cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Toward personalized cancer nanomedicine - past, present, and future.

Tumors are composed of highly proliferate, migratory, invasive, and therapy-evading cells. These characteristics are conferred by an enormously complex landscape of genomic, (epi-)genetic, and proteomic aberrations. Recent efforts to comprehensively catalogue these reversible and irreversible modifications have began to identify molecular mechanisms that contribute to cancer pathophysiology, serve as novel therapeutic targets, and may constitute biomarkers for early diagnosis and prediction of therapy responses. With constantly evolving technologies that will ultimately enable a complete survey of cancer genomes, the challenges for discovery cancer science and drug development are daunting. Bioinformatic and functional studies must differentiate cancer-driving and -contributing mutations from mere bystanders or ‘noise’, and have to delineate their molecular mechanisms of action as a function of collaborating oncogenic and tumor suppressive signatures. In addition, the translation of these genomic discoveries into meaningful clinical endpoints requires the development of co-extinction strategies to therapeutically target multiple cancer genes, to robustly deliver therapeutics to tumor sites, and to enable widespread dissemination of therapies within tumor tissue. In this perspective, I will describe the most current paradigms to study and validate cancer gene function. I will highlight advances in the area of nanotechnology, in particular, the development of RNA interference (RNAi)-based platforms to more effectively deliver therapeutic agents to tumor sites, and to modulate critical cancer genes that are difficult to target using conventional small-molecule- or antibody-based approaches. I will conclude with an outlook on the deluge of challenges that genomic and bioengineering sciences must overcome to make the long-awaited era of personalized nano-medicine a clinical reality for cancer patients.
Effects of fasting and glucocorticoids on hepatic gluconeogenesis assessed using two independent methods in vivo

The purpose of this study was to compare the assessment of gluconeogenesis (GNG) in the overnight- and prolonged-fasted states and during chronic hypercortisolemia using the arteriovenous differenc...
JAPAN'S DEFLATIONARY HANGOVER: WAGE STAGNATION AND THE SYNDROME OF THE EVER-WEAKER YEN

Japan still suffers a deflationary hangover from the great episodic yen appreciations of the 1980s into the mid-1990s. Money wages are still declining, and short-term interest rates remain trapped near zero. After Japan’s “lost decade” from 1992 to 2002, however, output has begun to grow modestly—but through export expansion and associated investment rather than domestic consumption. This export-led growth has been helped by a passive real depreciation of the yen: prices and wages in Europe and the United States have grown, and are growing, faster than in Japan. As the yen becomes weaker in real terms, American and European industrialists and politicians are again complaining that the yen is too weak (Japan bashing II?)—although the pressure on Japan to appreciate is not yet as great as it now is on China. But Japan is trapped. If it does appreciate the yen, its fragile economy will be driven back into outright deflation. The only solution is to stabilize the nominal dollar value of the yen over the long term, but this step won’t necessarily be immediately effective in placating foreign mercantilists. Under foreign pressure to appreciate the renminbi, China, with its booming economy, is now in a similar position to Japan’s of more than 20 years ago. Policy makers in China should resist pressure to go down the same deflationary road as Japan.
TREK: an integrated system architecture for intraoperative cone-beam CT-guided surgery

Purpose A system architecture has been developed for integration of intraoperative 3D imaging [viz., mobile C-arm cone-beam CT (CBCT)] with surgical navigation (e.g., trackers, endoscopy, and preoperative image and planning data). The goal of this paper is to describe the architecture and its handling of a broad variety of data sources in modular tool development for streamlined use of CBCT guidance in application-specific surgical scenarios.
Porous hydrophilic polymer: Good and bad news in the orthopedic application of cruciate ligament substitution

In the configuration used, the Hydron sponge did not enhance the ingrowth of bone into the Dacron for prosthesis anchorage. In fact, the presence of the Hydron seemed to retard such ingrowth, even though there was bony incorporation of portions of the Hydron polymer. Fixation was more rigid when Dacron was implanted bare. Hydron sponge does not appear to remain intact within a joint. It would not seem suitable for intra-articular protection of a prosthesis or local delivery of antibiotics here. We did not search further for the polymer in the regional lymph nodes. Hydron sponge is capable of eleciting an unusual phenomenon of woven bone formation. This is "good news" for its potential, but realization of such potential will certainly require additional study. Double and triple interval fluorochrome labelling would be especially helpful in further studying the localization and rate of this bone formation.
Biometric authentication via complex oculomotor behavior

This paper presents an objective evaluation of previously unexplored biometric techniques utilizing patterns identifiable in complex oculomotor behavior to distinguish individuals. Considered features include: saccadic dysmetria, compound saccades, dynamic overshoot, and express saccades. Score-level information fusion is applied and evaluated by: likelihood ratio, support vector machine, and random forest. The results suggest that it is possible to obtain equal error rates of 25% and rank-1 identification rates of 47% using score-level fusion by likelihood ratio.
Single step radiolytic synthesis of iridium nanoparticles onto graphene oxide

Abstract In this work a new approach to synthesize iridium nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide is presented. The nanoparticles were directly deposited and grown on the surface of the carbon-based support using a single step reduction method through gamma irradiation. In this process, an aqueous isopropanol solution containing the iridium precursor, graphene oxide, and sodium dodecyl sulfate was initially prepared and sonicated thoroughly to obtain a homogeneous dispersion. The samples were irradiated with gamma rays with energies of 1.17 and 1.33 MeV emitted from the spontaneous decay of the 60Co irradiator. The interaction of gamma rays with water in the presence of isopropanol generates highly reducing species homogeneously distributed in the solution that can reduce the Ir precursor down to a zero valence state. An absorbed dose of 60 kGy was used, which according to the yield of reducing species is sufficient to reduce the total amount of precursor present in the solution. This novel approach leads to the formation of 2.3 ± 0.5 nm Ir nanoparticles distributed along the surface of the support. The oxygenated functionalities of graphene oxide served as nucleation sites for the formation of Ir nuclei and their subsequent growth. XPS results revealed that the interaction of Ir with the support occurs through Ir O bonds.
Peptidases Prevent μ-Opioid Receptor Internalization in Dorsal Horn Neurons by Endogenously Released Opioids

To evaluate the effect of peptidases on mu-opioid receptor (MOR) activation by endogenous opioids, we measured MOR-1 internalization in rat spinal cord slices. A mixture of inhibitors of aminopeptidases (amastatin), dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase (captopril), and neutral endopeptidase (phosphoramidon) dramatically increased the potencies of Leu-enkephalin and dynorphin A to produce MOR-1 internalization, and also enhanced the effects of Met-enkephalin and alpha-neoendorphin, but not endomorphins or beta-endorphin. The omission of any one inhibitor abolished Leu-enkephalin-induced internalization, indicating that all three peptidases degraded enkephalins. Amastatin preserved dynorphin A-induced internalization, and phosphoramidon, but not captopril, increased this effect, indicating that the effect of dynorphin A was prevented by aminopeptidases and neutral endopeptidase. Veratridine (30 microm) or 50 mm KCl produced MOR-1 internalization in the presence of peptidase inhibitors, but little or no internalization in their absence. These effects were attributed to opioid release, because they were abolished by the selective MOR antagonist CTAP (D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Arg-Thr-Pen-Thr-NH(2)) and were Ca(2+) dependent. The effect of veratridine was protected by phosphoramidon plus amastatin or captopril, but not by amastatin plus captopril or by phosphoramidon alone, indicating that released opioids are primarily cleaved by neutral endopeptidase, with a lesser involvement of aminopeptidases and dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase. Therefore, because the potencies of endomorphin-1 and endomorphin-2 to elicit internalization were unaffected by peptidase inhibitors, the opioids released by veratridine were not endomorphins. Confocal microscopy revealed that MOR-1-expressing neurons were in close proximity to terminals containing opioids with enkephalin-like sequences. These findings indicate that peptidases prevent the activation of extrasynaptic MOR-1 in dorsal horn neurons.
Performing the Nuclear Ceremony: The Arms Race as a Ritual

This article examines the nuclear arms race as ritualized behavior and evaluates characteristics of ritual to comprehend the dynamics of the arms race. Following a review of the literature and statements of those participating in, conducting, examining, and opposing the arms race, the authors find the analogy of the ritual appropriate. They find that rituals (1) provide solutions to problems, especia1ly those involving difficult situations and uncontrollable forces, (2) are rooted in experience, (3) identify evil and mark boundaries, and (4) reify social processes and reinforce social structure. The authors do not criticize the ritual process per se, but develop a critical perspective on the ritualization of the arms race. They conclude by raising questions stemming from an analysis of ritual and by suggesting areas for further research.
School-Age Children's Attributions About Their Own Naturally Occurring Minor Injuries: A Process Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To analyze children's attribution of cause regarding their naturally occurring minor injuries in light of the pre-injury parental acceptability of children's behavior and the emotions children experienced immediately after the event. METHOD: Sixty-one 8-year-old children were interviewed biweekly for one year about their naturally occurring minor injuries. Participants monitored environmental and psychosocial elements of the injuries and later answered questions about the cause of the event. RESULTS: For a total sample of 1,037 minor injuries, children most frequently designated fate as the primary cause. Further analysis revealed that attributions varied by children's pre-injury behavior and post-injury feelings. Children were equally likely to accept primary responsibility or to assign cause to fate when they were engaged in unacceptable behavior before the event. Similarly, children assumed primary responsibility for the injury when they experienced post-injury guilt. No differences in injury attributions were revealed by gender or by the child's frequency of injuries during the year. CONCLUSIONS: Results highlight the significance of adult caregiver safety rule creation, endorsement, and ongoing communication for the socialization of children's safe behaviors. Language: en
Output modeling of a hierarchical still-image coder

The coded output for a single image can be modeled independently. In the case of a hierarchical coder, the output can be modeled as a succession of coding periods and data output periods. The coding periods are deterministic, and the data output periods, while being deterministic for the same image, are distributed between images according to the distribution of the compression ratios of the images being transmitted. In a hierarchical still image coder the data output period for a given hierarchy level in an image is proportional to the number of coded bits in this level, this number being approximated by an exponential expression. >
Applications of Open Source 3-D Printing on Small Farms

There is growing evidence that low-cost open-source 3-D printers can reduce costs by enabling distributed manufacturing of substitutes for both specialty equipment and conventional mass-manufactured products. The rate of 3-D printable designs under open licenses is growing exponentially and there arealready hundreds of designs applicable to small-scale organic farming. It has also been hypothesized that this technology could assist sustainable development in rural communities that rely on small-scale organic agriculture. To gauge the present utility of open-source 3-D printers in this organic farm context both in the developed and developing world, this paper reviews the current open-source designs available and evaluates the ability of low-cost 3-D printers to be effective at reducing the economic costs of farming.This study limits the evaluation of open-source 3-D printers to only the most-developed fused filament fabrication of the bioplastic polylactic acid (PLA). PLA is a strong biodegradable and recyclable thermoplastic appropriate for a range of representative products, which are grouped into five categories of prints: handtools, food processing, animal management, water management and hydroponics. The advantages and shortcomings of applying 3-D printing to each technology are evaluated. The results show a general izabletechnical viability and economic benefit to adopting open-source 3-D printing for any of the technologies, although the individual economic impact is highly dependent on needs and frequency of use on a specific farm. Capital costs of a 3-D printer may be saved from on-farm printing of a single advanced analytical instrument in a day or replacing hundreds of inexpensive products over a year. In order for the full potential of open-source 3-D printing to be realized to assist organic farm economic resiliency and self-sufficiency, future work is outlined in five core areas: designs of 3-D printable objects, 3-D printing materials, 3-Dprinters, software and 3-D printable repositories.
The Immigrant, Economic Opportunity and Type of Settlement in Nineteenth-Century America

Since the publication of Frederick Jackson Turner's famous essay, historians have implicitly recognized the significance of community characteristics on levels of economic opportunity. Nevertheless, even though the last two decades have witnessed the publication of a number of occupational mobility studies of a wide variety of communities, the nature of the community under examination has been largely overlooked. Thus, while the authors of these studies have frequently found different levels of mobility, the practical necessity of focusing on one community in these undertakings has precluded any systematic attempt either to explain variances among communities or to measure precisely the impact of community characteristics on levels of opportunity.
Performance Analysis of Multi-Rate Capable Random Access Mac Protocols in Wireless Multi-Hop Networks

In this paper, we study an ad hoc wireless network system in which multiple access wireless channels are shared in accordance with a random access (ALOHA type) MAC protocol. We assume that a modulation/coding scheme (MCS) can be selected from a list of available such structures, each of which is associated with a transmission data rate and an acceptable SINR level that yields a prescribed BER value. The use of such different MCSs impacts the achievable value of the system?s spatial reuse factor level and of the realized end-to-end lengths of flow paths. Consequently, as the traffic loading level increases, the use of such different schemes yields different throughput capacity levels. We present mathematical models that enable the selection of the MCS that yields the highest level of throughput performance. For the multi-hop network system, we demonstrate that the link range and the employed MCS can be jointly selected to yield the highest throughput capacity level. We show that for the system under consideration it is generally preferable for a node to use a high data rate MCS while jointly selecting its neighbours from a usually reasonably short range level.
The Nature/Culture of Genetic Facts*

This review aims to explore the relationship between anthropology and genetics, an intellectual zone that has been occupied in different ways over the past century. One way to think about it is to contrast a classical “anthropological genetics” (Roberts 1965), that is to say, a genetics that presumably informs anthropological issues or questions, with a “genomic anthropology” (Palsson 2008), that is to say, an anthropology that complements and relativizes modern genomics (on the model of, say, medical anthropology and legal anthropology).1 This review argues that a principal contribution of anthropology to the study of human heredity lies in the ontology of genetic facts. For anthropology, genetic facts are not natural, with meanings inscribed on them, but are instead natural/cultural: The natural facts have cultural information (values, ideologies, meanings) integrated into them, not layered on them. To understand genetic facts involves confronting their production, which has classically been restricted ...
Effects of electrode location error on boundary element impedance tomography solutions: CR bounds and simulation results

Electrical impedance tomography is an imaging modality that estimates the conductivity map inside a volume from electrical measurements on its surface. It is a badly posed inverse problem; one stabilization approach approximates the volume as having piecewise constant conductivity. One can then use the boundary element method, particularly advantageous if conductivity discontinuity boundaries, (internal organ boundaries), are first measured by anatomical imaging, and only conductivities are unknown. Even in this setting solutions are sensitive to modeling error, in particular mis-locating the electrodes used to inject current and measure voltage. We study this sensitivity by calculating the Cramer-Rao lower bound and through simulations. We explore three measurement methods in both static and dynamic imaging. Results show that sensitivity is particularly high for localized inhomogeneities, and on electrodes closest to them, that dynamic imaging is more robust than static, and that measuring voltages on all electrodes, including those injecting current, is especially important.
Field Research in Developing Countries: Hitting the Road Running

heavailabilityofrelativelyreliableandcompa-rabledataonlineandtheincreasingemphasisonstatisticalandformalresearchmethodshasledmanypoliticalscientiststodismissresearchin foreign countries as a waste of time andmoney.Weleavethatdebatetoothers(see,e.g.,ComparativePoliticsOrganizedSection2005;QualitativeMethodsOrga-nizedSection2004).Instead,weoﬀersuggestionsformaxi-mizing the contributions of ﬁeldwork to the production oforiginalresearch.Wepayparticularattentiontoresearchindevelopingcountriesowingtotheuniquechallengesofunder-takingresearchthere,butwebelieveourinsightsareapplica-bletoﬁeldresearchmoregenerally.Thisarticleisbasedonaworkshopwedesignedtoprovidepracticaladviceforgraduatestudentsandtosteerthemtowardexistingresourcesonthetopic.Wecovertheidentiﬁcationofshort-andlong-termgoals,thenecessarystepstoprepareforaproductiveﬁeldvisit,theschedulingandconductofper-sonalinterviews,thechallengesoffocusgroupsandpartici-pantobservation,theobligationandopportunitytofacilitateaccesstoyourresearchresultsinyourﬁeldsite,aswellaspracticalandsecurityconsiderations.Throughoutthepiece,weareattunedtohowmultipleandoftenconﬂictingsourcesofidentitycaninhibitorinsomecasesenhancetheoverallexperienceofﬁeldworkinforeigncountries.Wespeciﬁcallyaddress power relations in interviews, focus groups, andfollow-upcommunicationwithinterviewees.
The Development of an Instrument to Measure Satisfaction With Physical Therapy

Background and Purpose. Patient satisfaction continues to receive attention as a measure of the outcome of physical therapy intervention. However, a great deal more attention has been paid to the topic outside of, rather than within, physical therapy. This article describes the development of an instrument that measures patient satisfaction among physical therapists' patients and clients. Method. A 26-item instrument designed to measure the domains of patient satisfaction among patients was developed by the authors in preparation for this study and field tested on patients from several sites comprising a large clinical operation. Descriptive statistics and estimates of reliability of measurements obtained with the instrument were computed. Reliability and validity were assessed. A total of 289 individuals completed the instrument. Results. The coefficient for reliability (Cronbach alpha=.99) obtained for the instrument was clearly within a desired range. Different types of validity were established as well. Conclusion and Discussion. Instruments typically used by physical therapists to measure patient satisfaction have undergone little psychometric analysis. This instrument appears to meet the criteria required to make it a useful tool for measuring patient satisfaction.
Mechanical changes in the rat right ventricle with decellularization

The stiffness, anisotropy, and heterogeneity of freshly dissected (control) and perfusion-decellularized rat right ventricles were compared using an anisotropic inverse mechanics method. Cruciform tissue samples were speckled and then tested under a series of different biaxial loading configurations with simultaneous force measurement on all four arms and displacement mapping via image correlation. Based on the displacement and force data, the sample was segmented into piecewise homogeneous partitions. Tissue stiffness and anisotropy were characterized for each partition using a large-deformation extension of the general linear elastic model. The perfusion-decellularized tissue had significantly higher stiffness than the control, suggesting that the cellular contribution to stiffness, at least under the conditions used, was relatively small. Neither anisotropy nor heterogeneity (measured by the partition standard deviation of the modulus and anisotropy) varied significantly between control and decellularized samples. We thus conclude that although decellularization produces quantitative differences in modulus, decellularized tissue can provide a useful model of the native tissue extracellular matrix. Further, the large-deformation inverse method presented herein can be used to characterize complex soft tissue behaviors.
Impact of transesophageal echocardiography on the anticoagulation management of patients admitted with focal cerebral ischemia

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) improves the diagnostic accuracy of transthoracic echocardiography in the identification of potential cardiac sources of embolus. However, there are few studies of the impact of TEE on the medical management of patients with focal cerebral ischemia. The records of 52 consecutive, hospitalized patients undergoing both TEE and transthoracic echocardiography for suspected cardiac source of embolus were reviewed to determine the influence of TEE on the decision to anticoagulate patients. Of 52 patients, 39 had focal cerebral ischemia (transient ischemic attack, n = 9; acute cerebral infarction, n = 30). In 4 of these 39 patients (10%), the TEE results changed the management of anticoagulation. In 19 of 39 patients (49%), the TEE results helped confirm anticoagulation decisions, and in 16 (41%), the results had no effect on anticoagulation decisions, because of overriding clinical information. Ten of the latter 16 patients had TEE evidence for a possible source of an embolus, but were not anticoagulated; 5 of these were poor candidates for long-term anticoagulation, and the others had right-to-left shunting across a patent foramen ovale or an interatrial septal aneurysm. Clinical variables (atrial fibrillation, TEE findings and pre-TEE anticoagulation status) were considered as possible predictors of post-TEE anticoagulation status using logistic regression analysis; the strongest predictor of post-TEE anticoagulation status was pre-TEE anticoagulation status (p < 0.0005). Despite the selection of patients presumed to receive maximal benefit from TEE, this study suggests that TEE findings are not predictive of subsequent anticoagulation management. However, TEE is at least confirmatory of anticoagulation decisions in most cases.
"I'm not ashamed to talk on it!": African-American women's decisions about cervical cancer prevention and control in South Carolina.

Abstract Background Cervical cancer disparities persist despite cervical cancer prevention advances and declining mortality rates, particularly among African-American women in the South. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore behavior, knowledge, and attitudes as influences on health decisions and preferences for cervical cancer prevention and control among African-American women in South Carolina. Methods Data were collected from three focus groups conducted with 28 adult women aged 18 to 70 years in South Carolina. Purposive snowball sampling was employed. Data were coded using a content analysis approach in NVivo 10. Fleiss' kappa coefficient, a measure of interrater reliability, was 0.83. Findings Twenty-seven participants self-identified as African American. The mean age of focus group participants was 45.3 years. Knowledge of human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer risk was relatively low. Participants positively viewed cervical cancer screening and HPV vaccination. Lack of health insurance and costs were screening barriers. Providers were viewed as trusted health information sources, yet stigma and fear negatively influenced screening. Cultural identity served as a facilitator and barrier for screening. Motivated by strength, identified as a central to African-American womanhood, participants viewed cervical cancer prevention as an important responsibility. However, the "Strong Black Woman" script, which has been associated with self-care and coping strategies, was also a screening barrier owing to competing priorities. Conclusions Study findings provide insight into cervical cancer prevention decision making and support tailored interventions. Culturally relevant interventions may better convey evidence-based messages about advances in cervical cancer prevention and control.
Evaluating the safety of intraoperative instillation of intravesical chemotherapy at the time of nephroureterectomy

Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common cancer affecting many patients in the United States. Nephroureterectomy remains the gold standard for the treatment of high grade upper tract disease or low grade tumors that are not amenable to endoscopic management. Recent reports have shown a decrease in UC recurrence in patients who underwent nephroureterectomy and who had Mitomycin C (MMC) instilled into the bladder at the time of catheter removal. At our institution instillation of intravesical MMC at the time of nephroureterectomy has been common for more than 10 years. Given the recent data, we sought to formally describe our experience with and evaluate the safety of intravesical instillation of cytotoxic chemotherapy at the time of nephroureterectomy. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 51 patients who underwent intraoperative intravesical instillation of cytotoxic chemotherapy (MMC (n= 48) or adriamycin (n= 3)) at the time of nephroureterectomy (2000–2012). The procedure was performed in a similar fashion by 8 different surgeons from the same institution, with drainage of the bladder prior to management of the bladder cuff. Patient characteristics and perioperative data including complications out to 90 days after surgery were collected. Perioperative complications for all patients were graded using the modified Clavien-Dindo classification.
Expansive and Concrete Properties of SFS–FRAP Aggregates

AbstractSteel furnace slag (SFS) is an industrial by-product that is used as an abrasion-resistant aggregate in asphalt pavement surfaces. However, SFS has found limited application in concrete pavements because of its potential for expansion from hydration of the free calcium and magnesium oxides present in the slag. This study investigated the application of asphalt-coated SFS aggregates, i.e., coarse fractionated reclaimed asphalt pavement (FRAP), as an aggregate in concrete. Autoclave expansion testing of SFS FRAP samples and chemical analyses revealed that the SFS FRAP contains residual free calcium oxide and therefore has the potential to expand, although the presence of the asphalt coating reduced the overall expansion magnitude. The performance of SFS FRAP in concrete at 20% and 50% replacements was similar to concrete with unexpansive dolomite FRAP in terms of strength and fracture properties, though the SFS FRAP may cause higher shrinkage strains and reduced freeze/thaw durability. Therefore, ap...
Cross reactions of HL-A antibodies. VI. Dissection of a complex serum.

A series of 23 platelet absorptions and elutions were performed with a broadly reactive HL–A antiserum, Tuckerman. This multispecific reagent could be separated into three components: anti-HL–A1 (10,11); anti-W23 (W24) and anti-HL–A12.2 (12.1,13). Each component was examined in detail, revealing some of the intricacies of the specific and cross-reacting antibodies. A possible subdivision of HL–A12 followed the observation that platelets from certain HL–A12 donors failed to absorb anti-HL–A12 cytotoxins, even against their own lymphocytes. These absorptive deficiencies were inherited with the HL–A12 genotype. Subdivision of HL–A9 was primarily along racial lines. Antigen W23 predominated among subjects of Negro or Mediterranean ancestry, while specificity W24 was found among donors of the Caucasian and Oriental races.
A Mechanistic Study of the Interaction of Ultraviolet Laser Radiation with Low Density Polymers

Ultraviolet laser radiation at 248 nm and 266 nm was used to ablate low density (0.04 to 0.14 g/cm3) microcellular polystyrene and TPX foams at laser fluences between 0.1 and 1000 J/cm2, The dependence of the etch rate on laser fluence and foam density is consistent with a linear absorption mechanism for the initial stages of polystyrene ablation. Studies of the morphology and chemical composition of the ablated foams as a function of laser fluence and foam density show that the degree of melting increases at the higher foam densities. Blackbody and radical specie contributions to optical emission from the ablated foam were readily resolved for correlation with laser fluence, foam density, absorption spectra, and etch depth. Temperatures in excess of 3000°K are calculated from emission spectra observed during the ablation of polystyrene foams. From this data we conclude that chemical and thermal changes in the ablated foam are influenced by the absorption spectrum as well as the density of the foam.
Non-uniformity of absorbed dose due to curvature of /spl beta/-emitter array in intravascular irradiation

The uniformity of dose delivered to the lesion could be broken in the region of curved coronary vessel. The authors present the Monte Carlo dose calculations to account for the curvature of vessel and trained seeds. A catheter-based /spl beta/-emitter system (/sup 90/Sr/Y) is modeled using the Monte Carlo code, MCNP4B2. Dose distributions are calculated for linear and curved (10/spl deg/ shift between neighboring seeds) cylindrical vessels and then compared along inward-curvature and outward-curvature directions. At the total activity of 70 mCi (2.59/spl times/10/sup 9/ Bq), the dose in the linear vessel varies from 40.0 to 0.53 cGy/sec as the radial distance (r) from the central axis of seeds increases from 0.64 to 5.4 mm. In the curved vessel, it varies from 41.8 to 0.91 cGy/sec for inward-curvature direction and 39.6 to 0.50 cGy/sec for outward-curvature direction at the same radial distance. In particular, the dose rates at r=2 mm are: 8.1 cGy/sec in the linear vessel, 10.1 cGy/sec in the inward-curvature (25% overdose compared to that of the linear vessel), and 7.8 cGy/sec in the outward-curvature (4% underdose compared to that of the linear vessel). In the region of interest, r=2-4 mm, the average inward-overdose and outward-underdose are 28% and 10%, respectively, with respect to those of the linear vessel. The overdose inside the curved seeds is more significant than the underdose outside them. This non-uniformity of dose should be taken into account in both the treatment planning and the design of radioactive seed delivery systems.
The Role of Myosin-II in Cell Spreading on Soft Hyaluronan-Fibronectin Substrates

Studies using polyacrylamide (PAA) substrates show that cells respond to the resistance of the substrate by modifying spread area, focal adhesions (FA) and cytoskeletal morphology. Cells on a soft substrate (E∼300 Pa) generate low traction forces, which do not support cell growth, FA formation and maturation or the assembly of actin stress fibers. We show that soft hyaluronan-fibronectin (HA-Fn) substrates support cell growth and survival similarly to rigid substrates, suggesting that the link between increased tension at the cell-substrate interface and cell growth could be altered by the substrate composition.To address this question we measured epithelial and endothelial cell growth and morphology on soft HA-Fn substrates in the presence of agents that affect the myosin II-dependent contractile mechanism, such as the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632, and using myosin II knockdown cells.Inhibition of myosin II, which decreases traction forces, causes single cells to alter morphology, decrease their adherent area, and disassemble FA and actin stress fibers. In contrast, cells in contact with one another show no significant effect.The spreading, shape and cytoskeletal morphology of single cells on soft HA-Fn substrates seems to be influenced by internal traction forces; however, this link between internal traction forces and cell spreading is eliminated when cells make cell-cell contact. These results suggest that traction forces within single cells on soft HA-Fn can be stimulated by HA as on stiffer PAA-Fn substrates which lead to similar cell spreading area and morphology response. Moreover, it is demonstrated that mechanical signaling is specific not only to substrate stiffness but also to substrate composition and cell state.
Visualizing Trends in the Structure of U.S. Agriculture, 1982 to 19921

Multiple indicators of the structure of agriculture were extracted from the U.S. Census of Agriculture for the years 1982, 1987, and 1992, and used to extend previous work by Wimberley (1987). Exploratory factor analysis results for each year yielded three dimensions of agri-structure: corporate-commercial, farming-firm, and small-farm. Factor-scores used to estimate scales had high reliabilities (omega coefficients > .9) and strong inter-temporal correlations for each scale across years were observed. The content of each scale was consistent across the three years, suggesting that structural shifts in the elements defining “agri-structure” were minimal. Because the 1980s were a turbulent period for U.S. agriculture, the patterns describing heterogeneity among counties in each year were investigated. Cluster analysis of each year's three factor scales produced five homogeneous groups of counties: three, dominated respectively by small-farms, farming-firms, and corporate-farms and two mixed groups, which we interpreted as reflecting transitional situations. Comparisons of these cluster groupings across the three years identified the emergence of counties typified by organizational patterns of firm-oriented and corporate-commercial farming. Moreover, the patterns of temporal movement by U.S. counties across this typology suggest a fundamental change from homogeneous family-centered small-farming concentrations dominant during most of this century. Implications of the findings are discussed.
AN APPRAISAL OF REGIONAL SURVEYS IN THE BASIN OF MEXICO, 1960–1975

In this paper I focus on the regional surveys undertaken in 1960–1975—their development, implementation, key accomplishments, and major shortcomings. I also point to how resulting survey data and surface collections have provided the foundations for subsequent research on a variety of specific problems, sites, and locales, and how complementary historical and ethnographical studies have contributed to interpretations of pre-Columbian settlement patterns. I consider how off-site survey can, and should, complement the more extensive regional surveys that have been carried out in the past. While lamenting the archaeological record lost to modern development, in a more positive vein I suggest lines of productive future investigation that might still be undertaken to extend the significance of past results, evaluate a series of questions and hypotheses defined by the surveys, and help conserve archaeological sites and collections for future study.
Study of immunization coverage and influence factors of left-behind children in rural areas of Chongqing

Objective To investigate the immunization coverage and its influence factors of left-behind children in rural areas of Chongqing,and explore intervening measures. Methods 1 441 complete questionnaires were obtained by surveying the custodians of 1 year old left-behind / non left-behind children in 3 counties; immunization difference and influence factors were statistically analyzed. Results Besides BCG and the former two doses of hepatitis B vaccine,non-left-behind children all have statistically higher coverage than left-behind children of the 7 vaccines in immunization program targeted 1 year age group. Parents as guardians,non-left-behind children and the guardians knew children′ s inoculation schedule were the positive factors to children′ s inoculation rate. Conclusion Grandfather or grandmother as the guardians of left-behind children were with low education level,and their poor awareness of immunization knowledge and inoculation schedule are the main influence factor to vaccination coverage of the left-behind children in rural area.
Pharmacological Effects of Fructus Aurantii and Climate Effects on Its Quality

Fructus Aurantii has been widely used as a traditional Chinese medicine for clinical treatment. It is cultivated in various regions and its quality is easily affected by local climate. Fructus Aurantii and related plants of Citrus genus are also important economic crops for China. This paper summarized the pharmacological effects,major active compounds of Fructus Aurantii,as well as climate-effect on its quality,which could serve as guidance for further cultivation,quality control of Fructus Aurantii and development of Citrus plants.
Reversal Effects of Genistein and (−)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate on Repression of BRCA-1 Expression in Human Breast Cancer Cells with Activated AhR

Sporadic breast cancers, which represent the vast majority (~90%) of breast tumor cases, do not have mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, BRCA-1 but have absent or markedly reduced levels of BRC...
A Review Article on CyberKnife Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Spinal Lesions

The efficacy of the CyberKnife [Accuracy, Inc., Sunnyvale CA], a new stereotactic radiosurgery device utilized in the treatment of benign and malignant spinal tumors, is reviewed. The study assesses the number and type of spinal tumors safely and effectively treated with CyberKnife radiosurgery. Most reports concerning the utilization of CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery [CSR] for the treatment of malignant [primary, metastatic] or benign spinal lesions have been published within the last 5 years. CSR may be administered alone or in conjunction with surgery and external beam radiation therapy. A major benefit of CSR is that it can be completed within 1 week [1-5 fractions] as compared with the several weeks required for external beam radiotherapy, with limited toxicity. A frameless device, the CSR’s accuracy is +/- 1 mm. Additionally, the Xsight program now allows the cervical and lumbar spine to be treated without fiducial marker placement; however, this is still required to accurately target thoracic lesions. CyberKnife radiosurgery is effective in treating both benign and malignant lesions. For benign tumors, the CSR successfully arrests tumor progression and minimizes pain. It is unique for the management/palliation of malignant metastatic disease where it functions as an adjunct or alternative to invasive surgery and/or routine external beam radiotherapy. In summary, CyberKnife stereotactic radiosurgery, approved by the Federal Drug Administration [USA 2001], may be safely and effectively administered within 1 week’s time to treat both benign and malignant spinal lesions with limited toxicity.
The growth of clinical nutrition.

As clinical nutrition has grown, so has the dietitian’s application of knowledge in the nutritional care of patients. Some of the changes over the years are reviewed here.
Should salmeterol be used for long-term asthma control?

Salmeterol may help improve asthma symptoms, but it should only be used as part of a comprehensive asthma management plan including inhaled corticosteroids and a short-acting beta agonist. There is currently insufficient evidence to confirm that salmeterol does not increase the risk of adverse events when used with inhaled corticosteroids for treatment of asthma. Current evidence is also insufficient to properly define the role of salmeterol for treatment of asthma in children.
Pathophysiology of Cardiomyopathies

Abstract Cardiomyopathies are a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by myocardial dysfunction that variably progress to a range of clinical symptoms including congestive heart failure, life-threatening arrhythmias, and sudden death. While previously conceived as the general sequelae of ischemic heart disease or extrinsic insults, familial studies have greatly facilitated our understanding of the molecular basis for the cardiomyopathies. In this chapter, we review our current understanding of the cardiomyopathies with a focus on the genetic mutations and molecular pathways implicated in their pathogenesis. Our goal is to underscore the complexity of the disease mechanisms, and to highlight any overlap in the molecular pathways between the cardiomyopathies that can result in distinct phenotypes. Despite our increased understanding of the molecular basis of the cardiomyopathies in the last 15 years, further research is critically necessary to develop novel therapeutic modalities for these morbid cardiovascular conditions.
Exile Island and Global Conversation: Ilha do Desterro Bridges Languages and Cultures

This is a concise overview of the publication history of Ilha do Desterro, which shows some changes in format, but a consistent and ever-widening interest in language broadly defined, from linguistics to literature to film, as it manifests itself in different languages, places, and times. The journal publishes in English and Portuguese, but this overview, aware of the impossibility of covering the entire array of essays that appeared in its extended history, limits itself to notes on articles dealing with Anglophone expression by itself and in comparison to its counterparts in the Lusophone world.
Mark Plummer's Legacy: Leave No Orthodoxy Unquestioned

ABSTRACTInspired by Mark Plummer's legacy of questioning conservation and environmental orthodoxy, we challenge several common conservation memes and patterns of thinking. First, we argue that framing conservation messages as crises typically is not an effective strategy. Second, we question conservation regulations that are inflexible and insensitive to costs, uncertainty, and competing values. We instead advocate for experimentation, flexibility, and pragmatism. Third, we suggest that precautionary approaches to conservation regulation are out of step with a rapidly changing world facing uncertain shocks and disruptions. Finally, based on a systematic review of ecosystem change following disturbance, we find simplistic models of ecosystem resilience to be poorly supported by data. Ecosystem change is more the rule than the exception, and while academic ecologists have noted this to be the case, the ramifications of this pattern have yet to be embraced by resource managers. Our goal is to challenge conse...
Excitation functions for (p,n) reactions on 79 Br and 127 I

Excitation functions for the $^{79}\mathrm{Br}(p,n)^{79}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{127}\mathrm{I}(p,n)^{127}\mathrm{Xe}$ reactions have been determined from 3 to 25 MeV by the activation method. KBr and KI targets of natural isotopic abundances were encapsulated in Mylar to prevent escape of the gaseous $^{79}\mathrm{Kr}$ and $^{127}\mathrm{Xe}$. Disintegration rates were obtained by assaying selected $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ rays with calibrated Ge (Li) detectors; beam intensities were determined with a Faraday cup. The measured absolute cross sections have uncertainties of less than 10% with energy uncertainties of \ensuremath{\lesssim} 100 keV. The excitation functions are compared to Monte Carlo calculations based on an intranuclear-cascade statistical-evaporation model.
Zn2+-Inducible Expression Platform for Synechococcus sp. Strain PCC 7002 Based on the smtA Promoter/Operator and smtB Repressor

Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 has been gaining significance as both a model system for photosynthesis research and for industrial applications. Until recently, the genetic toolbox for this model cyanobacterium was rather limited and relied primarily on tools that only allowed constitutive gene expression. This work describes a two-plasmid, Zn2+-inducible expression platform that is coupled with a zurA mutation, providing enhanced Zn2+ uptake. The control elements are based on the metal homeostasis system of a class II metallothionein gene (smtA7942) and its cognate SmtB7942 repressor from Synechococcus elongatus strain PCC 7942. Under optimal induction conditions, yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) levels were about half of those obtained with the strong, constitutive phycocyanin (cpcBA6803) promoter of Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. This metal-inducible expression system in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002 allowed the titratable gene expression of YFP that was up to 19-fold greater than the background level. This system was utilized successfully to control the expression of the Drosophila melanogaster β-carotene 15,15'-dioxygenase, NinaB, which is toxic when constitutively expressed from a strong promoter in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. Together, these properties establish this metal-inducible system as an additional useful tool that is capable of controlling gene expression for applications ranging from basic research to synthetic biology in Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002. Importance This is the first metal-responsive expression system in cyanobacteria, to our knowledge, that does not exhibit low sensitivity for induction, which is one of the major hurdles for utilizing this class of genetic tools. In addition, high levels of expression can be generated that approximate those of established constitutive systems, with the added advantage of titratable control. Together, these properties establish this Zn2+-inducible system, which is based on the smtA7942 operator/promoter and smtB7942 repressor, as a versatile gene expression platform that expands the genetic toolbox of Synechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002.
Introduction: Autobiographical Que(e)ries

(2000). Introduction: Autobiographical Que(e)ries. a/b: Auto/Biography Studies: Vol. 15, Autobiographical Que(e)ries, pp. 1-4.