cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Frequencies of Amino Acids Encoded by Genomes that Utilize Standard and Nonstandard Genetic Codes

Abstract. A number of genomes use genetic codes that are different from the standard genetic code. Since many of these genomes have recently been sequenced, we can now study the evolution of the genetic codes by examining the amino acid frequencies encoded by these genomes. We calculated the amino acid frequencies encoded by twenty-two genomes using codon usage frequencies tabulated from GenBank. By chi-square analysis, no significant differences were observed in the amino acid frequencies encoded by fourteen different genomes that use the standard genetic code. However, among eight genomes that employ nonstandard genetic codes, we found differences between three animal mitochondrial genomes (Fasciola hepatica, Drosophila melanogaster, and Homo sapiens) and the remaining 19 genomes. Of the genomes that were studied, we also observed a trend between the usage of an amino acid and its occurrence in the genetic code. Taken together, our study supports the hypothesis that the standard genetic code formed earl...
Regulation of murine macrophage proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines by ligands for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ: counter-regulatory activity by IFN-γ

The prostaglandin, 15-deoxy Delta(12,14)-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2)(1), and thiazolidinediones are ligands for the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, which mediates anti-inflammatory activity by suppressing murine macrophage (Mphi) production of the inflammatory mediator, nitric oxide (NO). Here, we elucidated this anti-inflammatory activity further by investigating whether PPAR-gamma ligands regulated a panel of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines produced by primary inflammatory murine Mphi (thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal exudate Mphi; PEM). Thiazolidinediones and 15d-PGJ2 suppressed lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PEM production of NO and IL-12(p40) to a greater extent than IL-6 and TNF-alpha production. Whereas 15d-PGJ2 showed the greatest extent of suppression of proinflammatory mediator production, the thiazolidinedione, BRL49653, was the most potent compound studied. Surprisingly, treatment with the Mphi-activation cytokine, IFN-gamma, prevented PPAR-gamma ligands from suppressing the proinflammatory cytokines completely and reduced their suppression of NO production substantially, demonstrating that activation conditions affect PPAR-gamma-mediated, anti-inflammatory activity. Western analysis demonstrated that the antagonistic activity of IFN-gamma did not involve modulation of PPAR-gamma expression but showed that IFN-gamma interfered with PPAR-gamma ligand regulation of p42/p44 MAP kinase activation and the cytosolic disappearance of NF-kappaB upon LPS stimulation. Finally, we showed that PPAR-gamma ligands did not substantially modulate production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10, and that antibody-mediated neutralization of IL-10 did not prevent the ligands from suppressing proinflammatory mediator production. In contrast to studies with noninflammatory human monocytes and Mphi, our results demonstrate that primary murine inflammatory Mphi are extremely sensitive to the anti-inflammatory activity of PPAR-gamma ligands. These results suggest that drugs such as thiazolidinediones may be most effective in suppressing Mphi activity early (i.e., in the absence of lymphocyte-derived IFN-gamma) in the inflammatory process.
Scaling up all pairs similarity search

Given a large collection of sparse vector data in a high dimensional space, we investigate the problem of finding all pairs of vectors whose similarity score (as determined by a function such as cosine distance) is above a given threshold. We propose a simple algorithm based on novel indexing and optimization strategies that solves this problem without relying on approximation methods or extensive parameter tuning. We show the approach efficiently handles a variety of datasets across a wide setting of similarity thresholds, with large speedups over previous state-of-the-art approaches.
Dysregulation of fragile X mental retardation protein and metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 in superior frontal cortex of individuals with autism: a postmortem brain study

Fragile X syndrome is caused by loss of function of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene and shares multiple phenotypes with autism. We have previously found reduced expression of the protein product of FMR1 (FMRP) in vermis of adults with autism. In the current study, we have investigated levels of FMRP in the superior frontal cortex of people with autism and matched controls using Western blot analysis. Because FMRP regulates the translation of multiple genes, we also measured protein levels for downstream molecules metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A receptor β3 (GABRβ3), as well as glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We observed significantly reduced levels of protein for FMRP in adults with autism, significantly increased levels of protein for mGluR5 in children with autism and significantly increased levels of GFAP in adults and children with autism. We found no change in expression of GABRβ3. Our results for FMRP, mGluR5 and GFAP confirm our previous work in the cerebellar vermis of people with autism. These changes may be responsible for cognitive deficits and seizure disorder in people with autism.
The coordination numbers of Na and K atoms in low albite and microcline as determined from a procrystal electron-density distribution

Procrystal models for the electron-density distributions of low albite and microcline were constructed by placing spherically averaged Clementi-Roetti atomic wave functions at experimentally observed atomic positions. The topography of the model electron-density distribution was analyzed to locate (3, - 1) critical points between the Na or K positions and the positions of the surrounding framework 0 atoms. Because the number of (3, -1) critical points associated with a given atom corresponds with its coordination number, the analysis indicated that Na is fivefold and K is sevenfold coordinated. In particular, the results indicate that the Oco atom in low albite is not coordinated with Na, whereas in microcline it is coordinated with K. This suggests that in low albite the Oco atom is underbonded and thus a possible hydrophilic site, whereas in microcline the bonding requirements of Oco are satisfied. Details of the local bonding explain the effects of pressure, H, and H20 on ordering of Al and Si, as well as compressibility systematics.
Norepinephrine Inhibits Vasopressin‐Stimulated Flank Marking in the Syrian Hamster by Acting Within the Medial Preoptic‐Anterior Hypothalamus

Syrian hamsters exhibit a form of scent marking behavior called flank marking. Flank marking, which is elicited during social contact with other hamsters and by the odors of other hamsters, communicates socially important information such as mate choice and dominance status. Vasopressinergic activity within the medial preoptic-anterior hypothalamic continuum (MPOA-AH) is essential for the expression of flank marking. In female hamsters, an inverse relationship exists between the expression of flank marking and sexual receptivity during the 4-day estrous cycle. Since norepinephrine (NE) appears to facilitate sexual receptivity, the present study investigated whether NE might have an inhibitory effect on flank marking by acting on Vasopressinergic activity within the MPOA-AH. Microinjection of 9.0 μM arginine vasopressin (AVP) into the MPOA-AH stimulated high levels of flank marking. Microinjection of 9.0 μM AVP combined with NE in concentrations of 4.0, 0.4 or 0.2 nM, drastically reduced or eliminated flank marking. In contrast, AVP in combination with 0.09, 0.04 or 0.004 nM NE produced no significant reductions in flank marking. In addition, microinjection of 9.0 μM AVP, in combination with epinephrine (4.0 nM), but not dopamine (4.0 nM), serotonin (4.0 nM) or neuropeptide Y (900 μM), significantly reduced AVP-induced flank marking. In male hamsters, microinjection of NE (4.0 nM) combined with AVP (9.0 μM) into the MPOA-AH was not found to inhibit AVP-stimulated flank marking. These results suggest that NE is involved in regulating the expression of flank marking during the estrous cycle by acting on Vasopressinergic activity within the MPOA-AH.
A rail-to-rail, constant gain, buffered op-amp for real time video applications

Inspired by Hogervorst et al's current switch idea, a buffered output stage operational amplifier was designed, which has high frequency, high dc gain, and rail-to-rail constant transconductance (G/sub m/). This operational amplifier is the output stage of an analog/digital system which implements a Gabor convolution for real-time dynamic image processing and it is designed to interface the external analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a very heavy load. The op amp was fabricated by the MOSIS service in a 2-/spl mu/m, n-well CMOS, double polysilicon, double metal technology. The fabricated circuit operates from a single 5 V power supply and dissipates 10 mW. The open loop-gain of the fabricated circuit, A/sub vol/, was measured as 67.2 dB for a 163 /spl Omega//spl par/33 pF load. Other dc and ac characteristics were measured for a 50 /spl Omega//spl par/33 pF load. The unify gain-bandwidth (GBW) was measured to be 11.4 MHz, the rising slew rate (SR+) 20.4 V//spl mu/s, the falling slew rate (SR-) 18.8 V//spl mu/s, and the offset voltage (V/sub off/) 1 mV. The output swings with an amplitude of 3.24 V between 0.88 V and 4.12 V, which matches the input signal specifications of the ADC. In addition to rail-to-rail output voltage swing, the opamp has a constant G/sub m/ over the whole common mode (CM) voltage range.
Are anti-HIV IgAs good guys or bad guys?

An estimated 90% of all HIV transmissions occur mucosally. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) molecules are important components of mucosal fluids. In a vaccine efficacy study, in which virosomes displaying HIV gp41 antigens protected most rhesus monkeys (RMs) against simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV), protection correlated with vaginal IgA capable of blocking HIV transcytosis in vitro. Furthermore, vaginal IgG exhibiting virus neutralization and/or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) correlated with prevention of systemic infection. In contrast, plasma IgG had neither neutralizing nor ADCC activity. More recently, a passive mucosal immunization study provided the first direct proof that dimeric IgAs (dIgAs) can prevent SHIV acquisition in RMs challenged mucosally. This study compared dimeric IgA1 (dIgA1), dIgA2, or IgG1 versions of a human neutralizing monoclonal antibody (nmAb) targeting a conserved HIV Env epitope. While the nmAb neutralization profiles were identical in vitro, dIgA1 was significantly more protective in vivo than dIgA2. Protection was linked to a new mechanism: virion capture. Protection also correlated with inhibition of transcytosis of cell-free virus in vitro. While both of these primate model studies demonstrated protective effects of mucosal IgAs, the RV144 clinical trial identified plasma IgA responses to HIV Env as risk factors for increased HIV acquisition. In a secondary analysis of RV144, plasma IgA decreased the in vitro ADCC activity of vaccine-induced, Env-specific IgG with the same epitope specificity. Here we review the current literature regarding the potential of IgA – systemic as well as mucosal – in modulating virus acquisition and address the question whether anti-HIV IgA responses could help or harm the host.
Floating point STAP implementation on FPGAs

STAP has increased the processing requirements for radar to a point where implementation on CPUs is no longer an option. At the same time, the highly iterative algorithm poses precision requirements that are difficult and inefficient to address using conventional fixed point implementations on FPGAs. This paper focuses on the most computationally intensive parts of the algorithm, QR decomposition, and demonstrates how it can be mapped efficiently in floating point onto FPGAs. For QRD, a variation of the modified Gram-Schmidt algorithm is developed that increases precision and minimizes latency when implemented on FPGAs.
Trends in the use and outcomes of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in patients undergoing dialysis in the United States.

Background Sudden cardiac death constitutes the leading cause of death in patients receiving dialysis. Little is known about the trends in implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) use and the outcomes of such device placement. Study Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting & Participants US long-term dialysis patients who received an ICD in 1994-2006. Predictors, Outcomes, & Measurements ICD utilization rates and incident rates of all-cause mortality, device infections, and other device-related procedures were measured. We compared mortality between recipients and otherwise similar patients who did not receive such a device using high-dimensional propensity score matching. We also examined the associations of demographics, dialysis type, baseline comorbid conditions, cardiovascular events at the time of admission, and recent infection with the study outcomes. Results 9,528 patients received an ICD in 1994-2006, with >88% placed after 2000. Almost all ICD use in the 1990s was for secondary prevention, however, half the patients received ICDs for apparent primary prevention in 2006. Mortality rates after implantation were high (448 deaths/1,000 patient-years) and most deaths were cardiovascular. Postimplantation infection rates were high, especially in the first year after implantation (988 events/1,000 patient-years) and were predicted by diabetes and recent infection. Patients receiving ICDs for secondary prevention had an overall 14% (95% CI, 9%-19%) lower mortality risk compared with propensity-matched controls, but these benefits seemed to be restricted to the early postimplantation time. Limitations Lack of clinical data, especially for laboratory and heart function studies. Residual confounding by indication. Conclusions ICD use in dialysis patients is increasing, but rates of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality remain high in dialysis patients receiving these devices. Device infections are common, particularly in patients with recent infections. Randomized trials of ICDs are needed to determine the efficacy, safety, and risk-benefit ratio of these devices in dialysis patients.
Import of Institutions: the Regional Level

In the frame of the present research we considered a hypothesis on the existence of a trend to a widespreading of standards and practices which expand the horizon of the regional authorities' discretion and possibilities for their discretionary regulation, due to the federal authorities' failures to maintain the fundamentals of the Rule of Law. The collected data testify in favor of the hypothesis.
The Urdu-Language Khushtar Ramayan: Verbal- and Visual-Narrative Repertoires and ‘Sense of Place’

This essay explores the rich verbal- and visual-narrative repertoires constitutive of a ‘sense of place’ within the Urdu-language Khushtar Ramayan, highlighting some of the significant ways in which they converge with and diverge from other prominent textual and visual representations of the Ramayan during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The material history of Khushtar's work as a book is also traced in order to illuminate a number of important linkages and shifts from a ‘local’ courtly economy and ‘sense of place’ to an emergent, proto-national, print-commercial one.
The Space Station Freedom evolution-phase: Crew-EVA demand for robotic substitution by task primitive

Space Station Freedom represents a significant demand for automation and robotics services as substitutes for crew-performed extravehicular activities (crew-EVA). Results are reported from a study aimed at identifying this demand for crew-performed activities and the crew-task primitive distributions derived for input to future robotic substitution studies. Generic EVA tasks are developed from historical EVA mission timelines, and a set of 70 task primitives defined. The generic task activities are partitioned into task setup, kernel, and tear-down, with standardized task times and frequencies. These standardized times are coupled with inputs from numerous mission databases in a probablistic simulation to obtain estimates of total crew-EVA task time demand by crew task primitive. The use of probablistic model is found to be crucial for understanding, isolating, and addressing the large uncertainties in the EVA task kernels. >
Do Infants Really Expect Agents to Act Efficiently? A Critical Test of the Rationality Principle

Recent experiments have suggested that infants' expectations about the actions of agents are guided by a principle of rationality: In particular, infants expect agents to pursue their goals efficiently, expending as little effort as possible. However, these experiments have all presented infants with infrequent or odd actions, which leaves the results open to alternative interpretations and makes it difficult to determine whether infants possess a general expectation of efficiency. We devised a critical test of the rationality principle that did not involve infrequent or odd actions. In two experiments, 16-month-olds watched events in which an agent faced two identical goal objects; although both objects could be reached by typical, everyday actions, one object was physically (Experiment 1) or mentally (Experiment 2) more accessible than the other. In both experiments, infants expected the agent to select the more-accessible object. These results provide new evidence that infants possess a general and robust expectation of efficiency.
Antibiotic use in dermatologic surgery

Few situations in dermatologic surgery require prophylactic antibiotics. The AHA has decreased the dose for endocarditis prophylaxis from antibiotics before and after the procedure to only 1 hour prior to the procedure. In the 1997 guidelines, fewer procedures are listed as requiring antibiotics compared with prior guidelines. In fact, several authors have questioned the efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics. The sequela of endocarditis or an infected prosthetic joint are certainly serious and possibly life-threatening conditions, yet this should not be a justification for using a therapy that is not proven and has potential serious side effects of its own. The authors suggest not using antibiotics on clean or clean-contaminated wounds regardless of cardiac history. Patients with prosthetic joint replacements probably do not need prophylactic antibiotics in cutaneous surgery unless mucosa is invaded; in such cases the guidelines set by the ADA and the AAOS should be followed. The authors believe that antibiotics should be reserved for contaminated or infected wounds when their application is therapeutic. Table 2 contains a summary of the authors' recommendations for the use of antibiotics in cutaneous surgery. Each patient should be evaluated on an individual basis, and consultation with the patient's primary physician, cardiologist, or orthopedist should be sought when the need arises.
Wash load and bed-material load transport in the Yellow River

It has been the conventional assumption that wash load is supply limited and is only indirectly related to the hydraulics of a river. Hydraulic engineers also assumed that bed-material load concentration is independent of wash load concentration. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the Yellow River sediment transport data to determine whether the above assumptions are true and whether wash load concentration can be computed from the original unit stream power formula and the modified unit stream power formula for sediment-laden flows. A systematic and thorough analysis of 1,160 sets of data collected from 9 gauging stations along the Middle and Lower Yellow River confirmed that the method suggested by the conjunctive use of the two formulas can be used to compute wash load, bed-material load, and total load in the Yellow River with accuracy.
Activator‐Free Olefin Oligomerization and Isomerization Reactions Catalyzed by an Air‐ and Water‐Tolerant Wacker Oxidation Intermediate

A bench-stable, hydroxy-bridged α-diimine-Pd dimer can self-activate to an olefin oligomerization and isomerization catalyst in the presence of substrate (see scheme). A cationic Pd-hydride is generated principally through a Wacker oxidation of olefin to ketone, and with C_(4+) olefins, lesser amounts of allylic C-H activation, β-H transfer, and release of diene products are observed.
Generalized crossover description of the thermodynamic and transport properties in pure fluids

Abstract We have developed a generalized cubic (GC) EOS for pure fluids, which incorporates non-analytic scaling laws in the critical region and in the limit ρ →0 is transformed into the ideal gas equation EOS. The GC EOS contains 10 adjustable parameters and reproduces the thermodynamic properties of pure fluids with high accuracy, including the asymptotic scaling behavior of the isochoric heat capacity in the one- and two-phase regions. Unlike the crossover cubic EOS developed earlier [Fluid Phase. Equilibr. 147 (1998) 7], the GC EOS is based on the crossover sine model and can be extended into the metastable region for representing analytically connected van der Waals loops. In addition, using the GC EOS and the decoupled-mode theory (DMT) we have developed a generalized GC + DMT model, which reproduces the singular behavior of the thermal conductivity of pure fluids in and beyond the critical region. Unlike the DMT model based on the asymptotic crossover equation of state CREOS-97, the GC + DMT model is valid in the entire fluid state region at T ≥ T b (where T b is the binodal temperature), and at ρ →0 reproduces the dilute gas contributions for the transport coefficients.
The effect of population growth on wealth and saving in the Modigliani-Brumberg life cycle model

Abstract The effect of a change in the rate of population growth on the aggregate savings-income ratio and on the aggregate wealth-income ratio is evaluated in a life cycle model of capital accumulation and growth. It is shown that the former will increase and the latter will decrease when the rate of population growth increases.
Numerical treatment of singular integral equations

Abstract We present a method for numerically solving a certain class of integral equations. We demonstrate that the technique is directly applicable to equations which have kernels with a particular type of singularity. We also show that this scheme allows one to find the unknown function directly, at any desired value of the argument, without resorting to interpolation. To illustrate the method, we apply it to an integral equation which arises in the theory of intrinsic viscosity of macromolecules. This equation has been dealt with elsewhere, and we compare our results to those already published.
Early tissue responses in psoriasis to the antitumour necrosis factor-α biologic etanercept suggest reduced interleukin-17 receptor expression and signalling.

Summary Background Antitumour necrosis factor (anti-TNF)-α therapy has made a significant impact on the treatment of psoriasis. Despite these agents being designed to neutralize TNF-α activity, their mechanism of action in the resolution of psoriasis remains unclear. Objectives To understand better the mechanism of action of etanercept by examining very early changes in the lesional skin of patients with psoriasis responding to etanercept. Methods Twenty patients with chronic plaque psoriasis were enrolled and received etanercept 50 mg twice weekly. Skin biopsies were obtained before treatment and on days 1, 3, 7 and 14 post-treatment. Skin mRNA expression was analysed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and microarray; cytokine and phosphoprotein levels were assessed using multiplexed bead arrays. Results In etanercept responders, we observed no significant changes in interleukin (IL)-17A, IL-22 or interferon-γ mRNA or protein in the first week of treatment; however, there was a 2·5-fold downregulation of IL-17 receptor C (IL-17RC) mRNA (P < 0·05) after day 1, accompanied by decreased extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 phosphorylation. Transcriptional analysis revealed that genes suppressed by etanercept significantly overlapped with IL-17A-induced genes, and a marked overlap was also observed between the genes suppressed by etanercept and by the anti-IL-17A agent ixekizumab. Finally we show that TNF-α enhances the expression of IL-17RC, and short hairpin RNA inhibition of IL-17R expression abrogates synergistic gene induction by TNF and IL-17A. Conclusions These results suggest that the early responses of psoriasis plaques to etanercept may be due to decreased tissue responsiveness to IL-17A due to suppressed IL-17RC expression in keratinocytes, blunting the strong synergy between TNF-α and IL-17, which contributes to the maintenance of psoriasis lesions.
The evolution of Britain's policy towards a European army 1950–54

(1989). The evolution of Britain's policy towards a European army 1950–54. Journal of Strategic Studies: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 38-62.
Development of intelligent distribution automation system

Intelligent distribution automation system(IDAS) was designed to control and monitor the facilities from substation to customer and distributed resources. These facilities have the sensors inside main switchgear equipment that contains ECT, EVT, partial discharge sensor, temperature sensor, water detection sensor, displacement sensor, gas density sensor and so on. It been developed and installed in the testing center of Korea Electric Power Corporation. This paper describes the draft of Power IT project of Korea that have been researching as the first step of Smart-Grid project.
Predictive Validity of Graduate Record Examination Scores for Outcomes of American Indian/Alaska Native Students

Summary.-This study was intended to investigate the predictive validity of the Graduate Record Examination for American IndiardAlaska Native students. A sample of 28 students at a large public university was tracked longitudinally; analysis indicated that GRE scores were significantly correlated (for GRE-Total r2,=.40 and For GRE-Quantitative .47) with students' degree completion status bur not with their grade performance. These results indicate that, in some instances, GRE scores may be significant of the outcomes of American IndiadAlaska Native students. Recent research has indicated that American Indian students tend to show lower rates of enrollment in graduate education than do other minority groups (National Center for Education Statistics, 1996). It has been suggested that the lower achievement of these students on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an important factor in the lower numbers of graduates enrolled (Kidwell. 1994). There is evidence that factors such as cultural differences, lanrmaee . background, and learning styles appear to be related to the test performance of these students (Bordeaux, 1995). Previous research has assessed the validty of admissions test scores for predicting the performance of American Indian undergraduate students (Benjamin, Chambers, & Reiterman, 1993); however, there is a need to investigate the predictive validity of the GRE for American Indian graduate students. Students included in ths analysis were 28 American IndianIAlaska Native students (12 men and 16 women) who began gaduate scudy at a large public university; 26 students (92.9%) were enrolled in master's programs and 2 (7.1%) were enrolled in doctoral programs. Further, students enrolled in academic programs were 13 (46.4%) in Education, 11 (39.3%) in Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2 (7.1%) in Health and Human Sciences, 1 (3.6%) in Visual and Performing Arts, and 1 (3.6%) in Engineering. Data collected for each student included their GRE-Verbal, GRE-Quantitative, and GRE-Total (Verbal + Quantitative) scores. In addition, students were tracked longitudinally for up to eight years. Two measures of academic achievement were examined, cumulative graduate grade point average and whether students completed a !graduate degree. Validity coefficients were Pearson product-moment estimates computed for the association of each GRE score with both criterion measures. Preliminary analyses for the sample indicated mean test scores of 494.6 (SD=92.8) for GRE-Verbal, 521.4 (SD= 135.5) for GRE-Quantitative, and 1016.0 (SD=205.5) for GRE-Total. Considering graduate grade point average as the outcome measure, the correlations found for
Weight gain is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer recurrence after prostatectomy in the PSA era

Although obesity at the time of prostatectomy has been associated with prostate cancer recurrence, it is unknown whether obesity before or after surgery, or weight change from the years prior to surgery to after surgery is associated with recurrence. Thus, we examined the influence of obesity and weight change on recurrence after prostatectomy. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 1,337 men with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent prostatectomy performed during 1993-2006 by the same surgeon. Men self-reported weight and physical activity at 5 years before and 1 year after surgery on a survey during follow-up. Mean follow-up was 7.3 years. We estimated multivariable-adjusted HRs of prostate cancer recurrence comparing obesity at 5 years before and at 1 year after surgery with normal weight, and a gain of more than 2.2 kg from 5 years before to 1 year after surgery with stable weight. During 9,797 person years of follow-up, 102 men recurred. Compared with men who had stable weight, those whose weight increased by more than 2.2 kg had twice the recurrence risk (HR = 1.94; 95% CI, 1.14-3.32) after taking into account age, pathologic stage and grade, and other characteristics. The HR of recurrence was 1.20 (95% CI, 0.64-2.23) and 1.72 (95% CI, 0.94-3.14) comparing obesity at 5 years before and at 1 year after surgery, respectively, with normal weight. Physical activity (≥ 5 h/wk) did not attenuate risk in men who gained more than 2.2 kg. By avoiding weight gain, men with prostate cancer may both prevent recurrence and improve overall well-being.
Regional blood flows in the goat latissimus dorsi muscle before and after chronic stimulation

Latissimus dorsi muscle (LDM) regional blood flows were determined in anesthetized goats by using colored microspheres under noncontracting and contracting conditions, either before or after 8-10 wk of chronic muscle stimulation. Surgical dissection of the LDM, leaving only the thoracodorsal artery to supply the muscle, did not alter regional noncontracting blood flows but significantly reduced the normal hyperemic response to muscle contraction in muscle regions (posterior-medial) furthest from the entrance of the thoracodorsal artery. Eight to 10 wk after acute muscle dissection, posterior-medial hyperemic flows were restored. Chronic stimulation of the LDM for 8-10 wk, in either dissected or nondissected muscles, did not alter regional blood flows in noncontracting muscle; however, it significantly reduced hyperemic flows in all muscle regions, although capillary density was increased and the muscle was transformed into a predominantly type I fiber type. These results, coupled with data from previous experiments, suggest that the muscle damage observed in the posterior-medial regions of the LDM after surgical dissection and chronic stimulation may be related to reduced hyperemic flow responses caused by surgical isolation of the muscle.
Erratum to: “Pancreatic cancer and SBRT: A new potential option?” [Rep. Pract. Oncol. Radiother. 20 (2015) 377–384]

Local control remains a major issue for patients with unresectable, locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). The role of radiation therapy in the management of LAPC represents an area of some controversy. Stereotactic body radiotherapy is an emerging treatment option for LAPC as it can provide a therapeutic benefit with significant advantages for patients’ quality of life over standard conventional chemoradiation. The objective of this review is to present the rationale for stereotactic body radiotherapy in LAPC, as well as to discuss the potential limitations and caveats of the currently available studies.
Systematically Addressing Discipline Disproportionality Through the Application of a School-Wide Framework

The disproportionate representation of culturally and linguistically diverse students in exclusionary discipline practices is a well-documented practice in education. This paper synthesizes current literature that points to a cultural incongruence between students and teachers as an underlying mechanism for disparity in school practices involving the application of disciplinary strategies. Culturally responsive School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (SW-PBIS) is explored as a potential approach for reducing the discrepancy in application of disciplinary policies and practices. Prominent suggestions from literature in culturally responsive pedagogy and behavior management are described through the systems framework of SW-PBIS.
Bombshells with Black Faces: Examining the Intersection between Terrorism, State Failure, and Sexual Gender Based Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

At the time of this writing there exist a handful of studies that examine the relationship between fragile states and the emergence of political violence; few that restrict their research to the study of Africa, and even fewer that assess the impact this relationship has on women. In conflict ridden societies where the state has collapsed and there are fledgling political infrastructures, there has been a gross negligence in the protection of women and girls. In failed states, women are at a high risk of becoming the victims of rape and other gender based violence; and while studies have examined this phenomenon and the psychological impact this type of violence has on women, there are few existing studies that evaluate the socio-political impact on women; mainly how exposure to gender based violence influences women’s attitudes towards the key political issues of terrorism and political violence. I raise this issue because in conflict ridden societies where sexual dominance and female inferiority have become institutionalized as a societal norm, there is a propensity for these women, after having been sexually victimized, to cling to their feelings of revenge, which has later been cited as the overwhelming reason why women seek to join and support terrorist organizations. The female suicide terrorism literature supports this assertion, pointing to the victimization and powerlessness of women as the major impetus that motivates females to engage in acts of terrorism. Consequently, using sub-Saharan Africa as the unit of analysis, where terrorism and political violence are on the rise, and conflict, rape and gender based violence are prevalent, I evaluate the attitudes of women, who have been victimized, and their support for political violence. The findings suggest that the international community could soon encounter the emergence of terrorist threats from sub-Saharan Africa with female faces.
Laser Chemical Etching of Conducting and Semiconducting Materials

The purpose of the paper is to examine the basic processes involved in the laser-enhanced chemical etching of solids. Specifically, the process of chemisorption, the reaction between the adsorbate and substrate atoms and the vaporization of product species affected by the laser radiation are discussed. It is shown that the laser method can provide important insight into the gas-surface reaction mechanisms. In addition, a number of examples are given to demonstrate the potential of the technique for applications to material processing. Some current studies on the laser-induced chemical etching of materials relevant to microelectronics are reviewed. Certain practical experimental approaches are also considered.
Analogous saturation mechanisms of the ion and electron temperature gradient drift wave turbulence.

New experimental results and theoretical arguments indicate that a novel saturation mechanism of the electron temperature gradient modes is related to its coupling to a damped ion acoustic mode. The experimental bicoherence data show multimode coupling between two high frequency radial harmonics of electron temperature gradient in the vicinity of ($\ensuremath{\sim}2\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{MHz}$) and one low frequency ion acoustic ($\ensuremath{\sim}45\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{kHz}$) mode. A unique feedback diagnostic also verifies this coupling. It is pointed out that a near identical mechanism is responsible for ITG mode saturation [V. Sokolov, and A. K. Sen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 165002 (2004)], indicating its plausible generic nature.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Ottocento Opera

In the early 1960s a PhD candidate at Princeton University informed his professors that he wished to write a dissertation on the operas of Gioachino Rossini. He was pointedly discouraged from doing so and told that, if he wished to be taken seriously in musicology, he should focus on worthwhile repertory such as Renaissance music or works by nineteenth-century German composers. The student persisted in his purpose and, with his groundbreaking dissertation, set the study of ottocento opera on a solid trajectory. That student was Philip Gossett. Recently, at a gala event celebrating Philip's ‘retirement’, many of us who have focused our scholarship on this repertory were reminded about the evolution of the study of nineteenth-century Italian opera during the past 50 years.
Influence of contact lens wear on the corneal topography of keratoconus

Purpose : Corneal videokeratography is frequently used to evaluate keratoconus patients, as it is believed to allow for a more thorough appreciation of the complex curvature changes associated with the anterior corneal surface. The goal of this study was to determine the qualitative and quantitative influence of soft and rigid contact lens wear on the corneal topography of keratoconus. Methods : 205 keratoconus patients were analyzed by computerized videokeratography for both qualitative corneal topographic patterns and quantitative indices. Fifty-six patients were non-contact lens wearers, 130 wore polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or rigid gas permeable (RGP) contact lenses, and 19 wore soft contact lenses. Data from the keratoconus patients were also compared to a control group comprised of normal patients with no history of contact lens wear. Results : All three keratoconus groups had a significantly increased frequency of an asymmetric bowtie/skewed radial axes (AB/SRAX) pattern compared with normals. Differences among the videokeratography patterns for the keratoconus patients included a significant shift from the AB/SRAX videokeratographic pattern to the irregular videokeratographic pattern in the rigid (PMMA or RGP) lens subgroup as well as an increased frequency of the irregular pattern in the soft contact lens group versus the no contact lens group (P<0.0001). Additional differences between the rigid contact lens and no contact lens keratoconus groups included increased values for the quantitative indices of SAI, SRI, SIM-K, and central K in the rigid contact lens group (P<0.05). Conclusions : The increased frequency of qualitative and quantitative corneal irregularity in the rigid contact lens keratoconus group may reflect a mechanical effect of contact lens wear or an advanced disease state in these patients limiting them to rigid lens wear. The advanced disease is evidenced by steeper SIM-K and Central K indices in the rigid contact lens group.
Nuclear Spin Dephasing in the Frozen Core

Publisher Summary Optical Raman heterodyne detection (RHD) of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) in low-temperature solids has been demonstrated to be a sensitive and powerful spectroscopic technique. For superhyperfine (shf) spectra, the radio frequency and optical photons are absorbed by different atoms—Al and Cr, respectively. The Raman transitions are activated by the exchange and dipole coupling between Al and Cr ions. This chapter describes an experiment in which nuclear spin dephasing was observed in the frozen core. In this experiment, RHD from its original application was extended to hyperfine (hf) spectra of rare earth ions to shf spectra of Al in ruby. A very dilute sample of ruby was used to minimize effects of Cr–Cr spin flipping on the Al dephasing time. According to this experiment, nuclei close to a paramagnetic ion does not undergo spin flips with those in the bulk because of detuning. Thus, the dephasing time of Al ions in the frozen core is expected to be much longer than that in the bulk.
The Low-Energy Neutral Imager (LENI).

To achieve breakthroughs in the areas of heliospheric and magnetospheric energetic neutral atom (ENA) imaging, a new class of instruments is required. We present a high angular resolution ENA imager concept aimed at the suprathermal plasma populations with energies between 0.5 and 20 keV. This instrument is intended for understanding the spatial and temporal structure of the heliospheric boundary recently revealed by Interstellar Boundary Explorer instrumentation and the Cassini Ion and Neutral Camera. The instrument is also well suited to characterize magnetospheric ENA emissions from low-altitude ENA emissions produced by precipitation of magnetospheric ions into the terrestrial upper atmosphere, or from the magnetosheath where solar wind protons are neutralized by charge exchange, or from portions of the ring current region. We present a new technique utilizing ultrathin carbon foils, 2-D collimation, and a novel electron optical design to produce high angular resolution (≤2°) and high-sensitivity (≥10-3 cm2 sr/pixel) ENA imaging in the 0.5-20 keV energy range.
Reduction of Listeria monocytogenes in precooked vacuum-packaged beef using postpackaging pasteurization

Precooked beef loin chunks were inoculated separately with three strains of Listeria monocytogenes (Scott A, 101M, and 103M). Uninoculated chunks served as controls. All chunks were vacuum packaged after inoculation. Half were not pasteurized and half were pasteurized in 85°C water for 16 min. All samples were stored at 4°C for up to 85 d and examined periodically. Pasteurization reduced all microflora and significantly reduced populations of three strains of L. monocytogenes on the surface and in the broth of the precooked beef chunks for 85 d of refrigerated storage as determined by direct plating procedures. All three strains of L. monocytogenes were recovered from the inoculated pasteurized beef using enrichment. Uninoculated chunks were positive for Listeria spp. which were primarily Listeria welshimeri . Without pasteurization, microflora increased 5- to 6-fold within 14 d of storage. Populations of Scott A and 101M strains of L. monocytogenes increased significantly within 7 d. After 14 d, populations of all three strains did not differ from initial levels and remained unchanged for the remainder of the storage period.
Evolutionary musique concrète

This paper describes a genetic algorithm that operates directly on time-domain waveforms to produce musique concrete compositions. The form of these compositions is derived from the evolutionary process itself. The aesthetic motivation is discussed and the results of the algorithm are described.
Depth-dependent concentrations of hematopoietic stem cells in the adult skeleton: Implications for active marrow dosimetry.

PURPOSE The hematopoietically active (or red) bone marrow is the target tissue assigned in skeletal dosimetry models for assessment of stochastic effects (leukemia induction) as well as tissue reactions (marrow toxicity). Active marrow, however, is in reality a surrogate tissue region for specific cell populations, namely the hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. Present models of active marrow dosimetry implicitly assume that these cells are uniformly localized throughout the marrow spaces of trabecular spongiosa. Data from Watchman et al. and Bourke et al., however, clearly indicate that there is a substantial spatial concentration gradient of these cells with the highest concentrations localized near the bone trabeculae surfaces. The purpose of the present study was thus to explore the dosimetric implications of these spatial gradients on active marrow dosimetry. METHODS Images of several bone sites from a 45-yr female were retagged to group active marrow voxels into 50 μm increments of marrow depth, after which electron and alpha-particle depth-dependent specific absorbed fractions were computed for four source tissues - active marrow, inactive marrow, bone trabeculae volumes, and bone trabeculae surfaces. Corresponding depth-dependent S values (dose to a target tissue per decay in a source tissue) were computed and further weighted by the relative target cell concentration. These depth-weighted radionuclide S values were systematically compared to the more traditional volume-averaged radionuclide S values of the MIRD schema for both individual bones of the skeleton and their skeletal-averaged quantities. RESULTS For both beta-emitters and alpha-emitters localized in the active and inactive marrow, depth-weighted S values were shown to differ from volume-averaged S values by only a few percent, as dose gradients across the marrow tissues are nonexistent. For bone volume and bone surface sources of alpha-emitters and lower energy beta-emitters, when marrow dose gradients are expected, explicit consideration of target cell spatial concentration gradients are shown to significantly impact marrow dosimetry. CONCLUSIONS For medical isotopes currently utilized for treatment of skeletal metastases, namely 153 Sm and 223 Ra, accounting for hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell concentration gradients resulted in maximum percent differences to reference skeletal-averaged S values of ~21% and 55%, respectively.
Pre Transplant Values of C Reactive Protein (CRP) and Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) as Predictors of Transplant Outcomes in Patients with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia or Myelodysplastic Syndromes (AML/MDS) Undergoing Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation (AlloSCT).

BACKGROUND: Developing prognostic factors for allo SCT is important in deciding transplant approaches for older patients with AML/MDS. BNP levels and CRP levels have been shown to predict outcomes in patients with amyloidosis or cardiovascular diseases. We hypothesized that in patients with AML/MDS pretransplant levels of BNP and CRP would be associated with transplant outcomes. PATIENT & METHODS: All patients with AML/MDS undergoing allogeneic SCT from January 1 2006 until December 31 2006 had pre SCT levels of BNP and CRP drawn and included for analysis. Pretransplants levels of BNP and CRP were analyzed in quartiles and correlated with NCI toxicities, 1 year non relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Patient characteristics are summarized in table 1 and outcomes according to remission status are summarized in table 2. In brief, a total of 106 patients were identified, median age was 50 years, median time to allo SCT was 9 months, 50% of patients were in CR at the time of SCT. Patients IN CR were younger, had lower comorbidity scores, lower median pre SCT CRP and BNP levels and had a higher likelihood of receiving an ablative regimen than patients NOT IN CR. In patients IN CR low levels of CRP prior to SCT predicted for better 1 yr survival and lower NRM. In patients NOT IN CR, higher CRP and BNP levels were associated with a trend towards an increased risk of toxicity. Higher CRP levels were also associated with a trend towards worse OS and NRM rates. CONCLUSIONS: Pre SCT CRP and BNP levels are associated with allogeneic transplant outcomes in patients with AML/MDS and further study with larger patient numbers is warranted. The relationship of CRP levels and NRM suggests a potential role for IL6 in transplant associated toxicities.