cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecology of extreme faunal turnover of tropical American scallops

Abstract The marine faunas of tropical America underwent substantial evolutionary turnover in the past 3 to 4 million years in response to changing environmental conditions associated with the rise of the Isthmus of Panama, but the ecological signature of changes within major clades is still poorly understood. Here we analyze the paleoecology of faunal turnover within the family Pectinidae (scallops) over the past 12 Myr. The fossil record for the southwest Caribbean (SWC) is remarkably complete over this interval. Diversity increased from a low of 12 species ca. 10–9 Ma to a maximum of 38 species between 4 and3 Ma and then declined to 22 species today. In contrast, there are large gaps in the record from the tropical eastern Pacific (TEP) and diversity remained low throughout the past 10 Myr. Both origination and extinction rates in the SWC peaked between 4 and 3 Ma, and remained high until 2–1 Ma, resulting in a 95% species level turnover between 3.5 and 2 Ma. The TEP record was too incomplete for meani...
Preliminary assessment of removal of pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides with colloidal zirconia adsorbents.

Abstract Preliminary evaluation of bare or polymer-coated colloidal monoclinic zirconia of nominal particle size 100 nm indicated that it is an effective adsorbent for pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as measured by chemical and Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) assays. Zirconia at 50 μm ml-1 adsorbed 99.95% of added E. coli O128 LPS. Residual LPS levels below 0.1 ng ml-1 were easily attained. Collidal zirconia was able to remove LPS from solution in the presence of bovine albumin (BSA). Some LPS contaminating BSA lacked affinity for zirconia. Preadsorption of phosphate onto bare zirconia blocked LPS adsorption. However, phosphated-oligomeric glycidyl (epoxy) pentaerythritol-coated colloidal zirconia could be derivatized with imidazole-containing ligands to produce an LPS-binding surface. Preliminary results of adsorption of LPS by the coated particles indicated a reduced level of LPS binding compared to bare zirconia, probably because the particles aggregated during the derivatization process, reducing the effective surface available for LPS adsorption.
C-Terminal Protein Characterization by Mass Spectrometry: Isolation of C-Terminal Fragments from Cyanogen Bromide-Cleaved Protein

A sample preparation method for protein C-terminal peptide isolation from cyanogen bromide (CNBr) digests has been developed. In this strategy, the analyte was reduced and carboxyamidomethylated, followed by CNBr cleavage in a one-pot reaction scheme. The digest was then adsorbed on ZipTipC18 pipette tips for conjugation of the homoserine lactone-terminated peptides with 2,2′-dithiobis (ethylamine) dihydrochloride, followed by reductive release of 2-aminoethanethiol from the derivatives. The thiol-functionalized internal and N-terminal peptides were scavenged on activated thiol sepharose, leaving the C-terminal peptide in the flow-through fraction. The use of reversed-phase supports as a venue for peptide derivatization enabled facile optimization of the individual reaction steps for throughput and completeness of reaction. Reagents were replaced directly on the support, allowing the reactions to proceed at minimal sample loss. By this sequence of solid-phase reactions, the C-terminal peptide could be recognized uniquely in mass spectra of unfractionated digests by its unaltered mass signature. The use of the sample preparation method was demonstrated with low-level amounts of a whole, intact model protein. The C-terminal fragments were retrieved selectively and efficiently from the affinity support. The use of covalent chromatography for C-terminal peptide purification enabled recovery of the depleted material for further chemical and/or enzymatic manipulation. The sample preparation method provides for robustness and simplicity of operation and is anticipated to be expanded to gel-separated proteins and in a scaled-up format to high-throughput protein profiling in complex biological mixtures.
Synergistic potentiation of glutamate release by arachidonic acid and oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol.

Abstract Both the activation of protein kinase C (PKC) and the facilitation of depolarization-evoked glutamate release have been implicated in the induction of hippocampal long-term synaptic potentiation. These observations may be functionally related, since stimulation of PKC activity enhances evoked glutamate release. Recently, it was shown that arachidonic acid and the diacylglycerol analog oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol activate brain PKC in a Synergistic fashion. We report the facilitation of depolarization-induced glutamate efflux from hippocampal mossy fiber synaptosomes due to a combination of arachidonic acid and oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol. The potentiating effects appeared to depend on the activation of PKC since they were attenuated by staurosporine. In addition, the effects of arachidonic acid and oleoyl-acetyl-glycerol appeared to be limited to calcium-dependent processes.
Diversity of the Escherichia coli type 1 fimbrial lectin. Differential binding to mannosides and uroepithelial cells.

Type 1 fimbriae are the most common adhesive organelles of Escherichia coli. Because of their virtual ubiquity, previous epidemiological studies have not found a correlation between the presence of type 1 fimbriae and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Recently it has become clear that type 1 fimbriae exhibit several different phenotypes, due to allelic variation of the gene for the lectin subunit, FimH, and that these phenotypes are differentially distributed among fecal and UTI isolates. In this study, we have analyzed in more detail the ability of isogenic, recombinant strains ofE. coli expressing fimH genes of the predominant fecal and UTI phenotypes to adhere to glycoproteins and to uroepithelial cells. Evidence was obtained to indicate that type 1 fimbriae differ in their ability to recognize various mannosides, utilizing at least two different mechanisms. All FimH subunits studied to date are capable of mediating adhesion via trimannosyl residues, but only certain variants are capable of mediating high levels of adhesion via monomannosyl residues. The ability of the FimH lectins to interact with monomannosyl residues strongly correlates with their ability to mediate E. coli adhesion to uroepithelial cells. In this way, it would be possible for certain phenotypic variants of type 1 fimbriae to contribute more than others to virulence of E. coli in the urinary tract.
Direct and indirect effects of hypoxia on benthos in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, U.S.A.

Abstract Hypoxia (low oxygen conditions) has been found in the southeastern region of Corpus Christi Bay, Texas, U.S.A. every summer since 1988. The objectives of the current study were to determine direct and indirect effects of hypoxia on macrofauna. Direct physiological effects of hypoxia include reduction of benthic abundance, biomass, diversity, species richness and species evenness because of physiological intolerance. Indirect ecological effects of hypoxia include predation of emerging benthic fauna from the sediment. Macrofaunal community characteristics were compared vertically within sediments in caged and uncaged sediment samples in hypoxic and normoxic areas. Cage effects were determined with partial cages, which had reduced flow and no predator exclusion. Dissolved oxygen concentrations during the experiment was monitored in water column profiles and continuous measurement of bottom water in the hypoxic and normoxic areas. Hypoxia in Corpus Christi Bay in 1999 occurred as transient events, many of which were of short duration (less than 1 h) and moderate intensity (around 2 mg l− 1). The macrobenthic community characteristics (i.e., abundance, biomass, species richness, diversity, and evenness) were directly affected by hypoxia as indicated by depressed levels and few deeper-dwelling organisms in the hypoxic area. Community structure was also different between the hypoxic and normoxic areas because of loss of species (presumably due to intolerance to low oxygen) in the hypoxic areas. Benthic invertebrates were found primarily in the surface in the hypoxic area, but there was no significant indication of indirect effects, i.e., increased predation pressure in the hypoxic area. The increased exposure to predation risk may be mitigated by predator avoidance of hypoxic areas. In conclusion, hypoxia in Corpus Christi Bay has negative direct effects on benthic organisms, but no indirect effects, such as increased predation pressure. The most significant finding is the interaction between hypoxia and vertical distributions of infauna, which drive hypoxia intolerant organisms to the surface and out of sediments.
Women and Crack-Cocaine: Identifying High-Risk Behavior in Recovery

This research paper reports on a qualitative, grounded theory study of the progress toward recovery of 30 women and identifies and examines their participation in high-risk behavior. High-risk behavior was defined as any behavior dangerous to the person's health, welfare, or personal safety; secondly, as any behavior that is dangerous to the person's recovery process; and thirdly, as any illegal behavior. In this light, these women engaged in many behaviors that were considered to be high-risk. Findings showed that women engaged in behaviors that presented significant risk and obstacles to their recovery process. Some behaviors, while welcomed in recovery (e.g., church attendance), once explored, were found to be problematic when the activity resulted in the exclusion of other helpful pursuits, or they created obstacles to engagement in activities that would lead to internalizing the recovery process. Recreational activities like bingo, fast driving, or even avoiding “people, places, and things” that resu...
Nanoelectrode arrays based on low site density aligned carbon nanotubes

Nanoelectrode arrays (NEAs) were fabricated from low site density aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The CNTs were grown by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition on Ni nanoparticles made by electrochemical deposition. Each nanotube is separated from the nearest neighbor by several micrometers. NEAs of 1 cm2 consisting of up to millions of individual nanoelectrodes, each with a diameter of 100 nm, were made by this nonlithography method. These carbon NEAs could be used as templates to fabricate other metal NEAs. Electrochemical characterization including cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry were performed.
The effect of oxidized material on the vertical distribution of freshwater benthic fauna

Summary The vertical distribution of representatives of the benthic groups: Ostracoda, Nematoda, Oligochaeta, Harpacticoida, Cyclopoida, and Chironomidae was determined. All groups had their highest numbers and biomass in the first 2 cm. The downward extent of oxidized material affected the distribution by dispersing the biomass more as seen by the deeper occurrence of groups when the oxidized material increased. Both the nematodes and oligochaetes were found to inhabit the first reduced layer when the oxidized material was less than normal.
Stability and electrocatalytic activity of the oxo-bridged dimer [(bpy)2(H2O)RuORu(OH2)(bpy)2]4+ in basic solutions

Abstract Rotating disk electrode and cyclic voltammetry experiments with glassy carbon electrodes were applied to study the electrocatalytic properties of the oxo-bridged dimer, [(bpy)2(H2O)-RuIIIORuIII(H2O)(bpy)2]4+, I, (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) in basic solutions. When generated by electro-oxidation of I, the Ru(IV)Ru(V) form of the dimer electrocatalytically oxidizes alcohols, sugars and amino acids in reactions that the first order in catalyst and in substrate. The rate constants, kcat, for oxidation of glycine, L(+)arginine, D(+)glucose and benzyl alcohol by the Ru(IV)Ru(V) form of I were measured in 0.2, 0.1, 0.1 and 1.0 M NaOH, respectively, as equal to 12.0±1.3, 11.2±0.8, 63.2±4.0 and 6.2±0.5 × 103M−1 s−1, respectively. The electrocatalytic reaction involves prior proton dissociation from the complex [(bpy)2(HO)RuIIIORuIV(OH)(bpy)2]3+ (pKa3=13.7) in the course of electrogenerating the Ru(IV)Ru(V) dimer. The pseudo-first order rate constant of this step was measured as 20±5 s−1 in 1.0 M NaOH. The proton dissociation reaction is too rapid to limit the electrocatalytic rate of oxidation of glycine, which is pH independent from pH 13 to 14. The rate constant for the more rapidly oxidizable benzyl alcohol is, on the other hand, strongly pH dependent and this reaction can be quantitatively shown to be proton dissociation rate-limited. In experiments supporting the main electrocatalytic objectives, the complex I in homogeneous 0.1 M NaOH solutions was found to oxidize D(+)glucose with a rate constant of 1.4±0.1×10−2M−1 s−1. The Ru(III)-Ru(IV) dimer spontaneously self-reduces with a pseudo-first order rate constant of 8.6×10−4 s−1 in 1.0 M NaOH, apparently by oxidation of a bpy ligand.
Quantitative Measures of Gait Characteristics Indicate Prevalence of Underlying Subclinical Structural Brain Abnormalities in High-Functioning Older Adults

Abnormal gait in high-functioning older adults may indicate underlying subtle structural brain abnormalities. We tested the hypothesis that temporal and spatial parameters of gait, including speed, st
Attribution semantics: Linguistic worlds and point of view

The success of semantic theory depends on an account of cognitive point of view in which all meanings expressed in a text are attributed to their personal or purported personal sources. This can be accomplished in an interpretive theory assigning all text to Linguistic Worlds (LWs). A special deictic LW, needed for default attribution to the speaker, and useful for describing parentheticals, evaluative adjectives, and epitheticals, gives the capacity to characterize shifts in point of view that accompany the indirect first‐person speech of expressive language, as in temporal and stylistic shifts. The existence of the deictic LW also suggests that the relativity of indexicals is primarily a structural matter and pragmatic only in the default case.
Characterization and applications of a tunable, laser-based, MeV-class Compton-scattering γ -ray source

A high peak brilliance, laser-based Compton-scattering $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray source, capable of producing quasimonoenergetic photons with energies ranging from 0.1 to 0.9 MeV has been recently developed and used to perform nuclear resonance fluorescence (NRF) experiments. Techniques for characterization of $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray beam parameters are presented. The key source parameters are the size ($0.01\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{mm}}^{2}$), horizontal and vertical divergence ($6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}10\text{ }\text{ }{\mathrm{mrad}}^{2}$), duration (16 ps), and spectrum and intensity (${10}^{5}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{photons}/\mathrm{shot}$). These parameters are summarized by the peak brilliance, $1.5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{15}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{photons}/{\mathrm{mm}}^{2}/{\mathrm{mrad}}^{2}/\mathrm{s}/0.1%$ bandwidth, measured at 478 keV. Additional measurements of the flux as a function of the timing difference between the drive laser pulse and the relativistic photoelectron bunch, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray beam profile, and background evaluations are presented. These results are systematically compared to theoretical models and computer simulations. NRF measurements performed on $^{7}\mathrm{Li}$ in LiH demonstrate the potential of Compton-scattering photon sources to accurately detect isotopes in situ.
Frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectrometer for high-sensitivity measurements of water vapor concentration

We present a portable spectrometer that uses the frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down spectroscopy technique capable of high-precision measurements of trace water vapor concentration. Measuring one of the strongest rovibrational transitions in the ν1+ν3 water vapor combination band near ˜ν=7181.156 cm-1, we compare spectroscopic and thermodynamic determinations of trace water vapor in N2, and find systematic differences attributable to water vapor background effects and/or uncertainties in line intensities. We also compare the frequency-stabilized ring-down method with other cavity ring-down approaches that are based on unstabilized probe lasers and unstabilized ring-down cavities. We show that for the determination of water vapor concentration, the frequency-stabilized cavity ring-down method has the minimum measurement uncertainty of these techniques. The minimum noise-equivalent absorption coefficient of the spectrometer was 1.2×10-10 cm-1 Hz-1/2, which further corresponds to a minimum detectable water vapor mole fraction equal to 0.7×10-9 for an absorption spectrum of 10 minutes duration.
Coactivator and Promoter-Selective Properties of RNA Polymerase I TAFs

Human ribosomal RNA synthesis by RNA polymerase I requires the activator UBF and the promoter selectivity factor SL1, which consists of the TATA binding protein (TBP) and three associated subunits, TAFI110, TAFI63, and TAFI48. Here it is shown that both TAFI110 and TAFI63 contact the promoter, whereas TAFI48 serves as a target for interaction with UBF and is required to form a transcriptionally active SL1 complex responsive to UBF in vitro. TAFI48 also alters the ability of TBP to interact with TATA box elements, and the resulting complex fails to support transcription by RNA polymerase II. Thus, TAFI48 may function both as a target to mediate UBF activation and as a class-specific promoter selectivity factor.
The Need to Rethink Agricultural Policy in General and to Perform Some Radical Surgery on Commodity Programs in Particular

There were some 6.8 million farmers in the United States in 1935; this was the highwater mark for the number of farms in the United States.' Of this total there were a good number of small low-production farms in the South-one-mule sharecropper farms-and a good number of small subsistence farms in Appalachia and the cut-over regions of the Lake States. At the other end of the size scale there were some very large farms-often of the corporate type-in California, south Texas, and along the Mississippi Delta. But the overwhelming number of farms in the United States in the mid-1930s were moderate-sized family farms. In the Midwest these farms tended to run between 100 and 200 acres in size. In the typical case the family provided the labor and the management of the farming operation and had some equity in it. This was a period of deep, dark depression.
Racial disparities and survival for nonsmall‐cell lung cancer in a large cohort of black and white elderly patients

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine disparities in survival and associated factors for patients with nonsmall-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and to determine whether racial disparities varied over time (1991-1995, 1996-1999, and 2000-2002). METHODS: The authors studied 70,901 patients aged ≥65 years with stage I-IV NSCLC identified from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results/Medicare data. Multivariate time-to-event survival analyses were completed using Cox proportional regression modeling. RESULTS: The 5-year observed lung cancer-specific survival rates were 52.7% for whites and 47.5% for blacks with stage I-II disease, and 17.7% and 19.6% for whites and blacks, respectively at stages III-IV. After controlling for standard treatment, socioeconomic status (SES), and other factors, there were no significant differences in all-cause mortality, or lung cancer-specific mortality between black and white patients with stage I-II or III-IV lung cancer. However, blacks had an increased risk for overall all-cause mortality at stage I-IV (hazard ratio [HR], 1.24; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.35), and during 2000-2002 at stage III-IV for all-cause mortality (HR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.02-1.47) and lung cancer-specific mortality (HR, 1.24; 95% CI,1.01-1.53). Standard treatment was significantly associated with increased survival, whereas poor SES was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in survival between blacks and whites with NSCLC within stage stratifications after adjusting for covariates, except for black patients at overall stage for all-cause mortality and at stage III-IV diagnosed in 2000-2002. Receiving stage-specific evidence-based standard therapy was associated with significantly increased survival. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.
Detection of a kallikrein in the mouse lactating mammary gland: a possible processing enzyme for the epidermal growth factor precursor.

Kallikreins are a multigene subfamily of serine proteases that may have a role in processing precursors of polypeptide hormones and growth factors. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) immunoreactivity in mouse milk is derived from the membrane-bound EGF precursor located on the lumenal border of the alveolar cells in the mammary gland. Release of EGF into the milk requires the hydrolysis of the EGF precursor at Arg-X cleavage sites. We report the presence of a candidate EGF precursor-processing enzyme in the lactating mouse mammary gland. Kallikrein transcripts in the mouse lactating mammary gland were detected by primer-directed enzyme amplification of complementary DNA (cDNA). Primers to selected conserved regions of the kallikrein cDNA resulted in an amplified product of the predicted size (573 basepairs). Sequence analysis of the product over three nonconserved regions identified mGK-6 (mouse renal kallikrein) as the primary kallikrein in BALB/c mouse lactating mammary gland. Transcription products for ...
Sexual communication in copepods and rotifers

The problem of locating mates and identifying them as conspecifics is similar for Copepoda, Cladocera, and Rotifera since they are all relatively small animals moving in a large volume of water. Chemoreception is a potentially effective means of identifying mates in aquatic environments. In zooplankton, mate recognition systems based on chemoreception have evolved which can distinguish conspecifics from other species and can discriminate males from females. The evidence for the role of chemical signals in copepod mating is indirect, based on observations of mating behavior. The small size and limited metabolic capability of zooplankton, and high diffusion rates at 1–10 mm spatial scales, restrict the volume through which chemical signals can be effectively transmitted. An alternative to using diffusible molecules for sexual communication is to bind signal molecules to cell surfaces, allowing energetically costly molecules like proteins to serve as signals without their loss through diffusion. Contact chemore eption has been described in copepod and rotifer mating and perhaps represents a general solution to the problem of chemical communication by small zooplankters. The types of signals used, their mechanisms of transmiss on and reception, and their role in maintaining reproductive isolation among species has yet to be characterized for any aquatic invertebrate. In this review, I compare the methods used by copepods and rotifers for mate seeking and recognition, describe the behavioral evidence supporting the existence of chemical cues, and examine experiments describing the biochemical characteristics of the signal molecules.In copepods, male mate seeking behavior occurs without previous female contact, suggesting the reception of a diffusible signal. The signal molecule is small and lacks species specificity in the species investigated. Male rotifers do not respond to females from a distance. Mates are located by random male swimming and contact chemoreception of a species-specific signal. Mate recognition in both copepods and rotifers is based on contact chemoreception of a species-specific signal. The pheromones responsible are not known for copepods, but surface glycoproteins with pheromonal activity have been identified in rotifers. The structure of the rotifer sex pheromone has been probed by selective enzymatic degradation and lectin binding, electrophoretic characterization, and attachment to agarose beads to assess its biological activity. Glycoproteins play a key role in the sexual communication of some algal and ciliate species and have well characterized roles in cellular recognition phenomena like sperm-egg binding. The significance of these studies lies in their contribution to our understanding of zooplankton reproductive biology, the chemical ecology of male-female communication, the molecular basis of chemoreception in the aquatic environment, and the evolution of pre-mating reproductive isolating mechanisms in zooplankton.
Recent Trends for Colorectal Cancer Screening in HIV-Infected Patients

We planned to investigate the recent trends for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as compared to non-HIV by interviewing consecutive patients in outpatient clinics during September 2007. Out of a total of 300 patients interviewed, 205 met the inclusion criteria. One hundred and fourteen were HIV-infected, while 91 were non-HIV. HIV received more office visits per year. Despite the high incidence of adenomas on screening colonoscopy, HIV patients were less likely to undergo any type of CRC screening test. A higher number (≥10) of annual clinic visits and the presence of co-morbid conditions were associated with being up-to-date for CRC screening in HIV patients. Conclusion CRC screening is underutilized in HIV patients. Multiple office visits per year are associated with being up-to-date for CRC screening. Hence, increasing patients’ compliance with office visits and educating them about the importance of CRC screening may indirectly increase compliance with CRC screening.
Reaction of hydrogen or ammonia with unsaturated germanium or tin molecules under ambient conditions: oxidative addition versus arene elimination.

The reactions of hydrogen or ammonia with germylenes and stannylenes were investigated experimentally and theoretically. Treatment of the germylene GeAr#2 (Ar# = C6H3-2,6-(C6H2-2,4,6-Me3)2) with H2 or NH3 afforded the tetravalent products Ar#2GeH2 (1) or Ar#2Ge(H)NH2 (2) in high yield. The reaction of the more crowded GeAr′2 (Ar′ = C6H3-2,6-(C6H3-2,6-iPr2)2) with NH3 also afforded a tetravalent amide Ar′2Ge(H)NH2 (3), whereas with H2 the tetravalent hydride Ar′GeH3 (4) was obtained with Ar′H elimination. In contrast, the reactions with the divalent Sn(II) aryls did not lead to Sn(IV) products. Instead, arene eliminated Sn(II) species were obtained. SnAr#2 reacted with NH3 to give the Sn(II) amide {Ar#Sn(μ-NH2)}2 (5) and Ar#H elimination, whereas no reaction with H2 could be observed up to 70 °C. The more crowded SnAr′2 reacted readily with H2, D2, or NH3 to give {Ar′Sn(μ-H)}2 (6), {Ar′Sn(μ-D)}2 (7), or {Ar′Sn(μ-NH2)}2 (8) all with arene elimination. The compounds were characterized by 1H, 13C, and 119Sn N...
Neural Correlates of Belief- and Desire-Reasoning

Theory of mind requires an understanding of both desires and beliefs. Moreover, children understand desires before beliefs. Little is known about the mechanisms underlying this developmental lag. Additionally, previous neuroimaging and neurophysiological studies have neglected the direct comparison of these developmentally critical mental-state concepts. Event-related brain potentials were recorded as participants (N = 24; mean age = 22 years) reasoned about diverse-desires, diverse-beliefs, and parallel physical situations. A mid-frontal late slow wave (LSW) was associated with desire and belief judgments. A right-posterior LSW was only associated with belief judgments. These findings demonstrate neural overlap and critical differences in reasoning explicitly about desires and beliefs, and they suggest children recruit additional neural processes for belief judgments beyond a common, more general, mentalizing neural system.
Does early posttreatment surveillance imaging affect subsequent management following stereotactic body radiation therapy for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer?

Abstract Purpose Uncertainty exists regarding the optimal surveillance imaging strategy following stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), particularly with respect to timing. We sought to determine how routine use of early ( Methods and materials The records of all patients treated with SBRT between January 2007 and January 2013 for early-stage NSCLC were reviewed. Eligible patients underwent ≥1 early (defined as within 6 months following SBRT) surveillance imaging study. Radiographic findings and subsequent diagnostic or therapeutic interventions were identified. Proportions and exact 95% confidence intervals (CI) with early posttreatment surveillance findings and altered treatment were calculated, and cases were examined descriptively. Results Sixty-two patients with 67 lung tumors underwent 92 early surveillance imaging studies (86 computed tomographic [CT] and 6 positron emission/CT) at a median of 2.1 months (range, 0.1-5.9 months). New lung nodules were identified in 8 patients (13%), leading to a diagnosis of metastatic disease treated with systemic therapy in 2 patients and biopsy proven solitary lung recurrence in 2 patients, both treated successfully with local therapy. Tumor growth meeting Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) criteria was identified in 1 patient, who was followed with subsequent radiographic regression. In aggregate, the treatment of 4 patients (6.5%, 95% CI 1.7%-15.2%) was altered by early imaging; 2 (3.2%, 95% CI 0.4%-10.8%) with a potentially curative intervention. No predictors for utility of early surveillance were identified. Conclusions Imaging within 6 months following SBRT for early-stage NSCLC resulted in a definitive intervention in approximately 3% of patients. In the era of cost-effective health care, a first scan at 6 months posttreatment may be adequate for most patients. Larger scale prospective studies are needed to address the optimal surveillance regimen following SBRT and to identify patients who may benefit from more aggressive surveillance regimens.
Commodity prices and inflation: Testing in the frequency domain

Abstract We provide evidence for a long term, positive relation between commodity prices and inflation. However, this is only detected when frequency dependency in the regression is statistically accounted for, suggesting nonlinear dynamics between the variables. We also test whether commodity prices can be used to forecast inflation. Again relying on frequency domain methods, we indeed find support for long term causality from commodities to inflation. Moreover, the information content of commodity futures prices is robust to the effects of several financial and economic variables.
Food Waste in a School Nutrition Program After Implementation of New Lunch Program Guidelines

Abstract Objective To assess the amount of food waste by meal components according to the new National School Lunch Program guidelines among pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. Methods For 5 consecutive school days in 1 elementary school, the research team collected school lunch trays and separated meal components into bins relative to each food or beverage appearing on the school's daily menu. Bins were weighed in grams and converted to ounces and cups at the end of each lunch period. Results The researchers examined 304 meals from 1 pre-kindergarten class and 5 kindergarten classes. Of 4,988 oz of food and beverages served, 2,261 oz (45.3%) were wasted during 1 full school week, totaling 141 lb. The greatest amount of food waste was generated from vegetables, the main entree, and milk, respectively. Conclusions and Implications Strategies to reduce food waste in school lunch should be researched and implemented.
Universal binding energy curves for metals and bimetallic interfaces

We provide evidence for a universal relationship between metallic binding energies and lattice parameters. By a simple scaling of a universal relationship, one can obtain binding energies as a function of atomic separation for bimetallic interfaces and bulk metals.
The role of Gamma Knife surgery in the treatment of skull base chordomas

Skull base chordomas are a rare neoplasm arising from the notochord. Although histologically benign, these tumors are locally aggressive and present significant management challenges. The current series describes the experience at the University of Virginia with Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) in the treatment of chordomas. Fifteen patients (8 males and 7 females) had undergone GKS between 1990 and 2007. The median age was 46 years (range 13–80). The most common presenting symptom was visual disturbance, found in 73%. Twelve patients had undergone tumor resection. Mean tumor volume at the time of GKS was 5.8 cm3 (range 1.03–15.6 cm3). Mean prescription dose was 12.7 Gy (range 12–20) and mean maximal dose was 36.7 Gy (range 28–50). Imaging follow-up was available for all patients with a median time of 88 months (range 8–167 months), and clinical follow-up was available for 11 patients with a median of 70 months (range 8–132). Three patients underwent a second Gamma Knife surgery to treat out of field progression. A Kaplan–Meier plot showed 5 and 10 year actuarial tumor control rates of 50.3% including those undergoing repeat GKS. Symptomatic progression was seen in 75% of the patients. No statistically significant predictive variables among margin dose, maximal dose, tumor volume, number of isocenters, age, and gender were found. GKS affords a reasonable rate of local tumor control in patients with recurrent or residual chordomas. However further long-term follow-up would be necessary to exclude the possibility of late recurrences.
Chiral photochemistry within natural and functionalized cyclodextrins: Chiral induction in photocyclization products from carbonyl compounds

Chiral induction in products resulting from hydrogen abstraction upon excitation of carbonyl compounds included in four cyclodextrin related host systems has been examined. The chiral induction obtained in photoproducts is moderate. Results suggest that there is potential to improve the asymmetric interaction between the reactant molecules and the supramolecular host cyclodextrins. However, no models that would help us to predict the outcome of chiral induction in a photochemical reaction have resulted from this investigation. Given the use of cyclodextrins as chiral stationary phases in HPLC and GC separations we are optimistic that there is considerable potential for cyclodextrins as chiral hosts in photoreactions.
Primary angioplasty using a urokinase-coated hydrogel balloon in acute myocardial infarction during pregnancy.

A 38-year-old multigravid white female presented at 16 weeks gestation with an acute inferoposterolateral myocardial infarction. Emergent coronary angiography demonstrated a total proximal occlusion of a large dominant left circumflex artery with a filling defect at the site of the occlusion suggestive of thrombus. Primary angioplasty using a urokinase-coated hydrogel balloon resulted in successful recanalization of the vessel with restoration of normal TIMI Grade III flow and, most notably, apparent complete lysis of the intracoronary thrombus. After a subsequently uneventful pregnancy, a healthy baby was delivered. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Survival, Growth, and Catchability of Rainbow Trout of Four Strains

Abstract Fingerling rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) of genetically different strains survived, grew, and were caught at different rates by anglers and in gill nets after release from a hatchery into a 1-hectare pond. When two domestic strains were compared, more fish of the strain genetically selected for fast growth were caught per unit of angling effort than were fish of a strain not selected for this characteristic. When fish of a natural and domestic strain were released together, survival was higher in the natural strain, but growth was slower. Strain population estimates reflected differences in catchability and were erroneous for the strain selected for growth. These observations imply that rainbow trout of different strains vary in their suitability for different fishery management practices.
Single-crystal fiber optics: a review

Single-crystal (SC) fiber optics have been grown for many years for use as passive fibers for the delivery of IR laser radiation and as active fibers useful as minirod lasers. Most of the early work on SC fiber optics involved the growth of unclad sapphire fibers for the transmission of Er:YAG laser radiation at 2.94 μm. More recently there has been a renewed interest in rare-earth (RE) doped oxide crystal fibers for use as high power fiber lasers. By analogy with RE doped-bulk laser crystals it is expected that pure YAG and other crystalline SC fibers should be capable of transmitting extremely high laser energies. SC oxide fibers have some distinct advantages over conventional glass fibers including higher thermal conductivity and low stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) gain coefficients. The latter can limit the ultimate power output of glass fiber lasers. To date most of the investigators have used the technique of Laser Heated Pedestal Growth (LHPG) to grow unclad SC fibers with diameters ranging from 30 to 350 μm and in lengths as long as 5 m. The loss for SC sapphire fibers at 2.94 μm has been measured as low as 0.3 dB/m. In this review we discuss the technique of LHPG, the various SC fiber optics that have been grown for both active and passive applications, and methods that may be used to clad the fibers.
Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Gonococcal Infection in the Adolescent Patient: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Gonorrhea has reached epidemic proportions and poses a significant health problem for teenagers. The attitudes and behavior of adolescents play a major role in the increase of gonococcal infection, interacting with characteristics of the disease and public health issues. Controlling gonorrhea among teenagers thus requires attending to the medical and psychosocial issues. Accurate diagnosis is dependent, in part, on eliciting a valid sexual history. Selection of a laboratory protocol should reflect not only the sensitivity and specificity of a test but its acceptability to teenagers. Similarly, there is no longer a single "drug of choice" for treatment. Patient acceptability, potential for noncompliance, toxicity, cost, jeopardy to other uses, and possible coexistent infection are factors to be considered in addition to efficacy. Finally, medication is only part of the treatment plan, which includes sexual abstinence, therapy for sexual partners, and returning for a test of cure. Compliance with the entire treatment plan can often be enhanced by maximizing communication and rapport with the adolescent.
Material damping studies on carbon-carbon composites

Abstract Experimental studies were performed to investigate the resonance frequency and damping behavior of carbon-carbon (C-C) composite specimens. Initially, the resonance frequency and damping-ratio values of the as-cured composite (graphite fabric impregnated with phenolic resin, referred to as the as-cured stage) specimens were measured. These parameters were measured again after subjecting the specimens to carbonization to a temperature of 800°C (referred to as the carbonized composite) in an inert atmosphere. It was observed that the specimens at the carbonized stage showed a reduction in resonance frequency and an increase in damping-ratio value. The microstructure of the specimens was studied using optical microscopy. The changes in resonance frequency and damping-ratio values were then related to the microstructure of the composite.
Rigidity of Poly-L-Glutamic Acid: Influence of Secondary and Supramolecular Structures

Defining precisely the mechanical properties of bio-macromolecular systems on a nanometer length scale is crucial for the development of more efficient drug delivery systems and scaffolds-based tissue engineering. We characterized the structure, topology, and rigidity properties of poly-L-glutamic acid (PGA), prepared with different molecular weights and secondary structures, using the same approach that we recently applied to proteins1-3. We employed various techniques, including FT-IR, SEM, light scattering, neutron diffraction, and neutron scattering spectroscopy. Our results show that on the length scale of a few nanometers, rigidity of PGA powders is determined by hydrogen bonding interactions in presence of neutral species, and by electrostatic interactions when the polypeptide is negatively charged. On ∼ a hundred nanometer length scale, the rigidity of these materials is modified by long range intermolecular interactions that are introduced in the supramolecular structures.1. Perticaroli, S. et. al. Biophys. J. 2014, 106, 2667.2. Perticaroli, S. et al. Soft Matter 2013, 9, 9548.3. Perticaroli, S. et al. J. Phys Chem. B 2014, 118, 7317.
Thoracic injury metrics with side air bag: stationary and dynamic occupants.

Objective: Injury risk from side air bag deployment has been assessed using stationary out-of-position occupant test protocols. However, stationary conditions may not always represent real-world environments. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of torso side air bag deployment on close-proximity occupants, comparing a stationary test protocol with dynamic sled conditions. Methods: Chest compression and viscous metrics were quantified from sled tests utilizing postmortem human specimens (PMHS) and computational simulations with 3 boundary conditions: rigid wall, ideal air bag interaction, and close-proximity air bag deployment. PMHS metrics were quantified from chestband contour reconstructions. The parametric effect of ΔV on close-proximity occupants was examined with the computational model. Results: PMHS injuries suggested that close-proximity occupants may sustain visceral trauma, which was not observed in occupants subjected to rigid wall or ideal air bag boundary...
Disorders of somesthetic recognition: A theoretical review

Abstract This article reviews disorders of tactile recognition that include (I) low-level-discrlmination impairments in touch such as basic somatosensory deficits and difficulties in the discrimination of tactile features of objects, and (ii) higher-level tactile recognition deficits such as tactile agnosia and tactile aphasia. It is suggested that iow-level discrimination impairments result from damage to the contralateral postcentral gyrus, and from damage to structures such as the posterior insuia and the parietal operculum. Furthermore, the processing of specific tactile features (e.g. shape, size, versus texture) appears to occur in functionally and neuroanatomlcally separate regions. High-level impairments such as tactile agnosia and aphasia, on the other hand, appear to result from damage to structures in the inferior parietal lobe. The deficit in these disorders appears to reflect loss of access to integrated object descriptions, or loss of access to meaning representations.
On the Constitutive Models for Heart Valve Leaflet Mechanics

Large-strain constitutive modeling of biological tissues has grown enormously as a field in the past decade. This paper investigates the viability of the existing models for describing heart valve leaflet mechanics. The properties of the leaflet tissue are discussed, and a variety of constitutive models are addressed. Models based on continuum and unit cell approaches are highlighted as being suited to leaflet modeling.
Philosophy of logics

The first systematic exposition of all the central topics in the philosophy of logic, Susan Haack's book has established an international reputation (translated into five languages) for its accessibility, clarity, conciseness, orderliness, and range as well as for its thorough scholarship and careful analyses. Haack discusses the scope and purpose of logic, validity, truth-functions, quantification and ontology, names, descriptions, truth, truth-bearers, the set-theoretical and semantic paradoxes, and modality. She also explores the motivations for a whole range of non-classical systems of logic, including many-valued logics, fuzzy logic, moddal and tense logics, and relevance logics. Persupposing only an elementary knowledge of formal logic, this book includes many useful summary tables and diagrams, as well as a helpful glossary of technical terms. Wide-ranging, informative, and eminently readable, this book has proven a valuable resource for generations of students and scholars in a variety of disciplines outside philosophy needing guidance on the philosophy of logic.
Aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma: Report of a case with histologic findings

Aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma is a rare acquired condition characterized by painful symmetric swelling and hypopigmentation of the palms and lateral fingers, which develops after brief exposure to water. Histopathologic examination suggests that an aberration in the eccrine sweat gland apparatus may be the underlying cause of this condition. The "hand-in-the-bucket sign," in which patients arrive in their physician's office with their hand in a bucket of water to more readily demonstrate their lesions, is such a common presentation that it almost can be regarded as pathognomonic. All 12 cases reported to date have been in young females. We report a case of aquagenic syringeal acrokeratoderma in a male with unique histologic findings.
Can pennation angles be predicted from EMGs for the primary ankle plantar and dorsiflexors during isometric contractions

Ultrasonography was used to measure pennation angle and electromyography (EMG) to record muscle activity of the human tibialis anterior (TA), lateral gastrocnemius (LG), medial gastrocnemius (MG), and soleus (SOL) muscles during graded isometric ankle plantar and dorsiflexion contractions done on a Biodex dynamometer. Data from eight male and eight female subjects were collected in increments of approximately 25% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) ranging from rest to MVC. A significant positive linear relationship (p < 0.05) between normalized EMG and pennation angle for all muscles was observed when subject specific pennation angles at rest and MVC were included in the analysis. These were included to account for gender differences and inter-subject variability in pennation angle. The coefficient of determination, R2, ranged between 0.76 for the TA to 0.87 for the SOL. The EMG-pennation angle relationships have ramifications for use in EMG-driven models of muscle force. The regression equations can be used to characterize fiber pennation angle more accurately and to determine how it changes with contraction intensity, thus providing improved estimates of muscle force when using musculoskeletal models.