cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Products of Oxidation of an Olefin Structurally Related to GR-S

Abstract The fields of rubber, plastics, surface coatings, and petroleum include a considerable portion of the industrial activity of the world, and in each of these industries oxidation is an important factor in product processing and in the properties of the final product. Information regarding the nature of the oxidation reactions observed in any of these fields can be applied in part to the others. Because of the complexity of the materials involved, it is frequently desirable to study pattern molecules of comparable structure and to seek to apply the knowledge obtained in this way to the more complex systems. This investigation is a part of a research program on the nature of the oxidation of natural and synthetic rubber and related materials. It is confined to the study of an olefin, 5-phenyl-2-pentene, which represents one of the possible repeating structural units of GR-S rubber. There is considerable information in the literature regarding the probable mechanism of oxidation of hydrocarbons, both...
Human Origins: Lessons from an African valley

Our evolutionary history has important lessons for us - all of our closest relatives have gone extinct, leaving only more distant African apes
A Semiobjective Method for Condensing Classifications

A simple, semiobjective method is described to reduce the number of groups in a classification to an arbitrary level without losing contact with the geologic information contained in the evolving groups. The method, operated in a stepwise or cyclic manner, employs some of the commonly used numerical techniques, but avoids strict adherence to them to obtain geologically more meaningful results. The method is illustrated in a facies study of the upper Paleozoic rocks of southeastern Utah.
Losartan increases bone mass and accelerates chondrocyte hypertrophy in developing skeleton

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are a group of anti-hypertensive drugs that are widely used to treat pediatric hypertension. Recent application of ARBs to treat diseases such as Marfan syndrome or Alport syndrome has shown positive outcomes in animal and human studies, suggesting a broader therapeutic potential for this class of drugs. Multiple studies have reported a benefit of ARBs on adult bone homeostasis; however, its effect on the growing skeleton in children is unknown. We investigated the effect of Losartan, an ARB, in regulating bone mass and cartilage during development in mice. Wild type mice were treated with Losartan from birth until 6 weeks of age, after which bones were collected for microCT and histomorphometric analyses. Losartan increased trabecular bone volume vs. tissue volume (a 98% increase) and cortical thickness (a 9% increase) in 6-weeks old wild type mice. The bone changes were attributed to decreased osteoclastogenesis as demonstrated by reduced osteoclast number per bone surface in vivo and suppressed osteoclast differentiation in vitro. At the molecular level, Angiotensin II-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation in RAW cells was attenuated by Losartan. Similarly, RANKL-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was suppressed by Losartan, suggesting a convergence of RANKL and angiotensin signaling at the level of ERK1/2 regulation. To assess the effect of Losartan on cartilage development, we examined the cartilage phenotype of wild type mice treated with Losartan in utero from conception to 1 day of age. Growth plates of these mice showed an elongated hypertrophic chondrocyte zone and increased Col10a1 expression level, with minimal changes in chondrocyte proliferation. Altogether, inhibition of the angiotensin pathway by Losartan increases bone mass and accelerates chondrocyte hypertrophy in growth plate during skeletal development.
EXAMPLE ANALYSIS AND HANDLING OF UNCERTAINTY IN THE "HIGHWAY CAPACITY MANUAL" WITH CONSIDERATION OF TRAFFIC DIVERSION

Dealing with uncertainty is inevitable when the performance of transportation systems is estimated and predicted. Various sources of uncertainty and how uncertainty can be handled are demonstrated. An example single stream at an unsignalized intersection is considered as an illustration. The data collected in the field were used to present sources of uncertainty and their contribution to prediction error. Interval values are proposed to represent the prediction uncertainty. This approach is advantageous over rigorous statistical estimation when distributions of the variables and interactions between them are not well specified. Also addressed is drivers' adjusting behavior to changing traffic performance. A simple volume elasticity approach is used to address traffic diversion and to provide realistic estimation of interval values of future delay. This study should be a useful introduction to the uncertainty issue in traffic analysis based on the Highway Capacity Manual.
Effects of pertussis toxin onα1-agonist-mediated phosphatidylinositide turnover and myocardial cell hypertrophy in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes

In neonatal rat ventricular myocytes pretreatment with pertussis toxin did not affect 1 μM (−)-norepinephrine stimulation of inositol phosphates or myocardial cell hypertrophy as measured either by protein radiolabelling or by myocardial cell protein content. Thus guanine nucleotide protein (s) ADP-ribosylated by pertussis toxin do not play a role in twoα1-adrenoceptor-mediated processes, phosphatidylinositide turnover and induction of myocardial cell hypertrophy.
Estimating the upper limit of the number of signals

This paper considers a multi-step selection procedure to estimate the upper limit of the number of signals. The unknown number of signals present in a radar data can be formulated as the difference between the total number of components in the observed multivariate data vector and the multiplicity of the smallest eigenvalue. We propose a selection procedure to estimate the lower limit for the multiplicity of the common smallest eigenvalue, which is significantly smaller than the other eigenvalues. As a consequence, an estimate for the upper limit of the number of signals can be obtained. With a guaranteed probability requirement, the proposed procedure selects a subset that contains the smallest eigenvalues. The size of the subset is random from sample to sample. The number of signals present is estimated as the difference of the number of components and the cardinality of the selected subset. Therefore, our estimate gives an upper bound for the number of signals present. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate our proposed procedure.
Thermal evolution of the earth

Abstract Models to study the thermal evolution of the earth have been developed based on a calculation of finite-amplitude thermal convection in an incompressible and viscous mantle with temperature and pressure-dependent physical parameters. The lateral dependences of the variables are resolved through their spherical harmonic representations, while the radial and time dependences are calculated using numerical procedures. The major emphasis of this paper is to illustrate the effects of different factors on the thermal evolution of the earth rather than to present a definite earth model. The main conclusions achieved in this study are: 1. (1) A significant portion of the present-day temperature in the mantle and surface heat flux is due to initial heat of the earth resulting from accretion and core formation. 2. (2) Since the effective Rayleigh number of the earth's mantle is high, solid-state convection is found to be sufficiently efficient to maintain an almost adiabatic temperature gradient within the convecting region, while large temperature gradients exist across the thermal boundary layers (core—mantle boundary) and below the lithosphere. 3. (3) The convection is oscillatory with avalanche-type properties. This is due to the slow development of instability in the thermal boundary layer near the surface which causes the episodic behavior. The periods of the oscillations are about 50–250 m.y. The oscillation in the mantle also induces periodic features in the surface heat flux and the thickness of the lithosphere. Mantle viscosity structure plays an important role in the cooling rate and nature of oscillations. 4. (4) The mobility of the lithosphere is an important factor controlling the thermal state of the earth's interior. A mobile lithosphere will cool the interior faster.
Aβ42 gene vaccination reduces brain amyloid plaque burden in transgenic mice

Abstract Objective To demonstrate that in APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice, gene gun mediated Aβ42 gene vaccination elicits a high titer of anti-Aβ42 antibodies causal of a significant reduction of Aβ42 deposition in brain. Methods Gene gun immunization is conducted with transgenic mice using the Aβ42 gene in a bacterial plasmid with the pSP72-E3L-Aβ42 construct. Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA) and Western blots are used to monitor anti-Aβ42 antibody levels in serum and Aβ42 levels in brain tissues. Enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISPOT) assays are used for detection of peripheral blood T cells to release γ-interferon. Immunofluorescence detection of Aβ42 plaques and quantification of amyloid burden of brain tissue were measured and sections were analyzed with Image J (NIH) software. Results Gene gun vaccination with the Aβ42 gene resulted in high titers of anti-Aβ42 antibody production of the Th2-type. Levels of Aβ42 in treated transgenic mouse brain were reduced by 60–77.5%. The Mann–Whitney U-test P = 0.0286. Interpretation We have developed a gene gun mediated Aβ42 gene vaccination method that is efficient to break host Aβ42 tolerance without using adjuvant and induces a Th2 immune response. Aβ42 gene vaccination significantly reduces the Aβ42 burden of the brain in treated APPswe/PS1ΔE9 transgenic mice with no overlap between treated and control mice.
Nurse Practitioners' attitudes about cancer clinical trials and willingness to recommend research participation.

Abstract Background Recruitment and retention of human participants in cancer clinical trials remains challenging for all investigators. Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are in a prime position to discuss, educate and refer patients to clinical trials as many NPs work in ethnically and geographically diverse primary care settings in the U.S., yet they remain an untapped resource. We examined NPs' general attitudes toward cancer clinical trial recommendations and assessed their willingness to recommend such trials Methods We randomly surveyed 455 primary care NPs in the state of Pennsylvania during 2008 with an adjusted response rate of 55.3%. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize NPs' demographic and practice characteristics, and logistic regression was used to assess the relative influence of the various attitudes and beliefs on the likelihood that the NP would bring up clinical trials as a treatment option. Results NPs were more likely to bring up the topic of clinical trials with at least some patients if they were comfortable discussing treatment options with their cancer patients (OR = 4.29, p = 0.001), were comfortable discussing options of entering a clinical trial for treatment (OR = 3.54, p = 0.003), had adequate time during patients' visit to explain clinical trials (OR = 3.40, p = 0.008), and if they believed that patients in clinical trials were receiving the best medical treatment (OR = 3.34, p = 0.019). NPs who were comfortable discussing cancer clinical trials were almost 5 times more likely to think clinical trials were useful (OR = 4.70; 95% CI = 1.81–12.19; p = 0.001). Nearly three-quarters (72.6%) of the entire responder sample reported three or more ethical concerns associated with clinical trials, including issues of randomization, informed consent, and patient burden. Conclusions NPs are willing to recommend clinical trials but need more education about the benefits and burdens of clinical trials, the associated ethical concerns, and evidence regarding the translatability of research to clinical practice to increase their knowledge and comfort level with discussing clinical trials.
Lattice Green function for extended defect calculations: Computation and error estimation with long-range forces

Computing the atomic geometry of lattice defects---e.g., point defects, dislocations, crack tips, surfaces, or boundaries---requires an accurate coupling of the local deformations to the long-range elastic field. Periodic or fixed boundary conditions used by classical potentials or density-functional theory may not accurately reproduce the correct bulk response to an isolated defect; this is especially true for dislocations. Flexible boundary conditions have been developed to produce the correct long-range strain field from a defect---effectively ``embedding'' a finite-sized defect with infinite bulk response, isolating it from either periodic images or free surfaces. Flexible boundary conditions require the calculation of the bulk response with the lattice Green function (LGF). While the LGF can be computed from the force-constant matrix, the force-constant matrix is only known to a maximum range. This paper illustrates how to accurately calculate the lattice Green function and estimate the error using a truncated force-constant matrix combined with knowledge of the long-range behavior of the lattice Green function. The effective range of deviation of the lattice Green function from the long-range elastic behavior provides an important length scale in multiscale quasicontinuum and flexible boundary-condition calculations, and measures the error introduced with periodic-boundary conditions.
Acute multilineage (B/myeloid) leukemia with RUNX1 duplication/amplification and hypereosinophilia.

A 14–year-old girl presented with myalgias and decreased energy and was found to have a white count of 73 000 with 75% eosinophils. Flow cytometry and immunostains showed the blasts in the bone marrow expressed both myeloid and lymphoid markers. Patient was diagnosed with acute multilineage (B/Myeloid) leukemia. Genetic testing revealed four copies of the RUNX1 gene region in 25.5%, with a normal karyotype and no evidence of t(8;21) or t(12;21) by fluorescence in situ hybridization. RUNX1 translocations and amplifications have been implicated in acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and MDS, but have not yet been seen with acute multilineage leukemia. Additionally, it is unclear what the risk stratification of this unique presentation will turn out to be.
Refractive index measurement for planar photonic crystal using a microscopy-spectrometry method

We report a unique technique to measure the refractive index (n), extinction coefficient (k), and thickness of thin films based on either the reflection or transmission spectra. The method combines a spectrometer, an optical microscope and a video camera. It is inexpensive, versatile and fast ( 2 mm has a periodic cermet structure on Si substrate made by Deutsch Telekom using the electron induced deposition.
Behavioral inhibition and childhood stuttering

a b s t r a c t Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relation of behavioral inhibition to stuttering and speech/language output in preschool-age children who do (CWS) and do not stutter (CWNS). Method: Participants were preschool-age (ages 36-68 months), including 26 CWS (22 males) and 28 CWNS (13 males). Participants' behavioral inhibition (BI) was assessed by measuring the latency to their sixth spontaneous comment during conversation with an unfamiliar experimenter, using methodology developed by Kagan, Reznick, and Gibbons (1989). In addition to these measures of BI, each participant's stuttered and non-stuttered disfluencies and mean length of utterance (in morphemes) were assessed. Results: Among the more salient findings, it was found that (1) there was no significant difference in BI between preschool-age CWS and CWNS as a group, (2) when extremely high versus low inhibited children were selected, there were more CWS with higher BI and fewer CWS with lower BI when compared to their CWNS peers, and (3) more behav- iorally inhibited CWS, when compared to less behaviorally inhibited CWS, exhibited more stuttering. Conclusions: Findings are taken to suggest that one aspect of temperament (i.e., behavioral inhibition) is exhibited by some preschool-age CWS and that these children stutter more than CWS with lower behavioral inhibition. The present results seem to support contin- ued study of the association between young children's temperamental characteristics and stuttering, the diagnostic entity (i.e., CWS versus CWNS), as well as stuttering, the behavior (e.g., frequency of stuttered disfluencies).
Genetics of steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency

Abstract Classical and non-classical adrenal hyperplasia due to steroid 21-hydroxylase deficiency (210HD) are HLA-linked, autosomal recessive disorders characterized by a variable degree of hyperandrogenism and cortisol deficiency. Direct screening of newborns has placed the incidence of the classical disease at 1 : 5000 to 1 : 15 000, whereas the nonclassical form of the disease is estimated to occur in 1 : 100 Caucasians. Molecular genetic analysis has revealed that salt-wasting classical 210HD linked to HLA-Bw47 is associated with a deletion of one of two 21-hydroxylase genes.
Hydrophilic versus hydrophobic coadsorption: Carbon monoxide and water on Rh(111) versus Pt(111)

Abstract Carbon monoxide is a major poison to anodic reactions in aqueous fuel cells. To ascertain the effects of a controlled aqueous environment on the adsorption of CO on electrocatalytically active metals, the coadsorption of CO and water on Rh(111) and Pt(111) surfaces at 100 K was studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS), temperature programmed desorption (TPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and low energy electron diffraction (LEED). On Rh(111) low coverages of CO shift monolayer water desorption from 182 to 207 K, indicating net attractive COH 2 O interactions. Water shifts the CO stretching frequency from 2020 to 1620 cm −1 , suggesting a displacement of CO from atop to three-fold hollow sites. A site shift is corroborated by XPS data. Concurrent changes in water vibrational features suggest formation of a mixed phase in which CO and water occupy adjacent sites. It has been hypothesized that such an adsorption geometry would facilitate the normally slow electrooxidation of CO and of fuels such as methanol. On Pt(111), in contrast, all coverages of CO decrease the desorption temperature of water, indicating net repulsive COH 2 O interactions. Water splits the single 2110 cm −1 CO stretch of low coverages of CO into two peaks corresponding to the atop and bridging species also seen for higher coverages of CO on the water-free surface. This result and the lack of a change in water vibrational features suggest that on Pt(111) the coadsorbates separate into incompressible islands containing only water and compressible, internally repulsive, patches containing only CO. If the disparate behavior of Rh(111) and Pt(111) also occurs in room temperature aqueous solutions, comparison of their electrooxidation activity in the presence of CO could provide a conclusive test of whether or not rational provision of adjacent CO and water binding sites is likely to be a productive strategy for the development of improved electrooxidation catalysts.
Reductive dechlorination of polychlorinated biphenyls: threshold concentration and dechlorination kinetics of individual congeners in Aroclor 1248.

Reductive dechlorination of individual PCB congeners in Aroclor 1248 was investigated using sediment microorganisms from the St. Lawrence River (NY). No dechlorination was observed at Aroclor concentrations below 40 ppm [137 nmol (g of sediment)-1]. Above this threshold, congeners could be divided into three categories: group A, congeners that dechlorinated above 40 ppm; group B, congeners that dechlorinated only at high concentrations above 60 ppm [206 nmol (g of sediment)-1]; and group C, lower chlorinated congeners that increased in concentration. The dechlorination rate of congeners in groups A and B was a linear function of their initial sediment concentration. For group A congeners, the concentration intercepts of this linear function were the same as their concentrations in the Aroclor at the threshold concentration, and these therefore represented the threshold values. However, the intercepts of group B congeners were significantly higher than their levels at the threshold Aroclor concentration a...
Sources of error with use of Goldmann-type tonometers

There are many sources of error in the use of Goldmann-type applanation tonometers. In clinically normal corneas hypofluorescence of the precorneal tear film, accommodation, the Valsalva maneuver and vertical gaze are preventable causes of large tonometric errors. Repeated tonometry may induce a decline in the intraocular pressure (IOP). Variations in the corneal resistance to indentation between eyes cause significant errors. The most significant cause of error in clinically abnormal eyes is corneal epithelial edema, which causes a marked underestimation of IOP. Measurements obtained with Goldmann-type tonometers can be used with confidence to monitor changes in the IOP of an individual, but should not be relied on to determine the absolute manometric pressure within an eye or to compare the IOPs in eyes of different individuals.
Determining the regional context for landscape planning

Abstract To be successful, landscape planners must understand the nature and characteristics of the regions in which they work. Various definitions of regions are reviewed. Regional structure and complexity are compared. Theoretical techniques in human ecology are presented as a framework to integrate regional processes. Watersheds are identified as a useful, common unit of spatial organization delimiting regions. Several hierarchical systems for classifying components of regions are discussed, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's system for classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats, the U.S. Geological Survey's system for classifying land use and land cover, and environmentally sensitive areas of classification. Bivariate relationships and layer-cake simulation models are identified as two means used to establish interrelationships between the structural components or phenomena of regions.
Predictive value of sputum gram stain for the determination of appropriate antibiotic therapy in ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Background: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is diagnosed in about 30% to 50% of critically ill postsurgical and trauma patients. Early appropriate antibiotic therapy has been associated with improved survival rates. The diagnosis, however, continues to be a challenge. We routinely employ clinical pulmonary infection scores to warrant a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) quantitative culture to subsequently diagnose VAP. Presumptive antibiotic therapy for the first 48 to 72 hours is based on the sputum Gram stain, obtained at the time of BAL. This study was conducted to analyze the predictive value of sputum Gram stain for selecting appropriate early antibiotic therapy for VAP as confirmed by a BAL quantitative culture (>10 4 CFU/mL considered diagnostic). Methods: The retrospective analysis included 124 consecutive intensive care unit patients with 186 identified episodes of presumed VAP from December 2002 to June 2006. VAP episodes were identified by a clinical pulmonary infection score ≥6, availability of a sputum Gram stain, and a corresponding quantitative culture result from a BAL sample. Results: The overall correlation between Gram stain and subsequent organism identified on the BAL quantitative culture was only fair with a K score of 0.314. The best predictive value calculated was for the category of negative Gram stain. However, in 10 of 45 episodes where the sputum Gram stain did not identify a predominant organism, the BAL culture isolated pathogenic strains. Pseudomonas sp. was the most common bacteria isolated from the BAL samples. Conclusions: Irrespective of sputum Gram stain, presumptive triple antibiotic coverage should be instituted to provide dual antibiotic coverage for gram-negative bacilli, and vancomycin for gram-positive cocci. Additionally, identification of no organisms in the sputum Gram stain should still prompt broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage until the final results of the BAL quantitative culture are available.
Hedgehog signaling in myofibroblasts directly promotes prostate tumor cell growth

Despite strong evidence for the involvement of the stroma in Hedgehog signaling, little is known about the identity of the stromal cells and the signaling mechanisms that mediate the growth promoting effect of Hh signaling. We developed an in vitro co-culture model using microchannel technology to examine the effect of paracrine Hh signaling on proliferation of prostate cancer cells. We show here that activation of Hh signaling in myofibroblasts is sufficient to accelerate tumor cell growth. This effect was independent of any direct effect of Hh ligand on tumor cells or other cellular components of the tumor stroma. Further, the trophic effect of Hh pathway activation in myofibroblasts does not require collaboration of other elements of the stroma or direct physical interaction with the cancer cells. By isolating the tropic effect of Hh pathway activation in prostate stroma, we have taken the first step toward identifying cell-specific mechanisms that mediate the effect of paracrine Hh signaling on tumor growth.
Addition of organosilicon halides, pseudohalides and amides to acetonitrile oxide

Abstract The reaction of Me 3 SiX (X = Cl, I, NCS, CN, N 3 NEt 2 , SMe, H (in Et 3 SiH), F, OMe, NCO, O 2 CMe) with acetonitrile oxide led to the formation of O -trimethylsilylacetohydroxamoyl adducts for the first seven members of the series. A rationale is given for the observed reactivity.
Polynomial-Chaos-Based Numerical Method for the LQR Problem With Uncertain Parameters in the Formulation

This paper proposes a polynomial chaos based numerical method providing an optimal controller for the linear-quadratic regulator (LQR) problem when the parameters in the formulation are uncertain, i.e., a controller minimizing the mean value of the LQR cost function obtained for a certain distribution of the uncertainties which is assumed to be known. The LQR problem is written as an optimality problem using Lagrange multipliers in an extended form associated with the polynomial chaos framework, and an iterative algorithm converges to the optimal answer. The algorithm is applied to a simple example for which the answer is already known. Polynomial chaos based methods have the advantage of being computationally much more efficient than Monte Carlo simulations. The Linear-Quadratic Regulator controller is not very well adapted to robust design, and the optimal controller does not guarantee a minimum performance or even stability for the worst case scenario. Stability robustness and performance robustness in the presence of uncertainties are therefore not guaranteed. However, this is a first step aimed at designing more judicious controllers if combined with other techniques in the future. The next logical step would be to extend this numerical method to H2 and then H-infinity problems.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Time course of the corticosteroid-dopaminergic interaction during metyrapone and dexamethasone administration

Recent studies performed with depressed patients and normal subjects suggest that corticosteroids may alter dopaminergic activity. We measured the time course of the interaction between corticosteroid and plasma homovanillic acid (HVA) levels in 10 young healthy subjects after the administration of 2 mg of dexamethasone in session 1 and after the administration of 4.5 g of metyrapone in session 2. Plasma levels of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), 11-desoxycortisol, cortisol, HVA, and prolactin (PRL) were measured at 08:00, 09:00, 12:00, 15:00, and 16:00 h on a baseline day and during both drug-administration sessions. Dexamethasone administration resulted in a significant decrease in plasma levels of ACTH, 11-desoxycortisol, and cortisol at all time points and to a significant decrease in PRL secretion in the early morning. Plasma HVA levels were unchanged after dexamethasone administration. Metyrapone administration resulted in a significant decrease in cortisol levels and a significant increase in ACTH and 11-desoxycortisol levels. Plasma HVA levels were significantly increased in the early morning, while PRL levels were unaltered. These results are discussed in relation to the neurochemical and behavioral changes associated with steroid administration and interpreted with regard to a possible association between HVA and PRL in the effects of corticosteroids on dopaminergic activity.
Structural Determinants of Homelessness in the United States

To correct previous researchers' almost exclusive emphasis on describing the size and personal characteristics of homeless individuals, this article reports on an empirical evaluation of the influence of several structural conditions on rates of homelessness in U.S. metropolitan areas. It is hypothesized that unavailability of low-cost housing,high poverty, poor economic conditions, concentrations of minorities and female-headed families, and insufficient mental health care for the indigent are determinants of high levels of homelessness. The results of a multivariate analysis show that the availability of low income housing and of mental health care are the strongest predictors. Relatively modest investments in improving availability of these services would provide considerable payoff in reducing homelessness.
Evidence of a founder effect and refinement of the hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) locus on 17q25 in American families

Hereditary neuralgic amyotrophy (HNA) is an autosomal dominant disorder that is associated with episodic recurrent brachial plexus neuropathy. A mutation for HNA maps to chromosome 17q25. To refine the HNA locus further, we carried out genetic linkage studies in seven pedigrees with a high density set of DNA markers from chromosome 17q25. All pedigrees demonstrated linkage to chromosome 17q25, and an analysis of recombinant events placed the HNA locus within an interval of approximately 1 Mb flanked by markers D17S722 and D17S802. In order to test the power of linkage disequilibrium mapping, we compared genotypes of 12 markers from seven pedigrees that were from the United States and that showed linkage to chromosome 17q25. The haplotypes identified a founder effect in six of the seven pedigrees with a minimal shared haplotype that further refines the HNA locus to an interval of approximately 500 kb. These findings suggest that, for the pedigrees from the United States, there are at least two different mutations in the HNA gene.
Using ASTER satellite data to calculate riparian evapotranspiration in the Middle Rio Grande, New Mexico

Riparian evapotranspiration (ET) in the Rio Grande Basin in New Mexico, USA is a major component of the hydrological system. Over a period of several years, ET has been measured in selected locations of dense saltcedar and cottonwood vegetation. Riparian vegetation varies in density, species and soil moisture availability, and to obtain accurate measurements, multiple sampling points are needed, making the process costly and impractical. An alternative solution involves using remotely sensed data to estimate ET over large areas. In this study, daily ET values were measured using eddy covariance flux towers installed in areas of saltcedar and cottonwood vegetation. At these sites, remotely sensed satellite data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Terra Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) were used to calculate the albedo, normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) and surface temperature. A surface energy balance model was used to calculate ET...
Dynamic modeling of the solar atmosphere

A brief review is presented of work done over the last eight years investigating the fundamental physics of plasmas and magnetic fields under conditions similar to those that are thought to be present in the outer layers of the solar atmosphere, including the transition region and the corona. The models used to study the coronal structures and the thermal instability in the solar atmosphere are discussed. The results of studies of magnetic energy release in the corona and MHD turbulence in the solar wind are examined.
Resolution in soft X-ray microscopes

Abstract X-Ray microscopes are able to image thick, wet biological specimens at 50 mm or better resolution, to perform elemental analysis at 0.1–10 μm resolution with as high as ppm sensitivity, and to analyze surface composition at 0.1–1 μm resolution. We concentrate here on the use of soft X-rays, where the wavelength is typically >1 nm, although mention of some techniques and results at shorter wavelength is also made. We discuss the physical priciples behind X-ray microscopes, the types of optical systems used and their achievable resolution. resolution limitations imposed by radiation damage, and recent application of X-ray microscopes to the imaging of biological, materials science, geological, and other specimens.
Microbes Hold the Key to Metformin-Induced Longevity

Eternal youth is just a myth, but man’s quest for longer life is alive and well. Involuntary caloric restriction prolongs life span in many animals, but medications that mimic caloric restriction may be a more realistic way to delay aging in humans. Metformin—used worldwide to reduce hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia in diabetics—is one such medication that mimics caloric restriction across animal phyla and prolongs life in rodents and nematodes. Cabreiro and colleagues wanted to elucidate the mechanism by which metformin extends life in a common nematode model of aging, Caenorhabditis elegans . They assumed that metformin’s effects in C. elegans would be a result of activation of adenosine 5´-monophosphate–activated protein kinase and related pathways, which has been observed in humans and other animals on metformin. Instead, they found a surprising dependence of metformin’s anti-aging effects on the Escherichia coli bacteria on which the worms subsisted. In a series of experiments, they showed that live bacteria are necessary for life span extension by metformin and that bacterial pretreatment with metformin is sufficient to prolong life span of the worms, without direct drug exposure. Correspondingly, axenic growth media and ultraviolet treatment of E. coli before feeding removed the anti-aging effects of metformin. Dissecting this relationship further, the authors show that metformin-induced alterations in bacterial folate metabolism were responsible for increasing life span in the host, primarily by limiting the amount of methionine produced by bacteria and available for uptake. Notably, dietary methionine restriction has been previously associated with life-span extension in fruit flies and rodents, and metformin has been associated with folate deficiency in humans, supporting the validity of these findings. This study represents a potential breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms by which metformin mimics dietary and caloric restriction to confer health benefits in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. The results need to be confirmed in mammals before being translated into humans, but they suggest that the microbiome may contribute to the therapeutic response in patients receiving metformin. Future clinical trials of metformin should include analysis of the microbiome and metabolism of folate and methionine. F. Cabreiro et al ., Metformin retards aging in C. elegans by altering microbial folate and methionine metabolism. Cell 153 , 228–239 (2013). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://www.cell.com/abstract/S0092-8674(13)00267-5
PERSONS AND HUMANS: REFASHIONING OURSELVES IN A BETTER IMAGE AND LIKENESS

Abstract. This article argues that there are neither moral considerations that in principle forbid the development or use of recom-binant DNA technology, nor grounds to hold that its application is likely to cause more harm than good. A defensible moral position would enjoin a prudent assessment of consequences, rather than an absolute prohibition. The technology may remain controversial because it presupposes the difference between being a person, an entity who can evaluate and manipulate its own biological structure, and human-ness as a biological structure likely to be the subject of engineering over the long-range future.
SIKYATKI POLYCHROME: STYLE, ICONOGRAPHY, CROSS-MEDIA COMPARISONS, AND ORGANIZATION OF PRODUCTION

Sikyatki Polychrome (A.D. 1385–1629) is one of the most easily recognized, yet least understood, pottery types in the Southwest. This article explains the history of the Sikyatki Polychrome type description and how its chronological range was established. It explores the stylistic and iconographic repertoire of Sikyatki Polychrome, and compares pottery painting with rock art, mural painting, and depictions of textiles. I suggest that at least some Sikyatki Polychrome vessels may have been produced by part-time specialists, who most likely worked in family groups. Men may have painted some Sikyatki Polychrome vessels, as well as textiles and kiva murals rendered in the same style.
The Economics of PillCam

Evaluation of the economics of PillCam technology is in its infancy. Most studies of the use of the PillCam, both small bowel and esophageal, have focused only on the capsules' diagnostic characteristics. Although the results have compared favorably with other more invasive and sometimes less accurate modalities, the true cost effectiveness of PillCam is not yet fully known. The few cost-effectiveness assessments performed suggest that PillCam compares favorably with traditional diagnostic methods in Crohn's disease and in screening for complications of GERD and for esophageal varices. The data included in these models are quite limited, however. Sensitivity analyses can permit assessment of a wide range of possibilities regarding cost and diagnostic efficacy. Still, these models need to be anchored by robust and reproducible data input. Large-scale studies with long-term follow-up are needed. Capture of both direct and indirect medical costs accrued by using PillCam or other diagnostic tests in these studies will permit more robust economic analyses. As data accrue,they may give clinicians more confidence that PillCam use will realize economic savings and improve patient outcomes.
A multinuclear NMR study of clinochlore

Tetrahedral and octahedral ordering in synthetic elinochlore with compositions (MgsAI)[Si3Al]OIO(OH). and (Mg...56AII.44)[Si2s.AI1.42]OIO(OH). have been studied by 29Si, 27 AI, and IH MAS NMR spectroscopy. The 29Sispectra indicate that AI-O-AI avoidance occurs on tetrahedral sites with considerable short-range order in accordance with the Homogeneous Dispersion of Charges (HOC) model of Herrero et ai. (1985a), in which charge imbalance within the tetrahedral sheets is minimized. The
A SELF-DIRECTED METHOD FOR IMAGE SEGMENTATION USING A MODIFIED TOP-DOWN REGION DIVIDING APPROACH

We present a self-directed method for image segmentation using a modified top-down region dividing (TDRD) approach. The TDRD-based image segmentation method solves some of the issues with histogram and region growing-based segmentation techniques. The process is efficient and achieves proper results without over segmentation or spatial-structure destruction. In this paper, we examine seven user-defined parameters of the method. These parameters are converted from human inputs to values derived from in-class information created by the algorithm allowing for autonomous image segmentation, without the need of human input or feedback. Our new autonomous implementation also reduces the computational complexity of the algorithm. This reduction will produce significant savings for the total number of computations the algorithm needs to perform image segmentation. Experimental results show that the images using these new derived values yield superior results as compared to other methods, including the original TDRD method. We compare our results visually and numerically based on the within-class standard deviation (WCSD) and the number of connected components (NCC).
Monadic and substructural type systems for region-based memory management

Region-based memory management is a scheme for managing dynamically allocated data. A defining characteristic of region-based memory management is the bulk deallocation of data, which avoids both the tedium of malloc/free and the overheads of a garbage collector. Type systems for region-based memory management enhance the utility of this scheme by statically determining when a program is guaranteed to not perform any erroneous region operations. We describe three type systems for region-based memory management: (1) a type-and-effect system (a la the Tofte-Talpin region calculus); (2) a novel monadic type system; (3) a novel substructural type system. We demonstrate how to successively encode the type-and-effect system into the monadic type system and the monadic type system into the substructural type system. These type systems and encodings support the argument that the type-and-effect systems that have traditionally been used to ensure the safety of region-based memory management are neither the simplest nor the most expressive type systems for this purpose. The monadic type system generalizes the state monad of Launchbury and Peyton Jones and demonstrates that the well-understood parametric polymorphism of System F provides sufficient encapsulation to ensure the safety of region-based memory management. The essence of the first encoding is to translate effects to an indexed monad, trading the subtleties of a type-and-effect system for the simplicity of a monadic type system. However, both the type-and-effect system and the monadic type system require that regions have nested lifetimes, following the lexical scope of the program, restricting when data may be effectively reclaimed. Hence, we introduce a sub-structural type system that eliminates the nested-lifetimes requirement. The key idea is to introduce first-class capabilities that mediate access to a region and to provide separate primitives for creating and destroying regions. The essence of the second encoding is to "break open" the monad to reveal its store-passing implementation. Finally, we show that the substructural type system is expressive enough to faithfully encode other advanced memory-management features.
Complementary and alternative therapy use in pediatric oncology patients with failure of frontline chemotherapy.

Background The use of CAM by the relapsed pediatric oncology population has largely gone unstudied. The main objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of and change in CAM use in oncology patients for whom frontline therapy had failed. Secondary objectives included describing patient/family objectives for using CAM, satisfaction with CAM, financial and time expenditures on CAM, and patient desire for physician involvement in CAM use. Procedure Fifty-four patients 0–25 years of age, for whom frontline therapy had failed, were enrolled. The subjects completed an anonymous one-time self-administered questionnaire. Results Eighty-two percent of respondents reported using CAM, 52% of which reported initiating or increasing CAM use after failure of frontline therapy. The most commonly used CAM categories were prayer/spiritual healing (83%) and oral/dietary supplements (31%). Prayer/spiritual healing was most commonly used to cure or slow the progression of cancer (59%). Oral/dietary supplements were used to improve overall health and well-being (65%). Estimates of money and time spent ranged from $0 to >$1,275 (median $225) and 1 to >700 hr (median 10 hr). Sixty percent of CAM users reported their oncologist was unaware of their use. Most participants who used non-spiritual/prayer CAM continued use while hospitalized or while receiving chemotherapy. Conclusions Understanding usage patterns may better help pediatric oncologists and palliative-care specialists address the needs of this population, and protect against potentially dangerous drug interactions or side effects from combined CAM and chemotherapy use. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;56:1088–1091. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Negotiating between children and adult design values in open space projects

Abstract Environmental design research and participation can enable groups with different environmental values to negotiate critical design decisions. This article presents findings and techniques from two open space projects—one a neighbourhood playground, the other an elementary schoolyard—found to be useful in clarifying differences in open space values and preferences. Specific differences between child and adult views of these places are reviewed. How participation and research was utilized to help resolve basic open space differences is discussed. The article concludes with a brief review of future issues facing research and design participation.
Endocrine-disrupting effects of spironolactone in female western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis.

The discovery of pharmaceuticals in effluent from wastewater treatment plants and drug manufacturing facilities and in receiving waters has raised environmental concern. Because these compounds are ending up in the environment, it is important to investigate the effects of these compounds on wildlife as well as humans. The present study used a fish model to investigate the endocrine-disrupting effects of spironolactone (SPL), an aldosterone antagonist used as a diuretic, but which also exhibits antiandrogenic effects in humans. A dose–response study measured the effects of SPL on anal fin ray elongation, an androgen-dependent secondary sex trait, and expression of the vitellogenin gene, an estrogen-dependent trait, in female western mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. Fish were exposed to SPL in the water for 35 d at four nominal concentrations: 10, 100, 250, and 500 nM (4.2, 41.7, 104.1, and 208.3 µg/L, respectively) via the static renewal method. Masculinization of females, as evidenced by development of an elongated and modified anal fin, was observed in the fish exposed to the three highest concentrations. Anal fin elongation was observed in the group exposed to the lowest SPL concentration, but without the development of a tip apparatus. These results confirm the results of a preliminary study that, in contrast to antiandrogenic effects seen in humans, SPL has androgenic and/or antiestrogenic activity in a fish. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2011; 30:1376–1382. © 2011 SETAC
Culture of primary rat hippocampal neurons: design, analysis, and optimization of a microfluidic device for cell seeding, coherent growth, and solute delivery

We present the design, analysis, construction, and culture results of a microfluidic device for the segregation and chemical stimulation of primary rat hippocampal neurons. Our device is designed to achieve spatio-temporal solute delivery to discrete sections of neurons with mitigated mechanical stress. We implement a geometric guidance technique to direct axonal processes of the neurons into specific areas of the device to achieve solute segregation along routed cells. Using physicochemical modeling, we predict flows, concentration profiles, and mechanical stresses within pertiment sections of the device. We demonstrate cell viability and growth within the closed device over a period of 11 days. Additionally, our modeling methodology may be generalized and applied to other device geometries.