cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unlicensed Mobile Access: Leading Technological Alternative in the Fixed Mobile Convergence Stable

Convergence of fixed and mobile offers advantages for both consumers and service providers and is gaining momentum in the marketplace as operators are realizing the market opportunities for creating new revenue-generating services. As communication services are evolving, users are increasingly faced with a confusion of devices, subscriptions and numbers. Consumers are growing to expect ubiquitous, constant connectivity and access to all manner of information applications. Service providers, large and small, must simultaneously find ways to offset the declines in traditional revenue sources while continuing to drive top-line growth. The race within the telecommunications industry to achieve convergence is likely the catalyst for Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) fast-track development. The UMA standard brings wireless cellular telephony and 802.11 wireless networking together for seamless voice, data and multimedia services using one dual-mode handset (DMH). This article addresses the future path of telecommunication networks to a fixed-mobile convergence environment that meets the requirements of both consumers and providers. The article will address elements of UMA including access, benefits and architecture, along with competitive and technological issues involved with this prominent concept to fixed mobile-convergence.
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors: Factors that predict outcome

Gastrointestinal (GI) carcinoids are neuroendocrine tumors originating in multiple locations throughout the GI tract. The prognosis for patients with GI carcinoid tumors is diverse. To determine the factors that significantly affect prognosis, we reviewed our experience. Between 1992 and 2000 a total of 70 patients with GI carcinoid tumors underwent surgical resection at our institution. The patients were grouped into three categories based on the origin of the carcinoid tumor: foregut, midgut, hindgut. The mean age of the patients was 56 +/- 2 years. All patients with foregut carcinoids had symptoms upon presentation, whereas 61% of those with midgut carcinoids and only 37% of those with hindgut carcinoids had symptoms ( p < 0.001). The factors that most strongly affected survival on univariate analysis were a symptomatic presentation and the site of origin. Patients with foregut or midgut lesions had lower 5-year disease-free survivals than those with hindgut tumors. Moreover, the size of the primary tumor and the presence of liver metastases were not independent predictors of survival. Despite the larger tumor size and the higher incidence of liver metastases, patients with foregut carcinoids appear to have the same prognosis as those with midgut carcinoids. These data therefore suggest that the outcomes of patients with carcinoid tumors are highly dependent on the presence of symptoms and the site of origin.
INFECTION-IMMUNITY IN EXPERIMENTAL SALMONELLOSIS

Salmonella enteritidis is highly virulent for the mouse causing an infection resembling mouse typhoid. Survivors of the infection are completely resistant to reinfection and eliminate a large challenge dose of virulent organisms within 72 hr. The antigenically related Salmonella gallinarum was almost avirulent for the mouse but animals vaccinated with this organism were equally capable of eliminating a lethal dose of virulent S. enteritidis. Living Salmonella pullorum, on the other hand, was quickly eliminated from the tissues of normal mice. Vaccination with this organism failed to evoke an effective bactericidal mechanism. Alcohol-killed vaccines of these three Salmonellae all produced an increase in blood clearance rate, but gave only marginal protection against S. enteritidis. Liver and spleen counts on these mice revealed a 1 to 2 day delay before any net increase in the total bacterial population could be observed. Immunization of mice with increasing doses of living Salmonella montevideo resulted in progressively greater killing of a challenge dose of S. enteritidis despite the absence of common somatic antigens between the two strains. The degree of protection varied with the size of the residual population of S. montevideo in the vaccinated mice. The significance of these findings in assessing the importance of various factors involved in the development of acquired resistance to Salmonella infections is discussed.
The Arc Spectrum of Samarium and Gadolinium. Normal Electron Configurations of the Rare Earths

A partial analysis which includes most of the low temperature lines is presented for Sa I and Gd I: 453 lines, 175 levels for Sa I; 71 lines, 35 levels for Gd I. The normal configuration and lowest state of Sa I is $4{f}^{6}6{s}^{2}^{7}F$; for Gd I is $4{f}^{7}5d6{s}^{2}^{9}D$. It is also shown that the normal configuration for Tm I is probably $4{f}^{13}6{s}^{2}$. There exists in the rare earth group the same type of variation of relative binding between the $4f$ and $5d$ electrons as exists between the $s$ and $d$ electrons in the long periods. In the rare earth group the $5d$ electron is most tightly bound at the beginning and middle of the group and has a minimum just before the middle and at the end of the group.
Marriage and Family Therapists Working With Couples Who Have Children With Autism

Current research about families and couples who have children with autism is discussed using the Double ABCX model as a guide. A case study is presented along with recommendations for therapists who work with couples who have children with autism. Marriage and family therapists are encouraged to use the Double ABCX model as both an assessment tool as well as for intervention. More research and effective therapists in this area are needed in order to keep up with the rising rates of families that include children diagnosed with autism.
Assessment of diffusional inhibition via primary and secondary cracking analysis

Although the importance of diffusional effects in heterogeneous catalysis has long been recognized, in routine practice this factor is often overlooked. Methods of evaluating intraparticle diffusional inhibition usually involve the testing of two or more particle sizes of the same material. This procedure can reveal diffusional inhibition only if it exists in the macropores, but not if in the micropores, the lengths of which are unchanged by such manipulation. An alternative is to take a kinetic approach. The objective of this paper is to show how cracking, which is a ubiquitous reaction in hydrocarbon catalysis, can be analyzed to obtain diffusion information. The paper first describes the mechanics of PASCA (primary and secondary cracking analysis), showing how sequential reaction analysis is possible despite the lack of a formal B and C molecule. Based on this, an index of diffusional inhibition is derived. Finally, experimental data illustrating the application of PASCA is presented.
The strength of the central third patellar. tendon graft A biomechanical study

Thirty-seven bone-patellar tendon-bone composite grafts from the knees of 21 human cadavers were tested to failure. Average donor age was 28 years. The composites were divided into 4 groups: 3 groups with 10 grafts (5 pairs) and 1 group with 7 grafts from 6 donors. In Group 1 we tested 10- versus 15-mm wide grafts that were used without twisting; Group II, 10- mm wide grafts without twisting versus 10-mm wide grafts that were twisted 90°; Group III, 10-mm wide grafts twisted 90° versus 10-mm wide grafts twisted 180°; and Group IV, 10- versus 7-mm wide grafts that were not twisted. The tests were performed using a newly described potting technique and clamp system and a servohydraulic testing machine with an elongation rate of 5 cm/sec.The results of this study suggest that the central third of the patellar tendon is stronger than previously re ported. The mean ultimate load of a 15-mm bone- patellar tendon-bone composite was 4389 N (±708); of the 10-mm wide composites, 2977 N (±516); and of the 7-mm compo...
Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis genotypes in adult dairy cows

The prevalence of Giardia duodenalis genotypes was determined in adult dairy cows. Fecal specimens were collected from two farms each in Vermont, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and Florida. Specimens, cleaned of fecal debris and concentrated using CsCl density gradient centrifugation, were subjected to PCR and DNA sequence analysis. The prevalence of G. duodenalis infection, ranged from 3% to 64%, with an average prevalence of 27% (144 positive cows out of 541 examined). DNA sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene revealed the presence of both Assemblage A and Assemblage E, G. duodenalis. Overall, Assemblage E was present in 25% of all animals tested and Assemblage A was present in 2% of the animals. As a percentage of G. duodenalis isolates, Assemblage E represented 94% and Assemblage A represented 6%. Although, most of the cows were infected with a genotype that is not known to be infectious for humans, adult cows on five farms did harbor varying levels of zoonotic Assemblage A, G. duodenalis. Therefore, although adult cows do not appear to be a significant source of human infectious cysts in the environment, the risk from this age group should not entirely be discounted.
Hybrid mesons in quenched lattice QCD

We have studied exotic hybrid mesons, made from a quark, an antiquark and gluons. Here we summarize a quenched calculation at 6/ g 2 = 5.85 and 6.15. We investigate both the light quark hybrids and the charmonium hybrids. These mesons are found to mix with four-quark states, and this mixing can be used to help in extracting masses from the propagators.
The occurrence of myelinated and unmyelinated nerves in the iris angle of man and rhesus monkey.

Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of portions of the human and the rhesus monkey iris angle, and its immediate vicinity, was carried out on tissues fixed in buffered osmium tetroxide. Myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibres were found in both the human and the rhesus monkey iris angle. In the human angle, the nerve fibres were seen in the collagen core of a trabecula. In the monkey sclera, adjacent to Schlemm's canal, the nerve fibres were observed in an area set apart by attenuated processes of epithelial cells. The occurrence of basement membrane material on both sides of the epithelial cells and on only one side of the trabecular endothelial cells was noted. The myelinated fibres revealed a myelin periodicity in the range typical for this material. The possible role of these nerve fibres in appreciating ciliary muscle tonus and in regulating aqueous outflow is discussed.
Approximating complex surfaces by triangulation of contour lines

An algorithm is described for obtaining an optimal approximation, using triangulation, of a three-dimensional surface defined by randomly distributed points along contour lines. The combinatorial problem of finding the best arrangement of triangles is treated by assuming an adequate objective function. The optimal triangulation is found using classical methods of graph theory. An illustrative example gives the procedure for triangulation of contour lines of a human head for use in radiation therapy planning.
Behavioral responses of brown bears mediate nutritional effects of experimentally introduced tourism

Abstract To develop a conceptual understanding of the interaction between tourists and bears, this study examined the responses of brown bears ( Ursus arctos ) to experimentally introduced tourism at Douglas River in south-central Alaska within the framework of current predator–prey theory. Factors eliciting displacement and the nutritional consequences of behavioral changes were measured. GPS collars were deployed to track temporal and spatial resource use and scan and focal observations were used to quantify foraging efficiency, vigilance behavior, and bear use of various food resources. Total food intake was quantified by combining data on food resource use based on GPS locations and foraging efficiency was measured using spotting scopes from long distances. Seasonal food availability and quality were monitored and utilized as co-variates in comparisons between pre-treatment and treatment years. Though the bear population exhibited significant behavioral differences between the presence and absence of humans, changes in behavior generally mediated effects on total food intake. Adult males at a salt marsh viewing area were the only sex/age class exhibiting reduced food intake resulting from a 15% decline in foraging time when viewers were present. Salmon intake did not differ between pre-treatment and treatment years despite a 10% decline in time spent fishing when viewers were present. The tightly controlled experimental bear-viewing introduced in this study allowed bears to evaluate predation risk associated with human activity and optimally respond to minimize costs due to changes in foraging activities.
Effect of Manure Management on Carbon Evolution and Water Extractable Phosphorus

Soils with excessive phosphorus (P) levels due to manure application are an environmental concern because water extractable P (WEP) in runoff from these soils can contribute to increased amounts P in surface water, which can contribute to eutrophication of freshwater. Phosphorus based manure management is an option to reduce WEP and thereby reduce agricultural P runoff. In P based manure management, manure is applied to meet the P needs of a crop or not to exceed a given soil test level. Because P base manure management does not supply enough nitrogen (N) to meet the needs of the crop, addition fertilizer N needs to be applied. Fertilizer N applied to soils may increase the rate of mineralization of organic matter and lowers soil pH and therefore may affect the solubility of soil inorganic and organic P pools. The extent to which this may affect WEP or plant P availability is not known. Thus, laboratory and greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the effects of P based manure management on WEP and ...
The class II histone deacetylase HDAC4 regulates cognitive, metabolic and endocrine functions through its expression in osteoblasts

Objective The recently described endocrine functions of osteoblasts raise questions about their transcriptional regulation. Thus far, this aspect of osteoblast biology has been addressed only by examining the role of transcription factors binding to specific cis-acting elements in the promoter of the Osteocalcin gene.
The effects of alcohol preexposure on cocaine, alcohol and cocaine/alcohol place conditioning.

Abstract The present experiment examined the effects of alcohol preexposure on place conditioning with cocaine, alcohol or the cocaine/alcohol combination. Specifically, 91 male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected i.p. with 1.5 g/kg alcohol ( n = 46) or vehicle ( n = 45) every fourth day for 17 days prior to conditioning. On day 21, half of the animals from each preexposure condition were injected with 20 mg/kg cocaine, 1.5 g/kg alcohol or the cocaine/alcohol combination before being restricted for 30 min to a distinctive compartment of a place conditioning apparatus. The remaining subjects were injected with vehicle and restricted to the alternative side of the chamber. The following day, subjects previously given drug (or vehicle) were given vehicle (or drug) and placed in the alternative compartment of the chamber. Following four conditioning cycles, subjects were allowed 15-min access to the entire chamber. Both alcohol- and vehicle-preexposed animals conditioned with cocaine displayed a preference for the cocaine-paired compartment. Those conditioned with alcohol had an aversion to the alcohol-paired compartment. Consistent with our previous work, animals given the cocaine/alcohol combination displayed no compartment preference, indicating that concurrent alcohol affected the reinforcing effects of cocaine. Further, the attenuating effect of concurrent alcohol was unaffected by alcohol history. Under the present parameters, alcohol pretreatment has no effect on the rewarding (and possibly aversive) properties of cocaine alone or the cocaine/alcohol combination. Continued investigation of the conditions under which preexposure to alcohol might modulate the aversive/reinforcing properties of a cocaine/alcohol combination may be important for understanding vulnerability to the use and/or abuse of this drug combination.
Acid protease activity in spinal cord and muscle in wobbler mouse

Abstract Acid protease activity is increased in spinal cord and foreleg muscles in wobbler mice with motor neuron disease as compared to control mice from the wobbler colony. The control mice from the wobbler colony, which contain a large proportion of heterozygotes have higher level of acid protease activity in spinal cord, but not muscle, than mice from other strains.
Some Formulae for Predicting Spelling Difficulty

WIDE DISCREPANCIES exist in grade place ment of words in spelling lists (2, 3). Considerable discussion currently centers around the elimination of formal spelling lists in favor of teaching spelling words as the child's needs arise. This position would seem to increase further the difficulty vari ance. A number of stimulus variables relate to the difficulty of spelling words. The present paper at tempts to apply the most highly related of these to three measures of spelling difficulty, andthento de termine formulae for predicting spelling difficulty. In Hull's terms (8), a spelling word is a hetero geneous response chain with terminal reinforcement. The longer such a response chain becomes, the low er the probability that all responses will be correct. Accordingly, word length is considered tobe related to spelling difficulty. In support of this c o ne e pt, Ayers (1) found a rank difference correlation of . 88 between spelling difficulty and word length, and the writer (4) found a correlation of . 48 between number of correct spellings and word length for second grade children. Hildreth (6) felt that frequency ofoccurrenee related closely to the spelling difficulty of words. Most spelling lists are built upon a combination of expert judgment and frequency of occurrence. The relationship between frequency of occurrence and difficulty or amount learned is, however, not linear. Hull (8), for example, described the effects of a re petition as a loge function of repetitions. Howes and Solomon (7), working with recognition threshold, found that logjo of frequency more closely describes the relationship. In the present study, the log2 of frequency was used in lieu of frequency of occur rence. First, of three distributions (straight fre quency, logio and log2) log2 was the most normally distributed among the words in the sample, and sec ond, log2 can be grossly determined without special log tables.
Stimulation of glucose utilization by thioctic acid in rat diaphragm incubated in vitro

Abstract In rat diaphragm incubated in vitro thioctic acid increased the utilization of glucose. Time studies showed that, in contrast to the stimulatory effect of insulin on glucose uptake, the action of thioctic acid became apparent only after prolonged incubation. Thioctic acid did not interfere with the action of insulin and its effect was additive to that of insulin.
Epithelial Expression of the Cytosolic Retinoid Chaperone Cellular Retinol Binding Protein II Is Essential for in Vivo Imprinting of Local Gut Dendritic Cells by Lumenal Retinoids

Dendritic cells (DCs) use all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) to promote characteristic intestinal responses, including Foxp3+ Treg conversion, lymphocyte gut homing molecule expression, and IgA production. How this ability to generate ATRA is conferred to DCs in vivo remains largely unstudied. Here, we observed that among DCs, retinaldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH1), which catalyzes the conversion of retinal to ATRA, was preferentially expressed by small intestine CD103+ lamina propria (LP) DCs. Retinoids induced LP CD103+ DCs to generate ATRA via ALDH1 activity. Either biliary or dietary retinoids were required to confer ALDH activity to LP DCs in vivo. Cellular retinol-binding protein II (CRBPII), a cytosolic retinoid chaperone that directs enterocyte retinol and retinal metabolism but is redundant to maintain serum retinol, was required to confer ALDH activity to CD103+ LP DCs. CRBPII expression was restricted to small intestine epithelial cells, and ALDH activity in CRBPII−/− DCs was restored by transfer to a wild-type recipient. CD103+ LP DCs from CRBPII−/− mice had a decreased capacity to promote IgA production. Moreover, CD103+ DCs preferentially associated with the small intestine epithelium and LP CD103+ DC ALDH activity, and the ability to promote IgA production was reduced in mice with impaired DC–epithelia associations. These findings demonstrate in vivo roles for the expression of epithelial CRBPII and lumenal retinoids to imprint local gut DCs with an intestinal phenotype.
Polymer micro-ring filters and modulators

Micro-ring wavelength filters and resonant modulators using polymer materials at 1300 nm and 1550 nm are analyzed, designed, and demonstrated. The rings are integrated with vertically coupled input and output waveguides. The devices are fabricated using optical lithography. Filters with a finesse of 141 and free spectral range of 5 nm at 1300 nm and finesse of 117 with a free spectral range (FSR) of 8 nm at 1550 nm are demonstrated. Ring resonators with a Q as high as 1.3 /spl times/ 10/sup 5/ at 1300 nm are demonstrated. The filters can be temperature tuned at the rate of 14 GHz//spl deg/C. Resonant ring modulators, which use an electrooptic polymer, are demonstrated. The resonance wavelength voltage tunes at the rate of 0.82 GHz/V. The modulators have a bandwidth larger than 2 GHz. Using the resonant modulator, and open eye diagram at 1 Gb/s is demonstrated.
The role of the IGF-1 receptor in the stimulation of cells by short pulses of growth factors.

. Balb/c 3T3 cells require prolonged stimulation by serum or growth factors to enter DNA synthesis. However, in p6 cells, a derivative cell line from 3T3 cells which constitutively over-express the insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) receptor, a serum pulse of only 1 h is sufficient for maximal stimulation. Furthermore, maximal stimulation of DNA synthesis is also obtained when 3T3 cells, serum-stimulated for only 1 h, are subsequently incubated with IGF-1. Our results indicate that short pulses of growth factors render 3T3 cells capable of responding to IGF-1, either by increasing the number of IGF-1 receptors or by providing a new substrate for the activated receptor.
The Perfomance of Human Rights in Morocco

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Susan Slyomovics Year: 2005 Pages: 288 Publisher: University of Pennsylvania Press ISBN: 081221904X Prices: $55 US(hard cover).
Automatic Recognition of Performance Idioms in Scientific Applications

Basic data flow patterns that we call \textbf{performance idioms}, such as stream, transpose, reduction, random access and stencil, are common in scientific numerical applications. We hypothesize that a small number of idioms can cover most programming constructs that dominate the execution time of scientific codes and can be used to approximate the application performance. To check these hypotheses, we proposed an automatic idioms recognition method and implemented the method, based on the open source compiler Open64. With the NAS Parallel Benchmark (NPB) as a case study, the prototype system is about $90%$ accurate compared with idiom classification by a human expert. Our results showed that the above five idioms suffice to cover $100%$ of the six NPB codes (MG, CG, FT, BT, SP and LU). We also compared the performance of our idiom benchmarks with their corresponding instances in the NPB codes on two different platforms with different methods. The approximation accuracy is up to $96.6%$. The contribution is to show that a small set of idioms can cover more complex codes, that idioms can be recognized automatically, and that suitably defined idioms may approximate application performance.
Food environment and obesity.

Objective The food environment plays an important and often dominant role in food choice, eating patterns, and ultimately, energy intake. The Obesity Society and the American Society for Nutrition jointly sponsored a series of reviews on topics of interest to both memberships. The goal was to consider the state of understanding on selected issues related to the food environment and obesity and to identify key knowledge gaps. Results The first article (not necessarily of importance) targeted energy density (ED) and focuses on the role of ED in the regulation of energy intake and body weight. It offers recommendations for prioritizing research. The second article addresses economic factors and examines food and beverage purchases as a function of price changes. It concludes that targeted food taxes and subsidies alone are unlikely to substantially affect obesity. The third article concerns sweetened beverages and points out the difficulty in establishing the strength of the association between intake of sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain and obesity. In the fourth article, the contributions of palatability and variety to eating behavior and weight are reviewed. Article five explores the influence of portion size on energy intake and weight management. It finds that consumers generally tend to eat proportionally more as portion size increases. The sixth article focuses on the efficacy and effectiveness of eating frequency manipulations for body weight management and finds that such manipulations have consistently yielded null results. Finally, article seven identifies several limitations of the existing literature regarding neighborhood access to healthy foods. Conclusions This series of reviews addresses important questions regarding the contribution of the food environment to obesity. Independent of physiological/genetic determinants, factors such as ED, cost, food form, palatability, variety, portion size, eating frequency, and access to healthy food are each evaluated for their role in the etiology of obesity and metabolic health. This series of reviews also identifies important gaps in knowledge.
The Role of Relative Humidity in Radiative–Convective Equilibrium

Abstract The following conditions are derived for the existence of a radiation limit of tropospheric origin in a nongray atmosphere, extending the work on a gray atmosphere by Nakajima et al.: 1) the atmosphere must become sufficiently optically thick, and 2) the temperature must become only a function of optical depth at each frequency, independent of surface temperature. The first condition is satisfied at high temperatures even in a window region as long as there is weak but nonzero absorption, because the optical depth of the entire atmosphere roughly scales as saturation vapor pressure. At high temperatures, the pseudoadiabatic temperature structure asymptotes to the saturation vapor pressure curve, satisfying the second condition at each frequency. A rapidly decreasing vertical gradient of water vapor mixing ratio allows temperature to asymptote faster in optical depth coordinates than in pressure coordinates. Analyses using a radiative–convective model show that interactive relative humidity can gi...
The HSPGs Syndecan and Dallylike Bind the Receptor Phosphatase LAR and Exert Distinct Effects on Synaptic Development

The formation and plasticity of synaptic connections rely on regulatory interactions between pre- and postsynaptic cells. We show that the Drosophila heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) Syndecan (Sdc) and Dallylike (Dlp) are synaptic proteins necessary to control distinct aspects of synaptic biology. Sdc promotes the growth of presynaptic terminals, whereas Dlp regulates active zone form and function. Both Sdc and Dlp bind at high affinity to the protein tyrosine phosphatase LAR, a conserved receptor that controls both NMJ growth and active zone morphogenesis. These data and double mutant assays showing a requirement of LAR for actions of both HSPGs lead to a model in which presynaptic LAR is under complex control, with Sdc promoting and Dlp inhibiting LAR in order to control synapse morphogenesis and function.
Smad 3 May Regulate Follicular Growth in the Mouse Ovary

Although Smad 3 is known to serve as a signaling intermediate for the transforming growth factor beta (TGFb) family in nonreproductive tissues, its role in the ovary is unknown. Thus, we used a recently generated Smad 3-deficient (Smad 32/2) mouse model to test the hypothesis that Smad 3 alters female fertility and regulates the growth of ovarian follicles from the primordial stage to the antral stage. In addition, we tested whether Smad 3 affects the levels of proteins that control apoptosis, survival, and proliferation in the ovarian follicle. To test this hypothesis, breeding studies were conducted using Smad 32/2 and wild-type mice. In addition, ovaries were collected from Smad 32/2 and wild-type mice on Postnatal Days 2‐90. One ovary from each animal was used to estimate the total number of primordial, primary, and antral follicles. The other ovary was used for immunohistochemical analysis of selected members of the B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 family of protooncogenes (Bax, Bcl-2, Bcl-x), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (Cdk-2). The results indicate that Smad 32/2 mice have reduced fertility compared with wild type mice. The results also indicate that Smad 3 may not affect the size of the primordial follicle pool at birth, but it may regulate growth of primordial follicles to the antral stage. Further, the results indicate that Smad 3 may regulate the expression of Bax and Bcl-2, but not Bcl-x, Cdk-2, and PCNA. Collectively, these data suggest that Smad 3 may play an important role in the regulation of ovarian follicle growth and female fertility. apoptosis, follicle, follicular development, growth factors, ovary
Intensity-modulated radiation therapy use in the U.S., 2004.

BACKGROUND. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is a novel approach to the planning and delivery of radiation therapy. The prevalence of IMRT use among radiation oncologists in the U.S. appears to be increasing, despite limited data evaluating its risks and benefits. METHODS. A random sample of radiation oncologists in the U.S., including a cohort of 441 physicians who were surveyed in 2002, was surveyed regarding IMRT use. IMRT users were questioned regarding their frequency of use, clinical applications, and reasons for adopting IMRT. IMRT nonusers were asked their reasons for not using IMRT, whether they planned to use it in the future, and reasons for wanting to adopt IMRT. Differences in responses between 2002 and 2004 were compared. RESULTS. The survey was conducted between July 1, 2004 and August 31, 2004. Of 368 evaluable participants, 239 physicians (64.9%) responded. The proportion of respondents who used IMRT was 73.2% (175 physicians), compared with 32.0% in 2002. The adoption rate of IMRT among nonusers from 2002 to 2004 was 62.7% (95% confidence interval, 51.9 –73.5%). Many IMRT users (81.0%) had used IMRT to deliver higher than conventional doses of radiation, predominantly in patients with genitourinary and head and neck tumors. Major reasons cited for IMRT adoption were permitting normal tissue sparing (88.0%), dose escalation (85.1%), and economic competition (62.4%). Ninety-one percent of nonusers planned to adopt IMRT in the future. CONCLUSIONS. IMRT use among radiation oncologists in the U.S. has increased significantly since 2002. Standardized guidelines and careful, prospective analyses evaluating its risks and benefits are needed. Cancer 2005;104:1296 –303. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Effects of androgens on behavioral and vomeronasal responses to chemosensory cues in male terrestrial salamanders (Plethodon shermani)

Chemosensory stimuli and sex steroid hormones are both required for the full expression of social behaviors in many species. The terrestrial salamander, Plethodon shermani, is an emerging nonmammalian system for investigating the nature and evolution of pheromonal communication, yet little is known regarding the role of sex steroid hormones. We hypothesized that increased circulating androgen levels in male P. shermani enhance chemoreception through morphological, behavioral, and physiological mechanisms. Experimental elevation of plasma androgens increased development of cirri, morphological structures thought to enhance the transfer of chemosensory cues from the substrate to the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Elevated plasma androgens also increased expression of a chemo-investigatory behavior (nose tapping) and increased preference for some female-derived chemosensory cues. Male-produced courtship pheromones activated a large number of cells in the VNO as measured by the method of agmatine uptake. However, androgen levels did not affect the total number of vomeronasal cells activated by male-produced courtship pheromones. Future studies will determine whether androgens potentially modulate responsiveness of the VNO to female-derived (as opposed to male-derived) chemosensory cues.
Diagnostic assessment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common disorder that can lead to substantial morbidity and mortality through the clinical manifestations of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). Although rapid diagnosis and treatment are critical in preventing PE, mortality and major morbidity due to conditions such as postthrombotic syndrome may complicate the differential diagnosis of VTE. The clinical symptoms associated with DVT are neither sensitive nor specific and can be indicative of a wide range of diagnoses. Because imaging studies can be expensive and are sometimes inconclusive, they should be used judiciously in patients with highly suspected VTE. This review offers a clinical perspective on the accurate, routine diagnosis of VTE, including an overview of common clinical signs and symptoms, as well as the advantages and drawbacks of available diagnostic strategies.
STATISTICAL DESCRIPTION OF MICROSTRUCTURES

▪ Abstract We review progress made in quantitatively ascertaining the various statistical correlation functions that are fundamental to determining the material properties of specific classes of disordered materials. Topics covered include the definitions of the correlation functions, a unified theoretical means of representing and computing the different statistical descriptors, structural characterization from two-dimensional and three-dimensional images of materials, scalar order metrics and particle packings, and reconstruction techniques.
Talking backward: exceptional speech play in late childhood *

The game of ‘talking backward’, invented independently by two boys aged 8; 10 and 9; 11, is studied with reference to the role of speech play in linguistic, cognitive, and social development. Case reports from 27 adult backward talkers suggest a lower limit of about 7 years for the onset of this ability. The backward speech of the two children illustrates how either phonology or orthography can be used as a basis for backward speech, and demonstrates the boys' knowledge of phonemic units and letter-to-sound correspondences. Talking backward belongs to a larger class of ‘secret’ language games that may be cognitively and pragmatically well suited to children of this age.
Evaluating the Relevance, Generalization, and Applicability of Research Issues in External Validation and Translation Methodology

Starting with the proposition that "if we want more evidence-based practice, we need more practice-based evidence," this article (a) offers questions and guides that practitioners, program planners, and policy makers can use to determine the applicability of evidence to situations and populations other than those in which the evidence was produced (generalizability), (b) suggests criteria that reviewers can use to evaluate external validity and potential for generalization, and (c) recommends procedures that practitioners and program planners can use to adapt evidence-based interventions and integrate them with evidence on the population and setting characteristics, theory, and experience into locally appropriate programs. The development and application in tandem of such questions, guides, criteria, and procedures can be a step toward increasing the relevance of research for decision making and should support the creation and reporting of more practice-based research having high external validity.
Physiological basis for CGA-248757 and flumiclorac selectivity in five plant species

Abstract Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the physiological basis for CGA-248757 and flumiclorac selectivity in five plant species. CGA-248757 and flumiclorac selectively control weeds postemergence (POST) by inhibiting protoporphyrinogen oxidase (Protox). Injury symptoms from CGA-248757 and flumiclorac include rapid desiccation and necrosis similar to injury from diphenyl ether and bipyridinium herbicides. Species sensitivity to CGA-248757 and flumiclorac was evaluated by comparing the dry weight reduction from POST applications. Abutilon theophrasti was sensitive to both herbicides, Amaranthus retroflexus was more sensitive to flumiclorac than CGA-248757, Brassica kaber was sensitive to CGA-248757 but tolerant of flumiclorac, and Zea mays and Glycine max were tolerant of both herbicides. Studies evaluated CGA-248757 and flumiclorac retention, absorption, translocation, and metabolism. Enhanced herbicide metabolism contributed to the tolerance of A. retroflexus to CGA-248757 ...
Photochemotherapy Treatment for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a disease resulting from accelerated replication and abnormal maturation of epidermal cells.1 It has a 1 to 2 percent prevalence in the United States.1 Currently, therapy is merely suppressive. Conventional treatment for psoriasis is the Goeckerman technique, involving the use of tar and ultraviolet B (UVB) (290–320 nm).2 Classically, this treatment is delivered on an inpatient basis. The Goeckerman regimen is usually effective but is very messy. A relatively new treatment for psoriasis, called PUVA, also involves ultraviolet radiation. The name of the treatment is derived from its components: psoralen, a systemic photosensitizing drug, and ultraviolet A (320–400 nm) radiation. The use of PUVA allows a neat outpatient therapeutic program that may be used as maintenance therapy after the lesions have cleared. The PUVA treatment is not a cure for psoriasis but can be very effective in controlling its signs.3
The Uruk expansion as dynamic process: A reconstruction of Middle to Late Uruk exchange patterns from bulk stable isotope analyses of bitumen artifacts

This research examines broad regional patterns of inter-regional trade for the world's first colonial trading system, the economic expansion of southern Mesopotamia into southwest Iran and southeast Anatolia. Stable carbon and deuterium isotope analyses of bitumen artifacts from several Uruk enclaves and colonies show diachronic changes in trade routes as well as changes in the nature of the Uruk expansion from the Middle to Late Uruk periods. Hacinebi Tepe, a Chalcolithic Anatolian site located on the upper Euphrates River had material primarily from northern Mesopotamia in the period before the Uruk expansion. These findings highlight the importance of sites such as Tell Brak and Hamoukar which reached a high level of complexity in the early fourth millennium BC and influenced societies prior to trade with southern Mesopotamia. In the late Middle Uruk Period, during the Uruk expansion, bitumen found in trade colonies in the northern Euphrates regions derived mainly from central and southern Mesopotamia and an unidentified source area, while later colonies from the Late Uruk period acquired most of their material from the northern Mesopotamian sources. The significantly large quantity of bitumen from the sources near Hit and Khuzistan at the site of Hacinebi during Uruk contact suggests a high volume of trade in this area. The changes over the course of the Uruk expansion demonstrate shifting emphases in the upper Euphrates from riverine trade routes oriented north–south back to overland trade routes running east–west. These changes are consistent with the idea that Late Uruk colonies were focused on settlement and colonization rather than exchange. The preliminary results of these analyses demonstrate the utility of bulk isotopic analyses as a first step in the identification of broad regional patterns, which then can be bolstered with detailed isotopic and molecular work on asphaltene extractions of bitumen (Connan and Nishiaki, 2003).
Establishment of HPLC Fingerprint of Epimedium and Composition Studies of Origin and Site

Objective:To establish the HPLC fingerprint of Epimedium,and analyze quality differences of different origin and location.Methods:Kromasil C18 column(250mm×250mm×4.6mm,5μm),detection wavelength 270nm;flow rate 1mL/min;column temperature was at room temperature;acetonitrile and 1% acetic acid as mobile phase,gradient elution;determine fingerprints of different origin stems,leaves from Hubei,Northeast,Jilin,and compare their differences.Results:Epimedium Fingerprint has 23 peaks,the total peak area is greater than 90%.Its precision,stability,repeatability are in line with the relevant provisions in Fingerprint Of Traditional Chinese Medicine Injection of Technical Requirements(Temporary).Conclusion:This method can scientifically and reasonably judge the quality differences of Epimedium,and has a certain significance for Epimedium genuine medicine research.
Internal and Overt Rectal Procidentia

Abstract The etiology and treatment of rectal procidentia remain controversial despite its longtime recognition. In this article, the clinical manifestations, etiology, and therapeutic options of both forms of rectal prolapse and the associated syndromes of colitis cystica profunda and solitary ulcer of the rectum are reviewed.
Oxidative stress and interleukins in seminal plasma during leukocytospermia

Objective To quantify the levels of reactive oxygen species, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and interleukins (IL) 2 and 8 in seminal plasma of infertile patients as well as to examine the possible relationship between oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines. Design Semen collected from normal fertile donors, infertile men without symptoms of genitourinary (GU) inflammation, and infertile men with symptoms of infection-inflammation of the GU tract was evaluated for the levels of granulocyte elastase, reactive oxygen species, SOD, IL-2, and IL-8. Any correlation between the levels of reactive oxygen species and other parameters in these population was analyzed statistically. Results Significantly high levels of granulocyte elastase (18.32 ± 1.52 U/L), reactive oxygen species (6 X 105 cpm), IL-8 (3.7 ± 0.10 μg/L), and IL-2 (18.96 ± 1.47 ng/L) were observed in semen of infertile patients with leukocytospermia compared with the other two groups. In leukocytospermic samples, the activity of SOD was significantly lower (624.89 ± 41.16 NU/mL) compared with nonleukocytospermic samples (787.85 ± 24.26 NU/mL) or fertile donors (816.29 ± 50.16 NU/mL). A significant positive correlation was observed between the levels of reactive oxygen species and IL-8. Conclusions These findings suggest that increased oxidative stress observed during leukocytospermia may modulate the level of proinflammatory cytokines. The increased oxidative stress may be due to a defect in the reactive oxygen species scavenging system.
The Female Athlete Triad: Prevalence in Military Women

The objective of this study was to define the prevalence of the female athlete triad, i.e., the simultaneous occurrence of disordered eating, amenorrhea, and osteoporosis, in military women. A total of 423 active duty female soldiers participated in a three-part prospective, cross-sectional study. Part 1 entailed completing the Eating Disorder Inventory and a clinical interview with those women "at risk" for an eating disorder. Part 2 consisted of a clinical evaluation and laboratory studies of any woman with menstrual irregularities. Part 3 evaluated the bone mineral density of all women meeting the inclusion criteria for parts 1 and 2 using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Of the 423 active duty women who participated in the study, no subject exhibited the full female athlete triad. Thirty-three women (8%) had an eating disorder and 109 women (26%) were at risk for an eating disorder. Our results suggest that the female athlete triad is not a clinically significant problem for the Army.
Phase I-II study of DTIC and cyclocytidine in disseminated malignant melanoma

Seventeen patients with disseminated malignant melanoma were treated with DTIC (150 mg/m2, Days 1-5) and cyclocytidine (increasing doses sc, Days 1-10) in a phase I-II study. There was one early death. The remaining 16 patients were evaluable for response and toxicity. Two patients (13%) had CR lasting 8+ and 2+ months, while one patient (6%) had a PR lasting 1 month. Nausea and vomiting was seen in seven patients (44%), jaw pain in four (25%), and orthostatic hypotension in two (13%). Hematologic toxicity was not excessive, nor was it cumulative. The overall response rate of 19% was comparable to that reported with DTIC alone. This drug combination does not appear to offer any therapeutic advantage within the dosage range tested in disseminated malignant melanoma.
The Potency-Sparing Radical Cystectomy: Does it Compromise the Completeness of the Cancer Resection?

AbstractAnatomical radical cystectomies with en bloc pelvic lymph node dissections were performed post mortem on 10 male cadavers. The traditional technique of radical cystectomy was used on 1 side and the potency-sparing technique was used on the opposite side. The tissue responsible for the differences in the surgical margins with the 2 procedures was examined by routine surgical pathological techniques to determine if it contained lymph nodes. Lymph nodes were identified in the bundle of tissue left in the pelvis with the nerve-sparing radical cystectomy in 6 of the 10 dissections (60 per cent). Because these lymph nodes may represent the potential first site of metastatic disease leaving the bladder, the reader is cautioned about adopting the nerve-sparing radical cystectomy as part of the management of invasive bladder cancer until the long-term sequelae of the procedure are known.
Management of Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

Anemia is one of the most common complications of CKD. As kidney disease advances, the incidence and prevalence of anemia increases. Anemia of CKD is multifactorial in etiology. The most common causes are erythropoietin deficiency, iron deficiency, and inflammation. Observational studies have suggested an increased risk of cardiovascular and renal complications, lower quality of life, and higher mortality are associated with a lower hemoglobin (Hb) level. However, large RCTs have demonstrated that correction of anemia with an erythropoiesis stimulating agent (ESA) is associated with either no benefit or an increased risk of cardiovascular complications and/or death. Correction of anemia is associated with either no effect on kidney progression or an increased rate of ESRD. Recent studies have implicated exposure to high doses of ESA in the heightened adverse risk associated with normalization of Hb in CKD patients. Contemporary approaches to anemia management have now embraced using the lowest possible dose of ESA together with treatment of iron deficiency and inflammation. Individualization of therapy rather than algorithmic approaches to management is now recommended.
Ultrasound guidance for spinal radiosurgery

Difficulty in accurately tracking extracranial targets has limited the development of stereotactic radiosurgery in extracranial applications. The ability to track extracranial structures in real time with ultrasound images allows a system to upgrade and interface pre-treatment volumetric images for extracranial applications. We describe this technique for the treatment of localized metastatic spinal disease.