cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Eosinophilic fasciitis responsive to treatment with pulsed steroids and cyclosporine.

Drug name cyclosporine: Sandimmune A 58-year-old white woman presented with a 7-month history of indurated hyperpigmented plaques on her upper back, chest, abdomen, and arms. On the forearms and shins, associated with the induration, there was a waxy and shiny appearance. The lesions affected the dorsal aspect of both hands and feet, but spared the fingers and toes ( Fig. 1). Gradually, as her skin became more indurated, she developed flexural contractures, limiting her range of movement and impairing her daily physical activities. She denied other systemic symptoms. Figure 1. Bilateral legs with symmetric, firm, indurated plaques with a waxy and shiny appearance Download figure to PowerPoint She was empirically begun on prednisone, 20 mg daily, with a presumptive diagnosis of eosinophilic fasciitis; however, she did not respond to this therapy. At this point, laboratory examination revealed a normal complete blood count, and negative antinuclear antibodies and rheumatoid factor. The biopsy specimen showed a sparse perivascular lymphocytic infiltrate without eosinophils. The deep reticular dermis was thickened, and edematous, homogenized, horizontally oriented collagen bundles extended down fibrous septa into the fat. The underlying fascia was massively thickened and sclerotic with focal lymphoplasmacytic inflammatory infiltrate extending to the muscle ( Figs 2 and 3). Figure 2. Biopsy specimen showing horizontally oriented homogenized collagen bundles replacing subcutaneous septa (hematoxylin and eosin, ×10) Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 3. Biopsy specimen showing markedly thickened fascia with focal inflammatory infiltrate extending to the underlying muscle (hematoxylin and eosin, ×10) Download figure to PowerPoint The patient then received a course of pulsed methylprednisolone, 1 g daily, for 5 days, and was started simultaneously on cyclosporine, 150 mg, twice a day. Within 3 weeks, she had significant reduction of the skin induration as well as improved range of motion of her joints.
Dissociation Between Results of In Vitro and In Vivo Antibiotic Susceptibility Tests for Some Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The relative efficacy in vivo of the polymyxin and aminoglycoside antibiotics in experimental Pseudomonas infection has apparently never been established. This study was designed to determine such efficacy in experimental infection of mice. Eleven strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were selected for the study, representing six of the seven recognized immunotypes. All strains were susceptible to colistin, gentamicin, and tobramycin in vitro, and all were virulent for mice. None was lethal because of preformed toxins. Infections were established in mice by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of 100 ID 50 of bacteria (infectious doses that would kill 50% of the mice). Graduated doses of antibiotics or saline were given subcutaneously 1 h later. Infections by three strains of P. aeruginosa were cured by low doses of all three antibiotics. Infections by two strains were relatively resistant in vivo to all three antibiotics. Infections by seven strains were relatively resistant in vivo to colistimethate. For most strains, colistimethate was less effective in vivo than gentamicin or tobramycin. To determine the influence of the size of the bacterial inoculum upon the results of chemotherapy, groups of mice were infected with serial dilutions of bacterial suspensions and treated with antibiotics. The antibiotics were more effective when a lighter bacterial inoculum was used. However, colistimethate at 30 mg/kg failed to cure some infections established with an inoculum of only 10 ID 50 . To examine the possibility that death despite apparently adequate chemotherapy might be due to bacterial lysis and delayed release of toxins, numbers of viable bacteria in the peritoneal cavity of treated animals were determined by colony count. Antibiotic failure by colistimethate was associated with a steady rise in the number of i.p. bacteria. The findings support the conclusion that i.p. infections in mice with some strains of P. aeruginosa that are fully susceptible in vitro are relatively resistant to chemotherapy in vivo. The dissociation between in vitro and in vivo results was greatest for colistimethate.
Research Spotlight: New method to estimate daily flow rates at streams that lack gauges

[1] Records of daily streamflow rates can help scientists estimate future runoff volumes or determine whether fish and other aquatic species have enough water to survive an upcoming season. Many streams are monitored by gauges; however, the sheer number of catchments throughout the United States makes it impractical to have instruments at every stream. As a result, scientists and water resources managers often face the problem of needing to know flow rates within ungauged streams. Archfield and Vogel have developed a method to estimate such flow rates. Using southern New England as a case study, the authors first selected a gauged stream and then, using statistical methods, compared the record of daily streamflow rates from that stream spanning the past 50 years to 27 other streams in the area. On the basis of this comparison, they made a map that marked out the region surrounding their stream where rates at the gauged stream were correlated to other streams about 98% of the time. The researchers then drew borders around the area where their stream matched other streams 95% of the time. Through a series of decreasing percentages of correlation, the authors built a spatial view of how closely their reference-gauged stream matched other streams in the region. (Water Resources Research, doi:10.1029/2009WR008481, 2010)
MicroRNAs: genetically sensitized worms reveal new secrets

Why do many microRNA gene mutants display no evident phenotype? Multiply mutant worms that are selectively impaired in genetic regulatory network activities have been used to uncover previously unknown functions for numerous Caenorhabditis elegans microRNAs.
The value of life in death: Multiple regression and event history analyses of homicide clearance in Los Angeles County

Abstract While clearance rates of homicides have declined over the last three decades, there still remains limited research on the topic. In recent studies, scholars had argued that legal factors best explained homicide clearance. They stated that extralegal variables that had proven to be important and significant for explaining other processes in the criminal justice system were not as helpful in explaining homicide clearance. This article challenges those findings. Utilizing multiple regression and event history analysis techniques, this article shows that extralegal variables such as the gender and race or ethnicity of the victim affect the likelihood of clearance and time needed for solving the murder. The research examined all homicides committed in Los Angeles County from 1990 through 1994. Findings demonstrated that some victims “received more law,” as Donald Black argued, and that not all victims' lives were equally valued.
Probing many-body interactions in a disordered semiconductor quantum well with electronic two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy

The interplay between disorder and Coulomb interactions ubiquitously affects the properties of condensed matter systems. We examine its role in the nonlinear optical response of semiconductor quantum wells. In particular, we investigate the coherent coupling strength between exciton resonances that are spectrally split by interface fluctuations. Previous studies yielded conflicting results. In light of rising interest in semiconductor devices that rely on spatial and/or temporal coherence, we revisit this problem by applying a newly developed spectroscopy method: electronic two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy (2DFTS). 2DFTS is a powerful technique for revealing the presence of coupling and for distinguishing the (coherent or incoherent) nature of such coupling, especially in complex systems with several spectrally overlapping resonances. Even the most basic information about such complex systems, including the homogeneous and inhomogeneous linewidths of various resonances, cannot be extracted reliably using conventional spectroscopic tools. In these new 2DFTS measurements, we did not observe any clear cross peaks corresponding to coherent couplings between either heavy-hole or light-hole excitons. These measurements allow us to place a quantitative upper bound on the possible coupling strength in this prototypical system. A modified mean-field theory reveals a simple yet important relation that determines how the coherent coupling strength depends on the disorder correlation length and Coulomb interaction length.
Introduction to special issue translational goals of neoadjuvant therapy.

Data from NSABP B-18 [1] have clearly shown thatsystemic chemotherapy, delivered prior to (neoadjuvant) orafter deﬁnite surgery (adjuvant) for early breast cancerleads to identical long-term outcomes. This was laterconﬁrmed with a meta-analysis [2] and reassured all of usthat we can offer this timing of therapy to our patients.So, what are the disadvantages? We are losing the exactpathologic anatomic staging; some of our patients will nottolerate the idea of still having the cancer in their body andwait for several months for deﬁnite surgery; a few cancerswill not respond and threaten to spread beyond the breastand loco-regional lymph nodes. What we do gain is actu-ally more: the possibility to downstage and improveoperability (mastectomy vs. less invasive surgery); anin vivo sensitivity test to our therapy; gain an extremelystrong surrogate marker for long-term outcome (lowresidual tumor burden); have a model to develop newcompounds for clinical use; and most importantly, theopportunity to individualize therapy according to thebiology and response to therapy, e.g., change compounds inthe middle of the course of treatment and adjust ourstrategy against the disease, thus avoiding unnecessary andtoxic therapy.In this issue, two of the most inﬂuential experts in theﬁeld of neoadjuvant therapy, Debashish Tripathy andGunter von Minckwitz, have selected a number of studieswith data that includes very innovative translational com-ponents and will provide the reader with advanced scien-tiﬁc results in this exciting and fast-growing strategy totreat early breast cancer. These and similar data will lead toa better understanding of the biology of early breast cancer,empower us to use a more personalized approach, andultimately, improve outcomes for our patients with breastcancer.References
FT-IR spectroscopy in liquid xenon solution, ab initio calculations, normal coordinate analysis, and vibrational assignments of meso-2,4-dichloropentane and racemic-2,4-dichloropentane

Abstract The infrared spectra of meso-2,4-dichloropentane and racemic-2,4-dichloropentane dissolved in liquid xenon have been obtained at 170 K in the range 400–4000 cm−1. The absorptions were observed with a low-temperature cell and a Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer. The 2,4 dichloropentane sample was synthesized and its meso and racemic forms were separated with a spinning band distillation column. Ab initio molecular orbital calculations were performed on meso and racemic 2,4-dichloropentane to obtain the equilibrium geometry, vibrational frequencies, force fields, and infrared intensities. The calculations were done at the Hartree-Fock level using the 3-21G basis set. The Cartesian force fields from ab initio calculations have been converted to the force field in symmetry coordinates and scaled. Normal coordinate calculations were performed using a scaled quantum mechanical (SQM) force field. Potential energy distributions (PED) were also calculated. Vibrational normal modes of the most stable rotamer of symmetry C1 of meso-2,4-dichloropentane and the most stable rotamer of symmetry C2 of racemic 2,4-dichloropentane have been assigned to infrared absorption bands observed in liquid xenon solution. The assignments were based on calculated frequencies and PEDs. Variable temperature studies of the infrared spectrum of meso and racemic 2,4-dichloropentane dissolved in liquid argon were done between 165 and 195 K. Other rotamers could not be observed from the temperature dependent studies of the absorption band profile. The drastic decrease in the congestion of the spectra of the liquid xenon solution compared with the gas phase, room temperature spectra, combined with the observed small frequency shifts, allows the determination of reliable band positions.
Rapid assessment of Escherichia coli by growth rate on piezoelectric-excited millimeter-sized cantilever (PEMC) sensors

Abstract A piezoelectric-excited millimeter sized glass cantilever with a 1 mm 2 sensing surface was fabricated for the purpose of detecting the growth of Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) JM101 in real-time. The resonance characteristic of the fundamental mode in air was 31.08 ± 0.01 kHz. Upon the addition of the agar film to the cantilever sensing surface the fundamental resonance frequency decreased by 2 ± 0.01 kHz. Upon subsequent inoculation of E. coli JM101, the fundamental frequency decreases an additional 0.1 ± 0.01 kHz. The E. coli was grown at 29 °C in a temperature-controlled chamber. The E. coli went through a lag phase of 1 h followed by a continuous decrease in resonant frequency due to growth of the bacteria. The total change in resonant frequency during the growth phase was 5.08 ± 0.01 kHz. After 6 h, the resonant frequency reached a constant value as growth ended. A model was developed to relate resonant frequency to specific growth rate ( μ ). The E. coli exhibited exponential growth rate of 1.31 ± 0.05 h −1 and a late exponential growth rate of 0.55 ± 0.05 h −1 which compared favorably with growth rate obtained in submerged culture of 1.28 ± 0.02 h −1 at 29 °C. The significance of the results is that microbial contamination in food processing plants can be assessed rapidly (
The Impact of Major Events on the Lives of Family Caregivers of Children with Disabilities

The authors examine the family caregiving experience among families with children with severe emotional disabilities from a perspective that recognizes the importance of the family's views and feelings. This viewpoint anticipates the occurrence of both positive and negative experiences and seeks to illuminate the caregiving process from the perspective of outcomes achieved. Family caregivers of 164 children with serious emotional disorders were asked to identify major pleasant and stressful events that had occurred in the past 12 months. The most frequently described pleasant events related to children's behavior, school activities and interactions with professionals and friends. Frequently described problem areas included children's behavior, professionals/services, and difficulty with school. The impact of these pleasant and stressful events was examined with respect to caregivers’ perceived well-being: (1) overall stress, ( 2 ) the ability to fulfill responsibilities, and (3) pleasure experienced in va...
Quantitative analysis of spiral ganglion projections to the cat cochlear nucleus

A quantitative examination of the tonotopic organization of primary afferent projections to the cochlear nucleus (CN) in adult cats wasconducted by using focal extracellular injections of Neurobiotin (NB) into the spiral ganglion of the basal cochlea. One to three injections separated by intervals of at least 2 mm were positioned along the basal one-third of the cochlea. Each injection produced discrete projection laminae that appeared as parallel horizontal sheets of labeled axons and terminals distributed sequentially dorsally to ventrally across each major CN subdivision: the anteroventral, posteroventral, and dorsal cochlear nucleus (AVCN, PVCN, and DCN, respectively). The length (rostrocaudal dimension), width (mediolateral dimension), thickness (dorsoventral dimension), and relative placement of 18 “frequency-band” laminae were measured in 10 adult cochlear nuclei. The average AVCN projection thickness was approximately twice that of the PVCN and DCN projections. In double injection cases, the center-to-center separation between AVCN laminae was also approximately twice that in the PVCN and equal to that in the DCN. Lamina thickness did not differ significantly as a function of frequency representation. However, in both width and length, mid-frequency laminae were up to two times larger than high-frequency laminae. Thus, the results indicate that DCN projections are the most discrete (i.e., are the thinnest and have the least overlap between adjacent frequency projections), whereas the AVCN projections are the largest but are as discrete as PVCN projections. In addition, high-frequency projections are smaller and more discrete than mid-frequency projections, which are larger and have greater overlap with adjacent frequency projections. J. Comp. Neurol. 379:133-149, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The effect of gastric secretagogues on gastric tissue histamine.

H ISTAN[INE is among the most potent of all gastric secretagogues. Over the years there have been many studies pertaining to the role that histamine has in the physiology and biochemistry of hydrogen ion secretion. Despite the many studies, this role has not been clarified and probably shall not be for some time to come because of the complexities of the problem. Previous work in our laboratory 1-'-' has shown that reserpine, as well as gastrin, causes the liberation of histamine from the glandular stomach of the rat. As both of these substances are potent gastric secretagogues, it became of interest to study the effect of other known gastric secretagogues on the histamine content of the glandular stomach of the rat. The substances used in this study include gastrin, reserpine, urecholine, insulin, and Histalog.*
Comparative Effectiveness of 30- versus 60-Second Radio Commercials on Recall and Rate

Can less really be more? This study is designed to provide the radio and advertising industries with an objective, theoretical foundation to what is being called “Less Is More.” Specifically, this study compares the effectiveness of 30-second and 60-second radio commercials on unaided recall. The results indicate that the brand recall as well as the message and proven recall of advertising from 60-second commercials are significantly greater than from 30-second commercials. The results also indicate that the first or second commercial in the commercial set will be better recalled. Based on these results, this study suggests a possible pricing model for 30-second commercials and a premium for first or second in-pod placement. This study was sponsored by the National Association of Broadcasters 2005 Grants for Research in Broadcasting Program.
Chemoradiation of hepatic malignancies: prospective, phase 1 study of full-dose capecitabine with escalating doses of yttrium-90 radioembolization.

Purpose Radiosensitizing chemotherapy improves the outcomes in comparison with radiation alone for gastrointestinal cancers. The delivery of radiation therapy with yttrium90 ( 90 Y) radioembolization, in combination with the radiosensitizing chemotherapeutic agent capecitabine, provides the opportunity to enhance the effects of radiation on hepatic malignancies. This phase 1 study sought to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of 90 Y plus capecitabine in patients with cholangiocarcinoma or liver metastases confined to the liver. Methods and Materials Patients were given initial treatment at full-dose capecitabine during days 1 to 14 of a 21-day cycle. At days 1 to 7 of the second cycle, whole-liver 90 Y was given at the test dose, after which time capecitabine was continued. Dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) was determined 6 weeks after 90 Y infusion. If a DLT was not observed, the 90 Y dose was escalated. The planned dose cohorts were 110, 130, 150, and 170 Gy. The primary endpoint was to determine the MTD of 90 Y with full-dose capecitabine. Results Sixteen patients were treated according to the study protocol. Two patients experienced DLTs. Nine patients required capecitabine dose reduction as a result of toxicities attributable to capecitabine alone. The criteria for establishing 90 Y MTD were not met, indicating an MTD of >170 Gy. Conclusion The MTD of 90 Y delivered in conjunction with capecitabine in the setting of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or metastatic disease confined to the liver exceeds 170 Gy. This is the highest 90 Y dose reported to date and has important implications on combined therapy with the radiosensitizing oral chemotherapeutic capecitabine. Further studies are under way.
Many-one degrees associated with semi-thue systems

A constructive proof is presented which shows the existence of semi-Thue systems whose word and confluence problems are of any prescribed pair of r.e. many-one degrees of unsolvability.
Cross-phase modulation spectral shifting: nonlinear phase contrast in a pump-probe microscope

Microscopy with nonlinear phase contrast is achieved by a simple modification to a nonlinear pump-probe microscope. The technique measures cross-phase modulation by detecting a pump-induced spectral shift in the probe pulse. Images with nonlinear phase contrast are acquired both in transparent and absorptive media. In paraffin-embedded biopsy sections, cross-phase modulation complements the chemically-specific pump-probe images with structural context.
Homology of Holocene Ostracode Biramous Appendages with those of Other Crustaceans: The Protopod, Epipod, Exopod and Endopod

Unambiguously biramous appendages with a proximal precoxa, well-defined coxa and basis, setose plate-like epipod originating on the precoxa, and both an endopod and exopod attached to the terminal end of the basis are described from several living Ostracoda of the order Halo-cyprida (Myodocopa). These limbs are proposed as the best choice for comparison of ostracode limbs with those of other crustaceans and fossil arthropods with preserved limbs, such as the Cambrian superficially ostracode-like Kunmingella and Hesslandona. The 2nd maxilla of Metapolycope (Cladocopina) and 1st trunk limb of Spelaeoecia, Deeveya and Thaumatoconcha (all Halocypridina) are illustrated, and clear homologies are shown between the parts of these limbs and those of some general crustacean models as well as some of the remarkable crustacean s.s. Orsten fossils. No living ostracodes exhibit only primitive morphology; all have at least some (usually many) derived characters. Few have the probably primitive attribute of trunk segmentation (two genera of halocyprid Myodocopa, one order plus one genus of Podocopa, and the problematic Manawa); unambiguously biramous limbs are limited to a few halo-cyprids. Homologies between podocopid limbs and those of the illustrated primitive myodocopid limbs are tentatively suggested. A setose plate-like extension, often attached basally to a podocopid protopod, is probably homologous to the myodocopid epipod, which was present at least as early as the Triassic. Somewhat more distal, less setose, and plate-like extensions, present on some podocopid limbs (e.g., mandible), may be homologous instead to the exopod (clearly present on myodocopid mandibles). The coxa (or precoxa) is by definition the most basal part of the limb. A molar-like tooth is present proximally on the mandibular protopod of many ostracodes; it is the coxal endite and projects medially from the coxa (or proximal protopod). The Ostracoda is probably a monophyletic crustacean group composed of Myodocopa and Podocopa. All have a unique juvenile (not a larva) initially with three or more limbs. Except that juveniles lack some setae and limbs, they are morphologially similar to the adult. Thus the following suite of characters in all instars may be considered a synapomorphy uniting all Ostracoda: (1) Each pair of limbs is uniquely different from the others. (2) The whole body is completely enclosed within a bivalved carapace that lacks growth lines. (3) No more than nine pairs of limbs are present in any instar. (4) The body shows little or no segmentation, with no more than ten dorsally defined trunk segments. No other crustaceans have this suite of characters. A probable synapomorphy uniting the Podocopa is a 2nd antenna with exopod reduced relative to the endopod.
Amphibole equilibria in mantle rocks: Determining values of mantle aH2O and implications for mantle H2O contents

H 2 O can affect the thermophysical properties of the mantle, and nominally anhydrous mantle minerals, such as olivine, pyroxenes, and garnet, may be an important reservoir of mantle H 2 O. However, the H 2 O content of nominally anhydrous mantle minerals now at the Earth’s surface may not always reflect mantle values. It is, therefore, desirable to develop different techniques to estimate mantle H 2 O contents, or values of the activity of H 2 O ( a H 2 O ) at the conditions of equilibration in the mantle. To examine the potential of amphibole equilibria to determine values of mantle a H 2 O , the chemical compositions of co-existing amphibole, olivine, two-pyroxenes, and spinel from a mantle xenolith, sample DH101E of McGuire et al. (1991), were used to estimate values of pressure ( P ), temperature ( T ), and a H 2 O . A value of a H 2 O was estimated from pargasite dehydration equilibria using chemical compositions of minerals as the basis for estimating activities of end-members in the natural phases (e.g., the activity of forsterite in olivine). These calculations were performed with the THERMOCALC software package and, at an estimated maximum T and P of 900 °C and 20 kbar, they yield an estimated value of a H 2 O ≈0.02 for sample DH101E. The application of oxy-amphibole equilibrium, as described by Popp et al. (2006a, 2006b), using the composition of the amphibole in DH101E yields a value of the log of the hydrogen fugacity ( f H 2 ) of −1.37. This value of f H 2 together with the estimated log f O 2 of −9.9 yields a value of a H 2 O ≈ 0.0005 for sample DH101E. The lower estimated a H 2 O compared to that estimated from dehydration equilibria may reflect a slight loss of H from amphibole in the post-formation environment, but both types of amphibole equilibria are consistent with a low value of a H 2 O Values of mantle a H 2 O can be used to predict the H 2 O content of mantle olivines. At 900 °C and 20 kbar, the olivine in a sample that equilibrates at a H 2 O 2 O. This value is consistent with the lower end of the range of measured H 2 O contents of mantle olivines (≈4–400 wt ppm). Thus, estimates of values of a H 2 O from amphibole equilibria can produce useful predictions of both the activity of H 2 O as well as the H 2 O content of nominally anhydrous mantle minerals.
Warm Season Response over North America to a Shutdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation and CO2Increases

AbstractPaleo-proxy and modeling evidence suggest that a shutdown of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) would decrease North Atlantic Ocean sea surface temperatures and have far-reaching climate impacts. The authors use a regional climate model to examine the warm season response over North America to a hypothetical late-twenty-first-century shutdown of the AMOC with increased atmospheric CO2. In the future simulation, precipitation decreases over the western and central United States by up to 40% and over eastern Mexico by up to 50%. Over the eastern United States rainfall generally increases except during July. Variations in the moisture convergence associated with large-scale circulation changes dominate the rainfall variations, while evaporation plays a critical role over the northeastern United States in spring and the north-central United States in summer. During April–June the westward extension of the North Atlantic subtropical high enhances southwesterly moisture fluxes from t...
Simulation of a sodium dodecylsulfate micelle in aqueous solution

Molecular dynamics calculations have been used to probe the structure of a small sodium dodecylsulfate micelle in aqueous solution. The simulation system consisted of 42 dodecylsulfate ions, 42 sodium ions, and 1901 deuterated water molecules in a periodically replicated box. Electrostatic interactions were treated with an Ewald method. Over the course of a 182 ps trajectory, the micelle remained compact and roughly spherical with the hydrocarbon chains on the inside and the sulfate groups on the outer perimeter. The micelle displayed only small fluctuations in shape and had an average radius of about 15 A. Relatively little water penetrated beyond the head-group region and the inner core (9 A in radius) was devoid of water. On average each chain was found to have about three gauche defects. The average chain conformation in the micelle interior has been contrasted with that of an isolated monomer in solution. The counter ion distribution has been examined and compared with results from a previous simulation of a sodium octanoate micelle.
A Resource Guide to Tax Law Careers

Abstract This Guide is designed to assist law students and attorneys in the pursuit of careers in tax law. It is also intended for librarians and career counselors to readily find tax law career information so that they can assist their clients effectively. It includes resources in both print (for example, books and articles) and electronic formats (for example, Web sites). Each item included has a brief annotation so that the user can quickly decide the relevancy and value of that item.
OXIDATIVE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF CATFISH LIPIDS AS AFFECTED BY THE MICROENVIRONMENT OF ASCORBIC ACID

The predominant site of lipid oxidation in frozen channel catfish has previously been attributed to both triacylglycerols and phospholipids. This study was designed to delineate the extent to which the microenvironment of ascorbic acid might alter the oxidative susceptibility of lipid classes. Modification in microenvironment was achieved by administering ascorbic acid in two different ways: metabolic absorption of dissolved ascorbate by live catfish, or tumbling of fillets in the presence of an ascorbic acid solution. Fillets from both treatments were subjected to frozen storage (-6C) for up to 6 months and their oxidative stability compared to untreated fillets stored under similar conditions. Oxidative products in vacuum tumbled fillets were generated sooner but at a slower rate than metabolically absorbed fillets suggesting that the oxidative substrate differed. Further characterization of stored fish samples for lipids, tocopherol, and ascorbic acid led to the conclusion that intercellularly distributed ascorbic acid (vacuum tumbled fillets), while capable of regenerating tocopherol and protecting membrane phospholipids, simultaneously accelerated oxidation of the triacylglycerols. Application of ascorbic acid via metabolic absorption, on the other hand, did not lead to an acceleration in triacylglycerol oxidation.
Leaky wave interconnections between integrated optic waveguides

Large scale integration of optical components on a single ship mimics the performance and cost benefits for electronic VLSI, but requires the ability to make sharp bends in optical waveguides. Sharp bends may be achieved by using high refractive index contrast between core and cladding to tightly confine the optical field in the core. However, for tightly confined fields, the evanescent wave extends only submicrons into the cladding, so that coupling between waveguides by leaky wave tunneling in a directional coupler requires high resolution by expensive lithography. We use analysis and the matrix method in simulations to show that by increasing the refractive index between the waveguides in the directional coupler, lithographic resolution and hence cost are reduced.
Synthesis and properties of new anionic photoacid generators bound polymer resists for e-beam and EUV lithography

A new series of methacrylate substituted benzene sulfonic photoacid generators (PAGs) and a perfluoro alkanesulfonic PAG, bound polymeric resists based on hydroxystyrene (HS) and 2-ethyl-2-adamantyl methacrylate (EA) were prepared and characterized. The acid yield of these PAG bound polymer resists was among the range of 54-81% under deep ultraviolet exposure (254 nm) that agrees well with the electron withdrawing effect of the substituents on the PAG anion for enhancing acid generation efficiency. The intrinsic lithography performance of these polymer-bound PAG resists showed sub-50 nm half-pitch resolution and < 5 nm LER (3σ).
Rapid resolution of proteinuria of native kidney origin following live donor renal transplantation

To assess the contribution of the protein content of urine from the native kidneys to post-transplant proteinuria, we prospectively studied 14 live donor transplant recipients with a pre-transplant random urine protein to creatinine ratio (UPr:Cr) >0.5. Seven patients received preemptive transplants, and seven patients were on dialysis pre-transplant (with residual urine output). Resolution of proteinuria was defined as UPr:Cr < 0.2. Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and corticosteroids. Anti-hypertensive drugs that might reduce proteinuria were avoided during the study. The serum creatinine was 8.7 +/- 0.7 mg/dL pre-transplant, and the nadir post-transplant serum creatinine was 1.4 +/- 0.1 mg/dL. The pre-transplant UPr:Cr ranged between 0.5 and 9.2 (mean = 2.9 +/- 0.6). The UPr:Cr decreased to <0.2 in all 14 patients at a mean of 4.5 weeks post-transplant (range 1-10 weeks). In conclusion, in live donor renal transplant recipients with immediate graft function, proteinuria of native kidney origin resolves in the early post-transplant period. After the immediate post-transplant period, proteinuria cannot be attributed to the native kidneys, and work up for proteinuria should focus on the allograft.
Stationary covariance generation with finite state Markov processes

Abstract : This paper studies the stationary covariance generation problem, i.e. the problem of passing from a stationary covariance function to a dynamical system which generates a process having the given covariance, in the case where the dynamical system is a finite state, continuous time, Markov process. Strictly positive definite stationary covariances can be approximated to any degree of accuracy in this way. However the number of states required may approach infinity as the covariance approaches the boundary of the set of positive definite functions.
Size-dependent visual predation risk and the timing of vertical migration in zooplankton

Zooplankton commonly exhibit diel vertical migration (DVM), descending from food-rich surface waters during the day. If DVM is a tradeoff between avoiding size-selective visually hunting predators and maximizing energy gain, smaller bodied prey should enter surface waters earlier and leave later than larger, more visually conspicuous organisms. Conventional sampling technologies lack the temporal resolution to test this prediction. Here, we report on the first test of this prediction using a new submersible optical-acoustic imaging system capable of resolving the timing of migration of the euphausiid crustacean Euphausia pacifica Hansen. Smaller bodied animals consistently ascended as much as 30 min earlier and descended up to 45 min later than adults. The timing of vertical migration reflects how the size-dependent risk of attack by visual predators alters the tradeoff between feeding and predator avoidance, supporting the predator-avoidance hypothesis for DVM.
A stereoselective total synthesis of epi-lupinine

Abstract An intromallecular imino Diels-Alder reaction has been used both to construct the quinolizidine ring system and to set the proper relative stereochemistry of the alkaloid epi -lupinine ( 1 ).
A parameterization of cloud droplet nucleation. Part II: Multiple aerosol types

Abstract A parameterization of cloud droplet nucleation for a single, log-normally distributed, aerosol type is generalized to the case of multiple aerosol types with differing size distributions and compositions. The parameterization accounts for the competition between different aerosol types as cloud condensation nuclei, and the dependence of the competition on the number concentration, composition and size distribution of each aerosol type. Comparisons with detailed numerical solutions indicate typical differences of 50% and 20% for the number fraction and mass fraction, respectively, of aerosols activated for each type.
Length of Day Changes Associated with the Madden-Julian Oscillation

Abstract The previously reported spectral peak near 50 days in time series of length of day (LOD) is shown to occur in conjunction with episodes of tropical convective activity associated with the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO). When the convective signal of the MJO is absent, LOD exhibits a red spectrum at intraseasonal time-scales. LOD is shown to be in phase with the convective anomaly due to the MJO over the date line and out of phase with the convective anomaly over the Indian Ocean. A composite angular momentum budget, made relative to the convective signal of the MJO, reveals that the zonal surface stress only partially accounts for the observed tendency of LOD. Not only is the amplitude some 50% too weak, the phase is shifted ahead of the LOD tendency by about 1/8 cycle. Hence, in order to balance the angular momentum budget, an additional mountain torque is postulated to occur. This additional torque is required to lag the frictional torque by about 1/4 of a cycle, but be of similar amplitude. T...
Month of Birth and Risk of Immediate Hypersensitivity to Seasonal and Nonseasonal Antigens

The risk of immediate hypersensitivity to seasonal allergens has been reported to vary with month of birth. Serum samples from 631 children less than 18 years of age from the Detroit area were measured for allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. IgE to the seasonal allergens ragweed, timothy, and mite were measured, as well as to the relatively nonseasonal allergens cat, dog, and Alternaria. The number of positive tests for IgE ranged from 32% for mite to 58% for cat. The birth month distribution of children with positive tests was compared to the birth month distribution of all births in the Detroit metropolitan area. Some patterns were consistent with previous studies; however, there were no statistically significant differences with respect to the comparison population. Children with positive results to ragweed tended to be born more often during the August—October ragweed season. Sensitivity to mite was most common in July and August, a time period associat...
Molecular classification and clonal differentiation of hepatocellular carcinoma: the step forward for patient selection for liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is a successful treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, advanced stages are not selected for transplant, based on the United Network for Organ Sharing selection criteria’s. Nowadays, molecular biology-based techniques constitute an excellent option to better understand HCC origin differentiation and biological behavior. Moreover, microarray technology is a powerful tool to address a variety of tumor tissues at molecular level and is actively used for the discovery of biomarkers in cancer research. This article will discuss published data in the field of HCC origin differentiation and its potential impact on outcomes following liver transplantation. Although preliminary results are presented, these findings encourage the use of gene-expression profiling microarrays for studying HCC biology and behavior and ultimately optimizing treatment success.
Generative Insights from the Eleanor Chelimsky Forum on Evaluation Theory and Practice.

Both speakers at the Eleanor Chelimsky Forum on Theory and Practice in Evaluation pointed out the complexity and messiness of evaluation practice, and thus potential limits on theory and generalizable knowledge. The concept of reflective practice offers one way forward to build evaluation theory. Building generalizable knowledge about practice depends on the ability of expert practitioners to dialogue at greater length about the issues they encounter. On that basis they can better develop the implications of their practice experiences for evaluation theory. By renewing attention to what program managers and service practitioners know, we can also build evaluation theory, because their reflective practice can inform both the program and knowledge (external validity) dimensions of theory.
Neutral polymer slow mode and its rheological correlate

Quasi-elastic light scattering spectroscopy intensity–intensity autocorrelation functions [S(k,t)] and static light scattering intensities of 1 MDa hydroxypropylcellulose in aqueous solutions were measured. With increasing polymer concentration, over a narrow concentration range, S(k,t) gained a slow relaxation. The transition concentration for the appearance of the slow mode (ct) was also the transition concentration for the solution-like/melt-like rheological transition (c+) at which the solution shear viscosity [ηp(c)] passed over from a stretched exponential to a power-law concentration dependence. To a good approximation, we found ct[η] ≈ c+[η] ≈ 4, [η] being the intrinsic viscosity. The appearance of the slow mode did not change the light scattering intensity (I): from a concentration lower than ct to a concentration greater than ct, I/c fell uniformly with increasing concentration. The slow mode thus did not arise from the formation of compact aggregates of polymer chains. If the polymer slow mode arose from long-lived structures that were not concentration fluctuations, the structures involved much of the dissolved polymer. At 25 °C, the mean relaxation rate of the slow mode approximately matched the relaxation rate for the diffusion of 0.2-μm-diameter optical probes observed with the same scattering vector. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 323–333, 2005
How Teachers Link Ideas in Mathematics Instruction Using Speech and Gesture: A Corpus Analysis

This research investigated how teachers express links between ideas in speech, gestures, and other modalities in middle school mathematics instruction. We videotaped 18 lessons (3 from each of 6 teachers), and within each, we identified linking episodes—segments of discourse in which the teacher connected mathematical ideas. For each link, we identified the modalities teachers used to express linked ideas and coded whether the content was new or review. Teachers communicated most links multimodally, typically using speech and gestures. Teachers’ gestures included depictive gestures that simulated actions and perceptual states, and pointing gestures that grounded utterances in the physical environment. Compared to links about new material, teachers were less likely to express links about review material multimodally, especially when that material had been mentioned previously. Moreover, teachers gestured at a higher rate in links about new material. Gestures are an integral part of teachers’ communication ...
Mitogenic effect of earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris) coelomic fluid on mouse and human lymphocytes.

Abstract We have cultured mouse and human lymphocytes with earthworm (Lumbricus terrestris)coelomic fluid and measured their mitogenic responses. Normal fluid was collected from untreated worms, while induced fluid was harvested from worms injected 24 h earlier with rabbit erythrocytes. At low protein concentrations in the coelomic fluid, human and mouse lymphocytes were significantly activated, as measured by incorporation of 3 HTdr. The activation index for induced fluid was approximately 2.5 times that for uninduced fluid. Separation of mouse lymphocytes into B- and T-cell populations revealed that primarily T cells were activated. Normal and induced coelomic fluid contains 12 and 28 electrophoretic bands and agglutinin titers of 32 and 1024, respectively. Addition of agglutinin inhibitors or absorption of agglutinins from coelomic fluid did not alter levels of mitogenic activity, thus the relation between earthworm agglutinins and mitogens is problematic. Techniques designed to separate and purify the agglutinins are in progress to elucidate this point.
Measles virus infection results in suppression of both innate and adaptive immune responses to secondary bacterial infection

Among infectious agents, measles virus (MV) remains a scourge responsible for 1 million deaths per year and is a leading cause of childhood deaths in developing countries. Although MV infection itself is not commonly lethal, MV-induced suppression of the immune system results in a greatly increased susceptibility to opportunistic bacterial infections that are largely responsible for the morbidity and mortality associated with this disease. Despite its clinical importance, the underlying mechanisms of MV-induced immunosuppression remain unresolved. To begin to understand the basis of increased susceptibility to bacterial infections during MV infection, we inoculated transgenic mice expressing the MV receptor, CD46, with MV and Listeria monocytogenes. We found that MV-infected mice were more susceptible to infection with Listeria and that this corresponded with significantly decreased numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the spleen and substantial defects in IFN-γ production by CD4+ T cells. The reduction in CD11b+ macrophages and IFN-γ–producing T cells was due to reduced proliferative expansion and not to enhanced apoptosis or to altered distribution of these cells between spleen, blood, and the lymphatic system. These results document that MV infection can suppress both innate and adaptive immune responses and lead to increased susceptibility to bacterial infection.
Nonbaseband residual flexibility method of component mode synthesis for proportionally damped systems

Several new component mode synthesis methods are presented for the dynamic analysis of proportionally damped systems in nonbaseband frequency regions of interest. The first method is based on the Craig-Bampton constraint modes approach (Craig, R. R., Jr., and Bampton, M. C. C., Coupling of Substructures for Dynamic Analyses,' AIAA Journal, Vol. 6, No. 7, 1968, pp. 1313-1319) but uses a modified dynamic transformation method that produces constraint modes at two frequencies, normally the upper and lower frequency limits of the region of interest. Then, a second method is presented that is similar to the first but uses a residual flexibility formulation. This second method is ideally suited for use with test-derived data and becomes the basis for a new nonbaseband experimentally based method. The procedure for implementing the experimentally based method is then presented. Finally, an analytical simulation is conducted using error-free data to demonstrate the new methods on a system of two coupled beams.
Accommodation or prediction

In his comparison between accommodating (a posteriori) and predictive (a priori) hypotheses, P. Lipton asks which is better suited for scientific investigation (“Testing hypotheses: prediction and prejudice,” 14 Jan., p. [219][1]). This question is misleading because it ignores the process of
"Those Bastards Can Go to Hell!" Small-Farmer Resistance to Vertical Integration and Concentration in the Pork Industry

Vertical integration and concentration in hog production have made it difficult for small, family hog farms to survive. This article examines a small group of Iowa hog farmers who formed a cooperative to raise and sell "free-range" pork to niche markets. By forming a cooperative, these farmers actively sought to resist structural change in the pork industry. Despite the availability of markets and adequate hog supplies, this fledgling cooperative faced a number of obstacles, including social pressure from other farmers and disagreements about the adequacy of their hog-raising methods. The future of this cooperative is uncertain, and it faces an uphill battle against the dominant pork producers.