cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two Survivor Pathways That Allow Growth in the Absence of Telomerase Are Generated by Distinct Telomere Recombination Events

Yeast cells can survive in the absence of telomerase RNA, TLC1, by recombination-mediated telomere elongation. Two types of survivors, type I and type II, can be distinguished by their characteristic telomere patterns. RAD52 is essential for the generation of both types of survivors. Deletion of both RAD50 and RAD51 produces a phenotype similar to that produced by deletion of RAD52. Here we examined the effects of the RAD50 and the RAD51 epistasis groups as well as the RAD52 homologue, RAD59, on the types of survivors generated in the absence of telomerase. rad59 mutations completely abolished the ability to generate type II survivors, while rad50 mutations decreased the growth viability of type II survivors but did not completely eliminate their appearance. Mutations in RAD51, RAD54, and RAD57 had the converse affect: they eliminated the ability of cells to generate type I survivors in a tlc1 strain. The triple mutant, tlc1 rad51 rad59, was not able to generate survivors. Thus either type I or type II recombination pathways can allow cells to survive in the absence of telomerase; however, elimination of both pathways in a telomerase mutant leads to the inability to elongate telomeres and ultimately cell death.
New Bidentate Trans-Chelating N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands for Palladium

A family of imidazolium salts of the type [BnN(CH2CH2CH2RIm)2]·2[Cl] (Bn = CH2Ph; RIm = 1-methylimidazole (1a), 1-tert-butylimidazole (1b), 1-benzylimidazole (1c), 1-methylbenzimidazole (1d)), which contain a tertiary amine linking two imidazolium groups, has been synthesized. These imidazolium salts can be deprotonated with Ag2O to generate the Ag carbene complexes [{BnN(CH2CH2CH2RIm)2}Ag]·[AgCl2] (RIm = 1-methylimidazole (2a), 1-tert-butylimidazole (2b), 1-benzylimidazole (2c), 1-methylbenzimidazole (2d)). In the solid state 2d exists as an unusual tetramer, which consists of an [Ag2Cl4]2− core bridging two Ag(NHC) cations. Subsequent reaction of the Ag complexes with PdCl2(MeCN)2 generates Pd species of the type {BnN(CH2CH2CH2RIm)2}PdCl2 (RIm = 1-methylimidazole (3a), 1-tert-butylimidazole (3b), 1-benzylimidazole (3c), 1-methylbenzimidazole (3d)), which is a rare example of a family of Pd complexes that contain a bidentate trans-chelating N-heterocyclic carbene ligand. Compounds 3a and 3c were crystall...
Age-related differences in ophthalmic drug disposition III. Corneal permeability of pilocarpine in rabbits

Abstract In the two previous papers in this series, age-related differences in ocular tissue size and protein binding were investigated relative to the distribution of drug within the eye. The present paper deals with another potentially important determinant of ocular drug disposition, namely corneal permeability. An in vitro technique was utilized to study the corneal permeability of pilocarpine in rabbits of two different ages. The effect of pH on pilocarpine transport was also examined. Results indicate that the transport of ionized pilocarpine contributes significantly to the overall corneal permeation of pilocarpine. There appears to be no difference in the transport characteristics in corneas of the two ages as far as ionized pilocarpine is concerned. However, the corneas of the younger animals are more permeable to non-ionized pilocarpine than those of 60-day-old rabbits. These results suggest that different pathways or layers in the cornea are rate-limiting for the transport of ionized and unionized pilocarpine. Furthermore, the significant transport of ionized species observed in these studies indicates that the pH-partition hypothesis is not totally adequate to explain the corneal transport of pilocarpine in this particular system.
Relationships between crop temperature, grain yield, evapotranspiration and phenological development in two hybrids of moisture stressed sorghum

Recent studies have shown that the grain yields of corn (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) are related to the degree of water stress they undergo. The purpose of the study reported here was to establish relationships between crop temperature and the grain yields, phenological development, evapotranspiration rates (ET) and leaf water potential (ψl) of two hybrids of grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) subjected to varying levels of plant water stress. The study was conducted at the University of Nebraska Sandhills Agricultural Laboratory in 1978 on a Typic Ustipsamment (Valentine fine sand) soil. The sorghum hybrids used were RS 626 and NB 505. Four irrigation treatments were applied in order to subject the crops to varying levels of water stress during each of three major growth stages. Soil moisture was monitored with a neutron probe. ET was estimated with the water balance technique. Crop temperature was measured with an IR thermometer and leaf water potential was measured with a Scholander pressure bomb. Grain yields were reduced by water stress occuring at anytime during the growing season. Yield reductions were largest when stress occurred during only the grainfill period and were least when stress occurred during the entire growing season. The percentage reduction in sorghum grain yield can be described by an index involving the seasonal accumulation of the daily mid-day temperature differences between well-watered and stressed crops (Σ TSD). As Σ TSD values increased, ET decreased. However, the correlation of ET with Σ TSD was relatively low (R2 = 0.60) probably due to the limited amount of data available for analysis and inaccuracies in the soil water balance method used to estimate ET. The mid-day temperature of well-watered rows ranged between 18.0 and 32.8 °C with a mid-day temperature range of about 0.5 °C between the well-watered rows in various plots for several days following an irrigation. However, in certain instances, the mid-day temperature range increased to 1–2 °C for a few days before irrigation. This suggests that certain of the rows experienced water stress and should have been irrigated earlier. Yield data support that conclusion. Range in crop temperature within a field appeared to be a sensitive indicator of crop water stress in sorghum. No significant difference in the phenological development of sorghum resulted from water stress except in one NB 505 plot in which plants were stressed throughout the entire season. In that plot, the stressed plants lagged in development behind non-stressed plants by approximately ten days. The differences in mid-day leaf water potentials (Δψl) and crop temperatures (ΔT) between stressed and non-stressed vegetation were examined. As ΔT increased up to about 4 °C, Δψl, also increased. Beyond that point, Δψl decreased while ΔT continued to increase. This behavior was attributed to stomatal closure which permitted an increase in ψl of the stressed plants (hence reducing Δψl) even as ΔT continued to increase.
On pole and residue extraction in the frequency domain

A data analysis technique is presented for extracting pole and residue content of spectral data where phase data are not available or are not accurate. The technique is applied to a sample spectrum and results are obtained to demonstrate the accuracy and limitations of the procedure.
Bacteriophage T4 tail assembly: Proteins of the sheath, core and baseplate

Abstract Structural intermediates in phage tail formation have been isolated by sucrose gradient centrifugation from cells infected with mutants blocked at various stages in tail assembly. The polypeptide chains of these structures containing 14 C-labeled amino acids have been analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate—acrylamide gel electrophoresis, enabling us to identify the proteins forming the various morphological components of the tail. Comparison of sheathed tails with corebaseplates shows that the contractile sheath is composed of a single species of subunit, the product of gene 18 (mol.wt 80,000). The site for head attachment terminating the tail is composed of the product of gene 15 (mol.wt 35,000). Comparison of core-baseplates with free baseplates shows that the tail core is composed of a single species of subunit, the product of gene 19 (mol.wt 21,000). Free baseplates are composed of at least twelve species of proteins: the products of genes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 29 , and four genetically unidentified species. The incomplete tails which accumulate in cells infected with mutants defective in genes 9, 11 and 12 , which specify proteins on the outside of the baseplate, have also been characterized. Tails from 9 − lysates lack only P9. Tails from 11 − lysates lack both Pll and P12. Tails from 12 − infection lack only P12. Incorporation of P12 into the baseplate requires the function of gene 57 , which is also required for tail fiber assembly. P57 thus appears to take part in the maturation of three different phage structural proteins. The sequential nature of the protein interactions in tail formation is discussed in terms of the regulation of morphogenesis at the level of assembly.
Evaluation of tetrahymena thermophila as an in vitro alternative to ocular irritation studies in rabbits

AbstractThe protozoan Tetrahymena thermophila was evaluated as an indicator organism that might substitute for chemical irritancy testing in rabbit eyes. Using normal motion of the cell as an endpoint of a cytotoxicity assay, it was found that either inbred or outbred cells reacted equally. The temperature, surface area, or age of the culture did not affect test results. When 21 chemicals were compared in vitro to the in vivo Draize eye irritation test, in 86% of the comparisons T. thermophila indicated equal or greater “irritancy” than in vivo testing. It is suggested that the T. thermophila test may be useful as part of a battery of in vitro tests to evaluate the potential irritancy of chemicals to the rabbit eye.
A New Poultry Semen Extender. 5. Relationship of Diluent Components to Cytotoxic Effects of Dimethylsulfoxide on Turkey Spermatozoa

The relationship of components of the Beltsville Poultry Semen Extender (BPSE) to the cytotoxic effects of 4% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) on turkey spermatozoa was studied. Fertilizing capacity was depressed by the omission of any buffer (TES or potassium phosphates) or neutral salt (citrate, acetate, chloride), whereas omitting fructose or sodium glutamate had no significant effect.
Compositionally analyzing a proportional-integral controller family

We define always eventually region stability and then formulate the absolute always eventually region stability problem as the problem of finding a class of plants that a generic proportional-integral (PI) controller can always eventually stabilize. We use real quantifier elimination methods to solve the absolute always eventually region stability problem. The class of plants found in our solution includes nonlinear and switched plant models. Our analysis reveals that if a PI controller satisfies two assumptions of the form: (a) the proportional gain K p and the integral gain K i satisfy an inequality, and (b) the integral of the error term in the controller is saturated, then such a PI controller can be used to establish always eventually region stability for any plant that suitably responds to the control input. Such a result is useful for compositionally verifying a system consisting of a plant and a controller.
Three-dimensional CFD analysis of two circular cylinders arranged perpendicular to each other

A three-dimensional numerical method combining solution of the incompressible Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) equations with a rigid body structural dynamics response has been developed previously to aid in the prediction of the loads and motions of offshore structures. In this paper, we use the tool to compute the hydrodynamic flow around two tandem cylinders oriented perpendicularly to each other. The flow conditions and gap distances between the cylinders are chosen to match a set of water tunnel experiments carried out at the University of Queensland. Comparisons of Strouhal frequencies and example flowfield visualizations are presented between the experimental measurements and associated CFD results.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Nocturnal penile tumescence as a biologic marker in assessing erectile dysfunction

Abstract Recent findings challenge the belief that most cases of impotence are psychogenic. Research indicates that nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) can be viewed as a biologic marker for physiologic erectile capacity. Thus, the test can help to distinguish between physicogenic and psychogenic impotence. To determine proximal causes of erectile failure, other evaluations are easily performed during NPT monitoring.
Gender and Jewish History

Gender and Jewish History Marion A. Kaplan & Deborah Dash Moore (Eds) Indiana University Press, 2011 416 pp., $30.00, ISBN 978-0-253-22263-3 Today's scholarly projects in gender studies are wide-ra...
Large bending of pipes

Abstract The computer model developed has been used successfully for studying the large pipe-bending problem frequently encountered in offshore structural engineering. The pipe-soil interaction is modelled by using the Coulomb friction law. The modified finite element approach coupled with a modified tangent stiffness procedure is used to handle the nonlinearities (geometric and material, etc.) in the problem. The material nonlinearity has been considered both by the plastic-hinge method and by an elastic-plastic method. Before studying the practical problems, sufficient check problems were analysed and a good agreement was found between theoretically exact solutions and the results obtained from the developed computer model.
Flux tubes and the type-I/type-II transition in a superconductor coupled to a superfluid

We analyze magnetic-flux tubes at zero temperature in a superconductor that is coupled to a superfluid via both density and gradient (``entrainment'') interactions. The example we have in mind is high-density nuclear matter, which is a proton superconductor and a neutron superfluid, but our treatment is general and simple, modeling the interactions as a Ginzburg-Landau effective theory with four-fermion couplings, including only $s$-wave pairing. We numerically solve the field equations for flux tubes with an arbitrary number of flux quanta and compare their energies. This allows us to map the type-I/type-II transition in the superconductor, which occurs at the conventional $\ensuremath{\kappa}\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{\lambda}/\ensuremath{\xi}=1/\sqrt{2}$ if the condensates are uncoupled. We find that a density coupling between the condensates raises the critical $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ and, for a sufficiently high neutron density, resolves the type-I/type-II transition line into an infinite number of bands corresponding to ``$\text{type-II}(n)$'' phases, in which $n$, the number of quanta in the favored flux tube, steps from 1 to infinity. For lower neutron density, the coupling creates spinodal regions around the type-I/type-II boundary, in which metastable flux configurations are possible. We find that a gradient coupling between the condensates lowers the critical $\ensuremath{\kappa}$ and creates spinodal regions. These exotic phenomena may not occur in nuclear matter, which is thought to be deep in the type-II region but might be observed in condensed-matter systems.
Parasites of ferrets, rabbits, and rodents

Many parasitic diseases have been reported in ferrets, rabbits, and pet rodent species. These organisms may be primary pathogens, secondary pathogens caused by concurrent disease, or normal commensals for the species. Knowledge of these parasites is important for veterinarians presented with companion small mammals. This review will discuss the common parasitic diseases of ferrets, rabbits, and rodents, including their clinical signs, diagnosis, and treatment.
Reevaluation of the method of Kunitz for the assay of proteolytic activities in liver and brain homogenates.

Abstract The assay of proteolytic activities in liver and brain homogenates by determining the change in absorbancy at 280 mμ in the trichloroacetic acid supernatants of incubation mixtures has been reevaluated. It has been shown that this assay is satisfactory for the study of proteolytic activities with a pH optimum in the acid range. On the other hand, it has been shown that this method does not measure the hydrolysis of protein at neutral pH values, but the hydrolysis of tissue RNA by tissue neutral ribonucleases when the blank is taken from the same incubation mixture at the beginning of the incubation period. In this case, the addition of ATP, coenzyme A, reduced gluthatione, and phosphocreatine to the system induced the release of ninhydrin positive material during the incubation of total homogenates with either hemoglobin or albumin, indicating the activation or the release of inhibition of the neutral proteolytic activity.
Swimming in Opisthobranch Mollusks: Contributions to Control of Motor Behavior: Introduction to the Symposium

Beginning with the pioneering work of Dennis Willows (Willows and Hoyle, 1969; Willows et al. , 1973), studies utilizing opisthobranch mollusks have been particularly useful in the description of rhythmic motor behaviors and their mechanisms of central pattern generation. General mechanisms that contribute to central pattern generator function in other animal groups, such as reciprocal inhibition, postinhibitory rebound, multi-component synaptic potentials, delayed excitation, and extrinsic modulation (to name a few), have been found to contribute to the generation of rhythmic motor behavior in opisthobranchs. In addition, some novel concepts that have since been substantiated in other animal groups were developed through work on opisthobranch locomotory systems: some CPG neurons are multifunctional and may participate in different motor behaviors (Getting, 1989); networks can be intrinsically modulated by components within the CPG networks (Katz et al. , 1994; Katz and Frost, 1995). The Opisthobranch Swimming symposium was organized with a primary goal of providing details of motor control from four specific Opisthobranch orders that have swimming members. This comparative approach is particularly interesting since behavioral observations of swimming activity in the four orders reveal three distinct types of swimming. In the Anaspids ( Aplysia ) and Gymnosomes ( Clione ), swimming is accomplished by flapping of parapodia. In the latter group, parapodia are highly modified into wings. In the Notaspids ( Pleurobranchaea ) and dorso-ventrally flattened Nudibranchs ( Tritonia ), swimming consists of alternate dorsal and ventral flexions of the body. Finally, in the laterally flattened Nudibranchs ( Melibe ), swimming occurs with alternating lateral flexions of the body. In all but one case ( Clione ), the central neural circuits and effectors for swimming also participate in other behaviors. For example, the parapodia of Aplysia undergo local protective contractions in response to directed stimulation and produce coordinated respiratory pumping contractions in addition to their role in swimming (Kandel, 1979). In …
Artificial redox enzymes. II: A computational chemistry study

A computational chemistry study of the artificial redox enzyme synthesized by covalently attaching flavin to cyclodextrins explains some of its properties. Calculations indicate that the flavin moiety covalently attached to cyclodextrin is not within the cavity of cyclodextrin. This result is consistent with the UV-vis spectrum of the artificial enzyme. The calculations also indicate hydrogen bonds formed between the carbonyl groups of the catalytic functionality and the hydroxyl groups of cyclodextrin play a role in their most stable conformation. This explains the observed overall stability of these artificial enzymes compared to riboflavin. Electrostatic energies and solvation energies play a major role in the stability of the hosts and the orientation of guests included within the artificial enzymes. The rates of oxidation of various thiols catalyzed by the artificial enzyme can be explained by the relative distances between the sulfur atom of the substrates and C(4a) of the flavin moiety.
Age-Related Differences in Muscle Fatigue Vary by Contraction Type: A Meta-analysis

Background During senescence, despite the loss of strength (force-generating capability) associated with sarcopenia, muscle endurance may improve for isometric contractions. Purpose The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic meta-analysis of young versus older adults, considering likely moderators (ie, contraction type, joint, sex, activity level, and task intensity). Data Sources A 2-stage systematic review identified potential studies from PubMed, CINAHL, PEDro, EBSCOhost: ERIC, EBSCOhost: Sportdiscus, and The Cochrane Library. Study Selection Studies reporting fatigue tasks (voluntary activation) performed at a relative intensity in both young (18–45 years of age) and old (≥55 years of age) adults who were healthy were considered. Data Extraction Sample size, mean and variance outcome data (ie, fatigue index or endurance time), joint, contraction type, task intensity (percentage of maximum), sex, and activity levels were extracted. Data Synthesis Effect sizes were (1) computed for all data points; (2) subgrouped by contraction type, sex, joint or muscle group, intensity, or activity level; and (3) further subgrouped between contraction type and the remaining moderators. Out of 3,457 potential studies, 46 publications (with 78 distinct effect size data points) met all inclusion criteria. Limitations A lack of available data limited subgroup analyses (ie, sex, intensity, joint), as did a disproportionate spread of data (most intensities ≥50% of maximum voluntary contraction). Conclusions Overall, older adults were able to sustain relative-intensity tasks significantly longer or with less force decay than younger adults (effect size=0.49). However, this age-related difference was present only for sustained and intermittent isometric contractions, whereas this age-related advantage was lost for dynamic tasks. When controlling for contraction type, the additional modifiers played minor roles. Identifying muscle endurance capabilities in the older adult may provide an avenue to improve functional capabilities, despite a clearly established decrement in peak torque.
Design and implementation of a fully testable CMOS D-latch

A fully testable CMOS D-latch (FTD) is proposed. Earlier work had considered D-latches testable by only a limited set of faults. In this paper, a comprehensive test set is developed. This test set is then applied to the FTD. The cost of implementation, analysis and simulation of the FTD are all carried out. Application of the FTD-latch to build a polarity-hold shift register is shown.
Uranium-series Dating of Marine and Lacustrine Carbonates

Of the possible uranium-series dating schemes, the most important and most widely applied to marine carbonates is 230Th dating, with 231Pa dating playing an increasingly important role. For this reason, this review will focus on these two methods. 230Th dating, also referred to as U/Th dating or 238U-234U-230Th dating, involves calculating ages from radioactive decay and ingrowth relationships among 238U, 234U, and 230Th. 232Th is also typically measured as a long-lived, essentially stable index isotope (over the time scales relevant to 230Th dating). At present 230Th dating can, in principle, be used to date materials as young as 3 years and in excess of 600,000 years (Edwards et al. 1987a, 1993; Edwards 1988; see Stirling et al. 2001 for an example of dating corals in excess of 600,000 years old). 231Pa dating, also referred to as U/Pa dating, involves calculating ages from the ingrowth of 231Pa from its grandparent 235U. At present 231Pa dating can be used to date materials as young as 10 years and as old 250,000 years (Edwards et al. 1997). 230Th dating covers all of the 231Pa time range and more, with somewhat higher precision, and is therefore the method of choice if a single method is applied. However, the combination of 231Pa and 230Th dating is of great importance in assessing possible diagenetic mobilization of the pertinent nuclides, and thereby, the accuracy of the ages (Allegre 1964; Ku 1968). Even if the primary age exceeds the 250,000 year limit of 231Pa dating, the combined methods can be used to assess the degree to which the samples have remained closed over the past 250,000 years (e.g., Edwards et al. 1997). Thus …
A SERS DNAzyme biosensor for lead ion detection

SERS biosensor for sensitive and selective detection of lead ions (Pb2+) based on DNAzyme was developed by taking advantage of the specific catalytic reaction of DNAzyme upon binding to Pb2+ ions. Detection was accomplished by SERS nanoprobe labeled with DNA and Raman reporters for signal amplification.
Enhancing interest in electromagnetics among EET students

The distinction between electrical engineering (EE) and electronic engineering technology (EET) programs is obvious. While an EE curriculum is more theoretical, EET curriculum is generally focused on an experience-building learning style and appeals to students who learn best by their hands-on experience. Electronic engineering technology programs prepare students for practical design and production work.
Assessing the Historical Performance of Hospitality Stocks The Investor's Perspective

This article analyzes the historical performance of hospitality stocks, taking into account the magnitude and timing of investor capital flows in and out of the hospitality sector. Using historical...
MR T1ρ Relaxation Time Quantification in Cartilage

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by the progressive loss of hyaline articular cartilage. MRI has been widely applied to visualize cartilage directly. However, conventional MRI is limited to showing cartilage morphological changes at a stage when cartilage is already irreversibly lost. Standard cartilage-dedicated MR techniques include fat-saturated T2-weighted, proton density-weighted fast spin echo (FSE) sequences and T1-weighted spoiled gradient echo (SPGR) sequences. These sequences are inconclusive in quantifying early degenerative changes of the cartilage matrix [1]. As discussed in detail in Chap. 1, hyaline articular cartilage is composed by few chondrocytes surrounded by a large extracellular matrix (ECM). The ECM is composed primarily by water and two groups of macromolecules: proteoglycan and collagen fibers. Early events in the development of cartilage matrix breakdown include the loss of proteoglycans, changes in water content, and molecular-level changes in collagen [2]. Early diagnosis of cartilage degeneration would require the ability to noninvasively detect changes in proteoglycan concentration and collagen integrity before gross morphologic changes occur. This capability of early diagnosis would be valuable for preventing the progression of disease and for therapeutic monitoring. MR T1ρ relaxation time quantification in cartilage has been proposed as a promising tool towards this goal, and T1ρ quantification techniques have been developed in the past decade for imaging early biochemical changes in cartilage matrix. The major clinical applications have been in osteoarthritis (OA) and acutely injured knees that have a high risk of developing OA. In this chapter, we will discuss the basic principles of T1ρ relaxation mechanism, technical development, and clinical applications of this novel technique.
Racial differences in the prevalence of vertebral fractures in older men: the Baltimore Men’s Osteoporosis Study

Older black men have higher adjusted bone mineral density (BMD) and a lower adjusted rate of decline in hip BMD than older white men. There are few published data on the prevalence of morphometric vertebral fractures in older white men and no published data for older black men. The study's objective was to estimate the prevalence of vertebral fractures in older men and explore differences in prevalence between older white and black men. Subjects included five hundred forty-two men (415 white and 127 black) aged 65 and above (mean age of 74.0+/-5.7 years) participating in the longitudinal component of the Baltimore Men's Osteoporosis Study. Radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine were obtained using standard protocols and read for the presence of vertebral deformities using binary semiquantitative techniques. Quantitative morphometry was performed and vertebral fractures were defined using the Melton-Eastell method. BMD was measured at the femoral neck, total hip and lumbar spine. Participants also completed self- and interviewer-administered questionnaires and underwent standardized clinical examinations. One or more vertebral fractures were present in 30 of 514 men with available radiographs: estimated prevalence 5.8% (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 4.0, 8.3%). Prevalence was significantly higher in white than black men, 7.3% vs 0.9% (Fishers' exact p =0.01): age-adjusted odds ratio=8.3 (95% CI: 1.1, 62.5). Among white men, there was no significant difference in age-adjusted femoral neck or total hip BMD or frequency or severity of back pain between men with and without vertebral fractures. In conclusion, older white men have a higher prevalence of vertebral fractures than older black men. This may be related to differences in BMD between these groups.
Revisiting unnecessary larynx irradiation with whole-neck IMRT.

Abstract Purpose To determine if whole-neck intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) spares the larynx as well as techniques that match a conventional anterior-neck field to an IMRT plan superior to the larynx. Methods and Materials This is a dosimetric study using the treatment planning image sets from 5 consecutively treated patients with node-positive squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, all with gross disease above the larynx. We compared 3 techniques for irradiating the mid- and low-neck lymphatics: whole-neck IMRT, conventional anterior-neck field with split-beam matching, and conventional anterior-neck field with gradient matching. Prescription doses for the high-, intermediate-, and standard-risk planning target volumes were 70 Gy, 60 Gy, and 50 Gy, respectively. Results The mean larynx dose was similar with all techniques with median values: whole-neck IMRT, 28 Gy (range, 17-30 Gy); conventional field with split-beam matching, 26 Gy (range, 21-33 Gy); conventional field with gradient matching, 30 Gy (range, 25-31 Gy). Conclusions With meticulous attention to the details of contouring and treatment planning, it is possible to use whole-neck IMRT without increasing the risk of larynx dysfunction compared to techniques that block the larynx in a conventional anterior-neck field. We discuss the potential advantages of each technique in this article.
Differential effects of angiopoietin-like 4 in brain and muscle on regulation of lipoprotein lipase activity

Objective Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key regulator of circulating triglyceride rich lipoprotein hydrolysis. In brain LPL regulates appetite and energy expenditure. Angiopoietin-like 4 (Angptl4) is a secreted protein that inhibits LPL activity and, thereby, triglyceride metabolism, but the impact of Angptl4 on central lipid metabolism is unknown.
Learning from the Wisdom of Crowds by Minimax Entropy

An important way to make large training sets is to gather noisy labels from crowds of nonexperts. We propose a minimax entropy principle to improve the quality of these labels. Our method assumes that labels are generated by a probability distribution over workers, items, and labels. By maximizing the entropy of this distribution, the method naturally infers item confusability and worker expertise. We infer the ground truth by minimizing the entropy of this distribution, which we show minimizes the Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence between the probability distribution and the unknown truth. We show that a simple coordinate descent scheme can optimize minimax entropy. Empirically, our results are substantially better than previously published methods for the same problem.
Borderline Personality Disorder in Late Life

Records of eight elderly patients identified as BPD by a geriatric team were analyzed for compliance with DIB-R and DSM-III-R criteria. A nonborderline control group was randomly selected and matched for age, gender and residence. Clinicians experienced in geriatric mental health performed retrospective chart reviews and found that not one clinically diagnosed BPD patient was identified by either instrument. Although there appear to be a number of constant features of BPD throughout life, this study delineated two major areas of change in BPD in late life.
Getting down to business: library staff training

Develops a model for a library staff training program for business reference. The program identifies core business reference competencies for library staff and uses performance measure standards to meet Reference and User Services Association guidelines. Provides a training program that offers insight into the information‐seeking habits of business students, general knowledge of the business discipline and assistance in identifying appropriate library resources. Covers all aspects of establishing a training program including planning, implementation and assessment. Effective training programs covering business and other disciplines provide library staff with an opportunity for professional development and give the library an avenue to improve the quality of reference assistance.
Reduced biodegradability of desorption-resistant fractions of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in soil and aquifer solids

Less of the desorption-resistant fractions of phenanthrene and naphthalene than freshly added phenanthrene and naphthalene was mineralized in columns of aquifer solids, loam, or muck. Slurrying columns of hydrocarbon-amended aquifer solids, loam, or muck enhanced the rate and extent of mineralization of desorption-resistant phenanthrene and naphthalene, but degradation was still less than in slurries amended with fresh compound. A substantial portion of the desorption-resistant compound remained undegraded in the slurry. A surfactant and methanol increased the mineralization of resistant phenanthrene in slurries of loam. A mixed culture of microorganisms enriched on desorption-resistant phenanthrene degraded twice as much of this fraction of compound as a pseudomonad. We suggest that predictions of the environmental fate of toxic chemicals require information on the biodegradability of the fraction of a compound that is resistant to desorption.
Extreme point characterizations for infinite network flow problems

We study capacitated network flow problems with demands defined on a countably infinite collection of nodes having finite degree. This class of network flow models includes, for example, all infinite horizon deterministic dynamic programs with finite action sets, because these are equivalent to the problem of finding a shortest path in an infinite directed network. We derive necessary and sufficient conditions for flows to be extreme points of the set of feasible flows. Under an additional regularity condition met by all such problems with integer data, we show that a feasible solution is an extreme point if and only if it contains neither a cycle nor a doubly-infinite path consisting of free arcs (an arc is free if its flow is strictly between its upper and lower bounds). We employ this result to show that the extreme points can be characterized by specifying a basis. Moreover, we establish the integrality of extreme point flows whenever node demands and arc capacities are integer valued. We illustrate our results with an application to an infinite horizon economic lot-sizing problem. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. NETWORKS, Vol. 48(4), 209–222 2006
Overall sensitivity-improvement performance metric for analysis, comparison and characterization of MWIR strained-layer super-lattice (SLS) photo-detectors enhanced with microsphere lenses of different material structures and sizes

In this paper we propose a technique and an objective performance metric, that we denote "area-metric", for the analysis and overall comparison and characterization of FTIR spectral response sensitivity-improvement performances of strained-layer superlattice (SLS) 3μm-5μm MWIR single photo detectors, enhanced with microsphere lenses of different dielectric material structures and sizes. In this work we use, analyzer, and compare eleven (11) detector FTIR spectral data collected with two different SLS detector sizes of 35μm and 40μm, and four different microsphere material structure types, namely, BTG (Barium Titanate Glass), SLG (Soda-Lime Glass), PS (Polysterene), and Sapphire, with sizes ranging from 90μm to 300μm. Based on the collected data considered in this work, it is shown that the size of the MWIR SLS detector has less effect on the microsphere-lens-enhanced detector overall spectral sensitivity improvement, than the microsphere lens structure type and size have. It is also shown, based on this overall performance area-metric that, in the 3μm-5μm spectral band, the sapphire material structure of size 300μm integrated on an SLS photo-detector of size 40μm outperforms the other considered ten (10) SLS MWIR photo-detectors enhanced with microspheres of different material structure types/sizes. The robustness to noise of the proposed overall performance metric is also shown here.
Nanoliposomal irinotecan for treating pancreatic cancer

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive and lethal malignancy, with a particularly poor prognosis and limited treatment options, especially after development of gemcitabine-refractory disease. Nanoliposomal irinotecan (MM-398), is a novel formulation of irinotecan hydrochloride (CPT-11), exhibiting improved pharmacokinetic properties and bio-distribution to the tumor tissue in comparison to free-form irinotecan. MM-398, in combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA), is the first regimen approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a second-line treatment in pancreatic cancer, following failure of gemcitabine-based induction chemotherapy.Areas covered: A critical overview of the pharmacology, clinical efficacy and toxicity of MM-398 in pancreatic cancer is herein presented and discussed within the context of currently available treatment strategies as well as in light of future perspectives in this field.Expert opinion: Incorporation of MM-398 as a second-l...
Tropical and Extratropical Controls of Gulf of California Surges and Summertime Precipitation over the Southwestern United States

In this study ERA-Interim data are used to study the influence of Gulf of California (GoC) moisture surges on the North American monsoon (NAM) precipitation over Arizona and western New Mexico (AZWNM), as well as the connection with larger-scale tropical and extratropical variability. To identify GoC surges, an improved index based on principal component analyses of the near-surface GoC winds is introduced. It is found that GoC surges explain up to 70% of the summertime rainfall over AZWNM. The number of surges that lead to enhanced rainfall in this region varies from 4 to 18 per year and is positively correlated with annual summertime precipitation. Regression analyses are performed to explore the relationship between GoC surges, AZWNM precipitation, and tropical and extratropical atmospheric variability at the synoptic (2–8 days), quasi-biweekly (10–20 days), and subseasonal (25–90 days) time scales. It is found that tropical and extratropical waves, responsible for intrusions of moist tropical air into midlatitudes, interact on all three time scales, with direct impacts on the development of GoC surges and positive precipitation anomalies over AZWNM. Strong precipitation events in this region are, however, found to be associated with time scales longer than synoptic, with the quasi-biweekly and subseasonal modes playing a dominant role in the occurrence of these more extreme events.
A Survey on Knowledge,Attitude,Behavior and Influence Factor of Patients with Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Through the investigation on the DAP of patients with diabetes, the data for the diabetes prevention were acquired. METHOD The diabetes patiens were investigated and interviewed by doctors for this investigation.The data were analyzed by non-parameter test, single and multi-factor logistic regress methods. RESULTS The pass rate of total KAP of diabetes was 56.9% , 69.6% and 63.3% respectively; The total KAP has been concerned with education, occupation and family history of diabetes.The K score, A score and P score were related to the age and the education of patients K score and A score are related to family care to a large extent.The patients acquired the knowledge of diabetes from hospital (64.5%) .The patients wish to acquire the knowledge of diabetes through television (68.3%) ,and the desired knwoledge was cure measure (82.3%) . CONCLUSION It is necessary to carry out the health education program for them according to their health demand.
Onboard Radar Processor Development for Rapid Response to Natural Hazards

The unique capabilities of imaging radar to penetrate cloud cover and collect data in darkness over large areas at high resolution makes it a key information provider for the management and mitigation of natural and human-induced hazards. Researchers have demonstrated the use of UAVSAR data to determine flood extent, forest fire extent, lava flow, and landslide. Data latency of at most 2–3 h is required for the radar data to be of use to the disaster responders. We have developed a UAVSAR on-board processor for real time and autonomous operations that has high fidelity and accuracy to enable timely generation of polarimetric and interferometric data products for rapid response applications. This on-board processor design provides a space-qualification path for technology infusion into future space missions in a high-radiation environment with modest power and weight allocations. The processor employs a hybrid architecture where computations are divided between field-programmable gate arrays, which are better suited to rapid, repetitious computations, and a microprocessor with a floating-point coprocessor that is better suited to the less frequent and irregular computations. Prior to implementing phase preserving processor algorithms in FPGA code, we developed a bit-true processor model in MATLAB that is modularized and parameterized for ease of testing and the ability to tradeoff processor design with performance. The on-board processor has been demonstrated on UAVSAR flights.
Management of the neurogenic bowel in patients with spinal cord injury

Bowel dysfunction in patients with spinal cord injury has a significant impact on quality of life as well as causing morbidity and death. This article reviews the pathophysiologic features of the neurogenic bowel of patients with spinal cord injury. Also discussed are the clinical manifestations, current options for management, and newer approaches that address this chronic and debilitating problem.
ON THE EVOLUTION OF A BIOSYNTHETIC PATHWAY

Publisher Summary This chapter outlines experiments and studies undertaken on the evolution of a biosynthetic pathway. According to investigators at Yale University headed by R. J. Anderson, sterols, compounds ubiquitous in animal and plant cells were not present in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Schoenheimer and Rittenberg recognized that the synthesis of cholesterol occurs totally and de novo in the animal body from low molecular weight precursors. To prove that acetic acid was the exclusive carbon source for the C27 structure in the animal body was a more difficult task. Acetic acid in the form of acetyl CoA arises in large amounts from the breakdown of carbohydrate, fatty acids and amino acids. On mixing with this large tissue pool, labeled dietary acetic acid will suffer isotope dilution to an extent that cannot be easily or accurately estimated. One way to solve the problem was to degrade biosynthetically labeled cholesterol carbon by carbon and to ascertain whether each of the twenty-seven positions had been tagged by one or the other acetate carbons.
Growth Potential of Individual Strains of Listeria monocytogenes in Fresh Vacuum-Packaged Refrigerated Ground Top Rounds of Beef.

Separate inocula of four strains of Listeria monocytogenes were prepared at 4°C and inoculated (3.58 to 4.67 log10 colony forming units [CFU]/g) in top round ground beef ( 0.05) during the 56 days of storage. Strain Scott A (serotype 4b) decreased in numbers from 4.00 ± 1.21 log10 CFU/g at day-0 to 2.72 ± 0.98 log10 CFU/g at 56 days. Populations of strain Scott A were lower (P 0.05), and they were lower (P< 0.05) than populations of other strains at 28 days. The results indicated that although growth of L. monocytogenes in vacuum-packaged, refrigerated ground beef was slow, it proceeded more rapidly in product of pH values above 6.0, and depended on strain of the pathogen tested.
Real-Time Computation of Control Torques for Mechanical Manipulators using Concurrent Processors

The fast real-time control of a rigid open link robot-arm necessitates that the forward kinematics and inverse dynamics problems be solved in as short a time as possible. The solution of the Newton-Euler equations sequentially, although fast compared with the Lagrange-Euler approach, may still not be fast enough for the real-time determination of applied joint torques and the efficient feedback control of the non-linear effects. In this work, a parallel stratagem is detailed which gives about four times speedup over a sequential scheme for a six-links robot-arm. For an n - link robot-arm, the stratagem uses 2n processing elements with 2 processing elements assigned to each link. The processors are arranged in two layers, with n processors in each layer. In general, the top layer computes the angular velocity terms and the bottom layer computes angular acceleration terms.
An ex-ante analysis of housing location choices due to housing displacement: The case of Bristol Place

Abstract Urban renewal has been criticized for its unintended effects on the displacement of residents to housing situations where they are worse off. The literature concerned with housing displacement focuses on after the fact (ex post) analysis of mobility, hence providing only partial insights to prospective outcomes for residents. In this article, we develop a methodology for predicting before the fact (ex ante) spatial location outcomes for residents facing forced displacement. We ask where in the city will displaced residents locate and how do potential new locations compare to the current one? We apply this methodology to an ongoing urban renewal project in Illinois in order to predict spatial relocation patterns. Our findings show that residents facing forced displacement are likely to relocate to low-priced neighborhoods that are on average as bad or worse off in terms of housing adequacy, accessibility to labor, and shopping. These findings not only bear important implications for urban redevelopment policy, but also help to reveal spatially determined costs of moving which are not factored into current redevelopment impact evaluations.
Late onset neuromyelitis optica mimicking an acute stroke in an elderly patient

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) was recently proposed as a unifying term for Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and related syndromes to incorporate patients with NMO antibody but without the full clinical spectrum. NMO is a rare, demyelinating condition which predominantly affects females with a peak incidence in the third and fourth decade of life. We report a case of NMOSD in an elderly patient with extremely late onset (>80years) of disease. The patient presented with findings of sudden onset unilateral symptoms, which is extremely unusual for NMOSD. She had frequent relapses which were treated with high dose steroids and plasmapheresis but has not had any relapse since being started on immunosuppressive therapy and continues to do well. Our case also highlights the varied clinical presentations of NMOSD and we believe that the diagnosis of NMOSD should be considered in elderly patients in the appropriate clinical setting despite the presence of unconventional symptoms.