cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two coplanar Griffith cracks in an infinitely long elastic strip

Abstract We consider the problem of determining the distribution of stress in an infinitely long elastic strip containing two coplanar Griffith cracks. Throughout, it is assumed that the equations of the classical theory of elasticity hold. Two types of boundary value problems are considered, Firstly, we assume that the cracks are opened by a constant internal pressure p and the edges of the strip are rigidly fixed, while secondly it is assumed that the edges of the strip are free from stress. By the use of Fourier transforms we reduce the problem to solving a set of triple integral equations with cosine kernel and a weight function. These equations are solved using Finite Hilbert transform techniques. Analytical expressions up to the order of δ −6 where δ denotes the thickness of the strip and is much greater than l are derived for the stress intensity factors, shape of the deformed crack, and the crack energy.
Modeling business representational activity online: a case study of a customer-centered business

What kinds of content—information and interactive mechanisms—should businesses put online? Existing online businesses are driven largely by metaphors of the web as ‘online catalog brochure’. Clearly, such a limited approach under-utilizes the interactive capabilities of online technologies. In this paper, we argue that successful businesses have likely evolved non-obvious ‘offline’ practices that can be translated to online practices. We show how such practices can be uncovered by observing representational activity in a business. Specifically, we introduce a distributed-cognition based method for analyzing representational activity in terms of the movement of information across media, which enables us to systematically explore the space of potential interactive mechanisms. We demonstrate our method on a successful small business that would not at first appear to benefit from online content beyond that provided by the catalog metaphor. The analysis revealed several novel interactive mechanisms, including a product expert that personalizes a combination of products based on customer-specified problems, and a mechanism that automatically calculates product consumption rates, sending customers e-mail reminders to repurchase products near the end of their life span.
Identification, characterization and genetic mapping of TLR1 loci in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss).

Induction of innate immune pathways is critical for early anti-microbial defense but there is limited understanding of how teleosts recognize microbial molecules and activate these pathways. In mammals, Toll-like receptors (TLR) 1 and 2 form a heterodimer involved in recognizing peptidoglycans and lipoproteins of microbial origin. Herein, we identify and describe the rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) TLR1 gene ortholog and its mRNA expression. Two TLR1 loci were identified from a rainbow trout bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library using DNA sequencing and genetic linkage analyses. Full length cDNA clone and direct sequencing of four BACs revealed an intact omTLR1 open reading frame (ORF) located on chromosome 14 and a second locus on chromosome 25 that contains a TLR1 pseudogene. The duplicated trout loci exhibit conserved synteny with other fish genomes that extends beyond the TLR1 gene sequences. The omTLR1 gene includes a single large coding exon similar to all other described TLR1 genes, but unlike other teleosts it also has a 5′ UTR exon and intron preceding the large coding exon. The omTLR1 ORF is predicted to encode an 808 amino-acid protein with 69% similarity to the Fugu TLR1 and a conserved pattern of predicted leucine-rich repeats (LRR). Phylogenetic analysis grouped omTLR1 with other fish TLR1 genes on a separate branch from the avian TLR1 and mammalian TLR1, 6 and 10. omTLR1 expression levels in rainbow trout anterior kidney leukocytes were not affected by the human TLR2/6 and TLR2/1 agonists diacylated lipoprotein (Pam2CSK4) and triacylated lipoprotein (Pam3CSK4). However, due to the lack of TLR6 and 10 genes in teleost genomes and up-regulation of TLR1 mRNA in response to LPS and bacterial infection in other fish species we hypothesize an important role for omTLR1 in anti-microbial immunity. Therefore, the identification of a TLR2 ortholog in rainbow trout and the development of assays to measure ligand binding and downstream signaling are critical for future elucidation of omTLR1 functions.
The concept of masquerading bundle-branch block; an electrocardiographic-pathologic correlation.

This is a clinicopathologic study of 2 patients who electrocardiographically presented so called "masquerading" bundle-branch block. The conduction systems and the entire hearts of these patients were studied pathologically by methods especially devised by Lev for electrocardiographic correlation. This report is part of a long-term project attempting to ascertain the anatomic substrate of electrocardiographic abnormalities.
The effect of economic constraints on the health care system in New Zealand

Abstract The New Zealand government, in addition to budget restrictions, has introduced population-based hospital funding to contain hospital costs. Moreover, a health services reorganization to increase area-wide integration and coordination of services on a voluntary basis has been advocated. Diffusion and use of expensive medical technologies have been delayed or thwarted. Private hospitals have increased and provide an outlet for those who are able to escape prolonged waiting for treatment and the deteriorating accomodations in public hospitals.
ATF4-dependent Regulation of the JMJD3 Gene during Amino Acid Deprivation Can Be Rescued in Atf4-deficient Cells by Inhibition of Deacetylation

Following amino acid deprivation, the amino acid response (AAR) induces transcription from specific genes through a collection of signaling mechanisms, including the GCN2-eIF2-ATF4 pathway. The present report documents that the histone demethylase JMJD3 is an activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4)-dependent target gene. The JMJD3 gene contains two AAR-induced promoter activities and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) analysis showed that the AAR leads to enhanced ATF4 recruitment to the C/EBP-ATF response element (CARE) upstream of Promoter-1. AAR-induced histone modifications across the JMJD3 gene locus occur upon ATF4 binding. Jmjd3 transcription is not induced in Atf4-knock-out cells, but the AAR-dependent activation was rescued by inhibition of histone deacetylation with trichostatin A (TSA). The TSA rescue of AAR activation in the absence of Atf4 also occurred for the Atf3 and C/EBP homology protein (Chop) genes, but not for the asparagine synthetase gene. ChIP analysis of the Jmjd3, Atf3, and Chop genes in Atf4 knock-out cells documented that activation of the AAR in the presence of TSA led to specific changes in acetylation of histone H4. The results suggest that a primary function of ATF4 is to recruit histone acetyltransferase activity to a sub-set of AAR target genes. Thus, absolute binding of ATF4 to these particular genes is not required and no ATF4 interaction with the general transcription machinery is necessary. The data are consistent with the hypothesis that ATF4 functions as a pioneer factor to alter chromatin structure and thus, enhance transcription in a gene-specific manner.
Managing the Negotiation Agenda

The agenda is one of the main structural elements of negotiation, in addition to such questions as site, identification of participants, and elements of timing. Together, they answer the who, what, when, and where questions. As with other aspects of negotiation, the agenda can be used either manipulatively to enhance leverage or to improve the prospects for agreement and the possibilities for mutual gain. In most cases, it will be used both ways, reflecting the nature of negotiation as a “mixed-motive” situation. Although it can be instrumental to volunteer as a sole source to write the agenda, in most cases it becomes a joint activity to construct a consensual basis for subsequent negotiation. In these situations, agenda-building becomes one of the pre-negotiation activities that set the tone for the relationship (Saunders, 1985). In other situations, the parties may engage in actual negotiation without a formal or written agenda. When this occurs, the risks and uncertainties may be high but the party who appreciates the importance of the informal agenda has a tremendous advantage. Whether one plans it or not, during the course of negotiation the parties will discuss a finite set of issues in some sequence and from a particular perceptual framework. Consciousness of the universality and centrality of the agenda is prerequisite to guiding negotiation to a successful conclusion.
Changes in neuronal number, density and size account for increases in volume of song-control nuclei during song development in zebra finches

The caudal nucleus of the ventral hyperstriatum (HVc) and the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) are two anatomically discrete brain regions that are known to be involved with song production in adult passerine birds. Both the HVc and RA increase greatly in volume during a restricted period of song development in male zebra finches, while brain regions not involved with song control show little or no increase in size. We report here that the increased volume of the HVc is attributable to an increase in the number of neurons during this period of song learning, whereas the growth of the RA is due to an increase in the somal size of neurons and a decrease in neuronal density. The pattern of results described is consistent with the idea that the HVc matures prior to the RA, and that the development of the RA may depend on the ingrowth of axons from the HVc and other song-control regions.
Locus of spatial attention determines inward–outward anisotropy in crowding

It has long been known that an outward mask is much more disruptive than an inward mask in crowding (H. Bouma, 1973). We show that the locus of attention strongly affects this inward-outward anisotropy, removing it in some conditions and reversing it in others. In a 2AFC paradigm, subjects identified whether a high-contrast Gabor target of a given orientation was presented left or right of fixation. When a fixed eccentricity (8°) was used, the outward plaid mask produced much stronger crowding than the inward mask. When 7°, 8°, and 9° eccentricities were interleaved within the same run, diffusing attention, the inward and outward masks produced the same amount of crowding for all three eccentricities. When target identification was contingent on a foveal cue, biasing attention inward, the inward mask produced stronger crowding. Finally, a new contrast-detection paradigm was used to demonstrate that attention is generally mislocalized outward of the target, which may explain the commonly observed anisotropy in crowding. Our results suggest that spatial attention is intimately involved in the mechanism of crowding.
GATA-3 links tumor differentiation and dissemination in a luminal breast cancer model

How breast cancers are able to disseminate and metastasize is poorly understood. Using a hyperplasia transplant system, we show that tumor dissemination and metastasis occur in discrete steps during tumor progression. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that loss of the transcription factor GATA-3 marked progression from adenoma to early carcinoma and onset of tumor dissemination. Restoration of GATA-3 in late carcinomas induced tumor differentiation and suppressed tumor dissemination. Targeted deletion of GATA-3 in early tumors led to apoptosis of differentiated cells, indicating that its loss is not sufficient for malignant conversion. Rather, malignant progression occurred with an expanding GATA-3-negative tumor cell population. These data indicate that GATA-3 regulates tumor differentiation and suppresses tumor dissemination in breast cancer.
Direct and indirect effects of environmental variability on growth and survivorship of pre-reproductive Joshua trees, Yucca brevifolia Engelm. (Agavaceae).

UNLABELLED • PREMISE OF STUDY Accurate demographic information about long-lived plant species is important for understanding responses to large-scale disturbances, including climate change. It is challenging to obtain these data from desert perennial plants because seedling establishment is exceptionally rare, and estimates of survival are lacking for their vulnerable early stages. Desert wildfires, urbanization, and climate change influence the persistence of the long-lived Yucca brevifolia. Quantitative demographic attributes are crucial for understanding how populations will respond to disturbances and where populations will recede or advance under future climate scenarios.• METHODS We measured survival in a cohort of 53 pre-reproductive Y. brevifolia at Yucca Flat, Nevada, USA, for 22 yr and recorded their growth, nurse-plant relationships, and herbivory.• KEY RESULTS Herbivory by black-tailed jackrabbits (Lepus californicus) caused severe losses of plants during the first and second years (45% and 31%, respectively). Surviving plants experienced <2.5% annual mortality. Survival for the population was 19% over 22 yr. Plants <25 cm in height had lower life expectancy. Average growth rate (± SD) for plants that survived to the last census was 3.12 ± 1.96 cm yr(-1), and growth rates were positively associated with precipitation. Thirty-year-old Y. brevifolia had not yet reproduced.• CONCLUSIONS A rare establishment event for Y. brevifolia during 1983-1984, triggered by above-average summer rainfall, provided a unique opportunity to track early survival and growth. Infrequent but acute episodes of herbivory during drought influenced demography for decades. Variability in survival among young Y. brevifolia indicates that size-dependent demographic variables will improve forecasts for this long-lived desert species under predicted regional climate change.
Retrograde Ureteroscopy in Patients With Orthotopic Ileal Neobladder Urinary Diversion

ABSTRACTPurpose: We assess the feasibility, technique, complications and clinical outcomes of retrograde ureteroscopy in patients with orthotopic ileal neobladder.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed our ureteroscopy experience to identify procedures performed in patients who had previously undergone cystectomy with orthotopic ileal neobladder urinary diversion. These procedures were reviewed and data collected regarding patient characteristics, indication for endoscopic evaluation, surgical technique, findings, complications and followup.Results: Eight patients with neobladder diversion were taken for 9 sessions in the cystoscopy suite for attempted retrograde ureteroscopy on 13 renal units. The indication for ureteroscopy was an upper tract filling defect, positive cytology or calculi. The ureter and renal pelvis were successfully accessed and visualized in 10 of 13 renal units. The cause of failure in the 3 unsuccessful procedures was inability to access the ureteral orifice. Mean operati...
The Impact of Background Television on Parent–Child Interaction

This study investigated the hypothesis that background television affects interactions between parents and very young children. Fifty-one 12-, 24-, and 36-month-old children, each accompanied by 1 parent, were observed for 1 hr of free play in a laboratory space resembling a family room. For half of the hour, an adult-directed television program played in the background on a monaural television set. During the other half hour, the television was not on. Both the quantity and quality of parent-child interaction decreased in the presence of background television. These findings suggest one way in which early, chronic exposure to television may have a negative impact on development.
Development of quantitative diagnostic observables for age-related macular degeneration using Spectral Domain OCT

We report on the development of quantitative, reproducible diagnostic observables for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) based on high speed spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SDOCT). 3D SDOCT volumetric data sets (512 x 1000 x 100 voxels) were collected (5.7 seconds acquisition time) in over 50 patients with age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy using a state-of-the-art SDOCT scanner. Commercial and custom software utilities were used for manual and semi-automated segmentation of photoreceptor layer thickness, total drusen volume, and geographic atrophy cross-sectional area. In a preliminary test of reproducibility in segmentation of total drusen volume and geographic atrophy surface area, inter-observer error was less than 5%. Extracted volume and surface area of AMD-related drusen and geographic atrophy, respectively, may serve as useful observables for tracking disease state that were not accessible without the rapid 3D volumetric imaging capability unique to retinal SDOCT.
Corrigendum to “Insights into genes involved in electricity generation in Geobacter sulfurreducens via whole genome microarray analysis of the OmcF-deficient mutant” [Bioelectrochemistry 73(1) (2008) 70–75]

The authors regret that some errors occurred in Tables 1 and 2 of their paper. In Table 1. The sequence of 3410QR (CAGCATCTCGCACTCTTTGG) is incorrect. The correct is GTCGGCAACGCCTTTGG. In Table 2. The sequence of 3410F (ATGAAAACCACAGCCATCGC) is incorrect. The correct sequence is ATGAAAGCGAACGTTGCAGC. The sequence for 3410R (GTGAGTCGTGGCTCCTTCTT) is incorrect. The correct sequence is GTTCTTCGCCTCCGCCTTG. The length of amplicon of GSU3410 should be 228 and not 225. The authors apologise for any inconvenience caused.
Zoledronic acid: multiplicity of use across the cancer continuum

Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has proven efficacy for reducing the risk of skeletal-related events in patients with bone metastases from a broad range of solid tumors and bone lesions from multiple myeloma. In a head-to-head trial in patients with breast cancer, ZOL demonstrated efficacy at least comparable with, and some benefits beyond those of, pamidronate. Several studies have also demonstrated additional benefits from ZOL, including preventing bone loss, and potential anticancer activity. Adding ZOL to anticancer therapy improved disease-free and overall survival in clinical trials in women receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer and in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Thus, recent advances suggest that, in addition to its established role in reducing skeletal morbidity, ZOL might also help preserve bone health in patients with early stage breast cancer. The potential role of ZOL as an anticancer therapy in this setting is the focus of intense investigation and awaits insights f...
System evaluation lifecycle: chasing windmills

Research abounds in the general field of computer security, and the specific area of the system evaluation life cycle. While the importance of this work cannot be overstated, it appears to miss the larger point of creating systems that are inherently secure as a matter of course, rather than adding consideration of 'security' to a pre-existent process. Until this utopian ideal of systems with intrinsic security can be realized, current use of best practices and continued research along existing lines should continue, and further improvements sought to make "bolt-on security" as effective as possible. This paper studies what elements such a utopian system may contain, and presents three incremental improvements.
The influence of ATP and p23 on the conformation of hsp90.

The chaperoning activity of the heat shock protein hsp90 is directed, in part, by the binding and hydrolysis of ATP and also by association with co-chaperone proteins. One co-chaperone, p23, binds to hsp90 only when hsp90 is in a conformation induced by the binding of ATP. Once formed, the p23-hsp90 complex is very stable upon the removal of ATP and dissipates at 30° with a half-life of about 45 min. This was shown to be due to the high stability of the ATP-induced state of hsp90, not to the rate of p23 dissociation. Further stabilization of this ATP-induced state is achieved by including molybdate or by use of the ATP analogue ATPγS. This conformational state of hsp90 is correlated with the tight binding of ADP resulting from hydrolysis of bound ATP. Both p23 and molybdate enhance and stabilize the nucleotide-bound state of hsp90, and this state is maximized by the presence of both agents. These results can be explained in a model where the binding of ATP induces a conformational transition in hsp90 that traps the nucleotide and is committed to ATP hydrolysis. p23 specifically recognizes this state and may also facilitate subsequent steps in the chaperoning cycle.
Nuclear import of the homeodomain protein extradenticle in response to Wg and Dpp signalling.

IN Drosophila, Decapentaplegic (Dpp)1 and Wingless (Wg)2 are two secreted signalling proteins of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and Wnt families, respectively. Although both are often required during development, only a few downstream components of these signalling pathways have been described. Here we present evidence that in the embryonic midgut both signalling pathways control the subcellular localization of the homeodomain protein encoded by the extradenticle (exd) gene. Exd protein is predominantly nuclear in endoderm cells close to Dpp-and Wg-secreting cells of the visceral mesoderm, but is in the cytoplasm in more distant endoderm cells. Both dpp and wg are required for the nuclear localization of Exd in the endoderm, whereas ectopic expression of dpp and wg expands the domain of nuclear Exd. Furthermore, the nuclear import of Exd correlates with the transcription of an exd-dependent reporter gene in the endoderm. Thus one mechanism by which extracellular signals might control pattern is by directing the graded nuclear localization of homeodomain proteins such as Exd that directly control the expression of target genes.
Photochemical generation and reactions of heme cation radicals in heme proteins

A novel approach is described for generating reactive oxidizing centers in heme proteins, with zinc hemoglobin (Zn Hb) and zinc cytochrome c (Zn cyt c) used as examples. The reaction of 3Zn* Hb with [CoIII(NH3)5 Cl]2+, and of 3Zn* cyt c with methyl viologen are described. In the case of Zn Hb the cation radical produced decays with a rate constant of k3 = 2400s-1. Using this value the rate of the reaction (formula; see text) can be calculated to be 4500s-1.
Caveats to obtaining retinal topography with optical coherence tomography.

We read with great interest the article by Oh et al.1 on the assessment of retinal topography in myopic eyes using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). In their article, the investigators described different characteristics of retinal topography to indicate variations in ocular shape in myopia (such as a retina sloped nasally versus temporally). Like similar prior studies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure posterior eye shape in myopia, we agree this work in retinal topography provides important insight into classifying and risk stratifying myopic eyes. However, we would like to highlight a misconception regarding the use of posterior segment SD-OCT images for absolute retinal topography measurements. In the Discussion section, it is stated that “The rainbow pseudo-colors in the topographic (RPE) layer image represent height from the coronal plane of the eye, with blue indicating low height and red indicating high height.” In OCT, the reference plane is not the coronal plane or any plane within the eye. Instead, the reference plane is a reference delay path length in the OCT device itself.2 Axial distance (height) within an OCT image represents sample distances relative to that reference delay in optical path length. Therefore, because the reference is in the OCT device and not in the eye itself, how the eye is positioned relative to the OCT device affects the eye's appearance in the OCT image. For example, all three distinct subtypes of retinal sloping described in the article (nasal, middle, and temporal) can be produced from the same eye simply by moving the OCT scan beam position in the pupil slightly relative to the pupil center (see Figure). The same effect also would occur if, conversely, the subject's eye moved relative to the OCT device. Figure Creation of different retinal topography characteristics from the same myopic eye by displacement of the OCT scan beam position. The temporal (A), middle (B), and nasal (C) slope subtypes can be created from the same eye simply by slightly moving the ... Further, OCT images of the posterior eye are distorted by scan geometry and optical artifacts as our group and others have described previously.3–5 The cumulative effect is that an OCT image of the posterior eye is not an exact spatial replica or digital “cast” of the eye itself. Hence, when using OCT to measure the absolute topography of the posterior eye, these imaging effects must be considered to separate them from actual topographic differences present in these myopic eyes.
Small unit unmanned weapon system for today's army

While engaged in the Global War on Terror, our soldiers have discovered the need at the small unit level for a non-line of sight, man portable, lethal, unmanned device that could be used to gain entry into a building by blowing the door, kill enemy personnel or disable soft skinned vehicles without a soldier ever exposing himself to the enemy and while minimizing collateral damage. This capability could potentially save soldiers lives and increase the combat effectiveness of our units currently deployed in combat zones. Our project team will evaluate several alternatives and provide a recommended solution for such a device to provide these capabilities to the soldier on the ground. Currently, the US Army - specifically special operations command (SOCOM) and the US Marine Corps operate with small and unmanned surveillance equipment. None of these systems however have a lethal component. Additionally, they are currently all operated primarily at the company or battalion level. Other unmanned ariel vehicles are equipped with a lethal capability but they are too heavy and require too large a launch footprint to be effectively employed by small unit ground forces. FMI 3-04.155 (army unmanned aircraft system operations) is the current field manual which outlines the effective employment of current UAS in the inventory [3]. Currently, there is a noticeable capability void which can be best addressed by a system which incorporates the flexibility of a smaller man portable UAV with the lethality of one of the larger systems. Our study seeks to find a solution which will address this capability void.
Fault tolerance properties of a double phase encoding encryption technique

We investigate the robustness of an image encryption technique that uses random phase encoding in both the input plane and the Fourier plane when the encrypted image has been distorted. The distortions include different types of noise, loss of encrypted data, and the binarization of the encrypted image. It is shown that decryption transforms the noise added to the encrypted image to a wide-sense stationary additive white noise. Consequently, regardless of the type of the noise added to the encrypted image, the quality of the recovered image can be improved by processing techniques designed for filtering out additive white noise. The double-phase encryption technique distributes the input image over the entire output plane, which provides robustness to the distortions due to loss of encrypted data. Regarding the binarization, it enables easy implementation and data compression while recovering images of good quality may be possible.
The synthesis of M[Al2(CH3)6NO3] (M+ = K+, Rb+, Cs+, NR4+), and the crystal structures of K[Al2(CH3)6NO3] and K[Al(CH3)3NO3] · C6H6

Abstract The synthesis of M[Al2(CH3)6NO3] (M+ = K+, Rb+, Cs+, N(CH3)4+, N(C2H5)4+) has been accomplished by the addition of stoichiometric ratios of trimethylaluminum to the corresponding nitrate salt in benzene. For M = alkali metal ion, the compound is an air-sensitive solid, while for M = tetraalkylammonium ion, it is an extremely air-sensitive liquid. The crystal structure of K[Al(CH3)6NO3] has been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data collected by counter methods. The substance crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with lattice dimensions of a 7.975(8), b 24.512(12), c 14.601(10)A, β 100.55(8)° and ϱcalc 1.17 g cm−3 for Z = 8. Least-squares refinement gave a final conventional R value of 0.103 for 411 independent observed reflections. The nitrate ion bridges the two trimethylaluminum units together via two separate oxygen atoms. There are two formula units in the asymmetric unit, and the two independent potassium ions differ markedly in their environments. K[Al(CH3)3NO3] · C6H6 was obtained by the addition of dibenzo-18-crown-6 to the liquid K[Al2(CH3)6NO3] · 7.0 C6H6. The compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P212121 with unit cell parameters a 7.716(4), b 9.855(5), c 18.375(5)A, and ϱcalc 1.20 g cm−3 for Z = 4. Least-squares refinement gave a final R value of 0.044 for 809 independent observed reflections. The nitrate ion is coordinated in a unidentate fashion to the aluminum atom at an Al O separation of 1.930(7)A. The potassium ion is symmetrically disposed over the benzene ring at an average K C distance of 3.38(6)A.
TH-C-213AB-10: Computational Tumor Modeling for Dose Painting Candidate Stratification

Purpose: Dose painting plans are generally created by redistributing an arbitrarily chosen portion of the prescription dose (D Rx) according to a map of biological characteristics. This study investigated how different levels of redistributed dose affect patient‐specific therapeutic gain. Methods: Twelve canine patients with sinonasal tumors underwent pre‐therapy PET/CT imaging of proliferation using [1 8F]FLT. Following two fractions of uniform dose and two off‐treatment days, early proliferative response was assessed via follow‐up [1 8F]FLT PET/CT. Using an imaging‐basedtumor simulation model, voxel‐based, ‘effective’ linear radio‐sensitivity values (a eff) were extracted from registered PET images. Based on these a eff maps, dose painting plans were generated featuring dose redistribution levels of 5%, 10%, 25%, 50%, and 100% D Rx. Individual end‐of‐treatment responses to each plan were simulated, analyzed, and compared to a reference uniform plan. Results: With increasing levels of dose redistribution, average cell kill increased in all but one patient, indicating therapeutic gain. As the redistributed dose increased from 5% to 100%, mean proliferative activity decreased by 3%–5% in three patients, while nine patients showed a more pronounced reduction by 8%–38%. For these nine benefiting patients, most substantial gains were observed when redistributing 10%, 25%, and 50% D Rx (up to 14%, 25%, and 33% increase in average cell kill, respectively). When redistributing 5% D Rx, the decrease in average cell survival was below 4% in ten patients, suggesting minimal therapeutic gain relative to the uniform plan. Similarly, increasing the redistributed dose from 50% to 100% D Rx resulted in only modest gains (less than 5% on average) in cell kill for all patients. Conclusions: Results indicate that the majority of patients would benefit from dose painting. Computational modeling based on imaged proliferative response to a uniform test dose could allow for candidate patient stratification. For suitable patients, the redistributed dose should be optimized to within 10–50% D Rx.
Photometabolism of 7-dehydrocholesterol to previtamin D3 in skin.

Abstract The photometabolism of [3α-3H]-7-dehydrocholesterol in skin was studied in groups of rats exposed to ultraviolet irradiation. The major photolytic product was identified as previtamin D3 by its identical migration with authentic previtamin D3 on high-pressure liquid chromatography. Furthermore, this photometabolite was isolated in pure form from endogenous precursors in skins of rats exposed to ultraviolet irradiation; identification as previtamin D3 was based on its ultraviolet absorption spectrum, mass spectrum and its thermal conversion to vitamin D3.
ENHANCED SUSCEPTIBILITY TO HPD-SENSITIZED PHOTOTOXICITY AND CORRELATED RESISTANCE TO TRYPSIN DETACHMENT IN SV-40 TRANSFORMED IMR-90 CELLS

— The response of a normal human cell strain, IMR-90 and a line derived from it by SV40 transformation were compared after treatment in vitro with hematoporphyrin derivative (HPD) and red light. Transformed cells were inactivated at a significantly higher rate than normal cells when assayed by clonogenic survival. Co-treatment with HPD and light also induces cellular resistance to enzymatic cleavage by trypsin; transformed cells exhibit a greater resistance than the normal cells to detachment from the growing surface. These data indicate that transformed cells may possess intrinsic characteristics that render them more sensitive than normal cells to HPD-induced phototoxicity and that the plasma membrane may be the site of differential toxicity.
Influence of drinking water with quebracho tannin on intake of endophyte-infected tall fescue by cattle

Abstract Endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) contains alkaloids that can adversely affect the productivity and health of livestock. These effects are exacerbated when livestock forage on TF grown in monoculture, but they are mitigated when livestock forage on pastures that contain TF in mixture with tannin-containing plants, evidently because tannins bind to the steroidal and protein-like alkaloids found in TF. Cattle and sheep will drink water that contains up to 20 g/L condensed tannins. We hypothesized that cattle (n = 8) offered water containing quebracho tannins (10 g/L) would eat more TF than cattle (n = 8) offered plain water. During the trial, cattle were offered 9 kg/(animal * d) of freshly harvested TF. Cattle drank less water with than without tannins (17.7 kg/d vs. 24.6 kg/d; P
Winding and Consolidation Analysis for Cylindrical Composite Structures

A general process model for the winding and consolidation of a cylin drical composite structure is presented. A key feature of this model is that it includes the elastic deformation of the fiber bu...
Differential modulation of specific gene expression following high- and low-LET radiations

Experiments were designed to examine the effects of radiation quality on specific gene expression within the first 3 h following radiation exposure in Syrian hamster embryo (SHE) cells. Preliminary work demonstrated the induction of c-fos and alpha-interferon genes following exposure to low-linear-energy-transfer (low-LET) radiations (X rays or gamma rays). More detailed experiments revealed induction of c-fos mRNA within the first 3 h following exposure to either X rays (75 cGy) or gamma rays (90 cGy). We could not detect induction of c-fos following exposure of SHE cells to fission-spectrum neutrons (high-LET) from the JANUS reactor administered at either high (12 cGy/min) or low (0.5 cGy/min) dose rates. Expression of alpha-interferon mRNA was similarly induced by low-LET radiations but only modestly by JANUS neutrons. The induction by gamma rays was dose-dependent, while induction by neutrons was specific for low doses and low dose rates. These experiments demonstrate the differential gene inductive response of cells following exposure to high- and low-LET radiations. These experiments suggest that these different qualities of ionizing radiation may have different mechanisms for inducing many of the cellular consequences of radiation exposure, such as cell survival and cell transformation.
Deuterium isotope effects for hydrocarbon reactions catalyzed over platinum single crystal surfaces

Abstract The initial rates of isobutane, neopentane, cyclohexane, n-hexane, and n-heptane skeletal rearrangement reactions catalyzed in the presence of deuterium gas over the flat(111), stepped(13,1,1), and kinked(10,8,7) platinum single crystal surfaces were measured at atmospheric pressures and 520–640 K. Inverse isotope effects [ ( R D R H ) = 1.3−3.3 ] were detected for a variety of hydrogenolysis, isomerization, and C5 cyclization reactions. The inverse isotope effects that appear to arise from a combination of kinetic and thermodynamic isotope effects displayed magnitudes that were not dependent on the platinum surface structure.
Circuit for a magnetic subharmonic pulser

THIS PAPER describes a saturable reactor circuit from which pulses of the subharmonic order of the frequency of the applied voltage are produced. The basic idea consists of resetting the flux in the core of a half-wave self-saturating magnetic amplifier by means of a discharge current from a capacitor which has been previously charged during the saturation period. The effect of the discharge current can be adjusted by varying a series resistor so that it will last for a desired number of cycles before the reactor can be saturated again. In this paper, the mechanism of operation of such circuitry is explained and experimental results are given using 60-cycle frequency. The results are partly checked by analysis. This device, because of its simplicity, could be useful as a subharmonic generator or a frequency divider provided that the input frequency is known.
Bending the Rules: Morality in the Modern World from Relationships to Politics and War

Bending the Rules: Morality in the Modern World from Relationships to Politics and War ROBERT A. HINDE New York: Oxford University Press, 2007 256 pages, ISBN: 0199218978 (hbk); $35.00 The last twe...
Cardiac fibroblast-dependent extracellular matrix accumulation is associated with diastolic stiffness in type 2 diabetes

Cardiovascular complications are a leading cause of death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diastolic dysfunction is one of the earliest manifestations of diabetes-induced changes in left ventricular (LV) function, and results from a reduced rate of relaxation and increased stiffness. The mechanisms responsible for increased stiffness are not completely understood. Chronic hyperglycemia, advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs), and increased levels of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines are molecular pathways known to be involved in regulating extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and accumulation resulting in increased LV diastolic stiffness. Experiments were conducted using a genetically-induced mouse model of T2DM generated by a point mutation in the leptin receptor resulting in nonfunctional leptin receptors (db/db murine model). This study correlated changes in LV ECM and stiffness with alterations in basal activation of signaling cascades and expression of profibrotic markers within primary cultures of cardiac fibroblasts from diabetic (db/db) mice with nondiabetic (db/wt) littermates as controls. Primary cultures of cardiac fibrobroblasts were maintained in 25 mM glucose (hyperglycemic-HG; diabetic db/db) media or 5 mM glucose (normoglycemic-NG, nondiabetic db/wt) media. The cells then underwent a 24-hour exposure to their opposite (NG; diabetic db/db) media or 5 mM glucose (HG, nondiabetic db/wt) media. Protein analysis demonstrated significantly increased expression of type I collagen, TIMP-2, TGF-β, PAI-1 and RAGE in diabetic db/db cells as compared to nondiabetic db/wt, independent of glucose media concentration. This pattern of protein expression was associated with increased LV collagen accumulation, myocardial stiffness and LV diastolic dysfunction. Isolated diabetic db/db fibroblasts were phenotypically distinct from nondiabetic db/wt fibroblasts and exhibited a profibrotic phenotype in normoglycemic conditions.
An experiential thinking style: its facets and relations with objective and subjective criterion measures.

In Study 1, an experiential factor divided into the follow- ing 3 factors when 3 or more factors were extracted: intuition, emotion- ality, and imagination; whereas a rational factor retained its coherence. In Study 2, an experiential but not a rational thinking style was positively associated with performance measures of creativity, humor, aesthetic judgment, and intuition and with self-report measures of empathy and social popularity. A rational thinking style was associated with several measures of adjustment. Both thinking styles were positively related to personal growth. Support was provided from several sources for the discriminant validity of the experiential facets. In a third study, the in- dependence of the 2 thinking styles and of gender differences in self- reported data were verified by observations by others of participants' thinking styles. The importance of identifying facets of an experiential thinking style and of discovering previously unrecognized favorable at- tributes of this thinking style was discussed. The present article introduces an improved, more content-valid measure of an experiential thinking style. Of particular importance, through the use of this instrument several important relations Preparation of this article and the research reported in it were supported by National
A self-adaptive h -refinement technique for the boundary element method

Abstract The development of an efficient and effective self-adaptive h -refinement process and the formulation of a reliable and accurate a posteriori error estimate for the boundary element method are presented. Benchmark and practical potential problems for two-dimensional and axisymmetric cases are considered. The formulation of the error estimate is based on a projection process of adjacent boundary element solutions. The error estimator is coupled with an h -refinement technique to predict a new mesh. A self-adaptive technique that requires minimal user interaction to activate the adaptive process and can be easily implemented into a standard boundary element code structure is proposed.
Architecture and operation of a systolic engine for finite element computations

Abstract Finite element analysis requires the solution of very large and sparse systems of linear equations. This paper presents the architecture and operation of a linear systolic engine designed specifically for sparse matrix operations. Examples of various sparse matrix and vector operations are given. Applications of the systolic engine for the preconditioned conjugate gradient methods and the element by element solution methods are presented.
An Energy Appetite of U.S. Water Systems: How Much Energy Does It Take to Supply Our Water?

This paper reports a new method to estimate energy used in water supply and return phases of the water cycle. An example is a composite case for energy used in water systems of the United States (U.S.) using data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The new method is innovatively simple: it avoids complexities of data-intensive, bottom-up models, often used to map water networks. This method helps to prioritize how to improve energy efficiency in water systems. The method uses a top-down approach requiring limited system data, and relying on a transparent computation of energy. The method applies to standalone or composite systems. It applies to small-scale, single-user systems, to large water supply/return networks, or to summations of data for classes of systems whether simple or complex, and whether interconnected or not. The reported example shows transport could account for about 95 percent of U.S. water systems’ energy use. Energy use for transport among different water-sectors ranged from roughly 80 percent to nearly 100 percent of total sectoral energy demand. Contrasting that generalization, specific data for standalone systems would show when energy demand depends, for example, more on treatment needed to meet quality standards.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Loud calls as a mechanism of social coordination in a fission–fusion taxon, the white-bellied spider monkey (Ateles belzebuth)

Spider monkeys (Ateles spp.) live in social groups that exhibit high levels of fission–fusion dynamics, in which group members form subgroups of varying sizes and compositions. Within these fluid societies, how individuals establish contact with dispersed group members with whom they might choose to associate remains unclear. Long-range vocalizations might facilitate interactions between group members and provide a means of social coordination in fission–fusion societies. We evaluated this possibility for one spider monkey vocalization, the loud call, by examining calling behavior, the relationship between loud calls and changes in subgroup size, and the response of individuals to distant calls and playback experiments in a single study group. We found that 82 % of loud calls were emitted within 30 min of a call from a different location, suggesting that individuals frequently emit loud calls in response to the calls of distant group members. Subgroups that emitted loud calls, especially those that responded to distant calls, were much more likely to experience an increase in subgroup size within an hour after calling than those that did not. Animals also approached distant loud calls more than they avoided or ignored these calls. Finally, playbacks of male calls demonstrated that females respond preferentially to the calls of some individuals over others. Taken together, these results provide support for the hypothesis that spider monkey loud calls function to facilitate and initiate interactions between dispersed group members and suggest that vocal signals can play an important role in influencing social interactions in fission–fusion societies.
Home-Based Parental Involvement in Young Children's Education: Examining the Effects of Maternal Education across U.S. Ethnic Groups.

This study investigated the contributions of maternal education and ethnicity to three dimensions of home‐based parental involvement in young children’s education and development: parental expectations about educational attainment, children’s activities at home and outside the home, and family routines. Controlling for family background variables such as family size and structure, household income, and neighbourhood safety, we examined these relations in a nationally representative U.S. sample of 9,864 Asian American, African American, Latino American, and European American five‐year‐old children. Multiple regression models suggested that maternal education explained small to moderate amounts of variation in parental home‐based involvement, and was more strongly associated with these outcome variables than was income. Ethnicity significantly predicted additional variation in only two outcome variables: parental educational expectations and family discussions. Maternal education plays a unique role in expl...
STUDIES OF THE LYMPHATIC TISSUE III. EXPERIMENTAL STUDIES OF THE RELATION OF THE LYMPHATIC TISSUE TO THE NUMBER OF LYMPHOCYTES IN THE BLOOD IN SUBCUTANEOUS INFECTION WITH STAPHYLOCOCCI.

1. On subcutaneous infection of rabbits with staphylococci of low virulence there appears at the place of injection first a hemorrhagicpurulent inflammation and later a localized purulence. In the regional lymph nodes there is lymphatic hyperplasia, and in the blood a lymphocytosis. 2. In the regional lymph nodes there is first a regressive change of Flemming's secondary nodules and of transition forms. Then follows lymphatic hyperplasia, starting apparently from solid secondary nodules and progressing by way of pseudo-secondary nodules to a diffuse lymphoid hyperplasia. The increase of lymphocytes in the blood parallels this development. 3. Only after the highest point of the lymphocytosis has been reached or passed do we find the first Flemming's secondary nodules, which thereafter increase in number and size while the number of lymphocytes in the blood falls, and reach their maximum development when the number of lymphocytes in the blood is again normal. Therefore, the original conception of Flemming that the site of formation of the lymphocytes of the blood is in Flemming's secondary nodules, cannot be accepted. 4. The lymphocytes of the blood originate in the pseudo-secondary nodules as in embryonic life. The mother cells of the lymphocytes would appear to be Marchand's proliferating endothelial (reticular) cells.