cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prolonged copulation as a post-insemination guarding tactic in a natural population of the ragwort seed bug

Abstract Females of the ragwort seed bug, Neacoryphus bicrucis Say, mate and oviposit approximately daily in their natural habitat. The last male to mate a female fertilizes most of he eggs is the clutches laid afterward. Therefore, males may expericence selection presure to guard females from remating as a means of protecting the fertilization priority of their sperm. In both the laboratory and the field, the duration of copulation is correlated with the operational sex ratio, suggesting that male prolong the duration of copulation is a post-insemination guarding tactic under conditions of intense competition for females.
Mimicking Phosphorylation of αB-Crystallin on Serine-59 Is Necessary and Sufficient to Provide Maximal Protection of Cardiac Myocytes From Apoptosis

AlphaB-crystallin (alphaBC), a small heat shock protein expressed in high levels in the heart, is phosphorylated on Ser-19, 45, and 59 after stress. However, it is not known whether alphaBC phosphorylation directly affects cell survival. In the present study, constructs were prepared that encode forms of alphaBC harboring Ser to Ala (blocks phosphorylation) or Ser to Glu (mimics phosphorylation) mutations at positions 19, 45, and 59. The effects of each form on apoptosis of cultured cardiac myocytes after hyperosmotic or hypoxic stress were assessed. Compared with controls, cells that expressed alphaBC with Ser to Ala substitutions at all three positions, alphaBC(AAA), exhibited more stress-induced apoptosis. Cells expressing either alphaBC(AAE) or (EEE) exhibited 3-fold less apoptosis than cells expressing alphaBC(AAA), indicating that phosphorylation of Ser-59 confers protection. alphaBC is known to bind to procaspase-3 and to decrease caspase-3 activation. Compared with cells expressing alphaBC(AAA), the activation of caspase-3 was decreased by 3-fold in cells expressing alphaBC(AAE). These results demonstrate that mimicking the phosphorylation of alphaBC on Ser-59 is necessary and sufficient to confer caspase-3 inhibition and protection of cardiac myocytes against hyperosmotic or hypoxic stress. These findings provide direct evidence that alphaBC(S59P) contributes to the cardioprotection observed after physiologically relevant stresses, such as transient hypoxia. Identifying the targets of alphaBC(S59P) will reveal important details about the mechanism underlying the cytoprotective effects of this small heat shock protein.
Physical observations in the plume region of the Amazon River during peak discharge—II. Water masses

Abstract Based on temperature, salinity, and light transmission properties within the Amazon plume region (500 km along-shelf and 200 km across-shelf from the river mouth) during peak discharge, four water masses are defined: River Water, High Temperature Surface Water, Subsurface Ocean Water, and Bottom Boundary Layer Water. The primary frontal zone for water mass interaction is located between the 10 and 30 m isobaths, with an across-shelf scale of 80–100 km. Within this frontal zone, vertical scales for water mass interleaving are 5–10 m. Seven mixing sites within the across-shelf structure are identified, and their role in the interaction process is discussed.
Zirconocene complexes of unsaturated organic molecules: new vehicles for organic synthesis

Transition metals are known to stabilize high-energy species and to activate otherwise unreactive ones. The zirconocene unit stabilizes highly strained alkynes and alkenes, allowing their use in selective carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. This unit also increases the reactivity of unactivated molecules, enabling them to participate in nontraditional transformations. A general route has been developed that allows a wider variety of unsaturated fragments to participate in these reactions. The use of these zirconocene complexes in organic synthesis has led to the development of novel routes to a number of polyfunctionalized organic molecules.
A 3D Laplacian-driven parametric deformable model

3D parametric deformable models have been used to extract volumetric object boundaries and they generate smooth boundary surfaces as results. However, in some segmentation cases, such as cerebral cortex with complex folds and creases, and human lung with high curvature boundary, parametric deformable models often suffer from over-smoothing or decreased mesh quality during model deformation. To address this problem, we propose a 3D Laplacian-driven parametric deformable model with a new internal force. Derived from a Mesh Laplacian, the internal force exerted on each control vertex can be decomposed into two orthogonal vectors based on the vertex's tangential plane. We then introduce a weighting function to control the contributions of the two vectors based on the model mesh's geometry. Deforming the new model is solving a linear system, so the new model can converge very efficiently. To validate the model's performance, we tested our method on various segmentation cases and compared our model with Finite Element and Level Set deformable models.
Redfield ratios revisited: Removing the biasing effect of anthropogenic CO2

Redfield ratios of remineralization are calculated based on chemical data analysis on isopycnal surfaces. The concentrations of dissolved inorganic carbon used in this study were corrected for the anthropogenic CO2 content as estimated with a back-calculation technique. The corrections increased the apparent carbon remineralization by 25–30%, thus proving important for the reliable estimation of Redfield carbon ratios in the presence of anthropogenic CO2. Best estimates from this study largely confirm the more recently published Redfield ratios of remineralization. The following results were obtained for the latitude range 3–41°N along 20–29±W in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean: Corg: P ratio = 123 ± 10; Corg : N ratio = 7.2 ± 0.8; —O2 :Corg ratio = 1.34 ± 0.06; —O2 : P ratio = 165 ± 15; N: P ratio = 17.5 ± 2.0. These ratios are in close agreement with the average composition of phytoplankton and represent respiration of organic matter consisting on average of 52% protein, 36% polysaccharide, and 12% lipid.
Social protest and self awareness in black popular music

(1973). Social protest and self awareness in black popular music. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 327-333.
The challenge of maritime terrorism: Threat identification, WMD and regime response

Abstract Policies to counter the threat of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have, for the most part, been modeled on strategies originally devised to counter the danger of nuclear proliferation. While useful in countering a traditional CBN (chemical/biological/nuclear)/WMD threat, current counter-proliferation and non-proliferation regimes are insufficient to meet the challenge of maritime terrorism. Maritime terrorism represents a new category of threat; one that partially overlaps with conventional WMD, but for which – due to the scope and nature of the maritime industry – traditional counter-proliferation policies may be inadequate and even inappropriate. This article outlines the means by which maritime shipping can be used as WMD and discusses the policies implemented to deal with these threats, in light of the challenges presented to traditional conceptualizations of WMD and counter-proliferation strategies.
Knotting and Entanglement of Multiple Central Venous Catheters

A 53-yr-old black male was admitted with peripheral vascular disease and septic shock. Appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and operative intervention required the placement of mutiple central venous lines. These included two subclavicular central venous pressure (CVP) catheters and one Swan-Ganz catheter (SGC). During manipulation of the SGC, it formed a knot with the two CVP catheters entangled in it. After consideration of the variety of strategies that could be employed, the CVP catheters were manually disengaged from the knot and the knot was surgically removed. The increasing frequency and multiple central angioaccess catheters will result in a finite increase in the nature and complexity of the clinical challenges. The insistence on the use of multiple single-channel catheters for separate therapeutic functions and the duration of stay of pulmonary catheters should be reconsidered. (Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition 10:319-321, 1986)
Stimulated release of arachidonic acid by agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor and retinoic acid receptors

Release of arachidonic acid from rat liver cells is stimulated after a 6-hour incubation with 9-cis retinoic acid, all trans retinoic acid, the selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma synthetic thiazolidinedione, ciglitazone, the cyclopentenones, 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ2 and PGA1 and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, celecoxib and indomethacin. The rates of the release stimulated by 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ2 differ from those observed with celecoxib. Arachidonic acid release by9-cis retinoic acid in the presence of either ciglitazone or trans retinoic acid is synergistic. It is additive in the presence of celecoxib. Cycloheximide and actinomycin inhibit the release of arachidonic acid stimulated by 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ2 but not by celecoxib. The findings indicate that agonists of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma and retinoic acid receptors stimulate the release of arachidonic acid. The mechanisms involved may differ in the cases of 15-deoxy-Delta(12,14) PGJ2 and celecoxib.
Association between aflatoxin content of food and hepatoma frequency in Uganda.

Aflatoxin levels were determined in 480 food samples stored for consumption between harvests and collected from different parts of Uganda, in 1966–1967. Among these samples, 29.6% contained detectable levels of aflatoxins and 3.7% contained more than 1 μg/kg. The frequency of aflatoxin contamination was particularly high in provinces with a high hepatoma incidence, or where cultural and economic factors favored the ingestion of moldy foods. This observation suggests that aflatoxin exposure may account for the high incidence of hepatoma in Uganda and perhaps elsewhere.
Policy Watch: Cutting Capital Gains Taxes

From 1922 to 1986, long-term capital gains were taxed at lower rates than other income, generally by allowing a portion of long-term capital gains to be excluded from taxable income. While taxing capital gains at the same rates as other income has been hailed by some as a major accomplishment of tax reform, it has been criticized by others as one of its main flaws. As a result, there have been proposals each year since 1986 to restore some type of capital gains preference. These proposals have sparked a lively debate centered on three main questions: Would reducing the capital gains tax lower or raise federal revenues? Who benefits most from cutting the capital gains tax? Would lower tax rates on capital gains improve economic performance?
Shear Modulii For Cellular Foam Materials And Its Influence On The Design Of Light-Weight Mirrors

New demands on the performance of light-weight optical systems have led to the design and development of light-weight foam core mirrors for various applications. Foam core mirrors offer the advantage of additional weight savings without sacrificing optical performance. The design of a foam core mirror is complex and the optical performance depends largely upon the various mechanical design parameters. Although the elastic modulus, E, of the core material is important, the optical performance of light-weight mirrors is highly sensitive to the core shear modulus, G. Therefore, to effectively design a light-weight foam core mirror, the value of G for the core material must be established with a high level of confidence. This paper addresses the theoretical analysis and test method utilized to accurately determine the shear modulus for cellular foam materials and illustrates the significance of G as a parameter in the design of light-weight mirrors.
RACE AND GENDER DIFFERENCES BETWEEN GANG AND NONGANG YOUTHS: RESULTS FROM A MULTISITE SURVEY*

Most examinations of youth gangs have been limited to a single city or a single state. In this article we examine gang affiliation in a multisite survey of 5,935 eighth grade students in 42 schools located in 11 cities across the United States. We use this diverse sample to examine two related issues: the demographic composition of gangs and the level of delinquent activity of gang members compared with nongang members. Our findings call into question the validity of prevailing notions about the number of girls in gangs and their level of delinquency involvement, and the number of white youths active in gangs and the extent of their illegal activities.
Sample preparation: the weak link in microfluidics-based biodetection

As a broad generalization, clinicians and labora- tory personnel who use microfluidics-based automated or semi-automated instrumentation to perform biomedical assays on real-world samples are more pleased with the state of the assays than they are with the state of the front- end sample preparation. The end-to-end procedure requires one to collect, manipulate, prepare, and analyze the sample. The appeal of microfluidics for this procedure is partly based on its combination of small size and its ability to process very small liquid volumes, thus minimizing the use of possibly expensive reagents. However, real-world sam- ples are often large and incompatible with the input port and the μm-scale channels of a microfluidic device, and very small liquid volumes can be inappropriate in analyzing low concentrations of target analytes. It can be a worthy challenge to take a raw sample, introduce it into a microfluidics-based system, and perform the sample prep- aration, which may include separation and concentration of the target analytes, so that one can benefit from the reagent- conserving small volumes and obtain the correct answer when finally implementing the assay of interest.
Frequency domain control of quantum state singlet/triplet character and prospects for an all-optical spin switch

In recent years, quantum optics has been expanded from atomic to molecular systems despite much weaker oscillator strengths and complex relaxation pathways that have presented serious challenges in the past. The richness of molecular excitation pathways and the variety of molecular interactions has made it possible to develop novel applications in this field. We have demonstrated how the Autler–Townes effect can be used to control molecular angular momentum alignment and how the Autler–Townes split line shape, combined with accurate control-laser electric field amplitude measurement, can be used to map the absolute magnitude of the molecular internuclear distance dependent electronic transition dipole moment function. In addition, the electric field amplitude in the control laser Rabi frequency can be used as a ‘tuning’ mechanism for the mixing coefficients of energy levels that are weakly perturbed by the spin–orbit interaction, i.e. to control the valence electron spin polarization and the spin multipli...
Migration of Tharsis volcanism on Mars caused by differential rotation of the lithosphere

As a single-plate planet, Mars cannot support large-scale motion of the lithosphere, according to the standard theory of stagnant-lid convection, but such motion is required to explain the position of the Tharsis Rise. Modelling work suggests that differential rotation of the lithosphere can resolve this problem.
The Sorites Paradox

Suppose that a movie camera is focused on a tadpole confined in a small bowl of water. The camera runs continuously for three weeks, and at the end of that time there is a frog in the bowl. At 24 frames per second we will have, assuming that the camera works perfectly, 43,545,600 pictures. Let these be arranged in a series S in the order in which they were taken. Then consider this property of numbers: the property of being the number of a picture in series S which is such that the creature shown in the picture is, at the time the picture was made, a tadpole. It seems clear that however doubtful the ascription of this property may be in some cases, it is correctly ascribable to I and not correctly ascribable to 43,545,600. That is, the first picture depicts a tadpole and the last does not. These two apparently unquestionable facts may be expressed symbolically, letting 'P' stand for the property of numbers just described, as follows: A. P (i) B. ~ P (43,545,600). However, from A and B, it is easy to derive, using the classical version of the least number principle,
Factors affecting microbial sulfate reduction by Desulfovibrio desulfuricans in continuous culture: Limiting nutrients and sulfide concentration

The effects of sulfate and nitrogen concentrations of the rate and stoichiometry of microbial sulfate reduction were investigated for Desulfovibrio desulfuricans grown on lactate and sulfate in a chemostat at pH 7.0. Maximum specific growth rates (micro(max)), half-saturation coefficients (K(sul)), and cell yield (Y(c/Lac)) of 0.344 +/- 0.007 and 0.352 +/- 0.003 h (-1), 1.8 +/- 0.3 and 1.0 +/- 0.2 mg/L, and 0.020 +/- 0.003 and 0.017 +/- 0.003 g cell/g lactate, respectively, were obtained under sulfate-limiting conditions at 35 degrees C and 43 degrees C. Maintenance energy requirements for D. desulfuricans were significant under sulfate-limiting conditions. The extent of extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) produced was related to the carbon: nitrogen ratio in the medium. EPS production rate increased with decreased nitrogen loading rate. Nitrogen starvation also resulted in decreased cell size of D. desulfuricans. The limiting C : N ratio (w/w) for D. desulfuricans was in the range of 45 : 1 to 120 : 1. Effects of sulfide on microbial sulfate reduction, cell size, and biomass production were also investigated at pH 7.0. Fifty percent inhibition of lactate utilization occurred at a total sulfide concentration of approximately 500 mg/L. The cell size of D. desulfuricans decreased with increasing total sulfide concentration. Sulfide inhibition of D. desulfuricans was observed to be a reversible process.
Role of a ubiquitin-like modification in polarized morphogenesis.

Type I ubiquitin-like proteins constitute a family of protein modifiers. Here we report the identification of a posttranslational protein modifier from Saccharomyces cerevisiae , Hub1. Overexpression of Hub1 resulted in enhanced conjugate formation when its carboxyl-terminal residue was deleted, suggesting that mature Hub1 may be produced by proteolytic processing. In vivo targets of Hub1 conjugation included cell polarity factors Sph1 and Hbt1. In the hub1 Δ mutant, the subcellular localization of both Hbt1 and Sph1 was disrupted, and cell polarization during the formation of mating projections was defective. Consistent with these polarization defects, the hub1 Δ mutant was deficient in mating.
Interpreting Low Personality Psychopathology--Five Aggressiveness Scores on the MMPI-2: Graphical, Robust, and Resistant Data Analysis.

The Minnesota Mutiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2)-based Personality Psychopathology-Five (PSY-5) scales provide an overview of personality individual differences. Several textbooks and a test report offer instruction on interpreting MMPI-2 PSY-5 scores. On the basis of an earlier item response theory article (S. V. Rouse, M. S. Finger, & J. N. Butcher, 1999), low scores on the PSY-5 Aggressiveness (AGGR) scale are not currently interpreted. Traditional statistical methods are supplemented with graphical, robust, and resistant methods in the study of 188 outpatient men and 287 outpatient women. With locally weighted regression smoothing, the AGGR scale appeared to bear approximately linear relationships to scales formed from therapist ratings of patients. Pearson correlations tested by t test for significance showed correspondence with robust bootstrapped tests. Low-cut subsamples of men and women at or below the 33rd normative percentile showed that resistant correlations with robust tests showed moderate convergence with traditional methods. Results clearly suggested that low AGGR scores on the PSY-5 should be interpreted as suggesting low aggressiveness and passive and submissive features. Resistant and robust analyses suggest that gradations of aggressiveness, even within a low AGGR score group, can be interpreted.
Contact resistance of 500 mesh regenerator screens

Abstract The electrical contact resistance of stainless steel screen stacks at room temperature and at liquid nitrogen temperature has been measured as a function of externally applied mechanical load (weight). The data show a nearly linear voltage versus current function at small loads (up to 100 mA). The force has been varied up to a specific load of 1 N cm−2. From the data the (apparent) thermal conductance is deduced via the Lorenz number and via the (average) elastically deformed contact domain area of the Hertz theory. The conductances obtained appear to be consistent with literature data for thermal contact conductances of similar systems.
Regulation of mRNA utilization and degradation by amino-acid starvation.

Amino-acid starvation of a stringent strain of E. coli relieves the polar effect on distal messenger RNA imposed by a nonsense mutation. There is no relief of polarity starvation of a relaxed strain. In fact, starvation of a relaxed (but not of a stringent) strain by itself causes an artificial polar effect on distal mRNA. These findings are consistent with a mechanism for polarity based on mRNA degradation.
SOCIAL SKILLS AND POLICE: AN INITIAL STUDY

ABSTRACT This research reveals several implications for police training and practice and future research. With the popularity of community oriented policing, police organizations are examining the ways police relate to individuals and the community. Increasingly, police organizations will rely on the communications skills or social competence of police officers to advance the concept of community policing; strategies which represent a challenge to the traditional methods of policing. Police officers who participated in this study demonstrated relatively low levels of communication skills compared to norms. This suggests the need for improvement in this key area of police responsibility. To the extent that other police officers share the need to improve their understanding and use of verbal and nonverbal communications, effective social skill training and participation in interactions with people should improve communications behaviors and their ability to match behaviors to demands of a specific situation...
Morse theory for Lagrange multipliers and adiabatic limits

Abstract Given two Morse functions f , μ on a compact manifold M, we study the Morse homology for the Lagrange multiplier function on M × R , which sends ( x , η ) to f ( x ) + η μ ( x ) . Take a product metric on M × R , and rescale its R -component by a factor λ 2 . We show that generically, for large λ, the Morse–Smale–Witten chain complex is isomorphic to the one for f and the metric restricted to μ − 1 ( 0 ) , with grading shifted by one. On the other hand, in the limit λ → 0 , we obtain another chain complex, which is geometrically quite different but has the same homology as the singular homology of μ − 1 ( 0 ) . The isomorphism between the chain complexes is provided by the homotopy obtained by varying λ. Our proofs use both the implicit function theorem on Banach manifolds and geometric singular perturbation theory.
Experimental Determination of J-R Curves Using SENB Specimens and P-CMOD Data

Fracture toughness and J-R curves of ductile materials are often measured under the guidance of ASTM standard E1820 using the single specimen technique and the elastic unloading compliance method. For the standard single-edge notched bend [SENB] specimens, the load, load-line displacement (LLD), and crack-mouth opening displacement (CMOD) are required being measured simultaneously. The load-CMOD data are used to determine the crack extension, and the load-LLD data together with the crack extension are used to determine the J-integral values in a J-R curve test. Experiments have indicated that the CMOD measurement is very accurate, but the LLD measurement is difficult and less accurate in a fracture test on the SENB specimen. If the load-CMOD records is used to determine the crack extension and the J-integral values, experimental accuracies for the J-R curve testing would be increased, and the test costs can be reduced. To this end, this paper develops a simple relationship between LLD and CMOD that is used to convert the measured CMOD record to the corresponding LLD data, and then to calculate the J values for a growing crack in a J-R curve test on the SENB specimen using one single specimen technique. The proposed method is then verified by the experimental data of J-R curves for HY80 steel using the SENB specimens and the load-CMOD data only. The results show that the proposed method is more accurate and more cost-effective for the J-R curve testing.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
SU-E-J-27: 4DCT-Derived Treatment Planning Scan with Improved Quality

Purpose: To improve the quality of the treatment planningCT volume for cancer occurring in upper abdomen. Method and Materials:Delineation of tumors in liver or pancreas critically depends on the image quality due to rather weak radio‐opacity difference between the tumor and surrounding tissue. Since for cases with tumor motion > 0.5cm, phase 50% scan is used for treatment planning the quality of this image is worse than its helical equivalent. Thus in order to improve Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) and Contrast to Noise ratio (CNR) of the phase 50 scan a synchronized averaging of the entire 4DCT data set is applied to create a composite CT volume equivalent to phase 50 scan. Four dimensional CT scans of ten patients with liver and pancreas cancer were used retrospectively in this study. In‐house implementation of Demons algorithm allowed for adding the deformed CT phases to phase 50% scan. Results: Improved SNR for all cases was observed. Average improvement of SNR for all cases in the region of interest was by a factor of 2.8. The scan also look better for a visual inspection. Conclusion: Synchronized averaging of the 4 DCT scan can be used to obtain better quality treatment planning scans. However possible artefacts in 4DCT phases might preclude effective use of the entire set of CT phases.
Cytotoxic Cell Function in Bronchogenic Carcinoma

Biologic response modifiers (BRM) such as interleukin-2 (Il-2) and 7-interferon (7 IFN) can augment preexisting or initiate new cytotoxic capacity of human lymphocytes against tumor cells. Although in vivo therapy with BRM or adoptive immunotherapy with BRM-treated cells seems logical in the treatment of bronchogenic carcinoma, recent studies have shown that lymphocytes from the lung and tumor tissues of patients with bronchogenic carcinoma have defective cytotoxic function. We sought to determine if defects in lung cytotoxic cell function are primary or secondary to local tumor effects, and if peripheral blood lymphocyte populations from patients can serve as a source for BRM-stimulated cytotoxic cells. We evaluated the natural killer (NK) cell and lymphokine (Il-2) activated killer cell activity (LAK) activity of mononuclear cell populations from 11 patients with newly diagnosed bronchogenic carcinoma and three control groups. Cultured human squamous cell and adenocarcinoma cell lines proved useful in evaluating LAK activity in these studies. Levels of NK and LAK activity in patients compared favorably with both those of nonsmokers in two different age ranges and with smokers. Peripheral blood cytotoxic cell function remains intact and responsive to augmentation by BRM in patients with recently diagnosed bronchogenic carcinoma. Reported defects in patient lung cell cytotoxic function appear to be local tumor-related defects not present in peripheral blood lymphocytes.
Iron oxide nanotubes synthesized via template-based electrodeposition.

Considerable effort has been invested in the development of synthetic methods for the preparation iron oxide nanostructures for applications in nanotechnology. While a variety of structures have been reported, only a few studies have focused on iron oxide nanotubes. Here, we present details on the synthesis and characterization of iron oxide nanotubes along with a proposed mechanism for FeOOH tube formation. The FeOOH nanotubes, fabricated via a template-based electrodeposition method, are found to exhibit a unique inner-surface. Heat treatment of these tubes under oxidizing or reducing atmospheres can produce either hematite (α-Fe2O3) or magnetite (Fe3O4) structures, respectively. Hematite nanotubes are composed of small nanoparticles less than 20 nm in diameter and the magnetization curves and FC–ZFC curves show superparamagnetic properties without the Morin transition. In the case of magnetite nanotubes, which consist of slightly larger nanoparticles, magnetization curves show ferromagnetism with weak coercivity at room temperature, while FC–ZFC curves exhibit the Verwey transition at 125 K.
Fifteen years with the Southern California Vascular Surgical Society.

A review of the course of the society notes the common pattern of distinguished guests and of socioeconomic presentations that have become so important during these last 15 years.
Is injected polytetrafluoroethylene (Polytef) carcinogenic

Summary— Injectable polytetrafluoroethylene (Polytef) has been used in many patients for vocal cord augmentation and for the management of urinary incontinence since the early 1960s and noninjectable forms have been used for sutures, hernia repair, replacement of the stapes, hip prostheses, cardiac valves and vascular grafts. Since 1984, many children have been treated with subureteric Polytef injection for the management of vesicoureteric reflux. Its use in young patients has heightened the concern about particle migration and carcinogenesis, particularly in view of the fact that the substance may be in the patient for decades. The available evidence does not confirm a significant carcinogenic effect in humans; rather it suggests that, if there is a risk, it is extremely low. However, human specimens, taken decades after the implantation of Polytef, and long-term, non-rodent animal experiments are needed to substantiate the probable safety of Polytef in children.
Medulloblastoma in children: A correlation between staging and results of treatment

Abstract Fifty-nine children with cerebellar medulloblastoma were followed prospectively after they were staged and treated consistently with postoperative megavoltage radiotherapy to the entire neural axis. The probabilities of surviving 5 and 10 years were 40.4% and 30.9% respectively; a gradual reduction of the survival rates was observed as the T -category of the tumor increased: i.e. 5 year survival rate was 75% for T 1 , 50.5% for T 2 , 32.3% for T 3 and 0 for T 4 . Children without gross nodular seeding in the subarachnoid space ( M 0 − M 1 ) had better survival rates than children with gross nodular seeding ( M 2 − M 3 ). Improved survival rates were observed by increasing the dose of radiation to the posterior fossa. Among children who had similar surgery, those who had T 1 − T 2 tumors fared better than those with TP 3 − T 4 tumors. The short term (up to 4.5 years) survival rates were better for older children but younger children had better long term survival rates. The posterior fossa was involved in 59% of children who developed recurrent tumor; however, in 75% of the recurrent cases either the posterior fossa was not involved or concomitant involvement of another site also was present.
Compelling reasons why viruses are relevant for the origin of cells.

2and advances of viral metagenomics that establish viruses as a quantitatively dominant component of the biosphere 3 , the evolution of viruses has become a topic of lively discussion 2,4–8 . Several scenarios were proposed according to which viruses antedated cells and contributed to their origin 4,5,7 . The Opinion article by Moreira and LopezGarcia extends this discussion 1 by making three fundamental points: viruses are not alive, contrary to claims that they are 2,5 ; viruses do not belong in the tree of life (TOL); and viruses are not ancient and are irrelevant for the reconstruction of cellular evolution.
Interpolation and frames in certain Banach spaces of entire functions

The important class of generalized bases known as frames was first introduced by Duffin and Schaeffer in their study of nonharmonic Fourier series in L2(−π, π) [4]. Here we consider more generally the classical Banach spacesEp(1 ≤ p ≤ ∞) consisting of all entire functions of exponential type at most π that belong to Lp (−∞, ∞) on the real axis. By virtue of the Paley-Wiener theorem, the Fourier transform establishes an isometric isomorphism between L2(−π, π) andE2. When p is finite, a sequence {λn} of complex numbers will be called aframe forEp provided the inequalities $$A\left\| f \right\|^p \leqslant \sum {\left| {f\left( {\lambda _\pi } \right)} \right|^p } \leqslant B\left\| f \right\|^p $$ hold for some positive constants A and B and all functions f inEp. We say that {λn} is aninterpolating sequence forEp if the set of all scalar sequences {f (λn)}, with f eEp, coincides with lp. If in addition {λn} is a set of uniqueness forEp, that is, if the relations f(λn)=0(−∞<n<∞), with f eEp, imply that f ≡0, then we call {λn} acomplete interpolating sequence.
CT Colonography: Techniques and Applications

CT colonography (CTC), also termed virtual colonoscopy, is increasingly accepted at sites throughout the world as a new effective tool for the diagnosis and screening of colorectal carcinoma. This article presents information of related issues of bowel cleansing, stool and fluid tagging, bowel distention and multidetector CT scanning parameters. The author presents discussion of interpretation of CTC, appropriate applications of CTC and potential complications.
Global eddy permitting simulations of surface ocean nitrogen, iron, sulfur cycling.

Abstract The geocycles of N, Fe and S in the ocean are tightly coupled and together exert strong influence on biogeochemistry of the earth system. We investigate this interaction by inserting macro–micronutrient cycling into a high resolution ocean model that realistically represents the general circulation. Simulated chlorophyll distributions reproduce many features of satellite-based measurements of ocean color. Meridional sections through model results and seasonally averaged SeaWiFS data agree reasonably well, both in the oligotrophic gyres and along fronts. Discrepancies are associated in many cases with shelf, ridge or island effects. Dimethyl sulfide peaks and their chlorophyll correlations are similar to those obtained on major oceanographic expeditions. Lack of strong regional relationships between the sulfide and phytoplankton may be partly explained by correspondence between time constants for production and for the traversal of mesoscale transport features. In general the eddies and filaments of tropical instability waves are well represented, including the onset of the 1997–1998 El Nino. North–south shifts of the transition zone chlorophyll front appear prominently in the results.
Reorganization of RNA polymerase II on the SV40 genome occurs coordinately with the early to late transcriptional switch

The pattern of organization of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) in wild-type and mutant cs1085 SV40 chromosomes isolated between 30 min and 48 h post-infection was determined using a combination of chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) techniques. During the course of a wild-type infection, we observed a slow but significant decline in the relative occupancy of RNAPII at the early region and a corresponding increase in occupation in the late region. In the promoter, occupancy began high, decreased to a minimum at 8 h post-infection, and then increased to a high level by 48 h post-infection. In the mutant cs1085, which does not down-regulate early transcription, we observed high occupancy of the early region and the promoter throughout the infection. The changing organization of RNAPII on the wild-type SV40 but not the mutant cs1085 genome appears to be a result of the switch from early to late transcription.
Cholinesterase in Melanocytes of the Bat

CHOLINESTERASES have been extensively investigated in the skin of man and different mammals1–5, and with a few exceptions these enzymes have been demonstrated almost exclusively in nerve structures. Comparative investigations have shown that some species differences exist in the response of autonomic and somatic nerve fibres and in sensory end-organs2 produced by enzymes. In contrast to the striking non-specific cholinesterase reactions of certain naevi and other pigmented tumours6–11, neither specific nor non-specific cholinesterase activities have so far been found in epidermal melanocytes. In the present communication therefore we want to report our observations of specific cholinesterase in the melanocyte–Langerhans cell system of the bat.
Performance Characteristics of Metal Mesh Foil Bearings: Predictions Versus Measurements

Proven low-cost gas bearing technologies are sought to enable more compact rotating machinery products with extended maintenance intervals. The paper presents an analysis for predicting the static and dynamic forced performance characteristics of metal mesh foil bearings (MMFBs) which comprise of a top foil supported on a layer of metal mesh of certain compactness. The analysis couples a finite element model of the top foil and underspring support with the gas film Reynolds equation. Comparison of predictions against laboratory measurements with two bearings aims to validate the analysis. The predicted drag friction factor in one bearing (L = D = 28.00 mm) during full film operation is just f ∼ 0.03 at ∼ 50 krpm, agreeing well with measurements at increasing applied loads. The predictions further elucidate the effect of the applied load and rotor speed on the bearing minimum film thickness, journal eccentricity and attitude angle. For a second bearing (L = 38.0 mm, D = 36.5 mm), predicted bearing force coefficients show magnitudes comparable with the measurements, with less than 20% difference, in the 250–350 Hz excitation frequency range. While the predicted direct stiffness coefficients are rather constant, the experimental force coefficients increase with frequency (max. 400 Hz), due mainly to the increasing amplitudes of dynamic force applied to excite the bearing with a set amplitude of motion. The analysis under predicts the direct damping coefficients at high frequencies (>300 Hz). The cross-coupled stiffness and damping coefficients are typically lower (< 40%) than the direct ones. The bearings operated stable at all speeds without any sub synchronous whirl. The reasonable agreement of the predictions with the available test data promote the better design and further development of MMFB supported rotating machinery.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Observations on the Factor V activator present in Russell's viper venom and its action on Factor V.

Abstract The Factor V activator (RVV-V) of Russell's viper venom can cause a 20–26-fold increase in the Factor V activity of bovine and human plasma whereas only a 2–4-fold increase was obtained under similar conditions with bovine serum Factor V activity. On incubation with RVV-V, bovine plasma Factor V underwent a significant change in behavior on Sephadex chromatography, with an apparent change in molecular weight from a value greater than 400 000 to one near 205 000. Bovine serum Factor V, as isolated, had a molecular weight (size) of approximately 230 000 which did not change on treatment with RVV-V. Of considerable interest and potential importance, RVV-V activity was stable to heat treatment at 90–95°C for 15 min, over a pH range from 1 to 7. A control (unheated) sample showed comparable activity values over the same pH range. However, the Factor X activator (RVV-X) was heat labile; moreover, at pH 3.0 and pH 5.0 with no heat treatment RVV-X was almost completely inactivated. These observations are provocative in that they pose again the question of the nature of Factor V in plasma and the activated form in the clotting mechanism. The venom activator provides a useful tool for the study of molecular changes in Factor V as related to biological activity.
Print vs. e-Journals: One Hospital Library's Quest for the Final Solution

Providing both print and electronic access to journals in a small hospital library is no longer possible, but what is the best way to adjust services? An evaluation plan was developed to assess print journal use and guide decisions regarding format purchases.
Effects of L-dopa on extracellular dopamine in striatum of normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated rats.

In vivo microdialysis was used to examine the effect of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) administration upon dopamine (DA) in extracellular fluid both in intact striatum and in striatum of rats treated with the catecholaminergic neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-HDA). Basal extracellular levels of DA were not significantly altered by 6-HDA unless the DA content of striatal tissue was reduced to less than 20% of control. Peripheral aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) inhibition (RO4-4602, 50 mg/kg i.p.) followed by L-DOPA treatment (100 mg/kg i.p.) elevated extracellular DA in striatum of control rats from 37 +/- 5 to 68 +/- 11 pg/sample (n = 7; values corrected for recovery of the dialysis probe). In animals with severe bilateral depletions of DA in striatal tissue (mean depletion 87%; n = 6), L-DOPA increased extracellular DA in striatum from 8 +/- 3 to 266 +/- 60 pg/sample. In animals with large unilateral depletions of DA in striatal tissue (mean depletion 96%; n = 6), the increase in extracellular DA in striatum after L-DOPA was greater on the lesion side (from 7 +/- 4 to 245 +/- 67 pg/sample) than on the intact side (from 28 +/- 11 to 61 +/- 8 pg/sample). Animals with unilateral DA depletions showed contralateral circling behavior after L-DOPA. Increases in extracellular DA approaching the magnitude of those occurring in DA-depleted striata were observed when intact animals were treated with nomifensine (5 mg/kg i.p.; n = 5), an inhibitor of high-affinity DA uptake, in addition to L-DOPA.
Selenium binding proteins in tissues of normal and selenium responsive myopathic lambs

Abstract Normal and selenium-responsive myopathic (white muscle disease) lambs were injected with selenium-75 either as sodium selenite or seleno-methionine. Selected tissues were removed at autopsy 16 hr after injection. The soluble fraction from homogenates of these tissues was subjected to gel chromatography and the effluent monitored for radioactivity and protein content. The elution curves were similar for both sodium selenite and selenomethionine injections. Selenium was bound to two different molecular weight proteins in the kidney and three different molecular weight proteins in the liver, pancreas, and plasma. Four different molecular weight selenium-binding proteins were found in heart and semitendinosus muscle of 2-week-old normal lambs, but only three were found in these tissues of myopathic lambs. This fourth protein, which was absent in myopathic lambs, corresponded to a molecular weight of approximately 10,000. However, by six weeks of age rudimentary amounts of this protein were present in the tissues of the myopathic lamb. This protein may be implicated in the prevention of white muscle disease in lambs.
Relations between the underlying dimensions of PTSD and major depression using an epidemiological survey of deployed Ohio National Guard soldiers

Abstract Background In the present study, the authors investigated the relationship between the underlying symptom dimensions of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dimensions of major depressive disorder (MDD). Method A sample of 1266 Ohio National Guard soldiers with a history of overseas deployment participated and were administered the PTSD Checklist (assessing PTSD) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (assessing depression). Results Using confirmatory factor analysis, results demonstrated that both PTSD's dysphoria and hyperarousal factors were more related to depression's somatic than non-somatic factor. Furthermore, depression's somatic factor was more related to PTSD's dysphoria than hyperarousal factor. Limitations Limitations of this study include the use of self-report measures and a predominately male military sample. Conclusions Results indicate that PTSD's dysphoria factor is related to depression specifically by way of depression's somatic construct. Given PTSD's substantial dysphoria/distress component, these results have implications for understanding the nature of PTSD's high comorbidity with depression.
Optimization of Directional Sensor Orientation with Application to Sun Sensing

A method is presented to optimize the orientation of directional sensors and instruments in a vehicle body-fixed frame. Directional dependence is included by creating a uniformly distributed set of directions in the body-fixed frame and formulating the objective as a function of these directions. The method is demonstrated by application to photodiodes for sun sensing, for which the covariance of the sun vector estimate is derived as a function of the photodiode configuration. The measured sun vector angular accuracy is then minimized as a function of the configuration, which enables the most accurate sun sensing with the given hardware. This technique maximizes subsystem performance and provides a design method to replace traditional, iterative design approaches to sensor placement.
Commentary: Object and Spatial Visualization in Geosciences

Cognitive science research shows that the brain has two systems for processing visual information, one specialized for spatial information such as position, orientation, and trajectory, and the other specialized for information used to identify objects, such as color, shape and texture. Some individuals seem to be more facile with the spatial visualization system, while others favor the object visualization system. This commentary hypothesizes that geosciences draw heavily on both systems, in contrast to other studied professions whose practitioners tend to be strong at spatial visualization (e.g. physics), or object visualization (e.g. visual arts). Candidate object visualization tasks in geosciences include identifying rocks, minerals and fossils, and interpreting remote sensing images. Candidate spatial visualization tasks include envisioning the folding and faulting of sedimentary strata, and envisioning a 3-D volume from 2-D data. In general education, geoscience activities rich in object-visualizati...
Analytical method for the determination of indenter constants used in the analysis of nanoindentation loading curves

We present a simple analytical method for the determination of indenter constants, key parameters used in the computation of the elastic modulus (or hardness) from the nanoindentation loading curve. In both forward and reverse analyses of the loading curve the proposed set of values are found to be more effective than those obtained empirically for the materials considered herein. Further improvement is anticipated as the accuracy of these constants depends on how precisely mechanical properties and curve fitting parameters are computed.
Asian American College Students Who Are Educationally at Risk

Asian Americans are often thought of as high academic achievers. However, there is an overlooked and growing population of Asian American students who are educationally at risk and may need additional programs and services to help them succeed in college.