cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dwarf Beech Forests in Coastal New England: Topographic and Edaphic Controls on Variation in Forest Structure

Abstract We characterize structural variation of forests dominated by American beech (Fagus grandifolia) on Naushon Island, Massachusetts with respect to edaphic and environmental conditions, and describe dwarf beech forests that are rare throughout the eastern U.S. Age structure reconstructions and historical references confirm that dwarf beech stands have persisted in the study area for >100 y. Dwarf beech are characterized by extremely slow radial growth rates, with some individuals growing 25 y, and ages up to 200 y. In the most severely stunted stands, all beech stems are <2 m tall and <8 cm basal diameter. In contrast, adjacent tall-stature forests support beech trees of similar age that are 20–30 m tall and up to 70 cm diameter (at 1.4 m). Variation in vegetation structure is strongly related to topographic position and edaphic conditions. Dwarf stands occur on morainal knobs and ridges characterized by excessively-drained sandy soils and well-developed E-horizons; soil organi...
Tradeoffs between production and perennial vegetation in dairy farming systems vary among counties in the northeastern U.S.

Abstract Dairy farms that grow more perennial vegetation as grazing pastures or conserved forages can offer many environmental benefits but may show reduced milk production relative to farms feeding higher amounts of grain and corn silage. Because yields of annual and perennial crops vary with soil type, an accurate comparison of the productive potential of these systems over county or regional scales may require taking into account spatial variation in soil quality. In this study, we present a novel approach to calculate the production from dairy systems that adjusts average crop yields to the productive potential of local soils using the National Commodity Crop Productivity Index (NCCPI). We used on-farm survey data to define confinement and grazing systems with varying amounts of perennial forage and applied our method to a sample of five counties in the northeast United States. High corn silage farm systems produced 21 to 168% more milk per hectare of farmland than grazing-based farm systems, but variation among counties was greater than variation among systems, with the best (Lancaster, PA) producing as much as 5.3 times more than the least (Orange, VT). Adjusting yields for soil productivity had smaller effects on milk production than differences in farm system or county. On average, grazing farm systems generally produced slightly more milk when yields were adjusted using the NCCPI (8%) while high corn silage systems showed a moderate decrease (13%). Compared to scenarios of all local crop production, scenarios with unlimited corn and soybean imports often more than doubled county-scale milk production. Restricting grain imports to prevent excess phosphorus resulted in a 3–15% decrease in milk production relative to unlimited imports, but still produced far more milk than in the all local production scenarios. Sensitivity analysis of the model showed that milk production in each county was very responsive to changes in perennial forage yields (especially for grazing systems), responsive to changes in average daily milk production per cow, and generally not responsive to changes in the productive lifetime of lactating cows. This study demonstrates a persistent tradeoff between perenniality and production in dairy systems, but suggests that opportunities may exist to maintain current milk production levels in the Northeast while also expanding land cover in perennial vegetation.
Patterns of variability in ichthyoplankton occurrence and abundance in Biscayne Bay, Florida☆

Abstract Within-day variability in ichthyoplankton and microzooplankton abundances was examined at a single station in Biscayne Bay using replicate tows of 61-cm bongo nets and Niskin bottles to determine if patchiness occurred on the 10–1000 m scale and on the minutes to hours time scale. Fish eggs and larvae often were patchy but copepod nauplii, the predominant food of larvae, usually were randomly distributed at the scales examined and over the 3.15 m-depth water column. Mean patchiness index values were of similar magnitude for fish eggs and larvae but fish eggs were patchy more often than were larvae. Individual taxa of larvae had extremely high patchiness index values on some dates. Variability in fish egg catches often reflected increasing or decreasing abundance trends during the 2.5h sampling period while fish larvae catches often appeared to be clumped within the repetitive series of tows. There was no tendency for patchiness to be correlated among taxa on collection dates nor was it correlated with abundances or wind speeds. Patchiness indices of bay anchovy Anchoa mitchilli eggs and larvae were not significantly correlated, indicating little concordance in tendency to be aggregated, suggesting that distributions were influenced by biological processes related to spawning of adults and behaviour of larvae, in addition to physical processes. Although ichthyoplankton patchiness often did exist at the 10–1000 m scale, on many days ichthyoplankton was uniformly or randomly distributed. Copepod nauplii were abundant ( x =90.41 −1 ), randomly distributed on most dates, and apparently readily available as fish larvae food in Biscayne Bay.
On the structure of the spectral solutions of the Yang–Baxter matrix equation

Abstract Let A be a square matrix. We investigate the structure of the spectral solutions of the nonlinear matrix equation A X A = X A X by showing that any semisimple eigenvalue of A with multiplicity at least 2 gives rise to infinitely many solutions. Such solutions can be obtained by means of the projections onto subspaces of the corresponding eigenspace.
Development of a fluorescent F-actin blot overlay assay for detection of F-actin binding proteins.

Abstract Interactions between cellular proteins and filamentous (F) actin are key to many cellular functions, e.g., cell motility, endocytosis, cell:cell adhesion, and cell:substrate adhesion. Previously, a functional assay using 125 I -labeled F-actin to detect a subset of F-actin binding proteins by blot overlay was developed. We have modified this assay to use the fluorescent label, Alexa 488, in place of 125 Iodine . The detection limit for Alexa 488-labeled actin using a Molecular Dynamics STORM 860 Fluorescence/PhosphorImager was as little as 100 pg of labeled actin. The Alexa 488 F-actin assay detects the same proteins from Dictyostelium discoideum and with approximately the same sensitivity (∼10 μg/ml F-actin final concentration) as the analogous 125 I -labeled F-actin blot overlay. The use of Alexa 488 F-actin for blot overlay assays requires no radioactive materials and generates no hazardous waste. Assays can be performed on the laboratory bench top and the blots imaged directly with a blue laser scanner, either wet or dry. In addition, the Alexa 488 fluorophore is highly resistant to photobleaching, does not decay, and may be stored frozen or lyophilized. Alexa 488 F-actin is a stable, cost-effective, nonhazardous probe used for rapid identification of a subset of F-actin binding proteins.
Pyrimidines and the X-Ray Response of Tribolium confusum Duval

Radiosensitizing effects of incorporation into DNA of the halogenated pyrimidines 5-bromouracil or 5-iodouracil, or their nucleosides (BUdR and IUdR), have been demonstrated in a variety of cell types. The results indicate that these antimetabolites influence lethality in x-irradiated adult Tribolium. At relatively low concentrations in the medium, BUdR and IUdR exhibit toxicity 3 to 5 weeks after transfer of beetles to analog-containing medium. Toxicity of IUdR on nonirradiated adults is less pronounced than that of BUdR and is slower to develop. Analog-treated Tribolium exposed to 7 kR, which is sublethal for adults in normal medium, die much earlier than those treated with analog alone or with lethal doses of x-rays alone. Transfer of beetles to normal medium after 3 weeks or less in the presence of analog virtually eliminates lethality attributable to the analog. X-irradiation at the time of transfer, however, leads to high mortality, and the amount of mortality appears to be a function of the duratio...
The Games of Politics

Understanding and learning to play the games of politics can increase the political efficiency of nurse practitioners (NPs) and assist them in advancing their roles and functioning in the crowded health care arena. One framework that can be applied to the political process is Allison's Governmental Political Model. Allison's model approaches the process of politics as competitive games. This article presents Allison's political model and demonstrates how understanding and learning to play political games has potential to promote NP political effectiveness.
Mechanism of cholestasis. 2. Effect of bile acids on the microsomal electron transfer system in vitro.

Abstract 1. 1. Dihydroxy bile acids, which give a Type I binding spectrum with cytochrome P-450, increase the initial rate of P-450 reductase in concentration below 1.0 mM. 2. 2. At 1.0 mM they dissociate the flavoprotein P-450 reductase from P-450, resulting in a concentration-dependent decrease of the initial rate of P-450 reductase and of the amount of enzymatically reducible P-450. 3. 3. Degradation of P-450 by dihydroxy bile acids is concentration and time-dependent. 4. 4. Trihydroxy bile acids do not produce these changes.
Citrinin produces acute adverse changes in renal function and ultrastructure in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs without concomitant reductions in [potassium]plasma

Abstract Citrinin's nephrotoxicity was examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs under conditions that minimized or avoided significant changes in a number of its actions that could indirectly and adversely affect renal function and ultrastructure, such as, (i) major acute reductions in blood pressure and renal blood flow and, (ii) emesis and diarrhea that could lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, especially hypokalemia. Slow intravenous injection of 20 μmol citrinin/kg to pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs did not induce any alterations in renal tissue ultrastructure or in any of the 23 whole blood, plasma or renal function parameters that were monitored over a 6-h post-citrinin period. On the other hand, 80 μmol citrinin/kg produced significant increases in the hematocrit and in the renal excretion rates of protein and glucose; modest reductions were noted in C IN , RBF and excretion rate of inorganic phosphorus. In addition, 80 μmol citrinin/kg induced ultrastructural lesions in the cells of the S 2 proximal tubular segment, the thick ascending limb, the distal convoluted tubule and the collecting ducts. The glomeruli, S 1 and S 3 cells of the proximal tubule and the thin descending and ascending limbs of Henle's loop were unaffected by both citrinin doses. The location and nature of the adverse ultrastructural lesions were most likely the result of the direct actions of citrinin (or a citrinin metabolite) since the effects of citrinin that could lead to indirect adverse renal effects were totally avoided or greatly minimized.
Abstract 4468: Tumor vasculature targeting using cell-specific thioaptamer decorated chitosan nanoparticle

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Anti-angiogenesis targeted therapy using RNA interference is a powerful tool to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis Here, we developed chitosan/thioaptamer nanoparticles that are capable of cell-type specific binding and delivery of siRNA into tumor-associated endothelial cells Thioaptamer (TA) was created by partial substitution of oxygen with sulfur on the aptamer phosphate backbone at the 5′dA position to enhance binding affinity and stability A combinatorial DNA aptamer library was established for cell-based selection method known as SELEX (systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment) Endothelial cells isolated from both human ovarian tumors and normal human ovarian tissues were used to screen for selective thioaptamers After 10 cycles of cell-SELEX, two candidates, Endo28 and Endo31 showed highly specific binding to both human microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC) and vasculature of human ovarian cancer tissue Endo28 decorated chitosan nanoparticles (CH/TA-siRNA) were ∼200 nm, positively charged (22mV), and spherical in shape The incorporation of thioaptamer Endo28 and siRNA to chitosan was confirmed using 1HNMR and PCR CH/TA-siRNA nanoparticles were intact and stable in the presence of serum at 37° C Intravenous administration of CH/TA nanoparticles into mice with HeyA8 ovarian tumors resulted in successful binding of aptamer to endothelial cells as well as delivery of siRNA into tumors TEM7 is a tumor biomarker found on the surface of endothelial cells TEM7 silencing using siRNA reduced endothelial tube formation and migration In orthotopic mouse models of ovarian cancer, murine TEM7 siRNA loaded nanoparticles showed substantial reduction in tumor growth as well as reduced angiogenesis These data have implications for new anti-angiogenesis approaches Citation Format: Dahai Jiang, Lingegowda S. Mangala, Hongyu Wang, Sherry Wu, Lokesh G. Rao, Cristian Rodriguez-Aguayo, Sunila Pradeep, David E. Volk, Gabriel Lopez-Berestein, Anil K. Sood. Tumor vasculature targeting using cell-specific thioaptamer decorated chitosan nanoparticle. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4468. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4468
Depression ofTc with rare earth substitution for La in La2−xSrxCuO4 superconductors

Abstract Phases of the type La 2− x−y R x Sr y CuO 4− z , where R is Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, or Gd, have been prepared for various values of x and y . All phases prepared had the La 2 CuO 4 structure. The general trend for fixed y is that T c decreases as the four coplanar Cu O distances decrease. This unexpected correlation between T c and Cu O distance is explained by our finding that the Cu III concentration also decreases as these R cations are substituted for La. The amount of R that can be substituted for La increases as R becomes larger. For R =Pr , the x value reaches about 0.8. Such phases, for example, La 1.05 Pr 0.80 Sr 0.15 CuO 4 , do not show a depressed T c , indicating that Pr does not always adversely affect superconductivity in copper oxide based phases as it does in the YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 type structure.
Small particle melting of pure metals

Submicron-sized crystallites of lead, tin, indium and bismuth were melted in situ in the modified specimen chamber of a Siemens transmission e lectron microscope. Melting point and size determinations were made directly from the dark field images of the crystallites. Particles exhibited melting points that decreased with decreasing particle size. A near-linear relationship was observed for the melting point as a function of the reciprocal of the radius. Thermodynamnic expressions based on the significant contributions of the surface energy to the free energy of the system also suggest a linear relation. Other factors, such as shape and surface contamination, were also observed to affect the size-dependent melting of particles. Crystallites of extended platelet shape did not exhibit a significant depression in melting point. Elevated residual gas pressures were found to lessen the melting point depression of spherical particles.
Environment dependent dynamic charge potential for silica: Application to nanoscale silica structures

Using a potential form formally based on density functional theory (DFT), we develop a new potential for silica. Our environment dependent dynamic charge potential uses Mulliken populations obtained from ab initio calculations to describe the charge variation with respect to coordination and local strain. An embedded atom (EAM) style potential is then parameterized to yield accurate energies compared to DFT calculations for a small training set of silica nanostructures. The new potential performs well in predicting energies and relative energies of a larger suite of silica nanostructures previously studied by Bromley et al.
How and why pop-ups don't work: Pop-up prompted eye movements, user affect and decision making

The average user reacts to pop-ups with responses ranging from mild irritation to vocal annoyance. Meanwhile, software designers and engineers, as well as advertisers and malware distributors, rely on pop-ups for user input and decision making. We conducted two studies, each with twelve participants, using eye tracking and video-cued self-reports with a dual task paradigm: while users were engaged in a series of three primary tasks, a secondary task was introduced in the form of a pop-up dialogue box requiring a user decision. Nine pop-ups were administered; three during each task. The self-reports' results indicate high levels of negative affect associated with pop-ups, especially annoyance. The eye tracking results reveal that the time it took the participants to first glance at a pop-up was relatively stable (1.3-1.5 s on average). However, response patterns and total time spent viewing the pop-ups suggest that users quickly learn to visually and cognitively dismiss pop-ups. We present an interaction model based on dynamic human social contexts that integrates cognitive processes, including decision making, with affect and polite social behavior. This leads us to a set of three, radical guidelines for the constructive design of efficient and mindful pop-up dialogues.
Seeded growth of robust SERS-active 2D Au@Ag nanoparticulate films

We demonstrate herein a novel and versatile solution-based methodology for fabricating self-organized two-dimensional (2D) Au nanoparticle arrays on glass using in situ nucleation at an aminosilane monolayer followed by seeded, electroless growth; subsequent deposition of Ag produced Au@Ag core–shell nanoparticulate films which proved highly promising as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) platforms.
A posterior odds analysis of the weekend effect

The weekend effect is the tendency for Monday stock returns to be negative. The paper reports a posterior odds evaluation of the day-of-the-week and weekend effect that largely reverses earlier findings. The interaction of large sample sizes and fixed significance level hypothesis testing is identified as the likely source of disagreements between p-values and posterior probabilities. Analysis with informative and relatively diffuse prior distributions indicates this divergence does not apparently reflect special distributional assumptions. Further analysis suggests that earnings announcement behavior and a small number of outliers may account for much of the evidence of systematically negative Monday returns in the few years where posterior odds favor the weekend effect hypothesis.
Delusions of Fatal Contagion Among Refugee Patients

Delusions of fatal contagion were encountered in about 10% of refugee psychiatric patients from Southeast Asia belonging to one ethnic group, the Hmong. Psychotic depression was the most common diagnosis among the Hmong patients with delusions of contagion, whereas paranoid and schizophrenic diagnoses predominate in patients with similar delusions from other refugee groups. Some cases also occurred as a shared delusional disorder. Associated findings included isolation from the community, intrafamilial conflict, failure to acculturate, and sexual frustration or conflict. Most patients responded to tricyclic medication, later supplemented in about half of the cases with a neuroleptic. This syndrome, which does not appear to have been described previously, should be considered in cases of somatizing refugees who present repeatedly to medical facilities.
Acetylcholinesterase activity of motor and sensory nerve fibers in the spinal nerve roots of the rat.

The histochemical and cytochemical distribution of acetylcholinesterase activity in the anterior and posterior spinal nerve roots and ganglia of the rat was demonstrated by the Karnovsky method using acetyl and butyrylthiocholine as substrates and eserine and DFP as inhibitors. Light and electron microscopic examination of transverse frozen sections enabled the simultaneous visualization of end product in relationship to the various fiber components of each nerve root. While the enzymatic activity of the anterior roots was consistantly observed in the large extrafusal and small intrafusal motor fibers a relatively greater amount of precipitate occurred in aggregates of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers believed to represent preganglionic sympathetic nerves. In contrast, no significant enzymatic activity could be demonstrated in the myelinated nerve fibers of the posterior root. In the sensory sytem, the limited enzymatic precipitate was largely restricted to the unmyelinated afferent fibers and to their small cell bodies in the dorsal root ganglia. The ultrastructural distribution of enzymatic activity was located in the granular endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear spaces of the ganglion cells. Within peripheral nerves this end product occurred between the apposing axonal and Schwann cell membranes and along the membranous aspect of occasional axoplasmic vesicles of both myelinated and unmyelinated nerve fibers.
Membrane Dynamics and Lipid Interactions of Influenza Fusion Proteins

Viral fusion peptides interact with lipid membranes to promote membrane fusion and viral entry. Data on fusion-defective mutants of influenza virus suggest that these interactions are in fact required for efficient fusion. Fusion peptides appear to be at least structurally plastic if not highly dynamic, adopting multiple conformations and potentially multiple interaction modes with lipid membranes. It remains unclear, however, how these structural properties are linked to physiologic function. We have used molecular dynamics simulation to probe the conformational transitions and membrane interactions of influenza hemagglutinin. Based on these simulations, we obtain models of 1) how fusion peptides can lower the activation barrier to the first lipidic intermediates in membrane fusion, 2) how structural plasticity may be important to this activity, and 3) how inactive mutants of influenza fusion peptides may be functionally impaired. We have also performed functional experiments on how the membrane environment affects fusion kinetics of live influenza virus. Correlation of models from simulation with spectroscopic and functional data can help to further elucidate the mechanisms by which fusion peptides promote membrane fusion and how structure and dynamics relate to function.
The effects of cooperative learning and direct instruction in reading comprehension strategies on main idea identification.

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the impact of direct instruction on reading comprehension strategies and the deghree to which cooperative learning processes enhance students' learning of strategies
Matrix metalloproteinase-9 is differentially expressed in nonfunctioning invasive and noninvasive pituitary adenomas and increases invasion in human pituitary adenoma cell line.

The complete resection of pituitary adenomas (PAs) is unlikely when there is an extensive local dural invasion and given that the molecular mechanisms remain primarily unknown. DNA microarray analysis was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between nonfunctioning invasive and noninvasive PAs. Gene clustering revealed a robust eightfold increase in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in surgically resected human invasive PAs and in the (nonfunctioning) HP75 human pituitary tumor-derived cell line treated with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate; these results were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction, gelatin zymography, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and Northern blot analyses. The activation of protein kinase C (PKC) increased both MMP-9 activity and expression, which were blocked by some PKC inhibitors (Go6976, bisindolylmaleimide, and Rottlerin), PKC-α, and PKC-δ small interfering (si)RNAs but not by hispidin (PKC-β inhibitor). In a transmembrane invasion assay, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (100 nmol/L) increased the number of invaded HP75 cells, a process that was attenuated by PKC inhibitors, MMP-9 antibody, PKC-α siRNA, or PKC-δ siRNA. These results demonstrate that MMP-9 and PKC-α or PKC-δ may provide putative therapeutic targets for the control of PA dural invasion.
Tributary response to local base level lowering below a dam

Tributaries located immediately downstream from a dam responded to lowered local base level by incising vertically, widening, and expanding headwardly. The eight tributaries examined, join the Osage River along a 17 km reach directly below the Bagnell Dam in central Missouri. These tributaries flow through unconsolidated alluvium, and respond rapidly to base level lowering. Local base level lowering below Bagnell Dam is believed to result from a combination of factors, including an increase in channel cross-sectional area caused by degradation and channel widening, and hydrological desynchronization of the trunk river and the tributaries during periods of high discharge. Of these, degradation appears to be the most important cause of tributary incision. Age dates from cores of trees which project cross-channel roots indicate that tributary entrenchment has occurred after the closure of Bagnell Dam in 1931. Root-armoured knickpoints, subaerially exposed cross-channel tree roots, broken-off roots, and ‘within channel’ terraces provided the basis for reconstruction of relative pre-entrenchment tributary profiles which, when extended to the Osage River confluence, reveals the magnitude of entrenchment at the tributary mouth. The tributaries incised on average, 2·2 m and widened approximately 2·3 m at their mouths. Root armouring protracts the adjustment period of the tributaries and results in stepped longitudinal profiles. Tributary incision is episodic, and the influxes of high sediment discharge are out of phase from tributary to tributary.
The role of heterogeneous nucleation on microstructure evolution in peritectic systems

Abstract A model is developed for nucleation of the second phase at the growing primary phase in directional solidification. The results are summarized in the form of a nucleation map in the ( θ , ϕ ) space, where θ and ϕ are the contact angles at the liquid–primary phase interface and at the wall–liquid interface.
Decentralized control of nonlinear robot manipulators

Robot manipulators have highly nonlinear dynamics. Therefore the control of multi-link robot arms is a challenging and difficult problem. In this paper a nonlinear dynamic model is first presented for an x-axis robot arm. Then a linearized model is obtained for it. The linearized model is then considered as an n-controller large-scale system. The notion of decentralized stabilization has been introduced and applied to the robot arm. Controllers considered are pd, pid and pd plus a feedforward (inverse dynamics). Numerical simulation for decentralized control of a 3-axis puma arm will also be included.
Case Report: Congenital rubella syndrome: a rare but persistent concern in the United States

In countries such as the United States where rubella virus infections are rare, congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) may not be recognized in a timely manner. However, the syndrome still appears in this country, often in infants of mothers emigrating from countries with absent or suboptimal national vaccination programs. We describe a case of CRS in a term baby born to a recent US immigrant who developed a primary varicella infection in late pregnancy and demonstrated IgG titers to rubella at delivery. At presentation, the neonate had both classical findings as well as less reported vascular and neurological abnormalities seen in infants with CRS.
Addressing Disproportionate Discipline Practices within a School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports Framework: A Practical Guide for Calculating and Using Disproportionality Rates.

Culturally responsible implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (SWPBIS) requires that schools monitor indices of disciplinary practices among minority groups. School teams are encouraged to calculate risk indices and risk ratios to evaluate the extent to which students of all groups are removed from classrooms for behavioral infractions. Additional data sources are offered to understand the nature of disproportionate practices. These data are then used to develop more culturally responsive disciplinary practices in schools. An illustration is then provided using data from an ethnically diverse elementary school.
RECOGNIZING PERSONS CLIMBING FENCES

In this paper, we present two approaches to recognize a special type of human action, e.g. climbing a fence, from continuous monocular videos. Both approaches represent human activities as time series of discrete observations. In the first approach, we extract a feature vector from each frame, based on the relative configuration of human body parts against a fence. In the second approach, we propose a novel concept called "stable contact", to decompose the continuous human activities into adjacent but disjoint time intervals called primitive intervals. We then define a primitive motion unit (PMU) on each primitive interval with three attributes, thus converting each continuous activity into a sequence of PMUs. With the time series representations, we utilize Hidden Markov Model (HMM) techniques for recognition, including decoding in the first approach and searching in the second approach. Experimental results, on a set of image sequences with mixed human actions including walking and climbing a fence, show the effectiveness of the proposed methods. We compare the two approaches and discuss their applicability in different scenarios.
An interaction of benzene metabolites reproduces the myelotoxicity observed with benzene exposure

Abstract Benzene-induced myelotoxicity can be reproduced by the coadministration of two principal metabolites, phenol and hydroquinone. Coadministration of phenol (75 mg/kg) and hydroquinone (25–75 mg/kg) twice daily to B6C3F1 mice for 12 days resulted in a significant loss in bone marrow cellularity in a manner exhibiting a dose-response. One explanation for this potentiation is that phenol stimulates the peroxidase-dependent metabolism of hydroquinone. Addition of phenol to incubations containing horseradish peroxidase, H 2 O 2 , and hydroquinone resulted in a stimulation of both hydroquinone removal and benzoquinone formation. Stimulation occurred with phenol as low as 100 μ m and with very low concentrations of horseradish peroxidase. When boiled rat liver protein was added to identical incubations containing [ 14 C]hydroquinone, the level of radioactivity recovered as protein bound increased by 37% when phenol was added. Similar results were observed when [ 14 C]hydroquinone was incubated in the presence of activated human leukocytes. Hydroquinone binding was increased by approximately 70% in the presence of phenol. Phenol-induced stimulation of hydroquinone metabolism and benzoquinone formation represents a likely explanation for the bone marrow suppression associated with benzene toxicity.
Community Restitution for Juveniles: An Approach and Preliminary Evaluation

Restitution to victims ofjuvenile offenders is based upon the principle of holding an individual responsiblefor his or her actions. Recently several juvenile restitution projects have been established as a result of disenchantment with traditional rehabilitation programs and the increasing interest in victims of crimes. This article reviews the major theoretical premises of this kind of program and concentrates on a description and preliminary evaluation of the Community Restitution Project in Orange County, California. The evaluation shows several promising features of this project in handling nonviolent juvenile offenders. Finally, several suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of the restitution program are presented.
Postmastectomy Couple Counseling: An Outcome Study of a Structured Treatment Protocol

Abstract The evidence suggests that medical treatment of breast cancer produces psychosocial trauma in both the patient and her husband due to the loss of the breast and/or physical disfigurement. This study evaluated the effects of a structured couples treatment program on the psychosocial discomfort following a mastectomy. Twenty couples were randomly assigned to experimental and control conditions and were administered an assessment battery before and after treatment that measured change in marital happiness, sexual satisfaction, depression, self-esteem, helplessness, anxiety, alienation, and emotional discomfort. An analysis of variance yielded no significant difference between experimental and control conditions on any of the dependent variables. A supplemental analysis of covariance using the pretest as a covariate found that the treatment reduced emotional discomfort in both partners, reduced depression in the patient, and increased sexual satisfaction for both spouses. Recommendations were made fo...
A Transaction Cost Perspective of the Software as a Service Business Model

Application service providers (ASP), which host and maintain information technology (IT) applications across the Internet, offer an alternative to traditional models of IT service for user firms. We build on prior literature in transaction cost economics (TCE) to argue that the contract design should address ex post transaction costs that result due to contractual incompleteness and opportunism. We argue that contract design is multidimensional, and that it is necessary to design governance structures that can protect user firms from shirking and monitoring costs, as well as provide for efficient adaptation when requirements are incompletely specified at the start of the initiative. Our empirical analysis suggests that factors such as uncertainty in specifying service requirements, interdependence between the ASP application and IT systems in the client organization, and the need for specific investments favor time and materials contracts, whereas fixed prices are desirable when strong incentives are needed for cost reduction. We also find that contracts that are aligned with transaction attributes in a transaction cost-economizing manner are significantly less likely to experience budget overruns and realize better ex post performance than those that are not. These results hold normative implications for both user and provider firms to assess the performance implications of choosing contracts in line with prescriptions of TCE.
Statistical properties of the sound and source fields of an axisymmetric jet

It is shown, by measurements and analysis, that the sound field radiated from subsonic jets as well as the source field are statistically axially symmetric at lower frequencies. In this range, the source field behaves like a line-quadrupole. The sources are coherent with respect to phase and compact with respect to acoustic wavelength. The results are developed in terms of correlation, coherence, and phase. A new and simpler form of the source integral is obtained in the range where the phases are linear functions of frequency through symmetry, translation, and rotation of the axis.
DEOXYRIBONUCLEIC ACID PLOIDY AND SERUM PROSTATE SPECIFIC ANTIGEN PREDICT OUTCOME FOLLOWING SALVAGE PROSTATECTOMY FOR RADIATION REFRACTORY PROSTATE CANCER

AbstractPurpose: We assessed clinical and pathological variables for the ability to predict improved outcome following salvage prostatectomy for radiation refractory prostate cancer. We identify factors that might assist in selection of candidates for this procedure.Materials and Methods: Between 1966 and 1996, 108 patients (mean age 64.7 years) underwent salvage radical retropubic prostatectomy for radiation refractory prostate cancer. Preoperative serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), available in 70 patients treated since 1987, was less than 4 in 19, 4 to 10 in 31 and greater than 10 ng./ml. in 20. Serum PSA before radiotherapy was available in 37 patients. Serum PSA before radiotherapy and salvage surgery, tumor grade, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) ploidy and margin status were analyzed for the ability to predict cancer specific and progression-free survival (local, systemic and PSA 0.2 ng./ml. or greater). Complication rates were compared between early (before 1990) and late (1990 to 1996) salvage pro...
Inputs to the Ventrolateral Bed Nucleus of the Stria Terminalis

The ventrolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTvl) receives direct input from two specific subpopulations of neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). It is heavily innervated by aldosterone-sensitive NTS neurons, which are selectively activated by sodium depletion, and by the A2 noradrenergic neurons, which are activated by visceral, immune- and stress-related stimuli. Here, we used a retrograde neuronal tracer to identify other brain sites that innervate the BSTvl. Five general brain regions contained retrogradely labeled neurons: cerebral cortex (infralimbic and insular regions), rostral forebrain structures (subfornical organ, organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, taenia tecta, nucleus accumbens, lateral septum, endopiriform nucleus, dorsal BST, substantia innominata, and most prominently the amygdala – primarily its basomedial and central subnuclei), thalamus (central medial, intermediodorsal, reuniens, and most prominently the paraventricular thalamic nucleus), hypothalamus (medial preoptic area, perifornical, arcuate, dorsomedial, parasubthalamic, and posterior hypothalamic nuclei), and brainstem (periaqueductal gray matter, dorsal and central superior raphe nuclei, parabrachial nucleus, pre-locus coeruleus region, NTS, and A1 noradrenergic neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla). In the arcuate hypothalamic nucleus, some retrogradely-labeled neurons contained either agouti-related peptide or cocaine-amphetamine regulated transcript. Of the numerous retrogradely labeled neurons in the perifornical hypothalamic area, few contained melanin concentrating hormone or orexin. In the brainstem, many retrogradely labeled neurons were either serotoninergic or catecholaminergic. In summary, the BSTvl receives inputs from a variety of brain sites implicated in hunger, salt and water intake, stress, arousal, and reward.
Impact of family history on screening and surveillance.

Except for age, familial risk may be the most important (and common) risk factor for colon cancer. Approximately 10% of persons have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with colon cancer, and having a first-degree relative with colon cancer increases risk for malignant disease of the colon twoto threefold. Multiple relatives with colon cancer and young age at diagnosis further increase risk. Relatives of patients with colon cancer also have an increased incidence of colonic adenoma, and relatives of patients with adenoma have an excess of colon cancer. The familial risk associated with colon cancer has implications for screening and surveillance for both colon cancer and adenomatous polyps. Empiric guidelines have been given to deal with familial risk, but clinical studies are sorely needed to determine optimal screening and surveillance for cancer and polyps when family history is positive. Furthermore, the genetic and environmental factors that give rise to common familial risk must be defined for improved risk assessment and for the development of primary prevention strategies. Endoscopic investigations represent the critical study method to define each of these issues. WHAT DO WE NOW KNOW? Familial occurrence appears to be common in colorectal cancer. Rare inherited syndromes, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), account for about 0.5% and 2% of malignant tumors of the large intestine. In addition to these rare syndromes, familial clustering in excess of chance is common. Much of this familial occurrence likely arises from mild but commonly occurring inherited factors, although shared environmental factors may play a role.
Biomarkers for kidney transplant rejection

The immune management of organ transplant recipients is imperfect. Beyond general dosing guidelines for immunosuppressive agents and clinical diagnostic tests for rejection or infection, there are few objective tools to determine the aggregate status of a patient's alloimmune response or protective immune capacity. The lack of prognostic precision significantly contributes to patient morbidity and reduces long-term allograft survival after kidney transplantation. Noninvasive biomarkers that could serve as predictive tools or surrogate end points for rejection might help clinicians individualize immunosuppression and allow for early intervention, ideally prior to clinically evident organ dysfunction. Although the growing understanding of organ rejection has provided numerous candidate biomarkers, none has been confirmed in robust validation studies as sufficiently useful to guide clinical practice independent of traditional clinical methods. In this Review, the general characteristics of biomarkers and surrogate end points; current biomarkers under active clinical investigation; and the prominent barriers to the translation of biomarkers into clinical practice are discussed.
Elevated liver enzymes associated with dronedarone for atrial fibrillation

A 51-year-old male with documented atrial fibrillation who was taking dronedarone 400 mg twice daily for approximately 3 months returned to the cardiologist for an ablation procedure. Baseline live...
Comparison of differential mobility spectrometry and mass spectrometry for gas chromatographic detection of ignitable liquids from fire debris using projected difference resolution

The significance of forensic arson analysis accelerates the applications of new technologies in this area. Based on the previously reported application of differential mobility spectrometry (DMS) as a detection method for gas chromatography (GC) in arson analysis, the performances of DMS and mass spectrometry (MS) were compared using a novel chemometric tool, projected difference resolutions (PDRs). The PDR results show that one-way mass spectra data exhibit higher resolution than DMS data, while total ion chromatograms from GC-DMS show higher resolution than that from GC/MS for differentiating seven kinds of ignitable liquids. Combining the information from both chromatography and spectra, two-way data always have higher resolution than one-way data for these two detection methods, and GC/MS would exhibit better performance than GC-DMS according to the minimum resolution value. To verify the PDR results, a fuzzy rule-building expert system was applied for classifying these seven kinds of ignitable liquids from fire debris based on GC-DMS and GC/MS data, respectively. The prediction accuracies were consistent with PDR results, which proved that PDR is a powerful tool in comparing the performances of different analysis methods for pattern recognition.
Hsp90α Chaperones Large C-Terminally Extended Proteolytic Intermediates in the MHC Class I Antigen Processing Pathway

Intracellular proteins are degraded in the antigen processing pathway to generate peptide-loaded MHC I complexes (pMHC I) for immune surveillance. The characteristics of the final pMHC I are clear but those of their precursors and their potential binding partners remain poorly defined. By using a unique method to biochemically detect preprocessed ovalbumin-derived antigenic peptides, we find that cells generate large, C-terminally extended proteolytic intermediates that are associated with the alpha isotype of hsp90 chaperone. Knockdown of hsp90alpha expression by siRNA resulted in the loss of these intermediates and decreased presentation of the final pMHC I on the cell surface. Generation of pMHC I was also inhibited by knockdown of the cochaperone CHIP that interacts with heat shock proteins, ubiquitinates their clients, and delivers them to the proteasome. Thus, hsp90alpha can serve as a chaperone for precursors of pMHC I at an early stage in the antigen processing pathway.
Feeding trials with hatchery produced white sturgeon juveniles (Acipenser transmontanus).

Abstract Growth and survival of white sturgeon larvae were examined at ad libitum feeding with three commercial salmonid diets, and experimental crustacean diet, and a live food control (cubifex). The results demonstrated that some manufactured diets, particularly a semi-moist ration, can be used to rear white sturgeon during the first 40 days of feeding. Although specific growth rates of fish fed a semi-moist feed were 40% lower than those fed live foods, survival rates were similar. The high mortality previously associated with later transfer of fish from live foods to manufactured diets was avoided. Dry diets were not well accepted and resulted in lower rates of growth and survival.
Sexual orientation of human offspring may be altered by severe maternal stress during pregnancy

To test the hypotheses that maternal stress during pregnancy may alter the sexual orientation of offspring, 285 women with offspring 19 years of age and older provided retrospective accounts of stressful experiences they had, beginning 12 months prior to pregnancy up to the point of giving birth, and indicated how severe they recalled each event being. When weighted according to severity, stressful experiences helped to predict sexual orientation of male offspring. While most of the variance in sexual orientation remained unexplained, the data suggest that the most critical time in gestation for influencing human sexual orientation of male offspring is during the second trimester, although the first and possibly the third trimesters may be of secondary importance. For female offspring, no significant relationships between maternal stress and sexual orientation were found, although mothers of lesbians did report slightly higher average levels of stress throughout gestation than mothers of female heterosexuals.
Validation of Daily Ring Deposition in the Otoliths of Age-0 Channel Catfish

Abstract We developed and validated methods for estimating the daily age of age-0 channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus. Two clutches of channel catfish eggs were hatched in the laboratory; subsequently, one was stocked in a 186-m2 earthen nursery pond and the other in a 757-L outdoor circular tank. Before stocking, subsamples of fish were collected at swim-up and 3 d after swim-up to evaluate early ring formation. Fish were sampled from the pond and tank on eight occasions ranging from 30 to 119 d posthatch. Distinct differences in early ring formation were found between yolk sac and free-swimming larval stages. Mean ring count and known age were closely related for tank- and pond-raised fish, indicating that daily ring deposition occurred in the otoliths of age-0 channel catfish up to 119 d posthatch. The accuracy of daily age estimation was similar between tank and pond samples, and daily ring counts were considerably accurate up to 60 d posthatch. Pond-raised fish were more difficult to age than tank-ra...