cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future directions in the evaluation and management of spinal cord vascular malformations

Abstract Potential future developments in the evaluation and treatment of spinal cord vascular malformations are discussed. Imaging techniques include the use of higher field strength magnets for magnetic resonance imaging as well as the possibility of applying cellular and molecular techniques to clinical imaging. Future developments in microneurosurgery, endovascular techniques, and the application of cellular and molecular biology to treatment regimens are discussed. A potential multitude of basic as well as clinical disciplines will likely converge to enable better understanding, imaging, and treatment of spinal cord vascular malformations in the 21st century.
A fast algorithm for optimum syndrome space compression

A procedure for multiple-output combinational circuits is presented that yields the optimum space compressor while using counting for time compression. The procedure is intended for the built-in selftest environment where output response data compression is appropriate. Optimum is defined as the minimum number of error patterns missed by the combination of space and time compression. The procedure uses the fast Walsh transform to determine the number of errors missed by each linear combination for all possible space-compression combinations. A illustrative example is included to show the effectiveness of the algorithm. A comparison between cases with and without space compression is included. >
Description and outcomes of a simple surgical technique to treat thrombosed autogenous accesses

Objective Owing to the difficulty of removing acute and chronic thrombus from autogenous accesses (AA) by standard surgical and endovascular techniques, many surgeons consider efforts to salvage a thrombosed AA as being futile. We describe a simple technique to extract acute and chronic thrombus from a failed AA. This technique involves making an incision adjacent to the anastomosis, directly extracting the arterial plug, and manually milking thrombus from the access. This report details the outcomes of a series of thrombosed AAs treated by surgical thrombectomy/intervention using this technique for manual clot extraction. Methods A total of 146 surgical thrombectomies/interventions were performed in 102 patients to salvage a thrombosed AA. Mean follow-up was 15.6 months. Office, hospital, and dialysis unit records were reviewed to identify patient demographics, define procedure type, and determine functional patency rates. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate primary and secondary functional patency rates. Results Complete extraction of thrombus from the AA was achieved in 140 of 146 cases (95%). The studied procedure itself was technically successful in 127 cases (87%). Reasons for failure were the inability to completely extract thrombus from the AA in six, failed angioplasty due to long segment vein stenosis or sclerosis in seven or vein rupture in two, and central vein occlusion in one. Three failures occurred for unknown causes ≤3 days of successful thrombectomy. No single factor analyzed (age, sex, race, diabetes status, access type or location) was associated with technical failure. The estimated primary and secondary functional patency rates were 27% ± 5% and 61% ± 6% at 12 months. Conclusions The manual clot extraction technique described in this report effectively removed acute and chronic thrombus from failed AAs. Its use, combined with an intervention to treat the underlying cause for AA failure, significantly extended access durability.
The use of magnetron arrays for depositing large-area oxide coatings

The application of coatings over large areas can be approached through the use of large deposition sources. A versatile alternative, e.g. to long rectangular magnetrons, are linear arrays of circular planar magnetrons to process coatings over wide path lengths. We investigate the feasibility of using a linear array of 76-mm-diameter magnetron sources operated in the rf mode to deposit oxide target materials across a path in excess of 0.7 m wide. Specific results are given for the case of a 2-μm-thick alumina coating.
A factor analysis of software complexity measures

Abstract Factor analysis has been used to analyse software measures and is useful to identify the important factors that influence variability in measures. Some previous results indicate that many measures are actually measuring the same thing. This article reports on a series of experiments analyzing relationships among some of the commonly used software complexity measures. Identifying relationships is important in selecting the most significant measure(s) to collect. A set of PASCAL programs was analyzed for number of decisions, number of procedures, maximum level of nesting, number of I/O statements, the Halstead count, and number of lines of code. Factor analysis showed several interesting conclusions. First, the program should be normalized to avoid high correlation between program size and everything else. Second, dividing by lines of code appears to be the best normalization. Third, an inverse relationship exists between the normalized number of decisions and both the normalized unique operand counts and the number of decisions. Finally, small programs ( 100 lines).
Wild Animals in the Garden: Conserving Wildlife in Amazonian Agroecosystems

In this article, I draw on field research in the Peruvian Amazon to evaluate the impact of individual and regional land–use practices (hunting, forest–clearing, and fallowing) on wildlife survival. More broadly, I examine the symbolic and practical significance of the garden as a metaphor for wildlife conservation. I focus on Tambopata Province, a region containing diverse wildlife and a variety of “gardens,” from swidden fields to national parks. Field data on wildlife presence in swidden gardens reveal the attributes of an anthropogenic fauna: adaptable, fast–reproducing species, including rodents, peccaries, brocket deer, and armadillos. Larger mammals, including most primates and carnivores, are greatly reduced by hunting. Multivariate analyses show that wildlife abundance and species diversity are more strongly shaped by regional land use and community–level hunting practices than by individual “gardeners.” In Tambopata, multiple interest groups stake claims on the forests and wildlife within protect...
P-Pulmonale in the Precordial Leads and A Review of the Mutability of the P-Waves in Chronic Cor Pulmonale

P-Wave in cor pulmonale during protracted electrocardiographic followup. An evaluation of such serial changes can be misleading without simultaneous clinical appraisal of the individual. In some patients the peaked and tall P-Wave may lose its characteristics, it may become inverted, then peaking and high voltage may reappear, and the same patient may on and off yield electrocardiograms without the typical pattern of cor pulmonale. Thus temporarily there will be seen merely right axis deviation but not any more the previously diphasic T-2 nor inverted T-3, and the tapering as well as the high amplitude of P-2 and P-3 will have receded. This transient normalcy of the electrocardiogram must not be used as a criterion for the patient’s cardiac normalcy. That consideration is espe
Syntheses of Chloroisosulochrin and Isosulochrin and Biomimetic Elaboration to Maldoxin, Maldoxone, Dihydromaldoxin, and Dechlorodihydromaldoxin

An efficient synthesis of chloroisosulochrin was accomplished using a novel ortho-selective chlorination of a phenol with sulfuryl chloride and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine as the key step. Further elaboration by a biomimetic route converted chloroisosulochrin to dihydromaldoxin, maldoxone (lactone formed by dehydration of dihydromaldoxin), and maldoxin and isosulochrin to dechlorodihydromaldoxin and dechloromaldoxin.
Comparison of neutral and cationic myocardial perfusion agents: Characteristics of accumulation in cultured cells

Uptake and washout kinetics of two new neutral lipophilic technetium-99m-labeled boronic acid adducts of technetium tris(dioxime) (BATO complexes) were studied in monolayers of contractile chick heart cells and compared to the cationic myocardial perfusion agents, 99mTc(CNCH2C(CH3)2OCH3)6+ (Tc-MIBI) and 201Tl+. 99mTcCl(CDOH)2(CDO)(BCH3), where CDO = cyclohexanedione dioxime (CDO-MeB), had a 7-fold greater net accumulation than Tc-MIBI and the most rapid unidirectional washout with a fast initial phase and a slower secondary component. Incubation with cationic membrane transport inhibitors or metabolic inhibitors had little or modest influence, respectively, on uptake of these BATO complexes. Studies with NIH 3T3 fibroblasts indicated that the neutral complexes did not show myocyte specific accumulation.
Corrections to "Inductance Compensation of Multiple Capacitors with Application to Common- and Differential-Mode Filters"

For original article by J. Pierquet, T. C. Neugebauer,and D. J. Perreault see ibid vol. 21, no. 6, p. 1815-24, Nov. 2006.
Leptin acts as a mitogenic and antiapoptotic factor for colonic cancer cells.

Background: Obesity is associated with increased levels of leptin. The mitogenic actions of leptin have been identified in various cell types. Because obesity may be a risk factor for colonic cancer, the proliferative and antiapoptotic effects of leptin on colonic cancer cells and the role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) signalling were investigated. Methods: Three human colonic cancer cell lines (T84, HT29/Cl.19A and Caco-2) were treated with leptin. Cell proliferation was measured using the XTT® colorimetric assay and apoptosis by a cell death enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inhibitors of MAPK and PI3-K were used to evaluate the role of these signalling pathways. Phosphorylation of the downstream components extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 and Akt was detected by western blotting. Results: Leptin increased cell number in all cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and reduced the number of apoptotic cells in a cell line-dependent manner. Leptin also caused ERK1/2 and Akt phosphorylation. Pretreatment with inhibitors of MAPK and PI3-K inhibited these responses, attenuated the mitogenic action of leptin and abolished its antiapoptotic effects. Conclusion: Chronic increases in leptin concentration may enhance the growth of colonic cancers via MAPK and PI3-K pathways. These effects of leptin could provide a link between obesity and colonic cancer, and may represent a target for anticancer drug development. Copyright © 2006 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The development of a U.S. and generalized ethnocentrism scale

The two studies reported here deal with the development and validation of a generalized ethnocentrism scale. In Study 1 two scales, including USE, which was designed to assess ethnocentrism in the United States, and GENE, which was designed to measure generalized ethnocentrism, were administered to 396 participants. Their responses were subjected to exploratory factor analysis. In Study 2, the USE and a modified version of GENE along with seven predictor variables were administered to 369 participants. Their responses were also factor analyzed and interim versions of the USE and GENE were generated for possible use. The results indicate that the GENE is more predictive of the seven predictor variables and that the USE may be measuring a somewhat different construct (e.g., patriotism).
The Big Shift: How the University of Houston Libraries Moved Everything

More than a project, The Big Shift is an epic library tale for the ages. What starts as a simple collection shift grows into a major space-planning project, a lesson in catalog maintenance, and thanks to Hurricane Ike, a disaster recovery effort. The Big Shift tells the story of how the University of Houston Libraries handled the numerous roadblocks put in front of them during a large-scale project. It is hoped that readers from all areas of libraries will read, appreciate, and learn from these experiences.
Cell anchorage permits efficient signal transduction between Ras and its downstream kinases

Cell anchorage strongly affects the signal transduction cascade initiated by peptide mitogens. For both epidermal growth factor and platelet-derived growth factor, activation of the consensus mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is impaired when cells are held in suspension as compared with cells anchored to a fibronectin substratum. Upstream events in the signaling cascade, including tyrosine phosphorylation of the mitogen receptor and GTP loading of Ras, are similar in anchored and suspended cells. However, propagation of the signal to Raf and subsequently to the downstream kinases MEK and mitogen-activated protein kinase is markedly attenuated in suspended cells. Thus, there seems to be a distinct anchorage-dependent step between Ras and Raf in the signaling cascade initiated by peptide mitogens. These observations may have important implications for understanding the anchorage dependence of cell growth.
High-tech Care Can Save Lives—But It Also May Create Incentives That Result in Lives Lost

Ina news story about the care provided to premature infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), reporter Alex Halperin illuminated themiracles and unintended consequences of health care technology. With the use of modern methods, vastly more premature infants now survive early birth—often by many weeks, even months—thanwas imagined possible a few decades ago. That’s amazing. It’salsoextremelyexpensive.Thecostof medicalcareforasinglepremature infantcan total hundreds of thousands, even a million dollars, in just the first severalmonths. Of course, insurance cushions the financial blow for families with coverage. The large insurance payments that hospitals with NICUs receive for saving premature infants’ lives are also good business. Halperin documented how high insurance payments for NICU care help subsidize less profitable hospital services. This serves as an incentive for hospitals to invest in NICUs and to expand the sophistication of technology they offer. Healtheconomistshave longpointedto the march of technological progress as the driver of ever higher health care spending, even as it improves and saves lives. Health insuranceplays amediating role, by spread-
Behavioral research on human resource accounting: A contingency framework

Abstract Developments in human resource accounting (HRA) have prospered in recent years. Research on HRA's behavioral dimensions, however, has been notably deficient. This paper proposes a framework, based upon contingency theory, to facilitate such research. Specific information, organizational, and individual attributes are described and related to HRA research. In addition, specific research hypotheses are suggested to demonstrate the framework's applicability and significance.
Nature Of Defects And Defect Generation In Optical Crystals

The nature of defects in transparent crystals is reviewed from the perspective of general measures that can be taken to minimize the effects of radiation damage in a particular spectral or temporal range. The data reproduced here emphasize transient optical absorption associated with ionizing radiation pulses. Photochemical generation of lattice damage by ionizing radiation is described, with particular attention to a new mechanism which seems to provide the first satisfactory accounting of intrinsic vacancy-interstitial pair creation at both high and low temperature in alkali halides and, by inference, in alkaline-earth fluorides.
temporary Σ and Π anions of the chloroethylenes and chlorofluoroethylenes

Abstract Electron transmission spectroscopy is employed to characterize the low-lying temporary anions of the chloroethylenes and several mixed chlorofluoroethylenes. Experimental evidence for both Σ and Π anion states is presented and supported by calculations. The effect of fluorine substitution on these states is examined. The relationship between the present data and dissociative attachment processes in these molecules is discussed briefly.
Evidence for rhythmic firing being caused by feedback inhibition in pinch-inhibited raphe magnus neurons.

Abstract Raphe magnus cells that are inhibited by skin pinching fire spontaneously with strongly preferred interspike intervals (mean cycle 85 ms, n =33). In pentobarbital-anesthetized rats, mid-cycle cathodal activation (0.3 ms) or end-cycle anodal block (30–60 ms) at ≈1 Hz through the extracellular recording microelectrode delayed expected spikes; respective post-stimulus latencies peaked on avarage at 1.17 ( n =14) and 0.40 ( n =6) cycles. Feedback inhibition following random excitation, but not free-running intrinsic or afferent oscillations, may therefore cause the rhythm.
Microphase-assisted “autocatalysis” in a solid–liquid reaction with a precipitating product—II. Experimental

Abstract A comprehensive model was developed in part one of this study for microphase assisted ‘autocatalysis’, for systems involving a precipitating solid. In the present study, the predictions of this model are validated by using an industrially important system, e.g. the reaction of calcium citrate (solid) with sulfuric acid (aqueous) to produce citric acid (desired product) and calcium sulfate dihydrate (solid by-product). As a first step, it was found that enhancements as high as 2.81 could indeed be obtained as a result of ‘autocatalysis’ microphase action of product calcium sulfate. Elaborate experimental studies were carried out to independently determine the parameters of the model, based on which the application of the model to the system was verified.
Makorin RING finger protein 1 (MKRN1) has negative and positive effects on RNA polymerase II-dependent transcription.

Through its transcriptional activities, the proto-oncoprotein c-jun can regulate cellular proliferation, survival, and differentiation. We have established a novel yeast assay that screens for repressors of c-jun transcriptional activity. This screen led to the identification of a ubiquitously expressed novel RING zinc finger protein, termed Makorin RING zinc finger protein 1 (MKRN1), recently shown to act as an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Overexpression of MKRN1 in mammalian cells inhibited the transcriptional activities of not only c-jun, but also the nuclear receptors, the androgen receptor, and the retinoic acid receptors. Truncation analysis indicates that both the amino and carboxy termini are required for this transrepression activity. Surprisingly, when fused to the heterologous DNA-binding domain of GAL4, MKRN1 activates, rather than inhibits, a GAL4-responsive reporter plasmid. In addition, truncation of either the amino- or carboxy-terminal half of MKRN1 disrupts its transactivation activity, the same observation that was made on its transrepression activity. These results demonstrate that MKRN1 has transcriptional activity and suggest that its transrepression and transactivation functions are mediated by the same mechanism. Interestingly, disruption of MKRN1's ubiquitin ligase activity does not affect its inhibitory transcriptional activity. Thus, MKRN1 may represent a nuclear protein with multiple nuclear functions, including regulating RNA polymerase II-catalyzed transcription.
Biochemical and histochemical studies of the effect of reserpine in Aplysia californica

Abstract 1. 1. Biochemical and histochemical studies of the effect of reserpine on dopamine levels in nervous-system tissue of Aplysia californica were performed. 2. 2. High-pressure liquid chromatography measurements revealed that reserpine treatment dramatically reduced ganglionic dopamine levels. 3. 3. The impressive biochemical changes in dopamine content due to reserpine were not accompanied by a change in the pattern or intensity of nervous-system tissue histofluorescence.
Size-Fractionated Measurements of Ambient Ultrafine Particle Chemical Composition in Los Angeles Using the NanoMOUDI

Ambient ultrafine particles have gained attention with recent evidence showing them to be more toxic than larger ambient particles. Few studies have investigated the distribution of chemical constituents within the ultrafine range. The current study explores the size-fractionated ultrafine (10-180 nm) chemical composition at urban source sites (USC and Long Beach) and inland receptor sites (Riverside and Upland) in the Los Angeles basin over three different seasons. Size-fractionated ultrafine particles were collected by a NanoMOUDI over a period of 2 weeks at each site. Measurements of ultrafine mass concentrations varied from 0.86 to 3.5 microg/m3 with the highest concentrations observed in the fall. The chemical composition of ultrafine particles ranged from 32 to 69% for organic carbon (OC), 1-34% for elemental carbon (EC), 0-24% for sulfate, and 0-4% for nitrate. A distinct OC mode was observed between 18 and 56 nm in the summer, possibly indicating photochemical secondary organic aerosol formation. The EC levels are higher in winter at the source sites due to lower inversion heights and are higher in summer at the receptor sites due to increased long-range transport from upwind source areas. Nitrate and sulfate were measurable only in the larger particle size ranges of ultrafine PM. Collocated continuous measurements of particle size distributions and gaseous pollutants helped to differentiate ultrafine particle sources at each site.
Controlled partial shipments in two-echelon supply chain networks: a simulation study

Abstract In an uncoordinated supply chain network involving industrial buyers, the demand for an item on the vendor is often considerably lumpy, due to the independently derived buyer ordering policies. Thus, the latter's ability to make on-time deliveries becomes a critical issue, particularly near the end of its stock cycle or when several orders from different buyers arrive within a short interval of time. This paper suggests the notion of controlled partial-order shipments as a means of alleviating the ill effects of such sporadic demand patterns. Two simple techniques for formulating partial shipment policies are suggested in this study. The effectiveness of this notion is tested through a series of simulation experiments and it is shown that partial shipments can be a desirable way for improving eventual customer service at the retail level of a supply chain system.
The Total Nasal Defect and Reconstruction

The structures of the nose are arguably the most complex within the face to reconstitute when absent. Total nasal reconstruction has evolved to encompass advanced surgical techniques in an effort to achieve increasingly satisfactory cosmetic results while restoring nasal function that mimics the function of a patient's natural nose. In this article, the history of total nasal defects and their reconstruction, relevant nasal anatomy, etiologies of the defect, and the surgical approaches to reconstructing each of the three-layered structure of the nose (ie, nasal skin, cartilage/bone, and lining mucosa) are explored.
COSMOLOGY WITH PSEUDO-NAMBU–GOLDSTONE BOSONS

Pseudo-Nambu–Goldstone bosons (pNGBs) are simple and elegant candidates for radiatively stable models of quintessence and inflation. In this brief review, we first examine the observational status of pNGB-driven quintessence and inflation. We then discuss the construction of theoretically as well as observationally viable models of cosmological pNGBs. Special emphasis will be given to the constructions of models compatible with the requirements from String Theory.
On-line Scene Change Detection of Multicast Video

Network-based computing is becoming an increasingly important area of research, whereby computational elements within a distributed infrastructure process/enhance the data that traverses through its path. We refer to these computations as online processing and this paper investigates scene change detection in the context of MBone-based proxies in the network. On-line processing varies from traditional offline processing schemes, where for example, the whole video scope is known as a priori, which allows multiple scans of the stored video files during video processing. The on-line processing system is designed to meet the requirements of real-time video multicasting over the Internet and to utilize the successful video parsing techniques available today. The proposed algorithms do scene change detection and extract key frames from video bitstreams sent through the MBone network. We study several algorithms based on histogram differences and evaluate them with respect to precision, recall, and processing latency.
Effective chiral theory of large N_C QCD of mesons

En effective chiral theory of large N_C QCD of pseudoscalar, vector, and axial-vector mesons is reviewed.
Studies in the eupatorieae (Compositae). XVII. The genus erythradenia (B. L. Robinson) R. M. King and H. Robinson

Piqueria (Erythradenia) pyramidalis B. L. Robinson is placed in a separate genus with the new combinationErythradenia pyramidalis (B. L. Robinson) R. M. King & H. Robinson. It is considered a close relative of the genusDecackaeta DC
Treatment of Metabolic Acidosis in Patients With CKD

Metabolic acidosis is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and is believed to contribute to a number of sequelae, including bone disease, altered protein metabolism, skeletal muscle wasting, and progressive glomerular filtration rate loss. Small trials in animal models and humans suggest a role for alkali therapy to lessen these complications. Recent studies support this notion, although more definitive evidence is needed on the long-term benefits of alkali therapy and the optimal serum bicarbonate level. The role of dietary modification also should be given greater consideration. In addition, potential adverse effects of alkali treatment must be taken into consideration, including sodium retention and the theoretical concern of promoting vascular calcification. This teaching case summarizes the rationale for and benefits and complications of base therapy in patients with chronic kidney disease.
Multilevel spatiotemporal change-point models for evaluating the effect of an alcohol outlet control policy on changes in neighborhood assaultive violence rates

Many previous studies have suggested a link between alcohol outlets and assaultive violence rates. In 1997 the City of New Orleans adopted a series of policies, e.g., increased license fee, additional enforcement staff, and expanded powers for the alcohol license board. The policies were specifically enacted to address the proliferation of problem alcohol outlets believed to be the source of a variety of social problems including assaultive violence. In this research, we evaluate the impact of a city level policy in New Orleans to address the problem alcohol outlets and their influence on assaultive violence. The spatial association between rates of assaultive violence at the census tract level (n=170) over a ten year period raises a challenge in statistical analysis. To meet this challenge we developed a hierarchical change-point model that controls for important covariates of assaultive violence and accounts for unexplained spatial and temporal variability. While our model is somewhat complex, its hierarchical Bayesian analysis is accessible via the WinBUGS software program. Keeping other effects fixed, the implementation of the new city level policy was associated with a decrease in the positive association between census tract level rates of assaultive violence and alcohol outlet density. Comparing several candidate change-point models using the DIC criterion, the positive association began decreasing the year of the policy implementation. The magnitude of the association continued to decrease for roughly two years and then stabilized. We also created maps of the fitted assaultive violence rates in New Orleans, as well as spatial residual maps which, together with Moran's I's, suggest that the spatial variation of the data is well accounted for by our model. We reach the conclusion that the implementation of the policy is associated with a significant decrease in the positive relationship between assaultive violence and the off-sale alcohol outlet density. Language: en
Genetical genomic analysis of complex phenotypes using the PhenoGen website.

Our laboratory has developed an online interactive resource called PhenoGen (http://phenogen.ucdenver.edu) which provides an archive of brain and other organ gene expression data from a panel of 20 common inbred mouse strains, and three recombinant inbred (RI) panels (two mouse and one rat). DNA microarray data can also be uploaded to the site where numerous analytical tools can be implemented. An important advantage to the archived data is that each array represents data from a single animal and each strain was sampled 4–7 times, providing an estimate of genetic variance (heritability) of individual transcript levels. These panels also allow genetic mapping of expression QTLs. Overlap of eQTLs with phenotypic QTLs provides a powerful approach to candidate gene identification. These methods are briefly described here and we encourage the use of our site for both scientific discovery and as a teaching tool in quantitative genetics.
Fasting for less than 24 h induces cytochrome P450 2E1 and 2B1/2 activities in rats.

Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2E1 activity is induced after 24 h of fasting but no information is available for shorter fasting periods. We investigated the induction of CYP 2E1, 2B1/2 and 1A1 m young adult male F344 rats after 8, 16 and 24 h of fasting compared to control. Liver microsomes were analyzed for the following enzyme activities: p-nitrophenol hydroxylase (PNP) for CYP 2E1, pentoxyresorufin-0-dealkylase(PROD) for CYP 2B1/2 and ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) for CYP 1A1. After each fasting interval, the activities per mg microsomal protein for PNP and PROD increased but the activity of EROD remained unchanged. Western blots for CYP 2E1 and CYP 2B1 showed increases comparable to the PNP and PROD activities, respectively. On a whole organ basis, increases were found for PNP and PROD activities, while decreases were found for EROD activity and total microsomal protein. The results are consistent with an induction of CYP 2E1 and CYP 2B1/2 activities after as little as 8 h of fasting.
Measurement of stream channel habitat using sonar

An efficient and low cost technique using a sonar system was evaluated for describing channel geometry and quantifying inundated area in a large river. The boat-mounted portable sonar equipment was used to record water depths and river width measurements for direct storage on a laptop computer. The field data collected from repeated traverses at a cross-section were evaluated to determine the precision of the system and field technique. Results from validation at two different sites showed average sample standard deviations (S.D.s) of 0.12 m for these complete cross-sections, with coefficient of variations of 10%. Validation using only the mid-channel river cross-section data yields an average sample S.D. of 0.05 m, with a coefficient of variation below 5%, at a stable and gauged river site using only measurements of water depths greater than 0.6 m. Accuracy of the sonar system was evaluated by comparison to traditionally surveyed transect data from a regularly gauged site. We observed an average mean squared deviation of 46.0 cm2, considering only that portion of the cross-section inundated by more than 0.6 m of water. Our procedure proved to be a reliable, accurate, safe, quick, and economic method to record river depths, discharges, bed conditions, and substratum composition necessary for stream habitat studies. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Proliferative characterization of basal‐cell carcinoma and trichoepithelioma in small biopsy specimens

We examined the proliferative characteristics of 20 basal-cell carcinomas (BCCs) and 16 trichoepitheliomas (TEps) in an effort to understand and explore possible differences in their tumorigenic cell-cycle properties. These tumors were first compared for their expression of the nuclear proliferative protein Ki-67 and the tumor suppressor protein p53. We also compared the p53 downstream effector, p21(waf-1/cip-1), an inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases. The other p53-dependent, cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, p27(kip-1), has shown to be increased in TEps, which is consistent with this benign neoplasm's better-differentiated state. In our findings, we confirmed through immunohistochemical staining for Ki-67 that BCCs qualitatively showed a greater proliferative fraction compared to TEps (50.0 vs. 13.0%, p < 0.00001) as well as over-expression of p53 (2+ vs. 1+, p < 0.0008). BCCs marked by p21 demonstrated scattered nuclear positivity compared to the virtual absence of staining in the TEps (p < 0.019). In studying their cell-cycle properties, our findings suggest that abnormalities in the p53 pathway allow BCCs to obtain a growth advantage. We show that Ki-67 and p53 staining both appear useful in resolving challenging differential diagnoses and thereby help in directing appropriate treatment strategies.
A pentaplex PCR assay for detection and characterization of Vibrio vulnificus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus isolates.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus are the leading causes of seafood-related illnesses and also can cause wound infections. These bacteria often co-exist in marine and estuarine environments. However, there have been no reported protocols that can detect and characterize (i.e. pathogenic or nonpathogenic) them in a single PCR. In this study, we developed a pPCR assay with a combination of two species-specific and three pathogenic-specific PCR primers to simultaneously detect virulent (viuB in V. vulnificus and tdh/trh in V. parahaemolyticus) and nonvirulent (vvhA in V. vulnificus and tlh in V. parahaemolyticus) markers of the two species in bacterial isolates. The assay was validated by three methods. First, the pPCR was used to characterize 300 bacterial isolates consisting of seven reference strains and 293 environmental strains isolated from the Gulf of Mexico water. Results were compared with characterizations based on single-gene PCR amplifications and previously published multiplex PCR protocols. Second, 51 isolates characterized with the pPCR were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing to confirm any false-negative/positive reaction. Finally, the effectiveness of the assay for heterogeneous bacterial samples was validated. The pPCR correctly characterized isolates from the Gulf with an efficiency of 96·6–98·7%. Significance and Impact of the Study This study, to the best of our knowledge, has been the first effort to develop a fast, cost-effective multiplex PCR (a pentaplex PCR termed pPCR) assay for simultaneous detection of bacterial isolates for pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus. The fact that the assay can be applied to screen and characterize large numbers of bacterial isolates for the two most concerned Vibrio spp. from clinical/environmental samples will help detect pathogens, prevent disease outbreaks and plan better risk management strategies to protect public health.
A chemical and kinetic perspective on base excision repair of DNA.

ConspectusOur cellular genome is continuously exposed to a wide spectrum of exogenous and endogenous DNA damaging agents. These agents can lead to formation of an extensive array of DNA lesions including single- and double-stranded breaks, inter- and intrastrand cross-links, abasic sites, and modification of DNA nucleobases. Persistence of these DNA lesions can be both mutagenic and cytotoxic, and can cause altered gene expression and cellular apoptosis leading to aging, cancer, and various neurological disorders. To combat the deleterious effects of DNA lesions, cells have a variety of DNA repair pathways responsible for restoring damaged DNA to its canonical form. Here we examine one of those repair pathways, the base excision repair (BER) pathway, a highly regulated network of enzymes responsible for repair of modified nucleobase and abasic site lesions.The enzymes required to reconstitute BER in vitro have been identified, and the repair event can be considered to occur in two parts: (1) excision of t...
Resonance Raman Scattering from Solutions of C60

The resonance Raman (RR) spectrum of C60 has been studied in benzene and carbon disulfide using eight excitation wavelengths between 406.7 and 647.1 nm. Raman excitation profile calculations have been performed on the five most intense RR bands; the Hg(1), Ag(1), Gg(4), Hg(7), and Ag(2) vibrational modes. Two main scattering mechanisms predominate, Herzberg−Teller (HT) B-term scattering and nonadiabatic D-term scattering. This is the first observation of rare D-term scattering in a system without a metal. The requirement of a Jahn−Teller distortion of the excited state, produced upon population of the degenerate T1u LUMO, is essentially negated by solvent distortion of the symmetry of C60. While the Ih point group is a good descriptor for the 10 fundamental Raman modes of C60, the slight reduction in the high symmetry of the molecule, due to solvent and 13C effects, activates at least 6 of the remaining 36 Raman-silent modes. At resonance with the HOMO−LUMO transition of C60, or its vibronic sideband, the...
Do gastrointestinal taste receptors contribute to associative learning and foraging behavior

Foraging behavior is an expression of learning, context, and experience arising from integration of sensory information obtained during feeding with postingestive consequences of food ingestion. Although it has been well established that gustatory and olfactory systems of the mouth and nose provide sensory information to the consumer (in the form of flavor), sweet and bitter taste receptors have recently been identified in the intestinal tract of humans and rodents. It remains possible that sensory information generated in the gut could contribute to the learning process. Thus, a series of experiments was conducted to determine if classical associative learning occurs when the conditional stimulus circumvents oronasal presentation via direct delivery to the gut or peritoneal cavity. Mice receiving an intragastric infusion of 5 mM sodium saccharin immediately followed by LiCl administration demonstrated a significant decrease in preference for 5 mM saccharin in 4 consecutive 23 h, 2-bottle preference tests versus water (P = 0.0053). Saccharin was highly preferred in mice receiving intragastric (IG) saccharin only or interperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LiCl only. This reduced preference indicated that mice "tasted" saccharin infused into the gut. However, efforts to replicate with a reduced infusion volume failed to result in decreased preference. To understand if there were alternative pathways for oral detection of infused saccharin, mice received intragastric infusions (5.4 mM) and i.p. injections (10.8 mM) of sodium fluorescein. Fluorescence was observed from the tongues and esophagi of mice infused with volumes of 0.5 mL or more or injected with volumes of 0.25 mL or greater. Interperitoneal injections of 5 mM saccharin in mice resulted in reduced preference for 5 mM saccharin presented orally in 2-bottle preference tests (P = 0.0287). Oral delivery of a 500-fold less concentration of saccharin (0.01 mM) during conditioning resulted in a similar preference expression as shown in the initial IG experiment. These results demonstrate that although compounds may be tasted in the mouth absent of oral contact, associative learning is attenuated. Therefore, intestinal taste receptors are unlikely to participate directly in learning and recognition of foods during foraging events.
INTERSTATE HIGHWAY EXIT MORPHOLOGY: NON-METROPOLITAN EXIT COMMERCE ON 1-75∗

The commercial non-metropolitan exit clusters of America's interstate highway system exhibit regularities of basic form, scale, mix of services provided, and the ordinal placement of establishments relative to the exit proper. An examination of 354 exits serving 1-75 indicates the typical morphology of interstate exit clusters.
Wall shear stress differentially affects NO level in arterioles for volume expanders and Hb-based O2 carriers

Abstract The endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is one of the mediators of smooth muscle (SM) relaxation. The release of NO by endothelium depends on the wall shear stress (WSS) to which endothelium is exposed. During hemodilution or isovolemic exchange transfusion with hemoglobin-based oxygen carriers (HBOCs) or volume expanders, the systemic hematocrit, blood viscosity, and blood flow rate are affected that would change WSS at endothelium. The effect of WSS-dependent NO release on SM NO availability has not been determined by direct measurements. We have formulated a mathematical model that is capable of predicting NO concentration in and around arteriolar vessels. The model predicts that the normal physiological SM NO concentration is ∼100 nM at a physiological WSS of 24 dyn/cm 2 and the NO concentration is linearly dependent on WSS. With volume expanders, the SM NO concentration increases significantly and the levels of SM NO are significantly higher with increase in WSS. The SM NO decreases several-fold even for 5 μM luminal HBOC. For HBOCs, the NO levels are not restored to normal physiological level even with a significant increase in WSS (>48 dyn/cm 2 ). These predictions are consistent with the results of animal studies of vascular tone following administration of HBOCs and volume expanders.
Determinants of variability among nations in child growth

SummaryThis cross-national study aimed at understanding variability in growth among nations and its determinants. It examined the variability of growth among nations, the factors most important for explaining this variability, how these factors jointly determine growth, and the consistency of the patterns and relationships. A conceptual model was adapted from U. Jonsson. National data on height and weight of children, sex, ethnicity, and 15 social, economic, health, education, and political factors were combined from three secondary sources. A sequence of multiple linear regression models was used with three age groups: 1–2, 3–5, and 6–10 years. Substantial variability in growth among nations was seen in comparison to that within nations. Regression models with sex, ethnicity, food security, maternal and child care, and health services and environment explained a large percentage of this variability. Institutions, politics/ideology, economic structure, and potential resources contributed little additional...
Intercube communication for the iPSC/860

In this paper, new functions that enable efficient intercube communication on the Intel iPSC/860 are introduced. Communication between multiple cubes (power-of-two number of processor nodes) within the Intel iPSC/860 is a desirable feature to facilitate the implementation of interdisciplinary problems such as the grand challenge problems of the High Performance Computing and Communications Project (HPCCP). Intercube communication allows programs for each discipline to be developed independently on the hypercube and then integrated at the interface boundaries using intercube communication. >
Stacked-chip packaging: electrical, mechanical, and thermal challenges

A stacked-chip package offers many benefits, including improved electrical performance (shorter chip-to-chip interconnects), reduced printed circuit board (PCB) area, reduced weight, reduced cost when compared to a multi-package solution, and efficient integration of dissimilar integrated circuit (IC) technologies. The trade-offs to these improvements are the complex electrical, mechanical, and thermal challenges associated with stacked-chip packaging. These challenges put new demands on modeling and analysis capabilities. This paper describes these challenges and how modeling and simulation are used during package design to overcome them while improving overall module performance and reducing the qualification time and overall time to market.
Memory-based moving object extraction for video indexing

Extracting moving objects from a video shot provides a good low-level representation of videos. It provides object trajectory, color, shape characteristics. Combined with specific domain knowledge, it can be a powerful cue as what is going in a video shot. The paper proposes an unsupervised moving object extraction/tracking system that attempts to capture salient moving objects from an image sequence. The novelty of the proposed system lies in that it requires no object initialization and it is aimed to tolerate noisy segmentations at individual frame level. A temporal stack structure is used as a memory device to filter and learn salient objects. The learning of moving objects takes a bottom-up approach, moving from independent motion segmentation results at each frame level to a learned whole object characteristics.
Comparison of collection efficiencies of sampling methods for removable beryllium surface contamination.

The primary goal of this study is to compare wet versus dry sampling methods for three different media, (Whatman® 41 filter papers, GhostWipes™, and SKC® Smear Tabs), These media were selected because they are the most commonly used means for the collection of beryllium from contaminated surfaces within the DOE Complex. A range of known concentrations of beryllium was introduced onto a smooth nonporous surface. All three types of media were tested for collection efficiency in both the wet and dry mode and analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES).
Using Water-Solvent Systems To Estimate In Vivo Blood-Tissue Partition Coefficients

Blood–tissue partition coefficients indicate how a chemical will distribute throughout the body and are an important part of any pharmacokinetic study. They can be used to assess potential toxicological effects from exposure to chemicals and the efficacy of potential novel drugs designed to target certain organs or the central nervous system. In vivo measurement of blood–tissue partition coefficients is often complicated, time-consuming, and relatively expensive, so developing in vitro systems that approximate in vivo ones is desirable. We have determined such systems for tissues such as brain, muscle, liver, lung, kidney, heart, skin, and fat. Several good (p < 0.05) blood–tissue partition coefficient models were developed using a single water–solvent system. These include blood–brain, blood–lung, blood–heart, blood–fat, blood–skin, water–skin, and skin permeation. Many of these partition coefficients have multiple water–solvent systems that can be used as models. Several solvents—methylcyclohexane, 1,9-decadiene, and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol—were common to multiple models and thus a single measurement can be used to estimate multiple blood–tissue partition coefficients. A few blood–tissue systems require a combination of two water–solvent partition coefficient measurements to model well (p < 0.01), namely: blood–muscle: chloroform and dibutyl ether, blood–liver: N-methyl-2-piperidone and ethanol/water (60:40) volume, and blood–kidney: DMSO and ethanol/water (20:80) volume. In vivo blood–tissue partition coefficients can be easily estimated through water–solvent partition coefficient measurements.
Total Body Irradiation for Marrow or Stem-Cell Transplantation

(1998). Total Body Irradiation for Marrow or Stem-Cell Transplantation. Cancer Investigation: Vol. 16, No. 6, pp. 397-404.