cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Post-Burlington: What Employers and Employees Need to Know About Retaliation

Since the landmark decision in Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway Co. v. White, numerous federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals in the United States have considered employees’ retaliation claims. This paper reviews several post-Burlington cases and provides employers with a roadmap as to what has been held to be retaliation under the law and what has not. Our contribution is an up-to-date analysis of retaliation cases, on a specific employment action basis, to provide guidance to employers of the types of activity that could support a claim of retaliation and to employees to alert them as to the types of activity that they should not have to endure in the workplace.
Structure and molecular evolutionary analysis of a plant cytochrome c gene: Surprising implications for Arabidopsis thaliana

We have isolated a cytochrome c gene fromArabidopsis thaliana (cv. Columbia), which is the first cytochrome c gene to be cloned from a higher plant. Genomic DNA blot analysis indicates that there is only one copy of cytochrome c inArabidopsis. The gene consists of three exons separated by two introns. Gene features such as regulatory regions, codon usage, and conserved splicing-specific sequences are all present and typical of dicotyledonous plant nuclear genes. We have constructed phenograms and cladograms for cytochrome c amino acid sequences and histone H3, alcohol dehydrogenase, and actin DNA sequences. For both cytochrome c and histone H3,Arabidopsis clusters poorly with other higher plants. Instead, it clusters withNeurospora and/or the yeasts. We suggest that perhaps this observation should be considered when usingArabidopsis as a model system for higher plants.
Public Administration Reform in Eastern Europe: A Research Note and a Look at Bulgaria:

The ability of the administrative state to effectively and reliably deliver public goods and services is perhaps a key variable that can be used to distinguish successful and unsuccessful societies...
Triazine herbicide fate in a no-tillage corn (Zea mays L.)-Crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) “Living mulch” system

Abstract Chloro-s-triazine herbicide dissipation and leaching potential were examined in two untilled soils planted to corn (Zea mays L.) in a crownetch (Coronilla varia L.) “living mulch” sod. Herbicides studied were simazine (6-chloro-N,N′ -diethyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine), atrazine (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N′-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5,-triazine-2,4-diamine, cyanazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-1,3,5,-triazin-2-yl]amino]-methylpropanenitrile) and procyazine (2-[[4-chloro-6-(cycloproylamino)-1,3,5,-triazin-2-yl]amino]-2-methylpropanenitrile). Each was applied at 2.2 and 4.5 kg (active ingredient) ha−1. Soil profiles were sampled twice yearly in 15-cm increments to 91 or 122 cm deep. These soil fractions were analyzed for parent herbicide residues. Herbicide dissipation and translocation were rapid and extensive under no-tillage management, and herbicide distribution in the different soil profiles was not predictable solely on the basis of water solubility of the chemicals or soil texture. The probability of detecting subsoil levels of these herbicides was as great in the Murrill silty clay loam as in the Morrison sandy loam. Simazine and atrazine were more persistent and detected more frequently at lower profile depths than cyanazine and procyazine, which are considerably more water soluble. Redistribution of simazine and atrazine by leaching from early to mid-season was also more evident in each soil.
Influence of T cell specificity on the heterogeneity and disease-causing capability of antibody against the acetylcholine receptor

Abstract Adoptive secondary anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody responses were examined in rats to evaluate the influence of helper T cell specificity on the nature and disease-causing potential of antibody produced. Mixtures of B cells reactive with the intact AChR plus T cells reactive with purified AChR subunits (α, β, γ, δ) were transferred and antigen-challenged in immunologically naive recipient rats; the serum anti-AChR antibody produced was assessed by radioimmunoassay for differences in titers and by isoelectric focusing for differences in clonal heterogeneity as a function of the subunit specificity of T cells transferred. In addition, rats receiving different sources of AChR or AChR subunit-reactive T cells were examined for AChR-dependent muscle dysfunction. The results indicated a clear reduction in anti-AChR antibody concentrations and clonal heterogeneity in recipient rats receiving T cells of specificities restricted to individual subunits. However, except for a clear relationship between serum anti-AChR antibody concentration and disease induction, no particular AChR subunit-reactive helper T cell specificity appeared to preferentially cause muscle dysfunction. We conclude that if such relationships exists, T cells with specificities more restricted than those described here will have to be used.
VENTRICULAR INVOLVEMENT IN HAEHOPHILUS INFLUEHZAE TYPE B (HIB) MENINGITIS

A primate model of HIB meningitis allows systematic investigation into all aspects of this common disease. 19 infant monkeys were inoculated intranasally with 108 HIB. Bacteremia occurred after nasal colonization in 17/19 animals (89%). 46 hrs after the onset of bacteremia (range 24-96 hrs), 16/17 (94%) animals developed meningitis (lumbar or cinternal CSF containing bacteria and inflammatory cells). To ascertain ventricular involvement, we performed 17 lateral ventricular punctures on 8 meningitic animals, sampling freely flowing CSF. A mean of 3.9 days (range 0-10) had elapsed between onset of documented meningitis and the ventricular tap. HIB were cultured from all ventricular CSF samples (17/17)(100%). In 11/12 quantitative comparisons of bacterial density in ventricular and cisternal fluids, the values were within 1 log; 4/6 quantitative ventricular-lumbar comparisons were within 1 log. These similarities were observed over a wide range of bacterial densities (102 - 108). When discordance was present, the ventricular CSF contained more bacteria. In 11/16 comparisons of number of CSF leukocytes in ventricular and cisternal fluid, the ventricular pleocytosis was lower (mean ratio 0.04; range 0.0 - 0.22). However in 5/16 there was no differences in cellular inflammatory response (mean ratio 1.04; range 0.89 - 1.36). Glucose concentrations were not different in 5 ventricular-cisternal comparisons. We conclude infection of ventricular CSF is a uniform feature of HIB meningitis.
Attitudes toward Community Services Use in Dementia Care among Korean Americans

To understand the future demand for community services use in dementia care, this study examined attitudes toward community services use in potential dementia situations among 209 Korean Americans, using a self-administered questionnaire in Korean. Findings revealed that, contrary to expectations about filial/family responsibility in Asian culture, Korean Americans showed favorable attitudes toward using community services in dementia caregiving. Multivariate analysis showed that those who rate their health poorer, and have more social network and greater awareness of community services, are more likely to be favorable toward using community services. The study provides practitioners and providers with an understanding about intentions to utilize services in dementia care and suggests ways to prepare for future service demands in the Korean American community.
The use of electromyography to predict functional outcome following transforaminal epidural spinal injections for lumbar radiculopathy.

Abstract This study aimed to determine if electromyographic (EMG) diagnostic evaluation can predict functional outcome in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar spine epidural injections. In this retrospective study, functional outcome by Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and verbal rating scale (VRS) for current pain severity was evaluated in 39 patients undergoing lumbar transforaminal epidural spinal injections (ESI). Subjects with low back pain (mean age, 60 ± 12.5 years) were evaluated for functional improvement post EMG and ESI. Of 39 patients tested with EMG before injection, 18 patients were positive for radiculopathy and 21 had a normal or negative examination. The patients were followed postinjection on average of 10.8 (SD ± 3.9) weeks. Pretreatment ODI scores were not significantly different between groups showing positive (72.3 SD ± 12.7) and negative (65.9 SD ± 18.6, P > .05) EMG findings. There was significantly greater improvement of ODI for EMG positive radiculopathy (7.11 SD ± 9.5) compared with negative EMG (3.2 SD ± 17.4, P P > .05). VRS mean improvement was not significantly different in the positive EMG group (1.8 SD ± 1.2) compared with a negative EMG (1.2 SD ± 1.2, P > .05). Perspective The results appear to show that patients undergoing transforaminal ESI, who have a positive radiculopathy by EMG before injection, will have significant improvement in functional outcome by ODI but not with current pain intensity by VRS. This study suggests the importance and diagnostic value of ordering electromyography studies for lumbar radiculopathy evaluation, which may lead to prediction of outcome with lumbar transforaminal epidural spinal procedures. Furthermore, the current study highlights the difficulty of pain evaluation outcome by VRS.
Urinary excretion of beta-glucuronidase after administration of neomycin to rats: A preliminary report☆

Abstract Increased beta-glucuronidase was excreted in the urine of female Fischer rats which had been given varying doses of neomycin by im injections. Results showed that there was a correlation between the observed histopathologic changes in the renal tubules and the activity of beta-glucuronidase measured in the urine. It would appear that urinary β-glucuronidase activity may represent a sensitive index of tubular damage produced by nephrotoxic drugs.
Space interferometer concept for the detection of extrasolar earth-like planets

A concept for a space-based interferometer dedicated to the detection of extrasolar earth-like planets is described. The interferometer is of the Fizeau configuration with an aperture composed of twelve 1.2 meter mirrors on a 20 meter ring. The subapertures are distributed to optimize the u-v plane coverage when the interferometer is rotated around its axis. Parent star cancellation is obtained by the combination of a coronagraph and a rotation shearing interferometer. The interferometer is supported by a chemically rigidized structure deployed by inflation. Due to the lack of side shield and the resulting limited pointing capability with respect to the sun, it is proposed to locate the instrument at the second Lagrangian point of the earth-sun system.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Homopolynucleotide inhibition of poly U-dependent polyphenylalanine synthesis☆

Abstract Inhibition by homopolynucleotides of polyphenylalanine synthesis and phenylalanyl-RNA binding to ribosomes has been studied in a poly U-dependent, reticulocyte cell-free system. Inhibition by poly A was due to the formation of triple-stranded helical complexes with poly U, whereas poly I inhibited by attaching to ribosomes. Although poly A-poly U complex formation inhibited ribosome attachment to poly U, once attachment had occurred, the subsequent formation of A-U complexes did not inhibit peptide bond formation.
Stability limits of flames of ternary hydrocarbon mixtures

Abstract Studies of lean blow-off and flash-back limits of laminar flames of ternary hydrocarbon mixtures containing ethylene show that these stability limits of the mixtures are predictable. The fuel components are non-interfering in flames at these limits. The contributions of the individual hydrocarbons are additive and define the limit of the mixture. However, at rich blow-off, there is evidence of inhibition in mixtures where ethylene is the primary fuel and in mixtures where the ethylene concentration exceeds a certain minimum as a secondary fuel. Consequently, the rich blow-off limits of mixtures containing ethylene are not usually predictable.
My Not-So-Hidden Agenda

What is the purpose of education, and what part does unselfish love play? This article examines why love is important in education, why it has been so hard for this author to implement, and ways to transform theory into practice. The result is a confirmation of connections that define holistic education.
Expert systems can do job shop scheduling: an exploration and a proposal

Abstract We develop a concept for an expert system for job shop scheduling. The system uses heuristics for setting priorities and establishing the sequencing during the early part of the schedule. The program was used to test several example problems. The schedules developed were very good and near or at optimal. The program uses an expert system shell and a list processing machine. The processing time runs from about 3 to 6 minutes.
Entangling alliances? The UK's complicity in torture in the global war on terrorism

The global war on terrorism gives rise to a range of legal, political and ethical problems. One major concern for UK policy-makers is the extent to which the government may be held responsible for the illegal and/or unethical behaviour of allies in intelligence gathering—the subject of the forthcoming Gibson inquiry. The UK government has been criticized by NGOs, parliamentary committees and the media for cooperating with states that are alleged to use cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment (CIDT) or torture to gain information about possible terrorist threats. Many commentators argue that the UK's intelligence sharing arrangements leave it open to charges of complicity with such behaviour. Some even suggest the UK should refuse to share intelligence with countries that torture. This article refutes this latter view by exploring the legal understanding of complicity in the common law system and comparing its more limited view of responsibility—especially the ‘merchant's defence’—with the wider definition implied in political commentary. The legal view, it is argued, offers a more practical guide for policy-makers seeking to discourage torture while still protecting their citizens from terrorist threats. It also provides a fuller framework for assessing the complicity of policy-makers and officials. Legal commentary considers complicity in relation to five key points: identifying blame; weighing the contribution made; evaluating the level of intent; establishing knowledge; or, where the latter is uncertain, positing recklessness. Using this schema, the article indicates ways in which the UK has arguably been complicit in torture, or at least CIDT, based on the information publicly available. However, it concludes that the UK was justified in maintaining intelligence cooperation with transgressing states due to the overriding public interest in preventing terrorist attacks.
Collision Strengths for Electron Impact Excitation of Fine-Structure Levels in Fe XIII

Electron collisional excitation strengths for transitions among the fine-structure levels of the ground 3s23p2 configuration and from the levels of 3s23p2 configuration to the levels of the excited 3s3p3 and 3s23p3d configurations in Fe XIII are calculated using a semirelativistic R-matrix approach. We considered 14 LS 3s23p23P,1D,1S, 3s3p33Do,3Po,1Do,3So,1Po, 3s23p3d3Po,1Do,3Do,3Fo,1Fo, and 1Po states of Fe XIII in the present calculation. The 14 LS states give rise to 26 fine-structure levels that are represented by configuration-interaction wave functions. The relativistic effects are included in the Breit-Pauli approximation via one-body mass correction, Darwin, and spin-orbit interaction terms in the scattering equations. Complicated resonance structures are explicitly included in the collision strengths. The collision strengths are integrated over a Maxwellian distribution of electron energies to give effective collision strengths over a wide temperature range from 5 × 105 to 5 × 106 K.
Outcomes and failure patterns in childhood craniopharyngiomas

Past studies of craniopharyngiomas in children have shown overall survival (OS) up to 95% at 5 years and 80% progression-free survival (PFS) at 5 years, although many of these series predate modern neuroimaging and current therapeutic management. Moreover, little mention has been made of failure patterns for craniopharyngioma in children. To obtain a contemporary assessment of outcome among pediatric craniopharyngioma patients, and also to determine the failure patterns for this tumor, we completed a retrospective study of a consecutive cohort of all children with craniopharyngioma diagnosed at the Johns Hopkins Hospital from 1980 to 1996. Resection was performed in 30 children, in 8 of whom gross total resection (GTR) was achieved. Initial treatment took the form of GTR followed by observation for 8, subtotal resection (STR) plus observation in 11, and STR followed immediately by radiotherapy in 8. The timing of radiotherapy following STR was unclear for 3. OS was 95.2% (SE= 4.7%) at 5 years, with only 2 children dying after 4 years from diagnosis. Five-year PFS was 59.4% (SE=10.2%). Before surgery, 19 children had visual loss and 15, endocrine deficits; after surgery, 21 children had visual loss and 29, endocrine deficits. Median time to relapse was 0.98 years (SD=2.5 years). Radiographic (n=4) and clinical (n=7) relapses did not differ in time to progression (P=0.32), but radiographic relapses were significantly associated with age at diagnosis less than 5 years (P=0.02). Degree of resection was not significantly associated with PFS (P=0.32) or with postoperative visual or endocrine deficits. Absence of calcification on diagnostic neuroimaging (n=8) was significantly associated with improved PFS [5-year PFS 100% vs. 42.9% (SE=14.7%), P=0.02], even when adjusted for extent of resection (P=0.03). Preoperative visual loss was predictive of postoperative visual loss (P=0.03). Survival for children diagnosed with craniopharyngioma in the current era is outstanding, even with relapse, although postoperative visual and endocrinological morbidities are high. Failures occurred both radiographically and clinically, typically in the first 3-4 years after surgery, suggesting a need for close surveillance initially with neuroimaging, particularly in younger children, and also clinical examination. The short times to relapse observed here may stem from a tendency to delay radiotherapy until recurrence. Lack of calcification at diagnosis is associated with a tendency to remain free of relapse.
Induced sputum: Validity of fluid-phase IL-5 measurement

Abstract Background: IL-5 measurement in the fluid phase of induced sputum is considered to be important in the assessment of asthma, but the validity of these measurements is uncertain. Objective: We investigated the validity of sputum IL-5 measurements through a series of spiking experiments and examined the effect of dithiothreitol (DTT) on these measurements. Methods: Induced sputum from 26 asthmatic subjects was spiked with IL-5 and processed, and the percentage of recovery was measured by means of immunoassay. In 6 of the 26 samples the effect of adding albumin to the processing fluids was studied. In 3 separate samples radiolabeled IL-5 was added, and the recovery measured by means of gamma counting and immunoassay were compared. In addition, the effect of DTT on the immunoassay was examined. Results: The mean ± SD recovery of spiked IL-5 was 26.1% ± 14.6% measured by means of immunoassay; adding albumin increased the recovery to 47.7% ± 8.0% ( P P Conclusion: The validity of IL-5 measurement by means of current methods is poor. The discrepancy in recovery as measured by gamma counting compared with immunoassay suggests that there is a problem with the recognition of IL-5 epitopes by immunoassay in induced sputum. This cannot be attributed to DTT but may be due to other interfering substances present in sputum, such as sputum proteases, soluble receptors, or autoantibodies. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000;105:1162-8.)
Variants in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors α5 and α3 increase risks to nicotine dependence

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors bind to nicotine and initiate the physiological and pharmacological responses to tobacco smoking. In this report, we studied the association of α5 and α3 subunits with nicotine dependence and with the symptoms of alcohol and cannabis abuse and dependence in two independent epidemiological samples (n = 815 and 1,121, respectively). In this study, seven single nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped in the CHRNA5 and CHRNA3 genes. In both samples, we found that the same alleles of rs16969968 (P = 0.0068 and 0.0028) and rs1051730 (P = 0.0237 and 0.0039) were significantly associated with the scores of Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FTND). In the analyses of the symptoms of abuse/dependence of alcohol and cannabis, we found that rs16969968 and rs1051730 were significantly associated with the symptoms of alcohol abuse or dependence (P = 0.0072 and 0.0057) in the combined sample, but the associated alleles were the opposite of that of FTND. No association with cannabis abuse/dependence was found. These results suggested that the α5 and α3 subunits play a significant role in both nicotine dependence and alcohol abuse/dependence. However, the opposite effects with nicotine dependence and alcohol abuse/dependence were puzzling and future studies are necessary to resolve this issue. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Interrelationships between electrical and mechanical properties of a carbon black-filled ethylene-octene elastomer

Abstract The mechanical and dc electrical properties of a carbon black-filled ethylene–octene elastomer (EO) are reported. The stress–strain curves of the composites, scaled with that of the unfilled polymer up to approximately 500% strain, suggest good filler–matrix adhesion. The large reinforcement effect of the filler followed the Guth model for non-spherical particles. Electrical behavior under large strain was divided in four qualitatively or quantitatively different regimes that differentiated carbon black composites with the EO matrix from carbon black composites with chemically vulcanized matrices. Among the most notable features of the EO composites was the completely reversible variation of the resistivity, up to 20% strain, suggesting that these materials might be useful as strain gauges. In addition, depending on the carbon black content, the composites retained low resistivity to high strains. From the results of various thermo-mechanical treatments, a microstructural model for the response to stretching was proposed. This model incorporated dynamic junctions specific to the EO matrix to describe the mechanical properties, the decrease in resistivity at low strains (20%), and the weak increase in resistivity at intermediate strains (up to about 300%).
High accuracy and cost-effectiveness of a biopsy-avoiding endoscopic approach in diagnosing coeliac disease.

Summary Background The ‘immersion’ technique during upper endoscopy allows the visualization of duodenal villi and the detection of total villous atrophy. Aim To evaluate the accuracy of the immersion technique in detecting total villous atrophy in suspected coeliac patients. The accuracy in diagnosing coeliac disease and the potential cost-sparing of a biopsy-avoiding approach, based on selection of individuals with coeliac disease-related antibodies and on endoscopic detection of absence of villi, were also analysed. Methods The immersion technique was performed in 79 patients with positive antibodies and in 105 controls. Duodenal villi were evaluated as present or absent. As reference, results were compared with histology. Diagnostic approaches, including endoscopy with or without biopsy, were designed to investigate patients with coeliac disease-related antibodies and total villous atrophy. A cost-minimization analysis was performed. Results All patients with positive antibodies had coeliac disease. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of endoscopy to detect total villous atrophy was always 100%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of biopsy-avoiding or biopsy-including strategies in diagnosing coeliac disease when villi were absent was always 100%. The biopsy-avoiding strategy was cost-sparing. Conclusions Upper endoscopy is highly accurate in detecting total villous atrophy coeliac patients. A biopsy-avoiding approach is both accurate and cost-sparing to diagnose coeliac disease in subjects with marked duodenal villous atrophy.
Solution of Laplace's equation in a multidielectric region

Finite difference equations are derived for solving Laplace's equation it a mulitidielectric region. The equations have been programmed for the digital computer and provide a final output consistitg of a plot of the boundaries and equipotentials.
The area postrema is involved in paraquat-induced conditioned aversion behavior and neuroendocrine activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.

Paraquat is a herbicide capable of eliciting conditioned taste aversion (CTA), a behavioral response characteristic of toxicosis. The area postrema (AP) is a hindbrain circumventricular organ previously shown to be important in mediating signs of paraquat-induced toxicity, namely CTA and weight loss. The relationship between neural substrates for paraquat-induced CTA and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats with lesions centered on the AP (APX) and sham-operated (SHM) rats administered paraquat (25 μmol/kg) or saline (1 ml/kg). Injection of paraquat at a dose sufficient to condition taste aversion, but produce no other signs of overt toxicity, significantly increased plasma corticosterone concentrations in SHM rats up to 4 h after administration. Paraquat-induced activation of the HPA axis was significantly attenuated in AP-lesioned rats as compared to sham-operated controls. These findings suggest the area postrema is a common neural substrate for the behavioral and neuroendocrine responses to paraquat.
A histologic evaluation of periodontal tissues adjacent to root perforations filled with Cavit

Root perforations were created in dog premolars; thirty-one were filled with Cavit, whereas seventeen were left unfilled. The animals were killed after 1, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 days, and hematoxylin and eosin sections were prepared. Perforations near the gingival sulcus usually led to severe destruction, whereas those surrounded by ample bone tended to gain a favorable response, even when left unfilled.
Azotämie nach Magenblutung. Klinische Beiträge zur Deutung—insbesondere der initialen Azotämie. II. Mitteilung.

Zusammenfassung. 1) Die Basenbilanz, Totalbase im Serum und Serumchlorwerte wiesen in diesem Material keinerlei regelmassige aAnderungen auf die fur die initiale Azotamie von Bedeutung sind. 2) Die initiale Azotamie ruhrt nicht von einer herabgesetzten Nierenfunktion her, da diese durchweg als normal zu bezeichnen ist. Summary. 1) Regular changes of total base balance, the total base and the content of chlorides in serum, which could be of importance for the initial azotemia, were not found. 2) In no instance it was possible to demonstrate a reduction of renal function, which could give rise to blood urea. Resume. 1) Le bilan des bases, le base du serum et les valeurs du chlor dans le serum ne montrent aucun changement typique, qui pourrait influencer I'azotdmie initiale. 2) Une reduction du fonctionnenent des reins, eant donne que celui-ci est toujours normal, n'est pas en cause de l'azotemie initiale
Destruction and microcratering of field electron microscope tips by microparticles

Field emission tips of Mo and W, destroyed at emission current densities of i ≈ 104 A/cm2 (F ≈ 4 × 107 V/cm) and residual gas pressures of p ≈ 10−10 Torr, were studied using field emission, scanning, and transmission electron microscopic methods. Upon destruction, tip diameters increased to 15 to 20 μm as a result of the formation of a melting cap. Microcraters with diameters from 1 to 10 μm were arranged in clusters and decreased in density with decreasing local field strength. Electron microprobe analyses did not indicate the presence of any non tip material, only small concentrations of surface impurities could be detected by field emission from protruding spikes. A summary of relevant high vacuum electrical breakdown mechanisms is given. A microparticle initiated field emission mechanism, which includes phosphorescent screen particle participation, appears to dominate the tip destruction. Feldemissionsspitzen aus Mo und W, die bei Emissionsstromdichten von i ≈ 104 A/cm2 (F ≈ 4 × 107 V/cm) und Restgasdrucken von p ≈ 10−10 Torr zerstort worden waren, wurden mit Hilfe der Feld-, Raster- und Durchstrahlungs-Elektronenmikroskopie untersucht. Wahrend des Zerst orungsprozesses bildeten sich an den Spitzenenden Schmelzkappen, die einen Anstieg des Durchmessers auf 15 bis 20 μm verursachten. Die Anzahl von Mikrokratern, die in Gruppen angeordnet waren, verringerte sich mit abnehmender Lokalfeldstarke. Ihre Durchmesser lagen zwischen 1 und 10 μm. Bei Analysen mit einer Elektronen-strahl-Mikrosonde konnten nur die jeweiligen Spitzenmaterialien nachgewiesen werden. Oberflachenverunreinigungen geringer Konzentration wurden in den Feldemissionsabbil-dungen von Mikronadeln gefunden. Es wird eine Zusammenfassung der wesentlichen Hoch-vakuum-Hochspannungsdurchbruchs-Mechanismen gegeben. Es wird angenommen, das bei der Spitzenzerstorung ein durch Mikropartikel (Leuchtstoffschirmteilchen) eingeleiteter Feldemissionsmechanismus vorherrscht.
The Multiple Prediction of Phonological Variables in a Bilingual Speech Community

The analysis of variance via regression analysis permits investigators to go far beyond the interaction between linguistic context and a single demographic factor, the level of prior sociolinguistic description and prediction of phonological realizations. The differential use of a value in Puerto Rican Spanish (SpC-O) is predicted best on the basis of speech context. Nevertheless, the addition of several demographic variables (age, education, birthplace) plus the interaction between one of them and speech context significantly improves the prediction of SpC-0 (R = 0.602). Efforts to explain and predict a value in Puerto Rican English (EH-2) benefit most from the cumulative use of several demographic variables. After such variables have been utilized to the point where the incremental contribution of yet others would no longer be significant, the introduction of another linguistic variable (UH-3) raises the cumulative prediction of EH-2 to previously unattained heights (R = 0.890).
Effect of prolotherapy on cellular proliferation and collagen deposition in MC3T3-E1 and patellar tendon fibroblast populations

Proliferative therapy, or prolotherapy, is a treatment for damaged connective tissues involving the injection of a solution (proliferant) which causes local cell death and triggers the body's wound healing cascade. Physicians vary in their use of this technique; it is employed for ligaments but has also been investigated for tissues such as cartilage. Physicians also vary in treatment regiments using different dosses of the proliferant. This study evaluates several proliferant dosages develop an optimal dosage that maximizes cell and collagen regeneration. This study also looks at cell and collagen regeneration in response to proliferant exposure outside of the healing cascade. MC3T3-E1 cells and patellar tendon fibroblasts were exposed to various amounts of the proliferant P2G and monitored over several weeks. The results showed an inverse relationship between proliferant concentration and cell viability and collagen production in MC3T3-E1 cells. Following exposure, cell populations experienced an initial decrease in cell number followed by increased proliferation. Trichrome staining over 4 weeks showed an increase in collagen production after proliferant exposure. However the cell numbers and amounts of collagen from the treated groups never surpassed those of the untreated groups, although collagen production was comparable in fibroblasts. The results of this basic study show that there is an effective proliferant dosage and point to a local response to the proliferant that increases cell proliferation and collagen production separate from the wound healing cascade. This local response may not be adequate for complete healing and assistance from the body's healing cascade may be required.
Curved planar reformation and optimal path tracing (CROP) method for false positive reduction in computer-aided detection of pulmonary embolism in CTPA

The curved planar reformation (CPR) method re-samples the vascular structures along the vessel centerline to generate longitudinal cross-section views. The CPR technique has been commonly used in coronary CTA workstation to facilitate radiologists’ visual assessment of coronary diseases, but has not yet been used for pulmonary vessel analysis in CTPA due to the complicated tree structures and the vast network of pulmonary vasculature. In this study, a new curved planar reformation and optimal path tracing (CROP) method was developed to facilitate feature extraction and false positive (FP) reduction and improve our PE detection system. PE candidates are first identified in the segmented pulmonary vessels at prescreening. Based on Dijkstra’s algorithm, the optimal path (OP) is traced from the pulmonary trunk bifurcation point to each PE candidate. The traced vessel is then straightened and a reformatted volume is generated using CPR. Eleven new features that characterize the intensity, gradient, and topology are extracted from the PE candidate in the CPR volume and combined with the previously developed 9 features to form a new feature space for FP classification. With IRB approval, CTPA of 59 PE cases were retrospectively collected from our patient files (UM set) and 69 PE cases from the PIOPED II data set with access permission. 595 and 800 PEs were manually marked by experienced radiologists as reference standard for the UM and PIOPED set, respectively. At a test sensitivity of 80%, the average FP rate was improved from 18.9 to 11.9 FPs/case with the new method for the PIOPED set when the UM set was used for training. The FP rate was improved from 22.6 to 14.2 FPs/case for the UM set when the PIOPED set was used for training. The improvement in the free response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) curves was statistically significant (p<0.05) by JAFROC analysis, indicating that the new features extracted from the CROP method are useful for FP reduction.
Testing limits of algorithms associated with high frequency planar electromagnetic analysis

The accuracy of numerical electromagnetic analysis is limited by numerous sources of error. Dynamic range is a fundamental limitation due to the finite precision arithmetic used by computers. This limitation, as well as limitations involving box resonances and subsectioning approaches, is explored quantitatively. In this way, users of such software can gain an understanding as to the range of problems for which a numerical electromagnetic analysis can give accurate answers, and the range for which the results may be in question.
SU‐E‐T‐794: Effects of Dose Rate Variability for Volumetric Arc Treatments in Prostate Carcinoma

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of variable versus constant dose rate in volumetric modulated arc (VMAT) treatment planning for prostate cases. Method and Materials:A retrospective investigation on fifteen prostate cases was performed. Two dosimetrically identical linacs were commissioned in Pinnacle TPS. One machine was variable dose rate capable, while the other was constant dose rate capable for VMAT planning purposes. PTVs and OARs (rectum and bladder) were delineated for each case. Two VMAT plans were generated per case: each comprised of a single arc and comparing variable to constant dose rate. Both plans were normalized such that 95% of the PTV was covered by the same prescription dose. Plan quality was evaluated by several dose indices used as DVH objectives in the inverse optimization. In addition, dose inhomogeneity across the PTV was tallied together with MUs and estimated treatment times. Variable dose rare plans were used as reference. Results: The majority of rectum and bladder doses to 10%, 20%, and 40% of the OAR volumes differed by less than 3% between the two plans plans. Even for the cases with larger than 3% deviation the constant dose rate plans were clinically acceptable. Dose inhomogeneity across the PTV however was larger for constant dose rate plans, where for 80% of the cases it was over 3%, while it was within 3% for all variable dose rate cases. The MUs for the two delivering modes were comparable, while the treatment times differed three‐fold. Conclusions: The results indicate that variable and constant dose rate VMAT plans for prostate carcinoma result in comparable target coverage and OAR sparing. Nonetheless, the constant dose rate plans exhibit higher dose inhomogeneity across the target and the clinical applicability should be carefully evaluated for the potential hotspots in undesired location.
An Open Trial of a Transdiagnostic Cognitive-Behavioral Group Therapy for Anxiety Disorder ☆

Transdiagnostic models of anxiety, and cognitive-behavioral treatments based on these models, have been gaining increased attention in recent years. Preliminary efficacy studies generally suggest strong treatment effects, although few of these studies have examined to what extent treatment effects are similar across clients with different anxiety disorders. The purpose of the current study was to examine the efficacy of a 12-week transdiagnostic group cognitive-behavioral therapy for anxiety disorders and compare outcome across diagnoses. Mixed-effect regression modeling of data from 52 participants with anxiety disorders (predominantly panic disorder and social phobia) participating in an open outcome trial indicated that participants tended to improve over treatment, with no differential outcome for any primary or comorbid disorders. The results of this study add to the growing evidence base for transdiagnostic anxiety treatment models and provide preliminary support for the assumption that individuals with different anxiety diagnoses can be treated equally within the same treatment protocol.
“It’s Like We’re Grasping at Anything” Caregivers’ Education Needs and Preferred Learning Methods

In this qualitative descriptive study, we explored caregivers' educational needs and preferred methods of information delivery. Descriptions are based on five focus groups (N = 29) conducted with ethnically diverse, current and past family caregivers, including those who had previously attended a structured educational program. Themes arose from verbatim data transcriptions and coded themes. Four categories of educational needs were identified: (a) respite, (b) caregiving essentials, (c) self-care, and (d) the emotional aspects of caregiving. Advantages and disadvantages of learning methods are discussed, along with reasons for and outcomes of attending caregiver workshops. An informed caregiver model is proposed. Health care providers must assess educational needs and strive to provide appropriate information as dictated by the care recipient's condition and caregiver's expressed desires. Innovative methods of delivering information that are congruent with different caregiving circumstances and learning preferences must be developed and tested.
Parameters for establishing family-centered neonatal intensive care services.

This article discusses the basis for providing family-centered services in neonatal intensive one It is suggested that these servies should be developed within the following parameters adaptive fit response to family identified needs family empowerment and independence and the recognition that families are complex dinamic systems Physical and organizational chinges necessary for the implementation of family-centered neonatal intensive care services are discussed.
PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 1B IN THE SOLITARY TRACT NUCLEUS IS NECESSARY FOR NORMAL BAROREFLEX FUNCTION

Despite positive metabolic effects, genetic deletion of protein phosphatase 1b (PTP1b) results in sympathetically-mediated elevations in arterial pressure (AP) in mice. Since several PTP1b-regulated peptides also impair the baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for control of heart rate (HR), we hypothesized that PTP1b actions in the solitary tract nucleus (NTS) participate in the maintenance of resting baroreflex function. To test this hypothesis, we performed acute bilateral microinjection of an allosteric PTP1b inhibitor (100 nM/120 nL) in the NTS of urethane/chloralose anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats and assessed the BRS, responses to cardiac vagal chemosensitive fiber activation and resting AP and HR before and after the injection. PTP1b inhibition impaired the BRS for bradycardia (n=6; 0.93±0.14 baseline versus 0.48±0.04 at 10 min versus 0.49±0.04 msec/mmHg at 60 min; p<0.01), with no significant effect on the BRS for tachycardia (0.30±0.16 baseline versus 0.24±0.08 10 min versus 0.24±0.12 msec/mmHg at 60 min). The reduced BRS for bradycardia was associated with a significant decrease in alpha-adrenergic responsiveness to phenylephrine at 60 min after PTP1b inhibition. Injection of the PTP1b inhibitor in the NTS elicited transient decreases in AP and HR in these animals. However, there was no effect of the inhibitor on depressor or bradycardic responses elicited by activation of cardiac vagal chemosensitive fibers, which converge with baroreceptor afferents in the NTS. These results suggest that PTP1b actions within the NTS may be a novel molecular mechanism for preservation of resting baroreflex function and provides further evidence for deleterious cardiovascular effects associated with PTP1b inhibition.
Neuronal prediction of opponent's behavior during cooperative social interchange in primates.

Summary A cornerstone of successful social interchange is the ability to anticipate each other's intentions or actions. While generating these internal predictions is essential for constructive social behavior, their single neuronal basis and causal underpinnings are unknown. Here, we discover specific neurons in the primate dorsal anterior cingulate that selectively predict an opponent's yet unknown decision to invest in their common good or defect and distinct neurons that encode the monkey's own current decision based on prior outcomes. Mixed population predictions of the other was remarkably near optimal compared to behavioral decoders. Moreover, disrupting cingulate activity selectively biased mutually beneficial interactions between the monkeys but, surprisingly, had no influence on their decisions when no net-positive outcome was possible. These findings identify a group of other-predictive neurons in the primate anterior cingulate essential for enacting cooperative interactions and may pave a way toward the targeted treatment of social behavioral disorders. Video Abstract
Synthesis of magnetic alginate beads based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles for the removal of 3-methylindole from aqueous solution using Fenton process

Abstract A novel magnetic heterogeneous catalyst has been developed by incorporation of iron(II) and magnetic functionalized nanoparticles Fe3O4 in alginate beads with the aim of using them in the advanced Fenton oxidation of a malodorous compound (3 methyl-indole: 3-MI). The effects of significant operational parameters such as initial pH, oxidant concentration and catalyst amount were investigated and optimized for a better removal of 3-MI at initial concentration of 20 mg L−1. Besides, the catalyst stability was evaluated according to the iron leached into the aqueous solution. Results revealed that the parameters affecting Fenton catalysis must be carefully chosen to avoid excessive iron release. Under optimized conditions, the magnetic catalyst exhibited a good catalytic performance. Total removal of 3 methyl indole and a remarkable organic mineralization, without significant leaching of iron, were attained within 120 min at pH 3.0 by using 0.4 g L−1 of Fe-MABs and 9.8 mmol L−1 of H2O2. The novel magnetic catalyst would be of potential application due to its high efficiency, easy recovery and good structural stability.
The effects of labelling, expert testimony, and information processing mode on juror decisions in SVP civil commitment trials

Expert witnesses offering testimony in sexually violent predator civil commitment trials may use diagnostic labels that are either familiar (e.g. ‘psychopath’) or unfamiliar (e.g. ‘paraphilia’) to jurors. Using predictions based on cognitive experiential self-theory, we explored the influence of testimony type (clinical versus actuarial) and diagnostic label (psychopath versus paraphilia) on jurors motivated to adopt either an experiential processing mode (PM; in which heuristic cues may be strongly relied upon) or an analytic rational PM. Consistent with previous research, our results indicated that when given a psychopathic diagnostic label, mock jurors motivated to process information experientially were more influenced by clinical testimony, whereas mock jurors induced into a rational mode were more influenced by actuarial testimony. However, experientially oriented jurors given a paraphilia diagnostic label did not show the expected influence of clinical expert testimony, and instead were more persuaded by actuarial testimony. These findings are discussed from a judgement and heuristics cues framework. The implications of several procedural suggestions are examined. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Discovery of allosteric modulators of factor XIa by targeting hydrophobic domains adjacent to its heparin-binding site.

To discover promising sulfated allosteric modulators (SAMs) of glycosaminoglycan-binding proteins (GBPs), such as human factor XIa (FXIa), we screened a library of 26 synthetic, sulfated quinazolin-4(3H)-ones (QAOs) resulting in the identification of six molecules that reduced the Vmax of substrate hydrolysis without influencing the KM. Mutagenesis of residues of the heparin-binding site (HBS) of FXIa introduced a nearly 5-fold loss in inhibition potency supporting recognition of an allosteric site. Fluorescence studies showed a sigmoidal binding profile indicating highly cooperative binding. Competition with a positively charged, heparin-binding polymer did not fully nullify inhibition suggesting importance of hydrophobic forces to binding. This discovery suggests the operation of a dual-element recognition process, which relies on an initial Coulombic attraction of anionic SAMs to the cationic HBS of FXIa that forms a locked complex through tight interaction with an adjacent hydrophobic patch. The dual-...
Affinity Thresholds for Membrane Fusion Triggering by Viral Glycoproteins

Enveloped viruses trigger membrane fusion to gain entry into cells. The receptor affinities of their attachment proteins vary greatly, from 10(-4) M to 10(-9) M, but the significance of this is unknown. Using six retargeted measles viruses that bind to Her-2/neu with a 5-log range in affinity, we show that receptor affinity has little impact on viral attachment but is nevertheless a key determinant of infectivity and intercellular fusion. For a given cell surface receptor density, there is an affinity threshold above which cell-cell fusion proceeds efficiently. Suprathreshold affinities do not further enhance the efficiency of membrane fusion.
A discriminator and integrator device for multi-unit neural activity analysis

Abstract A cheap, reliable discriminator and integrator device for the specific analysis of multi-unit neural activity has been described. Only solid-state components are used. Several options are available for displaying the instrument output.