cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of disease-free survival in rectal cancer patients undergoing curative proctectomy.

Objective To identify the factors that affect the disease-free survival (DFS) of rectal cancer patients. Method Patients from an IRB approved rectal cancer database were reviewed (1990–2000). All patients underwent either abdominoperineal resection or low anterior resection using total mesorectal excision with curative intent. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to analyse the factors that influenced DFS. Results A total of 304 patients were reviewed (mean age 64, 52% male). Seventy-seven per cent of patients received neoadjuvant therapy (28.6% short-course radiation therapy (RT), 35.5% long-course RT, 12.5% chemo-RT). The radial margin was involved with tumour in 5.2% of patients (final pathology). The overall survival rate was 85.2% with a mean follow-up time of 33 ± 26 months. The mean time to death was 34.8 ± 26.8 months. Local recurrence (± distant recurrence) occurred in 4%. Anastomotic leaks occurred in 3.6% of patients. Overall pathologic stage, pathologic T stage, nodal status, the use of adjuvant chemotherapy, tumour fixation, involvement of the radial margin, the presence of mucin, and lymphatic and perineural invasion (PNI) were predictors of DFS by univariate analysis. Of note, anastomotic leaks and obstructing cancers did not influence DFS. Using multivariate analysis with backward elimination, overall pathologic stage, radial margin status, adjuvant chemotherapy, and PNI predicted the DFS. Conclusion Major predictors of DFS in rectal cancer are the overall pathologic stage, adjuvant chemotherapy, radial margin status and PNI. Radial margin status may be a marker of tumour aggressiveness and should be considered in deciding on adjuvant chemotherapy.
The Happiest of Finds: William L. Rathje's Influence on the Field of Discard Studies

The study of waste has many roots. For more than half a century, anthropologists, historians, and policy analysts have attempted to understand what, how, and why societies dispose of materials deemed worthless or hazardous. Historical approaches to discard studies include analyses of the creation of industrial wastes, the development of infrastructures such as landfills and wastewater treatment facilities, and the emergence of formal and informal recycling systems (Melosi 2005; Tarr 1996). Anthropologists, including Mary Douglas (1966), have considered cultural constructions of waste. Sociologists and economists have assessed consumption and disposal patterns (Bullard 2000; Strasser 1999; Thompson 1979). William L. Rathje, who died in 2012, made a unique and enduring contribution to the interdisciplinary study of waste by focusing on the materiality of discards. Rathje applied his archaeological training in unearthing the material culture of prehistoric societies to provide new perspectives on industrial societies, perspectives that have proved influential on the broad field of discard studies. Rathje completed his doctorate in anthropology from Harvard University in 1971, submitting a dissertation on Lowland Classic Maya socio-political organization (Rathje 1971). He subsequently continued to study Mesoamerican societies. In 1973, he was a co-director of the Cozumel Archaeological Project, sponsored by the National Geographic Society (Sabloff and Rathje 1975). As Rathje completed his degree, interest in contemporary garbage was on the rise. Environmental concern about waste in the 1960s had led to the passage of a series of federal and state laws intended to curb garbage and pollution. A few aficionados began attempting to use discarded materials to interpret contemporary life. By the end of 1970, A. J. Weberman had begun calling his attempts to decipher Bob Dylan’s lyrics through the songwriter’s Greenwich Village trash “garbology.” Any value Weberman gained from analyzing Dylan’s old coffee grounds and his young son’s dirty diapers was limited to fantasies; however Weberman’s scrounging brought to light the possibility that studying garbage might illuminate our lives. Not long after Weberman began snooping through Dylan’s garbage, Rathje applied his more rigorous methods to modern garbage, but with the goal of ethnoarchaeology, Vol. 7 No. 2, October, 2015, 173–178
Using concept-based instruction in the L2 classroom: Perspectives from current and future language teachers

A number of recent studies (see, for example, Lantolf, 2010; Negueruela & Lantolf, 2006; van Compernolle, 2011) have focused on the use of learning tools developed according to the principles of co...
Behavioral rhythmicity of mice lacking AhR and attenuation of light-induced phase shift by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin.

Transcription factors belonging to the Per/Arnt/Sim (PAS) domain family are highly conserved and many are involved in circadian rhythm regulation. One member of this family, aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), is an orphan receptor whose physiological role is unknown. Recent findings have led to the hypothesis that AhR has a role in circadian rhythm, which is the focus of the present investigation. First, time-of-day dependent mRNA expression of AhR and its signaling target, cytochrome p4501A1 (Cyp1a1) was determined in C57BL/6J mice by quantitative RT-PCR. Circadian expression of AhR and Cyp1a1 was observed both in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and liver. Next, the circadian phenotype of mice lacking AhR (AhRKO) was investigated using behavioral monitoring. Intact AhRKO mice had robust circadian rhythmicity with a similar tau under constant conditions compared to wild-type mice, but a significant difference in tau was observed between genotypes in ovariectomized female mice. Time to re-entrainment following 6-h advances or delays of the light/dark cycle was not significantly different between genotypes. However, mice exposed to the AhR agonist 2,3,7,8-tetracholorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD, 1 μg/kg BW) displayed decreased phase shifts in response to light and had altered expression of Per1 and Bmal1. These results suggest that chronic activation of AhR may affect the ability of the circadian timekeeping system to adjust to alterations in environmental lighting by affecting canonical clock genes. Further studies are necessary to decipher the mechanism of how AhR agonists could disrupt light-induced phase shifts. If AhR does have a role in circadian rhythm, it may share redundant roles with other PAS domain proteins and/or the role of AhR may not be exhibited in the behavioral activity rhythm, but could be important elsewhere in the peripheral circadian system.
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on wetted area of submerged superhydrophobic granular coatings. Part 1: mono-dispersed coatings

Abstract Properly designed superhydrophobic surfaces can reduce the skin-friction drag on objects submerged in moving water. This drag reduction is caused by a reduction in wetted area from air entrapped in the pores of the surface. For granular superhydrophobic surfaces, where the air–water interface is not necessarily pinned to the pore entrance, predicting the wetted area is not a trivial task, as the air–water interface can easily move into or out of the pore in response to instantaneous operating pressure or due to air dissolution into the ambient water. The relationship between wetted area and drag-reduction is complicated, and reducing the wetted area does not guarantee a reduction in drag force. However, the ability to predict the wetted area allows one to design more efficient superhydrophobic coatings to meet the specific needs of different applications. This work presents an analytical force-balance method developed to approximate the wetted area of a superhydrophobic surface made of particles of equal size but different Young–Laplace contact angles. The accuracy of our simple analytical formulations is examined using the rigorous numerical calculations of the Surface Evolver code, and reasonable agreement has been observed. Effects of particle diameter, particle contact angles, particle packing fraction, and spatial distribution on positive and negative critical hydrostatic pressures and their corresponding wetted area are predicted and discussed in detail.
METHODOLOGY FOR MEASURING HEALTH-STATE PREFERENCES-III: POPULATION AND CONTEXT EFFECTS

In addition to the scaling method, there are many other aspects of the measurement process that may affect rater judgments of the relative desirability of health states. Although we find little compelling evidence of population differences in preferences due to demographic characteristics, there is some evidence suggesting that medical knowledge and/or experience with illness may influence raters' valuations of health states. Other aspects of the rating process that affect rater judgments can be classified as one of two types: inconsistencies due to limitations in human judgment, and inconsistencies due to situation-specific variables. When inconsistencies are due to limitations in human judgment, such as framing effects, a reasonable solution is to help the rater to see and correct the inconsistency. When inconsistencies are due to situation-specific variables, such as the way the health state is defined and presented, investigators should attempt to standardize conditions across studies.
Exposure to Experimental Preeclampsia in Mice Enhances the Vascular Response to Future Injury

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading killer of women in developed nations. One sex-specific risk factor is preeclampsia, a syndrome of hypertension and proteinuria that complicates 5% of pregnancies. Although preeclampsia resolves after delivery, exposed women are at increased long-term risk of premature CVD and mortality. Pre-existing CVD risk factors are associated with increased risk of developing preeclampsia but whether preeclampsia merely uncovers risk or contributes directly to future CVD remains a critical unanswered question. A mouse preeclampsia model was used to test the hypothesis that preeclampsia causes an enhanced vascular response to future vessel injury. A preeclampsia-like state was induced in pregnant CD1 mice by overexpressing soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, a circulating antiangiogenic protein that induces hypertension and glomerular disease resembling human preeclampsia. Two months postpartum, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 levels and blood pressure normalized and cardiac size and function by echocardiography and renal histology were indistinguishable in preeclampsia-exposed compared with control mice. Mice were then challenged with unilateral carotid injury. Preeclampsia-exposed mice had significantly enhanced vascular remodeling with increased vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation (180% increase; P<0.01) and vessel fibrosis (216% increase; P<0.001) compared with control pregnancy. In the contralateral uninjured vessel, there was no difference in remodeling after exposure to preeclampsia. These data support a new model in which vessels exposed to preeclampsia retain a persistently enhanced vascular response to injury despite resolution of preeclampsia after delivery. This new paradigm may contribute to the substantially increased risk of CVD in woman exposed to preeclampsia.
Sawtooth contrast sensitivity: decrements have the edge.

Abstract Mirror-image sawtooth waveforms (rapid-on and rapid-off) were used to test for differences in sensitivity to incremental and decremental stimuli. Temporal contrast sensitivity functions were measured for rapid-on and rapid-off sawtooths and for sine wave stimuli (for 2–26 Hz, mean retinal illuminance of 500 td, circular target of 1.8 deg, foveal). Rapid-off sawtooths yielded higher sensitivity than rapid-on sawtooths at low and middle frequencies. This advantage for detection of decremental lights was confirmed in an experiment in which contrast sensitivity was determined for the sum of a rapid-on and a rapid-off waveform added over the full range of phase angles. Our data, based on periodic rather than pulsed stimuli, broaden and strengthen the evidence that the visual system is more sensitive to decrements than to increments in light level.
Sea Surface Temperature Response to Variations in Atmospheric Wind Forcing

Abstract Sea surface temperature changes occurring during atmospheric forcing events defined in terms of wind speed are examined with the long time series of surface data at Ocean Weather Ships P, V and N in the North Pacific Ocean. The 3 h forcing is expressed in terms of u*3, where u* is the atmospheric friction velocity, and various heat flux components. It is shown that the distributions of atmospheric forcing during the warming season are rather similar to those of the cooling season, although the intensity of the forcing is much less in the warming season. The nonlinearity in the u*3 distribution is very similar in both seasons. That is, a few of the most intense synoptic events provide a majority of the turbulent kinetic energy input to the upper layers of the ocean. During the majority of time, the winds are light and there is inadequate turbulent kinetic energy to maintain a deep layer against the stabilizing effects of near-surface heating. It is found that sea temperature increases during the w...
Digital Equalization of a Polyphase Harmonic Mixer

A mathematical framework is developed for the harmonic distortion problem. This formulation has interesting analogies to well-studied problems in array processing and multiuser detection. Based on this framework, a minimum mean squared error equalizer is first derived. By exploiting the unique structure of the signature vectors, a noniterative low-complexity blind equalizer is proposed. Existing harmonic rejection approaches are analyzed within this framework. The proposed equalizer can be shown to significantly outperform existing approaches in the presence of large interferers.
Cognitive behavioural therapy for anxiety disorders and insomnia: a commentary on future directions

Anxiety disorders and insomnia significantly impair daily functioning. Similar underlying mechanisms may account for the high comorbidity of both disorders, and respective treatments share pharmacological and behavioural features. This review suggests the utility of an integrated CBT approach in the treatment of generalized anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and panic disorders, and comorbid insomnia. Other anxiety disorders were not explored because current data are limited or inconsistent. A comprehensive, non-systematic review of the literature was conducted to evaluate the treatment of comorbid anxiety and insomnia disorders, and data reveal shared pharmacological and behavioural features of insomnia and anxiety disorders treatment. However, research demonstrates that CBT maintains successful treatment results longer than drug therapies. Despite similar treatment approaches, there is a paucity of research that explores integrated CBT approaches for comorbid anxiety and insomnia disorders. This review suggests that future research should assess the impact of combined therapeutic approaches on the simultaneous reduction of anxiety disorders, insomnia, and relapse rates.
I Just Want My Research Credit: Frequency of Suboptimal Effort in a Non-Clinical Healthy Undergraduate Sample

Although performance validity testing is becoming fairly routine in clinical settings, research protocols involving neuropsychological tests infrequently include assessments of performance validity. The current study utilized an embedded measure of effort over two administrations of CNS Vital Signs to determine the frequency of poor effort in non-clinical healthy undergraduate students participating in a research study for course credit. Results indicate that more than 1 in 10 college students participating in a cognitive test battery for research showed test scores consistent with inadequate effort, which was associated with poor performance on testing across many domains. This conclusion was supported by poor performance on many other subtests. Healthy college students with suboptimal effort (n = 11) had an overall score in the 15th percentile on average compared to the 48th percentile in the rest of the students (n = 66). Those who failed validity indicators on the baseline administration were more lik...
The Effect of the Competitive Structure upon Expenditures for Advertising

Introduction, 610. — Case 1: Firms whose response functions pass through the origin, 612. — Case 2: Firms whose response functions are positive at zero promotion levels, 619. — General discussion and conclusions, 626.
DISEASE-FREE AND OVERALL SURVIVAL AFTER CRYOSURGICAL MONOTHERAPY FOR CLINICAL STAGES B AND C CARCINOMA OF THE PROSTATE: A 20-YEAR FOLLOWUP

ABSTRACTPurpose: We attempt to provide insight into the historical efficacy of cryosurgical monotherapy for prostate carcinoma through a single institution, retrospective, long-term followup.Materials and Methods: From 1973 to 1977, 66 men underwent cryosurgical monotherapy for prostate carcinoma. Patient charts were reviewed to determine age, clinical stage, tumor grade, and progression-free, overall and cause specific survival status.Results: Of 51 patients 47 to 81 years old (mean age 67.2) with clinically localized carcinoma 11 had clinical stage B and 40 had stage C disease. Tumor grade was well differentiated in 11 cases, moderately differentiated in 26, poorly differentiated in 11 and undetermined in 3. Recurrence was documented in 40 of the 51 men (78.4%) as local in 34 and unspecified in 6. Following recurrence all patients were treated with adjuvant therapy. All but 2 patients were followed until death with a mean followup of 93.7 months. Of the 51 men 24 (47.1%) died of disease and 17 (33.3%) d...
MECHANISMS OF RESISTANCE OF ESCHERICHIA COLI TO SULFONAMIDES.

Abstract Various mutants of Escherichia coli resistant to the growth-inhibiting properties of sulfonamides have been isolated by using a variety of sulfonamides as selection agents. Two mutants (selected against sulfathiazole) produce enzyme systems (for the conversion of p-aminobenzoic acid into folic acid compounds) that are different from the enzyme system of the parent strain only in that sulfonamides are not as effective in inhibiting the enzymic reaction for the formation of dihydropteroic acid from p-aminobenzoic acid. Thus, it appears that these enzyme systems possess “altered enzymes” that differ structurally from the enzyme of the parent strain in that they do not combine as readily with sulfonamides. The altered “enzymes” from these two mutants also differ from one another in (a) heat stability characteristics, and (b) the degrees with which they can combine with the various sulfonamides. All of the mutants selected against sulfonamides other than sulfathiazole produced folic acid synthesizing enzyme systems that resembled that of the parent strain both in amounts produced and in effectiveness of utilization of p-aminobenzoic acid and sulfonamides. It is thought that these latter mutants are different from the parent strain in that their permeability characteristics have been changed so that sulfonamides cannot readily permeate the cells.
DNA damage and repair in rabbit lens epithelial cells following UVA radiation

Since ultraviolet light may be a contributing factor to cataractogenesis, we investigated the response of the lens epithelium, a potential target for W insult, to WA radiation, Cell survival and the induction and repair of DNA single-strand breaks (SSBs) were measured in cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells following WA exposure. The light was passed through a filter which eliminated wavelengths below 335 nm in order to ensure that the cells were exposed only to WA. In order to study the effect of various fluences of WA on cell survival, 2 × 106 cells suspended in mode's buffer were exposed to WA. During all irradiations the cells were maintained at 0.5 °C in order to minimize DNA repair. Following WA treatment, 200 cells were cultured in minimal essential medium containing 10% rabbit serum, and a colony forming assay was used to quantify cell survival. WA induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner. In additional experiments, confluent epithelial cells on glass slides immersed in Tyrode's buffer were ...
Turbulent Flow Past a Surface-Mounted Two-Dimensional Rib

The ability of the nonlinear k-[epsilon] turbulence model to predict the flow in a separated duct flow past a wall-mounted, two-dimensional rib was assessed through comparisons with the standard k-[epsilon] model and experimental results. Improved predictions of the streamwise turbulence intensity and the mean streamwise velocities near the high-speed edge of the separated shear layer and in the flow downstream of reattachment were obtained with the nonlinear model. More realistic predictions of the production and dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy near reattachment were also obtained. Otherwise, the performance of the two models was comparable, with both models performing quite well in the core flow regions and close to reattachment and both models performing poorly in the separated and shear-layer regions close to the rib.
The contribution of helical potential to the in vitro receptor binding activity of a neuropeptide Y N‐terminal deletion fragment

In its dimeric form neuropeptide Y (NPY) folds into a compact structure in which the antiparallel oriented proline and alpha-helices apparently associate to form a primitive hydrophobic core. To investigate the contribution of helical stability to the receptor binding activity of NPY and its N-terminal deletion fragments, we synthesized and studied the solution conformational properties and in vitro activities of NPY, N alpha-acetyl-NPY2-36, NPY15-36, N alpha-propionyl-NPY15-36, and N alpha-succinyl-NPY15-36. NPY15-36 is significantly less helical than both NPY and N alpha-acetyl-NPY2-36, and this decreased helical potential is attributed to the absence of the intramolecular stabilizing interaction afforded by the proline helix in the latter analogues. However, in accord with the helix dipole model, the helical potential of NPY15-36 is significantly increased by N-terminal succinylation, whereas propionylation has no effect. In addition to an increase in helical potential, N alpha-succinyl-NPY15-36 is 2.5 and 4.6 times more active than NPY15-36 and N alpha-propionyl-NPY15-36, respectively, and is equipotent with N alpha-acetyl-NPY2-36 in displacing 1 nM [3H]-NPY from specific binding sites in rat brain membranes. The demonstration of a positive correlation between % alpha-helix content and in vitro binding activity suggests that the helical potential of N-terminal NPY deletion fragments contributes to their in vitro activity in the rat brain, and that a second role of the proline helix might be to stabilize the receptor-active conformation of the NPY alpha-helix.
Functional characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to growth hormone receptor

Abstract Upon engagement with appropriate ligands, receptors can be activated to initiate various metabolic and morphological changes in living cells. An attempt was made in this study to generate monoclonal antibodies (mAb) specific to recombinant rat growth hormone receptor (GHR) and subsequently to investigate their ability to act as biologically active ligands. Three mAbs, designated 1A9, 1H2 and 2C3, were produced and all were highly reactive with GHR in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In contrast to 1H2, 1A9 and 2C3 competed with radioactive growth hormone (GH) tracer for the binding to GHR in a radioreceptor assay, suggesting that the GH-binding sites of GHR were identical, or very close to its epitopes recognized by 1A9 and 2C3. The molecular interaction evaluated by the BIAcore technology further demonstrated the separate GHR epitopes for 1A9 and 2C3, 2C3 apparently targeted the precise GH-binding sites of GHR, while the antigenic determinants for 1A9 were not at the site, but adjacent to it. Functional analysis showed that 2C3 promoted the growth of hypophysectomized rats, whereas others failed to do so. Therefore, findings from the present study suggest that these mAbs recognize distinct GHR epitopes and are useful for investigating the structure-function relationship of GHR. Furthermore, 2C3 may prove important as a biologically active agonist for better understanding of the process of GHR activation relevant to growth.
Free Energy of Translocating an Arginine-Rich Cell-Penetrating Peptide across a Lipid Bilayer Suggests Pore Formation

The molecular mechanism and energetics of the translocation of arginine-rich, cell-penetrating peptides through membranes are still under debate. One possible mechanism involves the formation of a water pore in the membrane such that the hydrophilic residues of the peptide are solvated throughout the translocating process. In this work, employing two different order parameters, we calculate the free energies of translocating a cyclic Arg(9) peptide into a lipid bilayer along one path that involves a water-pore formation and another path that does not form a separate pore. The free-energy barrier of translocating the peptide along a pore path is 80 kJ/mol lower than along a pore-free path. This suggests that the peptide translocation is more likely associated with a water-pore formation.
Outcomes in Ovarian Cancer among Hispanic Women Living in the United States: A Population-Based Analysis

Introduction. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the United States. There is limited data on presentation and outcomes among Hispanic women with ovarian cancer. Objective. To investigate how ovarian cancer presents among Hispanic women in the USA and to analyze differences in presentation, staging, and survival between Hispanic and non-Hispanic women with ovarian cancer. Methods. Data from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004 were extracted from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database. Results. The study sample comprised 1215 Hispanics (10%), 10 652 non-Hispanic whites (83%), and 905 non-Hispanic blacks (7%). Hispanic women were diagnosed with ovarian cancer at a younger age and earlier stage when compared to non-Hispanic whites, non-Hispanic blacks; . Similar proportion of Hispanics (33%), non-Hispanic whites (32%), and non-Hispanic blacks (24%) underwent lymphadenectomy; . Hispanics with epithelial ovarian cancer histology had longer five-year survival of 30.6 months compared to non-Hispanic whites (22.8 months) and non-Hispanic blacks (23.3 months); . Conclusion. Hispanic women with ovarian cancer have a statistically significantly longer median survival compared to whites and blacks. This survival difference was most apparent in patients with epithelial cancers and patients with stage IV disease.
On the Fragmentation of Drops

Etude en tube a choc de la fragmentation par une onde de choc de gouttes de mercure tombant dans un liquide aqueux a bulles
Adipocyte differentiation: a transcriptional regulatory cascade

The adipose cell is now known to play a complex role in energy homeostasis, energy storage and signaling to other tissues concerning the state of energy balance. The past few years have seen an explosive increase in our knowledge of the transcriptional basis of adipocyte differentiation. Factors such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein family members, and adipocyte determination- and differentiation-dependent factor 1 play important regulatory roles in this process. Furthermore, these factors provide a focus for beginning to understand how various hormones and metabolites influence the development of adipose tissue in vivo.
Can an Advance Organizer Technique Compensate for Poor Reading Conditions

AbstractIn Experiment 1, 201 college students read both a literary and a technical text either in an advance organizer condition or a non-organizer control condition. Results failed to support the hypothesis that an organizing schema would help subjects with good reasoning skills compensate for poor memory skills or information overload caused by speeded reading conditions. In Experiment 2, data from a sample of 189 college subjects demonstrated that real-world distractions do cause significant learning decrements but failed to support predictions that an organizer would aid distractible students and would compensate for distracting study conditions. Findings suggest that the organizer technique does not help compensate for processing deficits related to information overload or distracting study conditions.
A computational framework for analyzing the dynamic response of glassy polymers

Abstract A framework is presented for analyzing the low temperature inelastic behavior of amorphous glassy polymers with full account taken of finite deformations and inertial effects. Two classes of viscoplastic constitutive equations are explored: rate-sensitive Drucker–Prager type models and an elaborate macromolecular model. These constitutive equations are integrated using a forward gradient time integration scheme. The capabilities of the framework are illustrated by finite element solutions of initial/boundary-value problems under plane-strain conditions. The discretized equations of motion are integrated using a Newmark algorithm. Three illustrative benchmark problems are used to evaluate the proposed implementation: dynamic shear band formation and propagation in a polymer under compression, dynamic response of a polymer under impact and quasi-static response of a polymer composite plate with a hole under uniaxial tension along fibers.
The extended preferred ordering theorem for precision acquisition tracking and pointing

In radar tracking, the Preferred Ordering Theorem for updating the state vector in rectangular coordinates using an Extended Kalman Filter states that the measurement components of a detection should be used sequentially in the order azimuth first, then elevation, and range last. Such is counterintuitive to a common belief that the most accurate measurement should be used first, since that is usually range. However, it is observed here that the theorem can lose its efficacy as a track converges - and that the expected value of an EKF update is not always well-defined. An "extension" is therefore given, which is dubbed the DKF after Desargues, since it is based on an analysis involving projective geometry. With this approach the conditional update of a track in rectangular coordinates becomes well defined in the sense that a preferred order is obviated, and it can now be updated using a range or angle observation, separately or sequentially in either order, with less error. In this presentation the basic issues are illustrated, and the DFK is defined and contrasted with the EKF for the two-dimensional motionless target case.
First indication of Ampere tension in solid electric conductors

Abstract An empirical law for the mechanical force between two current-elements, originally deduced by Ampere from a series of classical experiments, asserts that an electric current flowing along a straight wire should place the wire in tension. The existence of longitudinal Ampere forces at solid-liquid conductor interfaces has been demonstrated by various investigators during the past 160 years. This letter contains the first report of pulse currents creating sufficient tension to cause fracture in hot copper and aluminum wires.
Earl Warren's "New Deal": Economic Transition, Postwar Planning, and Higher Education in California

World War II was a time of unprecedented industrial growth and urban and suburban expansion in California. War mobilization ushered in new types of postindustrial and technology-based industries. Military bases were established up and down the Pacific Coast. Factories suddenly materialized, supplying military hardware, jobs, and, in turn, attracting a new wave of migrants.
Abnormal downward gaze and cold caloric examination due to propofol: a case study.

Abstract Background An adolescent girl had isolated abnormal downward gaze and oculovestibular (cold caloric) testing during propofol administration, prompting concern for brainstem abnormality. Patient An otherwise healthy 16-year-old girl presented after an intentional hanging. Brainstem reflexes were normal except that both eyes exhibited tonic downward gaze on initial examination. After propofol was suspended for 30 minutes in order to evaluate her level of responsiveness, her eyes normalized to midposition from tonic downward gaze. With reinitiation of propofol, the eyes returned to the former downward position. C-collar stabilization prohibited the usual oculocephalic (doll's eyes) evaluation. Right-sided cold water instillation resulted in right eye exodeviation to the right with minimal medial movement of the left eye to the right. After left-sided cold water instillation, the left eye deviated downward with minimal medial deviation of the right eye. She was extubated and off sedatives within 48 hours of admission, and normal ocular motility returned. Conclusion This patient exhibited abnormal ocular motility and cold caloric response with single-agent propofol exposure. The remainder of her cranial nerve examination was normal, and her normal imaging studies and prompt resolution led us to suspect a propofol effect. Physicians should be aware of the pharmacologic alterations of ocular motility and cold caloric testing when propofol is administered.
Effects of light, alien grass, and native species additions on hawaiian dry forest restoration

Alien species invasions have already caused substantial ecological and eco- nomic damage and will likely have even greater negative consequences in the future. Thus, it is imperative to improve our basic ecological understanding of these invasions and enhance our ability to reverse or mitigate their often devastating effects. Invasions by fire- promoting alien grasses have played a particularly important role in the destruction of tropical dry forests and are a major reason why these ecosystems are now among the most endangered in the world. We investigated how light availability (full sun and 50% shade), alien grass control (bulldoze, herbicide, plastic mulch, and trim treatments), and native species additions (outplanting and direct-seeding) affected the establishment of native plants and the suppression of a dominant invasive bunchgrass (fountain grass, Pennisetum seta- ceum) within a highly degraded fenced dry forest remnant on the island of Hawaii. The percent cover of native species increased in all light, grass control, and species addition treatments throughout the 20 mo of the experiment, and was greatest in the shade, bulldoze, and outplant treatments. Although fountain grass cover also increased over time in all grass control treatments, the three more aggressive techniques all significantly reduced grass cover relative to the more moderate trim treatment. In addition, there was a significant overall negative correlation between the final cover of fountain grass and native species, suggesting that these native species may successfully compete with fountain grass for water and/or nutrients. Outplant survival and the number of individuals established from direct- seeding differed significantly among the grass control treatments, and in each case, the response was highly species specific. Photosynthetic rates of established outplanted indi- viduals and fountain grass did not differ significantly across most experimental environ- ments, indicating that the local dominance of fountain grass may not be due to superior physiological attributes. The results of this experiment highlight the importance of inves- tigating species- and treatment-specific responses before attempting larger-scale restoration projects, particularly when using rare and endangered species. This study also suggests that relatively simple techniques may be used to simultaneously establish populations of vig- orous understory native species and suppress alien grasses at relatively large spatial scales, and that remnant or newly created favorable microsites may be exploited to facilitate the establishment of rarer native overstory species.
Aquatic toxicity and abiotic thiol reactivity of aliphatic isothiocyanates: Effects of alkyl-size and -shape.

Abstract Aquatic toxicity data in the TETRATOX assay and reactivity data in an abiotic thiol assay were collected for a series of aliphatic isothiocyanates. These compounds can act as Michael-type acceptors with N -hydro-C-mercapto-addition to cellular thiols as a molecular mechanism of action. Comparison of both toxicity and reactivity among the analogues revealed that derivatives with a branch hydrocarbon moiety, especially branched in the β-position were less toxic and less reactive. In contrast, the di-isothiocyanate and the allyl and propargyl derivatives are more toxic than their 1-alkyl homologues. The toxicity and reactivity differences are consistent but except for the tert -butyl-derivative not remarkable. The differences are due to variations in steric hindrance at the reaction center. For the mono-isothiocyanates compounds toxicity (IGC 50 ) is linearly related to thiol reactivity (EC 50 ): log(1/IGC 50 ) = 1.33(log(1/EC 50 )) − 0.41; n = 23, s = 0.24, r 2 = 0.911, q 2 = 0.907, F = 215.
Laparoscopic versus open nephrectomy in 210 consecutive patients: Outcomes, cost, and changes in practice patterns

Background: Initially slow to gain widespread acceptance within the urological community, laparoscopic nephrectomy is now becoming the standard of care in many centers. Our institution has seen a dramatic transformation in practice patterns and patient outcomes in the 2 years following the introduction of laparoscopic nephrectomy. We compare the experience with laparoscopic and open nephrectomy within a single medical center. Methods: Data were collected for all patients undergoing elective nephrectomy (live donor, radical, simple, partial, and nephroureterectomy) between August 1998 and September 2002. Data were analyzed by Wilcoxon rank sum, chi-square, and Fisher’s exact test. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Of the patients, 92 underwent open nephrectomy, and 118 were treated laparoscopically (87 hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy, 31 totally laparoscopic). There was one conversion (0.8%). Patient demographics and indications for surgery were equivalent for both groups. Mean operative time for laparoscopic nephrectomy (230 min) was longer than for open (187 min, p = 0.0001). Blood loss (97 ml vs 216 ml, p = 0.0001), length of stay (3.9 days vs 5.9 days, p = 0.0001), perioperative morbidity (14% vs 31%, p = 0.01), and wound complications (6.8% vs 27.1%, p = 0.0001) were all significantly less for laparoscopic nephrectomy. For live donors, time to convalescence was less (12 days vs 33 days, p = 0.02), but hospital charges were more for patients treated laparoscopically ($19,007 vs $13,581, p = 0.0001). Conclusions: Laparoscopic nephrectomy results in less blood loss, fewer hospital days, fewer complications, and more rapid recovery than open surgery. We believe that these benefits outweigh the higher hospital charges associated with the laparoscopic approach.
A pilot study of regional perfusion and oxygenation in calf muscles of individuals with diabetes with a noninvasive measure.

Objective To assess alterations in the regional perfusion and oxygenation of the calf muscles in individuals with diabetes. Methods Age-matched individuals with (n = 5) and without diabetes (n = 6) were investigated. Skeletal muscle perfusion, oxygen extraction fraction, and oxygen consumption rate were measured by newly developed noncontrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. The subjects lay supine on the MRI table with their foot firmly strapped to a custom-built isometric exercise device. The measurements were performed at rest and during an isometric plantar flexion muscle contraction. Results Individuals without diabetes had up to a 10-fold increase in muscle perfusion, 25% elevation in muscle oxygen extraction fraction, and a 12-fold increase in oxygen consumption rate in the calf during the plantar flexion isometric contraction. In patients with diabetes, the increases in these parameters were only up to sixfold, 2%, and sixfold, respectively. Exercise oxygen consumption rate was inversely associated with blood HbA1c levels ( r 2 = .91). Conclusions This is the first study to quantify regional skeletal muscle oxygenation in patients with diabetes using noncontrast MRI and warrants additional study. Attenuation of perfusion and oxygenation during exercise may have implications for understanding diabetic complications in the lower extremities.
Photochemical Investigation of Roussin's Red Salt Esters: Fe2(μ-SR)2(NO)4

The photochemistry of various Roussin's red ester compounds of the general formula Fe2(SR)2(NO)4, where R = CH3, CH2CH3, CH2C6H5, CH2CH2OH, and CH2CH2SO3-, were investigated. Continuous photolyses of these ester compounds in aerated solutions led to the release of NO with moderate quantum yields for the photodecomposition of the ester (ΦRSE = 0.02−0.13). Electrochemical studies using an NO electrode demonstrated that 4 mol of NO are generated for each mole of ester undergoing photodecomposition. Nanosecond flash photolysis studies of Fe2(SR)2(NO)4 (where R = CH2CH2OH and CH2CH2SO3-) indicate that the initial photoreaction is the reversible dissociation of NO. In the absence of oxygen, the presumed intermediate, Fe2(SR)2(NO)3, undergoes second-order reaction with NO to regenerate the parent cluster with a rate constant of kNO = 1.1 × 109 M-1 s-1 for R = CH2CH2OH. Under aerated conditions the intermediate reacts with oxygen to give permanent photochemistry.
MOC-PS(SM) CME article: management considerations in the treatment of craniosynostosis.

Learning Objectives:After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Recognize the anatomical characteristics of the individual forms of craniosynostosis. 2. Differentiate deformational plagiocephaly from craniosynostosis. 3. Identify the pros and cons of individual types of cranio
Vapor condensation study for HIF liquid chambers

This paper presents the experimental study of transient cooling and condensation of the prototypical material flibe under conditions relevant to Heavy Ion Fusion (HIF) power plants. Superheated vapor is generated by a high-current, pulsed electrical discharge over a pool of liquid flibe. The excited vapor expands inside a temperature-controlled chamber designed to scale the initial density of the generated vapor, the initial energy density and the surface area available for condensation, considering HYLIFE-II as the reference design. Clearing rates are evaluated from the measured pressure history. Mass spectroscopy is used to characterize the composition of the residual gases. SEM analysis of material deposited on witness plates is also presented, showing that interface phenomena during the initial expansion phase depend on the orientation of the condensation surface relative to the gas velocity. The results show that chamber clearing can be characterized by an exponential decay with a time constant of 6.58 ms. However, the equilibrium pressure is one order of magnitude higher than the desired HIF base pressure because of the presence of non-condensable impurities dissolved in the material available for the experiments. If the exponential decay is applied to the pressure range of the reference design, the resulting period for chamber clearing is 60 ms. The conclusion is that condensation rates of flibe vapor are sufficiently fast to allow HIF power plants repetition rates, and that the main issue for flibe vapor condensation lies in the control of the impurities dissolved in the salt. r 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PACS: 52.58.H; 28.52; 68.10.J; 81.70; 64.70.F
Recent developments in advanced teleoperation at JPL

Present features of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Advanced Teleoperation System (ATOPS) are briefly reviewed, including performance capability demonstration scenarios related to a simulated satellite repair task in Earth orbit. Then, ongoing and planned new feature additions to the JPL ATOPS are briefly described. >
Phase-field modeling of thermomechanical damage in tungsten under severe plasma transients

Tungsten is now a primary candidate for plasma facing components in fusion energy systems because of its numerous superior thermophysical properties. International efforts are currently focused on the development of tungsten surfaces that can intercept ionized plasma and pulsed high heat flux in magnetic fusion confinement devices. Thermal shock under transient operating conditions, such as edge localized modes, have experimentally been shown to lead to severe surface and sub-surface damage. We present here a computational multiphysics model to determine the relationship between the thermomechanical loading conditions and the onset of damage and failure of tungsten surfaces. The model is based on thermo-elasto-plasticity constitutive relations, and is developed within the framework of the phase-field method. A coupled set of partial differential equations is solved for the temperature, displacement, and a damage phase fields under severe plasma transient loads. The results clearly show the initiation and propagation of surface and sub-surface cracks as a result of the transient high heat flux. The severity of surface cracking is found to correlate primarily with the magnitude of the near-surface temperature gradient.
Trichinella spiralis: Immune elimination in mice☆

Abstract The relationship between length of exposure in mice to Trichinella spiralis larvae in diffusion chambers and the level of resistance against trichinosis was analyzed. The number of recovered muscle larvae was inversely proportional to the length of exposure. However, no further reduction in the numbers of muscle larvae occurred after five days of implantation. Adult counts steadily declined with increasing exposure times. With as little as three days of exposure in mice, adult worms from challenge infections were “stunted” although no reduction in adult numbers was seen. It is speculated that as adult female worms approach maximum larval production, the host's immune mechanisms limit the parasite's nutrition thereby causing the parasite to resorb part of itself in order to continue larval production. With increasing levels of immunity, the “stunted” worms are forced to relinquish their hold on the host and are then passed out.
A rapid and efficient method of preparing 99mTc-human serum albumin: Its clinical applications

Abstract An electrolytic method for the preparation of 99mTc-human serum albumin is presented. Transitional elements such as Zr and Fe seem to act as intermediate complexing agents for labeling proteins with technetium. Mercury also shows considerable promise. The reaction seems to be instantaneous and quantitative. Clinical application of this procedure is suggested.
Oscillator Neurons in Crustacean Ganglia

The motor rhythm of ventilation in hermit crabs and lobsters appears to be controlled by a pair of neurons, one in each half of the subesophageal ganglion. Their membrane potentials oscillate and upon depolarization and hyperpolarization elicit spiking in two pools of motor neurons on each side, without spikes in the oscillator neurons themselves. The fact that higher order (command) interneurons can control the rate of the oscillator by means of a smoothly graded input lends support to the idea that oscillator neurons respond periodically to a constant ionic stimulus.