cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differential impact of high-dose cyclophosphamide, topotecan, and vincristine in clinical subsets of patients with chemoresistant neuroblastoma

BACKGROUND: In what to the authors' knowledge is the first such study for a pediatric cancer, a large database was retrospectively analyzed to assess statistically the likelihood of response to a given salvage therapy in different clinical subsets of patients. METHODS: Treatment was comprised of high-dose cyclophosphamide (at a dose of 140 mg/kg), topotecan (at a dose of 8 mg/m2), and vincristine (at a dose of 0.067 mg/kg or 2 mg/m2, whichever was lower; maximum dose, 2 mg) (HD-CTV). The Fisher exact test was used for comparisons of response rates among standard subsets of patients (n = 126) with refractory or recurrent neuroblastoma (NB). RESULTS: Among children, major (ie, complete/partial) responses occurred in 11 of 58 (19%) with primary refractory NB, 4 of 14 (29%) with secondary refractory NB, 13 of 25 (52%) with a new (first) disease recurrence, and none of 13 patients with progressive disease (PD) while receiving therapy. Other children had mixed responses (MRs); when combining major responses and MRs, anti-NB activity was noted in 26 of 58 (45%) children with primary refractory NB, 10 of 14 (71%) children with secondary refractory NB, 20 of 25 (80%) children with a new (first) disease recurrence, and 1 of 13 (8%) children with PD while receiving therapy. The response rate was significantly different across the 4 groups of children for both major responses (P = .003) and combined responses (P = .001). All 10 adolescents/adults treated for primary refractory NB had no response, which was a significantly inferior result compared with the response rate of 45% noted in children with primary refractory NB (P = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Response to HD-CTV as salvage therapy is significantly less likely in adolescents/adults and in children with NB that is persistent or progressing on treatment rather than newly recurrent off treatment. These findings are broadly applicable and should be considered when designing, and interpreting the results of, phase 2 studies. Cancer 2010. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Numerical study of structural change estimation in a rotor system based on changes in resonance and antiresonance frequencies

A structural change quantification methodology is explored in which the magnitude and location of a structural alteration is identified in a rotor system. The proposed structural alterations may be interpreted as physical damage to a structure, in efforts of advancing structural health monitoring activities. The structural change quantification strategy involves the use of resonance and antiresonance frequencies which are collected from several transfer functions calculated from a finite element rotor model. These values are collected and included in an objective function which outputs an error value that is subsequently minimized. The resulting objective contains sufficient information to identify the dynamic characteristics of the rotor in both the frequency and spatial domains. A finite element model with carefully selected tunable parameters is iteratively adjusted using a numerical optimization algorithm to determine the source of the structural change. The numerical studies presented in this work utilize a generic rotor model with features such as a hollow shaft, two ball bearings, several disks, and multiple material layers. The method used for structural excitation is assumed to utilize magnetic actuators for nonintrusive operations. First, the investigations optimize the objective function using a hybrid optimization approach which applies both the NSGA-II genetic and the Nelder-Mead optimization algorithms. The objective function is optimized to maximize the sensitivity of the rotor’s finite elements to detect structural change. Second, a simulated local structural change is implemented in which the detection methodology is employed to locate. An investigation of the effect of error in the simulated data on the prediction’s accuracy is addressed.
Erectile dysfunction: etiology, evaluation, and treatment options

The evaluation and treatment of male sexual dysfunction has evolved into a more extensive evaluation. This new evaluation should now include evaluation of hypogonadism, ejaculatory function, lower urinary tract symptoms, and depression. The evaluation may be readily accomplished with the use of questionnaires. The management of these entities is discussed, including the novel phosphodiesterase-5 for male erectile dysfunction. Inclusion of the partner in the evaluation and management scheme will provide added benefit and may produce a better outcome.
What Do We Know About NYC’s Stop and Frisk Program?: A Spatial and Statistical Analysis

Since its inception, New York City's stop-and-frisk program has been controversial. The policy allows police officers to stop, question, and frisk individuals who are suspected of committing, having committed or about to commit a crime. Advocates of this policy contend that its purpose is to protect civilians and police officers, as it enables officers to detain persons that they believe are in possession of unlawfully concealed weapons. Critics maintain that the practice violates civil rights and leads to racial profiling. Limited research has moved beyond these types of descriptive examinations of the Stop and Frisk data. Our project employs data from the U.S. Census Bureau and the New York Civil Liberties Union on 2011 NYPD stops and frisks. In moving beyond the descriptive stage, this research utilizes a spatially centered analytical approach to measure and identify geographic clusters of high Stop and Frisk rates across New York City police precincts and subsequent spatial regression to link variations in those rates to community level characteristics. Results indicate both significant spatial clusters of high rates of race-specific stops and a series of statistically significant relationships of those variations to similar variations in explanatory variables.
Using The Self-Advocacy Strategy to Increase Middle Graders' IEP Participation

This study investigated the effects of teaching middle grade students with disabilities to participate in their IEP meetings using The Self-Advocacy Strategy. Four students with high-incident disabilities were taught to be active participants in their IEP meetings. Student contributions, along with scores on The Arc's Self-Determination Scale, were used to measure the effectiveness of the strategy. Findings from this study indicate that The Self-Advocacy Strategy is an effective instructional tool that can be used to teach middle grade students with disabilities to be active participants in their IEP meetings.
Fundamental Insight on Developing Low Dielectric Constant Polyimides

Thermally stable, durable, insulative polyimides are in great demand for the fabrication of microelectronic devices. In this investigation dielectric and optical properties have been studied for several series of aromatic polyimides. The effect of polarizability, fluorine content, and free volume on dielectric constant was examined. In general, minimizing polarizability, maximizing free volume and fluorination all lowered dielectric constants in the polyimides studied.
Detection of antiviral resistance and genetic lineage markers in influenza B virus neuraminidase using pyrosequencing

We report here the design of a pyrosequencing approach for the detection of molecular markers of resistance to the neuraminidase inhibitors zanamivir and oseltamivir in influenza viruses of type B. Primers were designed to analyze the sequences at eight amino acid positions E119, R152, D198, I222, S250, H274, R371, and G402 (universal A/N2 numbering) in the neuraminidase (NA) which have been previously found to be associated with resistance or reduced susceptibility to oseltamivir and/or zanamivir in the NA inhibition assay. In addition, the designed primers could be utilized to the distinguish between the NAs of influenza B viruses from the two major lineages (Victoria and Yamagata) that have co-circulated globally in recent years, thus providing a valuable tool for virus strain surveillance.
Decision Analysis as an Aid to Strategy

“Statistical decision theory is a theory of decision‐making, i.e., of selecting among alternatives. It is not a theory of problem solving, i.e., of finding the cause of a particular set of symptoms. Thus, if the problem or opportunity is defined poorly even the best analysis thereafter will be of limited value. In fact, it could be detrimental”.
Long‐term changes in Jovian synchrotron radio emission: Intrinsic variations or effects of viewing geometry?

Possible causes of the observed long-term variation of Jovian synchrotron radio emission, including both intrinsic changes in the Jovian radiation belts and apparent changes due to variations in the Jovigraphic declination of the earth, D sub E, are investigated. An increase in diffusion rate with other parameters held constant results in an inward displacement of the peak emission radial distance that is not observed. Effects of viewing geometry changes are examined. The possible importance of such effects is suggested by a correlation between the total decimetric radio flux and D sub E, which varies between -3.3 and +3.3 deg during one Jovian orbital period. Because the Jovian central meridian longitudes where the magnetic latitude passes through zero during a given Jovian rotation change substantially with D sub E and since significant longitudinal asymmetries exist in both the volume emissivity and the latitudinal profile of the beam, the total intensity should be at least a partial function of D sub E.
Semi-quantitative analysis of binary alloys using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy and a new calibration approach based on linear correlation

Abstract A new calibration approach to analyze binary solid samples at the percentage level is proposed, and its application to laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is presented. The method is based on the observed dependence of the linear correlation coefficient on the analyte concentration in a binary sample. The linear correlation coefficient is calculated between spectra of a range of certified standards and the spectrum of a reference sample (the analyte in the form of a pure metal), and the resulting curve is used as a calibration curve. It was found that a quadratic function could be adequately used to fit the calibration points. The first part of this paper characterizes the proposed calibration method providing mathematical and simulational data, and also describes a possibility to extend it to multicomponent samples. In the second part, the method is successfully applied to the LIBS analysis of Cu in brass samples as well as Al, Si and Cu in aluminum alloys. The new method was found to give rise to results accurate to 1–5% for major components, and usually outperformed conventional calibration in terms of both precision and accuracy.
Parental Influence on Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: II. Results of a Pilot Intervention Training Parents as Friendship Coaches for Children

We report findings from a pilot intervention that trained parents to be "friendship coaches" for their children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Parents of 62 children with ADHD (ages 6-10; 68% male) were randomly assigned to receive the parental friendship coaching (PFC) intervention, or to be in a no-treatment control group. Families of 62 children without ADHD were included as normative comparisons. PFC was administered in eight, 90-minute sessions to parents; there was no child treatment component. Parents were taught to arrange a social context in which their children were optimally likely to develop good peer relationships. Receipt of PFC predicted improvements in children's social skills and friendship quality on playdates as reported by parents, and peer acceptance and rejection as reported by teachers unaware of treatment status. PFC also predicted increases in observed parental facilitation and corrective feedback, and reductions in criticism during the child's peer interaction, which mediated the improvements in children's peer relationships. However, no effects for PFC were found on the number of playdates hosted or on teacher report of child social skills. Findings lend initial support to a treatment model that targets parental behaviors to address children's peer problems.
Data Acquistion for a High Energy Physics Experiment Using a Parallel/Serial CAMAC Driver

The FNAL standard data acquisition and analysis system, MULTI, has been modified for use with the Jorway parallel/serial CAMAC highway driver. Results are presented on data acquisition rates using the parallel/serial driver. Also presented is the design of an experimental data acquisition sytem incorporating the JY411 parallel/serial driver to control a typical high energy physics experiment.
Seawater/basalt ratio effects on the chemistry and mineralogy of spilites from the ocean floor

PILLOW basalts metamorphosed to the greenschist fades have been frequently dredged from mid-ocean ridges1–3. These rocks usually exhibit a distinct mineralogical differentiation in which the pillow rim or margin is replaced by chlorite or, less commonly, epidote. Calcic plagioclase and olivine within the pillow interior or core are replaced to varying degrees by albite and chlorite, respectively2. Actinolitic amphibole, pyrite, quartz, sphene, and small amounts of nontronite and saponite are the other alteration phases identified in these rocks1–3. Corresponding to this mineralogical differentiation is a chemical differentiation characterised, in general, by enrichment of MgO and H2O in the pillow rim relative to the core; the core is in turn enriched in Na2O, CaO and SiO2. Cann2, in his study of the metamorphosed pillow basalts dredged from the Carlsberg Ridge, Indian Ocean, refers to the Mg-enriched, Ca-depleted, chloritised rind of the pillows as hyalospilites, and the Na-enriched cores as orthospilites. Metabasalts similar in chemistry and mineralogy to those dredged from mid-ocean ridges have also been found in ophiolites, obducted portions of oceanic crust now exposed on continents4,5. The oxygen- and strontium-isotopic composition of these basalts6,7, and the oxygen-isotopic composition of secondary minerals separated from dredged basalts8, suggest that alteration resulted from interaction with seawater at temperatures from about 200 to 350 °C. Passage of seawater through a sequence of pillow basalts would most probably occur along fractures and cracks between individual pillow tubes. In this regard, Spooner et al.6,7 from studies of the extent of hydration, oxidation and oxygen- and strontium-isotopic composition of metamorphosed pillow basalts at Troodos, Cyprus, have concluded that the flow of seawater through basalt pillow piles occurred primarily along fractures and pillow boundaries, whereas grain-boundary diffusion was the principal mechanism of mass transfer accompanying chemical reaction within the solid rock. Because of this variation in permeability, pillow rims would be exposed to a much greater volume of seawater relative to the crystalline cores; consequently, alteration of the rim would proceed at a higher effective water/rock ratio9. We propose here that the water/rock mass ratio during seawater–basalt interaction affects the stability of secondary minerals and therefore accounts for the mineralogical and chemical diversity between the core and rim of metamorphosed pillow basalts. To demonstrate this, we report the change in mineralogy and chemistry of basalt glass reacted with seawater at 300 and 350 °C, 500 bar at water/rock mass ratios of 62 and 10, respectively. The experimental system and analytical procedures are discussed in refs 10, 11.
The drive to eat: comparisons and distinctions between mechanisms of food reward and drug addiction

The growing rates of obesity have prompted comparisons between the uncontrolled intake of food and drugs; however, an evaluation of the equivalence of food- and drug-related behaviors requires a thorough understanding of the underlying neural circuits driving each behavior. Although it has been attractive to borrow neurobiological concepts from addiction to explore compulsive food seeking, a more integrated model is needed to understand how food and drugs differ in their ability to drive behavior. In this Review, we will examine the commonalities and differences in the systems-level and behavioral responses to food and to drugs of abuse, with the goal of identifying areas of research that would address gaps in our understanding and ultimately identify new treatments for obesity or drug addiction.
Supervising the Intern Who Inherits a Case: Making the Most of the Change

Transfer of patients to interns, while frequent in training sites, is often viewed negatively. However, transfer affords positive opportunities for therapy, training, and supervision. It provides a window into patients' experiences of loss, change, attachment style, capacity for working alliance, and affect tolerance. For supervisors and interns, an opportunity exists for deeper understanding of the patient, the therapeutic relationship, alliance building and the usefulness of ongoing feedback both in therapy and supervision. Dilemmas for intern therapists include narcissistic vulnerability and sibling dynamics. With case illustrations, countertransference issues for interns and supervisors are identified and suggestions are offered for addressing transfer in supervision.
Diagnosis or Detour? The Uses of Medical Realism in the Victorian Novel

This essay attempts to open up our perspective on novels’ use of medical narrative realism. Previous analyses of “medicine and the novel” have focused on a common realist ideal and on novels with medical content. But even a realist methodology shared by the novel and by medicine did not find common expression in both genres. Accordingly, this paper draws on some examples that are representative of nineteenth-century novels and range from literal discussions of disease to scenes much farther removed from literal depictions of medicine or disease, but which still, I am arguing, draw on narrative techniques associated with medical clinical realism for their effect. In fact, novels revised and redirected such techniques, often using them against the grain of the professional ideology from which they arise. Accordingly, this essay will sketch out not only how medical case histories can use supposedly literary techniques, but also how nineteenth-century novels apply the narrative methods of clinical medicine even where medicine is not strictly at issue, and how they adapt those methods to their own literary aims.
Antiproliferative and antiinvasive effects of carboxyamido-triazole on breast cancer cell lines

Background. Basement membrane invasion is one of the critical components of the metastatic cascade. The antiproliferative and antiinvasive activity of carboxyamido-triazole (CAI), a calcium influx inhibitor, was studied in five human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7, MCF-7/ADRR, MDA-231, MDA-231R44, and BT-474). Methods. Sensitivity of the cell lines to CAI was measured with a microculture tetrazolium assay. The Boyden chamber Matrigel chemoinvasion assay was used to measure the antiinvasive activity of CAI. Matrix metalloproteinase activity was analyzed by gelatin zymography. Results. The 50% inhibitory concentrations of CAI were cell line dependent and ranged from 7.49 ± 4.05 μmol/L to 46.1 ± 8.6 μmol/L. CAI at a low, minimally toxic concentration (5 μmol/L) inhibited invasion by greater than 75% in the four invasive cell lines (MCF-7/ADRR, MDA-231, MDA-231R44, and BT-474) regardless of estrogen receptor or p-glycoprotein status (p < 0.01). CAI treatment also reduced matrix metalloproteinase activity in conditioned media from three of the four invasive lines (p < 0.05). Conclusions. CAI at clinically achievable concentrations is an effective antiproliferative and antiinvasive agent against human breast cancer cell lines regardless of estrogen receptor or p-glycoprotein status. Reduction in matrix metalloproteinase activity may be partially responsible for CAI inhibition ofinvasion.
Sense of Taste in a New World Monkey, the Common Marmoset. II. Link Between Behavior and Nerve Activity

In a previous study, we characterized the gustatory system of a New World monkey the common marmoset, Callithrix jacchus jacchus, with electrophysiological techniques by recording from taste fibers...
The effect of Aricept in persons with persistent memory disorder following traumatic brain injury: a pilot study.

Primary objective : To investigate the effectiveness of donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept®) in treating persistent memory deficits in people with traumatic brain injury. Research design : Single subject ABAC design was used so that each participant could serve as their own control. Methods and procedures : Seven TBI survivors with persistent memory dysfunction, at least 1.5 years post-injury, underwent two 6-month trials of Aricept®. The following tests were used to assess memory and cognition: Brief Visual Memory Test-Revised (BVMT-R), Hopkins Verbal Learning Test, Digit Span and Letter Number Sequence sub-test of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-III, Controlled Oral Word Association Test and Memory Functioning Questionnaire. Experimental intervention : During the first treatment phase, participants received 5 mg/day of Aricept® for 1 month, increasing to 10 mg/day of Aricept® for an additional 5 months. During the second treatment phase, participants received 5 mg/day of Aricept® for the entire 6 mo...
CO2 cycling in the coastal ocean. I – A numerical analysis of the southeastern Bering Sea with applications to the Chukchi Sea and the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract A quasi-two dimensional model of the carbon and nitrogen cycling above the 70m isobath of the southeastern Bering Sea at 57°N replicates the observed seasonal cycles of nitrate, ammonium, ΣCO2, pCO2, light penetration, chlorophyll, phytoplankton growth rate, and primary production, as constrained by changes in wind, incident radiation, temperature, ice cover, vertical and lateral mixing, grazing stress, benthic processing of phytodetritus and zooplankton fecal pellets, and the pelagic microbial loop of DOC, bacteria, and their predators. About half of the seasonal resupply of nitrate stocks to their initial winter conditions is derived from in situ nitrification, with the rest obtained from deep-sea influxes. Under the present conditions of atmospheric forcing, shelf-break exchange, and food web structure, this shelf ecosystem serves as a sink for atmospheric CO2, with storage in the forms of exported DOC, DIC, and unutilized POC (phytoplankton, bacteria, and fecal pellets). As a consequence of just the rising levels of atmospheric pCO2 since the the Industrial Revolution, however, the biophysical CO2 status of the Southeastern Bering Sea shelf may have switched over the last 250 years, from a prior source to the present sink, since this relatively pristine ecosystem has unergone little eutrophication. Such fluctuations of CO2 status may thus be reversed by the physical processes of : (1) reduction of atmospheric pCO2, (2) increased on welling of deep-sea ΣCO2, and (3) warming of shelf waters. Based on our application of this model to the Chukchi Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, about 1.0–1.2 gigatons C y-1 of atmospheric CO2 may now be sequestered by temperate and polar shelf ecosystems. When tropical systems are included, however, a positive net sink of only 0.6–0.8. × 1015g C y−1 may prevail over all shelves.
Securing Trusted Execution Environments with PUF Generated Secret Keys

Trusted Execution Environments are quickly becoming a preferred method for providing isolation between secure and non-secure execution environments. The protection of these environments, as well as their software structure, is still a primary area of interest and research. The abililty to use a Physically Unclonable Function to generate a unique-per-device AES key provides an excellent mechanism for protection of a Trusted Execution Environment at rest through encryption. These keys can also be used to manage modification of the TEE during execution. In this paper, we present an new methodology for how this protection can be achieved, as well as a framework for the incorporation of Physically Unclonable Functions into cryptographic engines.
A descriptive analysis of air medical directors in the United States

Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics and functions of U.S. physician air medical directors. Methods: This descriptive study included physician directors of U.S. rotor-wing and fixed-wing air medical services. Data were obtained using a standardized survey in regard to the training, education, and roles/responsibilities of directors of critical care air medical services (AMSs). Results: Data from 153 of 276 surveys (55.4%) were analyzed and reported in this study. Air medical directors' residency training varied, but emergency medicine was the most frequently reported training type (38.0%). Most directors reported less than 5 years of job experience in AMS (57.3%), had neither residency/fellowship-based flight experience (63.9%) nor practical flight experience (60.5%), and performed director functions on a part-time basis (93.2%). The six most commonly reported medical director activities were medical protocol development (87.6%), quality improvement activities (86.3%), medical crew training (80.4%), administrative negotiations (79.1%), on-line medical control (71.9%), and personnel hiring (59.5%). The three most common sources of continuing education for medical directors were literature review (95.8%), attendance at medical conferences (79.2%), and participation in professional organizations (59.7%). Conclusion: These data describe the characteristics of U.S. air medical directors and identify physician contributions to patient care in the aviation environment.
Multicultural Approaches to Racial Inequality in the United States

Abstract In general, multicultural education has been perceived as a useful strategy in promoting racial tolerance and sensitivity toward the history and culture of ethnically diverse groups. In the USA, it has been adopted in a growing number of educational institutions and school districts as a solution to racial antagonism and minority underachievement in schooling. Unfortunately, critical curriculum theorists and educators have largely ignored developments in multicultural education. This essay evaluates the viability of the core ideological assumptions and desired outcomes of three different types of multicultural approaches to racial inequality. These three approaches are the following: (a) cultural understanding — the idea central to many ethnic studies programmes that students and teachers should be more sensitive to ethnic differences in the classroom; (b) cultural competence — the insistence in bilingual and bicultural education programmes that students and teachers should be able to demonstrate...
An examination of gender differences in selling behaviors and job attitudes

As women have entered industrial sales in significant numbers, many companies have devised separate selection, training, and motivation programs for females. This study examines gender-related differences regarding job satisfaction, organizational commitment, role conflict, role ambiguity, and performance for both male and female industrial sales persons. Simultaneously, perceptions of market- and customer-orientation and adaptive selling are investigated. Women reported lower levels of role conflict and role ambiguity and higher levels of customer-oriented selling than men. Women also believe that they perform as well as men in industrial sales situations and do not require special managerial considerations to succeed. Implications for managers are provided.
Non-Islet Origin of Pancreatic Islet Cell Tumors

The histogenesis of pancreatic islet cell tumors was investigated by morphological identification of putative precursor lesions in pancreatic tissue from patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1), tissue microdissection, and genetic analysis. MEN1 mutation and absence of the MEN1 wild-type allele in different precursor lesions strongly suggest that pancreatic islet cell tumors are derived from the ductal/acinar system but not from pancreatic islet tissue. Pluripotent cells within the exocrine pancreas appear capable of formation into small atypical accumulations of MEN1-deficient cells with both exocrine and endocrine phenotype. The findings suggest presence of multiple developmental aberrations in MEN1 pancreas that potentially serve as precursor material for neuroendocrine tumors.
Soybean growth and yield response to saturated soil culture in a temperate environment

Saturated soil culture (SSC) is a production system developed in semiarid tropical Australia that reportedly increases soybean (Glycine max L. (Merr.)) yield above that obtained with conventional irrigation. With SSC, water is maintained in furrows between beds from early vegetative stages until maturity. The objective of this research was to evaluate SSC of soybean as an option in temperate regions for rotations in a rice-based production system. Soybean was sown in 1994 and 1995 at Keiser, Arkansas, on 15 cm high beds, spaced 1 m apart in fields precision-graded to 0.15% slope. In 1994, the cultivars were Hutcheson (MG V) and Manokin (MG IV), and in 1995, the cultivars were Asgrow 6297 (MG VI) (A6297) and Hartz 5545 (MG V) (H5545). In both years, the irrigation treatments were nonirrigated, furrow-irrigated at a 50 mm soil water deficit, and SSC. In agreement with reports from Australia, the SSC treatment resulted in leaf yellowing after treatments were established, this yellowing was associated with a lag in biomass and N accumulation in comparison with the furrow-irrigated treatment in 1994. In 1995, N accumulation rate decreased in SSC during the acclimation period, but there was no effect on biomass accumulation rate. In contrast to reports from Australia, yield was not increased by the SSC treatment. In 1994, seed yield from the SSC treatment averaged across cultivars was 40% below that from the furrow-irrigated treatment. A similar yield decrease for the SSC treatment was observed in 1995 for H5545. For A6297, however, the SSC yields and furrow-irrigated yields did not differ. In 1994 for both cultivars and in 1995 for H5545, there was a strong negative response of seed yield to depth of water in the furrow of the SSC treatment. It was concluded that there is no yield advantage from a SSC management system compared to furrow irrigation at the Arkansas site. A positive yield response of SSC may be limited to arid environments where warm temperatures and high irradiance levels contribute to overcoming the detrimental effects of SSC following treatment establishment.
Possible implications of the palaeomagnetic study of late palaeozoic igneous rocks of northwestern Corsica

Abstract Palaeomagnetic observations in more detail than heretofore require modification in detail of earlier, tentative, conclusions. The declination is significantly different from that obtained in the Esterel upon rocks believed to be of the same age. The simplest interpretation, a relative rotation of 25°, is consistent with known geology of both regions, the geophysics of the intervening region and with the matching of coast lines. The inclination value, however, is not in accord with the value predicted upon the basis of work in northern Europe.
The attachments of the temporomandibular joint disc: A biochemical and histological investigation

Abstract Objective The complex movement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc during mastication is controlled in large part by the disc's attachments to the surrounding tissues. This study seeks to address the lack of available quantitative data characterizing the extracellular matrix composition of the discal attachments and how these properties compare to the disc. Design Porcine TMJ disc–attachment complexes were carefully dissected into six discal attachments and five TMJ disc regions. All samples were assayed biochemically for total collagen, glycosaminoglycan (GAG), DNA, and hydration. Additionally, histology was performed on the whole joint to investigate the anatomy of the disc–attachment complex, and to verify the regional distribution of matrix components. Results Quantitative biochemical assays showed that overall water content was fairly constant in all disc and attachment regions. Disc regions generally showed higher sulfated GAG and collagen content than the attachments. In contrast, the attachments contained greater DNA content than the disc. Histological staining supported the quantitative results and also indicated more elastic fibres to be present in the attachments than the disc. Conclusions Although macroscopically the TMJ disc and its attachments form a seamless complex within the joint, a closer look at regional biochemical constituents reveals that these two components are distinct. Whilst the disc and attachments both contain the same major constituents, the relative amounts of these components vary based on the functional requirements of the tissue. These results can further understanding of both TMJ biology and pathology.
RECONSTRUCTING SALMON ABUNDANCE IN RIVERS: AN INITIAL DENDROCHRONOLOGICAL EVALUATION

Decision-makers concerned with salmon or their stream habitats are faced with many persistent, difficult questions including: how large and variable were these populations before European settlement? Here, we examine the feasibility of reconstructing salmon abundance using links between marine nutrients carried upstream by Pacific salmon (Oncorhynchus spp.) and growth of dominant riparian trees in two Alaskan systems. We employ standard dendrochronology methods and regression models to quantify relationships between annual tree-ring growth, salmon escapement, and the climate pattern that affects oceanic production of Northeast Pacific salmon stocks, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO). We find that known, annual salmon escapement is significantly related to tree-ring growth at two sites in the Pacific coastal rainforest (PCRF) (r2 = 0.23, P < 0.05 at each site), but not at two sites in the boreal forest. We then use relationships established at PCRF sites to reconstruct preliminary salmon spawning abundances to 1820 A.D. The PDO was not correlated with local 19-yr salmon escapement records and could not be used in re- constructions. Reconstructions compare favorably to southeastern Alaska fisheries catch data from 1924 to 1994 (Pearson correlation = 0.301 (P = 0.02) and 0.401 (P < 0.01)). This study demonstrates the promise and utility of dendrochronology for reconstructing salmon returns to streams.
Synapse disruption in AD brain: Evidence for early pathological clustering of the group I metabotropic glutamate receptor 5

deficits in APP transgenic mice. Furthermore, Abca1 knockout mice were shown to have a significant decrease of apolipoprotein E (apoE) and apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) in the brain.Methods: In this study we have examined Abeta clearance and transport from the brain in Abca1ko mice. Single apoE and apoA-I knockout mice were used as controls.Results:Our data demonstrate that among the genotypes that were tested, Abca1ko mice have the highest level of amyloid plaques and cognitive deficits. The increased amyloid load and memory deficits in Abca1-ko mice correlated to decreased clearance of A-beta as measured by microdialysis experiments. In addition, the transport of radioactive labeled A-beta through blood brain barrier was decreased in Abca1-ko as compared to Abca1-wt mice and single knockout mice. Our in vitro experiments show that apoE-containing lipoproteins isolated from Abca1wt astrocytes are lipid-rich and decrease A-beta aggregation. In contrast, apoE-containing lipoproteins isolated from Abca1ko cells are lipid-poor and do not affect A-beta aggregation. Conclusions: In conclusion, our in vivo and in vitro data suggest that lack of Abca1 increases A-beta aggregation thus preventing its clearance from the brain ultimately leading to cognitive decline.
The untranslated leader of nuclear COX4 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains an intron.

Abstract The nuclear gene for subunit IV of cytochrome oxidase (COX4) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae contains a 342 bp intron which is contained entirely within the 5' leader of the message. Splicing of the intron results in removal of several small open reading frames; subsequently, the COX4 AUG becomes the 5' proximal initiation codon. A strain with an rna2- mutation fails to splice mRNA efficiently at restrictive temperature and was used to map the intron splice junctions by RNase protection. Two major mRNA initiation sites were mapped by primer extension of synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides. The splice junctions and internal TACTAAC box conform to consensus sequences previously determined from other yeast introns. One gene for subunit V of cytochrome oxidase (COX5b) has also been shown to contain an intron. The significance of introns in two nuclear genes encoding subunits of cytochrome oxidase is discussed.
Dietary Patterns and Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adolescents and Adults

Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a major source of empty calories and among the top sources of energy intake in the diets of U.S. adolescents and adults. While consumption of added sugars and SSBs may be decreasing, intakes remain high. Rather than solely focusing on specific foods/nutrients, dietary patterns are useful to evaluate overall diet quality and health outcomes for individuals and populations. SSBs are frequently included as part of a Western dietary pattern, which is related to obesity and poor health outcomes. Additionally, on their own, SSB consumption is associated with obesity, increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. This paper reviews the recent literature on dietary patterns and SSB consumption as well as SSBs and health. Reducing the intake of SSBs is a public health priority; new research shows promising results when changes are made in the food environment, including schools and workplaces.
Photoregulation of the binding of an azobenzene-modified poly(methacrylic acid) to phosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes

Radical copolymerization of a 4:1 mixture of methacrylic acid and N-[4-(phenylazo)-phenyl]methacrylamide afforded a copolymer of methacrylic acid bearing 10.4 mol% pendent azobenzene units. The copolymer was sensitive to irradiation by virtue of the photochemical trans-to-cis isomerization of the pendent chromophore. The pH-dependent conformational transition characteristic of poly(methacrylic acid) was shifted to a higher pH by the hydrophobic nature of the azobenzene units, but viscosity measurements revealed no further shift in the transition upon photoisomerization. The potentiometric titration curves of the two photoisomeric states of the chain were displaced in a manner consistent with the enhanced polarity of the cis form of the chromophore. The adsorption of the chain on phosphatidylcholine bilayer membranes was strikingly sensitive to light; at pH 7, the cis form adsorbed weakly if at all, whereas the trans form bound strongly to the membrane surface with concomitant reorganization of the lipid bilayer structure.
ENDOGENOUS SODIUM PUMP INHIBITORS AND BLOOD PRESSURE REGULATION : AN UPDATE ON RECENT PROGRESS

Rapid progress has occurred recently in understanding the origin, chemistry, synthesis, control, and actions of endogenous materials that may be ligands for the cardiac glycoside binding site on the mammalian sodium pump (Na,K-ATPase). The present paper reviews this progress and examines in detail the evidence supporting ouabain-like and bufodienolide-like compounds as functioning in endogenous control of sodium pump activity, renal sodium excretion, blood pressure, and cardiovascular contractility. Other novel compounds identified in this search as potentially influencing natriuresis and blood pressure are also discussed.
Long-term growth in developing countries and its determinants: An empirical analysis

Abstract This paper provides empirical evidence on the determinants of long-term growth performance in a sample of 55 developing countries grouped by income levels. The evidence indicates that a model incorporating the savings rate, export performance, expenditures on human capital development, population growth, and the real interest rate on external debt explains the growth performance of these countries remarkably well. The model also suggests policies that would lead to higher long-run rates of growth.
Fabrication and characterization of indium tin oxide (ITO)/polycrystalline silicon solar cells

Efficient indium tin oxide (ITO)/polycrystalline silicon heterojunction solar cells have been fabricated utilizing neutralized ion‐beam sputtering techniques. These cells were fabricated on single‐pass float‐zone‐refined silicon. Conversion efficiencies of 6.25% under AM1 illumination have been observed. Cells were analyzed by I‐V characteristics and a scanning laser photoresponse technique. Qualitative minority‐carrier lifetime has been mapped using the EBIC mode of a SEM. This has revealed a reduced photoresponse at the grain boundaries independent of grain size, and also at defect clusters within individual grains. Surface blemishes and etch pits are not important in reducing the cell photoresponse. It appears that the low‐temperature processing inherent in semiconductor‐insulator‐semiconductor solar cells is applicable to polycrystalline material.
Actinic detection of sub-100 nm defects on extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blanks

We present recent experimental results from a prototype actinic (operates at the 13 nm extreme ultraviolet wavelength) defect inspection system for extreme ultraviolet lithography mask blanks. The defect sensitivity of the current actinic inspection system is shown to reach 100 nm in experiments with programmed defects. A method to cross register and cross correlate between the actinic inspection system and a commercial visible-light scattering defect inspection system is also demonstrated. Thus, random, native defects identified using the visible-light tool can reliably be found and scanned by our actinic tool. We found that native defects as small as 86 nm (as classified by the visible-light tool) were detectable by the actinic tool. These results demonstrate the capability of this tool for independent defect counting experiments.
Near-infrared transparent electrodes for precision Teng-Man electro-optic measurements: In 2 O 3 thin-film electrodes with tunable near-infrared transparency

Highly near-infrared (NIR) transparent In2O3 thin films have been grown by ion-assisted deposition at room temperature, and the optical and electrical properties characterized. NIR transparency and the plasma edge frequency can be engineered by control of the film deposition conditions. As-deposited In2O3 thin films were employed as transparent electrodes for direct thin film electro-optic (EO) characterization measurements via the Teng–Man technique. Using LiNbO3 as the standard, the relationship between electrode NIR transparency and Teng–Man EO measurement accuracy was evaluated. It is found that In2O3 electrodes can be tailored to be highly NIR transparent, thus providing far more accurate Teng–Man EO coefficient quantification than tin-doped indium oxide. In addition, the EO coefficients of stilbazolium-based self-assembled superlattice thin films were directly determined for the first time using an optimized In2O3 electrode. EO coefficients r33 of 42.2, 13.1, and 6.4pm∕V are obtained at 633, 1064, a...
A sensitive radioimmunoassay for thyrotropin releasing hormone.

Abstract A sensitive radioimmunoassay for TRH is described which is capable of detecting 100 pg/ml. Antibody was produced by injection of TRH coupled to bovine serum albumin by a diazonium compound (BDB). Radioiodinated TRH was purified by gel filtration chromatography. Separation of antibody bound from free TRH was accomplished by dextran-coated charcoal as well as by double antibody precipitation. Measurement of TRH in patients undergoing TRH stimulation tests for evaluation of pituitary function showed rapid disappearance of TRH from the blood with substantial amounts recovered in the urine.
Using perspective transformations in scene analysis

Abstract This paper briefly reviews in a self-contained manner the perspective transformation governing 2-D images taken of a 3-D world. Using coordinates of points, direction cosines of lines on the image, or 3-D models of objects, relationships are developed that permit determination of the perspective transformation parameters in closed form, as well as the 3-D coordinates of objects. Contents. I, Introduction; I.1, 3-D Scene Analysis. II, The Perspective Transformation in 2-D. III, The Perspective Transformation in 3-D. IV, Properties of the 3-D Perspective Transformation; IV.1, Lines to Lines; IV.2, Vanishing Points. V, Image Coordinates to 3-D Coordinates; V.1, Camera Geometry; V.2, Vanishing Point to Camera Parameters; V.3, The Inverse Projective Transformation; V.4, Using the Inverse Perspective Transformation; V.5, Using the Perspective Transformation; V.6, Models. VI, Example; VI.1, Example 1; VI.2, Example 2. Acknowledgement. References.
Negative social sanctions, self‐derogation, and deviant behavior: Main and interactive effects in longitudinal perspective

This article reports the results of a multiple regression model that used longitudinal data (N = 2,545) to examine the interactive effects of negative social sanctions and self‐derogation on deviant behavior (net of the effect of earlier deviant behavior). The analysis was based on the notion that some of the apparently contradictory evidence surrounding the examination of the labeling perspective may lie in a failure of researchers to focus on the conditions under which the labeling effect may or may not be appropriate. Some studies, for example, have shown that higher status individuals (Whites, males, those with higher socioeconomic status) are more at risk for escalating deviance after becoming labeled a deviant than their lower status counterparts. It is theoretically important, therefore, to seek other subgroups for which labeling theory holds (and does not hold) to help explain the inconsistent findings. Specifically, this study examined the extent to which self‐rejection moderated the relationship...
The Development of the Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator (MCFAP) Flap.

In the quixotic quest for the “ideal” flap, the major attribute of the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is its minimal donor-site deformity even if primary closure is not possible and a skin graft must be used. This source vessel captures the medial groin skin territory, and therefore sometimes has been referred to as the “medial groin” flap. This flap can be moderately large, the donor site easily hidden by clothing, the flap almost always has at least a single relatively large musculocutaneous perforator, and the location of the vascular pedicle has a consistent location already familiar to most microsurgeons. The history and approach specifically in the development of the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is presented here to explain the rationale as to why this donor site deserves consideration in the hierarchy of cutaneous flap selection.
Comb-Based RF Photonic Filters Based on Interferometric Configuration and Balanced Detection

We demonstrate a novel technique to improve radio frequency (RF) performance such as RF gain and noise figure (NF) for comb-based RF photonic filters. While conventional RF photonic links use a dual-output modulator and balanced detection, this RF photonic filter utilizes an interferometric configuration with double sideband suppressed carrier modulation and balanced detection. This technique can simultaneously provide filter tunability, 6-dB RF gain increase, and noise cancellation. The RF gain and NF of the RF photonic filter are improved to approximately 0 and 24 dB, respectively. With the improved RF performance, we perform the tuning of the filter center frequencies from 2 to 8 GHz with no baseband filter response ( 32 dB).