cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequence and chromatin determinants of cell-type–specific transcription factor binding

Gene regulatory programs in distinct cell types are maintained in large part through the cell-type–specific binding of transcription factors (TFs). The determinants of TF binding include direct DNA sequence preferences, DNA sequence preferences of cofactors, and the local cell-dependent chromatin context. To explore the contribution of DNA sequence signal, histone modifications, and DNase accessibility to cell-type–specific binding, we analyzed 286 ChIP-seq experiments performed by the ENCODE Consortium. This analysis included experiments for 67 transcriptional regulators, 15 of which were profiled in both the GM12878 (lymphoblastoid) and K562 (erythroleukemic) human hematopoietic cell lines. To model TF-bound regions, we trained support vector machines (SVMs) that use flexible k-mer patterns to capture DNA sequence signals more accurately than traditional motif approaches. In addition, we trained SVM spatial chromatin signatures to model local histone modifications and DNase accessibility, obtaining significantly more accurate TF occupancy predictions than simpler approaches. Consistent with previous studies, we find that DNase accessibility can explain cell-line–specific binding for many factors. However, we also find that of the 10 factors with prominent cell-type–specific binding patterns, four display distinct cell-type–specific DNA sequence preferences according to our models. Moreover, for two factors we identify cell-specific binding sites that are accessible in both cell types but bound only in one. For these sites, cell-type–specific sequence models, rather than DNase accessibility, are better able to explain differential binding. Our results suggest that using a single motif for each TF and filtering for chromatin accessible loci is not always sufficient to accurately account for cell-type–specific binding profiles.
The interplay between mangroves and saltmarshes at the transition between temperate and subtropical climate in Florida

The interplay between mangroves and saltmarshes at the temperate to subtropical transition in Florida results in dramatic changes to the appearance of the coastal landscape. In the 1980s, freezes killed entire mangrove forests dominated by black mangroves, Avicennia germinans (L.). Following the freezes, saltmarshes dominated by smooth cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora Loisel, revegetated the intertidal zone. After a decade of mild winters, however, mangroves are beginning to reclaim the area. The rate of mangrove expansion was determined by comparing aerial photography (change from 1995 to 1999), and from monitoring transects (over a 3 year period) on three of the Cedar Keys, Florida (Lat. 29°08′). The rate of mangrove expansion varied among islands, and the mechanism of expansion ranged from propagule-trapping by saltmarshes along the edges of mangrove clumps to widespread dispersal and growth of existing or newly imported propagules. A freeze occurred during the study, which may have set back mangrove expansion by defoliating mangrove trees and resetting mangrove reproduction. Mangrove expansion was projected to take 20–30 years for complete seedling cover. Given the possibility of global climate change and its potential influence on the distribution of coastal vegetation, the timeframes and implications to coastal wetland ecosystems involved in this regular interplay will provide valuable baseline information for future studies.
Toxicity and inhibition of bacterial growth by series of alkylphenol polyethoxylate nonionic surfactants

Abstract Laboratory experiments measured the effects of five alkylphenol polyethoxylate nonionic surfactants on the microbial degradation of glucose and pentachlorophenol (PCP) by a pure culture of Sphingomonas chlorophenolicum RA2 (RA2) that was unable to biodegrade the surfactants. The surfactants with mid-range hydrophile–lipophile balance (HLB) values of 13.5–15 were the most biocompatible with substrate degradation. Monomers of the surfactant with the lowest HLB value of 12.3 inhibited RA2 growth on both glucose and PCP. The surfactant with the highest HLB of 17.9 was only inhibitory to glucose biodegradation at 3000 mg/L, a concentration well above its CMC. The surfactants were more inhibitory of RA2 biodegradation of PCP compared to glucose, which is likely due to interactions with membrane-associated PCP-degrading enzymes rather than bioavailability limitations. These results may prove helpful in selecting surfactants for use enhancing surfactant-amended remedial applications involving biodegradation or oil dispersion.
Tu1544 Magnification Zoom With FICE Chromoendoscopy for the Detection of High Grade Dysplasia in Barrett's Esophagus in Ex-Vivo Endoscopic Mucosal Resection Specimens

with targeted endoscopic therapy of dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus.ReferencesHuang D et al. Optical coherence tomography. Science 1991;254:1178-1181.Poneros JM et al. Diagnosis of specialized intestinal metaplasia by optical coherence tomography. Gastro 2001;120:7-12. Table 1. Patient characteritics
Role of aortic stent graft oversizing and barb characteristics on folding

Objective To evaluate folding in infrarenal stent grafts in relation to oversizing, barb angle, and barb length using computed tomography images of stent grafts deployed in explanted bovine aortas. Methods Computed tomography data from an in vitro investigation on the effect of oversizing of 4% to 45% (n = 19), barb length of 2 to 7 mm (n = 11), and barb angle of 10° to 90° (n = 7) on device fixation were examined for instances of folding. Folding was classified as circumferential or longitudinal and quantified on an ordinal scale based on codified criteria. Cumulative fold ranking from 0 (no fold) to 6 (two severe folds) for each deployment was used as the measure of folding observed. Results Of the 37 cases, cumulative mean ± standard deviation fold ranking for stent grafts oversized >30% (n = 5) was significantly greater than the rest (3.4 ± 1.7 vs 0.5 ± 1.2, respectively; Mann-Whitney U test; P .5). At least one instance of folding was noted in the seven of seven (100%) stent grafts with oversizing >23.5% and in only five of 30 (14%) stent grafts with oversizing Conclusions Stent graft folding was prevalent when oversized >30%. Large variations in barb length and angle did not aggravate folding risk when oversized within the recommended range of 10% to 20%.
DURKHEIM'S MACROFOUNDATIONS OF TIME: AN ASSESSMENT AND CRITIQUE

In this article, Durkheim's theory of time will be assessed in reference to his theory of transactions (organic solidarity). Specifically, Durkheim associated time with a metaphorical conception of the transaction that separated: (1) macrofoundations from microstates, and (2) external constraints from subjective states. This separation led to a conception of time as dominated by linear, rigid sequential, and categorical images. Counterposed to this metaphor are more dynamic, interpersonal, and cybernetic conceptions of temporality and transactions, which can be integrated with Durkheim's scheme to suggest another way of bridging the micro-macro distinction—through the use of time and temporality. This integration will be discussed in relation to five conceptions of time that will, in turn, be used to evaluate and critique Durkheim's macrofoundations. These conceptions are: (1) the evolutionary-transformational, (2) the categorical, (3) the iterative, (4) the rigid sequential, and (5) the negotiated sequential. The article concludes by suggesting that Durkheim's emphasis on the rigid sequential conception can inform and be informed by modern-day emphases on iterative and negotiated sequential conceptions.
SU-FF-T-232: IMRT QA Using a Hybrid Mapcheck / Electronic Portal Dosimetry Environment

Purpose 2D array detector planar dose verification systems play an important role in pre‐treatment quality assurance of IMRT plans. In the present study, we are demonstrating a hybrid IMRT pretreatment QA environment using Varian's aS500 & aS1000 electronic portal imaging devices(EPID) in conjunction with Sun Nuclear analysis tools. Materials & Methods 5 patients for prostate [minimally modulated], brain [moderately modulated] and head and neck [heavily modulated], each with IMRT plans generated with Eclipse Treatment Planningsystem were used in this study. The plans were designed for sliding‐window IMRT dose delivery technique on a Varian 6 MV linear accelerator fitted with millennium MLC. An individual verification plan per field was generated from the clinically approved plans. Portal dosimetry treatment plans were also generated in a standard manner assuming 1 CU = 100 cGy. The results were compared with Mapcheck measurements. Results The percentage of detectors passing 3%/3mm criterion as well as the CAX dose measured by the system and the computed plan in absolute dose values were determined for evaluation purposes. For minimal or moderately modulated IMRT plans, both the planar dose verification systems gave comparable results in terms of passing rates [3%/3mm >90%] as well as CAX deviations [<2%]. For heavily modulated head and neck treatment plans, the 3%/3mm passing rates of EPIDs [mean=93.3%] were similar to Mapcheck [mean=85.1%]. For EPID, CAX deviations were not included in this study as the CAX in majority of the cases fell on the penumbra regions of the dual carriages fields. Conclusion: It is possible to use MapCheck analysis software, considering the contemporary gold standard for IMRT QA, with EPID‐acquired portal images of IMRT fields. In case of heavily modulated fields, detector size as well as detector spacing influenced the systems performance with EPID showing better results, as expected.
Effectiveness of Carnobacterium piscicola LK5 for controlling the growth of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in refrigerated foods.

The potential for controlling the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in refrigerated foods using Carnobacterium piscicola LK5, a bacteriocin-producing strain originally isolated from raw ground beef, was studied using co-culture techniques. Eight foods, including UHT milk, canned “all-beef”dog food (cooked meat), raw ground beef, irradiation-sterilized raw ground beef, chicken roll, pasteurized crabmeat, canned creamed corn, and frankfurters, were inoculated with 103 cfu/g L. monocytogenes Scott A, with and without 104cfu/g LK5, and incubated at 5 and 19C. Samples were removed periodically and assayed for total aerobic plate count using Brain Heart Infusion Agar and L. monocytogenes using Vogel-Johnson Agar or Modified Vogel Johnson Agar. The growth of L. monocytogenes was suppressed in milk, dog food, crabmeat, creamed corn, and frankfurters stored at 5C. The microorganism was less inhibitory at 19C. In sterile raw ground beef, LK5 inactivated the pathogen at 5C and prevented its growth at 19C. No activity attributable to LK5 was observed in refrigerated nonsterile ground beef or chicken roll; however, these products did not support the psychrotrophic growth of the pathogen even in the absence of LK5. LK5 was most effective in products where the background microflora was reduced by either thermal processing or irradiation treatment. The results indicate that C. piscicola LK5 has potential as a means for preventing the growth of L. monocytogenes in a variety of refrigerated food products.
Long-stay nursing home residents' hospitalizations in the VHA: the potential impact of aligning financial incentives on hospitalizations.

Objectives The aim of this study was to provide national annualized descriptive statistics of the hospital admissions for long-stay nursing home residents. Design National, descriptive, secondary data analysis. Setting National, Veterans Health Administration (VHA), 136 VHA nursing homes. Participants Our study population consisted of 6554 VHA long-stay nursing home residents who had an annual assessment during FY 2005, identified from the Minimum Data Set (MDS). These residents were linked with the national VHA discharge dataset. Measurement We provide descriptive statistics of the major diagnostic categories (MDC) and diagnosis related groups (DRG) for long-stay residents admitted to a VHA hospital where the source of admission was from the VHA nursing home. Results Overall, 28.57% (1873/6554) of VHA long-stay residents were hospitalized. The top 5 MDC accounted for over 70% of the hospitalizations. The frequency of MDC associated with hospital admissions, in descending order, were respiratory system (25.33%), kidney and urinary tract (15.88%), circulatory (14.65%), digestive system (9.39%), and nervous system (5.16%). Nearly 25,000 bed days of care (BDC) were associated with these hospitalizations. The top 3 DRG (DRG 320- Med kidney & urinary tract, 89-Med simple pneumonia & pleurisy, 79-Med respiratory infections & inflammations) accounted for nearly 25% of all the hospitalizations and approximately 23% of the BDC. Conclusions VHA nursing homes do not have the financial incentives that impact the decision to hospitalize that exist in the non-VHA sector. This unique feature of the VHA's nursing homes would allow one to study the issue of potentially preventable hospitalizations in long-stay residents without the confounding impact of Medicare and Medicaid payment incentives. Because of the importance of this policy issue in the national long-term care debate, further VHA studies may provide important empirically based policy input.
Polymer molecular‐weight distribution from dynamic melt viscoelasticity

A method is developed by which polymer molecular weight and its distribution can be accurately determined by deconvolution of dynamic melt viscoelastic properties in the terminal and plateau zones. The method is illustrated with a series of monodisperse (narrow-distribution) and polydisperse (broaddistribution) polystyrenes. The Mn, Mw, and Mn/Mw values obtained are in excellent agreement with those determined by light scattering, osmometry and gel permeation chromatography with less than 5 to 10 percent error. The differential molecular-weight distribution curves obtained coincide wall with those obtained by gel permeation chromatography. The method is applicable to insoluble as well as soluble polymers.
Nuclear Weapons as Shields

What security benefits do nuclear weapons provide to their possessors? After accounting for two potential selection effects, the empirical evidence from all international crises from 1945 to 2000 indicates that opponents of nuclear-weapon states demonstrate restraint in turning to violent aggression. Nuclear weapons, however, have little effect on overall crisis occurrence.The authors also explore the behavioral effects of nuclear-weapons programs and find that program states have a higher proclivity for crisis occurrence.
The effect of cannibalism on the demography and activity of a natural population of desert scorpions

1. Cannibalism was studied over a five year period in a natural population of the scorpion, Paruroctonus mesaensis. Conspecifics are the fourth most frequent prey item and represent about nine percent of the diet; however when prey are ranked according to biomass captured, conspecifics are the number one diet item and constitute over twenty-five percent of all diet biomass. Cannibalism is a function of age, sex, size, time of year, scorpion density and level of available interspecific prey. 2. Several features of the population dynamics of P. mesaensis can be explained by cannibalism. Under natural conditions and in experimental enclosures, the mortality rate due to cannibalism increases with density and thus cannibalism is capable of producing population regulation. 3. Several behavioral characteristics function to decrease cannibalism: temporal and spatial aggregation of newborn animals; differential foraging phenology of subordinate scorpions; use of micro-habitat refuges by young animals; and components of male mating behavior. 4. It is suggested that cannibalism is potentially the most effective and homeostatic self-regulatory agent. There are several individual and group benefits which accrue to a population of cannibalistic individuals. Cannibalism is capable of contributing to the long term stability and persistence of populations.
Management influences on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal species composition in a corn-soybean rotation

Crop and edaphic factors influence arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal species composition and populations. This study was conducted to determine the effect of management history, crop, and input system on species composition of AM fungal spore populations. Corn (Zea mays L.)-soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] sequences receiving no inputs (NI), organic inputs (OI), minimum inputs (MI), and conventional inputs (CI) were established in two adjacent areas with differing management histories: one area, the Koch Farm, had received no fertilizer or herbicide inputs for the past 25 yr ; the other area, the experiment station, received recommended herbicide and fertilizer inputs. Fifteen AM fungal species were found in a survey of mycorrhizal fungal spore populations. Glomus aggregatum populations were positively correlated with Setaria spp. populations (r = 156), pH (r = 0.47), and K (r = 0.25) and negatively correlated with soil P (r = -0.57). Populations of Gl. geosporum, Gl. leptotichum, Gl. macrocarpum, and Gl. occultum were also positively correlated with soil pH and negatively correlated with soil P. Gigaspara margarita spore populations were positively correlated with soil P level (r = 0.272). Although species richness was greater (13 species vs. 10), species diversity (H w ) was lower at the Koch Farm than the experiment station (0.57 vs. 0.64) because of large Gl. aggregatum spore populations. The correlation of AM fungal spore populations with Setaria spp. and P, K, and pH indicates that management practices influence AM fungal species composition through both biotic and abiotic factors.
Robotic extended pancreatectomy with vascular resection for locally advanced pancreatic tumors.

Limited involvement of the major peripancreatic vessels is no longer considered a contraindication for resection in cases of locally advanced pancreatic cancer. Extended open pancreatectomies associated with vascular resection are performed in experienced centers with mortality and morbidity rates comparable to standard pancreatic resection. We evaluate the safety, feasibility, and outcomes of robotic extended pancreatectomy with vascular resection.
The Thames Embankment and the disciplining of nature in modernity

The embanking of the Thames was an emblematic stage in the construction of modernity's discourse of ‘the natural’, re-engineering the river as a concrete framing of nature between the embankment walls and a representational framing of the natural within an engineering ideology. The legitimacy of embanking's control was, therefore, about both physical mechanisms and a particular discourse of the natural, but the Thames embankments did not merely reflect modernity's discourse - they actively helped mould it. The creation of a discourse of embanking was slow and hesitant, the product of the interplay between the subsidiary discourses of urban improvement and sanitarianism, and an opposing discourse of tradition. When built, the embankments acted as a fixed, ordered boundary between the cultured nature of the drained, commodified land, and the regulated liveliness of the river. They acted literally and figuratively to sever culture from a nature that was enclosed and tamed by embankment walls.
Observing Deformation and Fracture of Rock with Speckle Patterns

The high resolution technique of electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) can be very useful in determining deformation of laboratory specimens and identifying initiation of failure. The in-plane ESPI theory is described and the fringe pattern of the processed ESPI image is analyzed to determine deformation and crack opening displacement. Fringes on the ESPI image represent lines of equal intensity, which relate to surface displacement. An ESPI system was constructed and calibrated for measuring uni-directional displacements. Several types of the experiments, such as uniaxial compression and fracture testing, were conducted to demonstrate the utility of ESPI.
Hatching and viability of copepod eggs at two stages of embryological development: anoxic/hypoxic effect

The effects of low oxygen concentrations on the hatching and viability of copepod eggs at two stages of embryological development were investigated. Fully developed eggs from Acartia tonsa (Dana) and Labidocera aestiva (Wheeler) collected between July and September 1991 at Turkey Point, Florida, USA, hatched at lower oxygen concentrations than newly spawned eggs given the same incubation periods. Since many of the newly spawned eggs subsequently hatched when exposed to normoxic conditions, it is likely that the exposure to low oxygen delayed embryonic development. At oxygen concentrations where no initial hatching occurred, the subsequent hatching success of fully developed eggs of A. tonsa was higher than that of newly spawned eggs, indicating that newly spawned eggs were more sensitive to low oxygen concentrations. No such difference was observed for the eggs of L. aestiva.
Safety, Awareness, and Familiarity regarding Epilepsy in Teenage Years (SAFETY): Understanding the adolescents' perspective about their disease

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the understanding of adolescent patients regarding epilepsy. Methods The SAFETY (Safety, Awareness, and Familiarity regarding Epilepsy in Teenage Years) questionnaire (content validity index: 0.96, Flesch readability score: 66.6) was administered to 165 cognitively normal adolescents with epilepsy (85 females, mean age: 15.2 ± 1.6 years, range: 13–18 years). The first part of the questionnaire was devised to evaluate knowledge about epilepsy and antiepileptic medications (SAFETY-K: 7 questions). The second part queried lifestyle modifications and safety (SAFETY-S: 10 questions). Female participants answered 5 additional questions related to reproductive health (RH questionnaire). Results The correct response rate for the composite SAFETY questionnaire was 51.5%. The average rates of correct responses for the SAFETY-K and SAFETY-S questions were 47.9% and 53.9%, respectively. On univariate logistic regression analysis, factors which were significant predictors of correct responses included age (odds ratio: 1.8, C.I. = 1.3–2.4), race (Caucasian vs. African-American; odds ratio: 3.9, C.I. = 1.4–10.4), and employment of at least one parent in a professional occupation (odds ratio: 3.3, C.I. = 1.1–10.3). The correct response rate did not correlate with the duration of epilepsy, extent of seizure control, number of antiepileptic medications, parental educational, or (un)employment status. The mean rate of correct responses for the RH questions amongst teenage girls was 17.4%. Conclusions There is lack of awareness about epilepsy and its associated lifestyle modifications in adolescents with epilepsy seen at our institution. This is especially true in young adolescents, African-American patients, and those whose parents are not employed in professional occupations. Teenage girls with epilepsy appear to have limited knowledge with respect to contraception and childbearing.
Civic and Citizenship Education in Israel.

As distinguished from the formal, political science-oriented citizenship curriculum studied exclusively in secondary schools, civic education-learning develops throughout the young-mature citizen's life in Israel. The analysis of the role and learning of two primary civic myths--'Israel is a Jewish and a democratic state' and 'Israelis are Jews'--demonstrates how this learning takes place through 'formations' of hegemony such as the family, the media, civic militarism as well as through schools' statist and social curricula. Successes of civic education enable the civic myths to be vibrant, gestalt worlds of meaning for Jewish Israelis, and sites of resistance for ultra-orthodox Jewish as well as Palestinian citizens of Israel. On the other hand, as an ethnocracy, democracy in civic Israel is not a meaningful world of value but rather a means to manage political processes. Therefore, the Israel case study is insightful for understanding the limitations of civic and citizenship education that seeks to adva...
Elemental and isotopic abundances of the volatile elements in the outer planets

Certain fundamental scientific problems of a cosmological as well as cosmogonic character, may be solved by the insertion of entry probes into the atmospheres of the outer planets. It is recommended that attempts be made to determine the elemental and isotopic abundances of H, D, He3, He4, C, N, O, S, and the rare gas elements. These determinations should cast much light on the processes which participated in the assembly of the giant planets. This would give powerful boundary conditions on theories of the origin of the solar system, and would also give additional experimental information bearing on cosmology.
Structural Anisotropy, Failure Criterion, and Shear Strength of Woven Fabrics:

For structural and load-carrying applications, more detailed information about woven fabrics, which are increasingly used as reinforcements for composites, is desirable for design purposes. This pa...
Ultrastructural differences among afferent synapses on cochlear hair cells: correlations with spontaneous discharge rate.

The major class of cochlear afferent fibers, the type-I or radial-fiber (RF) population, has been subdivided into three functional groups according to spontaneous discharge rate (SR): those with low SR have the highest acoustic thresholds, high SR fibers have the lowest thresholds and medium SR fibers are of intermediate sensitivity (Liberman [1978] J. Acoust. Soc. Amer. 63:442–455). Existing evidence from intracellular labeling studies at the light microscopic level (Liberman [1982a] Science 216:1239–1241) suggests that a single cochlear inner hair cell makes synaptic contact with representatives of all three functional groups; however, low and medium SR fibers are spatially segregated from high SR fibers around the hair cell circumference, and low and medium SR fibers are smaller in caliber than those with high SR. The present study extends to the ultrastructural level the structure-function correlations available via intracellular labeling. Analysis is based on serial section reconstruction of the synaptic contacts between 11 radial fibers of known SR and their target hair cells. Results suggest systematic differences in synaptic ultrastructure among fibers of the three SR groups: with decreasing SR, the size and complexity of the synaptic body (a presynaptic specialization characteristic of the peripheral afferent synapses in all hair cell systems and some other peripheral receptors) tend to increase, as does the associated number of synaptic vesicles. The possible functional significance of these trends is discussed in the context of other known structural and functional differences among the three SR groups. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Geometric analysis of light-field position of a multileaf collimator with curved ends

The purpose of this work was to analyze the difference between the light-field edge and the radiation field edge produced by multileaf collimator(MLC) leaves that are constructed with rounded ends. A formula was derived using three-dimensional geometry predicting the location of the ideal point-source light-field edge relative to the geometric projection of the tip of the rounded leaf end. The theoretical edge of the radiation field for a point source was also calculated along the projection of a chord whose length was one Half-Value Thickness (HVT). Analytic solutions were found for the radiation-field edge and the transmission penumbra. The displacement of the light-field edge relative to the projection of the leaf tip varied from 0 mm for the leaf tip projected onto the central axis to approximately 3.2 mm for the leaf tip projected to 20 cm off the central axis. The light-field edge was always displaced into the unblocked area. The location of the projection of the 1 HVT chord was displaced from the light-field edge by a small and essentially constant distance (approximately 0.3 mm) for all field sizes. The transmission penumbra (80%–20%) was about 1.2 mm for all leaf positions. The calibration of the leaf position must account for the nonlinear relationship between the leaf-tip projection and the light-field (or radiation-field) edge.
Morphometry of Hypoplastic Fetal Guinea Pig Lungs following Amniotic Fluid Leak

Deficient quantity of amniotic fluid causes fetal guinea pig lung hypoplasia. Oligohydramnios that lasts only 5 days in early gestation is sufficient to reduce fetal lung growth significantly. We quantitated lung structural alterations at 50 days gestation (term is 67 days) of fetal guinea pigs whose amniotic fluid was drained on day 45 gestation. The study period spans the late canalicular-early saccular phases of guinea pig lung growth. Compared to littermate controls (n = 4), experimental fetuses (n = 5) have reduced lung:body weight ratio (2.81 +/- 0.16 versus 3.21 +/- 0.20 X 10(-2), p less than 0.01), indicating lung hypoplasia. Lung volume is significantly decreased in the experimental fetuses (1.17 +/- 0.15 versus 1.34 +/- 0.07 ml, p less than 0.05). The proportion of lung containing parenchyma (i.e. developing alveoli and alveolar ducts) is reduced following oligohydramnios (0.83 +/- 0.04 versus 0.90 +/- 0.02, p less than 0.025). The hypoplastic lungs contain fewer saccules (fetal "alveoli") (46 +/- 20 versus 69 +/- 23 X 10(6), p less than 0.1) and the surface area that would be available for gas exchange is decreased (698 +/- 234 versus 974 +/- 80 cm2, p less than 0.05). Lung volume and volume proportion of parenchyma are reduced in the experimental lung and therefore diminished parenchymal elastic tissue is anticipated. However, the total length of parenchymal elastic tissue in the experimental lungs is decreased to a surprising degree and is little more than half the length in control lungs (504 +/- 222 versus 974 +/- 70 m, p less than 0.0025). Such marked reduction in total length suggests that factors other than smaller lung size have contributed to the decrease of elastic tissue in the experimental group. In fact, elastic tissue length per unit volume is significantly reduced (509 +/- 189 versus 809 +/- 115 m/cm3, p less than 0.025) indicating an absolute decrease in parenchymal elastic tissue in the hypoplastic lungs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Association of child care providers breastfeeding support with breastfeeding duration at 6 months.

Many lactating mothers participate in the workforce and have their infants cared for outside of their home, yet little is known about their child care providers’ (CCPs’) support of breastfeeding. This study examines the association between CCPs’ breastfeeding support as reported by mothers at 3 months and mother’s breastfeeding at 6 months. Infant Feeding Practices Study II, a longitudinal study, followed mothers of infants via mail questionnaires almost monthly from late pregnancy throughout the first year. This study consisted of 183 mothers who breastfed and had their infant in child care at 3 months and answered 5 questions regarding CCPs’ supports. Total number of CCPs’ support was a summary of responses to individual items and categorized into 3 levels (0–2, 3–4, or 5 total supports). Multiple logistic regressions examined how each breastfeeding support and total number were associated with breastfeeding at 6 months. Breastfeeding at 6 months was significantly associated with CCP support to feed expressed breast milk (AOR = 4.55; 95 % CI = 1.09, 18.95) and allow mothers to breastfeed at the child care place before or after work (AOR = 6.23; 95 % CI = 1.33, 29.16). Compared to mothers who reported fewer than 3 total supports, mothers who reported 5 supports were 3 times as likely to be breastfeeding at 6 months (AOR = 3.00, 95 % CI = 1.11, 8.13). Our findings suggest that CCPs’ breastfeeding support at 3 months, particularly feeding expressed breast milk and allowing mothers to breastfeed before or after work, may help mothers maintain breastfeeding at 6 months.
Serum keratan sulfate levels in osteoarthritis patients

Serum levels of keratan sulfate (KS), measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent-inhibition assay, were found to be significantly higher in 31 patients with hypertrophic osteoarthritis (OA) than those in 41 adults without joint disease. Seventy-seven percent of patients with OA, but only 12% of control subjects, had serum levels which were more than 1 SD above the mean of the control group. Following replacement of a single osteoarthritic hip joint, serum KS levels decreased, at first, in all patients. Subsequently, the concentration of serum KS progressively increased; 6 months following surgery, KS levels were similar or close to the preoperative levels in virtually all patients. The results suggest that patients with hypertrophic OA may have a generalized imbalance of cartilage proteoglycan metabolism. Measurements of serum KS are likely to prove most useful in studying this particular subset of patients with generalized OA.
A modified chi-square test for testing equality of two multinomial populations against an order restricted alternative

A modified chi-square test for testing the equality of two multinomial populations against an order restricted alternative in one sample and two sample cases is constructed. The relation between the concepts of dependence by cM-square and stochastic ordering is established, The asymptotic distribution of the test statistic is the chi-bar-square type discussed by Robertson, Wright and Dykstra (1988). Simulations are used to compare the power of this test with the power of the likelihood ratio test of stochastic ordering of the two multinomial populations.
Environmental fatigue of an Al-Li-Cu alloy: Part II. Microscopic hydrogen cracking processes

Microscopic fatigue crack propagation (FCP) paths in peak-aged unrecrystallized alloy 2090 are identified as functions of intrinsicda/dN- δK kinetics and environment. The FCP rates in longitudinal-transverse (LT)-oriented 2090 are accelerated by hydrogen-producing environments (pure water vapor, moist air, and aqueous NaCl), as defined in Part I. Subgrain boundary cracking (SGC) dominates for δK values where the cyclic plastic zone is sufficient to envelop subgrains. At low δK, when this crack tip process zone is smaller than the subgrain size, environmental FCP progresses on or near 100 or 110 planes, based on etch-pit shape. For inert environments (vacuum and He) and pure O2 with crack surface oxidation, FCP produces large facets along 111 oriented slip bands. This mode does not change with δK, and T1 decorated subgrain boundaries do not affect an expectedda/dN- δK transition for the inert environments. Rather, the complex dependence ofda/dN on δK is controlled by the environmental contribution to process zone microstructure-plastic strain interactions. A hydrogen embrittlement mechanism for FCP in 2090 is supported by similar brittle crack paths for low pressure water vapor and the electrolyte, the SGC and 100/110 crystallographic cracking modes, the influence of cyclic plastic zone volume (δK), and the benignancy of O2. The SGC may be due to hydrogen production and trapping at T1 bearing sub-boundaries after process zone dislocation transport, while crystallographic cracking may be due to lattice decohesion or hydride cracking.
Intraperitoneal fat is associated with thickening of the thoracic aorta in individuals at high risk for cardiovascular events

Increased intraperitoneal (IP) fat is associated with increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, but mechanisms for this increase in risk are not completely established. We performed this study to assess whether IP fat is associated with ascending aortic wall thickness (AOWT), a risk factor for CV events. Four hundred and forty-one consecutive participants, aged 55–85 years, with risk factors for CV events underwent magnetic resonance measures of AOWT and abdominal fat (subcutaneous (SC) fat + IP fat). For the ascending aorta, mean wall thickness of the 4th quartile of the IP fat was higher relative to the 1st quartile (P ≤ 0.001). This difference persisted after accounting for SC fat (P ≤ 0.001), as well as age, gender, height, weight, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.03). Elevated IP fat volume is associated with an increase in ascending AOWT, a condition that promotes CV events in middle aged and elderly adults.
Kinetics of halide chemical vapor deposition of silicon carbide film

Abstract Halide chemical vapor deposition (HCVD) emerges as a promising method for growing thick silicon carbide (SiC) epilayers, due to its ability to deposit SiC film at a high growth rate. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive model for HCVD of SiC film using silicon tetrachloride and propane as precursors. The model includes gas flow, heat and mass transfer, gas-phase reaction, and surface chemistry. Specifically, the gas-phase reactions and surface kinetics in the Si–C–Cl–H system are integrated into a transport process model to predict the composition of the gas mixture in the reactor and the deposition rate. The etching of graphite susceptor and SiC expitaxial layer are considered in the reaction mechanism. Simulations are performed in a horizontal hot wall reactor to provide information on the velocity, temperature, and concentration distributions of chemical species. The predicted deposition rates agree with experimental measurement documented in the literature. The graphite etching by hydrogen is shown to supply a substantial carbon source for the deposition, and is therefore of significant importance in determining the composition and chemical stoichiometry within the gas mixture. The modeling of surface kinetics identifies etching of the SiC layer by HCl as the leading process responsible for the reduced deposition rate at higher temperatures. The model developed can be further used for optimizing the system design and better controlling the SiC deposition process.
Finding Resources and Collaborators within Digital Collections

This paper presents a new type of digital repositories based on a hybrid organizational structure that leverages the potential of domain specific collaborative tagging in combination with a taxonomy-driven classification. It is exemplified in Linked Course - a repository prototype for collaborative development, sharing and reuse of learning resources equipped with adequate searching tools. The focus of the paper is on the collaborative semantic annotation and searching for similar resources and users. The implemented approach is aimed at keeping the flexibility of collaborative tagging embedded in a domain-specific structured knowledge organization system.
Otolaryngology residency and fellowship training. The resident's perspective.

Based on the success rate of US otolaryngology graduates on the American Board of Otolaryngology Certification Examination, it would appear that otolaryngology training is quite good. However, it is not clear that all aspects of training are equal in quality, not only between programs but also within a single program. One indication that there may be areas of weakness is the fact that despite the perceived national shortages of primary care physicians in the United States and the overabundance of specialists, 25% of the approximately 260 graduating otolaryngology residents extend their training beyond specialty training to subspecialty levels (Manpower Committee of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, unpublished data obtained from chief resident questionnaires, 1990-1992). The most popular area of fellowship training is facial plastic surgery, followed by neurotology and head and neck oncology. Pediatric otolaryngology fellowships make up most of the balance. Most of the fellowships are well structured and are 1 year in duration. Others are more like apprenticeships and may be of shorter duration. A few are 2 years long and include a significant research commitment reserved for individuals entering academic practice.
The Deployment Experiences of Ft. Carson's Soldiers in Iraq Thinking about and Training for Full-Spectrum Warfare

William Lind has argued that the U.S. military is improperly configured and trained to fight "fourth-generation" wars, that is, ones in which one of the participants is a nonstate actor and where the strategy, tactics, and battlefield are unconventional. This position has slowly gained acceptance among U.S. Army and Marine commanders, who have struggled to adapt to fourth-generation realities on the ground in Iraq. Drawing on oral-history and focus-group interviews, the authors explore how two units from Ft. Carson, Colorado, have experienced and adjusted to these contingencies. They offer the SAPRR Model as an illustration of their cognitive approach and a plausible combat script for rapid but considered decision making.
A simple approach for three-dimensional mapping of baseline cerebrospinal fluid volume fraction

A simple method of measuring baseline cerebrospinal fluid volume fraction (V(CSF) ) in three-dimensional is proposed that used the characteristic of cerebrospinal fluid with very long T(2) . It is based on the fitting of monoexponential decay of only cerebrospinal fluid signal, using a nonselective T(2) preparation scheme. Three-dimensional gradient- and spin-echo acquisition also improves signal-to-noise ratio efficiency and brain coverage. Both V(CSF) and T(2,CSF) are fitted voxel by voxel and analyzed in different cortical areas across subjects. V(CSF) is largely regionally dependent (occipital: 8.9 ± 1.7%, temporal: 11.4 ± 2.4%, and frontal: 21.4 ± 6.9%). Measured T(2,CSF) was 1573 ± 146 msec within cortical lobes as compared with 2062 ± 37 msec from ventricle regions. Different parameter set were compared, and the robustness of the new method is demonstrated. Conversely, when comparing with the proposed approach, large overestimation of segmentation based method using T(1) -weighted images is found, and the underlying causes are suggested.
The peptidyl-prolyl isomerase Pin1 up-regulation and proapoptotic function in dopaminergic neurons: relevance to the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by a slow and progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying PD remain unclear. Pin1, a major peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, has recently been associated with certain diseases. Notably, Ryo et al. (Ryo, A., Togo, T., Nakai, T., Hirai, A., Nishi, M., Yamaguchi, A., Suzuki, K., Hirayasu, Y., Kobayashi, H., Perrem, K., Liou, Y. C., and Aoki, I. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 4117–4125) implicated Pin1 in PD pathology. Therefore, we sought to systematically characterize the role of Pin1 in PD using cell culture and animal models. To our surprise we observed a dramatic up-regulation of Pin1 mRNA and protein levels in dopaminergic MN9D neuronal cells treated with the parkinsonian toxicant 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP+) as well as in the substantia nigra of the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced PD mouse model. Notably, a marked expression of Pin1 was also observed in the substantia nigra of human PD brains along with a high co-localization of Pin1 within dopaminergic neurons. In functional studies, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Pin1 almost completely prevented MPP+-induced caspase-3 activation and DNA fragmentation, indicating that Pin1 plays a proapoptotic role. Interestingly, multiple pharmacological Pin1 inhibitors, including juglone, attenuated MPP+-induced Pin1 up-regulation, α-synuclein aggregation, caspase-3 activation, and cell death. Furthermore, juglone treatment in the MPTP mouse model of PD suppressed Pin1 levels and improved locomotor deficits, dopamine depletion, and nigral dopaminergic neuronal loss. Collectively, our findings demonstrate for the first time that Pin1 is up-regulated in PD and has a pathophysiological role in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system and suggest that modulation of Pin1 levels may be a useful translational therapeutic strategy in PD. Background: Pin1 regulates several signaling proteins by isomerizing the cis/trans conformation of the Ser(P)-Pro peptide bond. Results: Pin1 is up-regulated in dopaminergic neurons in cell culture, animal models, and human PD brains. Pin1 inhibition protects dopaminergic neurons in PD models. Conclusion: Pin1 up-regulation plays a proapoptotic function in PD. Significance: Pin1 inhibition may be a viable translational strategy in PD.
Foreign Swamis at Home in India: Transmigration to the Birthplace of Spirituality

This essay examines the lives of non-Indians who live as monastics in Rishikesh, India. As transmigrants, they cross national borders and occupy transnational social fields. However, they neither maintain a home outside of India nor use the language of displacement to describe their experience. They speak instead of feeling “at home” in India and of finally finding their place, thus unsettling the emphasis on displacement in models of transmigrant identities. I explore how Foreign Swamis experience India as home and point to certain characteristics that make India eligible to become “home” to non-Indians: discursive constructions of spiritual India, low cost of living, institutional support for the monastic life, and the Hindu doctrine of transmigration of the soul. Foreign Swamis are unusual, even radical, transmigrants in that most move from rich to poor country, with ascetic rather than worldly aspirations, and after renouncing family, employment, and country. Yet their narratives may prompt us to ask ...
Metal/III–V effective barrier height tuning using ALD high-κ dipoles

In summary, we successfully demonstrate R C and Φ B,eff tuning of Al/n-GaAs junctions by a MIS diode structure using ALD HfO 2 , TiO 2 , and ZrO 2 dielectrics. We also introduce for the first time the use of HfO 2 /TiO 2 , two high-κ dielectrics in combination to further shift the Fermi level and reduce Φ B,eff . The underlying mechanism is believed to be the formation of a high-κ/high-κ dipole, which opens doors to the exploration of a multitude of other high-κ/high-κ dielectrics to ultimately achieve Φ B,eff ≤ 0. This MIS structure provides much flexibility in the design of ideal source/drain contacts for III–V MOSFETs and Schottky Barrier FETs, where in real applications highly doped substrates would significantly reduce R C and Φ B,eff . Further study of the dipole interaction and effective work function will lead to a better understanding of the physics behind metal/III–V contacts.
Structure of confined alkane liquids

Polymer integral equation theory is employed to calculate structural properties of undecane and short polymer liquids confined between parallel plates. A strong dependence is found on the strength of fluid–surface interactions which is consistent with solvation force measurements using both strongly attractive mica and weakly repulsive hydrocarbon surfaces.
Exstrophy of bladder treated by ureterosigmoidostomies Long-term evaluation

Abstract Ninety four children with exstrophy of the bladder treated by ureterosigmoidostomies were evaluated from five to thirty-five years after surgical treatment. Thirty-nine patients were followed twenty or more years, and 87 per cent were alive at the end of the study period. Eight children who died of renal failure, one to thirty-two years after surgical treatment, were lost to follow-up with no intravenous urogram obtained for as long as ten years. Of the 34 children treated surgically since 1954, 33 are alive, 28 are functioning with ureterosigmoidostomies and 5 have had conversions to ileal conduit. Intravenous urogram results are normal in 25 of these 28 patients. Sixty-four patients are now over twenty years of age, 26 are married, and nine are the parents of 13 children. The majority of these are well-adjusted, productive persons.