cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Phosphoryl transfer is not rate-limiting for the ROCK I-catalyzed kinase reaction

Rho-associated coiled−coil kinase, ROCK, is implicated in Rho-mediated cell adhesion and smooth muscle contraction. Animal models suggest that the inhibition of ROCK can ameliorate conditions, such as vasospasm, hypertension, and inflammation. As part of our effort to design novel inhibitors of ROCK, we investigated the kinetic mechanism of ROCK I. Steady-state bisubstrate kinetics, inhibition kinetics, isotope partition analysis, viscosity effects, and presteady-state kinetics were used to explore the kinetic mechanism. Plots of reciprocals of initial rates obtained in the presence of nonhydrolyzable ATP analogues and the small molecule inhibitor of ROCK, Y-27632, against the reciprocals of the peptide concentrations yielded parallel lines (uncompetitive pattern). This pattern is indicative of an ordered binding mechanism, with the peptide adding first. The staurosporine analogue K252a, however, gave a noncompetitive pattern. When a pulse of 33P-γ-ATP mixed with ROCK was chased with excess unlabeled ATP ...
Lead poisoning: the epidemic hitting the US juvenile justice system

Not all behavioural issues that lead to juvenile delinquency are hereditary. In fact, there are behavioural issues that can be prevented, such as lead poisoning, that affect the likelihood of juvenile delinquency. This article focuses on the relationship between elevated juvenile lead exposures leading to lead poisoning, specifically its effects on a child’s body, and juvenile delinquency. The author explains how only a small amount of lead is needed to elevate lead levels in juveniles, including a discussion of several nationwide reports conducted to inform the public of this once trending epidemic and since its known existence, whether there have been sufficient changes to drastically lower levels amongst families. The article concludes with a public service message of ways to prevent lead poisoning in one’s home.
Fremdkörperverletzung des Fußes – ein ungewöhnlicher Verlauf

Zusammenfassung Fremdkorperverletzungen am Fus konnen einen problematischen Verlauf nehmen. Wesentlich fur den Krankheitsverlauf ist eine genaue Anamneseerhebung, der gezielte Einsatz bildgebender Verfahren und die chirurgische Exploration der Eintrittspforten. Bei chronischen Beschwerden steht die Fremdkorpersuche im Vordergrund. Neben der Sonographie haben Schnittbildverfahren bei nicht-metallischen Fremdkorpern die groste Aussagekraft, mussen jedoch kritisch beurteilt werden. Der vorgestellte Fall demonstriert die Problematik der Schnittbildinterpretation, wobei weder nach initialer, traumanaher CT noch 6 Jahre spater in der MRT ein fremdkorperverdachtiger Befund erhoben wurde. Unter Berucksichtigung der Anamnese musste jedoch bei vorliegender Klinik von einem einliegenden Fremdkorper ausgegangen werden, was sich intraoperativ bestatigte. Retrospektiv beeindruckt die relative Beschwerdefreiheit des jungen Patienten uber 6 Jahre unter Berucksichtigung der Grose des Fremdkorpers sowie der Abszesshohle.
Effects of Univalent Cations on the Activity of Particulate Starch Synthetase

An investigation was made to determine the univalent cation requirements of starch synthetase from a variety of plant species of economic importance. The particulate enzyme from sweet corn was shown to have an absolute requirement for potassium, with the optimum activation occurring at 0.05 M KCl. Rubidium, cesium, and ammonium were 80% as effective as potassium while sodium and lithium were respectively 21% and 8% as effective as potassium. The K(A) for potassium was determined to be 6 mM. In the case of the particulate starch synthetase from wheat, bush beans, field corn, soybeans, peas, or potatoes, considerable stimulation of enzyme activity was obtained by the addition of potassium to the reaction mixture. In these studies, low enzyme activity was observed in the absence of added potassium, but the content of endogenous univalent cations in the reactions may be sufficient to account for the activities observed. Anions of various types had no effect on starch synthetase activity. Divalent cations produced slight activation in the presence or absence of potassium. All efforts to show a potassium requirement for glycogen synthetase from rat liver have been negative.
On the Reducibility of Sets Inside NP to Sets with Low Information Content

This paper studies for various natural problems in NP whether they can be reduced to sets with low information content, such as branches, P-selective sets, and membership comparable sets. The problems that are studied include the satisfiability problem, the graph automorphism problem, the undirected graph accessibility problem, the determinant function, and all logspace self-reducible languages. Some of these are complete for complexity classes within NP, but for others an exact complexity theoretic characterization is not known. Reducibility of these problems is studied in a general framework introduced in this paper: prover-verifier protocols with low-complexity provers. It is shown that all these natural problems indeed have such protocols. This fact is used to show, for certain reduction types, that these problems are not reducible to sets with low information content unless their complexity is much less than what it is currently believed to be. The general framework is also used to obtain a new characterization of the complexity class L : L is the class of all logspace self-reducible sets in LL-sel.
374: Thymectomy does not abrogate long-term acceptance of MHC class I-disparate lung allografts

Background— We have previously reported that tolerance to class I disparate lung allografts in miniature swine could be induced using an intensive 12-day course of tacrolimus and that pretransplant sensitization with immunogenic MHC class I allopeptides failed to block the induction of tolerance. We also have previously reported the importance of the presence of the thymus in the induction of tolerance to isolated heart, kidney, and combined heart-kidney transplants. In this study, we examined the impact of thymectomy on tolerance induction. Methods— Orthotopic left lung transplantation was performed using MHC class I-disparate donors. The recipients received a 12-day course of high-dose tacrolimus (n = 6). Total thymectomies were performed in three of the swine, 21 days prior to transplantation. Lung grafts were monitored by chest radiography and serial open lung biopsy. Results— All euthymic recipients maintained their grafts over one year. None of the thymectomized recipients has shown graft loss in the six to ten months following transplantation. Although isolated lesions of obliterative bronchiolitis (OB) were occasionally seen in one thymectomized animal on biopsy, donor-specific unresponsiveness has been observed on assays of cell-mediated lymphocytotoxicity (CML) in all recipients. Moreover, co-culture CML assays have shown that recipient lymphocytes can strongly inhibit the normally robust response of naive recipient-matched lymphocytes to donor antigen. This inhibition was not seen when using stimulators primed with thirdparty antigens against appropriate targets. Conclusions— These data suggest that thymus-independent peripheral regulatory mechanisms may be sufficient to induce and maintain long-term acceptance of the lung allografts. 5 Address correspondence to: James S. Allan, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital, Blake 1570, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114., Phone: 978-745-1581, Fax: 978-745-9024, E-mail: jallan@partners.org. 1This work was supported in part by grants from the Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education (Sahara/Allan), the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation (Shoji), the American Surgical Association Foundation (Allan), and the National Institutes of Health 1RO1-HL67110-01-A1 (Allan). Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errorsmaybe discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. NIH Public Access Author Manuscript Transplant Proc. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2007 July 15. Published in final edited form as: Transplant Proc. 2006 December ; 38(10): 3253–3255. N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript N IH PA Athor M anscript
Measuring coherence dynamics of methanol using transient coherent spontaneous Raman scattering

We demonstrate the measurement of vibrational state coherence dynamics in liquid methanol using transient coherent spontaneous Raman scattering. The resulting lifetimes and quantum beat frequency agree with frequency-domain and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering measurements.
Characterizations of Three Classes of Zero-Divisor Graphs

The zero-divisor graph of a commutative ring is the graph whose vertices consist of the nonzero zero-divisors of such that distinct vertices and are adjacent if and only if . In this paper, a characterization is provided for zero-divisor graphs of Boolean rings. Also, commutative rings such that is isomorphic to the zero-divisor graph of a direct product of integral domains are classified, as well as those whose zero-divisor graphs are central vertex complete.
Information models of software productivity: limits on productivity growth

Research into generalized information-metric models of software process productivity establishes quantifiable behavior and theoretical bounds. The models establish a fundamental mathematical relationship between software productivity and the human capacity for information traffic, the software product yield (system size), information efficiency, and tool and process efficiencies. An upper bound is derived that quantifies average software productivity and the maximum rate at which it may grow. This bound reveals that ultimately, when tools, methodologies, and automated assistants have reached their maximum effective state, further improvement in productivity can only be achieved through increasing software reuse. The reuse advantage is shown not to increase faster than logarithmically in the number of reusable features available. The reuse bound is further shown to be somewhat dependent on the reuse policy: a general 'reuse everything' policy can lead to a somewhat slower productivity growth than a specialized reuse policy.
Morally Based Self-Esteem, Drinking Motives, and Alcohol Use Among College Students

This research examined the relationship of morally based self-esteem with drinking motives and alcohol consumption among college students. Basing self-esteem on morals was expected to be negatively associated with drinking behavior. We further expected this relationship to be mediated by drinking motives. Participants (N = 201; 45% male, 55% female) completed self-report measures of contingencies of self-worth, drinking motives, and drinking behavior. Previous research was supported in that college students whose self-esteem was more strongly contingent upon following personal morals consumed less alcohol. The current research extended these findings by showing that this relationship was mediated by drinking motives. Results suggest that it may be useful to better incorporate personal values into interventions for college students. The implementation of personal values in combination with brief treatments is discussed.
Influence of Endometrial 17β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Activity on the Binding of Estradiol to Receptors*

Specimens of proliferative and secretory endometrium which differ in the levels of 17β-estradiol dehydro-genase activity, were superfused with mixtures of[3H]estradiol ([3 H]E2) and [3H]ethynyl estradiol ([3H]EE) in the presence and absence of diethylstilbestrol. Concentrations of labeled E2, EE, and estrone were measured in homogenates and in nuclei isolated from the superfused tissues. The relative proportions of [3H]EE and [3H]E2 bound to nuclear receptor were much higher in secretory than in proliferative endometrium. Since EE binds to the estrogen receptor but is not a substrate for 17β-estradiol dehydrogenase, these results demonstrate the influence ofmetabolism on the binding of E2 to the receptor. The elevated enzymatic activity present in secretory endometrium also accounts for the relatively lower concentration of [3H]E2 and the increased [3H]estrone to [3H]E2 ratio in the superfused tissue.
Earnings Manipulation, Pension Assumptions and Managerial Investment Decisions

Managers appear to manipulate firm earnings through their characterizations of pension assets to capital markets and alter investment decisions to justify, and capitalize on, these manipulations. Managers are more aggressive with assumed long-term rates of return when their assumptions have a greater impact on reported earnings. Firms use higher assumed rates of return when they prepare to acquire other firms, when they issue equity, when they are near critical earnings thresholds and when their managers exercise stock options. Changes in assumed returns, in turn, influence pension plan asset allocations. Instrumental variables analysis indicates that 25 basis point increases in assumed rates are associated with 5 percent increases in equity allocations.
Spanning set defines variability in locomotive patterns

The purpose of the investigation was to use the spanning set methodology to quantify variability in locomotive patterns and to compare this method with traditional measures of variability. Subjects ran on a treadmill while sagittal plane kinematic data were collected with a high-speed (180 Hz) camera. Changes in variability were evaluated as the subject ran barefoot and in shoes. Mean ensemble curves for the knee angle during the stance period were created for each condition. From these curves, traditional measures of variability were calculated using the coefficients of variation (CVs), and the mean deviation (MD). Spanning set vectors were defined from the coefficients of polynomials that were fitted to the respective standard deviation curves. The magnitude of the spanning set was determined by calculating the norm of the difference between the two vectors. The normalised difference between the two conditions was 6.6%, 6.9% and 98%, for the MD, CV and spanning sets, respectively. The results indicated that the spanning set was capable of statistically (p 0.05) between the two conditions. The spanning set provides an alternative, and sensitive measure for evaluating differences in variability from the mean ensemble curve.
A study at understanding the mechanisms governing the high cycle fatigue and final fracture behavior of the titanium alloy: Ti–4Al–2.5V

Abstract In this research paper, the cyclic stress amplitude-controlled high cycle fatigue properties and fracture behavior of a titanium alloy are presented and discussed. The material chosen for this study is a Ti–Al–V–Fe–O 2 alloy that is marketed under the trade name ATI 425™. This alloy was initially developed and put forth for use as a ballistic material but through the last few years it gained in stature for use in other areas due to a healthy combination of physical and mechanical properties. Test specimens were prepared, in conformance with the ASTM E-8 standard, from the as-received sheet stock, which was cold rolled and mill annealed, with the rolling direction both parallel (longitudinal) and perpendicular (transverse) to the length of the sheet. The test specimens were cyclically deformed at three different load ratios ( R = 0.1, R = 0.3 and R = 0.033) and the cycles-to-failure ( N f ) was recorded. The fatigue fracture surfaces were examined in a scanning electron microscope to examine the macroscopic fracture mode, the intrinsic features on the fatigue fracture surface and the role of magnitude of applied stress–microstructural feature interactions in governing failure.
Zinc-Thiourea-Diphenyl Ether. a new Reagent for the Debromination of Vic-Dibromides

Abstract Zinc with a trace of zinc chloride in methanol, ethanol, dioxane or diethyl ether is one of the most common dehalogenating agents1–4. However, the use of such low boiling solvents causes difficulties when the dehalogenated products have boiling points similar to these solvents, when they form azeotropic mixtures with the solvents or when the products tend to polymerize in the reaction mixture and it is desirable to remove them as formed.
Optogenetic Inactivation Modifies Monkey Visuomotor Behavior

A critical technique for understanding how neuronal activity contributes to behavior is determining whether perturbing it changes behavior. The advent of optogenetic techniques allows the immediately reversible alteration of neuronal activity in contrast to chemical approaches lasting minutes to hours. Modification of behavior using optogenetics has had substantial success in rodents but has not been as successful in monkeys. Here, we show how optogenetic inactivation of superior colliculus neurons in awake monkeys leads to clear and repeatable behavioral deficits in the metrics of saccadic eye movements. We used our observations to evaluate principles governing the use of optogenetic techniques in the study of the neuronal bases of behavior in monkeys, particularly how experimental design must address relevant parameters, such as the application of light to subcortical structures, the spread of viral injections, and the extent of neuronal inactivation with light.
Phase II study of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib (PS-341, Velcade) in chemotherapy-naïve patients with advanced stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to determine the objective response rate of bortezomib as a first-line therapy in patients advanced stage NSCLC. Advanced/metastatic NSCLC patients with measurable disease, adequate organ function, ECOG performance status of 0–2, and no prior chemotherapy for metastatic disease were eligible. Patients received intravenously bolus bortezomib 1.3mg/m 2 /day on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 every 21 days for a maximum of 8 cycles, or until disease progression, or unacceptable toxicity. Tumor response was evaluated after every 2 cycles of therapy. This single-arm phase II study employed the Simon's two-stage design. The study was terminated in the first stage after 14 patients enrolled at 4 institutions. No objective response was observed. Three patients (21%) had stable disease and received 8, 6 and 4 cycles of treatment; the duration of stable disease was 11.5, 4.2 and 3.4 months, respectively. Median time to progression was 1.3 months (95% CI, 0.6–3.0 months); median overall survival (OS) was 9.9 months (95% CI, 2.2–27.0 months). Twelve patients received at least one dose of bortezomib. There were no grade 4 toxicities or treatment related deaths. Grade 3 toxicities included fatigue ( N =1, 8%), deep vein thrombosis ( N =1, 8%) and thrombocytopenia ( N =1, 8%). Although well tolerated, bortezomib monotherapy is not active in this cohort of chemotherapy-naive, metastatic NSCLC.
Analysis of Point Based Image Registration Errors With Applications in Single Molecule Microscopy

We present an asymptotic treatment of errors involved in point-based image registration where control point (CP) localization is subject to heteroscedastic noise; a suitable model for image registration in fluorescence microscopy. Assuming an affine transform, CPs are used to solve a multivariate regression problem. With measurement errors existing for both sets of CPs this is an errors-in-variable problem and linear least squares is inappropriate; the correct method being generalized least squares. To allow for point dependent errors the equivalence of a generalized maximum likelihood and heteroscedastic generalized least squares model is achieved allowing previously published asymptotic results to be extended to image registration. For a particularly useful model of heteroscedastic noise where covariance matrices are scalar multiples of a known matrix (including the case where covariance matrices are multiples of the identity) we provide closed form solutions to estimators and derive their distribution. We consider the target registration error (TRE) and define a new measure called the localization registration error (LRE) believed to be useful, especially in microscopy registration experiments. Assuming Gaussianity of the CP localization errors, it is shown that the asymptotic distribution for the TRE and LRE are themselves Gaussian and the parameterized distributions are derived. Results are successfully applied to registration in single molecule microscopy to derive the key dependence of the TRE and LRE variance on the number of CPs and their associated photon counts. Simulations show asymptotic results are robust for low CP numbers and non-Gaussianity. The method presented here is shown to outperform GLS on real imaging data.
Foreign Language Phonology: Field Independence, Attitude, and the Success of Formal Instruction in Spanish Pronunciation

The issue of teaching pronunciation has been severely neglected after the first year of most university foreign language (FL) courses. Moreover, research examining factors affecting the acquisition of the second language (L2) phonological system has been, in general, very scarce. In the present study I examine the acquisition of a nonnative phonological system by adult language learners studying Spanish at Indiana University, Bloomington. The objective of the study was to determine the success of supplementing intermediate Spanish courses with formal instruction in pronunciation. The instruction provided a multimodal methodology aimed to account specifically for individual differences and learning style variation. Variables such as field independence (FI), as measured by the Group Embedded Figures Test (Witkin, Oltman, Raskin, & Karp, 1971), and subject attitude or concern for pronunciation accuracy were examined in relation to improvement in pronunciation. The findings revealed that neither FI, nor subject concern for pronunciation accuracy, were significant predictors of improvement in pronunciation. In contrast, the multimodal methodology resulted in significant improvement of target language pronunciation for the subjects in the experimental group. The article ends with a classroom model of pronunciation instruction designed to enable teachers to incorporate this multimodal method into most second language (L2) curricula. There are also observations about pronunciation errors as they relate to contrastive analysis theory and several suggestions for future research.
PERFORMANCE OF 2000 AND 6000 PSI AIR GUNS: THEORY AND EXPERIMENT*

Air guns have been used in various applications for a number of years. They were first used in coal-mining operations and were operated at up to 16000 psi charge pressures. Later, single air guns, operated at 2000 psi, found application as an oceanographic survey tool. Air gun arrays were first used in offshore seismic exploration in the mid-1960's. These early arrays were several hundred cubic inches in total volume and were operated at 2000 psi; they were either tuned arrays or several large guns of the same size with wave-shape kits. Today's arrays have total volumes greater than 5000 cu in. and are typically operated at 2000 psi. Recently, higher-pressure, lower-volume arrays operated at 4000–5000 psi have been introduced; guns used in these arrays are descendants of the coal-mining gun. On first thought one would equate increased gun pressure linearly with the amplitude of the initial pulse. This is approximately true for the signature radiated by a “free-bubble” (no confining vessel) and recorded broadband. The exact relation depends on the depth at which the gun is operated; from solution of the free-bubble oscillation equation, the relation is If Pc,1= 6014.7 psia, Pc,2= 2014.7 psia and PO, 1=PO, 2= 25.8 psia (corresponding to absolute pressure at 25 ft water depth), then Experiments were conducted offshore California in deep water to determine the performance of several models of air guns at pressures ranging from 2000 to 6000 psi and gun volumes ranging from 5 to 300 cu in. At a given gun pressure, the initial acoustic pulse Pa correlated with gun volume Vc according to the classical relation For 1 ms sampled data the ratio varied between 4.5 and 5.5 dB depending on gun model. Pulse width of the 2000 psi signatures indicated they are compatible with 2 ms sample-rate recording while pulse width of the 6000 psi signatures was greater, indicating they are less compatible with 2 ms sample-rate recording. Conclusions reached were that 2000 psi air guns are more efficient than higher pressure guns and are more compatible with 2 ms sample-rate requirements.
Coacervate delivery systems for proteins and small molecule drugs

Coacervates represent an exciting new class of drug delivery vehicles, developed in the past decade as carriers of small molecule drugs and proteins. This review summarizes several well-described coacervate systems, including: i) elastin-like peptides for delivery of anticancer therapeutics; ii) heparin-based coacervates with synthetic polycations for controlled growth factor delivery; iii) carboxymethyl chitosan aggregates for oral drug delivery; iv) Mussel adhesive protein and hyaluronic acid coacervates. Coacervates present advantages in their simple assembly and easy incorporation into tissue engineering scaffolds or as adjuncts to cell therapies. They are also amenable to functionalization such as for targeting or for enhancing the bioactivity of their cargo. These new drug carriers are anticipated to have broad applications and noteworthy impact in the near future.
Workers’ relationships to their union: The effects of transfer status and race at a U.S. automobile plant

Abstract This study addresses the impact that transferring from one plant to another has on workers in terms of their levels of commitment, involvement and satisfaction with their union. Findings indicate that race is a determinate factor. Minorities that did transfer report being less committed workers and less involved with their union than minorities already working at the plant. Also, in terms of union commitment, involvement, and satisfaction although the age of the worker is not a significant factor, females are significantly more involved with their union than males. Accordingly, rank and file workers whom are elected or appointed union officials are more satisfied and involved with their union then those workers not in official union positions. In June of 2007, the survey was developed by the authors, and endorsed and administered by a major industrial union. The total population of the plant under review is 1640 workers.
Oviposition and development of face flies in dung from cattle on herbage and supplemented herbage diets

Abstract Dung was collected from Angus cattle ( Bos taurus L.) fed (ad libitum) hays of endophyte-free (EF) and endophyte ( Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams) infected (EI) tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), smooth bromegrass ( Bromus inermis Leyss.), red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), and alfalfa-smooth bromegrass (1:1 w/w) and green-chopped Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.). Samples of dung were subsequently collected from the same animals offered the same herbage diets supplemented each day with ground maize ( Zea mays L.) kernels at 0.35 kg per 100 kg body weight. Dung from both sources were used in bioassays to establish oviposition preferences of face flies ( Musca autumnalis De Geer). When offered dung from herbage diets, face flies deposited 38.3% of their eggs on dung derived from EF tall fescue diets, 9.9% on dung from EI tall fescue diets, 21.0% on dung from alfalfa diets, 7.4% on dung from red clover diets and 22.8% on dung from alfalfa-bromegrass diets. Face flies avoided ovipositing in dung from cattle ingesting bromegrass hay and Kentucky bluegrass green-chop. Supplements increased oviposition preference of face flies for dung from cattle ingesting Kentucky bluegrass greenchop to 19.1% at the expense of oviposition on dung from cattle ingesting alfalfa hay diets (4.5%), otherwise, they had little effect on oviposition preference ranking. Growth and development of first instar larvae of face flies was also measured in bioassays of dung from cattle on herbage and supplemented herbage diets. The presence of endophyte reduced pupation in dung from cattle on tall fescue hay diets from 86.3 to 79.8% and from 90.1 to 73.2% in dung from cattle on supplemented tall fescue hay diets. Pupal liveweights averaged 27.5 mg on dung from cattle on EF tall fescue diets, 22.1 mg from dung of cattle on EI tall fescue diets, 22.2 mg from dung of cattle on supplemented EF tall fescue diets and 24.0 mg from dung of cattle on supplemented EI tall fescue diets. Eclosion and the sex ratio of adults were not affected by dung from cattle on different source diets.
The metabolism of radioactive cobalt (Co60) in normal and alloxan diabetic rats.

Abstract A study was made of the distribution of Co 60 in various tissues and organs of normal and alloxan diabetic rats during the first 24 hr. following injection. No significant statistical differences were observed between the two groups of animals. Radioautographs of the pancreas in the two groups failed to provide any evidence that the cobalt in this organ might be concentrated in the islets of Langerhans.
Stimulation of Cyclic AMP Production by the Rat Testis During Incubation with hCG in Vitro

The response of the isolated rat testis to hCG in vitro was evaluated in terms of cyclic AMP synthesis and release into the incubation medium. Simultaneous measurement of 14C adenine incorporation into cyclic AMP and total release of immunoreactive cyclic AMP showed a constant ratio between incorporation and mass of nucleotide, indicating that proportionate synthesis and release of cyclic AMP occurred during stimulation with hCG. The maximum levels of cyclic AMP in tissue and medium were observed after incubation for 2 hr, with a drop at the fourth hr. The extent of the cyclic AMP response to hCG increased with gonadotropin dose over the range 1–500 ng/ml hCG, with a tendency to fall at extremely high hCG levels. As little as 1 ng/ml hCG produced detectable release of cyclic AMP into the incubation medium; at this and higher hCG doses, testosterone release was maximal and remained constant despite increasing cyclic AMP production and release with high levels of hCG. The release of cyclic AMP during hCG st...
Optical coherence tomography: expanding use in the bile duct.

Background and Study Aims Optical coherence tomography (OCT) permits high-resolution imaging of tissue microstructures using a probe that can be inserted into the main pancreatic duct (MPD) through a standard endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) catheter. This prospective study was designed to assess the diagnostic capacity of OCT to differentiate between nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions in patients with MPD segmental strictures. Patients and Methods Twelve consecutive patients with documented MPD segmental stricture were investigated by endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS), with fine-needle aspiration cytology if necessary, and ERCP, followed by brush cytology and OCT scanning. Results OCT recognized a differentiated three-layer architecture in all cases with normal MPD or chronic pancreatitis, while in all the neoplastic lesions the layer architecture appeared totally subverted, with heterogeneous backscattering of the signal. The accuracy of OCT for detection of neoplastic tissue was 100% compared with 66.7% for brush cytology. In one case, neither OCT scanning nor brush cytology was possible because of the severity of the stricture. Conclusions This pilot study showed that OCT is feasible during ERCP, in cases of MPD segmental stricture, and was superior to brush cytology in distinguishing nonneoplastic from neoplastic lesions.
Statistical best bases for fast encoding in magnetic resonance imaging

We discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a Karhunen-Loeve (K-L) expansion of a training set of images to reduce the number of encodes required for a magnetic resonance (MR) image of a new object. One form of this technique has been proposed and another implemented. We evaluate the error likely to be achieved as a function of the number of encodes and two technical problems: reduced SNR in the images and smoothing of the K-L functions in practice. As an alternative, we propose the use of joint best bases derived from the local trigonometric library as an approximation to the K-L basis. These bases approach the rate-distortion characteristic achieved by the K-L basis, but they are easier to use in MRI and can be applied with existing methods for fast acquisition.
Gas chromatographic retention behavior of polycyclic aromatic compounds on smectic liquid-crystalline polysiloxane stationary phases

Abstract Factors affecting gas chromatographic retention on smectic liquid-crystalline phenyl and biphenyl carboxylate ester polysiloxane stationary phases were studied for neutral polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and slightly polar sulfur heterocycles. Retention was greatly affected by the molecular geometry of the solutes in addition to other contributions such as solute vapor pressure and polarity. The major geometrical factor was the length-to-breadth ( L/B ) ratio of the solutes, while of less importance, but still significant, was the solute molecular shape. The effect of solute ( L/B ) on selectivity was larger in the smectic region than in the nematic region. Furthermore, the selectivity of the smectic phase was generally better than that of the nematic phase. Compounds with at least four aromatic rings annelated in a straight line were retained much longer, and compounds with aromatic rings annelated in a curved or arc-like arrangement were retained much less, than predicted by the ( L/B ) ratios for these compounds. Arc-like molecules with groups attached to the outer curved side were, however, retained longer than predicted. Lower chromatographic efficiencies were measured for the arc-like molecules as compared to the latter type of molecules. The latter appear to penetrate the laminar arrangement of the polymer liquid-crystalline side groups more easily, thus leading to better solute diffusion and improved mass transfer.
Feeding after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy in children: early feeding trial.

Background Percutaneous endoscopic placement of a gastrostomy tube is a common procedure to provide feeding access in children. The practice has been to withhold the initial feeding for a prescribed length of time because of safety concerns. The shortest reported time to feeding in pediatric patients is 6 hours. Patients and methods A prospective randomized trial was devised to compare the tolerance of feedings at 3 and 6 hours after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement. The change in abdominal girth before and 1 hour after the initial feeding, any vomiting, and the gastric residual volume before the next feeding were recorded. The length of stay was also documented. Results Forty successive patients who met the entry criteria were enrolled, with 20 in each group. There were no statistical differences between the groups for age or sex distribution. There were no significant differences in the recorded episodes of emesis from either group (median value 0 in both groups, P = 0.82). The changes in abdominal girths were also similar and statistically not significantly different (median values 0 for 3 hours vs 0.5 cm for 6 hours, P = 0.29). Gastric residual volumes were low overall and not different depending on the time that feedings were started (median value 0 in both groups, P = 0.47). The length of stay was statistically the same between the 3- and 6-hour feeding groups (median values 30.7 hours for 3 hours vs 30.0 hours for 6 hours, P = 0.92). Conclusions Feedings after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy placement can be started as soon as 3 hours after the procedure is completed with no increase in complications.
Covert computer and network communications

The ex-filtration of confidential information across communication networks is a challenging problem. It is possible for transmissions to be hidden or masked in such a way to circumvent the security policies of an organization. An objective might be to make contacts "invisible" to all parties except designates. This can take the form of a covert channel [3]. A covert channel is described as: "any communication channel that can be exploited by a process to transfer information in a manner that violates the systems security policy."Covert channels can be the vehicle used to breach a computer network for the purpose of downloading tools from outside, uploading internal data to the outside, and communicating to outside parties. Internal users may want to use forbidden protocols, have non-malicious backdoor access, and hide their actions from management. Covert channels provide an alternative, subversive means of achieving confidentiality and maintaining anonymity.
Storage and release of major ionic contaminants from the snowpack in the Turkey Lakes Watershed

The chemistry of the snowpack and snowmelt was investigated at the Turkey Lakes Watershed during the spring melt period in 1985. Ions in the snowmelt were 2 to 10 times more concentrated than those in the pre-melt snowpack and approximately 50% of the H+, SO4 and NO3 were lost from the snowpack with the first 30% of the melt. Rainfall flowed directly through the snow cover even during the early stages of the melt. Four rain events, which accounted for only 18% of the flowthrough collected, were responsible for about 50% of the H+ and SO4 and 37% of the NO3 ions exported from the snowpack. Sulphate to nitrate equivalent ratios in the pre-melt snowpack were generally about 0.6 but an enrichment of SO4 relative to NO3 in atmospheric deposition during the spring (SO4:NO3 > 1) resulted in snowmelt with an increasing SO4 content relative to NO3.
When a Cleared Rape Is Not Cleared A Multilevel Study of Arrest and Exceptional Clearance

As rape remains one of the most underreported and least likely to be cleared of the violent crimes, it is of paramount importance to understand the factors associated with the likelihood of a case being cleared by law enforcement. This study uses data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and the Law Enforcement Management and Administrative Statistics (LEMAS), and a multilevel modeling approach to examine the relationship between victim, offender, incident, and police department characteristics contrasting the two types of clearance: arrest and exceptional clearance. The latter occurs due to reasons outside of law enforcement's control and despite being considered cleared, the offender is not arrested, charged, nor turned over for prosecution. Of the 16,231 cleared rapes in 238 departments, nearly half (47%) results in exceptional clearance when the victim refuses to cooperate or when prosecution is declined. Incident-level variables have a greater effect on the likelihood of exceptional clearance than victim and offender variables. The department explained a nontrivial amount of variation in the dependent variable, as 37% of the variance in type of clearance was between-department variation. Implications for future research on exceptional clearance and NIBRS are discussed.
Stimulus Design is an Obstacle Course: 560 Matched Literal and Metaphorical Sentences for Testing Neural Hypotheses about Metaphor

Despite the ubiquity and importance of metaphor in thought and communication, its neural mediation remains elusive. We suggest that this uncertainty reflects, in part, stimuli that have not been designed with recent conceptual frameworks in mind or that have been hampered by inadvertent differences between metaphoric and literal conditions. In this article, we begin addressing these shortcomings by developing a large, flexible, extensively normed, and theoretically motivated set of metaphoric and literal sentences. On the basis of the results of three norming studies, we provide 280 pairs of closely matched metaphoric and literal sentences that are characterized along 10 dimensions: length, frequency, concreteness, familiarity, naturalness, imageability, figurativeness, interpretability, valence, and valence judgment reaction time. In addition to allowing for control of these potentially confounding lexical and sentential factors, these stimuli are designed to address questions about the role of novelty, metaphor type, and sensory-motor grounding in determining the neural basis of metaphor comprehension. Supplemental data for this article may be downloaded from http://brm.psychonomic-journals .org/content/supplemental.
Optimal Robot Motion Planning and Work-Cell Layout Design

This paper describes an interactive software system, developed at the Robotics and Automation Laboratory at UCLA to demonstrate innovative approaches to off-line robot programming and work-cell layout design. The software computes the time-optimal motions along specified paths, local optimal paths around an initial guess, and the global optimal path between given end-points. It considers the full robot dynamics, actuator constraints, on the payload acceleration or the gripping force, and any number of polygonal obstacles of any shape. The graphic displays provide a useful tool for interactive motion planning and workcell design.
Intramedullary spinal cord metastases: visibility on PET and correlation with MRI features.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Studies systematically evaluating the detection of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis with PET are lacking. Our purpose was to evaluate the visibility of intramedullary spinal cord metastasis on PET in a single institutional series and to correlate PET and MR imaging features. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were included if pretreatment MR imaging identifying an intramedullary spinal cord metastasis and an [18F] FDG-PET examination near the time of MR imaging were available. PET examinations were retrospectively reviewed, with reviewers blinded and then unblinded to the PET report and MR imaging findings. PET intramedullary spinal cord metastasis features were compared with and correlated with previously analyzed MR imaging lesion characteristics. Original clinical PET reports were reviewed. RESULTS: The final study sample was 10 PET examinations in 10 patients with 13 intramedullary spinal cord metastases. In 7 (70%) patients, retrospective blinded review demonstrated convincing evidence of 10 (77%) intramedullary spinal cord metastases. Three MR imaging features correlated with intramedullary spinal cord metastases being visible on PET compared with those nonvisible, respectively: larger lesion enhancement size: mean size: 32.1 mm versus 6.0 mm (P = .038); larger longitudinal extent of T2 signal abnormality: mean 5.6 versus 1.0 segments (P = .0081); and larger ratio of extent of T2 signal abnormality to contrast enhancement: 3.8 versus 1.0 (P = .0069). Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis was confidently reported clinically in 2 (20%) patients, accounting for 5 (38%) intramedullary spinal cord metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Most intramedullary spinal cord metastases can be detected on PET when performed near the time of pretreatment MR imaging. However, intramedullary spinal cord metastases may not be clinically reported on PET. Larger lesions with more edema are more likely to be visible. The spinal cord should be specifically and carefully assessed on PET for evidence of intramedullary spinal cord metastases to provide timely diagnosis.
Interaction of Salicylic Acid with Adenosine and Adenosine Triphosphate: Potential Mechanism of Intensifying Aspirin-Induced GI Blood Loss

Abstract Several studies (1–4) indicated that aspirin-induced gastric or GI bleeding is usually a local effect resulting from contact of aspirin particles, or saturated solutions of aspirin surrounding these particles, with the mucosa. Maudlin (5) also stated that bleeding and ulceration are due to a local focal necrosis. However, Woznicki and Mrtek (6) expressed the opinion that the mechanism of aspirin-induced GI blood loss is due to a combination of both local and systemic effects. They explained the systemic effect by the role of aspirin in reducing platelet aggregation through elimination of the second wave of platelet aggregation induced by adenosine diphosphate. These authors defended their opinion by the fact that aspirin is being used experimentally to prevent formation of thromboemboli. However, no work has been published to support this theory.
Multilingual Transliteration Using Feature based Phonetic Method

In this paper we investigate named entity transliteration based on a phonetic scoring method. The phonetic method is computed using phonetic features and carefully designed pseudo features. The proposed method is tested with four languages – Arabic, Chinese, Hindi and Korean – and one source language – English, using comparable corpora. The proposed method is developed from the phonetic method originally proposed in Tao et al. (2006). In contrast to the phonetic method in Tao et al. (2006) constructed on the basis of pure linguistic knowledge, the method in this study is trained using the Winnow machine learning algorithm. There is salient improvement in Hindi and Arabic compared to the previous study. Moreover, we demonstrate that the method can also achieve comparable results, when it is trained on language data different from the target language. The method can be applied both with minimal data, and without target language data for various languages.
Wave heights from a 3m discus buoy during Hurricane Katrina

In August 2005 the eye of Hurricane Katrina passed 49 nm to the west of a 3-m discus buoy (USM3m01), in 20 m water depth, operated by the Central Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System (CenGOOS). Buoy wave heights were measured with an onboard 6-axis accelerometer and from the displacement of a GPS antenna as measured by Real-Time-Kinematic (RTK) GPS. The computed wave heights are compared to the nearby NDBC 42007 buoy and show reasonable agreement for wave heights less than 2-3 m. At higher wave heights there is a potential bias in the wave heights if the buoy's heel is not accounted for. This is believed to be the result of swell in shallow water, a heel in the buoy caused by wind and currents, and the failure to tilt-correct the accelerometer data.
Genetics of natural populations, XLIII. Further studies on rates of dispersal of Drosophila pseudoobscura and its relatives.

The amount of gene flow among local populations of a species is determined by the dispersal capacity of that species. Population samples of Drosophila pseudoobscura, D. persimilis, D. azteca, and D. miranda were collected, marked with ultraviolet fluorescent dusts, and released as soon as possible after capture. One and two days after release, recaptures were made on baits placed at 40-meter intervals in straight lines intersecting the release point. On alternative days, the baits were placed in North-South or in East-West directions. The distribution of the recaptured flies about the release point is very nearly normal. No significant differences between the dispersal rates of the four species are observed; however, males disperse slightly further than females. The variances averaged 50,822 m 2 on the first day and 80,048 m2 on the second day and the estimated mean distances from the release point averaged 263 m and 361 m respectively. The genetic implications of the results are discussed.