cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical evidence for drug penetration of capecitabine and lapatinib uptake in resected brain metastases from women with metastatic breast cancer.

514 Background: Brain metastasis (BM) is a challenging complication of metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Although systemic therapy is not commonly considered as a primary therapeutic approach, its po...
Heh2/Man1 may be an evolutionarily conserved sensor of NPC assembly state

Integral membrane proteins of the Lap2-emerin-MAN1 (LEM) family have emerged as important components of the inner nuclear membrane (INM) required for the functional and physical integrity of the nuclear envelope. However, like many INM proteins, there is limited understanding of the biochemical interaction networks that enable LEM protein function. Here, we show that Heh2/Man1 can be affinity purified with major scaffold components of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), specifically the inner ring complex, in evolutionarily distant yeasts. Interactions between Heh2 and nucleoporins is mediated by its C-terminal winged-helix domain and are distinct from interactions required for INM targeting. Disrupting interactions between Heh2 and the NPC leads to NPC clustering. Interestingly, Heh29s association with NPCs can also be broken by knocking out Nup133, a component of the outer ring that does not physically interact with Heh2. Thus, Heh29s association with NPCs depends on the structural integrity of both major NPC scaffold complexes. We propose a model in which Heh2 acts as a sensor of NPC assembly state, which may be important for NPC quality control mechanisms and the segregation of NPCs during cell division.
In-stream turbines for rethinking hydropower development in the Amazon basin

Given growing energy demands and continued interest in hydropower development, it is important that we rethink hydropower to avoid detrimental socioenvironmental consequences of large dams planned in regions such as the Amazon River basin. Here, we show that ~63% of total energy planned to be generated from conventional hydropower in the Brazilian Amazon could be harnessed using in-stream turbines that use kinetic energy of water without requiring storage. At five of the nine selected planned dam sites, the entirety of energy from planned hydropower could be generated using in-stream turbines by using only a fraction of the river stretch that large dams would affect. We find the cost (US$ kWh−1) for in-stream turbines to be ~50% of the conventional hydropower cost. Our results have important implications for sustainable hydropower development in the Amazon and worldwide through transition to power generation methods that meet energy needs while minimizing the negative socioenvironment impacts. In-stream turbines could be a viable alternative to storage-based large hydropower projects. This study finds that about two-thirds of the planned hydropower generation in the Brazilian Amazon basin could be harnessed using in-stream turbines.
Work-related suicide: An analysis of US government reports and recommendations for human resources

Purpose – For the past 50 years, the research literature has shown that employment can contribute to an individual's personal development. Yet, it has also shown that it can become a life-threatening stressor. Reported occupational suicides increased by 22.2 percent between 1995 and 2010, becoming a leading cause of death in the USA. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of six US government reports on employee suicides between 1995 and 2012. Design/methodology/approach – Through an interpretive case study approach (Yin, 2003), this study undertook a document analysis of key US government reports examining occupational suicides. Specifically, an analysis of three US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports was undertaken along with other documents, identifying key themes and facts. Findings – The analysis of the US government reports reveals a dim legal recognition of employee suicide as an occupational accident. The paper presents the characteristics of suicides as an occupational accident as wel...
Error Analysis of the Flash Thermal Diffusivity Technique

An error analysis of the flash technique for thermal diffusivity measurements has been made by propagating errors in measured quantities through several data analysis techniques to determine the consequent errors in thermal diffusivity. The effects of extended pulse durations and of heat losses are considered. The results show that for most conditions actually encountered in experiments, relative measurement errors are reflected as relative errors of approximately the same size in the thermal diffusivity.
Evaluating effect, composite, and causal indicators in structural equation models

Although the literature on alternatives to effect indicators is growing, there has been little attention given to evaluating causal and composite (formative) indicators. This paper provides an overview of this topic by contrasting ways of assessing the validity of effect and causal indicators in structural equation models (SEMs). It also draws a distinction between composite (formative) indicators and causal indicators and argues that validity is most relevant to the latter. Sound validity assessment of indicators is dependent on having an adequate overall model fit and on the relative stability of the parameter estimates for the latent variable and indicators as they appear in different models. If the overall fit and stability of estimates are adequate, then a researcher can assess validity using the unstandardized and standardized validity coefficients and the unique validity variance estimate. With multiple causal indicators or with effect indicators influenced by multiple latent variables, collinearity diagnostics are useful. These results are illustrated with a number of correctly and incorrectly specified hypothetical models.
Studies on the Electron Transfer System LXVI. EFFECT OF DIPHOSPHOPYRIDINE NUCLEOTIDE DEFICIENCY ON RESPIRATION, RESPIRATORY CONTROL, AND PHOSPHORYLATION IN MITOCHONDRIA

Mitochondria which have been depleted of their pyridine nucleotides by aging at 38°, and are essentially devoid of the ability to oxidize diphosphopyridine nucleotide-linked substrates, recover a large part of their oxidative capacity after exposure to adenosine 5'-triphosphate and magnesium chloride. Such reconstituted mitochondria have only 10 to 20% of the initial concentration of DPN+, but the rates of oxidation, with pyruvate plus malate as substrate, are nearly maximal. Such mitochondria are also capable of carrying out oxidative phosphorylation with high efficiency and have respiratory control ratios between 3 and 6. These findings indicate that maximal rates of oxidation and phosphorylation are compatible with amounts of DPN+ that are no higher than those of the fixed component of the chain (1.2 mµmoles per mg of protein or less).
Alternating current polarography with multi-step charge transfer: II. Theory for systems with quasi-reversible two-step charge transfer

Abstract A theory is presented for the a.c. polarographic wave arising from a two-step charge transfer process in which rate control is exerted by diffusion and charge transfer. Predictions of the theory are examined in detail. It is found that: (a) conditions for pure diffusion control depend markedly on the relative values of the standard potentials associated with the two charge transfer steps; (b) many features potentially useful in mechanistic diagnosis are predicted for the a.c. polarographic read-out and ambiguity between single-step and two-step mechanisms is highly unlikely; (c) as one would expect, relative and absolute values of the rate and thermodynamic parameters associated with the charge transfer steps have a profound influence on the predicted a.c. polarographic-behavior; (d) despite the complexities and variety of behavior predicted, simple rationalization of many of the predictions is possible; (e) the problem of evaluating rate parameters from experimental data appears amenable to solution.
Marketing Real Estate Services

ABSTRACT The successful marketing of services is often dependent upon the performance of salespeople. This manuscript reports the results of a survey of real estate salespeople for the purpose of examining two variables generally considered to be related to sales performance: working smart and working hard. The objective was to determine whether these variables are significantly related to sales performance and, if so, which one has a stronger relationship. Also, the variables are viewed from a gender perspective to evaluate whether men and women differ. The findings indicated that working smart did not have a statistically significant relationship with sales performance. Working hard was significantly related to performance and had a stronger relationship than working smart. There were no significant differences between men and women in how smart they worked, in how hard they worked, or in how well they performed.
Interconnect simulation based on passivity and method of characteristics

Interconnect analysis modeling, and simulation will play a major role in the future design of submicron IC and electronic packaging. Existing simulation methods by and large depend on convolution and the well-known Pade approximation of transcendental functions which characterize transmission lines. Unfortunately, Pade approximation does not guarantee stability. In this paper two methods are presented. One is based on using the concept of passivity, and the other uses the traditional method of characteristics. Preliminary results obtained on simple examples are very encouraging.
Therapeutic potential of cannabinoid medicines

Cannabis was extensively used as a medicine throughout the developed world in the nineteenth century but went into decline early in the twentieth century ahead of its emergence as the most widely used illicit recreational drug later that century. Recent advances in cannabinoid pharmacology alongside the discovery of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) have re-ignited interest in cannabis-based medicines. The ECS has emerged as an important physiological system and plausible target for new medicines. Its receptors and endogenous ligands play a vital modulatory role in diverse functions including immune response, food intake, cognition, emotion, perception, behavioural reinforcement, motor co-ordination, body temperature, wake/sleep cycle, bone formation and resorption, and various aspects of hormonal control. In disease it may act as part of the physiological response or as a component of the underlying pathology. In the forefront of clinical research are the cannabinoids delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol, and their contrasting pharmacology will be briefly outlined. The therapeutic potential and possible risks of drugs that inhibit the ECS will also be considered. This paper will then go on to review clinical research exploring the potential of cannabinoid medicines in the following indications: symptomatic relief in multiple sclerosis, chronic neuropathic pain, intractable nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite and weight in the context of cancer or AIDS, psychosis, epilepsy, addiction, and metabolic disorders.
Infinite set of quasipotential equations from the kadyshevsky equation

We show that by modifying the propagator in the Kadyshevsky equation, we can obtain an infinite set of quasipotential equations which satisfy both Lorentz covariance and elastic unitarity and of which the Logunov-Tavkhelidze-Blankenbecler-Sugar-Alessandrini-Omnes equation and the Gross equation are special cases. We also show that the perturbation scheme of Chen and Raman, for using the quasipotential equation to obtain approximations to the Bethe-Salpeter equation, can be greatly simplified by the use of resolvent-identity-type arguments.
Tamoxifen-DNA adducts detected in the endometrium of women treated with tamoxifen.

Women treated for breast cancer with tamoxifen are at increased risk of developing endometrial cancer. This carcinogenic effect has been attributed to estrogenic stimulation and/or to a genotoxic effect of this drug. To examine genotoxicity, we developed a 32P-postlabeling TLCL/HPLC procedure for quantitative analysis of tamoxifen−DNA adducts in endometrial tissue. This assay is several orders of magnitude more sensitive than those previously used for this purpose; with it, we can detect five tamoxifen−DNA adducts in 1011 bases. Endometrial tissue was obtained from women undergoing tamoxifen therapy and from untreated control subjects. DNA adducts, identified as trans and cis epimers of α-(N2-deoxyguanosinyl)tamoxifen, were detected in six of thirteen patients in the tamoxifen-treated group. Levels of trans and cis adducts ranged from 0.5 to 8.3 and from 0.4 to 4.8 adducts/108 nucleotides, respectively. Tamoxifen−DNA adducts were not detected in endometrial tissue obtained from the control subjects. We co...
Cancer clinical trials accrual: missed opportunities to address disparities and missed opportunities to improve outcomes for all.

Stewart et al. 1 have implemented a clever strategy for documenting the underrepresentation of racial/ethnic minorities and older patients in surgical oncology clinical trials. Their approach involved calculation of an ‘‘enrollment fraction’’ (EF) for various subsets of the American cancer patient population. Individual EFs were computed as the ratio of National Cancer Institute (NCI)-generated data on cooperative group clinical trial accrual compared with Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program-derived cancer incidence data. The disappointing (but not necessarily surprising) results from these analyses demonstrated that EFs were substantially lower for African American, Hispanic/Latino American, and Asian/Pacific Islander cancer patients (0.48%, 0.54%, and 0.59%, respectively) when compared with white Americans (0.72%). Cancer patients age 75 years and older had an EF of 0.14%, in contrast to an EF of 1.8% for patients aged 21 to 54, and 0.91% for those aged 55 and 64. Race/ethnicity- and age-related disparities in surgical oncology clinical trial accrual are potent examples of inequities the current American health care system. The clinical trial mechanism represents the most powerful weapon that the oncology community possesses in the effort to improve the standard of care as well as survivorship for cancer patients. Diet, comorbidities, lifestyle/culture, and socioeconomic resources are all features that vary between and
CNTF induces photoreceptor neuroprotection and Müller glial cell proliferation through two different signaling pathways in the adult zebrafish retina.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) acts in several processes in the vertebrate retina, including neuroprotection of photoreceptors in the stressed adult retina and regulation of neuronal progenitor cell proliferation during retinal development. However, the signaling pathway it utilizes (Jak/Stat, MAPK, or Akt) in these processes is ambiguous. Because dark-adapted albino zebrafish exhibit light-induced rod and cone cell death and subsequently regenerate the lost photoreceptor cells, zebrafish should be a useful model to study the role of CNTF in both neuroprotection and neuronal progenitor cell proliferation. We therefore investigated the potential roles of CNTF in both the undamaged and light-damaged adult zebrafish retinas. Intraocular injection of CNTF suppressed light-induced photoreceptor cell death, which then failed to exhibit the regeneration response that is marked by proliferating Muller glia and neuronal progenitor cells. Inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, but neither the Stat3 nor Akt pathways, significantly reduced the CNTF-mediated neuroprotection of light-induced photoreceptor cell death. Intraocular injection of CNTF into non-light-treated (undamaged) eyes mimicked constant intense light treatment by increasing Stat3 expression in Muller glia followed by increasing the number of proliferating Muller glia and neuronal progenitors. Knockdown of Stat3 expression in the CNTF-injected non-light-treated retinas significantly reduced the number of proliferating Muller glia, while coinjection of CNTF with either MAPK or Akt inhibitors did not inhibit the CNTF-induced Muller glia proliferation. Thus, CNTF utilizes a MAPK-dependant signaling pathway in neuroprotection of light-induced photoreceptor cell death and a Stat3-dependant signaling pathway to stimulate Muller glia proliferation.
Skin Resistance Electrode for Classroom Use

Consideration of a skin resistance electrode appropriate for classroom use suggests a dry electrode which the student can place on his non-writing hand. Two such designs available commercially were rejected, as were 13 electrodes designed specifically for classroom use as part of this research project. The model currently in use consists of a dry stainless steel electrode held in a plastic ring, two of which the student places on the first and third fingers of his non-writing hand. Since the unit tends to be self-adjusting, movement artifacts are minimized. The two electrodes and the body electrolytes comprise a cell. One source of error is the random potential of this cell in the absence of an externally applied voltage source. This potential is less than 1% of the full-scale signal level, making this an acceptable error. A second source of error is the back EMF of the cell when it is subjected to an externally applied voltage source. This error is handled by recording the back EMF, then subtracting it f...
A Tool for Monitoring the Development of Written English: T-Unit Analysis Using the SAWL

The article reports the development of the Structural Analysis of Written Language (SAWL), an instrument designed for use by classroom teachers in objectively documenting the ability of children to write in English. The SAWL allows teachers to use T-unit analysis to quantitatively assess language improvement regardless of whether the student writes perfect English, flawed English, and/or generates "wordstrings" with minimal English structure. The SAWL introduces two new indexes of linguistic maturity, morphemes per T-unit (MTU) and the word efficiency ratio (WER). The SAWL also allows teachers to (a) objectively compare a child's written composition with printed material and (b) make a seamless comparison of a student's written English across his or her academic life using the same indexes of measurement.
On the Spectrum of the Reflection Operator on Conical Surfaces

We study the mapping properties of the reflection operator on a conical surface. This allows us to derive regularity results for the solution of the radiosity equation on conical surfaces in a scale of weighted Sobolev spaces. To motivate the calculations we first study the operator on a cylinder. Here we estimate the asymptotic behavior of the spectrum of the reflection operator by partial integration. This method works also for the conical case, but first we have to find a simple representation for some hypergeometric functions.
Effects of urethane and ketamine on substance P- and excitatory amino acid-induced behavior in mice.

Urethane and ketamine were tested for their ability to alter the caudally directed binding and scratching response elicited by the intrathecal (i.t.) injection of excitatory amino acids (EAAs) or substance P (SP). EAAs, such as N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA), kainate acid and quisqualic acid, but not SP, were inhibited by subanesthetic doses of urethane. In contrast, SP was more sensitive than NMDA to the inhibitory effect of (+)-ketamine. (-)-Ketamine produced much less inhibition of the SP-induced behaviors than the (+)isomer. These results have important implications regarding the use of urethane and ketamine as anesthetics for studies in which these excitatory compounds are potential mediators.
Respiratory failure of acute organophosphate and carbamate poisoning.

Respiratory failure (RF) developed in 43 (40.2 percent) of 107 patients with acute organophosphate or carbamate poisoning; 22 (51.2 percent) died. The 64 patients who did not develop RF survived. All cases of RF developed within 96 hours after poisoning: within 24 hours in 35 patients (acute onset) and between 24 and 96 hours in eight patients (subacute onset). Severity of poisoning was the primary determinating factor for RF. Cardiovascular collapse and pneumonia were also associated with RF. In 19 patients with cardiovascular collapse, 17 had acute onset of RF and two had subacute onset. In 28 patients with pneumonia, 17 developed acute onset of RF and eight developed subacute onset. No organophosphorus compound caused RF more frequently than another. The duration of ventilator support for subacute RF was significantly longer than for acute RF (287 ± 186 vs 115 ± 103 hours, p = 0.02). The use of pralidoxime did not reduce the incidence of RF. We found that severity of poisoning, cardiovascular collapse, and pneumonia were the predisposing factors to RF. The golden time for treatment of acute organophosphate or carbamate poisoning was the initial 96 hours. No RF occurred after this time. Aggressive treatment and prevention of the above three factors will reduce the incidence of RF, or in other words, reduce the mortality.
Chasing an elusive concept: Ideological identifications and candidate choice

This research examines the manner in which ideological identifications covary with candidate choice. Ideological ID is not purely an independent variable for evaluating candidates; evaluations of the candidates affect both individual identification and candidate placements. Prospective voters try to create a consistent cognitive system of candidate preference, ideological ID, and ideological placement of their candidate. Results demonstrate that candidate preference has a strong effect on less salient attitudes.
Recent research in text processing

Recent advances in printing technology have reduced the cost of typeset-quality printers, but the production of attractively formatted documents requires typographic skill and special training on computer-based text processing systems. The goals of current research are to make text processing systems `user friendly' and to support the production of typeset-quality documents. Four software systems that aid the process of producing formatted documents are discussed: Scribe, developed at Carnegie-Mellon University; Bravo, an experimental system developed at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center, TEX and METAFONT, from Stanford University; and Etude, currently under development at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
The β subunit of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels interacts with and regulates the activity of a novel isoform of Pax6

Ca2+ channel β subunits (Cavβs) are essential for regulating the surface expression and gating of high voltage-activated Ca2+ channels through their interaction with Ca2+ channel α1 subunits. In efforts to uncover new interacting partners and new functions for Cavβ, we identified a new splicing isoform of Pax6, a transcription factor crucial for the development of the eye, nose, brain, and pancreas. Pax6 contains two DNA binding domains (paired domain and homeodomain), a glycine-rich linker connecting these two domains and a C-terminal proline-, serine-, and threonine-rich transactivation domain. The protein sequence and function of Pax6 are highly conserved from invertebrate to human. The newly isolated isoform, named Pax6(S), retains the paired domain, linker, and homeodomain of Pax6, but its C terminus is composed of a truncated classic proline, serine, and threonine domain and a unique S tail. Pax6(S) shows a similar level of transcriptional activity in vitro as does Pax6, but only in primates is the protein sequence highly conserved. Its spatial-temporal expression profiles are also different from those of Pax6. These divergences suggest a noncanonical role of Pax6(S) during development. The interaction between Pax6(S) and Cavβ is mainly endowed by the S tail. Co-expression of Pax6(S) with a Ca2+ channel complex containing the β3 subunit in Xenopus oocytes does not affect channel properties. Conversely, however, β3 is able to suppress the transcriptional activity of Pax6(S). Furthermore, in the presence of Pax6(S), β3 is translocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. These results suggest that full-length Cavβ may act directly as a transcription regulator independent of its role in regulating Ca2+ channel activity.
THREE-PARTICLE CHANNELS IN NUCLEAR-REACTION THEORY.

A new approach to the treatment of three-body channels in nuclear-reaction theory is proposed. The method is based on the $R$-matrix formalism. Instead of introducing three-particle final states as a new class of channels, it is suggested that they be described in terms of incoherent contributions from the various two-body channels having scattering-state residual-nucleus wave functions instead of the customary bound-state ones. The method is (a) illustrated with a simple one-dimensional three-body system, (b) applied to a general three-body system, and finally (c) used to set up a distorted-wave Born-approximation analysis of the general three-body system.
Synthesis and evaluation of inhibitors for Escherichia coli carbamyl phosphate synthetase

Abstract The design, synthesis, and evaluation of potential multisubstrate analog inhibitors for Escherichia coli carbamyl phosphate synthetase (CPS) are described. The inhibitors, which combine structural features of glutamine plus ammonia or of glutamine plus a mimic of the electrophilic ammonia acceptor, were designed to probe the spatial relationship between the substrate binding sites on the two subunits of the enzyme. Of the inhibitors described, 2-amino-3-[( N -phosphorylglycyl)amino]propanoate, 2a , with a K i value of 60 μ m , represents the most potent reversible inhibitor yet reported for E. coli CPS. The synthetic route to the inhibitors utilized a convenient protection strategy whose refinement was described previously for manipulating ω-amino- or ω-carboxyl-substituted α-amino acids (J. M. Scholtz and P. A. Bartlett, 1988, Synthesis , 542).
Translationally invariant effective interaction derived from the volume-conserving oscillator potential

Abstract The effective interaction derived from the deformed volume-conserving harmonic-oscillator potential is extended to a translationally invariant form, which can then be written more simply as a function of the internucleon distances. This interaction is invariant under the scale transformation to doubly stretched coordinates.
Aquaporin expression during seed osmopriming and post-priming germination in spinach

Aquaporins (AQPs) are proteinaceous channels known to regulate transmembrane water transport, and therefore may be important component of imbibition during osmopriming and germination. To explore the association between AQPs and osmopriming-led enhanced germination performance, we studied the expression patterns of four spinach (Spinacia oleracea) AQP coding genes (SoPIP1;1, SoPIP1;2, SoPIP2;1, and SoδTIP) during osmopriming and subsequent germination under optimal conditions, chilling and drought. All these genes were up-regulated within 2–4 d of priming (phase II-imbibition). We hypothesize such up-regulation to facilitate the pressure potential-driven cell expansion and increase germination potential of primed seeds. Our data during post-priming germination suggest that SoPIP1;1 and SoδTIP were more closely associated with enhanced germination performance. In general, all AQPs were downregulated under chilling and drought. However, under chilling, SoPIP2;1 was expressed at relatively higher level in primed seeds that also exhibited greater chilling tolerance, while SoPIP1;2 and SoδTIP exhibited opposite pattern. Similarly, SoPIP1;1, SoPIP2;1, and SoδTIP exhibited higher expression in primed seeds that also had greater drought tolerance.
Non-linear optical behavior in atomic fluorescence flame spectrometry

Abstract The non-linear dependence of the atomic fluorescence radiance upon the irradiance of the excitation source is discussed. Theoretical equations based on the assumption of steady state conditions are derived for a two-level atomic system and for a continuum source of excitation both on a relative as well as on an absolute basis. The theoretical results show that the approach of saturation sets a limit to the fluorescence radiance. The experimental results obtained with the use of a pulsed, tunable dye laser by nebulizing different elements in analytical flames are shown to be in satisfactory agreement with these theoretical results. The theory also predicts that, for a two-level system, the proportional dependence of the fluorescence signal upon the quantum efficiency observed at low irradiances is removed under saturation conditions.
Non-generic cusps

We find the order of contact of the boundaries of the cusp for two-parameter families of vector fields on the real line or diffeomorphisms of the real line, for cusp bifurcations of codimensions 1 and 2. Moreover, we create a machinery that can be used for the same problem in higher codimensions and perhaps for other, similar problems.
Comparative Efficacy of Pirprofen and Aspirin in Rheumatoid Arthritis

A six-month double-blind, randomized, parallel-design trial comparing pirprofen, a new nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug, with aspirin in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is described. The dose of pirprofen, a phenylpropionic acid derivative, was 600 mg per day; the dose of aspirin was 3600 mg per day. Pirprofen was found to be as effective as aspirin in improving the modified articular index, swelling joint index, grip strength, walking time, and duration of morning stiffness. Fewer patients receiving pirprofen reported drug-related side effects than those receiving aspirin, however, the difference was not statistically significant (P less than 0.1). There was no significant difference between groups in the incidence of positive stool guaiac tests (three of 17, pirprofen; five of 18, aspirin). Pirprofen was found to be as safe and effective as aspirin in the management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.
Clarifying flashbulb memory concept: Comment on McCloskey, Wible, and Cohen (1988).

A primary purpose of studies of flashbulb memories has been to explain to explain tha considerable variation in memory quality. Because the flashbulb metaphor is potentially misleading, the more mundane term memory of personal circumstances may be preferable.
A Basal Elasmobranch, Thrinacoselache gracia n. gen & sp., (Thrinacodontidae, New Family) from the Bear Gulch Limestone, Serpukhovian of Montana, USA

Abstract A new elasmobranch, Thrinacoselache gracia, is described from the Bear Gulch Limestone lens (Heath Formation; Sepukhovian) of Montana, with an elongate neurocranial region, occipital region that incorporates several separate vertebral zygal elements, extremely elongate, low body, and anatomically heterocercal, but horizontally oriented tail. Teeth are borne upon the rostrum, palatoquadrate, and mandible. The palatoquadrates articulate with both palatobasal and postorbital processes, as well as with the ethmoid; the hyomandibula articulates with the posterior upper corner of the neurocranium remote from the postorbital process. The mandible is longer than the neurocranium and meets its contralateral element in an extended, but mobile symphysis. Squamation is placoid, except for a dorsal pre-otic shield of elongate denticles. Digestive cavity contents identifiable as elasmobranch and holocephalan indicate that Thrinacoselache was predominantly a piscivore. The teeth are close to isolated teeth desc...
Comparisons of Voltage Spectrum in RFPWM Scheme

This paper analyzes and compares various carrier sequences generated by the mathematical formula and pseudo random binary sequence (PRBS) of random frequency pulse width modulation (RFPWM) tables. RFPWM techniques for inverter-fed motor can improve the harmonic spectrum of the output voltage, the emitted acoustic noise and the mechanical vibration. From our analysis, we can find that the different RFPWM carrier table with the same carrier frequencies may results in the different voltage spectrum. In this paper, the optimal carrier sequence is found through the proposed index with the help of the personal computer. The result also indicates that we should put more attentions on the carrier sequences than that on the selection of carrier frequency.
Tissue tearing caused by pulsed laser-induced ablation pressure

Pressure induced by ablative pulses of laser radiation is shown to correlate with the mechanical disruption of tissue. The ablation pressure induced during Er:YSGG laser irradiation of skin, liver, and aorta was calculated from a ballistic pendulum-based measurement of recoil momentum. The ejected material and ablation crater were examined grossly and microscopically after ablation. A gas-dynamic model of laser-induced vaporization was used to understand the measured pressures. The results show that mechanical disruption of tissue occurs when the ablation pressure exceeds the strength of the irradiated tissue at sites of intrinsic weakness.
Emotional Schemas and Self-Help: Homework Compliance and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Abstract Many patients will either refuse to enter treatment or will drop out of treatment where exposure and response prevention (ERP) are employed. Patients may have a number of “good reasons” for noncompliance with ERP. For example, they may view their intrusions as conveying responsibility, reflecting higher threat, as personally relevant, and as requiring perfect and certain solutions. Inducing anxiety, from this perspective, only exacerbates the “problem.” Moreover, patients may employ beliefs about emotion and anxiety that conflict with exposure—such as the belief that anxiety should always be avoided or decreased because it is assumed to rise indefinitely and cause psychological harm. Homework or between-session self-help necessarily involves exposure with increased anxiety and discomfort. In the current case study, both meta-cognitive and meta-emotional conceptualization and strategies were employed in the treatment of a previously treatment-resistant case of OCD, and homework compliance was improved through the use of an emotional schema approach.
Estimating the ratio of two Poisson rates

Classical and Bayesian methods for interval estimation of the ratio of two independent Poisson rates are examined and compared in terms of their exact coverage properties. Two methods to determine sampling effort requirements are derived.
Breeding to enhance sucrose content of sugarcane varieties in Louisiana

Abstract A recurrent selection program to improve sucrose content has raised the average sugar recoveries in Louisiana to tropical levels (over 100 kg of sugar per net tonne of cane) in a 9-month growing season. This significant response to selection pressure in the last two decades has not occurred in tropical sugarcane breeding programs. The data suggest that selection for high sucrose might still be effective in sub-tropical areas since selection is practiced on an ascending maturity curve where varieties show more variation for juice quality than in tropical areas. Also sub-tropical varieties do not approach the suggested physiological limits of sugar accumulation. The data indicate that further progress in improving juice quality in Louisiana will be more difficult but is still possible.
Perceptions of barriers in managing diabetes: perspectives of Hispanic immigrant patients and family members.

Purpose Hispanics show poorer self-management of type 2 diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. Although previous studies have reported socioeconomic and cultural barriers to diabetes self-management by Hispanics, little is known about perceived barriers to diabetes self-management from the perspectives of both Hispanics and their family members. The purpose of the study was to explore perceived barriers among Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and their family members. Methods A qualitative study using 5 focus groups was conducted. A total of 73 Hispanic immigrants with type 2 diabetes (n = 36) and family members (n = 37) were recruited in the southeastern United States for a family-based intervention study of diabetes-self management. Participants were asked to describe their perceptions of barriers to self-management. The 5 sessions were audiotaped and transcribed, translated from Spanish into English, and analyzed using standard content analysis. Demographics, hemoglobin A1C levels, blood pressure, and body mass index (BMI) were obtained both for participants with diabetes and for their family members. Results Barriers to diabetes self-management identified by participants with diabetes were in 3 major themes categorized as: suffering from diabetes, difficulties in managing the disease, and lack of resources/support. Two key themes emerged pertaining to family members: we can provide support and we lack knowledge. Conclusions Perceived barriers to diabetes self-management described by Hispanic immigrants with diabetes and family members indicate a lack of intervention strategies to meet their needs. Interventions should include culturally relevant resources, family support, and diabetes self-management skills education.
Optical trepanning with a refractive axicon lens system

Percussion drilling and trepanning are two laser drilling methods. Circular laser spots are generally used in conventional laser drilling. Annular laser beams provide a new laser drilling mechanism. When an annular beam is focused on the workpiece surface, the material around the annulus laser spot is heated, melted, vaporized and removed, leading to the formation of a hole. This process, which we refer to as optical trepanning, does not involve any rotating optics or rotating workpiece. Based on the ray tracing technique, an optical lens system using axicon lenses has been designed to transform a Gaussian circular laser beam into an annular laser beam. Both theoretical and experimental results of irradiances of the annular beam along the optical system were analyzed. Optical trepanning experiments were conducted on stainless Steel- 316. Some geometrical and metallurgical characteristics during optical trepanning were investigated.
On the use of non-locality corrections in DWBA

Abstract It is argued that non-locality effects of the distorted waves in a DWBA calculation should be used when one wishes to obtain the local equivalent form factor. The accounting for the non-locality effects in the distorted waves depends strongly upon the shape of the form factor used but only weakly upon the Q -value of the reaction, with such effects being least noticeable for form factors which are strongly peaked at the nuclear surface, and most noticeable for form factors whose strength extends well beneath the nuclear surface.
Cooperative collision warning using dedicated short range wireless communications

The emergence of the 802.11a-based Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) standard and advances in mobile ad hoc networking create ample opportunity for supporting delay-critical vehicular safety applications in a secure, resource-efficient, and reliable manner. In this paper, we focus on the suitability of DSRC for a class of vehicular safety applications called Cooperative Collision Warning (CCW), where vehicles periodically broadcast short messages for the purposes of driver situational awareness and warning. First, we present latency and success probability results of Forward Collision Warning (FCW) applications over DSRC. Second, we explore two design issues that are highly relevant to CCW applications, namely performance trends with distance and potential avenues for broadcast enhancements. Simulation results reveal interesting insights and trade-offs related to application-perceived latency and packet success probability performance. For instance, we conjecture the existence of an optimal broadcast rate that minimizes our novel latency measure for safety applications, and we characterize it for plausible scenarios.
Congenital Heart Disease

Pediatric congenital heart disease comprises a wide spectrum of structural defects. These lesions present in a limited number of ways. An infant presenting with profound shock, cyanosis, or evidence of congestive heart failure should raise the suspicion of congenital heart disease. Although most congenital lesions are diagnosed in utero, the emergency physician must be aware of these cardinal presentations because many patients present in the postnatal period around the time that the ductus arteriosus closes. Aggressive management of cardiopulmonary instability combined with empiric use of prostaglandin E(1) and early pediatric cardiology consultation is essential for positive outcomes.
Are anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms related to muscle dysmorphia?

The present study examines how muscle dysmorphia (MD), a clinically significant preoccupation that one’s body is inadequately muscular, relates to trait anxiety and obsessive-compulsive symptoms. 97 college-age men completed the MD Inventory, the Drive for Muscularity Scale, the Male Body Attitudes Scale, the Social Physique Anxiety Scale, the trait scale of the Speilberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory , and an abbreviated version of the Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Bivariate correlation analyses revealed that trait anxiety and obsessivecompulsive symptoms demonstrated strong relationships with both social physique anxiety and overall MD symptomology. Path analysis indicated that anxiety- related variables accounted for 77 percent of the variance in MD symptoms. The findings lend support to the assertion that MD should be placed within the obsessive- compulsive spectrum of disorders.
The compatability of cloud tracked winds from the United States, European, and Japanese geostationary satellites

Abstract Overlap of coverage of the five geostationary satellites has allowed an intercomparison of the FGGE cloud tracked winds. No attempt was made during FGGE to standardize the cloud tracking techniques. In spite of this potential for differences between data sets, the compatability of the various cloud wind data sets was generally quite good. The vector magnitude differences between nearly co-located vectors showed similar cumulative frequency statistics for all data producers. A study of systematic biases which could affect a global wind analysis of any given synoptic period showed that image alignment errors caused less than 2 m s−1 bias for all data producers except the NESS high level winds which had an average bias of slightly greater than 3 m s−1. This appears to be caused by the manual alignment of images in the movie loops. Height bias studies showed the Japanese winds to be higher than other data producers by as much as 100 mb for both the high and low levels winds. Height biases appear to be caused by the differences in cloud wind height assignment procedures.
Why Is the Substomatal Chamber as Large as It Is

The rate of CO(2) uptake by the mesophyll is examined as a function of the size of the substomatal chamber. Using the techniques of classical electric circuit analysis and a model in which the uptake is linear in the ambient CO(2) concentration, it is shown that the optimal chamber radius is several times larger than is the pore radius. This is somewhat larger than necessary for the reduction of transpirational water loss, and it offers an explanation for the otherwise inexplicably large size of the chamber.
Mexican-American Mothers’ Perceptions Regarding Vaccinating Their Daughters Against HPV and Recommended Strategies to Promote Vaccine Uptake

Uptake and completion of the HPV vaccine among Latina girls has been relatively low, despite mothers’ generally positive attitudes toward the vaccine. Focus groups were used for an in-depth, qualitative investigation of Mexican-American mothers’ beliefs about and perceived barriers regarding the HPV vaccine and their recommendations for vaccine promotion. Overall, women felt capable and motivated to take care of their daughters’ health, and they noted the family-centered nature of health decisions and made an association between HPV vaccination and a girl's first menses. Findings from this study can be used to support woman-centered and culturally specific HPV vaccine promotion efforts.
Cyclin e1 regulates Kv2.1 channel phosphorylation and localization in neuronal ischemia.

Kv2.1 is a major delayed rectifying K+ channel normally localized to highly phosphorylated somatodendritic clusters in neurons. Excitatory stimuli induce calcineurin-dependent dephosphorylation and dispersal of Kv2.1 clusters, with a concomitant hyperpolarizing shift in the channel's activation kinetics. We showed previously that sublethal ischemia, which renders neurons transiently resistant to excitotoxic cell death, can also induce Zn2+-dependent changes in Kv2.1 localization and activation kinetics, suggesting that activity-dependent modifications of Kv2.1 may contribute to cellular adaptive responses to injury. Recently, cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) was shown to phosphorylate Kv2.1, with pharmacological Cdk5 inhibition being sufficient to decluster channels. In another study, cyclin E1 was found to restrict neuronal Cdk5 kinase activity. We show here that cyclin E1 regulates Kv2.1 cellular localization via inhibition of Cdk5 activity. Expression of cyclin E1 in human embryonic kidney cells prevents Cdk5-mediated phosphorylation of Kv2.1, and cyclin E1 overexpression in rat cortical neurons triggers dispersal of Kv2.1 channel clusters. Sublethal ischemia in neurons induces calcineurin-dependent upregulation of cyclin E1 protein expression and cyclin E1-dependent Kv2.1 channel declustering. Importantly, overexpression of cyclin E1 in neurons is sufficient to reduce excitotoxic cell death. These results support a novel role for neuronal cyclin E1 in regulating the phosphorylation status and localization of Kv2.1 channels, a likely component of signaling cascades leading to ischemic preconditioning.
Food recognition using statistics of pairwise local features

Food recognition is difficult because food items are de-formable objects that exhibit significant variations in appearance. We believe the key to recognizing food is to exploit the spatial relationships between different ingredients (such as meat and bread in a sandwich). We propose a new representation for food items that calculates pairwise statistics between local features computed over a soft pixellevel segmentation of the image into eight ingredient types. We accumulate these statistics in a multi-dimensional histogram, which is then used as a feature vector for a discriminative classifier. Our experiments show that the proposed representation is significantly more accurate at identifying food than existing methods.
High-titer production of monomeric hydroxyvalerates from levulinic acid in Pseudomonas putida

Hydroxyacids represent an important class of compounds that see application in the production of polyesters, biodegradable plastics and antibiotics, and that serve as useful chiral synthetic building blocks for other fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. An economical, high-titer method for the production of 4-hydroxyvalerate (4HV) and 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) from the inexpensive and renewable carbon source levulinic acid was developed. These hydroxyvalerates were produced by periodically feeding levulinate to Pseudomonas putida KT2440 expressing a recombinant thioesterase II (tesB) gene from Escherichia coli K12. The titer of 4HV in shake flask culture reached 13.9+/-1.2 g L(-1) from P. putida tesB(+) cultured at 32 degrees C in LB medium periodically supplemented with glucose and levulinate. The highest 3HV titer obtained was 5.3+/-0.1 g L(-1) in M9 minimal medium supplemented with glucose and levulinate.