cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional MR imaging as a new paradigm for image guidance

Guidance and monitoring of locoregional minimally invasive treatment for primary or secondary liver tumor are critical to ensuring success and efficacy of therapy. In this article, we review advanced MR imaging techniques, including MR spectroscopy, diffusion and perfusion MR imaging, which can provide essential in vivo physiologic and metabolic information. These innovative imaging techniques can provide potential additional criteria to assess tumor response in addition to the accepted yet often limited Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) and the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) criteria, which are based on decrease of tumor size and lesion enhancement, respectively. In this article, we also discuss the role of tumor size and enhancement in addition to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) findings after radiofrequency ablation (RFA), transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), and radioembolization.
Elementary state-to-state energy transfer processes

Abstract This manuscript discusses recent studies of rotation-to-rotation, rovibration-to-rovibration, and vibration-to-vibration energy transfer processes of small and medium-sized molecules. Possible state-to-state energy transfer in the quasicontinuum and the resulting implications involving bond-selective chemistry is also presented.
A Pilot Trial of Serial 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography in Patients With Medically Inoperable Stage I Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer Treated With Hypofractionated Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy

Purpose Routine assessment was made of tumor metabolic activity as measured by 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) in Stage I non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This report describes PET correlates prospectively collected after stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for patients with medically inoperable NSCLC. Methods and Materials 14 consecutive patients with medically inoperable Stage I NSCLC were enrolled. All patients received SBRT to 60–66 Gy in three fractions. Patients underwent serial planned FDG-PET/computed tomography fusion imaging before SBRT and at 2, 26, and 52 weeks after SBRT. Results With median follow-up of 30.2 months, no patients experienced local failure. One patient developed regional failure, 1 developed distant failure, and 1 developed a second primary. The median tumor maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max ) before SBRT was 8.70. The median SUV max values at 2, 26, and 52 weeks after SBRT were 6.04, 2.80, and 3.58, respectively. Patients with low pre-SBRT SUV were more likely to experience initial 2-week rises in SUV, whereas patients with high pre-SBRT SUV commonly had SUV declines 2 weeks after treatment ( p = 0.036). Six of 13 patients had primary tumor SUV max >3.5 at 12 months after SBRT but remained without evidence of local disease failure on further follow-up. Conclusions A substantial proportion of patients may have moderately elevated FDG-PET SUV max at 12 months without evidence of local failure on further follow-up. Thus, slightly elevated PET SUV max should not be considered a surrogate for local treatment failure. Our data do not support routine serial FDG-PET/computed tomography for follow-up of patients receiving SBRT for Stage I NSCLC.
The role of the interface in the electronic structure of adsorbed metal(II) (Co, Ni, Cu) phthalocyanines

We compare the electronic structures of metal(II) (Co, Ni, Cu) phthalocyanines adsorbed on conducting and insulating substrates: Au(111) and the organic ferroelectric polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). The different 3d orbital contributions to the metal phthalocyanines result in different substrate interactions, and different molecular orbital offsets. When adsorbed on the ferroelectric PVDF surface, the photoemission and inverse photoemission spectra suggest that cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) bonds more strongly to both Au(111) and PVDF, resulting in a preferential planar configuration on the PVDF surface, not observed with nickel phthalocyanine (NiPc) and copper phthalocyanine (CuPc).
A simplified 2D model for meander migration with physically-based bank evolution

Abstract The rate of migration, calculated by numerical models of river meandering, is commonly based on a method that relates the rate of migration to near-bank excess velocity multiplied by a dimensionless coefficient. Notwithstanding its simplicity, since the early 1980s this method has provided important insight into the long-term evolution of meander planforms through theoretical exercises. Its use in practice has not been as successful, because the complexity of the physical processes responsible for bank retreat, the heterogeneity in floodplain soils, and the presence of vegetation, make the calibration of the dimensionless coefficient rather challenging. This paper presents a new approach that calculates rates of meander migration using physically-based streambank erosion formulations. The University of Illinois RVR Meander model, which simulates meandering-river flow and bed morphodynamics, is integrated with algorithms for streambank erosion of the US Department of Agriculture channel evolution computer model CONCEPTS. The performance of the proposed approach is compared to that of the more simple classic method through the application to several test cases for idealized and natural planform geometry. The advantages and limitations of the approach are discussed, focusing on simulated planform pattern, the impact of soil spatial heterogeneity, the relative importance of the different processes controlling bank erosion (hydraulic erosion, cantilever, and planar failure), the requirements for obtaining stable migration patterns (centerline filtering and interpolation of bank physical properties), and the capability of predicting the planform evolution of natural rivers over engineering time scales (i.e., 50 to 100 years). The applications show that the improved physically-based method of bank retreat is required to capture the complex long-term migration patterns of natural channels, which cannot be merely predicted from hydrodynamics only.
An improved method for synthesis and purification of 125I or 131I labeled carrier-free 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine

Consistently high yields (up to 95%) of carrier-free 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine-125I (or 131I) can be obtained by iodination of 2′-deoxyuridine at varying concentrations of radioactive NaI (1–10 mCi), as long as the molarity of deoxyuridine in the reaction mixture is kept at or above 10−2 M. At lower deoxyuridine molarities the reaction yield is significantly reduced. Several different purification procedures (Biogel P-2 400 mesh or Sephadex G-10 column chromatography, paper chromatography with water-saturated ethyl acetate or water-saturated butanol) are described. The two column chromatography systems yield iododeoxyuridine of > 95% chemical and radiochemical purity. The two paper chromatography systems are somewhat more involved, but yield 125I or 131I labeled 5-iodo-2′-deoxyuridine of > 99% chemical and radiochemical purity.
Angiotensin II Activation of Cyclin D1-dependent Kinase Activity *

Angiotensin II (AII) binds to specific G protein-coupled receptors and is mitogenic in adrenal, liver epithelial, and vascular smooth muscle cells. Since the cyclin D1 gene encodes the regulatory subunit of the cyclin D1-dependent kinase (CD1K) required for phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB), an essential and rate-limiting step in G1 phase progression of the cell cycle, we examined the effect of AII on cyclin D1 expression and CD1K activity in the human adrenal cell line H295R. AII (10-6 M) stimulated G1 phase progression within 12 h, with a maximal effect after 72 h. This action was antedated by the induction of cyclin D1 mRNA (3-fold), cyclin D1 nuclear protein abundance (4-fold), and CD1K activity (4-fold). AII induced cyclin D1 promoter activity 4-fold, via the AT1 receptor through an enhancer sequence at -954 base pairs. c-Fos and c-Jun bound the cyclin D1 -954 enhancer sequence, and the abundance of c-Fos within this complex was increased by AII treatment. AII induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity 7-fold, and dominant-negative mutants of either p21ras or ERK reduced AII-stimulated cyclin D1 promoter activity. These findings suggest that AII may stimulate mitogenesis by increasing CD1K activity through a p21ras/ERK/activator protein 1 pathway.
A Comparison of Different Treatments for Nocturnal Bruxism

One hundred bruxers were evaluated for bruxing activity before, during, and after treatment with a portable electromyograph (EMG). A six-month post-treatment follow-up of bruxing activity was obtained. Experimental treatment groups consisted of diurnal biofeedback, nocturnal biofeedback, massed negative practice, and splint therapy. A no-treatment control group was included. The comparative efficacy of treatments was determined by analyses of variance.Both EMG-measured frequency of bruxing episodes and duration of bruxing activity decreased significantly for nocturnal biofeedback and splint therapy treatments but not for massed negative practice, diurnal biofeedback (relaxation), or the no-treatment control group. The two-week treatment effects were transient, and bruxing activity generally returned to baseline levels when treatment was withdrawn. These findings are consistent with the findings of previous researchers with regard to nocturnal biofeedback and splint therapy but differ from previous finding...
Target detection and tracking using FKT, DCCF, and PDCCF and comparing these methods

In a FLIR image sequence, a target may disappear permanently or may reappear after some frames and crucial information such as direction, position and size related to the target are lost. If the target reappears at a later frame, it may not be tracked again because the 3D orientation, size and location of the target might be changed. We have proposed two methods: FKT-DCCF and FKT-PDCCF. We have implemented several tests by using DCCF and PDCCF when a target reappears to field-of-view. At the end of those test results we compared the DCCF and PDCCF methods by looking the percentage of correctly identified targets. Test results using both mid-wave and long-wave FLIR sequences (M1415, L1805, L1702, L1920, L19NS, and L1915) are incorporated to verify the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS FOR MELANOMA: Prevention, Early Detection, and Education

Melanoma represents an increasingly urgent worldwide public health problem. 62 Estimates project 41,600 new cases a year in the United States. 2 The incidence of cutaneous melanoma nearly doubled from 1973 to 1992, and the rise in mortality ranks third only to lung cancer in women and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 76 Decades of research have led to a greater understanding of the epidemiology, risk factors, and natural history of melanoma while providing the framework for prevention and control. 67 In theory, the public health burden of melanoma could decline through effective primary and secondary prevention measures. Reducing excessive sun exposure (primary prevention) could theoretically reduce incidence, because two thirds of melanoma may be attributed to excessive sunlight exposure. 4 Primary prevention strategies can include personal behavior changes for individuals (such as minimizing ultraviolet [UV] exposure and using protective clothing and sunscreen) as well as policy and environmental interventions for populations (such as development of shady areas and preservation of ozone). Early detection (secondary prevention) should increase melanoma cure rates, because long-term survival figures of over 95% for stage 1A melanoma decline sharply to under 5% for metastatic disease. 7 Furthermore, these external, visible cancers have identifiable risk factors (which should be readily recognizable by the public and health professionals alike) and are easily treated in early stages. 105
Neurologic sequelae of unilateral carotid artery occlusion: immediate and late.

Abstract Over a 7-year period (1980 to 1987) 24 patients (18 men: mean age 67 years; range, 52 to 78 years, and six women: mean age 67 years; range, 46 to 82 years) undergoing serial carotid artery duplex scans were observed to progress to unilateral carotid artery occlusion. The occlusions were associated with ipsilateral strokes in six (25%), ipsilateral transient ischemic attacks in four (16%), and the onset of nonhemispheric symptoms in one (5%). Thirteen patients had no symptoms. Follow-up ranged from 4 months to 96 months (mean 39.4 months). Late neurologic events comprised two strokes, three transient ischemic attacks and the onset of nonhemispheric symptoms in six, which in some were disabling. Thirteen patients had no symptoms. Three deaths occurred (one was stroke related). For late events by life-table analysis, the average annual rate over the first 2 years for stroke was 10% and for transient ischemic attack 13%. The combined rate for transient ischemic attack and stroke was 20% per annum. For nonhemispheric symptoms the rate for the first year was 31%. It is concluded that unilateral carotid artery occlusion is associated with an unacceptable incidence of immediate neurologic sequelae and that such patients continue to have a high rate of late neurologic deficits at follow-up. Therefore it seems appropriate that patients who are observed to progress to high-grade stenosis and are therefore at risk for immediate occlusion should undergo prophylactic carotid endarterectomy. (J Vasc Surg 1989;10:542–8.)
Superhuman performance of surgical tasks by robots using iterative learning from human-guided demonstrations

In the future, robotic surgical assistants may assist surgeons by performing specific subtasks such as retraction and suturing to reduce surgeon tedium and reduce the duration of some operations. We propose an apprenticeship learning approach that has potential to allow robotic surgical assistants to autonomously execute specific trajectories with superhuman performance in terms of speed and smoothness. In the first step, we record a set of trajectories using human-guided backdriven motions of the robot. These are then analyzed to extract a smooth reference trajectory, which we execute at gradually increasing speeds using a variant of iterative learning control. We evaluate this approach on two representative tasks using the Berkeley Surgical Robots: a figure eight trajectory and a two handed knot-tie, a tedious suturing sub-task required in many surgical procedures. Results suggest that the approach enables (i) rapid learning of trajectories, (ii) smoother trajectories than the human-guided trajectories, and (iii) trajectories that are 7 to 10 times faster than the best human-guided trajectories.
Front-of-Package Nutritional Labels and Consumer Beverage Perceptions

The pressure to find solutions for high rates of obesity and overweight in the U.S. population has led industry groups to introduce voluntary front-of-package (FOP) nutritional labeling for beverages. This research examines the impact of these labels on consumers' perceptions of the healthiness of beverages. Though consumers reacted differently depending on the information in the label, in general, the perception of milks and 100% juices decreased, while perception of soft drinks and less than 100% juice drinks increased. If the purpose of FOP labels is to encourage healthier choices, the changes observed appear to be at odds with the goal.
Gatifloxacin Susceptibility Testing Interpretive Criteria and Quality Control Guidelines for Dilution and Disk Diffusion Methods

Gatifloxacin (formerly AM-1155 or CG5501) is a newer 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone with a wide spectrum of antimicrobial activity.[1-4] Among the species inhibited by gatifloxacin are selected anaerobes, Chlamydia spp., Mycoplasma pneumoniae, mycobacteria, drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae andNeisseria gonorrhoeae as well as many nonfastidious, rapid-growing bacteria. Gatifloxacin has excellent bioavailability, with an elimination half-life of 7 to 8 hours and peak serum concentrations of 3.35 and 5.41 mg/L, respectively, with single 400 and 600mg doses.[5] It penetrates macrophages and will concentrate 5to 7-fold within the cell. The drug was well tolerated and the intake of food had no adverse effect on the pharmacokinetic features, which allowed advancement to human clinical trials. The risk of phototoxicity was also considered low. In this study, we report the results of testing the activity of gatifloxacin against rapidly growing aerobic pathogens by 2 methods published by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) to determine interpretive criteria for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.[6,7] In addition, the quality control guidelines were established for the gatifloxacin 5μg disks and broth microdilution tests by use of a 9-laboratory trial conforming to NCCLS study design.[8]
Electronic structure theory

This paper reviews the history of IBM contributions over the last quarter century to electronic structure theory. The two main sections of the paper deal with large-scale computations in quantum chemistry and the study of the electronic structure of solids. The paper briefly discusses the methods of ab initio quantum chemistry, a field in which IBMers have devoted major effort and made substantial innovative, scientific contributions. Partly as a result of these contributions, it is now possible to use these methods to address theoretically problems of practical importance in chemistry. Major contributions toward understanding the electronic structure of solids, particularly with regard to metallic bonding, surface electronic structure, the nature of magnetism, and semiconductor defects, are discussed as well as pioneering efforts in the analysis of photoemission and low-energy electron diffraction data.
On the incentives for security analysts to revise their earnings forecasts

Abstract. Several recent studies have empirically examined the accuracy of security analyst earnings forecasts. Among the objectives of this research is to measure the ability of analysts to gather and process both public and private information. An implicit assumption underlying these studies is that analysts' earnings forecasts fully reflect the information that the analysts possess. However, this may not be true; analysts may not incorporate all of their information into their forecasts. As shown here, analysts may be reluctant to revise their forecasts upon the receipt of new information because of the negative signal such a revision provides concerning the accuracy of their prior information. As a result, the accuracy of analysts' forecasts may underestimate the precision of their information. Resume. Dans des etudes recentes, plusieurs chercheurs ont procede a l'examen empirique de l'exactitude des previsions de benefices formulees par les analystes en valeurs mobilieres. L'auteur vise entre autres objectifs celui de mesurer la capacite des analystes de recueillir et de traiter a la fois les informations a caractere public et prive. Une hypothese implicite sous-jacente a ces etudes veut que les previsions de benefices des analystes refletent integralement l'information que possedent ces derniers. Cette hypothese peut cependant etre erronee; il se peut que les analystes n'incorporent pas toute l'information dont ils disposent dans leurs previsions. Comme l'explique l'auteur, les analystes peuvent etre reticents a reviser leurs previsions lorsqu'ils recoivent de l'information nouvelle en raison de l'image negative que projetterait ce genre de revision relativement a l'exactitude de leur information anterieure. Par consequent, l'exactitude des previsions des analystes pourrait sous-estimer la precision de leur information.
A neurophysiological analysis of the development of cortico-caudate connections in the cat.

Abstract Extracellular single-unit recordings were made from the caudate nuclei of a series of kittens ranging in age from 1 to 50 days. Each of these neurons was tested for ability to respond to stimulation of the ipsilateral precruciate cortex. The results indicate that the synaptic effect of cortical efferents on caudate neurons in neonates is qualitatively similar to that observed in the adult striatum. During the course of development the proportion of responsive units increased, response latency decreased, and the ability to follow repetitive stimuli improved.
Transient Heat and Material Flow Modeling of Friction Stir Processing of Magnesium Alloy using Threaded Tool

A three-dimensional transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the material flow and heat transfer during friction stir processing (FSP) in an AZ31B magnesium alloy. The material was assumed to be a non-Newtonian viscoplastic fluid, and the Zener-Hollomon parameter was used to describe the dependence of material viscosity on temperature and strain rate. The material constants used in the constitutive equation were determined experimentally from compression tests of the AZ31B Mg alloy under a wide range of strain rates and temperatures. A dynamic mesh method, combining both Lagrangian and Eulerian formulations, was used to capture the material flow induced by the movement of the threaded tool pin. Massless inert particles were embedded in the simulation domain to track the detailed history of material flow. The actual FSP was also carried out on a wrought Mg plate where temperature profiles were recorded by embedding thermocouples. The predicted transient temperature history was found to be consistent with that measured during FSP. Finally, the influence of the thread on the simulated results of thermal history and material flow was studied by comparing two models: one with threaded pin and the other with smooth pin surface.
The Correlation of IR Microturbine Combustion Performance While Burning Diluted Gaseous Fuel Supplied by a Fuel Mixing Facility

Ingersoll-Rand Energy Systems commissioned the construction of a fuel mixing facility to test its commercial microturbines fueled with alternative fuels like those produced by landfills, agricultural digesters, wastewater treatment plants, and petroleum gas well heads. This paper provides an overview of the fuel mixing facility and its capabilities, a discussion of diluted fuel compositions that are typically found in field applications, and a summary of the combustion performance of the IR 250 kW and 70 kW microturbines while operating on diluted fuels (LHV < 34 MJ/m3 ). The pollutant emission measurements taken with the microturbine burning diluted fuel supplied by the fuel mixing facility are compared with the measured emissions taken from a microturbine operating at a landfill to provide validation of the measurements gathered from the fuel mixing facility. Pollutant emissions are closely tied to not only the magnitude of diluents, but the composition of the diluents as well.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
The Miniature Mars Meteorological Station.

Abstract The Miniature Mars Meteorological (M 3 ) Station is designed to provide the global measurements of atmospheric opacity, pressure and temperature required to characterize the martian climate. The M 3 stations must be robust, lightweight and low cost to provide an effective Mars meteorological network of twenty surface stations. The design process for the M 3 mission focuses on reducing cost, mass and operational complexity by striving for design simplicity. The candidate M 3 surface station that has emerged from our study is the integrated aero-terrabrake hard lander. This system utilizes a common structure for both the atmospheric entry and surface deceleration functions. When coupled with an inflatable ballute system, this aero-terrabrake design simplifies the atmospheric entry, deceleration and landing operations. The M 3 station design presented in this paper describes a network of small, simple surface stations that can be developed and delivered to Mars to provide global meteorological data.
Abstract 3557: Epigenetic modulation of microRNA-363 in human papillomavirus-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) of the oropharynx has significantly increased in recent decades, despite decreasing rates of tobacco and alcohol-related HNSCC. HPV-positive HNSCC is often characterized as a distinct malignancy due to unique epidemiological features and improved prognoses compared with HPV-negative HNSCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate mRNA translation and decay. Altered miRNA signatures have been identified in numerous types of solid tumors, including HNSCC, but their functional consequences are largely unknown. Our studies show that miR-363 is significantly overexpressed in HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative HNSCC patient tumors and cell lines and that the HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein positively modulates miR-363 expression. We hypothesize that the HPV-16 E6 oncoprotein upregulates miR-363 at the epigenetic level by decreasing miR-363 promoter methylation. The Illumina Genome Analyzer miRNA Sequencing and Illumina HiSeq 2000 miRNA Sequencing platforms were utilized to assess miRNA levels in HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. miR-363 levels in HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors were compared to their respective paired normal tissue samples. The Applied Biosystems Cells-to-CpG Bisulfite Conversion Kit was employed to investigate the methylation status of the miR-363 promoter in HNSCC cell lines. Our analysis of 280 (35 HPV-positive, 245 HPV-negative) TCGA HNSCC patient tumors identified a 3.36-fold increase in miR-363 in HPV-positive compared to HPV-negative tumors (p<0.0001). While matched HPV-positive tumor and paired normal samples indicate miR-363 overexpression in tumor tissues, additional samples are necessary to increase the power and statistical significance of the study. Bisulfite conversion methylation-specific PCR demonstrates that HPV-positive cell lines are unmethylated at the miR-363 promoter whereas HPV-negative cell lines generally possess methylated profiles. Cell proliferation, soft agar colony formation, migration, and invasion functional assays following transient and stable transfection with premiR-363 or microRNA-363 inhibitor are in progress to assess HPV-positive and HPV-negative HNSCC phenotypes. Our overall goal is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying HPV-associated cancers, to identify specific pathways perturbed by HPV, and to develop improved prognostic biomarkers and targeted therapies for HNSCC. Citation Format: Bhavana S. Vangara, Parvez Akhtar, Jennifer R. Grandis, Saleem A. Khan. Epigenetic modulation of microRNA-363 in human papillomavirus-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 3557. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-3557
Reproductive behavior, egg trading, and correlates of male mating success in the simultaneous hermaphrodite, Serranus tabacarius

Serranus tabacarius (Serranidae), the tobaccofish, is a simultaneous hermaphrodite which belongs to a group of seabasses that exhibit a wide variety of social and mating systems. The reproductive behavior of tobaccofish is similar to other hermaphroditic seabasses, with individuals assuming sex-specific spawning behaviors that allow for the assignment of male and female roles in a mating sequence. Virtually all matings involved pairs of individuals, although streaking, an alternative male mating tactic, was observed once. Pairs engage in egg trading, where individuals divide their daily clutch into a series of sequentially released parcels and take turns releasing eggs for their partner to fertilize. Individuals mate over a late afternoon spawning period with a number of partners sequentially. Larger individuals have both more total matings and more spawning partners. Egg trading is not symmetrical, the number of male and female matings for an individual in a spawning sequence is often unequal. Overall, the ratio of male to female matings increases with individual size. Large individuals are socially dominant, chase conspecifics during the reproductive period, and are more likely to end a spawning bout with a partner immediately after mating in the male role. In addition, larger individuals are less likely to reciprocate female matings by a partner, either by only mating once (as a male) in a spawning bout or by mating consecutively as a male within a series of matings. Although larger individuals show this relative specialization in the male role, they maintain their simultaneous hermaphroditism and obtain a substantial percentage of their mating success through female function. Egg trading appears to reduce the opportunity for large individuals to specialize as pure males, and thus interacts with the environmental potential for polygamy in shaping the mating system and sex allocation pattern in this species.
An extended period of episodic northern mid-latitude glaciation on Mars during the Middle to Late Amazonian: Implications for long- term obliquity history

Mars is the only planet other than Earth in the Solar System that has a preserved nonpolar geological record of glaciation on its surface. Nonpolar ice deposits on Mars have been linked to variations in spin-axis obliquity that cause mobilization of polar ice and redeposition at lower latitudes, forming ice-rich and glacial deposits. Remnant nonpolar glacial deposits are found across the northern mid-latitudes where surface ice is not currently stable, implying that different climatic conditions existed on Mars in the past. Individual glacial deposits are often too small to date reliably using impact crater size-frequency data. We describe a novel approach that allows us to derive new information about when glaciation occurred in broad areas of the northern mid-latitudes. In this region we have classified (1) craters that superpose preexisting glacial deposits and were modified by later accumulation (and therefore formed during an epoch when glaciation was occurring), and (2) craters that are superposed on glacial deposits but are themselves unmodified by ice accumulation (and thus post-date significant glaciation). The sparse population of post-glacial craters reveals that the last period of extensive ice deposition of this type in this latitude band was recent (Late Amazonian). The substantial number of craters formed during the recurring glacial periods implies that northern mid-latitude glaciation was a long-lived recurring process, occurring over a period of at least ∼600 m.y. On the basis of Mars atmospheric general circulation models, these results are consistent with higher obliquity being common in the past, with recurring periods of obliquity exceeding the 25° axial tilt of Mars today. These observations support the statistical prediction of J. Laskar and colleagues that the median obliquity during the Amazonian was ∼35°–40°.
Ventricular volume and dementia progression in the Cardiovascular Health Study

Elevated cerebral ventricular volume may be associated with dementia risk and progression. A fully-automated technique that agreed highly with radiological readings was used to estimate lateral ventricle volume on MR scans done at baseline in 1997-99 of 377 subjects in the Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS) from the Pittsburgh Center. 327 subjects were normal or diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) at baseline and were evaluated 4 years later. Baseline ventricular volume was analyzed in multivariate models with age, gender, education level, presence and incidence of cerebral infarcts, and dementia category (normal, MCI, or dementia) at baseline and follow-up as fixed effects. Ventricular volume at baseline was significantly higher among subjects normal at baseline and demented 4 years later. Age, gender, education level, and dementia progression were significant factors affecting ventricular volume. Ventricular volume was higher in dementia compared to MCI, higher in MCI compared to controls, and higher in Possible-Alzheimer's-disease (AD) dementia compared to Probable-AD. Larger ventricles in healthy subjects may indicate susceptibility to, or progression of, dementia-related pathology.
Carbohydrate Processing of Thyrotropin Differs from that of Free α-Subunit and Total Glycoproteins in Microsomal Subfractions of Mouse Pituitary Tumor

We have determined the structures of high man-nose (Man) oligosaccharide units of TSH, free α-subunit, and non-TSH-related total glycoproteins (TP) within microsomal subfractions of mouse thyrotropic tumor. Tumor minces were incubated with D-[2-3H]Man, homogenized, and subfractionated into rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) as well as proximal and distal smooth endoplasmic reticulum/Golgi apparatus. TSH subunits and TP were precipitated from these fractions, and high Man units released by endoglycosidase H were analyzed by paper chromatography. Glc3Man9GlcNAc2 (Glc = glucose; GlcNAc = N-acetylglucosamine) was not detected in TSH subunit precursors in any fraction, but was detected in TP. Glc1Man9GlcNAc2 accumulated in TSH with chase, but only small amounts were detected in free α-subunit and TP. Trimming of Man9GlcNAc2 to Man8GlcNAc2 began in RER before 1 h for all species, but the rate of Man trimming was rapid for free α-subunit, moderate for TSH, and slow for TP. Man8GlcNAc2 was a rate-limiting step in ...
A Brief History of Networking in the U.S.

The history of computer networking goes back 40 years. With few exceptions (e.g., libraries), the U.S. Government established a creative environment or directly supported early developments. Chemical networking goes back to the year 1971, when three groups virtually simultaneously initiated access to chemical and structural databases.
Vietnamese Americans and Depression: A Health and Mental Health Concern

This study focused on factors contributing to depression and help-seeking preferences among Vietnamese Americans. Survey results from 572 Vietnamese Americans showed depression prevalence at 30.2%. Those with depressive symptoms tended to be female, unmarried, unemployed, experiencing family relationship concerns, health issues, or income losses. Seeking help from mental health professionals was the least preferred treatment. Logistic regression analysis predicted that each unit increase in physical health concerns on a four-point scale raised the likelihood of Vietnamese Americans having depressive symptoms by 67.3%. This study provides evidence-based data to support the use of culturally relevant treatment that is integrated with health-focused family services and religious consultation.
Standards for the conduct of clinical trials and evaluation of bronchodilator drugs

The proper administration of clinical drug trials requires a highly integrated effort among the investigator, the sponsor (usually a pharmaceutical concern), and most often an institution such as a medical school or hospital. The current climate, moreover, has favored the breeding of new regulations and procedures by government, institutions, and the pharmaceutical industry. Factors influencing these new concerns are consumer awareness, the need for peer review, increasing liability risks, and the desire to help ensure patient safeguards as well as validity of data. It is encumbent upon the clinical investigator to be aware of his responsibilities in this regard so that trials may be conducted in accordance with contemporary standards. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published in the
Inflation, currency exchange rates, and the international securities markets

Abstract A time-state-preference model of an efficient and complete international financial market is employed to investigate the conditions under which the international Fisher Effect will hold, and the forward currency exchange rate will be an unbiased estimate of the future spot rate. The presence of stochastic inflation within countries in the fiat-currency prices of real goods will destroy both relationships, even in the absence of any institutional imperfections or trading barriers. Similarly, expected inflation rate differentials across countries will not coincide with spot-versus-forward currency exchange rate differentials.
Developmental Factors in Conversational Behavior

Listener responses (LRs) have been found to appear far less frequently among children than among adolescents and adults, and the initial explorations of this finding, both empirical and theoretical, are reported in this paper. Observations of children in first, third, and fifth grade in school (but not in school-like situations) showed LRs to be almost absent except under the strongest social “pull,” and to be very variable from child to child. Video taped sessions in the laboratory showed older children to make small movements which may not be communicative, to make the more definite ones a bit late compared with adults, and confirmed the wide individual variability. Discussion focuses on two functions of LRs, the linguistic and the social.
Sex differences and hormonal modulation of deep tissue pain

Women disproportionately suffer from many deep tissue pain conditions. Experimental studies show that women have lower pain thresholds, higher pain ratings and less tolerance to a range of painful stimuli. Most clinical and epidemiological reports suggest female gonadal hormones modulate pain for some, but not all, conditions. Similarly, animal studies support greater nociceptive sensitivity in females in many deep tissue pain models. Gonadal hormones modulate responses in primary afferents, dorsal horn neurons and supraspinal sites, but the direction of modulation is variable. This review will examine sex differences in deep tissue pain in humans and animals focusing on the role of gonadal hormones (mainly estradiol) as an underlying component of the modulation of pain sensitivity.
Liver-selective nucleic acid targeting using the asialoglycoprotein receptor

Gene transfer to the liver by receptor-mediated endocytosis represents a promising method for therapeutic intervention of genetic disorders and acquired diseases affecting the liver. Based on the observation that asialoglycoprotein receptors are abundantly expressed on the surface of human hepatocytes in vivo, gene delivery and expression by DNA-ligand complexes targeted to liver have been developed in several different experimental models. This review will cover general aspects related to targeting to the liver via the asialoglycoprotein receptor, and the relationship between gene expression, persistence, the structure and size of DNA complexes, as well as the current strategies aimed to improve the overall efficiency of receptor-mediated gene therapy.
The spectroelectrochemical determination of the reduction potential of differic serum transferrin

Abstract The first spectroelectrochemical measurement of the formal reduction potential of iron transferrin has been carried out using methyl viologen to mediate electron transfer to the protein. These calculations take into consideration the weak nature of the ferrous transferrin complex. A value of -0.52(8) V vs. the normal hydrogen electrode was obtained in 0.100 M tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane buffer at pH 7.4, 22°C, and 2.0 M KCl. A high ionic strength was necessary to effect reduction, supporting the observation that ions play an important role in the reduction of iron in transferrin. Finally, a procedure for carrying out the reduction of methyl viologen at a gold electrode in a spectrophotometric cell is described.
The effects of oxygen doping on copper Chevrel compounds

The Chevrel compounds Cu1.8Mo6S8−x O x have been studied, wherex=0.00, 0.05, and 0.10. In order to establish the effects of incorporating a small amount of oxygen into Cu1.8Mo6S8, we have measured lattice parameters, superconducting transition temperatureT c, and the temperature dependence of both the upper critical fieldH c2 and the magnetic susceptibility x. We show that the usual method of making this compound incorporates oxygen, and that this impurity may be removed by gettering the material with Y2S3. We observe that the substitution of oxygen for sulfur in Cu1.8Mo6S8 increasesT c and decreases the ratioc/a of the hexagonal lattice constants and x. A breakdown in the rigid-band approximation is indicated by a comparison of the relative signs of the effect onT c and that on x. In addition to these observations, we report on a correlation between hardness andT c of Cu1.8Mo6S8 and on the temperature dependence of the magnetic susceptibility of Cu3.2Mo6S8.
Alterations of spontaneous neuronal activity in the caudate-putamen, nucleus accumbens and amygdaloid complex of rats produced by D-amphetamine.

Abstract Changes in spontaneous neuronal activity in the caudate-putamen, accumbens nucleus and amygdaloid complex of immobilized, locally anesthetized rats were recorded following intraperitoneal injection of 2.5 mg/kg d-amphetamine sulfate. In each site, d-amphetamine typically produced a prolonged depression of firing rate which, in most cases, occurred after an initial, brief potentiation of activity. However, the onset of the amphetamine-induced depression occurred significantly later in the amygdala. Subsequent IP administration of either 5.0 mg/kg chlorpromazine or 2.0 mg/kg haloperidol reversed, to varying degrees, the amphetamine-induced depression of neuronal activity in each area. These results are discussed in terms of the known biochemical effects of amphetamine on catecholaminergic transmission and the alleged role of the nigro-neostriatal and mesolimbic dopamine systems in the amphetamine behavioral response.
Pharmacodynamics of the hypotensive effect of levodopa in parkinsonian patients.

Blood pressure effects of i.v. levodopa were examined in parkinsonian patients with stable and fluctuating responses to levodopa. The magnitude of the hypotensive effect of levodopa was concentration dependent and was fit to an Emax model in fluctuating responders. Stable responders demonstrated a small hypotensive response. Baseline blood pressures were higher in fluctuating patients; a higher baseline blood pressure correlated with greater hypotensive effects. Antiparkinsonian effects of levodopa temporally correlated with blood pressure changes. Phenylalanine, a large neutral amino acid (LNAA) competing with levodopa for transport across the blood-brain barrier, reduced the hypotensive and antiparkinsonian effects of levodopa. We conclude that levodopa has a central hypotensive action that parallels the motor effects in fluctuating patients. The hypotensive effect appears to be related to the higher baseline blood pressure we observed in fluctuating patients relative to stable patients.
THE DESTRUCTION OF GLUCAGON BY THE BLOOD PLASMA FROM VARIOUS SPECIES

Glucagon is hydrolyzed in vitro by blood plasma from various species. The highest rates occur with the plasmas from monkey and rat. Much lower rates of glucagonolysis are produced by plasmas from guinea-pig, chicken, man, rabbit, cow, dog and cat. The addition of streptokinase to the incubation mixture increases markedly the glucagonolytic activity of the plasmas from man, monkey and cat. In the presence of trace amounts of human plasma or of a crude euglobulin fraction of human plasma, streptokinase increases the glucagonolytic activity of the plasmas (or euglobulin fractions of such plasmas) from the various species. The data indicate that plasmin is responsible for the glucagonotytic action of plasma and that the activation of plasminogen by streptokinase is dependent upon a ‘proactivator’ which is present in human, monkey and cat plasmas, and absent or very low in the plasmas from the other species. It is proposed that the glucagonolytic action of native plasma is due to the release of endogenous acti...
High-Temperature Magnetic Susceptibility of Lanthanum and Cerium Metals

The magnetic susceptibilities of cerium and lanthanum metals have been measured from room temperature through the melting point. Cerium has a unique fusion behavior with a negative melting slope which has been attributed to a $4f\ensuremath{-}5d$ electronic promotion. It is demonstrated that this promotion in cerium does not occur and that the small change in the susceptibility at cerium's two high-temperature phase transformations can be attributed almost entirely to changes in the Pauli susceptibility. A quantitative estimate of this change is found by comparison with the lanthanum high-temperature susceptibility.
Good communication with healthcare providers helped patients with multiple sclerosis to cope and adapt.

Thorne S, Con A, McGuinness L, et al . Health care communication issues in multiple sclerosis: an interpretive description. Qual Health Res 2004;14:5–22. [OpenUrl][1][Abstract/FREE Full Text][2] Q How do people with multiple sclerosis (MS) describe and explain helpful and unhelpful communications in their health care? Interpretive descriptive study. A city in western Canada. 12 Euro-Canadians (83% women) who were 33–54 years of age, had been diagnosed with MS ⩾5 years ago, and were seeking healthcare services to help them live with their disease. 7 were unemployed because of their chronic condition, 3 were employed, 1 was on leave of absence, and 1 was a student. 6 had been professionals (3 healthcare professionals). Participants were interviewed face to face for 1–2 hours. Interviews were audiotaped verbatim, and transcripts were coded for conceptual themes. A focus group interview with 8 participants was used to validate, clarify, and refine findings. 3 healthcare professionals who cared for people with MS participated in validation interviews to confirm that the logic of the participants’ perspectives would have credibility with a health professional audience. Participants emphasised that communication with healthcare providers affected both their experiences of health care and their ability to manage their illness on a daily basis. 3 themes emerged. … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DQualitative%2BHealth%2BResearch%26rft.stitle%253DQual%2BHealth%2BRes%26rft.issn%253D1049-7323%26rft.aulast%253DThorne%26rft.auinit1%253DS.%26rft.volume%253D14%26rft.issue%253D1%26rft.spage%253D5%26rft.epage%253D22%26rft.atitle%253DHealth%2BCare%2BCommunication%2BIssues%2Bin%2BMultiple%2BSclerosis%253A%2BAn%2BInterpretive%2BDescription%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1177%252F1049732303259618%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F14725173%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/ijlink?linkType=ABST&journalCode=spqhr&resid=14/1/5&atom=%2Febnurs%2F7%2F4%2F124.atom
Development of large scale gridded river networks from vector stream data

: The Network Tracing Method (NTM) has been developed to determine gridded coarse river networks for modeling large hydrologic systems. For a coarse resolution grid, the NTM determines the downstream cell of each cell and the distance along the actual meandering flow paths between them. Unlike previously developed methods, the NTM uses fine resolution vector river networks as the source of information of the flow patterns rather than digital elevation models. The main advantage of using vector river networks as input is that they capture the hydrologic terrain features better than topographic data do, particularly in areas of low topographic relief. The NTM was applied to South America with a grid resolution of 1 degree by 1 degree and to the globe with a resolution of 2.815 degrees by 2.8125 degrees. Overall, the method captured the flow patterns well. Generated digital river networks and drainage divides showed minor disagreement with those obtained from existing maps, and most of them were consistent with the resolution of the coarse river network. The majority of estimated basin areas were also close to documented values. River lengths calculated with the NTM, however, were consistently underpredicted.