for health care organizations. It provides a comparative summary of patient care that is used by participating hospitals and communities for self-assessment. The most current (1995) data are described herein. METHODS Since 1989, seven calls for data have been issued, yielding reports on a total of 240,031 breast carcinoma patients for the years included in this analysis. A total of 1849 hospital cancer registries responded to at least 1 of the calls for data. RESULTS A continuous improvement in care was reported. By 1995, 45.8% (nearly one-half) of breast carcinoma patients were diagnosed early as Stage 0 or I, and early stage patients (Stage 0 or I) were most often treated with partial mastectomy (in 58% of cases). Favorable 10-year relative survival rates for Stage 0 (95%) and Stage I (88%) breast carcinoma patients were reported. Patients who were presumed to be Stage I and were not selected for axillary dissection had poorer survival. Survival differences were reported for different treatment groups within individual stage strata. Over the 10-year observation period, fewer patients from lower-income neighborhoods were diagnosed with early stage breast carcinoma. In general, the annual relative survival rate remained constant over the 10-year observation period (with no plateau after 5 years) within each stage and for all stages combined. CONCLUSIONS Improvements in diagnosis and treatment during the period 1985-1995 were demonstrated by these data. The NCDB breast carcinoma data are appropriate norms for formal quality assurance purposes, such as those specified by the Standards of the Commission on Cancer published by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Cancer committees and other clinicians working within the hospital setting should assess and compare stage distribution, stage specific treatment patterns, and the correlations between the outcomes of patients and both disease stage and treatment. Cancer 1998;83:1262-1273. © 1998 American Cancer Society.
A stochastic mean-field approach for nuclear dynamics

Abstract We propose a microscopic stochastic approach to improve description of nuclear dynamics beyond the mean-field approximation at low energies. It is shown that, for small amplitude fluctuations, the proposed model gives a result for the dispersion of a one-body observable that is identical to the result obtained previously through a variational approach. Furthermore, by projecting the proposed stochastic mean-field evolution on a collective path, a generalized Langevin equation is derived for collective variable, which incorporates one-body dissipation and one-body fluctuation mechanism in accordance with quantal fluctuation–dissipation relation.
Treatment seeking in populations in urban and rural settings on the border.

Background: Only a small proportion of persons with alcohol or drug problems seek help in the form of treatment for these problems. To examine service disparities among Hispanics living in urban and rural border areas, an improved understanding of factors associated with service seeking is needed for this population. Methods: In-person interviews were conducted with a sample of 1,200 colonia residents and urban residents living along the Texas border with Mexico. For the present study, the dataset was limited to Hispanic respondents (85% of the sample) and those who reported any indicator of need for treatment (38% of the sample). There were 380 respondents who met these criteria. Treatment seeking was measured by any past attempt, successful or unsuccessful, to obtain treatment or by their present stated desire for treatment. Factors influencing treatment seeking were compared across 3 sites. Results: Path analyses indicated that, after taking demographics into account, severity of need (the total number of drug-related and alcohol-related problems experienced by an individual) was a strong influence on treatment seeking, but income-related variables were more influential than severity of need in 1 site. Generation of immigration was positively related to treatment seeking in 2 sites, and in colonias, high religiosity was related to treatment seeking. In 2 sites, need severity was related to neighborhood variables. In colonias, need severity was related to low income and low religiosity. Conclusions: This framework for understanding treatment seeking in border communities suggests that pathways to treatment seeking vary by locality in ways that may reflect variations in local environments and service systems. Design of outreach efforts should be tailored to the unique social and service system challenges of each local community. Although service seeking is low overall, findings are suggestive of an inequitable service access structure in 1 site where need is not the predominant factor for treatment seeking.
Brush border membrane vesicles formed from human duodenal biopsies exhibit NA+-dependent concentrative L-leucine and D-glucose uptake

Summary The human duodenum actively transports L-leucine and D-glucose under Na + gradient conditions as demonstrated by uptake studies using brush border membrane vesicles from organ donor duodenum. Brush border membrane vesicles formed from peroral duodenal biopsies likewise demonstrate Na + dependent concentrative uptake of D-glucose and L-leucine. This is the first demonstration of active transport processes in human duodenum. A simple microvesiculation method to form these vesicles is described as well as its potential application to clinical medicine in studying diseases of defective intestinal transport.
The impacts of ski slope development on stream channel morphology in the White River National Forest, Colorado, USA

article i nfo The combined influence of tree-clearing, road construction, snowmaking, and machine-grading can cause increased flow and sediment loads along streams in or adjacent to commercial ski resorts. These changes to stream channels can increase bank failures, bed material size, pool scour, and, in extreme cases, channel incision. We used field data from the White River National Forest in Colorado, which includes several major ski resorts, to test the hypothesis that ski slope development causes a significant difference in bank stability, undercut banks, fine sediment, wood load, pool residual depth, and particle size (D84) between the ski area project streams and reference streams. We further hypothesize that the changes in a stream are mitigated by the density and type of vegetation growing along the banks. A significant difference is defined as a project stream that is outside the range of variability of the reference streams. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed channel conditions, channel dimensions, and vegetation along 47 stream reaches (200-300 m in length). Twenty-four of these streams are within ski areas (project streams), either adjacent to or downstream from ski slopes. Twenty-three reference streams with very little to no development in their basins are used to define reference conditions of bank stability, bank undercutting, bank height, wood load, pool residual depth, sediment size, and vegetation structure. A combination of statistical techniques, including Principal Components Analysis and Classification and Regression Tree Analysis, was used to assess the controls on stream channel morphology and to analyze the differences between project and reference streams. Project streams that are significantly different than reference streams have a combination of a higher percentage of fine sediment, smaller pool residual depth, and higher percentage of unstable banks. The impacted project streams have bed material derived from granitic rocks and a lower density of understory vegetation. These results show the importance of considering vegetative and geologic influences on channel form and processes when assessing impacts of land use change. Roads and machine-grading have the most significant impact on the streams, causing bed fining and pool filling. These data and results will help in revising a forest management plan to provide guidelines for planning and development of ski areas on public lands.
Increased Localization and Substrate Activation of Protein Kinase Cδ in Lung Epithelial Cells following Exposure to Asbestos

The protein kinase C (PKC) family consists of several isozymes whose substrates may be necessary for the regulation of key cellular events important in the pathogenesis of proliferative diseases. Asbestos is a carcinogen and fibroproliferative agent in lung that may cause cell signaling events through activation of PKC. Here we used a murine inhalation model of asbestos-induced inflammation and fibrosis to examine immunoreactivity of PKCδ and its substrate, phosphorylated-adducin (p-adducin), in cells of the lung. Moreover, we characterized PKCδ and p-adducin expression in a pulmonary epithelial cell line (C10) in both log versus confluent cells and in cells after mechanical wounding or crocidolite asbestos exposure. Both PKCδ and p-adducin were almost exclusively expressed in bronchiolar and alveolar type II (ATII) epithelial cells in lung sections and increased in these cell types after inhalation of asbestos by mice. Increases in membrane and nuclear localization of PKCδ were seen in log phase as compared to confluent C10 cells. Moreover, enhanced immunoreactivity of PKCδ was observed in epithelial cells expressing proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) after mechanical wounding or exposure to asbestos fibers. These studies show that activated PKCδ in pulmonary epithelial cells is a consequence of inhalation of asbestos and may be linked to the activation of cell proliferation.
Utility of TOCA-R Scores During the Elementary School Years in Identifying Later Violence Among Adolescent Males

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the utility of a teacher-rating instrument (TOCA-R) of aggressive behavior during elementary school years in identifying boys at risk for later violence. Method A community epidemiological sample of 415 public school boys was rated at six time points during elementary school regarding their level of aggressive/disruptive behavior. Violence was measured using juvenile police and court records. Results The risk for later violence varied as a function of the boys’ level of aggressive behavior. This relationship peaked in third grade, where more aggressive boys compared to less aggressive boys were twice as likely to commit later violent acts. In respect to identifying at-risk boys, three intervention scenarios were compared. When minimizing false positives, the optimal test was found in the fall of first grade, with 83% of the high-risk compared to 22% of the low-risk boys later having a violent arrest record. When minimizing false negatives, the optimal test was found in the spring of fourth grade (30% of the high-risk boys versus 0% of the low-risk boys). Focusing on both false positives and false negatives, the optimal test was found in the spring of third grade (52% of the high-risk boys versus 14% of the low-risk boys). Conclusions Early levels of aggressive behavior are strong and robust predictors of later violence but are of limited utility in the early identification of boys at risk. Consequently, universal interventions followed by selected/indicated interventions based on a multistage assessment promise the highest utility in preventing youth violence. Future research is needed to identify other indicators that can strengthen the screening utility of aggressive behavior.
Molecular genetic approaches to the targeted suppression of neuronal activity

Abstract Understanding how the diverse cells of the nervous system generate sensations, memories and behaviors is a profound challenge. This is because the activity of most neurons cannot easily be monitored or individually manipulated in vivo . As a result, it has been difficult to determine how different neurons contribute to nervous system function, even in simple organisms like Drosophila . Recent advances promise to change this situation by supplying molecular genetic tools for modulating neuronal activity that can be deployed in a spatially and temporally restricted fashion. In some cases, targeted groups of neurons can be ‘switched off' and back ‘on' at will in living, behaving animals.
An Exploration of the Interaction between Variation in Wavelength and Time Perception

The interaction of color wavelength and perception was evaluated during two experiments. The first study used a time-estimation task which included controls for both stimulus duration and frequency. The second study required production of duration using the same colors and three time periods to be reproduced by the participant according to stimulus cues. Based upon previous research, it was hypothesized that exposure to long-wavelength stimuli would yield shorter time estimations than exposure to short-wavelength stimuli. The results supported the assumption that stimuli of different color wavelengths differentially alter perception and psychological activation; however, the effects were not related to systematic alterations of wavelength.
COLOR DISPERSION AND MILKY-WAY-LIKE REDDENING AMONG TYPE Ia SUPERNOVAE

Past analyses of Type Ia supernovae have identified an irreducible scatter of 5%-10% in distance, widely attributed to an intrinsic dispersion in luminosity. Another equally valid source of this scatter is intrinsic dispersion in color. Misidentification of the true source of this scatter can bias both the retrieved color-luminosity relation and cosmological parameter measurements. The size of this bias depends on the magnitude of the intrinsic color dispersion relative to the distribution of colors that correlate with distance. We produce a realistic simulation of a misattribution of intrinsic scatter and find a negative bias in the recovered color-luminosity relation, β, of Δβ ≈ –1.0 (∼33%) and a positive bias in the equation of state parameter, w, of Δw ≈ +0.04 (∼4%). We re-analyze current published datasets with the assumption that the distance scatter is predominantly the result of color. Unlike previous analyses, we find that the data are consistent with a Milky-Way-like reddening law (R{sub V} = 3.1) and that a Milky-Way dust model better predicts the asymmetric color-luminosity trends than the conventional luminosity scatter hypothesis. We also determine that accounting for color variation reduces the correlation between various host galaxy properties and Hubble residuals by ∼20%.
Validation of improved methods for predicting long-term elastomeric seal lifetimes from compression stress-relaxation and oxygen consumption techniques.

Abstract Conventional high-temperature compression stress–relaxation (CSR) experiments (e.g., using a Shawbury–Wallace relaxometer) measure the force periodically at room temperature. In this paper, we first describe modifications that allow the force measurements to be made isothermally and show that such measurements lead to more accurate estimates of sealing force decay. We then use conventional Arrhenius analysis and linear extrapolation of the high-temperature (80–110 °C) CSR results for two commercial butyl o-ring materials (Butyl-A and Butyl-B) to show that Butyl-B is predicted to have approximately three times longer lifetime at room temperature (23 °C). To test the linear extrapolation assumed by the Arrhenius approach, we conducted ultrasensitive oxygen consumption measurements from 110 °C to room temperature for the two butyl materials. The results indicated that linear extrapolation of the high temperature CSR results for Butyl-A was reasonable whereas a significant curvature to a lower activation energy was observed for Butyl-B below 80 °C. Using the oxygen consumption results to extrapolate the CSR results from 80 °C to 23 °C resulted in the conclusion that Butyl-B would actually degrade much faster than Butyl-A at 23 °C, the opposite of the earlier conclusion based solely on extrapolation of the high-temperature CSR results. Since samples of both materials that had aged in the field for ∼20 years at 23 °C were available, it was possible to check the predictions using compression set measurements made on the field materials. The comparisons were in accord with the extrapolated predictions made using the ultrasensitive oxygen consumption measurements, underscoring the power of this extrapolation approach.
Sex-linked patterns of socialization

The focus of the present study was on ways in which parents differentially socialize their sons and daughters. Measures of socialization were based on the proportion of person- and position-oriented appeals parents reported using in attempts to regulate their children's behavior. Mothers and fathers of first, third, and fifth graders were asked what they would say to their son or daughter in a series of common parent—child situations in which there was an obvious need for a parent to regulate the child's behavior. The major finding was a sex of parent by sex of child interaction in the use of parental appeal strategies. Across ages of children, parents were more person oriented in regulating their same-sex child than their opposite-sex child.
Noncholinergic Lesions of the Medial Septum Impair Sequential Learning of Different Spatial Locations

The medial septum and diagonal band of Broca (MSDB) are major afferents to the hippocampus and are important for learning, memory, and hippocampal theta rhythm. In the present study, we assessed the effect of cholinergic or noncholinergic MSDB lesions on the sequential learning of different goal locations in the same environment, a type of task that is proposed to require hippocampal theta rhythm. Rats were administered saline, 192-IgG saporin (SAP), or kainic acid (KA) into the MSDB and then behaviorally tested. On any day, a single arm of a radial maze was rewarded with food, but the location of this rewarded arm changed between days. As in previous studies, intraseptal SAP reduced the number of cholinergic neurons although sparing GABAergic septohippocampal neurons. KA had the reverse effect, reducing GABAergic septohippocampal neurons and sparing cholinergic neurons. KA, but not SAP, impaired performance on the repeated acquisition task. Saline and SAP rats showed rapid within-session learning, whereas KA rats were much slower to learn the goal location. Performance on a 30 min retention trial was also impaired, although this may be attributable to incomplete acquisition. These findings provide evidence that noncholinergic, but not cholinergic, MSDB neurons are important in helping the animal deal with high loads of memory interference, and provides partial support for the idea that hippocampal theta rhythm is involved.
Neonatal injury alters adult pain sensitivity by increasing opioid tone in the periaqueductal gray.

Studies in both rodents and humans have shown that acute inflammatory pain experienced during the perinatal period produces long-term decreases in pain sensitivity (hypoalgesia) (Grunau et al., 1994a; Grunau et al., 2001; Ren et al., 2004; LaPrairie and Murphy, 2007). To date, the mechanisms underlying these long-term adaptations, however, have yet to be elucidated. The present studies tested the hypothesis that neonatal inflammatory pain induces an upregulation in endogenous opioid tone that is maintained into adulthood, and that this increase in opiate tone provides the underlying mechanism for the observed hypoalgesia. On the day of birth (P0), inflammatory pain was induced in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats by intraplantar administration of carrageenan (CGN; 1%). In adulthood (P60), these animals displayed significantly increased paw withdrawal latencies in response to a noxious thermal stimulus in comparison to controls. Systemic administration of the brain-penetrant opioid receptor antagonist Naloxone HCl, but not the peripherally-restricted Naloxone Methiodide, significantly attenuated the injury-induced hypoalgesia. Direct administration of Naloxone HCl or antagonists directed at the mu or delta opiate receptors into the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) also significantly reversed the injury-induced hypoalgesia in adult rats. Parallel anatomical studies revealed that inflammatory pain experienced on the day of birth significantly increased beta-endorphin and met/leu-enkephalin protein levels and decreased opioid receptor expression in the PAG of the adult rat. Thus, early noxious insult produces long-lasting alterations in endogenous opioid tone, thereby profoundly impacting nociceptive responsiveness in adulthood.
Limitations of the Moral Point of View

Professor Frankena's Carus Lectures exhibit the analytical acumen and probing intelligence we have long come to expect from his writings. The dis tinctions he draws, the questions he raises, and the answers he suggests all serve powerfully to advance philosophical thought. While I shall have criticisms to make of some of his central doctrines, this must not be allowed to obscure the real indebtedness one feels for the enlightening and stimulating effect of his work as a whole. In the following critical examination of Frankena's Lectures I shall con sider three main questions. First, how tenable is the distinction he draws between 'poietic' and 'nonpoietic' conceptions of morality, together with the preference he evinces for the latter conception? Second, does he succeed in showing that it is rational to take or accept "the moral point of view"? Third, how adequate is his conception of moral justification, including the use he makes of the moral point of view for justifying moral principles?
Roles of osteonectin in the migration of breast cancer cells into bone

The focus of this study was to gain insight into the role(s) of osteonectin in the preferential metastasis of breast cancer cells to bone. Osteonectin was isolated from conditioned media of several cell lines including breast cancer (MDA-MB-435, MDA-MB-468), osteoblasts (hFOB1.19), non-neoplastic breast epithelial (hTERT-HME1), and vascular endothelial cells isolated from a bone biopsy (HBME-1). Chemical/physical properties of osteonectin from these five sources was analyzed to determine if unique configurations of osteonectin exist and therefore identify a chemotactic isoform. Osteonectin from all sources had a molecular weight of approximately 46 kDa, N-linked glycosylation, and undetectable phosphorylated serines, sialic acids and O-linked oligosaccharides. The cDNA for osteonectin from the breast cancer, osteoblast, and breast epithelial cell lines was identical, while the vascular endothelial cell cDNA contained point mutations that resulted in eight amino acid substitutions. Bone-derived osteonectin was then analyzed to assess its influence on breast cancer cell motility and migration. Although osteonectin increased undirected MDA-MB-231 cell motility, it did not chemoattract the same breast cancer cell line. However, the breast cancer cells did migrate toward the known chemoattractant vitronectin and to bone extracts derived from wild-type and osteonectin-null mice. Migration to vitronectin was enhanced when osteonectin was also present. We concluded that osteonectin was not a chemotactic factor. However, through its anti-adhesive properties, osteonectin induced undirected breast cancer cell motility, and may have enhanced chemoattraction to vitronectin.
A refined way of solving reactor point kinetics equations for imposed reactivity insertions

We apply the concept of convergence acceleration, also known as extrapolation, to find the solution of the reactor kinetics equations (RKEs). The method features simplicity in that an approximate finite difference formulation is constructed and converged to high accuracy from knowledge of the error term. Through the Romberg extrapolation, we demonstrate its high accuracy for a variety of imposed reactivity insertions found in the literature. The unique feature of the proposed algorithm, called RKE/R(omberg), is that no special attention is given to the stiffness of the RKEs. Finally, because of its simplicity and accuracy, the RKE/R algorithm is arguably the most efficient numerical solution of the RKEs developed to date.
Spectral analysis of four quiescent prominences observed at the Peruvian eclipse

Two-dimensional distributions of kinetic temperature, density and turbulent velocity are obtained for four quiescent prominences observed at the Peruvian eclipse of 12 November, 1966.
Phase behavior and glass transition of 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) dehydrated in the presence of sucrose.

The effect of sucrose on the phase behavior of 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) as a function of hydration was studied using differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. DOPE/sucrose/water dispersions were dehydrated at osmotic pressures (Pi) ranging from 2 to 300 MPa at 30 degrees C and 0 degrees C. The hexagonal II-to-lamellar gel (H(II)-->L(beta)) thermotropic phase transition was observed during cooling in mixtures dehydrated at Pi or=57 MPa, the H(II)-->L(beta) thermotropic phase transition was precluded when sucrose entered the rigid glassy state while the lipid was in the H(II) phase. Sucrose also hindered the H(II)-to-lamellar crystalline (L(c)), and H(II)-to-inverted ribbon (P(delta)) lyotropic phase transitions, which occurred in pure DOPE. Although the L(c) phase was observed in dehydrated 2:1 (mole ratio) DOPE/sucrose mixtures, it did not form in mixtures with higher sucrose contents (1:1 and 1:2 mixtures). The impact of sucrose on formation of the ordered phases (i.e., the L(c), L(beta), and P(delta) phases) of DOPE was explained as a trapping of DOPE in a metastable H(II) phase due to increased viscosity of the sucrose matrix. In addition, a glass transition of DOPE in the H(II) phase was observed, which we believe is the first report of a glass transition in phospholipids.
Size Doesn't Matter: Cortical Stroke Lesion Volume Is Not Associated With Upper Extremity Motor Impairment and Function in Mild, Chronic Hemiparesis

Abstract Objectives To determine (1) the relationship between lesion volume and upper extremity (UE) motor impairment using the UE section of the Fugl-Meyer (FM) assessment; and (2) the relationship between lesion volume and UE functional outcomes using the Arm Motor Ability Test (AMAT) Functional Ability (FA) and Time scales. Design Secondary retrospective analysis of randomized controlled trial data. Setting Outpatient rehabilitation clinic. Participants Subjects with chronic stroke (N=139, 83 men; mean age ± SD of all subjects, 56.7±11.2y; mean time ± SD since stroke onset, 59.6±65.6mo; 90 subjects with right hemiparesis) and stable, active, distal UE movement. Intervention Data were collected related to subjects' lesion volume and UE movement before their participation in a multicenter, randomized controlled trial. Main Outcome Measures FM and AMAT. Results Neither age nor lesion volume was related to FM performance. The P value for the regression coefficient of lesion volume was .045 in the AMAT FA model and .016 in the AMAT Time model. Lesion volume accounted for only an additional 1.7% (AMAT FA) to 3.1% (AMAT Time) of the variability in motor function and was not clinically meaningful. Conclusions Data suggest no relationship between lesion volume and UE impairment, and a small, clinically insignificant relationship between lesion volume and UE motor function. Stroke causes metabolic changes in intact regions and diffuse structural loss in anatomically remote regions from the infarction. These other factors may account for variance in motor outcomes after stroke.
Dispersed repetitive sequences in the chloroplast genome of Douglas-fir.

Restriction mapping and DNA sequencing were used to characterize dispersed repetitive DNA in the chloroplast genome of Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco]. To map repeat families, chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) clones were hybridized at high stringency to one another and to cpDNA cut with restriction enzymes. Repeats are clustered in four regions of the genome and comprise at least six families. Sequence analysis of one repeat family shared among three XbaI fragments indicated the presence of a 633 by inverted repeat which contains a complete tRNA-Serine (GCU) gene and a highly conserved open reading frame (ORF 3.6). Both ends of this 633 bp dispersed repeat have a transposon-like combination of short direct and inverted repeats. One copy of the repeat flanks one of the endpoints of a major inversion which differentiates Douglas-fir from tobacco cpDNA. Dispersion of repetitive DNA by transposition, coupled with loss of the large inverted repeat, appears to have predisposed conifer cpDNA to a number of inversions. An 8 by (CATCTTTT) direct repeat in tobacco is located between two inverted sections in Douglas-fir; it may be a target sequence for homologous recombination.
Mo1527 Double-Duct Sign in the Era of EUS: Is the Absence of a Mass on EUS Adequately Reassuring?

Gastroenterolgy, The First People’s Hospital of Shanghai, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; Eletronic Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China Background: The clinical manifestations and imaging features of mass forming autoimmune pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer are very similar; therefore, differential diagnosis of such focal lesions remains a clinical challenge. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) guided FNA, as an invasive procedure, has the unique ability to obtain specimens for cytological diagnosis, thus, plays a key role in the evaluation patients with inconclusive findings. Digital imaging processing technology has become an encouraging and effective agent to tissue characterization for differential diagnosis. Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of digital imaging processing technology to analyze EUS image in differentiating mass forming autoimmune pancreatitis from pancreatic cancer by extracting the texture features of the typical EUS images and then developing a predictive model to pursue a quantitative, inexpensive and noninvasive computer-aided diagnostic approach. Material and Methods: A total of 324 patients consisting of 288 pancreatic cancers and 36 mass forming autoimmune pancreatitis were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent EUSFNA and cytological analysis. The texture features were extracted from the selected typical EUS images by using computer-based image analysis software. Then, the processes of distance between class and the sequential forward selection were used to obtain a better combination of the texture features. Meanwhile, a support vector machine (SVM) predictive model was developed, trained and validated as well by using a half-half algorithm. Results: From the selected typical EUS images, 105 texture features were initially extracted, among which, 16 better features were chosen, with a classification accuracy of 95.94%. A predictive model was then built and trained. The total 324 patients were randomly divided into a training set and a testing set. The training set was used to train the SVM, and the testing set was used to evaluate the performance of the SVM. After performing 200 random tests, the average classified accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were determined as (92.05 0.13) %, (78.08 0.82) %, (94.21 0.16) %, (76.14 0.57) % and (95.12 0.12) %, respectively. Conclusions: This study reveals that digital imaging processing of EUS images is an inexpensive and noninvasive approach which is effective in differentiating pancreatic cancer from mass forming autoimmune pancreatitis, therefore, it may improve the diagnostic function of EUS without fine needle aspiration.
Mechanisms Controlling Morphogenesis in Developing Teeth

The basic controls for morphogenesis of developing teeth arise from the classical deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-ribonucleic acid (RNA)-Specific Protein system. A single control system directs formation of the dental arch and initiation of all teeth. Individual control systems direct formation of the crown, roots, and alveolar bone, and determine eruption of the teeth.
In vitro preservation of functioning rabbit hearts in a depolarized state at 4°C

Summary Tissue culture media of various types have been devised in the past few years to support the growth of living cells for many generations vitro . We have made modifications in one tissue culture medium (Eagle's minimum essential medium, MEM) so that it will support the functional viability of rabbit hearts stored for 48 hrs at 4°C. Rabbit hearts perfused with Eagle's MEM with added KCl to give a final concentration of 13 to 15 mEq per liter of K + stop contracting within 1 min. Perfusion with the high K + medium is then continued at 4°C. After a series of 40 experiments it has been established that rabbit hearts perfused with Eagle's MEM containing 143 mEq of Na + per liter, 13 to 15 mEq of K + per liter, 9.8 mEq of Ca ++ per liter, and 0.2% glucose equilibrated with 95% O 2 -5% CO 2 can be preserved at 4°C for 24 to 48 hrs with 100% recovery of function as measured by the force of contraction.
HERPETIC KERATITIS: PRESENT MANAGEMENT AND FUTURE PROSPECTS

Summary Herpes simplex keratitis remains a challenging and difficult problem. In this review the rationale for current and experimental antiviral therapy is discussed. The perplexing problem posed by the need to treat herpetic stromal keratitis with corticosteroid is approached through a review of known immunopathologic mechanisms, as well as the hazards and complications of steroid therapy.
Managing liquidity in research-intensive firms: signaling and cash flow effects of patents and alliance activities

The effective holding and management of liquid assets is critical to success in research-intensive industries. The primary output of invention is new knowledge. However, because of its ‘sticky’ characteristics, knowledge may not easily diffuse to external shareholders, leading to knowledge asymmetries between managers/employees and external suppliers of capital. Many valuable R&D projects may thus fail to attract external financing, limiting a firm's ability to invest in R&D. In this study, we examine how the cash flow and signaling properties of a firm's patents and certain aspects of its alliance strategy can attenuate such problems. Specifically, we suggest that a firm's R&D investments positively predict the level of its liquid asset holdings. This is due to the fact that invention-induced knowledge asymmetries increase the firm's cost of accessing external liquid capital. However, holding cash entails opportunity costs. In this regard, we also find that patent production and certain alliance activities provide important signaling mechanisms, which reduce knowledge asymmetries between the firm and capital markets, and consequently lower the firm's need to hold liquid assets. Empirical tests were conducted using a sample of 108 U.S-based biotechnology firms. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structure of the quark propagator at high temperatures

In the high temperature, chirally invariant phase of QCD, the quark propagator is shown to have two sets of poles with different dispersion relations. A reflection property in momentum space relates all derivatives at zero momentum of the particle and hole energies, the particle and hole damping rates, and the particle and hole residues. No use is made of perturbation theory.
Determinants of Weight Gain Prevention in Young Adult and Midlife Women: Study Design and Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Treatment of overweight and obesity through body weight reduction has been monumentally ineffective as few individuals are able to sustain weight loss. Rather than treating weight gain once it has become problematic, prevention of weight gain over time may be more effective. Objective: The aim of this research is to preclude the burden of adult obesity in women by identifying the determinants of weight gain prevention. The objective of this randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to compare a weight gain prevention intervention delivered by the registered dietitian versus counselor. Methods: This is a 12-month parallel-arm weight gain prevention RCT designed to increase self-efficacy, self-regulation, outcome expectations and family and social support through the use of a nutrition education intervention in women, aged 18-45 years, from the Urbana-Champaign (Illinois, USA) area. Women have been randomized to registered dietitian, counselor or wait-list control groups (August 2014) and are undergoing weekly nutrition education sessions for four months, followed by monthly sessions for eight months (through August 2015). Outcome measures, including: (1) dietary intake, (2) physical activity, (3) anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, (4) biochemical markers of health, (5) eating behaviors and health perceptions, and (6) mediators of behavior change, were collected before the intervention began (baseline) and will be collected at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of the study. Results: In total, 87 women have been randomized to intervention groups, and 81 women have completed first week of the study. Results are expected in early 2016. Conclusions: This RCT is one of the first to examine weight gain prevention in women across normal, overweight, and obese body mass index categories. Results of this research are expected to have application to evidence-based practice in weight gain prevention for women and possibly have implication for policy regarding decreasing the encumbrance of overweight and obesity in the United States.
Using Analytic QP and Sparseness to Speed Training of Support Vector Machines

Training a Support Vector Machine (SVM) requires the solution of a very large quadratic programming (QP) problem. This paper proposes an algorithm for training SVMs: Sequential Minimal Optimization, or SMO. SMO breaks the large QP problem into a series of smallest possible QP problems which are analytically solvable. Thus, SMO does not require a numerical QP library. SMO's computation time is dominated by evaluation of the kernel, hence kernel optimizations substantially quicken SMO. For the MNIST database, SMO is 1.7 times as fast as PCG chunking; while for the UCI Adult database and linear SVMs, SMO can be 1500 times faster than the PCG chunking algorithm.