cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A feasibility study on monitoring the evolution of apparent diffusion coefficient decrease during thermal ablation.

Purpose: Evaluate whether a decrease in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), associated with loss of tissue viability (LOTV), can be observed during the course of thermal ablation of the prostate. Methods: Thermal ablation was performed in a healthy in vivo canine prostate model (N = 2, ages: 5 yr healthy, mixed breed, weights: 13–14 kg) using a transurethral high-intensity ultrasound catheter and was monitored using a strategy that interleaves diffusion weighted images and gradient-echo images. The two sequences were used to measure ADC and changes in temperature during the treatment. Changes in temperature were used to compute expected changes in ADC. The difference between expected and measured ADC, ADCDIFF, was analyzed in regions ranging from moderate hyperthermia to heat fixation. A receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to select a threshold of detection of LOTV. Time of threshold activation, t LOTV, was compared with time to reach CEM43 = 240, t DOSE. Results: The observed relationship between temperature and ADC in vivo (2.2%/ °C, 1.94%–2.47%/ °C 95% confidence interval) was not significantly different than the previously reported value of 2.4%/ °C in phantom. ADCDIFF changes after correction for temperature showed a mean decrease of 25% in ADC 60 min post-treatment in regions where sufficient thermal dose (CEM43 > 240) was achieved. Following our ROC analysis, a threshold of 2.25% decrease in ADCDIFF for three consecutive time points was chosen as an indicator of LOTV. The ADCDIFF was found to decrease quickly (1–2 min) after reaching CEM43 = 240 in regions associated with heat fixation and more slowly (10–20 min) in regions that received slower heating. Conclusions: Simultaneous monitoring of ADC and temperature during treatment might allow for a more complete tissue viability assessment of ablative thermal treatments in the prostate. ADCDIFF decreases during the course of treatment may be interpreted as loss of tissue viability.
Depression among adults with neurofibromatosis type 1: prevalence and impact on quality of life

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) carries a significant psychosocial burden for affected individuals. The objective of this study was to measure the prevalence of depressive symptoms among a large sample of adults with NF1 and to quantify the impact of depressive symptoms on quality of life (QoL). This cross-sectional study used an Internet-based questionnaire to collect data from 498 adults who self-reported as having NF1. Using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CESD) scale, 55% of all participants (61% of females and 43% of males) scored above 16, indicating a high likelihood of clinical depression. In a multivariate regression model controlling for demographics and potential confounders, depressive symptoms accounted for 32% of the variance in QoL as measured by the Quality of Life Index. This study is the largest to date and found the highest prevalence of depression compared to prior studies. Our data provide more compelling evidence that individuals with NF1 are at increased risk for psychiatric morbidity and suggest that this population should be routinely screened for depression. Because depression was found to be strongly associated with QoL and accounted for nearly one-third of the variance in QoL, it is likely that effectively treating depression may significantly enhance QoL for individuals with NF1.
Influenza immunisation status among nursing students

This four-phase evidence-based practice initiative was designed to determine preliminary contextual characteristics of collegian nursing students in receiving, or their lack of receiving, the flu v...
Runner's anemia.

Macrocytic anemia occurring in patients with fatigue suggests numerous diagnoses, ranging from nutritional deficiencies to a myelodysplastic syndrome. A careful history-taking is critically important for recognition of runner's anemia, which is due to plasma volume expansion, with hemolysis from the pounding of feet on pavement, and hemoglobinuria. Gastrointestinal blood loss may also contribute to anemia in long-distance runners. Early recognition of runner's anemia in patients with a complex presentation of anemia is important in circumventing many diagnostic tests. Runner's anemia should be considered when, amidst a constellation of signs and symptoms, mild anemia is well tolerated by an avid runner.
Towards a quantitative understanding of the role of non-Boltzmann reactant distributions in low temperature oxidation

Abstract An essentially universal assumption of chemical kinetics is that bimolecular reactions only occur between reactants of rovibrational energy described by a Boltzmann (thermal) distribution. Given that the O 2 mole fraction is roughly 20% under nearly all relevant low-temperature combustion situations, there is significant potential for molecules to undergo reactive collisions with O 2 on the same time scale as the energy-transferring collisions necessary to achieving a Boltzmann distribution. Within the context of low-temperature combustion, this phenomenon conceivably gives rise to an entirely non-Boltzmann sequence involving multiple reactions of fuel-derived radicals with O 2 to produce multiple OH radicals. Given the complex interplay among simultaneous internal isomerizations, energy-transferring collisions, dissociations and reactive collisions across multiple reaction surfaces, estimating the extent of deviations from conventional thermal assumptions is not straightforward. A novel methodology is presented for coupling multiple master equations and deriving effective phenomenological rate constants for thermal sets of reactants to thermal sets of products in chemically activated sequences that proceed across multiple reaction surfaces. The methodology is used to establish a better understanding of the nature of non-Boltzmann reactant distribution effects and quantify their magnitude. As a case study, we implement the methodology to explore the effect of non-Boltzmann reactants on product branching fractions of the QOOH * + O 2 reaction from n -propyl oxidation as well as its associated dependence with O 2 mole fraction, temperature, and pressure. While it appears that the effect of non-Boltzmann reaction sequences will be considerably smaller at higher pressures (at least for propane), it appears that consideration of non-Boltzmann reaction sequences is likely required for interpretations of experimental measurements commonly used to investigate the R + O 2 and QOOH + O 2 reactions central to engine-relevant ignition behavior. With regard to observable signatures of these effects in experiments, the presence of a stronger-than-usual O 2 mole fraction dependence may be a likely indicator of non-Boltzmann behavior.
Excitonic order at strong coupling: Pseudospin, doping, and ferromagnetism

A tight binding model is introduced to describe the strong interaction limit of excitonic ordering. At stoichiometry, the model reduces in the strong coupling limit to a pseudo-spin model with approximate U(4) symmetry. Excitonic order appears in the pseudospin model as in-plane pseudo-magnetism. The U(4) symmetry unifies all possible singlet and triplet order parameters describing such states. Super-exchange, Hunds-rule coupling, and other perturbations act as anisotropies splitting the U(4) manifold, ultimately stabilizing a paramagnetic triplet state. The tendency to ferromagnetism with doping (observed experimentally in the hexaborides) is explained as a spin-flop transition to a different orientation of the U(4) order parameter. The physical mechanism favoring such a reorientation is the enhanced coherence (and hence lower kinetic energy) of the doped electrons in a ferromagnetic background relative to the paramagnet. A discussion of the physical meaning of various excitonic states and their experimental consequences is also provided.
Scaling to 150K cores: recent algorithm and performance engineering developments enabling XGC1 to run at scale

Particle-in-cell (PIC) methods have proven to be effective in discretizing the Vlasov-Maxwell system of equations describing the core of toroidal burning plasmas for many decades. Recent physical understanding of the importance of edge physics for stability and transport in tokamaks has lead to development of the first fully toroidal edge PIC code – XGC1. The edge region poses special problems in meshing for PIC methods due to the lack of closed flux surfaces, which makes field-line following meshes and coordinate systems problematic. We present a solution to this problem with a semi-field line following mesh method in a cylindrical coordinate system. Additionally, modern supercomputers require highly concurrent algorithms and implementations, with all levels of the memory hierarchy being efficiently utilized to realize optimal code performance. This paper presents a mesh and particle partitioning method, suitable to our meshing strategy, for use on highly concurrent cache-based computing platforms.
Phantoms and automated system for testing the resolution of ultrasound scanners

Tissue-mimicking phantoms and an automated system have been developed for testing the resolution performance of ultrasound scanners by determining detectability of low to higher contrast spherical lesions over the entire depth of field. Axial, lateral and elevational resolutions are accounted for simultaneously and equally. Tissue-mimicking spherical simulated lesions are either 3 or 4 mm in diameter and have one of four different intrinsic material contrasts. For each diameter and contrast, there is a set of 109 lesions in a regular array with coplanar centers extending from 0.5-15.5 cm in depth. With the scan slice superimposed on the spheres, the image is frame-grabbed for automated analysis. A diameter-dependent lesion signal-to-noise ratio is computed for each pixel position in the image, excluding a 5-mm boundary. Two universal thresholds, resulting from maximization of agreement between the automated system and human observers, give rise to a depth range, or "resolution zone", over which detection exists for each type lesion.
Collaboration in Cyber Transportation Logistics: Paradigms and Technologies

Although the topic of supply chain (SC) and logistics (L) has been discussed in many fora, placing it in todayâ€™s cyber (e) space is still a subject that receives little attention. This paper analyzes the role of e-SC/L in the context of global business to business (B2B) electronic commerce (e-commerce). A major beneficiary of e-SC/L are small and medium enterprises (SMEs), who can leverage information technology to bypass the extra cost associated with employing a third-party broker, who traditionally bridges the gap between suppliers and retailers. In this paper, a framework for incorporating both e-commerce and e-SC/L for SMEs is proposed in an e-marketplace context. The model consists of a trading platform with e-SC/L capabilities, and a classification scheme for different levels e-SC/L collaboration, presented with relevant types of information, communication and transportation technology (ICTT) needed to facilitate the design of each collaboration level. Included in the highest level are transportation, identification, and modeling and simulation technologies that enable the design of effective forward-looking collaboration.
Joint Oligogenic Segregation and Linkage Analysis Using Bayesian Markov Chain Monte Carlo Methods

One of the most challenging areas in human genetics is the dissection of quantitative traits. In this context, the efficient use of available data is important, including, when possible, use of large pedigrees and many markers for gene mapping. In addition, methods that jointly perform linkage analysis and estimation of the trait model are appealing because they combine the advantages of a model-based analysis with the advantages of methods that do not require prespecification of model parameters for linkage analysis. Here we review a Markov chain Monte Carlo approach for such joint linkage and segregation analysis, which allows analysis of oligogenic traits in the context of multipoint linkage analysis of large pedigrees. We provide an outline for practitioners of the salient features of the method, interpretation of the results, effect of violation of assumptions, and an example analysis of a two-locus trait to illustrate the method.
Regulation of cardiac ion channels by signaling complexes: role of modified leucine zipper motifs ☆

Abstract Modulation of ion channels by protein phosphorylation is a dynamic process precisely controlled by the opposing actions of protein kinases and phosphoprotein phosphatases. It is well accepted that the targeting and localization of such signaling enzymes to discrete subcellular compartments or substrates is an important regulatory mechanism ensuring specificity of signaling events in response to local stimuli. Compartmentalization of these enzymes is achieved through association with anchoring or adaptor proteins that target them to subcellular organelles or tether them directly to target substrates via protein–protein interactions. Recently, a novel role for modified leucine zipper motifs in targeting kinases and phosphatases via anchoring proteins has been described for three families of cardiac ion channels: ryanodine-sensitive calcium (Ca2+) release channels, voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, and delayed rectifier potassium (K+) channels. This review will summarize the recent advances made on the regulation of cardiac ion channels by these macromolecular signaling complexes in the normal and diseased heart.
Synthetic studies on arene-olefin cycloadditions. XII. Total synthesis of (±)-subergorgic acid

Abstract A total synthesis of (±)-subergorgic acid is described that is based on the arene alkene cycloaddition of a benzylic ketal and additionally features a free radical addition to a vinylcyclopropane as a method for cycloadduct modification.
Ear recognition via sparse representation and Gabor filters

In this paper, we present a fully automated approach for ear recognition based upon sparse representation. In sparse representation, features extracted from the training data of each subject are used to develop a dictionary. In this work, Gabor filters are used for feature extraction. Classification is performed by extracting features from the test data and using the dictionary for representing the test data. The class of the test data is then determined based upon the involvement of the dictionary entries in its representation. Experimental results conducted on the University of Notre Dame (UND) collection G dataset, containing large appearance, pose, and lighting variability, yielded a rank-one recognition rate of 98.46%. The proposed system outperforms the method described in [1], which achieves a recognition rate of 96.88% when evaluated on the same dataset. Moreover, the proposed system was evaluated on a greater number of test images per subject, demonstrating its robustness.
Application of time-iterative schemes to incompressible flow

The computation of steady incompressible flows by an Euler implicit algorithm is studied using both the incompressible equations and the low Mach number compressible equations. The incompressible equations are handled by adding an artificial time derivative to the continuity equation. This allows both the pressure and velocity to be obtained implicitly. In one-dimensional problems, both systems converge rapidly, even at low Mach numbers where the eigenvalues are very stiff. In two dimensions where approximate factorization is required, the presence of stiff eigenvalues is highly detrimental. Stiffness can be avoided in the incompressible equations by selecting an appropriate "pseudo"-Mach number. This insures reliable convergence and results in an efficient incompressible flow algorithm. In the case of compressible equations, the Mach number cannot be chosen arbitrarily and the contamination introduced by approximate factorization must be removed. A matrix preconditioning factor that accomplishes this is developed and demonstrated. With this modification, the convergence rate is the same as in the incompressible case and is independent of Mach number. Rapid convergence is observed at Mach numbers as low as 6.05.
Instabilities and interactions of global topological defects

Abstract The dynamics of global topological defects are investigated. The stability towards radial rescaling of global monopoles and vortices is verified and virial theorems connecting the potential and gradient energies are obtained. The validity of these theorems is demonstrated numerically. The angular monopole instability first discussed by Goldhaber is also examined. It is shown that even though his are correct, this instability manifests itself as motion of the monopole core rather than unwinding. The interactions of global defects are studied both analytically and numerically. An analytical derivation of their interaction potential is followed by numerical simulation verifying the predicted potential. Using boosted field configurations we demonstrate the existence of critical velocities for defect scattering and annihilation.
Clinically silent clonal cytogenetic abnormalities arising in patients treated for lymphoid neoplasms

Newly emerged clonal cytogenetic abnormalities (CCA) in patients with prior cytotoxic therapy are highly concerning for therapy-related myeloid neoplasms (t-MN). In some patients, however, CCA appeared to be clinically "silent". In this study, we describe 25 patients who developed CCA after they received cytotoxic therapies for lymphoid neoplasms but never developed t-MN. These clinically "silent" CCA were always present as single abnormalities, often detected in a small subset of cells, and tended to disappear over time. We conclude that the occurrence of CCA is not always associated with t-MN. Clinical correlation is essential to guide a proper management of these patients.
LEVELS OF [15N]LEUCINE AFFECT RATES AND ENRICHMENT OF [15N]ALANINE RELEASED BY L6 MUSCLE CELL CULTURES

Leucine serves as a major nitrogen donor for de novo alanine formation in muscle. To study factors affecting nitrogen transfer, L6 muscle cells ware cultivated in DMEM -Dulbecco's MEM containing 5 mM glucose and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS). Replicating cells were inhibited on days 9 and 11 with 1 mM cytosine arabinoside. On day 15, when cultures were fully differentiated into myotubes, experimental incubations were done for 4 hr in DMEM without glutamine and FBS. L-[15N]leucine was added at 0, 0.05, 0.2, 0.5, 1.0 or 5.0 mM. Amino acids in the media were determined as N(0,S)-heptafluorobutyryl isobutyl esters by gas chromatography and selected ion monitoring electron impact mass spectrometry. With increasing media leucine concentrations the rate of alanine release decreased from 315.1±35.0(SEM) nmol/mg cell protein per 4 hr at 0 mM to 212.1±51.5 nmol/mg at 5.0 mM. By contrast, [15N]enrichment of alanine increased from 1.9 mol% excess at 0.05 mM [15N]leucine to 21.5 mol% excess at 5.0 mM. Concomitantly, [15N]enrichment of glutamate and glutamine rose from 2.5 to 8.5%. Smaller [15N]enrichments were also found in valine (from 0.4 to 1.3%) and in isoleucine (from 1.4 to 7.2%). Under the studied culture conditions, alanine release was inhibited rather than stimulated by increasing media leucine levels. However, Jeucine became progressively, more important as a nitrogen donor.
Strategic Factors for Trading and Investing in Latin America by U.S. Businesses during the Post-NAFTA Era

The U.S. entered into a tripartite free trade agreement with Canada and Mexico on January 1, 1994. This scientific survey examines the strategic factors for trading and investing in Latin America, specifically Mexico, by U.S. businesses during the post-NAFTA era.
Welcome to Viruses: A New Open-Access, Multidisciplinary Forum for Virology

The field of virology has never been more exciting as a research area and more relevant to human health as it is in 2009. The AIDS pandemic, caused by the uncurtailed spread of HIV-1 in large parts of the world, continues to have an enormous impact on the human condition. The threat of a global outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza remains real, and memories of the devastation created by the SARS coronavirus are still fresh. While many of the world’s most lethal viruses (Ebola, Hendra, Rift Valley fever, etc.) are geographically contained, the possibility of deliberate transmission of such infectious agents as biological weapons is cause for concern. Increased understanding of all viruses, not only these “newsworthy” pathogens, is warranted as it is impossible to predict the origins of the next viral epidemic. Increased human movement, global climate change, and disruption of natural ecosystems all favor the transmission and spread of both established and emerging viruses. Agricultural interests world-wide continue to be significantly impacted by viral agents. [...]
Kinetic wrinkling of an elastic film on a viscoelastic substrate

Abstract A compressed elastic film on a compliant substrate can form wrinkles. On an elastic substrate, equilibrium and energetics set the critical condition and select the wrinkle wavelength and amplitude. On a viscous substrate, wrinkle grows over time and the kinetics selects the fastest growing wavelength. More generally, on a viscoelastic substrate, both energetics and kinetics play important roles in determining the critical condition, the growth rate, and the wavelength. This paper studies the wrinkling process of an elastic film on a viscoelastic layer, which in turn lies on a rigid substrate. The film is elastic and modeled by the nonlinear von Karman plate theory. The substrate is linear viscoelastic with a relaxation modulus typical of a cross-linked polymer. Beyond a critical stress, the film wrinkles by the out-of-plane displacement but remains bonded to the substrate. This study considers plane strain wrinkling and neglects the in-plane displacement. A classification of the wrinkling behavior is made based on the critical conditions at the elastic limits, the glassy and rubbery states of the viscoelastic substrate. Linear perturbation analyses are conducted to reveal the kinetics of wrinkling in films subjected to intermediate and large compressive stresses. It is shown that, depending on the stress level, the growth of wrinkles at the initial stage can be exponential, accelerating, linear, or decelerating. In all cases, the wrinkle amplitude saturates at an equilibrium state after a long time. Subsequently, both amplitude and wavelength of the wrinkle evolve, but the process is kinetically constrained and slow compared to the initial growth.
Constructivist Implications of Material Power: Military Engagement and the Socialization of States, 1972–2000

The research presented in this article examines one aspect of state socialization, the extent to which transnational military-to-military interactions have served as an effective mechanism of the democratic political socialization of states. Military organizations are very interesting when we consider avenues by which state socialization might occur because military organizations are an influential part of governments, and members share common beliefs and values as soldiers and officers that transcend borders. Thus, it would seem that a state's military structure is one likely channel whereby politically relevant individuals might learn new ideas and have the capability to reform existing institutional structures. The socialization process described in this study is three level: (1) individuals acquire new ideas; (2) coercion, incentives, and persuasion aid in institutionalizing these ideas in the underlying political structure of the state; and (3) once institutionalized, these new ideas/identity of the state influence the material and ideational structure of international society. Using Cox Proportional Hazard models and an original data set encompassing over 160 states during the years 1972–2000, the analyses find U.S. military-to-military contacts to be positively and systematically associated with liberalizing trends. This finding provides evidence that constructivist mechanisms do have observable effects, and that ideationally based processes play an important role in U.S. national security.
Black Culture Centers: Still Central to Student Learning

Are support and resource centers that serve students from single cultures still relevant after thirty years and in light of widespread interest in multiculturalism? Lori Patton argues that, at least in the case of black culture centers, these spaces continue to matter a great deal to students.
Retrospective analysis of transfusion outcomes in pregnant patients at a tertiary obstetric center.

Abstract Background The decision to use red blood cell transfusion and/or blood products (fresh frozen plasma, platelets, cryoprecipitate) to manage obstetric hemorrhage or treat postpartum anemia is often made empirically by physicians. We performed a retrospective study to review transfusion outcomes in pregnant and postpartum patients at a large obstetric center. Methods A retrospective, observational study was performed of obstetric in-patients who received red blood cell transfusion and/or blood products over a one-year period. Data abstracted included transfusion data, pre-transfusion hemoglobin (Hb) and lowest recorded (nadir) Hb, and maternal and neonatal outcomes. Results During the study period, 74 patients received transfusion therapy (1.4%). Pre-transfusion and nadir Hb values were 7.6g/dL and 7.0g/dL respectively. Median [IQR] total red blood cells transfused were 2 units [2-3], with 41 (55%) patients receiving 1-2 units. Based on chart review, no specific indications for transfusion were identified in 25 patients (34%), and 13 patients (18%) had undetected postpartum anemia (Hb values Conclusion More formal assessment and documentation of the etiologic factors associated with transfusion management in pregnant patients is advised. In addition, the identification and management of undetected postpartum anemia is underappreciated.
Derivatives of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic hydrazide

Ethyl ester of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenxyacetic acid) (I), colorless liquid, b.p. 149-155° at 5 mm, was prepared with good yield by allowing the acid to react with thionyl chloride and then decomposing the acid chloride with absolute ethyl alcohol. 80 g of (I) reacted with 20.4 g of 85% hydrazine hydrate in 10 cm3 absolute ethyl alcohol gave 75.1 g of hydarzide (II), colorless needles from 95% ethyl alcohol, m.p. 155-157°. II in 95% ethanol condensed with aldehydes and ketones formed crystalline hydrazones. Twenty-one hydrazone derivatives were prepared for plant growth studies.
En activo: Practical Business Spanish by IGLESIAS, SANTAMARÍA ESTHER, & HELEN JONES

The article reviews the book "En activo: Practical Business Spanish" by Santamaria Esther Iglesias and Helen Jones.
The skeletal muscle calcium release channel: Coupled O2 sensor and NO signaling functions

Ion channels have been studied extensively in ambient O2 tension (pO2), whereas tissue PO2 is much lower. The skeletal muscle calcium release channel/ryanodine receptor (RyR1) is one prominent example. Here we report that PO2 dynamically controls the redox state of 6-8 out of 50 thiols in each RyR1 subunit and thereby tunes the response to NO. At physiological pO2, nanomolar NO activates the channel by S-nitrosylating a single cysteine residue. Among sarcoplasmic reticulum proteins, S-nitrosylation is specific to RyR1 and its effect on the channel is calmodulin dependent. Neither activation nor S-nitrosylation of the channel occurs at ambient PO2. The demonstration that channel cysteine residues subserve coupled O2 sensor and NO regulatory functions and that these operate through the prototypic allosteric effector calmodulin may have general implications for the regulation of redox-related systems.
Petrogenesis of oceanic granites from the Aves Ridge in the Caribbean Basin

Abstract A genetic model proposed for granitic rocks dredged from the Aves Rise involves a sodium-enriched hydrothermal fluid phase, shallow emplacement, and significant derivation of components from the upper mantle. Megascopic observations of serially slabbed sections of the rock samples show that aggregates of plagioclase phenocrysts concentrate into channel-like mats. The presence of a late-stage, hydrothermal fluid is suggested by crystal-lined cavities in the plagioclase aggregates. With progressively decreasing pressure, this low density, sodium-rich, hydrous fluid phase unmixed from the silicate melt and entrained the plagioclase aggregates as it rose. Reaction between this sodium-rich hydrous phase and the plagioclase produced albite rims. Genetic independence of the plagioclase aggregates and the granitic groundmass which surrounds them is implied by the results of a chi square test. Thus, the system consisted of three distinct components — the early-formed calcic plagioclase, a sodium-rich hydrous fluid phase, and a granitic-silicate fluid phase. Shallow intrusion (less than 15 km) is indicated by the structural state of K-feldspars and presence of miarolitic cavities. 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values, which correspond to ratios obtained from oceanic basalts, suggest that the granitic rocks are primitive and most likely from the upper mantle.
Dynamics of Lotka–Volterra cooperation systems governed by degenerate quasilinear reaction–diffusion equations

Abstract This paper deals with a class of Lotka–Volterra cooperation system where the densities of the cooperating species are governed by a finite number of degenerate reaction–diffusion equations. Three basic types of Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin boundary conditions and two types of reaction functions, with and without saturation, are considered. The aim of the paper is to show the existence of positive minimal and maximal steady-state solutions, including the uniqueness of the positive solution, the existence and uniqueness of a global time-dependent solution, and the asymptotic behavior of the time-dependent solution in relation to the steady-state solutions. Some very simple conditions on the physical parameters for the above objectives are obtained. Also discussed is the finite-time blow up property of the time-dependent solution and the non-existence of positive steady-state solution for the system with Neumann boundary condition.
A Discussion of “Women in the Field”: The Politics of Feminist Fieldwork

(1994). A Discussion of “Women in the Field”: The Politics of Feminist Fieldwork. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 96-102.
Beach ridges as paleoseismic indicators of abrupt coastal subsidence during subduction zone earthquakes, and implications for Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone paleoseismology, southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska

Abstract The Kenai section of the eastern Alaska-Aleutian subduction zone straddles two areas of high slip in the 1964 great Alaska earthquake and is the least studied of the three megathrust segments (Kodiak, Kenai, Prince William Sound) that ruptured in 1964. Investigation of two coastal sites in the eastern part of the Kenai segment, on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula, identified evidence for two subduction zone earthquakes that predate the 1964 earthquake. Both coastal sites provide paleoseismic data through inferred coseismic subsidence of wetlands and associated subsidence-induced erosion of beach ridges. At Verdant Cove, paleo-beach ridges record the paleoseismic history; whereas at Quicksand Cove, buried soils in drowned coastal wetlands are the primary indicators of paleoearthquake occurrence and age. The timing of submergence and death of trees mark the oldest earthquake at Verdant Cove that is consistent with the age of a well documented ∼900-year-ago subduction zone earthquake that ruptured the Prince William Sound segment of the megathrust to the east and the Kodiak segment to the west. Soils buried within the last 400–450 years mark the penultimate earthquake on the southeast coast of the Kenai Peninsula. The penultimate earthquake probably occurred before AD 1840 from its absence in Russian historical accounts. The penultimate subduction zone earthquake on the Kenai segment did not rupture in conjunction with the Prince William Sound to the northeast. Therefore the Kenai segment, which is presently creeping, can rupture independently of the adjacent Prince William Sound segment that is presently locked.
RAGE, glomerulosclerosis and proteinuria: Roles in podocytes and endothelial cells

The multi-ligand Receptor for Advanced Glycation Endproducts (RAGE) is expressed in podocytes and endothelial cells in the human and murine glomerulus. Although present at low levels in homeostasis, RAGE expression is increased during disease. Pharmacological antagonism of RAGE or its genetic deletion imparts marked protection from podocyte effacement, albuminuria and glomerular sclerosis in disease models. In human subjects, associations between specific genetic polymorphisms of RAGE and levels of soluble forms of RAGE are linked to disease states in the kidney. In this review, we summarize the evidence from mouse to man, linking RAGE to the pathogenesis of nephropathy.
Adsorption of a foam agent on porous sandstone and its effect on foam stability

Abstract This paper presents the adsorption kinetics and equilibrium of a CO 2 foaming agent onto Berea sandstone and the adsorption effect on its foam stability. Results show that the adsorption of the foaming agent onto sandstone takes about 1 week to reach equilibrium and the adsorption process is well fit by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption kinetics coefficient decreases with the increase of initial concentration and their relationship is well fitted by two straight lines. The adsorption density increases with surfactant concentration and their relationship is well fitted by Freundlich isotherm model rather than Langmuir isotherm model. The foam stability of the effluent foam agent that flowed through sandstone is much weaker than that of the same concentration of fresh foaming agent that was not exposed to sandstone. It is suggested that the chromatographic adsorption should be considered when optimizing the compositions of a good foaming agent. In addition, the transport mechanisms of the foam agent through sandstone were elucidated by comparing the adsorption kinetics of the foam agent on five non-porous minerals common in sandstone with that on porous sandstone and through the sandstone pore microstructure analysis.
Is U.S. CEO Compensation Broken

Critics of U.S. executive pay practices have raised four major concerns: (1) executive pay is too high; (2) CEO contracts do not provide strong enough incentives to increase value (i.e., there is too little pay-for-performance); (3) options and other equity-based pay provide windfalls, large payoffs that reflect good luck more than good performance; and (4) CEOs have too much freedom to unwind their incentives. This negative, and increasingly mainstream, assessment of the state of U.S. executive compensation has led many observers to conclude that executive pay practices are fundamentally flawed and that systemic reform is needed. We shed light on these perceived problems with executive pay and, in so doing, provide some balance to what we find to be an increasingly one-sided debate. Our key points are that: (1) CEOs' stock and option holdings provide powerful incentives to increase value, and this is true regardless of whether or not annual pay varies with firm performance; (2) recent growth in annual pay may well be appropriate to compensate CEOs for recent growth in incentive risk borne through their stock and option holdings, and due to the increasing size and complexity of U.S. firms; (3) when viewed as a combination of market risk and firm-specific risk, conventional (that is, unindexed) stock and options may provide a simultaneous solution to shareholders' demand for executive rewards tied to company performance, and executives' preference to diversify their wealth; (4) U.S. CEOs show little evidence of widespread unwinding of incentives, and in cases where CEOs have too much incentives, it is appropriate to allow and encourage the CEO to exercise options and sell stock to rebalance her portfolio.
Detection and confirmation of N-nitrosodialkylamines using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization coupled on-line with a photolysis reactor

Simultaneous detection and confirmation of several N-nitrosodialkylamines are accomplished by on-line coupling of a photolysis reactor with an HPLC-electrospray ionization mass spectrometer. Several parameters such as irradiation wavelength, irradiation time, mobile-phase composition, and pH, as well as different organic acid modifiers are investigated, and their impact on the detection of the N-nitrosodialkylamine−acid complex and its dissociative photolysis products is presented here. Additionally, the type of structural information obtained from the photolytic processes of N-nitrosodialkylamines is compared to that obtained by using in-source collision-induced dissociation. To demonstrate the potential of this technique, six N-nitrosodialkylamines are studied to determine the linearity of the response, the limits of detection and confirmation, and the reproducibility. The technique's versatility is also exhibited by utilizing negative-ion mode as a complementary means for analysis of the compounds. Fin...
A mathematical model for the wholist strategy in concept identification

A model is derived to describe the performance of Ss using the wholist strategy in a concept-identification problem. The general model provides the expected number of trials to solution for all numbers of irrelevant dimensions and numbers of levels within dimensions. Errors to solution are computed for special cases.
SU-FF-T-258: IMRT Planning Comparisons Between Elekta Synergy-S and Elekta Synergy

Purpose: To compare IMRT planning between Elekta Synergy (ES) and Elekta Synergy‐S (ES‐S), which has a new “beam modulator” MLC design. Method and Materials: ES‐S is equipped with a “Beam Modulator” MLC (4 mm leaf width at isocenter), which provides a maximum field size of 21cm×16cm. IMRT plans for two patients (prostate cancer and parotid cancer disease sites) were generated for both ES and ES‐S. Planning CTs were obtained using Philips AcQSim and CT data were transferred into Pinnacle3 TPS 8.0. IMRT plans for each patient were calculated with two machine models, ES‐S and ES, with minimum segment areas of 1.6×1.6 cm2 and 2×2 cm2 respectively. All other calculation configurations are the same. Dose volume histograms (DVH) were generated and exported into Excel for comparison. Results: For prostate site, PTV DVH for ES‐S demonstrates more conformality than that for ES, possibly because ES‐S has smaller segment area. However, in the low dose region, bladder and rectum DVHs show higher doses from ES‐S versus ES. This may be due to more scatter and leakage doses from MLC of ES‐S. Same trend is observed for the parotid patient. While PTV DVH for ES‐S is slightly more conformal than that for ES, doses for cord expansion, left parotid, and brain stem expansion for ES‐S are slightly higher in low dose region compared to corresponding DVHs for ES. Conclusions: Preliminary results indicate IMRT plans with ES‐S provide slightly better conformality for target volume but slightly higher doses for critical structures in low dose region. For these two sites, there does not appear to be clinically significant differences for IMRT plans between Elekta Synergy‐S and Elekta Synergy. More case example studies are planned and findings will be discussed in depth including practical considerations such as transfer of treatment plans between the two types of machines.
Family structure, Afro‐Euro inequality and economic justice

The dramatic increase in the fraction of all Afro‐American families headed by single women accounts for approximately two‐fifths of the Afro‐Euro family income gap. Examines the empirical objections to the conclusion that family structure is a major factor behind ethnic inequality and found to be largely without merit. Also critically examines the more normative and more important objection that the family structure argument undercuts the struggle to achieve economic justice for Afro‐Americans. Argues that an emphasis on family structure does not absolve society of responsibility for inequality, nor does it imply that government activism is futile. The family structure argument recasts but does not negate the struggle for economic justice for Afro‐Americans.
Metabolism of 2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl by human hepatic microsomes

Abstract Since the metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is the critical factor that determines whether or not they accumulate in adipose tissue, we have studied the metabolism of two hexachlorobiphenyls (HCBs), 2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachlorobiphenyl (236-HCB) and 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl (245-HCB), by human hepatic microsomes. Human microsomes were isolated from patients undergoing liver resection and were found to have cytochrome P-450 levels (0.28 nmoles/mg microsomal protein) and cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymatic activities similar to those reported by other workers. 245-HCB was not metabolized by human microsomes under various conditions, while 236-HCB was metabolized with an apparent Km of 8.8 μM and a Vmax of 5.1 pmoles/mg microsomal protein/min. Two major metabolites were formed and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry as 2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachloro-4-biphenylol and 2,2′,3,3′,6,6′-hexachloro-5-biphenylol. [14C]236-HCB equivalents were found to covalently bind to microsomal protein. Addition of 1 or 5 mM reduced glutathione decreased the degree of covalent binding. These data suggest that HCBs are metabolized through an arene oxide. The fact that 245-HCB was not metabolized explains why it is the predominant PCB found in human adipose tissue.
Mega-phylogeny approach for comparative biology: an alternative to supertree and supermatrix approaches

Biology has increasingly recognized the necessity to build and utilize larger phylogenies to address broad evolutionary questions. Large phylogenies have facilitated the discovery of differential rates of molecular evolution between trees and herbs. They have helped us understand the diversification patterns of mammals as well as the patterns of seed evolution. In addition to these broad evolutionary questions there is increasing awareness of the importance of large phylogenies for addressing conservation issues such as biodiversity hotspots and response to global change. Two major classes of methods have been employed to accomplish the large tree-building task: supertrees and supermatrices. Although these methods are continually being developed, they have yet to be made fully accessible to comparative biologists making extremely large trees rare. Here we describe and demonstrate a modified supermatrix method termed mega-phylogeny that uses databased sequences as well as taxonomic hierarchies to make extremely large trees with denser matrices than supermatrices. The two major challenges facing large-scale supermatrix phylogenetics are assembling large data matrices from databases and reconstructing trees from those datasets. The mega-phylogeny approach addresses the former as the latter is accomplished by employing recently developed methods that have greatly reduced the run time of large phylogeny construction. We present an algorithm that requires relatively little human intervention. The implemented algorithm is demonstrated with a dataset and phylogeny for Asterales (within Campanulidae) containing 4954 species and 12,033 sites and an rbcL matrix for green plants (Viridiplantae) with 13,533 species and 1,401 sites. By examining much larger phylogenies, patterns emerge that were otherwise unseen. The phylogeny of Viridiplantae successfully reconstructs major relationships of vascular plants that previously required many more genes. These demonstrations underscore the importance of using large phylogenies to uncover important evolutionary patterns and we present a fast and simple method for constructing these phylogenies.
Assessing age‐related ossification of the petro‐occipital fissure: Laying the foundation for understanding the clinicopathologies of the cranial base

The petro-occitpital fissure (POF) lies within a critical interface of cranial growth and development in the posterior cranial fossa. The relationships between skeletal and soft tissues make this region especially important for examining biomechanical and basic biologic forces that may mold the cranial base and contribute to significant clinicopathologies associated with the structures located near the POF. Therefore, this study investigates the POF in adults in both preserved human cadavers and dried crania in order to determine if developmental changes can be observed and, if so, their value in age assessment as a model system for describing normal morphogenesis of the POF. This study demonstrates that tissue within the POF undergoes characteristic changes in ossification with age, the onset of which is considerably later than that of other synchondroses of the cranial base. Statistically, there is a moderate to strong correlation between age and stage of ossification within the POF. Further, male crania were observed to reach greater degrees of ossification at a younger age than female crania and that individual asymmetry in ossification of the tissue within the POF was not uncommon. An understanding of the basic temporal biological processes of the POF may yield insight into the development of clinicopathologies in this region of the cranial base.
Relationship between Intracellular Calcium Store Depletion and Calcium Release-activated Calcium Current in a Mast Cell Line (RBL-1)

The kinetic relationship between depletion of endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores and the activation of a calcium release-activated calcium current (Icrac) was investigated in the RBL-1 mast cell line. The inositol trisphosphate receptor activator, inositol 2,4,5-trisphosphate ((2,4,5)IP3), the sarcoplasmic-endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase inhibitor, thapsigargin, and the calcium ionophore, ionomycin, were used to deplete stored calcium. For (2,4,5)IP3 and thapsigargin, a significant delay was observed between the initiation of calcium store depletion and the activation of Icrac. However, for ionomycin, little or no delay was observed. This may indicate that a specialized subcompartment of the endoplasmic reticulum functions as a regulator of calcium entry and that this compartment is relatively resistant to depletion by (2,4,5)IP3 and thapsigargin but not to depletion by ionomycin. For all three calcium-depleting agents, the rate of development of Icrac, once initiated, was relatively constant, suggesting an all-or-none mechanism. However, there were also clear experimental situations in which submaximal, graded depletion of stored calcium resulted in submaximal activation of Icrac. This complex behavior could also result from the existence of a specific subcompartment of endoplasmic reticulum regulatingIcrac. The kinetic behavior of this compartment may not be accurately reflected by the kinetics of calcium changes in the bulk of endoplasmic reticulum. These findings add to the growing body of evidence suggesting specialization of the endoplasmic reticulum calcium stores with regard to the control of capacitative calcium entry.