cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Discrimination of passively received kinesthetic stimuli following sensorimotor cortical ablations in cats.

Abstract Four cats, restrained in a sling and blindfolded, were trained to discriminate between a passive movement of either forelimb in the anterior versus the posterior direction and were then subjected to a series of unilateral ablations of sensorimotor cortical areas. Measurements of discriminative performance taken following each ablation gave evidence of a contralateral deficit in kinesthesis following combined ablation of the posterior sigmoid gyrus and anterior ectosylvian gyrus. Added ablation of the anterior sigmoid gyrus was followed by a more severe deficit in the kinesthetic discriminative performance. Severe postural and motor deficits observed during neurological testing of these four cats and of four additional cats suggested a direct relation between the degree of kinesthetic and motor deficit.
SDS microslab linear gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract An improved sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) microslab linear gradient polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) technique has been developed. Several important features present in this microslab SDS-PAGE system include (1) high resolution and sensitivity; (2) rapid electrophoresis, staining, and destaining; (3) high reproducibility; and (4) low cost of construction and operation. Several gels are east at once between unmodified commercially available microslides separated by 0.5-mm thick Teflon spacers. The total time from start of electrophoresis to completion of destaining spans 2 hr. Gels are dried between transparent cellophane membranes in 1 hr and can be easily scanned with a microdensitometer. As little as 20 ng of a purified protein stained with Coomassie blue is detectable.
Abnormal wound healing: keloids

Wound healing is a complex and carefully regulated physiologic response to a traumatic injury. Deregulation of this coordinated process can lead to exuberant scar formation as seen in keloids and hypertrophic scars. Despite their common occurrence, keloids remain one of the most challenging dermatologic conditions to successfully treat and may have significant psychosocial impact for the patient. In this review, we discuss the clinical features, genetics, epidemiology, and treatment of keloids.
Dominic: A Domain-Independent Program for Mechanical Engineering Design

Dominic is a program that implements a domain-independent structure for solving mechanical engineering design problems. Given a problem, Dominic constructs an initial design and iteratively improves it using knowledge about the dependent relationship between the design goals and the design variables. In this paper, we describe Dominic’s architecture, and demonstrate and analyze its performance on two classes of problems.
THE EFFECT OF GROWTH HORMONE ON HEPATIC CATALASE, AND ON CELL VOLUME AND HEMOGLOBIN CONTENT OF BLOOD IN RATS1

Relationships of the growth hormone to metabolic processes are being actively studied. Its glycostatic and ketogenic effects (Wilhelmi, Fishman, and Russell, 1948; Bennett et at., 1948), probable implication in glucose uptake by diaphragm (Park and Krahl, 1949) and anti-insulin action in hypophysectomized dogs (De Bodo et al., 1950) have recently received attention. Since the metabolism of protein is interrelated with that of carbohydrate and fat, clues as to the mechanism by which the growth hormone influences protein synthesis may well develop from studies of the above type, which are concerned with other aspects of metabolism. Consequently, we have felt that our inquiry into effects of growth hormone on tissue enzymes, though begun with a view of elucidating the mechanism by which well-known effects on body weight, skeletal development, and nitrogen storage are produced, might well include assays of enzymes having no obvious relationship to these criteria of growth.
High-yield synthesis of oligoribonucleotides using o-nitrobenzyl protection of 2'-hydroxyls

Abstract Use of published procedures for photolytic removal of 21−' O -( o -nitrobenzyl) substituents from model oligoribonucleotides results in low yields of fully-deprotected products accompanied by significant amounts of oligomers carrying altered, ultraviolet light-resistant residues derived from the 2′-blocking groups. The efficiency of the deprotection has been found to depend on pH; the side-reactions are avoided when the photolysis is carried out in solution buffered at pH 3.5.
A comparison of gel-based, nylon filter and microarray techniques to detect differential RNA expression in plants

An initial application of plant genomics has been to monitor gene expression on a scale much larger than previously possible. Although multiplexed assays of RNA abundance have developed more quickly than those for protein and metabolite levels, some combination of these approaches will soon be providing our best views yet into plant molecular biology. Three techniques that have made contributions to the RNA transcript portion of this combination are reviewed. Currently, each can produce a profile of expression levels for a large but incomplete set of plant genes, at reproducibly high levels of accuracy and over a range of labor and financial expenses.
Structural and electrical properties of (Ti0.9Zr0.1)Si2 thin films on Si(111)

Alloy films of Ti and up to 20% Zr were prepared by codeposition onto Si(111) surfaces in ultrahigh vacuum. After in situ thermal annealing at temperatures of ∼600 °C, the films form the C49 phase and are stable in this phase up to at least 910 °C. In contrast, Ti films on Si(111) initially react to form the C49 phase and transform to the C54 phase at ∼700 °C. The surfaces of the (Ti0.9Zr0.1)Si2 alloy films are studied by atomic force microscopy and are shown to be smoother than the surfaces of TiSi2 films on Si substrates. In addition the tendency to island formation is also not observed for annealing temperatures less than 910 °C. The sheet resistivity of the (Ti0.9Zr0.1)Si2 alloy films is found to be ∼46 μΩ cm for annealing temperatures from 600 to 910 °C.
Discovery of a Novel Series of Potent and Selective Substrate-Based Inhibitors of p60c-src Protein Tyrosine Kinase: Conformational and Topographical Constraints in Peptide Design§

On the basis of the efficient substrate for p60c-src protein tyrosine kinase (PTK) YIYGSFK-NH2 (1) (Km = 55 μM) obtained by combinatorial methods, we have designed and synthesized a series of conformationally and topographically constrained substrate-based peptide inhibitors of this enzyme, which showed IC50 values in the low-micromolar range (1−3 μM). A “rotamer scan” was performed by introducing the four stereoisomers of β-Me(2‘)Nal in the postulated interaction site of the peptide inhibitor 23 (IC50 = 1.6 μM). This substitution led to selective and potent inhibitors of p60c-src PTK; however, no substantial difference in potency was observed among them. This and the results of the “stereochemical scan” performed at residues 2 and 7 of 3 (peptides 19−21), which form the disulfide bond, may suggest that the enzyme active site does not have rigid topographic requirements and thus is able to achieve important conformational changes to bind the ligand as long as the pharmacophore pattern in the inhibitor is ...
WE‐E‐AUD‐02: Dose Rate Measurements of An Electronic Brachytherapy Source Using Thermoluminescent Dosimeters in Water

Purpose: To measure the dose rate of an electronic brachytherapy source using thermoluminescent dosimeters(TLDs) in water.Method and Materials:Dose rates from several Xoft Axxent™ electronic brachytherapy sources were measured using TLD microcubes (1 mm × 1 mm × 1 mm). The sources were operated at 50 kV and at a beam current of 100 μA. Measurements were done in liquid water to avoid the large conversion from water mimicking plastics to liquid water at low energies. A Virtual Water™ apparatus was designed to position the TLD microcubes in water specifically so that no Virtual Water™ was between the sources and microcubes during irradiation. The design allowed for the placement of 12 TLDs in 30° increments around the source on the transverse axis. A positioning disk was designed to accurately position the center of the TLDs at 3 cm from the center of the source and to position the center of the sources at the same height as the center of the TLDs. Air kerma rate measurements were done with a well‐type ionization chamber fitted with a custom‐built aluminum source holder. The measured air kerma rates were used to calculate the desired irradiation time to deliver an estimated 70 and 130 cGy dose to water at 3 cm from the sources. Results: The dose rates measured with the TLD microcubes were lower than the Monte Carlo predicted values. Air kerma rates measured were also determined to be lower than the Monte Carlo predicted values, but the measured ratio of dose rate to air kerma rate agreed with the Monte Carlo predicted values. Conclusion:TLDs can be used in water to determine dose rates of electronic brachytherapy sources, but further work is necessary to confirm measured values. Conflict of Interest: Funding for this research was provided by Xoft, Inc.
Birth order, sex of subject and sex of sibling as factors in extraversion and neuroticism in two-child families.

Using the Eysenck Personality Inventory, Extraversion and Neuroticism scores were obtained for 120 college students from two-child families. When the effects of birth order and sex of S were examined, a significant interaction occurred for Extraversion, with firstborn males and second-born females reporting higher scores. Higher Neuroticism scores occurred for Ss with opposite-sexed siblings than for those with the same-sexed sibling. Results suggest that Extraversion and Neuroticism are influenced by position in the two-child family.
Treatment of Recurrent Corneal Erosion by Extended-wear Bandage Contact Lens

Purpose:To assess the efficacy of using a bandage contact lens (BCL) for 3 months for recurrent corneal erosions (RCE) to facilitate epithelial adhesion.Methods:Retrospective study of patients presented to the Casey Eye Institute (Portland, OR) with RCE after failing at least 6 weeks of medical lubr
The Demographics of Tort Reform

Tort reform may not affect all segments of society equally. Studies have shown that many tort reforms disproportionately reduce compensation to women, children, the elderly, disadvantaged minorities, and less affluent people. This study goes beyond tort reform’s disproportionate effect on compensation, to explore whether tort reform also has a disproportionate effect on accidental death rates. We explain that, theoretically, tort reform’s care-level effects and activity-level effects may disproportionately impact the accident rates of different groups. Using the most accurate, comprehensive data on medical malpractice tort reforms and state-level data from 1980-2000, we examine empirically whether tort reforms indeed have such a disproportionate effect. The results from our empirical analysis are consistent with our theoretical predictions. We find that the impact of tort reform varies substantially among demographic groups. When we consider the net effect of all the reforms in our study together, our results suggest that women, children, and the elderly do not enjoy tort reform’s benefits as much as men and middle-aged people. In fact, they might even be harmed by reform.
CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF PREMATURE RUPTURE OF MEMBRANES

Premature rupture of membranes (PROM) is a common obstetric occurrence; yet, the management of a patient who presents with PROM is controversial. This article reviews the etiology of PROM, describes the evaluation of a patient who presents with PROM, and enumerates the pitfalls inherent in making the diagnosis. Research suggests that an expectant approach to PROM at term is preferable to immediate induction. The use of PGE2 gel is an option for women who have unfavorable cervices. Clinical management of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is generally expectant, with controversies surrounding the use of amniocentesis, corticosteroids, and tocolytics. Each of these topics is reviewed and current research summarized.
Poly(vinyl chloride)-coated sol-gels for studying the effects of nitric oxide release on bacterial adhesion.

Nitric oxide (NO) releasing sol−gel materials coated with poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films exhibit increased stability at ambient and physiological temperatures. The polymer overcoat, however, reduces the NO fluxes by 5−35% over the initial week of release. The variation in NO fluxes between unmodified and PVC-coated sol−gels is negligible after 7 days. The PVC polymeric layer provides controlled surface chemistry for systematic studies of the effects of NO release on bacterial adhesion. As an example, the adhesion of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus mirabilis at PVC-coated NO-releasing sol−gels is investigated. A direct NO dependence on the reduction of P. aeruginosa adhesion is observed for NO fluxes up to 20 pmol cm-2 s-1. Although decreased by 50% in the presence of NO release, P. mirabilis adhesion does not appear to correlate to the flux of NO release. PVC-coated NO-releasing sol−gels may prove useful for studying the effects of localized NO release on other biological and chemical systems.
A systematic review of the use of intranasal steroids in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if intranasal steroids (INS) are useful in the management of chronic rhinosinusitis without polyps and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with polyps.DATA SOURCES: Studies for inclusion were searched using Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane databases, and references of included studies.REVIEW METHODS: Initial screening of article titles and abstracts obtained from the literature search was performed independently by two reviewers (SAJ and RT) based on the research protocol criteria. These articles then underwent a second-stage review. Each article was read in detail and discussed by the two reviewers before inclusion in the study.RESULTS: The review yielded 13 studies regarding the treatment of sinonasal polyps with intranasal steroids. Six of these could be included in the meta-analysis. The outcome measure used for meta-analysis was change in polyp size from baseline compared between the treatment and control groups. Results from both conservative and optimistic selection of treatment effect ar...
Dialogues in dermatology: Highlights from 2011

From M The th Repr D M E0190 a 20 doi:1 Dialogues in Dermatology, a monthly audio program from the American Academy of Dermatology, contains discussions between dermatologists on timely topics. Commentaries from Dialogues Editor-inChief Michael Girardi, MD, are provided after each discussion as a topic summary and are provided here as a special service to readers of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. ( J Am Acad Dermatol 2012;66:153-6.)
Distribution of Diatoms in Lake Superior Sediments

Abstract Four maps showing semiquantitative abundance patterns of diatoms throughout Lake Superior were made by examination of 170 cores at sediment depths of 0–1, 10, 20, and 50 cm. These maps show a decrease in diatom abundance with sediment depth and an absence of diatoms in most open-lake sediments. Diatoms in surficial sediments are most abundant in Jive regions in Lake Superior: Thunder Bay, Keweenaw Bay, the Thunder Bay and northshore troughs, and a region to the southwest of Isle Royale. Only three of these five regions still show relatively abundant diatoms at the 50-cm sediment depth. Diatom abundance in the sediments is positively correlated with sedimentation rates, water depth, and proximity to shore. Nearshore deep-water troughs act as depositional traps for diatoms in western Lake Superior and Keweenaw Bay. Later transport of diatoms by waves and currents generally erases any relationship between diatom abundance in the sediments and diatom biomass in the overlying water. Diatom abundances at 10- and 20-cm depths correlate positively with sedimentation rates, suggesting that biogenous and terrigenous components are eroded, transported, and redeposited as a mixture, rather than being hydraulically separated. Diatoms are abundant at 0–1 cm in regions of both low and high sedimentation rates.
Color-based classifier for region identification in video

Content based coding has been proposed by several authors and members of the MPEG-4 community as a solution to very low rate video coding. Using content coding, a video sequence is decomposed into objects that may be encoded independently. Such a scheme requires a fast and accurate segmentation algorithm to identify various objects in the scene. In this paper we propose, develop, and analyze a color-based segmentation algorithm. One application of interest is coding of sign language video sequences. The requirements for accurate perception of sign language differ from those of traditional head-and-shoulders videoconferencing sequences. We propose a content-based coding method in which perceptually important regions in an image are identified, and more resources are allocated to these regions. Since face, hands and arms are important components of sign language, regions are defined that encompass these features. The dynamic segmentation algorithm identifies flesh regions using statistical methods operating on image color distributions. A method for performing the segmentation in the perceptually linear LAB space using data captured in the YCbCr space is developed. Results of encoding sign language sequences using the proposed content- based methods illustrate the improved quality that can be achieved at the same bit rate when compared to a uniform algorithm.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Restoring sensorimotor function through intracortical interfaces: progress and looming challenges

The loss of a limb or paralysis resulting from spinal cord injury has devastating consequences on quality of life. One approach to restoring lost sensory and motor abilities in amputees and patients with tetraplegia is to supply them with implants that provide a direct interface with the CNS. Such brain-machine interfaces might enable a patient to exert voluntary control over a prosthetic or robotic limb or over the electrically induced contractions of paralysed muscles. A parallel interface could convey sensory information about the consequences of these movements back to the patient. Recent developments in the algorithms that decode motor intention from neuronal activity and in approaches to convey sensory feedback by electrically stimulating neurons, using biomimetic and adaptation-based approaches, have shown the promise of invasive interfaces with sensorimotor cortices, although substantial challenges remain.
ecology or evolution? the Hutterite case

Ecological and evolutionary models are compared within the context of the Hutterite case. An evolutionary approach, utilizing an historical perspective and higher level analytical concepts, is found to (1) allow a more concrete and convincing explanation, (2) better relate the case to the social field within which it is found, and (3) provide a more fruitful basis for prediction and future research. The depiction of evolutionary theory as “vague” (Harris, Helm), or as not applicable to the analysis of single cases (Sahlins and Service), is found to be based on a faulty philosophy of science. The ecological model proposed by Vayda and Rappaport is briefly contrasted with the evolutionary approach employed in this paper, and the difficulties to be faced in effecting a synthesis are discussed.
Testing the Structural Mechanism of Transmembrane Translocation using De-Novo Designed Soft-Metal Transporters with Inverted Dual Topology

Recent crystallographic discoveries show that surprisingly diverse transmembrane transporters share a very similar topology composed of pseudo-symmetric inverted dual subunits. So, a common structural mechanism may govern the divers translocation. For instance, alternate frustration of the pseudo-symmetry can thought to be the underlying principle that governs the structural interconversion that results in alternate access of substrates. Here, to test the generation of transport function by a universal mechanism, we have employed a de-novo design approach to achieve a soft metal translocation function in a minimalist system. An anti-parallel homo-tetrameric bundle of 25-residue transmembrane helices was designed to adopt soft metal chelation in a pseudo inverted symmetry context. Vesicle-reconstituted de-novo peptide shows transport activity specific for soft metal ion Zn2+. Also, the protein structure and chelation, as well as its tetrameric arrangement, gazed by UV-Vis, circular dichroism, analytical ultra-centrifugation, NMR and x-ray diffraction in a micellar context is consistent with the design. Together, these results are in agreement with transport via alternate frustration of internal symmetry.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
In Vivo Choroidal Thickness Measurement

We developed a system that permits exceptionally accurate measurements of human choroidal thickness in vivo by means of ultrasound. With minicomputer techniques, the complementary functions of the time and spectral domains of reflected sound can be used to permit measurements accurate to less than 20 mu at 10 MHz center frequency. Even more accuracy can be obtained with higher center frequencies. Choroidal thickness has been found to exceed that previously reported, with typical values of 420 mu found at the posterior pole. Even greater values are seen in regions outside the macula.
Monospecific aggregations of two cyanophytes in a eutrophic lake

Microcystis incerta Lemmerman, and Lyngbya versicolor (Wartmann) Gomont, formed large monospecific aggregations on the surface of a lake rich in Aphanizomenon flos-awuae (L.) Ralfs. Neither of the two algae in the aggregations was found in the water beneath.
Chiral limit of strongly coupled lattice QCD at finite temperatures

We use the recently proposed directed-path algorithm to study the chiral limit of a strongly coupled lattice QCD with staggered quarks at finite temperatures. The new algorithm allows us to compute the chiral susceptibility and the pion decay constant accurately on large lattices for massless quarks. In the low temperature phase we find clear evidence for the singularities predicted by chiral perturbation theory. We also show convincingly that the chiral phase transition is of second order and belongs to the O(2) universality class.
Rules of the game: constructing norms of influence, subordination and constraint in IT planning

Abstract This paper examines how norms develop and influence the planning of technological and organizational change. A case study highlights the influences of a broadly held management innovation as it is introduced into an existing organizational culture, demonstrating how norms play a role in attempts to introduce technical and management innovations. In the case, three sources of normative structuring—business process re-engineering, the consultant, and the target organization's business environment—converged to create new rules defining how to conceptualize the problem space, the appropriate ways to approach problems, who had actionable authority and how ideas were to be expressed. The emergent normative context trapped the group in a malfunctioning process and eliminated opportunities to question the process or to suggest alternative directions. This case highlights how analyzing normative systems holds promise to improve scholarly understanding of organizational technologies and to refine managerial tools for technological and organizational innovation.
Situation awareness via sensor-equipped eyeglasses

New smartphone technologies are emerging which combine head-mounted displays (HMD) with standard functions such as receiving phone calls, emails, and helping with navigation. This opens new opportunities to explore cyber robotics algorithms (robotics sensors and human motor plant). To make these devices more adaptive to the environmental conditions, user behavior, and user preferences, it is important to allow the sensor-equipped devices to efficiently adapt and respond to user activities (e.g., disable incoming phone calls in an elevator, activate video recording while car driving). This paper hence presents a situation awareness system (SAS) for head-mounted smartphones. After collecting data from inertial sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes), and video data (camera), SAS performs activity classification in three steps. Step 1 transforms inertial sensor data into a head orientation-independent and stable normalized coordinate system. Step 2 extracts critical features (statistical, physical, GIST). Step 3 classifies activities (Naive Bayes classifier), distinguishes between environments (Support Vector Machine), and finally combines both results (Hidden Markov Model) for further improvement. SAS has been implemented on a sensor-equipped eyeglasses prototype and achieved high accuracy (81.5%) when distinguishing between 20 real-world activities.
S14.3 Explaining Inaction: The Politics of Congenital Syphilis and the Global Health Agenda

Background If disease burden were directly correlated with priority on the global health agenda, then congenital syphilis would have a high position. But even though congenital syphilis adversely affects around 650,000 pregnancies and newborns annually and is relatively simple to diagnose and treat, it is largely absent from high-level discussions of reproductive and child health and is not a major programmatic focus at prominent global health organisations. We sought to examine explanations for the low prioritisation of congenital syphilis and use our findings to inform framing strategies to improve the placement of congenital syphilis on the global health agenda. Methods First, we reviewed published literature on congenital syphilis to construct a basic narrative, identify trends, and identify important stakeholders. Second, we conducted semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved with or important to congenital syphilis control to understand the prioritisation of congenital syphilis and attempts to promote it. Third, we surveyed influential representatives of global health institutions to assess their perspectives on the position of congenital syphilis on the global health agenda. Finally, we analysed the data to track changes in priority given to congenital syphilis over time. We then developed political strategies based on these data. Results Based on our literature review and key informant interviews, we develop framing strategies, identify potential political allies, and suggest pathways advocates can use to increase the prominence of congenital syphilis on the global health agenda. Conclusions Although it is an important cause of stillbirth and neonatal death, congenital syphilis is largely invisible on the global health agenda. Past efforts to raise awareness have had limited impact. Future efforts toward elimination of congenital syphilis could benefit greatly from increased attention to framing strategies and alliances with related issues in global health.
Restricted SIV replication in rhesus macaque lung tissues during the acute phase of infection.

The extent to which simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) replication in lung tissues contributes to the pool of viruses replicating during acute infection is incompletely understood. To address this issue, in situ hybridization was used to examine SIV replication in multiple lobes of lung from rhesus macaques infected with pathogenic SIV. Despite widespread viral replication in lymphoid and intestinal tissues, the lungs during acute infection harbored rare productively infected cells. Simultaneous immunohistochemical staining for the monocytic marker, CD68, revealed that SIV RNA+ cells in lung tissues during acute infection were CD68−, whereas during AIDS they were predominantly CD68+ and localized in large foci in caudal lobes. SIV RNA+ cells in spleen remained CD68− throughout disease. Since CD68 is also expressed by subpopulations of dendritic cells (DC), we also examined pulmonary CD68+ cells for expression of additional DC markers. DC-LAMP mRNA was abundant in lung tissues and expressed predominantly by CD68− cells, whereas DC-SIGN mRNA was expressed in only very rare cells, indicating that SIV RNA+ cells late in disease were most likely macrophages. These studies of SIV/host interactions demonstrate that macaque lung tissues are minimally infected during acute infection, exhibit changes in predominant target cells for infection, and express very little DC-SIGN.
Theory of two-dimensional ESR with nuclear modulation☆

A formalism for computing 2D ESR lineshapes with nuclear modulation is developed in a form which is useful for planning phase cycles for particular purposes. A simple method of processing spectra, utilizing quadrature detection, is shown to enhance the selectivity of the phase cycling techniques. Computed ESR-COSY, ESR-SECSY, and 2D ELDGR lineshapes are presented for several kinds of polycrystalhne and single-crystal samples which exhibit nuclear modulation, due to one or several nuclei. The two-dimensional methods are found to give more detailed structural information than the corresponding ESEEM spectra. New phase cycles are found to eliminate completely all transverse and axial peaks in 2D ELDOR and in ESR-COSY, and at the same time eliminate all artifacts arising from incomplete image rejection. Other phase cycles are presented for selecting in those experiments only axial peaks, for measuring T, . It is also shown how selective phase cycles may help to distinguish between coherent and exchange cross peaks. In the special case of nitroxides in typical Zeeman fields, there are no significant nuclear modulation effects from the 14N nuclear spin interaction, but those from the protons (or deuterons) will, in general, be significant.
Axillary metastases with DCIS: is the glass half empty or half full?

Traditionally, ductal carcinoma-in-situ (DCIS) has been thought to be an indolent localized disease lacking metastatic potential by itself. Axillary dissection for DCIS was abandoned because the rate of nodal metastases with this noninvasive disease was believed to be a trivial 1% to 2%, based on data from the era prior to sentinel node mapping. However, the article in this issue of Annals of Surgical Oncologyby Klauber-DeMore and colleagues 1 documents that, with sentinel lymph node mapping, axillary metastases can be identified in up to 12% of selected “high-risk” patients with DCIS with or without microinvasion. This mysterious, unanticipated finding forces us to ask fundamental questions regarding both the underlying biology of DCIS and the clinical significance of limited nodal metastases associated with noninvasive or minimally invasive breast cancers. The Glass May Be Half Empty The prognosis of DCIS is known to be the most favorable among all cancerous breast pathologies, with survival rates approaching 100%. The primary clinical concern with DCIS is its potential for local recurrence as invasive cancer in the conserved breast or on the mastectomized chest wall. If DCIS has such an indolent course because it lacks metastatic potential, then what benefit would there be in documenting the presence of a few cancer cells in the sentinel nodes from these patients?
Seismic anisotropy in the continental crust of northwestern Canada

S U M M A R Y Most studies of the seismic structure of continental crust assume that the wave speeds are isotropic at seismic wavelengths. The ability to measure surface wave propagation speed from the cross-correlation of ambient seismic noise provides new opportunities to image the crust and uppermost mantle. We investigate radial anisotropy in the continental crust of northwestern Canada from group-velocity curves of Love and Rayleigh waves obtained from ambient-noise cross-correlation. We test the null hypothesis that the Love and Rayleigh group-speed curves can be simultaneously fit by an earth model containing isotropic seismic velocities throughout the crust. Group velocity is predicted for 200 000 one-dimensional earth models, which are generated by randomly varying the crustal shear velocity and radial anisotropy within a prescribed range. The goodness-of-fit of the predictions is assessed by comparison with two sets of observed dispersion curves that correspond to two tectonically distinct terranes: the Archean/early Proterozoic craton and the transition from craton to Cordillera. The majority of best-fitting models contain VSH > VSV (4–5 per cent) in the middle crust. The finding that the middle/lower crust is seismically anisotropic across a large swath of northwestern Canada, combined with recent observations of anisotropic crust in much of the western United States, suggests that anisotropy may be ubiquitous in the continental crust.
NEW ANTHROPOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES FOR HISTORIANS

Bodies and Persons: Comparative Perspectives from Africa and Melanesia. Edited by M ICHAEL L AMBEK and A NDREW S TRATHERN . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Pp. xiv+298. £45 ( ISBN 0-521-62194-1); £15.95 paperback ( ISBN 0-521-62737-0).
DIAGNOSIS OF A PORTO‐AZYGOUS SHUNT USING HELICAL COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANGIOGRAPHY

Congenital portosystemic shunts occur uncommonly in dogs. Conventional diagnostic methods either do not offer simultaneous diagnosis and anatomic characterization or require an invasive selective catheterization. Helical computed tomography (HCT) is a rapid, noninvasive means of acquiring cross-sectional images of any portion of the body. Combined with a peripheral venous injection of contrast medium, HCT can produce computer-rendered, "angiogram-like" images of vasculature. These computer-generated multiplanar and three-dimensional HCT angiographic images were helpful in the diagnosis and accurate anatomic characterization of a porto-azygous shunt. A brief discussion of scanner and contrast medium protocol considerations necessary to achieve adequate vascular opacification for volumetric data reconstructions and diagnosis are outlined.
Prioritizing Water Main Renewals: Case Study of the Denver Water System

The condition of a water distribution system has strong correlations with community health and economic development. However, studies indicate an urgent need to upgrade the nation’s aging and deteriorating distribution systems if they are to continue to provide customers with reliable, high-quality, and affordable water supplies. In response, utility providers are developing a variety of scientific approaches to identify failure-prone pipes and prioritize their renewal. This paper presents a tool used to assist Denver Water with its pipe renewal decisions. Rather than attempting to measure structural deterioration of each pipe within the system, the model uses a performance-based approach to estimate the present and future condition of each pipe from routine pipe inventory and break record data. Aside from using readily available data, the performance-based approach incorporates site-specific parameters and avoids the need for high levels of technical expertise required to calibrate and verify below-groun...
Water mass bio-optical properties in the Monterey Bay region: Fluorescence-based inference of shifts in phytoplankton photophysiology

[1] A physical and bio-optical field survey of the Monterey Bay area was conducted during May–June 2008. The combined bio-optical and physical data may be summarized as a transition between two end-member states during the late spring to summer upwelling season: (1) the mesotrophic, nanoflagellate-dominated, low-salinity surface waters (chlorophyll-a ∼ 0.5–2 mg m−3; S 2 mg m−3; S > 33.8) of Monterey Bay and adjacent continental shelf areas. High-resolution and collocated spectrophotometric, fluorometric and CTD data obtained from a towed platform indicated low-salinity subarctic-origin surface waters intruded into Monterey Bay on 4 June. The dark in vivo fluorometry (IVF) phytoplankton response normalized to particle absorption at 676 nm (the apparent fluorescence efficiency, AFE) was nearly fourfold larger in this water mass type compared to higher salinity surface waters more typical of Monterey Bay. The collocated fluorescence and optical data were then used to estimate in situ irradiance values and determine apparent light saturation intensities (I′k) based on the remarkably consistent AFE water column inflection points. I′kvalues retrieved from the low-salinity surface waters were approximately half those obtained over the continental shelf. An analysis of concomitant HPLC data, in addition to historical data for the region, suggest these observed fluorescence trends may be indicative of taxon-specific variation in photophysiology. Specifically, the subarctic water mass-associated pelagic nanoflagellate group likely possesses a fundamentally different photosynthetic architecture than large diatoms prototypical of coastal upwelling regimes.
Stress, social support, and outcomes in two probability samples of homeless adults

This study investigated the main effects of social support measures and their stress-buffering effects in two samples of homeless adults (Ns=249 and 219) obtained in the same large county (surrounding Detroit) at different points in time over an 8-year period (1992–1994 and 2000–2002). The findings suggest that the construct of social support, commonly applied to broad community and student samples, can also be usefully applied to at-risk groups such as the homeless. Although the study's main effects and stress-buffering effects were generally consistent with existing research on social support, the findings point out that expected results do not consistently emerge even when similar sampling and measurement techniques are employed. For example, a measure of perceived support showed consistent main and stress-buffering effects on psychological symptoms (but not other outcomes) and social network measures showed less consistent effects on outcomes (e.g., alcohol and drug abuse symptoms). © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Controlled proteolysis of nascent polypeptides in rat liver cell fractions. I. Location of the polypeptides within ribosomes.

Rough microsomes were incubated in an in vitro amino acid-incorporating system for labeling the nascent polypeptide chains on the membrane-bound ribosomes. Sucrose density gradient analysis showed that ribosomes did not detach from the membranes during incorporation in vitro. Trypsin and chymotrypsin treatment of microsomes at 0° led to the detachment of ribosomes from the membranes; furthermore, trypsin produced the dissociation of released, messenger RNA-free ribosomes into subunits. Electron microscopic observations indicated that the membranes remained as closed vesicles. In contrast to the situation with free polysomes, nascent chains contained in rough microsomes were extensively protected from proteolytic attach. By separating the microsomal membranes from the released subunits after proteolysis, it was found that nascent chains are split into two size classes of fragments when the ribosomes are detached. These were shown by column chromatography on Sephadex G-50 to be: (a) small (39 amino acid residues) ribosome-associated fragments and (b) a mixture of larger membrane-associated fragments excluded from the column. The small fragments correspond to the carboxy-terminal segments which are protected by the large subunits of free polysomes. The larger fragments associated with the microsomal membranes depend for their protection on membrane integrity. These fragments are completely digested if the microsomes are subjected to proteolysis in the presence of detergents. These results indicate that when the nascent polypeptides growing in the large subunits of membrane-bound ribosomes emerge from the ribosomes they enter directly into a close association with the microsomal membrane.
Frontal oscillations on the NE newfoundland shelf

Abstract An examination of the temperature and current measurements from the NE Newfoundland Shelf indicates significant frontal variability at about a 7‐day period during the months of June‐September 1989. The oscillations recorded in 1989 appeared to have propagated into the region from the Labrador Shelf. Significant variability in the position of the shelf water/slope water front in the Bonavista area is also found between years and within the same year. Time series measurements also indicated that the transition from winter to summer conditions in the inshore region may be occurring during late July to early August.
THE FLICKER RESPONSE CONTOUR FOR THE CRAYFISH. I.

The F - log I curve for threshold response to visual flicker has been determined for the crayfish Cambarus bartoni. As predicted on the basis of the higher curvature of the optic surface, the flicker response contour is more asymmetrical than for bee and dragonfly nymph under comparable conditions of temperature and light time fraction of flash cycle. The mechanical origin of this asymmetry is thus confirmed, and is further supported by the similar forms of the F - log I curves in bee, dragonfly larva, and crayfish in the lower portion of the curves (up to F = 70 per cent Fmax.). The slope of the fundamental curve for crayfish, deduced by analysis of the data, is lower than for bee, dragonfly nymph, or Asellus. This signifies a wider spread of the effective distribution of elemental log I thresholds involvable in the response to flicker, and may be traced either to the greater curvature of the eye-surfaces or to their position upon movable pedicles. The results are therefore consistent with the statistical conception of the nature of effects recognizable as due to the activity of excitable elements.
RF Performance Evaluation of Ferroelectric Varactor Shunt Switches

Abstract : This paper addresses experimental RF performance evaluation, and electrical parameter extraction of different size ferroelectric varactor shunt switches. The ferroelectric varactor shunt switch operation is based on nonlinear dielectric tunability of a Ba0.(6)Sr0.(4) TiO3 (BST) thin-film sandwiched between two metal layers in the parallel plate configuration. Coplanar waveguide implementation of the varactor shunt switch results in a high speed RF switch, with a simple two-metal layer Si MMIC compatible process on high resistivity Si substrates. Experimental RF performance of the switches show low insertion loss for smaller area devices, with good isolation for larger area devices. To optimize the device design, RF performance of multiple devices were tested, and electrical parameters were extracted. The capacitance of the varactor shunt switches tested were tunable more than 4:1 for bias voltages below 12 V. The switching speed of the devices tested was approximately 43 ns based on the step response measurements.
Self-assembly of cationic multidomain peptide hydrogels: supramolecular nanostructure and rheological properties dictate antimicrobial activity

Hydrogels are an important class of biomaterials that have been widely utilized for a variety of biomedical/medical applications. The biological performance of hydrogels, particularly those used as wound dressing could be greatly advanced if imbued with inherent antimicrobial activity capable of staving off colonization of the wound site by opportunistic bacterial pathogens. Possessing such antimicrobial properties would also protect the hydrogel itself from being adversely affected by microbial attachment to its surface. We have previously demonstrated the broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of supramolecular assemblies of cationic multi-domain peptides (MDPs) in solution. Here, we extend the 1-D soluble supramolecular assembly to 3-D hydrogels to investigate the effect of the supramolecular nanostructure and its rheological properties on the antimicrobial activity of self-assembled hydrogels. Among designed MDPs, the bactericidal activity of peptide hydrogels was found to follow an opposite trend to that in solution. Improved antimicrobial activity of self-assembled peptide hydrogels is dictated by the combined effect of supramolecular surface chemistry and storage modulus of the bulk materials, rather than the ability of individual peptides/peptide assemblies to penetrate bacterial cell membrane as observed in solution. The structure–property–activity relationship developed through this study will provide important guidelines for designing biocompatible peptide hydrogels with built-in antimicrobial activity for various biomedical applications.
Is new ST-segment elevation after coronary artery bypass of clinical importance in the absence of perioperative myocardial infarction?

Abstract Objective To determine the frequency and significance of new ST-segment elevation during the early postoperative period after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in patients without enzymatic or electrocardiogram evidence of perioperative myocardial infarction (MI). Methods Pre- and early postoperative electrocardiograms were reviewed in 506 patients undergoing CABG in whom MI was excluded by the absence of new Q waves or left bundle branch block and a peak postoperative troponin I less than 10 ng/mL. Results New ST-segment elevation of 0.1 mV or greater was observed in 64 patients (12.6%). Patients with and without ST-segment elevation did not differ with regard to age, prior coronary artery bypass, number of grafts, use of the internal mammary artery, incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, length of stay in the intensive care unit, duration of hospitalization, or 30-day mortality. Conclusions ST-segment elevation not due to perioperative MI is common after CABG but is not associated with increased postoperative morbidity or mortality.
Parental Preferences on Addressing Weight-Related Issues in Children

Little is known about parental preferences on how providers should approach or manage weight-related concerns. A cross-sectional survey was conducted of 292 parents in a pediatric primary care faculty group practice. Of the 292 respondents, 90% were women, 45% had a child on Medicaid, and 53% had a body mass index of 25 or more. Only 12.1% of parents reported they had an overweight child. The term “gaining too much weight” was preferred 2:1 to “overweight” (51.1% versus 25.9%, P < .001). Most respondents (62.3%) thought the physician's office was the best place to manage an overweight child. Parents who reported they had an overweight child were more likely to prefer individual than group sessions compared with those without an overweight child (odds ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-3.7). Further research is needed to investigate the reasons underlying these preferences and how they positively or negatively impact program satisfaction, attrition rates, and behavior change outcomes.
Lymphocyte recruitment into the aortic wall before and during development of atherosclerosis is partially L-selectin dependent

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease of large arteries. Flow cytometry of aortic cell suspensions showed that B and T lymphocytes and some macrophages and dendritic cells are already present in the adventitia of normal/noninflamed mouse aortas. Adoptively transferred lymphocytes constitutively homed to the aorta and resided within the adventitia up to 7 d after transfer. Lymphocyte trafficking into normal/noninflamed or atherosclerosis-prone aortas was partially L-selectin dependent. Antigen-activated dendritic cells induced increased T lymphocyte proliferation within the aorta 72 h after adoptive transfer. During progression of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein-E–deficient mice, the total number of macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells, but not B cells, increased significantly. This alteration in immune cell composition was accompanied by the formation of tertiary lymphoid tissue in the adventitia of atherosclerotic aortas. These results demonstrate that lymphocytes already reside within the normal/noninflamed aorta before the onset atherosclerosis as a consequence of constitutive trafficking. Atherosclerosis induces the recruitment of macrophages and dendritic cells that support antigen presentation.